Tuesday, December 31, 2013

10 of My Favorite Makeup Items From 2013

I thought I'd share a few of my favorites makeup items of the year.  I didn't include skincare or haircare because I've done favorites and empties posts for them, and they don't really change for me.


Some of these were introduced this year, and some were new to me.  All of these became favorites of mine.

In no particular order:


Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser -- This has a nice lightweight formula that doesn't settle into the lines around my eyes.  It covers decently, and I think it is quite fun to use because of the little puff applicator.

Maybelline Color Elixir lipgloss (review) -- I think these have a lovely formula.  They were introduced late in the year, but they quickly became a favorite of the year.  They are some of the nicest lipglosses on the market, in my opinion.  They feel plush and hydrating on the lips.



Neutrogena MoistureSmooth Color Sticks (review) -- These smell wonderful (if you like fruity scents), are very hydrating, and make the lips feel softer, even after they wear off.



Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush in Candy Glow-- I like that this has 3 colors of blush that you can either swirl together, or use just the coral color or the pink color (although you need a smaller brush to pick up just one color or the other).  I do consider this a highlighting blush due to the shimmer, but it doesn't look glittery on the skin.



Josie Maran Coconut Water Cheek Gelee in Poppy Paradise (swatch) -- This blush is great for giving a natural flush to the cheeks.  It's very easy to apply (I always use my fingers for this one) and feels sort of cooling, which is especially nice in the summer.



Too Faced Pretty Rebel Palette -- I didn't get this palette until November, but it is one of the best palettes I own.  The shadows are very pigmented and soft, and there is an excellent mix of neutrals, brights, metallics, and darks.



Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy -- This was one of the great discoveries of the year for me.  It is amazing how different shimmery and glittery shadows and pigments look over this.



Benefit They're Real Mascara -- I really only wear this when I want dramatic lashes.  It separates, volumizes, and lengthens all at once.  It is more difficult to remove than most non-waterproof mascaras which is why I don't wear it everyday.



JinSoon Nail Laquer in Nostalgia (review) -- This is my favorite nude nail color.  The formula is long-wearing and shiny, even without a top coat.

Sally Hansen Lustre Shine Nail Color in Firefly  (swatches)-- I wore this almost non-stop in the fall.  It's a complex color that changes from pinky copper to gold with some green depending on how the light hits it.

Obviously, this is not a complete list of favorites (that could get very long), but just a few that stood out to me.

What are some of your favorites from 2013?


Monday, December 30, 2013

Blue Topaz Inspired Eyes of the Day

As soon as I saw Darling Girl eyeshadow in Preen (which was a GWP and is not for sale on the site), I immediately thought of a blue topaz.


December Birthstone - Blue Topaz



Blue Topaz is considered one of December's birthstones, although it isn't listed as one of them by the American Gem Society.





Darling Girl loose eyeshadow in Preen all over the lid
Too Faced eyeshadow in Badass (from the Pretty Rebel Palette) in the crease
Too Faced eyeshadow in Dainty (from the Pretty Rebel Palette) under the brow

Darling Girl eyeshadow in Preen



from left:  Darling Girl eyeshadow in Preen, Too Faced eyeshadows in Badass and Dainty

Natural blue topaz is rather rare, so many topaz stones are heat-treated to create the blue color.

This look was much more sparkly in person.

Thank you for visiting today!

Saturday, December 28, 2013

Christmas Gifts

I had a lovely, laid-back Christmas with my husband.  We slept in, opened gifts from each other, parents, and siblings, and went to see "The Desolation of Smaug"  in 3D.

My husband gave me these gorgeous earrings.

Beauty: NARS Nail Polish in Disco Inferno
                Marc Jacobs Lip Gel in Have We Met?
                Benefit Boxed Blush in Dallas
                Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette


Marc Jacobs Lip Gel in Have We Met?

Books: Classic Beauty: The History of Makeup
               I Am Malala
               Masters of the Planet: The Search For Our Human Origins (I studied anthropology
                                                                                  and hominid evolution in college.)


The earrings match the emerald ring my parents gave me for graduation from Michigan State (2003).
Green and white are MSU's school colors.

Favorite gifts I gave (highlights only, because otherwise this list would get long) (no pics -- sorry):
    Husband: cool dress shirts with various designs (flocked paisley, metallic pinstripe, etc)
    Dad: a huge book about opera houses their and architecture
    Mom: a collectable Detroit Starbucks mug (this was hard to find -- I had to stalk ebay)
    Sister: a bunch of Lush bath products, Benjamin Britton War Requiem cd
    Brother: fancy flashlight for camping, Dr. Who dvd
    Sister-in-law: Voluspa candle set (I kinda wanted to keep this for myself!)
    Niece and nephews (ages 9, 7, 5): cool t-shirts and hats with skulls, Despicable Me 2

So, what did you get?  What was your favorite gift you gave?

