Pür Cosmetics

Pür Cosmetics offers high-performance makeup and skincare products and everyone is going nuts over the 4-in-1 Pressed Mineral Powder with SPF 15. Almost 4,000 reviewers on Ulta Beauty give it a rating of 4.5, so it's "THE TOP" rated pressed powder they offer at the store right now.

Pür Cosmetics was kind enough to send me over some of the Pressed Mineral Powders, Chrome Glaze High-Shine Lip Glosses, and Velvet Matte Liquid Lipstick to check out for myself.

The Pressed Mineral compacts go for $29.50 each and there are 12 different shades to pick from. The pressed powder offers great coverage, lightweight feel, and it helps to smooth away fine line and wrinkles. Great coverage and no wonder the ladies are loving it up. It's not to heavy and it looks natural. I used it under my blush and lasted all day.

The Chrome Glaze High-Shine Lip Glosses are lightweight, highly-pigmented lip color that utilizes gel technology to coat lips. These go for $18 each and they have 6 great colors to pick from. These are really nice and I like them. Some of the colors I like best are: Arm Candy, Smarty Pants, Squad, and Heart Breaker (nude tones, with hints of pink and bieges). Tilted applicator brush for accuracy.

The Velvet Matte Liquid Lipstick are sumptuous lip colors in an innovative mousse texture that glides on to providing a burst of color in true matte finish. These go for $18 each and they have 6 popping colors to pick from. No smear and stays on your lips where it belongs.I tried the color Ever After and it's a great mauve taupe Fall color.

To find out more about Pür Cosmetics, please go to: https://www.purcosmetics.com/

Pür Cosmetics is also available for purchase at Ulta Beauty.

*Vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty free (100% bunny approved).

Thanks Pür Cosmetics!

Munay Designs - Australian Stones & Crystals

For thousands of years, people have been utilizing crystals for their powerful abilities to soothe, heal, energize,  and ease anxiety to name a few. I follow several jewelry makers on Instagram and I have been looking for an Aqua Aura crystal for a while. I finally found Greta from Munay Designs out of Queensland, Australia. I love her pieces and I was so excited to actually work with her to create my own design.

Aqua Aura is a mesmerizing bright blue quartz created from a special process by heating vaporized trace metal (like gold) to a crystal's surface. This stone is a high and intense energy stone with strong vibrations. The cool thing is that she will send you a post card that lists all the characteristics of the stone you choose.

Aqua Aura characteristics:

• Truth
• Speak truth
• Psychic healing
• Communication
• Energizing
• Element "water"
• Heart & Throat Chakra
• Spiritual Elevation
• Soul Energy
• Activates all Chakras
• Cleans and heals aura
• Radiates inner beauty
• Protection against negative energy

Greta has been making jewelry for over 10 years and she loves to work with naturally raw crystals, hill tribe silver, seashells, and much more. Majority of her crystals are found in Australia and they come from fossickers. I had to Google that, and its and Australian term that means to prospect, like a miner digging for gold. She told me, "Fossikers drive forever to the middle of nowhere, dig for days and sell their earth treasures at little country flea markets". She frequents the Byron Bay markets to purchases some of her stones. She has also witnessed the effects of crystal magic, and stated that it comes in so many different forms. 

I asked her if she had any aqua aura and she sent me a picture of all the stones she had. The crystal picked me, I didn't pick it. She then worked with me to pick out a waxed cotton cord color and I also asked to have a shell charm attached. I love my necklace!! The color is indescribably beautiful and alluring. My daughter is already asking me for one of her own :) 

I picked the 3rd one in from the left!

She also has tons of other options and colors to pick from, and she will work with you to customize a piece specifically designed to your liking. She makes bracelets, rings, necklaces, earrings, and leather bags. Prices vary, mine was around $55 with shipping to U.S. 

Picking a charm from Hill Tribe Silver

Also, if you have specific items you want to address, try to find the right stone:

Rose Quartz - brings inner healing

Turquoise - anti negativity & general healer

Blue Lace Agate - anxiety and stress relief

Azurite & Copper - arthritis and bone degeneration

Malachite - promotes growth and builds strength

Tourmaline - strengthen immune system, provides pain relief, helps to align spinal column

Variety of wax cotton color cords to pick from

Here's her website: https://www.munaydesigns.com/

Thanks Greta!

Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival 2017

The 12th annual Newport Mansions Wine & Food Festival was held this past weekend and it was a spectacular setting as usual. Some popular samples this weekend were duck, smoked salmon, and pulled pork. Lots and Lots of Rosè brands from around the world, there were not many represented last year, and this year, they seemed to take over. Maserati's were parked across the oceanside landscape in between sampling tents, and wood burning from the outdoor stove was blowing in the breeze carrying an intoxicating barbecue scent.

Smoked Salmon -Everything dusted tuille, crème fraiche and caviar

My husband and I have had the pleasure of being invited to this event for the past three years, and the atmosphere there is unlike no other. Last year, we attended both the Greenwich Wine & Food Festival and Newport Mansions, and hands down, we have to go with Newport. Better food, more variety of wines & alcohol, better overall vibe, plus breathtaking views all day that can't be beat. Greenwich does have better entertainment and more celebrity chefs since NYC is so much closer. 

Oysters and Bubbles

We got to experience the VIP lounge in the Chinese Tea Lounge which was sponsored by Château D'Esclans and the theme was Rosè All Day. We found our way there after eating and drinking a while and we were very content to spend the rest of the day there. Ironically, Japanese bronze lanterns hang from the ceiling in there and they are lit up creating a calming atmosphere. Palms and flower decorations adorned the room, creating a far off tropical scene. They had a cheese platters, crackers, couches, and Rosè flowing...flowing...flowing. A walk around patio outside offered unfiltered views of the bay and ocean and the breeze was perfect to cool off.

Everyone was buzzing about the most popular item at the event which was by Castle Hill Inn Seaside Cafè. They were serving up Confit Pork Belly served with apple, mustard, and pickled radish. It was incredibly tender, melt in your mouth, we snuck back for seconds (and so did everyone else), THAT good. Nothing less would be expected from Castle Hill Inn, they are ALWAYS on point.

Looking forward to next year....

Castle Hill Inn - Confit Pork Belly

Some pictures from the rest of the day....

Midtown Oyster Bar shucking!

Meiomi - A little taste of California Sunshine on the East Coast

Hotel Viking - Food Prepping!

Treets Traditions - Skincare

Treet Tradtions offers a great skincare line for all types of skin. They focus on ancient customs of our ancestors who used to heal themselves with what they found in nature. Treets Traditions uses a blend of unique herbs in their products with remedial properties.

They have five collections to pick from: Amazon - Engerising Secrets Collection, The Alps - Healing In Harmony Collection, Africa - Nourishing Spirits Collection, Asia - Relaxing  Chakra's Collection, or Nordics - Revitalising Ceremonies Collection. The collections come with a variety of different items like foaming shower gel, shower cream, body scrub, body cream, bath fizzers, body oils, and more depending on which collection entices you.

Treets offered to send me over one of their new items, and I picked the Africa Nourishing Spirits Collection. I have been trying the Nourishing Foam Shower Gel which is scented with kalahari melon which has strong antioxidants to help protect the skin & baobab oil which helps improves the skins condition. It smells wonderful without being overpowering. It has great lather as well and I actually shaved with it. Really nice shower gel and I look forward to checking out some of their other products as well.

Treets Traditions can be found at Ulta. The shower gel goes for $15.

To find out more about Treets Traditions, please go to: https://www.treets.com/treets-traditions

Thanks Treets Traditions!

Renpure Hair Care

Renpure recently launched a new Black Label Coconut Line I have been trying. It smells great my hair is really liking it. The coconut oil line features un-refined, bare naked coconut oil and water in each product. I tried the Coconut Bamboo Thickening Shampoo and Conditioner.
                                             
The shampoo and conditioner go for $7.99 ea for 16 fl oz.which is a nice price compared to other more expensive salon brands. The shampoo does not have crazy lather, which is most likely because it is sulfate free. Nice pump bottles that are easy to use in the shower. The scent is not overpowering either. Which is great, because I don't want to walk around smelling like I just left beach covered in lotion.

They also offer a full line of hair care like Argan Oil, Coconut Cream, Biotin & Collagen, Brazilian Keratin, and Almond Milk (yum, I will need to look for this one).They also have a Cleansing Conditioner line, along with an Advanced Extra Strength assortment, and Viva Curl for girls with the curls.

