Product Roundup #1: Foundation

My Foundation Stash

**Missing from photo is Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation

The average person has one bottle of foundation that they wear everyday. The makeup junkie tires of the same thing very easily and likes variety. This is where my stash comes in. I also know that my foundation shade changes quickly, and depending on how my skin looks I like different amounts of coverage.


Produit: MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NC15
Description: HG worthy in summer, too dark for me in winter. Full review here.
Décision: Use it up! Mix with Revlon Colorstay for maximum coverage in winter.

Produit: MAC Matchmaster Foundation shade 1.0
Description: You can find my full review here.
Décision: Use it up! Great for my oily skin!

Produit: Revlon Colorstay Foundation for combo/oily in Ivory
Description:
Décision: Use it up!

Produit: Revlon Photoready Foundation in Ivory
Description: By itself this foundation makes me look straight-up Cullen-esque. Lots of shimmery, sparkly skin. Can be mixed with Revlon Colorstay for a dewy look that lasts all day.
Décision: Undecided. I might keep it to mix with CS or I might get rid of it.

Produit: Shu Uemura Face Architect Smoothing Fluid Foundation in 784?
Description: Light coverage, looks blotchy on my skin. Full review coming soon.
Décision: It's gotta go.

Produit: Stila SPF30 Oil-free Tinted Moisturizer in Bare
Description: Evens out skin tone without greasies.
Décision: Use it up!

Produit: Sephora tinted moisturizer in Light 15
Description: Might be oil-free but still feels greasy on my skin.
Décision: It's gotta go.

Produit: Missha Perfect Cover BB Cream in 13
Description: Covers a little better than a TM but has a very strong perfumey scent.
Décision: It's gotta go.

Produit: Bare Minerals Matte Foundation in Fairy Light
Description:
Décision: Use it up!

Produit: Bare Minerals Original Foundation in Fairly Light
Description: I used this for years but I don't feel the love any more. I think I've developed an allergy to the bismuth in it as well.
Décision: It's gotta go.

Produit: Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation in Blush Ivory
Description: Possibly on it's way to HG status. Nice natural look on skin, slightly dewy without sliding off of my face. Full review to come!
Décision: Use it up!

2012 Low Spend Outline

Happy New Year!! Lord knows I'm ready for a new year and a whole new me! 2012 will be bringing a lot of changes to my life and as far as make-up goes, I'm kicking off 2012 year with a low-buy!

Photo from wallpapers cafe

I considered doing a no-buy but let's be honest, I would fail miserably at that. At first I was just planning to do this for myself, but now it seems to be necessary to use up what I have in my stash. I want to weed through the random products to figure out what I love and try to stick to those products in the future. This is going to be all-inclusive for any beauty related products, everything from skincare and makeup to bath products and nail polish.

My Rules:

• $20 per month to spend on anything that I wish. This amount does not include pp funds, gift-cards, reward dollars or swaps. The monthly amount is accumulative so if I do not spend my $20 in January or February, I then have $60 to spend in March and so on. This amount does NOT count toward replacing an empty staple product such as moisturizer, cleanser or shampoo.
• Foundation- May rebuy ONE liquid foundation if I decide it's HG worthy. Rebuy TM when depleted.
• Primer- Will purchase 1 new primer, Biore Facial milk, before warm weather arrives. Must use up all other primers before purchasing any others.
• Mascara- Only 2-3 open tubes at a time. May rebuy one base/primer as needed. 
• Lipsticks- NONE. Use what's in stash.
• Powder- Need loose setting powder before summer
• Lipgloss- can replace Buxom Trixie with dupe but no new shades, I just don't wear them that often.

Image from improvizations.com

The Exceptions:

• Sephora 20% off or VIB events: can stock up on staples, ONLY buy items I've been lemming for long time.
• Ulta: Only use coupons to stock upon staples or long-time lemmings.
• Urban Decay Naked 2 palette: purchase whenever it comes in-stock and I have funds.

I'm hoping to get up posts containing pictures of my entire stash this month, before I start purging out things I don't need.
**The following posts are not up to date yet, it will take me a while to inventory and take pictures of my entire stash**

The Product Roundup AKA My Stash:

Base Products:
Foundation
Concealer/Corrector
Primer
Powders

Cheeks/Face:
Blush
Highlighters/Bronzers

Eyes:
Palettes
Eyeshadow Singles; loose and pressed
Eyeliner
Mascara
Brow products

Lips:
Lipstick
Lip liners
Lip glosses and balms

Skin care:
Body wash and cleansers
Facial cleansers
Masks, scrubs and treatments
Moisturizers and lotions

Hair care:
Shampoo and conditioner
Styling products
Brushes and tools

Tools of the trade:
Cosmetic Brushes
Eyelash curlers
Tweezers

Nails:
Polishes
Base Coats/top coats
Remover/oils/tools


Have you ever successfully completed a low or no buy? Do you have any make-up related resolutions? Any tips for me make it through the year successfully?

