Life's A Beach - Bed Head Deep Waver Wave Artist - Get Beachy Mermaid Waves

Bed Head Deep Waver, Wave Artist.

With summer coming up, there is nothing I love more than tousled, beachy waves.  We all want to be Gisele, but my natural hair is more like Naomi's (well her extensions?). 

Anyway, we all want what we can't have, so I wanted to test out Bed Head's Deep Waver Wave Artist before we were in full summer swing.   I purchased mine from Ulta.com a while back, but I had only tried it once and was convinced I did it wrong.  So after air drying my hair with some Herbal Essences Volumizing mousse, I heated up my Deep Waver and starting getting beachy. 

 My regular hair.  Just air dried with some mousse.  Straight. Flat. Meh.
This rippling crimper(?) creates waves in hair.

This tool isn't a curling iron.  It actual more resembles a hair crimper.  Remember those?  But instead of crunchy, angular pyramids, the idea is that these three rounded barrels give you soft, mermaid waves.  The heat time is very quick, and I appreciate the lock system for when it's cool for neater, cleaner storage.

Feed me! :-O

I took 2 - 3 inch sections of hair and worked the Deep Waver down the length of my hair.  It worked best when not taking too much hair at a time.  Many of my girlfriends love wavy hair, but they aren't as handy with a curly iron.  The Deep Waver would probably be an excellent choice for them.  It's super easy just to clamp down the length of the hair to get your wavy look.

 Is this how Shakira does it?
 Mermaid waves.  Fin not included.

All in all, I think it did deliver a nice wavy style to my hair.  However, I do believe that I could have achieved a similar and less frizzy look with a regular large barrel curling iron.  I found that sometimes my hair looked too "clamped" and not soft and natural.  Running my fingers through, helped soften these spots, but overall, I think I prefer a regular curling iron.  This tool would probably work best on those with at least shoulder length to long hair (probably best on longer hair)
To review: if you are good with a curling iron, you can probably do without this.  If you are bad with heated tools and want something easy to work with, give this a try (but make sure you have long hair).

Bed Head Deep Waver Wave Artist is available at Ulta.com and Amazon.com for about $30 depending on retailer. 

Maybelline Fit Me Blush in Medium Nude 208 - Swatches, Photos and Review

Maybelline New York's new Fit Me Line - Blush and Foundation.

If you missed my review of Maybelline New York's Fit Me Foundation, click here.  I was really impressed by the quality of this foundation.  It gave such a beautiful skin-like finish that I thought maybe the same quality would have gone into the other products in the line.... er, no I was wrong.

The foundation was so impressive.  It reminded of what I thought Guerlain's Lingerie de Peau foundation should have been like.  Great buildable coverage.  Super light weight feel.  Smooth application and blendability.  Satin, skin-like finish.  All for $7.  Unreal.

Unfortunately, Fit Me Blush is no where in the same ball park as its foundation counter part.  The color I purchased was Medium Nude 208, a shade recommended in my foundation color range.  In the pan, it looks promising.  The shade is a shimmering nudey pink.  Reminds me a of softer, less sparkly Nars Sin.  However, on the skin, it's almost nothing.  There is almost zero color payoff.  Also the texture is such a turn off.  The powder is hard as a rock and very hard to pick up on a brush.  Fit Me Fail.

Medium Nude 208 in the pan.  Looks pretty here.
Ingredients.
Barely there swatch.  I tried to apply this heavily, but this is the best I got. :-/

Beautburg's Overall Rating: D
Try the Foundation, skip the other products in the line.  Maybelline spent a lot of time focusing on the feature product of this product family and just slapped together the rest.

Maybelline Fit Me Blush is $6 available at drugstores and mass retailers nationwide.

Sugarpill Burning Heart Palette - Addicted To Pretty!! Photos, Swatches and Review

My Burning Heart Palette. 

Should I call my doctor? I think I'm hooked on Sugarpill.  Every time I try a product from their line, I just get blown away.  I wish all my eyeshadows were like this.  Their pigmentation is stupendous, and it just puts other eyeshadows to shame.  Their quality really sets the bar for me now. 

