Charity of The Year 2013!

Happy Holidays S+SR Readers!

Like last year, I'm dedicating my last December post to making the world a better place.  One thing that helps to do that are really great and innovative charities.  Last year I featured Project Peanut Butter.  This year I want to feature Free Rice!

Website is owned by Free Rice.  Hopefully they don't mind me promoting them.

Free rice is great because you don't need to actually donate your own money.  You simply have to donate your time and brain power.  You also get to learn a thing or two!

You simply pick a trivia category, then start answering the multiple choice questions.  For every right answer, Free Rice donates 10 grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program!  How cool is that?!

Here are some of the free educational subjects you can learn through Free Rice:

Ugh, SAT prep....I hated that. I might have hated it less if I had done it through Free Rice!

This is me earning 30 grains of rice by still having s-k-i-l-l-s  at SAT questions.  Whooo!

Look how smart you can be if you played Free Rice every day!

So if you are feeling like upping your IQ while making the world a better place this holiday season, throw on your favorite music and spend some time playing on Free Rice.

Note for donation "Cheaters":  If you want to rack up grains of rice quickly play the "English Vocabulary" subject or Basic Math.  Easy peasy grains of rice....until the levels gets hard.  There are 60 levels of vocab so be ready!  You can definitely get a couple hundred grains no problem.  If you really want to cheat at higher levels, you can look things up on google...but your wouldn't do that...would you? *wink*

Check out Free Rice and I promise it will make you Shine and Sparkle on the inside!  If you play the vocab, let me know the highest level you get to in the comments below!  We can have a rice-off!  


Shine & Sparkle!

Make-Up 101: How To Wear a Dark Lipstick

Hi Shine and Sparkle Readers!

Holiday posting madness! Tons of posting is my December holiday gift to all my readers.  I even have one more post heading your way next week. 

This image belongs to M.A.C cosmetics.  They are way better photographers of their products than I am.  Like all my images, I'll gladly give someone credit for their image or take it down if someone throws a hissy fit.

One of the biggest fall trends are deep plum/violet lip colors. This trend is exemplified by M.A.C's "Talk That Talk" Retro Matte lipstick* from the RiRi Hearts M.A.C collection (can you tell that I'm obsessed with her look above?)  You can see me rave about M.A.C Lip products in this report.  Based on your skin tone, you might have to play around to figure out how to best wear this trend.  Let me know in the comments if you are interested in tips for finding your perfect dark lipstick shade!

The big question is how to wear them without a) looking like you just sunk your teeth into the jugular of a small mammal with color all over your teeth; b) not look like you were making-out like at teenager with your lipstick all over your face; c) not look like you are promoting bringing early 2000's goth back or that you are part of a vampire worshiping club.

Well, Shine and Sparklers, good news!  Here are 3 tips to address a, b, and c above! Hooray!

1)  Revised "finger in the mouth trick".  Yes, that sounds....interesting, but this really works.  This tip has been passed down from mother to daughter since....lipstick.  Put your index finger (or middle and index finger if you have a big mouth) and gently press your lips around your finger.  Remove and the lipstick closest to your teeth is gone.  This is not a very glamorous way of doing it and you have to some how remove the lipstick from your fingers.  I prefer to use a Q-Tip.  Put one end of Q-tip in mouth, then pull through your lips.  Not at much lipstick is gone as your finger, so use the other side of the swab to remove more using the initial removal as a guide.  Perfect and clean.  My favorite.

2) Prime/lipstick/line+ fill.  This works great for me.  A great lip primer like M.A.C's prep and prime lip primer helps any lipstick stay on your lips for much longer.  I think it is much more moisturizing than using the lip pencil first.  It also means long wear no matter what the lipstick's original formula is.  Then apply your lipstick.  I know you want to line first, but lining after applying the lipstick lets you create the perfect shape.  Concentrate on the perimeter of your lips, the corners, then feather into the middle.  You will be surprised that this is just as effective as the traditional method.

3) Keep rest of make-up light and natural.  For day time you can do your normal day foundation and brow routine but stick with a very neutral (or no) eyeshadow, minimal application of a muted eyeliner (off black or brown),  Generous mascara is great to add a bit of balance the dark lips and I'd use a bronzer with a slight shimmer as my blush to give a healthy glow without competing with the star of the show, the lips! 

