January 2020 Favorites - Beauty And Bath

There are a few new items; however, none of them were bought by moi.  I have been taking up knitting as a hobby and it has lessened my constant desire to buy makeup etc.  I've been enjoying palettes and colors that I haven't previously been able to enjoy because of being inundated by new makeup.

1.   Juvia’s Place Eyeshadow Palette in Festival
This has a good deal of colors that I like.  Juvia's place has a really nice eyeshadow formula and some really nice shades in their various palettes.

2.   Kat Von D Eyeshadow Palette in Fetish:
I have to say, the packaging for Kat Von D's Fetish Eyeshadow palette is beautiful!  It has a bunch or warm red colors that I like and some lovely accent colors for my lid like the greens a purples.

3.   Kat Von D Single Eyeshadow in Swoon
Swoon is a shimmery red shadow.  This color was first in a limited edition palette -- Better Together-- that was a collab with Too Faced.  Swoon if one of those colors that is in almost every Darkling's capsule collection.

4.   Kat Von D Eyeshadow Palette in Lolita:
I actually wasn't quite sure if I liked this palette at first.  I thought that the other shades that were chosen to accompany Lolita might be too cool-toned for me.  After wearing this numerous times, I think this is a beautiful palette and looks so good on!

5.   Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in L.U.V.
A very pretty pinky purple shade.  One of the things I loved about KVDs older Studded Kiss formula is that it was a lot like the newer long lasting lipstick formulas in the slim tubes. The packaging of the Studded Kiss lipstick is one of my favorites.

6.   Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Lolita
The Lolita that I have is from the newer formula.  Not as "dry" of a formula but with a lip liner not as slippery as some -- which is good.  Lolita is one of those "your lips but better" dusty rose colors.

7.   Morphe Lipliner Pencil in Foolish
This goes well with KVD Lolita Lipstick.

8.   CoverGirl Instant Cheekbones in Refined Rose
I heard about CG Instant Cheekbones from YouTuber emilynoel83.  Refined Rose is a color that can go with most eyeshadow/lipstick looks.  The three shades means it can be darkened or lightened by mixing with change of skintones.

9.   Morphe Blushing Babes Blush Trio in Pop of Pink
I like using this with cooler toned eyeshadow/lipstick looks.  The shade on the left can be used as a contour in a pinch.

10.  Kat Von D Alchemist Holographic Palette
The Alchemist palette can be used as highlighter or eyeshadow.  This is one of KVD's better highlighters.  (The highlighters that came out after that tend to have a lot of glitter in them.)

11.  Yves Saint Laurent Black Opium Neon Travel Spray:
This smells exactly like Black Opium and Prada Candy Gloss mixed together.  I just love it!

• Per Sephora:
• Key Notes: Neon Coffee, Orange Blossom, Dragon Fruit
• Fragrance Description: Black Opium Neon is a new twist on the classic Eau de Parfum. With adrenaline-rich coffee, sparkling orange blossom, and mesmerizing dragon fruit accord, it is a vibrant and indulgent perfume that’s the perfect combination of seductive and sweet.

12.  Kat Von D 24-Hour Super Brow Long-Wear Pomade in Dark Brown:
I keep forgetting how much I like this sometimes.  The color is great.  Not too dark, not too warm.  I get side tracked by those micro-thin pencils.  Of course, the pomade would be nothing without that fantastic eyebrow brush of theirs.

13.  Nyx Multitasker Mixing Medium:
Brow pomade after a while gets drier.  It doesn't matter what brand it is. Sooner or later it will get drier.  This can be used to wet the brow pomade.

14.  Ofra Mini Highlighter in Pillow Talk:
If you prefer a highlight that is not subtle, you will love Ofra's highlighters.  These babies glow!

15.  Kat Von D #70 Pomade Brow Brush:
I can't sing the praises of this brow brush enough.  The brush is razor thin and really helps to get a precise line!

16.  e.l.f. Blurring Powder Brush (as foundation brush):
This is one of my favorite foundation brushes!  I do not use this as a powder brush, unless I'm going to use powder foundation.  The brush is densely packed and can navigate a few more areas that a flat brush can't.

17.  e.l.f. Powder Brush:
Guess what I use this for?  I've used this for powder for years.  I like pressing powder in with this rather than "dusting" it on my face.

18.  Haus Laboratories Liquid Eye-Lie-Ner in Punk:
I got this as a gift. This works great! It can draw a thin line if need be.  It's nice and dark and matte.

