LOOK WHAT I WON

I am Super excited because I won this Le Creuset baking dish.  Teresa from Diagnosis Deferred blog, had a contest on what you would bake in this dish.  I had a recipe with baked peaches or apples drizzled with honey and rum and topped with nuts and brown sugar. I'm not a huge baker, but I do make that recipe and just thought it would look beautiful in this dish.   And I won!!!  I love Le Creuset cookware, but it's so expensive.  This for me is very special.   

Thank You Teresa XO

What is your favorite tool, dish, or gadget that makes cooking easy?

SONIA KASHUCK SYNTHETIC FLAT TOP BRUSH/review

Price: $14.99

Store: Target

I have been trying to use this brush for my foundation, but I honestly don't like it.  First, I used it with my Colorstay foundation, which is thick, but all the brush did was smear it on.  I didn't see that "flawless" face look.  Then I tried it with the Covergirl Clean foundation, which is light and not as runny, same thing.  My face looked streaky and I had bristles on my face.  Plus, it took forever to put on my foundation because the top is so small.  

I tried it for powder, bronzer, blush, but the bristles are firmly packed and it goes on way too dark or thick.  I have a set of her travel brushes, and I'm not a fan of those either.

Maybe I'm using it wrong, but I use a flat top from Coastal Scents with no problem.  The reviews on makeup alley are really good.  I'm confused?  

What do you think of Sonia Kashuk products and brushes?

LET'S JUST SAY I COULDN'T DECIDE-NOTD

I couldn't decide on just 1 design, and then I thought, I have 10 nails, why do they all have to be the same.  I love the way it came out, fun and cute.  Plus you can't say, 1 of these colors won't match my outfit.

What color are you wearing most?  What brand is your best buy for the buck?

Don't forget to enter the Giveaway here...

LIQUID FOUNDATION PUMPS & BOTTLES

I was looking for some foundation pumps or ideas for my liquid  foundations.  I found this on Youtube.

1 oz Airless Bottles w/pumps

Where to buy on eBay.
$3.99 + $5 shipping

Today I spilled my foundation on my shirt and carpet.  I think all liquids should come with pumps.  Just for sanitary reasons, if nothing else.

Do you have any pump or liquid foundation pump or bottle dispenser tips/tricks?

Don't forget to enter my GIVEAWAY here.

****Contest Closed***GIVEAWAY-HANA PROFESSIONANL FLAT IRON review/ GIVEAWAY!

I was contacted by misikko, a company that specializes in hair straighteners, dryers, and flat irons, to try the Hana Professional Flat Iron.  I was really interested after I visited the misikko site because it had great flat irons and my flat iron was on its way out.  That's perfect timing.  

I didn't know how the Hana Flat iron would work because my hair is thick, course, and curly.  The first thing I noticed is how small and light the flat iron is.  The flat irons I've had have always been heavy and bulky, so this was something new for me.  The Hana Flat iron has heat settings to 450 degrees, so for my thick hair,  there was hope of getting it straight.  I've tried so many cheaper ones because you know I love a great deal, but when it comes to flat irons,  you have to put some money into it.

These are the results.  I straightened, flipped, and did some curls here. Before I started, I put some of the Hana Shine Serum in.  I really like how it shines your hair without that greasy weighed down look and smells great. I use the BioSilk serum, but this is a lot thinner and less greasy with the same results.  If your hair is fine to med-thick, you will get the straight hair, but for thicker, course hair, you get the  straight with volume look.  I prefer my hair with volume, so it didn't bother me.  What I really love about this flat iron is the curls it gives you.  Those pretty wispy curls, not the hard defined ones you usually get with other irons. I've been using this to curl my hair now.   Whether you curl or straighten, your hair stays that way.  If your looking for something different than the Hana Flat Iron, go to the misikko site that says Best Flat Irons, you'll find  product raves from beauty experts and customers and more details on their products and the best hair type for the product.  They also carry CHI and Corioliss straighteners.  

Giveaway Time.....

Thanks so much to all my followers, I really didn't think I'd get 1, let alone 500.  You are always so sweet and kind.  Misikko is providing a Hana Flat Iron Bundle for the 500 followers giveaway.....This is what you need to do-

1. Follow my blog 
2. Leave an "enter me" comment & email so I could contact you
3. Follow Missiko on twitter http://www.twitter.com/misikko
4. Tweet or post something on my Giveaway(http://makeupdiaryconfessions.blogspot.com/2010/04/hana-professionanl-flat-iron-review.html)
5. Subscribe to the Misikko newsletter.
6. Open to U.S. and Canadian residents

I will pick a winner at random. The Giveaway ends May 1, 2010 at 11:59 PM PST.