I know it doesn't fit with the concept of the line, but I wish Sugarpill would make all kinds of shades, including neutrals.  Just to show other companies how it's done.

I recently picked up Sugarpill's Burning Heart palette from their Birthday sale (Happy Bday btw!).  I was giddy with joy when the package arrive.  Amy, aka Shrinkle, puts so much thought into every detail of your Sugarpill experience.  The box had an adorable kitten on it, and inside it was filled with bright pink tissue, a nice card featuring two models adorned in Sugarpill, a glitter sticker and my adorable purchases!

Love this packaging.

Flamepoint - orange olé!  Such a bold and bright orange.  This color does not disappoint.  It's a ridiculous, rich matte orange.  I can't wait to create a tropical sunset look with this color.


Buttercupcake - Usually yellows you really have to pack on to have any sort of color pay-off.  But not this one.  This tasty yellow is so sunny and bright!  It was great to see a  yellow with so much pay-off.


Love+ - This is a red alert red!  I know it seems as if I'm a broken record, but I have to say again... these colors are SO pigmented.  This shade has a hint of shimmer, but I wouldn't call it a shimmer or frost shade.  There is such an intensity to this shade.


Poison Plum - Now, compared to other eyeshadows by other companies, this is pigmented, but in comparison to the other colors of this palette it is definitely a little less intense.  However, it still has excellent color payoff.  I have been using this shade quite a bit recently.  It works well with my Sweetheart palette too.  See the review of that one here.

I knew I would be pleased with my purchase, but the shock of color from these shades (especially the orange, red and yellow) just added to my delight.  If you love brights, you need this.  'Nuff said.


 
Swatches!  Ridiculous!
How would you pair these shade?  What kind of look would you create?

Sugarpill's Burning Heart Palette is $34 for 4g, 0.14oz x 4 and available at sugarpillshop.com

March Madness! Greens All Month - Nfh Oh Greens 569 + 056 - Swatches & Photos

A heavenly green combination from Nfu Oh!

More gorgeous greens this month.  What a great excuse to celebrate a fab shade for nails, eyes, etc.  This is probably one of the most entrancing combinations of green that I own. 

Pictured above is Nfu Oh 569 layered with Nfu Oh 056.  Nfu Oh 569 is a dark green jelly.  The shade is actually a dupe for Nars Zulu, and I think it's actually better quality.  No tugs or pulls in this formula.  Two coats to dark but still slightly sheer jelly deliciousness.

Nfu Oh 569 in it's gorgeous greenness.
Love these sexy Nfu Oh corset bottles.

Nfu Oh 056 is a dark green flakie glitter that reflects blue and bright green.  It's sheer on its own, but it can be built up for wear by itself.  However, I think it works best with 1 or 2 coats on a base color.  And I *die* for this combination.

Click to enlarge!  Looks emerald here.
Almost jade green here.
Here you can see the blue.

I love wearing this combination together, but they are not exclusive to each other.  569 looks fabulous on its own, and 056 looks great topped on other polishes.  If you love flakies, check out Nfu Oh.  

Nfu Oh is a Korean brand which is available in the US at fabulousstreet.com for $12.50 for 17ml.

Marlowe - Beautyburg's Bathing Beauty!!


Have you met Marlowe yet?  He's Beautyburg's mascot, collaborator and muse.  This past weekend he added bathing suit model to his resume at a local pet event.  Marlowe won for his old time-y bathing beauty outfit complete with sunglasses.  He attributes his beauty regime to a raw BARF diet (read about BARF diets for pets here), cold compressed coconut oil as conditioner and lots of exercise from hiking with mom.

I hope this brightens your Monday just a little!  Have a great week everyone!

Shades up!
Marlowe wasn't confident at first to go out in public in his bathing suit. lol!
Sunglasses complete the look.  These are called Doggles!
Some of the other fashionable dogs!
Marlowe and Charlie.
Marlowe sunbathes and enjoys his prize.

Do you have pets at home?  Tell me about them! 

