I am a huge NYX fan! I love this stuff! I haven't bought a single product of theirs that I don't like. This morning I tried the foundation, powder, and illuminator and loved loved loved them all! Not only is this stuff super affordable, but Ulta always has it as a buy one get one half off sale. Who doesn't love a sale?!? This girl loves a sale at Ulta! Obviously :D  I've had the lipstick and glosses for a while but I can't remember if I posted about them before or not. So I added them as well, just in case!

COCKY Thickening Paste
for Fuller Looking Hair

For hair that’s full of itself. This crazy goo helps thicken your ‘do. It’s attitude in a tube.  

• Thick, textured feel
• Adds strength and elasticity
• Provides conditioning and hold  

To Use: For fine textured hair, apply to damp hair and style as desired for a fuller look. For use as a thickening texturizer, apply to dry hair and style.

Go 360° Clean
Anti-Breakout Facial Cleanser

Oil Free with 2% Salicilic Acid. Designed to treat acne, blackheads and breakouts. Gentle and wont over-dry skin. Break free of breakouts with this clear complexion secret. Introducing the Go 360° Clean Anti-Breakout Facial Cleanser designed to fight acne with deep pore-by-pore cleansing. The formula with 2% salicylic acid works with the Super-Soft Scrublet™ to control breakouts and clear blackheads. Now, you can clean deeper than traditional cleansing ever could before with L’Oréal’s most powerful acne-fighting formula + The Scrublet™. Clinically-Proven Results to significantly decrease the number of blemishes, blackheads and acne.

Neutrogena Body Lotion

Body Lotion is a sheer moisturizer that is part lotion, part sesame oil.

This whisper-light lotion glides on easily and allows skin to breathe, leaving it irresistibly soft and supple. Its luxurious formula is enriched with sesame oil to soften and smooth.

Skin feels silky and moisturized.

• Lightweight
• Absorbs quickly

  PLATINUM STRAIGHTENING GELEE

• Hold Index: 8
• Provides superior straightness
• Gives humidity control to fight frizz, flyways, and curl reversion
•  Provides thermal protection
• Ultra-lightweight formulation promotes shiny, sleek, long-lasting results
• Clinically proven to improve hair’s condition

COLOR SAFE
WEIGHTLESS MOISTURE
EXTRA VOLUMIZING SHAMPOO

EXTRA BIG VOLUME SHAMPOO creates optimum fullness and increases moisture to hair while cleansing. It adjusts the PH level of the water for optimal conditioning. Ideal for flat/fine/thick hair. STYLE PRIMED WITH: Botanical Extracts, Vitamin B3 & Lemon Grass

COLOR SAFE
WEIGHTLESS MOISTURE
VOLUMIZING CONDITIONER

BIG VOLUME CONDITIONER maintains moisture and adds fullness without weighing hair down. It detangles and gives hair extra shine. Ideal for flat/fine/thick hair. STYLE PRIMED WITH: Botanical Extracts, Vitamin B3 & Lemon Grass

MOSAIC POWDER BLUSH
DARE
Like a light switch for the face, this medley of five luminizers creates a dazzling glow for every skin tone. The mineral-based formula highlights, hydrates and helps protect the skin. Available in 12 shades.

The Sigma Beauty individual eye shadow collection features a versatile assortment of shades and finishes from our best-selling eye shadow palettes. Each eye shadow has a rich pigmentation and long-lasting wear. Mix and match your favorite colors to create a customized collection.  
7 frost shades    
• Act – frost sand    
• Command – frost champagne     
• Define – frost wintergreen     
• Grasp – frost peach    
  • Oversee – frost muted jade    
• Resist – frost plum    
• Reveal – frost brick red

The Sigma Beauty individual eye shadow collection features a versatile assortment of shades and finishes from our best-selling eye shadow palettes. Each eye shadow has a rich pigmentation and long-lasting wear. Mix and match your favorite colors to create a customized collection.  
3 dimensional frost shades     
• Notre Dame – dimensional frost lavender     
• Vanish – dimensional frost goldenrod    
• Versailles – dimensional frost pearl

