Organic Makeup Girl

So many great things can be said about this product! Before I get to them, let me start off by explaining exactly what this product is because you have never seen anything like it before. Seriously! This is a moisturizing lotion that is oil-free with SPF 15.

Initially, when squeezed out of the tube, the lotion appears white. However, when it is rubbed and blended into the skin, it adds an incredible glow, and offers an effect similar to the results you might get from using a tinted moisturizer.

I love the results that I get from using VitaZing and in my opinion, my skin looks more radiant when I use this instead of my other face products. So, you might be wondering, what is so special about VitaZing?

1. It is an awesome substitute for foundation. The lotion goes on smoothly, blends in  completely and provides a great base for additional makeup.

2. One lotion fits all skin types. Anyone can use this lotion! VitaZing eliminates the necessity to match your skin to a foundation. This is especially important to me during the summer months when I tend to need foundations and face products that are a bit darker to suit sun-kissed skin.

3. A little goes a long way. You do not need a palm full of VitaZing to achieve a pretty glow! Dot the product on cheeks, chin and forehead, blend in with you fingertips and you are good to go. 

4. You skin will look like it is literally glowing. In my opinion this is perfect for anyone who cannot get outside! It will make you look like you just returned from a sunny vacation.

5. SPF 15 is a plus.

6. Oil-free formula makes it suitable for all skin types.

7. It is moisturizing without being too heavy.

8. Light, fresh scent that is invigorating and pleasant.

You can purchase this at Origins (I bought mine on 5th Ave in NYC,) Macy’s, or online at http://www.origins.com/index.tmpl.

x0x0,

Katie

Follow me twitter:  @0rganicmakeup :]

Quality brushes are essential to the application of makeup (unless of course you prefer your fingers, which is perfectly acceptable). I am sure we have all experienced the horrors of cheap brushes: stray bristles on your face, “scratchy” bristles, sparse bristles, etc. The range of brushes available is astonishing, ranging from incredibly inexpensive to ridiculously pricey. I have found that price is not a great indicator for quality when it comes to purchasing brushes. For example, E.L.F. makeup brushes sell for $1 and their eyeshadow brushes are awesome! Another example of cheap (in terms of price) brushes are EcoTools – these brushes are made of sustainable bamboo and have the softest bristles that I have ever encountered. BareMinerals brushes are a bit more expensive but also excellent. Sigma brushes are awesome too, a full set of brushes can be purchased for less than $80. Sigma brushes are a great starting point in building a brush collection – they offer a great range of products at a modest price.

Although I have a decent collection of brushes, I found the Sigma Complete Kit to be a necessary purchase for me because it contains every type of brush for the application of eye and face makeup. (I purchased this kit with a coupon. I always check http://www.retailmenot.com/ when purchasing online – the second it takes to look up a promotion code is worth it because it can yield great savings). So I received a total of 12 brushes:  Small Angle E65, Medium Angled Shading  E70, Large Shader  E60, Pencil E30, Large Angled Contour  F40,  Large Powder F30,  Duo Fibre  F50, Foundation F60,  Concealer F70, Tapered Blending E40,  Eye Shading  E55,   and Eyeliner  E05. The brushes came in a classy black mesh drawstring  pouch. I also received a free gift (every purchase over $30 gets one!), which is an E25 travel size brush. There was an insert with the brushes too which contains information on brush cleansing (it is absolutely essential to clean your brushes).

I am impressed with the quality of these brushes and am already enjoying them! This set can also be purchased with a brush roll (for an extra $20). This was not necessary for me because I prefer to store my brushes in decorative mugs. This is a matter of preference, if you would prefer a roll, go for it, at the very least it will allow you to travel with your brush set.

I think that investing in good brushes is a necessity! If you are willing to purchase quality makeup, splurging on great tools and brushes to use in conjunction with your products is definitely essential.

If you are interested in Sigma products, check out their website: http://www.sigmabeauty.com/Default.asp

Let me know what you think!

xx,

Katie

I finally got a NAKED palette! This Urban Decay Palette has been really difficult to get a hold of – they have been sold out since the summer. I purchased mine on the Urban Decay website, at http://www.urbandecay.com/index.cfm. I checked back almost daily to see if it had been restocked and one day it had been! I was so excited that I immediately purchased it. The palettes sold out again but I am sure they will be restocked soon.

