A couple of years ago, something amazing happened! Allure Magazine selected a handful of us as finalist in their Beauty Blogger of the Year Awards and i was fortunate enough to be one of them. While the competition itself was super exciting and nerve wrecking, i consider myself incredibly fortunate because aside from the really cool experience, i met some AMAZING girls! Cara (check out her gorgeous blog here although i can't imagine that you haven't already) blew me and the rest of the country away with her incredible highlighting and contouring skills. She literally transformed herself with a few strokes of genius! I knew at that very moment, this girl was a star! For obvious reasons, Cara won the competition and made an instant fan out of me! When i learned that Cara launched her very own IIID Foundation (highlighting and contouring kit) i was over the moon excited for her because everyone (myself included) needed in on her HAC action! Within a few days of its launch, i purchased the palette which initially came with a contouring color and highlighting color. Sadly, i couldn't get it to work for my skin. I'm not sure if i went wrong with the color selection but i kind of just let it be because while it didn't work for me, it seemed to work beautifully for so many other people. Still i hoped that Cara would tweak the formula just a bit in hopes of having better luck with it.
A few months later, all of my dreams came true. OK I'm being dramatic but you know what i mean... Cara reformulated the palette and tweaked the entire thing to make it a 'one stop shop' situation. The new palette is absolutely beautiful and soooo user friendly. First, let me begin by saying that the second time around was love at first swipe! The formula goes on my skin so beautifully. It has a soft, velvety finish which i adore. In fact, i can actually skip the setting powder on my face with this foundation! The only area that requires a dab is under my eyes simply because lets face it... I'm no spring chicken 'ahem' and of course i spend my days chasing after my twinados therefore i need all the help i can get in the 'under eye' department! I watched Cara's tutorials on how to properly apply her IIID Foundation and learn her techniques. She does it with such ease! While HAC is super intimidating to many of us, it's actually a lot easier than it looks! With Cara's palette, application is a cinch! The palette can be customized to your liking by simply choosing your perfect shades! You get a bronzer, foundation, highlighter and blush! The colors that Cara selected for me were Linen (foundation), Walnut (contour/bronzer), Pink Grapefruit (blush - omg it's soooo gorge... BTW i like to wear it as lipstick too because i think it's way too pretty to use solely on one part of my face!) and Pearl (highlighter). The pans are interchangeable so if you run out of a specific color, you don't have to purchase the whole entire palette again, you simply replenish the color you need. If you decide you want to try a new blush color for instance, you can do that too! I love that about this palette plus, it's verytravel friendly! These colors worked beautifully with my complexion! Honestly, since this palette arrived at my doorstep, it's been my go-to for highlighting and contouring. I was so weary about trying a cream contouring system because I'm so accustomed to my powder options, but once i began using this baby, i knew that it'd be hard to go back to my old ways!
If you happened to try the first round of Cara's IIID Foundation and for whatever reason felt as though it didn't work for you i urge you to try the new palette! It's uhhhhhmazing! I promise!!!
I decided to create a video in addition to this blog post simply because i wanted to illustrate to you just how easy it is to apply. I know my lighting isn't the best but you'll see what i mean. Besides, i think the pictures speak for themselves right?
Cara I'm so so soooo happy for you! I can't wait to see your IIID Foundation in every store shelf in America and of course the rest of the world! This product rocks... you ROCK! Purchase your palette here! While you're at it, be sure to pick up the dual sided brush! The quality is excellent and truly facilitates the application process!
Here's the video i created on using this product! Enjoy :)
Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM
*Cara sent me this palette and brush to try. All opinions are my own based on my own experience with this product!
CC+ Your Way To Radiant Skin five piece collection gives you the power to look and feel like your most beautiful you! This Today's Special Value debuts on QVC Friday, March 27, 2015 at midnight (ET). This gorgeous set features a brand new Your Skin But Better Anti-Aging Full Coverage Physical SPF 50 CC+ Cream Illumination that is all about giving you incredible skin care, complete coverage, SPF 50 and now that gorgeous boost of radiance all in one simple step. The anti-aging Vitality Face Disc gives you complexion perfection in a compact with a pretty flush of blush, glowing luminizer and a beautiful matte bronzer. I was actually featured in a brochure for IT Cosmetics professing my love for this amazing palette! I swear it does wonders for my complexion (just look at my before and after pics), they pretty much speak for themselves! The No-Tug Dual Airbrush Eyeshadow Brush and the new Heavenly Luxe Radiance Wand Brush are ultra-plush (in true IT fashion) and feel uhhhhmazing against the skin! Seriously there are very few better things in life than the feel of IT's gorgeous brushes against my skin! Heavenly is right! The brand new Luxe High-Performance Anti-Aging Eyeshadow Trio in Pretty in Spring is all about your most beautiful eyes ever! Seriously, these neutrals are so soooooo beautiful and buttery and super pigmented! I'm absolutely in LOVE!
Who's that girl????!!!!! Meeeeeee!!!!! I stand by every word... love this palette!
Overall this set made me jump for joy! I'm so obsessed with IT products and was thrilled to try a new version of the CC+ cream which i already love and adore! I will be working on a full review of the CC+ Cream Illumination because i know you'll love it too! If you want to see my full review of the Vitality Face Disc click here. The eyeshadow trio has been my go-to all week since the package arrived. The colors are so soft and feminine! As for the brushes, i mean.... it doesn't get any better than IT! So hurry!!!! Don't miss out on this 24 hour special while supplies last! You'll get all of these products here for under $60 (actual value is $172)!!! Head on over to QVC and get yours today!
