Cortney Loves (March 2013 Favorites)

April 15, 2013 By Leave a Comment

I was sitting around the other day sifting through some of my Beauty Videos and I realized it had been FOREVER since I did a monthly favorites video/ post. What better way to celebrate the middle of April than with a post of my March 2013 favorites???

Please be sure to comment if you have used any of these items.  Some of them are things I really WISH I had ;P    so comment if I am just wasting my time or if I absolutely need them.

Buxom full bodied Lipstick

Buxom Full Bodied Lipstick in Provocateur (Full Red). This shade looks so pretty and i am back in my Red Lipstick phase. I have used Buxom lip glosses before, but never their lipstick. Really want to try this.

Blue Plasma Dr PerriconeDr. Perricone Blue Plasma peel. The description says that it smoothes, hydrates, and attacks only dead skin cells. Fine for sensitive skin leaving no redness or irritation. This sounds great and looks pretty too.

BAg

I adore everything about this bag. It is a nice size to fit everything you need and i’m crazy for just about anything floral print. :D

VASE

I want this Hanging Ball Glass Vase! It is so whimsical and lovely… I wonder if they can make multiple sizes… A backyard full of these would be magical :D

Comment and let me know your favorites for the month!!

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MAC introduces: Archie’s Girls

February 6, 2013 By Leave a Comment

Archie’s Girls is the newest release at MAC cosmetics. I have to say I am really impressed with the selection and can’t wait to test out some swatches for you guys.

If I was to choose one word to describe MAC, it would have to be Creative. I honestly love the collections they come out with and there is always something for everyone.

ALLmac-archie-collection_480_740_s_c1[ RELATED: Top 5 Lipstick Shades 4 Spring ]

The rivalry continues between Betty and Veronica. I personally love both sets. Betty has more options for a day time look. Think Pastel Pink and Coral.  If you’re looking for a darker- more evening look, I would go with Veronica. But of course, you’re free to mix and match :)

[ "Like" CBC on Facebook ]

2ArchiesGirls-Veronica-LineUp-300-1024x791As you can see, Archie’s Girls is super cute. If you know someone from that era, this would make a great Valentine’s Day Gift filled with nostalgia.

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Makeup Love, Personal Update & The New Blog

January 15, 2013 By 2 Comments

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I’m not totally sure where to begin this post. Things have been hectic (as always) but i’ m feeling so good about 2013. I’ve been waiting a while for this year to come around. I won’t go into great detail about that, as I plan on posting more about it on the new blog: www.CortneySalerno.com.

The new blog isn’t necessarily “brand new”, but it’s been sitting idle while i’ve been brainstorming ideas. I hadn’t been completely sure what I wanted for the site specifically. Luckily i’ve got that question answered and we’re just fine tuning the design. CortneySalerno.com is going to be a database for all of my Projects & Blogs. CS.com is intended to be more “personal” and less edited. You can find out what is going on with me personally and what new venture i’m on to next.

I wanted to write an apology to those of you whom I haven’t been able to respond to as of late. I still have your comments and messages, i’ve just been stretched SO thin lately.  I will be getting back to all of you shortly though- don’t give up on me <3

Keep up with me at: facebook/cosmeticsbycortney

For those of you that follow CBC’s YouTube, stay tuned for new videos in the following weeks. I’m going to have lots of new Beauty Reviews and I think a new giveaway announcement as well ;P

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Just a Personal Note From the Author

December 9, 2012 By 3 Comments

*This was my post from last week with a few additions. Life has been crazy…. u know how that goes! :)

If you’ve read any of my recent articles then you’ve probably seen my promises to post personal updates  here on Cosmetics By Cortney. I don’t usually like to make my life the main focus of my  beauty blog, but a post here and there couldn’t hurt. This might end up being a little long winded, so feel free to skip it if you wish- no offense taken! :)

I wanted to start off by thanking each and every one of you that stops by my blog. Whether you’ve been here once and read one review  or you stop by every day to check and see what’s new. I honestly appreciate all of you.

Right now i’m going through a lot of transitions and working to balance life and work. The same thing I imagine everyone else is trying to do. I had a fantastic Thanksgiving, more than I could have hoped for. One of my sisters flew here to visit and we had a great time catching up. Like most people we cooked (and consumed) way too much food. Good times as always. I hope you all had as great of a Thanksgiving as I did.

I was unfortunate enough to catch the flu this last Thursday, which was a major bummer. I had to miss work on Friday and I could barely walk on my own until Saturday due to my body aches. The sore throat and headaches were total torture and i’m still not completely over it! This was a good lesson for me though. I’m always running around trying to carry more than I should hold. This makeup-free weekend of relaxing and just trying to feel better has given me plenty of time to reflect on things. I’ve really gotta make more time for myself. I’m always telling everyone else to do it and I do TRY, but I seem to get side tracked somehow. Even the little things I used to do for myself have fallen to the wayside lately. Any tips are much appreciated on this matter!

