Review: Kiehl's Superbly Restorative Argan Oil & Body Lotion

I had already been on the verge of buying some Kiehl's products, these in particular caught my eye. Then, as fate would have it, there was a sale @ one of my favorite discount websites, Hautelook.com. I purchased the Superbly Restorative Body Lotion ($35 for $21) and the Superbly Restorative Argan Oil ($30 for 18.) What a deal! Email facecandyblog@gmail.com, with Hautelook in the subject, and I'll invite you if you're not a member. Both are made with fairly traded Argan Oil. The Oil can be used on face, body and hair to smooth and provide a radiant sheen. I like to layer on the Body Lotion to help seal in the moisture, but if I'm in a hurry, I'll mix the two together. I love them both, they absorb quickly without being greasy at all. The smell is very subtle, I can't put my finger on it, but it seems to disappear after a couple minutes.

Face Candy Grade: A-

I originally wanted to try Josie Maran's Argan Oil, but you get 50 ml or 1.67 oz for $48, whereas Kiehl's gives you 126 ml or 4.2 oz for $30. I think that's right, but who knows? I figured I would get more bang for my buck this way. Have you use oils to moisturize? I haven't really much in the past besides Baby Oil and Apricot Oil but I'm definitely liking the idea now. Please let me know in the comments.

Beauty Blog Network Weekend Beauty Read

The Makeup Divas reviews Too Faced Locked Down Cream Eyeshadows plus the new summer lip bronzer in Pink Leopard.

A Touch of Blusher comes across some of the best makeup brushes.

Beauty Junkie in SF happily tested out a ton of H20 + Sun products last weekend. Out on a lake in the sun all day long... someone had to do it.

Face Candy shares 2 of her favorite Orange products.

Decorative Diva visits a hidden gem of a day spa and has her first professional facial!

Getting ready to hit the pool? Check out Beauty in Real Life's review on Redken's Color Extend Sun Collection.

Beauty Anonymous brings you Essie summer 2009 collection.

Total Beauty Web Tour

The Informed Makeup Maven reviews Luminess' at home airbrush tanning system, Avon magix skin perfector; does summer Stila style and is giving away Diorshow Mascara and Maybelline Mineral Power Foundation!

Monique at Beauty Girl Musings shares her experience with the online shoe service, ShoeDazzle. Read about it here!

Boutique Flair reviews the Barielle 60 Second Mani-Pedi.

Meilily reviews Pacifica Avalon Juniper Perfume with exclusive product photos and shopping tips.

Beauty Junkies Unite goes to Kinara, gets a fab St. Tropez faux tan and gabs about it!

A Little More Beautiful has two great giveaways Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin and Max Factor Lash Perfection Volume Couture Mascara ending on May 31st at Midnight and June 20th at Midnight! It's fast and easy to enter!

Beauty Anonymous brings you Visée summer 2009 makeup collection!

The Makeup Divas reviews Too Faced Locked Down Cream Eyeshadows plus the new summer lip bronzer in Pink Leopard.

Beauty Banter dishes on must-have tips for staying young in surf and sun!

Fabulous Over Forty attends a makeup class with Lancome artist Alex Sanchez.

eye4style is all lit up over Delirium & Co. Candles. Read her review here!

The Beauty Couch has thirteen tips for Simplifying Your Beauty Routine that will save time without sacrificing your look.

Lipgloss Break is running a giveaway for 5 White Sand Smudge Texture Cremes!

Addicted to Lipstick gives us swatches from the Mac Style Warrior Collection plus she tells us all about The New Mac Naked Honey Collection

Enter to win a Beautyticket.com $50 gift certificate at Face Candy.

Alison Blackman of the Advice Sistersattended the 2009 Fragrance Foundation FIFI Awardsr and created a celebrity photo albumfeaturing Paris Hilton, Marc Jacobs, Sean Combs, Queen Latifah, Ernest & Tova Borgnine, Lisa & Dustin Hoffman, Hilary Rhoda, and more!

Getting ready to hit the pool? Check out Beauty in Real Life's review on Redken's Color Extend Sun Collection.

image and style news shows us the top hairstyles trends for 2009

LA Pretty is giving away a Glowelle 7 day kit to two lucky readers. Glowelle is one of the hottest things in skin care, so don't miss your chance to try it out for yourself! Find out the details here!