1000+ Facebook Fans Giveaway! Win MAC Wonder Woman Pink Power Mineralized Skinfish & More!

Pink is Power!  
Win MAC Wonder Woman Pink Power Mineralized Skinfish & more! 

Wow!  I can't express how much I'm completely floored by the support from everyone of you.  Last week we hit another huge milestone by reaching over 1,000 fans on Facebook!  Thanks everyone for all your support!  You guys ROCK!  Group hug!


So to show my appreciation all of you lovelies, I wanted to do a little giveaway.  We currently have our Spring Basket one going on (click here to enter that one), but why not to two?!  We need to celebrate! 

So here's what's inside:
MAC Wonder Woman Pink Power Mineralized Skinfish - this Glamazon-sized bronze, blush, highlighter has been sold out since before it hit stores.  I bought two in a frenzy and want to give my spare to you!

MAC Wonder Woman Opulash in Victorious - A beautiful violet purple shade of their Opulash mascara.  Another sold out lovely.

NARS Vintage Nail Polish in Mash - A gorgeous bronzy black shade that resurrected this past fall and is now again long gone.

NYX 10 Color Palette in Secret World - A sultry palette of neutrals and summery greens and tropical shades.  Great for a sizzling summer look. 


How to enter?
Just fill out the form below.  You just need to enter your email, but you can do other things to rack up extra entries.  Please one entry per person.

Contest ends April 30th, 2011 at 11:59pm PST.  You must be 18 or older or have the permission of an adult.  International friends are welcome to play!

Good luck!


Sunday Fresh - Blogger Link Love - Week In Review


Happy Sunday everyone!  What are you doing today?  How was this week for you?  We hit a milestone over at our Facebook page.  Over 1000 fans!  Thank you guys so much.  To celebrate, we're going to have a mini giveaway for our friends there.  Check on Monday for more info.

Here are some posts from the past week:

I swatched every CND Effects nail polish they make... including Limited Editions! See the post for pics after you watch the video!
See my tutorial to create a sakura inspired look! 
This was a collaboration with Anna of Fenua Beaute!  Check out her look here!
Feeling smart and cheeky?  Try blushes from MAC's Jeanius collection.
BB Couture is having a sale on greens!  I skittled all of my green BB Couture collection.
Who do you want to see as the next MAC Beauty Icon?
Oh and we're having a blog sale!

Kia aka G_Marie of Killer Ligloss had a great post about what to do now that you're a full blown makeup addict and where to save.

Zara of Never Unpolished created a minty leopard mani! 

Manicured Monkey says Aloha with a Hawaiian inspired mani.

GingerKitty Designs is now doing bobby pins!  Look how cute these are!

Elena, aka Helg, at Perfume Shrine poses some interesting questions about brands and the faces behind them, related to the John Galliano incident.

Handwriting Survey Tag - What Does My Handwriting Say About Me?


My girl, Kellie at www.kelliegonzo.com tagged me for this fun questionnaire!  Thanks K!  I had a lot of fun doing it, but I gotta say that I think I need those calligraphy lessons again.  I think it's true that your handwriting gets worse as you age.  So what do you think a handwriting analyst would say about your handwriting?  lol!

Here are the questions:
1. What is you name? And your blog.
2. Blog url
3. Write: The quick brown fox jumped over the lazy dog.
4. Favorite quote
5. Favorite song
6. Favorite band/singers
7. Say anything you want
8. Pass it along to a few bloggers

I only tagged three, but everyone should play!   If you post one of these surveys, let me know in the comments (feel free to link for that).  I love reading these! 

MAC Beauty Icon Discussion - My Story and Search for The Next Beauty Icon - Who Would You Want To See Immortalized in MAC?

 Liza for MAC - The First Beauty Icon

MAC and I are in a long term relationship, probably the longest one I've ever been in.  We've gone through many ups and downs over the years, but there have definitely been more good times than bad.  Every now and again, MAC will surprise me and make me remember why I fell in love with them so many years ago.

