I recieved three boxes of Avon yesterday! lol It was so fun to open each one. :) I ordered Smooth Minerals by Jillian Dempsy; 4 eyeshadows, 1 blush, 1 concealor, 2 eyeliners, and a mascara. I of coursed opened all my new make-up and jumped right in! Wow! I am impressed! The application is so smooth. It feels silky going on, blends beautifully, and looks amazing. The Smooth Mineral line is definelty worth purchasing and the price point is a plus. Check out Smooth Minerals on my Avon Site.

I am going to try and get around to doing a video review/how-to with the Smooth Minerals. I think a Holiday Eye's instructional would be fun! ;) Until then have a fabulous day!

Nicole

Avon Calling!

I just signed up to be an Avon Rep. I thought it could be a fun and easy way to earn extra cash for the holidays! My website is www.youravon.com/nwillis0000 . Avon has awesome products. Which I will be reviewing right here on Beauty Review Junkie.com.

I am so psyched to receive my first order which is Sunday I think!? I ordered the Mineral foundation in Nude, concealer in Neutral, blush in Blushed, and lipstick in Malted Minerals. I also ordered the SuperCurl Mascara! It will be like Christmas!

Interested in selling Avon too? Contact me at beautyreviewjunkie@earthlink.net . It's only $10 to join! It's simple gals. Email me!

Have a happy make-up day! :)

Tweezers

Oh! I almost forgot to share with you the new fabulous tweezer line called LaVaque! They're some pretty fab tweezers if I must say so. Ultra trendy Swarovski tweezers. LaVaque even offers diamond tweezers! The tweezer line is truly beautiful and work great! Barry the CEO sent me a pair and I can't say enough about them!! You have got to check them out and get a pair, or two, or three. Yes I'm obsessed! ;)

Update

A couple of things...

Sorry for delayed posts. It has been very busy for me. I have been preoccupied with my eyebrow salon & my three kids! I have had little to no time to post anything. Keep watch I will have some how to post coming soon!

Also, I just got my Juice Beauty Tinted Moisturizer in yesterday! Wow! It smells amazing! Very herbal. So far so good. It looks great and feels great too. I'll update you in a week to let you know if it still as fabulous. :)

And lastly I just started an Advanced Education Class in Eyebrow Designing. If you are a professional or knows someone who is that would be interested pass my info on. :) My website is http://www.ibrowdesignz.com/.

I promise some how to post will be coming shortly. Anything in particular that you would like to know how to do? I'd be happy to share my tips and tricks!

Nicole
aka Beauty Review Junkie

How To Apply False Lashes!

Excellent You Tube Video on how to apply false lashes. This is the best one I have seen so far! I was not able to embed the video on my blog because the creator of the video disabled that option. No big deal. Click the the link. Check it out. And get ready for a great lesson with JULIEG713 on how to apply false lashes! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pi9u8mCNA_g

Enjoy Ladies! :)

Quality Vrs. Price Point

So, I usually write about products that I love, that I am interested in, or that I am curious about. This time I have a rant to share! As you know I typically prefer professional products over OTC products for their quality and performance. Well... I ran out of my usual Bioelements Multi-Task Mascara in Perfect Black and my Bioelements Sheer Makeup. Knowing it would be a few weeks before my next shipment would come in, so I caved and went to Walmart! I completely know better!! Never-the-less I proceeded to purchase make up at Walmart. I picked out what I thought would be the most gentle and perform decently (until my Bioelements came in of course). I bought an Almay Pure Blends Foundation 97.4% natural (or so it claims) and the popular Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in the trusted pink tube.

The first week or so went ok. I wasn't crazy about using my emergency replacements but what the heck it was working. The foundation was a little on the greasy side unlike my sheer makeup that just soaks in and is like I am wearing nothing. The mascara was a bit watery for my liking but hey my lashes looked long & dark.

About a two weeks into using my emergency replacements, my skin started to break out and my eyelids became itchy and red! Coincidence? I think not! Just to prove my point I stopped using the Almay foundation and my skin started to clear up (however my eye's were still suffering the irritation of the mascara). The following week I stopped using the mascara and sure enough my eyes gradually got better!

