NEW Winner of MAC Accentuate/Sculpt Powder Giveaway

Update on The Shades Of U MAC Marine Life, Bronze Body Oil and Accentuate/Sculpt Powder Giveaway: Marine Life and Bronze Body Oil have already been shipped to the winners last Saturday, but the winner for Accentuate/Sculpt powder has not responded to our notification e-mail. Therefore, that entry has been disqualified and a new winner has been chosen. Check out the name of the winner after the jump!

And the winner of the MAC Accentuate/Sculpt powder is....(*drumroll*)

Aromaleigh Is Closing - An Open Letter To Kristen

My recent haul from Aromaleigh: Ultra Resolution Finishing Powders


Aromaleigh Ultra Resolution Finishing Powders:
Top: Translucent, Peaches and Cream
Bottom: English Rose













Above are some screen shots of my Aromaleigh posts. Check them out (all 85 of them) HERE.

As always, I am again late in hearing the news. I am deeply, deeply, deeply saddened that Aromaleigh is closing. I do have an inkling of what is going on in her life, but I do not know the entire story. I have read snippets of the drama on some sites, but I choose not to react to the ugly situation. All I know is that Aromaleigh makes amazing, beautiful makeup that made me happy day after day during the past couple of years that I've used and enjoyed it.  This is the focal point of this whole post: the amazing makeup that I will truly miss.

Kristen- this is for you. I want you to know how happy and beautiful your products made me feel.

I had loved leafing through my little magnetic photo album containing Aromaleigh eyeshadow samples and choosing what colors I would wear for that day. I spent enjoyable moments experimenting with Aromaleigh eyeshadows and creating beautiful eyeliners with the loose shadows using mixing medium. I loved applying the ultra resolution finishing powders that blurred imperfections and made my makeup look flawless.  I am impressed with your blushes and Verve and Rococco are my favorites.  Your blushes are never splotchy and apply really well.

I am enthralled with your eyeshadows and how buttery they apply on my skin. I love the beautiful nuances of the shadows that change at every angle. I loved looking at my Eye Of the Days after using your shadows. I loved how I came to enjoy using mineral eyeshadows because your products are very easy to apply and blend. They are not just mica bombs that add all sparkle but little pigment. They are amazingly pigmented but still very easy to blend.

I loved the very fast shipping and how I would get all my stuff in three business days.  I liked the accuracy of the orders - I would order a lot of product samples and not one of them was missing or incorrect.  I loved the free samples that I would get in every order, and recently you gave us the liberty to choose those samples, which made me excited to pick out the exact products I know I will like and use.

I loved your lippies and their choco-citrus scent. I like how they always lift up my mood and senses with the beautiful shades and luscious scent.

Your products may not have been the cheapest mineral makeup on the internet, but I appreciated your weekly sales and great deals, and I would much rather pay for good quality than buy some product of inferior quality that I will not use. I am impressed with your products and I sincerely hope you will decide to open shop again.

I will truly miss your products but I also wish you healing and comfort during this difficult time. If you need this time to stay away and heal yourself, by all means go ahead and mend whatever is broken. I just hope that you will someday return and bring back the products that many women enjoy and find joy and empowerment in.

Take care and I wish you the best.

Hugs and lots of good thoughts and well wishes,
Aileen

===========

Here is Kristen's announcement on the Aromaleigh website:

Aromaleigh News, June 28th, 2010... The End.

Aromaleigh bids you adieu...

We'd like to thank everyone for the last 12 years of support and repeat business... it's been an amazing ride, but it's time.

Some of the happiest times of the last decade+ have been receiving emails from ecstatic women whose lives and outlook had changed from something as simple as makeup...

Aromaleigh never started off being about making a quick buck. I started the company with a dream of independence and creating my unique, natural line of Aromatherapy products and fragrances. We grew slowly... one customer at a time, and soon customers were requesting natural cosmetics.

Our first cosmetic product was a tinted lipbalm called "Color Wash".... our Pure Powder, in 5 shades, followed soon after... and in the months that followed, frost and matte eyeshadows, and more...

