Friday Favorites: Hey Honey!

Hey, Honey!
Well, now aren’t you the sweetest?

Hey Honey…you sweet talker, you.

Hey Honey…you sweet talker, you.

I thought you were just a sweet-talker, but then I tried you, over Memorial Day weekend, and my-oh-my!

Your honey exfoliating mask applied super easily and gently exfoliated my skin in minutes flat. Although, I must admit…I was inclined to keep you on a few minutes longer, what with my book and vino right there at my left hand.

All I know is I’m plumb smitten with ya, honey, because you left me with smooth, clear, glowing younger looking skin, and as buzzed off you as I was off of my Cabernet.

Buzzed, but not just from the wine! That Hey Honey mask has got me feelin' goooood...

Buzzed, but not just from the wine! That Hey Honey mask has got me feelin’ goooood…

xoxo,
Dawn

Featured as one of Friday’s Favorites: Hey Honey Exfoliating Honey Peel Off Mask ($29)

BF On The Case, Part 3: #SecretToGoodness – The coif caper is revealed…

I’m not an easy one to surprise…but I DO love me a good mystery!
So, when I was sent a mystery package a few weeks ago containing mystery hair products I was asked to try, I was both excited…and a little nervous, naturally.

But after trying the golden-bottled products for a week (and then deciding to keep using them even after the #SecretToGoodness challenge was over), I was pleasantly surprised and delighted at how GORGEOUS my hair looked!
It was fuller, more voluminous and shi-i-i-i-i-i-i-i-ny. And it didn’t feel heavy at all – but, rather, as light as a feather.

So when they sent those same products – but this time, thankfully, with the labels on them – I was excited to see who this coif caper was!

Well, I am happy to announce that the products sent by the coif caper doesn’t cost too pretty a penny. Here’s how it went:

My mom documented me opening the box…

The mystery is about to be solved! Opening the #SecretToGoodness Box...

And finding the box inside…

What in the world is this hair gold? #SecretToGoodness

And opening the box…

Here we go, here we go, here we go! #SecretToGoodness

And realizing that the products were Suave Natural Infusion Seaweed All Day Body Shampoo and Conditioner and Leave-In Foam!!

I was totally surprised! I love this stuff! #SecretToGoodness

Well, noooooow, this makes sense! The key ingredients in these pocketbook-friendly, pretty products are seaweed and lotus blossom! Ahhhh, now I see how it works! And,  so many of you will looooove this – this line of products contain no parabens or dyes. And best yet? It can be bought at Walmart for not too pretty a penny but for pretty, pretty hair.

So you can have beautiful hair without breaking the bank.

I went through the process of solving this mystery so you don’t have to. After all, with all of us beauty bloggers around to share our experiences, hair products should never be a mystery!

*This is a sponsored post. Products provided to BeautyFrosting by Lunchbox Media.

xoxo,

BF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BY MY BEDSIDE…Talika Huile Vitale – the ultimate beauty elixir

If we know one thing I love, it’s oil. In fact, it’s the #1 beauty tip I give to anyone – and everyone – who asks me what my favorite tip is. You know my motto…OIL, OIL, OIL!!!!
So when I find a good – no, make that EXCEPTIONAL one – you know I have to share with you.

That’s why Talika Huile Vitale is BY MY BEDSIDE right now.

BY MY BEDSIDE...Talika Huile Vitale ($47)

 

This ancient beauty elixir of jasmine essence, lavende and rose hydrates, nourishes, repairs and replenishes the skin like no other. In fact, the legendary, secret recipe of this oil (from around 3000 BC) was discovered by a Talika family member who happens to be both a biologist and someone who is passionate about ancient texts.

Now, we get to reap the rewards of this recipe. Talika Huile Vitale provides skin with daily, nourishing nutrients that it requires for energy, vital harmony and more vainly  – beauty.

So does it really work? Ohhhhhh yeaaaah. I’ve been using this oil every night for a month and have seen a marked, glowing improvement in my skin.

My skin after using Talika. p.s. Y'all I'm 35 and this is UNTOUCHED. It just makes your skin gloooow! I look forward to using it every night right before my head hits the pillow. That's why I keep it right By My Bedside.

 

But don’t trust me – check out the stats: 81% of users found skin more soft and supple, 73% found skin to be more luminous, 79% found skin to be more hydrated and – um, can you say beautiful, bonus side effect – 40% of users found sleep to be more peaceful and restful. I am one of them, by the way.

