Make Up Forever Fav's

Of all the products I have tested, used or made a staple, this line is now an absolute fav.
I personally use the Mat Velvet because the HD formula was a bit too greasy for me.
Love the finish it leaves on my face...smooth and perfect.
I do have the concealer palette and the HD Powder shown here as well. The lashes are really superb, and comparable to MAC's line.

l'occitane Skin Supple Oil is ahhhhhmaZING

From L'Occitane site: "Enriched with powerful almond proteins and oil and essential oils of peppermint, palmarosa and Immortelle, Supple Skin Oil works to protect the skin's support tissue and fight against loss of elasticity. Deeply nourishing formula can be used to prevent the formation of stretch marks"
EVERY time I go to the mall or Sephora who now carries L'Occitane..I make sure to visit this exact product. It is 100 times more luxurious than L'Occitane's hand cream or foot cream which I use both. The scent alone is pure luxury and makes me think of a product I may find if I went to Geneva or Switzerland and stayed at a Spa Resort there. Never have been , but if I could imagine, that would be where. I cannot wait to own my first bottle!!

Jane Iredale Amazing Base

I recently hit the timing of needing more foundation, which I prefer using powders and building. While in times of being on a budget I depend on MAC superFiX, but I was delighted to nab my favorite Jane Iredale on the net for a great deal! This powder is normally in the mid $40's and there is no local retailer I know of, so I have to pay shipping. That makes for an expensive powder that will be gone in a few months. Anyhow, I love the coverage, natural long lasting finish that this product gives. It is also paraben free and mineral based..so that is a super plus!

Coconut Oil for Skin and Hair!

In a venture of converting ever so slowly to an all natural way of living, I have recently found this to be phenomenal!
You may not be aware how all of the creams and serums etc.. put toxins and free radicals into your body. Basically, all of those ingredients you cannot pronounce and a single ingredient "paraben" are REALLY not good for you.
There is a solution, and women all over the world already know of this one, I just happened to recently catch on. I have had the thought.."where have you been all my life"!
Not only is organic Coconut Oil a superb oil to cook with, which is how I started my use with it anyhow. It is magic for your skin!! I have been using this nightly as a moisturizer and in my hair as a treatment.
Coconut oil has anti free radical properties and has left my skin feeling more like a babies butt than anything else has since I can remember.
There is ALOT online to read about regarding this...but I can say..I have been using it and i LOVE LOVE LOVE. Not only do I love the natural part of it, that I am not putting toxins in, and that it makes my skin silky smooth and retains the moisture...the price sure beats the creams I usually spend anywhere from $20-$70 for!

Vineyard Grape Lotion grabbed at Polished Nail Bar

While being treated to a wonderful manicure at "Polished" Nail Bar in Charlotte I grabbed a lotion by Vineyard in "Grape". Reminded me of the great smelling erasers, stickers etc as a girl. You 80's babies KNOW what I mean!! Every time I put this on my hands ...oh yummmyyy!!! Made me giggle too!!!
If you want to check it out and get the BEST pedicure or manicure check out one of the 3 locations in Charlotte... www.ipolished.com

Weekend FUN!

So today was my first make-up, hair & photo opp all in one. I really enjoyed it, and can't wait to do more...
Here is just a sample of what went on around here.
Brooke was great to work with and just so happens to be as big of a fan of all the cosmetics lines I rave about on Bag of Sugar!
We are makeup buddies for sure and LOVE our trips together to Ulta, Sephora and the like.
I used mainly MAC today. Other brands were, Coastal Scents, Smashbox, Makeup Forever, and Bobbi Brown.

Welcome to Bag of Sugar!!

I started this blog out of my love for everything "beauty" product. For many years now, I have built and continue to build a LARGE collection of all brands, types and forms of cosmetics and the like.
When I first started with photography, my love for it was rooted from my love for cosmetics by way of print ad etc. THAT is my favorite style of photography and would be a dream to get into.
I have plans to get to you the most up to date products, reviews and even vlogging (video blog post) on Bag of Sugar.
The name "Bag of Sugar" came out of the simple thought that so much that is loved in our own palette, as women... has sugar in it. So in the same way, I see cosmetics and all that is offered out there product wise as a literal beauty "staple" if you would....just as sugar is!
I feel for the money I have spent trying different products, I should put the info out there for you ladies so you can share the love!!

iLLimasqua UK....

I am trying to get inspiration for a photo shoot/makeup application I am doing this weekend. With having a side hobby and gig as a photographer..what started my interest was print ad. As far as cosmetic lines go with print ad..Illimasqua in the UK and one other I will post about later are very well known. I hear they are coming to Sephora in the US, but we shall see...

Ojon

Favorite Haircare Products for CuRLy HaIR

These are my TOP THREE products over the past 3 years or so, although "No Frizz" is a newbie to me within the past 6 months!

Ojon is my all time favorite! I use the shampoo, conditioner, and treatment. These products make my hair so perfect and curls so shaped, but I have to use it daily to get the full effect.
Once you are hooked, the best buy is either through Sephora who sells the liter size shampoo and conditioner's or wait for your coupons with ULta and buy the regular sized bottles.

Second would be the "No Frizz" product that I use on the weekends as a pretreatment leave in product and boy do my curls bounce!! I have fallen in love with this product, but it is kinda pricey to use daily..so I use it when I know I have plans :)

Third is Carol's Daughter "hair milk". This one is an all natural option, which I have much appreciation for. Typically a product focused more towards ethnic hair, but works for anyone really ...
I like the hair milk, purchase at Sephora for $12. So not too pricey either. I use it as a treatment as well, when I have a bad hair day and my curls seem dry, and nothing else is working.

