WISHING YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!

Hello my Lovelies,

I just wanted to post a quick note wishing all Karen's World of Beauty Readers who are celebrating today, a very Merry Christmas! I hope today brings you all the joy and happiness of the season as you celebrate with family and friends. I am truly grateful and appreciate all the support of my dear Readers. Thank you all for your encouragement as we take this journey together. It’s been an incredible and rewarding eight months and I plan on sharing even more information and insights in the world of beauty in the coming months. Continue to spread the word about Karen's World of Beauty Blog and stay tuned...I'm planning something big for my Reader in 2010!

Wishing you much love and of course Beauty!

Smooches!
Karen (aka MakUpDiva)

PRODUCT REVIEW - AROMALEIGH COSMETICS: Hi-Fi Retro Matte Collection

If you're not a fan of Twitter than I suggest you jump on the social networking bandwagon asap!  Yet again, thanks to the marvel of Twitter, I've become friends with another awesome cosmetic company.  Kristen Leigh Bell, better known as Miss K., is Aromaleigh Cosmetic's President & Creative Director and a real sweetheart (not to mention color genius). I encourage you all to follow her on Twitter (aromaleigh_MMU).

Aromaleigh is a cutting-edge, indie mineral cosmetics company at the forefront of the mineral makeup revolution. Since 1998, Aromaleigh has been micro-formulating quality mineral makeup to the highest standards to give consumer's an endless spectrum of colors and skin-healthy mineral cosmetics at affordable prices. Luckily for myself and a few other Beauty Bloggers we got the opportunity to review Aromaleigh's newest collection. Aromaleigh's Hi-Fi Retro Matte Collection features 20 shades of bright and vivid matte mineral makeup. 

I asked my friend and Hairstylist extraordinare, Lurlene Lewis, to be my model for this makeup review. With the matte colors in this collection I was able to create Mod/60's inspired, slightly "Retro Barbie" makeup looks (see below).
*You can click on images to enlarge the photo.

 

LOOK #1:

Eyes:  "Kookie" -The girliest cool pink ever (used on inner eye & brow bone),
"Cool It" -Vivid bright spaced-out blue (crease & outer corner of eye)
"Supermirgatroid" - Intense coral orange (slightly above the crease of eye)
"Got Dibs" - Warm toned purple (used wet as liner on lower lid),
"What's Shakin'" -  Cool toned purple (used over other color on lower lash line)
Cheeks: "Supermirgatroid" - Intense coral orange
Lips: "Cranked" - Slightly muted coral red mixed w/alittle Bilkerdijk clear gloss
* Also used: Bilkerdijk Custom Blend Foundation, Black Liquid Liner and Black Mascara

 LOOK #2:
Eyes: "Real Gone" - Bright lemony yellow (used on inner eye & brow bone),
"In Orbit" - wicked chartreuse green (center of lid, up & slightly above crease),
"Ankle Biter" -  Warm-toned orange (in outer corner & crease),
"Radioactive" - A vivid cool green (used wet on lower lash line)
Cheeks: Mixed "Train Wreck" - Wow pinked red  and "Flip Your Lid" - atomic orange
Lips:"Cat's Pajamas" - matte coral with warm orange tones mixed w/alittle Bilkerdijk clear gloss
* Also used: Bilkerdijk Custom Blend Foundation, Black Liquid Liner and Black Mascara


I'm usually more of a shimmer, rather than matte, makeup kind of girl but I liked alot of the colors in this collection. And even though they are matte, the colors in the Hi-Fi Retro Matte Collection are very pigmented and bright. I just wish there were a few darker, more intense colors.  Despite this fact I will definitely be checking out more color collections from Aromaleigh in the near future. How about you?


* Received samples of Hi-Fi Retro Matte Collection to review. 

