LOTD: Sweet Hibiscus

For this look, I wanted to be really simple today.  The main thing I wanted to do was try out my new lip products:)

Face: Giorgio Armani Face Fabric #5, set with MAC Mineralized Skinfinish Natural
Eyebrows: MAC pencil in Spike
Mascara: Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Excess

Blush: NARS Taj Mahal

Lips: MAC Hibiscus lipstick; MAC Krazy Kahuna lipgloss

Surfin' (MAC's "Surf, Baby" Haul)

MAC Surf, Baby Haul

Here are the swatches from my haul of the Surf, Baby collection.  After the let-down of the Big Bounce shadows, this collection was a welcome one, as I was actually able to find things I like!  The shadows are very pigmented and I was able to find two lip colors that are unlike anything in my stash.  So, let's get to it!

Saffron

Sun Blonde (I thought this was going to be like Goldenrod, but it is VERY different)

Surf USA (it's much deeper and bluer than pictured)

no flash

with flash

GIORGIO Armani Eyes to Kill Intense…NEW COLORS AVAILABLE NOW!

(UPDATE:  I've learned that, although they won't be releasing these in stores until July, they are available NOW on the Giorgio Armani website: Click Here -I've just placed my order today and will upload swatches once I get them:) )

As you know, I've fallen completely in love with the Armani Eyes to Kill Intense shadows (previously reviewed here).  Imagine my delight when I came across a picture of two colors I had never seen yet...

#1 Blast of Blue

#3 Purpura

 …Then imagine my dismay when I learned that they weren't available in the states yet.  I checked with Armani and this is the response I got:

"May 2, 2011

Thank you for visiting Giorgio Armani Beauty on the Web.

Armani Eyes To Kill Intense Eye Shadows Summer Collection 2011 includes the limited edition shades you mentioned in your email. We anticipate they will be available in July 2011.  

We look forward to your next visit to our website or seeing you at a Giorgio Armani Beauty counter."

So…unfortunately we have to wait 'til July!   THESE ARE AVAILABLE NOW ON THE GA WEBSITE HERE.

More Lines! (Stila's "Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner")

So, I've been getting into liners later, and any pretty colors (plus good quality) will catch my eye.  I decided to try Stila's new "Sparkle Waterproof Liquid Eye" eyeliners.  One thing I do like about these is the intense sparkle effect; they definitely pack a lot of punch!  Also, the applicator offers good application control AND they are waterproof! (Because these are so glitter-heavy, I would suggest tapping the line across your lid, near the lash-line, as opposed to dragging it across.)

*vs. MUFE's new Aqua Liners: Since these came out around the same time as the MUFE liners, I figured I might compare the quality of the two.  (Price-wise, these are $1 cheaper: $22 at Sephora).  There are only 8 colors (compared to MUFE's 15 Aqua Liners).  Although these are very beautifully pigmented, I did have to do two layers to REALLY get a strong effect.  They also don't last as long as the MUFE liners (perhaps because they are a bit more sparkly and, therefore, are more subject to crumbling).  I MUST SAY, though, that they don't last as LONG as MUFE's but they do last all day! (When put to my "sleep with it on my hand test" the Stila liners failed where the MUFE's didn't…but how many people REALLY need to sleep with eyeliner on?  

After buying about 5 of the MUFE liners, I only found one Stila that was different enough to purchase: Curacao (sparkling Violet blue)

Left: Thick/Thin line-one coat;
Right: Thick/Thin line-two coats

After my "overnight" test

The Bottom "Line" (Make Up For Ever Aqua Liners)

Make Up For Ever's "Aqua Liners" might just be the best liners I've found!  I'm one of those unfortunate souls who struggles with liquid liners.  I always get my right eye perfect, then I go to the left eye and make it too thick…so then I go BACK to the right eye to try to match the left one…and it's all downhill from there! LOL.  But in any case, the perfect combination of control and "forgiveness" in these applicators make MUFE's Aqua Liners wonderful.  

l to r: 6, 8, 5, 15, 13 (I swatched both thick and
thin lines to show the applicator's versatility)

At $23 at Sephora, these are a bit expensive but, given their quality, they may prove to be worth it (it depends on just how long the tube lasts.

