Makeup challenge fail + FOTD, finally!

So, you can probably tell from the lack of updates how miserably I failed my FOTD challenge. I did maybe one look right after that post, but I ended up getting so lazy!!! >.<  Lol, oh well, you girlies would’ve probably gotten sick of my face anyway. Seriously, I hate myself for giving up so easily, but I do realize that making myself do five consecutive FOTD’s might have been a little too much!

Anyway, I managed to put a look together with the help of the hubby, aka mr. camera man, and I am really proud of how it turned out. I did wear a toned down version of the look to school this morning, but I decided to spice it up for the FOTD. So here it is, and I’m calling it “Pretty Ruthless”. Lol, please help me work on my naming skills!

This is a close-up of the eyes, the color is much more blue/gray IRL (courtesy of my 88 warm palette), but the flash and my hubby’s sucky camera skills failed to capture the true color. :D

I used:

EYES:

88 Warm Palette ( silver, metallic blue, matte black)

Lancome Definicils Mascara

MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack

FACE:

MAC Studio Sculpt in NC35

MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NW 30

MAC Blush in Cubic

MAC Dazzleglass in Soft Dazzle

Here’s another one of me trying to be “model-esque” but sucking at it! The hubsters said I looked good in it, so I just wanted to show you guys.

 

In other news, I’m pretty frustrated with life right now! I know I’ve brought it up a few times, but college life really is taking a toll on me, both mentally and physically. I’ve been breaking out like crazy and gaining a buttload of weight. The hubby still says I’m sexy, but he has to say that – I think the whole, “you look good baby” package came with the wedding ring! I know I brought it upon myself (taking 7 classes this sem. + 2 in the summer just so I can graduate this fall), but sometimes I feel like the pressure never ends. I really can’t wait till December – I’m planning to throw a big party and hopefully be able to take a much-needed vacation next year. Sorry for unloading all of this drama here, hope I didn’t talk your ears off. Till the next time ladies, muah!

FOTD and my makeup challenge

First off, here are a few FOTD pics taken about a week ago. I just felt like doing a really natural, clean face because; 1) l haven’t had the time to really put on a decent face :( , and 2) I felt like a natural face was better than no face at all.

If I remember correctly, I used my Revlon Photoready foundation, MAC Studio Sculpt concealer, NYX Brown Eyes Palette (lilac, purple, and dark brown), Estee Lauder Softsmudge Black liner, Lancome’s Mandarin Sky blush and a light application of my MAC sweetie (lustre) and some lipgloss.
I was pretty happy with how it turned out, just a no-frills, simple look. I might do this again, with other colors from my highly neglected NYX palette. :D

So on to other stuff, you might be wondering about the last part of this post’s title, “…and my makeup challenge.” As I’ve said before, school really has been sucking the life out of me and the first thing I sacrificed was makeup. :(  Aside from powder and some lipbalm (sometimes no powder at all), I’ve been foregoing makeup on a regular basis. So, here I am, sitting in front of my work/vanity desk and I’m starting to realize how much I miss being made up. Therefore, I’ve decided to challenge myself! I am going to do an FOTD everyday, for the next five days, even if it kills me (lol, so dramatic). Here are my conditions:

1. No repeat looks!
2. Black eyeliner, lipgloss and blush do not constitute as a “look”.
3. Try to use my most neglected makeup products (NYX, CoastalScents).
4. Take a picture everyday.
5. Enjoy it!

Tomorrow is going to be a difficult day (I’m in school for 12 hrs., 8 am – 830 pm). I hope I succeed! Wish me luck girlies. :D

First Face of the Day

Yeay, first FOTD using the Lancome shadows and lippies from my GWP. Here are some swatches before I show you the whole look:

(L to R): Juicy Tubes Smoothies in Dreamsicle and Simmer, Color Design Lippies in Natural Beauty and Designer Bloom

(L to R): Bikini Golden (Shimmer), Honeymoon (Sheen), Lezard (Matte), Chic (Matte)

I decided to do a Nighttime look instead of a Daytime, even though the colors in the Eyeshadow Quad are mostly neutral.

