Novemeber Haul from Sephora VIB (20%); Beauty.com (20%) and NuMe (65%)

Sephora had a back-to-back discount with there Friends and Family and VIB Sale (20%) in the month of November

Beauty.com was also having there Friends and Family (20%) for the month of November.

Sephora:

This bag is not as big as it seems.  I just put all my products from Sephora and Beauty.com in 1.

I shopped online twice and during one trip I didn't use the VIB discount code because combined codes were not allowed.  I wanted  this bag full of travel and sample size products. Sephora was offering 3 different types of bags with different products.

Red snake pattern plastic bag 

Too Face La Belle Carousel

The set includes 12 eyeshadows; 2 blushes; 2 bronzers and deluxe size mascara (picture above)

Although the packaging reminded me of something you would find in a 5 year old girl's room the set overall is cute.  It includes 5 mini palettes, which 2 palettes are just blush and bronzer (the reason for my purchase), 3 eyeshadow palettes that consists 4 eyeshadows per palette and a deluxe size of Better Than Sex mascara.

Another reason I purchased this product is because it was a perfect stocking stuffer.  On the back of each palette it has "To:" and "From:" that made it so easy and friendly as a gift giver.

 

I purchased the oil-gel cleanser and scrub last year and really liked it.  Therefore, I was super excited with this year's holiday set because it came with the oil-gel cleanser, beauty oil and scrub.

I'm not big on perfume and have own very few in my life because I am allergic to most scent.  Yet, I love Chloe' and bought it as a stocking stuffer.  As a makeup junkie, I had to keep Roses of Chloe' for me :)

Benefit The Porefessional Primer

No matter how many primers I have used in the past, I always return to what I consider the BEST primer!  It's a silicone primer that works GREAT to reduce large pores, it's lightweight and dissolves easily without leaving any residue.  It even smells nice. 

Caudalie Vinoperfect Anti-Aging Serum

This is an expensive brand but worth every penny.  It's an anti-aging serum that helps with dark spots, dry skin and leave your skin looking and feeling rejuvenated. 

Soap & Glory Flake Away

I have repurchased this product about 4-5 times just in this year alone.  I can't get enough!  It leaves your skin fresh and soft and it smells delicious!  

I also purchased the other Flake Away that doesn't have Shea Butter (didn't take a picture - it was a Christmas present).

Beauty.com:

 

I only picked up 2 items from Beauty.com, which of course I regret because I usually buy my M. Kores perfume and I didn't :(

The Body Shop - Xmas 5 mini body lotion set

I bought this set as a gift giver for my coworkers at work.  The packaging is so cute that I really didn't want to open it :)

Lorac Holiday  3D Liquid Lustre

I think everyone should own at least 1 of these babies!  First, I want to point out the packaging - Beautiful!!!!   It comes in a red velvet box with large gold prints.  This is a great product especially for people who loves glitter but hate to deal with fall out because it enhances your eye application without the mess.  
* The one outside of the box is a re-promo from last year's holiday set.

L to R: Opal; 24K; Rose Quartz; & Platinum

• Opal is a white iridescent color mix with blue sparkle
• 24 K is obviously a gold color
• Rose Quartz is my favorite color.  It has a silver/white and a bit of gold sparkles
• Platinum is a gun metal color 

I posted this picture on my instagram (francesortiz80) the other day.  Yes, it's a horrible and out of focus picture, but you can see the true colors.  I was having so much problems getting a good shot and I guess its because I only used a primer and should have used a shadow as a base too.  Sorry :(

NuMe

These tools are my new 2 best friends - it's just PERFECT!  Now of course the Megastar iron is my favorite since it's the tool that I would get more use out of since I have natural curly hair. However, when I do have my hair straighten, I can now curl it to my desire.

October Favorites @Sephora/MAC/Drug Store

Sephora
Many cosmetic companies launched there Holiday palette/gift sets early this year.  I love shopping during the holiday for this same reason. You get products in a set value, which is usually at a great deal.

