Craving Kismet Cosmetics

Kismet Cosmetics is my go-to make up now. Forget Mac, Sephora -- whatever -- I love their products. Their lipstick collections are absurdly awesome, the colors are beautiful and last. They've got liquid lipstick , semi-matte lipstick, glosses, lip kits and more! Their lip products also smell lovely and don't have a chalky taste, which I appreciate!

Hot pinks, sultry reds, demure nudes: whether you want something for work, something casual, something fierce -- they have the color.  The company touts their variety, aiming to provide their clients with a variety of looks for any occasion!

"Fashion is no longer just about the dress you are wearing. It is about the entire look. From the right pair of shoes to the perfect hairstyle to match. You wouldn’t wear a pair of cork wedges with a cocktail dress now would you? Let’s hope not. This is the mentality that we bring to the table with KISMET. A beauty line that enhances your overall look. Thus, fashion is head to toe."

Back to the daily grind! #amnewsers @kismetcosmetics

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Now to the "Build Your Own" Primp Velvet Lip Kit.  This is a fantastic gift. Great deal. It's 40 bucks and (as suggested in the title) you build it yourself. My kit came with the Buff Sugar-Lip Scrub, Hydrogel Lip Mask, Edge Lip Liner Mini and your choice of a Velvet Semi-Matte Lipstick. It's a great value, fun and man -- I am out in the sun all the time playing volleyball. I really take my lips for granted. My lips felt great after using the scrub and mask! 

Let's not forget about their mascara. I have short stubby eyelashes. I usually wear fake ones and absolutely hate mascaras, but I was literally in shock when I tried out Kismet Cosmetics mascara. My eye lashes looked fuller, bolder and they were actually curling, without a curler. The mascara liquid really had an impact on my awful lashes, I have never used a better mascara. Period. The brush was nice too, separating my lashes nicely. Another plus, the liquid also helps with lash growth...I mean, c'mon! Can this get any better? 

The bronzing lotion is also a great addition for any skincare/makeup lover. It doesn't smell weird, doesn't look weird, it comes off the hands easily. I have some awful tan lines since I play sand volleyball frequently, and while the lotion didn't make my lines disappear, they really helped minimize them. It made my skin glow and glitter! I really like this product -- and since I am out in the sun all the time. It's a must have for a quick tan lines cover up!

Talking about glitter and glow -- the illuminator options are gorgeous. They have Goldie, Rosy & Toasty options. They all make you sparkle! I actually use them as a primer for my eye shadow too, it sharpens my brow  line and gives my eye make up a glamorous look. Like any highlighter, it helps accentuate the cheek bones! Great colors that can give your 'night out on the town' look an extra umph or dress up your casual look if you just want to wear BB cream and mascara. 

And dude -- don't even get me started on their eyeliner. Finding the right eyeliner is such a pain. But this goes on smoothly, the color is dark and the brush is comfortable and easy to use. I am thrilled that they came out with this product and that it's so good. Let's be honest, you can find decent lipstick anywhere, but finding a solid eyeliner is tough. Well, I found it. Love. it.

I have been using Kismet Cosmetics for roughly a month now and have been so impressed by everything I have used so far. As I said in the beginning of the article, they're my go-to makeup company now -- and I'm craving more Kismet Cosmetics!

Vivianna 💄💋from @kismetcosmetics is giving me life ❣️

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Sufficient-C is more than sufficient!

Fall is here. And you know what that means? The cool, comfortable air moves in, the color of the leaves start to change -- and people get sick! That's right, people start falling ill! And ain't nobody got time for that (especially not me, I got things to do)!

Sadly, I have been feeling under the weather since late last week. Tired, little feverish, sniffle -there was no better time to try out Suffcient-C! 

I'm one of those weird people who loves healthy foods and drinks packed with nutrients-- and you don't have to be a registered dietician to know that Vitamin C can help with cold recovery! So, I started downing their Lemon Peach Immune-Ade. 

So I have tried so many vitamin drinks-- I can't even start to list off the brands-- and let's be honest. They don't always taste great, they just have a vitamin taste to them. Since I workout a lot and I like taking vitamins (I know, like I said weirdo), they don't really bother me. But I still can pick up that earthy, herbal flavor. 

With Suffcient-C though, this Immune-Ade is tasty, so right away I'm thinking, ok they've covered up the vitamin taste with sugar. But then when I looked at the ingredients I saw that the mix is stevia-sweetened (ask any nutritionist, stevia-- natural plant-based sweeteners-- are all the rage). 

