Mae Minerals is changing their name and their mission: Giveaway for a great cause.

Mae Minerals, a company that makes mineral makeup as well as provides a monthly subscription service. I haven't tried their products yet, but I've been trying to win some of their giveaways to try them.

This image is directly from Mae Mineral's site.

Their service includes three levels (eco-beauty: $8/mo, sprout: $10/mo, and garden: $20/mo):

• Each level includes brand-new & limited edition products from Mae Minerals like:
• Mineral Makeup (Foundation, Blush, Eye Shadow, Bronzer, etc.)
• Skin Care (Face, Body, Special Needs)
• Lip Gloss/Lip Stain
• Mascara/Eyeliner
• Brushes/Accessories

They are changing their name and their mission statement. Their new site will launch tomorrow! Here's some more information directly from their site.

"For every cosmetic purchased, we will donate one to a woman in need. You buy one, we give one.

We are working directly with women's shelters to provide makeovers, beauty tips, education about safe cosmetics and most importantly to get the women's wish lists of the shades and products they would like. For every item purchased, we'll donate an item from a wish list. We've set a goal: help 7,400 women by the end of 2012.

We will also be launching an affiliate program were you will be able to earn a commission on all sales you refer using a special link. Affiliates will also have the option of applying to be a volunteer ambassador and help her local shelters get set up with our program."



I think its great that they are empowering women in shelters by providing them with cosmetics. Normally shelters only provide the essentials to survive, and they don't consider makeup one of them. This company is so kind and thoughtful!


They are also having a giveaway! "For every prize won, we'll donate one. Second, the more entries we receive, the more prizes we'll give away! We're starting out with 10 prizes packs that include an eye shadow & lip gloss. Once we reach 2,000 entries, we'll add 10 more prize packs. And for every 2,000 entries after that we'll add another 10 prize packs."

Sounds pretty awesome, yeah? Enter here! Good luck!

e.l.f Collections Sunkissed Summer Set

A few weeks ago I ordered some e.l.f. products and got this great set for free (a $21 value). I thought this set had some items I really wanted to try out, so I figured I'd jump on the deal.

This image is directly from e.l.f.'s site.

The Set Includes:

·         Essential Wristlet in Bronze ($5)

·         Studio Lotion Wipes in Vanilla & Coconut  ($3)

·         Studio Waterproof Lengthening & Volumizing Mascara  ($3)

·         Studio Cream Eyeshadow in Dawn  ($3)

·         Essential Eyelid Primer in Sheer  ($1)

·         Essential Nail Polish in Champagne  ($2)

·         Essential Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Black  ($1)

·         Essential All Over Color Stick in Golden Peach  ($1)

·         Essential Super Glossy Lip Shine in Honey Do  ($1)

·         Essential Eye Shadow Brush  ($1)

My favorite products in this set include: the cute wristlet case, the mascara, the cream eyeshadow, and the nail polish. 

The wristlet is nice to use as a makeup bag or even as a clutch. The mascara goes on really smoothly, doesn’t clump my lashes, and really gives them nice volume. It works best when I take the time to curl my lashes. The eyeshadow is great because it is a nice neutral/natural color. When I’m in a hurry and I don’t want to spend forever doing my makeup I use this product. It goes on fast, it’s easy to blend, and I just add mascara and go. Lastly, the nail polish is a great neutral shade that is perfect for the summer time. I feel like it is professional and one I can wear to work. It’s a pretty classic color that goes well with my skin tone. These polishes are so cheap, I'm thinking about buying some more!

I haven't used the lotion wipes because I already have some that I haven't gotten to open yet. I have sooo many lotions. I just need to put these in my purse to have on-the-go. I think that the gloss is really sticky but does stay on relatively long. I'm also not sure how I feel about the all over color stick. I don't think it goes well on the lips. I've used it as shadow and a high lighter for my cheeks or collar bone area.

