I Love Vegas at Christmas time...

What a Lovely Christmas we had...

I hope you also shared a warm, wonderful time with your family during this wonderful holiday season...

I just wanted to quickly share with you my fabulous news!!!

Much to my surprise and wonder... I received a wonderfully packaged gift from my family...

They gifted my with the Tarte Jewelry Box... Oh, What Joy I felt when opening that unsuspecting gift bag...

Anyway, I will report back to you with my review and a few snapshots of some 'eye opening' inspiration...

 

ta ta for now,

yours in beauty,

~dee

#NYX Palette Review #2 ~ Champagne & Caviar...

NYX Palette Review - Champagne & Caviar
 
Hello there! Another NYX review for you! :)
 
Here is one of my frequent looks for work... it is pretty simple and very soft and pretty.  The colors in this palette are mostly shimmery with the exception of the dark brown and black shade.  The colors range from light to darker versions of champagne and pink with the darker colors to accent.  I have used this palette about 8 times so far... so, I guess that means I really enjoy it.  Again, for non-expensive eyeshadow these are pretty good... they go on and blend well.

Here’s my finished look below... I used a pinky blush and nude lip as well. Please ignore the strands of eyebrow hair - need to wax... lolI hope you enjoy it!

yours in beauty,

~deirdra

NYXing my way through makeup...

NYX Palette Review - Secret World

 I bought this last week sometime and much to my surprise the colors were very pigmented.  I was going to give it as a Christmas gift and then decided to keep it and try it out.  I bought some other nice ones for gifts (I did not cheat my peeps :) ).  It is not bad for inexpensive makeup - $9.99 for the palette.  Below is a look I achieved using only the NYX palette.  I used MUFE Microfinish Quickie blush & Nude 22 lipstick w some pinky gloss to finish off the look.

 I have to say, I do enjoy NYX cosmetics - Now! I even bought two palettes at the same time and I will tell you that I have been using them every other day for my makeup looks...

I hope you like the look... it is kind of an earthy look...

yours in beauty,

~dee

Coco for Coconuts...

Coconut Oil…

As I mentioned in one of my earlier posts – I have been using a coconut based (solid) shampoo… if used without conditioner, your hair is pretty tough to brush without saying, “Ouch” …

Review: Lush Trichomania solid bar ~ the shampoo has done pretty well with my hair… (btw, my hair is long and curly and I have been told, a little coarse :/) it lathers really well, if you wish you could break off little pieces to maybe make it last longer… I use it like I would a brush and wipe down the sides of my wet hair and Voilà! It coats my hair and somehow thickens the hair shaft… not sure, however, it feels nice in a weird way… hair smells nice and I am happy! I have heard that some people feel that they have experienced hair loss with it – we lose hair everyday – seems normal to me – it might be because they are not using a conditioner afterwards… you must use one (my opinion).

On another note… I have been reading and researching a bit and now, I believe I am ready to try pure coconut oil on my hair as a mask… if you are interested in doing the same it is best to apply the oil heaviest at the ends and very lightly, or none at all at the roots and wrap your hair in a plastic (shower cap, or small plastic bag will work). You should be able to wear it for at least a day or overnight (protect your bedding, first J) I plan to do this sometime this week when I am off… I will let you know how it goes… as I am in the field of aesthestics, I am always looking for organic ways to care for my skin… coconut oil is said to work wonders on the skin as well… I will try this too!

Ta ta for now…

yours in beauty,

~deirdra

Sleek Palette Swatch Review...

Swatch Review:

I am loving this palette! It is sooo sweet! In fact, I have ordered two more... I plan on giving them away for Christmas.  Hopefully, I can part with them...

Here they are in all their glory...  I cannot rave enough - they are such a great addition to my or your collection... they are sooo pigmented and such a steal! They are purely mettalic with the exception of the light brown & black one... I paid $10 US dollars plus tax & shipping... a whopping $23.50 US.  This is love!