PRODUCT REVIEW - LIERAC PARIS Jet Set Beauté Kit

JET SET TRAVEL BEAUTE KIT:

Expert skincare on the go.  Loaded with antioxidants and collagen-boosting super-powers for extreme defense against aging. Recommended For:
    * Lack of firmness
    * Loss of Radiance
    * Increased production of type III collagen

CONTAINS:
Cleansing Water for the Face and Eyes (Eau De Soin Démaquillante) -
Gently eliminates impurities without irritating even the most sensitive skin. A no rinse 3-in-1 (make-up remover, cleanser and toner) formulated with white lily and chamomile extracts, to moisturize and soothe skin, leaving it balanced and soft.

Toning Radiance Serum (Concentré Mésolift)
This toning radiance serum is inspired by the practice of Mesotherapy. A high concentration of vitamins, minerals and hyaluronic acid boost skin tone and radiance. Combating skin fatigue the complexion is revitalized leaving it glowing and radiant.

Age-Defense Firming Day Cream (Cohérence Jour)
Instantly lift, firm and diminish the appearance of wrinkles with this versatile day cream. Formulated with ASC III Collagen Accelerating Vectors to stimulate the natural synthesis of Collagen III plus vitamins. Skin is left ageless, and firmed.

Anti-Fatigue Instant Soothing Eye Balm and Mask ( Diopticalm)
Soothe and decongest the eye contour area with this refreshing eye balm. Also may be used as a mask for a more intense anti-fatigue action.

Age-Defense Nourishing Cream for Hands and Nails (Repair Mains)
This lightweight hand cream is formulated to fight the signs of aging and dehydration, while strengthening nails. A powerful blend of botanical ingredients, protective Antarcticine®, shea butter, urea, and vitamin A, leaves hands soft and silky.

I was recently sent the Lierac Paris - Jet Set Beauté Kit to try.  Personally I prefer skincare kits so you get to experience several products at once.  I find it more effective and you get a true sense of how the products work together synergistically.  I was happy with the results from using this kit but since it was travel size I quickly went through certain products like the Toning Radiance Serum and the Cleansing Water. But the benefit of using travel size skincare products is that it allows you to see how your skin will tolerate the products.  My skin started to look more toned and less dry and dull.  

And this time of year not only does my face get dry and tight but my poor hands look weather worn too. Luckily the Jet Set Beauté Kit also included a Nourishing Cream for Hands and Nails. I would definitely recommend this Kit to my Karen's World of Beauty Readers if you have normal, dry or aging skin and/or travel or if you just want to sample several skincare products at one time like me!


* Received Jet Set Beauté Kit to review.

PRODUCT REVIEW: YU-BE SKINCARE

Yu-Be is yet another cosmetic/skincare company I've become acquainted with thanks to the social media technology of Twitter. I had seen Yu-Be product listed on Sephora.com but I'd never seen it in their retail stores.  Fortunately I decided to take a chance and reach out to the company in cyber space. Now I understand the reason why Yu-Be products have been a "soft skin secret" in Japan for 50 years. This stuff is awesome!!!

If you suffer from dry dehydrated skin, especially in the cold winter months, then you are in luck. Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream is indeed a skin saviour!  Discovered in 1957 by a young pharmacist named Yoshikiyo Nowatari, it is one of the longest-selling skin care products in Japan. It's a glycerin based moisturizer enriched with vitamins E, C, B² and camphor. It's safe and effective for all areas of your skin that get dry - face, feet, lips, etc. It can even be used on children.

With the change in season my skin always acts a bit weird - super dry and flaky in places but at times oily in the t-zone.  Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream quickly hydrated my skin but didn't leave it feeling or looking greasy, just perfectly moisturized. The product easily absorbed into my skin and even helped my foundation glide on smoothly. Yu-Be Moisturizing Skin Cream does have a medicinal, camphor smell upon application but it quickly disappears.

I also tried Yu-Be's Lip Therapy, Body Soothing Lotion and Foaming Skin Polish with the same excellent results.  All the Yu-Be products are all-natural and have the same vitamin E and camphor enriched base.  I'm so glad that Yu-Be skincare products are no longer a Japanese secret!

Moisturizing Skin Cream

Moisturizing Body Lotion

Lip Therapy

Foaming Skin Polish

And you don't have to take my word for it, you can go to the Yu-Be website to request 3 FREE samples of their products. How awesome is that!!!

* Product samples received from Yu-Be for review.