Week of October 13th -19th - Saturday's Makeup

Last in this Week of Makeup!  Another more "natural" look for the weekend.  I'm finding out that I wish Lime Crimes XL II palette had more shades like the one on the upper left corner.  I don't want to run out of that shade so I've been trying not to use it as much.  Otherwise I'd be using it constantly as a starting shade for the crease area.  I found out I can start going back to my Beauty Bakerie Cotton Candy Champagne Blush palette.  After I came back from Puerto Vallarta on October 5th, I found out that I had gotten a little too tan for the palette to show up the way I like it. (Yes, I lose a tan pretty fast, here, in Washington State.)  This was definitely fun to do.  I will probably come back to this in the future.

Starting tomorrow, however, I will start a week's worth of posts on what I feel are my Travel Necessities.  I travel at least three times a year.  My husband and I usually do at least one trip a year where we take a plane ride, arrive at a certain destination in the country (U.S.) and take road trips between several states. I HATE packing.  So I am on a constant quest to find the most convenient packing situation for myself.

 Ta-Ta-For-Now!

Coco looking extremely cute!

Week of October 13th -19th - Friday's Makeup

Yesterday's makeup was about creating a more natural look.  (W/all of those products -- it doesn't seem like it would look natural, does it?)  The Laura Geller powder foundation is what I use when I just don't feel like fussing too much with foundation; and, I know I won't need to have my makeup on for a long time.  Like Girlactik's Luminous Pressed Powder, the shades on the Laura Geller Balance and Brighten tend to run darker.  I'm a medium to light-medium with most other foundations.  I'm a fair with both the Laura Geller BnB and Girlactik.  Most of the shades on Juvia's Place The Nubian palette were pearlecent so I used the contour shade in Becca's Lowlight/Highlight palette for that crease contour.  I just got the Covergirl tinted balm from Amazon.  I like the way it looks!  I'm waiting for a more nude shade; but, that won't arrive until Wednesday.

Ta-Ta-For-Now!

Luna says, "Yay!  It's Caturdaaaaay!"

Week of October 13th -19th - Thursday's Makeup

Continuing the week in giving some old palettes some love!  Makeup Geek's Manny MUA palette was so exiting when it came out.  I remember watching Mirrors and Haze's YouTube tutorial video.  I was so excited to get my Manny Mua palette.  This was fun to work with again.  The LORAC Pirates of the Carribbean palette's Stargazer highlight was on of my favorites -- I wish LORAC made a single highlight in Stargazer.  I really I had originally intended to use my seldom used UD Junkie Vice Lipstick palette from a few of holidays ago.  Alas, I discovered it had gone bad.  Things had developed in the lipstick.  Yuck.  I kept the lip brush & had to throw it out.  I decided to use the one Milani Metallic lipstick I hadn't used yet.  I actually wished I had put on a different lipstick.  I think it was too much with the eye palette.  It is a really beautiful lipstick, however. 

Ta-Ta-For-Now!

Coco makes an excellent model!

Week of October 13th -19th - Wednesday's Makeup

I've really been enjoying going through my stash and pulling up these old favorites.  I forgot how much I loved UD's Jean Michele Basquiat collection! Every time I see this collection, I'm reminded of the 80's.  My Cryptic Cosmetics liquid lipsticks are kind of on their last legs and unfortunately cannot be replaced (Wah!).  I started adding my primer into the posts, yesterday.  Primer is part of how makeup turns out.  Wrong primer with a certain foundation means starting over.

Ta-Ta-For-Now

Sophie striking a pose.

Week of October 13th -19th - Tuesday's Makeup

Ta-Ta-For-Now!

Luna looking especially beautiful!

Week of October 13th -19th - Monday's Makeup

Ta-Ta-For-Now!

Coco looking serene.

Week of October 13th -19th - Sunday's Makeup

Ta-Ta-For-Now

A rare moment of Coco & Sophie sleeping together.