Bonus Tip: Want to get that "Talk That Talk" lip look without the $50 for just the lipstick?  Pair M.A.C's "Media" ($15) satin lipstick with M.A.C's "Nightmoth" Lip Liner ($15) and for $20 less than the RiRi, you get a M.A.C. lipstick and a liner and the exact same look!  I actually prefer to get the color this way because the "Media" is much more versatile because there is a bit more red in it so you can play with lip liners and glosses to get a more dark wine color and more iterations.  I also think that the "Satin" lipstick finishes are much more moisturizing and more comfortable to wear than the "Retro Matte" formulas. For more details check out my post on M.A.C Lip Products 101!

Shine & Sparkle!

*I am not paid or contacted by any of the companies mentioned in this post.  These are my honest feelings and opinions.

Benefit's Love Me B.Right Gift Set Review

Hi Shine and Sparkle Report's Faithful Readers!

With the holidays approaching, beauty gift sets are abundant.  I thought I would make haste with this review, just in case you were considering buying it! I will let Squiggles introduce this product review of Benefit's "Love Me B.Right" Gift Set*:

I was so excited to try Benefit's skin care line because I have liked quite a few of their other products (let me know if you want to know about those in the comments).


As you can see, while $48 seems like a high price tag.  However, all these products together retail for over $90! Full size eye cream and "facial emulsion" aka face lotion alone are $60, so it's $12 cheaper plus you get 2 deluxe sized samples of the other two products.  Sounds like a good deal, but wait until you read the review.


In a Nutshell: I was disappointed and do not recommend anything other than the "POREfessional" primer if your skin is at all sensitive.


The Full Report:

The Products

The POREfessional Face Primer ($30 for the full size of 0.75fl oz, deluxe sample in gift set)--
Let's start with the good.  The POREfessional face primer was by far my favorite product.  It applies lightly with that super-smooth silicone feel.  It doesn't irritate my skin or break me out.  It has a slight tint to it and is not oily at all.  It truly filled in my pores and makes any liquid or powder foundation look flawless and long lasting.  While I wish this had been full sized, the deluxe sample will last quite a while.  When I run out of primer, this will become the only face primer in my collection.  I have (and have also tried) samples of Pixi-Pore Reducing Primer, Bare Minerals Face Primer, Hourglass Mineral Veil (suuuper pricey!), and Mirabella face primers.  All of these pale in comparison to POREfesisonal.
Ms. Sparkles says "Splurge for this one!"  There is no comparison and the 0.75fl oz goes a long way.  Only a tinnnny bit of primer is needed since it spreads so easily.

It's Potent! Eye cream ($30 for full size of 0.5 oz-full size in gift set)--
Let's start with what this isn't:  Anti-aging.  That being said, this eye cream is marketed mainly at people in their mid twenties to mid thirties who are trying to prevent aging in the future, so it is mainly to moisturize and reduce dark circles.  However, it has NO SPF, meaning it doesn't prevent damage from the sun which is the biggest contributor to the future aging of skin.

 Also, while it does smell great, fragrance can be irritating on the eyes for us sensitive skin folks.  All the products are "allergy tested" but not free of fragrance or harsh irritants.  Thus, when they say "use gently under the eye" they really mean waaay under the eye.  On the lid or at all close to my eye led to itchy and very unhappy eyes.  Boo.  I found this works best for me FAR away from my actual eye area and just treating super dry spots of my skin (weirdly, that is usually my eyebrows.)  I might end up using it for moisturizing really dry areas on my hands and feet to get through it.  Online someone suggested using it as a face primer, I might consider trying that.
Ms. Sparkles Says: Skip this one if you have even slightly sensitive skin and want to use as advertised.

Triple Performing Facial Emulsion ($30 for full size of 1.7fl oz-full size in gift set)--
Also smells great but again, "allergy tested" apparently means that it irritates my sensitive skin.  The bottle is ADORABLE and has a pump (which is very hygienic).  However, the pump dispenses probably only 1/5th to 1/6th the product needed to cover your face.  Thus, to do your whole face is 5-6 pumps.  That being said, I'm going to go through it very slowly because I have to mix just 1-2 pumps with my normal Olay Sensitive Skin daily moisturizer (which I talk about in my "Dealing with Oily Skin" post) to use it at all on my face.  Perhaps I will be using it up as a neck and shoulder cream.  That skin is less sensitive and needs love and sunscreen too!
Ms. Sparkles Says: Skip this one if you have sensitive skin and want to use as advertised.

