Shakeup Your Makeup...

Mally Perfect Prep Under Eye Brightener: A Closer Look

2013-04-25T09:00:00.000-04:00

Continuing with the Mally Beauty theme of an earlier post, I bring you another piece in the Mally 7 Pc Makeover Collection TSV I purchased a few weeks ago off of QVC.

This is the Perfect Prep Under Eye Brightener in Lighter. This comes in a wand-like applicator, similar to what her lip colors come in.

Twist up, and the brightener comes through the brush so you can apply directly under the eye and dab in with your finger tip. You'll notice the color of the product is quite yellow, as this is a brightener and is meant to counter any dark and dull concerns you have under the eye and on your skin.

I apply this before my concealer, as this isn't a concealing product (see how translucent it is below?). But, it does in fact do a nice job of brightening the under eye region without adding too much product prior to your concealer.

You can see this has a yellow tone to it, so if you have redness that needs correcting, this does a very nice job. Thin, easy to apply, blending easily into the skin, it doesn't get to thick when applied under concealer. It's taken some practice, but I really am liking this product. At this point, I'm not sure if I would actually repurchase outside of the kit - I don't tend to have too much redness, for me its dark circles that are the issue - but it's a nice thing to have on hand if I need a little help!

Oh...Hi! Remember me?

2013-04-25T08:28:00.001-04:00

Wow...time has really gotten away from me. Between work, family, just life in general, I realize I haven't spent any time on the blog. So, I am in the midst of sorting through tons of pictures and looks to start posting again!

Mally Beauty's Diamond Unpowder in Light - A closer look

2013-03-25T16:58:00.000-04:00

I picked up Mally's most recent TSV on QVC about a month ago, and in it was her Age Rewind Diamond Unpowder. I picked up the Light color. As you can see, especially in the second picture down, this has some yellow tones to the powder, which will help in correcting redness and imperfections. Also, although not evident in the pictures below, there is a slight shimmer, but nothing that I really noticed on the skin. Instead, the color and shimmer just added some brightness to my skin-tone, which is quite dull this late into the winter!

The brush is this full, soft, rounded fluffy brush. I was so excited when I felt this - it picked up an ample amount of powder, and gave nice soft coverage, but unfortunately I have found that it is shedding quite a bit. I am hoping this will slow down, because I really like this to add highlight to the skin - the shape is nice works well on the apples of the cheeks, and has just enough density to add some color without overdoing it on the application. But, until the shedding stops, I think this one was a miss.

Unfortunately, I'm not really seeing the differences in pictures (befores and afters) that I see in person, so I don't have any to share. Have any of you tried this product? What were your thoughts?

A Pink and Gunmetal FOTD: Laura Geller and Mally Beauty

2013-03-12T09:54:00.000-04:00

Ever since I opened the Mally Beauty Favorite Things Volume 2, I have been in love with the bright springy lip colors that came in the set. Bright corals and pink glosses can really brighten a look, and I find myself reaching for these glosses every day. Recently I have been grabbing Punch, which is a crème pink.

Below is a simple FOTD I did last week, using Laura Geller's Spumoni and Sinful Praline baked eyeshadow duo from the Eye Dream of Italy collection years ago.

Face
Laura Geller Tinted Spackle "Champagne"
Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Coverage Foundation 115
Make Up For Ever HD Microfinishing Powder
Laura Geller Blush 'n Brighten Ethereal Rose

Eyes
Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy
Laura Geller Spumoni (inner corner, lower lashline)
Laura Geller Sinful Praline - outer corner/crease
NYX Egg Whites - highlight
Physician's Formula Eyeliner Trio for Hazel Eyes - black - eyeliner
Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara

Lips
Mally Beauty Liquid Lipstick in Punch

NOTD: Another Glitter Gradient using L'oreal Sparklicious and OPI Mod About You

2013-03-11T14:20:00.000-04:00

I am officially obsessed with glitter gradients. Not only are they beautiful, but my last one went chip-free for over 5 days, so the maintenance is easy-breezy too!

Today I decided to go a bit more dramatic, and chose OPI Mod About You as the base, with L'Oreal Sparklicious as the gradient. Mod About You is a pale cool-toned pink crème, and Sparklicious is a pale gold/silver glitter.