So, without further adieu, here are the pictures:

Products I used:

FACE:

• MAC StudioFinish Concealer in NW30
• Makeup Designory Blue Corrector Concealer
• MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation in NC35
• MAC Select Sheer/Pressed Powder in NC25

EYES:

• NYX Eyebrow Powder
• Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Eyeshadow Creme in Ivory Lace
• Lancome GWP Quad (Bikini Golden all over lid, Chic in the inner crease, Lezard on the outer crease, Honeymoon as a highlighter)
• Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette ( Matte dark brown on my outer V)
• Lancome Definicils Mascara
• MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack (Upper lashline)
• MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved (Upper and lower waterline)
• MAC Eye Kohl in Powersurge (Lower lashline)

CHEEKS:

• MAC Powder Blush in Cubic (Contour)
• Lancome Blush in Mandarin Sky (Apples of Cheeks)

LIPS:

• Lancome Color Design Lipstick in Natural Beauty
• Lancome Juicy Tubes Smoothie in Simmer

BRUSHES:

• MAC 219, 217, & 252 for Eyes
• MAC 188 SE for Foundation
• Makeup Designory Large Foundation Brush for Concealer
• Clarins Kabuki Brush for Powder
• Posh Blush Brush for Cheeks

Close-up pictures of my eyes:

All in all, I was pretty satisfied with how the whole look came out. My hubby saw me after it was all done and he actually liked it – which says a lot, since he really doesn’t like it when I wear too much make-up. With the proper eyeshadow primer, the eyeshadow colors really popped! However, I felt slightly dazed when I saw the list of products I used. Lol, even up to this day, I still don’t believe it when the hubby complains about how much makeup I have. :)

A whole lotta Lancome, pt. 2

Just came back from my weekly jog (trying to turn it into a daily thing) and I just had to jump right in to my next post.
This time, I’m going to be reviewing the Lancome Bien Fait Multi-Vital SPF 30 Suncreen, Bi-Facil Double-Action Eye Makeup Remover, and the High Resolution Refill-3x. Whew, those are some lengthy product names.
Anyway, I’ve been using the Suncreen and  Anti-Wrinkle moisturizer daily, and let me just say, I’ve experienced a marked improvement in my skin – both in texture and pigmentation.
  Pros:  The product consistencies are pretty good – I’ve even stopped using a Primer before putting on foundation, and for some odd reason my skin hasn’t been as oily lately. I’ve also seen a tremendous improvement in my skin pigmentation – I suffered a bout of mild adult acne last year and the scars were horrible, these products have brightened my skin tone and as an added plus, they don’t break me out!
Cons: Hmm, it’s hard to think of one, but I do tend to skip the Anti-Wrinkle cream on occasion, I just feel like I’m putting too much product on my skin sometimes.
Grade: A
The Bi-Facil Eye makeup remover, on the other hand, already has quite a cult following. Read Karen’s review on the product. I have been keeping my usage to a minimum, since I still have about half a bottle of my MAC eye and lip makeup remover left. But so far, this product has worked on even the “toughest stains”. (Yeps, even on MAC Fluidline in Blacktrack)
Pros: As I said earlier, “works on even the toughest stains”, lol.
Cons: I really can’t think of any. :)
Grade: A+
Next up: I’ll be doing a review on the makeup included in the GWP.

A whole lotta Lancome.

First real post on this blog, and I’m pretty darn excited. :)

A few weeks ago, my classmates Karen, Mary Rose and I decided to go to the local Macy’s in between classes. On the way there, I was having a silent conversation with myself on how not to shop, “Don’t buy anything, don’t buy anything!” But as soon as I stepped into the make-up section (MAC, Shiseido, Lancome, Clinique counters, etc.), I felt like little Alice in Wonderland. I just couldn’t help myself! So I decided to look for the best purchase, without burning a hole in my meager pockets.

Just my luck, they were having a GWP special at the Lancome counter. Still, I ended up spending $58, but at least I left feeling satisfied. :)

(L to R): Bienfait Multi-Vital SPF 30 Sunscreen, Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover, Eye Shadow Quad (Honeymoon, Bikini Golden, Chic, Lezard), High Resolution Anti-Wrinkle Cream, (2) Color Design Lippies (Designer Bloom, Natural Beauty), (2) Juicy Tubes Smoothies (Dreamsicle, Simmer)

Pros: Needless to say, I ended up getting lot of bang for my buck! I've been using the Sunscreen and Anti-Wrinkle Cream on a regular basis, and I am in love with the Color Design Lippies, they're very smooth and pigmented. The Juicy Tubes Smoothies surprised me though, I didn't think Lancome could improve on their product, but they have!

Cons: Nothing really, I love all of my purchases! My only complaint might be the colors on the Eyeshadow Quad, they show up too light on my skin. I have to layer them quite a few times.

Grade: A-

Soon to come: A review for each of the products.