Perfect Palette Tag

I watched NickiRothBeauty's video on this tag. She mentioned who started this tag and I watched iluvfaces1042 video that she did with her daughter. It was cute video. Since I don't make videos, a blog post was in order! I do own a lot of palettes. I  love palettes. I'm not a big fan of single eyeshadows in pot form. I do have a lot of single loose Bare Minerals shadows that I do enjoy. Anywho let's jump into the tag! For some of these I may have two responses. That's just how I roll ;)

1. Best Packaging

I don't like bulky palettes. They are hard to store and not convenient for traveling. So for me, best packaging is something sleek, easy to store and doesn't get dirty too easily (especially with fingerprints). So my first choice would be Urban Decays Smoked palette. My second choice would be the Bare Minerals Ready eyeshadow palettes but they pick up fingerprints easily. I've shown this in previous posts.


2. Best Color Payoff

Oh gosh, I could name a bunch of palettes for this one. Any of the Bare Mineral Ready palettes.  You barely have to touch your brush into the eyeshadow to get a good color payoff. I've mentioned these shadows in my four or more tag post as being my top 3 for eyeshadows. The come in duos (2.0), quads (4.0s) and palettes (8.0s). My favorite 2.0 is The Epiphany. My favorite 4.0 is a tie between The Truth and The Happy Place. My favorite 8.0 is The Cocktail Hour. My favorite 8.0 may change since I have The September Issue and The Power Neutrals 8.0s on my wish list.

I'm going to "cheat" and mention another palette but on the lower end of the spectrum. The Wet n Wild and Black Radiance 8 pan palettes (they are made by the same company) have excellent color payoff. The Wet n Wild palettes are around $5 and the Black Radiance ones are around $6 or $7. But of course you can catch sales and use coupons to get them cheaper. If I had to pick one from each brand then I would pick The Comfort Zone (Wet 'n Wild) and Downtown Browns (Black Radiance).


3. Most Versatile

I've gushed over the original Naked Palette so many times. So of course I would talk about it here. I think this is the most versatile because it can take you from a simple daytime look to a dramatic/bolder look for night time. It's the main palette I reach for when I don't know what to do.

4. Best for Traveling

I'm going to cheat here and mention two palettes again. I had mentioned this in my August 2013 favorites. I took the Urban Decay Smoked palette on a work trip and it was so handy. It has quite a few neutral shades along with some pops of color and a black liner which is my favorite black pencil liner Perversion. This is another palette that can give you a wide variety of eye looks.

I'm also going to mention Smashbox's Photo Op Mega palette. This joker has EVERYTHING you need. The only items you would need to add are your face products (foundation, powder, etc). This has a TON on eyeshadows, you get 2 blushes, cream liners, highlight powders, brow powders and lip products. Seriously this is all you. I have traveled with this palette before and it was so handy have all this together in one palette.

5. Biggest Regret

I would say the Tarte True Blood palette. This was a hype product for me. I don't even watch the show. I do like Tarte eyeshadow but I honestly don't reach for it. Tempted to see if I can sell it. We shall see.

6. Best Color Names
I think Urban Decay has the best color names. Border lining on risque even lol. I mean come on now, the dark brown eyeshadow in the Smoked palette is called Backdoor!!! o_O. Some other fun names are Booty Call, Virgin, Sin and Pain Killer.

7. Least Used
Again the Tarte True Blood palette (shown above). I just don't reach for it.


8. Most Used, Most Loved, Desert Island

This one is a no brainier for me. I looooooooove Urban Decay's first Naked palette. For me it's a complete palette where I don't have to reach for another palette or eyeshadow to complete an eye look. Every time I pull this out I fall in love with it all over again. I have to force myself to put it away. Plus I'm a neutral eyeshadow lover and this palette make my inner neutrals whore happy :D

Book Lovin: The "Series" Trend

(Courtesy of Microsoft)

Ok soooooo...before the explosion of ebooks, I know authors would do a series. But I feel like authors didn't drag them out (in some cases) as they are doing now in the ebook world. The e-serial seems to be a new "popular" trend. Some of them are so "bad" you have authors selling a few chapters at a time. Having the price ending up being more that a doggone print book!

This trend makes my azz itch! A bunch of times I'll run across a free book or on sale for 99 cents and it turns out to be an e-serial with 4 or 5 books. I'm like come on now! If it's the first book that's offered up as a "deal", I don't trip as much. BUT when it's like the third of fourth book, I'm like really....REALLY! In some cases you may luck up a find a series that you don't necessarily have to read from book 1. But that doesn't happen all the time.

Hell even larger "traditional" series books are working my nerves! What happened to authors writing trilogies and quartets?! *sigh*. There's only so much you can draw out a series before it becomes redundant.

*sigh* and *ends rant*

Is it just me? I've had this conversation with one of my book lovin sorority sisters and she feels the same way.

TTFN - Ta ta for now!

Election Day Is Coming? Are You Ready?

