EOTD- Simple Winged Liner w/ A Pop Of Color

I know it's been a while. (Gee this sounds familiar...) It's been a little cookoo bananas around her lately, no joke. But, I'm really trying to get back into the groove of it all. Though, I will warn you, I will be MIA in November. Why? Because it's National Novel Writing Month, and I will be locked away in my spare room furiously typing away on a novel. So, wish me luck and pray I don't go nuts! Well, more nuts than I already am. Ha!

I've been on an Agatha Christie's Marple binge here lately (I absolutely adore her books), so it's been me, the couch and Geraldine McEwan for the past few days. Even though the Geraldine McEwan Miss Marple's aren't very true to the books (at all), I absolutely love the way she portrays Miss Marple and the supporting cast and production quality are incredible, so I'll overlook the discrepancies. Anyways, since the majority of the books/episodes take place in the 1940s and 1950s there is an abundance of winged liner and red lips. Needless to say, I love it!

Today, I decided to springboard off of the fabulous makeup and do a winged liner. Now, this isn't a vintage recreation, it's just an "I wanted to play today!" look.

Here we go!

Face:

• M.A.C. Studio Fix Fluid in NC15
• M.A.C. Select Moisture Cover Concealer in NC20
• Loose Translucent Powder
• M.A.C. Blush Ombre in 'Azalea Blossom'
• NARS 'Albatross'

Eyes:

• UDPP in 'Sin'
• NYX Jumbo Pencil in 'Milk', under the brows
• 'Brule' (matte skin tone) eyeshadow by Wet n' Wild, all over the lid
• 'Kid' (tan) eyeshadow by M.A.C., in the crease
• Unnamed (brown/gray) eyeshadow by M.A.C., in the deep crease
• 'Tako' (matte white) by Sugarpill, brow bone highlight
• NYX Extreme Liquid Liner in 'Extreme Smokey Gray'
• NYX Retractable Waterproof Eyeliner in 'Aqua Green', on the bottom waterline
• M.A.C. Technakohl Eyeliner in 'Graphblack', on the top waterline
• 'Mochi' (mint blue/green) eyeshadow by Sugarpill, to set the NYX pencil
• Maybelline Mega Plush Volum' Express Mascara in 'Very Black'

Lips:

• 'Vegas Volt' lipstick by M.A.C.

Since Halloween is right around the corner, leave me some makeup ideas/suggestions in the comments section. 

Later my freaky darlings!

Review: Milani Shadow Eyez Pencils + (A few) Vacation Pics

I know, I know. It's been far, far too long since I last posted. But, I do have a (somewhat) legitimate excuse this time: I was on vacation. I know what you're thinking, "You've been on vacation since the beginning of May?! What the crap?!". Let me break it down for you: The first week or so of May I was in Orlando, the rest of the time since then has been recovering from vacation and other random "fun" life stuff. But, we had a great time, so it all works out.

Here, I'll prove it:

Cinderella's Castle at the Magic Kingdom.

Me and the Hubs enjoying some Popsicles at Hollywood Studios.

Hogwarts at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. I was in mega fangirl mode. Serious business.

Universal Studios.

All of us: The Hubs, Me, My Mother-In-Law, Bro-In-Law, and Father-In-Law.

Epcot.

See? Good times. Oh, and this is not all of the pictures I took. I took a ridiculous amount of pictures. Believe me.

Let's get on with the important stuff: REVIEW TIME!

I picked up three of the Milani Shadow Eyez Pencils just a few days before vacation. I was hoping that they would be a better alternative to my NYX Jumbo Pencils in terms of longevity, and I was not disappointed.

I did a before and after shot of the swatches. This is the before (duh). 

In therms of longevity, Royal Purple has the second best staying power. After 12+ hours of wear, the creasing was not that bad at all. This isn't the most pigmented color of the bunch, and as you can see from the photo it swatches kind of patchy. But, with a bit of blending and layering it looks just fine.

Aquatic Style is my absolute favorite of the bunch. The color payoff is absolutely amazing as you can see. And, of the three pencils I have, this is the one that has the best longevity. I am honestly absolutely in love with this pencil.

I had very high hopes for Winter White, but sadly this one did not measure up. I probably put this one on the toughest test out of the three pencils. I wore this as an eyeshadow base for the drive down to Orlando, and it just didn't make it. As far as creasing, it's up there with the NYX Jumbo Pencil in 'Milk'. Needless to say, I was super disappointed. However, I love to use this as a base for a brow highlight and on the water line.

