FOTD

Hola Mariposas!!

This was a look I did for a early night out using the Urban Decay Mariposa Palette 

(you know I had to get that one) 

})i({  

I also used TheBalm cosmetics on my cheeks and lined my waterline with Urban Decay Midnight Cowboy a fleshy colored liner that gives your eyes that wide-eyed look.

loving the scarf T!!

 

Thanks for reading, join, comment, subscribe it's free ;)

Ohhhhh lala L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow!! Review & Swatches

Hey Mariposas })i({  

There has mega buzz in the blogosphere about how fantastic L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadows are and how the rival the Armani’s Eyes to Kill Intense Eyeshadows.  First off they are a mere $8.99 compared to the high-end counter part which is $32.00 buck a roos, this might be like when Versace does a line for H&M!!  Considering that L'Oreal owns Armani we may be in for a treat, although I cannot vouch for Armani's formula these are supposed to be comparable.  These shadows have been all the rage in Europe and Canada and I just happened to get my hands on a few on my last trip to CVS, they were on BOGO 50%.  When my scanned my lil CVS card I had $5.00 bux to burn, if I could sing I would have lol!!

These eyeshadows are AMAZING!!  The range of colors makes them so versatile, from a neutral day look to a smokey night look. They are highly pigmented, creamy and smooth, one swipe goes a long way because these are buildable.  They start out creamy but dry down (quickly) to a powder finish.  They can easily be blended out and can be applied with your fingertip or a brush, but work quickly because once they set they don't budge.  I would suggest wearing them with a primer because the darker colors may stain.  Also be sure to close these up tight so they don't dry out so don't discard the stopper that comes with it. 

I love that the drugstore brands are giving high-end options at such an affordable price!! 

I don't think my photos really did these justice, it's not as easy as it looks to swatch and snap (:

   

 Amber Rush - Rich amber with a shimmer finish

Bronzed Taupe - Bronzy taupe with a shimmer finish

 Golden Sage - Gilded green with a shimmer finish

Perpetual Purple - Deep Amethyst with blue flecks and a shimmer finish

 Midnight Blue - Blackened blue with a shimmer finish

 Continuous Cocoa - Off black brown with a matte finish

 Eternal Black - Glittery black

Thanks for reading my loves, let me know what you think...comment below })i({

FOTD: Emerald Eyes

Hey Mariposas })i({

Today's face of the day features emerald green on the lid, with a matte brown in the crease and a shimmery vanilla highlight.  I used my go-to Urban Decay Primer Potion, then used a blue green Avon gel eyeliner to intensify the green eyeshadow.  I also went for a nude gloss from NYX to let the eyes be the focus.  Let me know what you think and thanks for reading!!

 })i({

Review: Revlon Lip Butter or L'Oreal Color Riche Lip Balm

Hey Mariposas!!  

Here is my first product review!!  This post is going to bring you the latest craze in the land of Drug Store lip products, a hybrid lipstick and lip-balm.  It's a great way to go, the best of both worlds if you will...but how does it perform??  We have offerings from two of the best D.S. cosmetic lines (in my humble opinion) as L'Oreal and Revlon go head to head.  In the past I've shied away from Revlon lip products after kissing my hubby he let me know how disgusting the lipstick tasted & then spit...ugh!!  I didn't like the taste/flavor either but thought that my ultra sensitive nose and taste buds were to blame.  I should have gone with my gut on that one!!  L'Oreal lipsticks on the other hand were my go to since the 90's and have always been great!!  

  
Now on to the subject at hand, in one corner we have Revlon's Lip Butter in Lollipop, in the other corner L'Oreal Color Riche Lip Balm in Heavenly Berry.  There are a ton of bloggers buzzing about both of these products so after a test drive here's my take on these lipstick/balms.  

I was very surprised by the color pay off of the Revlon L.B., Lollipop was so pigmented but had the glide of a lip balm, it felt great on my lips!!  It was easy to swatch and was true to the color in the tube.

The L'Oreal looked great in the tube but was so disappointingly sheer!!  I tried swatching it but as you can see it hardly was visible after multiple swipes on my wrist.  Something else that's worth mentioning the L'Oreal has SPF 15 which Revlon does not, but you can taste the sunscreen!!  It also has the same taste as the glosses, a confectionery taste that I can do without.  These two contenders retail for about the same price but it's really up to you, if you want color payoff go with the Revlon.  

 

Barely there swatch...just a little shine...boooo

 

Thanks for reading!!  

 

})i({

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 ;)

})i({ made by my Aunt, circa 1970-something

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!!

 })i({

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!! 

})i({

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

})i({  

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 ;)

})i({ 

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

})i({