MaquillageTalk

Eyes.Lips.Face
I was inspired to try a couple new looks because I received a generous treasure trove of ELF products from my sister for Christmas. I have to admit, I was pleasantly surprised when I put two of their Brightening Eye Color eye shadow quads to the test. The pigmentation proved to be true. With a good primer as a base, the colors were long lasting with no creasing. I will definitely continue trying other ELF products, and I will be posting the results!

Ivy ~
This quad includes a pastel lime green, a deep ivy green, a deep gold, and a rusty bronze. All four colors have a shimmer.

I love the strange ethereal story of Alice in Wonderland. When it comes to any of the merchandising, I am such a sucker! I am also a fan of Tim Burton films, and so I am greatly anticipating the release of his sure-to-be-dark version of the much adored tale. And it has Johnny...

Another collection that will be released in January is the Alice in Wonderland OPI Collection. The colors include Off With Her Red (glossy orange-red), Absolutley Alice (blue and gold glitter), Mad As A Hatter (multi-color glitter), and Thanks So Muchness (pearly berry blue-red).

This spring has much to behold and lust after!

Reviews about matte nail polish are all across the spectrum, from love at first sight, to no thanks, not for me! Not sure if you are into the matte movement? Then this product is a worthy investment. Matte Magic is a topcoat, applied to any nail lacquer, and voila! It magically provides instant matte-if-ication!! I am on the fence still about matte color, so adding this to my collection allows me the option to alter any my favorites on a whim!


This isn't a brand new product, and has been mentioned in many blogs, but I still think it is worthy of discussion. For online purchase, here are some links:

Nail de Royal for $3.15
Head2Toe Beauty for $2.99
The Beauty Clutch for $5.99
Ebay for various prices

Notes: This top coat on a regular shiny lacquer does seem to last longer than the matte polishes I have tried, although it is still subject to chipping. It dries very, very fast. One coat does the trick.

Here are some examples of what it does...

MAC Warm and Cozy Collection:

The new year brings about a whole new lust-list! The winter holiday season is upon us, and will be gone soon. It is bittersweet that the festivities have to end, yet with a new year comes exciting new products to try!

My spring 2010 wishlist:

• Benefit Sugarbomb and Stay Don't Stray Eye Primer (available now)
• MAC Eye Shadow from the Warm and Cozy Collection: Embark, Mulled Cider, and Chamomile; Tinted Lipglass in 2N and 3N (available now)
• T3 Refresh Volumizing Dry Shampoo for Dark Tone (available now)
• Nars Lipstick in Cruising; Duo Eyeshado Kuala Lumpar (Spring 2010)
• Guerlain- The entire Cherry Blossom Collection!!! (Spring 2010)
• Lancome O My Rose Collection: Pop 'n Cheeks Blusher (Spring 2010)
• Chanel Les Ombres Quadra Eyeshadow in Kaska Beige (Spring 2010)

and so much more... A girl's gotta dream, right?

What's on your wishlist for Spring 2010?

As the year winds to an end, I contemplate what is great right now, and what is not so great...

IN

Fudge. It seems to be displayed in mountainous mounds at every turn, and coming in every package. Although it may go straight to my hips, the need to enjoy it melt in my mouth is overwhelming and can't be avoided!

My new Sony HandiCam was delivered by Santa earlier today. It is beautifully blue, compact, and is charging up now, ready to take on my newly acquired desire to vlog!

Chai tea with clover honey and pumpkin spice creamer... mmm... This may sound odd, but it is divine and seasonal and warm. All the things that a warm drink does to make it a perfect holiday drink. It is a perfect blend of exotic spice mixed with traditionally classic sweet.

Revlon ColorStay for combination/oily skin. This foundation is like a good, true friend. No matter how many times I set it aside to try out other things, it is waiting for my return and never lets me down!

OUT

Watery eyes. My eyes seem to reject the heated forced air coming from the wall registers in my apartment, even though the warmth is welcome. Thankfully we have the option to don waterproof and smudge proof eye makeup!

My 'check engine' light made its bright and shiny presence known, and after a diagnostic check up, the offense was identified as an emission problem. :(

Gloomy, overcast darkness keeping away the view of the ocean. I haven't seen the sparkly water in over a week!

Chipped nail polish! Why won't it just stay put until I want to change colors?


Thanks for reading! ♥ What are your In's and Out's of the moment?

I just posted a new video: Beauty Questions Tag- I answered a series of questions about my current beauty products and routines. Check it out and I tag all of you! Thanks!

Recently, I was trying to find a photo to use as a profile picture, and I was horrified that in most recent pics I looked so shiny! I used to battle very dry, sensative skin, but not since I moved to my current location in July. This is my first winter here, and I noticed I now have the oiliest, shiniest, most blemish-prone skin ever! I am not sure if it is the weather, the new (more humid) climate, getting older, or what! So, it could be a combination of all these variables, plus some. What can a girl do, but tailor her makeup around the changes?

Bouffant Lifting and Texturizing Spray Gel

If you want BIG hair... this product is the answer! When sprayed at the roots of damp tresses before blow drying and styling, it provides lift and volume without stiffness or unmanageable texture. This spray also works well for scrunching in some natural, tousled waves. When sprayed on dry hair post flat ironing, it gives it that workable piece-y look, for the "messy" yet under control adorableness we all want to maintain!

