eye adore pretty

MAC ChenMan Love & Water Collection: Haul & Swatches

2012-02-28T23:45:00.001-06:00

i promised myself that i wasn't going to buy from anymore MAC collections for a while. BUT there were a few bright lipsticks that i missed out on (Naughty Saute, Quick Sizzle & Party Parrot...~~i'm not bitter though~~). so when i saw the lipsticks and lip glasses from this collection i was determined not to miss out.

here's my small MAC ChenMan haul...

the collection feature some new product and of course some items that are permanent to MAC's line. i picked up both lipsticks and their matching glosses:

♥ Force of Love Lipstick - vivid honeysuckle pink (matte finish)

♥ Force of Love Lip Glass - vivid honeysuckle pink

♥ Budding Love Lipstick - pale lavender (lustre finish)

♥ Budding Love Lip Glass - pale lavender

Force of Love (clockwise from top right): FoL lipstick alone, FoL lip glass alone, FoL lipstick & gloss layered)

Budding Love (clockwise from top right): BL lipstick alone, BL lip glass alone, BL lipstick & gloss layered

MAC lipsticks and lip glasses retail for $14.50. the MAC ChenMan Love & Water Collection is available now online through MAC Cosmetics (it looks like Force of Love has already sold out) and will be available at MAC stores and counters on March 1st.

will you be purchasing anything from this collection?

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer Makes Its Debut: Review & Swatches

2012-02-26T13:59:00.001-06:00

Your skin - almost bare, but better. This advanced, oil-free formula provides a translucent veil of color and sun protection while helping to reduce the appearance of hyper pigmentation and dark spots in just four weeks.

a month ago while walking through the cosmetics department at Nordstrom, the NARS counter was previewing the new Tinted Moisturizer, so i stopped and picked up a sample.

it was crazy busy that Saturday at the counter and i was in a hurry because we were on our way to the movies. the MUA at the counter color-matched me and gave me a sample of Martinique. which in the bright, lights of the department store looked like a pretty decent match in the container. until i got it home...

let me start by saying that i never have a hard time being matched for foundation. i'm a true NC44/45 depending on the season ~~(i know, i know nearly every WOC claims NC45)~~. i wear Cadiz in both NARS Sheer Matte & Sheer Glow foundation, which i told the MUA that day. armed with that info i just assumed it would be easier for her to give me the equivalent in the tinted moisturizer. boy, was i wrong. i got home and this is what was in my sample container...

NARS Tinted Moisturizer in Martinique

i knew just by looking at it that it wasn't going to work, but i gave it a shot anyway because at the very least i could test and evaluate the formula to see if i liked it and get properly matched at a later date.

let me start by saying that i love that NARS is offering consumers a tinted moisturizer that comes in a whopping 9 shades (let's face it most tinted moisturizers don't cater to deeper skin tones); but it seems the deeper the shade the more orange/red the shades are, which doesn't work well for a lot of WOC, we end up looking like Oompa Loompas. it is beyond frustrating that so many brands think that by adding more orange/red to a foundation it makes it WOC-friendly, especially from a brand like NARS that has a long tradition of doing right by women of color.

here's a comparison of what i normally wear in NARS foundations vs. NARS Tinted Moisturizer in Martinique...

top to bottom: Tinted Moisturizer in Martinique, Sheer Glow in Cadiz & Sheer Matte in Cadiz

aside from the difficulty in getting the right shade for my skin tone, i really do like the formula. it's oil-free, which is always a plus for those with combination and oily skin. i like the finish, it gives a glow, but doesn't make you look like a grease ball. it's a very natural finish that looks like your skin, but better. the formula is lightweight, but gives you medium coverage, which is good because if you do need to camouflage skin issues you can definitely do that with this tinted moisturizer.

although NARS makes claims that Pure Radiant will reduce the appearance of hyper pigmentation and dark spots over a period of 4 weeks, i haven't been using my sample consistently enough to notice a difference. i've worn it off & on over the last month, but not on a daily basis (mainly because the shade Martinique takes a lot of work to get rid of the Oompa Loompa effect).

that being said, i really am hoping that i can find the right match for my skin tone because i really like the formula. i could see it replacing my Laura Mercier Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer this summer. it's. just. that. good.

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer retails for $42 and is available online through NARS. currently Nordstrom has the exclusive on sales of the tinted moisturizer, but it will be available at NARS counters in other department stores in March.

Disclaimer: this post/review contains an affiliate link (NARS), which gives us commission when you click the link and make a purchase.

MAC Viva Glam Ricky: Review & Swatches

2012-02-25T22:01:00.003-06:00

one thing i made sure to pick up when it was released was the Viva Glam Ricky Martin Lip Conditioner. i make it a point to purchase the Viva Glam products whenever they are released. the Viva Glam campaigns are an easy way for any makeup lover to support the MAC Aids Fund and it's a great opportunity to shop with a purpose! the Viva Glam Ricky Martin Lip Conditioner retails for $15.00 and all proceeds go to support the MAC Aids Fund.

the other day while running errands Mr. Pretty asked me for some lip balm and i handed him my Viva Glam Ricky...you should have seen the look on his face!

