Breaking away from the amethysts from yesterday, I wanted to go for something a little different today. I do love all the GL colors from Aromaleigh.

Eyes all shadow AL Gothic Lolita which is 25% off this week.
Base: Lancome Cosmos cream shadow, a light pinky lilac; then a custom mix of sparkly beige powder
Crease: AL Verdant Wisp (green)
Outer corner: AL Elegant reverie (blue)
Dry lined top and bottom (outside the edge of the pencil liner) AL Aqua nightmare
Pencil bottom: MAC graphblack in waterline; MAC brownline outside that
Pencil top: Sephora Flashy Blue 08, bright aqua, just above the outer waterline
Mascara: Lancome Fatale in black
Brows: Chanel Blond-Taupe

Lips: NYX Jumbo Lip Pencil in 721 Soft Fuchsia, very pretty color!
Cheeks: no idea, will add later

Originally posted 2009-03-06 15:44:16.

Related posts:

1. FOTD AL Shadows Eyes Base: Avon light purple cream in a wand Crease:...

Quick and simple works for most days, especially if I wanted to layer up to something more dramatic by the end of the day. It would be easy to do that with this, or even just to change the lipstick for more drama. The longest part of this was tweaking the foundation, trying to use an expensive foundation that isn't the right color, but it is the lightest that they have.

5 parts makeup again: face; cheek color; eyes; lips; brows.

Eyes: my usual base, including Queen Phyllis (BE); then 1 shade of Ulta shadow (a green) and a bit of Ulta shadow with more sparkle (a light silvery gray) because I needed the sparkle; Chanel greenblack pencil to line; Clinique mascara.

Concealer: I used Maybelline Matte Mousse foundation for concealer again (not the concealer.) I find it is a the perfect color, not too light, not too dark, and much simpler than using two products. Also the texture works well and it doesn't crease.

Brows: La Prairie pencil

Face:
Foundation: I have an expensive Guerlain foundation, but I think it is too dark/yellow so I don't reach for it very often. Today I thought I'd mix it with Chanel illuminator, but it still looked too yellow. It doesn't pick that up, though, once my makeup is complete. But it takes the fun out of using it. Additionally I used more of the illuminator to highlight the center of my face.

Cheeks: rouge under my sparkly mix and over the mix, both Lancome, different colors, but both in the pink and plummy range.

Lips: Sephora 10, a sort of grape color (and tastes grape) with quite a bit of micro glitter in it. I generally don't wear it alone, but I really liked how it looked today. I've reapplied it several times, staying with the same color. I just didn't feel like changing it.

What are you doing with your makeup lately? Is the heat getting to you?

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2010-08-10 15:35:50.

Related posts:

1. FOTD Ulta mineral shadows I was really pleased with how this turned out. Eyes:...
2. FOTD Chanel Eyes I'm still not tired of Pink and Grey, so today...
3. FOTD AL eyes + Chanel NYX lips + I've spent the better part of most days since the...

This is a mascara I like and reach for often. The case is ergonomically pleasing, with a slight indent toward the middle and a golden rose logo on the bottom of the top half.

It has an odd shaped brush, three sided plastic with barely any nubs for bristles. But it is just odd enough that I like it. It makes it different. And I like the look of the mascara on.

It lasts all day, without smudging, and comes off easily. One coat is all you need. It stays fresh for a long time. Mine's probably over a year old.

Karin
5 for depth of black
5 for showing up, but not looking clumpy
5 for oddness of brush
5 doesn't dry out in the tube

Originally posted 2009-03-06 16:05:45.

Related posts:

1. Comparing Arbonne mascara to Lancome Fatale mascara This was how I looked first thing this morning. Arbonne...
2. Review: Lancome Cils Mascara Primer I have a friend who swears by this product. She...
3. Review: Bare Essentuals Black – Diamond duo mascara This mascara came in one of BE's kits, and it...

This mascara came in one of BE's kits, and it offered me the chance to try this type of mascara again. I always think I will like the sparkly mascaras, but I have yet to figure out how to wear them so they show up.

Black first, then Diamond over it
The mascara comes with Black at one end and Diamond (white with glitter) at the other. The Black is very nice. This is applied first, then Diamond over it. I never can get Diamond to show.

This is really, really, really hard to see, which is the point:

.

Using Diamond Alone:
I have tried it alone, and it doesn't do enough on my eyes.

