Erase Paste by benefit (Before and After Pictures)

Concealer is one of those steps that I generally cut out of my everyday makeup routine for work, simply because I never seem to have enough time in the morning.  But pretty much for any other occassion, if I am putting on a face, I am using a concealer.

I have horrid under-eye circles that like to sport a purplish tinge and I haven’t had the best success with drugstore concealers in the past.  So I picked up Erase Paste by benefit in shade “No. 1 Fair”.  I had high hopes for this product, given it’s price tag of $30 CAD ($26 USD).  So I decided to take some before and after pictures so you guys could see how it faired for yourselves.

But first, let’s take a peek at what you receive when you purchase Erase Paste by benefit:

• 4.4g (0.15 oz) Erase Paste in a very cute plastic pot
• tiny spatula for scooping out the product
• lesson guide to assist with application

You can purchase this product at Sephora (online or in-store).  In Canada, Shoppers Drug Mart also carries the benefit brand so you can pick it up there as well if that is more convenient for you.  You can also order internationally on benefit’s official site.

Erase Paste is described as a “brightening camouflage for eyes and face”.  ”A concentrated creamy, blendable concealer for instant brightening.  Signs of stress & fatigue are a thing of the past with this innovative formula.”  It is available in 3 shades: fair, medium and deep.

  

I purchased “fair”, the lightest of the three shades.

Lesson Guide

Step 1: Under eye concealing & brightening for dark circles

• Use spatula to scoop out a tiny amount.  Place the paste on the back of your hand.  With your ring finger, take erase paste and make a dot on the inner and outer corners of the eye.  Delicately blend by following the arrows above.  For complete under eye concealing, connect the dots.

Step 2: “Marionette grooves” camouflage those shadow areas from nose to corners of the lip

• Use the side of your finger to draw three “cat whisker” strokes in an up & outward motion across the shadowed grooves.  Blend lightly in soft, upward strokes with your fingertips.  Tip: run your fingertips under warm water to heat them up before blending.

Step 3: “X” markes the spot to conceal spot imperfections

• For blemishes and spots of discoloration use the side of your finger to draw an “X” on top of the imperfection.  Pat & blend with your ring finger.  Tip: Apply 10% more erase paste than necessary – by the time you get to where you’re going, you’ll look perfect.

The Before and After Pictures using Erase Paste

I wanted to document my under-eye circles first hand and I figured for you to see this product in action, the best way would be to shoot some Before and After pictures.  I took pictures both in natural light as well as with flash.

First, let’s take a look at the BEFORE:

Under-eye Circles in natural light

Under-eye Circles with flash

Now, let’s take a look at the AFTER:

Under-eye Circles in natural light, after using Erase Paste by benefit

Under-eye Circles with flash, after using Erase Paste by benefit

My thoughts:
Erase Paste by benefit is thick enough that it covers like a concealer, but is blendable like a foundation.  And because it is so thick, a little goes a long long way – you won’t need to replace/repurchase anytime soon.  The consistency is a touch oily, but I find this really helps with its blend-ability.  Any shine (like in the picture above using flash) disappears once you set your make-up with a powder, there is no shine at all in natural light.  And remember, Sephora has a 30 day return policy for any products you aren’t happy with.  So if you buy it and find it isn’t ideal for your skin, then simply return it.  No harm no foul.   The shade range is a little limited though with only three options.  The lightest shade has pink undertones which is good if you are cool toned, but if you are warm toned and are more used to yellow undertones, this might not be the product for you.  Best to try it out in store if you live close to a Sephora.  All in all though, it is a very versatile and easy to use product.  It proves to be long lasting throughout the day and this pot will last me forever it seems.  If you are in the market for a new concealer – give it a try, what have you got to lose?

Have you tried this product?  What did you think?  Do you have a favourite concealer that works wonders for you?

xox,
Shannon

MIND THE GAP (a journey in London, England)

For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.