Here's how my initial swatches held up. I washed dishes, did house work, you name it, while these were on my hand. As you can see, Winter White just barely made it.

Here I'm wearing Royal Purple as a base with M.A.C. 'Stars N' Rockets' and 'Prussian' over top.

Here's how my makeup looked at the end of the day. All in all, the creasing wasn't that bad.

Here I'm wearing Aquatic Style as a base under M.A.C. 'Club' eyeshadow. I absolutely loved how this look turned out.

So, here's the skinny:

Pros:

• Overall, good color payoff
• Overall, they last longer than the NYX Jumbo Pencils
• Waterproof

Cons:

• Price. These pencils are $6.99 each, as compared to the NYX pencils which are $4.49. But, I still think that these are great pencils and worth the few extra bucks.

So there y'all have it!

See you soon, my freaky darlings!

<3

EOTD- Petal Pretty

As you can probably tell, I did not post my skin care/skin experiment yesterday. Believe me I was going to, but the weekend threw me a curve ball and kinda screwed me up a bit. I do plan on having it up before the end of the week, though. Promise.

So today's look came from the epiphany I had in the shower this morning:
"I want to wear 'Stars N' Rockets' today!"

Epic and groundbreaking, no? ... That's what I thought.

Face:

• NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in 'Finland'
• M.A.C. Prep + Prime Translucent Pressed Finishing Powder
• Bourjois blush in 16 Rose Coup De Foudre

Eyes:

• M.A.C. Paint Pot in 'Painterly'
• 'Buck' eyeshadow by Urban Decay, in the crease
• 'Stars N' Rockets' eyeshadow by M.A.C., all over the lid and blended over the crease
• 'Prussian' eyeshadow by M.A.C., in the outer 'v' and blended into the deep crease
• 'Tissueweight' eyeshadow by M.A.C., in the inner corners and as the brow bone highlight
• Lashgasm mascara by Too Faced

Lips:

• Revlon Colorburst Lip Gloss in 'Strawberry'

Later, my freaky darlings.

<3

Double Feature! Review + FOTD

Holy crap on a stick. It's been a month since my last post. I am so sorry you guys, things honestly got a little hectic and time just went, whoop, right out the window. Honestly, though, the main reason why I haven't done any EOTD/FOTD post is because my skin has just about lost it's mind. My eyes have really been my biggest issue. The skin on my lids and under eyes have been dry and itchy, my eyes have been watery. Pollen season is in full swing here in the South. And my skin has decided that it's a teenager again, and I've been having breakouts galore. But, I am happy to say that all of the these problems are just about behind me (thank the L-rd!) thanks to a changed up skin care routine and some awesome new (to me anyways) products. I plan on doing a big post about all of that on Monday, after I finish my experiment.

Moving on.

Since it's been so long since I've posted, I've decided that today is going to be a two for one special: A Review and a FOTD.

Still love me? Of course you do.

NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

Though I haven't posted anything, I haven't been idle. I've been sampling foundations for the past month now try to find something lighter in coverage for the summer. Now, I still love my MAC Studio Fix Fluid, it's pretty much my baby, but with the heat and humidity down here in Alabama I really wanted something that was going to be light on my face but still evened out my skin tone.


So, I picked up 3 samples: 2 foundations from Clinique (I apologize for not listing their names, but I can't read the writing on their labels. I will edit that information in when I find it.) and the NARS Tinted Moisturizer. One of the Clinique I liked alright, but I was no way in love with it, and the other, though it was the lightest shade in its particular range, made me look like I had just slathered Nutella on my skin. It was horrifying, and yet very amusing.


After that particular experience, I be-bopped myself over to Sephora and picked up a NARS sample in 'Finland", which is their lightest shade. Let me just say, I loved it. Not only did I finish out my sample, I went out and purchased the full size.

So here is what NARS has to say about their product:

Your skin -  almost bare, but better. This advanced oil free formula provides a translucent veil of color and sun protection while helping to reduce the appearance of hyperpigmentation and dark spots in just four weeks. Infused with lush, naturally derived botanicals and ingredients to immediately help thirsty skin feel hydrated. Kopara from French Polynesia and mineral rich seawater revive and re-mineralize skin for softer, smoother, and brighter natural glow. Skin is transported.

First off, I don't have dark spots or hyperpigmentation, so I honestly can't say if those claims are true. But, my skin does feel hydrated, and smoother, and softer. No joke. 