The whole experience just confirmed that quality is more important than price. Although price was not the reason for my purchase, I am sure it is for many. Who doesn't want to save a few bucks? Many products on the market today are not as fabulous as their amazing advertising campaign and the highly paid celebrities that endorse them. In addition to that propaganda there are many professionals out there that compromise their integrity and endorse products that are not worthy.

My word of advise? Be cautious when purchasing cosmetics. Purchase from a salon or spa whenever possible. Think quality not price point. Skimp on your latte not your cosmetics. Your skin, eyes, and mouth will thank you for it!

Cheek Gloss for a Summer Glow!

For subtle, glossy cheeks that say natural but put together, try Rosie Jane Cosmetics - Cheek Gloss!

"Rosie Jane Cheek Gloss is an easy to blend, translucent and glossy cheek colour, developed to enhance the look of natural glowing skin and youthful radiance. A range of three colours to suit any age and any occasion, it can be used on its own for a quick stroll on the beach or with foundation for a big night out. It won't lose its shine."

Rosie Jane Cheek Gloss come in three fabulous colors:

POPPY- deep berry, giving the cheek a subtle, sexy glow.

MARIGOLD- golden bronze giving the cheek a fresh natural glow.

ROSE- hot pink giving the cheek a youthful, rosy glow.

A cheek gloss is worn best alone or on top of liquid/creme foundation. You want to stay away from powder because it will cause the gloss to turn into clump.

A cheek gloss it truly pretty and gives the skin an unbelievable soft glowing look!

Beauty Review Junkie Won an Award

This blog has won the Honest
Scrap Award! Sue aka The Scent Lady who writes the blog YouScentMe, nominated me. Thanks Sue! Check out her blog I'm sure you will enjoy it as I do.

“What’s an Honest Scrap Award?”

“This award is bestowed upon a fellow blogger whose blog’s content or design is, in the giver’s opinion, brilliant.”

There are some rules to winning this award

I. “When accepting this auspicious award, I must write a post bragging about it, including the name and link to the person who thinks I deserve such acclaim.

II. List 10 honest things about myself. Drum roll please...

1) I have THREE boys! Ages 13, 10, & 14 months.

2) I rescued a fish from Walmart. The story goes... I was walking down the pet isle to pick up some bird food. When I spotted this grayish beta fish floating in his plastic bowl. I tap on the container to see if he was still alive. As I gave the container a few light thumps, the fish started lethargically swimming. Feeling sorry for him I open his container and add water to his bowl from a sink near by. I then opened a can of fish food and gave him a few sprinkles and put him back. He did not come home with me that day. His bright colored companion did. (I bought my son a beta fish to replace on that had recently passed). However on the next trip to Walmart I went to check on the little guy. He wasn't a very pretty beta. In fact he was a dingy color & his tail was tattered with holes in it. Not to my surprise he was still there in the same pathetic shape. This time, I couldn't leave him to die a slow death at Walmart. So I gently pick him up and put him in the cart, picked out a new bowl and marbles for him and the rest is history :) He now lives on my fireplace mantel. He has transformed from this lethargic, dingy, tattered fish, into a happy, healthy, pretty fish. His tail mended quickly and he now is very active and jumps and swirls all around in his bowl. Especially at meal time. It's funny but I'm really attached to the little guy. True story.:)

3) I like sushi. A little inappropriate in light of my previous story.


4) I was a make-up artist on an independent film "The Rune". I don't know what ended up happening with that movie. If it got picked up by Sundance or if the title of the movie changed?

5) I worked for MAC Cosmetics for two years & loved it.

6) I have been an Aesthetician for 10 years and have owned my own business since I was 23.

7) I am into homeopathy and treat my family with herbs, essential oils, and vitamins before we ever go to a doctor.

8) I had my third baby at home. Yes on purpose. If I would of known what I know now, I would have had all my kids in the comfort and safety of my home. It by far the BEST experience. I would do it again hands down.

9) I like the San Francisco band Loquat.

