MaquillageTalk

Contest Winner

2010-04-04T23:32:00.000-07:00

Hello Lovlies!

I am finally back from my Spring Break! The winner for my MAC Liberty of London Blog Giveaway is:

1. Hannah @antiquerose

Thank you to every one who entered, there were 93 entries in all. From the list of all the comments, I used Random.org to create a random list, and #1 wins!

Spring Break

2010-03-25T18:13:00.000-07:00

Hey all you beauties out there! With this beautiful weather and spring break starting for me this weekend, I haven't really focused on any new blog posts! I'll pick up where I left off when I get back... but in the meantime, I have decided to cut my MAC Liberty of London giveaway short, and I will do a draw for the winner when I reach 100 followers! Yay!

Have a wonderful week and enjoy the beginning of spring!

♥

In and Out

2010-03-22T22:28:00.000-07:00

Just a little update....

In
Limited Edition Colossal Black Diamond Mascara
Friends that make you cupcakes and brownies
Wet n Wild Color Icon Palettes
Vinyl Wall Cling Art
Kitty cat love- it's unconditional :)
Alice in Wonderland
Spring Break!

Out
Men that let you down
Burnt out lightbulbs too high to reach without a ladder
Contemplating the monumental task of packing and moving
Cars that break down :(
Remembering there is no more coffee after I'm already in PJ's
Weird semester-long group projects

That's all I've got for today~ thanks for reading!

♥

The Runaways- Rocking the Smokey Eye

2010-03-20T12:25:00.000-07:00

This collection has shot straight to the top of my current wishlist chart! Rocker-girl chic with a black smokey eye has proven once again to be timeless! It is my favorite way to drum up a little drama in my life. The Runaways is a must see film about the infamous all girl band from the 70's. Thier signature smokey eyes are a must makeup look! Check out Sephora for this rocking collection.

It features Makeup Forever Eyeshadow in Bronze 84, Aqua Eyes Shadow/Liner Pencil in Mat Black, and of course the best seller Aqua Smoky Lash in Extra Black.

XOXO

♥

Just a Quick Note

2010-03-18T11:44:00.000-07:00

I just want to take a moment to thank all my followers for participating

in my MAC Giveaway and for helping me spread the word about my blog! I really enjoy discussing and sharing all my beauty finds with you. ♥

I hope you all have a lovely day!

EOTD- St. Patty's Day Peepers!!

2010-03-17T02:02:00.000-07:00

I don't need much of an excuse these days to wear shimmers and sparkles, but given the theme of good old St. Patty's Day, all the more reason for green glitzy glam!!!

EOTD = Eye Of The Day

Now, here is what I used:

Coastal Scents 88 Ultra Shimmer Eye Shadow Palette

The green is 3rd fromt he left, 2nd from the bottom. I used this color all over the lid.
***If you want to experiment with color, these palettes are an inexpensive way to experience a highly pigmented variety of colors. They are $19.95.
There is a shimmer and a mixed version of this palette.

Next...

Left: Victoria's Secret Silky Eye Shadow Sparkle in Gaze

I used this on the inner corner and inner 1/3 of my lid.

Right: Loreal Hip Bright Shadow Duo- I used the dark green shadow in the outer corner of my lid,
all along the crease, and I lined the lower lash line with this.

I lined my water line on the bottom with MAC Feline- but any black waterproof liner will do the trick.
The mascara is Benefit Badgal Plum.

Thanks for reading, and have a Happy St. Patty's Day! Did you do anything special for the holiday?

xoxo

Resurrect Titanic? Again?

2010-03-16T15:24:00.000-07:00

The chatter is that James Cameron has confirmed that Titanic is being brought back to the silver screen once again, this time in 3D. We can expect this appearance in 2012. Even if you don't admit it out loud, the thought of the famous ship going down once again has a certain appeal. A film that played on multiple emotions is sure to bring it once again with the 3D makeover.

Thoughts? Is the 3D version something you would go to see?

♥

MAC Too Fabulous

2010-03-16T01:29:00.000-07:00

Yes, it is another peachy nude lip! These are from the MAC collection Too Fabulous.

Naked Liner Lip Pencil and Boy Bait Cremesheen Glass

Voilà! This is what the two look like together:

♥

Ok, ok! So I will post soon with some actual color on my lips :) I know the nude lip is not for everyone. I just wanted to be sure to get up swatches of all my latest hauling,

which included an abundance of peachy nudes. :)

Thanks for reading!

Blooming Lovely and English Accents

2010-03-15T22:38:00.000-07:00

MAC Give Me Liberty of London Swatches

So, if you can't tell from my previous posts or my twitter chatter, I am overly obsessed with this collection. I am not alone, as it is quickly selling out all over the place! The pieces I want to feature today are the tinted lipglass in English Accents and the amplified lipstick in Blooming Lovely. I really like it when MAC has amplified lipstick in their special edtion collections,it seems like they normally feature lustres. The amplified lipsticks are much more intense and opaque in coverage.

Not only are the product colors to die for, but the packaging is fab-u-lous!!!

I ♥ it!

♥

Thanks for reading!

MAC Giveaway (Closed)

2010-03-13T21:14:00.000-08:00

Update: 3/31/10- Thanks to everyone for participating! I will announce the winner on Sunday, 4/4/10 when I return home from Spring Break.

Yay! The Liberty of London MAC collection is so fabulous,
I want to share it with all of you!!!

Now for the good stuff:

Up for grabs

MAC Prim & Proper Powder Blush and Ever Hip Lipstick

I will be using random.org to generate the winner and international entries are welcome! I will give away these two awesome products when I reach ~~150~~ 100 followers.

Now for the rules:

1. You must be a follower of my blog

♥

2. You have 3 chances to get entered

~Entry #1: simply comment below with "Give Me Liberty of London Please!"

~Entry #2: do a blogpost about my Liberty of London Giveaway OR post a picture and link in your blog sidebar. Please remember to leave me a link to your blog.

~Entry #3: Tweet about my giveaway. To enter this way, follow me on twitter and tweet this:

RT @MaquillageTalk MAC Liberty of London blog #giveaway! info here: http://bit.ly/9MTDSU

♥

3. Make sure you leave your email address or twitter username so I can contact

you if you are the lucky winner

Good Luck and Thanks for Reading!

Konad Nail Design- Liberty of London Inspired

2010-03-13T00:56:00.000-08:00

I had to have the new MAC Liberty of London nail laquer Blue India- and in one coat I swooned and was in love. I have to start looking around for a dupe for this now, because I just can't imagine life without it! I ended up buying two bottles of this little beauty!

♥

This is one messy coat slapped on! :)

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Then I was feeling inspired by the cool pattern on the box, designed by the one and only Liberty of London for this limited edition MAC collection... and got to considering my Konad toys that haven't been out to play in months. So, here is what I came up:

I used the Konad plate M53

(the flower above my thumb)

White paint used:

Konad Special Nail Polish White for the flower stamping;

Seche Nail Lacquer Porcelain for the french tips.

♥

Using the Konad stamping system is a little complex at first, as you must work quickly to transfer stamp designs before the paint dries. It did get easier with practice. I am inspired and excited to try my hand at some more designs! Two kinds of stamping plates I have used are Konad and GCOCL. There is a wide variety, something for everyone!

What are your thoughts on nail stamping?

Have you seen any good dupes for the MAC Blue India?

Thanks for reading!

More On Nude Lips

2010-03-12T16:38:00.000-08:00

To continue my earlier post on nude lips New Nude Lip Goodies- MAC ... here are some great examples of how to make it work! Nude lips work on many faces, many skin tones, and can be very natural or very dramatic. I love the versatility!

XOXO

I hope this helped all you beauties out there!!!

♥

Thanks for checking it out :)

New Nude Lip Goodies- MAC

2010-03-12T00:54:00.000-08:00

The ultimate trend I happened upon in the last year was the complementing a heavily lined eye with a nude lip. I do so love a nude lip! So, I tend to scoop up many nude lip products to try out, and now I am cycling through many offered by MAC. I blogged about Myth and Creme d'Nude before, and I love them both, with Myth being my favorite, because I prefer a matte, opaque lipstick.

For the new nude lip goodies:

First up is Lip Erase Lip Balm, which is fantastic at cancelling out the color of your lip pigment in one applcation, and is a great base coat for a lipstick color on top of that. It is long lasting, and very effective. I have found that this is also amazing under any Lipglass, and the color of your lips become precisely the color of the Lipglass product. The concept is the same for any lipcolor in any lipstick. If you use this item, remember to apply the color with a brush or your finger, as the nude color lip balm will transfer onto your lipstick.

Featured next are two very differing tones of lipstick. One is very pale, and the other is dark. The first lipstick is Equality, a creamy pale yellow beige Lustre Lipstick. Next in the picture is Freckletone, which is a neutral peach Lustre Lipstick.

