Rambling and NARS collection

Hello everyone.  I hope everyone had a good weekend, and for my USA crowd a great Memorial Day Weekend.  As most of you know my hubby is in the military so I think that it kinda hits home for me.  It takes a lot of courage and dedication to do what my husband does and I love him for it.  Anyway... I am already starting to get off subject. It is just one of those nights where my thoughts are wondering wildly out of control...

So, back to my weekend.  I saw a bunch of movies!  We took my son to see the latest Pirates of the Carribean on Saturday, Sunday just me and the hubby watched Hangover 2 and Monday we watched Thor.  What great movies.  All of them.  (Especially Hangover 2!!!)  Does anyone else get into a movie-watching mood?  Sometimes I get in the mood to do nothing except watch movies all day!  For some odd reason it is soooo satisfying.  Maybe I am the only weirdo that thinks that way but oh well...  

This post really does have beauty meaning.  I just felt like rambling on a little bit first.  I was looking through my makeup collection and realized that I have quite a bit of NARS stuff.  I have actually swapped away quite a few things from NARS but these are the ones that I really love.  I will be expanding on my collection when I decide that my no-buy is over, but I don't know when I am going to end it.  I feel like I need to take a spending break.  All I am alowing myself to do for the next little while is swap with people.  

On to the collection photos...

This is a look I did using Tzarine duo.  I was pressed for time this morning and I had a nice blue shirt on so I thought this duo complimented it nicely.  I work in an office environment and deal with the public so I can't be over-the-top at work.  I have to keep it muted and polished.  There are many ways to wear this duo but simple is always better for me.  This isn't the best picture, but I was short on time so I snapped a couple and ran out the door.  This is the only one that made it through the chopping block!  :)

These are the shoes I wore on the date-night with my husband.  I love these shoes.  They are by Nine West and they are sexy, yet sophisticated.  Love love love them!  Please excuse the mess that is my makeup area.  There is always a small mess in that area.  

This is what they look like on.  Sorry for the poor quality pictures but they are the best I could do before I flew out the door.

I hope you enjoyed this post and didn't find it boring and unrelated to the usual content of my blog.  Sometimes it is simply better to ramble on and get your thoughts out than keep them in and they become lost forever! 

Have a great day! 

GIVEAWAY WINNER!!!!

I would like to say thank you to everyone who entered the giveaway!  I used random.org just a few minutes ago and picked a winner! 

The winner is...

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MissBrittanyBoo!!

I have already contacted her for her mailing address to mail the package out! 

CONGRATULATIONS!

FOTD: Enigma #2

Finally decided to use the Enigma palette again! I love it! So pretty and soft!

FACE:

Origins VitaZing

Lioele Triple the Solution

R&R Pressed Powder

NARS Laguna

Chanel Tea Rose

EYES:

Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Wheat

Benefit Creaseless Cream in Birthday Suit

BECCA Enigma

Wet n Wild Brulee

Sue Devitt Chaing Mai

Maybelline One by One

LIPS:

Estee Lauder Pinkberry l/s

Tutorial: Urban Decay Naked Palette

Here it is! My very first makeup tutorial!  Hope you all enjoy it.  My set up isn't that good.  I hope that me going out of frame from time to time isn't too distracting!

I know you have all seen the palette before but here are the swatches.

Let me know what you think in the comments below!

FOTD: Neutral Storm

FACE:

Origins VitaZing 

Lioele Triple the Solution

MAC MSFN Medium

NARS Laguna

NARS Madly

MAC Pink Swoon

NARS Albatross

EYES:

Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Wheat

Sleek Storm palette (the 4 e/s mentioned in my favorites post)

Sue Devitt Eye Intensifyer in Chaing Mai

Maybelline One by One mascara

Anastasia Beauty Express Brow Kit

LIPS:

Merle Norman Satin Lip Pencil in Angel Mist 

Tarte PureOptic Lipgloss in Golden Pink

May 2011 Favorites

Hi everyone! I have dove head first into a new venture... ... ... ...

YOUTUBE!!! 

