Chocolate Strawberries

I had noooo idea what to name this post. I was trying to decide what kind of eye makeup to do on my friend's wedding. I needed something quick and easy to do in the morning since I'm doing makeup for the guys, might as well figure it out now.
I couldn't decide on brown or pink (considering my dress was lavender with a hint of grey hue to it), so I decided on both. Hopefully I won't change my mind when time comes XD

Here's what I used:
Majolica Majorca cream shadow pink
Laura Mercier Sateen Eye Colour Duo Sandstone/Cognac
Integrate Accent Eyes PK760 (pink and shimmery highlight shade in the middle)
Jill Stuart Seductive Eyes - Seductive Doll 01 (bright pink shade)
MJ Perfect Automatic Liner BR601
MUFE Aqua Eyes 2L
Fiberwig Mascara Extra Long

I always start off with a cream base if I have one, makes the color appear more vibrant and lasts longer. And of course, I always use UDPP too.

Using Sandstone shade, apply all over lid and up to the crease.

I warm up the MUFE liner on my hand to make it easier to apply. Draw a thicker line than usual on top lashline.

Using the Cognac shade, smudge it slightly upwards and blend out any harsh edges.

Next, I blend the pink shade from the Integrate palette on top of the smudged liner, careful not to apply the pink on the lashline. This will wash out the brown color on the lashline if applied there.

Using the same Cognac shade, blend starting from the middle of the lashline out towards the outer corner, making sure to apply more on the outer.

Next, I blend and pat the bright pink shade from the Jill Stuart palette on the outer corner and into the crease. I pat the pink shade on top of the brown to avoid making it muddy looking.

Highlight the inner corner and lower half of the lashline with the shimmery highlight shade from the Integrate palette, and apply Cognac on the outer half.

Line the top lashline, careful not to make it too thick. Drag the line out a bit and create a slight wing.

Load up on the mascara top and bottom and add false lashes. It was so difficult applying mascara to my bottom lashes!..since I don't have a lot -___-'
I forgot to mention, I highlighted using Sandstone on my brow bone.

Oopps..looks like the lashes are coming off =p

I might end up changing my eye makeup for night time...thinking of just using brown and gold shades..but with a heavier hand...hmmm... decisions decisions..

Anyone heard of Beauty So Clean? Well, if you haven't, it's a makeup mist that you can spritz onto pressed powders, shadows, blushes and even cream foundations!

This spray kills bacteria and helps keep makeup cleaner, especially if you're like me and just can't seem to part with your eyeshadows hehe.

The spray is mostly alcohol, but it's also got added ingredients (like isopropyl palmitate - moisturizing ingredient) so it won't dry out or damage your makeup.

I purchased mine at school as a special order. I don't think you can get this size anywhere, unless you order online from Eve Pearl. Last week, I saw they had the large bottle, but it seems like they only have the small one in stock at the moment.

Otherwise I know you can purchase it at The Bay, but unfortunately, not the large size that I have. Either way, I think it's a good investment for makeup artists and for personal use to keep everything nice and sanitized.

Check out the Beauty So Clean website and you can see a few other products they have.

Laura Mercier Gel Lipcolor

The LM Gel Lipcolors are finally here!! But not at Sephora.. so I ended up going to Holt Renfrew to get one ($27). I'm in love with the formula.. I haven't tried the other LM lipsticks yet but I can imagine they're just as creamy and smooth. The gel lipcolor feels very light and goes on sheer, but I still manage to get color on my lips.

I picked up the Hibiscus Bloom shade. The other ones were a bit too flashy for me and Clementine was too similar to Grapefruit (which I already have)

Hibiscus Bloom is a bright pink slightly cool shade, but matches well with my skintone. My lips are pigmented so the color appears more of a fushia red shade but still very wearable.

It's hard to capture the colors on my camera, but Hibiscus Bloom is definitely different from Grapefruit (which is more of a coral pink).

Here you can really see the difference. The lipsticks are so smooth and lasts very long, but does not last through meal time.

Hibiscus Bloom has a slightly sweet smell and taste much like Grapefruit.

They're supposed to be LE at Holt Renfrew so check it out if you haven't already!

Have you ever seen this YT video?

It's DIY sushi candies! So worth the $5 for the fun but tastes TERRIBLE!!!!!! I've also tried the bento box set, but didn't turn out as pretty as this one. I got mine at the Pacific Mall candy stores.

Birthday Goodies II

Some more birthday goodies, except these I went out to buy with red pocket and birthday money.

Originally I wanted to buy the giant bottle of Philosophy Apricots and Cream body lotion, but I thought I'd probably get sick of the scent before I finish it, so I wanted the smaller one and Sephora didn't have it!