Mr. Pretty: "babe, i asked for lip balm, not lip gloss"

Me: "it's not gloss, it has no color. trust me."

Mr. Pretty: *applies lip conditioner & takes a look at the tube* "oh is this the Ricky Martin stuff you were talking about? yeah, i like this, you're gonna need to get me one of these"

Me: "i thought so..."

Viva Glam Ricky is a first for the Viva Glam campaigns. this limited edition Lip Conditioner has no tint and does a great job keeping lips soft and hydrated with very little shine, so it's the perfect product for men or women.

MAC Viva Glam Ricky Lip Conditioner

Viva Glam products are available for 1 year at MAC stores and counters.

Beauty on a Budget: Wet n Wild Color Icon Bronzers

2012-02-24T11:28:00.000-06:00

Wet n Wild Color Icon Bronzers

i'm constantly trying out new bronzers. they are a part of my beauty routine in the winter, spring, summer & fall. i like the added ooomf that bronzers add to my complexion, especially during the winter months, when my tan has pulled a disappearing act.

just in time for summer, Wet n Wild has redesigned their bronzers and i couldn't wait to get my hands on them!

the new bronzers are huge! you get more than your money's worth with these babies. they are available in three shades:

♥ Reserve Your Cabana (#743A)

♥ Bikini Contest (#740)

♥ Ticket To Brazil (#739)

each of these bronzers have a great texture and the color pay-off is great. a little definitely goes a long way with these, so use a light hand. in the pan they look like very shimmery, but i was pleasantly surprised that there wasn't a lot of shimmer when you apply them, they apply with a sheen that looks a lot more natural.

Reserve Your Cabana

Reserve Your Cabana is a champagne color and it's really more of a highlight than a bronzer. i don't see this working as a bronzer on even the fairest of beauties; but if you're looking for an affordable highlight, this will definitely work.

Bikini Contest

Bikini Contest is a medium/deep bronzer with a hint of shimmer. i like this one because the shimmer isn't too overpowering and it doesn't change my color too much, it doesn't make me look like an Oompa Loompa, but it does add warmth and a subtle glow.

Ticket to Brazil

Ticket To Brazil is the deepest of the three bronzers and pulls very orange/red on me. this one would probably work best for me as a blush. but on deeper skin tones, it would look more natural!

Wet n Wild Color Icon Bronzers retail for $3.99 and are available at Walgreens.

have you tried the new Wet n Wild Color Icon Bronzers? what did you think?

Bobbi Brown Rose Gold Collection Shimmer Bricks: Review & Swatches

2012-02-22T10:31:00.001-06:00

Inspired by her treasured rose-gold wedding band, Bobbi's spring collection instantly enhances with an alluring combination of rosy, gold-flecked accents and dramatic definition.

i have a love/hate relationship with Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks. why? the name says it all: there's obvious shimmer in them. which tends not to be a good combination with my oily skin. but i adore the glow it gives when i use a light hand, so i have to be extremely careful when using them. i also love any product that multi-tasks and the fact that you can also use these as eyeshadow is great when you're not in the mood to put a lot of thought into your makeup.

on a whim i picked up Rose Gold & Wild Rose Shimmer Bricks from the Rose Gold collection.Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks always get compared to MAC's Mineralize Skin Finishes and these two remind me a lot of MAC's Redhead MSF and Blonde MSF.
what i always like about Shimmer Bricks is that despite having tons of shimmer they apply so smoothly. i own several Shimmer Bricks and the texture is always consistent: no chunkiness of glitter, no fall-out. which makes them so much easier to control, a huge plus for someone with large pores & oily skin because overdoing it can only draw attention to your pores. both of these will get a lot of use as highlights this spring & summer or i'll layer them with other matte blushes.

Wild Rose is the warmer, deeper, pinker of the Shimmer Bricks in this collection; while Rose Gold is the more champagne-colored of the two.

i road tested Wild Rose last week and got a full 7 hours wear out of it without the color fading. impressive, right?

check out swatches below...

Wild Rose Shimmer Brick

Wild Rose Shimmer Brick - each individual shade

Wild Rose Shimmer Brick - all five shades blended together

Rose Gold Shimmer Brick

Rose Gold Shimmer Brick - each individual shade

Rose Gold Shimmer Brick - all five shades blended together

left to right: Wild Rose & Rose Gold

Wild Rose & Rose Gold Shimmer Bricks retail for $39 and are available online and at Bobbi Brown counters.

have you tried Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks? have you checked out the Bobbi Brown's Rose Gold Collection?

Stila Love At First Blush Palette: Review & Swatches

2012-02-15T00:35:00.002-06:00

i remember last year when Stila came out with a special blush palette for Valentine's Day, it sold so well it was hard to get your hand on it. this year i refused to have to search for it. so, as soon as it became available on the Stila website i placed my order.