Yesterday we had gorgeous weather - we're talking 65 degrees! I am so very ready for spring!

NOTD: Inspired by Pinterest...a Glitter Gradient w/ OPI At First Sight and Tony and Tina Lucid Dreams

2013-03-06T09:40:00.001-05:00

Oh Pinterest...you enable me on so many levels. Be it food, décor rand beauty, I just love browsing through and pinning things. I finally got around to trying my hand at a gradient manicure I saw on Pinterest (below). I wasn't quite sure how to do a glitter gradient, so if you need some instructions and "how to's", head on over to Lucy's Stash, because she has an awesome video tutorial there, not to mention the most beautiful manicures for inspiration!

I opted for an iridescent glitter instead of silver, so for my manicure I used OPI At First Sight and an oldie, but a goodie...Tony and Tina's Lucid Dreams.

It's hard to see, but the OPI shade (base color) has a slight golden shimmer to it, so the gold iridescence of this glitter worked well on top. This is a really fun manicure - subtle enough for work, but the glitter makes it fun. It reminds me of bubbles of champagne!

FOTD: Maybelline Color Quint "Forest", MAC She Who Dares & Revlon Timeless Nude

2013-03-05T10:25:00.001-05:00

I am ready for spring. I'm ready for the colors, the sun, and the warmer weather. We are supposed to get a snow storm today, so I decided that bright colors were on the "to wear" list. Yes, my shirt is black, but I have a lime green skirt on (the color of the beads on my necklace), hence the choice of eyeshadow.

The colors/pallets I used were Maybellines Eye Studio Color Explosion Quint in Forest, MAC Venomous Villains She Who Dares eyeshadow (green side), and L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Golden Emerald. Partnered with Revlon's Colorstay Mineral Lipgloss in Timeless Nude, I am really liking this look.

For the look, here is what I used:

Face
Make Up For Ever Microperfecting Primer
Make Up For Ever HD Invisible Coverage Foundation 115 Ivory
Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Powder
MAC Mineralize Blush in Hand Finish

Eyes
Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy
MAC She Who Dares (green side) - outer corner into crease
L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Golden Emerald - middle of lid
Maybelline Eye Studio Color Explosion Quint "Forest" - lime green - inner corner
Milani Lilly White - highlight
Mally Volumizing Mascara - black

Lips
Revlon Color Stay Mineral Lipgloss in Timeless Nude

Who else is ready for spring!?

Swatches of Milani's HD Advanced Lip Colors: Candy Apple, Classy Nude and Sweet Grape

2013-02-28T11:29:00.000-05:00

CVS's last beauty clearance was a good one for Milani - there were several items 75% off, so I took advantage and picked up some of the HD Advanced Lip Colors. The three I chose were Candy Apple, Classy Nude and Sweet Grape - three different colors, but I figured at 75% off I'd buy a couple of colors I'm don't typically purchase. Sweet Grape certainly fit that bill for me.

I apologize in advance, I've been wearing these for a while, so the pictures aren't of perfectly new, fresh out of the tube, lip colors.

These HD Lip Colors are sheer, yet buildable, and moisturizing colors for your lips. They come packaged in a thin, long, twist bottom tube. As you twist the product up, it clicks. I don't know about you, but when I'm not paying attention, and just grab a tube of gloss, those little "clicks" are a nice subconscious way of me making sure I don't twist up the ENTIRE tube ... and believe me, I've done that before! Also, you can retract the color back down, so even if you do over do it, they can be put back into the tube and the lid snapped on. The actual product itself is a smaller surface to apply to the lips, so it's not the size of a full lipstick in the least. The colors leave a nice shine behind - similar to the shine of a gloss, but more the consistency of a balm. The lip colors also have a subtle fruity fragrance and flavor. Not over the top, but also not a lipstick-y smell either.

Candy Apple is a rich red, with a slight blue undertone. No shimmer here.

Sweet Grape is a pinky-purple with golden shimmer. I'll be honest, I opened the tube and thought, "Oh jeez, there's no way I'll be able to pull this off", but it actually is a really pretty, subtle color.

Classy Nude is just that. A simple, basic, carmel nude. A slight shimmer, but it doesn't translate onto the lips. Perfect to grab and go if you are needing a nude shade.

