Why I love Holiday sets

 It's that special time of year again. That time when everything sparkles and shines and one of the most beautiful things happens with some of my favorite cosmetic lines. They do this magical thing just for me (well, maybe not just for me). They put together awesome kits and sets of typically their best selling products and usually in smaller sizes. Do you even know what that means to me? It means I can add multiple products in small sizes to my KIT!!!! AHHHH I'm screaming inside. I am a minimalist at heart, I hate big bulking packaging and even more I hate have to depot products into smaller containers so, this is EVERYTHING to my minimalist heart.
 I could really go broke during the holidays simply re-stocking my kit but, most of these products last at least til the next year for me at least.

Here are a few of my picks and some I look forward to buying every year.....

Too faced Shadow insurance primers in the Original and Champagne.

Stila Lip Glaze set.. This is an all star in my kit

Lorac lustre Drops because these create the sexiest shimmery eye looks. Oh ma goodness i love these.

I have personally been wearing the heck out of this melted kisses set. I bought mine early. I'm not sure if it is still available right now. If not get the regular size in Nude. It's amazeballs!

This is another personal favorite. The Laura Geller Baked Starter set. I love to carry the small sized blush and powder foundation in my own purse. It's a great way to try the colors in her line as well. I really enjoy Laura Gellers products. They are beautiful. Laura please come out with a pro discount so I can buy more for my kit! I love that her mineral products are pressed. big bonus for makeup that travels a lot.

These double ended eyeliners from Urban Decay are perfect for trying to keep a condensed kit.

These Bronzers from Too Faced are so gorgeous and what better way to add them to your kit than in these small sizes.

The only thing you can't find for your kit is foundations and concealers. That is something you'll just have to buy in larger sizes and decant or depot. You can even find skincare in smaller sizes but typically they are for a specific skin type. I personally keep Josie Maran Argan oil in the original and in light in my kit and it works on all of my clients.

 What are your favorite Makeup kit products? Share the wealth below or on my facebook page.

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Maybelline Color Tattoo Haul/Review

Let me first say that not only are these a great price but, they are an amazing product! I do hope that Maybelline will come out with more colors including a true matte black.

Maybelline Color Tattoo eyeshadows are a cream based shadow that go on and stay on all day.  I don't sleep in my makeup so, I can't tell you if they actually live up to their 24 Hour claim but, I can wear them all day with no problem at all. I do recommend as with any cream product to set it with a pwder product like a matching eyeshadow. You will need a makeup remover for waterproof make up.

My only complaint is that I would have prefered a small pot. They are bit larger than say a gel eyeliner pot but, that alone wouldn't stop me from purchasing these again.

Must have colors for the everyday woman are the four neutral colors... Too Cool: Shimmery white, Tough as Taupe: Matte light gray, Bad to the Bronze: Shimmery Bronze and Audacious Asphalt: Shimmery Black Gray.

Here are the color swatches.....I did end up finding the Pomegranate punk and Bad to the Bronze at another Rite Aide store AFTER I made the video so, those swatches are seperate from the original ones.

Colors in order as they appear: Pomegranate Punk, Bad to the Bronze,

 

Tenacious Teal,Painted Purple, Edgy Emerald, Audacious Asphalt,Fierce & Tangy,Toughe as Taupe, Bold Gold & Too Cool

New Years eve Make-up tips

Image via Wikipedia

Is it really necessary to go all out for New Years eve? Why YES it is! I'm only speaking to you single folk who don't spend your New Years eve with kids like we mom's do. I get to sit back and relax in my p.j.'s while sipping on hot chocolate (My last for a long time since, I will be starting a diet after New Years) and watch the wig drop on "Watch what happens live!" Yes, of course my kiddos will be in bed already because they never last til midnight anyways, so my husband and I can enjoy all the shenanigans all by ourselves.

 Well, if you're single sans children here are a few tips to ensure there will be no one turning into a pumpkin at midnight.......
1. Use a primer before your foundation: Your make-up will look smoother and last longer.
2. Use a cream blush as a primer: add a touch of powder blush over your cream blush for a longer lasting flush.
3. When in doubt go waterproof: I don't endorse passing out drunk at the party but, should you go a little too far and have to spend the night somewhere your make-up will last through the night and you'll still look fab in the morning if you go waterproof.
4. Use a long wearing lipstick: There's nothing uglier than ring around the mouth so, use a long wearing lip stain or lipstick...your lips will last through that strike of midnight kiss and you'll thank me for it.

