Ultra CHI Glamfetti Iron: Review!

Affiliate Link Press Sample 

If you are going to heat style your hair, you might as well use cute tools, right? As a fan of all things super girly and sparkly, you know I am loving this new Ultra CHI®Glamfetti Collection! These dryers and irons are ultra girlie! I will fully admit that using a high quality hair tool that is super cute and fun adds a little "sparkle" and "spring in my step" to my morning hair routine. Hey-that is a feat at 5:45 in the morning!

Introducing Glamfetti by Ultra CHI®:

Farouk Systems Inc. announces the launch of the Ultra CHI®Glamfetti Collection, a hot tool line consisting of sparkly, ergonomically designed flat irons and dryers. This glamorous line sparkles with color and high-tech features to help create silky, shiny hair instantly while reducing frizz and static electricity. A complimentary, fashionable tote is included with the purchase of any styling tool from this exclusive collection at ULTA.

CHI Ultra Styling Irons:

Each iron is quipped with 1” tourmaline ceramic plates that instantly add moisture and shine to each strand of hair from the inside out. Versatile design and professional salon model allow for quick heating.

Available Colors: Ultra CHI Blue Brilliance Iron, Ultra CHI Diamond Dust Iron, Ultra CHI Turquoise Heirloom Iron, Ultra CHI Glitter Sweet Iron, Ultra CHI Gold Iron, Ultra CHI Royal Shimmer Iron, Ultra CHI Twinkling Turquoise, CHI Pixie Pink Iron & Ultra CHI Pink Heirloom Iron

Key Features:

• Flash quick heating
• Swivel cord
• Max temperature is 392 degrees F
• Dual Voltage
• 1-year manufacturer’s warranty 

I am such a fan of CHI hair tools! This CHI Glamfetti Iron is so quick and easy to use. I almost always seem to be in a hurry to get ready. With 2 kids under 4, I am limited in my "getting ready" time. Usually, I have to get up before everyone else and rush to get ready before anyone wakes up. This CHI Glamfetti Iron makes fixing my hair super quick. My hair drives me a bit crazy. It was totally straight for years. However, after having children, my hormones changed my hair it is now wavy in the very top section. It is not wavy enough to wear "curly" but not straight enough to wear straight. The easiest way for me to solve this hair dilemma is to use a flat iron on the very top section of my hair. So, I quickly glide the CHI Glamfetti Iron over this section of my hair and...voila! My hair is super straight, shiny, and smooth! 

If you are looking for a new flat iron, be sure to check out the CHI Glamfetti! It works great and it super cute, too! :)

 

Affiliate Link

21 Days of Beauty with Ulta Beauty: Today's Deal and More!

Affiliate Link Press Sample

Who else is super excited about Ulta Beauty's annual and highly anticipated 21 Days of Beauty SALE? I know that this is a sale that I particularly look forward to each and every year. This sale typically highlights beauty bestsellers and features them at an amazing discount. So, if there are some highly coveted beauty items on your list, now is the time to try them! So, mark your calanders as there is a different item featured every day! The sale is month long, but there are some daily features that you certainly do not want to miss! 

I had an opportunity to try out a few items from this sale. So, I am going to share with you the items that I picked and my tips for using them! :)

Philosophy Purity Cleanser:

Ya'll, I have literally wanted to try this cult-classic cleanser for years. It is always mentioned as a beauty editor favorite for use with sonic cleansing devices. I tend to switch between using my Michael Todd Sonicare Elite, my FOREO LUNA, and using no device at all. I like my cleansers to be gentle on my skin and clean rinsing. Those are my main requirements for a cleanser. Plus, I do not like cleansers with harsh or irritating ingredients. I must say, this cleanser certainly does live up to its hype. It is super gentle and gives me a complete cleanse with a clean rinse without any dryness nor irritation. I find that it works equally effective no matter what device I use. I also like using it on its own without a cleansing device. This cleanser is an all-around win in my book! (this item was on sale Sept 6th for $15-normally $24: Sorry this sale date has passed! But there are many more items to look forward to!). 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel:

I am so happy to return to one of my favorite brow gels! I have used this one off an on for a few years and think it is fabulous. It is one of the strongest holding brow gels that I know of. Just swipe it through your brows to tame their direction and hold them in place all day long. This is a staple for anyone's makeup collection! Great news...it is on sale TODAY for only $11.00 (regularly $22).  

