... so i got more Venmous Villains stuff

So after I got my paycheck, I decided to visit the MAC counter again and see what was left over for me to buy.  I was surprised that they still had some Maleficent stuff left over.  In my other post, I said that I decided to skip over the Bad Spell lip gloss, thinking that it would be too similar to my Moistly lipgelee.  I was WRONG!  I swatched it at the counter and saw that it was more opaque than Moistly.  It is a dark, deep, blackberry/plum color with shimmer.  I honestly don't want to say "berry" or "plum" because I feel those colors are usually associated with a little red tint to them (like Moistly), but that's not the case here.  i really see it more as a black-purple color.

MAC Venomous Villains Lipglass in Wrong Spell
(the sparkles and the flash make the color seem lighter than how it really is)

PacSun coupon code

I'm a shopaholic.  It's kind of terrible.  And I subscribe to websites that announce sales and stuff, which is probably the worst enabler ever.  But i've been pretty good by not buying too much.  Today, I must say that I was still thrifty.  I got the PacSun Daily Deal email and today's deal was a crocheted back fly-open vest for $6 and I definitely wanted to buy it.  while at the website, I purchased a few other tops that were on sale for around the same price.  Then at the end of the check out, i noticed the promo code box, and decided to google if there was a code for me to save even MORE money.  I landed on http://www.retailmenot.com/view/pacsun.com and used the 15% off coupon: em6wel10

and it worked!  according to the site, that code was posted 3 months ago, and it still worked for me today.  this is my first time using a code from retailmenot.com so i look forward to finding more savings through them in the future.

Disney's Venomous Villains

... because i'm sure everyone else is doing the same thing...

So this is what i can afford as of now, because I did a poor job in saving up for the collection's release.  I got things that I knew I definitely wanted, and then some things that the MUA put on me that i liked.  I know I want more (actually, I seriously want everything just for the packaging), but I'm nowhere near rich enough to buy everything, nor am I popular enough to be receiving any of these things for free (and i'm totally jealous of those who do. *turns Maleficent*).  I really wonder how long these products will last in the stores, since a lot is already sold out online.  I'm sure the Maleficent things will go quickly.  As you can see, I'm more partial to the Evil Queen.  I actually really liked her collection best, aside from the fact that she's my favorite villain of the four.

Mean & Green

Mean & Green

So, I guess it's swatch time.  I'll start with the nail polish (all from Maleficent collection) because I'm actually wearing it right now.  I tried on all three at the store.  They're nice, but I think the coolest one was Mean & Green.  First, I just want to say that it does not look like the swatch posted on the M.A.C. Cosmetics website.  On the site it looks like a dark black/purple, but it's actually more yellow green and red when on the nails.  It also has a nice duochrome effect to it.  It is described as "purple with teal multi-changing pearl," but I kind of see it the other way around.  The reason why I say that is because one coat looks like a sheer, diluted olive green color with purple glitter... Then again, maybe it was a trick of the eye and lighting, which is kind of the point, lol.  Bottom line, the key colors here are the reddish purple and yellowish green.  Two coats makes it look like the bottle.  As for the texture of the polish, it dries pretty smooth to the touch.  But on close inspection, it looks a little chunky (because of the glitter) and streaky.  Like I said before, it's kind of like thin, diluted nail polish with a shitload of glitter (or is it crushed pearl?) poured into it.  I also picked this color because in natural light [i know my pictures don't do it justice] it looks very similar to Orly's Space Cadet nail polish from their Cosmic FX Collection (http://www.temptalia.com/orly-cosmic-fx-collection-review-photos-swatches)

LIPS.  Two lipsticks and two lip glosses.  Sinister has a lustre finish, but again, the "swatch" on the MAC site is different from actual application.  (I think they just scrape clumps of the product before it is manufactured into a lipstick tube).  The description is true, "soft brown plum" (maybe a hint of a cappuccino color, too), but i was very surprised as to how sheer it looked when I applied it.  In my picture, i actually had to add some layers so that the color actually shows up.  At first i wasn't feeling it, but it is a nice, neutral everyday color, which really is a great addition to my collection of reds and purples.

L to R: Sinister, Toxic Tale, Revenge is Sweet, Resort Life

Toxic Tale is a satin finish bright coral.  I've been meaning to get myself a coral lipstick, and i'm happy it comes in an Evil Queen tube.  I wanted to buy each character, so I got Maleficent's Revenge is Sweet, which looks really good on top of both lipsticks I bought (I initially wanted to buy Wrong Spell but when I saw it in person, it looked very similar to Moistly Lipgelee that I already have).  And I knew I definitely wanted Dr. Facilier's Resort Life I didn't even bother testing it at the counter. Very pretty brown/pink champagne color, but be forewarned: VERY SPARKLY! I tried to wipe off this swatch with a wet paper towel, but it spread the sparkles everywhere!

