Savvy Thinker » Mary Kay http://savvythinker.com thinking about life, playing with makeup Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:15:26 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Need input: Choosing between brands of mineral eye shadows http://savvythinker.com/need-input-choosing-between-brands-of-mineral-eye-shadows/ http://savvythinker.com/need-input-choosing-between-brands-of-mineral-eye-shadows/#comments Sun, 12 Feb 2012 10:15:26 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=5684

Since there are a bazillion different mineral eye shadow companies abounding, how do you choose which brands you will investigate to wear, if you wear mineral eye shadows?

Repackaging
I understand there are companies that only repackage. I'd prefer not to buy those, and I don't think I have, but I wouldn't mind if I had made an informed choice to do so. That's what's behind Mineral Makeup Mutiny.

Companies I wear:
Aromaleigh
As anyone knows who has been reading my blog, I love Aromaleigh (which I found via a perfume site.) AL is really cutting edge in my book.
Meow
I also like Meow. The colors are lovely, including the blushes.
Fyrinnae
Fyrinnae is lovely, but different in application techniques. Also cutting edge.
Bare Escentuals
Additionally, I like and own many Bare Escentuals shadows and facial colors. BE may not be quite as cutting edge as AL, but they have some beautiful sets.
Mary Kay
Most of MK's minerals are pressed, which have their place. All of the above companies' minerals are loose. I don't consider MK minerals to be cutting edge. They are better than average, but they are more mainstream. Their 2009 Fall/Xmas shadows come in a wand and are loose, but I didn't care for the look when I tried them, albeit I did not have my proper brushes with me.

Outside of these companies, are there others which are not on my radar screen?
Do you find that you can wear some brands, but others you are sensitive to?

Why do you love them?

Are there any you'd like to see me work with?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-11-17 13:45:06.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/need-input-choosing-between-brands-of-mineral-eye-shadows/feed/ 0 FOTD Arbonne Smoky eyes + lips http://savvythinker.com/fotd-arbonne-smoky-eyes-lips/ http://savvythinker.com/fotd-arbonne-smoky-eyes-lips/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 21:35:37 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=4496

The Smoky Eye look is one of two eye sets that Arbonne has put together. Judging from how beautiful it looks on the model and how beautiful the Audrey Eye look is in the travel palette and on Shari, I wanted to try this sight unseen. Shari has a palette set up in it, but didn't think to bring it when Book Girl had her last party.

When my palettes arrive, I'll take photos of the sets in the palettes then post the pictures here, on yesterday's FOTD, and in a new post.

You can see the Smoky Eyes on a model here. Aren't they lush!

This set repeats the brown shade (matte) from the Audrey Eye look, but adds a bronzy shade (shimmery) to go with it. If I hadn't seen it on the model, I likely would not have ordered this shade because I wouldn't have thought it would work on me, but it does. It is very pretty combined with the brown, and will be beautiful alone also.

I applied this without looking at the recommended order of colors. Next time I will remember to do it the other way. One change: wetline, not tightline. The other: use the shimmery bronze (Charade) just over the pupil of the eye. Inkling is a beautiful color. It is not as black a navy as it appears; it is a true navy. I applied

Lids: linen, then smudge with inkling, adding Charade a bit over all
Drylined top and lower: Inkling I wanted to bring out the blue
Tight lined top and lower: Eclipse, smudged with smudger on the pencil
Inner corners: Illume. shimmery white
Mascara: Guerlain
Brows: La Prairie pencil

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Primer
Foundation: Revlon Age Defying (one side) Revlon Spa (other side)
Highlight:
Rouge under powder: MK stick
Powder: Guerlain meteorites
Blush: Arbonne Savvy, the soft apricot shade

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Lips:
Arbonne Illusion + Legend 1/2 and 1/2, 1 on each lip, smooshed; then blended well with a lip brush, because it looked like light lipstick with dark liner.

I loved the lip color on the model. I'm going to try this right now, just to see, since my earlier color is gone. Illusion looks quite brown in the tube, not the soft apricot on her lips. Stay tuned for a LOTD post.

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What do you think?

I think this will be very pretty for fall -- and I'm feeling like fall, even though the temps have not broken. It's still hot, hot, hot here.

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If you'd like to order any of these Arbonne products and do not have a consultant, Book Girl would be happy to help you.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com


Originally posted 2009-08-23 13:11:00.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/fotd-arbonne-smoky-eyes-lips/feed/ 0 FOTD Meow eyes, NYX lips http://savvythinker.com/fotd-meow-eyes-nyx-lips/ http://savvythinker.com/fotd-meow-eyes-nyx-lips/#comments Thu, 09 Feb 2012 09:24:49 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=2172

I was happy with the way this turned out.

