Rust Effect (MAC/UD/Naked)

FACE:

• Embryolisse Emulsion Hydra-Mat
• Hourglass Veil Primer
• Becca Foundation 'Nude'
• BenNye Loose Powder 'Banana'
• Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer 
• Clinique Cheek Pop 'Peach Pop'
• Shades by Gal 'Sunlit' to highlight
• Skindinvia Makeup Spray 'All Day'

EYES:

• MAC Pro Longwear Concealer (primer/base)
• Urban Decay Smoked Palette e/s 'Kinky' (entire lid)
• MAC limited Quad Call Me Bubbles-
• 'Brash' on lid
• 'Full of Flavour' on and above crease
• 'Call Me Bubbles' highlight under brow bone and inner tear lid

• Urban Decay Smoked Palette e/s 'Backdoor' on outer crease (blend, blend and blend)

• Naked Cosmetics (pigment) 'Urban Rustic/UR#02' over 'Brad' e/s on the lid
•  MAC liquid liner in black
• Benefit Mascara 'They're Real!'

LIPS:

• Armour lip gloss 'Foxy'

 

BH Cosmetics 'Take Me To Brazil' Palette

I love my palette 'Take Me To Brazil' from BH Cosmetics.  

First of all, the packaging is beautiful and colorful, the cover is hardboard and it comes in 30 pigmented colors.  The colors are mix with matte and shimmer.

BH is having a sale RIGHT NOW!!  This palette is at $7.95
http://www.bhcosmetics.com/ 

FACE:

• Embryolisse Emulsion Hydra-Mat
• Hourglass Veil Primer
• Becca Ultimate Coverage Complexion Foundation
• MAC Studio Concealer NC30
• Hourglass 'Diffused Light' Powder 
• Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer  
• Clinique Cheek Pop 'Peach Pop'
• Shades by Gal 'Sunlit' to highlight
• Skindinvia Makeup Spray 'All Day'

 

EYES:

• MAC Pro long wear concealer on lid (primer)
• Urban Decay e/s 
• 'Pink' shade on lid (1st row/1st color left side)
• Purple (1st row/L to R - last color) on crease sweeping it above
• Plum/Purple (3rd row/L to R - last color) on crease to give definition
• 'Lilac' (4th row/L to R - last color) above the crease to brow bone
• 'White' under brow bone as a highlighter
• Benefit 'They're Real!" Mascara 

LIPS:

• Kat Von D Everlasting Love Liquid Lipstick 'Mau5'

Holy Grail Foundation - BECCA

Foundation:  
Becca Cosmetics - it's perfect!
 

BECCA Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme

OMG, where do I begin?!?!?!  Ok, I was watching a video on YouTube about a full coverage yet LIGHTWEIGHT foundation from Becca. I immediately thought of Kat Von D. - Lock-It Tattoo Foundation.  K.V.D's foundation is full coverage but feels heavy at least for me on the skin.  Overall, it gives a flawless application. 
*Recommendation - if you have never tried K.V.D, I suggest for you to get color match and ask for a sample before purchasing it.  

About the brand:
Becca is a brand from Australia and it's sold in most Sephora's and Macy's.  It's an amazing brand with great products.  

About the Foundation:
This foundation gives full coverage yet it's lightweight on the skin because it contains a mix of water and pigment.  It covers most skin imperfection such as acne, acne scars, dark spots, etc. It also hydrates the face, which helps the application lasts a long time without any need of reapplying and not clogging the pores.  The packaging is in a bottle that has a pump.  It contains 30 ml/1.0 oz, comes in a range of 20 colors (light to deep complexion) and retails at $44.00.  This does have a smell not so pleasant but manageable.  It's describe to be used on any skin types.     

How to Use:
All you need is 1 pump, which will cover your entire face and neck.  This foundation dries nicely BUT quickly so you must BLEND FAST!  I like to use my beauty blender (as an alternate tool you can use a large non-latex damp sponge).  If you're a "take my time" gal then using a brush of your choice to help blend the foundation evenly and then go over with your beauty blender.  I also like to use my Sigma F84 or Sedona Lace FB07 brush to apply.   

