Look of the Day (Text Post)

I don't know what it was, but I hated my makeup today.

 I have some breakouts around my mouth area- have no idea what's causing them- and my foundation and concealer did nothing to diminish the redness, not even after using setting powder.

What else?

Even though I used my favorite shadows for my eye look, the weird discoloration/shadow in the crease of my right eye is driving me crazy. I don't know if my mind is just exaggerating it, or if colors do appear muddy on that section of my eye.

I think it all might be tied to coming back from an extra day off at work, and readjusting.

The only thing that I liked about my makeup today was the highlighter I got from ittse, called Hustle and Glow. This stuff is legit. Even one light swipe gets me intense shine.

Tomorrow morning I am going to test out some ipsy October products, including the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores pressed powder. I think I also want to try the loose eyeshadow from Meech and MIa. It is actually a duochrome, and reacts very well to the Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy. I am getting sick of warm eyeshadow looks anyway. I would just have to think of an adequate matte shadow to pair with it. As of now, I am leaning strongly towards the Modern Renaissance to supplement it.

So that's it! A kind of a bummer of a makeup day, but I am looking forward to tomorrow and doing a cool purple look!

Makeup Confessions Tag

I watched a YouTube video by Kelly Gooch today, in which she talked about her "makeup confessions," or cult-faves that she's never tried.

I thought I would do that today.

1. I have never bought an Urban Decay Naked palette- in any iteration- and I probably never will. I just don't think the palettes are extraordinarily interesting, and I have so much eyeshadow already that I'm good. And I don't know if this is something that is specific to me or not, but I just don't think UD has great shade variety within their own palettes. There are a lot of repeats.

2. Morphe- I talked about this before in brands I will not buy from. Marketing tactics aside, I hate the idea of these large palettes. I am very indecisive, and I know I will never use up all that product.

3. Kat von D Shade and Light- both face and eye contour palettes. So... I actually did have the opportunity to buy a half-off shade and light contour palette from TJ Maxx today, but then I thought better of it. In all these palette collection/declutter videos I see, everyone only uses up the section of the contour palette that suits their skin tone. They won't use up the rest and it is such a waste of money. Why couldn't she just come out with duos according to skin tone- make them $15 and call it a day! But nope. Any way, not only do I not like her formula, I just don't need those cult-favorite products in my life.

4. I have also never tried the Estee Lauder double wear foundation. Before I got into makeup, my life was this

and this

Both of these stupid foundations are super runny with the worst possible glass containers, and no pump. They also oxidized. And if I remember correctly, I wouldn't actually use foundation as foundation- I would use it as concealer and just blend it over a blemish...lol...I actually remember not knowing the difference between foundation and concealer!

But where was I ? Ah yeah,  expensive foundations. Now, I can see why this is totally worth dropping $$ on, and I understand why people do it. And who knows? Once I am done with my Ordinary Foundation, I would give it a try. It's just that a $11 foundation is far more appealing to me than a $42 one.

5. Also, I have never bought a Chocolate Bar palette. Any of them. There was a time when the Semi-Sweet was pretty tempting, I can't lie, but the reviews were not great, and the colors really repetitive. I have to keep reminding myself about that, too, to stave off the temptation.

6. I've never bought a Tartelette palette, including in Bloom.
Now, I have nothing against permanent Tarte palettes. But those seem- like the Naked ones- like starter palettes and I am already beyond that point. I have those colors.

7. I have never tried the Nars blush in Orgasm. I never really had a specific aim with my blush collection- I like matte and shimmer blushes, and I feel as though I have a pink-peachy blush already with golden shimmer. My blush collection is not huge, but I still feel as though I have more blush than a person would need.

8. Like Kelly, I have never tried Mac cosmetics. I've come close, a couple of times. The Star Trek collection almost got me. But, I just don't think their quality is all that consistent or impressive. And while same collections are very appealing to me, the constant churning out of products and collections is exhausting.

Small Haul (WnW and Hard Candy) and Reviews!

