TINAMARIEONLINE

Tutorial: Sultry Purple Smokey Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Sun, 12 Feb 2012 11:18:08 PST

Hi! Here's a look that I wore when I went out Saturday night. I ended up switching out the lashes to something more comfortable because the lash band on these were way too thick and felt really pokey! I hope you all like this look. Thanks for reading! :)

EYES:
□ Too Faced Shadow Insurance
□ MAC Painterly Paint Pot
□ MAC Fig. 1 eyeshadow (inner and outer third of the eyelid & crease)
□ MAC Carbon eyeshadow (outer corner)
□ Inglot #337 Matte eyeshadow (crease & transition color)
□ Wet N Wild Lust Palette - pale pink eyeshadow (middle lid color)
□ MAC Helium pigment (middle lid)
□ Wet N Wild Lust Palette - high light color (brow bone highlight)
□ Elf Cream Eyeliner (upper and lower lash line)
□ MAC Smolder Eye Kohl (waterline)
□ Covergirl Lashblast Mascara
□ False eyelashes from Kiwiberry1-Collection.com

BROWS:
□ NYC Browser Brow Kit
□ MAC Carbon eyeshadow
□ NYX Concealer in a Jar (shade beige)

CHEEKS:
□ Wet N Wild Color Icon Bronzer in Princess
□ Milani Dolce Pink baked blush

LIPS:
□ Revlon Nude Attitude lipstick
□ MAC Of Corset lipglass

Simple Valentine's Day Makeup

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 15:29:46 PST

Sorry everyone, this tutorial came out so horribly. I did this later in the day so my makeup isn't as fresh as it should've been. But I had time to knock off a tutorial which is why I went for it. I decided to go with a subtle pink for an inspired Valentine's Day look for those who want to go with something more simple. For what it is I hope you all like it. Thanks for reading. Enjoy! :)

EYES:
□ Urban Decay Primer Potion
□ Maybelline Color Tattoo 24HR Eyeshadow in Too Cool (lid base)
□ Wet N Wild Greed Palette - Peach color eyeshadow (crease & transition color)
□ MAC Cloudbound eyeshadow (lid color & inner lower lash line)
□ Inglot #362 Matte eyeshadow (crease)
□ Inglot #55 AMC eyeshadow (outer corner, crease & outer lower lash line)
□ Wet N Wild Lust Palette - Dark purple eyeshadow (outer corner & outer lower lash line)
□ Maybelline Fit Me Pressed Powder (brow bone highlight)
□ Wet N Wild Creme Liner
□ MAC Smolder Eye Kohl
□ Glo Professional Water Resistant Mascara
□ False eyelashes from bornprettystore.com

BROWS:
□ NYC Brow Pencil in Taupe
□ NYC Browser Brow Kit
□ MAC Carbon eyeshadow
□ NYX Concealer in a Jar (shade beige)

CHEEKS:
□ Elf Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder
□ MAC Blonde Mineralize Skinfinish

LIPS:
□ Wet N Wild Mega Last Lip Color in Just Peachy
□ OCC Lip Tar in Anime (just a tiny bit)

Valentine's Day Makeup

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 13:53:26 PST

I attended an event where the theme colors were pink and green so I thought this would be a good time for me to play around with makeup by incorporating the colors and creating a Valentine's Day inspired look. I actually got a lot of compliments on this look despite how easy it was to do. I like how vibrant it is but still easy on the eyes and extremely wearable. Hope you like it! :)

EYES:
□ Too Faced Shadow Insurance
□ MAC Painterly Paint Pot
□ Glamour Doll Eyes Be Mine eyeshadow (outer 2/3 of eyelid)
□ Glamour Doll Eyes Dolly eyeshadow (inner 1/3 of eyelid)
□ MAC Shadowy Lady eyeshadow (outer corner)
□ Wet N Wild Greed Palette - peach color eyeshadow (transition color)
□ Maybelline Fit Me pressed powder - shade 220 (brow bone color)
□ Urban Decay 24/7 eye pencil in Stash (lower lash line)
□ Glamour Doll Eyes Shamrock eyeshadow (lower lash line)
□ Wet N Wild Creme Liner (upper lash line)
□ MAC Smolder Eye Kohl (lower waterline)
□ Covergirl Lashblast Mascara
□ Lashes from Bornprettystore.com

BROWS:
□ NYC Brow Pencil in Taupe
□ NYC Browser Brow Kit
□ MAC Carbon eyeshadow
□ NYX Concealer in a Jar (shade beige)

CHEEKS:
□ NARS Laguna Bronzer
□ Elf Fuchsia Fusion blush

LIPS:
□ Revlon Fuchsia Fusion lipstick

GnG Dueba Brown Circle Lens Review

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 23:49:44 PST

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:

□ Diameter: 14.5 mm

□ Base Curve: 8.6

□ Water Content: 38%

□ Price: $20.00

□ Availability: Kiwiberry1-Collection

PROS:

□ Feels very comfortable

□ Looks natural

□ Makes eyes look bigger

CONS:

□ Felt drying after long time of wear

COLOR:

□ The color of these lenses are a medium dark brown shade but it can look lighter depending on the lighting. I like to think of it as my eye color only bigger and better! These are extremely natural looking so if you're looking for brown lenses that are very natural, or something to enhance your brown eyes, then these are definitely a good choice.

COMFORT:

□ These went on easily and comfortably. I didn't have as many issues with these lenses as I did with others that I've tried. But as always, my eyes started to feel dry after a while of wear.

FINAL THOUGHTS:

□ I really like how these lenses give me that doe eyed look while still looking natural. These lenses are a nice way to enhance natural brown eyes because it doesn't alter too much of your eye color, though they might actually be a tad bit lighter. Either way I really like them and I would definitely use them again especially if I'm going for minimal makeup and I want have bigger and brighter eyes.