PROS:
In addition to providing full coverage and not feeling heavy on the skin the BEST part for me and all eye glasses users is for the first time I found a foundation that stays on my skin and not on my glasses. Amazing!  
*I'm in the color "NUDE" (MAC NC30)

CONS:
This foundation is not for someone who suffers with large pores.  Benefit PoreProfessional helps reduce the appearance of pores.

http://www.sephora.com/ultimate-coverage-complexion-creme-P384640?skuId=1576305 

Also, check out Dani's review on the product.  She's awesome!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vjafb67Z6U8&list=UUEjBWzcw_3h8rnGsMyFfcEQ

Get Ready w/me on New Year's Eve

Hi.

The color I used on my lid was not properly captured on camera.  I used a pretty glitter called 'Pink' from O.C.C but it looks 'orange.'

Let's get started:

Eyeshadow Shield - great to use when applying glitter

After applying my primer and base, I applied UD e/s 'Freestyle' from the Smoked palette all over my lid.

Urban Decay SMOKED Palette

Next, I used MAC e/s 'Saddle' to sweep back and forth on my crease with MAC #224 brush.  I have been loving this eyeshadow as a "transitional" color. 

MAC e/s 'Saddle'

 

The next color is a discontinued eyeshadow called 'Twig' from Stila using a crease brush.

 

Stila 'Twig' eyeshadow

 

I applied a pink e/s from BH Cosmetic 'Take Me to Brazil' palette on my lid.

BH Cosmetic 'Take Me to Brazil' Palette

And last, I applied 'Pink' glitter from O.C.C using Liquid Sugar from Eye Kandy Cosmetic on my lid.

Eye Kandy Liquid Sugar and O.C.C 'Pink'

This is the final look (well actually this was at the end of the night for me).  I added Velour Mink lashes in 'Doll Me Up;' Miliani Lip Liner 'Haute Pink'; and Eve Pearl lipgloss 'Baby Doll.' 

My son Ethan bought me a purple hair clip for Christmas that I love. 

New Year's "Clear Water"

FACE:

• Skindinavia 'No Glow'
• Embryolisse Emulsion Hydra-Mat Cream
• Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
• Make Up Forever HD Foundation #127
• Eve Pearl Concealer Treatment 'Med/Tan'
• Hourglass Powder 'Dim Light'
• Hourglass Powder 'Incandescent Light' (highlight)
• Tarte Blush 'Park Avenue Princess' (Contour)
• Nars Blush 'Sin' 

EYES:

• Too Faced Eye Shadow Insurance Primer 
• Urban Decay/Smoked Palette 'Kinky' e/s (all over the lid) 
• MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot 'ClearWater' (on lid & crease)
• O.C.C. Loose Pigment 'Jubilee' (on the lid)
• BH Cosmetic/Take Me to Brazil Palette (dk teal e/s on crease sweeping back & forth)
• BH 'dk purple' e/s on the outer crease creating a "v" and smoking it out
• BH 'white sparkle' e/s under brow bone (highlighter)

 

LIPS:

• NYX Lip Liner 'Prune'
• Urban Decay Lipstick 'Rush'
• Maybelline '045 Amethyst Potion'

My 2013 BEST Products

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

I want to share what have been my best 2013 products, which covers skin, nails, tools and of course MAKEUP :)

Lets begin!  Click the link in () to see pictures and read further information.

Skin Care:

• Clarisonic Mia 2 (Clarisonic Mia 2)
• Lush - Mask of Magnaminty (Mask of Magnamint)
• Mario Badescu Cleanser (Cleanser)
• Mario Cucumber Cleaning lotion (Lotion)
• Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil (J.M Cleanser)

I use my clarisonic machine with my cleanser (Mario Badescu or Josie Maran) during the weekdays especially if I am wearing makeup (it helps remove all the bacteria and oil from the skin that can clog the pores); followed with Mario Badescu Cucumber Cleaning Lotion (toner); During the weekend, I repeat the same steps except I use my Lush mask instead of my Clarisonic (never use a Clarisonic with any cleanser that has pebbles).

Moisturizers:

• Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre'
• Urban Decay Naked Skin Beauty Balm (Urban Decay)
• Eve Pearl Priming Moisturizer Treatment with Astaxanthin (Moisturizer)
• Eve Pearl Fx HD Primer Moisturizer (HD Fx Primer)
• Josie Maran Argan Infinity Creamy Oil (Creamy Oil)

Primers:

• Tarte Cleanslate Poreless (Tarte)
• Benefit Porefessional (Benefit)
• Hourglass Veil Mineral  (Hourglass)

Tarte and Benefit works the same.  The difference is the consistency.  Hourglass works amazing yet pricey.

