Day 12: what's in my bag

The bag itself was a gift from j0hn for a holiday.  It came from Claire's and was apparently limited edition.

The clear bag is my cosmetics bag.  I have five lip products in there from MSC, the balm, smashbox? and Hourglass.

Below that is my wallet.  I got that from Urban Outfitters, Rainbow or Claire's.  I don't remember.

There is tampons, ibeprofen, tension headache tylenol, my name tag, Tokidoki mints, gum, a pen, keys and a fortune from a fortune cookie.  It reads something about being creative on Friday.  I kept it because Friday comes every week!

The last stack is random paper that has been deemed necessary to hang on to, though I couldn't tell you why?

posted from Bloggeroid

FOTD

Not mine... Meg's. =]

Happy monday!

posted from Bloggeroid

Days 9, 10 & 11!

 

Day 9:  Shoes you love but never wear.  These are the shoes I'm going to wear to Amanda's wedding.
Day 10:  Your favorite nail polish.  That's a flakie duo.  I love flakie nail polish!
Day 11:  A piece of jewelry that means something special to you.  My MSC model necklace.  =D

 toposted from Bloggeroid

HOTD

I finally took out my braids and I look like a poodle. XD

posted from Bloggeroid

New primer to love?

This is after being in 90 degree heat in mostly direct sunlight with a sweaty four year old for... hours. Sadly, I don't smell so well. :(  I still have almost all of my eyebrows on and I was literally sweating for hours straight.. I'm happy.  I don't even look oily, just a touch shiny.  What is this miracle?  Murad Hybrids Skin Perfecting Primer Matte Finish.  It's only $35 a bottle, compared to my beloved Hourglass Primer at $52.

posted from Bloggeroid

Fotd

Serious face. XD

I have on:
Murad Hybrids Skin Perfecting Primer in Matte Finish
MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC20
MAC Studio Fix Powder in NC20
NARS blush in Gaity
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in Original Chocolate
ELF Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Black (eyebrows)
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Urban Decay eyeshadow in Graffiti
Wet N Wild eyeshadow in Brulee
Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Pencil in Zero
Tarte Gifted mascara

posted from Bloggeroid

My Favorite Mascaras (Long Lashes)

The time has come that you won't be seeing a lot from me about mascaras because as you guys know, I've gotten very strict on my cosmetics being not only cruelty free, but also vegan.  In the past, if I didn't see a blatently non-vegan ingredient, I tended to not worry about it.  Nowadays, it's the opposite; if I don't see that a product is blatently labeled vegan, I don't buy it.  I do get a lot of product to try from work, so those items still come and go and that's why you occasionally see me wearing a product that is not only not vegan, but also occasionally not cruelty free (though I try to avoid those unless it's associated with brand training).

As I part my ways with non-vegan mascaras, I will leave you with my top five choices.  These will all be cruelty free, but not vegan.  You WILL see vegan mascara reviews in the future.  I can also try out mascaras from any brand we carry in store, but occasionally the quality is compromised because it's a tester and people leave lids open, etc, etc.   None the less, don't feel like you can't ask me about other mascaras, just don't expect to see a full write up on them; if that makes sense?

Okay!  Onward with my top five mascaras!

1.  Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! mascara - $19 (also available in a waterproof formula)
I first tried this mascara in a tiny trial size when one of the lovely ladies at my Sephora offered it to me with a smile in response to my question, "Do you guys ever do mascara samples?  I'm scared to try the ones here in store and I know it's kind of impossible to sample out the testers..."  I tried it that same day and fell in love immediately.  I was terrified of the $19 price point, but realized that all of the drug store cruelty free mascaras were also pretty expensive ($9 and up for common brands like Almay and Physician's Formula) outside of my beloved Wet n Wild and NYC.  Even Hard Candy mascaras are at least $8.  Besides, none of those drug store mascaras had ever wowed me like this one had.  The formula wasn't too wet or dry, so it applied easily without making a giant mess of my long lashes.  The brush was a more traditional nylon style, without being large or bushy.  I later found that this was my favorite brush type.  I never had problems with flaking or raccoon eyes until the mascara was spent and ready to be thrown out.  The packaging was cute, and it was from a much more natural brand.  I was sold.  I was especially happy to find that there was a waterproof version as well, should I need it.
Update:  This formula is now vegan!

