It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Vol. 1 Matte Luxe Transforming Eye Shadow Palette

You've heard me profess my love for It Cosmetics complexion products for well over a year now right?  They work for me and i absolutely adore the way they make my skin look and feel when I'm wearing them!  However, one thing I had not yet tried was this eye shadow palette which I'd heard so many great things about.  So the other day, while shopping at Ulta, i decided it was time to pick up the Naturally Pretty Vol. 1 Matte Luxe Transforming Eye Shadow Palette.  Wow, was i glad that i did!  Listen, it's no secret that i own a plethora of palettes but this one is so fantastic for many reasons! I love that all (except one) of the shades are matte.  Yes, i love shimmer but i find that matte shadows really help conceal aging skin. While I'm not exactly calling myself old by any means, i am also very aware that I'm no longer in my 20's and therefore like reaching for products that keep me looking and feeling youthful!  However, this palette includes one It Cosmetics proprietary pearl transforming shade that can switch up your entire look with a simple swipe!

The 14 luxe anti-aging silk infused eye shadows also include Hydrating Age Reverse and Prevent Complex and are infused with Peptides, Hydrolyzed Collagen, Anti-Oxidants and Drops of Light Technology. Oh and no worries, this beauty is also Paraben-free, fragrance-free, sulfate-free and cruelty-free.  Best part?  These anti-aging shadows were developed with plastic surgeons to instantly diffuse the look of lines and wrinkles on the eyes and lids!  Phew!

I used a mixture of 'noire and midnight' to line my lower lash line for added drama!

I've been playing with this palette for the past couple of weeks and find that the colors are incredibly wearable, fun, and can create a wide array of looks that can range from a simple day time look to a sultry smokey eye situation!  The pigmentation is serious on this palette.  A little goes a long way!  The color pay off is intense and the shadows apply incredibly smoothly!  As with just about every It product I've tried, I'm loving this one and see myself reaching for it often!  I promise, this beauty will NOT disappoint!

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

A Day of Beauty with It Cosmetics at Ulta

When I first learned of It Cosmetics' plan to launch at Ulta stores I did the happy dance twice over!  The thought of actually seeing these products I've adored forever in person, in an actual store was very exciting for me and many others I'm sure!  Well, yesterday I had the pleasure of watching the It Girls in action while celebrating this amazing brand at the Ulta store in Clifton, NJ!  Talk about a successful event... products were literally flying off the shelves!  In speaking with some of the clients, it seems that everybody's cult favorites Bye Bye Under Eye (which is where my love affair with It Cosmetics initially began), you can also get it with a brush for just a little more here, Celebration Foundation, CC Cream and Vitality Lip Butter Gloss were among the most loved items!  Who could blame them!  These few items can make anybody look literally airbrushed and flawless!  I witnessed some live transformations and can tell you that everyone that walked out of those makeup chairs looked gorge!  Another thing I noticed, none of these 'make overs' looked too made up.  All the ladies looked like a better version of their already beautiful selves!  I love that!  Oh and if you get a chance, definitely trot on over to Ulta to check out It Cosmetics' Luxe Anti Aging High Performce Eyeshadow palette with Dual Brush!  OMG it was the first time I've seen this beauty and the colors are the perfect blend of shimmers and mattes, neutrals and bold!  This palette is literally a 'one stop shop'!  I swatched some of the colors and the pigmentation is insane!  A dab is all you need!  I cannot wait to make this baby mine!  Another product that totally peeked my interest, as I've NEVER seen anything like this in one kit is 'My Sculpted Face! It's a contouring palette!!!  Whaaaat???!!!!  Where have i been????!!!! How did I miss this!!! I just checked out the reviews on Ulta and everyone is raving!  Yep, checked that on my list for my next shopping trip at Ulta for sure!   Overall, it was a wonderful event!  I had the pleasure of meeting some of the It Girls in person whom were a complete delight!  Customers happily walked away with some major It hauls as well as a fantastic gift with purchase!  All in all, it was my kinda day! 

 

Check this out in store!  The colors are insane! Sorry i didn't get a picture of the actual palette as it was being used but still... i wanted to share this with you!

GIFTS WITH PURCHASE!

