Entries Tagged 'Smashbox' ↓
January 10th, 2010 — Age, Arbonne, Aromaleigh, Avon, Chanel, Comparing, Guerlain, Hourglass, La Prairie, Laura Mercier, MAC, Primer, Review, Revlon, Sheer Cover, Signature Club A, Smashbox, Techniques, Un femme d'un certain age
Updated to include my review of Hourglass primer (and comparing it to Chanel’s Illuminating Base.) And also as a reminder about the value of using a primer.
To prime or not to prime, that is the question.
If you’ve not used a primer, try one and see what you think. Get a makeover and ask that they use one.
If you truly don’t like a primer, return it, if you bought it at a physical store. There are enough primers out there now, that you can find one that you love.
If you are using a primer, I’m guessing you will never go back to without.
Why prime?
What is the purpose of primer?
Primer perfects your look. It makes the surface of your skin silky with less visible imperfections, so you use less foundation. Your products glide over the top, meaning you need less foundation to cover.
What is primer made of?
Usually there is some silicone or one of the ‘cones’ in it to create a smooth surface on the skin.
Some folks even use Monistat gel for an inexpensive alternative.
How does it work?
Most primers are the last step before applying your foundation.
Primer slips over the skin, creating a light barrier, usually with silicone. Foundation glides on easier, goes on smoother, and covers better with less product.
Under a certain age, some primers will stop oil from coming through and messing with your look.
Once a certain age, a primer may act like spackle, one even has that name, gently filling in lines and pores to give a smooth surface for foundation and optically take time off your age.
Is it strictly cosmetic or is it also corrective?
All perform a cosmetic service; some are also corrective.
Color correction
Some primers color correct or add a sheer layer of color. Others are clear. Both Smashbox and Revlon Vital Radiance have multiple colors to correct.
Guerlain Meteorites Perles
Light-Diffusing Perfecting Primer; Base Perfection. Great little powder balls that color correct and do other neat things.
Contact Claire at Guerlain at the Palazzo in Las Vegas for all your Guerlain needs. (702) 732-7008. If you’re in town, stop in to visit!
Vital Radiance Smoothing Face Primer, SPF 25, Petal 002, Cool, 1 fl oz
which has been discontinued, can still be found on occasion. It came in two colors, cool and warm. I use cool.
Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting Foundation Primer
is another good one. I use the purple. Purple will also bring a foundation into a cooler tone. One minimizes red tones; one minimizes yellow or sallow tones; one minimizes dark circles, veins, and dark spots. (The best thing for dark spots is using a lightening product or having them removed either by laser or by freezing.)
Some have added ingredients that benefit your skin.
Aromaleigh Easy applicator pump bottle. Very nice product.
The best “canvas” for any type of makeup is a perfect, smooth canvas. This is what we are all seeking, and for many, mineral makeup brings us one step closer.
Lock in hydration while smoothing and retexturizing your skin’s appearance and maximizing your makeup…
With natural oils of Safflower, Grape and Camellia, Vitamins E and A and advanced polymers… our primer combines nature with science to get your skin where you need it to go.
Less is more, just like with mineral makeup. Your primer can be blended with your moisturizer or sunscreen, or used on it’s own. It can even be combined with a small amount of powder to create an easy to apply mineral makeup/primer combination that smooths to a velvety finish. Aromaleigh
Arbonne Virtual Illusion makeup primer
Supposedly acts like a natural botox to improve the surface of your skin.
Create a flawless canvas for makeup application with this advanced primer. A blend of vitamins, skin-perfecting pigments, advanced cushioning and anti-aging ingredients work in harmony to help tone, smooth and minimize the visual appearance of fine lines, wrinkles and enlarged pores. The result is a velvety, matte, radiant finish.
GABA, hyaluronic acid, polypeptides, gamma orizinol, light deflecting pigments, B-glycherritinic acid; horsetail extract, green tea leaf and grape seed extracts
Guerlain
L’Or – has real flecks of gold in it and creates a lovely look.
Again, contact Claire, see above.
La Prairie
I have not tried this white one.
La Prairie for eyes
Shiseido Benefiance Facial Lifting Complex also works to firm.
Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer SPF15 with Dermaxyl Complex (Unboxed)
Here are some good ones:
Avon Magix evidently stops oil too; has a fairly heavy consistency; is generally well liked by everyone. Very reasonably priced at $10.
Smashbox – comes in clear (I like the purple better), purple (to correct skin tone, but it works to cool up colors of foundation that are a bit yellow),green (ditto, I haven’t tried this one) and an apricot one that has ingredients to benefit skin (I like the idea of this.) To me they all feel the same, but the clear one seems to do less. Placebo effect, likely!
