Melting Lipsticks

The plastic containers I use are "Darice Clear Bead Containers / 24".  These containers can be purchased from your local craft store (Michaels or Hobby Lobby or Amazon.com.  I've also seen them in various sizes at Walmart.

The plastic spatulas I use are from Crown Brush.  I highly recommend getting spatulas and mascara spoolies from them, as I have found they have the best pricing.

Make-up Remover Demonstration

#01. Mary Kay Oil Free Make-up Remover
#02: Alcone Make-up Remover Wipes

LUSH: Strawberry Feels Forever

I went to Lush Cosmetics again this week and purchased the Strawberry Feels Forever Massage Bar and decided to take a few photos of it and create an advertisement, before I used it all up.  I love doing product photography and combining it with illustrator elements...I'm just not that good at photography yet.

I decided to go with the Strawberry Feels Forever Bar over the Each Peach bar based on the smell, but the peach bar is the next one on the list to try.  After rubbing it all over my legs and arms I smelled like a strawberry field for the next couple of hours.  The smell does fade within a few hours, which is good because I don't think I'd be able to handle smelling like a tutti frutti all day and night.  It is a very sweet smell, so if you like sweet smells, I suggest this product for you.  The Lush strawberry scent definitely makes the Bath and Body Works Fresh Picked Strawberries Soap smell less yummy.  

Even though the bar looks like a bar of soap, it actually slowly melts into a very nice oil upon getting warm and rubbed against your skin.  The oil does leave a semi-thick residue on your skin, but I was pleasantly surprised most all of it absorbed into my skin within fifteen to twenty minutes.  If you have to put clothes on shortly after application, I do suggest patting your skin down lightly with a towel, so excess oil won't get on your clothes.  I did not find that this product made my skin particularly over moisturized, nor did it dry my skin out. 

All in all, I really liked the Strawberry Feels Forever massage bar and I can't wait to try the Each Peach bar, as I've heard it feels more like a lotion.  For the price (average $9.95/each), these massage bars are a great treat once in a while, but for daily application, I certainly can't afford it. 

Product Review for Nature's Knockout

Product review of Moom, an organic & 100% natural hair remover.  For more information on Nature's Knockout check out their YouTube channel or follow them on twitter.

Curling Long Hair Demonstration

Using a Jose Eber Curling Iron and Belleza Straightening Iron.

Hair Products that I use to help create volume:

Shampoo/Conditioner: Sexy Hair - Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner 
Newest favorite hairspray: Blow Pro - Serious Non Stick Hair Spray
It has great hold, but isn't sticky.
My other favorite hair spray: TIGI Bed Head - Head Rush. But it's more like a shine spray than a hair spray.

And don't laugh, but I've also heard the Japanese Bump Its are great for creating volume.
They are velcro based....not Snookie endorsed. lol.

Don't forget to enter the January 2011 Giveaway!! Only a few days left! 

http://blog.alelizabeth.com/2012/01/rafflecopter-application-for-january.html

Lisa Frank Nail Tutorial...

I came across an article on Refinery 29 presenting a Lisa Frank nail tutorial.  I thought, why do I know that name? Oh yeah, that's right...I was obsessed with Lisa Frank products when I was around ten or eleven.  So for all of you growing up in the 90s....here is a nail tutorial in honor of Lisa Frank, presented by Megan McIntyre on www.refinery29.com.

Photo © Shanita Sims

Products in January Giveaway

For more details on the giveaway:
http://blog.alelizabeth.com/2012/01/rafflecopter-application-for-january.html

Shadow Shields Review:
http://youtu.be/XwI9c8_oQkw
Embryolisse Blog:
http://blog.alelizabeth.com/2012/01/embryolisse.html

I do not currently represent any brands or sell products. I only recommend products based on their merit and/or individual client need. If you or your company has a product you would like me to consider for review, please fill free to contact me through my contact form on http://www.alelizabeth.com.

• All photos that I attach to my videos & blog belong to me, unless otherwise noted.
Please make sure to add appropriate credits if reposting.

• Follow me on Twitter:
http://twitter.com/#!/alElizabeth

Shaving Legs...

My friend, that is letting me use her leg to demonstrate the Moom and I were talking tonight and got into a conversation about shaving legs.  She thinks I'm a complete weirdo, that I shave my legs everyday and I think she is bananas for not shaving her legs for several months.  I personally cannot stand the prickly little stubble, but I guess if it grows long enough it gets soft?! I also think shaving exfoliates my legs, cause if I go more than a day not shaving, my skin gets really dry.  Just curious of other ladies routines.

