Product Review and Giveaway!: Mattify Cosmetics

Product Review and Giveaway!: Mattify! Cosmetics

Recently, I was asked to try Mattify! Cosmetics.  Actually, who am I kidding?  I desperately wanted to try Mattify! Cosmetics!

From the Mattify! Cosmetics site:  "Mattify! Cosmetics provides you with makeup for oily skin that contains an oil absorbent kaolin clay base - to continuously soak up oil all day long.  Kaolin Clay is a natural clay that absorbs an astonishing 3x its weight in oil."

After reading that, dear readers, I was all in.  See, I have oily skin.  I mean, REALLY oily skin.  No matter the outside temperature, an oil film will coat my skin in a matter of minutes.  While summer is my favorite time of year, living in DC, with it's unbelievable humidity...is a bear!  I am a perpetual oil slick!  I am surprised Haliburton hasn't contacted me to buy space on my face for oil exploration.  *Sigh*

I know when I get older having oily skin will be more of a blessing (my face won't crack and wrinkle as fast) but right now it's annoying.  I apply flawless makeup and 20 minutes later my eyeliner melts down to where my blush should be!  It's no fun my dry comrades, it's no fun.  So, when I found out about Mattify! Cosmetics, I wholeheartedly wanted to try it. (with every fiber of my being!)

I will admit I was a bit skeptical, however.  There are so many products on the market that claim to keep you shine free, and they rarely ever work.  Remember those blotting papers?  I would go through 3 packs of it in one day!  While I had hope Mattify! would finally solve all my oil control needs, my expectations were still really low.

Adorable Packaging!

When the package arrived I ripped it up in giddy anticipation.  I received Mattify! Ultra for Very Oily Skin, Mattify Concealer, Mattify! Tinted Makeup, and Mattify! Eyeshadows in Earth Angel and Mysterious Aurora.  The eyeshadows look amazing, however, I was interested in one thing and one thing alone, could this product stop me from looking like I wash my face in EVOO?  So I immediately washed, put on my moisturizer and applied the Mattify! ULTRA.

When I saw the Mattify! ULTRA, I was a bit nervous...as you should know by now, I am Black. I have medium dark skin and  the ULTRA powder is white.  VERY WHITE.

I was afraid that even with my foundation I would look ashy..or worse...like Lil' Kim at Rip the Runway last year.

No bueno Lil' Kim...No bueno

Me with
Mattify Ultra, pre
foundation.
Don't show anyone this
picture!

A lot of massed merchandised "translucent" powders still show up on darker skin.  Making the wearers of said powders look ashy or a horrible wanna be geisha.So you can understand my nervousness.  However, as soon as I applied it, my fears were dissipated.  Mattify! ULTRA is truly transparent and with a few swipes of the brush, you barely notice it.

I finished applying my makeup (I used a mineral powder foundation, by the way)and went about my normal routine. I kept checking the mirror if my trademark olive oil gloss set it in.  It didn't. Grocery shopping, taking care of Miss Chloe, walking around the mall, cleaning up the house and going for a walk and...nothing.  I was still matte!  I couldn't believe it. 

Just to be sure this wasn't a fluke,  I started doing more vigorous activities.  Taking the stairs instead of the elevator, picking up Miss Chloe more so than usual, I even cleaned out my closet for the next "Revamping the Wardrobe" post...and not a flick of shine. This product is amazing! Mattify! ULTRA has made me a believer.

Picture I took in between my daily errands

After my long day

You're probably not going to believe my pictures because they look so similar...but seriously, this was me at the end of my day with no touch up with the exception of the lipstick.  My eyeliner and eyeshadow were still in place and not a fleck of shine on my face.

Everything Mattify! ULTRA says it can do, it does!  If you have oily skin and have been looking for a solution, you need to hurry and visit the Mattify! Cosmetics site!  Mattify! Cosmetics has products that really work, with natural ingredients, all at affordable prices!  (The Mattify! ULTRA is only $12.99!  $12.99!  I have spent quadruple that on products that didn't work!)  They also have Mattify! Powders for Combination Skin and Sensitive Skin.  Oily skin sufferers, you need this product. You really do.

