The Shades Of U Makeup

MAC Temperature Rising: Caliente Lipstick and Soft Serenade Lipglass Swatches, Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Fri, 17 May 2013 18:37:00 +0000

MAC Temperature Rising collection

MAC Lipstick in Caliente

MAC lipglass in Soft Serenade

(Media sample)

For this installment of the MAC Temperature Rising collection, we focus on the lip products. I only have two of the lip products from this collection, mainly Caliente lipstick and Soft Serenade lipglass.

I have to say that I love these two, especially Caliente lipstick. It's one of the more unusual lipsticks in my makeup collection. It's a dazzle lipstick, meaning it has micro-glitter in it, but it's not chunky at all and very wearable.

Soft Serenade lipglass is described as midtone neutral pink with pearl, and that's exactly what it is. It's pretty if you want a luscious shine on the lips.

Swatches:

MAC dazzle lipstick in Caliente

MAC lipglass in Soft Serenade

MAC Caliente dazzle lipstick is described as a super dazzle violet, but it's not violet at all to me, but a plummy brown shimmering lipstick on the lips. Soft Serenade is a lovely sparkle lipgloss that adds that oomph to your lip look.

In the photos above, I am wearing MAC Caliente dazzle lipstick with Soft Serenade lipglass on top. Those are screen caps of my MAC Temperature Rising Summer 2013 Swatches and Review Video. As you can see, the combo is quite wearable and the scary-looking Caliente lipstick in the tube translates into a nice glossy plum on the lips.

Watch out for the next installment of the MAC Temperature Rising review series on this blog.

(Media sample was sent by PR for consideration. All opinions are mine.)

RiRi ❤ MAC Lipstick: Riri Woo Swatches, Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Fri, 17 May 2013 05:24:00 +0000

MAC Riri Woo lipstick

(Media sample)

As many know by now, the new and online-exclusive RiRi ❤ MAC Lipstick called Riri Woo is actually singer Rihanna's take on the MAC cult classic Ruby Woo. They are basically one and the same, except that Rihanna's signature is etched on the side of the Riri Woo lipstick. It's a incredibly bright red with cool but I also see some warm undertones to it (it's not as blue-based as let's say MAC Russian Red). RiRi Woo is very matte, though, so be sure to moisturize your lips prior to application.

This is such a beautiful, classic red. It is also in the Retro Matte finish, so I guess this is the finish of vintage red lipstick, giving it a timeless look. I'd love to have my photos wearing Riri Woo in black and white, with only my red lips the only colored feature. Luckily, there's an app for that!

Riri Woo is exclusively available online at www.maccosmetics.com. If it is sold out, don't fret, as you can always get this timeless look using MAC's Ruby Woo lipstick from the permanent line.

What do you think of MAC Riri (or Ruby) Woo?

(Media sample was provided by a representative of the brand for consideration. All opinions are completely mine.)

OPI Couture de Minnie 2013 Collection Swatches, Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:22:00 +0000

OPI Couture de Minnie 2013 Collection

(Media sample)

When I saw these nail lacquers on my doorstep, I was giddy with excitement, as I am a huge Disney fan, specifically Minnie. I love her pink outfits, her red or pink shoes, just her poise and all her pink goodness. These nail lacquers from OPI's Couture de Minnie collection really pick up the theme of Minnie Mouse (pink and everything girly), and Minnie's persona is easily seen in the nail polishes.

Here are my swatches and thoughts on the OPI Couture de Minnie 2013 collection:

OPI A Definite Moust-Have stamped with China Glaze in Passion (sunlight)

OPI A Definite Moust-Have is my absolute favorite out of all the nail polishes in this collection. It's a beautiful, vibrant watermelon pink. It has an obedient formula - it's so easy to apply on the nails that it virtually applies itself. The color truly screams summer - and it's easily the perfect mani or pedi color this season.

OPI Chic From Ears to Tail (sunlight)

OPI Chic From Ears to Tail (shade)

OPI Chic From Ears to Tail is a nice light blue-based pink. It looks very feminine and clean on the nails. I deemed that it's the best base for the glitter topcoat in this collection, because the light background would allow the glitter to stand out.

OPI Minnie Style over OPI Chic From Ears to Tail (sunlight)

(shade)

OPI Minnie Style is a clear base with white, magenta, pink and red hex glitter. I like the mix of white with the darker red and pink glitter, but I think that the glitter is sparse and a few bigger and different-shaped glitter could be added to make it more interesting. However, the color combination is definitely Minnie Mouse and a great topper for these pink and red nail lacquers.

OPI Innie Minnie Mighty Bow

(shade)

OPI Innie Minnie Mighty Bow stamped with China Glaze in Passion with tiny studs

OPI Innie Minnie Mighty Bow is a beautiful shiny red. I loved it stamped with red as it really makes it look festive. On its own, though, it's a classic red that will never be out of style. This would be a nice pedicure color as well to show off piggies in sexy, strappy heels.

OPI Magazine Cover Mouse Liquid Sand (sunlight)

(under shade)

OPI Magazine Cover Mouse is the Liquid Sand finish of the bunch. As with all Liquid Sands, it has a textured, matte finish, but has sparkling particles to prevent it from looking flat. It's a nice red shade, bright and the texture gives it an interesting finish.

All in all, I like the Couture de Minnie collection, as I love reds and pinks. However, there is one stand-out in this collection for me, and that is A Definite Moust-Hav, which is really a must-have for me. The others are okay, but if I can recommend only one, this is it.

OPI states that Liquid Sand lacquers should always be worn without top coat. This limited edition promotion will be available beginning June 2013 at professional salons, including Beauty Brands, Beauty First, Chatters, Dillard’s, jcp Salons, Pure Beauty, Regis, Trade Secret, ULTA and ulta.com for $9.00 ($10.95 CAN) suggested retail for each nail lacquer.