DISCLAIMER: IN NO WAY IS THIS BLOG ACCEPTING ANY FORM OF PAYMENT FOR PRODUCTS RECEIVED BY COMPANIES. THE PRODUCTS REVIEWED ON THIS BLOG ARE BASED ON THE OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF THE AUTHOR. THE PRODUCTS IN THIS REVIEW WERE PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY.

Reviva Labs Makeup Primer Review

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 01:05:29 PST

Makeup primers are essential for anyone who wants their makeup to last longer and look better on their face. I'm not one to use primers all the time. I usually only use primers if I know I'm going to be out all day and I need my makeup to last for several hours. Other than that my face is usually fine without a primer. However, I do notice that I have pores on my cheek area close my nose. They're not extremely noticeable but up close you can definitely see them. In a primer I typically look for something that will help my foundation last longer but more importantly, I want it to create an even surface on my skin.

Without Primer / With Primer

L'Oreal True Match Foundation on top of Reviva Labs Makeup Primer

AVAILABILITY: Reviva Labs

PRICE: $19.50
SIZE: 1 FL. OZ. / 29.5 ml
VALUE FOR PRICE: 5/5
APPLICATION: 5/5
PACKAGING: 4.5/5
MEETS EXPECTATIONS: 4.5/5
OVERALL PRODUCT: 5/5

PROS:
□ Diminishes the appearance of pores
□ Creates a smooth surface for even foundation application
□ Does not cause any breakouts
□ Does not irritate the skin
□ Makeup lasts longer than without it

CONS:
□ Face starts to feel oily after 6-7 hours

FINAL THOUGHTS:
□ Reviva Labs Makeup Primer really makes all the difference in my foundation application! I've tried quite a few high end makeup primers and none of them have given me noticeable results as this primer does for me. You can definitely see my pores in the before picture, and in the picture I took after applying the primer already shows my pores less visible. All I use is one pump and I apply it to the areas that I need it (middle of the forehead, nose, chin, and inner cheek area). I have visible pores on my nose and inner cheek area and this really makes my pores appear smaller. My foundation looks more flawless and my skin looks smoother. You have to make sure to shake the bottle really well first because when I first pumped out the primer it was runny and oily. It has a slippery texture to it and it has a slight silicone feel to it but not too much. If you're looking for a poreless primer then I definitely recommend this product!

DISCLAIMER: IN NO WAY IS THIS BLOG ACCEPTING ANY FORM OF PAYMENT FOR PRODUCTS RECEIVED BY COMPANIES. THE PRODUCTS REVIEWED ON THIS BLOG ARE BASED ON THE OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF THE AUTHOR. THE PRODUCTS IN THIS REVIEW WERE PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY.

GnG/Dueba Big DM23 Gray Lenses

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Sun, 29 Jan 2012 21:25:25 PST

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
□ Diameter: 14.5mm
□ Base Curve: 8.6
□ Water: 38%
□ Price: $15.00
□ Availability: KIWIBERRY1-COLLECTION

PROS:
□ Looks natural
□ Makes eyes look bigger

CONS:
□ Felt very drying
□ Not as opaque as I would like it to be

COLOR:
□ These lenses are gray but it's not very noticeable if you have dark brown eyes like I do. It shows a little bit of gray on the outer rim but it's not too extreme. The gray is more noticeable up close.

COMFORT:
□ Once the lenses were on they felt fairly comfortable. But almost immediately my eyes started to feel really dry. There was one incidence where the lens popped out because my eyes were way too dry even after applying eye drops.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
□ Despite the discomfort I got from my eyes drying out, I really like the look of these lenses. They're natural enough for me to wear on a regular basis and I really like how it makes my eyes look bigger and brighter without altering the color of my eyes too much. Although I would've preferred these lenses to be more opaque gray, these really bring out my brown eyes.

DISCLAIMER: IN NO WAY IS THIS BLOG ACCEPTING ANY FORM OF PAYMENT FOR PRODUCTS RECEIVED BY COMPANIES. THE PRODUCTS REVIEWED ON THIS BLOG ARE BASED ON THE OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF THE AUTHOR. THE PRODUCTS IN THIS REVIEW WERE PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY.

Geo Xtra Hearts Blue Circle Lenses

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:16:54 PST

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION:
□ Diameter: 15mm
□ Base Curve: 8.7
□ Water: 38%
□ Price: $20.00
□ Availability: Kiwiberry1-Collection

PROS:
□ Comfortable to wear
□ Makes eyes look bigger

CONS:
□ Felt drying after a while

COLOR:
□ These are definitely bright blue lenses. I have brown eyes so they go on darker than what they look like in the packaging. I was expecting it to go on a lighter blue but it's not as opaque as I thought. I find this pair to be more noticeable than other blue lenses I've tried.

COMFORT:
□ These go on comfortably. It doesn't feel like I have anything on but after a long time of wear my eyes will start to feel dry. As always I don't blame the lenses for this because it happens to me no matter what pair of lenses I'm wearing.

FINAL THOUGHTS:
□ If you're looking for more noticeable and dramatic blue contact lenses then you will have no problem getting that with these. These are definitely more dramatic than what I'm used to but I easily adjusted to the color. But personally I don't think I look good with blue eyes and it's not something I would typically go for. I like the design and how they feel when they're on. I would most likely purchase this pair in a different color.

DISCLAIMER: IN NO WAY IS THIS BLOG ACCEPTING ANY FORM OF PAYMENT FOR PRODUCTS RECEIVED BY COMPANIES. THE PRODUCTS REVIEWED ON THIS BLOG ARE BASED ON THE OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF THE AUTHOR. THE PRODUCTS IN THIS REVIEW WERE PROVIDED BY THE COMPANY.

