I know that red is all the rage this spring, but this isn’t the red that you think it is. The MAC Viva Glam Cyndi is very wearable and would probably go well with most skintones. You could kick this red outta the ballpark with a rich red lipliner, which I will experiment with during the week.

This pic was taken right after work..didn’t have time to touch up my face, but you get the picture.

The next shade, MAC Viva Glam Gaga, is going to be a pretty hard color to pull off, given it’s intense blue/pink hue. My makeup for the day did not go with this lip at all! Even my red tank top would need to be changed to pull this lip off. (See below)

Ewww no! I’ll have to change my entire outfit and eye look to go with this one.

This lipstick might not look on darker skintones, it’s very bubble gum pink! This is something you would probably need to try on in the store in order to see if it fit you.

Overall, I am very pleased with the texture, the feel and the look of these Viva Glam lipsticks. I give them 5 stars each!!! Well done, MAC!

Other purchases I made were : MAC Pro Palette for Blush, the 222 brush for the crease (I lost mine!), Impeccable Brow Pencil in Dirty Blonde and the Penultimate Brow Marker. We will see how these work out, I already broke a blush trying to de-pot it from the compact because I was impatient and didn’t want to wait to find the wire clippers. Do an internet search for videos and blogs about how to de-pot your MAC products! Make sure you have all of the tools before you start de-potting because I totally wasted a blush! I ended up dropping some alcohol back into the blush compact and pressing the blush back down into the pan, but it looks really crappy.

Related Posts

• MAC Viva Glam GaGa / Cyndi, plus more spring launches! Thu 25 Feb 2010
• MAC Holiday 2009 Collection !!! Fri 16 Oct 2009

I personally think these tattoos are damn hot. At $75 bucks, you better take care when applying them. These tattoos, which vaguely remind me of Cher’s chain and crosses tattoo on her arm, still remain on my wishlist.

Also new from Chanel is the Rouge Coco Hydrating Creme Lip Colour Collection ($30 each @ Saks 5th Ave.)

Rouge D’Armani Lipstick

Armani.com says: Exceptional long-wear formula results in up to 8 hours of intense color. Experience comfort and shine, without fading and feathering. Soft texture leaves lips feeling continuously hydrated. Lipstick packaged in an elegant black lacquered case with an exclusive magnetic closure. Sealed with a click. ($30 at Saks 5th Ave.)

What will you be wearing on your lips this spring? The red lipstick trend is back again, but I’m not sure I’ll participate with such a rich red. I always go for the sheer version of everything!

Related Posts

• Holiday 2009 Collections - Chanel, NARS, Chantecaille Tue 10 Nov 2009
• CHANEL : Noirs Obscurs Collection 2009 Mon 12 Oct 2009
• Fashion Week 2009 Looks for Spring! Fri 20 Feb 2009
• Change or Chanel? You Decide. Tue 23 Sep 2008
• I found the coveted Chanel 5018.. and purchased. Thu 04 Sep 2008

Let’s start with the hyped up products first:

Tarina Tarantino Makeup Line by Sephora

Okay, this is a firm NO for me, a huge Tarina fan. I am completely disappointed by the quality of this line. It seems like the developers spent more time on the packaging than the stuff that’s inside. I tried everything, hoping to find one little gem to put in my basket (trust me, I got my tax return, money wasn’t an issue on this day) and I couldn’t find ONE thing that I liked. The blush looked very blotchy on my skin, the lip color on the model (above) wasn’t anywhere to be found, all of the lipsticks were very sheer. The eyeliner too waxy and wasn’t rich like the Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner. The eyeshadow was very blah, nothing really popped out, so I popped myself over to the Makeup Forever eyeshadow stand and continued to be impressed by the texture and price. I forced myself to find one thing to take home, so it was the Sparklicity Shimmer Dust ($19) and I am still trying to like it! Pictures of the product on my skin are shown towards the bottom of this post. Sorry, Tarina, I will buy your jewelry, but your makeup line.. epic fail! Good marketing though, great advertising photos, but where is that lip color?

