Wednesday, February 29, 2012

February Favorites!


TheBalm Mary-Lou Manizer - I've been hearing a lot about this highlighter in the beauty blogging world recently, so I decided to get it, and I'm really loving it. My top three highlighers at the moment are Dior Amber Diamond (subtle glow), MAC Honey Rose (pink glow) and now this one has become a favorite. It's a pearly champgane, that's subtle, but a little more glow than Dior Amber Diamond. I'll post a full review soon.

Physician's Formula Healthy Wear SPF 50 Powder Foundation - Yes, you read that correct. It has an SPF of 50. I'm completely bummed out because this product has been discountinued. I picked it up for 50% off late January and I've been using it almost every day. Considering I exfoliate my skin on the regular, wearing an SPF is a must for me to avoid sun damage on my sensitive skin. I haven't found my favorite lotion yet, so along with my Neutrogena Healthy Skin Foundation (SPF 20) and this powder applied on top, I have all the sun protection I need. If you can get your hands on this powder, I'd recommend trying it. It'd be great for the summer months!

Coastal Scents Camo Quad (Concealer Wheel) - I purchased this last year, and neglected it for the most part until recently. I have it in the shade "Medium" and when my skintone was in the medium range (when I was self-tanning) the colors were too light and looked ashy under my eyes. When I have no tan, this palette is perfect. It provides an awesome full coverage (similar to MAC Studio Finish) and works great for covering blemishes. It's been my favorite "go-to" concealer for the past couple of months and I've already hit pan on a couple of shades.

Coastal Scents Fan Brush Black - Before purchasing this brush, I had an ELF Studio Fan Brush, which isn't that great, but it'd get the job done for applying my highlighter. This brush is so soft, and three times as large. I love the way it feels on my face, that I've been wearing highlighter every day just so I can use it. I'm sure it'd be great for applying loose powders as well.

READ MORE!

Monday, February 27, 2012

NOTD: Wet n Wild Mega Last Salon Nail Color in 205B Sugar Coat.

 Wet n Wild Sugar Coat Mega Last Salon Nail Color 

Early this year Wet n Wild launched new packaging and an improved formula for their Megalast Nail Polishes. The new formula claims to be long-lasting, promising 5 days of wear. They came out with some new colors along with some of the old, with eighteen shades in total (or at least 18 on Wet n Wild's website).

I wanted to give the new formula a shot, and purchased the shade Sugar Coat, which is a pale, milky peach-pink.
The brush is wide and flat, curving at the tip for a one-sweep application. It's similar to the brush of Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Nail Polish or Rimmel Lasting Finish Nail Polish. It's great for those with average to wide nail beds, but may be a little difficult for those with narrow nail beds. I really like the brush, and for my nails, it provides a very even application with less streaks.

 Wet n Wild Sugar Coat Mega Last Salon Nail Color 
(Three Coats with Seche Vite Top Coat)

Sugar Coat is a really nice natural shade that looks great on it's own or as a pale pink base for french tips. You really only need two coats, but once of my nails ended up a little streaky, so I ended up painting three coats.

The drying time is okay, it's not very fast, but with a fast drying top coat, your nails shouldn't smudge.

I really like this polish, and I'm hoping it lives up to it's 5-day claim. Regardless, a bottle only costs $1.99, so it's not a huge loss.

I'll be updating this post letting you know how long it lasts before chipping or peeling!

Have you tried any colors from the Wet n Wild Megalast line? What do you think of them?

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Physician's Formula Youthful Wear Youth-Boosting Foundation & Brush Review.

 Physician's Formula Youthful Wear Youth-Boosting Foundation

I purchased this foundation a couple months ago when I first spotted it on the rack at CVS. I'm not going to lie, the only reason I purchased it is because I saw the little hot pink sticker stuck to the front that reads "TRY ME FREE" that you may spot every once in a while on newly launched Physician Formula products. When you see that little label on the product, it's basically like a mail-in rebate. You send in your receipt in along with the label, and you will receive your money back for the product. (For more information on PF's rebates, click here.)