(Media sample was provided for consideration. All opinions are mine.)

MAC Summer 2013: Temperature Rising and Bare My Soul Eye Shadow Palette Swatches, Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Wed, 15 May 2013 05:25:00 +0000

MAC Temperature Rising Collection

MAC Palettes: Temperature Rising, Bare My Soul

MAC Temperature Rising

MAC Bare My Soul

(Media sample)

In my Video Post: MAC Temperature Rising Collection Swatches and Review, I talked about the summer collection of MAC for 2013 that featured metallic shades of eye shadows, bright blushes, dazzle lipsticks and shimmery lipglasses and body oils. I will be dividing my Temperature Rising written reviews according to the products of this collection. For this installment, I'll be talking about the quads.

These eye shadow quads are quite different from the summer eye shadows of past MAC summer collections. As I'd mentioned in my video review, I was glad that MAC didn't give us bright teals and corals for this collection, as I'm totally tealed out when it comes to MAC summer collections. In the past years, we always see a lot of teals, bright pinks and corals in MAC eye shadow collections for summer, but this year, it's all about the metallics which I absolutely love. These are shades that you can totally wear throughout the year, and not just spring and summer.

The first one is called Bare My Soul, and I prefer this one over the other quad called Temperature Rising. Bare My Soul has a lovely shadow in the same name that is a frosted gold. When In Rio is a deep green with copper pearl, Friendly is a deep bronze-chocolate in the veluxe pearl formula, and Romantico is a light taupe bronze also in veluxe pearl. This quad is very versatile and you can change your look from day to night depending on your choice and application of the colors.

Temperature Rising is a mauve-red-purple kind of palette. It has Circus/Performance Art which is a frosted gold mauve, Swelter which is a mid-tone violet, Temperature Rising which is a light warm tanned peach, and Beauty Marked which is a charcoal black with red pearl.

Swatches:

Temperature Rising Quad: Performance Art, Temperature Rising
Swelter, Beauty Marked

Performance Art, Temperature Rising

Swelter, Beauty Marked

As I'd mentioned in the video review, I am totally disappointed in Beauty Marked. It's supposed to be blackened red, at least when you look at it in the pan, but it is just your basic black without any hint of red upon application.

MAC Bare My Soul: Bare My Soul, Romantico,
Friendly, When in Rio

Bare My Soul, Romantico

Friendly, When in Rio

As you can see, the shades of Bare My Soul as metallic but very wearable, and the dark colors are very rich.

Below are screen caps of my Video Review on the MAC Temperature Rising collection, and I used the shadows in the Bare My Soul quad on my eyes. I used Bare My Soul on the lids, then all three other colors in the quad were used on the crease and outer lid.

All in all, I am really liking the shadows in this collection, just because they are not your usual teals and corals from MAC summer collections. I am particularly liking Bare My Soul, which is such a great and versatile quad of metallic and dark crease shades.

Stay tuned for reviews and swatches of the other items from the MAC Temperature Rising collection!

(Media sample was provided for consideration. All opinions are mine.)

Things That Inspire and Get Noticed

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Wed, 15 May 2013 03:01:00 +0000

(Sponsored Post)

I notice a number of things about people. I like to people watch, but mostly to get ideas on what to write about on my blog. Here are some of the things I usually notice in people.

(Source: Zara.com)

Since I am not a fashion blogger, I don't mention much shoes on this blog, but I love shoes. I notice shoes just like any woman, just because they do make (or break) the outfit. If you know you have a good pair of shoes, even simple clothing would look fab and put together.

My jewelry armoire

I also like accessories, and like shoes, they can also make or break the outfit. I bought this jewelry armoire that doubles as a full-length mirror on QVC.com, and it's great to store all my fashion jewelry. I keep all my precious-stone jewelry in another case, but since I use fashion jewelry often, this armoire is best to see all my dangle earrings, necklaces, chunky cocktail rings all in one place. It also makes selecting jewelry for my outfit a lot easier in the morning.

That said, I like looking at accessories of other people. That way, I get some ideas on how to mix and match pieces.

Since this is a makeup blog, I like looking at other people's makeup to pick up some ideas on trends, as well as ideas for tutorials or Eye of The Days or Face of The Days. I like to recreate looks I see on makeup company websites, face charts, or celebrity looks.

Lastly, I love to look at people's nails. I heard from this celebrity (I forget the name) that women should always keep their nails looking good, because your makeup and nice clothes won't matter if your nails are dirty and not taken care of. Also, as I age, I realize that polished nails make my hands look younger, for some reason. I like fun nail art (glitter or nail stamp) for weekends and special occasions, or simple colored nails for work.

All in all, these are mostly the things that inspire me to write on this blog. I get enamored by lovely nail polishes, nail art, and makeup on Instagram, and Pinterest, and I can just stare at those lovely creations all day. However, those are only what I initially notice in people, but what truly matters is that they have a good personality. I mean, pretty shoes, makeup and nails don't make the person - they make you get noticed, but being kind and cordial keep people drawn to a person.

What are the things that inspire you?

America's trusted brand for 65 years, Dial® continues to deliver clean, healthy skin for you and your family.
Dial® Healthier Skin. Healthier You.®

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Dial® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Dial®.

Video Post: bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick, Lipgloss and Lipliner Swatches, Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Tue, 14 May 2013 03:25:00 +0000

Hi everyone! Below is my video on NEW bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick, Lipgloss and Lipliner Review. Please check out and subscribe to my YouTube channel if you'd like to see more of these kinds of videos.

See review video below:

(Media sample was provided by PR for consideration.)

