Glam Beauty Board Box Fall 2012!

I'm super excited to be a part of the Glam Beauty Board this fall, and have a wonderful opportunity to try some really amazing products that I can't wait to share with all of you. Some of which I was already familiar with, and some of which are completely new to me. I've been loyally testing out these products all month, and amidst all of the great products, I happily discovered some favorites!

I will be going more in depth about these products in future reviews, but in this post I've included brief summaries of each product (swatches at the end).

Lately I've been enjoying this bright pink gem in a little holographic box called Benefit Bella Bamba ($28). It's a vivid warm, watermelon pink with with fine golden shimmer. It looks a lot like the cult-favorite Nars Orgasm Blush, but it's pinker (less peach) in tone. It's a lovely shade that I can see both cool and skin tones enjoying all year round. The consistency is silky smooth and it's very pigmented. Included with the blush is a soft, flat brush that actually works really well. It's a bit fluffier than my brush from Benefit Hoola and applies the product evenly.

Don't you love 2-in-1 products? The Lorac Tantalizer Highlighter & Matte Bronzer Duo ($32) is a warm matte bronzer and champagne-pink highligher all in one convenient compact. I've been on the lookout for my perfect matte bronzer that isn't too cool toned (they have a tendency to look dirty/ashy on my skin) or too orange (have enough of those). The bronzer in here is a perfect golden bronze and is easily my current top pick for a matte bronzer. It works great as a contour, as well as all over the face for added warmth. The illuminator is sheer (no shimmer-bombs here) and incredibly soft. I like applying it across the highest points of my cheeks for added dimension and glow. It reminds me a bit of MAC Hush Cream Colour Base in powder form.

For a quick statement lip, try Mark Make it Rich Lip Color Crayon in the shade Peony ($11). It's a vivid, shimmery fuchsia - and because precision is a cinch with this crayon, lip liner isn't necessary! It's long-lasting on my lips, and even after most of it is gone, it leaves a pretty pink stain behind.

Prada Candy Eau de Parfum.

Prada Candy Eau de Parfum

Prada Candy Eau de Parfum ($60 per 1 oz bottle) is a sexy new fragrance by Prada. Now, I'm not the best at describing scents (we've already established this), but thankfully for my sake there are only a few solid notes in this perfume. Upon application it's incredibly sweet, yet soft and feminine and as it wears on it softens to a sweet (almost powdery) musk.

Prada CANDY is instantly seductive—pure pleasure wrapped in impulsive charm. In an explosion of shocking pink and gold, Prada CANDY takes us on a walk on the wild side, showing us a new facet of Prada femininity where more is more and excess is everything. Magnified by white musks, noble benzoin comes together with a modern caramel accord to give the fragrance a truly unique signature. 

Notes: Caramel, Musk, Vanilla, Benjoin. (I find it odd that I even like this fragrance because I don't care for vanilla.)

I often associate sugary-sweet fragrances to be a bit adolescent, but I think the notes of musk make this fragrance more grown-up. In some ways it reminds me of Vera Wang Lovestruck, so if like that one, you might like this.

As with any scent, it can slightly differ with your own body chemistry. But, if you love soft and sweet (but not sickening sweet) scents, check this one out! I'm really liking it! It seems to last well on my skin too.

*The bottle shown is a deluxe sample I redeemed with 100 of my Sephora Beauty Reward points.

What's your favorite sweet fragrance?

MAC Florida Cremeblend Blush Review, Photos and Swatches!

MAC Florida Cremeblend Blush

MAC Florida Cremeblend Blush ($20) is a bright, cool pink cream blush. Florida was originally released back in the beginning of 2010 with the MAC in Lillyland Collection and was re-released earlier this year in the MAC Shop MAC, Cook MAC Collection. I'm always game for anything that's hot pink, so when I saw this blush in a recent blog sale, I couldn't resist. It's a limited edition shade, so sadly it's no longer available.

With a sheer layer, it gives my cheeks a natural cool, dolly pink hue that looks soft and fresh. The color can be built very easily (as it's very pigmented) to a more vibrant pink if you like your blush to be prominent. I absolutely love this blush, and I know it's going to be one of my frequently used products.

In general, I like applying cream blush with a small duo-fiber stippling brush (I use a MAC 131 Brush, although many like to use a 188 Brush). You can use your fingers, but in my experience, a brush disturbs my foundation less. I sometimes like using my fingers and with no pressure at all, sweep my fingertips across the edges to diffuse the edges.

MAC Florida swatched on the back of my hand.

Habitual Organic Skincare Lip Balms Review!

Habitual Organic Skincare Lip Balms

Habitual Organic Skincare is an Etsy shop based on the idea that beauty products should have a conscience. The Habitual name speaks to the presence of beauty habits and skincare rituals in everyday life and how these habits and rituals leave an imprint on our bodies, minds, and the environment. Habitual products are designed to be used without worry or concern for unhealthy ingredients. Habitual provides all of the good skin nourishing effects without any of the bad ingredients. The ingredients are 100% natural and the products are handmade!

Habitual Organic Skincare just recently launched some lip balms are available in a tube ($4) or a pot ($5) with a variety of scents including: Honey Bee, Mint Chocolate, Vanilla, Lemon Coconut, Unscented, Orange, Grapefruit, and Spearmint.

I've tried the Lemon Coconut Lip Tube and Mint Chocolate Lip Pot and I love both!