August 2017 Sephora Play Box -- Did I Like It?

1.  KAT VON D Saint and Sinner sample pack

2.  LIVING PROOF Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo

3.  SOL DE JANEIRO Brazilian Bum Bum Cream

4.  KAT VON D Lock-It Concealer Crème #11

5.  TOO FACED Mascara Melt Off Cleansing Oil

6.  BEAUTYBLENDER beautyblender® micro.mini

I was really happy with August's box!  I already had Kat Von D's Saint and Sinner so it was nice to get a couple of spray samples that I could take with me when I travel.  Ditto with Kat Von D's Lock-It Concealer Creme.  And speaking of travel -- I am always happy to receive a deluxe sample of dry shampoo to take with me when traveling.

When I saw the tube of Sol de Janeiro's Brazilian Bum Bum Cream, I was really excited.  I had heard so many raves about it, that it was nice to be able to try it for myself. See what I thought here.  I have since bought the full size tub and body spray.

I have never tried the Mascara Melt Off Cleansing Oil; and, have, not yet, had a chance to try it.  I am looking forward to it, though.  Mascara can be one of those things that is a pain in the rear to remove.

I was impressed to receive a micro mini Beauty Blender.  I am, however, not the biggest fan of applying makeup with sponges -- even though they are all the rage now.  I loved using sponges  before great foundation and concealer brushes became available.  (Does anyone remember that sponges were always available at the drug store as well as at places like Shiseido -- for ages!)  I find it funny that they've in vogue again as if they're something new.  LOL I will probably gift this to someone who appreciates sponges.

Coco says, Ta ta for now!

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!

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!

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!