Guest Post: BareMinerals Get Started Kit

The following review comes courtesy of guest blogger, Kim Stanley. Enjoy!

Are you looking for a foundation that is natural and lightweight? I checked out Bare Escentuals’ bareMinerals Get Started Kit to see what all the fuss was about.

With bareMinerals’ Get Started Kit you can color, contour, and correct flaws. The Beyond the Basics Kit takes the bareMinerals’ experience to the next level (my next review).

I created a natural look in 5 steps:

1) I used the skin rev-er upper before applying my moisturizer;
2) pre-concealed under eye circles, blotches and other discolorations using the foundation with the full-coverage concealer brush;
3) applied foundation (tan) with the full-coverage kabuki brush until I achieved the coverage I wanted;
4) applied the warmth all-over color with the flawless face brush; and
5) applied the mineral veil (warm) as a finishing powder with the flawless brush to reduce shine and achieve a polished look.

Helpful Tips: Get color matched by a professional and ask questions. Next, watch the DVD, that is included in the kit, several times to get familiar with the products and techniques. Remove daily makeup and oil from your brushes by using make up brush cleansing wipes; a good one to try is by the Sephora brand.

Bare Escentuals’ bareMinerals foundation is a nice change from typical foundation and offered the most flexibility I have ever experienced applying makeup. Depending on my mood, event or skin condition I can layer on as much product as needed. However, darker skin tones may find that the foundation can appear ashy.

The bareMinerals foundation has good coverage, good concealment and was weightless on my face. It didn’t take long to master the techniques but it took practice achieving the finer points to look polished and pulled together. The kit is a bit pricey at $60, but retails for $181 and is worth every penny.

Spoiled Pretty Tip: For a limited-time only, Sephora is offering free shippng on Bare Escentuals' Get Started Kits - just enter promo code GETSTARTED at checkout.

Guest Post: BareMinerals Get Started Kit

The following review comes courtesy of guest blogger, Kim Stanley. Enjoy!

Are you looking for a foundation that is natural and lightweight? I checked out Bare Escentuals’ bareMinerals Get Started Kit to see what all the fuss was about.

With bareMinerals’ Get Started Kit you can color, contour, and correct flaws. The Beyond the Basics Kit takes the bareMinerals’ experience to the next level (my next review).

I created a natural look in 5 steps:

1) I used the skin rev-er upper before applying my moisturizer;
2) pre-concealed under eye circles, blotches and other discolorations using the foundation with the full-coverage concealer brush;
3) applied foundation (tan) with the full-coverage kabuki brush until I achieved the coverage I wanted;
4) applied the warmth all-over color with the flawless face brush; and
5) applied the mineral veil (warm) as a finishing powder with the flawless brush to reduce shine and achieve a polished look.

Helpful Tips: Get color matched by a professional and ask questions. Next, watch the DVD, that is included in the kit, several times to get familiar with the products and techniques. Remove daily makeup and oil from your brushes by using make up brush cleansing wipes; a good one to try is by the Sephora brand.

Bare Escentuals’ bareMinerals foundation is a nice change from typical foundation and offered the most flexibility I have ever experienced applying makeup. Depending on my mood, event or skin condition I can layer on as much product as needed. However, darker skin tones may find that the foundation can appear ashy.

The bareMinerals foundation has good coverage, good concealment and was weightless on my face. It didn’t take long to master the techniques but it took practice achieving the finer points to look polished and pulled together. The kit is a bit pricey at $60, but retails for $181 and is worth every penny.

Spoiled Pretty Tip: For a limited-time only, Sephora is offering free shippng on Bare Escentuals' Get Started Kits - just enter promo code GETSTARTED at checkout.

Guest Post: The Body Shop Metallic Eye & Cheek Palette

The following review is courtesy of guest blogger, Angela Showell. Take it away, Angela...

The Body Shop Metallic Eye & Cheek Palette #02 comes in a really pretty gold case - and from the front little window, I could see that the colors were right up my alley: golds, blue, and copper. I then decided to get a closer look by opening the case. It was extremely hard to open. I do have acrylic fingernails so they are a little long, but not even my stubby fingernailed husband could get it open on the first try! Eventually he got it, thus making this review possible!

The case has a mirror and long-handled, double sided applicator which was handy for the eyeshadow, but not so much for the bronzer. So, I broke outmy fluffy blush brush and got to work.

I applied the bronzer over my normal cream powder foundation (shout out to Neutrogena). It was a little too bronze for my winter pale-ness so I toned it down with a little more foundation blending. Next I went for my all over lid color. The palette came with 3 shades of gold (well, a light gold, a true gold, and a bronze) and one shimmery blue. I used the light gold as a base and then did the blue for my inner corner (it came out kind of green when mixed with the light gold) and blended in the copper for my outer crease. I used the applicator to do the blending instead of my normal brush, it worked out pretty well with a little help from my finger (the best blending tool anyway, your mom is right).

