Valentine's Day Look 1: Tickled Pink

Hey everyone! I haven't posted any looks lately cause my eczema has been acting up on my left eye and is just barely clearing up. There's still a small lil patch lingering but i wanted to get this started. I decided to do a few looks that you can wear for Valentine's day or any day actually.

When I think of Valentines day, the color pink or red comes to mind. So for the first look, I chose to go with a soft pink look all around. Something sweet and feminine, Nothing too dramatic except for the lashes but even then Ive worn lashes more intense then the ones I'm wearing here.

 

Products used: 

Face 

MUFE Mat Velvet + (40 Natural Beige)

L'oreal Magic Lumi light infusing primer mixed with foundation

Revlon Age Defying Moisturizing concealer (medium)

MUFE HD Powder

theBalm Bahama Mama bronzer

theBalm Hot Mama! blush 

Eyes 

UDPP Eden 

Inglot #353 (all over lids to brows, also to set liner on the waterline)

MAC Naked Lunch (inner 3rd of lid and lower lash line) 

MAC Expensive Pink ( middle of lid)

MAC Sushi Flower (outer half of crease) 

MAC Brun (outer corner, lower lash line) 

MAC Shroom (brow highlight)

ULTA Automatic eyeliner in deep brown (smudged on lower lash line)

MAC Fascinating eye kohl (waterline)

Physicians Formula Ultra Black 2-in1 Lash boosting eyeliner (top lash line)

L'oreal False Fiber Mascara (top & bottom lashes)

Miss Adoro Lashes #43

Brows 

MUFE Brow corrector #3 

MAC NW25 studio finish concealer to clean up the line under my brows 

Lips 

NYX Natural lip liner (filled in entire lips)

MAC A Perfect Day lipstick

Hope this will help if you're not sure how to wear your makeup for Valentine's!

Review: Revlon Photo Ready 3D Volume mascara

2 weeks ago I hauled some makeup from the drugstore and the new Revlon Photoready mascara was one of those items. It was on sale for $5.99 at CVS and there was a $3 extrabucks with purchase and of course, I couldn't pass it up. There are 3 colors available; Blackened Brown, Black and Blackest Black (the color i picked up).

I was curious because the brush looked somewhat similar to Benefit's They're Real Mascara. I've been wanting to try Benefits they're real but I'm not too keen on spending so much for a product that has such a short shelf life and I think the drugstore has plenty of Mascaras that are just as good as some high end ones. Plus most of the reviews that I've seen for They're Real are from gals who are blessed in the lash department. Which I unfortunately am not. My lashes have been healthier and more fuller then usual because I don't wear makeup everyday so they don't get the normal wear and tear as they used to before when I wore mascara all the time. They still are short and thin though so I can always use some volume and length.

some creepy close up eye pictures:

Bare lashes before

with 2 coats of Photoready 3D after

My expectations for this mascara wasn't so high because Revlon isn't really known for their Mascaras but I am impressed.  The formula is a little wet but not as wet as Maybelline The Falsies Mascara and I love how black it is. It adds a good amount of length  and some volume without clumping my lashes together.  The rounded end is great for getting into my inner lashes that most big mascara wands don't allow me to coat.  There are a few things that I didn't like but not enough to make me stay away from this mascara like how the end has a lot of product on it (which is inevitable). I experienced some slight smudging but nothing terrible like I have with L'oreal Voluminous mascara (both water proof and regular) and the wand is a little shorter then most Mascaras.

To sum it up:

Pros:

• Inexpensive ranging between $7-9 dollars depending on where you get it
• Drugstores usually have BOGO sales and combined with coupons you can get them even cheaper!
• The brush itself is great thanks to the rounded end which can get to the hard to reach lashes and bottom lashes
• Adds length and volume
• Separates and defines lashes
• Minimum to no clumping
• No flaking
• Comes off easily with makeup remover
• Doesn't Weigh down My lashes or makes them hard
• The packaging looks sleek

Cons:

• It doesn't add as much volume as I like
• Slight smudging ( but I have really oily lids and for a non waterproof formula, it didn't smudge as much as I originally expected).
• The wand is a little short and maybe be a bit awkward to hold

Overall I'm happy with this mascara and would repurchase it again.

January MyGlam Bag

If you haven't heard of MyGlam yet, you can check out their website by clicking here . To put it short, its a monthly subscription service just like Birch Box. You can also check out my December bag here if you like.

This months bag had products from companies that are "cruelty-free, organic, all natural and earthy" as stated on a flyer included in the package. Everyone received the same thing with the exception of getting a nail polish or eyeshadow from theBalm. 

