Vicious Makeup

Sigma's Affiliate Program

2010-09-26T17:30:00.000-07:00

I've just signed up for Sigma Beauty's Affiliate program.

Website Recommendation: HauteLook.com

2010-09-20T20:06:00.000-07:00

Website recommendation: HauteLook.com

Here's another website that's aimed at offering brand name clothing, accessories, and cosmetics at a discount.

I love websites like these. I'm not made of money, but that doesn't seem to stop me from finding a way to score a coveted item. Or two. Maybe eight. Sssshhhh.

So, If you like getting more bang for your buck, I suggest signing up for an account.

Website Recommendation: Belleza Bandida

2010-09-20T19:36:00.000-07:00

Website recommendation: Belleza Bandida.

This is a website that is membership only, but once you get an account, you get access to some great beauty deals. They offer discounts on really nice beauty products. Right now, they have Sampar products with discounts of up to 65%.

They don't have a very diverse selection yet, since they are still fairly new.

However, the only drawback is that they are only available for people living in the US, or those who have someone in the US they can ship their stuff to, who will in turn ship it to wherever you are.

I did ask about whether they'll include Canada. They replied to my question quickly, and they sounded enthusiastic when they told me in that email that they were working to branch out to Canada.

September Top 5

2010-09-15T17:43:00.000-07:00

I figured I'd get in on doing a monthly favourites video. This is the one I made for September.

- Sigma's F40 (formerly the SS 168) ( Sigma )

- Sigma's Fun Colors quad (discontinued)

- Benefit Bad Gal Blue Mascara ( Benefit )

- Coastal Scents Mineral Blush in Sassy ( Coastal Scents )

- Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Make-up remover ( Neutrogena, drug stores )

1. Sigma F40
I really like this brush. As I mention in my video, I wasn't a blush wearer until recently. I like this one brush, because it makes application so easy. Sigma used to number their brushes identically to MAC, but because they're developing new brushes to add to their collection, they had to re-number them. Now their face brushes start with the letter F -- in this case, this is brush F40.

It's made with what I'm guessing is goat hair. When I first washed this brush, I was put off slightly by the fact that the bristles should be conditioned, or else this particular one is going to have a bad hair day.

I also thought I'd mention that I got this brush in the Complete Kit, but if you want to purchase this brush individually, you can. It costs $14 USD on its own.

2. Sigma Fun Colors Quad
If anything, I'm disappointed that the Fun Colors quad is no longer available -- or any of their cosmetics, for that matter. I hope Sigma brings these back, because I like these eyeshadows. They're bright and shimmery.

They also had a Neutral Colors kit, a Smoky kit, and a Blush and Highlight kit. Let me tell you, I'm regretting not picking up more of these.

3. Benefit Bad Gal Blue Mascara

I really like this mascara, it's a nice change from the basic black mascara I wear everyday. I like to try and work this into some looks. Say what you will, but I like to co-ordinate it with purple eyeshadow. The reason for that, is that it's just different.

You might be thinking that that could be a bit much, but I'll say again that even though it's a blue mascara, it doesn't look OMGBLUE. It dries darker, and I really do forget that I've put on a blue mascara until I remove my makeup at the end of the day.

Now, I will say for the price, I'm sure you can find a decent blue mascara for less. This retails for $19 USD, but I managed to pick it up in the Bright Lights Big City kit, which is surprisingly still available. I recommend you pick it up while you can!

4. Coastal Scents Mineral Blush in Sassy
I'm pleasantly surprised with this blush. As I've previously mentioned, I wasn't a blush wearer until recently. I like this one, particularly if you're looking to add colour to your face, but you don't want something that's flat out peach or pink.

This one is best for fair and light skintones. I'm willing to guess that it wouldn't show up on medium or darker skin. I saw a review on the Coastal Scents website, and that person says that she's pretty tanned, and it practically matches her skin. But, if you're fair or light, this is a nice alternative.

5. Neutrogena Oil-Free Make-up Remover
I like this for its ability to remove waterproff mascara. It's also nice because it's available at drugstores, and you can get it for $5-$7.

My issue is that for something that claims to be "oil-free," it leaves an oily finish on the skin. It also seperates in the bottle. I only know of one thing that seperates from other liquids when it's had time to sit still, and that's oil.

Honestly, oil-free or not, I really like this, and I do recommend it.

Wish List: Concrete Minerals Eyeshadows!

2010-07-28T15:23:00.000-07:00

I'm not usually crazy about loose or mineral eyeshadows, but I love the colours of these:

A friend of mine posted a link to the Concrete Minerals Etsy, and I will definitely consider buying these.

