MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Palette Look 1

I am really crazy about the MAKE UP FOR EVER Artist Palette I bought recently.  I have kind of been using it to the exclusion of all of my other eyeshadows since I got it.  I've decided to do a series of posts using it simply because I'm enjoying it so much.  I hope you don't get sick of seeing it... Here is the first look.

From the Artist palette:
   Milk Tea (matte light tan) (M-536) in the crease
   Olive Green (shimmery taupe) (I-550) on the moving lid
   Pinky Beige (shimmery light pinkish shell) (I-524) in the inner corner
   Peacock Blue (metallic peacock blue) (ME-230) on the lower lashline
   Black Purple (deep shimmery plum) (ME-930) on the upper lashline

from left: Milk Tea, Pinky Beige, Olive Green, Peacock Blue, Black Purple

Tarina Tarantino Hyperliner eyeliner in Tommy Jet on the lower waterline
Urban Decay Perversion Mascara

Cheeks: MAC Refined Golden Bronzer
              Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush in Peach Beach

Lips: Dior Addict Lipgloss in Bed of Roses

from left: Too Faced Peach Beach blush, MAC Refined Golden bronzer, Dior Bed of Roses lipgloss

Different lighting:

"Olive Gray" (the shimmery taupe, to my eye) is such a pretty color and really easy to wear.  Obviously, I could have left it simple with just that on the lid, but I thought the pop of color (I kind of hate that expression, but it's fitting) of "Peacock Blue" on the lower lashline provided a little bit of drama and visual interest.  I'll be the first to admit that I like smokey and dramatic eye makeup.

Stay tuned for another look using this palette tomorrow!

Thanks for reading and have a beautiful day!!

Face of the Day With Some Sephora Favorites

I created a FotD with some drugstore faves here, and I thought it would be fun to do a post with some of my Sephora favorites.

Complexion:
NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer -- This has a wonderfully light texture, and it has a seamless, skin-like finish.  It leaves the skin very slightly dewy.  It has kind of a citrus-y scent, which I don't mind, although it probably would be better for the skin if it didn't have fragrance.
Sephora 8 HR Mattifying Compact Foundation -- I like how I can get a little extra coverage from this powder foundation, or just use it sparingly to set my base.  It doesn't ever look cakey, and it controls shine fairly well.  I also quite like the compact.  Clearly I need a new one of these.

Pardon the dirty sponge.  Yeesh.

Cheeks:
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Luminous Flush -- Gorgeous in the pan and on the skin.  It is just light-reflecting enough to give a subtle glow to the skin.
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder in Milk Chocolate -- This is the lighter chocolate bronzer Too Faced offers.  It is just the right color to warm up my skin, and the lack of shimmer makes it usable as a contour color, as well.  And, yes, it does smell like chocolate, and I do spend a few seconds smelling it before I apply it.

from left: Hourglass blush in Luminous Flush, Too Faced bronzer in Milk Chocolate

Eyes:
Kat Von D Chrysalis palette -- I just love this palette.  It has neutrals, purples, metallics... I love all the shades.  The shadow formula is soft and silky, and, with the exception of Entombed (metallic blue) which applies slightly more sheerly than I prefer, all have good pigmentation and blendability.  

I used: Mezzanine (sparkling purple) all over the lid and lower lashline
            Hybrid Moments (matte plum) in the crease and outer v
            Lifelike (matte cream) under the brow and in the inner corner

Too Faced Perfect Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in Perfect Black -- So creamy and very black, this liner is easy to apply and wears well on my eyes.  I use it  most often on my waterlines, and it never irritates my eyes.
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Intense Black -- I can see why this is a best seller.  It is inky black, and has a calligraphy-style brush that makes creating a thin or thick line easy.  It sets quickly, so you don't have to sit with your eyes closed for 10 minutes waiting for it to dry.
Benefit They're Real Mascara -- Yes, it's a little tough to remove, but, man, does it work well.  I can tell I need a new tube because it usually does much more for my lashes than it did today.

from left: Mezzanine, Hybrid Moments, Lifelike, Too Faced liner in Perfect Black, Stila liquid liner in Intense Black

Lips: Dior Addict Gloss in Bed of Roses 576 -- This gloss is gorgeous!  It is extremely smooth, non-sticky, and shiny.  It's described by Sephora as a "petal pink shimmer".  It's a little darker than what I think of as a "petal" pink.  It doesn't have any scent or flavor.  Sooooo shiny!

Do you have any favorites you've discovered at Sephora?

Look of the Day Gemstone Series: Diamond

Hiya!  I have the next look in my "inspired by gemstones" series for you today -- a girl's best friend... diamonds!

I broke out the glitter for my diamond look.  Lots of sparkle in this one.

Diamonds, which are April's birthstone, are the hardest gemstones in the world. Diamonds actually come in many colors, which are "determined by the type of impurities that are present in the stone."(American Gem Society)  According to the American Gem Society the name diamond is "adopted from the Greek word "adamas," meaning invincible."

source: American Gem Society

You can sort of see the glitter on the cheeks.  

Eyes:  Urban Decay eyeshadow in Polyester Bride -- all over the lid up to the brow
          Girlactik Beauty glitter in Multi Jewels -- on the moving lid
          Tarina Tarantino Hyperliner eyeliner in Tommy Jet -- waterline
          Milani Liquif'Eye Metallic Eyeliner in Silver -- lower lash line
          Sonia Kashuk Long Wear Gel Liner in Ebony -- upper lash line
          Fyrinnae loose eyeshadow in Immortality -- over gel liner
          Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara

Cheeks:  Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Blush in Candy Cameo
             Sephora+Pantone Universe Alchemy of Color Face Palette -- highlighter

Lips:  Milani Color Statement Lipliner in Nude
         DiorKiss lipgloss in Sorbet Meringue

Girlactik Beauty glitter in Multi Jewels, Fyrinnae loose eyshadow in Immortality

Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Blush in Candy Cameo

Sephora+Pantone Universe Alchemy of Color Face Palette highlighter

Milani Color Statement Lipliner in Nude, DiorKiss Lipgloss in Sorbet Meringue

from left: Urban Decay Polyester Bride, Fyrinnae Immortality, Girlactik Multi Jewels, Tarina Tarantino Tommy Jet eyeliner, Milani Liquif'Eye liner in Silver, Sonia Kashuk gel liner in Ebony

from left: Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Blush in Candy Cameo, Sephora+Pantone Universe palette highlighter, Milani lipliner in Nude, Diorkiss lipgloss in Sorbet Meringue

This photo shows the glitter in the DiorKiss gloss better.

And for good measure, some diamond-y nails using Wet 'n' Wild Wild Shine Nail Color in 469.

Blurry photo so you can see the multi colored glitter.

Capturing glitter in photographs is rather difficult.  This was much more multi-colored and sparkly in person.

This makeup might actually work as a halloween costume if you wanted to be a a sparkle fairy or something.  Or a disco ball.

Sparkle sparkle!