Brighten Up Your Day-ColourPop 20% off Sale!

As we approach the long months of winter, the days are shorter and everything seems, well kind of gloomy.  I like to add color when the skies are grey to remind myself that summer will be back before I know it.  ColourPop has a tremendous sale to help add some fun colorful hues to your makeup arsenal.  Most items on the ColourPop website are 20% off when you spend $40 or more.  I suggest picking up some of the ColourPop items that have recently launched on Sephora: Golden State of Mind Eyeshadow Palette ($26.00), Semi-Precious Eyeshadow Palette ($26.00), and the Polite AF Shadow kit ($30.00).  All of these items would make great gifts for family and friends...and even yourself.  $40 or more also gets your free shipping, which I always appreciate.  The sale lasts until 11:59 PM PST.  Check out the sale, you'll be glad you did.

Beauty Trove's Top 5 for August 2017

Every month seems to go faster than the one before it.  The summer was filled with lots of new launches from Anastasia, Morphe, Too Faced, ColourPop, and many more beauty companies.  It was almost too much to keep up with.  I have been trying out a couple of items from these new launches and discovering cosmetics that have been a mainstay in the beauty community.  If you want to see the makeup that I have been loving for the month of August, keep on reading.

1.  The Jaclyn Hill x Morphe Palette ($38.00).  This is one of those palettes that was hyped throughout the summer.  The palette itself ranges on the more expensive side for Morphe, but as evidenced by the fact that the palette has sold out every time it relaunched, it is well worth the money.  The eyeshadows are of a higher quality than Morphe typically has and I am hoping that this is a sign that Morphe may be reformulating its older palettes.  The Jaclyn Hill x Morphe palette features 42 gorgeous and very bendable eyeshadows.  It is mainly geared towards warm toned colors (perfect for fall!) and a few pops of unexpected colors.  I think the metallic gold, bronze, and copper make this palette worth the investment.  I have gotten a number of very pretty looks with this palette and can't wait to take it back out again in October to play with it some more.  I will keep you informed on the next relaunch date.

2.  Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush in Apri-Cot in the Middle ($2.99).  Wet n wild is known for being an affordable yet high quality cosmetics brand.  Wet n wild surely doesn't let you down with their Color Icon Blushes.  I have been wearing Apri-Cot in the middle pretty much everyday in August and am continuing to use it in September as well.  Apri-Cot in the middle is a super pigmented blush that is the right combination of nude, pink, and peach.  It looks great on the apples of the cheeks and goes perfectly with the Jaclyn Hill x Morphe palette and a new highlighter that I am going to discuss.  Apri-Cot in the middle is super affordable and super flattering.

3.  Maybelline Face Studio Master Chrome Metallic Highlighter in Molten Gold ($9.99).  I fell hard for this highlighter.  It is absolutely stunning on the high points of the face.  I have a number of

high end highlighters that cannot do what this less than ten dollar highlighter can do.  The shade, in my opinion, is universally flattering and gives a gold, bronze goddess look.  It pairs wonderfully with my other two favorites (above) this month.  Pick it up and try it out, you won't be disappointed.

4.  Juvia's Place the Magic Palette ($35.00).  The other palette have been wearing exclusively in August is The Magic Palette by Juvia's Place.  NikkieTutorials featured an eye tutorial on this palette.  It has 16 huge soft and pigmented eyeshadow pans.  The metallics are some of the best eyeshadows I have ever used.  I really love this palette and love that The Magic Palette is now part of my permanent makeup collection.

5.  First Aid Beauty Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser with Red Clay ($24.00).  I typically stay with my Mary Kay Timewise set (includes cleanser).  But this month has been strange and I have been breaking out frequently.  I received a sample of this cleanser in my ipsy subscription and decided to give it a world and try it out.  This cleanser really works.  I am not sure how it worked but my breakouts calmed down and my pores shrank, quite a lot.  I decided to bite the bullet and purchase a full sized one from Sephora.  I am continuing to use this cleanser twice a week, while using my Mary Kay cleanser as my main one.  I am interested in trying out the rest of the red clay line by First Aid Beauty.  I am wondering if anyone else has liked the red clay line and which products do you suggest I try next?

