Happy New Year!! To start things off on just the right foot, here's a tag that no one asked me to do!! YAY!!!
Actually, I read a blog that tagged all of its readers, so there you go. I thought this would be a really fun post to do in January, since it's, more or less, a look at what products we've all used and loved (or hated) over the past year. Some of my answers surprised me, while others were no-brainers. I hope you have fun with this post, and let me know if you agree or disagree with me in the comments.
And away we go!!!
Best Packaging
M.A.C. 2004 Limited Edition 6-Eyes Crystal Palette
Obviously, I can't still use this, since the shadows are a decade old and smell apalling. Still, this is, by far, the prettiest packaging of any palette I have owned, before or since. It's a small compact, about the size of a credit card, and the thickness of an E.L.F. Custom Color compact. The casing is lavender metal, with the MAC logo inlaid in rhinestones. Inside, a mirror takes up the top, and a decently usable brush rounds the bottom portion, where the shadows, themselves, are located. A velveteen sleeve was included, to protect the compact when not in use. I freaking love this thing. Currently, I'm trying to figure out how to remove the eyeshadows so, maybe, I can use the case for something else. Anything else. Heck, I might toss my business cards in it.
Best Color Payoff
Urban Decay Naked 1
These shadows are so saturated with pigment that they're almost difficult to apply, but they're definitely worth the extra effort! During the Summer, these bronze and gold shades are simply stunning.
Most Versatile
Urban Decay Naked 2
NARS Guy Bourdin Cheek Palette
This was a tie. For eyes, in my opinion, you can't beat Naked 2. The range easily goes from daytime casual to dramatic evening. Bootycall and Tease make for a simple, sophisticated nude eye, while Verve and Pistol are two of the most gorgeous silvery taupes. For an easy one-color eye, Snakebite is a go-to. Really, I can't say enough good about this palette.
That said, I've also found that my NARS blush palette has become a nearly irreplaceable staple. It contains four blush colors that range from neutral peachy-pink to what I can only describe as a hothouse rose. In addition, there's a sheer, yet buildable bronzer, and a universally-flattering, subtle highlighter. This was limited edition, but you may still be able to get your hands on one, and I definitely recommend it.
Best for Traveling
Stila Not So Nude
Toss in a tinted moisturizer, bronzer, and mascara, and this is really all you need for a weekend. The thin, booklet-esque palette opens to reveal a (not so useful, sadly) mirror on one side, and a plethora of products on the other. Six neutral shadows range from matte baby pink to shimmering deep grape. Below those, you find a natural-flush cream blush/shadow/lippie, as well as Stila's famous Kitten highlighter.
Biggest Regret
E.L.F. 22-Color
This was a bust, and I really hate that. There just isn't one single redeeming quality. The packaging is bulky and unattractive. The shadow colors are weak, kind of ugly, and don't really go well together. The lip colors are chalky, and the blushes are so tiny as to be unusable...I think you get the point. It's just a miss.
Best Color Names
Urban Decay Glinda
Tornado, Aura, Magic, Illusion, Oz, and South. If you're a Wizard of Oz fan, like myself, then you've probably already squeed a little over this palette. The colors are beyond gorgeous (have you seen South? Holy Moly!), but there's just something, erm, magical about putting Magic on your eyes.
Least Used
Too Faced Spun Sugar Glamour To Go
I should use this more. It's a really beautiful palette. The thing is, I bought this for travel, but the sugary nature of the shadows doesn't really lend itself to that. The shadows are lovely as toppers, but aren't very effective on their own. I do, however, use the gold highlighter on a regular basis. That thing is spectacular!
Most Used
Urban Decay Naked Basics
This is one that caused me to eat a little crow. When this palette came out, I didn't see the need for it. The colors looked boring and easily duped. Shortly after, I found myself with a gift card or discount or something (I don't remember what) that made the palette pretty much free, so I picked it up. I don't think I've put it down since. Foxy and W.O.S. are fantastic blending colors for my fair skin, and Naked 2 is the best crease color I've ever used. Hands down. Faint fills in my brows, and Crave makes a fabulous liner. I don't use Venus very much, but five out of six ain't bad. I finally took this out of my palette drawer and stuck it in my countertop organizer.
Most Loved
Urban Decay Naked 3
This probably isn't a fair category. I just got the Naked 3, and I'm sure part of my current obsession with it is due to it being the shiny new toy under the Christmas tree. That said, I don't see myself shelving it anytime soon. The rose-gold shades are perfect with my skintone, and the color range puts its versatility on par with the Naked 2. It's a truly remarkable product, and one that can picture using regularly for a very long time.
Desert Island
NYX Crimson Amulet
What? Not an Urban Decay palette? The heck, you say! Yeah, it surprised me, too. Still, were I stuck on an island (obviously, with other inhabitants and a well-stocked, comfy hotel) with no other makeup options, save for one palette and some sunscreen, this one would take care of everything. Decent shadows in an array of colors and finishes? Check! Several pretty blushes? Check! Glowy highlighter? Check! Lippies? Check! There was even a liner and eye primer included when I bought it, but those went the way of the dodo ages ago. This was another limited edition, but most of NYX's palettes are just as versatile, and they're all high-quality for a low price point.
Well, that does it for this tag, so now, I tag all of you! Go forth! Have a lovely new year, y'all.
Showing posts with label Nars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nars. Show all posts
Thursday, January 2, 2014
Friday, July 19, 2013
Frugal Friday: My Favorite New(-ish) E.L.F. Blush/Bronzer Duos
But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let's start with the packaging. Each duo comes housed in a smooth, black, hard plastic compact, with the ELF logo and product name printed on the lid in white. Inside, you'll find the product, itself, along with a large, fully-functional mirror--not one of those cheapo, fun-house-looking pieces of garbage. All in all, the packaging reminds me (a lot) of NARS, except that the NARS has more heft to it, and the outside is rubberized.
Okay, now for the products. The cream blush is a warm, rosy peach, and the bronzer is a golden medium brown. Neither has any shimmer or sheen, but by nature of the cream, they do impart a nice glow. As we've seen, they're HIGHLY pigmented, so only the teeny-tiniest amount is needed. By that, I mean, don't use your fingers! Obviously, you can, if you want. I won't stand there behind you screaming, or anything like that. That would be creepy, and a little bit illegal, most likely. Grab a stipple brush and barely tap it onto the product. You can always add more, but taking it away's a pain. It's not impossible (said the girl who went to town with concealer and powder after tapping her brush too hard this morning), but it's better to avoid having to.
The shades, themselves, are lovely. The blush is pretty much universal, as far as working with different skintones; the bronzer, less so. This would work on light to medium skintones, but no darker. I also would not recommend this as a contour shade, since it is so warm. It borders on orange-y, and that's just not a good look for a contour. It is wonderful, however, for warming up the skin. Once you've tapped your stipple brush onto (not into, onto) the bronzer, apply the product to the areas of your face where sunlight would naturally hit--just as you would a powder bronzer. The end effect is very natural and sunkissed.
Now, I purchased Turks & Caicos because I'd heard from several places that the blush side was actually more of a highlight shade, and I thought that a travel-friendly highlight/bronzer combo would be awesome to have for out-of-town trips. Apparently, I had gone temporarily insane, and totally forgot that I'm so white, I'm day-glo. My skin lights up on the dark rides at Disney. The only highlighters I can wear are either white, gold, or translucent shimmer. Almost nothing that could be classified as a blush is going to work as a highlighter on me. But I digress...
Anyhoo, the blush is gorgeous, even if it isn't a viable highlighter for me, personally. The shade is a very tawney...I hate to call it pink, because it's just barely pink, but it's not really brown, either. This is a hard shade to describe, but applied lightly, it gives just enough color to wake up the skin, but not enough to compete with, say, a bold lip or a smokey eye. Unfortunately, it's not a universal color, in the slightest. If you're often confused for Casper the Friendly Ghost, then this is gorgeous, and I highly recommend rushing out to pick one up. Medium skintones and up might consider using it as a highlighter, but, sadly, I'd just say skip it.
The bronzer is scary. It looks brown; like chocolate brownie brown. However, if you use a super fluffy brush and an extremely light hand, you can use this as a bronzer (not a contour. Neither of these bronzers are contour shades. I don't know what ELF was thinking calling them "contouring".) even if you're lily-white. This shade could probably work on medium skin, as well, but again, if you're darker, you might want to pass on this. There are tiny flecks of gold shimmer in both the blush and bronzer, but they don't transfer to the skin in an obvious way. You end up with a little glow. Again, the end result is very natural and just downright pretty. I probably don't need to say it, but I will, anyway: these puppies are crazy pigmented! If you use a heavy hand, you're going to look like you've been playing in the dirt. Go easy, and add more as you need to.
The staying power for both duos is top-notch. I've been using them both for a couple of weeks, pretty much exclusively, and haven't had to touch-up at all. I repeat: at all. ELF, as a brand, may be hit or miss, but these are a homerun.
Pros
Cream: gorgeous blush, gorgeous bronzer, highly pigmented, beautiful packaging, fantastic price, natural finish blush, natural finish bronzer, universal blush, glow without glitter
Powder: gorgeous blush, workable bronzer, highly pigmented, beautiful packaging, fantastic price, natural finish blush, natural finish bronzer, slight shimmer without glitter
Cons
Cream: bronzer not universal
Powder: blush not universal, bronzer not universal
Final Verdict: Cream--9 out of 10, Powder--7.5 out of 10. I'd say that these were amazing for three bucks, but they'd still be amazing for a lot more than that.
 |
| Left to Right: Turks & Caicos, Cream #24601...I mean, #83606. Oops. |
A little while back, ELF had a sale on their Studio line, and I took the opportunity to try out a couple of products that I'd been eyeing since they came out a few months ago. For some reason, a buck-fifty each was perfectly reasonable, but three whole dollars (Seriously? Three whole dollars?) was absolutely ree-darn-diculous.
