Hey Glossies,

I can never underestimate the power of good skincare.  There can be no real beauty without proper, effective skincare.  After getting a facial during Spaweek, I realized that I need to up the ante on my skincare regimen.  A great regimen allows for better application of beauty products and YES, healthy looking skin! Always remember that skincare as an investment.

So I decided to try LancerX Extremely Pure Cleanser and AM/PM Nourishing Treatment for a week.

The LancerX products have a light citrus scent, which, thankfully, is not oppressive on the nose.  The cleanser has a light foam, which is great because I love to see suds when I am washing my face.  The cleanser felt refreshing against my skin and did not cause any tingle (that is a huge deal for my uber-sensitive skin). The AM/PM Nourishing Treatment is a light cream, non-greasy!

After my week long use of these products, I will say that my face was super soft and supple. I also had a wonderful glow to my skin (I could see my halo)  …not greasy…not shiny.  I also used the Murad Sensitive Serum between the cleanser and the nourishing treatment on a few days and there was no decrease in softness and suppleness of my skin.

I definitely would definitely want to invest in these products.

Stylish Move FOTD

Face

• Iman Second to None Foundation – Clay 5
• MAC Select Cover-up – NC50
• MAC MSF Natural – Dark

Eyes

• Cosmedicine Medi-Matte™ Oil Control Lotion SPF 20 (Base)
• MAC Brown Now Greasepaint Stick (LOVE IT!!)
• Dior Stylish Move Quint
• Shu Uemura Painting Liner – Black
• Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil- Zero
• Clinique High Definition Lashes Brush Then Comb Mascara

Lips

• Random Sephora lip gloss

Mix Maven

LancerX products were provided for review from the manufacturer. Please see Pumps and Gloss disclosure policy for more information.

Hey Glossies,

I must admit I have been loving Maybelline eye shadows and foundations lately.   After trying the Green with Envy quad, I decided to try at least one of the Maybelline Eye Studio™ Color Pearls™ Marbleized Eye Shadow, the round duo. So, I purchased the Ivy Icon, which is a  mid-tone apple green on one side and the other side has veinings of green, gold, copper and cream.

My findings – The Ivy Icon Maybelline Marbleized e/s is quite pigmented (on both sides).  The texture is smooth and blendable.  The shadow has the right amount of shimmer.  I would definitely purchase more of these shadows.

Face

• Napoleon Perdis Foundation Stick – #7
• NARS Macao Sheer Glow Foundation
• MAC MSF Natural – Medium Deep
• MAC MSF Natural – Dark

Cheeks

• La Femme Blush

Eyes

• MAC Paint Pot – Pharaoh (from Alexander McQueen Collection)
• Maybelline Eye Studio™ Color Pearls™ Marbleized Eye Shadow – Ivy Icon
• CoverGirl Eye Enhancers Dazzling Metallic Palette – Black
• MAC Colour #4 Quad (Manila Paper, Aztec Brick)
• LA Girl Mark My Eyes – Black
• MAC Lash Primer
• Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara – Black
• Urban Decay 24/7 eye liner – Zero

Lips

• Revlon Cocoa l/s

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

One of my peeps asked me about the new  Maybelline quad palettes – Eye Studio™ Color Plush™ Silk Eyeshadow.  I had to check it out because I have never used Maybelline e/s before.  I picked up “Green With Envy” at my local Target, and I will say I was blown away by the texture, the color payoff, the shimmer.

The texture is smooth like…hmmm which word would be appropriate hmmm.  Aww yes SILK!   Creamier than some NARS shimmery single e/s. *I know, I know…believe it* There is no packing on the e/s, highly pigmented! *YESSSS!!!*  The shimmer in this product brings me joy, no glittery mess here!  The green shade is similar to MAC Golden Olive pigment and the Black shade is similar to Prescriptives Caviar e/s.

Maybelline Green With Envy Palette

I definitely will be purchasing a few more palettes!! *Praying for a Maybelline BOGO Free*

Face

• Makeup For Ever HD Primer
• MAC Select Cover-up – NC50
• NARS Cadiz Sheer Glow Foundation
• NARS Benares Sheer Glow Foundation
• L’Oreal True Match – Nut Brown
• MAC MSF Natural – Medium Deep
• MAC MSF Natural – Dark

Cheeks

• MAC Ombre Blush – Vintage Grape

Eyes

• MAC Matte Gel
• Cosmedicine Medi-Matte™ Oil Control Lotion SPF 20
• MAC Moss Scape p/p
• Maybelling Green With Envy Quad Palette
• MAC Aztec Brick
• MAC Creole Beauty
• Shu Uemura Paint Liner – Black
• Urban Decay Zero e/l
• Givenchy Phenomen’Eyes Mascara – Black

Lips

• MAC  Sweet Tooth t/t
• Revlon Matte l/s – Cocoa

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

I think most of us are looking forward to Spring (especially the colors – the yellows, corals, pinks, purples and even browns [tans]).

