I keep forgetting to Back to MAC all of my empties. They make for a neat picture, though!
Empties
Archives for October 2012
The Mystic’s Gaze
The L’Oreal Paris Studio Secrets Professional Shadow Quad in The Mystic’s Gaze ($9) from the Project Runway collection, available now at drugstores and online.
Some rich-looking colors for a pretty good price.
What Do You Think of These Pieces From the New Aerin Beauty Line?
Have you seen the new Aerin Beauty line?
It’s a new luxury lifestyle brand that debuted earlier this year, and these are some of their first forays into makeup. I’m pretty sure these pieces are from the new holiday collection (I’m trying to confirm that with the company).
There are also categories for skincare, fragrance, home products, footwear and jewelry in the new brand.
If these pieces here look at all familiar, it might be on account of Aerin — last name Lauder, as in the late Estée Lauder, the founder of the global empire/beauty brand. Aerin is her granddaughter and the founder of this new line.
The hush-hush colors and luxurious packaging look ultra chic to me, and very true to the original spirit of the Estée Lauder brand, which I guess shouldn’t come as a big surprise.
This is my first experience with Aerin Beauty, and I’m liking the subtle colors, finishes and textures so far. There are a couple of brights here, but for the most part, the color palette is pretty subdued.
Here’s a quick peek at some of the new pieces. Have a look, and let me know what you think. 🙂
[Continue reading…]
I’m Sweet On Illamasqua’s New Powder Blusher Duo in Hussy and Lover
Can a Hussy be sweet and kinda innocent? Sure, why the hell not? 🙂
Hussy and Lover, the two blushes basking in Illamasqua’s new Powder Blusher Duo ($41), probably sound more scandalous than they are. A lot less dramatic than scheming harlots and vengeful tarts, the look itself reminds me of sock-hop dances, candy necklaces, ruffled dresses and high ponytails with satin ribbons tied into neat bows.
Illamsqua’s funny that way, and ironic, and it’s one of the things I adore about the brand… Gotta love a colorful makeup line with a sense of humor and a flair for the dramatic.
The new duo, one of nine limited edition kits and sets available now online, and coming soon to cosmetics counters and stores, is part of Illamasqua’s holiday 2012 release; it also happens to be the brand’s first powder blush duo, ever.
As a certified makeup hoarder (I should get a stamp to prove it…like a notary, haha!), I find this very exciting. Even though both colors can also be found in Illamasqua’s permanent line, the duo itself still seems like a special collector’s item.
Additional makeup worn in this look
- Laura Mercier Metallic Creme Eye Colour in Copper (lids)
- Prunella Eye Kohl (water lines)
- MAC Lipsticks in Crosswires and Sandy B topped with MAC Viva Glam Nicki Lipglass (pink lip in the top pic)
- MAC Lipstick in Scarlet Ibis (red lip in bottom pics)
I love the way these matte blushes look with bright, saturated lips — namely hot pinks, reds, coral and fuchsia. I think they get along swimmingly, making bright lip looks appear even more intense.
I get my best, most natural, polished-looking results with these when I apply one or two layers using a circular motion, really buffing and working them into the skin with my brush. That way, I can get the colors to combine with my foundation and face powder; otherwise, the blushes, being as pigmented as they are, can appear a little stark and obvious.
Oh! And I think these have no qualms about layering. For a dynamic effect, I’ll buff Hussy all over the apples of my cheeks, swirl a bit of Lover on the very bottoms of my cheeks with a tapered eyeshadow brush, and run a clean blush brush all over my cheeks to blend the colors together.
[Continue reading…]
MAC Pro Products to Become Available on Maccosmetics.com
Exciting news, MAC-aholics! Starting tomorrow, October 18, MAC Pro products will be available on maccosmetics.com. You don’t need a special MAC Pro card or anything, either — anyone can buy.
A big YAY to no longer having to make the trek into SF to get my MAC Pro fix on! 🙂
Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,
Karen
Treat Your Lids and Lashes to Luxury With the Dior Celebration Collection Makeup Palette For the Eyes
Played out.
That was my first reaction when I heard about Dior’s new brown-themed eye palette, the $65 Celebration Collection Makeup Palette for the Eyes.
For real though, doesn’t it seem like everyone and their mama has done a brown-themed eye palette by now?? Ever since UD Naked took the world by storm?
Considering the colors and the price, I was about to dismiss this new one from Dior, but I’m so glad I didn’t, because I think it takes well-trodden territory to elegant new heights.
The Celebration Collection Makeup Palette For the Eyes won’t win the Oscar for Flashiest Palette From Dior, at least not this holiday season, but dagnabbit if it’s not classy with a capital C.
Who’s that girl with the quilted velvet pouch? My, isn’t she fancy? 🙂
Oh, look! The pouch houses a sleek navy compact with buttery, easy-to-blend powder eyeshadows and a midnight black New Look Mascara for long, separated lashes, le wow!
Yes, Dior, you’re hitting all the right notes, and if this palette were comprised of just these pieces alone, with the price dropped accordingly, I’d be seriously tempted to gift it to my girlfriends.
But (isn’t there always a but?)…
Tired of Your Lip Look? Try a Two-Toned Matte Lip Twist on Brights
I saw this really cool two-toned lip look on Pinterest the other day with a bright, glossy red on the upper lip and a fuchsia on the bottom.
So, so cool! (But totally impractical.)
Well…I guess if I walked around all day long with my mouth half open, LOL!
Imagine forgetting that you’re wearing it and accidentally smacking your lips together…
Oops! Hello, hot mess! 🙂
I wanted to try something similar, but more practical and wearable, yesterday, so I rutted around in my makeup drawer for ideas…
I thought that a creamy lipstick would migrate and move too much, but what about a bright long-wearing lippie like the Hourglass Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipsticks? They’re super saturated liquid lipsticks with a matte finish, and they absolutely refuse to budge.
Ding-ding-ding! Winner, winner, chicken dinner! An idea started to form…
I applied the bright red shade, Raven, to my top lip with a lip brush, following it up (after Raven dried), and using a different lip brush (a clean one), with hot pink Ballet applied to my bottom lip.
What do ya think?
I know it’s not for everyone…but I think it’s pretty neat, especially if you’re feeling adventurous.
You could try a subtler version, keeping the red on your upper lip, but swapping the hot pink for a reddish coral like Hourglass Opaque Rouge Lipstick in Muse on the bottom…
The effect’s not quite as obvious, but if you look closely, you can see the two different shades.
Eh, it’s worth a try, right?
[Continue reading…]
Should I Give Out This Candy for Halloween?
I’m thinking the cat ladies would probably appreciate it (but I’m not so sure about anyone else)… 🙂
“Peppermint artificial flavor with attitude.” LOL!