Just apply 3 or 4 drops to your skin every night after cleansing and before your nighttime moisturizer. I promise you’ll see marked improvement in your skin in no time. And just a tip – be like me and keep it By Your Bedside. That way you’ll never forget your nightly routine!

 

xoxo,
BF

 

BF Asks: What’s By Your Bedside right now? 

Whatcha’ Wearin’ Wednesday: Votre Vu Lip Lustre in Charming

You know how you know when you’ve chosen the right lipcolor or lip gloss?
When eeeeevvvveeerryone asks you what it is!!
That was just the case when I wore Votre Vu Lip Lustre Lip Gloss in Charming ($22).

"Dawning" Votre Vu Lip Lustre in Charming - I must say it made me feel just a smidgeon more sexy

 

I wore it last Wednesday (isn’t that appropriate?) and posted it on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter and everyone asked me what the shade was. And I must say it made me feel seeeeexy.

So here it is for you to peruse, purchase and pretty up with.

Swatch it up - Votre Vu Lip Lustre in Charming ($22)

 

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: What makes you feel sexxxxxy?

In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Whish Pomegranate Three Whishes Body Wash

We all know how I love my nightly bath. But know what makes it even better?
A foamy, frothy, fruity-smelling body wash that makes my body feel adored!

I got all that and more when I tried Whish Three Whishes Body Wash in Pomegranate.

No, I don't just love it because it matches my bathroom...but it doesn't hurt, either!

The wondrous Whish creators removed the typical not-so-lovely drying ingredients (such as sulfate) found in many body washes and replaced them with scrumptiously softening organic ingredients. Perfect for a sumptuous soak in the tub! Especially since I’m still reading Fifty Shades Darker (wink, wink).

The Whish formula sounds more like one of my recipes than a list of body wash ingredients which of course makes me love Whish even more!
This pomegranate formula moisturizes with organic shea butter, organize raspberry butter and organic aloe, cleanses with wheat, sugar and corn derived ingredients and soothes with organic cucumber and organic marigold. DELICIOUS!

And other good stuff from this whimsical Whish body wash? It’s cruelty free, paraben free, DEA & TEA free, petrochemical free and contains all natural & organic ingredients. Love all that!

Plus, I have to admit, the scent reminded me of showering at Southern Methodist University in Virginia Hall back during my Talented And Gifted camp days. It took me right back to Dallas, Summer 1992. Nostalgia gets me every time. The best selling point in the world to a nostalgic girl like me!

Now if only there was a genie in this Three Whishes Body Wash so I could have 3 wishes granted!!!

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: What product takes you back to Nostalgiaville? 

BF Loves: Josie Maran Argan Tinted Moisturizer

Perfect for Thirsty Thursday, we’re talking about a seriously quenching product here!
I like to look dewy. And I like to look like I’m not wearing foundation.
I strongly believe that makeup should enhance not hide and disguise.

(Call it my cosmetic conviction, if you will)

Aaaand I like to look polished and smooth but in an effortless way.

Gosh, that sounds exhausting and impossible, doesn’t it?
The great thing about what I do is that I get to try soooo many products.
The bad part, I fall in love with some and have to let some go.

Wanna know one I’ve kept and loved?

Josie Maran Tinted Moisturizer in Linen

I have a routine that works.

And wearing tinted moisturizer is my favorite way of hydrating.

FYI, My skin is dry. And I moisturize like crazy. Crazy, I tell you!

I have my tried-and-true favorites and when I first tried the Josie Maran tinted moisturizer, I thought it looked too perfect.

Too perfect, you ask? Is there such a thing?

BF wearing Josie Maran Argan Tinted Moisturizer
BF wearing Josie Maran Argan Tinted Moisturizer in Linen

Well, I thought it looked too smooth and, heaven forbid, that maybe I had a touch of makeup on.

As though people don’t know.

I was ready to let this one go but then I wore it out on the town.

My pictures looked better than ever! Friends and strangers were asking me what I do to make my skin “so smooth and glowing” (yes, beauties, that really was a quote).

Plus, it’s SPF 30, organic, paraben free, toxin free, cruelty free and chock-full of reparative argan oil.

Wow. So it’s a keeper! A MAJOR keeper!
And it’ll make your skin perfect.