Buxom Holiday Dolly's High Roller Collection Palette

Front

Inside

L to R: Swatches of the eye shadow; Blush; and Bronzer

Back of the box (not on the palette)

My friend Anna gave me a Sephora gift card for my birthday so I saved it for the holiday shopping.
This palette includes (names of each shadow listed in the picture above):

• 4 eye shadows (2 matte and 2 shimmer)
• 3 cheek colors (blush, highlighter and Bronzer)
• 1 waterproof eyeliner (matte black) that works perfect on the waterline and for those who have sensitive eyes
• A duo lip gloss (sultry mauve/shimmering sultry mauve) 
• Face Chart Guide (it shows you how to create 2 different makeup application)

The Palette (Pros and Cons):

• The theme is obviously based on the game POKER.  Overall, I like to design and how it is compacted.
• The palette is bulky so I thought it had a compartment or compartments (like a jewelry box) to use for storage, but it does not.  
• It's not travel size friendly only because it's a large palette (air only) but if you're traveling local it's fine
• Palette is light weight
• The colors are organized and compliments one another well for use
• I love the fact it has 4 eye shadows - 2 matte and 2 with shimmer and it compliments any skin color

Hourglass - The Indestructible Matte Liquid Lipstick in 'Icon'

Travel Size Liquid Lipstick in 'Icon'

I love liquid lipsticks and when I first saw this lip color last year I have been obsessed.  However, this brand is a bit pricey.  I was so glad to see that it came in a travel size at Sephora for $10.00.  
*The color is similar to Kat Von D Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick 'Outlaw.' Hourglass 'Icon' 

Limited Ambient Lighting Blush Palette 

L to R: Luminous Flush (champagne rose); Incandescent Electra (cool peach); & Mood Exposure (soft plum)

I was so happy when Hourglass created this palette because you get 3 blushes in a palette for the price of 1 individual.  The palette is designed the same as the powder palette released in 2013 (currently permanent).  The blush palette is limited.  It's great for people who are not "blush" users, but would like to add a bit of color on the cheeks.

MAC 
Limited Rocky Horror Pigment and Lipstick

The Box

The Packaging

Top to Bottom: I.N.E.H.A.G.T & Cranberry eye shadow

Can you tell the difference?  
The two colors are very similar so if you didn't get your hands on this limited pigment you have an alternative with permanent eyeshadow 'Cranberry'.  

The lipstick 'Strange Journey' is my ultimate favorite. It's a red/orange matte color.

Sorry for the incomplete look. I was playing with eyelashes :)

Limited Lipstick 'Strange Journey'

   Drug Store Cosmetics 

Milani - the color is so pretty more like a rose-red, but when I arrived at home the lipstick broke after I swatch it on my  hand :(

Maybelline's NEW Matte lipsticks are beautiful, but #660 Touch of Spice is the color that caught my eye.  It's a beautiful rose/plum.  The color lasts a long time on the lips, glides on smoothly and compliments any skin color. 

Halloween 2014

Zombie Bride

Every year, I allow my children to choose our Halloween theme.  This year, my son Ethan chose 'Zombie' inspired by one of his favorite movie 'World War Z."  The only thing is that Ethan had trouble keeping to one theme this year because he changed his mind about 2 times.  At last, he chose to be -

I don't know what costume is this but Ethan loved it and had so much fun this year

and I stayed with the zombie theme.  I didn't know how to go about with this look, but I knew that I wanted to have a hanging eye and I didn't want to overdo the look using massive blood. I wanted the look to be spooky yet a bit pretty.  If you're interested on how I created this then keep on reading :)

All the tools I used

I first started out with creating my eye patch using:

• Toilet tissue
• Elmer's glue stick
• Mehron Liquid Latex - Skin Color
• Cotton ball 
• Blow dryer
• Mehron Paradise Body Paint Palette
• Spatula  

-I first colored a cotton ball to create an "eye ball" by using my Mehron palette.  Once I was done, I put it on the side to allow it to dry.  
-Then, I applied Elmer's glue stick on my brows (this helps when using liquid latex on the brow hair) 
-Next, I placed layers of toilet tissue on to my face using liquid latex (be caution when applying it especially in sensitive area like your eye.  This product can burn or irritate) and spatula 
-Used a blow dryer on "cool" to help dry the wet areas
-Once dry, I removed the entire patch (I used my blow dryer again to help remove)

Now, it's time for the fun part - makeup!

