The Fancy Face

Nov 28, 2011

I was feeling a bit tropical with this look so I went ahead and grabbed some blue, green and yellow from my stash. The look features a deeper inner and outer lid with a brighter color in the middle of the lid.

Hope your Thanksgiving was great for those who celebrate. Otherwise hope the weekend was awesome! Happy Monday!

Eyes:
PRIME:
I started off with Urban Decay Primer Potion all over my lid up to the brow bone. I applied MAC Layin' Low Paintpot (creamy beige) on the browbone and the crease as my primary base - Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush.

COLOR:
On the inner lid I applied NARS China Blue Eyeshadow (matte navy). MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush
Next I applied MAC Zingy Eyeshadow (matte cyan blue). MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush
Then I applied MAC Sassy Grass Eyeshadow (matte grass green). MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush
For the middle of the lid I applied Sugarpill Buttercupcake Eyeshadow (matte vivid yellow). MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush
Then I applied MAC Zingy Eyeshadow (matte cyan blue). MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush
On the outer lid and crease I applied NARS China Blue Eyeshadow (matte navy). Sonia Kashuk Large Crease Brush
For highlight I used Magnolia Makeup Double Rice Pigment (matte light yellow ivory). MAC 252 Large Shader Brush
On the lower lashline I used MAC Undercurrent Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner Pencil (shimmery teal).

BROWS:
My brows are filled in with Sleek Brow Kit in Dark. Cozzette Eyebrow/Mini Shader D230 Brush/Paula Dorf Eye Definer Flat Top Brush

DEFINE:

I lined my upper lashline with Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Gel CreamLiner in Purple. MAC 263 Small Angle Brush

I lined my lower waterline with L'Oreal HIP Cream Eyeliner in Black. MAC 212 Flat Definer Brush

I used L'Oreal Carbon Black Voluminous Mascara for my lashes and added Beautee Sense Demi Pixie Eyelashes for effect. Duo Eyelash Adhesive

Lips:
POLISH:
For my lips I used Clé de Peau Beauté Extra Silky Lipstick in #109 (creamy neutral pink).

Face:
FINISH:
I primed my skin with MAC Oil Control Lotion - hands. I used Chanel Perfection Lumière Long-Wear Flawless Fluid Makeup in 54 Beige Ambré - Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush - for my face and set my t-zone with MAC Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder in Dark - face puff.

I used MUFE #12 Full Cover Concealer - Cozzette P350 Cylinder Concealer Brush - under my eyes set with MAC Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder in Medium Deep - face puff.

I used MAC Bite Of An Apple Blush (matte coral red) for my cheeks - MAC 129 Blush Brush - MUFE #2 Sculpting Kit for contour - Sigma Angled Kabuki Brush and Too Faced Pink Leopard Bronzer (shimmery icy pink) for highlight.

Stila Warehouse SALE - Cyber Monday

Nov 27, 2011

Shimmery Smokey Eye - Tutorial

'Shimmery Smokey Eye' Look

'Shimmery Smokey Eye' Look

Another shimmery smokey eye look. This one was quite simple to do with few products. : )

Eyes:
PRIME:
I started off with Urban Decay Primer Potion all over my lid up to the brow bone. I applied MAC Layin' Low Paintpot (creamy beige) on the browbone and the crease as my primary base - Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush. I also applied Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil in Wasteland (deep brown) all over my lid as my secondary base - MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush

COLOR:
On the browbone area and crease I used Smashbox Nude Eyeshadow (matte nude). NARS 01 Eye Shader Brush
On the entire lid I applied MAC Rich Life Pigment (deep espresso infused w/ silver shimmer) with MAC Mixing Medium. MAC 242 Eye Shader Brush & Sonia Kashuk Large Crease Brush
In the crease I applied MAC Deep Brown Pigment (matte dark brown). Sonia Kashuk Large Crease Brush
For highlight I used Magnolia Makeup Double Rice Pigment (matte light yellow ivory). MAC 252 Large Shader Brush
On the lower lashline I used MAC Black Black Chromagraphic Pencil (matte black) topped with MAC Deep Brown Pigment (matte dark brown). Cozzette Eyebrow/Mini Shader D230 Brush

BROWS:
My brows are filled in with Sleek Brow Kit in Dark. Cozzette Eyebrow/Mini Shader D230 Brush/Paula Dorf Eye Definer Flat Top Brush

DEFINE:

I lined my upper lashline with Wet 'n' Wild Crème Eyeliner in Black. MAC 263 Small Angle Brush

I lined my lower waterline with L'Oreal HIP Cream Eyeliner in Black. MAC 212 Flat Definer Brush

I used L'Oreal Carbon Black Voluminous Mascara for my lashes and added Kiss Beyond Naturale 03 KP305 i-ENVY Lashes for effect. Duo Eyelash Adhesive

Lips:
POLISH:
For my lips I used MAC Brave New Bronze Lipstick (creamy nude) topped with MAC Lust Lipglass (creamy nude).