Hot Beauty Health discusses her new love for eau fragrance Fresh Mangosteen and the top beauty health products for 2009.

Sweeten Up Your Visage with Elique Organic Skin Food.

The Working Girl from Girl-Woman-Beauty-Brains-Blog shares a secret while singing the praises of an acne treatment.

An Asian Girl's Best Friends...

If you're an Asian chick, go out and get this stuff STAT!
The Sephora Brand Professionnel Platinum Angled Eyeliner Brush #23 ($17) is one of my favorite liner brushes. I usually hold a mirror with one hand when I do my makeup and it's hard to tight-line using this method. I need to open my eye, pull the lid up wtih one hand and apply as close to the lash line as possible with the other. This brush makes one-handed lining so much easier. The bent tip can easily navigate to the smallest spaces between your lashes. I love the soft pointed tip and the angled ferrule lets you see what you're doing.

Face Candy Grade: A+
I LOVE MAC Fluidline Gel Eye Liner ($15). It's hard to find a liner that won't smudge or disappear on my folded Asian eyes. This one lasts all day long. I use Blacktrack.

Face Candy Grade: A


This brings me to the Shu Uemura Mini Eyelash Curler ($17). Everyone and their mother uses the regular Shu curler, but this tiny one allows you to re-curl the lashes that that one misses. On stubborn straight Asian lashes, I absolutely MUST go back in and re-curl lashes across my entire eye after curling with the regular one. Try it and you'll be hooked. I don't know how I lived without it before.

Face Candy Grade: A+

Orange You Glad It's Summer?

Wow, I am incredibly lame. But that's okay. I'm going to tell you about my 2 favorite orange products.

I LOVE oranges. I love eating them and I love the smell of them. I was introduced to Kerstin Florian's Aromatherapy Neroli Water ($35) by Beautyfix, a member-only group that allows you to sample products hand-selected by top beauty industry experts. I'll be writing a post on that soon. Anyway, Neroli Oil comes from the blossom of the bitter orange tree and this is Neroli water, which soothes, hydrates, freshens and oxygenates skin. Can be used on face or body. I personally like to spray some on my face before I apply this:

Grassroots Vitamin C Power Brightening Cream SPF 25 with Vitamins E & B5 ($32.50, on sale for $28.99). Grassroots is an Estee Lauder brand that's only sold at Kohl's. This cream hydrates, brightens and protects skin with SPF 25. It fights visible signs of aging while reducing discolorations and uneven skin tone. I use this in the morning and my favorite thing about it is that it smells exactly like a creamsicle. I've been using it for a month now and it's a favorite.

Do you have a favorite Orange product? Let me know in the comments!

Check Out: BeautyTicket.com

So I recently was browsing the web for beauty deals, as I always do, and I stumbled across this AWESOME site. It's called Beautyticket.com and they offer up to 85% off of the regular price of brands like Pop Beauty, Smashbox, Bourjois, etc. I just placed an order today, and I can't wait to get it!

Here's the good news: use coupon code FACECANDY to receive 10% off at checkout.

PLUS, if you'd like to enter to win a $50 gift certificate, just enter a comment with your favorite discount beauty website. Open to US residents only. Happy beauty hunting.

Face Candy Fashion: Juicy Couture 'Beatrice' Daisy Print Hobo - SALE

When I finally came home from the hospital, my husband had this waiting for me. It's the Juicy Couture 'Beatrice' Daisy Print Hobo ($158) in Poinsettia. I was completely delighted. The tiny velour purse is trimmed in tonal leather. Don't you just LOVE the bee? I'm super into bees and ladybugs. They're my favorites. Inside is a pocket that says "phone" and a zippered pocket that says "shop!"My iphone fits in the phone pocket perfectly. I love having a new, bright spring/summer bag. This one is also available in Buttercup (yellow) and Puddle (light brown.) Dimensions: 11" W x 7" H x 4" D. It's on the small side, but I can still fit the essentials. Isn't my husband the sweetest? I hope you ladies expect no less from your men. :)

Here's the FANTASTIC news... It was $158 (which is a LOT for a purse this tiny), it was marked down to $100, and now it's down to $78.90, which is 50% off! It's available in a key purse, wristlet, zip wallet, zip clutch, satchel, day dreamer tote, so you're bound to find one that suits you. Most of these are on sale right now, at Juicycouture.com, Nordstrom.com and Neimanmarcus.com.