On a brighter note, i’ ve been catching up on old episodes of one of my all-time-favorite t.v. shows: Frasier. I know this humor isn’t for everyone, but I find it hilarious! It never fails to make me smile. I’m smiling just thinking about it. Haha

The weather has been grey and cast over here in L.A. I couldn’t be happier! I have that reverse weather thing where i’ m cranky and unhappy on sunny days. Bummer for someone who lives in Los Angeles!

I guess that about raps up my update. If you want to see more of these, please comment or message me and let me know. XOXO

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Things I Love Thursdays

November 15, 2012 By 1 Comment

 Along with the recent changes i’m working on for the new blog design, i’ve been working out a more regular schedule here at CBC. For starters, i’m a really big fan of “Things I Love Thursdays”, so I decided there was no reason not to share MY loves on Thursdays too!

I really love Tulips. I know they don’t last as long as many other flowers and I also know they are much simpler looking; but in a way I think that is part of their beauty. (Source?)

Mermaids are my absolute favorite. Her fin is so soft, it reminds me of Chiffon…. here 

This pretty much sums up how I feel when looking at math problems.

I just….. LOVE this.

 

I wish I could teleport here every time I had a stressful thought.

Other Loves:

There are many ways you can help the victims of Hurricane Sandy. One of which is through the Red Cross foundation. Anything and everything helps.

If it was in my budget right now, I would definitely buy This Cinderella Eye Shadow Palette.

Quite possibly one of the happiest displays i’ve ever seen. 

 

 

 

 

 

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To Shave, or Not to Shave. That IS the question.

November 14, 2012 By Leave a Comment

 

If I’m being honest, the debate over facial hair has been going on for like… ever.

I imagine having a beard or a goatee can bring a sense of comfort and maybe even confidence. Similar to the feeling many people have when wearing sunglasses.

You might be on the fence about whether or not you should sport some hair on your face. The truth is, this all comes down to personal preference and functionality. Below I’ve provided some insight that might help you answer the big question.

Is it Functional? Let’s face it, if it’s 100 degrees outside in the middle of July, do you really want to mess with an itchy sweaty beard? That doesn’t sound very fun to me. Which brings me to my next point:

[  RELATED: 5 Reasons Men Practice Good Skincare  ]

Is it the Season? It turns out- you CAN have the best of both worlds. One of my favorite teachers in High School used to keep a beard for half the year. You can always wear a beard/ goatee for the chilly Winter months and keep a clean shave for the warmer ones.

Does it Work for Your Better Half? Some women are crazy for a goatee or full on beard; but does your girl feel that way? Or does the woman you’re seeking feel that way? Now let me be clear, I am not saying you should base your appearance preferences solely on what your girlfriend likes. I’m merely making the point that many men like to take that into account… Especially if you want to avoid giving her beard burn after a smooch.

[ Shaving Cream Substitutes you Already Own ]

Is it Appropriate? There are some scenarios in which you just can’t have facial hair. Maybe your job doesn’t allow it, or you have a function to attend in which part of the dress code is to be clean shaven. In this case, the decision is made for you.

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Tattoo Tuesday

November 13, 2012 By 3 Comments

Yep, you read the title right. Tattoo Tuesday is the newest installment here at Cosmetics By Cortney. I’m so excited to have this new addition to the blog. I know many people have mixed feelings on the subject of tattoos but I for one love them and hope to get one someday soon.

At first I was worried you all might think that a post about tattoos didn’t fit the overall theme of my site; BUT I decided there was no reason I couldn’t do a tribute to body art here. Tattoos definitely fall under the category of cosmetics!

*Remember, just because you don’t want a tattoo, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy other people’s body art ;)

Love this idea. Perfect for a musician

I am a long time obsessed fan of Vintage Pyrex and I have serious respect for this tattoo :D

This is amazing. The colors are so beautiful and I love the birds on the left shoulder also.

Such a cute idea! Minnesota pride tattoo. Perfect for your home state or zodiac sign.

Hopeless Romantic. I think this is so adorable. 

Please be sure to comment and tell me what you think of this new installment to the CBC! Also, if you comment about the tattoos posted, please be respectful. It’s okay to be honest here, but blatantly hateful comments will be deleted.

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5 Shaving Cream Substitutes (that you already own)

November 12, 2012 By 1 Comment

Don’t panic if you wake up Monday morning and realize you are completely out of shaving cream. There are plenty of products you can use in place of shaving cream.

These Substitutes will work for the ladies and the gentlemen! Beware though, you might just decide to switch out your regular shaving cream for these products instead ;P

I have heard wonders about using Olive Oil for a shaving oil.  This cooking ingredient leaves your skin feeling silky and soft. I would definitely use a generous amount to avoid razor burn and test this on a small patch of skin first.

