Purple Gradient Nail

Hello everyone!  I have gotten a few questions about what has been on my nails in the past couple of videos.  It is the nail trio from my Makeup Mail blogpost!  They were formulated to create gradient nails!  I looove the look of a gradient nail!  I have a pink trio as well from Etude House!  

Anyway!  Hope that answers your questions!  Thank you for all your interest! :D

I hope you enjoyed this post!  If you would like, you can find me on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook.  If you don't already, follow me here.  Thank you for all of your support!  

November 2011 Favorites

Hello ladies!  I just wanted to share with you my November favorites! Hope you like it!

Makeup Tips for People with Fair Skin

People with fair skin have to be careful about the color makeup that they wear. If you go too light you can get a washed out look. If you go to dark you can look like a Goth like vampire. However if you choose the right colors you can look like a bombshell and really stand out. Here are some easy to follow tips.

Foundation- When selecting foundation be sure to match the makeup color to the skin tone of your jawline. Don’t match your wrist or hand because the skin tones often do vary and you want the most natural look possible. This being said, be sure that the foundation color blends in with your skin tone and don’t go darker than you really are or you’ll end up looking unnatural.

Concealer- If you need a touch of concealer for your under eye area try one that is two shades lighter than your skin tone and has a yellow base so that you can match the colors evenly.

Blush- There’s nothing like a touch of blush on fair skin. Try a soft pink or apricot blush to bring out your cheeks but stay away from the bolder colors because they will stand out too much and will make you look clown like.  Bronzers should be skipped altogether because it won’t look natural on you.

Eye Shadow- Pastel colors such as lilac, soft grey, light green, powder blue and light brown will really bring out your eyes. However if you have blue eyes you should skip the blue because it your eyes will look inverted and odd. Use a grey or brown smokey eye palette to dress up your look.

Eye Liner- If you like to use dark colored eye makeup the best way to do it is by using dark colored eye liner. Navy, chocolate brown, forest green and black will look amazing next to a light shadow and will really bring out your eyes.

Mascara- Take a cue from Christina Aguilera and fatten up those lashes. Brown mascara is very subtle but black mascara that stands out against fair skin can stop traffic.

Lipstick And Lip Gloss- You should opt for a bright lip color such as coral, apricot or red for a sultry look that can go from day to night. Stay away from brown because it won’t do anything for you.

Using these tips you’re sure to get a look that will make you stand out. Good luck and keep feeling beautiful.

This post was written by Aleya who writes the blog for LI Beauty School which is a beauty school college and Hair Design Institute which is a hair and makeup school with locations throughout New York and Florida.

Holiday Dragon FOTD

Hello my lovelies!  I was in an experimental mood today and I decided to play around with holiday party makeup ideas.  I knew I wanted to wear Dragon at some point this holiday season so I tried to pair it with a bold eye.  I just wasn't sure what I wanted to do...

Another thing I knew I wanted to wear sometime this holiday season was MAC Patina.  I think it is such a gorgeous color and the gold patina in it really reminds me of Christmas for some reason.  It looks sort of rustic-y and when I think of Christmas I think of rustic scenery: chopped wood, pinecones dusted in snow, and HELLO, can we say tree (as in the thing that is in our house all month with presents under it)?  Don't ask me how but MAC's Patina just reminds me of all that... and its golden tones remind me of beautiful ribbons... I digress... enough with my thought process behind Patina for holiday parties! lol

After I had the look thrown together something was missing so I added some falsies that I had been wanting to wear for months and never thought of a good reason... Well... this is as good of a reason as any.  I was very happy with how well the entire look pulled together after I placed those on my lash line...

The lashes I used were some that I got in a set with the Michael Kors Very Hollywood perfume from the CCO earlier this year.  As soon as I saw them I KNEW they were dupes for the MAC #7 lashes.  They are both Estee Lauder brands so they probably are the same thing.  I am happy to say that they are very nice.  

You know how I love Instagram! haha

If you are curious about the products used for this FOTD here they are completely broken down for you.  

FACE:

Oilatum moisturizer

BRTC Gold Caviar BB cream

Garnier tinted roller ball under eyes

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores

Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer in 51

Kanebo Media RD-1 blush

Urban Decay Deslick sprayed all over

EYES:

Urban Decay Primer Potion

MAC Groundwork PP

MAC Patina

MAC Handwritten

MAC Nylon for inner corner highlight

Anastasia Brow Kit and Highlight

Chanel Mirifique as liner

Mally Starlight liner in Midnight on the inner rim

Rouge Bunny Rouge Endless Miracles Swift Length Mascara

Lashes are some falsies from a set that I got when I bought the Michael Kors Very Hollywood perfume from the CCO!

LIPS:

Chanel Dragon

I hope you enjoyed this post!  If you would like, you can find me on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook.  If you don't already, follow me here.  Thank you for all of your support!  

