New Years Eve Look

It is new years eve! Any exciting plans for tonight? I can't believe how quick 2011 flew by. I hope it was a great year for all of you :) Thank you all for sticking with Makeup Moment, another year. I appreciate all of your sweet comments, and I love that blogging gives me the opportunity to interact with beautiful people like you all. Here is to a prosperous new year, filled with love and joy! 

Today, I am going to share with you all a New Years Eve look of the day. For the eyes, I used colors from the Wet n' Wild Spoiled Brat Color Icon Trio (click here for review), heavily winged out my eyes with black liner, and I just had to incorporate glitter in this eye look, somehow. I did not want to apply the glitter all over the lid area, so I decided to place just a surprising pop of silver glitter on my lower lashline. For the cheeks, I contoured the cheekbones, and applied a coral blush. Lastly, for the lips, I wanted them to stand out, so I applied a shiny pink gloss. I love how this look turned out, and I hope you all do too. 

Here are pictures of the look, as well as the products used listed below. Thanks for stopping by!

Face

MAC Matchmaster Foundation in shade 2.0

MAc Studio Finish Concealer in NW30

Benefit Hoola Bronzer, used to contour cheeks

Milani Baked Powder Blush in Luminoso

MAC Mineralized Skinfinish in Soft And Gentle

Wet N' Wild Ultimate Brow Kit in in Ash Brown, used to fill in brows

Eyes

E.L.F. Eyelid Primer in Sheer

Silver shade from Wet n' Wild Spoiled Brat Trio applied to inner third of lids

Pink shade from Spoiled Brat applied to outer third of lids, outer v

NYX eyeshadow in White applied to browbone

E.L.F. Liquid Eyeliner in Black applied to top lashline, and wing out

NYX Glitter Mania in silver, applied to lower lashline

Lancome Definicils mascara on black, applied to top lashes

Lips

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Dolly Pink 

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. All of the products mentioned in this post were purchased by me for my personal use.

Nail Of The Day: Wet n' Wild, Wild Shine Nail Color in Sparked

Sparked under natural daylight on a sunny day, no flash

Just because the holidays are over, does not mean that my glitter nail obsession is. In fact, I actually think that is has grown! Imagine my eyes when I saw the gorgeous Sparked, from Wet n' Wild's Wild Shine Nail Color line. But what I really loved was the affordable, $0.99 retail price. This glitter nail color was a steal!

with flash

closer look-natural light, no sun, no flash

Sparked is a clear based polish that contains loads of small, pretty pink and silver glitters. I found that one coat did not provide my nails with enough glitter saturation. But once I bumped the coat application count to 4, my nails were covered in glittery goodness.

Sparked would no doubt look lovely applied on top of a pink or silver nail color. But honestly, I prefer it alone. Its such a special color that it deserves to shine. Drying time was fast, but not as fast as other glitter nail colors that I have encountered. My advice would be to give it a good 10-15 minutes for the nails to be completely dry, before you go about your day. Once dry, I do feel the glitter texture on the nails. It doesn't feel rough by any means, but a clear top coat applied on top will help smooth it out a little more.

Lasting power is good so far. I have been sporting Sparked on my nails for 5 days now, and it is still holding on strong. I have yet to see a chip. Pretty impressive, Sparked.

What do you all think of Sparked?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

Wet n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trios: Spoiled Brat and Sweet As Candy

Wet n' Wild's Color Icon Eyeshadow Trios are probably my most favorite drugstore buys. The pigmentation is amazing, and the price of just $2.99 per trio, is hard to beat. I picked up two more of Wet n' Wild's eyeshadow trios. This time around I purchased Spoiled Brat and Sweet As Candy. 

Left To Right: Sweet As Candy, Spoiled Brat

Spoiled Brat (flash)

Spoiled Brat (natural light, no flash)

(natural light, no flash)

Spoiled Brat- This trio consists of a frosty, shimmered cool silver (browbone color), a deep black that contains small, silver shimmers (crease color), and a fun medium frosty pink (eyelid color). I can't tell you all how many times I have looked by this trio, whenever I check out the Wet n' Wild display at drugstores. Don't get me wrong, the colors are gorgeous, but its the pink that has held me back. I don't have many pink eyeshadows in my makeup stash because to be quite frank, I hardly sport pink eyeshadows. As the years go by, I tend to favor wearing the neutrals, over the brights. I remember when I just started getting into makeup, I was almost always sporting some sort of bright eye-even in the daytime! I need to break out of my bright eyeshadow rut and re-discover the beauty that are all things bright. And what better way to start than with Spoiled Brat? Stay tuned for an upcoming LOTD in where I will sport all three of the colors in the trio. I can't help but think that these colors would look super awesome for a New Years Eve look, don't you think?

