Made in the USA: Mad Gab’s Wildly Natural Lip Gloss

We’re continuing our Made in the USA series with Mad Gab’s Wildly Natural Lip Gloss this week. The most interesting part about this installment is that the company’s back story is just as intriguing as its shimmery lip treatments. What began as a DIY experiment bloomed into an unbelievable mixture of talent and products. Mad Gab’s main focus now is creating and marketing all-natural products that are unique in appearance, effectiveness, and quality. We’re happy to carry their Wildly Natural Lip Glosses in select stores! Keep reading for more info.

Wildly Natural Lip Gloss uses both Shea butter and organic oils to moisturize without feeling sticky. Their natural color palette includes pink, plum, and bronze – the gloss will kick your smile up a notch without overwhelming your look.

So why do we love this “Made in the USA” product so much? It’s a cosmetic that both enhances natural beauty and encourages a healthy lifestyle.  All of Mad Gab’s products are made, packaged and promoted with minimal waste and each lip gloss comes in a clear-plastic recyclable tube. They’re pretty, both inside and out!

Want to try the glosses out for yourself? Stop by select Barnes & Noble College campus bookstores and pick up a tube!

posted by Sandybn
02.15.13
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Made in the USA – Pretty by Caren

You asked and we listened! Back in October, we posted a blog raving about one of our latest skincare obsessions, Pretty Please by Caren. Our stores got tons of feedback from you guys asking for the full-sized bottles of the Pretty Please Body Lotion. Well…your wish is our command! These fun – and pretty –  products are back for Round 2 in our Made in the USA series, large bottles included. Keep reading for the full scoop on these fresh fragrances and why we love them.

Hand & Body Lotion


Both of these moisturizing lotions are sure to make your skin feel nourished and smooth. The winter months can be harsh, so indulge your skin with the rich blend of olive oil and aloe vera. With splashes of juicy mango and wild freesia, you’ll smell as great as you’ll feel. Silky skin and yummy scents? We’ll take it.

Shower Sponge & Lip Balm

We still can’t get enough of this ingenious soap-infused sponge. It’s good for 15 washes and smells as fresh as can be. Lather up with these luxurious, moisturizing bubbles while you exfoliate and nourish your skin. Keep the lip balm with all of your everyday items. Swipe some on whenever you need a little boost!

Body Wash & Sparkle Spray

Our last set of items feature the same fresh fragrance we can’t get enough of. Lather up with the moisturizing body wash which will leave you smelling fresh and ready to go. Add a little shimmer to your day with the Pretty Please Sparkle Spray! You’re ready for whatever comes your way.

As if you haven’t fallen in love with these products already, the mission of Pretty by Caren is to educate young girls about the importance of protecting their skin. They use naturally-derived ingredients and all products are Paraben and Sulfate free!

Stop by select campus bookstores and see for yourself! This skincare line is pretty amazing!

posted by Sandybn
01.18.13
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#WhatsTrending: Color Club Nail Polish

From highlighter yellow to electric pink, neon shades have been hard to miss lately. Sporting this attention-grabbing trend is right at your finger tips – literally! A few coats of the latest Trend Table item (found at select Barnes & Noble Campus Bookstores, of course) and you’ll be on your way to a complete neon takeover.

Color Club Nail Polish (as its name suggests) focuses on one main thing: COLOR! For 30 years they have been a leader in professional nail color with their high-quality lacquers. Though the quality might be high, their prices are not. It’s never been so easy – and so affordable – to stay on trend.

So whether you choose fluorescent lime or eye-catching purple, your nails will be on everyone’s mind. Our favorite look? We LOVE pairing neon polish with a simple black dress and pumps. Tie it all together with a statement necklace with the same colorful accents.

The items we picked: H&M Jersey Dress, Black Mrkt Sonia Pump, Turquoise Stone Pendant Necklace, Color Club Nail Polish in “Chelsea Girl”

What do you think? How would you wear this trend? Swing by select Campus Bookstores and try it out for yourself!

posted by Sandybn
10.26.12
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#WhatsTrending: Pretty Products by Caren

Are you looking for a newer, more fun approach to skincare? The beauty buffs at Caren believe in empowering girls and teaching them the importance of protecting their skin. From moisturizing lip balms to soap-infused shower sponges, they’ve got everything you need to keep your skin looking and feeling beautiful. Now available at select Barnes & Noble campus bookstores, beautiful skin is only a few steps away! Keep reading to find out more…

Whether it’s your lips or hands that need a little extra TLC, Pretty Products help your skin stay nourished and healthy. What else do we love about them? Each product comes with a small inspirational message on it – just a little something to make you feel confident and PRETTY!

