Make Up Monday - #iFabbo and #CrownBrush

Hello, Fireflies!

I can't wait to tell you about these brushes...but I'll make you wait for one second while I tell you that I'll have a second post today!  It's my #nailartfornubs post that goes live at 9am Eastern!

About a year ago, I had to be convinced to buy makeup brushes.

I know, right?  My friend Kimberly from Libby's Pink Vanity took me aside at 2012's Make Up Show Orlando and marched me over to the Crown Brush booth and pretty much forced me, kicking and screaming, to buy a brush.

I had only ever used the sponge applicators that came with my makeup before that, really.  And, ever since that fateful day, I can't get enough makeup brushes.  I've since bought more from various manufacturers, and I won't ever go back.

Imagine my glee when I got to try this set of Crown Brushes through iFabbo!  I was hoping for the purple ones, but I'm actually glad I got the orange ones (I didn't have a choice, but you do! They come in purple, white/blue, and orange.)  It's actually easier to see when they're dirty because of the bright white and orange.  I'm much better at cleaning my brushes now, and it makes everything better - from my skin to my makeup!

Up to this point, my fave brushes have been Crown's Italian Badger brushes.  Maybe not anymore.  I am absolutely in love with these brushes.  I don't own any that are any softer than these are.  They are also  synthetic and vegan friendly! Synthetic brushes are easier to clean when you're using cream products, too.

The set comes with the 6 HD Cosmetic brushes, the tweezers, and the case has a mirror!  It zips up to make sure everything is secure, too.

I am still pretty new at using lots of different brush styles, so I love that each of these is labeled with a suggestion as to what they're best for.  Of course, you can use them for whatever you want! I won't tell.

If I had to pick just one, I'd have to go with the Pro Powder.  It's replaced all other powder brushes.  I'm currently using a sample powder tin, and even that big brush gets just enough powder without getting it everywhere, and distributes it evenly and softly.  Afterwards, I can sweep it all over my face and get the excess off.  It feels wonderful.

If I could pick two, I'd also highly recommend the blender.  I'm a blending fiend now! I love it.

If you'd like more information on Crown Brush, you can find them on their web page, Facebook, Twitter, and even Instagram!

Don't forget - I have my #nailartfornubs post that goes live at 9am today!

Creamy Perlier Imperial Honey and Creamy Julep Colorblock #PerlierOnHSN

Hello, Fireflies!

I have a double-feature for you today!  A review of a wonderful cream that I received through my relationship with iFabbo, and a mani I did to go along with it.

Look at this beautiful packaging.  I love when a product's packaging lets you know to expect something luxurious.  This is Perlier Imperial Honey Body Butter.

A Royal product deserves a royal mani, right?  I was inspired by the creaminess of the butter and the gold packaging to do this colorblock mani.

Creamy goodness!

The cream is made with the rare honey of African Black Bees and Royal Jelly.  It is wonderfully thick and rich, but absorbs quickly with no greasy residue.  I can see using this any time of year because it moisturizes so well, but doesn't leave any film on the skin.

The cream is scented with notes of 'honey and Oriental woods' according to Perlier.  And..that's the only problem I had with this product.  The scent.  It's pretty strong, and I'm not a fan of heavy, musky scents. I like the scent of honey, but the 'Oriental Woods' was too much for me.   It lingered for hours, too - every time I raised my hands, I got another whiff of the heavy perfume.  I like the cream enough to doctor it up with some fragrance oils I have, and lighten the scent. 

Here's a closer look of the mani -

Just like the cream, the mani has lighter and heavier notes!

Bottle shot:  Julep Alexandra, Chloe, and Aisha, with a Milani gold glitter striper.

If you're interested in more information, or to buy the Perlier Body Butter, you can find Perlier on Facebook, Twitter, and on HSN by clicking: HERE.  And, even better, there's a coupon code!  It normally retails for $40, but you can get $5 off by using the code: iFabbo5

Are you looking for a new creme for these drying winter months?  I'd love to know if you're thinking of trying Perlier Imperial Honey Body Butter!

Psst! Did you see there are TWO posts today?  Stamping Sunday is a gobblin' good time!

Something Different Sunday - Hydroxatone #AntiWrinkleSPF

Have you ever wondered how some bloggers get "free stuff"?  Sometimes we do get things to review, but, in truth, very little of it is free, because of the work it takes to review and write about a product.  It is nice to try new things I wouldn't necessarily have found on my own, though, especially when I actually like the product!

Today, I have one of those things from my relationship with iFabbo  - Hydroxatone AM/PM Anti-Wrinkle Complex.

Something Different Sunday - Perlier Refreshing Crackling Ice Body Water #PerlierOnHSN

Today, I got to see how the other half lives.  Why?  Because this product I want to tell you about is a pure luxury product!

Something Different Sunday - Getting a Tea-totallin' Tan

The Beautisol Tea Tan Glow was provided to me for review, through my relationship with iFabbo.  Regardless, I make every effort to have my reviews be unbiased and honest.

Back in my sordid youth, my friends and I were all consumed by wanting to have fantastic tans.  We went to extreme and dangerous lengths - Crisco, anyone? - for that golden glow.  Now that I'm older and wiser, I avoid the sun and if I want a tan, I get it in a can.

Enter Beautisol Tea Tan Glow.  I've never seen a product like this before - it's a temporary tan, in foam form, that you apply and then it washes off with soap and water.

I have had people tell me that I have the whitest legs they've ever seen.  I have totally seen whiter.  But, truth be told, I am very fair - and I rarely tan.  If I do get some sun, I may burn, then it just peels.  This is my before pix.  Please wear sunglasses if you are easily blinded.