Some of my fondest MAC memories are of their Beauty Icon series.  Before I had even seen Cabaret, I met Liza for MAC.  Liza Red Amplified lipstick is hands down my favorite red lippie in my collection.  It's the perfect red for my skintone.  A great balance of red and orange.

If you're unfamiliar with the MAC Beauty Icon series, it's a collaborative collection created with a living celebrity that has a signature style.  The Icons are people who have long careers and have a sense of maturity.


Here's a short timeline on MAC Beauty Icons:
2003 - Liza Minnelli
2005 - Diana Ross
2006 - Catherine Deneuve
2007 - Raquel Welch
2008 - Dame Edna

The supreme Miss Diana Ross.

With the first three collections, the products, concept and icon themselves were just tremendous.  Both Liza AM and PM eyeshadow quads were seriously perfection.  I had the AM one on my makeupalley.com wishlist for years.  In the Diana Ross collection, it was the first time (correct me if I'm wrong) that MAC introduced Beauty Powders.  The pink brushes also just made me gaga. 

 Belle du Jour forever.

The Catherine Deneuve collection was immensely popular.  The limited edition kabuki brush was to die for, and I regret to this day not getting it.   However, I did end up purchasing the majority of this collection.  I think MAC just got everything right here.  The colors were super wearable and desirable, and the packaging had a such a sleek, modern and very sophisticated vibe.  I think it captured the entire essence of the Icon so well. 

Raquel Welch for MAC.

Now, the last two collections to me were slight disappointments.  I think Raquel Welch didn't carry the star power or frenzy of the other icons.  If you want to wear the crown of MAC Beauty Icon, there better be no question that you deserve the title.  The not-so-fierce need not apply.  Also, the Rachel products were just kinda lame.


Then came the Dame Edna collection.  I was thrilled with news of the press release; I was psyched to see MAC return to its gender bending roots (a la RuPaul) to celebrate someone with true eccentric style and a certain makeup sense.  The products themselves were also very cool.  The Amplified lipsticks were very unique shades, and the Beauty Powders were just lovely.  However, when trying to capture Dame Edna's signature glasses with a sticker on top of a lovely pretty lavender product (same shade as her hair)... the whole collection just went to pieces.  The glasses sticker peeled off easily, and for me, it just took away from the entire collection.

So MAC, baby.  Can you do me a solid and come out with a seriously ba-nanerz Beauty Icon Collection?  Here are some people I would love to see immortalized!

Some Beauty Icon Candidates:
  • Dolly Parton (MUST)
  • Tina Turner
  • Cher
  • Björk (in maybe 10 years?)
  • Sophia Loren

Who would you like to see as the Beauty Icon in MAC's series?  Do you have any favorites from past collections?  Who has been your favorite Icon so far?

CND Effects - The Complete Line Including Limited Editions! Photos, Swatches and Video!

 CND Effects in full effect!

CND Effects

What are CND Effects?  They are “accent” coats that you apply on top of your nail polish color to add an effect of shimmer, pearl, sparkle, etc.  It’s as if you are accessorizing your nail color with a little extra sumthing sumthing. 

The swatches from the nail wheel, video and photos follow the order below. 
  1. Gold Pearl
  2. Copper Pearl
  3. Lavender Pearl
  4. Gold Shimmer
  5. Copper Shimmer
  6. Scarlet Shimmer
  7. Emerald Shimmer
  8. Ice Blue Shimmer
  9. Violet Shimmer
  10. Gold Sparkle
  11. Jade Sparkle
  12. Crimson Sparkle
  13. Raspberry Sparkle
  14. Sapphire Sparkle
  15. Amethyst Sparkle
  16. Sugar Sparkle - Limited Edition The Look Spring 2010
  17. Red Sparkle - Limited Edition Winter 2010/2011 - Red Hot Set
  18. Gold Sparkling - Limited Edition - Sparkling Holiday Effects Duo
  19. Silver Sparkling - Limited Edition - Sparkling Holiday Effects Duo
  20. Teal Sparkle - Limited Edition - The Look  Fall 2010
  21. Barely There Shimmer - LE - The Look Spring/Summer 2010


Why do I like these?  They are just fun for dressing up a regular polish.  If you are bored with your colors, just whip out one of these Effects and you have a totally different shade.  There's a reason why the brand is called Creative Nail Design.  You can let out your inner artist and think of amazing combinations.

