New Year's Eve FOTD

Was on my way out the door but I wanted to get this up really quickly!  Hope everyone has a safe and fun New Year's Eve!  :*

FACE:

Neutrogena Healthy Skin

Physician's Formula Healthy Wear Powder

Chanel Soleil Tan de Chanel

Laura Mercier Lotus Pink

EYES:

Laura Mercier Eye Basics in Wheat

Rouge Bunny Rouge Abyssinian Catbird

NARS Lover and Abyssinia

MAC Blacktrack Fluidline

RBR Fatalistic

Mally Volumizing Mascara

LIPS:

Essence Creamy Nude

Mont Bleu Glass Swarovski Nail File

Hello everyone!  So sorry for the long break.  I have been completely swamped in my personal life that I have made no time for you and I am very sorry.  The holidays are a busy time of year and I am trying to do 3 times the amount of things that one should be doing on their own.  I am looking forward to the new year.  Hopefully it means that things will be getting a tad easier. 

I wanted to show you something that is very special to me.  I won this beautiful nail file from Moxie Reviews giveaway months ago.  I have been meaning to post this for quite some time but, like I said before, life gets in the way and other things happen.  I am in love with this nail file though!  Just take a look...

I have been using the heck out of it!  I am trying to keep my nails in better shape then I normally do and this has me looking stylish while I do it.  It is truly the little things in life that give me the biggest kick.  Why not have sparkly nail files?  I would bedazzle everything if I didn't have a husband to talk me back down to earth! ;)  I am a girly girl, what can I say?  

I hope you enjoyed oggling my pretty file.  Thank you Moxie for having such a wonderful giveaway!  

imPRESS Press-On Manicure

I am a LOVER of the look of fake nails but I despise the damage it entails.  My fingers are short and fat.  The Only way to make them look longer and leaner is to add length to my nails.  My natural nails are thin and brittle and I have used every nail strengthener in the world to improve them and nothing works.  Thanks to these easy to use, easy to apply press-on nails I don't even feel the need to worry about it.  

I am all about the ease of press on nails.  You don't have to plan out 30-45 minutes to do them yourself or go to a salon.  You take the nails, peel off the sticker part and apply.  1, 2, 3, done!  They also shine like you do have that glossy topcoat on!  I will admit that these are not my typical french or one color nail but it is fun to be different!  These imPRESS nails come in 36 colors and patterns and I think there is something to suit everyone's needs.  

I had no problem with the amount of time these stayed on.  I am a super busy working mom and they lasted a couple days (with touch ups--but that is why you get more than one set work of nails in each pack!)

The price point for these are $5.99 for solid colors and $7.99 for patterns.  At that price you can afford to switch it up pretty often! :)

My Newest Addiction Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ (5 out of 5)  I like these, they look as though you spent the money to go get a salon manicure and at a fraction of the price!  

*These products were sent to me by Influenster.com via the Holiday Vox Box!

NYC New York Color Liquid Lipshine in Nude York City

Since receiving my Influester Holiday 2011 Vox Box I have been wearing this NYC lipgloss in Nude York City constantly.  I love a lip product that I can keep in my bag and works with everything no matter what.  This one goes over any lipstick and can be used all on it's own as well.  

It is a lovely nude with peachy undertones.  It is sheer but buildable.  It is a smooth consistency and only slightly sticky.  Nowhere near the sticky feeling that you get from a MAC Lipglass.  Those are too much for me.  These feel hydrating and have a nice thickness to them.  I would like to mention that there are some sparkles in this shade.  I like the applicator.  it is a doe-foot-like applicator but it is longer and it is super bendy.  I feel that since it bends easily it hugs the lips as you apply it.

It provides a nice sheen!  I really like it for a no fuss makeup day.  I am sure that you will see it mentioned in many many FOTD (Face Of The Day) posts in the future.  

Here is some information provided by the company:

"A beauty-editor favorite is Liquid Lipshine ($2.49). It has pure pigments that created a 3-D gloss effect. Vitamin E provides shine and a moisturizing feel. The formula is non-sticky, super shiny & soft. Available in 10 on-trend shades from neutral nudes, to berries & fuchsias. Start shopping for NYC at these stores nearest you: Walmart, Target, Rite Aid, CVS, Family Dollar, Duane Reade, Kmart, HEB, and others.  Visit newyorkcolor.com to check out all shades and fun products from New York Color!"

My Newest Addiction Rating: ♥♥♥♥ (4 out of 5)

*This product was sent to me by Influenster.com

Abyssinian Catbird FOTD

I was chomping at the bit to play with my new RBR (Rouge Bunny Rouge) eyeshadows.  I went out this evening and decided to use them. :)  I wanted to make a smoky eye so I chose Abyssinian Catbird.  I instantly fell in love with this color as SOON as I applied it to my eyes.  It is so beautiful and very very unique. 