So this is what the palette looks like: It contains 12 eyeshadows, a mini original primer potion, and a double sided eyeliner. At $48, it is a GREAT deal! The eyeshadows are highly pigmented and long-lasting. This neutral palette is great for creating a smokey eye, a natural eye or experimenting with single shades. The shadows range from matte to shimmer and the versatility is a very nice feature of this product.

I adore Urban Decay & this palette! If you are interested in reading more about what I think of Urban Decay products, click here: http://organicmakeupgirl.com/review-urban-decay-stardust-eyeshadow/

xx,

Katie :]

LUSH products are fabulous!  In this LUSH haul I am going to describe some of the products that  have been recently purchased. Some of the products are repurchases and others are new to me.  If you want to check out a previous Lush haul of mine, click here: http://organicmakeupgirl.com/lush-haul/.

So this time I purchased 3 Winter Bath Bombs, 3 Stepping Stone Foot Scrubs, 1 Ultrabland Cleanser Cream and 1 You’ve Been Mangoed Bath Melt. The total cost of the purchase was approximately $40.

Bath Bombs are awesome for creating a scented bath. I usually use 1 bath bomb per every 1-2 baths. Bath bombs are luxurious! If you are new to LUSH I think that bath bombs are a great place to start. I recommend trying Butterball.

The Stepping Stone foot scrub is a repurchase for me. I am not a huge fan of pampering my feet – I leave that to the lovely ladies at my nail salon but I make an exception for this product. The food scrub feels incredibly good while you are using it and leaves your skin smooth and scented.  It is a great time to get into this product because we are on the brink of flipflop season! Also, this foot scrub feels amazing post-workout!

The last two products – the Ultrabland Cleanser and You’ve Been Mangoed Bath Melt were initially sent to me as samples with a previous purchase. I loved both of these products so much that I absolutely had to get the full size! (Another awesome fact about LUSH: They send you two free samples with every purchase!) The You’ve Been Mangoed Bath Melt smells summery and leaves the skin moisturized (I only use a little piece in the tub because I try to make it last!). The Ultra Bland Cleanser is the best eye makeup remover I have ever found.

The two samples I received with this order: Banana Moon Soap and Queen of Hearts Soap. I have not used either of these yet but I am excited to! I am usually not a fan of banana scented products but so far both of these soaps seem pretty impressive.

My LUSH tips for you:

• If you are going to purchase a massage bar or solid shampoo bar, definitely invest in a tin (they are inexpensive and reusable)
• Use the samples that you get as hand soap by the sink
• Display your LUSH products in your bedroom or bathroom, not only do they smell lovely but they also look pretty (I use a bowl but I like the idea of using a cupcake tree to display them)

I love LUSH! My next order has already been placed!  :) Check out http://www.lushusa.com/shop/ and place your own order. Let me know what you think!

xx,

Katie

Some new Zoya nail polishes arrived today! I am so excited.

The colors are (from left to right): Sabrina, Ali, and Audrina. They were $7 a piece plus shipping & handling.

I am wearing (3 coats of) Sabrina on my nails right now – it is a gorgeous neutral pink. It is great for work because it looks professional but it is also pretty for anytime.

Zoya Ali is a matte neon pink. A shiny topcoat is a must for this polish if you are not into mattes!

Zoya Audrina is reminiscent of Essie Big Spender for me. I love it and this will be my staple spring color.

Check out my previous Zoya nail polish post at http://organicmakeupgirl.com/zoya-nail-polish/. Purchase Zoya nail polish online at http://zoya.com/.

xoxo Katie

I have decided to start 2011 off with a new skincare routine/regimen. This was a pretty big decision for me! I am trying to finish up all the products I currently own in the next 2.5 weeks. It will feel good to start fresh & I would encourage others to try my strategy out too if it sounds like something you might be interested in.

As a side note, I just wanted to say that I have been most faithful to Burt’s Bees and Neutrogena over the years but have tried so many (including: Cetaphil, Aveeno, Clean & Clear, Clearasil, Noxzema, Biore, Korres, Murad, Kiss My Face, Burt’s,  Alba, The Body Shop, Etc.) The brand that I am turning to for my 2011 skincare is Philosophy. There is so much buzz about this brand — I want to experience what it is all about! Oprah named Hope in a Jar one of her 25 favorite things of 2010. I purchased the kit pictured below at Sephora, it is called the Philosophy Makeup Optional Skin kit.