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette Look #2 - Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 18:39:49 PST

My schedule is really hectic right now and it requires my full attention. Otherwise I'd be blogging every other day! So my blog posts may be looking a little inconsistent for a bit until things start to ease up. Right now it's hard to say when that will happen but I just wanted to put it out there. I had class last night so I had time to squeeze in a tutorial for this look. It's another look using my UD Naked 2 Palette. While the look I did previously (click here) had more black and silver, this one uses more gold and brown :) Hope you like it!

EYES:
□ MAC Bare Study Paint Pot
□ Foxy eyeshadow (brow bone highlight)
□ Chopper eyeshadow (crease)
□ Half Baked eyeshadow (inner third & inner lower lash line)
□ Suspect eyeshadow (outer third)
□ YDK eyeshadow (middle lid & middle lower lash line)
□ Busted eyeshadow (outer lid)
□ Blackout eyeshadow (outer corner & outer lower lash line)
□ Elf Cream Eyeliner (upper lash line & lower waterline)
□ Covergirl Lashblast Mascara
□ Princess Eyelashes Style #728B

BROWS:

□ Wet N Wild Color Icon Brow & Eyeliner in Taupe

□ NYC Browser Brow Kit

□ MAC Carbon eyeshadow

□ NYX Concealer in a Jar (shade beige)

CHEEKS:

□ Wet N Wild Color Icon Bronzer in Princess

□ Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

LIPS:

□ Milani HD Advanced Lip Color in Classy Nude

□ Milani 3D Glitzy Glamour Gloss in Stylish

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette Look - Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 01:54:29 PST

Here's my first look using my Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette. I still have to do a tutorial using the first Naked Palette so that will be coming up shortly. :) Hope you all like this look. Thanks for reading! I'm also wearing gray contacts that I'll be reviewing so stay tuned for that!

EYES:
□ MAC Painterly Paint Pot
□ Tease eyeshadow (crease & transition color)
□ Verve eyeshadow (inner half of eyelid & inner lower lash line)
□ Pistol eyeshadow (outer half of eyelid & outer lower lash line)
□ Blackout eyeshadow (outer corner & outer lower lash line)
□ Foxy eyeshadow (brow bone highlight)
□ Elf Cream Eyeliner in Black (upper lash line)
□ MAC Smolder Eye Kohl (lower waterline)
□ Covergirl Lashblast Mascara
□ False eyelashes from KIWIBERRY style #2

BROWS:
□ NYC Browser Brow Kit
□ MAC Carbon eyeshadow
□ NYX Concealer in a Jar (shade beige)

CHEEKS:
□ Elf Contouring Blush & Bronzer Powder
□ Wet N Wild Blush in Heather Silk

LIPS:
□ Wet N Wild Mega Last Lip Color in Just Peachy
□ MAC Of Corset lipglass

FOTD: Phloof! and Sketch

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:02:07 PST

I was going to film a tutorial for this look but I was pressed for time. I watched a Youtube video the other day and this girl had mentioned how much she loved MAC Sketch eyeshadow especially as a crease color and I realized I haven't touched Sketch in so long. So I decided to remove all the dust it collected just sitting in my makeup drawer and put some use to it. Another eyeshadow I haven't used in so long is MAC Phloof!. Considering it's one of my favorite highlight colors and "inner eye corner" color, I don't use it very much because I'm close to hitting pan even though I know it's a permanent shade. Anyway, hope you all like this look. Thanks for looking. :)

EYES:
□ Urban Decay Primer Potion
□ MAC Painterly Paint Pot
□ Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow in Too Cool (eyelid)
□ MAC Phloof! eyeshadow (eyelid & inner lower lash line)
□ Wet N Wild Greed Palette - Peach (crease & transition color)
□ MAC Sketch eyeshadow (crease & outer lower lash line)
□ Wet N Wild Greed Palette - Matte black (outer crease & outer lower lash line)
□ Wet N Wild Greed Palette - highlight color (brow bone highlight)
□ Wet N Wild Creme Liner (upper lash line)
□ Milani Liquif'Eye Metallic Eyeliner (lower waterline)
□ Covergirl Lashblast Mascara
□ False eyelashes from Kiwiberry style #2

BROWS:
□ NYC Browser Brow Kit
□ NYX Concealer in a jar (shade beige)

CHEEKS:
□ Elf Contouring Blush & Bronzer Powder
□ Milani Blush in Dolce Pink

LIPS:
□ Rimmel Lasting Finish Intense Wear Lipstick in Pink Blush
□ Avon Glazewear Lip Gloss in Dazzling Diamond

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette Swatches

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 00:57:09 PST

I couldn't wait till Naked2 hit stores at Sephora so I decided to take advantage of my 10% off coupon plus free shipping when they stocked up on the palette. The packaging of this palette is beyond what I expected. I knew the packaging was made of tin but I wasn't expecting it to be this sturdy. I'm really impressed with this palette and I can't wait to play with it!

Foxy, Half Baked, Bootycall, Chopper, Tease, Snakebite

Suspect, Pistol, Verve, YDK, Busted, Blackout

FOTD: Shimmering Suede Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 21:51:28 PST

I wanted to use one of my favorite MAC pigments and that's Blue Brown pigment. I was really hoping for the blue to show through, but because I added a bronze base it completely took that out. It's okay though because I'm really loving the warm red tones of the brown in this pigment. I think if the blue showed up, I would have loved this look a lot more. Anyway, I'm also wearing G&G circle lenses which I'll be reviewing soon along with other lenses. :)

MAC Blue Brown Pigment Swatch

Flash / No flash

Applied dry and wet

EYES:
□ Urban Decay Primer Potion
□ Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze (all over the lid)
□ MAC Blue Brown pigment (all over the lid & middle lower lash line)
□ MAC Coppering eyeshadow (above the crease)
□ Urban Decay Creep eyeshadow (outer corner & lower lash line)
□ Wet N Wild Vanity Palette - highlight color (brow bone highlight)
□ Urban Decay Sin eyeshadow (inner corner & inner lower lash line)
□ Milani Liquif'Eye Metallic Eyeliner in Black (lower waterline)
□ Covergirl Lashblast Mascara
□ Lashes from Kiwiberry style #11