Do you own any CND Effects?  How would you use them?  What crazy combinations do you have in mind.  

















To find CND Effects go to cnd.com and check their locate tab for salons and retailers near you.

Wet n' Wild Color Icon Trio in Silent Treatment Eyeshadow Palette - Swatches, Photos, EOTD

Don't give me the Silent Treatment.

I am LOVING these Wet n' Wild eyeshadows.  $2.99 for some seriously beautiful and quality shades.  My coffee usually costs more than this.  Silent Treatment is another fabulous trio recently released by Wet n' Wild.  This set holds a soft pale shimmery shade for highlight, a sparkly black for liner  and a soft taupe-y grey for the lid.  This is a great everyday trio.

I'm going to stash this set at my desk at work.  These shades would go with any outfit, and I can easily use these colors to create a smoky look if I'm headed out after a day at the office.  I love how I can afford to buy two.  :)

Actually, please *do* give me the Silent Treatment.
Swatches.
EOTD.  MAC Dark Diversion Fluidline as eyeliner with the black shade on top (why it seems slightly burgundy).

 
Love this for everyday.
Are you getting enough of these Wet n' Wild eyeshadows?  I need more!

Silent Treatment Color Icon Trio is available at Walgreens, CVS and mass retailers nationwide.  $2.99 for 3.5g, 0.12oz.

March Madness! Greens All Month - BB Couture Green Skittles - Taste The Rainbow

Yummy greens from BB Couture!
More March madness.  Greens, greens, greens!  Kim at Overall Beauty is also celebrating March madness.  From now until March 17th, in celebration of St. Patrick's Day, green nail polishes from BB Couture are on sale from $9.95 to $7.95!

So here are some skittles from my collection for my green girls (or guys).  There are more colors on sale, so go to overallbeauty.com and check them out.  I love BB Couture nail polishes.  Their formula is fantastic, and they have some of the coolest and most unique shades I've seen.  The only thing I love more, is when BB Couture is on sale.
Left to right: Kamikaze, Grasshopper, Man Bug, Frosty Meadow

Kamikaze, Grasshopper, Man Bug, Frosty Meadow
Left to right: Green Goblin, Poison Ivy, Saturday Night Fever, Bonnie.
Left to right: Green Goblin, Poison Ivy, Saturday Night Fever, Bonnie.
Vampy Varnish (you need this entire collection), Eve, Ceremony, Grenade.
Left to right: Vampy Varnish, Eve, Ceremony, Grenade.

BB Couture nail polish is available at overallbeauty.com.

Do you own any BB Coutures?  What are your favorite shades?

CND The Look Spring Summer 2011 - Perfectly Bare Colour & Perfectly Bare Shimmer Swatches, Photos and Video Preview!

CND The Look for Spring Summer 2011.

Happy Hump Day y'all.  Are you ready for spring yet?  CND The Look for Spring/Summer 2011 epitomizes a pretty perfect pink combination.  This is so girly and sophisticated.  I get visions of ballerinas, Sarah Jessica Parker and weddings.  This set holds 1 nail polish color and 1 CND Effects. 

Are you guys curious about CND Effects?  I'm preparing a video on the complete CND Effects line!  So check back for that or subscribe to our YouTube channel to be the first to know.

The Look Spring Summer 2011 Perfectly Bare is limited edition.
The set holds Perfectly Bare Colour #578 and Perfectly Bare Shimmer #579.
Pretty pink packaging.
Perfectly Bare Colour #578

This usually isn't my cup of tea, but everyone needs a mannequin shade.  Perfectly Bare is a nice opaque pinky nude that covers almost in one coat, but I always do two for insurance.
A still from our CND Effects video.  Every shade including limited editions!  Check for it soon.

