Cosmephile

MAC Retro Matte Lipstick in 'Pander Me'

2015-03-02T03:02:00.004-08:00

Here's a quick look I did the other day using a lipstick that I'm reaching for more and more. From MAC's Retro Matte collection, it's 'Pander Me' which it they describe as a 'soft, peachy mocha'. I have to agree in that it has a brown undertone that's quite neutral, yet leans orange. Not a colorful, or bright orange, subdued and restrained orange. I paired the this lip look with a gold and grey eye that's definitely SFW.

Eyes

Base: NARS Eyeshadow Primer
Crease & below: Bamboo
Crease: Copperplate
Center of lid: Amber lights
Highlight: Orb
Liner: Brown Border + Carbon over it
Mascara: MAC Plushlash: Plushblack

Lips

Base: EOS
Liner: Boldly Bare
Lipstick: Pander Me
Clean-up: MUFE Full Cover #6

Cheeks

Apples: Peaches

Foundation:

Base: Guerlain Parure de Lumiere: #2 & #3
Concealer: MUFE Full Cover #6
Powder: MAC Mineralize Skin Finish: Medium

Product Review: REN Clean Skincare Evercalm Gentle Cleansing Milk

2015-02-28T18:01:00.000-08:00

After a recent trip (my first ever) to a spa for a girls' day out, I learned that my face isn't considered truly 'normal' since in addition to having an oily T-zone, I have a tendency to dry out during the winter months. Now, if you're more of a makeup addict than a skincare one like me, your skincare routine is next to nil. Mine consists of 'cleansing' with bar soap in the shower daily with some light exfoliation once a week. At the sound of this, my esthetician gasped in horror and asked what kind of soap I used, hoping it was at least a good one -- it is!, but more on that in a later review. Although I apply sunscreen daily and remove makeup with lotion at night, I do little else and entering old(er) age has its disadvantages: having to amp up your skincare routine. Searching for affordable, effective, and safe skincare is no joke. I spent about a week researching all the products she used on me during my facial and popular lines from luxury brands as well as those I'd be able to run to Target and grab on the cheap. I finally found something I quite like and hope you find my review useful.

Ren labels this a 'gentle cleansing milk' and says it's suitable for 'sensitive' skin. It's made in the UK and has a shelflife after opening of 9 months. It is void of: Parabens, Sulfates, Mineral Oil, Petrolatum, Synethic Fragrance, Colours, T.E.A., D.E.A., Glycols, Silicones, PEGs, et. al. Ren is also against animal testing. It touts the following bio extracts: Omega 3 & 7, Peroxidase Enzymes, Flavanoids, Calendula Extract, and Fennel Seed Extract.

On the box:

A gentle cleansing milk that leaves sensitive, delicate and reactive skin purified, calm and soothed. Its multi-action formula eliminates environmental aggressors, increases skin resistance and minimises the signs of chronic irritation and sensitivity that can lead to premature ageing.
Results: Gently removes dirt, pollution and make up. Skin feels purified, calm and soothed. Minimises the feeling of sensitivity. Combats the signs of premature ageing.
Skin type: Sensitive and/or delicate skin. Skin affected by pollution (city life, smoke).
To use: Gently rub between hands. Massage onto face. Rinse off with warm water.
150 ml/5.1 fl. oz. MSRP: $28.00

My thoughts:

The first night I used it, I pumped out about 2.5 mL in total (about 2.5 pumps) because I started applying it to the lower half of my face first. I needed extra for my mascara, so I had to pump out about 0.5 mL more to concentrate the product onto my eyes. I could visually see my eyeliner and mascara coming off as I carefully massaged the 'cream' around my eye area. Shockingly, it never stung and I could even keep one eye open as I applied product to the other. The texture is more like a light lotion than a milk as milks are generally more liquid and less viscous -- much like a watery gel. This, however, holds its shape once pumped out, doesn't glide down your face, and doesn't foam or feel too slippery. It didn't have a strong smell and I would say it has a very light fragrance (probably due to the Calendula Extract) -- not an odor, for sure, which didn't really persist after rinsing. Calendula smells kind of like a mixture of cucumber with a hint of floral.

