February 2012 Favorites

Hello everyone!  It is scary that February is over already, where did the month go?  Oh well!  February is the month of all things love and no surprise, I fell head over heels for quite a few products.  I actually wanted to add a lot more to this post but some were too new to justifiably include them.  ;)  I forgot all about this post until late this afternoon.  The sun was going down so I had to take pictures inside with a flash (which is why they aren't of the best quality).  You may notice that the a couple of the brushes I mention aren't clean.  It is because I use them everyday, including this morning, and I came straight home and took a picture immediately to get this post up.  

MAC 263

This is one of my favorite brushes that I have ever used for eyeliner.  It is synthetic and very thin.  I can get a very refined line and can make a wing with almost no effort.  It is a MUST HAVE brush for gel liner!

Sigma Sigmax F80

I have been using this brush everytime I have applied foundation in the last month.  It is so dense and amazing.  The synthetic hairs may have a lot to do with the perfection in which it blends out the foundation.  I can do my entire face in less than a minute with this brush compared to 2-5 minutes it used to take me to blend.

Sigma Sigmax P84

I adore this brush for concealer.  I received the Precision Kit from Sigma in a Twitter contest and I have tried and liked them all but I have CLUNG to this brush for my everyday concealer application.  It applies and blends out in the same step.  Again, I think it is the synthetic fibers that Sigma is using in these that make their Sigmax line so fantastic. 

Rock & Republic Blush Brush

This is my favorite of the Rock & Republic brushes I own.  I use it all the time every month and I never think to discuss it.  It has a great shape and density to give a nice deposit of color on the cheeks: not too much or too little.  I know that these are no longer offered for sale but it is a favorite and it would be unfair to my stash not to include it.  :)

Edward Bess Daydream Bronzer

I purchased this a little over a month ago in a blog sale and I have been using it daily since then.  It is one of those perfect shades.  It can be as subtle as I want or as deep and dark as I need.  It reminds me of a sophisticated NARS Laguna.  It also has a very nice fragrance. 

Rouge Bunny Rouge Orpheline

This is the blush that should be nicknamed "O" instead of NARS Orgasm.  This color could give me an... ahem... err... beautiful glow.  :)  I think I wore this blush around 75% of the time I wore makeup this month.  It is one of those colors that makes my face brighten up and look alive.  I recommend it to ANYONE!  Not only is the color beautiful but the texture is amazing!  If you wanna read more about my thoughts on this blush click here. 

MISA Cho Bo Yang

I think that this is one of my favorite BB creams ever.  It does a good job at suppressing the amount of oil my skin produces and it also has a nice dewy finish.  That is something that is rare in a foundation and I for one PREFER a dewy finish because it is the most reminiscent of what skin actually looks like.  

Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer

This is a GREAT product.  Though I believe it is a foundation, I actually use it as a concealer.  It is a nice pigmented thick texture but it blends out and can look very natural.  It is one of the only concealers that I have found that do a good job at covering up my redness and blemishes.  

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin

I have been using UDPP in Sin for years but I have been all about easy simple looks this past month.  It is one of those primers that you don't need to add much to and you can walk out the door and feel/look like you actually took a bit of time to do your eye makeup.  

Essence Gel Liner in London Baby

London Baby has been my go-to eyeliner all month.  It isn't as stark as a black but at the same time it is dark enough to add some drama.  It is a beautiful taupe shade and it lasts all day.  I have never had a problem with this eyeliner transferring or moving around.  I can't even say the same about MAC or Bobbi Brown gel liner.  There is a swatch of this eye liner here.  

Maybelline Color Tattoo in 25 Bad to the Bronze

These Color Tattoo cream eye shadows are amazing.  They are pigmented and last and last.  Bad to the Bronze has been one of my favorite lid colors/bases this month because it is so wearable and so many colors pair with it well.  When I have been doing something other than a wash of UDPP Sin this has likely been in the look.  

L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadow in 888 Iced Latte

This color is gorgeous as an inner corner highlight as well as a lid color.  It really brightens my eye up and gives me a fresher, younger appearance.  I did a beautiful look that I am extremely happy about with this color.  

