The Weekly (daily!!) Job!

This is really quite cool.

Click Here!! :D

Hoping this works out, if you visit my page there, I can make a little extra money, and spend a bit more time doing my product reviews :) So I'd appreciate every person's help on this!! Thank you so so much <3

TARTE Power Pigments, Half as Much Product, Same Price: Worth It?

Just in case my readers didn't know, I am (as I would consider) tarte's #1 Fan. I love them so much. The fact that they are cruelty free, and only use amazing-for-you, natural ingredients in their cosmetics. They are truly inspiring and wonderful.

Here is MY collection (darn, I forgot one thing, my TrueBlood exclusive tarte cheek stain, shown later):

And I just ordered the new CC Colored Clay Primer, and Amazonian Clay Airbrush powder foundation. I can't wait to review those!!!

Tarte JUST recently launched some new products, a few of which I got to try called the Power Pigments. 

I tried the Power Pigment Lipsurgence in Tipsy, and the Cheek Stain in Blissful!

These are the NEW Lipsurgence and Cheek Stains available from tarte, only they are half the product and the same price. This is why I am doing this review, to determine if the new products, at the same price, are worth it for half-less. 

The idea is that they are more pigmented and last longer, so they will serve you for the same amount of time. That's the idea...

First, I'm going to tell you what I think about these products, then I'm going to show you two videos comparing my "old" Lipsurgence and Cheek Stain application, and the NEW Power Pigment Lipsurgence and Cheek Stain application so you can determine for yourselves.

Here is me today, wearing the PP Lipsurgence and Cheek Stain:

What I think is this: While the new PP Lipsurgence is more pigmented, I still need to swipe on just as much as the original, as it is a bit thicker of a formula. I will say it does last much longer (not counting the Matte formula originals). The color payoff is beautiful, but I need to do a little blending with my finger to get the effect just right for me. 

As for the PP Cheek Stain, I would say that it is not worth the money compared to the original. With my original, it was a bit thicker of a formula, and I just dotted it on and blended in, and that was it. It was perfect and stayed for hours. With my new Blissful PP CS, I have to swipe on about three times, then blend out, and sometimes I still don't get the color payoff I want. I would say that, honestly, it's an amazing product still, both of them are, but I think they should have at least lowered the price of the Lipsurgence, and halved the price of the Cheek Stain. Just my opinion. I love them both, but I don't understand their choice not to lower the price, as they lowered the amount of product.

That being said, there is literally nothing bad I can say about any of their other products that I have tried. And in the very near future, I am doing more reviews on their amazing products. 

Here are the application videos, enjoy!, and tell me what YOU think in the comments:

In this video, I have already put on my other makeup for the day, and am getting ready, I am using the original Lipsurgence (Enchanted) and Cheek Stain (TrueBlood: Glamour Me) in this first video:

This second video will show me wiping off the remainder of the original products (even if there's not much! I won't re-touch) and then applying the newest products. I want everyone to see the difference. Then I will give my honest opinion. Second video:

Sorry, I am a little odd, and do weird faces when I do/remove my makeup, AND this took a bit long but thanks for watching!!!

Tarte Cosmetics is a wonderful company, I love MANY, if not all, of the products of theirs that I have tried. I buy pretty much exclusively tarte recently. 

But about these new Power Pigments. Half the product, same price, I don't like. I believe they should've halved the price or at least cut it. Halved it for the Cheek Stains, and cut it for the new Lipsurgences. Because, honestly, they're no "better" (don't worry, they're not worse) than the originals, and they're much smaller.

The Power Pigment Lipsurgence is also very different in formula from the originals. A little more matte, a little longer wearing (though the originals leave a tint)... So it's really a different product altogether.

That is my opinion! Tell me what you think!

Tarte's Website

Tarte's Facebook

I HIGHLY recommend anything Tarte. 

My next blog post is going to be ALL ABOUT TARTE! All the things I love love love about them, and all about the company. I can't wait. I am in love with them.

Hope you enjoyed this review, and I hope it helps.