10) My husband and I eloped after only three months of knowing each other. We will have been married for 11years in September. No one thought we'd make it this far. Eat your heart out haters. :P


III. Now I have to choose a minimum of seven (7) blogs that I find brilliant in content or design, to pass on this honor. And they are:


Beauty Addict
The Beauty Stop
Couture in the City
The MomRN Show
Beauty Tips
Beauty Buzzed
Balmaholic

100% California Wine Grapes for the Skin!

I'm in love with this product. I started using Grapes Antioxidant
lotion probably two years ago now. I started using it in the winter when my hands are at their worst. I wash my hands continuously throughout the day. It's an occupational hazard. My hands tend to crack and look dehydrated. That was the case when I started using Grapes. Believe me I had used every hand lotion and body lotion available. I could not find anything that didn't burn, that nourished, and protected my hands. Then I was introduced to Grapes from a local rep who left me a sample. I started using it after I washed my hands, in the morning before work and at night before bed. In about a week of using Grapes my hands appeared hydrated and the tiny cracks healed. Grapes has been the only lotion I can use on my hands that soothes, doesn't burn, nourishes, & is healing! I was sold and started carrying it at my shop.

Grapes has two formula's Grapes Original
in the purple bottle and Grapes Organic
in the green bottle. Grapes is a nutraceutical which means that it actually feeds the skin from the outside in. Grapes is a super anti-oxidant moisturizing lotion with age-defying, nutraceutical grade, 100% California grape extracts. They both smell amazing but the formula's feel different. The purple Grapes is lighter weight and the green bottle is a thicker cream. Like I said they smell amazing but they are not identical in sent. The purple bottle smells fresh, like a bouquet of vanilla, black raspberry and soft orchid & the green Grapes smells more like a bouquet of delicious harvest grapes and bergamont.

Not only is Grapes a an amazing super-antioxidant hand and body lotion that restores the skin's resiliency and elasticity. Grapes come in the cutes packaging ever. They look like wine bottles. They come in two sizes. Large grapes and mini grapes. I have both. I keep a mini Grapes in my purse and I have a large grapes at home and work.

If you are needing a new hand or body lotion Grapes is definitely worth a try I don't think you'll be disappointed.

Juice Beauty

I am so curious about the Juice Beauty organic skin care line! I am very much a die hard Bioelements fan. Why? Because it works like none other. But... Juice Beauty has some intriguing products like Juice Organics Vitamin Antioxidant (you know I'm fanatical about topical vitamins), Juice Organics Light Tint Moisturizer (I'm completely into sheer light weight coverage), & Juice Beauty Green Apple Extra Firming Body Moisturizer (who doesn't want to stay firm?). Juice Beauty is 95% organic, they use all natural ingredients (truly!), and it is made with a organic juice base. Yummy!

This is what Juice Beauty is saying about their product.
We Have:

• Organic ingredients in a base of organic fruit juices, making our total organic content up to 95%
  
  
• Powerful antioxidant technology, including alpha-lipoic acid, coenzyme Q10
  DMAE, peptides, fat soluble vitamin C and essential fatty acids for optimum age-defying results
  
  
• Certified organic ingredients packed with age-defying potency...powerful antioxidants and polyphenols, essential vitamins, vital phytonutrients and age-defying hydroxy acids
  
  
• Met the strict USDA organic guidelines for all of our certified organic ingredients
  
  
• A strict no animal testing policy
  
  
• A 100% vegetarian ingredients policy

We Do Not Have:

• Pesticides Petroleum or petroleum derivatives (propylene, butylene glycol)
  
  
• Toxic preservatives (parabens - methyl, butyl, or ethylparaben; dizaolidinyl or imadazolidinyl urea; formaldehyde)
  
  
• Harsh surfactants or sulfates (sodium or ammonium lauryl sulfate; cocamide dea/lauramide dea)
  


• Artificial colors or dyes Synthetic fragrances
  
  
• Phthalates or dibutyl phthalate Toluene

Here's a few snippets of what other's are saying about Juice Beauty:

I just have to say, that this is the BEST line of products I have ever used. I am a recovering products junkie, and these products have shown me the light. It took me 10 years to find the perfect solution to beautiful skin, and I couldn't be happier. I also love that I can now effectively feed my skin the same quality as I do my body.

