Miss Amira's Beauty Wonderland

Coming back soon...

2011-12-07T00:07:00.001-06:00

Hi dolls!!! Thanks so much for the sweet comments and messages for the time i was gone. Just had to take care of some things in my life. School became my top priority and i had to focus on that, among other things. I have a week left of school and after that im hoping to return to blogging normally again. I miss it! Hope all of you are well and safe. Love all of you !

Sorry dolls...

2011-09-10T11:38:00.003-05:00

Apothica Gift Certificate Giveaway!

2011-08-22T23:52:00.000-05:00

I have some exciting news!!!

The lovely dolls at Apothica are awarding a $25 gift certificate to one of my lucky gorgeous readers! You can apply the certificate to anything in their store, which includes well knows brands such as Stila, NeoCutis, Baby Quaser, Barex and SkinMedica. You can also conveniently shop at SkinCareRx and Skincare Botanica at the same time, using the same cart!

Stila Cosmetics is one of the more popular brands that many of us are very familiar with. Apothica offers a great variety of products from Stila that are at great value and worth checking out.

Click the picture below for direct link to Stila Cosmetics on Apothica.com

The Story of Apothica...
Apothica.com is an online beauty boutique, which carries the finest selection of skin care, body care, aromatherapy, and cosmetic products on the market today, including the most natural, organic products available. We are dedicated to providing you with high quality products formulated to promote and enhance your natural beauty.

Apothica is our retail store in beautiful downtown Salt Lake City, which features skin care, body care, hair care, fragrances, and much more. The retail store is also the exclusive provider for the Gateway Aesthetic Institute & Laser Center, the largest cosmetic laser center in the world. Click to see Apothica's complete Spa Menu.

____________________________________

So now that you have a better understanding of what Apothica is all about, let me tell you how you can enter to win this amazing certificate. They give you three options in which you can enter the giveaway:

Option 1: Facebook

1. Visit Apothica.com

2. Write on Apothica’s Facebook wall about what you think of Apothica

Bonus: Opt in to Apothica’s Newsletter

Option 2: Twitter

1. Visit Apothica.com

2. Tweet about Apothica on your own Twitter Account

Bonus: Retweet Apothica’s tweet about this giveaway

Option 3: Blog

1. Visit Apothica.com

2. Write something on your blog about what you think of Apothica

Bonus: Write about the brand I highlighted and link it to Apothica

________________________

Each option and bonus counts as 1 entry, so you have plenty of chances to enter and win! Here are some key point things that you need to know: Apothica will contact the winner to verify information is correct; After verification, Apothica will email the a code for the gift card to be used at SkinCareRx.com, Apothica.com, and SkinBotanica.com; The contest is open internationally, but Apothica does not ship to all countries. Also, please note to save SkinCareRx as a contact in your email box so that the emails don't go to the Spam/Junk Mail folder.

Giveaway ends September 5th!

Thanks Apothica for providing my readers with this giveaway!

Good luck dolls!

HAUL: Forever 21 Accessories

2011-08-19T01:51:00.000-05:00

Just stopped by Forever 21 today and picked up a few accessories that i've been wanting after seeing them online. Most of these i got for $1.50 and i thought they were way to pretty not to get them. I love wearing stud earrings that are kind of fancy for everyday so i thought the ones i picked out are so gorgeous to wear anytime without looking too overdone. I also got a cute little bow necklace that i thought was so simple yet so gorgeous. Also the hoops i thought were a little different with the little design and it's a bit bigger than what i have so i thought why not. I also picked up one nailpolish in Light Orange, which stood out to me and it's not something i have in my collection, and i really wanted to try out the formula of these polishes. I will post an NOTD as soon as i wear it. I definitely feel like going back and picking out more things. I always forget how Forever 21 has the best accessories ever at the best price.

___________________________________________________

What are the types of earrings that you wear everyday?

Any favorite accessories at Forever 21?

REVIEW: Too Faced Look of Love Spring Collection

2011-08-19T00:59:00.001-05:00

I don't own many Too Faced products so i decided to get this set, since it seemed like a really good value to start off with. Aside from the gorgeous limited edition bag that everything came in, the products themselves are really good and worth having - a limited edition trio with two eyeshadows and a blush, a flatbuki brush, full size glamour gloss in Barely Legal, full size lash injection mascara, full size shadow insurance and a deluxe primed and poreless.

It really is a great value set and everything is wearable everyday.

Just to give you an idea, the whole set was about $40. The Lash Injection alone, full size, is $21. The full size Shadow Insurance primer is $18 and the full size Glamour Gloss is $19 - just these three purchased separately would come up to $58! Crazy! And this doesn't even include the rest of the great products that come in the bag. Searching for it online, it says that the value of the whole thing comes up to $124, and you can see why. I'm still playing around with the products and i want to make a separate review posts for the face primer and the lash injection mascara; and of course an FOTD using the lovely trio with the shadows and blush.

Apothica Haul!

2011-08-18T22:43:00.000-05:00

I ordered some things from Apothica and i have to say i'm pretty pleased with how everything was sent to me. I got everything in the mail about 4 days after i placed the order online. I was also sent some samples and a catalog from SkincareRX with a ton of products that are worth checking out. The picture shows basically everything i ordered and recieved, and i have to say im very happy with my purchases. I was very excited to get everything and i will make sure to make a more detailed post about the Too Faced set, since it has a lot of products worth talking about, and it's like my favorite thing that i use right now. Stay tuned for that!

