Just wondering... (polish related)

...why Head2Toe, 8ty8 and Transdesign among other e-tailers don't carry Zoya? Does anyone know?
I'd love to be able to shop for discounted Zoyas, my wishlist is so looooooooooong ;)

New NYX Lipglosses With Swatches

Hi gals! And guys too... if you're out there lurking ;)

These are my new NYX lipglosses! Well, that wasn't exactly true - they are actually my mothers, I ordered these on her behalf ;)
However, she was kind enough to let me swatch them all, so I hope this is helpful for anyone wanting to buy NYX online, since relying on the online swatches is like playing Russian roulette, you have no idea what to expect the colors to look like IRL...

Let's have a look then!

L-R: Gold Mauve, Salsa, French Kiss, Copper Penny, Sunrise

L-R: Gold Mauve, Salsa, French Kiss, Copper Penny, Sunrise

Slightly different angle...

L-R: Gold Mauve, Salsa, French Kiss, Copper Penny, Sunrise

My mom found her HG lipgloss when trying French Kiss from my stash some time ago, so she was eagerly awaiting this package ;) She bought the others on a whim more or less, turned out she wasn't very fond of Gold Mauve (too violet) and Sunrise (too red) so she ended up giving those to me ;)
I'm not quite sure I'll ever use Gold Mauve - makes me look like a corps - but it would be perfect for a "goth girl" I'm sure.


So, which is your holy grail lipgloss?

See you soon, take care ;)

Taylor Made Minerals Swatches!

Hi all!

After posting about my Taylor Made Minerals haul yesterday it occurred to me that of course I should swatch those samples! Everyone who belongs to the Mineral Makeup Fanatic Family (lol!) knows from experience never to judge a shade from just looking at the sample baggie; it rarely looks the same on the lids.

So, I spent the afternoon swatching these for you, whoa - it was hard work ;) One shade is missing - it's Disco, which is a super bright blue shimmering shade - I didn't realize this until just about now, sorry...

Now all of these swatches were patted on dry with no base, on fair-medium skin (which is probably closer to medium right now - I've picked up some color from being out in the sun it seems ;))

Enjoy!!

(Remember all pictures are clickable ;))



Left to right: High Lite, Blush, Paradox, Brothel, Occult, Pistol, Nickel, Anchor, Retort (glitter), Millenium (glitter)

Shade:

Direct Sunlight:

Left to right: Fog, Newt, Liquid, Turf, Ufo, Fiji Beach, Lagoon, Shock, Pop, Aisley, Gentry, Bishop, Sucker, Knockout, Margaret (glitter)

Shade:

Direct Sunlight:

Left to right: Diamonds, Reverb, Sovereign, Goldie, Merlin, Primo, Centaur, Vintage, Amazon, Angora, Grace, Glory, Grave, Burn, Decoy, Glitz

Shade:

Direct Sunlight:

Flash:

That's all for now; I wish you all a terrific Wednesday!!

Taylor Made Minerals Sample Haul - Initial Impression

Hello lovelies!

Hope you are having a great Tuesday ;)

Today I thought I'd show you my very first samples from Taylor Made Minerals. This is actually two separate orders that arrived a few days apart.

I'd been curious about this mineral makeup for a while, so decided to give them a shot and I'm so glad I did! Holy guacamole; this stuff really rocks my socks! These minerals are SO extremely pigmented and intense, providing awesome color payoff. I think I can honestly say that they are probably the most pigmented powders that I've come across up until today. I have tested all of them on my hands/arms, and every single one delivers! I sound like a sales person here; I swear I'm not, lol!

I have used these a few times, but haven't gotten around to post an EOTD using them yet. Will do that soon, promise ;) Now I've only ordered eye pigments, so I really cannot comment on the quality of the rest of their product range, but if they are anything like these eye pigments they most certainly will be good.

So, let's take a look then, shall we?
As always, all pictures are clickable for larger image...