Embossed with endearing hearts in three ultra-wearable shades of pink, this microfine powder has a velvety, luxurious finish with subtle pearl shimmer for a natural looking blush.

with the Love At First Blush palette you get: a pale pink highlight with shimmer/glitter, a neutral matte pink in the middle, and a deeper pink with shimmer at the bottom.

Love At First Blush left to right: each section individually (top, middle & bottom) & all colors blended together

i really like this palette. the shades of pink that were chosen for this palette are shades that will look nice on a wide range of skin tones, the texture of the powders are really smooth, and the shimmer of the top pink and the bottom pink is really fine and not overwhelmingly shimmery. the three pinks blend together like a dream and leave you with a nice healthy flush to the cheeks. you can build the intensity of the blush depending on how much of the middle or bottom pink that you pick up on your brush.

this is totally an impulse kind of purchase; by no means is it "must-have", but i'm a sucker for cutesy packaging and design. the Stila Love At First Blush palette retails for $14 and is still available for purchase on the Stila website; there's also a set available through Sephora that includes 2 Stila Lip Glazes that retails for $20.

Fergalicious! Fergie Signs With Wet n Wild

2012-02-14T17:19:00.001-06:00

photo credit: Wet n Wild Beauty

i stumbled upon this tid-bit earlier this week and though i'm surprised because Wet n Wild has never had a celebrity face, i'm also happy because it means Wet n Wild as a brand is getting bigger.

Together, Wet n Wild and Fergie will kick off a multi-year worldwide campaign that empowers women to approach beauty in a fearless, hip yet economically-savvy way. In addition to promoting Wet n Wild products via promotional materials, planograms and events which will feature Fergie, the brand will introduce Fergie signature lines by Wet n Wild, exclusive collections that will be a reflection of the singer's rock star glam style.

there is no doubt that Wet n Wild has become a favorite drugstore brand among makeup lovers and i'm actually excited and intrigued by this partnership. hopefully, it will mean more great products coming from Wet n Wild in the near future.

what do you think of this partnership?

My Life: Happy Valentine's Day Mr. Pretty

2012-02-14T14:22:00.001-06:00

i'm a very private person. i don't talk too much about my private life on here. and let's be honest, you come here for the makeup. but i wanted to take some time out to wish Mr. Pretty a Happy Valentine's Day.

i met Mr. Pretty nearly 22 years ago (~~my God that makes us sound so old...lol)~~. since then he's played a huge part in my life. he was my first boyfriend, has been my best friend ~~(i'd even run to him for guy advice after we broke up in high school)~~, my confidante, my biggest cheerleader, my therapist, and the source of so many laughs throughout the years. it's rare that you find someone that you can completely be yourself around, no judgement...just acceptance. i was blessed to find that in him.

we have helped each other get through challenges and struggles (both as individuals and as a couple) that, at times, almost seemed too much to bear. but, as difficult as those moments have been, it has made us better people, it has made our marriage that much stronger and it has made me realize that there is no other person that i'd want to walk this journey with.

i just wanted to take some time out on this day, to acknowledge the man in my life. happy valentine's day, babe! love you...

Get The Look! Chrissy Teigen on the Grammy Red Carpet

2012-02-13T22:22:00.000-06:00

i have a confession to make. i adore Chrissy Teigen. i've followed her on twitter for the longest. not only is she drop-dead gorgeous, but she's funny, she's real, she cooks ~~(and not the kind of food you think a swimsuit model would eat)~~, she's intelligent and did i mention she's hilarious.

The Sports Illustrated model and soon to be Mrs. John Legend, shined at the Grammy's with her radiant glowing skin and effortless smokey eyes. Her makeup artist, Amy Hollier, has a step-by-step breakdown of how to recreate this look.

i'm not big on over the top Valentine's Day makeup. everyone wears pink or red lipstick, i think a nude lip is sexy + your boo will thank you when you kiss him because all your lipstick won't end up on him.

Chrissy's look is ethereal and subtle sexy. It's a look you can easily recreate and wear all year round.

here's how you can get the look:
It's In the Eyes:

Prime the eye area w/ Laura Mercier Eye Basics in "Wheat". The softly blend Chanel Illusion D'ombre eyeshadow in "Illusoire" over the lids with your finger.
To create Chrissy's shimmery grey smokey eye, use the two darkest shades from Chanel's Quadra Eyeshadow Palette "Enigma" on the lids. Use the lightest color in the palette to highlight the brow bone and inner corners of the eyes.
Follow up with Diorshow Waterproof black mascara.
Finish the eyes by painting a thin line along the lash line with Make Up For Ever's Aqua Eyes liner in black. Under the lower lashes smudge in Chanel's Long Lasting Eyeliner in "Marine"

Grammy Glow:

Prime the skin with MAC Strobe Liquid Lotion followed by Dior's Forever Foundation for flawless coverage.
To brighten the eyes, use Lancome Effacernes Undereye Concealer. Finish the skin with a light dusting of Laura Mercier's translucent setting powder.
To add some color, swirl Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in "Amused" and "Flush" to the apples of the cheeks. Highlight all the high points on the face with LORAC TANtalizer Baked Bronzer.
Lastly to give those gams a golden glow, apply LORAC TANtalizer Body Bronzing Luminizer.