Mascara Brushes: Bristle Vs. Plastic

Bristle Vs. Plastic

The Mascara Wand Battle

Am I the only woman lately who has been utterly confused and frustrated by the newest trend in mascara wands: the plastic brush??

For instance: Benefit Cosmetics (whom I utterly love normally) came out with a wildly popular mascara called "They're Real", which of course I tried. And I found with the plastic brush, it was too goopy, made my lashes clumpy, unappealing. So far, I have had the same results with every other plastic-bristled mascara brush I've encountered.

Now let me tell you a better story. If you're like me, and ultimately prefer the original brush style wand, there are NEW mascaras coming out all the time that have the amazing real bristle brush that we love. I just tried an amazing new mascara product by Makeup Forever called "Smoky Extravagant", and it sure works well. Highly recommend.

<3 tarte <3

tarte cosmetics, while having maybe one or two plastic brush mascaras, creates some of the BEST mascaras, and thusly mascara wands, of all time. Best I've ever tried. Firstly, their lash primer is the best. It's called "multiplEYE lash enhancing primer"; of course, with a bristle brush.

Secondly they make my FAVORITE mascara of all time "Lights, Camera, Splashes", a waterproof mascara that makes my lashes longer, more defined and more beautiful than before. 

These are both lash products I highly, HIGHLY recommend. tarte in general is my favorite cosmetics company for so many reasons. More on that in my next post. 

Questions:

Which do you prefer?

Do both work for you?

Do you, too, wonder: "why plastic bristles?"?

Comment below and tell me what you think.

And also please check out the cosmetics brands listed here, they are all amazing in their own way. 

Livin' the AeroLife :)

Livin' the Aerolife!

Aerolife is an amazing product (and company!) created/invented by Dr. David Edwards at Harvard University. He is also founder of ArtScience Labs. Made for people who are on the go, busy, ambitious, fun-loving, easy-going, and cool. Made for everyone, really! So many choices are available that anyone could find something for them.

AeroLife Home Website

The Aeroshot

The products created by this company are the COOLEST most effective energy and vitamin delivering systems I've ever tried. Soon they'll have medicines in them, too, and refillable mouth-pieces which I'm so excited about. The product is a small, futuristic, innovative tube with powdered nutrients, caffeine, B vitamins and other amazing things for your body, which tastes amazing and starts to work immediately. They have tons of different flavors, my favorite being Green Apple. 

Their newest products out are in a travel pack that contains an Energy flavor, Immunity, and Sleep, too, and I'll go into more detail about those in a minute.

Here is a video containing the newest, refillable forms of AeroLife products! I am SO INCREDIBLY EXCITED for these to come out!!

Live the AeroLife

The Flavors

I'll start with the Energy flavors, which contain 100mg of Caffeine, and 100% daily values of Niacin, and Vitamins B6-B12:

• Green Apple: This is admittedly my favorite flavor of Energy. To me, it tastes just like crisp apples. I love it, and every Aeroshot makes me feel amazing. It's not like drinking a cup of coffee, it never makes me jittery!
• Watermelon: A close second favorite, this one tastes just like watermelons, too! Oh it's so good. Perfect for spring and summer.
• Lime: Lime was the first flavor I tried and I am not sure they offer it anymore. It was really good though. :)
• Mint: This Mint Energy came with the new travel pack, and I do not like it. I can slightly taste the mint, but mostly it just tastes like baking soda to me, which is one of the ingredients. But I can't taste it AT ALL in any of the others. So Mint was not for me. ;)
• Raspberry: Freaking really tastes like raspberries!! And I've had them off the vine. I do NOT know how they do it.

Energy as a Whole:

The Energy is awesome, I will never stop using these. They are so convenient, tasty, and work immediately. It's easy to use/store/ and travel with. The ingredients are great, and you can use the whole thing at once, OR use it up to 4 times! You decide how much to take. I have loved this product since it came out, and it's only getting better and better and more and more interesting!

