Product: Avon Glimmersticks (in “Blackest Night” for Waterproof and “Blackest Black” and “Emerald” for Regular)

Price: $6 at Avon

General Information: http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?pf_id=31385 & http://shop.avon.com/shop/product.aspx?pf_id=30990

Review:

Rating: 4/5

Sparkling eye makeup is the key to copying Cheryl Cole`s X-Factor style, it has been claimed.

According to the beauty gurus at Hello magazine, Cheryl and her fellow judge Dannii Minogue have both been showing off glittery eyes on the show and the look is easy to recreate for festive parties.

The publication suggests using a metallic, cream-based eye shadow on the lid for “full-on Cheryl-style glamour” and also advises using a matching shade of eyeliner on the lower lid for balance.

However, it warns women embracing statement eye makeup that they should tone down their cheeks and lips to avoid looking like a drag queen.

“The key with glitter is to focus on one feature only. And keep your finishes matte; shiny skin and glossy lips attract the light to fight with sparkly eyes,” it advises.

Last week, Jenni Middleton, editor of Professional Beauty magazine, said that celebrities such as Cheryl Cole and Lady Gaga are prompting the trend for false eyelashes.

Source

Hey, lovelies!

How’s your Sunday going? Mine’s been quite relaxing. Finals are over and all I have to say to that is, WOOHOO! PAAARTY!

Anywho, here are some awesome links that I came across this week. Enjoy!

These earrings are so cool, so unique! *swoon*- Etsy.

• Need exercise suggestions? – Zen Habits
• How to draw attention away from puffy eyes – Make Up and Beauty Blog
• FutureDerm sheds some light on eyelash growth treatments – FutureDerm
• Liquid liners that are a cinch to apply! – Nouveau Cheap
• Mineral oil ain’t so bad after all – Beautiful with Brains
• How do you feel about Shu Uemura’s Spring 2010 Collection? I’m lovin’ the promo image! – Musings of a Muse
• I’m ‘Mad as a Hatter’, baby! – Temptalia
• I’m smitten with this Japanese brand – Chic Profile
• This makes me want to do a holiday pic featuring my bunny! – Cute Overload

Did you do anything cool and exciting this weekend? Do share!

]]> http://obblogato.wordpress.com/2009/12/20/rewardif-eye/ Sun, 20 Dec 2009 22:59:21 +0000 Adam Isler http://obblogato.wordpress.com/2009/12/20/rewardif-eye/

7 train

What do I have to do impress His Majesty? Finish tied or ahead of him in six consecutive weeks? Beat him by one pick last week to pull within one game in the overall standings? Defeat him in a super hot wing-eating contest? Actually, I might have just defeated myself in that last one. Regardless, all I get from King is condescension! Don’t worry, King, I don’t get mad—I get even…by going emo! Cue the Morrissey songs and toss me a tight, black outfit with chain accessories. Be on guard, you so-called football guru—eyeliner is the new eye black…

Last Week:

Peter King (11-5)

Benji (12-4)

Brian (12-4)

Overall:

Peter King (143-65)

Benji (142-66)

Brian (134-75)

Dallas Cowboys (8-5) at New Orleans Saints (13-0)

King Says:

Tony Romo, the choker who goes catatonic once the calendar turns to January, is a 68-percent passer with 950 yards, seven touchdown and no picks in his last three games. Unfortunately, he’ll need to be even better — and play tackle — for Dallas to win in the ‘Dome.

Prediction: New Orleans Saints 30, Dallas Cowboys 26

Benji Says:

Maybe Romo can play some running back while he’s at it—top back Marion Barber has averaged only 3.3 yards a carry the last three weeks against three of the league’s weakest run defenses (the Giants, Chargers and Raiders). That being said, the Saints’ defense seems extremely suspect to me at this point in the season. Points will abound in this game, but as usual, that will work to New Orleans’ benefit.