Normally, I'd also be wary of buying "self-made" makeup off a random person, but I can at least take comfort in the 100% positive feedback, and the fact they boast these very important features:

"Concrete Minerals products contain no nonsense, commonly referred to as:
:: Parabens
:: Fragrances
:: Dyes
:: Nano-particles
:: Bismuth Oxychloride, Talc or other cheap fillers"

Plus, they're decently priced, and you can even purchase seperate pre-selected sets, for a very lovely price. (Each linked word leads to a different set.) They even sell their own eye primer/base.

I can't wait to try these out!

12 Odd Beauty Products Throughout History

2010-07-28T14:48:00.000-07:00

Here's something interesting... It's a list of 12 Beauty Products throughout history.

I can think of at least two that are still used in certain products today.

Beeswax is still used in several lip balms and lipsticks. It's a nicer alternative to petrochemical variations.

Carmine is apparently still used in Benefit's Benetint.

The rest are just... bizarre.

(As a side note, I actually giggled when I found out The History of Benetint!.)

Wishlist: Mac Lip Kits

2010-07-26T18:48:00.000-07:00

I'm constantly updating my wishlists on cosmetic websites, and it's not surprising I have a lengthy wishlist for MAC.

Right now, I really want these lip kits.

There are three available, but I'm passing on the coral one. I've got a feeling that it wouldn't suit me.

I want:

- The pink kit, which has Creme de la Femme and Flashtronic Lipsticks, and a promo-size Heartthrob Lipglass

- The rose kit, which has Mischievous and Fresh Moroccan Lipsticks, and a Mouthwatering Lipglass

They're both gorgeous and are $42 CAD.

Photos from maccosmetics.ca

Review: Kat Von D Lightning Sheer Lipgloss

2010-07-24T22:37:00.001-07:00

Product: Kat von D Lightning Sheer Lipgloss
Purchased at: Sephora.com
Price: $18 US each, but I got a limited edition set for $25 for four.

I got four of these in the limited edition set. I love this set. I’m a lipgloss kind of girl, and I think this is great. My order showed up on New Years Eve, and let me tell you — Stripper worked perfectly with the makeup I wore on a night out. It’s a nice nude shade with intense gold glitter. I don’t think it would really be appropriate for office wear, especially if you’re a “lay it on thick” kind of girl, like I am.

Retox is a nice, subtle shade of pink. It barely changed the colour of my lips. It has a nice subtle shimmeryness to it.

Stutter is a gorgeous sheer red. I think this may be my favourite of the four. Stormy is sheer purple, but has a lot of glitter in it (although not nearly enough to compare with Stripper!).

The gloss itself has a creamy texture, but is a bit sticky. And wow, does this stuff ever stick! When I wore Stripper for the evening, even after passing over my lips with makeup remover at the end of the night, I STILL woke up with gold glitter perfectly laid out over my lips — like I’d just put it on. This stuff is relentless!

It tastes sweet, and I actually found that each tastes slightly different. It reminded me of candy like Runts or Nerds - supersweet artificial fruit. I also found that it leaves my lips soft. One drawback is the glitter. It can be a bit coarse for such a delicate area. Oh, and yes, it’s sheer; hence the name.

Several colours have been discontinued, and quite a few are on clearance by the looks of things.

All in all, I’ll give it 4.5/5

Disclaimer: I bought this from Sephora’s website. Nobody paid me to endorse this, I didn’t get it for free - I paid for it out of my own pocket. I’m not affiliated with any companies. The preceding blog entry is based on my own views and opinions.

Photo from sephora.com, as the Kat Von D makup line is exclusive to them.

Review: Kat Von D True Romance Eyeshadow Palette -- True Love

2010-07-24T22:21:00.001-07:00

This palette is gorgeous, and I’m so glad that I got it. I’m a sucker for purple eyeshadow. Purple is my favourite colour, and I find it looks quite lovely with my green eyes. The True Love palette has not one, but THREE shades of purple. I’ll break down the entire thing, all eight colours, one colour at a time:

- Peanut: is a lovely pale beige colour. It’s also very shimmery… frosty, even. I see it would be a lovely highlight to a brown-based smoky look.

- Benji: is a fabulous coppery-bronze cream shadow. The potential of this colour seems endless. It’s a beautiful shade that looks amazing alone, but it can also be used as a base. It’s very easy to pack a bold pigment on top, and the colour of Benji will make whatever you layer on top POP like you wouldn’t believe. Unfortunately, mine dried out quite a bit since I bought this palette.

