Archive for July, 2009

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Happy Haulin,

Mix Maven

I had the honor and privilege of attending FACEDRAMA Cosmetics launch party.  The company’s tag line is “Where beauty is a serious matter.”  As a beauty aficionado, I agree with  that statement 100 per cent.  The event was filled with color and merriment.  The young, beautiful African dancers doubled as models, while the African drummers enticed the crowd with rhythmic force.  The Vu Lounge was decorated in pink, silver and black.

Keka Riley (L) and guest Dannielle W.

Keka Riley is the founder and creator of FACEDRAMA Cosmetics, a former model turned make-up artist. She also won Mo’Nique’s F.A.T Chance in 2006. Ms. Riley has been working as a professional make-up artist for over 8 years and wanted to create a line of cosmetics that would be extremely pigmented where a little goes a long way.  Plus, we don’t always have time to apply layer upon layer.  Her shadows are pigmented and the lip gloss are shimmery and luxurious.  FACEDRAMA Cosmetics has a full beauty line including concealers, loose pigments, lipsticks, lip liners, and eye liners. She also has an extensive foundation line with 17 shades.  Keka said that she wanted to create foundations that her family and friends could use i.e no more mixing.  The foundations are hypo-allergenic and contain Aloe and Vitamin E.

One of the many great things about FACEDRAMA Cosmetics is that Keka and her staff care about the community.  The company has partnered with Humana Organizations After School Enrichment program and Aspire Higher Girls Empowerment program. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of FACEDRAMA products will assist these organizations.  What a great idea!! You can get your beauty and philanthropy on at the same time.

FACEDRAMA Cosmetics Singles and Palettes

I sampled the eye shadows and lip gloss and the colors are quite pigmented. In the pics below, I only swiped once to get each swatch.  For the matte lovers, the eye shadows will not disappoint. The colors are soft and blendable.  I think if you do not like matte, you will quickly become a convert.  I am impressed with the quality of the products.  A single shadow is $18 and the palette is $52.  Definitely worth price since some of the money will be re-invested into the community.

FACEDRAMA Cosmetics Palette Swatches

FACEDRAMA Palette

FACEDRAMA Soft Brown Smokey Eye Look

FACEDRAMA Shimmery Green Smokey Eye Look

On a personal note, Keka Riley is an amazing person.  She brings everyone in and makes them feel like they have been friends forever. She also highlighted another Beauty Maven, Felicia of ThisThatBeauty Blog, who has developed a line of make-up brushes. What is quite evident is that her staff adores her.  The care that the FACEDRAMA Cosmetics staff takes with the products, let’s me know that they also care about the customer and her needs.

FACEDRAMA Cosmetics staff

Please, please, please check out this line, you will be pleased.

Keep it Glossy,

Mix Maven

The winner of the Too Faced  New Romantic Collection is …… Jewel!! Congrats on your win.

I want to thank all of the giveaway participants.  I will be doing at least one giveaway per month, so look out for the July giveaway.

Mix Maven

More L’Oreal HiP Duos.  One of the e/s I picked up at the Ulta BOGO Free sale (Still going on @ Ulta) was Mischief, a champagne gold shimmer and smokey grey/black matte. (There seems to be debate on the dark color).  I find this duo to be quite blendable and pigmented.  The champagne gold has the right amount of shimmer. I think it can be used as a highlighter or lid color.

In the FOTD, I used the lighter color on the lid. Because of the shape of my eyes, the lid color turns a soft smoky champagne hue. I like it.

Face

• Makeup For Ever Full Coverage Concealer #14
• Revlon Custom Creations Foundation – Deep
• Natural MSF – Dark

Eyes

• MAC Matte Gel
• MAC Painterly Paint Pot
• Makeup For Ever Matte Brown e/s
• L’Oreal HiP Duo – Mischief (both sides)
• La Femme e/s – Beige Pink
• Barry M Kohl Pencil – Black
• L’Oreal Voluminous mascara – Black

Without Flash

Without Flash

Mix Maven

Recently, a family friend asked for drugstore brand eye shadow recommendations.  She wanted to a teal or turquoise look for a wedding she will be attending in mid-summer.  I instructed her to check out the L’Oreal HiP Duos in Sassy and Showy.  I love the teal shimmery side of Showy and the greyish-taupe side of Sassy.  While the HiP duos tend to be pigmented I recommend  using a colored eye shadow base (MAC Delft paint pot or L’Oreal HiP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner in Teal)

In the FOTD below, I used:

Face

• Makeup For Ever HD Primer #6
• Estee Lauder Double Wear in Truffle/Rich Ginger
• Natural MSF – Dark

Eyes

• MAC Matte Gel
• MAC Delft Paint Pot
• L’Oreal HiP Duo – Showy (Teal side)
• L’Oreal HiP Duo – Sassy (Gray-Taupe side)
• MAC Black Tied e/s
• L’Oreal HiP Duo – Adventurous (Tan side)
• L’Oreal HiP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner -Black
• Barry M Kohl Pencil – Black
• Max Factor 2000 Calorie Extreme Lash

With Flash

Without Flash

I think the Showy (lid color) is similar to MAC Shimmermoss, Talent Pool and Too Faced Nepture.  Plus, the other side of the duo is a matte navy blue, definitely works well together.

Keep It Glossy,

Mix Maven