Prediction: New Orleans Saints 40, Dallas Cowboys 33

Atlanta Falcons (6-7) at New York Jets (7-6)

King Says:

I’m no prude, and I don’t mind the occasional sideline tirade. It’s natural. But its happening a little too much for my liking with Mike Smith. If I knew Smith better, I’d tell him, “Mike, you’re obviously a bright coach and a good teacher of men. But the sideline tantrums have to stop. And many of the thousands of kids who watch the replays of you unglued on the sidelines can read lips. Is that the message you want to be sending to kids?”

Prediction: New York Jets 23, Atlanta Falcons 14

Benji Says:

For someone who isn’t a “prude,” you’ve spent way too much time over the last few weeks complaining about Atlanta coach Mike Smith and too little time actually analyzing Atlanta’s match-ups. All I ask is that you make a single mention of the catastrophic injuries to this team’s top two players (quarterback Matt Ryan and running back Michael Turner) that have knocked them out of the playoff race. Is that too much to ask? Why have I had to ask you for the same thing three weeks running?

Prediction: New York Jets 20, Atlanta Falcons 13

Arizona Cardinals (8-5) at Detroit Lions (2-11)

King Says:

All I can say about the turnover-happy Cards is this: The next back to fumble again (Tim Hightower or Beanie Wells) will be sitting on the bench for a long, long time. Perhaps until August.

Prediction: Arizona Cardinals 33, Detroit Lions 13

Benji Says:

All I can say about your analysis of the Cardinals is this: a team is allowed to have a bad game once in awhile. Arizona played terrible all across the board on Monday, and Hightower and Wells have both been productive backs all season long. As for this game, look out, Detroit…

Prediction: Arizona Cardinals 35, Detroit Lions 10

Houston Texans (6-7) at St. Louis Rams (1-12)

King Says:

I love how the NFL can make the horrendous sound just fine. In the league’s game-preview capsules this week, discussing Rams-Texans, there’s this about the nightmare five-interception starting debut from Keith Null last week: “Keith Null made NFL debut last week & threw 1st career TD.” Tiger Woods should hire the NFL writers. In the description of the wee hours of Nov. 27, the capsule would read: “Tiger wore seat belt effectively — Adjusted rear-view mirror well — Family healthy and enjoyed a tasty Thanksgiving meal.”

Prediction: Houston Texans 27, St. Louis Rams 6

Benji Says:

Let me give credit where credit is due: the paragraph above represents King’s best and most humorous analysis of the year. A cheap shot at Tiger, maybe, but the man kind of deserves it—even Santa Claus knows enough to stop after three hos…

Prediction: Houston Texans 30, St. Louis Rams 6

New England Patriots (8-5) at Buffalo Bills (5-8)

King Says:

Wind chill around 10 degrees at kickoff, with 15-mph winds coming off the lake. It’s a day for the short pass and the power running game. So while everyone will have their binocs on Randy Moss’ effort in Orchard Park, they’d be smarter to focus on Sammy Morris.

Prediction: New England Patriots 20, Buffalo Bills 16

Benji Says:

All very true, Your Majesty—but don’t the Patriots thrive on beating the Bills in these sorts of conditions? They play one of these windy, wintry games every year and the score is always ugly but never very close…

Prediction: New England Patriots 17, Buffalo Bills 6

Cleveland Browns (2-11) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-10)

King Says:

How about Brady Quinn (seven TDs, no picks in his past four games) outplaying Matt Cassel recently? The Chiefs are starting to get worried about Cassel.

Prediction: Cleveland Browns 17, Kansas City Chiefs 12

Benji Says:

It certainly has not helped Cassel’s chances to have only Chris Chambers (one of the most inconsistent receivers in recent memory) to throw to—he’ll be much better off now that Dwayne Bowe is back in uniform…

Prediction: Kansas City Chiefs 20, Cleveland Browns 13

Chicago Bears (5-8) at Baltimore Ravens (7-6)

King Says:

I use this score for old time’s sake. The last time these two teams met in the Land of the Crabcake, this was the score, and the game was the first in defense of the Super Bowl title. I could see Ray Lewis and his mates doing the same thing to the Jay Cutler version of the Bears.