In any case, I picked up the Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder in Turks & Caicos, and the Studio Contouring Blush & Bronzing Cream in...um...Item #83606. That's all I got, folks.
Holy Guacamole, Batman! These suckers are fantastic! Talk about pigmentation! Just look below:
 |
| Left to Right: Turks & Caicos Blush, Bronzer, #8675309...sorry, #83606 Blush, Bronzer. One swipe each. Crikey! |
Okay, now for the products. The cream blush is a warm, rosy peach, and the bronzer is a golden medium brown. Neither has any shimmer or sheen, but by nature of the cream, they do impart a nice glow. As we've seen, they're HIGHLY pigmented, so only the teeny-tiniest amount is needed. By that, I mean, don't use your fingers! Obviously, you can, if you want. I won't stand there behind you screaming, or anything like that. That would be creepy, and a little bit illegal, most likely. Grab a stipple brush and barely tap it onto the product. You can always add more, but taking it away's a pain. It's not impossible (said the girl who went to town with concealer and powder after tapping her brush too hard this morning), but it's better to avoid having to.
The shades, themselves, are lovely. The blush is pretty much universal, as far as working with different skintones; the bronzer, less so. This would work on light to medium skintones, but no darker. I also would not recommend this as a contour shade, since it is so warm. It borders on orange-y, and that's just not a good look for a contour. It is wonderful, however, for warming up the skin. Once you've tapped your stipple brush onto (not into, onto) the bronzer, apply the product to the areas of your face where sunlight would naturally hit--just as you would a powder bronzer. The end effect is very natural and sunkissed.
Now, I purchased Turks & Caicos because I'd heard from several places that the blush side was actually more of a highlight shade, and I thought that a travel-friendly highlight/bronzer combo would be awesome to have for out-of-town trips. Apparently, I had gone temporarily insane, and totally forgot that I'm so white, I'm day-glo. My skin lights up on the dark rides at Disney. The only highlighters I can wear are either white, gold, or translucent shimmer. Almost nothing that could be classified as a blush is going to work as a highlighter on me. But I digress...
Anyhoo, the blush is gorgeous, even if it isn't a viable highlighter for me, personally. The shade is a very tawney...I hate to call it pink, because it's just barely pink, but it's not really brown, either. This is a hard shade to describe, but applied lightly, it gives just enough color to wake up the skin, but not enough to compete with, say, a bold lip or a smokey eye. Unfortunately, it's not a universal color, in the slightest. If you're often confused for Casper the Friendly Ghost, then this is gorgeous, and I highly recommend rushing out to pick one up. Medium skintones and up might consider using it as a highlighter, but, sadly, I'd just say skip it.
The bronzer is scary. It looks brown; like chocolate brownie brown. However, if you use a super fluffy brush and an extremely light hand, you can use this as a bronzer (not a contour. Neither of these bronzers are contour shades. I don't know what ELF was thinking calling them "contouring".) even if you're lily-white. This shade could probably work on medium skin, as well, but again, if you're darker, you might want to pass on this. There are tiny flecks of gold shimmer in both the blush and bronzer, but they don't transfer to the skin in an obvious way. You end up with a little glow. Again, the end result is very natural and just downright pretty. I probably don't need to say it, but I will, anyway: these puppies are crazy pigmented! If you use a heavy hand, you're going to look like you've been playing in the dirt. Go easy, and add more as you need to.
The staying power for both duos is top-notch. I've been using them both for a couple of weeks, pretty much exclusively, and haven't had to touch-up at all. I repeat: at all. ELF, as a brand, may be hit or miss, but these are a homerun.
Pros
Cream: gorgeous blush, gorgeous bronzer, highly pigmented, beautiful packaging, fantastic price, natural finish blush, natural finish bronzer, universal blush, glow without glitter
Powder: gorgeous blush, workable bronzer, highly pigmented, beautiful packaging, fantastic price, natural finish blush, natural finish bronzer, slight shimmer without glitter
Cons
Cream: bronzer not universal
Powder: blush not universal, bronzer not universal
Final Verdict: Cream--9 out of 10, Powder--7.5 out of 10. I'd say that these were amazing for three bucks, but they'd still be amazing for a lot more than that.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
Review: E.L.F. Baked Blush in Passion Pink
Yesterday, I showed you a little haul that included two of the E.L.F. Baked Blushes. Today, I've got a review for you on Passion Pink.
First up, don't let the name fool you. This is actually peach; much in the same way that Pinktastic is actually gold. I have this ridiculous compulsion to buy Peachy Cheeky, simply to find out what color it really is, since these names have absolutely nothing to do with the color payoff. That aside, I'm not disappointed in the color, just confused.
And speaking of color...you know how yesterday I mentioned that this looked like a dupe for NARS Orgasm?
I wasn't far off. The E.L.F. is a tad more peach than the NARS, and much more pigmented. The NARS is pinker and sparklier, and far sheerer. I had to swatch it several times to match the single swatch of the E.L.F. They're not exact, by any means, but if you're in the market for an Orgasm-ish color, you could do a lot worse for three bucks. They look much more similar in person, for the record.
It's a very subtle blush once it's on your cheeks. More than color, it leaves a pretty glow.
I packed it in my purse, just in case it faded and I needed a touch-up during the day. Happily, I can say that I've been wearing this for four hours, and it's still going strong. I have touched my face, been in and out of doors, talked on my phone, and moved around quite a bit. In other words, I haven't been sitting like a china doll on a shelf.
I like the natural, soft look of this blush. The staying power is there, the color is lovely, and you can't beat the price. The packaging isn't fancy, but it looks nice and functions well.
Final Verdict: 8 out of 10. It would be nice if the names matched the colors, but you can't always get what you want; sometimes, you get what you need.
First up, don't let the name fool you. This is actually peach; much in the same way that Pinktastic is actually gold. I have this ridiculous compulsion to buy Peachy Cheeky, simply to find out what color it really is, since these names have absolutely nothing to do with the color payoff. That aside, I'm not disappointed in the color, just confused.
And speaking of color...you know how yesterday I mentioned that this looked like a dupe for NARS Orgasm?
 |
| NARS on Left, E.L.F. on Right. |
 |
| NARS on Left, E.L.F. on Right. |
 |
| On cheeks: E.L.F. Passion Pink. Highlighter: E.L.F. Pinktastic. Bronzer: Tarte Park Ave. Princess. |
I like the natural, soft look of this blush. The staying power is there, the color is lovely, and you can't beat the price. The packaging isn't fancy, but it looks nice and functions well.
Final Verdict: 8 out of 10. It would be nice if the names matched the colors, but you can't always get what you want; sometimes, you get what you need.
In case you were wondering about the rest of the face, here's what's doing:
Primer: Tarte Clean Slate
Foundation: MAC Studio Sculpt NW15
Concealer: Maybelline Age Rewind in Neutralizer (yup, I'm pale)
Setting Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte in Transparent
Finishing Powder: E.L.F. Baked Bronzer in St. Lucia (yup, it's pale)
Eye Primer: Urban Decay Primer Potion in Eden
Eye Shadow: Urban Decay Snakebite (all by itself. It gets a bum rap, but it's gorgeous as an all-over color)
Eye Liner: Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Stick in Rehab
Inner Corner: Urban Decay 24/7 Shadow Stick in Midnight Cowboy
Brows: E.L.F. Brow Kit
Mascara: Buxom Lash Waterproof
Contour: Benefit Hoola
Lips: MAC Shy Girl
Monday, December 3, 2012
November Favorites
It's December? When did that happen? Well, I guess that means it's time for November Favorites. Enjoy!
Eyes:
Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Silver Spoon
I got this as a Sephora freebie (and a darn nice one! It's full-sized!), and it works beautifully as a base for silvery eye shadows. The shadows stick better and the colors really pop. It's also gorgeous on its own, with a very metallic, almost wet-look finish. It's a showstopper. Unfortunately, the only place I can find it now is Amazon, so grab it while you can. I've given mine a workout this season!
Urban Decay Eye Shadow in Verve
This is one of those silvery shadows that looks phenomenal over the Benefit, and this color combination has become a go-to for me this month. Verve is an oyster color, and can be found individually, in Naked 2, and also in the Rollergirl palette.
Lips:
Buxom Big & Healthy Lipstick in Bombay
I've had this one for a while, but recently rediscovered it. Now, I don't know why I haven't been wearing it more! The Buxom lipsticks are true multi-taskers, working as liner, long-wearing color, and plumper. Alone, their almost matte, but can be worn under a gloss and still retain excellent staying power. Bombay is a warm rose.
MAC Lipstick in Shy Girl
It's an oldie but a goodie! Shy Girl is a creamy coral nude beige creamsheen, and makes a great nude lip color for pale chickies like me. It does have a pinky-orange cast, so I recommend it for use with rose golds and peaches.
Face:
NARS Blush in Super Orgasm
Maybe it's just me, but this seems slightly pinker than the original version of the cult favorite. I normally don't wear this one, seeing as it's a glitterbomb on your cheeks. However, it's the holiday season, and if you can't wear glitter now, then when can you?! I've been dusting it on all month, and it just makes me feel all holly and jolly on the inside.
Benefit Watts Up
When wearing a glitterbomb on your cheeks, you kind of have to take it easy on the highlighter. This just leaves a beautiful champagne sheen that doesn't overpower your look.
Nails:
Urban Decay in Fame
Why, oh why don't I appreciate things when they're readily available? This is a stunning pinky-gold taupe that looks fabulous with chunky sweaters and all things Fall. The formula is smooth and easy to work with, and the finish is a semi-opaque (you can still see a little nail through it) satin. It's long-wearing and chip-resistent, and available on Amazon. Good luck!
Sephora by O.P.I. in Looks Like Rain Dear
I was torn between this and the Zoya Daul, but Looks Like Rain Dear wins out for versatility. You can wear it alone, as an accent nail, or even as part of a funky French manicure, if you're into that sort of thing.