BROWS:
□ NYC Browser Brow Kit
□ MAC Carbon eyeshadow

CHEEKS:
□ Elf Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder

LIPS:
□ Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in Totally Toffee
□ Wet N Wild Glassy Gloss Lip Gel in This Too Shall Glass

TEMPTU Airbrush Review & Foundation Tutorial

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 02:03:12 PST

Temptu AIR pod Foundation, Highlighter, and Blush

Temptu AIR pod Foundation (004 Sand), Highlighter (301 Champagne), and Blush (Blushing Coral)

TEMPTU released a Limited Edition Everyday Luxury Set with a sleek white compressor that fits inside a lustrous jet set silver luxe leatherette case. This set includes a $55 gift voucher that can be used either online or in stores to purchase your foundation (as it's not included in this set). Along with the voucher is a complimentary consultation with a makeup artist to help find your perfect foundation shade. This air brush system retails for $275.00 USD.

AVAILABILITY: Sephora, Temptu

PRICE: Airbrush System $275, Foundation $55, Blush $30, Highlighter $35 USD
SIZE: .28 OZ / 8.5 ml
VALUE FOR PRICE: 5/5
APPLICATION: 5/5
PACKAGING: 5/5
MEETS EXPECTATIONS: 5/5
OVERALL PRODUCT: 5/5

PROS:
□ Simple and easy to use
□ Foundation has sheer, medium, and full coverage
□ Flawless finish
□ Hides blemishes
□ Doesn't settle into fine lines
□ Good for travel (airport friendly too!)
□ Mess free and hygienic
□ Lasts all day
□ Doesn't cause breakouts
□ Doesn't irritate the skin
□ Doesn't require any direct contact to your face
□ Doesn't require using any other tools or brushes
□ Foundation is good for all skin types
□ Feels lightweight
□ Can set foundation with Powder
□ Compressor has automatic shut-off time of 15 minutes
□ Photographs nicely
□ Looks natural and doesn't cake on
□ Silicone based

CONS:
□ No chargeable battery
□ Can't mix foundations
□ AIR pod can be difficult to remove from the air gun
□ Pricey (but a good investment)

FINAL THOUGHTS:

□ I'm in love with the Temptu Airbrush System! Airbrushing is completely new to me so I was slightly intimidated at first but I found it really easy to use. On top of that, it's a lot faster to apply compared to your basic liquid foundation because you don't have to deal with blending or buffing foundation to your skin. I have combination skin and that usually makes it difficult for me to find a foundation that's a perfect balance between my skin type. The Temptu foundation works for all skin types so I love that it doesn't dry out my skin and it doesn't accentuate the oils in my face. It also doesn't oxidize throughout the day. The foundation literally looks the same when you first applied it and it also feels really light and breathable. Other foundations feel heavy and it feels like you're wearing makeup but the Temptu airbrush makeup not only feels really natural and but also looks natural too! This airbrush system is definitely a luxury item rather than a necessity so it's definitely something to consider. But I'm positive it's an investment that you won't regret. :)

DISCLAIMER: THE PRODUCTS REVIEWED ON THIS BLOG ARE BASED ON THE OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF THE AUTHOR. THIS PRODUCT WAS PURCHASED BY THE AUTHOR AND IN NO WAY WAS THIS REVIEW INFLUENCED BY THE COMPANY OF THE PRODUCT.

Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush Review and Swatches

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 21:31:01 PST

I've been on a blush kick lately. Earlier this week I went ahead and picked up 2 of the new Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blushes because I was curious to know how these held up. I've never tried a blush quite like this. It's not a solid and it's not quite your typical cream blush either. It has a bit of give to it, hence the name "bouncy" blush. It has a almost like a marshmallowy mixed with play-doh type of texture if that makes any sense. I've never tried their mousse blush before so I can't make any comparison between the two.

Maybelline Bouncy Blush in Peach Satin and Pink Frosting

Peach Satin

Pink Frosting

Peach Satin and Pink Frosting swatched heavily

AVAILABILITY: Drugstores

PRICE: $8 USD
SIZE: .19 OZ / 5.6 g
VALUE FOR PRICE: 3/5
APPLICATION: 3.5/5
PACKAGING: 5/5
MEETS EXPECTATIONS: 4/5
OVERALL PRODUCT: 3/5

PROS:
□ Comes in a wide range of colors
□ Could be used as a base for your blush
□ Color is buildable
□ Blends easily

CONS:
□ Color payoff is very sheer
□ Wipes away easily
□ Not long lasting

FINAL THOUGHTS:
□ I find that these blushes go on a bit sheer. It's buildable but I feel like I would be wasting more product that way. I think if you're lighter than NC30 in MAC, these blushes would be more suitable for you otherwise you would just be layering on another blush right on top of it which is what I had to do. These blushes give more of a natural rosy cheek look, therefore; it shows up very faint. At first I thought it would be best to use a dense brush for application but I find that a fluffy brush works just as fine. Keep in mind the color payoff is not the most pigmented so you may be layering on the color just to get a decent amount to appear on your cheeks. Overall, I find that these are more fun to touch than their intended purpose.

DISCLAIMER: THE PRODUCTS REVIEWED ON THIS BLOG ARE BASED ON THE OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF THE AUTHOR. THIS PRODUCT WAS PURCHASED BY THE AUTHOR AND IN NO WAY WAS THIS REVIEW INFLUENCED BY THE COMPANY OF THE PRODUCT.