Like I mentioned before, I could have listed about 15-20 more items this month but I honestly didn't want to make this post too long and I didn't want to repeat too many of my past favorites.  What have you been loving this past month and is there anything that I listed that you love/hate and why?  Hope you had a fabulous February and BRING ON MARCH!  

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Review: Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte Lipstick

I have been wanting to post this review for a while now.  I wanted to test them out a few times before I posted about them.  I got a brighter shade and a neutral shade.  I believe these colors are both limited edition, though I could be wrong.  

First up is the gorgeous shade 29 Rose Opera.  I saw it called Opera Rose on a few other sites but this is what the packaging I have says so I am sticking with it.  

It is a nice medium neutral pink shade that leans on the brighter side..  It doesn't look sooo bright in the swatches but it is downright neon on my lips. 

The formula of this lipstick is creamy and opaque.  It has a slip to it that is reminiscent of a gloss but definitely packs the punch of a full-on lipstick.  It slips on the lip a little which is nice but it does cause it to wear off sooner than other finishes of lipsticks.  I do like the fact that the pigmentation of Rose Opera can leave your lips stained after the lipstick itself has worn away.  

As you can see in the picture below, it is a brighter color for me, although it doesn't appear that way in the swatch.  Weird, huh?  I love the color none-the-less.  

Next up is the shade called 20 Spicy Pink.  I think this is described as a "cinnamon pink".  It definitely leans brown but on the lips it doesn't scream 1990.  I find that while this is a brown-pink it does have beautiful plum undertones that pairs well with my natural deeper mauve toned lips.  

You can see what I was speaking of with the plummy brown tones in this pink!  It looks a little dated in the swatch but I assure you that it is a beautiful color on the lips.  

I am wearing this lipstick in the picture below and you can see that it actually appears to be a MLBB (my lips but better) shade for me.  

I would like to take a minute to discuss the packaging.  It is sooo luxe.  I must say that the main reason I wanted to try these lipsticks was because the packaging really calls out to my inner diva.  I love having pretty things and what better way to strike up a conversation in the Ladies' Room, or where-ever you will, while touching up your lipstick in the mirror.  I have met several wonderful ladies with similar hobbies as me while doing so! :)

On the technical side of the packaging, I love that you can see the shade from the outer tube.  You can fish it out of your handbag with ease and know exactly what you are opening up.  Brilliant concept that I wish more brands would follow.  I also love that there is a little mirror on the end of the cap.  I didn't photograph that but it is a very nice well thought out detail.

And the scent!  Oh man!  The scent is fabulous.  Most brands have a slightly sweet vanilla scent or even an odd plastic scent to it... not for YSL!  They went the fruity route.  It reminds me of either a watermelon or papaya.  It is absolutely amazing.  I have even licked my lips after applying because the scent is so great, and guess what?  It tastes faintly similar to what you would expect from the scent.  All around great product!

My Newest Addiction Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥  (5 out of 5) I adore these lipsticks.  The please the senses in all aspects.  Scent and smell is exquisite.  To the eye they are absolutely stunning.  The creamy-silkiness of the formula really appeals to me considering I have been prone to dry lips.  The packaging appeals to the sense of sight and touch, as well.  They are beautiful to look at: little pieces of art in my handbag.  The weight of the packaging is appealing too, it just feels luxe.  You could say that this delights your sense of hearing as well because I have gotten several compliments when I wear them!  

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Anastasia of Beverly Hills Bomb Shell Brow Blueprint

With all the excitement of the season of award shows I wanted to bring you something slightly different.  Instead of focusing on the dress or the lips I wanted to show you how these stars are making statements with their brows.  

Enjoy the Anastasia of Beverly Hills retrospective on the "Classic Hollywood Full Brow", a timely treat with the Oscars just being aired this past weekend. In Anastasia's Bomb-Shell Brow Blueprint series they take a look at how sophistication and style was done over the ages and see how the classics are being owned by some of Hollywood's emerging talent. 

To make these images larger click on the image itself.

Which brow is most like your style?  Have you tried any of these Anastasia products before?

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*These images were provided from The Confluence who reps Anastasia of Beverly Hills.

