Beach Beauty

Beach Beauty by kyle-kingsley featuring a Benefit cheek bronzer

I know, who wants to wear makeup at the beach? When we go to Martha's Vineyard there's always a chance you'll see someone famous, so I do take some time to primp but I try to keep it minimal. I really want to see Ted Danson. That would be the best thing ever. 

To even out my skin and protect with SPF 25, I use Dr. Jart+ Water Fuse Beauty Balm SPF 25 PA++ ($34). If I get oily during the day, I blot with Boscia Blotting Linens ($10) instead of using powder. I have this sample sized Benefit Hoola that I take everywhere and adore. A good dusting of that. Brush on Tarte's Amazonian Clay Brow Mousse for waterproof brows that last all day. It's brilliant. I usually wear mascara all the time, but if I'm at the beach I know I'm going to have to rub my eyes at some point, so I skip the mascara and wear Maybelline Color Tattoo Eye Shadow ($8) in pomegranate punk, a shimmery bronzy brown, to give my eyes more definition. Finally, a pretty pop of color for the mouth with Maybelline Baby Lips ($2.99) in pink punch.

I didn't include sunscreen and a clear lip balm with SPF but you should have those too. 

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Nail Color

left to right: Jaded, Watercolor, Almost Almond, Tickle Me Pink and First Kiss

Watercolor with Illamasqua 

Tickle Me Pink

Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure Nail Color boasts 7 benefits of a salon manicure in 1 bottle. I think the price is around $6 or $7 and it's available at most drugstores. If you keep your eye out for coupons in the paper, that can help. This has a base coat, strengthener, growth treatment, color, top coat, chip-resistance and a gel finish. It claims 10 day wear thanks to the patented Vita Care technology. I really like 1 step things. I don't like doing base and top coats. 

*Disclosure: Samples provided free of charge from a PR Company or brand for consideration. That did not change my opinion of those products. See disclosure for more info.

The brush is thicker than most, I'd never encountered one like this, but the thickness of the brush allows you to coat the entire nail easily. The formula and color is rich and pretty easy to work with. Almost Almond and First Kiss were a little streaky even with 3 coats, so it might help to use a neutral toned base coat. I bought a lilac one called I Lilac You and it was great with 2 coats. All the other colors were bright and nearly opaque with 1 coat. Without an extra top coat, these last for 5 to 7 days with some minimal chipping on the tips. 

face candy grade: A+

Face Candy Fashion: Summer Essentials

Summer Essentials by kyle-kingsley featuring skinny leg pants

Shopsosie.com
This was my first time ordering from this site, they have cute things.
-Mitchell Chambray Shirt ($21, originally $31) - Pockets at the bust, 8 snap closure shiny white buttons. 100% cotton, 24.5" length from shoulder (taken from size small). I just bought this and I love it. The material is nice and light and I like that they replaced buttons with snaps. There's so many ways to style this, I'm super excited.
-Twisted Nail Bracelet ($18) - This is a little big on my tiny wrist, but when I wear it with my watch it will stay on.

Jcrew.com Sale Section, 30% off Sale items with code SUNSHINE. You can also use Ebates.com for 6% cash back.
-Graphic Dot Knotted Top ($29.99, was $46- with 30% discount SUNSHINE $20.99) - This style helps make me look bustier than I really am.
-Graphic Dot High-Waisted Brief ($34.99, was $50- with discount $24.49)
There are lots of really cute suits in the sale section and I love J.Crew bathing suits, they're the best! I have a long torso and short legs, so I'm very excited to try this high-waisted style. It's so retro, I love it.

-Petite Cafe Capri Pants in Vintage Burgundy ($49.99, with discount $41.99) - These and the Minnie are my favorite pants ever and the only ones I don't have to get hemmed. I have these in a variety of colors, but the bright ones are the best for summer.

Target.com
-Mossimo Falk Thong Sandal ($22.99) - These sandals are much cuter and chicer than plastic flip flops any day. Perfect to wear to the beach, on a walk, or out to dinner. These are similar to some Dolce Vita sandals that cost $70, and mine have held up pretty well so far.

Catbirdnyc.com
-Classic Hammered First Knuckle Ring - Yellow Gold ($64) - Lately I've really been feeling the yellow gold. It's all I wear. I love these first knuckle rings, they look cute stacked and mixed with others.

Ettika.com
-Cotton Thread Bracelet on Link Chain with Gold Spikes ($65) - One of my favorite bracelets that I stack with my watch.