Go forth! Buy Juicy!

MAC - Style Warrior Review & Info

Emerging from every corner of the glamorous globe, a new style warrior. Made to celebrate the cross-cultural sophistication of the modern Amazon Princess, African Queen, Crouching Tigress...

Never before have we seen the "Wild Things" of the world come together in quite so many bold new combinations. Introducing a dramatically different and deliberately diverse colour story, an eclectic and expressive way to exalt and admire the strength and solidarity of beauty with no barriers. A selection of all-over summer bronzing shades for Lips, Cheeks, Eyes, Nails, featuring the innvoation of Impassioned, Bronzescape and Scatterrays Solar Bits- sunbursts to unleash the animal in every woman. All exotically packaged in stylized zebra and leopard prints to keep it WILD AND FREE- THE WAY IT ALWAYS OUGHT TO BE.

Lipstick ($14)
-Sunsational - Sheer frosted beige gold
-Brave New Bronze - Creamy mid-tone pink nude
-Purple Rite - Mid-tone frosty orchid
-Tribalist - Creamy blackened berry

Brave New Bronze is a creamy nude pink that lightens my lips a bit and looks gorgeous under Gold Rebel Lipglass. It doesn't wash me out, which is important, and the slight peachy undertone complements the gold and bronze colors in the collection.

Face Candy Grade: A+

Lipglass ($14)
-Style Warrior - Blackened bronze with pearl
-Liberated - Sheer yellow gold with pearl
-Fierce & Fabulous - Bright magenta purple with pearl
-Gold Rebel - Sheer copper bronze with pearl

Gold Rebel is not too yellow or orangey, it's sheer gold and I LOVE it.

Face Candy Grade: A+

Eyeshadow ($14.50)
-Bright Future - Frosty bright yellow gold
-Soft Force - Frosty pale white gold
-Night Manoeuvres - Deep charcoal brown with pearl
-Vibrant Grape - Bright magenta purple
-Tempting - Sinfully rich coco

I didn't try the shadows, but I'm going to go out and get Soft Force, Night Manoeuvres and Tempting. HOT.

Eye Kohl ($14.50)
-Smolder - Intense black

Pro Lash Mascara ($12.00)
-Coal Black - Honest-to-goodness black

Beauty Powder Blush ($18)
-Eversun - Neutral peach bronze with gold pearl
-On A Mission - Pearly mid-tone plum

Eversun is my new favorite blush. It looks a little dark in the pan, but it's a shimmery bronzed peach. Perfection. Highly recommended.

Face Candy Grade: A+

Solar Bits ($19.50)
-Bronzescape - Clean yellow brown with gold pearl
-Scatterrays - Soft metallic peach with gold pearl
-Impassioned - Frosty cool taupe

I still have some of these from a previous collection, I can't remember which. Get 'em now while you can.

Nail Lacquer ($11)
-Mercenary - Frosted blackened bronze
-Peaceable - Pearly pale golden beige
-Violet Fire - Bright creamy magenta purple

242 Shader Brush ($23.00)

I love the entire collection pretty much. It's been one of my favorites of all time! Stay tuned for a Style Warrior Giveaway!

Bobbi Brown - Customize. Simplify. Organize.

"The Customize. Simplify. Organize system is designed for women to customize their makeup and be their own makeup artists. It's an easy way to take less, but have more." -Bobbi Brown

Foundation Stick Compact ($22)- Bobbi's signature Foundation Stick in compact form. The pans can be inserted in the customizable palettes. Available in 3 new shades.
-Alabster
-Porcelain
-Warm Ivory
-Sand
-Warm Sand
-Beige
-Cool Beige* NEW
-Warm Beige
-Natural
-Warm Natural
-Natural Tan* NEW
-Honey
-Warm Honey* NEW
-Golden
-Warm Almond
-Almond
-Warm Walnut
-Walnut
-Chestnut
-Espresso

I generally use Natural on myself, and I freakin' LOVE this whole create your own compact thing. It makes touch-ups so much easier and lighter because I don't have to cart around 15 regular sized products to do it. It's the same creamy formula in a pan size.

