Boots No.7 Mascara's; Maximum Volume, Lash 360 & Extravagant Lash

Boots is a company that I've seen in Target for years and never really knew much about them.  I have purchased their makeup and creams over the years, and just recently looked into the company's history and brands they provide.  Boots is widely known and popular in the UK, but in the US, I never really hear people talk about them or mention their products on YouTube.  I think this may be because Boots is not massively advertised in media and such.  In my experience, I would have never known about them if I hadn't taken a chance on them when I bought my first Boots product years ago.

They are actually an amazing company - I found some interesting facts on their website and I thought you all might find it interesting too:

- Boots is a leading international pharmacy-led Health & Beauty retailer.

- Our products are not tested on animals.

- No 7 the number 1 cosmetics and skin care brand in the UK; 1 in 3 women in the UK have a No7 product in their makeup bag.

- Boots launched North American in 6 Target stores in Denver, USA in 2004 and extended toTarget locations in a number of regions across the US. After success with all three partners we are delighted to have been able to make Boots products available across North America from Spring 2007. Boots products are now sold nationwide in the US in all Target stores and over 400 Shoppers Drug Mart stores.

Lately I have been using a rotation of three of there mascaras in my regular makeup routines.  A few months ago I was on the hunt for a more affordable volumizing mascara besides the Benefit Bad Gal Lash that I had fallen in love with.  I tried a lot of mascara's and ended my search when I hit Boots No.7's latest volumizing mascara's.

Maximum Volume, Lash 360, Extravagant Lash

Maximum Volume, Lash 360, Extravagant Lash

Boots No.7 Maximum Volume Mascara comes in black and brown black (navy blue online only) and retails at $7.99
This mascara volumizes and thickens my lashes and the twisted wand tip separates my lashes during application.  The formula include Pro-vitamin B5 which is said to condition your lashes, and I must say that after using this mascara for the past few weeks, my lashes are significant;y softer than they were before.

Here is what the wand looks like out of the tube

Here is what the wand looks like up close

Boots No.7 Lash 360 Mascara comes in black and brown black and retails at $7.99
This mascara volumizes and lengthens the lashes.  The bristles have a uniquely tapered shape that you can feel grabbing your lashes and coating them entirely.  The formula is said to be water resistant, and I find that this mascara does not smudge on the top or bottom lashes or in the outer corners of my eyes.  A great mascara for warmer weather too.

Here is what the wand looks like out of the tube

Here is what the wand looks like up close

Boots No.7 Extravagant Lash Mascara comes in black and brown black and retails at $7.99
This wand definitely caught my eye in the store, and is the reason behind me buying it.  The wand has square shaped discs as the bristles which pick up a ton of mascara from the tube.  With this wand you don't have to do any zig zagging or weaving to apply it, just swipe it from the root to the tips and you'll get a full application of mascara.  This mascara volumizes the base of your lashes, lengthens them, holds the curl of your lashes and is said to last 8 hours - this mascara definitely does last all day!  The packaging stated this mascara has Cashmere and Pro-vitamin B5 to moisturize and condition the lashes - after a few weeks of using this mascara my lashes were so soft to the touch!  It also says is has Memory Curl Polymer that maintains curl hold and adds a protective layer on lashes - I can definitely vouch that this mascara holds my curled lashes all day WAY more than other brands I have tried.

Here is what the wand looks like out of the tube

Here is what the wand looks like up close

After showing and telling you about the 3 mascaras I have from Boots No.7, I can honestly say that I recommend these mascaras to people who are looking for volumizing mascaras.  Aside from distinctly shaped wands, the formulas are fantastic and really do add that much wanted umph to your eyes that every woman wants.  I think these mascara's go above and beyond what Benefit's Bad Gal Lash used to do for me.