I spread out my Meow samples and thought what did I want to try:

Eyes:
Base: Nude Frost (there is some question as to whether this irritates me, but so far, so good today -- I gave it a rest, then tried again today) then my sparkly eye mix
Lid and Crease: Meow VandalEyes Misdemeanor (lime)
Crease and drylined top and lower: Meow VandalEyes Shoplifting (deep vibrant purple)

The lime is a little lighter and brighter than it photographed. You can see the glitter liner on the eye to your right.

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Lined: Estee Lauder Plum Grey pencil (which turned out to be more grey than I remembered, so I went over the line and past the line with Meow)
Glitter lined over the top of liners: GirlActik Lavender -- gorgeous color, this line was my first foray into glitters, before AL Rocks! glitter
Mascara: (top, to your left) Mark Scandalash Indigo (purple)
Mascara : (top, to your right and lower lashes) Estee Lauder MagnaScopic purple
The EL is a tad darker.
Brows: La Prairie pencil

Finished look:

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Primer: Smashbox Purple Primer
I like the color lift that this gives.

Foundation: Revlon Age Defying Liquid Color 04
I like this foundation and use it often.
Rouge: Mary Kay stick from a limited line
Powder: Lustre Aromaleigh Twilight supernatural powder
Nice gleam. Used my normal powder brush, not a FO.
Blush: Meow Masterpiece Water Lilies Love this color!
Lips: NYX Round Gloss Apricot 19
This is gorgeous and vibrant when applied heavily. Later it softens to a delicious stain-y look, but it is still moist with product on the lip. You can see how it looks here.

I quite like Meow mineral shadows. I am sampling several types, but they all seem to be equally pigmented and equally easy to use.

VandalEyes are our newest, most highly pigmented collection of multi-purpose eye shadows. Silky smooth and designed to be extra long wearing, they're intense and powerful but they are *not* for the faint of heart...Can be applied dry for a bold look, or foiled (applied wet) for the most intense color and sheen.

I'd love to try more of their Masterpiece blush line.

Masterpiece Blush Gallery: Our newest blush collection, uniquely formulated and unlike any other blush you've ever tried. They're sumptuously sheer, and sweep on your cheeks invisibly, leaving only a pure wash of gorgeous colors behind!

Karin

Originally posted 2009-03-23 13:32:53.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/fotd-meow-eyes-nyx-lips/feed/ 1 FOTD MK Minerals + http://savvythinker.com/fotd-mk-minerals/ http://savvythinker.com/fotd-mk-minerals/#comments Thu, 26 Jan 2012 14:24:44 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=6543

It's been a while since I've posted a current FOTD. I wanted to try out the new color of MK mineral foundation, .5. I find the 1.0 is a little dark and a little yellow on me. The .5 is just perfect.

Eyes:
Base: Nude Frost, then Revlon Lilac Shimmer Perle (it is glittery)
Lids: Prescriptives Hyacinth
Crease and outer corners: Sephora # 9 and Milani Royalty # 06
Dry lined top and bottom: Some combination of darker shadows
Gel Lined Sheer Cover: plum shade and some SC black

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Foundation: MK Mineral .5 ($18); then my sparkly mix powder, not only because I like my sparkly mix (which I do) but also to make it have more illumination. I didn't want to look like I had foundation on or that I was dry.
Blush: MK Pomegranate Cheek Jelly (new product) ($16) (comes in two colors)
My Review: Foundation was very easy to apply and extremely fast. It is still a drier look than I am used to. It's been on for several hours now, and it doesn't feel dry. The longer it is on, the more it seems to blend more natural. I think the coverage is lighter too, though it might be that I was very frugal in use of it, not wanting it to be too heavy or cakey. Love the Pomegranate shade.

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Lips: MK lip balm ($7.50); MK Rose, then later MK Passionfruit ($13 each)
I like the colors. They are emollient without being sticky. My lips feel good and look good -- that is equally important.

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Have you tried any of the new colors or products?
More reviews will follow tomorrow.

Have a great day!

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2010-04-08 13:09:57.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/fotd-mk-minerals/feed/ 0 FOTD Aromaleigh teals + lippie http://savvythinker.com/fotd-aromaleigh-teals-lippie/ http://savvythinker.com/fotd-aromaleigh-teals-lippie/#comments Fri, 16 Dec 2011 11:58:38 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=6408

Time for a FOTD again...it's been a while since I've posted a new one.