Face Candy Grade: A+

Lip Quads ($20)- Each compact holds 4 complementary shade combinations of lip colors. The pans can be inserted in the customizable palettes.

Rose Quad
-Peony Lip Sheer
-Brownie Pink Lip Color
-Tulle Lip Color
-Roseberry Lip Color

Pink Quad
-Pink Cloud Lip Gloss
-Soiree Pink Glitter Lip Gloss
-Pink Beige Lip Gloss
-Pastel Pink Lip Gloss

Coral Quad
-True Beige Lip Gloss
-Coral Pink Lip Gloss
-Guava Lip Gloss
-Ball Glitter Lip Gloss

I got the Rose Quad and frankly, 4 mini glosses/lipsticks in a tiny little pan is awesome. I love the plastic covering to keep things neat. PERFECTION. Is it strange that I love everything Bobbi Brown does? I can't help it. I have an addiction.

Face Candy Grade: A

Shimmer Blush ($22)- 2 new shades that provide a soft, shimmering glow. The pans can be inserted in the customizable palettes.
-Pink Coral
-Plum Wine

Pink Coral is bright with some gold shimmer in it. It kind of reminds me of NARS Orgasm. Not too much glitter, which is important. Brings an instant glow to your cheeks.

Face Candy Grade: A

If you get these pans for the compact, I definitely suggest that you get one of Bobbi's Brush Sets. They are on the expensive side, but IMO 100% worth it.

Essie Summer 2009

-Lovie Dovie- True flamingo pink
-Chubby Cheeks- Sunset coral with hints of red
-Luscious Lips- Sultry pink
-Not Just A Pretty Face- Nude with pinkish hues
-Cute As A Button- Juicy persimmon
-Funny Face- Provocative fuchsia

You can get the whole 6 piece collection for $48 or each separately for $8.

NARS - Summer 2009

"As NARS turns fifteen this year, the brand’s commitment to creating products that defy convention remains unwavering. The NARS woman has never been content to fade into the
background, and this summer is no exception. “The look for the summer 2009 collection is sophisticated, but colorful,” says Francois Nars, founder and creative director of NARS
cosmetics. That translates to glowing, sun-kissed skin, shimmering peachy-hued lips and high-drama eyes in deep, shimmering tones of metallic-flecked topaz or sparkling azure.
Whether your vision of perfect summer conjures up images of Morocco’s kaleidoscopic bazaars, the pristine Art Deco structures of Ocean Drive or the endless white sand beaches and cerulean waters of a Caribbean island, this season’s vivid yet versatile color palette is the perfect complement."

NARS Tropic Single Eyeshadow- $22
For the latest eye shadow, there was only one blue François Nars had in mind. “The tropics are always inspiring for me,” says Nars. This lush, silver-flecked teal is a precise image of the ocean’s reflective, rolling waves.

NARS Scorching Sun Duo Eyeshadow- $32
The glazed apricot and radiant orange duo, is designed “to imitate the effect of the burning sun,” according to Nars. The sun-drenched colors allow for surprising wearability. The pair can be blended together to form a rich, burnt orange, or worn in tandem.

NARS Irresistiblement Bronzing Powder- $30
Nothing evokes the feeling of summertime quite like bronzed skin. The newest shade, a rich golden terracotta, offers a flattering faux glow when dusted across the areas of the face where the actual sun would hit.

NARS Falbala Lipstick- $24
On the lips, this high-shine bronzy rose lipstick has a sweet, insouciant quality about it.

NARS Outsider Lipstick- $24
This is definitely not your grandmother’s coral. This deeper, glistening variety is a modern take on a time-honored classic.

NARS Belize Lip Gloss- $24
The pale pink mauve sprinkled with specks of gold simulates the color of a Central American sunset and gives nude lips a sultry boost.

NARS Tonga Lipliner Pencil- $20
A creamy, long-wearing lip pencil in a shade of pink amber plays dual roles. Use it traditionally, to outline lips and prevent lipstick from feathering; or color the entire lip with the moisture-rich pencil.

NARS Adelita Nail Polish- $16
This shimmering pearlescent shade of pink, is simultaneously sweet and saucy, the ideal embodiment of feminine strength.

