April Favorites!

So, I did a favorites list last month, and I have decided that in addition to last months items I have come up with a new list!
(photos may be clicked, to be enlarged.)
FACE:


Pictured: (Left to Right) MAC Iridescent Loose Powder in 'Silver Dusk', MAC 168 Angled Brush, MAC Blush in 'Rhubarb', MAC Contour Powder in 'Bone Beige'.

Let's start off with the Iridescent Loose Powder in 'Silver Dusk', I find that these are often disregarded in the makeup community, the reason I love it so much is because, One: It lasts foreverrrr and Two: There are SO many uses for it.
A couple things I use this for is for a highlight, it can be used as a highlight on the brow bone, as well as the rest of the face. Another thing you can use it for is to add shimmer to any of your matte shadows by simply placing it on top. You can also use it as an all over lid color, or you can dust it on your body for a nice shimmering effect.

Next, we have the MAC 168 Angled Brush. I use this for Contour, Blush, and highlighting. It's great for all those things, but I have also heard of people using it to apply their liquid foundation. Personally, I haven't tried it, so I can't speak for that. Overall I think this brush is very versatile and can be used in many ways.

Third, we have the MAC blush in 'Rhubarb' I do believe this is a PRO product, but it is gorgeously pigmented and longwearing, also a little bit goes a long way and it blends really nicely into the skin.

Lastly, we have the MAC contour powder in 'Bone Beige', this is also a PRO product, but it adds a nice contour to my face, and really it's the only contour I have ever used, so I am sure it is easily dupable.

SWATCHES:

PICTURED: (left to right) MAC Blush in 'Rhubarb' (pro), MAC Contour Powder in 'Bone Beige' (pro), MAC Iridescent Loose Powder in 'Silver Dusk'.












EYES:

PICTURED:(Left to Right, Top to Bottom) Glamour Doll Eyeshadow in 'Blueberry Lush', MAC Paintpot in 'Rubenesque', Loew Cornell Maxine Mop 3/8" Paint Brush, MAC 222, MAC Eyeshadow in 'Shadowy Lady', MAC Eyeshadow in 'Steamy', MAC Eyeshadow in 'Shroom', MAC Eyeshadow in 'Satin Taupe'.

If you saw my post from last month with my favorites you will know that I featured a Glamour Doll shadow last month as well. I recently got 'Blueberry Lush' from Glamour Doll and it is AMAZING! I love this blue, it's pigmented and shimmery and just plain lovely. If you love blues and you don't have it, buy it here:
Glamour Doll!

Next, we have the Paintpot in 'Rubenesque' from MAC. I bought this ages ago and never really used it. Since I have been doing more neutral shadow looks lately I have decided that I best make use of it. I love it! I use it over Urban Decay Primer Potion, because I have oily eyelids and if I didn't I would be a creasy mess, but it gives your lid a nice amount of shimmer and it is a stickier base so that eyeshadow will stick better.

Third! We have the Loew Cornell 3/8" brush. I actually found out about this on youtube, and I heard that it was a dupe for the MAC 239. I don't have the MAC 239, but I think this brush works fabulously! you can pack the color onto your lid with it, and apply a highlight. Since it is a paintbrush it is quite affordable, but it is also very well made. I buy mine at Michael's, which is a craft store, but you'll have to search around in your area.

Ohhh, the famous MAC 222! It is a blending brush, but is better for a more defined crease look. I use this quite a bit when I cut my crease or I want control in a certain area. This brush is dense, stiff, but very soft as well. It's a great purchase if you are willing to fork out the money for it.

Now, we have the MAC eyeshadow in 'Shadowy Lady'. I got this eyeshadow when I purchased the 'Shadowy Lady' quad that was released with the Cult of Cherry collection. I depotted my shadows from the quad, so that I could pop them into my 15 well palettes. Anyway, this color is matte, and it's a deep dark plum-ish brown color. It looks gorgeous in the crease, and when used with aqua/teal/blue colors it really pops.

MAC's 'Steamy' Eyeshadow is next, and this color is a a Frost finish and it GORGEOUS! especially, when applied wet. I really like the texture of this shadow and it glides on like butter. It's beautiful if you like green-ish colors. It looks fantastic with Shadowy Lady.

The next eyeshadow featured is 'Shroom' from MAC. I got this and I have already hit pan on it! I bought it a couple months ago, and I use it sooo much. It's the perfect highlight color for my skintone and it looks fantastic as a all over lid color.

Next, I recently got 'Satin Taupe' from MAC, and if you like browns, you need this color. It's incredibly pigmented and it's one of the softest shadows I own. It looks lovely on all skin tones and is a great buy!



(Left to Right, Top to Bottom) MAC Shadowy Lady Eyeshadow, MAC Steamy eyeshadow, MAC Shroom Eyeshadow, MAC Sating Taupe Eyeshadow, Glamour Doll 'Blueberry Lush', MAC Paintpot in 'Rubenesque'.