Laura Mercier Smooth Focus Pressed Setting Powder – Shine Control ($32 – Only @Sephora)

The title of this product sounds impressive. It says to me that you are going to have a smooth complexion, flawless and all of your oils will vanish. Well, for someone like me, who gets oily around noon and seemingly oilier every hour beyond that, this powder didn’t do much for me. I need to use it about 4 times per day, and if going out at night, make that about 6 times per day. The powder itself is a greenish / bluish color, to cut the redness in the skin and even out blotchyness. The application pad it comes with is a double-sided velvet flocked pad with a sponge texture on the opposite side. When I use this applicator, too much product gets concentrated in one area, so I am now using my Chanel Kabuki brush with it and it’s working much better. This product is very similar to the Makeup Forever HD Microfinish Powder , but in pressed form. I don’t stay matte for very long and I can see the product on my face in certain lighting.  I won’t purchase this again, as I think I need something with color to help keep the coverage of my foundation fresh.  3 out of 5 stars – Pros: nice quality, good packaging. Cons: I need something with color, look of powder is sometimes too noticable.

Laura Mercier Secret Finish Mattifying Gel ($27 @ Sephora)

This wasn’t available in Sephora stores when I went to purchase, but I was given a hefty sample and it was enough to come up with my verdict. I simply cannot put a gel substance OVER my foundation. I just can’t! I tried to do this very delicately and it really did disturb my foundation. I did noticed that my pores looked smaller since the product fills them in, but I didn’t stay matte at all for very long. I tried this under my foundation and I didn’t notice a difference except for the possibility that my foundation went on just a tad faster. I will continue to try this and use it in different ways, I’ll update this review if I find that I fall in love with it somehow. 3 out of 5 stars – Pros : No fragrance, no parabens, nice quality. Cons: Disturbs my foundation when used over the top, doesn’t keep me “matte”.

Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Cream Blush ($25 @ Sephora for .33 oz) – Was not availabe on my trip. I will check again soon!

Givenchy Le Prisme Blush Powder Blush – I saw it, but totally forgot to test it out. Sorry! Will check again soon!

Kim Kardashian fragrance (starting at $16) – Wow.. did I call it or what? I knew this fragrance was going to be a rip off of something, and it’s exactly Marc Jacobs. Did Kim think I wasn’t going to find out? Geez. Well anyway, it’s Gardenia and it’s totally Marc Jacobs. LOL!

Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation ($34 Only @Sephora)

Yay! I love this stuff. It’s like the old Revlon Colorstay formula from the 90s. Not AS good as the Revlon one, but really close. Full coverage.. I’d say it’s medium – full coverage. The color choice range is amazing and I found the right shade within 5 seconds of looking.  4 out of 5 stars : Close to perfection. Pros: Great coverage and color choices. Nice product quality. Cons: I feel like this will only last me a month.

Yup, this is me on a morning before work. I am wearing the following:

FACE

• Laura Mercier Secret Finish Mattifying Gel – Before my makeup.. not on top.
• Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation – Used my flat top foundation brush (disc.) MAC  – Pictured here
• Laura Mercier Smooth Focus Pressed Setting Powder – Shine Control – Used Chanel Kabuki brush, or any kabuki style brush will work.
• Sugar Bronzer Tropic Tan (disc. in big round compact) – Very lightly used to contour the shape of my non-existent cheekbones.
• Benefit Shangri-La Sheers – Lotus-ed You Looking (Shown below) – Old as the hills blush, but I bought 5 of them back in the day because I love it SO MUCH and I can’t find another blush to compare to this shade! It’s a lavendar blush.. who sells one!?!

• Tarina Tarantino Sparklicity Pure – I am not sure why I bought this. You don’t really see much:

It looks nice when piled up on your hand, doesn’t it? When it’s on your face, not so much. I think I will try applying it with a foundation brush and dampen it with water next time.

EYES

• Sephora Professionnel Platinum Natural Dome Smudge Brush #13 ($22) – In love with this new brush! I used it to do the smokey look on my lower lash line and it works like a miracle. Faux squirrel hair!
• Urban Decay Primer Potion (of course, keeps my eyeshadow on all day)
• I applied the Benefit Cosmetics “Lotus-ed You Looking” blush / shadow to my lids, then applied the Tarina Tarantino Sparklicity over the top. Used Benefit Cosmetics High Brow highlighting pencil right below my brow.
• MAC Chromaline Black gel eyeliner (PRO Shade) on top and inner rim.
• Milani Shadow Wear Quad Eyeshadow – Wild Violets (medium purple shade) on lower lash line, smudged.
• L’Oreal Carbon Black Telescopic Dramatic Lengthening and Intensifying Mascara – Flexible comb wand brush. Top and bottom lashes.. two coats.

