Loving right now: Milani Shadow Eyez

It's been a very long time since I last posted.  I've been traveling a lot lately and have been living out of my Samsonite carry-on luggage for the past month and a half, and so I apologize for the lack of posts.  I've always been a fan of shadow liners, but I've never tried Milani.  When I started to read rave reviews on these chubby pencils, I knew I had to try them out.

I think you can tell from these swatches that the pencils are ultra-creamy and apply with a nice even coverage. The top color is Espresso Line and the bottom is Cafe Au Lait.  I chose to try out these everyday colors which I thought would become staples in my makeup bag... and they have!

For this simple eye look, I applied Cafe Au Lait all over my lid to just above the crease and blended any harsh lines.  I then applied a navy blue liner to my upper lash line, and used Espresso Line to line the lower 2/3 of my lower lash line.  I kept the rest of my look very simple by applying Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait to my lips.   

These liners apply opaquely, but can easily be blended out to be semi-sheer.  You have enough time to blend before these shadows set, and once they do, I was able to wear these all day with mild, even fading by the 12th hour.  

Bottom line: I'm kind of obsessed with these chubby shadow liners.  They're affordable, so creamy, and go with any of my everyday looks.  Love!  I bought these for $6.99 at Walgreens.

Do you use Milani? And if so, what products do you love?

Traveling soon? Save your samples!

I have to first and foremost apologize for the lack of posts. Thank you for continuing to visit. I'm still abroad and catching up on rest and sleep after a very intense week of volunteering overseas.

I'm writing this post for any of you who plan on traveling soon to remind you to save your samples! Unless it's a product that I'm dying to try out, I usually put the samples that I get with GWPs or from Sephora orders in a box which I end up forgetting about. It's only when I'm about to pack for a trip that I'm reminded of how useful samples can be.

For starters, liquid products are packed neatly in little packets that stay leak-proof until you want to use them. In some cases, the samples are products that I already have and some are ones that I want to try. I can't even tell you how much more space I have in my quart-size bag for other essentials (sun block, makeup remover, bug spray). Best of all, the amount of product in sample packets are sometimes enough for a week long trip (which reminds me of the Boscia face mask that I need right now after a long day in the Caribbean sun).

So, next time you get a handful of samples, make a mental note to put it aside for your next getaway.

What I'm wearing: Concealers & Highlighters

With all of the many concealers and highlighters out there, I thought I'd do a post on what I'm using now, when I use them, and why I love them.

What's in my travel makeup bag: Volunteer Abroad edition

I'm packing yet again.  It's been stressful these past few days while trying to pack for an international trip to volunteer abroad while dealing with life things (work, income taxes, work schedules, organizing, spring cleaning, etc...).  Despite the frenzy, one thing that I actually enjoy is packing my travel makeup bag and figuring out a way to pack light but with options.

Karen from Makeup & Beauty Blog accurately stated that this is the season of cream shadow sticks, and I couldn't agree more.  I've been a fan of cream shadow sticks for a while and you'll often see me traveling with a handful (here and here).  I'm happy to add a new addition (Laura Mercier) to my cream shadow stick collection, as well as a few latest beauty loves that I can't leave home without.

In my travel makeup bag:

- Tarte shadow sticks... These were part of a holiday collection and these travel with me a lot because they're so easy to use and last long on my oily lids.

- Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Khaki: This was my first Laura Mercier purchase and I couldn't be happier. This lasts an entire 12 hours while at work and looks flawless from when I first put it on with very slight fading at the end of my shift.  I'm happy to report that I didn't experience any creasing or smudging.

- Dior Diorshow Brow Styler: my HG brow pencil.

- MAC eye pencil in Coffee: This isn't labeled as waterproof, but I have to say that it's pretty water-resistant and ultra long-lasting.  For a quick simple look, I like to line my upper lash line with this, smudge it and add mascara.

- Becca Mineral Powder Foundation (reviewed here): This is so lightweight and natural-looking. It also comes with it's own carrying case.

- MAC Sheertone Blush in Sunbasque: I prefer to travel with cream products, but this doubles as a bronzer and blush for me. 

- Benefit Fine One One: Ultra easy to use as this is pretty much swipe, blend and go.  It gives me a nice peachy flush that lasts all day.

- Bobbi Brown in Pretty Powerful Pink: My new favorite cream blush that gives me the girl next door look.

