Spring-y Pinks with Urban Decay and Becca

I know it's only February, but I cannot wait for spring.  Maybe that's why I'm tending to use so many colors that feel spring-y (as in spring inspired, not elastic and bouncy).  Of course, I had to use the Urban Decay Vice 3 palette.

Pardon the wet hair.

Vampire!

Who doesn't love a glamorous vampire look for Halloween?  Pfft, or anytime?  Here's mine.

The natural lighting for this photo really blew out my skin, which I actually like for the vampire look.

Eyes:  Urban Decay Primer Potion
          Sonia Kashuk Jewel of an Eye Palette -- plummy red, plum shadows
          Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy
          MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Powder 950 -- black gold
          Fyrinnae Loose Eyeshadow in Velvet Vampire -- sparkling red
          Tarina Tarantino Hyperliner in Tommy Jet (black)
          Ardell Lashes
          Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Eyeliner + Serum in Ultra Black
          Fresh Supernova Mascara

Brows:  LORAC Creamy Brow Pencil in Auburn

Face:  Becca Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation in Shell
          Sephora Mattifying Compact Foundation Powder in Light
          Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in Milk Chocolate
          Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in Dollface

Lips:  Estee Lauder Pure Color Long-Lasting Lipstick in Vintage Sherry (old limited edition)

For my eyes:
I primed my eyelids with Urban Decay's Primer Potion and applied the plummy red shade of shadow from the Sonia Kashuk palette all over the lids up into the crease and blended up to the brow, as well as on the lower lashline.  I didn't use any highlight under the brow.  In the crease, I used the plum color from the palette. I patted some Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy on my moving lid and a little into the crease.  I then patted and brushed the MAKE UP FOR EVER star powder, which is very black and has fine gold glitter, into the crease and outer v and blended it in with the red.  Then, I patted Fyrinnae eyeshadow in Velvet Vampire (a shade from their Arcane Magic colors), which is a fiery red with some red and gold glitter, all over the moving lid.  With a thin angled liner brush, I lined my lower lashes with the MAKE UP FOR EVER star powder, and lined my upper and lower waterlines with Tarina Tarantino Tommy Jet (black) eyeliner.  I applied some false lashes and lined the lashline with the Physician's Formula black liquid liner.  I used Fresh Supernova mascara to complete the eyes.

from left:  red and plum colors from Sonia Kashuk Jewel of an Eye palette, Fyrinnae Velvet Vampire, MAKE UP FOR EVER Star Powder 950

For my face:
I used primer and liquid foundation, as well as powder foundation for lots of matte coverage.  I swept Too Faced Chocolate Soleil bronzer in Milk Chocolate (a light bronzer) in the hollows of my cheeks to contour my cheekbones.  I very lightly brushed Tarte Amazonian Clay blush in Dollface (a light cool pink) on the apples of my cheeks.

For my lips:
I only used Estee Lauder Pure Color Long-Lasting Lipstick in Vintage Sherry.

from left:  Too Faced Milk Chocolate bronzer, Tarte Dollface blush, Estee Lauder Vintage Sherry lipstick

And, because all of my other facial expressions in today's pics were meant to convey the serious "I'm a vampire" attitude, here's one of me grinning like a fool.

Of note -- I won't be biting anyone this year.  I have some vampire fangs, but I didn't wear them since I have to wear my Invisaligns... I can't even bite a piece of bread with those things in.

Have a safe and happy Halloween, everyone!

Opera Night in Detroit!

My parents, my husband and I went to see Beethoven's Fidelio at the Detroit Opera House on saturday.  I decided to do a dramatic eye for the evening.

Face:  NYX Pore Filler
          Becca Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation in Shell
          Neutrogena Shine Control Powder
          Maybelline Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser Treatment Concealer in Fair

Cheeks:  Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush

Brows:  Benefit Browzings in Medium
             Benefit Speed Brow

Eyes:  Urban Decay Primer Potion
           Urban Decay Ammo Palette -- Grifter (glittery lavender) on lid
                                                      --Last Call (shimmery red plum) in crease
           Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box -- Zero (matte black) outer v and crease
           Wet 'n' Wild Eye Shadow single in Creme Brulee -- under brow
           Too Faced Perfect Eyes Eyeliner in Perfect Black -- upper and lower lashline
           Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara in Very Black

Lips:  Dior Addict Lip Gloss in Bed of Roses (#576)

Me and my husband!