After rinsing, it didn't give me the 'squeaky clean' feel, which, I learned, wasn't necessarily a good thing because it means the product might be stripping your skin of its natural oils and moisture. My skin didn't feel the least bit irritated or dry. Rinsing well still left my hands with an oily residue which was quickly remedied by wiping off, so that wasn't a problem. On the second night I used it, I used about 1.5 mL since I learned to concentrate the product on my eyes first since I normally don't apply foundation to the lower half of my face. That worked out much better. You can find out how much eye makeup was left after my first try below (2nd time around, I got all my mascara off!).

I'll let you know how it works out. Seems like a keeper so far and I haven't broken out yet, so that's a good sign! I bought it at Nordstrom.

Pairing Eyes with MAC Flat Out Fabulous Lipstick

2015-02-28T17:11:00.001-08:00

Happy weekend, everyone! Spring is truly in the air as is evidenced by all the blooming cherry blossoms I see outside my window. I thought I'd stray from my usual 10 minute face and do something more 'kicked up' -- a vibrant lip. It's a bit daunting pairing a bold lip with an eye look that neither becomes invisible nor detracts from the vibrancy of the lips. I think I nailed it with this pairing of a slightly warm, orange-toned eye and bright plum lipstick from MAC's Retro Matte collection. If you're a matte lipstick-lover like moi, you'll definitely want to at least give it a try -- it's not as scary as it looks in the tube!

On the cool side thanks to its blue/purple undertones, it would look good paired alone with an even more scant eye (think winged black gel liner or a barely-there brown eyeliner and mascara). I've also paired it with a cooler grey-smoked out eye in the past and it works equally well. One thing's for sure: you'll definitely get some glances (in a good way!) going around town in this 'look at me' color. Not quite for the faint of heart, but not such a stretch for those wanting to try something a bit more fun and lighthearted while still remaining womanly, Flat Out Fabulous is a lipstick to reach for to pull yourself out of a 'blah' rut.

Eyes

Below crease: Orb
Below crease: Soft Brown
Crease: Coppering
Center of lid: Amber lights
Highlight: Orb
Crease/Highlight diffusion: Soft Brown
Liner: Brown Border + Ground Brown over it
Mascara: MAC Plushlash: Plushblack

Lips

Base: EOS
Liner: Pro Longwear Lip Pencil: More to Love
Lipstick: Flat Out Fabulous
Clean-up: MUFE Full Cover #6

Cheeks

Apples: Salsa Rose

Foundation:

Base: Guerlain Parure de Lumiere: #2 & #3
Concealer: MUFE Full Cover #6
Powder: MAC Mineralize Skin Finish: Medium

earrings: Argento Vivo

glasses: Warby Parker: Baxter TI

Cardigan: Leith

Leggings: Hue; Boots: Clarks Rosepoint Bud

Shibuya, Tokyo - RounGe Nail Salon - Gel Nails

2015-02-26T01:23:00.003-08:00

This was my first visit to Japan and first time getting 'gel nails'. Now, I had heard of gel nails, but was beyond excited to be getting my nails done in the epicenter of the global nail mecca -- Shibuya! This is RounGe nail's flagship location, so to speak and after having my nails done here, no other salon in the U.S. could compare. I loved them so much I seriously considered flying over to New York to vacation (who am I kidding, I'd mainly go for the nails!) just to have my nails done by such skilled nail techs as RounGe's. I ran across their company while perusing another blogger's post on having her nails done here (she was an American transplant living in Japan) and quickly became obsessed with the creativity, 'chicness', and just sheer beauty of their nail designs. Visit their site (you can view it in English) and you'll agree with me when I say that their designs are simply 'to die for'. I can't wait to tell you more about my nails and show you how they came out!