~Robert Louis Stevenson

The month of May is almost over and I had yet to do my monthly travel post, so I decided it was definitely time to get on it! My trip to London England feels like it was forever ago and I guess by many standards it was.  It will be four years ago this summer that I ventured through London, France, Spain and Italy (which we will get to in the coming months).  I had banked up all of my vacation time at work and decided to take it all in one big swoop and see as much as I could in 24 days. Flying into London direct from Calgary is an 8 and a half to 9 hour flight and a 7 hour time difference.  It might take you a day or two to get used to the change.  But if you are anything like me, you can usually hit the ground running out of pure excitement and anticipation.  :)

For a Canadian, the exchange rate to the British pound was and still is expensive.  London is not an inexpensive place to explore, even for hostels you can expect to pay $100 for a double private room with ensuite.  Cheaper than a hotel, but less convenient.  The metro to downtown is 30-40 minutes from the sticks and you won’t have A/C in your room for that price.  And in July/August, you will be cooking.  For me, that was at the Globetrotter Inn in London.  It is only a 200m walk from a metro station, and only one transfer will take you straight downtown.  (Stamford Brook will be your station and Acton Town is where you will transfer.)  It is a very busy place with a small restaurant/pub attached that is full of young travellers on a budget.  Dorm rooms are available too in this WWII nursing residence turned hostel.

View from my room at the Globetrotter Inn, London

Ensuite Bath in Double Bed Private Room

I didn’t mind the train ride into the heart of the city at all.  It gives you a chance to map out your day in your guidebook and take in the some of the locals.  Maybe it was just me, but being surrounded by British accents everywhere you went was an experience all in itself.

London Underground Map

Something else that will likely make you smile while riding the underground is the incessant warning “mind the gap”. Mind the gap is literally a warning to take caution while crossing from the train platform, to the train car and vice versa.   This iconic warning is even one of the most common souvenirs you can get as a tourist, commonly printed on the London Underground’s symbol across the chest.

There really is so much to see in London, it is a very beautiful city.  Being the capital of England, London is heavily populated.  By Canadian standards we would consider it a giant – afterall just the city limits house nearly 8 million residents. So, even though you could spend weeks there exploring and still not see everything, I want you to take a peek at my “must-see’s”.

1. Palace of Westminster

The Palace of Westminster is London’s House of Parliament and home to the very famous clock tower, Big Ben.

2. Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site 25 years ago, is a very large gothic styled church which construction began in the 1500′s.  It may be best know for as of late as the church in which Prince William and Kate were married.

3. The London Eye

This giant ferris wheel, the London Eye, extends 443 ft in the air.  In the peak season (July and August), expect to wait quite sometime in line for your turn.  It would be wise to arrive first thing in the morning when they open.  The London Eye is the largest ferris wheel in Europe and takes approximately 30 minutes to make a full rotation.  Be prepared to shell out the big bucks for this must-see tourist trap.  At the steep price of £17, it adds up quickly if you are in a group or with family.

The views of Westminster, the Buckingham Palace and the Thames River are incredible and worth the money in my opinion .    Have fun jostling for the best camera shot with the other onlookers.  ;)  Don’t worry, 30 minutes is a long time so everyone can get the pictures they want, just don’t pick a rainy day!

4. Buckingham Palace

Built in 1705, Buckingham Palace is the official residence and office of the Britich Monarch.  Tourists flock from all over to take in views of the palace in all its grandeur.  Not to mention, the very beautiful St. James’ park creates a beautiful atmosphere.  You might even forget that you are in the middle of a very busy city.

The crowds are aplenty, daily to witness the Changing of the Guard.  It takes place every morning at 11:30am.

Depending on your schedule, if you have time to visit more than once, the palace has a completely different atmosphere when people haven’t gathered for the Changing of the Guard ceremony.  You will be free to walk around and take in the area at your own pace.

5. Tower of London and The Crown Jewels

This historic castle built on the River Thames also goes by the name of “Her Majesty’s Royal Palace and Fortress” and the Tower of London, is just that.  You can spend several hours trying to explore all of the buildings.  Once inside the walls of the fortress, it is like a mini city.  Not an inexpensive excursion by any means though, £20 in person, or £18 if you purchase your ticket online in advance (£11 and £9 respectively for kids aged 5-16, children under 5 years old are free). You can visit the quarters and throne room and even the torture chambers in the basement.

And although, no pictures are allowed, a visit to The Crown Jewel’s is worth a look too if that sort of thing interests you.  I was absolutely floored by what there was to see in The Jewel House – crowns, sceptres, swords, and orbs, you name it.  I found a small sneak peek online here if you would like to see a few pictures.

6. Tower Bridge

Tower Bridge (built 1886–1894) is a stunning creation both at day and night.  It is located very close to the Tower of London castle and is built on the River Thames.

Don’t make the common mistake and refer to Tower Bridge as London Bridge.  London Bridge is a completely different bridge, and much less marvelous.