LIPS

• NYX Lipstick – Spoiled with Maybelline Wet Shine Diamonds – Rhinestone Pink gloss (disc.)

Whew.. that’s about it, kids! I am still awaiting the arrival of my MAC Viva Glam lipsticks.. so stay tuned and I’ll be showing those off soon!

Related Posts

• New Stuff I Might Like... Clinique High Lengths Mascara and more! Thu 28 Jan 2010
• MAC Viva Glam GaGa / Cyndi, plus more spring launches! Thu 25 Feb 2010
• Faux Lash Tutorial with Revlon Fantasy Length Lashes (Video!) Sun 14 Feb 2010
• MAC Spring Colour Forecast 2 Collection 2010 Mon 08 Feb 2010
• MAC Spring Colour Forecast 3 Collection 2010 Sat 06 Feb 2010

#1 : mark Gloss Gorgeous Stay On Lip Stain (Only $9)

When you use the traditional water-based lipstain (like Benefit’s Benetint stain, or CoverGirl Outlast Lip stain) you always have to use a gloss over the top for a more comfortable feel and moist look.. or else you end up licking your lips all day until they are chapped! mark. Cosmetics has a bit of a great solution for those lipstains which require an extra step! The new Gloss Gorgeous Stay on Lip Stain looks like a gloss, but stays on like a lip stain! The product features a high shine gloss with a rich stain that gives your hours of a tropical sexy pout! Check out the rave reviews for this product!

#2: mark Kissink Lip Tintmarker
(Only $7)

For those that love the good ole water-based lip stains, why not try mark.? Available in Berry Bitten and Red Siren.  I recommend a gloss for over the top of your stain, so check out the Shine Tubes Hook Up Lip Gloss in Clear.

#3: mark Get a Tint – Tinted Moisturizer with SPF 15 (Only $9 for 1.6 oz)

With a light weight and oil-free formula, this tinted moisturizer is receiving many compliments from mark customers! This is a perfect companion for “lazy-day” makeup, or just to even out the skin tone for a natural look. The price is right for this little gem!

#4 : mark Pretty Wild Color Palette (Only $14)

I am totally “wild” for the color combos in this palette! Check out the gold, pink and smoky black cream-to-powder eyeshadow trio along with the sultry gloss shades of nude, berry and rose! Not only are those colors striking and sexy, but look at how cute the palette is. Must have for spring break, road trips, etc. I want one of these so I can travel easy this summer!

#5 : mark Petite Cosmetic Bag – Hot Pink! (Only $6)

You cannot deny that this is freaking cute… I love it! Show off your girly style with this adorbs pink and dark brown bag.. for $6!! C’mon, that is too cute to miss out on.

Note: The links to the products featured here go directly to my mark. cosmetics homepage for a reason. I currently do not know how to link to the product’s page directly without losing my rep id in the URL. So that I can get credit for my sales, I linked directly to the homepage. I apologize for the extra step to finding the products on the website. Their search window is at the top right and it should be easy for you to find the products listed unless they are sold out or discontinued. Happy Shopping!

Related Posts

• mark. Cosmetics Holiday Freebies! Wed 09 Dec 2009
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• Thanks and an Update!!! Mon 13 Apr 2009

So, I came across this new product:

Clinique Even Better Clinical Dark Spot Corrector $49.50 for 1 oz.

This product is already getting rave reviews from Clinique customers, and it’s not just for age spots, it helps even out the skin tone by fading the skin. It is a serum for all ethnicities and skin types. If you have dark spots, acne scars, age spots, then this sounds like it is for you. I am going to give this a try! It’s been my goal to perfect my skin tone so that I will use less foundation. Added to wishlist!

I went to Regis Salon at my local mall for a haircut, root touch-up and some foil highlights. After a 2.5 hour appointment, scalp chemical burning included, I noticed that the stylist was now using a ghd IV flat iron instead of the FHI one she was using before. My hair turned out so straight, I didn’t even recognize my own hair! It was so silky straight that I was in disbelief. I have to have this iron!!!! $240 @ Sephora! Expensive as hell, but I heard from my stylist that the Regis stores will now carry the iron for a better price. I have to make sure it’s the exact model that she was using. If anyone uses this iron, please comment below and tell me how you like it. Note: the pink iron pictured above is more expensive than the black one. Check prices, shop around!

