Makeup Moment

MAC Mineralize Skinfinishes in Blonde and Redhead

2012-01-26T03:09:00.005-05:00

(Blonde, Redhead)

When I found out that MAC had released the Blonde and Redhead mineralize skinfinishes ($28.00 each), as part of their latest collection-Naturally, I jumped for joy. I knew immediately that these two gems were going in my shopping cart, when I purchased them from the MAC website. I missed out on these mineralize skinfinishes when they were originally released as part of the Brunette, Blonde, Redhead collection (from 2009?). So, I was not going to make that same mistake again. Read on to find out why these two products are rocking my world!

Left To Right: Redhead, Blonde (sorry about the glares)

Mineralize Skinfinish in Blonde

First 4 swatches-color sections. Last swatch-all the colors blended together (blonde)

Mineralize Skinfinish in Redhead

First 4 swatches-color sections. Last swatch-all the colors blended together (redhead)

If you love soft, pink cheeks, then blonde is the way to go. A peach-coral lover? No problem. Redhead has got you covered. Both of these limited edition mineralize skinfinishes contain four sections of colors, that compliment each other beautifully. Starting from the left of the compact, the color strips gradually transition from lightest to deepest. You can apply the lightest of the bunch, and use that to create a soft highlight. Or, swirl your blush brush on all four colors, and you have yourself a pretty blush color, that will instantly liven your cheeks, and give them a healthy looking glow. With these two, you basically have a highlighter/blush in one! Gotta love multi-tasking products.

Both products contain fine, smooth shimmers. Personally, I don't find the shimmers as overbearing as they are, when it comes to other highlighters. Of course, as with all shimmered face products, its best to not overdo it and know your limits. I have gotten heavy handed before and applied more than I needed to. When that occurred, I noticed that my pores were slightly enlarged. So, just remember that a little bit of this product goes a long way. Not so much for the fear of overdoing the amount of color, but overdoing the shimmers. I think the pigment on these is fantastic. The colors aren't super bright, but they have enough pigment to keep one satisfied. The texture of both skinfinishes are so smooth. The smooth texture really helps both products blend effortlessly into my cheeks. Last, I find that these stay on my cheeks all day. They do not budge whatsoever, off of my oily skin. So, I am definitely happy with the lasting power.

I adore both of these mineralize skinfinishes, but I am having a love affair with blonde as of late. The soft pink, flattering glow that my cheeks get is just amazing. I can't rave about it enough. And come to think of it, I actually thought that Redhead was going to be my most favorite, seeing as it has the golden, peachy-coral color schemes that I usually go for. In any case, both the redhead and blonde mineralize skinfinishes are so beautiful in their own special way, and I know that I am going to be getting a lot of use from these.

Currently, I see that these two limited edition mineralize skinfinishes are still available on the MAC website. So jump on the mineralize skinfinish ship ASAP, and get one-or both of these beauties! Believe me when I say, you NEED these in your life. Get to it!

What do you think of the Blonde and Redhead Mineralize Skinfinishes? Did any of you pick these up?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased these products for my personal use.

Love & Beauty Coconut & Peach Lip Balms

2012-01-24T06:20:00.002-05:00

When I spot packaging that is shaped like an ice cream sundae, I don't have to think twice about taking it home with me. Such was the case with this Love & Beauty coconut and peach lip balm set ($1.50), that I recently spotted, over at Forever 21.

Peach Lip Balm

Peach: I am one who is not very picky about fragrances in lip products. But, this one was just too artificial-even for me. The peach scent in this lip balm is definitely not something I am a fan of. On the more positive note, this lip balm did go on the smoothest out of the two.

Coconut Lip Balm

Coconut: I am a huge lover of all things coconut scented. Anything that reminds me of the beach, sunsets, and warm summer weather, has a friend in me. This coconut scented lip balm is my favorite out of the two, when it comes fragrance. Unfortunately, when it came to application, I found the texture quite uncomfortable. It did not apply as smoothly as I would have liked. It went on gritty and felt a bit rough.

Both of these lip balms don't have any pigment, so they apply sheer. Honestly, I don't find that there is really anything special about these lip balms, other than the cute packaging and the fun scent. My lips are super dry and while these lip balms didn't exactly worsen them, they did not help moisturize them, either. Also, these lip balms felt heavy on my lips. I could definitely feel like something was coating my lips-sort of wax-like, actually. Not a very comfortable feeling. As far as lasting power goes, I find that I have to reapply every 1-2 hours.

I would have really liked to have seen more moisturizing-inducing ingredients such as, Shea butter and vitamin E. Lastly, an SPF of some sort would have been a really nice addition.

Overall, if you don't have extremely dry lips and are looking for a basic, fun-scented, inexpensive lip balm, then these may be ones you want to look into. But, if moisturizing is your goal, look elsewhere. There are many other lip balms on the market that do wonders when it comes to moisturizing the lips. I would not repurchase these lip balms again. One of my favorite lip balms is Smith's Rosebud Salve. It never disappoints me, and I can't imagine my life without it.

Have any of you tried the Love & Beauty lip balms? Which are your favorite lip balms?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased the products mentioned above, for my personal use.

Beauty Crave

2012-01-22T03:58:00.000-05:00

Hey Dolls,

I hope you are all enjoying your day! Welcome to another edition of beauty crave. You all know how it goes, so let's get started :)

1. Bobbi Brown Ultra Nude Eye Palette ($45.00)- I don't think I will ever get enough of nude eyeshadows. They are such a necessary essential for me, and they are the color schemes that I wear quite often. This nude eye palette by Bobbi Brown contains six gorgeous universally flattering, nude eyeshadows that are sure to strike every nude eyeshadow lover's fancy. Also included in the eye palette is a handy, double-ended angled eyeshadow and eyeliner brush. Perfect for when one is on the go.

2. Tarte Maracuja Blush & Glow ($32.00)- Tarte's Maracuja Blush & Glow is a duo that is comprised of a cheek tint and a luminizer. Blend the tint on the cheeks for a lovely natural flush of color, and then follow with the luminizer to highlight the tops of cheekbones, for that extra special touch. According to Tarte, maracuja is an oil that contains Vitamin C, as well as fatty acids-great skin essentials. Also, this products does not contain parabens, sulfates, or any other harsh chemicals, that our skin can do without. Love!

3. Dior Diorskin Sculpt Concealer ($35.00)- For me, finding the perfect concealer has been the norm, for quite awhile. I just can't give up! I am obsessed, I tell 'ya. This concealer works to help diminish lines, and give the eye area a smooth appearance. I have a few fine lines under my eyes, and this product sounds really great to help combat that problem. I just wonder if it will help conceal my under-eye dark circles, well enough?

4. Smashbox Be Discovered Cream Cheek Trio ($29.00)- One of my new year resolutions is to start familiarizing myself more with cream blushes. Unfortunately, I don't have that many in my makeup stash. I steer clear of cream blushes because, when it comes to application, I feel like I am not doing it properly-especially when it comes to loud colors. I am afraid I will look like a clown. It is time to get rid of my cream blush fear, and this cream blush trio by Smashbox seems like a good place to start. The colors are incredibly gorgeous, and look very wearable.

5. American Apparel Glitter Nail Polish ($6.00)- I think it is safe to say that my glitter nail polish obsession is far from being over. I am sure come summertime, I will step away from the glitter and go towards the brights, neons, and pastels. Unless, there is a neon or pastel glitter nail color, available! Now, that would be cool. I really love the chunks of fun glitter that these nail colors have (pictured above is Supernova). By the way, for those who are into the latest, nail flake-craze, there is a pretty silver flake nail color available called Constellation, that I am sure will look lovely layered over dark nail colors. Also, these glitter nail colors are cruelty free, DBP free, toluene free, and formaldehyde free. Score!

