Makeup By Kim Porter

Holiday Gift Guide: What to get the Beauty Enthusiast

This is a palette that I want for myself. Actually, I want/need two; one for myself and another for my kit. I’d prefer this over the Urban Decay Naked palette for my kit because it doesn’t have many shimmer shadows. Shimmer isn’t always the best for bridal. Plus, the shades in this palette are gorgeous.

 

 

LORAC – Pro Palette (Multi) – Beauty
LORAC at ShopStyle

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This is actually a gift set that I want for myself. I love all of the colors, and they are fall-friendly. All of the beautiful berry tones are just lovely.

 

 

MAC ‘Guilty Passions – Lavish Rose’ Lip Gloss Kit
M•A•C at ShopStyle

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I’m a fan of a quality makeup brush, and what makes it even better is if they are affordable. You know how much I love my Real Techniques Brushes. If you’re just getting into makeup the set is perfect for you, if not, check my review to see which of these I recommend everyone should have at least one of.

 

 

Real Techniques Travel Essentials
Ulta at ShopStyle

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Having beautiful skin should be on everyone’s wishlist not only for the holidays, but all year round. Every year I place a Clarisonic on my holiday gift guides. This year is no different. I own the Clarisonic MIA, and I know it works; therefore, once again it’s on this holiday gift guide. Now with the ARIA, and all of its new features I think I want to upgrade my MIA. We shall see!

 

 

CLARISONIC ‘Aria – Black’ Sonic Skin Cleansing System
clarisonic at ShopStyle

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Clean skin is the first line of defense to ensure having clearer, smoother skin. In addition to the Clarisonic, a good skincare regimen is essential. First Aid Beauty makes it possible. I love their cleanser, radiance pads, and moisturizer.

 

 

First Aid Beauty Fab Faves To Go Kit
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With Tria Beauty’s Skin Perfecting Blue Light Treatment (see review) acne sufferers can achieve clearer, smoother skin without the hassle of going to the dermatologists for treatments.

 

 

 

Tria skin perfecting blue light
Bliss at ShopStyle

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It is never too early to start anti-aging treatments, especially when you’re in your 20’s. I love this Algenist Micro Polish and peel. It is super easy to use, and it leaves my skin feeling baby soft and smooth; my skin even looks brighter afterward. It’s good for all skin types, even sensitive skin, which is why it made my Holiday Gift Guide. I also like to use their Concentrated Reconstructing Serum. If you or someone you know like speedy results, try the Targeted Deep Wrinkle minimize, which reduces fine lines and wrinkles almost instantly. Trust me, it’s amazing!

 
 

 

Algenist Triple-Action Micropolish & Peel
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Algenist Anti-Aging Expert Duo
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There’s nothing more beautiful than a smile showing off your pearly whites! GO SMILE makes it easy to whiten/brighten teeth with simple at-home treatments.

 

 

Go Smile Smile Whitening Light System
Go Smile at ShopStyle

 
 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beachwaves look good all-year-round. This is an item I was introduced to at a QVC event, the SarahPotempa Beachwaver. I love it! It makes getting beach wave curls easy peasy! If beach wave curls are something you’ve craved, I suggest picking this up.

 

 

SARAHPOTEMPA ‘Beachwaver’ Styling Iron
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An at-home waxing kit is a must-have item on my holiday gift guide. When I can’t make it to Shobha or Completely Bare for my treatments, I usually end up using the Bliss Poetic Waxing Kit. I love this wax. Out of all the ones I’ve used, this one is the easiest and virtually painless.

 

 

Bliss Poetic Waxing At-Home Hair Removal Kit
Bliss at ShopStyle

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This nail set will have your nails looking amazing for the holidays and after.

 

 

SEPHORA by OPI Tinsel Town Collector’s Set
Sephora at ShopStyle

 
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Disclosure: This post contains some affiliate links. Check my policies for more information.

Holiday Look: Smoked Plum and All Black Everything and IT Cosmetics Luxe High Performance Eyeshadow Palette

This past Thanksgiving, I decided I wanted to look a little sexy, but not overly dressed.  I decided to wear some items I haven’t worn in a long time.  One of them are a pair of sequin leggings I purchased from ASOS about two years ago.  My husband hates them! He calls them “dance twirl pants”.  I paired the leggings with a sheer high-low dress my bestie gave to me from H&M, and my Sam Edelman Viva Wedge Booties I bought from Piperlime.   Those were a great buy! I got them for like $90.

I apologize in advance for crappy pictures. I took the photos with my iPhone.

 


For makeup, I went for a nice plum eyeshadow and added black to smoke it out.  I am loving this IT Cosmetics Luxe High Performance Eyeshadow Palette. The colors are amazing! Review and swatches coming soon!