Today in my local Walmart there was a Wet 'n Wild (WnW) holiday display, and boy it was ransacked. Still, I was able to get my hands on Royal Calyx. I wanted a duochrome highlighter with a touch of blue/lavender, and this got reasonable (but now glowing) reviews. 

Though this is the same design and weight as Precious Petals (the other megaglow highlighter I own), I think the formula is rather different. While Precious Petals feels creamy and smooth, Royal Calyx was slightly dry and grittier. 

Still, I thought it was really pretty on my face. It did not really emphasize texture. 

I also picked up a Hard Candy lipstick, because I did hear the reviews for the cream lipsticks were quite positive. 

The shade I purchased was Bloodline, because it reminded me of Klingon Blood Wine. It is super creamy- almost melts on the mouth- and is incredibly rich and pigmented. My skin is pretty light, so I have to be extra careful with this to avoid staining the skin around my mouth. 

Below, I have comparison swatches. 

The first lipstick I have swatched is one I thought would be a potential dupe for Bloodline- Coloured Raine lipstick in Soul. Soul as you can see is lighter and greyer, and not as glossy. Bloodline, the swatch below it, is much more red-toned and glossier. By the end of the day, there is still a faint stain from Bloodline on my arm, while Soul is completely gone. 

I also have swatched my two WnW megaglow highighters- Royal Calyx on top, and Precious Petals on the bottom. As you can see, Precious Petals has a more concentrated swipe and intense shine and pigmentation. Royal Calyx is a but more subtle- which may actually work, considering the kind of color it is.

The WnW Highlighter cost $5.00, and the Hard Candy Lipstick about $6.00. I think both are worth it, but I have to get a better grasp on the lipstick.

Eye of the Day (with pics!): Purple and Bronze

I really take horrible photos of my eye. Sheesh. Hope you can pardon the photo quality, as I go through the different products I used, how I used them, and how I think the look came out.

To set my eye primer, I used Wet 'n Wild Brulee all over the eye.

Then, I took the fuschia matte shade in the Marc Jacobs palette The Tease, and blended that through. On the outer corner, I used the Mud shade from the Okalan Venus 2 palette dupe, as well as the dark brown in the Dose of Colors EyesCream palette.

I then used Too Faced Glitter Glue on my lid, and the shade Boss on top of that. 

I used Physician's Formula liner, as well as the Makeup Forever XL liner heavier on the outer portion of my eye. 

I used Vanessa's Vanity sparkler in 6 pm on the inner corner. 

For mascara I used the Doucce one from Ipsy. 

Overall, it was an okay look. It lasted a long time- all day, even through humidity and sweat, but you can see some creasing.

1. The Marc Jacobs purple shadow: It blended nicely, but did end up creasing significantly.

2. Boss: Love this shade. It's one of the metallics I have that is complex goes with a variety of colors in the crease.

3. Mud: I love this color. I know it is a dupe, and that Okalan is kind of an unknown in terms of quality and brand, but I really liked this shadow.

4. Mascara: It really makes my lashes go wonky, and poke out in all different directions. Not a fan.

5. My overall technique: This was a heavier eyelook, and I know that blending is my weakness. Still, it was my kind of look that blends neutrals with color.

Thanks for reading!

"All the Damn Palettes" tag!

One of my favorite makeup bloggers, Makeupstruggles, posted a collab video with another blogger I quite like, Georgia Harris. Basically, the collab was a compilation of all the eyeshadow palette tags in existence.


Being an eyeshadow junkie myself, I decided to join the fun! Remember, these all will be palettes that are/once have been in my possession, and purchased by me.


Palette Tag #1:


1. Best packaging:

I am not really a sucker for packaging, but my Marc Jacobs seven-pan palette in The Tease (202), has such nice packaging. Though Marc Jacobs is an asshole, and I would not buy a single thing from him ever again (discounted or not), I have to admit that the packaging is sleek and luxe.


