REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Sleek MakeUP_Sparkle i-Divine Palette

Hello Lovelies,

Here's a video review of Sleek MakeUP's new "Sparkle" i-Divine Eye Shadow Palette that was featured in my blog post, "2010 Holiday Gift Guide for Girls". Sleek nails it yet again with this Limited Edition collection of 12 glitter laced, velvety-smooth eye shadows. 

Here's detailed color swatches of the "Sparkle" i-Divine Eye Shadow Palette:

(With Flash)

:

(Without Flash)

Top Row: Cranberry, Dream Maker, Galactic, Twinkle, Star Light, Noir
Bottom Row: Illusion, Festive, Mistletoe, Glitz & Glamour, Gold Ribbon, Tinsel

And to celebrate the New Year I'm giving away a "Sparkle" i-Divine palette and Wanderlast Lip Colour in "Purity" to one lucky "Karen's World of Beauty" Reader! Make your New Year sparkle with Sleek MakeUP!!!

Here’s How to Enter:
1) To enter to win you must subscribe to KarensWorldofBeauty.Blogspot.com. To subscribe just click the "Follow" button located on the Right Column of my Blog. Once you join (via Google Friend Connect) your username/pic should show up in my list of Followers.

2) Leave a comment with your user name and email address by the contest deadline of 12am on Friday, January 14, 2011.

3) For those Readers who are already subscribed to my Blog just leave a comment stating "I'm a Karen's World of Beauty Subscriber" and include your user name and the email address you used to sign up for my blog.

4) You can Tweet about this Contest, link it on FaceBook or your own blog for extra chances to win! Just make sure you leave individual comments so all of your entries count. (That’s extra chances at winning!)

Other Contest Info:
** US Residents only (and your comment must be in English).
**Winner will be chosen at random.
**Comments posted after the deadline won’t be included in the drawing.
**If you win, you must respond to my email with your mailing address within a week after the end of the drawing in order to receive your prize. I am not responsible for anything that happens once prizes are mailed out. If it gets lost, damaged or melts, etc., I'm sorry but I can’t replace it.


Thanks for being a "Karen's World of Beauty" Fan and good luck to you all!!!

Smooches!
Karen (aka MakUpDiva)

HAUL VIDEO & REVIEW: Sleek MakeUP

Headquartered in London, Sleek MakeUP is an established cosmetic brand throughout Europe, South Africa, Kenya, Ghana and Nigeria.  Their tagline 'My Skin, My Shade, My Makeup’ concisely conveys the message of their brand and the reflects the diverse range of woman who wears Sleek MakeUP. Fortunately for us gals in the U.S., we can now purchase their cosmetic products online. 

In the enclosed video below I review several products from Sleek MakeUP's line:

 

See below for detailed pictures with color swatches of all cosmetic products I reviewed:

Tester Kit of Creme to Powder Foundation:

  Top Row: Light/Medium -  Latte, Creme Caramel, Sweet Honey, Noisette, Terracotta   

Bottom Row: Light - Shell, Sand, Calico, Bamboo, Latte

Top Row: Dark -  Cannelle, Sepia, Hot Chocolate, Deep Sable, Coffee Bean   

Bottom Row: Medium/Dark - Terracotta, Russet, Demerara, Henna, Cannelle

Luminious Pressed Powder:

 Left to Right:  01(light), 02 (medium), 03 (medium dark), 04 (dark)

Face Contour Kit & Glisten Me Illuminator:

Left to Right: "Light", "Medium" and "Dark"    

Glisten Me Face & Body Illuminator in "Empress"

Powder Blush:

Left to Right:  "Scandalous" (unreleased), "Sunrise", "Rose Gold", "Pomegranate", "Life's A Peach" (unreleased)

 i-Divine Eyeshadow Palette:

