Too Much for the Daytime?

A few weeks ago (I know -I am the BEST blogger in the world) I wore this look to work. I was really pleased with the ELF Beauty Encyclopedia Smoky Eyes Edition that I purchased from Target for $5. It has the usual problems that a $5 eyeshadow palette would have, but overall I quite like it.






FACE:
Black Radiance primer
Eve Pearl Salmon Concealer - used under eyes
MAC MSF Natural - a very small amount dusted over face
MAC Sweet as Cocoa blush

EYES:
ELF Primer
Soft Ochre Paint Pot
ELF palette
Urbay Decay 24/7 liner on lower lashline
Can't remember what mascara

LIPS:
Rimmel l/s in Crush 202
NYX l/g in Juicy Red

HAIR:
Blown straight and pressed with a flat iron



Do you think it's too much for work? Oh well -- too late now!

I'm a Trainwreck in the Morning

The other day I was having a conversation with a co-worker who stated that she wears makeup everyday because "you don't want to see me without my makeup!" That made me realize that I wear makeup everyday too. But for the same reason?? I'm not sure.

I'd like to think that I wear makeup because I'm a product junkie and I LOVE makeup/creams/gels etc. and not necause I dont want people to see my naked face.
Sure I go naked on the weekends when I run errands, but if I'm going to work, meeting friends for lunch, going to the movies, or even the mall, best believe I have something on my face.

I don't know why this is disturbing me. Am I making a mountain out of a molehill???

In any event, I've decided to go naked more often. Even at work. Dammit I like myself and I like my skin - even those crazy yellow patches above my cheeks (what the hell are those???) and that pimple on my chin!

NYX eyeshadow look

I have been unsuccessful at getting my hands on the Urban Decay Naked Palette, so I figured I'd create a look using one of my less loved neutral palettes : NYX 5 Color Shadow - The Caribbean Collection I Dream of St Marteen

For about $8 or less you get 5 neutral, somewhat shimmery colors that can be used for everyday looks or a lil sumthin' extra.

I sometimes get questions about my hair so...In the first 2 pics I have 2 soaking wet french braids that I pinned under. In the last pic I'm rocking a sew in weave.







Does anyone have this palette? Or have you all gotten the Urban Dacay Naked palette? Do tell!

MAC CCO Find - Blue Flame

I was too excited to find MAC Blue Flame eyeshadow at my local CCO. I had been hard pressed for this since it came out with the Style Black Collection in Fall 2009.

Its a mineralized blue color that is super versatile (in my opinion). I had no problems with blending our fallout. This gets two thumbs up from me. You ladies are going to have to pay me to STOP wearing this shadow :-)

click pics to enlarge...I am wearing it over a gray base.

Wet N Wild lips

Hi Makeup Lovers!

Wow, I've been on a blogging roll so far today! I know I've been a little MIA since I've started my new gig, so bear with me :-)

After seeing a fellow bloggers FOTD which included a new WNW lipstick, I had to try it (I swear, I will buy anything you guys tell me to!) I decided to go for the truest red they had, which was shade 910D.

I like the formula - its creamy and not drying at all and stayed on for the entire night. I highly recommend Budgetistas look into these lippies.





No, I am not wearing wearing colored contacts -- my eyes just do this demonic, red eye thing in most pictures. UGH! Anywho, who has this lipstick? Let me know what you think.

Rapture FOTD

Hi Beauties - here is a FOTD from a few months ago. I'd never tried Bare Essentials eyeshadows before, but I picked one up about 4 months ago. Since it was my first experience with this brand I decided to go for the neutral, taupey shade of Rapture.

Here is what I came up with:






FACE:
NYC Bronzer in Terracotta Tan
MAC Petticoat

EYES:
Benefit Stay Don'T Stray primer
MAC GPS in Dirty
Bare Minerals e/s in Rapture
Urban Decay e/s in Zero on outer corner
MAC Dark Edges in crease
WNW soft brown color to blend
random cover girl eyeshadow to highlight
NYC black eyeliner
NYC white eyeliner on waterline

LIPS:
NYX Concealer in a Jar
MAC Perrinial High Style lipglass


I have no complaints about the eyeshadow, it's ok, nothing to write home about. Nice color, stays well,etc. but I haven't reached for it since this FOTD. What do you all think of these eyeshadows?

Lip Combo Love

When I purchased MAC's "Go For It" lipstick, I knew it was a pretty color but was unsure of how to wear it. Recently I've discovered a combo that I love!

MAC Currant lipliner + Go For It lipstick + Smashbox Ecstasy lipgloss = LOVE!

Physicians Formula for green eyes

Hi Beauties!

Happy Monday! Although this is not my Monday morning face, I wanted to show you all a FOTN from a few nights ago.

Last week I picked up a Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Shadow & Liner for green eyes. No, my eyes are not green but brown girls should understand that just because the package says one thing, doesn't mean it won't work for us.

Bloggers everywhere have reviewed this product, so I wont do so again. But I will say that I was pleased with the shadows and the results. I had a little trouble with fallout, but other than that - no problems. I will warn that this can be shimmer overload so you may want to throw in some matte shadows for good measure.