6. Urban Decay Super-Saturated High Gloss Lip Color ($19.00)- I really love lip products. Apart from lipsticks, lip balms, and glosses, I am not too familiar with lip pencils. But, I know that lip pencils perform just as good-sometimes, even better. These lip pencils from Urban Decay, promise to give lips a high dose of opaque color, that feels creamy on the lips. I like! I am looking into purchasing 'Love Child', which is a gorgeous soft pink. Next to nude lip colors, I can't live without my pinks.

Thanks for stopping by, dolls! Be back soon :)

What beauty products are on your beauty wishlist?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above.

Product Rave: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Cotton Candy

2012-01-21T14:39:00.000-05:00

I have been searching high and low for the much buzzed about, Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters ($5.99). But not surprisingly, they have proved hard to find. Well, I just happened to spot a display of these lip butters at Rite Aid and although I was excited that I finally spotted these, I was bummed that the color selections that remained were shades that I would not normally buy for myself. Luckily, I spotted one Revlon lip balm that was right up my alley, and her name is Cotton Candy.

Quick Product Facts

1. The lip butters are infused with shea butter, coconut butter, and hydrating mango

2. Provides a light-medium pigmentation that give lips a beautiful shine

3. These lip butters are available in 20 shades!

(source)

Packaging

I really like the quilted design/texture on the pink plastic top. I think the packaging looks quite sleek, actually. It also feels pretty sturdy, too. Also, I appreciate that the nozzle twists the lip butter all the way down. I just love features such as this one because that way, nicks and scrapes on the product can be easily avoided. I can't tell you all how many times I have nicked a lipstick because the nozzle wouldn't twist all the way down, no matter how cautious I was when placing the top back on.

Thoughts/Experience

Cotton Candy is a gorgeous, soft pink that contains small, smooth golden shimmers. Both the soft pink and the gold shimmers compliment each other quite well, and I really like the shine that this lip butter imparts on my lips. The shimmers are not overbearing at all. Cotton Candy is nicely pigmented, but not overly so. You can definitely build on it, though. I do detect a sweet fragrance which I quite enjoy. But no worries for those who are not fond of scented lip products, the sweet scent lessens rather quickly, once applied to the lips.

This lip butter glided on my lips smoothly, and evenly. I noticed how I could keep layering, and layering the product, and my lips would never dry out or get flaky because of product build-up. My lips are often very dry, and believe it or not, I have encountered lip products that instead of adding moisture to the lips, dry them out instead. Cotton Candy felt super lightweight on my lips, never uncomfortable.

I wish Cotton Candy lasted a little longer on me, though. I found that three hours or so, is the max time that this lip butter lasts on my lips. After the 3 hours, I have to touch up and apply this lip butter again. I found that my lips, did in fact, feel moisturized throughout the day. One thing that I would have really liked to have seen contained in this lip butter, is an SPF of some sort. I think that would have been a really nice addition.

Conclusion

I love Cotton Candy, and I hope to spot more of these Revlon Lip Butter shades at drugstores. I think if you are on the lookout for an inexpensive, easy glide-on moisturizing lip butter that packs a nice amount of color, these lip butters may be something worth looking into.

What do you all think of the Revlon Lip Butters? Which are your favorite shades?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

Love & Beauty Nail Polish in Hot Pink

2012-01-18T09:57:00.001-05:00

Personally, I find Forever 21's Love & Beauty nail polishes to be either a hit or miss. I have a few Love & Beauty nail colors in my stash, and I have to say, some colors are spectacular, while others leave me underwhelmed. Luckily, this nail color falls into the spectacular category.

Three coats of Hot Pink, shiny top coat applied on top as well

Hot Pink (original name, huh?), is a bright pink that packs a whole lot of punch. The color is real bright-but not eye blinding neon bright, that contains fine, gold shimmers. I just love the gold sheen that the tiny, gold shimmers impart on my nails. The gold compliments the bright pink, beautifully. The pictures above do not do this nail color any justice. This mani looks so much cooler in person. To really up the fun factor, I added 2 coats of Wet n' Wild's Wild Shine Nail Color in Sparked to my ring fingers.

Application was a breeze. The brush, as well as the easy-grip handle, makes applying the nail color very simple. The first coat went on a bit sheer. I applied a second, and then a third coat to really get opaque and even coverage. I experienced no streaking, or air bubbles during application, and this nail color dried to a semi-glossy finish.

Drying time wasn't too bad. It took about 10-15 minutes for the nail color to be completely dry. I just applied this color last night so, I can't really report on the wear-time. But usually I have luck with the Love & Beauty nail colors when it comes to lasting power. It is not until 3-5 days of wear that I start to see some tip wear and chipping.

I know there are so many bright pink nail colors out there, in the market, and I am sure that you all probably have one in your nail polish stash. But, I think this color is sort of unique-in its own, fun way. I don't think I have a pink like this one in my collection. Plus, the price tag of $2.80 doesn't hurt either. Hot Pink definitely deserves a look if you spot it at a Forever 21 store.

What do you all think of Hot Pink? Which are your favorite Love & Beauty nail colors?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

Love & Beauty Bronze/Turquoise Eyeshadow Palette

2012-01-17T09:07:00.003-05:00

Every time I stop by Forever 21, I tend to overlook the beauty and cosmetics items. I am more into the nail polishes and the clothing. But on my last trip to the store, I decided that it was finally time to take a closer look at the beauty items. Ultimately, I picked up some stuff to test out, so stay tuned for a few more posts in where I will share with you all some more Forever 21 beauty finds. I really hope that this post-along with the others coming up, helps those of you who are not familiar with Forever 21's Love & Beauty line, and are contemplating on weather or not these beauty products are something you want to try.

I really love how the beauty items are so inexpensive. But what I really wanted to find out was, weather or not the quality was there. Today, I am going to share with you all my thoughts on the Love & Beauty bronze/turquoise eyeshadow palette ($2.80).

natural daylight, no flash

Packaging

The black, flip-open compact houses four eyeshadow strips, as well as two double-ended sponge tip applicators. I really like the look of the packaging but, I definitely would not want to drop it. I don't find the case sturdy at all. I am really clumsy, so I will have to make sure to be really careful.

I noticed something quite surprising actually, when it came to the packaging. We all know that makeup has expiration dates and there is usually some sort of indicator which shows the time span of the product. For example, some items would read 3M, 6M, 12M, 24M, etc. The M indicating months. Well, I was surprised to not only see a time span indicator on the back of the compact, but also the EXACT DATE of when the product expires. Not only that, but it also shows when the product was manufactured. How cool is that? If you take a look at the back of the compact in the picture above, you will see that the expiration date is 10/14-October 2014. This is a quality that I really appreciate. And I think all cosmetic companies should do this with their products. It is so informative and very helpful. There is one thing I don't understand, though. The year 2014 is two years away, and the time span illustration reads 12M. Maybe it means that unopened, this product lasts until 2014. But then once opened, the time span of the product is a year?

Thoughts

When I first spotted these eyeshadows, I immediately fell in love with the colors. I think they compliment eachother so well, and I love how the colors remind me of summer. During the summer months, I LOVE to sport gold and bronze eyeshadows. And I think a lovely turquoise shadow would compliment a tan quite well. When it comes to the eyeshadows, you get a turquoise that I would say leans more on the green side, a bronze, a gold, and a creamy beige. All of the eyeshadows are heavily shimmered. So, if shimmer eyeshadows are not your cup of tea, these are not for you. I personally love shimmers in my eyeshadow colors. I think the shimmers help brighten up my eye area and makes the shadow colors that much more fun. The eyeshadows are pressed closely together. Some may have an issue with this, but its not a deal-breaker for me. I find that I can comfortably fit my eyeshadow brush in each of the colors with no problem. Also, I am happy to report that this product is cruelty-free and not tested on animals!

Pigmentation is pretty impressive. The shadows are nicely pigmented and pack a nice punch of color. With the turquoise color, I found that I had to really pack on the color, in order to get it to show up to its full potential. When it comes to the texture of the eyeshadows, I find that they are very soft. There is already a small crack on the corner of the lighter cream shade, and I have done nothing to cause the crack. Believe me when I say that I have been very gentle with this eyeshadow compact. Who knows? Perhaps the crack was already there before I purchased it, and I didn't notice?