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer oil free spf 15 $52
I loved this product. It has a slight radiance to it which makes my skin look perfect. This is something I likely will be buying. 132 people reviewed it at Sephora, giving it an average of more than 4.5 stars.
Today I compared it to Chanel’s SHEER ILLUMINATING BASE. Both illuminate; Hourglass seems more slippery. I preferred the look of Hourglass once I had on my foundation and sparkly powder mix. I generally use Chanel’s only up the center of my face as a highlighter.
It is water-resistant and 100% fragrance free, oil free, and paraben free. It does not have an odd smell because of ingredients. I smell nothing.
It neutralizes the skin, creating a smooth, uniform slate for makeup application. Don’t forget the slight radiance which evenly distributes light to soften and camouflage skin imperfections and fine lines. It also protects from oil breakthrough, so your makeup stays looking fresh longer.
It has no
- Parabens
- Sulfates
- Synthetic Fragrances
- Synthetic Dyes
- Phthalates
The SPF is formulated with naturally-derived titanium dioxide and zinc oxide rather than chemical sun-blocking agents.
These work, but I don’t like them as well
Laura Geller Spackle – Sephora sampled this.
It started out white and got taupe colored when exposed to air. The sample was in a pot. The full size is in a pump which would eliminate exposure to air.
Laura Mercier Foundation Primer – Oil Free
Sephora sampled this also. It was one of the first on the market.
Revlon It’s OK, but I didn’t like it as well. Comes in two formulas.
Revlon Age Defying Instant Firming Face Primer for Normal/Combination Skin (Pack of 2)
Sheer Cover Light weight. Still, it is nice.
Smashbox Highlight and Prime together
You can read my review here. I don’t like the dual delivery system. It doesn’t feed evenly. You have to cover one side to make sure the other feeds. I love the color though. Would be better to have just had the highlight to use as you wish, and add to your primer or not, as you wish. Or have two separate tubes in the set vs. 2 in 1 tube.
How about perfecting your look even more?
There are products you can apply over your makeup that filter out and soften lines, similar to when Doris Day was filmed through a special lens.
Clarins makes a great one!
Use this around your mouth or eyes, wherever you need extra help. Try it out at one of the counters.
La Prairie
Pink colored, quite a heavy consistency. Pricey. No better than some and less than others. Evidently, it comes in gold too. I think it is quite thick.
The eye product tends to roll some, but the look is pretty.
Signature A Wrinkle Filiment
is heavier, similar to La Prairie’s, but apricot colored.
MAC Prep and Prime
Prep and prime is a face primer. I like prep and prime better than Smashbox Photo finish because it doesn’t have that slick feel to it. It’s not all silicone. I recommend it. Miranda
MAC Black eye primer
I also bought MAC’s black eye primer. It makes a huge difference in how the eyeshadow looks. Want a paler, more natural look, use a skin toned primer. Want uber kapow and drama for evening, use black primer! Miranda
Do you use a primer?
Which one(s) do you use or have you tried?
Let me know if I left out any that you particularly love.
Nearly every line has a primer in their arsenal now. I’d like to hear about any good ones!
To buy Arbonne from Bookgirl, if you don’t have a representative, just contact me, and I’ll put you in touch.
Karin
Related Posts -
Take care of your skin today, it will thank you in 10 years Take care of your skin today, it will thank you in 10 years. Or sooner! I will be posting individual reviews in each category, but they are not ready to go up. This is a... - Clarins Skin Care and Color I never met a Clarins product I didn't like. A French based company, it is known for its skin care and uses no animal products. They offer nice size sampling of various skin care products,...
-
FOTD Lancome Eyes + Guerlain and Beaute lips Another 5 mins makeup, done quickly. It's kind of fun to limit myself to one shadow color -- and it's easy to do with this new shape. When the MUA did it for me, she... -
FOTD Meow eyes, NYX lips 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... -
FOTD Meow Eyes, AL blush, Milani lip gloss Trying out Meow eyes again today, but different colors. Used my new fiber optic AL brush again. Love this brush. Get one! I will do a review in the next few days. I used it...
Related Websites Online Stores
January 10th, 2010 — Aromaleigh, Bare Escentuals, Beauté, FOTD, Foundation, La Prairie, Lancome, Lip Balm, MAC, Mascara, Mineral, Pencils, Primer, Review, Smashbox
This is the first time I’ve used the NXY shadows that came in my amazingly cheap haul.
NYX TS29, White, Tropical, Silver (this looks like a soft blue)
Brows: La Prairie pencil
Mascara: BE Buxom on top; took picture before I put any on the lower lashes
Lined lower: MAC Light as Air + Mac earthline below that
I don’t know which came first, the shirt or the eye colors. The shirt is one of my many Ts from Target. This one is so soft with 3/4 sleeves. I knew I could wear the color, so I assumed I could wear the color on my eyes. The funny thing is that without having tried Aromaleigh’s reds on my eyes, I don’t know that I would have tried an orange — apricot, yes; orange, no.