Sweet As Candy (flash)

Sweet As Candy (natural light, no flash)

(natural light, no flash)

Sweet As Candy- In this neutral-themed eyeshadow trio, you will find a light cream frost (browbone color), a golden brown frost (crease color), and a coral-pink frost (eyelid color). I can never get enough of neutral eyeshadows, and these lovely ones are no exception. These colors are great for creating neutral, everyday looks.

*Each trio comes with two applicators. One sponge-tip, and one brush tip. Personally, I don't use the applicators. I like to use my own eye brushes. All six of these eyeshadows apply like a dream. They are super smooth, the pigment is fantastic, and they blend really easily. 

*FYI: In case some of you aren't familiar with these eyeshadow trios, there is a very handy eye diagram on the back of the case that points out where the browbone, crease, and eyelid colors should be placed. This sure comes as a nice help for those who are just starting out with makeup. 

Back of the case

*I think the lasting power on Wet n' Wild's eyeshadow trios are good. It's usually not until the 6-7 hour mark that I start to notice some creasing and fading. I am glad that I have added these two babies to my stash. In all honesty, I think you are getting a great bang for your buck, when it comes to these Wet n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trios. Affordability and quality are two things that are always appreciated in my book, and Wet n' Wild does it right.

What do you all think of these eyeshadow trios? Which ones are your favorites?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased these products for my personal use.

Fashion Crave: Jewelry

Today I want to share with you all a few jewelry items that are currently on my wishlist. A girl can never have enough accessories, and these pieces are so fun. Check it out!

1. Vince Camuto Toggle Link Gold Necklace ($89.99)-How fun is this chunky, link necklace? The link structure is so simple, but it can really add a tough edge to an outfit. 

2. Kevia 22-Karat Gold-Pleated Cluster Ring ($76.00)- I love the aqua stones on this ring. So pretty!

3. Kendra Scott Harlow Statement Necklace ($195.00)- This is such a fabulous piece. I think this necklace is one that works for either day, or night. This necklace comes in other fun colors as well. 

4. Folli Follie Match n' Dazzle Sterling Silver & Smoky Grey Crystal Earrings ($65.00)-  I can never get enough of hoop earrings. They compliment any outfit, and the hoop style is one that lasts forever.

5. Roberta Chiarella La Luna Coral Necklace ($25.00)- I absolutely love the bright, coral and pink stones. This makes for a great piece that can be worn everyday, and one that will compliment many outfits.

6. Cara Accessories Mix Media Bangles, Set of 24 ($58.00)- Bangles are another one of my accessory staples. I especially love stacked ones, like these.

7. R.J. Graziano Gold Bangle Set ($50.00)- I love the gold and brown color schemes of these bangles. These would definitely add a fun, and fierce edge to an evening outfit. 

8. Kenneth Jay Lane 22-Karat Gold-Pleated Resin Ring ($75.00)- The green stone sure is a stunner. I love how the colors green and gold look together, very chic.

9. Juicy Couture Love Luck & Couture Bracelet ($65.00)- This charm bracelet is so adorable, how could I not include it on my lemming list? :)

10. Michael Kors Pave Ball Stud Earrings ($65.00)- I love jewelry that shines, and these crystal studs are no exception. The round ball shape is the perfect twist to your usual classic studs. Gorgeous!

What accessories are you all craving for? Let me know in the comments section! 

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above.

Product Rave: Physicians Formula Wet/Dry Eye Shadow in Baked Smokes

I am sure most of you know that CVS has a bunch of different beauty items that are marked down 25%, to 75% off, I believe. This was a sale that I could not refuse, so of course I had to stop by my local CVS store last week, to see if I could score some goodies. I want to mention that I am not sure how long this sale is going on. But I think you should all check out your nearby CVS stores and see if there are still more beauty items that are on sale.