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow Swatches & Review

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 17:04:30 PST

When I initially saw these I automatically thought of MAC Paint Pots. I thought these would be a great alternative to use as an eyeshadow base and the whole "24hr" pretty much sold me. The first time I swatched these on the back of my hand, I automatically noticed how creamy they were (almost buttery!). Just a tiny bit of this stuff goes a long way because the color pay off is amazing! I decided to pick up more neutral shades rather than the vibrant colors so I can opt out of using my more high end eyeshadow bases and use these instead.

Tough as Taupe, Too Cool

Bad to the Bronze

Tough as Taupe

Too Cool

Bad to the Bronze, Tough as Taupe, Too Cool swatched

AVAILABILITY: Drugstores (Walmart, Rite Aid, Walgreen, etc.)
PRICE: $5-$7 USD
SIZE: .14 OZ. 4g
VALUE FOR PRICE: 5/5
APPLICATION: 4.5/5
PACKAGING: 5/5
MEETS EXPECTATIONS: 4.5/5
OVERALL PRODUCT: 5/5

PROS:

□ Doesn't crease
□ Once it's on, it's on. It won't smudge or wear off
□ More affordable than MAC Paint Pots or other high end eyeshadow bases
□ Makes eyeshadows vibrant

CONS:
□ Not enough neutral or matte shades

FINAL THOUGHTS:
□ I definitely recommend these for everyone. Whether you're on a budget or not, it's always nice to have a good eyeshadow base on hand and these are definitely worth having. Since I have oily eyelids I usually start off with UDPP (even when using MAC Paint Pots) because my eyeshadow will crease. But these do not budge or crease and they definitely make your shadows last longer. I only hope that in the future Maybelline will come out with more matte and neutral shades that will cater to people who aren't into shimmers or bright colors.

DISCLAIMER: The products reviewed on this blog are based on the opinions and experiences of the author. This product was purchased by the author and in no way was this review influenced by the company of the product.

Clinique All About Eyes Concealer Review

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Sun, 08 Jan 2012 22:09:12 PST

Clinique All About Eyes Concealer - 04 Medium Petal

I'm always looking for new concealers to try especially since I suffer from really dark under eye circles. I think my dark circles are partly genetic and partly my fault. Nonetheless, concealing my dark circles are absolutely necessary in my makeup routine. Clinique All About Eyes Concealer is a multi-tasking concealer that disguises dark under-eye circles while helping to reduce the look of puffiness. Long-wearing, moisturizing formula won't crease or settle into fine lines. Oil-free. Ophthalmologist tested.

Before / After

AVAILABILITY: Clinique, Sephora

PRICE: $16 USD
SIZE: .33 FL. OZ. / 10 ml
VALUE FOR PRICE: 3.5/5
APPLICATION: 4/5
PACKAGING: 5/5
MEETS EXPECTATIONS: 4/5
OVERALL PRODUCT: 4/5

PROS:
□ Corrects dark circles
□ Full coverage
□ Less expensive than most high end concealers
□ Packaging is easy to control how much product comes out
□ A little goes a long way
□ Can be used to conceal blemishes and other scars
□ Goes on smoothly without caking

CONS:
□ Settles into fine lines

FINAL THOUGHTS:
□ I was really impressed with the coverage and the consistency of this concealer. It's really smooth and easy to blend with just your finger. It does a great job at correcting dark circles because it goes on a bit peachy colored (good for canceling out blackish blue or purplish under eye circles) but it blends nicely into your skin. The only problem is that within minutes it settles into fine lines, making the lines more apparent. If I set this concealer with a setting powder right away, it holds up for a little while then eventually it will start creasing. It does everything I expect in a concealer and I think I would have found my holy grail if only it didn't crease. I don't recommend this if you have lines under your eyes. Unlike me, I have really deep lines that I've had since I was young. If you're only suffering from dark circles and the skin around the eyes are fairly smooth (without any lines), this concealer may work better for you. Nonetheless, it's a great product, just not for me. It may be more ideal for people with dry skin.

DISCLAIMER: The products reviewed on this blog are based on the opinions and experiences of the author. This product was purchased by the author and in no way was this review influenced by the company of the product.

Royal Blue Eyeliner Look

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 01:54:40 PST

Here's the look I wore when my boyfriend and I went out to celebrate our 4 year anniversary. This look was inspired by a girl named Kristina Monique. I love her name by the way ;) I fell in love with her makeup when she was featured in Pursebuzz's videos. I automatically had to recreate it and I knew I had the most perfect blue eyeliner to go with it. It's a shame that MAC came out with such an amazing product and discontinued it. Had I known they were going to do that I probably would've purchased another jar of Royal Wink Fluidline... or maybe 10 :P But that's okay because I know there's a dupe for it somewhere out there and I believe there is one by Sephora called Fancy Blue. It looks just about right or damn near close to it! I'm probably going to purchase the Sephora liner and keep my Royal Wink Fluidline some place safe because I don't know what I would do without it!

EYES:
□ Urban Decay Primer Potion
□ MAC Painterly Paint Pot
□ MAC Cork eyeshadow (crease & transition color)
□ Inglot #434 Pearl eyeshadow (crease)
□ MAC Carbon eyeshadow (outer corner)
□ Inglot #390 Matte eyeshadow (lid color)
□ MAC Blanc Type eyeshadow (brow bone highlight)
□ Inglot #498 DS eyeshadow (lower lash line)
□ MAC Royal Wink Fluidline (Sephora Fancy Blue Eyeliner can be substituted)
□ Wet N Wild Creme Liner (upper lash line)
□ MAC Smolder Eye Kohl (lower waterline)
□ Covergirl Lashblast Mascara
□ Bornprettystore lashes #113

BROWS:
□ NYC Brow Pencil in Taupe
□ NYC Browser Brow Kit
□ MAC Carbon eyeshadow
□ NYX Concealer in a Jar (shade beige)