Lip Erase Lip Balm, Equality, Freckltone

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swatches

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Now get your nude lip on! XX Muah!

Thanks for reading!

Cherry Culture Mega Sale

2010-03-09T21:28:00.000-08:00

♥

You can shop now at Cherry Culture and get a fabulous discount!!! It is one of my favorite vendors of NYX products. Some of my other favorites are Beauty Blender, L.A.Girls, Milani, and Jelly Pong Pong. I will definately be browsing the L.A. Girls Rockstar Nail Polish and Milani Mineralize Blush!

Let me know what kind of hauling you love to do from Cherry Culture! If this is your first time shopping there, let me know what kinds of treasures you find!

Thanks for reading.

♥

Line Like an Egyptian

2010-03-07T16:11:00.000-08:00

From the Egyptians to Liz Taylor to Taylor Momson, eyeliner has been essential part of every woman's makeup regime. Eyeliner is one of my favorite makeup items, ever. The routine of putting it on, and the varying degrees of difference it makes can take you from subtle to dramatic in 60 seconds flat. It is also an item that can take you from day to night. It is a spectacular makeup buy. Having tried dozens, and having had to learn and practice to make the most of them, eyeliners come in every color, and every cost imaginable. I will outline my favorites from staples to splurges, and why.

My Holy Grail eyeliner is black, of course. My favorite at the moment is MAC Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline. This is a limited edition color, but repeatedly shows up in new collections, and so is not difficult to obtain. This particular liner is creamy enough to apply smoothly with no tugging, and has staying power. I can use it on my water line, and not worry about it pulling a disappearing act. It is an intense black, and I love it!

Stila Topaz, MAC Feline, MAC Fascinating

Two more staple eye liners for me are the MAC Eye Kohl in Fascinating (white), and Stila Kajal Eye Liner in Topaz (pinkish-peach). These two are always in my kit because of their eye brightening capacities. Fascinating is water resistant, and is long lasting. Using this on the inner corner can add a luminous, brightening effect to those tired eyes. Topaz is not as long lasting, but when used in the water line, it helps to open the eyes up and make them look larger. It is a great way to cancel out pink waterlines, and is very wearable. It is soft and smudgeable, and such a pretty color.

♥

For eyeliner splurges, I mention 3 that I love, and continually keep on hand. The newest addition to my love list is Maybelline Line Stilleto, which is a black liquid liner. The applicator is a flexable fine tip, and the result is an easy to manage approach for creating a defined black line with liquid liner. The black Benefit Bad Gal liner is a fabulous way to create a smokey shadow look, and this chunky pencil helps to creat that dark, smudgy rocker chic look. The Benefit Eye Bright is a pale pinkish brightening liner, and when smudged into the inner corner, creates an alive and awake look.

Benefit Bad Gal, Benefit Eye Bright, Maybelline Line Stilleto

♥

Thanks for reading. What are your favorites: both must haves and splurges?

In and Out

2010-03-05T01:27:00.000-08:00

This week my In and Out routine will be more like what was totally:

Awesome

♥ I finally bought two nail polishes I have been lusting after for ages: OPI My Private Jet and Mad As A Hatter! Soooo excited about these :)

♥ Alice In Wonderland is finally here! I bought my tickets already, I can't wait!

♥ One of my classes ended this week~ that lightens up the load a bit :)

♥ I am going to visit my mom for the weekend, and I am flying there, so no bad traffic or weather to deal with on a long, boring drive

♥ I will be visiting an area that has an Ulta!!! Yay since they don't have one here, where I live.

♥ My favorite candy of all time: Cadbury Creme Eggs!!! And it is that time of year again...

♥ I tracked down a 'fauxnad' nail plate with Hello Kitty on it! For those that don't know, they are for nail stamping art. I'll be posting pics and info once it comes in the mail.

>^..^<

... and what was a total:

Bummer

X I miss my kitty cats terribly when I go out of town :(

X I spilled coffee everywhere while doing homework. Now my homework packet and my notebook smell like a coffee bean, and look crumpled and brown

X I saw a guy fall down a flight of concrete stairs today, he was banged up so bad we ended up calling an abmulance for him

X I have so many things I want to blog about, but haven't been able to fit it into my schedule lately =(

>^..^<

Thanks for reading! I hope your weekend gets off to a fantastic start! I plan to do at least one blog update this weekend while I am away. Follow me on Twitter for fun trip updates. It will be a fun weekend for me filled with good friends, good food, good shopping... and just being at home with my mom! XOXO

I've Been Tagged! (Cute Blog Post)

2010-03-02T21:11:00.000-08:00

I was tagged with a cute blog award, and I feel so honored to be tagged by one of my very favorite bloggers, Hannah's Ramblings. This is my first blog award! Yay!

So, I am to pass this along to 5 of my favorites, and so you are now tagged:

If you already won this award, just know you are double-awesome then! :)

Fun Trend - The Cameo

2010-03-02T02:52:00.000-08:00

I have a modest collection of these charming and beautiful amulets. My little colleciton is a bit of old and new, and a bit of borrowed and of blue... hmmm... kinda sounds related to weddings! But, they aren't. Let me tell you a little about a few of my favorite jewelry pieces.

The small blue cameo is one I've had since I was little, it is a little Avon treasure that was given to me by my mother. The second piece is actually a fabulous vintage scarf ring, which was my grandmother's. I use it as a ring, cocktail style. The last is a charm I found at a craft store, and so I cleverly fashioned it into a necklace! (haha)

The cameo is steeped in Greek and Roman origin, and it is a closely related art form to the bust, which is a sculpture of the head and shoulders of a person. The cameo is a relief sculpture, and can be scenery or a portrait, but for most jewelry we see today it is a relief portrait of a woman. I love that this single form of adornment and fashion has lasted so many centuries. It was loved and influenced by the French during the Renaissance, the English through the Victorian Era, and many other European countries have contributed and carry on the cameo tradition today.

I hope to add some more pieces to my colleciton, as they are timeless and beautiful! Also, it is fun to hold onto multi-generational pieces. What kinds of jewelry has been passed along to you? I would love to hear your stories. I hope you enjoyed my little fashion rant today. Thanks for reading!

Givenchy Rose Taboo

2010-02-28T03:00:00.000-08:00

I have overlooked this gloss in my collection for a while, but out of the blue I reached for it the other day. I really liked the formula, the slight shimmer, and the color was very pretty. I am not one to do bright vivid colors on the lips, and so it fit right into my comfort/preference zone.

It is: Givenchy Gloss Interdit Ultra-Shiny Color Plumping Effect in the color 04 Rose Taboo.

The most impressive thing about this gloss is that it the color was still on my lips after about 2 hours of wear, and they still appeared full. I did not eat or drink in the duration of that time, so that will most likely change the outcome. I purchased mine at Sephora and I am now considering the color 02 Impertinent Nude.

Thanks for reading!! ♥

Spell Cosmetics Eye Shadow LOTD

2010-02-27T13:30:00.000-08:00

LOTD: Look Of The Day

I have been playing around with some Spell Cosmetics eye shadows, and I am so in love with them! They are rich in color and the intensity is buildable. They are finely milled mineral shadows, and are very blendable. They work well with both wet and dry applications.

The colors I am gushing about are the Moonspell Collection:

Dry Swatches

I have really been getting into using blue shadows lately. I am on a mission to challenge myself to use more color in my eye looks, and I find I often reach for blue to up the intensity. Here is a look I did to go out. I think it is soft and subtle, while having a hint of drama.

I do find that the deep blues like navy blue, brighten my eyes and help them to look larger.

Another part of what makes this look so fun for me is the eyelashes, ELF Professional Eye Lash Kit. I wasn't expecting much from these lashes, but with a little DUO glue and black liner they worked out well.

The other things I used on my face:

Revlon PhotoReady 003 Shell

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural Medium

MAC Velvet Teddy Lipstick

NYX Blush Natural

Maybeline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous Mascara

Maybeline Line Stiletto Liquid Liner

MAC Eye Kohl Feline

NYX Lipliner Nepal

**mentioned already: Spell Cosmetics Eye Shadow and DUO Lash Glue

♥
I hope you enjoyed! This was a fun blog post to put together!

Habit Confession of the Day: I ♥ my kitties!!!

2010-02-24T23:24:00.000-08:00

Blogging about all the fun beauty finds I run across in my life is very exciting and fulfilling, but in another area of my life, I have another obsession. I am obsessed with my kitty-cats! I have two:

Maggie and Bandit

This is Maggie: She is a rescue kitty we got 2 years ago in California, and she is now 5 years old. She is very wooly, very mellow, and the most well behaved cat I have ever met. She likes to be near us, but isn't a snuggly kitty. She has a grumpy look, but is the sweetest thing ever!

caught mid yawn

Maggie the rockstar

This is Bandit: He is our little Deutchland (German) kitty. We adopted him in Germany when he was just under a year old. He is now 6 years old. He is very active, very naughty, very demanding of attention ALL of the time... He loves to be held, he loves sleeping under the covers, and he is our little love.

