Want to try: Orissa Cosmetics
June 14th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
I recently learned about this UK-based company and am anxious to try their new line of mineral makeup for women with dark skin. According to the founders, market research indicated that women with darker skin tones (including African, Caribbean, Indian, Pakistani and Bangladeshi) were under-represented by UK’s mainstream cosmetics industry. So Orissa aims to “plug this gap by providing carefully selected shades of foundations, eye shadows, blushers, bronzers and lip colors for dark skin.” Orissa’s products are handmade in the UK using crushed natural earth minerals with no parabens, preservatives or chemical dyes. I’m loving their range of eyeshadow colors from earthy to bright. They don’t have much to offer among the blush and lip colors, but the company is just over a year old, so I’m hoping more colors are on the way. Orissa’s products are reasonably priced. Eyeshadows are about $6; Foundations $14; Blush $12. And international shipping to the U.S. should run around $6. I definitely plan to try the eyeshadows and foundation and provide a review soon. Check out Orissa at www.OrissaCosmetics.co.uk.
Congratulations to the winners of the Mood Polish giveaway!!
“New You for the New Year” Giveway
January 4th, 2010 § Leave a Comment
What better way to start the year off than with a giveaway! What are your plans, goals or resolutions for 2010? What new “you” are you striving for? Losing weight, getting healthier, feeling and looking fabulous tops many people’s list and Blended Beauté wants to help.
This blog is about seeing beauty in every color, every shade, every skin tone. It’s about helping you look fabulous whether you’re porcelain, ivory, almond, honey, mocha or espresso. So with that in mind, we are giving away three customized Artistry Essentials makeup kits (in light, medium and dark) that have everything you need to enhance your natural beauty.
The kits come with everything you see above inside a sleek, black makeup bag:
- mineral foundation – 100% pure mineral makeup.
- concealer – Blend away imperfections with natural-looking coverage.
- colour quad – For eyes and cheeks. Also mineral-based and enriched with vitamins A and E.
- lip shine – Gorgeous color for lovely lips.
- mascara - For dark, defined, fuller-looking lashes.
- face and eyeliner brushes – The right tools to create your look with ease.
Mistake-proof products + shades to match your skin tone = flawless results.
To win one of the Essentials kits (a $60 value), complete the form below or send an email with “New You for the New Year” in the subject field to blendedbeaute@gmail.com. What does your “new you for the new year” plan involve? I’d love to hear about it.
Contest open to U.S. residents only. Blended Beauté subscribers, Facebook fans and Twitter followers who enter will receive multiple entries in the giveaway. Subscribe or follow to increase your chances in this and future monthly contests. Good luck!
Show and Tell: Steelo Cosmetics
November 20th, 2009 § 1 Comment
Steelo Cosmetics has stolen my heart. I got a chance to try several products that PR sent and was totally impressed. Steelo is a full line of cosmetics created exclusively with the needs of diverse skin tones in mind. From African American and Asian to Latina and Middle Eastern, Steelo has women of color covered. They truly developed a line “not as an afterthought or an addition to a mainstream line” and it shows.
The Flawless Coverage Mineral Foundation ($25) is available in 21 shades, more than any mineral makeup line today 
according to the company. It’s made from all natural ingredients. No talc, chemicals or Bismuth Oxychloride, an irritant to the skin that makes the face appear shiny. Blended Beauté tested Medium Dark shades 30, 40, 50 and 65. These foundations are very weightless. They melt into your skin helping to minimize pores. Think naked beauty. Yet they provide excellent coverage. The foundations also leave a dewy finish. Nothing chalky or ashy-looking. And upon closer inspection, you can see fine shimmers throughout which help for a natural glow. And when applied after the Foundation Primer ($17), the mineral foundation really adheres for a long-lasting wear. Steelo’s primer is definitely one of the best primers I’ve tried. It has an SPF 20, retexturizes and reduces fine lines creating a smooth base for foundation.
The Mineral Eye Shimmers ($13.50) have great pigment. Intense colors that you can use to highlight or add sparkle and shine. Available in 20 shades, they can also be blended to make gorgeous custom colors. I tested Vixen (a charcoal gray), Soulmate (a taupe with pink pearl shimmer) and Bordeaux (a rich wine). Steelo’s single eye shadows ($12) are just as pigmented and gorgeous. I tried Karma (a deep burgundy) and Icon (a golden bronze).
I am a fan of non-sticky lip glosses, so you can count me a fan of Steelo’s lip glosses ($13). They’re vitamin enriched and glide on with a sparkling pearl finish. I’m spoiled over Spoiled (a golden peach with shimmer). It looks good worn alone or over lipstick.
To see more of Steelo’s products, visit steelocosmetics.com. And to my fellow MUA’s, they offer a professional makeup artist program too.
Trend Beauty: What’s Smokin’ for Fall
August 25th, 2008 § Leave a Comment
Inspired by the glamorous icons of film and fashion, the Iconic Elegance Fall 2008 Trend Colour Collection from Artistry brings together an era of timeless beauty and modern sophistication. Tucked inside tw
o unique palettes is a mix of harmonizing hues to create everything from sultry, smokey eyes to standout lips.
The Inspired palette has three rich lip crèmes in Neutrale, Essence, and Radiant; Aglow crème-to-powder eye and cheek colour; and four mineral eye colours in Starry Night, Glacier, Draped, and Graphic all tucked inside a slender compact. And with a mini mirror and dual-ended lip and eye brush, the answer to glamorous fall beauty will be at your 
fingertips.
The Timeless palette has three rich lip crèmes in Intricate, Style, and Couture; Rosewood cheek colour; and four mineral eye colours in Bone, Turned-out, Grey Silk, and Tribute.
Be the first to get these all-in-one trendsetting colour collections, available while supplies last. To order, visit my online beauty store.
Spring Fling: 2008 Makeup Trends
February 25th, 2008 § Leave a Comment
This season, innovation inspires unusual beauty and combines nature’s rich color palette with its simple, delicate textures. So why not give yourself a makeover.
Play up your eyes with soft purples, lilacs and deep violet tints. Plum and violet shades enhance eyes while cheeks and lips stay soft with quiet, subtle shimmer. Light blues and dark blues will also thrust you into the spotlight.
If you dare not go there with bold color, discover a look that’s delicate and discreet. Warm your eyes with bronze metallic or terra-cotta tones for an ultra-soft stare while lips quietly whisper in a gorgeous golden shimmer.
