FOTD: January 14, 2011

Main colors I used:

• MAC e/s in Brule
• MAC e/s in Dark Devotion
• Estee Laduer e/s in Cinnamon
• MAC e/s in Dazzlelight
• MAC e/s in Carbon 
• NYX e/s in White 
• NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Cottage Cheese
• Bobbi Brown e/s in Mahogany
• Beauty From The Earth - Multipurpose Minerals
  - Green Apple
  - Envy
• Urban Decay e/l in Zero

Fashion Face Off Challenge - January 12 - 26, 2011

If you all don't already, I encourage you to go to the MakeUpTalk website and enter the Fashion Face Off challenge!  They're really fun and it's easy to enter!

Outfits are put together using Polyvore, so all you have to do is drag your items together and copy the code to the forum!  Easy!

This week's outfit was built around the shoes here, Charles David Demitasse Open Toe Pumps.

FOTD: January 8, 2011

Main colors I used:

• Estee Lauder Deluxe EyeShadow Palette
  - 82 Apricot (matte light orange)
  - 30 Sugar Cube (shimmery white)
  - 38 Chocolate (matte chocolate brown)
  - 47 Honey Drop (shimmery pinky-peach)
• MAC e/s
  - Brule
  - Dazzlelight
• Make Up For Ever e/l in oL
  - MAC e/s in Carbon over the liner

On the cheeks, I used Smashbox Blush/Soft Lights in Super/Model.

On the lips, I used Sephora l/l in Candid Candy (light pink) with MAC l/s in Angel.






Thanks for looking!

********************
Please enter my giveaway here!

NOTD: China Glaze - Red Pearl

China Glaze - Red Pearl


This is such a cute red color!  I wanted to get one that isn't quite as "festive" as Ruby Pumps (also by China Glaze). 

It's got a very nice pearl effect to it, which is on the pink side, but not so much that it takes away from the red.  :)

Swatches: Nude Lip Lipsticks (Illamasqua, MAC, Make Up For Ever)

I'm a HUGE nude lip lover!  Not to be confused with "neutral lips" either.  There's a huge difference between nude (which I would call blanking out your lips to your skin color) and neutral lips (using a lip product that plays off your natural lip pigmentation). 

Anyway, now that THAT'S out of the way! 

Make Up For Ever - #22
Retails: $19 on Sephora.com
This is a newly acquired item for me.  I saw so many swatches on other blogs and it looked gorgeous!  It's a satin color, which means it's got a little bit a sheen to it.  In swatches and photographs, it does look like it's got a sheen, but on my lips in real life, it looks a little more dry.  However, this can be easily fixed by applying a gloss over.

Illamasqua - Sonnet
Retails: $22 on Sephora.com
I've also already bought and returned this item.  I hated the color (too orange for me) and I wasn't crazy about the consistency either.  I had these swatched on my hand (like in the picture in this post) and after a few minutes, the color started to separate... Hmm.  For $22, I would expect way better!  So I returned this and in the future would rather buy from MUFE or MAC and save a few bucks!

MAC - Myth
Retails: $14.50 on MACcosmetics.com

My all time favorite nude lip lipstick is MAC's Myth.  It's a little pinkier for me and that helps to make me look more alive.  Lol!  I love to pair it with a pink tinted gloss over top as well, to brighten it up!  MAC obviously has great lip products and I feel like they're sold at a reasonable price. 





Do you wear nude lips?  I'd love to know some other lipstick recommendations!  :)


Also, if you haven't already, please enter my giveaway!

Tag: 50 Favorite Things: 11 - 20

This is my next section of my favorite things!

11) Zumba

I go to a Zumba class at least twice a week.  :)

Photo courtesy of: ditchtheworkout.com

12) Smashbox Cosmetics

When I first got into make up as a hobby, Smashbox was one of the first companies I bought from.

Photo courtesy of: beautifulmakeupsearch.com

13) Big Hair

I wish my hair would naturally do stuff like this... lol

Photo courtesy of: maryrsnyder.com

 14) Organization

I love when things are nice and put away.  I don't necessarily like to DO it, but I love when it's done.  :)

Photo courtesy of: activerain.com

 15) The Sims

I've been playing The Sims since it first came out... probably over 10 years ago!  Love it!

