Everyday 3 Minute Eyes

My go to look when I am in a rush, or just am not feeling very creative is this simple pink eye. It takes about 3 minutes and I always get compliments. All you really need is a nice light pink-peachy eyeshadow. Here are the products I used:

MAC Canton Candy Paint - You can use any nude or pinky base, I often use MAC Rubenesque Paint Pot, but whatever I see first, and apply to the entire eyelid and lightly apply to the brow bone. This will help hold the color all day. 

MAC Expensive Pink Eyeshadow - This is one of my all time favorite shadow colors. It can be used with almost any other color,  but here I applied it all over the lid with the 239. Simple as that.

MAC Ricepaper Eyeshadow - I used this as the highlight on the brow bone. Any neutral highlight color can be used. 

Lancome Definicils Mascara - If you read my earlier post on mascara, you know that I always curl my lashes and apply mascara...so that is exactly what I did here!

Ta-da! That's it! If you are even contemplating getting Expensive Pink, I highly recommend it. It goes on smoothly and is super blendable. It is definitely one of my must haves! I guarantee you will be able to use it in a wide variety of looks. 

Beauty Tips and Tricks

I was out of town for the past few days attending a wedding in Boonville. Yes, the name of the town is Boonville, and is located about 2.5 north of San Francisco. It was beautiful there, very woodsy, and a great place to getaway if you are looking to escape the city life and want to visit a few vinyards. In any case I am back and catching up on all things beauty, and here are a few of the articles/videos I am liking:

Allure Readers' Choice Awards - The top drugstore and high end beauty products that work and are fabulous (I'm especially excited that MAC topped several of the makeup categories AND I already use a lot of other winners like the Redken shampoo and conditioner, True Blue Spa body scrub, and both lotions)

14 Summer Fashion and Beauty Essentials - Allure online tells us what we need to know to look great this summer

How to Apply Eyeliner - MakeupbyTiffanyD shows us how to apply ALL types of eyeliners

Makeover Your Makeup Bag - Tips from IVillage on how to tidy up your beauty stash

20% off at Benefit Cosmetics - 3 days only!

Get 20% off all orders at benefitcosmetics.com from 5/27 through 5/29. Enter code MAKEUP20 at checkout.

40% off at Stila

Who can resist a great deal? Especially in this economy! You can get 40% off plus free shipping on all Stila products at www.stilacosmetics.com. This sale is valid until 6/17. Just use promo code STILAPRO during checkout.

Thanks to pursebuzz.com for sharing this wonderful info!

Lancome Gift w/ Purchase at Macys

Macys has a free Lancome gift with a Lancome purchase of $29.50 or more. Plus, if you order online and spend more than $55, you get a free full size definicils AND your choice of Full-Size Le Crayon Khal Pencil OR Color Design Eye Shadow. I know they have gifts with purchase all the time but the bonus full size free items are rare, so now is the time to buy!

They even have some great gift sets right now...I picked up the Primordiale one since it works so wll on my skin. I highly recommend taking advantage of this great offer, it starts today and will go quickly. Get yours while supplies last!

To find out more on what is included in the gift set, check out www.macys.com.

MAC Style Warrior Collection

I went to a Style Warrior Launch Party at my local Nordstrom last week, and I was really excited to see all the new stuff being released for summer. I had all these great intentions of taking pics and swatches for you all. Unfortunately, the sales assistants wouldn't let me take pictures of the makeup products themselves. So then I thought to myself, no problem, I will take pictures of the swatches on my hands. Well, I tried but one of my hands got messed up because the sales assistant decided to put a big blotch of paint smack dab in the middle of everything. The other hand only had swatches of three of the shadows, so that is all I have to show you guys. =( 

The purple eyeshadow is Vibrant Grape (also a PRO color), the yellow is Bright Future, and the taupy shade is Night Manoeuvres. Overall, the shadows weren't anything amazing and I felt you could easily get similar shades from the permanent line. 