June 2017 Favorites Beauty And Bath

1.  Urban Decay Naked Heat Palette: This was the first Naked Palette that I was really excited about.  (I was actually excited about the Naked 3; but, I ended up not liking it very much – I think it’s more exciting looking on much fairer skin).  Yes, on one hand, it’s another really warm palette in a pile of really warm palettes.  On the other hand, Urban Decay has never come out with anything like it.  They’re a bit late to the party; but, the thing I like about this palette is how travel friendly it is.  Those of us that like orangey/red palettes sometimes want a certain type of red or orange one day and a different type of red or orange the next day.  This is perfect for that.

2.  Urban Decay Naked Skin Shapeshifter:  I was so excited when I heard this was coming out!  I’m always on the lookout for makeup products that can: A) Travel well  and/or  B) Come in handy when I need to put my makeup on in a hurry.  I haven’t taken it on a trip; but, I have definitely used it when I need to be out of the house in a jiffy.  For me the only thing that it is missing is a blush.  BUT if it’s paired with the product below, you’ve got your cheeks and eyes in one more small container.

3.  Kat Von D Lolita Eyeshadow/Blush:  I did a blog post about this item.  You can view it here.

4.  Kat Von D High Voltage Eye Primer (discontinued):  I tried this when the Kat Von D Beauty site had this for about $7.50.  I don’t have particularly oily eyelids, so I just thought, eye primer is eye primer.  I was oh so WRONG!  To me, this was like a less solid version of MAC’s paint pots.  And the staying power was incredible!!!  I bought a few more and even gave a couple of them as gifts to friends.  Sadly, it is no longer on the Kat Von D Beauty site. 

5.  BH Cosmetics Spotlight Highlight Palette:  I had seen this on BH’s website; but, it wasn’t until Messie Jess made a video about this palette and the Blacklight palette on YouTube, that I realized I had to get them.  They go on like a dream.  My favorite color in the palette is Vivid.  It makes my makeup look amazing!  This can also be used on eyes.

6.  BH Cosmetics Blacklight Highlight Palette:  I have Anastasia’s Moonchild and Aurora palettes and Kat Von D’s Alchemy palette; but, I still needed to give this a try.  It does not disappoint!  If you love trying different makeup looks, don’t be afraid to give Laser (greenish) or Kween a go on the cheeks.  You’d be surprised at how amazing a subtle green can look when paired with today’s popular orange and red eyeshadow looks.  The same with blue.

7.  Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick Exorcism: I first fell in love with this color when I saw Mirrors and Haze doing a tutorial with Exorcism.  She used this as eyeliner as well as lipstick.  It was gorgeous!  I haven't used this as liner yet; but, I just love it as a dark vampy lipstick.

8.  Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick Lolita:  I was, originally, all about Lolita II, which I received as a deluxe sample.  Lolita II is a beautiful terracotta.  I would wear Lolita, once in a while; but, when the Lolita Eyeshadow/Blush was being showcased on Instagram, I decided to give Lolita another go.  It really goes beautifully with red and orange eyeshadows!

9.  Urban Decay Eyeshadow Relish:  I bought this because I disappointedly thought I missed out on Lolita Eyeshadow/Blush forever.  Wah!  Relish is brighter and redder than Lolita.  Can be used on it's own like Lolita -- or in conjunction with Lolita -- or in conjunction with the Naked Heat Palette.  :)

10. Lorac Pirates of The Caribbean Cheek Palette:  Truth be told, I really got this for the packaging.  Not because I'm the biggest Pirates fan or anything like that.  I got it because I loved the ancient spell book motif. (Or at least, that's what it looks like to me.)  The product inside did not disappoint, as well.  I was quite wowed by the blushes and highlights.  The highlights are SO intense and buttery!  I took this traveling with me.  It is very compact and fit well with plenty of room to spare in a (9 x 6 x 5.5) makeup bag.