Have you tried Apothica yet?

Upcoming Posts!

2011-08-16T00:50:00.000-05:00

REVIEWS
EOS Lip Balm - i use this daily and i absolutely love it. I feel like it needs more attention.
Covergirl LashBlast Fusion Mascara - i wanted to try it and compare it to the original Lash Blast which i love the most.
Too Faced Lash Injection Mascara - i just got this today and im gonna take some time to try it out then review it.
Too Faced LE Eyeshadow/Blush trio - i love this handy trio that i got in a set that i will post about also.
Covergirl & Olay under eye concealer - i use this concealer and i actually really like it
Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo/Conditioner - i absolutely love this product. i've been trying it for just a few days now and its fantastic.

FOTDS

Feminine Palette looks - i've been trying to come up with different looks from this palette and i would love to share them with all of you.
How to easily go from daytime to night time - i had to work then go to a small get-together, so instead of re-doing my makeup after work, i simply added products and completely transformed my look.

HAULS

Apothica.com Haul - i have only good things to say about this, cant wait to get all my things together for this post.

MISC.

My current face routine
Current Trands that i love - there are a lot of things that i keep seeing and i think its fun to mention them and be kept up to speed if you're feeling a bit trendy
Apothica.com Giveaway! - they were lovely enough to reward my readers with a giveaway so stay tuned for that.
Pandora Jewelry - it seems fair to dedicate a post to my them since i work at a Pandora and i am absolutely obsessed with it.

and many others that will come up as i think of them....

If you have any requests please feel free to leave in a comment or shoot an email my way!

Avoiding Makeup Meltdown: 3 Important Tips

2011-08-10T01:15:00.000-05:00

Now that you have agreed to go to the afternoon baby shower to your friend’s in August, one worry up your sleeve must be that of your makeup melting away in the sweltering sun. But do not let the stress take a toll on you. Given below are three tips that can help your makeup stay and save you from a horrific makeup meltdown:

1. Keeping It Light

Get hands on a reputed brand of foundation that shall keep your skin smooth looking without looking overdone. There is no need to go in for heavy makeup like the stars at the Oscars. The main rule of makeup is that less is more! On a hot day, it is mere foolhardiness to even wear gaudy makeup and look all caked up.

2. The Matte effect

Depending on your skin type, choose an apt moisturizer that shall leave your skin hydrated. Remember the matte look is the best in the heat. There is absolutely no need to use creamy products during a hot day. You do not want to have a dripping eye shadow, right? Choose products in powder finish.

3. Go Waterproof

There is a variety of waterproof products available in the market today. Especially for mascaras, it is better to choose one that is specified as waterproof. There are no chances of smudges around your eye on a day that is humid. After all, who wants to look like a raccoon?

Abide by these subtle makeup tricks to look your beautiful self and avoid the sliding of makeup in scorching heat.

________________

Brenda Lyttle is a beauty expert who began writing for publications in her community in 2005 and now commands an authority in writing on beauty tips, anti-aging, and HGH related topics.

___________________________________

Thank you Brenda for providing my readers with this very useful article!

Images: Google

Review: E.L.F Studio Complexion Perfection Powder

2011-07-30T22:23:00.001-05:00

e.l.f studio tone correcting powder

Create a balanced and radiant complexion that is beautiful and healthy. The lightweight formula evens out the skin tone and absorbs excess oil. The sheer formula brightens, mattes and neutralizes the skin. The colors are meant to be blended together as the Blue neutralizes orange, the Green neutralizes red, the Pink neutralizes grey and the Yellow brightens and neutralizes red.

(www.eyeslipsface.com)

So what exactly is the point of adding all this color to your face? The different colors help bring your entire face to an evened out color. Many of us find that we have some purple or blue under our eyes or have red cheeks, and have to use opposite shades to even everything out. Basically here's the breakdown of how it works, as mentioned in the description on their website:

Yellow formula cancels out Purple - e.g. under the eyes

Green formula cancels out Red - e.g. cheeks, face

Blue formula cancels out Orange - e.g. spots on face

Pink formula cancels out Green/Blue - e.g. under eyes

My skin has never been even toned. I have a lot of small redness all over my cheeks and i sometimes need to use something green before to able to fully cover that. I use a good foundation either way, but by the end of the day, the redness seeps through it.

My opinion: For the $3 price i didn't really expect to make too much of a difference but i was a bit surprised. I got a chance to use it for a few days to get a feel of the product and how it works. When i try to swirl all the powders together, you get a sort of translucent powder that basically leaves my skin looking really white. I guess that's it's way to evening out the skin tone. One terrible downside about this is that it's extremely powdery and can feel chalky. It's not that bad for me since i have oily skin, so it keeps my skin looking dry for the longest time. I don't think i would really recommend it for dry skin. I make sure i apply it before the foundation to kind of create a clean white base before i put on any color. I also tried using the colors individually, specifically the green one for my redness and it worked really well. Again the same powdery chalky feel to it but it doesn't bother me, since it's summer time and i get oily either way. I don't think it would work on top of foundation simply because of the translucent powder will pale me out a lot. But all-in-all i really do love that it tames down by redness and kind of gets the face ready for foundation and other products. If you don't use foundation and want something that would even out your skin tone, i would recommend it just make sure u do add some bronzer and/or blush to give more life to your face because its going to pale it out.