Prediction: Baltimore Ravens 17, Chicago Bears 6

Benji Says:

For old time’s sake? This Ravens team is hardly Super Bowl caliber. Then again, they are still significantly better than the Bears…

Prediction: Baltimore Ravens 20, Chicago Bears 10

San Francisco 49ers (6-7) at Philadelphia Eagles (9-4)

King Says:

The Eagles are starting to be must-see TV. This is the first time in Andy Reid’s 11 years that, offensively, you just can’t look away because they’re so exciting.

Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles 34, San Francisco 49ers 24

Benji Says:

Unfortunately, you also can’t look away when their opponent is on offense. The Eagles’ defense looked horrendous last week against a Giants team that has struggled to score points for the entire second half of the season.

Prediction: Philadelphia Eagles 28, San Francisco 49ers 24

Miami Dolphins (7-6) at Tennessee Titans (6-7)

King Says:

What you don’t know about this game is how hamstring-hampered Vince Young will be — if he plays at all. If adrenalin can make him the real Vince Young, I like Tennessee. But I picked Miami because I don’t think he can move around the way he’ll need to against the Dolphins front.

Prediction: Miami Dolphins 24, Tennessee Titans 20

Benji Says:

If Vince Young is not healthy enough to play, Kerry Collins will be in the game. And with either quarterback at the helm, I think that the Titans will be able to make enough plays downfield to win the game. Miami’s cornerbacks are terrible, and with the way that Chris Johnson is running right now, the Dolphins will have to stack the line and expose them. Any way you look at it, I see this as a bad match-up for Miami…

Prediction: Tennessee Titans 24, Miami Dolphins 17

Oakland Raiders (4-9) at Denver Broncos (8-5)

King Says:

You get the feeling that if Charlie Frye weren’t on the roster, Tom Cable would have tried to get David Humm to come out of retirement to start this game. Anyone but JaMarcus Russell.

Prediction: Denver Broncos 31, Oakland Raiders 10

Benji Says:

Why don’t the Raiders get it over with and just cut Russell. They clearly want nothing to do with him at this point. Could he really be worse than Charlie Frye?

Prediction: Denver Broncos 30, Oakland Raiders 13

Cincinnati Bengals (9-4) at San Diego Chargers (10-3)

King Says:

Heavy-hearted Bengals fly west, sick about the death of their teammate, Chris Henry. Tough, tough day.

Prediction: San Diego Chargers 27, Cincinnati Bengals 13

Benji Says:

R.I.P. Chris Henry.

Prediction: San Diego Chargers 30, Cincinnati Bengals 13

Green Bay Packers (9-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-7)

King Says:

My last-gasp Steelers pride, Steelers-are-better-than-this pick of the season. Time for Ben Roethlisberger the leader to take the offensive huddle by the throat and get it done. Almost went the other way because of the absence of guard Chris Kemoeatu. Maybe I should have, but I think James Harrison and LaMarr Woodley could bust up the Packers pocket.

Prediction: Pittsburgh Steelers 24, Green Bay Packers 20

Benji Says:

The Steelers should be “better than this,” but after losing to Oakland, Kansas City and Cleveland, they’ve done enough to prove to me that they’re not. Stick a fork in them already, King—they’re done.

Prediction: Green Bay Packers 24, Pittsburgh Steelers 17

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-12) at Seattle Seahawks (5-8)

King Says:

Not saying Matt Hasselbeck’s job in danger, but I am saying he’s 34, he hasn’t had a franchise-quarterback year since 2007, and has to show Jim Mora and the brass in the next three weeks reasons why they shouldn’t take a quarterback in the first two rounds.

Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 24, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16

Benji Says:

I’m not saying I agree with your assessment of Matt Hasselbeck, Your Majesty, but I am saying that everything you said is factually correct—and that I’ve also been saying it since the beginning of the season. Yay for deliberately (and unnecessarily) deceptive sentences!