11. Cryptic Cosmetics Rust In Peace Liquid Lipstick:  This has become one of my favorite lipstick colors.  It really goes well with my complexion and I love the formula of Cryptic Cosmetics' lipsticks.  (I just wish they were more readily available.  They are perpetually sold out of colors I still want to get.) Rust in peace is part of the Til Death Do Us Part collection, (inspired by roses and Joy Division), which I got in a bundle. I would describe Rust In Peace as a really rusty brownish red -- aptly named.  I swatched it against other colors in my lipstick collection.  I do not have any dupes of this.  I'm going to have to scoop up a couple more tubes when it's available again.

12. Urban Decay Meltdown Makeup Remover: I heard Mirrors and  Haze give this rave reviews. (She has sensitive breakout-prone skin, so I tend to trust her recommendations, as they usually work for me as well.)  I decided to finally give this a try.  I was worried it would be greasy and difficult to wash off (as a lot of oil cleansers are),  To my great surprise, it was nothing of the kind.  It was almost like rinsing a glycerin soap off.  It removes makeup beautifully, smells good and rinses off super easily.  I usually use my face washing brush with Ole Henriksen's The Clean Truth foaming cleaner and a special glutiathone brightening soap I get off of Amazon afterwards; but, I have used Meltdown by itself when I was too tired to take another shower late at night, once & I had no problems with it.

13. Nyx Fan Brush:  Love, love, love this brush!  This is my favorite contouring brush.  It places and blends contour beautifully; and, I love working with the longer handle.  The brush is thicker than most larger fan brushes and the hairs are denser.  I would say, it's akin to the e.l.f. Beautifully Bare Blending brush -- which I also love for contouring.

14. ApHogee Two-Step Protein Treatment:  As we get older, our hair texture changes.  Gone, for me, are the days when I could simply shampoo and condition, air dry, brush and be done with it.  I had tried the 2 Minute Reconstructor before; but, my hair needed something more intense.  (It is down to my waist and I was starting to have a very difficult time fighting frizz, dryness and tangles on the ends.  Sally Beauty was having a sale and I decided to give it a go along with their moisturizing conditioner (you need one after doing this treatment), and another bottle of the 2 Minute Reconstructor.  I read the directions.  After washing hair, you put the Protein Treatment in, and then dry your hair with heat.  I was very surprised that the treatment was a clear liquid (golden orange clear).  I followed instructions, dried my hair and rinsed my hair WELL.  Then I applied the moisturizing conditioner (which, truth be told, I don't know why I got, because I've got plenty of moisturizing conditioner in my arsenal.  I also regret buying the moisturizing conditioner; because, although it works well, it smells heavily of cheap drugstore cologne from the 70's. It is so heavily perfumed, that I found myself getting a bit of a headache the first time I used it.  I think I used it once or twice more and decided I couldn't take the smell any longer.  Come on, ApHogee!  Put a different fragrance in it, if you have to put a fragrance in it at all.).  The results were surprisingly good! I was very impressed.  I'm only supposed to use this once every 6 weeks, so I maintain with using the 2 Minute Reconstructor every other time I wash my hair.  I have been really impressed.  Between the ApHogee and changing my hair brushes to boar bristle, I can leave the house without styling my hair, or pulling it back, if I want to.

15. Atelier Cologne Figuier Ardent:  I first got this in their Necessaire Azur gift set.  The set contained four .14 oz spray vials of their collection Azur perfumes.  This is the one I used up rather quickly and knew I had to get a big bottle of.  I love Atelier Colognes's sophisticated unisex fragrances.  They are never cloying or overly dominating.  They are excellent for travelling to warmer climates.  Notes: Calabrian Bergamot, Anise, Cardamom, Fig Leaf, Salty Fig, Pepper, Virginian Cedarwood, Tuscan Iris, Tonka Bean.  

