June 2016 Favorites -- Beauty & Bath

1. tarte GRAV3YARDGIRL Swamp Queen Eye & Cheek Palette: I love Grav3yard Girl a.k.a. Bunny.    I had to get this palette when I saw it.  I've created a few looks with this.  It's a very versatile palette.  I do have a couple of complaints about this palette, however, no fault of Bunny's.  The shadows are nicely pigmented; but, have quite a bit of fallout.  I hear the eyeshadows are not up to Tarte's usual standards.  The bronzer/contour is extremely warm and extremely pigmented.  Not quite suited for most people -- but would make an excellent eyeshadow. (Personally I would have made the color more like Wet n Wild's contour.) That being said, I think the palette is very useful and can lend itself to travel as well as many neutral but edgy looks.  I have to wonder, though, why Tarte released that palette if the shadows were not up to their usual standards, when Grav3yard Girl, at the time, had over six million subscribers.  (She now has over seven million.)  Not all of her subcribers -- like me -- have tried Tarte shadows before.  They stand to lose some repeat customers by doing that.
2. Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer in Petra: I had admired this color for a LONG time!  I finally broke down and got it and was so impressed by how lovely it went on. I don't think I had ever applied my polish so flawlessly before. As they say -- it practically applied itself.  The color is gorgeous also.
3. Hourglass Ambient® Lighting Powder in Luminous Light + IT COSMETICS Celebration Foundation Illumination in Light: My husband and I went on vacation in June and I came back with a bit of a tan.  I found that I could no longer use Wet n Wild's Reserve Your Cabana with my powder foundation.  I decided to try Hourglass's Luminous Light instead (which I've had for almost 3 years).  It worked beautifully.  Luminous Light is not one of those highly metallic highlighters.  It imparts a beautiful glow and helps powder foundation not look dry.  I'm looking forward to using the Hourglass up since I've had it for so long.
4. Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette:  I'm a sucker for highlighters, especially Becca highlighters.  I never got around to getting Champagne Pop as a single; so, I thought this was an excellent opportunity to get that, along with her newest Proseco Pop & three blushes.  The packaging is so elegant!!!  Champagne Pop has a slight peachy pink tone and Proseco Pop has more of a golden tone. Rose Spritz (blush) reminds me of The Balm's Cindy Lou Manizer a shimmery peachy blush.  Amaretto looks very brown in the palette; but, comes off more peachy-bronze on the skin.  Pamplemousse (which means grapefruit in French), is a beautiful coral.  
5. Ole Henriksen 3 Mini Wonders + Cleanse:  This set contains: 1.5 oz African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser, 0.33 oz Truth Serum Vitamin C Collagen Booster, 0.25 oz Sheer Transformation, 0.25 oz Invigorating Night Treatment: I decided to try this, as I had heard some good things about Ole Henriksen.  I figured everything in the kit was small enough just in case I didn't like it.  BUT -- I found that I loved EVERYTHING!!!  The two things that I am probably going to replace soon are the Invigorating Night Treatment -- but in serum form.  I don't like the idea of dipping into the jar all the time. I also want to replace the African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser, soon.  The Cleanser smells so good -- almost like orange cream!  
6. L.A. Girl HD PRO Primer Eyeshadow Stick: This looked a lot like Kat Von D's eye primer stick (which I have not tried), the consistency seemed similar to MAC's Paint Pots (which I like; but, will not buy anymore until they stop the practice of animal testing), and the fact that it's in a twist up stick makes it convenient for travel or on the go.  I actually like this.  It works great; and, I have no complaints.  
7. MAKEUP GEEK FOILED EYESHADOW PAN - FLAME THROWER:  This is my first Makeup Geek Foiled Eyeshadow.  I love metallic orangey-copper eyeshadows!  This goes on well and stays on well.  After seeing a look Jessica Haze of Mirrors And Haze (YouTube) posted on instagram, I love using it as a pop of color with purple/plum eyeshadows.
8. Morphe Brushes 35P - 35 COLOR PLUM EYESHADOW PALETTE:  This is a great palette.  The colors range from red and royal purple to some neutral and warm browns to help blend.  Theres even a black and a couple of beiges.  Talk about a versaite palette!  Even if one was not inclined to wearing a purple eye on a given day, one could do a barely there makeup look,  a berryish eye look, a dark smokey eye with a lot of black.  So many possibilities.  My favorite way to use this palette is with the purples and add a pop of color in the middle with Makeup Geek's Flame Thrower a la Jessica Haze.  
9. MAKEUP REVOLUTION Ultra Contour Palette:  This is one of those palettes can be used in conjunction with an eyeshadow/blush palette.  The contour shades are not too pigmented and easy to blend.  There are two lighter face powders, one of them being yellow which I find nice for brightening under the eyes or on the nose.  And there are two shimmery highlights -- one of them being extremely shimmery.  A nice possibility for traveling!
10. KVD VS Formula X Nail Polish in Piaf: Named after one of KVD's Sphynx cats.  This is much more purple than the lipstick which is more of a purple taupe.  It's a beautiful color with a little shimmer in it!
11. LA Splash Lip Couture Waterproof Matte Liquid Lipstick in Honey Blonde: This is an interesting color.  It's not a greige, it's more of a mustardy beigy brown.  A color like this can give an interesting warm eye look that extra edge.  L.A. Splash's liquid lipcolors STAY ON!!!  You need to remove it with waterproof makeup remover.
12. MAKEUP REVOLUTION Blush Palette Blush Queen: One of the criticism's of this palette is that at least four of the 8 shades are really similar.  That is actually one of the things I like about this palette.  How many times have I used one color in a palette before all the other ones?  Those four similar colors in the middle are actually my favorite.  So I won't soon have a forgotten about palette with one empty pan in it.
13. Nyx Cosmetics Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick in Brooklyn Thorn:  I saw one of my favorite YouTubers, Mirrors And Haze, swatching the new shades of Liquid Suede.  This was my favorite.  It's a beautiful taupey color with a hint of purple in it.
14. Black Moon Cosmetics in Deranged:  This is a beautiful brownish red!  Their liquid lippies smell divine!!!  Like Vanilla Cupcakes!  And the formula is not drying at all.  A great option for those who can't wear the usual matte liquid lip formula; or, for those days when you need some relief from the usual formula.  Not a transfer proof formula, however.  I love liquid lippies because I have a vertical labret piercing and it makes putting on lipstick so much easier (so I love the option of having different types of finishes with them).
15. MAKEUP GEEK FULL SPECTRUM EYE LINER PENCIL - PLUMERIA:  Described by Makeup Geek as: "a deep ripe berry with a smooth matte finish."  I love this pencil when I'm doing an orange or red eyeshadow look!  I love that this is in non-twist up pencil form too.  I never have luck with twist up eyeliner or lip liner.  They always break on me and end up being a waste.   

