New! Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation & Illuminator

Koh Gen Do Aqua Foundation may just be one of my favorite products ever, and when I heard last month that they were releasing a newly reformulated Aqua Foundation and Aqua Foundation Illuminator, I was excited.  

Source: Koh Gen Do 

Released at the end of August, the new foundation and illuminator sound better than ever. Don't despair though, the old formulas are currently still available for a limited time at Sephora and Barney's if you need to stock up.  

Anyway, I was able to get some information on the new formulas just before the launch... and then I failed to post them. Oops! Lots of information is available on Koh Gen Do's site (unaffiliated link), and there are some neat looking value sets of the new products too!

Most exciting of all is the updated shade range! From what I can tell, there are definitely more shades available in the light to medium range. I am sure some of you are clapping, as I've been told many of you mix two shades to get your perfect match. Maybe this time around, there will be one perfect shade for you! :) Additionally, the OC-2 equivalent is not yet out, and is expected to be available in late October, so don't despair!  

I can't wait to check out the Aqua Foundation, and I'm quite interested to see how the Aqua Illuminator in Sheer Beige looks in person.  What do you think? Will you be picking up the new Aqua Foundation or Illuminator? I'd love to know! 

Mom's Makeup Starter Kit

A few weeks ago, I posted about a few beauty goodies that I got for my fiance's mom, who is newly interested in beauty. Over the course of the summer, I've been giving her fun little goodies to try. Read on to see what's in her makeup bag! (Her comments in italics!) 

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream
This has a sun screen in it so it is perfect for days when I'm not going to wear any other make up but want a little color coverage and a sunscreen. After using the Ole Henriksen Perfect Truth CC Cream for a couple of days now I have found I like it much better than the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB. The Ole covers better (maybe it is slightly darker?) goes on more easily and looks better on me, though I'm not sure how I feel about the scent. 

Maybelline Fit Me Shine Free Foundation Stick
On the hunt for an easy to use foundation/concealer option for her, I picked up this guy sight unseen shortly after it was released. Turns out I didn't pick the best shade, but reports say this does go on very easily and definitely is shine free. 

Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Roller
I like this too. It goes on smoothly, covers dark circles well but doesn't look like I have under eye cover up on.

Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15
I also gave her a Jouer Tinted Lip Enhancer in Pearl* and here are her thoughts on the two. I think the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatments are a hit! 

Of those two with the tints I like the Sugar Lip one more.  It is probably because it isn't as shiny as the Jouer one. But I do like both.  I think the Sugar one also feels a little less greasy on me and a little more like a regular chap stick but smoother.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Shadow Pencil in Bulletproof Beige
I'm not sure of the beige on me, I'd like to try another color.  But it is easy to put on, stays on all day, has a little shine to it and I feel like it makes my eyes look brighter.

Clinique High Impact Mascara 
Surprisingly I really liked this. It's black and on my blond lashes sometimes that is overwhelming but you said to try it and I did. The way it covers my lashes is good, doesn't clump up and stays on all day.

I also included a neutral Rimmel eyeshadow trio that I had laying around, which now appears discontinued. Clinique Take the Day Off Makeup Remover has also been a hit! 

What did you think of her makeup bag? Is your mom into makeup? When she finishes up a few products, what should I get her next??  I'd love to know your thoughts! 

This post contains affiliate links. Products marked with a * were provided for review.  

Space NK Chicago Event & GWP!

I'm a [recovering] gift with purchase addict these days, but I really must say that Space NK has just about the BEST GWP offers ever.  

On September 12th, Space NK in Chicago will be hosting a fall trend event. Get a makeover from a By Terry makeup artist (11a-5p) or an express facial or eye treatment from the Darphin specialist (12p-5p). Call the store at 312-440-4479 to reserve your appointment! I'm bummed that I won't be able to make it, but you totally should go if you're in the area! 

I'm pretty pumped about the GWP, which includes a number of items that I've been contemplating buying. It is available with a $250 purchase and includes the following: 

• Space NK Tote Bag
• Lipstick Queen Sinner Pinky Nude Lipstick (full size)
• Rococo Nail Apparel Brocade Crème (full size)
• African Botanics Pure Marula Oil (17 ml)
• Antica Farmacista Prosecco Room Fragrance (25 ml)
• Bumble and bumble Texture Hair (Un) Dressing Crème (15 ml)
• By Terry Cellularose Brightening Serum (4 ml)
• Caudalie Vinoperfect Serum (10 ml)
• Clark’s Botanicals Deep Moisture Mask (15 ml) 
• Darphin Azahar Cleansing Micellar Water (50 ml)         
• DevaCurl 3-Step Introductory Kit (1 fl.oz No-Poo, One Condition & Light Defining Gel)         
• Dr. Dennis Gross Ferulic Acid + Retinol Brightening Solution (.25 fl.oz)
•  Diptyque Volutes Solid Perfume (.14 oz)
• Goldfaden MD Doctor’s Scrub (3.75 g)         
• Hampton Sun After Sun Moisturizer (2 fl.oz)
• Hourglass Film Noir Mascara (.15 oz) 
• Natura Bissé Oxygen Gel (10 ml)        
• Oribe Côte d’Azur Hair Refresher (65 ml)         
• Philip B Light-Weight Deep Conditioning Crème Rinse or Russian Amber Shampoo (15 ml)
• Radical Skincare Youth Infusion Serum (8 ml) 
• Rahua Conditioner (60 ml)         
• Ren Hydra-Calm Global Protection Day Cream (15 ml)         
• Rodial Bee Venom Moisturizer (5 ml)         
• Serge Normant Meta Silk Shampoo (60 ml)         
• Serge Normant Meta Velour Conditioner (60 ml)         
• Sunday Riley Good Genes Treatment (10 ml) 
• Tata Harper Rejuvenating Serum (15 ml)         
• Wei Gingko Leaf Repairing Décolletage Treatment Pad (single use)         
• Zelens Transformer Instant Renewal Mask (5 ml single use) 

Live outside Chicago? Don't despair. You can either call the Space NK location on North Michigan Avenue on September 12, or order online! UK shoppers also have a similarly jaw dropping bag that is currently available at select locations. 

Now the only question is, what are you buying to get this brilliant GWP??  

 This post contains affiliate links. 

Lush Times

Lush recently released a new fall Lush Times, and it is a great little read. 

This issue gives you a neat look behind the scenes at how some of our favorite Lush products are made, and I enjoyed reading about the charities that Lush supports as well as the many family owned suppliers of Lush's natural ingredients. And did you know that Lush employs someone to hand paint all the signs, and a team of people to build all of the tables, etc? 

I quite enjoyed taking a peek at the treatments available at the soon to open Lush Spas in New York and Philadelphia - mmm so luxurious! And did you know that you could get a foot massage at your local Lush store? I had no idea…

And, one of the most exciting things is a page featuring ME! :) 

Have you read the Fall edition of the Lush Times? How do you like the revamped content and design? 

Products were provided for my feature, but I was not compensated for posting this or any other feature.