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Splashing with Tarte’s New ‘Aqualillies’ Collection for Summer 2013

April 9, 2013 by 4 Comments

Summer is getting close and what’s a girl to do when her makeup slides right off? Talk to Tarte! Did you know that the I ‘found out’ about Tarte’s Amazonian clay products through QVC? Yeah, QVC! When I can catch it, I will watch Friday Night Beauty like it’s a movie.  (That’s how I learned about Argan Oil too.) Anyway, I ordered Tarte’s foundation and brush through QVC. That foundation brush is one of the best purchases I’ve ever made.

Recently, the Tarte team invited me to try out their newest collection, inspired by the Aqualillies! Don’t know who the Aqualillies are? They’re probably one of the most famous (if not most famous) water ballet/synchronized swim companies in the country.

If you know me, you know that I have a hard time with finding makeup that doesn’t slide off my face. I’m also a constant sweat-er. I sweat my makeup off like there’s no tomorrow. (What can I say… my sweat glands are X-Men worthy.) So I put on my Amazonian Clay Foundation and the rest of my game face on, and I headed to the Annenberg Beach House in Santa Monica and took a look.

Aqualillies for Tarte - Annenberg Beach House, Santa Monica

Aqualillies for Tarte – Annenberg Beach House, Santa Monica

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Aqualillies for Tarte – Summer Collection 2013

I met a few new beauty bloggers and got my eyes and lips done by the Tarte makeup team. I didn’t take a picture of my newly lined eyes but Bren of OMGBren fame (hey, girl!) snapped a pic of me getting my new coral lips on.

I warned the makeup artist that all eyeliners bleed on me. She said “Unh, uh. Not this time.” She put TURQUOISE liner on my bottom lid, and IT STAYED ON FOR HOURS. People, do you know what kind of miracle this is? This is like me giving birth to a baby – it’s that kind of miracle. (And I don’t have a baby, so do you see the miracle? I’m barren like the Salton Sea.)

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I’m not beige anymore! I have color!

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My Speck case matches the Aqualillies collection!

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Aqualillies for Tarte – Amazonian clay waterproof eye and cheek palette

The Collection’s packaging is beautiful in turquoise blue and tangerine; I’m a fan – coincidentally, my Speck case matches Tarte’s collection! The big compact is the Amazonian clay waterproof eye and cheek palette. I’m very very very excited to try products that the Aqualillies use – if their makeup doesn’t slide off while doing water ballet, chances are, it shouldn’t slide off my face while working on a client’s social media program. Right?

While I got my makeup did, attendees were served hors d’oeuvres, sweets and drinks (sake, anyone?). Then we were treated to a performance by the Aqualillies!

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Aqualillies performing – Annenberg Beach House

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The Aqualillies in their waterproof Tarte makup!

Best of all, I got to meet them!

I took some video of the Aqualillies and uploaded it to YouTube. But you can play it right here if you want to see their awesomeness.

Major thanks goes to the Tarte Team who generously sent me home with the Aqualillies line as well as Summer 2013 products like the Maracuja Rain Glow body perfector and Self Tanner. I’m pretty stoked to try these products out and use more of Tarte’s Amazonian clay makeup products.

 

 

 

Disclosure: Tarte invited me to this event and sent me home with products. I am not required to write a post but this is an honest recap of my day. Why should I lie when lying gets you nowhere in life?

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SoftCup Pre-Emmy Beauty Retreat at RHOBH Adrienne Maloof’s House

October 30, 2012 by
softcup display

Wish this was invented back when I was in high school… would’ve made life a little easier. SoftCup Beauty Retreat 9.21.12

One of the products I’ll wholly endorse without fail is SoftCup. This product changed my life… at least my week with Marilyn. No, I don’t call really call my period Marilyn. What am I? 12!? (The movie was reviewed by The Movielicious and it stuck in my head. RIP Movielicious!) I think I’ve talked a little bit about SoftCup and its awesomeness in past posts.

Like any new product, it takes a little bit of finagling to get it right. But once you get the hang of it, this product just makes life easier. You’re not rushing to change menstrual products or looking for a bathroom. I don’t know about you, but that’s a major plus. I recommend this product. I use it. I buy it. I love it.

Giant front entrance – SoftCup Beauty Retreat at Adrienne Maloof’s 9.21.12

I was invited to a pre-Emmy spa retreat at none other than Real Housewife of Beverly Hills Adrienne Maloof‘s house. [Who's housssssse? Ronnnnnnn's houuuuuusssse!] I like RHOBH. I think it ranks up there with Atlanta, another favorite of mine. I don’t have a DVR, but I’ll try to catch the episodes on on-demand.

Warning: My photos will not do the house nor the entire space justice. It’s massive. To get to the house, you’ve got to wind your way up the canyon road and guard shack. I’ve lived here all my life and couldn’t believe the canyons were carved out to build private homes. It’s its own little valley – totally secluded and quiet.

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Staring at the back of the house – SoftCup Beauty Retreat 9.21.12

After we checked in outside, we were directed to head to the back of the house and the backyard. There were several sponsors and exhibitors including ZING Vodka, OMG! cases, Bliss Spa, Colorescience, Yoplait Greek Yogurt, and The Painted Nail. I’m missing a few more, forgive me. I saw jewelry and handbag exhibitors as well as a spray tan tent!