The stuff I really did like was:

Brave New Bronze Lipstick - A gorgeous nude color that will compliment everyone.

Bronzescape Solar Bits - Although the product itself is hard to work with, the color payoff on this one was fantabulous! I actually did pick this one up and can't wait to wear it to a party or night out on the town.

All the Lustre Drops - These are like liquid pigments that can be used for just about anything. I tried mixing Sun Rush with my foundation and it gave me a natural, summery glow. I plan to use this mixed with lotion and applied on my shoulders during summer, and also as a highlighter or shadow base. The lustre drops are super blendable and can be used for just about anything!

I wasn't a huge fan of the lipglass shades or the eyeshadows. And although the Solar Bits are hard to work with because they are chunky little balls of creamy pigment, they look beautiful when applied to the skin. If you have patience, you will like the end product of using the Solar Bits. 

Overall I think this collection has a little something for everyone. If you check it out, let me know what you like!

MAC Cremestick Liner Colors Discontinued

I hate when this happens. You finally find your holy grail color of a makeup product, only to find out that it will soon be discontinued...or worse....already has. I was browsing the MAC Going, Going, Gone page to find out they are geting rid of many shades of their Cremestick Lip Liner. I love this liner because it is smooth, creamy, long lasting, and doesn't need to be sharpened. It works great on its own under gloss, or as a base under your lipstick. It really makes the lipstick more long wearing, and who doesn't love that? One of the shades being discontinued is Plum Royale, which is one of my favorites. I went to the MAC store this weekend and picked up a few of the shades being discontinued, including a backup of Plum Royale. Check out the goodbyes webpage at MAC and see if any of your favorites will soon be gone for good.

tahiti, sweetie body lotion

If you are a workaholic and can't get away for a tropical vacation? Or maybe you aren't but you like smooth skin? This is for you!! The tahiti, sweetie body lotion is part of the True Blue Spa line at Bath and Body Works, and like almost everything else from that line, it's an amazing product! The fragrance takes you away to another place where you are laying on the beach drinking coconut water, AND it is super moisturizing. I had read a lot of reviews before purchasing this one and a lot of people with skin problems (like eczema and redness) said this lotion healed everything. If it is that good, it must work great on those with normal skin, too, right? It is. It absorbs quickly, and even thought it has monoi oil, brazil nut oil, coconut oil, and avocado oil, it is not at all greasy! It just makes the skin smooth, soft, and very touchable. This is one to stock up on, because just like most other Bath and Body Works products, as soon as I find something I like, it gets discontinued. (If anyone from Bath and Body is reading this, please bring back Plumeria!)

Aquafina Flavor Splash Lip Balm

I received the Aquafina Flavor Splash Lip Balm in a gift bag so I thought why not try it out. I have been using it for a couple weeks now, mainly because it is on my dresser and I am too lazy to pull out another lip balm. The flavor I have is Citrus Blend, which is more refreshing than citrusy. What I do like about this is that is is moisturizing and has a bit of that methol-tingly feeling, without the menthol scent or flavor. The tingly feeling only lasts a couple minutes, but the moisturizing power lasts a couple hours. The reason I don't like this is because I can feel it on my lips. I like the lip conditioners that feel like I am wearing nothing, but still moisturize my lips without feeling thick or sticky. This isn't my favorite lip balm, but it's not bad, and I will probably continue to use it up out of nothing else but laziness. (I also get a weird satisfaction when I actually finish up products...)

I wasn't aware that Aquafina has a whole line of skin care products out there, but apparently if you can make water, you can make skin care too! Check 'em out at http://www.aquafinaskincare.com/default.asp.

