All posts tagged: beauty

Nude Lip Liner: Does it Work?

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I’ve never been one to call lip liners ‘indispensable.’ In fact, I hardly ever use them. It feels a little tedious to me to have to color match your lipstick to a separate liner, doubling your efforts and your makeup inventory. I’m personally not too bothered with super-clean, razor-sharp lip lines, I decided. I stopped buying them after dabbling a little, deeming them quite unnecessary for myself. Lipstick doesn’t really bleed or feather on me, so I failed to see the point. In any case, there has been a theory on lip liners. Just a single nude liner is believed to work on every lip color imaginable. The Smashbox The Nude Lip Pencil comes in several shades of nude (mine is Light) and is marketed as the only lip pencil you will ever need. That’s a fine idea! But does it work? Here is what it looks like, swatched. It’s a pretty close match to my lips’ natural pigmentation, though it’s maybe one or two shades darker and warmer. Here, I’ve lined my lips with …

Swatchfest: Le Métier de Beauté Kaleidoscope Eye Kit in Gravité

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I guess it’s safe to say that I broke my ban a few weeks. In the worst way. I’m paying for it—figuratively and literally—but for now, I shall enjoy my third eye kaleidoscope to date. I think that’s a pretty good exercise of self-control, given my intense love for these. Anyway, I got Gravité, which was offered exclusively as a GWP (!) on their official website when you spend a certain amount of money. This was the first kaleidoscope I’ve owned that I fully appreciate the concept behind the couches de couleur technique—layering each tier over the other for a beautiful, complex effect. The shades of Gravité are as follows: — Nova: effervescent tan for warmth — Solar: gilded saffron for femininity — Levity: patina brass for contrast — Dark Matter: jewel-toned aubergine for depth Usually, the layers are warm-cool-hot-cold, so I’m not sure what’s going on here, since it seems largely warm-toned, but like I said, I love the overall effect. Swatched, L-R: Nova, Solar, Levity, Dark Matter, 1-4 layered I mean, check out …

Stashed & Forgotten: Hourglass Femme Rouge in Fresco

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Another edition of Stashed & Forgotten, in which I take a look back at some of the products I’ve glossed over after getting them, since I get so distracted by new and shiny things. The Hourglass Femme Rouge is “a lustrous, long-lasting and refillable cream lipstick that hydrates and softens lips. The silky, richly pigmented formula defines and shapes the lips as it moisturizes for a plush cushiony effect.” Product Description — Light as air formula immediately hydrates and softens lips for a luxurious feel and subtle shine — Unique blend provides excellent skin-smoothing, moisture-enhancing and restorative properties — Super antioxidant Vitamin E conditions and treats lips — Long-lasting and refillable with lipstick cartridges sold separately — Free of parabens, phthalates and sulfates I got this impulsively, when I was putting together my order from Zuneta, way back when it was still alive. This is actually my introduction to Hourglass as a brand! The lipstick cartridge is very pretty, with a substantial weight to it. I love the cover, too, which sort of just slides …

Made-Up History: Chuck Close’s “Lucas,” 1986–1987

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Chuck Close is my freaking hero. If you haven’t heard of him, here is an example of his work: Mark (1978 – 1979) (source) His work is often recognized by his hyper-realist style, by the delicate manner in which he handles the supremely focused photographs of faces. To add to the effect of grandiosity, these paintings are often rendered on an extremely large canvas with all the details zoomed in and exposed to be observed by the viewer. Frank (1969) (source) A funny thing I learned today is that Chuck Close is “face blind.” He is afflicted with a condition called Prosopagnosia, which literally means that he has trouble remembering faces. He could have dinner with you tonight and forget your face the next day. Most of the portraits he has done (and he has done many, in many different ways) are of his friends and family, though this was not a deliberate decision brought about by his Prosopagnosia. Big Self-Portrait (1967 – 1968) (source) This is one of Close’s most recognizable and celebrated works. …

Concerning Primers: A review of the BECCA Resurfacing Primer + some thoughts

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Face primers are one of the hardest beauty products to review, in my opinion. After trying a plethora of them, I know what my favorite one is (I’ll get to that later), and yet the lure of trying another one is just so strong. Primers often promise a) longer wear for makeup, b) oil-control and mattification, and c) magical pore disappearance. The BECCA Resurfacing Primer “smooths skin to create the perfect complexion.” It is a “velvety matte lotion that helps control unwanted shine and reduce the appearance of pores.” The lotion itself is opaque white, similar to Hourglass Veil Mineral, but the BECCA Resurfacing Primer has a lot less slip and is a bit thicker/harder to work into the skin. Here it is, under the BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector (Opal) and the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder (Ethereal Light), in natural light (left) and indoor light (right): It’s a mattifying primer minimizes the appearance of lines and pores. Because I used a super luminous base, though, I think it defeated the purpose. (Sorry about that!) I …

3 Product Face: An Experiment

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I first saw the 3 Product Face on Shari’s blog, but prior to that, I did a 4 Product Face. I think that we do these challenges to prove to everyone that we CAN SO live with the bare minimum, we just want a bit of fun! Then again, it could just be that so many people right now are in way too much of a hurry. Anyway, this is what I came up with. Initially, I wanted to use eyeshadow or a liner, but I opted for a base instead. As much as I love this Graymelin CC Base Cream*, I think I made a mistake! You’ll see why in a bit. Instead of eyeliner, I opted to use mascara. Everyone yammers on about how that and a bold lip are all you need to look polished so I wanted to test that theory with the Le Métier de Beauté Anamorphic Lash Mascara, which I don’t reach for for volume… but one that I feel most comfortable wearing. Then, for lips, I have MAC’s …

Autumn Blush Picks

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I don’t usually discriminate makeup as seasonal only, but from time to time, I get swept up by the vibe of various holidays that my makeup just follows suit. Here are some blushes that I’ve been tending to reach for lately. L-R: Addiction Cheek Stick (Tea Rose), Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush (Exposed), MAC Extra Dimension Blush (Fiery Impact), NARS Blush (Sin), Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush (Blushing Bride), BECCA Beach Tint (Raspberry), Addiction Cheek Stick (Suspicious) I tend to go neutral (to pair with a vampy lip) or with plums and berries if I want to wear a nude or neutral lip. I’ve been laying off the corals and pinks right now, but I can’t say for sure if that’s due to the seasonal changes. What blushes have you reaching for lately? Is it seasonally inspired? Do share!