It seems that MAC is preparing us for said season. MAC Spring Colour Forecast collection was not really on my radar until a few days prior to the official date, well except for the ombre blushes. I saw the excited tweets and status messages, so I had to go check out the other items. One of the items that I did not want was the Colour #3 quad. The swatches on Specktra were underwhelming and I decided to opt out….until I saw it in person at Nordstrom. The colors are probably dupable, but I really feel in a strong like with Bruised Plum e/s.  (Yes, it is  Veluxe Pearl!!)

My other Nordstrom purchase was the Viva Glam VII – Lady Gaga.  The color is described as a light blue pink. I like this color and I think it can be women of color (WOC) friendly.  I used a mauve-colored liner to reduce the coolness of the shade.  I think this lippie is a “should-have!”

Face

• MAC Select Cover-up – NC50
• NARS Macao Sheer Matte Foundation
• Prescriptives Custom Blend Foundation (Base #5)
• MAC MSF Natural – Dark
• Prescriptives Custom Blend Powder (Base #5)

Eyes

• Cosmedicine Medi-Matte™ Oil Control Lotion SPF 20
• MAC Paint Pot – Artifact
• MAC Colour #3 Quad (Bruised Plum, Black Tulip, and Jungle Moon)
• MAC Colour #4 Quad (Manila Paper)
• Shu Uemura Paint Liner – Night Blue
• Lizzie Pour Moi duo mascara – Black
• Urban Decay 24/7 eye liner – Zero

Lips

• NYX lip liner – Mauve
• MAC Viva Glam VII – Lady GaGa

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

The saga continues….

I finally wore my updated Prescriptives Custom Blend (CB) foundation.  I have learned that Custom Blend is as good as the blender.  The second MA did a much better job than the initial MA.  The color shade is not suitable for my entire face, so I have decided to only use the CB Foundation on my Roseacea spots (parts of the cheek and jaw areas) and only using the powder there as well, unless I use MAC 162 brush for the apple area and above. I am resigned to the fact that one foundation shade can and will not satisfy my needs, which I already knew, but a lady can always dream, right?

Face

• MAC  Select Cover-up – NC50
• Prescriptives Custom Blend Foundation
• Prescriptives Custom Blend Powder
• MAC MSF Natural – Dark

Eyes

• Cosmedicine Oil-Free Lotion
• Indianwood Paint Pot
• Urban Decay Secret Service e/s
• Wild and Crazy You Rock e/s
• TheBalm Shady Lady – Caught in the Act Courtney e/s
• Urban Decay Blaze e/s
• LA Girl Mark My Eyes liquid e/l
• Urban Decay Zero e/l
• Makeup For Ever Aqua Eyes mascara

Lips

• NYX pinky l/l
• Revlon Icy Violet (very pretty) (75% off @ CVS)
• MAC Hello Kitty Mimmy l/g

The Eye Shadow –

I am really like the Arissa Baked Eye Shadows.  They are similar to the MAC’s mineralized eye shadows. The pigmentation is pretty good and as I stated in the Baked Holiday Goodies post, that the shadows work best with a sponge-tip applicator.  The baked shadows really pop when used with MAC Paint Pots, L’Oreal HiP Color Cream Crayons and/or Stila Smudge Pots.

Here are swatches of the Arissa Baked Eye Shadows:

Arissa Baked Eye Shadows: L-R - Black Hole, Twilight, Constellation, Galaxy (no base)

Mix Maven

The holidays are drawing to a close and I hope that all had a Merry Christmas, Happy Chanukah, Happy Kwanzaa and Happy New Year.

This year we attended some great holiday parties.  For one event, I wanted to create a different look, so I picked up the Arissa baked eye shadows in Twilight (a champagne pink), Outer Space (a midtone blue purple) and Black Hole from  CherryCulture.com @ 4.99/ea. (Sidebar: Cherry Culture is having a 20% Sale off until December 30th, 2009. Coupon Code is SALE20.) The Arissa baked shadows are awesome.  I suggest for a better color payoff of this product, use a sponge-tip applicator. I selected the Outer Space as the lid shadow and I love it because the color is not too shimmery yet not matte. (Don’t get me wrong, I still love my shimmers!)

If loving Cosmedicine Medi-Matte™ Oil Control Lotion SPF 20 is wrong, well, I don’t want to be right.

This product is my new HG e/s base.  The oil control lotion does not allow my eye shadow to crease at all!!  The texture is smooth yet semi-sticky, so powder and cream eye shadows  can easily adhere to the product very well and makes them more blendable, especially the cream shadows! Sephora sells it for $42, but I got a sample from one a recent purchases from Sephora, so always check out the samples section. *Awww yeah*

Face

• Napolean Perdis Foundation Stick #7
• Napolean China Doll Foundation #6
• MAC MSF Natural – Dark

Eyes

• Cosmedicine Medi-Matte™ Oil Control Lotion SPF 20 (Base)
• MAC ElectroSky (McQueen collection) (Base)
• Arissa Outer Space baked e/s
• NARS Stage Beauty duo -Copper side
• Too Faced Vixen e/s
• Urban Decay Blunt e/s
• Shu Uemura Painting Liner – Night Blue
• Barry M Kohl Pencil – Black
• Makeup For Ever Aqua Eyes mascara – Black

Lips

• Random L’Oreal lip gloss

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

Recently, I went to the first holiday party of the season.  It was fun times with fabulous friends!!