The complete combo.

Perfectly Bare Shimmer #579 is a pale pink shimmer with tiny irregular silver shimmer flecks.  It is extremely subtle over Perfectly Bare Colour, but it adds depth to this flat shade.  This combination maybe a bit of snoozer for some of you, but you really need this Effects.  It looks amazing over black, and I can't wait to try it over some deeper purples and reds.

You gotta check this Effects over black, but you'll have to wait for our video!

CND The Look for Spring/Summer 2011.  Check CND's site to find a retailer near you.  I purchased mine from TransDesign.com for $10.

Do you have any CND Effects?  What are your favorite combos? What are your favorite nude shades?

Smells Like Summer - Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Soleil Eau Fraiche Skinscent

Bronze Goddess Soleil for Summer 2011

I have been looking forward to Estée Lauder's Bronze Goddess fragrances each year for the past couple years.  I had actually finished their first edition Azure Soleil, which came out with Tom Ford's collaboration with Estée Lauder.  Check for it on EvilBay if you want to be shocked!  Talk about inflation!  Someone has been out in the sun too long.

The original was my go-to summer scent.  It was salt, suntan lotion, coconut and heady taire without being overally beachy or Coopertone.  The overall experience was bright, sunshiny summer.  Bronze Goddess Soleil is much more floral.  It still sparks that summer quality, but this version is much more refreshing, possibly spiked by the citrus.

Notes include: Sicilian citron, bergmot, tangerine, lavender flowers, lemon tree petitgrain, neroli, Moroccan orange blossom, sambac, grapefruit tree blossoms, pink lily nectar, blonde woods, iris notes, ambrette seed and crystalline musks.

I have been wearing this for a week, and I just feel so ready for summer! 

The sunnies are from Forever 21 and totally match the bottle! 

Estée Lauder Bronze Goddess Soleil Eau Fraiche Skinscent is limited edition and $55 for 100ml.  It is available at esteelauder.com and at Estée Lauder counters nationwide.

What are your favorite scents for summer?  Do you change your perfume seasonally or get you in the mood for an upcoming season?

Blush IQ? MAC Jeanius Collection Blushes in Pink Cult and Overdyed - Swatches, Photos

MAC Jeanius blushes in Overdyed and Pink Cult.

What do you love more than a pair of tried and true jeans.  From the initial press release, I was stoked about MAC's Jeanius collection.  What's more iconic or American than denim?  With that as a source of inspiration, I was imagining amazing blues eyeshadows in different finishes.  Instead what was the result were pressed larger (more expensive) eyeshadows with oversprays and meh color payoff.... Less than riveting.

However one really nice surprise from the collection were two cool toned blushes.  Overdyed and Pink Cult are the two limited edition powder blushes with Jeanius, and they definitely fill a whole in my blush collection.  Overdyed is a bright magenta with a slight sheen, and Pink Cult is a flat muted matte dusty pink.  Both apply very nicely with good pigmentation.  Pink Cult is super smooth and not chalky at all.  I was actually surprised as to how much color showed on my skintone when it looked so light in the pan.



 
Swatched.  Pink Cult applied heavily, then with a blush brush.  Overdyed heavily and with brush.
 
Overdyed.
 
Overdyed on skin.
Pink Cult looks surprising light in the pan.
Pink Cult on skin.  
You wouldn't think it would show up so much from how it looks in the pan!

MAC Jeanius collection is available at maccosmetics.com and at MAC counters nationwide.  Pink Cult and Overdyed Powder Blushes are $19.50 for 5.6g, 0.19oz.

Sakura Collaboration - Spring Cherry Blossom Eye Makeup Tutorial with Sugarpill Cosmetics

My finished sakura-themed look.  

I am thrilled about today's post.  Anna of Fenua Beauté and I were gushing about our love for Sugarpill cosmetics and had previously discussed how we are weak in the knees for any makeup product with incoperating the theme of sakura.  So, we decided over Twitter to collaborate to do a sakura-themed FOTD on our respective blogs using our favorite Sugarpill products.