16. Kat Von D Saint Eau de Parfum: I love the Saint and Sinner bottles!!!  The glass bottles are decorated with scrolls and skulls -- White for Saint & Black for Sinner.   I also have Saint in the Old Skool silver bottle that looks like a giant lighter.    The new Saint seems more floral than the old Saint.  The old Saint seems to have more of a gourmand smell to me.  However, new Saint is not so floral that I feel "prissy" when I wear it.  Notes: Jasmine and tiaré flower with notes of mandarin, caramel, and sparkling Mirabelle plum. Vanilla, sandalwood, and creamy musk. 

17. Kat Von D Sinner Eau de Parfum:   I have to say it again!  I love the bottles!!! Sinner reminds me a little of the original Salvador Dali perfume; but, not as strong.  I can wear this in the day as well as evening.  Notes: Jasmine and orange blossom with notes of vanilla, mandarin, and Mirabelle plum. Spicy cinnamon envelops white florals at the heart of the fragrance, while base notes of vetiver, patchouli, and wood form the deeper, darker nuances.

18. Sunday Riley Tidal Brightening Enzyme Water Cream:  This is similar to Belif's The True Cream Aqua Bomb, except it claims to brighten.  What I love about Sunday Riley's version is that it's more viscous than Belief's version.  For me it makes a wonderful primer after I've put my niacinamide and vitamin c serum on.

19. Ole Henriksen Truth Serum:  I got this in the Three Little Wonders set with the Invigorating Night Transformation Gel and the Sheer Transformation Perfecting Moisturizer.  The Vitamin C serum works wonderfully, for me, with The Ordinary's Niacinamide serum.  (I can break out easily from clogged pores; but, both of these items seem to keep the eruptions from happening.)

20. Ole Henriksen Invigorating Night Transformation Gel:  I use this at night or sometimes instead of the Vitamin C serum when I feel I need a little extra exfoliation.  I really works well!

21. ApHogee Keratin 2 Minute Reconstructor:  See #14

22.  Nubian Heritage Indian Hemp and Hatian Vetiver Body Wash: When I came back from a vacation in the Cayman Islands, my skin was ITCHY!  I have a feeling it was the sulfer in the water, there.  My normal body washes weren't helping, even though they were moisturizing.  On a whim, I pulled the Indian Hemp and Hatian Vetiver out of the cupboard -- a brand new bottle.  It seemed to soothe my itchy skin!  It smells really nice, too.  The only "negative" thing I have to say about the Hemp and Vetiver wash is it looks like runny greenish yellow snot.  LOL  But, I can put up with its less than appealing looks when it works so nicely!

23. Atelier Cologne Pomélo Paradis: I first got this in the travel spray, which I still carry around with me; but, I've since purchased the 1 oz./30 ml spray.  I have a feeling I will have to get myself 6.7 oz/200 ml spray.  I love this stuff and want to always have it around.  It smells fresh and somewhat grapefruity and -- happy! Notes:Pink Pomelo, Calabrian Mandarin, Blackcurrant Bud, Moroccan Orange Blossom, Bulgarian Rose Essence, Mint, Haitian Vetiver, Tuscan Iris, Amber.

24. The Ordinary Niacinamide 10% + Zinc 1%:  This is a holy grail product for me.  It really helps keep my acne at bay.  Before that, I was using Paula's Choice 9% BHA serum which came in a tiny 1/3 oz/10 ml vial  for (at the time) $40 -- yes, $40!  The Ordinary's Niacinamide serum comes in a 1 oz/30 ml dropper bottle for $5.90; and, for me, works even better than the 9% BHA serum.  I keep backup bottles of this on hand.

25. The Ordinary Glycolic 7% Toning Solution:  I use this before I apply my moisturizer etc, before I do my makeup.  (I really should be using it before bed too.)  I need all the exfoliation I can get due to my pores' susceptibility to get clogged.  This comes packaged w/a metal twist top.  You can put the squeeze top on it for easier use.  (Comes in the box.)  I don't know if all of them are that way; but, I had the hardest time getting the darned screw top off of the bottle!