Review: La Mer - The Body Refiner

I recently got to sample a brand new body scrub by the ultimate brand in luxury, La Mer. The Body Refiner ($110) is quite an expensive way to exfoliate, so what's in it that makes it so special? Probably the fact that it is infused with over a carat and a half of pure diamond powder. Fermented acidic sea mud detoxifies and a low ph level makes it safe for sensitive skin.
I am impressed by its creamy, grainy texture but $110 for 6.7 oz.? If you've got the money to spend, go for it. Or if you're obsessed with Creme de la Mer, then it's worth a try. But frankly, for something that goes straight down the drain, I'm sticking to sugar and olive oil.

Face Candy Grade: B- (for cost)

Greetings!

Hello everyone! I must apologize for the lack of posts lately, but I do have an excuse.

Last Wednesday, I got so sick I threw up every ten minutes. It was horrible. That night I became so dehyrdated that my husband took me to the ER. Once I'd had a few bags of IV fluid and some anti-nausea medicine, I was beginning to feel a little better.

Apparently I'd had what's called a Thyroid Storm. It's caused by having hyperthyroidism, which is also called Graves' Disease. GD affects only 2% of women in their lives and most commonly affects women between the ages of 20 and 40. Here are some of the symptoms:
* trouble sleeping
* fatigue
* trouble getting pregnant
* frequent bowel movements
* irritability
* weight loss without dieting
* heat sensitivity
* increased sweating
* muscular weakness
* changes in vision or how your eyes look
* lighter menstrual flow
* rapid heart beat
* hand tremors

I am finally home now, Monday, and am feeling LOTS better. Of course, I had to miss The Makeup Show- which I was pretty devastated about, I tried to go but my husband pretty much sat on me. Just wanted to let you guys know what's been going on. Let the beauty posts continue!

Review: Obsessed Mineral Makeup

photo: mineralobsessed.com

I was recently introduced to a mineral makeup brand called "Obsessed Minerals." They sell mineral makeup of all kinds, but the standout product is for sure the Pressed Mineral Eye Shadow ($10.) I personally hate loose mineral shadow because it gets everywhere, so this is right up my alley. I tried Iriquois (gray & gold) and Teddy Bear (warm shimmering brown.) I was immediately impressed with the quality and color payoff. All the shadows come in a beautiful array of colors. Iriquois is my favorite. The steely gray is perfect for a smoky eye. I suggest using it wet for better staying power, or over a primer.

Face Candy Grade: A

I was disappointed in the Bisque Mineral Cover ($10) because I really couldn't tell the difference after I put it on. I had to build layer upon layer to have it actually make my skin look even.

Face Candy Grade: C

The Outback Liquid Eyeliner ($10) looks lovely in the tube and even on your hand, but when I applied it to my eyes, above and under, it was too wet, the glitter was too chunky and it STUNG, plus it didn't set very well.

Face Candy Grade: F

Overall, I definitely recommend the eye shadow, but if you're looking for eyeliner or foundation, skip it here and try somewhere else.

The Makeup Show NYC - WINNERS!

And the VERY lucky winners of tickets to The Makeup Show NYC are:

-Rita Wyatt
-Jessica Peters

You can both choose a friend to take with you. Your names will be added to the comp list at the door. Congratulations! Have fun!

Review: LaLicous Coconut Cream Sugar Souffle Scrub

LaLicious Coconut Cream Sugar Souffle Scrub ($34)- A body scrub that contains cane sugar to exfoliate skin, sweet almond oil, vitamin e and coconut oil condition, moisturize and smooth. This stuff smells sooo good. I LOVE a good coconut- anything. The sugar is less abrasive than salt. Once I tried it, I was addicted. Not only does the sugar exfoliate and smell wonderful, but it moisturizes your skin without leaving it greasy. However... $34 is a lot to drop on a scrub.

Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Cane Sugar, Sweet Almond Oil, Essential and Fragrance Oils, Soybean Oil, Vitamin E Oil, Honey

Face Candy Grade: A-

LaLicious sells 4 products: Sugar Souffle Scrub, Body Butter, Body Oil and Body Soap. All items are available in these scents:
-Sugarkiss
-Brown Sugar & Vanilla
-Coconut Cream
-Coffee Bean
-Lily Mango
-Passionfruit Lime
-Island Guava
-Tahitian Flower
-Peppermint

I personally cannot wait to try all the other ones, the body oil, the body butter, etc. They all look good to me. I would definitely recommend that you check it out.