Hair:
Ion Daily Solutions Dry Shampoo
When I renewed my Sally Club Card, I got to try a free Ion product, so I chose this one. I've been looking for a good dry shampoo for ages, and thought there was no better time to try one than when I didn't have to actually pay for it. This works pretty darn well. It volumizes, reduces oil, and smells fresh. It does leave a slight white cast, but that brushes out easily, so don't freak out when you see it.
Bumble & Bumble Prep
I spray this on individual sections as I hot roll, and it really helps extend the life of the curl without adding extra weight. I hate when my hairspray stiffens my curls, and this practically eliminates the need for spray. It's pricey, but worth it for special occasions. Also, if you already have products in your hair, you can spray this on to reactivate them.
Eyes:
Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Silver Spoon
I got this as a Sephora freebie (and a darn nice one! It's full-sized!), and it works beautifully as a base for silvery eye shadows. The shadows stick better and the colors really pop. It's also gorgeous on its own, with a very metallic, almost wet-look finish. It's a showstopper. Unfortunately, the only place I can find it now is Amazon, so grab it while you can. I've given mine a workout this season!
Urban Decay Eye Shadow in Verve
This is one of those silvery shadows that looks phenomenal over the Benefit, and this color combination has become a go-to for me this month. Verve is an oyster color, and can be found individually, in Naked 2, and also in the Rollergirl palette.
Lips:
Buxom Big & Healthy Lipstick in Bombay
I've had this one for a while, but recently rediscovered it. Now, I don't know why I haven't been wearing it more! The Buxom lipsticks are true multi-taskers, working as liner, long-wearing color, and plumper. Alone, their almost matte, but can be worn under a gloss and still retain excellent staying power. Bombay is a warm rose.
MAC Lipstick in Shy Girl
It's an oldie but a goodie! Shy Girl is a creamy coral nude beige creamsheen, and makes a great nude lip color for pale chickies like me. It does have a pinky-orange cast, so I recommend it for use with rose golds and peaches.
Face:
NARS Blush in Super Orgasm
Maybe it's just me, but this seems slightly pinker than the original version of the cult favorite. I normally don't wear this one, seeing as it's a glitterbomb on your cheeks. However, it's the holiday season, and if you can't wear glitter now, then when can you?! I've been dusting it on all month, and it just makes me feel all holly and jolly on the inside.
Benefit Watts Up
When wearing a glitterbomb on your cheeks, you kind of have to take it easy on the highlighter. This just leaves a beautiful champagne sheen that doesn't overpower your look.
Nails:
Urban Decay in Fame
Why, oh why don't I appreciate things when they're readily available? This is a stunning pinky-gold taupe that looks fabulous with chunky sweaters and all things Fall. The formula is smooth and easy to work with, and the finish is a semi-opaque (you can still see a little nail through it) satin. It's long-wearing and chip-resistent, and available on Amazon. Good luck!
Sephora by O.P.I. in Looks Like Rain Dear
I was torn between this and the Zoya Daul, but Looks Like Rain Dear wins out for versatility. You can wear it alone, as an accent nail, or even as part of a funky French manicure, if you're into that sort of thing.
Hair:
Ion Daily Solutions Dry Shampoo
When I renewed my Sally Club Card, I got to try a free Ion product, so I chose this one. I've been looking for a good dry shampoo for ages, and thought there was no better time to try one than when I didn't have to actually pay for it. This works pretty darn well. It volumizes, reduces oil, and smells fresh. It does leave a slight white cast, but that brushes out easily, so don't freak out when you see it.
Bumble & Bumble Prep
I spray this on individual sections as I hot roll, and it really helps extend the life of the curl without adding extra weight. I hate when my hairspray stiffens my curls, and this practically eliminates the need for spray. It's pricey, but worth it for special occasions. Also, if you already have products in your hair, you can spray this on to reactivate them.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Gilded Sugarplum: Holiday Eye Look Inspired by Zoya Daul
Yesterday, I posted about the new nail polish that is currently rocking my world. Well, today I decided that I just had to come up with an eye look to go with it. Here 'tis, folks:
I'm really loving this. It's rich and kind of mysterious, but there's nothing severe about it. There are no hard edges. It's not smoky, but it is kind of sexy. I think it would make for a nice date or holiday party look. Me? I wore it with a sweatshirt and jeans to work, because that's just how I roll.
Start by applying MAC Woodwinked all over the lid. Then, using a flat shader brush, place Urban Decay Freakshow in the outer corner, and work it across the outer third of the lid and all throughout the crease. Taking the same brush, apply the bright violet shade from Too Faced's Glamour to Go Dream Edition (or any bright violet, for that matter) over the Freakshow and blend out. Taking a small, flat liner brush, line the lower lash line with Freakshow, stopping as you pass the eyeball. Apply Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Zero from eyeball to outer corner, then just on the outer corner of the lower lash line. Using Benefit Sun Beam as a liner, line the lower lashline from inner corner to meet the Freakshow, then continue to outline the inner corner and color in the first third of your lid. Highlight the brow bone with the glittery ecru shade from the Too Faced GtG Dream Edition (or any sparkly bone shade). Apply Buxom Lash mascara top and bottom. Done!
I finished off this look with NARS Super Orgasm blush (gold sparklies!) and a sparkling golden rose lip gloss, which looked nice and kept the focus on my eyes. Of course, feel free to use whatever you want. It's your face, after all!
Have a lovely Thursday! It's almost the weekend!!!!!!!!!
I'm really loving this. It's rich and kind of mysterious, but there's nothing severe about it. There are no hard edges. It's not smoky, but it is kind of sexy. I think it would make for a nice date or holiday party look. Me? I wore it with a sweatshirt and jeans to work, because that's just how I roll.
Start by applying MAC Woodwinked all over the lid. Then, using a flat shader brush, place Urban Decay Freakshow in the outer corner, and work it across the outer third of the lid and all throughout the crease. Taking the same brush, apply the bright violet shade from Too Faced's Glamour to Go Dream Edition (or any bright violet, for that matter) over the Freakshow and blend out. Taking a small, flat liner brush, line the lower lash line with Freakshow, stopping as you pass the eyeball. Apply Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Zero from eyeball to outer corner, then just on the outer corner of the lower lash line. Using Benefit Sun Beam as a liner, line the lower lashline from inner corner to meet the Freakshow, then continue to outline the inner corner and color in the first third of your lid. Highlight the brow bone with the glittery ecru shade from the Too Faced GtG Dream Edition (or any sparkly bone shade). Apply Buxom Lash mascara top and bottom. Done!
I finished off this look with NARS Super Orgasm blush (gold sparklies!) and a sparkling golden rose lip gloss, which looked nice and kept the focus on my eyes. Of course, feel free to use whatever you want. It's your face, after all!
Have a lovely Thursday! It's almost the weekend!!!!!!!!!
Monday, August 27, 2012
Stormy Weather: Hurricane-Inspired Makeup Look
There's a hurricane a-comin'! A HURRICANE A-COMIN'!!!
Or, you know, something like that.
My home is in a state of emergency, and just barely outside of a mandatory evactuation zone, so Thomas and I have spent the weekend preparing for the worst and hoping for the best...which would be a day off from work and just enough rain to knock the pollen off the cars. Right now, it's absolutely gorgeous outside, so I decided to celebrate the beautiful weather with a colorful, Hurricane cocktail-inspired (sunset-colored), almost Fall makeup look.
I like it. It kind of makes me think of a 1920s flapper, but maybe I'm just weird. Here's how it breaks down:
Skin
Primer: Tarte Clean Slate
Foundation: MAC Studio Sculpt in NW15
Concealer: Benefit Boi-ing
Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte
Blush: NARS Orgasm
Highlight: MAC Mineral Blush Duo in Moon River
Eyes
Primer: Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Sippin' 'n' Dippin'
Shadows: Stila in Prize, Urban Decay in Free Love, Urban Decay in Woodstock, LORAC in Sand
Liner: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero, Urban Decay in Suspect, Urban Decay in Dark Horse
Mascara: Buxom Lash in Black
Brows: E.L.F. Brow Kit in Medium
To get the gradated effect, I began with Prize in the inner corners, and took it a third of the way across the eye. I added a thick layer of Free Love to the center third of the eye, and a thick layer of Woodstock at the outer corner. I blended Woodstock through the crease, then used a fluffy blending brush to sort of rake the color across my lids, going from hot pink to gold, only in one direction. Under the eyes, I lined the lash line with the same colors, in the same order, then used a thin line of Suspect to blend them together. Dark Horse lines the outer half of the lash line. Sand fills in the area from crease to brow.
Lips
Liner/Lipstick: Buxom Big & Healthy Lipstick in Bombay
Gloss: Buxom Lips in Amber
I hope you enjoyed this! I know I had fun putting it together. For those of you down here: stay safe!! For everyone else: have a great Monday, and I'll try to post tomorrow. Comments? Leave 'em below!
Or, you know, something like that.
My home is in a state of emergency, and just barely outside of a mandatory evactuation zone, so Thomas and I have spent the weekend preparing for the worst and hoping for the best...which would be a day off from work and just enough rain to knock the pollen off the cars. Right now, it's absolutely gorgeous outside, so I decided to celebrate the beautiful weather with a colorful, Hurricane cocktail-inspired (sunset-colored), almost Fall makeup look.
I like it. It kind of makes me think of a 1920s flapper, but maybe I'm just weird. Here's how it breaks down:
Skin
Primer: Tarte Clean Slate
Foundation: MAC Studio Sculpt in NW15
Concealer: Benefit Boi-ing
Powder: Rimmel Stay Matte
Blush: NARS Orgasm
Highlight: MAC Mineral Blush Duo in Moon River
Eyes
Primer: Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in Sippin' 'n' Dippin'
Shadows: Stila in Prize, Urban Decay in Free Love, Urban Decay in Woodstock, LORAC in Sand
Liner: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero, Urban Decay in Suspect, Urban Decay in Dark Horse
Mascara: Buxom Lash in Black
Brows: E.L.F. Brow Kit in Medium
Lips
Liner/Lipstick: Buxom Big & Healthy Lipstick in Bombay
Gloss: Buxom Lips in Amber
I hope you enjoyed this! I know I had fun putting it together. For those of you down here: stay safe!! For everyone else: have a great Monday, and I'll try to post tomorrow. Comments? Leave 'em below!