I did an eye look using all of the eyeshadows in this palette, and I really liked the turn out. I applied the gold shade to the middle of my lid, then I took the bronze shadow and applied that to the outer V, blending into the crease. To brighten up the eye look I took the creamy beige and applied it to the inner corners. Lastly, to finish the look, I applied the pretty turquoise shadow to the lower lash line, to add an unexpected pop of color. The shadows were super easy to blend. But, I did experience some fallout, though. Of course, I applied an eyeshadow primer beforehand. My oily lids require it because if not, the shadows will crease on me within 5 minutes! The longest I have sported these eyeshadows was for about, 5-6 hours. I was pleasantly surprised that I did not notice any fading or major creasing, during that time. This leads me to believe that these eyeshadows have the potential to last beyond the 5-6 hours I had it on for.

Conclusion

I admit, I wasn't expecting much from these eyeshadows. I was ready to be disappointed. But I was proved wrong. The colors are lovely, the pigmentation was nice, and I could definitely see myself using this eyeshadow compact frequently. How could I not? The colors are gorgeous and right up my alley. I have a feeling these shadows are going to be in heavy rotation come summertime. I was left very impressed, and I am going to be on the lookout for more shades.

What do you all think of the Love & Beauty eyeshadows? Have any of you tried any?

Thanks for stopping by, dolls! I hope you all have a great day :) Be back soon!

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

Products I Have Been Loving Lately: Vol 3

2012-01-16T06:22:00.000-05:00

Today I am going to share with you all the products that have stolen my heart, lately. Lets get started!

1. Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara- I just recently reviewed this mascara (click here), and it is quickly becoming a must-have staple item. I have been using it daily, and I just love how it easily lengthens and separates my lashes.

2. Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow Palette- This eyeshadow palette (click here for review and swatches) is a must for those who love neutral eye looks. If I am ever in a rush, and indecisive when it comes to my eyeshadow look for the day, the naked palette saves the day. I love how I can easily create a soft, neutral eye or a more dramatic, smokier one for night. I am still debating on weather or not I should get the Naked Palette 2.

3. Hard Candy Fox In A Box Blush in Truth Or Dare- I just reviewed this blush yesterday, along with another hard candy blush duo (click here to check it out). My love affair with truth or dare is not ending anytime soon. This duo, comprised of a pretty golden brown and a soft, sheer pink, add the perfect glow to my cheeks that I love. This is one gem that I was happy to find.

4. Revlon Lip Butter in Cotton Candy- I am in the process of writing a review on this lip butter from Revlon. Cotton candy is a pretty soft pink that gives a gorgeous sheen to the lips. So far, I love the smooth texture of this lip butter. It glides on effortlessly onto the lips. Be on the lookout for the upcoming review!

5. Maybelline Fit Me Foundation- If any of you are longtime readers of my blog, I am pretty sure that you are all getting tired of my constant rave about this foundation. Maybelline's Fit Me foundation (click here for review) is definitely one of my HG foundations. I am on my second bottle of this stuff and I am almost done with it, LOL! I use this foundation almost daily. The colder weather has taken a toll on my skin, causing it to become drier than usual, and I just love the much needed dewiness that this foundation gives my face.

I hope you are all doing well, dolls! Be back soon :)

What products have you all been loving lately? Do any of you have similar favorites?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased all of the products mentioned in this post for my personal use.

Hard Candy Fox In A Box Blushes: Truth Or Dare, Skinny Dipping

2012-01-15T08:54:00.002-05:00

I finally was able to get my hands on these Hard Candy treasures! I say treasures because these boxed blushes are fantastic! I am in love. I am just in awe because of how amazing the Hard Candy Fox in a Box blushes ($6.00 each) are. Each of these boxed blushes contain two coordinating shades that compliment each other beautifully. Just take a look for yourselves!

Left To Right: Truth Or Dare, Skinny Dipping (with flash)

I absolutely love the cardboard-box packaging with the easy to open flip top, magnetic lid. I love the bright colors, the fun polka-dotted prints, the images of the flower, lace, and bird, and even the letter fonts are pretty cool-you know, if you are into that stuff :) Yes, they are a little bulky, but come on...you can't deny that the boxes are super adorable. Surprisingly, I find the packaging to be pretty sturdy.

I think the appearance of the blush brushes are really fun. The hairs are pink and the white handle contains the Hard Candy imprint logo on it. I found the brush hairs to feel OK on my cheeks. They don't feel scratchy, but they aren't the softest hairs either. I like to use my own blush brush to apply this product, though. I like that instead of adding a separate compartment to house the brush, Hard Candy decided to insert a black, elastic band under the top lid, that would hold the brush in place. I think this is a great feature because it prevents the packaging from being any more bulkier than it already is.

Truth Or Dare

Truth or Dare is probably my most favorite out of the two boxed blushes. I have been using this boxed blush non-stop since I first got it. The color on the left is a soft, warm golden brown that contains small shimmers. And the color on the right is a pretty sheer pink, that also contains small shimmers. I don't find the shimmers to be very apparent, once the colors are on my cheeks. This duo is the most sheerest out of the bunch, but that is probably why I love it so much. When swatched, the colors appear sheer. But as soon as I apply these two colors on my cheeks, they give my cheeks the most prettiest, healthy looking, glow-with a hint of soft pink to complete the look. With this duo, you will never look overdone. That's the beauty of truth or dare.

Skinny Dipping

Skinny Dipping is a great pick for those who enjoy coral blush colors. The color on the left is a cool, tan-brown that contains a hint of pink. And the lovely color on the right, is a bright orange coral. Both colors contain shimmers, and the colors are nicely pigmented. Like Truth Or Dare, the shimmers are not overbearing or apparent, once they have been applied to the cheeks. To be honest, I have not been using this boxed blush much, since I am so enamored with truth or dare. I think its because I prefer applying pink blushes in the colder months. And since it is winter here, truth or dare is just perfect for me. But come summertime, I am sure that I will be putting skinny dipping to good use, since coral blushes, and bronzers are all I sport on my cheeks during that time. But, skinny dipping is gorgeous nonetheless, and I am happy that I picked it up.

First Two: Truth Or Dare Swatches. Last Two: Skinny Dipping Swatches

Both these boxed blushes are smooth in texture, and they blend effortlessly onto my cheeks. I also find that these blushes last all day on my cheeks, which is great. I can't wait to pick up some more of these boxed blushes from Hard Candy, on my next trip to Wal-Mart. If you happen to spot these boxed blushes, I recommend you pick up a few. I am sure you will love them as much as I do.

What do you all think of these boxed blushes from Hard Candy?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased these products for my personal use.

Product Rave: Vaseline Total Moisture Conditioning Body Lotion

2012-01-12T18:47:00.001-05:00

As soon as winter arrives, my skin is just unbearable. My skin is dry, and it has been quite itchy, lately. My legs especially have been feeling the itching wrath, and you can all imagine how uncomfortable that is. Good thing, I have the Vaseline Total Moisture Conditioning Body Lotion (around $4-$6) by my side. This is actually my first time trying out a body lotion by Vaseline and I couldn't be more pleased with the results.

I love that this body lotion contains Vitamins E, A, and B, which are great skin moisturizers and soothers. Also, this lotion also contains minerals which help give skin the nutrients that it needs. The combination of vitamins and minerals work together to replenish the skin with moisture and hydration. And I think it sure does a fab job at that.

When I smooth this lotion on my skin, my skin just feels so much more smoother and supple. The lotion is very creamy. It does not have a thick consistency, nor a thin one. My skin absorbs this lotion quickly, and a little bit of this product truly goes a long way. I do detect a fresh fragrance to this lotion, but its not the least offensive. Once the lotion is applied to the skin, I find that the scent dissipates within 5 minutes or so. After that, I just get a tiny hint of the scent, which I find quite nice actually.