One of the biggest selling points for me was the sun protection in this product. Of all the tinted moisturizers at Sephora that I looked over, this one had the highest SPF: 30. But wait, there's more! This product is a broad range product, which means that it protects you from UVA and UVB rays. I thought that was pretty fan-freakin-tastic! 

Another selling point for me is that it is a neutral tone, as in it has a balance of pink and yellow undertones. As with any skin tone, not all fair skin is alike. Some pale girls have yellow (or warm) undertones in their skin, and therefore need a pink toned foundation to balance them out; others, like myself, have pink (or cool) undertones and need a yellow based foundation (Like my MAC NC15). This moisturizer is perfect for both. 

The product is oil free, synthetic fragrance free, and retails for $42.00 for 1.9oz of product.

Now to the nitty gritty.

Pros:

• 30SPF/PA +++
• It gives good, even, light coverage
• Lightweight, and leaves my skin feeling silky smooth.
• Though there are no synthetic fragrances, it does have a very light citrus scent that I absolutely adore

Con:

• $42.00 a bottle is pricey, but honestly this product is worth it. So this isn't really a Con.

Now, we get to move on to the FOTD.

Since my skin has been acting like a brat, all I've been wearing is skin toned eyeshadows and no real color except for lipstick. Let me tell you, it's been driving me absolutely bonkers! So today I decided that I'd play with a little bit of color- I have a feeling that tomorrow I'll be incorporating even more color and getting back to my old self.

Pics!

Face:

• NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in 'Finland'
• M.A.C. Prep + Prime Translucent Pressed Powder
• Bourjois blush in 16 Rose Coup De Foudre

Eyes:

• M.A.C. Paint Pot in 'Painterly'
• 'Woodwinked' eyeshadow by M.A.C., all over the lid
• Nameless Gray/Brown (s) eyeshadow (Colourizations Duo #3) by M.A.C., in the crease and concentrated in the outer 'v', and very lightly along the lower lashline
• 'Tissueweight' eyeshadow by M.A.C., as the brow bone highlight
• Pin-Up Tease mascara by NYX

Lips:

• 'Viva Glam Cyndi' lipstick by M.A.C.

There you have it guys! I do plan on doing a big post on Monday about my skincare routine and the little experiment I've been doing this week. Hopefully I can get an EOTD or two in this weekend.

Have a lovely weekend, my freaky darlings!

<3

P.S. I dyed my hair again (surprise, surprise). It's now a super bright, vibrant shade of red and I friggin love it!

EOTD- St. Patrick's Day

So four days after St. Patrick's day I'm finally doing a post. I honestly meant to have this up on Sunday, but the hubs and I spent the day Spring Cleaning. Fun, fun, fun.

I had an absolute blast this St. Patrick's Day. We went downtown to watch the parade, and then over to a friend's house to hang out, eat, drink and be merry, and then ended the day with a St. Patrick's Day movie classic: 'The Boondock Saints'. Also, I didn't have a hangover! Epic win!

Moving right along...

Face:

• M.A.C. Studio Fix Fluid in NC15
• M.A.C. Prep + Prime Translucent Finishing Powder
• 'Nerdgasm' blush by Geek Chic Cosmetics

Eyes:

• UDPP in 'Original'
• 'Buck' eyeshadow by Urban Decay, in the crease as the transition color
• 'Inevitable Betrayal' eyeshadow by Geek Chic Cosmetics, all over the lid
• 'A Very Fine Hat' eyeshadow by Geek Chic Cosmetics, in the crease
• 'Virgin' eyeshadow by Urban Decay, as the brow bone highlight
• NYX Studio Liquid Liner in 'Extreme Smokey Gray'
• Benefit Bad Gal Lash mascara

Lips:

• 'Morange' lipstick by M.A.C.
• 'Vegas Volt' lipstick by M.A.C.

I also wanted to throw in this picture. I'm very proud to say that I am 25lbs. lighter now than I was last St. Patrick's Day. I've worked very hard, and I'm half way to my ultimate goal. I'm excited that I'm becoming a healthier person, and it feels so damn good! I can't tell y'all how much my self esteem has improved since I've started this journey. Now, I've just gotta keep on truckin'.