Monday, July 23, 2012
Luxury Look-Alikes: NARS Orgasm vs. Revlon Peach Parfait
You know how NARS Orgasm (sorry, Mom!) anything is an instant cult favorite? Well, I found a drugstore product that could easily drink the kool-aid and fit right in. Right now, NARS has two individual blushes, a blush palette, a bronzer duo, an all-over stick (The Multiple), an illuminator, two lip glosses, and a nail polish. You know what they don't have (I mean, besides a partridge in a pear tree)? A lip butter! You know who has one that's a dead ringer* for Orgasm (sorry, Mom!)? Revlon!
I'm not even slightly kidding, folks. It's pretty startling how much these look like each other.
The color is Peach Parfait, and is the shade worn by Emma Stone in the advertisements. The ad image looks nothing like the real deal, and actually almost kept me from buying this. It looks beautiful on her, but the color in the ad looks like an orangey peach. In reality, it's more of a golden peachy-pink.
Folks, it's the same color. Flat out. If you are a fan of the Orgasm line, but want something other than a gloss on your lips, snap up Peach Parfait. It's a universally flattering color that will be just as appropriate this Fall and Winter as it has been this Spring and Summer. Added perk: it's roughly a third of the cost of a NARS gloss.
Anybody else have a find, dupe, or must-have they want to share? Leave it in the comments. Thanks!
*Note: This is not a dupe for anything in the NARS Orgasm collection. It's simply the same color as everything in that collection. I repeat: there is not a lip butter in the collection, and this is not a dupe for the glosses. Thank you, The Management.
P.S. Do you know how hard it was to come up with a title for this that didn't involve both "orgasm" (unavoidable) and "fake", or worse, "butter"? This could have shown up under some very interesting Google searches...yikes...
I'm not even slightly kidding, folks. It's pretty startling how much these look like each other.
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| With my well-worn, de-potted NARS Orgasm (sor--oh, you get the point...) |
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| With my newer, still in the packaging, NARS Super Orgasm. |
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| Credit |
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| Swatched on my lips. You can see that it's much less opaque, pinker, and has tiny flecks of gold running throughout. |
Just to drive the point home, I used NARS Orgasm in all of my makeup today. I layered NARS Orgasm illuminator over a golden peach eyeshadow base (Benefit's Creaseless Cream Eye Shadow in Sippin' 'n' Dippin'), and underneath a light dusting of NARS Orgasm blush. Highlights courtesy of Stila Kitten eyeshadow, and bronzer by Too Faced in Sun Bunny. There were other products involved, but those are the only real "color" items.
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| Might I add, it's hotter than Hades with a million percent humidity. I gave up on my hair around July 7th or 8th. I'll care again in October. |
Anybody else have a find, dupe, or must-have they want to share? Leave it in the comments. Thanks!
*Note: This is not a dupe for anything in the NARS Orgasm collection. It's simply the same color as everything in that collection. I repeat: there is not a lip butter in the collection, and this is not a dupe for the glosses. Thank you, The Management.
P.S. Do you know how hard it was to come up with a title for this that didn't involve both "orgasm" (unavoidable) and "fake", or worse, "butter"? This could have shown up under some very interesting Google searches...yikes...
Wednesday, April 18, 2012
Building Kits and Looking for Glitz
The indie film company that Thomas founded is filming in a few weeks. There's no crazy hair or makeup involved, and pretty much all of the actors and extras are taking care of their own. Still, I like to keep a kit on-set for touch-ups. Plus, there's always the possibility that someone will show up wearing either no makeup or way too much--I like to prepare for all contingencies. Now, I'm not a makeup artist (and if one would like to volunteer, that would be unbelievably cool and I'd love you forever and be your best friend), but I've been at this long enough to handle the basics to ensure folks show up on camera.
Of course, that doesn't mean I'm breaking out the high-end products. Good God, no! Along with figuring out that extra blush and bronzer are necessary to avoid being washed out by the lighting equipment, I've also learned that anything you bring on-set has the distinct possibility of being broken. You're in a crazed atmosphere, with people constantly bustling by, extension cords as far as the eye can see, and a lot of hurry, hurry, hurry. It's also not a big-budget studio setting, so I might be doing makeup off of a folding table, picnic bench, or, most likely, out of my car. I'm careful, and I keep a neat kit, but accidents happen. I know that if I brought my $25 NARS Orgasm (sorry, Mom) blush, and it was knocked off a table and broken into a million pieces, I'd be devastated. However, if the same thing happened to a $3 copycat...eh, I'd get a new one. Not a big deal.
With that in mind, I hit the drugstore around the corner to pick up a few staples. I have greasepaint out the ears, but my "normal person" makeup was severely lacking. I needed translucent powder, a couple of blushes, and a matte black eyeshadow (every kit should have a matte white, matte brown, and matte black shadow. Period. I've heard this from a few different places, and it's completely true. You'd be shocked how much you can do with just those three products). Rimmel makes a great translucent powder, so that was pretty much a no-brainer. Wet 'n' Wild had a pretty rose blush, along with a peachy pink that looked so much like my NARS it wasn't even funny (I'll have more on those another day), and a matte black eyeshadow that vlogger DivaMakeupQueen raved about recently. But it was while picking up the eyeshadow that I noticed this beauty:
It's not terrible. Not even close. It's also not even close to Stardust, but it's still a darn good eyeshadow. Trashed goes past "highly pigmented" into "scarily pigmented". Yesterday, I added just a dab to my outer corners, but it blended all the way through my crease, along my lash line, and added a little color to my lid. It didn't sparkle, though, which was a little disappointing. Today, I decided to go whole-hog and do a black lid, just to see how much glitter I could get, and it wasn't much.
Wow. That looks like a ton of makeup, but it really only took a few minutes. I keep a small stash of seasonally appropriate makeup on my counter, so I don't really have to think too much in the mornings. I'm not good at thinking in the mornings...
Anyway, overall, I'm really happy with my purchase. Sure, I was looking for more glitter, but for two bucks, I really can't complain too much. This one's not going in the film makeup kit. It's going on my counter.
Final Verdict: 8 out of 10. It's beautiful, it's pigmented, it's cheap as all get-out. It's just not glittery, and a pain in the rear to try to open.
Of course, that doesn't mean I'm breaking out the high-end products. Good God, no! Along with figuring out that extra blush and bronzer are necessary to avoid being washed out by the lighting equipment, I've also learned that anything you bring on-set has the distinct possibility of being broken. You're in a crazed atmosphere, with people constantly bustling by, extension cords as far as the eye can see, and a lot of hurry, hurry, hurry. It's also not a big-budget studio setting, so I might be doing makeup off of a folding table, picnic bench, or, most likely, out of my car. I'm careful, and I keep a neat kit, but accidents happen. I know that if I brought my $25 NARS Orgasm (sorry, Mom) blush, and it was knocked off a table and broken into a million pieces, I'd be devastated. However, if the same thing happened to a $3 copycat...eh, I'd get a new one. Not a big deal.
With that in mind, I hit the drugstore around the corner to pick up a few staples. I have greasepaint out the ears, but my "normal person" makeup was severely lacking. I needed translucent powder, a couple of blushes, and a matte black eyeshadow (every kit should have a matte white, matte brown, and matte black shadow. Period. I've heard this from a few different places, and it's completely true. You'd be shocked how much you can do with just those three products). Rimmel makes a great translucent powder, so that was pretty much a no-brainer. Wet 'n' Wild had a pretty rose blush, along with a peachy pink that looked so much like my NARS it wasn't even funny (I'll have more on those another day), and a matte black eyeshadow that vlogger DivaMakeupQueen raved about recently. But it was while picking up the eyeshadow that I noticed this beauty:
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| Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon Single in Trashed |
This made me think so much of Urban Decay Stardust in Void that I had to give it a shot. For two bucks, even if it was terrible, I wouldn't really be out anything.
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| Photo Credit: Urban Decay |
I do want to point out that I did not use a shadow brush to apply this. I was terrified of how much fallout there might be from thickly packing on such a densely pigmented soft shadow. Instead, I used my blending brush to pick up enough for a thin layer, and applied two "coats" to each lid. There was almost no fallout from using that method, and I ended up with deep black lids with a lovely satin finish. There's just not very much glitter. Also, the packaging, while attractive, is insanely difficult to open. Like, "keep a butter knife handy" hard to open.
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| Lid: Trashed, Highlight: Stila Kitten, Liner: Urban Decay Zero, Inner Corner: Urban Decay Sin, Lashes: Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes, Brows: E.L.F. Brow Kit (Med) and Treat and Tame (Deep), Skin: E.L.F. Mineral Foundation Warm/Benefit Porefection/Benefit Bo-ing |
Anyway, overall, I'm really happy with my purchase. Sure, I was looking for more glitter, but for two bucks, I really can't complain too much. This one's not going in the film makeup kit. It's going on my counter.
Final Verdict: 8 out of 10. It's beautiful, it's pigmented, it's cheap as all get-out. It's just not glittery, and a pain in the rear to try to open.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Challenge!: Cooking Out with Tangerine Tango
For fun, I thought I'd put together a little fantasy outfit for all those Summer cookouts I hope to attend. To make it a little more challenging, I used Pantone's color of the year, Tangerine Tango, as inspiration. Let's take a look, shall we? Again, all links are at the bottom, except for a couple I threw in with the descriptions.
One more from Old Navy! The wedge shoes pull the white from the dress and orange from the suit (or just add in the orange, if you want to skip the suit), but tone down the brights with smooth, milk chocolate leather. A bonus to wearing a wedge to an outdoor event: your heels never sink down into the grass.