7. Notting Hill and Portobello Market

Notting Hill is a beautiful area of London.  Every side street is lined with beautifully coloured, quaint homes.  There is even an old style theatre just a minutes walk from Notting Hill station, Coronet Cinema, that is always featuring two current movies.  To put things in perspective timewise, I saw “Dark Knight” in this theatre.  :)  Also, just a five minute walk from Notting Hill Gate station is the world famous Portobello market.  Fridays and Saturdays are the best days to visit, they are completely closed on Sundays and is not worth visiting the other days of the week (trust me, I found out the hard way).

Thanks for reading everyone, I hope you enjoyed a look at London through the eyes of a 20 something traveller on a budget! Just remember, bring your walking shoes and camera and you’ll be sure to enjoy everything this incredible city has to offer!  Have fun!  And as always, travel safe!

xox,

Shannon

Jelly Sandwich Nails

A very popular nail trend right now is the Jelly Sandwich Manicure.  I’m seeing it everywhere and can’t help but think it is insanely cute.

What you need to create jelly sandwich nails:

• 1 jelly nail polish
• 1 glitter nail polish *personally I think the bigger the glitter, the cuter this look*

Jelly nail polishes aren’t the most common type of polish, but they are made to be layered (expect to use several coats).  They are sheer, ultra shiny and the colours will become more vibrant as you add more coats.  Jelly nail polishes are super nice to work with, they glide on easy, spread easily and you never have to worry about streaking or consistency problems.

The jelly sandwich manicure is when you use a jelly nail polish and layer glitter in between it.

How my first attempt turned out:

Confused?  Don’t be!

1. Start out with a sheer jelly polish of your choice, I went with Loreal’s “Wishful Pinking” nail color.  It is a soft sheer baby pink.  Paint your nails with 3 coats (at least) of your jelly polish.  I used 4 coats to achieve the base colour I wanted (shown here): 
2. Let them dry completely.
3. Apply 1 coat of your glitter nail polish.  The important thing here is to select a glitter polish that has a clear base and only the glitter itself is coloured.    If you use just a standard glitter with a coloured base, it will just cover your jelly nail polish that you used as a base and you won’t even be able to see it.  Your jelly sandwich manicure is ruined!   I learned this the hard way, take a look at what happened when I tried to use Some Like It Haute by China Glaze.   For my successful Jelly Sandwich, I used essie “Set in Stones” luxeffects nail polish, shown here: 
4. Once your glitter is set, go ahead and apply 1 coat of your jelly nail polish on top.  This creates the “sandwiched” look in your manicure (where the glitter looks like it is inside the jelly polish.)

What do you guys think?  Have you tried out this hot new nail trend already?  Or do you want to?

Personally, I can’t wait to go find some super giant glitter polishes.  Does anyone have a favourite that they recommend?

Thanks for reading!

xox,

Shannon

a BLUE makeup look with a touch of ORANGE

I’ve always thought that blue and orange are colours that compliment each other nicely.  Both are bold and beautiful on their own, but side by side, you are forced to focus on their uniqueness and see how they accentuate each other.

I guess that is why I chose to create a makeup look with them again…and I say again, because it was one of the first combinations I used when I first started experimenting with bright dramatic makeup.

Not wanting to be too overpowering this go around, I opted for creating a look that was full of colour, yet soft and wearable.

To create this look, I used my Inglot Freedom System palette.  This look was very easy to create and only requires 3 shades of eyeshadow.

The light blue shade all over my lids is #13 from the swatch below.  And the dark blue throughout my crease and the outer edge of my eyes is #482 from the same swatch .

I wanted to use a contrasting colour for underneath my lower lashes and opted for #10 from the below swatch, a soft orange.

Let’s get started:

• Make sure your eyebrows are shaped and filled in.  I like to always do this first, because it helps frame the eye area.  I used Mystery eyeshadow by MAC cosmetics.
• Spread an eyeshadow primer all over your lids and up to your brow.  I used Mary Kay’s eyeshadow primer.
• Dust a light blue eyeshadow all over each of your lids.  I used Inglot’s #13, a soft shimmery blue.
• Then, blend a darker blue through the crease and to the outer edge of your eyes.  I used Inglot’s #482, a dark navy blue with a subtle silver shimmer.
• Smudge a light orange under your lash line.  I used Inglot’s #10.  If you don’t have orange (I’m aware that it’s not a super common shade for people) any soft jewel toned shade will do.  Just make sure you pick a contrasting colour to create a nice accent.
• Then, go ahead and line your eyes.  I used Master Precise Felt Tip Liner on my upper lashes and Blacktrack Fluidline by MAC on my waterline.  I opted for the cat-eye eyeliner look to elongate my eyes.
• Finish with mascara and enjoy your blue and orange makeup look!

