Wednesday, July 31, 2013

FYI: Brand Updates, Product Launches, Events..

The following is a new Q&A session I was able to have with the wonderful ladies over at Melt Cosmetics via email. With busy schedules in their personal and professional lives Lora and Dana found time to get back to me. Clearly these two know how important it is to keep in touch with their “lil aliens”. Thank you so much again ladies!


Random picture found from internet search I claim no rights to image
HI Susie!!!!

Sorry it has taken us a little while to get back to you! We wanted to work on your questions together!

1. What's your favorite thing about your line? We love the extremely bold pigment paired with an ultra-matte texture! It’s our favorite combination because errbody needs a little funk in their lives!

2. What are you the most proud of from this whole process? Creating a brand that everyone seems to love!! We love seeing our cute lil aliens wearing their lipsticks on their IG tags! We feel like proud mamas when we see someone choose Melt to wear to a special event. When they needed the perfect red for the 4 th of July and they chose Belladonna over all the other reds they had! <3

3.What lines of lipstick did you wear before you and Lora created your own? Our top 3 are: Mac, Nars, and Limecrime

4. Personal fav melt at the moment? Lora’s fav: By Starlight. Purple has been my favorite color my whole life. We take pride in this color because everyone is lovin it as much as we do! Dana’s fav: It’s hard to pick just one! ;) Orange is my favorite color so I have to go with Summer! We love how unique it looks on everyone.

5. You ladies dreamed about the perfect lipsticks ,any future dreams for other products in your line? OF COURSE!!!!!!!!!!! But you will have to wait to find out! Our lips are sealed! ;) ;) ;)



Monday, July 29, 2013


On The Shelf

Overview:
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer Color Correcting Adjust (Green)

Purchase Price $38 + tax

Retailer Sephora

Check out www.smashbox.com for more info

Product Review:

After reading the instructions, on the outside of the nice matte black box, I was excited to try this new to me primer. Applying a pea sized amount with my fingers all over my face I noticed the texture was similar to the Dr. Brandt’s Pores No More. Also to my surprise, due to the color, there was no distinct odor. This product claims that it diminishes the look of pores but for me it did not. It did however give me a porcelain like feel to my skin before applying my foundation. The distinct green color aids in masking the overall redness of the skin by countering it. I don’t know if this would be better suited to someone using a “BB cream” or a tinted moisturizer, and those who do not suffer from mild to moderate Rosacea.

There are three different colors to choose from that aid in color balancing specific to your skin tone and needs. Unfortunately it did not eliminate enough of my redness and I did not benefit using it or did it help in the longevity of my foundation considering the price. I would recommend this for the purpose of general photos, but if you do suffer from any of the above mentioned reconsider.

Monday, July 22, 2013

On The Shelf

Overview:

Eye Kandy Glitter Sprinkles
Purchase Price $7.50 Each (I purchased at the IMATS 2011-2013 for bulk pricing)
Retailer www.eyekandycosmetics.com

Check out www.eyekandycosmetics.com for more info and products.

Product Review:

The first time I applied glitter to my face was back in 2000 and it was an inexpensive body glitter mixed in a gel that didn’t work that well when used around the eyes. Simple reason for this, it was body glitter. In 2003 I found a great product that was only available in a limited color range that worked perfectly for use on the face, more specifically around the eyes by Jerome Russell and sold under the name of Faery Glitz. Sadly it was not carried very long at Hot Topic after finding it. Fast forward seven years and I ended up finding the Eye Kandy booth at the 2011 NYC IMATS. The color selection and packaging made you stop and stare almost as if at the counter of candy shop waiting for the attendant to ask what you wanted. Having always LOVED anything shiny and glittery made this a natural purchase for me.   

The sprinkles come in a plethora of colors and three textures, they even have a mineral line. Having over ten colors myself, some of my favorites are; toffee, licorice, pixie stick, sour grape, and bubble gum. The superfine texture is the smallest in grain size and is very easy to apply. It is great to use as an eye shadow or lower eye liner. I find the fine texture glitter picks up the most light and adds a lot of sparkle. These products can be applied with the tips of your fingers or with a flat brush. Eye Kandy has an applicator brush to use with their Liquid Sugar adhesive which can be bought as a bundle, with a couple of the sprinkle glitters known as their Kandy Bag.

After using these sprinkle glitters for many years I have found that you do need to use a warm blow dryer to achieve the best adhesion when using their Liquid Sugar product after applying the glitter or glitters on top of it. Like seen on one of their T-shirts, “When in doubt add glitter”!

 

Monday, July 15, 2013


On The Shelf

Overview:

Melt Cosmetics Summer

Purchase Price $19 + S/H

Retailer www.meltcosmetics.com

Check out www.meltcosmetics.com for product info

Product Review:
When I heard about this company, the end of May this year, I knew I had to try them and on June 6th placed my order. Of course the reason is obvious why….THAT COLOR! Mind you I am a pin up red or a pink kind of gal but Summer just screamed “TRY ME!” This color made me want to step out of my comfort zone and I am glad I did. The delicious vibrant orange color hit me with a nostalgic dose of past summers, sitting in the sun enjoying a Flintstones push-up pop that was a creamy orange sherbet. Having a velvety texture, super matte finish, and spot on real vanilla scent made it “cootie-tastisc”! Picking a hot humid day in June I wore this walking the boardwalk and it lasted all day with minimal fading, mostly due to rub off from a glass or straw.
Having so many pluses about this lipstick, like being cruelty free and having a list of their ingredients available, what else do you want? Oh wait, they are vegan too. One and only downside I found was the weight on my lips and this was probably due to application to achieve the orange color on my lips.

