Phoenix Paradigm

Give Away!

2010-03-06T18:43:00.000-08:00

Liana at Beauty Bag 411 is having a g giveaway to celebrate 100 followers of her blog and also because her birthday was yesterday.

The prizes are:
High Definition Makeup Brush Set
Milani's new HD Advanced Concealer
Loreal's Color Riche Lipstick in Fairest Nude

If you want a chance at winning go to her blog BeautyBag411 and become a subscriber and be sure to check out the rest of the contest rules!

Contest will be open until March 12th!

Make Up For Ever February Purchases

2010-03-01T06:40:00.000-08:00

Matte shadows have made it up my list of makeup collection "need to have" items. I decided that I am going to invest and purchase Make Up For Ever matte shadows to build a serious collection of colors. So I made my list and jumped into the deep end in February.

I started with 5 colors and an empty 10-pan palette to fill. Make Up For Ever shadows are larger than MAC shadows. MUFE pans are 4.5 grams of product where MAC is a meager, 1.5 grams. I have a MUFE Backstage Pro Card so I get a 40% discount on my products which is great since the regular price for one Make Up For Ever shadow at Sephora is $19. I also saved myself a little extra just by buying the refill pans instead of single eyeshadows I would have to depot to put into my palette.

On to my color choices!
92 - Purple
72 - Turquoise
91- Apple Green
18 - Tangerine
99 - Scarlet

Including the palette and shipping I paid $59.50. Not bad considering that if I had bought these same five eyeshadows from Sephora I would have paid $97.50. Sephora would have given me free shipping over $50 and the palette would have been free so to get an apples to apples comparison is simple. Price per gram from MUFE - $2.64. Price per gram from Sephora - $4.33. Woo hoo! Thank you Back Stage Pass Discount!

Next up on my list to purchase are:
75 - Neon Pink
102 - Lemon
2 - Yellow
58 - Dark Raspberry
64 - Crimson

MAC Purchases in February

2010-02-28T14:44:00.000-08:00

I went ahead and splurged a little with the MAC Color Forecast Collection this month. I really love purple so I was attracted to the Spring Color 3 items but bought only one of them. The Blush Ombre in Vintage Grape is quite lovely. I was worried that with my pale skin color the darker shade of the blush may be too much and come off kind of cartoon like. However, I have found that if I load my brush with a side-to-side sweep across the pan, when I apply the blusher the darker color is on the bottom 1/3 of the brush only so in essence it is like contouring at the same time as applying the blush that is on the other 2/3 of the brush. This was a real surprise for me and I am very happy with this purchase. It was $25 and the pan is rather larger (9 grams) so I feel like I got a good deal for my money. The Blush Ombres are limited edition so better buy one before they disappear. I had been interested in the purple quad too but once I swatched the Color Stack 1 from the Spring Colour 1 Forecast Collection I forgot all about the quad. It is officially called Crushed Metal Pigment: Stacked 1. It is also limited edition. Four very soft and almost creamy feeling pigments in screw top stackable jars. There is a dark and light purple and a dark and light pink. The colors are: Dark Purple Frost, Light Lilac Frost, Mid-tone Rose Frost & Pale Pink Frost. The consistency of these pigments reminds me of the Volturi pigments I purchased back in November. Very soft and creamy so they have a supper smooth slip when applying them to the eye. The set was $32.50 and you only get a total of 12 grams of product (so figure 3 grams of each color) which would come out to $8.13 per color or $2.71 per gram so when you think about it you are getting a deal on pigments. The new MAC pigments are now 4.5 grams and they cost $19.50 each, which is $4.33 per gram. And as I mentioned earlier, this set is limited edition. While I was there I returned my Back-2-MAC items and picked up a mineralized eyeshadow in Pink Split. The MAC description of the color is "Pink with gold pearl mono/Dirty rose with bronze and pale blue veining (Frost)." It was regularly $19.50 so FREE was an awesome deal with my Back-2-MAC items. The same week as this collection coming out I also bought both of the new Viva Glam Lipsticks in Gaga and Cyndi ($14 each). I love both of them. They are very versatile colors that with the addition of a lip liner and gloss can be worn with just about everything. I will have to get some back ups of both colors. My last MAC purchase in February was a pigment. I love cornflower blue and MAC's pigment called Corn Flower is so perfectly named. It is a pearlized pastel blue with a red-violet flash. It has a nice slip and texture that is smooth. It was the new size pigment but the same old price of $19.50. All in all not too bad for a short month full of new MAC releases. Total spent $112.36.

MAC Packaging

2010-02-08T14:38:00.001-08:00

So by now everyone should know that MAC has changed the packaging for their pigments. Yes, the size of the pigments is smaller (now 4.5grams compared to the old 7.5 grams) and the price has remained the same ($19 each). I am not thrilled with this and I am sure many others feel the same way. Also, it just kind of messes up the uniformity of your collection.

Other packaging changes you will see are the palettes. Both the 4 pan and the 15 pan palettes are changing to have magnetic closures with clear covers. Now this is a change I can embrace! The pan sizes are not changing (they are 1.5 grams) so you can still depot and swap colors around if you are a palette fan.

I am just getting around to putting my MAC shadows all in 15 pan palettes so I think for uniformity I will just go ahead and wait to use the new palettes. I was able to see the new 4 pan quad with the magnetic clear cover today at my local MAC store. It is available in the Spring Color Forecast Colletion #3 and #4.

REMINDER - 2 days until MAC Viva Glam Lady Gaga and Cyndi Lauper lippies are released! I can't wait! Release was originally scheduled for March 18th but has been moved up to Feb 10th!

Twilight New Moon Volturi Makeup Haul

2009-12-05T13:49:00.001-08:00

I bought all of this make up a week before New Moon opened. It was my birthday present to myself. I returned the mascara and the lid primer (too greasy for me) but I kept all of the shadows. Now it was a bit pricey. Each shadow was $9. I have six pictured below but I actually bought 7!

They all came packed full to the top of the jar which made me happy. What surprised me was that they are pretty densely packed too. The shadows are buildable and oh so very pretty. I did not see too many of these colors used on the characters in the New Moon movie but it hardly matters because the colors are just gorgeous and very girly. These are my new go-to shadows for smokey eyes.

Almost the whole eyeshadow collection. I did not get a photo of "Dusk" but it is a deep metallic eggplant color that is amazing!
MASCARA - Sucked! I returned it. It smelled weird and actually made my lashes look shorter! I had no idea a mascara could do that until I met this one!
EYE LID PRIMER - If you don't have any primer it is ok to use with this product but it is a bit greasy. I like a primer to be more opaque than shiny and this one did not merit me keeping it. If I want this type primer I could just use my Urban Decay (which I also do not much care for). Plus they charged me $11. Too much for the lack of quality.

"Myth" is a warm metallic pewter. Like gun metal with high sheen.. "Legend" is a glittering silver
"Frost" has snowy white shimmer.. "Dawn" is a Sparkling champagne. It is almost a cross between a golden color and copper. Looks great for fall.

"Beloved" is an iridescent baby pink - Very cute and metalic!

"Lover" is a hot shimmering pink - This is my Favorite of the loose eye shadows!