 "Bad Girl" Palette

Top Row: Innocence, Gullible, Blade, Gun Metal, Underground, Noir

Bottom Row: Intoxicated, Envy, Obnoxious, Abyss, Twilight, Rebel

 "Good Girl" Palette

Top Row:  Lychee, Meringue, Candy Floss, Lollipop, Pink Punch, Cupcake

Bottom Row:  Strawberry Sorbet, Pink Grapefruit, Peach Melba, Papaya, Raspberry Coulis, Morello

 "Circus" Palette

Top Row:   Red, Purple, Magenta, White, Yellow, Fuschia

Bottom Row: Black, Lavendar, Lime, Bright Blue, Navy,Orange

Eyelashes, Eyeliner & Nail Polish:

 Left Column: Havana (corner) and Harare (full) lashes  

Right Column: "Turquoise" nail polish and Glitter Dip It Eye Liner in "Steel"

 Pout Polish:

Top Row (left to right): "Powder Pink" and "Chocolate Kiss"

Bottom Row (left to right): "Raspberry Souffle" and "Electro Peach"

* Products were provided for review but I am not affiliated with the company, nor was I paid to review any of the products mentioned in this video and blog post.

2010 HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE FOR GIRLS!

Find the perfect Holiday gift for all the lovely ladies in your life! Assembled below are my top picks of cosmetic and skincare products in cyber space and the real world. Happy shopping!!!!

Lancôme - Holiday Color Design Palette: Eyes & Cheeks in "Jeweled Purple"  $39.50
Get your most glamorous look for the holidays with a sultry mix of six sparkling eye shadows and an opulent blush. Indulge in a limited-edition compact adorned with holiday inspired jewels.
Includes:
    - Color Design Sensational Effects Eye Shadow Smooth Hold in "Sparkle", "Jeweled", "Matte Purple", "Purple Haze", "Purple Passion" and "Amethyst Tryst"
    - Blush Subtil Powder Blush in "Shimmer Violet Sunrise"
* For Holiday's free shipping on any order online at www.lancome.com - no promo code necessary.

 Sleek MakeUP - Sparkle i-Divine Eye Shadow Palette (Limited Edition)  $10
Sparkle your way through the festive season with deep dazzling festive shades.  A must have for the party season, you'll be spoilt for choice with this palette of 12 glitter-laced velvety-smooth eye shadows.

SMASHBOX - "The Gold List" Gift Set  ($108 value) $49
A five-piece, travel-ready kit that helps you achieve a camera-ready, golden glow.
This set contains:
- Fusion Soft Lights in "Baked Starburst"
- Photo Finish Luminzing Foundation Primer
- O-Gloss Gold
- Photo Op Under Eye Brightener
- gold metallic cosmetic case

OPI for SEPHORA - Eighteen Piece Mini Nail Colour Set  ($81 Value) $48.00
A perfect gift, this Sephora by OPI set includes 18 shades  of mini nail colors that range from essential to edgy. Colors Included:
A True Romantic, Techno Girl, Access 24/7, Ms. Can't Be Wrong, What A Broad, Just A Little Dangerous, Cab Fare, Caliente Coral, Special Request, High Maintenance, Sample Sale, I'm With Brad, Leaf Him At The Altar, Mermaid To Order, Opening Night, Already Famous, Dating The Drummer, and Never Enough Shoes

 

NARS - "D. Lovely Lip Gloss Coffret" $49
An essential collection of four NARS mini Duo Lip Glosses.
Includes: "Misbehave/All Night Long", "Pillow Talk/Sandpiper", "Orgasm/Chihuahua" and "Greek Holiday/Stolen Kisses" 
* For limited time all Gifts ship FREE online!

Bobbi Brown - "Pink & Gold" Lip Palette  (Limited Edition)  $45.00
The ultimate holiday lip palette, this collection of fresh pinks, deep roses and a beautiful golden nude can be
mixed and layered for a custom look.
Colors included:
"Roseberry", "Kir", "Pretty Pink", "Sunset Nude", "Italian Rose" and "Brownie" Lip Color.