Sleek - Storm

Swatches

Velvety soft vibrant colors:

Golds, bronzes, deep purple, cocoa color, rich plum-red, light gold, and granite washes of glorious color.

yours in beauty,

~dee

L'Oreal recap...

Hi there...

 

Here is the updated look after using the Navy HiP eyeliner... simple look - not too much going on here... I usually like to keep it simple during the week...

 

yours in beauty,

 

 

~dee

 

 

Sleek Makeup... So Excited!!!

Today, I received a wonderful little package... It came to me from lands very far away... Across the Atlantic from a little place, called - London!

I received my Sleek makeup palette! It is so Brilliant! As Sam from Pixiwoo would say... Thank you, Thank you, Sam for suggesting it!

This is me below... so Happy!!! Ignore my scrubs... just came from giving a lovely facial and microdermabrasion...

 

Swatches and review to follow!!! 

yours in beauty,

~dee

Shampoo vs Conditioner...

Shampoo vs. Conditioner

I still have not decided on this one…

I have invested much too much money in both and find that no real obvious benefits are achieved…

Just last week, I went to LUSH (one of my fav stores) and picked up a solid shampoo and have been using it since… it is great on my hair – leaves my hair with a faint fragrance of yummy coconut.

 

Love it! However, by not using a conditioner, my hair is impossible to comb through… I am looking for a good conditioner that will not weigh my hair down, however, make it shiny and manageable…

What is your take?  Any ideas? Help?

yours in beauty,

~deirdra

Love L'Oréal!!!

Love L'Oréal!

This mascara has been my all time fav for so very long!  It has become my ‘go to’ when makeup just will not do J  Today, I am trying this new eyeliner (well, new for me) L'Oréal HiP 950 Navy… we shall see how it goes… a pic to follow…

Hope you are feeling beautiful, wherever you are!

yours in beauty,

~deirdra

I Love Pink... Do You?

Hello my beauties!

I have been so busy out there spending money and trying new products… Oh, dear – my bank account has taken a hit – time to hide the debit card - hehehe

I have not forgotten – I will sit down this weekend and swatch out the palette for you and give you my take on UrbanDecay’s NYC palette…

I hope you are keeping well and always feeling beautiful, for beauty comes from within even though we love to jazz it up on the surface…

What am I wearing today: I have outlined my eyes with Rimmel’s Jungle Green pencil (which I smoked out a bit), Loreal’s Carbon Black eyeliner in the water line, MUFE Microfinish Blush in Quickie and a nude MUFE lipstink with MAC’s Viva Glam Cyndi to give a touch of pink in the middle…

Take care and be well…

yours in beauty,

~deirdra

#Beauty ful Urban Decay NYC has arrived!!! Happy, Snoopy Dance Is In Order!!!

I LOVE Makeup!

I am sooo happy right now!

I finally received my long awaited package…

UPS alerted me that my Urban Decay NYC Palette was waiting for me to grab her up!

Ohhh!!!  It is so beautiful!

 

For now, I will attach a photo and in my Product Review of it – I will swatch the colors for you!

Stay tuned…

yours in beauty,

~deirdra

Product Review ~ Make Up For Ever - Rouge Artist Intense No. 23…

Hello Beauties!!! Here is another fave...

Purchased at Sephora ~ 5 Oct 2010…

Love, Love, Love these lipsticks… they are full coverage, highly pigmented, Intense just like their name… so with that being said, one swipe goes a long way! The one that I just bought is No. 23 – it is a very nude color – now, if you are very fair skinned like myself, then this might be a little too pale for you (1970’s look) Now, that is not bad, just different. I do like it, what I do is apply it & throw a nude / or light pink gloss over it to give it a little boost!

I have attached a foto of the color on - sorry, if it is too big - when I made it small, it was hard to see... this is the lipstick without anything over it.

Lately, I have fallen in love with Make Up For Ever (MUFE) You can find all MUFE products at your local SEPHORA. They are my newest passion…

Keeping you ‘in the know’…

yours in beauty,

~deirdra

Product Review ~ Make Up For Ever HD Blush…

Hello Beauties!!!