I bought mine at Ulta but they are avilable at Hot Topic I think (at least the perfumes were) and you can also buy online from twilightbeauty.com.

FREE ZOYA Nail Polish!

2009-11-24T18:41:00.001-08:00

This is straight from the Zoya Website! Enjoy!

ZOYA GREEN FRIDAY

"It's just our way of sending some green back to you!"

While other retailers taking all your green, let Zoya give you some FREE green!

Spend $20 or more and recieve 6 of our favorite greens for FREE*.

That's right, Zoya Tangy - Zoya Envy - Zoya Midori - Zoya Irene- Zoya Suvi - Zoya Veruschka all 6 for FREE on Zoya Green Friday Only with any purchase of $20 or more at www.zoya.com.

Code will activate on Thanksgiving (11/26/09) at 5 PM (EST). So you will have plenty of time to gobble your turkey and then gobble up our great greens too (who needs football anyway). Code will expire on Friday (11/27/09) at 5 PM (EST).

CODE: GREENFRIDAY

*Promo code valid online at http://www.zoya.com/ only. Offer valid in continental US only. Consumer orders only. Offer begins at 5 PM (EST) on 11/26/09 and expires at 5 PM (EST) on 11/27/09. Offer not valid in conjunction with other promotions, discounts or offers. One code per order. Allow 2 weeks for order processing.

URBAN DECAY FRIENDS AND FAMILY SALE!

2009-11-10T15:22:00.000-08:00

It is time again for the Urban Decay Friends and Family Sale! Use Code "FNFW1" at checkout for 30% OFF! Hurry this sale is from Nov 9th to Nov 20th!

The Artist Summit in Miami 2009

2009-11-08T17:26:00.000-08:00

At the beginning of October I went to Miami to attend The Artist Summit. Unfortunately I was not able to attend both days of the program but next year you can be sure I will be at both. It was a long day because I drove from the West Coast of Florida to Miami and back home in one day but it was well worth the trip. The workshops that were offered were very helpful and I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone a bit when choosing classes to attend.

I have not been interested in the past in special effects makeup but after one class with Orlando Santiago that has all changed. He showed us how to age someone and Orlando also taught us how to create bruses using simple concealer/color corrector palettes and everyday items from our makeup kit. He showed us the first, second and third stages of a bruise (you can see above on the models chest) and also gave many examples of when you could be asked to apply the technique. For someone like myself who has not worked in television or film this helped me set some new goals for my work. I am now volunteering as an assistant to makeup artists at local theater groups so that I can learn and apply my knowledge on a regular basis. Practice, practice, practice is so important. I am lucky that I live in an area that has a huge theater presence (ballet, opera & theater) but luck aside it takes work to hone your artist skills. So thanks Orlando for helping me to become a better artist!

The other makeup artist I enjoyed watching work was Daven Mayeda. Daven showed up tips on finishing your work that really help complete a makeup look and make it more "polished" looking. For example, you can save a lot of time by contouring a face with foundation. Choose one shade lighter and one shade darker than you would normally use and then apply how you would normally contour the face. By the time you finish up with your makeup application and set the look with HD powder (Make Up For Ever was his choice) the face looks flawless. Another trick he used that I liked was adding "light" to areas. I believe he was using a Smashbox product to highlight the nose, forehead, chin, upper lip and cheekbone, but I use a highlighter from Boots No. 7 myself. Above is the finished face he did for my class.

The other thing I really liked at the Summit was ... of course the vendor area! I did some shopping.

As you may know I had Make Up For Ever's Flash Palette on my Christmas list. Well, I got to take it off the list 3 months early. I could not pass up the opportunity to buy one for $57! What a savings from the one I was going to buy from Sephora for $95. Same exact palette, just sold at the show for a discount for professionals. Thanks Make Up For Ever.

I also bought a Mehron palette. I purchased this one because the Mehron palette had a more metallic looking mix of colors so I figured with the combination of the Mehron, Kryolan and Make Up For Ever palettes I own I should be covered for a good while. I paid $31 to Makeup Mania for it. You can purchase from them online at www.makeupmania.com or just google search for Mehron. I believe Silly Farm sells the products too for a reasonable price.
I got a new lip palette from Frends Beauty Supply for a discount. It was $19. I also picked up some new brushes from Crown Brushes. I bought two sets but I only photographed one. I can't remeber what I spent but I think it was under $40. This was an awesome buy. I got to pick all of the colors in the palette above. This makeup is from Inglot. They are a brand from Poland who has just opened a flag ship store in NYC. I love these colors and they are incredible in color payoff. The size of the shadow pans is huge. They are all magnetic so they stay in the palette nice and the lid to the palette is also magnetic. I have done some looks with these shadows so I will put those looks up in a new post for you to look at. I don't know what the retail for them will be but I paid $38 for the whole palette. Not bad if you ask me. I want to buy more but I am having trouble finding where I can get more in the US right now.

Modern Geisha

2009-11-01T11:28:00.000-08:00

This was my final look for Halloween. It is a Modern Geisha inspired look. I needed a look that would not run because I live in Florida and it was in the 80's yesterday for Halloween and that was just too hot to wear a wig outside for me.

This look incorporates the lush botanicals of subtropical southwest Florida along with the geisha mask. It is softer than the traditional black and red colors because I substituted for pink. I love how it turned out. To add drama to my hair with out having to wear a wig I put on my top hat and even took a walking cane with me when I went out wearing this look.

Hope you enjoy!

I used:

FACE
Liquid Foundations from NYX in Pale and Ivory
Translucent Powder from NYC
Coastal Scents Silica Powder

EYES
Vanilla colored shadow from 120 Pro Palette
Light Yellow shadow from 120 Pro Palette
NYX Light Pink and Hot Pink Colored Eyeshadows
INGLOT bright yellow for center of lid
MAC Black Track Fluid Line
Ardell Lashes

FLOWERS
1 Stem of Orchids from Michaels Craft Store
Take them apart and apply with Duo Lash Glue

LIPS
Benefit Posey Tint
NYX Light Pink Shadow in center of lip
MAC clear gloss

Top Hat from Spirit

This is Halloween! Sally the Rag Doll

2009-11-01T11:07:00.001-08:00

I love Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas. This year I couldn't decide who to be for Halloween so I tried several looks. This one turned out a little bluer than Sally was in the movie but I loved it anyway. Here is the look. Hope you enjoy!

Halloween Looks

2009-11-01T10:53:00.000-08:00

I have much to post since I have been buying and doing a lot with my makeup in the last month but before I do all of that I am posting my Halloween looks for 2009!

Here is the first! I am a Circus Ringmaster!

I used for this look:

FACE
Make Up For Ever Face Primer
NYX foundation in Pale and Ivory
Translucent Powder from NYC
Silica Powder from Coastal Scents

EYES
Red and Black from Make Up For Ever Flash Palette for color base
Red Shadow from 120 Pro Palette to set red base
Oil Slick Black Shadow from Urban Decay
MAC Black Track Fluid line
Some no name False Lashes from Ebay
Milk eye pencil from NYX
Black Mascara from Rimmel

LIPS
Red Lipstick from NYX

Top Hat from Spirit
Wig from Ebay

More looks to come!

