Audrey Dao

Confessions Of A Beautyholic

 

MAC Give Me Liberty of London Collection

How cute does this collection look? It’s so different from previous collections. Must get my hands on these babies!

Are You Buying Anything From MAC Give Me Liberty of London?

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OPI Maintenance Nail Envy Review

OPI Maintenance Nail Envy ($16) I L-O-V-E OPI Maintenance Nail Envy! It is an awesome nail strengthener. Nail Envy normally retails for $16, but I was able to get it for $8.95 through head2toe Beauty. It’s very easy to apply. Your first day you apply 2 coats and then every other day you apply 1 coat on top. After a week, you remove the layers and start all over. The polish goes on clear and gives your nails a pretty shine. Nail Envy doesn’t make your nails grow faster. It just strengthens your nails.

For the past year, my nails have been breaking so easily. The slightest little bump would cause my nail to break. After a week of using Nail Envy, my nails did not break once. Every little bump that normally would cause my nails to break or chip did not do my nails any damage. My nails even felt thicker. If you’re looking for a way to strengthen your nails, I recommend you try OPI Maintenance Nail Envy.

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Blogaversary Extravaganza Week 2 Winner

It was so much fun reading about everybody’s first beauty product purchases. I remember my Lip Smackers and Bonnebell pre-teen days. Haha. Those were the days.

Here is my answer to Week 2’s question: “What was the first beauty product you purchased?

Before I had bought anything, I was using my mom’s gift with purchase products she got from department stores. Haha. My first beauty product I bought was Maybelline’s Great Lash. I believe I was 18 or had just turned 19. I know. I’m a late bloomer.  I remember I kept seeing the mascara win award after award. Plus it was always featured in YM and Seventeen. I mean it was everywhere so I had to give it a try!

Alright, onto the winner of the Marie Louise Restoration Gel…

The winner of the Marie Louise Restoration Gel (retail $51)  from Week 2 Blogaversary Extravaganza is:

ALLY M.

You will be receiving an email from me soon so be sure to check your inbox!

The 1 year blog anniversary has gotten off to such a wonderful start! Thanks to everybody who participated.  Week 3 of the Blogaversary Extravaganza has already started so don’t forget to enter!

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Tarina Tarantino Gem Gloss Review

Tarina Tarantino Gem Gloss ($19) What it is:
An ultralight, high-shine, low-tack gloss that delivers true, even color.

What it does:
Achieve a full-bodied lip look with medium-intensity pigment suspended in this silky, hydrating formula. Special emollients encapsulate water to keep lips supple while plumping spheres work to draw water into lips for a smooth, voluminous effect. An infusion of exfoliant enhances cell turnover to promote fresh softness.

My Thoughts:

I was was not impressed with this gloss. The gloss is quite sheer and thin, and I had to layer on so much for the color to be the same as it is in the tube.  I don’t like the wand/applicator either. It’s flexible so it was more difficult to apply. What I liked about the Gem Gloss is it’s non-sticky and the colors offered are so gorgeously different. I wouldn’t recommend Gem Gloss to anyone. There are drugstore glosses that are better quality. The poor performance was unexpected from a high end brand.

I used Tarina Tarantino Gem Gloss in my Spring Time Look: Bold Blue Eyes. I had to layer on at least 3 layers to get the color I achieved.

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Blogaversary Extravaganza Beauty Product Giveaway Week 3

We are half way through the Blogaversary Extravaganza celebration! The first week I gave away $280 of L’Oreal cosmetics. The second week, the people at Marie Louise helped me giveaway a full size bottle of Restoration Gel.

Hmm…what could the third week giveaway be? How about a little bit of everything!

Since March is finally here and the weather is suppose to be getting a bit warmer (at least I hope so!), lots of people will start traveling soon. So for this week’s giveaway, I thought it would be appropriate to give away travel kits. I have 3 kits to give away. You know what that means right? There will be 3 winners!

Here are the 3 sets:

on10 Are You A Schweppicure? Kit ($42 Value)

  • 3 ultra-moisturizing Skinny Stick Lip Balm with SPF 15
  • A luxe cosmetic clutch case

on10 Schweppes Pink Grapefruit Travel Kit ($33 Value)

  • A lip balm
  • Travel candle
  • Body lotion
  • A travel-size cosmetic case

Sugar Beauty School Bronzing Kit  ($56 Value)

  • Sugar Fix Cream Concealer
  • Tropic Tan Loose Powder Bronzer
  • Shellac Lip Gloss
  • Mini brush
  • A three-ring binder zip bag

How To Officially Enter

You must leave a comment on this post with your answer to either question “What was your favorite place to travel to? or “Where would you like to travel to?” to be officially entered.