I am a total sucker for “primers”, “preppers”, and “mattifyers”.. especially those in cute packaging. I am going nuts for this Urban Decay Box of Potions from Sephora.com (online only!) $65. This kit comes with :

- 1 oz Complexion Primer Potion – Brightening
- 1 oz Complexion Primer Potion – Pore Perfecting
- 0.34 oz Eyeshadow Primer Potion
- 0.3 oz Eyelash Primer Potion
- 0.07 oz Lip Primer Potion SPF 15

Totally travel-size and just adorable. Wish listing! It is a Limited Edition product, so I better check it out soon!

Related Posts

• New Stuff I Might Like... Clinique High Lengths Mascara and more! Thu 28 Jan 2010
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Updates to come soon.. I have my Sephora haul from the weekend.. still testing everything out! =)

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New for Spring 2010!

MAC ‘Viva Glam VII’ Lipstick ($14 each @ Nordstrom / Macy’s / MAC Pro Stores)

This is the highly anticipated collection of Viva Glam lipstick from MAC.. starring the shock-popstar Lady GaGa and 80s pop legend, Cyndi Lauper. Although I am not a GaGa fan, I am a super-fan of the Viva Glam GaGa lustre formula light blue / pink lipstick color, which has been a signature color of mine for years (I wear the matte YSL version, and NYX). The Viva Glam Cyndi is a lustre formula shade of a light reddish coral.. this is also a must-have! Do not forget that every cent raised through the sales of Viva Glam lipstick go to the MAC AIDS Fund to help support the fight against AIDS / HIV. A hot lipstick shade with a good cause, it can’t get better than that!

Givenchy Le Prisme Blush Powder Blush
This is a four-color blush palette with gorgeous high-pigmented shades that you can use all together or one shade at a time. This product allows you to customize your color! I am loving the It-Girl Purple, and since this is a Sephora-only product, I am going to defs test this out on Saturday!

Available in the following colors:
- Aficionado Peach
- It-Girl Purple
- In Vogue Orange
- Fashionista Brown (pictured)

Kim Kardashian fragrance (starting at $16)
Ok, so I want to see what all the “stink” is about. Since I hear that Kim stole her fragrance logo from a jewelry company logo, and that she probably stole her fragance scent from J. Lo (that is just my joke, not a rumor!) I gotta see what the fuss is about and if this product actually delivers.

Laura Mercier Secret Finish Mattifying Gel($27 @ Sephora) and the
Laura Mercier Smooth Focus Pressed Setting Powder – Shine Control ($32 @ Sephora)
I have oily skin and the summer months ahead only mean trouble for sebum control! I am always trying new things, so this might be just what I am looking for. This Secret Finish Mattifying Gel is a shine-controlling liquid-gel formula that you can use to touch-up your shiny areas through the day, you can even dab this over makeup! The current mattifyer that I use by Clarins (in a little red pot) breaks my skin out within an hour. I really want to give this one a try! Along with that, there is the Smooth Focus Pressed Setting Powder for shine control, another product that looks excellent for oily skin!

Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Cream Blush ($25 @ Sephora for .33 oz)

Want a healthy and lasting glow? Well, this new cream blush in a pump looks awesome! The blush combines mattifying & reflecting powders to create a soft-focus glow.

Can’t wait for my mall trip! I hope I don’t spend too much.. my taxes are coming back soon, so we will see!

Related Posts

• MAC Viva Glam Cyndi / Gaga Swatches Tue 09 Mar 2010
• MAC Holiday 2009 Collection !!! Fri 16 Oct 2009
• Sephora Haul Reviews - and my signature spring look Fri 05 Mar 2010
• MAC Spring Colour Forecast 2 Collection 2010 Mon 08 Feb 2010
• M.A.C All Ages, All Races, All Sexes Collection 2010 Wed 06 Jan 2010

Thank you, Revlon!