Today I wore Candy Apple, so I thought I'd post a FOTD of the whole thing. I put about 2 coats of the lip color on, and got a nice even coverage with a lot of shine. I love this color - it is so pretty.

The entire look consists of:

Face:
Make Up Forever HD Foundation - N115
Make Up Forever HD Finishing Powder
Mally Visible Skin Bronzer "Light"
MAC Mineralize Blush "Hand Finish"

Eyes
Bare Escentuals Ready 8.0 "The Star Treatment" pallet

Lips
Milani HD Advanced Lip Color "Candy Apple"

Nail It!: The New Nail Art Glossy Magazine/Publication!!

2013-02-26T09:05:00.000-05:00

Finally a beauty magazine dedicated to nails! Nail It! was launched and hit newsstands earlier this week and is jam-packed with tips, techniques, brands, and of course, the latest trends. I picked up my issue at CVS, but I have heard it has been seen at Target, Walgreens, and other drug stores.

You can also follow Nail It! on Facebook here, Twitter here, or Pinterest here. Their Pinterest page is full of inspiration. I could spend hours looking through all the posts there!

I am really excited about this. I have a hidden passion for nail polish and nail art - something I don't do a lot of on this blog, but might have to start doing more of now.

Below is one of the mani's that I loved from this month's issue: Anne Hathaway's nude and bling'd mani. Here's a step-by-step how to:

Have you seen this magazine yet?

Physician's Formula Sexy Booster Sexy Glow Blush "Rose"

2013-02-19T10:19:00.004-05:00

Nothing like a good ol' sale at CVS, plus coupons on the box to make for a good deal! Before Valentines Day I went into CVS to pick out a couple of cards, and noticed they were having a straight 50% of Physician's Formula, plus a lot of the items had $2 and $3 coupons on the box! So, naturally I picked something up!

I had noticed the new Sexy Booster Sexy Glow blushes on display a few weeks ago, so for $4.50 I got the blush in Rose. Not a bad deal considering they are regularly $14.99!

Rose is a beautiful peachy base with a bright pink shoe in the middle. This truly goes on more peach than pink, but the color is beautiful and the shimmer is just perfect on the skin. The fragrance is a very warm vanilla, which I can smell after I've applied too.

The back has a compartment with a mirror and brush stored away in it as well. I don't actually use the brush, but the mirror is nice and big, which makes for easier application.

Did you pick anything up on the Physician's Formula sale? What did you get?

My Valentines FOTD Using NYX Eyeshadow Singles in Wild Flower, Jazzy Bronze & Shimmer

2013-02-15T11:55:00.001-05:00

I hope everyone had a nice Valentine's Day. I decided to play around with some pinks and peaches for my makeup yesterday, as opposed to reds. Simply, I'm ready for spring, so I'm hoping some pastels will bring it sooner!

A brand I haven't worn in a LONG time is NYX. A few years ago I bought a ton of these from their website, and swatched them all here (pictures are kind of big, but you get the idea). I picked out three complimentary colors to play with: Jazzy Bronze (far left), Shimmer (bottom right) and Wild Flower (top right). Wild Flower would make a gorgeous blush too.

More after the jump!

Swatches & Review: Maybelline Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer and Treatment

2013-02-13T09:13:00.001-05:00

So it's official - I've reached that point in life where I have excessive dark circles and I'm starting to see those fine lines and crepeiness underneath my eyes that only a year ago were not an issue or concern. I am trying several things, including religiously using my Clarisonic, Argan Oil (thank you Josie Maran) and need to entertain the idea of some anti-aging skin care items. In the meantime, I am now struggling with finding a concealer that doesn't settle into my fine lines, but has enough guts to actually cover my dark circles and can play nice with my Laura Geller and/or Bare Escentuals foundation.

More after the jump!

Swatches: Flower by Drew Barrymore Nail Polish "I Lavendare You!"

2013-02-11T12:59:00.002-05:00

Spring is so close, I can feel it. In honor of my desperate need to get past the winter blues, I grabbed a bottle I had been holding onto for warmer weather - Flower by Drew Barrymore in "I Lavendare You". The new line by Drew is a complete collection, including BB Creams, blushes, nail colors, lip sticks and butters, eyeliners and mascaras...you name it. Most range from $4.98 (as the nailpolish is) $13.98 for the foundations. Really a nice price for a new cosmetics line.

