Nouveau Monde Again FOTD

 Today I decided to pull out my NARS Nouveau Monde Duo and show it some more love.  I really enjoy the unique combination of mossy green and delicate lilac.  I got Guerlain Mitsouko Rouge Automatique and Illamasqua Lover blush during Sephora's Friends & Family Sale, and I wanted to try them out.  Both seem to be winners!

FACE

Lancome Teint Miracle Ivoire 2C

TheBalm Sexy Mama Powder

Tarte Dark Circle Defense Fair/Light

Benefit Powderflage

Anastasia Brow Powder Duo Medium Ash

EYES

Bare Escentuals Urban Nature Prime Time

NARS Nouveau Monde Duo

Tarte Amazonian Clay Liner in Rich Green

MAC Blacktrack

L'Oreal Million Lashes WP in Black

CHEEKS

Illamasqua Lover

Bare Escentuals Luxe Radiance

LIPS

Guerlain Mitsouko

L-R: BE Urban Nature, NARS Nouveau Monde, Tarte Rich Green, Illamasqua Lover, BE Luxe Radiance, Guerlain Mitsouko

Blog Sale Additions

I have added a few things and lowered prices :) Link to the right >>

And some music I have been enjoying lately:

Spaghetti Goggles

It's dinner time at my house!  Don't be scared.  Come join us for some spaghetti.......

 

Nathan and Samuel are already eating.

Okay, this will make more sense if I mention that I just bought goggles on clearance.  Thank you Target!

 John is unsure if he wants his picture taken, but don't worry......

  .......he will warm up once he eats a few more bites.

 

John soon realizes he is getting more laughs with his eyes closed.

 Now here come the posed pictures:

Little brother wants to follow along too:

Being the youngest, David is good at sleeping through noise:

Surprise!!

I Love Lamp.

This is for you Aunt Jen :)

Adventures in Depotting

I have been a busy bee, depotting tons of crap.  I like original packaging sometimes, but I hate when the casing prevents me from using things more often (Urban Decay I am looking at you).  

I had already depotted my Book of Shadows 2 and 3, so I moved on to the Urban Decay Anniversary Palette. I loved the pretty silver case, but the lid never stayed closed when stored upright.  Here it is in a palette I got from Etsy:

I did decide to ditch the ultra glittery Midnight Rodeo, but all of the other shades fit beautifully together.  I also depotted my Tarte blushes- they have a small hole on the back that you can push a paperclip through.  Tarte is awesome for making their product so easy to get out without ruining the outer package.  

I will post some better pictures with my actual camera later, but for now you can browse pretty palettes from AnotherSoul here.  Shipping was very fast and the seller was very quick to answer my questions.  My overcrowded makeup drawer is breathing a sigh of relief (for now).

Recent Discovery: MAC Paint Pots are Awesome!

File this post under Living Under a Rock.  I have only recently discovered MAC Paint Pots, and mama like!

 I got Coral Crepe awhile ago, used it twice, and completely forgot about it.  The recent release of a collection chock full of Paint Pots peaked my interest. 

 The only permanent color pictured here is Groundwork.

 I have found the best technique for me is patting on a thin layer with my index finger.  They make a wonderful base to help shadow last without creasing.  I also find that they help intensify the shadow color in a way regular primers do not.

Coral Crepe is a medium peachy coral.  Nubile is a softly shimmery light pink.  Groundwork is a warm light brown with subtle shimmer.  Genuine Treasure is an antiqued grey gold with tons of shimmer.  I find it best used as a shadow topper, not a base.

If you haven't checked out MAC Paint Pots, I highly recommend giving them a look! 

Bobbi Brown Desert Rose Rich Lipstick: Swatches and Review

I have already sung my praises for Bobbi Brown Rich Lipstick- creamy, lightweight, and long wearing.  Find my previous reviews here and here.  When I saw a plummy rose color come out for fall, I couldn't resist. 

 Desert Rose is a plum rose without being overly cool toned or too brown.  Here are some comparisons to warmer rose colors:

 I was amazed that I didn't have anything closer in color.  I feel like I am always picking up pinkish rose lip colors.

Here is Desert Rose on the lips:

I am very pleased and will enjoy wearing this color during the transition to cooler weather.

Sparkle Neely Sparkle FOTD

I love a warm brown and gold combination to bring out blue eyes.  


I am also enjoying my recent MAC Paint Pot acquisitions.  They prevent my shadow from creasing and make eyeshadow colors more vibrant.  