Zoya Summer 2013: Irresistible Collection Swatches, Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Mon, 13 May 2013 04:59:00 +0000

Zoya Irresistible (top row)

(Media sample)

I think out of the recent Zoya collections I've tried this past month, it's the Irresistible collection that I am loving the most. It's such a beautiful collection of shimmery, glass-flecked or foil-finish polishes that the finish and the shades really scream summer. Zoya Irresistible is the more flamboyant collection of Zoya for summer 2013, as opposed to Stunning which are creams. Here are my swatches from the Irresistible collection and my thoughts on these.

Zoya Kerry (sunlight)

(under shade)

Zoya Kerry is stunning. It's a buttery gold foil nail polish. It's so beautiful, I think this is one of my favorites from this collection. I used to not like buttery yellow/gold shades, but this time, I am totally into this.

Zoya Amy (sunlight)

(under shade)

Zoya Amy is probably my most favorite out of this entire bunch. This reminds me of Katniss the girl-on-fire of The Hunger Games. It's such a beautiful orange with flecks of gold especially when sunlight hits it.

Zoya Tinsley (sunlight)

(under shade)

Zoya Tinsley is another pretty one with a mauve base and flecks of gold. I love how different it looks under sunlight and under shade.

Zoya Bobbi (sunlight)

(under shade)

Zoya Bobbi is a beautiful magenta glass flecked polish. It's one of the most eye-catching shades in this collection, just because it's very bright and the finish is amazing as well.

Zoya Hazel (sunlight)

(under shade)

Zoya Hazel is a nice icy blue foil with silver flecks. At certain angles, it is almost silver under direct sunlight.

Zoya Rikki (sunlight)

(under shade)

Zoya Rikki is a botanical green foil with gold flecks. This is pretty as well.

I really can't say that any one of these Zoya Irresistibles is bad or ugly. All of them are really great and the finish is just gorgeous. I love how eye-catching the light from the glass-flecked finish is.

If I were to choose, my favorites would definitely be Kerri, Amy and Bobbi. Which ones are your faves?

The Irresistible collection is now available on Zoya.com and retails for $8 each.

(Note: Media sample was provided by a representative of the brand for consideration. All opinions are mine.)

Your Spring Beauty Refresher

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Sun, 12 May 2013 01:00:00 +0000

(The following is sponsored syndicated content that does not necessarily reflect the opinions of this website.)

Your Spring Beauty Refresher

These expert tips will help you update your makeup, nail, and skin care routine for the new season

This is a TotalBeauty.com video article

Spring is finally here! The changing season not only means warmer weather and a lighter wardrobe, but it also means that your beauty routine needs a makeover to match. Spring is the perfect time to brighten up with a new lip color or bold polish and to finally show off some skin. To help you get ready for the new season, we talked to celebrity makeup artist Cyndle Komarovski, who gave us expert tips on how to update our makeup, nails, and skin for spring. Click ahead to revamp and refresh your beauty routine now.

See tips

Video Post: MAC Temperature Rising Summer 2013 Collection Swatches, Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Fri, 10 May 2013 17:44:00 +0000

Hi everyone! Below is my video on MAC Temperature Rising Summer 2013 Collection Swatches, Review. Please check out and subscribe to my YouTube channel if you'd like to see more of these kinds of videos.

I forgot to talk about the MAC Powerchrome Eye Pencils, but they will be included in my upcoming written reviews with clear swatches!

See review video below:

(Media sample was provided by PR for consideration.)

MAC Baking Beauties Pearlmatte Face Powder, Lipstick, Mineralize Tinted Lip Balm, Lustre Drops Swatches, Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Fri, 10 May 2013 02:56:00 +0000

MAC Baking Beauties

(Media sample)

Okay, I know this is a tad late, but this written review is just a supplement to my Video Review on the MAC Baking Beauties collection that went up both on this blog and my YouTube channel. I'll make this written review succinct and short because I already did a lengthy review of this collection in the video review.

Every year, MAC comes up with a cake-themed or baking-themed collection around spring. This is MAC's cake-centered collection for 2013, and it's called, as the title says, Baking Beauties. It's all about fresh, light, springy colors. I have a few of the items in this collection, and here are my thoughts on these.

Lipstick in Devil's Food, Lavender Whip

MAC lipsticks in Lavender Whip, Devil's Food

Wearing MAC Lavender Whip lipstick with a light pink lipglass on top

Devil's Food lipstick is a glossy deep plum in the frost formula. I was actually surprised that this was in the Baking Beauties collection, as this looks more fall than spring to me. I think the glossy finish makes it look a little lighter as opposed to a matte finish.

Lavender Whip is a light cool lavender in the cremesheen formula. People have a love-hate relationship with this lipstick. Maybe it's because they some say it's an unflattering kind of lavender, but I beg to disagree. It actually looks nice on my pigmented lips. It's better if I apply a light pink or lilac lipglass on top like in the photo above. It's a nice, very feminine shade that screams spring.

PearlMatte Face Powder:

MAC Pink Buttercream Pearlmatte Face Powder

MAC In For A Treat pearlmatte face powder

MAC Pink Buttercream Pearlmatte Face Powder

Swatches: MAC Pink Buttercream Pearlmatte Face Powder: the silvery-pink base, the periwinkle leaves, the pink flowers, and
Swirled together

MAC Pink Buttercream swirl of shades

MAC In For A Treat Pearlmatte Face Powder: the champagne base, the coral flowers, the mint leaves, and
All the colors swirled

MAC Pearlmatte Face Powder in In For A Treat, swirled and swatched

The MAC Pearlmatte Face Powder is supposed to be a multi-hued face powder that has a matte finish, but upon application, it morphs into a light-reflecting sheen on the skin that is not as metallic as the mineralize skinfinish or the Extra Dimension skinfinish. If you are not into the very metallic finish of the MSFs or the Extra Dimension, but you still want to use a highlighter to highlight the planes of your face, this product is for you.