I picked up the Nail'd It Nail Lacquer in I Lavendare You (below) and a Lip Butter in Haute Honeysuckle. I will swatch the butter later.

I Lavendare You is a gorgeous, extremely pale lavender shade with just the slightest (and I mean slightest) hint of an iridescent blue shimmer. It was so slight, it was difficult to capture, but I think you might get the idea in the second picture. There are a variety of shades, from rich wines to pale nudes, and a couple extravagant colors like a turquoise and orange as well. The bottles squat square bottles, but easy to hold. The brush was nice, thin, and applied an even coat. The actual consistency of I Lavendare You was much thinner, more jelly like than I anticipated. I guess by looking at it in the bottle, I was expecting an opaque creme, but it did not apply as such. With that said, I was very pleasantly surprised with the outcome.

This closeup (above) gives you a feel for the shimmer in this color. Not over the top at all - in fact, I can't say it actually translated onto the nail. When I look close up, I do not see any shimmer at all. Just a pleasant little surprise in the bottle.

Below, my swatches. See how gorgeous this color is? I mean, it screams spring. Just a light, beautiful pastel. I actually thought of those conversation hearts for Valentine's Day when I saw it on. This could easily have used one more coat to get full opacity (I did two here), but I am very happy with the color and slight transparency of this. With one coat, it is streaky, so I would suggest two. Application was a breeze - runny enough to get a nice thin even coat, but thick enough to hold on when you are getting close to the cuticles. Dried quickly and didn't shrink with a top coat, which is another added bonus.

Final verdict? I will certainly be picking up another color or two in this collection. I really love this shade, and hopefully the wear will live up to the hype of everything else I have experienced with the color. I would definite suggest picking this shade, I Lavendare You, if you are needing a little spring pick-me-up. You won't regret it!

FOTD Using Mally's Favorite Things Volume 2 - Age Rebel Eyeshadows

2013-02-05T10:23:00.000-05:00

So...the flu has hit my house, which explains the lack of posting recently. Unfortunately, because of it I am WAY behind in updating my blog. Sorry about that! I am working diligently on getting posts and pictures updated and uploaded for posts this week.

Anyway, evidently my camera got the flu too, because only one of my pictures I took for the Mally Favorite Things Volume 2 uploaded, so this is the only one I have to share wearing this collection. I used all three Age Rebel Eyeshadows to create this look. Below are the details:

Face

Laura Geller Champagne Spackle Primer

Make Up Forever HD Foundation 115

Make Up Forever Microfinish Powder

Nars Blush "Orgasm"

Eyes

Mally Age Rebel Eyeshadow in "Jade" - inner corner, lower lashline

Mally Age Rebel Eyeshadow in "urnished Violet" - middle lid to outer corner and crease

Mally Evercolor Eyeshadow Stick "Taupe" - outern corner/crease blended into Burnished Violet

Mally Age Rebel Eyeshadow in "Sugar" - highlight

Mally Evercolor Waterproof eyeliner in Shimmery Black - upper and lower lashline

Mally Mascara - Black

Lips

Mally Liquid Lipstick in Raspberry

Like I mentioned in the post earlier, these are extremely creamy eyeshadows that could easily be used as a primer underneath another powder. I did use them simply as shadows, without any other color setting them. They lasted all day, did not crease, and the pigmentation was wonderful. I will certainly use these as liners along my lower lashline, and as a quick and easy eyeshadow on days I am in a hurry, or not looking for an intricate look. Jade is easily my favorite color of the bunch. It is such a bright and springy color!

So who else picked up this kit? What did you think?

Swatches: Mally's Favorite Things Volume 2 (Part 1)

2013-01-31T10:56:00.000-05:00

Mally's Favorite Things Volume 2 was the TSV on QVC a few weeks back, so I buckled under and got it on Auto Delivery. I absolutely love Mally's mascara, and this comes with three, so it had paid for itself with that alone. This also containes three Liquid Lipsticks, three waterproof eyeliners and three Age Rebel Eyeshadow Sticks. Love. Here is the description from the QVC website:

Includes:

What is it: A 12-piece makeup collection of Mally's favorite things. It includes three each of Mally's four favorite products, plus bags and tissue for easy gifting! Enjoy it all or divvy it up however you'd like.

