Archive for the ‘Eye Liner’ Category

We all found out on Black Friday 2008 that the United States has been in a recession since December 2007.  *No duh!!* But anyhoo, in these shaky times, everyone still wants to look good.  There will still be some holiday events to attend, so glam it up (in moderation, of course)!!

So here is my holiday wish list.

Urban Decay Velvet Rope 24/7 Glide-On Pencil Travel

I have the VIP travel set and I really like them. The colors are brilliant and beautiful.  The Velvet Rope speaks to my conservative side, I can work these for an everyday “no-fuss” look.

Barry M Nail Paint in Racing Green

I am really liking Barry M’s Nail Paint. The formula is thick enough and the colors are rich. I have been desiring a smoky green shade for the winter months, but I have looked high and low to no avail, so Santa, I better see this underneath my tree.

Eyeko Fat Balm Tint For The Lips And Cheeks

I saw this item on Asos.com and every time I place an order, I fail to put in my basket, but I do want it.  The Eyeko Fat Balm Tint For The Lips And Cheeks retails for $7 and change, but the US retailers sell it for upwards of $13. (The Shipping is a flat rate @ asos.com, so I usually make a list of must haves to make the purchase worthwhile.)

Bourjois Shimmering Shine Eyeshadow in Smokey Grey

I have the Pink shimmering shine eye shadow and I like it, so I think the grey would be great for creating a soft, smoky shimmery look. I wished I bought it when Sephora had it in the clearance section, but I snoozed. Thank goodness for asos.com

Nouba 60 Single Eye Shadow

Nouba 60 is described as “shimmery golden brown with olive undertones.”  This shade would be great for my holiday look I am planning. (blending with Purely Cosmetics’ Cream To Powder shadows).  Get your Cream To Powder shadows TODAY!!!

Nouba 22 Single Eye Shadow

The color description is “toffee flecked with purple shimmer” sounds very enticing me…like I need to have it now. Santa, you will be on NOTICE, if I do not get the Nouba shadows.  I got my eyes on you, man. lol

Urban Decay Deluxe Eye Shadow Box

This is a must have for all true beauty connoisseurs! I absolutely love and the price is great for the Shadow Box ($36) considering that a single Deluxe eye shadow costs $18.  Check out reviews on Total Beauty of the Urban Decay Deluxe Eye Shadow Box and any other beauty products.

Happy Holidays,

Mix Maven

But it is easy to wear green.  I love wearing green eye shadow.   I love shades of olive and emerald greens.  I cannot stress this enough, DO NOT BE AFRAID OF COLOR.  What some fail to realize that green is a neutral color.  When starting out use a color on the lid, place browns and/or smoky versions of the color in the crease and outer v.

Anytime, I try a new brand of makeup, I must get a teal or green e/s.  So I decided to try Barry M dazzle dusts. I have seen swatches, tutorials and reviews, so I had to get some for myself.  I purchased from asos.com, a UK online retailer.  Asos lists currencies for 5 different countries, so the customer can see the price at the current exchange rate.  Over the last few weeks, the US prices have been lowering, even the shipping cost has lowered.  *Check them out!* (More on Asos in a future post)

I purchased three Barry M Dazzle Dusts, one of which was the Emerald.  The Dazzle Dusts, loose eye shadows, are similar to MAC pigments and NYX Ultra pearl mania.  I think the Barry M marketing photos suck.  I will say, despite the official pics, they are worth adding to the collection. *I will post some swatches soon* A little bit goes a long way.  (Sidebar: the Emerald green dazzle dust was mixed with Moss Scape Paint Pot, so if used with another base it will not look olive green.)

Face

• MSF Dark
• NYX Concealer in Nutmeg

Eyes

• Matte Gel
• L’Oreal De-Crease Base
• Moss Scape Paint Pot
• Barry M Emerald Dazzle Dust
• Purely Cosmetics CTP in Bronzed Brown and Copper
• Glamour Check StarFlash
• Brown side from the L’Oreal Hip Duo Forgiving
• Retrospeck (Highlight)
• Tan side from the L’Oreal Hip Duo Adventurous (highlighter)
• Stila Multi-Effect Mascara in Black
• Urban Decay Gash and Zero Eye Liners
• Too Faced Foiled Liner – Black Beauty

Cheeks

Stark Naked Blush

Lips

• Sweet Tooth T/T

Mix Maven

NARS Cosmetics get rave reviews from many beauty addicts.  Prior to a few weeks ago, I only owned one NARS Cosmetic product, Torrid Blush, which I adore.  I usually layer Torrid with MAC’s Refined Beyond Bronzer and Sweet As Cocoa blush….nice combo.

Since, I have been obsessed with pink eye shadows, I decided to see what NARS had.  I checked out Beauty.com because A. I get 5% cash back for every order and B. free shipping over $49, which is not hard to do (especially, if I linger on Drugstore.com)

So I ordered the NARS Duo in Sugarland, but when I got it, the “pink” side looked quite lilac, which is not a bad thing, but not what I thought it would be.  I do think the color is pretty as it has a hint of gold with the lilac.