Happy shopping!!! Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM
I've subscribed to beauty boxes for years now, but most recently, i added Rocksbox to the mix! If you haven't heard of Rocksbox, here's the scoop... become a Shine Insider for $19 a month. You can fill out a style survey to help the glam fairies at Rocksbox select your jewelry pieces (you can also create a wish list of the pieces you'd like to receive). Every month, you will receive three gorgeous jewelry pieces to wear on loan for as long as you'd like. You can either purchase the pieces you love or return them to receive a new box. Basically, you can wear the pieces you receive and swap them out monthly if you get bored easily. If you simply can't part ways with your new jewels, you have the option to purchase them. Every month you'll get $10 to use towards any piece you'd like to keep. This is a fun subscription service for those who love accessories like myself! Oh and this is your lucky day! Sign up now and you'll receive your first month FREE by using code fashionmavenmommyxoxo. Such a score right???!!!! Check out my first box... so in love with the necklace!
Pixi never ceases to amaze me with their gorgeous and innovative launches. Most recently, they launched their Palette Bronzette (which i like to refer to as my one-stop-shop) as well as the Lip Lift Max... both stunning products that I'm excited to share with you!
Pixi's Palette Bronzette has just about everything you need to get you ready for your day or night! This beauty comes beautifully equipped with a super silky bronzer, highlighter and blush that is guaranteed to get your skin glowing! It doesn't stop there however, you'll also get a stunning selection of bronze, taupe and peach shadows to create an endless array of looks to suit your needs. This palette is so light and totally portable making it a wonderful addition to your travel makeup bag. Honestly, you don't need much more than this to get you ready for just about anything! The colors are beautiful, pigmented and will look incredible on just about any skin tone.
Pixi's Lip Lift Max is the ONLY lip plumper I've tried that I've actually LOVED! Here's why... I'm totally freaked out by the tingling you get with most lip plumpers. With Pixi's Lip Lift Max, you don't get that feeling at all. It simply adds a beautiful sheen to the lips while creating a fuller effect. I've been rocking this beauty since the day it arrived at my doorstep. I love to wear it alone or layered over my favorite lippies! Either way, you can't go wrong with this gorgeous multi-tasking lip gloss!
Note: I'm wearing Pixi Lip Lift Max layered over pink lipstick
You can purchase these beauties and more at Pixibeauty.com or at Target.com (Pixi is also conveniently available in Target stores).
Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM
*press sample - all opinions are my own based on my experience with these products.
I'm always excited for spring and summer beauty launches because the colors tend to be bright, flirty and fun! CND's Summer 2015 Garden Muse Collection embodies a bold, bright garden filled with memories future-past. Beauty awakes to fragrant notes of nostalgia with this stunning collection.
"This season's trends are all about sculpted, dramatic silhouettes and intense floral hues that invite abandoned reverie," says CND Co-founder and Style Director Jan Arnold. "Nails are seductive and sleek, adorned with a harmony of vintage floral design elements and spellbinding patters for an alluring effect."
The VINYLUX Weekly Polish System is my go-to for long lasting manicures. Top any of these gorgeous polishes off with the Weekly Polish Top Coat and your mani will last for days! The Garden Muse Collection features Beckoning Begonia, Crushed Rose, Wisteria Haze, Lost Labyrinth, Reflecting Pool (one of my favorites from the collection) and Butterfly Queen.
I'm wearing one of my favorite colors of the CND Summer collection Reflecting Pool!
While CND's Summer Collection is spectacular, the party's not over just yet! We've all heard of Keratin treatments for hair right? Well CND has taken keratin to a whole new level by introducing RESCUERXX Daily Keratin Treatment for nails! This highly effective treatment with jojoba oil and keratin proteins bond to the natural nail to strengthen while restoring moisture. With continued use, RESCUERXX dramatically reduces peeling and white spots for healthier, more beautiful nails.
For me, it's definitely helped strengthen my nails. I noticed for quite some time that my nails felt weak and chipped so easy. When this beauty arrived at my door, i was hopeful that my nail situation would improve. Well, it did! I actually use it several times a week just to maintain and am so happy with the results. I keep it on my nightstand so that i don't forget!
GLOSSYBOX is the monthly beauty box that I've subscribed to the longest. I am never disappointed! My box is usually filled with products and brands i love! I was lucky enough to get a sneak peek of March's box and it's uhhhhmazing! Warning... spoiler alert! If you prefer to be surprised, don't scroll down! Otherwise... enjoy!
The bellapierre cream blush is dreamy! I wore it today and loved the instant flush of color!
I'm always on the hunt for great new eyebrow products! I'm excited to try this new brand!
I've sampled So Susan products in my GLOSSYBOX before. While I'm usually an IT girl when it comes to concealer, i actually really liked this quad! You can mix and match to create your color if necessary which i love considering my skin tone changes throughout the year.
I have yet to try these but I've been dying to try Ouidad and am excited to finally do so!
I applied this (very expensive) moisturizer last night and my skin loved it! I'm excited that we got two pods because i can toss one in my makeup bag and keep the other on my nightstand!
Overall I'm so pleased with this box! While this box was a press sample sneak peek, I'm excited to see if the box i receive (the one i subscribe to and purchase monthly) looks like this one! Hope you're just as excited to get your March delivery! If you have yet to sign up for your very own GLOSSYBOX, you can subscribe here for $21 per month. I promise, this box is sooooo worth it!
