@LOrealParisUSA Visible Lift Blur Foundation #VLBlurfection #BBloggers via @SheSpeaksUp

About: 

L'Oréal Paris Visible Lift Blur Foundation contains SPF 18 and is available in 12 shades, the first makeup with exclusive blur technology formulated to instantly blur lines and wrinkles!

Apply:

Apply with a Foundation brush or Fingertips blending in an outward motion. You can go a bit thicker on your problems areas for extra coverage.

Actress Andie MacDowell wears L'Oréal Paris Visible Lift Blur Foundation

Pros:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - As a Latina I tend to have trouble finding a good Foundation Match for my skin. They may look fine under indoor lighting but the moment I step out into the sun they give me a garish Yellow Hue that I usually HATE. When I visit 'pro' counters they tend to just go darker which I also dislike. So when I'm asked to test a foundation I'm usually most nervous about whether or not I'll even find a good color match. Visible Lift Blur comes in 18 shades and I asked for 205 Natural Buff and it's an EXCELLENT color match for my evenly mixed Golden Hued Skin that does have slight touches of pink to it. So for that alone it's Aces in my book!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - This wins as a summer time foundation as it's very lightweight and in the summer who wants pancake makeup?

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Helps to hide dark spots, large pores and smooth uneven texture for a flawless finish

Cons:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I have acne prone skin and a ton of old Acne Scars and this did not give me much coverage for my old scars. In all fairness when I test a foundation I do NOT use concealer to see how much coverage I am actually getting from the Foundation as a standalone product.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - I do have large pores on my nose and didn't feel this gave me the amount of coverage I thought it would.

My Take:

If this had been marketed as a Tinted Moisturizer I would have said total 'rave', it's a perfect color match that blends in to my skin and doesn't stand out in anyway which is GREAT, but the coverage is minimal to non-existent for me. I am aware that my acne scarring requires good concealer and with concealer this works very well for me, but on it's own it's not a very good coverage for me as a foundation. 

I actually love my L'Oréal Paris tinted Mouisturizer and wish they had marketed this the same way. It's a great bargain price point for a Foundation and is great for summer, not hard to find a color match, and it feels so nice and light weight upon application and it also really let's the skin breath so it's a plus for summer.

If you have a bit less to cover than I do this would be perfect for you and at a $14.99 retail price point for 1.4 fl oz at mass food and drug retailers it's a total steal!

Butterfly what is your favorite Foundation?

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FTC Disclosure: This is a sponsored post by L'Oréal Paris in conjunction with SheSpeaks. As always, all opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

{#Photos} Inside peek of the @cosmoforlatinas #CFLFunFearless 2014 Awards + @COVERGIRL #instaGLAM Collection!

Ascending Butterfly is a community all about empowerment and when you get the chance to attend an event that celebrates those who to go battle for causes they believe in, you just have to jump on it! Cosmopolitan For Latinas recently hosted their Fun Fearless Latina 2014 Awards where 12 Latinas from pop music to politics were honored.

There were headline makers and industry shakers who all came together for an incredibly inspiring evening. One of the title sponsors was COVERGIRL Cosmetics who featured their latest Katy Perry's instaGLAM Collection.

I had a chance to join the Press Line as everyone entered and here is a mix of some of my own shots, interspersed with some shots from the Pro Photog as I couldn't capture everyone on the 'receiving line':

Singer Becky G at Cosmopolitan for Latinas Fun Fearless Awards 2014 in New York City

Isn't that a great lip color? 

Singer Becky G at Cosmopolitan for Latinas Fun Fearless Awards 2014 in New York City being interviewed by Nuevo Dia!

Becky G definitely has a big personality! She performed live during the awards,here is some video of her performance:

Singer Becky G walks the red carpet at Cosmopolitan for Latinas Fun Fearless Awards 2014 in New York City

Here is a Pro Photog shot (mine are pretty comparable right?)

Singer Becky G blows kisses on the red carpet at Cosmopolitan for Latinas Fun Fearless Awards 2014 in New York City

Below: I was lucky enough to nab a shot with Becky!

I was lucky enough to nab a shot with Becky G! Cool Right?

