11.07.2012

My Blush Collection & Swatches!

Hi Everyone!

Recently, I've been really thinking about clearing out my stash and actually using all of my products I've acquired.

Out of all of this re-discovery of products, I thought it'd be helpful, at the very least to me, to take pictures of all the colors of blush I currently own, just for future reference! I've split them into similar color categories to be even more organized.

Coral/Peach


Clinique Peony, e.l.f. Blush (Blush/Bronzer duo), Ulta Heartbreaker, The Balm Fratboy, MAC Mighty Aphrodite

Coral/Orange


Hard Candy Skinny Dipping Fox in a Box, MAC Modern Mandarin, NARS Torrid, Sleek Rose Gold, Tarte Tipsy Amazonian Clay Blush

Light to Midtone Pinks


MAC Blonde Mineralize Skinfinish, MAC Lovecloud, Benefit Bella Bamba, Sleek Flamingo, MAC Dollymix

Neutrals


MAC Pink Cult, MAC Mocha, Clinique soft rose color, Benefit Hervana, Tarte Exposed Amazonian Clay Blush

Bronze/Plums


MAC Peachtwist, MAC Worldly Wealth, MAC Star Wonder Mineralize Skinfinish, The Balm Cabana Boy, MAC Plum Foolery

Magenta/Reds


MAC Supernova Mineralize Blush, Tarte Natural Beauty Amazonian Clay Blush, La Femme Brick Red

Cool Pink/Purples


MAC Coygirl, MAC Vintage Grape Blush Ombre (Light), MAC Overdyed, Tarte Flush Amazonian Clay Blush, MAC Vintage Grape Blush Ombre (Dark), Milani Plum Parfait

My favorite blushes definately have to be the Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes; They wear for such a long time, and I definately prefer their more matte appearance and blendability.

Second, you could probably guess that I also love MAC blushes! I've got quite a different finishes, and they're all a dream to work with. I love that even some of the 'sheertone' blushes are still plenty pigmented and are easily buildable.

How many blushes do you own? What are your favorites?

8.31.2012

Inglot Haul! Swatches & Review

Now, in the realm of beauty blogging, I definately feel like a newbie, since I've only really been crazy about beauty products for a couple of years. But luckily, I'm getting smarter about my purchases and really researching brands and swatches. Over and over, I would come across this 'Awesome' makeup brand Inglot, and eventually, I decided to jump in with both feet and order some shadows.

These weren't all bought at one time, but I like that they offer their products in pan form, which is awesome if you have open palettes and want to save some money. I knew that eventually I'd save up and get a few, or a hundred!, of their empty palettes, so I opted to start with Inglot pan shadows. Starting at $6 a shadow, or even cheaper with their 20% off sale recently, I thought I'd be a fool not to cave.

Now, I am a converted shadow buyer! I have never really liked matte shadows, but after trying Inglot, I can't imagine my life without them! And their other finishes? Forget about everything else! These have such dimension, and are definately user friendly! They blend like a dream and are the most smooth and buttery shadows I've tried. I think now, with my recent purchases, I definately have every color that I could ever want or need!

The only issue I had with Inglot, is one heard about around the world. Their shades are not named, but numbered and by finish, so unless you plan on buying blindly each time, set aside time to google plenty of swatches and take notes. I decided to label my palettes as I put them together to ensure that on my next order, I don't end up with duplicates of the same shade.

Other than that, I was blown away by their palettes and how sturdy they are. They're made from a black plastic, but are magnetic so that the pans just snap right into place. This is awesome for traveling and even the clumsiest of people; these shadows don't just fall out, and the translucent lid also snaps shut, so your products will always be secure.

Ok, now for the long awaited swatches!

I purchased two palettes, a 5 pan palette and a 10 pan palette. I figured having the 5 pan would make it easy to switch out shadows to take while traveling!

Note: I've linked all the pictures, so that you can click for a larger view!