Total Moisture Facial Cream ($40 for full size of 1.7oz-deluxe size in gift set)--
Blah blah, smells good, irritates my skin. This is supposed to be an intensive total moisturizing cream that you use on very dry skin.  I tried it both at night and during the day (with the emulsion on top for SPF protection).  Both applications left my skin feeling irritated and uncomfortable.  Luckily this was a small jar because I don't quite know how I'm going to use this.  Other than maybe one really awesome foot moisturizing application.  Boo.

The Packaging:

Oh so cute and mostly high-end feeling.  Thick glass is great but the pump on the facial emulsion is a bit flimsy.  Also, the "cork" looking tops are not actually cork, but matte cork print on substantial and nice quality plastic.  The gift box stickers with product information easily remove and is the perfect size to hold a small box of tissues.  Great for decorating your vanity!

The Take Home:  

MAJOR skin irritation issues, but did not break me out.  Would NOT re-purchase anything but the primer.  I know that these great rave reviews on the internet but I have no idea how anyone with even mildly sensitive skin doesn't have bad reactions to it.

While I don't mind that Benefit's other products are not formulated to be particularly gentle to increase effectiveness, I think neglecting sensitivities in skin care is a pretty big oversight on their part.  If your skin care and foundation products are gentle, less gentle make up products typically go over much better.  I want to love these as much as other internet reviewers do, I just can't.


Shine & Sparkle!



*I am not paid or contacted by any of the companies mentioned in this post.  These are my honest feelings and opinions.

Korean Beauty Product Haul (not bought on the internet!) and Review

This just in Shine and Sparkles Readers,

I have the best Dad ever!  World traveler that he is, my Dad was in Korea last month (just a wee bit jelly). Naturally, when he asked if there were any souvenirs I wanted, beauty products were #1!  Korea is known for being one of the world leaders in innovate skin care and make up.  I was so excited to make my Dad a shopping list by going on the internet and doing a little research.  I'm sure you are imagining a pretty interesting scenario.  Enter my Dad, wandering around Korea alone.  Facing not only a language barrier but quizzical looks as a male asking about make-up at beauty counters.

But never fear!  My Dad's friend's wife and her other female friend acted as amazing guides to collect items off of my Korean beauty product list.  If I ever get to make a pilgrimage there, you bet there will be a blog post all about it!

Needless to say, thank you sooooo much to the 3 awesome and wonderful people who went out of their way to bring me this haul.  Way cooler than buying online.  Take that Amazon!

So excited by this Korean Beauty Product Haul.  I took pictures for you readers right away at my parents house!  See the receipts all in Korean? *sqee*

Close Up #1

Close Up #2

Some of the things on my list were sold out, though I think I go more than enough stuff to keep me entertained for months.  My dad also got me some sea cucumber soap from Malaysia (the 3 large colored things in Close Up #1).  I also apparently got a ton of samples!  In this report, I will not be reviewing the samples, but if there is something I did not review that you want to know about, let me know in the comments and I will gladly oblige.  I will mention really quick that the "Black pearl O2 Bubble Mask"* was super crazy.  It goes on like a gel, then puffs up into a foam all over your face.  While it didn't do all that much for my skin, the novelty of it was very niffty.

If you are really inspired to buy any of these products (and you don't live in Korea or have an amazing world-traveling Dad.)  You can probably purchase online from http://en.koreadepart.com/.

 The Saem Snail Three Musketeers Hand Creams:

By far the cutest packaging I received in this haul and the most unique.  Why? Because they are made with SNAIL GOO...ehem...I mean Snail Essence.  Before you go ewwww and race to that little "x" that closes your browser window, let me explain.  Snail slime...er...essence is rich in proteins of high and low molecular weight hyaluronic acid and antioxidants.  Hyaluronic acid is a humectant which means that it attracts water, making it an excellent moisturizer.  The proteins and antioxidants are supposed to reduce signs of aging by stimulating the formation of collagen, elastin, and minimizing damage from free-radicals. Oooooh ahhhh. 

I can definitely say that while sounding pretty gross, these are AMAZING products.  The fragrance is strong but very pleasant.  As the little names on the snails suggest, the blue is Lilly scented, yellow is freesia, and the pink is cherry blossom.  They are extremely moisturizing.  I love using them on my hands, focusing on my cuticles and nails.  I use it before painting my nails and let it soak in. My nails have been so much stronger and splitting less. Hooray. The only con is that they are kind of bulk for taking around with you.  Also, untwisting a snail shell is not conducive to moisturizing your hands on the go.  That being said, they look adorable on a vanity table and are great for at-home use.