Firstly, RounGe is considered one of the best nail salons in all of Japan, although there area handful (less than a dozen) other well-known companies, I only had the opportunity to visit RounGe near the end of my trip. It was easy enough to make an appointment online after registering for an account. Their system is so advanced, they keep track of your visits, you accrue points much like Starbucks Rewards, a photo of your completed nails is uploaded to your profile after your appointment, and you can even upload a photo of the nails or inspiration you want them to use on you! The location was a bit hard to find, as is most every store/restaurant in Tokyo, and it took me nearly half an hour to walk from the nearest metro station and locate the building -- it's a big no-no to arrive late, so I had to make triply sure I could find them before my appointment. Once inside, I was greeted, offered to have my coat hung up, and asked to wait for my nail tech. After about 5-10 minutes or so, I was escorted inside the narrow salon and sat down at my seat (each 'station' is separated by two black curtains on either side; wall with TV in front, open corridor at back) and offered hot tea or cold water in cute, broken English. Then, the tech showed me the photo I uploaded and asked me if I wanted to make any changes -- my husband had already spoken to the receptionist who explained that due to them being unable to 'plan or discuss' a deviation or different design from the upload, I had no choice. This was totally fine by me since I loved the design anyway. The whole process took about an hour which is quite lengthy if you are prone to antsy-ness, but totally worth the wait! After I was done, I couldn't stop smiling and was deathly afraid of smudging my nails. I was offered a choice between several scented cuticle oils and had my nail close-up. After settling the bill (I did give a tip even though this is not a tradition, culturally), I was thanked and escorted to the elevator by a bowing receptionist. Little did I know, I had nothing to worry about in the smudging department since their gel formula is like a rock. Forreal. These babies didn't even lift at the edges, scratch, or fade for almost 2 months! Without further ado:

French bulldog ring and scarf from H&M; coat from Zara

I'd be in such big trouble if they ever opened up a location on the west coast... After about two months, my nails just grew so long that filing them down just wasn't cutting it and I couldn't stand my nails tapping away at my keyboard, hindering my typing. Just don't ask me how I got these babies off, though -- that's a whole other post for another day.

Hello, again!

2013-01-16T23:49:00.002-08:00

I hope everyone who is still reading my blog is doing very well! It has been a long time since I last posted. What have I been up to all this time? A little bit of this and a little bit of that, but mostly so many things at once that I hardly had time to keep up this blog! I am vowing this year to try and post only what I love, be it makeup or fashion. Hopefully, once I've found a way to post regularly, I'll regain your interest and continue my enjoyment. I've missed you all! Here's a lil' somethin' somethin' I came up with during Halloween that you may like (never too early to find some costume/face paint inspiration!):

I used:

- a ton of MAC engraved eyeliner
- MAC Brown border, Espresso, and Charcoal brown for eyebrows
- MAC Molten Sol glitter liquid eyeliner to enhance whiskers and drawn on lashes
- MAC Salsa rose on cheeks

Look: Amber Eyes

2011-12-04T13:20:00.000-08:00

I hope you all are enjoying the weekend thus far. The weather is beautiful here in Northern California, but somehow, I still feel like staying in bed! Anyhow, here's another look for you all that's very on-trend: orange-hued eyeshadow. I actually wore this look to work yesterday and it proved to definitely be work-safe. Surprisingly wearable, the orange-shadow look can be combined with a stronger lip than I usually wear which makes the entire look rich without being overly done-up.

All colors from MAC Cosmetics unless otherwise noted:

Eyes:

* Below crease – Antiqued

* Crease – Brownscript

* Crease diffusion – Soft Brown + Texture

* Highlight diffusion – Malt + Kid

* Highlight – Orb + Vanilla

* Top liner – Engraved

* Over top liner – Espresso + Carbon

* Bottom liner – Soft Brown + Brown Script + Kid

Cheeks:

* Highlight – Accentuate

* Color – Blushbaby

* Contour – Sculpt

Lips:

* Base – MUFE HD Foundation #120

* Color - Beurre Cremestick Liner

Look: très jolie with MAC Folie

2011-11-16T17:22:00.000-08:00

I'm back! I have been so utterly busy lately, but rather than bore you with the details of work and school, I will just head straight to a new look! I have been wearing lots of 'work safe' looks lately and have been in such a hurry that I don't even have time to snap a few photos before heading out the door. Using MAC Folie in the crease, I've created a subtly smoky eye.

All colors from MAC Cosmetics unless otherwise noted:

Eyes:

* Below crease – Jest

* Crease – Haux

* Crease & outer V – Folie

* Crease diffusion – Malt

* Highlight – Vanilla

* Top liner – Brown border

* Over top liner – Sketch

Cheeks:

* Highlight – Accentuate

* Color – Flirt 'N Tease

* Contour – Sculpt

Lips:

* Base – Little VI

* Color - Crème d' Nude

Flash Sale: Free UK and International Shipping at Illamasqua!

2011-10-25T22:54:00.000-07:00

Use code: UKFREE for UK orders or INTERNATIONAL45 for international orders over £45. Check out their false eyelashes sale while you're at it -- they're all 20% off! Save even more by registering to receive 15% off on your birthday and 10% off your third order via their loyalty program. Whew, that's a lot of savings!

