Apr 5, 2011

Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner - NEW Shades...

Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner - NEW Shades...


                                       Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner
Finally a waterproof liquid liner that glides on with ease, won't smudge or run, and stays in place until you say when! The thin marker-like tip is easy to use even for the least experienced, and delivers a defined thin line to a dramatic bold line with precision. Goes on smoothly without skipping, smudging, or pulling, and lasts all day!

Benefits:
- Waterproof and easy-to-use
- Goes on smoothly without skipping
- Lasts all day long!




Introducing New Shades:
Dark Brown - A perfect brown for all skintones
Indigo - A cool midtone blueAn easy-application, waterproof liquid liner that stays on all day and night.

Size: 0.016 oz
Price: $20
Availability: Sephora, Ulta, Stila


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My Four Ps

Price 
The Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner is priced at $20 and contains 0.016 fl. oz. of product. There are cheaper alternatives at drugstores such as the L'Oreal Lineur Intense Felt Tip Eyeliner which is about $8.99 for 0.05 fl oz or the Revlon ColorStay Eye Pen which is $8.99 or NYX Super Skinny Eye Marker which is $8.99. These drugstore alternatives are all half the price and work well. However, I prefer my Stila simply because I can get strong opaque color in one swipe and the color will not bleed, fade, flake or smudge. Plus it's waterproof and doesn't dry out after a few uses. Cheaper brands may not always have the same quality as higher end brands so be mindful of that. Either way, it's a personal choice based on budget and what you need in a liquid liner.

Packaging
The Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner is a pen-type liquid liner with a felt tip. The packaging is a basic black bit I think the key is in the felt tip, which is flexible and soft (some can be dry and scratchy) and the cap, which snaps securely in place to help prevent the product from drying out.  




Product & Performance
I have loved this eyeliner since last year at The Makeup Show when I picked up the black one. The product is nicely pigmented and applies with a solid opaque line in one swipe. It is also not runny so it won't bleed into lines. It is long lasting, budgeproof and smudgeproof. There is no flaking when the product dries and it does not fade over time. It is also waterproof (tried and tested) but it removes easily with soap and water. 


The felt tip is soft and pliable and the colors apply really well without dragging or tugging on sensitive eyelid skin. The tip is thin and long enough to create thin or thick lines in one quick stroke.

The two new colors are great but are darker than expected which can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on your tastes. The brown is a deep dark neutral brown while the blue is a solid deep navy blue color. There is nothing neon or bright about these shades. 


Overall
Thumbs all the way up. I love this liner!


 
  Indigo/Dark Brown

 Indigo/Dark Brown


Wearing  Indigo on the upper lashline



Tips:

- Pull gently on the upper corner of the eye area to stretch and smooth the eye before lining with the Stay All Day Liquid Liner. This will make it easy to line and eliminate bleeding.

- Apply the liner as close to the lashes as possible. In order to avoid a gap between the lashes and the lining, try painting the liner into the lashes using small feathering strokes.

- It is usually easiest to apply liquid eyeliner by starting at the area of the eye where the brush naturally falls. For right-handed women this is most likely a left to right motion; for left-handed women it is usually a right to left motion.

- Stay All Day Liquid Liner is the perfect product for creating glamorous cat eyes. The best cat eye can be achieved by extending the eye shape. Use the lower lash line as a guide and create the wing first. Then connect it when lining the rest of the eye. Also, as a good rule of thumb, begin to line upward at the second to last lash.



M∙A∙C Primed For Perfection COLLECTION - Prep + Prime Highlighter THOUGHTS and SWATCHES...

M∙A∙C Primed For Perfection COLLECTION - Prep + Prime Highlighter THOUGHTS and SWATCHES...


M∙A∙C owns the primers category. Now we're taking Prep + Prime products further than ever: use them under, over, during and after makeup application. New Vibrancy Eye targets the three main causes for dark under eye circles - pigmentation, visibly weakened capillaries & shadowing - while illuminating the eye area with optical effects. And a wonderful new shaded highlighter debuts with this collection - Prep + Prime Highlighter is lush and cushiony, yet lightweight. The click "pen" allows for exact application.

