QVC Tarte Perfect & Treat Kit

I ordered this QVC TSV in July, with auto-delivery. The set cost approximately $60 with shipping and taxes. I will be getting shipments in November and March as well. I am not sure if I am going to get the November shipment, as I don't need more foundation at this time, and it will have a bronzing powder in the place of the brush. I am fair and I would rather not go blindly with a bronzer, as they tend to be much too dark.

This is the stock photo from QVC of the kit:

QVC Tarte Prefect & Treat 6 Piece High Performance Collection

Looking forward to this Fall...

I am really looking forward to fall suddenly, maybe its the dip in weather, its been in the 50-60's of late, or the college football in full swing as Big Ten games start this week, but for some reason I am embracing the jewel tones I love in fall, in my clothes and makeup, cardigans and sweatshirts, and cozying up with a down throw on my couch with a candle burning and a good book. Perfect fall afternoons.

Some of the makeup products I am most looking forward to this fall include:

- Cranberry, purple and green (think sumptuous olive or humid from MAC) eyeshadows - these tend to be staples for me in the fall, replacing the more bright and summertime shades I tend to wear when the weather is warm. I just painted my nails with China Glaze Urban-Night, deep purple, to match this cold weather.

Benefit Dallas Boxed Powder

- Benefit Dallas Blush. This is one of my all-time favorite blushes, but I only wear it in the fall/winter for some reason and I do love breaking it out.

- Nude colored lipstick. Another staple for me in the fall. I think its to balance my deeper/darker jewel toned colored eyes and even berry cheeks. I like to go with a more satin nude/mlbb type color. I don't do pinky-nudes, more so natural nudes, a la Benefit Lady's Choice and Estee Lauder's Pinkberry.

- Vanilla fragrances. Whether in perfume, body sprays, lotions or body wash, I tend to favor scents with a touch of vanilla as it is a warming and cozy scent to me.

I am also really looking forward to the influx of scarves into my daily wardrobe. I love scarves as an accessory piece and because my work environment often swings from warm to cold, I also love cute scarves that function for warmth as well. I tend to pick scarves up on clearance/after season sales if I can, and as a result I can pick up a couple of colors when I find such a great deal. I am excited to break my more functional scarves out. As well, I have packed away my summer purses, anything light and airy and summery, which was quite sad, but as a result I have also pulled out some long time favorites, including a coach wool houndstooth print with purple trim and embellishment, its a smaller bag that I don't use every day but I try as often as possible to grab for it.

Summer Favorites

I wanted to go through some of my favorite products from this past summer. This summer I have been rediscovering my own makeup collection, I got sucked into a few too many good deals, and decided to try to stick to what I have since then. I was using lots of different products but here is a run down of my favorites from this summer.

1. Most worn nail polish: Zoya Maya - a beautiful and bright pinky-coral that has a jelly-like finish

2. Most worn hair product: Bumble & Bumble Tonic

3. Most worn bag: White Coach Hobo

4. Most worn shoes: Old Navy Flip Flops (Casual), Nine West Purple Heels (Work)

5. Most worn accessories: Tortoiseshell sunglasses

6. Most worn foundation: Tarte Maracuja Foundation in Fair

7. Most worn blush/bronzer: Benefit Bella Bamba

8. Most worn lip product: Fresh Rose Lipbalm

9. Most worn mascara: Tarte lights, cameras, lashes and Rimmel Sexy Curves

10. Most worn eyeshadow: MAC Satin Taupe

Sampling Products and What I think

Like I stated previously, I have been going through several samples and less used products, in an attempt to use up some items that I rarely/never touch, and as opposed to purchasing any new items. I wanted to do an overview of some items, and what I think of them.

Benefit Stay Don' Stray

I had this as a mini-sample from a set at Sephora. I think that this is a great eye primer. Its a light peachy color that blends into my skin instantly. I don't have a lot of discoloration from veins, etc on my eyelids, therefore this light eye primer works great. I found that this kept my eyeshadows on really well. I really like this product, but I am currently using a Tarte primer that I enjoy a bit more, that I got for a great deal.