Intead I decided to get a new concealer. I wanted a better one for a while but never got around in getting it. I went to get the Bobbi Brown concealer from Holt Renfrew but the SA wouldn't sell it to me unless I got a corrector (aww...how considerate...but it saved me like $80). He led me to the Laura Mercier counter instead.

Here's what I came out with @__@

I got my new concealer and the Laura Mercier Color Preview Collection kit. I don't even see it on the Laura Mercier website or Sephora yet..I wonder how new this is????

I see it on the Neiman Marcus site and it's supposedly exclusive to that store. The lipstick picture is soo off btw.

I knew I didn't need another blush or more brown shades but long story short..I came up with some excuses and ended up getting the kit.

When the SA was trying on the concealer, I glanced over at the display case and saw the most gorgeous coral lipstick EVERR!! I said to myself that I must have it! But sadly it was only available in the kit since it was the new LE Gel Lip Color (the whole color selection is supposed to be out in the summer, but this shade was LE)

The kit comes with an e/s duo, full sized blush, mini mascara, 30mL of the foundation primer, pouch, full sized gel lip color, double ended shadow brushes and application card.

I didn't do swatches of the blush since I gave it to my mom. This shade is called Citrus Spark which is a reddish coral shade. Quite pigmented...the SA tried it on me and barely touched the blush with the brush.

Ah, the jewel of this collection.. the new Gel Lip Color in Grapefruit, a pretty reddish coral.

I don't know why I was so attracted to this shade...suddenly when you get older..you start liking shades you never thought you'd like.

The SA said it goes on sheer, I think it's still got some nice pigmentation to it and feels very light. Although it doesn't apply like "what you see is what you get", it still gives my lips a very pretty coral, hint of strawberry color. The lipstick glides on super smooth and smells kinda like vanilla. It's not as moisturizing as I thought, like the Maquillage or Lunasol lipsticks, so using a lipbalm is a must.

I'm not sure if the e/s shades are available to buy as regular shadows. It's your basic neutral brown shades that are good for everyday wear.

The lighter shade (sandstone) is a pearly beige shade that appears slightly pink. Sounds like the P&J shadow I reviewed recently? Except this doesn't have a heavy golden tone to it.

The darker shade (cognac) has a hint of gold in it and it's not as pearly as sandstone.

The shadows are soo buttery and soft and apply very well on my eyes. They blend easily and lasting power is amazing. I'd say better than some of my Japanese ones (Lunasol, Aube Couture. I wore the shadows on for more than 8 hours with UDPP and no creasing whatsoever. Sandstone is very pigmented and cognac takes a few layers to get the right intensity.

Another basic application, also using L'oreal Lineur Intense in Earthen Rock Brown. I'm also using the LM secret concealer in #3. Doesn't cake and crease as easily (still does after a day of wear) as Beauty Maker Aqua Concealer.

The brushes are full size and picks up the shadows very well.

The SA also gave me a sample of the almond coconut milk body lotion and a nice size tube of the scrub. Smells super delicious but I don't think I'd ever buy the full size.

Me and my big head pictures XD

Another birthday goodie I got was some China Glaze nail polishes. Here I'm using Golden Meringue. It's a sheer golden shade which shows up depending on the angle and lighting.

One more week of school with tons of assignments, then study week..then going back to school for 3 midterms...wha...so not fun.

Quickie Post - Lippies

I know it seems like I've been neglecting my blog, it's soo much more difficult to keep up than before. But I should be going back at it once the new year starts...because I made a decision to go to makeup school! Yay! After obssessing with makeup and skincare for so long and trying to explain to all my friends what's good and how to use certain things, I decided it's finally time I put my interest into use. So I will be going to Seneca College starting in January for the next two years and during that time I'm gonna try to start my portfolio, get some looks done and try to start posting some more!

In the meantime, here are a couple new lippies I purchased.

If you're a follower of Fuzkitte's facebook page, you may have seen her post about the Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush lipstick in Poppysicle.

She said it's great for Asian skintones as it brightens the skin and is flattering for Asian skintones.

So because it only cost $7CAD, I decided to give it a go, although I was hesitant to purchase at first because it was so bright!

The lipstick feel moisturizing (although not as much as the Maquillage or Lunasol ones) and it's comfortable to wear. The coverage on me is probably medium to full, I was surprised at how pigmented it went on that I freaked out at first. The color actually appears almost identical to the lipstick when applied to my lips.

