Storing Makeup Mariposa Style, featuring IKEA Alex

This post makes me SOOOOOOO happy!!  I am not typically the most organized person of my peers, but after hoarding (did I really just admit to that) makeup this year I realized that I outgrew my Sterlite 3 drawer thingy.  

 

I have been collecting for a while and it had gotten to critical mass so I searched for what would be my cosmetics new home.  I know it sounds silly but having Sephora bags in the linen closet and having Hubby-pooh ask, "where are the band-aids" made my storage issue a necessity.  It seems like Youtube has a video for everything including this.  So after selecting a model, I venture out to Ikea located in the far away land of New Jersey to pick up this new storage I so needed.  I get there and search high and low for something called Helmer, which came highly recommended, except for the fact that it was a miniature lol!!  Smaller than the above and double the price.  What I did find though, is a lovely unit called Alex, the Hubby-kins and I put it together, all 10,000 pieces, he's the best!!  I've started to fill in, I still have work to do but it's fun work ;)

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The lovely Alex 9 drawers of lovliness

Drawer O Blush

Hello Kitty Pencil Case - Eyeliners

All about Eyes

 

Small Eyeshadow Palettes, Lipsticks and Wet n' Wild Palettes

Nails

Brushes and Brush Belt

Urban Decay & Z Palettes

Too Faced and Tarte

NYX Haute Jersey Palette and Misc palettes

I've got more to do but I'm so pleased with the result so far!!  How do you store your makeup??  Thanks for reading!!

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NOTD: OPI Mermaids tears & Crown Me Already

Hey Mariposas!!

Here's a quick and easy way to jazz up a plain manicure by adding a little glitter to the tips.  The combinations possibilities are limitless so go for it!!

I love the "Tiffany-esque" color of OPI Mermaids Tears and Crown Me Already adds the ombré snowflake (disco ball) effect. There are lots of crackle, glitter and flakie effects coming out and they are a great way to extend a wearing mani.  Here's my take on an ombré mani })i({

All I did was put 2 coats of the green and the glitter polish on the tips,
follow it up with your favorite top coat.


Thanks so much for joining and reading!! 

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Brow Envy

Your eyebrows frame your face they really help to make a look come alive.  Since the trends come and go skinny, bushy uni you have to be careful to NEVER EVER over pluck, wax or thread.  The Pencil, Brow Gel, Powder (eyeshadow) use a matte shade close to your hair color.  I've used Smashbox Brow Tech which is expensive eyeshadow really.  I love the Milani Easybrow automatic pencil (CVS) it's perfect if you want fast application.  There are also brow gels that work well too, it's just a matter of finding the formula that works for you.

To conceal or not to conceal...that is the question!  To define your eyebrows even more you can outline them with a concealer which will accentuate the curves and adds to the DRAMA. 

No BUENO, her brows are too thin and light...this look is just all wrong!!

Freida rocking the unibrow and 'stache...her brows are nicely shaped if only she got rid of the bridge between them...and waxed her lip.

Brooke's iconic brows, I can only dream of having brows this thick!! 

Kim is of course over the top and her brows are no exception...I love them!!

Beyonce in a "natural" look...so heavily airbrushed but the brows are stunning!!  This is what it looks like when you define your brows with concealer.

To return or not to return

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For all of you ladies out there lured into the beauty aisle (strategically located as you walk in the door) at CVS, Walgrees, Rite-Aid, Bed Bath and Beyond & Duane Reade know this if you don't like the lipstick you picked up or if the foundation doesn't suit you even after trying it...you CAN and SHOULD return it for something you want!!  Makeup products do no good if they're not used, all of these stores including Sephora and Ulta (hold on to your receipt) have return policys where you can return if your not satisfied.  Don't feel shy, they'll end up with your money again once you make a new purchase on something you like ;)

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NOTD: LuxeEffects

Hey Mariposas!!  Today I bring you a fun and slightly edgy NOTD...thanks for reading })i({

In an effort to tame taboo black nail polish I've used OPI black shatter over a myriad of shades.  I have never painted my nails black (even though I've wanted to) because that was reserved for punks or goths.  I work in an office and it would be way too edgy but that was until I discovered Essie Luxe Effects!!  This shade is absolutely gorgeous!!  I love glitter but this is different it adds an opalescent effect using holographic flakes in a clear base, and is versatile because you can use it to add dimension to any color!!  It looks like crushed opals and in the sun it's FIERY!!  You can find this for a limited time in any place you'd usually buy Essie Nail Polish.  See below and let me know what you think!!

 These pictures honestly don't do the polish justice, in the sun you can see red, gold, green and orange

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How do you moisturize your lips?

This cold fall/winter weather gets my lips chapped, what do you use to keep your lips soft and supple during this time of year?  One thing that can help is to exfoliate your lips by either using a damp washcloth or toothbrush to lightly remove the dead layer of skin.  What are your FAVES??  These are all way under $5.00 and do an amazing job!!  Here are some of my favorites in order of importance:

Put this on before bed and you'll wake up with new lips!!  This one has a little burn but I like it, feels like it's working!!

Great any time of day or night or right before applying lipstick!!  Love the minty feeling!!

I got this free with a purchase at target, love the minty scent great stuff!!

Smooth and comfortable and very moisturizing!!

This works, but I'm not a fan of the flavor and the cherry is nasty to me!!