Skyn Iceland Hydro Cool Firming Eye Gels:

Oh my poor tired eyes. I am super short on sleep, have a cold, and have hereditary dark circles. So, a cooling, firming, and soothing eye gel patch is absolutely just what I need! These feel *so good* on! These instantly soothe and refresh my eye area and just generally make me happy. I like that these can be put on at any time of day. You don't need to be doing a whole face-mask beauty routine to use these. Just slap these bad boys on any time you want to refresh your eyes. I feel that they leave my skin around my eyes looking smoother, more hydrated, and plumper. These are on sale for $30 on Sept 21st. If your tired eyes need a treat, be sure to check these out! I am obcessed!!!

Have you shopped the Ulta Beauty 21 Days of Beauty SALE yet? What have you gotten and/or what are you planning to buy? I would love to hear and get some recommendations! :) Hope you are all having a great holiday weekend!!! xoxo

#UltaTrendAlert

#StyleHunters4Ulta 

@UltaBeauty

Affiliate Link

ULTA BEAUTY’s Fab Photo interactive makeover Facebook app

Here is something new to check out: Ulta Beauty's new photo makeover app on Facebook! Bring out your inner beauty-child and have fun playing with this cool app!

It is so easy! First, just go directly to the app on Facebook. Then choose which facebook picture of yourself to use. You center and adjust the dots to your face. The ModiFace technology allows you to apply different makeup looks to your very own photo. I had a little bit of trouble lining it up quite right. But, for some reason, whenever I am in a photo, I tilt my head to the side. So, try to choose a photo where you are looking straight at the camera.

I had a lot of fun playing around with this app on this rainy afternoon! No, maybe the makeup won't look exactly natural when you virtually apply it. But, I think it is great for seeing how different colors work for your skintone. After playing around with this, I realize that I should wear bright lippies more!

Here is a link to the app: Ulta Fab Photo Makeover

Have fun playing!

Essence Mini-haul and review

Hello there lovely readers!

Just another quick haul/review of some more essence products that I was able to pick up a few weeks ago during a massive essence sale at Ulta. I mean, essence is inexpensive to begin with...but, at 50% off...ridiculously cheap prices! I got the blush brush for $1.25, the Bronzing Pearls for $1.49, and the Multi-action mascara for $1.75. What bargains! :)

Multi-Action Mascara 

I can't believe that I love a $1.75 ($3.50 full price) mascara!!! We all know that mascaras need to be tossed very frequently. So, my theory has always been "why pay more for pricey High End mascaras like Lancome and MAC" when you need to toss it anyway in a couple months. So, generally, I stick to Cover Girl (lash blast fusion: review to come very soon...it is my HG: Holy  Grail), L'Oreal Voluminous, and Maybelline mascaras. But, still those mascaras are at least double the price of essence multi-action at full-price. 

The low-down on essence multi-action mascara:

• Very dark, carbon-black like color 
• Good "basic" mascara for the price
• Doesn't smudge under eyes (a HUGE plus, I find MANY mascaras do this on me, but not this one!)
• Lashes retain curl pretty well with this mascara
• has mild lash "thickening" benefits 
• this is not a "drama" eye mascara...so, no massively major thickening or anything
• applies without clumping 
• good formula, not too "wet" nor too "dry"
• You guys know how much I *heart* Essence cosmetics...well, this mascara does not fail to disappoint for a basic no-frills "everyday" mascara!

Blush Brush

Blush Brush:

This brush is so cute!!! And a total steal for the price! The bristles are incredibly soft. I mean *almost* comparable to the softness of ecotools brushes. I am not sure if essence makes any other brushes besides this one; but, this was the only one on the display at Ulta. It comes in a little plastic reusable pouch. I find that this is a perfect brush to toss in your purse (in the little pouch) for touch-ups because of its small size. The bristles are very fluffy and apply powder very well. The size is really perfect for blush application and I find that I am reaching for this more than my usual bare essentials blush brush. I also find the handle style to be comfortable and sleek. I have washed this with *no shedding*...so, a high quality very soft brush for a steal of a price! Totally recommend this!!! An excellent addition to a travel brush set! 

Bronzing Pearls

Bronzing Pearls:

I am loving these too. This is actually my first experience with a "pearls" style product. The case comes with a little plastic tray that you can keep over the pears to help them stay lined up in place. I just dust my bronzer brush lightly over the pearls...and apply as I would usually do a bronzer. It gives a nice glow. This is a lightly pigmented product with a pearly-sheen (hense the name)...not glittery. I like the subtle effect of this bronzer. 