We are filming the Moom video tomorrow, so that one should be ready beginning of next week.

♥♥♥

Embryolisse

Photo © Nicovision

If you have been in the make-up industry for either a short or long amount of time, you probably have heard of Embryolisse.  The company is based out of France and has a whole line of skincare products, ranging from cleansers to moisturizers.  My favorite product from them is the  Embryolisse Lait-crème Concentré.  This creme is marketed to be used as a moisturizer, primer and make-up remover.  I have used it for all three but prefer to use it as a moisturizer.  And mostly a night moisturizer, as my skin tends to be oily and the richness of it is a little too much for day use, except during the winter.  All my model's that come to the studio get the Embryolisse treatment and I have never had any negative reactions / feedback to the product...actually only the opposite.

The formula is very creamy with a non-greasy feeling.  It absorbs and blends easily in your skin and is paraben free.  This product also encourages the rebuilding of your hydrolipidic skin layer, which is a protective barrier layer on the surface of your skin.  This layer protects the skin against infection, irritation, allergic reactions and dehydration.  The skin's pH balance is approximately 5.4 and is achieved by your body's own acidic secretions and hormones, but if you wash your face with a harsh cleanser or even a common bar of soap [pH anywhere from 9 - 11] it will break down that protective skin barrier.  Depending on how sensitive your skin is, it can take anywhere from two to thirty six hours for your skin to restore to it's natural balance, but Embryolisse Lait-crème Concentré helps encourage the skin layer to restore faster.

I loved this product so much, I got in touch with the company and was lucky enough to talk to Michelle Shaffer, who happens to be the Vice President of Embryolisse.  I wanted to purchase some samples so I could send client's home with Embryolisse, so they could enjoy the benefits of this product for more than just their photo shoot.  Michelle was kind enough to send a variety of samples for me to share with my clients and every single one of them has been delighted to go home with samples.  [Thank you so much, Michelle!]

A small tube, 1 fluid ounce is being included in the January 2012 giveaway, so one of my blog viewers can test out Embryolisse Lait-crème Concentré for themselves.  The packaging is very plain and clean....but I think it represents the lotion well, no gimmicks or fancy promises...just a great moisturizing product that works with all skin types, and safe enough for babies.  Of course I have to mention it is not fragrance free, but the scent is not strong and dissipates shortly after you apply it.  Even though I prefer fragrance free or unscented, the scent in the Embryolisse Lait-crème Concentré is a light floral scent and doesn't bother me one bit.

♥♥♥

I'm embarrassed for this guy....

....passed out at the bar. Hey now!!

(Nothing to do with beauty tonight....I know...more like the sleeping beast.)

My Favorite Make-up Remover...

I've been seeing a lot of posts lately about which make-up removers are the best and how baby oil is one of the quickest and cheapest ways to remove makeup.  Depending on your skin type, rubbing oil all over your face can sometimes have a negative effect.  I just wanted to share my favorite make-up remover and why.

One of my good friends, April Landrum-Johns is a Mary Kay Sales Director and she introduced me to the Mary Kay Make-up Remover.  This stuff is magic.  It is oil free and removes make-up gently, even waterproof mascara, which we all know is a pain in the bootie to get off.  It has never burned my eyes and it is fragance-free.  Supposedly it is safe for contact lens wearers as well...but I cannot test that...as I do not wear contacts. :)  I apply it using a cotton ball...and the product lasts a long time.  A little bit goes a long way.  I have a bottle and a full bottle as back-up in my model's make-up kit and my own bottle for my personal make-up kit.

Photo © Mary Kay

The price is $15.00 for a 3.75 fluid ounce bottle.  If you would like to buy a bottle to test it out, April will be more than happy to help you out. You can visit her website at:
http://www.marykay.com/aprillandrumjohns

I promise you will absolutely love it.

Pretty toes....pedicure

I absolutely love pedicures, but one of my good friends refuses to go to any nail salon, as she thinks her foot is going to get crusted over and fall off from a fungus she happened to catch from the nail salon's foot bath.  I always just laugh at her, since I've been going for years, have visited numerous of salons and my two feet are still in tack. [knock on wood.]

I've heard the horror stories of people getting staph infections and viruses and I usually go to a regular salon here in Atlanta, but one night last month it was raining and traffic was terrible, so I decided to go to a new salon by the studio.  It was not a good experience...I never got fungus or anything like that, but the place itself didn't seem super clean nor were the employees caring and nice.  I remember walking out of there, thinking I will never ever go back there.