So naturally sweetened, packed with nutrients (2000 my of Vitamin C per scoop, plus L-lysine, Bromelain and a 94% pure green tea extract) and easy to make (just use the scooper inside the jar and add to water). For me, this was awesome. It tasted great for a vitamin drink (and lemonade in general) and boosts the immune system! 

I think it was a great way for me to get fluids and vitamin C in my system while I was sick and I think I'll definitely use it just for hydration during the workday and after workouts. Sufficient-C is more than sufficient to me!

From SufficientC.com

From SufficientC.com

I ain't blue over Twenty2

This color tho... 💙 @twenty2cosmetics #me

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By day, I am a professional broadcast journalist, covering the top stories of the day, digging deep for pieces that I hope will connect with my audience. But I am human -- and need a break from the daily grind too. And one of my favorite things to do with my down time: play with makeup.

When I am at work, I put on a ton of make up (that would rival some of the greats from RuPaul's Drag Race), but I can't have too much fun. No crazy colors, keep it as natural looking as possible. Even though I am wearing layers of paint, I can't do anything too trendy or bizarre.

So when I get a night out with the girls, you best believe I am letting my makeup freak flag fly! Cue "Girls Just Want to Have Fun" -- that's right, I channel my inner-Cyndi Lauper. I can't dye my hair wild colors, but I can go Rainbow Brite meets Jem with the makeup! And when I saw 22Cosmetics lipstick, I was like.....Must have -- must have now!

They have a fantastic collection, with colors ranging from classic to atypical. But the best part about this brand -- their lipstick containers look like Sailor Scout Pens...

I am just kidding... that's not the best part (but do you see a resemblance? Maybe it's just me). Anyway, I love their brand because it promotes confidence and individuality. Being yourself, expressing yourself 100% and using makeup to find yourself, be yourself, develop yourself, grow yourself.

The company, just like their lipstick containers, are bold, brave and ostentatious. Their website says:

Twenty2Cosmetics represents the journey to BECOMING and BEING a well-rounded woman of beauty and substance. No matter where you are in your journey.
With our products, every day you are reminded of how you mean something and how important and valuable you are.
Lipsticks and makeup that never take away from who you are!

I mean, how can you not be a fan of this message. Have fun with your make up. Be adventurous. Take some risks. And I felt inspired, so I went right for the funnest color (imo) -- Sincerely22. Sincerely22 is described as a "gray lip color with blue undertones. Highly Pigmented and easily applicable"-- and boy were they right! This color popped. It looked AWESOME. And it made me feel empowered and intrepid. I felt like a super hero wearing it. It went on easily and stayed on pretty well too. So, basically, I am in love. I love this company. I love the product. I love it's message. My lips may be blue, but girl, I ain't blue over Twenty2 -- I am in love and want more!

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pinkblush perfection

I cannot get enough of this brand. The last three dresses I got fit so nicely, the fabric felt fantastic, they were incredibly comfortable and very flattering. The "Purple Floral Hi-Low Wrap Dress" had me feeling like a princess. I felt feminine and adorable in this lovely lavender piece, covered with delicate flowers. It's form fitting at the top and shows off the collar bone. I just felt lovely in it! I wore it to work on-air, but I could have worn this to a baby/bridal shower or a picnic. Extremely versatile dress! 

Little stroll down #magazinestreet in the #gardendistrict #nola 🌷@shoppinkblush

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This little black number gave me so much confidence. It showed off my shoulders and collar bone! It was a little shorter and sexier. Again, a very adaptable dress. I wore this one on a hot date at a speakeasy, followed by a fun night on the town. But you could wear this as a cover-up on the beach or for brunch with the besties!

🍸@shoppinkblush

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This blue dress with black palm leaves was the edgiest out of the three. The spaghetti straps made it quite seductive. Perfect for a night of dancing out on Frenchmen Street. These pictures fail to show the incredible detail on the back. The criss cross back was very fun and sultry. The dress is a little longer though and could (again) be used for an event that's more casual. 

i like nighttime things🌙 @shoppinkblush 📸: @sweetee13

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Long story short, these are fabulous dresses that you can wear frequently -- and for lots of different events -- whether it's for work or fun!

feelin fancy in pinkblush

PinkBlush does it again. I am just impressed by every piece I recently received in the mail! If you want to be comfortable and cute -- this is the clothing company hands down. It was hard to decide on a favorite between these three items, but I finally decided this Blue Floral Crochet Cold Shoulder Top was the winner. 

