Eye of the Day: Retrograde Pixie Dust

Yeah, no, not dead yet! Just overly distracted by new TV Shows. I don't know if that's bad or not. Sleepy Hollow, Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Once Upon A Time... Plus I've also taken to Modern Family, which I never watched before until recently. WHY HAVEN'T I BEEN WATCHING THIS BEFORE?!

Ahem, other then that. If you follow me on Instagram, then you know last Saturday I wore a dress to work. Out of my comfort zone. But I did it, and I'm doing it again this Saturday. Truth be told, this dress is actually a dress that I wanted as soon as I saw it in Target. I have NEVER wanted a dress before, but it's the type that I was just drawn to, I think because from afar it looked like a matte leather due to the embossed fabric.

Enough of that though, the main purpose of this post is an eye look that I have been wearing rather often. It was actually one of those "lets see if it'll work" and I get nothing, but compliments when I do wear it. 

Products Used:

• Urban Decay Primer Potion
• Beaming Reflection from the PixiGlow Collection
• Walk of Shame from Urban Decay Naked Basics (Not Pictured)
• Urban Decay Stardust in Retrograde
• Urban Decay Stardust in Void
• e.l.f. Cream Eyeliner in Black
• Crave from Urban Decay Naked Basics (Not Pictured)
• Revlon Grow Luscious by Fabulash Mascara in Blackened Brown

 

Pictorial: Club Naked II

I'm baaack with my pictorials! Haha! This is actually the look I've been wearing on Thursdays when I work the late shift at work. I've actually received quite a few compliments on it as well (there's a SHOCK!). So, instead of doing a step by step from just two photos, I quickly redid the look for a pictorial :D

First before anything, I primed my eyes with Milani Eyeshadow Primer and allowed that to set for 30 seconds.

Next, I used PIXI Shell Sheen in the inner corner, on the upper lid and below as well. Then taking Brun Beam I filled in the rest of the lid, also taking it along the lower lash line.

After that, I used MAC's Club (if you don't have this, I'm not sure, but check out Wet n Wild's Comfort Zone palette, there could be an alternative to use there) all over where I had placed Brun Beam. I took Club slightly into Shell Sheen just so that the inner corner color would have a good transition. I also brought Club up above the crease slightly for the next step...

Taking Naked 2 from Urban Decay's Naked Basics palette, I placed that above the crease as a transition color. I went in with a couple of swipes until I was satisfied with it.

Inner corner time! I used Venus again from the Urban Decay Naked Basics palette. Placing it anywhere that I had placed Shell Sheen, and blending it into Club.

Next, taking an angle brush I used e.l.f.'s Cream Eyeliner in Black to line my upper lash line. Then used Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Rockstar on my lower water line.

Not pictured is the mascara I used, which is Maybelline's new The Falsies Big Eyes Duo Mascara (review to come!) I also forgot to curl my lashes (d'oh!). Two coats to the upper lashes and one coat to the lower lashes. Then you're done!

Products Used

• Milani Eyeshadow Primer
• PIXI Lid Last Shadow Pen in Shell Sheen
• PIXI Lid Last Shadow Pen in Brun Beam
• MAC Eyeshadow in Club
• Naked 2 from Urban Decay Naked Basics
• Venus from Urban Decay Naked Basics
• e.l.f. Cream Eyeliner in Black
• Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Rockstar
• Maybelline The Falsies Volum'Express Big Eyes Mascara
  

Tutorial: Iron Man Mark 25 Inspired Eye Make-up

It's that time again! Yup, I have another Iron Man inspired pictorial. I had this one planned ever since I saw the movie, it was just the matter of trying to figure out what Mark it was. I'm still not entirely certain, but I went with the Mark 25.

Courtesy of Google

If you look at the official Iron Man 3 game, the Mark 25 is mainly a dark charcoal/blue hued suit that has a vivid green arc reactor installed, not your typical arc reactor as it appears as a thin-ish slit in the chest plate. The eyes and accents on the helmet though also glow the same vivid green. Not to mention there's also yellow/gold to the armor as well. I originally thought the suit I saw in the movie (briefly), that it was a different suit, couldn't find any images of what I thought I saw, so the yellow/gold comes at the very end of the tutorial.