CHEEKS:
□ Temptu Air pod Blush in Tempting Coral
□ NYX Mauve Blush

LIPS:
□ Maybelline Sensational Lipcolor in Totally Toffee
□ MAC Oh Baby lipglass

Brown Smokey Eyes

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Fri, 06 Jan 2012 00:17:10 PST

I don't know what it is but I have this extra crease on my left eye and it's been there for a few weeks now. It bothers me so much! It makes my eye look swollen. I'm not sure if it's because of allergies or not but I just hope it goes away soon! :( Oh and I don't like how this look came out.. but I'm posting it anyway. :)

EYES:
□ Maybelline Color Tattoo 24hr Eyeshadow in Bad to the Bronze
□ Inglot #327 Matte eyeshadow (all over the lid)
□ Inglot #402 Pearl eyeshadow (crease)
□ Wet N Wild Greed Palette - black eyeshadow (lid color & lower lash line)
□ Wet N Wild Greed Palette - highlight color (brow bone)
□ Wet N Wild Color Icon Eyeliner in Black Black (lower waterline)
□ Maybelline Falsies Flared Mascara
□ Eyes Chic False Eyelashes style #461

BROWS:
□ NYC Brow Pencil in Taupe
□ NYC Browser Brow Kit
□ NYX Concealer in a Jar (shade beige)

CHEEKS:
□ NARS Laguna Bronzer

LIPS:
□ Maybelline Color Sensational Lipcolor in Totally Toffee
□ Milani 3D Glitzy Glamour Gloss in Stylish

Favorite Must Have Eye Brushes

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 19:58:05 PST

This was requested by a few readers. Next up will be face brushes. :)

If I were stranded on a desert island and could only grab just a handful of eye brushes with me, it would definitely have to be these! These brushes are the magic sticks that make my eye looks the way they are. I noticed that most of these brushes have multiple uses to them (at least the way I use them) and I think that's why they're considered my favorites. :) Without further ado, let's get started! These brushes are in no particular order. :)

PS: Prices may vary on some brushes depending where you buy them.

Sigma E60 Brush ($11.00)

□ The is my favorite brush to apply my brow bone highlight. It seems a bit large but I personally like this because it also helps to blend the outer edge of your eyeshadow with the highlight color. So it almost does 2 jobs in one! :) It's also great for applying a quick sweep of eyeshadow on the lid.

MAC 266 Brush ($19.50)

□ Of course, I can't be without my angled brush. My eyebrows wouldn't look this way if it wasn't for this brush! I've also used this brush for applying eyeliner and defining my crease for when I do a cut crease look.

Loew Cornell Maxine's Mop (3/8) Brush (about $4.00)

□ This is probably one brush everyone needs! It's pretty much the best "all over the lid" brush and ideal for packing on color. It has a rounded top to it so it also blends outer edges really nicely especially if you're experiencing harsh lines.

Sonia Kashuk Small Eyeshadow Brush (about $5.00)

□ Another great "all over the lid" brush and another favorite of mine for packing on color. This one is a lot smaller so it applies nicely to precise areas of the lid, for example the inner eye corner.

Sigma E40 Brush ($11.00)

□ Say goodbye to harsh lines because you won't experience any if you have this brush! Sometimes I'll have this harsh edge between my brow bone and lid color and this brush effortlessly eliminates that. It's a pretty large blending brush so I use it mostly for blending rather than applying color. It also works nice to diffuse eyeshadow if you happen to overdo it.

Sonia Kashuk Smudge Brush (about $5.00)

□ This is like the baby of all my eye brushes. It's so small but it gets into places with precision and it gets the job done! I use this for smudging eyeshadow or eyeliner on my lower lash line and to set eyeshadow on my waterline. I'm not sure if this brush is still available since I can't find it anywhere. :(

EcoTools Bamboo Angled Eyeliner Brush ($3.00)

□ This is another brush that I can't thank enough for giving me clean eyebrows. I use this for applying concealer on my eyebrows to create really clean, sharp lines.

MAC 224 Brush ($28.00)

□ This is the queen of all blending brushes and my very first MAC brush I've ever purchased! Of course, this brush is what it is... a blending brush! Great for blending colors together and for applying color to the crease. It does the job of applying color and blending at the same time so it's one of those all-in-one type of brushes. I'm probably going to buy a back up of this brush just because I love it so much! It's definitely required to have this brush in everyone's collection from beginners to professionals.

MAC 217 Brush ($22.50)

□ I can't express how much I love this brush! I have a back up of this brush because I use it so much! I think if I had the choice to grab just one (eyeshadow) brush to use for the rest of my life, it would definitely be this brush. It's fluffy enough for blending but it has just the perfect amount of density for packing on and building up color. It's the most ideal eyeshadow brush anyone could ever ask for. I'm saying this to everyone who is starting out in makeup that if you're not sure what brush to get, this is definitely the best choice you could ever go with.

MAC 219 Brush ($24.50)

□ I use this brush in more ways than one. I use it to define my crease, smudging eyeshadow and eyeliner, and even for blending! It's another one of those brushes that have so many uses to them and that's why I love it! This brush is unlike any other pencil brush that I've tried because some were too flimsy and had very little density and others were too harsh for my eyes. This one is just perfect!

Sonia Kashuk Bent Eye Liner Brush (about $6.00)

□ This is such an amazing eyeliner brush. I've had this for years and years and it definitely changed my outlook on how to apply eyeliner. I never preferred applying eyeliner with an angled brush and using a bent brush is so much more easier. Perfect winged eyeliner every single time!

Bdellium Tools Bent Eyeliner Brush ($7.04)

□ Another great eyeliner brush. This one is a lot smaller than the SK brush so it's perfect for really precise eyeliner.