On top of the applicator magic, these. things. don't. BUDGE!  Seriously, I slept 9 hours with the swatches on my hand and THIS is the result:

After 9 hours of sleeping! (Only the black one is slightly rubbing off)

There are a total of 15 colors available, I think I'm going to pick up the green one:)

"Cheap Thrills": CoverGirl Clean Pressed Powder, Oil Control

I call this post "Cheap Thrills" because occasionally I come across a thrilling drugstore-brand item that works wonders!  I have been through the gamut of pressed powders, translucent powders, loose powders, etc…all in search of a good oil-control powder that won't clog my pores and leaves me looking natural (and not like I'm prepped for burial!).  I came across this CoverGirl Clean Pressed Powder, Oil Control.

Aside from the cool pricetag of only $4.59 at Target, this is by FAR the BEST powder I've come across in a while.  I bought the Soft Honey color.  For me, it's worked just as well as (if not better than) MAC's Blot Powder.  Don't believe me? The proof is in the pictures (warning: GREASY, end-of-the-day face coming up):

As you can see, it makes a HUGE difference!  The lasting power for me is about 5 1/2-6 hours, which is amazing for my oily T-zone.  

As I've gotten more and more into makeup, I've begun to lean toward the higher end products…this little thrill brought me back down to Earth and reminded me that the pricetag doesn't always dictate the true VALUE of a product;)

Product info:

-non comedogenic (won't clog pores)

-nonacnegenic

-fragrance- and oil-free

(face at the end of the day…eww!)

(whew! after a quick pat-down with the powder:)

LOTD-Electric Sunset

Eyes:
1) Use MAC Mixing Medium to spread Melon Pigment over the lid.
2) Add MAC Going Bananas e/s to inner corner.
3) Add Tarantina Electric Butterfly e/s to middle of lid.
4) Add MAC Firecracker e/s and MAC Hot Hot Hot e/s to outer third and blend through crease.
5) Add MAC Nanogold e/s to just above crease and blend into browbone.

Face:
Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk foundation mixed with GA Sheer Fluid #3
MAC Ambering Rose Blush

Lips:
YSL Golden Gloss #4

LOTD-Plumberry

Blush: MAC Gingerly

Eyes: MAC Star violet e/s on inner lid

MAC Hepcat e/s on middle and outer third

MAC Sketch e/s on outer v and crease

blend color: MAC Tet-a-Tint e/s

highlight: MAC Ricepaper e/s

Eyeliner: liquid black UD perversion

Mascara: Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Excess

Lips: lipliner- Creamliner (pink treat)

lipstick- Guerlain Bee

 lipgloss-YSL Golden Fuschia

Solid Gold! (YSL Golden Gloss)

OOOOOHHHH-WEEE!!!! These babies are pretty!  At first I was skeptical about Yves Saint Laurent's Golden Glosses because I thought they were all gimmick.  They boast  a "high shine lip gloss with real 24-carat-gold flecks" and a "mirror-effect."  But I can say for certain: they were NOT all talk!  Not only do these go on smoothly, but they don't leave my lips dry.  On average, they last about 4-6 hours, which is pretty good for a gloss.  They have an incredibly high shine factor, but don't give that "oily-gloss" look.  And you really do see the tiny flecks of gold on your lips (but you don't feel them at all!).  I purchased #4 and #31 from Sephora.com for $30 each.  I will DEFINITELY be adding more to my collection soon.  