I was planning to haul a whole bunch of stuff, but that wasn't so. Most of the products that were available, were items that I wouldn't normally buy for myself. But, I did end up coming home with two eye products, and I am completely happy with them. Not to mention, the prices were crazy good! I picked up the Physicians Formula Wet/Dry Eye Shadow in Baked Smokes, from their Baked Collection, I also picked up the L'oreal HIP Eyeshadow Duo in Dynamic (#828). The L'oreal eyeshadow duo originally retailed for $8.79. With the 50% off, the total came up to $4.39. And the Physicians Formula eyeshadows originally retailed for $9.39. Take 75% off of that, and the total comes up to $2.35! Major steal!

Today, I want to focus on the Physicians Formula Wet/Dry eyeshadows in Baked Smokes. In an upcoming post, I am going to focus solely on the L'oreal HIP eyeshadow duo, so be on the lookout for that.

(Physicians Formula Baked Collection, Wet/Dry Eye Shadow in Baked Smokes)

Initial Thoughts

First, I want to mention that these eyeshadows are hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, fragrance free, and they are safe to use on sensitive eyes-according to the packaging. I really like the packaging-both the box and the product packaging. The box is definitely an attention grabber, for sure. You know me, bright packaging attracts me like no other. Hahaha! There is an eye diagram on the back of the box that contains helpful notations, to show where to apply the eyeshadows. There are also directions included as well. That's always such a great feature, especially for those who are just starting out with makeup. The plastic, round case that houses the actual eyeshadows and a double-ended sponge tip applicator, looks nice, but it doesn't seem very sturdy. I wouldn't want to accidentally drop it on the floor. I think if I do, the eyeshadows would no doubt crumble to bits. When it comes to the eyeshadows-starting from the first one on the left, you get a medium grey, a silvered white, and a charcoal black. All of the eyeshadows contain a silver shimmer. 

(back of the box packaging)

Application/Performance

I was excited when I read that these shadows could be used wet or dry-as per usual with baked eyeshadows. The eyeshadows have a very smooth texture. When I swatched the eyeshadows dry (no eye primer applied beforehand), I noticed that although the colors did show up, they were definitely more of a sheer wash of color. But when I dampened my eyeshadow brush and swatched them wet (again, no eye primer applied beforehand), the eyeshadows took a life of their own. The sheen was impeccable, and the finish almost looked sort of metallic. It was very pretty, and the swatch picture below does not do these shadows any justice. For those who don't want too much drama going on when it comes to eye looks, I suggest using them dry for a softer wash of color. But for those of us who like a little oomph in our eye makeup, applying the eyeshadows wet is the way to go, for sure. Although I love how easily these eyeshadows applied and blended, I did notice a little bit of fallout. But nothing major. These shadows apply well without a primer, but I have very oily lids, so an eyeshadow primer is a must for me-or else creasing is something that will happen sooner than later. These eyeshadows hold strong for hours over an eyeshadow primer. It isn't until the 7 hour mark that I notice some minimal fading and very little creasing. 

Pictures

Below you will see an eye look that I created with these baked eyeshadows, while using them wet. I applied the medium grey color on the left, all over the lid, blending it a bit above my crease. I then took the charcoal black eyeshadow and applied that to the outer V, blending it into the middle of the crease area. Then, I took the silvered white and applied that to the inner corners of my eyes to brighten them up. To finish the look, I lined my eyes with black liner, and added mascara to my top and bottom lashes. I loved the outcome. And not to mention how amazed I was that even while wet, the shadows blended easily. I think I am going to sport this eye look on New Year's Eve. A smokey eye plus a hot pink lip. Perfection!

Overall

I am really happy that I picked up this baked eyeshadow trio from Physicians Formula. Physicians Formula is not a brand that I take the time to explore much, but that needs to change! I will definitely be picking up some more Physicians Formula beauty products. If you all can find this eyeshadow set at your local drugstores, I highly suggest picking it up. I hope to find some other shades as well. 

I hope you are all enjoying your Christmas evening, dolls! I will be back soon :)

Have any of you tried these baked eyeshadows from Physicians Formula? What are your favorite Physicians Formula products?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

Merry Christmas!

