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.

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.

Introducing... My Sister KELLY!

Last week I got to do my sister Kelly's makeup. I did 2 different makeup looks. A very natural everyday look and a going out look.

Now on to the photos! 

This first look doesn't look like she has much makeup on and that is the point! I just covered up her sunspots and such.

 Dun dun dunnnnnn



HANA Titanium Ionic Flat Iron 1.5"

Not long ago I was contacted by Brian from Misikko.com to review the Hana Titanium Ionic Flat Iron 1.5". Of course I accepted =).

Customer service wise this company seems to be great. Brian was extremely polite in our emails. After I sent my shipping address I received the package 3 days later. I was extra excited when I opened it because not only did I see the Flat Iron and its components which included a nice travel case and heat proof mat, but I also saw other goodies such as ELF eyeshadow and a heart shaped container of soap rose petals.

Now lets move on to the nitty gritty!! The Hana Titanium Flat Iron retails for $239.99, but is currently on sale for $174.99.  

Below is a picture of the Hana Titanium Flat Iron on the heat proof mat. As you can see the plates are mirrored which I thought was fantastic. The dials light up blue and when the iron has reached your desired temperature, a red light blinks to let you know it's ready.

 Below is the top view of the iron (1.5")

Here are some Hana Titanium features:

World's smoothest Titanium plates

Tourmaline infused into the heating elements for maximum thermal protection 

Large Integrated Tourmaline Ceramic Heaters with Full Plate Coverage for the Most Consistent, Conditioning Far Infrared Heat Possible 

Mirror surface prevents scratches unlike other black coated titanium plates

Adjustable Temperature Dial - 5 Settings from 140-450 F for All Hair Types 

Beveled Edges mean Easy Curled, Flipped, Spiked or Straight Styles 

Smooth Grooves Keep Hair Strands Separate and Snag-Free

Tangle-Free Salon Quality Cord Swivels 360; Convenient Hanging Loop 

Energy Efficient at 38 Watts 

Independent On/Off Switch

Includes Luxe Heat Proof Storage Pouch, Heat Proof Silicone Mat, & Special Edition Tin Case 

Two Year Warranty

Before and After photos

(My hair is more on the thick side and naturally wavy. The before images are taken right after blow drying with a flat paddle brush. FYI I had the iron setting at 370 degrees F.)

Silk!

Grade: A+

I've honestly fallen in love with this Hana Titanium Ionic Flat Iron. I've been using my zebra Cortex for the past 2 years and I was satisfied with the results.. BUT after using the Hana Titanium I don't think I could go back. I was amazed at the feeling of each piece of hair going through the iron as it felt like butter! I did not have to go over any hair an extra time which I loved. It cut the time I usually take to straighten my hair in half. I also love the fact that this flat iron has mirrored plates, which means no cracks and no breaking precious pieces of hair off!! This iron is also very light weight. In the end it left my hair looking and feeling like silk. I truly can not find any cons with this product. =)

Deliciously Forbidden

Mac Deliciously Forbidden

Face: Too Faced Primed and Poreless, Mac Studio Sculpt Foundation NC30, MUFE HD Powder

Cheeks: The Balm Bahama Mama Bronzer for contour and lightly on apples of cheeks, Mac Chez Chez Lame Highlighting Powder

Eyes: Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Shadows from Too Faced Natural Eye Palette (Honey Pot all over lids, Push-up lightly in outer crease, Heaven on brow bone), Mac Zoom Lash Mascara, Ardell Fashion Lashes #101

Lips: Mac Deliciously Forbidden

Glamour Girl Lips with Mac Violetta

"Glamour Girl" Lips - Overdrawing the top lip to make lips appear more seductive, one of the styles in Making Faces, by Kevyn Aucoin. I used my Mac Studio Finish Concealer in NC30 and blended over my natural lip line so it didn't appear as obvious. I then used Nyx Lipliner in Purple Rain to draw the outline of my lips. I only went a bit higher than my natural lip line so it wouldn't look totally unnatural. Last I filled in with Mac Violetta lipstick, which matches almost perfect with Nyx Purple Rain.