2. Color Payoff:

I don't think the intensity of pigmentation necessarily means the shadow is good for you, but my Milani Palette in Must Have Metallics is insane. To the point where they need glitter glue, and even outshine my more expensive metallic shadows.


3. Most Versatile

Hands down, my Dose of Colors EyesCream Palette. I can create simple neutral looks, or very glimmery colorful looks. This palette inspires a lot of creativity.


4. Best for Traveling

Though I don't travel a lot, the Tarte Tarteist Pro To Go palette has everything I love and want from a palette, in a mini size, with hard cardboard casing. It is excellent for travel, and you can create a variety of looks with it.


5. Biggest Regret

The Sephora Pantone Universe Watercolor Palette. I knew it was a mistake when I bought it- discounted for $19.99. I don't know what the hell I was thinking, but I ended up depotting a lot of shadows from it, before doing away with the whole thing.


6. Best Color Names:

I actually really like the names in Modern Renaissance. By naming the colors after different art techniques, materials, and artists, a lot of people learned about the history of art. Also, I totally feel like an artist when I reach for the different colors.


7. Least Used:

I try to really use my palettes as much as I can, but currently my least used palette is the aforementioned Marc Jacobs palette. I have to be in a cool-toned mood, and usually I wear warmer colors. However, I want to keep this palette because it is the only cool-toned palette in my collection. But I did wear it today, though!


8. Most Used:

I have been using my z-palette and singles a lot lately, but the Modern Renaissance is what I use the most. It's an excellent complement to all my shadows.



Part II!


1. Eyeliner, Brush, or Nothing:

If the brush is good, then brush! If the brush is bad, then I would rather have a slightly less expensive palette.


2. Palettes You've Hit Pan On:

Modern Renaissance, EyesCream Palette


3. Favorite Urban Decay Naked Palette

None! The only UD palette I have is the Pulp Fiction palette.


4. Favorite Holiday/Limited Edition

Oh no, I don't own any.


5. Would Repurchase or Have a Backup:

I actually did buy a backup of the Wet 'n Wild Greed palette, for that yummy salmon/orange matte shade.


6. Shade You Wish Was Sold Individually:

See above- Wet 'n Wild needs to do something about that, and make it a single! Also, Cone from the Dose of Colors EyesCream palette. And Drive from the Tarte Pro to Go palette.


7. Wild Cart/Biggest Regret:

Another regret I have is the Sleek Goodnight Sweetheart Palette. People made such a stink over this, for nothing.


8. Palette I'd Recommend to a Friend:

I sound like a broken record, but the Pro to Go Palette. It's very glam but also a low-maintenance palette.


And finally....Part III!

Another Palette Tag


1. 1st Palette Ever:

The Balm Nude Tude Palette


2. Most Recent Purchase

Wet 'n Wild's (discontinued...) I <3 Matte Palette


3. Regret Missing Out On:

I would not have bought the Modern Renaissance if I knew about the Coloured Raine Queen of Hearts palette. Luckily, that palette is permanent, so I will probably get it once Modern Renaissance is done with. I also regret not being able to try the Master Palette by Mario, as well as Colour Pop's Yes Please palette.


4. Makes Me Happy to Look At:

My Okalan dupe of the Venus 2 palette. I am barely going to wear this palette, but the color scheme makes me happy.


5. Palette I've Changed My Mind About

Do decluttered palettes count? Because I went through two Kat Von D palettes, at first really loving them, and then coming to the conclusion that I can't stand her shadows.


6. Biggest Surprise

That Wet 'n Wild 6-pan palette


7. Inspires Me the Most

Honestly the Mod Ren palette inspires me the most, because I just love bringing in supplemental palettes and singles. Without the Modern Renaissance, none of those would be possible.


8. No Fail Palette

I don't know. None of my palettes are really all that comprehensive. I have to constantly bring in a lot of stuff. I know that many people do not like having to do that, but I don't mind.


9. On My Wishlist

I kind of what that Laura Mercier artist palette. I know it's totally ridiculous, but I am just so curious.