 

Tools Used

Real Techniques Brushes:
-Expert Face Brush
-Setting Brush
-Shading Brush

Bdellium Tools 714 Brush

Sigma Makeup SS224 Brush – It is now the E40 brush

Sigma SS219 (Pencil Brush) – It is now the E30 brush

IT Cosmetics No-Tug Heavenly Luxe Dual Eyeshadow Brush

Eyes:

Ruby Kisses Eyeshadow Magic Primer

IT Cosmetics Luxe High Performance Eyeshadow Palette

-Venus Love (Lid)

-Plum Passion (crease and outer v)

-Jet Black (Liner above and below)

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer (Review Here)

IT Cosmetics Hello Lashes

 

Brows:

It Cosmetics “Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer” – Deep

Laura Geller “Baked ImPRESSions Eye Palette” – Espresso Yourself

-Dark Brown

 

Face:

Cerave AM Moisturizer

Make Up For Ever HD Foundation #173

Tart Smooth Operator Micronized Clay Finishing Powder

IT Cosmetics Blush Pretty Peony

 

Lips:

Kissable Couture Lipgloss – “Hyacinth”

 

Holiday Gift Idea: Tarte Cosmetics treat yourself to gorgeous: gifts from the Amazon collection

This holiday season, Tarte Cosmetics brings you a gorgeous gift set  from the Amazon Collection.  Tarte cosmetics treat yourself to gorgeous:  gifts from the Amazon collection is a limited-edition collection that includes some of taste favorites inspired by Maureen’s mantra: to always celebrate the little luxuries in life.

 


 

What does the treat yourself to gorgeous:  gifts from the Amazon collection contain?

The treat yourself to gorgeous:  gifts from the Amazon collection is an amazing 28-piece color collection, that is uniquely designed to be given as one gift OR broken into three individual gifting items.  It sounds like the perfect gifting option for a beauty lover, as well as the perfect stocking stuffer.  If you’re into items that can double as storage, you’ll love that the boxes all attach together magnetically to the eyeshadow palette to create a free storage box!

 

 

This is the Tarte cosmetics’ treat yourself to gorgeous: gifts from the Amazon collection open

 

The treat yourself to gorgeous:  gifts from the Amazon collection comes in a cute, fashionably on-trend ikat box that includes the following items:

1.  4 Cashmere waterproof gliding liners (retail $18 each)

-creamy, highly pigmented eye pencil delivers intense color sans creasing or fading.  It makes a great shadow base, too!

-shades: black magic, black brown, bronze & black orchid

 

 

 
 
2. 20 Amazonian clay infused silky-smooth eye shadows (retail $17 each)

-With skin softening properties, these eyeshadows will soften the skin as they provide long-lasting eye shadow color

– each shade (ranging from soft, shimmering nude to plush, sultry smoke) is named after a little indulgence – a reminder to savor moments that “make-up” your own sweet life; like bubble bath and frozen hot chocolate

 

 

 
 

3. 4 Maracuja divine shine lip glosses (retail $21 each)

– plumps lips naturally with maracuja and add a refreshing hint of peppermint

– shades: darling (soft pink with subtle, gold shimmer), genuine (sheer, creamy, pinky-nude beige), giddy (soft, coral pink), and brazen (sheer, bright rose)

 

 

 

 

 

Affordable gifting item

Priced, at $49.98, this collection is affordable, and if you think about it, by splitting it into three items, you’re spending under $20 per gift.  Awesome!

 

Availability:  For ONE DAY ONLY on November 28, 2012 EXCLUSIVELY at QVC and QVC.com item#: A226316 Pre-order#:  A230738

 

Swatches and a full review to come!

View Swatches of the “treat yourself to gorgeous, gifts from the Amazon collection” http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pBEl-gsJ6HY&list=UUuwfD4ch7JFGQHDYv-rYlkw&index=1&feature=plcp

 

Will you pick up the tarte cosmetics treat yourself to gorgeous:  gifts from the Amazon collection as a holiday gift for yourself or someone else? Remember, it’s cruelty-free!

 

Disclosure:  Product was provided to me for free by the company or its PR for review consideration.

Holiday Wishlist: Kim Porter’s Fragrance Top Picks

These are my top picks for fragrances this season. They include florals, some spice, and of course some sexy!!! I actually tested all of these out during a trip to Sephora, hence the reason they are making my list. The Frederic Malle fragrances can be found at Barneys.com or the store. My favorite unisex Frederic Malle scent is the Musc Ravageur. I LOVE it! Whenever my husband purchases it, I sneak and spray some on myself. It is honestly one of the best Fall scents. Also, Frederic Malle has the Carnal Flower Hair Mist ($160.00), which I’m dying to get. I think my pockets are telling me to wait.

I received a sample of the Balenciaga Florabotanica from Coty.  Immediately I fell in-love with the scent.  It is weird because I’m not a real fan of floral scents, but this one seemed different to me. It wasn’t too sweet, and it was sexy.  I was sad when the sample of this fragrance ran out.

Viktor & Rolf is well-known for Flowerbomb,  which I really wasn’t too fond of, but I did end up purchasing for my sister.  When I smelled the Spicebomb fragrance, which is intended for men,  it was love at first sniff.  I’m a sucker for warm masculine fragrances and this is just that!

 


 

With all of the Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, I’m pretty sure you’ll be able to purchase any of these fragrances at a discounted price!

 

Are any of these fragrances on your holiday wish list?