(image credit: www.clipartguide.com)

I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I hope you are all enjoying this time spent with your loved ones. There is truly no greater gift, than the gift of family, friends, and love.

Enjoy!

Product Review: Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda-07, Concealer Set

I don't own many Sonia Kashuk products, but I have been pretty impressed so far with the few Sonia Kashuk products that I have tried. I have the famous bent eyeliner brush ($5.99), and the crease shadow brush ($5.99). I definitely plan on purchasing more of the brushes in the near future because the quality is superb, and they work like a dream. For awhile now, I have been curious to try out the Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda 07 Concealer Set ($9.99). I have been putting it to the test for quite a few months now, and today I am going to share with you all my thoughts on it.

(click all images to enlarge)

Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette

One of the things that drew me in to this concealer palette was that it included everything one would need to ensure a perfect coverage. It contains two concealer shades, a neutralizer, and a matte translucent setting powder. I like that there are two concealer shades included because, the majority of us usually need to mix shades in order to get our perfect color match. But, I also noticed that there are no other color selections when it comes to this concealer quad. This is the only one available. Because of this, I think that this concealer set would work best for those who have light-medium skin tones.

The shades are not numbered, I just numbered them to make it easy to refer to them in this post

Left To Right: concealer shade 1, concealer shade 2, neutralizer, powder

Concealer shade (1)- This is the lightest color of the bunch. I am sure that this color would work great for those who have fair-light skin tones. It is a pretty neutral color. This shade contains a tiny hint of pink, and if I am not mistaken, I also spot a hint of yellow mixed in as well. This color is also great for those who want to brighten certain areas-such as, under the eyes.

Concealer Shade (2)- This is the shade that I normally use to conceal my dark, under eye circles. I like it for this purpose because, this concealer contains peachy and orange tones in it, which help eliminate the darkness under my eyes. I apply this shade on top of the neutralizer. This concealer shade would best fit those who have light-medium skin tones.

Neutralizer (3)- The yellow color in this neutralizer works to help neutralize any redness or darkness you may have on your face or under eye area. I apply this shade under my eye area before I apply the concealer shade 2. My dark, under eye circles are brown in color, so the yellow really helps neutralize the color and help the concealer do its job in the covering department.

Powder (4)- The setting powder is used to apply on top of the concealer to help set it, and ensure that it stays in place all day. When I swatch the powder, I do see a tiny hint of color appear, but for the most part, it does goes on translucent when I apply it. 

Thoughts

The packaging is very sleek, and attractive. It contains an easy to open, magnetic closure. I found that the concealers were quite creamy and contained a lot of pigment. The concealers and neutralizer did improve the appearance of my under eye circles, but unfortunately, it creased, settled in my fine lines, and it felt a bit heavy on. I have quite a few lines under my eye area, and I try to look for concealers that don't settle in them. So, that was a huge deal breaker for me. I would say, if you have minimal lines under the eye area, then this concealer may work for you. I think it might have been the heavy, creamy consistency that the concealers have, that caused the settlement into my lines. I like creamy concealers a lot because they seem to pack the most punch when it comes to coverage, but its hard to find one that isn't heavy and too creamy.

Also, another problem was the translucent powder just did not work for me. It applied fine, and everything seemed OK. Then 30 minutes or so later, the concealer was creasing up under my eyes. I have oily skin, so I guess that may be the reason why the powder did not last long? I don't know. I tried this concealer as a spot cover-up for my acne scars and such, and although it covered my imperfections nicely, it just felt really heavy, and uncomfortable, on. On the more positive side, I did not experience any breakouts or irritation.

Overall

I liked the fact that the concealer set contained 2 concealers, a neutralizer and a powder. And the coverage was not bad at all. But the limited shade range, the issues I had with the settlement in my fine lines, the creasing under my eye area, and the powder not being effective for me, prohibits me from repurchasing this concealer set again. I had really high hopes for this concealer set, since it has gotten a love of love in the beauty blogging community. But alas, the search for my HG concealer must go on!