Cargo LashActivator

This is a higher end mascara with a plastic wand. This mascara is supposed to be good for your lashes, and "activate" them. I didn't notice anything about that. If anything I felt that this mascara was extremely drying and actually made my lashes almost brittle feeling, and I went for several weeks without wearing mascara to try to restore them. I would definitely not recommend this mascara.

ELF Under Eye Concealer & Highlighter

This is a two-in-one product, with a white pink-tinged highlighter on one end and a creamy concealer on the other end. This product was $3, and I would say that it is well worth it. The concealer has good pigmentation and does a great job covering undereye circles, although I still prefer my Benefit Erase Paste and Tarte Maracuja Concealer. What I really like this product for is touchups, nice to carry in my makeup bag for efficiency and space-saving. There is one thing to point out, the highlighter has small pink glitter particles in it, and I don't really like adding actual glitter to my face look, but this is almost hidden. I think for the money, this is a good product. 

Estee Lauder Double Wear Zero-Smudge Lengthening Mascara

I had this as a sample from gift with purchase. I am not a huge fan of Estee Lauder mascaras. I find that they tend to irritate my eyes. This one didn't cause any immediate concerns, however, as the formula dried out, I started to get flaking and had to toss this sample. Overall I did find it to be a good mascara, but I think that I will not be purchasing a full-size of this.

Kiehl's Abyssine Cream+

I really liked this sample. I believe I got it with a Birchbox, but I can't recall for sure. I used it while on vacation, as it was a nice little travel friendly size, and I like the products that I use on a daily basis for moisturizer. But I think when I do run out, this one may be a contender for repurchase. It was a nice thick white cream moisturizer. When I say thick, I don't mean that it felt thick on my face though, and that is really important. This moisturizer melted into my skin and felt fantastic. I have combination skin, but have noticed some increased dryness in the last year or so, and I really enjoyed the way that this made my skin feel. From what I remember, the smell was not extremely strong, or at least it didn't bother me, but didn't seem perfumed either. I scraped every last bit out of the jar, and didn't think to write anything down about the scent. I do recommend this product. The sample was 0.25 fl oz, and a full size is 1.69 fl oz for $48, so this seems appropriate for a department store brand moisturizer, I usually purchase Estee Lauder Day Wear. 

Korres Antiageing Primer

I purchased this with the Korres Vitamin E Face Primer from Sephora for I believe $12. The samples were each 0.34 fl oz, which is a third of a full-size (1.01 fl oz), and a full-size is $33. Therefore, I thought it was a great way to get to try the new anti-ageing primer, as I already have purchased and used the Vitamin E Face Primer several times. I try to avoid silicone based primers, which is what lead me to the Korres line primers to begin with. I must say that I enjoyed the anti-ageing primer more than the original vitamin e primer. I think that when I run out of my full-size Korres vitamin e primer and various samples that I will likely purchase the anti-ageing primer. There is a light lemon-y/natural scent to this primer. I would recommend this primer if you are adverse to silicone based primers.

Korres Face Primer, Vitamin E

I have a full-size of this, and it was a tried and true product for me, although I have found a different non-silicone based primer that I like better at this point. This is a lightweight primer that helps to maintain a fresh face. I like the light scent to this product. I had this deluxe sample as part of a package I purchased from Sephora for $12, the full-size which is 1.01 fl oz and retails for $28. I do like the way that this primer works, but I have found that I like the anti-ageing primer a little bit better.

Lancome Hypnose Mascara

If there is one high end mascara that I perpetually find myself drawn to, and that I will spend the money on, its this one. The full-size is $26. I have purchased this mascara several times, but I tend to purchase it around "special" occasions, i.e. anniversary, holidays, weddings. I like to get as much bang for my buck as possible, and since this mascara usually ends up getting tossed around month four, I try to buy it at a time when I know I will get to use it as much as possible for special events. I love wearing this mascara whenever I know I am going to be taking pictures, this mascara makes my eyelashes look fantastic. Its both lengthening and volumizing and never gives that spider lash effect. The bristles are natural fiber and are shorter in the middle than on either end. I would definitely recommend this mascara if you are looking to splurge.

