MyFace Cosmetics - Purple Haze Eyeshadow (Review & Makeup Look)

I received this full size MyFace Cosmetics Blingtone Eyeshadow in Purple Haze in my February Beauty Army Kit. I have been using it as often as possible, even to my last prenatal checkup appointment (2/17/12). Here's a short review on the eyeshadow, some swatches and the quick makeup look I sported to that doctor appointment a couple weeks ago.

MyFace Cosmetics Blingtone Eyeshadow - Purple Haze ($20.00)

After meeting her once, he was charmed... he was taken in by everything about her... but above all, it was impossible for him to forget her eyes - a rich layer of pearl over a delicate wash of sugary purple that was shimmery, sparkling and simply spell-binding.
Revolutionary formula is packed with crushed pearl and pigment; won't drop or flake

MY THOUGHTS: This Blingtone Eyeshadow is a gorgeous, shimmering purple. It's got intense shine and amazing pigmentation. Applied dry, it has great color payoff and minimal fallout. Applied wet, it has a bright and popping color payoff, there is barely any fallout and the color lasts 8+ hours without fading (used without an eyeshadow primer). This is a shade I would personally pick out myself, and a shade I would recommend to my fellow color-loving makeup wearers. I love that you can apply a light wash of color, or you can really pack it on and sport a fun and vivid makeup look.

Products Used in Makeup Look

MyFace Cosmetics Blingtone Eyeshadow - Purple Haze (applied/worn dry)
MAC Eyeshadow - Soft Brown, Crystal Avalanche
Revlon Grow Luscious Mascara - Black
MAC Eye Kohl - Smolder

If you are as excited as I am about Beauty Army - click here to join: (my referral link) Join Beauty Army 

Beauty By Krystal featured on Beauty Army's Blog/Youtube!

Last week Beauty Army shared my February Beauty Army Kit video on their blog and YouTube channel. This is my second appearance, and I still feel super excited and extremely honored to be featured on their websites!! I really love that they are sweet enough to reach out to their subscribers and share their honest experiences on their websites. I have found amazing bloggers and YouTubers through their websites, so I definitely recommend checking out BeautyArmy.com to find some new beauties to follow :)

What Is Beauty Army?

Check out my pre-launch blog post explaining what Beauty Army is, what they have to offer, details on how much it costs and information on how to sign up for your very own Beauty Army Kit!

My Future LOVE For Beauty Army!

Check out my February Beauty Army kit here: Krystal's February Beauty Army Kit!

If you are as excited as I am about Beauty Army - click here to join: (my referral link) Join Beauty Army 

Ahava Rich Foundation

A while ago I mentioned on Facebook that I was beginning to get tired of seeing people on YouTube and blogs hyping up Neutrogena's Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup. Don't get me wrong, it is a nice foundation, but to be honest it's not as great as the original formulation was.
When I first began wearing makeup I started with the Neutrogena cosmetic line, I quickly discovered Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup SPF20 (shade Toasted Honey 100) - I fell in love! It was a medium coverage foundation with a semi-matte/semi-radiant finish that lasted up to 8hrs before fading into a "natural glow" effect towards the end of the day/evening. They discontinued the original bottle/formulation a few years ago and brought out the newer Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup that everyone is familiar with today. I had no idea they discontinued my foundation until I went to repurchase a couple bottles and it was GONE! Replaced with the newer cylindrical bottle and new shade names and numbers - I was so lost and desperate that I bought the new foundation in Honey Beige 110 (it looked the closest to what I used to wear). After the first use, I instantly realized it was a completely different formulation under the same name! I was livid and heartbroken. The newer formulation was thinner in consistency, a sheer-medium coverage, it wasn't semi-matte so it accentuated the natural oil in my skin and made my face look oily/greasy all day long, and it wore off in a patchy effect where even powdering it made it look cakey and horrible. So that was the last time I purchased Neutrogena Liquid Makeup and I went on a search to find the closest version to the perfect foundation I ever used.

When I was sent mineral makeup from Ahava to try out for reviewing purposes, I was extremely skeptical. I don't really like mineral makeup, and since I had no idea Ahava produced makeup (I only knew them for their skincare products via my Birchbox subscription) I didn't know what to expect. Well, if you read my review on Ahava's Light Foundation, then you know that I was BLOWN away by it's formula, coverage, wear time and by how it wore down by the end of the day/night. When I began my trial of Ahava's Rich Foundation, I was hoping it would be as good, if not better than the Light Foundation.

Ahava Rich Foundation is a heavier formula than the Light Foundation, it provides a medium to full coverage; applied in one light layer you can get a good medium coverage, applied in one heavy or two light layers you can get a good full coverage. The finish is "natural", a semi-matte/semi-radiant finish - I call this "natural" because it reduces that unattractive oily shine but makes your skin look healthy, fresh, young and glowing. Because it is a medium to full coverage foundation, it will look like you have makeup on, but after a few good hours (in my experience, after about 6-8hrs) it begins to wear off... well more like wear in to your skin. It fades the same as the Light Foundation does, where it melts into your skin and looks more like a tinted to medium coverage foundation.