So to celebrate this awesome new product that will be a staple in my makeup bag (and yours) for years to come, I am raffling off the other awesome items!

For this raffle, I am raffling off:
Mattify! Tinted Powder in Medium
Mattify! Concealer in Medium
Mattify! Earth Angel Eyeshadow
Mattify! Mysterious Aurora (which is beautiful!)

Over a $35 value!  Click on the links to see what the raffle prizes are!

Entry in the raffle is easy.

Tweet "I just entered to win @mattifycosmetic cosmetics from @HEARTRetail! Click  http://bit.ly/174OAL4 for your chance to win!"
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Follow Mattify! Cosmetics on Twitter (mandatory)
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Make sure you complete each task in the Rafflecopter widget below for credit. Each task you complete equals more entries in the contest.  No worries if you already follow or like pages, you can still earn an entry!  Just click the button in the Rafflecopter widget to redeem your entry!  Contest ends October 2nd!  Good luck!

*************************UPDATE!*************************
Instead of me sending you what I didn't use, the lovely people at Mattify! Cosmetics are going to send you exactly what I received!  That means, in addition to all of the items listed above you will also get the Mattify! ULTRA!!!  Yay!  Happy Dance time!  Remember you can earn an entry a day by retweeting "I just entered to win @mattifycosmetic cosmetics from @HEARTRetail! Click  http://bit.ly/174OAL4 for your chance to win!"

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Product Review: Khroma 24K Prime

Khroma display NOT from CVS from KK's Celebuzz page

Product Review: Khroma 24K Prime

Last month, CVS had super cosmetic sales, and because of this, I spent entirely too much time there.  Don't judge me.  During my countless hours there, I kept passing the Khroma Beauty display and was surprisingly intrigued. 

For those unfamiliar with Khroma, it is a cosmetics line by Kim, Kourtney and Khloe Kardashian. Or more appropriately, it "was" a beauty line by the Kardashians.  A lengthy lawsuit has halted Khroma, so now the sisters' line is called, Kardashian Beauty.

Back to the product review, it was on sale at CVS, plus I had a $10 CVS ExtraBucks Reward, so I ended up paying about $3 for the K24 Prime.  (It retails for about $16 at my CVS) I really don't know why I picked the K24 Prime over any of the other Khroma products; I have a sneaking suspicion it was the shininess of the bottle that got me . (I love goooold...again, don't judge me)

It's gold and sparkly!

Before I rinsed picture.  You can see
 the sparkles all over my face.

Embarrassingly enough, when I first tried it, I applied it wrong.  I assumed because it said "makeup primer", it was like all other makeup primers.  Meaning, you slather it on under your makeup.  WRONG.  The vital step I missed is washing it off, BEFORE you apply.  See, you can never underestimate the importance of reading directions.

According to the bottle, "Increase your face value. 24k Gold Dust Make Up Prepping Primer 5 minute gel treat instantly adds smoothness and radiance to complexion. Perfect for red carpet events or every day celebrations. Prepares skin for makeup and leaves behind a subtle, illuminating sheen, which reflects light away from skin imperfections so makeup application looks flawless. Now you can prep your make-up and look like a million dollars!"  When you apply it it looks like a sparkly gold translucent gel.  While it's drying, you do feel a "tightening" of the skin that lasts, even after you apply your makeup.  I used the Revlon Nearly Naked (review coming soon) as my foundation.

After pic.
 I tried to give good face... you see
it didn't work out too well

The positives of K24 Prime is it does seem to tighten pores and from a distance you do look radiant.  However up close you can still see the little gold sparkles here and there even after rinsing it off.  As the product suggests it is best for red carpet events and every day "celebrations", basically meaning, this shouldn't be your daily primer.  Unless you are the WWE wrestler Goldust. 

 Furthermore, it doesn't smooth your skin imperfections.  Not really.  My pores did look slightly smaller but I expect a primer to smooth pores, lines, bumps, cracks, crevices and railroad tracks more than 24K Prime did.  If you already have smooth skin then this may give you the "added" oomph you need, but if like me, you need a primer to conceal your sins, this may not be the product for you.

