Another FOTD - because I'm a busy / lazy blogger

I hope everyone is loving this beautiful weather as much as me... of course I would love it way more if I didn't have to spend most of my time working in an office and missing the sunshine. But regardless, just knowing it's out there is enough sometimes.

I haven't been purchasing makeup much at all lately, just refills of essentials like foundation, setting powder and black liner. This wasn't really a conscious choice I've just been super busy. But the lack of new, has forced me to dig back into my collection and start using things I've neglected... which isn't a bad thing at all. So without further rambling... here's my Thursday/Workday - makeup.

The Face.....

Covergirl CG Smoothers Tinted Moisturizer, Covergirl Professional loose powder, the HG ELF bronzer, and just a light sweep of a super shimmery pink blush.

The Eyes....

(in order of application) Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow - RSVP, MAC Shadow - Digit (lid and inner corners), Mac Shadow - Trax (crease), Too Faced - Magenta Moon (outer corner), Covergirl - Champagne (brow bone). As always i use NYX cake powder on my brows, almay liquid liner on top and Revlon Colorstay (black) in the waterline.... plus two coats of Maybelline Falsies Flared Mascara.

And Just Because I am soooo in the Spring Spirit...... (total sarcasm - this was an accident).........

My nails match my shadow today.... I finally gave up my black nail polish last night and opted for my favorite lilac shade... this is "Nice is Nice" by Essie.

Til we meet again...............

Absent-Minded Blogger..... FOTD

I swear sometimes I forget about this blog all together.... strange considering I read beauty blogs pretty much on a daily basis - but mine I neglect and forget. Go figure.

Anyhow, the weather in New York has been lovely this week and the sunshine and blooming flowers are getting me excited for all the spring/summer makeup to come! (EVERYTHING looks better with a little tan!) Here's my Face of today... just an ordinary Wednesday at work.

On The Mug: Neutrogena Healthy Skin Makeup, Covergirl Professional Loose Powder, Bronzer from ELF bronzer & blush duo (HG BRONZER!), ELF Candid Coral Blush.

On The Eyes: Benefit Creaseless Cream Shadow in RSVP (allllways!), Stila - Kitten on the lid, Two random browns from ULTA in the crease, NYC liquid liner on the top, Revlon Colorstay liner on the waterliner, Stila Smudgestick - Lionfish, smudged on the lower lash line, Maybelline the Falsies Flared mascara..... sheesh that's a lot, for such a basic and neutral look!

And for your final viewing pleasure (sarcasm, indeed).... here's a shot with some natural light. The other two are taken at my desk. The lipstick I'm wearing is from Essence.... called "Creamy Nude" it's amazing.... pink based, my lips but better, non drying perfection.

Hope anyone reading in this is doing well.... happy & healthy and loving life.



Getting in the spirit....

Technically it's still winter, I mean it's only February, but here in NY the last few days have felt like an early spring (such a thrill!) and in keeping with the lovely weather, my makeup today (even my outfit actually) is "monochromatic with a pop of pink" not exactly a new concept, but it feels springy and fresh to me!

I wore grey wide leg trousers, with my favorite studded walmart flats....

A bright pink ruffled tank and a simple black cardigan.....

(pardon the blur as well as the odd face... I've been at work ALL day)

My eye makeup is a blend of shimmery neutrals and grey

MAC "Dazzlelight" on the lid, MAC "Print" in the crease, a charcoal almost black Tarte shadow in the "outer V", and more dazzelight on the browbone. Liquid liner and Maybelline "Falsies Flared"

Gotta have the signature glow... even if we're keeping it neutral!

That is ELF bronzer (from the duo), Benefit "Dallas", and MAC "Soft and Gentle"

The pop came with the perfect barbie pink lips, to match my shirt and my mood...

ELF (ONE FREAKIN DOLLAR) lipstick in "Flirtatious"

How is everyone else showing their excitement for spring?



Long time no see...

It has literally been forever and a day (or two) since I've posted here... life has really gotten in the way of my cosmetic addiction! I figured to get my feet wet (or fingers really) I would kick off with a good old Face Of The Day post... which incidentally are my favorite types to read. It's just a typical Friday morning.... this may seem like an excessive amount of makeup to use for work, but I don't believe there is such a thing as an excessive amount of makeup!

On my face I used...

