FOTD: Mythology and New Fav. Lip Combo

I've been on a minimalistic run for awhile now. By that, I mean no fully lined eyes, no insane dark colors (I'm talking to you my crease). During the Summer, I think more natural looks are best. I've also taken a liking to taking photos with flash. I you guys haven't noticed before, I always took photos without flash, and it was always so hard to see color on my face, flash does wash out my skin tone though. 

BTW, My head isn't big, my hair is.

Face:
Stila One-step Makeup in Medium (LOVE)
Amazing Cosmetics concealer in Medium Beige
Cargo Bronzer in Medium
MAC Dainty Mineralize Blush

Eyes:
Kat Von D High Voltage Primer
MAC Mythology e/s (all over lid)
MAC Amber Lights e/s (crease)
MAC Mulch e/s (lightly outer corner)
MAC Blacktrack Fluidline
Loreal Telescopic Mascara

Lips: (YAY)
Sephora lipliner in Chair Lift
MAC Lazy Days l/s
NYX Honey l/s

And another photo.. (just cause). Isn't it weird when you take photos back to back and you can flip between them to make yourself... move? =)

Kisses! <3

Hope you ladies had a fantastic day! I'll be watching Avatar: The Last Airbender tonight! =D

Sephora 500 Point Perk: Too-Faced To Go

Eesh. I have so many points in my Sephora Beauty Bank that I decided to cash some in. I've been waiting for a good 500 point perk since the last good one, the Kat Von D palette. I don't like to get the dinky little 100 point perks, because I feel like they're just not worth it. As soon as I saw this Too Faced kit, I had to cash in. I was instantly giddy at the thought of free, where in reality it cost me a MERE $500. Arr...

The set comes in a cute/dorky furry leopard print makeup roll. It includes a mini mash injection, shadow insurance primer, and the glamour to go palette.

The palette is really tiny, but cute nonetheless. The colors are decent (I always like Too Faced shadows because they have pretty good pigmentation) and the blush is a nice pink-coral. I could care less for the lipglosses. I absolutely hate lip products in pan form that come with palettes. They're never as good as their tube counterparts you know? I'm always pulled in my cute little things and palettes, they're so portable! The only problem with this philosophy is that I'd never actually carry any of these "to go" kits with me. As cute as they are, I just never carry palettes. The other downside is that I rarely ever use any of my palettes, because I'm so lazy I stick to the single shadows in front of me.

Anyways, I just wanted to share with you guys the new 500 point perk. I got mines in store last week, but hopefully they have more online =).

What are you saving your points for?

Getting Greasy With MAC's Greasepaint Sticks

I know, I'm a bit late in reviewing these. Well, maybe more than a BIT seeing as how greasepaint sticks came out with the Art Supplies collection. Anywho, I picked up MAC's Greasepaint Sticks in Dirty and Green Grease ($17.50 each). I was really curious to see what these were all about, and if they were as creamy/"greasy" as their names hinted.

I'm always up for products that will lend me a quick wash of color when I'm on the run (I.E. paint pots, shade sticks). I expected there to be more product, and I was also expecting larger sticks. The tube itself is the same size of a MAC shadestick, but offers LESS product. I'm a stickler when it comes to product amount, even though I know I'll probably NEVER finish off one of these sticks.The cool thing is that at the bottom end is a sharpener =).

Dirty and Green Grease 

Dirty is a taupe-brown color with iridescent shimmers. Green grease is a deep green black. Both colors are smooth and pigmented. You can use them to line or as an over base (which is what I do). I like them a lot better than shadesticks, because they're softer and pack a lot of creamy color. Also, I didn't experience any creasing with these. I wear them all over the lid, with just one eyeshadow on top blended to the crease. LOVE.

Have you tried the Greasepaint Sticks? Thoughts?

Amazing Cosmetics Velvet Mineral Powder: AH-MAY-ZING?

Typically, I'm not a huge fan of pressed powders. I like dewy looks, so the idea of a matte face scares me. I want my skin to look like SKIN. However, I've been addicted to Amazing Cosmetic's Velvet Mineral Pressed Powder Foundation ($36). I use the color Medium Beige (for light beige/light olive complexions). It's a too light for me but it works well just on my "oily" spots. Usually, I have really dry skin, so oil isn't an issue, but with the impending heat of summer, I've really been utilizing powder.

The powder comes in a conventional compact. A plain black rounded square, with the ugly Amazing Cosmetics logo. The plastic flip top is nice to hold the puff.