In Anna's look, she paints delicate petals on the corners of her eyes.  Click here to see her look.  She looks ethereal!

I wanted to paint the actual blossoms on my face and extend the shadow to the hairline.  I think it would be awesome to bring this look to the next level and make it uber kawaii and outrageous.  But I wanted it to be somewhat wearable for most folks.  You can make this look more subtle by not taking the shadow out as far and limited the blossoms to one (or none). 

The Sugarpill products used.
See the step-by-step for details.  Above are Tiara (silver), Lumi (white) and Paperdoll (purple) loose eyeshadows.  The palette is 4-Color Palette in Sweetheart.  I used Dollipop and Tako pressed eyeshadows.  All products are available at sugarpillshop.com.  If you want to see a review of them, click here for the Sweetheart palette and here for ChromaLust Loose Eyeshadows.

Step 1: After you have put on your face makeup, prime your eye area (lid, undereye and to the temple) with an eyeshadow primer.  I used Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Primer.
Step 2: To create a base, I mixed Inglot Duraline with Lumi ChromaLust Loose Eyeshadow.  Lumi is an irisdescent white with blue and green shimmer.  It is very sheer and makes a nice base for the eyelid.
Step 2 (cont'd): Cover the entire lid to the brow with this base.  Also apply to the lower lash line.  This will help hold color.
Step 3: Apply Dollipop at the crease.  Blend upwards.  Pack on extra color at the center of the eye for a pop of pink.
Step 3 (cont'd): Blend upwards and to the start of the eyebrow, creating a sort of Y shape.  Don't worry if this looks weird now.  You'll blend and mix later to soften edges and bring the look together.
Step 4: Where Dollipop ends, take Paperdoll and blend to soften the line.  Extend outwards towards the temple.
Step 4 (cont'd): Blend outwards towards to temple.
 Step 4 (cont'd): Keep going.... all the way to the hairline.
Step 5: Take a larger blending brush and dip in Dollipop.  From the hairline in circular motions create soft clouds of color towards the eye.
Step 6: With the same brush, dip in Tako and blend towards the eye.  Don't be afraid to go above the eyebrows or onto the tops of the cheekbone.
Step 7: Take Tiara on a clean brush and highlight the eyebrow and the inner corners of the eye, near the tear duct.  Using the same brush, apply Tako to the inner corners of the eye.
 Step 8: Blend Tiara to the eyeshadow in the temple.  Blend to make everything cohesive, but don't over-blend to muddle the colors.
Step 9: Line the waterline.  I used Stila Smudge Stick in Lionfish, a shimmering brown, vs. a black to keep the look soft.
Step 10: Line the bottom waterline with a white pencil.  I'm using Maybelline Unstoppable Eyeliner in Fluffy Cloud, a limited edition shade for Spring 2011.
Step 11: Apply top lashes.
Step 12: Apply bottom lashes for an extra doll-like look.  Define your brows.
Step 13: The fun part!  Painting the blossoms.  I'm using creme colors from Make Up For Ever's 12 Flash Color Case.  I mixed the white and fuchsia shades together to create the petals.
Step 13 (cont'd): Obviously, I'm not going for perfection here!  The petals can be more blobs, and then go in with another color to define.
Step 13 (cont'd): The smaller the brush the better.
Pretty petals!
Sakura! Spring is here!
Right eye (blossoms here are dotted with yellow and silver).
Go large or small on the petals.  No reason to just stop at 3.  Go above the eyebrow or onto the cheeks!

Thanks Anna for collaborating with me on this super fun project!  I had a great time doing it, and I hope it's one of many!

Do you like cherry blossoms?  Do go anywhere to see them? 

Estée Lauder Haul - Gift With Purchase At Macy's

My Estee Lauder Haul from Macys.

Estée Lauder is having a pretty nice gift with purchase right now at Macy's through March 20th available in stores and at macys.com.  I had a couple things on my wishlist, so I thought it was a good time to haul.  Details on the GWP are below.  I love it when you get a choice in color shades.  I picked "cool" for both options, and I opted for the Multi-Protection cream.  However what I'm most excited about is the lip conditioner!  Review of the products I got from my haul will be on the blog soon!