LIPS:


PICTURED: (left to right) NYX Lip Pencil in 'Citrine', MAC Lipstick in 'Show Orchid'(LE!), MAC lipstick in 'Violetta' (pro)

First is NYX Lip Pencil in Citrine. I won this in a contest a while back, and I never really used it much, because I don't line my lips. Recently, I have been using this like crazy! whenever I feel like not wearing bright colors on my lips I throw this on and then put a little chapstick over it. It makes me look alive, and it's the prettiest shade of pink.

Next, is MAC's lipstick in 'Show Orchid'. This is my new FAVORITE lip product! I love it so much! It's beautiful and hot pink and crazy, like me :) It's limited edition, so get it while you can. The texture is amazing and it goes on just as pink as it looks in the picture. buy it, love it!

Last, we have the MAC lipstick in 'Violetta', I first saw this when Petrilude used it in a video and from then on I knew I had to have it. Purple is my favorite color, and I am daring when it comes to makeup, so I don't mind having a bright purple on my lips. This lipstick is not for the people with weary hearts. This is a pro product, so it will not be available at counters.

SWATCHES:

Left to right: NYX Lip Liner in Citrine, MAC Lipstick in 'Show Orchid', MAC lipstick in 'Violetta'

Alright! I hope you all enjoyed that, it took me forever to write! :) haha. If you'd like, leave a comment telling me some of your favorite things for this month, or all time!

Love,
Catherine!

FACE OF THE DAY #5 (?) I think..

Today, I did a tutorial on a fun look. It's bright! I loooove bright.
I used some of my favorite shadows from Glamour Doll.
They're available here:
http://glamourdolleyes.com/
LIST OF PRODUCTS USED:
UDPP
MAC Rubenesque Paintpot
GDE Cloud Coverage
GDE Glam Girl
GDE Shamrock
GDE Blueberry Lush
GDE Ladies Night
GDE Eyelights in 'Rave' (glitter!)
MAC powerpoint pencil in 'engraved'
MAC Zoom Lash Mascara
Wet n' Wild Mega Liner
DUO Lash glue (glitter adhesive)

Thank you for reading!
-Catherine

Smokey Olive Eyes!

PRODUCT LIST:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
MAC Humid e/s
MAC Shroom e/s
MAC Knight Divine e/s
MAC Carbon e/s
MAC Pagan e/s (LE) (Could use Bitter)
Wet n' Wild Mega Liner in Black
Maybelline Volum express Turbo boost Mascara in Black
NARS Orgasm blush
MAC Love Nectar l/g

I hope you enjoy the look!

Poppin' Purples with Glamour Doll Eyes

So! if you watched my newest video you will have seen that I did a tutorial on this look:







I used Glamour Doll Eyeshadows for this look:
Disco White
Lavender Spark
Glam Girl

If you haven't checked them out already go check out their website:
http://glamourdolleyes.com/

Vanessa, the owner of the site is super sweet and she is known as Glamourdolleyes on youtube, so go take a look at her videos if you haven't already.


Products are mentioned in video.

Face of the Day #4

So, I did a tutorial on this look and this is my neutral, everyday, really fast look when I don't want to do brighter, bolder makeup.
I showed the products used in the video.
:)

Face of the Day #3

Okay, so I got a request from Roboticxweirdo and I tried doing the tutorial on a new better quality camera.
FAIL.
anyway, I got pictures still and I'll have to re-do the tutorial tomorrow. *siiigh*
Jillian (roboticxweirdo) wanted me to pull inspiration from a concert flyer and do a look, but keep it neutral and use colors from the Urban Decay Ammo Palette.
Here's the Flyer:

Anyway, it was really simple and all the colors I used were from the Urban Decay Ammo Palette, but one, that I used from the Coastal Scents 88 Palette.



PHOTOS:



PRODUCTS USED:
URBAN DECAY AMMO PALETTE SHADOWS
-Grifter
-Last Call
-Mildew
-Oil Slick
-Polyester Bride

-Coastal Scents Palette Deep Purple
-Maybelline 'The Colossal Mascara'
-Wet n' Wild Mega Liner in Black

-MAC blush in 'Stark Naked'

-Philosophy Big Mouth in 'Nude'
BRUSHES:
-Loew Cornell 3/8"
- MAC 227
-MAC 217
-MAC 219
-MAC 168
-MAC 182

I hope you enjoy, I will re-do the tutorial tomorrow and post it!
-Catherine

Buying Woes..

If you've been a makeup collector for any amount of time, you will know that with shopping comes great responsibility.
Although, I try to watch as many reviews as I can on a product before I buy something, there are times when I am still highly disappointed. What's worse is I feel like I can't take things back, even though I know Nordstrom's doesn't care. Often, I have been suckered into a product that I end up HATING. So, this blog will be about some of the disappointments throughout my journey of collection makeup, in hope that you don't waste your money on the same thing I did.
PRODUCTS:

Brushes: MAC 150 & 129


(Left to right) MAC 150 Large Powder Brush ($42.00 USD), MAC 129 Powder/Blush brush ($34.00 USD)

So, many of you might be confused as to why I don't like these brushes. It's not that I don't like them necessarily, it's that I don't use them much and could have bought a cheaper alternative and saved money.

