Mod Goddess - The Pragmatic Beauty Addict®

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Monday

Apr192010

Become a LORAC VIP and shop with me!

Shay on

Monday, April 19, 2010 at 12:05AM

LORAC recently sent me information on the VIP program that I signed up for several months ago. Thus far, it has amounted to emails that let me know of new product releases and upcoming sales. But the most recent one it is about a VIP sale that NO ONE should miss. If you have not already done so, go to Lorac.com and sign up for their email program. You will become an instant VIP and that is where all the fun starts…

Check out the link marked “VIP Discount” and try not to faint. If you can manage to stay upright, be careful not to stub your toe or break your neck running to get your credit card. I am not kidding. When I saw what they have marked down and then took at look at how far they went with the markdowns, I was stunned. I only wish I could afford to buy it all up. Then again, what would all my readers buy? haha.

So tell me - do these prices rock, or what?

Cheek Stamp - these blushes are amazing and they really cannot be beat for Summer. Each shade is perfect to top off our fake tans. The price? Well, the WERE $22 but now are $4.99. Remember to breathe…
Lip Polish - this is one my all-time favorite LORAC products. The idea of using lipgloss from a bottle similar to nail polish is super cute and the color stays and stays. They sell well at $17.50 but who cares when you can buy them for $4.99. That is what we call a score. : )
Pink Python Palette - I listed this palette as one of my picks of the week a while back and here it is for nearly 70% off. Yep- it was $35.00 for 4 shadows and a blush. Now, it is a mere $10.99. All I can say is wow. Oh and I can say, “I’ll take two.”
Social BeautyFly Palette - yet another grouping of gorgeous colors. This one comes with ways to beautify the eyes, cheeks, lips and body. The original price for the 9 piece set was $55 but now it is marked down to $16.50. See? I told you this was an amazing sale. Keep reading…
Oil-Free Foundation - still available in all of the original 10 shades, this staple of LORAC’s lineup is one to behold. Free of silicones, oils and fragrance, this makeup is perfect for all of us with picky skin types. Oh I am sorry. I almost forgot to mention that it is $30.00 foundation that you can now get for $7.50. Ha!
CD3 Island Escape Full Face Kit - this markdown is truly surprising to me since the colors in this kit are exactly what we are seeing for Spring and Summer. Bright, fresh and fun. It includes 5 sunny shadows, a bright and light pink blush, lip/cheek tint and lipgloss. It is current and beautiful - and it is no longer $48.00. It is $7.50!

Now, I have no idea how long their stock will last so no matter which product you want, it is a good idea to go ahead and order it now. There is more too - I did not list everything that is under the VIP discount so take a look and see if there are some other items you want to toss in your cart while you can. LORAC cosmetics are some of the best and I nearly hopped outta my chair when I realized that I had all of these awesome deals to pass along.

As always, haste makes waste so go! Shop! : )

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Saturday

Apr172010

Lookout Sephora! Here comes Ulta, bursting with awesome brands.

Shay on

Saturday, April 17, 2010 at 10:40PM

I am finally back to my favorite kind of shopping. The kind that saves me (and all of my readers) bookoos of mula. In my neverending search for the best deal, I keep finding myself at one site - Ulta.com. In recent months, they have begun to carry brands that were often only found in department stores or in Sephora. From what I can tell, the days of having to make a trip to the indoor mall for our fave brands is quickly on the way out. Ulta offers nearly all of the top cosmetics in stand-alone stores and the best part, they also offer GWP and sale prices that are nearly never seen at Sephora. Go Ulta!

Just to give an idea of what I am talking about, here is a small list of the brands that you can now find in Ulta stores and online at Ulta.com:

Cargo
Benefit
Fekkai
AHAVA
Crabtree & Evelyn
Archipelago
POP Beauty
Urban Decay
Smashbox
LORAC
Napoleon Perdis
Korres
Philosophy
Mario Badescu
Ojan

Impressive, no doubt but it does not stop there. Ulta has had a rewards plan - The Club - in place for as long as I can remember - even all the way back to when the name was Ulta3. The membership is free and you accumulate points whenever you make a purchase online or in the store. You can then use these points to get free items based on the total amount of points you have available. It is not unlike the rewards program from Sephora but Ulta does offer sales that you will not find anywhere else.

