EOTD using the 30 Rainbow palette

I decided to post a couple looks from the last few days using the 30 shadow palette from ebay. Let me know what you think. And don't forget to enter the giveaway to win one of your very own 30 shadow palettes!

-Miss Brina

Sleek I-Divine Ultra Mattes V2: Darks

Well, HEY THERE party people! I know I've been MIA for a bit, but I've got alot going on in my little world these days. I DID however want to make sure that I kept my word and got these swatches uploaded for you all. Overall, I really like these palettes. I still tend to lean more towards the DARKS palette since they are a bit more wearable on any given day... but please believe they are BOTH something you need to have in your life. I really hope these rumors of Sleek coming stateside are TRUE, because they are easily becoming my go to brand. 

Enjoy the swacthes folks!

Sleek I-Divine Ultra Mattes V2: Darks Palette

 In Natural Light

 Indoors With Flash

-Miss Brina

St. Patrick's Day Look #1

Hey you guys! In honor of this coming St. Patrick's Day, I've decided to post a couple different looks I've created for this weekend. Since green is my favorite color, I haven't decided if I want to go for a subtle smokey-ish look, or a loud as hell green! Sooooo..... here is the tamer of the two looks I'm debating on. I'll probably be adding some lashes for more effect also! Check back soon for my "bright" idea with look #2.

St. Patty's Day Look No. 1

Products Used:

NYX Jumbo Pencil- Milk

L.A Colors Jumbo Pencil- SummerTime

L.A Colors (No name moss green matte shadow)

L.A Colors (No name caramel matte shadow)

L.A Colors (No name ivory matte shadow)

Sleek Curacao Palette- Green Martini

Inglot Shadows- #329 (brows)  & #16

Essence Waterproof Liquid Liner- Black

Revlon Wet/Dry Liner- Black

Essence I Love Extreme Mascara- Black

E.L.F, Coastal Scents & Sigma brushes used

**All shadows; with the exception of the blending & highlight colors, are various shades of green**

Have a Happy Wednesday!!!

-Miss Brina

FOTN: Smokey & Bright

Hey guys! I wanted to post my look for movie night with the family. I went for an easy smokey look and decided at the last minute to rock Viva Glam Nicki... still trying to see how I feel about this one LOL Have a great weekend!!!

Products Used:

Inglot AMC Cream Foundation

Yaby Concealer

Milani Rose D'Oro blush

Ben Nye Mojave Luxury Powder

Inglot Gel Liner #90

Almay I-intese (Brown Eyes)- Crease shade: Dark Brown

WetNWild Vanity Palette- Matte Caramel & Cream shades

MAC Viva Glam Nicki lipstick

-Miss Brina

Haulin' in 2012: LA Colors Jumbo Eye Pencils [swatches]

First and foremost, Happy 2012 to all you lovely people! It’s been awhile since I’ve posted, so obviously, my New Year’s Resolution is to give my blog the love & attention it deserves LOL. That being said, I’ve completed my 1^st haul of 2012!!!! I’ve got a few [inexpensive] goodies to show you guys over the next few weeks, so stay tuned for some great finds and swatches!

I’ve seen and heard great things about the NYX Jumbo eye pencils over the years. And after noticing it in a couple million youtube videos, I even picked up one in Milk after realizing that a good base works wonders for eyeshadow color payoff and longevity. Did I like it? Yeah. Was it life changing? Not really. Did I buy more? Nope. Call me crazy, but I’d rather splurge and drop $20-$30 on a primer like Nars’ eyeshadow base  [which I can use on every look] rather than drop $4 for a colored pencil that only really helps if I’m using something in that particular hue. Now, I’m no mathematician, and it may even prove cheaper to go the pencil route, but I always choose convenience [i.e- Nars’ primer, UD shadow insurance, etc.] over what’s trending.

So… I’ve said all of that to bring us to this review of an alternative to the NYX jumbo pencil that is just as great [maybe even better] and much cheaper!

