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Tutorial: How to make Your Eyeshadow Colors Pop!

By on January 21, 2010 in Archive

One of the reasons that many people don’t get the best color payoff is because they aren’t utilizing bases. Bases not only make your shadows last longer, they make them stand out!  Let’s re-cap. There are matte bases and creamy bases.  I typically use the matte bases alone for a soft matte look. When I want color to pop, I layer the creamy base over the matte. Creamy bases are known to crease easily, so this is why I layer them with a matte. Check out my guide to eye shadow primers for more info!

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I’ll demonstrate how to make your eye shadows look more vivid and more expensive! I’ll be using the NYX Jumbo Pencil in Horseraddish and the Covergirl Queen Eye Shadow Quad in Blue Notes.  To be completely honest, I was extremely disappointed in the color payoff of the Covergirl shadows.  There was virtually no pigment to them.  Nevertheless, I was determined to make my $5 purchase work!

Read on for the step by step picture tutorial on how to make your eyeshadows pop! Continue Reading →

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Review: CoverGirl Line Exact Liquid Eyeliner

By on January 20, 2010 in Archive, Swatches

I’ve recently been on a mission to find amazing liquid eye liners. Now that I’ve been a makeup freak for years (not to mention a MAC fan), I tend not to branch out on certain items. In fact, the only liquid eyeliners that I have ever used are by MAC. At $16.50, and as basic of a product as it is, I knew that there had to be something comparable for a smaller price. So, I asked my friends on Twitter for advice, and many of them told me about the CG liner. At this particualar store, the liner was $7. This is actually a liquid liner pen, so all of the makeup is included inside the applicator pen.

What I Loved
Stiff, sharp tip
Rich, black color
Long lasting color

What I Don’t Love
Tiny product
Even smaller handle

For side by side MAC/CoverGirl swatches, read on! Continue Reading →

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Fight Worlds AIDS Day with MAC Viva Glam

By on December 1, 2009 in Archive

There’s so much to say about a day like today.  After all, it’s a day that shouldn’t exist.  Within upcoming years, hopefully it won’t.  There are so many ways that you can fight the cause, and here is the most fun ways.  MAC Cosmetics has been fighting to HIV/AIDS awareness for years now.  The Viva Glam Campaign is the greatest.  For $14, you not only get an amazing lip color,  every penny of the proceeds go to those affected by HIV/AIDS.    Nobody discounts on these products, by the way.  Employees, MAC Pro members. No one.  Absolutely amazing.  Helping the cause, and looking fabulous while doing so.

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There are  6 permanent lipsticks and 2 glosses in the collection.  These are two of the only lipglosses that I have ever re-purchased (not only because of the cause, but because the colors are perfect).  Viva Glam V lipgloss is one of the most perfect neutral pink glosses on the market.  It can be worn with brown liners, or reddish liners.  Viva Glad VI adds a ruby finish to your lips and when I tell you that you’ll be hooked, I’m serious.  I love wearing it with Currant, Vino, or Velvetella!  Here are two swatches of the colors.  More info to come!

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Holiday Gift Sets from Sephora

By on November 12, 2009 in Archive

There are so many hundreds of Holiday sets up for grabs this season. Being the beauty fanatics that we are, you’ll want to go crazy I’m sure. This is the best time to try a few products for the best value! Here are my top picks from Sephora’s Holiday offerings!



Lashstash Mascara Sampler ($39)
Aren’t we always looking for the new best mascara? With Sephora’s super cute mascara sampler, you get to test some of the industry’s best! Includes Laura Mercier, Tarte, Hourglass and more!


Smashbox Eye Wish Palette ($44) and WISH for the Perfect Pout ($29)
This is the first time that I’ve seen Smashbox come out with a super trendy palette. The pigment is great and the selection is outstanding! Watch out Urban Decay!

Want more suggestions? Continue Reading →

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Lip of the Day: MAC Pro Orange Lipmix and Utterly Posh Dazzleglass

By on November 9, 2009 in Archive, Lip of the Day, Makeup Looks

LOTD

This look was inspired by the Seouldiva Heather, one of the flyest chicks I know! During the course of NYFW Spring 2010, HP rocked a completely different look everyday. On September 12th, she wore the MAC Pro Orange lipmix. I was sold. She referenced the Twinkle show, and I remember seeing that look just days before and thinking, I’ve got to have it! So, I bought it. And here’s the extreme mix.

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Continue Reading →

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FAQ Friday: Eye Shadow Bases

By on November 6, 2009 in Archive

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Here’s today’s Frequently Asked Question, submitted via Email! Feel free to comment and let us know what your favorite eye shadow base is!
Hi Chica,

In an effort to enhance and prevent creasing in the color of my shadows, I have experimented with both Painterly and Urban Decay Primer Potion. While the primer potion works, I don’t like the container it comes in so I opened it up to get the few remains. When that happened it dried out in 24 hrs. I bought Painterly over the weekend and its not creamy and leaves this ashy residue. Are there any other primers you can suggest?

I’m having issues with my shadows being ashy-looking and I don’t know what I’m doing wrong. Should I move to pigments with a mixing medium or should I try more matte shadows?

Any suggestion would be great!

Scandalous Beauty: Well, let me first say that since I have used MAC Painterly Paint Pot for years and it’s the only base that has consistently worked for me. It can dry out quick, so it’s best to use it sealed at tight as possible and store upside down. (One of my Youtube views taught me that!) Urban Decay Primer Potion is a cult favorite that has never worked for me, so I completely understand.

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But, what works for some might not work for all, and I respect that! I’ve heard quite a bit about Too Faced Shadow Insurance. Apparently, It’s Urban Decay Primer Potion’s only real competition. I’ve never tried it. An inexpensive-ish base that works well if you’re going to stick to frosty eye shadows, try the L’Oreal HIP Cream Crayons. They literally don’t come off. Seriously! They come in over 5 colors, but the shade “Meticulous” is a nude beige that works as a good natural color. You’ll need a good makeup remover to get it off. I hope this helps!

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YSL Parisienne

By on November 5, 2009 in Archive

YSL Parisienne SP Ad

I’ve got some amazing things to say about this fragrance, and some not so great things…or so I thought.  The entire advertisement for Parisienne is exquisite. I loved the mysterious tone. The photography, the story line, Kate Moss, the bustier dress *squeal!*, all magnificent.  I’m definitely a fan of the soft purple smokey eye and pale pink lip.  The glass bottle looks as though it was crafted for royalty. Very unique.

The scent however. A strategy is involved. At first, I get the harsh aroma of cough medicine. Over powering, extra sweet and slightly syrupy. Completely geriatric.  75 year old Park Avenue with a Yorkie geriatric, to be exact. At this point, at least 3 or 4 times in the past, I have scrubbed it off.  I figured it might grow on me.  Today, I forgot I put it on, and ran some errands.  Around 30 minutes later, I smell baby powder.  Not what I was hoping from the YSL powerhouse.  But now, about an hour after the initial spray, I love what I’m wearing! It smells sexy, in a “come a little closer” type of way. I’ve tried on the scent several times, and definitely had a bad review to dish. But now that I let it sit, I’m extremely pleased. Definitely the perfect for the 3rd date when you want to reel him in!  If I were to close my eyes and sniff my wrists, a sexy little black dress and clutch definitely come to mind.  I’d advise you to spray it before you do your hair and makeup, just to give it a little time to work its magic.  $65 for 1.4 fl oz., Sephora.com.
Check out more reviews on the scent at Totalbeauty.com!

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