New Hair/Natural Look

Hello ladies and gentlemen. I wanted to put up a post on my newest hair ventures.

Several weeks ago my sister put a bunch of red highlights in my hair via the cap. After the hair was pulled through the cap she lightened it and then dyed the hair with Clairol Soy 4Plex Liquicolor Permanente in Medium Intense Red. Here's the results!

I LOVED the look of the highlights! Slightly wild but not too wild. But as anyone who's had dyed RED hair knows, it is so hard to maintain. After a decent amount of washes the highlights faded to an orangey color that was not flattering on me.

I ended up dying over my whole head with a semi-permanent light chocolate brown color which looked great but quickly faded. So a couple of days ago I purchased Loreal Superior Preference in Medium Brown (neutral). Here are the results:

It came out a bit dark but I'm sure it will fade some after several washes. I picked a neutral color so I could keep just enough warm tones in my hair but not too many. I must say the Loreal Preference left my hair nice and shiney! I also chopped a few extra layers into my hair =)

On to my look. I've been going through a very natural makeup phase lately and here is what I've been wearing almost every day: Almost a no makeup, makeup look!

I'm loving the Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation!

Face: Clinique BB Cream Shade 2, Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation in 3 Beige, Lancôme Effacernes Undereye Concealer

Eyes: Laura Mercier Eye Canvas, Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette (Bootycall, Tease, Snakebite), Urban Decay Rusted e/s as eyeliner, Covergirl Lashblast Volume Mascara

Lips: Mac Blankety L/s, Mac Snob L/s



Bobbi Brown Foundation Swatches

Recently I visited the Bobbi Brown counter to check out their foundations since my Mac Face and Body is running low. I was given 2 samples to take home, shade 2.5 Warm Sand in the Natural Finish Foundation and shade 2.5 Warm Sand in the Skin Foundation.

I just wanted to put up a few swatches comparing the Bobbi Brown foundations in 2.5 Warm Sand to Mac and MUFE foundations.

So here we have unblended foundations:

1. Mac StudioSculpt NC25 - 2. Mac Studio Sculpt NC30 - 3. Mac Face and Body Foundation C3

4. MUFE HD Foundation 118 - 5. MUFE HD Foundation 127

6. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation 2.5 Warm Beige - 7. Bobbi Brown Natural Finish 2.5 Warm Beige

Now here are the foundations partially blended:

1. Mac StudioSculpt NC25 - 2. Mac Studio Sculpt NC30 - 3. Mac Face and Body Foundation C3

4. MUFE HD Foundation 118 - 5. MUFE HD Foundation 127

6. Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation 2.5 Warm Beige - 7. Bobbi Brown Natural Finish 2.5 Warm Beige

As you can see, the Bobbi Brown Foundations are quite a bit lighter compared to the other foundations. Due to the very different consistencies of the foundations, once properly blended most of them are good matches for my skin right now, excluding Mac Studio Sculpt NC30 and MUFE HD in 127 which are a tad bit too dark for me right now. Mac Studio Sculpt NC25 never really matched me correctly. Something about it makes me look pale and sick. The Mac Face and Body foundation in C3 when blended into my face is the most perfect match out of these foundations.

Also, Bobbi Brown's Natural Finish Foundation runs a tad bit lighter than the Skin Foundation. I don't know if you can tell in the picture. Both of the Bobbi Brown Foundations would probably suit a Mac NC25, especially since they are lighter coverage than the other swatches, they end being a better match once completely blended in.

Regardless of the colors not being a perfect match, I decided I really liked the Bobbi Brown SKIN foundation. I felt like the Natural Finish foundation gave me a bit of a powdery look.

I ended up going back to the Bobbi Brown counter and this time was matched to shade 3 Beige in the Skin Foundation. This matches me perfectly and would probably be great for someone who is in between a Mac NC25 and NC30 like I am (NC27?).

Anyway here are a few swatches with Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation in 3 Beige compared to Mac's ProLongwear foundation and Studio Sculpt Foundation.

I did swatches in 2 different lights.

1. Mac Pro Longwear Foundation in NC25 - 2 Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation in 3 Beige - 3. Mac SS NC25

I love how the Bobbi Brown shade has a bit more golden beige tones. Even though the other 2 look similar, they are heavier coverage so once applied to the face they actually make my skin look paler, while the lighter coverage Bobbi Brown foundation blends seamlessly and provides a perfect match.

