March 2016 Favorites -- Jewelry, Home & More

This is more like a first quarter favorites.  Maybe even a fourth and first quarter favorites.  LOL  Since fall of last year, I have been working on being more myself; and, letting who I am show on the outside, as well.  It has been, for the most part, very rewarding!  I plan to do a blog entry about what I didn't find rewarding called "Caterpillar Butterfly Girl".  I digress.  So, I have a lot to show for my efforts of being more me.  Descriptions below collage.

1. Dellamorte & Co. (Etsy): Bloody Baron Samedi Wall Plaque -- This is my second purchase from Dellamorte & Co.  I still have to hang it up. I was enamoured with this piece, when I saw it.  It looked EXACTLY the way I hoped it would look when I received it in the mail.  I think that is so wonderful when that happens!!!  
2. CBS Elementary -- I've loved Elementary ever since it came on the air a few years ago. I have all the past seasons on DVD.   I love the comedy interspersed with the drama, I love Sherlock's aspergers-like demeanor and genius.  I love that Watson is a woman.  I love that it's set in New York.  I love the realistic way Sherlock's addiction is portrayed.  What can I say?  I just love it!
3. Moka Moon (Etsy): Quartz Dangle Earrings -- This was one of my first jewelry purchases from Etsy, after I decided I wanted to concentrate on other aspects of my life, rather than just makeup.  These go with pretty much everything.  It can look edgy or fit in if I would happen to need to go into the office or need to look a bit more conservative.
4. Blood Milk Jewels: Nesting in the Underworld. Cast crystal and hummingbird skull ring -- This was my second purchase from Blood Milk Jewels.  I hadn't actually got my first order, yet; but, they had a sale -- so I thought I'd take advantage.  I get so many compliments on this ring.  When I first got it, I was a bit taken aback by how large it was.  (I had only worn my wedding ring and another more conservative ring my husband had given me for our first anniversary, up till then.) But, I have since come to love how chunky it is.
5. Martha Rotten (Etsy): Large Bone Hoops -- I had been admiring these for months and months.  When I saw Mirrors and Haze wearing these in a video, I had to get them!!  They looked so good!  I love them & they're not too heavy.
6. Hades Footwear: Krace Closed toe black platform iceberg wedge shoe with partially studded straps -- Edgy gorgeousness!!!!  Nuff said!
7. Souvenir Jewelry: So Below Ring -- When I saw this ring, I had to have it!!!  I love this saying!!!  It's a little lighter in weight than it looks; but, still a fabulous ring!
8. Souvenir Jewelry: Sleeping Village Ring -- I have an affinity for the notion of conjoined twins.  I don't romanticize its reality; but, rather what it represents about the way I feel inside often.  Love this ring!
9. DewiDesign (Etsy): Fake Gauge Earrings, "Luna" Naturally Organic, Bone -- I have dark hair; so, if I get earring like these, I like to get white ones -- so they can actually be seen -- otherwise I have to tie my hair back.  I love crescent moons and I love the size of these earrings.  And yes, these are Fake Gauge earrings.  I used to stretch my ear holes about 15 years ago; but, I like being able to wear whatever earring I want to wear.
10. Wild Unknown: Tarot Deck -- I actually first fell in love with the guidebook.  I heard about Wild Unknown from Mothmouth's Through A Looking Glass blog.  It was such a beautifully illustrated book and the font was lovely too!  I had to get the Tarot Deck as well.  Her illustrations are so fabulous!!!
11. Blood Milk Jewels: The messenger. Crow claw & quartz crystal necklace. Sterling silver. -- This was the first piece I ordered from Blood Milk Jewels.  I love crows and ravens.  I think of them as sort of totem animals along with the fox.  Interesting as they both have similar personalities -- trickster.  I love this piece!  Blood Milk Jewels makes such wonderful pieces!!!
12. Dellamorte & Co. (Etsy): Conjoined Twins Fetal Skull Display -- Again, with my affinity for conjoined twins.This is the first piece I fell in love with from Dellamorte & Co. (& no, these are not real skulls)   This is a beautifully made, quality piece.
13. ShopSparrow (Etsy): Large Quartz Necklace -- I love layering this with my Blood Milk Messenger necklace!
14. Wild Unknown: Tarot Guidebook -- I heard about Wild Unknown from Mothmouth's Through A Looking Glass blog. Such beautiful illustrations and font!!!  I think there's supposed to be a hardback coming out this fall.  If there is, I think I may have to get it.
15. SilverCypressDesigns (Etsy): Raw Crystal Drops hoop earrings -- These beauties are gorgeous!!! Like my Quartz earrings, these can also be worn if I need to look a little more conservative as well.
16. Moon Raven Designs (Etsy): Stag Antler Choker Necklace In Solid Jewelers Bronze Elk Antler Choker Necklace 152 -- I asked my husband to get me this as a birthday gift.  I was in love with this piece when I saw it!  I get a lot of compliments on this when I wear this.
17. Saddleback Leather: Black Leather Tote -- When I saw this handbag, I had to have it. I loved the metal accents on this piece. It has long straps attached to it; but, I most like tucking the straps in and carrying it around as a top handle bag.