Haul #1:

Crappy pic... sorry ;)

And pics of haul #2...











And here they are all together...










Sample baggies are 1/4 tsp and cost $1.00. Shipping was very reasonable priced, I think I paid about $4, which is cheapo when you're living overseas ;) Orders arrived in a timely manner, I got those packages within 10 working days.

I promise I will update you all with some EOTD's using these.

Have you tried Taylor Made Minerals? If so, what's your take on their products?

Released: MAC Naked Honey Collection

Another new collection from MAC Cosmetics to indulge in this summer. What’s close to being sweet as sugar? Well, honey of course! This summer sweetness was released on June 11, 2009 (North America - we Internationals will have to wait until July).

From the MAC website:

"Bees do it… now M•A•C does it! Honey that is! As ancient and exotic as Kohl, great beauties have long revered the natural restorative powers of the Golden Elixir.

Following the example of their fabled Queen, Cleopatra, Egyptians bathed in honey and milk. Queen Anne of England used it to silken her hair; from the Ancient Greeks to the Roman Empire, honey has never lost its regal, ever-amber lustre. We love the luxury of its sensual essence…but we also know that it’s a highly efficient and wholesome humectant and healer. Introducing our limited edition Naked Honey collection – three aspects of golden warmth and sun-made sweetness for the body, layered with two decidedly different honeycomb-derived fragrances – celebrating the secret lives of Queen Bees. Complementary shade of High-Light Powder, Eye Shadow and Lipglass are all the buzz for summer".

So, let’s take a look at the collection!

Lipglass ($14.00 U.S. / $16.50 CDN)

• She’s a Star Light neutral gold
• Queen Bee Mid-tone apricot with multi-dimensional pearl
• Buzz Dark copper brown with multi-dimensional pearl

Eyeshadow ($14.50 U.S. / $17.00 CDN)

• Crème de Miel Frosty light yellow gold
• Pollinator Mid-tone warm reddened peach with pearl
• Buckwheat Dark copper brown with multi-dimensional pearl

High-Light Powder ($24.50 U.S. / $29.50 CDN)

A high-light powder specially created for the Naked Honey collection. It features an embossed honeycomb pattern — super-fine, impeccably pearlized. It creates soft high lights on cheek, brow, shoulders — anywhere on the body.

• Honey Light A light peachy gold with shimmer
• Golden Nectar Muted golden tan with gold shimmer

Naked Honey Skin Salve ($18.50 U.S. / $22.50 CDN)

Formulated from honey, organic beeswax, sunflower oil, and other natural ingredients, this rich honey-scented and flavoured salve instantly moisturizers and helps recondition dry skin. Multi-purpose. Use everywhere.

Naked Honey Hand and Body Cream ($22.50 U.S. / $27.00 CDN)

A sensuous cream made form bio-converted honey, shea butter, and vitamins C and E derivatives. Absorbs quickly for skin-softening moisture. Conditions, nourishes, protects. Use on all areas where ultra-moisture is called for.

Naked Honey Body Wash ($19.50 U.S. / $23.50 CDN)

Formulated from bio-converted honey, this body wash cleanses the skin while providing the soothing and moisturizing benefits of lavender, narcissus, jasmine flower, and blue agave extracts. Provides a sensual, calming, cleansing experience.

Creations: Naked Honey ($22.50 U.S. / $28.50 CDN)

An aromatic journey that traces honey’s fragrant heart back to summer’s sweetest blooms. Energy starts to buzz, spirits soar, light floral and woodsy notes float toward an electric finale. Sweet and sexy all the way.

Creations: Africanimal ($22.50 U.S. / $28.50 CDN)

A scent that starts with a honey-ness that’s seductive and given its dash of pepper, not without spice. Add a dark kiss of bergamot and wood, an aromatic orgy breaks out to create a scent that’s all honey but far from sweet.

Available: June 11th, 2009 in North America. July 2009 International.