The formula is smooth and silky. I apply it only to the middle of my forehead and the inner sections of my cheeks closest to my nose, because typically these are the only areas that get shine from being in the sun.
I don't use the powder puff to apply it, I use the ELF flat-top brush to press in the powder (instead of dusting). I know it's a foundation, but I don't wear powder foundation, I just mainly use them as a setting powder. Gotta love the dewy-glowy look =). The results are great and I definitely like this powder. I wouldn't say that it's the best thing EVER, because again, I don't care much for powders very much.

While this powder is nice, I also get the same effect from the Rimmel Stay-Matte pressed powder, which is way cheaper and basically does the same thing. Regardless, this is still getting a good grade from me.


What's your favorite pressed powder?

NARS' Sugarland, Is It That Sweet?

NARS, like MAC is one of my favorite brands. I've been getting into NARS' eyeshadows recently, so I picked up NARS Duo Eyeshadow in Sugarland ($32). I figured that a single was $21, so $32 for a duo is a GREAT deal. I failed to realize that with that price I could buy two MAC shadows. *Blush* .

Sugarland is described as a "glimmering apricot/ lavender pink with golden sheen". That's pretty much spot on. The "apricot" side is more of a pale pink/gold to me. Gorgeous none the less. I wear the apricot all over my lid and the lavender into the crease, which I assume is how the colors are meant to be worn. The effect is very soft and fairytale like. I like the shadows. I just wish the colors didn't powder all over the compact. Be careful!

The lavender side is very smooth and soft to the touch. Very easy to work with. However, I really really hate the texture of the goldy side. It's so CHUNKY. The particles are rough and it's a bit tougher to work with (still do-able however). Although the texture is harsh, the color is too pretty to pass up. Plus, I paid $32 for it, so  you bet I'll be using it =). All in all, I pretty good buy. I definitly recommend NARS shadows.


What's your favorite NARS duo?

Bevery Hills, That's Where (My Brows) Wanna Be!

Happy Father's Day everyone! Hope you're having a good one =).

Anastasia has long been the queen of all brows. She's popular for her gels, her powders, her overall allure. I picked up the Anastasia Beverly Hills Highlighting Brow Kit ($32). Right now, Sephora has it online for $20... for some odd reason that makes me bitter. Due to the now reduced Sephora price, it's a great time to pick this baby up.

The Highlighting Brow Kit comes with:

- 0.07 oz Baked Highlighting Powder
- 0.07 oz Baked Brow Powder
- Clear Brow Gel sample

It all comes packaged in a cute cardboard box with magnetic enclosure. On the left is the baked brow powder trio. No matter what color you need for your brows, you can find it here. Either mix and match and blend, or use them individually. On the right is the gorgeous highlighting powder trio. It's ultra shimmery and is great under the brows (I also use them on the inner corners of my eyes). 

 

 

Brow powders

 

Highlighting trios 

You don't have to worry about pigmentation with this baby, she's got all the bases covered. I just recently tried this out, since I've been addicted to Laura Mercier's brow gel, and I must say this product is the shizz.

Have you ladies ever tried Anastasia's products? What'd you think?

MAC Lazy Days at the Beach

MAC's lipstick in Lazy Days ($14) is a lustre formula in a baby pink with blue undertones.

Yes, I know I'm very late with reviewing this lipstick, and there have been so many comments on it, I may be repetitive. I originally wasn't going to pick this up, because none of the lipsticks from To The Beach interested me, but I figured I needed a lippy with this packaging. 

It's so FREAKIN' CUTE. Not so much the safety orange color scheme, but the sea shell is adorable. =D.

Application is smooth and a bit sheer, but you can always build it up. It has a lovely sheen. At first when I swatched it I freaked because it reminded me of MAC's glaze formulas, which I hate, but on the lips it's not "glazey" at all. I can't swatch it on my lips because for some reason, my camera never picks up lip colors right... I need some guidance for settings.

Anywho, this is a must have from the collection, especially when you're a poor soul like me who couldn't get her hands on Marine Life =(. A devout nude lipstick girl, I'm slowly progressing by moving towards pink. This is a perfect sheer barbie pink.

Did you ladies try any of the lipsticks from To The Beach?