Face:
FINISH:
I primed my skin with MAC Oil Control Lotion - hands. I used MAC Matchmaster Foundation in 7 - Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush - for my face and set my t-zone with MAC Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder in Dark - face puff.

I used MUFE #12 Full Cover Concealer - Cozzette P350 Cylinder Concealer Brush - under my eyes set with MAC Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder in Medium Deep - face puff.

I used MAC Pink Swoon Blush (matte bright pink) for my cheeks - MAC 129 Blush Brush - MUFE #2 Sculpting Kit for contour - Sigma Angled Kabuki Brush and MAC Petticoat Mineralize Skinfinish (shimmery golden pink) for highlight.

Nov 23, 2011

'Espresso Smokey Eye' Look

'Espresso Smokey Eye' Look

This is a deep brown smokey look with added shimmer. It translates differently in person than on camera but alas what to do.

Eyes:
PRIME:
I started off with Urban Decay Primer Potion all over my lid up to the brow bone. I applied MAC Layin' Low Paintpot (creamy beige) all over my lid and into the crease as my primary base - Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush. I also applied MAC Quite Natural Paintpot (creamy deep brown) all over my lid as my secondary base - Sonia Kashuk Large Crease Brush

COLOR:
On the browbone area and crease I used Smashbox Nude Eyeshadow (matte nude). NARS 01 Eye Shader Brush
On the entire lid I applied NARS Mekong Eyeshadow (deep espresso infused w/ gold shimmer). MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush & Sonia Kashuk Large Crease Brush
On the lid I also applied Inglot #68 Body Sparkles (fine bronze glitter). MAC 242 Small Shader Brush with Eye Kandy Glitter Adhesive
For highlight I used Bare Escentuals Wearable Light Brown Eyeshadow (matte light nude). MAC 252 Large Shader Brush
On the lower lashline I used MAC Teddy Eye Kohl Pencil (deep bronze).

BROWS:
My brows are filled in with Sleek Brow Kit in Dark. Cozzette Eyebrow/Mini Shader D230 Brush/Paula Dorf Eye Definer Flat Top Brush

DEFINE:

I lined my upper lashline with Wet 'n' Wild Crème Eyeliner in Black. MAC 263 Small Angle Brush

I lined my lower waterline with L'Oreal HIP Cream Eyeliner in Black. MAC 212 Flat Definer Brush

I used L'Oreal Carbon Black Voluminous Mascara for my lashes and added Beautee Sense Annie Eyelashes for effect. Duo Eyelash Adhesive

Lips:
POLISH:
For my lips I used MAC Underplay Lipstick (creamy nude) topped with Urban Decay Kirk Pocket Rocket Lip Gloss (creamy nude).

Face:
FINISH:
I primed my skin with MAC Oil Control Lotion - hands. I used MAC Matchmaster Foundation in 7 - Sigma Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush - for my face and set my t-zone with MAC Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder in Dark - face puff.

I used MUFE #12 Full Cover Concealer - Cozzette P350 Cylinder Concealer Brush - under my eyes set with MAC Studio Careblend/Pressed Powder in Medium Deep - face puff.

I used MAC Gingerly Blush (matte ginger) for my cheeks - Cozzette Contour Stylist S135 Brush - MUFE #2 Sculpting Kit for contour - Cozzette Contour Stylist S135 Brush.

Wet 'n' Wild Baked Holiday Palettes - THOUGHTS and SWATCHES...

Wet 'n' Wild Baked Holiday Palettes

THOUGHTS and SWATCHES...

Wet 'n' Wild has released 3 BRAND NEW LIMITED EDITION Color Icon Baked (mineralized) Eyeshadow palettes for Holiday 2011. This is the first taste of mineralized/baked products that we are seeing from Wet 'n' Wild and they no doubt want in on the baked makeup market.

As usual these have been hard to find! The palettes are a Walgreens exclusive and even so they seem to only be available in limited supply (or beauty lovers are snatching them up left and right) and not available at all Walgreens locations. I found a couple at the first Walgreens I hit up in New Jersey so don't give up hope.

Did you think I would fail you guys? Never! I would have hunted them down if I had to AND taken hostages!

Size: 0.06 oz net wt.

Price: $4.99

The Wet 'n' Wild Baked Palettes are approximately $4.99 for 0.06 oz net wt. of product (0.01 oz per eyeshadow). Since Wet 'n' Wild is considered a drugstore/low-end makeup brand you are sure to be able to grab these on sale (hello buy one, get one) or at discounted prices.

What threw me with these palettes is the size of the eyeshadows - 0.06 net wt. - a mere 0.01 oz per eyeshadow. Quite a miniscule amount. In fact, in relation to a previously reviewed higher-end brand - Lorac Ooh La Lace Baked Shimmer & Matte Eye Shadow Palette - is not so great a bargain anymore. Yes you pay very little for 6 eyeshadows but together they amount to the size of a normal single eyeshadow. This may not mean much to a regular consumer but to a beauty blogger the disproportion becomes more apparent. Either way the price is quite low and therefore will stir interest nonetheless.