Top: #4 Golden Fushcia (*NEW)
Bottom: #31 Golden Toffee 

#31 Golden Toffee 

#4 Golden Fushcia 

Bare lips

#31 Golden Toffee 

#4 Golden Fushcia (this actually looks a little more "berry-like" in real life'")

"Magically Cool-icious" (MAC's Magically Cool Liquid Powder)

Magically Cool Liquid Powder-Honey Rose

Soooo…I skipped the "Magically Cool Liquid Powder" from MAC when it first came out in the Venomous Villains collection because the MUA said it was "just a gimmick."  Seriously, I didn't even swatch it!

But this time around, I guess I was just in the mood to buy something so I tried out the new color they have, "Honey Rose."  It can be used as a highlighter or an all-over powder.  According to the MAC website:

"You've longed for it and now it's captured: M·A·C Magically Cool Liquid Powder. This feather-light silky powder goes on with the refreshing impact of an ocean mist. What's more, this magical melange contains just enough optical blurring via its light-diffusing pigments to 
render skin's surface into line-softened, natural luminosity. How magical is that?"


So how does it measure up to its claims?

-"impact of an ocean mist": Absolutely!  When using a soft, duo-fiber brush to dust it lightly across your skin, it really feels like a wet spray from an ocean wave! (seriously, you'll have to keep looking at it to reassure  yourself that it's NOT water! LOL)
-"line-softened, natural luminosity": I definitely agree that it has a blurring effect that makes the imperfections in your skin fade away.

In addition, the effect lasts (for me, about 8 hours today!)…now THAT alone makes it worth it for me!

It is moderately priced at $29.50 (pretty normal for MAC specialty blush/powders).

Bottom line: it does what it says and it feels good doing it!

Before using the powder (please excuse my "end of the day" skin! LOL)

With a quick sweep of the powder

"Roll" OUT!

I travel a lot for work, so I was trying to come up with a way to keep my brushes spread out but NOT lose them.  I "googled" all day long and couldn't find a container to suit my needs...that's how THIS idea was born:

This has been a life-saver for me.  I don't risk losing my brushes and, just as importantly, I can actually SEE all of them so they get more usage.

Items needed to create the roll:

-any bamboo-style dinner mat with enough space to weave the elastic (I bought several of them from Bed Bath & Beyond for $2) 

-elastic (purchased from a craft store)

*I have been asked if I would consider making some for people who would like to purchase them.  I would be willing to do so.  Please leave a comment if you'd be interested.  Or you can e-mail me at mykindapretty@gmail.com and we can discuss the terms.*

Giorgio Armani Eyes to Kill Intense…NEW COLORS COMING SOON!

As you know, I've fallen completely in love with the Armani Eyes to Kill Intense shadows (previously reviewed here).  Imagine my delight when I came across a picture of two colors I had never seen yet...

#1 Blast of Blue

#3 Purpura

 …Then imagine my dismay when I learned that they weren't available in the states yet.  I checked with Armani and this is the response I got:

"May 2, 2011

Thank you for visiting Giorgio Armani Beauty on the Web.

Armani Eyes To Kill Intense Eye Shadows Summer Collection 2011 includes the limited edition shades you mentioned in your email. We anticipate they will be available in July 2011.  

We look forward to your next visit to our website or seeing you at a Giorgio Armani Beauty counter."

So…unfortunately we have to wait 'til July!   THESE ARE AVAILABLE NOW ON THE GA WEBSITE HERE.

Bare-ing it all!

My venture into the world of Bare Minerals has been pretty underwhelming at times:(  The mineralized foundation just didn't seem to suit my skin color AT ALL.  But THEN! I walked into Sephora one day and saw a MUA with the most GORGEOUS golden eyes (well, eyeSHADOW, to be exact).  I mean, seriously, the gold was rich and radiant…there are tiny micro-shimmers that reflect light like nobody's business!  So, clearly I had to pick it up, right?  I also fell in love with a gorgeous lavender.  This might be the beginning of a new collection…


For $13 bucks each, these are also pretty affordable.  (And over a base, they last just as long as the typical MAC shadow)

True Gold