Blogger Perez Hilton gets interviewed on the red carpet at Cosmopolitan for Latinas Fun Fearless Awards 2014 in New York City

Since I was at a weird angle, I thought I should include a 'Pro Shot':

I know with Perez people either love him or hate him, but either way I think we can all agree he definitely brought the business of blogging into the limelight, and he is now an anti-bullying advocate who can next be seen on the new reality series Gay Dads of New York.

DJ Amanda Blaze - Cosmopolitan for Latinas Fun Fearless Awards 2014 in New York City

With my online nickname being the #TheOfficialTwitterPartyDJ I make it a point to snap shots of DJ's at every event I attend!

DJ Amanda Blaze spins at Cosmopolitan for Latinas Fun Fearless Awards 2014 in New York City

I'm glad I got to take a shot 'in action' but she was also nice enough to look up and strike a pose too!

COVERGIRL new #instaGLAM Cosmetics Collection on display at Cosmopolitan for Latinas Fun Fearless Awards 2014 in New York City

COVERGIRL new #instaGLAM Cosmetics Collection on display at Cosmopolitan for Latinas Fun Fearless Awards 2014 in New York City

These nail colors for summer are just EVERYTHING!

Actress/Songstress Thalia at Cosmopolitan for Latinas Fun Fearless Awards 2014 in New York City

I was lucky enough to nab a photo with Thalia! (One of my favorite Thalia songs is called 'Piel Morena')

Ascending Butterfly meets Actress/Songstress Thalia Cosmopolitan for Latinas Fun Fearless Awards 2014 in New York City

Actress/Songstress Thalia at Cosmopolitan for Latinas Fun Fearless Awards 2014 in New York City

One of the featured Honorees was Demi Lovato, who celebrated her birthday last August in Kenya for the Free the Children Charity and has overcome bulimia, drug abuse and self-mutilation.

Singer Demi Lovato walks the red carpet at Cosmopolitan for Latinas Fun Fearless Awards 2014 in New York City

I have to say I am super proud to see how far she's come, it was very inspiring to hear her acceptance speech!

Singer Demi Lovato accepts a Cosmopolitan for Latinas Fun Fearless Award in New York City

As a foodie I of course was super excited to see Chef Lorena Garcia, I nabbed a shot of her accepting her award below:

Chef Lorena Garcia accepts a Cosmopolitan for Latinas Fun Fearless Award in New York City

There were honorees at each of the tables, and I had the pleasure of sharing my table with Honoree Melina Garcia, Founder of Union City Music Project, I got to snap a shot of her accepting her award below:

Melina Garcia, Founder of Union City Music Project accepts a Cosmopolitan for Latinas Fun Fearless Award in New York City

MY TAKE:

I am so happy that a magazine like Cosmopolitan for Latinas is out there, and that they are honoring the Latinas (and Latinos!) that are working zealously to create waves of change for generations to come! There are more photos we didn't have room for, so please visit Ascending Butterfly via our Pinterest Page for more photos! (Any bloggers in attendance who asked me to grab shots of them, you will find those pictures there.) - The Board is named solely by the hashtag #CFLFunFearless and my link takes you straight there.

Butterflies who do you think Cosmopolitan for Latinas should nominate in 2015? (How about The Official Twitter Party DJ for making waves on Twitter? LOL)

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FTC Disclosure: This is not a paid insertion. This is a non-compensated post and all opinions are expressly my own experiences. I was provided Digital Access to the Red Carpet and did receive a Swag Bag which in no way influenced my opinion. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may visit our full giveaway and disclosure page for complete policy information. This post contains affiliate links.

A @DrMayaAngelou inspired #MotivationMonday

"We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty" ~Maya Angelou

I was born on April 4th just like Maya Angelou and hers is one of my absolute favorite butterfly quotes. Many of my butterflies noticed I changed my personal Twitter Account to the image above and I thought it would make the perfect Motivation Monday this week. And a special thanks to all the butterflies out there who email me quotes, pictures and poems they find about Butterflies, I cherish them all!

Being a butterfly is about transformation and change, but often we neglect to reflect upon the changes that get us to where we are and who we are at this very moment.

