Makeup By Kim Porter

blog

The Blog

Giveaway Alert! Freebie Friday Sponsored by @SedonaLace

Freebie Friday is here!  Sedona Lace is providing their 42 Color Double Stack Eyeshadow and Blush Palette for me to give to one of my lucky readers/twitter followers.  So make sure you follow me on twitter and enter between Friday, April 8th through Sunday, April 10th to win.

Description:

This 42 Color Double Stack Eyeshadow and Blush and has 32 beautiful bright shadows on the top lid, escorted by 10 stunningly pigmented blushes that come in Matte and shimmer.

 

Dates to enter: 10:00 AM EST Friday, April 8 – Sunday, April 10 5:00 PM EST

 

Rules:

1. Must Follow @SedonaLace AND @MakeupKimPorter on Twitter

2.  Must “at” @MakeupKimPorter AND @SedonaLace with the answer to “What’s your favorite lippie color for spring?”

3.  Must be 18 years old or older (minors must have parents permission)

Fridays @Sephora Beauty Studio: Josie Maran, Fresh, Peter Thomas Roth, and Bumble & Bumble

 

Last week I introduced you to Sephora’s new interactive beauty initiative, Friday’s at Sephora Beauty Studio, which began last Friday continuing through May 27th! All 15 Sephora locations in Manhattan will be hosting different interactive beauty events featuring some of the world’s top beauty brands.

Stop in at your nearest Sephora store to transform your look in minutes with a free Express Service (no appointment necessary), or log on to http://www.sephora.com/go/fridaysatthesephorabeautystudio and find where your favorite brand will be each Friday to indulge in a new look. Services and brands change weekly so consult the online calendar often to ensure you don’t miss out on your favorites.

 

A few highlights for this Friday, April 8th:

 

Josie Maran at Sephora Flatiron, 119 Fifth Avenue, 2 – 8 pm:

  • Flawless Complexion Express Service

Achieve a radiant complexion in just 5 easy steps with the Josie Maran makeup collection that is infused with her signature, all-natural Argan Oil – perfect to celebrate Earth month!

Fresh at Sephora 5 Times Square, 200 W 42nd Street, 3-9 pm:

  • Sugar Lip Bar

Visit the Fresh Sugar Lip Bar to experience award winning age-delay lip care and learn how to get sweet, kissable lips!

Peter Thomas Roth at Sephora SoHo, 555 Broadway, 1-7 pm:

  • Meet Brand Founder, Peter Thomas Roth from 1-3pm

Enjoy an Everyday Eye Treatment Express Service and also be on the lookout for Peter Thomas Roth himself!

Bumble & bumble at Sephora 5th Avenue, 1-7 pm:

  • Express Hair How-To

Learn dry styling techniques from the Bumble & bumble style experts and receive personalized product recommendations to keep your locks looking their best.

 

Review: Josie Maran Organic Argan Oil Moisturizer

Josie Maran Organic Argan Oil Moisturizer

 

Photobucket

 

What it is:
A lightweight oil that can be used as a daily moisturizer and skin treatment.

What it does:
Josie Maran Argan Oil is a legendary oil that’s rich in vitamin E and essential fatty acids, and grown organically in Morocco. Argan oil is known to have many treatment benefits, including hydrating and nourishing skin, as well as toning and firming. It’s gentle enough to use on all skin types and is believed to help with skin conditions including acne.

Photobucket

What it is formulated WITHOUT:
– Parabens
– Sulfates
– Synthetic Fragrance
– Synthetic Dye
– Petro-Chemicals
– Phthalates

What else you need to know:
The oil is housed in a recyclable glass bottle, and purchased from women’s cooperatives in Morocco to support their social and economic welfare. These cooperatives work within a UNESCO biosphere reserve that ensures the protection and reforestation of Argan trees.”

How to use:
Apply this lightweight Moroccan oil as a daily moisturizer, nighttime treatment, and to heal and condition everything from cuticles to split ends.

 

My thoughts:

I’ve tried using the oil on my face, hands and hair.  It didn’t work out too well when used on my face; however, when applied to my hands it worked wonders.  I also thought it worked well in my hair.