2.  Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay mascara - $19
This one was much more recently discovered, as it's just come out in the last six month.  Again from Tarte, it had great packaging, a more natural formula, and damn near the same brush as my beloved Lights, Camera, Lashes! mascara.  I noticed that this one has easy to build volume, assumably from the clay, and I never had issues with flaking.  I generally only needed one coat with this mascara, though I did occasionally wear two coats when I just wanted.. more.  It also had the not too wet, not too dry consistency that works so well with my long lashes.  I recommend this one to client who want to try something that's recently come out but isn't Diorshow New Look, haha.
Update:  This formula is now vegan!

3.  Sephora Lash Plumper mascara - $12
I received this mascara as a birthday gift from Sephora in 2010, and have loved it since.  I've repurchased it many times, though it's not what I typically reach for, brush wise.  It's a slightly fluffier brush to go with it's more voluminous formula.  This mascara is everything I want, though I will tell you, it's a bit stubborn to remove.  I did a full write up on my love for this mascara here.

4.  NYC Show Time Waterproof Volumizing Mascara - around $3-$4
This is the only waterproof mascara that I keep in my drawer on a regular basis.  The formula is nice, though slightly wetter than anything else on this list.  I've never actually tested how waterproof it is (ie: no crying, rain, etc), but I do know that I never had problems with flaking or raccooning, which can easily happen with drug store brands.  I don't wear a waterproof formula that often, only if I'm going to be sweating, so I don't like to spend a ton on a mascara that won't be used to it's full potential.  This one is awesome.  It's cheap.  And the brush is pretty similar to the kind I love.

5.  Lumene Natural Code Eye Dramatizer Lash-Extending Mascara - price unknown
I received this mascara in a swap with my friend Emilia who lives in Finland.  Sadly, I can't find this mascara online anywhere to buy, but I'm guessing it has to do with the fact that I'm not searching for it in Finnish.  It's a great formula, though more wet than I usually like.  The brush helps tame how wet it is, as it's short and tapered (as it should be for a good lengthening formula).  I don't need a ton of length, but I have noticed that this does a great job of actually get from root to lash tip.  It offers definition without having a pesky rubber bristle brush.  The ingredient list is more natural than I'm used to, and with any luck, it may be vegan!  Emilia emailed Lumene for me to find out if the formula is vegan or not, since my Finnish is.. well, I don't speak it.  At all.

FTC: Mascara one I received a free sample of, but purchased a full size of.  Mascara two I received for free from work.  Mascara three I initially received a free sample of, but bought many full sizes later.  Mascara four I purchased.  Mascara five I received as a gift from my friend.  These are my honest opinions and I am not being compensated for this post.

Day Eight: a daily must have item

I chose two.  I use my Philosophy Take a Deep Breath every morning after I wash my face because it's a lightweight gel hydrator that works really well with my combo/oily skin.  The other item is an MSC lip bomb, in this case, one of the mango butter ones; I use at least one of these each day.  I own like twenty, haha.

posted from Bloggeroid

Day Seven.

Oddly enough, I choose my LONG HAIR & drawn on eyebrows for this one, hahah.

So.. the last time I had long hair was in the fourth grade (for those of you counting, like 15 years ago).  Having long hair makes me think of being a little kid and pony tails and horribly tacky 90's hair accessories.. and that makes me happy.  Hell, thinking about the 90s in general makes me happy.  What a time that was.  Before that, I had chin length hair that was a long bowl cut that my granny used to give all of us (hence why my hair was really long once I had an opinion about my hair.. it was either bowl cut or no cut, haha).

