Series: Thursday Face of the Day

Be afraid, be very afraid!

I contemplated doing this post last night (Thursday after I got out of work) because this would be me taking a HUGE step out of my comfort zone (very much trying to avoid an anxiety attack over it). I'm noting here and now, I'm insanely camera shy. I don't like having my picture taken, which is why majority of any photos of me, you see my mobile covering up a portion of my face. I feel "safe" in that sense, no one can see me fully. I can you can say it's a phobia of cameras.

 

So, actually doing a face of the day, with photos (besides product photos) is a big step for me. So please sit tight until the end of the post!

EotD: Sculpted Rose

Yes! Another eye of the day. I've been wanted to use the L'Oreal HIP duo eye shadows in Sculpted since I got it from Target, and I finally did so. I have to say I absolutely love the shadows! I only had one before, when the HIP line was first introduced and didn't think anything of the shadows, the one I had, oddly enough, had a lime green to it.

On a somewhat related note, I'm thinking about bringing over eyes of the day I did some time ago (posted to my tumblr) over to here in one collective post.

Anywho, onward to the eye of the day!

Products Used

• PIXI Beauty Lid Last Shadow Pen in Shell Sheen
• PIXI PixiGlow Face Palette Lightest shade (the champagne white) eye shadow
• PIXI PixiGlow Face Palette Middle shade (rose-gold) eye shadow
• L'Oreal HIP Sculpted
• M.A.C. Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline
• E.L.F. Cream Eyeliner in Black
• N.Y.C. Volumizing Mascara in Extreme Black 

Break down

I first started off using PIXI Lid Last Shadow Pen in Shell Sheen, all over the lid, smudging it out. 

Then I applied the lightest (champagne white) eye shadow shade from PIXI's PixiGlow Face Palette.

Next, I applied the middle (rose-gold) shade from the PixiGlow Face Palette, placing that next to the first shade and blend them in together. This mainly covers to the middle of the eye lid.

Moving onto the L'Oreal HIP duo, I then used the lightest shade from Sculpted, next to the PixiGlow rose-gold shade, and blended the two together. I brought this color out to cover the rest of the eye lid.

Lastly of the eye shadows, I used the darkest shade from the Sculpted duo for the crease and outer V.

Smudged E.L.F. cream eyeliner in black to my upper lash line, then using M.A.C. Feline on my lower water line.

And finally, using my HG mascara, N.Y.C. Volumizing Mascara on my upper lashes. I think it'd be good to note that I never apply mascara to my lower lashes, simply because my lower lashes + mascara = raccoon eyes! It isn't a pretty sight after 8 hours at work.

End Result, as my hair gets in the way because I had to be off to work. Whoops!

EotD: Gaelic Green

I meant to get this up yesterday after work, but I was just too tired. Bad excuse, but the truth! This can also be considered the start of my St. Patrick's Day eye make-up as well.

Greens and gold this go around. It was also in honor of my Grandfather's birthday yesterday too. He loved the color green.

So here we go!

Products used:

• PIXI Beauty Lid Last Shadow Pen in Shell Sheen
• M.A.C. White Rabbit (Reelers & Rockers palette from Tarten Tale)
• M.A.C. Family Treasures (Reelers & Rockers palette from Tarten Tale)
• M.A.C. Gaelic Gold (Reelers & Rockers palette from Tarten Tale)
• Maybelline Antique Jade
• Rimmel London Precious Crown (The deep green/black)
• M.A.C. Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline
• E.L.F. Cream Eyeliner in Black
• N.Y.C. Volumizing Mascara in Extreme Black

Swatches

Quick break-down:

First I started off applying PIXI Shell Sheen all over my lid, then quickly smudged it out because it does set fast. Next is mostly a bunch of layering of colors, then mimicking them to the lower lash line. I started off after Shell Sheen had set, by applying M.A.C. White Rabbit to the inner corners. Next to White Rabbit, I then blended M.A.C. Family Treasures (a gold) probably up o a third of my eye, I then blended M.A.C. Gaelic Gold (an antique gold) into Family Treasures. Family Treasures and Gaelic Gold pretty much blend seamlessly, very little blending is actually needed. Next I took Maybelline Antique Jade on the final outer third of my eye and blended it into Gaelic Gold. I went back and forth between Gaelic Gold and Antique Jade to get them properly blended. To deepen up the crease I used the dark green/black shade that comes in the Rimmel London Precious Crown quad palette. Finally, I used E.L.F. Cream Eyeliner in Black (love this!) and smudged it to my upper lash line, then used M.A.C. Feline on my lower waterline. For some reason this combo just works better for me. Last, but not least, two coats of N.Y.C. Volumizing Mascara to my upper lashes.

