Farmgirl beauty secret #6: Use liquid foundation to wipe away eye makeup mistakes or “raccoon eyes”.

This tip is a spin-off of Farmgirl Beauty Secret #10, which is great for mascara mistake removal. #6 is a great tip for getting rid of eyeshadow and liner smears or if you are experimenting with different eyeshadow colors and want to remove the color easily. Simply dip a clean q-tip in your favorite liquid foundation (I like to use Illuminare Fantastic Finish Foundation for this purpose), blot q-tip to remove excess and gently swipe the q-tip where the eye makeup mistakes are. Repeat if necessary.

The emollients in liquid foundation combined with the texture of the q-tip will pick up the eye makeup residue and lay down a thin layer of coverage to conceal any hard-to-remove color. This is also great for “mid-day raccoon eyes” and eyeshadow fall-outs. If you are removing color from a larger area, try the same technique using a cotton ball. The result: a fresh canvas. This allows you to erases makeup mistakes without having to wash your face completely.

Winner of the Easy Peasy Farmgirl Beauty Giveaway!

Happy St. Patrick’s Day, everyone! Congratulations to *~Kay~* of Fresno, CA for winning the Easy Peasy Farmgirl Beauty Giveaway, a collection of beauty prizes valued at over $64. I’ll be conducting more giveaways in the near future so stayed tuned for other opportunities to win Farmgirl-approved beauty products!

If you can choose the next Farmgirl Giveaway, what would you like to win?- cosmetics, skincare or a mixture of the two?

Product-analysis: LipSense in Creamy Pink

So, I’ve been searching high and low for an YSL Rouge Volupte Lingerie Pink dupe. I wanted something that was an opaque baby pink with no shimmer, hopefully with some staying power so I don’t have to re-appy throughout the day. I was never one to mess with lipsticks because most lipstick applications take precise application and that is just asking too much from this lipgloss-only gal. However, I’m liking the subtle definition this color gives and I definitely wouldn’t mind having a lipstick that allows me to do my lipcolor once and forget about it for the rest of the day. If it sounds like a makeup miracle, it sort of is. We all remember when cosmetic big shots like Cover Girl/Max Factor came out with budge proof, all-day lipcolors. It was all the rage. I had one too and while I really liked the concept, I was not at all impressed with the muddy colors and the clumpy results. When my lipcolor started separating, I chucked it into the trash bin and didn’t think twice about it.

Now that I have this baby pink lipstick obsession, I knew I couldn’t count on those lines to provide the color I wanted. I’m no novice when it comes to googling for miracle beauty products. So with my knuckles cracked, I set out to search for this lipstick I envisioned. My search brought me to a brand called LipSense, which is a budge/kiss-proof lipstain. Unlike the Cover Girl/Max Factor version, this doesn’t contain any wax or resin in the formula, rather they’ve suspended a blend of pigments in a base of Alcohol SD-40. Despite the alcohol base, I was very intrigued. I started weighing the pros/cons and decided that having a product that dries and sets for an entire day with the help of alcohol may be a more desirable option compared to applying and ingesting conventional lipsticks all day.

I wanted to find my magic lipstick and LipSense sounded like the ideal candidate. Their wide color range is enough to make any lipstick addict swoon and the collection keeps growing with Limited Edition colors they launch seasonally. Beyond different finishes and shades, I learned that colors can be layered to create an endless number of color combinations. The website swatches bare zero resemblance to the actual colors so pay no attention to that. I was able to find real images of many LipSense colors on the internet and was completely blown away from how updated the color options are (simply google: lipsense colors under Google Image). I love their wide range of Pinks, Berries and Nudes. They have a cult following for their amazing Reds like Blu-Red, Cranberry and Red Cherry (Christina Aguilera and makeup artist Kandee Johnson amongst the fans). But what really captivated my attention was their offering of peaches/corals. I’ve never been a fan of orange shades, but I really want to try theirs! The shades Apple Cider and Summer Fling are so soft and beautiful, they would look amazing on any skin tone.