Face

I tried using the oil as a daily moisturizer, as suggested.   I already have oily skin, especially in my t-zone, and after applying the oil it (one – two drops) made the area extremely “slick” and oily after a while.  My skin did feel softer and moisturized, but, the greasy feel it eft after a while was a turn-off; therefore, I stopped using it for that purpose.

 

Hands

Since having the baby, I am washing my hands more often than I used to, and I used to wash my hands often; therefore, my skin and nails are suffering, and are dry. Since this is a moisturizing oil, and one of the uses is for your cuticles, I figured I cannot only use the oil when I do my at-home manicures, I can also use it alone on my hands and cuticles to soften and moisturize them, as well as apply some to some hand lotion for extra moisturization.  The oil absorbed quickly into my hands, leaving them soft and not oily.   My nails and cuticles are no longer dry, and look healthier.

 

Photobucket

 

 

Hair

The final way I’ve used this argan oil was in my hair.  The only other oil I’ve used that is similar is Moroccan Hair Oil.  Compared to Moroccan Hair Oil, the Josie Maran Argan Oil is much lighter; therefore, it doesn’t weigh the hair down, which some people have experienced with Moroccan.  Josie Maran’s oil is unscented, which is good since it will not interfere with the scents of other hair products you might be using.  It’s also good for those individuals who are sensitive to smells.  I liked that when used in my hair, the oil left it shiny and healthy looking, as well as left it feeling silky (after styling).


Would I recommend?

Yes, I would recommend this product.  Although it’s a little pricey ($48/1.7 oz) the fact that it has multiple uses, and a little goes a long way.  Both aspects are positives when spending a good amount of money on any product.  Even though it didn’t work well for my face, it did for my sister whose skin glowed after using it.  Needless to say, what doesn’t work for me may definitely work for someone else.

Follow @Josie_Maran on Twitter

 

Have you tried this product or anything similar?

What were the results?

 

Disclaimer: I attended an exclusive event where these products were provided.  I was not paid or compensated in anyway to do this post.  This is my honest review/opinion.

Review: Bliss Poetic Waxing Microwaveable Waxing Kit

Photobucket

 

I’ve been dying to try Bliss’ wax for a long time because I’ve heard so many great things about it.  I was happy to have received it during the QVC Beauty Breakfast event I went to last month.  Yesterday evening, since the baby was sleeping, I was bored, and my eyebrows were looking a mess, I decided to try out the Poetic Waxing Microwaveable Waxing Kit ($45).  I loved the end result.

 

Description (source):

New and improved!

DIY waxers, we think you’ll be pleased to ‘heat’ our new and improved waxing kit, which now includes a microwaveable cup so you don’t have to slave over the stovetop. (Hey, you already spend enough time there preparing dinner.) But even though the heating method is quicker and easier, the wonder wax itself remains the same, able to remove even the shortest hairs anywhere from eyebrow arches to ankles, practically painlessly.

• same wonder wax
• quick and easy heating
• kit includes super skin cleanser and pre + post waxing oil

Purchase: QVC ($39.98 +6.22 S&H) or Bliss.Com

 

Photobucket

 

 

Photobucket

 

 

My thoughts:

Although I only used it on my eyebrows this time, I believe the wax is great.  As promised, it was practically painless, and removed ALL of the tiny hairs.  Usually I would have to go back over with a needle point tweezer to remove any left over or popped hairs, and this time I didn’t.  My skin was not irritated, and felt extremely smooth afterward.

Unlike another hard wax I used (SurgiCare 3-Step Waxing Kit – See post), which was messy and sticky,  the Bliss Poetic Wax was just the opposite.  I did not have any sticky residue to remove.  The hard wax actually stayed hard instead of becoming soft when trying to pull the wax off with my fingers.

This wax is slightly scented, but, it isn’t overwhelming.

The directions stated that to warm the wax, you have to heat it up in 5-6, 30 second intervals.  I found I had to do mine a little longer to get the wax melted into a honey-like consistency.  I guess it all depends on the wattage of your microwave.  Mine is 800 watts.

I would definitely recommend this kit to someone who wants to try an at-home waxing kit that’s pain-free, easy to use, and non-messy.  It also saves you money!

 

Take 30% off skincare from bestselling brands. Enter code APRIL30. Valid 4.4.11 & 4.5.11.

 

 

 

 

Disclaimer: This product was received in a goodie bag from an exclusive beauty event.