So, perfection, isn’t too much to ask for, after all!

Buy your perfection by clicking here:

Josie Maran Argan Tinted Moisturizer at Sephora.com

 

xoxo,

BF

BF Asks: What spf-tinted moisturizer makes you look perfect? Or are you more of a foundation beauty?

Back-to-School-Backpack Beauty – LAVANILA – Delciously scented, Delightfully lasting, Deeply Memorable

Today’s Back-to-School Backpack Beauty featured product is LAVANILA. 

Why LAVANILA? Because they smell delicious enough to drink.

And I am seriously trying to ignore that Pumpkin Spice Latte so rudely calling me from down the street. Stay away, I warn you, you temptress!

And, because, it is the perfect back-to-school gift for your favorite student heading off to college – or high school – or yourself.

 

I became obsessed with LAVANILA, over a year ago, after a particularly productive (um, expensive) visit to Sephora. LAVANILA was my bargain buy–and my favorite purchase from the visit!

They had me at their precious packaging: dark chocolate and candy pastel damask. I was smitten. But it’s the scent that I fell in love with. It’s like if my grandmother’s kitchen married a french macaron bakery and they summered at a summer camp or the Sowell family lake house in Texas.  It’s even named LAVANILA! See? It’s delicious.

I have bought many LAVANILA products but the one that got me first was the deodorant.

LAVANILA Deodorant has a permanent place in my medicine cabinet

LAVANILA Deodorant has a permanent place in my medicine cabinet

 

Medicine Cabinet Friends

Medicine Cabinet Friends

 

The Vanilla Grapefruit Deodorant. Moisturizing, divine-smelling with its creamy citrus scent and long-lasting, this became my favorite everyday deodorant. I loved the scent that I left a room with while wearing it. It was subtle, sweet-with-a-bit-of-spice, and not the least bit overpowering. I wondered if they sold the fragrance on its own. They did! They do!

Move over Latte temptress: meet my new, calorie-free love!

Move over Latte temptress: meet my new, calorie-free love!

And oh good golly, the fragrance! SUCH a perfect fragrance for Fall! It’s as if Fall-kissed-summer in a bottle. A mouthwatering blend of summer sparkling grapefruit, fall cedarwood and warm Madagascar vanilla.

And, of course, I couldn’t stop there. I can have a little bit of an addictive personality when it comes to delicious things, did you notice?

So I wanted to get the Body Butter too. I loved it too, darn it! With its quickly-absorbed yet richly-hydrating formula, I knew it would be yet another LAVANILA product I would have to buy.

LAVANILA Body Butter

Lucky for me, all three came in the I love Lavanila gift set for only $49.50. I do love LAVANILA!!

I LOVE LAVANILA!

But the best part about these products (besides the deliciousness mentioned above) is that you can feel good about wearing them.
Deemed “The Healthy Deodorant”, “The Healthy Fragrance” and “The Healthy Body Butter”, you get that the focus of LAVANILA is health.

These all-natural products use REAL ingredients including vitamin-rich essential oils and butters for a naturally luxurious experience. Then, to exemplify their commitment to “natural” products, they make this healthy promise to you.

“We are committed to using only those all-natural and organic ingredients that nurture the soul and nourish the skin. Our luxurious products are vitamin-rich, non-irritating, clinically tested safe and free of harsh chemicals. NO paragons, petrochemicals, phthalates, propylene glycol, mineral oils, silicone, synthetic dyes, sulfates or aluminum.”

You read that right. None of that stuff you’ve been warned about recently is in any of these products. Plus, it’s not tested on animals and the packaging in 100% recyclable.

And this girl would like to thank them for that!

THANK YOU!!!!

Because I may have to give up my Pumpkin Spice latte to stay healthy but I’m not about to give up my LAVANILA.

p.s. Um, I’m not really giving up Pumpkin Spice lattes. I’m just trying to have a firm stance as the season begins. Once a week, I promise. A girl has to treat herself every now and then!

In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Mama Mio Omega Body Oil

In-My-Tub-Tuesday: Mama Mio OMega Body Oil ($35)

 

I’m gonna keep this simple and sweet just like the pretty pink product that sits on my vanity sink: Mama Mio Omega Body Oil.

Y’all know I love oil. As I may have mentioned before, my feeling is that women don’t use enough of it.

