A Sue Devitt Face of the Day with Product Reviews and Swatches

A few months ago I wrote about my love for the Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil in Kenya, and I was fortunate enough to recently receive the olive green color Bangalore, along with a few other Sue Devitt goodies:

Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil in Bangalore

Just like with Kenya, the Bangalore shadow pencil is opaque enough that it can be used as a liner or shadow, and is a quick and easy way to add some color to the eyes. The Eye Intensifier Pencils are creamy, easy to blend, and when used with a primer they last all day. 

Sue Devitt Gel-to-Powder Blush in Marion Reef

This is definitely my favorite product of the bunch. I mentioned it in last month's favorites, and this is a standout product. When you touch the blush it feels like a creamy gel and is soft and very easy to blend. When you start blending it on the cheek it starts to settle in to a powder but without being ashy or cakey. This property really allows the product to look natural on the skin and it lasts all day. The product itself is very pigmented and can be sheered out or layered for more intense color. I usually layer powder blushes on top of cream blushes but I don't have to with this one. I also like that the packaging is very slim and has a mirror....perfect for traveling.

Sue Devitt Lip Enhancing Gloss in Golden Triangle and Costa Del Sol

According to the Sue Devitt Website, these glosses contain Marine Filling Spheres that are supposed to "smooth out the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles and work in tandem with Peptides that promote collagen production." All four shades are sheer and give the lips a smooth, full appearance. Personally, these are nice, but nothing special. I like that the gloss formula is non-sticky and the brush applicator holds a lot of product so the bristles don't splay like some brush applicators do. I didn't notice any plumping effect or anything extraordinary. On my lips, this gloss lasted only 2ish hours. I also think the tube is a little hefty compared to most gloss tubes, and considering how sleek the blush packaging is, this is not sleek at all.

L-R: Kenya shadow, Kenya blended, Marion Reef blush, Marion Reef blended, Costa Del Sol gloss, and Golden Triangle gloss

Here are snaps of the shadow, blush, and Costa Del Sol gloss in action:

Bangalore Eye Intensifier Pencil with no primer

Bangalore Eye Intensifier Pencil 7 hours later

You can see how badly the Eye Intensifier Pencil creased when worn by itself. When used over a primer this shadow lasts all day without fading or creasing. 

Overall, I really like the Eye Intensifier Pencils and the Gel-to-Powder Blush. The glosses are meh. I have only seen Sue Devitt cosmetics in-person at Macys, but they might be available at other retailers too. You can also purchase them online on the Sue Devitt Website, which is currently offering a free Eye Intensifier Pencil in Golden Triangle, an exotic jungle green, with any $25 purchase. 

Disclaimer: The products in this post were provided by PR for consideration. As always, my thoughts and review reflect my honest opinions. 

MAC Shop Cook Collection - Haul and Look

Hey Dolls! I haven't been interested in the recent MAC collections, but I did pick up a couple things from the recent Shop Cook collection: Call Me Bubbles Eyeshadow Quad and Added Goodness Fluidline Eye Liner.

L-R: Call Me Bubbles, Fresh Daily, Full of Flavour, Brash shadows; Added Goodness liner

The shadows are super pigmented and I especially love Brash, which is a veluxe pearl texture (my favorite). These shades are perfect for spring and summer. I have so many Indian outfits in these shades so I am excited to wear them with my sarees and lehengas...perhaps even a look like the following:

In this look I am wearing Call Me Bubbles and Fresh Daily on the lid, with a mix of Brash and Bronze (not from the quad) in the crease. I used a similar gradient on the lower lashline. I lined the top lid with Added Goodness Fluidline and used Black Funk pencil on my waterline.

What do you think? Did you pick up anything from the Shop Cook collection?

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year! I hope 2012 brings you and your family lots of happiness, love, prosperity, and laughter! Personally, I don't have any resolutions because they are so hard to keep, but I wish you lots of luck with yours!

