Makeup - A Girl's Gotta Spa! (sm) Top beauty blog, spa, hair care, makeup, beauty trends, skin care | A Girl's Gotta Spa! (sm) Top beauty blog, spa, hair care, makeup, beauty trends, skin care

First Step To Getting Summer Ready Gigi and clean+ easy Wax Kit

Memorial Day Weekend is officially upon us, which means that the kickoff to summer has officially begun.  For me this has meant a frantic dash to get myself ready for bikinis, sun, short shorts, sandals and the heat and humidity that comes with summer.  My first step towards getting myself "summerified" Read more

Laura Geller Signature Superstars Collection Giveaway

Bigger IS better when it comes to Laura Geller Beauty! The Signature Superstars SUPERSIZED collection features the best in Baked, plus the award-winning Spackle® Under Make-Up Primer—all enclosed in a beautiful, limited edition gift box.You’ll love the skin-pampering ingredients of these Signature Superstars that deliver big, beautiful results. Laura Geller Read more

DIY Spa Tips From Turnberry Isle Miami

Wishing for a spa getaway? To feel royally pampered in preparation for the summer months, therapists at the legendary Turnberry Isle Miami and its Forbes-rated Four Star Spa & Fitness Center suggest these at-home treatments using natural ingredients for those times when you can't make it into the spa: Mommy-to-Be Read more

NightCare Heel Treatment Kit Review

If you are a gal who tries to extend the life of a pedicure as long as possible, then you probably know the first thing that usually needs attention in between pedicures are your heels. I mean really, who has time to get pedicures weekly or even every Read more

Sun Bum Continuous Spray Sunscreen Review

With May being Skin Cancer/Melanoma Awareness month, now seems like the perfect time if any to talk sunscreen! As you may have read earlier this month, I was diagnosed with Melanoma just a couple of years ago. Life after Melanoma requires a lot more preparation when spending time Read more

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Review: bareMinerals Remix January 2013 Collection

BareMinerals launches the new Remix Collection this month and to me it has a very 80′s vibe. That could be due to the blues in The Wild Thing eye shadow quad or the new Aqua Blast mascara! Oh goodness I remember blue mascara but not in a good way so I was quite skeptical at this turquoise looking tube. The entire collection 11-pc. collection is presented in limited edition aqua metallic packaging.  Read more

Posted on by Cindy in beauty, blush, bronzer, eye shadow, highlighter, lipstick, Makeup, mascara Leave a comment

Brow Guru Ramy Gafni Best Brow Tips

While Gail may be the one hitting up the brow bars during her travels as a model, I’ve simply had to figure it out on my own. My biggest problem with my brows is that they are kind of sparse and I can never seem to achieve a definitive arch. I decided to reach out to brow guru, Ramy Gafni (who also has amazing cosmetics), for his expert brow tips.

Q. How do you determine how thin or thick your brows should be to best suit your face?

A. It’s usually ideal to stay close to your natural brow line. If your brows are heavy and thick, you can shape them, but keep them bold. If your brows are naturally thin, you can still create an arch. I find it’s best to take a conservative approach, follow a person’s natural bone structure and keep the brows as full as possible.  Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, brows, brows, Makeup 1 Comment

Buxom Divine Goddess Luminizer Review

“Bathe your complexion in an incandescent glow with this luxurious, lightweight cream luminizer for face and body. The sheer, shimmering finish is perfect for all skin tones, and the refreshing sensation will send you to cloud nine. Wear it alone, under, or over makeup to glow like a Divine Goddess.”  Read more

Posted on by Cindy in beauty, highlighter, Makeup Leave a comment

Eyeko Black Magic Mascara

You may remember how excited I was about the Eyeko Skinny Mini Duo. Eyeko has added another mascara to their squeeze line, Eyeko Black Magic Mascara ($24). This version combines drama, volume and curl with an extreme black glossy finish.  Read more

