MARK.ed the spot.

So back in July Linda Granillo, a MARK. rep, sent samples for us to try at the Blogging Beauties of NYC hosted by Yana and Brittany. Linda sent up some deluxe sample packs for us to farther check out... The first item I'm reviewing: Juice Gems retailing for $6 for .5 oz! A shot of gloss, fruit, and glimmer!

So like the Magalog says: "High-shine tinted gloss...real fruit extract" Linda sent me Cherry Pop... it's like cherry kisses for your lips. This gloss is not too sticky and has hint of golden shimmer running thru it... BY NO MEANS glitter... just a soft shimmer. Linda also sent me a few samples of skincare that I will be reviewing in the coming weeks! Here are some pictures of the rest of what she sent me. If you are looking to order MARK.... try Linda. Right now she has a code for free shipping over $25!

IFB event on Monday Sept 14th

Independent Fashion Bloggers(IFB) held it's 2nd annual Dress Up Soiree on September 14th, in the heart of NYC's Chinatown. Even tho I am mostly a Beauty blogger, I had the chance to go to the event to get some really useful information from Jennine Tamm and a handful of key speakers. The Fashion bloggers spoke mostly about fashion topics, but in a board way that anyone with any type of blog could benefit.

The event started off with a bang!! While on-line outside I met Suzanne Kuhn, Freelance Writer and Author, and ladies she was rocking these hot hot shoes.... can you believe it... I've never seen shoes like this before! They are Ashish for Top Shop. So Suzanne and I talked for a while what events we did this Fashion week, about our blogs, her shoes LOL, things like that. Once inside the event I have to say I wasn't too happy with what happened. First off my Beauty blogging buddy (say that 3 times fast) Yana, from My Own Judge, who had invited me to this event.... could not attend as planned. For some reason they were carding at the front door and since there was a bar you had to be 21 or over with ID to attend. Ok first off ...what if you didn't have your license? or state ID? Many NY'ers don't have licence and she didn't have her ID with her. Next, this was a Bloggers event NOT a Wine tasting event!! I saw 3 people get turned away. Not cool. They should have done hand stamps or wrist bands for the 21 and over. I have to say I was really upset by this. Once inside Suzanne had the print out of the invite and NO WHERE on it did it state you had to be 21 or over to attend. So that totally put a damper on the night! And Yana's outfit was super cute!

So while we were inside the venue was PACKED! Nice to see so many young bloggers out.... male and females! I saw a few bloggers I read and I also got to interview a few people that were attending the meet and greet. Since it was more of a Fashion blog event I took that time to intro myself and see what the Fashion people were thinking about beauty blogs. Here we go.

What made you start with beauty blogs?

Cynthia: She wanted to find more information on " day to night looks" since she's a working chick and needed help with office to nightlife.

What do you look for in Beauty Blogs?

Josephine: She didn't look for only high end products reviews "I like to see it all", and wants to see more "how-to's"

Roslyn: She wasn't into the makeup as much, but was "looking for the deals."

What keeps you coming back to the blog?

Dolapo: Tone, content, how often they post... "how realist and true to themselves" the blogger is. "with the way the economy is now, is this blogger relating to Who is watching them."

Cecile: She wants to see more "tuts on blogs maybe with links to videos."

How do you find your beauty blogs?

Ngozi: She finds Beauty blogs via word of mouth, blog rolls, and "if I get a link on Twitter that is of interest," she'll read and follow the blog.

So even though I missed the big Beauty Bloggers event I still got some useful information about blogging in general from the IFB. The panel talked about copyrighting, finding your our blog voice, writing about what you really care about, and how to credit pics and info. The event was a bit crowded and because of the misinformation regarding the entrance... I did not have a blast, but I still managed to have a decent time. We parted the event with a pretty nice goodie bag including cards, samples from Starbucks, discount codes from Moxie and 365 Hangers, and a full size tube of Bad Gal Lash from Benefit.