Prediction: Seattle Seahawks 24, Tampa Bay Buccaneers 16

Minnesota Vikings (11-2) at Carolina Panthers (5-8)

King Says:

They won’t need it this weekend, but the Vikings need to find a way to treat these Percy Harvin migraines. That’s trouble for January football, Favre minus Havre.

Prediction: Minnesota Vikings 23, Carolina Panthers 9

Benji Says:

Is it just me or does King have a really phun time with silly puns/homonyms? As for this game, the Panthers’ only strength is their ability to run the ball and the Vikings’ defense is built to stop the run. What a terrible match-up for Carolina…

Prediction: Minnesota Vikings 28, Carolina Panthers 10

New York Giants (7-6) at Washington Redskins (4-9)

King Says:

Somehow I doubt the Redskins will put all hands in the middle before taking the field at FedEx and say in unison, “Win it for Vinny!”

Prediction: New York Giants 27, Washington Redskins 26

Benji Says:

How do the Redskins’ players’ feelings about their recently resigned general manager have any affect on the outcome of this game? Also, can they really hate him that much? After all, he’s the one who signed all of them to play on the team! As for this game, I also expect the Redskins to again keep things close but somehow (method TBD) blow it in the fourth quarter. This team blows games it should win more “successfully” than any team in recent memory…

Prediction: New York Giants 20, Washington Redskins 17

A nice bit of Armenian investigative journalism by Artmika over at Unzipped: Gay Armenia revealed yet another Armenian hiding in our midst.  It all started with a casual tweet at twitter.com/DitaVonTeese:     

 ”At eurovision, The Armenians are killing me with their hair and especially the fierce cateye liner! LOVE! I am part Armenian, in fact.”         

Inga and Anush Arshakyan

Everyone, Needs To See This Video.
Leaves Me In Awe Everytime:

http://www.mtv.com/videos/misc/435679/paparazzi-live.jhtml

I love lady gaga. <3

Can’t read my,
Can’t read my,
No, he can’t read my poker face
Amidst all the flashing lights
I pray the fame wont take my life

We are the crowd
We’re cuh-coming out
Got my flash on it’s true
Need that picture of you
It’s so magical
We’d be so fantastic, oh

Leather and jeans
Garage glamorous
Not sure what it means
But this photo of us
It don’t have a price
Ready for those flashing lights
‘Cause you know that baby I-

I’m your biggest fan
I’ll follow you until you love me
Papa-Paparazzi
Baby there’s no other superstar
You know that I’ll be your-
Papa-Paparazzi

Promise I’ll be kind
But I won’t stop until that boy is mine
Baby you’ll be famous
Chase you down until you love me
Papa-Paparazzi

I’ll be your girl backstage at your show
Velvet ropes and guitars
Yeah cause you know I’m starting between the sets
Eyeliner and cigarettes

Shadow is burnt, yellow dance and return
My lashes are dry – purple teardrops I cry
It don’t have a price
Loving you is Cherry Pie
‘Cause you know that baby I
I’m your biggest fan
I’ll follow you until you love me
Papa-Paparazzi
Baby there’s no other superstar
You know that I’ll be your
Papa-Paparazzi

Promise I’ll be kind
But I won’t stop until that boy is mine
Baby you’ll be famous
Chase you down until you love me
Papa-paparazzi

Real good, We’re dancing in the studio
Stop-stopped, That shit on the radio
Don’t stop, for anyone
We’re plastic but we still have fun

I’m your biggest fan
I’ll follow you until you love me
Papa-Paparazzi
Baby there’s no other superstar
You know that I’ll be your
Papa-Paparazzi

Promise I’ll be kind
But I won’t stop until that boy is mine
Baby you’ll be famous
Chase you down until you love me
Papa-paparazzi

People often look at me like I have 3 heads when I begrudingly admit that I don’t absolutely love the holidays. I have friends who put their tree up before Thanksgiving (I’m looking at you, Jen!), friends who send their holiday cards before Dec. 1, and friends and family who live for this season. As much as I was resistant to doing a holiday gift guide this year (it just seemed like overkill, with the recession, and all the coverage of new holiday beauty releases), I realized there are ladies out there like me who have no clue what to buy for the other ladies in their lives.