- Rebekah: I can’t think of how to describe this colour other than to say it’s brown. It’s a rich brown, with gold glitter. The gold glitter gives it a beautiful dimension. As one makeup idea, I covered my lid in Benji, then swept Peanut all the way up to my brow bone. Then, I went back over with Rebekah. Lastly, I went over the whole thing again with Peanut. I seems pretty labour intensive, but I loved the way it looked. (Plus, I do my makeup at 3 in the morning. I like to get a bit creative — it keeps me awake.)

- Lucifer: is a bold matte black that can be used as an eyeliner, a brow powder if you've got dark hair, or — crazily enough, as an actual eyeshadow. It’s the classic black eyeshadow that every makeup lover should have in their bag. It’s an essential, and it comes in almost every Kat von D palette that’s currently available, along with the Gypsy palette, which was limited edition and you can’t get from Sephora anymore. The Momento Mori palette doesn’t have it.

- Cholita: a bold, dark plummy black-brown with an iridescent shimmer. Soooo pretty.

- Shiba: smoky, purpley grey, with complimentary gold glitter. It’s bold, and yet still classy.

- Babe: bright, medium purple with a very dimensional blue shimmery duochrome in it. Love love LOVE it! Wore it the first day I owned this palette. It did not disappoint me in any way.

- Missy: white, with a more subtle blue shimmer than Babe. I wore Babe and Missy together when I first got my hands on this set. I was ridiculously happy with the pairing.

The possibilities are endless with the True Love palette. I bit the bullet and bought this because of two colours: Babe, and Benji. They are so gorgeous. The photos don’t do any justice to how great the other six colours are.

Now, for a quick overview of the packaging: it’s a slim, sleek compact. The brushes are mostly useless. Although it’s only a plastic case, it’s fairly durable, and it’s oddly soft to the touch.

The artwork is fun. It’s quick, impromptu, rough tattoo designs, which I love. It sort of looks like tattoo line drawings, that were quickly sketched with a fine-tipped silver Sharpie. When you open the palette, the shadows are all in a pretty little row, with the two near-useless brushes across the front. When you open the case, you should be careful — the spaces for the

brushes are about three times the width of the brushes themselves. It’s rather funny.

In all fairness, I did find a use for the brushes — they’re tapered enough to act as eyeliner brushes, if find yourself without one.

Opposite the shadows is a mirror that spans the entire inside of the top of the case. It’s useful if you’re applying your makeup on the go. I actually forget about the sizeable mirror. It’s kind of a shame.

I’ve found just one thing wrong with the eyeshadows themselves: they can be crumbly. However, the positive outweigh the negative with this, so…

Overall: 5/5, and I believe I will be collecting more of these palettes.

Disclaimer: I bought this eyeshadow palette with my own money from sephora.com. I paid for it with my own money. I'm not affiliated with any brands or companies pertaining to the world of cosmetics.

Photo from sephora.com, as the Kat Von D makeup line is exclusive to them.

Review: Versace Versense Eau de Toilette

2010-07-24T22:02:00.001-07:00

Described on Sephora’s website as a “Modern. Sexy. Chic.” fragrance, I think it has appeal. I’m normally not into “florals” per se, but I found this to have a fresh, clean scent. It reminds me of clean laundry on the finish. Really.

I didn’t expect a perfume that contains notes of Sea Daffodil (whatever that is) to appeal to me. I imagine that the actual plant smells like a daffodil that I’m used to — sickeningly sweet, but soft. That originally made me expect this would smell like old ladies. It doesn’t. At first whiff, you catch the citrus notes of the mandarin, and then notes of a daffodil (the normal kind, not a fancy sea one!) balanced by the deep scent of Jasmine, a hint of the Cardamom, and then the Cedar hits.

In both packaging and slightly in fragrance, it reminds me of LaCoste Essential for Men… only, you know, a feminine version of it. I had a roommate that wears it, and when he moved out, he left behind the last few drops in a bottle. I used it as air freshener when I was done my cleaning before I officially moved out. Laugh all you want, I found it a nice smell that would fade nicely and just smell fresh.

Originally, I thought it would be funny that I would own anything that has a Versace label would be funny. I’m not the Versace type, that’s for sure.

Long story short: I’d pay full price for this fragrance. It is appealing to me — I like to wear Neroli Jasmin Body Spray from The Body Shop, so there is easily notes I like. Well played, Donnatella & Co., well played.