The Lust List: 12/5/11

The Lust List = Things that I desperately wish to add to my collection!

MUFE Mat Velvet+ - I need another full coverage matte foundation like I need a hole in the head, but I really want to try this one. I definitely have to wait until I pare down my foundation stash though.

Biore Facial Milk SPF 50 - This is supposed to be very drying as a primer so I'm definitely going to get it before the warm weather arrives again!

Clarisonic - I've been thinking about getting one of these for a while and I think I might make it my Christmas present for 2012.


 Curlformers- This is a brand new lemming; they seem to produce the same spiral curls as sponge rolls but those always get caught in my hair.

Chanel Dragon- I openly confess that I only want this one because it's being discontinued and so many people seem to love it, but I'm going to pass. Hopefully I won't regret it later.

 MAC Russian Red- Another red lippie that I'm trying to hold off on. When I need to back2mac this one will definitely be coming home with me.

NARS Sheer Glow OR Laura Mercier Oil Free Foundation- I need to fill the light-to-medium coverage gap in my foundation stash, but I cannot decide which to try. Unfortunately, I won't be able to make it in-store before my fabulous $20 coupon expires so I'm reading a million different reviews and trying to make a decision. This will probably be my last purchase before I begin my low-buy 2012!


What products are you lusting lately?

Sleek MakeUp Haul, Review & Swatches!

Be jealous, all of you non-Europeans, I was finally able to get my hands on some Sleek Makeup products!  *squeal*



Okay, so it's not actually that hard to acquire Sleek since they do ship international, but the $10 shipping is a bit of a turnoff if there isn't a sale. Fortunately I was online when they were having a flash 20% off sale and decided to order a few things.
I had a few problems with the website, every time I would go through the checkout it would dump my cart. It was a huge PITA and finally I sent an email over to customer service and they put in my order for me. Apparently website problems are a common occurrence each time they have a sale but I can't say enough good things about their CS.
I also have a fabulously awesome friend who was willing to pick up a few things that were sold out online and send them to me. <3


















First up are the blushes!

L to R: Suede, Life's a Peach, Pomegranate, Rose Gold

 The love for Sleek blushes is pretty apparent over on my favorite makeup board and since I have a new-found love for blush I was pretty stoked to try these out. I've always had blush issues with my oily cheeks; finding a blush to last more than 3 or 4 hours is a hard job so I end up tossing them or giving them away. I will NOT be getting rid of any of these, I want more!

Suede

Life's A Peach

Pomegranate

Rose Gold

• Suede: A warm light brown matte blush, this is my new favorite contour color. It makes a great natural color for the cheeks as well.
• Life's A Peach: The color is in the name of this one, a matte peach blush that looks scarier in the pan than on your cheeks.
• Pomegranate: A very pigmented berry toned shimmer blush. I am loving the color on this one
• Rose Gold: This is a shimmery pinkish-coral blush which many say is a dupe NARS Orgasm. (Post comparing the two to come.)

L to R: Suede, Life's A Peach, Pomegranate, Rose Gold

All of these shades last 7-8 hours on my cheeks, with the exception of Rose Gold which only lasts for about 5. (Disclaimer: Shimmery blushes never seem to last as long on me, so it's not unexpected.)
My ONLY problem with these blushes is the packaging. I love the simple black rectangular design but the clasps are a little hard to open. I'm always messing up my polish when I open them. :( I believe a de-potting is in their future.


Now on to the eyeshadow palettes!
All eyeshadow swatches are two swipes over Urban Decay's Primer Potion.

The Au Naturel Palette is part of the Nude Collection and has 12 mainly cool-toned shadows. This palette has a variety of both matte and shimmery shades. The bottom row on this palette is full of wonderfully pigmented shadows but the top row has colors that are really meant for transitioning or a very natural look to the lid.

Sleek Au Naturel Palette

Sleek Au Naturel Swatches

I've used my au naturel palette several times and I really like it. I have a love of neutral palettes and this one is no exception.

Can  you tell what her favorite face for photos is? I swear, I do NOT put her up to it.

Next up is the Me, Myself and Eye Palette which Sleek made in collaboration with PPQ, a Bristish fashion store. This palette is packed with great pigmented colors and fabulous names like Barry White, Lilac Allen and Salt 'n Peppermint.
I did a FOTD with this a couple days ago and I couldn't be more pleased with the results.You can check it out here.

Sleek Me, Myself and Eye

Sleek Me, Myself and Eye Swatches

The Oh So Special Palette makes me smile when I look at it because the colors are so pretty and feminine. It contains pinks, plums and neutrals- a must in every girls collection! My picture does quite capture how pretty this is in the pan but I assure you that it is.
I've not used this palette yet other than for swatching but if I needed to carry a palette with me for a day-to-night look, I would definitely choose this one.

