30 August 2013

Eye of the Day: The Crash of Honey

The Crash of Honey. The Crash of Honey? I'm not really sure what I was thinking when I came up with that one, but I'm going with it!

Anyway, I hope everyone has a fantastic Labor Day weekend if you are state side, if not, I still hope you all have a fantastic weekend! For me... I'll be attempting to make home made marshmallows tomorrow being my work schedule this weekend is backwards. No work Saturday, but working Sunday. However! I'm off Monday xD The goal for this weekend besides marshmallows is to organize my nail polishes... I'm actually going to even attempt a spreadsheet for them.

My second goal is to get more reviews up. I've been slacking on them and I even know that. So I'm hoping this weekend, especially Monday, I'll be able to catch up.

Before I start rambling, on to the eye of the day! This is the look I wore yesterday to work.

Products Used
  • Milani Eye Shadow Primer
  • Beaming Reflection from the PixiGlow Collection
  • Honey from Urban Decay  Deluxe Shadow Box
  • Crave from Urban Decay Naked Basics
  • e.l.f. Cream Eyeliner in Black
  • Walk of Shame from Urban Decay Naked Basics
  • Venus from Urban Decay Naked Basics
  • Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Crash
  • Jordana Best Volume Extreme Volumizing Mascara in Black


29 August 2013

Haul: Urban Decay



I typically try not to do hauls often, but with this one I just couldn't resist. My excitement of yesterday came in the form of a little box from a company called Urban Decay. What I ordered was from their sale portion of their website, so I'm sure everyone has seen these products before, but I may still do reviews on them because they're new to me! 

Below are the six items that I ordered, not pictured is the Primer Potion card sample that I also received.



  • Deluxe Shadow Box (Reg. $38; Sale $10)
  • Stardust Eyeshadow in Retrograde (Reg. $20; Sale $5)
  • Stardust Eyeshadow in Void (Reg. $20; Sale $5)
  • Deluxe Eyeshadow in Frigid (Reg. $18; Sale $4) Currently out of stock.
  • Vintage 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Binge (Reg. $19; Sale $6)
  • Vintage 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Crash (Reg. $19; Sale $6)




27 August 2013

Giveaway: Midnight Velvet $50 Gift Certificate and the winner is....


The giveaway has ended! And we have a winner! Big congratulations goes to.... [drum roll]....


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Congratulations Grace! 

I'm contacting you as I type this (why yes, I'm doing two things at once xD) with some details regarding the giveaway. As per the terms and conditions, winner has 48 hours to contact me (back).

And now back to our regularly schedule beauty programming :D

23 August 2013

Swatch: Nicole by OPI Gumdrops My Cherry Amour



I have in my possession another polish from Nicole by OPI's Gumdrop collection, bwhaha! ... I think I'm starting to become obsessed with this. Anyway, to be honest, my Mother picked this one out (note if you missed it, she's color blind to the point of only seeing black, grey & white), she was going by the name, My Cherry Amour and believe it would be a vivid red textured polish. The lighting in the store actually mad it out to be a red. Not exactly a cherry red.

Nicole by OPI Gumdrops My Cherry Amour

My Cherry Amour isn't exactly a "cherry" color. It's more of a fuchsia infused red, with fine holographic and fuchsia glitter.


22 August 2013

Press Release: OPI Launches Two NEW Designer Series Lacquers






OPI Launches Two NEW Designer Series Lacquers featuring DS Raw Granite

                This fall, OPI adds DS Raw Granite, two new granite-inspired hues – DS Pewter and DS Lapis – to the Designer Series by OPI collection. Featuring a matte textured finish with mineral-like reflections, each Designer Series Raw Granite lacquer formula offers subtle sheen with a sparkle finish. 