OMG! I can't even believe it myself.  I am so amateur that it is actually very amusing to watch myself back.  I can't be too nit-picky but I have constant bitchface going on.  My husband even asked me why I looked so mad! Oh well.. ON WITH THE VIDEO!  

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pads

Lioele Triple the Solution

Origins Starting Over (Oil Free)

Sleek Storm palette

NARS Douceur

Maybelline One by One

Sue Devitt Eye Intensifyer in Chaing Mai

Burberry Britt Sheer

Anyway, please be kind.  I know the video is not that great, but it is my first one ever!  

Hope you enjoy!

Brows, brows, brows.

This post is to show the importance of filling in the brows (not to scare you)! :)  

In the first picture I am using Anastasia Beauty Express Brow Kit on one eye and the other is bare.  Please don't pay attention to the rest of my face.  All I have on is my foundation at that point.  I personally like to do my brows right after foundation because, as I am sure you have all heard before, it "frames the face."  I feel like it gives me structure, and its easier for me to know where to place my eye makeup.  

Anastacia follows the Golden Ratio.  

I personally use the lighter side of the brow powder in this kit.  The stencil I use is the "Medium Arch" one.

The last two pictures are after I applied the rest of my face.  I used Lioele Beyond the Solution.  My face is really shiny with this BB cream.  The Lioele Triple the Solution is much more matte, and I prefer it. 

What I was using

Face:

Lioele Beyond the Solution BB cream

R&R pressed powder dusted lightly over the face (should have used more)

NARS Laguna

MAC Style blush

LORAC Spotlight

EYES:

Anastasia Beauty Express Brow Kit

Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Wheat

Sleek Storm Palette - first two shades on the top row mixed on lid, 3rd e/s on top row in crease (matte), and the dark brown matte shade on the bottom row in outer v.  

Anastasia highlight from kit.

MAC Blacktrack Fluidline

Gosh Bananas on waterline

Maybelline One by One mascara

LIPS:

Rimmel Airy Fairy 

Dalton Lisa Lou lip pot

I hope you enjoyed this post. If you have any questions or comments leave them below.  

NARS Deep Throat vs Benefit Coralista

You are probably wondering why I am comparing the two... because they are nothing alike. HAHA!  I was texting with a friend of mine tonight and she saw that I had the mini Coralista.  I thought on the top of my head that it might be similar to Deep Throat.  I broke out the iPhone and snapped pics as I was comparing.  It is definitely not similar even though they don't seem too different in the pan.  

(click image to enlarge)

Coralista is much more orange than Deep Throat.  

Review: Urban Decay Naked Palette

I have had this palette for quite a while (almost a year)!  There were so many people talking about it that I decided I didn't really need to say anything.  But I always hear more and more people asking questions about it.  I decided to give my 2 cents worth!

(click image to enlarge)

My favorite shades in the palette are Toasted, Sin, Virgin and Naked.  Though these are my favorites, all the eyeshadows are high quality.  They are creamy and blendable, not to mention there is a wide variety of shades to choose from.  I also love the fact that there is a variety of finishes.  I love mixing finishes in my eye looks and this palette makes it so easy to pack for traveling.  

I have done makeup on a few people where I used this palette and set a fire within them to go and pick it up. I think this palette is good for everyone.  There are a few people that say they can't wear it because the palette is too warm toned, but honestly I am more cool toned than I am warm and this palette looks great on me.  

I am the type of person that likes shimmery eyeshadow on my lid so this palette is truly right up my alley.  There is only one eyeshadow that has some glitter to it and it is 'Sidecar'!  All of the rest of the eyeshadow aside from Buck and Naked are sheen/shimmer.  On to the swatches: 

These are the same eyeshadows, the picture was just taken with different lighting.

Click here to see a look that I did with this palette.

I give this palette 2 thumbs up!  I hope that some of you found this review helpful!  If you have any questions please leave them in the comments below!

Giveaway Reminder: Ends MAY 27TH!!!

I thought everyone might want to see the details of what was in the bag.  This is what is in it at the moment but there are things I keep throwing in the sample bag constantly.  You can enter the giveaway by clicking here!