Sleepy little fuzzy angel...

My little cinnamon swirly kitty

Hope you enjoyed the break from the usual to see some pics of my favorite furry creatures!

♥

NYX Haulage!! Part II

2010-02-23T03:00:00.000-08:00

Part II: The rest of the story...

(click here for Part I)

NYX Chrome Eye Shadow

♥

NYX Eye Shadow

Normally, eyeshadow is an area where I go CRAZY, but because I already have so many of the NYX single shadows, I toned it down a bit in this order. o_O

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Sponges

Pk 1: 24 Wedges Pk 2: Misc Mixture

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NYX Blush Brush

And that's wrap! I have high expectations for each and every product, as NYX has always delivered great results before. NYX Cosmetics is one of my favorite makeup product lines, and they are sold at drugstore prices. You can purchase NYX in Ulta stores, or a number of places online.

Thanks! What is your fave NYX product?

NYX Haulage!! Part I

2010-02-22T03:00:00.000-08:00

I loaded up on NYX products during their Dollar Galore Sale, and so this will be posted in two parts.

Part I: Lips

NYX Lips Lipstick

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Slim Lip Pencils

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Diamond Sparkle Lipgloss

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NYX Sheer Gloss

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NYX Brush On Gloss(2) / Mega Shine Lip GLoss

**Because the Taupe and Beige Pearl are so close to my flesh tone, it's hard to see them in pics :( Click the image for a close up view.

Thanks! Click Here for NYX Haul Part II: Eyeshadows and Tools

My Baked Mineral Blush Love Affair

2010-02-21T03:55:00.000-08:00

Albeit slow to start, feelings of love are most asuredly there when it comes to the baked variety of mineral blushes. The courtship has been long, with my first taste being Milani Minerals Blush Luminous. Being a drugstore brand, this is very affordable. It is a gorgeos rosey pink with a gold shimmery high sheen. One thing I have to mention about this blush is that it lasts all day long. I still have a pinkish, shiny glow after hours and hours of wear. It is not overly pigmented, and you don't have to use such a careful light hand when applying.

♥

The next mineral blush I fell for is Laura Geller Blush -N- Brighten in Sunswept. This little package packs a punch of color. It combines a frosty bright pink with a plummy red, while shot through with bronze veining and copper shimmers. This blush is very highly pigmented and has a high shimmery sheen. I find that it is best worn when buffed very well high on the cheek.

So smitten with Sunswept by Laura Geller, it wasn't long before I was easily seduced into buying the Baby Cakes Baked Blush Palette by Laura Geller. This palette includes 4 mini blushes and a retractable blush brush.

Sugar Free Raspberry, Pink Grapefruit, Golden Apricot, Sunswept

The colors include:

Sugar Free Raspberry (which is the only one with NO shimmer)

Pink Grapefruit

Golden Apricot

and Sunswept again, now of which I have backup :)

♥

My newest infatuation is with MAC Mineralize Blush Nuance.

It is such a pretty peachy-pink color!

So that sums up my collection of mineralize blushes. I can see room for growth in this collection, as I am lusting after others out there. I love shimmery blushers, because not only do they bring a bit of whimsy to the mix, but they also add such a yummy, healthy glow.

What are your favorite mineralized blushes? I would love to hear your recommendations on the matter!

♥ Thanks for reading ♥

Giveaway Poll

2010-02-19T21:44:00.000-08:00

Which would you most like to see in my upcoming giveaway?(survey software)

In and Out Right Now

2010-02-18T01:32:00.000-08:00

It's been a little while since I have posted my ins and outs, so here goes!

In

New York Fashion Week! Yay! The blogs, the news, the magazines, the twitter updates, it has been a lot of fun to follow.
Tights with shorts- I have been seeing more and more of this lately, and I approve! I know the winter shorts look is debated, but I think when done right, it looks great.

Working out to Kim Kardashian Fit In Your Jeans By Friday- squats like there is no tomorrow! Things are really tightening up! :)

Keeping up with the newest American Idol lineup, there seems to be same awesome talent this time around.

Out

I have a terrible head cold, complete with congestion, sinus pressure, sneezing, and overall general misery. :( and of course this is happening when the weather here has been sunny and 70. It's like summer, and summer colds are the worst!
~~I still haven't received my NYX Dollar Galore order!!! (which, by the way I placed over a month ago)~~ Strike that! It came in today! :)

My hair is at that annoying "growing it out" phase. You know, where it would just look so much more chic if I would get it cut, setting myself back to square one.
Losing one of fashion's greats, Alexander McQueen. A tragic loss felt by so many, he will be missed.

That concludes my current installment of ins and outs. What are your recent faves and not-so-faves? If you blogged about this recently, leave me a link the comments!

♥

Thanks for reading, and au revoir!

Healthy Wear Makeup

2010-02-17T02:18:00.000-08:00

Physicians Formula Healthy Wear Pressed Bronzer

Not completely convinced of the necessity of a bronzer (for me), I purchased this new product hesitantly. When it comes to drugstore bronzers, I always end up with products that leave a muddied, or ever worse, an orange effect, which is not so flattering!

Because I do long for that pretty warmth that bronzers promise to deliver, I went in search of a new and improved bronzer. The Physicians Formula line has not let me down with other products, and they had a giant pink and orange display of some kind of New Pressed Bronzer boasting "Radiant Bronze Glow" and "Smoothing Finish"

The pretty packaging not only captured my interest, but was plastered with multitudes of very convincing selling points, to include:

Healthy Wear
SPF 50!!!
Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation
Protects + Prevents + Restores
Long Wearing, Perspiration-Resistant, Water-Resistant
Wide spectrum of shades: Fair, Light, Medium, and Tan

And the list goes on! More great things this has to offer:

I know, right? I purchased it, and have been wearing it for a few weeks, and I have to admit, I really like this! I got it in Medium, just wanting a subtle warming glow. Because of the packaging in the store, you can't peak inside the actual compact, and I was fearful of the amount of shimmer, but rest assured, it is minimal.

Some very cool 411 about this fancy bronzer is that it is infused with many kinds of mineral based UVA/UVB protectants, which offers a high powered protection without greasy residue. It also contains antioxidants to combat sun damage and premature aging. And if all that wasn't enough, it contains tomato derivatives and licorice extract which work to brighten the skin and tone-correct sun spots.

So, what are your thoughts on drugstore bronzers? What kind of experiences have you had with them? I am a converted believer now, and am open to suggestion to try others out! Thanks for reading.

Product Rave - Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover

2010-02-15T23:44:00.000-08:00

When it comes to an eye makeup remover, I have found that the Neutrogena Oil-Free version is my favorite. I do often wear a good amount of eye makeup, to include mascara, liner, primer, shadows, and sometimes glitter. To use this product, you shake it up, since it is a dual-phase product that separates. I saturate a cotton ball, and place it on my eye, holding it there while it starts to lift the eye makeup off. It works so effortlessly, that there is no pulling, tugging, or scrubbing to get all the traces of the makeup off. It does not cause any sort of burning sensation (others I have tried did) and it does not leave a greasy feeling behind (which I have experienced with others, also). Sometimes, with gel liners, they are pretty stubborn to remove from the delicate lash line. For this, I use a q-tip dipped into the remover solution to gently remove the persistent liner residue.

This bottle has 3.8 fl oz, and lasts me about six weeks. That is with daily use, sometimes multiple times per day.

I also recently tried the Neutrogena Extra Gentle Eye Makeup Remover Pads. I do like these, but I find the pad itself doesn't have enough product for me to remove all traces of my makeup. If you only want one or the other of these on hand, not both, then these are clearly more ideal for those that wear a light load of makeup.

Because they are sturdy and thick plush pads, I tend to reach for these when I am wearing an extra amount of eye makeup, and I then put extra remover product on it from the bottle. They do seam to go farther in use than a cotton ball. The tub comes with 30 pads, and is air tight, keeping the pads moist.

I hope this helps if you were looking for an oil-free remover to try! I really like this product and plan to re-purchase it again when I start to run low. Thanks so much for reading! ♥

NOTD ~ Blue Sparkles Forever

2010-02-14T08:00:00.000-08:00

My nail of the day is a combination of Rimmel Lasting Finish Fuel with a layer of SinfulColors Hottie. I think I am addicted to this routine of dark opaque colors coupled with glittery ones on top! I am seeing my nail polish potential multiply exponentially with this new trend of mine...

* * * * *

Rimmel Fuel & SinfulColors Hottie

Thanks for reading!