I'm always interested in trying new foundations, so I thought it was worth a shot, even though it isn't targeted for my age range. That doesn't really matter though, because I've used "firming" and "age-defying" products before and really liked them.

Anyway, Physician's Formula's new Youthful Wear Foundation claims to even out skintone and texture, blending effortlessly while providing a flawless coverage that will last all day. It also claims to be Physican Formula's first ever "Cosmeceutical" foundation that will help treat visible signs of ageing, restoring skins firmness & elasticity and improving the skins appearance in the long-term. Alright, Physician's Formula, You had me at flawless coverage!

Physician's Formula Youthful Wear Foundation is available in three (3) shades: Fair, Light and Medium. Apparently PF didn't get the memo that there are more than three colored skintones out there. 

The foundation is housed in a little purple squeeze tube, which is great for travel (no bulk), convenience (no struggle getting product out), sanitary and you won't waste any product as you'll be able to squeeze out every last drop. And for those of you that like to cut open your squeeze tubes, to literally get every last drop, you'll be sure to get every molecule.

It also comes with a small synthetic foundation brush, which is very soft and actually works pretty well.


READ MORE!

Saturday, February 25, 2012

Maybelline Bold Gold Eyestudio Color Tattoo Eyeshadow Review!

maybelline bold gold color tattoo
Maybelline Eyestudio Bold Gold Color Tattoo Eyeshadow

I previously posted about a couple Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadows last month, and since then have been using them (mostly Bad to the Bronze) a couple days out of the week. 

Shorlty after, I picked up one additional shade, Bold Gold, which is basically a shimmery, medium toned brassy-gold. 

Bold Gold is a great shade that can be used alone, for a simple wash of color across the lids, or it can be used as a base for a powder eyeshadow to prolong the wear of the shadow, and to make any golden hues in the powder eyeshadow stand out more.

One of the ways I like wearing this shadow is applied all over the lid, with a soft brown shadow blended through the crease, and the top lid lined with a dark brown liquid (or pencil) liner for a quick and simple look.

(Cropped from a previous post)

My favorite application method is with my fingers, or a flat synthetic concealer brush. If you want more opaque color, a sponge eyeshadow applicator works well.

Maybelline Eyestudio Bold Gold Color Tattoo Eyeshadow

READ MORE! 

Friday, February 24, 2012

Get 'em before they're gone.


I know, I know, makeup brushes again. But I just wanted to share that Coastal Scents recently launched some new brushes (or newly designed brushes) and put all of their current brushes on Clearance. The brushes were already inexpensive to begin with, so the extra discount (I believe it's 50%) is quite the steal on several of them.


I really don't think you can go wrong with any of them, but some of my favorites include: The Bionic Flat Top Buffer Brush, Black Sable Buffer Brush, Destiny Kabuki on a Stick and Fan Brush Black. Most of their eye brushes are quite good. I use The Pro Blending Fluff Brush and Destiny Blender often, and I would say they are very comparable to higher end makeup brushes.

 Assorted Coastal Scents Brushes

*With any new makeup brushes, I recommend washing them before use to release any loose bristles, and rid the bristles of any dust that they may have came in contact with during manufacturing. Also, brushes typically feel softer after a good wash.

I've been ordering from Coastal Scents from the past couple of years and I'm really happy with their service and shipping time. I typically always receive my order within three business days, and my order has never been wrong. (No affiliation)

Check out all of their brushes, by clicking here.

Hope you all have a fantastic weekend!

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Kirkland Signature Cosmetic Brush Set!

Kirkland Signature Cosmetic Brush Set

I've been interested in trying makeup brushes from Costco for a while now, after repeatedly hearing about how awesome some of the sets have been over the past few years.

I don't have a membership to Costco, so as far as inventory goes, I'm not really sure how often the selection of brushes changes. The location near me only had this set available, and of course, it could differ from location. I really wanted to try a Borghese Brush set, and I didn't know until now that they aren't sold all year round. Apparently they are available around the holidays, and there is a new set each year. (Please correct me if I'm wrong, as I don't want to give out false information).