Started off with two bases. I wanted to make sure that green popped and the charcoal was dark enough. I put Pixi's Shell Sheen along the lash line of my lid, along the inner corner and half way along my lower lash line on the bottom. Then taking Pixi's Brun Beam Everywhere else up to the crease and the other half of the lower lash line. I tried to blend in, but both had already dried. Erk!

Next up, the green! After going through all my greens and not really finding that "neon green" color, I ended up finding this one from Wet n Wild from the I Dream of Greenie trio shadow set. It's the Eye Lid color. Super duper soft shadow that breaks all over the place when I close the lid. Anyway! I placed it all over the area where I placed shell Sheen, leaving the very inner corner bare. Also took it along Shell Sheen on the lower lash line. I went over this a few times to get it really vivid.

The charcoal next! I used e.l.f. Baked Eyeshadow in Dusk, placing it where Brun Beam is. Also taking it along Brum Beam on the lower lash line, meeting it with the Green from above. I then went over the green again.

For the inner corner, I didn't use the blue shift from Aura as I normally would, being the arc reactor is green, I stuck to the I Dream of Greenie trio, and used the light green labeled Brow Bone. Blending it a little bit into Dusk.

Taking South from Urban Decay's Glinda palette, I blended that into the crease and above. To blend out South, I used Illusion (not pictured) from the same palette.

Two black liners like from the last pictorial. I tight lined my upper lash line using Studio Gear Invicible Gel Liner in Invincible Onyx, then to line my lower water line, I used Rimmel London's Blackmail.

After that for Mascara I used e.l.f. Volume Plumping Mascara on the upper and lower lashes. 

A minor tweek that I did was add in a yellow to the inner corner, for this I used the Brow Bone from Wet n Wild's Bright Idea trio. End Result?

Products Used

• PIXI Lid Last Shadow Pen in Shell Sheen
• PIXI Lid Last Shadow Pen in Brun Beam
• I Dream of Greenie from Wet n Wild
• Baked Eyeshadow in Dusk from e.l.f.
• South from Urban Decay Glinda Palette
• Bright Idea from Wet n Wild 
• Illusion from Urban Decay Glinda Palette
• Studio Gear Invincible Gel/Cream Eye Liner in Invincible Onyx
• Rimmel London Scandaleyes Shadow Stick in Blackmail
• e.l.f. Volume Plumping Mascara

Tutorial: Gum Drops on Lilac Featuring Pixi and JulieG Frosted Gum Drops

Yes! My very first nail tutorial. Ok, well, still photo tutorial. This wasn't easy as my camera freaked out on me with it's settings, but I fiddled around with it to get my correct settings back.

A word of warning, YES! I know my nail is stained, I haven't had time to actually give my nails a good soaking. They've actually far worse than that.

So lets get started?

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!

Haul/Review: Pixi Beauty from Target

Can I just start off with saying how super duper excited I was that I was able to get this? Now I know I'm most likely late to the game with this, but that doesn't matter to me.

I originally planned on doing this post last night, but I wanted to do an eye of the day with the eye shadows, hence why I waited.

Would you believe what I purchased from Target totaled out to $10.00 (excluding tax). At the current moment, Target has select Pixi products on Clearance (most likely making way for newer products for Spring). The products are, what I like to call, doubled clearance. Which means, they've been marked down twice.  

There is also a $5.00 coupon on Target.com for Pixi and/or NP Set, that can be both used in store and online (the online code appears on the coupon as well), providing you spend $15.00 or more. The three items that I purchased totaled out to $15.00 then I used the $5.00, bingo! All three items for $10.00!

If you can't find these items still at your local Target (sold there exclusively in the states) then please visit the PIXI website, they are still readily available there. The PixiGlow collection is currently discounted there!

PixiGlow Fairy Face Palette ($10.20/$34.00) Pixi Belle. Comes with 5 Eye Shadows, 5 Lip Creams and Blush. Along with a double-sided eye shadow applicator, double-sided lip brush and a blush brush. There is also a built in mirror.