Twisting a fresh tube of lipstick especially in a new shade is always fun for everyone regardless of age. And this company is making lipstick fun and exciting by having a different shade for anyone to try and melt over.

Monday, July 8, 2013

On The Shelf


On The Shelf

Overview:

Philosophy Take A Deep Breath Moisturizer

Purchase Price $34.00 plus tax

Retailer Sephora

Check out www.philosophy.com/skin-care-moisturizers/take-a-deep-breath-moisturizer,en_US,pd.html


Product Review:

This is one of my absolute favorites and a constant repurchase. This lightweight gel cream goes on smooth and a little goes a long way. Enriched with a blend of antioxidants to help skin from the harm of everyday environmental conditions. I find this to be nonirritating with no signs of dry spots as when I used their Hope In A Jar moisturizer. It leaves a much needed healthy glow. The oil free formula does not contain SPF which is only good for those who get clogged pores from using SPF products on their face. Great to use daily before makeup routine and also makes a great night moisturizer. I did notice it has a funny smell in the jar, but once on the face scentless. Perfect for tweens looking for a moisturizer and for those dry and combination skin. Those in their 30s and 40s needing a diffusing cream will love how it promotes oxygen in the skin giving you that energizing boost.

Thursday, July 4, 2013

Breakthrough Brands

Breakthrough Brands

melt Cosmetics

On May 17, 2013 Melt Cosmetics launched their line. Who are the mavens of these sultry and bold new lipsticks? Lora Arellano, aka Loreleicakes, from Los Angeles and Dana Bomar, a model and makeup artist from Las Vegas, came together proving opposites attract sharing the same vision of what a perfect lipstick should be. Having this dream and with years of makeup and entertainment experience they knew where each other’s strengths laid. With hard work these two ladies made a sweet dream a lucid one we can all share.

They have been, “brewing, planning, and perfecting the formulas and colors for a long time”, so consumers like you and me don’t have those makeup “what ifs”. If combining the most ultra-matte texture with vibrant colors wasn’t enough melt added a mouthwatering vanilla cake scent to boot! Regardless of your skin tone light to dark, with five shades there is surely a color for everyone to rock in their own way. With Belladonna, a seductive red, or Starlight, an unforgettable violet that will make those daring enough shine, you will recognize the instant you see them why they are properly named. A shade of hot pink labeled Stupid Love is extremely far from stupid. Darling, is my personal favorite being a dreamy pastel pink. And of course who could forget, Summer, a gorgeous orange sherbet (or to everyone else sherbert) that looks like it can melt the hot summer woes away.

Totally love this and you see it’s already on my shelf!

This is a brand to keep an eye on so go check them out at www.meltcosmetics.com

Buy and try so you’re ahead of the trend cause surely by the end of the summer everyone’s lips will be melting!

 

Monday, July 1, 2013


On The Shelf

 

Overview:

The Balm What’s Your Type? The Bodybuilder Black Mascara

Purchase Price $19.00

Retailer www.thebalm.com

Check out www.thebalm.com for more products and info

Product Review:

With all mascaras I would always have one problem or another. Having used this specific mascara in a deluxe sample size I loved it right away. It met all my needs; no smudge lines on my brow, no irritation after excessive wearing, and long lasting. With ingredients like vitamin E, panthenol, and bamboo to help strengthen your lashes why wouldn’t you want to “beef up”? Bodybuilder gives a great full volume lash appearance in a jet black shade. I had minimal if any clumping issues, after usage, from buildup of the mascara as it glides on smooth from root to lash end.
As I break into my second tube of this little guy I will continue to buy and rebuy this as it has become my “Holy Grail” when it comes to mascara. People swear by products, try this one and you will not be disappointed. Get that lift and body you need in your lashes with the Bodybuilder!

On The Shelf

 

Overview:

The Balm What’s Your Type? Tall Dark And Handsome Black Mascara

Purchase Price $19.00

Retailer www.thebalm.com

Check out www.thebalm.com for more products and info


Product Review:

Having purchased this a couple months ago it has lasted longer than any other mascara I have used to date. Even after the average amount of use, of other brands, by now I would be having an issue with clumping of the mascara on the wand and on my lashes. I am more than happy to report that this seems not to be an issue with this mascara. Another concern was the smudging on the brow bone that has happened when using mascaras in the past, regardless of price, brand, or being waterproof. This was never an issue of oversaturation of the mascara but the natural oil production in the skin. Having panthenol (a provitamin of B5), olive wax, and rice wax in it seems to be beneficial in being non irritating to my eyes or causing damage to my lashes. After searching for years I have finally found my go to brand that works and does not smudge on my brow. Tall Dark and Handsome gives you long slender lashes in a nice soft black finish that lasts almost all day. Cleanup was a breeze with a simple makeup wipe and a quick rinse. This is one mascara I will always keep in my closet.