I think overall i'm happy with the product knowing it's only $3 and it comes in a big compact with a mirror. Next to ELF i saw that Target has Physicians Formula color wheal, and it looked a bit smaller than this. The colors were somehow swirled together in the compact. Of course it's a bit more expensive but you have different options if you're interested. They also have the colors separately if you only wanna focus on specific problem areas.

Have you tried this powder or any other color correctors?

What do you think?

Tag: What are my go-to products?!

2011-07-29T00:35:00.007-05:00

I recently saw this type of post on Nattys blog (HERE) and i thought it's a such a good idea! We all find ourselves pressured by time...i know i do all the time. I always think i have enough time when i get ready but then i end up taking forever. My mom tells me i have to get ready at least two hours before anything so i can be ready LOL! I always like to take my time when i do my makeup for just two simple reasons. One is i really want it to look nice and not walk one looking like a messy clown. Second, i really enjoy the process of putting makeup on. It's art and i enjoy making myself look pretty - who doesn't like that right!?
Ok so with that said, here are the go-to products that i love using...

Read more for details on each products shown!

When picking your go-to products, you want to think of the ones that won't disappoint you and that you know for sure work for you. Since there's no time for error or making decisions, you need products that even have multi-purposes so you can basically kill two birds with one stone. Here are some of my favorites!...

Revlon Colorstay foundation in Warm Golden - no matter how much time i have, the foundation to me is a must. My face is really pale and the red spots make everything look really uneven, so adding foundation gives my face some life. The foundation to me also works as a concealer - after i apply it all over my face, i go back and pat more of it on spots that weren't covered. Another foundation that i really love is Sally Hansens Natural Beauty in Sandy Beige.
Covergirl & Olay under eye concealer - i actually still have mixed feelings about this concealer because it sometimes cakes by the end of the day, but it works well right now. I will write a separate review on this soon so stay tuned for that.
Sephora Sculpting Disc - this works really well when im in a rush because it has it all. I do three things with just this one products - the middle part is the powder which sets my foundation, the left is the bronzer which i use below my cheekbones and forehead, and some blush that adds a nice glow to the face. I love this product, i need more, as you can tell i hit pan!
Wet'N'Wild Dark Brown pencil - fillings in my eyebrows feels like a must to me. They are uneven and sort of all over the place if i dont shape them up with a pencil. I've been using this pencil for a while now. The color is perfect to me and the waxy formula tames my eyebrows and makes them stay in place for the rest of the day.
UDPP in Sin - i like this specific primer because its a bit shimmery and adds some glow to the eyes without doing too much.
Covergirl SmokeyShadowBlast in Bronze Fire - I normally don't wear this product, but i feel like it works great when im on the go. I use the darker side in my outer corner and blend it towards my crease to give my eye a shadow and open it up a bit. I use the lighter side to highlight my browbone and inner corner.
UD 24/7 eyeliner pencil in Zero - i just use a little black liner to outline the rims of my eyes and blend a little in my outer corner for a smokey effect.
Covergirl Lash Blast mascara in Very Black - this is my new favorite mascara ever. It adds volume to my lashes and give them a little life without having to wear falsies. My natural lashes are pretty short and this mascara helps them stand out a little bit without looking to over dramatic.
EOS lip balm in Lemon Drop - i LOVE these little things, they're so cute. It's a great lip balm that works great on the lips, smell and taste great. I think im going to do a separate post on it because i really love their products.
Barry M 100 and Mac Frankly Fresh gloss lip combo - this is pretty much my signature lip combo right now, i absolutely love it. Again i will make a separate post on this to show you swatches of each and what they look like on their own.

BRUSHES:
Eco Tools brush:this is my universal brush. I use it to put on the setting powder, blush and bronzer. It cleans easy with a dry cloth so i dont mix blushes with bronzers, that's why its easy for me to use it for pretty much anything powdery that would go on my face.
Mac 187SE: i got this back in december and i've been using it ever since to apply my foundation. I know that a lot of people have told me it's not as good as the full sized 187 but it still works really great for me, minus the few shedding which is normal for any brush. It's quick and handy to use.
Kirkland Angled brush: I think we can figure out what this is for LOL It does it all for my eyebrows and i love it.

That's pretty much everything that i need if im rushing to go somewhere or don't feel like spending too much time putting on any makeup. It probably seems like a lot of products to keep in mind to use, but it's really not all that bad. Most of these things just come naturally to me to just reach for that are handy and don't ever let me down. I know what to expect when i do use them and they work great together to create a decent look when im rushing.

What are some of YOUR go-to products?! Make a post or if you already did share with me the link below, i would love to see what you choose to use!

REVIEW: Sudocrem Skin Care Cream

2011-07-22T23:09:00.007-05:00

I was recently sent three samples of the new Sudocrem skin care tubes that are a new upcoming sensation. I was actually not familiar with this company at all, it's really popular in the UK. Sudocrem is generally known as a antiseptic healing cream. It protects the babies skin if irritated by diaper rash and that original popular version that many are familiar with is in a pot. The known cream can also be used to treat cuts and grazes, sunburn, minor burns, acne and bedsores.