PixiGlow Nail Colour ($2.40/$8.00) Pirouette Pink.

Nail Polish ($2.40/$8.00) Luminous Lilac. 

Please continue reading after the cut for swatches!

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.

 

EotD: Quick look to go to work

This should probably be called Eyes of the Night simply because I was working 5pm to 10:30pm tonight. Honestly, I wasn't planning on putting make-up on today at all simply because both my Mother and I had been outside shoveling about a foot of snow! Definitely wanted to relax after that. 

Long story short, my Mom and I work for the same family owned business, so she ended up being called in, and I figured I have work that I couldn't get to yesterday because of the blizzard, so I best get my rear in gear and go!

Products Used:

• PIXI Lid Last Shadow Pen in Shell Sheen
• M.A.C. Mega Metal Shadow in Dalliance
• E.L.F. Mineral Eyeshadow in Earthly
• E.L.F. Mineral Eyeshadow in Caffeinated
• M.A.C. Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline
• N.Y.C. Show Time Volumizing Mascara in Extreme Black

After applying PIXI Shell Sheen all over the lid, I started with the inner corners using M.A.C. Dalliance. 

Next I used E.L.F. Earthly, basically concentrating it to the center, merging it with Dalliance which was very easy. In fact the way Earthly translates in photos, the green doesn't pick up! I then ran Earthly along the lower lash line, keeping it to the middle.

After that I used E.L.F. Caffeinated on the outer v, into the crease and on the outer corner of the lower lash line, blending it into Earthly.

Finally, I ran M.A.C. Feline into my upper lash line and lower water line. Then applied my HG mascara, N.Y.C. Show Time.

The end result?

What's In My Make-up Bag?

After passing my bag several times to day (namely to go outside and shovel snow), I finally grabbed my make-up bag because I wanted to do this post. I don't know if I'm going to do this as a monthly thing, or every other month because what I carry rarely changes.

I don't carry much make-up (not even powder!), mostly lip products. At least now it makes sense as to when I go in search of a lip stick, and can't find it though. It isn't missing, it's just in its new home!

1. E.L.F. Travel Mirror. The actual logo has since worn off.

2. Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Oil Blotting Sheets. I use these once in a blue moon, mostly during the summer.

3. Selena Gomez Roller Perfume. LOVE IT!

4. Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in Plum. Always using this!

5. Revlon ColorStay Soft & Smooth in Satin Rosewood (#295). I got this at Big Lots for, I think $1.50

6. Bloom Cosmetics in Sweet Pea.

7. Tarte Lip Surgence in Sweet.

8. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Rose & Shine (#619).

9. Lancôme Juicy Tubes in Moulin Rose. Was given this as a gift.

10. PIXI Tinted Brilliance Balm in No. 2 Magnific Mauve. Use this the most along with Fresh.

11. Estée Lauder Pure Color Lipgloss in Plum Divine (08)

12. Revlon Just Bitten in Beloved.

I see a trend here... I have a lot of Revlon products!

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.

Review: Pixi Beauty Shades of Taupe

I've had this little quad since the beginning of October of last year. It was when Target had several Pixi items on clearance (as well as Jemma Kidd items). As it always is with beauty items on clearance at Target, majority of the items I was interested in, had either been open and out of the box or severely damaged. I lucked out though, finally finding a quad that was still intact. Out of all the palettes I own, I reach for this one the most, and I'm sure any one can tell that by the little dips in the shades (oops!).

Quick note, PIXI offers three of these Shade Quartettes (retail for $22.00). This one, Shades of Peach and Shades of Nude.

As the name implies, Shades of Taupe, this quad is exactly that. Three shades fall into the taupe family with a very light dusky pink. I almost want to say it can be viewed as a gradient wheel of sorts. The PIXI website describes their Shade Quartette as a tone-on-tone. Which in my opinion is spot on.

For the record, I cannot say anything bad about this quad, I absolutely love it!