Nordstrom.com
-Michael Kors Darcy Round Bracelet Watch ($225) - Love the bling. If you're like me and have tiny wrists, take it to the watch section in Norstrom and they'll take out the extra links.

In My Makeup Bag

I've been using this Modella Floral Diaries makeup bag lately and it's the perfect size for all my needs. I'm not sure how much this one costs, but you can get it at Walgreens and Walmart.

Read reviews here:
Tarte Maracuja Concealer
La Mer The Radiant Concealer SPF 25
Make Up For Ever Duo Mat Foundation 
Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation
Real Techniques Makeup Brushes

Otherwise, click on the collage for more info.

*This post may include items received for review from PR company or manufacturer. See disclosure for more info. 

Want Brighter Skin? Try Jurlique Purely Bright Radiance Serum

Disclosure: Sample provided free of charge from a PR Company or brand for consideration. That did not change my opinion of those products. See disclosure for more info.

Jurlique Purely Bright Radiance Serum ($58) is  a powerful concentrate containing VitaBrightKx to even skin tone and appearance of dark spots and discolorations, creating skin radiance. 12 week clinical studies show 80% of women noticed improvements in hydration and skin radiance and 67% said their age spots became lighter. What is VitaBrightKx?

VITABRIGHTKX contains:  

-Kakadu Plum Extract helps to reduce the appearance of skin discolorations. 

-Citrus Unshiu Peel Extract has shown to inhibit melanin synthesis and is designed to help decrease the appearance of dark spots. 

-African Birch Extract is a powerful antioxidant known to help increase skin firmness. 

-Vitamin C (Ascorbyl Glucoside) helps protect skin from environmental aggressors, improve skin clarity and supports natural collagen for firmer skin.

This also contains Hyaluronic Acid to improve suppleness and elasticity, Turmeric Extract to protect skin from environmental damage and Calendula extract to reduce redness. The bottle pumps out the perfect amount of the liquidy gel. It absorbs quickly into skin and leaves a silky finish. I usually use this morning and night before any oil or moisturizer. I can say that after only 2 weeks of using it, the redness on my cheeks has reduced and I've noticed a definite difference in radiance. Everything is brighter. I was surprised by how little foundation I had to use. It's pricey but it works. Jurlique does not test on animals and that makes me happy too.

face candy grade: A

Scrubs: Splurge/Steal

*Disclosure: Sample provided free of charge from a PR Company or brand for consideration. That did not change my opinion of those products. See disclosure for more info.

THE STEAL:

The St. Ives Invigorating Apricot Scrub* ($2.99) is a drugstore favorite of mine and at under $3 it's a steal. It always leaves my skin smooth and refreshed. Ingredients include antioxidant rich apricot, cornmeal that promotes skin cell turnover and regeneration, and exfoliating walnut shells. Gentle enough to use every day.

face candy grade: A+

THE SPLURGE:

Kiehl's Creme de Corps Soy and Honey Body Polish ($30) is creamy with pure honey and soy milk protein and exfoliating with ground Luffa Fruit. I love the way it foams up and leaves skin soft and moisturized. At $30, it's an indulgence but I do highly recommend it, as it's extremely luxurious. If you can afford it, you will love it.

face candy grade: A

What's Your Dove Truth? WIN BIG!

Disclosure: Dove sponsored this giveaway and sent me a bag full of goodies. See full disclosure.

Dove is sponsoring this awesome giveaway: a year's supply of Dove Beauty Bar, a classic, and other fun Dove SWAG! In the comments section in this post, tell me your Dove "truth" about yourself and tweet your "truth" @Dove using hashtags #DoveTruthDay and #AprilTruthDay.

The NEXT DAY, APRIL 2, 2013, I will choose a winner based on the most compelling story. You must leave your email address. US residents only.

Dove® Truth Files: Reveal the truth. Reap the rewards.: Is your bar or body wash up to no good? Play detective and explore the Dove® Truth Files for chances to win. When you go you can watch a video and get a $2 OFF coupon.

You can read my review of Dove Deep Moisture Nourishing Body Wash with Nutriummoisture here.

Leave all comments and email address in comments section here and don't forget to tweet @Dove. 

Enter to win SOL REPUBLIC x Tokidoki Headphones

Disclosure: One product was provided free of charge for review and one for the contest. That did not change my opinion of the product in any way. See disclosure policy also. 

