Sigma Coupons 2013 & New Years Giveaway

Sigma Beauty Coupon Code 2013

I also have the new Sigma coupon for anyone interested. Many were inquiring if Sigma had a new coupon code for the 2013 year - so I am really glad they do! (Thanks to my reader Sammi for sharing the code.)


Check out the Sigma coupon page for the rest of the coupons.

Good luck to everyone and enjoy your New Year's Eve party or celebration!

Happy New Year 2013 Giveaway

We're celebrating New Years with a flash giveaway! There will be two winners: one will win a $25 Sigma Gift Card and the other a $50 BH Cosmetics Gift Card!

ModCloth Reorganizes My Home (Trays, Storage)

ModCloth is well known for their quirky retro clothing and accessories, but I've recently ventured further into their apartment section to make some purchases for the home.

ModCloth Decorative Tray

Reorganize Your Room with Trays

Firstly, I bought two decorative trays: one tray to store my perfume and one tray (to rule them all) to keep on my nightstand for keys and jewelry that I am too lazy to properly put away.

5 Simple DIY Projects to Spruce Up Your Home

Mod Podge and Glitter Paint DIY
 Paint anything with mod podge and glitter.

Handmade coffee bean candles
Make beautiful custom candles with coffee beans, tea lights and a small cup or container.

Make a magazine stool
Use old magazines, two belts and a pillow to make a stool.

IMATS LA 2013: Sigma 20% Off, MAC, MUFE

Update. See the Sigma coupon code page, updated daily for the new 2013 10% off coupon and one week 20% off Sigma coupon.

IMATS LA will be exciting this year! IMATS LA 2013 will be held January 19th through the 20th at the Pasadena Convention Center. (January 18th will be for pros only.)

IMATS LA 2013
Professionals have a lot to explore and learn at IMATS, but for the regular attendees - we want the deals. Companies participating in IMATS (International Makeup Arts Trade Show) always offer the best exclusive discounts during the trade show. I'm not sure what all the companies are planning to offer as of yet, but it never disappoints.

Exhibitors will include the usual MAC Pro, Make Up Forever Academy, Sigma Beauty, as well as some new faces. For the full list of exhibitors, see the IMATS website. Sigma Beauty has already announced that they will be offering 20% off during the IMATS event. It is a decent bargain since you get 20% off and none of the regular shipping fees or taxes. Sigma is usually very generous with freebies, so we can already expect a line at their booth (#600).

Shop Sigma Beauty online
Those unable to attend IMATS can still grab Sigma coupons to save on online orders.

White Christmas Outfit (with a Dash of Red Tights)

It started snowing on Christmas Eve this year for me. It was very fitting that I wore a white dress to the Christmas party that very evening to celebrate the first White Christmas I've witnessed in a long while. My selection that evening was the White Winged Love Dress from ModCloth. I was a bit hesitant at first since the back of this dress is partially open, but the long lace sleeves pulled the look together. The dress had a traditional feel to it, yet was blatantly daring. I forgot to take OOTD pictures before leaving the house, so I am left with the only blurry phone photo I took at the party.

Happy Holidays from Handmade Reviews in 2012

Wishing everyone the best and warmest holiday! I'm enjoying this day off peacefully back at home with family and I can't imagine anything better.

Handmade Reviews Holiday 2013

A company I work with has kindly donated a generous donation on behalf of us to Doctors without Borders. I am very thrilled about this as I believe that the gift of charity is the best gift to give and receive during holidays. I slack off from time to time with charity work throughout the year, but I try to respond to all charity letters and donation requests during the Winter season.

If you are looking for charities to support, please consider this product donation post.

I want to take this opportunity to thank all my dear readers for your visits and support throughout the years. Can you believe Handmade Reviews has been around for nearly 3 years? Thanks for sticking around for so long. There will be many new posts and good changes come 2013.

xo Katherine

Vintage Steals and Deals: Longchamp Leather Bag

Free $15 Credit at One Kings Lane   Sign up through this invitational link and get $15 off your first order. This offer is for new One King's Lane customers only.

I've had some good luck with my vintage purchases lately. I shop online often and hate returning things, so I tend to have things I kind-of-like and don't-really-love lying around. My recent purchases, however, have all been at least satisfactory or excelled my expectations. Maybe I am buying less impulsively? It's more likely just good fortunes.

Longchamp leather bag sale

My most recent purchase was a vintage Longchamp leather bag in navy blue from One Kings Lane. (Read more about One Kings Lane.) At first I wasn't sure if I wanted to splurge on a used leather handbag that has been out of print since who knows when. (The ladies at PurseForum told me that the golden matte hardwares have not been seen on the Longchamp Roseau handbags in at least 8 years!) When this Longchamp Roseau handbag arrived at my doorstep, however, I was completely convinced. The condition of the bag was perfect and the material felt so soft and good. The quality was fantastic and the bag felt just right in my arms.

Jewelry Storate

In addition to the Longchamp bag, I've also picked up some old jewelry from my local Buffalo Exchange. I finally got around to actually hanging the jewelry on my jewelry stand (from T.J. Maxx) rather than just tossing them wherever. I also got a tray from ModCloth to place my perfume on, but more on that later. (I am so happy with them that I ordered a few more.) I actually have several huge ModCloth hauls I'd like to share soon.

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Sugar Bean Love Ring - Sydney Evan Perfect Dupe

I know that I must bore you with my obsession with the Sydney Evan Love Ring. The truth is that I cannot bring myself to pay $700+ for a tiny little gold ring with tiny specks of diamonds. It just isn't worth it in my book. I've searched far and wide for a Sydney Evan dupe. I found temporary solutions (see my Stanton James $25 dupe ring), but none of those wired rings were nearly good enough. No true dupe existed - until now.