Makeup at the Oscars 2012

I have been chatting on a makeup forum this evening and stumbled upon these pictures... They are jaw dropping for one or more reasons... I will discuss them as I go through them.  

These closeups are definitely showing that celebrities are people too and totally not as perfect as we see them in magazines, well.. some are! :)

Stacy Keibler

She is just amazing.  Not only is she naturally beautiful, but she has great skin and her makeup lets that shine through.  She isn't overly done up and her dress was gorgeous.  She looked like an Oscar trophy so George surely won! ;)

Rooney Mara

She has some of the most striking features I have ever seen.  Her makeup is simple and classic and I can't even find a pore! 

Mila Jovovich

She is a SIREN with that bold red lip!  She always looks great though! :)

Sandra Bullock

She always looks great.  Her makeup is spot on here and just WOW!  She makes a straight simple pony tail look amazing!!  She is also wearing taupe eye shadow!  AMAZING!

Shailene Woodley

She is gorgeous.  I know little to nothing about her but wow... Her lashes and lips give me goosebumps!

Penelope Cruz

She is such a classic beauty and her lashes are to-die-for.  Those can't be hers and I really would love to know what the name of these falsies are! :)

Natalie Portman

She is such a pretty girl and I adore the lipstick she is wearing.  

Cameron Diaz

Her pale blue eyes and light blonde hair always look so striking together.  Her dress was amazing and so is her makeup.  She is starting to show her age but I think she is still an absolute stunner!

Tina Fey 

Her Carolina Herrera dress looked amazing and to be quite honest I thought she looked stunning.  I was shocked to see this close up of her because it just doesn't look like what I saw on television.  And on another note I had no idea that she had a scar on her face... and then I asked and someone said she was attacked as a child by a mugger with a knife.  How horrifying?

Angelina Jolie

I am not usually a huge Angelina fan but my goodness she looks great.  Her skin is amazing and the makeup combination that she is donning is just... wow.... Love the lashes as well.

Jennifer Lopez

I think that she is a gorgeous woman but I think her makeup artist must have forgotten to blend her eyeshadow.  I don't think the cut crease was executed that well.  Her lip is beautiful though!

Thank you for having a look.  Hope you enjoyed this post!  Who was your favorite celebrity of the night?  Was it the dress or the makeup that captivated you?

Review: Hourglass Visionaire Eye Shadow Duo in Exhibition

I finally picked up this eye shadow duo.  I have been eyeing it up for over a year.  I don't know why, but for whatever reason I held off.  I was out shopping the other night and finally decided to pick this snazzy thing up.

I love the outer packaging: bronzy, taupe, metallic, reflective... *le sigh*  It is just gorgeous.  The top part of the "compact" swivels and turns.  Functional and fun!

The colors are described by Hourglass as mauve shimmer and eggplant shimmer but I really feel like the lighter color is more taupe than mauve and the "eggplant" leans to more a blackened burgundy.  

As you can see in the picture below (taken with flash) you can see the slight shimmer to the shades.  These eyeshadows done look shimmery on the eye or in swatches though.  They actually have a beautiful satin finish.  

They are completely buttery smooth and soooo soft.  One interesting thing about the formula is that it is formulated without sulfates, synthetic dyes, phthalates and it is even gluten-free.  I thought gluten was only in food but guess I am wrong! :)  

The next swatch was taken outside in daylight.  Now you can really see the taupe I was speaking of earlier! :) Love taupe... mmmm... 

This swatch was taken indoors with a flash.  Sorry that it is slightly blurry.  I couldn't get my camera to focus this afternoon.

Very pretty duo!  I am ecstatic I finally own it.  

My Newest Addiction Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ The texture of these eyeshadows are amazing.  They are super smooth and a dream to blend.  I love that the eye shadow duos from Hourglass are offered in perfectly complimentary colors.  I would also like to mention that this eyeshadow duo will obviously suit cooler skin tones but it isn't overly cool so it can be worn by warm skin tones as well.

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Konad Dupe Alert!

Hello ladies!  I have no talent what-so-ever in the nail department.  That never stops me from tryin though! LOL  Here is a horrible picture of my Konad Dupe experience.  I promise they don't look this bad in real life.  Don't blame the cheap Flirt system for the bad picture...  It was all user problems.   I included a video below showing you exactly how it works.