Color Series: #2 Beau en Bleu

2010-02-13T17:23:00.000-08:00

"Beautiful In Blue"

The color of the day is absolutely blue! Most of my blue cosmetics are for the eyes, and I do occasionally enjoy wearing blue nail polish. It was hard to narrow this collection down to a manageable amount, since I have a ton of blue products. So, I tried to mention my most used blue items. The list could have easily been twice as long!

Pictured Items:
NYX Candy Glitter Liner in Disco Queen
Victoria's Secret Lustre Eye Shadow in Wanted
Jesse's Girl Baked Eye Shadow in MoonBeam
Benefit Bad Gal Blue
L.A. Girl Matte Nail Color in Matte Blue Twilight
Rimmel Lasting Finish Polish in Fuel
VS Eyeliner in Midnight
Wet n Wild Idol Eyes Shadow Pencil in Distress
Stila Smudge Pot in Cobalt Clutch
Spell Cosmetics Mineral Shadow in Sublime

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Eye Shadows:

SC Sublime, VS Wanted, Stila Cobalt Clutch, JG Moon Beam

Spell Cosmetics Sublime is a newer product for me, and I have been reaching for it every day. It is a finely milled mineral shadow, and can be applied wet or dry. I love the depth and intensity of this dark blue. It initially goes on very dark navy blue, and is very buildable to a blue-black color. Not only is this a fabulous shadow, it is also a great liner. It has true color payoff, incredible staying power, and has a subtle, slight shimmer.
Next is the Victoria's Secret Silky Eye Shadow Wanted, which is a pretty, shimmery midnight blue. This shadow goes very sheer initially, and builds to a brighter more vivid hue. I love the velvety smooth consistency of the VS shadows, and with a proper shadow primer, the staying power is decent.
Third from the left is Barbie ♥ Stila Smudge Pot Cobalt Clutch. It is a gel liner, with a subtle shimmer to it. I have found it works brilliantly as both a liner and as a brightening shadow base. It performs well, and is a fab color, but it doesn't build well. One layer is best, as additional layers cause flaking.
Last is the Jesse's Girl Baked Powder Eye Shadow MoonBeam. It is a pretty, sparkly blue with pink veining. It is a vibrant blue when applied dry, and a brilliant metallic blue with a pretty sheen when applied wet.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

NYX Disco Queen, Wet n Wild Distress, VS Midnight

NYX Candy Glitter Liner Disco Queen is a multi color glitter, with blue, green, yellow and orange glitters. It looks overall blue in the tube, and goes on a silvery, coppery, blue-ish color. It is a dramatic and sparkly!
Wet n Wild Idol Eyes Creme Shadow Pencil Distress is a metallic navy blue, and works both as a shadow or a liner.
Victoria's Secret Liner Midnight is a deep blue, and the liner pen has a smudger on the end to smoke out the liner.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Benefit Bad Gal Blue

Benefit Bad Gal Blue is a brightening blue mascara. It has a large plumping applicator. The blue tones on your lashes help the whites of your eyes stand out even brighter!

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Rimmel Lasting Finish Polish Fuel is a pretty blue with a pearlized finish. It lasts about 3 days until it chips, unless you apply a protective top coat. One coat is very opaque, as it is here in the photo. Please excuse my cuticles :(

L.A. Girls Flat Finish Nail Color Matte Blue Twilight is on the lighter side of blue in comparison to the above mentioned products. I enjoy this line of polishes, but it is prone to premature chipping, and to apply a top coat defeats the matte intentions. It is fun for a novelty, short term polish look.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

This concludes my take on the best of blues! I hope you enjoyed. Please share your favorite blue products, as I am always looking for new things to try out.

Thanks for reading!

Fave Things Of The Day

2010-02-12T23:30:00.000-08:00

(inspired by blogger Uncurbable Cravings ~ thanks Rachel)

Yogi Skin Detox Tea - very yummy and beneficial for the complexion :)
Dinner at a fun mom and pop place called Dharma, a fab little organic/health food cafe
Bought an exercise ball package- ball, pump, resistant band, pilates dvd - gonna give it a whirl tomorrow
RiteAid Sale - 25% off all cosmetics till tomorrow. Got some new nail polishes.
Pumpkin exfoliating face peel... feels awesome
Daffodils are in bloom here, and my rose bush is full of buds!

♥ Thanks for reading ♥

Color Series: Pretty In Pink!

2010-02-08T23:18:00.000-08:00

I have decided to do a series of posts based on my favorite items grouped by color! This first is going to be on Pink. I adore pink from the frosty, pale pink all the way to a bold, hot pink. I like pink makeup, pink jewelry, and will often just be drawn to any kind of shiny pink display at the store.

Pictured:
YSL Elle
MAC Warm Me Up Lipstick
Benefit Lust Duster gogo girl
MAC Tippy Blush
Eiffel Tower earrings
Urban Decay SWF Eyeshadow
NYC Chiffon Lipstick
NYX Jumbo Pencil Hot Pink
Revlon ColorStay Mineral Powder Brighten
La Femme Stormy Rose Blush
MAC Pretty Please Lipstick

YSL Elle is a warm blend of floral and woody notes, including peony, pink berries and patchouli. It is by far my favorite scent to wear, and I find I reach for it most often. The little earrings are from Icing, and were inexpensive, and are some of my faves because they are PINK EIFELLS!! Love them...

♥

Nothing is prettier than a fresh, pink flushed face, and my go-to pink face products include MAC Tippy from the Hello Kitty collection. Because it's discontinued and hard to find, I am including a gorgeous LaFemme pink blush, called Stormy Rose, and it has similar intensity to that of Tippy. You can purchase it here for only $3.50! A very pretty Revlon ColorStay baked mineral finishing powder in Brighten is a soft and delicate way to add a little shimmery highlight to your look.

♥

It took me a while to appreciate pink eye colors, but I have found that a hot pink liner on the bottom lash is a fun splash of color with a neutral lid. The NYX Jumbo Pencil in hot pink works great for this. It can also be used as a great eyeshadow base, for a very bright look.

Pink eyeshadows are not without thier charm! They add a pretty sparkle, and I've picked two very pretty pale pink shadows that I love for a soft, romantic look. Because they are pretty, shimmery pinks, they can be used on the cheekbone or dusted on the shoulders for a brilliant highlight. The Urban Decay SWF is a pink shadow with silver microglitter. On the eyes, it can be dusted on dry for a pale pink sparkle, or wet for a metallic sheen. The Benefit Lust Duster Gogo Girl is a more rose colored pink, has a shimmery finish, and can also play dual roles of highlighter/shadow.

And this concludes my best of pink compilation! What are your favorite pink products?

formspring.me

2010-02-07T22:51:00.001-08:00

Ask me anything http://formspring.me/MaquillageTalk

Collective Recent Haul Update

2010-02-05T01:52:00.000-08:00

I haven't gone crazy on the hauling, but I have picked up a few items here and there lately. Here are my new additions and some swatches.

First, I was excited to try the new Maybeline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous in Very Black. This promises to not only bring the length, but the volume as well. With the cleverly, and subtly curved applicator, I found that it was a bit more volumizing than the original Stiletto version.

Here is my naked eye, void of all makeup. You will be able to see just why I value a mascara boasting to both lengthen and volumize!

Here is my eye after a couple coats of the Lash Stiletto Voluptuous:

I found that the mascara formula was very buildable without becoming too chunky or clumping my lashes together.

Another set of treasures I found at a small boutique. There was a small display of NYX pencils. I picked one eye pencil in 917 Purple, and two lipliner pencils in Sweet Bean and Latte.

I found 2 Hard Candy products to try.

The first is this Lip Tatoo- a lip stain and breath freshening gloss. The color is Posy. The stain is a pale, frosty pink with silvery, pink, coral, and green sparkles. The stain is applied with a doe foot applicator and dries into a pretty pale shimmery finish. The gloss is clear and smells minty, and is applied with a brush. I found that the stain stays put once dry, but definately loses intensity and color when the gloss is applied.

The 2nd Hard Candy product I purchased is Lash Tinsel glitter mascara in Voodoo. It is a gorgeous bright purple. The brush is dissapointingly long and skinny. That can be forgiven for a novelty glitter mascara. Unfortunately, when applied, little to no color or glitter is deposited onto my lashes. The mascara formula seems too wet and runny, so I am going to leave it open for a while to see if it thickens up. I may be able to use this as a liquid eyeliner. So far, this one is a disappointing fail. :(

I will definately report back if I am able to get this product to work any better!

This is what it looks like:

Have you tried any of these? What are your thoughts? I love to read your comments! ♥

Update

2010-02-04T01:37:00.000-08:00

My dearest blog readers,

Don't give up on me. I have been away on a trip this week, and I got home late tonight. I did pick up some treasures to blog about, and so check back for some fun photos and swatches! In addition to that, I had the best homecoming surprise! My MAC order arrived while I was away, and it is a haul worth blogging about. If you follow my Twitter, you may have already had a sneak peak.