Makeup Mail

Hello lovelies!  I told you I would be posting more often!  I have gotten some mail recently (one of the packages came today)!  I have gotten quite a few swap packages and gifts in the past couple weeks!  Most I have torn open and used and they are all mixed up in my regular stash!  A couple of the packages were from fellow bloggers so I kept their packages in tact as much as possible so I could eventually do a post!  

First package that I am showing is the one I got today!  The lovely Driveller Kate sent me a package and I am soooo excited!  She sneakily figured out that I wanted a specific blush and she knows I have a thing for mascara! :D  Everything else is just sheer genius!  She picked out some perfect things for me and I am in awe!  

The blush is a Kanebo Media blush in RD-1.  I am sure you will see it in a FOTD very very soon!  If you would like to see the entire line swatched Kate has a terrific post on them!  The Chanel is a Rouge Allure Extrait De Gloss in 58 Emoi! *squealllzzz*  It is GORGEOUS!  That will be in an upcoming FOTD as well!

She also got me a beautiful nail trio!  I love the look of a gradient nails and these little trios are fabulous for creating them!  I may try it later today!  She also sent a Rouge Bunny Rouge Endless Miracles Swift Length Mascara.  Gosh I love mascara! :)

Lots of fantastic samples!  All of which are brands that I am greatly interested!  

This Lunasol Water Cream Foundation sampler is exciting!  This is enough to figure out if I really do like it!  

And of COURSE she sent me a face mask!  I LOVE them as you know and This looks awesome!  It is my first one that hooks on the ears!  (And secretly I love that it is by the brand Sexy Look!  It says "Yes! I want to be sexy!" and I do too! haha)

My next package is from Charisse over at Gorgeous Skin!  She knew I wanted the Bourjois Chocolate bronzer in shade #51 and the Oilatum cream that the lovely Nic from Pixiwoo made famous!  And LOOOTS of samples!  I love that everyone knows my obsessions!  

Go on over to these beautiful ladies' blogs!  They are amazing and do some of the best swatches and reviews!  

I hope you enjoyed this post!  If you would like, you can find me on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook.  If you don't already, follow me here.  Thank you for all of your support!  

Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in 75 Dragon

Hello everyone!  I am so excited that I finally got around to getting a Chanel lip product.  Not only is it my first lip product from the brand but its the infamous #75 Dragon Rouge Allure Laque!  Unfortunately it is being discontinued (along with all the other Rouge Allue Laques) but I did manage to get the very last tube at my local counter.  When I was at the counter, the sales associate said that she was confused about them discontinuing the line when they just released 2 brand new shades for the latest collection.  

This is the box that the Laque comes in!  The box is shiny and I had a terrible time trying to capture the words  on the box without a blurring effect or a flash taking over the shiny box.

I absolutely LOVE the look of the tube itself.  Sleek, black, glossy.  Sophistication.  

The top has a gold emblem on it.  LOL Sorry you can see the reflection of the Georgia flag.  It was the only picture I took that actually caught the emblem! :D

Swatch of Dragon outside with no flash.

Swatch inside with flash.

As you can see, Dragon is a blood red that looks deep but when the light catches, it can be bright as well.  I feel like this is a red that will look good on many people (if not everyone)!  Of course there will be the random person that claim this doesn't look good on them but they are probably just insecure about wearing reds in general!  That was me about a year ago and now bold lips are one of my favorite things to do...

I hope that you enjoyed this post.  If it is something that you are interested in I would RUN (or get in your car, hop on a bus, whatever!) to your local Chanel counter and purchase it immediately!  You won't regret it! Such a fabulous, bold, and beautiful color!

Price: $32 (U.S.)

My Newest Addiction Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3 < (4.5 out of 5)  It is very gorgeous but quite messy!  You can ruin your lip line easily if you aren't careful.  Once it goes outside of where you want it to go it will stain the skin.  That isn't necessarily bad, you just have to be very precise in application!

I hope you enjoyed this post!  If you would like, you can find me on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook.  If you don't already, follow me here.  Thank you for all of your support!  

Mirifique Candy Apple FOTD

Hello ladies, today was a dressier day at work so I wanted to go with something that was more on the classic side.  I also was dying to wear the Mirifique Illusion d'Ombre to work! ;)  I was in a rush when I was taking these pictures and the settings were a little different than I normally have them, so if you don't like them I am sorry...  It is pretty true to life.  

These shots would have been soooo much more pretty if there would have been a flash, but it was a beautiful day out and I was trying to use natural light from my window.

FACE:

Rouge Bunny Rouge Sea of Nectar mixed with MUFE Mat Velvet +

Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer

Laura Geller Balance n Brighten

NARS Luster

EYES:

NARS Smudgeproof Eye Base

Josie Maran My Favorite Powders palette

Chanel Mirifique Id'O

Mally Volumizing Mascara

LIPS:

Revlon Candy Apple

I hope you enjoyed this post!  If you would like, you can find me on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook.  If you don't already, follow me here.  Thank you for all of your support!  