I am completely thrilled about this system.  I have a whole new interest in doing my nails again.  Now I need to buy a gazillion plates of designs!  O_o <~~~ gone crazy!

Hope you enjoy my less than mediocre skills with my cheap Konad dupe!

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NOTD: Deborah Lippmann Purple Rain

Today I applied Deborah Lippmann Purple Rain!  It is a gorgeous silvery lilac color.  It looks the same on the nail as it does on the bottle and that is always a plus!

This picture was taken outside in the dull daylight... You can see that it picks up more of the lavendar/lilac tones in lower light.

When the sun is shining it brings out its metallic silvery side.  Such a complex gorgeous color!

Please excuse my lack of skill at nail polish.  I will try and leave the nail polish posts to the nail bloggers but sometimes I like to share!  :)

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Beauty Blogazons Weekly Roundup for February 25th

Glitter.Gloss.Garbage- Milani Jewel FX Swatches

Beauty Mamas- Flakies & Leopard & Hearts & Glitter: 2 Vday Nail Looks

Girl Gloss- Stila In the Garden Swatches and Review

Beauty and Fashion Tech- LORAC Unzipped Palette Swatches, Photos, Review

Blushing Noir- Chanel Lucky Stripes Iridescent Powders for Eyes and Cheeks Swatches, Review, and FOTD

Stephanie Louise All Things Beautiful- Sinful Colors Nail Polish in Cinderella

Beauty Thesis- Review: Marcelle BB Cream

Polish Insomniac- A subtle gradient using Nars Midnight Express

Beauty By LeRenda- Revlon Color Burst Lip Butters Review Pt. 1

Beauty Info Zone- Twistbands and Flash Sale

My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog- Guerlain Meteorites: Teint Beige

Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom- The one with Joe Fresh Crush!

Polarbelle- Lynnderella Nail Polish Swatches

Perilously Pale- BECCA Balearic Love Collection Eye Palette - Swatches and Review

The Beauty Delicacy- Eco Bags + The New Black Nail Polish

Midnight Manicures- Venique - B-Ceen B-Gorgeous and Twinkling Glitter

Review: BECCA Pressed Shimmer Powder in Gypsy

BECCA is a brand that I am just skimming the surface.  I have a few eyeshadow palettes but I have never ventured into anything else.  Mostly because the availability in my area is non-existent.  I didn't live near a Sephora store when the brand was available there, etc...  I just purchased this Pressed Shimmer Powder in Gypsy.  I have been interested in trying these for quite some time.

BECCA's packaging is so refreshing.  It is so different from the packaging of other brands.  I love seeing a brand that is easily identifiable by it's packaging and isn't overly replicated by other brands.  The two tones of this compact (metal and I am guessing rubberized plastic?) is quite nice and I like the weight of it.  

Mmmm... Look at that beautiful color.  It is such a beautiful bright plummy magenta pink color in the pan.

On the skin and in swatches it is such a nice soft cool toned pink with golden shimmer.  The swatch looks like  a pearlized pink that is highly shimmery but I assure you that on the cheek it is the most natural shimmer I have ever seen in a highlighter/blush.

You can see in the swatch below the hint of golden shimmer.  What I like about this product is that it seems to work on both cool and warm skintones due to the fact that it is a cool toned pink with a warm golden shimmer.  It is a perfect chameleon.  

My Newest Addiction Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ (5 out of  5)  I tried hard to find a flaw with this Pressed Shimmer Powder, and failed miserably.  There are so many qualities that I enjoy about it.  In the words of Elizabeth Barrett Browning: "How do I love thee?  Let me count the ways."

(a) It is great for both cool and warm skin tones.

(b) The shimmer is not over-the-top.  

(c) It can be used as a beautiful highlight.

(d) It can be built up to a beautiful luminous flush to the cheek. 

(e) It is wonderful layered over blush to make it more dimensional and glowy.

Do I really need to continue... I could...  Really!