Hope you all enjoyed this review! Thanks for reading!!! :) 

Coming Soon:

-Cover Girl Lash Blast Review

-Redken All Soft Line Review

Revlon Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm: Review

Have ya'll seen all the lipstains in the drugstores lately? It seems as if everyone is coming out with one: Covergirl, Maybelline, and Revlon all have lipstains in their current collections. This Revlon one drew me in over the others with it's catchy "Just Bitten" (vamp theme!) name and the dual ended product with lip balm on one end.

So, here is my review for Revlon's Just Bitten Lipstain + Balm in the color Frenzy

The idea: Lipstain is a product that "stains" your lips (rather than coating your lips like a lipstick). It is transfer resistant and long-wearing.

Here are my tips and thoughts about Revlon's Just Bitten in Frenzy:

• start with clean dry lips in order to best apply the product (you don't want anything "coating" your lips like lip balm as the color needs to soak into the skin on your lips)
• the color of the stain is the exact color of the product tube
• Frenzy is a beautiful bright raspberry color (perfect for "perking up" my fair skin and complementing my complexion)
• The product is dual ended with the lipstain on one side of the tube and a lip balm on the other side (save the lip balm until after the lipstain is applied and dry)
• The lipstain has a very light berry scent. The lip balm is unscented and clear.
• The lipstain applies like a felt-tip marker and feels wet initially on your lips, but dries quickly.
• The stain is beautiful on its own, or topped with a gloss.
• Suggestion for all felt tip products(feltip eyeliners and lipstains): store tip side down so that the product goes to the tip and the tip does not dry out over time.

My wear test:

• You can reapply lip balm or gloss on top as needed.
• Lipstain does not dry out your lips like how a long-wear lipstick does. It just stains them.
• Lipstain does not transfer color. So, no worries about getting this vibrant color on your coffee mug, your teeth, or your honey (so, pucker up! :)
• Lipstain wore really well all day, but it did slowly fade over time. I wore it through coffee, water, lunch...
• Slight fading noticed within the morning hours, with more significant fading after eating. Even though the color faded, the lips were still visibly "berry" looking later in the day...but, the color was much less vibrant. So, the color will wear all day with decreased vibrancy. I purposely did not reapply as I wanted to see how long it lasted. I almost like the color better after a few hours of fade-time. I was dissapointed that by the time that I got home from work, the color had almost completely faded. BUT, that was after 8 hours of wear (with no reapplication, just reapplication of lipbalm). I think that ideally, a reapplication after lunch would give this product all day-color with just one touch up. And, I think considering how much you have to reapply regular lipstick, one touch-up is pretty good. Plus, I like the color a little better after it fades.

Overall: A big rave for Revlon's Just Bitten! Looking forward to trying more shades from Revlon and some of the other brands as well. (Revlon offers 10 shades, yes...all with vamp-themed names, how appropriate! You guys know that I will have to try Twilight!!!).

Revlon's Just Bitten lipstains retail for about $8.99. But, as you readers know, I hardly ever pay full price! Picked this up during a Revlon sale at Ulta (plus had a $1.00 off coupon), so I ended up getting this product for just a few dollars. The trick to really saving money on cosmetics is to know what ads are out (check online or your newspaper)...and to combine a manufacturers coupon with an in-store sale.

Hope you enjoyed reading!

Stila Travel Palettes: Review

For some reason (probably because I am an incurable over-packer), I am always in search of the perfect travel-sized, all-in-one palette. I like the idea of being able to toss one or two palettes into my bag and having everything I might need for a long weekend away. These palettes fit the bill!

As a long-time fan of Stila, I am so excited that they are offering these "limited edition" low-priced set of travel palettes. I mean, $10 each...what a bargain for Stila! These palettes each contain 4 shadows and 1 convertible color (blush and/or cheek color). Typically the Stila shadows run at $18 each for a single plan and $25 for a convertible color single. Hopefully this is a sign that there will be more economically priced options from Stila in the future.

I picked up these cute palettes at my local Ulta, but they are also available on the Stila website. I purchased both the "road to radiance: across the USA" and the "trendsetting in Tokyo" palettes. I passed on the "pretty in Paris" (just because I have a convertible color in that shade already). I believe that Stila is releasing one new one per month or season? The newest one..."make an impression in Moscow" looks beautiful (bronzy neutral shadows plus a pretty sky blue shadow and a peachy-pink convertible color)! Its available already on the Stila website and I will likely pick that up at Ulta next time I am over there.