KORRES - "Sugar Plums" Color Collection  ($41.00 value)  $29.50
A Limited Edition selection of Korres best-selling plum color products in a beautiful, giftable box.
The Collection contains:
"Plum" Cherry Oil Lipgloss, "Plum" Lip Butter and Cheek Tint and "Plum" Sunflower & Evening Primrose Eyeshadow 

* Enter code "FORYOU" and get a free "Cherry Lip Kisses" collection and FREE ground shipping on orders $40 or more.

PHILOSOPY - "Home For The Holidays" Crème Brulée gift set  (Reg.$25)  $18
A gift of sweet treats to make you feel at home. Spoil yourself with the pure decadence of crème brulée
multitasking shower gel, body lotion and lip shine.
 * Free shipping on all orders - no minimum thru 11/28 using code: holidayship.

KIEHLS - Creme de Corps Collection ($79 value) $59
Kiehls cherished Creme de Corps products, famous for it's rich in all-day hydration, makes it ideal for pampering dry skin.  Set includes:
Creme de Corps cream (8.4 oz.),
Creme de Corps Soy Milk & Honey Body Polish (6.8 oz.)
Creme de Corps Nurturing Body Washing Cream (2.5oz.)
Lip Balm #1 (.5 oz.)
Ultra Facial Cream deluxe (.25 oz.)
Powerful-Strength Line-Reducing Concentrate packette (.17 oz.)

*Friends & Family discount of 20% off all orders and FREE ground shipping on orders of $30 & up. Use Code: FAMILY10 (valid 11/26 - 11/30)


And finally....the ultimate gift for any makeup obsessed woman in your life.

MAKE UP FOR EVER - Rock For Ever Dany's Essentials ($597 Value) $299
A rock 'n' roll-inspired makeup case piled high with 29 product favorites handpicked by Dany Sanz, MAKE UP FOR EVER's Creator and Artistic Director.
This set contains:
For Complexion:  HD Elixir; HD Microperfecting Primer; HD Microfinish Powder; Mist & Fix; HD Kabuki Brush
For Eyes:  Smoky Lash, Aqua Smoky Lash;  Aqua Eyes in shades Mat Black 0L (black), Pearly Brown 2L (golden brown sheen), Iridescent Navy Blue 3L (navy blue sheen), and Purple 11L (metallic purple); Aqua Black Waterproof Cream Eye Shadow; Aqua Cream in shades 13 Warm Beige (champagne shimmer) and 15 Taupe (taupe brown shimmer); Eye Shadow in shades Iridescent Yellow Beige 126 (tan beige shimmer) and Iridescent Brown Black 139 (brown black shimmer); Diamond Shadow Diamond Purple 309 (dark purple with silver shimmer); Star Powder in shades Copper 922 (true copper shimmer) and White/Orange 940 (iridescent white pearl peach);  Faux Lash in 21 Floriane and 115 Erin; Travel Sens'Eyes; Double Pencil Sharpener
For Lips:  Rouge Artist Intense in shades 1 (matte flesh), 36 (satin fuchsia), and 43 Moulin Rouge (satin vibrant red); Aqua Cream 5 Peach (peachy pink with gold flecks); Aqua Lip in Nude Beige 1C (light neutral beige) and Red 8C (true red)

SEPORA: HAUL VIDEO & REVIEW

I recently made an online purchase from Sephora and wanted to share my beauty and skincare haul with my "Karen's World of Beauty" Readers.  Check out the video and product details below:



ITEMS PURCHASED:

Josie Maran - "Love Nest Josie's Argan Favorites" ($55 Value)  $25    *Sephora Exclusive!
A four-piece, travel-size gift set that includes Josie Maran's favorite argan oil must-haves for the face, eyes, cheeks, lips, and hair.

This set contains:
-0.21 oz Argan Color Stick in Petal Pink
- 0.11 oz Gogo Instant Natural Volume Argan Mascara
- 0.5 oz Argan Illuminizer
- 0.5 oz 100% Argan Oil

Stila - "Pretty in Paris" travel palette  $10
The second in a five-part series of collectible palettes, The Pretty in Paris palette is all you need to get pretty on the go!