What do you all think of this concealer set by Sonia Kashuk? What are your favorite concealers?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

Look Of The Day: Holiday Glam

Since the holidays are rolling in, I just had to do a look that would compliment a red lip. I love sporting red lips for the holidays. And to accompany a red lip, I like to use eyeshadows that are shimmered. There is something about a shimmery eye and a red lip, that seems so festive to me. I want to mention that I am wearing MAC's Matchmaster foundation. I just purchased it a few days ago, and I am pretty impressed so far. Be on the lookout for an upcoming review, in the coming weeks.

Face

 MAC Matchmaster Foundation in the shade 2.0 (review coming soon)

 Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer in Neutralizer

 Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer in Medium (review coming soon)

 Hard Candy Fox In A Box in Truth Or Dare applied to cheeks (review coming soon)

 MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft And Gentle applied to bridge of nose and cheekbones

 Wet n' Wild Ultimate Brow Kit in Ash Brown

Eyes

 E.L.F. Eyelid Primer applied to the lids

 Wet n' Wild Icon Eyeshadow Trio in Spoiled Brat: Silver shade (all over lids) Black shade (corner)

 NYX Eyeshadow in Highlight, applied to the brow bone

Stila Smudge Pot in Black used to line the eyes

 Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero, used to line the lower waterline

 Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara in very black, applied to upper lashes

Lips

MAC Lipstick in Heartless (limited edition)

Thanks for stopping by, dolls!

Disclaimer: All of the products mentioned in this post were purchased by me, for my personal use.

Nail Of The Day: Glitter, Glitter, And More Glitter!

I think purchasing the Sephora By O.P.I. Spark-tacular! Top Coat was one of the best investments I have made recently. I simply can't get enough of it. Last night while I was doing my weekly mani, I decided I was in the mood for dark nails. Done. But no! My glitter crazy-self just couldn't help it. The mani looked so plain...it needed an oomph! In comes Spark-tacular! to the rescue. I can't stop staring at my nails. I absolutely love the contrast between the dark base color, and the glitter. I love this top coat so much, that I can easily overlook the difficult glitter removal process. Spark-tacular! is so worth it. Now, that's love.

For this nail look, I applied two coats of Sinful Color's Secret Admirer (charcoal black with fine, small silver shimmers), and two coats of Sephora By O.P.I. Spark-tacular! Top coat.

What do you all think of glitter on your nails? Are you all obsessed with it like I am?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased the products mentioned for my personal use.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss: Coral Reef

Revlon's Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Coral Reef ($5.94) has been on my beauty radar for a long time. I think I strayed from purchasing it because I have been limiting myself from purchasing any more lip gloss for awhile. I have quite a few glosses in my makeup stash, and I at least want to try and use up what I have before I go on, and purchase more. But, as soon as I saw Coral Reef at Wal-Mart, I just couldn't help it-I gave in. What can I say? This makeup obsession is deep. Ha! Keep reading to see if coral reef lived up to my expectations.

Coral Reef is a really gorgeous coral color. I really like the packaging. It looks very sleek, and feels sturdy. The applicator is of the slanted, sponge tip kind. I am not too keen about sponge tip applicators. I actually prefer brush tips instead. I find the brush tip applicators to distribute and spread the lip product easier, and more evenly. That is just my preference, though. But it's not such a huge deal-breaker for me. 

Coral Reef may look a bit scary in the tube, especially for those who like glosses that provide just a hint of color-not quite sheer, but not overly pigmented either. In my opinion this color is definitely wearable, especially for daytime. As you can see in the lip swatch picture below, the finish is super shiny, which I really love. I also want to mention that this lip gloss contains an SPF of 15. I just love when lip products contain some sort of SPF in them. It is just as important to protect our lips from the rays of the sun, as we do our face and body.

Coral Reef and I, had a few issues, though. I made the mistake of over applying numerous coats of this gloss and going back for more product. When I did that, the gloss looked so gloppy and thick on my lips. It looked so uneven and patchy. It was not a pretty look. This gloss does have a semi-thick, creamy consistency so I should have known that it wasn't going to layer easily like thin gloss formulas do. So, the moral? A little goes a long way. Another thing I am not very fond of is the sweet fragrance. I usually am not picky when it comes to fragrances, but this one was too sic-kingly sweet-even for me. Luckily, the scent does not linger for long on my lips and it dissipates quick.

