Skincare RX Beauty Cache - A Long Standing Fave

Skincare RX has been offering their immensely popular Beauty Cache for a while, and I have yet to be disappointed. My mom and I both have subscriptions and will call each other "did you get the so and so in your Cache?" I always get so excited when I see that box on my doorstep! For $29.95 you receive a makeup bag (or more) full of high end products that are often only available through dermatologists. A new one comes out every quarter and each Cache comes with a different cosmetic bag. I've gotten some Cache's that had full sized items valued over $100 before! To give you an idea, here's the contents of a previous cache.
Receive a Free Gift With Purchase at SkinCareRx.com!

Make a video - it's fun, easy and free!
www.onetruemedia.com

Astara Bio-Genic Skincare Golden Flame Hydration mask

100% Pure Organic Honey Pear Nourishing Body Cream

Obagi Nu-Derm Healthy Skin Protection SPF 35

Colorescience SPF 30 Mini Orb

Heliocare Dietary Supplement

Skinceuticals CE Ferulic

HydroPeptide SPF 30 Anti Wrinkle Skin Enhancing UV Protection

Hydropeptide SPF 30 Anti-Wrinkle Skin Enhancing UV Protection 1.7oz
Dermalogica Multivitamin Power Recovery masque

AGE Smart - MultiVitamin Power Recovery Masque (2.5 fl oz.)
Jurlique Daily Exfoliating Cream

Pevonia Botanica C Evolutive Eye Gel

Pharmacopia Lavender Body Lotion

La Roche_Posay Toleriane Dermo Cleanser

Kneipp Energizing Spruce herbal Bath

Marina Cosmetics Hydrating Lip Gloss in Seaberry

Marina Cosmetics Hydrating Lip Gloss
Jane Iredale Purelash Extender and Conditioner

Juara Rice Facial Cleanser

To see the currently available Beauty Cache, just go to their site and check it out! Trust me, it's totally worth it!
Receive a Free Gift With Purchase at SkinCareRx.com!

Giveaway/Fundraiser

Hi my lovely wenches! A fellow pirate (and one of my dearest friends) needs some help. Her best friend passed away and she is trying to get to Kansas City for his memorial. Due to financial constraints, she is appealing to the community for help. To help her along, I am going to give away beauty products to every one of my readers who donates to her cause.  These are deluxe sample and full sized products, and I will let individuals choose from the items available. (brands include Stila, Obagi, Urban Decay, Jenulence, Monave Minerals, Jane Iredale and more)

When you donate, just make sure you note that this is via The Beauty Pirate so I can verify it then drop me a message so you can pick out your item. A good deed a day keeps the doctor away!

Fundrazr here

Boo! Look What's Popping Out Of The Little Black Box!

I'm awaiting the arrival of  The Little Black Boxes newest box , so I scared up pictures of what was in last Halloween's Boo-tiful boxes to get myself excited! Check out their website to see what's included in November's box- a true bounty of goodies. Be sure to be there on the 5th so you don't miss out!  Let 'em know The Beauty Pirate sent ya!

Dragonflylotus Designs handspun thread
Mistress Rae's Decadent Designs hematite and pink stone earrings
Esscentual Alchemy Autumn Spice perfume oil
Sheba's Secrets Bath Bomb Fizzy W/Shea Butter
Jodis Craft Emporium bat ribbon, Celestial Waters Soy Candle tart
Owl Say Designs  bat design magnet
Stylin Pup Pillows doggie treats
K's Kreations Pumpkin Cheescake Soy Tart
Thistlecraft Designs Garbage Pail Kids mini journal
EM Alchemy perfume oil in Offerings
Paper And Press 3 pack of buttons
Fireshells 3 pack Pumpkin Souffle tealights
So Stinking Sweet Pumpkin Apple Butter soap
Moody Bee Vanilla & Peppermint beeswax lip balm
and a goodie bag from Milly & Joan!

Bloom Circle Bounty

Bloom is a whole new concept in social beauty shopping. Not only do they have a tremendous selection of fabulous brands, but the more you interact with your page, the more customized the recommendations. Once your friends join your circle, you can make recommendations to each other, share reviews and check out each others product choices and ratings. Once you customize your profile, you'll get product suggestions specifically tailored to your preferences. On top of that, for every dollar you spend, you receive points that work like CASH towards future purchases! They are constantly running special deals for their members (right now you get DOUBLE reward points) and you also get reward points when your friends sign up for their free membership. Their customer service is AWESOME. When I ordered my CAKE powder the container opened and a lot of it was spilled out. The sent me a replacement without even having to return the opened product, and I had it in just a few days to boot. A new feature is the samples you get with every purchase- WAY more than any other beauty site. To visit their site and start YOUR free membership, just click HERE.