Who is it for: Women that want to have fun, look AMAZOIS, and share the love--or keep it all and create all kinds of long-lasting looks.

Why is it different: It includes Mally's favorite items that customers also love! Volumizing mascara was the QVC Customer Choice Award Winner for Best Mascara three years in a row; High Shine Liquid Lipstick was the 2011 and 2012 Customer Choice Award winner for best lip product; and Evercolor Ultimate Waterproof Eyeliner is the 2012 Customer Choice Award Winner for Best Eyeliner!

How do I apply: Glide Age Rebel Shadow Stick all over the lid and blend with your finger or a brush--after 30 seconds it's set until you take it off! Layer for more intense color or wear as a smudgy eyeliner. Add it along the inner rim of the eye for instant fierceness!

Apply Customer Choice Award-Winning Evercolor Ultimate Waterproof Eyeliner as close to the upper lash-line as possible, getting right into the lashes. Experiment with different looks. There are no rules!

After you curl your lashes, start at the base and wiggle the Customer Choice Award-Winning Volumizing Mascara wand back and forth. Maintain that same motion as you continue through the tips. You are not going to BELIEVE how amazing your lashes look! Fresh, flirty, feminine, and FIERCE!

Finally, apply Customer Choice Award-Winning High Shine Liquid Lipstick all over your lips. This amazing liquid lipstick is your lip primer, full-coverage liquid lip color, high-shine lip gloss, and lip brush all in one. Because it is infused with vitamins A, C, and E, it cares for your lips, too! You will have the juiciest, most amazing looking lips EVER because this formula is so super glossy, it helps diffuse and smooth the look of wrinkles, fine lines, and dryness that show on lips

0.06-oz Age Rebel Shadow Stick in Sugar (warm champagne)
0.06-oz Age Rebel Shadow Stick in Jade (green)
0.06-oz Age Rebel Shadow Stick in Burnished Violet (violet)
0.12-oz High Shine Liquid Lipstick in Raspberry (shimmery dark pink)
0.12-oz High Shine Liquid Lipstick in Punch (medium pink)
0.12-oz High Shine Liquid Lipstick in Peach Sorbet (light orange)
Three 0.39-fl-oz Volumizing Mascaras in Black
0.01-oz Evercolor Ultimate Waterproof Eyeliner in Express-O Lane (dark brown)
0.01-oz Evercolor Ultimate Waterproof Eyeliner in Navy (dark navy blue)
0.01-oz Evercolor Ultimate Waterproof Eyeliner in Shimmering Black (shimmery black)
Three mini paper bags with tissue

This set comes neatly packaged together, and has three gift bags available for regifting, if you feel like it!

First up, the three Age Rebel eyeshadow sticks. The three shades are absolutely gorgeous. Sugar (shimmery beige), Jade (shimmery, warm, but not olive, green), and Burnished Violet (warm violet, although I would say this is more of a brown). These are smooth, creamy, somewhat wet and managable when initially applied, but then set to be "bullet proof" throughout the day. These colors are beautiful, and a nice break from the typical taupes of Mally's collections.

Swatches below - these would make great bases or primers, especially if you are looking for something beyond the normal creme.

The three Waterproof eyeliners are the typical black (with shimmer), Express-O, and Navy. These are retractable eyeliners, extremely smooth and pigmented. I put these on my lower lashline without any drooping, smudging or smearing throughout the day.

Last up, the three beautiful Liquid Lipsticks. One color, Raspberry, has a slight shimmer in it, and the other two Punch (pink) and Peach Sorbet (coral).

Here's a closeup of Raspberry, where you can see the shimmer. It doesn't necessarily translate onto the lips, but this is a more sheer shade out of the three.

Swatches of the entire collection below.

I really like this set - not only do you get three of the most amazing mascara out there, but the lip gloss are gorgeous colors, especially coming into spring, and the Age Rebel eyeshadow sticks are beautiful colors to play with!

Did you try this set? I ordered it on autodelivery so new shades will be coming every 90 days I believe. I'm anxious to see what comes next!

FOTD Using Bare Escentuals "The Star Treatment" Pallet

2013-01-24T13:44:00.000-05:00

My new favorite pallet - Bare Escentuals "The Star Treatment". Not only are the colors mix and matchable, but they are gorgeous shades, extremely pigmented and creamy, and last all day without a single crease.