For the Lips: Simply add a touch of Dior Addict Ultra-Gloss in Negligee Pink 256.

MAC Shop MAC, Cook MAC: Haul & Swatches - Part II

2012-02-13T20:18:00.003-06:00

i'm back with Part II of my Shop MAC, Cook MAC haul (feel free to check out Part I of my haul). i decided to go back a few more items from the collection. things that weren't too similar to things i already have in ever-expanding stash.

here's what i picked up in my second mini-haul...

♥ Cremeblend Blush in Restores Dazzle! - rich plum
♥ Fluidline in Midnight Snack- soft black

♥ Fluidline in Added Goodness - blackened mauve

♥ Shop & Drop Quad - includes: a light pink, an frosted greyed mauve, a violet & a deep blue

Cremeblend Blush in Restores Dazzle!

left to right: Midnight Snack & Added Goodness

Shop & Drop Quad swatched left to right: Sugar Snack, Hypnotizing, Power Boosted & Shop & Drop

i am a wee bit disappointed that i wasn't able to get my hands on Naughty Saute and Quick Sizzle lipsticks. i hesitated in buying them because i have so many bright lipsticks, but when i saw them in person i reeeeeeeealllllly wanted them, but they were already sold out and they're sold out online. according to the website, it looks like they may be restocking them, i guess if it's meant to be i'll catch them when they re-stock. if not, i've got plenty of bright & bold lipsticks to last me a while, right?

what did you pick up from the collection? did you miss out on anything you wanted?

MAC Shop MAC, Cook MAC: Haul & Swatches - Part I

2012-02-10T09:13:00.003-06:00

yesterday MAC officially released the Shop MAC, Cook MAC Collection in stores and at counters.

Try and Buy a delicious, delivery, delectable, divine, degorgeous, de-with-it, degroovy assortment of Eye Shadow x 4 in wearable brights perfect for Spring. Treat yourself to Lipstick in heavenly hues, mouthwateringly Kissable Lipcolour and Cremeblend Blush. This Spring, shop 'til you drop with a tongue-in-cheek collection that elevates the everyday into the extraordinary. Whether it's detergent or diamonds, produce or Prada, everyone loves to shop, shop, shop!

i did a small haul late last week for the items i most wanted (and that i though might sell out the quickest) when the collection went up on the MAC Pro website.

i purchased 4 items from the Shop MAC part of the collection with my online mini-haul:

♥ Colour Added Quad - includes: a light yellow, a bright yellow, a muted turquoise & a deep grey

♥ Call Me Bubbles Quad - includes: a light tan, an orange, a coral & a frosty reddish copper

♥ Runaway Red Lipstick - rich red-blue (satin finish)

♥ Watch Me Simmer - bright pink-orange (amplified finish)

i haven't had much opportunity to play with what i bought, but i will say that these quads are much better quality than what MAC has been putting out lately. they swatched with ease and with great color pay-off.

i'll post the rest of my haul from Shop MAC, Cook MAC over the weekend, so check back for that post.

for now i'll leave you with swatches...

left to right: Runaway Red, Colour Added Quad, Call Me Bubbles Quad & Watch Me Simmer

Colour Added Quad swatched left to right: Laundry Daze, Colour Added, Pre-Packaged & Self-Serve

Call Me Bubbles Quad swatched left to right: Call Me Bubbles, Fresh Daisy, Full of Flavour & Brash

left to right: Runaway Red & Watch Me Simmer

My Life: What's In My Makeup Bag

2012-02-08T14:10:00.000-06:00

not long ago on Instagram i was tagged by the lovely Erin to do the "What's In My Makeup Bag" tag. i though i'd share it with you guys, so you can take a peek at what i normally carry with me on a day-to-day basis. i get asked this more than you think. usually by friends & family because they assume that because i'm a makeup lover i carry my entire face in my handbag on a daily basis. which couldn't be further from the truth as you can see from the picture.

my gold makeup bag is one of my favorites! i got it as part of one of the LORAC sets from Ulta last summer. LORAC always has the cutest makeup bags in their gift sets.

anyway, this was what was in my makeup bag a week ago:

♥ eos Lip Balm in Lemon Drop

♥ Burt's Bees Lemon Butter Cuticle Cream

♥ Burt's Bees Honey Lip Balm

♥ Clear Goodie Hair Tie

♥ Make Up For Ever HD Kabuki Brush - love this short handle kabuki for buffing in powder on-the-go

♥ Urban Decay De-Slick Mattifying Powder - this stuff works wonders when my face gets oily

♥ Becca Cosmetics Fine Pressed Powder in Cardamon

♥ L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Continuos Cocoa

♥ NYX Lip Liners in Hot Red & Ever

♥ CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick in Sweetheart (#390)

♥ Revlon Lip Butter in Sugar Plum - i've been trying to see what everyone else seems to love about these --- so far no dice

♥ Kate Moss for Rimmel London Lipstick in #08

♥ Maybelline Illegal Length Fiber Extensions Mascara - i'm guilty of leaving the house w/out mascara, so i've learned to carry one with me just in case

♥ Contact Lens Case

♥ Pepper Spray - a girl can never be too careful & Mr. Pretty feels more at ease if i have it on me

Beauty on a Budget: Milani Illuminating Face Powders

2012-02-07T23:09:00.000-06:00

i don't know what it is, but i have become obsessed with illuminating & highlighting powders lately. i don't always contour my face, but highlighting is always a part of my beauty routine. i love a healthy glow!

