Sheer Miracle SPF 30 Mineral Foundation - Medium Tan & Medium Light Neutral /Review/

Hey everyone!

Lately I've been trying some new mineral makeup and I have found great mineral foundation that's worth at least trying. It is SPF 30 Mineral Foundation from Sheer Miracle. I have two shades of this foundation - Medium Tan and Medium Light Neutral and I have chosen them myself from their range trying to find something that will match my olive skin tone. There aren't too many shades to choose from and without much thinking I have chosen those shades and I think I'm not wrong with my choices. 

 Sheer Miracle SPF 30 Mineral Foundation - Medium Tan 

Image from SheerMiracle.com 

 Sheer Miracle SPF 30 Mineral Foundation - Medium Light Neutral 

 Image from SheerMiracle.com 

What company says: 

Medium Tan SPF 30 Mineral Foundation: For medium skin tones that tan easily. Balanced undertones.

You'll love this shade if you currently use big name brand shades: Medium, Medium Tan, Latte or Golden.

Medium Light Neutral SPF 30 Mineral Foundation: A neutral, and a bit darker than Light Warm. It works well on both pink and yellow/olive undertones. Medium Light Neutral is our most popular shade and is worn by about 80% of our Caucasian clients.

You'll love this shade if you currently use big name brand shades: Light, Medium Beige, Bisque or Buff. (Info  from SheerMiracle.com)

Directions: Tap a small amount of powder into the top and swirl your brush into it. Tap the bottom of the handle with the brush head facing upward on a hard surface (e.g. bathroom counter). This settles the powder into the brush head. Firmly buff powder on clean, moisturized skin to evenly blend pigments. Apply small amounts repeatedly until you achieve the coverage desired (as opposed to trying to buff in a lot at once).

For blemishes, a separate concealer is not needed. Use a shadow/concealer brush to apply small amounts to the problem areas then blend well with your foundation brush.

For those with dry or flaky skin, Sheer Miracle loose mineral foundation can be blended with moisturizer to create a cream foundation. First moisturize as usual and then tap a small amount of powder into the palm of the hand. Add a drop of moisturizer. Blend the two products together until a smooth, creamy consistency is achieved. Use your fingers or make-up wedge to apply. (Info  from SheerMiracle.com)  

Ingredients: Titanium Dioxide, Mica, Iron Oxides, Ultramarine Blue.

Price: 

Available in 3 sizes:

0.04 oz. / 1g (sample) - $2.50 / 75 rub.
0.11 oz. / 3g (30 day supply) - $10.50 / 315 rub.

0.28 oz. / 8g (90 day supply) - $18.50 / 555 rub.

Sheer Miracle does ship Worldwide.

My experience: Sheer Miracle SPF 30 Mineral Foundation comes in a clear plastic sifter jar with a black lid.

Sheer Miracle SPF 30 Mineral Foundation - Medium Tan (top one) and Medium Light Neutral (bottom one) / the packaging

One of the jars (Medium Light Neutral) has a rotating sifter top which allows you to control how much or how little powder you want to use. And when it's closed it protects you from mess that is common for mineral makeup. 

  Sheer Miracle SPF 30 Mineral Foundation - Medium Tan and  Medium Light Neutral (right) / in the jars

This mineral foundation is a finely milled powder and has a nice texture, it's soft and creamy to the touch. Application is great, you can build layers from lightest coverage to heavy one and it won't look like a mask on your face. But you should keep in mind that since this foundation contains mica it is on a glowing / shimmering side so if your skin is oily and shiny you need to use mattifying primer before applying this to your face or you are at risk to end up with your face looking like an oily pancake. If your skin isn't that oily Sheer Miracle SPF 30 Mineral Foundation will give you a healthy radiant glow.