You can take a peek at one of my very first posts Yellow and Orange and Blue Oh My! if you would like to see another look using orange and blue together (and yellow) in a very different way.  The shades I used for that look are highly pigmented matte pigments.  It created a very bright, funky, dramatic look.  I feel like my look with the Inglot shadows here though is a lot softer and a lot more wearable for the everyday.  What do you think?

xox,

Shannon

New to contouring? Introducing the Natural Face Palette by Too Faced (Review and Swatches)

Even though I am no stranger to bold dramatic eye makeup, the world of contouring my face is new and scary to me.  So if you have any secret tips, please feel free to share them!

And all of this, is exactly why when I saw this product at Sephora with the “contouring for dummies” cards, I knew it was for me.  You might remember I loved the feature from their Sweet Dreams Palette that came out during the 2011 holidays too.  I actually picked up this Too Faced Palette up a couple of months back, but hadn’t gotten around to posting about it yet.  But this works out, because now I’ve actually had a chance to try it out and form an opinion, rather than just a first impression.

What you receive in this palette:

• 0.28 oz Bronzing Veil
• 0.1 oz Crème Blush
• 0.11 oz Powder Blush
• 0.05 oz Concealer
• 0.06 oz Luminizer
• 0.05 oz Brightener
• 3 tutorial cards on how to use the palette (conveniently tucked away behind the mirror)

This palette retails at Sephora for $39.00 US or $48.00 CAD.  It is also available at www.toofaced.com.

This palette is super multi-functional.  You can add these products into your already existing routine for making up your face, or you can use them on their own to create a very natural look or simply touch up on the go.  This palette is also the perfect size if you are going away for the night or weekend.  It is small and sleek and saves you from having to pack 6 full sized and individually packaged products.

I found the actual products to be very neutral colours that will work on a wide array of skin tones.  Just take a look at the below swatches.  There is nothing harsh about them, they are soft and subtle.  You will also have no problem building up the bronzer or blushes to achieve your desired look.

Bronze Veil Swatch (blended out on the right hand side)

Creme Blush Swatch (blended out on the right hand side)

Powder Blush Swatch (blended out on the right hand side)

Conceal, Luminize and Brighten Swatches

My favourite part about this palette though is the tutorial cards.  They are perfect for quick reference and really help me with what goes where!

They have created 3 tutorial cards and 3 completely separate looks.

“Day Glow” is a very soft summery sun-kissed look:

There is a short video here if you want to see how to create the “Day Glow” look for your face and pair it with a natural eye look from Too Faced as well.  You will have to use your imagination a little bit…because the model they used is drop dead gorgeous even before the makeup is applied….but you can certainly see how her using the palette accentuates her features and creates a nice healthy radiant glow on her skin.

“Classic Radiance”:

“Supermodel Sculpt”:

Even though I knew that no card would make me look like a supermodel, I was most excited to try this look because it was the most different from my daily powder and blush routine.  By applying the bronzer below the blush on my cheek, it makes your cheekbone pop and appear more prominent.

The luminizer is something that was totally new to me as well.  It creates a very natural dewy look that catches the light and creates a healthy shimmer.  You can see it run down the bridge of my nose and on my cupid’s bow.

Decades of Dysfunction and a Mysterious Curse (Swatches and Review)

Just a few days ago I was talking about the new Summer 2012 collections that are either out already/or are to be expected shortly for the big name nail polish brands…and today I made it to a Sally Beauty Supply store to see what had already hit the shelves in Canada.  Crackle Glitter was there, so was the new Fingerpaints Neon collection and both of Orly’s collections were already available too.  (China Glaze’s neon collection due to be released next month.)

With so many options and so many limited edition nail lacquers to choose from…it was not an easy decision.  I ended up grabbing two Orly nail lacquers from the limited edition Dark Shadows collection.

Dark Shadows came out in theatres today May 11th, 2012 (starring Johnny Depp and directed by Tim Burton).