This set contains:
- 4 x 0.15 oz Eye Shadows in Crepe (pale pink), Cherie (reddish brown), Jolie (brownish pink), Chocolat (brown).
- 0.09 oz Convertible Color in Rosebud (deep rose brown - limited-edition shade)

Dr. Dennis Gross - "Alpha Beta® Peel Trial Kit"  $35    *Sephora Exclusive!
A two-step, at-home peel with the original and extra strength formulas of the Alpha Beta® anti-aging peel treatments.  This firming, toning, and retexturizing treatment delivers both immediate results and long-term benefits for a variety of skincare concerns.


Feel free to share what cosmetic or skincare product you're loving from Sephora (or any other beauty emporium). I want to know what you love and what you recommend so please leave a comment.  Thanks my lovelies!!!


*** Note - In video I mention Dermalogica facial sponge. I actually purchased from Ulta - not Sephora. Sorry, I got confused with all my online shopping!

PRODUCT REVIEW - MAI COUTURE Blush and Bronzer Papers

Here's video review of blushing and bronzing papers from innovative cosmetic brand, Mai Couture.

Blush Papers ($16) - 50 sheets  ($28) - sheets and case
Add color to your cheeks anytime with these remarkable blush papers.

2 in 1 Oil-Blotting and Bronzing Papers ($22) - 100 sheets  ($36) - sheets and case
These lightly powdered bronzing paper eliminates oil and has just the right amount of shimmer to give you a glowing and flawless complexion.

Me and Mai Tran of Mai Couture at The Makeup Show in New York.

BACK TO BLOGGING!!!!

Hello My Lovelies!

I know it's been a long time since you've heard from me and for that I apologize. Unfortunately business (and a personal issue or two!) have kept me from blogging over the past few months but I'm back now!  As my mother says "what doesn't kill you makes you stronger" so here I am, better than ever, bringing you quality beauty industry information.  Once again, my dear Readers, I'm excited to share with you my knowledge and passion about anything and everything in the world of beauty.

Please feel free to send me an email if you have an ideas for a blog post, a beauty question or want me to review a specific product...or you can just leave a comment.  My goal for this beauty blog is to be a invaluable resource for your cosmetic and beauty needs.

Thank you all for continuing to share this adventure with me!


Smooches!
Karen (aka MakUpDiva)

2010 EMMY AWARDS RED CARPET BEAUTY

Here's my top beauty picks from the 62nd Primetime Emmy Awards.  See who I thought rocked the red carpet in style with their makeup, hair and dress:

Kim Kardashian

I absolutely loved Kim's intricate, braided updo paired with a classically beautiful face. Killer mega lashes with black liner, glossy nude lips and pink cheeks. So gorgeous!!!  Her Marchesa white grecian gown along with Lorraine Schwartz jewels looked stunning against her glowing  skin.

  

Lea Michele

Happy Birthday to you! I loved her smoky eyes with winged blue liner and luscious lashes. The bronzy cheeks paired with soft nude lip completed her look. Her wavy hair was soft, beautiful and age appropriate. I also love the edgy short black nails that added a rock n' roll vibe. She totally rocked the red carpet with her navy strapless Oscar De la Renta mermaid gown with tons of ruffles at bottom and fabulous Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.

Sofia Vergara

She really looked like a golden girl on the red carpet!  I loved her long, brunette waves paired with her classic beauty look. She wore a bronze smoky eye, lots of mascara and liner, soft pink cheeks with a matte, dark pink lip.  Sofia made the most of her curves by wearing a gorgeous beaded gold strapless gown by Carolina Herrara. Que hermosa! (How Beautiful!)

Claire Danes

Her simple yet gorgeous flipped hair totally complimented her makeup.  Her smoky brown eyeshadow made her blue eyes sparkle and was the focus of her makeup look. She keep rest of face simple with pink cheek and lip. I totally loved her tan sequin beaded strapless Giorgio Armani Privé gown. The color looked absolutely amazing on her!