That's it for my August favorites!  What products have you been enjoying in August?  Let me know by commenting below.

ColourPop Launch Fem Rosa

ColourPop just launched (seriously) only a few hours ago the Fem Rosa line.  The lush colored palette sold out and so did the bundle set.  However, if you hurry you can still purchase the Her pressed powder cheek palette.  It comes with a gorgeous highlighter, bronzer and blush.  It sells for $15.  Buy $30 and get free shipping in the U.S..

Beauty Trove's Top 5 for June 2017

It's time again for monthly favorites!  I have a little bit of everything this month, most of the products I've been loving this month are pretty affordable.  If you want to know more about Beauty Trove's Top 5 for June 2017, keep reading.


1.  No7 Lift & Luminate Foundation ($15.99).  I first heard of this foundation through favorite reviews of KathleenLights and JamBeauty89.  There is a reason why this foundation was a favorite of two top beauty vloggers.  First, for a drug-store foundation, there are a number of great shades.  I think if this product is talked about more, No7 will consider expanding is color range.  This is a medium coverage foundation and it applies smoothly.  I really love this foundation even compared to some higher end ones.  It gives you an air-brushed appearance and it wears nicely throughout the day.  On my skin, it starts to break down after 10 hours of wear.  The foundation gives a fantastic dewy appearance that doesn't like like you are completely dripping...just a nice glow.  I would wait to get the foundation when you see a price reduction.  Typically, Ulta has a BOGO 50% off on No7 items every few weeks.  Otherwise, Target recently had a 10% off and Walgreens also has specials on No7 products.  I am almost finished with my first bottle of No7 lift & luminate so you know that this is something special.

2.  Wet n Wild MegaSlim Skinny Mascara ($4.99).  I've been on the hunt to find a cheaper replacement for the Clinquie bottom lash, and I have finally found one.  This mascara is fantastic for your bottom lashes.  The wand is skinny enough to get close to the lash line and it only requires one swipe because of the length of the wand.  This really gives you a lot of bang for your buck.  If you get this from the Wet n Wild site, they will give you 10% off your first order.  

3.  Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten in Pink Buttercream ($28.00).  I picked this little beauty up in Ulta's 21 days of Beauty for 50% off.  I am so glad I did.  This is the perfect pink blush to give your cheeks a flush of color.  When I look at this blush on the skin, it looks like summer.  This is a very lovely shade that completes fair to medium skin tones perfectly.  If you purchase this from the Laura Geller site, you can get $5 off your first order.

4.  ColourPop Super Shock Shadow in Cheap Date ($5.00).  I've been trying to use my ColourPop shadows more recently.  I started using Cheap Date at least once a week.  This is an incredible gold shadow with hints of silver.  It actually looks like melted gold!  I absolutely love it.  I apply the shadow on my lid with my ring finger so it really packs the color on.  

5.  Bath and Body Works Fiji Pineapple Palm Ultra Shea Body Cream ($3.25).  OMG this cream smells amazing.  I am a huge fan of Bath Body Works' Body Creams.  This is the perfect cream for the summer.  I love applying this on my arms and legs before I start my day.  Fiji is the perfect combination of pineapple and coconut.  I picked up another bottle recently at Bath and Body Works semi-annual sale.  I am also thinking of purchasing the shower gel and the body spray.  At $3.25 this body cream won't stay around long, be sure to check it out!

Let me know what your June favorites are by commenting below!

Half-Yearly Sale at BH Cosmetics!