I hope you are happy and healthy. I am looking forward to the fall weather and all the color changes that come with it...

Makeup goes along with any beauty regimen… so, here I will do product reviews from time to time on the new goodies that I am using at the moment to keep you ‘in the know’…

Lately, I have fallen in love with Make Up For Ever (MUFE) You can find all MUFE products at your local SEPHORA.

Let’s review MUFE HD Microfinish Crème Blush… Wow!

This lil bottle .33 fl oz is a little pricey - $25… now, I am not able to say yet, if the bottle will last forever, however, I will say that, ‘I LOVE IT’!!! Before buying this lil gem – I had neve

r used crème blush as part of my makeup routine… I believe I will never go back…

I purchased this lil baby on 5^th of October at the biggest SEPHORA in Vegas @ the Venetian hotel… (In fact, where I live, fortunate me, MUFE has a dedicated space at the Venetian SEPHORA) I am currently using #6 (Quickie). I went in and explained to the artist that I was tired of the bronzy look and that I wanted a new fresh look… I expressed my love of pink… and thus, we came up with #6… When I wear this blush, I feel all fairy looking, so girlie… dare, I say, dewy looking as well. I just love it! I cannot say more on it…

On another note, if you want a younger look, crème is the way to go, it creates a softer look…

Stick around for more reviews…

yours in beauty,

~deirdra

Pomegranates...

Could it be the Perfect Fruit?

Such a wonderful fruit... it serves many other beauty purposes as well...

I am off to investigate them and share with you...

yours in beauty,

~dee

Beauty Tip No. 8 - Did You Know... Microdermabrasion is Fabulous!

... Microdermabrasion offers so many benefits...

When I first started on the beauty scene - I thought my skin is so youthful and clear -why would I need microdermabrasion? It turns out that not only does it smooth out my skin even further it assists with any sun damage that I may have exposed myself to. Now, I am what you call vigilant when it comes to protecting my face from the sun, however, in my youth I would say that I was not always so careful. Here's the skinny (pun intended) on the benis of the lovely deep exfoliation.

Microdermabrasion:

- is a skin care treatment that goes much deeper than your normal at home exfoliation

- is a technique that uses tiny rough grains such as crystals or diamond heads to slough off the upper layer of skin: epidermis - it is ridding your face of the 'dead skin'

- is used to stimulate cell turnover (fresh, younger looking skin)

- assists in improving skin tone and helps with any scarring left over from acne and great news: it helps to diminish wrinkles and sun damage - yay!

- is great and effective for all skin types

- is non invasive, therefore, it is virtually painless - sensitivity may occur after service - quickly going away after a day (please use SPF 30 minimum)

- is a great alternative to plastic surgery

- sees best results when done every week for at least 6 treatments

- is becoming popular with men as well

Though there are some products on the market promising do it yourself results, I would advise against it. I suggest seeing an aesthetician and having it done professionally as it is possible to over stimulate and irritate your own skin.

I am getting my second session done this week. I will keep you updated on my results - I will post some pics of the before and after. My skin is very light and clear, however, I too, pick once in a while and I have caused some hyperpigmentation that I wish to clear my face of.

yours in beauty,

~deirdra

Beauty Tip No. 7 - Did You Know...

... That Strawberries are full of wonder... wonderful benefits... so many fruits have benefits beyond their taste... however, for now, we will focus on the Strawberry.

~ Strawberries are tasty and have a heavenly fragrance...

~ Strawberries have approximately 200 seeds... (great for exfoliation)

~ Strawberries are rich in salicylic acid... (great for clearing up acne & toning your skin)

~ Strawberries are rich in phytonutrients and antioxidants... (which help fight those nasty free radicals)

~ Strawberries are full of Vitamin C - richer than an orange... (can you believe it?!) They are a Power House fruit!

~ Some other vitamin benis from this fruit are: rich in Vitamin K, Folic acid, Potassium, B5 and

many others...