The eyeshadows stayed a nice color all day, with minimal creasing. Overall, I really liked this product. The colors are neutral enough that it could be your everyday standby.

Guest Post: The Body Shop Metallic Eye & Cheek Palette

The following review is courtesy of guest blogger, Angela Showell. Take it away, Angela...

The Body Shop Metallic Eye & Cheek Palette #02 comes in a really pretty gold case - and from the front little window, I could see that the colors were right up my alley: golds, blue, and copper. I then decided to get a closer look by opening the case. It was extremely hard to open. I do have acrylic fingernails so they are a little long, but not even my stubby fingernailed husband could get it open on the first try! Eventually he got it, thus making this review possible!

The case has a mirror and long-handled, double sided applicator which was handy for the eyeshadow, but not so much for the bronzer. So, I broke outmy fluffy blush brush and got to work.

I applied the bronzer over my normal cream powder foundation (shout out to Neutrogena). It was a little too bronze for my winter pale-ness so I toned it down with a little more foundation blending. Next I went for my all over lid color. The palette came with 3 shades of gold (well, a light gold, a true gold, and a bronze) and one shimmery blue. I used the light gold as a base and then did the blue for my inner corner (it came out kind of green when mixed with the light gold) and blended in the copper for my outer crease. I used the applicator to do the blending instead of my normal brush, it worked out pretty well with a little help from my finger (the best blending tool anyway, your mom is right).

The eyeshadows stayed a nice color all day, with minimal creasing. Overall, I really liked this product. The colors are neutral enough that it could be your everyday standby.

Guest Post: Philosophy Kiss Me Lip Balm

Kim Stanley* writes:

No matter what I do, my lips become dry and chapped during the winter months. However, I have found a product that alleviates both problems. Although the company is not new to beauty junkies, Philosophy is better known for products such as Hope in a Jar. Kiss Me is a very emollient lip balm that delivers on its promise to leave your lips well-moisturized.

Lipsticks and lip glosses look best on lips that are smooth and well hydrated without cracked or peeling skin. If you want to fully appreciate the ultimate lip care experience you should use an exfoliant first and follow up with a super moisturizing product to protect and heal your lips because lips can not maintain moisture. A good lip exfoliant to try is Laura Geller Lip Strip.

I put Kiss Me to the test during the busy Christmas season while cashiering, for 9 hour shifts, at Sephora. On average, I applied the lip balm approximately three times during these long hours of talking, eating and drinking but not more than 4 times in a 24-hour period.

The one caveat of this product, but its performance is not affected, is that it reacts to hot and cold temperatures. The tube will harden if left in the cold and will soften during the warmer months.

Philosophy’s Kiss Me offered the best of all worlds because it had a natural shine, moisturized, tasted like citrus, and was long-lasting. I purchased the lip balm by Philosophy in Kiss Me Red, but it is available in clear and pink shades as well. I love this stuff!

*Kim Y. Stanley has been a self-confessed beauty junkie since the age of 12. Over the years, she has experimented and tested tons of beauty products; comparing similar products of different price ranges is what fuels her addiction.

Guest Post: Philosophy Kiss Me Lip Balm

Kim Stanley* writes:

No matter what I do, my lips become dry and chapped during the winter months. However, I have found a product that alleviates both problems. Although the company is not new to beauty junkies, Philosophy is better known for products such as Hope in a Jar. Kiss Me is a very emollient lip balm that delivers on its promise to leave your lips well-moisturized.

Lipsticks and lip glosses look best on lips that are smooth and well hydrated without cracked or peeling skin. If you want to fully appreciate the ultimate lip care experience you should use an exfoliant first and follow up with a super moisturizing product to protect and heal your lips because lips can not maintain moisture. A good lip exfoliant to try is Laura Geller Lip Strip.

I put Kiss Me to the test during the busy Christmas season while cashiering, for 9 hour shifts, at Sephora. On average, I applied the lip balm approximately three times during these long hours of talking, eating and drinking but not more than 4 times in a 24-hour period.

The one caveat of this product, but its performance is not affected, is that it reacts to hot and cold temperatures. The tube will harden if left in the cold and will soften during the warmer months.

Philosophy’s Kiss Me offered the best of all worlds because it had a natural shine, moisturized, tasted like citrus, and was long-lasting. I purchased the lip balm by Philosophy in Kiss Me Red, but it is available in clear and pink shades as well. I love this stuff!

*Kim Y. Stanley has been a self-confessed beauty junkie since the age of 12. Over the years, she has experimented and tested tons of beauty products; comparing similar products of different price ranges is what fuels her addiction.