Milani has been a drugstore brand that has really stepped their game up and gotten my attention over the last year and i'm a huge fan of their Baked Blushes. so when i saw that Milani added 3 illuminating powder to their line, i was all in. Milani describes them as...

An ultra-smooth blush, bronzer and/or highlighter gives skin a hint of color with a lit-from-within radiant healthy glow. It is suitable for all skin types and tones.

the Milani Illuminating Face Powders are available in 3 shades:

♥ Amber Nectar

♥ Hermosa Rose

♥ Beauty's Touch

these powders have a great texture to them. they aren't shimmery at all, but there's a sheen that really gives a nice "glow". they blend out well and are build able, so you can really tailor your use of these however you like.

Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Amber Nectar

Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Hermosa Rose

Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Beauty's Touch

there isn't much difference between Amber Nectar & Hermosa Rose. Amber Nectar is in my opinion more suitable for those with cooler undertones and Hermosa Rose more suitable for those with warmer undertones. you don't necessarily need both. Beauty's Touch is the most suitable as a blush, especially for women of color, but it could also be used as a highlight. i'd use a light hand with Beauty's Touch because it has the potential to make brown skin in particular look ashy.

otherwise, these are great illuminators at a fantastic price point! the Milani Illuminating Face Powders retail for $9.49 and are available in drugstores and online.

are you a fan of illuminators & highlighters? would you be interested in trying Milani Illuminating Face Powders?

MAC Viva Glam Nicki: Review & Swatches

2012-02-05T13:59:00.002-06:00

The fearless Ricky Martin and Nicki Minaj introduce Nicki's Lipstick in a scene-stealing pink and Ricky's colorless Lip Conditioner in a tube that goes from day to dance floor! With every cent of the selling price supporting the MAC AIDS Fund, it doesn't get any hotter. They've teamed up to raise HIV/AIDS awareness among young people around the globe. Nicki and Ricky dare you to Be bold. Be beautiful. Be safe.

last week MAC gave Pro members an opportunity to pre-order Viva Glam Nicki. from the images that i'd seen i was curious; it definitely looked more flattering than Pink Friday, but the few swatches i saw on WOC weren't that encouraging. i ordered anyway (it's only $14.50), and i love supporting the MAC Aids Fund through the Viva Glam campaigns...it's a great opportunity to shop with a purpose!

my lipstick arrived on Friday and i've got some swatches to show you, in case you were debating whether you would pick it up...

i would describe MAC Viva Glam Nicki as a neon coral-pink. it's a satin finish, so it is kinda drying. i'd definitely use a lip balm (i used my trusty eos) before applying this lipstick.

i was pleasantly surprised by how much i liked this lipstick straight out of the tube! i did experience a bit of bleeding, so i'll need to wear it with a lipliner. also, i found that this applies better with a light hand. the more layers you begin to apply, the more uneven and patchy the application will be.

the swatch above is 2 layers (i think this is WOC-friendly), but if you apply more layers, the less WOC-friendly it will become ~~(although i don't see why anyone would apply more than 2 layers of any lipstick)~~.

in case you wanted to see how Viva Glam Nicki compares to Pink Friday i swatched them on my arm side-by-side:

MAC Pink Friday (l) vs. MAC Viva Glam Nicki (r)

the Viva Glam lipstick is a much warmer color and more coral than Pink Friday, which makes it more wearable for a bigger variety of skin tones. i can pull off the Viva Glam straight out of the tube, which was pretty much impossible with Pink Friday.

i wouldn't count Viva Glam Nicki out because in the tube it may look hard to pull off. my suggestion is unless you want to order this lipstick just to support the cause, definitely try it out once it hits counters on February 15th. you might be pleasantly surprised too!

do you plan on buying MAC Viva Glam Nicki? what's your favorite Viva Glam lipstick?

I Adore...Viola Davis

2012-02-03T21:18:00.001-06:00

these images of Viola Davis in the February 2012 issue of LA Times Magazine were just too fierce to pass on. the Oscar nominated actress looks stunning!!! check out more photos from the shoot...