(left to right)

Covergirl Natureluxe Silk Foundation (suede), Revlon Photoready Translucent Finishing Powder, ELF Bronzer (from blush and bronzer duo), Benefit Dallas, MAC Mineralized Skin Finish (Soft&Gentle)

*favorite cheek combo, by the way*

And here's the outcome...

gotta have the glow!

On my eyes I used...

"Swish" from MAC all over the lid, "Texture" all over the crease, a random Avon dark brown in the "outer v" and under the lower lash line, and the lightest shade in my Physicians Formula highlighter on the brow bone, Almay Liquid liner on top, Mally pencil in "espresso" on the water line, and my new favorite mascara "Falsies Flared"

All that became this....

I truly LOVE pink eye shadows

My lip combo...

The cult favorite "Airy Fairy" lipstick from Rimmel, and my favorite nude lip gloss Sally Hansen 12-hour diamond lip treatment "Princess"

And voila... the finished product...

I make strrrrrange faces in photos :)

On a side note - I am over the winter, although New York has been spared awful weather and storms, I am still craving spring/summer. So I ditched my usual winter Black or Blackened Plum nail polishes and busted out the neon pink (glitter on top OF COURSE)... instant mood lifter

Happy 2012 since I haven't posted since... hope it's fabulous for all!

Smokey in Seconds...

List of everything needed for a perfect smokey eye:

1.       Too Faced Shadow Insurance

2.       ELF quad in Drama

3.       Wet n Wild Color Icon Palette in Lust

4.       Almay Black Liquid Liner

5.       Tarte Eye Pencil in Black

6.       Too Faced Lashgasm Mascara

7.       NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder in Dark Brown/Brown

8.       Neutrogena Healthy Skin Makeup in Tan

9.       Benefit Boxed Powder in Dallas

10.   MAC lipstick in Blankety

11.   ELF Lipgloss (liquid lip color?) in Pink Lemonade

Even though I don’t usually like to “blog” about things I just filmed about… a simplified smokey eye, seemed well worth it!

(slightly belated) Fridays Face - 4/8/11

So I thought since Fridays are my busiest days... I'd do a simple but fun post... face of the day.

Here goes.

This is what I used on my face

*Maybelline fit me foundation (310), Elf bronzer, maybelline pressed powder, maybelline mineral blush (peach), physicians formula shimmer strips highlighter.

This is what I used on my lips

*Rimmel lipstick in Airy Fairy, Sally Hansen Lip gloss in... I forget :(

This is what I used on my eyes

*Stila Road to Radiance Palette, Tarte smokey eye palette, Wet N Wild lust palette, maybelline the falsies, almay liquid liner and Tarte eye pencil



And voila... the finished project!

*excuse the foundation in my hair! (I was in the direct sunlight.... I was definitely glowy but NOT this shiny!!!)

*tweeezers please :)

E.L.F. Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder.... a review

I'm fairly new to ELF - not for any particular reason, it's just not something I've been too familiar with. About 2 months ago I placed an order (http://eyeslipsface.com) and the one product I knew I was looking for was the Contouring Blush & Bronzer duo, any bronzer that has a peachy blush next to it is worth trying, at least in my opinion.... and for $3.00 it's definitely worth a shot!

Now this product is a clear "knock-off" of the Nars powder duo, in Laguna and Orgasm... even the packaging of this product, and their whole studio line is STRONGLY "inspired" by Nars. I'm fine with it... the packaging feels weighty and substantial and it doesn't cost me $40 like the Nars one does!!!!

The colors might be compared to orgasm and laguna but they really aren't that similar.... Orgasm Blush is actually a much darker shade than the ELF one.... it's much more pigmented and it's a whole lot more shimmery! They are both pinky/peachy colors with a golden sheen - but the one by ELF is much more subdued (ps I love it!). The bronzer doesn't even look that similar to Laguna in the pan, and it definitely doesn't on the skin.... even though laguna is a great non-ommpa-loompa shade, I think it is just a teeeny bit more orange than the ELF... and the shimmer in the ELF bronzer shows up far less on the face than Laguna.

I am thrilled with this product and wear it almost everyday... don't get me wrong, there's a lot to be said for the Nars duo.... pigmentation, softness and blend-ability of the powder, staying power. BUT for 3 dollars the ELF duo is not just a cheap alternative - it's an excellent product, all on it's own!

^ Here's a closeup of the duo with overhead light... pretty

^ Here's a closeup in natural light.... much more subtle!

^ And here's the duo on my mug :) I have foundation on, a setting powder and TONS of both the bronzer & the blush (which is just me.... I did this for work, not just for the photo!)