Angie

I am ecstatic that I found an organic solution for aging issues and blemish issues! Unbelievable I have wrinkles and blemishes at the same time but I am thrilled that Juice Beauty not only works but that it is pesticide and paraben free!!!

Jackie -San Francisco

I am 30 years old and have been on every acne med there is including accutane twice. Nothing works and about a month ago I broke out with the worst case of acne that was more like boils. ..I tried your Blemish Clearing Serum and it started to work very quickly. In a week my skin was clear again, not red and swollen. I LOVE THE STUFF!

Lisa

So are you as intrigued as I am? Are you making your things to try list like I have lol? Yea! Well, get your stuff and tell me your thoughts! I'm going to order these products too. I will make sure I tell you the details! If you are or have used Juice Beauty don't hold out, tell me what you think!

As I was doing a little research and debating what topic of beauty I was going to write about, I came across a fun book called Staging Your Comeback: A Complete Beauty Revival for Women Over 45 ! Now, I am not over 45 (I'm about 14 years off), and I am not sure how many of my reader are 45 or over, none the less I thought this could be a neat read. Staging Your Comeback has 77 reviews on Amazon most of which is positive and it has a five star rating! I am really curious and excited to read it.

I have browsed the contents through Amazon's "look inside" link. I am really digging a what he says in chapter 1 "Woman today have unlimited options and choices to look and feel young and attractive throughout their entire lives". That is so true! That's one thing I love about my job. I get to help women maintain their youthful appearance, or help them get it back through skin care and make-up.

I will be taking an Age Coaching course through Bioelements this summer. I think Staging Your Comeback will be an enhancement to what I will be learning. I have always strongly disagreed with the school of thought that once you're out of your twenties you're old. How is it possible one is youthful until age 29? That's ridiculous. Besides with great skin care, exercise and good eating habits woman (and men) can look amazing even after 45! In my profession I meet older woman who take care of themselves and they look amazing. On the same note I meet woman who are younger than 45 and look 10 years older because they are not taking care of themselves properly.

So I will end with this, be good to yourself. Eat right, exercise, find ways to keep yourself from being on a stress overload (stress causes breakouts and facial hair growth!), take care of your skin properly, get your rest, and drink water; at least half your body weight in ounces ( it keeps the skin hydrated, dewy, and radiant).

The Beauty Review Junkie now has a store! So fun! You can get cute Beauty Junkie shirts, hats, pins, & other cute stuff. Right now there are two designs to choose from. Check it out and let me know what you think! http://www.cafepress.com/BeautyRevJunkie

Grow Thicker Longer Lashes

I have a couple of clients who are using Revitalash - Eyelash Conditioner - 4.10ml/.139fl.oz.
I hadn't heard about this product until maybe a month ago. RevitaLash is a formula that you apply to your lash line daily & it causes your lashes to grow thicker & longer! I couldn't believe it.

The scoop is that RevitaLash and similar products were developed when glaucoma patients using glaucoma medicinal eye drops were growing thicker and longer lashes! So they bottled up this potion and now are selling the magical elixir. The only draw back that I have heard is that your eye color may change permanently one shade darker.

I kinda like my eye color so I don't think RevitaLash is for me. Besides I steer clear of medications whenever possible. But if your not concerned about any of that it might be worth a try. Revitalash runs on average $150, but I know you can get a great deal on Amazon.

If you are using or start using RevitaLash I would love to hear how it is working for you! And maybe see a before and after picture? To do that just post a comment here or email me at beautyreviewjunkie@earthlink.net.

Kevyn Aucoin Beauty Books

Kevyn Aucoin Making Faces Beauty Book was one of the first Beauty Books I owned. It's still to this day is one of my favorite how-to-beauty books. His art work is absolutely beautiful, you will see some of your favorite celebrities (that he made-over of course), and he will show you how to get the looks. If you want how-to-instructions for yourself or you are an aspiring make-up artist, Kevyn Aucoins Making Faces is a must have! He has also written other fantastic books like, Face Forward & The Art of Makeup.