Now, I have to save my pennies to shell out $49 for 1 oz. I’d enjoy every drop of it.

Rating: 4/5, I’m docking one for the price.

Covering my ass: I got this as a free sample from Sephora.com. I’m not affiliated with any companies. The preceding blog entry is based on my own views and opinions.

Photo taken from sephora.com

Maybelline Superstay Lipcolor

2010-07-24T21:45:00.001-07:00

I had such high hopes for this lip colour. I really did. The first time I tried it on, it was alright. It’s double ended, with a liquid lip colour you apply with a wand on one side, and a colourless, waxy lip balm on the other.

The instructions for it are to apply the colour to clean lips. Let the colour set for up to two minutes, then apply the lip balm. If you eat or anything, you’ll still have to retouch the balm. The problem is, all make up will come off with oil of any kind - that’s one of the benefits of an oil-based makeup remover. My mother is old school, as she still uses baby oil to take her makeup off at the end of the day. Then again, my mom is also blessed with skin that doesn’t require foundation of any sort. I wish I was kidding, but honestly, I can’t remember ever seeing Mom use foundation. How the hell does that happen?

That reason is also one of the problems with “oil-free” makeup remover. It won’t work as well as oil-based products. Keep in mind — your eyeshadow will crease and migrate on oily eyelids.

Anyway, we’re here for a review. First of all, the fact the colour takes up to two minutes to set is ridiculous. It’s great, because it doesn’t set before you’ve had a chance to apply it completely.

After you’ve sat through two minutes of not doing anything, but while it’s setting, it’s insanely sticky. Be prepared to feel like your lips are partially glued together. After your two minutes are up, you apply the balm. The colour itself tastes like, well, lipstick, but with some sort of fruitiness subtley in there somewhere. The balm goes on clear and colourless, and looks good on. It’s shiny and smooth, but if you’re not into a strawberryish candy flavour, it might not be for you. Maybelline also apparently offers refills for the balm. I didn’t notice any at two different stores, so I’m not sure how you can get them, but we’ll take their word for it.

While wearing this lip colour, it does stay put really well. So well, in fact, that I’ve put it on in the afternoon, and worn it all evening, gone home, washed my face, and woken up still wearing trace amounts of it! That’s also without having it smudge, smear, or transfer onto my pillowcase. It definitely sticks!

However, after eating, you’ll have to retouch the balm, as per the instructions. The problem I’ve encountered is that if you do re-touch the balm, it does some gross things… it makes your lip colour peel off, as though you’re lips are really flaky! It’s gross! I’ve had to take a napkin, wipe it all off, and start over. Not exactly worth it; it’s supposed to be long-wearing, not removed and re-applied.

Price: Unknown. I bought it on a whim with a bunch of other products, and never bothered to find out how much it cost.

Rating: 1/5 stars. The flavour isn’t great, but tolerable. The peeling is unbearable. But, if you’re willing to not eat, then it’s great. The product claims on the website say it will stay put for 16 hours, and I believe it! The colour is lovely, although I have no idea which colour I bought, since I can't read the wee tiny sticker at the bottom of the tube -- they stamped something over top. To be honest, I think I got the one in the photo... It's a bit sheer, but fairly true to the way it looks in-tube.

Covering my ass: I bought this from a retail store -- I believe Zellers, but don't hold me to it. If not, WalMart. Nobody paid me to endorse this, I didn’t get it for free - I paid for it out of my own pocket. I’m not affiliated with any companies. The preceding blog entry is based on my own views and opinions.

Adora: Beloved One

2010-07-23T18:14:00.001-07:00

Sephora has been carrying an exclusive makeup line by reality TV star and tattoo artist Kat Von D.

I own the eyeshadow palette called True Love, which I had lusted after for a few months before I bought it back in December. It's 8 colours, which include three shades of purple (my favourite colour), and a cream bronze shadow. I also bought a limited edition 4-pack of Lightning Sheer lipglosses, that I love.

There's a new limited edition palette called Adora, and it's completely gorgeous and perfect for that sexy, smoky eye that everyone craves. It's a collection of 8 eyeshadows, 3 of which are cream shadows.

I don't know Latin, but according to Sephora's website, "Adora" translates to "beloved one," and with this palette, I can see why. It's beautiful.

When I first saw Adora, I added it to my wishlist and shopping cart. When I get this kit, I'll be keeping the palette in a mostly-airtight bag -- the bronze cream in the True Love palette has all but dried out, which is sad.