    Sheer Miracle SPF 30 Mineral Foundation - Medium Tan (left) and Medium Light Neutral (right) / swatched on the hand

top - daylight

bottom - direct sunlight

All my pics are clickable, and if you take a closer look at the swatch pic taken in the direct sunlight you'll be able to see that shimmer I'm talking about. You can see that Medium Light Neutral is almost an exact hit for my skin tone while Medium Tan is darker and has more pink undertones. My skin is darker on my face than on my hand and I have found that Medium Light Neutral is kind of light for me. And I think that Medium Tan will be a great summer foundation for me because when I'm tanned some pink undertones appears in my skin tone. 

Speaking of summer, this foundation has SPF 30 because of titanium dioxide - natural mineral sun protection. I prefer cosmetic products that have titanium dioxide as a sun protecting ingredient because titanium dioxide is a physic sun protection (I'm not sure I've chosen a right word) that is safe for your skin unlike chemical sun protection like oxybenzone that might cause allergies and irritation on the skin.

And here is a photo of me wearing Sheer Miracle SPF 30 Mineral Foundation in Medium Light Neutral. I also used Medium Tan foundation for soft contouring. I also used Extreme CloseUp HD High Definition Mineral Finishing Powder from Sheer Miracle (I'll tell you about it later).

  Sheer Miracle SPF 30 Mineral Foundation - Medium Tan and Medium Light Neutral  / swatched on the face

 I hope my review was helpful for you. Stay tuned for more!

I received Sheer Miracle SPF 30 Mineral Foundation - Medium Tan and Medium Light Neutral from SheerMiracle.com  for review purposes   

Oriflame Shower Gel For Sensitive Skin With Mango & Yoghurt

Hey everyone!

My todays blog post is about Oriflame Shower Gel For Sensitive Skin With Mango & Yoghurt. Oriflame is a very popular brand here in Russia. Oriflame say they produce natural cosmetics but this statement is doubtful. I'd rather say they produce cosmetics containing natural ingredients. And the amount of natural ingredients in their products is often insufficient to provide any positive effect to the skin. When people say they feel the difference using such products I believe it's self-hypnosis. People pay their own money and they want to feel the difference...

Anyway, all of us have the experience of using such 'natural' cosmetic products. And I want to share mine with you. 

Oriflame Shower Gel For Sensitive Skin With Mango & Yoghurt / the packaging

What company says: Soothes sensitive skin. (Info from Ru.Oriflame.com)

Brevity is the soul of wit, isn't it?

Directions: Use on the wet skin, lather and rinse.

Ingredients: Aqua, Sodium Laureth Sulfate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Coco-Glucoside, Sodium Chloride, Glyceryl Oleate, Sodium Citrate, PEG-7 Glyceryl Cocoate, Parfum, Glycol Distearate, Laureth-4, Benzophenone-4, Propylene Glycol, 2-Bromo-2-Nitropropane-1,3-Diol, Mangifera Indica, Yogurt, Formic Acid, CI 16035, CI 19140. (Ingredients listed on my bottle are slightly different from ingredients listed on their site!)

Price: $4.60 / 140 rub. for 6.6 fl.oz. / 200 ml. but it's on sale like always. Now the price is $2.63 / 79 rub. Available only through ORIFLAME reps. I received this as a gift.

My experience: Oriflame Shower Gel For Sensitive Skin With Mango & Yoghurt comes in a standard clear soft plastic bottle with a flip cap.

This gel has light orange color and it's slightly pearlescent. To my taste, the texture of this shower gel is too runny. It has mango scent that seems synthetic to me but it's not overpowering.

Oriflame Shower Gel For Sensitive Skin With Mango & Yoghurt / the texture

I have nothing more to say about this shower gel. Nothing good and nothing bad. It's just an ordinary shower gel. My only complaint is that this shower gel doesn't lather well and the bottle doesn't last long which is unexpectedly for shower gel containing Sodium Laureth Sulfate. However it doesn't leave the skin dry and flaking.

My skin isn't sensitive so I can't tell you if this shower gel will irritate sensitive skin. 

And what about you? Have you ever tried Oriflame products?

EMANI Crushed Minerals Color Dusts - 105 White Gold & 167 Peach Attitude /Review/

Hi everyone!