Did you do anything fun for New Year's Eve? I went to a friends place for a intimate party with good friends. Here is the look I wore for the evening:

Almost finished look, i.e. no lipstick and hair undone

Face: 

• Stila One Step Primer
• MAC Face and Body Foundation
• MAC Pro Longwear Concealer under eyes
• MAC Studio Finish Concealer on red spots and blemishes
• MAC Cream Color Base in Bronze to contour
• Laura Mercier Second Skin Cheek Colour in Citrus Spark 
• Victoria's Secret All-over Shimmer Powder in Candygirl to highlight

Eyes:

• Nars Primer on lid
• Laura Mercier Foiled Eye Colour in V.I.P. Gold on lid
• Victoria's Secret Shimmer Shadow in Golddust on browbone
• MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack to line upper lash line
• MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved to liner outer half of lower lash line
• Victoria's Secret Triple Drama Mascara in Blackest Black on top and bottom lashes

The above photo is the finished look, with MAC Slimshine Lipstick in Most Wanted on my lips. I didn't do anything too fancy or complicated, just a bit of gold on the eyes and a peachy-maroon lip. 

How was your New Year's Eve? What are your resolutions for 2012?

Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil in Action

Hello! How are ya? I know it has been awhile since I last posted. I was traveling and spending time with my family for Thanksgiving. How was your Thanksgiving? Did you go Black Friday shopping?

In a recent post I reviewed Sue Devitt's Eye Intensifier Pencil in the shade Kenya. A few readers requested that I show a full face shot so here it is:

In this photo I am wearing Kenya all over the lid and smudged in the crease. I also smudged the pencil in to my lower lash line to add a bit of definition. I am not wearing any other eye product except for mascara. Here is a full face breakdown:

Habanera with the Hubby, Nars Habanera That Is

I haven't been feeling too creative in the makeup department recently, so when I knew I was going out on a dinner date with the hubby, I reached to the bottom of my makeup stash to pull out some non-neutral fun: Nars Habanera eyeshadow duo:



I love how pigmented these shadows are and the minty shade gives a bit of flair to a classic grey. When swatched, the glitter in the grey shade is not so visible, and although there is some glitter, there is no fallout.

Nars Habanera Swatch with Flash

Nars Habanera Swatch without Flash

This is the look I created for my dinner date:

Why I Love Smashbox Shadows

This morning I did a super quick eye look. I applied a dark brown gel liner on my top lash, followed by the bronze shadow from this Smashbox kit, and the light shade from that same kit on my browbone. This is what it looked like 6 hours later:

Normally, I wouldn't share such a simple look with you, but this was an exceptional one because this is what my eyes looked like 6 hours after application, without any primer! There is a tiny bit of creasing on the right eye above, but that's it! Smashbox shadows are so smooth and buttery, and with this type of performance I am definitely going to invest in more!

MAC Lady Grey Eyeshadow Quad Review

I professed my love for the MAC Lady Grey eyeshadow quad in my September Favorites post, and here's why: the colors are not your basic browns, but they are still neutral...and I love me a good neutral!

 Clockwise from top left: All Races, Tendersmoke, Hazy Day, Lady Grey

L-R: All Races, Tendersmoke, Hazy Day, Lady Grey

Here is one of my favorite looks, using Lady Grey (the greyish-green shade) on the lid and All Races (the light lavendar) on the browbone as a highlight, and Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Stash on the upper lash line. All Races has a bit of pinky-lavendar to it, but it is so subtle that it just works really well as a highlight, especially when wearing grays and plums on the lid.

Here are a few more easy ways to use this quad:

• Tendersmoke on Lid, All Races on browbone


• Tendersmoke on Lid, Hazy Day in crease, All Races on browbone


• Hazy Day on Lid, All Races on browbone


• All Races on lid and browbone, any of the other 3 colors in the crease


• Any of the above combinations, with a little bit of Texture or Soft Brown in the crease to warm up the look

What do you think?

Smashbox Luxe Metallics Glambox Swatches and Review

Smashbox does it again! Remember how much I loved the Smashbox Studio Stash set? I may have found another set I like even more! The Smashbox Luxe Metallics Glambox!! Smashbox releases a glambox set a couple times a year and they literally come in a cubed box:

This Luxe Metallics Glambox has 7 products in it:

- Fusion Soft Lights in Luster

- Blush Rush in Surge

- Eyelights Quad in Luxe

- Full Exposure Mascara Mini in Jet Black (the one pictured above is the full size because I misplaced the mini one that came with this set)

- Jet Set Waterprrof Eye Liner in Vamp

- Arced Liner Brush #21 (full size)