(Courtesy of Microsoft)

Tuesday, November 5, 2013 is Election Day. It is not a Presidential election BUT it just important nonetheless. Are you ready? Do you know who and what issues you'll be voting on? Do you know your polling place and the hours? Does your employer allow you time off to vote? Google is your friend. Visit your city/county/state websites. Now is the time to get familiar! Even if you think an issue doesn't necessarily pertain to you, think how it will impact your family, your friends, your nieces, nephews, etc. Now is not the time to get complacent. Get the polls and VOTE! Let your voice be heard! Those mofos up on the Hill have their jobs because the PEOPLE put them there. There are SUPPOSED to be focusing on the PEOPLE.  Not their own personal doggone agendas. With everything that  has been going on lately, SHIT is real out here and this foolishness cannot continue! People are HURTING and STRUGGLING! I am very passionate about this and I know those who follow me on various social media outlets probably get sick of me. But you know what? I don't care. I reflect back on the people who fought and died for me to have the right vote. So you damn well believe if there is a vote to be cast, I will be there!! Take someone with you to the polls. Occupy the booth! Get it done!

I ❤ Drugstore Makeup Tag!

Another post just sitting in my drafter folder.

I watched emilynoel83's video on this tag. If you follow her then you know she is a lover of drugstore makeup.  I think in 2011, I started paying more attention to makeup at the drugstore. Doesn't help that I have a CVS and Walgreens within walking distance of where I work. Ulta is close by too. So I decided to give this tag a go. Now keep in mind this a video tag, so bare with me trying to do this as a blog post. I didn't take pics of everything. So here's the tag!

1. What is your favorite drugstore makeup brand?

I'd have to say Wet n' Wild. I love a lot of the products in the Color Icon line. I have eyes, lip and cheeks products. Their eyeshadows are super pigmented, go on nicely and have nice staying power on me. I've picked up quite a few of their MegaLast lipsticks (black tubes picture above). Sugar Plum Fairy hands down is my favorite lipstick from the MegaLast line.  I have all 4 of the color icon blushes and 3 of their shimmer palettes. I also have some of their nail polishes

2. What are your favorite face, cheek and lip products?

• Face - Maybelline's Fit Me Concealer. I don't have a lot of face products from the drugstore but this concealer is nice. I have this #30 Cafe. I use this as an undereye concealer.

 

• Cheek - Wet n' Wild Color Icon Blushes . These are some great blushes. They only released 4. It would be nice if they did more colors. These are nicely pigmented, not chalky and brown girl friendly. 

• Lip - oh gosh this is HARD for me. Back when I originally started this post I probably would have said Revlon lipsticks or even their lipglosses which were my favorite from the drugstore. But now I'd have to say Maybelline Colorsensational Lipglosses. These are hands down my favorite lipglosses from the drugstore.  Can't you tell? I think there are 2 more that I have not shown in this picture.

3. Least favorite product?

Drugstore foundations. No brand in particular but in general. My dislike is mainly due the lack in color range at the drugstore. We all don't fit into 4 or 5 shades. And for women of color our choices are a lot less. So until drugstore brands realize this my foundation will always be "high end".

4. What is the best makeup bargain?

Hmmm...anything by Wet n' Wild. They have some miss products but you still can't go wrong with most of their products. Plus if you run into a sale at the drugstore or have coupons, it's damn near free makeup.

5. What is your favorite underdog product? (Something you love that often gets overlooked?)

Another hmm...I'll say my L'Oreal Hip Duo eyeshadows. These were some of my first eyeshadows from the drugstore and I love them. Like I've said before, I do simple eye looks and these are perfect for that since it pairs two colors together. Need to reach for these more often.

6. A drugstore product that is overpriced?

Anything by Physician's Formula. I've tried a few on their products and they're nice. Tried one of their mascaras that's a popular favorite (Get Up and Grow) and I wasn't a fan of it. Nothing overly special about their products. I lucked up and got them during different sales. What I had I've given away. I think I still have one lipgloss and a blush. It's not a brand that I gravitate to when I troll the beauty section at the drugstore.

7. Show your best drugstore dupe(s)!!

NYX Lip Liner in Expresso. I fell in love with Smashbox's Nude Lip Liner in Dark. I used to purchase a duo from QVC. Then I can't remember if it was a blog post or a YouTube video that had mentioned the NYX Liner. I went to pick it up from Ulta. I swatched it against Smashbox and was like hellooo dupe! I wear this liner with pretty much every lip product be it lipstick, gloss, or whatever. So it was nice to find a cheaper alternative. 

8. Drugstore product that isn't worth the hype?

Maybelline Baby Lips!!!! I purchased 2 of these off of YouTube hype and I cannot stand them. They are not moisturizing enough for me. Give me Carmex any day!

And there you have it. You also got a little peak into my makeup stash which will be coming later in the month. Stay tuned...

11 Nail Polishes I Would Repurchase

Another post that was just sitting in my draft folder *smh*

This pic is from 2012 when I posted my nail polishes for a photo-a-day challenge on Instragram.