End Result!

Haul Time!: Target

If it's one thing I've learned, Target is dangerous. Right now they have a ton of cosmetic/polish items marked on clearance. From E.L.F. (you can put that on clearance?) to PIXI. Most of the items however, are with the brands, so keep your eyes on for the red tags!

While I was down one aisle, my Mom had gone off to another aisle, bringing back two other Rimmel London palettes. Now I want to put this out there, my Mom doesn't do make-up. In fact, she's highly allergic to it, including Almay. Not to mention she is colorblind (monochrome stage) as well, yet she always does her best when looking for make-up for me; she just doesn't know what colors she's actually looking at.

So without further ado, here's the haul!

Everything you see, save for one, was on clearance. So like last time, I'll be bolding the actual price I paid along with the retail price from Target.

Rimmel London ($1.98/$3.99) Glam'Eyes Quad Eye Shadow in #026 Precious Crown.  I'll be doing a review on this one for sure being they seem to be black duochromes when I did fast swatches earlier.

Rimmel London ($1.98/$3.99) Glam'Eyes Quad Eye Shadow in #024 Green Sapphire. This one along with another from this haul are going to be appearing in a special post I have planned in March ;x

Rimmel London ($1.88/$3.79) Lasting Finish Pro Nail Varnish in #375 Stiletto Red.

E.L.F. ($.70/$1.00) Custom Eyes Step2 Eye Shadow in #2514 Navy.

N.Y.C. ($1.20/$1.72) In A New York Color Minute Quick Dry Nail Polish in #240 Midtown.

O.P.I. ($8.48/$16.99) Original Nail Envy. Yes, I nearly fell over at the clearance price practically being HALF the original price. I couldn't pass this up.

Maybelline ($2.94) Stylish Smokes in #165S Antique Jade.

Disclaimer: All products mentioned in this post were purchased by myself.

EoTD: Sunday's Beauty Spell

Besides watching the Oscars tonight, what else am I doing? Blog post! Actually I have two, but I figured the other being a haul, I'd do this one first to kind of split up the hauls. 

This post is going to be not only an eye of the day look, but also a review on the Rimmel London Glam'Eyes Quad in Beauty Spell.

Look: Valentine's Day

Happy Valentine's Day, or belated Valentine's Day depending on where you live.

I hope everyone had a fantastic day!

For me, I had to work, otherwise this post would have been up sooner. Instead of my normal 9am-5pm, I worked the "night" shift instead. So, I was able to spend a little more time on my make-up instead of the slap on and out the door that I normally do.

 

Haul: Nail Polish from Walmart

Today has been an up and down day for me. Craziness at work, then excitement on twitter. Truth be told, I'm just now figuring out my other camera that I've had for, I believe, 3 years! I figured out how to take close up macros without it distorting on me. The only thing I'm having an issue with is the flash. I would just love to use one camera!

ANYWHO! My Mom and I took a trip to Walmart, and while I was in awe of the FLOWER by Drew Barrymore display, going back and forth to the display, driving my Mother bonkers. I ended up buying three polishes... not from Flower Beauty. Eep! Maybe next time?

I was originally only going to purchase two (Pure Ice & the N.Y.C. polishes), but the CoverGirl Polish caught my eye.

Covergirl Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss (yes the bottle says gloss) in Timeless Rubies ($4.97). This isn't a ruby color though, I'd have to say this is more along the line of a rose copper color with silver micro glitters. It translates darker in the bottle than in real life. In the bottle it almost comes across as having a slight duo-chrome, which could hold true with the way the light hits the polish giving it more of a rosy appearance than copper. It's really hard to describe, but I fell in love with the color and can't wait to wear it.

