EotD with Too Faced Summer Eye Shadow Collection

The sun is shining today!  I decided to do a colorful eye today in celebration.  I used the Too Faced Summer Eyeshadow Shadow Collection palette from last year's summer release.

Too Faced recently repromoted this palette with slightly different packaging and one different color (Seashell--which is a matte pinky peach instead of Sugar Sand--the shimmery light pink at the top left of the palette from last year).

I used Mermaid (shimmery turquoise) on the lid, Cocoa Beach (shimmery brown) in the outer v and crease, and Peach Fuzz (sparkly light peach) under the brow and inner corner.

Have a wonderful day whatever the weather!

NYX Roll-On Shimmer in Nude Swatches and Review

I love sparkly, shimmery makeup.  NYX makes some loose pigments with a roll-on applicator that are right up my alley.  They say you can use these on the eyes, face, or the body.

NYX says:   Loose powder with intense shimmer and glitter. Simply apply to your desired body part by rolling on the product and control the intensity of the pigment yourself! Easily blend the shimmer powder using a brush or clean fingers and take with you everywhere you go for added sparkle.

These are packaged in a see-through tube with a roller ball top and a black cap.  The roller ball allows for direct application to the eyes or skin.  Or, if you want to avoid too much fall-out, you can put some of the pigment on your hand and pick it up with a brush to apply it.

Nude is a warm coppery gold that blends out to a slightly gold sparkle.

indoor light

with flash

outdoor light

blended out

The glitter in this is quite fine, and they are very soft and easy to blend.  They sheer out nicely for a wash of sparkle, they layer nicely over a sticky base, or you can add a little glitter in the center of the lid over any regular eyeshadow to add some highlight.  This does crease when worn alone without a primer after about 3-4 hours.

This seems a little too sparkly for a highlighter on the face for my liking, but it would be fun on the collarbones for a night out.

I like to wear this on the eyes with the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Cashmere as a base so the pigment really sticks to the eye, and it intensifies the color.

from left:  NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Cashmere, NYX Roll-On Shimmer in Nude layered over  Cashmere

I also want to try this over a non-shimmery lipstick in the middle of the lower lip to add some dimension and cool sparkliness, but I'm not sure if it would be safe (it doesn't say you can't, but it doesn't seem to say anywhere to try it on your lips).  I guess if I try not to eat my lips...

NYX Roll-On Shimmer in Nude layered over Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Sorbet
(doesn't that just look so pretty?)

These loose pigments come in 16 colors ranging from blues and greens, to pinks and purples, as well as neutral colors.  I have my eye on salmon, a "salmon pink with gold glitter" as NYX describes it (looks kind of rose gold from swatches I've seen).  These retail for $4.00.

I love this for a really metallic, sparkly, glittery fun eye look.

Silver Smokey Eyes for Date Night

I love dramatic eyes for date night (my hubby likes it when I go all out too).  I used the Wet 'n' Wild Color Icon palette in Shimmer the Night Away (which I think was limited edition) for tonight's silver, dark grey, and black look.  I used Guerlain Maxi Lash in Noir for mascara.

What's your favorite going out look?

Spring Flowers!

A non-makeup related post today just to mix it up.

I love gardening.  My mom's enthusiasm for it definitely rubbed off on me when I was growing up.  She has an amazing garden that is constantly growing and changing.  There is always something new in it whenever I visit.

I thought I would show you some of the flowers blooming in my garden at the moment (there aren't many yet since it's still been cold here in Michigan...).

Crocuses (my favorite spring flower since it's one of the very first to bloom)

Scilla

Pulmonaria (aka Lungwort)

Dwarf Iris (this one was almost done blooming when I took this picture, so it's not looking it's best...)

I wish I had some daffodils...

I can't wait for more flowers to come up and bloom!  What's growing in your garden?

Sephora Collection Rouge Shine Lipstick in No. 5 Shiney Moment Review and Swatches

I've been wanting to try more of the Sephora collection makeup since they have updated and reformulated many of the products they offer, so I picked up one of the Sephora Collection Rouge Shine lipsticks during the Chic Week sale.  

Sephora says:  A moisturizing lipstick with a rich, glossy shine. 

The lipstick is packaged in a sleek black tube with a clear bottom so you can see the color in the tube.  The number (but not the name) of the color is on a sticker on the inside of the tube.  The bullet has a Sephora S on it, which I think looks really cool.

I decided to try No. 5 Shiney Moment (their spelling of shiny) which is described as a semi-sheer peach pink with iridescent shimmer on the Sephora website.

I think this color is more of a sparkling nude with a hint of peach that might lean a little frosty on the lips.  It is quite shiny and glossy.  It has some very fine glitter in it that gives the lipstick a slightly gritty texture. It has a faint fruity scent that dissipates a few minutes after application.  It is kind of slippery and only wears for about 2-3 hours, and  feels moisturizing while I'm wearing it, but once it has worn off my lips feel dry again.  

indoor light (no flash)

(with flash)

I think this is a very pretty light nude color that really shimmers and sparkles.  I was hoping it would have more pink in it from the color description, but I suppose that's buying online for you!

Earth Day Makeup!