I hope you all enjoyed this and maybe next time you're at Target and see the Boots section in the Beauty department, you'll remember my blog and give them a try - be it makeup or creams - they are a great company who has been around for years for a reason! :)

Ardell False Lashes

My FAVORITE false lashes of all time have to be Ardell's False Lashes!!  I have been using their lashes for years, and I love them more than any other lashes I've tried.  They come in all different styles from natural full lashes to extreme full lashes to individual lashes that make your eyes look full and natural and healthy.  Ardell lashes are a great way to jazz up your makeup look.  I usually have a set of lashes in my purse, and when I'm out all day and decide to go out at night last minute, I just through on my lashes and I instantly have a gorgeous night look.

Why I love Ardell lashes:
- they have a wide variety of lashes
- they provide individual lashes
- their lashes are durable and can be reused many times (if you don't apply mascara to them)
- they have beautiful dramatic lashes that don't look stand-out fake and tacky
- they are inexpensive and easy to find at almost all stores
- they have been around for years and I feel comfortable knowing I don't have to stock up in case they stop selling them :)

I recommend Ardell lashes to people who are beginner and veteran falsie users.  I hope you all check out their selections and pick up a few - I would love to know what you think about them!

Here are a few of their styles that I own:

*Product(s) were received for trial/review; these are my honest opinions

Nail Color Terminology

My friend, Monica, asked a very good question recently, so I thought the answer would be a great topic for a blog post. 

The Question: What is the difference between nail polish lacquer and just regular plain nail polish? 

The Answer: Nail color, polish, varnish, lacquer, and enamel are all the same thing.  It's just different ways people call it.  They basically have the same components and formulas, some differing in tiny ways such as additive ingredients for flexibility, blocking uv rays and even quicker drying.  Not much changes in the way the formula's perform though.
One thing to help decide on a polish brand, outside of their color selection, is the consistency of the polishes.  Thicker polishes will always feel more enjoyable to apply, so normally one would assume it will last longer, when actually it doesn't effect longevity and thicker formulas tend to chip/crack much sooner.  Thicker polishes will also turn bad or unusable (looking clumpy or tacky) much quicker than thinner formulas.  It's always better to invest in a thinner color that requires 2-3 coats and last months maybe even years, than to buy a short lived thick color.

History of Nail Color (courtesy of Wikipedia):

Egyptians used nail color to signify social order, with shades of red at the top. Queen Nefertiti, the wife of the king Akhenaton, colored her fingernails and toenails ruby red; Cleopatra favored crimson. Women of lower rank who colored their nails were permitted only pale colours.

The Chinese used a colored lacquer, made from gum arabic, egg whites, gelatin and beeswax. They used mashed rose, orchid and impatiens petals combined with alum. This mixture applied to nails for a few hours, leaves a color ranging from pink to red. In the Chou Dynasty of 600 B.C., Chinese royalty used gold and silver to enhance their nails. A fifteenth-century Ming manuscript cites red and black as the colors chosen by royalty for centuries previous.

The Incas decorated their fingernails with pictures of eagles. It is unclear how the practice of coloring nails progressed following these beginnings. Portraits from the 17th and 18th centuries include shiny nails. 

Henna dyes are used to draw intricate, temporary designs on hands in Mehndi.

By the turn of the 19th century, nails were tinted with scented red oils, and polished or buffed with a chamois cloth, rather than simply painted. English and US 19th century cookbooks had directions for making nail paints. In the 19th and early 20th centuries, women pursued a polished, rather than painted, look by massaging tinted powders and creams into their nails, then buffing them shiny. One such polishing product sold around this time was Graf’s Hyglo nail polish paste. Some women during this period painted their nails with clear, glossy varnish applied with a camel-hair brush. When automobile paint was created around 1920, it inspired the introduction of colored nail enamels.