If you need a little cosmetic inspiration head to Amazon.com & get the book used for $9.95 or new for $20 . When the book arrives carve out an hour of your day for the best private make-up lesson with Kevyn himself in the comfort of your own home ;).

By the way I'm in love with Amazon.com, which I only discovered about a month ago. The prices for things are incredible. Especially books. I almost bought a book at the book store for $24. Then I went home & googled it. It pulled up used on Amazon for $1.98!! When the book arrived it was in like new condition. You really can't beat it. So from then on out I have (and will) link most products I review back to Amazon, unless I can find it somewhere else cheaper of course. Doubtful... Anyway, I hope you will find Amazon as fantastic as I do. Have a beauty day!

Spring 2009 is all about luminous skin & sheer pastel color. This season demands soft smokey eyes, mega lashes, and flawless skin.

Get the Look:
If you've read any of my previous posts you know what I am going to say next... the first step to great make-up is great skin. I'm a huge believer in Bioelements Skin Care. I personally use it and recommend it to my clients. The results are "flawless" skin. So, first things first get a Bioelemements Great Skin in a Box for your skin type then proceed to step 2.

Now that your skin is smooth as a babies bottom you will need a sheer foundation. A sheer foundation is going to even out uneven skin tone & give your skin an illuminating healthy glow. Here are a few to try: (my favorite) Bioelements - Sheer Makeup with Calcium and Lipoic Acid
it's light weight (feels like your wearing absolutely nothing. I call it "your second skin".) It has an amazing sheer coverage, it contains light reflectors that blur imperfections, and skin strengthening-free radical fighting vitamins to boot! I have mine in L-2 & LOVE it. Here are a few others to try as well: gloMinerals gloSheer Tint Base, Smashbox Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer, Urban Apothecary Supernatural Mineral Sheer Tint, & Stila Illuminating Powder Foundation - 60 Watts. Your ready for step 3!

Now it's time to add that splash of sheer color and create a soft smokey eye.
The goods: You will need a soft pastel blush like Vasanti Cosmetics Blush, a soft eyeliner pencil liner such as Mally Beauty Shaping Secret Eyelift Wand in 3 Shades in soft brown or charcoal, a soft pastel eyeshadow like Givenchy Prisme Again! Eyeshadow Quartet, a set of false eyelashes Japonesque Complete Lash Kit will do the trick, and last but not least a sheer lipstick or gloss such as ck Calvin Klein Fully Delicious Sheer Plumping Lip Gloss in bloom & lip liner by Kevyn Aucoin The Flesh Tone Lip Pencil in Bare. On to step 4.

Now your ready for the application. For a quick and easy spring look, gently sweep the Givenchy Prisme onto your eyelids. Next line your eyes with the Eyelift Wand in either color, smudge lightly to create a smokey effect. Then add the Japonesque lashes. Blend your real lashes and false lashes together with a blinc Heated Eyelash Curler 1 ea. Now sweep on the Vasanti Blush. Lastly, line your lips with the Kevyn Aucoin bare lip pencil & apply a sheer layer of the CK Delicious Plumping Gloss. Smack your lips, give your hair one final adjustment and your ready to walk out the door in your spring glam.

To Brush or Not to Brush that is the Question...

Should I use a foundation brush? I get that question all the time. Although there are many options, my answer is yes use a foundation brush. Reason? For one the application is smoother, you use less product, and it is sanitary. The make up moves through the bristles so not to waste any, unlike sponges and fingers which absorb product (very wasteful). With a brush you can definitely get away with using less than a dime size of liquid foundation, tinted moisturizer, or sheer foundation. Blending is simplified & you can rinse your brush out and leave to dry for your next application, free from bacteria that tends to build up in sponges. A foundation brush is excellent for creme foundations as well!

Foundation brushes are typically made of synthetic fibers however some of them are blended with natural fibers. Either is good. Here are a few of my favorite foundation brushes:
MAC Foundation Brush #190

Bobbi Brown Foundation Brush - Short Handle

Japonesque Professional Foundation Brush

Sephora Brand Professionnel Platinum Angled Foundation Brush #51

Smashbox Foundation Brush 13