The palettes are a Walgreens exclusive and are only available in stores. However, they are only available in limited supply (or beauty lovers are snatching them up left and right) and for a limited time! To add to the elusive nature of these palettes they not available at all Walgreens locations.

The Wet 'n' Wild Baked Palettes are housed in a simple black plastic palette with a clear removable cover. Inside there are 6 raised dome baked eyeshadows arranged in two rows of three. The package is drugstore quality so don't expect great durability here. In fact I quite dislike this packaging. The clear cover is completely removable with no hinges or snap clasp. And it is not the easiest thing to get off either - I had quite a task with opening these palettes (for shame - it was like child-proof or something and I was a toddler). These palettes while not all flimsy are indeed breakable. I already shattered the lids of 2 of them. I would be careful not to drop them or subject them to any kind of impact. In other words...Wet 'n' Wild please change the packaging!

There are no scratchy applicators in these palettes but they do come with a coordinating eyeliner pencil. These pencils are a little bonus I guess but they are low quality and I never use them.

Again there are no names on the palette for the eyeshadows and even the name of the palettes is only on the outer packaging. I know that eyeshadows without names can be quite a hassle especially for Bloggers and YouTubers who create looks - yea ummm...3rd one, top row. But for others this may not be a big deal...you may not even notice. And as far as palette names go...either mark them or rely on memory : )

The Wet 'n' Wild Baked Palettes feature 6 coordinating baked eyeshadow shades each following the theme of the palette - blue/silver, pink/bronze, bronze/copper. There are 2 solid highlight colors, 2 solid deeper colors on each end and 2 medium marbled/swirl center shades in each palette. The finishes range from high frost to frost to semi-matte.

Now, I may be a bit bias after using some of the most divine mineralized/baked eyeshadows very recently. But alas, I must be completely honest and objective regardless of my biases right? Yep I will try my best. Right off the bat I will say that I was not impressed or wowed by these palettes. But I can't be overly judgmental as these are after all drugstore level eyeshadows.

Baked Not Fried Palette (bronze/copper)

This palette features bronzes and copper and varieties of earth-tones. The first shade at the top is a high frost white shade with decent color payoff, the top marble shade results in a light peachy melon shade with chunky frost finish, next is a medium brown with pinky undertones and decent color payoff. The bottom row starts out with a chunky flaky orange copper shade, the marble shade again is a light peachy champagne shade, the last color is a deep brown with nice color payoff and a semi-matte finish. Except for the white highlight shade and the deep brown color in the bottom row, this palette is a bust in terms or pigmentation and texture. The chunky shades are flaky and gritty whether used dry or wet and are quite a pain to work with. Using the colors wet does not improve the texture, pigmentation or fallout issues.
Below Average D

Baking A Cake (pink/bronze)

This palette follows a pink and bronze theme. The first shade at the top is a high frost light ice pink shade with decent color payoff, the top marble shade results in a light icy nude shade with sheer color payoff, next is a light blue with lavender reflect and sheer color payoff. The bottom row starts out with a beautiful fuchsia pink shade with decent color payoff, the marble shade is a light pink shade that leans peachy shade with decent color payoff, the last color is a deep brown with nice color payoff and a semi-matte finish. There are a couple of redeeming colors in this palette such as the fuchsia pick, the light icy pink and the and the deep brown color in the bottom row. If these couple of colors reach out to you then this may be worth a try. Decent/Average C+

Bake-Off Contest (blue/silver)
This palette is the saving grace of the collection. All the colors in this palette has decent color payoff whether used dry or wet. The textures while not buttery smooth and creamy are decent enough. They can feel slightly rough on the skin but not as bad as the chunky textures of the aforementioned palettes. The deep blue and black shades are actually quite nice - I like the black very much! And the aqua highlight shade is nice and unique (not a color you see often). The light icy white in the bottom row is the only shade that throws this palette off a bit but the other colors save the day. This one I would say is definitely worth checking out.
Nice B+

These palettes remind me that drugstore products don't always do well with formulation. And it is also a reminder than cheaper doesn't mean better. A lot of bloggers are raving over these based on the price but I always take a step back and look at quality. These eyeshadows do not come close to high-end brands so I won't even pretend that they wowed me. And the packaging made it even worse. These definitely scream drugstore and even whisper play makeup. For the price they are okay I suppose but nothing I would cry over missing out on. If you get a chance you can try out the blue/silver palette but other than that meeeeh!

What do you think? Have you tried them? Do you want to try them?

Each swatch is applied over a primer. Left side is a dry swatch while right is a wet swatch.

For this palette these colors were packed on very generously to have the color show up as it does here except for the deep brown in the top row.

Dry/Wet

Each swatch is applied over a primer. Left side is a dry swatch while right is a wet swatch.

For this palette these colors were packed on very generously to have the color show up as it does here except for the fuchsia pink and deep brown in the top row.