Ta ta for now!

Perfect Palette Tag 2

There has been a second Perfect Palette Tag floating around YouTube.  Again, I was not tagged; but, I thought it would be fun to do.  Enjoy!

1. Eyeliner, brush or nothing included?

Nothing: A brush collection is so essential nowadays to makeup; that, I feel adding a brush to a palette is unnecessary.  Plus, someone, on even the tightest budget, can get good quality brushes. Cosmetic companies can do themselves and the environment a favor by not adding brushes and applicators (especially really cheap unusable ones). 

2. Name a palette you have hit pan on.

e.l.f. contour palette:  This is pretty typical of any contour palette for me.  The actual contour shade is the one to go first. I would actually love for a company to make a contour pan that is as big as those Wet n Wild bronzer palettes.  Or a 1/2 and half contour and highlight that's like Laura Geller Baked French Vanilla.

3. Favorite “Naked” palette?

      

Can you hear the crickets chirping?  I have to be honest and say, I'm not a fan of the Naked Palettes.  I've had Naked 3 before.  They are great quality.  But, the whole neutral thing isn't for me, I've discovered.  It doesn't excite me.  Not even in rose tones.  (Although I do like Kat Von D's Shade & Light Palette.)

4. Favorite Holiday or Limited Edition palette?

Kat Von D Mi Vida Loca Remix Palette:  How do I love this palette?  Let me count the ways:  First there's the awesome pigmentation.  Second, there's the variety of colors -- even neutral ones, Third, there's the almost vinyl record album look of the packaging.  Fourth, there's the cool names of the colors.

Makeup Geek Manny MUA Palette:  The colors in this palette are so beautiful and edgy!!!  I fell in love with it when I saw Mirrors and Haze demonstrate it.  

BH Cosmetics Pride + Prejudice + Zombies™ - Eye + Cheek Palette: These colors are right up my alley.  The pigmentation is really nice too and easy to blend!

5. Name a palette you would repurchase or wish you had a back up of (if it’s no longer available)?

Morphe Brushes ACC4 - EMPTY MAGNETIC PALETTE:  I kind of cheated -- with the amount of palettes I have, there is NO WAY I am ever going to finish a palette.  But I could certainly use more empty palettes.  This one is less expensive than the Z-Palette and works superbly.

6. Name a shade you wish were sold individually.

Morphe Brushes 35O - 35 COLOR NATURE GLOW EYESHADOW PALETTE:  There is no name for the color but it's the color on the bottom right corner. It's all sorts of shimmery orangey copper goodness!!

7. Wild Card Question: Pick a question from the original Tag to answer.

"4. Best for traveling"

NYX COSMETICS Go-To Palette in Wanderlust:  With 6 shadows, a shimmery highlight, blush and a bronzer/contour, this palette not only serves as a great travel palette but it also serves as a great "in a hurry" palette.

8. Name the palette you would recommend to a friend. 

Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette: At first glance, you may think this is your average matte neutral palette; but, you would be SO wrong!  If you've ever wanted neutral shadows to look edgy -- this is your palette.  The shadows a highly pigmented and highly blendable.  

March 2016 Favorites -- Beauty & Bath

I was going to do a whole post that included other favorites like jewelry, books, etc.  But, since just started this blog & my March favorites are more like a First Quarter, I decided to do them in two separate posts.  Heck, I may keep doing them in two separate posts.

1. Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector™ -- I bought this over a month ago when I saw How To Be Fancy's video about it.  I didn't see the beauty of  this until I was summoned for Jury Duty.  I wore this underneath Too Face's Born This Way foundation.  I was stressed because I usually work from home w/my critters (dog and a cat).  And here I am in a crowded room with strangers for most of the day.  -- This means I was producing more oil on my face than usual.  My foundation still looked good by the time I went home!
2. Ofra Cosmetics LONG LASTING LIQUID LIPSTICK in Honolulu -- This purplish brown color is not quite I would have imagine for something named after my home-town.  But it's an extremely beautiful color.  It wears well and is comfortable on the lips.
3. BH Cosmetics Pride + Prejudice + Zombies™ - Eye + Cheek Palette -- I love the colors in this palette!  It's kind of interesting that the 2016 Pantone Colors of the year are Rose Quartz and Serenity (a kind of cornflowerish blue); but, no one in the makeup world (that I've watched) seems to give two hoots about this color.  If anything, the makeup world seems to be continuing the Marsala trend even more strongly than last year. -- But, I digress.  I've been very impressed with this palette.  I think BH has really stepped up their game lately.  The colors are nicely pigmented and blend easily.  the funny thing is, when I got this, I didn't realize that the three big pans on the bottom were a highlighter and two blushes.  I've been using them all as eyeshadows and they work beautifully as eyeshadows.  I'll have to see what I think of them for their intended purpose.
4. Clarisonic Acne Cleansing Brush Head -- I formerly had the radiance brush head and I was way overdue for a replacement.  I did not feel that this brush head offered me enough exfoliation, believe it or not.  I'm someone with skin that needs a lot of exfoliation.  So I thought I would give the Acne Cleansing Brush Head a try (I am prone to breakouts) and I LOVE it!!!!  Will definitely be purchasing this one again!
5. Ofra Cosmetics DUPETHAT HIGHLIGHTER in You Dew You -- I saw Mirrors and Haze use this highlighter in a video and I loved that it wasn't warm toned or champagne toned.  I knew I would love this for cooler makeup looks.  This has a really wonderful shimmer without being glittery.  I may buy their smaller pan for a travel palette.
6. Becca Aqua Luminous Perfecting Foundation in Fair -- I saw Mirrors and Haze demonstrate this foundation and it looked beautiful.  I go back and fourth between wanting a more luminous foundation and one that is more satiny.  Sometimes I even mix this in my Born This Way foundation for an even more in between finish.  (DO NOT use this foundation with a mattifying primer.  It just does not look good or go on well with one, unfortunately -- you will end up redoing your face if you do.)  I like to powder my face with an HD powder, so for me this helps cut down on my face looking dry.  I got this in fair because Jessica Haze used Fair and it was a little dark for her skin.  So it's just right for mine.  
7. Too Faced Born This Way Absolute Perfection Foundation in Ivory and Warm Nude -- I love the way this looks on my skin!  I can use this with a more serum-like primer, a matter primer or a more silicone-like primer and it all looks good!  When I've used up some of my other foundations this is sure to become a multiple repurchase.
8. BH Cosmetics Nude Blush – 10 Color Blush Palette -- Muted, nude blushes are all the rage nowadays.  It's no wonder with the more pronounced eye looks and vampy lips that are in vogue, lately.  These blushes offer a wide array of muted colors that are nicely pigmented with some colors having shimmer to them.  A really great value!!!
9. Black Moon Cosmetics Liquid Lipstick in Selene --  Per Black Moon Cosmetics: A beautiful deep plum with a gorgeous soft purple pearlescent sheen. Vegan, Cruelty-Free, Paraben-Free, & Gluten-Free -- This is a beautiful plummy shade -- I consider it a medium plum, myself -- compared to a lot of the vampy near black purples that are around, right now.  This lipstick is not transfer proof, but is also not as drying as most liquid lipsticks.  Great if your lips are too dry for the usual liquid lipstick formula; or, if you need to give your lips a rest from wearing a more drying formula.
10. Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette -- I got this palette for Christmas.  Ever since I took a look at Mirrors And Haze's Grunge Black Smokey Eye | Taylor Momsen Inspired Makeup tutorial, this is my favorite way to wear this palette.  I wasn't much for using black shadow before that tutorial.  But, ever since I learned how to blend shadows properly, I love it!!!
11. Nubian Heritage Body Wash in Patchouli & Buriti -- Per Nubian Heritage: A gentle fragrant wash, rich in vitamins and minerals, hydrates and calms the skin. Aromatic Patchouli Oil works to uplift and soothe the senses while Organic Shea Butter and Buriti Oil combine to cleanse the skin without drying. Leaves the skin soft and renewed. -- I love the way both this and the Goat's Milk & Chai Body Wash smell.  A sweet and spicy type of fragrance for both.  They're gentle on the skin and every time I open the shower door, it smells so good.