For Additional Entries

  1. Follow me on twitter and retweet “Win 1 of 3 travel beauty sets from @audreydao details and rules: http://bit.ly/bDSzIm
  2. Become a fan on facebook and RSVP to the “Blogaversary Extravaganza Week 3″ post under the “Events” tab.
  3. Join my site through Google friend connect.
  4. Subscribe to my site via email and activate your subscription. You will receive a verification message once you submit. If you don’t see the email in your inbox, check your spam folder.
  5. Blog or post about this giveaway on your site with a link back to this giveaway.

You can enter all 6 ways for a total of 6 entries. After entering into the giveaway, you must fill out the form with the name(s) you used to enter into the giveaway so I can keep track of your entries. No one else will be able to view this but me.

I will chose the 3 winners using random.org.

You have until Sunday, March 14, 2010 11:55 PM PST to enter. The winners will be notified via email no later than March 16, 2010. Please make sure the information you provide is correct. You will have 3 days to respond to the notification. If no response is received, your prize will be passed along to another entry.

This giveaway is opened to everybody.

If you have any trouble entering or have any questions, please feel free to email me.

Good Luck!

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Google Friend Connect

Guess what? I now have a Google friend connect gadget! Show me some blog love and please join my site. You can find it in the right sidebar underneath the Facebook Fan Page Box.

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Beauty Blog Link Love

Over at theNotice, Rae talks about the “LOL Scarf” (aka the MAC Liberty of London scarf,) and wonders why the heck anyone would spend $115 on it!

Head over to Beautifully Glossy to read what GlossQueen has to say about Diorshow’s Iconic Mascara.

Curious to see how the Purple Lab Silk Sheets Luxe Foundation measures up? Blaq Vixen Beauty has the scoop!

Arianne of Glitter Geek is still in a makeup rut, so she tries to fight back with smoky blue eyeshadows!

Krasey Beauty gets acquainted with the new Chanel Rouge Coco Lipsticks, and promptly falls in love.

Jellyminx Thinks is featured on Makeup.com, thanks to the lovely people at Lancome.

Jeweled Thumb asks the age old question: “Would you like some lip gloss with those oysters?” Wait, what?

Hot Beauty Health shares hot hair color trends to wear in 2010!

Lights…Camera…Action! Mz. More at The Glamorous Gleam gets ready for her close up as she reviews the new HD foundation from Revlon.

Vex in the City unveils swatches in all their pastel glory from Revlon Spring 2010.

Christelle at Beauty Crazed uses Mary Kay to shut down her shine!

Beauty Woo Me wants you to stop making that Duckface!

Ever wanted to know the differences between the Beauty Blender and it’s dupes? Hell Candy Make Up did! Read her reviews here.

On her hunt for the perfect scent, TheLipPrint discovers an indie gem – Sonoma Scent Studio’s Opal & Vintage Rose.

Coral is the hottest colour for Spring and Summer. Discover the perfect coral lipstick in Over by Illamasqua with Makeup4All!

***

Help Audrey Dao celebrate her 1 year blog anniversary with giveaways all month long!

Prime Beauty asks “What’s your favorite eyeliner?” and gives away a Stila Mini Smudge Pot Collection.

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$5 Prettifying Beauty Tricks

I love reading MSN’s  Lifestyle section. You can always find useful info. Here is the latest useful info I found.

$5 Prettifying Beauty Tricks

Get glam for less with these beauty bargains. Try one (or all—for this price, why not?)!

Bring a comb in the shower to get shiny hair.

Get silkier strands, fast—and for just $2! “After applying conditioner, run through hair with a wide-tooth comb to work it from root to end. Continue combing as you rinse to prevent buildup,” says Yusef, Rihanna’s go-to hair pro during Paris Fashion Week. Hang this one from Jilbere de Paris in your shower for easy access.




Use mascara—on your hair!

Clear mascara is a makeup artist and hairstylist favorite. Celebrity stylist David Babaii, who tames the tresses of Kate Hudson, Sarah Jessica Parker and Scarlett Johansson, uses it to define the ends of curls and smooth frizzies along the hairline.






…or use it to add a little gloss to your lashes.

TLC’s What Not To Wear makeup pro Carmindy reveals her trick to shiny lashes in her upcoming book Crazy Busy Beautiful: Beauty Secrets for Getting Gorgeous Fast: Use a lash curler and hold that curve with an invisible top coat—it’s like hair gel for your lashes! We like this cult favorite in clear: Maybelline Great Lash Mascara.


Get posh-looking skin for pennies.