The Kirkland Signature Cosmetic Brush Set includes: Contour Kabuki Brush, Highlighting Fan Brush, Finishing Brush, Pointed Foundation Brush, Powder Brush, Cheek Brush, All Over Eye Brush, Angled Eye Brush, Crease Eye Brush, Liner Brush and Cosmetic Bag/Brush Roll.

Kirkland Signature Cosmetic Brush Set

 On the Costco website, the set retails for $29.99. But, at my local Costco, this set was only $13.97! (My amazing friend picked it up for me. Hi May!) I wouldn't necessarily purchase this set for $30, but $14 is an absolute bargain (A little over a dollar a brush + the brushroll/cosmetic bag!)

My favorite brushes include: The Finishing Brush and Pointed Foundation Brush. The finishing brush is one of the softest brushes in the set and feels wonderful on the face. The pointed foundation brush is also very soft and doesn't make the foundation application streaky. Also, because of the pointed shape, it applies the foundation well in small areas (around the the nose, brows and hairline) and it works well for applying concealer.

My least favorite brushes include: The Contour Kabuki Brush and Highlighting Fan Brush. These are my least favorite of the bunch and I probably won't use them often. They are incredibly soft, but almost too soft for my taste. They are synthetic, but the cheap synthetic, where the fibers are shiny and plasticy. I prefer natural bristles unless it's for foundation. I may use them for setting powder, though.

READ MORE!

Monday, February 20, 2012

MAC Insanely It Sheen Supreme Lipstick Review, Photos and Swatches!

mac insanely it sheen supreme

MAC Insanely It Sheen Supreme Lipstick

MAC Insanely It Sheen Supreme Lipstick ($16) is described on the MAC website as a watermelon pink. It's a pretty accurate description. It's a vivid, reddened-fuchsia pink with very fine hot pink/purple shimmer. The shimmer is so fine that you don't feel the grit on your lips. If you were a MAC fanatic in the Fafi days (2008), you might remember a gorgeous little lipglass called Totally It, this lipstick reminds me a lot of that color.

It seems like all I have been posting about lately is bright lipstick - but I swear, I think this is the last one for a while. Maybe.

Insanely It has been on my wishlist for a while now, and I actually like it a lot more than I thought I would.

You don't hear too much about the MAC Sheen Supreme line of lipsticks, and I'm not sure why, because they are amazing formulated lipsticks.

MAC Sheen Supremes are a hybrid between a lipgloss and lipstick. They have the pigment of a lipstick, are ultra-buttery upon application and have a finish of a lipgloss. I only owned one prior (Bare Again) and I have to say they are incredibly comfortable on the lips and they keep any dryness at bay.

mac insanely it sheen supreme

Guest Post: Eye Look featuring MAC Star Violet Eyeshadow.



Guest Post Written by Ashley
Today the lovely Ashley of Beauty-Twist shares us a gorgeous eye look focusing on MAC Star Violet, a pinky-brown plum veluxe pearl eyeshadow that will compliment all eye colors.




mac star violet eyeshadow
MAC Star Violet Eyeshadow

I'm really loving purple toned eyeshadows at the moment and as I was swatching shades during my latest trip to MAC, I spotted Star Violet, a gorgeous pinky-brown plum with a veluxe pearl finish. This purple-burgundy shade blends like a dream and pairs beautifully with golds and browns. Star Violet is highly pigmented, extremely smooth and velvety, and has a slightly metallic sheen. I find that it performs best when blended into the crease and on the outer-v of the eye.

I only recently began wearing purple on my lids and wish I would have started doing so much sooner! Shades within the purple family are a great compliment for all eye colors and really make the eyes pop!

*Follow these steps for a gorgeous eye featuring Star Violet*

MAC Star Violet Eyeshadow Look

1. Using a flat eyeshadow brush, apply Maybelline Color Tattoo cream shadow in Bad to The Bronze onto the lids. Blend the shadow upwards and stop at the eye's crease. Use an eyeliner brush and apply to the lower lash line.