BH Cosmetics is having their half-yearly sale.  All items (with the exception of sale cosmetics and the Carli Bybel palette...I know too bad it doesn't include this) are 33% off.  Free shipping is included on orders over $45.  Some items that are worth checking out are the Backlight and Spotlight highlighting palettes ($11.38 each), the Solar Flare palette ($10.71, shown below), and the Marble Collection Warm Stone Eyeshadow palette ($8.03).  The last day for the sale is July 1st.

Take an Extra 20% off of Stila Sale

Stila is having a sale on their sale!  Check out their sale items and take an extra 20% off when you use the promo code SALE20 at checkout.  I like the Convertible Color Dual Lip and Cheek Palette in Sunrise Splendor ($20; orig. $30).  Sale ends today!

Laura Geller Baked Blushes on Sale at 50% off

Ulta continues to awe with their amazing beauty steal sales.  Beauty Trove is especially in love with the 50% off sale on Laura Geller Baked Blush-n-Brighten compacts.  The Blush-n-Brighten cosmetics typically cost $28 but is on sale today for $14.  There is a limit of 2 per customers.  If you don't own these already, I would select the Peach Delight and Tropic Hues blushes as they will be perfect for spring and summer.  Hurry and pick up your blush-n-brighten compacts as they are sure to sell out fast!

Major Sale: 50% off Too Faced Love Flush Blushes!

It's that time of year again...Ulta's 21 days of beauty!!!  I have been waiting for this since January!  Today's day of beauty is major!  For today only, Too Faced Love Flush Blushes are 50% off (orig. $26, now $13).  The limit per customer is 2.  I bought shades I will always love you and baby love.  There are four additional lovely shades in nude pink, pink, and berry.  Get these while supplies last!!!

Beauty Trove's Top 5 November Favorites

Better late than never!  Here are my top 5 favorites for the month of November.

1.  Gritty and Glow Magnetic Eye and  Face Palettes by Estee Edit ($58.00).   This limited edition dual palette features 6 buttery eye shadows and 6 highlighters and bronzers.  The grity palette (eye shadows) has beautiful bronze and golden shadows as well as jeweled toned colors.  The glow palette has soft and creamy highlighters that range from champagne to copper.  The gritty and glow magnetic eye and face palettes are a wonderful addition to everyone's cosmetic collection.

2.  Swerve Eyeliner by ColourPop ($5.00).  If you are looking for a creamy and rich black eye liner, look no further.  Swerve is an ulta pigmented black eyeliner that is used for a smooth application.  It is
a more cost-effective but similar quality eyeliner to the Marc Jacobs brand.  

3.  It's A 10 Potion 10 Instant Repair Leave-in Condition ($23.96).  I recently got a new hair cut and color so I wanted to switch up my hair routine.  I purchased this and #4 this past month and am absolutely loving them as a pair.  The leave-in conditioner gently moisturizes my hair throughout the night.  I mist it over my

shampooed hair and let my hair air dry.  It provides enough smoothing to my hair where I don't need to add any oil.

4.  It's A 10 Miracle Styling Potion ($19.96).  I love this product for my hair.  This will absolutely be a permanent part of my hair care routine.  I use this after I air dry my hair and right before I flat iron.  This product conditions hair while acting as a heat/thermal protector.  It keeps hair frizz free and smooth.  Definitely a
10!

5.  Kat von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Lolita ($21.00).  There is a reason why Lolita is a cult favorite.  I've been wearing this shade extensively for the month of November and have received a lot of compliments.  This is a great lipstick that goes with bold and neutral eye looks.  I will be looking into buying more shades as the product is very creamy and doesn't bleed on application.

Have you tried any of these products?  Let us know.  Also, what are your November favorites?

Still Time to Get 20% off ColourPop!

Cyber Monday has been extended until 11:59 PST at ColourPop.  Get ready to save 20% off ColourPop cosmetics and free shipping on orders $30 or more (domestic).  Check out their special holiday collections.  I like the Love Line Eye Shadow gift set ($14.40; orig. $18.00).  The set includes four gorgeous dusty rose and neutral eye shadows: Truth (neutral light beige), Sequin (Copper penny with silver and gold glitter), Brady (soft dusty matte rose), and Static (deep burgundy in a pearlized finish).