Thanks for reading my blog, and leaving comments! It means the world to me. I hope you all have a lovely day.

Fun Nail Combo

2010-01-31T19:25:00.000-08:00

When MAC released their Style Black collection last fall, I fell in love with Baby Goth Girl. Only in the bottle though... let me explain. It is a deep black color with pink sparkles. The combination gives an overall appearance of a shimmery purple color. Unfortunately, on the nails it looks just looks purpley-black, no sparkle. At some angles in very bright lighting, you can see some sparkles, but the black polish is so opaque, that it subdues the glittery effect. The quality of this polish is the only redeeming part. This is one coat:

Soooo... Inspired by other bloggers that layer on the glitz, I decided to add a layer of pink glittery sparkles! Now it will be more like the color I wished it would be! The pink sparkles are Wet n Wild Wild Shine (435GP).

And what you endup with is this:

Yay! So rockstar chic!

What are your favorite polish combos?

Top Five Most Wanted

2010-01-28T14:25:00.000-08:00

I am a sucker for accessories. However, I am on a shopping restriction right now, since I am gearing up to pay this semesters tuition, books, and blah blah blah.... so I have been "window" shopping. I have compiled a wishlist, which has been time consuming and satisfying, even though actual purchases weren't made. I should 'virtualy' shop more often!

So, here goes...
5. Crystal Pink Steampunk Butterfly Necklace- from Etsy seller LondonParticulars. I love things that have rough and tough elements, yet remain distinctly feminine. Gorgeous.

4. Forever 21 studded booties- these are another element of that bad-ass, yet feminine look that I adore. The matte leather mixed with the shiny gold studs lends a fascinating juxtaposition of texture. So rockstar, so chic. Yummy. Want these!!!

3. Deep Gem Metal Cuff from Pink Ice- I love red, yet I have so few items with red in my wardrobe. Because red can go so wrong so fast, I want to infuse red slowly, and delicately, beginning with accessories. This is a fantastic way to start. And plus I LOVE big chunky costume jewelry.

2. OPI Nail Polish Alice In Wonderland in Mad As A Hatter - I have been considering this one since it came out. It has such layers of fabulous fun glitter. This one is an eventual must have item.

1. Marc Jacobs Daisy Solid Perfume Necklace - such a divine fragrance. This whimsical limited edtion accessory can be found at Sephora. It is delightful, pretty, and petite.

I am sure the list could continue on and on. I will save those items for a future wishlist. Thanks for reading! What are some of your wishlisted items these days?

Current "Flawless Face" Routine

2010-01-27T22:05:00.000-08:00

I alternate days of no makeup at all with days of a fully painted on face. I enjoy makeup on a wide spectrum like that. On a minimal day, I will use concealor, mascara, and chapstick. Other days, it is like building a ship. The time, effort, and supplies used would intimidate the amateur... muwahahaha... Just kidding. But I thought I would outline my current steps to achieve that flawless complexion upon which to build the real art- the eyes- providing endless topics for other postings. Keep in mind that I have oily/ combination skin, so my routine may not be appropriate for other skin types.

Without further ado...

Step 1) Always begin with a freshly cleansed and toned face

Step 2) Moisturize. For me, it includes Oil Control!! I use Boots Expert Shine Control Lotion. I have found this in Target and at Drugstore.com.

Step 3) I use a primer, *gasp* on top of the moisturizer. I know, I know... some say the moisturizer acts as a primer, but with my battle against the dreaded shiny face, I like the supportive role that this little treasure provides. I use MAC Matte Creme Matifiante Face. This has a very interesting consistency, it is a gel, so it is easy to control, and spreads onto the face easily, and has a silky smooth finish. I concentrate this product on my t-zone.
Step 4) Using my dampened Beauty Blender, I apply Revlon PhotoReady... my new favorite foundation. It does have a "glow" property to it, which literally makes it photo friendly, but because of all the oil control and mattifying products I use, the dewy effect is kept at a manageable level. If I desire a truly matte appearance, I use Revlon Colorstay instead.

Step 5) I live in a more humid climate, so I like to set everything with a powder. I find that when I am visiting dryer climates, this step can be skipped. I'm currently loving Benefit "Hello Flawless!"

And it is upon this foundation that I build up the dramatics with bronzer, blush, and sometimes a highlight. I find that if I can keep my natural shine under control, I can successfully pull off other products with shimmer. If I skip steps to suppress my t-zone shine, then I successfully look ridiculous! My search for this balance took me a lot of trial and error. It is always my goal to look young, flawless and natural, not "made-up". As most of us know, it is a tricky tango to do this!

Thanks for reading! I love comments and questions...

My Vanity Organization

2010-01-24T23:54:00.000-08:00

When it comes to my "beauty supplies" and organization of such... let's just say there is no shortage of supply, but always room for improvement in the organization department. Here is my vanity setup. I like to have a place for each thing, and then have each thing in it's place, but I also like to keep an eye on things. When my stuff is out in the open, I use it more often and don't forget about it. Although I like the way things look if they are neatly hidden away in storage containers, that system just doesn't seem to work well for me.

Click on any of the following pictures for a larger, more detailed view.

In the shelf spaces, these 3 drawer Sterilite containers fit perfectly. I purchased mine at Target. I will briefly describe the system of organization I use.

On the left side, the first drawer contains foundations, primers, and concealers. The next drawer holds setting powders, pressed and loose, and kabuki brushes. The last drawer in this section holds blushers, including palettes, single powders, cream blushes, and stick form.

On to the next set! The first drawer contains highlights and bronzers. The next drawer holds various palette sets. The last drawer holds miscellaneous items, tools, packaging, and any other in-transit item that has not been assigned a more permanent home. This drawer will also often hold duplicate or extra items, and unopened new stuff that I haven't dug into yet.

The first set of drawers on the right side is by far my favorite, most treasured collection of makeup items. The first drawer contains eye primers, eye shadow bases, paint pots, smudge pots, gel liners, eye lash glue... all eye prepping and finishing goodies. The next drawer contains the single eye shadow pots in the more neutral colors. The last drawer contains single eye shadow pots in the more colorful shadows. I long to depot and relocate all these singles into palettes, but have avoided the investment in said palettes. So until then, the drawers will have to do.

By the way, if you haven't checked out the awesomeness of the Z-palettes, definitely go and check them out. These are definitely on my want list!

For the final set of drawers. The first contains my mineral eye shadow pots, some false lashes, and other powdery or glittery shadows. The middle drawer here holds eye shadow palettes, in various shapes and sizes. The last drawer holds all my fabulous lipsticks!

On the surface of the vanity, I have small boxes that contain

different tools, moisturizers, lip glosses, lip pencils, and hair clips.

Next to that are cups containing my most reached for eye liners, and my NYX jumbo pencils.

Next is a 3 well container by E.L.F. and it holds eye brushes and mascara. Lined up in front of that are my most worn lipsticks, that I always reach for. I just leave them out of the big lipstick drawer to keep them handy. FYI, the colors include MAC Eden Rocks, MAC Myth, MAC Pretty Please, MAC Tanorama, UD Naked, UD Midnight Cowboy, NYX Mute, Wet n Wild color like Tanoramo (no name?) and Victoria's Secret Femme. Next to all that is an office/ pencil organizer from Target, holding my brushes.

Next to the brushes is my new beloved Alice In Wonderland Book of Shadows palette. Then a small desk organizer with a hinged top container and 2 drawers. I keep cotton balls, q-tips, and wedges in the top, eye liners in the next drawer, and some liquid liners and mascaras in the last drawer.

Next to my vanity is a glass and chrome shelf tower, where I keep accessories. The top shelf holds some glass dishes holding my earrings, and a silver dish which holds my cocktail and acrylic rings. There are a few other pretties, including perfumes. I also drape some necklaces on the poles.

The next shelf holds my jewelry box, and a mesh tray that contains my bangles, bracelets and watches. The small red box contains some small perfume sample vials.

Next is a shelf that holds a very small set of drawers (yes, another one!), holding overflow eye makeup. This is the theatrical or costume makeup, not the everyday stuff. Next to that is a file holder which neatly holds my Coastal Scents palettes, of which I have the 88 Palette, the 88 Shimmer Palette, and the 28 Neutral Palette.

These areas can be seen in the top picture:
The shelf under that contains some body sprays, a Winnie The Pooh music box, my grandmother's silver handled, monogrammed hair brush, and extra contact solution.
The final shelf holds my hot rollers, and next to that is a basket containing my blow dryer, flat iron, curling iron, brushes, and combs.

I store my nail polish and supplies in the hall closet, and keep things sorted in boxes.

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

And that is how I have things set up. I hope you enjoyed the tour! Questions or comments? Let me know! Also, please share your organization tips and tricks or share links to your vanity or organizational blog posts!