If you are looking for an effective body lotion that will moisturize your skin in a snap, then this may be a product that you would want to look into. I think its definitely worth a try, seeing as its super affordable. My only concern with this body lotion is that it may not be enough for those who have super dry skin. I think for that, a thicker formula may be needed. Just something to keep in mind.

What do you all think of this body lotion by Vaseline? What are your favorite body lotions to use in the winter time?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

Product Review: Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara

2012-01-12T03:54:00.002-05:00

While on my most recent trip to Bed Bath And Beyond, I spotted Maybelline's newest mascara-Illegal Length ($6.99). What intrigued me most about this mascara was the fact that it contained tiny fibers that help lengthen and extend the lashes. Personally, I am not too familiar with the performance of mascaras that contain fibers. But I do know that the fibers work by attaching to the lashes, to give them instant length. Think of the fibers as small extensions for your lashes.

Maybelline Illegal Length Mascara in Very Black

Ingredients

Here are some quick product facts:

1. This mascara is washable-there is a waterproof version available as well

2. Ophthalmologist tested

3. This mascara is safe for those who wear contact lenses

4. "Fiber-Fix Brush" works with a locking formula, to dramatically lengthen and extend the lashes with the 4mm fibers

5. The mascara brush reaches every single lash, at every angle

6. The fibers will not flake off because they are securely attached to the lashes

7. For better results, it is best to not let the mascara dry in between coat applications

First, I really like the look of the lightweight plastic, mascara tube. I am loving the silver with the contrasting fuchsia text. Very chic, if I do say so myself. When I first took the mascara wand out of the tube, I noticed that the wand was a bit long. I prefer shorter mascara wands-just because they are much easier for me to control. Luckily, I found it was pretty easy to work with the wand. Application was not troublesome at all.

The bristles along with the fibers do wonders when it comes to lengthening the lashes. Take a look for yourself...

Bare Lashes

1 coat of Maybelline Illegal Length applied

2 coats of Maybelline Illegal Length applied

Is that some crazy length, or what? I love my lashes to contain some volume to them, and I feel like I get a little bit of that with this mascara. The formula is very lightweight. My lashes don't feel weighed down or heavy, and I also notice a pretty slight curl has been achieved as well. Plus, I find that this mascara darkens and separates my lashes quite well, and makes them really stand out. What really impressed me was the fact that I could easily get away with just applying one coat. One coat will give me long, natural looking lashes. But then when you up the coat count to two-three, the length really gets pumped up! I am really happy that I experienced no major clumping action with Illegal Length. Just don't go beyond three coats, or else it will start to clump up. When it came to drying time, I found that it dried relatively quick in between coats, so make sure to work a little quick or else you may risk clumping the lashes.

I find that this mascara lasts for the most part, all day on me. I saw no hint of smudging going on, but I did notice a tiny bit of flaking around the three hour mark. But it was barely noticeable. Also, the removal process is super simple. I use my Lancome Bi-Facil eye makeup remover (review coming soon), and it gets the job done easily.

If length is your goal, then you will most certainly find it with Illegal Length. I will definitely repurchase this mascara again. It's super affordable, and I just can't help but love the length that can be achieved with this mascara.

What do you all think of Illegal Length mascara by Maybelline?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

Product Review: PureDerm "Tea Tree" Nose Pore Strips

2012-01-10T22:33:00.000-05:00

It has been such a long time since I have experimented with nose strips. The main reason being that I hate pulling them off my nose once it has dried. It hurts! I do have a few blackheads on my nose, but I wouldn't say that they are super noticeable. They are there, but foundation and concealer helps hide them. Anyways, when I saw this pack of nose strips over at Forever 21, I decided to give it a go and see if they would be effective enough, to remove the few blackheads that I have on my nose. Did they work for me? Read on to find out!

Here are some quick product facts, according to the packaging:

1. Contains Tea Tree Extract

2. Paraben Free

3. The nose strips help "unclog pores and lift away unwanted blackheads"

4. The strips help with the elimination of any dirt or oil-which are culprits, when it comes to

clogging pores

5. Works to tighten the pores

The box contains six nose strips, which can be used 1-2 times per week-as indicated on the back of the box. I wish that the pack contained a few more strips, though. This pack retails for $3.80 over at Forever 21, and while the price isn't horrendous, the inclusion of more strips would have made me feel like I really got more bang for my buck. But, seeing as I will probably use one strip per week, I guess it isn't so bad. I found it really helpful that there were easy to follow step by step, written and illustrated instructions on the back of the box. Its really great for those who have never used nose strips before. Takes all of the guesswork out.

Following the instructions, I put a nose strip to work to see what it could do. I wet my nose with water, I applied the strip on my nose (shiny side should face the skin), and I waited 15 minutes for the strip to stiffen and dry up. While waiting, I did notice the tea tree scent. I don't know if the tea tree really had any effect, but when I applied the nose strip, I did feel sort of a cooling sensation on my nose-which lasted for about a minute or so.

After 15 minutes went by, I cautiously, pulled the dry strip off of my nose-which by the way, wasn't as painful as I expected it to be, and couldn't wait to see all of those pesky blackheads on the strip. Well, to be honest I was a little underwhelmed. I mean, it did remove some of the blackheads-not all, and to be completely honest, I saw no noticeable difference on my nose. My pores certainly didn't look any tighter, nor did they feel cleaner. Also, when I removed the strip, there was strip residue which I had to rinse off with some water.

Overall, I think if you spot these nose strips at your nearby Forever 21 store, they are worth a try, seeing as they are pretty inexpensive. It may work better for you than it did for me. I will use the remainder of the strips, but I don't think I will repurchase these again. Once I am done with these nose strips, I will try the Biore ones. I read great things about them and they have a cult following so, I may have better luck with those.

Have any of you tried these nose strips from PureDerm? Which nose strips do you all love?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

Birchbox: January 2012

2012-01-10T06:01:00.005-05:00

Yesterday I received my January Birchbox and I was quite excited. I unsubscribed and fell off the Birchbox train wagon for awhile so, I subscribed again recently and I can't wait to see what goodies will be arriving in the coming months.

Let's see what I got in this month's box...

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner (Lionfish)

Swatch of Lionfish

Stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner in Lionfish- When I first saw that a Stila eyeliner was in the box, I was super happy. Lionsfish is a lovely brown eyeliner that contains small, fine bronze shimmers. I don't have too many brown eyeliners so I was excited to have this one. That excitement didn't last long, though. When I tried applying this eyeliner onto my top lash line, I was surprised to find that I had a really hard time with this liner, when it came to application. The pencil felt super dry and rough against my lids-definitely not creamy as I imagined it to feel. Also, I had to go over the same line numerous times in order for the color to show up. Although the color is lovely, I just can't handle the troublesome application. I don't know if I got a dud, or what? I am curious to see if the other liners in the line perform like this one did.

FIX Malibu Immaculate Complexion Smoothing Serum

FIX Malibu Immaculate Complexion Smoothing Serum- This serum works to soften wrinkles and perk up the skin tone, thanks to the help of vitamins C, A, and E. I have not given this product a go yet, but it feels super smooth, and the consistency is that of like a face primer. The smell is lovely, too. Sort of citrus-like.

VMV Hypoallergenics, Re-Everything: Face-Hand-Body Lotion

VMV Hypoallergenics Re-Everything: Face-Hand-Body Lotion- When I applied this creamy lotion on my arms, I instantly felt a moisturizing sensation. My skin was very smooth to the touch, the lotion absorbed instantly, and I felt no sticky residue. I did not detect a fragrance in this lotion, so this is a nice option for those who favor unscented products over fragrant ones.

Juicy Couture

Juicy Couture Fragrance- My best friend is a huge fan of Juicy Couture fragrances. She raves about them, constantly. I think I understand her excitement now because this one smells so good! I may just buy the full-size when this sample runs out. The floral blend scent is so addicting-I can't get enough.

Extras: 'Wichcraft Granola and Birchbox LogoMagnet- Also included in this month's Birchbox is a small packet of granola, and a cute Birchbox logo magnet. I can't wait to try the granola. I love adding granola to my cereal. So yummy!