There is also a Painted Love lipstick with the same name, and a new fragrance as well. I can't wait to try all three products!

Can we seriously talk about how gorgeous the packaging alone is??

I'm now going to steal the descriptions of these products, for the sake of my blog.

1. Kat Von D True Love Eyeshadow Palette in Adora

Description:
What it is:
A limited-edition palette of eight richly pigmented eyeshadow shades, from tattoo artist Kat Von D.

What it does:
A smoky eye adds an instant air of mystery—create your own, from angelic to devilish, with the Adora Eyeshadow Palette. Designed by reality television star Kat Von D especially for Sephora, this artistic spectrum of shades brings an edgy-glam creativity to your makeup. Adora fuses love and fury—two sides of color reflect two distinct facets of Kat. One side has an assortment of frosty whites and silvers; the other includes a range of sexy black and maroon shades.

What else you need to know:
The versatile shadows come three in cream and three in powder. The sleek black eyeshadow palette is stenciled with passionate red roses and speaks to a romantic soul, with an edge.

2. Kat Von D Painted Love Lipstick in Adora

Description:
What it is:
A rich, full-color lipstick from tattoo-artist Kat Von D.

What it does:
Adora means "beloved" in Latin. Kat chose this name to reflect the captivating next chapter in her evolution. Kat has discovered a renaissance inspired by artistic introspection, reaching deep layers, stories, and scars—laced with love and fury.

What else you need to know:
Designed by reality television star Kat Von D especially for Sephora, Painted Love Lipstick takes Kat's signature lip color, a sophisticated red, and expands it into a range of smoldering shades, from crimson to blood red. The sleek black tube is stenciled with passionate red roses and speaks to a romantic soul, with an edge.

3. Kat Von D Adora Eau de Parfum:

Description:
Adora means "Beloved One" in Latin. For Kat, Adora reflects the next chapter in her personal evolution—an introspective renaissance discovered through deep layers, stories, and scars. She's a romantic soul with an edgy exterior. Adora is a sensual and passionate perfume journey—unexpected and provocative. This scent reveals a stirring glimpse into an enigmatic life…tortured, beautiful, and brutally honest. At the top, crushed juicy notes of lychée and boysenberry intertwine with thyme and a crisp shot of cassis. The heart fuses the distinct sweetness of hyacinth with jasmine to create floral notes, enhanced by freshly peeled mango. At the base, patchouli finds her spiritual matches with sheer musk and amber wood.

Inspired by one of Kat's favorite art nouveau artist (Alfonso Mucha), the solid black bottle's side panels are decorated with original sketches of whimsical features, flowers, and butterflies, in a captivating red ink.

Notes:
Lychée, Boysenberry, Thyme, Cassis, Hyacinth, Jasmine, Mango Flesh, Patchouli, Sheer Musk, Amber Wood.
Style:
Passionate. Soulful. Complex.

I don't just want these things. I need them.

(Partially.)

Just an update -- July 22nd

2010-07-23T13:06:00.001-07:00

I dyed my hair almost two weeks ago. I used Garnier Nutrisse in Dark Chocolate. I like it.

I also talk a bit about de-potting my Urban Decay Primer Potion.

Black and Teal Eyeshadow Tutorial

2010-07-22T20:35:00.000-07:00

I love teal. This look focused on Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide on Eye Pencil and Eyeshadow called Flipside. It's a gorgeous, shimmery teal.

Additionally, if you're a hockey fan, and you cheer for the San Jose Sharks (like me... they're my favourite American franchise) then you could also do this for game day at the sports bar during the NHL season, too! :D

Products used:
- Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Flipside (shimmery teal)
- Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero (black)
- Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Flipside (shimmery teal)
- Kat Von D eyeshadow in Lucifer (matte black)
- Kat Von D eyeshadow in Peanut (shimmery beige)
- Waterproof Covergirl LashBlast Volume mascara (not shown)

I hope you like this! I love the teal!

I'm not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned, or the San Jose Sharks (unfortunately...)

De-Potting Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion: The Short Version

2010-07-21T18:55:00.000-07:00

Today, I tasked myself to de-pot my Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion.

I've been using UDPP for about 6 months, and I will say that I can't imagine using anything else as my eyeshadow base. It's my Holy Grail of eye primer. I haven't even thought to try anything else.