Coffee:

I'm separating Coffee from the other Energies because it only has 80 mg of caffeine, like a cup of coffee. Now, I really like coffee occasionally. I drink tea all the time, and I am a very "sweet" person. I like sugar. A lot. While this product is very very cool in the sense that they use Colombian coffee, and green coffee extract, it tastes like a cup of black coffee to me. Still good, though!!

!!!NEW NEW NEW!!!

Sleep:

Sleep (vanilla) is a new flavor included in the "Travel Pack" (with Mint Energy and Tropical Citrus Immunity) that is so cool and amazing. It's just a different set of vitamins that help you fall asleep, stay asleep, and wake up refreshed. It contains magnesium, melatonin, and tryptophan! It really works and, to me, it tastes like a dessert. No problem. I love it.

Immunity:

I was so excited to hear that they'd come out with something with Vitamin C! And they don't disappoint. You get 100% daily value of Vit. C, 50% DV of Vit. D and zinc, and some selenium and sodium, too! It works really well, makes me feel great. The flavor is delicious and has a great tangy aftertaste. Sort of tastes like grapefruits a little! Love this one and can't wait to get more.

All in all, I definitely HIGHLY recommend AeroLife products. I have been enamored with them since I discovered them, and I hope you will be, too!!! 

AeroLife on Facebook!

Wholly Guacamole 100 Calorie Packs

Wholly Guacamole 100 Calorie Packs

Or "Minis" :)

So Wholly Guacamole sent me some coupons to try out some of their products, and immediately I was intrigued by the 100 calorie packs, or "minis". It's a box of 6 perfect sized little containers for a snack of guac and chips or whatever floats your boat. And I thought, well this is perfect in so many ways. Perfect because it's obviously the perfect size for a snack. Second, it's perfect because it completely eliminates the problem of the leftover guac becoming brown and grody on the top due to oxidation. Which happens, as a sad fact of life. And thirdly they're perfect because you can take them with you as a snack if you've got a little cooler pack, or if you're not going very far. 

(mine came with 6, I think that's how they come now)

And like everything from Wholly, these taste amazing. Their guac tastes like home-made. And the ingredients are very pleasing. Nothing gross. Listed here: Hass avocados, Jalapeno Puree (white vinegar, jalapenos, salt), Dehydrated Onion, Salt, Granulated Garlic. Yay! This combo is not only healthy but great to know that they don't have a bunch of bad stuff in there, only natural ingredients, and so few. And they're tasty and awesome. 

If you haven't tried Wholly Guacamole yet, I heartily recommend it. Their guacamole goes great with a bag of traditional tortilla chips, or on burgers, or with scrambled eggs for breakfast. They are tasty and good for you and the company is generous and fun. Check them out here:

Website: eatwholly.com

Facebook: WhollyGuacamole

How to Have Healthier, Faster-Growing Hair At Home and Easily!

Since I cut my hair in mid-December of 2011 and donated 13 inches to Locks of Love, my hair has grown extremely quickly back! And I've been sort of analyzing and deciding and experimenting with what factors in my life are making my hair and nails grow so quickly and strongly. I wanted to share what I've found with you :)

This is me before I got my hair cut. As you can see, it is down to my waist.

(Please, excuse my messy, we-had-just-moved-into house!!)

This is me the day I got my hair cut, December 16th, 2011

This is just a two months later.

A month after that.

 

And still going strong!

This is me NOW May 26th, 2013

And DANG! I don't know about you, but I feel like my hair has been growing extremely fast! Now to get to the good stuff. What do I do that makes my hair and nails grow so quickly?

Well first off, ladies, don't wash your hair every single day unless your stylist told you you probably needed to, or, I mean, if you absolutely want to, you don't have to follow my advice :). It strips your hair of all it's natural oils, those oils keep your hair shiny soft and touchable. So if you let them sit there and do their work for three days (I wash my hair every three days) instead of merely hours, your hair will always come out on the other side looking fabulous. Really healthy looking shiny and bouncy. Don't misunderstand, though, I still think it's important to shower as often as you need to!! Just put your hair up or wear a shower cap or something when you're not shampooing! 

