30 Days of Beauty: Day 5

Hello, my Pretties!

One more post and I'll be all caught up on the first five days of the 30 day challenge.

Day 5: Day Makeup Look

I wore this look today for work.  Fairly simple.  Perfect daytime makeup look.

I used some Avon and E.L.F. eyeshadows over my Urban Decay Primer Potion.  I filled in my brows with my Avon Perfect Brows Kit and applied two coats of my MAC Zoom Lash Mascara.

As for my face, I tested out my new Avon CC Cream today for the first time.  Over that I dusted on Wet n Wild Coverall Powder Foundation and I used Avon Tint n Go Cheek Tint on my cheeks.

And to help keep the look simple and casual, I just applied a light pink gloss by Avon.

That's all!

PicTorial: Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Hello, my Pretties!

Happy Valentine's Day!  I hope your day was as sweet and as wonderful as you beauties are!  Mine was good. Had plans to go for dinner and a movie but instead we stayed in and had a delicious homemade dinner with our girls and ate cupcakes for dessert.  The sweet-tart got our girls a beautiful pink rose for each of them.  I got makeup, of course.  More on that in another post.  It's quite funny.

Today I'm going to try something different.  A PicTorial.  This is a makeup tutorial done with step by step pictures.  We'll see how it goes!

Today's ingredients.

ELF All Over Cover Stick in Honey
ELF Eyelid Primer in Sheer

I applied the All Over Cover Stick to my brow bone area and the Eyelid Primer just to my eyelids.

ELF Cream Eyeliner in Copper

I used the Cream Liner in Copper as a base.  With my fingertip, I applied it all over my lid past my crease.

BH Cosmetics 120 Colors Palette 2nd Edition

Bottom layer of the 120 palette.

On top of the Copper Cream Liner, I applied a shimmery red (H3) but it ended up looking like more of a hot pink.  To make it more red, I applied an orange (H6) over the red shadow.

In the crease, I applied a dark brown shade (I5).

And to deepen up the outer "V", I added a shimmery black shadow (A6).

Top layer of the 120 palette.

I only used one color off the first layer of the 120 palette.  It is a very pretty cream color with shimmery gold. I applied that shade to my brow bone and in my inner tear duct area and that was my highlight.

Along my lower lash line, I used the Copper Cream Liner once again.

MAC Fluidline in Blitz & Glitz

Blitz & Glitz was applied to my waterline only.  It is such a deep black and it withstands the moist area of the waterline perfectly.

mark. Get in Line Hook Up Waterproof Eyeliner in Painted Black

Maybelline the Falsies Flared Volum' Express Mascara in Black

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner in Baked

I used Painted Black liquid eyeliner along my top lashes.  Two coats of Falsies Flared was added to both my top and bottom lashes.  And, the Baked Glitter Liner was added on top of the Copper Cream Liner on my lower lash line.

Exfoliating Facial Wipes for Sensitive Skin

I used the makeup remover wipes to clean up the edges of my eyes.  Worked perfectly at removing all fall out.

Avon Smooth Minerals Foundation in Medium Beige.
Anew Age Transforming Pressed Powder in Tan Beige.
Avon Smooth Minerals Blush in Blushed.

Full face of makeup is done.  All I need are my lips.

Avon Smooth Minerals in Rumberry
mark. Glow Baby Glow Hook Up Lip Gloss in Choco Luxe

I didn't know which color to go for.  Full on bright lips like this in Rumberry...

Or more subdued lips like this in Choco Luxe.  Not as much difference as I initially thought.  Which do you prefer?

I apologize for the hoodie.  This was just a trial run I did this morning.  And also excuse the messy hair and unplucked brows!  Yikes!

How did you all like my first PicTorial?  Too many pics??  Borning??  Let me know, please!  I know that the pics aren't very good.  I am using a new camera and have been for a while.  I miss my old one.  The old one was much older but somehow I think it took better photos.  This is supposed to be a better camera so I'm giving it the benefit of the doubt.  I'm sure it's user error!

Hope you all had a great Valentine's Day.  A day we celebrate love...love of all kinds that we share with all kinds of people.  And don't worry if you didn't have anyone to share this day with.  You don't need a date!  There is only one person that you should love more than anything and that is YOURSELF!  Treat yourself like everyday is Valentine's Day.

Much love, hugs, and kisses to all of you!

Luv & Luk,
--L.

♥♥ All items mentioned in this post were bought by me with my own money. ♥♥

Empties: December 2011/January 2012

Hello, my Pretties!

Just like I skipped December's favorites post, I also missed my December empties post.  So, here is my collective post for my December/January empties.

December 2011 and January 2012 empties.