I used three of the four colors above. The Black, gold and copper. Actually, the copper looks rather muted in this picture, but as you can see below, it is quite vibrant on.

Face
Bare Escentuals Prime Time Neutralizing Primer
Bare Escentuals Original Foundation - Fair
Bare Escentuals Original Mineral Veil
Laura Geller Blush 'n Brighten Grapefruit - blush

Eyes
Bare Escentuals Prime Time primer - all over lid
Bare Escentauls The Star Treatment Pallet - Gold "Extravagance" - inner corner
Bare Escentuals The Star Treatment Pallet - copper "Bragging Rights" - inner lid
Bare Escentuals The Star Treatment Pallet - black "VIP" - outer corner/crease
Bare Escentuals The Star Treatment Pallet - ivory "Cart Blanche" - highlight
Physician's Formula Gel Eyeliner - Black
Mally Instant Impact mascara - Black

Lips:
Mally Liquid Lipstick "Punch"

Spotted at Meijer: New Olay Fresh Effects Collection

2013-01-21T10:21:00.000-05:00

I spotted this new display at Meijer of Olay Fresh Effects. Clearly targeting a younger demographic, this new collection is "the skincare line that can really keep up with you. Deep clean, hydrate and refresh your skin so you stay sparkling all day and all night."

There are six different items in this new line from Olay, including cleansers, moisturizers and BB Creams. I really like cleansers with an exfoliating beads in them, so I think I am going to pick up the "Bead Me Up" cleanser when my current face wash runs out, which should be pretty soon.

Have you seen this collection out? Have you tried any of them? Thoughts? I'd love to hear what you think!

Swatches: Revlon PhotoReady Eyeshadow Pallet in Metropolitan

2013-01-18T14:27:00.001-05:00

Recently I had someone tell me that I needed to try the new Revlon PhotoReady Eyeshadow pallets - these come with three coordinating colors, an eyeshadow primer, and a "top coat" of shimmer that also coordinates.

I picked up Metropolitan and Pop Art. Today I have swatches of Metropolitan.

This pallet is a neutral/taupe pallet. The two darker colors are a rich cocoa powder taupe, and then a shimmery taupe. The highlight shade is a peachy/pink. The primer is also a peachy pink shimmer, and the top coat color is a frosty warm brown.

Onto the swatches - Top (without primer), Bottom (with primer).

(primer, highlight, middle shade, crease, top coat)

Honestly, the primer doesn't do much for this pallet - maybe it's just me, but I'll stick with my trusted Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy and/or UDPP. I didn't get much more punch, and these colors are truly beautiful in the pallet. After several days of playing with these colors, I've found the primers that work the best and there is a lot of potential for these shades. The highlight color is a bit too dark for me, but I'm sure that has to do with the fact that I am extremely pale. It makes a gorgeous lid color, though.

I'm a bit wishy-washy on Metropolitan. The colors are wearable every day, but nothing out of the ordinary. I'm sure I have several colors that would be nice dupes for these in my collection, but if you are looking for a wearable, easy to coordinate, and easy for everyday pallet of taupes/browns, this is a nice one to try out. Just don't expect much for the primer as far as amping up the color of your shadow. It didn't do much for me. Now, with other primers, this works very well for me, so I will have some pictures to post in a few days. Trying out several combinations before I do post.

Have you tried these shadow sets by Revlon yet? What have you thought?

Swatches: Bare Escentuals Ready 8.0 Pallet in Star Treatment

2013-01-16T09:00:00.000-05:00

An after Christmas present for myself, I saw that the Bare Escentuals Ready 8.0 Pallet in "The Star Treatment" was on sale at Sephora, so I picked it up. I actually gave this pallet to my mom for Christmas and loved the colors - plus, who can pass up a bargain?

The pallet comes packed with a small tube of Prime Time. I have used this in the past, and it works pretty well. Similar to most of the other eyelide primers out there in texture and consistency, but they do have some that are available with color and frost, which are used as an eyeshadow as well. For my swatches below, I did swatch the pallet on top of the Prime Time.