What do you all think of this month's Birchbox contents?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased a monthly Birchbox subscription.

Mini Bath and Body Works Haul

2012-01-06T04:25:00.000-05:00

Hey dolls,

I hope you are all having a lovely day. I did a little shopping yesterday at the mall, and when I passed by the Bath and Body Works store, I saw that they were having one of their fabulous sales. So, of course I had to go in the store and check it out. I wasn't really interested in much of the selection that they had, but I did end up leaving the store with a few things that make for great traveling companions. Two adorable mini, anti-bacterial hand gels, and a mini body lotion.

I had never tried any of the Bath and Body Works anti-bacterial hand gels, so I was excited when I saw these, priced at just $.50 each! I regret not picking up more! I love these! They feel so refreshing once applied to the hands. The gel absorbs instantly, softens my hands, and they smell so good.

Dipped strawberry smells just like strawberries-of course. There are really fun, tiny sparkles in dipped strawberry that dissolve and disappear when you distribute and rub the gel through your hands. I tried to take a picture of the sparkles, but my camera did not want to work with me. But they are there, I assure you :)

But, my favorite anti-bacterial hand gel has got to be Pink Sugarplum. It smells so heavenly. If you are a fan of sweet scents, then I suggest you pick up pink sugarplum. It smells just like a sweet sugar candy. And the best part is that the sweet scent lingers for a long time on the hands. Yum!

I got this mini, 2 OZ Rio Rumberry body lotion for just $1.00! This body lotion contains a blend of berries, vanilla blossom, and papaya. Yum! To my nose, the papaya definitely is the scent that dominates in this body lotion. But I do get a hint of the underlying vanilla blossom and berry scent, though. When I smooth on this lotion on my arms, they feel super soft and smooth to the touch. Did I mention the smell is amazing? I really love the fact that this lotion is a mini, travel sized version because I am definitely carrying this gem with me everywhere I go.

Did any of you guys pick up anything from the Bath and Body Works Sale? What are your favorite Bath and Body Works products?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased the products mentioned above for my personal use.

Beauty Crave

2012-01-05T03:14:00.001-05:00

Hey dolls,

I hope you are all doing well, and enjoying your day. My apologies for the lack of posts lately. I am just getting over a cold, and slowly getting my energy back. All I have been wanting to do is lay in bed all day and rest. But thank goodness that I am feeling better. Pretty soon I will be back up and running, again. Today, I am going to share with you all some items that have intrigued me...there goes some more additions to my never-ending beauty wishlist, hahaha!

1. Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream ($39.00)- I have noticed the buzz that BB creams have been creating. More and more beauty brands have been releasing their versions of the BB creams. This BB cream by Smashbox does it all. It is your moisturizer, primer, and foundation, all in one. It also works to help with oily skin, and it doesn't hurt that it includes a very impressive SPF of 35. Sounds like good stuff. I am all for multi-tasking products-especially ones that will help control my oily skin.

2. Sephora Collection Prisma Chrome Eyeshadow ($15.00)- These limited edition eyeshadows from Sephora look so lovely. I am not going to deny that the gorgeous shadow imprint is an attention-grabber. These eyeshadows promise to provide shine that is hard to miss with their pigmented, and unique formula that features the combinations of a baked, cream, and powder shadow. I love the selection of colors to choose from. I also love that these eyeshadows are free of parabens.

3. NARS Sheer Glow Foundation ($42.00)- I am pretty sure that I am becoming a foundation addict. Sure, I have a few that I love, but I am obsessed with finding that perfect one. Who knows? I may never find the perfect foundation. But I do have a lot of fun trying out new ones-except for the fact that it hurts my wallet. That's never fun, LOL! Nars sheer glow sounds like a foundation that is right up my alley. It has a smooth formula that provides a medium-buildable coverage, and it gives the skin a dewy, healthy-looking finish.

4. Benefit Hervana ($28.00)- How lovely is this powder blush? This blush contains four fun shades that when swirled together, give the cheeks a lovely flush of color. I really like how the boxed blush contains a handy mirror, too.

5. Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel Bronzing Makeup Base ($48.00)- Sure, its winter now. But summer isn't too far away. Come summer, I am all about having that bronzed look. This cream-gel bronzer by Chanel is highly praised in the beauty community. The price of $48.00 is steep...but, its Chanel. And, I assume that a bit of the product goes a long way, which means that this product should last for a long time. Have any of you tried this bronzer? If you have, please fill me in on your thoughts about it.

Thanks for stopping by, dolls! Be back soon :)

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above.

Product Review: MAC Matchmaster Foundation

2012-01-04T17:42:00.004-05:00

When it comes to foundations, I don't ask for much. What is important to me is how well it covers, the inclusion of an SPF of some sort, and not having it break me out. I love medium to full coverage foundations. Unfortunately, my skin is not a good contender for the light coverage of a tinted moisturizer. I have a lot of unevenness when it comes to my skin tone, acne scars, and blemishes that I would prefer be covered. Since my skin is acne prone, and on the more sensitive side, the foundation must not break me out or cause irritation.

When I heard that MAC was releasing a new foundation, I was all over it. I have been pretty impressed with the MAC foundations that I have tried lately-Pro Longwear and Face And Body, so I was excited to put MAC's Matchmaster Foundation ($32.50), to the test. I really like to color match myself when it comes to foundation shades. So, I looked up some Matchmaster foundation swatches online and based on my findings, I found that shade 2.0 would be the best match for my NC25 MAC skin tone.

MAC Matchmaster Foundation-Shade 2.0

Back of the box

Ingredients

Swatch of Matchmaster Foundation-shade 2.0 (cloudy day, natural light, no flash)

Initial Thoughts

The first thing that I immediately noticed was the amount of product that was in the bottle. Based on my foundation encounters, I noticed that most foundations contain 1 OZ of product. But the Matchmaster foundation contains 1.2 OZ of product. It may not be much to some, but this is something that I appreciate very much. I feel like I am getting my money's worth by having a bit of extra product that will last me a bit longer. The foundation bottle is made of glass-I am so terrified of dropping this thing, you have no idea! A very worthy mention is that the bottle has a pump-so great and convenient. And lastly, it also contains an SPF of 15.

Application

When it comes to my preferred method of applying Matchmaster, I love using my MAC 188 small duo fibre brush ($34.00). Any stippling brush will do, but I just prefer the MAC 188 because since it is a little smaller, I feel like it gives me more concentrated coverage. Not to mention it blends in my foundation like a dream.

Experience

As I mentioned before, I matched myself to the shade 2.0. I have yellow undertones in my skin and 2.0 seemed to be the shade that would best suit my yellow tones. When I first pumped out a bit of the foundation onto the back of my hand, I noticed that the foundation had some yellow coloring, but I also spied a hint of orange mixed in, as well. When I first saw the orange, I questioned if I chose the right shade? There was only one way to find out. I started stippling and blending the foundation onto my face-I find that using two pumps of the foundation gives me the coverage that I prefer. I also noticed that this foundation is super easy to blend. The formula is very creamy, but there is a little hint of thickness incorporated into the mix as well. With the pro longwear foundation, I had to work in sections because it would set so quick. But with matchmaster, I still have a little bit of extra time to blend it in before it completely sets.

When I first applied this foundation, I was instantly introduced with a strong scent. It was quite familiar, actually. It smelled just like the MAC studio fix fluid foundation. I tried studio fix fluid a few years ago and even to this day, I don't forget the smell. But, I am not going to say this is a big deal-breaker for me because I don't consider myself as sensitive to scents as others may be. But, on the plus side, I find that the scent lessens as the day wears on. I actually don't really notice it much after awhile.

