Fyrinnae

Swatches: Laura Mercier Baked Eye Colour "Black Karat"

3:57 PM


This gorgeous baked eyeshadow was a Christmas gift.  I have never tried Laura Mercier before, but after Black Karat, I may very well be back for more!  


Black Karat is a one of Laura Mercier's Baked Eye Colours.  There are several to choose from (see snapshot from Sephora above).   The shadows are a good size (0.06 oz) - about the same size as the MAC Mineralize shadows.  

Black Karat is a deep brown, almost black base, with rich gold shimmer throughout.  Applied wet you get a very intense color and applied dry it is a nice wash of shimmer.  Below, my swatches are used dry, and over Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy.  


This is absolutely gorgeous.  Have you tried these shadows?  What is your favorite color?



Deals

Swatches: Sephora Collection Waterproof Cream Eyeliner - Bewitch Me

9:00 AM




Sticking with my clearance section finds, next up Sephora Collection Waterproof Smoky Cream Liner in Betwitch Me - retail $12.00 - I paid $2.99!  This came out of a little end cap at the Sephora in the JC Penny next to my office.  I love little unexpected finds like this!  I actually snagged the green and bronze shade as well.  


This comes in a sizable jar, and the product itself is extremely light and whipped, smooth and easy to apply with your standard eyeliner brush.  I will say, this is so light and easily manipulated, I can see where this could be used as a cream shadow, or a base.  And, it doesn't budge.  I mean, does not come off with water!  I scrubbed and scrubbed under running water to remove this swatch.  Now, with that said, it's nothing a little makeup remover can't fix.  But, for those of you with lids that cannot hold onto a liner, this may not be a bad option for you to try.  The color selection is broad (both frosts and mattes), and it is easy to use. 

Below is the swatch of the product on my hand.  I will post a FOTD in the near future. 


Have you tried these Sephora Collection eyeliners?  What do you think of them?

Bare Escentuals

Swatches: Bare Escentuals Ready 8.0 Pallet in Star Treatment

9:00 AM



 
An after Christmas present for myself, I saw that the Bare Escentuals Ready 8.0 Pallet in "The Star Treatment" was on sale at Sephora, so I picked it up.  I actually gave this pallet to my mom for Christmas and loved the colors - plus, who can pass up a bargain? 
 
 
The pallet comes packed with a small tube of Prime Time.  I have used this in the past, and it works pretty well.  Similar to most of the other eyelide primers out there in texture and consistency, but they do have some that are available with color and frost, which are used as an eyeshadow as well.  For my swatches below, I did swatch the pallet on top of the Prime Time.

 
This pallet comes with eight neutral shades.  Neutral, I guess is a matter of opinion - these are bold, metallic, golds, bronzes, taupes and browns.  A gorgeous collection, and I really don't have any colors (pressed or loose) that are similar, with the exception of the ivory shade which reminds me a lot of the MAC Vanilla pigment. 


 
Below are some closeups of the colors.  They are absolutely gorgeous.  These are all frosts/metallics, although the black, below, is more of a matte black with golden glitter in it. 

 
These four are easily going to be the most worn out of the bunch, for me.  The taupe and brown are absolutely gorgeous in person, and work so well together.   
 
 
The prime time is in a tiny little tube with a rounded doe-foot applicator, so you can easily spread this on to your eyelid straight from the tube, although I usually dab a little bit on my ring finger and apply that way.  Prime Time is very smooth and easy to apply - no dragging or tugging as this isn't overly dry like some primers tend to be.  It certainly amplifies the colors of these shadows, although when worn alone, they are just as striking. 
 
 
Swatches of the pallet below, in order of the pallet.  These are all over Prime Time.



How familiar are you with the Bare Escentuals Ready shadows?  I have to say, I was and always have been a huge fan of the original Bare Escentuals loose mineral shadow formula.  I tend to lean towards loose shadows in general.  I will say, the formula on these Ready shadows is amazing.  They are creamy, rich, pigmented, and easy to apply.  There is no worry of inconsistent amounts of shadow coming onto the brush for application.  The shadows aren't dry, so they apply evenly.  The pigmentation is amazing and they lasted all day without creasing or fading.  I am so happy I decided to purchase this pallet at Sephora - I find myself using these colors often and am loving each and every one of them!






Lorac

Lorac 3D Liquid Lustre: Swatches

10:10 AM


I recently picked up Lorac's 3D Liquid Lustre when I got the Urban Decay Primer Potion from Sephora a few weeks back.  Although I haven't tried this out yet over eyeshadow, I did swatch it.   Pictures and closeups are below.