The directions called for 2 pumps of the Tea Tan Glow for the lower part of the leg.  I added a smidge more.  Work fast, because you'll get a variance in the shades anywhere that the foam sits on you longer than anywhere else.  It wasn't too much of a problem for me, as you'll see in a minute.

This application mitt is sold separately, and retails for $8.  It's pretty thin, but the description says it is washable and reusable.  It did help keep me from getting the foam all over my palms.

Here's the after shot.  In Real Life, you could see the slightest difference.  In pix, not so much.  I actually didn't put any of the foam on my foot.  If you look really, really hard, you might be able to see the demarcation line where I stopped applying the tan.

Did you see it?  Hint - it's just above my ankle.

Here's a comparison shot.  Only one of these legs has the application of Tea Tan Glow.  Can you tell which one?

This is Pax.  She couldn't tell the difference, either. She may want me to put a little on her muzzle, though.  She's gone white over the years. Girl needs some fur dye.

Here's the thing.  I should be THE perfect consumer for this treatment.  I'm pasty pale.  I would have loved to see a nice, healthy glow for my efforts, but the difference was imperceptible.  For all the work it would take to cover legs and arms and whatever else you want 'tan', the payoff just isn't enough - especially if you decide to do a second coat for more color.  Not to mention, you need to avoid sweating, water, and light colored clothing while you're wearing it.  After all is said and done, I'm not sure who the customer is for this product.  It should be me, but it isn't.

On the plus side, it was quick and easy to apply, had no smell, dried quickly, and came off easily with a makeup wipe.  If you needed a touch-up and were running late, this might help you even out a tan line, or give you the effect of a very light dusting with a bronzer.

If you'd like more information on this product, or other products by Beautisol, you can find it (along with their web store) HERE  (affiliate link) If you use the code IFABBOGLOW, you can get 20% off, too.

Do you use tan in a can?  Would you use a temporary product like this one, or would you want something that lasts a little longer?  Or, do you just soak up the sun?

The Beautisol Tea Tan Glow was provided to me for review, through my relationship with iFabbo.  Regardless, I make every effort to have my reviews be unbiased and honest.

Something Different Sunday - the Lilly Brush

The Lilly brush was provided to me for review, through my relationship with iFabbo.  Regardless, I make every effort to have my reviews be unbiased and honest.

The Lilly brush's tagline is 'Save Our Sweaters' and is touted as a great way to save your sweaters from pills.
I, uh, well, don't really wear sweaters here in Florida, so I picked a few other things to try.

My first experiment was a set of navy blue towels that had gotten a bunch of white lint on them that several washings couldn't remove.  Well, neither could the Lilly brush.

My second experiment was with a shirt of my husband's that had gotten a little pilly.

It was so hard for me to take a macro pix of the pills on this shirt, but I did my best.

After using the brush, I could see that many of the pills were brushed out, and the fabric had a 'brushed' look to it.  I later realized that the shirt wasn't 100% cotton.  Apparently, synthetic fibers are longer and stronger than natural ones, and need to be removed or shaved from the cloth.  The Lilly brush is ONLY recommended for natural fibers.

You can see that some of the pills were indeed brushed off.

My third experiment was with some dog hair I put all over some shorts.

A few swipes of the Lilly brush removed all the hair.  I did half so you could see the difference.

No dogs were harmed in the experimentation of the Lilly brush, but he did want to sniff the brush!  (This is Bodie, one of our 4 dogs.  He's a rescue boxer mix, probably around 5 years old, and 50 pounds of attention/love sponge.)

I would recommend this brush if you have mostly natural fabrics that get pilled, or you have a pet hair problem - and with 4 dogs, I sure do!  The brush is pretty compact and comes with a case that fits over the brush head.  What do you think about the Lilly brush?

If you'd like more information, or would like to purchase the Lilly brush, I encourage you to use my affiliate link to their site:  HERE

The Lilly brush was provided to me for review, through my relationship with iFabbo.  Regardless, I make every effort to have my reviews be unbiased and honest.

Something Different Sunday - OWN Serum and Night Cream review

Both OWN products were provided to me for review.  Regardless, I make every effort to have my reviews be unbiased and honest.

Through my relationship with iFabbo, I received the Own Firming Silk Concentrate and Refining Moisture Night Cream to try.

The bottle of Silk Concentrate is a generous size - you don't need much, so 1 oz will last a while.  The serum is fairly light and colorless,  It behaved like an oil for me.

I love serums, and this one is paraben, sulfate and retinol-free.  I applied it both in the morning by itself, and in the evening with the night cream, as directed.  The company says that 95% of women agree that these products absorb quickly.

Apparently, I am the 5%.  I couldn't wear makeup over the serum, no matter how long I waited.  When I woke up in the morning, my face would be greasy from applying the products the night before.

I suspect my skin just doesn't need as much moisture as these products provide.  For a 40+ year old woman, I have more problems with pimples than wrinkles.  I suspect these would work better for those women with problem wrinkles and sagging skin.

The products claim to be fragrance-free, but I wasn't a fan of the smell.  I will admit, though, that I am one of those women that likes her luxury products to be the whole package - smell great, look great - AND work.  The packaging for the cream had a weird rubberized texture that picked up every lint fuzzy and dog hair in my bathroom, unfortunately.  It did make it easier to hold the bottle, though.

After using the products for about 2 weeks and still having the greasy face problem, I decided to use the products on my neck and torso instead.  They are great for a hydrating body treatment.  The night cream made a great hand cream as well.

Both products sell for $24.99 on their website.  For more information, or to order, please click on my affiliate link:  HERE.

Both OWN products were provided to me for review.  Regardless, I make every effort to have my reviews be unbiased and honest.