Random Makeup Tips

Aloha!

I just wanted to share with you a few tips I've learned in my few short months of makeup wear. I still don't know everything about makeup, but I'd like to!

1. To find the perfect nude shade for your lips, turn your hand palm side up, and match the color to the tips of your fingers. No way you can go wrong then.

2. Eyeshadow lovers, before putting any of your "face" on, put a base cream on your eyes first (I recommend Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion). Then apply your eyeshadow. I was told to do it this way since I use a lot of highly pigmented, shimmery and glittery eyeshadows, and end up with half of it on my cheeks. This allows for quick cleanup, and a perfect "face" every time.

3. Okay, find the perfect foundation and powder. (I know, DUH!) The reason I say this, is because as a black woman, I never thought I could match my skin tone PERFECTLY until I went to the Precriptives counter in Macy's on a whim. Prescriptives Custom Blend makeup made a perfect foundation for me (which actually was a few shades lighter than my skin). Then my powder was made and matched to my exact skin tone.

All this is done right before your eyes, as the consultant mixes the formulas and the add-ins. (Think of it like a Jamba Juice or a Smoothie King, but for makeup.) What effect does all that give? No lines along the edges of your face, and the most naturally flawless look you can find. And your face feels free, like there's no makeup on at all. This also allows for a more natural look when taking pictures. That way you won't look like you're wearing "Pancake #13".

That's all for today, but I hope life is at least as beautiful FOR you, as you are!

Small Makeup Palette Haul

BEAUTY WANNABE 

Aloha, Darlings!

Well I just went to Sephora again the other day, and I've managed to get my hands on two new palettes. The Urban Decay Book of Shadows Palette, and the Tarte The Vanity Limited Edition Palette.

As soon as the Urban Decay palette was released to the public, I HAD TO HAVE IT! I swear by Urban Decay eyeshadows, so they didn't even need any selling points to get me. I love brightly colored eyeshadows like blues, purples, and even grays, and blacks. I love wearing a smoky eye as well. I guess it's become my signature look. The Urban Decay palette is going to be great for my upcoming travels, as well as for switching my look up when I go to work. I keep them folks guessing there.

The Urban Decay Book of Shadows Palette introduces six new shades: Mayhem, Sidecar, Gridlock, Scandal, Absinthe, and Protest. It even introduced me to the already established color Shattered (which is now frequently in my rotation). The palette is a little bigger than the size of a CD case, give or take an inch or two.

Let me tell you how serious I am about the quality and pigmentation of these eyeshadows. They have now introduced the Eyeshadow Vault to hold the coin shaped eyeshadows on the Sephora website. I had already bought and filled 3 of them from the Urban Decay website. The Urban Decay site has a deal going, and I opted in on it a couple times. Now Sephora is offering a similar deal. These Eyeshadow Vaults can also hold other similarly shaped eyeshadows. Super cute. Don't say I didn't tell you! If you're looking for color that looks the same on your eye as it does in the package, then Urban Decay products are for you!

I can't really comment personally on the Tarte eyeshadow quality as I haven't used the new palette yet. I've just been staring at it thinking, "Cool!" I know it's sad. Don't laugh! But I can assure you that it will also be in my travel rotation, even though neither palette fits into my new mini travel train case.

The Tarte palette has 16 eyeshadows, 16 lip glosses (which I have tried and are excellent by the way), 4 blushes, 1 powder, and 1 bronzer. The kit also includes the Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara, 1 eyeshadow brush, and 1 eyeliner brush. Good value! Beautiful colors! The size of the palette is surprising however. I watched it online, and was on the fence about purchasing it for a while. The palette looks really small online relatively. But nope, if you unfold the palette out completely it is about the size of a computer keyboard. The eyeshadows and the glosses are about 1 inch square each! So I was pretty happy with my purchase when I saw it.

I have a pretty decent amount of makeup at home. Now I'm building my travel kit, so I can stay beautiful on the road as well. Next up on my purchase list is the Too Faced Quickie Chronicles Mini Collection available at Sephora only. 

I sat on the fence for WAAAYYYY too long on this one, cuz now it's sold out in stores AND online! And I couldn't even find it on Ebay! I read a lot of reviews, and everyone is giving it five stars. I gotta at least touch one to be happy. LOL! Just joking, but I do have to get my hands on it.

BTW, I'm sneaking and updating this blog at work!  Shhhhhh!!!

See you soon, darlings! Smooches!

Mascara

BEAUTY WANNABE 

Aloha!

I know it’s been a few days since I posted, but I was working at the job.  I love my job!  But anyway, today I want to explore my “lash stash” (sorry for jacking that term, Sephora).  

My personal favorite up until recently was Cargo Blu-Ray Mascara.  It’s from their line of HD makeup.  Why do I need HD makeup?  This is life, you never know when your 15 minutes of fame or our cameo will happen!  Here is a shot of my naked eyelashes and my former favorite.  Yes, I know my eyebrows are busted and I look washed out.  But heck, I’m home today, with “Aunt Flo”  and my not-so-favorite cousin “CRAMPS”.  LOL!  So I get a pass!  