NYX Xtreme Lip Cream: Swatches & Review

2012-02-02T10:46:00.000-06:00

NYX Xtreme Lip Creams (left to right): Dolly Pink, Spicy, Buttery Nude & Strawberry Jam

It's not a lipstick, nor is it a gloss. It's like nothing you've experienced before. It's a liquid lipstick that goes on with full Xtreme color and intense shine.

when i first heard about NYX Xtreme Lip Creams i was excited about having a glossy alternative to the Soft Matte Lip Creams. i searched the beauty blogosphere for swatches and/or a review on these. sometimes i like to see swatches and other peoples thoughts on a product before buying blindly. when i was unable to find much (especially on a WOC) i broke down and placed an order through Cherry Culture for 4 shades.

the first thing i noticed when i received my order was the size difference. these are way more petite than the Soft Matte Lip Creams. the tube is thinner and they made the cap longer.

NYX Xtreme Lip Cream vs. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

after opening them i couldn't help but notice the smell. it. was. bad. which was surprising because NYX lip products usually have a great "baked goods" kinda smell that i like. these had a smell reminiscent of play-doh & melted crayons. at first i thought maybe i'd just gotten a bad one, but after opening the other 3, it was apparent that this was just the smell.

aside from the smell, the NYX Xtreme Lip Creams are a pretty decent product. they apply smoothly, have a nice shine, they aren't in the least bit sticky, have great pigmentation, a great selection of colors ranging from brights to nudes and they last 4-5 hours (which is excellent for a product that's neither gloss nor lipstick).

check out swatches below...

NYX Xtreme Lip Cream in Dolly Pink

NYX Xtreme Lip Cream in Spicy

NYX Xtreme Lip Cream in Buttery Nude

NYX Xtreme Lip Cream in Strawberry Jam

NYX Xtreme Lip Creams are available in 11 shades, retail for $6, and are available in drugstores, beauty supply stores and online. i do feel some kinda way about these retailing for the same amount as the Soft Matte Lip Creams even though you clearly are getting a bit less product.

have you tried any of the NYX Xtreme Lip Creams? what did you think?

What Happens In Vegas...Las Vegas de Chanel Collection

2012-01-27T11:43:00.001-06:00

Las Vegas de Chanel Collection

the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas is renovating the Chanel boutique and to mark the event, Peter Philips, Creative Director of Chanel Makeup, has created a collection that screams Vegas!

a gold-plated collection and strews stardust over polyester dreams.

Chanel opened the doors of its redesigned boutique on January 23rd. the Las Vegas de Chanel is a collection that features four spectacular items:

♥ Lucky Stripes - four shades of sand & bronze to be worn on the eyes, face or cheekbones

♥ Rouge Coco Shine in Brilliant - a sheer golden lipstick

♥ Le Crayon Levres Vegas Gold - a gold lip pencil

♥ Le Vernis in Gold Fingers - a semi-sheer golden nail laquer

check out the deets...

the exclusive collection will be available for purchase at select Las Vegas and Los Angeles boutiques.

Lucky Stripes, retails for $92

Rouge Coco Shine in Brilliant, retails for $32

Le Crayon Levres Vegas Gold, retails for $29

Le Vernis in Gold Fingers, retails for $26

the collection comes with a price tag (especially Lucky Stripes), but isn't it gorgeous?

Kate Moss for Rimmel London Lipstick Collection: Mini Haul & Swatches

2012-01-27T08:34:00.000-06:00

Lips have never been so catwalk. That's because lips have never worn Kate Moss shades before. Her exclusive new collection of iconic lipsticks - from hot reds to pink pouts and soft nudes - ensure there's one for every outfit choice.

over the weekend Mr. Pretty and I went to support the film Red Tails (which we both surprisingly enjoyed) and on our way back home we made a few stops. obviously, i HAD to visit the beauty section in Walgreens', right?

the Kate Moss for Rimmel London collection has been out for a while now, but this is the first opportunity i had to check them out in person. i ended up purchasing 3 of the Kate Moss Lasting Lipsticks:

♥ #14 - a blushed nude

♥ #08 - a dusty rose

♥ #12 - a candy coral

i like the sleek packaging with the Kate signature and flirty heart, very cutesy. these are the first lipsticks i own from Rimmel London, despite having heard great things about Airy Fairy. i was pleasantly surprised by the fruity scent (kinda reminds me of Jolly Ranchers) and it's kinda strong, but once applied to the lips, i surprisingly didn't smell it as much. i also enjoyed the creamy, moisturizing feel of these on my lips and got a decent 4-5 hours wear with them, which is great for such a creamy lipstick.

Kate Moss for Rimmel London Lipsticks

Kate Moss for Rimmel London Lipsticks (left to right): #14, #08, #12

i'm not so sure how widely available these are. although i've heard a lot of buzz about them i never noticed them in Walgreens or Ulta until recently.

the Kate Moss Lasting Finish Lipsticks retail at Ulta for $5.19 and retail for $5.49 at Walgreens.

have you spotted these lipsticks in your area?