The Sigma Beauty individual eye shadow collection features a versatile assortment of shades and finishes from our best-selling eye shadow palettes. Each eye shadow has a rich pigmentation and long-lasting wear. Mix and match your favorite colors to create a customized collection.  
5 sheen shades    
• Approach – sheen ivory    
• Chase – sheen pale pink    
• Elysees – sheen mulberry    
• Escape – sheen almond    
• Publicize – sheen blonde

Youthful Wear™
Cosmeceutical Youth-Boosting Mattifying Face Powder

Translucent/Illuminating Finish - $13.95


1st Ever Cosmeceutical Powder.

Light as air "finishing powder" invisible blends into skin, instantly evening out skin tone and refining skin surface, for a smooth skin texture with a flawless, youthful-looking finish.

acts as a protecting shield from pollution and free radicals.

Works to extend the wear of foundation so your complexion remains flawless.

Mineral Wear® Talc-Free Mineral Airbrushing Pressed Powder SPF 30

Beige - $13.95

Ultra-fine mineral powder delivers impeccable coverage for a flawless airbrushed finish.

Visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles, pores and sun damage.

Hypoallergenic. Fragrance free. Paraben free. Non-Comedogenic. Dermatologist approved.

Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Airbrushing Bronzer SPF 30

Bronzer - $13.95

Ultra-fine mineral bronzer delivers sunkissed color and definition with a flawless airbrushed finish.

Visibly reduces the appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and pores.

Mineral Wear Talc-Free Mineral Airbrushing Blush SPF 30

Rose - $11.95

Ultra-fine mineral blush delivers a radiant pop of color with a flawless airbrushed finish.

Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector B.B. Cream

Light/Medium

Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector B.B. Cream immediately and effectively fullfills your skincare expectations with just one multi-benefit product that combines intense moisturizing skincare + immediate skin perfecting coverage for skin that looks naturally more even, radiant and smooth.

Skin Renew
Anti Dark Circle Eye Roller

Light/Medium

Instantly roll away dark circles.

Skin Renew Anti-Dark-Circle Roller instantly corrects the appearance of dark circles and brighten the skin around your eyes:


• Dermatologist tested for safety
• Opthalmologist tested
• Gentle to skin
• Allergy tested
• Non-greasy

I am working hard on the challenge and gathering up information to tell all. So far I think I've tested out like 4 thus far and plan on doing a new one each day this week. I am taking pictures and trying to use different eye shadows and each day to talk about as well. Hopefully by next weekend I will have them all tested and photographed! So if you can't decide on a mascara after this then I don't know how else to help you decide. It's funny the things you notice when you play attention. I had one of the mascaras smell bad. I never noticed that they smell different before this experiment. Yep... they do though! I'll try to go into detail about the type of brush it comes with and if the product does what it says it does. Who know you could notice so many things that could effect you're buying decision. When I noticed one that I just bought & just opened (so it wasn't bad or old) had a fowl smell I decided I didn't care how much it worked it wasn't worth the stink. But you will have to wait and see the results until all mascaras have been tested. Some have surprised me and others have been a huge disappointment.

I am also going to try and get started on the leave in treatment challenge as well. I have a couple to try and can't wait to give you the updates on those as well.

Also, I've been using the Skin-ID program and have been having some great results. I also have some pictures stockpiled for that as well to write a review on.

And... my sister-in-law gave me a free sample pack of her new weight loss program so I will be creating a giveaway for that as well!

So... Once again I've gone crazy shopping! I have this friend, Elizabeth, in Austin who turned me onto this smudge wand from Pixi. For two months I have searched Target which is Pixi exclusive I guess but could never find it. Even today I asked her for the exact name etc and their website didn't have the same one she had. Oh, the nerve of the make-up world trying to hold out on me! Finally, I decided to just check on amazon and found it! yep! I finally found it so I'm guessing since it was on amazon that it is discontinued : ( Basically this smudge wand is like a liquid smudge in a stick form. You just press it along the lash line and use the spongy tip to fade it out. I've never seen anything like it and trust me I've checked every brand and store for something similar. It's like amazing for someone like me who can't pull off a smokey eye to save her life! This thing is like magic on a stick and I can't wait to get it in the mail! Mission Complete!

