I'm Blushing!

I never used to wear blush but now that I'm rediscovery my love for makeup I decided I'm going to go all the way and do a full face application when I make myself up.  I wanted a blush that was illumines so I looked at several brands and ended up purchasing these two for starters.  After trying both I don't know how I waited so long to apply blush.  The Milani baked blush cost $7.00US I purchased this at Sears.  I purchased Iman at Sears as well for $16.00US.  Both go on very smooth and really highlight the cheeks.  You can really apply all over the face for a dewy glow.  Both also came with applicators, but I use an angle brush from my brush kit which is softer and provides at least for me better coverage.

Mini MAC Haul

I picked up some fabulous eyeshadows from MAC Cosmetics.  I also purchased the 15 eyeshadow palette.  The palette has a glass cover and the eyeshadow holder is sold separately.  I really love the glass cover and the palette has a magnet bottom and you can go without the eyeshadow holder and just store the eyeshadows freestyle.  I like a more organized look so I opted to purchase the holder.  The is a quality case and worth the $18.00US.  The Eyeshadow holder cost $9.00US.  I think the price is reasonable.  I also depotted some of my eyeshadows in the regular case (I'll share that in another post).  For some reason some of the eyeshadow pans however did not respond to the magnet so I'm going to purchase magnets for them - all in all I'm very happy with my purchase.

Naked Truth-Sumptuous Olive  - Arena - Humid - Sable - Embark - Paradisco

Here are the colors in the palette

CND Gel Polish

I wanted to share my CND (Creative Nail Design) Gel Polish Collection.  I really feel it is money well spent.  The colors below are so beautiful when applied and of course you know who long each applications lasts - up to 2 weeks for those how don't.  I also purchased the CND UV lamp ($179 tax included) on Ebay from a reputable beauty store.  I will only purchase from an Ebay store if the rating is a Top Seller and preferably 99%.

Tropix- Beau- Romantique -Fedora - Strawberry Smoothie - Hotski to TchoTchke -Iced Cappuccino - Rock Royalty - Studio White - Black Pool - Cream Puff

I also recently picked up the Shellac Remover Wraps.  I usually made my own from foil wrap and cotton soaked with nail polish remover (the nails salons do this as well) but I wanted to see if the wraps really worked.

The Base and Top Coats must be applied as well to achieve the look and to do the application properly.  The Solar Oil (middle bottle) is applied as the very last step after each nail is smoothed over with 99% proof rubbing alcohol.

Mac Lip Gloss

I've always loved MAC Lipglosses whether it is in lipglass, plush glass....I recently purchased some new colors and they are beautiful!  The colors below are (from left to right) Underage, Enchantress and Pop Mode.  All are very pigmented.  I know alot of people think they are sticky but I like the thicker feeling. 

Mac Lustre Lipstick

I normally prefer lipgloss over lipstick but wanted a change so I tried out the Mac Lustre.  It's a great feel and this particular PLINK (a42) is a little sheer but when paired with a lipgloss of equal shade is very vibrant.  I was looking for a nude pink and this color is pretty close to what I was looking for.  Even though MAC items can be pricy the quality is there but I don't mind using other brands as well.  I like to pair this MAC liptstick with a lipgloss from the NYC brand called Lilac or Everlasting Blossom - this lipstick also goes well with the it's own MAC Lipglass Underage lipgloss.

Ben Nye Powder

I was watching a youtube tutorial on the Naked eyeshadow palette by Urban Decay and the user completed her look by using Ben Nye Translucent Powder over her concealer.  She was the same complexion as me and so I had to seek out this product.  I am extremely pleased by the feel of this product - very light and yet still provides great coverage.  I purchased Topaz and it matched my complexion perfectly.  Ben Nye is known for theatrical makeup and I've never used their products until now, but I will definately continue to use them.  I'm going to test out the eyeshadows next.  I posted a review on their lip liners in a previous post.

The powders come in 6 different shades - Topaz, Sienna, Chestnut, Coco Tan, Ebony and Banana.  The cost for the 40gm is only $6.00US.  All skin types can use this brand. 

Nail Color This Week

I almost gave up on polishing my nails until I started doing Gel polishes a couple of years ago.  I know...I'm a little late in the game but better late than never :-).  I also went out and purchased the a UV lamp kit ($179US incl. taxes) on ebay.  It is well worth the cost.  The gel polishes can very in price from $13.79 to $17 per bottle.  I go back to the nail salon from time to time to get it done if I don't have the time to do them myself or if I want to try out a new color before purchasing them.

Ben Nye Lip Pencil and Lip Sticks

Just purchased this Ben Nye Lip Pencil.  This cosmetics company is known for making theatrical makeup.  I actually went looking for the Translucent Face Powder which I will share in another post and the salesperson introduced me to their lipticks and lipliners.  The lip liner is really smooth and applies easily.  I love the colors they have as well.  The lipsticks are extremely pigmented and also a smooth rich finish. I will definately be getting more of their products. The prices are reasonable as well.  The lip liner was $9.50US and the Lipstick was $10.00US.  I purchased Super Pink.

 

 

NYC Lip Gloss

I mistakenly purchased NYC lip glosses instead of NYX and I did not discover it until I went back looking for some more colors from what I thought was NYX because I loved the shades that I got.  The NYC 8 hour lip gloss has a fruity scent that's not overpowering and the sheen is unbelievable.  If after wearing for several hours and I feel the shine is not as bright I dab my lips together and it re-ignites the sheen or I dab on a little more for optimal effect.  I really love the colors and they are all really pigmented.