I got these beauties from EMANI Minerals and I want to share my thoughts with you! 

EMANI Crushed Minerals Color Dusts - 105 White Gold 

Image from Emani.com

EMANI Crushed Minerals Color Dusts - 167 Peach Attitude

Image from Emani.com

What company says: EMANI Natural Crushed Mineral Dusts are made exclusively with pure crushed minerals, which are free of harmful preservatives, irritants, and talc. They bring a touch of glamour to your eyes with soft, translucent shades that convey subtle highlights for daytime use, or increased allure for nighttime use. These materials also multi-task, transforming from eye color to instant lip color in seconds by blending the eye color with clear wet gloss. You can also use it on top of EMANI’S Magic Sealer continuously for 12 hours without creasing or fading! (Info  from Emani.com)

Directions: Prep skin with eye cream then layer foundation on top to create a smooth base that will help shadow last longer. For redness on eyelids, use an EMANI Mineral based concealer to neutralize the area. With an Emani B3/V3 Shadow or B4/V4 Contour Brush, swirl mineral color dust into lid, tap off excess then blend. 

As an added bonus, you can design your own lip color by blending a mineral color dust with a base transformer for a glossy finish or with an EMANI Hydrating Lip Fusion product for a matte finish. (Info from Emani.com)

Ingredients: Mica, Iron Oxide, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).

Price: $10.50 / 315 rub. for 0.07 oz. / 2 g. EMANI offers Free Shipping with $75 order plus free sample at checkout.

My experience: EMANI Crushed Minerals Color Dusts - 105 White Gold and 167 Peach Attitude come in a traditional sifter jar with a black lid. What I love about the lid that it's clear in the center part and you can see the color through it. It also has EMANI logo on it.

EMANI Crushed Minerals Color Dusts - 105 White Gold & 167 Peach Attitude / the package

105 White Gold is like white / silver color and 167 Peach Attitude is soft peach color. Both colors have great warm yellow shimmer with a hint of green and it makes them kind of duohrom. I think this colors make a great combination for everyday wear.

   EMANI Crushed Minerals Color Dusts - 105 White Gold & 167 Peach Attitude / in the jars

  EMANI Crushed Minerals Color Dusts - 105 White Gold & 167 Peach Attitude / swatched

top - daylight / bottom - direct sunlight / fingertips - daylight

The texture of EMANI Crushed Minerals Color Dusts is soft and creamy to the touch. These powders are finely milled. They are blended with no efforts. And there's one thing about the texture that I like most - when you open the jar you don't notice any sparkles flying around and when you use this mineral product as eyeshadow you have little to no fallout which is uncommon for mineral eyeshadows. 

I used EMANI Crushed Minerals Color Dusts - 105 White Gold and 167 Peach Attitude to create this simple everyday look. 167 Peach Attitude is all over upper lid and along the lower lash line, 105 White Gold is at the brow bone and at the tear duct.

EMANI Crushed Minerals Color Dusts - 105 White Gold & 167 Peach Attitude / eye look

And from another angle:

EMANI Crushed Minerals Color Dusts - 105 White Gold & 167 Peach Attitude / eye look

In fact, my photos don't do any justice to these beautiful pigments... I really love them and the price is totally reasonable for their quality so I'm thinking of purchasing more colors of EMANI Crushed Minerals Color Dusts for my makeup artist kit. And they have a lot of colors to choose from! 

Thanks for reading!

 I received EMANI Crushed Minerals Color Dust - 105 White Gold & 167 Peach Attitude from Emani.com for review purposes. 

B I R T H D A Y * GIVEAWAY at Yuk Lui Style!

Hey everyone!

I want to share another great giveaway with you! Take a look at what you can win!

Urban Decay The Black Palette 

Image from yuk-lui.blogspot.com

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils 15 Year Anniversary Collection

Image from yuk-lui.blogspot.com 

 Urban Decay Naked Palette

Image from yuk-lui.blogspot.com 

 And a few British sweets :)

Enter here! 

Giveaway open Internationally and ends on April 30, 2011.