Primer: Smashbox
Foundation: Lancome minerals + Lancome mineral translucent powder + my sparkly mix
Blush: MAC Moon River mineralize blush
Blush Later: MAC what was left on my fingers from the Popster lip conditioner
Highlight: AL Magnolia , up the center of my face — this is the perfect shade for me; I can use the others, but one is light and I have to be careful not to use too much; this one is a 5 second application, with no errors.
Concealer: Dior skinflash
Lips: MAC Hello Kitty Popster tinted lip conditioner, rimmed with Beauté Paramour
I was really happy with the way this turned out.
How about you?
Have you tried any of the NYX shadows?
My take:
I’d give this shadow set a 5. They were easy to use, very nice packaging, with a super mirror which was unexpected.
Karin
Originally posted 2009-04-21 12:09:29.
Related Posts -
FOTD Lancome makeover I wanted to try some of the new Lancome products, so I asked a SA to do a makeover on me. She used the new Lancome minerals in the lightest shade, Natural Ivory 10. She... -
FOTD Weds NYX eyes + As I said in my earlier post today, I wanted to try the NYX colors I had not tried before. Once in a while a color combo blows you out of the water. This color... -
FOTD AL eyes + MAC cheeks + Guerlain lips I haven't worn many blues lately, but today I wanted to wear blues, and Aromaleigh has some beautiful blues. Eyes: all Aromaleigh, unless noted Base:Nude Frost , then BE Queen Phyllis Mystery on lid; Swank... -
FOTD NYX Eyes and Lips I've been waiting to try this trio of shadows until it was fall. This is a beautiful set with orange as the unusual color. The color looks like a vibrant orange, but mixed as I... -
FOTD Meow Lancome Eyes Too Faced gloss 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...
Related Websites Online Stores
November 29th, 2009 — Anastasia, Andrea Lash Glue, Arbonne, Aromaleigh, Bare Escentuals, Blues, Chanel, Cover Girl, Creating a new lippie, FOTD, False lashes, Foundation, Lip Gloss, MAC, Primer, Reds, Smashbox, Wet 'n Wild Fantasy Makers Witches Charm
Wow! I really had fun with this one! Sometimes serendipity really comes through for you. Still working through all the samples I purchased. It’s fun to have enough that I just put the colors on the counter and pick 2 or 3 I haven’t used yet that I think will go together. Serenade pulls more blue/violet on me than teal (how it looks in the ziplock) , at least when used with Coppelia.
How to place the lid colors
First, I couldn’t decide which color to place on my inner and outer lids. So, I thought, why not do both? I figured it might be fun, and today wouldn’t matter. Surprisingly enough, it is not weird, it is beautiful. I didn’t really like the first eye, but when I did the second, it was just super. I have never done this before, but I might do it really often!
Eyes:
Base: Nude Frost + BE Queen Phyllis
Alternating inner and outer lids: AL serenade + AL coppelia en pointe
Drylined lower: AL serenade
Serenade: A color inspired by my favorite ballet. Beautiful smooth teal plush matte base with a lush violet iridescent highlight. (Sheen)
Coppelia: A lovely berried plum plush matte base with a dimensional smooth violet highlight. (Sheen)
Mascara: Sapphire Cover Girl
Lashes: Witches Charm Temptress Tentatrice Black with Red tinsel! I bought these one Halloween, might be two years ago from Walgreens or CVS. They have quite an array offered online still, and they aren’t terribly expensive. These came with top and bottom lashes. update: I used them as upper lashes the next day.
No blush, only Chanel stick rouge under my sparkly mix of powder, over one of my usual primers (Smashbox purple today) and foundations.
Lips: MAC Love Alert + Arbonne Delicious, both glosses, one on each lip, smooshed
What do you think?
Karin
www.savvythinker.com
Related Posts -
FOTD Clarins eyes + MAC + Arbonne skin care I thought I'd use the Clarins set again, this time using the copper color on my lids. It was yucko. Seriously. I debated about taking it off and starting again, but thought it would be... -
FOTD AL Spring Solstice Eyes I received AL's Spring Solstice colors a couple of days ago. They are really beautiful shades, and even better, they are 25% off until March 18, 2009. I love that it is affordable to try... -
FOTD Aromaleigh + Arbonne lips + Lauren Luke gloss Still trying sample colors I bought. Both shadow colors are gorgeous today! In my new colors I couldn't find a green that looked compatible with my shirt, so I thought I would go with a... -
FOTD AL eyes + AL lips Finally! I'm current -- this is my FOTD today. I wanted to wear the same eye colors as yesterday. Comparing two lower lash mascaras one is Tarte; the other is Guerlain's Le2. AL concealer. Back... -
FOTD Audrey/Smokey Eyes + bare lips I already received one compliment on this look today. Yippee! I wanted to try the Arbonne looks, while not having the Arbonne colors. You know how that goes! And this picture shows you how important...