As you can see in the product photos and swatches, the pearlmatte face powder is usually very pretty. It has a 3-D design that has different colors. This time, the design is a pretty flower that has different hues depending on the design, but when you swirl your brush around the compact and the colors blend together, they apply like a nice highlighter on the skin.

You can also use this as an all-over face powder, but I am not a fan of this application. I prefer to use this just on the top of the cheekbones and temples.

MAC Mineralize Tinted Lip Balm:

Top-bottom: Baking Beauty, Cheery Cherry

MAC Baking Beauty mineralize tinted lip balm

MAC Cheery Cherry mineralize tinted lip balm

Swatches:

MAC Baking Beauty, Cheery Cherry mineralize tinted lip balm

The MAC mineralize lip balm is supposed to be a lip balm that can be applied before your lipstick or gloss, or it can also be applied over lipstick. I prefer to use these as a lipgloss applied on top of lipsticks.

These two that I have are very sheer, and there's not much tint to them. In fact, they look really sheer on my pigmented lips, so don't expect these to have a lot of pigment.

Baking Beauty is a creamy light peach, while Cheery Cherry is a mid-tone blue pink. However, these descriptions won't probably help at all if you see how sheer these are.

MAC Lustre Drops

Lustre Drops are liquid highlighters. It gives a very nice sheen to the skin. It would be a great way to give a nice shimmer to parts of the face where the sun hits, most especially the cheekbones. I believe it would also make a great highlighter for parts of the body like the decolletage.

My only gripe is that since a little goes a long way (as the name suggests, you only need a tiny drop for each application), I feel that the container and the amount of product in each package is wasteful. It's best to split this with a friend, because as a liquid product, it has a shorter lifespan compared to a powder highlighter, and I doubt that you would be able to consume one bottle before it expires.

All in all, if you are a fan of fun, springy colors, this collection is for you. I was not exactly wowed by it, but I do like the Pearlmatte Face Powders just because they're just too pretty. I'm a sucker for highlighters as well, so I will be able to make use of the powders.

Which ones did you pick up from this collection?

(Note: Media sample was provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are completely mine.)

11 Best New Beauty Oils

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Thu, 09 May 2013 05:19:00 +0000

(The following is sponsored syndicated content that does not necessarily reflect the opinions of this website.)

11 Best New Beauty Oils

These new picks will motivate you to use oils in every step of your beauty routine

This is a TotalBeauty.com Skin care article

Remember when we wanted everything in our beauty regimen to be oil-free? Well, those days are long gone. From nail care to hair color, every beauty category is experiencing an oil boom. Why? Oils are not only moisturizing and nurturing, but they're also loaded with antioxidants. We tried dozens of the newest oils and came up with an entire beauty routine that is oil-based. Click ahead to see how beauty oils can beautify you from head to toe.

See oils

How Did You Get Noticed? An Interview With My Friend Jennifer

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Wed, 08 May 2013 20:38:00 +0000

(Sponsored Post)

My friend Jennifer and I

Yesterday, I picked up the phone and called one of my closest friends. Her name is Jennifer, and I've always felt a connection with her even in our very first meeting. Both of us could still remember the first time we met - at a dinner with our mutual friends before watching the first movie of Sex and the City. It was five years ago and yet we still remember it like it was yesterday. I arrived before she did, but when she came into the restaurant, she just sat beside me and we just hit it off even though we hadn't known each other for more than five minutes! I was actually surprised that we just clicked, to the point that we ended up sharing our food and splitting the check.

So here was how our telephone conversation went:

Me: "What was your first impression of me"?

Jennifer: "You were not intimidating, you were very approachable, lively and friendly even to the point of allowing me to split the restaurant meal and check with you." (aww)

That's exactly how I felt about her too. Let me take this opportunity to say why I cherish her friendship:

Jennifer is real. She is as real as you can be. She doesn't try to impress people with how she dresses, what brand her purse or shoes is, what clothes she wears. She actually doesn't give a damn about brand names and what-not. She is very down-to-earth and just amazingly simple and refreshing. She puts her family first above all- even above her friends like me, which I really respect and admire. She will put the welfare of her husband and daughter first over anything in the world. She will not leave her daughter if she knows that she needs her, even if she already said yes to a night out with friends.

Jennifer is loved by her nephews, her nieces, her friends, and most of all, her family. With every act she does, it's obvious that she is not self-centered, unlike others who put their own needs and wants before their family.

I am honored that a person like this says good things about me, and has given me the gift of her friendship.

I love my makeup

She seldom puts on makeup.

Let me say that we don't have all things in common - she knows I love makeup, nail polish and all things girly. She does not. But even then, we just click, maybe because deep down we value the same things: family.

I also like that she has a good sense of humor. Having a sense of humor is very important to me, friends and lover alike. This is why I married a person who photobombs my Eye of The Days:

LOL

Life is colorless without humor, and we should try to find something positive in every circumstance, even in the most sensitive and difficult ones.

Even when I feel down, I give thanks for the things that matter most to me - the gift of loved ones and friendship. My interview with Jennifer reveals that it was not how I looked like physically that drew me to her. What mattered to her was my attitude and the way I related to her. Even though we value our physical appearance, it is really how we treat people and how real we are to them that will create an impact on them for years to come.

How were you first noticed by your friends and loved ones?

America's trusted brand for 65 years, Dial® continues to deliver clean, healthy skin for you and your family.
Dial® Healthier Skin. Healthier You.®

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Dial® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Dial®.

Pixi Extra Eye Bright Liner Swatches, Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Wed, 08 May 2013 05:07:00 +0000

(Media sample)

It is hard to find a pencil liner that will not only brighten up the eye area, but something that would not look too stark or unnatural like a white pencil. I've used white liner in the past on my waterline to make me look less tired, but I have been bothered by the unnatural white color. Sometimes, the white pencil can also tug on the lashline, which makes my eyes water.