It's OK to be in transition right now butterflies. I know some of you don't feel like you are in the place you belong, or the skin you feel comfortable in, but I can promise you that it's all for a reason. These shifts, transitions and sometimes setbacks and detours are all an important parts of the process.

This Ascending Butterfly definitely mourns the loss of Maya Angelou, but I know her words are a legacy that will plant a seed of greatness in generations to come.

I hope these words will serve as a reminder to be kinder to those around you - we are all in different stages of our transitions butterflies - let's show more empathy to both our fellow caterpillars and butterflies today!

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FTC Dislcosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post.

{#WordlessWednesday} #Flowers in Bloom! {#Photo}

Happy Wordless Wednesday Butterflies! Feel free to link us to your WW post, by posting the link as a comment here, WW only, no giveaways please!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a Sponsored Post. However any Photography company or brands interested in partnering with us to host a Photo-Centric Wordless Wednesday, please contact our editor! DSLR's welcome!

My summer skin smoother pick for face (and hands!)? @beautisol Ctirus #FaceExfoliant #bbloggers

#ad: While this is NOT a compensated post, Ascending Butterfly was provided with a product sample for editorial consideration via iFabbo Shop. All opinions are my own:

It is no secret by now to long time readers that I am an Exfoliant Junkie and I'm always up to testing a new scrub (both body and face!) and I may have found a summer perfect pick! I'm testing out beautisol's Exscrub Me? Citrus Face Exfoliant which is safe for All Skin Types and Paraben-free.

About Exscrub Me? Citrus Face Exfoliant:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Exfoliates and cleanses the face (the company also makes self-tanners, so this product was intended to be used to prep the skin for the application of self-tanner, but you can of course use this on it's own even if you don't self-tan)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Contains fine Jojoba beads to remove dead skin cells

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Infused with certified organic orange peel, lemon and grapefruit extracts

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Paraben-free, no propylene glycol, sodium laurel sulfate free, and cruelty free (PETA certified)

My Take:

I love this one for summer as that burst of citrus zing is a great scent during summer months. (I would use it in winter also, but it depends on how you feel about Citrus scents I guess.) This one will surprise you, it doesn't actually feel 'gentle', don't get me wrong, it's not super rough and won't irritate sensitive skin, but you do literally feel it working. It's not one of those 'so soft' exfoliants you wonder if it's actually sloughing off the dead skin, you can feel it but it does not strip or over dry your skin, it leaves your skin feeling soft and smooth and a little went a long way, I was actually able to do my face, neck and hands with a very small amount. Oddly enough I was actually immediately impressed more with the noticeable difference on my hands (so I guess I have been neglecting them lately)! As a result, I would just as easily recommend it for your hands as I do for face.

I for one find my face gets oilier in summer and to keep the skin looking renewed and bright I like to exfoliate as often as my skin will allow. I sweat more in summer so I tend to go lighter on foundation (if I wear it at all, usually I will just do a tinted moisturizer or BB/CC Cream instead), and I try to exfoliate to keep my pores happy.

It promises to make your skin feel as soft as a baby's caboose and warns you that it will scrub years off your face so to keep your ID handy! Exscrub Me is a good price point ($17 directly on beautisol's website) and a little goes a long way, if you take a moment to open your pores, either with a warm towel on your face before you apply or a bit of steam from the sink with a towel over your head you will find this even more effective on your skin. I would actually wait a bit after before applying anything over it whether you use it in the morning or at night. With some scrubs I would find my skin feeling too tight afterwards so I would want to apply either serum or moisturizer right away, but with this one, I don't get that tight skin feeling, just smooth and clean!

DISCOUNT ALERT:

Enter the code BOGO2014 to buy one get one free through June 31, 2014

What is your go-to skin Exfoliator Butterflies?

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FTC Disclosure: I am a member of the iFabbo Shop Network. This is NOT a compensated post, I was provided product for editorial consideration. This is NOT a sponsored post and all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.

Mother's Day Gift Buying Reco: FAB FIT FUN @FabFitFun SPRING 2014 BOX! #FFFVIP

#ad: A FabFitFun Box was provided for Editorial Consideration. I am a member of the #FFFVIP program.

