Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Perfect Palette Tag

This tag has been on YouTube for ages.  I wasn't tagged; but, I thought I'd do it anyway.  I certainly have enough palettes!  I didn't even get to mention my favorite Morphe palettes in here.  I may have to create a tag just for that!

1. Best packaging

Too Faced Sugar Pop Eyeshadow Palette:  Is this not the cutest packaging? Colorful Macrons on a reusable tin. It's so cute, I almost wouldn't care what was in it.  But what's in it is very nice indeed.  This palette actually reminds me a lot of Sugarpill's Sparkle Baby Palette.  Sugar Pop has a few darker colors for the crease that make it a nice complete palette.

2. Best color payoff

Kat Von D Monarch Palette:  Really, all of her palettes have wonderful color payoff.  This palette not only has fantastic color payoff; but, is a very me-colored palette.  (Have you heard that they are discontinuing this?  That's what the buzz is. That's too bad if it's true -- it's a beautiful palette!)





Makeup Geek Manny MUA Palette:  Holy pigmentation Batman!!!  The pigmentation on these is crazy good! The colors are some of my favorite and it's limited edition.

3. Most versatile
Shany Masterpiece Remix:  There is practically every eyeshadow color under the sun in this palette.  the pigmentation isn't phenomenal; but, it's pretty decent. The texture of the shadows is really nice too.  If you love trying new eye looks and don't want a whole slew of palettes cluttering up your space, or emptying your pocketbook, this is for you.  Plus, it comes with blush and contour shades.

4. Best for traveling
Eve Pearl Flawless Palette:  If you do not have really oily skin, this is a great travel palette for your foundation/concealer/brightener/cream blush/highlighter needs.  The yellow cream is listed as a mattifier; but, I think it makes an excellent under eye brightener.

5. Biggest regret



Smashbox Masterclass III Palette:  I thought this was going to be the answer to my travel palette dreams. Neutral shadows on one side, colorful shadow on the other.  Plus, there's contour, highlight and blush in there.  Emilynoel83 raved about this, saying she loved the eyeshadow formula.  After I got it and traveled with it a couple of times, I realized I wasn't that nuts about the eyeshadow formula.  And I wasn't that nuts about the shadows on the right side of the palette.  I realized they weren't MY kind of colorful shadows.  This has gone to someone else since buying.

6. Best color names
Kat Von D Mi Vida Loca Remix Palette: Part of the fun of Kat Von D cosmetics is seeing what the colors are named.  They could be named after rock stars, music styles, a concept, her sphynx cats...  This palette is a prime example of her naming style:   Swoon, Destroyer, Rewind, Harpsichord, Analogue, Fran, Legend, Vinyl, Misfit, Lemmy, Hyperballad, Synth, Darkwave, Echo, Muse, Anthem, Love, Lyric, Strutter, Moulder, Noble, Skulls and Black Metal.


TheBalm Meet Matt(e) Nude: With Highlighters named Mary-Lou Manizer & Cindy-Lou Manizer , you know TheBalm has a sense of humor!  This palette is no exception.  The palette has a slightly naughty sense of humor -- "size matt(e)rs" they say.  (They aren't kidding with the generously sized shadow pans!) Some of the shadow names also have a slightly naughty sense of humor as well:   Matt Johnson, Matt Garcia, Matt Malloy, Matt Rosen, Matt Wood, Matt Singh, Matt Abdul, Matt Lombardi, Matt Hung.

7. Least used

Urban Decay Naked 3: Let me preface this by saying, there is absolutely nothing wrong with this palette.  I was really excited to get this palette.  I created a couple of nice looks; but, after using it a few times, I just wasn't that interested in it anymore  I love changing up my eye look and this didn't offer me enough variety to hold my interest.  This has gone to someone else who can use it.