26. Mason Pearson The Popular Brush: The Mason Pearson Popular Mixture Nylon and Boar Bristle Brush. Benefits: perfect circulation of oils, stimulates hair follicles, help keep hair cleaner, longer. I love this brush! Between the Aphogee and the this brush, I am liking my tresses a lot better!  I don't even have to put as much serum in it as I used to. I decided a few weeks ago that I needed to stop using brushes that were exclusively plastic bristles.  Apparently, they are damaging to the hair; and, they don't distribute oils or help keep your hair clean.  I started with an inexpensive brush from Ulta that was a mix of long plastic bristles and shorter boar hair bristles.  I loved the way it made my hair look compared to my regular plastic brush.  I was debating about going for the Cadillac of Mason Pearson brushes -- the Large Extra Hair Brush.  However, that brush was $300.00!  And not having used a Mason Pearson Brush, if I spent $300.00 and didn't like it, I'd be really pissed!  LOL  But, I love this "Popular" brush.  I got mine from Costco for $149.00 -- still quite an investment for a hair brush.  If I'm still in love with it a year or so later, I may consider getting the Large Extra Hair Brush.  Mason Pearson brushes are made to last.

Ta-ta-for-now!

2016 May - July Empties!!!

Left to Right:

Mr. Bubble:  (LOL) This is an OLD bottle.  It's probably around 5 years old.  I think I couldn't find anything else at the time.

Dr. Woods Tea Tree Castille Soap:  A staple of mine.  I love it when I'm feeling oily.  I love it for its deodorizing properties as well.

Nubian Heritage Patchouli and Buriti Body Wash:  I love this body wash.  When I initially used this body wash, I didn't smell much in terms of patchouli.  More of a spicy woodsy scent.  Then I would notice that I smelled a little of patchouli hours later.  A few days later, the bathroom smelled wonderfully of patchouli!  Probably some of the oils being left behind on the washcloth and the shower area itself.

Nubian Heritage Coconut & Papaya Body Wash: Another one of my staples.  This moisturizes and brightens the skin.  When my brightening face & body bar runs out, I will sometimes use this in place of my face wash.

Nubian Heritage Goat Milk & Chai Bodywash:  A wonderfully gentle and spicy scented body wash.  It has a "cheerful" smell to me.  This and the Patchouli and Buriti are my 2nd favorites after the Coconut and Papaya from the Nubian Heritage line.

Caress Passionate Spell Bodywash: As I've said before I love, love, love the way this smells -- but unless Caress goes cruelty free, I will not be buying this anymore.  Wah!  There are too many wonderful cruelty free brands like Nubian & Dr. Woods to justify my buying this at this point in time.

The Body Shop Body Butter in Satsuma Orange, Pink Grapefruit and Passionfruit:  Once upon a time, I went crazy buying The Body Shop body butters.  I convinced myself that I would use them.  By, that, I mean use them in the conventional way.  Except I still don't like the feeling of cream or lotion all over my skin.  Body butters are now relegated to my shower to be used for shaving or mixing with my bodywash for extra moisture.  I finally finished these three.  I think I have another 4 or 5 to go.  Yikes!!!

The Body Shop Pink Grapefruit Body Mist:  I actually liked this a lot.  It was nice and light.  I probably won't be buying it again anytime soon as I have a HUGE years old bottle of 4711 to finish up (my other light summer fragrance that I can spray liberally).

CeraVe Hydrating Cleanser:  I love mixing this on my Clarisonic with my favorite brightening soap.  I also like using this on a mild scrubbie cloth to help take off makeup in the shower.  I have a couple more to go through.

Mario Badescu Enzyme Cleansing Gel:  I liked this; but, I wasn't in love with it.  The smell kind of reminded me of the Herbal Essence shampoo from the 70's and 80's.