My drawn on eyebrows?  Well, j0hn and I clearly have an odd relationship.  The night we waxed off our eyebrows together, though odd to most, was a bonding experience.  Also, it didn't hurt, like, at all, so it was an all around good night.  We giggled at how silly I looked, we laughed at how horrible I was at drawing them on, and we were bummed by how little anyone noticed that j0hn's were gone.

PS:  Also happy evoking in this photo?  The Cruelty Free necklace I'm wearing that Danielle unexpectedly sent me (makes me smile everytime I look in the mirror), my Tangerine Tango hair flowers and tank top (that I bought while training for Sephora in Minneapolis), and my snakebites, which were a gift to myself after I quit my "corporate" job, haha (see: Blockbuster).  My arm tattoos represent my veganism and my love for Batman, both of which are pretty awesome things.  =]

Day Six: Something You Wish You Wore More Often

I don't wear foiling mediums and bases OR fake eyelashes nearly enough.  Bases and mediums are always an after thought ("this would have looked SO GOOD over Awesome Sauce!!") and fake eyelashes are always a pain for me to put on unless they're only half lashes.  I need to get over avoiding fake eyelashes though because I absolutely love the way they look when applied properly.

posted from Bloggeroid

Blog Sale!! =D

BLOG SALE!  =D

If you buy more than one item, they will obviously be sent together in one package.  =]  Shipping is probably going to be around $3, so just add $3 plus the items combined and send the money as a gift to my paypal at bethbr00tality@gmail.com.  If you buy a lot of items, shipping may be more.

If you want an item, say so, and I will hold that item for you to pay for 24 hours.  After 24 hours, I will release the item to be purchased again.  Please don't ask me to hold an item if you aren't going to purchase it.

I will eventually take photos, but my camera is dead right now.  As a general disclaimer:  I don't think any of these items are vegan.

mark. cosmetics:

Super Flip -$7
http://meetmarkbeauty.onsugar.com/FREE-mark-Make-Big-Lash-Plumping-Mascara-7-value-when-you-purchase-mark-Super-Flip-Color-Kit-12670848
9 eyeshadows (a few have been swatched)
6 lipglosses & 3 lip colors (one has been swatched)

It Kit - $7
http://www.musingsofamuse.com/2011/03/new-in-beauty-mark-what-a-line-felt-tip-eyeliner-mark-it-kit-trend-color-compact-mark-nailed-it-trend-mini-lacquer.html
3 eyeshadows
1 bronzer (has a mark on it, but i've never used it, i think it was from the plastic film)
3 lipglosses
3 cream colors for eyes, lips & cheeks

Rebel Rose Eyeshadow Quad - $4 [SOLD]
http://dailingfordollars.ecrater.com/p/6069075/rebel-rose-eye-shadow-quad
4 eyeshadows - Rebel, Saucy, Corset & Luvstruck
never used, came with pan slightly ajar & it made the film rub on the surface of the shadows

Get A Tint in Buff/Natural - $5
http://shop.meetmark.com/shop/product.aspx?pf_id=36644&level1_id=300&level2_id=469&pdept_id=483&&dept_id=490&cat_type=C
I've only used this a handful of times just to test out the consistency.. it's too dark on me, and I'm NC15/20, so I'd say NC25-35 could wear this.

Other Brands (see individual products):

Wet N Wild Mega Glo Illuminating Powder in Catwalk Pink - $2
http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=101191/Mega_Glo_Illuminating_Powder_in_
I swatched this once.  Not what I expected and apparently not vegan (oops), so I'll probably never use it.  Beautiful illuminating powder though.

Rimmel Natural Bronzer in Sun Dance - $2
http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/rimmel-natural-bronzer/ID=prod1544059-product
I rarely use shimmery bronzers now.  I got this last summer when I was tan as heck.  Not planning on doing that anymore.  Has been used maybe a dozen times, so there is signs of use.

