Review: Cargo Best of Cargo Collection

Returning something to Sephora can be dangerous to your wallet--well for me at least. Especially since I just got a Sephora in my town and even though it is a downscaled version in a Penney's store I am verklempt. So, while wandering around the store knowing I had a $32 credit....I found this really great Best of Cargo Collection. The set is housed in a nice re-usable tin and features an eye shadow palette in shade Shanghai, Suede Blush in Montebello, High Pigment pencil in black and Classic Lip Gloss in Sig Sur. All full sized products and all only for $34.

The Best of Cargo Collection is ideal for an everyday neutral look. Shanghai eye shadow palette contains a nice white shimmery shade for highlighting, a pale shimmery pink that can also be used as a highlighter or as a nice lid shade, a peachy nudish shade also nice on the lid and a taupe shade with a lot of grey in it. The palette is neutral, maybe leaning toward cool.

I especially like the Montebello SuedeBlush. It is a pretty pink that imparts a nice glow but is not shimmery or glittery, which is a bit strange because when I swatched it on my hand at Sephora it was very, very shimmery on my hand. I would have skipped this set for that reason alone had the sales associate not told me she was wearing Montebello and it looked very nice on her. I think because the blush has pale pink, a deeper rose and beige swirled together, it appears more subtle on the skin. The pigment is very good though, which allows you to build the color--the more you apply the deeper the color you get. I find one swirl gives a very natural look to my light-medium skin. For deeper skintones, just go a bit heavier.

Cargo's Classic Lip Gloss is Big Sur is a mauvy rose shade--very very pretty. The texture is fairly thin and not sticky at all. This gloss comes with a time-strip that you insert into the tube and it turns red when you need to replace the gloss. A silly gimmick and pretty much useless in my opinion. I can tell when it's time to replace my gloss; not that I ever fully use one up . I love this shade but I wish it was longer lasting.

The High Pigment black eyeliner is fine; not the best, certainly not the worst. It's just fine.

Overall: The Cargo Best of Cargo Collection is a real beauty bargain. At $34 each product works out to only $8.50. The eye shadow palette alone retails for $28.

Best For: Any skintone and anyone who likes a neutral daytime look. I really don't think this set can be 'smoked up' for a dramatic night look.

Do You Need It?  If don't have many neutrals in your makeup arsnel, this would be a good addition at a great price. It would also make a nice gift for someone who loves makeup. If however, you do have a lot of neutrals in your 'stash' you can certainly pass it up. But.....it is a great bargin even if your favorite things are only the blush and the gloss.....and the eye shadow :)

I purchased this collection myself at my local Sephora.

Halloween Makeup kits from Sephora

Halloween is probably my favorite holiday. I gotta say, I miss making costumes (even though my daughter refused to be Raggedy Ann) and taking the kids trick or treating. And I still love giving out candy and seeing all the kids in their costumes; I have to ask ask each one what they are and pretend to be scared when I encounter a lion or some scary creature. This year I will be going to a little get together with The Boyfriend's family. Are you attending any Halloween parties? Or maybe dressing up to take the little ones trick or treating? These cute makeup kits from Sephora are just what you need to create a boo-tiful look and you can re-use it all later too! Just add a few accessories and your good to go or fly whatever the case my be! And with 20% off how can you resist? Don't forget the FF2009 code at checkout.

Halloween Kit - Vampire, Rock Star, Witch ($65 Value) $19

This set contains:

- False Eyelashes

- Mono Eyeshadow in Gray

- Glitter Lash in Silver

- Glitter Liner in Silver

- Slim Eyeliner in Black

- Mini Nail Polish in Black
 

Halloween Kit - Doll, Fairy, Angel ($65 Value) $19 3 looks in one kit.