Anti-Shine:

• Eve Pearl Anti-Shine Mattifying Gel (Eve Pearl)
• Eve Pearl Invisible Finish Powderless Powder (Eve Pearl)
• Embryolisse Hydra-Mat (Hydra-Mat Emulsion) (Embryolisse)
• Skindinavia No Glow (Skindinavia)

I recently changed my routine when applying anti-shine.  Now, I spray 'No Glow' and wait until it  dries.  Then mix Hydra-Mat and a primer and apply to my face followed with foundation, etc.  This helps me throughout the day, but if I need touch up I'll use E.P Finish Powder.



Foundation:

• Eve Pearl HD Liquid Foundation Treatment (Eve Pearl)
• Make Up Forever HD Invisible Cover Foundation (Make Up Forever)
• Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid (Neutrogena)

I love to use Eve Pearl during the Summer.  It's not heavy and works beautifully.  During Fall and Winter, I like to use MUFE and Neutrogena especially when my skin begins to dry.

Concealers:

• Eve Pearl Salmon Duo Concealer w/Astaxanthin (Eve Pearl)
• MAC Studio NC30 (MAC Studio)
• MAC Pro Longwear NC20 (MAC Pro Longwear)

I like to use MAC Pro Longwear and Eve Pearl to highlight; MAC Studio and Eve Pearl to cover 'flaws' like acne, acne scars and redness; and E.P to contour.

Powder:

• Cargo Blu_Ray HD (Cargo)
• MAC Prep & Prime Transparent Finishing Powder (MAC)
• Ben Nye Luxury Powder 'Banana' (Ben Nye)
• Hourglass Dim Light Palette (Hourglass)

These powders are used to set foundation.  I use all but my recent favorite is Hourglass 'Dim Light.' I got the limited palette for Christmas and have been using it everyday.

Bronzer:

• MAC Limited 'Darkly My Dear'
• MAC Limited Pro Longwear 'Nude on Board'
• MAC 'Blunt' (MAC)
• Tarte 'Park Avenue Princess' (Tarte)

Blush:

• Stila Convertible Cream Blush 'Gerbera' (Stila)
• Eve Pearl HD Cream Blush 'Ruby' (Eve Pearl)
• Nars 'Sin' (Nars)
• illamasqua 'Hussy' (illamasqua)
• Tarte - all

Eyebrows:

• NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder in 'Blonde'
• MAC e/s 'Cooperplate' and 'Brown Script'
• MAC Brow Clear Gel

Highlighters:

• MAC Extra Dimension Skin Finish 'Whisper of Gilt' and 'Superb' 
• The Balm 'Mary Lou Manizer'
• Hourglass 'Incandescent Light'  

 Palette:

• Hourglass Limited Ambient Lighting  (HG)
• Tarte Limited Off the Cuff Cheek (Tarte)
• Urban Decay 'Smoked' (U.D)
• BH 'Take Me to Brazil' (BH)
• Kat Von Quad Limited 'Star-Crossed'

Eye Primer/Base:

• Too Faced Eye Primer Potion (T.F)
• NYX Jumbo Pencil 'Milk' (NYX)
• Maybelline Color Tattoo (Maybelline)

Eyeshadow:

• MAC 'Saddle'; 'Brown Script'; 'Swiss Chocolate'; (MAC)
• Naked Cosmetic (Naked)
• O.C.C 'Jubilee' (O.C.C)
  

Lipstick/Lipglass/Liner:

• Urban Decay Revolution lipstick 'Rush' (U.D)
• Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick (KVD)
• Maybelline New Vivid Lipsticks (Maybelline)
• Maybelline NEW Color Elixir™ by Color Sensational '045 Amethyst Potion' (Maybelline)
• Eve Pearl 'Baby Doll' lipgloss (E.P)
• NYX lip liner 'Prune' (NYX)
• MAC 'Ruby Woo'; 'Ablaze'; 'Rebel'; (MAC)
• Mario Badescu Lip Wax (M.B)

Nail Polish:

• Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetic (O.C.C) 
• Zoya
• MAC
• Essie  

Tools/Brushes:

• E.P Pro Duo Mixing Palette (E.P)
• Eye Boutique Shadow Shield (E.B.S)
• Crown Brushes:
• Infinity Series (C.B) 
• Blending Brush (C.B)
• 15 Brush Set (C.B) 
• Crown Brush Tube Case (C.B)
• Real Techniques (R.T)
• Eve Pearl #107, #110, #116 (E.P)
• Sigma 'F84' (Sigma)
• Beauty Blender 'Black' (B.B)

Last Minute Gift Suggestions for the Holiday

Unbelievable that Christmas is in 2 days, yeah!!!! :)

Here are last minute suggestions (good luck):re we go:

Target:  ALL are LIMITED EDITION

 

ELF 10 Brush Collection for $10.00 (on sale for $9 until 12.14.).  This is a set of brushes for the face and eyes.  Great deal!