NYC Cheek Glow in Central Park Pink - $1
http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=85348/Central-Park-Pink-655B/New-York-Color/Blush
Not enough color in this for me, I like my pinks more of a peach or blue based pink, this is more neutral & pastel.  It's a touch warm and it has a kiss of peach micro-glitter in it.  Best use as a highlight, or for an all over glow (like a beauty powder).  Used a half a dozen times, but hardly any signs of use.

Ulta Eyeshadow Single in Gold Leaf - $2
http://m.ulta.com/mt/www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp;jsessionid=7A9EACBA8310B5C25B9536B9ADB24FFC.p-a2-app1?productId=xlsImpprod3570089&skuId=2231890&un_jtt_v_page=1
I bought this to do a holiday look, but after using it once, it wasn't the color I wanted.  So.. it's sat in my drawer since, haha.

Hot Topic Eyeshadow Quads - $3 each or all five for $10  [SOLD]
http://www.kaboodle.com/shop/z/z/plexi-eye-shadow?q=plexi+eye+shadow&st=item
I bought these because they reminded me of Tokidoki.  Some I got at full price, some I got on clearance (different trips).  One is still new & sealed, the rest are open, but unused.  I swatched the Unicorn one.  I lost the sponge tip applicator to the Octopus one.  I'm sure I dropped it & just threw it away.. once those things hit the ground they are trash.  I have Unicorn, Octopus, Monster, Cloud & Panda.

Physician's Formula Multi-Color Blush in Blushing Berry - $5
http://www.cvs.com/CVSApp/catalog/shop_product_detail.jsp?filterBy=&skuId=205376&productId=205376&navAction=push&navCount=1&no_new_crumb=true
I used this a handful of times.  The little brush inside is still in the plastic, unused.  Cute color, just not for me.

Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips Custom Eye Enhancing Shadow & Liner in Pop Hazel Eyes - $5
http://www.physiciansformula.com/en-us/productdetail/eyes/eye-shadows/07055.html
Pretty colors, not what I was expecting.  I've swatched a few of the colors.  This was isn't vegan either, sadly.  Missed carmine in the list, somehow when I bought it.

NYX Eyeshadow Single in Taupe - $3
http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/products/eyes/eye-shadow/single-eye-shadow
I literally used this once, haha.  Then it went in the drawer and I haven't looked at it since.  Pretty light to medium brown with blue shimmer.

Hard Candy Baked Eyeshadow Duo in Secret Rendezvous - $4
http://www.makeupalley.com/product/showreview.asp/ItemId=139538/Kaleyedescope_Baked_Duo_in_Secret_Rendesvous/Hard_Candy/Eye_Shadow
I would love this if these colors were matte.. they'd make a great Bert McCracken eye, haha.  Sadly they're shimmery so they need a new home.  I swatched both sides, and the darker color came to me with a dent out of it (which is pretty common with cosmetics at Wal-mart, haha).

That's it for tonight!  I might go through some more drawers tomorrow!

Day Five: Your Best Bargain Buy

I have several items I would choose as bargain buys, but let's face it.. this is the best one.  It's the ELF Liquid Eyeliner.  It's $1.  I wear it every single day as my eyebrows.  It doesn't (usually) grey out, it last all day, and it comes off easily at the end of the day.  I love it.

Warning:  they've apparently since changed the brush.  Crap.  Looks like I'll be getting the Sephora liner next.