I've given my heart and soul to this company, and the last 12 years of my life. But I am unable to continue, as I have to be honest... there's nothing left inside of me to give. And what I do have is reserved for the most important person in my life.

I can't and won't provide a detailed explanation for this decision... those who know me well know that this has been a decision that has torn me in two for several months. Nothing I say or don't say can matter at this point. All I will say is "You've won... I'm gone. You can stop now..."

It's makeup. It's supposed to be fun, and empowering and beautiful. But it's all become ugly. More ugly than I ever imagined.

I'll be offering the following "Goodbye" coupon for the next 2 weeks...

ADIEU35

35% off the entire store, not applicable to previously placed, shipped or received orders... Aromaleigh reserves the right to refuse any suspect or incomplete orders for any reason, Large international orders, as per our international terms, are subject to additional ship fees.

First come, first served for inventory... most inventory is not real-time, and sold out product will be updated daily. Being able to order a product does not guarantee stock. Please allow 7-10 business days (possibly more, depending on volume) for your order to be processed.

With a very heavy heart, I thank you all for this journey... and I also look forward to a future that is serene and blessed... for all of you, as well...

Sincerely and with a bunch of tears as I type this,

Kristen

Your New Sexy Summer Scent

Your New Sexy Summer Scent

Take this quiz to find out which perfume will smell the loveliest on you

This is a TotalBeauty.com perfume article The clothes you wear changes with rising temperatures, so why not adjust your scent wardrobe too? This quiz has the answer to what summer scent will suit you best. Take quiz

MAC Alice + Olivia: Promo Images and Product Information

If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is because everything would be what it isn’t.
And contrary-wise, what it is, it wouldn’t be. what it wouldn’t be, it would. You see?”
— alice + olivia = Stacey Bendet, New York native, downtown-fashionista, all-around fun girl, and the sum total of design line alice + olivia, M·A·C’s latest collaborator.
A frump-fighting, pro-pixie, anti-seriousness collection of colour that includes new takes on Dazzleglass Creme,
So Rich So Pretty Nail Lacquer and Partylicious Pigments…
hip + happy = alice + olivia for MAC.

If It's Pink


I Want Candy


Sparklicious


Military


Morning After


So Rich, So Pretty


Partylicious


If It Sparkles


Later.

Dazzleglass Creme
Sparklicious Creamy pale pinky white with soft multi-dimensional pearl
If It’s Pink... Hot pink with soft multi-dimensional pearl
I.Want.Candy Hot yellow with soft multi-dimensional pearl
Suggested Retail Price $18.00 U.S./$21.50 CDN

Pigment
Later. Black with transforming purple pearl
If It Sparkles… White with transforming pink pearl
Partylicious Turquoise with silver pearl
Suggested Retail Price $19.50 U.S./$23.50 CDN

Nail Lacquer
Morning.After Creamy turquoise
So Rich So Pretty Bright purple with pearl
Military Black matte with silver suede pearl
Suggested Retail Price $12.00 U.S./$14.50 CDN

Available
North America
July 8, 2010 only at M·A·C Retail Stores,
1.800.588.0070 and www.maccosmetics.com
International
August 2010 at select M·A·C locations

MAC In The Groove: Promo Images and Product Information

CLICK HERE for MAC In The Groove Initial Swatches and Review: Stereo Rose, Petticoat and By Candlelight MSF, Mineralize Eyeshadows

CLICK HERE for MAC In The Groove: Cremesheen Glasses and Lipsticks Initial Swatches and Review

Start with a little ’70s Batik, add some ’80s
Neo-Mod Tie-Dye fun,
some Marrakech mystique,
and you’re feeling groovy!
A modern, flowing and fabulous way with bold,
kaleidoscopic colour combined with
boho charm and up-to-the-minute catwalk style.
Nine new Mineralize Eye Shadows,
six Cremesheen Lipsticks, six Cremesheen
Glass, four Mineralize Skinfinish Powders,
and five new Mineralize Blush Duos.
Shadows are matte,
sans glitter and in the trio format.
Creamy lips play perfectly off Mineralize
satin-smooth eyes.
Turn on and groove out!