Eyes: I wanted to go back to some AL old standbys, colors that I love, as well us use a new sample I received.
Outer corner: Lilypad satin petals frost
Crease and lower lash dry lined: Jade pure eyes frost -- looks deep, but goes on brighter
Lined: Black powder on top
Over lined top and bottom: Delilah bete noire glitter -- these glitters look wonderful; I'll be trying out more over the next couple of days.
Mascara: BE Buxom

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Face:
comparing two shades and formulas of foundation, applied over Hourglass Veil primer, each side of my face, all else is the same [Olay cream on right; Revlon liquid on left]; Chanel cream blush under my sparkly powder mix; Arbonne Promise as blush; Mary Kay highlighter up the center of my face.

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Lippie AL Sweet Tart Gothic Lolita Collection over Down Under Healing lipbalm
This is a beautiful neutral shimmery pink.

Warm mauve pearl from Summer 2009 Natural mineral lip products have an average lifespan of 6-9 months due to the nourishing base oils and butters used in their formulation.

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What do you think?
It's no secret I love AL colors. So far my AL lippies have held up well, all but one color which I replaced, lasting over the time frame AL lists for their lippies.

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Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2010-03-09 11:41:50.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/fotd-aromaleigh-teals-lippie/feed/ 0 Serums that work — or not http://savvythinker.com/serums-that-work-or-not/ http://savvythinker.com/serums-that-work-or-not/#comments Thu, 08 Dec 2011 21:19:35 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=6258

Here are some thoughts on various types of serums and the links to posts where I have written more specifically. Some of the serums are pricing their way out of my price point. There are actually some that are over $1000 being marketed in Japan. I suspect some are worth it; others are not.

Whenever possible, let a beauty advisor put some on your skin. See if it is possible to get a small amount to try at home before you commit to a big purchase.

This is only a partial list, as I have thought of them. I will continue to update, as I think of it.

Body Serum
Arbonne has a wonderful body serum and body lotion. You can find my review at the above link.

Facial Serums
There are also serums targeted for eyes.
Anti-Wrinkle
La Prairie CELLULAR Retexturizing Booster
This just might be a miracle product. Whenever I apply it, I see immediate results. I generally use it for several days at a time, then I give it a rest and use it again when I see the need. It is expensive, but it really works. I think it works better than Renova. Price: $185.00 | 30 ml / 1.0 oz. (Unfortunately, it's possible this is no longer available. I have not tried any of the comparible LP serums to see if a newer one is as good.)

Serums with Vitamin C
Many companies have C-serums because they work. I have used C products for years. Mary Kay is one of the companies that has just added a C formula. If you can't beat them, join them. The important thing is to find a C serum that works for you, then use it.

Here's a partial list of companies that have C-serums: Awake, MK, Aromaleigh (generic), Lancome, Estee Lauder, Prescriptives, Avon, Lumene. Choose the link above to see my thoughts on each.

Arbonne has a number of excellent serums, including lifting, RE9 (with C), and Revelage (whitening) I won't be without the lifting or the whitening.

Avon has been a leader in skin care, very innovative. They were the first line to come out with an alpha-hydroxy -- and it made a big difference in my skin. Their anew products are excellent. I do not care for either of their pump serums that they had a couple of years ago, because they smelled so bad. I recommend smelling them before buying to see if they still smell. I didn't notice a huge difference like I did with their alpha-hydroxy products. Some of their products are targeted by age.

Beauticontrol
Beauticontrol makes several serums that I like. Some are targeted for 30's, 40's, and 50's skin. I've liked Regeneration Gold for years. It's a two step process that mixes when you pump it. It used to be that one was red, the other white. Now one is green, the other white. I do not know if it is the same product. Regeneration Platinum Plus is supposed to be the next step up, but it rolls on my skin, so I use it only on my neck and chest and bought more of the Regeneration Gold. They make C products, but I've not tried them as I have others that I am using at the moment.

Chanel Serums
Chanel makes a number of serums, and they are all excellent. It depends on your price point and your skin concerns. Sublimage products kept me moist even in the dryness of Las Vegas, using no other moisturizers layered in. The Radiance line has an excellent hydrating serum. As an aside, I did not care for Sublimage eye cream.

Clarins
I have used Super Restorative Serum. I likely might buy it again. I like what it says it does; I'm not sure I saw it doing it. I tended to use it more for hydrating than anything else. When I opened the container, when it seemed empty, there were still several days worth of product left. I put it in a small jar and used it to the last drop.

On the whole I like Clarins products, so I suspect their other serums would be good too. Their beauty advisers are generally knowledgeable and happy to help you. They are good about giving small samples to try.