First up - a closeup of the bottle/product.  This is a very watery (hence the name "Liquid" Lustre) product, that is jam-packed with sparkle.  Like Sephora states, this is "a long lasting liquid shimmer that can be applied over eyeshadow or worn alone on eyes and/or cheeks for a luminous, prismatic and three dimensional sparkle and shine".  I'd have to emphasize prismatic - this is an extremely iridescent sparkle!




The applicator itself is a dropper.  Mine actually was clogged when I got it, but I've used a needle to help push the glitter in and out of the dropper, and allow it to actually mix into the product in the bottle. 


Some swatches below - with and without flash.  Like I said, this is a very watery product, so I am anxious to see how this works over eyeshadow.  I can see how it would add some nice sparkle to the lid alone, or maybe applied over eyeliner to add some shimmer, but I would think the product would smear eyeshadow around, and ultimately make a mess.  I guess I'll have to give it a whirl!
A few people have tried this out in the blogging world.  First, Scrangie - she's is where I actually saw it first and why I decided to buy it.  Also, JoMakeMeBlushDotCom had some pretty looks (as well as a dupe to the product). 

Have you tried this yet?  How do you use it?



Sephora

New! Sephora Collection Baked Moonshadow Trio

12:50 PM


I just got this in my email and thought I would share - Sephora Collections Baked Moonshadow Trios.  Do these look like another brand to you, too?  I may have to stop by my Sephora and see what these look like, and if the pigmentation is anywhere near MAC's.  They retail at $17 a piece, and there are six gorgeous trios to choose from.  

What it does:

These super-smooth formulas deliver cosmic amounts of diamond dust shimmer. Each trio is composed of three harmonized shades that blend easily to create a perfect smoky eye with a super sparkly finish. 

What else you need to know:

Used wet, each shade's payoff is intensified to give a bolder effect; the dark shade can be used as an eyeliner. Contains soothing green tea extract to deliver anti-oxidant properties.


I'd love to know if you've seen these, and what you think!

Bare Escentuals

Bare Skin Eau de Parfum - NEW! From Leslie Blodgett

8:00 AM

As many of you Sephora Beauty Insiders know, Leslie Blodgett has started a collection known as the Perfume Diaries, and the first in this limited edition set is called Bare Skin. Being that I love everything that Leslie has brought to us from Bare Escentuals, I am anxious to test out this fragrance as well.


From what I have read, this fragrance was developed by Leslie in an effort to embody a trip she had to Mexico. “Bare Skin…” she explains, “is the way you feel when the sun is beating down on you during the day, but then you go out at night and you’re still sizzling from the warmth of the day which mingles with night air and music.”
From the Sephora website:

Bare Skin Eau de Parfum Spray
Imagine you're on a tropical beach. The warm rays are beating down on you. There is nothing on the agenda for days, save for sunbathing, sipping umbrella drinks and sleeping in. Leslie Blodgett has captured the ultimate vacation through fragrance with this intoxicating blend of creamy sensuality, dreamy florals and sexy musks. Glowing, gorgeous sun-kissed skin that just begs to be touched is at the heart of this limited-edition scent, created exclusively for Sephora.

Notes:
Top: No clock in sight and no reason to wake up (Black Pepper, Freesia, Anise).
Middle: Hot, hot hopping to the towel on sand (Iris, Vanilla Orchid, Plumeria, Patchouli).
Bottom: Finally, time to mingle, baring amber shoulders still warm from the day (Sandalwood, Labdanum, Musk).

Not only is there the perfume, but there is also Body Cream (above) and Solid Perfume (below).

Have any of you tried or smelled this fragrance? I haven't yet, but hope to soon!

This is available on Sephora's website, www.sephora.com.

NOTD Neutrals

NOTD: Sephora by OPI "Under My Trench Coat"

8:00 AM

It was time to update my manicure, so I decided to take a break from the reds and move into a more natural, but still chic for fall, gray-tone:  Sephora by OPI "Under My Trench Coat".  This is a very neat color - it's almost cream, but there is a hint of shimmer.  I would call this a warm-gray to taupe color.  The shimmer, all-be-it minimal, is a silvery-golden pearl.  


I clearly need to do a little clean up and moisturizer, but as you can see this is a very pretty color!  I used two coats, and Sally Hansen's No Chip top coat.  

If grays are a bit out of the ordinary for you, this might be a good way to try them out without going over the top!  

To see the entire line of Sephora by OPI, click here!  