I give you the LA Colors jumbo eye pencils!!!!

L-R: Tropical Bliss, Vacation, Sun Kissed, Popsicle, Caribbean, ,Summer Love, Summer Time, Limeade.

So colorful, so creamy, so pigmented…. so VERY affordable! I’m talking $1.50 a pop! Yes, I said $1.50 per pencil… not on sale…. that’s regular price… have I got your attention? Good. There are currently 24 shades to choose from, and if they all are like the 8 I picked up then I’ll end up with the entire collection for sure.  They smudge and blend very well, and were crease free for about 4+ hours when used over my Nars base.

 Enjoy the swatches!

 

L-R: Tropical Bliss, Vacation, Sun Kissed, Popsicle, Caribbean, ,Summer Love, Summer Time, Limeade.

Have you all tried any of these pencils yet? I’d love to hear your thoughts on these or any other bases that work wonders for you.

~Brina

Sephora + Ulta HAUL!!!

While out with the family, I made a few spur of the moment purchases that I wanted to share with you guys! I'll do a full review and swatches once I've used all the goodies a few times. Enjoy!

 Laura Geller Spackle Trio $33

Bottom of bottle

 L :(no flash), Top of Trio Label, R: (flash)

Sephora Moonbaked Shadow Palette $28

 10 Shadows: Top pic (Flash), Bottom pic (No Flash)

UltraFlesh Ultracover Concealer in Muted $24

 Stila Wonderful in Waikiki Palette $14

** Not pictured: Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara $25**

E.L.F. Cosmetics Haul/ Review

I was recently given the opportunity to review a few products from E.L.F, and overall, I am greatly pleased with the quality of products that they churn out so cheaply! After watching numerous youtube videos over the last few months, there were a few standout products that I jumped at the chance to try, so let’s just  get right into the review.

(Photo courtesy of eyeslipsface)

It’s no secret that I am on the search for the PERFECT foundation. I’m almost embarrassed to admit to how many products I’ve purchased, used for maybe a month or so, then given  (or sometimes tossed) away due to ill matches or unfavorable performance. That being said (and for $6 a pop), you KNOW I had to give their Flawless Finish Foundation a chance. Now I will say that when this item arrived, I was a little put off by the fact it had leaked in transit, and had this been a more pricier foundation I’d have returned it immediately, but I sucked it up and grabbed my foundation brush, ready to get to swatching!

  

(Poor leaky foundation)

I’ve heard so many people complain about the size of the foundation (.80 oz), but honestly, for the price it’s great. And truly, as someone who has had to dump many foundations after they’ve thickened and oxidized too dark after a few months, I find this smaller bottle more appealing and convenient…. Not to mention it cuts down on product waste considerably.  After a little deliberation, I opted for the shade Almond, and while it is not the perfect match for me, it is a great foundation. The coverage you get with this stuff us UNBELIEVABLE! Honestly, I have a few brown marks on my cheeks from popping the occasional pimple, and I didn’t even need to use any concealer (THAT’S how amazing this foundation was for me)!!! I just wish the color selection was a bit broader and more specifically, I wish this foundation was a bit more yellow, then I’d surely move it into the daily rotation.

(Photo courtesy of eyeslipsface)

I also picked up a few lip products from the Mineral line that E.L.F has, and I was least impressed with the Mineral Lipstick. I grabbed the shade Rosy Tan, and man… that bad boy is pretty darn sheer! It took some serious building to get the payoff I THOUGHT it would deliver out the tube. It wasn’t sticky, it wasn’t overly waxy, but unless they found a way to make it more opaque I won’t be picking up any more of these. **SIDE NOTE: I hopped on the 60% sale E.L.F had a few weeks ago and got 4 more of the mineral lippies a few days before this arrived. The pigmentation was a bit better, but my earlier verdict still stands…. NOT FOR ME.

