Ben Nye Translucent Powders

I picked up some more Ben Nye Translucent powders!  I previously purchased Topaz but wanted to  try Banana.  I don't know if this will suit my complexion but I was told it really blends well with women with my skin tone.  I also picked up the color Camel.  The powders are butter soft and feel super smooth on the skin.   In this photo I have on Topaz.

MAC Matchmaser foundation and Blunt Blush

I recently did a post about the MAC Matchmaster 7.5 foundation but did not purchase one until today.  I tried out a sample from MAC which lasted a couple of days so that I could be sure it was the right color for me and I'm happy to say it was.  It is a medium coverage foundation but the finish resembles a full coverage.  Love this color!  I finally also picked up the MAC Blunt Blush - which is a favorite with just about everyone. I didn't get it sooner because I really thought the color would be too light and not contour enough but it works great!

MAC Brush Cleaner and Fix+

I normally clean my personal brushes with anti bacterial liquid soap but decided to try the MAC Brush Cleaner solution.  I heard that it really leaves your brushes clean without any residue and keeps the shape of the brushes.  Having purchased the Sigma brushes recently I really wanted to take care of my investment and think this is the best choice.  I will keep you posted on how well it works.

I also picked up the MAC Fix+ for only $10US I figured I would give it a try - I've seen other vloggers use this on their blender sponges to make the concealer spread more easily or spritz their eyeshadow brush before dipping into the shadow color for a more pigmented finish.

MAC NW35 Studio Finish Concealer

Concealers are to me, the key to a more vibrant look when applying makeup.  I went from using MAC NW45 to MAC NW40 and now I use the NW35 Studio Finish Concealer.  Makeup is trial and error and it took me several tries to get the right color that would make my eyes pop.  I also got a sample of the Select Cover-up NW35 and will post how well it works and if I end up purchasing it - the MAC artist said the coverup is the same as the studio finish concealer but just in the liquid form.  I've seen it used over the studio finish concealer for extra coverage so I'm going to give it a try.

MAC Blending Sponge

Love the feel of this sponge and feel it's going to help blend my concealer and foundation really well.  MAC also sells the round bottom version of this but they sold out…since I never tried this particular sponge before I figured it would be better to get the smaller version first and if I really like it I will graduate to the larger sponge.

Tail Comb and Hair Cutter Comb

I recently purchased some wigs and as much as I love the styles they are a tad bit poofy.  So, I purchased a hair cutter comb and I'm going to trim both the Drew by Beshe and Tracy by Freetress Equal wigs.  I got the tail comb because I want to create baby hairs to make the hair line look more natural.

Foundation, Foundation, Foundation

The last few weeks I have been on the hunt for the correct foundation for my complexion - not an easy task.  For years I thought  Studio Finish Fluid NW45 by MAC was the only foundation for my complexion - I may have used it a couple of times and then stopped wearing it because it was just too red for my skin tone.  Well, MAC and various other makeup brands have stepped up their game when it comes to foundations, concealers and powders (pressed or loose) for women of color.

I recently tried MAC's matchmaster, 8.0, 9.0, 7.5 and I am glad to say that 7.5 is the one!  I also tried MAC's Studio Fix Fluid NW50 and NC50 neither worked one was too dark and the latter too light.  I then tried the Black Opal Foundation Stick in Truly Topaz - it was too yellow but I loved the consistency and the fact that it was a full coverage foundation.  Matchmaster 7.5 combined with the MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW35 works like a charm.  I'm sure I will continue experimenting with different shades and brands but this combination is perfect.

BHCosmetics Haul

I am getting requests to do makeup from some friends so I decided to purchase some products for the beginning of my freelance makeup kit.  I ordered some mascara wands, etc on ebay which I will post once they arrive and I also picked up some great shades from BHCosmetics kiosk at the mall near my home.  I've seen great reviews on their shadows and concealers and products on a whole and I felt this was an inexpensive way to start my freelance train case.  I'm going to also purchase a smaller traincase - heat resistant of course.  In this purchase I picked up the 28 Color Palette Neutral Eyeshadows, 28 Color Palette Smokey Eyeshadows, 32 Color Palette Lipcolors and the 10 Color Concealer Palette.

New Look

I got a new look.  I like to experiment with my look from time to time and along with testing out new cosmetics I decided to change up my hairstyle as well.  I purchased two different wigs from a company called www.elevatestyles.com.  I have to trim both pieces but I love the styles.  Take a look at my video    Wig Review - Drew by Beshe & Tracy by Freetress Equal.  The first photo is Tracy by Freetress and the second photo is Drew by Beshe.