Looking through LipSense Colors brings euphoria reminiscent of being a kid in a candy store, but I was able to buckle down and focus on a color that I thought could compete with my YSL Lingerie Pink: Creamy Pink. When I received the color, the YSL and the LipSense was nearly identical with 2 differences: YSL Lingerie Pink is actually slightly warmer and LipSense Creamy Pink was laced with the finest gold highlighting dust. It’s definitely not shimmery enough to be called “shimmer”. At first glance, you can barely detect the iridescence because the shade is so opaque it looks nearly matte. Only upon closer inspection do you see the gold dust. Wow, it’s truly a beautiful, unique color (how did I not know about the joy of lipsticks before?!). LipSense Creamy Pink becomes an intense bubblegum pink when you apply 3 layers (as the company suggests for all their lipcolors). But I prefer to wear just 1 layer for a sheer baby pink.

When I tried this for the first time, I nearly fell out of my chair. The formula sets as soon as you brush it on. Being a complete lipstick newbie, I was not prepared and ended up looking like I had the poorest hand coordination because I didn’t know how to blend out the streaks. I later found out this shade is more difficult colors to apply because it’s lighter than my lipcolor. Their more natural shades (like Sheer Berry and Praline Rose) are easier to apply. Anyways, I'm getting better at application by the day and I am really happy with the results. This lipstain is so tenacious that it lasts for an entire day. It is completely transfer-proof so it never comes off on the mug or Boyfriend. After LipSense application, you are to follow and set it with their Moisturizing Gloss. Their gloss feels extremely comforting and plush on but if you are already inundated with glosses, you can use your MAC clear Lipglass or Nars Gloss to set it (just avoid glosses with oils in it because oils can weaken the hold of the lipstain). If you’re not a lipgloss person, they have a Matte Gloss that just sounds so interesting (I’m really itching to try this).

As for the effect I was looking for, this is a winner. I apply it the same way I do with the YSL (lipstick on the outskirts of lips; a hint of berry lip tint in the center). It defines and highlights like my YSL Lingerie Pink does, except it stays on the entire day and I never have to re-apply (please don't look too close; I'm still working on my application skills ;P).

While I do prefer the look and feel of bare lips for an everyday look, I’m beginning to understand and appreciate the allure of lipsticks. Is there anything you've learned to love recently? Tell me about it, perhaps you'll start a lemming!


Here’s my disclaimer: I write extremely researched reviews after extensive, self-conducted testing. I do not review products I dislike; it's a waste of time and typing skills. This review contains gratis sent by company due to interest in feedbacks. My first priority is to my readers; company gratis does not guarantee placement. Affiliate and non-affiliate links are provided to inform readers of where to purchase products. All in all, you can be sure that items seen on my website are the very few products that qualify for recommendation after rigorous testing.

Skincare Routine Snapshot: What works for my skin.

I’m going to start documenting my skincare routine on my blog. Not only is it going to give me an overall view of what I’m currently doing for my skin care and how it progresses, I can also share with you all about what’s working for my skin- think of these products as my most current Farmgirl Beauty Secrets.

Skin Description: hypersensitive, mild to moderate rosacea, oily, breakout-prone, dehydrated.

Top Skincare Concerns: My biggest concerns are hydration and anti-aging. Although I rarely get breakouts now, I find that I’m still highly susceptible to breakouts. I’m always searching for products that’ll give me hydration with zero residue and anti-aging benefits without breakouts.

Daytime Routine:

1. Cleanse with Acne.org Cleanser: A no-frills cleanser that is sulfate-free. I’m looking to find something better and cheaper though.
2. Treat with Garden of Wisdom Concord Grape Anti-Oxidant Serum: Amazing antioxidant serum to help aid sun and environmental protection.