Last night on was on the Barnes and Noble site browsing around beauty book and at the bottom they have the section, "customers who bought this bought..." and there was a book called "Death by Pedicure".  Not only did the cover kind of look creepy, but reading the table of contents makes me never want to visit a salon again...especially the last one I visited.

So this got me searching youtube videos, and I found this undercover news report. Umm, my conclusion, yuck. ewww.

Color.Bug

Colored hair tips have been on the rise for the past year and are only becoming more popular.  Tonight I was browsing the internet and came across a new product, called Color.Bug.  It is basically eyeshadow for your hair, that washes completely out.  The neato thing about it is, the vibrance of the color depends on how many times you apply the color bug to your hair.  So if you want a pale pink just streak it across your hair once or twice....if you want full on pink, then keep on rubbing, until you get the saturation you desire.  As of now, it is available in pink, purple & orange and became available in the states last October. Check out this article on the product.  You can also follow the creator, Kevin Murphy on twitter.

Photo © Kevin Murphy

After last night's post...I started to wonder if the Bella Terra powders would create good hair streaks...considering I have never tried it.  So here are my results. I actually mixed it in the airbrush with the Temptu Aqua converter...but then I also tried the blue with hair spray and powder. The results were better than I thought they would be....but still not great. I want to try out the Color.Bug.

                                        

     

Bella Terra Cosmetics

My video today is about Bella Terra Cosmetics eyeshadows. These awesome little powders come in a wide variety of colors, and are marketed as multi-use powders:

  01. Shadow - Used as the powder form which it is packaged.
  02. Creamy or Matte Shadow - Mix with eyeshadow primer for a thicker shadow coverage.
  03. Eye Liner - Wet your brush and mix with powder for it to become liner.
  04. Lip Color - Mix the powder with Vaseline and a color lip gloss.
  05. Body Color - Mix the powder with lotion, for a body shimmer or color.
  06. Hair Color - Mix the powder with hair gel and apply to hair for hair color.
  07. Mascara - Mix the powder with mascara for colored mascara.
  08. Nail Polish - Mix the powder with clear nail polish for a new color.

I originally bought the powders based on the fact, that I loved the colors and they were multi use.  But after using them for over 2 years...I actually only use them as airbrush colors and sometimes eyeliner.  I left a facebook post telling them that they need to add a number nine on the list: "Airbrush".

This video explains in more about Bella Terra and goes into more detail of how I mix the powders so they will feed through the airbrush, using Temptu's Aqua Converter.  Besides that it is Temptu (and Temptu products rock) the great thing about this mixer, is it is water based...meaning you can spray it near your eye, verses an alcohol based mixing medium, that would sting if it got in contact with your eye.
☆  [Please Note: I do not suggest spraying around your eyes, with any form of mixing medium, if you have sensitive eyes.]

Here are links to everything in the video:
• Bella Terra Cosmetic eyeshadows - this page links to discontinued colors...so you can test them out before you make a big purchase.
• Temptu Aqua Converter
• Walgreens - plastic mixing cups (I said CVS in the video...but it is actually Walgreens.)
• Crown Brush - plastic spatulas
• The Container Store - Nalgene® 1.7 oz. Vial w/ Snap Closure

January 2012 Giveaway...

...is looking kinda sad. This time last month for December's giveaway I was already well over 100 entries. So far for this month, I have 14...but this is feedback that I need. Initially I was going to do a review a week and then combine those 4 products as the giveaway, but with the lack of enthusiasm from you ladies, I've decided to change that up. I'm still going to do the giveaway, but I'm going to go ahead and explain what all is in this month's giveaway, so I can evaluate if the response gets better or worse. If the response doesn't get any better, I might just go back to beauty gift cards, as you can purchase what you want and the shipping costs on my end is a hell of a lot cheaper.