It might be interesting on Book Girl's lashes as they are long, thick and lush. Her lashes don't really need color, just definition.

I have used it sparklingly (good typo, I meant sparingly) on my brows. It shows up there, only just barely.

White lashes
If you want white lashes, as in some of the interesting winter ads, Diamond doesn't show up white, but clear.

White lashes are easy to achieve using Lancome Cils primer.

If you want sparkly lashes
You might have to mix some Aromaleigh glitter on your mascara brush. I haven't tried that yet, but it might work. Review to follow, if I try it.

Have you tried this type of mascara? or this one? have you tried to make a glitter mascara by adding glitter to mascara? What did you think? Did it work? Did you like the effect?

Karin
5 for black mascara
0 for Diamond Help me out if you know how to use it so it shows up.

Originally posted 2009-03-24 13:20:17.

Related posts:

1. Review: Lancome Cils Mascara Primer I have a friend who swears by this product. She...
2. Mascara print ads Don't you think it is funny that every single mascara...
3. Review: Avon Jillian Dempsey dual mascara I wanted to compare this the day after I reviewed...

Funtabulous, rimmed with Milani Crystal gloss
What a great color!

Here's a full face picture of it:

Baby Sparks

Smile + Baby Sparks

Smile + Baby Sparks, rimmed with Beauté Allure

What are the colors
I sorted them by color range:

** I bought this one.
* Recommended at Shades of U, who also has swatches across her hand.

BEIGE
Get Rich Quick Warm yellow brown
Girl’s Delight Sheer mid-tone tan with gold pearl
*Goldyrocks Sheer soft yellow with pink and gold pearl
**Moth to Flame Sheer neutral beige with violet pearl **

CORAL
*Smile Light coral with pink and gold pearl (I bought this one)**

ORANGE
Bare Necessity Caramel apricot with red and gold pearl
Utterly Posh Mid-tone orange with pink and gold pearl

ORCHID
Extra Amps Sheer bright blue pink with blue and pink pearl
*Funtabulous Purple with violet pearl **
Like Venus Clean light bubble gum pink with red pearl
*Stop! Look! Sheer violet mauve with blue and pink pearl

PINK
*Baby Sparks Pale pink with violet pearl**
**Rags to Riches Plummy pink with teal and red pearl

PLUM
Date Night Deep plum with blue and gold pearl

RED
Love Alert Raspberry red with red pearl **

ROSE
**Money Honey Mid-tone rosy mauve with red pearl
*Steppin’ Out Clean yellow pink with red pearl

WHITE
*Sugarrimmed Milky pale pink with red, teal and white pearl**

The colors I bought
I chose to buy 6 -- Baby Sparks, Funtabulous, Love Alert, Moth to Flame, Smile, Sugarrimmed.

I didn't buy an orange as I have a couple of wonderful oranges from Lancome and NYX.

And it was hard to narrow them down! I think I could have bought all of them, but I was trying to be good. The same MUA who had given me a wonderful MAC makeover at SAKS was working the day I went in. She helped me pick out 6 across the range. Some will make a color close to the color(s) I didn't buy, by combining them. OTOH, they might not have the same flash of micro shimmers in them.

My take
There's not a whole lot to say about these fabulous glosses that hasn't already been said, as they are being talked about everywhere. They are lovely colors, feel good, moisturize well, are very high fashion in looks as Too Faced glosses are. I rate them a 5 across the board.

I will continue to add pictures as I wear the colors.

How about you?
Do you have any of these? all of them? How do you like them? Which is your favorite? Are you going to buy more? (I probably would if the stores that sell it were closer!)

Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-29 11:06:28.

Related posts:

1. FOTD Guerlain NYX MAC TS 28 Princess, Flamenco, Violet -- peachy pink, brown, rose....
2. FOTD Arbonne Audrey Eye Look + MAC gloss It's nice to have the complete Arbonne Audrey Eye look...
3. FOTD Aromaleigh Jewel + Wild Coco l’orchidee + MAC lips Still working through the samples I bought. Eyes: Base: Nude...

Happy Easter to everyone! What did you fix for your meal? We had Shrimp de Jonghe.

I thought this turned out so pretty today.

This was a very simple look. My only difficulty was getting both eyes to match in depth. One eye went on stronger, then I had to match it. It takes a little practice with Fyrinnae because the technique is different: dabbing, not sweeping.