- Lip Enhancing Gloss in Gilded Nude

- Lip Enhancing Gloss in Rose Quartz

 Fusion Soft Lights in Luster and Blush Rush in Surge

L-R: Surge blush, Luster Fusion Soft Lights (the 3 individual shades, then all swirled) 

Eyelights Quad in Luxe and Full Exposure Mascara 

Eyelights Quad in Luxe

 

Jet Set Waterprrof Eye Liner in Vamp and Arced Liner Brush #21

Lip Enhancing Gloss in Gilded Nude and Rose Quartz

L-R: Jet Set Waterprrof Eye Liner in Vamp, Gilded Nude gloss and Rose Quartz gloss

The kit also includes a pamphlet with instructions on how to create a Bronze Glow look and a Metallic Smoke look:

My fave of the two looks is the Metallic Smoke look, so I tried that look first. I followed the instructions exactly, using only my own foundation, concealer, and brushes.

What I was most excited about in this kit was the Arced Liner Brush #21. I have been wanting a bent liner brush like this for a long time. I have only used it a few times but so far I like it. It is SO much easier to use than a regular liner brush that has a similar brush head but is not bent. However, since I have been using an angled brush (the MAC 208 is my fave) to apply gel/cream liner for many years, this is going to take some getting used to. I was also excited to try out the Blush Rush formula. I was a bit hesitant of the color because it appeared so bright on my hand, but when blended well, it adds a soft pink flush to the cheeks. 

Overall I really like this kit and will be using these products a lot, especially as Fall and the holiday season approach. Speaking of, this would make a great Christmas present! Or if you are like me and have no patience, a great anytime present to yourself! =)

Disclaimer: The products in this post were provided by PR for consideration. Please read my disclaimer for additional information.

Looks Using the Smashbox Studio Stash Set

Good Morning Dolls!! How was your weekend? Mine was....let's say...interesting. Thanks to Irene, I experienced my first hurricane. Luckily, the area I live in was not hit that bad and so fortunately we did not lose power and there was no flooding in our neighborhood. Nonetheless, it was a scary experience and it seems that ever since the hubby and I moved to Philly, the East Coast has been experiencing the worst natural disasters.....last winter was the worst snowstorm in years, last week was the first earthquake in years, and then last weekend was the first hurricane in years. Through all these events I am thankful to the powers above for keeping my family and friends safe. 

So back to makeup. Last week I raved about the new Smashbox Studio Stash Set, and I wanted to share with you a few eye looks that I have been wearing using the products from that set. Just to recap, I did all these looks using only these eye products:

Studio Stash Shadow Palette

 Shadow Swatches

 Cream Liner Palette in Perfect Frame

Top: Graphite, Taupe, Lilac, Lava, Blue Topaz

Bottom: Caviar, Picasso, Thunder, Midnight Purpe, Midnight Brown

Top: Graphite, Taupe, Lilac, Lava, Blue Topaz

Bottom: Caviar, Picasso, Thunder, Midnight Purpe, Midnight Brown

1. Natural Eye

- Cream Liner in Taupe (top row, 2nd from right) as base all over lid

- Shadow #2 all over lid

- Shadow #1 on browbone

- Cream Liner in Picasso (bottom row, 2nd from right) to line top lid

2. Anytime Eye

- Cream Liner in Lava (top row, 4th from right) as base all over lid

- Shadow #2 on inner corner 

- Shadow #3 on lid

- Shadow #4 in crease and outer v

- Shadow #1 on browbone

- Cream Liner in Graphite (top row, 1st from right) to line top lid

3. Smoky Eye

- Cream Liner in Thunder (bottom row, 3rd from right) as base all over lid

- Shadow #4 on lid and outer lower lid

- Mix of Shadows #3 and #4 in crease

- Shadow #2 on inner lower lid

- Shadow #1 on browbone

- Cream Liner in Graphite (top row, 1st from right) lightly smudged on upper lash line

- Full Exposure Mascara on upper and lower lashes

These pics made me realize I really need a new camera. The colors do look darker and more vibrant in real life. In any case, I do like the versatility of the neutral shadows and liner palette. As mentioned in my review, I like using the liners as cream shadows and bases because they really do last all day. 

I really think Smashbox makes the best and most useful makeup sets, and the Studio Stash set definitely proves that. What do you think?