Sephora

Sephora Brand Eyeshadow "Mysterious Forest"

8:48 AM

Sephora has a new set of colors in their Colorful Mono Eyeshadow collection, that look specifically appealing for fall. While wandering through the mall last weekend, I decided to give one of these a try! As the website says, these are "a new generation of highly-pigmented, long lasting, exclusive eyeshadows that reinvent color", so I was immediately intrigued.

(click below for larger images)




Being that I have been on a teal/turquoise kick recently, I decided to pick up Mysterious Forest 46, which is a gorgeous deep iridescent pine green with lots of shimmer and hints of deep turquoise. I couldn't find a tester in the store, so I went out on a limb, and decided to give this one a try! The shadows run $12 a piece.


As you can see, these are jam-packed full of shimmer and glitter. The color is absolutely beautiful in the pot!

Overall, I have to say I'm disappointed with this eyeshadow. I was hoping for something that I could use as a smokey eyeshadow or liner, but the product is very gritty due to the glitter, and difficult to blend. I don't even think the pigmentation was all that great, to be perfectly honest. If you use a brush, the ability to get a smooth, even application is very difficult, so I would suggest using your pinkie or ring finger, because the heat and oils in the skin seem to help make it a little easier to blend together (that is how I swatched above). I also tried using some water to create a liner, but that didn't work very well either - the water just soaked into the eyeshadow and the brush didn't pick anything up to work with.
Although I hate to do this because of how pretty the shadow is in the pan, I think I might crush this into a powder and create a loose "pigment" to work with, and see if that works any better. I imagine this would definitely help make this easier to use as a liner, but the jury is still out on if this would help make the eyeshadow application any better.
I have to say, I probably won't buy anymore of these shadows that are packed with glitter, unless I can find a better way to apply. Too bad, really...I was definitely looking forward to this for the fall!

Lancome

Calling all Beauty Insiders - NEW! Lancome Hpnose Drama Mascara!

10:11 AM

Lancome has come out with a new mascara, Lancome Hpnose Drama, and Sephora Beauty Insiders have an exclusive look/access to the product! For $24.50 you can get yours and try it before it's available!

I used to use Lancome Hpnose back in the day, but I stopped when I went to college and didn't have access to it anymore. Since then, I've just stood by my Lash Blast, but I am debating going back and trying this. Of those customers that have already rated it, it has received all 5 stars, so looks like it is getting pretty rave reviews!

From the picture, you can see the brush is a little wacky - kind of spiraled maybe?

Below is from Sephora.com:

HYPNÔSE DRAMA Instant Full Body Volume Mascara
What it is: A volumizing mascara that creates dramatic lashes instantly.
What it does: Hypnôse Drama creates full-bodied, high-volume lashes in a single stroke. The oversized, full-contact Convex Brush has an S-shaped curve that grasps and loads lashes for a fanned out, full-bodied fringe. It even dramatizes corner lashes that other brushes miss. Lancôme's new luxurious, texturizing complex features highly saturated waxes and intense black pigments that provide maximum lash coating and rich color. The triple-coating system with Pro-Vitamin B5 delivers a fluid and creamy application, with long playtime, to quickly and easily build big, battable lashes.
What else you need to know: This product is fragrance free and ophthalmologist and allergy tested. It's safe for contact lens wearers.
Size: 0.22 oz

OPI

OPI for Sephora - Spring Collection

7:30 AM

After what seems to have been the longest winter ever, it was so nice to open my email this morning and find these bright lights for your nails! Sephora's new OPI collection for the spring is gorgeous, with 6 new shades ranging from bright oranges to beautiful bubble gum pinks.


Each polish runs $9 - not bad for an OPI and an easy way to brighten up any one's wardrobe! To see the entire collection, click here. With every color in the rainbow, Sephora by OPI is bound to have something for you, too!

Dior

Dior "Once in a Blue Moon" Collection

3:40 PM

I was browsing Sephora's sales and noticed they have a section for new collections that have come out and I immediately went towards the Dior "Once in a Blue Moon" Collection because of the beautiful indigo blue (called "Metallic Blue") eyeshadow in the picture below (click to enlarge):

I'm not a huge fan of the color blue on me, but this color is so beautiful, I could see doing a smokey eye with it. You can order it here.

I especially love the lipgloss, which is Dior Addict High Shine "Casual Beige" 222. What a perfect color for dramatic eyes. This can be ordered here.

I'm sure some of you stumbled across these during your holiday shopping, but I just saw it and thought I would share!