(Click images to enlarge!)   

Sephora Haul May 2011

Anastasia brow kit in Brunette

Sephora Refillable Rollerball

Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter

100 point perk:

Benefit Coralista mini

Samples:

Versace Versus

Privet Bloom by Hampton Sun

Tocca Colette

Deluxe Sample:

Bare Minerals Active Triple Treatment Eye Cream (I am a fanatic over eyecreams)

Look how cute and mini the Coralista is! :D  It is beautiful though and my 169 brush fits right in it!  Not to small to use.

This is the Coralista blush compared to a Shu Uemura eyeshadow.  This picture is strictly for size comparison.

Fun collage of past looks!

Hope you guys enjoy this!  What a gorgeous effect!

50 Questions Tag

1. Where were you 3 hours ago? 
Same spot!  Watching a movie with my son!

2. Who are you in love with?
My husband! <3


3. Have you ever eaten a crayon? 
Not that I recall.... accidents happen? lol I probably did when I was a child... It would explain a lot...

4. Is there anything pink within 10 feet of you? 
Yes, my hot pink laptop that I am writing this post on!

5. When is the last time you went to the mall?
When my sister was here, around 3 weeks ago.

6. Are you wearing socks right now? 
Nope! I hate anything that traps in my toes! 

7. Does your family have a car worth over $2,000? 
Yes... Both of our vehicles are worth over $2000 

8. When was the last time you drove out of town?
I drive into the next town every morning for work... other then that a few weeks ago to go to the moto track!

9. Have you been to the movies in the last 5 days?

No.

10. Are you hot? 

It is a little warm in here...

11. What was the last thing you had to drink? 

Orange Juice - getting all the good stuff I can! I am sick at the moment!

12. What are you wearing right now? 
Scrub bottoms and a tank top! Jammies!

13. Do you wash your car or let the car wash do it?
I rarely do it... but neither does my husband... the last time it was it was washed in the car wash!

14. Last food that you ate?
 Soup

15. Where were you last week at this time? 

Asleep

16. Have you bought any clothing items in the last week?
Nope :D

17. When is the last time you ran? 
Does the elliptical count?  If yes, then last night!

18. What's the last sporting event you watched? 
Basketball... hubby had it on, I SWEAR!

19. What is your favorite animal? 
Horses

20. Your dream vacation? 
Greece

21. Last person's house you were in?
Other then my own, it would be my friend Kelly's!

22. Worst injury you've ever had? 
I was in a jet-ski accident! It was way worse then it sounds.  I still don't have an ACL in my left knee.... The accident was around 4-5 years ago! :O

23. Have you been in love?
We covered this already.... but YES!!

 24. Do you miss anyone right now? 
Absolutely!

25. Last play you saw? 
I can't remember the name of it!  It was years ago when I lived in Virginia Beach!

26. What is your secret weapon to lure in the opposite sex?
I haz no game! 

27. What are your plans for tonight? 
Finishing this and going to bed...

28. Who is the last person you sent a MySpace message or comment? 
I haven't used MySpace in years... I have no clue...

29. Next trip you are going to take?
 I don't know! I am going to a baby shower this weekend, but that isn't exactly a trip...

 
30. Ever go to camp?
I went to church camp as a child! I used to really enjoy it!

31. Were you an honor roll student in school? 
Yep, had excellent grades!

32. What do you want to know about the future? 
Nothing, everything.................. 

33. Are you wearing any perfume or cologne?
Burberry Brit Sheer

34. Are you due sometime this year for a doctor's visit?
Just had one today! :( I haz strep!

35. Where is your best friend?
 asleep

36. How is your best friend?
Sick as well.... damned sickness!
 

37. Do you have a tan?
Not a real one! Fake tanner all the way!

38. What are you listening to right now? 
Some movie on the tv.. just background noise really!

 
39. Do you collect anything?
Makeup

40. Who is the biggest gossiper you know?
I could name a few...

 
41. Last time you got stopped by a cop or pulled over?
A year or so ago 

42. Have you ever drank your soda from a straw? 
Yes! When its a fountain drink!

43. What does your last text message say? 
Well it's not $1.20 but I might order -- regarding the NYX sale disaster 2011! lol

