December 2010 Favorites =D

Been wanting to do a favorites video for a looooong time, but I have been either lacking time to make the video or lacking time to use products.  One of my new year's resolutions for 2011 is to use makeup everyday (except when I'm cramming my socks off for exams and such) and be able to dish out these favorites videos every month.  I have used a lot of good stuff and I wouldn't be much of a blogger if I didn't share them with you.  The Youtube video will essentially say almost exactly what will be on this blog, but I leave it to you to either enjoy it in video or text form.  Personally, I prefer text so that's why I leave the choice up to you.  And without further ado.....

L'oreal HIP Cream Liners in Teal and Midnight Blue

Bought these maybe 8 months ago, and for some reason did not use them until the last month.  These are dense but very creamy.  The color pay off is simply amazing.  I use these babies both as a base and as an eyeliner.  My first black cream liner was L'oreal HIP but it dried up pretty quickly.  Hopefully, these will stay creamy and wonderful till I've finished the pots!

Stila Backstage Eye Shadow Palette

I believe this was part of the holiday collection for 2010.  It went on sale at Sephora and I had to snag it.  Although it was pretty pricey at $19, it was definitely well worth the price.  All the shadows are soft, pigmented, and blendable.  Definitely look forward to seeing tutorials and a full review of this palette!

NARS Blush in Oasis

The picture does not do the product justice. I can't seem to get my lighting right!  In the pan it looks like a warm golden brown with shimmer, but it applies as a beautiful pink blush that makes your cheeks glow.  I have been reaching for this blush for both day and night wear.

ELF Studio Blush in Peachy Keen

Fie upon thee, camera.  This is a wonderful peach blush that I always reach for when I do deep, smokey looks.  It adds just enough glow to my cheeks as to not overpower my eye makeup.  It is not as soft as NARS blushes, but I think it is almost if not just as good.

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipsticks in On the Mauve and Warm Me Up

Warm Me Up does just what it says it does, it adds more coloring to my lips in a very flattering way while still staying neutral.  This lipstick is a soft pinky nude with a cream finish.  On the Mauve is a lovely almost purple lipstick with a slightly metallic finish.  This lippie is fantastic with many smokey eye looks.  The texture of these lipsticks are smooth.  They're not as creamy or soft as say MAC or Lancome, but they were great products nonetheless.

The Body Shop 3 for $30 Black Friday Sale!

Happy Thanksgiving!  While I'm sure we look forward to the feasting with family every year, we also look forward to the massive sales!  Here is one that I always look forward to: The Body Shop 3 for $30 sale.  Everything (except gift sets) is 3 for $30!  This is definitely an opportunity to take advantage of, especially with their brushes and body butters!  Personally, I can't use most of their skincare items because of my sensitive skin, but I have been quite impressed with some of the items of their makeup line.  Here are some of my favorites/recommendations:

Face and Cheek Powder (retails for $21 each).  If I didn't own these already, I would just jump on these cause these face and cheek powders are absolutely GORGEOUS! They are limited edition and part of their fall collection for 2010.  The powders are incredibly pigmented so the point where you can even use them as eyeshadows! The orangey bronze one is a bit difficult for me to use on the face because it's so orange, but again, can be used on the eyes instead.  The berry one is absolutely gorgeous and can be used on all skin tones.  Pick these up while you still can!

Nature's Mineral's Blush Brush (Retails at $19): This brush is amazing.  It's super soft, but still dense.  I love how it is slightly tapered in the center, because it gives a bit more control and precision if you need it.  I use this brush for setting my liquid foundation, but it can definitely be used for brush or bronzer. Love it.

Baked to Last Blush (Retails at $18 each): I don't own these, but I own some from the 2009 Winter Collection, and they are really gorgeous.  They're not as pigmented as the Face and Cheek powders mentioned above, but they are definitely pigmented enough.  These do pack a lot of shimmer, so if shimmer isn't your thing, I would stay away from these.  They're gorgeous all the same.