Posted on by Cindy in beauty, Makeup, mascara 1 Comment

The Perez Beauty Case from Mocha Moon Review


If you are like me, you probably have an overflow of beauty products on your bathroom sink, in each of the cabinets, and drawers. I consider it an organized mess, but not everyone in my house views it that way. I decided to get organized for the new year and came across a gorgeous makeup bag that I think you will love too!  Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, Makeup 1 Comment

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer Radiance Review

As I get older and the fine lines, deep wrinkles, small scars and discoloration under my eyes become more apparent, I quickly realize that I cannot live without a foundation primer. I’ve tried many, but most are either too slick and greasy, clog my pores or just don’t meet my expectations.  Read more

Posted on by Shannon Nelson in beauty, Makeup, Primer 2 Comments

Hard Candy Lip Gloss, Eyeliner and Lip Pencil Review

The next time you’re perusing the aisles at Walmart looking for eggs or bread, take a detour at make a stop at the makeup section (like you don’t already). Don’t let the glittery, teenybopper display fool you, there is some good stuff there. Seriously, Hard Candy has some awesome products and even more awesome prices!

Walk the Line Liquid Eyeliner ($6) is an extremely long wearing liquid eyeliner with TONS of glitter– too much for my taste. The colors are beautiful however. I tried Turquoise but I think it much more of an emerald shade, regardless it is a rich deep jewel tone.  Read more

Posted on by Cindy in beauty, eye shadow, eyeliner, lip gloss, Makeup, makeup tips Leave a comment

Shiseido Lacquer Rouge Review

In the past, I’ve flirted with the Shiseido brand, but this year I started a full fledged love affair.  Their cream eye shadows are fabulous, the fall Camellia Blush Compact was absolutely stunning and there is NO better Sunscreen than the Shiseido Urban Environment Oil-Free UV Protector SPF 42.   Add the new Lacquer Rouge Glosses ($25) and Shiseido has a winning lineup!

Inspired by Japanese Laquerware, one coat of this liquid lipstick provides intense color and deep luster. There are 8 luscious shades  all with  Super Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing DE to keep lips kissable. These liquid lipsticks are saturated with color and glossy but not what I would call high shine. This type of formula allows for very long wear.  They act as a stain with a nice sheen on top so when the sheen wears off, you still have some color left on your lips. I got 5 hours of wear from Savage, a brown nude which I thought would look awful on me but I’ve used quite a lot this fall and winter. Nocturne is by far the most popular color, a rich deep red.  Read more

Posted on by Cindy in beauty, lip gloss, Makeup 1 Comment

Mally Beauty Evercolor Shadow Sticks Review

Pressed for time? Always in a hurry? We modern women play so many different roles, it’s a wonder we have time to sleep!  That’s why I’m so thrilled when I find a makeup product that gives me a pretty, polished look in no time flat. Mally Beauty’s Evercolor Eye Shadow Sticks are just that product! These  multi-tasking eye shadows are like having an eye primer, eye base and eye shadow all in one. There are 22 amazing shades to choose from!

I originally fell for Mally’s Evercolor Eye Shadow when I purchased the Mally Tips and Tricks Kit earlier this year. That kit had an Evercolor Eye Shadow Stick in Twilight, a pretty everyday taupe that I finished up quite quickly. That only fed my hunger for more so when this 5-pc. set was offered at QVC, I snatched it up!

This set includes:  Read more

Posted on by Cindy in beauty, eye shadow, Makeup Leave a comment

Laura Mercier Eyebrow Pencil Review

You may be wondering why I’m bothering to write about an eyebrow pencil. It seems like such a drab product compared to  more colorful makeup like eye shadow and lipsticks. True, but if the eyes are the windows to the soul then the brows are the frame to a beautiful portrait–your eyes! It’s amazing how properly shaped, well groomed brows can make such a difference in making your eyes stand out.

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Posted on by Cindy in beauty, brows, Makeup Leave a comment