44. Do you like hot sauce? 
HELL YES!

45. Last time you took a shower?
This morning!!

46. Do you need to do laundry? 
Yeppers!

47. What is your heritage? 
I am a complete mutt!

48. Are you someone's best friend? 
Yes, I would like to think I am!

49. Are you rich? 
Not monetarily ;o)


50. What were you doing at 12AM last night?
Sleeping

*THE END*



Hope you all enjoyed this!  I am not feeling well tonight and I wanted to post something that would help you "get to know me"!

Birchbox May 2011 and NewBeauty TestTube: QVC Edition!

My Birchbox May 2011 contained:

Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint
Archipelago Pomegranate Gift Set
BVLGARI Mon Jasmin Noir
Jouer Mini Tinted Lip Enhancers Kit
Erno Laszlo TranspHuse Night Serum

Prepare for a rant......

I would like to start off by saying that I have become completely disappointed with Birchbox.  The first couple of boxes I received I loved.  I raved about them and, dare I say, am probably the reason some people ordered theirs.  The problems started when I had to call customer service to get the debit card that I pay with every month switched because I had to cancel the one that was on file.  

It took me a couple days of trying to get through because their customer service department isn't open after working hours.  I have an office job and it is nearly impossible for me to make personal calls during working hours.  When I finally did get through the Birchbox Representative seemed less than interested in my issue.  I told her what I needed and she said "Yesterday was the cutoff to receive this month's Birchbox!"  I then explained that I tried to get in touch with them the few days before.  Didn't phase her so I had decided at that moment that I didn't need to continue the subscription.  

Days later I saw some reviews on what I missed out on and decided to sign up again.  I did it through the the site instead of over the phone out of convenience.  I was happy with the next box I received because I love Zoya polishes.  The box for May really disappointed me.  The biggest reason I am unhappy with the May box is because they sent me the Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint.  I received that sample before. The first time I received it it was actually a deluxe sample size.  This time they are just the flimsy little sample packets.  

I emailed Birchbox to let them know how I felt and instead of addressing the issues I had they basically said "Thanks for your feedback."  They didn't try to work out the fact they sent me duplicate samples and frankly I got the same cold feeling I got from the customer service lady the first time I was in contact with them over the phone.  Uncaring.  I promptly emailed them back and told them to cancel my subscription.  I still haven't heard back from them and that was 3 days ago.  I will more than likely need to call.  /end rant!

NewBeauty TestTube: QVC Edition contained:

Borghese Fango Delicato Active Mud for Delicate Dry Skin, 1 oz

Dalton Color Creme Lip Gloss in Lisa Lou, 0.21 oz x2

Dr. Dennis Gross Alpha Beta Glow Pad Anti-Aging Exfoliating Self-Tanner, 10 towlettes

Pacifica Solid Perfume , 0.33 oz

Philosophy Inner Grace Perfumed Shampoo, Bath, and Shower Gel, 2 oz

ProStrong Pro Advanced Fluoride Nail Strengthener, 0.25 oz

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara, 0.10 oz

Tarte Maracuja Oil, 0.23 oz

Wen Cleansing Conditioner in Fig, 6 oz.

Wowza! I love this!  The value of the individual products is way more than the $30-something dollars that I paid for the tube.  The magazine alone is valued at $9.95.  From what I have gathered from my research on the internet is that these TestTube's used to include lots of full size products for the same price but I am still happy with the sizes I received in this one.

I hope you enjoyed this post and you walk away having learned something!

Don't forget to enter my giveaway!  Click here for the details!

The Liebster Blog Award!!!

Hello lovely ladies!  I recently received The Liebster Blog Award from Nat who's blog is Raspberry Rouge!  The blog is beautifully designed and has tons of insightful, helpful posts.  I have been reading her posts for a couple months and I really love it!  