8. Most used/most loved/desert island palette
Kat Von D Mi Vida Loca Remix Palette: I love, love, love this palette!  There is so much I can do with this palette -- even create a nude eye look if I wanted!  So many looks can be created with this palette without pulling in another palette.  But, another palette, of course, can be pulled in as well.  The only two colors I haven't explored on this palette, yet, are the blues and pinks.  


Ta Ta For Now!

Thursday, March 24, 2016

Homage To Dovima

I'm not one to go ga-ga over supermodels --with sole exception of Dovima.  While she was on the screen, I though she stole the show in Funny Face.  I wanted to see more of her!  Not only was she quirky on-screen, with her over-the-top New York accent and comic book.  She was quirky in real life.  She loved comic books and would bring a trunk full of them when on location!  I couldn't help but love someone like that.  Here, is my Homage to the lovely Dovima.  Think of it as a modern day way of playing with paper-dolls.  I imagine what Dovima would wear and like then and now.
  1. Dovima in photo shoot for Vogue -- Check out that fierce winged liner and those uber arched brows!
  2. Black Moon Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in Sanguis -- Per their website -- This is the perfect blue-based red.  It's a vintage va-va-voom red perfect for the era Dovima embodied.  
  3. NYX Micro-Brow -- A very fine point for those flawlessly drawn, perfectly arched brows!
  4. Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eye Liner + Serum in Ultra Black -- for that fierce winged eyeliner.
  5. Christian Louboutin Eloise Small Two Handle Bag -- Dovima was known for being Richard Avedon's muse.  As such, she was dressed in some unique fashion.  I think this handbag is glorious and fits that perfectly -- elegant with a touch of edge.
  6. Ultra-Lounge Mambo Fever -- If you love fun, classic movies that embody Dovima's era, you'll love this CD!
  7. Zoya Pinta -- Zoya describes this color as a dark purple creme with very strong blue undertones.  For a more edgy look; or, for black and white photo shoots.
  8. Black Phoenix Alchemy Liz perfume oil from their Hellboy collection -- A light, feminine vanilla floral perfume and a swirl of smoke and leather. As I said at the top, Dovima loved reading comic books.  So I thought it only fitting that she have a perfume named after a comic book franchise and character.
  9. NARS Dovima Nail Polish -- Yes!  There is a nail polish named after her!  This is a beautiful tomato red.
  10. Noir Jewelry Gotham City DC Comics Stackable Ring Set -- She loves comics and she's from New York.  Perfect!
  11. Noir Jewelry Gotham City DC Comics Bracelet -- An edgy beautiful bracelet detailing Gotham City.
  12. Bite Beauty Amuse Bouche Lipstick in Black Truffle -- A beautiful blackish violet lipstick for an edgier look or for black and white photo shoots.
  13. DC Comics Guardians of The Galaxy -- I thought she'd enjoy this humorous offbeat comic.
  14. Robert Piguet Fracas -- With it's white floral and tuberose notes, Fracas is ultra feminine, modern and sexy, like the model herself.
  15. Suva Beauty Hydracream Base in Pantyhose -- Dovima was often made up in intensely colored blue or green lids.  Pantyhose is the perfect cruelty-free dupe for MAC's Painterly -- to prime those lids for long lasting and more intensely colored shadow application.
  16. Noir Jewelry Pow/Bang DC Comics Statement Necklace -- A fun, humorous necklace to proclaim Dovima's love of comic books.
  17. Christian Louboutin Dorispiky Pumps -- Edge and elegance combined into one drool-worthy red-bottomed pump.
  18. Makeup Geek Poolside Eyeshadow Pan -- Dovima's eyelids were often done sharply in bright ocean blues or greens.  In keeping with that, I chose this slightly shimmery shadow.
  19. Suva Beauty Hydracream Base in Satire -- this is a matte cream base for the eyelids.  Perfect as a base for Makeup Geeks poolside or any sky to medium blue.
  20. Dovima in Funny Face -- Kay Thompson: "What are you reading, Marion?"  Dovima: "Minute Men From Mars!"

Ta Ta For Now!