This nail polish collection struck me as the most unique with a couple of colours that really drew me in.  I gravitated towards “Mysterious Curse” (second from the right) and “Decades of Dysfunction” (furthest right).

Decades of Dysfunction is a beautiful milky, creamy shade with a subtle hint of pink. This shade is perfect for spring or summer.

And Mysterious Curse is one of those shades that looks different every time you see it.  Depending on how the light catches it, it could be blue or purple and sometimes you’ll even think you are seeing red.  Mysterious Curse is just a beautiful, rich, metallic shade that is a lovely addition to any nail addicts collection.

Orly polishes are actually my favourite polishes.  At $6.99CAD at Sally Beauty Supply stores, they aren’t the least expensive option, but you also recieve 20% more per bottle than their competition (each bottle of Orly is 18ml).  Orly nail lacquers are always such an amazing texture and slide on so easily.  I even have a few polishes from over 12 years ago that still aren’t chunky and unusable, you’d never be able to tell their age (other than the very dated old style of bottle).  I’ve never needed to add my polish thinner to a bottle of Orly nail lacquer…and I think that is pretty damn awesome!  I do end up with a fair amount of China Glaze polishes in my collection as well, mainly because I find they have a more extensive range of colours than Orly.

These two polishes didn’t disappoint either.  I’m super happy with both shades and am glad, that with all of the options, I opted for Decades of Dysfunction and Mysterious Curse.  (If I have any regrets though, I am wishing I’d grabbed all four shades from the Dark Shadows collection, Buried Alive and Grave Mistake are gorgeous too!  I might need to head back.)

Now let’s take a look at my swatches and see just how many coats were required to reach an opaque affect.

One Coat of lacquer

Two coats of lacquer

Three coats of lacquer

I found that three coats was required for complete opaqueness.  But I was doing very thin coats so you could see a real difference as the coats build.  Generally I apply a heavier coat to start with and can get away with two coats, no matter the polish.  (But that is just me and I have bad habits!  LOL)

I hope you enjoyed this mini review for these two polishes and consider giving them a try, I can’t imagine you being disappointed if you do!!

What do you think of these two shades?  Is there something else you can’t wait to get from the 2012 Summer Nail Polish Collections?

xox,

Shannon

a NEON manicure for the TIGRESS in you

I love bright funky manicures and with the purchase of my new Konad Nail Plates, I couldn’t help but create something wild.

What you’ll need:

1. Nail lacquers to use as your base.  I chose to use three colours.
   

   Purple Panic (neon) by China Glaze, Solar Flare by Nina Ultra PRO and Turned up Turquoise (neon) by China Glaze

2. A nail lacquer thick enough to use for your pattern.  I am using Konad Special Polish in black.
3. Your plate of choice.  I’m using M57, a konad nail plate featuring mainly animal print designs.
4. The stamp.
5. The scraper.
6. Nail Polish remover.
7. A couple of cotton balls and q-tips.

***If you don’t know of somewhere in your area that sells the stamp/scraper/plates/polishes you can purchase online from either www.nailpolishcanada.com or www.konadnailart.com.***

How To:

• Paint your nails with your base colour(s).  I started out by doing a stripe down the centre of my nail in Solar Flare by Nina Ultra Pro (a very neon fluorescent yellow).  You don’t need to worry about how straight it is, because you will be going over the edges with your other shades. 
• Then add another colour to the outside of each finger nail. (Again, not the biggest deal if your lines aren’t perfectly straight.  Once you are completely done your manicure, the focus will be on the stripes, not how straight the lines are underneath.)
• And then of course, take your third colour and add it to the inside of each finger nail.  At this point, your nails should be completely painted.  
• Next step is the stamping of your zebra print/tiger stripes on top.  For a full picture tutorial on nail stamping, please visit my post Konad Nail Stamping.  Lay your plate on a piece of paper towel. 
• Cover your design with your special Konad nail polish.  
• Use your scraper to clear off all of the extra polish.  
• Press your stamp onto the plate design.  
• Roll the stamp onto your nail, transferring the design.  If you have short nails like I do, the pattern will get all over your skin as well.  (Don’t worry, it is easy to clean off afterwards using a q-tip and some nail polish remover.)
• Using a cotton ball with some nail polish remover on it, clean the plate, scraper and stamp before repeating for each nail.  (This might seem tedious, but I promise, it only takes about 10 minutes to stamp all of your nails.)
• Once all of your nails are complete, clean up the skin surrounding your nails and apply a top coat.  I used Seche Vite Dry Fast Top Coat. 