DS Pewter, a matte textured metallic with deep silver ore, will launch simultaneously with DS Lapis, a deep sapphire blue with a textured matte finish.  Designer Series by OPI offers a mosaic of 11 glistening shades and a high-shine top coat, including these two new stunning hues. DS Pewter and DS Lapis can be used without DS Top Coat to achieve an alternate matte look.
            “Diamond-dust gives nails the perfect touch of glamour and can instantly transform any look.   These two new shades are inspired by raw granite – the diamond’s edgy cousin – and we’re excited to broaden the range of color in the Designer Series line,” said Suzi Weiss-Fischmann, OPI Executive VP & Artistic Director. “These lacquers incorporate rich pigments with brilliant shine, to create a bold yet elegant statement. DS Pewter and DS Lapis are the ideal high-fashion, festive accessory.”

Designer Series by OPI nail lacquer shades each feature OPI’s exclusive ProWide™ Brush for the ultimate in application.  DS Raw Granite lacquers should be worn without top coat for a matte finish.  DS Pewter and DS Lapis will be available beginning September 2013 at professional salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, jcp Salons, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, ULTA and ulta.com for $12.50 ($14.95 CAN) suggested retail for each nail lacquer.  

For more information, visit www.opi.com. Follow OPI on Twitter @OPI_PRODUCTS and become a Facebook fan!

Disclaimer: Taken directly from OPI's press release. Photos courtesy of OPI. I do not claim ownership of anything that is written above.

19 August 2013

Favorites: July 2013

 
Hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. As I mentioned in my previous post, I was getting my July favorites ready, so now... it's July favorites time! This go around it seems like a lot, but I think it's because of the polishes. I had a lot of favorite polishes for July. 

Be prepared for a lengthy post!


Wet n Wild Coverall Cream Foundation in Fair [review]
Glides on weightlessly for sheer-to-medium coverage that’s never heavy, chalky, or dull. Evens out flaws with a silky, semi-matte finish that let’s your skin’s natural luminescence shine through. Contains SPF 15 for the ultimate in anti-aging treatment.
 Once again, in the favorites. This has pretty much become my HG foundation. It actually survived a few heat waves beautifully, which I was completely surprised by.

Wet n Wild Mega Impact Mascara [review]

Make an IMPACT! This revolutionary mascara formula provides EXTREME volume and length with a silicon complex that provides elasticity and flexibility. Proven to enhance the natural lash up to 8X, this all-in-one formula is enriched with Kernel Oil to permeate and condition each lash to promote healthy, strong hairs while adding color and shine.
Although I have enough mascaras to use, I seem to keep reaching for this one, and one other which I'll get to. Again, this is another product that held up during the heat waves as well. No smudging or raccoon eyes!


Ruby Wing Summer Collection in Groupie, Crowd Surf, Electric Firefly, Summer Love and Green Peace [groupie review]
If you love the beach even though your life doesn't always feel like a day at one, and celebrate life and everything it has to offer – there's now a nail polish that celebrates you.   Ruby Wing is every free-spirit's dream: color changing nail polish that transforms in sunlight.   Our color changing technology lets you switch your style from day to night, indoors to outdoors.   Each one of our shades dramatically change in direct sunlight and then back again once inside.
If you didn't realize it, pretty much all of July, I used various combinations of the polishes listed above. While these polishes do change colors in sunlight, I preferred them in their neon-goodness overall. 

Color Club 0 - 60 Speedy Top Coat
A super fast drying, shiny top coat.  Dries in 60 seconds!
So, I had decided to try another top coat, besides the Sally Hansen one that I was using. I went with this one and can say that I was completely impressed. 60 seconds dry indeed! Although dry on the top, I wouldn't necessarily go do hard work because the under layers still are wet enough to put a dent into them. But I still like it overall.


Londontown kur Nail Hardener [review]
Works to replenish strength and maintain healthy nail protein (keratin) and natural oil balances to protect against cracking, chipping, splitting and peeling nails.

Created with a combination of Britain's rapeseed flower oil and a unique blend of natural extracts and vitamins to repair and hydrate dry, brittle, weak and soft nails.
Definitely the main base coat that I've been using under all my polishes through the month of July.


Maybelline Volum' Express Falsies Big Eyes Mascara
Revolutionary dual-ended Mascara for 360° all around Lash Glam. Two brushes specifically designed for top and bottom lashes. Special quick-dry formula holds lashes in place 
With this, I've been mainly using the lower lash part of this mascara. Although the upper lash side is wonderful too, I just don't seem to use it as much as the lower lash side.