MAC 204 Brush ($13.00)

□ This is another staple brush that I need for doing my eyebrows. Of course this brush has different uses to them from eyebrows to eyelashes to... believe it or not... eyeshadow. Yes! Eyeshadow! I once had an eyeshadow that was really dry from accidentally applying water to it and creating a hard layer on top (it was a matte eyeshadow). I just used this spoolie to gently scrape off the hard layer and the eyeshadow was good as new! I know it's kind of random but who would've thought? :)

What are your must have brushes?

Biotin Review

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 16:28:47 PST

I wanted to talk about biotin and my experience with it. This is just my honest review and my experience with biotin so not all results will be the same for everyone. However, I've heard really great things about biotin minus the side effects that can easily be overcome if you just stick with it! I know some of you may have questions about it so please feel free to ask them in the comments!

FACTS ABOUT BIOTIN (also referred to as Vitamin H and B7):
□ Though rare, brittle hair and nails could be a symptom of Biotin deficiency.
□ Health and beauty products contain biotin such as shampoo, makeup removers, even prenatal vitamins.
□ Other symptoms of biotin deficiency include hair loss, weak nails, and dry skin.
□ A recommended dosage of biotin is 5000 mcg.

ADVANTAGES:
□ With consistent use, biotin helps to stimulate faster hair and nail growth.

DISADVANTAGES:
□ High dosage of biotin can lead to acne breakouts. (results may vary)
□ May take several weeks to months for any visible changes.

TIPS FOR ENSURING BETTER RESULTS:
□ Because biotin is water soluble, it's important to increase you water intake for it to go through your system. Not enough water with the extra dosage of biotin may be the cause of breakouts.

MY THOUGHTS:

□ HAIR. I've been taking biotin for several months now (on and off). I believe I started in the Summer of 2011. My reason for wanting to take biotin was to boost my hair growth. Now I know my hair was already long to begin with but I noticed it was at a halt. It just stopped growing a little past my mid back. I would see my roots growing when I dyed my hair but the length always stayed the same. Partial to my hair not growing, it was also very brittle. I would get a lot of breakage which was probably the cause of my lack of hair growth.

□ I would try to about 5 tablets periodically throughout the day. For the first couple of weeks I didn't notice any changes in my hair. It wasn't until after a month of daily use that I noticed my hair getting longer (at least 1 or 2 inches). My hair was also falling out and I had a pinky nail size bald spot on the side of my head that completely grew out. I also noticed less breakage and healthier hair. I've heard of other hair supplements that made women grow facial hair but I had no issues with taking biotin. I definitely noticed a difference in hair growth but it took time to notice results. Since then my hair has grown over 4 inches.

□ NAILS. My nails grew extremely fast after taking biotin. It happened almost right away! This was definitely a side effect of biotin because in addition to my slow hair growth, my nails also grew at a very slow pace, not to mention they were weak and prone to rips and tears no matter how much I kept myself hydrated. So seeing them grow and looking strong was definitely a sign that biotin was working. I was really excited because my nails have never grown so long before.

□ SKIN. I didn't notice any significant improvement on my skin. It actually made it worse when I initially started taking biotin. However, after taking it several times a day for a few weeks, my body adjusted to the intake and I no longer get pimples because of it. As long as you stay hydrated and increase your water intake as you're taking biotin, then it should be no problem passing through your system.

AVAILABILITY: Drugstores (Walmart)
PRICE: $3 USD

DISCLAIMER: The products reviewed on this blog are based on the opinions and experiences of the author. This product was purchased by the author and in no way was this review influenced by the company of the product.

How I Contour My Nose

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 12:43:29 PST

I was never one to contour any features of my face. It wasn't until I noticed a difference it made the first time I tried it that I decided to stick with it. I would always attempt to contour (my cheekbones) but it never came out right. It would come out streaky or uneven or too "muddy". So believe it or not it took practice to finally get the hang of contouring. When doing my makeup I hardly ever go without contouring. It may not seem like it since my camera washes out about 20% of color on my face but majority of the time I've contoured in some way or another. I think contouring certain features of your face could make all the difference as far as enhancing its natural structure. I contour everything from my nose to my cheekbones and even my eyelids! I don't think contouring is absolutely necessary. It's all about your preference but I really see no harm in doing it. I'm all about accentuating certain features rather than completely altering your appearance.

The way I contour my nose is so simple that it doesn't require a tutorial. But I have gotten questions about it from those who are wondering how I do it especially after my rhinoplasty.

PRODUCTS USED:
□ MAC Cork eyeshadow (any color that's a shade or two darker than your skin tone should work fine)
□ Large eyeshadow brush from Sonia Kashuk (any fluffy brush will do)

Starting from the front of the eyebrow,

draw a straight line until you reach your nostrils.

Repeat the same process on the other side, creating 2 lines.

OPTIONAL: Create a "V" shape at the tip to create the illusion of a pointy nose.

Blend out the areas where you've applied the eyeshadow with your finger or a clean blending brush.

Before / After
You can see before contouring, my nose falls flat and doesn't protrude as much as I would like it to in flash photography. In the after photo, you can see that my nose looks more apparent. The contour helps to create a shadow making my nose look more narrow yet natural looking.

New Years Eve Makeup Look #3 - Last Post of the Year!