The winter has been very harsh on my skin so far.  I am breaking out in some places, getting dry patches around the old breakouts that are healing.  My skin is a mess.  Try to look past my imperfections and concentrate on the colors! :D 

Face:

Becca Line and Pore Corrector

Lancome Fresh Wear

Smashbox Halo

NARS Crazed

NARS Laguna

EYES:

NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base

Rouge Bunny Rouge Abyssinian Catbird

Rouge Bunny Rouge Angelic Cockatiels

Wet n Wild Creme Brulee

MAC Blacktrack fluidline

Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash

Ardell Luckies cut in half

LIPS:

Chanel EdG in Emoi

Hope you enjoyed my Face Of The Day.  If there is anything else you would like to see in an upcoming Face Of The Day just leave it in the comments below and I will be happy to work it in.  Do you have any favorite Rouge Bunny Rouge product?  If so, tell me below because it wont be long before my next order! 

Haul, Review, Swatch, Comparison: Rouge Bunny Rouge Eyeshadows

You may remember that I had mentioned I placed a Zuneta order a few posts ago... Well, after waiting almost 2 weeks it finally got here.  YAY!  I am about to let you see all of it's beauty!  I want to first mention (like I always do) the wonderful fairy tale and description that Rouge Bunny Rouge gives its consumers. 

The Story:

"The firefly festival is eagerly awaited all year in the Enchanted Garden. For then on this very special day, the best voices of the bird-world feed on tiny fireworks to embellish their voices and then gather to perform a single concert together. Their jubilant musical notes are inscribed in a syrup of figs and milk and preserved in tiny pots to be enjoyed all year round. Like this golden froth of musical syrup, WHEN BIRDS ARE SINGING... eye shadows are a time defying exotic enigma. This is plumage to adorn you in shades as deliciously mellow as soft silence that flows, or as brilliantly potent as jewelled notes. So addictive are these morsels that you’ll be causing your own kaleidoscopic ripples every time you wear them."

The Description:

"Discover a new powder eye shadow with an astonishing lightweight, creamy touch and unprecedented adherence. This formula creates pure dynamic iridescence while it maintains second skin effect. It has extended 8-hour wear that will stay perfect and look freshly applied all day. Orange-derived Flavonoid improves blood microcirculation, enhances luminosity and serves as free radicals scavenger."

Now on to the pictures... (I know that is what you wanted to see anyway!)

I was a little scared at first because the box came all rumpled and looking damaged.  

Then I opened up the package to find a pretty purple paper present!  I love how Zuneta packages their shipments.  The presentation is absolutely stunning.  I find it funny that the eyeshadows are named after birds and they arrived in a nest! 

This is what the top of a When Birds are Singing... Long-Lasting Eye Shadow and the outer packaging looks like.

Abyssinian Catbird

Described as a golden bronze with a metallic highlight.  I find that this one shines very green.  Almost like a duo chrome.  

Angelic Cockatiels

Described as metallic-finish golden honey, with a hint of copper - Excellent highlight eyeshadow.

Delicate Hummingbird

Cool dusky sugar-frosted plum, iridescent with pink shimmer. 

Caress of Mink

Described as scintillating medium taupe brown with pewter-plum highlights.

Swatches L to R:

Caress of Mink, Delicate Hummingbird, Angelic Cockatiels, Abyssinian Catbird

Swatches in not-so-good natural light

Swatches in better natural light

This might be my favorite.  It shows the shimmer brilliantly.  

Swatches with flash

These are also great representations of the colors of the eyeshadows.  This is with no flash in natural daylight. This shows you the highly metallic finish and also the shine you get.

Comparisons:  I found one eyeshadow/pigment in my own collection that was closest in color to the RBR.  I found some pretty good dupes, if I don't say so myself. 

RBR Caress of Mink VS Guerlain Holy Smoke

Chanel Fauve vs RBR Delicate Hummingbird

RBR Abyssinian Catbird vs MAC Henna

RBR Angelic Cockatiels vs MAC Femme Fi

L to R:

RBR Caress of Mink, Guerlain Holy Smoke, RBR Delicate Hummingbird, Chanel Fauve, RBR Abyssinian Catbird, MAC Henna, Angelic Cockatiels, MAC Femme Fi

Swatches in Natural Light 

Swatches with Flash

My Thoughts:
After finding all these dupes I am very happy to report that there are similar shades out there.  The major difference with the eyeshadows from Rouge Bunny Rouge and the others are that the RBR ones are sooo butter soft.  They live up to their hype in every way.  They are pigmented, smooth, and really make a statement on your eye.  