I hope this was helpful and informative to you all and I honestly do enjoy answering questions and providing my opinion on things, so all you ladies out there - please feel free to email me anytime with questions on beauty stuff, requests/suggestions for blogs or videos, and even send a photo of makeup you'd like to see recreated: BeautyByKrystal@gmail.com

All About Brushes: Eye Shader Brushes

E.L.F. #1815, E.L.F. #6818, E.L.F. #84008, MAC 239, MAC 228, MAC 213

Next in the series are the eye shader brushes.  These brushes are very versatile, you can use then for powder, liquid, cream, and even grease paint eyeshadow products.  They are good brushes for a medium coverage application, their shape makes it easy to place the product to achieve a softer effect of color.  Placed on their side or at an angle, these brushes can be used to blend harsh edges or create a more defined shape.

Application Tips:
- for heavy/full coverage you will want to place the product on both sides of the brush
- for lighter/medium coverage you will want to place the product on one side of the brush
- for precise application you will want to place the product on the edge of the brush
- the smaller brushes are good for precise application and shaping
- the larger brushes are good for all over application on the lid or even for eyebrow highlight placement
- of a softer blending effect use the edges of the shader brushes

Brushes I recommend:
E.L.F. Essentials Eye Shadow Brush #1815
E.L.F. Mineral All-Over Eye Shadow Brush #6818
E.L.F. Studio Eye Shadow "C" Brush #84008
MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush
MAC 228 Mini Shader Brush
MAC 213 Fluff Brush

What I Personally Use These Brushes For:
- I use them to apply eyelid primer, cream color bases, eye shadows, and highlights
- I use them to apply an all over base of eyeshadow on my eye lids if I plan on going for a warmer or cooler effect underneath my eyeshadow look
- I use them to apply precise edges when shaping my eye shadows
- I use them to blend eye shadows into each other
- I use them to create a shadow effect to the upper and lower lash lines to create a voluminous effect for the lashes

Josie Maran Argan Oil & Lipstick

Last year I found out about Argan Oil being used in cosmetics and searched for a company to try out, I quickly found Josie Maran Cosmetics.  I did not know anything about her having a cosmetics company, so I thoroughly read up on the background of this company.  Here are some interesting excerpts from the website:
Josie Maran has been the face of Maybelline for ten years

Josie noticed it was hard to find products that matched her approach to life - products that are pure and gentle, that contain no toxins or ingredients that damage the planet.

The Josie Maran Cosmetics look is healthy, natural and vibrant. It's about enhancing, not covering. It's about youthful, glowing skin.

I have been using two of their products in my weekly beauty routines.  I began using them with an open mind, I had never heard of or used Argan Oil products before these and was very interested of how it would turn out.  After using them for a couple weeks, I clearly began to enjoy them because one of them permanently moved into my makeup bag in my purse.  The two products I use are Argan Oil Lipstick in Dyani and Organic Argan Oil.  Below is a photo and some info from their website on each item.

100% Organic Argan Oil retails at $48.00

This legendary, lightweight oil, grown organically in Morocco, is rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids. Use it as a fast absorbing daily moisturizer, or to heal and condition everything from cuticles to split ends. Plus it is 100% organic! Housed in a recyclable glass bottle.

Tips: Historically, Argan oil has been used to treat acne, stretch marks and skin conditions like eczema and psoriasis! 

Produced from the Argan tree in semi-deserts of Morocco, Argan Oil has been used by Moroccan women for centuries for it's nutritional and cosmetic benefits.

Argan Oil is an incredibly rich source of Vitamin E and essential fatty acids. It has astonishing healing, conditioning and anti-aging properties to keep your skin and hair nourished and revitalized and to keep you looking beautiful from head to toe.

This multi-tasking beauty can be used to soften dry skin, help minimize fine lines, help heal acne blemishes and scarring, soften cuticles, treat split ends, give skin a fresh, youthful look, and it's safe enough for use on your baby. and a dewy glow,

I personally use this on my cuticles, dry spots on my skin and body, and on my ears to reduce dryness.  I love that it's gentle enough to use on your skin, I always feel best when my dry spots are healed and gorgeous!