Believe it or not my hair is more moody than I can be, and I am not a moody female! I have to almost come up with a seasonal cocktail for my hair so that it does what I want it to, and it STILL has bad days for sure!!
These products have given me the BEST results so far!!

Smashbox Flawless Face

HOW TO SAVE ON A FEW THINGS.....

I want to share a bit on how I save on many of my cosmetic purchases but not all, unfortunately.
If you have patience to wait on a monthly coupon and the know how of what you use regularly and lines Ulta carries, you can save alot. All the while, you rack up reward points that score's you some great stuff for FREE!!
Like my friend Mandy say's "free is for me"... you can check her saving's couponing bloggy here.
Anyhow, sign up for an Ulta reward's card and you will get monthly coupons for $3.50 off $10 and sometimes $5 off of $10.
because they sell drugstore and salon products, those coupons save me a few dollars when going in for a few staples, like my Johnson's baby lotion etc.
NOW, when I REALLY want to save...I wait for their periodic 20% off coupon and go in for the kill :)
No, not really, but $8 off of a $40 foundation is pretty nice to me!!
Then as you buy, you will get some really great free stuff and they have great sales too on items you would never get on sale in Target or a Walmart...you just have to keep up with them and be an avid customer..it really will PAY OFF!! I promise!!

Favorite Concealer's

These are a few of my favorite concealer's since my first experience with any of them. They all have different great features as far as use goes.

The first JANE IREDALE "circle/delete" is my daily concealer. It comes with 2 shades, one for deleting circles under your eyes, the other for any blemishes or discolorations. The texture is on the creamy side, but not as creamy as the Bobbi Brown, shown below.
The Bobbi Brown, I enjoy during the winter months as it is really creamy and gives superb coverage.
Last but not least...although in volume it is. Amazing Cosmetic's concealer. This get's 2 thumbs up to the photographer in me, as it covers EVERYTHING immaculately!!
It is pricey, but trust me when I say it only takes a sea salt speck to do both eyes!

Jane Iredale you can find to the right at Dermstore for $29
Bobbi Brown you can find at Nordstom, Belk, or online for $22-$32 depending upon if you opt for the combo cream and powder set

Amazing Cosmetics at Ulta for $42

The Weekend ULTA trip with Brooke :)

So below I have posted on a few new products and a few that I love myself on the norm. Went to our local Ulta today and had fun playing in products. I think I washed my hands 3 times from all the spray foundation, concealers, and colors. Plus my nails looked like taste the rainbow...some not so tasty :)
It is the norm in my life..and will be on this page too! Brooke took the pic's from her iphone for me since I did not have my video camera to do the video's I wanted... more to come with that too!
But, we had fun and here ya go....

New Smashbox and Essence from France= Polish for .99cent!

Well, I don't think this Smashbox Reflection deserves it's own post, so i threw it in with this fabulous new find of a .99cent polish!!
This gloss was a big tease, because initially it is smashing on, but by the time we left Ulta , 20 minutes had passed, it was not only totally absent from my lips, it had left my lips parched!
BUT ...this polish is delightful and the colors are great!! Who can beat .99 cent polish? EXCEPT...my lil link to E.L.F on the right corner of my page..where everything's a DOLLAR :)

Stila Tinted Moisturizer

I have tried ALOT of tinted moisturizer's as I opt to use these in place of heavy foundation during the warmer months of the year.
My favorite so far is the Stila and they are one of few that offer this type of product in the SPF 30 which is a major PLUS!!
MAC came out with their own the end of last year and I really enjoyed the few days worth of a sample I used..so I may change over, but for now, I am sticking with Stila. This product last me around 4 months because it doesn't take much!

Heed The Warning on the Paint & Peel

As you can see these nail polishes seem to be used more on the display to "play" than actually purchased. I tried it myself and it is a bit addictive! But, the thought of my polish coming off that easy is not such a pretty thought! I think the only peel that will come from these is a sure peel OFF of the shelves!

Inglot

ABOUT INGLOT

INGLOT Company was established over 25 years ago by Wojtek Inglot, a young chemist working at that time in R&D department in pharmaceutical company.

His principal objective was to produce high quality products at fair and reasonable prices, using only the best possible ingredients and raw materials from the most reputable suppliers.

Wojtek Inglot is still directly involved in the formulation and design process of all new Inglot products.

All Inglot cosmetics are produced within the European Union and 95% of them are manufactured in our own state of art production facilities.

We work with make-up artists and colour consultants to bring the latest trends in colour, texture and form to the market. We are constantly developing new products and have just launched the world’s first ever Breathable Nail Enamel ensuring better health care for nails whilst enhancing their beauty.

Our unique Freedom System allows customers to experiment with countless shades and colour combinations of different face products, giving them the opportunity to create their own customized colour palette.

We are present in 240 retail locations worldwide. With only one currently in the USA..NY!

Stephanie:
"One of my favorite thing's about Inglot is the freedom system stack-able magnetic palettes."

Some of My Favorite Cosmetic Books!

These are a few of my favorite reads with alot of photo tutorial's Obviously the artist themselves are the creative force behind each of these. As there are so many great artist out there which I will blog about later. These are a few of my favorites that hold a really large resume in the makeup artist field.
Sam Fine, Kevin Aucoin, and Bobbi Brown to name a few...

Pencil Me In

Pencil me In Cosmetics sells all kind of colored pencils with a built in sharpener on every cap. You can use these pencils as eyeliner AND your eyeshadow. With a really smooth stay put finish and true to color when smoothed out. I love that they are environmentally friendly too!