Secondly, I was watching this other beauty blog a few months back and she was talking about BB Cream. I had never heard of the stuff before and put it on the back burner. Now it's all over the place! Even drug store brands have BB Cream (look in the face wash section not makeup). To be honest, I'm still not certain what it is... but I ordered some on amazon to try it out. They had one with rave reviews and like 4 different types so I found a sample pack for like $3 - can't pass up a deal like that! This way I can try out all the formulas to see if they are worth buying in a bigger bottle.

Thirdly, I ordered my Skin ID acne treatment program. I took the little skin test online and answered all the questions to find out I was a 25.32.38??? Yeah, I have no idea what that all means but I got a spot treatment, skin smoother, and travel bag for free! The intro regimen came with a foaming cleanser(25), an acne treatment cream(32), and then a container of those acne pads/wipes(38). I started it last night and hope that I can continue to stay on my schedule. I'm suppose to use it twice a day but I just do it at night (shhh... don't tell on me!). I've never had issues with pimples or acne before so having some adult acne has thrown me for a loop! On my temples, laugh lines, and chin I get little white heads in clusters but aren't really noticeable. However, I do have a random pimple in those same areas but nothing crazy or anything except for my neck. On both sides I get these clusters of pimples that make it look like I'm sporting some serious hickey action. I've tried scrubs, cream cleaners, toners, spot treatments etc. but nothing was helping! Many people said to go with Proactiv but I don't have acne per say... it's more like whitehead colonies! So when I was deciding on the type I took the Skin ID test and liked that it asked me about what type of acne and my willingness to adhere to a routine etc. I felt like it asked me questions that really made me think it was the better of the two products. We shall see...

Fourthly, my friend, Carrie, who's birthday is today! SHOUT OUT TO CARRIE - HAPPY BDAY BESTIE! Okay back to the topic has given me a challenge of "whats the best mascara?". Well that got me thinking to the fact that I pretty much stick to two or three types and rarely branch out. But she was with me when I bought the They're Real! Mascara by Benefit and strongly recommended that I not waste my money. Yeah, Yeah... I should of listened but when I get on a mission I get fixated until it's complete. So I bought like three or four mascaras the other day to do a trail test run with. Figured if I had like ten brands/formulas that it would give me a descent idea of what's worth using and what's just plain-jane mascara.

And lastly, I have been wanting a deep conditioner so that was the next task to tackle. I've never really used heavy conditioners because for the longest time I thought they were only for thick, course hair. Well, recently I have decided to give it a try but just on my ends to help fight split ends. BTW-hair cut in two weeks! I'll have to blog about what I want to do since it is kind of extreme. Anyways... I thought I might do a deep conditioner text while I was at the mascara one. Found a few that I am going to test out and give the results of. I will do my best to post pictures in my next review blog but working and writing my book and taking care of 5 pets and a husband is way too much work for me. I miss being lazy! Damn this job getting in my way, but I must admit I have an awesome boss and I really like my job thus far.

Now on to the goodies...

SKIN79 BB Cream Samples Set

• You can get total 10 pcs samples
• 1. Super+ Beblesh Balm Triple Functions Vital BB Cream
  
• 2. Super+ Beblesh Balm Triple Function Pink BB Cream
• 3. Super+ Beblesh Balm VIP Gold BB Cream
  
• 4. The Oriental Gold Plus BB Cream
• 5. SKIN79 BB Cleanser
  

Exclusive By Pixi Smoky Eye Wand - No.1 Black Silver 1g/0.035oz

A convenient eye shadow stick that blends effortlessly to immediately create dramatic smoky eyes. Ideal for on-the-go use and long-wearing.