Argan Oil Lipstick retails at $20.00

Josie Maran’s lipsticks are formulated to rehydrate, plump, and smooth the lips. These hydrating, full bodied lipsticks have a medium to full coverage, with a beautiful semi-gloss finish

Tips: Professional makeup artists often recommend using a brush to apply lip color. This is because a brush deposits far less product onto lips, and less product translates to longer-lasting color. The unique formula of this lipstick makes it glide on in an ultra-thin layer. So you’ll get the look and feel of a professional application without the brush!

Dyani is a great everyday lip color and the formula doesn't leave your lips feeling dry like most lipsticks do.  It applies very smooth without any dry tugging.  I also apply with a lip brush for a subtle flush of color on days when I'm wearing minimal makeup.

*Product(s) were received for trial/review; these are my honest opinions

Crazy Rumors Lip Balms

I love lip balms, especially when they are vegan products!!  I recently found out about Crazy Rumors and tried out 3 of their balms... let me just say... OMG!  They smell good, taste good, feel good and they really do keep my lips hydrated!  I have tried hundreds of of lip balms from other companies, and I used to like Nivea and Blistex, but after using Crazy Rumors I've switched out my staple balms in my purse with my Crazy Rumors Lip Balms!  These balms feel so smooth and they don't irritate my lips or the skin around my lips.  They also stay on longer than my other balms, which is great because I really used to hate having to reapply balm all through out the day.  Another thing I noticed, when my lips get raw and chapped from eating a lot of salty foods, after using the Crazy Rumors balms, the soreness and puffiness subsides.
Crazy Rumors uses natural ingredients in their balms.  I will show you which ones I personally use and insert info on each one from the Crazy Rumors website.  I hope you all enjoy, and I completely recommend this to everyone who has any type of lip issues; dryness, chapping, raw spots, even a bit of sun damage.

BREW Collection - I have Peppermint Lemongrass - refreshing citrus and cooling peppermint
We've combined the world's most exotic and aromatic flavors found in your favorite teas, and packed them into a luscious treat for your lips.
All Natural, Cruelty-Free & Vegan Ingredients:
certified organic jojoba oil, certified organic extra virgin olive oil, certified organic shea butter, candelilla wax, soy wax, natural & organic flavors &/or pure essential oils, vitamin e, certified organic carnauba wax & natural stevia

A LA MODE Collection - I have Orange Creamsicle - a classic combination of vanilla cream & orange indulgence

The sweetest, most delectable Ice Cream flavors swirled with nature's most extraordinarily nourishing ingredients. Made with moisturizing organic shea butter, it's the coolest treat your lips will ever meet.

All Natural, Cruelty-Free & Vegan Ingredients:
certified organic jojoba oil, certified organic extra virgin olive oil, certified organic shea butter, candelilla wax, soy wax, natural & organic flavors &/or pure essential oils, vitamin e, certified organic carnauba wax & natural stevia

GUMBALL Collection - I have Grape Bubble - vine ripened grape grabs a hold of sweet bubble gum

No coin needed, just turn the cap and enjoy. The unforgettable taste of your favorite childhood classic confection. Made with moisturizing organic shea butter, it's sweet deliciousness that won't burst your bubble.

All Natural, Cruelty-Free & Vegan Ingredients:
certified organic jojoba oil, certified organic extra virgin olive oil, certified organic shea butter, candelilla wax, soy wax, natural & organic flavors &/or pure essential oils, vitamin e, certified organic carnauba wax & natural stevia


Here's a link to their About Us story - it's super cute and fun to read!: http://www.crazyrumors.com/about

*Product(s) were received for trial/review; these are my honest opinions

DUO Eyelash Adhesive

If you love to wear false eyelashes or have just purchased a few for special occasion, then you are well aware you cannot rely on the adhesives that come with the lashes.  They tend to be watery and barely hold your lashes.  I remember my first time wearing lashes, the glue didn't hold and I ended up taking them off during my night out and felt mad that I wasted $7 on something that ruined my look.  Then about a year after that I found out about DUO adhesive, a waterproof lash glue that is known for lasting hours!  I have been using it since I found out about it and I love it so much that it has become a permanent product in my makeup stash, kit and in my purse.  You can find DUO adhesive at almost every drugstore/pharmaceutical store/cosmetic counter or provider.  They are pretty inexpensive, retailing around $7-$8, and last months especially if you keep the cap tight and clear the tip of any hardened glue.