Here's what the original pot form Sudocrem is best know for

(information taken from the website HERE)

Sudocrem’s clinically proven to soothe, heal and protect your baby’s delicate skin and works in three ways:

A water-repellent base forms a protective barrier, helping to stop any irritants (urine and faeces) coming into contact with the skin.
It both softens and soothes sore, inflamed skin.
It has a weak local anaesthetic to help ease pain and irritation.

So what gives Sudocrem its healing properties?

Here’s the science bit:

Sudocrem contains:

hypoallergenic lanolin, to help soothe and soften irritated skin.
zinc oxide which reduces the loss of tissue fluid.
benzyl benzoate and benzyl cinnamate which are ingredients of Balsam of Peru, recognised for its healing properties.
benzyl alcohol, a weak local anaesthetic which eases pain and also acts as a disinfectant/antibacterial agent.

As a protective antiseptic cream, Sudocrem is also helpful in the treatment of other skin conditions. You can buy Sudocrem from independent pharmacies, major pharmacy chains, supermarkets and selected children's department stores.

__________________

Ok so now that we have an idea of what Sudocrem is and we can see why people love it and prefer it so much, we can talk about the NEW Skin Cream for adults. The new skin care for adults line does not yet have a website but does have a Facebook/Twitter page.

Here's their Facebook page and some information that you can find there:

(Click on picture to visit and LIKE the page!)

Sudocrem Skin Care Cream is fast becoming a skin care must-have with a growing celebrity following, including Cheryl Cole and Amanda Holden.
Sudocrem Skin Care Cream is in the white Sudocrem Tube. It is a product aimed at helping to maintain healthy skin as part of your daily skin care routine.
The handy 30g tube makes it perfect for your handbag and when travelling (the size is hand luggage compliant). It is the perfect size to slip into desk drawer, gym bag or car glove box. Your new Sudocrem tube will quickly become your ‘go anywhere, use anytime skin care essential.’
Sudocrem Skin Care Cream is a versatile cream that is gentle and soothing and can be used as often as you need. It is ideal for problem-skin including spot prone or the problem patches common on elbows and knees. It can even be applied to your skin after being out in the sun.

Also on Sudocrems' facebook there's this fun app that you can check out called Bagology. It basically wants you to select the style of handbag you wear in order to reveal your personality. We all love to wear different types of bags so it's fun and interesting to see what that says about each individual.

(Click picture below)

______________________________________________

REVIEW: I had a chance to try this out and i have to say im really impressed and i started loving it. Since i was never aware of Sudocrem, i wanted to give myself a few days and try out the product before i say anything about it. I'm definitely going to carry one around in my bag. First thing that i noticed is the white formula, which is very thick and has to be blended well to get into the skin. Once blended, it leaves the skin with a soft powdery feeling, not oily at all and very smooth. I really love the smell too. It's like a fresh baby powder smell that's a bit strong and long lasting, so if you're not the one for a good scented lotion, maybe this isn't for you, but i personally really like it. My hands get dry very easily and i find myself applying lotion way too much but i only use this cream about twice a day and my hands stay soft and powdery feeling all day - which is a good thing lol they feel really clean. I would definitely look to purchase a full sized tube in the future.

If you have any questions or want to know more, visit any of the Sudocrem links bellow by clicking on the pictures... Website, Twitter and Blog...

_________________

__________________

___________________________________________________

Disclaimer - I was sent these three samples for review. I was not paid for this

and am not affiliated with Sudocrem. My review is my honest personal opinion of the product.

Tag: What's in my bag??

2011-07-21T16:33:00.002-05:00

Ok so i thought it was time for an update post of "What's in my bag?". The last one i did was back in 2010. I don't think much has changed since LOL! I generally carry the same type of 1034567 items even if they do change a little bit. You can check out the past post HERE.

Lately i've really been loving the messenger type of bags. They're so much easier to carry around rather than having a mini luggage on one shoulder. The one that i have right now is this Prada bag, which i've had for the longest time but never wore it across my body till recently. It has an adjustable strap but always had it short so i can wear it like a regular bag. Also, in case anyone will mention this, it's obviously not an authentic Prada bag. I got it from a purse party that my aunt hosted a bunch of years ago. A purse is a purse no matter if it's real or fake, as long as it does what it's meant to do i love it.

Ok so with that said here's what the inside kinda looks like...

Making this post and taking the pictures made me realize how much stuff i carry with me all the time LOL. I seriously tried to take out of the things in here so i can make things a bit lighter for me but there's no chance of me letting go of my "just in case" stuff. So here's everything dumped out neatly.

- Wallet: it pretty much carries all the cards and receipts that i need to just have with me

- Coach Wristlet: I keep my liscence and credit card in here. In case i need to go somewhere quick and don't wanna carry my whole bag with me, i just grab this with me.

- Makeup Bag (details bellow)

- House keys and a pound of keychains

- Small brush/mirror

- Post it notes

- Coupons for Target

- Flash drive (don't ask haha)

- Scope (for fresh breath) LOL

- Tide To-Go: this stuff actually works. Saved a white shirt once when i spilled a little coffee on it. I was very excited that it actually removed the stain in like 15 minutes.