I was also sent the 100% Organic Coconut Oil which is great for nourishing hair and skin. USDA certified and at a great price of $6.99 ea for 8 fl oz tub. Great to get rid of ashy skin or tame some frizzy hair. Take a tiny dab, and do what you need.

Family owned and operated, they believe in healthy ingredients and responsible resourcing. Cruelty free line, sulfate free, paraben free, & gluten free. All products are made in the USA.

You can find Renpure products at stores like Target, Ulta, CVS, Walmart, & Walgreens. To find out more about Renpure or where to buy, please go to: https://www.renpure.com/

Thanks for the treats Renpure!                                                                          

Nude Envie - Naked Lipstick

I am allllll about the nudes. If you love earth tones like browns and tans, this is the lipstick line for you. They just launched the line in early 2017. Nude Envie offers seven profound shades of nude colored lipsticks and one "perfect" nude lip pencil.

Isabel Madison is the founder of Nude Envie and she grew up immersed in the beauty industry and her passion for it never dwindled. She created the Nude line so women could showcase their skin tone while not overpowering their other defining features. I myself am draw to nudes because sometimes I feel like the bright colors are too distracting and this offers a more natural yet finished look.

I love all the colors in the line. Subtle variations of nudes and I want them all!! Isabel was super sweet to send me over a sample of her line. I picked out the color RUSH and she sent the pencil along with it. The lipsticks go for $30 each and the lip pencil is $26. The lipsticks come in cute little black boxes and the silver bullet shaped container is sturdy and sharp looking. Great product line for lips and I recommend the brand.

The Nude Allure lip pencil goes on smoothly and accurately and the feel of the lip stick is also creamy and moisturizing since its packed with Vitamin E and jojoba oil. The lipsticks are carefully crafted using finest ingredients. All products are paraben free, cruelty free, vegan, and gluten free.

Sign up on their website to get 15% off your first order.

You can find out more about the company and order here: https://nudeenvie.com/

It's also available at Barney's New York. (Barney's offers the lipliner free if you spend $90 on any Nude Envie purchase  *one per person, while supplies last, US only.)

Votre Vu Botanically-Activated Skincare & Makeup

Today I checked out a brand I have not tried before and wanted to share my experience with it. Votre Vu offers healthy skincare & makeup products that are created with plant and marine extracts native to France. Small batch, handcrafted with essential oils, vitamins, minerals and French kaolin clay that nourished and protects skin while also enhancing appearance.

They offer a whole skincare line for normal, sensitive, and combo skin along with cleansers, toners, serums, and creams. Votre Vu also has a complete makeup line including concealer, powder, blush, mascara, brows, eyeliner, shadows, lip line.

They were kind enough to send me over a Bronzer and Lip Crayon to check out for myself. The Champs- èLIPsèe lip crayon is an ulta-hydrating, botanical wax forumla. These go for $24 each and it comes in Naked (light nude) or Spark (mid-tone rose). I tried the Naked. They call the stick a chubby stick and it does not need to be sharpened, you just turn it like a lipstick which is great. It feels thick and creamy on my lips and it's darker than I expected with a touch of shimmer. It's more of a brown than a neutral.

Next, I tried the Beautè en Bronze Tantalizing Bronzer Duo. These go for $34 each and it comes in Monaco Sunrise (shimmering pink) and Cocktail Hour (perfect tan), or Tahiti Island time (dusty rose) and Paradise (rich berry). This is French kaolin clay-based powder and a great way to keep that summer tan popping. Great packaging, nice sturdy compact. I tried the Tahiti and it's perfect for my medium skin tone with a slight tan. The powder seems to come up and break up easier than a typical compact blush powder so go easy with brush when applying because a lot with come off on your brush. It's a light powder, not heavily pressed. Almost like a loose powder consistency.

I like the products and would love to check out some more of their line. I would recommend checking out the line if you like botanically based, cruelty free lines.

The brand is only available online. To find out more about Votre Vu and view their complete line, please go to: https://votrevu.com/?SID=7536f3e2972eaf79dcfb2593307b639a

*Cruelty Free line.