Moving to the left, these earrings by 1928 were another inexpensive way to bring in the orange color of the season. I also liked that the hematite accents worked to keep the pop of color from being an explosion.
Directly beneath the earrings, we have our splurge. This bracelet, by Vince Camuto, is $78, and way more than I could ever justify. However, this is a fantasy outfit, so what the hey? I loved that it echoed the triangular shape from the earrings, as well as the striped pattern in the shoes, all while showcasing that gorgeous tangerine in an elegant, yet fun way. If I were going to spend almost eighty bucks on a bracelet, this would definitely be a contender.
Okay, hopping over to the far right (don't you love my haphazard directions?), is the 24/7 Shadow Pencil Stash from Urban Decay. If you don't have this, snap it up. Like, now. In fact, you can get it at HauteLook (until tomorrow, anyway) for $9. NINE DOLLARS!! You can also snag it after tomorrow at the Urban Decay website for $12. I'll do a full review on it soon, but what I'd suggest for this outfit is Rehab all over the lid and smudged underneath the lower lash line. Add Sin to the inner corners to highlight, pop on some mascara, and call it done.
Moving down, this is the NARS Albatross Cheek Trio. This is a little on the pricey side, but I added it here because it gives you a self-contained blush, bronzer, and highlighter that you can simply toss in a bag and be ready to go. It's perfect for traveling, and the colors are amazing. You get Orgasm blush (sorry, Mom), which is a complete cult fave, and one of my go-to products; Laguna bronzer, and Albatross highlighter.
In case you hadn't noticed, we've kept the face fairly neutral and natural, thus far. That's because we're going to kick this look up a notch with Sephora+Pantone's Color of the Year Cream Lipstick in Tangerine Tango. Yes, it's orange, but an incredibly sexy orange, and a Summery twist on the classic red lip. $18, Sephora.
I hope you enjoyed this challenge. Feel free to follow me on Polyvore, and "Like" this if you, well, liked this.
Beginning in the middle, I chose this two piece from Old Navy for two reasons. 1) It's the right color. 2) It's an extremely flattering design, with full-coverage bottoms and a wide-banded halter top. Even if you're (like me) not exactly a supermodel but still prefer a two-piece, you can most likely get away with this. I actually own this one and another just like it in a print, and they're very comfortable and very forgiving. Oh--one more reason (sorry!): it's really inexpensive. That's always a good thing.
The white dress to the left didn't show up well on Polyvore, but it's a beautiful, all-over eyelet with delicate ruffle trim and empire waist. It's dressy enough to wear to an outdoor cocktail party, yet casual enough that you could toss it on over the bathing suit and still look adorable. Also from Old Navy, and also really inexpensive. Again, always a good thing.One more from Old Navy! The wedge shoes pull the white from the dress and orange from the suit (or just add in the orange, if you want to skip the suit), but tone down the brights with smooth, milk chocolate leather. A bonus to wearing a wedge to an outdoor event: your heels never sink down into the grass.
Moving to the left, these earrings by 1928 were another inexpensive way to bring in the orange color of the season. I also liked that the hematite accents worked to keep the pop of color from being an explosion.
Directly beneath the earrings, we have our splurge. This bracelet, by Vince Camuto, is $78, and way more than I could ever justify. However, this is a fantasy outfit, so what the hey? I loved that it echoed the triangular shape from the earrings, as well as the striped pattern in the shoes, all while showcasing that gorgeous tangerine in an elegant, yet fun way. If I were going to spend almost eighty bucks on a bracelet, this would definitely be a contender.
Okay, hopping over to the far right (don't you love my haphazard directions?), is the 24/7 Shadow Pencil Stash from Urban Decay. If you don't have this, snap it up. Like, now. In fact, you can get it at HauteLook (until tomorrow, anyway) for $9. NINE DOLLARS!! You can also snag it after tomorrow at the Urban Decay website for $12. I'll do a full review on it soon, but what I'd suggest for this outfit is Rehab all over the lid and smudged underneath the lower lash line. Add Sin to the inner corners to highlight, pop on some mascara, and call it done.
Moving down, this is the NARS Albatross Cheek Trio. This is a little on the pricey side, but I added it here because it gives you a self-contained blush, bronzer, and highlighter that you can simply toss in a bag and be ready to go. It's perfect for traveling, and the colors are amazing. You get Orgasm blush (sorry, Mom), which is a complete cult fave, and one of my go-to products; Laguna bronzer, and Albatross highlighter.
In case you hadn't noticed, we've kept the face fairly neutral and natural, thus far. That's because we're going to kick this look up a notch with Sephora+Pantone's Color of the Year Cream Lipstick in Tangerine Tango. Yes, it's orange, but an incredibly sexy orange, and a Summery twist on the classic red lip. $18, Sephora.
Monday, May 23, 2011
New Kid In Town: Benefit Coralista Blush
By now, I'm sure you've picked up that I'm a huge fan of NARS Orgasm (sorry, Mom--I didn't name it) blush. It's my go-to, all-occasion, keep-it-in-my-freaking-purse staple. As long as they make it, I will use it, and that's that. Because of this, I very rarely even glance at another blush. I have some true pinks and blueish-pinks I occasionally dabble with, but even that's not very often, since I'm rarely happy with the results. Through some combinations sets and palettes, I've acquired some NARS "clones" that were similar, but never quite the same, and definitely never better. Basically, nothing in recent years has come along to make me think that I could ever get along without my NARS. If that doesn't fully convey my love of this blush, maybe this will: I replaced the travel blush in my UNII palette with the NARS. The mere thought of taking anything else with me when I traveled upset me so much that I depotted my precious NARS and put it in the palette so that I could have it at all times. Honestly, that's probably certifiable behavior, right there, and I should be ashamed. I assure you, I am. But I'm also blogging about it because it's just that good.But this isn't a review of NARS Orgasm (sorry) blush. So why does this matter?
It matters because, Johnny come lately, there's a new kid in town. Benefit Coralista Blush* ($28, Sephora) has kind of turned my head a bit--and not because of it's similar to NARS, but because of how it's different.
Since I haven't been actively looking for a new, fancy blush, I didn't purchase this. This came as a deluxe sample with my latest Sephora shipment (I have a problem. I know. I'd go to a support group, but then I'd need a new lipgloss to wear to the meetings), which means that I can't tell you about the packaging or enclosed brush that one would get with a full-sized product. I can tell you, though, that the "sample" is huge. It's .1 oz, which is about a third of the full-sized blush (.28). It's also about two-thirds the size of my over-a-year-old-and-going-strong NARS (.16). In other words, you get a lot of product for $28, and this sample should last me for months. Maybe longer.
I really can't say enough good things about this blush. Coralista is a bronzed peachy-pink that's sheer, but easily buildable. There's no sparkle or glitter, but instead, a beautiful luminosity that makes you glow without looking like a pixie threw-up on your face (lovely). The texture is so silky that it almost feels like a cream, and the color practically jumped onto my brush. Best of all, when you put it on, you don't look like you're wearing blush. You just look healthy, with a subtle glow. Right now, I am dying to see how this looks with a sunless tan. I paired this with a slightly shimmery neutral eye and a sheer, glossy red lip for an "I've been at the pool eating cherry popsicles all day" look. While my NARS is a flattering, natural flush, it's also darker and a little sparkly. You look like you, only polished, but there's no question as to if you're wearing makeup--which I don't mind. There's normally not any question of it, anyway. I'm 30 years-old; of course, I'm wearing makeup. The Coralista, however, could cause some major head scratching.
My NARS isn't going anywhere, but it should be jealous. It's great for those days when I pull out the curling iron or straightener (which is most days, if I'm honest). The Coralista is a breath of fresh air. It's going into my arsenal for those mornings when natural waves and flip flops reign supreme.
Final Verdict: 10 out of 10. This is Summer in a box. Snap it up while you still can.
*Photo Credit: Sephora (Blogger's being difficult and wouldn't let me add a caption, darnit!)
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Glow, Baby, Glow!
Hey folks! Today I have an update on the Smashbox deal, and the highly-anticipated (just go with it) Part II of the Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Illuminating Serum review!
First, to recap yesterday, Smashbox has a deal called "Let's Do Lunch", where on Tuesdays and Thursdays, you get a special bonus full-sized product as a gift with any purchase made from 9am to 2pm PST. Tuesday's gift was a $22 shadow liner, which is pretty darn nice, if you ask me. Today's is a $15 medium-sized gloss. Anyway, in addition to the gift, you also receive a bonus jumbo sample (the size of a deluxe 100-point sample at Sephora) and a mini-sample. Well, on top of that, I had another bonus sample--a mini reflecting lipgloss--mysteriously appear in my order confirmation. Where could that have possibly come from?
I'll tell you where. I found out today that if you sign up for Smashbox Pretty Points (which I did), you automatically get another bonus deluxe sample added to your order. That's where the gloss came from! Plus, you get five points for every dollar that you spend. When you hit 500 points, you get $10 to spend on the site. Oh, and did I mention free shipping on every order? Yeah, I'm in big trouble now.
Alrighty, now for Tarte Part Deux. In yesterday's review, I talked about wearing this product with makeup. Today, I thought I'd discuss wearing it alone, as suggested by the folks at Tarte.
To recap, here's what Sephora says about this:
"Ideal for all skin types, this natural skin brightener is infused with Amazonian clay, vitamins, and tea extract to moisturize and replenish the skin. This healing clay completely neutralizes any negative skin condition so that you are left with a healthy, radiant complexion. Oily skin? Amazonian clay minimizes oil in and around pores to balance skin and keep product in place. Dry skin? This nourishing clay hydrates skin naturally to restore moisture so your makeup wears better, longer and truer. Use fingertips to apply a pearl-size amount alone or mix with your foundation."
I tried it with makeup, over my foundation, for a few days, and saw little to no difference in the luminosity of my skin, or in its condition. I achieved a better level of "glow" with a little bronzer and some mineral powder.