Just in time for the last weekend before Christmas, here is SugarSocial’s 2009 holiday gift guide.  Hopefully, this will help you decide on last-minute gifts, or give you some inspiration. No matter what, be sure to deliver your gift with lots of love; that is what is most important during this season.

For Mom
No one, and I mean no one, deserves a lovely gift more than Mom. I mean, after all, she gave you life, so you kinda owe her! Get her something she’ll really like.

The deep-cleaning Clarisonic skincare brush ($149-$225) rotates 300 times per minute, leaving behind softer, smoother skin. It not only cleans, but is said to fight the great battle against aging, too. Oprah-approved.

Give Mom the gift of luxe skincare with Bobbi Brown’s Hydrating Set ($95). Pamper her skin with Hydrating Face Cream, Hydrating Eye Cream, mini Intensive Skin Supplement, and mini Soothing Face Tonic.

You can’t go wrong with affordable jewelry. These Aqua pearls from Bloomingdales ($38) are trendy, elegant, and totally rich-looking for the price. Make Mom feel special on very little cash! And they’re so cute, you can borrow them.

Your Sister
She’s been driving you crazy since she chopped off all your Barbie’s hair when you were 6, but she’s also your best friends who knows you better than anyone. Show her you love her.

Any limited-edition item from MAC’s Magic, Mirth, and Mischief! holiday ‘09 collection is sure to set her heart aflutter. Choose something special for her based on her personality. If she’s in need of new tools, there are 3 sets of pro-quality brushes.

These cool kits from Benefit will give her everything she needs to primp perfectly. Go with Glam Idol if she’s traditional, and Sexy Starlet if she’s edgy.

Give her this red wine ($9.99). Cause after all, she is one. And you love her for it.

Your BFF
She’s been there for you through thick and thin, has let you cry on your shoulder when guys dumped you, and has trusted you with her deepest secrets. Show her you think she’s just as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside.

Bare Escentuals Extreme Glimmers ($32) are perfect for when you 2 hit the town together. The 3 ultra-glimmery mineral eyeshadows are made from pure minerals, and give eyes mega-watt sparkle. Comes packaged with a mini tube of Prime Time eyelid primer and a mini shadow brush.

BeneFit Glitz, Glam & Gloss ($26) is one of the rare lip kits that doesn’t have one single clunker. All of the colors are beyond perfect, with just enough shimmer and shine.

Urban Decay 24/7 Super Stash Eyeliner Set ($36) is everything she could possibly ever want in the eyeliner department. She will love this one.

And if all else fails, take her out to dinner and catch up with her. After all, spending time with loved ones is what matters most.

Your Co-Worker
She helps you get through the day when you feel like stress is going to cause you to keel over. Say thanks with a simple, thoughtful gift.

With its whimsical illustrations, Kate Spade’s 2010 desk calendar ($20) will make her not dread boring meetings so much.
This Slatkin & Co. Winter candle ($9.50) smells amazing and clean, and she’ll be able to enjoy the scent long after the holidays.

Buy her a drink. God knows you both need one.

Happy holidays! Happy shopping!

Today I was at CVS ans I picked up a few things….

Wet~n~Wild Creme Eyeliner in black $3.99

L’Oreal True Match compact makeup in C6 $12.99

L’Oreal Color Truth Cream Eyeliner in Teal $11.99 (got for $5.99 w/ buy 1, get 1 50% off)

This stash is the result of a 90 min haul in Tokyo. Got myself six eyeshadow, one compact, two blushes from the ADDICTION counter… and then one cream foundation, one cream makeup base and a box of loose powder from SUQQU.

A very sweet girlfriend from Japan was kind enough to send me a little gift from the ADDICTION PR friend of hers. So I got a champagne color eyeshadow and a black auto eyeliner for free yeay!