I am a FabFitFun VIP Member and recently received their Spring 2014 Box. Here is a review on the last box I received.  I had the chance to attend a live tweet up last year with Giuliana Rancic and co-host a twitter party in conjunction with the P&G #GIVEHope 'Do it for the Girls' campaign. If you missed that post, you can check it out HERE.

Meeting Giuliana in person and hearing her story inspired me because there is a history of Cancer in my family, to get my first ever Mammogram early. Cancer does NOT discriminate and youth is not a shield against it!

Giuliana developed a subscription box service called FabFitFun where she curates a collection of great products spanning beauty, wellness, health, fitness and fashion to help you feel good from the inside out (which of course is very much our motto here at Ascending Butterfly!).

Out of ideas on what to get mom this year? How about a FabFitFun Box Subscription? It's a gift that will let her know you are thinking of her YEAR ROUND, not just one day of the year. And the box spans such a wide product range it will help her find new favorites!

"It's the perfect way to kickstart your happy and get more from life every day!"

Here is a picture of the Spring 2014 Box which I recieved below:

Spring 2014 FabFitFun Box - I propped it up on my bed in front of my pillows so I could feel like it was a welcome basket from a Spa!

What is in the box? Glad You Asked:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Kai Perfume Oil - ARV $48 - I reviewed the Body Butter from Kai back in 2010, which you can check out HERE - just remember the giveaway component to that post is closed off to any new entries or comments!) I love Kai products so I am super stoked to have the perfume oil (perfect size for travel!)

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Cover | FX SPF 30 Protection Primer - ARV $38 - I love priming my skin especially before using a powder/mineral foundation.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Mini Stability Ball and Breathing & Muscular Release DVD System - ARV $28.94 - This is going to really help me kickstart my Spring Fitness Routines, I was super excited to find this one in my FabFitFun Box!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Dermasuri Deep Exfoliating Mitt - ARV $19.99 - This is actually a body scrub AND body treatment. The unique fabric sloughs off dead skin cells, making the skin surface ready for even tanning as well as self-tanning products, improves circulation, stimulates collagen production which fights aging skin appearance and it also evens skin tone to prevent dullness. (Also gentle enough to use post sunburn to slough off the peeling skin!) I am BIG on body exfoliation followed by a body oil when my skin is still warm and then a body butter later in the evening. I have to admit I am a bit obsessed with this mitt!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Cult Gaia Turband - ARV $48 - I have honestly never worn a Turban, so we'll see how this works out but mine has a 'cherries' pattern on it, I'm more of an animal print person myself (I think the 'Ally' would have been more me or butterflies of course, but I don't see anything with Butterflies on them) - These are lined with wire so they are bendable and totally adjustable! And I love that they are HANDMADE in Los Angeles.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Oscar Blandi Pronto Dry Shampoo Invisible Spray - ARV $25 - Nothing extends the life of a quality blow-out better than a good Dry Shampoo. I was a bit of a late comer to this trend, but I am finally getting what all the buzz is about. Particularly as my hair is super long right now, so when I get a blow out done I love having a way to extend the life of it. This one sprays clear, removes excess oil and product build-up, boosts volume and has gentle starches and Vitamin E and Wheat Proteins which strengthen and protect the hair. It uses Lemon Verbena to provide a fresh, clean fragrance.

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Level Naturals Shower Bombs - ARV $7.99, Four Pack - Think of these as a Bath Bomb's kid sister. You drop one of these at the bottom of the shower near your feet under direct water away from the drain and allow the Organic Menthol and Eucalyptus to clear your mind, while the Tea Tree essential oils help your tired feet at the same time! It's a quick Aromatherapy Home Spa Session!

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - The Better Chip Spinach and Kale with Sea Salt - ARV $1.99 - These are great to have in the pantry to help conquer those 'savory' cravings with something that offers the same bold flavor with a lot less fat!

My Take:

The best things about a subscription box is discovering a great new product, or a brand that is new to you. And what is better than finding a product new to you from a brand you already love?

What mom wouldn't love to know you are thinking about them year round?

I would definitely suggest this box subscription as a gift for Mom or for anyone really! (And why not pick up one for yourself while you are at it?)