Eyeshadows: Creme de Miel, Pollinator, Buckwheat

To be honest; there's nothing in this collection really calling my name, I don't find it very intriguing so I doubt I will pick up anything from it. If I should pick up one item from this collection, it would be the Honey Light highlight powder.
I do love honey, though, and the smell of it but I've read reviews of the skin care products suggesting that most of the scented products are more floral/spicy and less honey-ish.

How about you, will you be getting anything from the Naked Honey collection?

Source: Temptalia.com

Contest Alert #2

I feel so bad!
I forgot to add the wonderful Mary of Body And Soul to my recent contest alert post. Sorry Mary ;)

Anyway; Mary has a great contest going on right now, so hurry up over there to check it out and to participate!

My Latest Chagrin Valley Soap Haul :)

Happy Saturday to All! I really hope you're having a lazy, relaxing day ;)

May I present to you my latest haul from Chagrin Valley Soap!

As some of you already know, I truly love the wonderful products this company makes. They are all natural; none of the soaps contain detergents, lye, synthetic fragrances or colorants, alcohol or animal fats. These products are packed with only natural, high potent skin loving ingredients!
I try to choose natural (chemical free) and plant derived products whenever I have the chance to, just because it feels better for me to do so. Since our skin is the body's largest organ, which absorbs anything and everything like a sponge, I think we should take into consideration what we put on it...
On the other hand I'll have to admit that I'm not a very consequent person, though; tomorrow I might buy a chemical packed bottle of nail polish, or a traditional foundation so it's obviously not a matter of a perspective set in stone ;)

Enough rambling, on to the divine smelling products... (as always, all images are clickable for larger view)

Laid out in the grass, just chillin'...

Cucumber Lime Yogurt, mmm, sounds delicious, right?
It's tempting to get a bite of this, but I honestly don't think that would be a very yummy experience... ;)

Anyway; this is my current facial soap. These soaps never leave a tight feeling to my face - on the contrary I'm left with baby soft skin! It deeply cleanses, taking away every single trace of dirt and make up and actually feels really moisurizing. I'll never go back to regular facial cleansers again.

If you read the label you can see that everything in there are all natural, skin loving ingredients!

Tower of divine smelling awesomeness!
Or should I say awesoapness? ;)

Top to bottom: Dead Sea Spa, Honey Butter, Rhassoul Clay and Cucumber Lime Yogurt

These bars are huge! The last me for quite some time, needless to say depending on usage.
The Dead Sea Spa soap on the top is the sample size.

Whipped Shea Butter & Honey Butter Lip Balm...

This Shea butter is truly a pleasure to use! I use it as a body butter cream, it melts upon skin contact. It's very concentrated so a little goes a long way.
The scent is smoky, earthy (you can choose from four different scents, this is the unscented version).

Ingredients list of Whipped Shea Butter...

Honey Lip Butter Balm.
Honestly the best lip balm I've ever used. Deeply quenches my lips with all natural, moisture rich ingredients; no parabens, petroleum jelly, animal by-products, artificial fragrance or colorants to be found here.
For those of you interested, I highly recommend you to check out this info regarding petroleum based lip balms.
I've also tried the Hemp/Illipe lip balm from this range in the past, and it's wonderful as well, but I personally like this one better. Addiction in a jar ;)

All of these soaps can be used for both face and body. They won't dry out your facial skin, only pamper it! And after using this soap in the shower, I've noticed that I rarely need to slather on body lotion anymore, at least not during summer time ;)

I highly recommend you to check out these and many other wonderful products at Chagrin Valley Soap if you are a friend of natural skin care as well. To read my previous CV post/review, please click here.


That's all I have for you right now. See you soon!











Please note that I am not affiliated with Chagrin Valley Soap in any way, nor is this post endorsed by them. I obviously do love their products however ;)

Contest Alert!!

My dear friend Robyn over at Robyn's Nest is hosting a great contest with awesome prizes! Hurry up over there to check it out and to enter the contest :)

Click image below to go directly to Robyn's blog!