I haven’t been a big fan of Japanese eye shadows as they tend to be very sparkly and much softer in color intensity… and then I met ADDICTION for the first time in reading a Japanese magazine and immediately fell in love with the collection.

Tested out 3 colors so far and I must say I am very happy with the texture and the overall superb fine quality of the ADDICTION products, just that it takes more layers to build up the color intensity (unlike NARS it only takes two sweeps). I’d still reach for my NARS stuff for a crazy night out. Perhaps soon ADDICTION will come out with more fabulous products to lure me over!

As the festive season and also the party time nears, it is important to know which make up trends are IN for the last party days in this year 2009.

After my last trend articles, you should know now, what to wear and what not.

But what is THE make up look for the party season during the last days in 2009???

MAKE UP TREND = SMOKEY EYES

You would need: eyeliner, two or three different eye shadows and mascara.

This could be the perfect shadow palette for smokey eyes:

Source: Google images: Beautyspion

Apply a light shadow (silver, ivory, shimmering beige) over the whole eye area up to the brows.

Then, take the medium colour (should be of the similar colour shade) and apply over the eyelid.

Lastly, take the darkest shade or eye liner, apply close to the lash line and smudge with a large brush so you have a nice diffused line.

Apply the eyeliner at the lower lid as well.

And, of course, lots of mascara!!!

Source: Google images: Indiepublic

Source: Google images: Squidoo

Source: Google images: Babor

Please, be careful with the choice of the appropriate eyeshadow for your eye colour.

Blue Eyes: Gray, violet, taupe, purple, deep blue, silver, fuchsia, turquoise, and green. Blue eyes pop with bronze eye shadow!

Green Eyes: Red and pink tones enhance green eyes because it is the complimentary color to green. Copper, coral, apricots, deep browns, plum and purple. Gold jewelry really enhances green eyes as well!

Brown Eyes: Green, champagne, bronze, gold, brown, blue, green, and purple. Rich golds and metallics really make brown eyes pop. Primary colors such as royal blue, crimson red, lime, and bright yellow.

Additionally, you can see now, how to create your own smokey eyes.

I WISH YOU ALL MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

]]> http://ritzbrits.wordpress.com/2009/12/13/make-up-for-ever/ Sun, 13 Dec 2009 20:23:50 +0000 ritzbrits http://ritzbrits.wordpress.com/2009/12/13/make-up-for-ever/

Every year when I was a little girl, I would get a fresh box of 96 Crayola Crayons.  There is nothing like a brand new, unopened box of crayons with perfect points in every color of the rainbow.  This year, the little girl in me jumped and down and clapped her hands when she saw the Make Up For Ever Aqua Eyes Collector Set.  This set is a dream come true for anyone who loves makeup.  There are 25 vibrant colors in this set, with the smooth, waterproof formula we’ve all come to know and love.   My favorites are 7L (Turquoise), 10L (Bronze), 17L (Pistachio), 18L (Burgundy), and best of all, 19 L (Shimmering Taupe).  This set contains enough inspiration to make the little girl in all of us want to color outside the lines.

Since I own two of the Makeup For Ever Aqua Eyes, I consider myself an expert.  Wouldn’t you agree?  Just nod and smile please!  So when I then recommend that you run, not walk out and get this set, you need to heed my advice.  I wouldn’t steer you wrong.  Promise.

This set contains two of the colors that I paid a pretty penny for.  The Black and the Champagne.  Black is traditional.  Everyone needs a black liner.  The Champagne color is my favorite color to use on my waterline.  I’m not a girl who likes white on the waterline because on me, it looks weird.  But the champagne color works perfectly and you can even use it on the inner tearduct area to brighten that up.  Purchased seperately, that is $34.  Yep, each liner is $17 bucks.  But right now you can get this set of 5 for $35.  Um, did you hear me?

$35 bucks for 5 fabulous eyeliners.  Go get it now.  Where?  Sephora of course!

Inglot’s Duraline is a transforming liquid that will turn any of your eyeshadows into a liquid so that you can use them as an eyeliner with an angled tiny brush.