I got my Goth Card back!

2009-09-27T13:56:00.000-07:00

This is a post that I wrote two months ago but forgot to publish. Sorry for the delay.

Style Black is Here! This is the first MAC Collection all year that I had such a long list of must haves. There were hits and misses but overall I was happy and very nostalgic when trying these products. It took me back to 1987 when I was in 10th grade. Bauhaus, The Cure, Siouxie and the Banshees & Love and Rockets were on my walkman (ha! cassettes) and almost everything in my closet was black.

I thought I had outgrown that part of my teen-age past but as I walked into MAC I felt like I had been reissued my Goth card.

HIT!
Mineralized Eyeshadows in Young Punk and Blue Flame $19.50 each. I swatched and shopped. The colors of both are spectacular and totally are a match to the PearlGlide eyeliners in Rave and Fly-By-Blu. If you loved the liners then you have to have the shadows.

MISS!
Mineralized Eyeshadows in Cinderfella and Gilt By Association.
I was dissapointed in both of these shadows. I went into the store thinking I wanted to buy them but they did not swatch well on me. Also, they were just, "meh" when I looked at them. Nothing really was that special about either color.

I wore Young Punk on Friday and I got compliments on it. I used black track fluid line underneath and I foiled the shadow on with Fix +. It stayed on from 6am to 11pm. I was pretty happy about it. I did not have to retouch at all, all day. I also used the Rave Pearlglide eyeliner and it is a perfect match for the shadow.

I wore the Blue Flame on Saturday and I used a Kryolan blue color as the base. I still had to foil it on my lower lid and then buffed it on dry in my crease to create a smokey eye. I also used the Fly-by-Blu Pearlglide eyeliner to both tightline and do my waterline. It is also a perfect match for the shadow. I added false lashes for drama and I have to say - my eyes looked HOT!

One thing I don't like is you have to be careful to find the right blush to wear when using these shadows. Anything to overpowering and you can look like a clown real fast. I love using really bright blushes so I am having to tone things down. Same thing with my lips. I tried to wear Young Punk with a Black Lip on Friday and I looked too harsh. I looked better with a lighter lip.

Overall I like both shadows I bought. I would highly recommend buying the two Pearlglide eyeliners to match both shadows from this summer's earlier collection. They are both still available on MAC's website.

I went back on Friday (after picking up my 1st style black purchases on Thursday) and my store only had 3 of the Black Knight Creme Sheen Lipsticks left so I felt I had to buy one. I guess they sold really fast or maybe they did not get too many in.

Also, I love the Black Ash Mask! I have the defoliator too and it is ok but I love the mask!

NEW at Benefit Cosmetics – One Hot Minute

2009-09-22T18:20:00.000-07:00

Get FREE US Standard Shipping with purchase of one hot minute, our sexy in seconds rose-colored face powder. Enter ONEHOT09 at checkout. Offer valid 9.22.09 to 9.29.09.

This loose, rose-gold finishing powder is the final touch for a "gaze at me" glow. It contains a sheer tint that works on all skintones,anytime, anywhere. Get radiant skin in one hot minute!

I got Nailed and I am LOVING it!

2009-09-21T14:11:00.000-07:00

I used to be very into having my nails done. It was like therapy for me to go weekly to have my polish changed and fills done. I never experimented with color because I thought the classic french manicure was so pretty and girly that I just stayed satisfied wearing the same airbrushed nails week in and week out. Then when pink and white acrylic came along I only had to wear clear polish on my nails and they looked like they had a fresh french manicure. Pretty boring, right?

Well, even before the recession really hit American's hard I eliminated my weekly nail routine out of the budget because I was working from home. No one was getting to see my nails but my son and my cat so it seemed like I should save that money. Well I have found a reason to start doing my nails again.

I won a contest from the June Issue of Allure magazine. When my prize came in the mail I did not recognize the brand at first so I did a little internet research and read up on Deborah Lippmann and her nail polishes. Her line is carried in Nordstroms, Nieman Marcus, on Beauty.com and also her own web site store. Her polishes are normally $16 each and she has a celebrity clinetele list that boasts the likes of Mariah Carey, Cher, Renee Zellweger, and Sarah Jessica Parker. Now, I am not sure about you, but those ladies are some of the most beautiful women I can even think to name. What I also find interesting is that they have very different styles and fashion sensibilities. What that immediately told me was that Deborah has created products that appeal to a diverse cross section of women from a varying age range.

I was intrigued. I opened the package to examine my prize. The Lippmann Collection Celebrate honors the 10th Anniversary of Deborah's line and let me tell you it delivers. To start, the packaging is a very nice box that has a message from Deborah printed just inside when you remove the lid that reads "With your enduring support over the last ten years, Lippmann Collection has grown to become a voice in fashion, setting the trends. To thank you for a decade of loyalty, I created this trio - Celebrate. - Deborah"

When you slide out the insert that is nestling your trio of polishes, notice the detail that the jacket has been given. It was printed with the same spot varnish treatment that is on the box lid and it gives the illusion of confetti being thrown at a party. Nicely done. Bravo on the packaging!

The first color that I tried of the three is called Ruby Red Slippers. The description on the box reads "Dorothy's shimmering ruby (glitter)." Actually, the glitter in this polish is so much better than Dorothy's shoes. The reason why is the Ruby Slippers looked like they had been sprinkled with craft glitter. Everyone knows that square shapped glitter that I am talking about, right? What this polish has that Dorothy's shoes didn't is a variation in glitter size and shape that adds depth and dimension to the polish. When I swiped the polish on the first time I thought that it was a little less glittery that I expected. I swiped the brush across for a second coat and everything changed. Instantly you can see the effect of why it was important to have the varying sizes of glitter. I painted my whole hand and waited. I couldn't decide if I should finish the other one with the same color or open a second bottle!

The other two shades that are in the trio are Superstar - show stopping copper flecked fudge (glitter) and Funky Chunky - sequined sheer black (glitter). Like I mentioned $16 per bottle is the normal charge for the Lippmann Collection but this special trio is priced on the web site for $35. Even at $35 this was an incredible prize for me to win. I am really so happy and so thankful to Deborah I am going to hand write and send her a personal thank you note because I am just thrilled! This is not something that I would have normally gone out and purchased for myself. Now, not only and I thrilled with using it I am going to work on converting everyone I know over to these polishes.

FYI - I noticed that this trio is currently sold out on lippmanncollection.com but it is available at Nordstrom's for the same price. Must have been because of all the press it is getting!

Victoria Secret Haul - Who knew they did more than panties?

2009-09-20T17:22:00.000-07:00

Maybe I live on another planet. I had no idea that Victoria Secret sold makeup. I don't buy their bras, I never shop online with them, I don't get their catalog and the one store that I do go in at Christmas time to buy lotions as stocking stuffers doesn't carry makeup. I was reading another blog and saw that Victoria Secret had a makeup line out right now that is inspired by Christian Siriano's fall collection. If you are not sure who he is, Christian was the winner of Project Runway Season 4. Two of the products got me to do some googling and after a few phone calls I found a store that had the makeup line here in my town. I went shopping on Saturday and was really surprised at what I found.