New Addition To My Family!

Hello ladies and gents! Happy Easter to those who celebrate.

I just wanted to do a quick post on the new addition to my family, Miss Pippa!

We picked Pippa out at the pound. She is a 2 year old Beagle mix. While all the other dogs were barking like crazy, Pippa sat nicely giving googly eyes. After spending 20 minutes playing with her, I knew she was the one.

She is definitely a couch potato, but once she's outside she loves to zoom around the yard.

 (excuse my bare face, lol)



Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30

I picked up a few new beauty products recently while shopping at Macy's, one of them being Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30. I was actually introduced to this BB cream by my mother-in-law. I've never used a BB cream before, but have been curious about them and thought it would make a good addition for summer.

Down to the nitty gritty.

I AM IN LOVE!!

 

Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30 comes in 3 shades. On the Sephora site they only have 01 and 02, but at the Clinique counters they have a 3rd shade. 01 is for the very fair with pink undertones. I would say in Mac NW10-NW20. Shade 02 is moderately darker with more beige undertones. I think it would be better for those with yellow/olive undertones, but also wouldn't be too off for someone with slight pink undertones. Shade 03 is moderately darker than 02, and has beige/yellow undertones. I would say it would be a good match for Mac NC30-NC40.. Maybe even NC42 if you are using it as a base.

On my NC25-NC30 skin, shade 01 was way too light and pink. Shade 02 was slightly too light and would have matched better if there was a bit more yellow added to the beige. Shade 03 was slightly too dark for my winter skin. It would probably be a good match in the summer, but for the time being I went with Shade 02 as I wasn't sure if this BB cream would oxidise at all.

Below is a photo of the Clinique BB cream in Shade 02 compared to Mac Face and Body Foundation in C3

As you can see, Clinique's BB cream is much more beige and lighter than Mac's Face and Body Foundation in C3 which has a stronger yellow undertone. Both products are easily blendable.

Now for my rave!!

Clinique Age Defense BB Cream SPF 30 has all the benefits of a great BB cream. SPF, sheer-light coverage, and antioxidants. This also works as a great foundation primer. I applied this with my hands and it was very easy to spread. It made my pores appear to be invisible and did not settle into my fine lines. It also actually covered my sunspots pretty good for being a sheer-light coverage product.

Below is a recent picture of me with no foundation compared to a picture with Clinique BB cream ONLY.

As you can see it gives me a nice light dewy coverage. It does give a white cast with flash photography due to the SPF. Regardless, this product feels amazing on my skin and I LOVE the fresh look it gives. This BB cream is also oil free.

NOW for my perfect cocktail - Clinique BB cream + Mac Face and Body Foundation.

After 1 layer of Clinique's BB cream, I put 1 layer of Mac's Face and Body Foundation in C3 on top and the results are AMAZING. This combo makes me feel like I'm walking around with photoshopped skin lol. It gives amazing coverage without looking cakey at all, still has that skin but better look, but extra better!!!

Here are some photos with my makeup done.

On my actual skin all I have on is:
Clinique Dramatically Different Moisterizing Gel
Clinique Age Defense BB Cream Shade 02
Mac Face and Body Foundation C3
The Balm Bahama Mama as contour
Mac Well Dressed Blush

Not to toot my own horn, but I think my skin looks amazing! I don't even have concealer on and I didn't set my foundation with powder. After a few test runs I have found that this BB cream does not oxidize, and lasts me all day without a touch up. By the end of the day just around my nose is a bit shiny (BTW I have Normal/combonation skin).

I am not sure if Clinique Age Defense BB Cream would work as well on all skin types, but as for me I can definitely say this will be part of my new daily routine.

Mac Face And Body Foundation

Hello ladies and gents. I finally jumped on the Mac Face and Body foundation wagon and wanted to do my own little review on it.

As everyone knows by now, this bottle of foundation is much larger than other Mac foundations. You definitely get your moneys worth with Mac Face and Body. Now on to the nitty gritty.

I purchased this foundation in the shade C3, which matches perfectly. I am usually around NC25-NC35 depending on the season. I did use this on my sister in law and it even blended in on her skin and she is probably an NC42, although C4 would be a better match for her. The foundation is so sheer that you don't really need a PERFECT color match with it.