Eva Longoria Parker

Classic red carpet beauty with focus on smoky eye, fabulous full lashes and lots of  black liner.  A touch of silvery white highlight placed on inner eye add the perfect touch.  Nude glossy lip and barely-there cheek color finished her makeup look. The clean line of her black Narciso Rodriguez strapless bustier gown was complimented by her jeweled chandlier earrings. Just lovely!!!

KEY EMMY AWARDS TRENDS:
Lots of beautiful updo's or long, loose waves for the hair and of course smoky eyes, with black liner and mega lashes ruled!!!  And on the fashion front we saw lots of dark (navy or black) and light (white, ivory, gold) gowns matched with dramatic Lorraine Schwartz jewelry.

Let me know who you thought nailed their Emmy red carpet look. Leave your picks for Emmy beauty winners in the "Comments" section to this blog post.


* Photo Credit: WireImage

READER BEAUTY QUESTION - TINTED MOISTURIZER FOR DARK SKIN

My fabulous Fashion Stylist friend, Kalyn Johnson of the style blog "Possess Your Style" recently emailed me with a makeup emergency.  The tinted moisturizer that she loved and used for years has been discontinued so she needs recommendations for her deeper skin tone.  Her questions seemed liked a great "Reader Beauty Question" to feature on my blog since alot of women of color don't like to wear foundation but want some coverage. Tinted moisturizer gives women the moisture that their skin needs along with a sheer wash of color that blends beautifully.  See below for my top picks of tinted moisturizer for women with deeper skin tones.

PRODUCT RECOMMENDATIONS:

Alison Raffaele - Tinted Moisturizer in "Dark"  ($35)

Perfect for daytime, the minerals in this lightweight, oil-free moisturizer provide a natural, physical barrier against harmful UVA / UVB rays. Medium coverage with a matte finish.

Bobbi Brown - SPF 15 Tinted Moisturizer  in "Dark Tint" & "Deep Tint"  ($40.00)
The perfect alternative to foundation for a more casual look. This tint of natural-looking color combined with sun protection blends smoothly over skin, and moisturizes while providing lightweight, comfortable, sheer coverage. Best for Normal to Dry skin types.

Laura Mercier - Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer Deeper shades: "Almond", "Caramel", "Tan", "Walnut" & "Mocha"  ($42)
This lightweight foundation that can be reapplied as necessary, offers sun protection for sensitive or acne prone skin, oil control, and provides hydration to prevent dryness.

Stila - Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer SPF 15   Deeper shades: "Bronze", "Warm" "Deep" & "Dark" ($34) 
Reveal the true you with flawless, even-looking skin, with this light, barely-there coverage.  Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer is an instant skin illuminator, combining a tinted moisturizer with SPF 15, and provides barely-there coverage.

Smashbox - Sheer Focus Tinted Moisturizer  Deeper shades: "Medium" & "Dark"  ($30)
A lightweight, oil-free tinted moisturizer packed with vitamins and anti-aging peptides for naturally radiant skin. The formula nourishes as it absorbs excess oil throughout the day, and UVA/UVB SPF 15 guards against future damage so skin stays flawless and protected.

Boots No7 - Soft & Sheer Tinted Moisturiser SPF 15 in "Medium" & "Dark"  ($11.99)
The sheer wash of barely there color will give you a radiant natural glow and even out your skin tone. It contains SPF 15 sunscreen to help protect your skin from the aging effects of the sun and moisturizes for up to 12 hours.

mark - Get A Tint Tinted Moisturizer Lotion SPF 15  in "Almond/Mocha"  ($9)
A lightweight, oil-free moisturizer with just enough color to even out your skin tone and give the appearance of a healthy glow. The unique skin-balancing formula hydrates while it helps prevent shine in those spots prone to excess oil.


I hope this post helps not only Kalyn but other "Karen's World of Beauty Readers."  Please let me know if you have any beauty questions you'd like answered.  Feel free to email me directly or you can leave your question as a Comment to this post. Who knows...you might be featured in the next blog post featuring a "Reader Beauty Question!"