EOTD: Teal Blues with Nars Misfit

First off, sorry for the bad quality. I quickly took these pics cause I was in a hurry and didn't pay attention to the setting :( Anyway, it's a teal blue-ish kinda seafoam green look. I know I've done some blue looks in the past, but I like blue. And it always makes a comeback in the summer. I'll post another look I did using just about the same products later this week!

Oh, and I'm not wearing mascara because my eyes have been killing me lately. I got contacts about a year ago and my eyes just don't like them. I'm trying out a new brand, but so far no luck :(



Products Used:
Urban Decay UDPP
Nars E/S Duo in Misfit
Lancome E/S inDaylight
Stila E/s in Mystic
Nars E/S Duo in Paris

Review: CK Calvin Klien Summer Affair Bronzing Powder and Sheer Plumping Lip Gloss

Again, I'd really like to applolgize for being gone for so long. I've just been so busy with everything else that I lost track, but I'll tell you about that later. Anyhow, I stopped by Marshalls again a few days ago and found a Calvin Klein duo for FIVE DOLLARS!!! It came with a bronzer and a lipgloss. Unbelievable!!! And they had other sets on clearance too. If you live near a Marshalls you have to check these out!!! I'm not certain if Sephora still carries CK cosmetics. I haven't seen them on the website in quite a while, but I'm not entirely sure if they phased them out. Lemme know if you know!

Ok, so bronzer first.

It's the Summer Affair Bronzing Powder in 302, Sun Dance.

The compact:

I actually really like the compact. I don't normally like large, bulky ones, but this one has a nice feel to it. And it looks very sophisticated with the white lettering.

The inside:

In the store it looked a lot darker than in this picture so I was a bit worried. But really, it's a nice medium shade, not too dark, not too light. And it's not very orange either.


The powder pan lifts up and there's a little compartment for the brush.

The applicator:

I actually quite like this brush. It's flat but full, if that makes sense. The bristles are very soft, not scratchy like others you get with a powder. I actually use this one!


The bottom of the case has some holes to let the powder and brush "breath."

A swatch:

On the right it's unblended. On the left, I rubbed it in a bit.

I really like this bronzer. The powder is very soft and blends like a dream. A lot of times with bronzers they blend out splotchy, but not this one. I goes on very smooth and gives me the perfect sunkissed look. For $2.50 that's amazing. It goes on better than my Guerlain bronzer, which says a lot! And for all intents and purposes, it's matte. I know that you can see a slight sheen in the swatch, but you can barely notice it when you apply it on the face. I really hate chunky, glitzy, glittery bronzers as they make me look oilier. But no such problem with this one. I highly recommend!!!

The gloss:

First off, I love the packaging! It doesn't have any lettering on the actual tube, which is good imo. I really hate it when the writing starts to rub off and it looks old. Not a problem with this one!


I love the simplicity of CK stuff. This reminds me a lot of Chanel's packaging only a bit more modern.


The shade it came in was 203, Sugar Spun. It looks like melted brown sugar, haha! The label also says that it is a plumping gloss, which I didn't know. I don't really think it is plumping. I think that like all glosses it gives the illusion of fuller lips. I don't think there are any ingredients in it that actually plump the lips.

The applicator:

I am actually happy with this brush. Usually when I see a brush instead of a regular doe foot, I groan cause I hate having goopy lips. But this one is smaller, so it doesn't deposit too much product.

A swatch:

It's a shimmery warm tan shade that applies almost clear but with this glazed sorta glitzy look.

A swatch:


A better swatch:

It gives a bit of color, almost a caramel tint to the lips kinda like my Urban Decay Pocket Rocket in Kirk. It's very understated. I love the shine, though. It gives a really nice lacquer finish, very glossy. I didn't notice any plumping however, but it did make my lips look larger (because of the glossyness, not any actual plumping ingredients). And there isn't a strong smell or taste either, which is good. Overall, for five dollars, you can't beat both of these. Heck, five dollars is less than many drugstore lip glosses alone!!! Definitely a value, so check them out if you can at Marshalls!