Prep + Prime Highlighter
A pen-style highlighter that efficiently brings a soft sheer wash of colour to the skin. With its precision application, adds radiance just where you want it. Goes on smoothly for cushion-soft wear. Use over makeup for highlights, touch-ups or under makeup to brighten and prime.
3.6 ml / 0.12 fl oz
US$23.00

Light Boost - Soft yellow cream
Bright Forecast - Mid tone peachy coral
Radiant Rose - Light shell pink 


Availabilty: M∙A∙C - April 5 (online), April 7 (in stores)

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My Four Ps

Price 
The M∙A∙C Prep + Prime Highlighter is priced at $23 and contains 0.12 fl. oz. of product. There are similar products on the market and many of you may have already heard of the Yves Saint Laurent TOUCHE ÉCLAT Radiant Touch which retails for $40 for 0.1 fl. oz. Guerlain also has one called Precious Light Rejuvenating Illuminator which retails for $48 for 0.05 fl. oz. There is also one from Givenchy that hails as Mister Bright Touch Of Light Pen and is $33 for 0.05 fl. oz. All in all it seems that the M∙A∙C version is about 1/2 the price of the high-end brands and that sounds just about right to me. M∙A∙C Prep + Prime products also tend to fall within this price range so there's nothing out of the ordinary here.


Packaging
The M∙A∙C Prep + Prime Highlighter comes in a click-type black plastic pen with a synthetic brush applicator. The pen is pretty basic and functional. There is no luxe superfluous packaging here except for some subtle glitter infused in the black plastic.
The first use requires quite a few clicks to get the product flowing but after that initial click-fest the product will flow easily with one click. I will advise that you only use one click at a time since you need very little of the product. Multiple clicks can lead to product wastage so be careful.

The brush is synthetic and while it is decent for application I do not find it helpful with blending the product. You can use a regular brush, sponge or your fingers (my fave choice) to blend out the product where it is applied for a smoother finish.

The brush tip also brings up hygienic concerns for us clean-freaks since the product residue not to mention body oils, dust, skin cells and bacteria remains on the brush after use. But you can use a sanitizing wipe to ward off bacteria and keep the cap securely fastened to squash your concerns.





Product & Performance
I was very surprised at this product to be honest. I expected a liquidy sheer highlighter but instead I got a creamy smooth nicely pigmented highlighter. Pleasantly surprised.
The product is a medium thick creamy liquid that is smooth and rich and very pigmented. It is not runny or watery at all. It applies like a dream and because it is so pigmented you need very little to highlight the areas you desire. It blends onto the skin easily and dries down to a semi matte finish. I find that it dries relatively quickly but even when it is dry is still takes minimal effort to blend.
I did find that it can settle into creases and fine lines so it is best to set it with a powder. Since this is a Prep + Prime product it is meant to be used in conjunction with other products such as foundation, concealer, blush, etc.
It can be used under the eyes, under the brows, on the cheeks, along the bridge of the nose and just anywhere you want to highlight or brighten. I found that it worked well either on top of foundation/concealer or underneath for a brightening effect.
Overall
The highlight effect is top notch so if you want a product that will highlight and brighten under your eyes, this will be the one for you. I personally really like this product and find it very useful to brighten tired eyes. I would recommend this for highlighter lovers!

Light Boost - Soft yellow cream
This shade is best suited for light skintones.

Bright Forecast - Mid tone peachy coral 
This shade is great for medium to dark skintones and is also great for warming up the skin because of the peach tone.

Radiant Rose - Light shell pink 
This is good for cooler skintones and for brightening effects.

If you have a darker skintone then these are best used in conjunction with foundation and/or concealer to brighten. Lighter skintones can get away with using these on their own for highlighting.


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Bright Forecast - Mid tone peachy coral 
 Bright Forecast - Mid tone peachy coral 
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Radiant Rose - Light shell pink   

Radiant Rose - Light shell pink 

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Freshly Applied                                                Blended
Bright Forecast (left eye),  Radiant Rose (right eye) 



Apr 4, 2011

Shoe Intimidation!

Shoe Intimidation!

This is the first pair of shoes I have ever felt intimidated by! They are from LuLus.com and are a whopping 5-3/4" high (6-1/2" by my measurement). They are Michael Antonio Studio Garcelle Tan Triple Platform Wedges and are described below:

"Vegan suede upper boasts tear drop openings up the front, an open toe, and adjustable pewter buckles. But the show stealer is the mix of suede and patent layers on the 5.75" triple wedge heel. Platform at toe is 1,75". Well cushioned insole. Non skid, rubber sole."

The killer is in the arch...my feet are bent at a precocious angle and while walking in them isn't too much of a feat...the self-inflicted anguish is terrible. They feel fine sitting down but I won't be doing too much walking in these heels at all. But HELLO awesome!




'Color Block' Look

'Color Block' Look

For this look I was inspired by Katy Perry's cover photo for Elle Magazine featuring the new fashion trend - color blocking. It's a great Spring trend using contrasting brights colors together. I thought I would try it out with makeup instead.