It's actually difficult to pick a favorite this time around, but I have always wanted a stability ball and I keep saying I'm going to pick one up and forget, so I'm really excited to finally have one and try to incorporate it into my fitness plan to gear up for summer! I have already got the perfect new swimsuit (more details on that soon I promise), so I need to get it in gear before I hit the beaches this summer!

I provided URL's to all the brands above in the list of contents so you could get social with them as well, but don't forget to get social with FabFitFun too!

Get Social with FabFitFun:

Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - 'Like' FabFitFun on Facebook
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Follow @FabFitFun on Twitter
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Pin with FabFitFun on Pinterest
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Subscribe on YouTube
Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ - Hang out with FabFitFun on Tumblr

I'm definitely looking forward to trying out my next box (I hear the summer box is going to be pretty awesome too! and if you follow them on facebook you'll get some spoilers!), and this would definitely be a thoughtful gift for someone you know who is in the hospital or home getting treatments, I know this would have put a smile on my face while I was in the hospital during most of 2012 that's for sure. (And remember some floors do not allow patients to have flowers and some patients also have food restrictions, but usually beauty products are not banned, just call ahead to be sure).





Coupon Code: Save $5 until July 15th by using the code SUMMER5

Which of these products would you most like to try? Which is your favorite subscription Beauty Box Service and why?

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FTC Disclosure: I received a FabFitFun Spring 2014 Subscription Box for Editorial Consideration, however all opinions are 100% my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may visit our full giveaway and disclosure page for complete policy information. This post contains affiliate links.

{Recap} @ElementsShow NYC - Brand Highlights - It's #Beauty, #Makeup, #Perfume #Nails #Cosmetics GALORE!

Elements Showcase is the definitive marketplace for established and emerging visionaries in the world of Beauty and Fragrance Design. They are the most innovative curated fragrance tradeshow in the industry, linking the best in fragrance and apothecary with top tier press and buyers from boutiques, major retailers and key independent storefronts. The aesthethic of Elements Showcase is unlike any other tradeshow, featuring an open floor plan, special projects, and intriguing art installations at an incredible location in the heart of New York City.

And while it's meant for Press to experience it across multiple days, I can normally only attend one day (more like a few hours of that day too boot), so I have to maximize my time, sit down with a list of exhibitors and figure out my plan of attack very early on.

Here are the amazing products and brands I met with during Elements Showcase in mostly alphabetical order:

Adornia Jewelry

I loved their creative display and had to stop and take a few extra pictures to get better close up details:

Adornia Jewelry

Adornia Jewelry

Ulrich Lang New York presented his fifth fragrance, Aperture

“Introspective and intoxicating Aperture Ulrich Lang New York is a wood-spicy fragrance for the new age,” 

Introspective and heady is the best way to describe Ulrich Lang's Fifth Fragrance, Aperture, it's a bit woody/spicy with top notes of pink, black and white pepper, Mid Notes of Tobacco, Jasmin, Cedarwood a hint of Muguet (another name for day lily - nothing to do with Lord of the Rings I promise) and Dry Notes of Musk, Vevier, Ambergris, Animalic Notes and Amber.

Arts&Scents - as the packaging indicates, these are young, fresh and different perfumes.

I can never have too many make up brushes!

Unhinged by Bliss Lau

Unhinged Jewelry Creative Directed by Bliss Lau

Calming Park Candles come in scents including: Fig-Bamboo, Sequoia, Cashmere (which includes precious balms like incense and myrrh making it my personal favorite), cactus and spa de provence.

As you can see there is also a CD! The CD shown above is Calming Park No 7, and you can hit HERE for the full Track Listing.

Common Good featured at Elements Showcase in New York City, February 2014

Common Good Products are safe to use around kids and pets! I would definitely love to test all of these as I am asthmatic and do have allergies!

Condense Paris by Nathalie Lamande offers a wide range of Natural Skin Care Products!

The range is structured by skin type so you can get  truly targeted care that fits your unique skin and skincare needs.

Detaille 1905 Paris offers Skin Care, Perfumes, Essentials Oils, Powders, Room Fragrances and you can order samples sizes to try them all out before you commit to a full size product purchase!