The formula does not feel heavy on my lips, and definitely not sticky, either. Lasting power wasn't too bad. The gloss faded on the 4 hour mark, but it did not fade unevenly. I did notice that when faded, my lips had a pretty soft, coral tint left over, which was a nice surprise. Overall, I am glad that I picked up Coral Reef, and I am definitely going to check out more shades in Revlon's Super Lustrous lip gloss line in the future. 

What do you all think of Coral Reef? Any other shades in the Super Lustrous lip gloss line that you recommend me to try?

Disclaimer: I purchased this product for my personal use.

Holiday Gift Guide: For The Spa, And Home Decor Lover

Here is the third installment of my holiday gift guide series. This time, I am featuring gift ideas for that person who loves to pamper themselves, and for those that can't get enough of home decor goods. I decided to merge these two categories because if you think about it, they both relate to each other. A person's home is their sanctuary. A place where they go to everyday and wind down after a long day. After a stressful day, you just want to find ways to relax, and be one with yourself again. And what better way to relax, than with a soothing bath, using all of your favorite bath products. When it comes to the home, its those unique extra touches and items, that really add pizzazz to a room, and make it that much more special. Another bonus? It also allows your personality to peek through.

1. Jo Malone White Jasmine & Mint Body And Hand Wash ($50.00)- I know many rave about Jo Malone's bath products. This body and hand wash contains an array of floral scents, jasmine, lily, rose, and orange flower. I love that included is a hint of mint as a surprising compliment to the floral.

2. Bliss Snow Wonder Set ($29.00)- This Bliss set contains full sizes of the body wash, body butter, and a super convenient bath and shower poof. The lemon fragrance will surely be a treat that will calm the senses.

3. Lush Christmas Candy Box ($45.95)- Lush releases some of the cutest gift sets for the holiday season. This set being no exception. Included in this fun set is the snow fairy shower gel, candy mountain bubble bar, snow fairy lip tint, candy cane soap, sugar babe sugar scrub, and so white bath bomb. So many fun treats to explore!

4. Fringe "Paris Nest" Shannon Vase ($23.99)- This vase is such an intricate piece to look at. The bird and nest print is surely an attention grabber. This vase will compliment an array of lovely flowers, I am sure.

5. Kate Spade New York Make Headlines Tidbit Plates Set Of Four ($50.00)- How chic are these plates? I can't help but envision how lovely these would look displayed on a dresser. Not only that, but these plates would be fabulous to store your jewelry, lipsticks, and other small miscellaneous  items in.

6. Nouvel Studios Small Osaka Bowl ($38.00)- I don't know why, but I have really been intrigued by bowls lately. I think they are great statement pieces that have so many versatile uses. Place fruits in it, jewelry, etc...it's really all up to you. Let your creative side run free.


Check out these other fun Holiday Gift Guides:
Holiday Gift Guide: For Him
Holiday Gift Guide: For the Beauty Lover



Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above.

Holiday Gift Guide: For Him

Here is my second holiday gift guide, and this time I am featuring neat gift ideas for those special men in your life. Whether it be your father, grandfather, husband, boyfriend, cousin, or best friend, there is bound to be something here that will suit their fancy. Let's get started!
   
1. Jack Black 'First Class Five' Set ($49.00)-This set from Jack Black is awesome for those guys who are always traveling, and constantly on the go, especially since its airline approved. This set includes a beard lube, an all over wash, a facial moisturizer, an eye balm, and a lip balm-which is superb by the way. Plus, a handy travel bag to carry all the goodies in. Super convenient.

2. Sephora Favorites Collector's Edition Fragrance Sampler For Him ($75.00)- Since fragrances can be so subjective, this set from Sephora is a real treat. There are eight fragrances your guy can choose from and there is bound to be one or a few, that will suit his fancy. The best part about these Sephora fragrance sampler sets is that they come with a voucher, which can be redeemed on any one of the fragrances, for a full size bottle of the favorite one.

3. Amazon Kindle e-reader with Wi-Fi ($79.00)- I don't think I have ever met a guy who doesn't love electronics. Amazon just released some awesome new kindles, at amazing different price points. They are super affordable, and look very sleek. As an early Christmas present, my mom got me the Kindle you see above, and I really love it. This Kindle in particular, is great for those who just want a reliable e-reader for reading purposes. I know there are super fancy e-readers and tablets out there, that do it all. But me? I prefer the simpler things in life.