This product works really well, and will not ruin your eyeshadows. It’ll simply dry off and can be used once again as it normally would. I use it often, it’s fun to have bright green, or gold and silver eyeliner.

The store Inglot used to be at the Rideau Center here in Ottawa. It has since closed, but remains open in Montreal, where I stock up on this product when I go.

Oh, and Lise Wattier attempted to make a similar product, but it’s no good. Much too liquidy and just sinks into your shadow.

~Darleya~

Fashion – Makeup – Trend – Fads – Funky – Expressions – Colors – Fun – Style – Inspiration – ALL LIVE HERE!

Either E.L.F. (eyes lips face) will soon love me or hate me. I recently put in a huge order (36 items, mainly studio) during their cyber monday sale. I wanted to try one of everything, and if it’s great, it’s going into the kit – and I will purchase more. Now, I’d like to think I have realistic expectations for products that cost $1-$3.  But I’m sincerely hoping that a good, quality and ridiculously cheap makeup product broke into the over the counter market. I really do.  I think this company has a lot of potential, and they’ve done a good job so far. As far as aesthetics go, I think their website is functional, efficient, eye pleasing, user friendly, and honest. Nothing bothers me more then photographs of flawless, over processed and photoshopped women with long luscious lashes due to ABC mascara. It’s fake. I’ve pointed out the strip of fake lashes glued on in so many mascara ad campaigns and model’s skin looking like plastic. But I like ELF’s approach. They assembled a really clean, and honest website with stellar product photography. They don’t try to pretend an HD loose powder will make an already flawless model look flawless.  It’s a quiet confidence. I even like that customers can write an honest and uncensored review about the product.

I know I’m hyping them up, but they can still disappoint me. I still haven’t tried most of their products or any really. But what I am trying to say is I like them so far. I like their marketing direction, their approach to the everyday woman, and their affordability.

Urban Decay’s 24/7 eyeliner pencil is a no-smudge, no-budge, waterproof, smear-proof pencil that beauty editors rave about. When first applied, it’s easy to smudge and blend, but afterwards, it stays put for hours. This stuff isn’t going anywhere once it’s set.

Get every color of the rainbow in Urban’s 24/7 Super Stash ($36). The set includes 9 mini eyeliner pencils in a range of neutrals, darks, and brights, 4 of which are exclusive to this set. Every color you could ever want is all in one box.

And of course, just like the original 24/7, these are supercreamy and glide on lids with ease.

Included in the set:

• Zero (classic black)
• Oil Slick (black sparkle)
• Binge (navy)
• Eldorado (gold)
• Corrupt (brown sparkle)
• Rockstar (dark eggplant)
• Stash (dark green with gold undertones)
• Ransom (irridescent purple)
• Graffiti (bright green with silver sparkle)

Use these colors solo or in combination to create myriad looks that will take you from day to night, playtime to partytime, and everywhere in between.

A few quick thoughts:

• Navy eyeliner is usually a hit, and Binge is no exception. It intensifies eye color without being overpowering, and has the slightest hint of shimmer to give your definition even more depth.
• Oil Slick gives you that glossy-black finish that looks so slept-in sexy.
• Green-eyed gals, get ready to make heads turn. Rockstar is the perfect shade to make your eyes look jaw-droppingly green.
• For an edgy spin on the classic black-lined eye, line upper and lower lashline with Stash, starting at the outer corners and extending just past the center of the lid. Use Eldorado to finish the line, extending to the inner corners. The flash of gold on the inner corners of the eye will give you a subtle dose of glitz, and it complements the green nicely without getting lost.

by sylvia 

So we’ve got this Holiday Party coming up on Friday, we’ve got our dresses and our shoes, we’ve got appointments to get our hair did, Bianca has secured a babysitter after so much drama, and we are ready to get our drinkin’ and dancin’ on. 

But I have a problem. 

I don’t know how to wear eye makeup. 