Better Late Than Never: MAC Naturally Collection Haul & Swatches

2012-01-24T13:27:00.000-06:00

MAC Naturally Collection

i know this post is hella late and i don't do a whole lot of posts on MAC, mostly because there are so many other beauty blogs out there that have swatches and reviews of MAC products. but every once in a while a collection comes around or i discover a MAC product that REALLY impresses me.

when MAC released the Naturally Collection earlier this month, i wasnt that impressed. the only items i picked up at first were Redhead MSF (i missed out on this when it was originally released) & the MAC 286 brush (a duo fiber blending brush).

a few weeks after the release i stopped in the MAC store and was pleasantly surprised by a few more items from the collection. there are some hidden gems in this collection.

my MAC Naturally Collection Haul

i've always been a sucker for corals and pinks so i obviously ended up purchasing two mineralize blushes:

♥ Subtle Breeze - blue pink

♥ Fresh Honey - warm apricot

left to right: Subtle Breeze & Fresh Honey

the real hidden gem for me in this collection were 2 nude lip products. while i've fallen hard for bold lips as of late, nude lips will always be my first love. i think these 2 products aren't getting the love that they deserve. they're great all alone, but even more fantastic when paired together:

♥ Beach Sand - light tan

♥ Naked Space - creamy, mid-tone dude peach

left to right: Beach Sand & Naked Space

left to right: Beach Sand alone, Naked Space alone, Beach Sand w/ Naked Space layered on top

did you pick up anything from MAC's Naturally Collection? what were your faves?

I Adore...NARS Makeup Removing Water

2012-01-23T00:39:00.002-06:00

A soap-free, oil-free, and alcohol-free water that removes face makeup and tones the skin. It gently, yet thoroughly sweeps makeup away without rubbing while soothing botanical ingredients hydrate and add radiance. The result: purified and toned skin.

i have really sensitive skin, products with fragrance are the worst culprits. i also have really oily skin, so i hate the residue that a lot of makeup wipes leave on my skin. and don't even get me started on makeup removers that contain alcohol, those can be a nightmare for my oily skin; it dries it out and causes my skin to work overtime and produce even more oil. needless to say, i'm very picky when it comes to what products i use to remove my makeup.

when NARS released their Makeup Removing Water i was curious. is this stuff any different than regular old water? i'd never tried a cleansing water before, so i didn't come into this with high expectations. if anything i was skeptical. could this really do a good job at removing my makeup?

in one word...ABSO-FREAKING-LUTELY!!! this stuff is the bees knees!

Infused with cucumber, chamomile and hyaluronic acid, makeup removing water leaves skin feeling soft, soothed and refreshed.

you can easily control how much you use, so there's no wasted product

there's no fragrance, no residue and best of all my skin felt clean, refreshed and wasn't irritated from the rubbing i usually have to do with makeup wipes. two round cotton pads all my makeup was gone. including my mascara!!! although, i don't use waterproof mascara, so i'm not sure how well this will work with waterproof formulas. i've never had my skin feel so clean after using makeup wipes. it felt like i had actually washed my face with a traditional cleanser.

i may never touch another makeup wipe again, that's how much i love this stuff!

NARS Makeup Removing Water retails for $28 and is available online and at NARS counters. is it a pricey investment? yes, but so worth it.

Disclaimer: this post contains an affiliate link, which gives us commission when you click and purchase something from that link, similar to a retail associate that receives a commission on sales.

Benefit Cosmetics To Launch Liquid Foundation

2012-01-16T22:34:00.000-06:00

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW Liquid Foundation

i've blogged about Benefits' Hello Flawless Powder Foundation before. it made my FAB FIVE list in May and was one of my fave products of 2011. so, i was super excited to hear that Benefit would be introducing a liquid foundation (a first for the cosmetics brand) this year!

the new foundation will include 9 shades and retail for $34. from the looks of it the shades will match the existing powders, which will make it easy to match your powder shade to your liquid shade.

Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW Liquid Foundation will debut online on February 15th (Happy Birthday to ME!) and in stores March 1st.

can't way to try it!!!

source: WWD

Beauty On A Budget: Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 HR Cream Gel Shadow - Review & Swatches

2012-01-15T22:58:00.001-06:00

so many drugstore brands have been releasing new products this month! many that are meant to be affordable options for popular products that department store brands carry. the Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 Hour Cream Gel Shadow.

Dare to wear our longest-lasting shadow. Our ink technology creates super-saturated color. Cream gel smoothes on for vibrant color that does not fade.

it strikes me as odd that so many brands are making 24 hour claims for their products. who needs to wear makeup that long?

i put these to the test, to see how well they hold up.

i only picked up 2 shades: Fierce & Tangy (a tangerine orange with slight shimmer) and Tough As Taupe (a matte greige). both colors applied smoothly and with awesome color pay-off. the drying time is somewhere in between that of a MAC Paint Pot and the MUFE Aqua Creams. they don't set as quickly as Aqua Creams, but you don't have as much time to work with them as you do with Paint Pots. so if you're using these for a single wash of color on the lids, it will probably work best to do one eye at a time.