Ac Care Bee's Sheet Mask: 

I was very excited to try Korean sheet masks.  We just don't have things like this in the United States yet.  They are pretty much like thick, smooth baby wipes that are soaked in liquid that is good for your skin.  The mask has cut outs for your eyes nose and mouth.  The pros are that you don't have to rinse it off like a traditional mask.  They are also very easy, open packet and go.  Cons are that the cut outs don't account for various face shapes so I ended up having to take the extra cut out parts and place them around my (apparently) large nose.  The AC Care Bee's mask is meant for sensitive skin.  I really liked it.  My skin felt very moisturized and my skin had a nice brightness and glow to it.  It also reduced the appearance of pores.  I'm a fan.  I got a sample sheet mask with rice proteins (large white packet in close up #2) and another one (large red packet in close up #1).  I thought the rice one was ok but I did not see great results.  I did not like the red one as much.  It did reduce pores, but had stronger chemicals (and chemical smell) and felt slightly irritating on my skin.

Innisfree Jeju Volcanic Pore Clay Mask (Original):

I have not had a chance to try this yet.  I'm still working my way through my Body Shop: Seaweed Ionic Clay Mask .  I am hoping that this will be very similar to that.  Able to dry out any acne and pull impurities from my skin.  From the little test patch on my hand, I know that it has a pleasant smell and seems like it will fit the bill of a very detoxifying mask.  I found the quantity of product a bit small for the price compared to the body shop clay mask, however Jeju Volcanic clay is probably harder to get/rarer than "ionic clay" (whatever that is...)

Innisfree No sebum mineral powder:

In terms of function, it is probably one of the best oil controlling powders I have ever used.  It is also probably the finest milled mineral powder I have used.  I'm obsessed with it.  Even though it is a white powder, it goes on translucent and keeps your face matte for hours and hours.  I'm a little sad that it doesn't contain a whole lot of powder but it will last a good amount of time if you just concentrate it in your t-zone.  If you want a fragrance free powder this isn't for you.  But I think there is something really luxurious about putting this powder on a big soft fluffy brush and having the perfume of it fill the air (don't worry, the smell dissipates quickly, so you will not be smelling it on your face all day).  You can also use the little sponge that is included to get a more concentrated application in your t-zone for even more intense oil control.  I will be ordering more of this online when it runs out.

CLIO Water-proof Turnliner Twisturn in Black:

Last but not least, a black eye liner.  While this seems like it would be a basic product that doesn't need to come across the sea from a foreign land....it does.  The perfect liquid eyeliner varies by eye shape and need.  For instance, I love M.A.C's Liquid Last eyeliner.  It's a bit pricey but nothing works better for my lower lash line.  It doesn't smudge at all and even eye make-up remover fails to get rid of it.  Pure olive or coconut oil is the only thing I have found that removes that stuff quickly and painlessly.  Even though it works great for the part of my eye that smudges the most and is not oily, it is a pain in the butt if it is all over my upper lash line (which can get oily and is a rather large area to cover with hard to remove stuff.)  Which is where CLIO Water-proof Turn Liner comes in.  It has a long, fine tipped brush that fills with a somewhat runny liner fluid when you twist the end of it.  Something about the shape and stiffness of the brush gives excellent control for perfect lines and the formula glides on quickly and easily.  It is a great brush for Asian eyes that sometimes need a longer brush and to cover more space due to mono lids/hooded eyes/in-the-way-lashes resulting from almond shaped eyes.  Most of all, it doesn't budge at all with oil but removes easily with make up remover.  So, pair M.A.C's liquid last on the bottom with CLIO on the top, and I have the perfect eyeliner that can stand up to 12+ hours of wear without a worry in the world (other than a 2 step process to remove it later).  Yeah, it's that cool a combo.

So there you have it mini (or not so mini) report on my Korean beauty products brought to you by plane from Ms. Sparkle's Dad & Co.    Hope you enjoyed.  If you have any Korean beauty favorites let me know, I'd love to try them!

Shine & Sparkle!

*I am not paid or contacted by any of the companies mentioned in this post.  These are my honest feelings and opinions.