Spend $25 get a FREE Pride + Prejudice + Zombies Eye and Cheek Palette.

Did you love our Pride + Prejudice + Zombies Eye and Cheek Palette makeup looks, like The Elizabeth, The Jane, The Mary, and The Kitty?  Now you can get read to show off these elegant eye looks for Halloween with this special deal by BH Cosmetics!!!  If you spend $25 or more, you can get Free shipping and a Free Pride + Prejudice + Zombies Eye and Cheek Palette.  This palette alone ordinarily costs $12.50.  This is a great deal and the free palette supplies won't last long.  Be sure to get yours today, by clicking HERE.

Beauty Trove-Top 5 Favorites for September 2016

It’s hard to believe we are already in the pumpkin spiced filled month of October.  Ah, September, I hardly knew you.  But I did have a lot of fun discovering new makeup items and finally getting around to some of the products I had sitting in my drawers.  If you want to know what the Beauty Trove Blog has loved this September, continue to scroll down.

1.  MaryKay’s CC Cream:  I’ve been wearing this nonstop this month.  This is hands down one of my new favorite CC creams.  The coverage is very good and you only need about 2-3 pumps per application.  I use the Real Techniques sponges to apply the foundation for a flawless look that doesn’t look like I am pancaked in makeup.  It wears well throughout the day and after 8-9 hours when makeup typically breaks down, you will have a dewy finish on your skin. CC cream is sold for $20.

2.   Katty Kat Matte lipstick in Catour.  Okay, let’s get one thing straight the Katty Kat Matte lipstick line is definitely not matte.  However, there are some really lovely shades.  The one I have found myself reaching to all this month is Catour.  Catour is a lovely nude, pink-brown color.  The application is great.  It feels very silky and stays on with maybe one reapply during the day.  I’ve been mainly wearing a lot of nude and matte eye looks this month and the color pairs well.  I think the color would also work if you play up your eyes in really bright colors.  The lipstick is at a great price too.  Lipstick sells for $8.99.

1.  3. Tarte double duty shape tape contour concealer ($24.00).   I’m just going to say, where has this product been all of my life?  If you are like me and suffer from dark under eyes, you need this

concealer.  The concealer tube itself is packaged in a cute way; it comes with a chubby looking applicator.  The product is a dream!  You only need one little dot and it covers up any dark circles or blemishes.  It blends in nicely with the Mary Kay CC Cream and doesn’t sink into any wrinkles or creases around the eye.  It is a prestige brands so the product is going to fall on the higher end of the price scale.  But you only need a little bit of the product to cover even larger areas on the face so in the end you will need to use less than drug store concealers.

4.  Pur Cosmetics Love Your Selfie palette ($39.00).  Okay, I know I’m somewhat late getting to the party on this one.  Where do I begin?  This palette has everything: 8 pigmented eyeshadows for both natural and dramatic eye looks, 1 look at my glow highlighter, 1 goddess-like bronzer, 1 fabulous rose pink blush, 1 deluxe mascara, and 1 creamy, nude lip gloss.  I took this palette on a vacation and it was (in addition to my foundation) all the makeup I needed.  I received several compliments about my makeup using this palette.  This is a great investment for the price. I love the shade "capture", it is a great transition color. The only thing is that the eyeshadows are a little dusty so you just need to have light hand when you go to dip your brush into the pan.

  5. Assis LED Lighted Travel Mirror ($26.99)This is the best mirror that I have found for getting up close and grooming eyebrows and removing unwanted facial hair.  The 10X magnification combined with LED illumination makes sure you see each and every hair.

