Q-Tips Precision Tips

Q-Tips recently released a new version called Precision Tips ($2.49 for 170 swabs) and they are awesome.

Here's a list of my favorite ways to use them:
-I use the pointed tip to go over the eyeliner and absorb extra oils. I also use it to blend the eyeliner I apply over that into a nice soft line. I use the other side to clean up underneath my eye- where all of the mascara and shadow has accumulated.
-My husband's favorite use for them is to clean his ears. I let him use regular Q-tips for that. (Don't wanth im poking his brain, lol)
-Remove nailpolish from your fingers with the pointed tip.
-Use as a detail "brush" for nail art. I used them to make christmas lights on my nails at Xmas.
-Clean up mascara or glitter that's fallen onto your face with a damp Q-tip.
-Use it as a disposable wand for potted products like lip gloss or concealer so you don't contaminate it.
-Dip Q-Tips in eye cream and put in ziplock baggie. Take on a plane or travelling.
-Dab with alochol and clean the inside of your makeup compacts.
-Clean hard to reach crevices like in molding or around the sink.
-Instead of carting around your entire makeup bag for a night, load Q-tips with lipgloss, blush, eyeshadow, whatever and store them in a vintage cigarette case. Everything is right there, ready to go!

Overall I love Q-tips, there's neverending uses for them and the store brand really does not compare. The cotton is woven more loosely and it's just not as good. I'm SO happy they have come out with the precision tips! Go try em.

face candy grade: A+

*Sample was provided by PR Company or Manufacturer. It did not change my opinion of this product.
See Disclosure Policy.

A Lesson in Couponing

I get giddy when I save money. And I love CVS. Here's a look at how I saved and on what this week:

SALES:
-Nivea lip balm was 2/$5
-When you spend $10 on Nivea Lotion, lip care or body wash, receive $5 extrabucks
-Kellogg's cereal was 2/$5
-M&M Mini's Buy one, Get one FREE

COUPONS:
-$.75 off of Nature Valley Granola Thins (from newspaper)
-$3 off any 2 Nivea lip balms (from newspaper)
-$5 off any 2 Nivea lotions (from newspaper)
-$6.50 extrabucks

FINAL PRICES:
-Nivea lip balms $1 each
-Cereal $2.50 each
-Lotion $4.38 each
-M&M Minis $.93 each
-Nature Valley Granola Thins $3.04
Total= $20.66 (-$6.50 extrabucks) = $14.16 = $9.16 Actual Cost (+$5 extrabucks)

Why, Urban Decay? Why?

This is the original terrible, terrible genie style tube that Urban Decay's Primer Potion was packaged in.

Obviously you can't maneuver the wand too well and end up leaving a ridiculous amount of product inside. I noticed that the wand wasn't picking up as much product as it used to so I figured it was time to de-pot the sucker. If you're a smart person, you would have googled "how to depot udpp" or something similar, but I didn't and proceeded to do go about it the wrong way.

First, I took out the wand and removed the plastic part at the opening (lid) of the container. Easy enough. I then used a serrated knife to saw around the top of the bottle. I don't really recommend that method though because you end up getting tiny plastic shavings in the product. And it's very messy for you, your cutting board and the knife. I also thought I was going to cut myself multiple times. If you're going to use the sawing method, I recommend sawing through the thinnest part of the bottle at the bottom at this time too. I didn't do that and ended up having to while my hands were covered in UDPP. All you need to do now is use the wand or a knife to scoop out the remaining product.

I used a 5 ml jar and filled it quite easily. I suggest spraying all of your tools/materials with a +70% isopropyl alcohol to prevent contamination. I actually had a couple mini UDPP's but was so frustrated that I just threw them away.

The easy method, it turns out, is removing the plastic at the lip, microwaving the UDPP for 15-20 seconds. Then you can tap it out on something glass or metal and scrape it without having to use a knife in any capacity. Overall, I like the product but the packaging woes outweigh the good. Now it comes in a nice little squeeze tube but I have a kind of bitter taste in my mouth from this whole experience, enough to make me try the NARS primer instead of this one.

Is there any other makeup packaging you hate? Or love? Please let me know in the comments.

Do You Swirl, Tap & Buff?