We are going to see Aida in May!  So much fun at the opera!

February Favorites

It's the end of February, so I thought I would do a favorites and most used items post.

Josie Maran Argan Oil -- This is so luxurious and a great moisture boost for the dry winter weather.

Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer SPF 40 -- It has a beautiful lightweight texture, but gives lots of hydration and has a high SPF.

Becca Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation -- This has such an elegant formula with beautiful coverage and finish.  It's mattifying without being flat, and feels wonderful on the skin.

Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush -- Pink and coral colors in one blush, and cute packaging to boot!

Urban Decay Lip Junkies -- Minty, super shiny lip-plumping goodness.

Mally Poreless Face Defender -- This is an amazing skin perfecting finishing product that mattifies the skin and minimizes the look of pores.

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Treatment Concealer -- I love the non-cakey coverage and the little puff applicator which makes applying the concealer so easy.

Stila Sheer Color Tinted Moisturizer -- I love this for easy daily coverage with SPF.

Maybelline Full ' N Soft Mascara -- This is a most used item for me since it lengthens and volumizes pretty well, but I kind of want to try the Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Mascara next to see if it gives more volume.

I do seem to have a lot of favorites, don't I?

Becca Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation

So, I have been in the market for a new foundation.  I decided that there were times when I wanted a little more coverage than what my Stila tinted moisturizer gave me.  I had been considering purchasing the new Benefit "Hello Flawless" Oxygen Wow Liquid Foundation, but after using a sample of it for about a week I realized it wasn't for me.  It seemed to make my skin oilier and separated a good deal by the end of the day.  I had also thought about trying the new Urban Decay Naked foundation, but I read some reviews that said it started out nice and semi-matte, but slipped quite a bit after a few hours of wear.   Then I saw a new Becca foundation on Sephora's website.

 I read up on it on the website which says: This sophisticated silicone emulsion contains sebum-absorbing properties that provide a perfectly natural look and even complexion all day. The soft, smooth texture glides on seamlessly, reducing imperfections with buildable coverage that easily blends over the skin for a radiant finish. The formula contains Ejitsu Rose, which helps to improve elasticity and radiance while providing anti-inflammatory properties; mineral pigments that help color stay true on the skin; and vitamin E to enhance moisture retention while protecting against pollution and free-radical damage.

And: This non-drying, water-resistant foundation won’t settle into fine lines or pores and is suitable for normal, combination, and oily skin. It is hypoallergenic and free of alcohol and fragrance.

Sounds good!  I was looking for a foundation that helped to control oil without being a matte foundation because sometimes they can be a little heavy and have more coverage than I want.   Well, the Becca Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation is fantastic.  It smooths over skin beautifully and sets to a semi-matte/satin finish.  Hence the name, I suppose!  It doesn't look flat like many truly matte finish foundations can look.  You need just a few dots on the face to get medium coverage, and can sheer it out if desired.  It doesn't settle into fine liness or pores.  In fact, it seems to blur the look of them.  I do get a little break through oil on my forehead and nose when I wear this alone after about 4 hours (without a setting powder, which I almost always wear), but with a setting powder (like Make Up For Ever's HD Microfinish Powder) I get about 8 hours of wear.  I do wish it had some sunscreen, but I think that the lack of sunscreen is one of the reasons it has such a nice texture.

The packaging is a simple brown squeeze tube with a silver screw-off top, and a see-through stripe so you can see the color of the foundation inside.

The other great thing is that it comes in 18 different shades ranging from very light to deep with various different undertones.  I got mine from Sephora.com since, unfortunately, my local Sephora in JCPenney's  didn't carry Becca in the store, so I kind of had to guess at the color (I chose Shell, which is the second lightest color and is described as "fair beige with neutral undertones").  Luckily, I think I picked the right one (the descriptions of the colors on the website help).  I think probably most stand alone Sephora's carry Becca though, so it might be worth a trip to find one to get properly matched.

