Your Local Drugstore Is Practically Giving Sinful Colors Nail Lacquer Away!!

Sigh, I hate to admit it but almost every trip to any drugstore I end up leaving with a handful of nail polish. I absolutely adore the Sinful Colors brand and have been buying their products for a couple of years now. I've always bought them from my local beauty supply stores and I believe they are like $1.99 there. But recently I learned that Walgreens also sells them so I decided to go check out their stash. To my surprise they were only .99 !!!! WHAT?! Now I don't know if this was a sale price or not but it was definitely a steal so you know I had to jump on it! LOL I mean the polish is already dirt cheap but Walgreens is practically giving it away and I'm not complaining ^_^

And the good part is that the formula is actually pretty darn good! I mean at .99 a pop I could've easily bought the entire display O_O but I decided that I would be rational and only buy a few bottles lol.

Dream On

This shade is sort of a dark magenta with purple undertones. For some reason it was a little streaky and I had to apply a few coats to get it completely opaque. Also, I don't normally apply a top coat when I do swatches (only a base coat/ridge filler underneath) but I had to for this one because it was kinda dull looking. 

 Why Not

This blue is popping but unfortunately it's not as bright in person. I love pretty much all shades of blue, I knew this was a keeper as soon as I laid eyes on it. I used about 3 coats, still a bit streaky in a few areas.

 Boogie Nights

Well it definitely makes me want to boogie ;o) I love this color! It's like a red-orange but with more coral tones to it. It really pops, I used about 2-3 coats for this one.

Sinful Colors also used to sell lipgloss too and I REALLY liked it, but I haven't been able to find it anywhere anymore....and that makes me sad :o( It was really good gloss and they had a nice selection of shades, they kinda reminded me of NYX. And I really hate that Sinful Colors website has been under construction for like....forever x_x It really pisses me off when brands just decide to stop selling stuff out of the blue especially when you've grown to love it so much :-/ I don't know if they've just taken the lipgloss out of my area or whether it's been discontinued all together *sigh*

Product(s) in this post were purchased by me. 

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Guess | Seductive Sunkissed Fragrance | Review + Photos

Guess recently introduced their new limited edition seductive fragrance "Sunkissed". It's a revamped twist on  their original Seductive fragrance and is the perfect accessory for summer! The refreshed summer-worthy scent is guaranteed to make you smell delicious as you bare that gorgeous skin.

What's unique about this fragrance is that during the day it has top notes of pear, raspberry, black currant blossom and pink grapefruit dawn. During the afternoon it winds down to seductive mid notes of jasmine, Brazilian orchids and vanilla. And at night sensual base notes of musk, teide violet and macassar ebony.

Guess Seductive Sunkissed 

Eau de Toilette 50ml / 1.7oz

Glow: It's always kinda hard for me to do fragrance reviews because I never know how to really describe the scent as well as I'd like to. I'll start with the packaging, I absolutely love when brands take the time to put actual thought behind the way their products are packaged and designed. I think the little lipstick charm around the top is too cute! The scent is really light and sensual, what I love most about it is as it starts to wear throughout the day the different notes start to bloom!

Glare: I honestly have no cons, it smells great and the bottle isn't awkward it's cute and compact. 

Would I Recommend It? I surely would! I definitely think Guess achieved the whole "seductive" theme that they were going for with this one. The scent effortlessly translates "sexy" well ;o) 

Where To Buy: Guess Seductive Sunkissed Fragrance currently retails for $52 and is available worldwide at Guess retail stores, perfumery chains, department store and www.guess.com. Please visit www.guessparfums.com for additional information on the GUESS fragrance collection.

Product(s) in this post were provided for post consideration. Read our disclosure policy here. 

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Nail Junkie | Zoya Earth Day Mini Haul

Geesh! I feel like it's been forever since I've done a nail post around here, but that sure doesn't mean I haven't been feeding my obsession over nail polish! I've tried to slow down a bit with my buying frenzy but it's incredibly hard to turn down good deals. Thanks to my nail obsessed partner in crime Tini over at Narcissistic Nails I learned a few weeks ago that Zoya was having a buy 3 get 3 sale on all polishes for Earth Day! I really couldn't pass up this deal, I adore Zoya! Honestly the only time I really shop with them is when they have sales, though definitely worth your bucks $8 a pop is a little steep for my budget to become a frequent buyer ^_^

Anywho, I finally got around to swatching these colors and wanted to share the six shades I picked out. I actually didn't realize how I picked two of almost the same colors until they arrived, oops lol! I did these swatches last night in a sleepy haze so they are a little bit messy and please excuse my horrible cuticles :-/ I'm working on finding a good cuticle oil because mine look horrid.