Clinique Moisture Surge Extended Thirst Relief

I received this as a freebie during the cosmetic settlement a few months ago, and have been using it for several weeks now since I ran out of my regular moisturizer. I have really dry skin in the winter and this product has amazingly turned my dry skin into moist, dewy, perfectly hydrated skin! It has a gel consistency so it doesn't feel greasy, it absorbs quickly, and improves the skin's texture exponentially. Even though it is supposed to be an intense hydrator, I have a good feeling that since this is more gel-like, that it will work really well in the summer months too. I spent some time reading reviews on this product and women in their 40s and 50s claim that it even helps with aging and fine lines. This also works well under makeup, which is always a plus. I recently applied this on a friend when I was practicing a bridal look and she stopped me to find out ask what moisturizer I put on her since it felt so good. =) I love it when something free turns out to be something fabulous!

CHI Hair Product Set

I am a HUGE fan of warehouse clubs like Costco and Sams. Yes, even when I lived alone I used to shop there. Why? Because there is always stuff I need that is cheaper to buy at these clubs (gas, toilet paper, etc) and you can always score some major deals. Like today, when I went to Sams Club and while I was perusing the beauty and health aisles, I found the CHI Hair Care Set below:

This set was $22 and includes:

*12oz CHI Silk Infusion (normally $28 on its own) - This is a leave in treatment like Biosilk, that helps strengthen your hair, providing incredible softness, manageability and shine without any build-up. Alcohol free, enriched with pure silk and wheat and soy proteins.

*6oz CHI Infra Shampoo (normally $15 on its own) - A moisture therapy shampoo for dry, damaged hair.

*60z CHI Infra Treatment (normally $15 on its own) - A superior moisturizing and protective conditioning treatment.

The Silk Infusion is supposed to be amazing and I have been meaning to try it out, so I couldn't pass on this amazing deal. I am currently using the CHI Keratin Mist and CHI 44 Iron Guard heat protectant and I am loving both, so I figure these will be good too. In any case, whether you already use any of these and plan to buy more, or have been wanting to try any of these products on their own, I HIGHLY recommend getting this set. And go soon....my experience with warehouse clubs is get it while you can because once it's gone, it's gone for good!

My Wish List

Stuff I have been wanting and will eventually try out:

1. Boots Lip Balm - If only I can remember the exact name...sigh

2. Boots Body Butter - I smelled one at Target and it was so nice, but I can't remember which one

3. Cover Girl Exact Eyelights Mascara - If you read my previous post you know I live by mascara... and mascara with glitter....even better!

4. Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin - The regular UDPP is such a cult fave I have to try it out, but I think I want the shimmer version in Sin more than the original

5. Urban Decay Sustainable Shadow Box - UD shadows are just so smooth and pigmented...drool...

What are you lemming?

My First Product Review - Just a Pinch Gel Blush

I picked up the new MAC Just a Pinch Gel Blush from their latest Rose Romance collection, and I am really liking this one! I'm not one for cream type blushes because I don't like the sticky feeling, but this one is a gel texture and goes on smooth and silky. The color is buildable so you can achieve either a light flush or a doll face, and the product itself is super blendable. It comes in the same size jar as the paint pots so its a decent amount and you don't need to use a lot. I recommend this one if you are looking for something new and fun. 

Looks intense in the jar, but shows up pink on the skin:

Left swatch: medium amount of product slightly blended, Right swatch: small amount of product, blended a lot

If I were stranded on a desert island...

...the one makeup item I would bring with me would be mascara. Yes, I know, that means I can't be stranded for more than 3 months, but I simply can't go without it! To me, mascara is like underwear, I feel naked without it. Perhaps that is because it is one of the first makeup products I used when I first started wearing makeup. Back when I was in high school, my mom would buy her cosmetics from the department store only when there was a gift with purchase (which there is almost year round). I used to open up the package and oooh and aaah and all the little packaging, and she would usually give me a couple of the freebie items...usually the mascara. Of course, at some point I acquired an eyelash curler and now I am inseparable. I can feel put together in the mornings with a quick curl of the lash, and swipe of mascara. Ta-da! Ready to face the world!!

At the moment I am a big fan of MAC Plushlash. It doesn't clump on me, it lengthens, it volumizes, and is just plain fabulous!