So all in all, K24 Prime is a decent product.  It's "meh".  Don't get me wrong, I will be using it again. Most likely in the summer, when bronzers are a way of life...but, I would not make a special trip to pick it up...nor do I think I will buy it again...unless I get an insanely huge discount...or the Dollar Tree starts selling it.

On a side note:  you only have 5 more days to enter for your chance to win Valia Skin Care Cleansing Milk.  Click here for 7 different chances to win! http://bit.ly/18qCUno

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Product Review and Giveaway!: Valia Essential Travel Kit

Well, hello!  Before I even get started, have you entered the last product giveaway?  If not, immediately click here (or copy this url http://www.iheartretailtherapy.com/2013/08/product-review-and-giveaway-bee-naturals.html and paste in your browser).  It ends September 2nd and you have 9 different ways to enter and you can do all 9 for a better chance to win! No worries, I'll wait.  Go ahead.  I'll wait right here until you return.

Back again?  Okay, let's get started.

Product Review and Giveaway!:  Valia Essential Travel Kit

Recently I was asked to review Valia's Essential Travel Kit.  As soon as I received the package, I knew this wasn't going to be an ordinary product...and I was right.

Even the shipping packaging was luxurious!

Here is Valia's Mission (from http://www.valiaskincare.com):

"Valia celebrates every person’s individual beauty and is focused on creating products that follow the principals of the Japanese holistic and ritualistic lifestyle. Unlocking the secrets of the East, Valia believes that every person has the potential for beautiful and luminous skin at any age.

Adopting a old traditional remedies, we can preserve ourselves better and have more radiant skin. Our products are carefully crafted using time tested effective ingredients.

Valia believes enduring beauty occurs when the skin is allowed to blossom into its full potential. Like the rituals of the Japanese tea ceremony created centuries ago, a tradition seen as both indulgent and graceful. It is a lifelong commitment to create skin that glows from the inside out.

It is our commitment to you to unlock your potential for beautiful skin by revealing the wisdoms of the East, combined with the finest, natural ingredients and backed by scientifically studied remedies."

Just browsing Valia's web site is like a 10 minute zen meditation. Basically "Valia is a 3-step beauty system that cleanses, hydrates and nurtures from the inside out, unveiling skin that is more radiant and youthful." (From Valia's web site) 

I tried to take a zen like picture.
As you see it didn't work out too
well.

Included in the Valia Essential Travel Kit were:

• Valia Cleansing Milk that is  a gentle cleanser that refines, enriches, and clarifies. For normal to dry skin. 
• Valia Purifying Wash is a gently exfoliating cleanser that deeply purifies, balances and refines. For all skin types.
• Valia Yuzu Hydrating Creme is a lightweight crème that replenishes and restores moisture, while improving elasticity. For all skin types.

For this review, every morning I started with the Purifying Wash and followed up with the Yuzu Hydrating Creme. (I repeated in the evening) 

The Purifying Wash has a pleasant clean smell and is extremely gentle.  After washing my face feels clean without feeling like it sucked all of the moisture out of my skin (when you hit 30 this is extremely important).  This wash is so good, I have already decided to make it a part of my daily routine.  Yes, it has replaced my go to Clinique skin care regimen...These products are that good.  After only a few days of use my skin looked brighter (not so dull) and my pores look smaller.

The Yuzu Hydrating Creme is by far my favorite.  Like I mentioned earlier, my skin is a perpetual oil slick.  It makes no difference what the temperature is outside, I am always shiny.  For my skin type, I do use moisturizers, however, they can not be too heavy, nor greasy.  If I violate this rule my skin will pay for the violation for months!  Clogged pores, breakouts, and all types of unpleasantness plastered all over my face.  However, Valia's hydrating creme has a wonderful consistency (not too thin, not too thick); absolutely perfect for my oily skin.  A little bit goes a long way and the results are fantastic.  The creme doesn't feel greasy and seemingly your skin absorbs it immediately.  It also goes well under foundation, liquid and mineral.

I can honestly say my skin looks more vibrant and youthful.  My large pores are not so noticeable and I haven't had any new break outs or blemishes.  I review a lot of products but this one by far is one of my favorites!

Now I have to try the supplement, Bloom.