I hope these prevent any late night mishaps for you fabulous children-free people and for all of you staying at home with your kiddos enjoy your hot chocolate and think of me LOL!

Wishing you ALL a prosperous and Beauty-FILLED New Year!

Love and kisses,
Shawna D.

Revlon Colorstay Mineral Mousse foundation (Review)

 Recently I gave you the thumbs up on  the L'Oreal true match blendable foundation which is great for all skins but, I have been trying out a matte foundation by Revlon Colorstay called Mineral Mousse in Light Medium and I absolutely LOVE it! I don't think it's necessary to use a powder with extra coverage with this foundation so stick with Make-Up forever's HD powder for a flawless look.

 I love this foundation based on these things.........
1. Color range~ There are a good amount of colors to match just about any skin color.
1. Coverage~ It provides a medium to full coverage with a matte finish but, doesn't look flat or un-natural.This is best for women who need to cover flaws and imperfections but as a caution-DO NOT use around eye area becuase it is matte which will only enhance lines and look dry.
2. Long wearing~ It really stays all day long. The claim is that it lasts for 16 hours. I'm not sure about 16 but I'd say a good 10.
3. No Transfer~ I haven't noticed any rubbing off or transfer to my clothes.
4. SPF~ It has an spf 20 which is great for the everyday sun here in California.
5. Feel~ It feels light weight almost like not wearing anything at all.
6. Packaging~ The packaging is perfect for traveling. It comes in a small tube rather than a glass bottle.

Who can wear this? I would recommend this for Normal to oily skins or acne prone skins.It does a pretty good job of NOT settling into my fine lines and pores. This is NOT for dry skin or mature skin with lines and wrinkles.

How much does it cost? You can buy this foundation for about $14.00 and even less sometimes. I bought it when it was 40% off at Rite Aid


Where can I buy this? You can find Revlon products at your local drugstore or Target stores. Or you can buy online at www.drugstore.com

 Overall I would rate this  5 stars for a MEDIUM to FULL coverage matte foundation. I have nothing bad to say about it at all! I LOVE it!

Frame your face

~ Your eyebrows and cheeks create the frame of your face so, if these two things are not done your look will not be complete. Follow these two basic steps to create a more pulled together look instantly.

Eyebrows~
Full eyebrows? a little powder to fill them in and a clear brow gel to comb and set them in place will be enough to make them look pulled together but, do make sure that any stray hairs are tweazed so your eye area will look clean.
Little or no eyebrows? Then you could benefit from using a brow pencil -
Blondes- Use a shade darker than your hair color.
Brunettes-Use a shade lighter than your hair color.
Redheads-Same rules apply.. If you are light red then, go darker. If you are dark red then, go lighter.
Cheeks~
Choosing a cheek color can be overwhelming with so many choices but, it doesn't have to be. I have found that almost ANY color skin can wear a pinky mauve and look fabulous! Just a light dusting slightly below the cheekbone and up toward the temples works like magic every time.

 These are basic tips. Of course you can go all out with your blush and use a highlight and contour as well but, who has all the time for that? Try doing these two steps alone next time you're in a rush and you'll see just how much better your look will be.

10 beauty things I'm Thankful for.

 This is my Thanksgiving "IT" list. A list of things I couldn't be without thus, am THANKFUL for ; )

1. Make-up forever HD powder

2. Foundation in all shapes and sizes.

3. Mac lipglass especially dazzelglass

4. Shu Uemura eyelash curler

5. Yves Saint. Laurent  waterproof mascara

6. Concealer in all shapes and sizes

7. Shu Uemura 6OB brush

8. Lancome Artliner

9. Laura Mercier Golden rose glow illuminating stick blush

10. Bronzer in all shapes and sizes and forms

Hope you all have a BEAUTY filled Thanksgiving!

Gobble gobble,
Shawna

Lancome dual finish powder dupe

 In the  land of dual finish powders Lancome has always remained at the top of my list. I always seem to go back even after finding a "new favorite" for some reason I just keep going back. Well, on my search for a less expensive version I decided to try L'Oreal's infallible never fail powder.

 Now,You may have noticed a trend here in the products I've been trying and yes, I am guilty of trying one line at a time and since I love Lancome I figured I may as well try L'Oreal considering L'Oreal owns Lancome. WHAT?! you didn't know that?! Well, now you do.