Bevin

A dusty, medium sage green with teal tones and a creamy opaque finish.

I really like the mildness of this shade.

Gretchen

Light milky brown with neutral pink tint and warm clay undertones with a smooth creme finish.

It's very earthy and makes the perfect nude.

Ali

An ultra bright neon pink. There's nothing I love more than an in your face, loud, obnoxious PINK!

And Ali definitely delivers, I really love this color and it's perfect for summer. 

Flowie

A light brown creme with peach overtones. 

This shade is really similar to Gretchen and almost a dupe although it has sort of a deeper tone.

Kylie #2

A brirght red-orange with coral overtones.

Unfortunately my camera doesn't really pick up the true essence of  the "coral" in this color.  

Wednesday

Sort of an ocean green with  turquoise undertones. For some reason I was thinking that this color would be a little more minty than it actually is but it's still really pretty. 

Welp, that's pretty much it until the next sale lol! Zoya actually has some type of Pinterest contest going on where they're allowing their fans to pin their favorite Zoya shades and I believe the top 3 pins will be chosen as a package in their next promotion, so definitely keep a lookout for that!

What are your favorite shades?

Product(s) in this post were purchased by me. 

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Braun Silk-epil 7 Wet & Dry Epilator Review + Giveaway!

Now that summer is swiftly approaching it's time to break out of those cool weathered clothes and show some skin! But before you hop into those summertime sundresses and swimsuits you've gotta make sure that your skin is ready to be seen. Personally, I've tried just about everything when it comes to removing unwanted hair and have yet to decide on just which method I like best. I was recently approached with the opportunity to try out an Epilator by Braun. I have to admit that I was totally clueless as to what exactly an epilator was because I had honestly never heard of it until now.

An epilator is basically an electronic device that removes unwanted hair by simultaneously grasping multiple hairs and pulling them out at once. You can think of it as a dozen tiny tweezers all working at the same time.The epilator that I got to try out is the Braun Silk-epil 7. The cool thing about this model is that it can be used either wet or dry. The device claims that it's able to remove the shortest of hairs even as tiny as a grain of sand. It features 40 tweezers with a close-grip technology for thorough hair removal. It's also cordless! All you have to do is charge it and its ready for use. If you've never used an epilator before I would suggest checking out Braun's epilation page which has a lot of helpful information!

The Silk-epil 7 comes with instructions, a charger, brush, an effcienctPro cap, 

and a set of wet Pre-Epilation wipes.

Braun Silk-epil 7 Wet & Dry Epilator

An up close look at the tweezers.

Glow: I'm not sure where to even start other than this little device is simply amazing and oh so powerful! Braun also sells different attachment caps separately that can be used on different areas of your body such as underarms, bikini area and even your face! Since this particular model only comes with the standard  caps I only used it on my legs. The epilator can be used dry or wet so I decided to test it on one leg completely dry and the other leg in the shower. Upon initial use it took a minute or two to get the hang of figuring out which direction was best to use the device. This all depends on what direction your hair grows in, which can sometimes vary. So I found that what worked best for me was simply an upward and downward motion. The hair came off effortlessly on both legs. The epilator has a dial wheel that powers the device on and it has 2 different settings; extra gentle and extra efficient. It also has a smart light that stays on while the device is in use which helps you see every hair. I like that it's very easy to clean, the attachment caps come apart and the small brush that comes with it allows you to get in all the corners to remove the stray hairs.

Glare: Well, prior to using this my main concern was "does it hurt" ? Yes, it does. In comparison to waxing, threading, and plucking does it hurt the worst? To me, it does. I can only speak from my personal experience as everyone's tolerance level of pain is different. I consider myself to have a pretty high tolerance which is why I believe I was able to get through both legs. It's definitely not excruciating or anything but it's surely an awkward feeling when you first use it. It feels sort of like tiny pinches going across your skin. After testing both legs, one wet one dry I found that wet worked best for me. Honestly using it in the shower under warm water really made a HUGE difference for me and it helped soothe my skin during the removal process. If you do decide to use it dry, just make sure that you put a towel down beneath you because the hair does fly out a little bit. The bottom line is that the pulling of the hairs does take some getting used to but much like any other hair removal process once you do it a few times you become more and more tolerable to it. 