This set contains:

- False Eyelashes

- Round a Pot in Bronze Beauty

- Glitter Spray in Gold

- Glitter Eyeliner in Teal

- Jumbo Eye Pencil in Purple

- Slim Eyeliner in Black

Halloween Kit - Greek Goddess, Peacock, Cleopatra ($65 Value) $19

This set contains:

- False Eyelashes

- Round a Pot in Beach Ball

- Glitter Spray in Silver

- Slim Eyeliner in Black

- Slim Eyeliner in White

- Luminous Glow

NEWS FLASH! Sephora's Friends & Family Sale is HERE!!

Sephora's once a year Friends and Family sale starts today! Get 20% off at Sephora.com from October 19 through November 2. I look forward to this sale every year. Ideas for taking advantage of the sale are:

• buy Christmas gifts (or any gift for that matter)
• stock up on items you use everyday, especially pricy sknicare products
• try a new fragrance--when can you ever get a discount on designer fragrances? 
• have something expensive you've dying to try but it's just too expensive?Now it's on sale! 

As always you can choose 3 free samples with every order and there is free shipping on orders over $50. You must use the code FF2009 at checkout. Get thee to Sephora.com now. Beauty addicts wait all year for this sale and things sell out fast. Happy shopping! Let me know what's on your list in the comments.

More BCA Pink Beauty Products

This beautiful limited edition Pink Ribbon Palette for Eyes and Cheeks from Prescriptives is perfect for fall. The palette contains 4 eye shadows and 2 blushes in a pink compact. $48.50

Be Delicious Fresh Blossom
DKNY will make a donation of $15,000 in connection with the sales of the DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom to The Breast Cancer Research Foundation.


DKNY Be Delicious Fresh Blossom is a radiant new fragrance that marries freshness, vibrancy, and femininity. A blend of sparkling grapefruit, cassis, and sunkissed apricot meets a blooming floral heart of sheer muguet and petally rose wrapped in luminous jasmine. A base of juicy apple, mingled with lingering blond woods and smooth skin accord, completes the irresistibly sensual experience of the essence. Available at Sephora.

 With a purchase of Origins Peace of Mind On-the-spot relief you not only de-stress but you will have even more peace of mind knowing you are helping to contribute $35,000 to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation. Visit Origins.com for more information.

Look Fab Without the Jab: StriVectin-WF Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler Review

I tried this product at home and was so impressed I had to share (‘cuz I’m just awesome like that) so I took it to work. I got together a few co-workers ranging in age from 40 to over 60 (a total of six of us) and let me tell you, everyone saw results. StriVectin-WF Instant Deep Wrinkle Filler is packaged in a tube and is a gel formulation—just rub a little in your deep wrinkle problem areas on a clean bare face. In my experiment, a few of us did have makeup on, but it didn't seem to negatively affect the results, however I would definitely suggest putting it on under makeup instead of on top. It does feel sticky and your skin will feel tight in those areas for a bit, but it works!! It erased deep creases between the brows as well as the nasolabial folds (the lines we all get between the nose and mouth). It handled our crow’s feet nicely and it does actually plump up your skin! We did notice that it didn't work as well on the deep “bands” in the neck area, but I believe the manufacturer, KleinBecker has another product for the that.

There is good news/bad news with this product. The bad news is your mileage may vary (and that’s not really all that bad). It didn't last very long on my skin; I put it on at 9:45 and by 12:00 I was back to my normal wrinkled self. However, one of my co-workers reported back that her “11’s” (the wrinkles between her eyes) were still missing by dinnertime! According to the directions, you can apply as often as needed throughout the day. The good news is that if you have a special event this would be perfect! Imagine being the flawless Mother of the Bride, a smooth talking (and looking) speaker at a function, the youngest looking one at the Christmas Ball, or just when you want to be a Hot Mama on a dinner date with your man. A .78 fl. oz. tube is $59.

Bottom Line: Works like a magic eraser for your wrinkles; great for that special occasion you want to look mahhhvelous for! Do remember though that YMMV (your mileage may vary), but definitely worth a try.

Available at: the Strivectin website, Skinstore.com, Sephora.com, Drugstore.com among others

This product was given to me by a friend