 

There was a flyer with the list of products and the prices but i found them to be off or priced higher then what i saw the current selling prices for them on the Internet. The total value of my bag came up to $38.94. Price breakdown and links to where to purchase the items are listed below. 

Sheer Cover Duo Concealer in Light/Medium - $19.95

Wen Sweet Almond Mint Cleansing Conditioner 2oz. - $4.50 value, 16oz. Is $36 so I just divided it.

 

Freeman Cucumber Facial Peel-Off Masque -$4.49

theBalm Hot Ticket Nail Polish in That's Red-diculous -$10

Overall I'm pleased with this months bag. Ive been curious about the Wen hair care line so this is a nice introduction to the company. Also the nail polish I received isn't some weird color I wouldn't wear. It shows up brighter in the picture but it's a deep red. The mask i don't really care to much for but it wont hurt to try. As for the concealer, luckily the shades I received will work for me but I'm curious as to why they included it in the bag since there was no question to answer what my skin tone was so I worry for those who are darker then me cause I'd see it as a waste. I would have thought they would just have a voucher code to redeem it online so you can pick your own shade. 

Did any of you subscribe to MyGlam? What do you think of it?

Rimmel Kate Moss Lipstick #14

Last week I went to Walgreen's and I spotted the display for the new Kate Moss Lipsticks by Rimmel. There were only 5 shades available but I just wanted one, #14. Ever since I saw a swatch on the lovely MakeupAndMacaroons blog, I knew I had to have it.   I've been looking for this collection since November and when I saw it, I got excited.

swatches with no flash/with flash

 #14 is a pink/beige nude (at least that's the best way I can describe it). Just like the other lasting finish lipsticks, it has that synthetic plastic smell which dissipates shortly after applied. The packaging is cute and makes it look like a high end lipstick. I'd love to see Rimmel do away with its current packaging for the other lasting finish lippies. I LOVE how this color looks on me. With most lipsticks, I have to use lip liner or gloss just to make it work for me or look the way I want, but not with this. I think I may just get a back up cause I'm not sure if it's limited edition.

If any of you know if it is or not, please leave me a comment to let me know :)

MAC Naturally Lipsticks: A Perfect Day & Pillow Talk

Pillow Talk & A Perfect Day

About a week and a half ago I placed an order on the MAC website for 2 lipsticks from the Naturally Collection. As much as  wanted to get a few other things, I restrained myself and just got A Perfect Day & Pillow Talk. Although I'm thinking of picking up the Red Head MSF.

Here are some pics of them in the tube and hand swatches. I also took pictures of each color on my lips with no lip liner underneath or gloss on top to get the true color. Hopefully it'll be helpful for anyone especially those who are the same shade as me (NC30/35) if you are thinking of getting it. I tried to capture the color as true to life as I can.

A Perfect Day: left side no flash, right side with flash

A Perfect Day a beautiful light pink nude that I wasn't sure would work for me. I thought it was going to completely wash me out and give me that corpse look but luckily it doesn't. Maybe it's because my lips are really pigmented. Its definitely a shade that looks better suited with a darker smokey eye in my opinion but still has enough color to wear every day if you like. Although for me, I'd probably pair it with a darker lip liner underneath.

Pillow Talk: left side no flash, right side with flash

Pillow Talk is described as a midtone rosy nude on MACs website. In the tube and swatched, it looks just as described but on my lips it leans a little more brown but that may be due to the fact that i layered it a few times. It's a great everyday color and I think it would be nice nude for those with a darker skin tone.

I hope you find these swatches helpful. Did you pick up anything from the collection?

Clairsonic Mia 2

For the longest time I've been wanting to get the Clairsonic Mia but I just kept pushing it back. My skin has gotten so bad ever since I've been ill due to the stress and well, I can't cleanse and exfoliate as well because my hands get so stiff. So I told myself that I needed to take better care of my skin.

My husband didn't know what to get me for Xmas so he let just told me to pick something out. I was gonna get the original Mia but when I saw that the Mia 2 was out, I decided to get it.  We Bought it from QVC since they had a good deal on it.  It came with a 3oz. Philosophy Purity Cleanser, protective travel case, 1 sensitive brush head and a deep pore cleansing brush head. The difference between this and the first Mia is that the Mia 2 now has 2 speeds and a 1 minute pulsing T-timer to indicate when to move onto the next area on your face.