Eyes:
Base: Nude Frost, then Meow Nicole S
Crease, lightly on lids, drylined on lower: Fyrinnae Daijodan
Lined upper: Lancome pen in Blueberry -- these pens are very, very nice, in all the colors -- have you used them? what is your favorite color?
Brows: La Prairie pencil
Mascara: CoverGirl Lights Sapphire

Primer: Laura Mercier
Foundation: L'Oreal N1, liquid
Rouge: Beauté Harlot liqui-gel stain
Power: my sparkly mix, with BE Mineral veil as bronzer
Blush: Meow Masterpiece Water Lilies
Lips: Mary Kay Metallic lip liner, a true brown liner, MAC Sweetie, topped with Pinkaratgloss, rimmed with a lighter gloss and used up the center too. Still hoping for a different shade.

I like Daijodan really well. It is such a pretty blue!

What do you think?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-04-12 18:21:02.

Related posts:

1. FOTD Fyrinnae Meow Nars Trying another of the Fyrinnae eye shadows, Daijodan. Navy Blue...
2. FOTD Ulta mineral shadows I was really pleased with how this turned out. Eyes:...
3. FOTD Fyrinnae It isn't often that I'm at a loss for words,...

I've been out of town and remiss about posting fotds -- and even remiss in wearing makeup. When the day begins at 4:30 and I'm on a different time zone, all bets are off. I did get some makeovers, though, you notice!

Yesterday was my first day more or less back on schedule.

I had in mind I was going to try the new eye shape -- and before you know it, my brush went and did just what it always does! I couldn't believe it. But I did it today and have pictures to post later.

Base: MAC Luna -- I like this because it has some shimmer
Eye colors came from a Lancome GWP, really pretty colors: off white, light shimmery pink (not sparkly), medium brown, charcoal-black with sparkles. Daylight (matte)Volcano (shimmer) Makeover (metallic)The New Black (metallic)
Dry Lined with the charcoal shade, followed by Guerlain Kohl powder in turquoise (you can see this really well in both full sized photos)
Mascara: Arbonne, 2 step
Brows: Anastasia Caramel (like mascara wand) + thin lined wet brow liner -- I like both these products a lot.

Primer: Avon Magix
Foundation: Chanel on one side;Arbonne on the other
Rouge under powder: Revlon, discontinued
Powder: my sparkly mix + Chanel Rosee pressed powder as highlight all over, has slight sparkly
Blush: Chanel Rose Petal
Concealer: Dior skinflash under eye; MAC on nose, buffed out

Lips: This was a case of just layering up.
I broke my cardinal rule of no more lip pencils and also ended up with a Guerlain color that is more pink than I'd prefer, so I did a bit of doctoring to see how badly I'd messed up.
Guerlain 65 on top; Arbonne Whisper on bottom; smooshed; lined with Guerlain Rose Indien; topped with Revlon Play up Pink.

The Guerlain formula is lovely (and I bought a second color later that is more to my liking.)

To buy Arbonne from Bookgirl, if you don't have a representative, go here.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-07-15 16:12:17.

Related posts:

1. FOTD NYX lips + Chanel eyes and more I had fun doing this. I kinda wanted to wear...
2. FOTD Guerlain NYX MAC TS 28 Princess, Flamenco, Violet -- peachy pink, brown, rose....
3. FOTD: Saturday Weekend look Lancome Arbonne + more I was going for a fast, easy weekend look --...

My Arbonne order came in. I was surprised to see that I had neglected to order some of the things I definitely wanted to try, such as the foundation. That will have to be for my next order.

Eyes: All Arbonne except gel liner
Base: Nude Frost
Lids: Meow Nicole S
Crease: Bewitched (deep amethyst)
Topped with: Trish McEvoy sparkly
Outer corners: Cosmic (deep green, not yellow-green)
Mascara: Arbonne Virtual Illusion Dual Volume (2 steps; 2nd step is a clear shine and curl) -- quite cool actually; I'm not sure about the odd brush in the first step -- I bet it is designed to lift and curl.
Tight lined top and wetlined bottom: Peacock, gel liner
Concealer: YSL Touch Eclat

Primer: MUFE
Foundation: Chanel, discontinued
Rouge under powder: Revlon
Powder: my sparkly mix
Blush over powder: Lancome Petticoat Pink

Lips
Arbonne Tickled + Bikini, rimmed with Beauté Allure

What do you think?
I enjoyed the difference in the look. I love the Arbonne skin care.