NYX Lipgloss and Cream Blush

Added more to my makeup collection!  NYX is fast becoming one of my favorite drugstore/department store brands.  I love the lipgloss's and recently purchased the cream blush called Diva and the Mega Shine Lipgloss in Miami Babe and Juicy.    I'm  really loving cream blushes because it leaves a really dewy finish and glow.  The order arrived in a black lace bag which was a nice touch.  The lip and eyeliners are great as well.  I will post all the colors I have at a later date.

Lunch Today

I love to eat vegan food and one of my favorites vegan restaurants in LA makes the best complete meal.       Real Food Daily has two locations and although a bit on the pricey side its worth every bite.  The dish below is the Real Food Meal.  The  meal includes Brown Rice, beans (which change each day  - other beans could be lentils, lima bean, etc.) Greens, Land and Sea Vegetables, pressed salad and house dressing.

L'oreal Hydra- Renewal Moisturizing Cream

I have been using coconut oil for the longest as my all over body moisturizer - hair, face, body.  Lately though I don't think it's cutting it for my face moisturizer so I am branching out and looking for a new face moisturizer.  I researched what is the best moisturizer for dry skin and L'oreal's Hydra-Renewal stood out.   They say that it offers continuous moisturizing without a greasy feel.

Sigma Synthetic Brushes

I needed quality foundation brushes and decided to re-visit Sigma ( I previously purchased the 15 piece Premium Professional Kit).  I used the F80 so far and the application of my foundation has never been better.  The quality of the brush allows the foundation to apply evenly.  It does take a while to dry after being cleaned so have a back up.

Revlon Cream Blush

I am all about a dewy look when it comes to makeup.  I know a lot people prefer a matte look but I think a natural glow looks more flattering.  I picked up a creme blush and it did exactly what I expected.  It just glides on and the finish is almost silky. This particular compact also comes with a mirror.

Black Opal Concealer and Foundation

I recently purchased foundation from MAC, but I don't feel it's an exact match.  I plan on returning the NW50 and trying out the NC50.  In the meantime I decided to purchase a drugstore brand.  Black Opal has been around for a long time but I honestly forgot about the line.  I watched several youtube vloggers rave about the foundation stick and I also noticed that it really gave them full coverage, which is what I'm looking for.  The MAC foundations are usually sheer to medium coverage and although I do not have oily skin I like my foundation a bit heavy.  I feel the finished look is more luminous.

I purchased the Black Opal Honey concealer and Truly Topaz full coverage foundation stick.  I however had to mix the foundation with my Flori Roberts Caramel foundation because it was a tad bit too light.  I am going to purchase the Black Opal Nutmeg color.

It's Linner time ! (short for lunch and dinner)

I started my day pretty late yesterday and ended up getting a green drink freshly made from Wholefoods and later that evening (late afternoon) I ended up making a veggie burger with sauteed mushrooms with a light salad.  The cheese on the wholegrain bun is soy cheese and the burger is from a  a company called Morningstar and the brand is Grillers Vegan.

MAC Paint Pot

I started off using only the Groundwork Paint Pot but soon discovered that it's really only effective with certain eyeshadow colors.  Groundwork for me works best with a more smokey look and deep browns or purples.  When I want to make my greens or yellows pop I like to use Soft Ochre and now for my pinks I picked up Painterly.  From  Top to bottom - Soft Ochre - Groundwork and Painterly.

MAC Eyeshadows

Added some more MAC eyeshadows to my ever growing collection!  I would have ended up with 5 total new colors today but the store that I visited near my place of work did not have 3 of the colors that I wanted.  Fall is approaching and I find I'm getting more brown tones.  You can never go wrong with soft or dark browns as they can be used multiple ways, be it for a crease shadow or eyebrow filler and it makes for a great blending shade when pulling other colors together.  The bamboo shade is going to make for a great highlight and eye lid color.

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette

I went from not even having the Naked Palette in my radar to now owning two.  Yes, I just received my Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette!  The colors may look a little similar to the original Naked Palette, but there are less shimmers in the Naked 2 Palette.  I really like both palette's and for the price I believe they are worth it because you are getting 12 colors in each palette.  The shades are very pigmented and go on really smooth.