NOTD: Summer Corals

Ah here it is, the rare occasion that I paint my nails. As you can see, I only use one coat, because I'm a lazy arse. I will apologize that you can see my nail tips underneath... I'm wearing Pure Ice in Twinkle. Twinkle is a light coral color with irridescent golden shimmer. Pure Ice is a brand that I've only seen at Wal-mart, and it's only two dollars! The price is cheap, but the formula is great. It's easy to work with and doesn't streak. I picked Twinkle because I heart corals =). It's a great color for summer and looks amazing with a tan (yes, even with my fake tan).

Steal: Benefit Stay Put Set- $10!

Hey there guys.

I'm sorry I haven't posted in over two weeks. There's been so much going on, but I'm finally done with finals. I'm also getting over some personal issues with my boyfriend and hopefully I can get back into the blogging game. I do have some new products that I'd like to review for you guys, so hopefully I'll be catching up in the next few weeks. And I was getting so good at posting regularly too! I just have so much going on in my life =(. I'm on break at work right now and figured I should post what's been going on.

Anyways, I don't know if you guys remember the Benefit To Go Bestsellers set that Sephora released awhile ago for $10. I got it and liked it, and I just browsed the site and they have a new one up =)!

It's called the Stay Put Set, and it's only $10!

It comes with:

.09 OZ Stay Don't Stray (eye primer)

.11 Erase Paste in Medium (concealer)

.11 Creaseless cream shadow in RSVP

The sizes aren't even that small. The regular size erase paste is .15 oz and regular sized cream shadows are .16 oz. The only dramatic difference is the eye primer, which has a weight of .33 oz for the regular size compared to this .09 oz.

I always browse Sephora and find items that they have yet to advertise, but I'm sure they will soon =)

This set, like the last, is a good way to try out mini-products before buying the full-size. Last time, I liked High-beam and Some Kind-a Gorgeous and ended up buying full sizes. Never mind that I changed my mind on the Some Kind-a Gorgeous and canned it...

I've been meaning to try their new primer, and I'm always a fan of their cream shadows. This is the perfect way to do just that. I really wish they stuck moonbeam in here though...

What do you guys think? Did you like the last mini set?

P.S. The HTML on my site seems to be off, are the boxes off on the above picture?

Essence Cometics: 2 New Collections! Vampires on Holiday

I've blogged about the German brand before. Essence just became available in the U.S. this year when it launched to ULTA. Their premise is super-cheap-whilst-still-cute products. I've become a bit bored with them because I see the same old tired products at ULTA. Recently, I heard about two new collections, both available come July. Question is: Will it come to ULTA or is it a German exclusive?

The two collections are "Twilight" and "Return to Paradise". Yeah, that's right. They're making a Twilight collection.If you guys are aware, there's already been makeup made (twilightbeauty.com), which comes in the lines Luna or Volturi. Nordstrom also makes team Edward or team Jacob palettes (lame, I know).
Heres a disclaimer: I am NOT a Twilight fan. I just never understood the appeal. However, I AM a make-up fan =).

Twilight:

It's a little boring to me. It's a cute idea to have the eyeshadows shaded like a moon, but the colors are a but ho-hum.Not pictured are two more nail poilish shades, two more lip glosses, and a glitter eye pencil. I MIGHT want to get the shimmer powder pictured =)

The more exciting collection for me is Return to Paradise:

How cute is that? The colors are really pretty, and I HEART baked eyeshadows. Other products that aren't shown: another baked shadow trio, another liner, and another lipgloss. I really like the shimmer powder, because it reminds me a lot of Benefit's powder packaging =). I REALLY like cute and neat boxes.

I'm really crossing my fingers that these get released at ULTA beside the regular line!

What do you guys think? Tempting? Or pass?

Nars Goldmember: Austin Powers Need Not Apply

I love all things gold. I mean, they're sparkly and look good on nearly every darn skin color. I was really psyched to pick up NARS' Cream Blush in Goldmember ($26). First of all, NARS is one of my favorite brands. Second, HELLO it's gold.

Although it's classified as a blush, like Albatross, it's actually a highlighter. I have no idea why the swatch on Sephora is yellow. If I was purchasing judging from online swatches, I'd stay far away. In the pan however, it sings a different song. It's a really pretty true shimmery gold.

Looks like a pretty good swatch right? FALSE. You guys do not know how heavily I had the swatch this thing. It just doesn't show up well. I tried to use it on my face, and it wasn't very noticeable. I think you'd need fairer skin for the color to show up. The results were average, you did get a slight sheen but nothing worth $26. Another concern was wear time. I just don't think it lasts very long. I probably should have reached for one of the true cream blushes, but I'm such a sucker for the 24K. Eh, I'm gonna try giving it another go since I shelled out the money for it.