Now this foundation is sheer, but it does give better coverage than I thought it would. After reading so many reviews I was prepared for like 5% coverage, whereas 1 layer gave me about 25% coverage. I always wear 2 layers of this foundation which provides almost medium coverage I'd say. I love the way it makes the skin look, "like your skin but better". Its very true! I actually feel like I look younger wearing this as opposed to a full coverage foundation. It may not cover every single flaw, but it gives you that youthful glow that many other foundations just don't give.

Below is a photo of me without any foundation, and then after 2 layers of Mac Face and Body foundation without setting powder (I was tired and didn't feel like doing any other makeup) 

Don't mind the weird face I'm making in the bottom picture. Anyway, you can see how my sunspots are covered a decent deal with 2 layers of the foundation.

From what I've read they've recently changed a few ingredients in Mac Face and Body foundation and it no longer seperates in the bottle. I've had no issues with the foundation seperating yet so thats a good thing.

With setting powder, Face and body lasts about 6 hours on my skin before it starts to fade in certain areas of my face. I have normal/combo skin. FYI I apply this with my fingers which I believe is the best method for this foundation.

All in all, I do think this foundation lives up to the hype. I haven't worn it in the hot summer heat yet, but at least for the cooler months it definitely has performed.

Naked Shady Lady

I've been wanting to post about 2 eyeshadow palettes I've been obsessed with the past few weeks.

First one is the much talked about Urban Decay Naked 2 palette. I didn't know whether to pick the 1 or the 2, but the sales girl at Ulta advised me to pick the #2. The colors are so pigmented and perfect for me as lately I've been more into neutral eyes with just a slight pop of color. That is where the next palette comes in.

The next palette is The Balm Shady Lady Volume 3. I just love ALL the colors in this palette. I actually picked this up at Marshalls for somewhere around $15.00. Great deal!

My favorite color from this palette is "Come Hither Heather".. The 3rd one of the second row. It is a beautiful silvery taupey type color that goes great in any color combo. In the picture it looks very similar to the first color, but is decently darker in real life.

If you are looking for some new eyeshadows I definitely recomend these 2 palettes.

To Buy List/Miss Evelyn

Hello ladies and gents =).. Finally back to my blog I am, equipped with a brand new computer since my baby bit the muffin at the beginning of the month.

While on my down time and after much research I've compiled a list of beauty products that I MUST purchase and that I would like to review.

- Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation

- Laura Mercier Eye Canvas

- Clinique Turnaround Overnight Radiance Moisturizer

- Bobbi Brown Extra Repair Foundation

- Clinque Almost Lipstick line

- China Glaze Hunger Games Collection (Which by the way if you haven't read the Hunger Games Trilogy you must!!! Amazing!!)

I would also like to feature my sister in law Evelyn in this post! I did her makeup last month and I love the way it turned out. She asked for something she could wear out to a nice club.

Thanks for stopping by!

My Top 2 Drugstore Mascaras

When it comes to mascara, I'm usually a brand whore, only buying higher end products. My Mac False Lashes mascara is running out, and I wouldn't repurchase because I wasn't that pleased with it.

Before buying any beauty product, I always check the rating on Makeupalley.com. After much research, both Covergirl LashBlast Volume and Covergirl Professional Mascara had higher scores than almost all of the other drugstore mascaras. Max Factor mascaras also had high scores but I never see the brand anymore.

Covergirl LashBlast Volume

Covergirl Professional Mascara

I took before and after pictures using both Mascaras. Here are the results.

Makeup free lashes!

 2 coats of Covergirl Lashblast Volume

 2 coats of Covergirl Professional Mascara

The picture with the Covergirl Professional Mascara is a bit closer to the camera than the other. Regardless, I must say both mascaras did not flake throughout the day, nor did they smudge creating a black mess under my eye. Neither got too hard or crispy either. Both mascaras gave my lashes a super dark black color which I love.

Both mascaras definately beat out Mac False Lashes Mascara, but I must say the Covergirl Professional mascara was a bit better than the Covergirl LashBlash Volume. It actually gave my lashes more of a curl without using an eyelash curler and gave a tad bit more volume.

I definately recommend trying out these 2 mascaras.



Hello!

Just a quick hello to all you beautiful people. I hope everyone has a Merry Christmas and happy holidays! Merry Christmahanaquanzika! I can't wait for all the wonderful food to be served and I have already been eating my share of cookies and such. I will resume my blogging after Christmas so see you then!

 

Here is a cute pic of me and my niece by a fire