Monday, March 14, 2016

You Tube Made Me Buy It -- Blushes/Rouge -- Plus My Favorite Blush Brush Ever!!!

There are a lot of blushes pictured here.  These are not necessarily the only colors I've bought of these blushes.  I have hearts next to the ones that I would buy again, if I needed to.These are also not the only brands of blushes that You Tube  "made me buy".  I am working on using up the items I have that are not cruelty free.  And I have not included them here for that reason.  See below the picture for the list of items and also my favorite blush brush. 


1.  Physician's Formula Nude Wear™ Glowing Nude Blush -- I actually got this in a 2014 Holiday palette which also came with the Glowing Nude Powder and the Glowing Nude Bronzer.  I found the whole palette okay.  I used most of the Powder and Bronzer.  I hardly used the blush.  There wasn't a lot of pigment to the blush and it was a basic blush color.  Would not purchase again.

2.  Physician's Formula Happy Booster™Glow & Mood Boosting Blush -- Heard about this from emilynoel83. This blush actually has decent pigmentation. Plus it smells really good and looks darling.  Of the three blushes by Physician's Formula I have on this page, this is the only one, I feel, is decently pigmented and performs well.

3.  Hard Candy Blush Crush -- I love these!  I've come to really appreciate a blush with some shimmer to it.  I have Living Doll (pictured -- Heard about this from emilynoel83.) and Bombshell.  I love the healthy glow it gives to the skin (as I am one who likes to use face powder). Would repurchase again.

4.  Nyx HIGH DEFINITION BLUSH in Intuition-- I have this in Intuition (Heard about this from emilynoel83.) This particular color has some gold shimmer in it.  Very pretty!

5.  Physician's Formula Sexy Booster™ Sexy Glow Blush --  This looks so pretty in the container & the packaging adorable; but, for me it lacks pigmentation.  Will not purchase again.

6.  Milani ROSE POWDER BLUSH -- I have this in Tea Rose. This is a good blush.  I have so many blushes that for me, this is a novelty item.  But, if I didn't have a slew of blushes, I would definitely repurchase. (Heard about this from emilynoel83.)

7.  Milani BAKED BLUSH -- This blush has been talked about all over You Tube.  I have Dolce Pink.  Like the Hard Candy blushes, most of the baked blushes have some shimmer to them and impart a lovely glow to the skin.  (Could use less packaging with these, though.) Would definitely repurchase!

8.  Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush -- These blushes were talked about all over You Tube, as well.  I think I had Heather Silk or Pearlescent Pink.  It was a long time ago.  They are really decently pigmented blushes.  They've been repackaged, recently to have slightly less packaging.  I wish they'd do away with the useless applicators altogether, though. 

9.  Nyx ROUGE CREAM BLUSH -- I have mine in Orange.  I heard these were good, on You Tube, and I was looking for an orange cream blush.  I've been discovering, however that cream blush is not very practical for a makeup addict like me.  While I really like this blush I will not be purchasing any more cream blushes for a long time.

10. Sleek Makeup Blush -- I heard about, not only, this brand of blush; but, Flamingo from emilynoel83.  Her sister gave this to her as a birthday/Christmas gift.  Beautiful color and nicely pigmented.  Sleek only puts packaging around the blusher itself.  No extraneous packaging or useless applicators.

11. Colour Pop Blush -- These are great blushes with nice pigmentation.  This is a sort of cream/powder formula.  I love these; but, again, for someone who loves trying new makeup all the time.  I'm finding that cream formula's are not that practical and carry with it a certain pressure and guilt.  LOL

12. NARS Blush -- NARS has a reputation for great blushes and they do not disappoint in this area.  Pictured is Angelika.  I've also had the famed Orgasm; and, I also have Exhibit A - a very pigmented red. I believe Goss Makeup Artist is responsible for my purchases of Angelika and Exhibit A.

