Gold and Blue Infallible Eye Makeup for U of M Basketball!

University of Michigan is playing in the NCAA championship basketball game tonight, so of course I had to do some blue and gold eye makeup.

I used L'Oreal's Infallible Eyeshadows in Eternal Sunshine and Midnight Blue.  I love how shimmery both of these colors are.

Infallible Eyeshadows in Eternal Sunshine and Midnight Blue swatches

Have a wonderful evening everyone and GO BLUE!!!

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Juicy Peach Swatches

I love the Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick (in Fresh Papaya) that I bought recently that I decided to buy another color.  I chose Juicy Peach, a light sparkling peach color.  I love the feel of these on the lips, the scent (citrusy!), the soft shine they give, and how soft my lips feel even after they wear off.

Juicy peach seems more sheer than Fresh Papaya, but that may be just because it is a lighter color.  I think this is a beautiful natural color that gives a tiny bit of warm peach and some shimmer to the lips.

Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Juicy Peach swatch (indoor light)

(with flash)

Out of focus so you can see the sparkle!

(natural light)

lip swatch!

From left:  Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Stick in Fresh Papaya and in Juicy Peach

Thanks for checking out my swatches!

Detroit Tigers Eye Makeup!

Baseball season has started again, and the Tigers had their home opener today, so I felt like doing orange and blue eyes (the Tiger's colors)!  (I'm fond of sports themed makeup since it can inspire me to try some unusual combinations...)

Products:
Sephora Prisma Chrome Eye Shadow in Orange Facets (last year limited edition)--
                              orange color on the lid
               
Smashbox Eye Shadow single in Aquatica--
                              navy blue in the crease and outer v
               
Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon Shadow single in Creme Brulee--
                              light beige under brow and inner corner
               
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Binge--
                              navy blue liner on upper lashline and lower waterline

Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara in Very Black

From left: Wet 'n' Wild Creme Brulee, Sephora Prisma Chrome Orange Facets, Smashbox Aquatic, Urban Decay Binge 

Ever do any sports themed makeup?

Laura Mercier Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer SPF 20 Review

Laura Mercier is known for her foundations, tinted moisturizers, and skin perfecting makeup techniques.  I've wanted to try her tinted moisturizer for ages, so I finally bought one.  For some reason, I decided to try the illuminating version (probably because I read a good review of it on Beautypedia.com).

Laura Mercier's website says:  A lightweight, buildable sheer foundation formula that delivers a youthful, radiant finish, while protecting skin from the damaging rays of the sun with broad spectrum SPF 20 UVA/UVB sunscreen protection. 

This is called "illuminating" for a reason.  It is really glowy and verges on being shimmery.  I feel like almost too much so, at least for my liking (I mean, I can actually see some "sparkliness" coming off my hands when I wash them after applying this).  Now, maybe this would work better for dry skin or for people who feel like their skin is dull and wants it to look more radiant, but I feel like it just makes my slightly oily skin too shiny.  I haven't tried it as a highlighter and maybe it would work well for that purpose, but I prefer to use my tinted moisturizers all over as a simple base to even out my skintone.

The formula itself it quite excellent.  It has a wonderfully creamy, slightly thick texture that feels very hydrating, and dries to a natural (not matte or dewy) finish.  It is gentle on the skin, and uses titanium dioxide and zinc oxide as the broad spectrum sunscreen ingredients.  It's also got some anti-oxidants to provide some anti-aging benefits.

I have to say I didn't like this, but only because it is so "luminous".  It may work beautifully on someone else's skin, and someone who prefers a more glowing look.

Since I like the actual feel of it on the skin, and the skin beneficial ingredients included, I think I might try her regular tinted moisturizer or maybe even the oil-free formula once I'm finished with my Stila tinted moisturizer.

My Favorite Makeup Removal Products

I have to admit I'm a little lazy when removing my makeup.  I prefer using pre-moistened makeup removing pads and cleansing cloths rather than using removers you have to put on cotton balls and such.  I keep them on my beside table so that if I'm too tired to wash my face (it happens!) I will at least remember to remove my makeup.

I first use Almay's Moisturizing Eye Makeup Remover pads, which are oil based.  I prefer an oil-based remover since it seems to dissolve the eye makeup better than an oil-free remover.  Plus I like the moisturizing feel.

Next, I use the Neutrogena Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes which are impregnated with cleanser that doesn't require rinsing (some cleansing cloths contain ingredients you need to rinse off or they will cause irritation).

Sometimes I stop at that step and don't bother to wash my face if I'm feeling lazy.  However, if I feel like wore a good amount of makeup that day, I will always wash my face.

For cleansing I use the Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser and a soft washcloth.  I use my Clarisonic brush in the shower in the morning for exfoliation even though I know it is recommended for thorough makeup removal.  I was using an Olay Regenerist purifying cleanser, but it seems to have been discontinued, so I switched to the Neutrogena Fresh Foaming Cleanser.

I have been using these same makeup removal products for ages and repurchase them over and over.  They don't irritate my skin and keep it nice and clear.

Do you have any favorite makeup removers?

Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen in True Teal Review and Swatches

The Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen is an awesome eyeliner.  It isn't a pen, but an incredibly creamy, soft eye pencil that applies like a dream.  

Pixi says: Waterproof, super-long-wear, no-smudge, no-budge eye liners. They glide on like seamless silk, and in a single sweep motion create a flawless, solid jewel-toned line. No retouching required all day - or night! Gentle on eyes, yet intensely coloured and super-silky. 
Long wearing, non-transfer, and waterproof eye pen gives the intense effect of a liquid liner but is much easier to apply.

I have to say I pretty much agree with their description.  This liner glides on with no tugging or skipping whatsoever, has an intense color, and wears well all day.  It's creamy enough that you can smudge and soften the line it for a less defined look before it sets.  I get a tiny bit of smudging on the outer corners of my eyes after 6-7 hours when I wear this on my waterline (like most liners -- I think due to my watery eyes), and it will smudge only slightly on my oily eyelids if I rub my eyes (ahh allergies...).

They are packaged is a pretty, flowered, light yellow pencil that has a tip on the non-liner end that matches the color of the liner (so it's easy to find the right pencil).  The flowers on the body of the pencil also match the color of the liner.  So cute!

True Teal is a jewel-toned dark teal with lots of blue in it.

(defined, smudged)  sunlight

indoor light (and out of focus lol)

One of my favorite ways to wear this color is with a copper or brown shadow on the lid and the teal liner on the waterline and lower lashes.

There are 10 colors in this formula, and they retail for $15.  Pixi is sold in Target and there are usually testers available in the displays.  I highly recommend checking these out!

Amber Rush EotD

L'Oreal's Infallible 24 HR Eyeshadow in Amber Rush is one of my favorite copper eyeshadows.  It is very, very shimmery.  So much so that it gives almost a foiled metallic look to the lid.  The formula is such an interesting creamy powder texture that applies as nicely with fingers as it does with a brush.

I paired it with another Infallible eyeshadow color called Iced Latte, a light beige, and it's also very shimmery.  This one can lean a little frosty (which I don't really mind), so if you don't like that kind of finish Iced Latte might not be a shade you'll like.

Products used:  L'Oreal Infallible 24 HR Eyeshadow in Amber Rush
                        L'Oreal Infallible 24 HR Eyeshadow in Iced Latte
                        Pixi Endless Silky Eye Pen in True Teal (on the lower waterline)
                        Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara in Very Black

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows in Iced Latte and Amber Rush, Pixi Silky Eye Pen in True Teal swatches

Thanks for visiting!