Online Stores
September 20th, 2009 — Arbonne, Bare Escentuals, Browns, Brows, Eye liner, FOTD, Foundation, La Prairie, Lip Gloss, MAC, Mascara, Purples, Rouge or blush, Shiseido, Smashbox
This is such a pretty palette! Arbonne offered it last Christmas and again this Christmas. It could easily be the only colors I took on a trip.
This is the first time I used it, and I wanted to try it alone, which I did, straight out of the set, (almost) nothing added.
There are many ways the shadows could be applied — for instance, using the Blue-Grey as the main color or as the liner.
Eye Colors: Shimmery almost-white; deep Blue-Gray; Brown [I used this to dryline]; Rosey-Apricot.
Blush: Peachy Apricot (I did use some NARS Riviera too)
Additional Colors
Eyes:
Base: Nude Frost, then BE Queen Phyllis
Tightlined: MAC Blackgraph
Brows: La Prairie pencil
Mascara: Maybelline Pulse Perfection
Primer: Smashbox
Foundation: Shiseido cream
Lips:
The gloss included with this set is a beautiful bright almost orchid pink.
Do you have this set?
Of the two sets, I ordered only this one, but I think I might order the other too.
If you don’t have a consultant, but would like to get something in Arbonne, just ask and I’ll forward it on to Bookgirl.
Karin
www.savvythinker.com
don’t steal my posts
Related Posts -
FOTD Thursday Chanel eyes + Chanel Les Quatre eye shadow Sublimes: Marine, Beige Rose, Granite, Clear Blue I rarely use this set, but I should use it more often. I originally bought it because I didn't have anything in this... -
FOTD: Saturday Weekend look Lancome Arbonne + more I was going for a fast, easy weekend look -- which is next to impossible with interruptions. It was still quick and fast. Eyes: Arbonne + Base: Beauticontrol shadow control - pink Lids: AL Petit... -
FOTD Arbonne Smoky eye + Clinique lip + I wanted to try applying the Arbonne colors in the manner shown in the catalog for the Smoky Eye look, so I decided to do the colors again today. Next time I will use a... - FOTD Chanel Collection Essentielle Lumiere Tendresse Chanel palettes Chanel has brought out these collections several times now, and the colors are so close to each other that I think it took me a couple of years to realize they are actually...
-
FOTD Dior eyes + Arbonne lips + Sometimes it's fun to just grab a set for eyes and see what you can do with it. I'm still on a roll with my Diors, so I wanted to use my last color quint...
Related Websites Online Stores
August 23rd, 2009 — Arbonne, Brows, Creating a new lippie, Eye Shadow, Eye liner, FOTD, Foundation, Guerlain, Highlighting, Lipstick, Mascara, NARS, Prescriptives, Primer, Rouge or blush, Smashbox, Techniques
The Audrey Eye look is one of two sets that Arbonne has put together. It’s important to see these looks in RL compared to the catalog or as individual colors. As nice as they are individually, they are really superb when used together.
The first time I saw the Audrey Eye look in RL in the travel palette box, I thought the colors were amazing and couldn’t wait to try them on. I resolved they would be in my next order.
You can see them on a model here.
Then when I saw the look on Shari, I realized that it was gorgeous, neutral, and rich looking. And would go with everything.
She had filled her palette box with the additional recommended blushes: Promise (I have that one, it is softly pink, and I use it almost daily) and Savvy (softly apricot which was a good color for me also, and one I didn’t have yet) and shadows (these are fairly new colors): Illume (shimmery white) and Mystery (very dark black.) I could tell immediately by looking at it that the colors were right together.
I have trouble choosing across the color range to put together a look like this myself, so it is better that it is done for me. Arbonne has 12 shades of brown, ranging from light to dark, and encompassing warms, cools and neutrals, so you can imagine that it might not be easy for me, especially with brown eyes.
Here’s what Arbonne says about their shadows:
… pressed eye shadow in a range of 34 moisturizing shades that won’t flake or smudge
and this is really important when dealing with a dark color like Mystery.
Mascara: Arbonne, 2 in 1
Brows: La Prairie pencil
Tightlined both top and lower, then smudged with MAC smudge brush: MAC graphblack, then along lower also earthline
Primer: Smashbox with dermaxl (it looks sort of apricot)
Foundation: Prescriptives Photochrome Cool Rose
Rouge under powder: Chanel stick
Powder: Guerlain meteorites
Blush: NARs Riviera
Lips: Arbonne Illusion (beautiful golden light bronze which I felt I could use to lighten and highlight) + Razzberry I was aiming for a blue-red, since they show this look with red. I think it leaned more to the pink side, but still very pretty color.