Your Hair Conditioner can work as an excellent shaving cream stand in. I absolutely love to use it on my legs and recently my boyfriend even used it to shave his face. He said it worked really well.

Shampoo: Although I would definitely go for the Conditioner before the shampoo, this will do the job too. It will foam up much more than the conditioner but I would rather trade for the silky feeling afterward.

[ RELATED: DIY Moisturizing Hair Treatment ]

Baby Oil: I’ve heard this works better on your face than the Olive Oil. I can’t verify that, but either oil will work. I know this leaves a lovely shine and silky feel on the legs though! ;)

Lotion: This product has almost the exact same properties as any shaving cream. I will advise you though, be careful not to get any cuts or nicks when shaving with lotion. It might burn a bit.

Please be sure to comment and let me know if you had any additions to this list!

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Quick Natural Pore Treatments (Found in Your Fridge!)

November 12, 2012 By 1 Comment

Happy Monday! :)

Last week when I posted the DIY Peel-Off Mask recipe, I decided I also wanted to share a few easy at-home natural toner/ astringents you can get right in your own grocery store.

Many of my Fruit Facials already have ingredients that work to tighten your pores and absorb the oils on your face. BUT, sometimes we don’t always have the time to do a full facial/ skincare treatment. Don’t worry though, there are a few different options you can use for a quick natural pore treatment.

[ RELATED: 5 Steps to Cure Oily Skin ]

Tomato:

This wonderful fruit contains Lycopene, one of the most powerful natural antioxidants, and has been known to protect the skin from UV rays. Added bonus: Researchers have found that Tomato also helps keep your skin looking youthful!

How-To:

1) Find the reddest tomato you can (but any tomato you have will work)

2) Slice the tomato in half (or if you have plans for the tomato later, then you can just take off a quarter of the tomato)

3) Place the rest of the tomato in the fridge. We are done with that part of the Tomato.

4) Take the piece of tomato that you cut off and gently rub this across the skin on your face & neck- focusing on “problem” areas. You only need to leave the juice of the tomato on your face for a few minutes.

5) Gently rinse your face off with lukewarm water, pat dry and apply your moisturizer of choice.

Lemon:

This fruit is great for so many things. Everything from cleaning counters to jazzing up your beverage. Best of all, it does wonders for your skin ;)

How-to:

1) Cut a slice out of your Lemon

2) Place the rest of your lemon in the fridge

3) Take your slice and gently rub it against your face and neck- Focusing on “problem” areas. Just like with the tomato, you will only need to leave the juice on your skin for a few minutes.

4) Gently rinse your face off with lukewarm water, pat dry and apply your moisturizer of choice.

*Note: It is normal to feel a tingly sensation on your skin when using either of these fruits. Please test each one on a small patch of your skin first. Be sure to rinse off if you notice redness or if the tingle becomes uncomfortable.

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What To Do if Your Boyfriend “Hates” When You Wear Makeup

November 6, 2012 By Leave a Comment


I know this is a common problem for many women. There are quite a few guys out there that say they “hate” makeup… Whether they have some notion that women who wear makeup are fake, or that only unattractive women wear makeup.. I have pretty much heard it all.

First of all, it’s your face and your wallet- so if you wanna wear makeup that is your choice. Obviously it wouldn’t be right for you to have to change your appearance just because of your BF’s preferences. With that being said, there are a few things you can do to get your boyfriend to be a little more makeup friendly and ease up on the comments about your makeup.

1) When he asks you something along the lines of “Why do you wear makeup” you can simply let him know that you enjoy the application process (much like an artist enjoys painting) and express your love for colors and texture. (It wouldn’t hurt to make a comparison to something similar that he likes- perhaps the rims on his car?)

2) If your boyfriend makes false accusations such as: “Fake Girls Wear Makeup” or “You Only Wear It Because you Feel Unattractive” I would go ahead and point out that you DO wear makeup, and ask him if he thinks you’re fake. (I’m not promoting World War 3 here, but I mean- come on!)

3) If your boyfriend sincerely prefers your face without makeup and requests it, maybe you could find some common ground and have an “All Natural” date day. This is similar to when women ask men to shave (or not, in some cases). Maybe he’s trying to play out a fantasy in his head. He can be Tarzan- you can be Jane :)

[ Related: How to Tell Your Skin Type ]

4) There are also the men that claim “They’ve never liked women who wear makeup” (Yeah, right). In this instance I would remind him how fond he is of you, and that you DO wear makeup. Next,  this is your opportunity to Google some images of his favorite female celebrities and point out exactly how much makeup they are wearing.

Although many men don’t understand what wearing makeup is actually about, most will see your side of things if you explain it correctly to them. This typically means being very logical or trying your best to speak their language.

Feel Free To Comment With any Tips of Your Own!

*Note: If you’re dating someone who causes you to have low self esteem or who is making rude remarks about your appearance, you need to shop around for a new man. We’re all beautiful. with or without makeup.

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