some recent faves

I promised a post and I am here to deliver. I want to share with you just a few things I have been loving on lately.




1. Loreal Waterproof Gentle Makeup Remover – I got to the bottom of my usual Clean & Clear Foaming Face wash and decided that because I am currently treating my skin with a little ProActiv action that I didn’t really need a full face wash, just something to remove my eye makeup. I had seen this makeup remover before and was intrigued with it’s 2 phase system (it is not the packaging that makes it look like that, the liquids are separated and the bottle must be shaken to mix them together before using.) I do not wear waterproof makeup but I do wear a healthy dose of mascara and often have sticky gloss that needs to be removed. I picked this up and I am so glad I did. I am IMPRESSED. I wet (with water) my entire face getting my mascara good and running (haha, it's such a good look) and then get a little product on a cotton pad and barely have to wipe and my makeup is gone. Literally. I have used other products where you have to wipe and pull and wipe some more but this product is strong enough to remove all makeup without much effort but gentle enough that it doesn’t sting or burn my eyes as other removers have. I am really impressed with this product.

2. MAC 188 Small Duo Fibre Face Brush – (Don't mind the pic of my dirty brush!) My current favorite foundation is MAC Face and Body as I love it’s dewy finish. It is quite runny and up until recently I had been simply using my fingers to apply it. As I mentioned I have been treating my skin and as a result have found it a little more dry as of late. I was needing something to buff the foundation into my dry skin, as using my fingers was not leaving a nice finish on my changing skin. The MUA at MAC suggested this brush and I. Am. In. Love. I have NO idea why it took me so long to come upon this gem. I put a little foundation on the back of my hand and use this brush to dab into it and then stipple and buff the foundation into my skin. I get such even coverage and a beautiful finish with the foundation really worked into my skin instead of just sitting on top. You can use this brush for other products as well but I would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a fantastic foundation brush. 

3. MAC Eye Brow Pencil in Fling – I have been letting my natural brows grow in a bit more as I like a fuller brow and wanted to let my own brows do their thing - within reason of course. Like most people the inner points of my brows are fairly thin and definitely needed to be filled in to blend with the rest of my brows instead of looking like stray hairs. I had been using MAC Omega to fill in my brows and although that does a good job for the length of my brow it did nothing for the sparse little tips. I picked up a MAC brow pencil in the color Fling and have been using that to shape and fill in my brows instead. It has made a world of difference – they just needed something a little more pigmented and something that could define their shape. While I am happy with this product there are many different brands that make brow pencils and correctors and I’ve got my eye on a few I want to try. Do you recommend any?

4. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer – This is actually my girlfriend Sarah’s product. She told me to give it a try as she rarely uses it. I have a face primer from Hard Candy but I don’t use it often as I don’t really notice any results. The first time I used this primer I could tell a difference in my skin. I apply it with my fingers before I apply my foundation as I described above and I am left with a very smooth and glowy face. My foundation lasts all day and I think it helps my bronzer/blush wear longer as well. I do notice that my face feels a little more (I don’t want to use the word oily) glisteny but nothing that I can’t handle. I kinda don’t want to give it back to Sarah! :)

So there you have it, a few things I’ve been impressed with. Have you tried any of these? Do you have any products you’ve been loving lately?

depotting eyeshadows and a back 2 MAC

I have been growing my MAC eyeshadow collection for quite some time. I started out buying the little pots but more recently have been purchasing the refill pans to stick into palettes. It is neater, more compact and saves space in my makeup kit. Plus I really like to pull out a palette and see all the shadows at once instead of have to dig around looking for a shade. I had 12 shadows that were still in pots and last week I decided that it was finally time I depotted them and put them into a palette.

I looked up some depotting instructions on YouTube, combined a few of them using the steps I liked, and got to work. I didn’t take pictures of the depotting process as you can find a thousand videos of how to do it and use whichever instructions you like depending on what tools you have on hand. I have put this off for a long time but found it a lot easier than I thought it was going to be and it went much faster than I anticipated.

(Please forgive the camera phone pictures with a bedspread background. So professional right?)

Before and After

I have 2 full 15 shadow palettes and have organized them into neutrals and colors. 

As I’m sure you are aware MAC offers a recycling program where you take in 6 empties to get a FREE lipstick, eyeshadow or lipgloss. As you know I hit bottom on my beloved Creme d' Nude so I took this opportunity to ‘back 2 MAC’ 6 of my 12 empty eyeshadow pots and picked up a new Creme d' Nude lipstick.

It was pretty satisfying to turn this into this.