Inglot 5 pan freedom palette


Without flash (L to R): 358 Matte, 376 Matte, 434 Pearl, 487 DS, 375 Matte


With flash (L to R): 358 Matte, 376 Matte, 434 Pearl, 487 DS, 375 Matte


Inglot 10 pan freedom palette


Top Row, without flash (L to R)
26 Shine, 15 Shine, 48 Shine, 74 AMC, 423 Pearl


Top Row, with flash (L to R)
26 Shine, 15 Shine, 48 Shine, 74 AMC, 423 Pearl


Bottom Row, without flash (L to R)
477 DS, 372 Matte, 338 Matte, 428 Pearl, 483 DS


Bottom Row, with flash (L to R)
477 DS, 372 Matte, 338 Matte, 428 Pearl, 483 DS

Do you own any Inglot? Don't you want some now?! :)

8.28.2012

Depotting Benefit Boxed Powders!

As a beauty junkie, I must admit, cute packaging does matter. It draws your eye to a product, and can make even the most cluttered bag more organized. But, every beauty junkie also knows, it means more space in your stash is taken up and there's far less space to grow! ;)

My Benefit powders were definately not lacking in the packaging department. I love how each powder had its own personality, if you will, and they all included a small mirror on the flip top lid, and a small brush, but all that packaging really takes up some space!

I had recently gotten a new Zpalette, and went on a space-saving spree! I wanted to depot anything that I could, and couldn't find a way to depot these! After my first successful Benefit depot, I thought it'd be nice to share with the class!

What you'll need: Scissors, A nice, firm grip, and of course, Patience!

First, you'll want to cut the mirrored side off. You can use scissors if you'd like, or you can just rip it off by it's 'hinge'. The cardboard is pretty easy to tear here, since it's not super thick.

Second, squeeze two corners on the side of the box together. You'll create a small space between the side of the box and the pan. Using your fingers, grip the side of the box and pull until it rips, being careful of course!


Note: On my Bella Bamba blush, the packaging was thicker because of it's slick design, so I ripped one corner apart, and continued to pull until the sides came apart from their base.

Either way, you'll want to repeat this process until you have complete access to the blush/powder pan.

Using your fingers again, begin to push down on the sides of the packaging, exposing the bottom cardboard glued to the pan. Once you have a little space separated, you can begin to pull the entire pan off the bottom, being careful not to squeeze the pan, which could cause the powder to crack.


Repeat the same process with the cardboard that is glued to the bottom of the pan. This may be a little more difficult since the glue is quite strong. Peel off any excess cardboard paper that is still stuck to the bottom of the pan.


If you wish to save the label, you can peel it off the bottom of the packaging, cut it to size, and sticker over the exposed pan. I chose to cut close enough to where I could read the name of the powder and it's ingredients.

Ta da! Now the powder is depotted! Not bad, eh?

Luckily, these powders are quite magnetized, and since the bottom of my Zpalette is a magnet, they snapped right in. If you don't have a magnetic palette, you can attach a magnet with an adhesive back (found at most craft stores, or free with purchase of a Zpalette) to make it stick to another magnetic surface.

Now I've got more space! These powders definately take up a lot less room, and I can see exactly what I have in my palettes!

4.17.2012

My Favorite Bright MAC Lipsticks!

Hey everyone! Long time no see!

I'm back with one of my favorite categories of makeup: Lipsticks!




Of course, there are millions of combinations you can do with your makeup, but nothing quite compares to how much of a mood change you can achieve with your lipcolor.

Since spring is upon us, I thought I'd share my favorites for when I'm feeling extra daring!


Reel Sexy (A), Watch Me Simmer (A), Viva Glam Nicki (S), Impassioned (A), Show Orchid (A), Up The Amp (A), Violetta (A), Heroine (M)

If you're wondering, Watch Me Simmer is a tad more orange than Viva Glam Nicki, which is definately more of a vibrant neon pink. Impassioned has a touch more red in it when compared to Watch Me Simmer, but they're definately very close, especially since they are the same finish!

As you can probably tell, my favorite MAC Lipstick finish is Amplified; they're just so creamy, bright, and opaque! Show Orchid and Violetta are both PRO colors and they also contain a little bit of shimmer and duochrome, which is so pretty! You definately NEED to see them in person.

I love pairing corals with more neutral earthy tones on my eyes and cheeks during daytime. I choose hot pink and purple lips to pair with simple black winged liner for daytime or even bolder smoky eyes when going out on the town.

What are your current favorite combinations for spring?