Physicians Formula Bronze Booster Glow-Boosting Airbrushing Bronze Veil Deluxe Edition Swatches

Um, so does this bronzer have the longest name or what?  Geez.  C'mon Physicians Formula.  Time to simplify.  In any case, this bronzer is beautiful in the pan, and it looks kind of high-end to me.

Sephora Sun Disk Swatches

I spotted the Sephora Sun Disk on the Sephora website a few weeks ago.  Sephora makes these limited edition extra large bronzers each year, I think.  The design of this one (kind of looks like tiger stripes, right?) really drew me in.

June 2014 Favorites

Wow.  We're halfway through 2014.  Okay then.  Time for some recent favorites!

Elizabeth Arden Beautiful Color High Gloss Nail Lacquer in Ahoy! -- This polish is from the Summer Escape 2014 summer color collection.  It is a pinky coraly dark peach that screams "summer" to me.  It's incredibly long wearing, and the brush makes it quick and easy to apply.

MAC Refined Golden Bronzing Powder -- The packaging is from the Alluring Aquatics collection, but the bronzer is a permanent color.  It is a warm tan that looks pretty glittery in the pan, but not sparkly on the skin.  It warms up my skin beautifully.  I love pulling the compact out of my makeup bag (well, out of the box the that I keep in my makeup bag -- I like to pretend it's brand new every time I use it).  I have to gaze at it for a bit before I use it.

L'Oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara (review)-- This mascara is still making my favorites list.  I just noticed my new tube says "Lash Out Butterfly" on it.  But the picture of the tube on the L'Oreal website says "Voluminous Butterfly."  Way to confuse the consumer, L'Oreal.

Revlon Colorburst Balm Crayons -- I think I'm a bit late to the party for these.  I thought they would be drying and not balm-y for some reason, but after trying Rendezvous (one of the balm stains -- it's a slightly shimmery orange) this spring, I decided I needed to try more of the different formulas offered in the line.  I now own Lacquer Balms in Demure and Coquette, Balm Stains in Honey and Rendezvous, and a Matte Balm in Elusive.  I'm really surprised how much I like Elusive.  I'm not a matte lip person, but I'm really enjoying this one!  They aren't as pepperminty as I thought they would be, either, thankfully.  If you haven't tried them, you probably should.  I'm just saying.

from left: Demure, Coquette, Honey, Rendezvous, Elusive

Detroit Tigers Baseball -- I am watching every game I can!  My favorite announcers are Rod Allen and Mario Impemba from Fox Sports Detroit.  A couple of nights ago, Rajai Davis hit a walk-off grand slam.  That is why you watch the game until the last pitch.

Whoo hoo summer!

P.S.  I didn't include any eye products because I've been using so many different ones, that I couldn't decide on any favorites!

MAC Alluring Aquatics Haul

Yes, I fell for the MAC Alluring Aquatics collection just like everyone else.  I did some website stalking to get the stuff I wanted.

I will be keeping these boxes (which look green instead of the turquoise they are because the lime green wall behind them is being reflected in the metallic goodness of the boxes)!

I bought Mystical Creamsheen Lipstick, Water Deities Lipglass, Silver Sun Extra Dimension Eyeshadow, and Refined Golden Bronzing Powder.

from left: Silver Sun eyeshadow, Water Deities Lipglass, Mystical lipstick, Refined Golden bronzer

I am now regretting not buying Fathoms Deep (the blackened metallic purple eyeshadow in the collection).

Did you get your hands on anything from this collection?

P.S.  All right.  Full disclosure time.  I couldn't decide on which bronzer to get (Refined Golden or Golden), so I bought them both.  *sheepish grin*

Here they are side-by-side.

 from left: Golden, Refined Golden

Golden is definitely lighter and more subtle, and not as warm-toned as Refined Golden.  Refined Golden also has some gold sparkle, which is more obvious in the pan than on the face.

I've been self-tanning, so Refined Golden is my color of choice right now, but Golden will be great for when I'm not self-tanning.

Sephora and Drugstore Haul

Cosmetics companies are so good at making us (me) constantly buy new things.  All the pretty new colors they constantly manage to introduce that aren't like anything else on the market or in my stash (:P), and the beautiful packaging that it really just a feast for the eyes.  Plus, Sephora occasionally comes out with some nice free stuff.  So, here is my latest haul.

From my local CVS where everybody knows my name (cue the Cheers theme song):

Maybelline Color Tattoo 24 Hr Eyeshadow in Caramel Cool -- After seeing so many swatches of the Limited Edition Dare to Go Nude collection, I knew I had to have Caramel Cool.  I think copper colors are flattering for my eye color, and I don't actually have any cream shadows this color (surprising).

Maybelline Master Hi-Light Highlighting Bronzer in Light Bronze -- This is one that looks pretty in the pan, and I've read that these blush/bronzer/highlighter hybrids from Maybelline have a good formula.

Swatches of Caramel Cool eyeshadow and Light Bronze Hi-light Bronzer:

From Sephora (I used a gift card that my mom gave me for my birthday back in November):

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Luminous Flush -- I didn't jump on these during the VIB preview sale because I wanted to wait until I saw some swatches.  This one appealed to me the most.  I still kind of want Diffused Heat just because of the way it looks in the pan.

Swatch of Ambient Light Blush in Luminous Flush:

Also from Sephora:

MAKE UP FOR EVER Lab Shine Diamond Collection Lipgloss in D8 and D14 -- This set has 2 full-size lipglosses.  D8 is described as a shimmering baby pink, and D14 is a shimmering indian pink (p.s. what is indian pink?).  This is a $38 value for $16, so it seemed worth it.

