OK,  I have never ever tried to duplicate a celebrities look (and I probably will never try again) but, while skimming through my latest issue of InStyle magazine. I came across an advertisement that stunned me. The ad for Fushion Beauty’s “Illimifill” showcased Kim Kardashian with a beautiful smoked out bronzy look.

Here’s Kim’s advertisment.

While I in no way nailed her look. I wanted to share with you my take on Kim K’s look. After looking at her picture again I should have used a darker brown on my outer crease area.

Products Used

Face
L’oreal Magic Perfecting Base 
NARS (Macao) Sheer Glow Foundation (130) 
MAC Mineralize Natural Skin Finish “Dark” (182)
Cargo “OneBase” in 45 under eyes  
Mac Powder Blush “Blunt & Shadester” (116)

Eyes
NARS Smudge proof eyeshadow base 
NYC Brow set in Brunette (266)
NW40 concealer as highlight (208)
Maybelline “Clear” mascara on brows  
MAC “Flammable” paint (finger)
MAC “Bronze” Cream Color Base over “Flammable” on lid (ss194)
MAC “Brash & Bronze” eyeshadow on lid (SS239)
NARS “Surabaya II” & MAC “Showstopper” e/s crease (Stila#9 to soften harsh lines)
MAC “Carbon” e/s on outer v (SS226)
Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner pencil on waterline
MAC “Carbon” & NARS “Surabaya II” e/s on lower lashline
Dior Maximizer Plumping Serum
Maybelline The Falsies “Very Black” Mascara

Lips
Neosporin Lip Treament 
MAC NC50 Concealer 
Face Atelier  ”Cameo” lipgloss

Rihanna is set to release her fifth album “LOUD” in November. And her first single, “Only Girl (In the World)”, which hit the radio & internet today is sure to have you moving with its Euro-Pop  feel.

So tell me

Rock it or Stop It….

Hello all,

Here is my third look using the infamous Urban Decay “Naked” Palette.

Products Used

Face
L’oreal Magic Perfecting Base 
MAC  Studio Moisture Tint (Deep Dark) (130) 
MAC Mineralize Natural Skin Finish “Dark” (ELF Face Kabuki Brush)
Cargo “OneBase” in 45 under eyes  
Mac Powder Blush “Blunt & Coppertone” (116)

Eyes
UDPP 
NYC Brow set in Brunette (266)
NW40 concealer as highlight (208)
Maybelline “Clear” mascara on brows
Tarina Tarantino ” Purple Velvet” Magic Hour Cream Eyeshadow on lid as base
Urban Decay “Hustle” eyeshadow on lid  (SS239)
Urban Decay “Buck” eyeshadow on crease to soften harsh lines (Stila #9)
Urban Decay “Creep” eyeshadow on outer v  (226)
Urban Decay “1999″ 24/7 eyeliner on water line 
DiorShow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum
Maybelline ” Very Black” Falsises Mascara

Lips
Neosporin Lip Treament 
NYX “Toast” l/l
MAC ” Brew” l/s
NARS “Striptease” lip gloss

Here’s a quick look using some products from MAC Cosmetics latest collection Fabulous Felines

Products Used

Face
L’oreal Magic Perfecting Base 
MAC  Studio Moisture Tint (Deep Dark) (130) 
MAC Mineralize Natural Skin Finish “Dark” (182)
Cargo “OneBase” in 45 under eyes  
Mac Powder Blush “Blunt & Coppertone w/ a hint of Deep Pink (Pro)” (129)

Eyes
NARS Smudge proof eyeshadow base 
NYC Brow set in Brunette (266)
NW40 concealer as highlight (208)
Maybelline “Clear” mascara on brows
MAC “Perky” paint pot on lid as color base
MAC “Style Predator” eyeshadow on lid  (239)
MAC “Wild by Nature & Saddle” eyeshadow on crease (217)
MAC “Notoriety & Furiously Fabulous” eyeshadow on outer V (226)
MAC dual edge “FrontRow” eyeliner on water line 
DiorShow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum
MAC “Big Bad Black” Opulash Mascara

Lips
Neosporin Lip Treament 
MAC “Nightmoth” l/l
MAC ” Cunning” l/s
MAC “Lap of Luxury” l/g

I recently hauled a few things from the Glamour Doll Eyes website. After seeing tons of youtube gurus gawk over the quality and color payoff of these handmade pigments. I knew I had to get my hand on a few of them.

