Hey Glossies,

For the beauty mavens that skipped or missed out on MAC Heroine lipstick from the Reel Sexy collection,  Tish, a fellow beauty maven, suggested a possible dupe, Lancome #381B Violette Coquette.  The color is not as intense as MAC Heroine, but I think it is similar enough to do the job.

What do y’all think?

Mix Maven

Hello Glossies,

I have been MIA for sometime as I was working on a big project for a committee that I am apart of and head.  I am glad that we have completed it for this year.

I have been looking through my 2011 pics that I have not shared.  I found some Yaby Cosmetics and Magnolia Makeup product and swatch pics.

I was, officially, introduced to Yaby and Magnolia at The Makeup Show Chicago.  Of course, I have heard of the brands…heard friends rave about their products….heard friends lament about missing sales.  These brands are high quality, very pigmented.  The pics of the swatches do not do them justice.

Yaby Cosmetics products are smaller than other brands, but the colors pack a punch.  The colors are brilliant and the texture is blendable (matte and shimmer). I love the eye shadows and plan on getting more.  I love the matte shadows, especially the neutral colors because they actually show up on my skin!

Random Yaby Eye Shadow Swatches

Magnolia Makeup is top notch. I was quite impressed with the array of colors, as well as the pigmentation. The swooning began when I started the swatching process. (Sidebar – I did not sample the foundation.)

Magnolia Makeup- Foundations (top), Blushes (left) and Lip (right) Products

Magnolia Makeup Loose Pigments

The loose pigments include matte, shimmer and glitter.

Magnolia Makeup Swatches

These must be seen in-person to get the full effect.  I love them all!

Do you have any favorite beauty products on your wish list?

Happy haulin’ for the Holidays,
Mix Maven

This time of the year is all about the Friends and Family sales.  Thankfully, I had some gift cards to spend..woohoo!!

My list consisted mainly of NARS and Stila (with some other essentials mixed in).  The Stila Barbie Smudge Pots are amazing.  Rarely do I use them as eyeliners.  Smudge pots are among the best e/s bases I have ever used.   The Barbie Smudge Pots really make life worth living. LOL Ok, ok, ok may be not, but the colors are amazing. Purple Pumps is a blueish-purple with speckles of  pink glitter and the Little Black Dress  (LBD) is black with more speckles of pink.  LBD could pose as MAC’s Young Punk me/s and no one would even check the ID.   I will say the Purple Pumps smudge pot is wetter than other smudge pots, but do not let that be a deterrence.

I had my eye on the NARS duos from the Holiday collection 2009. I prefer NARS darker shades, they work much better on me than NARS lighter shades, which is why I purchased Eurydice and Brousse duos. Eurydice is eggplant and graphite, according the website.  The purple side has flecks of blue, which does not show up to well in the pics. I placed Purple Pumps under the Purple side of Eurydice and the color changed to pinkish navy…very lovely I say. The graphite side is shimmery goodness..definitely has hints of green.  The Brousse Duo is sable/dark violet, which I think would work for a soft daytime smokey look as well as a night-time glammed-up look.  I also had to get my hands on NARS Aigle Noir Soft Touch Shadow Pencil, which is the pencil version of MAC’s Black Ore Solar Bits (a beautiful fusion of black and gold)

I will be enjoying my newly acquired goodies!!

Stila Purple Pumps Smudge Pot, NARS Eurydice Duo

Stila Little Black Dress Smudge Pot, NARS Aigle Noir Soft Touch Shadow Pencil, NARS Brousse Duo

Which items will you be hauling this Friends and Family season?

Happy Haulin’,

Mix Maven

Hey Pumps and Glossy Ones,

Just wanted to update you on some Pumps and Gloss info.

I am sure that you have noticed the changes in the layout (not the final layout) and more changes are coming.  One change, better yet addition is the Swatch Gallery (upper right hand area).  I have placed all the swatches that I have posted in previous blog entries, plus additional Too Faced eye shadow swatches.  (Sidebar: I have new found respect for the bloggers that create makeup swatches for readers….my hats off to you!)

More Hello Kitty finds:

Run to your local Target because the Dollar section is being updated with new products, which means items are 50%, which is 50 cents… cannot beat that with a bat! Here are some of my Hello Kitty finds:

Hello Kitty Black Case

I am totally obsessed with travel makeup storage.  I can never have enough!

So I will definitely be using this case for housing eye shadows (can hold about 5 MAC eye shadows and 2 eye shadow brushes) When I am on the go, this case will come in very handy.

Hello Kitty Case Inside

Pink, Green and White Small Hello Kitty Tote

The cutest little tote bag.  I will use it for storing non-cosmetics HBAs, so I can easily locate them once we arrive at our destination.  I promise that you will not see me toting this adorable little bag on the streets.

What are some of your fun, inexpensive finds?

Mix Maven