Tuesday, February 26, 2013

Step by Step Smokey Brown Eyeshadow Tutorial!

Smokey Brown Eyeshadow Tutorial

Smokey Brown Eyeshadow Tutorial


A brown smokey eye is a great look if you want a dramatic look, without being too dark. The pop of gold on the inner third of the eye really brightens up the eye and adds a bit of light to make the eyes really stand out. This look works really well on all eye colors - brown, hazel/green or blue. If you're light complected and don't feel comfortable with a look this dark, you can soften it up a bit by skipping the black liner and using a deep brown or charcoal - or you can skip the liner all together. If you have small eyes, black on the waterline can make the eyes appear even smaller, so to avoid this, make sure the eyeshadow on your bottom lash line is extra smokey and extended out and apply a good coat of mascara to the bottom lashes. Adding a flesh toned, ivory or brown liner to your waterline is also an option to open up the eyes. To keep this look more daytime appropriate, you can stop at Step 7 and finish off with mascara. 



Products Used:

Nars Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (used in step 1)
MAC Wedge Eyeshadow (used in step 2)
NARS Galapagos Eyeshadow (used in steps 3 and 5)
MAC Tempting Eyeshadow (used in step 4)
NARS Etrusque Eyeshadow (used in step 6)
MAC Chamomile Eyeshadow (used in step 7)
Urban Decay Perversion 24/7 Eyeliner (used in steps 8, 11, 12 and 15)
MAC Carbon Eyeshadow (used in steps 10 and 11)
Ardell #45 Eyelashes (used in step 13)
Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara (used in step 14)

You will Need:

  • A matte, light brown eyeshadow
  • A dark brown eyeshadow
  • A shimmery brown eyeshadow
  • A gold eyeshadow
  • A light matte eyeshadow for the highlight
  • A black eyeshadow
  • A black eyeliner pencil
  • Mascara
  • False Eyelashes (optional)

Sunday, February 24, 2013

Sneak Peak - MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick for Spring 2013!

MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick for Spring 2013


MAC's love affair with lips has led to the launch of a new MAC masterpiece. Introducing Mineralize Rich Lipstick - it's larger in size and scope and lavishes lips with nutrient-rich moisture. Featuring a luxurious formula and gorgeous colour, enhanced with a mineral moist complex that provides lips with nourishment and lasting hydration. Lightweight colour glides on with ease for an intense bright with shade retention. (Permanent)


Select Shades Available in North America, UK, AU & NZ)

  • Luxe Naturale - Light beige cream
  • Posh Tone - Soft warm nude cream
  • Glamour Era - Mid-tone warm brown frost
  • Style Surge - Neutral coral cream
  • Lady At Play - Mid-tone cool tangerine
  • Lush Life - Deep cool plum
  • Dreaminess - Soft cool pink cream
  • Grande Dame - Mid-tone neutral rose cream
  • Elegant Accent - Mid-tone warm rose cream
  • Divine Choice - Mid-tone cool pink cream
  • All Out Gorgeous - Deep warm red
  • Everyday Diva - True red cream

Other shades (See locations for availability): 

  • Ultraprecious - Soft peach cream* (North & South Asia)
  • Smart & Sweet - Soft coral cream* (North & South Asia)
  • Utterly Delicious - Bright coral cream* (North & South Asia, Europe, South Africa, Middle East, India, Latin America)
  • Splurge - Mid-tone cool tangerine* (Europe, South Africa, Middle East, India, South America)
  • Ladies Who Lunch - Light cool pink cream* (North & South Asia)
  • Strikingly Fabulous - Mid-tone warm bright pink* (North & South Asia)
  • Red Coquette - Vivid bright bluish red* (North & South Asia)

*To see the full list by location, click here.

MAC Mineralize Rich Lipsticks

MAC Mineralize Rich Lipsticks

I've read that they apply buttery, feel moisturizing on the lips and have good lasting power. I also like the chic packaging (they also have a magnetic closure). They also contain 4.4.g of product in comparison to the 3g in a standard MAC lipstick or 3.6g in a MAC Sheen Supreme.

MAC Mineralize Rich Lipsticks will retail for $22.00 US/$26.00 CAD.

Availability: February 28th online and March 7th in-stores.

I can't wait to try these! Do you think you'll be picking any of these up?

Credits: MAC-Guy on Specktra

Sneak Peak - MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation for Spring 2013.

MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation for Spring 2013


M•A•C expands its innovative collection of foundations with a gorgeous NEW formula full of extraordinary benefits. Its lightweight lush texture feeds skin instantly with mineral-rich nourishing hydration, all day long. The uniquely creamy fluid, ideal for dry skin, blends beautifully, featuring shea butter, emollients and conditioning extracts to keep the face soft and supple. Its combination of powders creates an optical blurring effect that virtually diminishes imperfections and fine lines for a more even tone. (Permanent)

I don't think it's any secret by now that MAC is my favorite cosmetic brand, so when I hear word of new product launches, I'm usually clicking my heels in excitement. Well, last year MAC Mineralize Satinfinish SPF 15 Foundation came to the end of it's road and was discontinued - I've used it in the past and it was okay, but I wasn't really a fan of the thick texture in combination with the sheer coverage. So you wouldn't think MAC would discontinue their Mineralize foundation without coming out with a new one did you? Well, you're right. Early March, MAC is launching the Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation.

I'm crossing my fingers that the formula has improved, and hopefully the coverage has as well. It comes in a similar frosted bottle with a pump like the older version.

Vogue Beauty says:

"Every season, there is new product development that has make-up artists (and therefore us) all excited. For spring/summer 2013 it's all about this new MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF15 foundation, which has be causing quite a stir. Used in Paris at Costume National by make-up artist Sally Branka, it has also been seen in every city at pretty much every show, doing a fine job at creating the dewy, minimal make-up look that is proving to be ever so popular. Launching in the spring, this is going to be pretty major. Trust us."
Available in (18) shades: NC15, NC20, NC25, NC30, NC35, NC37, NC40, NC42, NC44, NC45, NC50, NW20, NW25, NW30, NW35, NW43, NW45 and NW50.

MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation will retail for $33.00 US/$40.00 CAD.

Featured with the foundation will be the MAC #130 Short Duo-Fibre Brush, which is a permanent brush by MAC and retails for $42.00 US/$50.50 CAD.

Availability: February 28th online and March 7th in-stores.


Credits: MAC-Guy on Specktra, Vogue UK (image)

Friday, February 22, 2013

A Quick Review - Nail Magic Nail Hardener and Conditioner!

Nail Magic Nail Hardener and Conditioner

I just wanted to quickly share with you a product that I've been using constantly for the past several weeks and have seen great results with!

This winter my nails have really taken a beating to the dry air. In just one day, I broke 4 of my nails on one hand (all while grocery shopping and running errands). Any slight ding and my half of my nail was gone. It was at the point of ridiculousness, so in desperation I made a quick run to Sally's, which happened to be in the same mall - jagged nails and all.

So I walked out with a bottle of Nail Magic that was recommended to me by the sales associate.

Nail Magic contains a blend of ingredients that not only strengthens the nails, but also conditions them. It treats splitting, chipping and repairs weak and/or damaged nails.

You can use it alone, applied as a base coat, and it even says that you can use it as a top coat (which I haven't tried).

I've been applying two coats to my nails and leaving them bare of any other polish. In the bottle the liquid is tinted pale pink, but it applies clear and makes the nails look a little more primped and shiny.

I'm kind of hard on my hands with household chores so it does wear off my tips within a couple of days, but when it does, I'll usually just remove it with nail polish remover and apply it again.