Suave Naturals Tropical Coconut Conditioner

Infused with coconut extract and vitamin E, this is used to the last drop because of it's scent.  It's lovely.  I adore coconut scented bath products, candles, anything!  It did do a good job in detangling my hair.  Other than that, it was just meh.  No wow factors.  It claims 2x more moisture on the bottle but I didn't notice.  Probably not a repurchase.

L.A. Looks Mega X-Treme Hold Gel

Since I do wear my hair up a lot, in buns or braids, I need something to slick back my frizzy atmosphere of hair I have going on on my head.  This is a 'sport' edition gel because my sweet-tart picked it out since he uses it too.  It is a bit sticky for my liking but it gets the job done.  This is the sweet-tart's go to gel so I'm sure it will be a repurchase.

Johnson's Baby Lotion

I love the smell of babies!  Who doesn't?  With two young children in the house, I always try to have this on hand.  I use it on my kids and I use it on myself.  I love the smell of it and it leaves my skin nice and soft.  It's clinically proven to be mild so I even use this on my face too before I apply my foundation and face full of makeup.  It doesn't clog my pores and doesn't leave me greasy at all.  Repurchase!

Garnier Fructis Leave-In Conditioning Cream
Sleek & Shine

This is geared towards frizzy, dry or unmanageable hair.  Frizzy?  Check!  Dry?  Check!  Unmanageable?  Ckeck!  I have hair that is all of the above.  I love this leave-in treatment.  It's rich and thick and it smells good too.  It works.  It leaves my hair much more softer and less frizzy.  My hair needs a lot of help and this helps so this is a repurchase too.

Dove Ultimate Anti-Perspirant Deodorant
in Nectarine & White Ginger Scent

I am usually a Secret or Suave anti-perspirant deodorant girl but this one was on sale at the time of purchase and it came with a mini body spray in the matching scent.  I finished the deodorant but still have some of the body spray left.  I loved the scent of this one.  It's smells fruity and clean and like summer.  The feeling of freshness lasts all day.  I do want to try the other scents available in this deodorant.  It worked very well for me.  Repurchase.

Avon Moisture Effective Eye Makeup
Remover Lotion

I always have this on hand.  I am actually down to my last bottle right now.  I have been using this eye makeup remover for years now and it gets the job done.  But now I want something different.  I've tried Mary Kay, Clinique,and Rimmel eye makeup removers and now this one is no longer my favorite.  I don't think I will repurchase this anytime soon.  I'm still exploring the world of makeup removers and I am having fun trying out new ones!

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion
Urban Decay Skyscraper Multi-Benefit Mascara
Dior Diorshow Mascara

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion:  This is my first tube of UDPP and I really did like it.  It goes on well.  A little goes a long way.  The lasting power is great.  It took me a long time to finish this.  I usually use my E.L.F. Eyelid Primer which I love to but for the price difference, I will probably stick to my E.L.F.  But if I have the money to spend, UDPP is a must have.

Urban Decay Skyscraper Multi-Benefit Mascara:  I love Urban Decay and I love mascara but this one was not a pure love.  I did like the way this mascara separated my lashes but it seemed too dry for me.  I wanted it to coat my lashes more and make them truly black and stand out.  It didn't.  I would apply another mascara and top off with this one to separate my lashes and that's about it.  Not going to be a repurchase.  ♥This was a gift given to me by a fellow blogger friend.

Dior Diorshow Mascara:  Love it!  This is a love!  It was a rich black, thickened up my lashes greatly, and added length too.  Everything I want in a mascara.  I have two complaints.  1-the scent.  I didn't care for the overly floral scent it had but after applying it, it was undetectable.  2-price.  This is high end mascara.  No wonder it works so well!  And just for the price alone, $24.50 at Sephora, this will not be a repurchase.  Aw.  ♥This was a gift given to my by a fellow blogger friend.

And that's all for now, folks!  Lots of empties these past two months.  Some I plan on repurchasing, others not.  I hope my mini reviews on each item helps you in deciding whether or not you'd like to try any of these products.

Luv & Luk,
--L.

♥♥ All items mentioned in this post were bought by me with my own money unless otherwise stated.  These are my own thoughts and opinions. ♥♥

The Makeup Orphanage

Hello, my Pretties!

Yes, I have yet another post to share with you today.

Today, my older sister cleaned out her makeup stash and got rid of makeup she wasn't using anymore or didn't like and she gave it all to me.  Yay!  She has done this several times.  She is the best, I swear!

While I have two sisters, my older sister and I share the love of makeup.  We can text for hours about it.  She understands my addiction so well even though she is not an addict herself.  She buys what she needs and nothing more.  And she has no problem giving it away which is totally an inconceivable thought to me.  And because she knows how off my rocker I am about makeup, she feeds my addiction.  God bless her.