2. Apply a gold shadow to the inner corners and first 1/3 of the eyelid. (I used Urban Decay's Half Baked but you may use any gold shadow that you have on hand.)

3. Next, apply Star Violet to the outer-v of the eye and blend into the crease. Be sure to buff out and harsh edges for a soft, smoky effect.

4. Finish of the look with liquid liner and 2 coats of mascara.

Sunday, February 19, 2012

Review: Hollywood Fashion Tape!

Hollywood Fashion Tape 

Hollywood Fashion Tape is a double-stick tape that can be used on the body and/or clothing. It's said to be gentle on the skin, hypoallergenic and will not leave a sticky residue behind.

When I was working in the office, safety pins were my best friend for covering up any cleavage that my dress shirts may expose. It was probably the most annoying thing in the world to be running out the door to work, realizing that my shirt may be too low-cut, or the slit in my skirt may come up too high. I'd be fumbling at each stop light, wishing to get stuck by a train - but it always seems like when you want a red light, you get nothing but green, right? Anyway, I'd be pricking myself with the pin all the way up the stairs before reaching the office, only to have a visible metal pin showing from my neckline. Whatever. It was better than being "Chesty McChesterson" at the front desk. I tried a couple of double-stick tapes, but they weren't sticky enough and didn't do the job - especially when I had a tight fitting shirt (I needed something more like crazy glue to keep them shut.)

The tape is pretty versatile and you can use it in so many different ways. Aside from your neckline, you can use it to cover up the gaps between buttons on a dress shirt, to hold your bra straps in place, to keep your loose fitting blouse from falling off your shoulders or to temporarily fold over/under your pants that are too long (temporary hem).

The tape is really easy to use. For a quick fixer like the images below, you won't need the full piece of tape. Just snip it in half and peel off the backing. Then, place it on the fabric that is hidden once your shirt is buttoned. *Try your best to place it in the correct spot without having the tape exposed, to avoid removing the tape and trying again, as it may lose some of it's stickiness and become less effective. Remove the remaining backing. Line up the fabric that will lay on top of the tape directly above the tape (so it's not touching) to make sure you're laying it straight. Holding the fabric taut, place it on the tape and press firmly.


READ MORE FOR ADDITIONAL PHOTOS!

Saturday, February 18, 2012

Wet n Wild Within These Adobe Walls Megashield Lip Color Review, Photos and Swatches!

wet n wild within these adobe walls review

Wet n Wild #372S Within These Adobe Walls Megashield Lip Color SPF15 

Wet n Wild released a new line of lipsticks to their permanent range this past January called the Megashine Lip Color with a SPF of 15.

These lipsticks are promised to deliver sheer to moderate coverage and comfortable wear, while keeping the lips moisturized with it's buttery soft texture. (Contains: Vitamin E, Amino Acids, Avocado Oil, and Rice Bran Oil.)

There are fourteen (14) shades in the line-up: #360S Birthday Suit, #361S Peachy Keen, #362S Make Me Blush, #363S Arrest Me Copper, #364S Bare-ly Legal, #365S Ring Around The Rosy, #366S Pink Slip, #367S A Currant Affair, #368S That's Berry Beautiful, #369S Salsa Lessons, #370S Lolly Popstar, #371S It's A Girl, #372S Within These Adobe Walls and #373S Pink Cham-pagne.

I don't know if it was the dim lighting of my CVS, but none of the shades really appealed to my personal taste. Several of the shades have a frosty finish to them, and frost just isn't my thing.

I did manage to find a shade that I thought would be suitable for daily wear - Within These Adobe Walls, a warm, coral-pink. There is no shimmer or frost, just a lovely cream formula.

wet n wild within these adobe walls lipstick
Wet n Wild #372S Within These Adobe Walls Megashield Lip Color SPF15 

Friday, February 17, 2012

Glass Nail Files by Mont Bleu.


I've ditched using a standard nail file for the past year or so, and switched over to glass files. Although I'm no professional, I've gathered a few nailcare tips from nail bloggers and beauty communities along my blogging journey that seem to know a lot about nails.