   Come Shop With Me, Your Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant!!!

http://www.marykay.com/elamont1

Fall Trend Alert-Dusty Rose

This Fall's new and very romantic cosmetic look is Dusty Rose!  Dusty Rose is that perfect pop of cool toned colors in the sea of Fall's brown and yellow warm shades.  ColourPop has hit the nail on the head with their new cosmetic line featuring dusty rose.  We are absolutely loving ColourPop's Zingara eyeshadow collection ($18.00).  The Zingara collection has eyeshadows in paradox (a cool-toned burgundy red), Elixer (a mid-toned terracotta), Seeker (a warm redish matte brown), and Jinxie (a soft gold in a pearl finish).  Finish the Dusty Rose look with blush in Bardot ($8.00), a copper-gold blush, and the ultra-satin lip stain in Calypso ($6.00), a pinky nude.  Check out dusty rose shadows in Brady ($5.00), a mauve pink, and Muse ($5.00), a copper rose.    All Colourpop eyeshadows, pigments, and blushes are super creamy and blend easy.  Orders $50 ship for free!

BH Cosmetics Haul!!!

I had a massive BH Cosmetics haul for August.  Check out below to see what I bought:

1.  Wild and Alluring Baked Eyeshadow and Highlighter Palette ($12.00)- This palette comes with 9 gorgeous marbled eyeshadows, 1 bright rose blush, and 1 gold highlighter.

2.  Vegan Blending Brush ($4.00)- This synthetic brush is very fluffy and soft.  I've been using it the last month to blend out my transition and crease colors.  Great price for this awesome brush.

3.  Bliss Lash-Ultimate All-in-One Mascara ($6.00)- This mascara is a nice, drug-store brand quality.  It is on par with the Rimmel line of mascaras.

4.  Pride + Prejudice + Zombies Eye and Cheek Palette ($12.50)- This palette is well worth the money.  It includes 12 highly pigmented and silky eyeshadows, two lovely pink blushes and 1 golden highlighter.  I've featured this palette as one of my top 5 picks in August and have a series of tutorials inspired by each of the Bennet sisters.

5.  Wild and Free Baked Eyeshadow Palette ($8.50)- This comes with 9 bright and fun eyeshadows that can be worn dry and wet.  I bought this for a family member so we will have to wait to see what her review is.

6.  Shaanxo Eyeshadow and Lipstick Palette ($14.50)- A versatile palette by youtube vlogger Shannon Harris has 9 warm eyeshadow tones and 9 pink, red, and wine colored lipsticks.



The total cost of the BH haul came to $57.50 and free shipping.  I used a promo code Good10 and received $4.30 off.  So the actual price came to $53.20.

A Blushing Deal!

If you are looking to update your blushes, now is your chance!  NYX Cosmetics is having a sale on their Powder Blush (sale price $2.50, originally $5.00).  Available colors are Ethereal (a pink with blue undertone) and Bourgeois Pig (a dusty pink with slight blue).  If you are cool toned in complexion, this sale was made for you!

Go ahead be Cheeky-With this Tint Sale!

Tarte Cosmetics is having a fantastic sale on its Sheer Passion Maracuja Hydrating Cheek Tint.   Cheek tints are a great alternative to powdered blushes.  This Tarte tint is super blendable and application is very smooth.  Get your cheek tint today for only $15.00 (original $30.00). 

Steal of the Day-Get Ready to Blush

Ulta is offering Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush at a sweetie of a deal.  Regularly $30.00, you can own your flush blush for only $15.00.  Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush comes in three delicious shades: candy glow (delicate pink shades), peach bronze (subtle tan glow), and something about berry (cool shades of pink).  All blushes have three hues that can be blended together for a unique shade or applied separately as a single blush and highlighter.  Hurry, sale is today only!