12. Nubian Heritage Body Wash in Goat's Milk & Chai with Rose Extract --  Per Nubian Heritage: Conditioning Goat's Milk high protein, vitamin and mineral content helps soothe and moisturize skin, balance its natural pH and promote natural exfoliation and mild cleaning. Silky smooth and supple skin is further nourished with Shea Butter and protected with Chai and Rose extracts.
13. Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Thin Lizzy - sparkling brick copper -- I never see this color in and actual Sephora.  I had to order mine online.  It is a BEAUTIFUL color -- works so well for today's eye shadow looks.
14. L.A. Splash STUDIOSHINE WATERPROOF LIP LUSTRE in Venus --  This is a beautiful magenta purple color!!!  I love wearing this with an todays burnt orange and red eyeshadows. 
15. Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eye Liner + Serum in Ultra Black -- I used this a couple of years ago, then I started trying some other eyeliners.  I came back to this over six months ago.  I love the way it applies and I do see a difference in my eyelashes.  Not as big a difference as people see with something like Latisse  -- but there is a difference.  I love the way my lashes look now when I put mascara on them.
16. CeraVe Eye Repair Cream -- I was never an eye cream person.  But I started realizing that I need something a little more emollient for under my eyes as I tend to use very lightweight moisturizer for my face.  I especially love this before I put on makeup.  It helps the concealer to look better under my eyes.
17. CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion PM -- I got this, maybe a year ago; but, I didn't start really using it until the last couple of months.  I mix it with a vitamin c and/or a  matrixal serum.  Sometime I mix it with my Paula's Choice 1% retinol serum as well.  I really like that it's lightweight and sinks into the skin.
18. Too Faced Peanut Butter & Jelly Eye Shadow Collection -- I think this is my favorite Too Faced eyeshadow palette.  The colors are right up my alley and apply really well.  This is a great palette size for traveling too!
19. Makeup Geek Blush Pan in Romance -- Soft rose with gold shimmer -- One of the things I love about Makeup Geek is that they offer their makeup in pans as well as compacts.  I wish more companies would do that.  I love a blush with some shimmer!  This is a nice neutral blush color and the pigmentation and texture is great!
20. MannyMUA x Makeup Geek Palette -- I don't think I've ever been so excited to receive an eyeshadow palette!  I squealed with delight when I opened the palette and swatched the colors on my skin!  Such good shadows and such edgy looks can be created with this palette! Love, love, love!!!
21. Anastasia Beverly Hills CONTOUR REFILL - FAWN -- Tawny  -- Fawn is actually lighter and a tad warmer than the pic above.  This is a really great contour for lighter skin.  And it is cool enough for my skin tone as well.  I bought this so I could create a custom travel palette for myself that included contour.
22. Ben Nye's Remove-It All -- Per Ben Nye: easily breaks down heavy creme makeup as well as Spirit Gum, medical and prosthetic adhesives for effortless removal. -- A) Yes, this does remove everything! -- Even the most difficult to remove lipstick. B) You don't have to shake it up -- unlike other waterproof makeup removers. C)  It's very economical (albeit the bottle design is very basic).  The only thing I don't like -- & this goes for other waterproof makeup removers --  is the remover tends to run down the bottle no matter how careful I am.  Since this stuff has a "greasy" consistency; it's quite a pain when it does that.  So, I've ordered a glass serum pump bottle for it that I can reuse over and over again.  I hope that does the trick.
23. Nyx Cosmetics Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer -- I really like this; but, I have a feeling the texture is supposed to be thinner than the one I currently have.  People compare this to Hourglass's Veil Mineral Primer -- which is quite thin in consitency.  My tube of Angel Veil is quite thick but doesn't feel like the average silicone primer, which I can't stand the feeling of on  my face.  This actually feels comfortable on my face and makes foundation apply really well to my skin.
24. Diptyque - Tam Dao Eau de Toilette --The mountains of Tonkin tremble under the weighty steps of elephants carrying uprooted trees of precious wood through the vines. Majestic sandalwood breathes out its redolence in the sweltering heat of the jungle. Tam Dao pays tribute to the most sought-after of the sacred woods: the sandalwood of Goa. --Tam Dao is a unisex sandalwood fragrance with dark bitter notes and an evasive green note.  This is what I love to wear if I'm not in the mood for my girly fragrances.

Ta Ta For Now!