Victoria Secret has a really awesome line of shadows simply titled "VS." Two of the shadows from their VS line that I fell in love with are 24 kt. and Fierce. I guess others love those two as well because they were sold out of both. Instead I consoled myself with buying VS Taboo($10), which is a sparkly purple color. It has an iridescence that is irresistible and a glitter that reminds me of Urban Decay's Midnight Cowboy. To go with this silky soft new shadow I picked up a darker color purple of the Beauty Rush line of wet/dry shadows in "Plum Crazy"($6).
After picking out 4 more of the Beauty Rush wet/dry shadows (come on, they were on sale buy 5 for $20) I remembered why I had gone to the store in the first place. I swatched the Christian Siriano products. While I did not buy any of the shadows (the color payoff was better in the normal line) I did pick up the Kajal Eye Liner. Victoria Secret's web site really describes it best: "Sumptuous, creamy, pigment-rich kohl liner, inspired by an ancient Egyptian beauty ritual, glides on for the ultimate smudged, smoky effect." They did not lie. It is by far the smoothest liner I have every purchased and the point is amazing. It is limited edition so get yours while they last, at $12 each they are sure to sell out.

Make Up For Ever vs. Kryolan

2009-09-18T18:44:00.000-07:00

I have been lusting after the Make Up For Ever Flash Color Palette for a long time now. I have not been able to justify purchasing one for $95 from Sephora but it is on my Christmas list to Santa this year. So I am waiting on what I think may be a pretty good substitute. Kryolan's theatrical makeup palette in FP1. I bought mine on ebay from an authorized reseller for $28 plus shipping and handling.Lets compare the colors in both. Make Up For Ever:
Gold 004 (metallic gold), Coral 002 (vibrant coral), Turquoise 000 (light turquoise), Fuchsia 005 (bright fuchsia pink), Yellow 013 (vibrant yellow), Brown 023 (dark brown), Silver 003 (metallic silver), White 010 (pure white), Red 017 (bright red), Bright Blue 014 (bright royal blue), Leaf Green 008 (bright green), and Black 011 (pure black).

Kryolan:
White - 070, Orange - 288, Yellow - 509, Hot Pink - R21, Blue - Blau 10, Iris - R27, Teal - TK2, Green - Gr42, Orange/Red - 079, Red - 081, Black - 071, Gold -metallic gold.

The main difference I see is that with the Kryolan I don't get a silver or brown. Although I can mix the colors to make brown, so I am only really out the silver and I get to save a bunch of money.

My Kryolan palette is on it's way so as soon as it is here and I get to try it I will follow up with more details. I am not taking the Make Up For Ever off my Christmas List just yet. :-)

YouTube Contest Entries

2009-09-18T18:07:00.001-07:00

One of my favorite things to do on Sunday is to play with makeup. And what better to do then come up with new looks and enter them in YouTube contests. This month I have entered a few and here are some pics of the looks that I have come up with. Enjoy!

Bloom is Bloomin Gorgeous!

2009-09-18T17:50:00.001-07:00

I bought my first Bloom eye shadow this week. I was looking for a metallic green shadow and after browsing Smashbox, Urban Decay, Too Faced and Cargo I was just about ready to leave the store. Then I found this soft, silky smooth, shimmery green shadow that got me excited. It was Bloom's shadow in "Moss." I had not tried any of Bloom's products before and I think it is because they are hidden in the back row at Ulta. You hear that Bloom - you need to work on your product placement. We can't buy you if we can't find you!

I hurried home and took a handful of bases and swatched this fabulous new green to see what it could do once you gave it something to hang on to. I am happy to report the color just got better and better!

I did notice that not all of the Bloom shadows have this same silky smooth soft feel to them when I was in the store swatching them but they are worth checking out.

The price was $16 retail at Ulta which is much cheaper than the Bloom web site which offers the same shadow for $24.

LA Colors $1.50!!! Steal of the Week.

2009-09-17T18:00:00.001-07:00

I picked up a few new L.A. Colors shadows this weekend in a surprising place. I was in my local Dollar General to buy cleaning supplies when I walked down the cosmetics aisle and these beautiful 5 color eyeshadow palettes caught my eye. At $1.50 each I had to stop. What I love about these three palettes is that they are all metallic. I love metallic sheen in eyeshadows. I know a lot of makeup artists love matte shadows but I am all about the shimmer and sheen.

When I swatched these they had amazing color payoff. I am still testing them out so I will have to give a more detailed review later but so far for $1.50 I really think these shadows are the buy of the week for me.

One thing though, be sure to use a base to keep these colors on all day. I did notice that although the colors are awesome the shadow on it's own doesn't have staying power. These would be great shadows for those who are just trying out using more color.

I purchased:

Tease (Picture at top of post)
Wine and Rose
Unforgettable

Video Contest Entry for SarahChaudhry

2009-09-06T15:35:00.000-07:00

This weekend I edited my video contest entry where I was recreating a makeup look that was created by Sarah Chaudhry. She is a makeup artist in Singapore who is really fun to watch. I follow her blog too and it is nice to be able to interact with a group of makeup enthusiasts who reply to your comments and questions. If you are looking for some new reading material I recommend you visit www.facesbysarah.com.

On a side note, video editing is a long and tedious process when you are first starting out. It took me 4 times as long to edit the video as it did to create the makeup look. Oh well, hopefully I will get faster because I am going to try and do a second entry for her contest this week.

Here is my video. Comment below and tell me what you think.

I just won 8 Sally Hansen HD Polishes from Temptalia.com!

2009-09-04T20:35:00.000-07:00

That is right! I won one of Temptalia.com's giveaways of Sally Hansen's new HD polishes! I am so excited! I just got the news in my email inbox and I just need to share. I can't wait to try these polishes out. Hi-Def is my favorite with Cyber a close second. Once I get them here I will post some pics when I try them out.

Thanks so much to both Sally Hansen and Temptalia.com! You both are awesome.

What colors do you like? Post a comment.

Urban Decay Cosmetics - Smoke Out Kit Smoky Eye Kit

2009-09-03T15:17:00.001-07:00

Urban Decay Cosmetics - Smoke Out Kit Smoky Eye Kit

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Perscriptives Fall 2009 Collection

2009-08-26T06:04:00.000-07:00

I have to say that the colors are gorgeous in the fall 2009 collection. I love shadows with a metallic sheen to them. The two pinks are my favorites. To date I have only ever purchased Perscriptives Calyx perfume and none of thier makeup but it looks like that will be changing soon! Especially with the 30% off Friends and Family sale. Remember to use code FRIEND09 when you do your shopping!

Today's Beauty on a Budget Buy - E.L.F.

2009-08-25T16:03:00.001-07:00

This morning I got an awesome email from e.l.f. (Eyes Lips and Face) cosmetics offering two items I have looked at before but never purchased. For the low price of only $20 including shipping (yes, I said including shipping) they are offering The Beauty Encyclopedia makeup palette and the e.l.f. step-by-step instructional DVD. Normally these products would cost $51.95 including shipping. But today I bought mine for $20!!!