Swatches of MUFE Lab Shine lipglosses in D8 and D14:

The free stuff from Sephora:

Balenciaga Rosabotanica EDP deluxe sample and printed scarf -- This was a 500 point perk.  I had been saving my points for a really long time, waiting for something cool to come along.  I decided to use them on this because the packaging of the perfume and the scarf looked really pretty.  The perfume itself smells really nice.  I am terrible at describing scents, so I'm not going to bother trying.  The large box in the group shot above contained the Rosabotanica set.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Eyeliner in Intense Black -- I think this was just a deluxe sample with any $25 purchase.  Sephora says this is one of their best-selling liquid eyeliners, so I figured this would be a good way to try it.  It has a nice calligraphy-style pen tip, which is my favorite kind of tip, so I'm looking forward to using it.

Swatch of Stila Waterproof eyeliner:

What have you been hauling lately?

P.S.  I have a feeling I need to update my pop culture references.

January 2014 Beauty Favorites

I'm a little late with this post.  Maybe I should call it "The polar vortex/I'm fed up with winter favorites" post.  Wait.  That sounds like I'm fed up with winter favorites.

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette -- I've been using this almost everyday either by itself, or in conjunction with some other shadows.  My favorite colors: Limit (for the crease mostly), Nooner (to darken the crease), Buzz, and Trick.  Blackheart is a great liner, too.

from left: Limit, Nooner, Buzz, Trick, Blackheart

CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation -- I like the texture of this.  It's smooth and thin and feels light on the skin.  I would say it has medium coverage, but it can be built up for more.  It doesn't separate or break down on my skin, and it seems to have good wear time.

Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Amber Nectar -- This has been a long-time favorite of mine.   I've been using it more lately because I feel like warming up my skintone and pretending like I've been outside.

Maybelline Color Sensational The Elixir Lipgloss in 095 Blush Essence -- Balmy and shiny and a color that looks good with everything and I wear it almost everyday and this has turned into a run-on sentence.

Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Ultra Lipstick in Rose Aurora (limited edition from spring 2012) -- This is so perfect with the Urban Decay Naked 3 palette.  The lipstick is a shimmery rose that compliments the colors in the palette wonderfully.  Too bad it was limited edition.

from left: Milani Illuminating Face Powder in Amber Nectar, Maybelline Elixir lipgloss in Blush Essence, Elizabeth Arden Ceramide Lipstick in Rose Aurora

Thanks for visiting and have an exquisite day!

I almost forgot a non-beauty related favorite!  The new blanket my sister made for me!  It's made of fleece, and one side is Detroit Tigers material and the other side is Michigan State Spartans material.  How awesome is it?!

NARS Blush Swatchfest! (6 of 'em!)

I love NARS blushes.  Who doesn't?  They are some of the best on the market.  They are long-wearing, finely milled, and pigmented.

I have Orgasm, Super Orgasm, Mata Hari, Torrid, Lovejoy, and Sin to show you.  (Click to enlarge photos)

Orgasm -- peachy pink with lots of gold shimmer

Super Orgasm -- pink with a touch of peach and gold shimmer and chunky gold glitter (this is definitely darker and warmer than Orgasm)

Mata Hari -- matte cool dark pink

Torrid -- coral with gold shimmer

Lovejoy -- bronze with a tinge of rose and gold shimmer

Sin -- browny berry with gold shimmer

From left:  Orgasm, Super Orgasm, Mata Hari, Torrid, Lovejoy, Sin

indoor light

flash

natural light

Orgasm, Super Orgasm

Mata Hari, Torrid

Lovejoy, Sin

I thought I would compare Lovejoy and Laguna bronzer since they Lovejoy kind of looks like a bronzer.  You can see Lovejoy has more red in it.

from left:  Lovejoy, Laguna

What are your favorite NARS blush colors?


Note:  I did not purchase all of these.  4 of them were gratis from way back when I was working in the cosmetic industry.  All opinions are my own.

LORAC Tantalizer Baked Bronzer Swatches and Review

I finally feel like pulling out some of my darker bronzers since the last frost date for my garden has passed and it is really starting to feel like summer.  One of my very favorites for summer is the LORAC Tantalizer Baked Bronzer (I bought it last year I think).

This bronzer is packaged in a pretty substantial feeling compact and swivels open to reveal the bronzer and a wide brush underneath.  It is really cool.  It has a mirror on the underside making it fairly travel friendly (although it is fairly chunky).

The marbling in this is beautiful.  It has light and dark tan colors with lots of gold shimmer.  On the skin it reads fairly coppery.

This is a very shimmery, very pigmented bronzer.  It is gorgeous, and it works well for the face, but it is awesome on the body for a dark glow, and also makes a beautiful eyeshadow.

indoor light

flash

natural light

Because this has so much shimmer and pigment, I have to be kind of careful with it so I don't end up looking like a bronze disco ball (I tend to be heavy handed with blush).  I like to apply this with the brush that comes with it because it isn't too dense.  I apply it to the tops of the cheekbones, the bridge of my nose and in the center of my forehead  (like you would for a highlighter).  I'll use a matte bronzer (like Too Faced Milk Chocolate Bronzer) to blend with it so that I get a little color on the rest of my face.  I bet this would look amazing on medium, tan, and darker skin tones.

Here, I applied it with the included brush (natural light).

I'm also wearing a Vinyl Bronze lipgloss by Rimmel (discontinued).

Using this as bronzer and eyeshadow makes a very pretty monochromatic look.

Milani came out with some baked bronzers for this summer that are packaged just like this.  I can't say if they are dupes of the color since I haven't tried them, but they sure look like they could be.

The full size bronzer is $32 and the mini size is $7.  (The mini is perfect if you want to use this as an eyeshadow primarily--price and size-wise!)