Rimmel London Show Off Lip Lacquer in Aurora [review
The earth-shattering lip lacquer from Rimmel London combining the intense color of lipstick with a lacquer like shine, Show Off Lip Lacquer is an explosive make-up phenomenon that represents the end of color as you know it.  Packed with pure color pigments, its lusciously creamy, conditioning formula promises a never-before combination of color, shine and comfort that last and last.
This was pretty much my go to lippie through the month of July. While I would wear others, this is pretty much the one that I'd always reapply. A bold color, but not terribly so, just a little dab on the lips and I could wear it with a smokey eye.


Sally Girl Eye Shadow Connecting Compacts in Auburn [review]
  • Silky Texture
  • Available in 48 shades
These Sally Girl eye shadows come in connecting compacts, so you can create your own personalized color palette! 
These things are addicting! Auburn basically became a staple item for me throughout July. It basically made my Saturday "signature" eye look. It's beautifully pigmented which was, indeed, a surprise for me when I first got it, but I absolutely adore the color!
 
 
Shany Cosmetics Natural Fusion Eyeshadow Palette [review coming soon]
The Natural Fusion Eyeshadow Palette is a staple in any makeup artist’s kit. A great blend of mattes and shimmers to warm tones and neuatal shades, this palette is perfect for everyday use. Use SHANY eye shadow lighter hues to highlight under eyebrows. SHANY oranges, browns and purples can be mixed and matched on lid and darker hues in corners and crease of eyes. With 88 colors, you can't go wrong with this long lasting formula. SHANY shadows are highly pigmented and blend well.
Can I just say that I love this palette? There was minor drama when I received it in the mail, drama mainly from my hands being covered in black, but that's for the review post. I caught myself during the work week reaching for this constantly. Any color that I wanted to use, was right there! 

Non-Beauty Favorite...
 
 
 
Howl's Moving Castle

I'm probably late to the party with finally seeing this movie, but after seeing some gifs on my Tumblr dash, I decided that I wanted to finally see it. Honestly, why on earth did I wait?! I absolutely LOVED the movie, and completely wish they'd make a second one. Now, I want to get the book being there are differences between the two. I never really compare book to movie, but I'm curious as to what was changed. I would highly recommend this movie to everyone.


16 August 2013

Swatch: Nicole by OPI Gumdrops Cinna-man of My Dreams


 


I have my July favorites on the way, things have been crazy at work, which depending on how you view it can either be good or bad. Either way, I finally got a new cell phone, and of course after getting one, I discovered that the back casing of my old one, had begun to melt apparently. Shock shock!

Besides that though, I purchased another one of the Gumdrops from Nicole by OPI. This one was the one I had been debating between when it came to Candy is Dandy.

Nicole by OPI Cinna-man of My Dreams
Cinna-man of My Dreams is an unique color (to me at least, I don't have anything like it in my collection!). It is a brick red-pink that has shades of mauve, brown, and light pink. The glitter is basically the main part of the texture, there's no hologram glitters or hexagon glitters either. This is the best way to describe the color.

Directions: Apply base and two coats of color. Do not use top coat.
Nicole by OPI Cinna-man of My Dreams
Vivid setting on the camera.
Application: Easy. Two coats for this and it was completely opaque. Actually, when you apply one coat, you get the true color of the polish, I think. I actually like how one coat looks, two coats makes it perfect for fall.
Nicole by OPI Cinna-man of My Dreams
Natural setting on the camera
 
Nicole by OPI Cinna-man of My Dreams
Close-up Natural Setting
Overall Verdict: I absolutely adore this color. Both one coat and two coats. To me it's a unique color, and doesn't match anything I have.  Definitely happy that I went back and got this color. 

Price: Varies, I purchased this for $6.94, but the price can go up to $8.00.
Availability: Anywhere that Nicole by OPI is sold.

11 August 2013

Manicure: Sparks in the Crowd

Hello! I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend. Saturday night I posted a three part instagram photo which featured the manicure that this post is about. I have to say this method actually worked out better than any other method I've tried.

