Mini Travel Essentials From IT Cosmetics

Happy Memorial Day!  Hope you all had a fun filled weekend!  To kick off this unofficial start of Summer, i wanted to share with you some of my IT Cosmetics travel friendly options!  You all know I'm an IT girl all the way and i never travel without IT.  Well, IT Cosmetics now makes it easy to never leave home without your favorite IT essentials!  All of your IT staples now come in travel sizes, even the Confidence in a Cream which i seriously cannot live without!  It's done wonders for my skin and I'm so happy to know that i can take it with me later this Summer on my trip to Cabo. It's way lighter than schlepping the full size container!  Besides, the CC cream and BBUE are also holy grail products of mine and i love that i can toss them in my luggage without the bulk and extra weight.  Oh and the sun protection in IT products is as good as they come making these products the best possible products for Summer travel!  You can purchase all of these here!

Happy travels this summer beauties!  Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette

I'm not gonna lie, prior to her collabs with Becca I'd never heard of Jaclyn Hill before... don't judge! However, when Champagne Pop first launched, i had to get my hands on it!  When it arrived it did not disappoint!  She later released a cheek palette featuring champagne pop and a couple of other shades that i wore so much i actually hit pan on all shades which is a rarity around these parts!  Sadly, it was a limited edition and i was not able to replace it.  So when her latest collab with Becca was announced i was on pins and needles waiting for its launch! Well, a few days ago when Jaclyn Hill was in NYC for the launch party, she snapped that Sephora was launching the Champagne Collection Face Palette with a very limited supply via their mobile app while supplies lasted.  Girl you know i was on it!

When i opened this beauty i literally gasped with excitement!  You guys!!!! This palette is STUNNING!!!!  The Champagne Collection Limited Edition Face Palette features five shades of highlighter and blush to illuminate all skin tones. Here are the shades in this palette:

Champagne Pop - soft white gold with pinky peach undertones
Prosecco Pop - medium warm gold
Amaretto  - soft toasted almond
Pamplemousse - matte warm coral pink
Rose Spritz - soft peachy pink with pale gold shimmer (my favorite)!

A fun little fact about this palette is that Prosecco Pop was inspired by liquid gold! The formulation is insanely pigmented in true Becca fashion and the colors wear beautifully! The packaging is simply exquisite!  I'm so happy i snatched this up and can't wait for the official release so that i can add the eye shadow palette to my collection! Looks GORGEOUS! Way to go Jaclyn Hill... while i didn't know you then i certainly know you now and have the utmost respect for you!  Such a great accomplishment at the young age of 25!

The collection will be available at Sephora online on May 26th and in stores June 16th!  Don't miss out because this is a limited edition item.

Target Beauty Preview Event- Spring/Fall 2016 Launches

Last week i had the pleasure of attending the Target Beauty Preview Event in NYC showcasing an array of Spring/Fall 2016 launches.  Let me just preface by saying that when Target hosts an event, they do it right!  The event took place at the Target Studios in Chelsea and lucky for me, i got to experience it all with a couple of my gorgeous blogger friends Hello Miss Niki and Beauty Judy! Lets face it, these events are always more fun when shared with friends.

The place was a beauty lover's dream!  Shelves adorned with much anticipated new launches (i'm looking at you Pixi Glow Tonic Pads)!  While browsing through products, you could get mini massages, manicures or hair touch ups!  What a sweet way to pamper us beauty enthusiasts! First, i met with Petra of Pixi Beauty.  You all know i'm a huge fan of both the brand and the creator.  We caught up a bit on life and of course chatted about all the wonderful products launching in late August.  We had a good laugh because i swear there are certain product Petra makes for me (ok, humor me people!)  Seriously though,  last Fall Pixi launched Glow Tonic at Target Stores in a travel friend bottle.  This was major for me because i always have to pour my GT into a tiny bottle whenever i travel. Thankfully i no longer have to do that.  Well, things just go so real because Pixi is launching Glow Tonic Pads!!!!  Thank you Pixi... i know you created this for me.... for real!  I had a chance to try one on the back of my hand and it smells incredible.  Also noted, the pads were quite saturated so they'll work product onto your skin quite beautifully!  OK, we will have to chat more about this launch a bit later this summer but i simply couldn't help myself!  Pixi is also launching some gorgeous Multibalms that can be used on your cheeks, lips and eyes!  You know i love me some multi-tasking products right?  I'm going to have so much fun with these!  Oh and i got a few in my gift bag so expect a review soon!