To buy Arbonne from Bookgirl, if you don't have a representative, go here.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-05-28 09:08:34.

Related posts:

1. FOTD Arbonne eyes + Lancome + Chanel + When I put on this shirt, I knew I wanted...
2. FOTD Arbonne + MAC lip liner I received my Arbonne order yesterday. I ordered (and received)...
3. FOTD: Saturday Weekend look Lancome Arbonne + more I was going for a fast, easy weekend look --...

Life in the fast lane with end of year school projects (for the mom!) and etc. are putting me behind in posting my FOTDs. It helps to have lovely makeup to make you feel and look your best!

Eyes: I really loved these colors together. They made me happy!
They are both beautiful on their own.
Base: Nude Frost
Crease: Fyrinnae Kitten in Heels
Lids: Fyrinnae Faerie Glamour
Tight lined top and wet lined lower: Venomous gel liner -- a pretty purple - using back end of brush
Mascara: top Lancome Oscillation; lower: Guerlain LE2 (lower lash side only)
Brows: Merle Norman powder
Concealer: Mary Kay #2

Primer: MUFE
Foundation: Chanel, discontinued
Rouge under powder: Maybelline Rose Petal mousse blush
Powder: my sparkly mix, then Guerlain meteorites as bronzer
Blush over powder: Lancome Petticoat Pink cream

Lips: Fyrinnae Glitter Kittiez rimmed with Beauté Allure

Do you have any of these colors?
They are some of my favorites.

Karin

Originally posted 2009-05-18 09:47:00.

Related posts:

1. FOTD AL eyes + lips Today I was busy sorting and organizing. I only did...
2. FOTD Meow Lancome Eyes Too Faced gloss I wanted to do a Take 2 yesterday with darker...
3. FOTD AL Red Gothic Lolita Shadows + Fyrinnae Lips Change of pace today! Back to reds, but new ones...

Once in a while a product comes along that purports to do everything you ever wanted a product to do for you, and then some. Such is Visionnaire by Lancome. If you can believe the hype from the company, women say they no longer want surgery after using the product.

Well, all right then! Whoo hooo! Who wouldn't prefer a product to surgery, given the choice!

I never know if the women who give testimonials are ones who have never taken care of their skin before, or if they are like me and always have. That makes a difference in results too.

So, I went for a sample, since a friend had told me that they had foil samples to give away. I used it up over a few days and it was OK, nothing to write home about. (I probably used more than a pump a day, just guessing, and the foil I wasn't sure if it was supposed to be one day only.)

Then I had a mini makeover by the Lancome rep at a local store. She had been using the product for 4 months, and her skin looked quite a bit better to me.

So I traded a product I had not liked toward the cost of Visionnaire ($84 for 1 oz) (more for 1.7 oz) and decided I would try it at night (and I am generally bad about night -- I will often use a night product in the day.)

After two days, I could see a difference. Then on day 3, maybe not (but I had used less night cream on top of it.) I've been careful to use the 'right' amount for my skin (the rep said ONE pump of Visionnaire -- it covers lightly, but if it were me, I'd likely use 1.5 pumps or even TWO) -- I'm using Lancome's Absolue night cream on top, then Genifique in the day time.

So far, I do see a difference. The fine lines are nearly eradicated at the top of my cheeks, after a few days. Here are some super closeups and no one sees you that close:

Not smiling:

Crinkling to a grin:

And now, the way I'm normally seen:

Have you tried it?
I rate it 4 out of 5 star, so far. But maybe the jury is still out. I figure you can always try a product and if you don't like it, return it. OTOH, it might work just super for you, so it is good to try.

Let me know how you like it and how you think it is working, if you have tried it or decide to try it.

I do find, for my skin, that changing products (and even changing back after a period of time) gives a jump start to my skin, and it will look better than ever. How much is this jump start effect, and how much is the superiority of the product, who knows!

Later today, I will try to write up a post about the skin products I will try NEVER to be without, even if I rotate them and don't use them daily. When I do, I will link to this post also, for you to find it easily.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Related posts:

1. Review Comparing mascaras, Stiletto and Lancome Today I wanted to see how Maybelline's Stiletto mascara compared...
2. Review: Lancome Cils Mascara Primer I have a friend who swears by this product. She...
3. Review: Lancome Fatale Mascara This is a mascara I like and reach for often....