When picking a nail file, I always pick a really fine grain in order to avoid damaging my nails. I use to have a really big problem with my nails splitting/peeling - realizing later that it was due to the pure acetone nail polish remover I was using a couple times a week. A blogger recommended looking into a glass file to avoid any further splitting of my nails, so I purchased a glass nail file from Sally's Beauty Supply and have been using it ever since. Metal files and emery boards can sometimes be too rough on the nails, especially if they are brittle already. Glass nail files are very gentle on the nails and yield a very smooth result. 

Glass nail files are also very easy to clean, and will last for years. You may pay a few dollars more for one, but it's worth the investment. 

To clean a glass file, simply run it under water. 

Unfortunately glass files aren't as widely available as emery boards and steel files are, and the ones that are available usually aren't very cute or trendy.

I recently discovered Mont Bleu, and was given the opportunity to try a couple of their files. Mont Bleu is a Czech based company that specializes in the making of Glass Nail Files, that are hand decorated with Swarovski crystals and/or unique patterns & designs, delivering quality products worldwide. Although their main product is glass nail files, they also have a selection of other accessories including: glass foot files, tweezers, compact mirrors, costume jewelry, manicure sets and more.

Their files come in a velvet sleeve (not pictured) which is perfect for traveling and to prevent any damage to your nail file. Because it's glass, if you drop it on a hard surface, it can break, so keeping it in the protective sleeve will protect it.

Mont Bleu has a ton of different designs, and they actually use Swarovski crystals, as opposed to cheap, plastic rhinestones. I'm really enjoying my mini file, and keep it stored in the pocket of my handbag.

They are also very affordable at around $7-14 each. To view all of the designs, check out their website at http://www.design-glassware.com/1-home.

Cheryl also posted a review for Mont Bleu recently, click the image below to be redirected to her page.

Disclaimer: This post contains a product sample provided by the manufacturer for consideration. All opinions expressed in this post are my own, and reflect my honest opinion based on my personal experience with using this product.

MAC Viva Glam Nicki Minaj Lipstick Review with Photos & Comparisons!

MAC Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick

When I got word that Nicki Minaj was coming out with another lipstick for MAC, I was really excited because I knew it was going to be something really bold and bright.

Ricky Martin teamed up with Nicki as well - which I thought was a pretty random collaboration from the get-go. Ricky, where have you been these past ten years?!

Anyways, when I saw the first swatches of Viva Glam Nicki early this month, I became incredibly excited and couldn't wait for it to launch. I added my name to the waiting list, and to my satisfaction, I was able to purchase Viva Glam Nicki online a day early.


Viva Glam Nicki is a bright yellow-toned pink. Finally a bright pink that isn't blue-toned, for us warm skinned ladies to wear without looking crazy!

Thursday, February 16, 2012

Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad Review, Photos and Swatches!

chanel enigma eyeshadow review

Chanel Enigma Eyeshadow Quad

If you didn't know by now, one of my guilty pleasures is blog sales and makeup swaps. Some may cringe at the thought of purchasing or trading used makeup, but over the past few years I've become a pro at sanitizing most makeup products (it's really not that hard). Most of the products I've obtained have barely been used, for a fraction of the price! 

One of the recent gems I picked up through a blog sale was Chanel Enigma Eye Shadow Quad. I don't own any Chanel quads, and have been really interested in trying them , but it's the $58 price tag that's setting me back - ouch!

chanel enigma reviewEnigma is a limited edition palette, that launched in Chanel's 2010 Fall Collection. Enigma contains four shades: a pale pink, olive-taupe, deep blackened plum with silver shimmer and a silvered-charcoal.

All of the shades go very well together, and can create a gorgeous smokey eye. I like using the pale pink shade all over my lid, and any of the darker shades (typically the olive-taupe - third from the left, swatched below) smudged into my lashline and blended up to my crease. I like taking the deep plum and lining my top and bottom lid with it, as the purple tones in it makes the green in my hazel eyes stand out more.
I rarely ever use a primer with my eyeshadows, and I was pleasantly surprised to see the lasting power of these shadows is very good.