Some of the goodies from this particular shipment that I've formed opinions on are as follows.

Cake Beauty Satin Sugar™ Hair & Body Refreshing Powder

Miracle worker

This is one of the best dry shampoos I've ever used! I love that you can choose different colors, so no George Washington wig. It smells delightful (kind of a cakey smell- go figure) and my hair was fluffy and had more body than than when it's fresh washed! Amazing on my greasy hair. I recently bought a second bottle as a backup because I don't think I can live without this! I've seen reviews where people complained about how much cheaper baby powder was. There's a REASON for this, folks! It doesn't take much, because you should only be putting this along your roots. As far as powder dry shampoos go, this one has yet to be topped, in my opinion. 

OPI Shatter in Black

Black was the first Shatter color, and seems to be the most universal. It looks especially good over pinks- I've used it over light to deep pinks with good effect. Other brands have come out with their own versions, but I've found the OPI to be far superior to drugstore brands. It goes on more smoothly and seems to last longer without chipping. (At LEAST a week- and I use my hands constantly at work) It's also super forgiving, there is really no messing up with this stuff. Every time I use it, it gets comments, even from guys. 

 Colorescience Pressed Mineral Pigment refill

Worth the splurge

Colorescience can apparently do no wrong in my book. This makes my skin look perfect, even with rosacea and the high SPF is exactly what I need. Silky and long lasting. You can control the level of coverage easily for everything from a light dusting to heavyweight blemish coverage, all without looking like you have on a mask. Strongly water and sweat resistant too. The refill is way cheaper than buying it in a compact, so I'm using it with a compact I already had.

 Stila E! Live From The Red Carpet- Breathtaking Beauty palette

inc- 6 eyeshadows in Cinema, Best Picture, Film, Academy, Theater and Drama. 1 Kitten All Over Shimmer, 1 Convertible Color Lip & Cheek Cream in Breathtaking, 1 lip Glaze in Guava. My favorite thing about the Stila palettes, other than their incredible value (this one is worth over $100 retail) is how they usually have a how-to application guide inside to give you hints on the best methods of application, making these a perfect gift for a cosmetic newbie. Lavish and seemingly indulgent, but without breaking the bank. I used this palette to do my makeup for a friend's art show and actually had a few women ask me what makeup I was wearing, in particular the Kitten shimmer. The convertible color is amazingly true to it's word, on my pale skin it provides a subtle flush of color without being garish, and on my lips it's soft and applies beautifully- I use this then put the Guava lip glaze on over it for a super sexy pout. Of course, all of my guava is now gone because I used it obsessively and every time I pulled it out of my purse, friends clamored to use it. This was a limited edition palette, so you'll have to do a little looking to score it, but you can generally find it for a decent price on Ebay or Amazon. Oh, and Academy? LOVE LOVE LOVE this color! It looks like it would be a standard issue champagne, but this stuff is so much more complex! It has a GORGEOUS shimmer that gives high drama oomph, and unlike most shadows that take me forever to make a dent in- I have also used this obsessively to the point of being almost gone. Just like all other Stila shadows, these apply creamily and dreamily and stay put all day (especially if you use a primer). OH! And they put stuff into their packaging to ensure that it biodegrades so they don't take up landfill space! BADASS! The shadows and convertible color are exclusive to this palette, but the Guava gloss and Kitten highlighter can be purchased separately. Seriously worth tracking down. 

 

Colorescience Sunforgettable Mineral Powder in SPF 50- if you read my blog, you know that I bring up this stuff more often than, well, something that gets brought up a lot. 

Ditch the goopy white sunscreens that leave your skin sticky or greasy, and switch to powder for a silky finish and long-lasting coverage. Colorescience Pro’s Sunforgettable mineral powder sunscreens are so quick and easy to use you’ll never go without sunscreen again!

 Colorescience Pro uses three different micronized minerals to protect your skin. Zinc oxide refracts light, titanium dioxide reflects light and iron oxides cool the skin. This perfect combination of sun blockers and skin soothers protects your skin from both UVA (aging) and UVB (burning) rays, ensuring your skin stays healthy and comfortable throughout summer. 