This manicure is super bright and fun.  And I love the endless combinations with something like this.  You can change the colours underneath; how many you use, the direction you apply them…there is just so much you can do!  What do you guys think of the finished look?

xox,

Shannon

Summer 2012 Nail Polish Collections feat. China Glaze, Fingerpaints, OPI and Orly

Even though Spring has been fighting to make an appearance around here, the 2012 summer nail polish collections are starting to hit the shelves.

China Glaze has been releasing their Crackle Glitters collection this month, featuring four bright funky shades.  They are receiving fantastic reviews saying the glitter creates a much nicer look than standard creme crackles.  I must say I am excited to try them!

From left to right: Glam-More, Gleam Me Up, Jade D and Luminous Lavender

Hitting stores next month is their gorgeous Summer Neons collection.  Featuring 12 new shades!!

I am looking forward to seeing what these look like in store because I do already have some neon China Glaze polishes and I don’t want to double up if they are too similar.  There are some really beautiful shades in this collection though, I can’t wait for them to come out in Canada at the Sally Beauty Supply stores!

Finger paints (a brand exclusive to Sally Beauty Supply)  is coming out with a collection of neons as well, featuring 7 new shades.

OPI is hitting the shelves this summer with two unique collections.  Minnie Mouse featuring gorgeous pinks and a beautiful top coat complete with hearts…

…and Spiderman!

Orly has a couple of collections due out as well.  First they have their Dark Shadows collection in honour of the movie hitting theatres May 11 starring Johnny Depp.

And to not miss out on the neon trend, they are also releasing their “Feel the Vibe” collection for the summer of 2012 as well.

So tell me, is there anything you absolutely can’t wait to have or perhaps something you have already ran out and purchased?

Isn’t summer the best!?!?!

xox,

Shannon

Classic Smokey Eye Makeup

As much as I love crazy bright, dramatic makeup…certain occasions may call for something a little more subdued…or at the very least more of a classic look.

The Smokey Eye is probably the most sought after makeup look out there right now.  Everyone puts twists and turns on it, but it seems to be what the majority of looks stem from.  There are many ways to create one, but I’m going to show you how I created what I consider to be the classic smokey eye using silver and black eyeshadows.

What you want to do is select three monochromatic eyeshadows (meaning they must stem from the same shade).  For my look, I used Forgery, Print and Black Tied eyeshadows – all by MAC Cosmetics.  All of them are cool shades containing silver sparkles (see swatch below).

Forgery – Sterling Silver (Lustre)

Print – Muted grey with shimmer (satin)

Black Tied – Black with silver sparkle (velvet)

How to make a smokey eye:

1. My first step is always my eyebrows and under eye concealer.  I used Palladio’s eyebrow gel to hold my brows in place and then filled them in using Mystery eyeshadow by MAC.
2. Using an eyeshadow primer, cover your lid and all the way up to your eyebrow.  For this  I used Mary Kay’s eye primer.
3. Then, using your lightest shade from your three shadows, cover the middle part of your eyelid and stop at the crease.  The inner and outer portions of your eyelid should be bare.  For this step I used Forgery.
4. Then, using your middle shade, (in my case “Print” eyeshadow) you want to begin filling in the inner and outer portions of your eyelid.  Blend this in gently with your lightest shade, be careful not to go too far into the middle of your lid.
5. Using the middle shade still, gently blend up into the crease of your eye and go back and forth throughout the entire length of the crease –  connecting the inner and outer sections of shadow.
6. Now, you want to take the darkest shade of your trio (in my case, Black Tied) and begin dusting it on top of the middle shade, focusing mainly on the outer and inner corners of your eyes.  This will help create depth and dimension.  Again, be sure to blend evenly.  You shouldn’t be able to tell where one colour stops and the next begins, everything should flow together.
7. For under your lower lash line, you want to take your darkest shade and blend it into the lashes on the outer half of your eye, connecting it to the dark outside corner of your lid.
8. Then, take your lightest shade and blend it along your lower lash line throughout the inner half of your eye.  This will help open up your eye and not make it appear “closed off”.
9. Using your lightest shade still, go ahead and highlight your brow bone.
10. Apply your eye liner next.  I used Master Precise Felt Tip Liquid Liner on my upper lashes and used MAC’s Blacktrack fluidline gel liner on my waterline.
11. Finish with mascara on both your upper and bottom lashes.  I used Clinique’s High Impact Mascara.
12. Apply your lashes (completely optional).  For this look, I used Ardell’s 102 Demi lashes.