My Newest Addiction Rating: <3 <3 <3 <3 <3 (5 out of 5)
I have nothing bad to say about them.  Well.. maybe one bad thing.  I would love to see the entire collection in person.  I usually don't buy makeup items sight unseen.  I can say that these were complete wins and I have no regrets.  

Philosophy Inner Grace Perfumed Body Spritz

I mentioned this product in my monthly favorites video last month but I think that it is so special that I needed to do a full on review!

Fragrances are such a powerful thing.  A slight wiff of a specific smell can calm you down, perk you up, or tug on your heart strings as you suddenly remember an old friend or family member that you haven't seen in ages. Certain fragrances for me instantly pull me back to my cheerleading days, a romantic date, or a fun job in my past.  The same fragrance can be so personal on all different levels to many different people.  The one I want to talk about today is truly magnificent.  

One thing that I like about Philosophy is that they always have a dreamy quote on their products... this one reads:

"We live in a world of multiple dimensions with multiple sensations, and yet there is one dimension, one sense that is not of this world or any place we know of.  It is found in our inner space and is known by a name called inner grace.  To live in inner grace is to be embraced by the deepest sweetest peace you will ever know."

My Thoughts:

I love all the "Grace" smells that Philosophy has put out over the years but I have never enjoyed them enough to purchase a fragrance or body spritz.  I like the scents in my shower but I am never completely moved to smell like them all day.  They are all clean, fresh, and light and that is great but they all seem to have a smell of baby powder to them.  I will admit that when I was a new mother I was almost moved enough to purchase Amazing Grace in a fragrance form but never could pull the trigger and do it....  I recently received the Inner Grace 3-in-1 in my QVC New Beauty Test Tube and I actually loved it.  It brought chills to me the first time I smelled it and I can't put my finger on why...

One of the reasons could be because it was instant love... not just the generic kind when someone LIKES  scent but literally... the scent called to me like no other has EVER before.  Most of my favorite scents are oceanic citrusy ones but this one is just COMPLETELY different from anything I have ever used before.....  It is like a combination of baby powder, musk, and some other spice that I can't put my finger on.  It is like a women's version of a men's cologne.  It is nice and warm, almost COMFORTABLE... The kid of comfortable that reminds me of snuggling up to my husband on a winter night.  Really inviting and soft!  This "Grace" smell is more grown up than the others by a country mile...  It is downright sultry!

Next I HAVE to mention the staying power...  The REASON I purchased this fragrance is because I was in Ulta one day and I needed to use their rest room.  By the sink in the rest room they had a Philosophy 3-in-1 in some random Christmas scent to wash your hands with and then they had this spritz beside that to "freshen up"!  I already knew I loved the scent due to me already owning the body wash so I decided to go ahead and spray it on.  Well... I was on my lunch break and I went back to work and LET ME TELL YOU!!! Hours later I moved to get something out of a drawer and I smelled myself... I smelled FABULOUS!  I knew right away that I had to go back and purchase that spritz.  I did and let me tell you.. I spray 2 squirts in the morning and I can smell it on me the next morning before I get in the shower... The lasting power on this is amazing.  

I also want to mention that the price on these are fabulous.  The spritz I bought was 8 oz. and I paid $25.  The bargain that you get here is amazing.  If you wanted to purchase the same exact scent in a real fragrance of theirs you get 2 oz. for $50.  You see the usage in the picture I included above?  Well that is over a month of using it every day.  I have barely put a dent in the bottle.  

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

As you can see from my GUSHING words above I have not a thing to say negative about this fragrance.  I am sure that I will be wearing this until the day comes that Philosophy decides to retire it... and on that day I will be sure to stock up like a mad woman because this is a fragrance I can see myself wearing until I am on a walker! <3

Thank you for reading what I have to say and I hope that you enjoy my posts.  I am trying to include more of my feelings in my reviews so I hope that some of you don't mind.  I know that when reviews are long winded that can be a put off to some people, but I try to make my reviews as interesting as if I were having a conversation with you.  If you would like more reviews from me, let me know in the comments below.  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!

FOTD: Peachy Bronze Look

Herro!  I just wanted to do a quick look that was requested by a friend/YouTube subscriber a few days ago. She asked me to use the colors: peach, brown, and bronze.  I managed to throw this look together and was very happy with how it turned out.  