MAC Pre +Prime Fix + (Cucumber scented, I believe):  Good stuff  and great packaging but unless M.A.C. decides to go cruelty free again, I will not be buying their products.

Ole Henriksen Sheer Transformation:  As you can see, this is a travel size.  I got this as part of the Three Little Wonders set that also came with the African Red Tea Foaming Cleanser that I got in June.  I really enjoyed the face cream.  It was light and helped keep my pores clear.  When I use up a few more of my skin care items, I think I will purchase a full sized one.

Majestic Pure Cosmeceuticals Vitamin C 20% Serum: This was inexpensive.  Got this from Amazon.  I actually still have a little left -- it's in another bottle.  I got tired of using the dropper and started decanting it into a smaller glass pump bottle.  It's a really light serum that I mix in with moisturizers.

Proclaim Argan Hot Oil:  I had actually used a lot more than the two bottles.  I have been using this stuff since 2011.  I wait for them to go on sale before I buy them.  For me, there's no need to actually heat it up.  I used to use 1/3 of a bottle.  But, lately, my hair is so long that I tend to use the whole bottle. I haven't had to use it that much since using Matrix's Oil Wonder's shampoo -- which actually kind of reminds me of a sudsy version of this.  

Joico K-Pak Revitaluxe:  Surprisingly, I didn't care for this that much.  I worked okay for me.  Nothing for me to write home about.  The thing I objected to the most was the smell.  It seemed to have an underlying tabacco smell.  Ewww!

Avalon Organics Thickening Conditioner Biotin B-Complex Therapy:  I do like this conditioner.  It's not as "conditioning" as my Oil Wonders conditioner.  But it's great when my skin is going through an oily phase.  I also sometimes put this on my scalp and use Oil Wonders on the rest of my hair.

MAC Paint Pot Painterly:  I liked this.  I used every bit of this up. I will not be buying another one unless MAC goes cruelty free again.

Physician's Formula Nude Wear gift set:  I tried, with this palette.  I wasn't enamored with any of the products and wouldn't buy them separately.  I really did not like the blush.  I wasn't very pigmented at all.  This might be okay for someone who has very pale skin; but, not for me. 

BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector™ Spotlight Trio Opal:  I finally used those up.  I really liked mixing them with my foundation -- especially Kat Von D's Lock It foundation.  It helped thin the foundation out when I wanted less coverage; and, it helped lessen the matteness of the foundation.

BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector™ Spotlight Trio Champagne Gold: (See description above.)

Urban Decay mini Eyeshadow Primer Potion:  I got this as part of a gift a while back from a friend.  This works just fine.  I personally prefer thicker eye primers -- to work with more unusual colors.

Maybelline Lash Sensation Mascara:  I actually liked this.  But, I will not buy this again unless Maybelline goes cruelty free.

Jordana Best Lash Extreme Mascara: I liked this mascara.  I heard about this from Young Wild and Polished on YouTube.  This volumizes and lengthens and holds the curl pretty good.

Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara: This did not hold a curl on my lashes.  I only used this a few times.  Wouldn't not repurchase anyway unless they go cruelty free.

Estee lauder Little Black Primer: This helped my lashes hold a curl.  This looked great under other mascaras and by itself for a more natural look.  Alas -- yes, alas, Estee Lauder is not cruelty free.  I will not buy this again unless the go cruelty free.

Loreal Voluminous Original:  This one was good.  I wasn't wowed by it.  Nor was I disappointed in it.  L'oreal, however, is not cruelty free.

Colour Pop Brow Pencil In Dope Taupe:  I liked the color and the way this went on.  I thought it rubbed off a little too easily.  My big issue with this, however was, despite their being more product in it than my BH Cosmetics HD Brow Pencil, I reached the bottom faster than my BH HD Brow Pencil.  Part of this is due to the fact that the pencil is so soft it breaks easily even when the "lead" is hardly up.  (Sigh!)