You can see my poor nose here, and what happens when I put product on it. I think it was the MAC concealer, but this didn’t bother me the first couple of times I used it, so when it disappears, I will try it again carefully!
What do you think?
Next up, the second look: Arbonne Smoky Eyes.
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
Related Posts -
FOTD Trish eyes + Arbonne lips Eyes: Base: MAC Luna, then BE Queen Phyllis Trish Face Essentials 10 -- I've had this quad for a long time, but I've used it infrequently, because while I liked the idea of it, I... -
FOTD Arbonne + AL Eyes + NYX lips Eyes: Arbonne colors the same as the first day I used them, just in different placement with different lids Base: Nude Frost Lids: AL sunny disposition, eye plush -- the eye plush colors are lovely... - FOTD Audrey/Smokey Eyes + bare lips I already received one compliment on this look today. Yippee! I wanted to try the Arbonne looks, while not having the Arbonne colors. You know how that goes! And this picture shows you how important...
-
FOTD AL Fyrinnae MAC Meow I had fun with this today, and I'm happy with how it turned out. I wanted to see how easy it would be to use Fyrinnae with other brands -- and I still have a... - FOTD Clarins eyes + MAC + Arbonne skin care I thought I'd use the Clarins set again, this time using the copper color on my lids. It was yucko. Seriously. I debated about taking it off and starting again, but thought it would be...
Related Websites Online Stores
May 28th, 2009 — Avon, FOTD, Foundation, Lancome, Lipstick, NYX, Primer, Revlon, Smashbox
Something simple for today and a change of pace:
Avon eyes, except where noted
No base
Lids: Mark Winkstick Demure a light gold
Lids: Mark I-Sheer Sorbet (a light lavender)
Crease: Mark Mini Mark Marina stick (green)
Liner: Mark Mini Mark Fondue (deep green cream)
Highlight: Mark Coquette light pink powder
Mascara: Arbonne 2 step
Primer: Smashbox purple
Foundation: Revlon Vital Radiance 30 shell (cool) (discontinued) — I was tired of using the Chanel all the time.
Rouge under powder:
Powder: my sparkly mix
NYX African Queen + Lancome Electric Pink
Smooshed. Not rimmed. I wanted a color that matched my shirt.
I love the way my skin is looking with the Arbonne products.
What do you think?
To buy Arbonne from Bookgirl, if you don’t have a representative, go here.
Karin
Related Posts - FOTD Clarins eyes + MAC + Arbonne skin care I thought I'd use the Clarins set again, this time using the copper color on my lids. It was yucko. Seriously. I debated about taking it off and starting again, but thought it would be...
-
FOTD Review Maybelline Emerald Smokey Eyes This is a gorgeous quad and every bit as pretty as the print ad makes it look on a woman with darker skin than me. Eyes: Base: MAC Luna, the BE Queen Phyllis, then Maybelline... -
FOTD Avon eyes + Lancome + I wanted something fast and easy -- which, of course, never quite ends as expected. Eyes: nearly all Avon Base: Avon Lilac Glace Crease and outer corners: Avon Mark I-Sheer Fondue -- This is a... -
FOTD Arbonne lip and eyes + MAC + Sherri stopped over this morning and she had more Arbonne colors, so I tried some of the colors she brought. What I like about the shadows They are easy to apply, go on smoothly, need... - FOTD Arbonne Smoky eye + Clinique lip + I wanted to try applying the Arbonne colors in the manner shown in the catalog for the Smoky Eye look, so I decided to do the colors again today. Next time I will use a...
Online Stores
April 23rd, 2009 — Bare Escentuals, Benefit, Brows, Chanel, Concealer, Dior, Eye Shadow, Eye cream, Eye liner, FOTD, Foundation, L'Oreal, Lancome, Lip Gloss, MAC, Mascara, NYX, Pencils, Primer, Rouge or blush, Smashbox, Tarte, Too Faced
This is the 3rd NYX trio palette in my amazingly cheap NYX haul.
Eyes:
TS 30 Baby Pink, White Pearl, Baby Blue
These are more my colors than yesterday’s!
Base: Lancome pink cream
Pink on my lids; Blue in the crease and lined under lower lashes; White on brow bone.
Brows: Prescriptive pencil — has a super thin lead, easy to use
Lined top: Lancome Blueberry wand
Tightlined Lined lower: Tidal Wave gel liner
Lined top and lower: Prestige Denim pencil
Mascara: Lancome Hypnose on upper; Tarte Bottom up on lower
Primer: Smashbox purple
Foundation: L’oreal N1
Rouge: Chanel stick
Powder: my sparkly mix + BE Mineral Veil as bronzer
Over powder: Benefit Georgia Peach
Blush: MAC Moon River
Concealer: Dior Skinflash
Lips: I liked this really well!