As you can see in the picture below, my hair was in a bun.  This is how I have had my hair for the most part of the week.  I have worn almost no makeup all week because I am suffering from a cystic acne breakout.  I was also very ill one day.  It is something that is easy and clean looking for the days when you are too lazy to actually style your hair.  

These first two pictures were taken on my iPhone.  I love the camera on my iPhone because it does a great job at picking up detail but it does sometimes distort photos a tad bit.  

Here is a picture of the products I used for my eye makeup.  The eyeshadows were a couple palettes and MAC Bronze.  

I also snapped a picture with my regular camera.  This photo was taken in a poorly lit room with no flash.  I usually take my photos in this bathroom with my flash on but none of the flash photos were turning out very well.  

Thanks for reading my post.  If you would like to see how to get this look, watch the video below.  By the way... my nails are Butter London Macbeth.  Sorry that the pointer finger is chipped.

If you would like more reviews from me, let me know in the comments below.  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!

Comparison and Review: Shu Uemura ME 850 vs Shu Uemura ME 856

Hello my loves!  I got a lovely package from the beautiful Chrissa @ Eyes Catch Fire a few days ago.  It was a complete surprise and I am humbled by her extreme generosity.  She sent me some items that she knew I was wanting.  It was like Christmas came a couple weeks too early.  One of the items she included in my package was the Shu ME 856.  When Shu released their summer collection Color Atelier, they also came out with these new refillable palettes and pressed eyeshadow refills.  The pans are shaped differently than the old pans.  

Top view of the packaging.  Shu ME 850 on left Shu ME 856 on left. 

Me being the "card-holding taupe haux" that I am I immediately was drawn to a specific color, ME 856.  There was a lot of buzz surrounding this color and I think it is mainly due to the fact that everyone is still on the hunt for Shu ME Silver 945 look-alike.  I have never seen that color in person so I am not in such awe of its beauty as others.  I am quite happy settling for the "dupes", even though several people say that the two shades I am comparing today are not dupes at all.  

Shot of the name.

I am a huge fan of the Lucite packaging of the original Shu eyeshadows but I must say that I am sort of depot-crazed at the moment so Shu selling the pan version is really nice as well.  It also drops their price point quite a bit.  I love it when brands do this sort of thing because so many people don't like having a billion individual eyeshadows, they would rather create palettes.  It is very smart for them to do this as well because many people just want a bargain--the cheaper price point will allow more people to feel free to try the brand out.  

Shot of the back of the packaging.  

 As you can see in the pans below, the colors look very similar.  The only major difference in this shot is the usage.  ME 850 is quite used where ME 856 is untouched and pristine.  

Shot of the color in pan taken indoors in a well lit room, no flash

 The next shot is similar to the last shot, except it was taken outside in direct sunlight.  Same description of the colors in the pan.  There is perhaps a slight inclination that the 856 is less purpley-taupe but almost undetectable... 

Shot of the color in pan outside in direct sunlight, no flash.

 These finger swatches below really show you how different they are in texture.  Shu ME 850 glides on like a dream and I never noticed it before but in comparison to the Shu ME 856 it looks like the rougher older brother.  

Finger swatches, taken outside in direct sunlight..  Shu ME 850 on left and Shu ME 856 on right.  

 Once they were blended out onto my arm the texture was the same.  They both melted like a dream right onto the arm.  Here is where you can really see the difference though.  Once blended out Shu ME 850 looks like a metallic brown taupe and Shu ME 856 looks like a purple-rosy-brown taupe.  Much more comlpex.  I believe that ME 856 was released to replace ME 850 but I don't find them simliar enough to completely replace.  I actually think that they should still both exist.  (AND SHU--IF YOU ARE READING THIS--BRING BACK ME Silver 945!!!)

Swatched on my arm, taken outside in direct sunlight.  Shu ME 850 on left and Shu ME 856 on right.  

 The 'ME' in the name description is actually one of the codes for the finish of the eyeshadow.  ME stands for metallic.  Shu Uemura's definition is "smooth like liquid with a metallic glow."  And man, are they right.  It is stunning how metallic they are.  Brings a brightness to the eye even when you are using a darker tone like these.

Shot of finger swatches after transferring to arm and smoothing out.  Shu ME 856 on left and Shu ME 850 on right.


My Newest Addiction Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ (5 out of 5)
I give this rating to both of the shades.  Shu knows what they are doing when it comes to making eyeshadow.  The formula is unparalleled a and only improved upon by its own brand.  I was in awe at the quality of Shu ME 850 but completely blown away by ME 856.

Chrissa has a different skintone than I do and I believe she owns both as well.  Go pester her for swatch comparison's as well! <3  If you would like more reviews from me, let me know in the comments below.  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!