Very Light Dusky Pink

Dusky Light Taupe

 The first shade, is the very light dusky pink shade. No matter how much product I put on to swatch it, it basically blends into my skin (I guess I'm a very light dusky pink ha!). This is a matte shade, I want to say that it's a matte-satin though because it isn't completely mattefied. There is a slight sheen to it, but one would hardly notice it. This would be lovely as an inner corner highlight or to highlight the brow bone.

The next shade (to the right of the pink), starting to go into the taupe field is a dusky light taupe. I almost want to say it is a light gray taupe. This has the appearance of being matte, but upon closer inspection, there are some subtle shimmer in there. Not BOOM in your face shimmer, more along the lines of a satin. This is a gorgeous all over the lid color, I actually use this the most often.

Bronze-Taupe

Deep Rose-Taupe

The third shade (to the left of the pink), comes across as a bronze-taupe, and it is a shimmer. This as well is a gorgeous color and would work well as an all over the lid color or even a crease color.

The last shade, which is directly across from the pink, is the darkest shade in the quad. I want to say, to my eye, it's a deep rose taupe. There's definitely a pinkish rose sheen to it in the quad. The same with the third shade, this one is a shimmer as well. Perfect for the outer crease and lower lash line for a smokey look.

The texture on all four of the shades are wonderful, very smooth and silky. Not chalky in the slightest with no fall out. 

Depending on your preference, each of one these shades can be worn on it's own or all together. This is an absolutely gorgeous quad and I'm still very happy with it. I actually want to get the other two as well.

Disclaimer: Product mentioned in this review was purchased by myself.

Monthly: January Favorites

Took me a little while to put this together, but I'm finally done! This is mainly a "picture" post, it's pretty much self explanatory. All the items listed behind the read more, are items that I have been using constantly through the month of January. Hopefully the read more works below. 

 

Review: Pixi Beauty Lid Last Shadow Pen

In my Eye of the Day I said I would do a review on the "primer" that I've been using on my eyes since October 2012. That happens to be Pixi Beauty's Lid Last Shadow Pen.

As far as I know, Pixi Beauty is sold exclusively in the states at Target (correct me if I'm wrong about this), but you can also purchase the products from their website as well if you don't have a Target near you.

Pixi Beauty - Lid Last Shadow Pens

I first started off by purchasing Peach Pavé (retail: $18.00), this was after I swatched it on the back of my hand and tried to rub it off. It wouldn't budge (SOLD!). After that, a duo set called Good Morning Eyes, came out that contained Shell Sheen and Brun Beam (retail: $12.00).

Something I want to point out is by definition, these are non-creasing eyeshadows. So, you could wear these alone, or do as I do and use these as a "primer" of sorts. 

With these you do need one of those large size sharpeners because they require sharpening, they do not twist up. 

I have used all three of the pens (I reach for Peach Pavé the most), and they all work the same. You have to work quick if you want to blend them because they dry down to a powder-like feel... and then they won't move. 

Swatches

Wearing Peach Pavé, a shimmery peach, I have gone from 8:30am to 11pm, that's the longest I've gone without it creasing on me. It also depends on the quality of eyeshadows being used as well. Even with poor quality eyeshadows, I haven't had any creasing before 5pm, which is when I end my work day.

Shell Sheen, which is pearly white-pink, I tend to use as a highlight by my inner tear duct. It might just be me and my dry skin, but this tends to go on smooth in areas then it'll cake up, and trying to smudge out those caked up areas isn't easy. It could be that it just needs to be warmed up on the back of my hand before applying it, but I did want to mention that. The wear time on it is the same as Peach Pavé.

Brun Beam is a dark taupe brown/bronze, I normally use this on the outer v of my eye, and blend it into either Peach Pavé or Shell Sheen. I have used it all over my eye though when I want a real simple smokey look. The wear time for this is the same as the other two. My only issue with this one is that it can be a little patchy, and a little goes a long way. I do have to say though, out of the three, this one smudges out easier.

I should mention, all three of these colors contain a shimmer or a "glow" to them. They are not matte. I'm not sure if that goes for the other colors that Pixi Beauty offers as well though.

Over all, I absolutely love these pens/crayons. Once I'm done with all three, would I repurchase? Yes!

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

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.