Promo codes end at 11:59 P.M. GMT Sunday, 30th October 2011, and applies to one transaction only.

Look: MAC Pro Bottle Green Eyeshadow

2011-10-23T14:02:00.000-07:00

I hope everyone's making good use of their last day of rest before the new work/school week begins! I just purchased a new green eyeshadow and have been itching for an opportunity to try it out. MAC Bottle Green is a Pro color. Its texture is much like their permanent color, Plumage, and has similar pigmentation. It is not quite as smooth when applied as I would've liked, but more comments on that in a later review. I'd describe it as a teal-ed forest green. This color reminds me of "pine green" (perhaps there is a colored pencil somewhere with that same name).

All colors from MAC Cosmetics unless otherwise noted:

Eyes:

* Inner third – Inglot #414

* Outer 2/3, crease, & outer V – Bottle Green

* Above crease – Bottle Green

* Tear Duct– Inglot #418

* Crease diffusion – Vex

* Highlight – Vex + Blanc Type

* Top liner – Black black

* Bottom liner – Engraved + Bottle Green + Inglot #414

Cheeks:

* Highlight – Accentuate

* Color – Cantaloupe + Joyous

* Contour – Sculpt

Lips:

* Base – MUFE HD Foundation #120

* Color - MUFE Rouge Artiste Intense Mat2

Flash Sale: Sephora Friends and Family 20% off Promo

2011-10-21T15:45:00.000-07:00

Happy Friday, everyone! I wish you all a fun-filled or relaxing weekend (whichever you are more in need of) and happy shopping courtesy of Sephora! Enter your email (be sure to read the fine print at the bottom of the promo page) to receive a unique promo code via email which can be used on an online purchase!

Click on the link below to sign up for 20% (until 11/2/2011)!

Wow or WTF? -- Black Light Makeup by MUFE

2011-10-19T16:14:00.000-07:00

I just happened to be browsing MUFE's newly added products on Sephora.com and came across this special $31 pigment that is

A transparent, universal powder that is only visible under UV light.

Have you guys ever tried on special effects makeup? Is this a Halloween gimmick or something that you could possibly wear to places with black lights like concerts? Are you all dressing up for Halloween? I am thinking of passing out candy as a black cat.

Newsworthy: "What Does Your Makeup Say About You?" -- YahooShine

2011-10-19T01:35:00.000-07:00

Just stumbled upon this interesting article on YahooShine. It 'tickled' me and although I don't agree that you can judge anyone by their makeup (everyone changes their mood and mind so often, how can you pinpoint a specific type of personality based on what we put on our face?). Nonetheless, it was worth a read. What do you think? Do these traits strike a chord with you?

Matte Attack -- Brown Edition

2011-10-18T00:17:00.000-07:00

Hello, all! I hope everyone is starting their week off well. I do apologize for being MIA! I have been mighty busy, but instead of boring you with any details, I will set up the new look I've done. For this look, I've used only matte eyeshadows (yep, no shimmer here) and in varying hues of brown as is being brought back by the very sophisticated Duchess of Cambridge, HRH Catherine! She has been sporting this hue way back when it was her wedding day and I recently spotted Jessica Alba post-baby wearing a brown-eyeshadow look on the red carpet.

All colors from MAC Cosmetics unless otherwise noted:

Eyes:

* Entire lid from above crease – Kid

* Above crease – Wedge

* Crease – Charcoal Brown

* Outer V– Espresso

* Crease diffusion – Malt

* Highlight – Malt

* Top liner – Black black

* Bottom liner – Kid (outer 2/3 only) (+ Espresso along outer third)

Cheeks:

* Highlight – Accentuate

* Color – Cantaloupe

* Contour – Sculpt

Lips:

* Base – MUFE HD Foundation #120

* Color - Cherish

* Color - Clear Gloss

Smart Beauty: Sephora's Big Beauty Sale

2011-10-07T14:00:00.000-07:00

Have you guys checked out Sephora's Beauty Sale lately? Selected products from brands like Bare Escentuals, Stila, Temptu, and Josie Maran Beauty are all on sale. Save even more by signing up for Ebates and receiving an extra 8% in cash back!

