Fast Friends with NYX Butter Glosses Merengue and Creme Brulee

NYX says: "Buttery soft and silky smooth, our scrumptious new Butter Lip Gloss tastes as sweet as a sugar cookie—and makes your lips look downright luscious. Swipe it on alone or over your favorite lipstick for creamy sheer to medium coverage that melts onto your lips and is never sticky."

Yup, that's about right! I purchased the NYX Butter Glosses in Merengue which is a pink lilac, and  Creme Brulee which is described as natural or I would call it a tan/pinky nude.  These are nice creme glosses that are sheer to medium in opaqueness.  They aren't a jelly gloss, nor are they full on creme lipstick, but these glosses do have color.  The colors aren't shy, but aren't too bold to make you feel overdone.  We've become fast friends and I may purchase more as there are 12 shades in total to choose from. These retail at about $5.99.  I purchased mine at a neighborhood drugstore, but NYX is showing up every where...even in Target! 

Have you tried these?  What do you think?

All of My Purple Life FOTD and Video Tutorial

I made a tutorial video based around MAC Afrobella's All of My Purple Life lipglass in honor of Afrobella. She's an awesome blogger. I love her to pieces and I haven't met her in person yet!

Check out the video and tell me what you think! Oh! please don't be turned away too fast. The vid really isn't 18 mins. It's about 13 (I forgot to trim it down to the correct time!)


FACE:
Chanel Mat Lumier in Soft Honey
MAC Careblend powders in Medium Dark and (bronzer) Gold Go Lightly
MAC Studiofinish Concealer in NW30

EYES:
MAC paint pot in Layin Low (base)
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Shadow Pencil in Morphine (lid)
MAC Saddle eye shadow (crease)
MAC Dark Edge eye shadow (outer v) Smoke and Mirrors Holiday Palette '09 LE
MAC Fire in Her Eyes eye shadow (tear duct) Smoke and Mirrors Holiday Palette '09 LE
Revlon liquid liner in black (lid, wing, lower lash line)
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On eye liner in Covet (water line)
LA Splash glitter liner in green (lower lash line)
MAC Lashes #44

CHEEKS
Get Away Bronze Blush, MAC To the Beach Collection 2010 LE
NARS Multiple in Lamu (Summer Collection 2010)

LIPS
MAC Up the Amp lipstick
MAC Afrobella All of My Purple Life lipglass

Mobile Uploads: New in my drugstore

Your favorite Maybelline lipsticks now come in a Popsicle Shine finish!

A new Sally Hansen limited edition designer collection. Or is it not so new since we see the display is 75% empty?!
Ooooh new L'Oreal Color Riche leGloss!
More Sally Hansen nails colors...Fast Dry formula!


These kind of signs always intrigue me! Are you anticipating a new mascara from Maybelline??

MAC Blogger's Obsession Hocus Pocus eyeshadow and Evolution Revolution lipglass FOTD

Remember I told you about Hocus Pocus eyeshadow when I saw it at Lianne's Blogaversary party? Well, I got my hands on that baby and did an fotd... wait, I did one better-- I did a video! It's not a tutorial of my fotd, but you get to see me wearing it in action!







The deets!

FACE
MAC Prolong Wear foundation
MAC Studio Careblend powder in Gold Go Lightly
MAC Studion finish concealer NW30 (under eye highlight and brow highlight)
Bobbi Brown pale yellow loose powder to set the concealer

EYES
Ben Nye Turquoise lumiere cream color as base
Hocus Pocus eyeshadow on lid
Tete a Tint and Saddle shadows in the crease
Carbon on outer v
Random light shadow for inner corner
Revlon black liquid liner to line top lid
UD Zero on waterline
LA Splash green glitter liner on bottom lid
MAC #8 Lash

CHEEKS
Ruby Kisses All Over Glow (Rose Glow?) as highlight
MAC Get Away Bronze blush

LIPS
MAC Peachstock lipstick
MAC Evolution Revolution lipglass


Now watch my new vid! (Comment, rate, share, subscribe!)

Milani Lip Flash Pencil Review and Swatches

The other day, I got a drugstore pic of the Milani Lip Flash display. Here's my review of the two Lip Flash pencils I picked up- In a Flash (hot purple/pink/ magenta) and News Flash (deep red/burgundy).


I know pics are better when the product is untouched, but I'm a makeup junkie! I'm in the car swatching and testing as I leave the CVS! More on the condition of these two pencils in just a sec.

So as you can see, News Flash didn't hold up too well. I have no idea what went wrong or why this color is so mushy...lots of pigment perhaps? Hehe. Both pencils were kept in the same conditions.... While In a Flash can be applied directly, a lip brush was needed for News Flash. The mushy consistency didn't effect the color and coverage. Also, News Flash appears to be a bit more opaque in coverage than In a Flash (the pink---if you got confused with the 'Flashes').