I originally bought an XL bottle of UDPP in their limited edition Hall of Fame Kit, which came with a sampler of the Multi-Benefit Sky High Mascara, a mini lipstick in Midnight Cowboy, and a mini Pocket Rocket Lipgloss. I bought a new UDPP back in April, thinking that I was starting to run low on what I had, and there is no way that I'll ever run out! The new tube I got actually had a small crack in the bottom of it, and it was leaking all over my makeup bag. I couldn't figure out what it was at first, but once I did, I figured transferring it to another container was best -- there was no way that I wanted to waste it. I had hung on to my XL bottle, because I wanted to see if there was anything left.

When I cut open the old bottle, it basically looked as though I hadn't used any of it! I probably got about half of the original weight of the product back. My regular-sized UDPP is fairly new, so I bascially doubled the amount of primer I thought I had in the first place.

Anyway, if there's a chance you don't know what the primer potion looks like, here's a picutre I stole from their website without permission:

Now, if you don't know how to de-pot this, it's pretty easy, but a tad labour intensive.

1. Get a sharp knife, not a serrated one. The teeth will get ruined, so don't bother. Anyway, a sharp knife that you don't care that much about is a good place to start.

2. Get a small, clean cosmetic jar or container for your UDPP to go into. I used a 30g container that came with 8 grams of Coastal Scents Mineral Veil. I didn't want to just toss it, so I put it aside in a baggie.

3. Take your primer potion. Take the wand out. Set it aside.

4. Cut just below the most bulbous part of it. Here, I drew a red line where you should cut:

5. Then, use the wand that you set aside, and use it to scoop the primer into your new container continue until you've gotten as much as you can out of the genie bottle.

*6. Some people suggest cutting at the narrowest part by the bottom to get what's there, but I don't think is really necessary. You could do it, but if you're happy with what you've already gotten out with your wand, I wouldn't worry about it.

Notes:
- Watch your fingers. You're using a knife to cut through plastic. I'm not responsible for you cutting off a finger. Just be careful.
- As previously mentioned, use a sharp knife. Don't use a serrated blade -- you're just going to mess up the teeth. Use a smooth blade. Doing so will mean you're not getting plastic shavings all over everything.

Happy De-Potting!

If you have any questions, let me know by leaving a comment.

My Current Sephora Wishlist

2010-07-20T17:19:00.000-07:00

I figured I'd continue with my wishlist posts, and of course I have one with Sephora.

Where I live, there is no Sephora store. The nearest one is about 4.5 hours away by car. So, I've been periodically buying things from their website since the end of 2009. I love getting stuff from Sephora, and this has to be the wishlist that I change and tweak the most. Compared to what it looked like back in January, it's not even the same list!

Unfortunately, something that's been consistently on the list are palettes from Lauren Luke. She's also panacea81 on YouTube. I love watching her tutorials, and the fact that she was just an average girl who like to play with makeup and now has her own cosmetics like is amazing. I've been wanting to buy the My Fierce Violets ("Violets" takes you to a tutorial using the palette) for months. I only named the one that comes with the lipgloss for the hell of it. I'd like to try it, and I know that's going to be the one I'll buy first.

I'm also a huge fan of Kat Von D's Sephora line, although I've only bought one palette and a few lipglosses from the line. I would like to have more things, and I've been meaning to try her frangrances pretty much since I learned they existed. The Eye and Lip Kit has been around for quite some time, but the price has dropped by about $18 since they released it. Now's the time to pounce. Also, as I looked up that last link, I found that Sephora has launched another KVD palette. Adora. I must own it. I've added it to my current wishlist. And added it to my shopping cart. I'm buying it the next chance I have.

I'm newly obsessed with Urban Decay -- the Beauty in a Box is a really good deal, even if you don't think it is. It says it's a $97 value. Let's do the math. Those two full-size eyeshadows would sell for $17 each. That's $34 total. The mascara is $22 on its own -- so $34 for two eyeshadows, plus $22 for the mascara, equals $56. The lipstick (which, by the way, is one of the colours I'd like to try) is $22. That brings the total so far for this kit to $78. So you'd pay $54 dollars for something that's at least $78 on its own. You'll notice I'm not factoring in the eyeliner and the primer potion -- that's because they're only sample sizes, but they use the price of the full-size product in their dumb "it's a $97 value!" pricing. Sorry, but I'm not paying full price for 1/2 the UDPP I get for $18, nor would I pay another $17 for a half-size eye pencil. The rest of it, however, is a very good deal. That already saves you $14. Nice. Unfortunately, with me discovering that new Kat Von D palette, this kit will have to wait.