13. Coastal Scents Forever Blush -- Another emilynoel83 recommendation.  These are VERY pigmented.  So you may have your compact of blush, literally, FOREVER.  Could do without the sliver of a mirror in the compact (Why?  It's useless!) .  But otherwise, great blush!

14. Sleek Makeup Blush by 3 -- Yes, emilynoel83!!!  I got mine in Pink Lemonade, which is the shade she had.  It has a cream blush in the middle.  Very beautiful palette.  But, again, there's the cream blush dilemma.

15. e.l.f. Studio Powder Blush Palette -- This was actually very nicely pigmented.  Which is odd because as you'll see, I find the single blushes to be very hit and miss.  

16. e.l.f. Studio Pressed Mineral Blush -- The texture on these is nice but the pigmentation is very sheer, I find.  Not something I want to repurchase.

17. e.l.f. Studio Blush -- These were abuzz on You Tube.  I have found these to be hit and miss. Some are decently pigmented, some are chalky, some have practically no color.  I pretty much give up with getting any more of these.

18. Makeup Geek Blush Pan -- When these came out, You Tubers were going gaga over these.  After getting a set of them a few months ago, I see why.  They are talc free and have a very natural but nicely pigmented look to them.

19. Laura Geller Baked Color & Contour --  This is a cool palette.  It's about the size of the It Cosmetics Vitality palette.  The Baked Vanilla highlighter has just a touch of shimmer so can ever be used under the eyes.  The bronzer is not very dark and is a good color for me to add some color to my hairline and under my cheek contour.  The Cherry Cobbler blush is a beautiful shimmery pink shade with a hint of warmth.

20. Morphe Brushes 9B Palette --  Young Wild And Polished turned me on to this palette.  It is a gorgeous palette of both brighter and muted blushes.  Very nicely pigmented!  Great for travel!


My Favorite Blush Brush
The e.l.f Small Stipple Brush

I found out about this brush from -- you guessed it, from the number of times I've mentioned her channel above, emilynoel83.  Ever since I got one for myself, I've been hooked.  I not only use it for cream blush, as she prefers; but, I use it for powder blush as well.  I find the size ensures that I don't get a big patch of blush on my face, and the stippled bristles prevent too heavy an application.  I have many backups of this brush and have given this brush as a little "stocking stuffer" gift, many a time.


Ta Ta For Now!

Sunday, March 6, 2016

You Tube Made Me Buy It -- Contours and Bronzers. Plus My Favorite Contour Brushes!!!

I love contouring.  I'm so glad this made it into mainstream makeup.  Here are the contours that You Tube made me buy.  Descriptions at the bottom of the pictorial.  Also, pictures of my favorite contour brushes and description below.

1.  e.l.f. Contour Palette (pressed powder) -- I've hit pan on the actual contour color and the matte highlight color but I'm not crazy about the matte highlight.  The bronzer is nice.  I've only started incorporating bronzers into my routine in the last month by using it around my hairline and above my jaw.  The shimmery highlight is not that shimmery and comes off a bit dry looking for me.  I'm such a sucker for these quads from e.l.f. though.  I'm not sure why I fall for them so badly!  LOL

2.  e.l.f. Cream Contour Palette - I've only used this once, so far.  I'm not used to applying cream contour and highlight; so, I have to get used to this.  If I recall, the contour is quite pigmented, so, I have to be careful not to pick up too much when I use it.

3.  Too Faced Bonjour Soleil Bronzing Wardrobe Palette -- I got this, originally, for the packaging.  It was so cute!!!  But this is really a great palette!  Plus it smells really good everytime I open the palette up (like cocoa).  The Chocolate Soleil bronzer makes a really nice contour.  The Sun Bunny Bronzer is a shimmery two toned bronzer that I like to use on my hair line area.  And the Snow Bunny Bronzer is a really pretty highlight.  Plus, whenever I'm done with the makeup in there, I can use the box to house makeup pencils.