- Highlighter and Pen: in case i need to highlight something? I have an obsession with carrying highlighters with me in any/every bag i own haha

- Pink/Blue travel size spray bottles: I filled them up with two of my favorite body mists so i can have it on the to go in case i forget to spray it on or if the smell goes away

- Apple Citrus body lotion: love the smell of this!

- First aid kit: just in case lol i have band-aids and a neosporin in there haha

- GNC pill holder: my mom calls this my mini pharmacy LOL! It has different compartments so i can carry different pills without having them mix. I have midol and advil in there.

- Q-tips: i honestly don't know in what case i would be needing these haha but "just in case". I really loved the packaging to be honest LOL!

- Puffs tissues and Wet Ones

- My iTouch with the cute sock LOL

I honestly have NO idea how all this fits in the bag but it does haha. My brother told me if i had to take a random trip without stopping home to pack, he thinks i would be good for a while since all i need is in the bag... i think i agree...

Makeup Bag

If the content in the whole bag wasn't enough, the makeup bag itself has a bunch of nonsense that i carry with me at all time... you know... just in case LOL

- The little makeup bag is from Target and it's Sonia Kashuk

- Revlon lip gloss in Peach Petal

- Barry M 100 lipstick

- Nivea lip balm

- Revlon Smooth Nude lipstick

- Dental floss "?"

- Mentha lip shine gloss

- Nail files

- Urban Decay liners - Zero and Lucky

- Brushes - blush, shadow and angled

- Sleek Blush

- Mac Togetherness trio

- Three perfume samples

- Tweezers

Ok so that's pretty much all i have in my bag. I think it's plenty don't you think? haha I always like to be prepared and have everything. There isn't one item that i didn't make use of at whatever occasion. I always have everything that's needed and everyone that knows me knows that LOL. My family and best friend always pick on me for carrying soooo much with me but anytime they ask for a band-aid, gloss, nail file or a pen, im sure to have it. I love it haha

What about YOU? Do you find yourself carrying as many things as i do or do you limit yourself to your keys and wallet? If you have a post of what's in your bag, post the link bellow i would LOVE to see it =)

What's on my nails?

2011-07-20T20:43:00.001-05:00

I did my nails last night and i though i would share with you what i have on right now. I'm the type of person that gets bored with her nails pretty easily and always like to try something new out.

I decided to wear this shade from Barry M called Strawberry, which i received in a swap a while back. It's a pale pink that becomes sort of a barbie pink the more coats you add. I'm wearing 3 coats so it looks a little more neon pink in certain light and not so pale. I love how it came out, it looks really summery and cute.

____________________________

What's on YOUR nails?!?

FOTD - Smokey Mary Jane

2011-07-20T20:23:00.000-05:00

I managed to take a few pictures of my look today before i went to work. I'm really lovin this Urban Decay eyeshadow. I feel like it lights up the eyes with the metallic look to it. Feels like i haven't posted an FOTD post in a while. You may notice that im not wearing falsies in this look. I haven't worn false lashes in a few months now because i felt that my natural ones were barely there. I realized that all i really needed was a good mascara to make the lashes look somewhat decent. If i feel like i need that extra oomph i have lashes handy that i can just put on. Ok so with that said, here's the look for today =)

________________________________________

FACE:

Revlon Colorstay Foundation in Warm Golden

NYC loose powder

Mac Refined Golden bronzer

Mac Hipness Blush

EYES:

UDPP

UD e/s in Creep (crease, outer corner)

UD e/s in Mary Jane (all over the lid)

UD e/s in Buck (crease and blending harsh edges)

UD e/s in Virgin (browbone and inner corner)

L'oreal Maybelline Gel liner

Covergirl lash blast

LIPS:

Barry M 100 Baby Pink

Mac Frankly Fresh gloss

_____________________________

____________________

Thoughts?

HAUL - Urban Decay Goodies!

2011-07-18T23:59:00.000-05:00

Urban Decay recently had a 25% off discount deal on their website and i just had to take advantage of it and order some things i had my eye on for a while now. If you don't know already, i'll tell you now that Urban Decay is my favorite brand of makeup for their eye shadows. I love the variety, quality and best of all, their palettes. They release new palettes often and they never disappoint, even though the shades seem to be repeating themselves, they're all worth having - in my opinion.

Ok so with that said, here's what i picked up: Feminine Palette, Mary Jane single eyeshadow and a Primer tube.

____________________________________________________________
Urban Decay Feminine Palette

This is one of the three different palettes that have their own personality - Feminine, Dangerous and Fun. I made a post in the past about all the palettes, so check it out HERE. I kind of had a hard time picking deciding which palette i should go for. They all seem to have shades that i would wear. I feel like each of us doesn't just have one of these traits - we're all feminine and fun but can be dangerous at times too ;) ...I chose the Feminine palette for now because it has more of everyday/summery shades that i would find myself wearing right now. It comes with 6 different shades, that are also found as single eye-shadows. Stray Dog is one of my favorite shades that i've used up in one of UDs palettes in the past. Darkhorse is found in the Naked Palette if you own that, and im glad i got it again because ive hit pan in the nakedness. The rest of the shadows are very soft shades that work great with the browns so you can play around with this palette. Im excited to post some FOTDs using it and sharing with you various ways that i like to combine the colors. The palette also comes with a 24/7 eye pencil in Zero - of course - and a small sizes eye-shadow primer in Eden, which is a matte nude shade.