On top: Road to radience,

On bottom: Trendsetting in Tokyo

These palettes are fashioned in the typical Stila cardboard style with cute graphics and colors listed on the back. The inside is black and contains a mirror and a convertible color and 4 (small) eye shadows. If you are not familiar with Stila's convertible colors: they are a cream based product that doubles as a lipstick and a cream blush. So, you literally have everything that you need for color cosmetics for your face. 

FYI: I included swatches on my hand (and I apologize for the poor photo quality!). Road to radiance is on the top and Trendsetting in Tokyo is on the bottom. I swatched the CC's first and then the shadows in the darkest to lightest in range.

The Road to Radiance is more of a day palette with neutral shadows and an eyeliner color and a more neutral convertible color. The e/s colors are: Snow Bunny (shimmery champagne/taupe, shimmery valley girl (pinkish taupe), southern belle (shimmery medium pink), and city chick (a beautiful very pigmented dimensional purplish taupe-bronze...the best of the palette). The CC is Hibiscus. This palette is worth it for the city chic shadow and Hibiscus alone! Hibiscus applies as a beautiful pink with a plumish undertone. This is a great natural palette for everyday for work or school. Shadows apply pretty sheer but are build-able. City Chick is very pigmented but blends beautifully. Great palette! I have been wearing this for work/school very frequently!

If you want some drama, like evening looks or experimenting with color...go for the Tokyo palette. I was drawn to the beautiful hot pink of the convertible color in this palette (Sakura)...it is beautiful on the lips. The eye shadows are vibrant and fun. The eyeshadow shares are: sake (gorgeous shimmery gold), kawai (a beautiful shimmery rose pink), shibuya (a deep matte midnight blue), and peace (a shimmery deep black). I love using sake all over the lid with shibuya on the outer lid/corner and lined with peace. Beautiful!

These palettes are worth it in price for the convertible colors alone! The CC's of both palettes are absolutely beautiful applied as a blush (and I must admit, of cosmetics, blush is a particular fav of mine...especially cream blush). As a lippie, the CC are great..and best with just a tad of gloss on top. :)

Overall a big rave!

Hope you enjoyed this review!

Can a hairbrush change your life? BrushLab review

So, can a hairbrush change your life? Probably not (I got your attention, right!); but, this brush sure will make drying and styling your hair easier and faster! After watching a glowing youtube review (thanks Michelle and Lisa), I had to try this out! In this case, the brush does live up to its hype!

This is the BrushLab Thermal Round Jumbo Hairbrush. I found my Jumbo brush at my local Ulta (with a coupon of course!); but, it is also available online at brushlab.com and amazon. This brush is HUGE (10 1/2 inches long, barrel diameter 2 1/2 inches not including bristles...I literally just whipped out the tape measure here). But, that is the beauty of it! I am someone with fine, yet very thick long hair. So, it normally takes *forever* for my hair to dry. Also, my hair is highlighted and somewhat dry and damaged. I really try to minimize the amount of heat that i put on my hair by air drying till about 80% dry and then finishing up with the blow drier and a brush.


Things I love about the jumbo brush:

• This brush probably shaves about 10 mins (at least!) off my total drying time. It does this because the brush is so huge and well vented. I can pull through large chunks of my hair when drying. 
• The ceramic core smooths the hair cuticle, provides great volume, and a nice "bend" to the hair. 
• I also love that this brush does not "tug" the hair. Your hair will glide through the bristles of this brush with ease. I believe this has minimized the breakage when compared to other round brushes that I have used because with this brush hair doesn't get "stuck" in the bristles.
• The grip: The handle has a rubber grip...no slippage when styling and very comfortable to hold and manipulate

I loved the jumbo brush so much, that I had to go back to Ulta for the (smaller) BrushLab Medium brush for my bangs. While the jumbo brush is great for the length of my hair, it is way too big for my bangs. The medium brush is perfect for styling bangs. The ceramic core retains heat; so, as I am styling my bangs, I let the brush "sit" in my bangs for a moment after brushing through to set the curve of my bangs. I have so much more volume with this brush rather than a standard round wooden brush.

FYI-my previous fav brush was the classic Aveda wooden paddle brush. I still think this is a great brush, but when I want volume and speed of drying...I will always reach for my new BrushLab brushes.

Honestly, I think the only drawback to the Jumbo BrushLab brush is that it is so huge that it would be extremely bulky to travel with. I also have had to get a bit creative with storage to get it to fit in my brush basket in my tiny bathroom.