Here's some tips on how I use DUO:
- I apply a very thin line on the band of my false lashes
- I let the glue set for about 30 sec to a minute so that it feels tacky that way it's easy to place onto my lash line and maneuver if needed
- I use a tweezer to hold the lashes in the center and then place them onto my lash line, I position the center first then I attach each end
- After the false lash is attached, I gently press down on the lash strip with my pinky finger to ensure it's completely on my lash line
- On lashes with a black band, I use the dark DUO adhesive
- On lashes with a clear band, I use the clear DUO adhesive

The DUO adhesive comes in clear (blue tube) which dries clear or black (pink tube) which dries to a charcoal color.  Below I swatched both tubes and then later swatched what it looks like dry:

Straight from the tubes

To the left you can see how each one looks when it dries

Living Proof Anti Frizz Styling Cream & Full Root Lifting Spray

Living Proof is a hair product company that has been around for a few years now.  I first heard of them when I saw their infamous anti-frizz products.  I personally have pretty normal hair; pin straight, thick, tons of fine hairs all over my head, and usually will not work well with hair products.  I've never been big on styling my hair, I rarely even brush my hair because it normally falls perfectly fine and doesn't need much attention.  I have been using two products from Living Proof lately and am very happy with the results, so much that I have been using them regularly ever since I got them.

The first product is the Full Root Lifting Spray for all hair types.  "For flat, lifeless hair... to create beautiful lift and height... features an exclusive blend... making the lift touchable and flexible without compromising its durability... Beautiful lift that lasts all day"  I have used this product on my hair wet and dry, I prefer to use it on my hair when it is wet - it tends to work better for me that way.  I randomly section my hair and spray the roots lightly and then brush it into my hair.  I then blow dry it and begin to style my hair; I usually brush my hair one way, blow dry it, then brush it back the other way in which I intend to wear it - doing this adds more volume to my hair.  My hair normally is too heavy to hold volume on it's own, and it's too smooth to back comb.  Using this spray, I have had more voluminous hair without having it stiff or untouchable.  I love that it blends with my hair nicely and I can still run my fingers through it and play with it and not lose any volume.  I have even woken up the next day with my hair still voluminous enough to just brush it and have great 2nd day hair!!  I recommend this to everyone looking to add lift and volume, if it works on my stubborn straight and heavy hair, it'll work on anyone!

The second product is the No Frizz Straight Styling Cream for medium to thick hair.  "a lightweight lotion that eliminates frizz and contains conditioning to replenish the hair's moisture, for a straight, shiny style with natural movement. The cream is also terrific for smoothing split ends... effectively block humidity for beautifully soft, silky, frizz-free hair" I have used this product on my hair wet and dry, I do not prefer one over the other because I still get the same results and the cream is not too heavy where it weighs down dry hair.  I do not have frizzy hair, but this cream is great to use on those fine baby hairs to keep them tamed and on the ends of my hair to keep them conditioned and smooth.  You know when some has split or dry ends, in the sunlight you can see them poking out a bit and it creates a kind of choppy look?  Well, after using this product regularly, I have noticed I don't have that choppy poky look anymore.  My ends are smooth and have that freshly-cut look to them.  If you are someone who doesn't have frizz but has unruly ends and baby hairs, I recommend this product for a perfect style and healthy effect.  Unfortunately, because I do not have frizzy hair, I cannot recommend it to people who do suffer from frizz.