I know that in the beauty blog world there are some who only use high end, expensive department store brands. Well, I think cosmetics are a lot like wine. I love a good bottle of Burgundy but I also know that there are some great California wines that cost a fraction of one from France. So why limit yourself? The same thing applies with makeup. Use what you like and what you can afford. I love Avon lipsticks (did you know they are the #1 US retailer of lipstick?) but I also love MAC eye shadows. Just remember name brand recognition does not always mean a superior product.

Another thing that I do to save money on my drug store brands is check the Sunday fliers each week for sales. At least once a month CVS has a sale buy-one-get-one or buy-one-get-one-50% off on a liquid foundation I like to use. So when it goes on sale I get two to save money. You can do the same thing to try new products that you may normally not select and save money at the same time.

If you have wanted to give e.l.f. a try too but have been waiting for a great deal, now is the perfect opportunity. Save Now by using code:BTSABE.

Find your Bride Style + Subscriber Contest!

2009-08-23T19:14:00.001-07:00

When you imagine your wedding day, how do visualize yourself? An artist can tell you what will look great on you and enhance your features. But choosing a wedding day look is not just about a professional opinion. It's more about understanding YOU and your vision. That's when the fun begins. A bride needs a look that flatters not only her features but more importantly, her personal style. Here is list of the most popular bridal looks. Which one are you?

Beach Bohemian Bride
Relaxed, Beachy, Romantic and Beautiful - She is a free spirit who looks as if she has been frolicking on a beach vacation the week before the wedding. Bohemian bride looks like she is not trying to hard, just naturally flawless, tan and glowing.

Recommended for: Daytime outdoor events

Makeup Ideas: Smooth, Fresh look. Flawless skin. Bronzey cheeks. Lots of individual eyelash extensions to make eyes stand out but look natural. Lips soft pink or soft nude with a gloss.

Hair Ideas: Beachy waves (Jessica Simpson style). Pull a few strands off your face and add
small flowers or orchids for a more bohemian look. Loose"effortless" updo is also an option. Waves are loose and not too coiffed. The idea here is "effortless" beauty. Very modern, fresh, relaxed and chill vibe.

Oscar Night Bride (aka Breakfast at Tiffany's Bride)

Classy, Elegant, Glamorous and Sophisticated, the Oscar night bride loves the finer things in life. Her wedding will be a grand affair and she will look like an A List star walking the red carpet as she struts down the aisle, all eyes on her. She wants to stand out, play up her features and is not afraid of a little drama.

Recommended for:Evening affairs, both indoor and outdoor

Makeup Ideas: Eyes -Dramatic, Soft lips, False lashes. You've caught they eye of your groom, now all eyes are on you. Your eye makeup is dramatic, defined and can be smokey or done in cafe or plum in the crease. Dark brown liner and false lashes. Lips are soft so as not to distract from your eyes.
OR
Soft Eye makeup, more dramatic lips. Classic Movie Star Look of Yesteryear. Think Elizabeth Taylor, Marilyn Monroe (Christina Aguilera channels this look today.) Eyes can be soft with a gold or champagne shimmer, classic retro inspired black liner and false strip lashes. Lips are stained in merlot, or a daring crimsonred. This look is not for the faint of heart.

Hair Ideas: Hair is more coiffed, sophisticated and structured. Bigger curls, hair can be teased at crown for more volume and worn half up, half down with some bling on your headpiece or a classy vintage brooch. Classic updos also work with this look.

Earth Mother Bride
Fresh, Very Natural, Earth Mother bride never wears makeup but knows she needs it to look good in pictures. You may be afraid of makeup and don't want to look fake. It's OK. Take a deep breath and we will take baby makeup steps. We promise not to cake it on!

Makeup Ideas: Eyes are soft and natural with soft neutrals for natural definition and a maybe a subtle hint of gold. Cheeks are Rosy or Peachy. You will look healthy, fresh, innocent and youthful.

Sex Kitten Bride
Lots of Lashes, Glossy lips - the Sex Kitten look is pretty, soft and girly – Think Brigitte Bardot.

Makeup Ideas: Eyes can be smokey or dramatic, lashes are a must, lips a pale glossy pink and skin flawless and smooth.

Hair Ideas: Hair is is loose big and flowy with lots of volume and body. Clip in hair extensions are a great option to and length, volume or subtle highlights to her hair. Sex Kitten bride wants to look like a Victoria's Secret model. She is sexy and sensual in a classy way and in touch with her feminine and girly side.

SPECIAL CONTEST Getting Married? Which Bride are you? Or Do you have a different vision entirely? Married? Were you one of these types? Let us know! Become a subscriber and post a comment below. One randomly selected follower will get a special NYX double ended eye pencil! Contest ends September 15th, 2009.

Eyeshadow Application Tips

2009-08-23T17:43:00.000-07:00

Eyeshadow is the most important part of your eye makeup, because it can help to re-contour the eyes and add emphasis to them. How you apply your eye shadow will make a huge difference in your appearance. The following eye shadow application tips can help any set of eyes to look gorgeous.

First Things First

The first thing to know when learning about eye shadow application is that you should use brushes to apply the makeup, as opposed to eye shadow applicators. Brushes are a good idea because they help you achieve a specific look when applying the eye shadow – it’s best to steer clear of foam applicators. So when you buy your eye shadows, if the applicator that comes with it is foam, the best thing to do is just toss it and use a brush.

For hygiene reasons, it is also not a good idea to share your eye makeup tools with others. Sharing tools can spread eye infections, even if you didn’t know you had one.

A final safety tip before we move on to eye makeup application: if you ever get eye shadow in your eye, you should gently flush it with lukewarm water.

Eyebrow Shape

One of the best things you can do when it comes to applying eye makeup is to shape your eyebrows. It will make a difference in how the eye shadow looks when you put it on your eyes. This doesn’t mean you have to pluck them, but lightly brushing the brows into shape will help your eye shadow to stand out.

In mentioning the eyebrows, it is important to note that you should never cover your brow bone with deep color – unless you have the guidance of a professional makeup artist for a special occasion. The last thing you want is an overly dramatic look with too much eye shadow. Apply the eye shadow up to the brow bone, but don’t apply shadow on the bone unless it’s a neutral color or a highlighter.

Applying the Color

Color placement is another important detail when it comes to applying eye makeup. Light colored shadows are best for covering the entire eyelid; from lash line to the brow. For the lower eyelid, it’s best to go with a medium shade. The darkest shades should go on the outer corner of the eyes, from the lash line to the crease. For night time wear, you can intensify the darker shades for a more dramatic look.

When deciding which colors to use, it’s best to opt for the lighter pastel colors for daytime and the darker, more adventurous colors for night. It’s not the best idea to wear darker colors during the day, because they won’t look natural and they’ll drown out your overall look.

Blue eye shadow is no longer taboo. Matching the color of your eye with a shadow actually brings out the color. Play up your blue eyes with a shade of blue shadow. But blue shadow isn’t only for light-eyed beauties. Use your eye’s complimentary color to accentuate your hue and draw attention to your eyes. For instance, the complimentary color for blue eyes is orange, and brown eyes contrast with a blue eye shadow. The difference in color can make a subtle but noticeable impact.

When you want to apply light shades such as blue, beige, light green and light gray, first draw a thin line with the help of liquid eyeliner or eye shadow pencil. Draw the line over the upper lash line, because usually the light shades make your eyes look smaller in size.