EOTD

MSC pigments:
Unbirthday Star
Mushroom Jazz
Outlaw Star
Purple People Eater
Birfday Suit
Who R U?

posted from Bloggeroid

Day four: your favorite eyeshadow color

Hands down? Green. These are my greens just from msc, haha.  & I'm missing a few.

posted from Bloggeroid

Day three: something I've never worn

These are all of my unopened pigments from msc. O.o gotta change that on as many as possible tomorrow.

posted from Bloggeroid

EOTD: urban decay love

I busted out my oldest makeup friend for this, Urban Decay's Deluxe Shadow Box. This palette was my first high end makeup purchase when I was like 19. =]

I used Graffiti, Random and Fishnet, with Peace below.

posted from Bloggeroid

Day Two: A Scent You Can't Live Without

I love vanilla. It's, hands down, my favorite scent note. Creamy, sweet vanilla is my favorite, and sinful vanilla is just that. The vanilla and tonka in Burberry Brit has me addicted.

For a pre mixed fragrance, I love Victoria's Secret's Love Spell.

I also love chocolate, sweet florals, and pumpkin.

ps: I almost took a picture of my Too Faced Chocolate Soleil bronzer instead, haha.

posted from Bloggeroid

30 Day Challenge - Day One: My Wardrobe

I'll be honest, getting a walk in closet made j0hn and I squee like little girls.  That said, you'll notice that j0hn and I are a little goth.. and messy.  The right side is his, so I didn't bother about getting it into the shot.  In the back are tarantula cages, haha.

The bright blue dress is my bridesmaid dress.. I'm the maid of honor to my best friend of 21 years.  =]

&that is a very bad kitten sleeping on an Ikea bag full of clean laundry.  Bad kitten.

The Meeples are doing this & I want to play too!  =D

I'm starting tomorrow, so for today here's this!

Fotd notd green

Face:
ELF Tinted Moisturizer in nude
MAC Studio Fix Powder in nc20
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer
Physician's Formula Mood & Glow Boosting Blush in Rose
Peter Thomas Roth SPF 30 Powder

Eyes:
MTcoffinz Under the Rainbow Primer
MSC pigment in Who R U
MUFE Aqua Eyes in 0L
Tarte Gifted mascara

Nails:
Seche CLEAR
Pure Ice Vinyl Remix in DJ Spinner
Seche VITE

posted from Bloggeroid

Last Night's FOTD: goth slash industrial style

Last night j0hn & I were guest entertainers at Acidic Trends presents: Triage.  We both donned nurse dresses, boots, and lots and lots of black paint (j0hn moreso than me).  The colors on my face are mostly from a Revlon cream palette, as well as some Ben Nye.  As far as regular cosmetics go, there some ELF liquid eyeliner, NYX black eyeshadow and a combination of MAC and Beauty Without Cruelty lipsticks.  Oh, and the mascara was the beloved Tarte Gifted mascara.  I think I set my makeup with the ELF HD powder.

j0hn had on lots of black paint, ELF liquid liner, Pumpkin & Poppy foundation, and a combination of Wet N Wild's Panther and MSC's Bitten for eyeshadow.  His lipstick is Black Radiance, for all of you goth kids trying to find good black lipstick on a budget.

FTC:  The BWC lipstick was sent to me for use and review and I received the mascara from work.  j0hn may or may not have gotten Bitten when he was a model for MSC.  He isn't anymore, sadly.  We used these cosmetics because we like them, and these are our honest opinions.

FOTD: Urban Decay Love

This is totally irrelevant BUT: I got in mail today from both MSC & a present from fellow Madd Cat & vegan, Danielle.  She sent me this amazing necklace that I used to have a similar one of for years (it was a rat last time, not a bunny) and I've since lost it and was absolutely heartbroken.  When I got this one today I was nearly in tears.  Even j0hn recognized it as soon as I opened the box.  Even more amazing was that I had no idea it was coming!!  That sneaky little dslrbt.  I'm wearing the necklace in the picture because I haven't taken it off since I opened it this morning, haha.  My boss didn't even ask me to take it off at work!