FACE:
-Used the "white" color from my Mehron palette, I filled in my eyebrows
-I mixed "Lo-Fi" (discontinued) lip tar from O.C.C, grey paint from the dollar store and my EX1 foundation using a beauty blender and applied it over my face, ears and a bit on my neck.
-I set it with MAC's loose Prep & Prime loose powder
-I used MAC's eye shadow 'Fig1' to sculpt my cheeks, forehead, nose and jaw.  I added a bit of Urban Decay eye shadow 'Blackout' on my cheeks and forehead to add more dimension as well as MAC's eye shadow 'Nocturnelle'

EYES:
-MAC Pro Paint Pot in 'Paintly' as a eye base
-MAC's eyeshadow 'Fig1', 'Nocturnelle' and 'Purple Haze' and blend all over crease, above my crease and lower lash line
-Urban Decay eyeshadow 'Asphalt' from the Smoked Palette on my lid
-Inglot Matte Collection AMC Eyeliner Gel Liner #79 on lower lash line
-Neutrogena and L'Oreal waterproof mascara 2 to 3 coats on upper and lower lashes
-I placed the eye patch back over my eye using liquid latex and touched it up with the same colors used on my face and eyes.
-Used my tweezers to cut a few holes on the tissue to make it look dramatic (BE CAREFUL doing this step)
-I added the fake "eye" ball back on the eye patch
-I added blood (not too much) 
-Last, I popped in a color white contact and my zombie bride look was done

LIPS:
-Stila Kajal Eyeliner 'Onyx'
-OFRA lip gloss 'Bordeaux'

Oh, I forgot to mention that I colored my teeth using gold and black tooth paint.

A few pics on Halloween Day -

I love my skeleton hands hair clip that I purchased at Target for $4.00

Makeover - using Lorac, Urban Decay & MAC

Meet Cathy

FACE:

• Eve Pearl Moisturizer Primer
• EX1 Foundation (F200) EX1 Foundation
• Gerald Cosmetics BB Plus illumination BB Plus illumination
• NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in 'Custard' Nars Custard
• Shades By Gal 'Sunlit' (powder over custard) Sunlit
• MAC Pure Sculpture Pro Sculpture Cream to contour (discontinued)
• MAC blush 'Darkly My Dear' to bronze (discontinued)
• Tarte 2013 Blush Holiday Palette (discontinued)
• TheBalm Mary Lou Manizer highlighter
• MAC Fix + Spray

I mixed the foundation and BB Plus and blend it on her face using a black beauty blender; Next, using 'custard' to highlight the t-zone and blend with the beauty blender; using a Real Technique 'Foundation Brush' to sculpt with MAC's 'Pure Sculpture' and blend again with the beauty blender; I next used Sedona Lace FB03 brush to apply 'Darkly My Dear' blush; Sedona Lace FB05 to apply Sunlit; and MAC #188 to apply blush and highlighter.

EYES:

• Tarte Maracuja C-bright eye cream
• MAC Pro Paint Pot 'Painterly' 
• MAC Fluidline eye pencil 'Black Brillance' on lash line MAC Eyeliner
• S.L Brush #EB 21 - smudged Urban Decay e/s 'BlackOut' on the outter lid and blend with S.L Brush #EB 13
• S.L Brush #EB 11 - applied 'Nectar' e/s from Lorac Pro 2 palette
• S.L Brush #EB 09 - applied 'Lt. Brown' e/s from Lorac Pro 2 palette and MAC 'Brown Script' e/s on crease and blend, blend & blend
• S.L Brush #EB 11 - applied Lorac 3D Liquid Lustre  'Topaz' (discontinued) on the middle to inner lid and 'Diamond' (discontinued) on inner tear duct
• MAC black liquid eyeliner

LIPS:

• MAC lip liner 'Quartz' (discontinued)
• BITE Beauty 'Meritage' Bite Beauty
• Marc Jacobs lip gloss '302 Kissability' Marc Jacobs

Products Used:
Sedona Lace S.L Vortex Brushes
Lorac Pro 2 Lorac2
Urban Decay Smoked Palette - Blackout e/s
Tarte Maracuja Tarte

September - My Birthday Haul/Favorites

This is my birthday collective haul & favorites.  I began picking up my items in mid August and I also have good friends who spoiled me along the way to bankruptcy, lol.  I have become obsessed for the fall with army green, brown, plum/eggplant, cranberry and reddish/orange colors.