Seriously, how GORGEOUS does this It client look?!  I had to snap a picture of the 'after' look... it's simple, doesn't over power her natural beauty, yet so perfect! 

The IT genius who created this gorgeous look and her client!

So lets chat!  How excited are you that It Cosmetics launched at Ulta stores?  What is your IT product of choice? 

Thank you SO MUCH for reading! XOXO Carla - FMM

Ulta Beauty Event Tomorrow Featuring It Cosmetics!!!

Calling all IT GIRLS!  I know this is a little last minute, BUT i wanted to share some fun news with all my local It Girls! The It Cosmetics team will be at Ulta in Clifton, NJ for an exciting beauty event!  Join them for a complimentary makeup lesson and receive a free gift with your It Cosmetics purchase of $25 or more, because YOU deserve IT!  (One gift per customer, while supplies last.)

I will be attending this event and will be live tweeting, facebooking and instagramming.  I will also be sure to document the entire event so that all my non-local It girls can experience all the fun... virtually! 

Reserve your appointment today for this event taking place tomorrow, September 28th:

Ulta
225 Allwood Rd
Clifton, NJ 07012
11:00-7:00 p.m.

I'm really looking forward to meeting all of you attending tomorrow!  Stop by and say hello... and happy shopping! xo Carla - FMM

Real Techniques

Have you ever felt as though your foundation is looking a bit streaky, or your eye shadow is just not creating the impact you'd hoped for?  Well, don't discard your makeup just yet!  Instead, take a good look at your brushes and determine if perhaps it's time to invest in new ones?  Trust me, a brush can make all the difference in the makeup application process!  You may find that a new brush brings a whole new life to those products you already know and love!  Real Techniques offers high quality brushes at rather reasonable prices!  These beauties were designed with pro makeup artist Samantha Chapman, combining high-tech materials with innovative design to make for a perfect makeup application. 

While representing Allure magazine at the HBA Global Expo this past June, I had the pleasure of meeting one of 'Real Technique's representative who kindly gifted me with these three amazing brushes.  Now I'm not gonna lie, i was a bit skeptical at first!  I'm very VERY partial to MAC & Sephora when it comes to makeup brushes.  However, after trying these, i was incredibly impressed with the quality, the application and the design.  I LOVED that some of these brushes could actually stand upright on my counter!  It made them that much easier to reach for!  I can't say enough about how good these brushes felt against my skin as well as how well the makeup went on.  There was no streaking whatsoever!   I have to say, i love these so much, i want the entire collection! 

Here's another great thing about Real Techniques, their website is incredibly informative.  In fact, if you are a makeup FREAK like myself, then you're already familiar with Samantha Chapman's 'Pixiwoo' YouTube tutorials!  When it comes to makeup, she's more then just an educator but a guru of sorts!  She can help you transform yourself from blah to 'holy gorgeousness' in a matter of minutes!  If you haven't watched any of her videos, be sure to do so and you'll see for yourself!  Also, here's the kicker!  The website has video tutorials for every single brush in their collection!  Take that MAC and Sephora!  Now don't get me wrong, i still love and always will love my MAC and Sephora brushes, but believe me... these will make a wonderful new addition to my hefty brush collection!

Ok so here are the brushes!

So the first brush is the Expert Face Brush, perfect for applying liquid or cream foundation!  You will look 'pixel perfect' even in the harshest of lights!  Its ultra-plush, synthetic taklon bristles are hand-cut and 100% cruelty-free!

The next brush is probably my favorite!  It's called the Stippling Brush.  The Real Techniques website describes it as the trades secret for creating airbrushed, high-definition results with all types of makeup, and personally, i AGREE!  Coincidentally, Real Techniques must have read my mind, because i had plans to add this brush to my collection the very day that i received it in the mail!  I literally squealed when i saw this beauty!  Especially since it saved me a trip to the make up counter!

From subtle to dramatic, the Shading Brush is perfect for flawless, high definition results!  I know my eyeshadow was perfection when i used it!

 

These gorgeous brushes are available via the Real Techniques website.  If you absolutely must see them in person before purchasing (and i encourage you to), please visit your local Ulta!  Thank you SO MUCH for reading!  Don't forget to become an official follower of FMM!  XOXO Carla