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.



Spring 2012 Makeup Trends: Fab or Fail?

I did a post very similar (or perhaps completely identical) last year around this time.... so who am I to mess with tradition. This year I pretty much liked all the spring trends spotted on the runways... my only complaints are really about seasonality and personal preference. Anyway... on with the show.

FAB

Red Lips

I never was the biggest fan of red lips (at least on me).... but lately I have become obsessed. I am happy to be seeing this look carry over into spring.

Winged / Cat Eyeliner

Personally, my liner always needs a little flick.... so this is just a staple. An oldie but a goodie!

Bronzed "Sun-Kissed" Cheeks



Bronzer as blush is lovely in the sunny seasons.... gives you a healthy and effortless look.

Gorgeous Glowy Skin

To achieve this lovely and fresh-faced look you need lots of sleep.... a flawless foundation.... and a damn good highlighter!

FAIL

Super Bold Brows

This is the one trend that I noticed more than any other on the runway models... and while I am a fan (I've been sporting bolder brows myself for the last few months), it doesn't scream FRESH and SPRING when I see it.

Silver / Super Metallic Eyes

I love silver shadow as much as the next girl... maybe more. But, I find the look a little too ice queen.

Big Doll-Like Lashes

I do love me some lashes! Pile on the mascara and the falsies as far as I'm concerned... but it just feels slightly heavy and un-spring like compared to bronze glowy skin.

Dark Smokey Eyes

This one is the hardest to label a fail because I love my smokey eyes year round... especially for evening. But when the sun starts shining and the weather starts warming up, I think less becomes more.

That's my roundup... any other spring trends you've seen that you love or hate?

*P.S. I take no credit for these images... they were acquired by a simple google image search and absolutely no copyright infringement is intended*

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?



Could it be....

...Have I been wrong all along, is less really more when it comes to makeup?!? Last night before bed (okay not bed... another 2 hours on the phone), I was just about to take off my makeup and I thought to myself "Self... I kinda like the smudged out/faded way my makeup looks now better than I liked it this morning when it was all neat and precise" Strange.... anyway, here's my makeup after about 17 hours of wear!

And here's what was left of my eye makeup...

This used to be.... "Print" (MAC) on the lid and outer corner, blended into "Satin Taupe" (MAC) in the crease, and "Kitten" (Stila) on the brow bone... with some winged liquid liner and maybelline "Falsies Flared" mascara.

So.... is understated the way of the future?





Milani LOVE...

Run don't walk to your local CVS (at least that's where I went).

I'm not someone who really follows the new drugstore makeup collections, or any makeup collections actually... But while dangerously browsing the cosmetic aisle at CVS this past weekend, I found the loveliest new stuff from Milani. Milani has been developing quite the buzz over the last year or so, and personally all of the products I've bought have been winners. The new collection of eye shadows seems to be no different. I bought two (which took great restraint!) And one is my current obsession!

Meet ''Copper Excess'' the baked beauty, that's stolen my heart (dramatic but true)

This is a combination of bronze, copper, peach, and amber... It's so gorgeous.

Dry on left, wet on right (natural light)

Dry on left, wet on right (artificial light)

 Here's a look at the other two Milani shadows I own... On the left is ''bronze doll'' which I've had for years... And adore, its a super warm bronzey gold. On the right is ''Antigua'' which is a part of this new collection... Its a hunter green with a gorgeous gold duo-chrome.

The only thing wrong with ''Antigua'' is that all the fabulous gold glitter is merely an over spray.

 I highly recommend ''Copper Excess'' its unique and lovely. Check out the whole collection for yourself here: http://www.milanicosmetics.com/p-101-baked-eyeshadow-marble.aspx

Any must-haves... Or already-haves?

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!

Could it be....

... That I have found it.... found the ideal trio....found the perfect cheek combo? Ok, so I'm a bit dramatic about it, but for me.... someone whose "everday makeup" is different everday... it is amazing to find something I think to be perfect, I've tried every combo under the sun on my face!

Let me introduce you to the players...

meet "Dallas" from Benefit, "Park Ave Princess" from Tarte, and "Soft and Gentle MSF" from MAC!!

Here they are on my hand (because I ALWAYS wear makeup there)...

L-R (Park Ave Princess, Dallas, Soft and Gentle)

Unfortunately those swatches don't do enough justice.... The Tarte bronzer, is the perfect warm shade of brown, and I detect no orange on my face. It does have a slight shimmer, but it just creates a soft-focus glow. Dallas, is the perfect dusty plum shade.... sometimes it comes up more purple and sometimes a slight brown... it's natural but complexion warming. And Soft and Gentle is a cult highlighter.... gold perfection!

Here's the final test....