Monday, February 13, 2012

Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation Review!

chanel perfection lumiere foundation review

Chanel Perfection Lumiere is Chanel's newest foundation, which I believe launched this past September of 2011. It claims to be a long wearing and comfortable, will make your skin look fresh and flawless, yet very natural. It is said to be suitable for all skin types.

Chanel Perfection Lumiere is available in 20 shades: 
12 Beige Rose, 22 Beige Rose, 32 Beige Rose, 42 Beige Rose, 52 Beige Rose, 10 Beige, 20 Beige, 20 Beige, 40 Beige, 60 Beige, 24 Beige Ambre, 34 Beige Ambre, 44 Beige Ambre, 54 Beige Ambre, 64 Beige Ambre, 94 Ambre, 104 Ambre, 114 Ambre, 134 Ambre, 154 Ambre.

I have samples of a few different shades - some were pretty random, but the sales associate just grabbed a bunch. Both B10 and Beige Rose 12 work fine on my (no tan) MAC NC15 skintone. B20 is great for NC25, and B30 is a good NC30-35 match. **Many reviewers mentioned that they noticed oxidation (once dry, it turns darker), so definitely try a sample before purchasing. I didn't notice any oxidation with BR12, and slight oxidation with B10.
Chanel Perfection Lumiere Foundation Swatches
With it's long-wearing claims, I was very interested in giving this foundation a try. I picked up several samples over the past few months and I feel that I can now properly evaluate it.

Thursday, February 9, 2012

Earth Science Purfection Hand Cream Review!

earth science purfection hand cream review

Earth Science Purfection Hand Cream

I've never in my life suffered from dry hands, but this winter has been very hard on my hands, and since late October, I've actually developed eczema on my hands. With that said, my hands have been needing a lot of moisture throughout the day to keep them from cracking, and burning by the end of the day.

Since I'm busy throughout the day, I can't really put anything too thick and greasy on my hands, so I mostly have to rely on hand creams that absorb quickly, but don't always provide enough moisture.

Recently I was given the chance to try out Earth Science Purfection Hand Cream, and I was more than happy to give it a shot - especially since my hands have been so dry, I'd be a good candidate to see if this product performs well on dry skin.

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION: Rich in vitamins C and E, aloe vera, shea butter and jojoba, this luxurious hydrating cream soothes and softens hands. Pure and effective, this is Earth Science®'s best skin remedy for dry, chapped hands. pH 5.5

Earth Science Purfection Hand Cream
Earth Science Purfection Hand Cream

Jewelmint Persephone Pendant Review with Lots of Photos!

jewelmint persephone pendant review

Jewelmint Persephone Pendant

Alright, Jewelmint time of the month y'all!

I wasn't too crazy about the February selection of Jewelmint jewelry. I was hoping for cuter items in spirit of Valentine's Day (even though I'm 23, I still love anything heart shaped). None of the items were really of my taste. I suppose that's better for my wallet, though!

There was one item that struck my interest, and that is the Persephone Pendant. I'm kind of a sucker for little trinkets, mini bottles - anything miniature, really, so this perfume bottle pendant was totally my taste. Although the shape of the bottle kind of resembles a flask, and I'm hoping I won't be mistaken for an alcoholic.

Jewelmint Persephone Pendant

Wrapped around the pendant is an adorable flower design (daisies?) which is perfectly suited for Spring. The cap of the bottle has a little white stone (plastic), which is a nice little touch of detail. The silver coloring is oxidized like many of Jewelmint's pieces to give off an aged/vintage appearance. The chain is 30" in length, and lays right below my chest.

Jewelmint Persephone Pendant
Jewelmint Persephone Pendant

Wednesday, February 8, 2012

MAC Optimistic Orange Cremeblend Blush Review, Photos and Swatches!

mac optimistic orange blush review

MAC Optimistic Orange Cremeblend Blush

MAC Optimistic Orange Cremeblend Blush ($20) is a re-promote in MAC's newest Cook M.A.C Collection (online now, and hits stores on the 9th in North America) from their previous Lillyland 2010 Collection. 