If you sign up for membership and/or receive their sale fliers, you will find that you can almost always get a coupon for $3.50 off of any $10.00 purchase. This is one of my favorites since it makes it more reasonable for me to try some new cool product and not feel guilty for paying full price for it. Yay! Also, it is rare that they are not running a BOGO special on at least a few brands in any given week. Their own brand is almost always included and trust me, the Ulta brand items are worth a try. Their eye shadows are one of the best you can find, I dig the mascara (and the new retro packaging), their cream blush and the lipsticks rock. At BOGO, you can afford to try it out and remember - you can always return them but I seriously doubt you will.

So having said all of this, here are my personal favorite deals going on right now at Ulta. These are the very kind of deals that I mentioned you just cannot find anywhere else on brands like these. So while you can find the names elsewhere, I am really wondering why any of us would bother spending more than we have to - just go to Ulta. Really! Check it out:

25% off - Crabtree & Evelyn Citron, Honey and Coriander Hand Therapy Cream - Just like all C&E products, the quality is incredible. I happen to be partial to this scent but it also comes in Lavender and their Shea Butter version, La Source.
Two For $10 - Ulta Professional Nail Lacquer - these come in fun colors like Banana Rum in The Sun (matte yellow), Into The Lime Light (matte green) and Last Fling Before The Ring (lavender) that will actually resist chipping. These are regularly $7.50 so $4.50 is a great deal.
$20 off CHI - Ultra CHI 1” Flat Iron with case - Not only is this one of the best flat irons you can get but the Spring collection colors make these so much cooler than any flat iron should be. Bright yellow, lime green, blue, orange and hot pink - each with matching thermal pouch. And it is on sale. See what I mean about Ulta?
$30 GWP - A $30 Ahava purchase will get you a gift of deluxe travel size items worth $30. Choose any Ahava product or combo of their products. I recommend anything they make but one of my personal favorites is their Limited Edition Mineral Body Lotion. It is great for all skin types - even sensitive and is well worth the cost.

All of these sales start today, the 18th so get out there - or get online - and snag up some of these deals. Don’t forget to look for your favorite brands, sign up for The Club, get your $3.50 coupon and have some fun!

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Wednesday

Mar102010

Keep all of your eye makeup in place thanks to Benefit's newest item.

Shay on

Wednesday, March 10, 2010 at 12:50AM

Just like I have love for Too Faced’s Eye Shadow insurance, I still have room in my heart for Stay Don’t Stray. This is Benefit’s version of an eye primer that works well and it is a bit more useful. Instead of being limited to just the eyelids, Stay Don’t Stray is intended for use all around the eye area. This means that not does it keep our eye shadows in place, it is also keeps our undereye concealer working well all day long.

Most of us beyond the age of thirty use undereye conealer. My delimma is finding one that moisurizes well but does run right a long side my shadows and liners. It always seems that over the course of the day, even my most expensive products go south on me.

Needless to say, I was skeptical about whether this full eye concealer could really deliver and I happy to say that it does what it claims to do. I definitely think you will find all of your eye makeup will stay right where you put it. The only complaint I have is the notion that one color fits all. I am fair skinned and I can say this one does not work on me. I have neutral undertones and while I can typically pull-off a bit of orange or some pink, they have to be in moderation and I think this one is just too pigmented for me. A light touch is all that you need to make this work. It does have a bit of a foundation look to it and ironcially, I think that it is that very characteristic that keeps it from working on my skin.

I am disappointed because I really like this and it works well. I would be thrilled if the color matched me more closely. Anyone that is not truly fair skinned should give it a shot. Of course, same old advice to get samples still stands. It is the best way to know if it is the one for you. As always, Sephora is the place for getting samples of products. They carry Benefit’s line and should certainly have it stock. When you ask for it, make sure you get enough to last about a week so that you can really see if it works for you. Those packets that you see so often make me giggle a bit. Other than a perfume, you really cannot tell much from the two or so uses those offer up.

The bottom line is that yes, I would suggest you give this a try. I don’t see great results for those of us that really do have light skin. Otherwise, yes - I say try it. Why not? Most any store will allow a return even if it is used so go for it. : )

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Friday

Mar052010

Estee Lauder's 7 Piece GWP is just too good to pass up.

Shay on

Friday, March 5, 2010 at 6:52AM

I do not normally post an entire blog entry for just one sale but Estee Lauder has brought out a bunch of free goodies so I am going to make an exception in this case. Keep reading too - there is even more to this deal.