Info:

Price: $5 (clearanced at Marshall's)

Ingredients:

Gloss: Polybutene, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Pentaerythrityl Tetraisostearate, Dicalcium Phosphate, Silica Silylate, Menthol, Silica Dimethyl Silylate, Capsicum Frutescens Resin, Pentaerythrityl Tetra-Di-T-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate, Butylene Glycol, Sodium Chondroitin Sulfate, Atelocollagen +/- (May Contain/Peut Contenir) Mica, Ci 15850/Red 6, Red 6 Lake, Red 7, Red 7 Lake, Ci 15985/Yellow 6 Lake, Ci 19140/Yellow 5 Lake, Ci 42090/Blue 1 Lake, Ci 45410/Red 27 Lake, Red 28 Lake, Ci 73360/Red 30 Lake, Ci 75470/Carmine, Ci 77491, 77492, 77499/Iron Oxides, Ci 77891/Titanium Dioxide.

Bronzer: (not listed on packaging, so I'll post if I find them online).

Disclosure:The products featured in this post were bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.

I'm still alive!!!

I know, it's been a while and I'm sooo sorry! Classes are done for the year and I had a lot to do finishing out and getting stuff together for next year. Anyway, I just wanted to let you guys know that I am still alive and will be posting some new reviews soon! And I got a new camera!!! That's it for now, more soon!
-Nat

Review: Elizabeth Arden Visible Difference Matte Moisture Lotion

Before I begin the review, I want to say thank you to all of my readers! I know lately there haven't been that many posts and god, I feel like I haven't done a review in forever, but I thank you all for sticking around. And I thought I would do a review on a skincare products as I've made a few changes in my skincare routine. Fyi, I have fairly oily skin that tends to get blackheads very easily. I don't really breakout that often but I do get an occasional pimple during my cycle. My biggest problem is the oily look that accompanies oily (or combo) skin. Honestly, I spend so much time with primers, blotting powders/papers, etc. It's just such a pain so I've been looking for products to decrease the oiliness of my skin so that I won't need to wear as many products to keep my skin looking matte as they do take a toll on my skin. And I was in Marshalls a while ago and came across Elizabeth Arden's Matte Moisture Lotion clearanced for $5!!! I've had my eye on this one for a while but at full price it is $34 for 1.7 oz, which is a ridiculously small amount. Honestly though, I would pay that much for this stuff cause it is GOLD!!!

I have to say that 1.7 oz of product is absolutely ridiculous. I just finished my Clinique DD lotion and it's 4.2 oz for $24, so a much better value.


The package promises to normalize skin within a week, but let's face, if you have oily skin it's not really going anywhere. It does however get rid of some of the oiliness and my complexion is definitely better.

Here's what the actual bottle looks like:

Yeah, so not nearly as bit as it looks like, only 1.7 oz.

And the dispenser:

I like the dispenser. It's a small pump that is relatively easy to control.

One pump:

The texture is very thin, almost like a serum, but white. It goes on very very light and doesn't feel at all heavy.

Rubbed in:

It leaves my skin feeling very moisturized, but not oily. Within a couple of minutes the lotion absorbed and my skin was left looking nice and flat. It didn't make my skin look completely matte like a mattifying gel might, but my skin did not look in the slightest bit oily. My skin actually looked like normal skin and I was shocked when I didn't have to use my powder as often. Usually, if I apply my makeup in the morning around 7, I'll be oily at around 11-12. Wearing this moisturizer, I didn't really notice my face becoming oily until around 2, almost 3 o'clock, which is awesome!!! Also, when my face does get oily it's not that super greasy/sweating look. Rather, my face looks a bit dewy. I definitely don't get as oily. I have to say that this lotion completely shocked me as I've tried probably 3 or 4 of these types of lotions and I honestly wasn't expecting much. I checked some reviews online and from what I can see people don't think that it is moisturizing enough. If you have normal or dry skin then yes, this lotion will not be moisturizing enough. It's the same complaints I always hear about Clinique's DD Gel. However, both are great for oilier skin types as they give just enough moisture. And if you're the type that gets those pesky dry patches, do what I do and use a heavier moisturizer at night and a lighter gel/lotion in the morning. And getting back to this lotion, it does have a bit of a smell that I don't really like but it's not bad and dissipates pretty quickly. Other than the price, the only other negative I have with this lotion is the same one I have with Clinique's DD Gel--no SPF. Overall though, I had a really good experience with this lotion. Of course, as everyone's skin is different what works for me may not work for you. If you can though, give it a try. Just check out a Marshall's or TJMaxx first. $34 for 1.7 oz...that's just crazy :(