Too Faced Pink Diamond Gloss from their super Vintage sale
Rimmed with: MAC Baby Sparks Dazzler gloss
I was happy with the way this turned out. The color was nice with my denim top. And much more to my taste than yesterday.
What do you think?
Karin
Related Posts -
FOTD Easter Fyrinnae MAC 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... -
FOTD AL eyes + lips Today I was busy sorting and organizing. I only did my makeup about 5 mins ago. The theme makeup this week at AL is to use Snapdragon (beautiful blue pink)(I'm not sure I've ever used... -
FOTD Compare Covergirl to Maybelline Foundation Eyes: Base: Beauticontrol Pink Revlon Lilac Shimmer Perle (has sparks) This will be my alternate to Queen Phyllis (which is off white.) Milani #06 Royalty, also wetlined lower (remember the spark on this is only... -
FOTD L'Oreal minerals + AL + NYX A weekend look using the L'Oreal minerals that I reviewed yesterday. I reworked my eyes, I thought, from the day I wore Burnt Roses in the crease to show it is possible to get it... -
FOTD Chanel Meow AL NYX Lancome Sometimes for me, thinking about what colors I want to go toward takes more time than the execution. I knew I wanted to coordinate with the new pendants my artist daughter made for me for...
Related Websites - {Beautirati} Life in PIXI ...including Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bahrain and Ireland. Word on the cosmo-street is that people love it for its amazing textures, brilliant colouring, chic packaging and...
- Felix the Cat Face Baby Tee Felix the Cat Face Baby Tee This is an officially licensed Felix the Cat Baby Tee in which this girls shirt has been screen printed...
- Facial Exercises for Wrinkle Free Skin If you are serious about maintaining wrinkle free skin, then one of the best things that you can possibly do for your health is to...
- Good Health with a Healthy Pregnancy Diet If you are not striving to consume a healthy pregnancy diet during your pregnancy, then you may be missing some vital ingredients that are necessary...
- Beauty Regimen As I have posted in the past I am a HUGE fan of beauty products. I am willing to try just about everything, but what...
Online Stores
April 3rd, 2009 — Aromaleigh, Brows, Eye Shadow, Eye liner, FOTD, Foundation, Fyrinnae, Guerlain, Highlighting, Lip Lustre, NYX, Primer, Rouge or blush, Smashbox, Techniques
Alright, admit it. Doesn’t the name Dragon Magic just seem, well, magical! I would have had to buy this, even if I didn’t like the color, which I do.
Wow! green!!
In RL unlike this photo, the green is an exact hue to my shirt, only deeper.
Here’s what Fyrinnae says. Be sure to follow the link to see swatches of how differently Dragon Magic looks in various lights, wet and dry.
Deep charcoal with a shimmer that changes from a violety ice blue to pale green to almost gold, depending on the light.
I will definitely have to foil it later. Ha! this is later — and it is still going strong, no drifting. I took these pictures about 7 hours ago, and if my eyes look any different, it’s not by much.
Eyes
Base: Nude Frost the color adheres better with this
Lids: F. Dragon Magic
Lined Lower: F. Embrace this is a beautiful teal
Lined upper: NYX Extreme Black pen — this is as close to the Mary Kay pen that I loved as I think I will ever come. I like it a lot. Very easy to apply, just wet enough.
Brows: Merle Norman duo powder
Mascara: Guerlain Maxi-lash on top, the little mini from Le2 on the lower lashes
Now, seriously — seriously! — do you see any reason why I would ever have to use a carbon color for the base to deepen a color?? I am so pale that colors look dark enough on me as it is. More than dark enough.
My take: I am going to reverse the colors the next time. I think Embrace would be gorgeous and dark enough on my lids; then use Dragon Magic for lining. I asked Book Girl if I should take it off and do just that, and she said no, it was a perfect match to my shirt.
I really did fade it out, though it is hard to see here. Once it looked like nothing was left on the brush (I used Aromaleigh’s FO again), there was still product on the brush. I just tapped it around to fade it up and out.
This is a very dramatic, almost shocking, look for me for day. I would reserve it for evening. I don’t know how it works to apply Fyrinnae’s shadows on top of each other, to vamp up for evening. Will have to try that with a lighter color.
Again, I am extremely surprised how easy these are to apply. They pat on evenly. There is no blotching. They feel soothing and calming to me on my lids.
In order of application:
Primer: Smashbox, the apricot one (not color correcting)
Foundation: Revlon Vital Radiance
Cheeks, under powder: Nars stick
Powder: my sparkly mix
Lips: Fyrinnae Lollipop-pop Lip Lustre — beautiful orchid color, smashing! See more colors here.