Sadly, my eyeliner pen was dried out when I received it. I think it might be too late to ask for another one. The primer is something I already have and use often, so its nice that I have an extra once I run out. I also had the eye shadow brush, but you can never have enough. This one is wider than the other one I have. I wasn't impressed with the quality of this one, some of the synthetic hairs are longer so I had to trim it down. It was losing a few at the beginning, but has been fine lately. 

I'll post some pictures when I get home. I forgot my camera today. If you want an individual review of any of these products let me know :D

Thanks for stopping by!

Pride Parade 2012 Makeup

Hello all! Hope your Wednesday is going well. On the bright side the week is half over! :)

This past Sunday I went to the Pride Parade and decided to wear some colorful makeup. 

The look:

Products used:

To begin, I used my Dr. Jart + - Waterfuse BB Cream (now I'm all out [super sad face]) and my e.l.f. Studio Flawless Finish Foundation that also had SPF 15. I knew I'd be out in the sun for a few hours and needed protection. Next I applied my Urban Decay's Eye Shadow Primer Potion to my eyelids.

I tried to make some kind of rainbow using the colors I had in my e.l.f. Studio Makeup Clutch Palette and my Too Faced World Domination Tour All Access Backstage Beauty Kit (no longer available) that were also in my tie-dyed shirt.

From my e.l.f. palette, I used a shade of green, aqua blue, peach, and pink on my lid. I used a golden yellow on my brow bone and the purple under my lower lash line from the Too Faced kit.

For my eyeliner I used my Marbella: Permanent Eyeliner Pen. I really love this eyeliner, because its long lasting and doesn't smudge. That being said, I did have a really hard time removing it because I put it on thicker for this look. It stained my lids faintly mostly in the outer corner of my eye. When I put on makeup the next day it was hardly noticible. I will add a picture soon. I snapped one but I forgot to bring my camera with me to work. (Yes, I write posts at work since there is nothing else to do. )


I also use my Three Custom Color Specialist - creme to powder blush in "Beige" and the Andrea modlash Starter Kit from the giveaway I won (see post here). You can kind of see that the lash is starting to come off. This picture was taken after I got home from the parade. Sorry about the bad quality, its from my cell phone. 


Let me know what you think of the look :) If you also went to Pride in your city, how did you do your makeup?


As always, thanks for stopping by! 

"6 Ways To Make Blue Eyes Pop" via The Beauty Department

This is a follow up post to one written previously about The Beauty Department.

A few weeks ago The Beauty Department completed their "shadow focus: eye color" theme, by focusing on blue eyes which they had not yet covered. They had only posted a color wheel, describing that since orange is directly across from blue those shades would make blue eyes come to life, and used an example photo of Jessica Pare. They have finally followed up that post with 6 great tips and example photos, due to an overwhelming amount of emails asking them to post more than one shade! You can find this post here. 

This picture is directly from The Beauty Department's post.

The post mentions that Copper is one of the best colors that compliments blue eyes. This made me extremely happy, since that is the color I dyed my hair! Now I know why I've been getting more and more compliments on my eyes :D

The next tip they gave was to smudge your liner and not focus too much on having a straight, defined line. They recommend Stila's Smudge Stick Waterproof Liner. I might have to try that! I tend to try to be a perfectionist with the liquid eye liner, but smudging seems like the way to go.

They also say that peach, apricot, champagne or gold family colors really work well, too. I wish they would have mentioned this instead of the orange! I fees as though those colors differ greatly. I will definitely take this tip into consideration and branch out to more colors.

Another of my favorite tips that they include is the classic wing, which I do all the time! They recommend black brown eye liner, which I try to utilize. They also say that bronze/brown shades work well to bring out blue eyes. I tend to use a lot of brown just because I like neutral colors. I guess I didn't lack too much of a makeup sense after all!