(Photo courtesy of eyeslipsface)

But the mineral line has been redeemed!!! I am in absolute LOVE with the Mineral Lipgloss! I needed a clear gloss, so I figured, WHY NOT! First, it’s so NOT sticky, it’s NOT thick…  it is a gloss lovers dream product! It glides on so smoothly, and I don’t even feel it on my lips when I’m wearing it. I’ll be grabbing a few more backups, as well as trying a few more colors from this line. If I can only recommend one product as a MUST HAVE… this is it!!!!!

(Photo courtesy of eyeslipsface)

Now, on to the eyes! I got the Professional Studio Pro Endless Eyes Palette after hearing so many great things about it. Even my sister raved about it after she got one for Christmas, but sadly, I wasn’t too blown away.  Let me start off by saying I wanted to LOVE this! It has such a beautiful mix of colors all in one (large) 100-shadow palette, but it was really too hit or miss for me. I found quite a few of the shades to be very sheer, and it was hard to pick up any product from some as well as they were very hard pressed. But people RAVE about this; who knows, maybe I got a dud! Also, one color was damaged upon receipt (see photos) 

but I held on to this palette for review after deciding it wasn’t worth sending back over one crumbled shade I wouldn’t have used much in the first place. I think that if you’re on a budget, or prefer your shadows more watercolor-esque, this palette is going to tickle your fancy. But as with ALL of the products from E.L.F it’s worth picking up just for the price alone ($10).

(Photo courtesy of eyeslipsface)

But it wasn’t all bad in the shadow department, as I fell into an easy and effortless routine with the Professional Studio Matte Eyeshadow in Chestnut. I got it thinking it would be a great blending shade, and it really is. I think that anyone NC44/45 and beyond should really pick this up and add to their beauty arsenal. I mean, $3 for .05oz of product and a little brush (even if I don't use it) is worth it. And the pigmentation of this shadow is great too. It’s true to color, and would even make a good crease color for fair skinned women looking to rock a more natural look for work. If you’re listening E.L.F…. YOU NEED MORE MATTE SHADOW COLORS! This is one of the BEST items I’ve tried from this company, and I really would love to see the range grow. Mint and  Baked Berry… I’m coming for you next!

(Photo courtesy of google images)

The last item I picked up was one of the Essential Beauty Book Eye Edition sets in Neutral ($5). These 12 coordinating shades were surprisingly pigmented and blended very nicely to achieve a variety of work suitable looks. I LOVE the little liner and mirror that accompanies this. The size of the palette initially threw me for a loop since I figured it would be smaller than what it really is, and the cardboard housing made for a lightweight, yet sturdy product. It would be great to travel with, just be sure to keep it in your carry-on to avoid any smashing or potential breaking disasters. ***SIDE NOTE: This item is no longer listed on their site.

To make a long story short, E.L.F really has this bargain cosmetic game on lockdown! They are currently offering Celebration specials (for their 7th Birthday extraveganza) as well as FREE SHIPPING deals until August 1st, so if you’ve been curious about any of their products, or even if you’re already a tried and true fan then NOW is the time to pickup a few beauty essential from their website! ‘Cause with products starting at $1…. Twenty bucks will go a long way with E.L.F.

EOTD: Sleek Curacao palette

This has replaced my Bohemian palette. I LOVE each and every color, and decided to do a quick look before I stepped out with the little one and her father. 

Products used:

Sleek Curacao Palette- Blue Hawaiian, Green Iguana, Purple Haze & Singapore Sling

WnW Vanity Palette- Shimmery Beige

Dior Show Extase mascara

Very simple look, and the quality of Sleek eyeshadows are remarkable. I recently picked up Scandalous blush, and like Pan Tao.... the pigmentation is OFF THE CHARTS!!! Swatches of Scandalous, as well as the Monaco, Curacao and Oh So Special palettes coming soon.

How's everyone's week going thus far?

-Miss Brina