Makeup By Kim Porter

Creating my Dream Beauty Station in a Small Space

Small Space Beauty Station Vanity Malm Dressing Table

I BOUGHT THIS | AFFILIATE LINKS

Ever since moving into our house, we’ve been told that we have a lifetime to make it our own. Slowly, but surely, everything is coming together. One of the most important areas that I’m making progress on is my beauty station. This area has serve multiple purposes: makeup tutorial recording station, makeup application station, manicure station, office, and etc.

In my bedroom, I have the perfect little corner with a window, which served as the blank canvas for my beauty station. For months I’ve perused pinterest and beauty blogs for ideas on how my beauty station will be set up. A recurring trend in what I saw on the sites I’ve visited were pieces from Ikea. The pieces were either as-is or repurposed AKA hacked.

Seriously, what beauty blogger do you know that doesn’t have at least one Ikea piece? None, right? So, off to Ikea I went to pick up a white Malm dressing table, which would serve as my makeup vanity.

The Ikea Malm Dressing table wasn’t too hard to put together. It took me a little over an hour, which included stopping to tend to my four year old. Lord knows that once kids see you in the middle of something they need you for everything!

Small Space Beauty Station _3

My makeup vanity cannot be bare. I picked up a few items to dress it up a little. I wanted a cuter way to showcase my perfumes, so I picked up a rectangular, mirrored vanity tray from Amazon that holds all 15 bottles of my perfumes with room for more, along with a three compartment brush holder. From TJ Maxx, I picked up acrylic trays to hold my brushes and skincare products. I also picked up two apothecary jars to house my cotton pads and q-tips.

Small Space Beauty Station

From Ikea, I also picked up three Ribba Picture Ledges, one large, and two small. The large one I will use to display my beauty books from Iman, Scott Barnes, etc. The two smaller shelves will display all of my nail polishes. Now, I just need the husband to put them up. I also need to figure out how to organize all of my makeup items.

Since my beauty station is in an area with good lighting, I didn’t have to worry much about that; however, during cloudy days or during the evenings, I’d need brighter lights other than the recessed lighting that’s in my bedroom currently. While attending The Makeup Show New York, I picked up The Makeup Light starter package. The difference this light makes is amazing! Plus, it was so simple to assemble.

Small Space Beauty Station Paige Round Back Armchair World Market

One bargain item I picked up for my beauty station was a chair. To set myself apart from the rest, I decided to forgo the acrylic seating as I’ve seen some other beauty bloggers use. Instead, I opted for a vintage style armchair in plum that I picked up from World Market for $74! It’s super comfortable, and is the perfect height for whenever I’m doing makeup or recording a makeup tutorial.

Small Space Beauty Station

Although it sounds like my beauty station is almost complete, it isn’t. There’s one vital piece missing from my beauty station, a mirror. I have yet to find a mirror that’s both affordable and fits the vision I have for my area. I also want a cute rug.

I’m just happy that everything is finally coming together, and I will soon be able to be more productive in creating more visually pleasing photos, posts and videos. Oh, and check out what I’m doing with my dining room here.

What do you think of my beauty station/vanity setup so far?  I’d love to also hear your suggestions for things I should do and/or add.

The Fragrance Fairy Gifted Me Shalimar Parfum Initial

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Fragrance Friday Fragrance Fairy

One evening while getting ready for bed, I realized there were some new additions to my fragrance collection. Could it be? The Fragrance Fair has visited me! There were two new full-sized bottles of my favorite fragrances: Shalimar Parfum Initial by Guerlain, and Nanette Lepore.

My husband, after reading my review of the Shalimar Parfum Initial sample that I received from Scentbird, and then hearing my disappointment about it finishing went out and purchased for me the Shalimar Parfum Initial fragrance set that came with a 3.4 Fl oz bottle of perfume and body lotion.

Shalimar Parfum Initial

If you remember my review I had my reservations about the Guerlain Fragrance. I thought Shalimar Parfum Initial was outside of my age demographic, and more for a more mature woman, around my mom’s age. To my surprise, after first spray, it quickly became my favorite. I really have to thank Scentbird for introducing me to a new fragrance that I’m more than happy to add to my fragrance collection.

