Happy Holidays!

Sorry for my lack of updates this week. The holidays can get a bit hectic! For those of you that celebrate Christmas, I hope you had a joy-filled one! Otherwise, I hope you enjoyed your day off.

I can't believe how fast 2012 flew by, but I suppose there really isn't a year that doesn't go by fast. Do any of you have New Years plans yet? I usually don't know until last minute, but it will probably be spent in a home setting with family.

Anyway, I hope you all enjoy your holiday and I hope you have a happy and safe New Year!

PS. Aren't those cookies adorable? You can find the recipe here (or substitute with your own peanut butter cookie recipe).

Giorgio Armani #8 Champagne Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow Review, Photos and Swatches!

Giorgio Armani #8 Champagne Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow

Giorgio Armani #8 Champagne Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow ($32) is a pinked-champagne with a high metallic finish. It's a beautiful shade that can be used as a wash of color on the eyes for a quick and easy every day look, and it also looks great on the cheekbones as a highlight. I think it's a shade that can be both used at day or night, but it does sport a high metallic shine, so some might prefer it as a highlight/accent shade for the workplace rather than wearing it all over the lids.

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadows are described as being an innovative hybrid texture that isn't a powder or a cream. If you haven't felt these yourself, they feel like an extremely finely milled pressed or compacted pigment. The silkiness of the shadow makes it almost feel like a cream, but it's most definitely a powder. What's lovely about them is that because of the smooth texture, the shadow applies smoothly like a cream, but because it's a powder, it doesn't crease like a cream eyeshadow would.

If you've tried the L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows, you've had a little taste of the Eyes to Kill Eyeshadows because the texture is so similar. The Giorgio Armani shadows are just a bit silkier/less dry. Some people inquire if these are anything like the Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Eyeshadows and they aren't at all. The Illusion D'Ombre's are more-so like a cream consistency.

Although the powder is pressed down, when you touch it, the formula flakes a bit, so to reduce mess and fall-out during application, I like to use my fingers. A sponge applicator also works well. If you want to use a brush, a dense brush will work best to pick up a good amount of product for opaque coverage (such as a concealer brush or something like the Sigma E60 Shader Brush, as fluffy brushes can create some fall-out and a lighter coverage overall).

Upcoming Posts!

Upcoming Posts on Miss Natty's Beauty Diary

Hey Everyone!

How is your Christmas shopping coming along? I'm so happy to say that I am completely done with my Christmas shopping and wrapping as of Sunday. Maybe that isn't too impressive, but shamefully, I'm typically one of those people that is looking for last minute things on Christmas Eve. I seem to always work better under pressure.. haha! I'm so happy I can sit back and relax, enjoy Christmas without any headaches and bake up a storm of holiday cookies at my own leisure.

Anyways, since I've been a bit busy, I haven't had too many updates in the past few days. I have so many posts lined up, but I wanted to let you know of some upcoming posts to look out for.

Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer  - I have a generous sample of this, and I've been using it for a few days now. So far, I'm liking it but I still can't tell if it's a product I'm going to purchase. I'm going to continue testing it out before I write up a review.

Kat Von D Tattoo Foundation - Several of you wanted me to try this foundation, so I picked up a sample of this as well. I've worn it for two days so far, and I'm liking it as well. I'm still going to continue testing it out over the next few days to see which is the best application method, etc. Right now I'm finding it feels a little heavy on my face, but I'm positive it's because you only need the tiniest bit. It's a very pigmented foundation.

YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat Foundation - This is another foundation that a few of you requested me to review, so I purchased a bottle a little over a week ago. The color I purchased is slightly too light (BD40) so I've only had the chance to wear it a few times since I've been tanning more regularly as of lately. So far I think it's a really nice light foundation for those who want a light-medium coverage and dewy/luminous skin. A full review will be fairly soon.

Nars Oasis Blush - Sin has been my go-to blush just about every day, but on the days when I'm not wearing Sin, I've been enjoying Oasis. It's actually a bit similar to Sin, but it's slightly more rosy with a little shimmer. I will review it shortly, along with an updated Nars Blush Collection post. I've collected many more colors since my older post. I'm think I'm done now with Nars Blushes - none of the other colors appeal too much to me.

Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel - This is a product I've been using even before I started blogging back in '09. It's one of my favorite bronzers, and ironically, I have never reviewed it. After a few years I finally finished mine, and just purchased a new one. Being that it's still fresh and pretty, it's a great time to review the product and go over application methods, etc.

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadow - I've been wanting to try these for ages, and finally got myself one. I wanted to get a versatile shade that I can wear often, so I got #8 Champagne which is a lovely pink-champagne. It's great for a wash of color on the lids and it doubles as a gorgeous highlight on the cheeks.

Those are the main ones that stick out at me, but there are also many more reviews and posts that I have lined up. If you're curious, check out my Upcoming Posts page. I try my best to update it regularly.

If you have any requests for product reviews, etc, please let me know in the comments! Happy Holidays!

Presents Image Credit: Selina Lake

Jewelmint Burgundy Brilliance Earrings Review & Photos!

Jewelmint Burgundy Brilliance Earrings

I have another Jewelmint post for you today! I actually purchased three items from my December showroom, all of which were new for the month of December.

Jewelmint Burgundy Brilliance Earrings feature a burgundy (which actually appears more amber in person) and a dangling long, slim polished silver triangle/spike filled with sparking gray stones.

"Long and ladylike, for a dose of high-end elegance, antique drip metal with black diamond embellishments meets burgundy crystal studs to create a look that's irresistibly fierce. About the Burgundy Brilliance Earrings: 6 mm burgundy stones attach to surgical steel posts. Imitation rhodium plating of drip metal equals 55mm long and is adorned by 1.5 mm black diamond colored crystals."

They absolutely beautiful, feminine, dainty yet also edgy. They are so unique and shine beautifully on the ears. The design is ultra light weight and very well crafted. They feel really light on the ears - in fact, when wearing them, I can't feel them at all!

These earrings are definitely one of my top favorites from all of my Jewelmint jewelry. They are overall such a classy piece and one that I think anyone would love. Highly recommended!