My expectations for the products within are really high! The kit comes with Purity face cleanser, Hope in a Jar moisturizer, 3 face peels, a serum and a cream for the eyes/lips. I am so excited to try out these products! The skin regimen will commence with the new year & I will review the products shortly thereafter.

My hopes for the new skincare regimen: less breakouts, diminish acne scars, some overall firming, and pretty skin that is makeup optional. I will let you know how it goes – join me if you like! :)

x0 Katie

Everything about this palette makes me happy. The packaging aesthetically pleasing and functional, the products within are awesome, and it is portable. Urban Decay palette are fabulous! I received this as a gift and loved it!  [Rating: 4.5/5]

The NYC theme of the package is trendy, bright & cute. It also feels like it is made well so it should hold up for a long time.

The top opens up to display a pop-up NYC scene, with the Brooklyn Bridge, a yellow taxi, the Empire State Building, etc. In the back of the scene is a great mirror. Lights are scattered about to display the awesome image.

Inside the palette, there are 16 Urban Decay eyeshadows. As you know from a previous post (http://organicmakeupgirl.com/review-urban-decay-stardust-eyeshadow/) I love Urban Decay eye products. This palette contains Perversion, Uzi, Loaded, Kush, Midnight Cowboy Rides Again, Last Call, Rockstar, Money, Haight, Maui Wowie (personal favorite), Smog, Bordello, Radium, Snatch, Suspect, and Psychedelic Sister. In addition, there are two 24/7 Glide On eye pencils and one mini primer tube of Primer Potion (*This is the one downside – I wish it had a full-size tube of primer potion because there is definitely not enough of it in a mini tube for this palette!).

I LOVE this palette! It is limited edition and at $54.00 a great buy! You definitely get what you pay for: great colors, awesome quality makeup & cute packaging.

x0 Katie

Stila Custom Color Blush

(1.5/5)

As soon as I saw this Stila blush I needed it. A blush that suits every skintone? Impossible!!! At $20.00 I thought it was pricey but decided it was worth it. And now I will warn you: do not make the same mistake I did! Save your $20.00!

This blush is disappointing and unflattering. I have used it on several different skintones and types of skin to see if my expectations held true and they did. I do not find the product to be universally flattering. The color does not seem to be custom! In fact, even when I apply the blush alone there is little variance in the pink hue.

The product creates a bright pink, matte finish. It is possible to blend out the color but it still seems very vibrant and flat. It is quite expensive for the amount of product you actually get. I have no received any compliments on it and subsequently, try to avoid using it. Lastly, in my opinion this blush does not look natural which makes it easy to pass up when I have the option of using other blush products!

Skip Stila Custom Color Blush – I regret buying it! http://www.stilacosmetics.com/product_detail.asp?pmid=786

x0 Katie

Have you ever thought about how makeup might affect your overall health? Well, lucky for you I have. :) And although I am not a physician, this is a subject which I have spent hours researching, reading about, and educating others on. I am excited to share what I know with you and I promise to keep it snappy!

The chemicals in cosmetic products have the potential to lead to serious health risks and concerns, like cancer, reproductive problems, respiratory issues, and many, many more. So you might think you are exempt because you use really expensive products or you have been using the same products for years and never had a problem but you are not. Sadly, although it seems unbelievable that no one is watching out for your safety when it comes to cosmetics, it is the truth.

Makeup, perfumes, and beauty products are manufactured and made available to consumers. At this time there is no governing entity dedicated to ensuring that all products sold are safe to use, apply, dab, pat, lather, spritz, rub, spray or smother onto your body. This is scary because women + men alike might use multiple products a day — think shampoo, conditioner, toothpaste, mouthwash, lotion, powder, deodorant, hand cream, toner, hairspray, hair gel, makeup primers, foundation, powder, blush, concealer, eyeshadow, mascara, lip gloss, lipstick, etc. You are encountering chemicals on a daily basis. And so is your family, and your friends…

(Hopefully) I have scared you. But there is hope, which comes in the form of a website which rates products on a scale of 1-10 (10 being the most toxic) and breaks down the potential “side effects” of use. You can search (by brand, type, category) for products and determine the overall safety of them here. For example, if you wear Britney Spears Curious perfume and wondering how safe the product actually is, you might be surprised to find on the website that it is incredibly harmful to your health. This particular perfume happens to get a 10, which means that it is has the potential to be very, very harmful and could lead to a wealth of diseases and health problems.