*Product(s) were received for trial/review; these are my honest opinions

Love & Beauty False Lashes

Last year when I was ordering new clothes to wear for my new post-baby physique, I came across these $2.80 Love & Beauty False Lashes by Forever 21.  They are really inexpensive and good quality.  Majority of them have the black band so they are a bit stiffer, but they are still comfortable to wear and last all day and night!  I have 3 different kinds of the false lashes and have tried all of them.  I do not wear mascara when wearing false lashes, so all I had to do was wash off the lash glue and I can reuse them.  I was very surprised that lashes this cheap actually felt good on and last a long time!  I would recommend these to people looking to save money on lashes and get a good amount of uses out of them.  I have tried many many many different brands of false lashes, and I would rank these lashes a 4 out of 5.  I wouldn't give them a 5 yet because I prefer the lashes with no black band, but other than that, I will be repurchasing!

They have many different styles, here are a few of them that I have in my collection:

Left: Fashion Long, Middle: Sophisticate, Right: Glamour Girl

E.L.F. Studio Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara

I saw these mascara's on Eyes Lips Face's website for only $3.00 each!  I thought that maybe if these were good staple products, I could pack my kit with them and use them on my clients.

I like and dislike the E.L.F. Studio Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara, but I will be repurchasing them.

Why I like this product:
- This mascara really is good at separating and lengthening the lashes
- This mascara is great for the bottom lashes, especially if you have long lashes
- It's an inexpensive product that I can buy in bulk for my makeup kit

Why I dislike this product:
- The handle is too long - it feels almost like you're using a sample sized wand
- The mascara is not voluminous as it is advertised to be
- The mascara completely flattened my curled lashes - but it could have also been the curler I used (not sure yet)
- The brown mascara doesn't come out as brown as I had hoped it would

With all that said - I would definitely recommend this to people looking for a great and inexpensive bottom lash mascara (I personally use a different mascara for my bottom lashes all the time) and for people looking for a lengthening mascara.

All About Brushes: Paddle Eyeshadow Brushes

MAC 242, MAC 249 MAC 252, Crown B19, Crown B9, Crown B6

Next in the series are the paddle shaped eyeshadow brushes.  These brushes are very versatile, you can use then for liquid, cream, grease and even powder eyeshadow products.  They are good brushes for a full coverage application, their shape makes it easy to 'pack' on the color achieve a more intense color.

Application Tips:
- for heavy/full coverage you will want to place the product on both sides of the brush
- for lighter/full coverage you will want to place the product on one side of the brush
- for precise application you will want to place the product on the very tip of the brush
- the smaller brushes are good for precise concealer touch ups all over the face
- the larger brushes are good for highlight applications all over the face; eyebrows, orbital bone pockets, cheek bones, nose bridges, tear ducts and cupid bows

Brushes I recommend:
MAC 242 Shader Brush
MAC 249 Large Shader Brush
MAC 252 Large Shader Brush
Crown B19 Concealer
Crown B9 Oval Lip
Crown B6 Deluxe Shadow

What I Personally Use These Brushes For:
- I use them to apply concealer over scaring or discoloration spots
- I use them to apply eyelid primer, or a cream color base
- I use them to apply an all over base of eyeshadow on my eye lids if I plan on going for a warmer or cooler effect underneath my eyeshadow look
- I use them to cover up tiny spot with concealer for a flawless look
- I use them to apply strategic highlights on my eyes and face
- I use them to blend face makeup into the hair line for a blended and natural effect
- I use them to line the upper and lower lash lines to create a voluminous effect for the lashes

Juice Beauty - Organic Cosmetics

I recently discovered an amazing company named Juice Beauty, I had never heard of them before searching for organic cosmetics online.  They are based out of Marin County here in California!  They offer a huge variety of cosmetics and skin care all developed with organic ingredients.  These products have impressed me more than any other cosmetic line, they smell amazing, they feel amazing and the quality is unbelievable!  If you love being green, then you will love this brand - I'm including a TON of information in this blog because I want everyone to know how awesome this company is!  If you are willing to spend more on department store makeup then spend wisely on makeup that is not only good for your skin but for the earth as well.  They even use recycled materials for their packaging!  How neat is that?