Disclaimer: This product was sent to me. I am not getting paid for this.  It is my true opinion.

MINI MAC HAUL/Liberty of London

I ran through Macy's and smack into Mac.  I couldn't just pass by because these were too pretty, even though some say the packaging is tacky, I just call it tacky chic.     

These two really stood out out to me.  The blush is a beauty powder blush, which I love.  They are so smooth and creamy.  Birds and Berries eyeshadow is so pigmented, which I never think the eyeshadows in the collections are.  

Prim and Proper Blush                                                                     Birds and Berries 

Prim and Proper is better on Fair to Medium skin tones for a blush and on darker skin tones, I think it's better for a highlight.  It warms the skin and looks like velvet.

Birds and Berries is so pretty.  It's this deep blue/green/gray combo.  It reminds me of what Club looks like in the pan.  I may not use it daily, but I think it's different enough to have.

I wanted some of the lipsticks, but held back.  They were too similar to what I have.  I'm trying to get only the colors I don't really have from the sooooo many collections.

What collection are you waiting for?  I'm looking forward to the summer coral collection.

RIMMEL STAY MATTE POWDER/REVIEW

Rimmel Stay Matte pressed powder in Sandstorm - $5-6

I've read some good reviews on this powder, mainly saying that it keeps oily T-zones matte.

I have to say I'm not a fan of this powder either.  It made my skin more oily, rather than keeping it matte.  

 

It's so dusty, like chalk. It flies everywhere.   I used it with brushes, a sponge, & powder puff, but it's like I never put anything on my skin.  I bought the darkest color, but it just comes out transparent.  

I think this would be good for very dry skin and f you just want to set the foundation.  It will give a dewy look to your skin. If your oily, it will make your skin look greasy.

I want something that keeps the T-zone dry, but if I wanted to brush on the  powder instead of foundation, I could. 

So the search continues.  What makes it harder is that I need something with no SPF.  I figured out after all these years of my eyes being irritated, that anything with SPF makes my eyes swell and itch.  

What do you do for sun protection if you can't use anything with SPF on your face?  

CCO-H&M-Drugstore/haul

My parents were in town, so we decided to hit up the Ontario Outlet's. 

First stop was the CCO.  There are so many great Mac products out from past collections.  They had the newest 2009 Holiday collection out too.  

Left: Highlight powder in Golden Nectar(Naked Honey col.)  Vibrant Grape (Style Warriors col.)

I wasn't interested when I first saw them at Mac, but I kept seeing vibrant grape on YT, and fell in love.  They had both the Highlight Powders, but I bought the darker one for spring/summer.  I thought it would be pretty for all over.

Next stop is H&M.  I am really into gold jewelry & these 2 gold ones were screaming for me.  I love the silver 1 too.  It's 3 rings in 1. All under $9.

This last one is a great drugstore  highlighter,  $4.  It's 4 shades of white/lavender/light pink/pink.  You can swirl them together or use them separately.  Honestly, I reach for this more than my Mac MSF's.  This isn't glittery like the Mac, it's a beautiful shimmer.  If you're fair, you could use this as a blush.

Have you seen the ads for H & M?  I love the dresses, so pretty.

What are you looking for at your CCO?

PRODUCT RAVE - RIMMEL LASTING NAIL POLISH

What can I say, I love dupes and bargains.  This is a great dupe for OPI Metro Chic, which is on my wishlist, but now crossed off.  This is $3.50 at CVS and the color ids Steel Grey #270.  The color is a beautiful warm gray that will look good on all skin tones.

The polish itself, is like a polish + top coat in one.  It's thick, shiny, and dries super fast.  Now it doesn't last 10 days like it claims, but maybe 4 or 5.

I wish they had more colors, only like 10 maybe.  I would like to try more.  

What's the longest wearing Nail Polish you've found?

FOREVER21/haul

I picked up a few goodies.  I think everything is under $17.  

I thought these would look good by themselves or under a jacket/sweater.

The outer 2 shirts wold be good with my Forever 21 Skinny black jeans.  The odd ball blue dress was $7.  I can wear it as a dress or a bathing suit cover.

I think I've more in love with clothes lately.  What have you been in love with this month?

MY NEW SPRING PURSE

Forever 21 $16.50

I fell in love with this as soon as I saw it.  It reminds me of spring and summer and vacation.  We're planning  trip, and I thought this purse was perfect.  It's roomy and light weight.  It also has a shoulder strap.

inside view

Maybe this is a passing whim, but for the price, it makes me happy.

What's your favorite purse?  Do you switch purses each season?