This fabulous website is: http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/ and I challenge you to research at least two or three products that you use (to start). Let me know what you research! Leave a comment, send me an email or a tweet. I have a feeling that you might be curious about other products you use too and make great use of this awesome tool. It is comforting to know that there is a community of people concerned about this issue too! Cosmetic safety is not something to be taken lightly.

However, learning about the risks of using conventional cosmetics can be daunting and disheartening. I often feel a tremendous sense of guilt when I purchase a product that I know is harmful to my health! But having knowledge about the topic enables me to make better decisions when I have the ability and inclination to. For example, if I have the option of organic or conventional toothpaste, I will opt for organic (same with soap, deodorant, etc.). Little changes can make a big difference. Some things I have found and done:

*use organic soap, my favorites: Dr.Bronner’s, LUSH

*use organic deodorant: LUSH (powder), Tom’s

*organic toothpaste

*organic conditioner (co-wash!!!)

Make sure you are not using “natural” products and thinking you are safe (think Burt’s Bees). Although these products are often a better option, they are not truly organic. Look for the USDA organic label!

Choose organic when you can and as often as you can. Use less products. Make a conscious effort to be safe with your cosmetics. Spread the word. Check the cosmetic database. Read about the issue. Donate to the Cosmetic Database, if you can (and to the Heifer Foundation while your at it because they are awesome, too). Sign petitions to get more legislation passed that requires manufacturers to create safe products! Look at the ingredients before you buy something. Make better choices. Little changes & substitutions make a difference. Relax, be informed but happy & enjoy your products because ultimately it is all about how you feel anyways.

x0 Katie

(1/5)

BareMinerals Original SPF Foundation was a huge disappointment! With BareMinerals counters and stores popping up all over, I decided to give the product a trial run. I purchased the starter kit at Sephora and was less than impressed with half of the products within it. As I mentioned in a previous post on primers, I was most dissatisfied with Bare Minerals Prime Time – http://organicmakeupgirl.com/review-smashbox-photo-finish-face-primer-vs-bare-minerals-prime-time/. However, the BareMinerals original foundations (within the starter kit were similarly disappointing.

After using the BareMinerals products on my skin – Prime Time, Foundation, Warmth All Over Face Color and the Mineral Veil – I noticed that my chin was beginning to turn red and breakout. And I am going to be honest, it was not just a little blemish that I could overlook — it was a horrifying breakout that made me not want to leave the house. It was also quite painful! I attempted to conceal the blemishes with the BareMinerals Foundation and the BareMinerals Maximum Coverage Concealer Brush and it hurt!

Since I wanted a true sense of the BareMinerals products I continued to use them while omitting one product at a time. I noticed that my complexion improved significantly when I stopped using Prime Time. (I discarded it!) However, my skin was still not looking great with the foundation, warmth and mineral veil. After doing some research on the BareMinerals website, I decided to purchase one more face product before giving up on the brand. I opted to try another foundation. Thankfully, the BareMinerals Matte SPF Foundation was awesome. I realized that the original foundation was also a culprit in the (temporary) destruction of my complexion!

The two main problems I experienced with the BareMinerals Original SPF Foundation: it  made my typically labeled “normal” skin very oily; it led to breakouts on my chin and some blemishes on my forehead. For these reasons, I would not recommend this product to anyone. However, I would definitely advise opting for the Matte version of their foundation if you are thinking of trying it. Just a heads up, the Matte Foundation is slightly more expensive than the original version (+$3.00 USD). Both are quite pricey though!

My advice: avoid BareMinerals Original SPF Foundation! If you MUST try BareMinerals, go with the matte version. If you decide to skip BareMinerals altogether I think Maybelline Mineral Power Natural Perfecting Powder Foundation is a fabulous (+ much more affordable) alternative!

x0 Katie