The Inspiration

Eyes:

PRIME:
I started off with Too Faced Shadow Insurance all over my lid up to the brow bone. I applied MAC Layin' Low Paintpot (creamy beige) all over my lid and slightly into the crease as my primary base. Sonia Kaskuk Large Crease Brush

COLOR:
For the entire lid I used Magnolia Makeup Garden District Pigment (matte grass green). MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush
On the outer lid and into the crease I applied MUFE #92 Eyeshadow (matte brilliant purple). Sonia Kaskuk Large Crease Brush
On the browbone area for blending and highlight I used Magnolia Makeup Buff Pigment (matte light beige). Sonia Kaskuk Large Crease Brush
For my lower lashline I used Bourjois Metallic Eyeliner in Blue Clinquant (shimmery bright blue).

BROWS:
My brows are filled in with MAC Eyebrow Pencil in Stud and NARS Coconut Grove Eyeshadow (matte blackened brown). Paula Dorf Eye Definer Flat Top Brush

DEFINE:
I lined my upper lashline with MUFE #4 Metal Powder using MUFE Eye Seal. Tarte Eye Liner Brush
I lined my lower waterline with L'Oreal HIP Cream Eyeliner in Black. Sigma Eye Liner - E05 Brush
I used MAC PlushLash Mascara for my lashes and added Beautee Sense Style 213 Eyelashes for effect.


Lips:
POLISH:
For my lips I used MAC Petals & Peacocks Lipstick (raspberry pink) topped with MAC True Babe Lipglass (creamy bright pink).


Face:
FINISH:
I primed my skin with MAC Oil Control Lotion. I used Maybelline Fit Me Foundation in #350 Caramel - Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush - for my face and set my t-zone with MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium Dark - Sigma Round Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush.

I used MAC Overdyed Blush (satin bright raspberry pink) for my cheeks - MAC 129 Powder/Blush Brush and MUFE #1 Sculpting Kit for contour - Sigma Angled Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush.




The Fancy Faves - March 2011








Shiseido Benefiance Extra Creamy Cleansing Foam
A rich foaming cleanser that gently removes impurities and excess surface cells which may contribute to signs of aging, without stripping the skin of its essential moisture. Foams instantly into a delicate, creamy lather to make the skin feel exceptionally smooth and moist.



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M∙A∙C Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (MSFN) in Medium Dark
A luxurious domed face powder with minerals, slowly baked to provide a dimensional yet natural-matte finish. Provides perfect low coverage. Use to set and fix foundation or as a touch-up throughout the day.





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Sigma F82 - Round Top Kabuki Brush
The F82 Round Top Kabuki brush simplifies precise makeup application under the eyes and around the nose. This brush is also perfect for achieving flawless coverage using liquid and powder products. Synthetic Sigmax HD filament.




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Sigma F84 - Angled Top Kabuki Brush
The F84 Angled Top Kabuki brush is the perfect brush for precise, yet blended application of products on the cheeks. It seamlessly applies cream, powder and liquid products. Synthetic Sigmax HD filament.




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MUFE Mat Velvet + Foundation
The Mat Velvet + Foundation conceals skin imperfections, evens out the complexion and matifies with a non-oily powdery finish. The result is flawless and lasts for hours long. Its smooth, fluid texture is very stable, water-resistant and long-lasting. While it has a good coverage, it is also easy to apply. The end result can be fitted to your needs. Applied lightly, Mat Velvet + provides a natural, matte look to the complexion. Using several layers to help conceal blemishes creates a supple and elastic velvety finish. This new oil-free and non comedogenic formula is suited to sensitive skins.


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Guerlain 'Ombré Éclat 1 Shade' Eyeshadows  

      Ombré Éclat 1 Shade is the largest single-eyeshadow product on the market. Intense and long-lasting colors allow for light and delicate eye makeup or a more sophisticated, dramatic effect, always with an impeccable finish. Available in many different shades to collect and match according to your mood. 




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      Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Intense Eyeshadows #02 Lust Red and #13 Black
      This innovative hybrid texture, which is not a powder, nor a cream acts like a smooth, lasting color film. Each shade is intensified with a second pigment for a multi-dimensional effect. In just one swoop, create a wet, shimmering smokey eye. Base color covers eyelid, and second pigment adds drama to the contour.


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Like a garden in Spring. Garden District is a matte, foliage green.



Magnolia Makeup #086 Mint Julep Pigment
Mint Julep is a cool, slightly frosty mint green.


 Mint Julep, ATL, Garden District
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