Would I Recommend It? I really would, while it's definitely not for the faint of heart it does deliver great results. Would this be my go-to method of hair removal every single time? Probably not. The results lasted for about a good week and a half before I felt the stubble growing back. Oh! And I'm so happy to report that I experienced ZERO skin irritation which is a huge plus for me ^_^  I'm also definitely considering buying a couple of the other attachments to see how it works in more sensitive areas such as my underarms. 

Where To Buy: The Braun Silk-epil 7 Wet & Dry Epilator along with other models are currently available at various retailers nationwide. Prices and styles vary by store, to learn more or to find a retailer location near you please visit http://www.braun.com. You can also click here to see a video of the epilator in action and click here to learn more about their other models.

ON TO THE GIVEAWAY!!! 

The people over at Braun were kind enough to offer this awesome epilator to one of our readers here at Gimme That Glow! One lucky reader will win their very own Braun Silk-epil 7 Wet & Dry Epilator. This contest is open to U.S. residents only and ALL entries will be verified! Use the widget below for instructions and to enter. Good Luck! (It may take a second for the widget to load, if you're having trouble please refresh or leave me a comment)


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Product(s) in this post were provided for post consideration. Read our disclosure policy here. 

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Karmin Titanium Pink Flat Iron Review + My First Time Straightening My Hair In 4 Months, Lots Of Growth!

Those of you who've been keeping up with my hair journey know that I've been wearing my hair curly for quite some time now. Well, this year marks my 4th year of being completely natural! Up until now it's been exactly 4 months since I've last straightened my hair. I was recently approached with the opportunity to try out the Karmin Titanium Pink Flat Iron. So I figured what better time to stretch my hair out and see just how much it's grown.

If you're not familiar with Titanium plates let me just be the first to tell you that they are absolutely amazing!! Last year a friend actually introduced me to a pair of titanium flat irons by another brand and when I tell you that it changed my entire life -i'm not joking lol I haven't touched a ceramic flat iron since. The Karmin Titanium Flat Iron prides itself on having superior performance and even boasts on being one of the best flat irons you'll ever use. Well, did it live up to it's claims? Check my full review below to find out.

2012 Karmin Titanium 1" Pink Professional Flat Iron

This is the before pic of my hair blown out right after washing.

My results after flat ironing. I was really shocked at all the growth!! 

 me being "extra"....lol

Check out that shine!!

 

Glow: Anytime I get a new flat iron I always inspect the body and the location of the power buttons and temperature settings. On the Karmin, all of the settings are located on a turn style wheel in the inner part of the handle, I love that it's about a good inch way from the actual plates which minimizes the risk of burning yourself. The flat irons can go up to a temperature of 460 degrees which is the setting I used on my hair. The irons also heat up super fast so I had less than a 60 second wait time. They also have an automatic sleep mode which shuts the irons off after 1 hour which is great to consider for safety. The thing that I absolutely love the most about this flat iron is that unlike ceramic the titanium plates use an ion field technology that evenly distributes heat, removes static, and seals in natural oils producing silkier, shiner hair. Even as thick as my hair is when blown out I was able to get super straight results on the first application without having to reapply the irons on the same section several times. I also noticed that my hair was incredibly shiny, smooth, and had a lot of body!

Glare: None! There's truly nothing I dislike about these irons. The only precaution that I can think of is to just be careful with the temperature settings. I used the max of 460 degrees but only because I know my hair is strong enough to handle it. If you have finer hair then of course you would want to use a lower temperature setting.

Would I Recommend It? I definitely would! With all honesty, after wearing my hair curly for 4 months straight I was a little skeptical on just how straight I would be able to get it.  I must say that I'm very pleased with the results! For natural hair I highly recommend using an iron like Karmin with titanium plates. The bottom line is they get you the results you want and won't damage your hair in the process.