Sephora Wishlist:
- Lauren Luke My Fierce Violets and My Glossy Lips
- Lauren Luke My Vintage Glams
- Lauren Luke My Smokey Classics
- Kat Von D True Romance Eye Shadow Palette - Momento Mori
- Kat Von D True Romance Eye Shadow Palette - Adori
- Kat Von D Eye and Lip Kit
- Kat Von D Saint Rollerball
- Kat Von D Sinner Rollerball
- Kat Von D High Voltage Eye Primer
- Too Faced Absolutely Invisible Candlelight Powder - Sheer Gold
- Too Faced Liquif-Eye Shadow Collection
- Too Faced Beauty in a Box: The Nude Revue
- LORAC Hollywood Insider Collection
- Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Eden
- Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion - Sin
- Urban Decay Beauty in a Box
- Sephora Favorites Eau Girl Scent Sampler

What's in my shopping cart?
- Kat Von D Eye and Lip Kit
- Kat Von D True Romance Eye Shadow Palette - Adori
- Lauren Luke My Fierce Violets and My Glossy Lips

My Current Coastal Scents Wishlist

2010-07-19T20:53:00.001-07:00

I keep wishlists on every makeup site I visit. I'm also constantly changing my mind, editing and deleting and re-adding things to my wishlists, but I'm pretty happy with the ones I've got right now, and if you add up the total costs of all of my lists, it would total around $1000. Steep, I know, but I seem to be turning into a product junkie!

I'm super stoked that Coastal Scents currently has combo deals on for their palettes, because that makes my life easier. They have Combo Set 1 with their Metal Mania Palette, which is completely gorgeous and feel like I can't live without it... even though they have had this newest palette available for a couple months now. I've been really good with my makeup budget (as completely NOT proven in my videos!), it's paired with their 88 Ultra Shimmer palette. I have the original matte version, but everything's prettier when it's shimmery. I'm serious. I have problems with a lot of the blues and greens in my palette in terms of colour, which don't seem to exist with the Ultra Shimmer. Want.

They also have Combo Set 2, which is the 88 Warm Palette and the 10 Piece Blush Palette. Plus, with the money you save, you basically get a free Rich Volume Mascara, which I haven't tried but I figure it's worth a shot.

I like my Coastal Scents makeup -- I have the original 88 palette, and I've also purchased some of their Mineral Makeup as well. I got a starter kit, that came with a foundation, concealer, blush, two eyeshadows, and a mineral veil. The foundation didn't exactly match my skin tone, but I'm now combining it with other products I have to help the colour, and consistency. It's really quite nice now. I think I'm pretty much where it needs to be.

I've also heard good things about their gel liners. I watch TiffanyD on YouTube (username: MakeupbyTiffanyD), and she has an older video comparing Coastal Scent's gel liner to L'Oreal's HIP liner, and MAC's Fluidline. Apparently, they all give the same amount of wear, but check out the price difference between MAC and CS! That's why I want to try CS's liners.

Current total wishlist, which is also what's in my shopping cart:

- 88 Metal Mania Palette
- 88 Warm Palette
- 88 Ultra Shimmer Palette
- 26 Shadow Blush Combo Palette
- 10 Piece Professional Blush Palette
- True Black Gel Liner
- Truffle Gel Liner
- Deep Plum Gel Liner
- Indigo Blue Gel Liner
- White Angled Liner Brush
- Medium Camo Quad

Blue, Purple and Teal Tutorial

2010-07-19T16:06:00.001-07:00

Something bright and colourful!

This look was inspired by Kiddie Pool. If you zoom in on the photo, you can get a pretty clear idea of what Kiddie Pool is -- a bright, shimmery sky blue with lots of iridescent glitter. I knew I wanted that on my lids, and I love purple, so I'd figure that purple along the crease made the most sense.

For this look, you need:

- Satin finish, dark purpley-plum eyeshadow
- Matte finish pale pink eyeshadow (to help blend)
- Bright, shimmery blue eyeshadow with iridescent glitter
- black eye pencil for upper lashline
- teal eye pencil for lower lashline
- black mascara

And don't worry... at the end of this video, I was in a hurry, so I didn't fully blend out the purple. I fixed that ahead of the photos, so they look right.

Punk Yellow/Pink/Orange Eyeshadow Tutorial with Thick Black Liner

2010-07-11T21:23:00.000-07:00

This is one of my favourite eyeshadow looks. It's bright and probably not really meant for the office (I think I'm one of the few people who would wear this in an office environment.)

I created this look using my Coastal Scents Matte & Satin Palette. I love this palette, because it offers so many colours -- 88, to be precise-- and endless combination choices.