Deals

Sephora Deals + Delux Samples

8:52 AM

Happy New Year (almost)! I thought I'd share some specials from Sephora that I received in my email this morning. This is a great way to pick up some of your favorites, and receive a deluxe sample in the mix! Each brand has a specific code, so click the pictures for a larger image if you have trouble reading them. I, for one, am eyeing the Bliss freebie!

Also, don't forget to check out their sale page - there are lots of goodies available at great discounts, from Bare Escentuals to Stila, Bliss and anything in between!

Bare Escentuals

My Sephora Friends and Family 2008 Purchases

8:00 AM

So I did some major damage this year with the Sephora Friends and Family event. How could I not, with free shipping and 20% off, I was ready!! Although I debated about the Urban Decay Book of Shadows, which I really wanted, I decided to downsize my cart ($$$) and ordered the Urban Decay Primer Potion instead (which I am thrilled about!).

As you can see below, I ordered the UDPP, Bare Escentuals Extreme Glimmers, Bare Minerals Ruby Collection and the Nars Super Orgasm Blush. I also received my QVC Today's Special Value, the Bare Escentauls Champagne Diamonds collection at the same time, so I've included it in the picture, as well. The samples I received were some perfumes, none of which were really for me once I wore them, but I'm glad I tried!

I swatched the collections tonight, but don't have time to upload the pictures, so hopefully tomorrow I will do that - they are beautiful!



I am definitely a glitter girl, and absolutely fell in love with the Nars Super Orgasm. I know that a lot of people don't like chunky or glittery items, so if that is the case, you probably want to stick to the basic Nars Orgasm blush, as it still has the shimmer but doesn't have the "glitter" that you see in the picture below. The color of this blush is stunning, though. It is a really pink/coral color with golden shimmer undertones, and it definitely blends right in and is beautiful on. Everyone is right about Nars blushes, though - they are wonderful!












So I did some major damage this year with the Sephora Friends and Family event. How could I not, with free shipping and 20% off, I was ready!!

Bare Escentuals

Sephora Friends & Family - what's on your list?

9:59 AM

So, if any of you read the MUA boards, you can feel the anticipation for the Sephora F&F coming just around the corner! I know I can't wait, and already have my shopping bag filled with things I *need* to have.

1. Urban Decay Book of Shadows

This collection has some gorgeous colors, and I love their eyeshadow. Plus, the packaging has some great detailing! I love the butterflies and the little mirror. With 16 colors in the pallet, you definitely are getting a good deal at $45 for the set. This breaks down to approximately $2.81 a shadow - not too shabby!


2. Bare Escentuals Ruby Collection

As you all know, I love BE and this collection doesn't look to disappoint. Each color is enhanced with crushed rubies, to add beauty and shimmer to the shades. The other great thing about these collections from BE are the additional products, such as brushes, mascara, blushes, new finishing powders, etc. I love their Buxom glosses, and this color looks beautiful as well. A great value at $54.00!


This kit is right up my alley with tons of sparkle and multiple functions for each color. Not only could they be worn as a shadow, but get them wet and add some intense shine to your look or use them as a liner. I love the colors, and have recently become addicted to the smokey eye look, so I think this would be another great way to glitz up the evening look. It also comes with a foiling brush (which I love of theirs) and a sample of the prime time. Price is $32.00.

Keeping with the glitz and glam theme, when I read they were coming out with a sparklier version of the original Orgasm blush, I had to have it. After seeing it in person, it's a definite must! Price is $25.00.

Avon

FOTD Fall Bronze

8:00 AM

The weather has finally broken into the 50's and 60's here, which means fall is right around the corner! In honor of the cooler weather, I decided to break out my turtleneck sweaters and my bronze eyeshadows for a fall inspired look. This is another go-to-any-time pallet, as the colors work so well together!

This was also the first time I used my mark. Lillith eyeliner, which I really like. The color is a bit on the light side, but it did add just enough definition to work well.




Face:
Fyrinnae Rice Primer
Serious Skin Care Mineral Foundation "Medium"
MAC Mineralize Blush "Love Thing"

Eyes:
Bare Escentuals "Hottie" - foiled on lid
Bare Escentuals "Sex Kitten" - crease
Bare Escentuals "White Gold" - high light
mark. Hook Up Liquid Eyeliner "Lillith" - upper liner
Sephora Waterproof Eyeliner Pencil "Gold" - lower lashline
Maybelline Colossal Mascara "Black"

Lips:
Avon Color Rich Lipstick "Sparkling Peach"


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