The Liebster Award is designed to bring well deserved additional recognition to those bloggers with less than 300 followers.  If you receive the award you link back to the blogger that nominated you and nominate 3 more blogs so my choices are:

Mira Sundari Mira is a great friend of mine who also has a beauty obsession! She creates awesome colorful eye looks and hauls like no other!  She recently hauled some Rouge Bunny Rouge and her pictures brought me to my knees!  I almost caved and purchased the whole lot! ;)

Heather Does Make Up What can I say about this blogger?  She is GORGEOUS!  She is a professional makeup artist in Ireland and every look she does leaves me breathless!  Talented isn't even a big enough word for Heather! 

Beauties in Bloom Amanda is a really sweet girl that started blogging around the same time I did!  She encourages my Rock & Republic obsession (and vice versa)!  She also does really wearable smoky eye looks that often incorporate color!

Guest Makeover

This is my soon-to-be sister-in-law Katie!  They were visiting over the weekend and I did her makeup before we went out to eat one night!  I decided to document it.  I always mean to do this and never do!

BEFORE

AFTER 

I didn't do anything dramatic or crazy.  Just did a really natural but polished look. Here are the products I used!

Face:

Lioele Triple the Solution

MAC MSFN Medium

NARS Douceur

NARS Laguna

LORAC Spotlight

EYES:

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Greed

Shu Uemura Brown ME 850

MAC All That Glitters

MAC Smut

Wet n Wild Brulee

Stile Eye Kajal in Topaz

Bobbi Brown Chocolate Shimmer Ink

Maybelline One By One

LIPS:

BECCA Watermelon Beach Tint

Rimmel Airy Fairy

Don't ask me what I was looking at because I definitely couldn't tell you! 

Good Times!

Click here to enter my GIVEAWAY!!

Rock & Republic FOTD #2

The colors in these pictures were really washed out because the sun was very bright, but the Rock & Republic eyeshadows I used were: Sabotage, Revenge, Diffused, Skintight, Veil, etc... It is sort of pointless to list them because you really can't see them.  I figured I took the time to take them so I may as well post them. I am also using my Lioele Triple the Solution BB cream.

These pictures aren't the best ever, but oh well!  Good mascara day! It was Maybelline One by One!  hahaha

Click here to enter my G I V E A W A Y!!!!

How to Depot Rock & Republic eyeshadows or blushes.

I have been stricken with a problem since I ordered my Rock & Republic eyeshadows: I can't see them through the packaging.  I really love the luxe packaging but there are flaws with the idea of it. For one, you can't see the color.  I rarely reach for these because it is a pain in the *** to pick each one up and open it so I know which color I would like to use.  Second, they are so bulky!  They take up sooo much room! 

I was chatting in a well-known makeup community (can't break the first rule, lolz) this afternoon and I saw a friend post about wanting to depot her R&R.  This idea crossed my mind many times in the past but the compacts look like they are solid metal and very hard to depot.  I asked her what method she would be using and she linked me a video.  I then watched the video and altered the steps.    

#1 Snap the bottom off of the packaging.  

At the hinge on the back of the packaging there is a gap that something can fit into.  I got some tweezers and pried it off.  After you get the hang of this it pops right off... Some of the packaging has more glue than others.

#2 Place the bottom of the part that contains the eyeshadow over a flame.

I used a candle because holding a lighter gets too hot and this does take a few minutes per eyeshadow. 

(This is a Lavendar Vanilla triple wick candle from Bath and Body Works)

#3 Poke into the back of the packaging.

After the packaging starts to bubble up and turn a little black I basically stabbed it with my tweezers until I felt the eyeshadow pan giving way. 

#4 Remove the sticker from the bottom portion of the packaging that you removed first and attach it to the back of the pan.

I successfully replaced all of the casing back onto the compact and they will make snazzy little mirrored compacts for your purse.

Finished result.  I am slightly irritated that I only need one more eyeshadow to fill the palette! LMAO >_<

You can see in this picture that I had casualties with 2 of the matte eyeshadows.  Matte eyeshadows are notorious for being irritable while depotting.

All comfy in their new home, the large black Z-Palette.