The last tip on the post talks about winged shadow (including the waterline) and a nude lip for balance. I have found that if you don't fill in the water line the look is just not complete. I still am looking for nude shades of lipstick/gloss. Hopefully I get one soon in my June Glambag, Birchbox, or Look Bag.

Please feel free to leave any comments!

Thanks for stopping by! :)

--- Other products that you might want to try. I am not affiliated at all with these brands.---
Small Eye Shadow - Atlantic Blue - 1.5G/0.05Oz
Mac Small Eye Shadow - Bitter - 1.5g/0.05oz
Mac Small Eye Shadow - Rule - 1.5G/0.05ozi.d. 
BareMinerals Eye Shadow - Pebble - 0.57g/0.02oz by Bare Escentuals
Elle Cosmetics Eyeshadow
Elle Cosmetics Makeup Kabuki Brush
Ultimate Diamond Luminous Mineral Makeup Spf 15

Going out Look

Hello all! Happy Monday :)

Last weekend I tried out another look. I wore a blue dress with white polka dots, which is why I chose the blue shades for my shadow. I loved how it turned out, but I think next time I will use my midnight (blue) liquid eye liner. I have been waiting for another special on e.l.f.'s site before I buy their cream eye liner in blue. I absolutely love their creme eye liners and one day I will have them all, hopefully! :)

Here are a few pictures that I took before heading out. I really like the second one, where you can actually see my full eye lid. Getting better at this smokey eye thing. One day at a time...

Products used:

#1. Urban Decay's Eye Shadow Primer Potion

#2. Studio 141 Piece Master Makeup Collection

       

                        I used the blue shades on the right side of this palette. Click on the picture to zoom. Picture is directly from e.l.f.'s site. I also used the blush on the left side middle shade.

#3. e.l.f. cream eye liner (Coffee)

#4. e.l.f. Exact Lash Mascara (Black)

 #5. NYX's Jumbo Eye Pencil (Milk)

I applied this liner to my waterline to make my eyes appear bigger. I have yet to use it as a primer, but that's only because I am enjoying my UD primer!

#6. e.l.f. Essential Eyebrow Collection (soft arches)

This picture is directly from e.l.f.'s site displaying the whole collection.
I really do enjoy using these products because my arches are defined, my eyebrows appear fuller, and they stay in place!

Hope you enjoyed one of my going out looks!
Thanks for stopping by! :)

Blushing Nior's June Giveaway!

Click here to check out and enter Blushing Nior's Amazing June Giveaway!

There are a ton of great Estee Lauder products in this giveaway! Good luck to everyone :)

Details:

The giveaway includes the following products:

• MAC A Different Groove Lipglass (from the Liberty of London Collection)
• Zoya Bevin Nail Polish (mini size)
• Estee Lauder Makeup Mirror
• Estee Lauder Pure Color EyeShadow (4 shade palette)
• Estee Lauder Pure Color EyeShadow (9 Color palette)
• Estee Lauder Pure Color Lipstick/Gloss duo - Tiramisu/Pink Kiss
• Estee Lauder Sumptuous Bold Volume Lifting Mascara in Black (.1oz size)
• Estee Lauder Time Zone Line & Wrinkle Reducing Creme SPF15 (.5oz size)
• 2 Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair (.24fl oz size)
• Estee Lauder Soft Clean Tender Creme Cleanser (2.5fl oz size)
• Molton Brown Vitalising Vitamin AB+C Bath & Shower (1fl oz size)
• Estee Lauder White & Blush Makeup Bag

This giveaway ends June 24th!!

--- Other products that you might want to try. I am not affiliated at all with these brands.---

Elle Cosmetics Makeup Contour Brush
The Color Institute 32-Pc. Shades Of Royalty Eyeshadow Palette
Elle Cosmetics Eyeshadow

Date Night Look

This post is inspired by Myglam's Date Night/Wedding Night Look contest for a Philosophy Fragrance "Love Sweet Love" Set, I decided to try again at the smokey eye with green shades this time.

