Three Skincare Favorites January 2013

I received this Amore Pacific moisturizer sample from Sephora a whole back and never got around to using it. I'm glad I have finally gotten to apply it because it's absolutely wonderful! It includes green tea, mushroom extracts, botanicals and the good things in life. The downside? The full size bottle costs hundreds.

This Aura Cacia Sweet Orange essential oil can be used for skincare, bath gel, etc. To make a refreshing mist, add 9 drops of the sweet orange oil, 9 drops lavender, and 1 oz water in a mister or spray bottle.

This Skindanavia Makeup Finishing Spray keeps showing up as a favorite month after month. I prefer very light makeup and almost no powder during the dry, brittle and cold winter months. A few spritz of this stuff keeps my makeup in place all day with no powder required. My skin ends up less dried and more nourished.

My router has been malfunctioning, so I am forced to blog on my phone. (Not quite easy a task as Apple would have one believe.) Once again, I am behind with all my email correspondences. Oops!

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 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!

Unhappy with Sephora Beauty Insider Reward

I have 700+ Sephora Beauty Insider points that I've yet to exchange. Sephora never offers anything I want or need whenever I make a purchase. I keep waiting for something better to come along but since nothing remarkable ever comes up, I think it's about time to settle down and just pick something. As I have way too much makeup, I am leaning towards the Ole Henriksen Flawless Beauty Anti-Aging Regimen. Unfortunately, they don't tell you what you get as it is a random selection of items. I feel like Sephora is just going to throw whatever junk they can't sell at me.

Alternatively, I can slowly empty my point bank by exchanging my points for these 100-points deluxe samples. Once again, I have no particular interest in any of these. I might pick up the Bella Bamba, but I have way too many blushers as it is. Perhaps I should give up my ridiculously unused makeup collection so can I gain some interest in what's out there.

Has anyone gotten a really good Sephora Beauty Insider deal? I know that once in a while, they offer something ridiculously popular and everyone claims the reward immediately. I never seem to be there in time for those great offers. Let me know what you think. What reward would you claim?

Sephora and Urban Outfitters Haul: Clarisonic, BDG

I promise to get back to a regular posting schedule soon. For now, I'll leave you with a quick update on my recent purchases. I know I'm on a makeup ban, but my clothes have been raggedy and my skin has been misbehaving, so I thought I'd have a little Winter treat. (And excuse the poor lighting but my town hasn't seen the sun in days.)

I ordered from Sephora the Clarisonic Mia in pink. They have just released a new one, but I decided that I don't really need to pay $30 extra for an additional speed option that I probably wouldn't use. I've only used the Mia for two days so I can't say I see much of a difference, but I like it already. The size is very convenient for travel. The vibration is a little louder than expected, but I love the feel of it on my skin.

Included with my purchase were three sample packets and two deluxe samples.

What really sold me onto ordering on the Sephora website were the deals they offered. I don't care much for the three sample packets that they always included with my order, but this time around they also offered two deluxe samples. I picked a Bobbi Brown eye cream and the Too Faced Shadow Insurance. I ran out of the Shadow Insurance last month and had no intention of picking up a new one any time soon, so it's nice to be able to carry a small one with me in my bag. I have never tried the Bobbi Brown eye cream before, but I'm looking forward to it. It appears very thick and creamy - plus there seems to be a lot of it!

Giveaway Winners!

There were a lot of entries to sort through but I finally have three winners drawn via random.org. Congratulations girls! Check your emails & I hope you like your prizes!

The winner of the Sigma Brush Giveaway is:
F80 Brush: Carrie from This Free Bird (carrie****@gmail.com) [Blog]

The winners of the Sephora Gift Cards Giveaway are:
$40 Gift Card: Lisa Batel (heartlis******@yahoo.com)
$10 Gift Certificate: Amy Trankiem (amy********@gmail.com) [Blog]

I am also going to link the winners' site here if they have one so we can spread the joy! (Winners with blogs, please tell me your url so I can link you.)

Haven't won yet? You still have a chance to win a $29.99 credit to JewelMint!

Random picture of delicious avocado sushi I had for lunch. =)

Sephora Giveaway

CLOSED - Check Out New Giveaways!

First Place Prize: $40 Sephora Gift Card

Second Place Prize: $10 Sephora eGift Certificate

• To enter this giveaway, you must be a public follower on Google Friend Connect (right sidebar) and fill out the form below.
• Open to US and Canada residents; 1 submission per person, per email.
• Gveaway ends April 15, 2011 11:59 PM EST.
• Two winners will be selected via random.org and contacted after giveaway ends.