Genuine Treasure is best used as a topper because it is sheer, but I also got Nubile and Groundwork which both work wonderfully as bases.  I will try to do proper swatches soon.

FACE
Armani Luminous Silk #4
Mary Kay Mineral Foundation in Ivory
Tarte Dark Circle Defense in Fair/Light
Benefit Powderflage
Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Medium Ash


EYES
MAC Groundwork Paint Pot
MAC Sparkle Neely Sparkle all over
Urban Decay El Dorado Liner on inner corners
MAC Blacktrack
L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes WP in black


CHEEKS
Becca Apricot Beach Tint
Becca Nefertiti Pressed Shimmer Powder


LIPS
NARS Little Darling

L-R: UD El Dorado, MAC Sparkle Neely Sparkle, MAC Groundwork, Becca Nefertiti, Becca Apricot Beach Tint, NARS Little Darling

Anastasia Beauty Express Kit: Swatches and Review

You already know how much I love my Anastasia Brow Powder!  This is why I am excited to show you the Beauty Express Kit, a palette for brows and eyes.

 Inside the outer sleeve is a pretty cranberry colored compact.

 The kit contains clear wax, a dual colored brow powder, and a dual colored eye shadow. Under the angled brush are 5 different stencils to help shape your brows.

 The top of the palette has a nice sized mirror and handy instructions.

 Being a natural rebel, I didn't follow the instructions.  Lovely brows were still achieved.  Here are the stencils:

 This is the brunette powder in the kit compared to my own compact of Medium Ash Brown. They are the same size according to the labels.

 The included brush is quite nice, although I would prefer to have a spoolie like my Anastasia #7 brush.  I might just have to re-purpose this new brush for eyeliner- it is the perfect size!

 Here are comparison swatches of my own Anastasia Brow Powder and the Brunette color from the kit.  Full sun:

Indirect light:

The Brunette powder was a nice match, although a tiny bit warmer than my Medium Ash. The shadow duo will make a nice look when I want to sweep on color and go.  I would use the matte color all over and the shimmer on my inner corners for a bright look.

The Beauty Express Kit would be a wonderful gift to someone who is a brow beginner.  It is also useful to an Anastasia fan like myself.  I like having my brow tools all in one palette.

Product was sent without charge for consideration and review.

Chanel Prelude Swatches and Review

Another palette of grays?  Really?

  Correct! This neutral Chanel quad followed me home one day.  

The shades in Prelude are all smooth and have medium pigmentation. It is an sophisticated no fuss look. (Yes I have been known to use the sponge applicators.)

 Prelude is full of cool gray goodness.  The first gray has an iridescence I failed to capture- bluish silver sheen.  The second shade is a satin cream color.  The bottom is a silvered neutral khaki and a deep gray.

Here are some other gray palettes for comparison:

 Look at how smooth the Becca palette is! *note to self- buy more Becca* The grey tones are definitely different than Chanel Prelude.

 The Chanel Enigma palette has lots more shimmer than Prelude.

In conclusion, one can never have too many gray eye shadow palettes!

Desert Rose FOTD

I haven't showed proper pictures of my new Chanel Prelude Quad or Rose Ecrin Joues Contraste on my face.  Here they  are along with Bobbi Brown Desert Rose Rich Lipstick.  

FACE
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation #4
MUFE HD Powder
Tarte Dark Circle Defense in Fair/Light
Benefit Powderflage
Anastasia Brow Express Kit in Brunette


EYES
NARS Smudgeproof Base
Chanel Prelude
-shimmery gray in lid
-deep grey in outer V, lower lash line
-beige to blend crease
-cream on inner corners
MAC Blacktrack
L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes WP in Black


CHEEKS
Chanel Rose Ecrin


LIPS
BB Desert Rose

Chanel Rose Ecrin: Swatches and Review

 Another Chanel blush has joined the family.  Rose Ecrin was just too pretty for me to pass up.

Rose Ecrin is a very natural pink with a slight peach tone.  It has almost no shimmer.  It is a basic and versatile color that lasts beautifully through the day.

Here is a comparison that I hope will be helpful:

Rose Ecrin looks warm next to the cool pink Spank.  It is peachier than Rose Petale.  Gracilis is also cooler in tone.  Delicata is more brown than Rose Ecrin.

I am so pleased with the natural flattering color of Rose Ecrin. I can see much love and hapiness in its future.