In and Out Right Now

2010-01-20T19:32:00.000-08:00

In:

1) Short square fingernails, painted dark colors. I am loving this look right now! Not only that, but they are so easy to take care of when kept so short, and quick to paint :) ! Of course it was the unpleasant ripping off a nail at the quick that made me rediscover this style.

2) ChinaGlaze Ridge Filler! Speaking of nails and manicures... this new (to me) base coat is very effective at providing a great smooth surface to paint. Not only that, I have learned to depend on good base coats since I mostly use such dark colors, and I would like to avoid dreaded stains on my nails. This base coat also delivers a beautiful matte natural look for those days when a pretty nude nail is desired. I think this nail treatment will become a regular in my home mani-pedi nail polish wardrobe!

3) Revlon PhotoReady foundation (I use color 003 Shell). I have heard this foundation being compared to that of Nars Sheer Glow! Wow, if you can get away with a $12 foundation pulling off what a $42 foundation does, than have you found a deal or what? I have also heard that it is too "sparkly", but I have not found that it gives me any kind of glittery or disco ball look. The sparkles in it are so finely milled and subtle, they are not seen unless you use a magnified mirror.

* * * * * *

Out:

1) Ordering shoes online that arrive and don't fit properly! Grrrrrr!!! Now I have to wait even longer, sending them back and getting a different size. It's the sad, sad sob story of a half size shoe wearer trying to order from only whole sizes! :(

2) Boots Expert Shine Control Instant Matte- this watery serum type arrangement was awful! I hadn't expected such a FAIL because I do like other items in the Expert Shine Control skincare lineup. This is only .5 oz, so you start with a minuscule amount, and then you shake it up because the "powder" settles at the bottom of the solution, then you apply it a drop at a time. It oozes out of the bottle awkwardly and messily- and this is both inconvenient and annoying. Then after that struggle, the product did not deliver at all a matte effect to my shiny face. So... Totally OUT! (By the way- I do love their Shine Control Moisture Cream)

3) Jumpsuits- even if I had a lapse of judgement long enough to purchase one of these one-piece tragedies, how inconvenient would it be to go to the bathroom? Especially if there were any assortment of layers going on! I shudder when I think of it...

♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

That is what is In and Out Right Now. What are your thoughts? Anything in particular that is so right now for you? Or so not? I'd love to hear them! Leave a comment or a link to your own blog below. Thanks for reading!

NEW Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Palettes

2010-01-17T12:46:00.000-08:00

When I think of Wet n Wild, I get nostalgic for my teen years when this was my go to drugstore cosmetic, so colorful and so affordable. Well, I have been hearing and reading chatter about a 2010 Wet n Wild overhaul. I was excited to see new eye shadow palettes at the local Rite Aid, and so I grabbed one, Lust. Each palette includes 3 matte shades and 3 "highly-pigmented effect shades." The pigmentation was so impressive that I returned to grab up the others, but was only able to get Greed and Pride. At 75% complete, I am now on the hunt for the final addition to my collection, Vanity. How fitting. The back label has a little diagram depicting areas of the lid that are often mentioned in makeup application instruction. Handy for the newbie. The shadows have a velvety, smooth consistancy and the colors are blend-able with great, intense and true color payoff, they are long wearing and didn't crease (I did use an eye shadow primer, as I always do). Priced at $4.99- I think these are well worth it and would give this new product 2 thumbs up!

Anyway... here are some swatches of the 3 palettes I did get:

PRIDE

LUST

GREED

Vanity- watch out, I am coming for you! In addition to these shadow quads, there are eye shadow singles and trios coming. There are also some new lipsticks, nail polishes, and mascaras. Have you tried any of the new Wet n Wild products? What do you think of them? What drugstores did you find the best selection in?

Thanks for reading! ♥

NYX Sale!! Don't miss out!

2010-01-14T16:41:00.000-08:00

"Get Down Tonight" Retro Diva by China Glaze

2010-01-13T21:58:00.000-08:00

Of all the current China Glaze collections available, this is the one that kept catching my attention. It is the Retro Diva Collection in Get Down Tonight.

So let's "Get Down Tonight" with photos and swatches...

Cords

(*my favorite of the box- it is a metallic gray with a lavender undertone)

Short & Sassy

(a deep metallic wine with burgandy shimmer)

Let's Groove

(a dark purple with blue and pink sparkles)

Stella

(a dark plum metallic)

Skate Night

(a raspberry metallic)

Far Out

(a copper metallic with rose undertones)

I love this collection because it has a diverse selection of pretty, shiny, bright colors with deep intensity.

The Retro Diva is a 2 part series, and it's counterpart is called Let's Cruise, which is more orange and red influenced. Click here to find out more!

Something awesome to keep in mind about all China Glaze polishes: They are free of DBP/ Toluene and added Fermaldehyde!

Update: Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland

2010-01-11T12:03:00.000-08:00

It is official, on January 15, so get prepared!!! Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows will be available, finally! Also, you can visit KandeeJohnson's YouTube channel here, she gives a fabulous sneak peek at the actual palette!

Thanks for checking in! Don't forget to sign up for my free Benefit giveaway, details in the sidebar on the right! ♥

Free Giveaway! (Closed)

2010-01-06T22:34:00.000-08:00

Jan 16, 2010- This giveaway is now closed! The winner was "Heather". Check back for more free giveaways soon!

I will periodically have a free giveaway on my blog, and this time it is a full size "that gal" brightening face primer from Benefit!!

That Gal is a product that makes a dull complexion perk up a bit! Smooth this primer on a bare face for a little illuminating radiance, or use throughout the day for a refreshing pick-me-up! Apply it under makeup for a smoother application. One shade for all skin tones! Ingrediants: contains soothing raspberry and chamomile, combined with sweet almond and algae extracts to help skin retain its natural moisture, for a soft and silky finish.

Rules for the giveaway:

1. Follow my blog (sign in with google friend in the sidebar)

2. Leave a comment on this post and

describe your favorite "pick-me-up"

3. Open internationally!

4. Contest is open unitl Jan 15

Let the fun begin!!! Tweet this post to share the love ♥

Dry Shampoo- Where have you been all my life?

2010-01-04T23:00:00.000-08:00

I love, love, love the concept of dry shampoo. There are multiple benefits to not washing your hair in the shower every day. Besides stripping your lovely locks of natural oils and nutrients, color treated hair often fades faster than we'd like. And another thing, cutting down on wet, freshly washed hair = cutting down on heat drying and styling = less damage! But, how can we face the world with oily, limp, less than beautiful hair? It's simple and brilliant, Dry Shampoo! I tried a few different kinds a few years ago, and was less than impressed. Since then, I have hesitantly revisited the idea, and I found some fantastic products are now available. I am including a review on my top 3.

Product application for all 3: I use it liberally at my crown, my part, and my hair line framing my face. Massage the product thoroughly, and this is when I notice my limp hair really picks up and has a lot of volume and texture. To get rid of the rest of the white residue, I brush my hair, from roots to end. If you have hair that does not react kindly to being brushed, just allow a little extra time for the white color to fade. It doesn't take too long. Or try the 3rd one mentioned below...

Rocoholic Dirty Secret: This deposits a thick coating of powder when sprayed at the roots. It has a light pleasant smell that dissipates quickly. This formula will absorb both oils and odors from hair- and claims to be "funktabulous" so you can rock out for one more night. After use, my hair is soft and manageable. This is by far my favorite one, but also the most expensive. I can't find it anywhere in stores around here, so I have to order it online. The best deals I have found so far where from private sellers on Amazon. It can also be found at BeautyDeals.net, eCost.com, and Pureandbeautiful.com.

Batiste: This is my introduction product to the aerosol dry shampoo, and it is also a very opaque white powdery substance. I adore this in the Tropical scent. It also comes in it's "Original" scent, as well as Blush (a floral) and some others that I haven't tried. So far, I only like the Tropical version. With this product, the smell lingers in the hair all day, and I don't care for and really can't tolerate the smell of the the others. This product is for sale in most Sally Beauty Supply stores, as well as Ebay and Amazon. It is less expensive than the Rocoholic dry shampoo.

Salon Grafix Spray Powder Shampoo- This product is available for differing shades of hair: blonde, brunette, black, and silver. I purchased mine from Drugstore.com for $7.99. Salon Grafix is especially handy, because it doesn't leave white powder. It also has a pleasant smell, like a light hairspray or something. When you do wet wash your hair after using this product, your regular shampoo lather will turn a different color, as the temporary color washes out. I use the brunette version, and it lathers into a reddish-brown color, but rinses away with no effort and leaves no color residue behind in the shower or sink.

Smell is obviously a selling point with me, because if a hair product has any kind of weird, nauseatingly sweet, or any kind of unidentifiable smell, I tend to not like having it in my hair. There is nothing worse than getting the occasional whiff of an unappealing smell throughout the day, knowing it is your own hair! Ew! So, yes, with hair products, it must pass a very critical smell test...

