Archive for the ‘Beauty’ Category

Hey Glossies,

I have never tried Wet N Wild eye shadow.  All my beauty pals have all recommended various palettes to me, but I was not really interested in trying any of them. So when I was at my local drugstore, I decided to give a palette a try. Why the sudden change of heart?? I had a coupon for dollars off a cosmetic purchase. :p

There were so many choices, but I decided to get just one, “I Got Good Jeans” trio.

Of the three colors, I used 2 (the gold and navy blue).  To my surprise, the colors are pretty pigmented and vibrant, but I still used a primer with color to base the eye shadow (as it is my common practice.)

I think this palette is quite festive and could make appearances at several winter holiday functions.

In the look below, along with the Wet n Wild trio, I used MAC Treasure Hunt p/p, Revlon Bronzed Copper e/s, Shu Uemura Paint Liner – Black (M), Dior eye liner -Trinidad, Chanel Mascara.

I recommend the Wet n Wild ‘I Got Good Jeans’ palette to all the beauty mavens, as well as, to those who are on a budget.

Mix Maven

 

Hey Glossies,

Hope your weekend was grand!

Makeup brushes can make or break a look, so it is necessary to have the right tools for the job that are CLEAN!

My favorite brush cleaner is the Beautyblender cleanser because it does a really good job removing makeup from the bristles and sponges.

I wash my hands, then I squirt a dot of the cleanser in my hand and swirl the bristles in the palm of my hand. After that, I rinse out the bristles with warm water to remove more product. If I am cleaning a foundation brush or kabuki, I will repeat a couple of times.

If I am running low on the BeautyBlender  cleanser, I will use Philosophy purity made simple high-foaming daily cleanser to clean my brushes. I got the idea to use the cleanser as a brush cleanser after watching a Philosophy presentation on QVC.

I do the same steps as I would for the Beautyblender cleanser. I do find that I have to work extra hard to remove product from sponges. I also use the Purity or Neutrogena wipes when I am traveling to cleanse eye shadow and eye liner brushes.  However, I do not use these products on a regular basis, but since I am the only person using these brushes, I think I am good to go.

What are some of your beauty cleansing tips and tricks??

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

Hope everyone had a great Mothers Day!

Sale news you can use - Beauty.com is having its Spring Family and Friends sale…. 20% off, beginning, May  10, 2011 –   Friday May 13, 2011.  ( Have until 11:59 PDT.) One restriction is that items purchased from Drugstore.com (partner site) will not receive the 20% discount.

Find top beauty brands like Urban Decay, Stila, theBalm, Lorac, NARS and CARGO. Also purchase skincare products, beauty tools and other related beauty needs. (Does exclude Jane Iredale products, gift cards, and certificates.)

(Click on image below to go the Beauty.com Friends and Family Event)

Happy Haulin’,

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

Happy Valentine’s Day!!

I hope you had a great weekend and that the new week started off on a great note!

The beauty destination for today, I do not need a ticket or passport to enter this wonderful place…..my Stash.

I haven’t played with the Naked pigments since I got them in the summer.  I am glad that MAC has expanded the Naked pigment to include darker shades:  Nude Dark and Nude Deep Dark. I decided to play around with Dark, tan with a hint of beige.  Dark is similar to the Lithe pigment ( From the Fabulous Felines collection, LE), but Lithe has a significant amount of shimmer.

I was feeling extra naughty and sassy, so I decided to add red lip to the look.

FOTD Details

Face

• Primer
• MAC Select Cover-Up – NC50
• NARS Sheer Glow Foundation – Cadiz and New Orleans
• Clinique Blended Face Powder – Transparency 5

Eyes

• Cosmedicine Oil control lotion
• MAC Indianwood P/P
• MAC Naked Dark pigment
• MAC Go e/s
• Laura Gellar Baked e/l – Dutch Chocolate
• Revlon Bronzed Copper e/s
• Dior Lash Primer
• CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume mascara
• Shu Uemura Paint Liner – Black (M)
• MAC False Lashes mascara

Cheek

• MAC Gleeful Blush

Lips

• MAC  Chestnut Creme l/l
• NYX Sunrise l/g

Mr. Maven and I do not have any specific Valentine’s day traditions, but we do have favorite artistic works that we enjoy sharing with each other.

Mr. Maven loves Anita Baker and Sade.  Before we we started dating, we had been friends for a few years before taking the plunge.  He re-introduced “It’s Been You” to me and I think the song really fits our experience well.

It’s Been You – Anita Baker

I like to refer to myself as a former poet.  My poetry was scathing and bitter.  I know that will be shocking as I am such a wonderful person, paragon of perfection even. Ok, that  might be bit much! LOL

One of my favorite poems is “Perfumed Moments with My Man” by Dee Dee McNeil from the anthology, “A Rock Against The Wind” edited by Lindsay Patterson.  I found this book when I was in college and I had to add it to my library.  A definite must-have for poetry lovers who love love and passion.