No one ever really taught me how to wear make up, I didn’t really start wearing it until later in high school, and even then, it was just very basic stuff – you know, to look fresh and fun, not to cover up any pimples or anything. 

I never learned how to wear eye makeup, though.  I taught myself the art of mascara or whatever, because my eyes literally disappear into my face without any mascara – literally.  A few years ago, I started experimenting with eyeshadow, but still stuck to the basics. So I’ve got those things covered. 

But because I wear glasses everyday, all the time, I guess I never really tried too hard with the eyeliner.  And I’m probably a good candidate for eyeliner, as my eyes are small and close together (and I have a lazy eye, too…please, boys, form a single line!) 

But when I’ve experimented with it (last night is a good example) I look like a really jacked up drag queen with no makeup skills who has been crying and wearing too much eye makeup.  Think Tammy Faye, but not as classy or sophisticated. 

So for this party, I plan on not wearing my glasses (and subsequently squinting and still not seeing all night) so I want to my eyes to “pop” (thanks again, Tyra), but I plan on wearing some bright red lipstick, so I don’t want to get too bold. 

I thought about getting my makeup done, but I don’t think I’m that kind of person.  Apparently, I’m the type of person that likes to look like a jacked up, poorly-skilled drag queen.  I mean, I really want to learn how to do it myself. 

So I watched some videos last night, and it seems so simple and then I try it and BAM – raccoon eyes. 

Here is an example of an attempt I made: 

Up close, it doesn't look too bad and are those WRINKLES?!?!?!

So am I supposed to apply eyeliner to the upper and lower lashes?  What is this about the water line?  I mean, doesn’t the liner basically just drip off in two seconds because it’s wet? 

Check out that pupil

Here’s a picture of my lipstick, which I’m including because I took a picture.  I’m finding I really enjoy taking pictures of my individual features, vs. looking at the whole thing at once.  I guess it’s the facial version of the belly project.  Maybe by doing this I can learn to love and accept my whole damn face: 

Can you see my moustache?

So, does anyone have any recommendations for making my eyes pop while being seductive and demure, yet not detracting from the bold red lip I am putting out there?  I mean, I want to to do something different than my every day look, but don’t want to look busted.  I still have a few days to practice, so I am open to suggestions! 

Kisses!

Hello all, this is a list of things I use every day. Without further adieu….

1st up

MAC tinted lip conditioner $14.50

I love this stuff! I use this twice a day (morning and night) and it keeps my lips super soft. I wear it alone or under my lipsticks and glosses!

2nd…

A good facial Cleanser. Right now I’m using Neutrogena Deep Cleaning Foam Cleanser ($6.99), Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub ($7.99) and Neutrogena Clear Pore Cleanser/Mask ($5.97)

The foam works great! I use it every morning and not only does it wake me up, it wakes my skin up. It leaves my skin bright and refreshed. The Biore Pore Scrub is like a miracle for yours pores. This is the only product that have worked on my large pores!(I will do a full review soon.) Lastly, the cleanser/mask can be used daily as a cleanser or weekly as a mask. I personally use it as a mask. Great stuff!

3rd…

MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer $16.50

I can use this alone or with foundation. I just apply with my finger or a brush…… and buff it out and I’m ready to go! Or I apply foundation over it for flawless looking skin!

4th…

Eyeliner! Im using Hard Candy Take Me Out Eyeliner in SOY ($5.00)

I usually use Avon glimmersticks eyeliner (have used it for years) but recently I was at Walmart and picked this up. I havent used a pencil eyeliner in a while, but I have to say I really like this one! The color is intense and it stays put. Not to mention the price.

Last but CERTAINLY not least…

Vitamins! I use Adult’s Gummy Vitamins (Target @ $5.00)

These vitamins are sooooo yummy! I bought these because I hate taking the chalky horsepill regular adult vitamins. LOL! I know, I know call me a baby but taking pills is not my thing.

Bonus of course is WATER! I try to get in 64oz a day or more. It’s great for the skin and removes waste from the body. What are some of your essentials?