Laura Mercier Full Blown Mascara

I got this as a sample with my points at Sephora. Its got a natural fiber bristled brush that is long but about medium thickness. The bristles are essentially all even the length of the brush. I really liked this mascara, but not sure that I can bring myself to purchase a full-size, I find it really hard to purchase full-size high end mascara, its one thing that I don't like to spend too much on because it only lasts for such a short time. I think that this mascara gave good volume and still kept the look very natural.

L'Oreal Voluminous Million

This is a great drugstore mascara. It has a plastic large wand. I enjoyed the look that this gave my lashes. I have decent length and volume to my lashes naturally, but they are light and without mascara you wouldn't know I had much to my lashes. I have already repurchased this mascara, although it is currently sitting unopened, as I am planning on only having two open mascaras at a time. Mascara has a short life, and should be disposed of after 3-6 months of opening the product. I tend to err on the side every three months, but it depends on the formula. I would recommend this mascara to anyone who wants to amp up their lashes, in both volume and length.

Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup

This is a foundation that I really enjoy. Its light weight and I really like it for days that I am not needing a lot of coverage, just neutralizing color. It neutralizes redness on my face, and my face still feels like I don't have anything on it. I used to wear this everyday, however, I have started to wear a slightly higher coverage foundation in the last year or so, but I still have a backup of this one always available. I would recommend for someone who doesn't need a lot of coverage or who is looking for a lighter weight foundation. It definitely has more coverage than a tinted moisturizer.

YSL Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils

This was a sample, and though I really enjoyed it, I don't think I could bring myself to spend $30 for the fullsize of this. This is a natural fiber brush and there is nothing special about it. I don't think that there is anything really special about this mascara. I would pass on a rebuy.


I have really enjoyed a lot of these products, even if I don't think I will be repurchasing most of them. I would say the winners that I will consider or that I have repurchased are:

- Kiehl's Abyssine Cream+ 

- Korres Antiageing Primer
- Lancome Hypnose Mascara
- L'Oreal Voluminous Million *(already repurchased)
- Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup *(already repurchased)

QVC TSV Tarte Miracle of Maracuja Set Review

I just realized I never reviewed my QVC TSV Tarte Miracle of Maracuja Set Review after I received it.

I skipped the July 2012 shipment, I have barely made a dent in my maracuja oil, and I don't really enjoy the boxed eyeshadow set, so I decided to skip it. I haven't decided for sure on the October 2012 collection that is coming out.

Here is the stock picture of the items included:

Included in the kit are the following:

Maracuja Airblush Creme Blush, Amused Shimmering Poppy - I like this blush, but I don't love it. I love the Amazonian Clay blushes, can't say the same for this one. Its a lightweight cream deep coral colored blush.

Airblush Brush - I use this all the time, but not for the included blush. I tend to use it with either a finishing powder or a truly opaque powder blush.

Maracuja Divine Shine Lip Gloss, Peaceful - I rarely use this, actually I'm not sure I've used it more than once when I originally got the kit (must add to my purse makeup bag). There is no color to this gloss, it left a pretty gloss, so my plan is to use it up by wearing it over more pigmented lipsticks that need some shine.

Maracuja Creaseless Concealer, Fair - I LOVE this product. I don't often say that, but I truly do. I am discovering quickly that my favorite Tarte products tend to be their corrective products, foundation and concealer, rather than the their color (with the exception of lipsurgence and amazonian clay blushes). This concealer has great pigmentation, it can be thick, so you need to be good about blending it out, I suggest using your fingers to apply as it warms up the product and allows you to easily sheer it out. I do have one complaint, although not about the concealer that came in this kit - it came in a previous QVC kit I ordered, the product packaging broke around the nozzle and the product started coming out near the base of the nozzle when I squeezed, luckily I have this one to use on the go, and the other one I am going to attempt to put into some other packaging. 