BH Cosmetics HD Brow Pencil:  This has been my go to micro brow pencil.  I have tried Anastasia's (which is good), and I have tried NYX's micro brow pencil -- which is decent but doesn't not seem to go on as easily as my BH Cosmetics one. I was hoping I'd like the NYX one better, because, if there's a BOGO sale at ULTA, it comes out cheaper than my BH one because of the amount of product.  But, I will stick with BH.

Flora Udo's Choice Super 8 Hi-Potency Probiotic: I have found probiotics to be a must in my current life.  Between the antibiotics we received throughout our life and the bad food we eat throughout our life, this is necessary to help maintain a good balance.  I have really liked the UDO's Choice Super 8.

2016 January - April Empties

I finally put together an empties post.  This year is a year of using up non-cruelty free products, as well as using products that have less than half  left.  If I've found that a product is not cruelty free, I state that.  I've already got a few more empties since posting this blog entry.  Yay!!

1. This is from the BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector™ Spotlight Trio -- that I got a couple of Christmas seasons ago.  The color up above is Pearl.  I find I like using these mixed in foundation.  After I'm done with the trio, I have a drugstore illuminator to use. When I'm done all of them, I may get a full sized bottle of the Becca's Opal.
2. It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Anti-Aging Concealer. -- This one's actually a cheat.  I used about 1/2 the tube on its own.  I used the rest of the tube with an orange corrector and primer to make peachy colored gel like concealer.  I will be doing a post about it.  A lot of people like this concealer.  This concealer is so thick, to me, and not easy to work with.
3. Nyx Cosmetics Hi Definition Photo Concealer Wand -- I liked this concealer.  It covered well and was easy to use.  However, it seemed like I didn't get a whole lot of uses out of this.  I have a couple more tubes of this.  I'll have to see if it was just my imagination or not.
4. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Concealer Treatment -- I actually like this product; but, it is not cruelty free so I will not purchase anymore -- unless Maybelline goes cruelty free.  I still have a bottle and a third to use up from my old stock.

1. Nyx Slide on Eyeliner Pencil in Purple Blaze -- No, I have not used it up.  It dried out on me.  In its defense, I have had it for a couple of years.  On the other hand, I have colors I purchased at the same time that are still good.
2. Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum in Ultra Black -- This is a staple in my makeup arsenal.  I love it!!!  I love the brush tip, I love the way it makes my lashes look in the long run (it helps the lashes grow better).  I have a couple of backups of these on hand, always.
3. & 4. BH Studio Pro HD Eyebrow Pencil in Brunette and Medium -- Another staple in my arsenal.  I prefer the brunette one, though. I have many backups of these.

1. Nyx Cosmetics Tame & Frame Tinted Brow Pomade -- Mine dried out on me; and, I hardly used any of it.

1. Colour Pop Eyeshadows: This is actually a cheat.  I depotted these.  These were my favorite colors to work with & I was tired of unscrewing each one individually to use them.  Would I buy them again?  Let's put it this way.  If I was the type of person who always stuck with what I could use right in the moment -- yes.  They're beautiful shadows and don't need any lid primer to last.  BUT -- since I'm a makeup addict -- no.  These are a cream powder hybrid that can eventually dry out and become unusable.  So, in the back of my mind, I'm always feeling this pressure to use them even when I don't want to.
2. Colors Below in the order I photographed them above:  I realized after pulling the above picture into the blog that it would probably be helpful if anyone reading this knew what the colors looked like since I made a palette out of them.  

Pictures don't do justice to:

Bae (Top middle): This is that color that is really popular nowadays.  A bloody purplish red with dark teal reflects.

Crimper (Middle left):  Can't really tell from this picture that this is really shimmery.  It's a really pretty champagne gold.

Game Face (the one hanging out all by itself):  Super metallic orangey copper.

Coconut (Bottom right): Coconut?  Strange name for this color.  A very shimmery almost teal blue.