OK, when it comes to the color-match...I found it pretty interesting. When I finished blending the foundation onto my skin, I noticed that the coloring was a tiny bit off. The foundation definitely appeared a little darker. You can imagine my disappointment right then and there. I thought I had picked the wrong shade for myself, and I was going to have to go back to the MAC store to see if shade 1.5-which is the next shade down, was actually the better match for my skin. But the most amazing thing happened. I let the foundation set for a bit, and between the 5-10 minutes after I had applied the foundation, I looked in the mirror again, and the match was perfect! My face did not seem darker anymore. I don't know how, but somehow the foundation just blended into my skin to match my skin tone. I just can't explain it. I was speechless. I guess the name "matchmaster" says it all-it works to match your skin tone. From this experience, I assume that one needs to let the foundation set for a few minutes, to ensure that it matches your own skin tone. According to the description of the matchmaster foundation on the MAC website, this foundation contains "translucent pigments that enable a fully personalized finish influenced by your own skin's undertone". Very cool!

Coverage/Results

I was pretty impressed with the coverage. I found it to be medium-buildable. Matchmaster did diffuse my acne scars, nicely, but it did not completely cover them. A concealer might be needed for those who prefer a more fuller coverage on certain areas of the face. The finish looks a bit matte, but its not completely matte. It gives more of a satin finish. This foundation makes my skin look really nice. It gives a my skin, but better look. Since its winter here, my skin is a bit drier than usual. I make sure to moisturize my skin well to ensure that the foundation doesn't emphasize any dry areas. I am almost certain it would if I didn't moisturize, properly. While on, the foundation did not feel heavy on my skin, nor did it feel tacky. I just hate heavy-feeling foundations.

I am happy to report that this foundation lasted all day on. The longest I have had this foundation on was for about 9-10 hours. I have an oily T-Zone area, and I find that I only have to blot those areas once throughout the day. Those areas got oily around the 3-4 hour mark. Also, I have experienced no breakouts as a result of using matchmaster, which is a huge plus. I love to try foundations, but I know that some may not react well with my skin. Luckily, my sensitive, acne-prone skin accepts matchmaster.

Conclusion

Overall, I really like MAC's Matchmaster foundation. I am really impressed with it and I think its going to be one of my staples for the new year. I am curious to see how this foundation will fare up come the warmer, summer weather? I guess I will find out in a few months!

Have any of you tried MAC's Matchmaster foundation? What do you all think of it?

Happy New Year everyone, and I hope the new year is off to a great start for all of you :)

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

New Years Eve Look

2011-12-31T02:26:00.000-05:00

It is new years eve! Any exciting plans for tonight? I can't believe how quick 2011 flew by. I hope it was a great year for all of you :) Thank you all for sticking with Makeup Moment, another year. I appreciate all of your sweet comments, and I love that blogging gives me the opportunity to interact with beautiful people like you all. Here is to a prosperous new year, filled with love and joy!

Today, I am going to share with you all a New Years Eve look of the day. For the eyes, I used colors from the Wet n' Wild Spoiled Brat Color Icon Trio (click here for review), heavily winged out my eyes with black liner, and I just had to incorporate glitter in this eye look, somehow. I did not want to apply the glitter all over the lid area, so I decided to place just a surprising pop of silver glitter on my lower lashline. For the cheeks, I contoured the cheekbones, and applied a coral blush. Lastly, for the lips, I wanted them to stand out, so I applied a shiny pink gloss. I love how this look turned out, and I hope you all do too.

Here are pictures of the look, as well as the products used listed below. Thanks for stopping by!

Face

MAC Matchmaster Foundation in shade 2.0

MAc Studio Finish Concealer in NW30

Benefit Hoola Bronzer, used to contour cheeks

Milani Baked Powder Blush in Luminoso

MAC Mineralized Skinfinish in Soft And Gentle

Wet N' Wild Ultimate Brow Kit in in Ash Brown, used to fill in brows

Eyes

E.L.F. Eyelid Primer in Sheer

Silver shade from Wet n' Wild Spoiled Brat Trio applied to inner third of lids

Pink shade from Spoiled Brat applied to outer third of lids, outer v

NYX eyeshadow in White applied to browbone

E.L.F. Liquid Eyeliner in Black applied to top lashline, and wing out

NYX Glitter Mania in silver, applied to lower lashline

Lancome Definicils mascara on black, applied to top lashes

Lips

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Dolly Pink

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. All of the products mentioned in this post were purchased by me for my personal use.

Nail Of The Day: Wet n' Wild, Wild Shine Nail Color in Sparked

2011-12-28T20:10:00.001-05:00

Sparked under natural daylight on a sunny day, no flash

Just because the holidays are over, does not mean that my glitter nail obsession is. In fact, I actually think that is has grown! Imagine my eyes when I saw the gorgeous Sparked, from Wet n' Wild's Wild Shine Nail Color line. But what I really loved was the affordable, $0.99 retail price. This glitter nail color was a steal!

with flash

closer look-natural light, no sun, no flash

Sparked is a clear based polish that contains loads of small, pretty pink and silver glitters. I found that one coat did not provide my nails with enough glitter saturation. But once I bumped the coat application count to 4, my nails were covered in glittery goodness.

Sparked would no doubt look lovely applied on top of a pink or silver nail color. But honestly, I prefer it alone. Its such a special color that it deserves to shine. Drying time was fast, but not as fast as other glitter nail colors that I have encountered. My advice would be to give it a good 10-15 minutes for the nails to be completely dry, before you go about your day. Once dry, I do feel the glitter texture on the nails. It doesn't feel rough by any means, but a clear top coat applied on top will help smooth it out a little more.

Lasting power is good so far. I have been sporting Sparked on my nails for 5 days now, and it is still holding on strong. I have yet to see a chip. Pretty impressive, Sparked.

What do you all think of Sparked?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

Wet n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trios: Spoiled Brat and Sweet As Candy

2011-12-28T14:39:00.000-05:00

Wet n' Wild's Color Icon Eyeshadow Trios are probably my most favorite drugstore buys. The pigmentation is amazing, and the price of just $2.99 per trio, is hard to beat. I picked up two more of Wet n' Wild's eyeshadow trios. This time around I purchased Spoiled Brat and Sweet As Candy.

Left To Right: Sweet As Candy, Spoiled Brat

Spoiled Brat (flash)

Spoiled Brat (natural light, no flash)

(natural light, no flash)

Spoiled Brat- This trio consists of a frosty, shimmered cool silver (browbone color), a deep black that contains small, silver shimmers (crease color), and a fun medium frosty pink (eyelid color). I can't tell you all how many times I have looked by this trio, whenever I check out the Wet n' Wild display at drugstores. Don't get me wrong, the colors are gorgeous, but its the pink that has held me back. I don't have many pink eyeshadows in my makeup stash because to be quite frank, I hardly sport pink eyeshadows. As the years go by, I tend to favor wearing the neutrals, over the brights. I remember when I just started getting into makeup, I was almost always sporting some sort of bright eye-even in the daytime! I need to break out of my bright eyeshadow rut and re-discover the beauty that are all things bright. And what better way to start than with Spoiled Brat? Stay tuned for an upcoming LOTD in where I will sport all three of the colors in the trio. I can't help but think that these colors would look super awesome for a New Years Eve look, don't you think?

Sweet As Candy (flash)

Sweet As Candy (natural light, no flash)

(natural light, no flash)

Sweet As Candy- In this neutral-themed eyeshadow trio, you will find a light cream frost (browbone color), a golden brown frost (crease color), and a coral-pink frost (eyelid color). I can never get enough of neutral eyeshadows, and these lovely ones are no exception. These colors are great for creating neutral, everyday looks.

*Each trio comes with two applicators. One sponge-tip, and one brush tip. Personally, I don't use the applicators. I like to use my own eye brushes. All six of these eyeshadows apply like a dream. They are super smooth, the pigment is fantastic, and they blend really easily.

*FYI: In case some of you aren't familiar with these eyeshadow trios, there is a very handy eye diagram on the back of the case that points out where the browbone, crease, and eyelid colors should be placed. This sure comes as a nice help for those who are just starting out with makeup.