Over powder, up center of face: Smashbox duo primer, using only the shimmery
Blush: MAC Dollymix
Wow Green!! but still fun!
Karin
Related Posts -
FOTD Sunday I was matching my top, which is a serendipitous match to a wonderful wrap skirt/dress from Las Vegas. They sell these wraps in several places, including inside and outside the mall and by the Venetian... - Review Prime Time Updated to include my review of Hourglass primer (and comparing it to Chanel's Illuminating Base.) And also as a reminder about the value of using a primer. To prime or not to prime, that is...
-
FOTD Take 4 AL + NYX + All the colors are the same except for placement. I like this a lot. The first day and today are my faves so far, though I might have liked yesterday's better, if I'd had the... -
FOTD Max Factor + MAC + Revlon + Beauté + Aromaleigh These are oldie but goodie colors from MF. Originally I saw these on a woman with brown eyes and the colors were so striking on her that I wanted them for me. But her skintone... -
FOTD Fyrinnae It isn't often that I'm at a loss for words, but truly no words can describe the superlatives I feel from the first try of this line. I was surprised at how easy it was...
Related Websites - Burberry Summer Perfume Review This is a review of the Burberry Summer perfume; a perfume intended for use by women and created by the Burberry design house. If you...
- Bond No. 9 Chinatown Perfume by Bond No. 9 The Bond No. 9 Chinatown Perfume by Bond No. 9 is a unisex perfume fragrance, which means that it was designed specifically to suit both...
- Color, font, and effect themes Styles can automate the formatting of individual objects, but you can also apply overall themes to the entire presentation to change all of the formatting...
- How to Fix Car Rust /caption]Now one enjoys the sight of rust on their car, especially if they ever have plans to re-sell it as a used car. The better...
- Makeup LOTD: Holiday Tinsel Green 2009 LOTD - The look is a play on the smokey eye, except it has lots of green in it....
Online Stores
March 23rd, 2009 — Aromaleigh, Brows, Cosmetics, Estee Lauder, Eye Shadow, Eye liner, FOTD, Foundation, Girlactik, La Prairie, Lip Gloss, Mark, Mary Kay, Mascara, Meow, NYX, Pencils, Primer, Rouge or blush, Smashbox
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.
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:
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
Related Posts -
FOTD Lancome Meow MAC I was really happy with the way this turned out and how easy it was to do. This is the first time I've used these Meow colors. I love being able to try so many... -
FOTD Fyrinnae eyes + NYX lips + New shape of eyes again! This was a super easy, simple summer look! Only one color of shadow. I just love the way this turned out. Could it be that one color will be enough... -
FOTD Sunday AL Eyes + I thought I would go for very simple because it is Sunday. You can see how good my skin looks in one day with Arbonne. I'm not sure I look this pale in RL, compared... -
FOTD Meow AL Eyes, Zalan lips The lips are a match for my shirt, only deeper, not as red as they show up with flash. IdealEyes description My view: They are pearlized, not frosted, with a high sheen, so I felt... -
FOTD Mary Kay eyes I did this look yesterday, but I didn't have time to post it. I was very pleased with how it turned out and felt I looked great all day. All my pictures turned out well...
Related Websites Online Stores
March 13th, 2009 — Aromaleigh, Bare Escentuals, Brows, Cosmetics, Dior, Eye Shadow, FOTD, Highlighting, Lancome, Lip Gloss, Lipstick, MAC, Meow, Merle Norman, Mineral, NYX, Primer, Rouge or blush, Smashbox
This is the first time I’ve used Meow minerals. It won’t be the last. I bought samples, not full sized, in order to try more colors out. I am impressed.
I used my new brush from Aromaleigh. Ultra-Posh Black Silk Fiber Optic Oval Eyeshadow Brush for Mineral Cosmetics Price: $10.95
That was fun, and it’s a wonderful brush. Buy one, right now, if you don’t have one.
The colors went on perfectly. A good brush makes you feel decadent in the nicest possible way.
Eyes all dry:
Base: Beige mix minerals over light pink Dior cream
Crease: Scandal Eyes Watergate — first thing I applied and it was gorgeous! Went on easy, smooth as silk, beautiful consistency, with no grabbing.
Lids: Scandal Eyes Nicole S. — beautiful on! I didn’t know if it would show up, looking at the ziplock.
Lined top: Vandal Eyes Handcuffed
Lined lower: MAC graphblack in water line, with earthline below it; below that NYX Raven glitter jumbo pencil (I’ve got better.)
Brows: Merle Norman powder
Mascara: all Lancome; Top, Cils primer followed by Hypnose; Lower: Definicils
Highlight/Primer: Smashbox Hybrid 2 in 1 over foundation under my glimmer powder mix.