Dude Wipes - who feels if you are still wiping with just toilet paper, you're a chump and your ass hates you for it. Any red-blooded American knows Dude Wipes are something you never leave the crib without. (They are *Also sweet for your face, hands, pits, and of course dude regions.) And for those of you who need some grooming aids for areas up North (C'mon folks I mean your HAIR) try HairBond haircare products.

With makeup only tested on SuperModels, Ellis Faas offers a wide range of lips, eyes, skin, and one of the most unique holders I've seen to house your skincare treasure trove . The Ellis Holder and Ellis Clips make your makeup arsenal something to akin to a bullet! Stylish with a dash of Urban Cool!

OK so my hand played supermodel for a day testing out some of Ellis Faas range of colors, I really liked this one!

I love when approaching an exhibitor booth gives you a sense of anticipation!

Sydney floral designer Saskia Havekes presented the Fragrances inspired by Magnolia and using the same name as her floral design business, Grandiflora. Two visions of Magnolia were created, Magnolia Grandiflora Michel and Magnolia Grandiflora Sandrine. A third Grandiflora fragrance will be based on Madagascan Jasmine and will be called Stephanotis Floribunda. I'm going to link you guys directly to the Stockists page on their site so you'll know exactly where to buy it.

The Trade Show was sectioned by 'Elements' and as you can see ILLUMINUM was in the Gold Elements area of the showcase.

Scent Testing area, it is super hard to pick a favorite!

I will say that I have worn the scent 'Bergamot Blossom' most often this spring and do not fail to receive various compliments when I am wearing it! Its notes include: Bergamot Calabria, Neroli Tunisia, Pimento Berry, Black Pepper and Thyme at it's heart and base notes of Labdanum, Musk and Oak Moss. Other standouts were Rajamusk, Arabian Amber, and of course Piper Leather (very masculine, but I tend to find 'leather' scents appealing).

Eco Beauty Brand Indie Lee was in the Mercury Section of the Showcase!

I would love to try the Clear Complexion Kit as I hear such wonderful things about the Squalane Facial Oil that is included in that kit!

Isabelle Ariana Parfums Paris display at Elements Showcase. Their range includes: Magic Amber, Mystic Wood, Rose Sultance, Ombre Sublime, Ombre Coquine, Reine de Saba and Oriental Blossom.

I would definitely love to try the full sizes as it's hard to gauge on the test strips how it will smell against your own body chemistry.

We were happy to see Joya return, as we had featured them the last time they did Elements Showcase in New York City, in case you missed our original feature on them, press HERE

Couldn't resist getting a closeup of this candle in honor of the Famous Katz's Delicatessen, a NYC institution since 1888, 3 generations in my family got to enjoy their corned beef sandwiches that's for sure!

Kjaer Weis Eco Make Up was also on display at Elements Showcase in New York, their website is currently under construction, in the meantime you can connect to them via Facebook intead.

k/ller collection was back again. Last time we featured their Brass Engraved Nail Shield Sets, if you missed that post, check it out here.

I love bold statement necklaces and these definitely caught my eye!

Londontown's KUR: Nail Treatment System caught my eye as all the products in the system work in unison to repair, strengthen and hydrate the nail and cuticle! I also loved their lakur: enhanced nail colors as well.

MD Solar Sciences offer a wide array of  'ProVention-R' Skin Care and MDSolarSciences Sun Care Products - offering sun damage prevention while diminishing many of the signs of photo-aging.

Meow Meow Tweet offers Vegan + Pure + Crafted by Hand small batch natural apothecary products based in Brooklyn, New York. And let's face it, anything that says 'tweet' catches my eye!

Meow Meow Tweet Tea Tree Rosemary Liquid Soap

Bellegance Perfumes premiere fragrance Midnight Promise, a beautiful Eau de Parfum, gets five out of five butterflies for both the beautiful butterfly packaging and the beauty of the scent. It's Top Notes include: Sparkling Red Mandarin and a whisper of Tangy Cinnamon, a Heart Note of Red Moroccan Rose and Base Notes of Vanilla, Amber, Incense, Fresh Vetiver, Patchouli, Sandalwood and Musk. (Which as many of you might remember, when I got the opportunity to do a 'custom scent' my notes were strikingly similar to these. I have been alternating wearing this scent and the Bergamot Blossom by ILLUMINUM referenced above and get tons of compliments on both of these!) This is a perfect gift for any butterfly lover in your life! With Mother's Day Coming Up Soon, I urge you to keep this one in mind!