Since receiving the Shalimar Parfum Initial set, I’ve been wearing it almost every other day to work. It’s such a beautiful scent even in the warm weather. The lightness, the soft powdery fresh scent is reminiscent of my other favorite Guerlain fragrances.

Normally, I do not like the body lotions that accompany perfumes in gift sets because they tend to be watery, sticky, non-moisturizing, and at times, have an off putting scent. The Shalimar Parfum Initial body lotion was the complete opposite. The texture was different, and felt like a luxury cream, which I would expect from a brand like Guerlain. It smelled just as good as the perfume, making it great for layering, and helping the fragrance last longer throughout the day.

The bottle of the Shalimar Parfum Initial is gorgeous! I like simple things, and this one is just that. It’s a clear, wide bottle with a blue topper and tassel. I Even in all of its simplicity, it still manages to make a statement amongst the rest of the perfumes on my vanity.

Nanette Lepore for Women

The other perfume my husband picked up for me was Nanette Lepore, which I’ve reviewed here previously. The light pink bottle, with the black and white polka dot bow adds a pop of vintage to my perfume collection. The lovely floral fragrance is one of my favorites to wear during the spring and even the summer, as it isn’t too sweet.

I was honestly surprised that my husband even found the Nanette Lepore fragrance because after speaking with her nephew during an even I’d once attended, I was under the impression they were going to [get rid of it]. Imagine my surprise when I came into my bedroom right before bedtime and found two bottles of Nanette sitting amongst my perfumes on my vanity. The nearly empty bottle from my April 2012 post, and a new bottle my husband surprised me with I’m happy Nanette Lepore did not discontinue this fragrance.

What fragrances are you hoping the Fragrance Fairy leaves for you next?

 

 

 

 

Vaseline Intensive Care Advance Relief Healing Serum Review

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Vaseline-Intensive-Care-Healing-Serum-Advanced-Relief

Serums are a part of my daily skincare routine, for my face, that is. However, I’ve never used a serum for the body until I was offered, through Blog Meets Brand, to try out the Vaseline Intensive Care Advance Relief Healing Serum.

Vaseline claims their Intensive Care™ Healing Serums are not just a regular body lotion. These serums combine the power of three unique, highly concentrated ingredients to moisturize and heal dry skin.

1. PPAR Activators help penetrate the skin to replenish lipids and moisturize to boost the skin’s natural renewal cycle.

2. Elastomers provide a premium sensory experience with ingredients that deliver a luxurious silky, smooth feel.

3. Micro-droplets of Vaseline® Jelly form a protective layer to prevent moisture loss

My thoughts

I haven’t tried Vaseline products in a while. I’m talking about years! To my surprise, the Vaseline Intensive Care Advance Relief Healing Serum did some amazing things to help repair my skin from the damage done during the winter.

First, the light scent of amber and jasmine are what caught the attention of my senses when squeezing out the Vaseline Intensive Care Advance Relief Healing Serum from the tube. The scent isn’t too heavy, and lasts for just the right amount of time on the skin. Plus, it doesn’t interfere with whatever I’m wearing for the day. I will also note that the fragrance is very feminine. My husband, who sometimes uses my lotions couldn’t bring himself to use it because he said, “I will smell like a woman.” But, that’s better for me. LOL.

The texture of the Vaseline Intensive Care Advance Relief Healing Serum is that of a lightweight cream, instead of fluid-like, which most of the serums I’ve used are like. Even without it being like a typical serum, the Vaseline Intensive Care Advance Relief Healing Serum is like luxury in a tube. I find that it moisturizes more like a balm without the heaviness and greasiness.

 

After using the Vaseline Intensive Care Advance Relief Healing Serum, both during the night and day, even after a week of use, my skin showed a noticeable difference. It looked healthy, hydrated, and didn’t itch from being dry.  After continued use, my skin is just amazing! I sometimes catch myself rubbing my legs because they’re so smooth and soft.