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 03:01:13 PST

Here's my last NYE look and possibly my last post of the year! Goodbye 2011, hello 2012! It'll be the year of the dragon, and I'm a dragon according to the Japanese zodiac. So I'm excited for the new year and I have so much faith in myself that 2012 will be good to me. :)

I asked the boyfriend what colors remind him most of New Years and he says black and gold so I decided to take his word for it and create a dramatic cut crease look with shimmery golds and glitter. Hope you all like this look! Thank you all for sticking with me for yet another year. Cheers! :D

EYES:
□ Urban Decay Primer Potion
□ MAC Blacktrack Fluidline (cut crease & upper lash line)
□ MAC Saddle Eyeshadow (crease & transition color)
□ MAC Carbon Eyeshadow (crease & lower lash line)
□ MAC Brule Eyeshadow (brow bone highlight)
□ Inglot #403 Pearl Eyeshadow (inner half of eyelid & inner lower lash line)
□ Inglot #15 AMC Shine Eyeshadow (outer half of eyelid & outer lower lash line)
□ MAC Reflects Gold Glitter (eyelid)
□ Milani Liquif'Eye Metallic Eyeliner Pencil in Black (lower waterline)
□ Covergirl Lashblast Mascara
□ Bornprettystore lashes #113

BROWS:
□ NYC Brow Pencil in Taupe
□ NYC Browser Brow Kit
□ MAC Carbon Eyeshadow
□ NYX Concealer in a Jar (shade beige)

CHEEKS:
□ NARS Laguna Bronzer
□ Elf Giddy Gold Blush

LIPS:
□ MAC Honey Moon Lipstick
□ Elizabeth Arden Shimmer Rose High Shine Lipgloss

New Years Eve Makeup #2

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 02:25:43 PST

I wasn't sure what to do with this look but I knew I wasn't going to use glitter like I wanted to. I had a look in mind but it didn't come out right when I tried it so this was the result of a last minute decision. Excessive eyeshadows with a frost finish make me apprehensive and this is definitely more frosty than what I'm used to. Especially when frost shadows appear too close to my brow bone... yikes! I prefer not to apply frost eyeshadows that far up my eye. Unless I did it for someone who was going for a look that way, otherwise I pretty much avoid it. I usually try to stick to one frost eyeshadow with the exception of this look since NYE is just around the corner. Had I done this look any other time, I probably would have incorporated matte shades (especially the purple) but this is for New Years! Enjoy! :)

EYES:
□ Urban Decay Primer Potion
□ NYX Milk Jumbo Eye Pencil (inner third of eyelid)
□ NYX Hot Pink Jumbo Eye Pencil (middle eyelid)
□ Sugarpill Goldilux Loose Eyeshadow (inner third of eyelid & inner lower lash line)
□ MAC Fuchsia Pigment (middle eyelid)
□ Glamour Doll Eyes Tattoo Eyeshadow (outer third of eyelid, crease, & outer lower lash line)
□ Inglot #498 DS Eyeshadow (outer corner & crease)
□ Maybelline Fit Me Pressed Powder (brow bone highlight)
□ Wet N Wild Creme Liner (upper lash line)
□ Milani Liquif'Eye Metallic Eyeliner in Black (lower waterline)
□ Maybelline Falsies Flared Mascara
□ Bornprettystore lashes #113

BROWS:
□ NYC Brow Pencil in Taupe
□ NYC Browser Brow Kit

CHEEKS:
□ MAC Marine Life High-Light Powder

LIPS:
□ OCC Anime Lip Tar

Urban Decay Naked Palette Look - Simple Wearable Makeup

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 15:49:09 PST

I'm back again with another look using my UD Naked Palette. I actually did this look a few days ago but I wanted to space out all these neutral looks I had coming up. This one is very easy to do and I don't even think you need this particular palette to do this look. I find it really subtle and work appropriate for those who are looking for ways to do their makeup without over doing it.

This look can also be transformed from a day to night look just by emphasizing the outer corner and crease with a dark brown eyeshadow (Darkhorse) or black eyeshadow (Creep). I wanted to keep it simple though. Hope you like it!

EYES:
□ Urban Decay Primer Potion
□ MAC Bare Study Paint Pot
□ Buck eyeshadow (crease & transition color)
□ Sidecar eyeshadow (inner half of eyelid & inner lower lash line)
□ Sin eyeshadow (outer half of eyelid)
□ Darkhorse eyeshadow (outer corner & crease)
□ Creep eyeshadow (outer corner & outer lower lash line)
□ MAC Studio Finish Concealer (brow bone highlight)
□ Wet N Wild Creme Liner (upper lash line)
□ Maybelline Falsies Flared Mascara
□ Model 21 Lashes #12

BROWS:
□ NYC Brow Pencil in Taupe
□ NYC Browser Brow Kit
□ MAC Carbon eyeshadow
□ NYX Concealer in a Jar (shade beige)

CHEEKS:
□ Milani Luminoso Blush

LIPS:
□ NYX Tea Rose Round Lipstick
□ L.A. Colors Jelly Bean Sheer Tube Lipgloss

Glittery Blue Makeup for New Years

noreply@blogger.com (Tina Marie) — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 03:01:13 PST

Hi! Here's my first festive look for New Years using glitter. I wish it was more glittery but I'll try to incorporate more of that in another look. I used clear lash adhesive to apply the glitter onto my eyelid. I always use this technique especially with glitter because it lasts so much longer without fading or creasing.

Natural lighting

EYES:

□ Urban Decay Primer Potion

□ MAC Electro Sky Paint Pot

□ MAC Soft Brown eyeshadow (crease, transition color & lower lash line)

□ Wet N Wild Lust Palette - Dark matte purple (crease)
□ MAC Carbon eyeshadow (crease & lower lash line)

□ Inglot #388 Matte eyeshadow (lid color)

□ MAC Reflects Blue (lid)
□ MAC Blanc Type eyeshadow (brow bone highlight)
□ MAC Beautiful Iris eyeshadow (inner eye corner)
□ Wet N Wild Creme Liner (upper lash line)
□ MAC Smolder Eye Kohl (lower waterline)
□ Maybelline Falsies Flared mascara
□ Bornprettystore lashes style #113

BROWS:
□ NYC Brow Pencil in Taupe
□ NYC Browser Brow Kit
□ NYX Concealer in a Jar (shade beige)

CHEEKS:
□ MAC Gingerly Blush
□ MAC Feeling Blush

LIPS:
□ MAC Flowerplay Lipstick