Favorite Makeup Packaging -- and One Honorable Mention

Ta-Ta-For-Now!

A pic of my buddy, Coco.

The Kat Von D Lolita Eyeshadow/Blush Quest

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.

April 2016 Beauty & Bath Favorites

No Bath stuff for April 2016.  April seemed to partly be about "shopping my stash"; and, finding favorites in things I didn't think I liked.  That's always really satisfying -- especially when the favorites turn out to be inexpensive!

1. Paula's Choice The Nude Mattes Eyeshadow Palette and Urban Decay Electric Pressed Pigment Palette:  These were two palettes that, individually, I felt "Meh!" about and almost regretted buying -- as they just sat in my makeup drawer, barely used, making me feel guilty.  Then, one day I started using the two together, mixing the bright red-orange in the UD palette with the reddish brown in the PC palette, then accompanying it with the purples, and some blending colors and even the bright yellow-green in the inner corner of the eye.  It's a surprisingly quick and easy look that's edgy and more neutral.
2. Laura Geller Baked Vanilla Highlighter:  I went years hearing about this highlighter but never trying it.  Then I actually had one in my possesion and didn't know what to do with it; because, it wasn't as shimmery as a Becca or The Balm highlighter.  Then I started noticing that I needed something other than a strictly matte powder to set and brighten my undereyes.  This works so beautifully for that!  No more dry looking undereyes!!! Love, love, love!!!
3. Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Nosferatu: This is described as a blood crimson.  I love that it has a hint of brown in it.  A very flattering red.
4. e.l.f. Studio Blush Brush: This is the brush I love using with Laura Geller's Baked Vanilla highlighter.  Puts just enought powder on.
5. e.l.f. Tweezers:  I heard about these from emilynoel83.  They work really well and are only $1!  Yes! $1!!!  I've since bought at least 15 as I'm always misplacing tweezers.  LOL
6. It Cosmetics CC+ Radiance Ombre Blush Sugar Plum: Lately, I find I love a mauve blush.  I also love a shimmery blush.  This combines both beautifully and is quite pigmented.
7. Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette:  First, the packaging is beautiful!  I almost wouldn't have thought I'd like a palette like this; but, the pops of color and the gorgeous blending shades make this an enjoyable palette to use.
8. Nyx Strobe of Genius Illuminating Palette:  Nyx makes some really good highlighters!  I'm not sure why most drugstore brands are not able to create decent highlighters. (Because, clearly it can be done!)  I particularly love the lavender highlighter that is in there!
9. Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Blush Palette: A really beautiful blush palette with warm and cool shades.  There's even a highlight and a bronzer in the palette!
10. Wet N Wild Color Icon Contouring Palette -749A Dulce De Leche:  I did not think I was going to buy another one of these; because, I do not care for the highlighting part of the palette. BUT -- I loved the contouring part of the palette too much to not buy a second one!  The contour blends nicely, is not too cool, not too pigmented (I can't stand having to blend for days because a contour is uber pigmented) and is a great price!
11. e.l.f. Studio High Definition Powder:  I put this powder away for at least a year, thinking I wasn't crazy about it.  Then, for some reason, I decided to use it again.  And I loved it!!! It feels good on the face and doesn't leave my face looking dusty or cakey.  I am almost out of it and have since bought two backups!!
12. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector™ Spotlight Trio:  This is another item I though I didn't like.  I don't like using this as a cheek highlighter.  I love, however using this with high coverage foundations like Kat Von D's Lock It!  It takes down the coverage when I need something a little less and imparts a glow to the face that my e.l.f. HD powder takes down enough to look really nice!

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.  

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!