Benefit - They're Real! Mascara

They're real! lengthens, curls, volumizes, lifts & separates. Our jet black, long-wearing formula won’t smudge or dry out. A specially designed brush reveals lashes you never knew you had!

What else you need to know:
94% saw dramatic length & volume*
90% saw base-to-tip curl*
94% saw visible lift*
100% saw long-wearing results*
*Results observed in a consumer panel survey

Covergirl
Lastblast Length Mascara
(Brown-Black)

Our Elasta-Nylon™ formula flexes without flaking, giving you extreme, notice-me lashes all day long. Our longest brush ever gives you an 80% longer lash look.*

Covergirl - Professional
Super Thick Lash Mascara
(Very Black)

For big, bold, thick lashes, Super Thick Lash is the one. Its Lash Builder brush separates, defines, and reaches for those little lashes so you get thick, full lashes – so easy, so beautiful!

Covergirl - Professional All-In-One Waterproof Mascara
(Black-Brown)

This smudge-resistant, smear-resistant mascara magnifies lashes with a natural effect! Professional Mascara's pro-glide brush finds lashes you didn't know you had, for a great look without the usual clumps or globs.

Maybelline - Volume Express One-by-One Mascara
(Very Black)


Why You'll Love It Finally, bold volume without any of the bulk.
• Patented Lash Catcher™ brush has 3 bristles per lash to make every lash count
• Catches, coats and de-clumps each lash to make them all fatter and flirtier
• Instant clump-free volume
• Contact lens safe and ophthalmologist-tested
• Washable, also available in Waterproof formula

Loreal Paris
Voluminous Naturale
(Blackest Black)

L’Oréal Paris introduces Voluminous® Naturale Mascara, for lashes with natural-looking volume and perfect definition. Its lightweight volumizing formula glides on smoothly and evenly to each and every lash to enhance fullness. And, the patented Volumizing Definition Brush perfectly builds and defines lashes, without clumps. - Smudge-proof, flake-proof and fragrance-free. - Ophthalmologist-tested and allergy-tested. - Suitable for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers. - Water-resistant.

Loreal Paris
Original Voluminous Mascara

Get longer, thicker, and bold eyelashes with the high volume LOreal Paris Voluminous Mascara. This fragrant-free LOreal mascara thickens your eyelashes by five times their original thickness. This ophthalmologist- and allergy-tested mascara prevents clumps, flakes, and smudges. This sensitive eyes mascara is formulated with Ceramide R that makes your eyelashes smooth and strong, and vitamin Panthenol that helps condition your lashes. A major highlight of this mascara is that it is safe for sensitive eyes and contact lens wearers too.

LOreal Paris Voluminous Mascara

Resists Clumping

Builds Lashes to 5X Their Natural Thickness.

Patented Volume Maximizing Brush Thickens

Ophthalmologist and Allergy Tested

Suitable For Sensitive Eyes and Contact Lens Wearers

Maybelline - Full n' Soft
(Very Black)

Why You'll Love It • Builds full, healthy-looking lashes without the brittle feel
• Prevents loss of lashes with Quick Dissolve System that allows easy mascara removal
• Advanced thickening formula with Vitamin E helps to soften and nourish lashes
• No clumps, no globs
• Contact lens safe and hypoallergenic
• Washable, also available in Waterproof formula

Maybelline - Lash Discovery
Mini Brush Mascara
(Very Black)

Why You'll Love It • Exclusive mini-brush allows you to get hard-to-reach lashes – from corner to corner, root to tip and the bottom, too!
• Contact lens safe and hypoallergenic
• Washable, also available in Waterproof formula

Garnier Fructis
Daily Care Silky Secret Leave-In

Get an extra boost of strength and energy from the Daily Care Silky Secret Leave-In.

Works deep to strengthen the hair and conditions the surface for a healthy shine.

Gentle enough for everyday use.

Suave Professionals
Waterless Foam Shampoo

This waterless foam shampoo, with aloe leaf and jajoba, revives dry and curly hair between washes. No water needed.