I'm not at all loyal to one foundation. I switch all the time because I'm fickle and am always deciding I need something new. For a long time it was been between Eve Pearl HD Foundation and MUFE HD foundation but I felt like the MUFE was settling into my pores and looking obvious and not so nice, so I decided to switch back to Bare Escentuals, which I used for a brief period in 2003. I believe I stopped using it because I wanted more coverage.

I decided to pick up the Bare Escentuals Sephora Exclusive Get Started Kit ($174 value, for $60). It comes with 2 colors of foundation, a Mineral Veil or Tinted Mineral Veil, Warmth and 3 brushes: Full Flawless Face, Flawless Application Face and Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush plus a mini Prime Time Foundation Primer and instructional DVD. The set comes in Fair, Light, Medium, Tan, Dark and Deep. I've always thought I was a medium, but now I'm definitely bordering on light.

I love the value of this kit, but I don't really think 2 face brushes are necessary. I really only use the Flawless Application Brush (the shorter of the 2) but I guess it's nice to have another one in case you want to use it for Mineral Veil or Warmth. Overall, it's a great kit to start with and has everything you need. Definitely worth the price tag. The coverage is very light but is slightly buildable. Try it out and if you don't like it you can always return it.

face candy grade: A

NARS Reviews

I am easily seduced by NARS cosmetics. It's easy to convince myself I need something else enrobed in matte black packaging. Here are my most recent finds:

I couldn't resist the Danmari All About Cheeks Palette ($107 value, for $65). I personally think the regular sized blushes are huge (0.16 oz.) but the tinier (0.12 oz) ones are perfect. This palette of 6 contains an OK selection of colors, I do think they should have left out one of the Orgasm shades, because who needs 2 and how much difference is there really between Orgasm and Super Orgasm? I was impressed with the size of this palette and love the large mirror. Great travel palette. At $65, each 0.12 oz. blush works out to cost $10.83. A regular sized 0.16 oz. blush costs $27. For a regular blush you're paying $168.75/oz. In this palette you're paying $90.28/oz. Overall, I didn't really need it, but... oh well.

face candy grade: B+

Is there one beauty thing that you always manage to do? Mine is contouring. I love my cheekbones and ALWAYS contour. I bought The Multiple Bronzer ($38) in Malaysia for quick on the go contouring. A couple swipes, blend with your fingers and you're done. The color is intense at first but can be sheered depending on your desired finish. I layer Laguna Powder Bronzer over top with an angled cheek brush. I really like it but don't think it's worth $38.

face candy grade: B-

After being quite disappointed by MUFE's uplights, I decided to try The Illuminator ($29) in Copacabana. The glistening pinky pearl is not a color I would have normally picked for myself, but I'm branching out and trying new things. Anyway, I apply a little on both cheeks and up into the cheek bones, down the center of my nose and on my cupid's bow. Combine this with the Multiple Bronzer and your face will have dimensions you never knew it had! Work quickly though, it can dry in an unflattering way if you wait too long. One of my new favorites.
face candy grade: A

The Arabian Nights Trio Eyeshadow ($45) caught my eye and I needed it. I love the first two shades, black with red pearl and black with purple pearl, but could do without the black with gunmetal shimmer. I all ready own Night Clubbing which is black with gold pearl. This is one of my favorite lining palettes, I almost always reach for it when getting dressed up. That said, I find the third eyeshadow to be useless and the first has begun to crumble a bit around the edges despite having travelled practically no where in its short life. If you're really into the colors, splurge, but otherwise you can probably live without it.

face candy grade: B-

What are your favorite NARS products? I think the next thing to try will be the Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base ($24) as I know some people prefer it to Urban Decay's Primer Potion, which I am just now finishing up.

Soft Kitty!

I have to admit that I had never really seen the TV show The Big Bang Theory.
I’m not much of a CBS watcher, so perhaps that’s why. Re-runs seem to be on pretty frequently on TBS or UPN. And I like it. It’s cute and surprisingly funny for a CBS show. But of course I like it, I’m a nerd.

Anyway, you may or may not know of the episode in which Sheldon gets sick and teaches Penny the words to his favorite childhood song that his mother used to sing to him when he was sick. The Soft Kitty song goes, “Soft kitty, warm kitty, little ball of fur. Happy kitty, sleepy kitty, purr purr purr.”