 Here are the similarities.
 1. They both offer sheer to full coverage. You can use them wet or dry which gives you a wide range of coverage options.
 2. The basic colors are similar. I wear Matt neutrale II  in Lancome and Nude Beige in L'Oreal.
 3. They are both mattifying.

Here are the differences:
1. Lancome packaging is larger and nicer. The L'Oreal packaging is smaller which is better for a small purse and I do like that the sponge is in a separate compartment so it can breathe but, I do not like that the packaging is on the cheap side.
2. The total amount you are given for Lancome is .67 oz 19 grams versus L'Oreal which is .30 oz or 8.5 grams. When you look at the total amount you are getting, $35 for Lancome vs $14 for L'Oreal you are still getting a better deal for the L'Oreal powder.

 All in all they are pretty much the same as far as feel and purpose although, the L'Oreal powder lasts longer throughout the day. So, If you're looking for a great dual finish powder and don't want to commit to a larger quantity of product then, I say try the L'Oreal infallible never fail powder.

L'Oreal True Match blendable foundation Review

 

  Before I get started I want to let you know that I LOVE FOUNDATION in general. It could be because I don't think I have the greatest skin so, when I apply foundation and powder I feel like I have flawless skin and THAT makes me feel great!
  Now, that you know about my craziness let's get on with the review. I've been using the L'Oreal true match blendable foundation for a couple of months now so, I can give a better review of the product. I really like this foundation based on a couple of things.....
1. There are an abundant amount of colors ranging from warm to neutral to cool.
I personally am a perfectionist when it comes to matching my skin so, I ALWAYS fell like I'm in between colors. I usually buy 2 colors and have to mix which is what I did with this foundation as well. I picked W3 & W4 which stands for WARM level 3 and 4 or nude beige and natural beige.I really feel like the blend of the two is perfect for me.
2.  It gives a sheer to medium coverage.
This is great everyday  foundation for most women with average imperfections. If you want a fuller coverage I recommend using a powder foundation along with the foundation.There is a matching powder but I haven't tried that yet. I'm currently using Mac skin finish natural in medium plus.
3. Has an SPF 17.
This is good for everyday protection and is light enough that it really doesn't reflect back with flash photography.
4. It really is blendable.
I find that it blends very easily and doesn't feel like I'm wearing foundation. It looks great without a foundation primer but, I wouldn't recommend wearing it that way since, it's not a long wearing foundation.
Who can wear this?
This works well for normal skins or combination skin. If you have dry skin you'll still need a good moisturizer underneath and if you have oily skin you'll need to use a good oil control product underneath.
How much does it cost?
One of the GREAT things about this foundation is that it is VERY inexpensive. I purchased it for about $11.00 on a buy 1 get 1 half off deal so, it was about $16.50 for two 1 oz bottles. That's a GREAT deal!
Where can I buy this?
You can find this foundation at most drugstores or online through www.riteaidonlinestore.com
Overall I'd rate this as a 4 star SHEER to MEDIUM coverage foundation.

Calavera or Sugar skull

This is what I worked on today

 

 You can view the rest of my gallery here.

Choosing the right Red Lipstick for you

Red lipstick is a classic. It's a color that EVERY woman can wear and feel confidant, sophisticated and beautiful in. Finding the right red is the challenge.
 No matter what color skin tone, hair color or eye color you have there is a red lipstick out there for you.
 You just need to know what the undertone in your skin is to pick the right shade of red. For example if you have a warmer or yellow undertone then picking a red lipstick with the same tone or a red orange will look the most natural on you and if you have a cool or pink undertone then you should look for a blue red.

This picture of Jessica Alba is a good example of a blue red on a warmer skin tone.

 This picture of Scarlett Johansson is a good example of a red orange  lipstick on a warm or neutral skin tone.

 A blue red lipstick will look good on ANY skin tone but a red orange will usually look like a BIG contrast on a woman with a pink or cool undertone.