[Click to enlarge images!] In a Flash (pink) flashes blue in the light. News Flash has a few subtle, sparkly pigments.

The Stats:
-great coverage, decent wear time, and doesn't stain!
If it does leave any staining, it does ever so lightly where there's little to no altering of natural lip color.

I look forward to wearing these in the very near future. I picked up the dark, News Flash pencil for a summer vamp lip. A deep lip, but not the black or almost black goth trend. Something to pair with light, summer colors- yellow, peach, coral or bright fuchsia!

I'll be doing an FOTD soon!

Drugstore Paparazzi 7/20/2010: New Milani

I haven't done one of these posts in a minute, huh? Nouveau Cheap, one of my favorite newer blogs keeps you up to date on all things bargain beauty. I don't keep up on every release in the drugstore, but I love to show you what piques my interest!

Ooooh! Ahhh! I'm really excited about these new Lip Flash pencils! I got two of them: News Flash and I believe, In a Flash. I gave them a quick run and they made me squeal. They deserve their own separate post!

More baked bronzers from Milani? Or revamped baked bronzers? I saw these Milani Baked Bronzers a while back. However, here is the stand for the new product, ummm minus the actual product. *Sigh* I guess we can't have it all, huh? Actually, I had one of the three bronzers in my basket (forgot to take a picture, hehe), got to the register and couldn't swallow the $10 price tag for yet another shimmery bronzer. Wait for BOGO? More than likely. These are more refined than the foil-tastic baked bronzers they had before. The packaging isn't as chunky and they look appealing. You will definitely get glitter shimmers, but I'm willing to try them at a better bargain price! I hear the mosaic bronzers/blush colors are the bomb!

Omg, I spy HD Advanced Concealer! I didn't notice it until I looked at the picture on the computer. Making items ankle-level is never a good idea. Will be back at the store pronto to check that out!

Have any of you seen these products? Tried them? Tell me what you think!

mark. Spring Collection

All the essentials needed for Spring! Fragrances, makeup and accessories for a look on the go!

I asked Teen Yummy411 about the products. Check out what she has to say:

1. What's the texture of the mark. Mini Hook Up Sticks for eyes and lips ?
On the lips. the sticks feels like lip gloss; the eye side feels the same on the lid, no bueno.
I dont like that because the eye liner/shadow shouldnt feel that
way. I want it to stick and not swipe off. The sticks can be used up fast and have to be sharpened a lot.

2. How are the colors and pigmentation of the sticks?
They are true to color. The vibrant colors are vibrant and the softs are soft.
The gold sticks are my favorites!

3. How are the fragrances?
There are fragrances for every mood. Fruity and citrus-y scents aren't my style, but one of them is subtle and more like calogne --i like that one!

4. What do you think of the mark. sticks over all?
They are very neutral and easy to wear with anything. I love that. They are
my favorites !

There's Teen Yummy411's take on the mark.'s Spring/Easter essentials offerings. I'll need to get her into using bases for her creamier eye products. That way, she'll have the gold mark. stick for eyes on her lids all day!

*Products mentioned were PR samples for review!

Astrological Reading for Your Lips!!

FREE Astrological Reading (For Your Lips)

See which lip color best suits your sign

This is a TotalBeauty.com make up article Your particular zodiac sign says a bit about your persona, so trying a new lipstick based on your sign is a fun, New Age-y way to find a new lip color. Get your lipstick horoscope

A Single Girl's Pink Valentine

A Single Girl's Pink Valentine by yummy411 featuring Marc Jacobs bags

Items in this set:
3.1 phillip lim tops, 115 GBP
flower petal cardigan, $40
PEACE NOW Zebra Striped High-Tops (Pink), $68
MARC JACOBS 392435 FUSCHIA LEATHER E2080, 475 GBP
Stella Pink Glitz Topring Watch, $85

**CLICK THE PIC TO GO TO MY POLYVORE FOR A FULL LIST OF ITEMS!**

Meagan I need that lip color!

I don't have that perfect skin and complexion to go with it, but that's okay. That's all. Thanks to Black Style Central!

Teen Beauty: 3 Makeup Essentials for Homecoming

Going to your first homecoming? Here are 3 essentials that are fresh and will give you the red carpet, star glow with minimal effort!

Before we get into the makeup essentials and you head out for your night of fun, treat your body to some bronzing lotion/mist! Legs, arms, shoulders.. let them glow!

Sephora's Super Sheen Bronzing Mist, $12(try any item with gold or copper sparkle)

So here are the makeup essentials!