Cle de Peau serums
Cle de Peau is the high end Shiseido line. CdP makes a number of serums, and they all feel good. I'm not sure how to choose one over the other. I have one. I'm not convinced it does anything particularly, but that might be because I tend to use others that I have.

Dior Serums
Dior makes some excellent serums. Capture Totale and HydrAction are two that I have tried. Capture Totale came highly recommended by a woman in NYC who swears by it.

Guerlain serums
Orchidee Imperiale is their highest, newest line. It is excellent. Super Aqua-Serum came highly recommended on the strength of one older woman who works for Guerlain whose skin is exceptionally beautiful. It's a toss up which is better. Take your pick. They also have Success Future and Substantific serums. I get my Guerlain from Claire at the Palazzo in Las Vegas. Call 702) 732-7008 or email GuerlainPalazzo.STORE@lvmhuspc.com

Hydrating serums
La Prairie CELLULAR HYDRATING SERUM is an excellent hydrator, one of the very best. It is lightweight. It works by binding moisture to the skin and restoring the skin's natural moisture barrier. A little goes a long ways and it stays fresh in the bottle. I use it generally on very cold days or whenever my face feels like it needs more moisture from the inside out. Price: $185.00

La Prairie Serums
Like Chanel, these are excellent, and it depends on your price point. I have not tried the latest lines.

Shiseido serums
Shiseido has a number of serums that are all excellent. Again, it depends on your price point and what you are hoping to accomplish.

Signature Club A
Super Strength High Potent-C Anti-Wrinkle Capsules $29.50
I like this a lot. It's in my rotation of C products.

Retinol Wrinkle Penetrating Capsules 12 Hour Release $32.50
This is in my rotation. I like it a lot.

Viviane Woodard
I've used these products since I was 18. They have a number of serums, including specialized ones to use at night. Their day time serums are very good and moderately priced. The evening ones really give your skin a boost. They are used only periodically. Unlike ones by La Prairie that are also used only occasionally, these will not break the bank. Likely they perform different functions, but they help the skin.

Whitening serums
Many companies offer whitening serums. They started first in Asian countries. It's not surprising that Shiseido has one. If you want to break up an age spot the fastest possible way, then your best bet is laser. Be sure to use SPF every day along with these.
Arbonne Revelage is an excellent whitener, which works by breaking up dark spots from below and keeping them from forming from the top.

Mary Kay TimeWise® Even Complexion Essence
I consider this more of a preventative, than a curative. I want to see faster results. I have no patience.

What serums do you know, use and love?
As I think of more, I will update.

Karin
www.savvythinker.com

Originally posted 2010-01-28 20:49:42.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/serums-that-work-or-not/feed/ 0 FOTD MK eyes + Arbonne lips http://savvythinker.com/fotd-mac-makeover-2/ http://savvythinker.com/fotd-mac-makeover-2/#comments Fri, 25 Nov 2011 16:04:43 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=3947

This is the MK summer shadow set. These pictures are from July 6th, two days ago.

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Lips:
Arbonne Tickled rimmed with Beauté Allure and up the center
Guerlain #8 + G magenta gloss

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

Karin

Originally posted 2009-07-08 19:58:51.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/fotd-mac-makeover-2/feed/ 0 FOTD Meow eyes + http://savvythinker.com/fotd-meow-eyes/ http://savvythinker.com/fotd-meow-eyes/#comments Tue, 15 Nov 2011 12:43:16 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=3457

fotdgraphic

Today I was doing some more organizing -- putting all my magenta-type lippies in one place and putting my Meow samples by colors. Then I marked them all by their descriptions. I have a disproportionate number of Meow purples and lavenders, though I like to wear those colors. I did have 2 grays and one taupe (which looked green in the ziplock.) That's how I saw and decided what colors to wear. I started with the lipstick, knowing I wanted to wear that again, plus the enhancer I beaded for my daughter's newest bright green pendant (I'm wearing it). Then I saw the Meow colors and knew I was hooked for today.

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Eyes: all Meow except where noted, in the order of application
Crease: Taupe -- this looked green in the bag; looks taupe on, though it pulls some lavender in the pictures -- I didn't put any lavender into it except possibly at the lowest point of the crease
Inner corners: Misdemeanor VandalEyes -- citrus green with gold -- love this green!
Outer corners: Jessica R ScandalEyes grape

This is sort of the look I get when I do my mascara, as I tilt my head back and look in a hand held mirror to do the top lashes. Only this picture was taken when totally finished. You can see the gradience of the colors.