3. Moisturize eyes with Bioelements Multi-Task Eye Oil: I prefer to use oil-based moisturizers in the morning, including around the eyes. This oil-based eye cream has the best ingredients and silkiest texture. I love using this under my mineral powder, the 2 products blends together to make the perfect glowy veil around the eyes.

4. Moisturize with Garden of Wisdom Emu Oil: You can buy quality Emu oils from many brands, I just settled on this one because it’s cheaper than most and I order other must-haves from them. I’m sickly addicted to this brand and I keep back-ups of everything I use in the fridge. I’ll be doing a post about why I love using oils as a moisturizer for my acne-prone skin, stay tuned!
5. Protect with Mineral Basics Complete Cover Concealer: This 4-ingredients powder works AMAZINGLY as a foundation while providing sun protection. It's so difficult for me to find SPFs that won't break me out so I rely on this as my daily sunscreen product. I'll be doing a more detailed product-analysis on this in the near future.

Nighttime Routine:

1. Oil-cleanse with Bioelements Sensitive Skin Cleanser: I am a cleansing oil addict. Of the many I’ve tried, this is THE BEST cleansing oil. It melts off all grime and residue of the day and loosens hardened impurities in the pores. This is also the only cleansing oil that leaves me super clean. The intoxicating aroma makes me feel like I just had a facial- it’s a real treat. Contrary to box directions, I massage this onto DRY skin, tissue some off and rinse.

2. Cleanse with Acne.org Cleanser+cotton balls: Cotton balls are the only type of exfoliation my skin can take. Read about it here.
3. Treat and hydrate with Garden of Wisdom PhytoStemCell Serum: Amazing! I can’t really describe it, all I can say is if I can only use 1 skincare product, this would be it. I have back-ups of this in my fridge.

4. Treat eyes with Pevonia Timeless Eye Contour: Packed to the brim with potent anti-agers, this is of La Mer/Cle De Peau caliber. When I use this at night, I wake up with my fine lines plumped and diffused. Their eye serums are so worth checking out; they’re at least double the size of other eye treatments.

Easy Peasy Farmgirl Beauty Giveaway + Must-share H&M Find.

It’s time to win some beauty freebies! One lucky blog follower will be randomly chosen to be the owner of:
Smashbox O-GLOW Intuitive Cheek Color With Goji Berry-C Complex ($26 value)
100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Mascara ($21 value)
Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer Deluxe Travel Size- 1oz. ($12 value)
Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive Try Me Size ($5 value)

My loss, your gain. I’m also including the Giorgio Armani samples I got from my last Bloomingdale’s haul. They’re such nice samples but I’ll never use it:
Deluxe Samples of Giorgio Armani Rouge d'Armani Lipstick
Deluxe Sample Tube of Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
Sample packets of Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation

How to qualify:
1. Be a Brilliant Farmgirl’s Beauty Secrets blog follower. Simply click on the "Follow" tab on the top of the Right-hand sidebar.
2. For an additional entry in the drawing, share thoughts on your favorite post! I’d like to get an idea of what you want to read more of. Place (1) or more comments, questions or suggestions on your favorite Farmgirl Beauty Secret or Product-analysis under the comments section. All previous comments will qualify.

That’s all there is to it! Contest ends 3.16.10. Winner will be chosen and announced on 3.17.10.

Also, I wanted to share my recent find at H&M. I dropped by H&M to check out the newly launched Sonia Rykiel Collection. Didn’t find anything that floated my boat but I did discover another new collection called The Blues. If you’re a denim lover, you must check this out! I got the cutest denim style button down shirt. It’s made of the softest fabric with an authentic denim look. It has the most adorable puff sleeves and also fits like a dream! But what made me do a double take was the $9.95 Original Price tag! They also have the most handsome cropped denim jacket for $14.95 (also regular price). Kudos to H&M for accommodating to the economy. I tried to capture the true shade of denim that the top comes in, it's something between the 2 images below leaning more towards the one on the right. If you are interested in the top, please note that it runs small. I'm wearing a size 6.