I was still on the hunt for the pink.  I found a $10 off $60 coupon at Beauty.com. (Coupon expires 12/31/2008 and can be used more than once)  I purchased the NARS Brazil Duo and Pink Panther cream duo, which is absolutely delicious.  The “Pink” side of the Brazil duo is a mauvy red.

In the FOTD below, I used L’Oreal HiP Color Rich Cream Crayon in Unmistakable (Pink) as a base, which is similar to the Pink side of the Brazil duo.  The crease includes MAC Twinks and theBalm ShadyLady Caught in the Act Courtney e/s.  The highlighter shadow is the tan (goldish) side of the Sugarland duo. Liner is Hard Candy Super Slim Eye Pencil. (I love, love, love this liner because the line is not bulky). Mascara is L’Oreal Naturale in Black.

NARS Duo - Brazil (Pink Side)

I do like the NARS shadows that I have, but I do not think I will be purchasing much more…maybe a lipstick or foundation, which seems to be WOC friendly.  But you never know with me, I can be seduced by NARS.  I will keep you posted.

I will post the NARS swatches to the Swatch Gallery very soon.

Mix Maven

If you have any money left from all the recent beauty sales or if you have not been affected by the economic turmoil, check out the NonPareil Boutique Sale.  The e-tailer has lowered prices on many popular items, so check them out if you can.  I have purchased from them before and I have been pleased with the processing and shipping times.

Since I love eye shadows and base, I decided to check out the Maybelline Cooling Effect Shadow/Liner.  I, first, came across them at Ulta.com.  The name intrigued me because I wondered if they were really cooling as the name suggests, so I purchased two, Sugar Plum Ice (deep rose pink) and Midnight Chill (navy).

Well, I am glad to report that the Shadow/Liner is creamy and cool.  The application is smooth on the eye (maybe smoother than NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils) and the colors are pigments.  (I could have worn each of them as eye shadows) I used the Cooling Effect Shadow Liner (Sugar Plum Ice) as a base for my lid.  The moisture of the Maybelline Cooling Effect Shadow Liner really allowed the Too Faced shadow  in Heiress (rose pink) to adhere with no problem (not that I have problems with Too Faced shadows adhering!) [Sidebar: I will upload an EOTD or FOTD to show the results of using this product.]  I wore the look for over 12 hours and there was no creasing. (Full Disclosure: I also used MAC’s Matte Gel and L’Oreal’s De-Crease Eye Shadow Base.)

I think if I lived in a mostly warm climate, I would stock up on these shadows, the cooling sensation is not overwhelming and made me feel refreshed.

The Pencil does not come with a sharpener. Any large barrel sharpener will do e.g. MAC Cosmetics Large Sharpener works fine and I am sure any other brands will work just as well.

Overall, I see more purchases of the Maybelline Cooling Effect Shadow Liner in the near future.

Overall Rating: 4
Price [Value]: 4 (Check Ulta ($5.99), Drugstore.com( $4.69) or your local drugstore. Prices will vary!)
Packaging Quality: 5
Would you buy this product again? YES

Since I mentioned NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils, here are some swatches, including one LA Colors All-in-One Makeup Stick that I have.

Stay Beautiful,

Mix Maven

I have been enjoying the Milani Color Brilliance Eye Pencil in Green, which I give a 5 out of 5, so I decided to try Milani’s Black Magic Liner & Eye Glimmer pencils.  The pencils are double-sided and the “eye glimmer” side’s tip is thicker than the liner side. The Glimmer side can be used as a shadow or placed over the liner for a glittery look.  (I suggest, if you are going to use the glimmer side, place it over the liner or creamy shadow for the best effect, otherwise the glimmer side is utterly useless!)

Milani Black Magic Liner & Eye Glimmer

I purchased the Blue and Black Milani Black Magic Liner & Eye Glimmers ($4.99/ea at Target.)  The liner sides are very creamy and smooth and easy to apply.  Now, the magic eye glimmer side was another story.  The blue side did not show up too well (looked rather blotchy), while the silver is vibrant and pigmented.    I wiped the Blue Magic side with a tissue and cotton swab to no avail.  I also sharpened the tip, nothing could help the texture.  I do not think I will ever use the blue magic side of the pencil. Milani needs to reformulate the blue glitter because the color is gorgeous.

Milani Black Magic liner and Eye Glimmer Swatches (Blue and Black)

I used the Black Sterling liner for a neutral church look.

Milani Black Sterling Liner from Duo Pencil

Overall, the purchase was worthwhile and I, definitely, plan to purchase more.  I am impressed with the Milani products that I have used and swatches that I have seen.  I cannot believe I used to walk past these products in my local drugstore.  Please forgive me.

Overall Rating: 4
Price [Value]: 5
Packaging Quality: 5
Would you buy this product again? Yes

UPDATE -CVS has a special on Milani, buy $10 Milani get $5 back!  *What a deal!!!*

Mix Maven