Personally, I don't need a large powder brush because when I use powder I apply it with my kabuki brush and it gives a more full coverage than just a light dusting with the MAC 150. Honestly, the only thing I use the 150 for is to brush away eye shadow fallout.

The 129 was an impulse buy, I've used it maybe 6 times to apply blush, and a couple of times to apply liquid foundation, all in all I think it was a waste of $34, because I think my 187 applies blush much smoother and blends better than the 129.

Face:


(Left to Right) MAC Prep + Prime Skin ($23.00 USD), Bella Pierre Loose Mineral Foundation ($64.00 USD), MAC Eyebrow Duo ($?)

First off, the Prep + Prime was the first skin primer that I have used, I like the way it applies, but I didn't notice my foundation lasting longer, and it made my pores look HUGE. Keep in mind all our skin is different, and if it doesn't work for me, doesn't mean it won't work for you.

Secondly, the Bella Pierre Loose Foundation is my one and only mineral foundation, as you can see by the price it was quite expensive. It covers well, but it breaks me out like crazy, I still use it quite often when I don't have time for a full face makeup, but that is just until I get some Bare Minerals. It also breaks my mom out, and it's not just like a couple of little spots, it's full-fledged gross acne.

Thirdly, the MAC eyebrow duo is not very pigmented and it's quite powdery and chalky not in a good way. I looked on the MAC website and it's not available anymore, so obviously it wasn't a big seller.

Eyes:



Top Photo: (Left to Right) Bella Pierre Stick it! ($10.00 USD), L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara ($Varies)
Bottom Photo: (Left to Right) MAC Mineralize Eye Shadow Trio in 'Outspoken'($17.50 USD), MAC Eyeshadow in 'Forgery' ($14.50 USD), MAC Solar Bits in 'Scatterrays' ($?)

Okay, well I don't have much to say about the Bella Pierre Stick it other than PLEASE, DO NOT BUY IT! It is supposed to adhere glitter to your eyelids/face and it doesn't work, it just falls right onto your face or into your eyes, and if you know glitter is not eye safe. You'd be better off using Elmer's glue...Well, not really, but if you want to adhere glitter use eyelash glue, best thing I have found yet.

Next we have the L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara and I bought this wanting to do a review on it. I hate it, it smudged on me, it flaked, it irritated my eyes. AND, it ran. If that isn't enough it made my eyelashes look clumpy even with one coat. Definitely not my favorite.

Now, on the the MAC trio in 'Outspoken'. I bought this because I am a huge purple eyeshadow fan. The bright purple side is gorgeous. But honestly, I have used this twice and didn't like it either time, it's not pigmented unless used wet and the glitter stripe down the middle is not a sliver, but more of a pressed glitter and it flakes badly. I might just need to get some mineralize eyeshadow trio skills, but I would not re-purchase this again.

Oh, Forgery..a lot of people know that MAC's eyeshadow finish that is 'LUSTRE' SUCKS. Honestly, they're hard to work with, chunky glittery and fall out everywhere, this is the worst MAC eyeshadow I have ever tried.

Last, but not least we have the MAC Solar Bits in 'Scatterrays'. Gorgeous color, you will be able to see that by the photo. This product was limited edition and I was sucked into it by it's beautiful appearance and the seduction of the MAC lady at the counter I was at. I don't really regret buying it, but I haven't used them but once. They make a huge mess and it's hard to apply because you have to crush the pigment chunks before applying them.

Lips:

(Left to right) Maybelline Lip Polish in 'Shimmer Girl' ($varies), L'Oreal HIP Jelly Balm in 'Ripe' ($varies), Philosophy Big Mouth Lip Plumper in 'Nude' ($22.00 USD)

Okay, so for the Maybelline Lip Polish the reason I don't like this is because the glitter inside the gloss is so big and chunky that it actually hurts my lips to wear it. It's horrid and I totally regret the $7 I spent on this..

The HIP jelly balm has received many reviews from many people who either love it, or they hate it. Personally, I hate it. I have worn it once and I don't like the fake-ish candy smell or taste, it's not smooth on the lips, but it's pretty sticky. Also, it doesn't make my lips soft whatsoever.

Okay, so the last product from lips is the Philosophy Big Mouth Lip Plumper gloss in Nude. The only thing this did was take $22 out of my wallet. I knew it wasn't a good idea to buy a lip plumper that I couldn't find reviews on, but I did it anyway. The smell, taste, and feeling is good, but not for what I paid for it.



What are some products you hate? Post a comment! :) Can't wait to here from you all!

-Catherine