Fuzkittie suggestd I use a milky lipbalm as a base to kind of dilute the color, so I used the Paul & Joe Milky Lip Treatment.
After applying the lipbalm, I apply 1 layer and pat it with my finger to even it out and to help tone down the color as some of the excess sticks onto my finger.
Lasting power is amazing, even after I ate dinner, I still noticed a bit of color on my lips.
The color is brighter in person, but not over the top, it's still very wearable if you keep the eye makeup more neutral.

I did a very basic eye...
1. Apply Coffret D'or gold cream shadow as base up to crease.
2. Apply light brown shade all over eyelid.
3. Line eyes with Bobbi Brown gel liner granite ink.
4. Smudge dark brown over the gel liner.
5. Tightline with MM liquid liner and finish off with Fiberwig Extra Long mascara.

Of course the color is brighter in person, but you get the idea. I think the next time I want a new lipstick, I'm definitely gonna check out the other Beauty Rush colors since it's so affordable and I had a good experience with the first one I bought!

Another recent lip product purchase was the Laura Mercier lipstain in Shy Pink $25CAD. Kind of pricey, but I had money left on a gift card to use.
I was hoping it would replace my lip balm, but sadly it feels dry on my lips, so I have to use a lipbalm prior to applying the stain.
This actually feels more like a lipstick in a jar but the staying power is a lot better than most of my other lipsticks.
When applied, the color is very similar to the color in the jar, which is great at evening out my lip color.

Laura Mercier Mineral Powder

A couple weeks ago, I returned something to Sephora. I was close to getting the new MUFE Aqua Cream, but opted for a new foundation instead. The Stila TM and my other liquid foundations were feeling a bit too heavy for the humid weather. I searched around, read some reviews and settled for the Laura Mercier mineral powder. It seemed to look really nice on Fuz, so I thought why not give it a try.

I was matched with Natural Beige, which was surprising because I didn't think my skin was that pale.
This is the first mineral powder I've used so I can't compare it with anything else. I've always been iffy on using powder makeup because of my dry cheeks, but this foundation had a creamy sort of finish which didn't emphasize any potential dryness.
See how it leaves a mark on the lid? It's because the foundation isn't fully powder.. I don't know how to explain it unless you try it out yourself.

I applied extra sunscreen before applying the mineral powder.

Base makeup used: Majolica Majorca Skin Lingerie, Orbis Sunscreen on Face, Beauty Maker concealer, Sana concealer, Primavista pressed powder

No makeup... freckles and some discoloration

And after.. I took a few pictures over a few days time. I really like how my skin just looks sooo smooth after application. Although it doesn't hide all the freckles, it helps tone it down.

In this picture it looks slightly dry on my cheeks. This is immediately after application. The mineral makeup hasn't really sunk in yet so it looks matte, but after a few minutes, it has a really nice glow.

Overall, I'm pretty satisfied with this purchase. The makeup stays put better than the liquid ones so far (after 8 hours), but still, when I have a slight itch on my cheek and I scratch, a little bit comes off.
The powder is very light and it doesn't feel like I'm wearing anything at all, and best of all, you can still create a natural look depending on how much you layer on.

Laura Mercier TM

Wow, my picture quality looks butchered on Blogger, more than before..hmm...

I've been using the Lunasol Modeling Water Liquid Foundation and Control Makeup Base since mid-May and I'm down to 1/3 of the bottles...and I was itching to try a new base makeup that gives light coverage. After much thought, I purchased my first tinted moisturizer, which also happens to be my first item from Laura Mercier.

Today's makeup is light and simple. I started off with the P&J Moisturizing Foundation Primer 03. I've had this for a couple months already and haven't started using it until now. It doesn't have SPF which is a bummer, but the LM makes up for the missing SPF. The P&J primer is a white runny base which goes on clear and doesn't feel sticky.
Then I used my fingers to apply the TM. I'm glad it's runny enough to spread evenly with my fingers and it gives my skin a nice dewy look. This is the first time I've used a TM so I can't compare it with anything else.

I think I love and hate this product at the same time. I love that it gives my skin light coverage but I hate how I get oily faster than using the Lunasol foundation (even with powder).
I debated on getting the oil free version, but some reviews on MUA said it's not as easy to blend and the color seemed to oxidize, so I stuck with the regular formula.
Look, dewy! I generally don't apply a lot of blush which is why you don't really notice the JS blush.

Here's another Liese Designing Jelly picture (III nuance wave) and another way I use it. This time I didn't use a curling iron. After drying my hair, I use about one or one and a half pumps of product and spread it evenly on my hands. Then I grab my hair from the bottom up and scrunch it into a really messy bun without twisting it and hold it until I feel the gel dry. I finish off with the Osis hair spray and I get instant waves and messy hair without an iron! The best thing about the Liese is my hair doens't look stiff, it still has a nice bounce to it.