Sunday, November 29, 2009

Collective Haul & Brief Review

Sadly, there's not much to do in this kind of rainy weather. For the past few weekends I've just been shopping and eating at the mall. I usually don't do hauls because some people see it as a form of showing off and I honestly don't buy a lot of makeup... but that was then. I don't know what's going on with me these days.. I find myself easily influenced by makeup gurus and beauty bloggers! I forgive myself though because each item is well under $10 compared to a single designer eyeshadow palette that can range from $50-$70 :D

Top Row (left to right): Maybelline Eyestudio Eyeshadow Quads in Purple Icon 30, Give Me Gold 05, Pink Persuasion 80
Second Row (left to right): Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Peach Satin 20 and Rose Petal 25, Maybelline Eyestudio Eyeshadow Quads in Sapphire Siren 20 and Green with Envy 40
Third Row (left to right): Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in Hazel 002, Rimmel Eye Twist Automatic duo liner and shadow, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Life's A Peach 110, Maybelline Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara, Maybelline Expertwear Eyeshadow Quads in Designer Chocolates 40 and Chai Latte 22 , Maybelline Stylish Smokes Eyeshadow Quads in Charcoal Smokes 04 and Emerald Smokes 08


Top Row (left to right): Maybelline Eyestudio Eyeshadow Quads in Purple Icon 30, Give Me Gold 05, Pink Persuasion 80 - I absolutely love these! They weren't advertised well at all! I never even heard about it until I saw the new display at my local Walmart. I wasn't sure if they were limited edition so I picked up a couple the first time. They are very shimmery and pigmented shadows. Not glittery, over-the-top shimmery but iridescent like the swatches I see of Majolica Majorca eyeshadows. This is not something you'd typically find in a drugstore!

Second Row (left to right): Maybelline Dream Mousse Blush in Peach Satin 20 and Rose Petal 25. Peach satin didn't work for me because it was too light and all I could see was the silver glitter that made me look like a disco queen from the 80's. It was hot.... you should've seen me =D I didn't even give Rose Petal a chance after that. I prefer my powder blushes over these anytime.

Second Row (cont.): Maybelline Eyestudio Eyeshadow Quads in Sapphire Siren 20 and Green with Envy 40. Once again, I love these. Green with Envy is my personal favorite because all the colors are different from one another and they really suit my skin tone and eye color!

Third Row (left to right): Rimmel Professional Eyebrow Pencil in Hazel 002 - Filling brows with powder take time so when I'm in a rush, I tend to use pencil. Some people say that pencil looks unnatural but I believe I've mastered the art of achieving natural brows with pencil! Hazel didn't work though because it's too light for me and has a bit of a red undertone. I'll just stick to my Prestige brow pencil in Earth Brown. Rimmel Eye Twist Automatic duo liner and shadow - This comes in a champagne color eyeshadow and a brown liner. I got this on clearance and I can see why! The shadow stick is hard, much like MAC's shadestick! It takes a lot of effort to apply this but I use it as a highlight on top of my cupid's bow and it is perfect for that. Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss in Life's A Peach 110 - My favorite drugstore lipgloss. Love the texture and the color. This is my second one, the tube looks like a decent size but there's not much product in it. Maybelline Pulse Perfection Vibrating Mascara - I've always wanted to try this but I didn't think $18 for a mascara was worth it. However, this was finally on sale and I snatched the waterproof version for $10! I opened it to look at the applicator but I haven't tried it yet. Maybelline Expertwear Eyeshadow Quads in Designer Chocolates 40 and Chai Latte 22 - I've heard so many great reviews and raves on these quads and WOW, I can't believe how much I didn't like them. I guess what may work for one, may not work for another. The colors look nice in the pan but they barely showed up on my skin. I had to literally scrape the brush on the shadow to transfer it. I know I didn't get an old batch because these where in the new packaging. FAIL. Maybelline Stylish Smokes Eyeshadow Quads in Charcoal Smokes 04 and Emerald Smokes 08 - Guess what? I like these. The colors are pigmented, silky, and lustrous. I plan on getting one more in Natural Smokes.

That's it for now. It's pouring and chilly outside but my home is warm and cozy. I am so thankful I'm not out there sleeping in a wet cardboard box. We are too fortunate. Good night babes :)

Monday, November 2, 2009

Annabelle Super Nova Winter Collection + Gosh Darling Lipstick


Annabelle is a makeup brand based in Canada. It's sold at many drugstores and comes with an affordable price tag. One thing that distinguishes Annabelle from the other drugstore brand is its pretty and professional packaging. The single eyeshadow looks like MAC's exactly. Quality and pigmentation is good as well!


I finally picked up their custom quad eyeshadows a few days ago and I must say, I'm quite pleased with the texture and color payoff.. really smooth and pigmented for $3! I got it on sale, reg is $4-$5 which is still cheap!!! Here I am putting them into my palette! I found it in the house so it must belong to one of my sisters but it's mine now! muahahaha

Annabelle also comes up with limited edition products every season which is great and I always get at least one thing from the line. This Winter, they launched their Super Nova Collection which includes 3 dome eyeshadow trios, glitter eyeliners, glitter dust, striped highlighter, and a pinky nude lipgloss. I went to Shoppers Drug Mart two weeks ago and picked up 2 eyeshadow trios because they really caught my eyes! The consistency is exactly like MAC's mineralized duo eyeshadow (I own Engaging and compared). Here are the swatches applied dried, you can imagine how vibrant it'd be if applied wet. I think they are baked and mineralized but don't quote me on that.



I love Bling Blang (lilac, lime green, pastel blue) the most even though the colors are more reminiscent of Easter and Moon Illusion (white, cream, black) is really pretty and versatile too. The other trio was Blue Nebula (grey, charcoal, navy blue) but I don't wear enough blue to care for that one.


And lastly, I picked up Gosh's Velvet Touch lipstick in Darling 134. Very moisturizing, nice smell, pretty light nude color with pink undertones. I wouldn't wear this lipstick on it's own though because it is really pale. Top it off with a light pink lipsgloss and you're good to go! :) I've been wearing it since I got it! can't get enough!
~
On a different, I came home yesterday and found out that I won the DSK Jewelry Lottery for the month of October! WOWWEEE! I am so stoked!! hehe For those of you who don't know, Steph (the brains behind DSK Jewelry) is a girl who makes swarovski crystal jewelry and sells them online. Popular gurus on youtube such as Bubz and Holly sport her intricate pieces... and now I win some moon pendants! So happy! Please check out her site and follow her for the chance to win next month's lottery! It could be YOU!
:)
Toodles!