MINE Luxury Nail Lacquer is handmade using the finest raw minerals in the world! Each exclusive color is richly pigmented, hand-mixed and poured into a hand-crafted Austrian crystal bottle. They are fnished with a custom brush and application requires only one coat. These are designed by a jeweler and it certainly shows! 

I got the 24K Graphite Crystal Top Manicure ($325) using the GRAPHITE & GOLD Lacquer and a Crystal Top Coat. My mani brings all the boys to the yard.....LOL (This was definitely a five out of five butterflies rating, best manicure ever! Just wish my nails were longer!)

This is literally perfect for the mom that has it all, turning her nails into 24K works of art? I would say that will definitely bump you into favorite status!

Portland General Store is an apothecary with a little something for everyone!

They have a ton of neat stuff for men and the TSA Compliant Dopp Kit on the upper right hand of the picture would make a wonderful Father's Day Gift!

Cirque Colors is a New York based beauty brand that specializes in hand-blended nail lacquers. The name 'Cirque', meaning ring or circle, represents the color wheel and endless color possibilities in the continuum. They also have a color called 'AU' made with real 23k gold leaf flake at a much more budget friendly price than MINE!

Ray Simons of Amsterdam big smile and welcoming display drew me in! RAYMAN is a 100% natural and organic Skincare line for men - Skull, Face and Shave Oil with NO chemicals, NO synthetics, only Botanicals!

I adore the packaging!

This is definitely another great choice if you are shopping for something unique for Dad for Father's Day, trust me, he'll appreciate THIS way more than a tie!

It was also nice to see Rouge Bunny Rouge Back Again, we covered them the last Elements HERE

sans[ceuticals] - New Generation Beauty presented their products for skin and hair at Elements Showcase New York City, February 2014

Suleko definitely gets my vote for most unique bottle packaging, even their website opens up to words by John Keats, and the scents are certainly as unique as their packaging. These are like mini works of art for your vanity, dresser, or night table! Enjoy!

It was great to see tenoverten back at Elements Showcase New York City, I got a really great manicure from them the last time, here is a link to my past tenoverten mani and coverage of them.

I spotted some great colors for Spring!

I was very happy to spot Thymes as I am quite familiar with their products!

Thymes Natural-Smelling Fragrances have been a long time hit with me, the only hard decision is settling on just one, and they even offer a sample kit on their website to help you do just that!

Union Fine Fragrance Collection was developed by an eclectic group of friends to offer truly British fragrances that contained ingredients sourced from the shores of the UK.

uslu airlines is a Berlin based luxury cosmetics brand, (not an airline!)

You know I can't resist a display of lipsticks! How I love my red lippies!

vbeaute is a vegan, gluten free, paraben free, fragrance free, nut and oat free line made for all skin types!

Verso Skincare offers the first non-prescription high dose Vitamin A derivative that can be used safely in the daytime.

w3ll people knows that our skin absorbs 60-80% of what we put on it, and that drives their mission to create innovative cosmetics of quality, integrity and purity to achieve not just external beauty but also healthy results on the inside!

w3ll people utilizes Organic Aloe infused makeup to help sooth, nourish, moisturize and heal the skin.

My Take:

Elements Showcase definitely delivered a great mix of brands. But I will say that Midnight Promise with that memorable and delightful scent AND in the perfect butterfly packaging and the MINE Luxury Nail Lacquer Manicure were definitely my top two highlights!

Butterflies which brand resonates most with you? Which one would you most like to try? Let them know you saw them featured on Ascending Butterfly so we can hopefully come back with something fun for YOU too!

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FTC Disclosure: This is NOT a compensated post, it is an event recap, I attended Elements as a member of the Digital Press. This is NOT a sponsored post and all opinions are 100% my own!  I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission 16 CFR, Part 255 - Guides Concerning the use of endorsements and testimonials in advertising, you may check our Giveaway and Disclosure Page for additional information regarding Ascending Butterfly Disclosure.