The two eyeshadows I bought were Cruella De Vil's Sweet Joy and the Evil Queen's Vainglorious.  Sweet Joy is a soft, pale gold color with a nice frost to it.  Vainglorious, as the MAC site states, is a bronzed burgundy.  With these eyeshadows, what you see in the pan is actually what you get with application.  But thats almost an understatement with the Bite of an Apple blush.  I'm going to have to disagree with MAC's "swatch" and their description of soft coral pink.  It is bright as hell.  It was another one of my "definite buys" I had planned and I'm so happy I have it.  At the counter, one woman was pretty intimated by the color, thinking that it would be too clowny.  Luckily, I am a big fan of Carmindy (www.carmindy.com), who says that bright blushes applied with a very fluffy brush looks very natural and is easiest to blend (if blending is necessary).  It's a great vibrant color (sorry my untrue picture doesn't do it justice), but may take some getting used to if you usually don't use brighter colors.

So overall I kinda love the collection.  I feel like the Maleficent and Evil Queen collections are obviously inspired from the characters.  As I said before, the key colors for Maleficent are purple and green, but also hints of sparks and smokiness that coincides with the fact that she is a mystical (dark) fairy.  The colors from the Evil Queen actually looks like makeup she wears, especially the eyeshadow, which I want to buy hopefully in the near future.  The Cruella collection looks like natural colors for the everyday woman.  I'm sure I could find plenty of dupes for the eyeshadow I bought.  In fact, one of Cruella shadows is the permanent Carbon color.  The MUA and I were discussing how we wish we saw a green like they eyeshadow she wears.  But the red lip colors were nice, so I'm hoping to buy those, too.  The Dr. Facilier collection doesn't necessarily match the character, but I think it would be too similar to Maleficent.  Never the less, I LOVE the lip gelee I have, and maybe I'll pick up some of that Magically Cool Liquid Powder just because I still don't know exactly what it is and I want to experiment with it.  The rest of his collection contain a lot of permanent colors or "old" colors, (ie: Brash and Bold.  I believe that was part of another collection because I already have that pigment in the old packaging.)  These colors also seem seasonal.  The nailpolish is definitely a great color for the fall, which is why I was so excited to wear it right away.  The coral colors I have will probably be my summer go-to colors.  I really hope to get more, if they're not sold out already.  

Orly Nail Defense

I've always had thin, soft nails.  They grow out ok, but are relatively weak because they easily bend, tear, break, and peel.  I hate peeling the most because it happens most often and weakens my nails the most.  Over the years, I've tried different nail hardeners, but didn't have much luck.  Then I came across Orly Nail Defense.  The package states NAIL DEFENSE is protein-enriched to fortify weak nails.  Bonds Nail layers together, and seals the nail to prevent breakage.  DIRECTIONS:  Apply as a basecoat and topcoat.  Can be used with ORLY nail lacquer or alone as a clear polish.  Reapply every other day.  As nails improve, apply every 3-4 days.  Use with CUTICLE CARE COMPLEX for stronger, healthier nails in 10 days.

I almost followed the directions exactly.  The first few days, I just wore it alone and reapplied every other day.  Then I decided to paint a french manicure, but I used Sally Hansen polish instead of Orly.  I did not use the Cuticle Care Complex, either.  After two weeks I noticed some of my nails were slightly stronger, except...

OMG a chip!  Well, it's a chip in the polish, not my nail. But upon closer inspection...

OK, so these pictures were taken with my phone (and my camera is not that much better), but you can see there is a little nick in the nail.  It's actually beginning to peel.  Disappointing.

Hopefully I'll see better results after a month.  If not, I'll probably use up the bottle, but not repurchase.

e.l.f. Discount

From now until Sept. 27 you can 50% off your $20+ e.l.f Minerals make up using the discount code MINHALF at checkout @ www.eyeslipsface.com This code cannot be combined with any other coupon code.
Happy shopping!

no meltdown in the rain

The topic of this post is the reason why I wanted to start this blog.  I had to go into the city for something work related, and I wore a full face of make up.  Unfortunately, it rained and I was ill prepared for the gross weather.  So I walked through the rain with a constant mist, and sometimes got caught in some heavy down pour.  I'm one of those people who hates the rain.  Some people may love going out and playing in it, but I do not have any desire to do so.  When it rains, its usually dark, cold, and awfully muddy, especially with cars zooming past splashing with their dirty tires.  Plus, I absolutely HATE getting my clothes wet, and my hair, because it sticks uncomfortably to my skin.  Ugh. Ew.

