Reminiscing...

I was organizing my makeup earlier today and came across my very first MAC product I ever bought! Wanna know what it was? Keep reading to find out!

Review: MUFE HD Blush

There's been a bit of hype about MUFE's new HD blushes, and since I have generally been impressed with MUFE's products in the past, I decided to pick up a couple during Sephora's recent f&f sale. The two shades that looked the most flattering for me were #7 (One too Many) and #14 (Star Struck). What did I think? Find out after the cut!

NOTD: China Glaze 'Sun Worshipper'

As promised, here is a quick NOTD of China Glaze's 'Sun Worshipper'. The response I got from everyone who saw me wearing this was "Whoa, nice nails!". Not sure if they meant it, as the color is a bit crazy, but one thing is for sure: it draws attention!

The thing I was disappointed about, was that about 50% chipped off by the next day. It got these weird bubbles underneath. And that did not look very pretty. So definitely wear a top coat w/ this bad boy!

What do you think, is this color too bright?

Giveaway Time!

Well, I just realized that my blog is well over a year old! Where does the time go? In honor of this, and in thanks to all my followers, I would like to do a teeny giveaway: China Glaze Dorothy Who? Nail Polish!

Kinda cool, right? Now, I know it's just a small, simple prize, but it's an absolutely gorgeous color, and is hopefully just the beginning of more even better giveaways to come.

There are two ways to enter to win (you can do both for a double chance to win):

1) Leave a comment with one suggestion of how to improve my blog; make sure there is a way for me to get a hold of you (link back to your blog, email address) so I can contact you if you win!

2) On your own blog, share this contest with your readers! Please leave a comment on this post that you have done so.

A winner will be selected at random on June 30! So hurry, get your entries in! :)

To the Beach: What did you get?

So, I just placed my order for MAC's To the Beach collection...because I currently live in Alaska, I don't have a MAC within a 700 mile radius. :D So yes, it will probably be a bit before I'll have swatches and reviews for you.

Anyways, I picked up:
-Marine Life (luckily grabbed it when it was up on nordstrom.com)
-Sand & Sun e/s
-Firecracker e/s
-Temperature Rising l/p
-Lazy Day l/s
-Beach Bronze cream bronzer (very intrigued by this)

I think that's it. I already have Hipness, though with the green packaging it was definitely tempting me! So we'll see if I can hold out...the other blush (bronze one) is interesting too..and the eyeshadows- I almost got Sweet & Punchy, but as I already have Rated R, I managed to resist. I haven't even used Rated R! I have Humid, and although I don't have Shimmermoss, I can't find myself using it any time soon.

Now, can we just talk about the Marine Life hype for a sec! I have to say, in all my years of collecting MAC, I can't remember a product with as much hype as this one. The most recent one that comes close is Ripe Peach, but I feel like there was a delay in RP's popularity...it took a couple days to sell out, at least from my recollection. I admit I might have bought ML for the hype; but let's face it, the "chase" is kinda fun, especially when you find this sought-after item. I also LOVE these kind of pinky/coral colors, so I know it will get plenty of use from me.

What about you, what did you end up getting from To the Beach? What were the hits and misses?

Review: OPI Shrek Nail Polish

Sometimes I think I should just start a nail polish blog with all these polishes I've been recently collecting! Anyways, I was able to pick up 3 of the OPI Shrek nail polishes- got them on eBay which is lucky, considering OPI is not allowed to be sold online anymore (and that's basically the only way I get stuff these days). Well, to see closeups and more details on the colors I got, keep reading!

Skincare: My Routine

A lot of times, we tend to think of makeup as a safety net that will cover basically any flaws in our skin- have you ever thought, "eh I'll just cover it with makeup?" I know I have. This mindset can be risky though, because the truth is, beauty starts under the skin and works its way out. The better your skin looks, the better your makeup will look, and that's why skin care is so important to me. Here, I will share my skin care routine.

Review: China Glaze Poolside Collection

Well, the Poolside collection came out well over a month ago, so I know I'm a bit late in this review. But, I still think they are so gorgeous that it would be a shame not to share the beauty of them with you all!

The Search for True Beauty

I love makeup. It's so fun and even therapeutic to apply it everyday, in a way different from the day before. I love it as a means of expression, a way to make myself stand out from the crowd. I love makeup because it's just pretty. But I would be lying if I said I didn't wear makeup to boost my self-confidence. 

Last week, Kathy Lee and Hoda went makeup free on the Today show. They are just a few of the growing number of celebs who have recently posed sans makeup. One of the comments that stood out to me was that they felt "naked" without their makeup. When I heard this, I could definitely relate, as that's how I feel when I don't wear makeup. And I realized how much of a safety blanket makeup can be for me. Without it, I do feel naked, vulnerable even. But when I put my whole face on in the morning, it's like a mask I can hide behind.

Now, where do I draw the line between loving myself with or without makeup, but also being able to enjoy experimenting with this art form? Is there an easy medium? 

To be honest, that's a question that I've yet to answer. But I do know that us women, we spend so much time critiquing ourselves and dissecting our imperfections, and it makes me start to wonder how much of our lives we are wasting by constantly thinking, "I'm not skinny enough" or "My nose is too big". What if we were to stop judging ourselves and just enjoyed life? 

I love makeup and the artistic freedom it brings me, but I don't want to feel like if I'm not wearing it then I'm not beautiful. One of the things my life coach has told me to do is to tell myself daily, "I'm outrageously gorgeous". And it really does help! 

Anyways, what do you think? 