Stylist Recommendation: Pump foam 1-2 times into your hands. Spread product through dry hair, starting at the ends and working your way up the hair. Repeat if necessary. Absorb excess product with a towel. Helps to revive curls and moisture for smooth, tousled definition between washes.

Garnier Fructis
Triple Nutrition 3-Minute Undo

Transform your hair with the most intense nourishment yet from the Triple Nutrition 3-Minute Undo Dryness Reversal Treatment

Nourishes hair to the core. Hair shines from within.

The ultra-rich texture nourishes deeply for stronger, healthier hair.

Dove Nutritive Therapy
Nourishing Oil Care
Daily Treatment Conditioner

Dual-action formuation: For 3X the nourishing power of our regular conditioner.*

White Stripe–Contains conditioner that seals cuticles to lock in nutrients and smooth frizz.

Gold Stripe–With Weightless Nutri-Oils, deeply nourishes and replenishes essential nutrients without a greasy feel.

Instant deep nourishing power of a treatment in the time of a conditioner for amazing smoothness, softness and shine.

Product #1    NYC - New York Color
                 Smooch Proof 16 Hour Lip Stain
                     in Persistent Pink

Product Description:
NYC New York Color Smooch Proof 16HR Lip Stain stays put, providing a sheer to intense flush of color that sticks around longer than most guys in the City. This is no on-again, off-again relationship. Color stays faithful for up to 16 hours. Looking for happily ever after for a very happy price? Let your lips do the charming!

My Review:
I picked this up because lately I have been addicted to lip stains. This was half the price of the other name brand lip stains out there so I decided to give it a try. I am happy that I did because I loved it! The color was so cute and the stain glided on smoothly. However this one didn't come with a clear balm or moisturizing pencil formula so I had to put some clear balm/gloss over it. You don't have to but I thought it made the color pop more. For only like $5 I couldn't pass up trying this product. I have some berry colors and mauve colors and a pink color from other brands but this was the pink I thought I was buying (unlike the others). It came out the color the tube was and that saves a lot of time and money. The last hot pink I picked out was disappointing because it showed up differently on my lips then what I expected. I'm happy to say that these bargain products have been showing up some of the major brand names! I was looking at more colors tonight but decided to put it back so that I could get some new items to test out.

Product #3    NARS
                  Blush-Bronzer Duo (Orgasm/Laguna)

Product Details:
Our most dynamic duo of signature cheek shades for achieving the ultimate in sun-kissed radiance. The Blush/Bronzer Duos deliver a healthy bronzed glow and a radiant flush of blush.

• Iconic shades ideal for all skin tones
• Natural looking, imperceptible finish
• Made with transparent pigments to avoid heaviness on the skin

My Review:
I follow a great makeup artist who posts videos on Youtube and she raves about these two products so when I found a combo I was over the moon! This little duo cost $40+ and it was a hard purchase to make to be honest. Well not at the time but now I think I might of been a tad impulsive. I haven't really tested out the bronzer but it is way way way lighter than it looks in the picture. I'd still go light and layer it on but it's not as scary as it looks. The blush is a shimmer pink that has gold undertones. It's very pretty but I don't think this duo was worth buying. The blush looks way better when layered on top of a deeper color but doesn't give me the effect I wanted by itself alone. Once again I got suckered into a product that really doesn't work for me. If you have the extra cash by all means go crazy! Like I've said a million times - I LOVE BLUSH! I LOVE DEEP COLORS THAT POP! This was a great duo but just not for me and not for the cost.

Product #1    -    Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Sleek
                       Finish 5-in-1 Serum Spray

Product Description:
A Garnier Fructis Style first, Sleek Finish 5-in-1 Serum Spray gives the benefits of multiple styling products in one easy-to-use spray. Formulated with the smoothing power of argan oil from Morocco, the innovative fine mist aerosol provides instant smoothing, eases frizz, fights humidity, eliminates fly-aways and adds luminous shine.

