my eyeshadow consultant

I genuinely don't know how I stumbled upon this site but thank you, lucky stars that I did! If you are a MAC eyeshadow fan then you're going to love it too. Makeup artist Zabrena has put together an impressive directory of MAC eyeshadow combinations complete with pictures, and called it My Eyeshadow Consultant. Simply click on the name of the eyeshadow and up pops a portfolio of photos pairing that eyeshadow with other MAC shadows. I have been perusing her site for only a few days and I have come across some great combos that I am excited to try. Zabrena says that although she appreciates the artistic side of makeup her goal is to keep all her looks wearable. I find she is not afraid to use unlikely shades together which proves that thinking outside the box can create really beautiful looks. I am loving this site and have been inspired to start using a lot of my shadows in ways I hadn't thought to before.

Of course this site is most helpful if you have an extensive collection of MAC shadows, but with the pictures Zabrena provides you can see the colors she uses and find dupes from your own collection to recreate the look. This site could also be used to help you decide which eyeshadows to buy when you walk into MAC and feel overwhelmed at the collection. Zabrena is expanding her site to include Urban Decay eyeshadows with what seems to be a heavy focus on the Naked palettes.

If you choose to do so you can pay a small fee and register with the site which will give you exclusive access to more eyeshadow combinations, newsletters, email replies and for another fee - even one on one Skype time with Zabrena. I am impressed with the extent she has gone to to provide inspiration for us makeup lovers.

Why are ya still here? Hustle on over there and I hope you have some time cause you're going to need it!

A look inspired by Zabrena using Greensmoke and Patina. I have had Greensmoke for quite a while yet I rarely reach for it. Using it in this way gave me a new love for it. I enjoy rediscovering shadows I already have in my collection. I hope this site can be useful to you too.

remember Sleek Storm? FOTD

It has been so long since I’ve said anything about the Sleek Storm palette. It’s been so long since I’ve used the Sleek Storm palette. I blame that Naked couple in my bathroom.

After perusing through some old My Funny Valentine’s posts I came across her review of the drugstore favorite and remembered why I love it so much. It really is great quality for such a great price. I dusted the old friend off and created this look. I’ve been sticking to neutrals so much lately I decided to add a punch of slate blue to the outer V and crease with blue eyeliner on my waterline.

I was once again impressed by these Sleek eyeshadows. Their pigmentation and finish is really something you would find in high end makeup. If you have wine taste on a beer budget this is a great find! Sleek cosmetics give you an opportunity to wear incredible makeup without breaking the bank. I would love to try some of their blushes and pout polishes. I'd like to explore this line some more. What are your favorite Sleek products?

keeping it real FOTD

Ya know what, it doesn’t happen all that often but there are some days I don’t put makeup on. You may find it silly but even when I am doing nothing more than folding laundry in my basement I like having a full face done. What kind of makeup addict would I be if that weren’t the case uh? Applying makeup is a hobby and an enjoyable part of my day. Having said that I sure love… that wasn’t enough emphasis – LOVE the days I don’t have to drag my tired body to the bathroom to wash my makeup off before going to bed. I refuse to sleep in makeup. Gross. But that's just me.

Yesterday was one of those days. My morning got away from me and before I knew it it was bedtime and I could just brush my teeth and climb into bed. That sounds lovely despite the fact that it was because I looked like this all day. Bare face, unkempt hair, and glasses. Ah well. My husband is a lucky man you say?

I thought I’d share because even in this makeup addict’s life there are days I just couldn’t be bothered. And it feels pretty good.



Do you wear makeup every day? And tell me, do you wash it off before bed?

Naked2 FOTD and what I think so far

Since I shared with you the thrill of receiving this palette I thought I had better give you an idea (I’m not joking I just typed eyedea…) of how the Naked2 palette transfers onto the eyes. This is a simple look using a few of the new shades I am loving.