ELF 32 eyeshadow Palette for $6.00 has multiple colors and can be used for an everyday look.  The palette is a medium size.

ELF Shimmer Gloss for $5.00 comes with 4 colors.

ELF 18 eyeshadow palette is small enough to carry in your purse and a duo brush applicator enclosed. It retails for $5.00.

Click on the link below to see more ELF's Holiday Collection - the line has more palettes and nail polishes sets.
http://www.target.com/p/e-l-f-holiday-sets/-/A-1470127This is my favorite from Sonia Kashuk - a BEAUTIFUL 10 piece brush set starting with the packaging in GOLD!!!  This brand is well made and affordable.  The set retails for $29.99

Sonia Kashuk 'Emerald Jewel' Cosmetic Bag is Gorgeous!!!  The color is such a tease and has 2 layers.  This retails at $16.99

Earmuff headphones....isn't this great!!!  You can still listen to music while staying warm and stylish.  It's super cute.  This retails for $15.00.  It comes in different colors:
http://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=headphones+earmuffs&category=0|All|matchallpartial|all+categories&lnk=snav_sbox_headphones+earmuffs

And of course the typical choices of scarves; gloves; set; hat; top; shawl; and accessories - sunglasses, earrings, necklace, set; purse/bag.  

Sephora:
The BEST time to shop at Sephora is during the holiday.  Many brands come out with sets that are affordable except it sells out quickly so if you can grab it buy it.

I immediately fell in love with this tin from Benefit Cosmetics starting with the packaging, colors, products and price.

Inside the tin you get a full size They're Real mascara, full size Porefessional Primer, travel size Sun Beam highlighter and a travel size Coralista lip gloss all for $36.00

Inside the tin (a lot of space)

Products Inside

The Top (purple with gold knob)

This is a great gift to yourself or a loved one.  You can also fill it up with additional products of your option.  The fact that this tin is reusable is perfect.  I would reuse it as a brush holder. 

Josie Maran escape to Morocco Holiday Hair & Body Beautifiers

I've always wanted to try this product but it's a bit pricey.  The 100% Pure Argan Oil alone is $48.00 for a 1.7 oz.  However, in this set you'll get travel sizes of Josie's 6 products that includes: 

• 100% Pure Argan Oil

• Argan Cleansing Oil

• Argan Infinity Intensive Creamy Oil

• Argan Oil Hair Serum

• Whipped Argan Oil Hand Cream in Vanilla Apricot

• Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter in Vanilla Apricot 

The value of this set is $68 but it retails at $39.00.  I want to try this brand for Pure Argan Oil and Whipped Argan Oil Body Butter in Vanilla Apricot that smells DELICIOUS!

Smashbox Wonder Vision

L to R: Cosmic, Sparks and Flash

Swatches of 'Cosmic' Set (sorry for he blurriness)

I am really impressed with Smashbox holiday sets this year - very nice!  This palette comes in 3 different sets and the colors are so pigmented.  The swatches above are without any primer or base.  If you can't find it in your local Sephora, shop online because it's on sale from $32.00 to $24.00.  Click on link below-
http://www.sephora.com/wondervision-eye-set-P383171?skuId=1563519 

Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder for a Natural, Healthy Glow

I LOVE Laura Mercier Cosmetics.  It's a bit on the high end but all worth it.  If you didn't get your hands on the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette that sold out so quickly, I would recommend this powder in 01 Golden Nude.  It's light on the skin and very pretty.  It comes in 4 different shades and retails for $36.00. 

Swatch of the powder (on my knuckle)

Click on the link for swatches to all 4 shades:
http://www.sephora.com/matte-radiance-baked-powder-compact-P379031?skuId=1562917&icid2=Laura_Mercier_Editors_Picks%20_P379031_link

Last, you can always get a gift card and call it a day!

Happy Holidays to you all!