4. Joseph Abboud Two Piece Cotton Pajama Set ($29.95)- One can never go wrong with a comfy, pajama set. It is something that is used all year round, and there are so many different kinds of sets to choose from. This one for instance, is more for the low-key, minimalist. But if you are looking for pajamas with fun images on them, I am sure if you browse around the web, many are bound to come up.

5. G-Shock Baby G Men's Black And Green Digital Watch ($89.00)-The G-Shock watches have been gaining quite the following these past few years. I think these watches are really fun to sport, especially on those chilled, laid back weekends. There are loads of colors and styles to choose from. This black and neon green one is a stunner, for sure.


Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above.

Product Review: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind- Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer

It is no secret that I have struggled with my super dark, hereditary under eye circles for many years. I even have discoloration on my lids. Its not very helpful on my part that I have contributed to the problem thanks to lack of sleep. I for the most part, have come to terms with the fact that probably nothing will help get rid of them. All I can do is find products that will help minimize their appearance.

Neutralizers and correctors work to help with most skin discolorations. They help neutralize the color, to better help conceal the area and make your skin much more even. Sometimes, your regular concealer just isn't enough. I have long ignored the power of neutralizers...until I saw Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer ($8.49). I was not only intrigued by this concealer because of the fact that it was intended for the use of primarily concealing under eye circles, but also, the sponge tip applicator looked really interesting too.

Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment (Neutralizer)

There are six concealer shades available-fair, light, medium, honey, neutralizer, and brightener. I was originally going to pick up the medium shade, but instead I decided to give 'neutralizer' a shot. I have enough concealers at home, so I figured that bringing a neutralizing shade into the mix, may help better conceal my dark circles.

I liked that neutralizer contains yellow tones that help brighten up the eye area. I have brown discoloration all around my eye area-under and on the lids, so this stuff looked perfect. Tip: For those who have more of blue/purple eye discoloration, I suggest trying a more peachy/orange toned neutralizer, which helps counteract those kinds of tones. For those who have brown discolorations, I have learned that yellow tones are great for brightening up and neutralizing the brown. 

Thoughts/Application

As I mentioned before, the sponge tip applicator was intriguing. According to Maybelline, the "micro-corrector applicator micro-fills and smoothes." During application, the sponge tip feels so soft, and fluffy. The only thing people may not be crazy about, is the fact that the sponge is not very hygienic. But honestly, its not really a deal-breaker for me.

To dispense the product, one just twists the base and before your eyes, concealer starts to appear on the tip of the sponge head. Be careful, though because you may actually get a little more of the product out than you intend to use. When the concealer comes out, I then dot a bit under my eyes, and on my lids, then blend it in with my ring finger.

I found that this concealer is quite easy to blend. The texture is not too thin, but not thick either. The consistency is just right. It feels very lightweight, and a little truly goes a long way. I liked that this product did not settle into the fine lines that are under my eye area, which most concealers tend to do.

Pictures

No Concealer

Maybelline Eraser Concealer Applied

Maybelline Eraser Concealer Blended In

Left: With Maybelline Eraser Concealer And MAC Studio Finish Concealer, Right: No Concealer

Swatch Of Maybelline Eraser Concealer in Neutralizer

Based on the pictures above, you can see that the Maybelline concealer did in fact, lighten up my eye area. After I have blended it in, I instantly noticed that the brown discoloration has subsided, and appears much less noticeable than usual. But of course, I can't just end there. I can't use this product by itself because it does look noticeable under my eye area and it leaves sort of a bright, unnatural looking cast. So, I take my MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW30 and pat some of that on top of the Maybelline corrector. After I have done that, my eye area looks more neutralized, even, and blends in with the rest of my face much better.

Conclusion

I really like the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer in Neutralizer. Ever since I purchased this product a few months ago, it has been part of my daily makeup routine. Although, I had a nice experience with this concealer, I do have just one quirk...the lasting power. In the morning when first applied, it looks great, but 3-4 hours later, I start to notice that the concealer has faded and my dark circles are peeking through a bit. I have a pretty oily eye area so, I think the oils play a major part when it comes to the lasting power. I say, give this concealer a try if you have super dark, under eye circles. You may just like it as much as I do :)

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.