Handmade Love Vol. IV

Not only do I love shopping for myself (who doesn't?) on the handmade site Etsy, but I also love shopping for gifts to give friends & family. It makes gift-giving a little extra special when you give a gift that someone actually made.

Here are a few items I've been lusting over on Etsy.

All of which would make excellent gifts for a loved one or maybe you want to put it on a holiday list for yourself ;)

Pyramid Stud Earrings

$45 by TinyArmour

Aren't these earrings fabulous? I keep seeing pyramid studs everywhere and I'm really loving this trend.

Glamour Girl Lipstick Mini Cards

Need to write thanks or maybe just hello? Send a friend a glamourous pink lipstick note card. 

Set of 5: $5 by InfraredStudios

Glitter Guide Hand Painted Crystal Necklace

$40 by spikethepunch

It sparkles. It glitters. Need I say more?

Tuff Love Leather Dog Collar/Leash Set

$34.99 by thecoolpuppy

The perfect gift for the furry friend in your life. TheCoolPuppy has so many stylish collars with leather flowers, colorful hearts, and even studs! We bought the Cool Sky Blue collar for my dog (she's a black lab) last year and she looks adorable in it.

More Handmade Love/Gift Guides to come!

Previous Handmade Love posts HERE, HERE, & HERE.

P.S.- If you shop on Etsy, let me know your fave items/shops. I'd love to check them out!

Butter London: Dressing Table Worthy

I'm in love with Butter London polishes. Besides the fact that they apply so well, they are so darn pretty displayed on a side table or dresser. Which is the idea behind this holiday set.


I'm such a sucker for cute packaging and this is no exception. Look at the adorable little cardboard vanity the two colors are displayed on!





My boyfriend surprised me with the Fairy Lights & Tart with a Heart set. The other set includes Black Knight (black/pink/blue/silver in black base) in place of Fairy Lights.

♥Tart with a Heart is a glitter polish; pale pink with a hint of grey added. The glitter is small and iridescent (green, blue, purple & orange).

♥ Fairy Lights is described as a "liquid metal" rose pink.

Left to Right:

Fairy Lights with Tart with a Heart

Fairy Lights (two coats)

Tart with a Heart (two coats)

Most nail polish companies put out dark greens, glittery reds & golds for the holidays. Not that I don't love those colors, but it's nice to see a unique holiday collection from Butter London. 

Where to Buy: Ulta

Cost: $25 (normally $14 each) for 11 mL/.4 fl. oz

What nail polishes are you loving right now? 

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Amused

I learned from Tarte Cosmetic's site that their makeup is cruelty-free, they give back, and have a line of vegan products. I have no idea why I have not tried products from Tarte Cosmetics sooner. 

I've always been tempted by their lipsurgences (which remind me of cute chubby markers) and their cheek stains. For one reason or another, I always put them back or passed them up and purchased from another brand.

When Sephora had their F&F sale, I decided to take advantage of their 20% off code and try a Tarte product. I went with one of their Amazonian Clay blushes because I read so many glowing (get it?) reviews.

I chose Amused. A bright pink. 

I recommend starting with a light hand and slowly building the color because this blush has Ah-MAZ-ing pigmentation. When I first applied this blush, I didn't do this and ended up with really PINK cheeks. I had to blend and blend some more to lighten it.

Swatched heavy on left. Blended out on right.

I first wore this blush to a wedding I attended last weekend. I am impressed that this blush lasted pretty much the entire day even through dancing. Tarte advertises that the blush lasts 12 hours. I would say it lasted on me between 8-10 hours with little fading.

Tarte claims that this blush is great for all skin types:

"Oily skin: Amazonian clay minimizes oil in and around the pores to balance skin and keep product in place

Dry skin: Amazonian clay hydrates skin naturally to restore moisture so your blush wears better & longer

Dull skin: Amazonian clay improves the appearance of skin clarity and skin texture

Combination skin: Amazonian clay is completely intuitive; gives skin an overall smooth & even appearance" (taken from the Tarte website):

       

I can't attest that this blush will work for everyone. However, I do love the consistency of the powder- it's soft and blends easily.

Overview: 

I'm in love with this blush and it's awesome pigmentation and long-lasting results. I really want to get a few of the other shades, especially Flush (deep berry) which will look great for Fall/Winter. The positive experience I had with this blush will definitely have me adding more  products from Tarte to my makeup collection.

Where to Buy: Ulta, Sephora, & Tarte

Cost: $25 for 0.2 oz

Have you tried these Amazonian Clay blushes? What is your favorite Tarte product?

Benefit F&F Sale

Another one of my favorite makeup brands is having their Friends & Family Sale! 

Save 20% on Benefit Cosmetics with code LOVEYALL

at BenefitCosmetics.com

Unfortunately it does not include the holiday products. But you can get Free standard shipping automatically on orders over $50 in the US (orders over $125 internationally). 

I figured I'd write another recommendation post similar to my Urban Decay post last week in case you're looking for something to get for yourself or a gift for someone else. :)

They're Real Mascara

Regular Price: $22.00

Sale Price: $17.60 

If you love a great lengthening mascara, They're Real is the mascara you've been looking for. I usually stick to drugstore mascaras but this mascara is one high-end mascara I will likely be repurchasing. Full Review here. Want to know what the differences between They're Real & Bad Gal Lash? Click here for my comparison post.

Sugarbomb Blush

Regular Price: $28

Sale Price: $22.40

Never thought that these four colors blended together would create such a pretty blush. This blush is great for everyday. The pinky-peach color gives your cheeks a soft, natural flush of color. Full review here.

Bella Bamba Blush

Regular Price: $28.00

Sale Price: $22.40

Described as a 3D brightening powder to brighten, sculpt & define. Bella Bamba is a pretty pink color with great pigmentation. It can be built up in intensity or blended out for a softer, pretty pink glow. (Tip: A little goes a long way!) Full review/swatches here. 

Hello Flawless!

Regular price: $34.00

Sale Price: $27.20

This product is great if you don't like liquid foundation but still want coverage. This powder foundation is silky too! You can use this product in a few ways. For a sheer finish, I apply the powder with a brush. If you want a lot of coverage, I use the sponge that is included. I recommend using your own face/powder brush as the little brush that is included is scratchy and sheds like crazy. However, I did purchase this product awhile ago so maybe the brush has improved since then?

Code Expires: 11/14/11 at 11:59 pm PST.

More Details from Benefit:

Get 20% off any order, enter LOVEYALL at checkout. Offer valid only at benefitcosmetics.com. Excludes holiday products and expires 11/14/11 at 11:59pm PST. Combinable with standard shipping offers only. FREE standard shipping is automatically applied on all US orders over $50 and international orders over $125. No codes necessary. Excludes order shipping to China.

What's your favorite Benefit product? Are you going to pick up anything during the F&F sale?