I just thought by doing a "favorites giveaway" it would be a fun way to incorporate beauty items with the reviews and giveaways. I also realize I need to start doing some tutorial views, which I had the idea to come up with make-up looks for tutorial videos and then have the giveaway with the items that made up that look. [new items of course...I'm selfish when it comes to make-up...I always want one of my own and I would never ever send opened or used makeup ...that is gross.]  I've also read lately on a few blogs that giveaways are cheesy and make the blog less valuable...as viewers are just interested in the giveaway verses the content.  I just view it as, wanting to give my followers an incentive for giving feedback and communicating with me.  Let me know your thoughts and feedback as I want my followers to enjoy and look forward to my blog.  :D

So this month in the giveaway....one winner will win all of the following products:
(1) Box of Shadow Shields. Includes 30 shields.
(1) Small Tube of Embryolisse Lait-crème Concentré.
(1) Starter Kit of Moom.
(1) O•P•I Mini Muppet Collection, which includes the colors, Wocka Wocka, Excuse Moi, Designer..de Better!, and Warm & Fozzie. Each bottle is 0.125 oz each.

One way to enter and multiple chances to win.

☆ Entry #1+ (worth one contest entry each day: can be done once daily during contest)

• Follow me on twitter. ( @alElizabeth )

• Then Retweet this tweet: "RT: #Beauty #Giveaway hosted by @alelizabeth. blog.alelizabeth.com @shadowshields @EmbryolisseUSA #moon @opi_products"

So far I have the review video up for the Shadow Shields and the Embryolisse in the works as I type.  I just confirmed this week I will be featured on the Nature's Knockout channel for my review video for the product, Moom.  If you do not know what Moom is...it is an all natural hair remover, that is similar to wax, but so much better.  My friend has also volunteered her leg, to demonstrate how Moom works.  [so this should be interesting...to say the least.]  The O•P•I Nail Polish is a throw in...and if I can find a salon with the same colors, I'll do a swatch panel, but if not I don't want to open the package just to get a swatch panel.

Again please let me know your thoughts on giveaways and/or feedback.

Facial Symmetry

We know that facial symmetry, is an important factor in beauty.  I've always known that my right eye was lazier than my left, my right upper lip is fuller than the left side and half the time one eyebrow is a little higher or bushier than the other, depending on the week....but I never realized how uneven my actual face structure was until I did a comparison shot.  I had read about this experiment and was going through some photo shoot proofs, when I decided to try it myself.

First you have to find a picture that you are looking straight into the camera.  Then cut the photo is half, vertically.  Make a copy of the right side and flip it. Then go back to the original left half, copy it and flip it. Then you have what you would look like if your left side was symmetrical and vice vera.

Apparently not only is my face uneven, my left side look's like an Egyptian man. ah haaa.  I just thought it was funny, how different the images are....so if you ever get bored, try it for yourself and tweet me your results.

Photo © Alan Bezanson

(Plā) Beauty

If you haven't heard of (Plā) Beauty, I guarantee you will in 2012.  Plā Beauty was featured this month in The Atlantan Magazine and is creating all kinds of buzz in the make-up world.  The creator, Stephanie Green-Bass has such an inspirational story behind it, that I believe only makes the brand stronger.

     "Inspired by the infinite power of makeup, (Plā) Beauty founder, Stephanie Green-Bass, combined her love of cosmetics and years of industry experience with her lifelong passion to make a difference in the life of a child. She turned personal heartache after losing her infant daughter into a fulfillment of her promise to give back to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta."  [quoted from website]

Photo © (Plā) Beauty

The make-up line was created to inspire beauty but also a percentage of the proceeds are donated to Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.  So not only will you feel and look beautiful, you are donating to a good cause, just by purchasing (Plā) Beauty products.  The brand is also an eco-conscious cosmetic line that uses refillable products and magnetic compacts to help cut down on wasteful packaging.

I was so excited to learn that Atlanta's make-up boutique, Woo Skincare and Cosmetics sells (Plā) Beauty products and that Atlanta is a hometown for the (Plā) Beauty brand.  The line started with lip glosses and has now expanded into a full line of products, for your face, eyes and lips.  The color palette is vivid and rich all the while very feminine and sexy.  I cannot wait to (Plā).

 Check out their website to (Plā).

(Plā) Beauty | (Plā) in Life | (Plā) with a Purpose

Swatch And Learn : Nail Art

As I mentioned on my last video, nail art is not my fortay nor do my stubby nails have much of a canvas to do nail art on...so I want to introduce an amazing nail artist, I came across on Beautylish.  Her name is Mary and her site is Swatch and Learn.  Swatch and Learn was started in 2010 and blossomed from Mary's passion of colors and nail polish. As soon as I came across her pictures, I knew I had to write a blog featuring her.  I just instantly fell in love with her cute characters and variety of designs.  You can find Mary on twitter as well @SwatchAndLearn.