1. Dust your face with a beautiful bronzer like CoverGirl Queen Collection Natural Hue Bronzer, $12.

2. Whether you are jazzing up your eyes with glitter liner or cream shadow, ALWAYS top off the peepers with a fab mascara. Try L'Oreal Voluminous, $7 for dark sooty, long and lush lashes!

3. Pucker up with MAC's lustreglass in Instant Gold, $14. A nice subtle sparkle!

A Touch of MAC Trend F/W '09

I picked up only lippies so far from the new MAC Collections... everything else was sold out =p

The first pic, I'm wearing Runway Fave gloss on my lips- an opalesque gray/light lavendar?
I paired it with a neutral brown light smokey eye. Hmm, the gloss looks quite powdery white/milky pink. It can be, but I had more of a light lavendar, opal sheen to my lips in real life (not too many layers!)
Before I washed off my face of the day, I added a touch of So This Season lipglass over my old Runway Fave. It brightened the color just a bit and primed my lips some what. I'm in love with So This Season, but the pigment settles in my lip lines.. ugh!

I know I need some grease sticks and mineralized eye shadows in my life, but what are your fave lippies from the collections? Combinations? Lippies in general?

*p.s. I was gonna make this Lipstick Week, but I guess I'll post when I post! Just look out for more lip focused posts coming up! Ha!

Update: Drugstore Beauty Jane AquaCeutical BlushStix and Wet N Wild Speed Gloss

During a Drugstore Paparazzi Raid back in May, I came across the Jane BlushStix and Wet N Wild's Speed Gloss. I've tried them out since then and here are my quick thoughts :

Jane BlushStix in Shimmering Brown. The cream blush stick is easy to apply. You dab a few dots on and blend with fingers or other desired tool. It dries down pretty well, leaving a dewy finish, but not as tacky and wet as some other cream/cheek stain products. The color may be a shimmering brown on very fair skins, but on my 'in the middle' NC40 skin, it is barely a blush with a cool silver sheen to it. On my sister who is a wee bit darker than myself, it adds no color and is pointless for her. The only other color available is a lighter pink and I feel safe in assuming these aren't brown girl friendly. (roughtly $7)

Wet N Wild Speed Gloss. I picked up two of these glosses enticed by their shimmering iridescence. The one pictured, which I use the most is 942 Frenzied- a goldish green gloss. It has menthol in it as it calls itself an 'energy boosting lip shine'. Does that mean it's a plumper, or just gives a kick? Either way, I love it and use it daily. I add it over nude color to give that subtle green flash of iridescence like one of my fave Dior lip glosses (Beige Linen? I never get the numbers straight on those Dior glosses). Surprisingly, the tip of the gloss isn't rounded, but has a hard plastic slanted tip. Not common, but not uncomfortable. I think I need to buy a back up! It comes in a variety of colors! ($3.99)

Have any of you tried these out yet? How do you like them?

Obsessive Compulsive Lip Tar Grandma

**Not sure if this post is a waste of time because the colors in the images aren't true to life and that's the main thing that I need to convey. Well, I took the pictures so I shall post =(((( I need to get my photo game skills up!**

This was item #2 on my haul list for The Makeup Show NYC 2009, after #1 Crown Brushes, #1a Face Atelier foundation.. oh forget it. I wanted everything and I wanted it in minutes of being there!

After so much cyber drooling, I got my hands on some of the infamous lip tar. When I got home with my lip tar, witness how it went down: "Yo son, check it! My OCC lip tar in Grandma! Wooo weeee!"

"Ugh, what in the holy colorful caca craziness??" Wet, slick, neon paint!

(I cannot stress enough how the colors are inaccurate. Much brighter in person! *sigh*)

Let's work on this by experimenting.

MAC's Brave New Bronze lipstick + OCC lip tar Grandma

=a bit muted and a satin finish

MAC's Gladiola lipstick + OCC Grandma (in the middle)

= Fuschia, coral, tropical, summer goodness! LIKEY (FAVORITE!)

MAC's Gold Rebel lipglass + OCC Grandma (ever
so lightly in the middle of my lips)= orange popsicle lips.. LIKEY

[**EDITED TO ADD**]: I will say that THESE ARE MY INITIAL REACTIONS and more on a consumer level, than an artist level (since I straddle the fence daily)

I would love to wear this out one night, all made up with my lips as my focus...OMG!! What would glitter look like on these babies.. holy cow!

Pros:
Colorful, creative, for the pro makeup artist, great for photoshoots, can be mixed, lots of fun!
100% vegan, cruelty free, paraben and preservatives free.
Made of castor oil, Vitamin E, peppermint and hemp oil with pure pigments!

[**EDITED TO ADD**]: If you want that 60's monochromatic, IT girl look.. BINGO you have it in an OCC Lip Tar!