What's your favorite highlighter?

Side note: Whew. I'm so exhausted. I spent all day yesterday and today writing three essays. I'm on campus and I'm dying. I'm glad its finally the weekend, but finals are next week and I'm majorly stressin'. I'm trying to get in some blogging on my down-time, but it's been pretty hectic with some personal issues I'm dealing with. Weren't things easier when all we worried about were naps and applesauce?

Urban Decay Alice in Wonderland is BACK?!

I was so excited to see this email, until I saw the palette would only be available in the Alice's Favorite Things bundle for $211. YOWZA. I really wish they sold it separately again. I already own it, but I still haven't touched it because it's so pretty. I need another one! The greater than $200 price tag for this kit is making me give it a "pass" though.

What Urban Decay has to say:
"Alice is BACK, but not for long. Get this incredible set, only available here, to kick off the Alice in Wonderland DVD release. With a ton of items hand-selected by our own Executive Creative Director, Wende Zomnir, you get more than just the legendary pop-up palette.

Cut to the scene of Alice in the mushroom forest, her “drink me” bottle discarded at her feet, a big mirror looming in the background, making you feel like a part of the film itself. Hidden inside a secret drawer are 16 best-selling Eyeshadows, given topsy-turvy names: Underland, Alice, Oraculum, Queen, Chessur, White Rabbit, Wonderland, Curiouser, Muchness, Mushroom, Midnight Tea Party, Vorpal, Absolem, Drink Me Eat Me, Mad Hatter, & Jabberwocky. Alongside them lie travel sizes of Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Sin and two 24/7 Eye Pencils in Zero and Flipside. Create looks as endless as the proverbial rabbit hole.

Stir up your own magic with our Sparkling Edible Body Powder, or be ready for your close up with Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder and a bit of De-Slick in a Tube. Just look at the primers, lip glosses, mascaras and liners we’ve included - an absolute must-have for anyone who loves Urban Decay, Tim Burton, Disney, or Alice in Wonderland!"

The bundle :
"Includes the Alice in Wonderland Book of Shadows AND full-sizes of: Honey Body Powder, Eden Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Midnight Cowboy Glitter Liner, Kirk Pocket Rocket Lip Gloss, Razor Sharp Ultra Definition Finishing Powder, De-Slick in a Tube, & Big Fatty Mascara!"

This is still a good deal for the true fanatics, the ones that are willing to spend money at all costs for some Underland Lovin'. (Disclaimer: This is not me)

What do you guys think? Worth the money and hype? Or pass?

Sigma Fun Colors, For Yo Eyes Son!

I'm already a big fan of Sigma's brush set (ya know, the MAC knock offs). Not long after they were selling brushes, they decided to make a makeup line as well. I'm a curious one, so I definitely wanted to try them out. Sigma makes various colored "kits", one for smokey eyes, etc. I got the Sigma Beauty on the Go Kit in Fun Colors ($27). Best part is, I got it for a cheaper price tag than Sigma's website has because I bought it off of a sweet girl on Soompi. I wish they sold the kits and shadows cheaper though, I don't like the idea of paying $27 for a makeup product that's not high-end.

Inside the kit is a cute little booklet, where you can flip and find instructional guides on different looks you can do with the shadows, as well as color placement.

Empty quad included in the kit

All the individual shadows

I Got the Blues, Lady Jane, Sweet Virginia, Play With Fire

Here are the shadows all popped into the empty quad. It's a really cute idea, you can choose whether to carry the quad or leave the shadows seperate. I prefer to leave them in a quad (more space-friendly). All of the individual shadows can be pushed from their smaller compacts via the bottom. The thing I don't like about these shadows, the big factor as to why I did not purchase this product for the longest time, is the texture. I don't mean of the formula itself, but of the raised-bumpy design on the shadows. I hate raised designs. They're just not cute! Why won't people learn?

Play With Fire, Sweet Virginia, I Got the Blues, Lady Jane

Sorry for the super dark photo of swatches. My camera has its good days and its bad day. It obviously was not feelin' me this day. 

The shadows are well pigmented, I really didn't have to swatch heavily at all. They do seem a little powdery and soft, meaning you might experience minor fall out. I'm willing to oversee that as the colors are really pretty. In the image, every color but Play With Fire seem similar, but they really aren't in real life. They really are "fun colors". Ugh, gag. Cheesy much?

Have you guys tried any Sigma makeup products?