Blog | Page 16 of 225 | Makeup By Kim Porter

IT Cosmetics CC+ Your Way To Radiant Skin! 5-Piece Collection

March 26, 2015 by Kim S. / Beauty, blog, Product Swatches / 20 Comments

IT Cosmetics is back with another QVC Today’s Special Value. This time, it’s their CC+ Your Way to Radiant Skin! 5-piece Collection. This collection, available for one day only exclusively on QVC and QVC.com starting midnight (right now) March 27, 2015 features the following products:

Anti-aging Full Coverage Physical SPF50 CC+ Cream Illumination

This is one of IT Cosmetics’ number one selling products. It combines sun protection, full coverage foundation, brightening corrector, anti-aging serum, pore-minimizing primer, dark spot corrector, and moisturizing day cream all in one. The coverage is amazing, and you only need a little bit. It also doesn’t feel heavy on the skin either.

I can get away with the ‘Rich’ shade almost barely in the winter, but come the warmer months, when my skin is exposed to the sun more, I can see this shade not working for me at all.

Available in the following shades: Fair, Light, Medium, Tan, or Rich

Anti-aging Vitality Face Disc

This 0.78 oz compact features a Matte Bronzer, illuminating powder, and blush that are all formulated with anti-aging ingredients, and is talc-free.

For my complexion, as you can see from the swatches, the only thing I can really get away with using is the blush. .:Womp Womp:. I do love the texture of the bronzer and highlighter. I just wish it wasn’t a one-size fits all palette.

Eye Shadow Trio in ‘Pretty In Spring’

IT Cosmetics Eye Shadow Trios are amazing. They are highly pigmented, and apply effortlessly and smoothly. The Trio included in the CC+ Your Way to Radiant Skin! 5-piece Collection is rightfully named ‘Pretty in Spring’. It features three spring-ready shades: a cream shade; Blissful, pale rose shade; and Serene, a rich toffee shade. All help you create a beautiful, natural-looking, radiant eye look.

Heavenly Luxe Radiance Wand Brush

It Cosmetics has some of the best brushes on the market. I’m happy to see that the CC+ Your Way to Radiant Skin! 5-piece Collection has two brushes in the set. The Heavenly Luxe Radiance Wand Brush, is a soft, fluffy dome-shaped brush to help you effortlessly apply your bronzing powder, illuminator and blush.

Heavenly Luxe No Tug Dual Eye Shadow Brush

This is one of my favorite brushes from IT Cosmetics. It’s a dual ended brush that can be used for many things. I use the large, slightly dense brush head to apply and blend my eyeshadow, and sometimes my concealer. The smudger side, I use to smudge eyeshadow or liner into my lower lash line. This brush is perfect for applying makeup to the delicate eye area.

The combination of the five products in the CC+ Your Way to Radiant Skin Collection promise to help you achieve the most radiant and glowing skin. And then there are the added benefits of SPF50 UVA/UVB sunscreen, just in time for the warmer spring and summer months.

The CC+ Your Way to Radiant Skin! 5-piece Collection will be available on QVC or QVC.com for under $60 ($172.00 value). Product Code: A262750

RITUALS Hammam Delight Foaming Shower Gel Sensation Review

March 26, 2015 by Kim S. / Reviews, Skincare / 19 Comments

PR SAMPLE AFFILIATE LINKS

I’m back with a review of the RITUALS Hammam Delight Foaming Shower Gel Sensation. This unique shower gel is part of the RITUALS Hammam Collection, which features a range of products to help you relax while cleansing, softening and nourishing your skin.

The RITUALS Hammam collection was inspired by one of the oldest cleansing traditions in the world that originated in Turkey: the Hammam. Hamma means ‘spreader of warmth’, and claims to help cleanse both mind and body to promote inner and outer harmony and balance.

The RITUALS Hammam Delight Foaming Shower Gel Sensation is enriched with revitalizing Rosemary and Eucalyptus, which makes for an intensely aromatic, and sinus clearing shower.

Eucalyptus, known as “the healing tree”, has a multitude of uses from being an antiseptic, helping with a cough and cold, to easing aches and pains. I can see why this strong, woody, sweet scented oil is one of the main ingredients in the RITUALS Hammam Delight Foaming Shower Gel Sensation. After applying the foam to my mesh shower gloves, the Eucalyptus is the first thing that hits me – opening up my sinuses, and waking me up for the day. To be honest, I don’t really smell Rosemary at all.