I started with my Urban Decay Primer Potion and then added Painterly paint pot to give the look a neutral base. I applied Suspect all over the moving lid with Half Baked in the center. I added Snakebite to the crease and carried it under the eye. I blended the edges with MAC Blanc Type and added Blacktrack gel liner on top and Maybelline Unstoppable liner (which btw is not unstoppable) to the waterline. I finished it off with Maybelline Volum’ Express Turbo Boost mascara.

I know this is a lot of pictures but I wanted to catch the shadow in different lights to give you the best idea of how it looks.

click any photo to enlarge

The shadows in this palette, not unlike the original Naked, are very smooth and easy to use. They are highly pigmented and the shimmery shades have a beautiful finish. Like Sidecar in the first palette I find Chopper to have unnecessarily large shimmer with annoying fall out, but having said that, the shade is pretty and it is something that can be dealt with using a good primer and proper application. I found a surprise love in Bootycall, a shade that didn’t catch my eye at first. It is a frosty cream color that has such depth on the eye. It looks beautiful as an all over lid color or as a highlight. I am still experimenting with different combinations and looks but have found some real favorites here as well. As I said, so far so good!

On the rest of my face I used:
MAC Face and Body foundation
MAC Pro Longwear concealer in NW15
MAC Refined Golden bronzer (which I think is too red for my fair skin, I’m still deciding)
MAC Soft and Gentle MSF to highlight
MAC Hue lipstick (have I mentioned how much I love this shade?)

Dior FOTD

I rave a lot about my Urban Decay Naked palette and about the numerous MAC eyeshadows I own, but I have neglected to mention another one of my favorites – my Dior eyeshadow compact. I hadn’t used any Dior cosmetics until I took my makeup artistry course last year. There’s a reason this line is high end. With one application I knew I was in love, and in trouble. The first Dior product I own is an eyeshadow quintet called Earth Reflection 609. The quality is what you would expect for something with a price tag of $59. Words like smooth, buttery and silky all come to mind, it's a beautiful product.

Dior 5 colour eyeshadow in Earth Reflection 609 

clockwise from top left - gold, taupe, champagne, dark brown, icy pink middle
without and with flash


The colors in this quintet are quite shimmery yet I find them very wearable. They are highly pigmented while being natural and soft. From this compact alone you can create a light daytime look or add drama for an evening out. It's a great compact for travel as it's all you'd need.

I have had this compact for over a year and although it's not one I use constantly it is a little treat to pull out every so often. I have been reaching for it more and more lately and find that it does offer something special to my makeup collection. With a hefty price tag I don't expect everyone to run out and purchase one but if you have the chance to use a Dior eyeshadow I recommend the experience.

In this FOTD I used the light brown all over the lid with the dark brown in the crease. I extended those same colors onto the bottom lid and then blended a little of the gold color over the center of my eyelid and then over the inner corner. I skipped eyeliner on the upper lid but lined the waterline with a black pencil. I like to use the lightest champagne color as a cheekbone highlighter. It's not too shimmery and adds a beautiful glow to the face.

 

Face

MAC Face and Body foundation 

MAC MSF Natural in Light Plus

MAC Powder Blush in Well Dressed

Dior champagne eyeshadow to highlight

Eyes

Dior 5 colour eyeshadow in Earth Reflection 609

Maybelline Unstoppable eyeliner on waterline

Loreal Voluminous mascara

Lips

MAC Hue lipstick (my current favorite My Lips But Better color)

NYX Champagne and Caviar FOTD

At the beginning of the year I purchased two NYX 10 color palettes from Ebay. It is difficult to find NYX cosmetics where I live and I had been wanting to try a few things from their line. Judging by the online photos (which is always a gamble) I purchased Champagne and Caviar and Bohemian Rhapsody.

I shortly thereafter purchased my Urban Decay Naked palette so obviously my NYX palettes (and pretty much every other eyeshadow I own) were left very much ignored. This week I dug out the Champagne and Caviar palette (I gave the Bohemian Rhapsody palette to my sister) to give it a chance to prove itself. I am actually really happy with it's offering. The palette consists of shades of brown, taupe, champagne with a white, black and a little pop of pink. They are decently pigmented yet I do find a few of the shades to be a bit chalky but nothing that a good primer can't handle.