19.  Haus Laboratories All Over Metallic Creme in Glam Attack:
A dear friend got this for me. It is a metallic soft rosy red.  I thought it was a liquid lipstick all of this time and had been wearing it as such   Turns out, it was a liquid eyeshadow.  It looks really nice as a liquid lipstick, though!  LOL. My only caveat with wearing it as a lipstick is is does feel a little drying on the lips.  So a nice lip-scrub and balm would be in order afterwards.

20.  Prada Candy Florale:
This was part of a Christmas gift that also included the original Prada Candy (which I also love) and Prada Candy Kiss (which I am undecided about as of yet).

• Per Sephora:
• Notes: Sparkling Cedrat, Bouquet of Cosmos, Benzoin, Caramel, White Musk
• Style: Sensuous. Coquettish.

21.  Chanel Les Exclusifs Coromandel:
I've had this for probably thirteen years.

• Per Google (?) :
• Notes: A rich composition of Frankincense, Benzoin and Patchouli, COROMANDEL is a powerful oriental-woody fragrance. It unfurls the enveloping notes of its amber vibrato before giving way to a lingering voluptuous accord.

Ta-Ta-For-Now!

My friend's cat, Billy.

(Billy is Luna's brother.)

October 2019 Favorites - Beauty And Bath

1.   Nyx Suede Matte Lipliner in Jakarta:  I've had this since around Christmas time.  I bought a set of mini Nyx liquid lipsticks that came with matching lipliners.  I have a vertical labret piercing and it makes it very difficult to wear a traditional style lipstick w/o lipliner.  But, I love the precise look a lipliner gives to traditional lipstick. Jakarta is a very pretty burnt orange shade.

2.   Nyx Lip Lingerie Push-Up Long-Lasting Lipstick in Exotic:  These come in some of the same colors that the original Lip Lingerie liquid lipstick shades come in.  I think the Push-Up version feels a little more comfortable on the lips and also looks better on.  Exotic is a lovely burnt orange shade.

3.   Covergirl Colorlicious Oh Sugar! Tinted Lip Balm in Punch:  Tinted lipbalms are nice on days when one would prefer a more natural makeup look; or, if one's lips need a little relief from drying lipsticks.

4.   e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator:  I've been using e.l.f.'s Lip Exfoliators on and off  for some years, now.  YouTuber emilynoel83 made me buy it (LOL).  These work great.  I don't have to stick my fingers into a goopy jar.  They are nicely priced and come in several flavors.

5.   Milani Amore Metallics Lip Creme in Raving Matte: I love a magenta-purple lipstick!  This shade is flattering on me when I want something a little more dramatic on the lips.

6.   Milani Luminoso Glow Shimmering Face Palette:  YouTuber emilynoel83 made me buy this too. (LOL). I'm really loving glowy blushes lately.  This palette also has highlighters and glowy bronzers (which can be used to darken the blushes). After a certain age, looking too matte is not flattering.  This palette can be used on the eyes, as well.  Although I would caution that hooded eyes need some matte to give them dimension.

7.   Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso:  This blush came in a bundle with the Luminoso Face Palette and a Luminoso Lip Gloss.  Holy cow!  There is a reason this blush is so popular!  I was worried that it wouldn't show up on me; but, it does!  Luminoso gives the cheeks a beautiful glow!  I would say it gives more of a glow than their other baked blushes.

8.   e.l.f. Jelly Pop Flush Blush in Berry Pop:  This is another beautiful glowy/dewy blush option that won't break the bank. My recommendation with this blush is to put a dot of the blush on the back of your hand, then use a stippling brush to blend it into the cheeks.  I've found that a couple of  small dots is enough for both cheeks.  You can always add more. Hard to take away if you put too much on.

9.   Manny MUA X Makeup Geek Eyeshadow Palette:  I've had this palette since around when it first came out.  YouTuber mirrorsandhaze made me buy this one.  What stands out, in my mind, in this palette, is the shade Mars (which is described as a deep cherry red with a matte finish) and the shade Insomnia (which is described as a warm red brown with blue reflects and a foiled finish).  Those two colors make for quite a dramatic look, which I love.  I forget, however, that the palette has a host of soft colors that are perfect for a natural look or a more "office friendly" look.  A very versatile palette.

10.  Kat Von D Pastel Goth Eyeshadow Palette:  I am in love with the shade Clementine -- which is a soft pastel orange that is slightly sheer.  I wish Kat Von D made a single shadow in Clementine.  It is perfect for blending out warm looks.  I have used the other colors in the palette -- mostly for complementing shadows in other palettes.   For me, it works really well for that.