Disappointed by that experiment, I thought I'd give wearing it alone a go. Last night, after I'd washed off my makeup, I applied the pearl-sized amount suggested to my clean skin. Um...wow. And not a good "wow". I looked like I'd been dunked in a vat of oil. Where I saw very little illumination with makeup, I sure as heck glistened without it! It was just too much. I decided that I'd give it a little while to calm down (I had just washed my face, afterall), and see how things looked in a couple of hours, before I went to bed.
One Netflixed MST3K later (Ed Wood's Bride of the Monster, for the curious), I ducked into the bathroom to see how I looked...and was sad. It's just not flattering. Yes, the shine had worn down some, but my skin was nowhere near even. I'm not splotchy, to begin with, but this wasn't doing me any favors. Worse yet, the area under my eyes looked horrible! I don't have dark circles, but I do have hollow areas that I camoflage with concealer. Without makeup, they're not embarrassing, but they look better with, at least, a little foundation. With this, they looked sunken in. It was the first thing I noticed when I looked in the mirror. I was a shimmery zombie, and I must say, it's not my best look.
I immediately washed it off, put on my night cream, and went to bed. This morning, I didn't touch the stuff.
If you want an illuminating primer to wear under makeup (or even over, really), save $4 and get Benefit's That Gal. It's brightening, holds makeup in place, and makes skin look really pretty.
If you want a highlighter for cheeks, shoulders, or anywhere else you want to show off, save $3 and get NARS Orgasm Illuminator. It's a beautiful color that can even be used as a sheer liquid blush. I would use it on the entire face, due to the peachy-pink color, but it's gorgeous on cheeks and browbones. If you prefer powder to liquid, or just don't want to add any more color, LORAC Perfectly Lit Oil Free Luminizing Powder is amazing. Just don't use it all over your face. You won't save any money, but the effects are much more appealing.
Now, if you just want something to make you look airbrushed, you can save a whopping $13 (!!!) and get Bare Escentuals Hydrating Mineral Veil. It's hydrating (duh), absorbs oil, and has a slight shimmer that minimizes the look of fine lines. I use it every single day, and am completely in love with it.
If you're just begging for something to wear instead of makeup, though, I'd suggest a good tinted moisturizer. This Tarte stuff isn't it, but one I can recommend is Stila's Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer. It's actually $2 MORE than the Tarte, but at least it does what it says it does. It's lightweight, good for your skin, and has SPF 15. It's out of stock until June, but worth the weight. Fun Fact: During my time on the road, I had to wear heavy stage makeup every day, sometimes ALL day. In my off time, I wore this to give my skin a rest, and never had a breakout. Another Fun Fact: This now comes in an illuminating form. I haven't tried it, so I can't recommend it, but if anyone out there has used it, I'd love to hear from you in the comments.
Monday, November 1, 2010
Comic-Con FAIL! Pass the Hershey's.
Right now, I'm feeling alternating bursts of anger, confusion, waves of sadness mixed with glimmers of hope, and full-on rage. No, I'm not hormonal. I'm trying to buy Comic-Con passes. Well, to be fair, Thomas is the one actually sitting in front of the computer, and has been for the past hour and a half. As it is, the preview night passes sold out at the July event, so the best we can do is a four-day, but the site's completely down right now. If nothing else, it's made for an entertaining Twitter feed, and it's given Thomas something to do while he's home sick from work. It's given him a reason to yell at the computer, mostly, but at least that's something.
Even if he gets through, he can only do the tickets one at a time, so it's entirely possible we still won't both end up with passes. If that happens, we'll try a couple of other avenues, but will most likely end up returning the single set and planning a different vacation. The thought is more than a little disappointing, but we're being realistic. Anyway, there are far worse things than missing a convention. You know, fire, flood, and famine, to name a few.
In the meantime, I feel the need to drown my sorrows in chocolate, and no, the milk chocolate Slim-Fast just isn't doing it for me. This would, though: The 16th Annual Salon du Chocolat in Paris, France. Sign me up for that! One of the chocolate convention's highlights was a fashion show--a chocolate fashion show. Designers and chocolatiers teamed up to create scrumptious cocoa couture, including a whimsical boustier dress inspired by songbirds, and sporting white chocolate wings. The convention isn't completely about decadence, though. It's also a way to get the word out about Fair Trade and the need to eliminate child labor in the chocolate trade. Now, that's sweet.
And now Comic-Con is saying that Registration is shut down, with more news to come on November 8th. They couldn't handle the traffic. Insert your own geek/tech joke here. It's too easy for me, and I'm really just not in the mood.
So, in light of the magic bag o' samples' M.I.A. status, I thought I'd go with a product review and a quick tutorial. Why not, right?
Okay, for months I've been wanting some really glittery eyeshadow. Something with some definite sparkle. I've got a short in a film festival this weekend, am shilling my CD next weekend, and then there's the whole Holiday season coming up. I thought something shiny might be kind of nice. I didn't want anything that screamed teeny-bopper, but was suitable for mature audiences.
Found it! Urban Decay Stardust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy. This stuff should be rated R. For starters, the color is a really sexy nude taupe. The shadow is soft, highly pigmented, and melts into your skin. Honestly, along with LORAC, it's tops on my shadow list, and right above MAC and Stila. Of course, the point of this shadow is sparkle, and boy, does it have it. According to Urban Decay, Stardust contains 40% more glitter than their sparkliest shadows.
To be honest, that description put me off a bit. I wanted something festive, but I didn't want something that could be detected at 100 paces, or had the possibility of making people confuse me with a drag queen. Or Kathy Griffin. As much as I love glitter, I'm neither a thirteen year-old girl, nor a Vegas showgirl. It's just not appropriate for me to go out looking like a disco ball.
I'm very happy to report that while this is supremely sparkly, it's not obnoxious. This is grown-up glitter, folks. There are no chunks, no flakes...for the most part, it's virtually undetectable. That is, until the light hits it just right, and your eyes light up like Fourth of July sparklers! I have it on from the lashes to my brows, and it's not innappropriate for my casual office. I even wore it to church yesterday with no issues--and I stand on the altar! Obviously, you can wear this to go out or for special occasions, but honestly, I'd call it acceptable for casual offices (or casual Friday), weekends, or, if you use it just on the lids, anytime.
I do have to tell you that I experienced a bit of fall-out. I layered the shadow over another one on Sunday, and ended up with a small amount of glitter on my cheeks. It wasn't much, but it existed, so I'm telling you. Today, I wore it by itself, directly on top of a primer, and have had zero fall-out. It's not something I would worry about at all with this shade, but would do a little research on before buying it in black or an ultra-bright color.
Oh, one more thing. It comes in a really cool little container that opens when you squeeze the sides. Thomas thinks it looks like a Star Trek communicator. That made me giggle a bit.
Alright, now for the tutorial. As you might have noticed by now, I tend to have my moments of brilliance completely by accident. Today was no different. Thomas is sick, so I needed to run to Target (across the street now! Yay!) to pick up some 7Up and crackers before work. I didn't have time to really do my makeup, but didn't want to risk scaring small children (Halloween is over), so I needed a quick fix. I keep a stash of neutral makeup in the bathroom, so I can grab and go without having to dig through my traincase, so all products used can fit in a small counter-top organizer. I grabbed a few items, threw them on, and ended up looking like I had the most gorgeous skin. For the record, I don't. So folks, here's how to look like you have luminous skin and zero need for makeup:
1) Start with a brightening primer (it should say brightening or luminizing on the bottle), like Benefit That Gal. 2) Apply a light foundation, like Benefit Some Kind of Gorgeous foundation faker.
3) Dot an eyeshadow primer, like Benefit Stay Don't Stray, on each eyelid and blend from lash to brow.
4) Apply a shimmery shadow that matches your skin tone (or one shade darker) from lash to brow. I like Urban Decay Space Cowboy for fair skin because of the sparkles.
5) Line the upper lashes with a charcoal gray liner. I used one by LORAC that's discontinued, but any liner will do. E.L.F. Cream Eyeliner in Gunmetal is a good choice, and only $3.
6) Apply concealer under eyes and to any blemishes. I love Benefit Erase Paste for this.
7) Apply a tinted luminizing lotion, like NARS Orgasm Illuminator (I'm quickly falling in love with this stuff) to cheeks.
8) Lightly apply coordinating blush, like NARS Orgasm Blush, to set.
9) Dust powder over concealer, nose, chin, and forehead only. I like Bare Escentuals Hydrating Mineral Veil because it's hydrating and has a very slight luminence about it.
10) Apply mascara, like Buxom Lash, to top lashes.
11) Apply a nude lipstick and/or lipgloss. I like Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick in Amsterdam, with Buxom Lip Polish in Claire.
That's it. I think the whole process took about five minutes, and I swear, it took about five years off my face. It's just a simple, easy, carefree look that makes your skin glow. Can't really argue with that. Also, everything mentioned above (except the E.L.F., hence the separate link) can be found at Sephora.
Even if he gets through, he can only do the tickets one at a time, so it's entirely possible we still won't both end up with passes. If that happens, we'll try a couple of other avenues, but will most likely end up returning the single set and planning a different vacation. The thought is more than a little disappointing, but we're being realistic. Anyway, there are far worse things than missing a convention. You know, fire, flood, and famine, to name a few.
In the meantime, I feel the need to drown my sorrows in chocolate, and no, the milk chocolate Slim-Fast just isn't doing it for me. This would, though: The 16th Annual Salon du Chocolat in Paris, France. Sign me up for that! One of the chocolate convention's highlights was a fashion show--a chocolate fashion show. Designers and chocolatiers teamed up to create scrumptious cocoa couture, including a whimsical boustier dress inspired by songbirds, and sporting white chocolate wings. The convention isn't completely about decadence, though. It's also a way to get the word out about Fair Trade and the need to eliminate child labor in the chocolate trade. Now, that's sweet.
And now Comic-Con is saying that Registration is shut down, with more news to come on November 8th. They couldn't handle the traffic. Insert your own geek/tech joke here. It's too easy for me, and I'm really just not in the mood.