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Mascara: top, Guerlain; lower:Tarte
Brows: Merle Norman powder
Lined lower: Mary Kay Tahitian Gold (love this color!)
Tight lined top and wetlined lower: Venomous gel liner (the purple that BookGirl liked so well)
Drylined top: Tongue Tied IdealEyes Deep Smoky Plum

No concealer

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Sunscreen Neutragena, on face; La Prairie, on my neck
Primer: Avon Magix
Foundation: Chanel, discontinued
No highlighting
Rouge (under my sparkly powder mix) Maybelline Rose Petal Mousse
Blush (over) NARS Riviera stick

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Lips: Beauticontrol Perfect Azalea topped with BE Buxom Dominique gloss (clear with white, light blue and silver micro shimmer) -- BookGirl likes this -- I used to wear it a lot.

What I think
When I compare this to yesterday's look, I like the teal greens (better?) but I do like this look and will wear it again. If I don't compare it, I think, good look! Plus I've had several compliments on the lippie, which I need to begin to wear more often again. It's one of their older colors when they color coordinated everything to your season, not that I could wear all the colors that were supposedly mine.

What do you think?

Karin

Originally posted 2009-05-14 13:02:31.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/fotd-meow-eyes/feed/ 0 FOTD Lancome mostly http://savvythinker.com/fotd-lancome-mostly/ http://savvythinker.com/fotd-lancome-mostly/#comments Fri, 11 Nov 2011 11:01:40 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=1436

Today I thought I'd use some of the colors that came in the Lancome GWP at Belks. I chose the cool color gift.

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Cheeks: MAC Dollymix
Highlight the center of the face: Mary Kay blend of Pink Sparkle and Porcelain Pink (love this!)
Lips: Lancome Rock Icon Fuchsia with Electric Pink La Laque Fever lipgloss
Liner: MAC graphblack on bottom water line; MAC earthline brown just outside it
Mascara: Black Spinlash (see other post about this mascara)

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Using the shadows in the gwp:
Crease: Volcano shimmer
Outer corners: Makeover Metallic (lovely shade of pink)
Dry lining top: The New Black Metallic

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Later today I might try the gwp lipsticks and add them to this post -- or I will show them in the next few days. Lancome GWPs always include full size lippies. I try never to buy without a gwp. If it isn't something I can use, I enjoy passing them on.

Karin

Rose Defile, one of the free gwp lippies:

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Originally posted 2009-03-04 09:52:08.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/fotd-lancome-mostly/feed/ 2 FOTD Meow Lancome Eyes Too Faced gloss http://savvythinker.com/fotd-meow-lancome-eyes-too-faced-gloss/ http://savvythinker.com/fotd-meow-lancome-eyes-too-faced-gloss/#comments Wed, 09 Nov 2011 22:19:05 +0000 Karin http://savvythinker.com/?p=2350

I wanted to do a Take 2 yesterday with darker greys, but everything still looked so good, it didn't need refreshing. I'm not tired of the look yet, so today I re-did it using deeper greys.

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Eyes:
Base: Dior light pink cream in wand; then my sparkly mix
Lid: Cat got your tongue? Meow IdealEyes Purrl -- light pink
Outer corners: Lancome Platinum Couture (darker grey in set)
Crease: Vincent Longo Concerto, glittery black-grey wet-dry – love these colors
Brows: La Prairie pencil

Lined upper: Clinique Granite 10 Quick Eyes pencil (med grey)
Then used the powder with it to go over the line.
Lined lower: MAC graphblack in waterline, then earthline outside it -- This time it didn’t look too strong, not like yesterday.
Lined just outside the lower Sephora Flashy Mauve waterproof pencil
Mascara top: Guerlain Maxi-Lash Black
Mascara lower: Stiletto I wanted a spiky look – love this and might start using it everyday.

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Primer: I forgot! And it really does make a difference
Foundation: Revlon Vital Radiance Color 10 discontinued, can find on Internet
Concealer: Mary Kay Highlighting Pen Color 2
Color under my sparkly powder mix: Mary Kay cream rouge
Blush over the powder: Meow Lush Blush Hugs and Kitties -- I really like this!

Using Beau Nelson of Beauté's technique highlighting my lips
Too Faced Mermaid for lips, rimmed with Pink Bling
You can read about this technique here.

Don't you just love the lips with this technique!
I hope you try it!

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How do you like this look?

Have a great day!

Karin

Originally posted 2009-03-26 08:58:17.

Online Stores ]]> http://savvythinker.com/fotd-meow-lancome-eyes-too-faced-gloss/feed/ 0