The RITUALS Hammam Delight Foaming Shower Gel Sensation is packaged in a light blue, pressurized canister – similar to what shaving gel is housed in. It’s not only packaged like a shower gel, it behaves like one, too. Foaming up once dispensed onto my damp mesh shower gloves. The lather is creates is amazing! I love that you only need a little to cover your whole body to get and feel clean. I also like that the RITUALS Hammam Delight Foaming Shower Gel Sensation doesn’t strip my skin of oils and make it feel dry. After showering with Hammam Delight, I can go without slathering on lotion.

Overall, I’m enjoying taking showers with the RITUALS Hammam Delight Foaming Shower Gel Sensation, and my husband enjoys it, too. The healing, and sinus opening Eucalyptus combined with the shower steam, make for a relaxing, yet awakening shower. I would recommend it if you’re into herbal scents. It’s spring, which means allergy season is right around the corner. Allergy sufferers like me can use this sinus-clearing foaming shower gel to help lessen the effects of allergies.

RITUALS Foaming Shower Gel Sensations are available in 200 ml for $15 in five other scents: Yogi Flow, Zensation, Diwali Delight, Happy Buddha, T’ai Chi, and Samurai Shower. They can be found at Barney’s or Barneys.com.

Have you tried any of the RITUALS Foaming Shower Gel Sensation Products?

James Vincent talks about The Makeup Show New York 2015

March 25, 2015 by Kim S. / Beauty, blog / 16 Comments

As a budding makeup artist and beauty blogger, the highlight of my year is always The Makeup Show New York. I’ve been attending The Makeup Show New York for the last 5 years, and each year it gets better and better. The classes and seminars are amazing – I’ve taken a few myself. And then, The Makeup Show showcases the best brands in beauty, both old and new.

Every year, I look forward to finding out just what the masterminds behind The Makeup Show New York have up their sleeves. As a blogger, I get a sneak peek inside just the day before the show begins during the blogger preview. This time, I’m providing you with a little bit more insight ahead of time with this interview from James Vincent, Director of Education.

Keep reading to see what James Vincent suggests to look out for this year at The Makeup Show New York.

Makeup by Kim Porter (MUBKP): The most important question first: Will you be wearing your “Diva” jeans this year? Why or why not?

James Vincent (JV): LOL. I probably will be wearing my Diva jeans and a few looks from LA based designer Ashton Michael who always makes me look my best. I will not lie. I love a tight Rock N Roll jean, and for my size, it is not always easy to find things I like. Lady jeans do it. I feel like a big, fat Joan Jett

MUBKP: The Makeup Show New York is now in its tenth year, as the Director of Education, how do you feel The Makeup Show has progressed over the last decade in educating the makeup artist community?

JV: I think in the last ten years The Makeup Show has managed to change the game. Education has always been a part of what we do and now is status quo at all shows. I think we have focused on women in the industry and artists of color and communities that were not traditionally represented on stage or in the spotlight. When we started the show other shows said …”Oh, they do not get real artists…they get bridal or retail artists.” Our thought has always been that we want to be inclusive for all professionals in our industry and give them all a place to come to for education and information and access to the industry leaders and I think we do that now better than ever and it just keeps growing.

MUBKP: Every year The Makeup Show New York has something new to offer, whether its education, a new vendor or product, we can expect to find it at The Makeup Show. What can attendees expect to find and experience this year?

JV: This year we have a week of education to celebrate The Makeup Show NYC 10 year Anniversary. We have our The Makeup show Gala which is a sit down dinner and performance. We have a week of events and parties that end the Tuesday after the show in my NYC Beauty Bus Tour and we have our The Makeup Show book. All very exciting.

MUBKP: With all of the vendors, seminars and workshops The Makeup Show New York can seem overwhelming. What is your advice to someone attending The Makeup Show New York for the very first time?

JV: Prepare yourself. Set a schedule for yourself and follow it. Look online and print out the show at a glance. Make notes on your education first. Where you want to be, who you want to see and what time the class starts. Plan your shopping and networking around that. Be comfortable but represent yourself professionally. Meet your friends and have them help you through and most of all have fun.

MUBKP: Are there any favorite vendors/products you’d suggest are a must-try or kit must have? What about classes/workshops?

JV: They are all my favorites. It is like Sophie’s Choice but I think Ellis Faas and Donald Robertson are very exciting. They are fashion industry giants. I think the Ruby Academy Social Networking panel is inspiring and I think there are so many exciting things happening on our FX and Seminar stages.