Newsworthy: Allure Best of Beauty

2011-10-06T00:41:00.000-07:00

Finally, a product I can stand behind! Makeup For Ever's HD Invisible Cover Foundation is in Allure's Best of Beauty picks. I use it on myself and on all of my clients! Simply put, it gives the look of flawlessness to the skin that I've yet to recreate with any other product. It's definitely worth a try if you're looking for sheer, medium, or even full coverage.

Look: MAC Mythical & Folie

2011-10-04T01:45:00.000-07:00

Let's transition into fall with a look using a permanent brown eyeshadow and a limited edition shimmering, pinky mauve color by MAC, shall we?

All colors from MAC Cosmetics unless otherwise noted:

Eyes:

* Inner third – Star Violet

* Middle of lid – Mythical

* Outer third – Cranberry

* Crease and Outer V– Folie

* Crease diffusion – Malt

* Highlight – Malt + Vanilla

* Top liner – Brown border (+ Espresso & Carbon layered over it)

* Bottom liner – Brown border (outer 2/3 only) (+ Mythical along inner 2/3) (+ Folie along outer third

Cheeks:

* Highlight – Accentuate

* Color – Raizin + Flirt 'N Tease

* Contour – Sculpt

Lips:

* Base – Creme d' Nude

* Color - Lightly Ripe

Look: Pink and Copper(ing)

2011-10-01T12:39:00.000-07:00

Happy weekend everyone! I've done a new look for you all to check out, so I'll keep its introduction short and sweet.

All colors from MAC Cosmetics unless otherwise noted:

Eyes:

* As a base allover – Rubenesque

* Middle of lid – Paradisco

* Inner third – Da Bling

* Outer third – Expensive Pink

* Crease and Outer V– Coppering

* Above crease– Da Bling

* Middle of lid – Blue Brown

* Highlight – Hush + Vanilla

* Top liner – Black black

* Tear duct – Nylon + Dazzlelight

Cheeks:

* Highlight – Accentuate

* Color – Joyous

* Contour – Sculpt

Lips:

* Base – Cult Fave + Pink Lemonade (patted off with tissue)

* Color - Creme d'Nude

Review: Shea Moisture Organic Yucca & Baobab Thickening Shampoo w/ Biotin & Bamboo Extract

2011-09-29T13:56:00.000-07:00

If you're like me and have ridiculously thin hair that lacks in volume, you're always on the hunt for 'volumizing' shampoo! I've struggled with sticking to brands that are good for my skin and do the job of washing out excess oil in my hair, but I am compromising no more. I think I've finally settled on a brand and shampoo that does everything I want it to. It makes my hair feel soft after blow drying, doesn't overly dry it out like other organic shampoos do, and sufficiently de-greases my hair. It's available online at Target and perhaps at your local Target store. It sells for $9.99 before tax and shipping for a 12 oz. bottle.

	Score out of 10	Reason
Formula	10	A little goes a long way; non-drying; softens the cuticle
Durability	10	Hair remains manageable throughout the day;
Wearability	10	Excellent for fine/thin hair; would probably work on other hair types
Affordability	8	Wish it were less expensive per bottle, but using a dime-sized amount will extend its number of uses
Safety	9	EWG rating of 1 (based on my own preliminary report)
		Overall 94% or A

Beauty U -- Are you Warm? or Cool?

2011-09-27T23:58:00.000-07:00

Have you ever wondered what all the fuss was about when people mention the words 'warm' and 'cool' during makeup talk? It can be extremely helpful and time-saving to know which tone family you belong to, so you can get used to zoning in on the colors that you know will probably look best against your skin! I am a warm myself, but I've never found a straight-forward, easy way to determine this until now. I stumbled upon this chart on Three Custom Color's website:

Newsworthy: Allure's Best of Beauty Hall of Fame

2011-09-27T16:06:00.000-07:00

Have you all seen this article on Yahoo.com yet? It features 10 of Allure's Best of Beauty Hall of Fame products ranging from skincare to mascara. These products have won the most awards in the beauty industry. Here's my take on their top 10:

#10: OPI Nail Lacquer: I'm Not Really a Waitress

- I caved and purchased this shade a few years ago and have only worn it a maximum of two times. Once when I first tried it on my nails and during the holidays one year to make myself feel more festive. I don't really think it's ultra-flattering or a 'must-have' color. I have definitely seen more 'red' reds or vampy, sophisticated reds that are on the darker side which were much more flattering on my skin tone.