  • Choose the lip and eye shades you love, Warms or Cools (I picked cools).
  • Warms: Pure Color Lipstick (full-size) in Tiger Eye; Pure Color EyeShadow in Rivera Rose, Sugar Biscuit, Enchanted Forest and Hot Cinnamon.
  • Cools: Pure Color Lipstick (full-size) in Rose Tea; Pure Color EyeShadow in Sugar Cube, Lilac Whimsy, Smoky Ember and Wild Truffle.
  • Sumptuous Bold Volume™ Lifting Mascara in Black
  • Choose your moisturizer in a deluxe 14-day supply: New. DayWear Advanced Multi-Protection Anti-Oxidant Creme SPF 15 or Time Zone Line and Wrinkle Reducing Creme SPF 15
  • Advanced Night Repair Synchronized Recovery Complex, (10-day supply)
  • Take It Away Total Makeup Remover (deluxe travel size)
  • Large Cosmetic Bag
  • With $60 purchase or more - Choose your lipstick and lipgloss shades.
  • Choose the lip shades you love, Warms or Cools: Warms: Pure Color Lipstick (full-size) in Sunstone and High Gloss in Rose. Cools: Pure Color Lipstick (full-size) in Rubellite and High Gloss in Berry.
  • Lip Conditioner SPF 15
  • Cosmetic Bag - mini



Do you wait for gifts with purchases to haul?  Or are you not partial to GWP because you never use the stuff inside?

Spring Sunday - Blogger Link Love - Week In Review

Spring is in the air!

Happy Sunday y'all.  What does everyone have planned?  Last night, I went to see Rango.  If you love western movies or are just in the mood to laugh, I recommend checking it out.  Both me and hubs gave it a thumbs up.  Today, I have a lot of blogging to do.  I'm working on a video of CND Effects for you guys, and Anna of Fenua Beaute and I are going to do sakura-themed makeup looks for our respective blogs.  This should be really fun!

Here are some posts from this past week in case you missed them.

 See our Oscar wrap look with tutorials on looks inspired by Michelle Williams...
 And another by Black Swan star and Best Actress winner Natalie Portman.
 Join the cult with Iconic from Cult Nails.




See what my fellow bloggers have been doing this week!
There must be something creative in the air.  So many of my blogger friends have done really cute spring manicures this week. Check some of them out!
Have a great day everyone!  See you on Twitter later. 

    Wet n' Wild Color Icon Trio in I'm Getting Sunburned Eyeshadow Palette - Swatches, Photos, EOTD

    I'm Getting Sunburned Eyeshadow Trio from Wet n' Wild.

    Do you like hunting?  I do.  Of course, I'm talking about tracking down makeup and beauty items.  Sometimes there is such a rush in the thrill of the hunt.  Then you feel such a rush when you finally get the item you are looking for.

    That's what it was like with these new Wet n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trios.  I have beens scouring my local drugstores for weeks, and I finally ran into them at a Walgreens recently.  I was PSYCHED! 

    This eyeshadow trio was worth the hunt.  The shadows were very smooth and creamy.  There was a slight fallout issue with the darkest shade, but I find dark formulas with tiny micro glitters (like the Nars night series) just tend to have fallout.  So when you apply on your brush make sure to shake off any excess.  Other than that, these applied very well and were on par with many department store brands.  Best part...?  This palette is $2.99.
     I'm Getting Sunburned Trio holds a frosty cool pink, a shimmering brown black with pink shimmer and a sparkling warm copper gold.
     Here is a soft EOTD with I'm Getting Sunburned.
     Can you believe this look cost less than a latte?

    I definitely want more of these Wet n' Wild Color Icon eyeshadow trios!  I have one more that I purchased with this one, but I will definitely be back to Walgreens for more.  Have you tried these yet?

    Wet n' Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trio in I'm Getting Sunburned is $2.99 for 3.5g, 0.12oz and available at drugstores nationwide.