I planned to do a smoky look with my newly-acquired NARS Night Breed, but I decided to use the L’Oreal HiP Duo in Electrified. Electrified duo =  plum-infused silverish-taupe and metallic plum.  I love this combo!!!

I also wore the FACE Atelier Diamond Pink lipstick.  I love pink lipstick because every woman, regardless of skin tone, can wear a shade of pink.   I like the Diamond Pink color because it is sheer yet buildable. The texture is great and when the color, finally faded, my lips were left soft and supple.

Face Atelier Diamond Pink Lipstick

On my face, I wore

• MUFE HD Foundation 177
• Clinique Clinique Perfectly Real Liquid Foundation – 47
• Napolean Perdis Foundation Stick #7
• FACE atelier’s Ultra Loose Powder – Translucent
• MAC MSF Natural – Medium Deep

I really liked the FACE Atelier Loose Powder. A little goes a long way, so to my Women of Color, do not fear this product does not ash.  Since the MSF Natural products do not reduce shine, I suggest wearing the Loose Powder under the MAC MSF Natural.  The Loose Powder kept shine at bay for hours and I love that. My skin is not oily in general, but since the weather has turned cold, the heat goes up and the sweat can begin. lol

Have a wonderful holiday season!

Mix Maven

Hey Glossies,

NARS and I are becoming BBFs (Best Beauty Friends).  I have been very pleased with the products, especially the mid-tone and darker eye shadows and the nail polishes. So I decided to pick up NARS Balthazar e/s duo.  From the first time I swatched it, I know that we were going to get on well.  In the post, “NARS Attacks”, I talked about how I would probably not purchase NARS again, but the possibility of changing my mind is always there.  Well, I am really enjoying NARS. :p I think that Balthazar would be flattering on all skin-tones.

I got a chance to see the NARS premiere show on QVC (<—my new must-see TV) and, of course, I was impressed with products that I have still have not tried (fo shame!)  i.e. the multiple sticks and e/l stylos. So I mozied on over to  Sephora to see swatch the stylos.  I am impressed with them. I left the Sephora and ran a few more errands the liners on my hand did not budge!

NARS Stylo - Blue Bayou and Nuits Blanches

FOTD

Face

• Clinique Supermoisture Makeup – Amber
• MAC MSF Natural – Dark

Eye

• MAC Matte Gel
• MAC Constructivist P/P
• Purely Cosmetics CTP in Copper and Bronzed Brown
• NARS Balthazar (both sides)
• MAC Mystery e/s
• LORAC Superstar Trio (gold)
• Shu Uemura Painting Liner  – Black
• L’Oreal Telescopic Explosion mascara

Lips

• Urban Decay Wicked l/l
• MAC Pink Manish l/g

Mix Maven

I am really enamored with Young Punk m/es to the point that I compare everything to it.  So I noticed that the Black Violet side of NARS Brousse has tiny flecks of pinkish/purple glitter.  I thought, “Wow, this color looks like it could be Young Punk’s distant relative.”

I really got frustrated with this duo until I decided to use the Black Violet side all over the eye and used the Sable (brownish-taupe side) underneath the highlight color.

FYI, the lip color is really not that red.

Face

• Clinique Perfectly Real Liquid Foundation – 46 (N)
• Clinique Blended Face Powder – Transparency 5

Eye

• MAC Matte Gel
• MAC Groundwork P/P
• Purely Cosmetics CTP in Bronzed Brown
• NARS Brousse (both sides)
• TheBalm ShadyLady Mischievous Marissa e/s
• L’Oreal HiP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner – Black
• Tarte lights, camera, lashes! mascara – Black

Cheeks

• NARS Torrid blush

Lips

• Stila Lip Glaze – Fruit cake

Mix Maven

My birthday wish list included the Photo Realism quad, and thankfully, I received this item as a gift. *Woop, Woop!!* I usually do not like pre-made quads because I usually only like one or two colors, but with this quad, I like them all!!

The light green – Fresh Approach reminds of what Warm Chill E/S (from the Cool Heat collection) should have been.  The texture of the shadows are great, even the Frosts.  I have been off  MAC Frost e/s lately because I find them to be hard.

Products used:

Face

• Bobbi Brown Oil-Free Even Finish Compact Foundation in Warm Walnut
• MAC Concealer
• MAC Natural MSF in Dark

Eyes

• MAC Matte Gel
• MAC Greenstroke Paint Pot
• MAC Photo Realism Quad
• MAC Heatherette Trio – Cloudburst e/s only
• L’Oreal HiP Color Truth Cream Eyeliner – Black
• Urban Decay Zero e/l
• L’Oreal telescopic explosion mascara (my new favorite mascara!!!)

Cheek

• NARS Torrid blush
• Revlon Colorstay Mineral Finishing Powder – Sunkiss (Must have!!!)

Lips

L’Oreal lip gloss

Overall, the colors are tres pretty…definitely a must-have for the true beauty aficionados.

Mix Maven