__________________________________________________

Urban Decay Single Eyeshadow in Mary Jane

I'm really in love with this shade. I swatched it before a while back when i went to Sephora and i always had my eye on it. It's a metallic finish with mild shimmers. The shade is a silvery blue with some dark undertone. It works amazing with a darker shadow in the crease to create a nice bright smokey eye look. I will come up with a few looks with it, i feel like i will be using this eyeshadow a lot. I would definitely recommend it if you like metallic or silvery shades.

__________________________________________________

Urban Decay Primer Potion - Original

I love that Urban Decay finally came out with an easy squeeze-able tube for the primer potion. It works so much easier, because you can control how much you can use and i feel like you don't waste product like the wand primer potion. The fill weight is also 11ml e 0.37 US fl oz unlike the 10ml e 0.34 US fl. oz. that comes in the bottle form. The tube is priced $1 more than the bottle but you can a lot more benefits and i find it a lot easier to work with. I was very happy to get my hands on this primer.

__________________________________________________

That's about it for my haul!

Thoughts?

Keep Calm and Blog!

2011-07-18T19:29:00.000-05:00

I really did miss spending time on my computer - today with a cup of coffee - and working on blog posts. I've been taking pictures all day and editing for the most part and planning out posts. I feel like i forgot the amount of work that it gets put into blogging LOL! I love it though.

This post won't be too long or about anything in particular but just general updates about what's new, where i've been and what to expect. Now that i'm back on the blog scene i really feel like i owe all my readers an update.

I got a new job finally - the daycare job i had was killing me. I now work at Pandora Jewelry and i love it!
I am now single and i got used to lovin it. I focus on myself and not having to answer to anyone is sort of a breath of fresh air.
I've been spending time studying very hard in school and applying for graduation, which is hopefully happening in December... Yay!
I have been keeping active with a workout program that has kept me feeling more energized. I will do a post about this because it's a lot of fun.
Another big part of why i've been missing has been to just take a break and focus on myself. I think we all have those "growing up" moments where you need some time for yourself and get it together. Details are personal but that's the gist of things lol!
I also feel like i have a lot of ideas for posts so keep watch for FOTDs, NOTDs, Products i love and use, and other fun filled posts.

Thanks again to all my readers for being patient and following my blog

If you have any questions/requests/comments don't hesitate to shoot an email my way, i would love to hear from you.

REVIEW: KKCenterhk Lashes

2011-07-18T02:24:00.000-05:00

This is the second time that i have tried lashes from KKCenterhk. I have done a post in the past with the first sets of lashes i was sent for review and i was really please. Click HERE to re-visit the review.

Unlike the previous sets, these are a different brand - AK - and each package comes with 5 pairs of lashes. I had the chance to try out each type of lash so i can give you my honest opinion about them individually. I was sent three boxes of five pairs each of this particular brand that come in a yellow/orange little skinny box. The numbers are 605, 608 and 610 - all are priced $12.50.

_________________________________________________

AK Brand Eyelashes HandMade AK-605

I think these would be my favorite out of all of them. Because they're handmade, they have a natural look to them. In the box you can tell that they start short in the corner and get long then end short again. That's not a problem, because the lashes are long so i had to resize them for my eye. It leave the lash with a winged look to it and it looks great once you put it on. My favorite part about the lashes is that band that bends easily and adjusts to the eye so it stays on really well. I think they're very naturally dramatic and i really love the long luscious lash effect if gives.

_____________________________________________________________

AK Brand Eyelashes HandMade AK-608

These are my least favorite lashes. They were a bit hard to work with. I found the band of the lash to be a bit rough to bend and it was a bit too thick. If you look closely to the picture on the left, you can see the band, so it doesn't make it look very natural. Another thing, the lashes themselves are so short! The main reason i (and everyone else im sure) wear lashes is to make the eye open up with long gorgeous lashes - unless your already blessed with a great pair. These particular ones didn't do it for me. It just felt heavy on the lid and didn't add much to my natural babies. These would probably work for someone who would want to just add more lashes of the same length as your natural ones.

____________________________________________________________

AK Brand Eyelashes HandMade AK-610

I really love these lashes also. They do resemble the first set above, but it is slightly different. They are just as long and have that winged effect to them. I find that these seem to add fullness, not just length. Once you add mascara if gives it that full long lash effect, whereas the first set would get just the length effect. I found myself switching between the sets 605 and 610 because they all add they're own that extra glam to different looks. Again the band of these are also easy to work with and very adjustable. Love it!

Pros: Easy to work with (605,610), looks natural, adds length and fullness, stays on.

Cons: Plastic band thats hard to work with (608), short lashes.

Overall opinion: I love that it comes in pairs and you can have a collection of lashes handy anytime. They look natural and are easy to work with for the most part. They're definitely worth it.

___________________________________________________________

Disclaimer: I was sent these for review purpose by the representative of the company.

I was not paid for this review and what i've said is my honest opinion.

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

2011-07-16T13:10:00.000-05:00

New name, new ideas, new me.

I know I've been gone for way too long from my blog world and i've missed it terribly. I will write an update post and get back into the swing of things, i promise.

Thank you to ALL of my subscribers, i love each and every one of you for sticking with my blog and being patient. I will have a giveaway soon to show you my appreciation.

