Foundation Revisited

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Since I learned a better way to do my foundation, plus I now have a foundation primer, I figured it's about time for an updated version of this video.

Illamasqua!

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Hi everyone, I'm beginning to feel a wee bit better, thank goodness! Now for something cheerful, I've had the very cool opportunity to try out some Illamasqua products! The products that were sent to me are: Eyeshadow in Moan (a sage/olive green), Nail Varnish in Wayward (a mustard yellow), Intense Lipgloss in Petulant (hot pink).

The eye & nail colors aren't really good for my coloring (I'm cool-toned), but I could totally see my sister pulling these off. So, I gave them to her to test for me. Below are her thoughts on these 2 products.

"Powder Eyeshadow Color: Moan (sage green)
Finely milled, goes on like a fine powder. Color is rich. Can be applied for a hint of color or a burst of color. It feels nice on the skin and can be moved around on the eyelid smoothly. Color stays without flaking off. I would definitely buy this product."



"Nail Varnish Color: Wayward (bright mustard yellow)
Bright color, smooth application. Coats evenly without clumping. It lasted quite a while on my nails without chipping or peeling. I look forward to getting this in a bold Blue color or a true Red."





Thanks Sis for your input!

Now, as for the intense lipgloss in petulant, this is definitely my color! This is a gorgeous, bold, opaque hot pink. The formula is smooth, not tacky, which is a major issue with me as I can not stand tacky gloss. It's very pigmented, very opaque, more like what you'd expect from a lipstick that just happens to be glossy. I love everything about this gloss: the feel, the color, & the pigmentation.

I do have a small issue with the applicator though. Maybe it's just my own clumsiness, but I wish it allowed for more precise application. Maybe a wand instead of a squeeze tube? If it was a sheer gloss, that wouldn't be an issue, but opaque lip products do need to be more precisely applied. Especially for a shaky-handed clutz like me, lol! That aside though, this is a fantastic gloss & you can get great application if you use a lip brush, which is what I did. Love it!

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These products were given to me to review on this blog by a PR representative of the company. I did not pay for these products.

NYX Studio Liquid Liner

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Sorry I've been MIA ladies. Life gets very crazy sometimes, plus I am now attempting (& failing miserably, UGH) to get over a sneezy cold.

Anyhoo, I just wanted show you guys something that NYX will be releasing soon.


Doesn't this look cool? That top liner looks like bottled sky, clouds & all.

DivaShop Podcast: Episode 26

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2 blogs are mentioned in the DivaRoll, plus some changes since my last episode.



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Foundation Application: New Use for an Old Brush!

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I discovered a new use for a brush I've had for years, w/great results!

Illamasqua's Global Nail Varnish Competition - Fall 2010

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Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you all know about a contest that Illamasqua (an edgy, nighttime makeup brand) is having. Beginning on February 21, 2010, Illamasqua is "looking for the next hot Nail Varnish color", designed by you!

Along with an image or photograph, submit a description of your dream color and what inspired it, and you could have your shade created by Illamasqua. "The winning shade will be sold as an exclusive on Illamasqua.com, and through UK-based Selfridges department stores and Selfridges.com, beginning in October of 2010 (although, the winner will get their hand on it before anyone else!)."


The rules:

• The contest is open globally from Feb 21, 2010 through March 14, 2010
• In 50 words or less, submit a description of your dream color and what inspired it - pictures are encouraged, whether a photograph, swatch, material etc... -  to Illamasqua
• You can submit only ONE entry
• Entries can be submitted three ways:
• via email: competition@illamasqua.com  
• via blog post: email the link to competition@illamasqua.com
• via mail:

COMPETITION
           c/o Illamasqua
           6-8 Anwell St
           London
           EC1R 1UQ

One winner will be chosen and notified by May 5th. "A prestigious panel of beauty trend makers, including Illamasqua Artistic Director and Legendary Make-up Artist Alex Box, Internationally acclaimed Nail Artist Sophy Robson and the Youtube sensations Pixiwoo will be heading up the judging panel!"

FOTD: Soft Charcoal Smokey

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A soft charcoal smokey, using the products mentioned in the photo.

NYX Previews

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Looks like NYX will be coming out w/quite a number of new & interesting products. Just a few shown in the image to the left: a new cream to powder HD foundation & 2 liquid liners, one fat & one skinny.

I think I'd personally prefer the skinny, even if I wanted a bold line, because I would think I'd have more control that way & gradually build up the line, esp. considering the fact that I'm very clumsy, lol!

Not shown are some multi-makeup kits & palettes & some lip gloss pots (not exactly handy like a tube of gloss, but oh well), among other things. What are your first impressions of the upcoming products? Interested? Bored? Let me know in the comments!

Enter to Win a Sand Gone Goodiebag!

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Sand Gone is a new beach product. It's a dry powder that when applied to sandy parts of the body it removes the sand & leaves your skin soft and smooth. The founder says: "Sand Gone is not only non-toxic and non-talc, and easy to apply and use, but also smells good, feels good, is inexpensive and does a thorough, wonderful job each and every time. It makes the ride home from the beach as clean and comfortable as the ride there."