I've found an eye pencil that gives the eyes a more refreshed look, but without the stark white color. Pixi Extra Eye Bright Liner is the perfect liner to use on your waterline if you want to make your eyes look bigger, more awake or refreshed. It has a creamy light pink shade that applies well on the lashline. I tried the No. 2 Extra Bright shade, and I like how it does give an extra bright look to the eyes. I admit I don't sleep all that well, and I need all the help I can get to make my eyes look less tired.

As you can see in the swatches, the product applies evenly and has a creamy formula. It also comes in a twist-up tube so there's no need for sharpening.

The best part is that this product from Pixi is easily available at Target. It retails for $17 and is sold online on Target.com and also in stores.

(Note: Media sample was provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are mine.)

Nicole by OPI Limited Edition Gumdrops Nail Lacquer Swatches, Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Mon, 06 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

Nicole By OPI Gumdrops

(Media sample)

Textured polish is all the rage right now and a lot of nail polish brands are coming up with their own version of textured nail lacquer. For this entry, we focus on Nicole by OPI's limited edition collection of textured polishes called Gumdrops. Below are my swatches and thoughts on this collection.

Nicole by OPI Candy is Dandy

Nicole by OPI Candy is Dandy is a pretty candy pink that looks like sugared candy because of the silver glitter. So feminine.

Nicole by OPI I Lilac Gumdrops

Nicole by OPI I Lilac Gumdrops is a lilac with silver glitter. It looks clean on the nails and the lilac shade makes it look quite springy.

Nicole by OPI My Cherry Amour

Nicole by OPI My Cherry Amour is my favorite from this collection. As the name suggests, it is a beautiful cherry red. The textured finish adds depth and dimension to the nail look.

Nicole by OPI A-Nise Treat

Nicole by OPI A-Nise Treat is another pretty one; it's a black with silver glitter. I like it because the black makes it look edgy, and yet the glitter makes it fun and feminine.

Nicole by OPI Blue-Berry Sweet of You

Nicole by OPI Blue-Berry Sweet of You is obviously a textured blue. Under the shade (the last photo), it looks almost silvery blue.

Nicole by OPI Cinna-Man of My Dreams

Nicole by OPI Cinna-Man of My Dreams is a cinnamon-colored polish with copper sparkle. It's also one of my favorites.

All in all, the shades in this textured polish collection are quite feminine and classic. You have your classic pink, red, lilac, blue and black. They are not super unique colors, but they become unique in their own way because of the textured finish.

Nicole by OPI suggests that the Gumdrops nail lacquers should always be worn without top coat to achieve the unique textured matte finish.

Nicole by OPI formulas are long-lasting, fast-drying, and salon-quality. This limited edition collection will be available beginning May 2013 for $7.99 each at retailers including select Walmart (May 2013), CVS (June 2013), Rite Aid, Kmart, Kroger, Ulta, H-E-B, and Duane Reade locations (August 2013), In Canada, these shades will be available for $10.99 each at Shoppers Drug Mart, Walmart Canada (July 2013), Jean Coutu, Loblaw, and London Drug (August 2013).

(Media sample was provided by a representative of the brand for consideration. All opinions are mine.)

Video Post: YouTube Giveaway - MAC, Illamasqua, NYX, Maybelline

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Sun, 05 May 2013 17:37:00 +0000

I am having a Giveaway for my YouTube subscribers! One of my YouTube subscribers will win the following prize package:

1. MAC By Candlelight mineralize skinfinish;
2. Illamasqua nail varnish in Poke;
3. Illamasqua nail varnish in Phallic;
4. NYX lip gloss in Whipped;
5. NYX lip gloss in Pink Natural; and
6. Maybelline Vivid Lipstick in On Fire Red.

(Note: I purchased all giveaway prizes with my own funds.)

This sweepstakes is open worldwide and for my YouTube subscribers only. Please subscribe to my YouTube channel if you are interested in joining this giveaway. Check out the Giveaway Rules and Mechanics in the description box of the video on YouTube.

Thanks and I hope to see you on my channel!

See video below:

Video Post: NARS Summer 2013 and Pierre Hardy Collections Swatches, Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Sat, 04 May 2013 16:35:00 +0000

Hi everyone! Below is my video on NARS Summer 2013 and Pierre Hardy Collections. Please check out and subscribe to my YouTube channel if you'd like to see more of these kinds of videos.

See review video below:

(Media sample was provided by PR for consideration.)

NARS Pierre Hardy Boys Don't Cry Blush and Vertebra Nail Lacquer Swatches, Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Fri, 03 May 2013 17:25:00 +0000

(Media sample)

I was able to try some of the items from the NARS Pierre Hardy Collection. These are some of my favorite products from NARS, namely blushes and nail lacquers. The nail lacquers come in duos with a nice box and pouch, kinda like little shoe boxes. Let's check out the one people are most excited about - the blush.

NARS Boys Don't Cry is a beautiful blush. It is larger than the regular NARS blushes, and it is housed in the same bigger NARS compact like many NARS eye shadow palettes (like Andy Warhol). It is a poppy shade with a gold overspray, so that it also gives a gold sheen when you apply it on your cheeks. This reminds me so much of my favorite cream blush from NARS, Cactus Flower.

NARS Pierre Hardy Nail Lacquer duo in Vertebra

NARS Vertebra Left, Vertebra Right

Swatches:

NARS Boys Don't Cry Blush

Wearing NARS Pierre Hardy blush in Boys Don't Cry

In the swatches above, I applied Boys Don't Cry lightly on the left, and with a heavier hand on the right. As you can see, the color is just gorgeous, it gives this beautiful red-coral flush that I believe would look great on almost everybody. It's a pretty universal shade.