11.  e.l.f. Superclarify Cleanser:  This cleanser works well.  My only wish is that it was in a container that suited the consistency of the cleanser better -- like a pump bottle.

12.  Nquea.d Mediterranean Fig and Rhubarb Candle:  I've had this candle for a while.  I'm reminded of how much I like it, when I'm in the kitchen.  It smells heavenly!  I don't know if this brand exists anymore.  The candle was on sale when I bought it in April at Papyrus.  If it doesn't exist anymore, that's too bad.  It's a really good candle.

13.  Mane 'n Tail Conditioner (Original):  I stopped using this for a little while because I kept forgetting to get a new bottle from our pantry.  When I finally remembered -- several months later -- I used it and was smitten all over again.  It helps with the manageability of my long, easily tangled hair.

14.  DermOrganic Leave-in Argan Oil Treatment:  Although this can be used in dry hair to help detangle and give hair some shine, I find that this leave-in treatment works best when worked into damp hair.  (It will help stop the frizzies before they start; and, help with detangling hair.)

15.  Diptyque Eau Rose Eau de Toilette:  This is like fresh roses layered with more complex notes in the background.  (Per Diptyque: Pick up the petals of a rose, add its green leaves, its stem, and don’t forget its buds. Immerse in clear water and wait to reveal its rosy delicateness, fruity accents and acidulated green notes... Eau Rose is composed like an infusion of the finest damascena and centifolia roses.)  One can definitely smell the "acidulated green notes" in the background.  Now that it's fall, I feel more comfortable wearing a fragrance like this.

16.  Atelier Cologne Vetiver Fatal Cologne Absolue Pure Perfume:  I love Atelier Cologne's fragrances.  Most are perfect for traveling in warmer weather where fragrances with heavier notes may be too cloying.  (Per Atelier Cologne it's notes are: Bergamot from Calabria, Lemon from Sicily, Heart of Bigaradier from Paraguay, Orange Flower Absolue from Tunisia, Violet Leaves, Black Plum, Heart of Vetiver from Haiti, Cedarwood from Texas, Dark Oud Accord.)  The combination is unisex, with a bitter but refreshing note.  If I were to put an image to it -- I'm reminded of a personal library with luxurious wood shelves that go all the way up to the elevated ceiling.  The kind of library where you need one of those rolling ladders.

Ta-Ta-For-Now!

"What's that over there, Mama?"

REPOST: My Favorite Travel Essentials Pt 1 -- Makeup

So, I was doing the Part 2 blog.  I thought I accidentally published it.  I deleted it; and, realized I deleted Part 1.  Oy vey!  So I am reposting.

Since 2010, I travel, at least, three times a year.  Once a year, we travel to some states we haven't been to (which entails a plane ride, car travel and several hotel rooms).

Let me tell you -- I really HATE packing!  I really do!  Because of this, it has been a never ending quest of mine to make packing easier for myself.  I'm not quite there yet, but getting close.

As seen in the picture, all of the items on this blog fit into my Medium Trish McEvoy Makeup Planner.  When I am not traveling, most of the items (with the exception of some of the items in the clear bag) stay in the planner to minimize time that I have to spend on packing.

Case, Palettes Liner:
Trish McEvoy The Power of Makeup Medium Planner:  I got this planner at least six years ago -- if not more.

Linda Hallberg Infinity Palette:  IMO this is the perfect travel face palette for fair to med-light skin tones.  It has pretty much everything you would need to create a look.  There's even two eyeshadows in there.  There is a warm and a cool blush, a cool contour powder, a face powder (or a nude shadow), two shades of shimmery highlighter, a medium brown (with a little mustard yellow mixed in) eyeshadow and a black eyeshadow.

Kat Von D Anniversary Palette: I originally got this palette in a FOMO moment.  I realized that this palette has a wide variety of colors in it and would be great for travel.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner in Olive:  I got this from either Hautelook or Nordstrom Rack.  A really nice soft flattering color.

Essence Micro Precise Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown:  Essence was having one of those buy one get one 40% off sale at Ulta.   One can never have too many micro brow pencils.

Brushes Left Side (Left to Right):
Wet n Wild Large Concealer Brush:  I use this for applying eye primer.

Wet n Wild Large Eyeshadow Brush:  This is one of my favorite eyeshadow brushes!  I will use it to blend a lighter color into the first crease shade or to put that first crease shade on.

Morphe M164 Small Flat Angled Contour:  I use this for applying contour on my nose and inner brow area.

Morphe M574 Pencil Crease:  I will use this sometimes to blend a darker crease color.  I will also use this for placing shadow under the eye.

