Tarte Must-Haves Set Review

I recently purchased this from Ulta, because I wanted to try some of Tarte's hyped-up products without paying full price for them. Basically, you get an adorable bag and a bunch of products for $35. (I used a coupon though. hehehe)

What they say: "Tarte has created the ULTAmate must-have kit! From lips to lids and everything in between this kit offers 5 of tarte's best-sellers and award-winners stashed in a reusable makeup bag. For high-definition, line eyes with emphasEYES Amazonian clay waterproof liner in bronze. With the included double-ended brush you can create precisely thin or dramatically thick lines effortlessly. Complete eyes with a coating of lights, camera, lashes! clinically-proven natural mascara - with a 424% increase in lash volume and 90.2% increase in lash curl you'll be certain that all eyes are on you! For a rosy complexion dab on the award-winning natural cheek stain in true love, a radiant sheer red. Slick the vitamin-infused lipgloss in a pretty pink shade for added luster and a healthy dose of antioxidants. Set your makeup in place using the smooth operator Amazonian clay finishing powder with PM20, clinically-proven to decrease the appearance of pores by 20% after just 4 weeks."

Read on after the jump! ;D

Dear Readers...

I recently have had to go through some very difficult times, and I haven't been able to write as much as usual, My apologies, dearest lovelies. I'm still trying to get through each day the best I can, so no moping for me. This song has really picked my mood up, so I thought I would share it with you all.

What are your tips to cheer yourself up? Any tricks or things you like to do?

Super Awesome Series - Mystique

This is the first villain in our series, so I decided to do it and do it big! (Also, I am using the comic book villain for inspiration, not the character from the movie)

 

Mystique is a villain in the X-Men comics. Also known as Raven Darkholme, she founded the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. This girl has worked for the US and German governments, as well as the Freedom Fighters.
Click through to see her abilities, my look, and list of products used!

MAC Blactrack Liner Review

What MACcosmetics.com says:
"Ultra-smooth, Fluidline's gel formula provides the precision of a liquid liner with a silkier, softer finish. Goes on "foolproof" with a brush in an easy dip and stroke action. Long wearing. Smudge proof. Lines up in a rich array of colours and finishes. Brushes sold separately."

I recently ordered the MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack on my search for the perfect eye liner. I tried it this morning and wore it all day today while at work, and I have to say that I am very impressed so far. I have a problem with eyeliners smudging and melting all over my face. My eyelids are so oily, they eat measly little liners for brunch!

(This is just a precursory review. I plan on posting swatches and a full run down later.) But I have to say off the bat that this is the best liner that I may have tried. EVER. I feel that it is even better than the MAC Liquid Liner, which stays on like tattoo ink for hours. This morning at 7 AM I applied a cat eye with this liner and it is now 12:17 at night. It has not moved whatsoever.

~

Also, Bonnie has posted another superhero look, so go check it out! This time, it's Catwoman. :)

The "Super" Awesome Series!

Hi everyone! I have some exciting news!!
I and Bonnie Krupa over at Foxxy Fashions and Beauty will be creating a series of makeup looks! Every look in the series will be based on a hero or villain. There's a catch though! Every character also has to be a female. There are some strong females out there that need to be recognized!

To kick start the series, I chose Starfire. (Bonnie did Wonder Woman! Go check that out!)

Starfire is an alien from the planet Tarman, which was destroyed. Because of this, she came to Earth and used her abilities to be a superhero. Her real name is Koriand'r, which was her native title of princess on her home planet. Typical of her people, Starfire's skin is orange and her eyes are completely green.

Abilities:

-power of flight

-can learn any language through touching someone

-trained to be a warrior

-incredible strength

-can generate energy blasts ("starbolts") and shoot them from hands or eyes

Sounds pretty B.A. right? ;D Click through for more pictures!

I cut my hair off!

Yes, I did it. I cut all my hair off. I'm not sure how I feel about it yet though, because I have had hair to my lower back for most of my life. I feel kind of manly. :/

But today was my day off, and I had errands to run! This was a look that took maybe ten minutes tops to do. (And for those of you who have asked me on twitter, I do have a lip piercing. I switch out the labret a lot to match my outfits! Today's was a pink ball with black zebra stripes.)

Click through for  list of products I used!

Fyrinae Haul

I received a package from Fyrinae this weekend! I bought a few colors in a mini size to test them out; I've never used this company before, but I had heard a lot about them. I'm going to say right off the bat that I am super impressed. The eye colors are gorgeous, blush and bronzers are pigmented just enough not to look crazy.

First row L-R: Charm, Matte Light Bronzer, finishing powder / Second row L-R: Candy Coated, Te Amo, Dressed to Kill

MAC Blue Pigment Dupe

MAC Blue Pigment is something of a cult favorite. It was discontinued a while ago, and is relatively expensive when you can find it. I believe there are two nuances of this color however; one is the original from long ago and the other is from the Rebel Rock collection. The one that I duped is one of the original jars. The dupe in question is Turquoise Pearl Loose Shadow from NYX. I think these are normally about $3, but you can find them on sale as well at Ulta or online normally.

Can you tell the difference?

Trucco Longwear Paint Review

I would just like to say that the skin on my arm is now very red looking from being scrubbed so much. You're welcome dear readers. :) Today's review is on Trucco Longwear Paints. I purchased several of them in Mulberry Muse for to see how they worked in relation to MAC Paints. (You can get four of the Trucco paints for $11 - $12 online.)