Sleek Oh So Special Palette

Sleek Oh So Special Swatches

The Acid Palette. The name of this one really says it all. WOW. It's wild and bright and certainly takes some balls to walk out of the house with any of these shades on. Every shadow in this palette is seriously pigmented with the exception of the matte white shade.
One of these poor shadows had a bumpy ride in transit so I had to preform emergency surgery to save it. No worries, the procedure was a success!
According to US FDA regulations, this palette cannot be sold in the US so if you want one, you need to know somebody who will pick it up in-store.

Sleek Acid Palette

Sleek Acid Swatches

I couldn't help but dive right in to this palette because the colors scream, "PLAY WITH ME!!" I wasn't at home with my brushes so I had to use the sponge applicator for both of these looks. It made me appreciate my brushes even more, haha!

You can find Sleek Makeup products on their website and they are sold at Superdrug stores in the UK.
If you have any questions about particular shades please leave me a comment and I'll get back to you.

Do you own any Sleek products? Which are your favorites?

Sleek Me, Myself and Eye FOTD

Here's a quick FOTD from this week using one of my new Sleek palettes, the Me, Myself and Eye palette.

For swatches, please see here.

Product breakdown:

Face:
Monistat Chafing Powder Gel
Revlon Photoready Foundation in Ivory
Benefit erase paste
MAC MFSN
Estee Lauder powder blush in Plum

Eyes:
UDPP
Kate Mascara Base
Maybelline Colossal mascara
UD 24/7 liner in flipside-bottom lashes
MAC fluidline in blacktrack
Sleek Me Myself and Eye Palette:
Barry White- Tearduct & brow bone highlight
Fade to Grey- Inner third of lid
Salt N Peppermint- outside two-thirds of lid
Blue Monday- outside corner of eye

Lips:

Waiting to pick Adam up from school

Revlon Fabulous Fig- blotted and topped with Revlon Pink in the Afternoon
















Sorry for the pic overload, I was feeling photogenic on this day. Or vain. Same thing.

Rainy Day Out FOTD

On one very rainy day last week, I looked down at my hand while I was driving and noticed this big orange spot. Now, this certainly isn't the first time I've forgotten to wash off my hand after applying foundation, but it was the first time I couldn't just go to the sink and wash it off. For the next hour or so I kept glancing at my hand, hoping maybe it would magically disappear. No such luck! It kept driving me crazy but I didn't have any baby wipes with me or anything that would take it off.

It's very faint, but it's there.

I haven't been posting many FOTD's because I keep reaching for the same look lately. Gold/Bronze eyes with pink or red lips. This day I mixed it up with a plum lippie instead! Try to contain your excitement.

Face:
MAC Studio Fix Fluid NC15 mixed with Revlon Colorstay in Ivory
Benefit Erase Paste in Fair
Clinique Stay Matte Pressed Powder
Sleek Pomegranate Blush
Sleek Suede Blush to contour
Shiseido in White Beam to highlight

Eyes:
UDPP
Urban Decay Naked Palette:
Half Baked- inner third of lid
Smog- middle third of lid
Darkhorse- outside third of lid
Virgin- highlight 
MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack- lid
UD 24/7 liner in baked-bottom lashes
UD 24/7 liner in zero- tightline
Maybelline Colossal Mascara layered with Majolica Majorca Lash Expander Frame Plus (LEFP) Mascara





Lips:
Clinique Cream Shaper for lips in Mulberry
Bare Escentuals lipstick in Plum Brulee


I picked up a few things at Ulta while I was out as well. I live 90 minutes from anything more than Walmart or a drugstore so I try to make every trip count.

 

• Essence Gel Eyeliner in London Baby and Berlin Rocks- Both of these are very creamy and have good pigment. I can't attest to the wear-time of Berlin Rocks but London Baby (brown) lasts all day on my oily lids.
• Maybelline Colossal Waterproof Mascara- Okay volume but a tad bit flaky.
• Maybelline Great Lash Big Mascara- Haven't tried yet.
• Redken Color Extend Shampoo- Bought this in the travel size, seems to be very moisturizing. (not pictured)
• Biolage Color Care Shampoo and Conditioner

OPI Muppets Collection: Excuse Moi!

I hope everyone has had a happy Thanksgiving and a successful Black friday! We just had Thanksgiving with my parents today and this is actually the first Black Friday in a very long time that I did not go shopping! I didn't even do any online shopping, sans one movie from Amazon for the chitlins.

When I was at the salon a few days ago I noticed that she had a couple of the nail polishes from OPI's Muppets Collection and I knew I had to get at least one. I decided to go with Excuse Moi! which is a small multi-colored glitter in a berry red/pink base. The formula on this polish was a little thick but surprisingly it was opaque in just 2 coats!

This is one coat on my nails and one coat on Hannah's over top of a bright pink shade.

Sorry for the craptastic cellphone pics and unfinished nails, Hannah and I just painted our nails after stuffing ourselves with turkey and I wanted to share.




































Oh and one more pic for the day, my new RED hair!


I went for the whole head this time and I really like it! It's different from anything I've ever done and I could use a few changes in my life.

This my first blog post from my phone, I hope everything comes through okay! My apologies if it doesn't!