It was kind of sad how excited I got when I received the Soft Kitty Girls Shirt ($19.88) and the Soft Kitty Plush Toy ($29.99). As I am a petite, child-like creature, the shirt is a bit big for my 4’9” body, so I wear it to bed. It’s soft and breathable cotton. The toy is very cute. Once you put batteries in it, it sings when you squeeze the paw. There is a Men’s shirt too ($19.88, sold out in Small and Medium) and if you buy the shirt along with the toy, you get both for only $44.99. They are available at http://www.stylinonline.com/big-bang-theory-soft-kitty.html. It's a perfect gift for Christmas.

*Sample was provided by PR Company or Manufacturer. It did not change my opinion of this product.

See Disclosure Policy.

Online Savings

-At FACEATELIER.COM, save 30% on Friday, November 25th only, with code THANKS.
-Get 20% OFF with code CYBER at YSLBeautyus.com until Saturday, November 26th.
- At Beaute-cosmetics.com receive 30% off your purchases with code blackfriday2011 on Friday, November 25th.
-Ellisfaas.com is offering a 10% discount with code SNOWE300, not sure how long this is good for.
-Receive 20% off at Suedevittbeauty.com until December 5th.
-From November 25th to November 28th, get 25% off at Elizabetharden.com with code BF2.
-Get 20% off everything in store with code TGS2- at Cherryculture.com, ends November 27th.
-At Urbandecay.com get $20 off Book of Shadows IV, November 25th only with code BLACKFRIDAY.
-Bobbibrowncosmetics.com is offering 3 Best Selling Treats and FREE standard shipping on all orders through November 29th.
-Get 30% off on Monday November 28th with code CELEBRATE11 at Butterlondon.com.
-Use code CYBER11 to save 30% for 24 hours on Monday, November 28th at threecustom.com.
-At Thebalm.com get 40% off with code BLACKFRIDAY, November 25th only.

NARS Deal on Gilt City

There is a NARS deal on Gilt Groupe's City website... Pay $50 for $80 worth of cosmetics in store or online. That's 37% savings. Don't forget to go through Ebates to receive 4% cash back. Which is like $2, but still $2 you wouldn't get back otherwise.

Click here to join Gilt City. If you join via this link, you'll receive 20% off your first purchase and I'll receive 20% off my next one.

Click here to join Ebates. I earn $5 for every qualified member I refer.

Save on Edward Bess Palettes

Edward Bess is one of those luxury brands that I have not had the pleasure of trying yet. I've only heard rave reviews though. Same with Le Metier de Beaute. I just don't have $95 to spend on 4 eye shadows.

Mr. Bess has just released 2 palettes called Berry Chic and Back to Basics. Each contains one check and lip stain, one all over highlighter, an eyeshadow quad and a lip gloss duo with a dual ended makeup brush and mirror. They retail for $75 each. Oprah recently named the palettes a "favorite thing." If you go to his website http://edwardbess.com/home.html and use code OPRAH, you'll be able to snag them for $60 each.

Enjoy!

Review: Jack Black Balm Squad Lip Quad

I bought the Jack Black Balm Squad Lip Quad ($30 value for $25) during the Sephora F&F sale, because I'd heard that the balms were, well, the bomb. (Excuse my lameness). The set includes: Natural Mint & Shea Butter, Lemon & Chamomile, Shea Butter & Vitamin E and Mango & Mandarin. I like all of them but I think my favorite is Natural Mint.

The balm is a thick clear gel and it's not at all waxy. It absorbs quickly and provides instant relief to chapped lips. I've become quite fond of these as I get to have one on me at all times now. It has SPF 25, which is something that I find is missing from lots of lip products. The set is a value and each full size balm ends up costing you $6.25 instead of the regular $7.50. Shea Butter & Vitamin E and Mango & Mandarin are limited edition scents.

In keeping with my hoarding mindset, I now want Black Tea & Blackberry, Grapefruit & Ginger and Vanilla & Lavender to round out the collection. I'm tempted to share with my husband, but I'm too selfish and afraid he'd like it too much! I do however think he might like the Jack Black line and I adore the packaging. This is men's skincare I can see standing in the medicine cabinet alongside my (many) products. (I generally relegate my husband's Old Spice Deodorant and Tom's Toothpaste to the bathroom closet because it's not pretty to look at.)

Overall this set is a great value for yourself or if you want to split it up amongst your friends. I generally buy things like this in hopes of sharing with my friends but then I love it too much and keep it all for myself. tsk tsk.

face candy grade: A+