Here is my look using Trophy wife & Dirty Martini pigments.

Products Used

Face
L’oreal Magic Perfecting Base 
Maybelline 24 Hour Super Stay Foundation “Caramel & Cocoa” mixed *Review Coming soon*
MAC Mineralize Natural Skin Finish “Dark” (182)
Mac Powder Blush “Blunt & Coppertone” (129)

Eyes
NARS Smudge proof eyeshadow base 
NYC Brow set in Brunette (266)
NW40 concealer as highlight (208)
Maybelline “Clear” mascara on brows  
NYC Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil “Milk” (finger)
Glamour Doll Eyes “Trophy Wife” pigment on lid applied wet (239)
MAC “Saddle & Velvet Moss” on crease (224 to soften harsh lines)
Glamour Doll Eyes”Dirty Martini” e/s on outer v (224)
Urban Decay 24/7 “Covet” eyeliner on waterline)
Maybelline The Falsies Volum’ Express “Very Black” Mascara

Lips
Neosporin Lip Treament 
NYX “Toast”  l/l
MAC ” Brew” l/s
NARS “Striptease” l/g

NARS Pro-Prime Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base, is a newly introduced product to the NARS cosmetic line up. Retailing at $24.oo this product is a bit steep for an eyeshadow primer but, aren’t most of NARS products steep in price? Anyway this colorless primer in my opinion is a cross between Urban Decay’s Primer Potion and Too Faced Shadow Insurance. The only true difference i’ve found is the feel. This base makes your eye area feel velvet smooth. NARS claims that this base will extend the wear, smooth the surface, and maximize color. And I have to tell you that all of the claims are true. A true story, I went to see Takers last Friday (date night) and I feel asleep with my makeup on at my boyfriends house and when I woke up my boyfriend was shocked that my eye makeup was still in place and looked freshly applied. Now that’s not to say that UDPP or TFSI don’t have the same results. I was just shocked and impressed that this formula held up so well.

My only downfall about this product is the packaging. Housed in a sleek white tube. I wish NARS would have taken a queue from TSFI and the newly introduced UDPP professional size primer. And used a squeeze tube instead.  Though this tube is semi-flexible, because the primer is totally clear I won’t be able to really see if I’ve used it all up or not. I don’t like feeling like I’m wasting product right now. But it just would have been nice to have a squeeze tube.

Overall, I don’t know if this is a total must have. If your like me and you like to try new things and enjoy them while they last. Then I say give this primer a try. It does everything it claims and holds onto your eyeshadows very nicely. NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base is available anywhere NARS is sold.

Have you tried  NARS Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base?

If you’ve seen any of my FOTD’s lately you know that I have been using L’Oreal Studio Secret Magic Perfecting Base in about 99% of them. I should also note that I am a primer fanatic. From face primer to eyelash primer. They are total must haves. Well friends I  decided it was about time I told you exactly why I love , love, love this product. Wow where do I begin, never before have I found a drugstore product that lived up to the packaging details. L’oreal claims that this primer will minimize pores, and it does. They also claim to control the oiles, and it does. And lastly L’oreal claims this primer will smooth out fine lines leaving you skin feeling refreshed, well it does that as well.