1. Skindinavia The Makeup Primer Spray:  I loved this!!!  I bought this in The Makeup Artist Kit which comes with the Primer Spray and Bridal Spray (one of their finishing sprays).  I still have a bit of the Bridal Spray left.  It's not worth it, to me to buy the priming spray separately since one gets such a big discount by buying these in a set.  So, I'm going to wait till I finish with the Bridal spray.  I may actually try the Oil Control version next time..
2. Nyx Dewy Finish Makeup Setting Spray:  This was pretty good!  I was really hesitant to try it because a YouTuber said it smelled really chemically and felt like hair spray on the face.  I did not find either to be true. (I think I got this before I got Skindinavia.)

1. Neutrogena Ageless Intensives Deep Wrinkle Serum: This was okay.  I didn't notice anything spectacular, using this. When I used this, I would double this as a face primer since it had a silicone feel.  Neutrogena is also not cruelty free; so, I will not be buying anything from them until they become cruelty free.
2. CeraVe Skin Renewing Cream Serum:  I noticed when using this, that my skin stayed clearer.  I've actually purchased the cream (am waiting for it in the mail) since my skin seems to want a little more moisturization that the serum offers.
3. Paula's Choice Resist BHA 9: I like this, this was my 2nd or 3rd purchase of this.  I may purchase it again, one day.  The only issue I have is that it's such a small amount for the price and the kind of usage I need from it.  It did seem to keep breakouts at bay, though.

1. Mario Badescu Special Cucumber Lotion:  This was pretty good!  I've found, however, that my skin needs a more moisture preserving formula, lately.
2. Bioderma Sébium H2O Micellar Lotion For Mixed And Oily Skin
3. Bioderma Sébium H2O Micellar Lotion For Mixed And Oily Skin: I had heard so much hype about Bioderma.  It was fine.  It cleaned the skin.  I didn't like it enough to make a second purchase.  I also found out Bioderma is not cruelty free.
4. Almay Longwear & Waterproof Gentle Eye Makeup Remover:  This worked well.  If Almay was cruelty free; and, if Almay hadn't run their all-blonde "Simply American" ad, I would buy it again.
5. Kirkland Daily Facial Towelettes:  I've heard people don't like these -- at least YouTubers.  These are pretty good, I feel.  They take makup off like they should.  They're good for travel as well.
6. CeraVe Renewing SA Cleanser:  I didn't care for this.  I like a lot of CeraVe's stuff; but, this didn't seem to agree with my skin.  I felt like I was getting more breakouts.
   
    

1. The FootMate System Rejuvenating Gel:  This came with a foot scrubbing mat I purchased.  I actually added tea tree oil to it.  So no, nothing I'd seek out.  
2. Caress Evenly Gorgeous Burnt Brown Sugar & Karite Butter Body Wash:  I really like this; but it's not cruelty free.  Why, Caress, why?!  I have adfitional bottles to use up but will not repurchase unless they become cruelty-free.
3. Ltd. Edition Dove Winter Care Nourishing Body Wash:  This was also really nice; but, has the same story as above.  Until they decide to go cruelty free, not repurchasing.
4. Dr. Woods - All Natural Eco-Friendly Castile Soap Pure Tea Tree:  Cruelty-free!  Yay!  This is my "anti-bacterial" deodorant type body wash.  I will even wash my hair with this, once every few weeks if I'm particularly oily.

 

1. it's a 10 miracle leave-in product:  This is old.  I used to use this all the time.  I've been using a more natural, less expensive leave in conditioner that I love, lately.  More on that in the future.

1. VitaMelts Fast Melting Tablets Hair-Skin-Nails:  These didn't taste bad at all.  I wished I had read the ingredients, however, before buying.  It's just biotin.  I have since switched to Natrol's gummies.
2. VitaMelts Fast Melting Tablets Zinc:  I did not like the way these tasted.  I've switched to Vitacost's Chelated Zinc capsules.

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.