Lipstick (Cremesheen)
Call My Bluff Mid-tone creamy coffee
Jazzed Bright coral pink
Crème d’Nude Pale muted peach beige
I Like It Like That Deep blue pink
All Styled Up Bright yellow pink
Go For It Mid-tone blue purple
Suggested Retail Price $14.00 U.S./$16.50 CDN

Cremesheen Glass
On the Scene Light coral beige
You’ve Got It Dirty silver grey
Going Casual Sheer lilac
Fashion Whim Light beige
Right Image Mid-tone blue pink
Chillin’ Light white blue
Suggested Retail Price $18.00 U.S./$21.50 CDN

Mineralize Eye Shadow (Trio)
Love to Love Satin beige/Pearly bronze/Satin brown
In the Groove Satin green/Pearly burgundy/Satin coral
Making It Easy Satin red brown/Pearly beige rose/Satin dark beige
Togetherness Satin Lavender/Pearly purple/Satin grey
Style Influencer Satin silver/Pearly deep blue/Satin mauve brown
Soften the Mood Satin light brown/Pearly rose/Satin light blue
Fresh & Easy Satin pink/Pearly burgundy/Satin grey
Calm, Cool & Collected Satin deep green/Pearly green/Satin beige
Blue My Mind Satin light blue/Pearly deep teal/Satin black
Suggested Retail Price $19.50 U.S./$23.50 CDN

Powerpoint Eye Pencil
Stubborn Brown Deep rich brown
Permaplum Deeply plum with pink shimmer
Navy Stain Royal blue with shimmer
Suggested Retail Price $14.50 U.S./$17.50 CDN

Zoom Lash
Zoomblack Rich black
Suggested Retail Price $13.00 U.S./$15.50 CDN

Mineralize Blush (Duo)
Happy Together Satin caramel/Pearly beige
A Little Bit of Sunshine Satin light brown/Pearly beige
Hang Loose Satin bright pink/Pearly lavender
Band of Roses Satin blue pink/Pearly light plum
New Vibe Satin deep rose/Pearly bronze
Suggested Retail Price $23.00 U.S./$27.50 CDN

Mineralize Skinfinish
By Candlelight Golden Pink
Stereo Rose Coral with golden bronze shimmering nuances
Comfort Golden bronze
Petticoat Pale rose with gold and amber veining
Suggested Retail Price $28.00 U.S./$33.50 CDN

Brush
187 Duo Fibre Face A large, full circular brush
used for lightweight application and blending
of face powder or pigments.
Suggested Retail Price $42.00 U.S./$50.50 CDN

AvailableNorth America
July 8, 2010 at all M·A·C locations
International
July 2010 at all M·A·C locations
1.800.588.0070 and www.maccosmetics.com

Konad Nail Art Using China Glaze Vintage Vixen in Ingrid

OMG I love this new polish from China Glaze Vintage Vixen collection.  Ingrid is probably my most favorite out of all the ones from this collection.  It is a gorgeous cool taupe/mushroom/brown with gold shimmer.  Definitely love at first sight for me. I Konadified it using m26 image plate and China Glaze polish in Passion. I love the brown and gold effect. I also like that the combination is not in-your-face so this is perfectly wearable at work for me. Stay tuned for the rest of the Vintage Vixen collection swatches!

Note: A media sample was provided by a representative of the company.

Your Head-to-Toe Guide to Getting a Gorgeous Faux Tan

Your Head-to-Toe Guide to Getting a Gorgeous Faux Tan

Here are steps for getting the best sunless tan -- ever

This is a TotalBeauty.com skin care tips article Tanning expert for the St. Tropez brand, Fiona Locke, bronzes up celebs and shares tips with us on how to get a sexy summer tan without lying in the sun. Get tricks

Mineral Makeup Haul Part 1: Cory Cosmetics Mineral Blushes and Eyeshadows

I will be posting a series of hauls from my favorite mineral makeup companies. If you check out my Comprehensive Review of Mineral Foundations I've tried, you would see that I really love mineral makeup. I may be using some liquid foundations in my Face Of The Days, but I only use traditional liquid foundations twice a week at the most. I use mineral makeup most of the time because it is the gentlest on my skin and does not cause any breakouts. Moreover, they don't have parabens and other un-pronounceable ingredients that clog pores and wreak havoc on my skin.