For my makeup today, I wanted to (kind of) recreate a look I did on a client yesterday.  The main differences being that she had the most amazing eyes, both in shape, color and OHMYGOSHLASHES, and, well, I have my eyes.  I kept all of the colors though!!  And it's really faded now but I honestly just wanted to show off my necklace.  XD


My face is sadly faded, but I had on Beauty Without Cruelty's Ultimate Natural Liquid Foundation in Fair [vegan & cruelty-free] , topped with MAC's Studio Finish Concealer in NC20.  I set everything with ELF's HD Powder, which I'm pretty sure is vegan and cruelty free.  I put on the ELF Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in Luminance, and at work I put on Benefit's Hervana blush and the new Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in Milk Chocolate (still vegan, by the way).

On my eyes, I started off with the sadly non-vegan Too Faced Shadow Insurance, and drew my brows on with NYX eyeshadow in black.  Then I busted out an old friend, my beloved Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box (which only has one vegan shade: Peace).  I put Scratch all over the lid, blended Fishnet across from the outer corner over most of the way to the inner corner, then put Ransom in the outer v.  I used a white liner below my eyes from Jordana, topped with the Wet N Wild Color Icon liner in Cool Green.  I topped that with Graffiti eyeshadow.  My brow highlight is Brulee from Wet N Wild today.  I lined my water lines and tightlined from below the lashes on top more heavily in the middle to make my eyes appear a little rounder with the Sephora + Pantone Universe Color of the Year liner in Chestnut (which is actually quite dark, but sadly, not vegan).  I finished the look by curling my lashes and adding a coat of Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay mascara to my top and bottom lashes.

My lips are nude now, but I did have on a purple gloss from Buxom.

FTC:  The necklace was a gift.  I received from work/used at work the blush, bronzer, gloss and mascara.  I received the BWC foundation for use and review.  Everything else I paid for with my own money.  I am not being compensated by the brands featured in this post and these are my honest opinions.

Found this today.

This is in the June 2012 issue from Glamour.

"Makeup artist Steven Huynh did a layer of green powder shadow, then a brushstroke of greasepaint on top."

I'm going to do this very soon on j0hn, because my eyes won't allow it.

FOTD: Keepin' It Cool

So my initial plan was to only wear cool colors on my face today, but there is a very good chance I led myself astray.

One day, I will be capable of good photos.

I started off with my Hourglass primer and today felt like a Beauty Without Cruelty Ultimate Natural Liquid Foundation kind of day.  I used my MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC20, and finished everything with ELF HD Powder.  My cheeks are a combination of Viva La Diva blush in Paparazzi, ELF Healthy Glow Bronzing Powder in Luminance, and Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in Original Chocolate.

I started off my eyes with Too Faced Shadow Insurance.  I used my Naked palette today, using the color Sin all over the lid, Toasted in the crease and Hustle in the outer v.  MSC e/s in Birthday was my brow highlight, as usual.  My brows, as usual, are ELF Liquid Eyeliner in Black.  For my eyes, I lined first with Sephora + Pantone Color of the Year liner in Chestnut in the lower lash line, and then put MUFE Aqua Eyes liner in 0L on the lower water line.  I curled my lashes and used the Tarte Gifted mascara in Black.

For my lips, I started off with the MSC lip bomb in Marshmellow Peeps to condition my lips, then I added Lancome's Rouge In Love #353.

NOTD: New Wet N Wild Polishes!

In my last post, I mentioned being in love with the new Wet N Wild Color Icon polishes because they were all duochromes.  Now, I don't know how everyone manages to photograph duochromes, and I am completely open to suggestions.  Here are my poor excuses of photographs in which I attempted to capture the colors on my nails.  Also, this was after doing the dishes, so my cuticles look extra awesome... though it shows the staying power of the Seche VITE!

Three coats of Born Into Privelage over Seche CLEAR and topped with Seche VITE.

All of the nails are over Seche CLEAR and under Seche VITE.  My fingernails are three coats of the Crown Is Mine, and my thumbnail is two or three coats of Tazmanian Devil from Confetti, though it looks a little reminiscent of Spark-tacular/Rainbow Connection by OPI.  Dupe test tomorrow!