I started to use it about 2 and a half weeks ago and so far, I love it. Before I was using those facial buff sponges from target and it didn't get rid of the dry patches on my cheeks, nose and chin that seem to be more common as I get older, plus I'm not able to apply adequate pressure.  My skin feels so much softer and my foundation applies smoothly. No more unsightly dry, flaky and cakey patches!  Definitely worth the investment :)

Maybelline Color Tattoo: Tough As Taupe

Last weekend I picked up one of the new cream shadows from Maybellines new color tattoo line. I would have loved to get more but this year I'm trying to be practical with my beauty purchases. I don't want to get something on impulse just cause the color is pretty or bright. I decided on Tough as Taupe since its a neutral shade and something I now I'd put to good use.

no flash, natural indoor lighting

with flash

Tough as Taupe is a true taupe and what's unique is that it's a matte formula. I've never seen a matte taupe cream shadow before. The packaging and formula remind me of MAC paint pots. Although when I dipped my finger in it, it seemed just a bit more firm but blended out just like a paint pots. I haven't tried this on my eyes yet but this didn't budge at all on my hand. Although I'm sure the turn out will be different since I have oily lids.

Here it is compared to L'oreal hip liner, MAC paint pot and Make Up Forever aqua cream

Next to my drying painterly paint pot =(

I can't wait to use this especially with my Naked 2 palette. I'm thinking of maybe getting Audacious Asphalt and Bad to the Bronze. Did you haul any of the Color Tattoo eye shadows?

My first Jewelmint purchase : Silver Swan Bracelet

I'm sure you all heard of Jewelmint, i wont get into detail but for those of you who don't, Its One of those monthly subscription services like shoedazzle, stylemint, etc. I am not much of a jewelry person but I do get things here and there and when I first heard about Jewelmint, it didn't appeal to me. Although I've seen a few things that caught my eye but I still didn't want to pay $30 for a piece of jewelry that I cant see in person. I missed out on the Golden Goose bracelet when it came out so when I saw they released the same style but in silver and there was a 70% off code, I didn't hesitate to buy it.

The silver swan bracelet is pretty but I expected a lil more. I'm glad I only got it for 8.99. I think I'll purchase again only if there's something that really stands out to me.

Have you purchased anything from Jewelmint before?

Inglot black Friday haul and swatches

Hey everyone. I made an order from Inglot when they had their black Friday sale going on. I didn't own anything from Inglot and Everything was 15% off and free shipping so i wanted to take advantage of that since at the time, there were no Inglot stores near me. I heard they already opened a counter at the Macy's Union Square in San Francisco but I haven't gone to check it out yet, plus it's about an hour away.

Ive been meaning to post this in December but Inglot took forever with my order and they sent me a teal liner instead of a cream blush. So I had to contact them to let them know of their mistake and to send me the correct item. Let me tell you, trying to get a hold of someone at the Chelsea market store is a pain in the butt. I had to call and email that specific location because that's where my order was sent from. I placed my order the weekend after thanksgiving and it took near a month to receive my shipment. When I finally got the email notification about my order being shipped, there was just a number but no link and no info on what carrier they used for shipment. I even emailed them asking about what carrier they use but never got a reply back. Calling them was no use because it rang a couple times then went to this automated message saying their voicemail wasn't set up so I couldn't leave a message. Finally after a few emails I sent, they email me back apologizing and told me they'd send me the right items. So I finally got my other blush today after finding a note on the front door yesterday of an attempt to deliver but no one was here to sign for it. It would have been nice if Inglot had let me known who the carrier was, the estimated arrival and that a signature was required. I don't think I'll be ordering from their website anytime soon.

Sorry for the rant, I just had to get that out. Anyways I only ordered 5 shadows and 2 of their AMC Cream blushes. I just want to test out a couple of things from the brand before ordering more.  I also got a Large Zpalette to house my new Inglot shadows. On to the swatches!

Inglot rainbow #120R, Pearl #448, Pearl #439, Pearl #428 & Matte #353

Shadows were swatched over UDPP on top row and no primer on the bottom row

Inglot rainbow #120R

Pearl #448, Pearl #439, Pearl #428 & Matte #353

indoor natural lighting, no flash

with flash

Mixed, 86 swatched heavy and blended, 84 swatched heavy and blended. Taken indoors with natural light, no flash.

with flash

I didn't swatch the liner because i wasn't sure if Inglot wanted me to return it. So far, I'm pretty impressed with Inglots product quality which isn't a surprise since everyone raves about them so much. I just wish they named their products instead of this numbering system because the cream blushes and cream liners are the same size, same packaging and they have the same numbers in different products which led to them sending me the #86 cream liner instead of the #86 cream blush.

Hopefully the swatches are helpful if you plan to order online!