Swatches are in the same order as the palette above. I took them in direct sunlight and see now that they are a little washed out. I hope you get an idea of the shades and the beautiful shimmer.

I did a FOTD using the color on the top row, second one in, all over my moving lid. I used the shadow on the bottom row, third one in, in my crease and blended upwards. I used the white in the inner corners of my eye and under the brow as a highlight. I finished off the eye with MAC fluidline gel liner in Blacktrack and heavy mascara.

I used my UDPP and the color lasted all day without any shifting or fading. I am impressed with this little palette and feel like with the shades provided a lot of different looks can be created. I don't think it's a dupe by any means but if you don't want to shell out the moola for the Naked palette I think this could satisfy the need for a great neutral eye palette. I say give it a try!

What NYX products have you tried?

showing Vex some love

As I said our camera passed away before we left, so when I found these photos I forgot to post a while back I decided to throw them up now as my posts have all been pretty wordy lately.

When I get asked what my favorite MAC eyeshadow is I can never give a final answer. I usually end up giving a list of about 6 and then another 12 honorable mentions. One that definitely makes the top of the list every time is Vex. It is just such a fun and unique color that is easy to wear and to pair with other colors. The MAC website calls it beige, with pink/green pearl and it shows as a beautiful shimmery iridescent color. It's a versatile color that compliments many shades, I wear it with purples and pinks, greens or brown and darker greys or black. Really, I wear Vex with everything. One of my favorite combinations is Vex with Sketch - a dark purple, burgundy color. I love how they compliment each other and how the Sketch pulls out the pink in the Vex.  Anyway, here's a FOTD with Vex, Sketch and a little Smut to darken the outer V.

Oh, and a pretty sweet hair-do too.

If you are new to MAC eyeshadows Vex may be a great place to start. It is unique, has awesome color pay off and looks great on everyone.

long lost loves challenge #1

*newsflash* 

I have too much makeup. 

Yet I find myself reaching for the same products over and over again. I have enough eyeshadow I could wear something different every day from now until Thanksgiving but do you think I use them all? No, I stick to my few favorites and neglect the others. I've decided I'm going to put a stop to this inequality. At one point I loved those eyeshadows enough to purchase them so there's still got to be a special place for them in my heart somewhere right? I am challenging myself to reach for my long lost loves more often. I haven't structured this challenge with any kind of time frame or other criteria, nor is this a P10P where I won't allow myself any new purchases until I've used up products (I'm not ready for those drastic measures yet), it is just me committing to spread the love. I will take a FOTD photo with each and remind myself why I loved the product in the first place and hopefully inspire you to stay out of the beauty ruts we all get ourselves into!

Now I am feeling a little bad about today's FOTD because I realized both of these eyeshadows have been discontinued. But the fun thing about makeup is that you can recreate a look using the products you have.

MAC Graphology (discontinued) along lashline, angled up

MAC Vellum (discontinued) blended into Graphology and all over lid

MAC Blanc Type as highlight

with NYX Circe lipstick

I was going to crop these photos but didn't want to cut out those adorable little feets!!! :)

*Edit* I liked Laura's comment so I've added some swatches.

MAC Graphology and MAC Vellum

After using these shadows today I was reminded why I liked them but also why I don't use them a lot. I wouldn't consider either one to be the most versatile in my collection but they do look great together. Vellum is a sheer frost that pulls either blue or purple (and kinda pink even) and the matte dark blue (or is it purple?) of the Graphology looks great with it. I feel a little more limited with Graphology but I'm excited to see what other relationships I can create for Vellum. 

I'd say my first LLLC is a success.

an exchange and FOTD

When I was in MAC last I exchanged a few products I didn't love for a couple great finds. I went in to swatch Motif, an orangey pink eyeshadow that I discovered while going through Laura's makeup she had packed away and forgotten about (the SHAME!) and although it is not something I ever would have picked up on my own, I love it. I've been pairing it with Trax - a plum color that has a similar gold shimmer to it, and then blend them out using Naked Lunch. I love how they all compliment each other.