One product we find particularly unique is the Pretty Natural cleanser-infused shower sponge. These colorful sponges come with body wash right in them, making it easy to lather up. They’re good for up to 15 washes, leaving you fresh and clean.

The Pretty by Caren website will be up and running soon but, in the meantime, check out their Facebook Page for all up-to-date information regarding the Pretty Line. Want to see their products in person? We now have them available at select B&N College Campus bookstores. Come by today!

posted by Sandybn
10.19.12
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Bold Fall Makeup: How We Did It

Every year, tons of makeup trends flood the runways and begin to appear on the faces of models and celebrities everywhere. Some of these – metallic nail colors, glowing skin – are perfect for anyone, while other styles seem more suited for a Katy Perry music video. We decided to look at two of our favorite bold makeup trends and see if we could make them wearable for everyone. Keep reading to see what we came up with…

 


This season, cobalt eye liner is sweeping lids everywhere.  In order to avoid looking like an 80’s movie star, blue eye makeup should be used with caution. However, when done properly, sapphire shades can really make the eyes pop. Rather than go for the over-the-top blue winged eyeliner on the runways, we decided to tone it down a notch.

How we did it: First, we applied a silvery shadow to soften the look of the blue eyeliner (we chose CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 1-Kit Shadows in “Platina”). After dusting a little bit on the lids, we carefully applied a stroke of e.l.f. Liquid Eyeliner in Midnight (only a $1!). Finish off with a few sweeps of mascara and you’re done! The cobalt will peek out from behind your lashes for an interesting twist on regular liner.

 


Big designers like YSL and Gucci have been slathering black-cherry colored lipsticks on their models as of late. The darker crimson shade is an interesting switch from the candy apple reds from previous seasons and provides what seems like a natural transition into fall. However, this rich hue can be very intimidating.  We decided to take it down a notch.

How we did it:

Rather than go for the deepest burgundy, we opted for a darker red that had a hint of warmth to it. We chose “Spiced Cider” from the L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche collection. Very lightly, we applied a few dabs of the color, starting at the outer corners of the lips. Once we were satisfied with the shade, we grabbed e.l.f. Mineral Lip Gloss in Au Naturale. This time we applied it slowly from the center of our lip, outward.

posted by Sandybn
09.06.12
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The IT List: BB Cream

You’ve probably seen commercials for new the BB creams, but do you know what they are? BB cream is a lightweight, skin-perfecting cream that is said to moisturize, brighten, and even out skin tone for a perfect summer glow. These creams were originally a big hit in Asia and eventually made their way to the US. Now, almost all makeup companies are releasing their own BB cream. From drugstore to high-end, you can find the BB cream that fits your budget!

I have the Garnier BB Cream and I love it for the beach and days when I don’t feel like putting on a full face of makeup. It hydrates my skin really well and gives me just enough coverage, while still looking light and natural!

Have you tried BB Cream yet? Which brand is your favorite?

Written by Guest Blogger, Chloe Leach

posted by Sandybn
08.02.12
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Healthy Summer Skin

Now that you know how to keep your hair healthy in the summer (see Hairapy 101!), I want to let you know how to keep your skin at its best. The summer elements can really do a number on delicate skin, making it hard to keep it healthy and glowing. These products have always been my holy grail of skin care –my go-to skin savers!

1. Aveeno Positively Radiant Moisturizer with SPF 30

This moisturizer is perfect for the summer weather. It has all natural ingredients and SPF 30 to protect the delicate skin on your face. I love this product because it replenishes dry skin, but doesn’t upset oily skin or cause breakouts. It’s super important to keep your skin protected so that it remains healthy and glowing! ($13.59)

2. SoftSoap Juicy Pomegranate& Mango Infusions Body Wash

This is more than just soap – it smells incredible and works wonders. I use this everyday with a loofa to slough off old skin cells and help promote circulation and cell regeneration. It will leave you feeling soft and clean! ($5.49)

3. Nivea Smooth Sensation

This lotion is perfect for dry summer skin. It leaves your skin soft and smooth, without being greasy or heavy and keeps your skin glowing! Use this after exfoliating in the shower and you’ll have baby soft skin. ($5.97)

What are your favorite products for your summer skin? Post a comment below!