Chanel Illusion D'Ombre Long Wear Luminous Eyeshadow

Hello you amazing people!  Thank you for sticking around with me through my little absence...  I was terribly busy.  Started a new job, my husband was getting ready to deploy, and just getting used to my son being in elementary school.  Anyway.... finally posting so thanks to those of you that are sticking with me.  

So.... garrrble warble blarble.... (That is for you Mira!)  

The Illusion d'Ombres that I own are Mirifique, Epatant, and Illusoire.  (That is the order they are in in the picture below.)  They are the most gorgeous ones in my opinion! I am slowly falling in love and will more than likely buy them all before too long; they are super creamy but stay on forever!  *Perfection*

I use Mirifique as a liner.  It looks like black diamonds on your lash line!  Totally stunning and classically beautiful!  Epatant is a beautiful silvery green, and Illusoire is a beautiful taupy purple (these are also the ones I was able to arrange a swap for)!  Both of those can be worn as all over eye color or to accent any look.

As you can see in the swatches below, they are all very metallic and totally stunning!  I am so happy that I gave these a try!  Before you know it I will own the rest in the line! :D

I hope you are all having a beautiful day and I will be choosing the winner of my giveaway very soon!

 If you would like, you can find me on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook.  If you don't already, follow me here.  Thank you for all of your support!  

Price:  $36 (U.S.)

My Newest Addiction Rating: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ (5 out of 5)  They keep their promises, these eyeshadows are everything they claim to be!  Way go to Chanel!

OPI Warm and Fozzie

Hello beautiful people! I am doing another post from my phone today. Hope it is ok!! :)

This is a polish from the OPI Muppets collection. I had to have it as soon as I saw it. Got lucky enough to get the last one in my Ulta.

It is micro-fine glitter/shimmers in a brown jelly base. The glitters are golden brown with a flash of fuchsia. It is also highly reflective. I was in a restaurant that had lime green walls at lunch today and there were flashes of green in it too. It is a gorgeous color. Unfortunately my iPhone pics don't capture it's complexity but I assure you that it is special.

Nude Style FOTD

Hey everyone. I have been extremely busy over the last two weeks and haven't had much free time. I took pictures with my iPhone today and decided to use the Blogger iPhone app to post them. :)

I am using the Sleek Nude palette and MAC Style blush. My lipstick is Essence Creamy Nude. Hope you like it and if you have any questions whatsoever feel free to leave them in the comments below. My posts will become more frequent very soon.

Laura Mercier Rose Rendezvous FOTD and Review

Hellooooo lovely ladies!  I recently purchased the Laura Mercier Rose Rendezvous Illuminator from the her site's latest sale!  I did an entire haul video on YouTube if you want to check that out!  Anyway!  Like any good makeup addict I used all the products I purchased from the sale immediately and decided to photograph it and share my FOTD (face of the day) with you people! Also.... please excuse all those fly away hairs on my forehead! -___-

MISA Cho Bo Yang mixed with Pixi Flawless Face illuminator mixed in
Laura Geller Balance n Brighten in Fair
Laura Mercier Lotus Pink
Laura Mercier Rose Rendezvous

EYES:
Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin
Laura Mercier Rose Rendezvous
Laura Mercier Plum Spice
WnW Brulee as brow highlight
MAC Blacktrack fluidline
R&R Fatalistic to set waterline

LIPS:
Laura Mercier Opal Glace

Here is a close up shot of the Illuminator.  This picture was shot with my iPhone but you get the point!  I urge you to get your hands on this one while they are still floating around... or at least get to a Sephora or Laura Mercier counter to swatch it.

My Newest Addiction Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ (5 out of 5)

I rate this very high because it is gorgeous!  You can build it up like I did for my eyeshadow or just do a sheer wash on cheekbones for something more subtle.  It is beautiful in its pan and perfect for the makeup collectors!  This is a winning product all around!

 If you would like, you can find me on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook.  If you don't already, follow me here.  Thank you for all of your support!  Don't forget to enter my giveaway!  

If you picked anything up from the Laura Mercier sale, let me know what it was in the comments below!!!

First Impression: Sigma Sigmax HD Precision Kit

I was recently lucky enough to be chosen from Sigma to receive a Precision Brush Kit and I wanted to share my first impressions with my readers.  

The first thing that I noticed when I pulled these brushes out of the box was that they were super soft and very dense.  You can tell that the quality of these brushes will be phenomenal.

The second thing that I noticed was that there are more details on these brushes than my other Sigma brushes.     On the ferrule of each brush "Sigma" is engraved!  Also the printing on the brush is holographic.  Let's just face it... that is just cool! ;)

Which ones am I predicting that I will love the most?