The Makeup Show NYC - WIN TICKETS!

For the fourth time The Makeup Show New York brings the industry together like no other trade event has before. The biggest brands. Top industry exhibitors. Speakers from every area of makeup artistry. New product introductions. Special Pro-only offers. Seminars, forums and hands-on workshops. The best networking opportunity in the business.

Here's a list of Exhibitors:
-adesign / Anisa International
-Alcone Company
-Alison Raffaele Cosmetics
-Apres Camouflage Makeup
-Armour Beauty
-Auraline Beauty
-Becca Cosmetics
-Blinc Inc
-Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry
-Crown Brushes
-Crystal Wright
-Embryolisse
-Eve Pearl
-FACE Atelier
-FM Brush
-Frends Beauty Supply
-Giselle Cosmetics
-gloProfessional
-Graftobian Makeup
-Hakuhodo
-I Make You Beautiful
-Iredale Mineral Cosmetics
-JAO
-Kett Cosmetics
-Kissable Couture
-Koh Gen Do
-Korres Natural Products
-Kryolan Professional
-Lash Control
-Linda Mason Elements
-Lord & Berry
-Luminess Air
-MAC Cosmetics
-Make Up For Ever
-Makeup Mania
-Makeup Mentor
-Mario Badescu Skin Care
-Mehron
-MG Hair & Makeup
-Model in a Bottle
-Mommy Makeup
-Motives-Market America
-MUAtv
-Myrabelle Products
-Naimie's Beauty Center
-Naked Cosmetics
-National Fiber Technology
-Nigels Beauty Emporium
-Nurturing Force
-NuSkin Enterprises
-Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics
-Parian Spirit
-Pencil Me In Cosmetics
-PowderPuff Squad, Inc.
-Ramy Cosmetics
-Rouge Makeup Studio
-Senna Cosmetics
-SilverRain Studios
-Smashbox
-Stila
-Sun Laboratories
-Temptu
-theBalm
-Three Custom Color Specialists
-Tutto Luggage
-Vancouver Film School
-Yaby Cosmetics
-Youngblood Mineral Cosmetics

So here's the awesome news- I'm giving away 2 FREE tickets to The Makeup Show to 2 random winners on Monday, May 11th, in case you live far away and need to make travel plans. I say 2, but each winner is allowed to take a friend. If you win you get to pick which day you wan to attend. I'll be there almost all day on Sunday, May 17th, so you'll get to meet me. If you see me, come up and say hi! All you have to do is email facecandyblog@gmail.com with "MAKEUP SHOW" in the subject. If you don't win, don't worry, you can still buy tickets for one day $45 or two days is $70. If you get them at the door, they're more expensive. Good luck! I can't wait!

Introducing: Maybelline - Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara

Maybelline is introducing a brand new vibrating mascara (that you can get at the drugstore) called Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara ($14.99). The battery-powered mascara gently vibrates in a horizontal motion to reach and define each lash from root to tip. So here's the great part. Visit www.maybelline.com/pulse or go to a participating retailer (target.com, walmart.com, cvs.com and walgreens.com) on May 18th and you can preview it before anyone else. Available in 2 washable shades: Very Black and Blackest Black and 1 waterproof shade: Very Black.

I'm SUPER excited to see a cheaper version of the vibrating mascara. Lancome's Oscillation Mascara is $34, Estee Lauder's TurboLash is $32 and Prescriptives Motor-Eyes is $32. I will definitely be trying this out! Plus, a waterproof one?? I'm very interested.

Availability: July 2009 @ mass market retailers nationwide

Source: Beautifulmakeupsearch.com

New Product: NARS Modern Love Palette

NARS combines 6 top-selling eye shadows to create the NARS Modern Love Palette ($50.) Colors include:
-Alhambra (top left) Metallic Rose Mist
-Jezebel (top middle) Shimmering Sable
-India Song (top right) Shimmering Walnut
-Tokyo (bottom left) Soft Silver-White
-Habanera (bottom middle) Sparkling Charcoal-Plum
-Pandora (bottom right) Matte Black

Availability: May 2009, exclusively at Nordstrom.