Review: Stila Loves Barbie Smudge Pots

Here's a bargain for you! Stilacosmetics.com is selling these Barbie smudge pots at a bargain basement price of $20 for all 3, with free shipping. Since they usually retail for $20 EACH, it is a deal that I couldn't pass up. Read on for swatches and thoughts. :D

Review: MAC Opulash Mascara

I'm not usually a fan of MAC mascaras. In fact, after last year's so-so Dazzlelash, I had pretty much planned on skipping all future MAC mascaras. So, I'm not really sure how I caved and bought Opulash, MAC's latest and more premium mascara. I am definitely a sucker for packaging, so it could've been the new chrome-looking tube. So what did I think?

Roundup: Products I'm Loving!

I just thought I'd share some of my favorite products right now!

MUFE Mat Duo Velvet: I'm sure you're wondering why I'm showing you this broken-ass powder. :D I was super sad when I dropped it TWICE within the first couple days of buying it. Since then I have lost a lot of product, but it doesn't change how I feel about this near-miracle worker. This powder is superb, it gives just the most flawless, airbrushed finish. I had heard good things about it before, so I'm glad I got it. It actually works amazingly well for a touch-up powder, after a few hours when I need a little blotting action or something. 

VS Beauty Rush Soothing Lip Balm: I got this in a holiday lip set from Victoria's Secret. I didn't think of even using it, figuring it probably would be cheapy crap. However, my lips had been super chapped for a few weeks, and it seemed like no lip balms were working, no matter how many I tried. So I figured it couldn't hurt to give this a try, and good news, it is amazing! Especially for curing peeling, chapped lips. I used to have such a hard time wearing most lipsticks because they would accentuate all my lips' imperfections, but this balm keeps them very moisturized and ready for any lip products, even lip pencils.  The best thing I've used in...well, ever!

Maybelline Define-A-Brow: This brow pencil is so awesome! I had been using a MAC brow pencil, but I couldn't get a very fine line with it, and I had to constantly sharpen it, wasting a lot of time. I have also used MAC's self-sharpening brow tool in 'Lingering', but I felt that, for the price of $15, it didn't last long- it lasted less than a month! I am used to pencils, which last forever. Anyways, I found out that Maybelline has this define-a-brow which is just like the MAC one, but half the price! So at $7, I can afford to waste a little bit of it. :)

Instant Chic Blush: I did a review on all of my Pret-A-Papier goodies, but here it is again! It has been my staple, go-to blush these days. It applies so perfectly and smoothly, I love it!

Bare Minerals in Fairly Medium: I recently discovered that BE had added a few colors to the line-up. I had to grab this one immediately- it's a perfect color match for me! I used to love Medium BE, but it was a bit too dark, so this is Medium with a bit of fair mixed in. Perfect!

Tarte Emphaseyes Eye Liner: Got this in a little tester set from Sephora. I love that it is self-sharpening, and that the liner is so fine-pointed, that it reaches into the itty bitty inner corners of my eye. Very awesome!

So, what are YOUR favorite products right now? 

Review: L'Oreal Studio Secrets Primer

A couple of my favorite bloggers had mentioned this product, so I kept an eye out at the store. The first place, Target, was plum sold out. I figured it must be a good product if it was sold out.

The next place had it, and it was on sale to suit, so I grabbed it and took off. So what did I think?

Review: MAC 'Pret-A-Papier' Collection

I know this came out a while ago, but I wanted to share my goodies with you! I didn't get a chance to see this collection in the store, since I was moving, so I don't know if I can pass much judgment on all of the products I didn't buy, but these 3 things I got, I'm pretty pleased with.

NOTD: Orly 'Luxe'

Sally Beauty Supply was having a b2g1, so I picked up Orly 'Luxe'. It's my first Orly polish, and the intense metallic finish seemed kind of fun and different for me. The color is so metallic that I can almost use it as a mirror. :) However, the one thing that bums me out about this polish, is it's a weird, thin consistency that doesn't last long at all. It doesn't really chip as much as it kind of wears away. Very odd, different from what I am used to. I think it would really benefit from a top coat.

What do you think of Orly 'Luxe'?

Review: Lime Crime Candyfuture Lipstick

I learned about Lime Crime lipsticks from Temptalia, who did a review a couple months ago. Although her review was not exactly favorable, a couple of colors really stood out to me, and so I decided to place an order anyways for Cosmopop and D'Lilac.

FOTD: Glamour Doll Eyes Twi-Shadows

Just a quick look I did with the twi-shadows, and I thought it turned out kinda cool. 'Scuse the gnarly brows. :)

Review: Sugarpill!

Yes, this is a very belated review. I am sure by now most people have already gotten their Sugarpill fix, and are enjoying the products for themselves. But I still wanted to add my 2 cents to the blogosphere on these much-discussed products!

Review: Glamour Doll Eyes + Twi-Shadows

Hey guys, I am so sorry for the long hiatus! I moved to Alaska (only for the summer), and my new job has been pretty demanding, so I've had no time for posts. But I hope to be able to update more now that things are starting to quiet down. :)

ANYWAYS, I have been really eager to share my thoughts on my very first Glamour Doll Eyes order! I ordered the entire Twi-Shadows collection. What are twi-shadows, you ask? Well, it's a collection of eyeshadows that are inspired by Twilight. Now, I have neither read the book nor seen the movie, but I am a True Blood fan, so I do have a little soft spot for anything vampires. :) The colors in this collection looked very vampy, so I was excited to try them out.