Why? Fear. Displaced fear. And when 30 comes around, we start seeing the results of our oversight. Fear of what, you ask? Oh, I’ve heard everything: “it’s too rich”, “it’ll break me out”, “I’m oily”, yada yada yada.

It’s not true, ladies. None of it. It’s unfounded fear but nevertheless there is fear out there of oil. Of the good stuff that’s proven to keep your skin younger looking.

But with Mama Mio’s Omega Body Oil, fear not, fair maiden.
Appropriately named as it contains argan, sweet almond, jojoba and safflower seed oils with vitamin E, Omega Body Oil melts into your skin in under 15 seconds flat.

They even call it fast food for dry skin! And this fast food will actually make you look BETTER!! It is your “Gatorade” for instant skin hydration.

Applied right out of the shower (or bath, in my case) onto damp skin, your fear has no place to fester as you are left with only gorgeous, glowing, glistening, youthful, soft and supple skin. The results are instantly apparent making it ideal for date night or any night!

I oiled up before a party last week, wore a dress with spaghetti straps and, kid you not, received over 5 compliments in an hour about my “glowing skin”, “soft skin”, “young skin”. Ok, I admit it, that sold me. Compliments get me every time.

So as Gwen stefani said, a few years back,  Whatcha’ Waitin’ for?

xoxo,

BF

p.s. Besides the instant results, I love the subtle scent and I adore the packaging. I’m partial to pink, y’know?

BF Asks: Do you have a fear of oil or have you seen the glowing light?

 

Whatcha’ Wearin’ Wednesday: Lovely Lauren C.

Love it when I make a green beauty discovery!
Especially since I’m a little green when it comes to green beauty.

When I attended Fournier PR’s “Be Parisian For A Day” event at the Sunset Marquis Villas back in June, I had no idea how much French fun I was in for!
I was turned on to soooooo many new products and fell in love with so many of them!

Love it when that happens!

One of the lines new to me was Emani.

And the face of Emani was Lauren.

And what a face it was!

Whatcha' Wearin' Wednesday, Lauren?

Our WWW Girl: Lauren

I loved the polished look of her eye makeup so you know I had to ask:

BF: Lauren, Whatcha’ Wearin’?

Lauren: Emani!!

Side view of lovely Lauren C.

Side view of lovely Lauren C.

BF: Would you mind if I feature you as my WWW girl and take a few pics?

Lauren: Go right ahead! But I put it on at 7 am this morning – do I need to retouch?

BF: 7 am!!?? You have got to be kidding. You look beautiful! You don’t need to retouch a thing!

Lauren: No. Seriously. That’s the thing about Emani – it’s amazing. Have you tried it?

BF: No, but I will now. Your makeup looks like you JUST put it on! Please tell me everything you’re wearing so I can get to know this seemingly magical mineral makeup!

Lauren: I can do better than that! I’ll take a pic of my makeup routine and email you the details. Will that work?
BF: Will that work?! Are you kiddin’?! Bless you, darlin’.

I can’t wait to try Emani myself if I can look like her!

As for Emani, this is what I know:

*A professional makeup line that promotes a pretty, healthy complexion. Gotta love that!

*Vegan friendly product – free of the not-so-pretty stuff like Talc, Gluten and Parabens.

*No harsh chemicals, petrochemicals or synthetic fragrances

*Organic,natural pigments

*Lasting mineral makeup that looks polished NOT heavy-handed like some mineral makeup lines

*PETA Certified

*Sustainable, Recycled & Biodegrable Packaging

*Made in the USA

Well, I love ALL of that goodness! And I have a feeling a lot of you will too.

Love it when I make a green beauty discovery!

And, as promised, here is Lauren C’s beauty routine.

Here’s the email from our WWW girl today, the lovely Lauren:

Hi Dawn, 

It was so nice to meet you yesterday, you are such a sweetheart and I love this blog of yours!

Below are the products that I used:

Lauren's Emani Eye Makeup

Lauren's Emani Eye Makeup

-Emani Magic Sealer Eye Primer: http://www.emani.com/eyes/magic-sealer/44m-magic-sealer/
-Emani Color Dust in Icy: http://www.emani.com/166-icy-dust-specialty/
-Emani Duo Eyeshadow in Volvo Vixen: http://www.emani.com/708-volvo-vixen-eyes/
-Emani Duo Brow Filler & Liner in Coco/Black: http://www.emani.com/eyes/brow-liner/0719-coco-black/
-Emani Color Dust in Twilight: http://www.emani.com/177-twilight-specialty/
-Emani Organic Soy Mascara in Midnight: http://www.emani.com/eyes/organic-soy-mascara/1093-midnight/

 

xoxo,
BF

BF Asks: Are you a fan of mineral makeup? Have you tried Emani? 