Everything in the picture above is part of Estee Lauder’s 7 piece GWP. Go to macys.com and make an Estee Lauder purchase of just $29.50 or more and it is yours for free. This is such a great deal especially when you consider that even though you can often get a deal on a GWP from Estee Lauder, they are typically not free but rather, they have a discounted price based on a minimum purchase. Well, I happen to believe free is always better and I happen to believe free is worth mentioning.

Here is what you get with your purchase:

Choose the lip and eye shades you love, warm or cool:
Warms: Pure Color Lipstick in Sunstone, Pure Color EyeShadow in Ivory Box, Honey Drop, Copper Penny and Cinnamon
Cools: Pure Color Lipstick in Pink Parfait, Pure Color EyeShadow in Pink Ice, Pale Moon, Berry Ice and Smokey
Choose your moisturizer and cleanser pair:
For Youth-Infusing Moisture: New Hydrationist Maximum Moisture Creme (7-day supply) plus Perfect Clean Splash Away Foaming Cleanser (deluxe travel size)
For Anti-Wrinkle: Time Zone Line and Wrinkle Reducing Creme (7-day supply) plus Soft Clean Tender Creme Cleanser (deluxe travel size)
Sumptuous Bold Volume™ Lifting Mascara (10-day supply; in Black)
Chic lizard-pattern cosmetic bag
Coordinating coin purse

But wait! There is more! Seriously, there really is more. If you bump your Estee Lauder purchase up to $55 at macys.com, you will not only get everything listed above, you will also receive a set of 4 Estee Lauder cosmetic brushes and a travel case for them.

But wait! There is more! Again, I am serious. There really is more. Macy’s is offering FREE SHIPPING on any beauty or fragrance purchase over $50.

Ok - this could get confusing so here is the bottom line; If you spend $55 or more on any Estee Lauder purchase at macys.com, you will receive the Estee Lauder 7 piece GWP along with a set of 4 Estee Lauder cosmetic brushes with a travel case. To top it off, you will also get free shipping.

I am going to tell you one more little secret about this deal. If you use ebates.com, you will also 3% of your entire purchase back in cash. Yep. Ebates is awesome and if you are not a registered user yet, just go ahead and sign up. It is free and fast and I do not shop online without going through their site. Depending on the store, you can get as much as 15% back for shopping you were going to do anyway. It is a no-brainer.

So, that is the deal and this is only while supplies last so get going! Go! Shop! Now! : )

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Thursday

Mar042010

Philosophy's newest makeup is feminine, fun and it's pink!

Shay on

Thursday, March 4, 2010 at 5:02AM

Philosophy has got to be one of the most uplifting brands around, don’t you think? The names of their products are so cute and the scents they come up with are beyond compare. For example, I honestly cannot think of any other brand that could make a bubble gum scented shower gel that smells better than any real bubble gum, can you?

In addition to the yummy bath & body items, skin care line and their popular perfumes, Philosophy has come up with a cosmetic line made up of all things pink and pretty called The Color of Grace. It includes six cosmetic items that are made to brighten our complexions with a touch of pink. I have yet to pick a favorite from this group since I am still trying them out. In the meantime, here is what is available:

Heavenly Light Pink Illuminator - Philosophy claims that all skin tones can pull off a luminious shade of pink and I like that idea that it could be true. This is a wonderful shade of pink and the built-in applicator makes carrying it around easy-breezy. I am not sure if I prefer this all on it’s own or when used with foundation but either way, my skin takes on an immediate and healthy glow. In other words, it works!
Amazing Grace Coloring Book - this purse-sized palette is so cute! Correction: cute AND useful! It contains all the pink color we need tote along with us including two eyelighting shadows, a multi-tasking cream illuminator, powder blush and glimmering body powder. Oh and an extra bonus: the body powder is lightly scented with Amazing Grace scent.
The Art of Blushing - This blush is nice and the pinks work well together. I also like that the shades are bright yet still have a sheer quality to them. It strikes the right balance of color and glimmer. Just like with their illuminator, you can expect your complexion to immediately take on a brighter hue. I only have one small gripe - I wish it had some sort of applicator brush included. Otherwise this is a dandy product. ; )
Go With Grace Face Brush (aka the companion to The Art of Blushing. Ooops!) - Retractable brushes are my favorite. When I am headed out for the evening, I could carry a whole bunch of makeup with me but that never means I want to do so. I always skip taking blush and instead bring this brush, load it up with my powder blush and then twist it back closed. When I need to touch up, all I need to do is open this up and apply more in seconds.
Eyelighting Shadow Duo - Minerals create the same sheer color I found (and love) in the blush and I like the brown tone. These are not shimmery - they are simply soft-focus, gentle shades. While neither color is a pink, they blend right in with all the shades of pink in this collection. Keep in mind that if you are wanting a heavy pigment, this is not the e/s for you but if you like the natural look, these are just right.
Angel Kiss Lip Gloss - I am not really a fan of lip gloss and I tend to avoid it for the most part. However, if you like lip gloss, this one has a lot to offer in one little compact. Philosophy says that it is a sheer and high shine color and it definitely contains a lot of goodies like acai, pomegranate and shea butter. It seems will truly help keep your pucker soft and who needs breath freshener when your lip gloss is vanilla mint flavored?