Pure Maracuja Oil - I like this, but I can't say I am crazy about it. I do enjoy oils, but the smell of this one is nauseating. Its very moisturizing and you need just a little bit of product, which is perfectly portioned for you with one pump of the top.

Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara - A great mascara. Lengthening and thickening, but still natural looking, which is what I like. 

Cashmere Waterproof Eyeliner, Black - Extremely rich black eyeliner which I have used maybe a handful of times, but thats because I don't often wear dark eyeliner, so I may have to try to incorporate into my daily routine somehow.

Eyeshadow Quad, Evoke the Smoke - this Quad has beautiful colors, but I really don't care for it. The purple is much too deep to work with as an everyday color and it can come off muddy. I really love the grey/silver and light pink. 

Overall, QVC had listed the value of the kit at $207, and I got it for approximately $70 when you add shipping/tax to the TSV price of $59.96. I think it was on overall good deal, but honestly, if I hadn't bought it this way, I can't be sure I wouldn't have just bought the brush, concealer and mascara (which I believe the value equals approximately what I spent) and I am using the oil and blush a fair amount. 

Sometimes these kits truly are too good to be true, what are you thoughts?

I've switched candles...

In my house, decor doesn't really change season-to-season, with the exception of Christmas time. I don't store away clothes, as I am lucky enough to have ample closet space in my bedroom, so I keep everything out all year long, but for me, the real change comes in the scented candles I choose to burn. I love nothing more than picking out fall scents and letting them bring a cozy warm smell to my house, as the whether gets chilly. And when I start to get cabin fever in the winter, I always break out a stored summer candle or two.

Right now I am burning Salted Caramel from Bath & Body Works. This is a new take on Salty Caramel, I believe, and its not as strong as the one from last year, but its still got a rich caramel scent with almost a salty undertone. It makes me think of hayrides and caramel popcorn. As a child my neighborhood held a halloween hayride each year, and that is one thing that brings it back to me.

Stock Photo from Bath & Body Works
http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=13115382&cp=12586994.12936192.4147333

I also have a Leaves candle out, and I already burned through one of the new Cinnamon Sugared Donut candles, which I also really liked, and an Autumn candle that I had left over from last year.

too many products, too little time.

I have found recently, after a thorough purging and reorganizing of the majority of my entire house since August, that I have more makeup than I can ever start to use up. I know, I already knew this is some sense, but it really hit me. I have been fairly good about not purchasing cosmetics lately. Although I did indulge in a Tarte QVC set in July, and on auto-delivery, but I skipped my previous tarte set's auto-delivery for July so I figured that was an almost even swap.

I have not done as well with nail polishes, so I need to make sure I hold back on any and all nail polish purchases going forward.

And I shouldn't need bath products for quite some time, as I received a ton of Philosophy 3-in-1's for my birthday in July.

As a result, I have decided to try to use my makeup before I can purchase. The only thing that I will allow myself to repurchase, if necessary, will be skincare products, but even with that, I have a good selection of samples/freebies (I picked up a full-size Origins moisturizer on Earth Day for free!) that I would like to give a try after I use up the products that I have.

As such, I imagine that if I stick to this plan, I will not actually be purchasing cosmetic products of any sort until sometime next year, at least not by necessity. I have decided that I will allow myself one of the auto-deliveries set for the fall for Tarte QVC sets I have ordered, and I really like the Tarte holiday sets, and saw images of some that look especially fantastic, the lipsurgence and the amazonian clay blush mini's, so those may possibly end up breaking my commitment not to buy any makeup.

Well this is my endeavor to get through products, so wish me luck. I have already started to go through my surplus of lotions, and that might be something I will eventually have to repurchase during this holidays/winter as the weather is causing my skin to be super dry and its only just started to get chilly out. I have over 20 of the mini Bath & Body Works lotions that they have on special at various times for $1 or $2, and several of their spa collection lotions (the shea & cashmere is my favorite), as well as several philosophy lotions, and some unscented lotions.