Mailbox Monday: Eco-Emi: Glamour you can feel good about!

Happy Monday morning, beauties!
You ready for a great week?
It’s gonna be a good one!

In honor of Earth Day and all things good and pure, I want to tell you about one of my favorite discoveries I’ve made this year: Eco-Emi beauty box service.

It’s a box bustling with green glamorous goodies delivered directly to your mailbox!

Eco-Emi

I just opened my Eco-Emi March box and was just thrilled to see all the goodness that came in it! Yaya!!

I will be the first one to tell you that I am not the perfect example of eco-friendly living. I am no green queen by any means. But I am learning and I learn something every day about eco-friendly living – whether it be a new way to reuse and recycle, or (MY FAVORITE!!), a new beauty product that is eco-conscious. I’m sure a few of you out there can relate.

Which is why it’s a good thing that I met Christine of Eco-Emi.

She is THE green queen and each month I receive my Eco-Emi beauty box, I’m a little closer to green-queedom, thanks to her mindfully-selected products.

So what is Eco-Emi?

Eco-Emi is a beauty box chock-full of green beauty goodies. What are green beauty goodies? They are natural, organic, green, eco-friendly, cruelty-free, vegan, vegetarian or Fair Trade products that you can feel proud to try and buy.

And For only $15 per month, why wouldn’t you try?
Every month, you get a prettily-packaged, thoughtful selection of beauty goodies, hand-selected by green queen, Christine herself, to try. And believe me – once you try, you WILL want to buy these delicious, glamorously green goodies.

Maybe you’re like how I used to be. I thought that by being green, maybe a little glamour would be missing in these products. I couldn’t be more wrong.
It’s glamour you can feel good about!!

I’ve been an Eco-Emi girl for the past three months and I have been thrilled with the boxes I’ve received!

My Eco-Emi March Box

Eco-Emi April

Eco-Emi March

So what goodies came this month?

Revitalize Shampoo & Conditioner (8 oz) by Greenbody Greenplanet ($24.00), 2 Vegan Mineral Eye Shadows ($3.50) & 1 Vegan Gel Eyeliner ($5.00) by The All Natural Face, Lip Tint by Badger ($6.50),Toothbrush by Vita Care ($3.39), Pomegranate Gum by Vita Care ($1.99), Incense by Auromere Ayurvedic ($6.95), Pear Tree Specialty Liquid Soap by Old Post Road Oils ($7.00). That’s a couch-full of cosmic-conscious cosmetics & health goodies!

My Eco-Emi January Box

Eco-Emi January

And January’s Eco-Emi box featured all these gorgeous goodies! Including Lip Tint by J.R. Watkins ($4.99), Endangered Species Lip Balm by Merry Hempsters ($2.99), Sprouted Organic Quinoa by Tru Roots ($6.47), Herbal Tea by TeaGschwendner ($8.56), Organic Fair Trade Coconut Oil by Kelapo ($7.69), Honeydew Spearmint Lotion by Deep Steep ($9.95), Organic Hand Purifier by Dr.Clean Green ($7.95), Organic Eyeliner in black brown by Lauren Brooke Cosmetiques ($12.00) and Greapefruit Seed & Orange Peel Liquid Laundry Detergent by Biokleen ($6.56). Whew! That’s a mouthful!

***

So, if you need a pretty l’il pick-me-up every month and want to feel good about what you’re trying so you can buy the best for you and your loved ones, try Eco-Emi. It is a beautiful beauty box service and I can’t recommend it enough! Plus, they’re super sweet and have superb customer service which earns them a constant seat in the BeautyFrosting kitchen!

You’ll feel both pampered and proud to be trying out products that are both good for the Earth and good for you! Let me know when you get your first Eco-Emi beauty box in your mailbox!

Join Eco-Emi by clicking here!

*And you can win a March Eco-Emi box of your own by reading our Green Glamour Giveaway with Eco-Emi post

xoxo,
BF

 BF Asks: What’s your favorite green glamour product? Or is there one you want to try?