Back on topic, in regards to make up, I usually don't carry around any touch up items, so I didn't have any with me that day.  (And even if I did, I would've been in such a bad mood because of the rain, that I probably wouldn't have cared about my make up to want to touch up.)  I spent about 7 hours in the city and every time I stepped outside, I was caught in the rain.  Finally at the end of the day, I went to remove my make up, and was very surprised as to how well everything stayed in place.  My face looked pretty damned good after going through the rain!  I'm just going to list the products if you wanna give any of them a shot.

Face: MAC Studio Moisture Tint, Benefit "That Gal" Brightening Face Primer, Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation, Cover FX Translucent Powder, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural
Eyes: Urban Decay Primer Potion, MAC shadows (Photo Realism Quad), Urban Decay Liquid Liner (Smog), Rimmel Sexy Curves Waterproof Mascara
Cheeks: e.l.f. Contouring Blush and Bronzer

Soo... if you have a chance of getting caught in the rain, I think you'll be safe if you're wearing these products.  I'd love to hear similar experiences and maybe some different products that are "rain safe."

lovin' my Lovebug Lenses

I ordered a pair of contact lenses from www.lovebuglens.com and I wanted to talk about them, especially the customer service.

Straight up, I am a contact lens n00b.  I do wear prescribed glasses, but when I asked my doctor about contacts, he told me that my prescription is not strong enough to need contact lenses.  He even said that I can even drive without my glasses.  So, I never got a contacts prescription and never explored the world of contact lenses.  Then I learned how easy it is to order contact lenses online.
Disclaimer: It is very important to consult an optometrist and get a proper prescription for contact lenses.  Even if you have good vision and don't wear glasses, but want non-prescription (zero power) colored lenses, you need a prescription for correct sizing and such.
That being said, I did take a great risk and went ahead against recommendations and ordered my first pair of contact lenses. They are non-prescription, so I still wear my glasses over them, lol.  I've been wearing them for about a week now and starting to get the hang of them.

I apologize for the poor quality picture.  My camera is ancient and I'm not a good photographer so I don't have any concept of lighting, shutter speed, filter, etc...

I'm wearing the Gemstone Collection Pink lenses.  They are GEO brand, which I believe is one of the leading colored contact lens brands, and come with an authentication code.  As I said before, this is my first time wearing contact lenses, my brother (who wears contacts) had to teach me how to put them in. The first time I tried them on, it felt very awkward, like I had something in my eye.  It also looked blurry for a little bit, until it moved around into the correct place.  I did my research before hand, and I knew that these experiences I had were indications that the lenses may not be a proper fit, thus reiterating the importance of seeing an optometrist for a sizing and prescription.  After a week, however, I did get used to them, and now it does not feel like something is stuck in my eye, and I almost never see the blurriness I saw before.  

As for how they look, I love them!  They make my eyes look interesting, and it's not an obvious "omg my eyes are pink," but more of a subtle change of color.  I've worn them out at night, and my friends barely notice, but in brighter lighting situations, they do a double take.  I also noticed a very slight enlarging effect on my eyes.  I've read about other people saying that these lenses didn't make their eyes look larger, but it did a little bit for me.

OK, so enough about the contacts themselves, let me talk about Lovebug Lens.  AWESOME!!!  The website is neat, organized, and easy to order from.  The customer service is excellent.  Here's my story:

I did not order the pink lenses at first.  I actually ordered a different color, but they were on back-order, which  meant that I would just have to wait longer for them to come in.  I didn't mind because they state that they receive shipments every week.  After a couple of weeks, the website announced that there were some issues with their supplier, and will no longer have any items on back-order and will clear out their inventory.  The lenses I ordered were not listed on the site, so I was naturally concerned about my order.  I went on the Facebook Fanpage (which gets updated frequently), and just posted a general question about what happens when something was back-ordered but is no longer listed on the website.  Then, they found my exact order and messaged me apologizing for not having my contact lenses available.  They did offer if I wanted to receive a different pair, or if I wanted a refund.  I opted for the pink lenses, and they were shipped the next day via USPS with a tracking number (inexpensive shipping to the US).  I waited over weekend for them (Fri-Mon), which is fast. 

I would definitely order from them again in the future.

... and I lived happily ever after with my new lenses

can i just tell you...

... that i wanted to start this blog to share my thoughts and opinions about one's looks.  Whether it be about cosmetics, fashion, or physical features, I want to talk about it.  Mainly because I talk a lot and sometimes what I have to say can be helpful.

I want to talk about products that I obtain, review, maybe even recommend them.  I want to share tips with others that I found useful and hope others find useful, too.  There are plenty of beauty blogs and such out there on the internet, and they are all different because they are told through different perspectives.  This blog will be from my perspective, so you can take that however you wish.