Here I come weekend 😊 @shoppinkblush

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It's incredibly flattering, showing off the collar bone, very airy and light. I cannot talk about the color enough. I rarely see this shade -- it's pretty, playful and looks good on everybody!

🌴@shoppinkblush

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This navy number also wowed me. I love the neckline. The turtleneck collar is so in right now -- and that criss crossing gives this dress a little edginess and sex appeal. 

happiness blooms from within 💐@shoppinkblush

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This Yellow Floral Sash Tie Dress is just unbelievably beautiful. The colors are eye-catching and gorgeous. It fits the body so well, accentuating all the right areas. The fabric is comfortable and not too thick. It is absolutely the perfect maxi. If you couldn't tell, I am in LOVE with this dress -- I too multiple photos in it, LOL!

I must have flowers, always and always 🌸 @shoppinkblush

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sunshine in my soul ☀️ @shoppinkblush

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PinkBlush continues to perform, churning out beautiful floral, pretty clothes...I literally go to their website and want to buy everything on there. Their clothes are fun and easily vacillate between classy and casual. Can't wait to order more!

In <3 with Flower Mound Soap Works

I have never received a package that smells so good!!! When my FlowerMound Soap Works box came in the mail, I was instantly intrigued! I received a few of their Ugly Soaps for face care! They had a bar for all different skin types: normal, combination, oily, mature, sensitive.

https://www.flowermoundsoapworks.com/face-care

https://www.flowermoundsoapworks.com/face-care

And these bars blow Irish Spring and Dove out of the water. The company's Owner/Mad Scientist uses the "cold-process method of saponification" to make these incorporating a long list of botanicals, fragrance/essential oils, shea/cocoa butter, clay, milk! The face soap is about $21 per bar. As you can see in the photo above, the bars are beautiful -- look at that craftsmanship and carving! They're heavier and just seem packed with goodness, too!

The soap feels fantastic on your skin -- you feel so clean and fresh after -- and I was worried it would be too drying. Not at all! I also wear a ton of makeup, and with a lot of cleansers, it doesn't get all my make up off after one use. Not a problem with these face soaps! I am a HUGE fan of this product. 

I want to talk about using an actual bar of soap  -- since I've used gels and creams as facial cleansers for most of my life. Initially, I was a little thrown off. But I actually really like that it's a bar. Sometimes with creams/gels I end up squirting out too much, but with the Ugly Soaps, I get the bar a little wet and get just the right amount on my hands. This is a product I will definitely be using in my skincare routine from now on!

FlowerMound Soap Works also has pet care soaps, natural ddeodorants, lion balm for muscle rubs and lip balm! I really hope I can try out some of their other products, I can only imagine how great they all smell!  

Another cool note about the company, they partner with local shelters and help with other charitable events!

Facebook.com/FlowerMoundSoapWorks

Instagram/FlowerMoundSoapWorks

Aminocare Ageless Day Cream

My battle against aging continues, and my weapon of choice for this blog: Aminocare Ageless Day Cream! Aminocare has a wide variety of skin, beauty and hair products, plus supplements, touting that their brand is "Found in Nature. Advanced by Science."

The Day Cream is supposed to help firm, moisturize, restore elasticity, reverse aging, promote renewal of damaged skin -- all that jazz! Their ingrediends include a lot of great natural products -- including essential oils,  jojoba seed oil, grape seed oil. I did not see any Retinol listed in here, which is usually a must for me, but it did have Triglycerides and other anti-aging chemicals. 

 

https://www.aminocare.com/shop

https://www.aminocare.com/shop

The Ageless Day Cream is $80, so pricier, but definitely not the worst price I have seen. 

It feels fantastic, I really like the texture. It's a cream, that's incredibly light-weight that does not leave you feeling oily at all. There's no strange smell, it leaves your skin feeling fresh. A great way to end your morning skincare routine. I also though it made a great primer for make up since it doesn't leave your face greasy at all!

As for effectiveness, the product didn't seem to make lines or wrinkles magically melt away, but it seems like a great way to prevent aging. For someone in their 20s or 30s, who doesn't need to do damage control, but more maintenance, this could be a great product for you -- especially because the price is not exorbitant by any means!