Getting rid of those 12 pots freed up a lot of space in my kit and I am enjoying the reorganized and no-longer-overflowing compartments. As I mentioned I really enjoy pulling out a palette to see all the shades at once and find it much easier to create looks when I can see everything in front of me instead of trying to remember what I've got. Knowing how simple the whole process was I find it a little silly I waited so long to do it. C'est la vie.

Do you prefer your eyeshadows in individual pots or in a palette?


Note: it is not recommended to depot MAC eyeshadows as there is a risk they will crack or shatter in the process. I did not ruin any of mine but I feel I should mention there is the chance of ending up with a table full of powder and that. would. be. SAD.

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.

MAC Creme d' Nude

I have briefly mentioned in past posts how much I adore MAC Creme d' Nude lipstick. It is my favorite, must have, can't live without nude lipstick. I bought this one about a year and a half ago and I'm  just about reaching the bottom. :( This shade goes with virtually everything and I wear it a few times a week.

I will absolutely be replacing this lipstick when I hit the bottom, it's one that can not be absent from my collection.

If you are looking for a cost friendly nude lip alternative you can look at Revlon Soft Nude. It is not a dupe by any means but for girls that aren't as fair as myself it may be something that suits you even more. I searched for comparisons and found a couple great reviews on the 2 nudies here and here.

Do you wear a nude lip and what is your favorite nude lipstick?

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.

beauty product must-haves

There are a few products I use that I just could not live without, or at least wouldn't want to live without. In my opinion these products are amazing and are an essential part of my routine. I thought I'd share them with you since they've brought me so much joy.

In no particular order....

MAC 224 Brush
This is a new addition to my brush collection and I. have. no. idea. how I lived without it. It is an amazing tool for blending out harsh lines and blending in general. I had been using my 217 for that job but pff, what a fool I was! This is a little bigger, much softer and fluffier and just does an amazing job, I can't say enough. I'm loving it!

Moroccan Oil
My friend Rachael first told me about this product and I have been using it ever since.You put it on while your hair is damp and it absorbs quickly, helping your hair dry faster and making it soft, smooth and shiny. I stopped using it last summer for a couple weeks and when I started again I fell in love with it all over again, I forgot how nice it made my hair feel. I switch up hair products often but this one remains constant. They have an original version and a light version for blondes - the product is exactly the same otherwise. It's a bit pricey but you only need a tiny pool each use and it lasts forever, plus it smells delicious.

Purple Shampoo
A must for every color treated blondie out there! When your hair starts to get a bit brassy looking you give it a wash with some purple shampoo and voila, all those cool ashy tones return and you've got bright blonde hair again. Don't use it too often or you'll definitely start looking a little grey. My mom taught me this trick when I was first highlighting my hair in junior high and I think it's a necessary part of upkeep. I'm using this brand now but think I'll find something different when this stuff runs out, it smells like an old lady. A nice old lady... but still.

Loreal Voluminous Mascara
What can I say? This is the best mascara out there. I have tried Clinique, Dior, MAC and many drugstore brands and I always come back to this (I know, why do I ever try anything else in the first place?) I have read many makeup gurus that swear by this product and I agree with them. It does start out a little gloppy, but give it a few uses and it will amaze you. Your lashes will be thicker, darker, longer and more amazing! I adore Voluminous.

Have you tried any of these products, can you agree with me? What are some of your must-haves?

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?!

eyeshadow bases

I have had this discussion with a lot of gals recently and so I thought I would just do a post and put it out there. Eyeshadow primer. I have mentioned before that I do not go a makeup-wearing-day without it. An eyeshadow primer or base gives the shadow something to cling to making it last longer and not crease. It also helps the true color of your shadow show through so you don't have to swipe and swipe and swipe to get any color payoff.

A lot of brands have primers but some of the most popular and commonly used ones are:

Urban Decay Primer Potion 
Eden - matte finish
Sin - shimmer finish
Original - dries invisible

Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Original
Candlelight - golden shimmer
Glitter Glue - to use with glitter and pigments

MAC Paint Pot
This is actually a cream shadow which dries to a dry finish. Comes in a variety of colors and finishes.

 You can purchase the Primer Potion and Shadow Insurance at any Sephora store and you can purchase the Paint Pots at a MAC store or MAC Bay counter.


To show you an example I have placed MAC Sketch by itself on the left and over top of MAC Painterly Paint Pot on the right. I put the same amount on both sides, you can see how the base helps the shadow pop.

I have used Urban Decay Primer Potion and find that nothing is going to crease over that stuff! I love my Paint Pots as well as I like the different color bases it provides. I haven't used Shadow Insurance but have read great reviews on it and know a lot of girls that swear by it. This may be a redundant post for many but like I said I've had a lot of questions about primers lately so there are some of you wondering!

I hope this helps and I do strongly recommend you go out and get one! :)

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?!

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?