4.  Morphe Brushes 9BZ - THAT GLOW BRONZER PALETTE -- This is a beautiful bronzer palette with different tones of bronzer and some that have a bit of glow to them.  I love the glowy ones for near the hairline.

5.  e.l.f. Bronzer Palette -- I think this is a nice bronzer palette.  A lot of people complained that it wasn't nearly dark enough for them.  I can see why.  e.l.f. heard the complaints and has since come out with a darker palette.  This again is a nice basic palette for around the hairline and above the jaw for me.

6.  Morphe Brushes 9C - 9 COLOR HIGHLIGHT/CONTOUR PALETTE -- I love this palette.  The contour shades are beautiful, there are a couple of matte highlight shades in there (one with a yellow tone, one with a peach tone), there is a shimmery gold highlight shade in there that goes on beautifully, plus some bronzing colors.  Just a wonderful palette overall.

7.  e.l.f. Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder - St. Lucia -- The Contouring part of this palette works great.  The blush has almost no pigmentation.  I have a feeling the pigmentation can vary from batch to batch.  I've seen some people on YouTube say that theirs has great pigmentation.  I'm not willing to gamble on buying another palette to find out if that's true or not. Just a waste if it isn't.  

8.  It Cosmetics Vitality Brightening Anti-Aging Face Disk -- I bought this when I saw how big this was.  I also bought this before I started liking shimmery highlights.  But, once I started getting into shimmery highlights, I hit pan on the highlighter, using it both on my cheek bones and on the inner corner of my eyelids.  The bronzer is VERY warm; so, this does not make a good contour unless you have VERY warm skin. But for those that like to bronze all over, this would be good. This wasn't my favorite palette.  I accidentally dropped it one day & what I had left of all the powders broke.  (I was actually kind of glad because I was tired of using it.  LOL)  But, for someone who likes to buy one thing stick to it, this would be great!

9.  Nyx GO-TO PALETTE - Wanderlust -- I am always looking for travel friendly palettes-- things for weekend getaways and things for a week or two.  This is actually a really nice basic palette.  Everything is nicely pigmented, and the highlight is gorgeous and very shimmery, no glitter or sparkles just wonderful shimmer!  The contour color is a little warmer than their HD Blush in Taupe; but, still works as a contour for me.

10. Wet n Wild Color Icon Contouring Palette 749A Dulce De Leche -- I love the contour on this.  It's subtle and a good color for my skin.  I've used most of it up, actually.  However, I don't like the highlight.  It's too dry & dusty looking for my skin.  If they made this big compact in just the contour, I'd be all over it!!

11. Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Refill - Fawn -- I bought this to put in my custom travel palette, which I am in the process of creating.  I heard great things about the Anastasia contours.  I had to do some research to see which one would fit me best.  Fawn turned out to be a great option!

12. Nyx-HIGH DEFINITION BLUSH - Taupe -- Before Nyx came out w/HD blush, this shade in their regular blush was a YouTuber favorite.  I've not tried the other version but I love this.  It tends to have a bit of fallout but I still like it.  From what I've seen on YouTube, the colors between the two, vary slightly but not enough to make it too noticably different.  If they still make the older one, after I'm done with my HD versions, I may try the original.

13. e.l.f. Bronzer - Cool -- This is a very versatile "palette".  This can be used as contour, matte highlight, bronzer, blush and eyeshadow for a quick, natural, inexpensive take it with you palette that won't overcrowd the handbag.

My Favorite Contour Brushes
I have a round face.  My face does not benefit from densely packed straight edged contour brushes. I do, however, like densely packed, tapered top, oval shaped brushes for the job.  I've found some contour brushes that I really love!  Most of my favorites are priced so that even someone on a tight budget can afford them!

e.l.f. Selfie-Ready Powder Brush -- This is currently my FAVORITE contour brush!!!.  It's like the e.l.f. Blending Brush but not as wide.  I only have one of these and want to get backups as soon as they restock this on e.l.f.'s website.  You can get this for only $6!!!