This pallet comes with eight neutral shades. Neutral, I guess is a matter of opinion - these are bold, metallic, golds, bronzes, taupes and browns. A gorgeous collection, and I really don't have any colors (pressed or loose) that are similar, with the exception of the ivory shade which reminds me a lot of the MAC Vanilla pigment.

Below are some closeups of the colors. They are absolutely gorgeous. These are all frosts/metallics, although the black, below, is more of a matte black with golden glitter in it.

These four are easily going to be the most worn out of the bunch, for me. The taupe and brown are absolutely gorgeous in person, and work so well together.

The prime time is in a tiny little tube with a rounded doe-foot applicator, so you can easily spread this on to your eyelid straight from the tube, although I usually dab a little bit on my ring finger and apply that way. Prime Time is very smooth and easy to apply - no dragging or tugging as this isn't overly dry like some primers tend to be. It certainly amplifies the colors of these shadows, although when worn alone, they are just as striking.

Swatches of the pallet below, in order of the pallet. These are all over Prime Time.

How familiar are you with the Bare Escentuals Ready shadows? I have to say, I was and always have been a huge fan of the original Bare Escentuals loose mineral shadow formula. I tend to lean towards loose shadows in general. I will say, the formula on these Ready shadows is amazing. They are creamy, rich, pigmented, and easy to apply. There is no worry of inconsistent amounts of shadow coming onto the brush for application. The shadows aren't dry, so they apply evenly. The pigmentation is amazing and they lasted all day without creasing or fading. I am so happy I decided to purchase this pallet at Sephora - I find myself using these colors often and am loving each and every one of them!

Spotted at Meijer: New Physician's Formula Sexy Booster Collection

2013-01-08T10:46:00.000-05:00

I love seasonal collections from the various cosmetics companies, but one of my favorites has to be Physican's Formula and their Happy Booster line. Something about the little hearts (see closeups here and here) and the shimmer really bring a pick me up to the daily routine in the gloomy winter months. Plus, the colors are so bright and cheerful after deep vampy shades that tend to take over fall and winter.

This January Physician's Formula has introduced the Sexy Booster line, which is a collection of lip glosses, bronzers and blushes. These are decorated with high heels and bustiers, which is quite cute.

I didn't get any of these, but do think they are really cute. Have you picked these up? Which one is your favorite?

Swatches: L'Oreal Limited Edition Colour Riche "The Queen's Kiss" from Project Runway Fall 2012 Collection

2013-01-07T09:00:00.000-05:00

Here is a quick snapshot of one of my favorite stocking stuffers this year - L'oreal Limited Edition Colour Riche in "The Queens Kiss", which was from the fall 2012 Project Runway collection. This is a frosty raspberry shade, reminiscent to Mary Kay's Garnet Frost, which I owned years ago. Garnet Frost is warmer and darker. This is a brighter shade, with more pink running throughout.

Very rich, pigmented, and creamy, I found this to last well without drying out or feathering along the lip line. This will definitely be one of those colors left in my purse for everyday use.

Retails for approximately $7.99 at your local drugstore, if still available.

Swatches: Wet 'n Wild Fergie Center Stage Collection - To Reflect Shimmer Pallet in Rose Champagne Glow

2013-01-04T09:00:00.000-05:00

When I saw the Fergie for Wet 'n Wild Center Stage Collection display at Walgreens I posted about yesterday, I immediately was drawn to this gorgeous peach-pink blush on the display. The name is Rose Champagne Glow.

This is a large pallet, easily held in my hand. This reminds me of the size of a Laura Geller Balance 'n Blush compact, only square.

This Rose Champagne Glow is a mix of 2-3 shades swirled together - a berry pink, a bubble gum pink, and then a gorgeous champagne shimmer. This reminds me of a warmer version of the Laura Geller Blush 'n Brighten in Como/Portofino or like MAC "Hand Finish", which is another of my favorite pale pink shades.

This is a smooth consistency. The color isn't overly pigmented, but instead gives a very warm glow to the skin. I think with as fair as I am, this could be used as a blush, but most would use this as a highlighter. It could also be used as a warm champagne color for an eyeshadow. Gorgeous, in my opinion. I'm anxious to give it a try and see how these wear.