Good luck! 

OLEHENRIKSEN Walnut Complexion Scrub /Review/

Hi everyone!

As a makeup artist I know that beautiful skin is impossible without a good care. And one of the most important steps in a good skin care is cleansing. So today I want to tell you about wonderful product - OLEHENRIKSEN Walnut Complexion Scrub. This is a deep cleansing product for the face that is suitable for all skin types and can be used instead of your regular cleanser 2-3 times a week.

 Image from OLEHENRIKSEN.com

What company says: 

Every so often, your complexion needs a little extra attention to enhance the skin’s natural renewal cycle. Nothing does this better than a densely textured, smooth gliding and terrifically energizing facial scrub. Activated with water, the finely ground walnut powder foams up and slips over the skin effortlessly to awaken beautiful glowing skin.

Ingredient benefits:

Aloe vera - Moisturizes, calms and heals
Chamomile - Calms, softens and soothes
Korean ginseng - Increases cellular energy, stimulates microcirculation
Walnut powder - Mildly abrasive, aids in cell renewal. (Info from  from OLEHENRIKSEN.com)

Directions: Apply to wet skin and massage in circular motions. Rinse with warm water, then apply tonic, crème and eye care. Use two to three times a week in place of your regular cleanser. In cases of excess dirt and oil or makeup, cleanse with your regular cleanser first.  (Info from  from OLEHENRIKSEN.com)

Ingredients: Water (Aqua, Eau), Cocamidopropyl Hydroxysultaine, Glyceryl Stearate SE, Juglans Regia, (Walnut) Shell Powder, Prunus Armeniaca (Apricot) Seed Powder, Sodium Lauroyl Sarcosinate, Cetyl Alcohol, Sorbitol, Acrylates Copolymer, Aloe Barbadensis Leaf Juice, Allantoin, Lecithin, Tocopheryl Acetate, Calendula Officinalis Extact, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Panax Ginseng Root Extract, Glycerin, Glycol Distearate, Cocamidopropyl Betaine, Potassium Hydroxide, Ethylhexylglycerin, Laureth-4, Hexylene Glycol, Benzyl Alcohol, Phenoxyethanol, Chlorphenesin, Caprylyl Glycol, Sodium Benzoate, Hexyl Cinnamal, Limonene, Linalool, Fragrance (Parfum). (Info from  from OLEHENRIKSEN.com)  

Price: $24 / 720 rub. for 1.7 oz. / 50 g. You can purchase it on-line at OLEHENRIKSEN's website. I was surprised when I found that some of Russian beauty supply stores sell this scrub for $70.5 / 2116 rub. And the most interesting part is that people buy products at such high prices...

My experience: OLEHENRIKSEN Walnut Complexion Scrub comes in a sleek jar with a bright label.

  OLEHENRIKSEN Walnut Complexion Scrub / the package

First time I opened the jar I wanted to eat this scrub! It smells so delicious!

The texture is creamy with the multiple visible particles. I believe they are Walnut Shell Powder. Even if they are a little too big to be 'powder'. 

OLEHENRIKSEN Walnut Complexion Scrub / the texture

OLEHENRIKSEN Walnut Complexion Scrub / swatched on the hand  

The scrub foams when contacted with water. Despite the big size of the scrubbing particles, they don't scratch the skin. Generally,  OLEHENRIKSEN Walnut Complexion Scrub doesn't irritate even the most sensitive skin. It never makes the skin dry and / or dehydrated. It just leaves you with glowing skin that feels baby soft to the touch.

As for its cleansing properties, it does this job really good. It exfoliates keratinous skin cells and cleanses blackheads leaving the skin luminous and visibly clean.

And last but not least - you need only a little bit of the product per use. On the above photo you can see the amount I need to do my whole face. Yes! So little! So the 1.7 oz. / 50 g jar will last for a long long time!

In conclusion  I must say that I would highly recommend this scrub to everyone! I can't tell you how much I love this scrub! When my mother-in-law visits us and decides to stay for a couple of days she usually comes up to me and asks: "May I use that wonderful scrub?" She loves it too)  LOL

I received Walnut Complexion Scrub from OLEHENRIKSEN for review purposes. 

