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Makeup

Review: Too Faced Jingle All the Way Makeup Set

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(Photo Credit: Too Faced)
(Photo Credit: Too Faced)

Whether you are thinking of a holiday gift or a little something special for yourself this Too Faced Makeup Set could be a great option for you.  I personally was immediately drawn in by the packaging and cleverness.  A compact that holds products perfect for a purse and enough that you have a touch-up kit to take on the go.    The compact contains: 11 eyeshadows, a blush, a bronze and a Limited Edition iPhone 5 case designed by interior Mary McDonald (and Bravo TV Star).

First the compact and iPhone case, completely sturdy and good looking in person.  The other thing that I liked was you can flip the makeup around and clip it in backwards so that it stays protected in a purse or makeup bag.

The makeup of course is great quality and the palette contains eye shadows that will work for any skin tone as well as take a day look to an evening look.  For me the shade of the bronzer is a shade that if I use lightly could double as a powder for a quick on the go touch up.

Overall for $25 it is a great gift for a glamour girl and fun to have!  Keep in mind this is a Holliday Limited Edition gift, so it is out now until it sells out.

Makeup

OCC Fragmented Alice Lip Tar

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ImageObsessive Compulsive Cosmetics is a brand that I found several years ago and since then they have blown up and create some amazing products and shades.  The cruelty-free vegan line has rich pigments, incredible staying power and can create both beauty and editorial looks.

There award winning lip tar has become a huge hit, Lip Tar is a hybrid of a lipstick and a lip gloss, the pigment is so saturated that a little goes a long way.  I promise this is one where you really want to apply with a light hand. 

To my surprise I was very interested when I learned that OCC was releasing a new color Lip Tar and it would make its debut at San Diego Comic Con.  Luckily San Diego is my home town so I sent my brother on the mission to acquire the Tar before it hit the shelves.  Why did I go nuts for this?? 

“Fragmented Alice” Lip Tar is a take On Alice in Wonderland.  Symbolist painter Gail Potocki, helped create the color, Inspired by Potocki’s uniquely macabre take on the Alice in Wonderland mythology.  The color is a metallic green, hints of gold and something that is fresh and new.  OCC describes the color as “acid-green, gold laced metallic”.  Packaged with an applicator for $14 USD.

Keeping true with the formula of Lip Tar it is glossy and has a shimmery effect.  Yes the color is definitely green and does have a gold sheen in it.  If you are not sure that you are ready to rock such a strong color, it looks very cool on top of a neutral pink shade and gives your lips a reason for a second glance.  However, if you are not inspired by the color then look into all of the Lip Tar shades and pick a fun one that you would love.

OCC will be conjuring up a limited edition collection full of curious colors inspired by the world of ‘Fragmented Alice’. 

Makeup

Garnier BB Cream: Skin Renew Review

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(Photo Credit: Garnier)

I remember a few years ago when the hype was HD Makeup, and now it is BB Cream.  Everyone seems to make it and it is the must have product.  Many clients have been asking me what is it and do they need it.  BB Cream is actually not a new product it was originally formulated in 1960.  BB Cream stands for Beauty Balm and is promoted as an all in one product that can replace your moisturizer, serum, foundation and sun protection.  

I was fortunate to receive a sample of Garnier BB Cream: Skin Renew to test out.  It is the company’s first BB Cream that combines hydration with tinted minerals and Vitamin C.  I found that the product was very creamy and smooth, reminding me of a moisturizer and tinted to match my skin tone.  The product gives a good amount of coverage and evened my skin tone.  I was surprised that the coverage lasted longer than a tinted moisturizer which I personally am not a fan off, and more like a traditional foundation. 

It is a great option for the upcoming Spring and Summer months, easy to use and not a strong scent.  Skip the tinted moisturizer which does not hydrate as well as a BB Cream and gives minimal coverage if any.  I would still recommend to clients to use a moisturizer after washing your face and a serum based on skin type.

Makeup

MAC Cosmetics: Archie Girls Collection

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Are you Team Betty or Team Veronica?  The classic Archie comics featured a rivalry between the girl next door, Betty and the smoldering Veronica.  MAC Cosmetics is releasing their Spring Limited Edition Collection inspired by the timeless rivalry between Betty and Veronica.  For Betty, MAC created a sugary sweet pink and peach collection to cater to your softer side.  The Veronica collection is dramatic, vampy and caters to your cool, striking side.  Whether you are Team Betty, Team Veronica, MAC has also created accessories that feature the epic love triangle.