Morphe Brushes E47 Small Flat Angled Contour Brush -- I love this brush for contouring my nose and under my inner brow.  It works so well! $8.99 on Morphe Brushes site.

e.l.f. Blending Brush -- Before the e.l.f. Selfie-Ready Powder Brush came out, this was my favorite contour brush.  It works really well without having to call in a second brush for additional blending.

Sedona Lace 316 Synthetic Flat Contour -- Before the e.l.f. Blending Brush came out, this was my favorite contour brush.  It's a flat contour brush but it is neither densely packed nor stiff so it allows for blending while it contours.  I would say more angular faces would really like this brush as well.



Ta Ta For Now!



Wednesday, March 2, 2016

You Tube Made Me Buy It -- Powders -- Plus My Two Favorite Powder Brushes.




1.  Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder -- Diffused Light -- I love, love, love this powder especially for under the eyes.  The slight yellow tint helps hide any residual darkness after concealer and the texture and slight sheen of the powder keeps the undereye area from looking dry and powdery.

2.  It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Silk HD Anti-Aging Powder -- Another Powder I really love.  This is not unlike most silica powders, w/the exception of it containing skin care ingredients. It really does help diminish the look of pores and a little goes a long way.

3.  Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder -- Mood Light -- I used to love this powder when my complexion was darker.  

4.  e.l.f. High Definition Undereye Setting Powder -- I have to try this more to figure out what I really think of this.  I've used this a few times.  I think having to unscrew a little tiny container just to put powder under my eyes, makes me lazy about using this more.  LOL

5.  e.l.f. Mineral Booster -- Gives a bit of a peach color to complexion.  Really good for mattifying.  Still on the fence about how I feel about it for long term use.  

6.  e.l.f. Mineral Eye Brightener -- I like this better than the bareMinerals Concealer.  Not as thick.  Have to use it more to see if I like this for long term use.

7.  Physician's Formula Nude Wear Glowing Nude Powder -- I got this in a holiday palette in 2014.  It came with the Powder, Bronzer and Blush.  The powder and bronzer are O-kay.  Nothing to write home about for me.  Would not repurchase.  And I never seem to have any luck with Physician's Formula Blushes.  The Happy Booster Blush wasn't bad.  The Sexy Glow blush was really lacking in pigment for me.  This blush was the same -- lacking in pigment.

8.  NARS Soft Velvet Loose Powder (?) -- They don't sell the powder in this square container anymore.  It was fine.  Nothing I was over the moon about.

9.  e.l.f. High Definition Powder in Sheer -- This I really like.  I stopped using it for about a year.  Then I decided to try it again, and didn't know why I stopped using it.  You don't need much at all.  It helps diminish the look of pores and is really sheer.  Plus, you can't beat that price!!!

10. NYC Smooth Skin BB Radiance Perfecting Powder -- I wanted to like this.  The powder was SO soft!  I should have passed when I noticed that the lightest color was slightly too dark for me.  What I wasn't prepared for was the way this powder would instantly oxidize and darken once it hit my skin.

11. bareMinerals Concealer -- I don't know if they even make this anymore.  It covers dark circles but it looks quite dry and cakey under the eyes -- my eyes at least.  So will not repurchase.

My Two Favorite Powder Brushes


This is e.l.f.'s Powder Brush which looks much like a flat top foundation brush except it's not as dense.  I personally prefer flat top brushes for powder because, I can press the powder in, like I would with a powder puff or sponge.  Powder should be pressed into the face rather than swept on the face.  This does the job beautifully and for only $3!!!


This is e.l.f.'s Small Tapered Brush.  I love, love, love this brush!!!  This brush is excellent for patting powder over concealer and for brushing shimmery highlight on the cheekbones or on the bridge of the nose.  I have many backups of this brush because I never quite feel right if this brush is misplaced or in the process of drying and can't be used for a day.  Also $3!!!

Ta Ta For Now!!!


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