A common trend between Ahava's Light and Rich foundations is the way they wear on the skin. I personally have combination skin, my cheeks and chin get dry while my nose and forehead get oilier throughout the day. Both of these foundations wear off in a uniform way - unlike the splotchy effect most drugstore foundations have (also known as the foundation separating from itself on your skin, leaving patches of makeup still present but not completely covering your skin), Ahava foundations seem to melt into my skin and leave it looking better than when I first applied the foundation in the morning. Even after touching up with Ahava's Compact Powder, by the end of the night, my skin looks smooth, even and fresh. It's hard to explain this without experiencing it yourself. There have been times where I pause for a few minutes to admire my skin before removing my makeup at night - that's how good it looks!

I was sent the shade Sand Medium Light, which I thought would be too dark, but it blends into my skintone really well actually. I have applied this foundation with my fingers, a stippling brush and a tiny powder brush. I personally prefer to apply the Rich Foundation with my fingers because it creates a smooth and even application for medium coverage. I achieve a full coverage when using a brush to apply it. For a flawless finish I use a paddle foundation brush to apply a thin layer, let it set into the skin for a while and then apply another layer in the areas I need more coverage, then I let that sit. By the time I'm done with my eye makeup I lightly dust on the Compact Powder and this locks in the full and flawless coverage for hours. I never feel the need to use a concealer with this foundation, unless it is to brighten up my under eye area, but the foundation covers all my pigmentation issues and blemishes perfectly on its own.

Overall, Ahava's Rich Foundation reminds me of the perfection that was Neutrogena's original Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup. If you are looking for a medium to full coverage foundation that is gentle on your skin, won't produce more oils and won't dry out your skin, will last you up to 8hrs in coverage and will give your skin a healthy, natural glow and fresh face - then I wholeheartedly recommend Ahava's Rich Foundation. It might seem pricey to some, but if you're like me and spend a lot of money and years searching for a perfect foundation, then this is affordable in my eyes.
(although this product was sent to me for trial and review, when I run out, I plan on buying at least one more for backup!)

AhavaUS.com:
RICH FOUNDATION
- Formulated with Dead Sea minerals, natural pigments and Dunaliella algae, this full coverage foundation is made for all skin types
- Free of oils and dyes and made with soft focus technology, this makeup looks as good on you as it is for you
$35.00 / 30 ml
4 shades: Dune Bright, Sand Medium Light, Clay Medium, Terra Dark


DIRECTIONS FOR USE:
Always start with clean, dry skin. Allow moisturizer to dry completely before applying. Shake well before application. Use your fingertips or a sponge. Pump once and spread evenly over face. Re-apply where more coverage is needed. No need for concealer

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

Orly Shine On Crazy Diamond

A little background:
In my latest Ulta shopping spree, I picked up 9 mini Orly polishes during Ulta's B2G1FREE sale. These minis are priced at $3.50 each and have .18 oz. of product inside. Ever since I received mini Zoya polishes in my Birchboxes, I have been preferring the smaller polish bottles because to-date, I have never finished off a full size bottle of polish. I know these bottles will last me a long time, considering I gain new polishes every month, I rarely wear a polish twice in a month (or even twice in a year for some polishes in my collection).

Orly Shine On Crazy Diamond
Aside from being a sparse, rainbow glitter polish, Shine On Crazy Diamond is actually quite shiney and sparkly! I am pretty sad this it's not as packed with glitters as I had hoped, but it's a great topper. With two coats, it's still very sheer but glitzy enough to add that girly flare to your manicure. I probably wouldn't recommend this much because it doesn't seem unique enough, but for a mini polish under $5 it's a nice polish to have on hand.

I used Orly Shine On Crazy Diamond as a topper for Orly Je 'Taime

Base Coat: CND Stickey Base Coat
Top Coat: CND Super Shiney Top Coat
Cuticle Oil: ELF Essentials Nourishing Cuticle Pen

Meet Jamison Anthony!

What did you do on President's Day? Have the day off? Get to leave work early? Host/attend a BBQ? Well, I had an AWESOME President's Day! Our son, Jamison, arrived on Monday evening after about 12 hours of labor. Surprisingly, my contractions were pretty mellow for the first 10 hours, so mellow that I was barely in pain and mainly just bored and sleepy since we arrived at the hospital at 4am that morning. He arrived very smoothly and very quickly.