Sydney Evan Love Ring Dupe
Sugar Bean Love Ring (via Boutique to You)

The best part is the Sugar Bean Love Ring comes yellow gold, white gold and rose gold! It's so perfect and costs just $60 (that's less than 10% of the real Sydney Evan). Unfortunately, and this is a huge unfortunately, the ring seems to be sold out everywhere. I saw this ring a while back but decided to wait until they stocked it in a size 5. Now I can't even land my hand on a 6 or 7. If anyone knows where I can get this ring, please do tell!

5 Beauty Gift Sets Under $50: Holiday Gift Guide

For the last-minute shoppers out there, there is still some time to get your holiday gifts. Gift sets are one of the best and easiest gifts to give. They come plentiful and beautifully packaged. Here are five beauty gifts appropriate for co-workers, friends, mothers and all.

Skindinavia Gift Set
Skindinavia Holiday Hero 4-pack Mini Finishing Sprays (Skindanavia, $25.00)
 I've always been a fan of the Skindinavia Finishing Sprays*. Their finishing sprays give a great finishing look and defend makeup for up to 16 hours - without powder! These mini sprays are super convenient to throw in a small handbag for spritz throughout the day. Give these babies out individually or in the complete pack for the lucky one!

Changes in Beauty Throughout the Years


My beauty routine and perception of aesthetics has definitely changed throughout my life. In my young adolescence, the thought of skincare and makeup was nonexistent in my mind. I relished the sight of my mother applying rouge in the morning, but the makeup, tools and routine did not delight me. My young mind believed that beauty was something to live out, not to preserve or toy around. I believed that I would never, ever put any effort into making any changes or maintaining anything.

Beauty Routine for Twenties

In my early teenage years, I began to learn of the value of maintaining youth, beauty and good skin, but I was too consumed with almost every other significant and insignificant thing in my teenage life. Maintaining an outer beauty would come later in life, I thought, when it would be more valuable to me. My mother always kept a moisturizer on her vanity and I would dabble into an Olay moisturizer or generic sunscreen every now and then. I thought so little of the whole ritual that I could barely say I had anything of a routine.

As I entered my late teenage years, I spent more effort moisturizing and maintaining my hair, nails, skin and body. I wore makeup to correct pigmentation, hide spots, and look more refreshed. I also learned a lot about the dangerous effects of the sun, so I applied sunscreen often. My only thought then was that I wish I had realized the importance of skincare earlier in life so that I could prevent any future sunspots or sun damage.

Get Holiday Ready with Glam Beauty Board

I am ecstatic come every Glam Beauty Board season. Every Glam Beauty Board package comes stuffed with new beauty goodies that I've never tried before. A few of these items have already made it into my daily routine.

Glam Beauty Board Makeup Package
The makeup included in this Beauty Board package includes: Physician's Formula pH Matchmaker, Susan Posnick Color Essential Moisturizing Lipstick, Buxom Lash Mascara, Almay Smart Shade Mousse Foundation in 200 (light/medium), Almay Intense i-color Liquid Shadow Color Primer, Almay Powder Shadow, Too Faced Glamour to Go Spun Sugar Edition

This package includes many items perfect for the holidays, including two Susan Posnick lipsticks. Susan Posnick lipsticks packaging is fabulous and the top snaps onto magnetically. The shades are both lovely, but I will most likely be going with the red London to keep in sync with the holiday spirits.

Susan Posnick lipstick swatches
Susan Posnick lipsticks in Santa Fe and London.

The Almay Smart Shade foundation included has managed to make its way into my morning routine. It's both dewy and lightweight. The color looks scary white initially, but matches my skin the more I blend it.

Almay Smart Shade Mousse Makeup Swatches
Almay Smart Shade Mousse Foundation in 200 (light/medium)

The Almay eyeshadows and color primers are a perfect combination. The liquid shadow/primer is a light color that makes a great base for the powder eyeshadow. The shades are wearable and can be worn lightly or built to deeper colors.

Almay Powder Shadow swatches
Almay Powder Shadow

Delicate Star Necklaces for the Holidays

Gold necklaces make great holiday gifts. You can't really go wrong with dainty jewelry items. Stars are especially versatile and keep with the holiday spirits. These pieces are beautiful, timeless and absolutely affordable.

Holiday Gift
Tiny Gold-filled Star Necklace ($23 by NoaNoaJewelry)

Holiday Gift Guide
Gold Star Necklace ($28.00 by AvaHopeDesigns)

Sigma Defining Eyes Palette Swatches and Review

The Sigma Defining Eyes Palette by TiffanyD consists of 8 eyeshadow shades, 2 gel liners, a dual-ended eyeliner pencil and a pencil dual-ended brush. By now we've grown accustom to new releases of Sigma eyeshadows and brushes, but this is the first preview of the Sigma eyeliners - particularly the gel.

Sigma Defining Eyes Palette

One of my favorite thing about this palette is the choice of colors. I think Tiffany did a great job picking out the color combination. The eyeshadow colors are perfect to create a dramatic party look. The brown shades can also be used for everyday simple looks. The color combination is both exciting and practical. It is quite a neural-but-not-quite palette as it is perfect for smokey looks.


Sigma Defining Eyes Palette Review

My only concern with this palette is the initial fallout from some of the eyeshadows, particularly Midnight. As you can see from the swatches below, I got a few fall outs on the initial swatching of the eyeshadow. It is perfectly fine after wiping or smudging the color out, but I think it is something to consider.