OPI + Love and Beauty Nail Look

Hi lovelies! I have had a crazy past few days: running errands, working, etc. One of these errands was getting a harcut. The stylist cut most of my hair off; it is now just at my shoulders. I feel like such a man. :( My hair was down to my lower back before!

But that's enough of my hair woes. Let's talk about today's Nail Look. I love the accent trend that is big right now! I normally paint my ring fingers on each hand a different color just for fun! In a tribute to bright summer colors, I chose OPI's Jewel of India, which is a gorgeous chrome-ish fuschia. It has other colors that flit about when they are hit by light, very pretty. My accent color was Royal by Love and Beauty. This is not a super dark navy; instead, it is a sapphire blue with multicolor sheen. It's honestly one of my all time favorites, and I only paid $2.80 for it.
These colors are beautiful. They only had one problem, and that was their opacity. One or two coats will not cut it with bright colors anyway normally, but I felt like these needed three coats at least to be vibrant.
 In this picture, I put one coat on a nail, then I put three on the next. Holding it up to the light, you can see straight through the one coat nails. Such a huge difference between the two types of swatches!

From Left to Right: 1 coat of Royal, 3 coats of Royal, 1 coat of Jewel, 3 coats of Jewel

But enough about the one complaint I actually have. On to the pictures!

under normal light so you can see sparkle

I am such a bum.

REMINDER: ENTER THE GIVEAWAY HERE BEFORE THE END OF MAY!

Early in the morning, I am good for almost nothing. This includes fancy makeup looks with tons of layering, blending, buffing, hiding, enhancing....

uh uh.
Today before work, I did this office-appropriate look. It's very natural, and the only things that looks like actual makeup is my eyes. I really like the foundation and powder combo I have been using. It keep my oily skin matte through pretty much the whole day, but I don't look like I have caked makeup on. Mami likes. ;D What do y'all (as we say in the South) use?

Kreativ Blogger Award!

I have been tagged for the Kreativ Blogger Award! :D This is my first, and it came from Jebba over at Cosmetologyyy. She is a very interesting blogger, and also incredibly sweet. 

 Now I have to write 10 things about me... Click through to read more, and learn about a giveaway!

Quick Date Night Look

Today was a LONG day at work, and now I am about to head out on a date with the boyfriend. :) I am pretty tired, so I chose to keep things simple and classic. This would be a great look for anyone who likes more natural makeup or doesn't feel like dealing with layering shade after shade.

The products were also kept at a minimum! No time to dawdle haha. (Dawdle is such a funny word...)
FACE: Mary Kay Medium Coverage Foundation in Ivory 104
Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent
MAC Light Flush Mineralize Skinfinish

EYES: MAC Paint Pot in Constructivist
Estee Lauder Pure Color Eyeshadow (Ivory Box and Mocha)
Urban Decay 24/7 Liner in Zero
Maybelline Volume Express mascara

LIPS: Benefit Poppy tint

Kawaii Doll Tutorial - Dramatic

This look is from my last post, where I showed you the finished product of my charity entry. Now I'm going to show you how to do a super cute look, one more dramatic and one for everyday wear. The everyday look will be featured in my next post.

Dramatic Kawaii Doll Look

Dear to Wear Charity Challenge

Japan has been going through rough times recently. They were hit by incredible forces of nature, killing, wounding, and impoverishing thousands of people. Now their economy has been hit harshly, and people are still struggling with normal life. Funny Face Beauty has decided to host a Dear to Wear Charity Challenge for Japan! For every person who enters a Japanese-inspired look, her family will donate $10 to the Japanese repair efforts! I decided to do my part by creating a unique Japanese-esque look. This is a cross between old-style geisha structure and new, edgy harajuku influences. It almost reminds me of a porcelain doll. ;) Click through to see all the pictures! Oh, and if you want a tutorial on this, let me know! 

Hint: One of my influences was Polpettina of Tokidoki.

Essence Dupe For MAC Lipstick

 Hello there beautiful! :) My birthday happened not too long ago, and my boyfriend got me an amazing present. He surprised me by taking me to Ulta and giving me $80 to spend in the store. Is he perfect or what? Listen up ladies! If your man understands your cosmetics addiction AND becomes your enabler, KEEP HIM.

 ^_^

As I was scavenging throughout my makeup cases today, (i have two!) I came upon a dupe for MAC Blankety lipstick. I reviewed this lipstick in another post; click here to read that. I love this color, but let's be honest with ourselves. MAC is an expensive habit.
On my maniacal spree throughout Ulta, I picked up a new lipstick! (among other things...) They sell a company called Essence that was formerly only sold in the UK. You can get it from Ulta stores or their website now! Essence is super affordable, especially when the store runs sales. I have paid a dollar for their nail polish, and I think their lipsticks are $2.50 FULL PRICE.
**EDIT: I just checked Ulta.com. As of 5/6/2011, most Essence lipsticks are on sale for $1.29.**

MAC Blankety and Marquise d'

Today I bring you 2 of my favorite lipsticks from MAC. They are both relatively nude, so they would pretty much go with any look.

left: MAC Blankety ; Right: Marquise d'