Creating an Air Travel Friendly Beauty Kit

We all know that travel through the sky can be stressful.  The long lines, getting to your gate on time, and above all else security check points.  One way to make going through security easier on you and the TSA officials, is to create an air friendly beauty kit with minimal liquid components.  This means less time fumbling through your luggage to collect pesky bottles for the ziplock bag.  Also, learning how to consolidate a few items leaves more room in your carry-on for gifts for your return trip.  Here are a few tips for creating an air friendly beauty kit:

Shampoo and Conditioner

Hotel shampoo and conditioner will never be as nice as the ones you have from home.  Bringing a small amount of your liquid products is too much of a hassle, and may end up spilling all over the inside of your luggage.  We love the idea of bringing solid bars of shampoo and conditioner that can fit into a small soap dish,

We like LUSH's  line of solid shampoo and conditioner bars.  Try the Godiva shampoo bar ($11.95) for a jasmine scent and the Jungle conditioner bar ($8.95).  Can't find a soap dish that will fit the shampoo and conditioner bars.  Have no fear!  Tins can be purchased on the LUSH site and in store for $3.95  An added benefit is that all LUSH items are vegan.






Facial Cleanser

A bar based cleanser is best for air travel.  Mary Kay's TimeWise 3-in-1 cleansing bar creates a nice foam without drying out your face.  Cleansing bar comes with a soap dish for easy storage.  Bar retails at $20.








Face and Skin Lotion

This is rather ingenious.  Pacifica offers lotion towels that can be used for hands, body and face.  We like Malibu Lemon Blossoms available at Ulta ($7 for 30 wipes).

Remember to bring sunblock with at least an SPF of 30.  Even if you are traveling to a place with snow, this is a must as the sun's rays still shine.  Try MD MOMS Baby silk Babysafe Sunscreen Towelettes, SPF 30 ($25.99).


Face Primer

The best powder face primer that can be worn under make-up as a primer (can be work over as a finishing veil as well) is Too Faced's Primed and Poreless Skin Smoothing Priming Powder and Finishing Veil.  This translucent powder is ultra-fine and a small dusting over your face lasts all day.  Available in pressed and powdered  forms for $30 each.



Foundation

It's hard to find powder foundations that equal liquid formulations.  Mary Kay's Cream to Powder Foundation does a great job of providing full coverage.  The Cream to Powder Foundation comes in 10 different shades and runs $18 each.

Another fantastic pressed foundation is IT Cosmetics Celebration Foundation Illumination.  This silky formula comes in five shades for $35 each. 

Blush

We like packing a cream blush.  Tarte's airbrush maracuja blush goes on smooth and is highly pigmented; $26. We also like Clinique's Chubby Stick Cheek Color Balm, available in four colors for $21 each.

Eye Shadow

Your best bet is to bring an eye shadow palette with a combination of neutral and fun colors.  Try the In the Garden palette by Stilla.  Palette costs $20 (orig.$39).

Face Brushes

Travel size brushes are best.  We like Sigma's Color Pop Brush kit.  Kit comes with a contour brush (for foundation and blush), eye shading brush, and blending brush.  Kit sells for $29.  Also a great way to test out Sigma's brushes to see if you want to purchase an entire set.








Lipstick

A solid lip tint that you can build for more intense color is the way to go.  Bring a couple of shades to wear in the day and the night.  Check out the Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Color Balm by Clinique.  Chubby sticks cost $17.00 each.  You can also try Revelon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain for $6.84 each or Neutrogena's MoistureSmooth Color Stick for $8.49 each.

Mascara

Bring travel-sized mascara for easy transport.  Look at bringing Benefit's BADgal Lash Mascara for $10.  

How to Further Condense My Makeup?

If you want to lessen the amount of makeup to carry-on further, give Urban Decay's Naked on the Run kit for $54.00.  The kit comes with six iconic Naked eyeshadows, bronzer, blush, lipgloss, travel-sized mascara and eyeliner.  We would try the palette out a week before bringing it on vacation to make sure the look will work for you throughout the duration of your stay. Also, you will still need to bring face brushes with as the kit does not have these.