The products I tried are the Perfecting Foundation in Sand and the Refining Finishing Powder in Tan.  Below you will find my likes and dislikes on these products, as well as photos and swatches and a video on my first impression when using these products.

Perfecting Foundation
Likes:
- Smells like you just walked into a Jamba Juice (or a smoothie shop)!
- Applies very smooth and has a thin consistency - much nicer than the other brands of foundation I have tried before
- Dries to a smooth powder finish, it feels tacky at first, but once it dries, it feels like you didn't even put on liquid foundation
- It lasts all day long and keeps that smooth I'm-not-wearing-makeup feel
Dislikes:
- It soaks into your skin very quickly, so you have to use a primer prior to applying the foundation
- It only comes in 3 shades, so you might have to choose a lighter shade with a darker powder to obtain your true color

Refining Finishing Powder
Likes:
- The powder is not as pigmented as it is in the container
- It applies very evenly and you don't have to blend it in as much as you initially want to
- You can wear it on it's own, without any foundation or primer and still get a good, smooth, matte finish
- It lasts all day long and keeps that smooth I'm-not-wearing-makeup feel
Dislikes:
- It only comes in 3 shades, so you might want to get a shade slightly darker than your skin tone since they are a bit on the sheer side

HAND ON THE LEFT: Perfecting Foundation in Sand (I swatched a pump of it and to the left of that is a blended application swatch)

Check out my first impression video here - or on my YouTube channel:


Here's some information on the products I used, these products are amazing and based on the ingredients, you can easily see why!

Here is some VERY interesting information on Juice Beauty - BEWARE - you may fall in love with them as I have! :)

Juice Beauty is leading the prestige organic movement in the United States and we’re expanding rapidly worldwide.  Our mission is to have the highest efficacy, yet authentically organic beauty products in the world.  Juice Beauty has paved the way in organic beauty with our 100% organic juice base… most other beauty products have a water base (that cannot be FDA certified as organic/ pesticide free) or petro base (not good for your skin).  Every drop of our product delivers a high dose of vitamins, nutrients, and powerful antioxidants that help revitalize and protect aging and problem skin..and we have the highest organic content in prestige skincare in EVERY product.  We’ve received our first patent for our ground breaking Green Apple Peel formulation and we have several other patents pending  for our unique organic juice base.

All of our products meet the strict US and California organic guidelines (including COPA, California Organic Products Regulations the most strict in the world) and Juice Beauty is one of the first companies to become free of harsh parabens, petroleums, tars or pesticides.  Juice Beauty purchases our ingredients from USDA certified organic farms. 

     

Beyond what is in our Eco-Chic products, Juice Beauty is Eco Committed.  We use recycled packaging, 100% recycled paper and cardboard, 80% of our products are produced with solar power, and we only purchase ingredients from USDA certified organic farms. Juice Beauty IS the Organic Solution for the future!

We are based in Northern California’s Marin County, one of the worldwide centers of organic innovation. Juice Beauty offers over 60 different powerful age defying skin and body care products; and over 30 Make Up/Color products launching throughout 2010.  You may have read of the many celebrities that use Juice Beauty products. (Kate Hudson, Madonna, Amber Tamblyn, many of the Desperate Housewives stars and more).

Our Core Differentiating factors include: 

Clinically validated age-defying results:

Juice Beauty uses alpha lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10, DMAE, peptides, fat soluble Vitamin C and essential fatty acids for optimum age-defying results validated by clinical studies that have shown an 85% reduction in free radical skin cell damage.

Antioxidant-rich 100% organic juice:

Our patent-pending, antioxidant-rich, 100% organic juice base brings our total organic content up to 98%. Every drop feeds your skin with powerful antioxidants and polyphenols, essential vitamins, vital phytonutrients and age-defying hydroxy acids. Most other beauty products drop a few organic ingredients in water and have a total organic content of less than 10%.