(Photo Credit: MAC Cosmetics)

(Photo Credit: MAC Cosmetics)

Archie’s Girls: Betty

Betty Lipstick – $16.50

  • Girl Next Door Vivid Blue Pink (Lustre)
  • Betty Bright Light Vibrant Peach (Satin)
  • Oh, Oh, Oh Sheer Brown Plum (Lustre)

Betty LipGlass – $16.50

  • Summer Sweetheart Light Peach
  • Stay Sweet Light Lavendar Pink
  • Kiss & Don’t Tell Bright Coral

Caramel Sundae: Eye Shadow X4 – $44.00

  • Cheryl Chic Light Coral Pink (Frost)
  • Dreammaker Pale Frosty Yellow (Frost)
  • Caramel Sundae Midtone Warm Tan (Satin)
  • Showstopper Dark, Cool-Toned Brown (Matte)

Betty Nail Lacquer – $17.50

  • Comic Cute Bright Coral
  • Pep, Pep, Pep Light Peach Nude

Betty Powder Blush – $22.00

  • Cream Soda Light Neutral Coral

Archie’s Girls Pearlmatte Face Powder – $30.00

  • Flatter Me Golden Peach with Coral Hearts

Betty Pigment – $23.00

  • Cheers My Dear  Light Lavender
  • Lucky in Love  Shimmering Light Blue Green

Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner – $16.50

  • Lord It Up  Bronze with Pearl
  • Black Swan Black with Gold Pearl

Betty Opulash Optimum Black – $17.50

(Photo Credit: MAC Cosmetics)

(Photo Credit: MAC Cosmetics)

Archie’s Girls: Veronica

Veronica Lipstick – $16.50

  • Daddy’s Little Girl Midtone Pink Violet (Satin)
  • Ronnie Red Bright Red (Matte)
  • Boyfriend Stealer Deep Blackened Plum (Cremesheen)

Veronica LipGlass – $16.50

  • Mall Madness Midtone Pink Violet
  • Strawberry Malt  Bright Red
  • Feelin’ So Good  Deep Blackened Plum

Spoiled Rich: Eye Shadow X4 – $44.00

  • Pin-Up Purple Midtone Orchid (Frost)
  • Spoiled Rich Rich Purple (Frost)
  • Ron Ron Ron Deep Navy (Satin)
  • Gravel Charcoal (Matte)

Veronica Nail Lacquer – $17.50

  • Past Curfew Deep Berry
  • Double Trouble Deep Navy

Veronica Powder Blush – $22.00

  • Prom Princess Midtone Violet Pink

Archie’s Girls Pearlmatte Face Powder – $30.00

  • Veronica’s Blush Silvery Pink Base with Deep Pink Hearts

Veronica Pigment – $23.00

  • Black Poodle Blackened Pink
  • Magic Spells Blackened Teal

Pearlglide Intense Eyeliner – $16.50

  • Petrol Blue  Deep Navy with Pearl
  • Designer Purple Violet with Pearl

Veronica Opulash Optimum Black – $17.50

(Photo Credit: MAC Cosmetics)

(Photo Credit: MAC Cosmetics)

Archie’s Girls: Exclusives

Archie’s Girls Brush Kit– $49.50

Includes a five-piece brush kit, brushes handles are covered with hearts and in a logo embossed tin case.

Young Hearts Mirror – $25.00

Online exclusive heart shaped mirror with white faux-patent slipcase.

Yours Forever Tote– $49.50

Online exclusive, white faux-patent tote with heart shaped front pocket and red piping.

Jingle Jangle Coin Purse – $33.00

A heart shaped faux-patent coin purse, with a zippered closure and red piping.

Just a Flirt Makeup Bag – $38.00

A white faux-patent heart shaped makeup bag with a red zippered closure and piping.  Ultra chic and portable for keeping all of your essentials.

The National Release of Archie’s Girls is officially February 7th.  MAC Cosmetics did release the collection for purchase online starting today!  If you love a color or an accessory don’t hesitate as it is limited edition and will sell out.

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DHC Deep Cleansing Oil Review

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(Photo Credit: DHC Care.com)
(Photo Credit: DHC Care.com)

I recently received a sample sized DHC Deep Cleansing Oil treatment.   It was sent in a “mom” package with goodies for my son and the Cleansing Oil was my bonus.  The card in the box said that the Oil would give me clean, fresh, glowing skin.  I typically do not use oil products as my skin is combination and the last thing I need is more oil.  However, living on the East Coast in winter, with heaters running everywhere my skin is very dry.