I hope this is helpful, as there are many of these powder spray dry shampoos out there! This seems to be a love/hate kind of hair product. What have some of your experiences been with dry shampoo?

A demo on using dry shampoo:

Color of the Day: Mustard Yellow

2010-01-01T23:55:00.000-08:00

Mustard Yellow... a color I often overlook. Recently I acquired this gorgeous yellow leather purse, and I have been obsessed ever since. It acts like a neutral, and it goes with almost anything! However, it also acts like a shiny pop of color, accenting other neutrals! How fabulous, so I dedicate this post to you, Mustard Yellow.

In light of my new appreciation, I also rediscovered a perfect mustard yellow nail polish I had hidden away and neglected, China Glaze Golden Opportunity....

* * * * *

Some color and texture combos I am loving at the moment...

shiny leather yellow purse coupled with

faux snakeskin and studded gray ballet flats...

or worn with a fitted ivory wool coat...

or even a plummy-purple corduroy jacket.

Thanks for reading! ♥ What do you or would you couple mustard yellow with?

A New Year- A New Beginning

2010-01-01T14:59:00.000-08:00

As this new year rushes in, we all sit back and contemplate what changes to attempt. I am no exception, I always consider changes, but rarely do I put them to the test on New Year's Day. So, this brings me to my list for 2010:

1) Create a list of resolutions and seriously attempt to stick to them this time around.

2) Save more money, as buying a new car and possibly a house (woooot!) are realities in my near future :)

3) While saving money, be a more responsible consumer, buying what I need, and using up the things I already bought! And there is no other area in my life I need to do this more than in my collection of beauty products and cosmetics.

4) Pursue my inclination to post some more YouTube videos, and have fun doing it!

5) Keep up my blog, as things got off to a pretty good start.

6) Stop indulging in "sleeping in" and save it for special occasions. Instead, I hope to rise earlier and walk or run more. I live blocks from the beach and should not take it for granted!

I hope you are all inspired to make and stick to resolutions in this new year. What are yours? Please leave them in the comments or a link to your blog! Thanks for reading.

EyesLipsFace Eye Shadow

2009-12-31T23:43:00.000-08:00

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.

Blue Moon ~

This quad includes a butter cream color, a velvety taupe, a pale baby blue, and a gray-blue. All four colors are shimmery.

Both quads have wearable colors that work together nicely to complete dimensional and defined looks. I still have 4 more quads to try out, but these 2 were standouts to me, and I can tell they will be favorites. Since I tend to purchase mainly neutrals, the splash of color is a fun way to try new looks!

Thanks for reading, and Happy 2010!!!

Anticipating Alice

2009-12-29T21:48:00.000-08:00

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...

Anyway, Urban Decay and OPI are also amoung my list of favorite things in this universe, and so I am equally excited about thier release of Alice representations, too!

Urban Decay is soon releasing this limited edition palette, which has a 3-D pop up version of Alice entering the Mushroom Forrest. The secret drawer holds 16 shades of shadow, cleverly named from elements in the story. It also has two 24/7 liners and a sample size primer potion.

Are you so excited???

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!

Matte Magic by China Glaze

2009-12-28T21:25:00.000-08:00

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...

China Glaze Pink Underground with Matte Magic China Glaze Secret Periwinkle
with Matte Magic Sephora by OPI Metro Chic with Matte Magic

I think this is a fun way to inexpensively add to your nail polish collection, doubling its color potential! Another suggestion is to use this just on the tips, for a splendid nouveau version on the french manicure!

Thanks for reading! ♥

MAC Haul- Warm and Cozy & Skincare

2009-12-27T22:58:00.000-08:00

MAC Warm and Cozy Collection:

The collection is a lovely compilation of nudes, naturals, and plummy colors. These tones are the absolute perfect colors to warm up our dark, cold, short days. I picked up the Mineralize Skinfinish By Candlelight, a gorgeous pinky-peach shimmer shot through with carmel veining. I love it, it polishes the skin in the most subtle pretty glow! I also got an Amplified Lipstick in Warm Me Up, which is a rich, deep pink color. The Amplified Lipsticks are opaque and moisture rich, and glide on smoothly, providing intense coverage in one application. It is also very long lasting. Warm Me Up has a shine to it, but is not shimmery or frosty.

Skincare Products:

I also picked up some products to zap my oily complexion and help me have longer lasting foundation bliss. My t-zone gets especially oily, breaking down my makeup in that area, needing constant touch ups and reapplication of powder. I know there are products to help stop this, and so the hunt is on. So, I am going to test out this combo base: MAC Oil Control Lotion with the Prep + Prime Skin.

The Oil Control Lotion is the initial product, applied to freshly washed and toned skin. It has a formulation which works to keep the pH balance of skin even. It is oil free, lightweight, and instantly mattifies. It has a pleasant smell, and glides on smoothly. It is packaged in a convenient bottle with a pump, and one pump covers my entire face and jawline. This lotion can be applied both day and night.

The next step is the Prep + Prime Skin, a primer base. Using my fingertips, I concentrate application of this to my t-zone, paying special care from the bridge of the nose to the cheek area. This area for me has the most noticeable pores, and when I apply a silicone based primer I am able to diminish the large pore appearance. Using a rolling motion, rather than the rubbing motion, the product is evenly deposited. A benefit to using MAC's Prep + Prime Skin is that it contains exfoliants, as well as calming and soothing agents. All the extras help the appearance of skin both with and without makeup! So, it is a double duty product, which instantly adds value in my book!

Benefit's Ooh La Lift- Product Review

2009-12-24T00:39:00.000-08:00

I recently gave this little under eye brightening boost a try at the makeup counter, and I was so impressed I thought about it for 3 days! I promptly returned to purchase it. I don't like to admit that I need a product like this, because it makes me sad to acknowledge that I do not possess the perky, youthful skin of a 16 year old...

That being said, let me list the pros and cons.

Pros: This is packaged very conveniently in a tube with a doe foot applicator. It can be stored in the refrigerator, for a refreshingly cool application. It can be applied both over and under any other products, and deliver the same results. It can be reapplied throughout the day to renew and awaken your eyes. It takes a very small amount per application, so the product should last a while.

Cons: It is pricey, at $22. It is a pale pink cream with no pigmentation, and offers no concealment for dark circles. Also, it does not tighten or plump any fine lines, even temporarily.

Overall, I recommend this for the young, tired eyes. It may not provide desired results to mature eyes.

Spring 2010 Wishlist

2009-12-23T23:15:00.000-08:00

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?

In and Out Right Now- #1

2009-12-22T02:35:00.000-08:00

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?

New YouTube Video Posted...

2009-12-19T19:19:00.000-08:00

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!

Rediscovering Revlon ColorStay

2009-12-18T02:46:00.000-08:00

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?

So, I went on a crusade to find foundation to combat the shine. Since I live Revlon ColorStay Foundation, I decided to get their formula for Combination/Oily Skin. I wore it with Benefit "Hello Flawless!" powder (designed to mattify). It wore nicely all day, and no shininess in the mirror or in a photo. The coverage, however, was not as strong by the end of an 8 hour work day. (btw... SPF 6)

Because CVS is having a BOGO Free sale for all Revlon products this week, I also got the ColorStay Mineral Mousse. This whipped, light wearing foundation is so soft and creamy. It spreads onto the skin in a flawless and soft matte finish. Despite the light weight of the formula, it has great coverage, and lasts all day! I love the silky, flawless texture my skin has when I wear this. I used the same Benefit "Hello Flawless!" powder to set this foundation. A plus to this version of ColorStay is the SPF 20.

At CVS... I noticed a tiny little display, off to the side, of something new. Revlon PhotoReady Foundation and PhotoReady Translucent Finisher. What?!? I hadn't heard anything about this. In the name of research ;)I snagged it up. Turns out, it has full coverage, and builds nicely. To benefit photographic properties, there is the slightest luminous shimmer. It is oil free, and fragrance free. The Translucent Finisher is light, and keeps any extra shine at bay. A negative aspect is the spectrum of colors is limited. The jury is out for how this performs on film, I will report back after the multitude of photo ops I am sure to endure over the next week of holiday gatherings!

Thanks for reading! ♥ Has anyone else tried the Revlon PhotoReady lineup? If so, was it comparable to any of the high end photo finish products you have tried?

Product Rave! Frederic Fekkai Texturizng Spray Gel

2009-12-16T00:45:00.000-08:00

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.

All Good Goop - Organic Healing Balm

2009-12-12T15:03:00.000-08:00

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?

Top 3 Facial Treatments

2009-12-11T04:30:00.000-08:00

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?

L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion

2009-12-06T01:15:00.000-08:00

Very disappointing... I knew better... Most reviews I have read score it at about 3 out of 5. But, the wand was too hard to ignore! So, I impulsively purchased it, it was $9 (paid $7 with a coupon). I did discover the wand is not the part that is aweful, it is the mascara formulation that it comes with.