Which brings me to the Makeup Orphanage.  That's me.  That's what she calls me.  I always take in older, unused, unwanted makeup.  No questions asked.  No matter how battered and beat up it is, I'll take it.  I will love it and accept it into my home.  I will clean it up, care for it, and give it a purpose.  I will find some use for it no matter what.  I don't discriminate.  All makeup is beautiful, useful, and important to me.

Have you stopped laughing yet??

It's true.

Here is my show and tell.

Latest newcomers to the Makeup Orphanage.

Love magazines!

We also share our magazine subscriptions.  She always gives me hers to keep because she knows I like to study the makeup shown on the women inside these pages.  She understands me so well.

Shown here is the January 2012 New Year's Special! Glamour magazine with the Kardashian sisters on the cover.  The other is the January 2012 edition of Cosmopolitan with Scarlett Johansson on the cover.  I didn't recognize her!

My newest eyeshadow palettes.

On the left, Colour Me Glow 12 Shades Eyeshadow by Profusion.

On the right, mark. Snap to It Custom Color Palette with 8 eyeshadows.  The shadows she included are:
Top, left to right: Glitterati, Daybreaker, Living Doll, and Tiki.
Bottom, let to right: Plum Velvet, Night Owl, Luvstruck, and Java.

My newest nail polishes.

Left to Right:
Zoe & Zac Naturals in Violet Flower
Zoe & Zac Naturals in Cardinal
Wet n Wild Wild Shine in Lady Luck
L.A. Colors Nail Lacquer in Bright Pink

Yay! Got a couple new shades of pink for Pink Wednesday!

My newest eye products.

Left to Right:
Avon Shadowstix Eyeshadow Stick in Vivid Violet
Avon Extralasting Eyeshadow in Rose Mist
E.L.F. Eyelid Primer in Sheer
Avon Smooth Minerals Eyeshadow Pencil in Sand Dune
Avon Smooth Minerals Eyeshadow Pencil in Amethyst

My newest L'Oreal HIP shadows.

Left to Right:
L'Oreal HIP High Intensity Pigments in Fiery
L'Oreal HIP High Intensity Pigments Bright Shadow Duo in Showy

My newest face products.

Left to Right:
VS Pro Airbrush FX Face Primer SPF 20
Urban Decay De-Slick in a Tube sample

My newest lippies.

Left to Right:
Cover Girl Lipstick in Iced Mauve
Clinique Super Balm Moisturizing Gloss in Apricot
Clinique Vitamin C Lip Smoothie in Mango-thon
Neutrogena Moisture Shine Lipstick in Rum Raisin
Liplicious Tasty Lip Color Royal Pucker in Spiced Berry

The Royal Pucker in Spiced Berry was the only thing that was brand new and sealed.  I took the picture of it sitting inside the lid to the top of the Neutrogena lipstick.  Without it, I couldn't get the tube to stand up!  Ah ha, thinking outside the box!

So, don't you think I have the greatest sister in the world!  She is so understanding and non-judgmental of my makeup madness and so very supportive of my blog and future aspirations in the beauty community.  I appreciate all that she does for me.

Luv & Luk,
--L.

♥♥ Everything shown in this post was given to me by my sister.  ♥♥

FOTD: Silent Treatment

Using my Wet n Wild palette yesterday for the first time, motivated me to use other Wet n Wild palettes I have stashed away in drawers still unopened.

I have so much makeup that is still in the original packaging. I don't know what I'm saving it for but it's time to bust them out!

So here is another Face Of The Day using Wet n Wild once again. This time it's the Silent Treatment trio. This is a very nice, very wearable trio.

And since yesterday I did a bold eye with a neutral lip, I decided to switch it up today. I'm doing a neutral eye with a bold lip. Smart, eh? LOL.

Today's Face Ingredients.

Face:
Avon Healthy Makeup Mousse Foundation in V201 Medium Beige
Avon Ideal Shade Smooth Mineral Foundation in M01 Transparent Glow
Avon Smooth Minerals Blush in M102 Hearty Peach
E.L.F. Shimmering Facial Whip in Citrus

Eyes:
E.L.F. All Over Cover Stick in Honey
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Wet n Wild Liquid Eyeliner in Black
Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara in Black

Lips:
CVS Chap-Block Lip Balm
NYC Lipstick in 309 Sheer Red

I applied the eye shadows the way it is advised on the eye shadow themselves. The peachy cream on my browbone. The dark chocolate sparkly brown in the crease. The smooth shimmery taupe on the lid.

I am pleased with this trio. The colors are well pigmented and apply very smooth with no fall out. The shadows are easy to blend as well. They are soft and the color is easily picked up with a makeup brush. Very good product.

I can see this everyday look turned into an evening look just by going a little heavier on the eyeliner and another coat of mascara. What do you think? I think it's a versatile look.

Thanks for joining me yet again, my Pretties.

Luv & Luk,
--L.

♥♥ All products mentioned in this post were bought by me with my own money. ♥♥