#9: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Anti-Wrinkle Cream SPF 15

- Another one of those products you really want to like, but you just can't. It's got more than 3 parabens and butylene glycol, but it's also got retinol and a form of vitamin E. I think they can do better than that.

#8: Clinique 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-off Formula

- I have combination skin that's oily in the T-zone and this scrub cream sufficiently diminished oiliness after a day or two of use, but it is somewhat drying which caused me to break out!

#7: Cetaphil Gentle Skin Cleanser

- I've never used it, but doing a quick search, I am not planning on ever trying it. Why, you ask? Its first ingredient is water -- you shouldn't pay big bucks for a product that's mostly made up of water. It's also got propylene glycol, sodium laurel sulfate, stearyl alcohol (probably so it dries out eventually and doesn't leave your skin feeling greasy), and three forms of parabens. Those are all of the worst offenders -- all in one! Unbelievably misleading since its description/slogan is "As gentle as it gets."

#6: Tweezerman Slant Tweezer

- I could never justify paying more than $10 for a pair of tweezers. I've been using my cheap-o tweezers for over 5 years and they work just fine! I don't think it's the tweezers' ability so much as who is using them...? :)

#5: John Frieda Frizz-Ease Hair Serum Original Formula

- Although I've never suffered the woes of having frizzy hair, I did actually try this after one of my friends bought it back in high school. It felt like it was mostly made up of silicone and made your hair look like it was wet. Needless to say, it didn't work for her and she never bought it again.

#4: Clinque Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

- Having used up two entire bottles of this stuff, I know it well! I used to use this religiously before applying makeup, but have since switched to something less expensive. I don't feel like it drastically moisturized my skin to the point where it looked dewy and refreshed, but it didn't hurt it either. It's a 'meh' product in my opinion. In retrospect, I could've used the $50 (more or less) to buy so much makeup!

#3: Lancôme Définicils High Definition Mascara

- Once again, another Hall of Famer that isn't so nice on your wallet. To make matters worse, mascara is one of those things I use even when I'm doing a 'natural' look or a five-minute face, so I run out quickly! I can't imagine having to shell out $20 or so for a tube of this -- the formula isn't so special that you won't be able to find a good alternative. Its secret, though, is its slender wand-tip. Did you know that a broad wand-tip doesn't necessarily translate to thicker lashes? The best way to achieve defined, thick lashes is a medium to slender wand-tip!

#2: Maybelline New York Great Lash Mascara

- I purchased this mascara way back when I first started to wear makeup and only had access to drugstores (boy, times have really changed since!). Everyone claims it's the 'best' mascara ever and that you shouldn't waste your money on buying 'expensive' mascara, but what's up with Hall of Famer #3 then? I find this formula disappointing in that building up volume on your lashes isn't really possible since each coat is so thin. However, it was fast-drying in the tube which isn't so helpful.

#1: Chanel No. 5

- Although I have never even gotten a whiff of this infamous scent, I have pretty much stopped wearing fragrances altogether. Once in a while, I will be careful and try to aim the spritzes onto my clothes, but if you want to know why I've quit perfume, read my post on "Buying Green Products!"

All in all, I think it was an informative article because it gave me an excuse to do my own research and investigate for myself! Perhaps the reason why these products are such great sellers is because of articles like these that make you feel like going out and giving them a try. Well, now that I've done all this research, I feel a whole lot better about the money I'll be keeping safely in my pocket! :)

Look: MAC Blue Brown Pigment

2011-09-26T01:37:00.000-07:00

I hope you all had a fantastic weekend! Although I'm sad it's coming to an end, I hope this upcoming week comes with warmer weather -- it's been so gloomy outside lately. I think that's why my looks have featured a lot of greys and blues lately. Anyhow, this next look features a permanent MAC pigment which I never thought to really incorporate into a look until now. For this look, I used a variety of duo-tone products and MAC pigment in Blue Brown.