Face: Mac Prep & Prime, Mac Studio Sculpt Foundation NC30, MUFE HD Powder

Cheeks: Illamasqa Bronzing Duo Glint & Burnish, Mac Trace Gold Blush

Eyes: Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Mac Ricepaper e/s all over lid up to brow, Mac Straw Harvest e/s outer crease and lower lashline, Mac Zoom Lash Mascara, Benefit Magic Ink Eyeliner

Lips: Mac Studio Finish Concealer, Nyx Purpe Rain lipliner, Mac Violetta l/s

Mauve and Gold Eyes/Christian Siriano For Payless

 My earring is glowing!

Face: Mac Prep & Prime, Shu Uemura Nobara Stick Foundation 764, MUFE HD Powder

Cheeks: Illamasqa Bronzing Duo Glint & Burnish, Mac Warm Soul Mineralize Blush

Eyes: Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Mac Quite Spoiled e/s (Palace Pedigreed quad), Mac Crest The Wave e/s, Urban Decay e/s in Rust, Mac Nylon e/s, Mac Zoom Lash Mascara, Benefit Magic Ink Eyeliner

Lips: Mac Viva Glam Gaga, Victoria's Secret Lipgloss

 

 

Love the way the shadows of the window screen came out in this photo

 

I've been eyeing these sexy little boots by Christian Siriano which are part of the Payless collection. When I finally got to the store they were sold out of my size so I had to order online. I ended up getting them on sale for $49.99 and they feel comfy as can be. There are so many cute outfits these would go great with I can't wait for the weather to get a bit cooler =)

 

Mac Matchmaster SPF 15 Foundation Swatches

I was curious about Mac's new Matchmaster foundation, so when I went to the counter to pick out some things from the Styledriven collection, I asked to take a sample home. The MA gave me a sample of shades 1.5 and 2, not sure which one would suit me better. For reference I am NC30. I haven't actually worn the foundation out yet so I have no review to give, but here are some swatches compared to other Mac foundations.

 Left - Mac Matchmaster Foundation 1.5 / Right - Mac Matchmaster Foundation 2

All Mac Swatches - Matchmaster 1.5, Matchmaster 2, StudioSculpt NC30, SFF NC30, SFF NC35

 Swatches under different lighting

All Mac Swatches- Matchmaster 1.5, Matchmaster 2, StudioSculpt NC30, SFF NC30, SFF NC35

Here are the swatches a bit more blended

Mac's Matchmaster Foundation in 1.5 seems to be a bit too light and also pink compared to the NC30's. Matchmaster Foundation in 2 is a bit deeper, and a bit more peachy and less yellow than the NC30's, but pretty close. Since the Matchmaster foundation is supposed to let your real skin tone show through, it should not matter if the color is slightly off in a swatch. For someone who is NC30 I would probably suggest shade 2, or even the next shade darker. I think 1.5 would be much too light.

Quick Simple Eyes with Inglot

I've been loving Inglot's eyeshadow in #501 so much lately. #501 is a light matte grey with silver sparkles. It almost has a slight purplish hue to it when on and has minimal fallout compared to some of my other inglot shadows. Its great to wear if you want a slight smokey eye but nothing too intense.

Face: Mac Prep & Prime Skin Base Visage, Shu Uemura Nobara stick foundation #764 (seems to be a tad too light for NC30 skin), MUFE HD Powder

Cheeks: Illamasqa Bronzing Duo Glint & Burnish, Mac Warm Soul Mineralize Blush

Eyes:  Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Inglot e/s #501 on lid, Inglot e/s #461 on outer corner, Mac Prized on crease up to browbone, Mac Zoom Lash Mascara, Benefit Magic Ink Eyeliner, Mac Carbon on waterline

Lips: Mac Snob l/s