Retailing at 12.99 , this light pink cotton candy looking primer has really become a solid staple in my daily makeup routine. The silky, lightweight formula glides onto my skin leaving behind a unified matte finish. Yes the product is light pink but it’s invisible when applied to the skin. I have dry skin and in the summer my skin changes to dry with an oily T-zone and this product helps to keep my tinted moisturizers and powders in place. The key to using this product is to not over use it. A little truly goes a long way. I know some may have an issue with it being in a pot but, it boils down to personal preference.

Here’s a few tips on how to maximize the use of this primer:

1. Apply immediately after facial  moisturizer has settled into skin
2. Use your fingers to pick up a small amount and dot onto face (Forehead, cheeks, chin, nose)
3. Blend product over entire face and only add extra primer on your oiliest areas

Overall, If you use the helpful tips above you will not go wrong with your foundation, blush, etc staying in place all day. If your looking for an inexpensive primer that really works. Well at least on my dry to normal skin type anyway!  Look no further.

Have you tried L’Oreal Studio Secret Magic Perfecting Base? Tell me if you loved it or hated it!

Congraulations Sara!!
Thanks so much to everyone who entered
More Giveaways to come

Enter to win MAC Viva Glam Gaga Lipglass!

One (1) lucky sunshine will win MAC Viva Glam “Gaga” Lipglass (Retail value $14.50)

How to Enter….

1. You must be a follower of this blog. *Check the sidebar to follow if you haven’t done so already*
2. Leave a comment below naming your favorite MAC lip glass of all times

The winner will be picked randomly from among the people who enter by 11:59 p.m. EST on Sunday, September 5th. The winner will then be emailed. And this post will be updated with the winner once the winner confirms.

PS. This giveaway is only for my US beauties! Sorry International beauties, I’ll have a giveaway for you soon

Good Luck!

Today MAC and the leading ladies of the Viva Glam “From Our Lips” Campaign (Cyndi Lauper & Lady Gaga) launched the coordinating lip glasses and bags to there popular lipsticks, that were released earlier  this year. As always the proceeds from the sells of the Viva Glam lip products go toward the support of men, women, and children affected by HIV/AIDS globally. These lip glasses  will only be available until February 2011.

Like the named lipsticks, Cyndi is a coral strawberry red. While Gaga is a blue based bubble gum pink. Both lip glasses are suitable and wearable by all skin tones.  Both lip glasses retail at $14.50 each and the bags retail for $28.00. The bag is super cute and you guys know I’m a sucker for lip shaped products lol

Here are a few pictures & swatches for your viewing pleasure

Have you checked out the Viva Glam Cyndi & Gaga lip glasses?

Urban Decay, the brand most known for its awesome Primer Potion, has finally listened to our pleas and not only introduced a squeeze tube of the crease-proof wonder. But they have also upped the size double time. Retailing at $29.00 this potion is sure to disappear from the Sephora site and shelves fast. I hope “Eden” is next in line to be doubled in size.

To order or get more information on this new super sized product. Head over to Sephora.com

With fall & winter just around the corner, why not have your nails match the mood and feel of that time of year. According to Mac cosmetics website, nail expert Jin Soon was inspired this season by the sensual pleasures of Imperial China. This collection embodies hues of exotic and ravishing combinations, that are opaque and rich with pearl essences for a subtle dimension.

Here’s what I picked up form this small collection of 6 nail lacquers. To see a complete listing of available products. click here

Jade Dragon, is described as an emerald green with teal shimmer. The finish to this polish is frost but, it applies pretty thick and dries down to a nice satin finish in my opinion. The photo really doesn’t do this color any justice. I need a better camera. This color is bold, vibrant and just simply gorgeous.

Earthly Harmony, is a muted grey taupe with copper shimmer. This color has fall written all over it! It has that perfect amount of shimmer to make it fun and flirty but also work appropriate.

Overall, I think these nail lacquers are fun, bold and perfect for all. I will say that each color will require a top coat to make them really pop. As they dry down to a satiny finish. After seeing swatches of Imperial Flower, I think I may be going back to get that one soon.

Have you seen these nail lacquers yet?