the perks of being porcelain

Friday, October 14, 2011

Disco Ball Lips

If you're looking for something unique this Halloween, or any time really, try making your own! This particular lip was made by adding NYX glitter in Disco Ball to lip gloss and mixing it. It's that simple! Remember, if you do use this technique, that you need a thicker clear gloss, like Victoria's Secret gloss in Crystal. Also, use cosmetic grade glitter, try not to lick your lips, and remove before eating!

with flash.

Yes, it does shimmer colors even without flash. This is in normal inside light.

Thursday, October 13, 2011

Tutorial: Starry Night

This look uses my new Kat Von D palette in Metal Orchestra as the main focus.

1. For a glowing face, use Urban Decay Tinted Moisturizer (I use the shade Halo). Top with translucent powder for a flawless look. Dust E.L.F. blush in Peachy Keen along the top of your cheekbones, then dust any matte bronzer in the hollows of your cheeks to contour. (I used Fyrinnae matte bronzer in Light)
2. Prime eye. Taking the Kat Von D palette, pat First Class (slightly shimmery white) under the eyebrow. Blend. Now apply Techno (bright true blue) above the crease. Blend even more! Now put Lucifer (blackened navy with bright blue shimmer) on your lid up to the crease. Side Note: This particular color is beautiful. It might be hard to find a replacement, but I'll let you know if I find one! Blend everything together and add more color to the places that need it.
3. Line your eyes with a bright blue eyeliner. Almost every brand has one, so it shouldn't be too hard to find. I used Urban Decay 24/7 liner in Deviant. Use mascara if you wish. A blue mascara is fun if you're going out!
4. Get some gloss on your lips and go!

no flash.

Today's outfit: It's still HOT here! And it's October. :[

Kat Von D Lightning Sheer Gloss Review

I recently purchased the Kat Von D for Sephora Lightning Sheer Lip Gloss. It was on clearance, and I am so glad I did! I picked up the color Party Animal, which is a bright glittery orange in the tube. Now before you get all freaked out, let me just say that it isn't so crazy on your lips. After all, the title does have "sheer" in it. The gloss isn't as sticky and tacky as a MAC lipglass, but it's not greasy thin either. Over all, it has a good feel to it. The wear time was great. I wore it out and it lasted almost the whole night... but once I started eating, it was all over. :P
This particular color is bright orange with gold microglitter in the tube. However, when on your lips, it mellows out into a mango/coral type color. I'm not one for coral on my lips... ever. But I really liked this, surprisingly. (The first picture below is in normal light. Second is with flash to show glitter.)

Overall, this is a great gloss for the sale price. Would I pay the normal price of $18 for it? Heck no. I wouldn't pay the full $18 for any product. haha! On with the swatches.

bare lips.

daylight.

inside lighting.

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Urban Decay Cream Shadows Review

Let me start of by saying this - I hate cream eyeshadow. Literally. It makes my face look like a grease pit. So I ordered these by Urban Decay with not-so-high hopes. I hadn't tried them, but had heard good things. To be completely honest with you... pretty much all the good things are true with these! Pigmentation is pretty much wonderful. Some of the lighter ones (like Midnight Rodeo) might have to be layered a bit. These stay very, very well. So well that it was a hassle to wash them off my arm (see picture below). I'm sure it wouldn't stain as bad if I had used a primer... Oh well! There's always next time. Check 'em out if you need a good base or straight shadow.

Moonshine, Delinquent, Radium, Grass, Midnight Rodeo, Sphynx

with flash.

with natural light.

my skin hours later after scrubbing to get the swatches off!

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Tutorial: Kim Kardashian

Guys, this has to be THE easiest look you can do. I'm starting off Halloween looks this year kinda early, and this is a simple one you can do if you happen to be dressing up as the diva herself! To be honest, it's just a normal brown smoky eye... There goes some of the sexpot mystery Kim K. has, right?

Tutorial: Acid Sunset

Today I wanted to play around with my Urban Decay shadow in Freakshow. It's the prettiest dark purple, even if it is starting to crumble a little. :( I also used Urban Decay Peace, Fishnets, and Electric. I have a thing for that company if you can't tell... I recently placed an order with their website and got $245 worth of makeup for $60. I know, I'm a winner. :]

New MAC Pigments vs. Urban Decay

Just a quick note:
I posted a review on the Urban Decay Black palette here earlier in the year. The palette features exactly what it sounds like, a series of blackened jewel tones. Now MAC has released Fall Colour Pigments in Emerald Dusk, Starless Night, and Blue Storm. I wasn't too dazzled by the pigments, but you can see swatches here. Feel free to comapre and contrast between the two sets. I personally think that if you already have the Urban Decay palette, you don't need to buy the new MAC pigments. They're not exact dupes, but they could be easily interchangeable.

Newspaper Nails

CamiG recently did a tutorial on how to do your own newspaper nail manicure. I tried it out and loved it! I know it's not my usual post, but I had fun with it. Here are the results:

Nails: Last Friday Night Dupe

In the city I live in, it is almost impossible to catch hot releases when they first come out, due to vulture-like shoppers. When I was at Rite-Aid not too long ago, I saw Hottie by Sinful Colors for $2. I snapped it up, thinking that it resembled OPI's Last Friday Night from the Katy Perry collection. I was sooo right. It's an almost perfect dupe. ^_^

Today's nails used OPI Let's See The Ring for a pearly background, then I layered Hottie on top. (Both colors needed two coats to even resemble opacity.) The Sinful Colors polish is a blue jelly-like base with gorgeous rainbow sparkles encased within. I'd be lying if I said it won me over completely, but you can't beat it for $2.