N.Y.C. (New York Color) Long Wearing Nail Enamel in Pink Promenade ($.97). A deep hot pink (with how the flash kept hitting it, I'd say it has a blue hue/undertone to it) creme. It is however, streaky. I had to add a third layer to smooth everything out on the nail plate.

Pure Ice in Come Closer ($1.97). This one is one of the newest 2013 polishes. On the Pure Ice website, Come Closer is described as soft pink hex glitter with light pink & silver holo diamonds in a clear base. This is, without a doubt, true to words. It is gorgeous and I can't wait to wear it. I'm hoping to wear this over another color for Valentine's Day.

Disclaimer: All products mentioned in this post were purchased by myself.

Beauty: Everyday Make-up

While waiting for my batteries to charge on BOTH of my cameras (they have a knack of dying when I want to take photos for a review), I loaded up the memory card to my laptop and pulled one of the photos I took before the batteries died. Wasn't planning on doing this, but it'd break up the review mood I've been in.

This post is dedicated to my everyday make-up. Just the products I wear everyday. The only thing that I constantly change is my eyeshadows. I don't have a set eyeshadow that I wear to work all the time. The weekend is another story.

So, onward and upward!

Foundation: My HG foundation is normally Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Full Coverage in Fair, however I ended up running out (cries), so now what has taken it's place is Revlon Colorstay Whipped in #110 Ivory. It isn't up there with my HG foundation, especially in this blistery cold weather, it dries out my skin more. But I do like it, the cover is good, and the color match doesn't make me look like a martian. I apply this using my Buffing Brush from Real Techniques (not pictured).

Concealer: M.A.C. Studio Finish Concealer in NW15. This is my second one and I love this concealer. I use it for any spots or discoloration. For that I use my Pixel-Pointed Eyeliner Brush from Real Techniques (not pictured. Wait what? Yes, I use an eyeliner brush for any spots, it works best for me in that sense. Even using this for my under eye area (aka dark circles because I stay up too long, whoops), using Base Shadow Brush from Real Techniques (not pictured) to apply it, then I blend in with my ring finger.

Eyeshadow Primer: PIXI Lid Last Shadow Pen, in either Peach Pavé or Shell Sheen [review]. I normally don't have to do any blending, but if anything I just use my finger to melt the product down slightly.

Eyeshadow: Varies. For work though, I don't wear ultra bright colors, it's normally real simple and neutral.

Mascara: My HG mascara (yes I'm declaring it right now I LOVE IT) N.Y.C. Volumizing Mascara [review]. Two coats and trying to get as close to the lash line as possible to avoid having to use eye liner. Normally works.

Blush: I do change my blush at least twice a year. I have a spring/summer blush then a fall/winter blush. So, right now I'm using M.A.C. Bite of an Apple which was a limited edition from their Disney Villains collection. Love, love the color, but it is BEYOND pigmented (super duper gentle hand needed with this), a quick pat onto a stippling brush (No name from Target), and that serves as enough for both cheeks.

Lips: Since the first I've been reaching for my Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in Plum. It just gives a hint of color, while moisturizing. Definitely needed being it's been cold here in New Jersey.

And that's it, those are all the products that I use, and I'm normally done and out the door in 7 minutes (I don't count doing my hair because that's the most time consuming task of the morning).

Nothing really changes during the weekend, I just take more time on my eyes because I'm not in a rush to get to work.

EotD: Plum Saturday

I'm not one to do a Face of the Day look, but I will do Eyes of the Day. My make-up routine during the work week is pretty much the same. Quick, easy, and overall boring; which is why on Saturday and Sunday I tend to jazz up my eye make-up.

I normally do my eyes after I've finished putting my foundation and concealer on. I do know some do the opposite, eyes then foundation and concealer. I've done both, I'm just more used to going in the order of foundation, concealer, then eyes. When I do go in this order, I do tend to make sure I tap off any excess eyeshadow off my brush to make sure I get as little fall out as possible. Even when I do get a little fall out, I just use a fluffy face brush to gently get it off. Anyway, onto the look and product run down!

Plum Saturday - Open

Plum Saturday - Closed

Products used to create the look.

 A quick run down of the products that I used. This is actually a simple look, I think. I've used my fair share of eye primers in the past, my HG once was Urban Decay's Primer Potion. That was until the formula changed, or seemed to have changed. 