Holiday Eye Palettes (Retails at $25 each): I have the holiday palette from last year, and the colors' pigmentation was okay while being loaded with shimmer.  These look a lot more promising.  The palettes consist of 4 powder eyeshadows and 1 cream eyeshadow.

Single Eyeshadows (Retails at $12 each): I don't own any of these, but I have swatched them many times at the store.  They are very pigmented, and much better quality than the eyeshadows in their palettes.  The colors are all very pretty, and there are even a few unique ones.

Okay, folks.  That's all for now. Happy shopping!

*Disclaimer: I am NOT affiliated with the company.

Cherry Culture Thanksgiving Sale: 20% off Everything!

Hey guys! I know you're all bombarded with all sorts of Black Friday and Thanksgiving sales, so I thought I'd show up with another one! Hurray!

In any case, I've been waiting for Cherry Culture to have a sale again for the longest time because I wanted to pick up some glitter liners and more of those Jumbo Eyeshadow pencils. Those work like a dream!  If you miss out on this sale, don't worry.  CC has sales like this a few times a year, so you don't have to feel pressured to take advantage of it.  Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! And have a SAFE (remember the Walmart employee that got killed by a stampede of people last year) but productive Black Friday!

*Disclaimer: I am NOT affiliated with the company.

Halloween 2010 [Picture Heavy!]

So this post is loooong due but I thought I'd tell you guys about my Halloween.  It wasn't too eventful but I volunteered with an organization for a children's Halloween party they were throwing.  There were games, snacks, drinks, Halloween costume contests, and all that good stuff.  I volunteered to do face painting, and I used some makeup that I never actually use.  I also drew up some templates that I didn't have time to color.  For once, I'm glad that I did not spend too much time on the templates because not very many kids showed up.  The advertising for the event didn't go too well, which is a shame because there was a lot of cool stuff.  Here are some pictures that I do have from the event.  I dressed up as a witch :D I was originally going to be a vampire but people said I looked more like a witch so *poof* that's what I became.  I wore glasses instead of my contacts because I wore them the previous night and my left eye got scratched and got kinda irritated.


Let's start with outfits and makeup....

 

The night before Halloween. I went to a party lol.

 

I got bored waiting for the kids to come to me so I added to my outfit. Yes, I forgot to lotion my legs.

 Me with a cute puppy trying to escape my grasp. =(

Some pics from the end of the night.

My bling. The glove is actually a cut up pair of tights.

Nails of the night: OPI I'm with Brad.

Some flames I drew on my chest.  Didn't use a primer and they faded by the end of night.

My book of spells aka a book locket from H&M.

Jordana lip liner in Plush Plum and E.L.F. Studio lipstick in Cheerful Cherry

I look like I'm not wearing mascara because I was in such a hurry that I didn't realize my beloved tube of L'oreal Extra Collagen Mascara was empty.

My earrangsssss....

My shoes :]

My toes. Exciting, I know.

 And now finally some pictures from the actual event!

Oh I love this dog. I hope everyone had a safe but fun-filled Halloween! Get Halloween candy on sale while you still can!!!

May 2010 Favorites!

1. Evian Facial Spray--Keeps my makeup in place and prevents my foundation from looking funky even after long hour of wear

2. Hair Razor--Dirt cheap and works beautifully. My weapon of choice when cutting hair

3. Aussie Hairspray-- Very inexpensive hairspray that holds my hair wonderfully. I just wish it didn't smell like beer.

4. Covergirl Lashblast Luxe--My default mascara. Wet formula that holds curls well. Voluminizes and lengthens. Black with sparkles.

5. L'oreal Collagen Mascara--A dry formula that holds my curls better than Covergirl Lashblast luxe. Too much product on the wand will result in super clumping. Not recommended for lower lashes. A very black mascara.

6. Toilet seat covers--excellent for blotting oil off my face. Inexpensive (free) and lacks fragrance or other products that may break out sensitive skin.

7. Home made brush cleanser--For the price of 1-2 bottles of brush cleanser, you can make a few years' worth. Works just as great. Only downside is the smell of alcohol.