Don’t worry, the comb (yes, that’s why I like it) doesn’t apply any clumps. It’s actually a nice, clean defined look. See below.

It’s still in my repertoire, it’s just not number one anymore. It’s more like number two or three. But, then again, I have a flair for the dramatic when it comes to my eyes. Another CARGO favorite was the CARGO Better-than-Waterproof Mascara. It made my eyes look like this:

I like it. But I still was looking for more bang! So I went to Sephora and bought The Lash Stash for $35. You get ten trial-sized mascaras picked from their best-sellers.

I was so pleasantly surprised when I gave in and bought it! One of each of the following is included:

0.12 oz Smashbox Bionic Mascara

0.10 oz Sephora Atomic Volume Mascara

0.11 oz Vincent Longo The Curl Mascara

0.10 Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara

0.13 oz Too Faced Lash Injection Pin Point Mascara

0.10oz Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash Mascara

0.32 oz Urban Decay Big Fatty Mascara

0.13 oz DuWop Lash Venom Mascara

0.13 oz Korres Deep Colour Mascara

0.17 oz Cargo Texas Lash Mascara

I have a new favorite as a result of trying all of these. And the winner (for me) for that “pow” I like on my eyes is........(drum roll)....Make Up For Ever Smoky Lash! It made my eye look like this:

Imagine the look with your eyes done up in a smoky blue or black eyeshadow look and then having eyelashes with the “Smoky Lash” mascara! Bring a stick when you leave the house to beat the fellas off with!

I will show the results of the rest close to the order listed above.

Smashbox Bionic Mascara lashes:

I like the dramatic coloring of this one.

Sephora Atomic Volume mascara lashes:

Good volume for any makeup look.

Vincent Longo The Curl mascara lashes:

Not a favorite of mine, but not bad either.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes 4-in-1 Mascara lashes:

Hey!!!! Who stretched out my eyelashes? Why Tarte did!

Too Faced Lash Injection Pinpoint mascara lashes:

This one is particularly great for getting those lower lashes, even though I didn’t use it on my lower lashes in the above pic. This Too Faced mascara is definitely a close second in my favorites to the Make Up Forever Smoky Lash.

Urban Decay Big Fatty mascara lashes:

I have the Urban Decay Big Fatty mascara in several colors. I like to switch it up sometimes.

Du Wop Lash Venom mascara lashes:

This one is okay. I’m neutral about it.

Korres Deep Color mascara lashes:

The Korres mascara has Provitamin B5 and Rice Bran in it. Great for you health nuts out there! I was impressed by it actually, as I don’t know much about the brand. Nice bit of drama there.

CARGO Texas Lash mascara lashes:

Mind you, beauties, I did not apply any mascara to my lower lashes on any of these shots.

I love having “The Lash Stash” in my makeup kit. I like change, so there seems to be a mascara for every mood or personality.

So if you’re out there searching for that perfect mascara to fit your personality or needs, might I suggest The Lash Stash from Sephora? Try it, I promise you will find several mascaras that you like.

Mahalos for viewing my beginner blog! Cheek kisses!

Introduction/Basic Eye Staples

BEAUTY WANNABE 

Aloha from Hawaii!

I am a new blogger whose passions are beauty, beauty, fashion, and oh, did I say beauty? Just kidding! But really, I love shows like America’s Next Top Model, Project Runway, etc. I pay attention to the makeup especially. Even when I read magazines for fashion tips, my eyes are always drawn to how the makeup on the models is done.

So on this blog, I want to share all of my beauty favorites with you. As I have only started wearing makeup in June 2008 (yes, that recently) I want to share my journey, and the tips I’ve learned.

But let me make this clear first, I LOVE URBAN DECAY MAKEUP! Oh my goodness! I have a warm tan to deep complexion, and every eye color and blush they make looks great on my skin! And in Hawaii, I’ve learned to keep my makeup going strong despite the humidity. I will share how.

Let’s talk about the first necessary staple--Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion. Now I wouldn’t dream of putting ANY brand of eyeshadow on without it. If you are all about no creasing, durability, and color payoff--well, you must try Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion! I work 12 hour shifts, and my eye makeup at the end of shift is just as brightly colored, smooth, and crease-free as the moment I first put it on. Talk about a great product

You can find this product many places online. But the only store I buy it from in person is Sephora. I buy it online from Urban Decay.

Now for my second beauty staple--Urban Decay Eyeshadow Transforming Potion. Let’s say you have a favorite eyeshadow that you adore! Have you ever thought about how to make it an eyeliner or a liquid eyeshadow? No, I’m not pulling your leg. This product can transform your favorite, or any powder eyeshadow into both! Simply amazing.

So if you have ever tried one of these products, let me know what you think! If you haven’t tried these, man, you’re missing out. If you’re worried about how much bang you will get for your buck, go to your local Sephora, Macy’s, or JCPenney store and ask for a sample.

Smooches!