Here are a few tips for looking great in red:

1. ALWAYS wear a neutral eye with a strong lip. Lot's of mascara and neutral shadow are a good mix.
2. Choose a long wearing formula ( no one likes ring around the lip)
3. Wearing a neutral or nude lip liner with red will ensure a more natural looking lip.
4. Wearing a matching red lip liner creates a perfect looking lip.
5. Make sure your teeth are white. Some reds can make your grin look more yellow.
6. When in doubt ask a professional to help you out. Stop by your favorite make-up counter and ask to see a make-up artist. (remember not every gal behind the counter is an artist)

My top picks for BEST NUDE lip liners

A nude lip liner is and should be a staple in every woman's make-up wardrobe from the make-up impaired to the make-up Divas every woman needs a great nude lip liner.
 So why a nude liner? A nude liner is not only for nude lipsticks you can use them with just about every color including red! The purpose of a nude liner is to define your natural lip line and to prevent fraying lipstick (no one wants to see lipstick fading into the lines above your lips!)
You may be asking... How do I pick a nude lip liner? and the answer is simple..Pick a liner that matches your own natural lip color or a shade darker but NOT lighter unless your going for a Haute couture almost white lip!
 Below are a few swatches. They may vary from monitor to monitor so if you're not sure stop by your local make-up counter to try it on.

Here are a few of my top picks varying from lightest to darkest.

1.Natural Mauve from Lancome- This works great on lips with no color or very pale lips. Perfect for a pinky nude.
 2. Oak from Mac- This is the same level of deepness as Natural Mauve but has a warmer undertone.Perfect for a beige nude.

 3. Beige Neutre #42 from Guerlain- This is what a nude should be. It's perfectly balanced with warm and cool undertones. This is a medium nude.

 4. 710 from Shu Uemura- This is a med deep nude with a slight plum or cool tone.
 5. Chestnut from Laura Mercier- This is a deep nude great for med to dark lips. It has a bit of a chocolaty plum tone.

Mac Concealer dupe

On my search for a lightweight, medium coverage concealer I have found the Mac select Moisture cover Dupe at the drugstore.

L'Oreal makes a great concealer called True Match Blendable concealer and I have to say that these feel and look exactly the same.

Here are the similarities...
1. They are great for around the eye area because they don't settle in the lines
2. They are great for minor spot coverage for the face.
3. They both can even be used as foundation in a pinch.
 4. They are both super blendable.


The main difference between them is the color range and price.

I actually prefer the colors to the L'Oreal concealer (9 colors) but, Mac does have a larger range of color. (15 colors). The Mac concealer is $16.50 and the L'Oreal concealer is about $8.00. So if you are a die hard Mac fan but wanna save a few bucks try the L'Oreal true match concealer. I bought them for my kit on a buy 1 get 1 half off sale so that's like saving 25 % what a deal!

N.Y.C. Lipstick Review

I've been wearing these N.Y.C. Ultra wear lipsticks for a couple of weeks now and I have to say I've grown very fond of them. I purchased them at my local Rite Aide store for $1.99 (WHAT?!) ya, you heard me right.
 This is a great lipstick for such an amazing price. They really do last quite a while and have a beautiful shimmer so you almost don't have to wear a lipgloss.
 I purchased 6 colors which, if you do the math that's just about the price of 1 M.a.c. lipstick! I swatched them below to show you the color range and metallic shimmer.

  There are even more colors than what I purchased so I'm sure you'd be able to find at least 1 lipstick you like. The only thing I didn't like about them was the way they are packaged. Most lipsticks wind down into their case. These do not. They wind up but not down so you have to be careful about the way you place the cap back on. Other than that these are a winner for all these reasons.......
  Long wearing
 High shimmer
 Good pigment
 Fragrance free
 Inexpensive

Makeup removal cloths review

Okay, I'm the first to admit that I have on occasion slept in my makeup....YUCK! I know but, that's what happens when your chasing after 3 kids all day and fall into bed at 12:00am. Not to fear though, the answer to my problems of exhausted mommy syndrome is found in a pretty blue package called NOXZEMA makeup removal cloths. I have tried many cleansing cloths from Mac which WAS my favorite but left my skin feeling greasy to drugstore brands which never did a great job at removing waterproof makeup. I love these because I can sit down on the couch and watch Rachel Zoe and get a great scrub down all at the same time.

 I have to say these are a thumbs up in my book. Not only do they remove ALL of my makeup but it has that wonderful Eucalyptus scent and slight tingle that just makes your skin feel clean but not stripped.You don't even need to wash your skin after using these. You can put your night treatment on and hit the hay. It is safe to use around the eyes but, if you have extremely sensitive eyes or skin these may not be for you.

The only downside to this product for me was that it only comes in a package of 25 for about $3-$5 depending on where you purchase them. Since I use these everyday I need more than one pack for a month. Other than that these are a permanent part of my skincare routine and Noxzema if your listening PLEASE make a larger size!