Back of the case

*I think the lasting power on Wet n' Wild's eyeshadow trios are good. It's usually not until the 6-7 hour mark that I start to notice some creasing and fading. I am glad that I have added these two babies to my stash. In all honesty, I think you are getting a great bang for your buck, when it comes to these Wet n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trios. Affordability and quality are two things that are always appreciated in my book, and Wet n' Wild does it right.

What do you all think of these eyeshadow trios? Which ones are your favorites?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased these products for my personal use.

Fashion Crave: Jewelry

2011-12-27T00:20:00.000-05:00

Today I want to share with you all a few jewelry items that are currently on my wishlist. A girl can never have enough accessories, and these pieces are so fun. Check it out!

1. Vince Camuto Toggle Link Gold Necklace ($89.99)-How fun is this chunky, link necklace? The link structure is so simple, but it can really add a tough edge to an outfit.

2. Kevia 22-Karat Gold-Pleated Cluster Ring ($76.00)- I love the aqua stones on this ring. So pretty!

3. Kendra Scott Harlow Statement Necklace ($195.00)- This is such a fabulous piece. I think this necklace is one that works for either day, or night. This necklace comes in other fun colors as well.

4. Folli Follie Match n' Dazzle Sterling Silver & Smoky Grey Crystal Earrings ($65.00)- I can never get enough of hoop earrings. They compliment any outfit, and the hoop style is one that lasts forever.

5. Roberta Chiarella La Luna Coral Necklace ($25.00)- I absolutely love the bright, coral and pink stones. This makes for a great piece that can be worn everyday, and one that will compliment many outfits.

6. Cara Accessories Mix Media Bangles, Set of 24 ($58.00)- Bangles are another one of my accessory staples. I especially love stacked ones, like these.

7. R.J. Graziano Gold Bangle Set ($50.00)- I love the gold and brown color schemes of these bangles. These would definitely add a fun, and fierce edge to an evening outfit.

8. Kenneth Jay Lane 22-Karat Gold-Pleated Resin Ring ($75.00)- The green stone sure is a stunner. I love how the colors green and gold look together, very chic.

9. Juicy Couture Love Luck & Couture Bracelet ($65.00)- This charm bracelet is so adorable, how could I not include it on my lemming list? :)

10. Michael Kors Pave Ball Stud Earrings ($65.00)- I love jewelry that shines, and these crystal studs are no exception. The round ball shape is the perfect twist to your usual classic studs. Gorgeous!

What accessories are you all craving for? Let me know in the comments section!

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above.

Product Rave: Physicians Formula Wet/Dry Eye Shadow in Baked Smokes

2011-12-25T22:53:00.003-05:00

I am sure most of you know that CVS has a bunch of different beauty items that are marked down 25%, to 75% off, I believe. This was a sale that I could not refuse, so of course I had to stop by my local CVS store last week, to see if I could score some goodies. I want to mention that I am not sure how long this sale is going on. But I think you should all check out your nearby CVS stores and see if there are still more beauty items that are on sale.

I was planning to haul a whole bunch of stuff, but that wasn't so. Most of the products that were available, were items that I wouldn't normally buy for myself. But, I did end up coming home with two eye products, and I am completely happy with them. Not to mention, the prices were crazy good! I picked up the Physicians Formula Wet/Dry Eye Shadow in Baked Smokes, from their Baked Collection, I also picked up the L'oreal HIP Eyeshadow Duo in Dynamic (#828). The L'oreal eyeshadow duo originally retailed for $8.79. With the 50% off, the total came up to $4.39. And the Physicians Formula eyeshadows originally retailed for $9.39. Take 75% off of that, and the total comes up to $2.35! Major steal!

Today, I want to focus on the Physicians Formula Wet/Dry eyeshadows in Baked Smokes. In an upcoming post, I am going to focus solely on the L'oreal HIP eyeshadow duo, so be on the lookout for that.

(Physicians Formula Baked Collection, Wet/Dry Eye Shadow in Baked Smokes)

Initial Thoughts

First, I want to mention that these eyeshadows are hypoallergenic, dermatologist tested, fragrance free, and they are safe to use on sensitive eyes-according to the packaging. I really like the packaging-both the box and the product packaging. The box is definitely an attention grabber, for sure. You know me, bright packaging attracts me like no other. Hahaha! There is an eye diagram on the back of the box that contains helpful notations, to show where to apply the eyeshadows. There are also directions included as well. That's always such a great feature, especially for those who are just starting out with makeup. The plastic, round case that houses the actual eyeshadows and a double-ended sponge tip applicator, looks nice, but it doesn't seem very sturdy. I wouldn't want to accidentally drop it on the floor. I think if I do, the eyeshadows would no doubt crumble to bits. When it comes to the eyeshadows-starting from the first one on the left, you get a medium grey, a silvered white, and a charcoal black. All of the eyeshadows contain a silver shimmer.

(back of the box packaging)

Application/Performance

I was excited when I read that these shadows could be used wet or dry-as per usual with baked eyeshadows. The eyeshadows have a very smooth texture. When I swatched the eyeshadows dry (no eye primer applied beforehand), I noticed that although the colors did show up, they were definitely more of a sheer wash of color. But when I dampened my eyeshadow brush and swatched them wet (again, no eye primer applied beforehand), the eyeshadows took a life of their own. The sheen was impeccable, and the finish almost looked sort of metallic. It was very pretty, and the swatch picture below does not do these shadows any justice. For those who don't want too much drama going on when it comes to eye looks, I suggest using them dry for a softer wash of color. But for those of us who like a little oomph in our eye makeup, applying the eyeshadows wet is the way to go, for sure. Although I love how easily these eyeshadows applied and blended, I did notice a little bit of fallout. But nothing major. These shadows apply well without a primer, but I have very oily lids, so an eyeshadow primer is a must for me-or else creasing is something that will happen sooner than later. These eyeshadows hold strong for hours over an eyeshadow primer. It isn't until the 7 hour mark that I notice some minimal fading and very little creasing.

Pictures

Below you will see an eye look that I created with these baked eyeshadows, while using them wet. I applied the medium grey color on the left, all over the lid, blending it a bit above my crease. I then took the charcoal black eyeshadow and applied that to the outer V, blending it into the middle of the crease area. Then, I took the silvered white and applied that to the inner corners of my eyes to brighten them up. To finish the look, I lined my eyes with black liner, and added mascara to my top and bottom lashes. I loved the outcome. And not to mention how amazed I was that even while wet, the shadows blended easily. I think I am going to sport this eye look on New Year's Eve. A smokey eye plus a hot pink lip. Perfection!

Overall

I am really happy that I picked up this baked eyeshadow trio from Physicians Formula. Physicians Formula is not a brand that I take the time to explore much, but that needs to change! I will definitely be picking up some more Physicians Formula beauty products. If you all can find this eyeshadow set at your local drugstores, I highly suggest picking it up. I hope to find some other shades as well.

I hope you are all enjoying your Christmas evening, dolls! I will be back soon :)

Have any of you tried these baked eyeshadows from Physicians Formula? What are your favorite Physicians Formula products?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

Merry Christmas!

2011-12-25T13:40:00.000-05:00

(image credit: www.clipartguide.com)

I want to wish all of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays! I hope you are all enjoying this time spent with your loved ones. There is truly no greater gift, than the gift of family, friends, and love.

Enjoy!

Product Review: Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda-07, Concealer Set

2011-12-24T15:56:00.002-05:00

I don't own many Sonia Kashuk products, but I have been pretty impressed so far with the few Sonia Kashuk products that I have tried. I have the famous bent eyeliner brush ($5.99), and the crease shadow brush ($5.99). I definitely plan on purchasing more of the brushes in the near future because the quality is superb, and they work like a dream. For awhile now, I have been curious to try out the Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda 07 Concealer Set ($9.99). I have been putting it to the test for quite a few months now, and today I am going to share with you all my thoughts on it.

(click all images to enlarge)

Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette

One of the things that drew me in to this concealer palette was that it included everything one would need to ensure a perfect coverage. It contains two concealer shades, a neutralizer, and a matte translucent setting powder. I like that there are two concealer shades included because, the majority of us usually need to mix shades in order to get our perfect color match. But, I also noticed that there are no other color selections when it comes to this concealer quad. This is the only one available. Because of this, I think that this concealer set would work best for those who have light-medium skin tones.