I used about 4 colors from the pallete over Soft Ochre paintpot and lined my upper lash line with a MAC Pearlglide Liner. click pics to enlarge

Most Underrated Eyeshadow - Spicy Bronze

Hi Beauties,

I have discovered another underrated eyeshadow gem...this time in the drugstore. Rimmel Glam'Eyes mono eyeshadow in Spicy Bronze. I've had this eyeshadow for about 6 months and it has been a go to shadow for everyday and smokey eye looks. It retails for under $5 and has great color payoff, minimal fallout, and blends well. Depending on the base used under the shadow, Spice Bronze can have the appearance of a golden bronze or a deeper bronze. In the pics below I used Indianwood paintpot as a base with Spice Bronze over it on the lid.

click pics to enlarge







Have any of you tried Glam'Eyes Spicy Bronze? What do you think?

I love you Milani!

Milani Lip Flash in 06 Flashy = LOVELOVELOVE!

If you love an opaque fuchsia lip that is full of creamy, glossy, glittery goodnes, look no further. The fact that this lippie is odorless and tasteless is a plus. The pics don't fully capture the amount of glitter/shimmer in this lippie, so if you are not a shimmer girl or guy - beware, cuz it's loaded.

The second pic captures the color more accurately.

Cover Girl Queen Collection concealer

Hi Beauties!

I was super excited when I spotted this new concealer for brown girls! I had heard good things about it and was anxious to try it. I usually use Lancome Maquicomplet concealer in Caramel for my under eyes circles, but I am always on the lookout for a cheaper, yet effective alternative. I picked up "Light", which is the lightest shade and made could not wait to get home and start concealing some dark circles.

Fast forward 2 days...hmmm...Okay, I cannot write a full review yet because it has only been a few days, but so far...meh. It's a little too sheer and runny for my liking and I have found myself using alot more product than I normally would. I mean, as soon and I try to blend, the stuff is gone!

I will say that after I PACK on 100 pounds of concealer and SET with some MSF Natural or Graftobian powder, the color stays pretty well. Its only been a few days, so I'll keep trying to see if I can make it work, but overall I am not impressed.

Has anyone else had this problem with Cover Girl's Queen Collection concealer? Did I get a bad tube? Am I doing something wrong? HELP! I SOOOO want to love this stuff!

I will I'll let the pictures do the talking. Cover Girl concealer on the left, Lancome on the right.

...and the winner is...

BEC!!

Congratulations and thank you for entering! I will be contacting you via email.

GIVEAWAY ALERT!

Happy Hump Day, MakeupLovers!

I am SUPER excited to have reached 70 followers and wanted to show my appreciation to all of you in the form of a giveaway. I LOVE drugstore makeup and wanted to give one of you a few of my drugstore faves.




2 Revlon ColorBurst lippes in Fushia and Soft Rose, Milani blush in Mai Tai, as well one of my favorite nail polishes from Milani and a Seche Vite base coat (especially since my CVS had them for 50% off).


How to enter:

I don't have fancy rules! lol! You must be a follower of this blog. Simply tell me what your favorite drugstore cosmetic item is and include your email address. The winner will be randomly selected and announced on Wednesday, September 15th. Good luck, ladies.

10 minute face

So I was running late for an appointment today and set a goal to do my face in 10 minutes. Since my recent brow waxing mishap, I have a little work to do on these bad boys during makeup application...therefore a 5 minute face is out of the question. Here is what I came up with:








FACE:
Rimmel Primer
Lancome concealer for under eye circles
MAC MSF Natural
NYC bronzer in Terracotta Tan
Nars blush in Angelika applied lightly with a fan brush
ELF Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in Warm Tan to highlight cheekbones

EYES:
Random natural shimmer shadow
Maybelline Great Lash
NYX Jumbo pencil in Milk on waterline ---> FAIL! I hate the way this looks!!!

LIPS:
NYX lipgloss in Juicy Red


HAIR:
twist out on damp hair, separated and fluffed. held off my face with an ouchless headband


What is your go-to 5 (or 10) minute routine?

Tanned & Bronzed

Hi Beauties!!!
I'm back from the beach with a little tan and alot of NYC bronzer! My weekend at the beach was super relaxing...hopefully I will have time to get back to the beach in the next 2 weeks before I start my new job!

I'm wearing MAC tinted moisturizer, NYC bronzer, MAC Petticoat MSF with MAC Viva Glam Gaga lipstick. On the eyes I'm rocking Urban Decay's Book of Shadows (Scratch, Underground, and Zero).

Maybelline Copper Chic Eyes

Hi Makeup Lovers!

I purchased this Maybelline Eye Studio quad quite a while ago and I ususally get looks, compliments, comments when I wear it. I thought I'd post a look I did using this quad. I used the 1st, 2nd, and 4th colors in the palette.








FACE:
Monistat Anti Chafing Gel
MAC Studio Moisture Tint
Lancome concealer
MAC Stereo Rose
MAC Marine Life

EYES:
ELF Primer
Maybelline Eye Studio in 70 Copper Chic
random browns in crease/to blend
Revlon Color Stay e/l on upper lash line
NYC white e/l on waterline
Maybelline Great Lash mascara

LIPS:
I think...NYX lipgloss??

What I'm Loving....

Currently I am loving a white waterline! It really brightens up the eye area. I've been rocking it alot lately.

Abandoned Urban Decay palette

I did this look a few weeks ago...I cant remember everything I used on my face but for my eyes I broke out an old Urban Decay palette that I haven't used in a forever. I used Scratch, Fishnet, and Ransom. I used a NYC white eyeliner on my waterline and Maybelline Great Lash mascara.

I tried to crop out the head scarf!