Look at those arches! Loving my e.l.f. Essential Eyebrow Collection :)

Closed eye: I think I got it pretty even.

My e.l.f. Studio 83 Piece Essential Makeup Collection (now only $3.50 until 6/4/12). I used the colors on the left side fourth row. The one second from the top for my brow bone, 4th from the top for my inner eye color, 2nd from the bottom for my crease, outer corner and lower lash line color. I also mixed some of the color (4th from the bottom) to make the outer corner a little darker. The shades look a little more blue in this picture, but they're really green. I used one of the black shimmery shades to the right (cut out of the picture) to line the outer corners of my upper and lower lash line. Lastly, I used the lip gloss third from the bottom on the right side of this palette.

My go to mascara! Makes it much easier to just apply  mascara to my outer lashes. 

How do you guys like this look? Thanks in advance for your feedback.

Thanks for stopping by! :)


--
"Natural Daylight Makeup Mirror in White and Chrome"
The Color Institute 32-Pc. Shades Of Royalty Eyeshadow Palette
Elle Cosmetics Eyeshadow
Flirt! Style Box Fairytale Makeup Set
Elle Cosmetics Makeup Contour Brush
"Pinky Cosmetic Set"
Klorane Wild Cornflower Waterproof Eye Make-up Remover

New items: NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil

So I was watching a random tutorial on youtube and I saw that the woman was using NYX's Jumbo Eye Pencil as a primer on her lid, lower lash line, and waterline. I needed a white eye pencil for my waterline anyway so I figured I'd buy one. ULTA had a BOGO sale so I got the color Milk (White) and Pots and Pans (Silver). I saw that many people liked the silver color and I don't have any silver shadows, so I figured I'd have a use for it. They just came in the mail today and I'm excited to use them in the next few days!

Swatches of the pots and pans and milk, respectively.

I'll be updating this post with a review and some pictures of some different ways to use the jumbo pencils.

Along with this purchase I received three free samples! All of which I really love! 

Wonderstruck Eau de Parfum Spray by Taylor Swift

Full size - $49.50

euphoria eau de parfum by Calvin Klein

Full size - $45-82

Image from Sephora's site

Versace Bright Crystal Fragrance 

Full Size - $67

Thanks for reading!

Everyday Look

I wanted to try out my new  e.l.f. Essential Eyebrow Collection and put together a look that I can wear during the day or on a date.

Closed eye view

The brow kit came with a lighter brown powder and a darker shade to outline the shape. I find that even though I wanted to find a red eyebrow pencil to match my hair, the brown works just fine. 

I don't think I can go without the cat eye look since I've started using it, because I really love how it looks and how it elongates my lashes. I've used the following colors from e.l.f.'s Studio Makeup Clutch Palette: a cream color to highlight my brow bone, a brown for my outer lid, and a golden shimmery color for the inner part of my lid. I used my e.l.f. cream eye liner in coffee to line my upper lash line, as well as my e.l.f. exact lash mascara. 

  

Should I apply more shadow? I use e.l.f.'s Mineral Eyeshadow Primer before applying my shadow, but I don't think it makes colors as vivid as some other primers I've seen out there on comparison blogs like "Too Faced Shadow Insurance", "Sobe Botanicals", "Detrivore", "Concrete", "UDPP Original" or "UDPP Sin" (credit to Phyrra). 

My friend just let me have her smaller container of Urban Decay's Eye Shadow Primer Potion :) I'm excited to see if that works better.

I still have not found a great angle or amount of lighting to show  the color well. This takes time I suppose. If anyone has any helpful tips, please leave a comment below! Maybe its just my crappy point and shoot camera....

Overall look. What do you guys think?

I have another look that I will be posting tomorrow. I think I've actually gotten the smokey eye down!  I've watched so many tutorials, by now I should be able to do it, right?


Thanks for stopping by!

Oh purple, how I love thee. Orange..not so much.