Info:

Price: $34 (for 1.7 oz...yikes!)

Ingredients: Water, Alcohol Denat., Talc, Tridecyl Salicylate, Urea, Butylene Glycol, Sorbitan Oleate, Dimethicone, Ethoxydiglycol, Propylene Glycol Isoceteth-3 Acetate, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Carrot Extract, Commiphora Wightii Extract, Cucumber Extract, Ginkgo Biloba Extract, Grape Seed Extract, Lemon Extract, Rosemary Extract, Witch Hazel Extract, Glycyrrhetinic Acid, Ascorbic Acid, Ascorbic Acid Polypeptide, Retinyl Linoleate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Glycerin, Propylene Glycol, Allantoin, Panthenol, Phospholipids, C12-20 Acid Peg-8 Ester, C13-14 Isoparaffin, Laureth 7, Polysorbate-60, Sodium Stearoyl Lactylate, Sorbitan Stearate, Xanthan Gum, Disodium EDTA, Polyacrylamide, Phenyl Trimethicone, Fragrance, Phenoxyethanol

Disclosure:The product featured in this post was bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.

Mini Haul!

I went over to the Dollar Tree yesterday and was shocked at what I stumbled upon! I found Sally Hansen Salon polishes at two for a dollar!!! And imagine my shock at finding limited edition shades from the Tracy Reese collections!

And sorry in advance for the crappy pics. They were taken with my cell :(

The two shades I got were Arabian Nights (left) and Pink Twice (right). I actually wanted to get Arabian Nights when the collection first came out but I couldn't find it anywhere. I probably went to three CVS's and still couldn't get it, so to find it at the Dollar Tree, and only for $1 was great!


Again I got Arabian Nights, which is a purple with pretty golden shimmer in it, and Pink Twice, a shimmery pink.

Here's a swatch I found of Arabian Nights from All Lacquered Up:

(image)

Isn't it so pretty!?

Updated Swatches: Estee Lauder Tender Lip Balms

A while back in this post I posted a review for Estee Lauder's Tender Lip Balms. I didn't have time to upload lip swatches, so here they are now! And they're in decent lighting too! FYI, I applied them pretty shear over an Aquafina lip balm.

Tender Peach


And Tender Berry

Swatches: Lancome Eyeshadow Palette in Topaz Kisses

This is the Topaz Kisses palette that Lancome released during the holiday season a while back (long while, like a year or two ago). I know, you're probably getting sick and tired of seeing LE stuff, but some of the shades are permanent shades and I'm sure you can find something similar from Lancome to any discontinued shade.

The colors:


The actual shadows:

The palette comes with a mini brush. It's kind of like the one you get with MAC's holiday shadow palettes. Overall, kinda useless. It's really tiny and the bristles aren't very packed. As far as the shades go, the top row is more like the natural day palette and the bottom row is the more intense, shimmery, night shades. But you can really mix them up anyway you like.

First up, Rendezvous:

This one was a bit difficult to photograph because it's not just a shimmery white. The shimmer is an opalescent pink. In fact, it's a bit like the center shade from the Dior Stylish Move quint I just posted last night. The dark shot above was the best I could do. I was kinda disappointed because I wanted to use this shade as a highlight but it was way to pink.