Techniques and More

When applying eyeshadow, blending is the most effective technique to try. To blend your eye shadow, use three different colors: the highligter, which is usually a very light neutral color like taupe, a darker color for the crease and a main color for the lid. Once you’ve picked out your colors, you’ll want them to blend together well. To do this, you’ll need to apply the light highlight color first, and then progressively add the darker shades. This means first applying the highlighter, then the lid color and then the crease color. Make sure to apply the shadows gently – it’s easier to add more makeup than to remove it.

There are many tips you can use to effectively apply eye makeup. Other eyeshadow makeup application tips include:

Set your eye shadow with a great primer base. Primers set eye shadow makeup and help it stay for hours. I like a cream primer base like the one from Scandalous Cosmetics, Lumiere or even a shade stick like NYX's Milk works great.

Use eye pencils to help bring out the colors of the shadows you use. Eye pencils are great for adding some drama to your eyes at night, and they can help make small eyes appear larger.

When applying your eye shadow, make sure you keep the other makeup colors on your face in mind. It is a good idea to coordinate these colors so they work well together.

Remember that practice makes perfect. The more you practice, the better you will get at applying eye shadow.

Eye shadow’s chief purpose is to enhance the eye’s shape. Keep in mind that there are two main reasons for applying eye shadow: to add simple definition to your eye or to make a strong impact. This depends on your choice of color.

The trick to applying eye shadow knowing “when to say when.” It’s difficult, when applying neutral shades, to gauge how much shadow you need to apply. Additionally, it will look much brighter in outdoor light versus how it appears on your eye when using indoor lighting or a makeup mirror. Keep in mind that when it comes to applying eye shadow, less is more. Even when using bold colors or dark shades it is better to give the hint of color rather than to look like you’re ready for Halloween.

This Just In! Zoya Polishes for the Fall

2009-08-20T19:25:00.000-07:00

THIS WEEKS RAVE REVIEW
I am so very happy with my new three Zoya nail polishes. They came in the mail last week and I have now had time to try them all and I am just thrilled. In case you are not familiar with the Zoya brand let me give you some details. Zoya Nail Polish is the brainchild of Zoya Reyzis who, as a pregnant aesthetician and salon owner in 1984, realized the need for a healthier and more durable solution. Zoya Nail Polishes are free of toxic Toluene, Camphor, Formaldehyde and DBP. Zoya Polishes are made in the USA. Poured in fine Italian Glass with Spanish Brushes. Today Zoya Nail Polish is available at the finest salons and spa's worldwide and frequently receives top ratings in fashion, health, and pregnancy magazines world wide. You can also buy it online at www.artofbeauty.com.

New Moon

2009-08-18T20:44:00.000-07:00

So this is not totally makeup related except that I want to get a jump start on creating looks inspired by the New Moon movie coming out November 20, 2009. The trailer mostly shows Bella and super hot Jacob but if you look close you will see other characters too. I love the look that Dakota Fanning is wearing as Jane, the evil minion of the Volturi. I think that may be the first one that I put together. Take a look at the trailer and tell me what you think!

The Twilight Saga: New Moon 'Meet Jacob Black' Preview in HD

Inexpensive Professional Blush Palette

2009-08-16T15:10:00.000-07:00

Today I thought I would talk a little bit about my favorite inexpensive professional blush palette. About 6 months ago I took stock of my growing makeup collection and figured out what I was missing. BLUSH! I had 2 colors - 1 Pink and 1 Peach blush.

I had a million eyeshadows and only 2 cheek colors. How boring was that?! So I immediately started to start looking for new blushes to try. Since I am an avid YouTube subscriber, especially to the beauty blogs, I started by watching a video on blush application. I learned about several different ways to apply blush but more importantly I fell in love with the Coastal Scents blush palette I was seeing used.

I immediately bought one. If you want one you can pick one up cheap on ebay here from me because I liked them so much I decided to put them in my store for the same price that I paid for it, $16.95. It is just such an awesome product that I think everyone should have it!

The colors are so pretty and flattering to every face no matter what you skin tone or color. I am very fair and I thought that I would not be able to use all of them at first. I was so wrong. I have used every color now and I LOVE LOVE LOVE them all. There are 4 matte blushes (1st one on the bottom row and the last 3 on the bottom row). The rest of these have a beautiful sheen of shimmer. The color that I really love the most is the 4th on in on the second row. The case measures 9" long 4" deep (23 cm x 10cm) and is matte black. It is very similar to a MAC palette and just as durable and convenient.

So instead of paying from $5-$10 per blush as a drugstore you get 10 amazing colors in one handy palette for only $16.95. It is a great savings and it is the palette I grab first most days.

Stay tuned for more reviews and product saving tips.

MAC Trip

2009-08-14T16:23:00.001-07:00

Popped into my local MAC store this afternoon to pick up some Fix+ and find out why I have not been getting mailings for events and upcoming collections. I guess everyone is trying to save money these days on their advertising. The exciting news is that while I was there, I got to swatch the new Makeup Artists' Collection and there are some hits and some misses.

HITS!
The five eyeliners are in new super kewl colors. It seems that MAC may have been taking notice of Urban Decays amazing pencils because Artistic License is a dead ringer for the Urban Decay Glide on Eye Pencil in Electric. (Remember the UD is on sale this week if you use the 30% off code in my earlier post!)

Colour Matters is my favorite of all these pencils. I have never owned a pencil this bright and this chartreuse. It is amazing. If you can only buy one pencil from the collection I think this is the most unique one and I would even say buy two because it will be a favorite.

Full of Fuchsia is the hot pink pencil. I am going to have to try this one on someone who has olive toned skin. I think that reds and pink eye pencils really look great on people with more yellow undertones in their skin and also on people who have brown eyes.

Obviously Orange is just what the name says...orange. I am going to try this one with it's complimentary color, blue and come up with some looks. I will post pics once I have them together.

Graphblack is the last pencil and you probably have a million black liners if you are like me. But seriously, who isn't looking for a really good black eyeliner that is soft enough for your waterline too? Well look no more. Just go for it and buy all five of these pencils!

MISSES!
The lipstick collection. There was not one shade that I saw that made me think that it was totally new or unique or that I "had to have it." I was underwhelmed with the generic use of color.

NOT ON SALE YET!
So you know this collection is not on sale to the public yet. It launches in the US on August 20th. I have an appointment next Friday to go back and play with all the products and pick up the items I selected today, so more news will follow once I have the products home. I will take my camera to the store next week to get pics for the blog so look for those soon.

MAC Style Black Collection (”All Black Collection”) for Fall 2009

2009-08-12T17:27:00.000-07:00

MAC Style Black Collection

U.S. Launch Date: September 24th, 2009
International Launch Date: October 2009

Still a month and a half away, MAC’s Style Black Collection continues to create buzz. Slated for September 24th, the collection features a mixture of black shades as well as black-inspired shades (e.g. the mineralize eyeshadows). Are you excited for this upcoming launch? Post a comment below and tell us what you want to try. Being a semi-reformed punk rock girl I myself want to try it all!