MUBKP: You can be honest, which city is your favorite place to host The Makeup Show?

JV: Another impossible choice. NYC is my home and our largest show. LA always has a place in my heart and I lived there for a long time. Orlando is easiest and ends with me with a beer by the pool, and Dallas is new and fun, but I think Chicago might be my favorite. It is the stepchild. My smallest show and the toughest to promote, and to get artists to attend, but I feel like the community there is so strong and growing, and really talented. I want to work towards build a big artist community there and have the show rival NYC in size…But I love them all, of course.

I hope this interview with James Vincent has given you some insight on what to expect this year at The Makeup Show New York, which will take place May 3-4, 2015 at The Metropolitan Pavillion. I also hope to see you there. Stay tuned for my pot on how to navigate The Makeup Show.

Hair Care Tuesdays: Simplicity Hair Oil Review

March 24, 2015 by Kim S. / Hair Care, Reviews / 34 Comments

I BOUGHT THIS | AFFILIATE LINKS

I’m desperate to get my hair growing and back healthy, so I’ll try anything. Well, not anything, but just about anything. When I saw that one of my favorite T.V. personalities, Tamar Braxton grew back her thinning hairline by using Simplicity Hair Oil, I picked up some for myself.

The Simplicity Hair Oil Female Hair Oil Blend is a natural blend of 10 organic and therapeutic oils, along with 3 carrier oils that are organic and wildcrafted. Oils listed in the ingredients include Jojoba, Grapseed, Coconut, Bay Laurel, Sage, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary Verbenone, Tea Tree, Ylang Ylang, and Carrot oils.

The Simplicity Hair Oil Female Hair Oil Blend is described as an all-natural plant oil blend of 10 organic and therapeutic oils likeBay Laurel, Sage, Eucalyptus, Lavender, Lemon, Peppermint, Rosemary Verbenone, Tea Tree, Ylang Ylang, and Carrot oils. It also consists of three carrier oils: Jojoba, Grapeseed, and Coconut Oil. Simplicity Hair Oil is formulated to be light and nourishing for all hair types. The company makes claims that the oil nourishes hair follicles to stimulate healthy hair growth, both of which are my goals.

When I received the Simplicity Hair Oil products in the mail, I began to use them immediately. Desperate times call for desperate measures, you know? I followed the instructions, which stated that the oil, using the dropper, can be applied every other day to the affected area, and massaged in for 20-seconds. The oil can also be used as an hot oil treatment or during conditioning, which I’ve tried as well. Using the Simplicity Hair Oil combined with their Moisture Conditioner, made my hair super soft and manageable.

I’ve been using the Simplicity Hair Oil on my hair line for approximately two months, and I can say that I am seeing positive results. The areas where my hairline was thinning out is starting to become thicker, and I have noticeable hair growth, too. I would show you pictures, but my hair doesn’t look too hot right now .:lol:. I like that the Simplicity Hair Oil is very light weight, and doesn’t weigh down my hair like some oils I’ve used in the past have. It’s so light that it’s easy to misjudge and use too much of the oil.

The oil is housed in a dark blue container to protect the oil from light; however, this is also a huge hinderance because it doesn’t allow you to see exactly how much of the product you’ve used. It’s been two months, and I have less than one quarter of a 1 oz bottle left, and that’s with me skipping days.

Simplicity Hair Oil reminded me of an oil blend I used to make when I was doing my natural at-home treatments. I’d create my own oil blends using a combination of Jamaican Black Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, Olive Oil, Vitamin E, and one or two essential oils. Simplicity Hair Oil, although lighter in texture, it reminded me of my oil blend. Even the smell, very herbal-like, was similar, which I can probably attribute to the Rosemary and Lavender Essential Oils used in it.

Even though Simplicity Hair Oil is working to improve the thickness of my hairline, I do not think I will repurchase the product. At $30-45 per bottle it is expensive! I can’t imagine spending that much money every two months. I’m positive I can recreate the Simplicity Hair Oil Female Hair Oil Blend at home without the hefty price tag. And with some diligence and dedication, I can definitely receive the same results.

If you’re looking for a hair growth oil, and willing to pay the price, check out Simplicity Hair Oil.

Be sure to check back for another Hair Care Tuesdays post featuring the Simplicity Hair Oil Shampoo and Moisture Conditioner.

Have you used hair oil for hair growth?