Having trouble finding the perfect concealer shade? NYC makeup artist Ana Marie suggests mixing your liquid foundation with loose translucent powder for better coverage. For spot-on application, try this concealer brush from Eco Tools. It’s just $4, and it’s made from earth-friendly materials and cruelty-free bristles. Save your wallet and the planet!



DIY your hair accessory.

Everyone from Eva Mendes to January Jones is showing up on the red carpet in fancy headgear these days. Those jewel-encrusted headbands can be pretty expensive, but we’ve got a DIY version that won’t cost you more than a few bucks. Buy a black stretchy headband (we like Goody’s Colour Collection Stay Put Hold Headbands, $4) and scour the flea market, vintage stores or your grandmother’s jewelry box for a sparkly broach. Pin it to the side, slip it on and—voil´—instant paparazzi-worthy hair in less than five minutes.




Keep your face flawless—and germ-free—by using these tiny multitaskers.

Love those cute lip-balm tins (like this one from On10, $3.50) but hate the idea of using germy fingers on your mouth? Problem solved with this purse pack from Q-Tips, $2—and at less than a penny per swab, you won’t feel bad ditching one every time you apply. Save this this pretty vanity pack from Q-Tips for your bathroom, $4, for 285 touch-ups of all kinds! Use one side to smudge dark shadow over your liner for a soft, smoky finish and the other end dabbed in makeup remover to clean up the fallen bits.


Get in on the celeb nail craze—without spending insane amounts of money.

Obsessed with the Minx nails the celebs are rocking but don’t love the price tag? Try painting your nails with a metallic polish to mimic that shiny, chrome finish, and use this ultra-skinny brush from NYX Ink Nail Art, $3, to trick out your fingertips and toes. You’ll be looking just as foxy as Hollywood high rollers for a quarter of the price.



Update your eye wardrobe.

This eye makeup kit may very well be the bargain of the century—five pieces for five dollars. With spring runways like Michael Kors and Christian Dior filled with pretty purple eyes, you’ll be on trend this season with Elf’s Get the Look Purple Perfect Set. It comes with all the makeup and tools you need to get this amethyst-inspired look—minus the haute couture price tag. Trés chic and cheap!


Try a double-duty eyeliner.

Feeling blue one day and perky purple the next? Get ‘em both with these Eye for an Eye double-ended liner pencils from Hard Candy, $5. Cash in on this colorful trend and express yourself—no matter what your state of mind. We’re pretty sure this price would put any beauty junkie in a good mood.


Shop in the men’s (beauty) department.

If you’re not into overly floral scents, C.O. Bigelow’s Premium Shave Cream does the job—for guys and girls—with cooling eucalyptus oil. This $5 beauty buy is made in Italy and loved by Italian barbers, but you can snag the European favorite right here in the USA. The only downside is that this tube may not last long—your boyfriend will definitely be borrowing this one. The good news: At this price, you can afford to replenish your supply.

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Spring Time Looks 1: Bold Blue Eyes

The first look of the Spring Time Looks series is bold blue eyes. Teal is suppose to be the color of this coming Spring season so I wanted to play off that trend. Instead of bright teal, I chose a more darker shade so I could pair it with a bright lip color. Spring is all about bright, bold colors. Show off splashes of color.

Products I Used

Eyes:

  1. I took the tealish blue color and applied it to my eyelid. From lash line to the crease. Don’t have a crease? Just apply it up to your brow bone.
  2. I then took the dark blue and applied it to the outer corner of the eyes and blended it 1/3 way inwards. I also blended it into the crease/brow bone to help define the shape of my eye.
  • I lined my eyes with a navy blue eyeliner. I used Make Up Forever Aqua Eyes in 15L.

Lips:

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Blogaversary Extravaganza Beauty Product Giveaway Week 2 Reminder

Don’t forget to enter into week 2 of the Blogaversary Extravaganza. Week 2’s giveaway is brought to you by Marie Louise.

Week 2’s prize is a full size bottle of Marie Louise Restoration Gel. The retail price is $51.  Be sure to check out my review.

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Tip of the Week

Got body breakouts? Chances are the conditioner from your hair was not completely rinsed off your body. Use a body scrub a couple times a week.

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Coupon Codes

Use coupon code AUDREY for 20% off at SkinMD

Benefit Cosmetics Get a FREE lip gloss with any $50 order. Enter HOTLOOKS at checkout. Offer valid through 3.15.10. Don't forget to add any gloss to shopping bag before checkout. Not valid with other offers.

Benefit Cosmetics Free US Standard Shipping on any $50 purchase. Enter promo code PRETTY50 at checkout.

Benefit Cosmetics FREE International Shipping with any $115 purchase. Enter promo code WORLD115 at checkout.
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