Tuesday, May 22, 2012

Becca Nefertiti Pressed Shimmer Powder Review!

Becca Nefertiti Pressed Shimmer Powder


I have another Becca product to talk about today! Boy, the month of May seems like a Becca Extravaganza. I apologize for those that haven’t found much interest in the brand.

I’ve been very curious lately in exploring the different products the brand has to offer, and stumbled upon the Becca Pressed Shimmer Powders ($38).

The Becca Pressed Shimmer Powders are available in eight (8) shades: Hyawatha (silvery beige), Athena (golden bronze), Angel (pale silvery pink), Gypsy (bright golden pink), Odette (golden peach pink), Nymph (porcelain white), Princess (golden rose) and Nefertiti (golden pink).

Is it a Blush or a Highlighter?

These finely milled, shimmering powders are actually considered a “multi-use” product that can be used as either one – depending on the shade, that is. Some are better suited as a highlight shade for the cheeks, brow-bone and eyes, whilst the colorful ones would work great as a light blush. If you don’t want to wear them alone, you can lightly layer them on top of your blush for added dimension, color and glow.

I have Nefertiti, which is described as a golden pink. It’s an accurate description, as the base appears to be a neutral, dusty pink cascading with golden shimmer that provides a candlelit glow, rather than a tasteless inclusion of gritty glitter or abundance of metallic frost. When pink and gold collide, typically in a blush with a pink base and gold shimmer, it gives the illusion of a vibrant peach with pink undertones. But because the pink is so neutral, it doesn’t have the bright pink-coral effect of Nars Orgasm (or similar shades). I'd say it's a bit similar to MAC Honey Rose Magically Cool Liquid Powder, but less shimmery with a slightly deeper pink tone.


Monday, May 21, 2012

Haionic Super Lightweight Blow Dryer Review!

Haionic Super Lightweight Hair Dryer


Truth: I have never owned a blow-dryer that costs over $30.

Why? Well, I always figured that blow-driers simply don’t mix well with the texture of my hair, so I never felt like I had to invest in a good one. I also didn’t want to use additional heat on my hair. Considering I use heat on my hair on a regular basis (curling iron and flat iron), I try to limit the amount of heat on my hair as much as I can. So, I resort to washing my hair at night, letting it air dry and styling it the following morning. It works fine for me, but on days where I didn’t have time to wash my hair at night, I have to suffer the consequences of having to spend hours on my hair in the morning – between the blow-dryer and flat iron.

*To clarify: There is nothing wrong with not shoveling out the big bucks for pricey styling tools. Expensive doesn’t always equal better. With that said, by no means am I putting down the less expensive brands or trying to encourage you to invest in a product you may not need. We all have different hair needs, so what may work perfectly for you may not work for me, and vise versa. None of the blow-driers I’ve used worked well for me (granted I haven’t tried them all), but they may work wonderfully for others!

Let me tell you a little bit about my hair. It’s long (below the chest), thick, curly (not tight curls, though –more along the lines of wavy) and fine. I shed more than a golden retriever and God help me if I ever let my hair air dry and then go in public.

Since we’re getting all comfy here, let me tell you another truth. The reason I avoid hair salons at all costs is because I cannot stand how long it takes them to blow dry my hair. Honest to God, I feel so bad every time I’ve gone to a salon (the small handful of times in the past 10 years) and the hair stylist can barely hold her arms up anymore with her round brush, tugging through my thick-ass-hair. My Mom went through the same torture doing my hair in the mornings when I was growing up, and when the blow drier was involved, the result was usually a frizzy mess. I use to go through Johnson’s detangler like nobody’s business, and a comb? Sure, buddy. Once those went in, they didn’t come back out. But hey, I’m not complaining. I love my difficult hair!

The Blow Dryer that Changed my Outlook on At-Home Blowouts

I recently got my hands on a Hai HAIonic Super Lightweight Dryer from Folica.com. I’ve been using it about 2-3 times per week and quickly came to my first realization that hey, they don't all dry out and burn my hair!

The HAIonic Super Lightweight Dryer comes with a bunch of different features, and is said to actually improve the condition of your hair. It uses negative ion technology, which helps seal moisture in your hair, protecting it from heat damage and making it feel soft and shiny. The body is lightweight with a motor that’s less noisy than it’s competitors, and it’s easy to clean with a flip-open vent.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

My Everyday Face Routine.

My Everyday Face Routine


This post isn't really supposed to be hugely informative, but I thought it would be a fun post to quickly go through my typical day makeup. My routine is never really "solid" as I change up products from day to day, otherwise I'd never get through any of my products.

On a daily basis I keep my eyes very simple. The colors always change, but what stays the same is that I always apply MAC Brule all over my lids as a base and smudge color across my top and bottom lashline, followed with lots of mascara.

Products Used (in order used)
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC20
Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer in Medium
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Tawny (applied with Real Techniques Stippling Brush)
MAC Eyebrows Retractable Pencil in Spiked
Spoolie Tool
Guerlain Meteorites Powder (applied with a Sigma F30 Large Powder Brush)
Becca Flamenco Bronzing Powder (applied with Coastal Scents Destiny Kabuki on a Stick Brush)
MAC Honey Rose Magically Cool Liquid Powder (applied with Kirkland Stippling Brush)
Nars Dolce Vita Blush (applied with Kirkland Stippling Brush)
MAC Brule, Club and Nehru Eyeshadows
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Shiseido Nourishing Mascara Base
Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion Mascara
MAC Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick
NYX Nude Peach Mega Shine Lipgloss

I'll be doing individual posts on application technique (how to apply concealer, blush, bronzer, etc) because I'd like to explain in detail, rather than briefly in a quick tutorial.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

Eucerin Daily Protection GIVEAWAY!

EUCERIN GIVEAWAY!


These products may look a little familiar, as I recently mentioned them in my recent sun-care post. They are the Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Body Lotion with SPF 15 and the Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion with SPF 30. I've been using both products (especially the face lotion) to keep my skin hydrated, as well as providing my skin with adequate sunscreen to prevent any sun damage - I already have enough sun spots on my face, and I'm not interested in having any additional ones! 

Well, the kind people over at Eucerin wanted to make sure all of you are prepped this Summer with the proper tools to protect your skin and are providing three of my readers with both products!

The Prize:

  • One (1) Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Body Lotion with SPF 15 (13.5 oz)
  • One (1) Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion with SPF 30 (4 oz)

How to Enter:

  • Entering is easy peasy. Just post a comment stating what you'd like to see more on this blog! I'd really appreciate any feedback/suggestions any of you may have for new content and ideas. If this question just plain stumps you, you can simply just write the first thought that comes to your head (L'eggo my eggo?), or, "enter me". 

Terms and Conditions:

  • You must be subscribed to my blog, as this giveaway is exclusively for readers of 'Miss Natty's Beauty Diary'. (To clarify: If you don't have a Google Account, you can be subscribed to my RSS Feed, Twitter, FB, Bloglovin - any of those!)
  • There is one (1) entry allowed per person.
  • Entrants must have a valid e-mail address so they can be contacted once their name has been drawn.
  • The giveaway is open to US Residents 18 years and older only.
  • The deadline to enter is Sunday, May 27th at 11:59PM (CST).

Three (3) winners will be selected using Random.org, and will be announced within 48 hours of the deadline.

Thank you for entering!