An excerpt -

• Dip me.
• Flip me.
• Dew me.
• with the nectar that you spray.
• Taste my bouquet.
• Pollinate my day.
• Inhale me.
• De-rail me.
• Ride me like a train.
• Remember when I came
• time and time again?
• Quick as a hummingbird,
• Rowdy as a hawk.
• Dancing like the Jabber-Walk!

Dee Dee McNeil

Do you have any love traditions?

Mix Maven

McNeil, Dee Dee. “Perfumed Moments with My Man.” A Rock against the Wind: African-American Poems and Letters of Love and Passion. By Lindsay Patterson. New York: Berkley Pub. Group, 1996. 100-104. Print.

Hey Glossies,

Recently a reader asked me to recommend products because she is going on holiday and wants to pack light, but still have enough beauty essentials that will keep her fabulous for day and night events.

Eye Shadow

I am loving the Revlon perle and satin eye shadows. The shimmer is not too severe, color payoff is amazing and quite blendable. Definitely a great option for a beauty lover on a budget.  Prices range from $3.99-$4.99 (Rite Aid Pharmacy has them on sale for 40% off this week). My favorites are Nude Slip, Shimmering Sienna, Brushed Copper (my new “go to” highlighter) and Peacock Lustre. The flat packaging allows for easy storage and wont take up too much space in the makeup bag. Oh yes, throw in a dark brown or black eye shadow to create a smokier look.

Shadow Base

No secret that I am a huge fan of MAC’s Paint Pot. Definitely one of the brand’s best products.  The best travel partners are Constructivist (metallic brown w/red pearl) and Soft Ochre (yellow beige [cream]).

Liner

I also love a gel liner…Maybelline Gel liner in Black. The color is bold and the line stays put!  I purchased it some time ago and it has not dried out like other drugstore gel liners. I like the fact that it comes with a handy liner brush.

Mascara

Covergirl mascaras are staples in the Mix Maven beauty kit. In heavy rotation, among others, are:

CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara (used in FOTD) – It does what it says.  I stopped a woman in Ikea asking which brand of lashes she was wearing….uhm no, she was wearing this mascara!

Blush

NARS LoveJoy (shimmering bronzed rose) is a NEED for every beauty lover. Definitely compatible with most to every skin tone.

Lips

The reader also stated that she wanted neutral or pink lip products, specifically, glosses.  I definitely recommend Estee Lauder Pure Color Gloss Stick in Wild Plum and Nude Almond.  These glosses are in stick form with more pigmentation that the average gloss, but still  has that slick shine without the stickiness.

FOTD

Face

• Primer
• Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse – Caramel
• Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Radiant Firming – Cocoa
• MAC MSFN – Dark

Eyes

• Cosmedicine Oil control lotion
• MAC Paint Point – Soft Ochre
• Purley Cosmetics – CTP in Bronze
• Revlon Nude Slip e/s
• Revlon Shimmering Sienna e/s
• Revlon Bronzed Copper e/s
• Dior Lash Primer
• CoverGirl LashBlast Luxe Volumizing Mascara

Cheek

• NARS LoveJoy

Lips

• MAC Chestnut l/l
• MAC Honeymoon l/s
• Laura Mercier Bellini lip glace

My new favorite singer, VV Brown, “Travelling Like the Light”

Mix Maven

An African American Girl’s Guide to Beauty

Look good 24/7 with these skin, hair and makeup tips

This is a TotalBeauty.com beauty tips article In this comprehensive guide, you’ll find out if you’re a good candidate for relaxing your hair and get makeup tricks and tips. Plus, you can tell us who your girl crush is by voting for your fave celeb. Read guide

So the beauty e-tailer is having a Friends and Family Sale…. 20% off, beginning, May 19, 2010 –   Friday May 21, 2010.  ( Have until 11:59 PST.) One restriction is that items purchased from Drugstore.com (partner site) will not receive the 20% discount.

Find top beauty brands like Urban Decay, Stila, theBalm, Lorac, NARS and CARGO. Also purchase skincare products, beauty tools and other related beauty needs. (Does exclude Jane Iredale products, gift cards, and certificates.)

(Click on image below to go the Beauty.com Friends and Family Event)

Happy Haulin’,

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

Here is the rundown of steals and deals of many of the sales at our favorite drugstores and beauty emporiums.

Ulta

Cosmetics

• Almay Cosmetics – B2GO Free
• Cover Girl Cosmetics – B2GO Free
• Eco Tools Brushes – BOGO 50% Off
• Japonesque Brushes/Tools – BOGO 50% Off
• L’Oreal Eye Shadow/Mascara – 2 for $10
• L’Oreal Lip Color and Lip Liner – 2 for $12
• L’Oreal Foundation and Primer – 2 for $16
• Maybelline Face and Lip – B2GO Free
• Neutrogena Cosmetics – B2GO Free
• NYX Cosmetics -– B2GO Free
• Palladio Cosmetics -– B2GO Free
• Revlon Cosmetics – B2GO Free
• Ulta Brushes – BOGO 50% Off
• Ulta (Cosmetics, Minerals, Implements and Tools) – BOGO Free