The squeeze tube packaging made it easy for me to get the very last drop of the Vaseline Intensive Care Advance Relief Healing Serum out of the tube. Now, I unfortunately have to replace it.

I would recommend the Vaseline Intensive Care Advance Relief Healing Serum to anyone looking to heal dry skin, or maintain healthy, hydrated skin.

The 6.8 fl oz tube of Vaseline Intensive Care Advance Relief Healing Serum retails for $8.99 and can be found at your local drugstore.

 

Vaseline Intensive Care Advance Relief Healing Serum


Ingredients: Water (Aqua), Glycerin, Dimethicone, Isopropyl Myristate, Hydroxystearic Acid, Sodium Hydroxypropyl Starch Phosphate, Petrolatum, Tapioca Starch, Glyceryl Hydroxystearate, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Powder, Citrus Aurantifolia (Lime) Peel Powder, Cetearyl Alcohol, Stearic Acid, Cetearyl Glucoside, Palmitic Acid, Arachidic Acid, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Disodium EDTA, Fragrance (Parfum), Methylparaben, Phenoxyethanol, Propylparaben, Benzyl Alcohol, Butylphenyl Methylpropional, Citronellol, Coumarin, Limonene, Linalool, Titanium Dioxide

 

 

Creating Beautiful Curls with the T3 Twirl 360

 

PR SAMPLET3 Twirl 360

Update

T3, in cooperation with the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission and Health Canada have issued a recall due to the clamp of the T3 Twirl 360 detaching while in use, thus posing a burn hazard.

Please stop using this tool immediately. For information on how to send in your tool for repair, please contact T3 consumer services at 1-866-8880 from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. PT Monday through Friday or visit T3 online at http://www.t3micro.com

Product Recall Link: https://t3micro.com/recall/


Thanks to my iFabbo membership, I’m allowed to shop, and try the latest innovations in beauty and hair care. This time, I had the opportunity to test out the new .

T3 is known for pioneering T3 Tourmaline Technology, their quality hair tools, and innovative designs, which is why I couldn’t wait to test out the , which is a motion-sensing, auto-rotating 1.25” curling iron that features gyroscopic technology, which is used in aviation, space exploration and hi-tech electronic devices due to its sensitivity and precision. In the T3 Twirl 360, the gyroscopic technology helps the styling tool detect motion, which triggers automatic barrel movement with, “Just a flick’a the wrist.” The gyroscopic technology aims to make your curling/styling experience easy.

T3 Swirl360

I know first-hand that achieving curls or waves aren’t an easy task with a regular curling iron or wand. There’s too much maneuvering going on, which can increase styling time. Out of frustration, I opted to use flexi rods in my hair to achieve curls, but those take a few hours to work, and sometimes over night.   Who has time for that, especially if I want curls or waves right at that moment in time? Not me! That’s where the comes into play.

 

Using the @t3micro #Twirl360 to create these beautiful #curls. Super easy and quick! #ifabbomember #hair #bblogger

A photo posted by Makeupbykimporter (@makeupbykimporter) on

 

I’m not going to lie and say that the using the T3 Twirl 360 was easy because it wasn’t. It took some time for me to get used to how it works. Seriously, T3 made it so easy to use the that I was doing too much maneuvering, but once I got the hang of it, I was able to achieve beautiful curls.

 

T3 Twirl360 Power settings

I like that the has a simple design without too many buttons. It’s easy to change the temperature, using the on/off button just by double-clicking it, and then continue clicking until you reach your desired temperature, which can go up to 410 degrees.

The color of the T3 Twirl 360 is nice, too! The body is white, with a beautiful rose gold rotator and clamp.

Overall, I’m happy with the T3 Twirl 360. I am able to achieve beautiful curls or waves in just a fraction of the time compared to when I would use a regular styling iron or wand. If you’re looking for a quality styling iron that doesn’t require too much work, check out the T3 Twirl 360. Should you happen to purchase it, remember to check out the instructional video prior to using it so that you don’t end up like me.

The T3 Twirl 360 is available at , and retails for $230.

Get social with T3:

Facebook | Instagram | Twitter 

 

The product sample was sent to me on behalf of iFabbo.