The three polishes that I used for the manicure. Ruby Wing Groupie and Crowd Surf, with Maybelline Lavender Sparks as an overlay. I actually found Lavender Sparks at Big Lots for a $1.00!

Step 1. Use a base coat. Any base coat will do. Let dry.

Step 2. Decide on your base color. Doing a gradient, I prefer keeping the base color light, but you can also do the opposite. Then paint your nails with the base color. I did two coats of Groupie, then allowed it to dry.

Step 3. Using some type of plastic, foil or anything that polish won't eat through, take the two colors you're going to use for the gradient (could be more than two of course). Generously paint them onto the surface, doesn't matter if they overlap, that actually helps out more in the end.

Step 4. Using a cosmetic sponge, tap the sponge over and over onto the wet polish, this'll blend the colors together. I should note, being my camera doesn't like Groupie and Crowd Surf together, Groupie is at the very top of the sponge, while Crowd Surf is below it.

Step 5. While the polish is still wet on the sponge, start tapping the sponge over the nail. The darker color should be closer to the tip, unless you want the gradient to go in the reverse. Which actually doesn't seem like a bad idea.

Step 6. Allow to dry and clean up, unless you use the tape method to keep the skin around the nail clean.

Step 7/8. Taking Lavender Sparks, I started at the free edge of the nail and dragged the glitter down towards the cuticle. This was tricky though because the polish is thicker than I'm used to. Some nails ended up with too much glitter! Once the glitter is dry, add your favorite top coat!

End results...



Don't forget to enter my Midnight Velvet Giveaway!

08 August 2013

Giveaway: Midnight Velvet Gift Certificate


As I mentioned in the previous post, I'm hosting a giveaway! While I was involved in a group giveaway once before, this is the first giveaway that I'm hosting all by my little self. I actually had no clue what I was doing, but that's not the point!

The point is, besides the products that I was sent, Midnight Velvet wants to give one lucky follower a $50 Gift Certificate! :ooo Best of luck to everyone!

And yes, I even did a fancy Rafflecopter for the very event! Yes, I actually figured out how to do this, after an hour and a half... Don't judge.

Haha, so please, follow the rafflecopter below for details!


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Review: Midnight Velvet m.vie Mineral Makeup


 


I'm baaaaack! Hopefully I wasn't gone long, please don't be mad! I've actually been prepping for this post, trying out the make-up to it's fullest. Back at the very end of June, I was "pitched" in regards to reviewing products from a online retail company called Midnight Velvet. Along with the product(s) to review, there would also be a sponsored giveaway (I'm going to do a separate post for this, due to the length of this one so stay tuned!).

In July, options were given to review, and of course what did I go for? The Cosmetics! Now, just a FYI, when I see the word "mineral" or "powder" foundation, I slightly cringe. I've tried mineral cosmetics before with no such luck, however that was years ago. I wanted to give mineral cosmetics, especially powder foundations, a try again before I finally rule them out entirely.

Midnight Velvet m.vie Mineral Makeup

What I want to note though before going into the review, it might look like a lot of products, but I want everyone to know, it's four pieces. One is a Starter Kit, full details of course, will be in the review.

Don't forget! Right after this post, is the giveaway post! So stay tune ^-^

So, before I start going on and on, lets go onto the reviews!

03 August 2013

Review: J.Cat Beauty Shimmery Powders


I'm back! Ok, I didn't really go anywhere, but blogger has been having a few issues (uploads, doesn't want to upload, half loads my pictures, etc.), it could very well be my browser though. Being it's being nice today, I wanted to get this review up.

On a completely unrelated note to this review, I've dyed my hair dark O.O I actually freaked out a tad because it wasn't suppose to get terribly dark! But I think I will do another post about it :D

J.Cat Beauty Shimmery Powders


Up for review today is J.Cat Beauty Shimmery Powders. As I mentioned in a previous review post on J.Cat Beauty's The Big Eye Pencils, I was fortunate to receive some of their products to review. This happens to be the second half to the eye products that I was sent (I still have lip products, but my skin has decided to be the devil and blemishes pop up around my lips, seriously?!).

Onward to the review!
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