Amazing SIGMA F80 Kabuki Brush Giveaway At Peppermint Lips!

Remember I told you about Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki - F80? If not, you can read my review here. LOL

Now guess what? Syzia at Peppermint Lips has one of this brushes to give away!

Image from peppermint-lips.blogspot.com

Take your chance and win it here!

This giveaway is open INTERNATIONALLY. Giveaway ends 7th May 2011.

Good luck!

The Kelly Moore Bag Giveaway at Leslie Loves Veggies!

The generous folks at Kelly Moore Bag are going to Bless ONE Leslie Loves Veggies Reader with their Handbag of Choice under $250.

Oh, I want to win this Kelly Moore bag so bad - 

Image from KellyMooreBag.com

If you want to enter this awesome giveaway too, please do it here!

Giveaway will end on Thursday 4/28. GIVEAWAY OPEN TO ENTRIES WORLD WIDE.

Good luck!

Products I Finished /March/

GARNIER Mineral Deodorant Extra Care 48 HR Anti-Perspirant Enriched With Mineralite

CONCEPT FUSION Energizing Hair Mask 'Hot Chocolate' Based On Milk Proteins With Cocoa Extract

FITOVAL Dermatological Anti-Dandruff Shampoo

AVON Foot Works Heel Softening Cream

PULANNA Grape Series Cleansing Milk

That's all my empties for last month!

Attention All UK Residents! FREE Mascara And Concealer Sample With Any Foundation Purchase at Estee Lauder!

Hey everyone!

I want to share this with all my UK readers! 

You get your FREE Double Wear Mascara and Concealer sample with any foundation purchase at EsteeLauder.co.uk!

Image from EsteeLauder.co.uk

For a limited time only, receive a dual-ended Double Wear Mascara (2.4ml) and Concealer (2.4ml) sample, worth over £15.00, FREE with any Foundation purchase.*

This sample will automatically be added at checkout once your foundation has been selected.

Choose from a selection of foundations including:

New: Double Wear Maximum Cover Camouflage Makeup SPF 15

Award Winning: Double Wear Stay-in-Place Makeup SPF 10

Bestselling: Resilience Lift Extreme Radiant Lifting Makeup SPF 15

5 Stars Rated: Nutritious Vita-Mineral Liquid Makeup SPF 10

SHOP ALL FOUNDATIONS

*Limited time offer, while stocks last. Offer ends 30/04/2011. Worth based on price calculated per ml/g of individual products at full selling price. (Info   from EsteeLauder.co.uk)  

Products I started /March/

SIAS Serial Haircosmetics Protein Treatrment With Milk Protein

EMANI Minerals Foundation Primer And Hydrating Serum

  EMANI Minerals 100% Pure Mineral Foundation - Vanilla

  EMANI Minerals Crushed Minerals Color Dust - Peach Attitude

  EMANI Minerals Crushed Minerals Color Dust - White Gold

OLE HENRIKSEN Walnut Complexion Scrub

OLE HENRIKSEN Truth Serum Collagen Booster

ECCO BELLA Botanicals Natural Soft Eyeliner - Cocoa

 CHANEL Smoky Lash Waterproof Eyeliner Liquid 

PROVIDENCE AND GRACE Mineral Eyeshadow - Shine

  PROVIDENCE AND GRACE Mineral Eyeshadow - Charlotte

  PROVIDENCE AND GRACE Mineral Eyeshadow -  Color Shower

  PROVIDENCE AND GRACE Mineral Eyeshadow Sample - Myth

WILD WOOZLE Zoe's Pomegranate Paradise Body Scrub

WILD WOOZLE Zoe's Secluded Beach Pedicure Scrub

SHEER MIRACLE Extreme CloseUp HD High Definition Mineral Finishing Powder

EVE ORGANICS Mineral Blush - Peachie

GREEN MAMA Formula Of The Taiga Milk Makeup Remover 'Wheat Germ Oil And Camomile'

BEL COSMEX Teebaum Strengthening Conditioner With Tea Tree Oil And Aloe Barbadensis

HERBAL ESSENCES Long Term Relationship Conditioner For Long Hair

As you can see I've started using a lot of great products and some of them are already reviewed here on my blog. Stay tuned for more reviews! xoxo

Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki - F80 /Review/

Hey guys!