So, in light of the magic bag o' samples' M.I.A. status, I thought I'd go with a product review and a quick tutorial. Why not, right?
Okay, for months I've been wanting some really glittery eyeshadow. Something with some definite sparkle. I've got a short in a film festival this weekend, am shilling my CD next weekend, and then there's the whole Holiday season coming up. I thought something shiny might be kind of nice. I didn't want anything that screamed teeny-bopper, but was suitable for mature audiences.
Found it! Urban Decay Stardust Eyeshadow in Space Cowboy. This stuff should be rated R. For starters, the color is a really sexy nude taupe. The shadow is soft, highly pigmented, and melts into your skin. Honestly, along with LORAC, it's tops on my shadow list, and right above MAC and Stila. Of course, the point of this shadow is sparkle, and boy, does it have it. According to Urban Decay, Stardust contains 40% more glitter than their sparkliest shadows.
To be honest, that description put me off a bit. I wanted something festive, but I didn't want something that could be detected at 100 paces, or had the possibility of making people confuse me with a drag queen. Or Kathy Griffin. As much as I love glitter, I'm neither a thirteen year-old girl, nor a Vegas showgirl. It's just not appropriate for me to go out looking like a disco ball.
I'm very happy to report that while this is supremely sparkly, it's not obnoxious. This is grown-up glitter, folks. There are no chunks, no flakes...for the most part, it's virtually undetectable. That is, until the light hits it just right, and your eyes light up like Fourth of July sparklers! I have it on from the lashes to my brows, and it's not innappropriate for my casual office. I even wore it to church yesterday with no issues--and I stand on the altar! Obviously, you can wear this to go out or for special occasions, but honestly, I'd call it acceptable for casual offices (or casual Friday), weekends, or, if you use it just on the lids, anytime.
I do have to tell you that I experienced a bit of fall-out. I layered the shadow over another one on Sunday, and ended up with a small amount of glitter on my cheeks. It wasn't much, but it existed, so I'm telling you. Today, I wore it by itself, directly on top of a primer, and have had zero fall-out. It's not something I would worry about at all with this shade, but would do a little research on before buying it in black or an ultra-bright color.
Oh, one more thing. It comes in a really cool little container that opens when you squeeze the sides. Thomas thinks it looks like a Star Trek communicator. That made me giggle a bit.
Alright, now for the tutorial. As you might have noticed by now, I tend to have my moments of brilliance completely by accident. Today was no different. Thomas is sick, so I needed to run to Target (across the street now! Yay!) to pick up some 7Up and crackers before work. I didn't have time to really do my makeup, but didn't want to risk scaring small children (Halloween is over), so I needed a quick fix. I keep a stash of neutral makeup in the bathroom, so I can grab and go without having to dig through my traincase, so all products used can fit in a small counter-top organizer. I grabbed a few items, threw them on, and ended up looking like I had the most gorgeous skin. For the record, I don't. So folks, here's how to look like you have luminous skin and zero need for makeup:
1) Start with a brightening primer (it should say brightening or luminizing on the bottle), like Benefit That Gal. 2) Apply a light foundation, like Benefit Some Kind of Gorgeous foundation faker.
3) Dot an eyeshadow primer, like Benefit Stay Don't Stray, on each eyelid and blend from lash to brow.
4) Apply a shimmery shadow that matches your skin tone (or one shade darker) from lash to brow. I like Urban Decay Space Cowboy for fair skin because of the sparkles.
5) Line the upper lashes with a charcoal gray liner. I used one by LORAC that's discontinued, but any liner will do. E.L.F. Cream Eyeliner in Gunmetal is a good choice, and only $3.
6) Apply concealer under eyes and to any blemishes. I love Benefit Erase Paste for this.
7) Apply a tinted luminizing lotion, like NARS Orgasm Illuminator (I'm quickly falling in love with this stuff) to cheeks.
8) Lightly apply coordinating blush, like NARS Orgasm Blush, to set.
9) Dust powder over concealer, nose, chin, and forehead only. I like Bare Escentuals Hydrating Mineral Veil because it's hydrating and has a very slight luminence about it.
10) Apply mascara, like Buxom Lash, to top lashes.
11) Apply a nude lipstick and/or lipgloss. I like Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Stick in Amsterdam, with Buxom Lip Polish in Claire.
That's it. I think the whole process took about five minutes, and I swear, it took about five years off my face. It's just a simple, easy, carefree look that makes your skin glow. Can't really argue with that. Also, everything mentioned above (except the E.L.F., hence the separate link) can be found at Sephora.
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Taking the "Boo" Out of Boo-Boos
My sweet little cousin is in the hospital. She's six, and has a chronic condition I won't go into, but suffice it to say, she's one sick little girl. Several months ago, her Mom and Dad took her and her little sister to Disney World, where they went to the Bibbidi Bobbidi Boutique. When they posted the pictures for the family, I couldn't help but smile at those adorable children with their fancy princess dresses, sparkly hairstyles, and enormous grins. Nothing was going to change the fact that this baby had to carry oxygen around the park, but darn it, at least she could feel like a million dollars doing it. Now, Halloween is coming up, and while they probably won't be trick-or-treating around their neighborhood, I'm sure their amazing parents and grandparents will make sure those girls get to dress up.
I don't have any kids, yet, and I can only hope and pray that when I do, they never have to endure long hospital stays. Unfortunately, life throws curveballs, and sometimes families find themselves having to try to figure out how to give a kid a "normal" childhood in a hospital setting. Thankfully, sometimes there's help.
For families in over 100 children's hospitals across North America, some of that help is coming from Spirit Halloween stores. You know, the seasonal shops that yearly take up residence in vacant storefronts? Orange signs, lots of teenaged employees? Yep, that's the one.
Through "The Spirit of Children" charity, volunteers truck in boxes of costumes and arts and crafts, all in an effort to spread a little bit of Halloween magic. According to the Aurora Sentinel:
Today's dip into the magic bag o' samples yielded NARS Orgasm (sorry, Mom) Illuminator. $29, Sephora. I'm a devotee of the blush, so when I had to chance to try this, I jumped at it. According to Sephora:
Now, would I pay $29 for it? That depends. I do think I'll get a lot of use out of it. I think it could look really pretty on exposed shoulders come party dress season. Then again, so could a lot of other products. I think I'll use the rest of the tube before I make any decisions. What do you guys think? Have you tried it? Any go-to faves for Fall/Winter glow? Let us know in the comments.
I don't have any kids, yet, and I can only hope and pray that when I do, they never have to endure long hospital stays. Unfortunately, life throws curveballs, and sometimes families find themselves having to try to figure out how to give a kid a "normal" childhood in a hospital setting. Thankfully, sometimes there's help.
For families in over 100 children's hospitals across North America, some of that help is coming from Spirit Halloween stores. You know, the seasonal shops that yearly take up residence in vacant storefronts? Orange signs, lots of teenaged employees? Yep, that's the one.
Through "The Spirit of Children" charity, volunteers truck in boxes of costumes and arts and crafts, all in an effort to spread a little bit of Halloween magic. According to the Aurora Sentinel:
“We bring Halloween to them,” said Matthew Fowler, store manager at the Spirit Halloween store on Colorado Boulevard in Denver. “This year, we’re planning on raising $2 million ... We want to make sure children are having a lot less scary time at hospitals...It’s literally life-changing ... It’s a great feeling,” Fowler said. “For one day, they can be somebody else.”The program has raised over $2.3 million since it began in 2006. Donations are taken year round, and local donations stay local. For more information or to make a donation, click on this link.
Today's dip into the magic bag o' samples yielded NARS Orgasm (sorry, Mom) Illuminator. $29, Sephora. I'm a devotee of the blush, so when I had to chance to try this, I jumped at it. According to Sephora:
NARS Orgasm Illuminator lights your skin from within! Deceptively sheer and decidedly luminous, it magically transforms lackluster skin into a remember-me, luscious complexion. Flirt with foundation, go it alone, or go neck-and-neck with your décolleté. The effect is, well, orgasmic.I wouldn't go that far. It's really nice, and I think I'm going to use it a lot, but I think they might be over-hyping things just a tad. Basically, it's a liquid (really liquid--not even close to a cream) blush. It's extremely sheer, and almost melts into your skin. There's very little color payoff, per se, but it does leave a lovely, peachy-pink sheen wherever you put it. I dabbed a drop on each eyelid and patted some onto my cheekbones right before applying my blush, and it gave me a nice, glowing look without being too shiny. The shade came off slightly darker than my normal skintone, so it eliminated the need for bronzer, which always looks odd in Fall and Winter, anyway. I did not put any on my nose, forehead, or chin, like I would a normal bronzer. This is too pink for that, and I didn't want to look like my skin was flaring up.
Now, would I pay $29 for it? That depends. I do think I'll get a lot of use out of it. I think it could look really pretty on exposed shoulders come party dress season. Then again, so could a lot of other products. I think I'll use the rest of the tube before I make any decisions. What do you guys think? Have you tried it? Any go-to faves for Fall/Winter glow? Let us know in the comments.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
She's a Witch! Burn Her!
So, I've spent most of the day a hot mess. Jeans, sneakers, Springsteen t-shirt, no makeup, and my hair in a clip. I think I may have startled some small children in the neighborhood. Behold, the swamp witch!
Suffice it to say, we're still moving. This makes day four, I believe, of trying to empty out a six-bedroom townhouse. Had the weather been clearer, the wedding I sang been a ceremony and not a Mass, and the Falcons not played the Saints, we probably wouldn't be in this mess. Instead, we have to turn in our keys Thursday morning, and the house is still full of stuff.
Unfortunately, I couldn't spend the entire day cooped up out of sight, unpacking boxes. I'd have been fine with that, but at some point, I had to rejoin the land of the living and be seen in public. That meant that I needed to, at least, brush my teeth and put on some makeup. I also only had about ten minutes to make myself presentable. Great. Luckily, when I set up the bathroom counter, I found an old makeup tray organizer and stocked it with the most used makeup from my train case. This way, on busy mornings, I can just grab and go, and not have to wade through a ton of stuff.