So I am justifying the purchase of the Telescopic Explosion just for the wand. I will have to re-purchase the Telescopic Carbon Black, and switch out the wand. Keep in mind that because the wand is rubber, it can be cleaned. Because of this... it can be a "makeup brush" investment, right?

About the wand, it is a round ball, and does reach the eyelashes that few traditionally shaped brushes reach. For the bottom lashes, it works amazingly! I've never had such defined length before using this round brush.

Thanks for reading! ♥

Victoria's Secret Haul- Very Sexy Makeup

2009-12-05T02:41:00.000-08:00

I had some reward dollars to use up, so I decided to add some more Very Sexy cosmetics to my collection. They recently (summer 09) reformulated and revamped their entire makeup line. Apparently for the better! I am very impressed with every new item I have tried. The eye shadows are amazing! But, since I have no need for any shadows right now, and practically have all the colors, I decied to 'beef' up my lip collection.

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. :)

French Kiss (golden beige), Chic (wine), Embrace (beige w/shimmer)

French Kiss, Chic, Embrace

Ring Lip Glosses: ($12)
Then, because I am a sucker for a giant ring, especially black and rocker chic looking, I got this lip gloss ring. It says Love on the outside, and Rocks on the inner lid. It is promoting the new Victoria's Secret scent, Love Rocks. The lip gloss is a shimmery red color, with no scent or taste. It goes on very sheer, giving a faint red tint to the lips.

The heart rings also have lip gloss in them. They were on sale, $3 for $15, so I grabbed up all three. The lip glosses are also shimmery, and provide no color pigmentation at all, just a sheer glossy finish. The rings are all the same size, not adjustable, about a size 7.

Thanks for reading. ♥

Rock It Like A Celebutante!

2009-12-02T23:41:00.000-08:00

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.

The first lipstick is Lady's Choice, which is one of their best sellers, it is a light mauve. The second is No Competition, it is a berry wine color. They are both very creamy with rich pigmentation. The lip gloss is I'm With The Band, and is coral with gold sparkles. It has a doe foot applicator, is thick and creamy, not sticky, and smells like apples. Love them all!!! ♥

These swatches are the two eye shadows included: Dandy Brandy and Leggy. They are both velvet eye shadows. This swatch is done with no primer or flash.

For the next swatch, I did it on top of primer, the F.Y...eye, from Benefit. This product is NOT in the kit itself, but I thought I'd show you what it looks like. I like it just as much, if not more, than UDPP and Too Faced Shadow Insurance. I really like the pot packaging, since I like to apply my primer to myself with my ring finger.

So, this is the same eyeshadow, but on the primer. The photo is done without a flash, but it is such a shiny, almost metallic formulation that it picked up and reflected my vanity lights. All in all, the two colors work nicely together, I have worn the Leggy as an all over lid wash with Dandy Brandy in the crease. Also, I have used Leggy as a highlighter. Great neutrals, and they will both work well with many other colors in your collection. They blend beautifully, and are both high quality pigmentation. I expected nothing less from Benefit eyeshadow.

On to the pressed powder! It is Dallas, which is definitely a favorite from their line. It is rosy mauve, with the faintest shimmer. The shimmer is barely detectable once on and blended, but is present, so must be mentioned. This color can be used as a contouring bronzer, or a blush. The brush , well, the brush...

The brush is so tiny! Silly tiny, just one step above the drugstore blush brushes. But, with such a quality and cute brush, I asked myself, what can I use this for? I don't prefer to use these tiny, thin brushes, when there are such lovely, fluffy brushes available for the face. So, I decided it was the perfect size to use when applying a touch of highlighter to my cupids bow.

This is a swatch of Dallas, it is a deep color on my fair skin, almost a raisin color. It really adds warmth to my complexion, especially in these winter months.

Next, I want to talk about the "Jelly Donut". The associate at the makeup counter shared this fun technique with me! This is done with the High Beam (a luminizer) and Benetint(a lip and cheek stain). Start with drawing a circle, the size of a nickel, where you want to wear your blush. Then apply a small amount of the Benetint stain to the center of the donut. Using your fingertips, gently tap the mixture, blending it onto your cheeks, and shape the color around and up, where you would normally wear your blush and highlight.

I will warn you, this is a very shimmery way of wearing a little color on your cheeks!

I love the Benetint Stain, and it stains your lips as well as your cheeks. On the lips, it is a very raspberry color.

This pic is of my favorite way of using the cheek colors in this set. Voila! These are the benefits from wearing all three! Dallas as the contour, Benetint on the cheeks, and High Beam as the highlight.

Thanks for reading.

♥

Note: I paid for all the items used in this review, I am not affiliated in any way with Benefit, I did not get paid to mention any item here, and all this information is my very own opinion!

Habit Confession of the day: Top 10 Lipsticks

2009-12-01T16:33:00.000-08:00

My top ten lipsticks are very pink or neutral shades, from a few brands I have come to love and trust.

From left to right:

MAC Myth, MAC Creme d'Nude, MAC Eden Rocks, MAC Tanarama, MAC Pretty Please

Myth is a satin, and is a very one dimensional wash of nude color, very matte. I love this over a lipliner, and this lipstick seems to last for hours! Creme d'Nude is a creamsheen, and said by some to be the more wearable nude, it is much more sheer and moisturizing. The remaining Eden Rocks, Tanarama, and Pretty Please are all frosts. Pretty Please has a very retro, mod pink frosty quality, and I adore how pale it is.

From left to right:

Urban Decay Midnight Cowboy, NYX Clio, NYX Mute, Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Satin Sheets, and Victoria's Secret Very Sexy Whisper

Midnight Cowboy is sparkely, very sheer, and very moisturizing. Both Clio and Mute are creamy, with a hint of frost to them, and are lovely colors. Neither are very long lasting, but NYX is inexpensive, with beautiful pigmentation, and the re-aplication doesn't bother me at all.
Both Very Sexy colors are much more dry than the NYX, but the color sticks around a lot longer.

What are your favorite nude or pale pink colors and recomendations?

♥

Note: This entire blog is my opinion. I bought all these items. I am not getting paid for putting any items in my blog. I am not affiliated with any of the mentioned companies.

2009-11-29T23:35:00.000-08:00

Welcome to my blog! I wanted a place to muse about all things beauty. I love to try new products, share tips, and discover new ways to use old faves. Makeup and other beauty products and routines are one of my favorite ways to destress and escape.

I do have a compulsive makeup habit... chances are if you find my blog you do too! Yay! I fully support that, and this can be a place for us to foster our insane love of maquillage!

MaquillageTalk

Contest Winner

Spring Break

In and Out

The Runaways- Rocking the Smokey Eye

Just a Quick Note

EOTD- St. Patty's Day Peepers!!

Resurrect Titanic? Again?

MAC Too Fabulous

Blooming Lovely and English Accents

MAC Giveaway (***Closed***)

Konad Nail Design- Liberty of London Inspired

More On Nude Lips

New Nude Lip Goodies- MAC

Cherry Culture Mega Sale

Line Like an Egyptian

In and Out

I've Been Tagged! (Cute Blog Post)

Fun Trend - The Cameo

Givenchy Rose Taboo

Spell Cosmetics Eye Shadow LOTD

Habit Confession of the Day: I ♥ my kitties!!!

NYX Haulage!! Part II

NYX Haulage!! Part I

My Baked Mineral Blush Love Affair

Giveaway Poll

In and Out Right Now

Healthy Wear Makeup

Product Rave - Neutrogena Eye Makeup Remover

NOTD ~ Blue Sparkles Forever

Color Series: #2 Beau en Bleu

Fave Things Of The Day

Color Series: Pretty In Pink!

formspring.me

Collective Recent Haul Update

Update

Fun Nail Combo

Top Five Most Wanted

Current "Flawless Face" Routine

My Vanity Organization

In and Out Right Now

NEW Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Palettes

NYX Sale!! Don't miss out!

"Get Down Tonight" Retro Diva by China Glaze

Update: Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland

Free Giveaway! (Closed)

Dry Shampoo- Where have you been all my life?

Color of the Day: Mustard Yellow

A New Year- A New Beginning

EyesLipsFace Eye Shadow

Anticipating Alice

Matte Magic by China Glaze

MAC Haul- Warm and Cozy & Skincare

Benefit's Ooh La Lift- Product Review

Spring 2010 Wishlist

In and Out Right Now- #1

New YouTube Video Posted...

Rediscovering Revlon ColorStay

Product Rave! Frederic Fekkai Texturizng Spray Gel

All Good Goop - Organic Healing Balm

Top 3 Facial Treatments

L'Oreal Telescopic Explosion

Victoria's Secret Haul- Very Sexy Makeup

Rock It Like A Celebutante!

Habit Confession of the day: Top 10 Lipsticks

MAC Giveaway (Closed)