Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Maybelline SuperStay 14-Hr Lipstick in Please Stay Plum.


Maybelline SuperStay 14-Hr Lipsticks launched at the start of the new year, and frankly, we haven't heard too much buzz about them.

Maybelline already has a Stain Gloss and Lip Color (the standard double-sided sponge applicator lip color with a clear conditioning balm on the opposite end), but they added a lipstick to the line, promising 14 hours of non-drying, comfortable wear.

Available in 20 shades: Perpetual Peony, Ultimate Blush, Fuschia Forever, Eternal Rose, Beige For Good, Never Ending Nude, Ceaseless Caramel, Consistently Truffle, Lasting Chestnut, Pout on Pink, Ravishing Rouge, Eduring Ruby, Timeless Crimson, Continuous Cranberry, Keep Me Coral, Infinite Iris, Till Mauve Do Us Part, Please Stay Plum, Endless Raisin, Wine and Forever.

I have Please Stay Plum, a deep, creamy wine.


I think the 14-hour claim is really alluring, as we all want our lipstick to last all day, but it also makes some of us weary because usually along with "long-lasting" lipstick formulas, you're usually left with lips that are shriveled, crying for moisture.

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Reviewing an old favorite: Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation

I've talked and recommended this foundation on many occasions, but I don't actually have a post dedicated to it. It's been requested on a few occasions, and since I've been wearing it almost every day lately, it's reminded me of how much I love this foundation and figured it'd be the perfect time for a review on it!

My love for this foundation dated back six years ago when I was in the market for a full coverage foundation. I was recommended Estee Lauder Double Wear and haven't looked back!

This miracle in a bottle claims to provide flawless, lasting coverage that will withstand heat, humidity and sweat while feeling lightweight on the skin and looking completely natural throughout the day.

It's also smudge-proof, oil-free, Non-acnegenic and fragrance free.

There are 21 shades in total, and the shades are broken up into three categories, making it easier to find the right shade for your undertone. *As a side note, neutral in the Estee Lauder Double Wear line refers to peach.

W = Warm (1W1 Bone, 1W2 Linen, 2W1 Sand, 3W1 Tawny, 4W1 Shell Beige, 5W1 Bronze, 6W2 Spice)
N = Neutral (1N1 Ecru, 2N1 Desert Beige, 2N2 Fresco, 3N1 Ivory Beige, 4N1 Wheat, 5N1 Soft Tan, 6N1 Truffle)
C = Cool (1C1 Shell, 2C1 Dusk, 3C1 Pebble, 4C1 Suede, 5C1 Rich Chestnut, 6C1 Rich Cocoa)

*Warm = red, yellow undertones, Cool = pink/rosy undertones. 

When I have no tan (MAC NC15-20 coloring) I use shade 1W1 Bone. When I'm tan (MAC NC35-NC40 coloring) I use 3W1 Tawny. Tawny is slightly light when I'm NC40, but the next shade up (Shell Beige) lacks enough yellow.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Bone and Tawny

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Sunday, April 22, 2012

Step by Step Eyeshadow Tutorial with Dramatic Black Liner and a Darkened Crease.

Two tutorials in one week, what!? Yeah I know, pretty unusual, but I thought it'd be a nice change from reviews all of the time. This particular look focuses mainly on the dramatic (thick) winged liner and the contrast against the precisely darkened crease and the contrasting light shade on the lids. This is more of a going out/nighttime look, as it's quite dramatic for the daytime. You can take it up a notch by adding black liner to the waterline or adding a full strip of false lashes.

Products Used:
MAC Groundwork Paint Pot (light brown cream eyeshadow, used as a base in step 1)
MAC Malt Eyeshadow (used in step 2 and step 8)
MAC Corduroy Eyeshadow (used in step 4 and step7)
MAC Black Tied Eyeshadow (used in step 5 and step 6)
Dior Rosy Tan (used the middle shade for a highlight in step 3)
Anastasia Shimmer Highlight Pencil (used in step 11)
Illamasqua Mislead Cake Eyeliner (used in step 9 and step 10)
Maybelline The Falsie's Mascara (used in step 12)
Andrea Medium Flare Individual Lashes (used in step 13)

Brushes Used:
Coastal Scents Concealer Brush
MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush
Sigma Pencil Brush
Sigma Small Angle Brush
Coastal Scents Tapered Blending Brush
Coastal Scents Small Eyeliner Brush


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Saturday, April 21, 2012

A few of my old never-fail products - and yep, they're all MAC.

I'm sure most of us makeup fanatics have a few products in our makeup stash that you can consider your "never fail" products. They are the often neglected, but never forgotten products that you know you can use, and they'll never let you down. You may not use them every day, but once you run out, you know you have to purchase another to replace it. Maybe it's a certain eyeliner or a particular blush. Maybe it's one item in each category. I'm sure I have a few more than I'm mentioning - but I wanted to dedicate a post to these few that stood out to me and always have a warm place in my heart: MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation, MAC Studio Finish Concealer and MAC Select Cover-Up.

It's a complete coincidence that they're all MAC products - and it's even a bigger coincidence that they are some of the first MAC products I ever tried.

I remember my first trip to MAC like it was yesterday. I was a senior in highschool and it was my first time ever buying non-drugstore makeup. I purchased (George purchased it, actually. We just started dating at the time!) Studio Fix Fluid in NC40, Blot Powder in Med-Dark, Select Cover-up in Peach, Paint in Bare Canvas and Eyeshadows in Gorgeous Gold, Moons Reflection and Aquadisiac. Aside from the shadows, I continue using all of those products till this day.

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