Brushes Middle (Top to Bottom):
e.l.f. Travel Blending Brush:  I use this for contour.  

e.l.f. Eyeshadow Brush: Excellent for placing highlight on the inner corner of eye.

e.l.f. Eyeshadow "C" Brush:  I lay down the first shadow color under my eye with this & sweep it in an upward direction.

Morphe Flat Shader Brush:  These brushes are excellent for patting color on the lid of the eye.

e.l.f. Eyelash and Brow Wand:  When rocking a brow pomade a spoolie will help diffuse the pomade on the inner brow and take any areas that have too heavy an application.

e.l.f. Foundation Brush:  I actually use this for concealer.  I don't actually think these types of brushes make good foundation brushes.

Brushes Right Side (Top then Left to Right):
Morphe M431 Precision Pencil Crease:  As the name says, this is a slimmer pencil brush for creating a more defined crease with a darker eyeshadow (this differs greatly from "cut crease").

Kat Von D #70 Pomade Brow Brush:  I decided to try these when they were having a sale.  I already had the powder brow brush, which I thought was really wonderful.  When I tried the pomade brush -- OMG -- I had never used a brow brush that was capable of making an almost razor thin line!  This brush is so worth it!!!

e.l.f. Small Stipple Brush:  I heard about this brush from YouTuber emilynoel83.  She uses this for cream blush or other cream cheek products.  It works excellently for that; but, I also love using it for powder blush.  It cuts down on the chances of applying too much pigment to the cheeks.

Sonia Kashuk Foundation Bush:  This was actually from a set of face brushes, some years ago.  It has a nice, densely packed flat top foundation brush.  I now keep it with my travel items.

e.l.f. Powder Brush:  I love using this as a powder brush.  It's got a good surface area to work with.  I also think a flat top brush is better for simulating that pressing action that you can get with a velour puff, rather than just sweeping the face.

e.l.f. Small Taper Brush: Another recommendation from emilynoel83.  This has GOT to be my favorite cheek highlighter brush!

Makeup Bag (Top then Left to Right):
Covergirl Outlast Active 24HR Foundation 845:  I actually purchased this from Walgreeens while traveling.  It works decently and contains SPF.  I lighten or darken it with e.l.f Mix to Match Shade Adjuster.

L.A Girl Pro Conceal in Peach:  L.A. Girl makes some really nice concealers at a very decent price.  I just wish they'd exchange that tiny brush for a regular squeeze tube tip.  The peach color is really great for disguising dark undereye circles.  They also have a darker orange for richer skin tones.

e.l.f. Mix to Match Shade Adjuster in Lighten & Bronze:  I'm one of those people whose skintone can be on a spectrum from fair to really tan. Traveling means my skintone is never static.  I end up mixing foundation a lot - when I travel it's better to have smaller tubes that I can mix with.  I tried these e.l.f. Shade Adjusters and like them.

Colourpop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick in Mama:  I originally bought this as a dupe for Lime Crime's Pumpkin Liquid Lipstick. I'm finding this is one of the colors of lipstick that I love taking with me.

Black Moon Cosmetics Liquid Matte Lipstick in Mortis:  I don't feel right w/o having a red lipstick as an option.  I love Black Moon's formula and Mortis is a little darker than a bright red lipstick.

Kosas Kosasport Hyaluronic Lip Fuel:  Lips can get parched when traveling.  I got this because it has the added benefit of Hyaluronic Acid which can plump skin up with moisture.  I like to put balm on while I'm doing the rest of my makeup; then, I wipe it off before I put my lipstick on.  Before bed is when I can slather this on and sleep with it.

Wet n Wild Photofocus Pressed Powder in Light:  I just love this powder.  It gives a satin finish rather than a straight up matte finish.  

e.l.f. Lip Exfoliator in Coconut:  Why stick your fingers in grainy goop to exfoliate your lips, when you can have it in "lipstick" form and rub it on your lips.  Just rub on your lips for about 10 seconds (or more), wipe off and -- voila!

Black Moon Cosmetics Liquid Matte Lipstick in Gloom:  I like having a nude lipstick option in my arsenal.  Black Moon makes some of my favorite nudes.

Laura Geller French Vanilla Highlight:  I love using this to help set my undereyes. It's a subtle highlighter so it makes the undereye are look more natural.

Kat Von D Super Brow Extreme Long-Wear Pomade:  I love using this with the KVD brush to get a more precise application.  Sometimes I will outline my brows with my micro brow pencil and fill in with pomade afterwards.

Ta-Ta-For-Now!

 It was a Luna kind of Monday.