Right now, Sand Gone & DivaShop are partnering together to give away a beach-bag filled with an 8oz sand gone, a 2oz purse size, homemade almond coconut soap, & a lip balm. This contest is only open to U.S. residents & ends on February the 27th, so click the link below or in the sidebar to enter!

ENTER!

Mini Kmart Haul

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Just a few things I got at my local Kmart.

Review: Vapour Beauty Solar Bronzer in Spicy

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My video review of Vapour Organic Beauty's Solar Bronzer in Spicy.

Solar comes in 3 colors:

• Mirage 221
• Simmer 222
• Spicy 223

Review: Wet N Wild Idol Eyes Creme Shadow Pencil

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Just a quick review of my Wet N Wild Idol Eyes Creme Shadow Pencils.

Social Skincare

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Do you wish it was easier to find the right skincare products for you? Do you wish for a website that would give you personalized recommendations, based on your input, as well as product reviews from users like you? Well, wish no more!

I recently received an email about this new website, MySkin.com, that does all these things & more! And the best part? They're not in it to sell. They don't sell anything. They simply provide a platform & community for people to find the right skincare for them.

Whether you're posting reviews or blogs, checking out product recommendations on your "virtual shelf", or searching out new products, MySkin.com will help you do just that. MySkin.com is currently in beta, but DivaShop readers get a special invite code. Simply enter divashop in the invite code text box.

Amethyst Smokey

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Here's a purple smokey look of mine, using the following products:

• Wet n Wild's Idol Eyes Créme e/s pencil in Techno
• NYX Ultimate Pearl e/s in Purple Pearl
• Maybelline Expert Wear e/s in Amethyst
• Black e/s in e.l.f. Drama quad
• Maybelline Expert Wear e/s in Vanilla

Mocha Motion

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A look using my Maybelline e/s quad in Mocha Motion. I used mostly sponge tipped applicators in this look because I wanted to show that they are usable, instead of being wasteful & throwing them out. If nothing else, they can be used to smudge color along the lower lashline.

Beauty Fix

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Discussion of & review of some BeautyFix.com product offerings. I'm sorry about the glare. It was nighttime & my light is extremely bright, as you can see, lol.

Champagne Sparkle

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A shimmery champagne look, using Wet n Wild's Idol Eyes Créme Shadow pencil in Pixie as a base.

Win a Yummy Smelling Bodywash!

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Want to win a yummy smelling Rub-A-Dub Bodywash from DLB Cosmetics? Myself & some other bloggers are participating in Bandit Week (a week of giveaways). "The purpose of Bandit Week is to promote the company’s Launch Party which will take place on February 4, 2010 from 6pm to 10pm at Madame X Lounge at 94 W Houston St in NYC."

The contest starts right now & will end February 13, 2010 at 12:49pm. If you'd like a chance to win, simply click the link below & fill out the form. :)

ENTER CONTEST

Wet-n-Wild's Upcoming Launch

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What do you guys think of Wet n Wild's upcoming product launch in February? They'll be releasing 3 new product lines: Color Icon (long wearing eyeshadows, blushers, & bronzers), Megalast (long wearing lip & nail colors), & Mega Mascaras.

They assured me on their facebook page that this is just an addition to their line of products, saying: "No worries! We're not getting rid of our old classics, this new launch is simply just an addition! :)"

So, what do you think? Excited? Bored out of your wits? Let me know in the comments! :)

Streamline Your Makeup Routine!

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Do you ever get tired of applying your makeup from a bunch of little cases & pots every morning? That's how Minna, founder of UNII Cosmetics, felt about it, so she set out to create something that would streamline her routine. What were the results?

Enter the UNII Palette. Unlike other palettes, which only hold certain size pans, this one is free-form. Just pop in almost any makeup pan, whether a refill or one you've depotted. Each palette comes with magnets so you can attach them to the back of your pans & pop 'em in your palette. You can also rearrange the pans in a palette to your liking or even switch a product from one palette to another. It also includes a convenient & removable thumb grip.

Whether you use this to hold most of your essentials for the day (including brushes) or you designate one for a certain kind of product (I've designated one palette just for blushes), I think you'll find this a very handy & useful product.

Usefulness & practicality are important, but so is good design, & these palettes are GORGEOUS. Gorgeous colors & a very slick design will make you proud to whip this out of your bag!

It comes in the following 5 colors:

• Lemongrass (a greenish yellow)
• Twilight (a gorgeous teal blue)
• Eggplant (self explanatory)
• Pomegranate (also self explanatory)
• Snow (a glossy white that reminds me very much of my iMac, very cool)

If you want to snag one of these beauties for yourself, you can get them at uniicosmetics.com for $29. Their site includes a demo vid on their site & on their youtube channel, so you can see these palettes in action.

So, wanna streamline your morning makeup? Ditch the overstuffed makeup bag & grab a UNII palette!

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NOTE: Above is my honest review of these palettes, which were given to me by the owner/founder of UNII Cosmetics for reviewing on this blog. This is rare, I usually spend my own money on the products I get. For more info please see my disclosure post.