Optimistic Orange is a vibrant tangerine orange. It's actually a fairly cool toned orange, that lacks a strong yellow tone. On the cheeks it has a reddish-pink tint to it, so it looks more like a coral-orange, rather than just plain orange. When worn in a sheer layer, it's a lovely peach shade. 

A little goes a very long way with this blush, as it's very pigmented. My favorite way of applying this blush is with a duo-fiber brush, such as the MAC #131. I lightly dip the tips of the bristles in the product, then lightly dab the brush on a piece of paper (or the back of my hand) and then lightly dab it on my cheeks, and blend in  small circular motions. The reason I dab it off before applying it directly to my cheeks is to prevent applying too much color at once. If I've applied too much, I'll go back over the area with a kabuki brush and a little finishing powder to lighten it up.

mac optimistic orange blush

Tuesday, February 7, 2012

Christian Dior Rosy Tan 5-Colour Eyeshadow Palette Review, Photos and Swatches!

Dior Rosy Tan

Christian Dior Rosy Tan 5-Colour Eyeshadow Palette

I've quickly turned into a Dior junkie ever after trying my first quint (Crush Glow). Thankfully, Dior doesn't have a huge selection of colors in their permanent line that are tempting enough for me to go nuts over. I find warm toned palettes with shades of golds and browns to be hard to resist, which are more common in their seasonal palettes.

Some of the palettes are a hit or a miss pigmentation-wise, but I've had very positive experiences with Dior so far. I love their buttery soft texture, blendability and luminous finish.

Believe it or not, I've had my Urban Decay Naked Palette for quite some time now, and I barely ever reach for it. And honestly, I'm not even sure why. There is a decent selection of colors and all, but it's definitely a highly raved product that doesn't get much love from me on a weekly basis.

I'm very "pro" convenience/low-maintenance products, and I find the convenience of the Dior 5-color palettes very appealing. They are housed in a very sturdy mirrored compact and contain 5 shades of shadow that compliment each other for a variety of looks. They also contain two double-sided applicators, which believe it or not - I actually use each time I use my Dior palettes. One side of the sponge is large for applying color all over the lid, and the other side is smaller for lining the eyes and/or applying color through the crease. It's everything you need, in a small compact.

With a couple Sephora gift cards I had left over from Christmas, I treated myself to the Rosy Tan 5-Colour Eyeshadow palette.

dior rosy tan


Rosy Tan contains a warm brown with fine gold shimmer, a light pink pearl, a velvety taupe-brown, a silvered metallic brown and an icy champagne-pink pearl. All of the shades work very well together for a soft, neutral look. I'm especially loving the middle shade - it's probably the prettiest color I own for an inner-corner and brow bone highlight. My second favorite shade from the palette is probably the silvery brown on the bottom left. 


Dior Rosy Tan Eyeshadow Palette

Christian Dior Rosy Tan 5-Colour Eyeshadow Palette

Monday, February 6, 2012

Essence of Beauty Starter Brush Kit for the Face!

Essence of Beauty Starter Brush Kit

I rarely ever look at the brushes on my weekly trips to CVS, but on a visit, some new packaging for the Essence of Beauty brushes caught my eye. I know this is old news, as they introduced the new packaging mid-2011, but I believe my CVS was pretty late on the bandwagon and haven't stocked any of the newly packaged brushed until recently.

You may be familiar with the older style brushes - a beige handle with a black ferrule (reminiscent of Bobbi Brown brushes). It looks like they might be phasing out that style for a sleeker black brush with silver textured ferrule. Kinda nice if you're particular about having all of your brush handles the same color. I personally prefer black handles.

If you're not familiar with Essence of Beauty, it's basically the Ecotools of CVS - they are affordable and good quality for the price you pay. They range from around $5-$10 each. I only own a couple, and I really dig them.

Anyway, I had a few extra-cash bucks to blow, so I decided to pick up the Starter Brush Kit and give it a whirl.