Where To Buy: The Karmin Titanium Professional Flat Iron comes in black and pink and currently retails for $89.98 at Hair Products Pro. To purchase or to learn more please visit http://hairproductspro.com.

Product(s) in this post were provided for post consideration. Read our disclosure policy here. 

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Budget Basics | How To Find The Best Deals On Everyday Beauty Items

Anyone on a budget knows that trying to save money can be challenging. Sometimes we get so caught up in our goal that we forget to treat ourselves every now and then. Doing something good for yourself doesn't always mean having to sacrifice needs for pleasantries. In fact there are tons of deals within reach of our fingertips, the key is knowing where to look for them. Whether you're looking for everyday beauty items or even discounts on your favorite fashions, I have a few tips that will help you save and indulge without breaking the bank.

Coupons
And no I'm not talking about the old fashion coupon clipping we watched our mother do every Sunday. I'm talking about virtual coupons. One of the first things to remember about being a savvy shopper is that deals aren't going to just fall into your hands, you have to make the effort to look for them.
Tip: The next time you're filling up your virtual shopping cart at one of your fave e-retailers stop and do a Google search for coupon and discount codes right before you checkout. There are a variety of websites that provide special promotion codes for free shipping and various discounts. Imagine the amount of money you could save if you did this with every purchase!

Clearance
Another one of my favorite ways to find beauty deals is to to check the weekly flyer's of some of my favorite drugstores. Some of the most popular drugstores occasionally promote seasonal discounts and super clearances on drugstore makeup brands. During these sales you can save big, sometimes 20-50% off on merchandise. Some stores even offer BOGO deals on specific items.
Tip: Aside from checking the weekly store flyer's also make sure that you subscribe to their websites by email, that way all future promotions will be delivered straight to your inbox and you'll never miss out on an upcoming deal!

Circle The Discount Stores
I'm almost to the point where I don't shop at fancy Department Stores at all anymore. This is because I've discovered the joy of the mecca of bargain stores like Marshall's, Ross and TJ Maxx. Discount stores like these offer designer fashions that you'd find in high-end Department Stores at a fraction of the cost! I mean who wouldn't want to find those exact same sparkly $200 designer heels marked down to $80? But what's the catch? Most discount stores carry items that are cancelled orders and sometimes slightly flawed. So occasionally you have to weed through merchandise to find your treasure.
Tip: Use the buddy system when bargain shopping. Take a girlfriend along with you to help sort through items. An extra pair of ears and eyes can help you keep things into perspective and at the end of the day you both rack up on deals ^_^

How do you save on everyday beauty items?

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Fifth Third Bank via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of my own and are not indicative of the opinions of Fifth third Bank. 

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The True You | 5 Tips On How To Stay Fierce Without Compromising Yourself

The older I get the more I'm able to see how much I've changed. Not just physically but also mentally and spiritually. I'm definitely not the same person I was a few years ago and I've come to realize that's perfectly fine. One of my biggest obstacles has been my journey to discovering who I truly am, completely and wholly. In my venture of finding the true me, I have incorporated a few things into my life that I'd like to share which have each helped me to stay true to myself without compromise.

5 Tips To The True You

Laugh:

Laughter is medicine for the soul. I'm a silly person by nature and I absolutely love to laugh. Laughter releases endorphin's which are the body's natural "feel-good" chemicals. It has the ability to relieve stress, relax muscles, and it even burns calories ;o) Try having a fun night out with friends or curling up to one of your favorite comedies.

Make Yourself Glow:

We often forget to take the time out to just take care of ourselves. Stress is one of the leading causes to medical problems but there are simple things that we can incorporate into our lives that can prevent it. Everyone deserves a moment to breathe without having to deal with the weight of the world. Take time out to get to know yourself. You can do this by treating yourself to a day at the spa, taking a walk in the park, reading a book, doing yoga, or even creating a personal blog or journal -writing is a great way to release things on your mind and help put things into perspective.

Don't Worry About How Others Perceive You:
Growing up, I was always shy and overly concerned about what people would think if I wore this or if I did that. Those very fears lead to me being afraid to take risks and I felt like I was living my life inside of a confined box. I've learned that in order to become the true you, you have to let go of these fears and just live life according to you. There's a famous quote by Eleanor Roosevelt that says "No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." which is very true. Just remember that everyone's not always going to be in your corner but being confident and content with who you are sends the message "I am who I am and I will not conform based on others perceptions."