Next stop.... Sonia Kashuk!  You guys... seriously brace yourselves!  I was blown away by a few products here.  First, look a that GORGEOUS makeup hunter green makeup pouch with matching brush set!  Could you just die?!!!!!  Honestly, I'm completely smitten and think this will be my favorite Fall beauty situation!  I was stoked to see the makeup pouch in my gift bag and you better believe that as soon as those brushes launch, i will be purchasing them!  They're gorgeous and incredibly soft!  One of the other products that had me practically drooling is the stunning Six Pan Eye Palette in Gems & Jewels.... Oh Em Geeee you guys it's STUNNING!  Seriously, this palette will be your BFF this Fall... trust!  Also featured at the event were SK brush sets with matching carrying cases and travel pouches.  Sonia Kashuk does travel makeup bags right!  I currently own quite a collection of them because they make traveling with my favorite beauty products a cinch!

A much anticipated upcoming launch happening this Fall at Target is their collaboration with Beautycounter!  I recently posted about this launch here but it was so much fun actually previewing the products in person! The Rosewater Mist is one i'm very excited to own when the collection launches!  I will also pick up the Blush and Bronze Duo as well as the Cream Blush! Such a gorgeous collection!

Here is a preview of all the brands on display! 

Fun fact... after trying this You Are Amazing Final Spritz Coconut Water Body Spritz.... i ran to my local target (literally after the event before getting home) and purchased the entire inventory!  It's the best $3.99 you will EVER spend! 

Below is my portrait drawn by a local artist at the event... so fun!

A huge thank you to Target for inviting me to this amazing event!  I loved learning about all the wonderful things happening in beauty particularly at Target since i practically live there!  Seriously Target... just take my money... obsessed! Target gifted me a very generous swag bag (if you follow me on SnapChat @fashionmavenmom you've already seen what's inside), so i'll be sure to review some of the products inside in time for their upcoming launches!  

Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla -  FMM

May GLOSSYBOX

There's nothing more exciting than getting a beauty subscription box in the mail every month!  I mean, it's like getting a present delivered to your doorstep.  The anticipated of opening and seeing what's inside is so fun! GLOSSYBOX is a wonderful subscription service that delivers amazing beauty brands to your doorstep every month.  You simply fill out a profile survey to determine what products best fit you and voila... you're all set!  I have a peek at May's GLOSSYBOX so lets look inside together shall we?

At first glance, there were a few products that immediately peeked my interest.  While i wish my box had a few more makeup items, i quickly realized that i will use every single product here which makes it so worth it!  First, I'm already a huge RITUALS fan!  Their foaming shower gels are so fun and leave my skin feeling wonderful.  I haven't tried the Zensation so I'm excited to lather this baby on!

Nioxin is a brand I've used and loved so when i saw the Nioxin System 3 Cleanser and Scalp Therapy Conditioner i knew i was in for a treat.  The sizes are big enough to really give me a feel for these products.  Many times i dread getting shampoos and conditioners because the sizes are often to small and being that i have long thick hair, smaller size samples don't cut it for me.  Thankfully these did just fine and i have enough for a second wash!  I love the 'tidbits' included in the product card.  GLOSSYBOX suggests massaging your scalp with these products for 3 minutes to increase blood flow and circulation to the scalp.  Thanks GLOSSYBOX, will do!

Next, we have a mascara i already own and love!  Benefit's Roller Lash mascara is such a powerhouse for lashes.  It's known for curling your lashes without the need of a lash curler.  The wand's brush grabs, lifts, separates and curls lashes. Since i already own the full size version of this mascara, i will add this deluxe sample to my makeup pouch for quick touch-ups when necessary.

Talika Photo-Hydra Day utilizes an amino-acid that recreates the effects of natural light on the skin so you can sport a summer glow all year long. While i have yet to use this, i can see myself reaching for it for hydration as well as to add some color to my otherwise super pale skin.

Versespa Face Moisturizing Gradual Tanner was one of those products that i was like... um not sure about this.  But when i applied this on my face and saw such beautiful, natural results this product became one of my favorites in the box.  The color looks very natural, and it doesn't have that awful faux tan smell that i dread in these types of products.  You get two tubes allowing you a few uses. Will certainly reach for this a couple of times a week for sure to keep that summer glow minus that damage from the sun's harmful rays!

In the product card enclosed in this month's box, there is also a $5 off coupon for Nioxin Night Density Rescue at ULTA.  Overall, i loved this box way more once i dove in and began to play with some of the products.  I think it's a good value and as always comes beautifully packaged in a gorgeous pink box!  Want to subscribe to GLOSSYBOX? Simply click here and choose the option that best suits your needs.  You can subscribe for $21 per month on a monthly basis, or $18 per month if you purchase a yearly subscription by paying $222 once per year.

Thank you so much for reading! Xo, Carla - FMM

*press sample - all opinions are my own based on my experience with these products.