- Maybelline Mascara (Full N' Soft and Great Lash): I almost never travel without a Maybelline mascara.  It's affordable, reliable, and has worked for me time and time again.

- Shu Uemura curler: For my stick-straight lashes.

- MAC Mineralize Concealer: One of my faves that has traveled well with me, meaning it hasn't leaked yet and it comes with its own applicator.  I'm a big fan of mineral products.

Last but not least, I decided to use a clamshell type makeup bag which makes looking for my products so much easier.  This was a GWP bag from Nordstrom.  The teal color is so spring!

There you have it, a look inside my travel makeup bag.  What products do you travel with?  I'm always looking for new additions. :)

Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge in Pretty Powerful Pink (special edition)... Pictures and FOTD

Considering my love for cream blushes, I can't believe that Pretty Powerful Pink, a neutral mid-tone pink color is my very first Bobbi Brown Pot Rouge!  I remember trying Powder Pink some time ago, but I also remember that I wasn't too impressed because the formula felt too wet and dewy for my taste.  The graphic-decorated compact is what drew me to this special edition pot rouge and after swatching and walking around with it, I was so impressed by how naturally-flushed my cheeks looked and how it dried down to a dewy but dry finish that I had to have this.  This would be my idea of a MCBB color... My-cheeks-but-better!

NEW Revlon Lip Butter in Sorbet

After months of searching for this hard-to-find new color, I'm happy to finally have my hands on one of the newest Revlon Lip Butter shades... Introducing Sorbet!

Nordstrom Pretty Party beauty haul

I sincerely apologize for the lack of posts this week.  I dropped my 10-month-old laptop shortly after my latest trip and broke the screen (I blame it on jet lag).  Unfortunately I didn't buy protection so I'm out of luck and have to get a new computer.  Until then, I've been trying to blog off my iPad and iPhone which makes writing thorough posts a little difficult.  Sorry! 

Anyway, I took advantage of my local Nordstrom's Pretty Party event because it was triple points time and hauled many new goodies which I'm hoping to post reviews and pictures of soon. 

Pictured above:

- Burberry blushes: Russet No. 01 and Rose No. 03. I'm a sucker for Burberry's finely-milled blushes that apply like a dream and are easy to blend. The funny thing is that these were never on my radar, but since its spring, I'm loving sheer cheeks paired with bold, bright lips. Rose is the perfect everyday neutral pink for me, while Russet is a warm peachy-beige on me that I didn't fall in like with until walking around Nordstrom and deciding afterwards that I had to have it. The sales associate was generous and gave me 2 mini lipsticks in Rosewood and Cameo. Score!

- I was at the Dior counter and reached for one of the new Dior Addict glosses, a lipstick, and an Addict Extreme lipstick. Little did I know that they were all 553 Princess! What can I say? I'm a sucker for gorgeous soft pinks. I decided to leave with the gloss and one lipstick. 

- Dior Diorshow Brow Styler: my HG brow pencil. 

- There was a GWP with the purchase of 3 products and I received a black cosmetic bag with a mini Diorshow mascara, mini Addict lipstick, a mini Miss Dior perfume and a One serum sample. 

- Bobbi Brown Hydrating Gel Cream: This moisturizer made my skin so soft and cushy that I couldn't pass up making my combo-dry skin comfortable. 

- a sample of Chanel's newest mascara Le Volume.  I've been wanting to try this for a while and I'm happy I now have the chance to. 

- a sample of Jo Malone's Nectarine Blossom and Honey.  I don't usually wear perfume because most scents are too strong for me, but Jo Malone fragrances are light and wearable. 

Thanks for stopping by to look at my latest department store beauty haul! Are there any luxury cosmetics that you're loving right now??

Target beauty haul & mani Monday

You know how some Targets are better than others? And by better I mean bigger and fully stocked. I'm visiting my family this weekend and had a chance to stop by the Target close by. I'm so glad that I did because I found a new Revlon Lip Butter shade that I've been looking for the past two months since word first hit the blogosphere of the 4 latest additions. 

Revlon recently added 4 new shades to the Lip Butter line- Wild Watermelon, Juicy Papaya, Pink Lemonade and Sorbet (which I've been trying to get my hands on). Of course I picked up the last two and I can't wait to post pictures and swatches. 

While there I also picked up a felt tip liquid eyeliner by NYC. I haven't heard much about this particular product but I like liquid eyeliners in felt tip pen form because they're the easiest for me to use. 