1 entry when you fill out the form. (Must follow blog.)
+2 additional entries when you blog or make video linking this giveaway. (optional)
+2 additional entries when you link the giveaway on your blog sidebar. (optional)

Disclaimer: This is not a sponsored giveaway. Handmade Reviews is not affiliated with Sephora.

Mushroom Taupe Polish: Chanel Particulière and Dupes

Ever since Chanel came out with Particulière, mushroom taupe polishes have become a big hit. You don't have to get Particulière to get into the trend though because there are many dupes and similar colors on the market. As I don't own most of the polishes I can't give you a swap comparison, just a general price comparison. I'll just list the polishes from most expensive to least and hope you will find one to your liking.

Please note that the images don't reflect the actual colors of the polish on your nails. There is no exact dupe for Chanel's Particulière, but I think Over the Taupe is a decent dupe. 

Chanel Particulière $23.00

Today's Makeup Routine

I had a little extra time this morning, so I thought I would describe my makeup routine for the day. It is pretty standard, but I think this is a good chance to give my two cents on the products I use.

I start with a freshly cleaned face and apply a generous amount of moisturizer. During the day, I always use my Neutrogena SPF 15 moisturizer. 80-90% of skin damage is caused by the sun. (97% of all statistics are false.)

After my face absorbs the moisturizer, I apply a concealer under my eyes. I am currently using the Maybelline Mineral Power concealer. I apply a dab under my eyes and use my ring finger to gently blend it in. I have pretty heavy dark circles some days and this concealer is perfect for my skin. It has a yellow undertone, which is great for dark, black spots. I also spot any blemishes or redness if necessary.

I follow up with the MAC Studio Mist foundation. I shake the bottle and spray it onto the back of my hand and use a flat foundation brush to apply the foundation all over my face, down to my neck.

To set the foundation and concealer, I use a powder brush to apply my Maybelline Mineral Power powder. The powder has SPF 18, which means my lazy self won't have to reapply sunscreen. The powder is a little dark for my skin, which I kind of like because I apply sparingly. Sometimes I sneak a little extra powder on my brush and use it as a bronzer. (I know, bad, bad girl.)

I then apply a generous amount of primer on my eyelids all the way up to my brow bone. I am using a Jordana primer I picked up from a Cherry Culture haul with my cousin last month. I think it was about $2-3, which is great because it works just fine. It is no Urban Decay Primer Potion or Two Faced Shadow Insurance, but it works great as an eyeshadow base. It is not as pretty a base as a MAC's paint pot, but not any worst in quality.

I take a light beige color from my Color Palette with my eyeshadow brush and apply it all over my lids. I then take a darker brown color to the crease of my eyes. I use a small fluffy brush to blend the the shadow so there is no harsh line. Sometimes I add a darker color to the outer corner of my eyes, but I am trying to go more natural today. I use a Sephora's Aspen Summit eyeshadow to highlight my brow bone.

Next, I use my Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner in onyx to line my upper lid and lower waterline. Then I curl my eyelashes and apply one coat of Prescriptives False Eyelashes mascara in plush black. My eyelashes suck at curling, so I have to hold for about 10 seconds twice for each eye. Still, they curl does not hold for long. I am going to try using Dior's eyelash conditioner to help my lashes grow and curl. Let's see how that works.

I pencil in my eyebrows with a Bobbi Brown brow pencil in Mahogany.

I moisturize my lips with Softlips lip balm and apply MAC's Creme d'nude. I love nude lip colors. For a bit of added color throughout the day, I apply NYX lipgloss in coral. The consistency sucks, but I love the color. I don't use lip liners unless I am going somewhere special. I don't think it's worth the hassle.

That is my routine for the day. I usually love to I contour and bronze up my face, but not today. It's Sunday and I just want a fresh face. To highlight, I usually use Benefit's High Beam or ELF's Shimmering Facial Whip in lilac petal above my cheekbones, on the bridge of my nose, under my chin and on my cupid's bow. I will no longer buy High Beam because the Shimmering Facial Whip is $1 and is one of the best highlighters I've come across.

Products Used:
Maybelline Mineral Power Concealer in Ivory
MAC Studio Mist Foundation in Light Medium
Maybelline Mineral Power SPF 18 Powder in Shade 4, Nude
Jordana Eye Primer/Base
Color Palette Eyeshadow in Light Beige
Color Palette Eyeshadow in Dark Brown
Sephora Eyeshadow in Aspen Summit
Revlon Colorstay Eyeliner in Onyx
MAC Creme d'nude Lipsick
NYX Lipgloss in Coral
Maybelline Eyelash Curler
Prescriptives False Eyelashes Mascara in Plush Black
Bobbi Brown Brow Pencil in Mahogany
Body Shop Foundation Brush
ELF Studio Powder Brush
Body Shop Eyeshadow Brush
EcoTools Blending Brush