Also, I love supporting small, women-owned online mineral makeup companies. These women put their heart and soul in crafting pure, unadulterated minerals that are free from preservatives and chemicals, and some of these products have even better quality (and much more affordable) than store-bought cosmetics.

The first of these hauls is from an unassuming company called Cory Cosmetics. I love their 45-cent samples. They may look miniscule in their baggies, but be warned: these are pigment bombs. These bad boys pack so much pigment that, really, a crumb or two are all you need. The same goes for Cory's mineral foundations. They are very dense, perhaps the most full-coverage mineral foundation there is on the market. That's why a miniscule amount is all you need for perfectly full coverage. These are some of the full coverage foundation samples that I got from Cory:



I got another samples of Deep Yellow Medium 1 and Deep Yellow Deep, and since one is too light and the other too dark, I am getting full sizes of both products.





The above pictures were from a Cory blush sample haul a year ago. So cute, aren't they? Don't be fooled by the size, though- they are amazingly pigmented. A crumb or two is just perfect for one application. Cory also sells pretty mica-free mineral blushes for those that are allergic to mica:



I just sprinkle a very small amount onto a small condiment dish, dip my duo-fibre blush brush into the dish and swirl the brush onto the product, tap, and apply.


Punchie blush on the cheeks

Honestly, even if you use the blush sample every day, you have enough to probably last you a month. I still have these blush samples from a year ago and I haven't made a dent in them yet!

I do have some full sizes of Cory blushes, though. They are so pretty:





I have two full-size Cory shadows I bought and I use Baked frequently for work. It's a gorgeous khaki with pearlescent shimmer:



How do I store these you ask? I store the samples in my magnetic photo album for easier selection:



If you want to try mineral makeup, it's best to get samples because you don't get stuck with a product you don't like, and when you do commit to a full size after trying the sample, you know that it's money well spent because you know it looks good on your skin. Watch out for more mineral makeup hauls!

Top-Rated Nail Polishes

Top-Rated Nail Polishes

Find a sexy summer shade from this list of the 10 best nail polishes

This is a TotalBeauty.com nails article Total Beauty readers' reviews make up this list of top-rated lacquers that'll prettify your nails. See list

Which Part of Your Body Will Give Away Your Age First?

Which Part of Your Body Will Give Away Your Age First?

Does your anti-aging routine stop at your neck? See how your body could reveal your real age

This is a TotalBeauty.com skin care article You work hard and play hard, but it will catch up to you if you don't take care of your skin -- even from the neck down. But which part of your body will reveal your age first? Find the answer in this quiz, then find out how to fight back. Take quiz

Neutral Eye Using MAC Coco Pigment

MAC Coco pigment





One of my favorite MAC pigments is Coco. It's a limited edition pigment and it is very hard to find and coveted, but it is so pretty. I have yet to find a pigment as nice on my skintone as this is. It is a cool taupe and it has lots of shimmer, almost metallic without being frosty when foiled (applied damp). It is similar to Subtle pigment but Coco is a tad lighter, and also to Impassioned Solar Bits, but Coco is cooler. Love this pigment and I hope MAC repromotes this soon!

I also used my favorite browns from MAC: Magnetic Fields, Brun and Smoke and Diamonds, a taupey grey shade with beautiful green and gold highlights. Beautiful. Here's a step by step. All products MAC unless otherwise stated.


Apply Urban Decay primer potion in Sin all over lid and browbone, and lower lashline. Using your finger, apply and smooth Layin' Low paint pot over lid.


Using a stiff shader brush like the 239, apply Coco on the lid foiled using Fix+.


Using the Sonia Kashuk blender brush, apply Smoke and Diamonds on outer V.


Using the same brush, apply Magnetic Fields on outer lid. Blend with the 224 brush.