I think I made my point loud and clear: IF YOU DON'T HAVE THIS GO AND GET IT!  It is such a nice product and I think it would make a fabulous addition to anyone's stash.  Thank you for taking the time to stop by and see what I have to say!  :)  Tell me in the comments below what is something you have tried from BECCA and what did you think?  If you haven't tried BECCA, tell me which product in which you are most interested!  

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Review: Shiseido Facial Cotton

One staple product in my skincare routine is a cotton pad.  I use them for sooo many things.  Removing makeup, applying astringent/toner, even removing nail polish.  I usually get the bags of cheap ones at my local drugstore or Ulta but this time I wanted to try the Shiseido Facial Cotton.  I got mine on Apothica.com.  They are priced at $10 on that site ($.50 higher than usual) but I used a 20% off code that they gave me after a previous purchase to bring the price down to $8.  There are 100 cotton pads in this package which is a around the typical quantity in most cotton pad packages. 

Why pay double or even triple for the Shiseido cotton pads vs the regular drugstore ones?  Well... take a look at the picture below!  The Shiseido Facial Cottons are sooo thick and fluffy.  Yes the material is the same with the cheaper cotton pads but construction is completely different.

Many times when I am applying astringent during my cleansing routine the cheaper cotton pads break down and leave peices of cotton on my face.  The Shiseido Facial Cotton is very durable and doesn't disintegrate when applying these products.  I was actually able to remove all of the makeup on one eye and then turn it over and remove the other eye's makeup as well!  That is pretty downright amazing!  

I have even cut them in half because a whole one just isn't necessary.  If I were to cut every cotton pad in half that would make 200 individual pads so the money would equal out to drugstore prices for something quite exquisite.  

My Newest Addiction Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ I love these and I am sure that just about anyone can appreciate the fine quality.  They are thick, soft and decadent.  They perform above what I expected.  I have absolutely no complaints. 

Thanks for having a look.  Have you used Shiseido Facial Cotton before?  What form of cotton pads do you use? 

NOTD: Deborah Lippmann Makin' Whoopee

Nail of the Day posts are ones I rarely do for a few reasons.

(a) I have horrible cuticles.

(b) I have short fat fingers.

(c) I am not great at painting them...

Still, that doesn't stop me from buying the stuff or even applying it.  

I love a pretty nail color and Deborah Lippmann's Makin' Whoopie is a gorgeous fuchsia-pink with iridescent lavender and pearl shimmer.  The sun hit it just perfectly in this picture making it easy to see.  The formula of this polish is a thinner consistency.  It took 3 coats to get what you have in the picture.  I must say that this is a very long lasting formula.  This has been on my nails for 3 days now and it is still going strong.  That is quite the accomplishment in my opinion...  A manicure usually lasts a day and a half at the max!

Thank you for stopping by to take a peek!  What is on your nails today?  Post below! 

Apothica and SkinCareRX Collective Haul

Hello lovelies!  This is a haul/upcoming review post.  I follow Apothica.com on Facebook they posted about an AWESOME sale.  They had select products 50+% off!  WOW, right?  I picked up quite a bit of stuff and I got it in the mail within a few days.  You may wonder why the pictures look so jumbled together and not taken in their usual setting but I got the package as I was on my way to work one morning.  I couldn't wait until I got home from work that day to open the package so I ripped the box open in my car snapped pictures to share immediately!

I have been interested in trying Alterna shampoo for a while and I also needed a clarifying shampoo so it was the perfect opportunity.  There was a fantastic Elemis set on sale that had some items that I had been looking into.  It was a fantastic deal.  3 full-sized product and one deluxe sample size for less than $35!!! 

Picked up a beautiful BECCA Pressed Shimmer Powder in Gypsy. 

Gorgeous Deborah Lippmann polishes!

And Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Volupte lipsticks!! :)

The next photo was actually a package from a different order.  It includes Boscia Makeup-Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil, Tokyo Milk Dead Sexy candle, and Clarins Instant Light Complexion Perfector.

I am going to take proper pictures and do full reviews in the coming days!  I do hope you are as excited as I am!  Thanks for taking a peak at my haul!  I am so excited to try these and give you my full review!!! 

*The items in the last photo were purchased with a gift card provided by the SkinCareRX.com.