All of the above pictures are taken with flash and you can see a real difference in this look when you capture it in natural light or direct sunlight.  It’s not as intense as you might initially think.

I absolutely love this look for that very reason.  It is super wearable for daytime and sexy enough for evening.  And with MAC eyeshadows being super long lasting…you can literally wear this classic smokey eye all day!

What do you think?  Do you have a technique for creating a smokey eye that you like better, or do you think you will give this a try?  I’d love to hear from you!!

Thanks for reading!

xox,

Shannon

Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter review (complete with swatches) and how to remove your nail polish “on the go”

So I know I am about seven million years behind when it comes to the Revlon Colorburst Lip Butters, but I got some a couple of weeks ago and thought I would toss in my two cents.

I was certainly on the fence about this product given the reviews I had seen.  Some people love them and can’t live without them and others thought they weren’t worth all the hype.  With a $10-$11 price tag at local drug stores, I had decided not to gamble…until I found them on sale.  I saw them sitting there for $4.99 and couldn’t resist the temptation.  So I picked up two!

Peach Parfait and Gumdrop:

First, let’s look at the swatches so we can give my comments and thoughts some context.

Peach Parfait

Peach parfait lip butters by Revlon have a nice peachy pink base with gold flecks of glitter in it.  It is smooth, creamy and glides on easy.  I found it gave the lips a nice summery sheen…but given that my lips naturally are a bit dark, I found that I had to apply quite a lot of product to build it up and get the colour pay off I was looking for.  Don’t expect a coral/orange look like you might have seen in the ads featuring Emma Stone, I don’t find that it is pigmented enough to give you that look.  (Perhaps if you are very fair skinned with pale lips…or maybe if you were to use a concealer/lip erase before application you can achieve that look.)

Gumdrop

Gumdrop is a soft lilac shade that is milky, but sheer.  Again, I found you had to put several coats on to get the colour pigmentation to show up and when I finally built it up…I didn’t find this colour all that flattering on me.  It seemed to blend into my natural lip colour too much and wash me out.  (You can really see what I mean in the “natural light” swatch above.)  I can absolutely see this colour being beautiful on other people though.

My thoughts:

All in all the lip butters are just what they are advertised as.  They are a hydrating, glossy lip colour with more pigmentation than a regular gloss.  They are less drying that your standard lipstick, but I also feel they have less staying power.  For me, I don’t see myself picking up any more at their regular price tag…but if I were to catch them on sale again, I would certainly snoop through and see if I could find 1 or 2 other shades.

I also grabbed another product to go along with the purchase of my lip butters that I believe is worth a mention.  It was Nail Polish Remover pads by LA COLORS.  I figured these would be a great addition to my purse…for those days when your manicure starts to chip and you wish you could take off your lacquer.  I am one of those people that once they start to chip, I can’t help but…”help them along” and I end up fidgeting with them all day.  So this screamed to me!

You get 32 pads in each plastic case and drug stores carry them for under $2.  (I think I paid about $1.70 before taxes)  They also come in different fruit scents so if you find peach a turn off, don’t worry – you have options.  (They come in lemon, strawberry, pear, grape, melon and peach.)

The pads are super thin and very moist.  I was able to use one pad to remove the polish from all 10 nails.  Depending on how many coats you have, you might need to use more than one.

*Please ignore my nails, they were stained yellow by a polish about 6-7 weeks ago and I have been too lazy to do anything about it.  I just keep my nails painted while they grow out.*

My thoughts:

These nail polish remover pads certainly got the job done, and are great to tuck away in your purse – just be conscious of when you are going to pull them out and use them.   I found them very greasy and messy.  The remover would pick up the polish and then sort of spread a very diluted version of your polish all over everything else.  So make sure you either have a kleenex or napkin nearby to wipe off the excess, or are in a bathroom and can give your hands a quick wash afterwards.  But honestly, for the price tag, I’m very happy I got this and have no doubt that I will put them to good use!

Well, I hope you enjoyed my mini drugstore haul even if I’m behind the curve on this one.  The way I see it though, the world always needs more swatches! <3

Thanks for reading!

xox,

Shannon