Que Bella is an affordable spa care line at Target and I frequently use their cucumber mask peel. I saw these new sheet masks and decided to buy two for my mom and I to try. They were easy to apply, smelled good, felt tingly once on, and both my mom and I thought our skin looked more radiant and brighter immediately after. 

Lastly, the new Essie spring line was too irresistible to pass up and I grabbed a gorgeous tangerine color called "Hip-anema." My mom and I buy both adored this color on our nails. 

Thanks for stopping by to check out my latest beauty haul. What have you hauled lately?

Look fabulously flawless with Becca's Mineral Powder Foundation

You know a foundation is amazing when you catch your reflection later and think, "Wow."  

That's exactly how I felt about Becca's Mineral Powder Foundation a few weeks ago when I was able to try it out in person during my makeup odyssey/a>.  I applied two similar shades in the medium category to both halves of my face which is how I typically test out new foundations when looking for which color is right for me.  Don't get me wrong, I do a small swatch test to my jawline and when I just can't decide between two shades, I apply one to each half.  Usually the shades are similar enough that I don't look like a jarlequin but that's just my technique when matching myself to a new foundation.

 

When I first got to Sephora in the downtown, I actually tried three different medium shades.  One swatched a powdery yelllow to my skin but surprisingly once blended, actually melded into my skin.  There were two others that were much better and in the end, I felt that Noisette was a better match, although Tan came in a close second and would be better for me post-tropical vacation with its slightly warmer hue.  Becca claims a "shade match guarantee" on it's foundation products and I believe it.  What really drew me to the brand is how my skin felt hours later... No itchiness, redness or irritation.  I have sensitive skin and can only tolerate certain foundations or powders.  Make Up For Ever makes fabulous medium-full coverage foundations but that's one brand that makes my face itch.

The box that the powder comes in is deceiving because the actual compact isn't very large, easily fitting into the palm of my hand.  I was pleasantly surprised to find the compact came housed in a zippered pouch which I adore because I like to keep my beauty products as pristine as possible and this pouch would prevent any scratches to the compact, which is rubberized dark grey (Nars'esque) with a metal topper that reminds me of a denim pant's fly button.

 

The compact comes with a sponge applicator which gives me light-medium coverage.  For sheer coverage or to set foundation, I would use a large fluffy brush. 

What I love about this foundation is the subtle iridescent mineral particles that seem to diffuse light to my face and make my skin appear nearly flawless.  The coverage is light enough for my true skin to come true and look natural.  Unless I'm going to a special event or out for the evening, I prefer a natural look and Becca's Mineral Powder helps make that possible.  I only wish every Sephora had a  Becca section, which now that I think of it is a blessing, because otherwise my wallet would be in deep trouble. 

Bottom line: I love this powder foundation and if you're looking for natural everyday coverage, I highly suggest you check this out.  This retails for $40 and be found at Sephora or Becca's website.

 

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Sephora's Waterproof Brow Pencil... An affordable everyday option

I've been testing many brow products lately in search of a more budget-friendly replacement for my HG brow pencil-- Dior Diorshow Brow Styler.  I posted my reviews of Pixi's brow pencil but I'm looking for something that has a tip/pencil that resembles the Dior Brow Styler.  In comes Sephora's brow pencil which got rave reviews on the website and is almost half the cost of Dior's product. 

The point is fine and similar to Anastasia's brow wiz.  It's creamier than the Dior Brow Styler but firmer than Tarte's brow pencil.  I use the color 0 Midnight Brown and it perfectly matches my hair color.  I like how ultra lightweight the pencil is and how the fine point allows me to draw hair-like strokes.  

I would love this product if there were two adjustments.  I wish there was a spooly on the other end instead of a comb.  While the concept is "cute," I have no use for a comb as my brows aren't super thick and unruly, and I love brushing a spooly through my brows once I've filled them in to diffuse the pencil and give me a more natural look.  Second, this pencil is labeled as "waterproof," but at the 8 hour mark I notice pretty significant fading to the outer halves of my brows.  This pencil isn't ideal for my work since my shifts are 12 hrs long, but if I was just running errands or going out to eat, this would be perfect to use.

 

Bottom Line: Although there are some quirks that prevent me from claiming this as a worthy and more afforadable ooption to my favorite Dior Brow Styler, for half the cost I don't mind alternating this brow pencil with my Dior one to help save a few bucks.  This pencil retails for $12 and can be found here.