Footwear: 

• Sketchers Shoe

• New Balance Sneakers

Purse:

Coach

Michael Kors

Inside

Skin:

Michael Todd True Organic - Antiox Serum

As soon as I tried this on my fine lines around my mouth, I immediately saw the results.  It's amazing!  I apply it in certain areas on my face and neck during the morning prior to makeup and at night after cleansing my face.

Makeup:

• MAC

-Lips

L to R: Lipstick, Lip glass and combination

This lip combo is so pretty.  My friend Brenda bought me this for my birthday.  Thanks girl! :)

-Eyes

Fluidline Eye Pencil

L to R: 'Earth Sign' and 'Black Brillance'

I love these pencils!  It came out as limited edition with the Romancing Novel collection.  It glides on just like a fluidline (gel) and it's smudge proof.  The color 'Earth Sign' is an eggplant with a hint of brown and 'Black Brillance' is a true black.  I was told these pencils will be permanent - I sure hope so :)

Electric Cool eyeshadows

These eyeshadows also came out with the Romancing Novel Collection as limited edition.  However, it has also come out before in other collections.  I don't own one, but the color 'Coil' completely caught my attention.  It's a beautiful cooper eyeshadow.  I also bought 'Blacklit' for the hell of it, lol.  The best way to apply these shadows is by using your finger.  The texture is so soft and buttery.  It has a lot of shimmer like glitter but without dealing with fall out or too much fall out.

Mixed Eyeshadows

L to R: Natural Wilderness; Deep Fixation; Plumage; and Sketch

Swatches over no primer

Starting from left to right:

• I purchased 'Natural Wilderness' from the Natural Wilderness Collection.  It's a limited satin eyeshadow that immediately caught my attention.  The color is a beautiful brown/green with a hint of yellow undertone.  
• 'Deep Fixation' e/s was given to me.  It's a limited veluxe pearl eyeshadow, which I love!  It can be used dry or wet.
• 'Plumage' is a permanent matte blue/green eyeshadow.  I received this e/s for free with MAC's recycling program
• 'Sketch' is a permanent velvet plum/brown eyeshadow.  I also received this e/s for free with MAC's recycling program

Pro Paint Pot 'Painterly'

• NARS

I went to the NARS Boutique shop in Soho (NYC) since I had a 30% discount. I knew that I wanted 2 eyeshadows from there new Dual Intensity Collection-

L to R: Dione and Himalia

I also knew that I wanted to buy a NEW Audacious lipstick.  I intended to buy "Anna" and "Fanny" but instead I purchased -

L to R: Velvet Lip Liner 'El Agua' /Lipstick 'Dominique' and 'Vanessa'

During the NYC Makeup Show in May, I purchased Larger than Life lip gloss 'Annees Folles' that is described as a sheer violet.  I didn't own any lipstick that agreed to my taste until I met 'Dominique' which is described as a pink lilac.  The lipstick, liner and lip gloss is the perfect combination and I love it!!!!

Radiant Creamy Concealer 'Custard'

This concealer is a yellow tone for light to medium complexion.  I use it to highlight my face and LOVE IT!!!!  

•  Sephora

Sephora Eye Shadow 'Hollywood's Calling'

This is such a beautiful brown/coppery with gold particle eye shadow.    

L to R: UD 'Naked' lipstick/Nars 'Organism' lip gloss/Smashbox 'Pout' lip gloss/BITE 'Meritage' lipstick pencil/Marc Jacobs 'Kissability' lip gloss/Buxom 'White Russian' lip gloss

Do I need to say much?!  I love the fact that each product comes in a travel size.

Ardency Inn - MODSTER Manuka Honey Enriched Pigments

 

Love is the new name I have when I see Ardency Inn's eye products and that is because it's the only thing I currently own.  These intensify eye shadows are amazing!  I picked-up the two colors in the middle 'Pink Gold' and 'Royal'.  My friend Annette bought me it.  Thanks girl!

• Ulta:

Lorac Pro 2 Palette

 I know many people did swatches of this palette so I am attaching a picture below that I found -

Swatches are not done by me

Nails -

L to R: Butter 'All Hail The Queen'; 'Brown Sugar' & 'Wallis' / ZOYA 'Marney'

My friend Anna (thanks girl!) bought me 2 out of the 4.  I have never own or tried BUTTER nail polish.  Anna does and the color look so vibrant and pretty on her so I was super excited to try it.