Pros:  Many shades to choose from
          Minimizes the look of pores and fine lines
          Smooth texture
          Anti-aging and anti-inflammatory ingredients
       
Cons:  Expensive

It is pricey at $42 a tube, but it seems like it will last a long time since so little is needed to get good coverage and a nice finish.  You can find it at Sephora and Beccacosmetics.com.

Tuesday's FotD

Green is one of my favorite eyeshadow colors.  I also love purple and pink.  And blue.  And gold, silver, bronze, and copper.  Hmmm... lots of favorites I guess!  The only color I used on my lids today is Sephora Jumbo Liner 12 Hour Waterproof pencil (review and swatches tomorrow) in Green Shimmer.

Yes, I am wearing a sparkly Spartans t-shirt since they play Indiana tonight!

Face:  NYX Pore Filler
           Becca Radiant Skin Satin Foundation in Shell
           Make Up For Ever HD Powder
           Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush (coral side)
           Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Treament Concealer is Fair
Eyes:  Sephora Jumbo Liner 12 Hour Wear Waterproof Pencil in Green Shimmer
           Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara in Very Black
Brows:  Lorac Creamy Brow Pencil in Auburn
Lips:  Maybelline Color Sensational High Shine Gloss in 10 Almond Crush

I'm enjoying doing these face of the day posts.  They are sort of like a catalog for me so that I can go back and say "Ohh I really loved that.  I'm going to do that look again!"  I do wish my pics were better, but I am still learning where and when the best light for taking photos is.

Have a wonderful day!

Friday's Face of the Day

Simple, fresh makeup today using pinky coral colors.  

Face:  Becca Radiant Skin Satin Finish Foundation in Shell

           Sephora Mattifying Foundation in Light

           Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Treatment Concealer in Fair

           Mally Poreless Face Defender

           Milani Baked Powder Blush in Corallina

Brows:  Benefit Browzings in Medium

Eyes:  NARS Eyeshadow Single in Night Porter as liner

           Maybelline Full 'n Soft Mascara in Very Black

Lips:  Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Fresh Papaya

How gorgeous is this Milani Blush?  It is a litte hard to capture in photos how pretty it is.  

Milani Baked Blush in Corallina

This blush is a beautiful coral with gold sparkle running throughout.  It applies sheerly and is buildable, which is great because it is hard to overdo.  (I have been known to be a little heavy handed with my blush...)  It does have sparkle rather than shimmer, but it doesn't seem disco ball like on the skin.  I think it is a fairly sophisticated glitter because it is so fine.

Have a beautiful friday!

Valentine's Day Smokey Look

Happy Valentine's Day!  I decided to do sultry, smokey eye makeup with a pale pink lip today since it's one of my favorite looks for date night, romantic dinners, or just because.   Plus it's such a gloomy, grey day here in Detroit.  Everyone needs a little glam on a day like today!

Face:  Becca Radiant Skin Foundation in Shell
           Sephora Mattifying Foundation in Light
           Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush
           Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Treatment Concealer in Fair

Brows:  Benefit Speed Brow

Eyes:  Too Faced Perfect Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in perfect Black
           Lorac 3D Eyeshadow palette--
                                           sparkling black color on the lid
                                           light copper color in the crease
                                           sparkling vanilla color on the browbone and inner corner
           Maybelline Full 'n Soft Mascara in Very Black

Lips:  Nyx Jumbo Lip Pencil in Iris

The Nyx lip pencil is a shimmery light pink that is a touch on the frosty side.  The formula is nice and smooth and feels hydrating as well.

Nyx Jumbo Lip Pencil in 

Iris

The Too Faced Waterproof liner is so creamy!  You barely have to touch it to the skin and it deposits color so smoothly and without any tugging or skipping.  Sephora had a little Too Faced set for $10 that had a mini pencil and mini Lashgasm Mascara which I picked up.  I haven't tried the mascara yet, but I love the pencil.  It's a very true dark black.

Too Faced Perfect Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in Perfect Black

Have a wonderful day, and thanks for visiting!