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ZING Vodka tasting. Can you spot Kyle Richards? SoftCup Beauty Retreat 9.21.2

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The Painted Nail station at the SoftCup Beauty Retreat 9.21.12

Unfortunately the sign up lists to get a makeover, manicure, or spray tan were super long, and we probably wouldn’t have made the cut. Fortunately, Bliss was available for a hand massages, which I appreciated, being a desk jockey. Servers with trays of light food and mini cupcakes – thumbs up for feeding guests, especially during this hot and sunny day!

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Kim and Kyle Richards – RHOBH at SoftCup Beauty Retreat 9.21.12

While chomping on mini cupcakes, we spotted Kyle and Kim Richards with Faye Resnick. Kim is teeny tiny petite! We also spotted Jamie Lynn Sigler and another actress whose name I can’t remember. Adrienne was rumored to be in her home prepping. We missed her when we waited for the valet to pick up our cars.

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Another shot of the back of the house/property – SoftCup Beauty Retreat 9.21.12

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Guesthouse and pool – do you see the DJ? – SoftCup Beauty Retreat 9.21.12

All in all, a fun way to spend an afternoon at a house I’ve seen on TV. And it’s not a set!

Big thanks to SoftCup who invited me to this retreat! You gals always put on great parties while educating and entertaining guests.

If you’d like to learn more about how SoftCup works, visit their website: softcup.com! You’ll find tutorials, testimonials, videos, and a blog! Or if you’re like me, follow them on @InsteadSoftcup and join the conversation at fb.com/softcup.

 

The fine print: This party was hosted, and this blog post is still my honest opinion. Duh.

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My Face Has Been Jacked Up – Argan Oil to the Rescue

August 31, 2012 by
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Miracle worker for my face. Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil
img src: http://www.josiemarancosmetics.com/shop/purearganoil/organic-argan-oil

I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but my face has been severely jacked up this year. Part of it is because I haven’t been exercising. The other part is… I haven’t been exercising. The result is a f’d up face with blemishes and about 15 pounds of butter. Recently, I decided to go back to running and fixing my face routine. First up, this year’s skincare.

Last year, I tuned into QVC‘s beauty hour. It was an hour with Josie Maran and her Argan Oil. It’s natural, it’s pure, it comes from a plant, etc. QVC has really come a long way since the 90′s when I bought my first product from them… OVER THE PHONE. (It was a Star Wars item…. I know, right!? QVC sold Star Wars collectibles!)

Well, the argan oil? I was sold. I bought a trial size bottle at Sephora to see if it would actually make my skin better and clearer… even though I had oil skin. Final verdict: Yes it did. So I bought the bigger bottle. I’m on my second big bottle.

I stopped using it in the beginning of summer because I thought it’d be too oily and make my face oily. Well, that was a dumb move. I actually picked up more blemishes (and scarring because I picked at my face). So I went back to adding a couple of drops of Argan Oil (mixed in with Oil of Olay Total Effects Moisturizer SPF 15 – my good old standby for daytime). Then in the evening, I used my handy Clarisonic brush to cleanse and a couple drops of Argan Oil as a night moisturizer. Even if I had a blemish, I still used the Argan Oil.

The result – Better looking skin. I gotta say that the stuff helps with fading out my picked at face scars. It also seems to be clearing up my skin. When I wake up, I actually look clearer than I did going to bed.

If I have excess oil leftover, I rub the oil on the tops of my hands, cuticles, and the ends of my hair. If your face looks too oily, then you’ve put too much. Pat a towel over to get rid of the excess. Try not to get it in your eyes! Well, try not to get anything in your eyes – eyeliner, soap, shampoo, hairspray….

It seems there is also an Argan Oil with SPF40 for daytime use, so this may be my next purchase as soon as I run out of my large supply of OOO day moisturizer.

Of course, I could probably just run my way to a healthier-looking face. Bwhahahaha! [No really, I am back running, trying to run my extra pounds off... we'll see.]

At some other point, QVC had a beauty hour with Maureen Kelly, the founder of Tarte cosmetics. She showcased her maracuja oil. Ooohh… challenge! I may try this one out too.

 

The fine print: I bought everything posted here with my own hard-earned cash. Emphasis on hard-earned. If Josie Maran or Tarte would be so kind to gift me an oil, I’d love it but they haven’t so get off my back, FTC.

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Werq It: L’oreal Nail Color in Tangerine Crush

June 21, 2012 by

You know I love me some Essie Turquoise & Caicos. But, like some of you, I don’t like matching fingers and toes.

source: lorealparis.ca

A few months ago, I was at a CVS killing time before a Guster show *love* and noticed L’oreal had new nail polish. There were about 8 colors on the rack, and I ran into this Tangerine Crush color. Uh, of course I bought it! The Wife rolled his eyes – “Are you really going to wear that to work? Don’t you think it’s a little loud?” First – I don’t work at a law firm. Second – I don’t work at Disneyland (anymore). Third – who cares? It’s not like I come to work with chipped nail polish.

L’oreal – Tangerine Crush – under direct sunlight

The polish is a little runny, so it takes a couple of swipes for each nail. I used a base coat and no top coat. Why I choose to paint my nails before bed, I don’t know. I love this pop of color. It’s been my other go-to color of the year.

Don’t forget to use your CVS ExtraCare Card (and join the Beauty Club) to get points on top of any L’oreal deal they’re having… if you’re buying at CVS. Rite-Aid has their Wellness+ card, which also gives points, and they, too, have beauty product deals all the time. You don’t have to spend the full price if there are coupons around. Or you can go to good ol’ Target!

L’oreal – Tangerine Crush – indoors

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