~ Strawberries need not be eaten alone... you may also throw them in your garden salads, martinis (for you ladies or gents), sprinkled fresh over yogurt, and let us not forget Strawberry Shortcake! Yumm! I am thinking of a yummy Strawberry power smoothie myself right about now... Do not like water... well, throw some Strawberries in your water for a spa-like

refreshing drink :)

So, get your daily strawberry fix today!

yours in beauty,

~deirdra

Beauty Tip No. 6 - Did You Know...

…That smoking causes you to have asphyxiated skin? When skin is asphyxiated it is

virtually suffocating. When this happens since you are killing the oxygen that your skin needs to heal, your skin in turn becomes gray and sallow (lacking that beautiful glow that we all seek). With that being said, asphyxiated skin is very hard to treat and heal, if it all…

However, it is never too late to stop… Please, please, if you smoke – stop, Now! (pretty please) Smoking may not only cause lung cancer – it can also have detrimental effects to our

cardiovascular system.

~ There is some good news, though... if you

stop now and believe me - I know that it may be difficult, however, the benefits so out way the negatives... there is a possibility that you may be able to halt any further damage. I have found a few items on the market that promise to help in the healing of this type of skin – one of them being: Anti-Asphyxiation Flash Mask by Rocher. There are some Skin Optimizers out there as well that may assist in bringing back Radiance to your skin.

yours in beauty,

~deirdra

Beauty Tip No. 5 ~ Did You Know...

... That frequent exfoliation (removing dead skin) not only leads to smoother skin, it is also great for product penetration... that's right, ladies, our makeup goes on smoother and definitely looks better because of exfoliation.

~ Exfoliation also stimulates our skin, remember, this in turn increases cell turnover - You got it! Younger and fresher looking skin, yaya!

~ So, remember to exfoliate a few times a week. Think of it this way, when we do not exfoliate, we just leave dead skin on top and dead skin does not shine! On a little sidebar, excessive exfoliation can lead to dry and irritated skin - everything in moderation, please :)

yours in beauty,

~deirdra

Beauty Tip No. 4 ~ Did You Know...

... That drinking Red Wine not only tastes yummy and relaxes you, it also has many health benefits... for your skin...

~ Red wine is rich in antioxidants and polyphenols - polyphenols contain EGCG, they offer protection against harmful UV rays from the sun. They may also

assist in reversing effects from the sun and help to prevent skin cancer. Keep in mind that drinking one glass of wine is also healthy, as in for our blood.

~ However, if you are not a wine drinker, you may also reap

wonderful

beauty

benefits by drinking Green Tea, which is

also rich in

polyphenols...

Salut! To your health,

yours in beauty,

~deirdra

Beauty Tip No. 3 ~ Did You Know...

... That body massages are not the only massages that offer benefits...

~ Facial massages are another way to reap the wonderful advantages of a great rub... Not only do they feel great, they also help to relax you. They help stimulate circulation of your cells which in turn promote cell turnover (new cell formation = refreshed and younger looking skin, yay!). Facial massages also assist in removing toxins from the face / body - such as in a lymphatic massage...

If you are not getting a facial anytime soon - then gift yourself with a little 'face time' and massage away - just remember not to 'drag' your skin - We do not need to assist gravity! :)

yours in beauty,

~deirdra

Beauty Tip No. 2 ~ Did You Know...

...That applying sunscreen everyday is your first weapon against anti-aging...

Ladies and gents it is extremely important that you protect, protect, protect your skin!

Not only does sunscreen protect you from the suns harmful rays, it also helps in the early prevention of skin cancer...

Regardless of skin type and ethnicity, everyone needs to use it. You should aim for an SPF 15 minimum. I never leave the house without applying my SPF 30.

yours in beauty,

~deirdra

Beauty Tip No. 1 ~ Did You Know...

 ...That our new blog, Gazelle Beauté, is going to be posting daily, health and beauty tips that will transform your life one step at a time...  


It is our hope that our tips might be useful for you.

Beauté is in the eyes of the 'Gazelle'...


stay tuned...


your constant companion,


~deirdra