And since mineral sunscreens are physical blockers that sit on the skin (instead of being absorbed) and reflect the sun’s rays, it offers longer-lasting protection plus fewer side effects, making it ideal for those with acne-prone or sensitive skin. 

Cargo Blu-Ray lip gloss in Vermont with Time-Strip technology Made to emphasize lip perfection in high definition photography, this is a plumping gloss that fills in tiny lines and is shiny without being shimmery (which can look like going overboard in some photos.) I love the minty tingly flavor and sensation, and this shade is sheer enough that it can be worn with most colors (I like it with pink hues for a chocolate covered strawberry effect.) This is not the most long lasting gloss out there, but it's because it's not one tiny iota sticky. Seriously, this is possibly the least sticky gloss I've ever used. What makes it super rockin though is the Time Strip. You pop the little doohicky into the cap when you first start using it, and the indicator tells you when the gloss has gone south and needs to be retired. BRILLIANT! 

OPI nail polishes are a good old tried and true. Long lasting, awesome colors, and smooth application. While I do like the natural alternatives that don't contain embalming fluid and such, I just can't give up my beloved OPI.  Here's the colors I've been rocking constantly the last few months...

I'm Not Really A Waitress -I've seen reviews complaining that this is too frosty, but that's actually what I LIKE about it! When I wear this, I feel like a dragon lady (I mean that as a good thing). I suppose it's not for the meek, it's a damn bold color, but that's exactly why I like it! When I wear this, I want to drum my finger nails on hard surfaces and glower at people :-)

Sweet Heart is a pale, almost milky pink that looks lovely when just a few sheer coats are used. What grosses me out is when people glop on layer after layer trying to make it opaque but just wind up looking like when you get acrylics at the nail salon before they're painted (all fake and plastic looking.) 

Japanese Rose Garden looks SOOOO dainty and elegant! Very classy matte pink. 

A Rose At Dawn... Broke By Noon is another favorite. It looks so fabu when I put little cherry blossom nail decals on over it! Yeah, I got class written all over me. 

Stila Lip Glaze in Majesty

A very pretty sheer black cherry, this looks gorgeous over a lip pencil. I love these pens because they go on like a dream with just a few clicks. I find the best bets for the glazes to be around holiday season when you can get a pack of these bad boy bubbys for less than the normal cost of a single. That's the best way to go, since at least in my experience, I rip through these puppies like a hungry dog.

Matrix Biolage Antidandruff Conditioner
Oh. My. God. A dandruff CONDITIONER?!?!?! Awesome! It doesn't smell like a coal refinery? SUPER awesome! This stuff makes your scalp feel wonderful, it's very soothing and flakes and itch are gone. It smells like- wait for it- conditioner! It also leaves your hair really soft without weighing it down, AND it's not only safe for color treated hair, but actually GOOD for it! 



So what are you waiting for? Start YOUR free membership and join my Bloom Circle- just click HERE.

Sniff Sniff

Apparently I'm a fan of scents with a somewhat earthy base. When looking through what I've been wearing lately, I noticed that from gourmand to floral- they all have a deep dry down. Now that it's cooling off a bit (that means it's in the 80s now!) I can wear slightly sweeter scents. That may sound strange but trust me, when it's 115 degrees, floral scents make me want to hurl.
LAVANILA Pure Vanilla 1 oz Pure Vanilla Eau de Parfum
LAVANILA Pure Vanilla 1 oz Pure Vanilla Eau de Parfum
Pure Vanilla blends the tender sensuality of fresh Madagascar vanilla with the warm touch of soft patchouli and pure tonka bean. Infused with more vanilla bean than a vanilla cookie, this superbly clean scent is a must-have for any vanilla addict.LAVANILA carefully infuses pure essential oils with 100 percent active botanicals for natural fragrances that are fresh, clean, and nurturing. With each spray, proprietary natural technology wraps the skin with super antioxidants goji berry and kakad...


I recommended this one to a friend who is not only only vegan, but also super vigilant about avoiding chemicals. She also wanted a vanilla that really smelled like vanilla, not a super sweet fakeout like a Bath & Body Works vanilla. I let her try it out and she went and bought a bottle that weekend. While it does have patchouli in it, it's so light and subtle that you don't notice the actual patchouli scent as much as a whiff of it's essence, adding a dose of danger and sexiness to the purity of vanilla. 