The Essence of Beauty Starter Kit comes with three brushes (a foundation brush, blush/powder brush, double-sided eye brush) and a small brush roll.What drew my attention to that particular kit, was the small foundation brush. I figured it'd be the perfect size brush to apply my under-eye concealer since it's smaller than a standard foundation brush and much larger than a standard concealer brush.

Essence of Beauty Starter Brush Kit

READ MORE!

Sunday, February 5, 2012

Wet n Wild Dollhouse Pink Mega Last Matte Lipstick Review, Photos and Swatches!

wet n wild dollhouse pink lipstick review

Wet n Wild #967 DollhousePink Mega Last Matte Lipstick

Last week I posted about one of the new Spring shades of Wet n Wild's Mega Last Matte Lipstick (Don't Blink Pink) and I loved it so much, that I decided to go back and try one of the other bright pinks that was released.

Dollhouse Pink is a very vibrant blue-based pink. It's a sister of MAC Pink Nouveau or Pink Friday, so if you've always been curious about trying one of those shades, this is a great alternative to play around with, since it's only a couple of dollars. It's slightly brighter than the two, but it can be tweaked a little bit.

Aside from the awesomly vibrant color, it's very pigmented and applies completely opaque. It has a matte finish, but it's not a dull matte (more of a satin).

It's definitely an in-your-face bright, but it can be toned down by applying a couple of dabs on your lips and blend with a clear lip gloss wand. It actually looks absolutely gorgeous that way, and probably the way I'd wear it the most.

Wet n Wild Dollhouse Pink Lipstick

Saturday, February 4, 2012

Chanel Blush Horizon De Chanel Soft Glow Blush Review!

chanel blush horizon soft glow blush

Chanel Blush Horizon De Chanel

Chanel Blush Horizon De Chanel was the blush released with Chanel's Spring 2012 collection. Originally, I wasn't interesting in much from the collection other than the Glossimer (Bagatelle), which I posed about earlier last month. But my recent trip to the Chanel counter, the lovely sales associate was rocking this color on her cheeks (heavily, but very tasteful) and it looked amazing on her. For reference, she has a medium-tan complexion, with blonde hair and blue eyes and it looked like a very vibrant, warm pink. Pretty similar to Benefit Bella Bamba - unfortunately I don't own it to compare side-by-side, but one of my favorite Sephora SA's is always wearing Bella Bamba and it looks like a similar, vibrant warm pink. 

Anyhow, after doing some swatching, the color really grew on me. I can't say the overall color is that unique (unique enough to pay $60), but it is really beautiful and at that moment, I had to have it. 

Chanel Blush Horizon De Chanel contains stripes of warm pink, white, plum and peach-coral pink. When you swipe all of the shades together, you'll get a beautiful warm, peachy-pink with a glowy sheen.

If you'd like a more pink look, you can stick to using the top half of the blush, or for a more peach look, you can use the bottom half.

According to Chanel:
» To create freshness, use all of the blush shades as a harmony and sculpt your face using the beveled brush.
» For a healthy look, apply only the pink shade to the upper cheekbones and temples.
» For a glowing complexion, use the sun-kissed effect of a cloud of peach.


chanel blush horizon de chanel review
Chanel Blush Horizon De Chanel

Friday, February 3, 2012

Guest Post: Real Techniques Powder and Blush Brush!

 
Guest Post Written by Ashley
Today the beautiful Ashley of Lashes Anyone? shares her thoughts about some of her favorite Real Techniques makeup brushes!





Hello Beauties!

About two years ago I fell hard for the infamous Sigma brushes that had every beauty guru in beauty craze. I did adore the face brushes, until the bristles started shedding on a daily basis. I do love the Sigma eye brushes, as they have impeccable quality and have held up nicely.

I was in need of a serious powder and blush brush rescue, considering those are my primary brushes for everyday use. About a month ago, I was wandering through the lit up aisles of ULTA and came across the Real Techniques brush line created by Samantha Chapman of YouTube.

 Real Techniques Powder and Blush Brush

 Real Techniques Powder and Blush Brush

READ MORE!