Spotted at Walgreens: New Wet 'n Wild Fergie Center Stage Collection

2013-01-03T09:00:00.000-05:00

Spotted at Walgreens, the new Wet 'n Wild Fergie Center Stage Collection. This thing is packed full of new goodies, including two gel/cream eyeliners (a brown and a black), and eyeshadow primer, mascara, three new blushes/bronzers, four pallets/eyeshadow quints, and what appears to be several new shades of nail polish and lip colors. Also, if you're lucky (and I was!) there is a $1 coupon on the display, bringing the items down to $3.99-$4.99 a piece.

I did snap a couple closeups of the To Reflect Shimmer Pallet blushes/bronzers. I actually picked up the first one (Rose Champagne Glow).

A quick peek at the four quints that were on this display. Two of them had shimmer colors, and the other two were more mattes, although I believe all of them had at least one shimmer. These were not over the top shimmery, but the colors are very bright.

Have you seen this collection yet? What did you pick up?

Spotted at Kmart: Selena Gomez for Nicole by OPI Nail Polishes (The Sparkles) and the Modern Family Collection

2013-01-02T10:18:00.003-05:00

Back in July I read that Selena Gomez would be partnering with Nicole by OPI to create a collection of nail colors, available through Kmart. Well, now they are out, and they are absolutely gorgeous. The Kmart I went to only had the glitters, although there is a range of creams/shimmers as well (see below and click to enlarge). This is a beautiful, fun and girly collection of polishes - a perfect pick me up in the middle of winter!

Since this Kmart only had the glitters, I thought I'd take a closeup of each, below.

Stars at Night - holographic silver strands of glitter.

Mi Fantasia - Lavender small/micro glitter with holographic bar glitters throughout.

Confetti Fun - various sized glitters in a rainbow of colors. Similar to Milani "Gems", but this appears to have more colors throughout.

Kissed at Midnight - Large gold and silver hex glitters with smaller gold microglitter.

Inner Sparkle - My personal favorite of the bunch - lavender and gold large hex glitters suspended in a gold microglitter.

Heavenly Angel - Iridescent shredded glitter/foils. This looks absolutely gorgeous in the bottle.

Sweet Dreams - Turquoise/Aqua and silver larger hex glitters suspended in small lavender micro glitter. This is beautiful too! Similar in color to Mi Fantasia when sitting side by side, but the glitters are completely different.

This Selena collection is so pretty. The glitters are so girly and the variety is nice - not your basics for sure! Have you seen these out yet?

Also, the new collaboration with Nicole by OPI and Modern Family was at Kmart. There were some beautiful pastel creams, but the shimmers reminded me of a lot of colors already out there. Still, a collection with a little of everything!

Swatches/Review: Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara

2012-12-31T09:30:00.003-05:00

Covergirl LashBlast Clump Crusher mascara is the newest in the Cover Girl line up of mascaras. Being part of the much loved "LashBlast" line, I was anxious to pick this up and give it a try. Claiming up to 200% more volume without zero clumps was quite a thought!

The brush on this similar to the original LashBlast brush with the rubber bristles, but this is curved to fit along the lashline and grab all the lashes, pulling them through the brush and preventing clumps. The formula on this is a bit on the dry side, which helps prevent the clumping as it clings to your lashes, in my opinion. I did purchases the darkest shade (I think called Blackest Black). The tube is the original size/shape as all the other LashBlast mascaras, but this is bright green.

Onto some before and after shots:

I have to say, this has taken the front seat in my mascara collection. Yes, the formula is dry, but it helps to coat the lashes without creating clumps at the tips. I did not experience any clumping or flaking with this formula. The brush is amazing, and honestly what I think does the magic. It clings to each lash, separating and fanning them out, creating a fringe of lashes that I don't typically get with a volumizing mascara. Literally each lash has been pulled out and coated, but they don't end up clinging back together (because of the dry formula, I think). The brush also holds onto those lashes, so as you pull up, it helps lift and curl the lashes without using a curler. I have read a lot of reviews where users layer this ontop of their other favorite lengthening or volumizing formula and I have not done that yet, but am anxious to give it a try. Although I am extremely pleased with this on its own, I'd like to see if I can amp it up even more! Like I said, this is my new favorite mascara. At around $6.99 a tube, it's middle of the run on price, but Covergirl always has coupons out there that can help lower the deal.

Have any of you tried this mascara yet? What did you think??