NARS Pierre Hardy nail lacquer in Vertebra Left

NARS Pierre Hardy Vertebra Left nail lacquer is just gorgeous! It's probably my favorite out of all my NARS nail lacquers. It's a beautiful coral cream. It was a bit thick when I first applied it, so I thinned it with a few drops of nail polish thinner. It looks gorgeous and perfect for the tips and toes this summer.

NARS Pierre Hardy nail lacquer in Vertebra Right

NARS Pierre Hardy nail lacquer in Vertebra Right is a milk chocolate cream. This is okay, and although I don't like the shade on my skintone, the formula is easier to handle compared to Vertebra Left. I made it a bit more interesting by applying some nail stamp art and rhinestones.

All in all, I am really loving the Boys Don't Cry Blush and Vertebra Left nail polish. These are limited edition items, so grab yours now on the NARS website.

Watch out for my Video Review and Swatches of the NARS Pierre Hardy collection coming up real soon!

(Media sample was sent by PR for consideration. All opinions are mine.)

NARS Summer Color Collection 2013 Swatches, Eye Look, Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Thu, 02 May 2013 13:00:00 +0000

NARS Spring 2013:
Euphrate Single Eye Shadow, Fashion Rebel Eye Shadow Duo
Tender Night Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

(Media sample)

I was able to try a tiny amount of products from the NARS Summer Color Collection of 2013, but so far, I am liking most of them, particularly the eye shadows. Since these are the ones I like the best, let's dive into the review right away.

Euphrate Single Eye Shadow

Euphrate is a beautiful greyish silver. It's not a garish, out-of-this-world intergalactic silver, but it's a deeper shadow of silver that I very much prefer over whitish silvers. Since this is not too bright or over-the-top I can definitely wear this during the day or even at a conservative office setting. In the look below, I used it as an all-over lid color, and I like the soft greyish silver shade. It has a sheen that is nice to pair with the matte brights below.

NARS Fashion Rebel Eye Shadow Duo

NARS Fashion Rebel Eye Shadow Duo is a beautiful matte duo composed of a bright canary yellow and a red-based grape-purple. I don't have a really bright matte yellow with that is as saturated with color as it is easy to apply, so this is a welcome addition to my eye shadow collection.

The purple is a nice mid-tone purple matte that is great to apply on the crease to blend darker outer lid colors like dark plums or black.

NARS Tender Night Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

As I said in my NARS Satin Lip Pencil Swatches and Review, like the latter, these Velvet Matte Lip Pencils come in chubby pencils that have these rubbery-feeling tubes and caps. I also like that they double as a liner, so you don't need to scrounge around for a lipliner after applying this; the pointed tip gives a neat outline to your lip look.

Let's see how these look like on the skin!

Swatches:

NARS Euphrate Single Eye Shadow, Fashion Rebel Eye Shadow Duo

NARS Euphrate Single Eye Shadow

Tender Night Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

As you can see, both the single and duo eye shadows have very saturated color, very pigmented, and applied smoothly on the skin. I was particularly impressed with the matte yellow in the NARS Fashion Rebel duo, as it was quite pigmented. I don't own a lot of very pigmented yellow eye shadows, so this is a nice surprise.

Unfortunately, the Tender Night Velvet Matte Lip Pencil was too light for my medium skintone, as you can see in the swatches. It was way too light on my pigmented lips. If only it were a bit darker, I would have pulled this color off.

However, I do love the eye look I used using NARS Euphrate Single and Fashion Rebel Eye Shadow Duo:

Wearing NARS Euphrate on lid, matte purple shadow from the NARS Fashion Rebel eye shadow duo on the crease, outer lid and lower lashline, a darker matte plum on the crease and outer lid.

Euphrate's light but wearable silver contrasted well with the purple of Fashion Rebel. The purple appeared bright and quite noticeable on my lids. All eye shadows applied smoothly and glided like butter on the lids without compromising texture and finish.

All in all, I am loving the eye shadows I was able to try in this collection. Stay tuned for a Video Review of the NARS Summer Color Collection 2013 and NARS Pierre Hardy collection which will be up very soon!

(Media sample sent for consideration. All opinions are mine.)

Zoya Summer 2013 Pixie Dust Collection Swatches, Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Wed, 01 May 2013 22:10:00 +0000

Zoya Summer Pixie Dust 2013 (top)

(Media sample)

I received these babies a week or two ago, and I am excited to show you the new Zoya Pixie Dust 2013 collection! Textured polish is all the rage right now, and many nail polish brands have come up with their own versions of these textured polishes. However, the thing I like about these Summer Pixie Dusts from Zoya is that they're like bright-colored candy- so summery and fun indeed!

Here are my swatches and thoughts on the Zoya Pixie Dust Summer 2013 Collection.

Zoya Summer Pixie Dust 2013 (middle)

Zoya Solange

Zoya Solange is a beautiful buttery gold textured polish. I love how this one really brightens up the skin around the nails.

Zoya Beatrix

Zoya Beatrix is a very pretty orange with lots of gold shimmer. This is one of the most summery shades in this collection. This reminds me of a gumdrop!

Zoya Destiny

Zoya Destiny is a pretty coral with lots of gold sparkle. This is very similar to Beatrix, except that the latter is a citrus orangey color and Destiny is a reddish coral.

Zoya Stevie

Zoya Stevie is a very feminine shade- a very pretty lilac but the textured polish almost makes it look edgy.

Zoya Miranda

Zoya Miranda is a pretty cranberry color. This is one of my favorites from this collection.

Zoya Liberty

Well, sorry, but Zoya Liberty is the best of them all. It's the prettiest dark aegean blue I've ever seen in a textured polish. It's the perfect poolside color.

All in all, I prefer this Summer collection of Pixie Dusts over the original Pixie Dust collection, just because the shades and colors are more fun and bright, and I think textured polish is better on me if they're bright colors, because neutral or dull shades combined with the texture make my hands look wrinkly for some reason. I also like how the sun catches glints of gold or silver in the polishes. They're obviously matte but the sparkle makes it look brilliant and not flat.

