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...............

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!)