Name Change

Hello, lovely readers. You may or may not have noticed that I changed the name of my blog to "Beauty Buddy." I just wanted to quickly explain why I would do such a thing...I've been thinking more and more lately about what exactly I want this blog to be. Here is what I've come to: I want this to be a place where you feel comfy as well as informed, and I especially want you to feel like you have a friend and teammate in the quest for the best beauty products out there. That being said, I really encourage you to always contact me if you ever have a question or want to know anything beauty product related. I want to be accessible to you! So here we go...on a new journey with your very own Beauty Buddy.

XOXO...................................Tiff.


email me: tiffs.faves@gmail.com

Oooooooh....Pretty.

That was my reaction when I tried this primer by Tarina Tarantino for the first time. A brand new line at Sephora, Tarina Tarantino is the famed jewelry designer with a flair for girly fun (I mean, her hair is bright pink for crying out loud). This comes across very well in her packaging - the compacts have little crystals on them that are all placed by hand!

I found this primer to be very lightweight and super fast absorbing, all while still giving me a great glideable surface on which to apply my makeup. It is called "Pearl Glow" for a reason - the primer imparts a very soft, luminous glow that evens out your skin tone and makes it look flawless in the process. Glitter phobes be calmed - this is not a sparkly, pre-teen looking formula. Just a nice glow. It continues to look just as lovely under makeup...and lasts all day without getting dry or greasy. I'm completely sold.

Check it out here - get it for $32.

XOXO.......................................................................Tiff.

Sweet Little Pink Cheeks

This gorgeous pink blush by Korres makes me long for spring...and gives me a perk of pretty color for the winter. It's a very soft powder that gives the perfect flush of color - sort of looks like you have that "fresh from the outdoors" glow.

Get the blush by itself here...or in a great kit (with 2 eyeliners, a mascara, and 2 lip glosses) here.

XOXO.......................Tiff.

New Product Alert

Bare Escentuals has re-released their signature fragrance...I've never smelled this/tried this, but color me intrigued.

The description:
Containing an exclusive blend of 150 botanical essences, this unique and complex fragrance changes subtly and sensuously when exposed to heat and moisture, giving you a new and exciting experience every time you wear it.

I like the sound of that...at just $19.50, I like it even more. Check out this limited edition, limited quantity fragrance here.

XOXO..............................Tiff.

I Heart Korres

Dear Readers - meet Korres makeup sets. Korres makeup sets - meet dear readers. Now that we're all well acquainted and feel all comfy with each other, we can talk openly about how awesome these kits are.

I love Korres products anyway (see this previous post), but these kits put me over the moon, if you will. I particularly adore the Smokey Eyes Made Easy kit - "made easy" is an understatement. While I am no makeup artist, I think I know my way around makeup application enough to follow some directions - but somehow, with other kits, my makeup has never ended up looking the way it is supposed to. With this kit, the directions are super easy, and VOILA! You look just like the model (well, the makeup at least) when you're finished. The 4 eyecolors are gorgeous enough on their own, and the lip gloss is the most perfect color to compliment a smokey eye. I adore the eyeliner - it's easy to apply and smudgeable. The mascara is nourishing and buildable for beautimous lashes.

Oh, and the price? $39.50. Yeah, that's right. Get it here (and check out their other kits!).

XOXO...................................................Tiff.

New Smashbox: Photo Finish Targeted Pore & Line Primer

What it is, according to Sephora's website: "An ultra-concentrated primer that works to erase fine lines, stubborn pores, and other complexion imperfections - all while absorbing shine for a flawless finish."

Well, gee, how can I refuse such a product? You can't either? Then here's your chance to try this seemingly magic wand before it hits stores. Make any purchase at www.sephora.com and use this code when you check out:

PHOTOFINISH.

Want a little more info about ? Go here.

XOXO..................................................Tiff.

Holy Makeup Discovery, Batman!

While I'm still trying to wrap my head around how I missed such a thing, I'll go ahead and share this with you. I just happened upon a site called Beauty Ticket, which might just be a little slice of heaven on earth. This site offers tons of beauty products at deep discounts, as well as VIP sales you can sign up for. An example: the Smashbox kit you see pictured is valued at $96, retails for $50, and is being sold on this site for $29.99.

Go here to check this out....seriously, it's basically a must-do if you're reading this right now. Enjoy!

XOXO.....................................................Tiff.

Say Yes To This Oil

I've heard a lot lately about how great cleansing oils are at completely removing makeup and nourishing skin. While it may seem counter-intuitive, oil is actually quite ideal for removing makeup; see, like dissolves like (oil will dissolve the oil based makeup). For more info on this topic, click here for a post on The Beauty Brains.

Science aside, I decided to give this Makeup Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil a whirl (doesn't it just sound delightful?). Not only does it smell so refreshingly minty, it really does the trick on removing every last bit of dirt and makeup from my face - and leaves it nice and soft. It doesn't leave any residue, and certainly doesn't seem to make my skin any oilier. Oh, and it kinda makes me look forward to washing my face before bed...anything that does that HAS to be a miracle product.

Check it out here.

XOXO..........................................................................Tiff.

Favorite Moisturizer O' The Moment

We are in the dead of winter, and my skin has never been more soft or smooth. To what do I owe this great pleasure? It would be The Moisture Magnet moisturizer by Mario Badescu. My Clarisonic brush certainly does its part in keeping my skin smooth and better able to absorb the goodies I slather on after cleansing, but I have noticed such a huge difference since using this moisturizer. First off, it is quite thick, but does not leave any greasiness whatsoever. My skin just drinks it in and appears comforted and dewy post-application. I have also noticed that my makeup is going on and blending much easier, which makes me a happy camper because better blending and smooth application = natural looking. I've been using quite a few other MB products that I'm totally digging - so be on the lookout for more posts on those. For now, check out this moisturizer. Your skin will thank you. Oh, and did I mention it's $22?? HE-LLO!?! Super affordable alert!!

PS - I have combination skin - tends to be a bit oilier in the summer, so I think this is definitely a winter moisturizer for me.

XOXO........................................Tiff.

MVP

While I have an exorbitant amount of beauty products that I really do love, few get the MVP (most valuable product) award. For me, this highly coveted title goes to anything in Orgasm by NARS. This shade has been around for a long time, and has gotten tons of press because of its universally flattering peachy-pink shade (it looks a lot more shocking in the compact than on your skin, promise). Luckily, NARS gets it because they have released a new complexion illuminator in this lovely shade. Basically, you can mix it in with your moisturizer, foundation, or primer....or you can apply directly on top of your makeup. Either way, you are left with a perfectly refreshed, glowing complexion.

The other must haves in orgasm? Most definitely the blush, as well as the multiple. The multiple is a creamy stick that can be used anywhere on your face (hence, "multiple"), but I especially love it swiped in a little curve above my cheeks to my temples for a nice dewy glow.

Follow the links for more info on each product.

XOXO...................................Tiff.