These are gorgeous colors:
I can think of several people these would be beautiful on. (Robyn, you are one.)
Blush: Masterpiece Water Lilies
This was one I chose.
Bronzer: Intense Medium
This was sent as a free sample. It is definitely FJW for me with my coloring. Just enough color to it. I do not use Bare Escentuals bronzers. This is a much prettier color. I bet their others are too. I do use BE radiance colors.
Lips: MAC pink treat lip pencil; Plum Dandy Lipstick; Lovechild lipgloss
This was very bold when done in a makeover. I had to tone it down some. Today it started out toned down. Maybe I should layer it up.
How does Meow compare with BE or AL?
Based on what I’ve tried today, it compares favorably.
I like all three brands. Each has a different look and feel.
I’ll know better on my second try and if I use this eye shadow brush with the other brands.
What do you think of my look?
Karin
Related Posts - Discuss: 10 Beauty Mistakes That Add 10 Years How about continuing to mention those things that are not flattering as we age. I know I feel this way when I see it on other women. Either we are doing it ourselves or we...
- Tools of the trade: Brushes There are a number of brushes you need in your arsenal in order to apply your colors in the best possible and easiest way. In general, I like real hair brushes, except for ones that...
- FOTD Meow Lancome Eyes Too Faced gloss 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...
-
FOTD AL eyes + Arbonne lips + Meow blush + I love Aromaleigh shadows; they are just beautiful. I'm not sure I've ever worn this sample (Dew) before, but it looked like it matched my T so I decided to try it. It almost looks... -
FOTD Aromaleigh teals + lippie 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...
Related Websites Online Stores
March 13th, 2009 — Cosmetics, Highlighting, Primer, Review, Smashbox
Smashbox makes a number of smashing primers, pun intended. This is their newest in the lineup, and from what I know, it is a limited edition.
The container is elegant. The glimmering highlighter is encased in its own container centered within the container that holds the clear primer.
The highlighter is gorgeous, and only takes the smallest amount to be effective. I apply it over my foundation, not under it.
Here’s the trouble with the container — or maybe not
It doesn’t feed up through one opening. There are two openings.
The problem with that is that it doesn’t feed up evenly. That is also a plus because the product is not mixed together and you can control how much of each product you use.
How to solve it
If the SA at Sephora had not shown me how the products feed up, I would have been at a loss.
She suggested covering one hole with your finger to get the product you want, if it feeds unevenly — which it does.
It’s a little inconvenient to do that, but in the scheme of things it works better that way.
I used it today as highlighter up the middle of my face, before my famous glimmer powder mix.
Keep or return?
It’s a toss up only because of the way the tube feeds. It would have been better to sell the highlighter separate — or with the other, but as separate tubes.
But the color is absolutely fab. I have nothing like it.
If you want one, get it before they are gone. Just remember the packaging will irritate you, even as you admire it. You will love the color.
Karin
2 for inconvenient tube
5 for inconvenient tube because you can control how much highlighter
5 for color
$$$ but you get what you pay for
Related Posts -
FOTD Ulta mineral shadows I was really pleased with how this turned out. Eyes: Base: L'Oreal Sapphire Crystal cream, then beige sparkly mix I tried to do it without the mix, but I could tell it was going to... -
Review: NYX Diamond Sparkle lip gloss Oh, yummy, is all I can say. You can't go wrong for $4. When I made my recent trek to an Ulta, I bought two colors (they had very little selection and do not sell... -
Review:Beauté Luminous Volume Glosses When I first read about Beauté Luminous Volume Glosses, I went to the website, got caught up in all the colors, and watched all the videos. I loved the lip technique, as anyone who's been... - Adieu Tattoo I think this product has to qualify for product name of the year, if there is such a category for cosmetics. Every time I see this name, it makes me smile. I think it is...
- FOTD Clarins eyes + MAC + Arbonne skin care I thought I'd use the Clarins set again, this time using the copper color on my lids. It was yucko. Seriously. I debated about taking it off and starting again, but thought it would be...
Related Websites - My Magazine Reading List In addition to books, I enjoy reading a few magazines as well. I dont subscribe to a lot, as I find there are very few...
- The Fragrance Of Scented Geraniums Ideal plants for those value fragrance rather than color, are the scented-leaved geraniums. These offer a combination of pleasant perfumes and a wide variety of...
- Cute Country Landscaping Ideas If you are designing a country garden landscape, you are probably already aware of the fact that there are an endless myriad of different things...
- Money Making with Sponsored Reviews - Bloggers And Advertisers View Sponsored Reviews, one of the best money making program especially for bloggers who are writing product reviews. Reviewing the products or services in your blog...
- Corporate Blogging Made Easy One of the best ways for a company to reach out to their customers and build a strong brand is corporate blogging. However, there are...
Online Stores
