A Sparkle of Review: YSL Volume Effet Faux Cils Mascara

Disclosure: I received this mascara complimentary from Influenster. All awesome opinions as always are 100% honest and my own. :)

Having the typical "Asian" lashes that are sparse, thin, straight, and overall a bit sad I am the perfect candidate for trying out mascaras. If it works on my lashes it'll usually be amazing on yours. The Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) Volume Effect Faux Cils "Luxurious Mascara For A False Lash Effect" ($32) definitely delivers volume and length in a stylish gold packaging. 

My results with this mascara is that it provides a lot of volume, some length, lasts all day, doesn't flake or smudge, extremely black, and it smells GOOD! It has such a light and pleasant scent to it that I feel like I'm in a spa every time I open the tube. Speaking of the tube, can we take a moment to take in how luxurious the gold packaging is? :)

Remastered Formula

From YSL:
"The most emblematic 'false lash effect' volume mascara, now with an all new Lash Care Formula."
"Its secret is the Triple-Intensity Formula: intense volume, intense color and now intense care. The nylon fiber brush coats each lash in deep color and maximum volume from root to tip, while B5 Pro-Vitamin strengthens and protects lashes."

A Sparkle of Review: Equitance Brightening Serum & Spot Corrector

Disclosure: I received this serum complimentary from Influenster. All awesome opinions as always are 100% honest and my own. :)

The Equitance Brightening Serum + Spot Corrector ($125 1.0 fl. oz) is definitely one of the most effective serums I've tried that gives me visible results in brightening and spot correction as it appropriately claims.

According to their website:

-The serum is clinically proven to reduce the appearance of dark spots and discolorations.
-It has a patented delivery system which uses Liposomes to deliver clinically brightening ingredients to the skin.
-Harper's Bazaar names it as "a top 10 dark spot corrector" and Forbes reviews it in "6 Beauty Secrets Around the Globe".

The product comes in a squeeze tube packaging that works well to control the amount of product flow. The consistency of the serum is different from the thin liquid-y ones I'm used to. This one is more like the consistency of a thin silky lotion that absorbs quickly and doesn't leave behind any tacky residue. It lays beautifully underneath any makeup or moisturizer. It is delicately scented with the most luxuriously fresh and subtle fragrance. Whenever I apply the serum it reminds of being in a relaxing spa!

Starting every morning and night I will cleanse and tone my face and apply 3 drops of the serum to my fingertips and lightly press and tap the serum all over my face and neck concentrating on my areas of dark spots and discolorations. After my first night of using it I woke up with visibly radiant skin. After nearly a month of use I can definitely tell that my freckles and areas of discolorations are much lighter and my overall skin tone is more even. I love this stuff!

If you're interested in trying the Equitance Brightening Serum & Spot Corrector use promo code INFL15 for 15% plus a free Equitance skin care trial kit (value of $37)
-offer expires 11/20/2014, is not valid with any other offers and is available online only.
I do not receive any compensation if you use their promo code, I am simply sharing a good deal. :)

You can find Equitance on Twitter @equitanceUSA and Influenster @influenster.

#Equitance

A Sparkle of Review: Rimmel London's Moisture Renew Lipstick in 360 "As You Want Victoria"

Disclosure: I received this lipstick from Influenster, all awesome opinions as always are my own. :)

A couple of weeks ago I received my first Influenster VoxBox. Inside was Rimmel London's newly re-formulated Moisture Renew Lipstick in the shade number 360 "As You Want Victoria". It's a bold pinky-red color. The formula is so smooth and buttery that it glides on my lips effortlessly with no pull. It is so moisturizing! The color is intensely pigmented and stains your lips almost immediately which may or may not appeal to some people. For me it's definitely a plus! After eating and drinking the glossy finish fades away but the color is beautifully stained on my lips. You can reapply afterwards or just topping your stained lips with a clear gloss would look so pretty. 

This bold pink is usually out of my comfort zone but I found it paired so nicely with a neutral eye look for the weekends. It really pulls the whole look together. I can't wait to find the other colors they offer in this line! Highly recommended! 

A Sparkle of Book Review: The Magic Poof

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book for my review, all (awesome) opinions are my own :)

The Magic Poof is written by Stephen Hodges and illustrated by T. Kyle Gentry.

Avid readers will tell you how easy it is to gobble up a great book and how hard it is to digest even one line of a not-so-great book.  My little bookworms and I DEVOURED The Magic Poof and we're left anxiously wishing for more. 

Without giving away all the surprises, The Magic Poof is in short about a young girl named Ange-Marie (don't worry, the author playfully teaches you how to pronounce it properly) :) and her adventures with her wonderfully animated ball of fluffy hair: her Poof. 

Her Poof has the ability to not only talk to her but to form itself in a vast range of shapes and sizes.

The theme of this particular adventure is getting ready for picture day. How often have our children, ourselves even, have stressed about the infamous yearly picture day? Perhaps it's through this worry that Ange-Marie's imagination gave life to her Poof? Or is it really alive? To me the best part is not really knowing. It's the unconfirmed mystery of the Poof that makes it so fun. 

Imagination is now being replaced by digital "innovation". 

 I haven't seen my kids enjoy a book as much as this one for a while. A book that is filled with wonder and imagination while teaching acceptance. A book that in essence is just so relatable. As a kid I grew up wishing for a best friend that is smart, belly wrenching funny and fiercely loyal. We are all familiar with having an imaginary friend that is always with us; a constant companion. The Poof is that best friend to Ange-Maria.

When I asked my 9-year-old what he thought of The Magic Poof he said he loved how silly and creative the Poof was. He loved how "super" funny  it was and how "awesome" the shapes it made were and that it seemed like such a great friend. I asked him if his own wavy hair could talk what would it say? To this he looked me straight in the eyes and replied, "Mom, my hair would say to me, 'You're Awesome' Duh"! 