Later my freaky darlings.
<3

NTMS- Disney Inspired

Y'all have no idea how hard it was for me to pick an inspiration character for this week's challenge. Serious business. I initially narrowed it down to my favorite characters: Belle ('Beauty and the Beast'), Aurora ('Sleeping Beauty'), Tiana (The Princess and the Frog), and Maleficent ('Sleeping Beauty'). I actually did looks for all the characters, except for Tiana (because I simply ran out of time- but I may take my ideas for her and use them for St. Patrick's Day), and I just went with my favorite one which happened to be Maleficent.

Roll it!

Face:

• M.A.C. Studio Fix Fluid in NC15
• M.A.C. Prep + Prime Translucent Pressed Powder
• 'Dirty Plum blush by  M.A.C.

Eyes:

• UDPP in 'Original'
• 'Delft' Paint Pot by M.A.C.,all over the lid and blended out
• 'Jet' eyeshadow by Urban Decay, all over the lid and blended out
• 'Libertine' eyeshadow by Urban Decay, in the crease and blended out; also used to set and blend the black eyeliner on the lower lash line
• 'Inevitible Betrayal' loose eyeshadow by  Geek Chic Cosmetics, on the edge of 'Libertine' and in the inner corners; also along the lower lash line
• Sephora Waterproof Kohl Liner in 'Keep Black', along the upper and lower lash lines and in the upper waterline
• 'Dark Denim' eyeshadow by Clinique, along the top lash line to blend and set the black eyeliner
• 'Iris' eyeshadow by Mary Kay, in the center of the lid
• Lashgasm mascara by Too Faced

Lips:

• 'Over Sexed' Plush Glass by M.A.C.

Before I wrap this thing up I just wanted to say that I friggin' love my new camera! The picture quality has greatly improved- it even has a setting for taking pictures of skin! 

St. Patrick's Day look should be up tomorrow/Sunday. Also, I'm thinking of doing a small 'Hunger Games' series this week leading up to the release of the film- which I am stupid excited about.

I hope everyone has a great St. Patrick's Day weekend! Don't drink too much, designate a driver, and just be safe folks!

Erin Go Bragh!

Later my freaky darlings.

<3

EOTD- Early Spring

Today's look is simple and spring-tastic, and, if I'm completely honest, M.A.C.-tastic as well. Yesterday I purchased an empty 15 pan M.A.C. palette and de-potted all of my eyeshadows- the smell of melting plastic made me a smidge loopy for the rest of the afternoon. So, this morning I carted my butt up to the M.A.C. counter, turned in my empty containers, and picked me out some lipstick. Also, I hit up my local CCO (Cosmetic Company Outlet) yesterday and picked up a few M.A.C. things there as well, so they, too, will be making an appearance in this post. This whole spiel was just to say that now that my shadows are in one spot and I can see them and I have new stuff and I wanted to play.You can't blame a girl, right?

Moving on...

Face:

• Ulta Color Instincts Shade-Adjusting Foundation in 'Light'
• M.A.C. Prep + Prime Translucent Finishing Powder
• 'Dirty Plum' blush by M.A.C.

Eyes:

• UDPP in 'Original'
• 'Expensive Pink' eyeshadow by M.A.C., all over the lid and slightly above the crease
• 'Prussian' eyeshadow by M.A.C., in the crease, and along the outer two-thirds of the lower lash line
• 'Grey/Brown' eyeshadow (nameless eyeshadow from the Colourizations Duo #3) by M.A.C., in the crease to blend out 'Prussian', and also along the outer two-thirds of the lower lash line
• 'Blue Spruce' eyeshadow by M.A.C., in the outer 'v' only
• 'Coppering' eyeshadow by M.A.C., in between 'Blue Spruce' and 'Expensive Pink'
• 'Woodwinked' eyeshadow by M.A.C., in the inner corner and along the inner third of the lower lash line
• 'Tissueweight' eyeshadow by M.A.C., as the brow bone highlight
• M.A.C. Technakohl Liner in 'Brown Border'
• NYX Eyeliner Pencil in 'Velvet', on the bottom waterline
• M.A.C. Zoom Fast Black Lash mascara

Lips:

• 'Vegas Volt' lipstick by M.A.C.
• 'Strage Potion' lipglass by M.A.C.

I said it was going to be M.A.C. heavy. 

This isn't my best work by a long shot, but I feel pretty right now, and that's all that really matters.

Also, the Ulta foundation I'm using is new (I got it for free with the Ulta points I earned last quarter. Woot!), so I'm not sure how I feel about it yet. Let me know in the comments what you think. 

Thanks for reading my loves!

Later my freaky darlings!

<3