Urban Decay Dew Me (Moisturizing Setting Spray)

I tested this product last month and I was not sold on paying $30 dollars at the time, but Urban Decay recently had a 20% discount off all merchandise with online orders and I decided to go for it.  What I like about this product is that it does not leave my face feeling tight and it's especially made for dry skin.

Revlon Photo Ready Concealer

 

I decided to seek out a new concealer.  I find that I mostly use MAC products and wanted to branch out and see what the drugstore brands are all about.  I picked up the Revlon Photo Ready Concealer #6.  I must say this looks and feels exactly like my MAC NW40 Studio Finish Concealer but way less in price...  At least I now know I can get a less expensive alternative to use going forward.  I highly recommend checking this line out.  I'm going to try out the foundations from the Revlons Photo Ready line next.

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss

How fun are these colors!  The colors from left to right are Natural, Sweet Heart, Tea Rose and Sugar Pie.  I wanted to add more to my lipgloss collection and could not pass these up.  The NYX lip glosses have a very fruity smell to them as well.  The finish is really shiny and long lasting.  so far I've paired Natural with MAC Lipstick Spirit (see below).  I used MAC Lip Liner color Soar.

Mini Mac Purchase

Okay, so I have an obsession with MAC products.  I dropped by after watching one of my favorite youtube channels determined to find a lipstick that she mentioned in a tutorial and thought she got the name wrong, but I found it (one of the girls at the MAC store misguided me into thinking it did not exist).  So on this visit I picked up a MAC Lipstick - Spirit, MAC Studio Fix Liquid Foundation NW50 (for years I thought I was NW45 - way too red) and a new shadow - Haux. 

I've already tried out the lipstick and it's going to become a repeat color for me.  I also pair it with NYX Lipgloss - Natural for ultimate shine but it looks just as good on it's own.

My New Train Case!

It's finally here!  I am so excited that I finally received my first train case.  I purchased it from a company called Makeup Artist Network, but once I opened the package I discovered the company that actually makes the case is called Sunrise.  Other sites such as Amazon was selling the same case for less.  Oh well, you live and you learn.  Overall I am happy with the purchase...we'll see how it holds up.  The size is perfect and it's very spacious.  One of the main reasons why I decided to purchase this case is because it is heat resistant.  I  also like the fact that it has 3 trays on each side and a large/deep compartment below the trays which is great for holding larger items such as eyeshadow palettes.  Take a look at my video My New Train Case!

Forever XXI

Forever XXI always has unique earrings.  I picked up these three beauties recently.  I am a big fan of gold and silver tones.  When it comes to my rings I always purchase real silver or gold and especially love gem stones in my jewelry such as turquoise, amethyst or aventurine…but I don't mind splurging on costume jewelry when I purchase earrings. 

Mac Blush

Could not pass up this blush from MAC.  I was looking for another color  - Fabulush, and it was out of stock at every MAC retailer that I went to and I did not want to order it online. So I ended up going with this color Raizin  - a youtube vlogger that I watch recommended it.  From the moment I swatched it on my hand I knew it was the right color for me.  Not to mention it is so silky soft when applying.  It gives just the right amount of color as well.

 

 

Mac Lipgloss

I was watching one of my favorite youtube channels and the vlogger was doing a tutorial on her makeup application for the night out.  I could have sworn she said her LIPSTICK was the color Spite.  I went looking for this and was told that they had a LIPGLOSS called Spite. I did a swatch on my hand and liked it.  I used it today and I really like the suttleness of the color.  I will most likely pair it with a lipstick in a similar shade just to make it stand out a bit more, but overall it's not a bad shade.

Magic Mouse by Apple

I'm going to start doing a lot of editing on my Macbook Pro laptop and need a simpler way to drag thumbnails etc.  I picked up the Magic Mouse from my local Apple store and it acts just like the pad built in the computer excepts it external. 

I love the look and feel of it.  The price was $69 but there are so many different ways to use it that it was worth the price.

Louis Vuitton Speedy 35

I am not a label junkie at all but I really wanted to get a quality handbag that I know would last for years.  I automatically thought of Louis Vuitton and liked the shape of the Speedy, so I decided to take the dive and purchase the Speedy 35 (didn't plan on that rhyming).  I looked for weeks before deciding if I was going to go with this brand and looked at other designer labels and kept comiing back to LV.  This won't be the last high end purchase, but glad it was my first.  I also ordered today a shape organizer from www.pimpmyspeedy.com.  It was a site recommended by one of the youtube channels that I watch.

I love the size of the bag and the look is so classic it will go with anything.