I found that the oil did an amazing job at removing makeup at the end of the day and hydrating my skin.  It even removed waterproof eyeliner and mascara easily, without a greasy feeling.  The oil once emulsifies with water it turns into a lotion that rinses completely and gives you a fresh feeling.  I continued to use the product over two weeks and found that my skin looked better and my complexion had improved.

Try the Deep Cleansing Oil if your skin is like mine or you are looking for a new product to try.

Makeup

MAC Cosmetics Releasing Marilyn Monroe Limited Edition Collection

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Photo Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

Where Old Hollywood meets new beauty.   MAC Cosmetics will be releasing  its brand new holiday limited edition Collection: Marilyn Monroe.  The 30 piece collection “channel’s the legend’s luster and sex appeal in a colour collection distinctively Marilyn”.  The collection will make it easy for anyone to create the icon’s cat eye, as well as the perfect red pout as MAC has created 4 different shades of red so that anyone can achieve the look.  The makeup line is up to MAC standards and if you are a MAC fan then you will love the color pigments and the wear of the line.  However, even if you are not a fan of the makeup the packaging alone is fabulous.  The packaging  features imagery from The Black Sitting.

Photo Courtesy of MAC Cosmetics

Large Eyeshadow – $21.00

  • How to Marry Soft White (Veluxe Pearl)
  • Preferred Blonde Pale Champagne Beige (Veluxe Pearl)
  • Silver Screen True Silver (Veluxe Pearl)
  • Showgirl Dark Blue Grey (Veluxe Pearl)

Lipstick – $16.50

  • Pure Zen Frosted Warm Nude (Cremesheen)
  • Scarlett Ibis Bright Orange Red (Matte)
  • Love Goddess Mid-tone Pink Red (Satin)
  • Charmed I’m Sure Dark True Red (Matte)
  • Deeply Adored Deep Scarlet (Matte)

Dazzleglass – $21.50

  • Phiff! Sheer Yellow Peach (Frost)
  • Little Rock Soft Sheer White with Pearl (Frost)

False Lashes Mascara – $20.00

  • Extreme Black Black

Brow Finisher – $15.00

  • Clear Clear

Eye Kohl – $15.00

  • Fascinating Intense Matte White
  • Smolder Intense Black

Penultimate Eyeliner – $18.50

  • Rapidblack True Black

Penultimate Brow Marker – $18.50

Lashes – $16.00

  • 35 Lash

Powder Blush – $22.00

  • Legendary Pale Soft Coral (Satin)
  • The Perfect Cheek Neutral Pink Beige (Matte)

Beauty Powder – $28.00

  • Forever Marilyn Sheer Pale Peach Highlighter

Nail Lacquer – $17.50

  • Rich, Rich, Rich Glittery Gold (Pearl) (Online Exclusive)
  • Vintage Vamp Rich Deep Retro Wine (Cream) (Permanent)
  • Stage Red Dark Berry Red (Cream)
  • Flaming Rose True Red (Cream) (Permanent)
  • Kid Orange Coral (Cream)

 

The Marilyn Monroe limited edition collection will be available online starting September 27th and at all MAC boutiques starting October 4th.  And like any good collection, once it is sold out it will be gone.

Makeup

Make Up For Ever: Black Tango Palette

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black tango makeup forever

(Photo Credit: Makeup Forever)

Experience the sultry side of Argentine Tango with Make Up For Ever‘s new Black Tango Palette.  Founder and Creative director Dany Sanz‘s took her love of Argentine Tango dancing and turned it into a makeup palette that everyone can enjoy and re-create the sexy look.

The limited edition palette features Makeup Forever’s Aqua cream shadows, which are smudge proof cream eye shadows that do not crease or fade.  The four shades are a black with red highlights, black with green highlights, black with blue highlights and ivory.  The shades are ultra rich jewel tones that can be warn this fall and turned into an incredible smokey eye.

Smokey Eye Application:

Photo Credit: Sephora

-Apply a dark shade across the eyelid and blend.
-Using the same shade, line the lower lash line and lightly smudge.
-For an added highlight, apply the ivory shade to the browbone.
-Finish with Aqua Eyes OL and Aqua Smoky Lash mascara for a completely smudge-proof look.

This limited edition palette can be purchased at Sephora for $45.

Makeup

MAC Cosmetics: New Heavenly Creature Limited Edition Collection

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(Photo Credit: MAC Cosmetics)

July marks a new MAC Cosmetics Color Collection: Heavenly Creature Colour.  On the surface these colors look marbleized, however, on the skin they blend in for a stunning “celestial” effect.