Kat Von D Saint 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum Spray
Introducing Saint, created by tattoo artist Kat Von D exclusively for Sephora. The sweet nectar of Mirabelle Plum and sparkling juicy mandarin create an addictive, mouth-watering top. At the heart, exotic, heady Tiare flower and sweet, tempting caramel are adorned with the velvety floralcy of jasmine, the queen of the night, as she emits her spellbinding fragrance into the sky. Sensual vanilla and creamy musk combine with the warmth of sandalwood for a comforting dry down.

Introducing Sinner, created by makeup artist Kat Von D, exclusively for Sephora. Light, delicate top notes of orange blossom, refreshing mandarin, and fleshy plum create a provocative, sultry heart. Rich jasmine blends seamlessly with a white-flower bouquet, beautifully tainted by the spicy warmth of cinnamon, an herb associated with ancient rituals of pleasure. A dark, mysterious back of earthy vetiver, patchouli, and woods enveloped in creamy vanilla and sensual musk lingers on the skin.Kat Von D Sinner 1.7 oz Eau de Parfum Spray

Despite being marketed as opposites, the Kat Von D fragrances are almost impossible to differentiate. Saint is slightly sweeter at the top, but because it's got caramel, it's a deeper sweetness than the average floral. They both have vanilla and musk in the dry down, so that's when they really smell quite alike. Overall I prefer Sinner, and what's funny is that a friend of mine HATES cinnamon, but when I wear Sinner she always comments on liking it even though it has cinnamon ( haven't told her, it's like when I was a kid and thought I didn't like mushrooms even though I ate them all the time without knowing it). Get this in a spray, not a roller ball if you want the scent to stick around.  
Marc Jacobs Lola Marc Jacobs 1 oz Eau de Parfum Spray

This warm floral bouquet conveys the free spirit of today's sexy, modern girl - she is playful, cool, and flirtatious. The long-lasting, day-and-night scent opens with pink peppercorn, pear, and ruby red grapefruit. Blooming midnotes of rose, fuschia peony, and geranium make a feminine statement. Layers of vanilla, warm tonka bean, and creamy musk create a sensuous drydown.The bottle's exquisite, multi-layered cap is a bursting bouquet with bright modern colors that pop against a matte black ...

Looking at the heart notes you'd think I'd hate this, but the first time I ever wore it I couldn't quit smelling myself! Does it count as being a pervert if you're your only victim? I totally perved on myself. The peppercorn and grapefruit had me at hello. One of the few scents that my mom and I both totally geek out over. 

Carolina Herrera 212

212 Eau de Toilette 212, the sexy, urbane scent that's as spirited and complex as the woman who wears it.

A floral with musk undertones? Wha? Another one that I fell in love with. When I first put it on, I don't care for it, but after about 15 minutes it settles in and suddenly I'm in love. I think that's because that's about when the bergamot comes out, which is easily one of my favorite notes. When I wear this I feel like I should be rushing down a city street in expensive shoes and carrying a fabulous handbag. This perfume makes me feel like I DON'T have to check my bank balance before committing to a movie.

Bath & Body Works Velvet Tuberose

Velvet Tuberose by Bath and Body Works is a Floral fragrance for women. Velvet Tuberose was launched in 2007. Top notes are magnolia, juicy apricot, citruses and ylang-ylang; middle notes are freesia, cyclamen, tuberose, gardenia, fig leaf, indian jasmine and orchid; base notes are sandalwood, amber, spices, musk and cashmere wood.


Well, it was inevitable. I liked it so those bastard at B&BW discontinued it. If you don't mind your wallet being gang raped, you can still find it on Amazon. Check out those base notes- Of course I like it. What tiny bit I have left I'm apparently going to hoard like shoe leather in the Donner Party.  




Avon Comfort Scents Fireside Warmth Solid

Ahhhh, this is just a bit of nostalgia. Avon had this awesome line of fragrances called Comfort Scent years ago. Fireside Warmth smells like, well, exactly what it says. It smells like cuddling under a blankie and drinking a hot toddy. Now if you REALLY want to be boggled, you can buy it on Ebay for in the FIFTY DOLLAR RANGE. The package is about the size of a Korres lip butter. Wow. Believe it or not, I found my jar of it and it still smells exactly the same! I am not recommending that you pay that for a tiny jar of Avon, I'm just saying, it's quite pleasant and luckily the solids don't go off like liquids do. 