Skincare

• Aveeno Ageless Vitality Skincare – $5 Off
• Crabtree and Evelyn – 25% Off
• L’Oreal Skincare – 15% Off
• Neutrogena Clinical Skincare – $34.99 – $44.99
• Neutrogena Select Sun and Skincare – 15% Off
• Nivea and Eucerin Skincare – 15% Off
• Olay Skincare – 15% Off
• RoC Brilliance – $5 Off
• Select Skincare – BOGO 50% Off
• Ulta Skincare – BOGO Free

Sale ends May 9, 2010

CVS

Cosmetics

• Almay Intense I-Color $5.99
• CoverGirl Cosmetics – BOGO 50% Off
• L’Oreal Telescopic Explosion – $6
• L’Oreal Shadows and Liners – $5
• L’Oreal Studio Secrets Professional – $9
• Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara, Colorstay ultimate lip color, Colorburst lipstick – $7.99

Skincare

• CeraVe – $3 Off
• Coppertone Sport – $6.99
• Garnier Cleanser/Towelettes – $4.99
• Garnier Skin Renew/ Ultra Life – $9.99
• Lumene Skincare – BOGO 50% Off
• Nivea (selected products) – $4.88
• Olay Complete or Age Defying – $9.99
• Olay Daily facials 30 ct. – $3.99
• Olay Regenerist Facial Care – $17.99
• Olay Regenerist Kits, Treatments or ALL Definity Facial Care – $24.99
• Olay Total Effects, Definity cleanser or Regenerist scrub 5-6.78 oz. – $8.99
• Olay Total Effects Facial care (excludes wet cloths) – $18.99
• Olay Wetcloths 30 ct., cleanser, scrub 5-6 oz, Complete or Active Hydrating lotion 4 oz. – $6.99

Sale ends May 8, 2010

Rite Aid

Cosmetics

• Almay Eye Makeup – $5.99
• Almay Cosmetics Lip products – BOGO 50% Off
• CoverGirl Cosmetics – BOGO Free
• Maybelline Cosmetics Eye and Lip products – BOGO 50% Off
• Neutrogena Cosmetics Lip products – BOGO 50% Off
• Physicians Formula Lip products – BOGO 50% Off
• Physicians Formula Bronzers – BOGO Free
• Revlon Cosmetics Lip products – BOGO 50% Off

Skincare

• Banana Boat – BOGO 50% Off
• Garnier Skincare – BOGO 50% Off
• Hawaiian Tropic Sunblock or After Sun – BOGO 50% Off
• L’Oreal Sublime Bronze or Glow – $6.99
• Olay Facial Skin care – $6.99
• Nivea (Creme 6.8 oz, Skin Firming Lotion 8.4 0z, Lotion 13.5 oz) – $5.99

Sale ends May 8, 2010

Walgreens

Cosmetics

• Maybelline Foundation, Concealer, Powder or Blush – BOGO 50% Off
• Revlon Eye Cosmetics or Implements – BOGO 50% Off
• Rimmel Cosmetics -
• Wet n Wild Cosmetics – BOGO 50% Off

Skincare

• Garnier Skincare – BOGO 50% Off
• Neutrogena Clinical Skincare – 20% Off
• Nivea Skin and Lip care – 20% Off
• Olay Skincare – BOGO Free
• Olay Regenerist (select products) $18.99/$22.99
• Walgreen Sunscreen – BOGO 50% Off

Sale ends May 8, 2010
Kmart

Skincare

• AcneFree Kits – $15.99 – 10-oz. original or sensitive kits. 15% off all other AcneFree items.
• Banana Boat – BOGO 50% Off
• Hawaiian Tropic – BOGO 50% Off
• Olay Selected Regenerist or Total Effects. $18. 10% off all other Olay.
• Pond’s face care (selected.) 2/$11
• Vaseline lotion 20.3 oz.–24.5 oz., Clinical Therapy or Sheer Infusion 6.8 oz.; or Healthy Hands 10.5 oz. 2/$11

Sale ends May 8, 2010

Target

Cosmetics

• Maybelline Lash Stiletto waterproof mascara – $5.99
• Physicians Formula Healthy Wear bronzer with SPF 50 – $9.99
• Sonia Kashuk Purple Haze eye shadow quad – $8.99
• Sonia Kashuk small-sized eye shadow brush – $8.99

Skincare

• Neutrogena Healthy Defense Daily Moisturizer SPF 45 – 1.7 oz. – $11.99
• Neutrogena ®Ultra Sheer Sunblock Body Mist Spray SPF100+ – $9.99
• Nivea Good-Bye Cellulite Serum – 2.5 fl.oz – $11.49

Sale ends May 8, 2010

Hautelook – Becca Cosmetics – Starts 11:00 EDT,Monday, May 3, 2010

Happy Haulin’,

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

Here is the rundown of steals and deals of many of the sales at our favorite drugstores and beauty emporiums.

Ulta

Also check Sale Center for current discounts (including clearance).

Cosmetics

• Almay Cosmetics – 40% Off
• Covergirl – BOGO 50% Off Read the rest of this entry »

Hey Glossies,

Happy  Resurrection Day and  Happy Passover!

Here is the rundown of steals and deals of many of the sales at our favorite drugstores and beauty emporiums.

Read the rest of this entry »