Sincerely,

Me =)

REVIEW - N.Y.C Smooth Skin Bronzer in Sunny

2011-03-06T20:45:00.004-06:00

On my recent trip to Target i picked up this bronzer that i've been wanting to try for a long time. It's by N.Y.C and its extremely affordable, around $3. It comes in a small slim compact with a mirror. You can easily just slip it in your purse its super cute. The quality is really good for the price. It goes on extremely smooth and just gives your face a nice sun-kissed look without overdoing it. It's not super pigmented so you don't have to worry about a light hand with a brush or sponge. I like using the brush to just blend it on my face for a nice hint of color. It's definitely one of my favorite bronzers since its a nice matte finish with a slight sheen feel without looking glittery or shimmery. I highly recommend it.

Benefits
Sun-kissed yet natural look year round without the damaging effects of the sun
Glides easily for sheer effect
Adds a tanned look in seconds
Can be worn alone or over makeup
Dermatologist tested

Swatches compared to other bronzers i own

________________

xoxo

FOTD - Jessica Burciaga inspired!

2011-03-06T20:09:00.000-06:00

I was requested to do a Jessica Burciaga inspired makeup post. I had a hard time finding one specific picture that i can replicate so i basically just summed up her style into one and this is what i came out.

I look nothing like her so it's hard to come up with the exact style, but in general shes always glowy and bronzy. I'm in no way as tan at the moment so i had to improvize LOL! I had to pack on bronzer so achieve some sort of similarity. A lot of her look is based on the glowiness she has so i exagerated on highlight, which i don't usually do since it makes my face look super oily.

All-in-all her makeup style is amazing: lots of glow, bronzer and bronzy shades of eyeshadow; perfect for the summer! Here's what i came up with, hope you like it =)

_____________________________________

FACE:

Maybelline fit me foundation 220

NYC translucent powder

NYC Sunny bronzer (review coming soon)

Urban Decay bronzer in Baked

Mac Rhapsody in two blush (highlight)

EYES:

UDPP in Sin

UD e/s in Smog (all over the lid)

UD e/s in Half Baked (inner corner, blending into lid)

UD e/s in Darkhorse (darken crease, and below waterline)

UD e/s in Sin (highlight)

Covergirl shadow blast Bronze Fire (Step1 highlight, Step2 lined the outer part of my eye)

UD liner in Zero

Covergirl lash blast mascara

Lashes (ill review which ones soon)

LIPS:

Mac Creme D'Nude

NYX gloss in Sweetheart

(places i highlighted)

This is to help you achieve the glow that she has using highlight of your choice. The one i used is Macs Rhapsody in Two (the golden color)

_______________

xoxo

REVIEW: Maybelline Fit Me Foundation and Powder!

2011-02-12T15:35:00.000-06:00

I'm sure many of you are already familiar with this new Fit Me line that Maybelline recently came out with. I've been wearing this foundation enough so i can give a full review based on my experience with these products. I purchased both the foundation and powder from Target for $6.99, which is a great price for a foundation and powder. They also have available concealer, blush and bronzer (which i REALLY want to try) for just under $6.

___________________________________

Fit Me Foundation in 220

The shade that i picked up that look more yellow undertoned is 220 Natural Beige. Here's what it says on the bottle:

Matches Natural Tone
Blends Seamlessly
Let's Skin Breathe

First thing i noticed that i don't like is that it doesn't have a pump. I feel like it's such so messy when working with a bottled foundation. The foundation itself has a very soft creamy consistency which i love and it's very easy to blend and work with. It does have a smell, which doesn't really bother me. It's like a fresh baby powder sort of smell so i kind of like it. It didn't feel heavy on my face but me being oily skinned i noticed that it's extremely oily so i need to powder my face several times a day. I'm personally not a big fan of the dewy look from foundations, i'd rather apply highlight powders to get the glow that i want. Having a dewy look makes my skin look like very greasy and messy. The coverage is decent i really like it, except that it fades away quickly. If you have trouble skin and need full coverage i wouldn't recommend this foundation. As it fades you might end up looking blotchy and dirty. I don't think i would re-purchase this foundation just because of its oily feel on my face and the short lasting power.

Fit Me Pressed Powder in 220

I picked up the shade that matched the foundation in Natural Beige.

I like how nice it combined with the foundation on the skin to help it set. What i really don't like is that it smudges onto clothes extremely easily and i don't like that. I tried applying a translucent powder over it and it just looked like a powdery mess on my face. It does leave my skin feeling and looking very soft but the fact that it transfers onto things really easy bugs me a lot. Even though it's the same shade as the foundation, it makes the foundation look a lot darker. So if you're a NC30 for example, the foundation will match you but with the powder you will look like NC35-NC37. I doubt i would wear the powder often.

Overall Opinion:

Even though it's a great affordable foundation, i don't see myelf rushing to buy another one anytime soon. The fact that it doesn't last me all day doesn't sit very well with me. I don't have time to re-apply foundations all day so i need something that has a decent lasting power and won't look like a mess by the end of the day. My skin is somewhat sensitive and pretty oily so wearing the foundation every single day made me break out a little bit so i don't want to use it everyday or on bad skin days. I would recommend it for thos of you with dryer skin and don't need that full coverage like me. I will however give the blushes and bronzers a try because of the variety and how pretty they look. Ill keep you posted when i do.