Photo Courtesy of: videogamesblogger.com

 16) Hazelnut

Love hazelnut in my coffee and desserts.  :)

Photo courtesy of: theora.com

 17) Internation Delight Coffee Creamer in French Vanilla

Speaking of coffee, this is my absolute favorite creamer!

Photo courtesy of: livingmonstrance.stblogs.com

 18) Frasier

There's 11 seasons of Frasier and I've seen them all several times. :P

Photo courtesy of: blog.newsok.com

 19) Zebras

I love zebra print!  My boyfriend and I went on a "safari" for our first Valentine's Day together.  So fun!

20) Sweaters

I love getting to wear my soft and snugglie sweaters! :)

Photo courtesy of: bayareabags.com

NOTD: China Glaze - Up All Night

 If you haven't had a chance to check out my Stila/MAC giveaway, please do!

China Glaze - Up All Night

This is a gorgeous, "my pen just exploded" inky blue!  Love this color!  And it is exactly what I was hoping it would be when I bought it!  Sweet!

This is only two coats. :)

Win some Stila and MAC products! [CLOSED]

Want some free stuff?

I won a contest not long ago and it was great!  Who doesn’t like to win stuff?!  I thought it would be awesome if I could let someone win something off my blog!  I appreciate all the people who read my blog and especially the people who comment! 

As a token of my appreciation, I’ve been collecting items for a giveaway – including products from Stila and MAC!  All items were purchased by me, for you!

What you can win:

• Stila – Fabulous in Fiji palette – Full Size
  Includes 4 eye shadows: (r & r, escape, palm, wave)
  One convertible color (lip & cheek): (plumeria)
• Perfume Samples of:
  - j’adore – dior  1ml (0.03 fl oz)
  - twirl – kate spade  1.5ml (0.05 fl oz)
  - parisienne – ysl   1.5ml (0.05 fl oz)
• MAC Pigments:
  Jardin Aires (LE) – generous 1/8 tsp
  Copperized (LE) – generous 1/8 tsp
  Navy Blue (LE) – 1/8 tsp
  Pinked Mauve (LE) – 1/8 tsp
  Dark Soul – 1/8 tsp
  Frozen White – 1/8 tsp
• Rimmel Lasting Finish Lipstick in Pink Blush
• Modella Purse Makeup Bag
• Revlon nail polish in 799 Plum Night  - Full Size
• Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in Very Black - Full Size 

How to enter:

1. You have to be a public follower of my blog.  If you've been following - great!  If you're new - welcome!
2. You must make a post on your blog about my giveaway (with a link, obviously...lol)
3. You must comment on THIS post with the following:
   - The link to your blog post
   - What country you live in
   - How you found my blog
   - Your email address, so I can contact you if you win! :)
   

 I couldn't get the lipstick to focus, but it's a super cute pink color!  :)

The winner will be chosen through random.org.  Only one entry per person.  After I contact you, you will have 48 hours to write me back before another winner is chosen. 

This contest is open internationally! :)

The winner will be chosen February 6, 2011.

Rules and conditions of this contest are subject to change without notice in case of some unfortunate and unforeseen consequence.  This is my first giveaway, don't you know!  I have to cover my bases!

Swatches: MAC Eye Shadows

This is just a quick look at my MAC shadows.  Not sure why I didn't think to include my pigments... but!  Maybe another post!  

I don't have a huge collection of MAC shadows, but I thought I'd show you what I have.  

The first is a palette I bought for myself for Christmas one year.  It's the MAC Red She Said: Fascinating Ruby: 6 Smokey Eyes Palette.  You can tell from the shot from the palette what I use most!  Recently, I've started filling my eyebrows in with Dark Devotion.  :)

 I bought this palette to fill up a while back when I was tired of sifting through all my single potted shadows.  I still have one blank pot to fill, but I'm not too worried!  I've got a bazillion other eye shadows to use up!

