Thursday, January 28, 2010

Beauty on a budget and some short reviews

I decided to do a look using some of the rather inexpensive cosmetics that I own. I am very happy with the way this turned out.

Almay Bright Eyes Duo Eye Base + Concealer to Prime (this stuff is okay but nothing special).


88 Shimmer Palette  I got mine on eBay for about $17 shipped from Hong Kong. It's exactly the same as the Coastal Scents one. I used the hot pink color on the inner lid and the blue color on the outer lid blended with more hot pink the on top.  Over the pink and blue on the lid I put NYX Chrome shadow in Black blending with the $1 e.l.f brush. That gave it kind of a purple appearance. Then I used to two lighter shades in the palette up to the brow and inner eye. (Colors used are marked with stars)

Liner - L'Oreal Extra Intense Liquid Pencil Eyeliner on upper and lower lid. I am highly impressed with this pencil. I love it, (almost as much as the Urban Decay pencils) It's a very smooth liner and doesn't drag. Water line is e.l.f Eyeliner and Shadow stick in Brown/Basic. Used the liner (basic) side. These are pretty crappy, they break off and fall out of the applicator.

Mascara - e.l.f. Studio Line Lengthening and Volumizing Mascara. This stuff is okay, but I like Cover Girl Lash Blast or Clinique better. The stuff that is making my lashes healthier is Silk Naturals Eye Lash Conditioning Gel. Maybe it is all in my head, but I swear they look a little longer.

Lash Curler - My all time favorite and I use it every day is the e.l.f. $1 lash curler. I can't say enough good things about it, especially for the price.

So this was a fun look, I really love the NYX Chrome shadow that my friend Sunshinegal (Jamie) sent me. It's shimmery with minimal fallout. I think it would look good layered over various different colors. The shimmer palette is a good palette with super pigmented shades that can create endless looks. I definitely think it is worth the money if you want to experiment and not spend a ton of money.

 
  
  
 


 
 


Sunday, January 24, 2010

Ulta kit - another lpug project.

When I was at Ulta they had a bunch of these holiday kits marked down to $12.99. Well, of course I couldn't pass that up. I mean, $12.99? :) I really didn't like the case it was in, it's big and bulky and takes up a bunch of unnecessary space. So I decided I would pop those things right out of that cheap plastic and put them into CD cases. Most of them popped out without difficulty, one of the blushes cracked and one of the eyeshadows kind of crumbled, but I pushed them back into their pans. All but three of the pans had sticky stuff still on the bottom so I only had to glue three of them into the CD cases. Then I made labels for them. Much more convenient than that bulky case. I can put all four CD cases into the top of that case. I am gonna use that red case to store other stuff in now. All these colors can be bought individually at Ulta so if I fall in love with shade I can buy it in full size! woohoo :) The blushes, the liners and the lip glosses are good, the only thing negative about this kit is the scratchy blush brush (and the big bulky case). But who cares for $12.99!?!

Oh and yes, the liners fit right into the side of the cases like they were meant to be there.


 




 
 
 
 
 
 

I wore a look from the kit today.
Inner half of lid - Moonbeam
Outer half of lid - Bayou
Crease - Nightsky
Brow Bone - Platinum
Eye liner is also from the kit - black.
Mascara - e.l.f. studio line lengthening and volumizing mascara

 

Monday, January 18, 2010

Lorac Palette - brown EOTD


Still loving my Lorac Palette that I got from Sephora. I think it's my favorite palette for neutral looks. The colors are nicely pigmented and blend really well. I just went to find the link and it looks like it is no longer offered. So sad. :(

 

Thursday, January 14, 2010

Aromaleigh EOTD 1/14/10

Well, it's not Valentine's Day, but my eyes sure do look like it is! I am wearing some beautiful shades from the Aromaleigh Valentine's Day '09 Collection. My favorite shade from this look is Sweet Nothings. Such a pretty, shimmery pink shade. I am so happy these were made to be a part of her permanent collection!!!! yay!!

The lid shades were foiled, the rest applied dry.
Inner 1/3 of lid - Pillowtalk
Outer 2/3 of lid - Sweet Nothings
Crease - Lovelorn
The below are not from the v-day collection, but they are from Aromaleigh.
Brow bone - Fiona
Liner - Drama Queen Cocoa
Lashes - Cover Girl Lash Blast in Very Black


 
 
 

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

Hot Cocoa with War Child and Hail Caesar

These Hi-Fi Shadows are GORGEOUS! The photos do not do them justice. I couldn't get the shimmer to show up or the vibrancy. I think I am in love with Hi-Fi shadows. :)
Lid - War Child
Crease  Hot Cocoa
Brow Bone - Hail Caesar
Upper lid liner - Urban Decay Zero
Lower lid liner - Urban Decay Binge
Water line - Urban Decay El Dorado
Lashes - Cover Girl Lash Blast in Very Black





 

Monday, January 11, 2010

Hi-Fi Cosmetics Swatches

Placed an order for Hi-Fi Cosmetics on the 1st and received it on the 11th. She stated it would be 8 business days before they were shipped so a little ahead of schedule! I am very pleased with the shadows. All of them are shimmery and beautiful. I can't wait to do some EOTDs with them! She sent three freebies as well. It was nicely wrapped in tissue paper. Prices at $4.99 per shadow, not a bad price for the uniqueness and quality. These are all swatched dry with no primer.


 




Lillypug's creations, pressed

I have been really interested in creating my own shades using TKB minerals. At first I used the recipes that TKB provided then I got creative and made some of my own shadows. Then I REALLY decided to be creative and press a few of the shades I made. I broke up a shadow that I didn't care for from e.l.f. and placed three of my own in it. I thought it turned out pretty good. I used jojoba oil and alcohol for the pressing medium. I did an EOTD with it today. I did not use any primer, I wanted to test the quality. It wore pretty well, no creasing but it did fade a little by the end of the day. I was pretty impressed overall, considering I normally have to wear a good primer to prevent creasing.