Getting My Fix- Beauty Fix

I've talked about Beauty Fix with you gals before, but I just wanted to share with you one of my latest kit picks. Beauty Fix is a seasonal beauty club where for $49.95 you pick out 8 products plus a makeup bag is included. It comes out 4 times a year and you're offered tons of different products to choose from. Often the products are full sized and there have been times when the retail value of my choices came out to $500 or more! Seriously! Needless to say, I consider this to be a really darn good deal. All BeautyFix selections are chosen by a panel of makeup and skincare pros, so they're generally all winners. I've been exposed to some fabulous stuff that I had never heard of before, many now holy grail items in my beauty routine.

A sampling of some of my latest picks? (Do remember, this is what I picked, trust me, there's tons of stuff to choose from)

Well of course I have my makeup bag, they give you a choice of bags and I invariably choose a quilted train case style.It's sturdy, convenient and holds a ton. 
I have like 6 of these.

My choice of 8 products?

FT Exfoliating Emollient (2.5 oz.) Unlike other moisturizers that stay on the surface of skin, Theraplex FT Exfoliating Emollient uses a hydrosilicone delivery system to penetrate deep into skin's cracks and fissures. This allows the fraction petrolatum, a non-greasy petrolatum to repair and hydrate the skin. Combined with beta hydroxy acid and camphor these 3 ingredients will soften and soothe rough, dry calloused skin.

Full sized- retail $21.00

Raw Skincare Ambiaty Eye Treatment (0.5 oz.) Ambiaty Eye Treatment is formulated with rich botanical butters, oils and extracts to nourish and hydrate the eye area. It softens fine lines and wrinkles, reduces under-eye puffiness and promotes extreme radiance for a bright, well-rested appearance. Ambiaty Eye Treatment is hypoallergenic and free of chemical dyes, chemical preservatives and chemical fragrances, making it safe and gentle for all skin types and sensitivity levels.

Full size- $49.00

Katira Hair Masque (2 fl oz.) This incredible revitalizing treatment for all hair types plumps up your ‘do with zero residue. A Middle Eastern secret, it’s exceptionally effective at filling in damaged spots, smoothing the cuticle, adding oil-free moisture and boosting elasticity and shine. Hair is left feeling and looking healthy, voluminous and radiant.

Full size- $20.00

Perfect Fit Teeth Whitening System (2 piece) Professional-strength iQ Derma Perfect Fit Teeth Whitening System is a safe and effective way to brighten and whiten your smile. The lemon flavored 35% carbamide peroxide gel actively lifts stubborn stains to produce whiter teeth, and the custom mouth trays easily mold to your teeth so you can whiten comfortably and evenly. All you need is 15-30 minutes a day to feel confident when you smile.

Full size- $35.00

All-Trans-Retinol Eye Repair Cream (0.5 fl oz.) Replenix Eye Repair Cream is an advanced age-defying cream with the ability to illuminate the eye and diminish fine lines and wrinkles. Formulated with 90% green tea polyphenols to neutralize free radicals while, vitamin K and arnica to diminish dark circles. Cooling cucumber soothes your delicate eye area as vitamins E nourishes. Age-defying peptides address sagging skin and wrinkles to reveal a brighter, more youthful look. As seen in: Martha Stewart Living, February 2011.

deluxe sample- $32.00 retail value

Rehydrating Neroli Water (3.4 fl oz.) Neroli, the extract of bitter orange blossom, is known for its ability to soothe and hydrate the skin while simultaneously refreshing and relaxing the mind. Rehydrating Neroli Water from Kerstin Florian brings you a delightful mist that provides instant indulgent therapeutic benefits with just a couple clicks of the spritzer. Perfect for use on the face or body, to set makeup, soothe irritation, boost dehydrated areas, or provide a quick pick-me-up, this formula is sure to give you what you need. Feel anxiety melt away and dull skin transform in an uplifting and simple way.

deluxe sample- $12.00 retail value

Advanced AHA Dietary Supplement (90 capsules) Improve skin health from the inside out with this special anti-aging supplement from PRIORI. It enhances bodily processes to optimize the skin’s structures, functions and resiliency.

full size bottle- $32.00

Body Butter (7.2 fl oz.) Spice Island Body Butter - Lemongrass bathes your skin in moisture while delivering emollients into the skin. Citrus-scented lemongrass is known to enhance skin tone while balancing oily and dry skin types, also helping your skin glow with health. Nourishing jojoba oil combines with coconut and olive oils to smooth skin, producing a supple, radiant appearance.

full size- $25.00

So all together, for $49.95 I have $226 worth of product. There have been times where I played Greedy Gus and went though and picked out the highest dollar value stuff, but now I actually pick the stuff I really want, value be damned.