The shades are not numbered, I just numbered them to make it easy to refer to them in this post

Left To Right: concealer shade 1, concealer shade 2, neutralizer, powder

Concealer shade (1)- This is the lightest color of the bunch. I am sure that this color would work great for those who have fair-light skin tones. It is a pretty neutral color. This shade contains a tiny hint of pink, and if I am not mistaken, I also spot a hint of yellow mixed in as well. This color is also great for those who want to brighten certain areas-such as, under the eyes.

Concealer Shade (2)- This is the shade that I normally use to conceal my dark, under eye circles. I like it for this purpose because, this concealer contains peachy and orange tones in it, which help eliminate the darkness under my eyes. I apply this shade on top of the neutralizer. This concealer shade would best fit those who have light-medium skin tones.

Neutralizer (3)- The yellow color in this neutralizer works to help neutralize any redness or darkness you may have on your face or under eye area. I apply this shade under my eye area before I apply the concealer shade 2. My dark, under eye circles are brown in color, so the yellow really helps neutralize the color and help the concealer do its job in the covering department.

Powder (4)- The setting powder is used to apply on top of the concealer to help set it, and ensure that it stays in place all day. When I swatch the powder, I do see a tiny hint of color appear, but for the most part, it does goes on translucent when I apply it.

Thoughts

The packaging is very sleek, and attractive. It contains an easy to open, magnetic closure. I found that the concealers were quite creamy and contained a lot of pigment. The concealers and neutralizer did improve the appearance of my under eye circles, but unfortunately, it creased, settled in my fine lines, and it felt a bit heavy on. I have quite a few lines under my eye area, and I try to look for concealers that don't settle in them. So, that was a huge deal breaker for me. I would say, if you have minimal lines under the eye area, then this concealer may work for you. I think it might have been the heavy, creamy consistency that the concealers have, that caused the settlement into my lines. I like creamy concealers a lot because they seem to pack the most punch when it comes to coverage, but its hard to find one that isn't heavy and too creamy.

Also, another problem was the translucent powder just did not work for me. It applied fine, and everything seemed OK. Then 30 minutes or so later, the concealer was creasing up under my eyes. I have oily skin, so I guess that may be the reason why the powder did not last long? I don't know. I tried this concealer as a spot cover-up for my acne scars and such, and although it covered my imperfections nicely, it just felt really heavy, and uncomfortable, on. On the more positive side, I did not experience any breakouts or irritation.

Overall

I liked the fact that the concealer set contained 2 concealers, a neutralizer and a powder. And the coverage was not bad at all. But the limited shade range, the issues I had with the settlement in my fine lines, the creasing under my eye area, and the powder not being effective for me, prohibits me from repurchasing this concealer set again. I had really high hopes for this concealer set, since it has gotten a love of love in the beauty blogging community. But alas, the search for my HG concealer must go on!

What do you all think of this concealer set by Sonia Kashuk? What are your favorite concealers?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.

Look Of The Day: Holiday Glam

2011-12-22T00:46:00.002-05:00

Since the holidays are rolling in, I just had to do a look that would compliment a red lip. I love sporting red lips for the holidays. And to accompany a red lip, I like to use eyeshadows that are shimmered. There is something about a shimmery eye and a red lip, that seems so festive to me. I want to mention that I am wearing MAC's Matchmaster foundation. I just purchased it a few days ago, and I am pretty impressed so far. Be on the lookout for an upcoming review, in the coming weeks.

Face

MAC Matchmaster Foundation in the shade 2.0 (review coming soon)

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer in Neutralizer

Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer in Medium (review coming soon)

Hard Candy Fox In A Box in Truth Or Dare applied to cheeks (review coming soon)

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft And Gentle applied to bridge of nose and cheekbones

Wet n' Wild Ultimate Brow Kit in Ash Brown

Eyes

E.L.F. Eyelid Primer applied to the lids

Wet n' Wild Icon Eyeshadow Trio in Spoiled Brat: Silver shade (all over lids) Black shade (corner)

NYX Eyeshadow in Highlight, applied to the brow bone

Stila Smudge Pot in Black used to line the eyes

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero, used to line the lower waterline

Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara in very black, applied to upper lashes

Lips

MAC Lipstick in Heartless (limited edition)

Thanks for stopping by, dolls!

Disclaimer: All of the products mentioned in this post were purchased by me, for my personal use.

Nail Of The Day: Glitter, Glitter, And More Glitter!

2011-12-18T13:39:00.000-05:00

I think purchasing the Sephora By O.P.I. Spark-tacular! Top Coat was one of the best investments I have made recently. I simply can't get enough of it. Last night while I was doing my weekly mani, I decided I was in the mood for dark nails. Done. But no! My glitter crazy-self just couldn't help it. The mani looked so plain...it needed an oomph! In comes Spark-tacular! to the rescue. I can't stop staring at my nails. I absolutely love the contrast between the dark base color, and the glitter. I love this top coat so much, that I can easily overlook the difficult glitter removal process. Spark-tacular! is so worth it. Now, that's love.

For this nail look, I applied two coats of Sinful Color's Secret Admirer (charcoal black with fine, small silver shimmers), and two coats of Sephora By O.P.I. Spark-tacular! Top coat.

What do you all think of glitter on your nails? Are you all obsessed with it like I am?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased the products mentioned for my personal use.

Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss: Coral Reef

2011-12-14T12:42:00.000-05:00

Revlon's Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Coral Reef ($5.94) has been on my beauty radar for a long time. I think I strayed from purchasing it because I have been limiting myself from purchasing any more lip gloss for awhile. I have quite a few glosses in my makeup stash, and I at least want to try and use up what I have before I go on, and purchase more. But, as soon as I saw Coral Reef at Wal-Mart, I just couldn't help it-I gave in. What can I say? This makeup obsession is deep. Ha! Keep reading to see if coral reef lived up to my expectations.

Coral Reef is a really gorgeous coral color. I really like the packaging. It looks very sleek, and feels sturdy. The applicator is of the slanted, sponge tip kind. I am not too keen about sponge tip applicators. I actually prefer brush tips instead. I find the brush tip applicators to distribute and spread the lip product easier, and more evenly. That is just my preference, though. But it's not such a huge deal-breaker for me.

Coral Reef may look a bit scary in the tube, especially for those who like glosses that provide just a hint of color-not quite sheer, but not overly pigmented either. In my opinion this color is definitely wearable, especially for daytime. As you can see in the lip swatch picture below, the finish is super shiny, which I really love. I also want to mention that this lip gloss contains an SPF of 15. I just love when lip products contain some sort of SPF in them. It is just as important to protect our lips from the rays of the sun, as we do our face and body.

Coral Reef and I, had a few issues, though. I made the mistake of over applying numerous coats of this gloss and going back for more product. When I did that, the gloss looked so gloppy and thick on my lips. It looked so uneven and patchy. It was not a pretty look. This gloss does have a semi-thick, creamy consistency so I should have known that it wasn't going to layer easily like thin gloss formulas do. So, the moral? A little goes a long way. Another thing I am not very fond of is the sweet fragrance. I usually am not picky when it comes to fragrances, but this one was too sic-kingly sweet-even for me. Luckily, the scent does not linger for long on my lips and it dissipates quick.

The formula does not feel heavy on my lips, and definitely not sticky, either. Lasting power wasn't too bad. The gloss faded on the 4 hour mark, but it did not fade unevenly. I did notice that when faded, my lips had a pretty soft, coral tint left over, which was a nice surprise. Overall, I am glad that I picked up Coral Reef, and I am definitely going to check out more shades in Revlon's Super Lustrous lip gloss line in the future.

What do you all think of Coral Reef? Any other shades in the Super Lustrous lip gloss line that you recommend me to try?

Disclaimer: I purchased this product for my personal use.