There is also this product I love called "dry shampoo" which comes in many different forms and packages! Some are just powder in a bottle that you floof into your hand and rub it from roots to tip then brush out. Some are spray powders, and some can get shaken on from a little shaker :) Those are cute. The main thing you need to remember about dry shampoos is they are not right for everyone. There are plenty out there, but my favorite is called Pssst! Or you can use baby powder, just tap some baby powder in your hand and massage in starting at the roots and brush it out to work it's way down to tips :) If you do this at night before you go to bed, it'll absorb all the excess oil and give volume, too! 

Now when it comes to shampooing my hair in the shower, I think I do it differently than most. I get a good glob of shampoo, work it into the hair on my scalp, and massage every single inch of my scalp using the pads of my fingers. I do this vigorously, but it doesn't hurt. And what I think I'm doing is stimulating growth from the massage! My hair has been growing so fast since I started doing that! And I don't bother with the ends. I just work the shampoo into a lather on my head, do the massage, and all the suds run down my hair to the ends. All my hair gets clean when it's time to rinse! Then, I just put a little conditioner on the tips of my hair. I don't put it in the scalp area. 

Now, of course, I know that there are genetics involved and diet, too, but I think if you have a great diet and active life, you can keep your body healthy. I definitely think genes and diet have a role to play in my weird ability to grow nails and hair quickly, but I'm just trying to give out a few tips as to why I think mine grows faster than my genes alone would allow. I hope this helps someone! If you have any questions you feel I might be able to help you with, please email me at:

 mollify24@hotmail.com 

Queen of the Meadow Lotion Bars Plus Solid Scent Review :)

Queen of the Meadow Lotion Bars/Solid Perfume

Recently I discovered Queen of the Meadow and her bars in Old Town. :) Handmade locally in Fort Collins, CO, these lotion bars are the most moisturizing and magical smelling in the world. I have tried other bars, and most of the one's I have tried were just not at all moisturizing, almost grating on the skin. These Queen of the Meadow lotion bars glide on and moisturize so beautifully and have a really delicate and fragrant long lasting scent. Packaged beautifully, too! Queen of the Meadow also makes solid perfume (I got jasmine) which has not only a good longevity, but has a great jasmine scent and projection!! The other scents they have available are Bergamot/Grapefruit, Flower Bouquet, Vanilla, and Patchouli. And all their products are all natural and organic. Their ingredients are either picked wild or organically grown. 

Excerpt from their website: "Whenever possible, the oils we add are cold pressed, unrefined, and organic. We use only raw butters - simply, we create our recipes with only ingredients that are kept in their most natural, authentic way"

The scents I got to try were the Jasmin lotion bar and solid perfume, and I also got to try the Indian Rose lotion bar (they also make really great Lavender products). I am addicted to floral scents. And I have always loved jasmine anything, jasmine tea, jasmine rice, and of course jasmine perfume! So really the first time I smelled this I knew I had to buy it. It was heaven. It IS heaven. She uses a blend of essential oils of jasmine, rose, and sandalwood that is literally so intoxicating. I still can't get enough of it. And the bars aren't greasy at all, you just unwrap the bar, rub it lightly on your hands or elbows or knees or wherever you need it (you can even use the unscented one on your face!) and then put the bar away and rub everything in and it's fantastic! I mean, I've pretty much stopped using my regular lotion. It's so easy and I really can't get over the scent. It's awesome. 
Indian Rose is a blend of essential oils (a secret blend!) that I know has roses and rosemary but I just can't place it! It is also mind-bendingly delicious. 

Queen of the Meadow also offers a whole range of skincare, facial products, hair care, bath products, and even products for home (in all sorts of scents)! All of these are all natural and handmade :) They are all also packaged with either recyclable or reusable packaging or both!!! This really is a great company. They are a great company, period, but also really really great if you want to be good to the planet and to yourself. Indulge! If you'd like to contact them or see their website, looky here: :D
Queen of the Meadow Facebook
Shop Her Website!

They also do gift cards, and gift sets and all sorts of neat things. Also, if you live in Fort Collins, you can come see them at the Farmer's Market in front of the Larimer County Courthouse every Saturday from 8-12!!! Yay!