Be Open:
This has been probably one of the hardest things for me to do and I'll admit that I'm still a work in progress. I've always had sort of a quiet and reserved personality and it takes a lot for me to be completely open. But I've learned that being open about your feelings and insecurities can work as a healing process. People relate to honesty and just simply being yourself. We all have imperfections but it's all about how you choose to deal with them. If you can point out 5 things that you dislike about yourself try finding 10 things that you love. Creating a balance and re-positioning your thoughts can open your eyes in a whole new direction.

Live Freely:
Living freely can mean a lot of different things but for me it's all about doing what feels good. Whether it's buying a new bold shade of lipstick or taking a spontaneous road trip by yourself; the goal is to embrace self expression and individuality. About 4 years ago I started my journey to natural hair, not because I wanted to be a part of some type of movement but because it just felt good to me. Trying new things is an easy way to discover more about yourself.

How do you stay true to yourself?

Whether you're wearing your natural hair in tightly-coiled curls, loose ringlets, flowing waves or super straight, new Motions Naturally You products are specially-formulated to moisturize your hair with essential natural oils. Embrace the incredible beauty of your natural hair with Motions naturally You. For more information visit us at www.motionshair.com.

Beautiful hair deserves to be shared. Stay fabulous with Motions on Facebook and Twitter

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Motions via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of my own and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Motions. 

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AMBI® Skincare Even & Clear Foaming Cleanser, Daily Moisturizer, and Fade Cream Review

I recently got a chance to try out a few products from AMBI Skincare Regimen Collection. The products include AMBI's Even & Clear Foaming Cleanser, Daily Moisturizer, and their #1 rated Fade Cream. I face a lot of personal challenges when it comes to my skin. One of my most problematic areas is discoloration and hyperpigmentaion. I have oily skin that is prone to breakouts and scaring which is why I'm always eager to try products that can help even out my complexion.

AMBI's Even & Clear Foaming Cleanser and Daily Moisturizer are supposed to help visibly improve skin tone, texture and help clear and prevent breakouts. The Fade Cream helps to fade dark spots and to reveal a more even, natural skin tone.

Glow: I used all three products everyday over a two week period and via the instructions I used the fade cream twice a day to maximize my results. I'll start with what I liked about each product. At first glance the Foaming Cleanser by far is my favorite. I started my regimen each night by using the cleanser. The formula is really rich but also very lightweight and a little goes a long way so you really only need like a nickel sized amount to surface your entire face and neck. I love that the cleanser didn't leave my face feeling tight or too dry. After washing my face I followed up with the Daily Moisturizer for my next step. The moisturizer is packed with vitamins C & E and also contains SPF 30 which is a huge plus. I really like that the moisturizer isn't greasy which is very beneficial to my oily skin. Last, I applied the Fade Cream to all of my problem areas which suffer from discoloration. The fade cream goes on super smooth!

Glare: Honestly, I have no cons about this collection. The scent has sort of a natural aroma to it but it's nothing that lasts or stands out. I actually prefer my skin products not to have overpowering smells or fragrances so I am definitely pleased! 

Would I Recommend It? Absolutely!! 

Overall Glam: Even after just 2 weeks of use I have definitely noticed a significant difference in the texture of my skin. It's amazingly smooth and so soft, I literally can't stop touching my face!!! I have sensitive skin and I love that the products are very delicate and they don't irritate my skin at all. While I haven't been using the fade cream long enough to tell a major difference (the directions say it takes up to 3 months to notice a change) I have definitely noticed that the ares I've been applying it seem much smoother. My scars don't feel as rough as before and the texture has began to smooth out nicely. Overall, I'm extremely pleased with AMBI's skincare collection and I look forward to more results from the fade cream over the coming weeks!

The experts in skin of color, brings you a skin care regimen to help you achieve flawless skin. Use AMBI®’s Even and Clear Foaming Cleanser to help clear breakouts and reduce dark marks. Follow with Even & Clear Daily Moisturizer, so skin will look even and smooth. And AMBI®’s #1rated Fade Cream, diminishes dark spots and discoloration, for a beautiful and natural skin tone.

Compensation was provided by AMBI® via glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of my own and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of AMBI®. 

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