How to use: Hold can 10-12 inches from hair and spray lightly over dry hair. For best results use the Garnier Fructis SLEEK & SHINE System of shampoos and conditioners.

My Review:
Rule number 1 - READ THE LABEL!!! no, scratch that, READ IT TWICE!!! I picked this up thinking it was a friz controlling hairspray but I was wrong! And of course I glanced at the label and say the 10-12 inches and thought, whatever! Don't WHATEVER this product! It will make your hair silky looking but if you spray too close and too much then you get a greasy hair! Trust me - this is NOT a hair spray by any means and if I took the two minutes to actually read the labels before using it I might of had a different outcome. I went crazy mad spraying this stuff like 4 inches from my scalp then tossed the bottle aside, looked in the mirror and wanted to cry! I had just washed, dried, and flat ironed my hair and I totally greased it back up! I have thin hair and this stuff is just too powerful for my baby fine strands. If you have thick or course hair then go at it but be cautious! I can not stress enough that this is strictly a shine spray and very potent.

Product #3    NYX
                  10-Color Eyeshadow Palette
                       in Caviar & Bubbles

Product Description:
Craving purple peepers? New takes on neutral? Or shades handpicked to flatter your eye color? You asked—and we delivered. After so many NYX fans requested an eye palette containing 10 eye shadows, we designed this version.

Look no further than these scintillating eye shadow palettes inspired by runway trends and modern style. Available in 16 different color combinations, and sleek enough to fit into a clutch, you’ll likely want more than one. The shades are wearable, covetable and fashionable. Expect rich, lasting pigments and glamour.

My Review:
I found this on sale at Ulta (Buy one get one half off) and couldn't pass up the great deal! It was only $10 so I got this and some blush which I will review next. As previous stated in my beauty blogs I have been on the hunt for a neutral eye shadow palette and finally found one that I like for a reasonable price. Not everyone can buy expensive eye shadow palettes so this is a wonderful substitute for those on a budget or just love a good deal like me! So far I've only used a few of the colors but they looked great to me! Nothing special or anything but overall it was a great find and met the purpose of neutral colors. I would probably buy some of the others colors on a future shopping trip.

Product #5    Maybelline
                  Dream Bouncy Blush in Hot Tamale

Product Description:
Now, blush has bounce! Revolutionary powder-gel formula. In 10 shades.

Freshest flush ever:
• Revolutionary gel formula provides a new bouncy texture.
• Lightweight like a powder, yet melts seamlessly into skin like a cream
• Natural sheer wash of color that is buildable for greater color intensity
• Dermatologist tested, Allergy tested
• Non comedogenic

For Best Results With your fingertips, blend a small amount of blush onto the apples of your cheeks, applying from your cheekbones to your temples. To build color intensity, apply more blush.

My Review:
I sat there trying to pick a color and for some reason this Hot Tamale color kept screaming, "HEY NIKKI! BUY ME! TRY ME OUT!" So of course I listened to the little voice in my head and bought this color even though my intentions were to buy a hot pink color for the summer time. This is a weird mixture of red and pink - you'd have to see it to get it but it's a very intriguing color. The texture is also strange but unique to use. I just lightly tapped the spongy blush and blended it from my cheeks to my temples just like the instructions implied. See this time my intuition was right for one on how to use the product without reading the label. It's something that you just have to try and I really liked it. I don't know if I'd spend the money to buy other colors but I'm happy I tried this one out. Like I said, that color just yelled at me to give it a go and I'm happy I did because I've never ran across a powder blush this color. I'd say if you are a blush lover like me then give it a go!

I will get to reviewing some of the products I've been testing out. Sorry but I've been so busy editing my book and it is my priority at the moment.

On a happier note I have asked my friend, Valerie, to be a guest on my Beauty Blog! She is an amazing make-up artist and we plan on getting together soon to make a make-up tutorial!!! She is in the process of creating a bio for me to upload along with some still shots of her gorgeous work. I'm super excited to take this Beauty Blog to the next level and know that Valerie will be a great addition : )