Be prepared to see much less of me for the next couple months ;)

Jamison Anthony / 2-20-12 6:18pm / 7lbs 4oz / 21"

2-20-12

2-21-12

2-22-12

2-23-12

Orly Rocker Chick

A little background:
In my latest Ulta shopping spree, I picked up 9 mini Orly polishes during Ulta's B2G1FREE sale. These minis are priced at $3.50 each and have .18 oz. of product inside. Ever since I received mini Zoya polishes in my Birchboxes, I have been preferring the smaller polish bottles because to-date, I have never finished off a full size bottle of polish. I know these bottles will last me a long time, considering I gain new polishes every month, I rarely wear a polish twice in a month (or even twice in a year for some polishes in my collection).

Orly Rocker Chick
I must say, I expected this polish to be a little more outrageous given it's name, Rocker Chick. This is a clear polish with tiny, slightly opalescent glitters, pretty sparse too. On its own, it's subtly dainty, but as a topper it can really pump up a dull polish. I envision using this as a topper to a french manicure (if I could successfully do one on myself).

I used Orly Rocker Chic as a topper for Orly Witch's Blue

Base Coat: CND Stickey Base Coat
Top Coat: CND Super Shiney Top Coat
Cuticle Oil: ELF Essentials Nourishing Cuticle Pen

Philosophy The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash

Back in September I received a generous 2 oz. sample of Philosophy's The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash in my QVC Special NewBeauty TestTube for Summer/Fall 2011. It only took about a week of using this exfoliating wash for me to fall in love with it - and by falling in love with it, I mean I became unbelievably dependent on it! Ok, I know that sounds really dramatic - but let me explain my exfoliating-wash-background a bit.

philosophy.com:
gentle enough to use daily, our mild exfoliating facial skin cleanser is designed to effectively cleanse and replenish skin, while providing resurfacing benefits. select size(s) are eligible for auto delivery!
features & benefits: award-winning skin care, unique sulfate-free formula
antioxidant-rich, replenishing skin peel
2oz / $8, 4oz / $15, 8oz / $25, 16oz / $37, 32oz / $58

I used to own MAC's Microfine Refinisher, which apparently was released a few years ago and then discontinued in 2010. It was my "holy grail", "must have", "cannot live without" exfoliating wash of all time; it was a beige-y colored product, packed full of micro particles that felt like very fine sand, and looked like a gel-ish-cream-ish blend. It applied a bit gritty, but not in a harsh or painful kind of way. It felt like a mini massage and once rinsed off my skin felt BRAND NEW! Literally! It left my skin the smoothest it's ever been, it wasn't even drying either (which happens all too often with exfoliating washes on me). So, when my MAC Microfine Refinisher was running low (approx. 10% left), I began looking for a back up, not knowing it was discontinued yet. I searched all the MAC counters in my area, all the MAC stores, all the online department stores that sell MAC, EVERYWHERE! And I couldn't find it! I finally found one on Ebay and due to the STUPID postal service, I never received it although I paid for it (I was heartbroken and still am!). I used up the very last bit of what I had left, I even cut open the tube to get every spec left (cutting open a MAC tube disqualifies the product being turned in for Back 2 MAC, this was a huge sacrifice!).

After the loss of my MAC Microfine Refinisher, I was trying exfoliating washes left and right and they all turned out to be horrible matches for me. My skin is sensitive in a very picky way, I'm not sure what it's sensitive to, or what ingredients irritate it the most, but I know I cannot handle a LOT of facial products (washes, cleansers, masks, etc.) without my skin drying up, producing extra oil or just turning red from unhappiness. Then in September of last year, Philosophy's The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash fell into my lap. After about a week of daily use, I knew that I had found my match - it's almost as good as MAC's Microfine Refinisher - that's a HUGE compliment coming from me.

The Similarities: Both of the exfoliating washes have that micro-massage texture, and rinse off to reveal super-baby-butt-smooth skin! Both of the products are very gentle on my skin, I had no irritation what-so-ever, my skin actually feels healthier and tighter (not in a dried out kind of way - more like a young face kind of way). Both of the products are gentle enough to use daily, which my skin needs because for some reason it produces a lot of dead skin. Lastly, both products have a faint scent that reminds me of rice - weird, I know, but this is my way of saying it doesn't have a chemically smell like some exfoliating washes do.

The Differences: Aside from the obvious; one being discontinued and the other being available, the MAC one came in a tube and the Philosophy one comes in a bottle. Another note to point out, the consistencies are very different. Philosophy's The Microdelivery Exfoliating Wash is a lot thinner than MAC's Microfine Refinisher, Philosophy's is more like a gel-like liquid and spreads out much thinner (the Philosophy one tends to clog at the opening, but the MAC one never did). Also, Philosophy's is not as packed full of the micro particles as the MAC Microfine Refinisher was.


In conclusion, I would recommend this to everyone! If your skin sounds to be similar to mine, I would highly suggestion buying a small bottle of this to try out. I couldn't be happier to have discovered this product. I even bought an 8 oz. bottle during one of Philosophy's features on Hautelook in November.