From “Back to Black” beehive and eyeliner to Steven “80s” Sprouse-in-the-House kohl and fringe to Gareth Pugh London New Goth, Black is simply beyond. Lips, nails, eyes there’s no more dramatic way to declare your desire, separate your sensibility, celebrate your magnetism. They WILL surrender to a Blackfire Glimmerglass, Rapidblack Penultimate Eyeliner, a slash of Greasepaint Stick, and the hot scratch of Baby Goth Girl Nail Lacquer. Style Black is a way of life, a shadowy and mysterious figure of fantasy, even for just one dark and dangerous night.

Lipstick ($14.00 U.S. / $16.50 CDN)

Black Knight Creamy true black (Cremesheen) (Limited Edition)

Mattene ($14.50 U.S. / $17.50 CDN)

Midnight Media Dense matte black (Limited Edition)
Night Violet Deep purple grape (Repromote) (Limited Edition)

Glimmerglass ($18.00 U.S. / $21.50 CDN)

Bling Black Sheer black with gold pearl (Limited Edition)
Blackfire Sheer black with pink purple pearl (Limited Edition)
Blackware Creamy true black (Limited Edition)

Mineralize Eye Shadows ($19.00 U.S. / $23.50 CDN)

Cinderfella Black with silver pearl (Limited Edition)
Young Punk Black with pink purple pearl (Limited Edition)
Gilt by Association Black with gold bronze pearl (Limited Edition)
Blue Flame Black with blue pearl (Limited Edition)

Get more details…

Grease Paintstick ($17.50 U.S. / $21.00 CDN)

Black Intense black (Limited Edition)

Penultimate Liner ($16.50 U.S. / $20.00 CDN)

Rapidblack True black (Permanent)

Eye Kohl ($14.50 U.S. / $17.50 CDN)

Smolder Intense Black (Permanent)

Cream Colour Base ($16.50 U.S. / $20.00 CDN)

Black Creamy True black (Limited Edition)
Bat Black Burgundy black with pink pearl (Permanent at PRO)

Nail Lacquer ($12.00 U.S. / $14.00 CDN)

Nocturnelle True black (Cream) (Permanent)
Seriously Hip Black with gold particle pearl (Frost) (Limited Edition)
Baby Goth Girl Black with pink and purple pearl (Frost) (Limited Edition)

Brushes

#214 Short Shader Brush Short, rounded, double-chiselled brush with soft, natural bristles. Can be used with shadow to line and smudge around the lash line and very effective for densely shading lids. (Permanent) ($23.00 U.S. / $27.50 CDN)

Volcanic Ash Exfoliator ($19.50 U.S. / 23.50 CDN)

For all skin types. Volcanic ash (in the form of mineral-rich clay), sugar crystals and natural enzymes combine to exfoliate and remove excess oils from the skin. 3.4oz (Limited Edition)

Volcanic Ash Thermal Mask ($19.50 U.S> / $23.50 CDN)

VATM contains natural volcanic ash to cleanse and treat the skin. The mineral-rich ash works with oat kernel flour to help absorb excess oil from the skin’s surface. A combo of natural oils (lavendar, sunflower, safflower seed and evening primrose) help lubricate the skin, leaving it feeling soft and moisturized. It helps to even out the skin’s texture and leaves the skin feeling smooth and perfected for makeup application. The unique formula glides effortlessly onto the skin, allowing ample playtime. The mask heats up on the skin when used with water and removes impurities from the surface, leaving skin looking radiant and fresh. Use 1-3 times a week. Derm-tested, non-acnegenic and for all skins. 3.4oz (Limited Edition)

URBAN DECAY FRIENDS AND FAMILY SALE!

2009-08-12T16:23:00.000-07:00

It is my favorite time again. That is right! The Urban Decay Friends and Family Event. You can SAVE 30% OFF everything from throught August 10thAugust 20th. Just enter "FNFF1" at the checkout where it says "Redeem Coupon." I am going to use mine on ordering some palettes that I have been wanting for a while but just not able to scrape together the extra $28 to $39 dollars. With 30% off I can finally afford them! Also, stock up on Primer Potion if that is what you use for an eyeshadow base. Let me know what you save $$ on when you go shopping & I will post what I saved once I have finished placing my order.

Shop at www.urbandecay.com and SAVE 30% off Aug 10-20th, 2009.
Use Code: FNFF1

MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection - Promo Pics

2009-08-07T19:06:00.001-07:00

Artistic License, Graphblack, Full of Fuchsia, Obviously Orange, Colour Matters

MAC Makeup Art Cosmetics Collection

U.S. Launch Date: August 20th, 2009
International Launch Date: September 2009

Everything we do at MAC is built around the idea that anything is possible when self-expression is honored, exalted, allowed to rise to its ultimate aria. This season MAC celebrates the idea of the Artist in every shade and stripe…makeup as art form. We’ve selected three individuals who exemplify this idea through both the subjects they choose, and the wildly individual styles and colours used to convey them. Bold heroic, big; giggly, playful, clever; dramatic, original, abstract: Fall ‘09 as seen by Richard Phillips, Maira Kalman, and Marilyn Minter. Be inspired!

Make-Up Art Cosmetics Fall ‘09 As Seen By Richard Phillips, Painter
Andy Warhol did a cameo on The Love Boat in 1985…and in the same spirit, Richard Phillips! 1998 painting, Spectrum, made its debut on the scandalous Gossip Girl a sign of the times! Need we say more? Recycled and re-imagined ’50s, ’60s, and ’70s ads and images, and every colourful issue ever considered when pondering the question of “identity” is what Richard Phillips is all about. Highly technical, a refinement of precise, academic painting, his gold and beautiful portraits seem so relevant to everything MAC artistry is all about. A collection of eye shadow quads, lipsticks, Lipglass, and The Perfect Cheek Blush just leap off the canvas!

Gloss Texture

Fuchsia Glitter

Reflects Copper Glitter

Gold Sparkling Glitter

Reflects Rust Glitter

Brash & Bold Pigment

Cocomotion Pigment

Heritage Rouge Pigment

Push the Edge Pigment

Notable Blush

The Perfect Cheek Blush

Off the Page Eyeshadow

Haunting Eyeshadow

Purple Shower Eyeshadow

Violet Trance Eyeshadow

Maira’s Magic Eyeshadow

Crest the Wave Eyeshadow

Photo Realism Eyeshadow Quad

In the Gallery Eyeshadow Quad

Notoriety Eyeshadow Quad

Lipstick: Front Lit, Full Body, High Strung, Hold the Pose, Lovin’ It

Lipglass: Young Thing, New Spirit, On Display, Personal Taste

Matte Alert: Zoya Matte Velvet Collection

2009-08-07T18:50:00.000-07:00

Zoya Matte Velvet Collection ($6.00 each) consists of three matte-shimmer polishes. What’s nifty about these is that they look matte, but there is still a healthy dose of shimmer in it, so while it has that flat look, the shimmer adds depth and makes them more interesting. Keep in mind that matte-based polishes have a lot shorter wear time, particularly because a lot of top coats add shine/glossiness (which defeats the purpose of matte). Without a base or top coat, you’ll get chips pretty quickly. (Of the three nails I did, Loredana is half gone, while the other two show minor tip wear, and it’s been about 12 hours.) But, but… there is a benefit to these… they dry incredibly fast. Like insanely quickly. No quick-drying top coat required, these babies dry down completely within a few minutes (so work quickly).

