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!

Bargain Beauty: A Surprising Find

One of my favorite things to do is wander around my local dollar stores beauty department. Although I love the products found exclusively behind the pretty glass displays at the department store... nothing is quite as exhilarating as a good value :). The dollar store I frequent has a wonderful range of cosmetics... from loreal to ELF and everything in between. They carry discontinued items as well as overstock, and I can literally spend hours combing through.

One of my most recent purchases, which looked quite uninteresting was a double sided eyeliner (truthfully I bought it because it came with a jumbo sharpener!!!) It's LA Colors brand, which I've never tried.... but the pigmentation of this pencil rivals my favorite Tarte pencil. It's creamy... the color is rich.... and it stays put on the waterline.... this is a stand out product!

The Black Side:

The Brown Side:

Both Smudged Out:

I don't believe this exact product is still available, but if it's any representation of how LA Colors is as a brand... run don't walk!

An oldie but goodie...

Long time no blog . Okay, so this is going to be my very first "blog tutorial" I think the concept is a bit odd… but this look is so simple and turns out so pretty and eye-brightening… it's worth a shot.

So the look is based around one my very favorite eyeshadow palettes, it's from Prestige and it's called "Earthling" Take a look…. (perfection, except the rectangle shadow shape)

1. I start by putting this slightly pink toned champagne color all over the lid…. This color is pretty much an exact dupe for Stila's "Kitten".

2. Next I blend this sparkly gold - I mean GOLD shade into and above my crease.

3.This rich matte chocolate brown is perfect for the crease… I also smudge a bit under the lower lash line. I love that these colors are so blendable, because I love a smokey eye!

4. When I top this whole thing off with this GORGEOUS white-gold shade under the brow, the look pops. No joke…. This is my favorite highlight shade ever!

5. Now I apply some liquid liner on the top (of course)… a little black into the waterline (totally optional)…. And a couple coats of mascara (Maybelline - the falsies all the way)…. And this is how it turns out.



My Current Lust List

I know I'm double posting today.... BUT this just needed to be shared! These are the things I'm drooling over, saving for, and convincing myself I MUST own :)

(not in any particular order)

Where do I even begin with this.... Guess why do you know me so well. This is the "Bellissima Box Satchel" in pink of course... $130.00 at http://www.macys.com/

Now I won't lie to you and say this is practical and would be worn frequently.... BUT LOOK AT IT. I'm on the hunt, for a perfect - wearable nude pump, this is not it, but it's just so amazing! These are the "Parker Pumps" by Signature Shoes, $250.00 at http://www.macys.com/

I look at this bad boy nearly every day...  I love this watch and I just must have it! It's classy but still fun. Michael Kors -Clear Acetate Bracelet Watch.... $225.00 big ones @ http://www.macys.com/ but sooo pretty! 

I am a bracelet freak and these are so perfect! R.J. Graziano "Go Glam" Bangles. $59.95 at http://www.hsn.com/

Okay so what if I have enough makeup... I alllllways want more. This is an amazing value, rest assured I will have it! This is the Tarte "Beauty in a box" $36 at http://www.sephora.com/

I have been eyeing the UD <3 NY book of shadows since the first time I saw it... it's beautiful, it's Urban Decay, and It's NEW YORK! This runs about $56 at http://www.sephora.com/

So there's my list and I'm sticking to it... what have you got your eye on lately?

Ins & Outs...

I always enjoy reading these so I thought I'd put mine in the ring!

INS

Sunshine and warm spring weather

Iced coffee

New clothes

Wedges

Matte lipsticks

Diet Dr. Pepper

Crown Brushes! (review post to come!!!!)

Colorful Eye shadow

Tons of blush

Layering lots of random, chunky, mismatched bracelets

Sparkly coral lip-gloss

OUTS

Winter

Sugary soft drinks

Heavy contouring

Neutral Smokey eyes

Deep plum lipstick

Being at work 24/7

My boring/worn out wardrobe

Black pumps

Red nail polish

Pale winter skin

Bargain Beauty: A holy grail brush!!!

Okay, I'm going to try and keep this review short and sweet (which isn't in my nature!) because there's only so many ways I can say something is AMAZING.

The "Studio Tools - Crease Brush" can be found at Target... I checked the website and it says it's an In-Store Item, only.... sort of stinks for you online shopping junkies - but it's worth the trip!

This brush might not look especially impressive, but it is! First of all the average price is $3.00 and when I tell you this brush feels HIGH QUALITY... I mean it! It's weighty and super soft, it cleans wonderfully and it's shaped perfectly. It's probably the best 3 bucks I've spent in recent memory. I bought this brush on a whim, I needed a new/nice fluffy blending brush and figured the price was right... and I loved it sooooooooo much -

That I went back and bought a second - I use one for my crease work the other I use for my under eye concealer... most likely I'll get a third, reserved strictly for blending!

I can't recommend this brush enough! Go target go!



ONE: Has spring sprung?

I don't know about you, but I am ready for the warm weather! Fall and winter have there advantages - but I will take a warm sunny day over "winter wonderland" ANYTIME. :) Since over here on the east coast spring is taking its sweeeeeet time to actually come. Here are a few of the things I've been doing to warm my inside, until my outside can be warm too.

1. Wearing pretty sping polish (ignore the not so perfect paint job!)

^ this is "Limo-Scene" by Essie (perfect milky nudey pink)

2. Buying cute spring shoes:

^ got these bad boys from Target... 20 bucks!!! (adorable on)

3. Collecting my favorite warm weather makeup colors!

^ "Fire" by prestige... the most intense bright coral I have ever owned <3

^ "Skinny Dipping - Fox in a Box" by hard candy... lovely warm peach blush!!

^out come ALL my shimmery brozers!!! (this one is a physicians formula shimmer strip)

I could go on and on, but we'll save it for another day... what do you love about the warmer seasons? And what are you doing to prepare for them?