I have always loved anything tokidoki. Imagine my delight when tokidoki and SOL REPBULIC collaborated on 2 pairs of headphones. Here's what they say:

SOL REPUBLIC introduces Tracks HD tokdoki and TKDK Headphones  

We believe music has the power to move you, touch you and inspire you. A good song can help you run faster, think clearer and live better. For every great moment, there is a song that goes with it - this is your “Soundtrack Of Life” (SOL) and we’re committed to making it better through sound, style, and technology.  

Fusing art and music, tokidoki and TKDK x SOL REPUBLIC headphones are the direct result of a passion to create something extraordinary. Characters, colors and lines reveal the unique world of tokidoki, while the one-of-a-kind designs and sound of SOL REPUBLIC lets you feel the music. It’s a perfect blend of style and soul.  

tokidoki, which translates as “sometimes” in Japanese, is the vision of Italian artist Simone Legno and his partners. Since debuting in 2005, tokidoki has amassed a cult-like following for its larger-than-life characters and emerged as a sought-after global lifestyle brand.  

“tokidoki is the hope, the hidden energy that everyone has inside, It gives us the strength to face a new day and dream about something positive and the hope that something magical will happen to us.”- Simone Legno  

TKDK is the new international streetwear brand from the minds behind tokidoki. Based in Los Angeles, TKDK constantly evolves to reflect the society in which it exists. TKDK is seamless street fashion, pop art and punk rock lifestyle.

(TKDK and Tracks)

I got the SOL REPUBLIC Tokidoki Tracks HD On-Ear Headphones ($149.99) and I love that these are adjustable. I can use them and then my husband can use them too. He's actually been stealing them from me recently. I think he likes them too much! The sound is amazing and they're extremely lightweight. The headband is nearly indestructible, which is pretty cool. They are perfect for use with your computer, ipad, ipod, iphone, whatever. There's a little tokidoki charm that you can attach to the soft black case. Overall, total love. 

Face Candy is lucky enough to have one pair of headphones to give away!

Rules: Open to US readers only, sorry international friends. Winner will be drawn at random and will be notified within 48 hours of winning. They will have 72 hours to claim the prize. Contest begins on 3/30/13 at 12 AM ends on 4/30/13 at 12 AM.

Click here to enter: Rafflecopter Giveaway

Disclosure: One product was provided free of charge for review and one for the contest. That did not change my opinion of the product in any way. See disclosure policy also. 

Maybelline Color Whisper Lipstick at Target for Under $3

In one of my magazines, possibly InStyle, I got a $2 OFF a Maybelline Color Whisper Lipstick.

If you go to Target.com you can print out an additional coupon for $1 OFF a Maybelline product.

At Target, the Maybelline Color Whisper Lipstick is $5.94. You can combine the two coupons for a total of $3 OFF, so you only pay $2.94. At that price, I couldn't pass it up, so I got Cherry On Top, a bright pink. There weren't that many choices where I was, I think there are 10 colors in total.

I'm not a huge fan of the kind of weird floral scent it has, but it goes away after a couple seconds. I was pleasantly surprised by the texture, it's described as a translucent gel with soft, see through color and I agree with that. I like that it's not too glossy either.

I think it looks best and most natural with only one layer and it leaves behind a soft pretty pink tint. If you want more color you can pass it a few times over your lips. I even blot it a tiny bit to take off the shine. I would definitely try some more colors in the future, probably a peachy one.

face candy grade: A+

I also picked up this adorable Xhilaration Juniors Keyhole Dress for Easter ($24.95)
If you go to Target.com you can get a coupon for $5 OFF your purchase of $20 or more, making it $19.95.

I actually wanted this one but they didn't have it in my size. :(

Body Oils For Any Season

Body oil isn't only for winter, it's kind of a year-round thing. In the winter I will rub body oil into my skin right after a shower when my skin is still damp and layer a cream or lotion on top. In the spring and summer I just use the oil. Here are a few to try:

One of my favorites is NARS Monoi Body Glow II but it's pretty pricey. Read the review here. 

Read my review for LaLicious Coconut Cream Body Oil.  

Don't forget my long time favorite, Neutrogena Body Oil.  

Nuxe Huile Prodigieuse Multi-Usage Dry Oil ($30) - A unique cocktail of Borage, St. Johnswort, Sweet Almond, Camellia, Hazelnut and Macadamia Oils. I would love to try this and like that it's multi-purpose. 

Caudalie Divine Oil ($9 for .5 oz., $49 for 3.4 oz.) - The main ingredient in this is Grape Seed Oil. It also has Sesame Oil and Argan Oil. I'd like to try it and see if it's worth the price tag.