I also picked up Underage Tinted Lipglass. On my fair skin it is a milky nude pink. I love it.

Don't you love it when you are able to exchange something you don't like for something you love? Have any great exchange tales to tell?!

think pink

So kinda funny how the first FOTD I did I was all like ahh this is scary and just a few posts later I'm all "ppfff whatevs, I'll throw some pics of my mug up on the internet, no biggie!" I mean, I do walk around with this face all day every day, it's not a surprise to anyone. Anyway.

So - let's talk. For a while now I've been thinking I need to broaden my lipstick horizons. I'm a nude lip lover and I'm totally comfortable in red-lip-land so I decided I'd branch out to something a little different - PINK.

I've had

• a matte pink lipstick

on my wish list for quite some time now and I finally got to cross it off with the purchases of MAC Snob and Lovelorn. I was looking for something not necessarily matte in formula, just not shimmery or frosty. Snob and Lovelorn both fit the bill.

In these photos I am wearing Snob which is a cool, pastel pink - Barbie pink I like to call it. Because I didn't want to actually look like Miss Mattel herself, I stayed away from any color on the eyes and paired the pink lip with a very soft, subtle eye - just a wash of light frosty color over the whole lid, followed up with heavy mascara.

I like the look, it's definitely something different but I don't feel that it is bold or unwearable. Snob's formula is a little drying (if you enlarge the photos you can see it slightly settling into the lines on my lips ..... (now why would I point that out?!?!) so I wouldn't be opposed to layering a gloss over it although it's nothing I can't handle on it's own. I'm digging the pink and find it a nice alternative to the frosty gloss or nude lip I usually wear.

Have you branched out and tried anything new lately?!

Sleek Palette FOTD

I had a few gals ask to see more from the Sleek palette I raved about and I figured it's only fair since I did rave. Sooooooo I'm pulling up my socks and doing another FOTD. Here, I am wearing the matte brown shades from the Sleek Storm palette. Most of the colors are shimmery but these few, and I love them! I'll show you the shimmery shades some other time as they really are quite impressive. I was happy with this eye makeup all day long, it didn't shift or fade. I did wear this over my MAC Painterly paint pot and I suggest using an eyeshadow primer (as I do with ALL eyeshadows - I don't go a day without it) underneath.

If you haven't used an eyeshadow primer before please do yourself a favor and go get one (most brands have one). You will notice a great improvement in the look and lasting-ness (really, did I just say that?) of your eyeshadow. That's a promise from me, take it for what it's worth. :)

Products Used

MAC  Face and Body Foundation

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Petticoat

MAC Paint Pot in Painterly

matte shadows from the Storm Sleek palette

MAC pencil eyeliner in Engraved

Loreal Voluminous mascara

MAC Lipglass in Oyster Girl (LOVE this)

FOTD

As you know I have been reading a lot of beauty blogs and one thing I am especially enjoying are the FOTDs (Face Of The Day). I love to see how other gals apply their makeup and the colors they choose to pair together. One product I have seen coming up time and time again lately is MAC's Club eyeshadow. I happen to own this e/s and have enjoyed reading the different ways girls are using it. I thought I would brave it out and do my own FOTD showing the way I like to wear Club. Depending on what angle you look at it Club looks either reddy brown or quite green. It's a very versatile color. I like to pair it with MAC's Surreal eyeshadow (Steamy would also be great) as it is an aqua/green color itself and I find it blends very well into the Club. To keep the look balanced I have paired it with MAC's Creme d' Nude on the lips (a nude lippie I am certain every girl  NEEDS!)

So here you have it, my first (and maybe only... this is kinda scary, haa!) Face Of The Day:

Products Used

MAC Face and Body foundation 

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Petticoat

MAC Paint Pot in Bare Study 

Revlon Matte e/s in Vintage Lace
MAC e/s in Nylon

MAC e/s Surreal 

MAC e/s Club 

MAC kohl pencil in Engraved

Maybelline liquid eyeliner
Loreal Voluminous mascara

MAC Creme d' Nude lipstick

Do you enjoy FOTDs?