Just had to share my raves for these brushes!!! Who doesn't want to simplify their morning routine and get their hair dry faster and with less damage!

Pammy :)

Cheap Thrill: Essence Cosmetics (mini haul and review)

Looking for a "cheap thrill" makeup line? Check out Essence Cosmetics at your local Ulta store

I was soooo excited when I stumbled upon an Essence cosmetics display at my local Ulta a couple weeks ago. I believe this is a new line to Ulta (possibly within the past few months?). I am so excited that Essence is finally available in the USA!!!

Years ago a friend from makeupalley sent me some Essence cosmetics from Germany (an eyeliner and some shadows). Apparently, Essence has been a leading German cosmetics brand for many years (similar in quality and price to, say, Covergirl or Wet n Wild). The eyeliner that my MUA friend sent me (Kajal Pencil in the color 08 Teddy) quickly became my go-to eyeliner (that I reached for more than my MAC and Stila pencils). It was just the most perfect medium bronzy brown that applied and wore extremely well. So, needless to say, I used that eyeliner until it was so small I couldn't even sharpen it! I searched for a similar brown in other brands, but never quite found it. So, you can imagine my GLEE when I stumbled upon this Essence display at Ulta!!! AND...most of the cosmetics were 50% off, score! The line typically runs between the $1-$4 price point, which is great, but even better at 50% off! So, I grabbed my beloved brown Teddy Kajal liner, the mosaic powder, a few eye shadow quads, an eye shadow single, and two lip glosses. All the items together totalled to less than $10.

Check out my haul: Kajal pencil in Teddy, Quattro eyeshadow quads in Summer Love, and So Cool, XXXL Shine lip glosses in Super Girl and Glamour to Go, Mosaic Powder, and Eyeshadow single in Go All Girly

Thoughts on Essence Cosmetics:

-Inexpensive

-cute packaging, it is somewhat flimsy (but, hey, for the price, I am not complaining), but it the packaging looks very sleek

-Good quality for the price! I would compare to US brands Wet n' Wild or Covergirl

-nice selection of colors and products

-cant wait to try some other things from this line like the mascara (great MUA reviews) and the smokey eye kits (which contain a dark smoky shadow as well as a gel liner)

Preliminary review of products:

-Shadows are pigmented and apply and blend well (some are somewhat chalky, but generally a big LOVE here for the shadows). Great color selection. Tip: apply an eyeshadow base before shadows to help them adhere (I like the Mineral Shadow Primer by elf).

-Eyeliners: I have only tried the Teddy Brown Kajal liner...and LOVE, LOVE, LOVE it!!! I will never buy an expensive eyeliner again. These pencils are perfect: creamy, blendable, and long lasting. And, what beautiful colors! Cant beat a $1 eyeliner that is high quality!!!

-Mosaic face powder: LOVE this one too! I swirl the colors together and apply as a bronzer with my EcoTools mini bronzer kabuki brush. It provides a subtle bronze glow to my face. There is a slight shimmer that is extremely wearable. You can also use an fan brush (i love the elf fan brush) to apply the cream/highlight color on the tops of your cheekbones for a highlight. It provides a beautiful finish for your face.

-Lipglosses: XXXL wand-style gloss: Nice texture, thick, yet not sticky and also moisturizing. The Super Girl color applies sheer and gives a nice pink glossy sheer color. The Glamour to Go color has a pigmented and metallic finish.

Cons:

-One of my shadow quads broke as soon as I opened the package, the pans were not glued in and came flying out and broke on my bathroom floor. I was able to return the product to ulta with no problem, but did not repurchase that particular color as I already had plenty of neutral quads from other brands. So, just a warning, open new products carefully and check the glue. If the pans hadn't shattered, then I would have probably just hot glued the pans back in myself.

-This may or may not be a con depending on how you feel about lipgloss scents. The lipglosses have a very fruity scent. I typically prefer no scent or a light vanilla or mint scent. So, this was a con for me. But, I will still continue to use and will likely purchase other shades despite the fruity scent.

Also, Essence has an online beauty forum that you might enjoy checking out: Essence Beauty Friends. It appears from browsing the Beauty Friends Board that the Europeans have much more selection! Lets hope that essence expands their US line!

Coming soon:

Stila travel palettes review

Brushlabs review

Art Opening/Girls' Night In!

*Updated to add swatches (per request):

This is the So Cool palette on the left and the Summer Love on the right

I underlined each palette with a Teddy Eye Kajal pencil

The colors show up really true-to-color on my *white* arm! LOL!