Dovima is a grayish-black with silver shimmer. I didn’t find it to be a true black, but more of a subdued charcoal. This one was my favorite of the three.
Loredana is a silver with silver shimmer shade. It’s not a light bright silver base, but it’s noticeably bright without being too much so.
Posh is a rich, jewel-toned ruby red. It has a beautiful jewel-tone ruby red base with soft, silver shimmer. I really love this shade of red, and being able to wear it matte is fun.

Order yours now at www.artofbeauty.com

MAC Love the Look

2009-08-05T19:27:00.001-07:00

Ok, I admit it. I am a makeup junkie. The items from the MAC Love the Look collection that came out recently that really impressed me enough to make a purchase were the pearlglide eyeliners. If you have not tried them before, now is the time to do so. These liners are creamy smooth and just as the name suggests, glide right over your eyelids. There is no pulling or skipping over any skin, just smooth sailing from inner to outer corners. What makes these pencils even better for me is the shimmery metallic look that they have. Photos of swatches do not do them justice but I will post some pictures for the two liners that I bought, Rave and Fly-by-Blu. It seems like some other makeup lines (listen up Sephora) have started to charge outrageous prices for a simple pencil eyeliner. I refuse to pay $18 or more for a pencil liner. DO YOU HEAR ME?

At $14.50 per pencil I felt like I was getting a steal.

Pearlglide Eyeliner ($14.50 U.S. / $17.00 CDN)

Black Russian Black with navy blue glitter
Rave Deep purple with purple glitter
Molasses Dirty brown with mid-tone brown glitter
Fly-By-Blu Light blue with blue glitter

MAC Cosmetics Magic, Mirth, and Mischief Collection for Holiday 2009

2009-08-05T19:04:00.000-07:00

U.S. Launch Date: October 15th, 2009

International Launch Date: November 2009

Lipstick ($14.00 U.S.)
Pervette Soft bright pink with violet opalescent shimmer (Glaze) (Permanent)
Utter Fun Fuchsia cherry pink (Limited Edition)
Surprise Me Mid-tone peach (Limited Edition)
Total Wow! Blue pink berry (Limited Edition)

Dazzleglass ($18.00 U.S.)
She-Zam Sheer silver with silver and red pearl (Limited Edition)
Jingle Jangle Sheer yellow peach (Limited Edition)
Phiff! Yellow pink with red and sapphire pearl (Limited Edition)

Cremesheen Glass ($18.00 U.S.)
Ever So Rich Sheer lilac (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
Partial to Pink Light creamy yellow pink with light gold pearl (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
Boy Bait Light neutral beige with pearl (Limited Edition) (Repromote)

Softsparkle Eye Pencil ($14.50 U.S.)
Iris Accents Pale violet with silver pearl (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
Nightsky True black with silver pearl (Limited Edition) (Repromote)

Mineralize Eye Shadow Duo ($19.50 U.S.)
Devil-May-Care Base: Rich light violet, Crescent: Silver (Limited Edition)
Under Your Spell Base: Light yellow peach pink, Crescent: Rich copper (Limited Edition)
Mayhem Base: Dirty brown gold, Crescent: Silver (Limited Edition)
Midnight Madness Base: Dirty grey brown, Crescent: Gold (Limited Edition)
It’s A Miracle Base: Deep blue burgundy, Crescent: Gold (Limited Edition)
Blue Sorcery Base: Bright Turquoise, Crescent: Silver (Limited Edition)

Mineralize Blush ($21.00 U.S.)
Su Perdu Pernatural Mid-tone coral (Limited Edition)
Conjure Up Dirty, mid-tone plum (Limited Edition)

Nail Lacquer ($12.00 U.S.)
$$$ Yes Metallic silver foil (Limited Edition) (Repromote)
Lucky Number Metallic blue pink (Limited Edition)

Preview MAC Magic, Mirth, and Mischief Holiday 2009 Kits

2009-08-05T18:15:00.000-07:00

Start savings now for the Holidays!

U.S. Launch Date: October 15th, 2009

Heavenly Dish Neutral Lip Kit ($22.00 U.S.)

Floating Lightly Pale neutral pink beige (Limited Edition)
Heavenly Dish Sheer mid-tone neutral pink (Limited Edition)
Barely Visible Glossy pale nude with pearl (Limited Edition)

Possessed By Pink! Lip Kit ($22.50 U.S.)

Tickled Dark plum (Limited Edition)
Laugh A Lot Creamy mid-tone blue pink (Limited Edition)
Sweet Smile Glossy mid-tone pink with pearl (Limited Edition)

6 Sorceress Eye Shadows ($36.00 U.S.)

Magnetized Light frosted lavender (Limited Edition)
Altered State Deep frosted blue purple (Limited Edition)
White Rabbit Frosted soft white (Limited Edition)
Edge of Dark Charcoal with silver pearl (Limited Edition)
Hold My Gaze Mid-tone cool green grey (Limited Edition)
Hypnotizing Frosted grayed mauve (Limited Edition)

6 Devil May Dare Warm Eye Shadows ($36.00 U.S.)

Dare Ya! Light frosty peachy pink (Limited Edition)
Devilishly Dark Rich brown with gold pearl (Limited Edition)
Oh My Darling Pale frosty cream (Limited Edition)
Prankster Mid-tone frosted olive (Limited Edition)
Sorcery Blackened burgundy (Limited Edition)
Gold Tease Frosty mid-tone gold (Limited Edition)

6 Mystic Cool Eye Shadows ($36.00 U.S.)

Cool Incantation Opalescent white gold (Limited Edition)
Shhh, Don’t Tell Pale neutral pink (Limited Edition)
Blue Enchantment Dark frosted turquoise (Limited Edition)
Rose Potion Mid-tone frosted rose (Limited Edition)
Deep Secret Deep frosted indigo (Limited Edition)
Violet Vow Deep cool brown (Limited Edition)

6 Smoke and Mirrors Eye Shadows ($36.00 U.S.)

Fire in Her Eyes Frost neutral beige (Limited Edition)
Black Magique Black with gold pearl (Limited Edition)
Deception Frosty golden brown (Limited Edition)
Spell No. 9 Soft muted pink beige (Limited Edition)
Wide-eyed Wonder Mid-tone frosty grey taupe (Limited Edition)
(Missing one shadow here — if you know it, let us know!)

Hocus Focus Colourful Face Kit ($38.00 U.S.)

Pretty Baby Soft baby pink (Repromote) (Limited Edition)
Peachykeen Mid-tone peach with pearl (Permanent)
Sunsparked Pearl Frost warm beige with pearl (Repromote) (Limited Edition)

Fab-racadabra Bronze Face Kit ($38.00 U.S.)

Golden Muted gold tan with gold pearl (Permanent)
Sunbasque Gilded peach with pearl (Permanent)
Buffed & Polished Frosty bronzed gold (Repromote) (Limited Edition)

MAC Love the Look Images

2009-08-04T18:55:00.000-07:00

MAC Cosmetics Love that Look -Official Images