I am glad to see some color coming from Philosophy and it is a bonus see it it is true to the style of the brand. It is girly, it is sweet and it even feels a bit demure. True fans of Philosophy will eat this up and it will probably attract some new women that just feel like honoring their girly-girl side.

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Tuesday

Mar022010

Responsible, Balanced Glamour - Josie Maran Cosmetics Creates 4 Must Have Products.

Shay on

Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 7:14PM

About a week ago I recieved 4 products to try, courtesy of Josie Maran Cosmetics and I could not have been more excited for them to arrive. My interest was already piqued from all of the buzz about her signature ingredient, Organic Argan Oil. This oil is showing anti-aging and moisturizing benefits so I wanted to see how well it would work on my skin. They sent me a package of the Bear Naked Wipes, an Eye Shadow Compact in “Pinkalicious”, a Mini Argan Stick and a bottle of her Organic Argan Oil Moisturizer.

The Bear Naked Wipes (fragrance, paraben and petrochecmical-free) come in a package of 30 and are specifically designed for easy, one-step facial cleansing. I was fairly skeptical about how well these would perform considering every other kind of cleansing wipes I have tried have been just useless. It was a pleasant surprise to find that not only do these work, they work as well as my lotion cleanser at removing all traces of makeup. I was equally as impressed that I only needed to use one for my entire face and that it was still moist when I tossed it in the trash. Now, my dry skin still needs something a bit more moisturizing for regular use but as long as you don’t have very dry skin, I would absolutely recommend this to you. I would, however, suggest that after you purchase them, you transfer them to a solid plastic container with a tight lid. The way they are packaged will not do much for keeping them sealed and it would be a shame for them to dry out.

The Eye Shadow Compact came in a peachy-pink shade called “Pinkalicious.” It is a new color that is part of the collection for Spring 2010. It is perfect worn alone for a natural look but I also loved it paired with a darkish plum in the crease of my eyes. Once on, the shade was suddenly a bit brighter and fun - it popped and that is what I was hoping to see. All in all, this is a good quality eye shadow that has nice staying power. I like the velvety feel it has and it is definitely a finely milled powder so the compact will last for quite a while which helps offset the slightly higher price tag on this one.

I want to make one extra note about the eye shadow compact that is pictured above. It is the exact same kind that I received and it is far more remarkable than it appears. Believe it or not, every single part of the compact is biodegradable. Yep. Now that is an impressive commitment, if you ask me. More about that further down the page…

The Mini Argan Stick caught my attention right away and it is my favorite of these 4 items. I have dry skin and every once and while, I will get these annoying dry patches on my chin and forehead. They are resistant to even the best of hydrators and it really takes something special (and usually quite expensive) to get them to go away. Not anymore. This is a concentrated balm and it is exactly what my skin needs - a spot-on treatment that stays put and continues to moisturize for hours. It does not stop there. You can get a lot of use out of this product. Chock-full of Argan Oil, Vitamin E and fatty acids, this unassuming tube is good for just about everything from chapped lips to irritating insect bites. This one is definitely a keeper.

Last but certainly not least, is the Organic Argan Oil Moisturizer. As I mentioned, this oil is the real basis of both Josie’s skin care and makeup lines. This liquid has the same basic ingredients as the Mini Stick but can be used in very different ways. For example, this is thinner than the balm and is absorbed by your skin more rapidly. That makes it the perfect moisturizer to use under your makeup and because it hydrates so well, I also use it as a base for creating my own skin serum. Just a few drops of this mixed with my Vitamin C powder makes my skin brighter and keeps the wrinkles at bay. If your hair is acting frizzy or the ends are bit dry, try this: Put just two or three drops of the Argan Oil in your palm, rub your hands together and then run your hands through your hair. Viola! Instant anti-frizz serum and you only had to purchase one product.