As with any beginning to makeup application it starts with the skin, and the Heavenly Creature Collection has a Creature Skincare to start with. The trio features a Super Duo Charged Water Technology with a eye cream, moisture gel, and a water cleanser. The limited edition brings back an old favorite with the Mineralize Volcanic Ash Exfoliator.

The Mineralize Skinfinish has a high-frost metallic finish in four gorgeous shades: Light Year, Center of The Universe, Star Wonder and Earthshine. It is the perfect product to add color and cheek highlights or over all color to the face like a bronzer.  Perfect for a lightweight summer option.

MAC Heavenly Creature Collection Mineralize Eyeshadow

(Photo Credit: MAC Cosmetics)

The Mineralize Eye Shadows have baked minerals refined into a powder that is light yet, still has the amazing signature MAC color pigments that can be applied in light layers to get the color effect you are looking for. Finish off your eyes with False Lashes mascara.  This mascara’s feature is to give you the volume and curl of a false eyelash without actually using false eyelashes. The formula is matched by its unique double-lush brush.

MAC lipstick

(Photo Credit: MAC Cosmetics)

The five new lipsticks add color and texture to the lips that stand out on the runway or on the streets. Add the Cremesheen Glass over the lipstick to amplify the color or use alone. The Glass is a non-sticky, creamy lipgloss that has a fantastic sheen.

Hit MAC online or play in your MAC Cosmetics store as theses colors will be gone soon.

Makeup

Smashbox Eye Beam Double-Ended Brightener Review

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(Photo Courtesy: Smashbox)

As a makeup artist I know the importance of making my clients eyes look brighter as well as using the tricks on my own eyes especially after a long night.  While a white eye pencil is a great trick to use in the corners of your eyes or to rim your lower lashes.  I do find that at times white can be a little to bright or the white pencil becomes noticeable and instead of it being a great trick everyone notices the white liner.  I came across Smashbox’s Eye Beam Double-Ended Brightener and was intrigued by the product.  What I immediately noticed is that the two sides are slightly different shades, but more of a flesh tone color.  I decided that I would test it on myself before adding it to my kit.

The inner rim side of the pencil is perfect for lining the lower inner rim of your eye.  The texture of the pencil is soft so as not to irritate your eye and adding a brightness look without looking white.  It brightens your eyes in a subtle way that people will notice you look more refreshed without knowing your secret.

The other side of the pencil is labeled Highlight and can be placed in a couple of places to get the bright eye affect.  The first option is to apply on the inner corners of the eyes.  It also can be used underneath your brow to make your eyes appear bigger and wider.  Smashbox also states that you can apply the product to help with dark circles and use it as a concealer.  I do agree that you can use the pencil this way however, if you have very dark circles it may not give you enough coverage and be better to go with an under eye concealer.

I am a fan of this pencil and have been using it on my clients and brides as a new option for brighter eyes.  Ditch the white pencil for the Eye Beam Double-Ended Brightener worth the $22 investment.

Makeup

The Make-Up-Matte Review

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I am always looking for great new makeup products to share and to make life a little easier.  I was recently made aware of a new product that was designed to keep your counter tops clean and make doing makeup easier.  “The Make-up-Matte is a mineral and powder workspace solution and portable carryall for your cosmetics and brushes when you are on the go.”

While a cosmetic bag can carry all of your products, I do not like them as a brush carrier as the brushes tend to get bent and are not always in great condition after long term use.  With the matte I noticed immediately after unrolling mine that the brushes have their own pockets and rolled up they do not smooshed or bent.  For those gals who use loose mineral powder or loose glitter, then you know the second you open the lid there is always the chance of getting some on the counter, your clothes, the car, wherever you open it.  With the Make-Up-Matte, if you get some on the micro-fiber no problem.  The Matte’s  are machine washable for easy-care convenience.  I took my Matte out on the road with me, as I am always on the go, and that is what the Make-up-Matte advertises.  It rolls small enough to get into a handbag, diaper bag, suitcase, or whatever you carry with you.  I loved that when I opened the roll everything was visible and I could get immediately to my brush and product that I needed versus digging into a cosmetic bag.  I also was pleased that I didn’t get loose glitter and powder all over myself or anything.  I would recommend the Make-Up-Matte ($22.95) as a time and space saver as well as a clean way to keep all of your makeup.  It comes in a variety of stylish styles and could be a great gift for your mom or girlfriend.