Are you liking these Pixie Dusts? Which ones catch your eye?

(Media sample was provided by PR for consideration. All opinions are mine.)

Eucerin Intensive Repair Lotion and Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Wed, 01 May 2013 05:30:00 +0000

Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Lotion

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This is the last of a series of posts on the Eucerin skincare products. I've already talked about the Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Lotion in a previous entry, but since this is my holy grail day lotion, let me repeat my review on this:

The Face Lotion has the same light, a bit runny consistency as the Body lotion. I guess that's the reason why it is called a lotion and not a face cream. I love how it feels very light on my face. It is a great base for makeup, and the sunscreen does not give a whitish cast on my face when flash photography is used. I really am liking the face lotion. It's a great alternative to my favorite moisturizer with SPF30. As I said, since I don't wear a face moisturizer without a sunscreen or lower than SPF30, this product is right up my alley. It is also non-comedogenic, meaning it won't clog pores.

Let me just add that the Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion has replaced my previous day cream which is at least four times the price of the Eucerin product. They virtually look, feel and apply the same, and they even have the same SPF30. The only difference is the price. One pump of the Eucerin lotion is enough for the entire face.

Eucerin Intensive Repair Very Dry Skin Lotion

The Eucerin Intensive Repair Very Dry Skin Lotion is my go-to lotion for my son who loves to swim (yes, it's pool time now here in Arizona!). I slather him with this lotion and it replenishes the moisture lost after swimming for hours. This is not as thick as the Eucerin Original intensive cream, but this does make even dry skin supple and soft. I use this for my hands and especially on rough spots like my knees, elbows and ankles.

All in all, the Eucerin family has a host of products that cater to every skin type- whether you have sensitive, normal, dry or oily skin.

You can find out all about Eucerin and their products on their Facebook page. If you don't know which Eucerin product is right for your skin type, become a Eucerin Skinsider to receive personalized advice.

(Media sample was sent for consideration. All opinions are mine.)

RiRi ❤ MAC Lipstick: Introducing Riri Woo

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Wed, 01 May 2013 02:07:00 +0000

INTRODUCING:
RiRi Woo
Available exclusively online only May 2, 2013 www.maccosmetics.com
Available at Barclays Center, M·A·C Pop-Up Store for concert ticket holders
#MACRIRIWOO

Rihanna loves M∙A∙C. The global superstar with style-blazing looks as diverse as her musical hits needs no introduction. Now, get ready for RiRi Woo – our cult classic shade Ruby Woo remixed by Rihanna herself. Exclusively online only.

Get Noticed Tips and Tricks from Dial Body Wash: Red Lips and Neutral Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Tue, 30 Apr 2013 05:30:00 +0000

(Sponsored post)

To get noticed doesn't mean that you dress as skimpily as you can and put on the thickest makeup possible. You can use subtle makeup and just highlight one specific area of your face and still get noticed. In this post, I will be showing how I highlight one area of the face and keep the rest simple.

I am known for using smokey or bright shades of eye shadows for special events or nights out, but sometimes, I feel that it's sultrier and infinitely prettier to use neutral shadows and make the lips the center of attraction by using a bright red lipgloss with a metallic hue to it. This gives not only saturated color, but a super luscious shine as well. I also added false lashes to amp up they eye look and to give a dramatic effect to the neutral eye colors.

The Eye Look:

For the eyes, I kept it really simple. With a stiff shader brush, I applied a champagne-colored pigment all over the lid. With a blender brush, I applied a light bronze shadow on the crease. With the same blender brush, I applied a darker, cocoa-colored shadow on the crease and outer lid. I blended the harsh edges using a fluffy blender brush. Using a big shader brush, I applied a shimmery off white shade to the browbone and inner corners. I used a liquid liner on the upper lashline, and I used the bronze shadow to line my lower lashline. I applied a black pencil liner on tightline. I applied falsies and mascara.

The Lip Look:

I wanted my lips to be the center of attention, and this is my Get Noticed move: I chose not only a bright red shade, but a color that has a metallic magenta flash to it. I first applied lip balm, then applied a red lipliner and the red, saturated lip gloss. I applied blush and bronzer as well.

This is my get-noticed look with just the lips being the focus and keeping the rest simple, with the exception of adding false lashes to give some life and drama to the eyes.

Naturally, it's important to have clean, fresh-smelling body to go with that Get Noticed makeup. Dial is a brand that has been trusted for 65 years. I've known and used Dial since I was a little girl, and I can honestly say that my parents used Dial on us when we were little kids (fresh-smelling soap for muddy, dirty kids!), so I'm practically a Dial baby.

For special events or occasions, how do you do a Get Noticed look?

America's trusted brand for 65 years, Dial® continues to deliver clean, healthy skin for you and your family.
Dial® Healthier Skin. Healthier You.®

Disclosure: Compensation was provided by Dial® via Glam Media. The opinions expressed herein are those of the author and are not indicative of the opinions or positions of Dial®.

IT Cosmetics Hello Beautiful Anti-Aging 5-pc Color Collection Swatches, Look & Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 05:59:00 +0000

(Media sample)

I was able to try a beauty kit from IT Cosmetics with such a great value, and it's called the IT Cosmetics Hello Beautiful Anti-Aging 5-Piece collection. IT Cosmetics stands for Innovative Technology Cosmetics and was founded by Jamie Kern. The IT Cosmetics line is available on QVC.