Friday, December 27, 2013

Hobbit Inspired Face of the Day

My husband and I saw "The Desolation of Smaug" in 3D on Christmas day.  It inspired me to wear what I think of as Middle Earth colors (green and gold for the Shire) on my eyes the next day.




Eyes: Marc Jacobs The Starlet palette -- gold color
         BareMinerals Glimmer eyeshadow in True Gold
         Fyrinnae Enchanting Otters -- crease and outer v, and lower lashline
         LORAC PRO palette -- Taupe in the crease
         Sephora Mattifying Foundation -- under the brow
         Physicians Formula Eye Booster Pen -- upper lashline (I put a little more
                                   True Gold over top of it)
         Maybelline Full 'N Soft Mascara

Cheeks: Stila All Over Glow Face Color and Luminizer in Pretty Pink -- blush, highlight
            Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in Milk Chocolate -- contour

Lips: Urban Decay Revolution lipstick on Lovelight






from left: Urban Decay Lovelight lipstick, Marc Jacobs gold from the Starlet palette, BareMinerals True Gold Glimmer, Fyrinnae Enchanting Otters, LORAC Taupe eyeshadow, Sephora Mattifying Foundation, Too Faced Milk Chocolate bronzer, Stila Pretty Pink blush blush and highlighter (the highlighter is there, just hard to see)


I've been using Fyrinnae's Enchanting Otters (green with lots of gold sparkle) frequently as of late.  It is so incredibly pretty.

Thursday, December 26, 2013

Shimmery Green Eyes for Christmas

I felt like sharing the shimmery, smokey green eye look I wore for Christmas day.




I used:  NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Black Bean -- base on the moving lid
           Sonia Kashuk Jewel of an Eye palette -- green color on the moving lid
           LORAC PRO palette -- Taupe in the crease
           LORAC PRO palette -- Cream under the brow
           LORAC PRO palette -- Nude in the inner corner
           Fyrinnae loose eyeshadow in Enchanting Otters -- lower lashline
           Jordana Made to Last eye pencil in Jade Jewel -- lower waterline
           Physicians Formula Eye Booster liquid eyeliner in Ultra Black -- upper lashline
           Maybelline Full 'N Soft mascara





from left: NYX Black Bean, Sonia Kashuk green, LORAC Taupe, LORAC Cream, Fyrinnae Enchanting Otters, Jordana Jade Jewel eyeliner, Physicians Formula liquid liner

photos with flash:




How was your holiday?  Did you have the day off?

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

Merry Christmas!

To my readers who celebrate, Merry Christmas!

This is a little tin of chocolates my parents brought back from Germany.

My Christmas sweater has beaded holly on it.

Have a safe and happy holiday!

Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Sugar Plum Face of the Day

It's Christmas eve.  Will sugar plums be in your dreams tonight?










Eyes: Darling Girl loose eyeshadow in Fra-gee-lay (from A Christmas Story collection) -- all
                       over the moving lid and lower lashline
         lavender color from Sephora Moonshadow Trio in Dusk Till Dawn (discontinued) -- in
                      the crease
         sparkly plum "lid" color from Wet 'n' Wild Petal Pusher palette -- tiny bit  in the
                      outer corner
         satin lavender "lid" color from the Wet 'n' Wild Petal Pusher palette -- in the crease
         matte white "browbone" color from the Wet 'n' Wild Petal Pusher palette --
                      browbone         
         Sephora Collection Long-lasting liquid eyeliner in Glitter Violet -- upper lashline
         Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On eye pencil in Ransom (discontinued) -- lower waterline
       

Cheeks: Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush

Lips: Lancome Juicy Tubes Pop gloss in Plum Freeze (discontinued ages ago -- I won't
                     even tell you how old this gloss is)


from left: Darling Girl Fra-gee-ley (which swatched quite blue in this pic), lavender color from the Sephora Moondust Trio in Dusk Till Dawn, sparkly plum color from the Wet 'n' Wild Petal Pusher palette, lavender color from the Petal Pusher palette, white color from the Petal Pusher palette, Urban Decay Ransom liner, Sephora liquid liner in Glitter Violet

blurry to show the sparkle of Darling Girl Fra-gee-lay, Sephora Moondust lavender, Wet 'n' Wild plum


from left: Too Faced Sweethearts blush, Lancome Juicy Tube in Plum Freeze


Have a wonderful Christmas eve!