Here are a few examples of her adorable nail art...
Photos © Swatch and Learn

          

She also just announced a giveaway, that you ladies should definitely enter.  She is giving away 4 different bottles of nail polish coats and a strengthener....including:

    • Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat
    • Seche Base Ridge Filling Base Coat
    • Seche Clear Crystal Clear Base Coat
    • Seche Plus Fortified Strengthener

  

 If you are not familiar with Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat feel free to check out her review here.

 I appreciate you, Mary letting me feature your nail art on my blog....big thanks!!

Lush Cosmetics

On the December giveaway I asked what type of tutorials and products you would like to see in the videos. I got lots of requests for Lush Cosmetics.  We have a Lush store here in Atlanta and I had been in there once...but it was busy and I just did a walk through and said "uhhh ok." But after receiving so many requests in December I decided I needed to do a little more investigation.

So tonight my Dad and I were at the mall and I decided to give it another whirl.  Glad I did...their products are pretty damn awesome. And the sales girl, Kat, was soooo nice and demonstrated several products on me.  First she applied the Lemony Flutter Cuticle Butter to my hands, which was very smooth & creamy and definitely had a strong lemon smell, followed by the Ocean Salt Cleanser and then finished by washing with the Buffy Body Butter exfoliant.  I must say, my hands smelled delicious and felt so smooth and soft.  Kat was also nice enough to demonstrate the Bubble Bars and Bath Bombs.  I have never seen a product that would create a bubble bath without Mr. Bubbles...until today.  The last thing I tested out were the massage bars, which look like a bar of soap, but are actually a bar of oil that turns into oil when rubbed against the skin.  They have other massage bars that are tinted for a bronzy look and some with glitter, so you can be sparkly.  The store was out of stock of the lip scrubs...but I definitely want to check those out as well, as I really dislike doing makeup on crusty lip girls.  Instead of my lip oil, I'll pull out the Lush Lip Scrub. Ta-da!!

So as of today, I am a Lush Cosmetics fan. I will definitely have to include some Lush products in future giveaways.  I love the fact that their products are all made from fresh, organic fruit and vegetables, have little or no preservatives.  Lush also uses only vegetarian ingredients and of course no animal testing.  I recommend checking out their products if you haven't already.  I think I'm a little behind the bandwagon on this brand...but I am on it now.

Shadow Shields Review & January Giveaway

ⓗⓐⓟⓟⓨ☆ⓝⓔⓦ☆ⓨⓔⓐⓡ☆②♡①②

One Winner will win ALL of these products:
(1) Box of Shadow Shields. Includes 30 shields.
(1) Small Tube of Embryolisse Lait-crème Concentré.
(1) Starter Kit of Moom.
(1) O•P•I Mini Muppet Collection, which includes the colors, Wocka Wocka, Excuse Moi, Designer..de Better!, and Warm & Fozzie. Each bottle is 0.125 oz each.

One way to enter and multiple chances to win.

☆ Entry #1+ (worth one contest entry each day: can be done once daily during contest)

• Follow me on twitter. ( @alElizabeth )
• Then Retweet this tweet: "RT: #Beauty #Giveaway hosted by @alelizabeth. blog.alelizabeth.com @shadowshields @EmbryolisseUSA #moon @opi_products"

Giveaway Rules:
1. You will be responsible for entering your giveaway entries through the widget below. Any one caught cheating will automatically be disqualified. 
2. Giveaway is open internationally.
3. There will be 1 winner for this contest.
4. Winner will be picked at random.
5. Contest starts January 1st, 2012 at 12:00 am and ends January 31st, 2012 at 12:00 am.
6. You must be over the age of 18. If you are younger, please ask your parents for permission to enter this giveaway!
7. I am not responsible for the custom charges in your country and I am not responsible for the package once I have sent it.
8. The winner (1) will be notified via private message and will have 7 days to respond with their address. Failure to respond will result in forfeiting the prize and another winner will be chosen.
9. I will share the winners user-name in a future video and on twitter. By entering this giveaway, you are consenting to this.


a Rafflecopter giveaway








FTC: The giveaway prize was purchased with my own money as a token of appreciation to my subscribers!  I do not currently represent any brands or sell products. I only recommend products based on their merit and/or individual client need. If you or your company has a product you would like me to consider for review, please fill free to contact me through my contact form on http://www.alelizabeth.com or e-mail me at alElizabeth@ymail.com.

* All photos that I attach to my blog, videos & reviews belong to me. Please make sure to add appropriate credits if reposting.

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