So here is a look that I've tried and I think really works. In a previous post I was informed that orange is the color I should really try to wear to make my eyes pop, but I felt like my hair, which is copper gold, does that enough for my eyes for now and I can wear other colors that compliment me. I will post a picture where I am wearing orange, but I don't think I like it too much. Maybe I need to pair it with another color. I'm not sure.

(The purple eye shadow is from e.l.f.'s Studio 32-Piece Eyeshadow Palette - I really love this Spring palette! The cream eye liner is also from e.l.f. and I am wearing my Fresh - Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15 )

I think the purple works well and even if it doesn't bring out my eyes entirely, it still compliments my skin.

The look I "should" wear more often..

Orange shadow (also from e.l.f.'s Studio 32-Piece Eyeshadow Palette)

Maybe I need to add more eye liner or something to define my eyes. I feel like I look dead without some kind of liner. I also didn't have any lip color on at this time, which might have helped. I was going to the beach, but thought I'd wear a little makeup. I also never leave the house without putting on my Dr. Jart + - Waterfuse BB Cream or my e.l.f. Mineral Concealer, Foundation, and Blush (all SPF 15).

What do you all think?

Thanks for stopping by!

Blog Recommendation: The Beauty Department

I really find this The Beauty Department helpful in giving great makeup tips and ideas to help me branch out of my not-so-existent makeup routine/style. I'm trying to learn a lot more about makeup, what "looks" could be good on me and what I should try to avoid, and products that I can trust and work well for my skin type. I have found some inspiring ideas for new looks and ways to bring out my best features.

Some ideas that I want to try out as soon as I get the proper products:

1. Matte Contouring:

I like to wear neutral/natural colors most of the time to stay in my comfort zone. I strive to find makeup ideas that I can use when I don't want to look like I have a ton of make up on. I've been told that I look great without makeup, so I try to keep it simple. I think matte contouring is a great way to bring out your eyes without the flair.

2. Changing up your waterline colors 

This post talks a lot about how the lighter the color you go on your waterline the more it opens up your eye, but also makes a point that if you want your eyes to be piercing, go with black. I have not tried anything other that no color or black (which technically would be nude and black, but I think they actually put on a "nude" liner in the photo). 

I'd like to see how the white looks, but I don't think I've found a liner that stays on my water line in white. Any suggestions?

Some helpful tips I found while browsing The Beauty Department:

1. Shadow Focus: Blue-eyed Beautiful

We learn by the color wheel is that the color directly across from your eye color is what compliments it most. For me that would be a shade of orange, salmon, and possibly the rust color. The site says that by using orange my eyes "will really pop!" I will make a post in the future to try this out. I don't think I have really used orange standalone, but hey, I'm adventurous! 

2. Pairing your makeup with your jewelry!

"Accessories are the perfect way to further your form of expression and can really make an outfit come alive. And jewelry is another amazing source of inspiration for your makeup and can be tied together the same way you’d match a red shoe with a red bag or clash a lace top with spiked earrings." - The Beauty Department

As I am trying to be more fashion forward, I found this post to be very helpful! I never thought about matching your makeup to your earrings, rings, or necklaces before. Read the post to find out more! Definitely will post a look inspired by this blog post in the near future!

Thanks for stopping by!

Extended Cat Eye/Winged Look

So, last night I felt like trying out an extended version of the cat eye/winged look. In an earlier post I asked if I should extend my eye liner to the inner corner of my eye. In the pictures below, I have extended my top and bottom lid; however, I think its too dark for my eyes so I should only do the top lid next time. 

Closed:

Open: (Excuse the funny face)

Maybe if I used brown or ash grey it would have been okay..hmm. The purple and pink eye shadow and the lip gloss are from e.l.f.'s Studio 83 Piece Essential Makeup Collection. The mascara and creme eye liner are also from e.l.f.


Here are two other shots. One is dark, but at least my face is semi normal haha

 

What do you guys think?

Thanks for stopping by!