Today, I learned a very valuable lesson, folks. If you have good makeup in the right colors, you don't have to put any real effort, or even thought, into looking halfway decent. This is, literally, step by step, how I got "cute" this morning.
1) Splashed cold water on my face (gas company hasn't hooked up the hot water yet. Joy.) and slathered on a little Garnier Nutritioniste moisturizer. The exact name escapes me at the moment, but I've never tried a Garnier moisturizer I didn't love.
2) Skipped the primer (no time, and really, who cares? I'm moving. You're lucky I went to this much trouble) and threw on some Benefit Some Kind of Gorgeous Foundation Faker. Best. Stuff. Ever. for when you don't feel like wearing makeup. A travel-sized container is $9 at Sephora, if you want to give it a whirl.
3) Grabbed my Smashbox eyeshadow quad. It's four matte neutral colors that define your eyes without making them look made up. Sephora had it on sale for $6 a few months ago, so I snapped one up. Unfortunately, you can't get it anymore. My suggested replacement: L'Oreal HiP eyeshadow duo in Dashing (matte lavendar pink with dark gray accent color) or Darling (similar name, I'm sorry. Sparkly nude with medium brown accent color). They run about $8 at drugstores everywhere. Dashing is matte, like the Smashbox, and the colors are just enough to give you a polished look. Darling is shimmery, but similar in color to the Smashbox, and both sets have wonderfully silky textures. Added bonus, the darker colors can be used as liner as well.
4) Used my E.L.F. Eyebrow kit to tame my always unruly brows.
5) NARS Orgasm blush. Always flattering. It's a no-brainer. Easy peasy.
6) Benefit Erase Paste under the eyes and on any little blemishes that might have popped up (not that I would have any of those...).
7) Light dusting of Bare Escentuals Hydrating Mineral Veil to set everything.
8) One coat of Buxom Lash mascara. All I had time for, and really, all you need most days.
And that's it. I changed shirts (adorable Threadless tee with a cartoon Leia giving a cartoon Chewy a makeover), ran a brush through my hair (cold water rinses really do make your hair shinier. I've had no choice in the matter, but can't argue with results), and that was that. When I got in the car, I slicked on a little Buxom Lips in Clair. Seriously, ten minutes tops, with no thought necessary.
My point is not the products or the shades, though these are all top-notch. My point is that a good product in a good shade for you requires less work to apply and less thought, since you know it'll look great. Grab some go-to products, toss them in an organizer, and keep them at the ready for days when you're running late or just don't feel like worrying about makeup. I have all my other stuff (and will acquire more, probably this week, since the MAC Villain stuff comes out in stores on Thursday) in my train case, nearby, in case I need something other than what I have in the counter-side tray. It's not gone. It's not forgotten. It's just out of the way of the everyday stuff, and my life is already easier for it. I guess what I'm trying to say (badly, since my brain is fried and I tend to ramble) is that a little organization and forethought, as well as research and investment (as opposed to grabbing off the shelf out of necessity) can really cut the clutter and simplify your life. That works not only for makeup, but pretty much every other aspect of life. Let's cut the clutter, people. I'm working on it, and I'll let you know how it goes.
Suffice it to say, we're still moving. This makes day four, I believe, of trying to empty out a six-bedroom townhouse. Had the weather been clearer, the wedding I sang been a ceremony and not a Mass, and the Falcons not played the Saints, we probably wouldn't be in this mess. Instead, we have to turn in our keys Thursday morning, and the house is still full of stuff.
Unfortunately, I couldn't spend the entire day cooped up out of sight, unpacking boxes. I'd have been fine with that, but at some point, I had to rejoin the land of the living and be seen in public. That meant that I needed to, at least, brush my teeth and put on some makeup. I also only had about ten minutes to make myself presentable. Great. Luckily, when I set up the bathroom counter, I found an old makeup tray organizer and stocked it with the most used makeup from my train case. This way, on busy mornings, I can just grab and go, and not have to wade through a ton of stuff.
Today, I learned a very valuable lesson, folks. If you have good makeup in the right colors, you don't have to put any real effort, or even thought, into looking halfway decent. This is, literally, step by step, how I got "cute" this morning.
1) Splashed cold water on my face (gas company hasn't hooked up the hot water yet. Joy.) and slathered on a little Garnier Nutritioniste moisturizer. The exact name escapes me at the moment, but I've never tried a Garnier moisturizer I didn't love.
2) Skipped the primer (no time, and really, who cares? I'm moving. You're lucky I went to this much trouble) and threw on some Benefit Some Kind of Gorgeous Foundation Faker. Best. Stuff. Ever. for when you don't feel like wearing makeup. A travel-sized container is $9 at Sephora, if you want to give it a whirl.
3) Grabbed my Smashbox eyeshadow quad. It's four matte neutral colors that define your eyes without making them look made up. Sephora had it on sale for $6 a few months ago, so I snapped one up. Unfortunately, you can't get it anymore. My suggested replacement: L'Oreal HiP eyeshadow duo in Dashing (matte lavendar pink with dark gray accent color) or Darling (similar name, I'm sorry. Sparkly nude with medium brown accent color). They run about $8 at drugstores everywhere. Dashing is matte, like the Smashbox, and the colors are just enough to give you a polished look. Darling is shimmery, but similar in color to the Smashbox, and both sets have wonderfully silky textures. Added bonus, the darker colors can be used as liner as well.
4) Used my E.L.F. Eyebrow kit to tame my always unruly brows.
5) NARS Orgasm blush. Always flattering. It's a no-brainer. Easy peasy.
6) Benefit Erase Paste under the eyes and on any little blemishes that might have popped up (not that I would have any of those...).
7) Light dusting of Bare Escentuals Hydrating Mineral Veil to set everything.
8) One coat of Buxom Lash mascara. All I had time for, and really, all you need most days.
And that's it. I changed shirts (adorable Threadless tee with a cartoon Leia giving a cartoon Chewy a makeover), ran a brush through my hair (cold water rinses really do make your hair shinier. I've had no choice in the matter, but can't argue with results), and that was that. When I got in the car, I slicked on a little Buxom Lips in Clair. Seriously, ten minutes tops, with no thought necessary.
My point is not the products or the shades, though these are all top-notch. My point is that a good product in a good shade for you requires less work to apply and less thought, since you know it'll look great. Grab some go-to products, toss them in an organizer, and keep them at the ready for days when you're running late or just don't feel like worrying about makeup. I have all my other stuff (and will acquire more, probably this week, since the MAC Villain stuff comes out in stores on Thursday) in my train case, nearby, in case I need something other than what I have in the counter-side tray. It's not gone. It's not forgotten. It's just out of the way of the everyday stuff, and my life is already easier for it. I guess what I'm trying to say (badly, since my brain is fried and I tend to ramble) is that a little organization and forethought, as well as research and investment (as opposed to grabbing off the shelf out of necessity) can really cut the clutter and simplify your life. That works not only for makeup, but pretty much every other aspect of life. Let's cut the clutter, people. I'm working on it, and I'll let you know how it goes.
Thursday, August 19, 2010
SQUEE!!!
Very rarely do I squee. I might giggle. I might coo. I'll most probably let out an awwwww, but rarely, if ever, do I squee. For this, I made an exception:
I actually saw this little guy on a recent trip to Toys 'R' Us. He's $8.99, and yes, I squeed. It greatly embarrassed Thomas, and I felt silly, but then...well, then I saw his little friend:
Wow. Um...I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me. I just...OH MY GOD, THERE'S ANOTHER!
I really don't know how much more I can...NO WAY!!!!
That's it. No more Toys 'R' Us. My little heart can't handle it.
Moving on. Ahem. Today, folks, you get a two-fer out of the old magic bag o' samples. Lucky you. To start with, I just received a deluxe sample of Make Up For Ever's HD Microfinish Blush in Quickie. Apparently, I am never going to run out of samples. They just keep 'em comin'. Anyway, it looked interesting, so I thought I'd give it a go and see what happened.
First off, it's a cream blush that comes in a pump. This is just a sample, but it's in packaging identical to the full-sized product, and I swear, this Make Up For Ever is going to last me forever. All you need is a miniscule amount to start with, and you can build color intensity from there. It's always easier to add than take away, and this stuff is highly pigmented. If you use too much, you might as well see if the circus is hiring.
Secondly, the color is very similar to NARS Powder Blush in Orgasm, which is what I normally wear (sorry, Mom, I didn't name it). If you've used that, then you know where this is going. For those of you who haven't tried the NARS blush, it's universally flattering, won a bajillion awards, and is probably the most natural-looking color you're going to find. MUFE's Quickie's peachy-pink color is so close it's scary.
Now, would I recommend it? That depends. If you want this particular shade, then no. I would suggest going with the NARS. They have it in powder and cream versions, it's the same price, and there's no pump to deal with. While I should note that I had no issue with the packaging, the pump design seems to be a major bone of contention among users who have reviewed the product. It tends to dispense more product than is needed, so you either end up wasting a lot, or you look like Bozo. Neither option is particularly appealing.
However, if you want to try out different shades, just happen to prefer cream blushes, and have no problem with pump dispensers, then go right ahead. The blush is lightweight, buildable, and long-lasting. I forgot to put on primer this morning (bad, Erin!), and my cheeks are still rosy. It's a good blush, and one that I'll continue to use. I probably won't ever buy it, but it's not getting thrown out. $25, Sephora.com.
Okay, Sample #2: Buxom Lips in Amber. It's Buxom, so it's awesome. Smooth feel, tons of shine, and a color that is, again, a lovely peachy-pink. It makes your lips look polished, but not overly done. I can't recommend this lipgloss enough. $18, Sephora.com.
*Photos by Toys 'R' Us
*Photos by Toys 'R' Us
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