Ta Ta For Now!

It's Luna!!!

May 2016 Favorites -- Jewelry, Home & More...

1. Deviant Moon Tarot Deck Paperback – by Patrick Valenza:  I love the aesthetics of  Tarot cards.  I also love what some of the cards can symbolize.  This is a stunning deck with surrealistic artwork by Partick Valenza.
2. Penny Dreadful (Showtime):  I first saw this on an airplane, on the way to Italy.  My husband and I were sitting across the aisle from one another.  I remember the gentleman next to me shielding his eyes from the vampire autopsy scene. LOL   I have been  hooked ever since.  We don't subscribe to Showtime so I have to wait for the DVDs to come out before I can see the newer seasons.
3. Kirkland Signature Ladies' 2 Pack MicroModal Camisoles -- Black:  I love these for sleeping, hanging around the house etc.  They're inexpensive; so, I don't have to fret when my cat's nails eventually punch holes in them either.
4. Hansel and Gretel Standard Edition: A TOON Graphic Hardcover – by Neil Gaiman  (Author), Lorenzo Mattotti (Illustrator):  I've read about 1/3 of this so far -- which is silly because it's not very long at all.  As the AWOLNATION song says -- Blame it on my ADD.  It's quite a sad story so far.  (Spoiler alert!!!) Parents abandoning their two children in a forest because they are so poor. (Sigh!)
5. DewiDesign (Etsy) Fake Gauge Earrings,"Ivy" Naturally Organic, Tamarind Wood: I love DewiDesign earrings.  I wanted these because they are a lighter color to contrast with long hair -- otherwise, you can't tell I'm wearing anything.
6. Grimm's Complete Fairy Tales (Barnes & Noble Collectible Editions):  I remember having a putty greige copy of Grimms Fairy Tales, with blue typeface on the cover and binding, when I was extremely young --  Like, between 3 1/2 till I was a teenager.   It probably, originally belonged to my dad. I don't think I ever really read it.  I remember looking at some of the pictures, which were line drawings, but that's about it. I got this beautifully bound copy of it that has some color illustrations in it.  I intend to, at least, read some of the stories.
7. MermaidTearsDesigns (Etsy) Rainbow Arrowhead Earrings - Titanium Aura Quartz Jewelry:  A makeup lovers dream!  Yes, I said makeup lovers!  Multichome earrings!!!  They're beautiful!
8. The Sleeper and the Spindle Hardcover – by Neil Gaiman (Author), Chris Riddell (Illustrator):  Another one for my "Beautiful Book" collection.  I have not read it yet -- but the illustrations are just beautiful!!!  It's Neil Gaiman -- I have faith that the writing is excellent!
9. Oscar and the Moth: A Book About Light and Dark (Start with Science) Paperback – by Geoff Waring:  I just happened to search for books on moths and saw this.  I love to read a well done children's book.  This one combines science with cute illustrations!  
10. Oscar and the Bat: A Book About Sound (Start with Science) Paperback – by Geoff Waring: I decided I wanted more Oliver books after Oliver And The Moth.  This is my second book.  These books are so charming and so feel good.  I find they cheer me up if I've had a difficult day.
11. DewiDesign (Etsy) Fake Gauge Earrings, "Glistening Wings" Mother Of Pearl:  These are beautiful!  I love wing earrings!!  I will say one caveat about fake gauge earrings -- twist the earrings together, don't push or shove.  Be gentle, as the posts are long and very flexible.  Why fake gauges and not the real thing?  I want to be able to wear all kinds of earring in the bottom holes of my ears, not just ones that are for stretched lobes.  Plus,I don't like the idea, at my age, of heavy earrings working with gravity to pull skin down.  LOL
12. Gray's Anatomy (Barnes & Noble Collectible Editions):  A friend of mine and my husband asked me if this had anything to do with the television series.  Uh....No!  LOL  This is an anatomy book, written by Henry Gray and published first around the mid 1800's..  This is beautifully bound.  I love it!

Ta Ta For Now