Next up is Wear It Well

It's a really light, tan shade. I like to use it in my crease and along my lower lash line just for a bit of definition. It slightly deepens my natural skin tone for a very effortless, natural look.

Backstage Pass:

I think that this shade has been included in just about every GWP palette I've ever gotten from Lancome. It's a deepened reddish brown with a bit of purple. It really makes my blue eyes stand out, so I usually use it as an eyeliner.

Off The Rack:

This is just a shimmery pink. I usually just use it in the inner corner or as a highlight.

Socialite:

A brownish silver. My fave color from the palette. I really like to use this allover and then use the next shade, The New Blue, as a smudged out liner on the top lash line for a smoky look. It's very pretty!

The New Blue:

It's a bit of a blackened silvery blue. I apologize for the crappy pic. It really is more blue in real life and it looks amazing as a liner.

Well I hope you enjoyed! I absoluetely love Lancome's shadows cause they really are pigmented and easy to work with.

Review: Dior Eyeshadow Palette in Stylish Move

So a while ago I posted these same pictures, but I didn't actually review the palette. Well, here's that review!!! And first off, I have to say that the packaging of all Dior products is absolutely stunning. It just has this sophisticated, expensive feel to it that makes one feel so luxurious using it, haha! And it comes with a little velvet case which is nice, because your palette won't get all scratched up. I've had this one for about a year now and it still has only a couple of scratches. I've had some of my Lancome quads for much less than that and they are all banged up.


I own a few of these palettes, but the one I'm reviewing today is #970, Stylish Move. It's a purple palette.

Here's what the shadows look like:


And closer yet:

I've used these quite a bit, as you can tell.

And finally, swatches on my hand:

Order of swatches: Bottom left, bottom right, top left, top right, and center (sorry they weren't clockwise or something..,didn't think of it at the time).

Let me tell you that these swatches don't do the palette justice. They were applied dry without any base, but I will usually apply them with UDPP or wet for a more dramatic look. Actually, I've been using the darkest purple as a liner a lot, and it goes on really intensely.

As far as palettes go, I think that this one gives you a nice range of colors. You've got a dark, two sorta midtones, and two lights (one shimmery, and one not so shimmery). Overall, I am able to create a variety of looks using this palette, anything from a dramatic smoky all the way to a light barely there natural look. This palette is very versatile, which I like.

As for formula, overall, the shadows are very smooth and soft, easy to work with. The only color I've had problems with is the bottom right, the lighter purple. For some reason this shade is harder than the others. I almost have to dig to get the powder on my brush. I don't know if I just got a bad one, but this shade was very difficult to work with. You can even kinda see it in the close up of the shadows. The bottom right looks chunkier, harder. But overall, the shadow's are super velvety soft. Other than this one shade I've never had any problems with Dior eyeshadows. However, because they are so smooth and soft, I would definitely recommend that you wear a base otherwise they will crease.

Do you need this palette: no. But, if you like the feel of luxury, like pretty looking packaging, and amazing shades (especially for spring), then yes, you definitely want this palette!

Info:

Price: $58 (Eek!!! Wow, price has gone up since I bought this. It was $54 then.)

Ingredients: Talc, octyldodecyl stearoyl stearate, nylon-12, silica, magnesium stearate, dimethicone, phenoxyethanol, calcium sodium borosilicate, bis-behenyl/isostearyl dimmer dilnoleyl dimmer dilinoleate, triethoxycaprylylsilane, tocopherol. May contain: mica, CI77891 (titanium dioxide), CI77491-CI77499-CI77492 (iron oxides), CI77007 (ultramarines), CI19140 (yellow 5), CI77742 (manganese violet), CI77510 (ferric ferrocyanide), CI75470 (carmine), CI 77289 (chromium hydroxide green), CI 77288 (chromium oxide greens).

Disclosure: The product featured in this post was bought by me for the purpose of my personal use. If you have any further questions about disclosure, don't hesitate to ask in the comments.