I'm loving my Sigma Professional Brush Set. You might be thinking that it was insane for me to pay that much money for brushes, but bear in mind that MAC brushes are more expensive ( See? )... and this Sigma set was more bang for my buck. It's totally worth the price.

Products used:

Face:
- Benefit's That Gal brightening face primer
- Coastal Scents Mineral Diva Defense Primer
- CoverGirl Loose Powder in Translucent Light
- CoverGirl concealer
- Benefit's Powderflage under my eyes

Eyes:
- Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
- Coastal Scents Matte & Satin Palette
- L'Oreal Lineur Intense in Carbon Black
- Kat Von D's Lucifer (matte black) eyeshadow from the True Love Palette (it comes in most of her palettes)
- Benefit's Eye Bright as my highlight

Hope you like it! I do!

PS, I'm actually glad my camera kept cutting out in the first two takes... Otherwise, it might have run too long, and I don't really care about editing my videos. I'd rather not.

Sigma Haul! :D

2010-07-06T16:07:00.000-07:00

Brushes: click here.

Eyeshadow quad: click here

I have a feeling I'll be using these brushes everyday for the rest of my life!

I'm not affiliated with any brands, including Sigma Makeup, and their website sigmamakeup.com

I paid for this stuff with my own money.

My First Tutorial

2010-06-20T12:56:00.000-07:00

Welcome to my first makeup tutorial. I decided to do this for my sister. I bought her an eyeshadow palette for her birthday, and she claims to have no idea what to do with it... so, I decided to make video tutorials for her.

For my first tutorial, I decided to do something pretty but still neutral. It makes you look bright eyed and awake, but it isn't too over-the-top.

Products used:

Kat Von D by Sephora True Romance Eyeshadow Palette - True Love.

Colours used:
- Peanut (shimmery beige)
- Rebekah (matte medium brown with gold glitter -- the glitter's pointless here, I just like the base colour)
- Lucifer (matte black)

Face products:
- Benefit That Gal brightening face primer
- Benefit Eye Bright pencil
- Benefit Ooh La Lift under eye brightner
- Urban Decay original Eyeshadow Primer Potion (LOVE it)
- Covergirl Fresh Complexion concealer in Creamy Natural (I'll admit, it's too light now that it's Summer)
- Covergirl Professional loose powder in shade 110 - translucent light (as my overall foundation -- it's Summer, I'm not about to cake on a liquid. I'm not crazy about liquid foundation to begin with, and the one I have is great for Winter in both shade, and ease of use)

Mascara is Rimmel's Lycra Lash Extender -- It makes your lashes longer. I mention in the video that I once thought my lashes were breaking off... It's because I got so used to seeing my lashes look longer, and when I took off my makeup that night, I was seeing my normal lashes. It was kind of funny because it freaked me out. But, you can take comfort in the fact that it was just because the mascara really works.

Lipstick is L'Oreal Colour Riche lipstick in shade 862 Nude. As I mention in the video, I needed a good nude shade, and this one is called Nude. I figured I couldn't go wrong. I like this shade. It's creamy and easy to apply, and it's a good shade I think. It doesn't have any shimmer or sheen to it, and it's not drying.

One thing I don't like about it is the way it tastes... It reminds me of baby powder. For that reason alone, I don't think I'll go back to this lipstick. I can't beat the colour, but I hate the way it tastes and smells. Suggestions?

Brushes:
- Dense powder face brush (I got a cheap drugstore one)
- Fluffy eyeshadow brush (I used the same one for both colours, make sure you can blend with it easily)
- Angle brush (used for my eyeliner)

You'll notice that I don't use an "official" eyeliner for this. Truth is, my eyeliner pencil wasn't sharp enough to do the job. Plus, I find it much easier to use a powder sometimes.

Feel free to add more liner, or use a different one. Liquid liner would definitely step this up, and a cream or gel liner might be easier for you to work with. You can also use a brown liner for a more natural look, if you thing black is too harsh for your complexion. If you have the dough for it, I recommend Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide On eye pencil in Underground. It's a coppery colour that they name "metallic taupe," but it's nice and I like using it sometimes.

Also, feel free to add liner under your eyes. I'm not always crazy about how it looks on me, and I find it's too dramatic for the look I was going for in this video. That goes for mascara on the lower lashes. Why would I put lengthening mascara on my tiny lower lashes anyway?

This video is not affiliated with any of the brands mentioned -- I paid for the products with my own money. Why the hell would they pay me to be their spokesperson?