Top Row: Dazzlelight, Brule, Pandamonium, Juiced, Juxt

Middle Row: Sable, Naked Lunch, Print, Amber Lights, Passionate

Bottom Row: Twinks, Soft Brown, Swish, Woodwinked

I think next time I'm in the mood to buy MAC shadows, I'll buy one pan (to finish this palette). Then when I have more money for this, I'll just buy the customizable palette off MAC.  It works out to be the same price ($179), but then it's all put together and stuff right away and I won't waste money on shipping!  :)

Hope you enjoyed!

NOTD: OPI - Bubble Bath

OPI - Bubble Bath

This won the 2010 Allure's Best of Beauty award for the best light pink nail polish.  :)  My boyfriend got it for me for Christmas!  ...And he found it even though I told him it was Bubble Pink and not Bubble Bath.  lol  That's love!

In the pictures, there's 3 coats.  I just applied it quickly, so there are little splotches but they could probably be avoided with a more carefully applied coat.

It is a very nice consistency.  It doesn't get streaky very easily either, unlike most other light pink nail polishes I've tried.

Anyway!  Hope you enjoyed!

FOTD: January 2, 2011

When my boyfriend was in town, he, my sister, her friend and I all went to this outdoor shopping mall type thing.  I got ready fast, but my eye make up turned out to be a disaster.  So this was my "fix."  At first I had the crease so super dark and the lid was a very shimmery beige color.  Not the best for a day look!  Anyway, I tried to fix it, and here it is!

Since it was a few days ago, I don't really remember what I used. I think it was just my Naked Palette.

<3

Review: Philosophy Purity Made Simple

Photo Courtesy of: Sephora.com

Description on Sephora:

What it is:
A highly effective one-step facial cleanser.

What it is formulated to do:
Philosophy Purity Made Simple is a ph-balanced formula that rapidly dissolves dirt and makeup while deep cleaning pores. The best-selling cleanser contains infusions of sage, chamomile, and carrot.

What else you need to know:
Purity Made Simple is part of a collection of Philosophy products designed to soothe even the most dry and sensitive skin.

Research Results:

-100% reported that the cleanser is gentle enough for the eye area.
-97% reported effective removal of dirt, oil, and makeup.
-97% reported a clean, residue-free finish. 

My Thoughts

I have skin that breaks out very easily.  Pretty much if you look at me the wrong way, I get a breakout!  I've got to be super careful about the products I use on my face.  I bought a sampler kit of Philosophy products several months ago and was introduced to this product.  I've been using this ever since!

This retails from Sephora.com between $10 - $45.50. 

Pros:
- A little bit goes a long way!

- Within a few days of starting to use this, I noticed a significant reduction in black heads.

- It removes makeup VERY well, including eye make up.  After I wash my face with this, I usually don't even need eye makeup remover.

- It doesn't irritate my eyes.

- It is not drying and gentle enough to use several times a day (if you want! lol).

- The condition of my skin has improved tremendously since I started using it.  So much so that people now tell me "Wow!  You have such clear skin!"  Considering my mother once affectionately referred to my complexion as looking like "hamburger meat" that means a lot!

Cons:
- Pretty much my only con with this product is the price.  But it works, and it works WELL, so I'm willing to pay for it! :)

Final Recommendation:

This is an amazing skin cleanser.  If you have problem skin, especially acne, I would definitely recommend you try this!  It's made a huge difference in my complexion.

I give the Philosophy Purity Made Simple facial cleaner 5 out of 5. 

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask in the comments!

My New Years Eve!

I didn't really take actual make up pictures, but I thought I'd show you what I was up to!  :)

My boyfriend didn't make it up to our house for Christmas, so we did presents NYE with him!  :)  He's a huge Texas Rangers fan.  I'm doing the antlers thing... the Rangers do it.  lol  :P

Then me and my friends started taking funny pictures.  This one was "Do Karate!"  lmao.  Don't I look vicious?

Those funny pictures turned into "jumping pictures."  :)

This was me landing from a jump I think.  I didn't make it for the picture.  But it looks like I'm in a Beyonce video with some dance skills!  lmao

This was me and Ty a few seconds before New Years!  :)  We drink sparkling grape juice at my house from black crystal glasses.  :P

Happy New Year to you all!