I even went so far to use this on my unwashed hair, to give back some life to my flattened, droopy mane. It gave brilliant body, and I massaged it into my roots before brushing it out, and voila! Greasy roots be-gone!

I give this 5 stars and will definitely repurchase!

Thanks for reading! ♥ Coming soon... Dry shampoo options: Batiste, Salon Grafix, Rocoholic. Comparison and review of all three!

What are your hair texturizing go-to products? How about hair revival products to skip a washing?

Note: I bought this product, and I am not paid to review it. I expressed my own opinions in this review.

Elemental Herbs got this one right! This healing balm is a must have in any skincare and first aid arsenal. It is an organic herbal composition, and is petroleum free. I use this on cuts, scrapes, cat scratches, chapped lips, and even acne! Not only does it have a lovely lavender scent, the presence of lavender essential oil extract keeps bacteria and infection in check.

This is my go-to-item on healing blemishes, when they are at the dry and peeling stage. It is sensitive enough to put on your delicate facial skin, and is also a perfect base to keep your makeup from building up and flaking off, helping concealment last hours longer.

This multipurpose salve also treats cuticles and thirst starved skin on your hands. Washing your hands many times a day in harsh winter climates can cause unsightly and uncomfortably dry skin. To banish scaly, itchy dryness, this balm goes the distance. Because so little goes such a long way, one little jar will last a long time. I have had mine for over a year, and it is only 2/3 used up.

It can also be used as an intensive treatment on dry, callused heals. I just goop it on, and put on cotton socks to lock in the moisturizing and healing properties before going to bed.

With so many uses, this is a bargain product! It is $8.50 for the 1 oz. jar or $13.50 for the 2 oz. jar. I bought the 1 oz. jar. Elemental Herbs have since repackaged this product, but the ingredients are still the same. You can find Elemental Herbs All Good Goop here.

Thanks for reading! ♥ What kinds of multipurpose items do you love to keep on hand?

In these winter months, cold and cloudy weather need not dispirit my complexion! I love to pamper my face with varying skincare treatments, and I am forever searching for the ultimate combination that will make my skin look youthful and radiant. I have picked my top three for this winter.

The first is my default, go-to mask. It is inexpensive, and easy to find. Neutrogena Clear Pore is a dual duty formulation. It can be used as a daily cleanser, or an intensive mask. It is charged with benzoyl peroxide acne medication. It's claims to kill blackhead and breakout causing bacteria, all while deep cleansing and providing extra oil control. I use it as a mask, and I find that it does help to keep my shiny face a bit more oil-free. That is always welcome! It has a pasty, clay consistency, is white in color, and causes a slight tingling sensation. It dries in 5 minutes and is then ready to be rinsed away. It is a great treatment when there is not much time. I break this out whenever I feel hormonal breakouts on the horizon, and it always helps to dry things up a bit.



The second treatment is Verikira Spiced Pumpkin Face Masque. One pump of this powerful pumpkin juice does the trick! Once a thin layer is spread on the face, a strong tingling sensation sets in. It is not painful, but it is definitely reacting with the skin. It claims to exfoliate, and rejuvenate. I do have smoother, tighter skin following this treatment. It smells very veggie like, and initially feels very slimy, just like the gooey stuff from inside the pumpkin. I have seen many versions of a pumpkin peel, and I bought mine at BeautyTicket.


The final is a new favorite to my skin routine. Neutrogena Tone Correcting Enzyme Peel is a gritty facial mask treatment, and offers to help balance out discoloration. It is early to tell if it will cure my acne scarring discoloration (on my chin), I have been using it 2 times per week for only 2 weeks now, but it has already helped with sun damage spots I had on my upper cheeks. I am optimistic and will continue using it. I am coupling this product with a nightly dose of Neutrogena Tone Correcting Concentrated Serum. The two are part of the Ageless Intensives line. I intensely wish to be ageless! Does that help?


What products are in your holy grail skincare routine?

Lipstick: ($12 each)
The first two, Breathe and Femme are Matte Creme Lipsticks, very pigmented in color, creamy and smooth. Their case is also a matte black. The last one is Spotlight, a Sparkling Lipstick. It is very wearable, with small light flecks of glitter.

Breathe, Femme, Sotlight

Breathe, Femme, Spotlight

2 Lip Laquers; 1 Lip Gloss: ($10 each)
The lip laquers have the claim to be pearlized, have a high shine and they have buildable color. I would agree with all three claims for Chic. I specifically picked this color out for upcoming holiday parties. It is definatley a change form my pattern of nudes and pinks. The color French Kiss does not have buildable color really, but it is a sparkly nude without much pigmentation, and a high dose of luminosity.
The last one, Embrace is a perfect variation of my favorite color in a gloss! It is very nude and sheer, high shine, and has a mocha type smell. It works perfectly for layering over lipstick, to give it a high shine. :)

I got my hands on this fabulous set of Benefit's Celebutante, and couldn't wait to start playing with all the products. It is basically a deluxe sample type affair, I got mine for $34. Since Benefit is so pricey, I have been holding out on getting many of their items. The few products I did splurge on were awesome, so I knew this would be worth it. Check out the swatches I did for each item.