I think I will really enjoy them all, but the 2 that stand out as being ones that are most useful to me are the P80 and P82.  

The P80 is reminiscent (at least in my mind) of the MAC 130.  I was staring the MAC 130 brush down in the store the other day and came |---| <-- THIS close to buying it!  I am so glad I resisted.  The P80 brush seems to be of better quality and significantly more affordable.  

The P82 is a perfectly tapered round stiff dome brush.  I can see it being good for anything that I would normally use my fingers for.  I can imagine how well this will buff in my cream eyeshadows, cream highlighters,  and concealers!  I am excited!

The whole kit is really a steal at only $49!  Each brush individually is $14 so you are getting a small savings by buying the entire kit.  

 If you would like, you can find me on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook.  If you don't already, follow me here.  Thank you for all of your support!  Don't forget to enter my giveaway!  

If you have these brushes tell me what you think about them in the comments below!

October 2011 Favorites

Some of you are well aware (most aren't) that I am unbelievably sick.  It seems like everything I do to try to get better just makes me feel worse...  I wanted to make a favorites video this month but I sound awful and... I look awful... I decided to skip the favorites video this month and opted to do a picture blog post!  :) Hope you understand.  

I didn't wear makeup most of the days of the month, but when I did it consisted of these products the majority of the time...  And the rest of my favorites have been skincare items...

NYX Blush in Raisin

This blush has been my go-to all month for quick out-the-door looks.  It is probably my favorite NYX blush of all time and definitely will be a favorite for the fall months!

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Raspberry Pie!

To be fair, I love them all equally.  I only pictured Raspberry Pie because it seems to go best with the looks that I have been wearing lately.  They are gloriously moisturizing, sheer but with great color payoff!  Don't skip over these if you manage to see them out.

Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara

I will admit that before I got this mascara that I was a skeptic... Once I tried it (a few times) my mind was completely changed and I was blown away at the fantastic quality of this mascara.  One of my sisters has been using this for a long time and she swears by it but at the time when she was in the process of trying to convince me to use it I was a complete drugstore mascara freak.  I had no intentions of trying higher end/more expensive mascara brands.  I am still not completely convinced that they are worth it but I will say that this one is a favorite.  I also have a video where I talk about this mascara. 

Origins Brighter by Nature Skin Tone Correcting Serum

This may or may not have been in a favorites post before but it should be in every month's post.  I love it.  The smell is amazing, I love the feeling of my skin once I have applied this.  I think that my skin tone is improving all the time.  This is the one thing from Origins that I will repurchase time and time again.  It is amazing!

Clarisonic Pro

This is a new purchase for me this month.  I am so happy with it that I can not put my feelings into words.  I use it at night to remove my makeup and I am amazed at how much comes off.  I have always went after my cleanser with a toner and I can usually see makeup on the cotton pad that I applied the toner to.  NOT SINCE USING THE CLARISONIC!  That speaks volumes because I always have cleansed my face twice before applying my toner and I now only do this one step that takes 60 seconds and wow... no makeup is there... Amazing!

Philosophy Purity Made Simple

This is the cleanser I have always used but I had to mention it due to the fact that I now realize JUST HOW AWESOME IT IS!  I have been using this with my Clarisonic and though it has always been good, I now deem it great.  What a powerful combination.  Just try it folks!  Seriously!

Thank you for reading my post!  I am sorry that I got this up later than usual... I have been feeling pretty craptastic over the past few days so I kept putting it off (in hopes of feeling good enough to make a video)! But anyway...  If you would like, you can find me on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook.  If you don't already, follow me here.  Thank you for all of your support!  Don't forget to enter my giveaway!  

Tell me in the comments below what some of your favorites were for October!

My Halloween Makeup: The Bird Lady?

Hello beauties... I just wanted to take a minute to share with you my Halloween Face of the Night...  I had no idea what I was really intending to go for but I had a pair of lashes that I was challenged to wear so I just went for it.. I played off of the pink in the lashes and attempted to come up with something fun...  

Here goes...

Not sure if you can tell but this was my first attempt at a gradient or two-toned lip.  I was pretty proud of myself...

The lashes themselves weren't heavy, probably because they were feathers?  I don't know...  They did get slightly annoying when I was trick-or-treating with my 5 year old due to the wind whipping them around...  

For those of you interested here is what I used

Eyes:

MAC Dirty Greasepaint Stick

MAC Pink Pearl Pigment

MAC Da Bling

MAC Pink Opal Pigment

MAC Blacktrack fluidline

random set of falsies (unknown brand)

Cheeks (and temples):

Rock & Republic blush in Tease

Lips: 

Lancome Le Lipstique in Mauvelle

Revlon Lip Butter in Lollipop

MAC Pink Opal pigment