Happy Earth Day everyone! Just a simple green and brown eye look to celebrate the day.

Eyes:  Sephora + Pantone Universe Color Grid Shadow Block in Eclipsed (emerald
                                      green on the lid)
           Milani Liquif'Eye Eye Liner Pencil in Brown
           Guerlain Maxi Lash Mascara in 01 Noir

Cheeks:  Stila Custom Color Blush in Pink

Lips:  Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butter in Cotton Candy

Have a beautiful day!

Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadow No. 65 Lazy Afternoon Review and Swatches

Sephora recently introduced a line of eyeshadow singles that you can mix and match and create your own palettes.  I needed a new matte light beige (I like to use this kind of color to blend out harsh lines from dark colors and under the brow when I don't want to use a shimmery highlight) since my favorite Wet 'n' Wild color (Creme Brulee) is rapidly running out.   

Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadow in No. 65 Lazy Afternoon

Sephora says:  Flash superior color, flawless wear, and long-lasting beauty with this striking eye shadow formula. The Color Eye Last complex means you can comfortably wear this shadow up to 10 gorgeous hours and the micronized pigments ensure an ultra smooth, blendable texture. 

Sephora describes Lazy Afternoon as a white beige matte.

Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadow in No. 65 Lazy Afternoon Swatches

indoor light (no flash)

(with flash)

The formula is very silky and finely milled.  It has a different feel than a really buttery formula (like Urban Decay's shadows).   This is one of the matte colors, so the shimmery or glittery shadows may have a different texture.  It is a little powdery, but there is no fallout (although it can be hard to tell with a light shadow like this).  It is supremely blendable, and I didn't notice and creasing without a primer even after 8 hours of wear.  It's a little hard to tell how sheer this color is, since it's so close to my skin color, so the other matte colors may run sheer, but it's hard to tell from this one.  

I think this shadow performs well, and it makes me curious to know how the shimmer and glitter shadows wear.

The singles are $13 each.  An empty 3 pan palette is $12, and a 4 pan is $14.

Sephora Chic Week Haul!

Here are the things I bought with my 15% off at Sephora--hopefully I'll have swatches and reviews of a few of these before too long...

Josie Maran Argan Eye Love You Eye Shadow Palette
Benefit Gettin' Cheeky Set (with Posie Tint, Sun Beam, and Cha Cha Tint)
Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadow Single in No. 65 Lazy Afternoon
St. Tropez Self Tan Dark Self-Bronzing Spray
Sephora Collection Rouge Shine Lipstick in No. 5 Shiney Moment
Tarte Gifts From The Lipstick Tree Achiote Color Collection
Laura Mercier Caviar Stick Eye Color in Orchid

I can't wait to try these!

Eye of the Day With Revlon Colorstay Quad in Sea Mist

Revlon just released the Pacific Coast Collection by Gucci Westman, which is limited edition for summer.  The collection has 2 eyeshadow quads, 3 cream cheek sticks, 4 lip butters, 4 nail colors, and a gel liner.  I used the quad in Sea Mist for today's look.

Revlon Colorstay Quad in Sea Mist

I used the turquoise color on the lid, the purple as liner and in the crease, and the light peachy pink under the brow and in the inner corner, and I used Paula's Choice Great Big Lashes Mascara in Black.

I was sort of surprised by how much pigment the turquoise color has.  The purple is a little more sheer when blended out, but makes a nice liner.  The lightest color is great for softening the edges of any dark colors.  They all have slight shimmer to them that reads nice and satiny on the eye.  These are not particularly buttery, but I didn't experience any fallout or powderiness.

Revlon Colorstay Quad in Sea Mist

  Sea Mist swatches (no flash)

(with flash)

Have a beautiful day!

Sally Hansen Colorfast Tint + Moisture Balm in In the Pink Swatches

Another chubby stick tinted lip balm!  This one is from Sally Hansen and was just launched in drugstores for the spring.  It comes in ten colors that include nudes, pinks, plums, and a red.  I bought the lightest pink color, In the Pink.

Sally Hansen says:  A nourishing lip balm with a hint of tint and boost of moisturizing shine. The lightweight formula smoothes and hydrates lips, for 30% more moisturized lips, instantly! The results? Visibly healthier lips that feel rejuvenated and renewed.

Like other crayons of this kind, it is twist-up/self-sharpening and the color of the packaging matches the color of the balm.  It gives the lips some shine and has a lightweight, somewhat balmy texture as it is applied.  It has a faint, slightly marshmallowy scent that disappears once applied, and it has no taste.

In the Pink is a warm, slightly peachy, neutral pink that has a little sparkle.  This color is fairly sheer and imparts a natural color to the lips.

Sally Hansen Colorfast Tint + Moisture Balm in In the Pink (indoor light)

(with flash)

(no color)

In the Pink lip swatch

This balm is only somewhat moisturizing and it wears off after only a couple of hours.  It seems like reapplication is necessary to keep the hydrated feel on the lips, and my lips do feel somewhat dry after it wears off.  I think there are some better lip crayons out there, but if you don't mind frequently swiping this on your lips, it has a nice price ($4.99) and pretty color selection.

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!