I will post a picture with me wearing it soon...

Have you tried and FIT ME products?

Any thoughts you would like to share about this?

Urban Decay - Are you feminine, dangerous or fun?

2011-02-08T17:44:00.000-06:00

Urban Decay palettes are probably my favorite things to get. They're definitely worth collecting if you love the combination of colors. They usually come with extra eyeliner and/or mini primer. These three new palettes stand out, depending on which colors you prefer wearing. Let's see what each palette has to offer...

"We like to describe everything we create as being feminine, a little dangerous, and a lot of fun. These eyeshadow palettes speak to your inner mojo. Filled with six handpicked eyeshadows, Eyeshadow Primer Potion and 24/7 Eye Pencil, they coax your personality into doing all the talking. How do you roll?"

______________________

"Our Feminine Palette is for those who cultivate a more "feminine" personality. These sultry shadows suit your legendary wiles perfectly. We’ve added Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Eden, a matte, nude shade, and our award-winning black eyeliner, Zero. Behold endless possibilities at your graceful fingertips."

The shades included in this palette are: Stray Dog, Midnight Cowboy, Ecstasy, SWF, Darkhorse, Aquarius, and travel-sizes of 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero, and Eden Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

"Try as you might… your friends say you’re rooted on the wild side. Our Dangerous Palette holds six intense, bewitching shadows to help your inner “Femme Nikita” come out kicking. Feed your dangerous desires with Greed, our gilded Eyeshadow Primer Potion and a naughty purple eye pencil to complete the Set."

The shades included in this palette are: Haight, Virgin, Mildew, Oil Slick, Rockstar, Gunmetal and travel-sizes of 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Rockstar, and Greed Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

"You tend to tip the scales toward "fun" don’t you? Our Technicolor Fun Palette makes you the hit of any party (as if you need the help). This bright case hosts six shadows with twittering personality, a sassy eye pencil and our must-have Eyeshadow Primer Potion. Please, entertain us!"

The shades included in this palette are: Woodstock, Psychedelic Sister, Baked, Sin, Flipside, Uzi, and travel sizes of 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Oil Slick, and Original Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

Fill Weight: Eyeshadows: 6 x 0.9 g e 6 x 0.03 US oz; Eyeshadow Primer Potion: 3.7ml e 0.13 US fl oz; 24/7 Eye Pencil: 0.8g e 0.03 US oz

________________________

Which one am i?

I would definitely lean towards getting the Feminie palette just because i would see myself wearing those soft colors everyday. Stray Dog is one of my all time favorite Urban Decay eyeshadows so that was the first palette that i liked from the start. Each palette has some colors that i would definitely see myself using depending on if im going out or just playing around with colors, but not something that i would pack on on a daily basis.

I got all this information from the Urban Decay website.

What do you think about these palettes?

Are you feminine, dangerous or fun?!

Pictures of the day...

2011-02-08T17:20:00.001-06:00

I thought i would share these pictures that pretty much made me laugh all day today.

I woke up early for school today and after i was all ready to go i take a look at my dog and she completely took over my bed LOL! She was giving me the look that basicaly said "You get to go to school while i stay here and enjoy some sleep"...

What is everyone up to?

Do you feel like this week is already dragging or is it just me?!?

FOTD - Almay Intense i-color smoky-i kit

2011-02-05T16:49:00.000-06:00

I'm really loving this trio. It would however look a lot better on hazel eyes as it would make them stand out more but i don't mind the smokyness for darker eyes too.

The eyeshadow quality is really nice. When you first test it out and swatch them they seem dry, but using a brush and applying it to a primer helps the pigmentation stand out, so im really impressed with that. I highly recommend checking them out, matching your eye color.

I definitely want to get my hands on the one for brown eyes.

FACE:

Mac Longwear foundation NC35

Maybelline concealer

Elf bronzer - contour

NYC setting powder

Elf blush - Candid Coral

EYES:

UDPP

Almay trio for hazel eyes

(using the steps shown on the box)

Milani eyeliner - waterline and top lashline

Covergirl lash blast mascara

Ardell wispies

LIPS:

Gosh Darling

Mac Lazy day lipstick

Review - Almay Intense i-color smoky-i kit for Hazel eyes!

2011-02-02T17:08:00.001-06:00

I noticed these new easy to use trios at my local drugstore and i had to get one to try out. I picked up the one for hazel eyes even though i have brown eyes just because these colors appealed to me more, and the brown eye trio was sold out LOL! These are perfect for those of you who just get started with makeup or want something easy to use in three easy steps to achieve a smoky eye look.

Almay intense i-color smoky-i kit comes in four different trios, one for each eye color: brown, hazel, blue and green. The shadows are a bit shimmery, so if that's not your thing maybe these aren't for you. I love that it gives a very subtle smokey eye in easy steps that anyone can follow without disappointment. The quality of the shadows seem a bit dry when swatched but looks a lot better with a primer. I do like how the colors go well together in a way to make your specific eye color stand out. I will definitely be purchasing the one for brown eyes soon.

The one i picked up is for you hazel eyed beauties and comes with three colors that you apply on your lid, crease and browbone - a silvery gray, a lavender purple and an icy white. It also includes two spongy applicators, which i usually dont use.

I will be posting an FOTD using this trio soon so stay tuned for that...

Have you tried any of these yet?