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 HR Cream Gel Shadow in Fierce & Tangy

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 HR Cream Gel Shadow in Tough As Taupe

i tried wearing these two ways: with and without a primer. without a primer these shadows didn't stand a chance on my oily lids. they barely lasted an hour before they started creasing and by the end of hour 2 they had pretty much disappeared from my eyelids. i then tried priming my lids with Too Faced Shadow Insurance and had better results, but not the greatest; they lasted about 4 hours before they started creasing. i think if you have dry skin or even combination skin, you'll fair better than i did with these.

as for Maybelline's 24-hour claim? i honestly don't see them lasting that long, even with the best primer. but i also don't see why anyone would want or need to get 24 hours out of their makeup. who's really wearing their makeup that long anyway, right?

i think these might work best as a base for me, to make my eyeshadows pop, i won't be wearing them alone. they just don't have the same staying power as my MAC Paint Pots and MUFE Aqua Creams, so i'll stick to those when i want a single wash of color on my lids.

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 HR Cream Gel Eyeshadows retail for $6.99. they're currently on sale at Ulta BOGO.

China Glaze ElectroPop Collection for Spring 2012

2012-01-13T13:15:00.000-06:00

Where heavy metal meets rocker chic, China Glaze introduces the Spring 2012 collection, ElectroPop. Inspired by all things girly, edgy and fun, the 12 shades of ElectroPop bring out the inner rock star in all. For flash and glam this spring, China Glaze hits the stage in style!

ElectroPop shades include:

♥ Kinetic Candy - touch the sky in light blue creme

♥ Electric Beat - periwinkle nails for a wink worthy performance

♥ Aquadelic - pool blue for nighttime gigs and daytime fun in the sun

♥ Gaga For Green - green lacquer for the girl craving the limelight

♥ Sunshine Pop - shine in the spotlight in bold yellow

♥ Make Some Noise - rock the mic in tangerine

♥ Wicked Style - party cocktail tropical punch

♥ Fuchsia Fanatic - fuchsia pink for the rocker diva in us all

♥ Gothic Lolita - steal the show on girls night out in seductive purple

♥ Dance Baby - hit center stage in cotton candy pink

♥ Techno - glitter confetti polish for a dazzling topcoat finish or all over finger tip bling

China Glaze ElectroPop Lights

China Glaze ElectroPop Brights

ElectroPop will be available February 2012. Individual shades retail for $7; 6-piece collections retail for $42.

will you be picking up anything from the ElectroPop collection?

Magnolia Makeup Fab De Fleur Collection - Haul & Swatches Part I

2012-01-13T00:15:00.000-06:00

by now you all know...it's really no secret that i love me some Magnolia Makeup pigments. in December the indie brand debuted a new collection...Fab De Fleur...and this collection doesn't disappoint. i picked up the pigments and also the blushes that came out with this collection (i'll be doing a separate post on the blushes).

i bought all 7 of the pigments that were part of this collection.

♥ Blood Orange - ravishing red-tone citrus

♥ Galaxy - black with multi-dimensional sparkle

♥ Fab De Fleur - copper specked indigo

♥ Paris - magenta with pink sparkle

♥ Parboiled - silky, satin beige

♥ Sour Apple - matte, yellow apple green

♥ Topaz - sparkling teal

left to right: Blood Orange, Galaxy & Fab De Fleur

left to right: Paris, Parboiled, Sour Apple & Topaz

left to right: Blood Orange, Galaxy, Fab De Fleur, Paris, Parboiled, Sour Apple & Topaz

my favorite of all of them is Galaxy; the swatch really doesn't do it justice. the amount of sparkle and the way it reflects light is something that can't really be captured with the camera, but it is gorgeous.

the Fab De Fleur Collection can be purchased as individual pigments for $10 each or you can purchase the set of 7 for $50 through the Magnolia Makeup's website.

New York Color (NYC) Liquid Lip Shine in Nude York City - Swatches & Review

2012-01-08T23:19:00.001-06:00

Straight from the city that never sleeps, New York Color's Liquid Lipshine is uptown style at a down-to-earth price. With pure pigments that create a 3-D gloss effect and vitamin E that provides shine and moisture, this product is perfect to keep lips looking and feeling fabulous this season. Comes in 10 shades from neutral nude, to berries & fuchsias.

NYC Liquid Lip Shine in Nude York City is a peach-toned nude gloss with fine-milled 3D shimmer. the gloss has a nice texture; it's not sticky, but not too thin either and you get great coverage with just one layer. Nude York City is perfect for a day when you're wearing minimal to no make by itself. it would also make a great lipstick for layering over nude lipsticks.

NYC Liquid Lip Shine in Nude York City

i got a decent 3-4 hours wear out of this lip gloss without eating or drinking. i'm sure with a meal and drinks it would wear off, but that's to be expected with any lip gloss where there's no promise of "long-wear". i think it's a great value for $2.49 and wouldn't mind trying a few of the more vibrant colors that NYC has to offer.

NYC Liquid Lip Shine is available at Target, Rite Aid, CVS, Family Dollar and other retailers.

have you tried NYC Liquid Lip Shine? what did you think?

Disclaimer: this post/review contains a product that was included in the Influenster Holiday Vox Box. for more information, please visit my policy/disclosure under "me and my blog".