Beauty Fix No. 1 - PCA Skin pHaze 9 Purifying Mask

This is the only mask in my Beauty Fix kit. PCA’s purifying mask is a combination of algae, red clay, tea tree oil, orange, and eucalyptus just to name a few. The full size 2 ounce tube is worth $56.

The mask is applied to face, for three to five minutes then you add some warm water to your fingertips and gently exfoliate before completely rinse away. The suggested use is once a week. When testing this product I could definitely smell the citrus in this product and feel the minute granules as I applied it. The first time I tried it was last week and I was incredibly surprised at the burning sensation I experienced on immediate application. I toughed it out for four minutes, did the exfoliation, rinsed and applied my own gentle moisturizer. My face was red for about twenty minutes afterward. But hello! I couldn’t believe how soft it was. Still, the burning sensation discouraged me from thinking of using it or recommending it.

A week later, memory faded someone I decided to give it another go this morning. This time I did it on fresh morning face and the burning was greatly reduced. Here I am over eight hours later and my face still feels incredibly soft. Still, I’m hesitant to recommend this product to anyone with sensitive skin. If you are looking to step up the texture of your skin a notch, reduce your pores and are not as big a wimp as me give it a go.

I think this is a perfect example of why the Beauty Fix kit is such a great idea. It allows beauty addicts the opportunity to try numerous products without forking out the cash that would be required to try them all on their own.

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* Get your own Beauty Fix kit
* Get your own PCA pHaze 9 Purifying Mask

December 2, 2008 | Filed Under cosmetics | Leave a Comment 

Beauty Fix No. 1 - NOC-Out Cover-Up Compact

Of the nine items in my Beauty Fix kit I think Redpoint’s NOC-Out Cover-Up Compact was at the top of list of products I was really excited about trying.

The Beauty Fix kit offers a full size product to try which is valued at $38. It works from the concept that all skin issues can not be covered up with one color. The goal of this tri-color compact is to “neutralize, obliterate and conceal” all the things we like to camouflage. Say good-bye to dark circles under the eyes, blemishes, veins, freckles and more.

The color breakdown:

Yellow = redness, blemishes
Peach = dark circles
Salmon = sun spots, veins and dark discolorations

The compact is made of pretty red tin with a clear mirror and a generous amount of concealers inside. On the bottom of the compact is a little diagram to help users remember what each color is for. I found the yellow and peach work exceptionally (I didn’t have an opportunity to use the salmon) well in terms of blending and cover-up but for long term wear it failed somewhat for extra long days by building up in creases. So if you are wanting to go from work out-and-about, no. But if you are able to do a touch in between, then go for it. What would have really made this test perfect for me would have been if the compact came with Redpoint’s camouflage brush. Half the battle is the tools.

Depending on your perceived ailments you could end up using more of one than another so I’m not really sure how economical this is but I definitely think it’s worth trying at least once.

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* Get your own Beauty Fix kit
* Get your own NOC-Out Compact

November 25, 2008 | Filed Under cosmetics | Leave a Comment 

Beauty Fix No. 1 - Kronos Phyx

It’s been over a week and half since I started using the Kronos Phyx creme from my Beauty Fix kit. A full size bottle from this new line of anti-aging hair products was provided and is listed for a retail value of $105 (if you remember, the Beauty Fix kit only costs $50).

Kronos Phyx is like an overnight mask for your hair. It’s mission is to take the age out of your hair using it’s “patent-pending t-sfere technology” by targeting the skin of the scalp as well as the hair. It’s simple to use. All I had to do was dab a bit into my hand, rub between both hands to warm it up and spread it around then finger it through my hair and go to bed. There’s no need to put on a head wrap or put anything down on the pillow. In the morning I just lightly shampoo and styled as usual.

I was surprised how light the creme was and how easy it was to spread through the hair. I used my boar hair brush to help distribute it after I had throughly applied it with my hands. Recommended use is two or three times a week or every other day. As someone who has poker straight hair, I immediately noticed a difference in the texture and appearance after only two uses. It made the hair smoother in appearance, controlled the little bit of frizz I was starting to develop with the change of weather and made it incredibly touchable soft.

So far it has been two for two. If you missed it, last week I spoke highly of Jane Iredale’s latest dust powder.

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Topic Links
* Get your own Beauty Fix kit
* Get your own Kronos Phyx hair treatment

November 18, 2008 | Filed Under cosmetics | 2 Comments 

From Beauty Fix No. 1 - Jane Iredale 24-Karat Gold Dust Powder

The first item I decided to try in my Beauty Fix kit was the Jane Iredale Rose Dust Powder. It a new color added to the fall collection; and so far, is the only one in the line that doesn’t actually contain gold but you wouldn’t know it from looking at it. I received a full size container in the kit valued at $12.

It’s totally easy to use and apply. I applied it with a dry blush to my cheeks for a radiant glow and with a wet brush to my eyelids for a deeper color. The color is totally fabulous and I’d take it without the sparkle as well as with the sparkle.

Other ways to use the powder:

  • mix with moisturizer and smooth over chest or anywhere that’s bare
  • add to your mouse, hair gel, or straightening products and smooth into hair before styling
  • wear alone or over your regular make-up

This is a natural mineral product and I quickly became addicted to it. I highly recommend giving it a try.

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Topic Links
* Get your own Beauty Fix kit
* Get your own Jane Iredale 24 Karat Rose Dust Powder

November 11, 2008 | Filed Under cosmetics | 2 Comments 

Get Your Beauty Fix

Beauty blogger Christina Jones put me on to this new beauty extravaganza called Beauty Fix. Members register online to receive a new beauty kit of the best new products every quarter. In the beauty kit are full size products and deluxe samples of some of the hottest beauty products available. The highlighted products are selected by a team of “beauty industry experts” who review and test the products. These products are actually reviewed and not paid for admissions.

Membership to Beauty Fix costs $50 a quarter. This quarter the products totals over $400. That is considerable savings. Before each quarter members can see a preview of what will be in the next quarter’s kit. If they decide they are not interested in the products they can opt out. Plus there is an online community where you can make friends with other members, highlight your favorite products, write reviews of the products or share tips you have learned along the way (although they are still working out some bugs in this “beta” version). One of my favorite features on the website are the short videos that show members how the product works and how to use them.

This quarter’s kit (No.1) includes:

I’m so excited to test these products (especially the ones I’ve starred) in the coming weeks to let you know what I thought. If you want to join in the fun, visit Beauty Fix and sign up. But hurry, membership is limited!

November 4, 2008 | Filed Under cosmetics | 6 Comments 

Party Make-up

Do you like to buy make-up? Hate the cost involved? What about hygiene? Did you know you’re suppose to throw out most of your make-up within three months of opening it? What if you could find inexpensive options and not feel like you’re throwing away money?

Last year I tried Elf Cosmetics brand. I spent $25 on everything from nail polish to cover-up, blush and eyeshadow. As well as some glosses, mascara and new brushes. Out of everything, I only disliked one item. A nude lip gloss which felt like glue on my lips. I’ve been pleased with every thing else and the best part, each item only cost me a $1 each.

I don’t know how they manage to sell their complete product line for only a buck but I imagine it has something to do with the packaging. It is nothing fancy. And really, who needs a fancy container for the concealer? It isn’t the container that makes you look good. If anything, you owe it to yourself to check out their website at the very least.

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* Get your own costmetics from Elf Cosmetics

December 12, 2007 | Filed Under cosmetics | Leave a Comment