"The revolutionizing anti-aging and fat metabolizing supplement.Infused with herbal extracts like Sea Bucktorn, Holy Basil, Reishi Mushroom and Mangosteen, this supplement works to boost immune functioning and support daily bodily function.

Omega 7 rich, Bloom is perfect for people desiring beautiful skin. Xanthoids, rare in nature, gives Bloom its immune boosting and cell protecting characteristics.

Beneficial for people experiencing bloat after eating certain foods and for those looking to reduce belly fat, Bloom encourages better fat metabolization which helps people naturally control and combat weight."

Finally have beautiful skin AND melt some of this baby fat?!  I am so there!  To get your own Valia products (and I recommend you do so right now.  Yes right now.) visit www.valiaskincare.com

To enter for a chance to win your own Valia Cleansing Skin Milk;

Cleansing Milk Giveaway!

 Like I (HEART) Retail Therapy's page on Facebook

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Tweet @mochamango1 is giving away Valia Cleansing Milk! Follow @mochamango1 & go2 http://bit.ly/174OAL4 2win #FreebieFriday  #Fbloggers #BBloggers

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For a whopping 10 entries, display your retail addiction with pride by getting your own I (HEART) Retail Therapy item!

Phew! That was a lot, but the more you do the more chances you have to win!  Make sure you complete your entries through the Raffle Copter Widget below!  Contest ends September 15th! Good luck!

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Product Review: Bath Path

Product Review: Bath Path Mineral Sea Salt Soak

So...I busted my @$$ recently.  If you are not familiar with my vernacular, it means, I fell.  Fell hard.  I was at my house, with my son and daughter and slipped on my hardwood floor.  To make matters worse, I did not fall on my derrière, I face planted.  My knees actually took the brunt of it, but it did knock the wind out of me.

As I laid on the floor, I seriously had a moment.  "I've fallen and I can't get up", medical bracelets, growing old and the meaning of life honestly flashed across my mind.  While, it was absolutely hilarious I busted my derrière, it was extremely painful.  But as most mothers know, there is no time for pain.  So I got up and continued to do my motherly and wifely duties.  However, my knees were throbbing.

Luckily, I was asked to review Bath Path's Mineral Sea Salt Soak in Lavender.  I figured a major face plant was a good excuse as any to take a bath.  

Now let me tell you, I am a bather; salt baths, sitz baths, hot baths, steam baths, herbal baths, mineral baths, milk baths, clay and mud baths...you name it, I've tried it.  So I was expecting a normal bath time experience but Bath Path far exceeded my expectations.

First of all, there is real lavender essential oil in this bath salt.  While this may not seem like a big deal to the uninformed, a lot of skin care companies use lavender fragrance oil.  BIG DIFFERENCE!  In laymans terms, fragrance oil is just an oil that captures the fragrance and nine times out of ten it is made with some pretty undesirable chemicals.  Essential oil is actually the flower or leaf's naturally expressed oil.  When you smell the bath salt, you will immediately notice the difference.

So, I put my cup of salt in the running bath water and got right in.  Immediately, I felt luxurious.  Salt baths have the ability to pull toxins out of your body, which is great; however, it can also severely dry your skin out.  Bath Path however puts vitamin e oil in their product and you can feel the moisture.  I literally soaked in the tub until the water got cold and my hands and feet got pruney.  When I finally managed to exit the tub, I felt relaxed (sleepy) and lo and behold, my knees weren't aching anymore!  My skin was soft and supple and I felt marvelous.  As an added bonus...the lavender scent even put Chloe to sleep.

You mothers know you can't take a long bath without the kids around.

So out of 10 stars, I give it a 10.  It definitely got the job done and all of the ingredients are natural.  Furthermore, it put the baby to sleep while I bathed! (Mothers know that is a definite plus!)

The lovely people at Bath Path offered me and my loyal readers a special 10% discount off of the Mineral Sea Salt Soak simply enter 10PRIHRT upon check out.  Get your very own Bath Path Mineral Sea Salt Soak in Lavender here! Or what I would like to call, relaxation and put the baby to sleep in a jar.

If you would like more information about Bath Path, check them out at bathpath.org 

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