All colors from MAC Cosmetics unless otherwise noted:

Eyes:

* As a base in and underneath the crease – Black black

* In and below crease – Contrast

* Above crease – Club

* Above Club – Era

* Middle of lid – Blue Brown

* Highlight – Malt

* Lower lash line – Black black + Contrast + Club

* Top liner and bottom liner – Engraved

Cheeks:

* Highlight – Accentuate

* Color – Strada

* Contour – Sculpt

Lips:

* Base – MUFE HD Foundation #120

* Color - Cherish

Review: Shea Moisture Organic Raw Shea Chamomile & Argan Oil Baby Healing Lotion

2011-09-24T01:15:00.000-07:00

I think this product wins the prize for "longest name ever," but all jokes aside, I am so happy to be able to introduce my new favorite body lotion to you all! I wore this today and the receptionist I came across today complimented me on how good it smelled! I have run across this brand many times, but have only recently picked it up to inspect its ingredients. I was so excited to find something I could slather on liberally without being afraid of what I could be doing to my skin. I have officially fallen in love and am disappointed I didn't buy more when they were on sale. Anyhow, I hope you guys check this brand out at your local Target store. If you're like me, you'll have to resist the urge to try everything in their line!

This body lotion is so thick yet is absorbed so quickly into my skin, I'm afraid I'll use it up too quickly! It does wonders for my elbows and legs for those days when I'm sporting shorts or a skirt. The scent may be a hit or miss for some of you, so I encourage you to take a whiff before buying. I find it to be slightly floral with a hint of baby powder-ness. The formula is so hydrating and locks in moisture so well that even after showering, I can tell it's still trying to seal in moisture from when I put it on the day before!

	Score out of 10	Reason
Formula	10	Quickly and easily absorbed
Durability	10	Moisturizes your skin all day and more!
Wearability	10	Good for dry skin, excellent for chapped skin
Affordability	7	I wish it were less expensive, but I'll splurge on a safe product I'll be using liberally everywhere
Safety	10	EWG rating of 1 (based on my own preliminary report)
	Overall	94% or A

Look: Mixed Metals for Fall 2011

2011-09-22T03:20:00.000-07:00

A big trend this F/W 2011 per many runway shows is mixed metals and gold eyeliner in particular. I've done this look which, I think, is very wearable and is a softer look from some of the more dramatically dark looks this season. It features a shimmering grey Inglot eyeshadow and a gold liquid eyeliner by MAC.

All colors from MAC Cosmetics unless otherwise noted:

Eyes:

* All-over in and below crease – Inglot #501

* Crease – Copperplate

* Above crease – Kid

* Highlight – Vex

* Lower lash line – All That Glitters + Nylon

* Top liner – Engraved along waterline only + Molten Sol

* Bottom liner – Sephora Nano Eyeliner in Silver Green (#11)

Cheeks:

* Highlight – Accentuate

* Color – Peaches + Margin

* Contour – Sculpt

Lips:

* Base – MUFE HD Foundation #120

* Color - Dressmaker Dressmaker + Fanfare (along "pout" only)

Review: Trader Joe's Spa - 100% Pure Jojoba Oil

2011-09-21T23:56:00.000-07:00

Hi all, today I'm reviewing a product that I think everyone should try at least once. If it works for you, you won't let it go, but if it doesn't, no harm done. Literally. I originally used a different brand of 100% jojoba oil, but in lieu of paying for shipping to purchase it online, I've decided to use the Trader Joe's version so I can buy it locally. My skin is combination with oiliness in the T-zone and for years, I've struggled to find a good moisturizer for my skin when it dries out (especially during the winter) and for prepping my skin before I put on makeup. It's got so many other uses, too!

	Score out of 10	Reason
Formula	10	Quickly and easily absorbed
Durability	10	Moisturizes your skin all day
Wearability	10	It's colorless, so you won't be able to see it once it's applied to the skin
Affordability	7	So little is used at a time that it'll take you forever to finish the entire bottle
Safety	10	EWG rating of 0 given the single ingredient
	Overall	94% or A

Try it for damaged-hair repair, removing makeup, and on your cuticles!

Nail File: OPI Black Cherry Chutney

2011-09-20T01:11:00.000-07:00

Fall is but a couple of days away, but I couldn't wait to wear this new nail shade I just got! It is Black Cherry Chutney (the name alone makes me crave for Indian food!) by OPI. It is super flattering and made my hands look so elegant. I'd describe it as a vampy mix between deep scarlet red and a very dark purple with multicolor shimmer. You've got to really see it in these photos to get a better idea of how pretty it is! The formula was excellent -- I was able to apply multiple coats and it lasted two days before the first chip appeared (through no fault of the polish itself, but through my own habits).