What I've been using to prime my eyes, I have been using since October '12, Pixi Beauty Lid Last Shadow Pen in the color Peach Pavé (the little mint/peach end crayon). I'll do a review on this in a later post as I absolutely love this product. I've worn this going from 8:30am to 11pm at night without any break down of eye shadows (it really also depends on the quality of the eye shadow too).

 For the eye shadows, I used Missha's Signature Velvet Art Shadow in No. 1 Plum Combination. The only shadow I didn't use from this palette was the taupe-y purple that is to the right of the lightest color. I used the light pink around the inner part of my eye, around the tear ducts. Then took the not so taupe-y purple (the purple that is below the light pink), blended it into the edge of the pink then brought it across my eye, stopping just before the outer corner of my eye. I did the same to my lower lash line. Then took the rich, deep purple, used that on the outer V and into the crease slightly, then did some simple blending of it into the purple. I then did the same thing to my lower lash line. 

Swatches

Then to blend the deep purple, and clean it up if I got any above my crease, I simply used M.A.C.'s Blanc Type. Which for me is perfect, it blends into my skin and can't be seen (wait, is that really perfect?).

Last two things, to line both my upper and lower lash line, I used M.A.C. Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline. Then my HG mascara, N.Y.C. Show Time [review].

No eye lash curlers were used. Let me just say, eye lash curlers and my lids, don't get along. My lids get pinched more than my lashes curl.

And that's it. Nothing really to it. I normally use more eye shadows then just sticking to one palette.

Disclaimer: Products mentioned in this post were purchased by myself.

Review: N.Y.C. SHOW TIME Volumizing Mascara

Back in December I needed to find a replacement for my HG mascara which seems to always be sold out. I've tried several high end mascaras which, I must say, I prefer a drug store brand over them.

I ended up buying N.Y.C. Show Time Voluminous Mascara in Extreme Black (I believe it was no more than $3.99 at Target, you can also find N.Y.C. sold at CVS). Sadly I didn't keep the packaging, I didn't think I'd ever start a blog.

One thing I cringe at with a mascara is flaking and smudging. I've had my share of raccoon eyes while I was at work because a mascara wore off to my lower lash line. One of the benefits N.Y.C. claims is that this mascara is Flake-proof and smudge-proof for an all-night-long glamorous look. I have to say that this claim is true. I haven't had any flaking nor smudging during the time that I've been wearing it (over two weeks) and I have given this mascara a run for it's money this past week. It had held up beautifully.

Next claim is Dual Power Complex strengthens and thickens lashes. By strengthens, if they mean that your eyelashes won't pluck out while you're trying to get stubborn eyeliner off, then I'd have to say that this is true as well. If this claim is trying to indicate that this mascara thickens your natural lashes, then I'd have to say, no. I haven't witnessed any thickening to my natural lashes since using this mascara.

Third, Volumized lashes up to 8 times without clumping. I haven't witnessed any clumping, perhaps minor that could easily be fixed with a mascara comb. However, the volumizing 8 times claim, I would say that it does volumize, but not to the point of 8 times. Then again, I don't know how many times you're to apply the mascara to achieve this 8 times volume.

Before N.Y.C. Show Time Volumizing Mascara

After N.Y.C. Show Time Volumizing Mascara

Fourth, High Control Brush separates and builds instant volume for a fabulous and all-out-drama look. The brush to me, isn't anything special. I've used mascaras that have similar brushes, so I don't see how this could be a "High Control Brush". I do, however, like that it's a bristle brush and not a rubber one (I'm not fond of them). I haven't witnessed the claimed "all-out-drama" either.

The final two benefits listed, I can't really say anything about one, Ophthalmologist tested. Suitable for sensitive eyes and lens wearers. I do have sensitive eyes, and haven't had any trouble with the mascara. I don't wear contacts, so I can't say anything in regards to that.

I honestly see this as becoming my new HG mascara. I have no complaints about it at all. Then again I'm not terribly picky. As long as a mascara doesn't flake and doesn't smudge, I'm very satisfied with it. It does volumize, but in my experience, not to the claimed 8 times. 

So, for the final bit, would I repurchase again? Absolutely.

Product mentioned in this review was purchased by myself from Target.