The point of these products is to make life a bit easier and to reduce expensive salon costs. The lashes are very natural-looking and easy to apply, the nails are not long and perfect for just wearing for a night on the town or to a special event. Why waste hours and money getting your nails done in a salon?? Well, there are definitely pros and cons to the Revlon Color Allure nails (runs about $10 per box) as I had trouble not getting the glue on top of the nails or on my skin. I accidentally glued my fingers together at one point and had to use nail polish remover to get them apart (as my fiance laughed and thought it was so damned funny!).  The nail kit includes very strong nail glue, it’s just like crazy glue! You get a rather large 3g bottle of glue, enough to use to repair a broken lamp? There are enough nails to do them twice. Below are photos that I took right after I applied them. You can see the glue boo-boos that I made!

I pretty much have ugly hands to begin with, but I honestly think these glue-on nails are better than I expected.. and made my hands feel pretty today! I used to get the gel glitter tip nails and I would spend about $50 to $70 for a full set and $20-$25 for fills every two weeks, needing a full set put on every month, it seemed. A box of these nails are about $10, and probably last about a week. I’ll carry the glue with me just in case! I can’t wait to try the glitter tipped nails from the set Revlon gave me. Update: The nails lasted about a week and a half and basically fell off on their own. That is pretty nice considering if you have gel nails that you might have to have a nail tech remove them for you and it’s painful! I like to let my nails breathe for a while before putting fake nails back on.

Revlon Fantasy Lengths Faux Lashes : Flirty

Revlon Fantasy Lengths Maximum Wear Glue-on Eyelashes – Flirty – Drugstore.com (Currently on sale $3.84)

I have worn false eyelashes for years and I’ve tried high-end and low-end cheapies from the Halloween stores. There are some excellent cheapies out there, you just have to hunt.  These Revlon lashes are definitely everyday wear lashes that are not too long or too flashy.

I carefully peeled away the lash strip off the plastic base (still ended up tearing a few lashes off the end) these lashes seem really delicate, so be careful when taking them off of the package! I applied my eye makeup first:

Brows: Hodgepodge MAC pencil

Eyes: Urban Decay Primer Potion, bottom lid: Urban Decay Polyester Bride eyeshadow, crease: Milani Coffee Shop Runway Single Eyeshadow, brow highlight: Benefit High Brow pencil.

Liner: Estee Lauder Artist’s Eye Pencil in Softsmudge Black.

Mascara: L’Oreal Telescopic Explosion mascara ($7.99 @ Target)

Here is a VERY short video of me putting this mascara on. My camera ran out of space during the application!


This is the finished product! This mascara is pretty nice, a little strange to apply, but I am liking it so far. It doesn’t really add the dramatic thickness to my lashes that I like, but I am adding lashes, so I figure that this is enough!

So, now that my lashes are prepped and ready to go, it is time to bust out the eyelash glue and pop these babies on!

I dabbed a little bit of lash glue on the back of my hand and dipped the lashes right in it. The glue is white, but dries clear, so do not worry about it looking white on your eyes.

Here is another video, this time I am showing how I press down and separate the lashes with the end of a rat-tail comb.(Yes, that’s HOLE playing in the background heheh!)



After I finished up my eyes, I applied Sebastian brand “So Shy” blush which is a matte baby pink and a discontinued Tony & Tina lipstick which is a matte pink/red.

Related Posts

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MAC Spring Colour Forecast 4 – Look : Bronzilla

To see the rest of these looks from the AMBER collection: Click here

To view the entire AMBER Forecast 4 collection: Click here

MAC Spring Colour Forecast 3 – Look : Lavendar Wind

To see the rest of these looks from the PLUM collection: Click here

To view the entire PLUM Forecast 3 collection: Click here

MAC Spring Colour Forecast 2 – Look : Kumquat

To see the rest of these looks from the CORAL collection: Click here

To view the entire CORAL Forecast 2 collection: Click here

MAC Spring Colour Forecast 1 – Look : Phlox

To see the rest of these looks from the PINK collection: Click here

To view the entire PINK Forecast 1 collection: Click here

Related Posts

• MAC Spring Colour Forecast 1 Collection 2010 Tue 09 Feb 2010
• MAC Spring Colour Forecast 2 Collection 2010 Mon 08 Feb 2010
• MAC Spring Colour Forecast 4 Collection 2010 Fri 05 Feb 2010
• MAC Spring Colour Forecast 3 Collection 2010 Sat 06 Feb 2010

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