~JES
shoe picture credit: Zebra Feet

ZOYA... ohh boya!

Ok so at the wonderful Beauty Bloggers meet up on July 25th, I got introduced to ZOYA nail polishes! Ok let me backtrack a bit...

As most of you know I am a mother of 2 wonderful, but crazy boys... a 27 month old and a 12 month old. They love nothing more than making a mess and hurting themselves! So painting my nails and having to wait for them to dry... is just not something I can do a lot UNLESS my hubby is home to take care of the boys for 2 hours(drying time). Ok so now back to the ZOYA. On Saturday we had the pleasure of getting manicures from Jacqueline Saulsbery, a celeb manicurist, who works with ZOYA. I picked this spring green color Midori and LOVED IT(here's a pic)!!! So we got some great products in our Goodie bag and one was a ZOYA Minicure kit... almost like a "try me" kit. I started after the baby went to bed and by the time his short nap was over I was DRY and NO bubbles!!! Do a happy dance!!

In the Minicure kit: 1oz ZOYA remover, .25 oz ZOYA Anchor, .25 oz ZOYA Nail Lacquer, .25 oz ZOYA Armor, and .25 oz ZOYA Hurry Up(with a little dropper).

So a little about each! The remover is a 3 in 1 remover. It is a light acetone polish remover, nail cleaner, and 1 step in the nail prep. I'm not going to lie to you... it still smells like regular nail polish remover, but with a touch of citrus(maybe it's me)! As I just did my nails on Friday night to go the event I didn't have to do a manicure. Plus, like I said I had the Midori still on(perfect I might add) so I just went right on to the next step which was the basecoat called Anchor. This step and product helps "adhere color to the nail by forming a bond between the nail plate and polish.*" Just one light coat of the Anchor is needed. Then on to the color, in the kit Shiloh comes with. As I just checked the website for the link I have to say the color on the website looks more pinky red and the in real life bottle reminds me of a candied apple with shimmer. I did 2 coats just to test out how long 2 coats would take. I could have done only one coat... this stuff is creamy in a good way. Next step for me.... the blow dryer I had to... I heard my son stirring. So I dried step 3 for about 5 mins each. Then sealed the color with 1 coat of thick Armor, the topcoat and UV block. Also the Armor gives the polish "a flexible, long-wearing protective finish*" I also dried this step for about 4 mins. Next the best part of this kit... the Hurry Up drops! No scent with this liquid that you drop on the base of the nails and it dries, prevents bubbling, and pops the color of the polish. I am not sure if the drops work with other brands I will have to update you about that.

Over all the process including drying time 45mins and that's finishing with BONE DRY... ready to pick the baby nails! Go check out ZOYA.... now I know why Brittany(Clumps Of Mascara) has a collection of this brand. I think my next step is to pick up one of their samplers... maybe this one.

~JES

*I quoted this info from the web site and packaging. http://www.zoya.com/

NYC event... all invited

Hey everyone... So there is a Beauty Bloggers meet up in NYC this weekend July 25th at 6:30pm(for Readers).... hosted by Brittany from ClumpsOfMascara and Miss Yaya from MyOwnJudge.

Come and enjoy the area Beauty Bloggers.

I'll be there for the before and Meet and Greet which starts at 6:30pm. If you are a reader of my blog Come up and say hi!!
Admission is FREE FREE FREE!!
Plus you will get the chance to win products!!! Some brands participating are : Stila, Zoya, Tarte, Pencil Me In Cosmetics and MORE!!!!

Also a raffle for the readers to win a makeover from one of the Bloggers!!!

And of course pictures and chit chatting with all the bloggers!!!!

"We are sure this will be a productive, eventful, exciting, and quite memorable event, and look forward to sharing it with you!" -Yana Lusher and Brittany Thomas

More details here!!

I really hope to meet some of you there!!!

Follow me on Twitter for more updates!!! http://twitter.com/JESmakeup