Guess what? I have even more good things to say about Josie and her products. She has made a commitment to create what she refers to as “Luxury with a Conscience.” Everything from the product containers to the materials used for display cases, is made from recycled and/or sustainable resources. Her company never tests on animals and they are part of a national coalition of consumer rights and enviromental health organizations known as The Campaign for Safe Cosmetics. You can read more about it here.

In taking a responsible position with regard to the impact her company and her products have on the earth, Josie is already carving out her niche in the industry. However, I can tell you first hand that the quality of her cosmetics are, in and of themselves, enough for her to make her mark. It is obvious she knows makeup and skin care but clearly, she also has compassion for things that matter.

How to show off the glow of a NARS Orgasm

Shay on

Tuesday, March 2, 2010 at 12:42AM

Even through all of the crisp greens, deep purples and bright yellows for Spring, it is still possible to find some subtle tones. Really! NARS is leading the way (see my post from 2/15) and there is one item that really has me inspired and ready for the new season. But then again, who wouldn’t be inspired by a brand new Orgasm? That’s right! NARS has come up with yet another way to bring us this universally pleasing shade and I just have to share how I plan to thoroughly enjoy it.

So the newest version is the most versatile. It is the Orgasm Liquid Illuminator. While I cannot ever see myself without the powder blush, this is fast becoming my favorite way to wear this color. This is exactly what I want to help me create a natural finish for my complexion and look as if I am wearing nothing at all for Spring and Summer.

If you like the look of great skin and little makeup, it is really not hard to achieve. This illuminator makes all the difference for me. I pair it with my tinted moisturizer (I am using Smashbox’s Sheer Focus right now) and it takes my skin from so-so to glowing. Once you have the tint on, gently sweep the illuminator over your face where the sun normally touches like your cheekbones and forehead. I use a small sponge for this so that I can blend it without disturbing the tint underneath. At this point, you will see the glow that makes this product so great and you will understand why I love it so much.

From there, I choose a liner in a neutral shade that is not too dark. I am a brunette so I reach for a medium brown shade and I use a light touch. I do not want to create too much of a dark contrast around my eyes. I really am just trying to softly define the roots of my lashes. Keep up the neutrals with your mascara too. My all-time favorite for a natural finish is Origins Full Story Lush-Lash Mascara. It will coat well but it never looks heavy or clumpy.

Lip color is all up to you. I still wear neutrals but I do wear all different kinds. I am not a lip gloss kind of girl but I do love Bourjois’ 3D Effect Gloss in Brun Poetic. It is not sticky and it lasts so much longer than other ones I have tried. Great colors too. Jane Cosmetics makes Be Pure mineral lip balm that I adore. The sheer color is not the longest lasting but I don’t mind reapplying now and then. It also easily ties in to the whole no-fuss look. For a bit more sophistication that still looks soft and sweet, Revlon Colorstay Sheer is just right. It is particularly right for those of us that want a bit of a gloss without the goo. :)

As an extra bonus to get us all jump started, NARS is shipping the new baby for free! So we can all agree that now is the time to grab it. I know I am going to have it handy for the appearance of my first sun dress of the season. I cannot wait!

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Monday

Mar012010

LORAC's On Screen Duo is 7 bucks. No kidding.

Shay on

Monday, March 1, 2010 at 8:30PM

LORAC’s On Screen Duo of eye shadow and eye liner is one of those cool little things that REALLY does fit in my tiniest and most beautiful handbag.

The design is genius: The top contains a gorgeous pearlized highlighter that you can use on your lids, cheeks and anywhere else you want to add shimmery drama. Twist the bottom out and there is your creamy liner, ready to use. Nice colors, functional and compact. Sounds great to me!

So wanna know the REALLY awesome part? Well, it is only $7. Yes! What once required $24 to own, we can now get for a mere $7. This is a complete and utter no-brainer. Get it, and get it before everyone else gets theirs and there are none left. You don’t want to have to figure out how to properly kick yourself in the butt for having missed this deal. Just GET IT. :)

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