I love how the author chose the Poof as the star character. Perhaps we too should be more like Ange-Marie and embrace our unique features instead of hiding or shying away from them. 

In the words of the author Stephen Hodges, Have a poofy day! 

For a limited time you can get a copy for 25% off the publisher's price at www.TheMagicPoof.com 

Connect with The Magic Poof on Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/pages/The-Magic-Poof/100976163429290?id=100976163429290&_rdr

And on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TheMagicPoof

Quick Trick-or-Treat Tip for Toddlers

My little one is so excited to go trick-or-treating with his big brother! I love that I'll get to get him dressed up and walk door to door while he excitedly watched his little bucket of candy fill up. This will be his 2nd Halloween and just like last year I will be doing this little candy switcheroo so that he can go out and enjoy the trick-or-treating and actually enjoy eating treats with big brother later. 

I do not give my little one candy but I want him to enjoy treats on Halloween. That's why I came up with the idea of getting tiny zip lock bags, decorating them and then filling them up with healthier alternatives to the candy he accumulates from Halloween. You can draw on them or stick little Halloween themed stickers on it for decoration. I like to make a bunch and fill each with just 3-4 pieces of either lightly sweetened cereal or those wonderful yogurt drops for the little ones. That way he gets to have just as fun as his big brother picking out little bags of "candy" to open and enjoy! 

Here's a quick example of a couple of the little bags that I decorated, sorry they aren't filled up with anything yet, my husband will be grocery shopping after work! Have a great Halloween everyone, please let me know if you try this idea or share any of your tips for taking the little ones trick-or-treating!

A Sparkle of Review: Wayne Goss Makeup Brushes

Scroll down for Updates on 10/6/13

Welcome! I'm brand new to blogging and have tons to learn along the way so I'm pretty sure I'll miss tons of things I should go through etc. I am NOT a professional, these are just my personal opinions and experiences :). Comments and suggestions are welcomed and much appreciated! 

Jenny

Here's my mini review for Wayne Goss Brushes #'s 1,4,6,and 8.

Wayne Goss is an amazing professional makeup artist that is extremely popular on YouTube. His tutorials are fun and fairly easy to follow due to how well he explains how to achieve the look. You can find him on YouTube at http://m.youtube.com/user/gossmakeupartist

Currently the brushes are currently available for purchase exclusively through www.beautylish.com for the US and www.love-makeup.co.uk if you're in the UK. I believe they are currently sold out but you can sign up for their email notification when they are back in stock. 

Brush 01 $45: 

I had high expectations for this foundation brush unfortunately I don't love it. I've tried it with liquid foundation and the finish wasn't as airbrushed as using my other brushes. Also it made my skin have all these tiny dry flaky patches when I usually don't have any. No I wasn't pressing down very hard :). I'll keep trying it with different products and techniques though. Maybe I'm not used to the shorter bristles when I'm used to foundation brushes that have much longer bristles. Will update when I try it out more. However, this brush performed beautifully for me when I used it with a cream bronzer for contour. It placed and blends the color wonderfully.

UPDATE: I followed Wayne's tutorial on how to use Brush 01 at: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BTemUTcM28Q

Even though I don't have any dry patches on my face buffing the foundtion on in a circular motion does cause some fine flaking for some reason. I followed Wayne's advice and applied it in downward strokes all over the face and it did indeed give me a much more flawless application. :)

Brush 04 $28: 

Medium Size Crease Brush, MUST get if you have smaller eyes (like my Asian eyes). Super soft and easy to blend but its the pointy tapered tip that makes it really special. It positions color on the outer corner perfectly and you simply have to drag it out a bit for that perfect smoky effect. 

UPDATE: You can watch the tutorial for Brush 04 at: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=_Igm414ODks

Brush 06 $25:

I need to learn the technique for using this shape of Blending Brush. I'm usually used to the fluffy domed shaped blending brushes so this fluffy flat shader-ish shape is different for me. It is super soft though so this is absolutely an user error on my part. It just seems to wipe off more than blend. Will update as soon as I figure out how to properly use it.

UPDATE: I am still practicing the correct technique for using this brush, you can watch his tutorial for Brush 06 and learn with me at: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=HShMQaTGhX4

Brush 08 $17: 

This is the tiniest push liner brush ever! PERFECT for me since me eyes are smaller, it gets right in the lash line and between the lashes (if you want) with no effort at all. It will make tight lining a breeze as it fits perfectly on the rim this eliminating spreading product onto the lashes and lid. So far I've only used it with eyeshadow so I need to try it with gel liner. 

UPDATE: OH.EM.GEE ladies! I was already blown away at how incredible this brush was but I'm even more impressed after using it with a gel liner. It in amaze-balls!!!!!! For someone that never really mastered the technique of using liquid or gel liners this brush made it a breeze, I had so much control that I had zero problems creating the perfect cat eye. Everyone that enjoys lining their eyes needs this brush! The tutorial for Brush 08 is at: http://m.youtube.com/watch?v=aM3nFxukpj4

The whole collection consists of 8 brushes. Each are handmade in Japan by Artisans. The handles are sturdy and the bristles are 100% cruelty free natural hairs. 

About Me

Hello! My name is Jenny and I'm a blessed mom of two and lucky enough to be married to my best friend. Since being a stay at home mom after my little one was born I've had time to play around with new products, new makeup, try out new recipes, and even learn about myself. I wanted to create this blog to share some of the little things that makes me happy. I used to feel so plain so average, it took a long time before I realized that "average" is special and we all have a little sparkle. :)

Hope you will enjoy and I look forward to chatting with you all soon!