Cons:
Maybe not for the everyday consumer.... (unless you are the 'I wear Ruby Woo lipstick alone everday' type)

Tips:
Use very little!
Be careful of squeezing the tube when removing the top
Don't use when going out on a date (if ish gets on some clothes.. oh no! Actually I don't know how it will wash out. It just looks dangerous lol)

This is a full coverage lip, use with a FULL face of makeup (if you are wearing the tube color and not sheered down)

Check out Jude to see her work these babies!

Swatches 1 and custom blends

Swatches 2

Mixing Lip Tars!

$12.50, 10ml, 12 colors, OCC Lip Tars

Have you tried these? What do you think as a makeup artist? Or as a regular consumer?

Rimmel Underground Kiss Off! Lip Gloss

"Rimmell Kiss Off! Lip Glosses are smooth and slick- never sticky. Each shimmering shade features a brush applicator for excellent coverage."- Ulta description.

Those claims are very true... and I'm loving these glosses. Fun colors, a good variety and for goodness sakes a brush applicator! (I control the amount I want, not a stopper!)

However, when I use these glosses I get a flash back of a hair brush, cup of water, hair braiding, beads and some foil (before we got hip to putting hair beads on with rubber bands) and my mother saying "Hold your head down!  Turn your head this way!"

Why?

Because Rimmel Kiss Off! Lip Glosses are a dead ringer for the smell of this.........

0_o???

*sigh*

Don't get all bougie on me and act like y'all never used this (my African American sisters, that is).  Oh your mama only bought you the yellow Indian Hemp Hair Food or Pink Moisturizer? Pshh, we had the big hair and bow-rette bin, yes I said bow-rette,  with beads, ties, combs, everything for a family with 3 girls.  We always had a jar of Blue Magic around that would inevitably get a hole in the bottom... that's the excitement of that 'new shatter-proof jar' claim. 

I don't know if I can live with Blue Magic lip gloss........

Drugstore Paparazzi 5-02-2009: Jane AguaCeuticals Blush Stix, Wet N Wild Speed Gloss

Rite Aid Drugstore usually keeps me up to date on new releases from lines like N.Y.C., Jane, Jesse Girl Cosmetics and more.  It was no surprise when I visited the store and found these two new releases from Jane and Wet N Wild.


Jane. (Be Pure)AguaCeuticals BlushStix and AguaGlow Bronzer.  As you can see it retails for $6.49.  The BlushStixs come in two colors, Peach and Bronze. There are two Bronzers bricked/mosaics.  I didn't check those out too closely, but I did get a BlushStix.  The packaging is made from recycled materials.. how cool?! I like that cosmetic companies are going green!

I love stick blushes, creme blushes and cheeks stains.  Can't wait to give these babies a whirl! 


Wet N Wild Speed Gloss collection has quite a variety of colors as you can see.  They retail for about $3.99.  I  picked up two of these babies back in February.  I guess the product is slowly making its way into the store (or should I say getting stocked!?)

I've test driven these for a while now, so I'll have a review up soon!

Yummy411: New Nars This Holiday

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil & Sharpener Sets - $45
This famous trio of long-lasting non-drying creamy lipstick in the convenience of a pencil will deliver a velvet matte finish for seamless color. Plus a signature NARS sharpener so you'll never be dull. Available in 2 different sets.

NARS Striptease Lip Gloss /Deep Throat Blush Duo - $45
Create a shimmery lip and a radiant, healthy complexion with NARS' classic favorites: Striptease Lip Gloss paired with Deep Throat Blush.

NARS Lovejoy/Albatross/Dolce Vita Set - $50
Packed in a signature NARS box and valued at $60, this must-have set includes a Highlighter/Blush Duo in Albatross and Lovejoy, plus a Dolce Vita Lip Gloss.

NARS Lip Gloss Collection - $45
Create festive pouts in NARS' favorite shades with this Lip Gloss Collection. Boasting five all-time popular shades - Striptease, Orgasm, Bloodwork, Harlow and Triple X - this set is the ultimate in creating a sexy lip with serious shine. Valued at over $60.

NARS 3-Piece Duo Lip Gloss Set - $45
Give the gift of sultry lips with this Duo Lip Gloss Set. Included are three dual-ended lip glosses offering six of the most sought-after shades: Boogie Nights/Giza, Rose Birman/Chihuahua and Harlow/Sweet Dreams. Encased in a black box with a NARS-labeled ribbon.

NARS Holiday Eye Palette - $50 (not pictured)
Showcasing six of NARS' most sought-after eye colors (Bohemian Gold, Himalayas, Kilimanjaro, Night Flight, Ondine and Surabaya), this ultra-chic Holiday Palette puts on-the-go glamour at your fingertips.

The Nars gods want us to sell our souls.... obeejeebus! The Deep Throat and Striptease set is so mine!