For this particular set, you get 5 products from IT Cosmetics that I read are some of the best products from the brand for only $60. You get the following:

-0.30-oz Celebration Foundation
-0.33-fl-oz Hello Lashes 5-in-1 Mascara in Black
-0.118 fl oz Tightline Full Lash Length Primer in Black--exclusive to QVC until 9/18/2013
-0.24-oz Vitality Flush Color Stain Stick in Je Ne Sais Quoi, a sheer pink--exclusive to QVC until 9/18/2013
-Heavenly Luxe Buffing Airbrush Foundation Brush

I was skeptical at first because this was my first time to try anything from IT Cosmetics, but I was seriously impressed with the products, especially the foundation. I was also impressed with the other products as well, which I shall explain in-depth below. Let's start first with the product I was impressed with the most: the Celebration Foundation.

IT Cosmetics Celebration Foundation in Tan

It Cosmetics Celebration Foundation in Tan swatched on skin

Wearing It Cosmetics Celebration Foundation in Tan

First of all, I am very picky about my foundations. I already have some holy grail products in my makeup stash, so I wasn't really keen on trying a powder foundation as I thought it would be caky. I was so disappointed when I got the Tan shade. I thought it would be too dark on my skin, as I am usually a Medium or even Light-Medium. However, when I looked at the shade in the compact, I figured it was probably my shade because it was on the lighter side of tan. As you can see in the swatches, it disappeared into my skin, but it is still a tad too dark, which was okay because I knew I was going to tan anyways because summer is here.

I used the Buffing Airbrush Foundation brush that came with this kit, and it gave a beautiful, flawless finish on my skin. I was truly impressed! It covered imperfections great and also gave a seamless, creamy finish. This is IT Cosmetics' Anti-Aging Foundation as the brand claims that this product blurs imperfections and wrinkles. Honestly, I really did feel that it blurs my imperfections when I wear them, and it simply does look good. I wear this foundation on a regular basis and I'm still pretty happy with it.

To make this product look creamier and less powdery, I mist my face with a facial mist after applying the product, then I buff in the product again to mix with the facial mist to give it a creamy finish.

IT Cosmetics Vitality Flush Anti-Aging Color Reviver Stain

The IT Cosmetics Vitality Flush Anti-Aging Color Reviver Stain in Je Ne Sais Quoi is a very natural stain that is perfect for that "glow-from-within" look. It's a sheer flush of color that gives the appearance of healthy, flush of color on the cheeks, thus the name "Vitality". It also has a sheen to it that for me operates like a highlighter as well.

This product is multi-purpose. You can use this on the lips, cheeks or anywhere you want a healthy flush of vitality on your skin.

Tightline Full Lash Length Primer in Black

The Tightline Full Lash Length Primer in Black is to be used in tandem with the Hello Lashes 5-in-1 Mascara in Black. I love lash primers because they really help my asian lashes which I know are the sparsest and shortest lashes in the world.

This product really did lengthen my lashes, but since my lashes are virtually non-existent and hopeless, they don't look much in pictures. In person, though, the lash primer really made my lashes appear longer in more lush, even for a tiny bit (because as I said, my lashes are hopeless).

Hello Lashes 5-in-1 Mascara in Black

Okay, the tip of this brush looks like an instrument of torture, but it's actually a great invention. The bulbous tip really makes it easy to apply mascara on the inner and outer corners of the lashes. I also like the brush because the plastic bristles really define the lashes and avoid clumps.

My lashes without primer and mascara (lower lashes), and lashes with Tightline Full Length Primer and Hello Lashes 5-in-1 mascara (upper lashes).

Heavenly Luxe Buffing Airbrush Foundation Brush

This brush feels very luxurious and dense, and it's the perfect partner of the Celebration Foundation to buff in the product smoothly and seamlessly into the skin.

All in all, this is a great value that is available on QVC for only $60.48 plus shipping and handling. This is a good buy since the Celebration Foundation and the brush already retails for almost $40.

You can purchase this kit on the QVC website or search the website using Item No. A231604.

(Media sample was provided for consideration. All opinions are mine.)

Eucerin Skin Calming Daily Moisturizing Creme and Daily Replenishing Moisturizing Lotion Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 21:52:00 +0000

(Media sample)

Here's another installment of my Eucerin review series. These two products I am focusing on are the calming and replenishing of the bunch. They are not intense moisturizers- they don't infuse insane amounts of emollients to feed moisture to super-dry skin, but they calm the skin and infuse a dose of moisture just right for daily use.

Let's start with the Eucerin Skin Calming Moisturizing Creme.

Eucerin Skin Calming Moisturizing Creme

I have a little boy who has flare ups of eczema from time to time, and this is the perfect product for him when his skin starts to itch. The Eucerin Skin Calming Daily Moisturizing Creme is fragrance-free so it is non-irritating even for sensitive skin. It has a not-too-thick formula which my son likes because he hates thick creams. He also has a severe food allergy, so when he gets rashes because of the allergy, I apply this to calm the hives, of course apart from giving the appropriate allergy medicine.

Eucerin Daily Replenishing Moisturizing Lotion

The Eucerin Daily Replenishing Moisturizing Lotion is my daily lotion. I use this in conjunction with my scented body creme if I want a lasting scent throughout the day, or just by itself if I don't want any scent, as this is fragrance free. The fact that it is without fragrance is great both for the sensitive skin of my son and my husband's psoriasis. Since this is a lightweight lotion, this is a good moisturizer for the spring and summer months.

I noticed that my skin is really looking healthy and vibrant (especially the legs) without the over-greasy look and feel.

Stay tuned for the rest of my Eucerin reviews!

(Media sample was sent by PR for consideration. All opinions are mine.)

Video Post: MAC Baking Beauties Swatches, Review

noreply@blogger.com (The Shades Of U) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 18:05:00 +0000

Hi everyone! Below is my video on MAC Baking Beauties Swatches, Review. Please check out and subscribe to my YouTube channel if you'd like to see more of these kinds of videos.

See review video below:

(Media sample was provided by PR for consideration.)