Paraben & petroleum free:

Juice Beauty products contain no parabens, petroleum, propylene or butylene glycol, sodium lauryl sulfates, pesticides, phthalates, artificial dyes or synthetic fragrances.

*Product(s) were received for trial/review; these are my honest opinions 

What Is Birchbox?

While browsing through my blog subscriptions, I came across Pammy Blogs Beauty's post about her first Birchbox that she received, I was instantly interested in this magical box that brings you mini beauty products!!  So I just had to check it out, and after a long time of reading the FAQ's and terms & conditions, I finally decided to join the Birchbox community.
I always find out about great products that happen to be high end and am too weary to actually buy them, Birchbox is the perfect way to test drive these high end products before shelling out your beauty savings fund on a full size product.

We sort through the clutter to send you only what works and what’s worth the splurge.

Birchbox delivers the best products and the best insider secrets, without any fuss. Every month Birchbox members will receive a curated box of luxe beauty samples. Each box will span beauty categories and deliver exciting products that fit into both your day-to-day routine, and into those days when you want to turn up the drama a notch.

Each month, you'll receive a  selection of 4-5 samples that we’ve tried (and retried) ourselves.  You'll receive anything from skincare to makeup to cult beauty tools, from well-known brands as well as emerging gems.

When you are certain you love the samples you've tried, you can purchase full-size versions directly from us in our shop. Every purchase earns you Birchbox Points you can use toward more fantastic products.  Referring friends and filling out quick product feedback surveys gets you points too!

I hope you all look into Birchbox and if it is something you are interested, please join and mention that you heard of Birchbox from me (Krystal Caracol)!  We both will earn points towards some fabulous products!

Link to join: birchbox.com

Happy Birthday Danielle!

Superbowl Sunday was my cousin Danielle's birthday, so on Saturday night we had a dance party at her house and then hit the bars!  For her birthday, I did her makeup, I did a golden smokey look on her.  This was the first time I got to do a fierce look on her, and it became a hit!  I also got to try out the ELF mineral foundation and concealer on her, we soon found out those inexpensive products were amazing and lasted all night.  Below are photos of her look along with a list of products used.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY DANIELLE!

Products Used For This Look:
Laura Mercier Face Primer
ELF Mineral Foundation in Fair
ELF Tone Correcting Concealer in Ivory
ELF Mineral Concealer in Fair
ELF Studio Complexion Perfection
ELF Essentials Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in Sun Kissed
Urban Decay Eye Shadow Primer
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Gold
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Black Bean
MAC Pigment in Melon
MAC Eye Shadow in Black Tied
MAC Eye Shadow in Brulee
MAC Mineral Skin Finish in Soft and Gentle
MAC Eye Shadow in Cross Cultural
MAC Eye Kohl Pencil in Smolder
Bobbi Brown Extreme Party Mascara

ELF Essentials Lipstick

Classy, Gypsy, Seductive, Voodoo, Posh, Fantasy

A long time ago, I bought one of these lipsticks, and ended up loving it and using it all up.  Eyes Lips Face is known for their inexpensive makeup and good quality, the E.L.F. Essentials Lipsticks are a great way to expand your lipstick collection without breaking the bank.  They are smooth when applying and have a matte finish - a perfect product to combine with the E.L.F. Essential Luscious Liquid Lipsticks.  They come in 6 wearable shades; Classy, Gypsy, Seductive, Voodoo, Posh, Fantasy.  My personal favorite is Seductive - it's a pretty natural lip color that goes with EVERY look and style!  Photos and swatches below, I hope you all consider these for your next lipstick purchase :)

Classy, Gypsy, Seductive, Voodoo, Posh, Fantasy

Classy, Gypsy, Seductive, Voodoo, Posh, Fantasy

If you notice the Posh lipstick actually broke, this is the very first time a lipstick has broken on me, and I wouldn't let this deter me from repurchasing.

Here's my YouTube First Impression video:


Wearable swatches:

Classy

Gypsy

Seductive

Voodoo

Posh

Fantasy