Written by Guest Blogger, Chloe Leach

posted by Sandybn
07.24.12
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Makeup Meltdown? We’re Here to Help.

The summertime brings many exciting things. Warmer weather. Days in the sun. Trips to the beach. While all of these might be good for your mood, they don’t always mean great things for your makeup. How do you keep your face looking fresh despite the heat? We’ve got the scoop:

Invest in a good primer – Apply a good eyelid primer (like the one pictured, from e.l.f.) to your lid in order to keep your shadow in place and crease-free. Despite climbing temperatures, your primer will act as a base that will help your eyeshadow stay put. Pair with an e.l.f. Mineral Eye Shadow for color that won’t budge.

Opt for cream instead of powder – Rising temperatures tend to have a negative effect on powdered makeup. When your sweat mixes with the powder it clumps and appears “cakey.” Avoid the mess by simply switching to a cream formula. Whether it’s on your face or your eyes, cream makeup is more likely to stay in place and look fresh.

Use lighter products – You don’t wear heavy clothes in the summer, so why wear heavy makeup? Allure Magazine recommends looking for silicone-based products, especially foundations. The silicone acts as a barrier that stops makeup from melting. Unless you’re going for a Joker-inspired look, smeared-all-over makeup is something to avoid.

Go for Waterproof Mascara – The best way to avoid smeared mascara? Choose a waterproof formula! COVERGIRL LashBlast Volume Blasting Mascara is a great choice. It prevents smudgy black marks around your eyes while giving your lashes a big boost.

Hopefully you’ve enjoyed our tips for putting your best face forward – despite the heat! Do you have any of your own helpful hints to share? Post a comment!

posted by Sandybn
06.28.12
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What’s In My Makeup Bag?

Influenced by all the spring cleaning going on around me, I decided to set my organizational sights on something often overlooked by even the neatest of neat freaks: my make-up bag. I was able to toss a few old items (bye bye, two year old blush brush), as well as some less desirable options (anybody need sparkly lime-green eyeshadow?). A good number of items, however, did make my cosmetic cut. Keep reading to find out what staples I keep in my makeup bag!

1. CoverGirl Professional Loose Powder – The perfect way to look like you’re not wearing makeup (even when you are). It keeps my face from getting shiny, but is so light that it doesn’t look caked on.

2. Goody Bobby Pins – I always keep a few on hand in case a stray hair gets in my eyes. These work well for fancier updo’s too!
3. Avon 12-in-1 Color Palette - The shimmery shadows range from an ethereal white to a vibrant pink to a shadowy black. The colors all mix and match so I can build any look I want.
4. Wet ‘n’ Wild Color Icon Shimmer Pencil (Silver) – I’m obsessed with lining my bottom lashes with this silvery pencil. It makes my eyes look bigger and brighter which is great for when I feel tired.
 

CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 3-Kit Shadows in Dazzling Metallics

5. CoverGirl Eye Enhancers 3-Kit Shadows (Dazzling Metallics) – Don’t be intimidated by the bright yellow and orange shadows. They instantly make your eyes pop while the black adds in a smoky feel.

6. e.l.f. Liquid Eyeliner (black) - When I’m feeling dramatic (makeup-wise, I mean) or just want to make sure my eyeliner stays put, I instantly grab this liner. The applicator makes it easy to put on so don’t worry if you’re not an expert with liquid liner.
 

CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Blasting Mascara

7.CoverGirl LashBlast Volume Blasting Mascara (Black) – My all-time favorite beauty product! I have been OBSESSED with this mascara since it first appeared on shelves. It instantly makes my blonde lashes look longer and darker but doesn’t get clumpy like other brands.

8. Avon Glimmerstick (Sugar Plum) – This shimmery, purple eyeliner goes on easy but makes a big impact. I love wearing it during a night out with friends. It’s a nice alternative to black liner.
9. ChapStick Lip Shield – There is no greater annoyance than chapped lips. Keep the sunlight out and the moisture in with this balm.
There you have it – your sneak peek into the mysterious world of my
cosmetic bag.
Were any of your favorites on here? Share your go-to items in the comments below!
posted by Sandybn
04.13.12
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