I'm sure everyone knows all the YouTube and blog hype about this brush. Luckily, I have had a chance to receive this brush for review and I have got convinced that it's all true.

So, here's the pic of Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki - F80 from official website:

 Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki - F80

Image from SigmaBeauty.com

What company says: This exclusive flat top synthetic kabuki was designed to deliver a flawless makeup application. The Sigma Makeup F80 is a buffer brush that can be used to blend powder or liquid products. The short and dense bristles make it easy to buff your liquid foundation. The long handle adds comfort to your makeup application. The synthetic fibers are ideal to be used with liquid products and can be easily cleaned.  (Info from SigmaBeauty.com)  

Directions: I haven't found any on their website but really, do you need any instructions for using a brush?.. Especially with this brush that makes all the work for yours)

Ingredients: Synthetic Sigmax HD filament. (Info from SigmaBeauty.com)  

Price: $16.00 / 480 rub. Considering the quality of the brush, the price is 100% reasonable. Sigma does ship Worldwide! And if there is anybody from Russia reading this blog - there's no need to buy this brush for $30.00 / 1000 rub. from Russian resellers! You can purchase it at Sigma's official website and pay $5.20 / 156 rub. for shipping! And you'll be sure that you get the original Sigma F80 Brush!

My experience: Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki - F80 has a black handle and silver tone metal ferrule. It look quite professional.

   Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki - F80

The bristles are two-toned. They are super soft and super dense, like a dream) I washed it several times and I didn't notice any shedding.

  Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki - F80 closeup

Sigma F80 has a clear flat top kabuki shape which delivers a flawless makeup application.

  Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki - F80 closeup

  Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki - F80 closeup

I used this brush for mineral foundation application mostly and it works a lot better for that purpose than brushes made especially for application of mineral makeup. The shape allows this brush to reach such difficult parts of the face as around the nose and around the eyes. The density of the bristles are ideal for blending and buffing makeup into the skin for natural yet flawless look. And besides great application it helps to save the product. 

I love synthetic brushes for my work and for personal use and I will repeat again and again that they are very easy to take care of. Taking care of natural brushes may be time consuming but if you deal with synthetic brushes like Sigma F80 you just wash them with warm water and your regular shampoo / facial cleanser, then rinse and tap excess water, and let them to dry overnight.

I would highly recommend this brush to everyone. It's a real life saver)

I received Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki - F80  from Sigma for review purposes. 

Freebies And Winnings /March/

Yep, last month I received just one sample and no giveaway prizes.. 

BTW the gummies were yummy)

Mother's Day Is Just Around The Corner! Check Out These Great Gift Selections From Sigma!

Image from SigmaBeauty.com

Gift Ideas for Trendy Mom including Heart Shaped Mirror - Cleopatra and MAXBag in Violet.

  Image from SigmaBeauty.com

Image from SigmaBeauty.com

Gift Ideas for Classy Mom featuring Makeup Bag Kit - Black and Hollywood Glamour Retractable Kabuki - Black.

Image from SigmaBeauty.com

Image from SigmaBeauty.com

And finally, Gift Ideas for Romantic Mom. Just take a look at this Heart Shaped Mirror - Wild Pink and Travel Kit Nice in Pink. She'll love them!

Image from SigmaBeauty.com

  Image from SigmaBeauty.com

Happy shopping and gift giving! 

Your Mom will probably be The Happiest Mom when she receives one (or all!) of these items as a gift because The Sigma Makeup brand is synonymous with quality and functionality. Their products are handmade and were developed to satisfy the highest quality standards.

Stay tuned!