I have purged a lot from my stash since I posted this pic but I still have a lot.  But if something happened to them and I had to repurchase nail polishes, here's what I would repurchase:

1. Essie Mink Muffs
2. Essie Turquoise and Caicos
3. Zoya Pasha
4. Chanel Black Pearl
5. Sephora by OPI Metro Chic
6. Sally Hansen Pacific Blue
7. Butter London The Black Knight
8. Zoya Ibiza
9. Revlon Royal
10. OPI The Living Daylights
11. Essie Sexy Divide

As you can see I love my blues and taupey gray shades. My favorite/holy grail base and top coats are Duri Rejuvacoate and Out the Door. My favorite nail polish brand is Essie.

Again I can't pick 10! Ok I seriously could have listed 20-25 easily LOL!!! Maybe I'll do a part 2.

Bag of the Moment - Dooney & Bourke Leather Crescent Tote

I purchased this bag from none other than QVC. I hadn't reached for this bag in a while. I love the green shade. It's perfect for transitioning from summer to fall. The green isn't too bright but not super dark either. This is a nice size tote for everyday. But it's not too large to carry around on weekends and such.  It doesn't get "in the way" like some tote bags can. There's a zip pocket on the back of the bag and one on the inside. It also has two pockets on the front. I got this back when the cell phone pockets were smaller. But my phone fits in the one of the front pockets nicely. I'm kind of bummed that it's not longer available. Kind of wanted in another color. Like I really need another bag LOL!

Makeup Brushes I Would Repurchase

October's Blogapalooza is underway!

I started this post back in October of 2012 and it has been sitting in my draft folder ever since. Sheesh! This was supposed to be a "top 10" but of course I went beyond 10.

I have quite a few makeup brushes. Some I like more than others. If I had to up and repurchase makeup brushes, here is what I would get:

Elf Studio Powder Brush - I love using this blush to apply my Bare Minerals foundation. I have 2 and may pick up another one. A lot of people like to use this brush for liquid foundation. I didn't like for that.

Elf Angled Contour Brush - this is an eyeshadow brush but I use it to blend out whatever undereye concealer I'm using.

Real Techniques Powder Brush - this brush is super soft and applies face powder nicely.

Sigma F05 Small Contour Brush - I use this brush to apply my Bobbi Brown Bronzing Powder on the outside of my face and hollows of my cheeks to contour. I've also used this brush as a blush brush and like using it that way as well.

Elf Studio Small Stippling Brush - this is a newer favorite. I like this brush to apply cream blushes, really pigmented blushes like La Femme blushes and highlighters (power or cream).

Elf Studio Eyeshadow "C" Brush - this is my favorite brush for packaging eyeshadows on my lid and into the crease. I have also used the brush to apply cream eye products like Maybelline Color Tattoos. I currently have 2 and wouldn't mind 2 more. You can't beat the price of $3. My looks are very simple so this brush along with the next brush mentioned, gets the job done.

Elf Studio Contour Brush - this is my favorite brush for applying eyeshadows in my crease. Also it has a little give to it so that you can blend a little bit as well.

Sigma E25 Blending Brush - this is dupe for MAC's 217 brush. I have a bunch of these in the mini size. Got them as a gift with purchase with various Sigma Beauty orders. This a good all purpose eye brush and I always have one in reach.

Bare Minerals Crease Defining Brush - to me this a blending brush. I really like for applying a brow bone highlight, cleaning up the edges on an eyelook and of course blending.

Smashbox Arced Liner Brush - I originally got this brush in a set with 2 of their gels liners. When I thought I lost this brush, I went out and got another one. I know there are similar brushes like this that are cheaper, but I wanted the same brush and not an alternative to it.  Of course once I bought the replacement brush, I found the one I thought I lost. Which was fine at the time. Now I have a back up when the other one is dirty or in between washings. 

Sedona Lace Synthetic Blender Brush - I use this brush to mainly apply Maybelline Color Tattoos on my lid. I also like using this brush for 1 eyeshadow looks.

Bare Minerals Tapered Eyeshadow Brush - I've had this brush for a while but only started using it within the last few months. I love that this brush is small. You can lay eyeshadow all over your lid easier. Especially in the inner corner. It also double as a smudge brush for the lower lash line.

Real Techniques Buffing Brush - this is another brush I love to use for applying Bare Minerals foundation. I've also used it with cream foundations as well. Unfortunately this brush is not available for individual purchase. It is included in their Core Collection set. If it was available for individual purchase, I would get another one.

Sigma Large Angled Contour Brush - I love angled brushes like this to apply blush. It makes it easy to place on your cheek and blend it out. I have one from Bare Minerals that I really like as well.

Bare Minerals Contour Brush - I love this brush to apply blush and bronzer. I got this brush in various sets. I don't see it on their website currently which is a bummer. I think I have like 3 so I'm good lol!!

And there you have it. These are the brushes that I reach for/enjoy using the most. I probably could have listed 5 more. I think this is enough ;)