Beauty Review - LORAC Unzipped Eyeshadow Palette

I never thought it was possible to use up an eye shadow tin, but it seems that I was wrong. I've depleted most of my favorite eye shadows, so I finally set some time aside to go to Sephora to find new ones. LORAC is a brand that I really enjoy. I've owned an amazing eyeshadow palette by them for three years, so I definitely went back for more. The color pigmentation is very strong and comparable to MAC. When I saw the UNZIPPED palette filled with all sorts of beautiful, neutral colors that I needed replaced I couldn't pass it up.

Valued at $200.00, this palette is being sold for only $40. I got an additional discount with a coupon from their VIB program, which made it a total steal. Not to mention, the palette comes with a sample of their eyeshadow primer. I had yet to try theirs, and as you may have read in my past posts, I'm a huge fan of MAC's paint pots as an inexpensive primer. I was pleasantly surprised how much I liked it. The primer goes on clear, which is nice because it doesn't interfere with the eyeshadow color.

All in all, I'm SUPER happy with my purchase, and I'm looking forward to using the palette over the next three years until it's time for more!

Glossy Eyes

The look of shiny, glossy eyeshadow has appeared on runways and in fashion magazines for a long time now, but I've never seen it executed in a "day look." I'm really curious as to how to do it because I think a shiny ivory or champagne color could be very pretty. Does anyone out there know the best way? Simply put Vaseline on your lids?

Photos: The Beauty Department, Vinitates, Elle, Unknown

Eye Primer Battle

I'm a long time user of MAC paint pots, but recently decided to switch to Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer because I'm a person that likes change and trying new things. So, which product do I like best? Well, let's break it down...

Urban Decay's primer costs $19.00 at Ulta, which is more expensive that MAC's paint pot. It comes in four colors in a plastic squeeze tube. I like that you can't break it if you drop it (I do that a lot. Darn butter fingers!) There is 11ml in the tube, and a little dot goes a long way. It dries in about 10 seconds to a matte finish. I don't like the 10 second wait, but I do love the soft matte finish. BUT..the BIG question is, "Does it last?" It lasts for about 6 hours or so. I definitely end the day with some creases, but my eye shadow application is effortless.

MAC's paint pot only costs $16.50 and offers 9 different colors to use as your eye shadow base. It's .17fl, and is a gel consistency, which keeps you from grabbing too much primer. I don't like that you have to stick your finger into the pot or having to use a brush. A tube would avoid contamination or bacteria build up. I also don't love the glass container, but at least MAC recycles all used packaging. Application is just as easy as Urban Decay's product. It's ready to go the second you put it on your lids. Love that! As for the big question, it definitely lasts a good 10 hours. I have to take a wet cloth to my eyes and press pretty hard to get my eye shadow off.

So, in the end, I'm still a MAC fan!

Makeup Tips from a Pro

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Tina Burnham and I met through the brilliant world of blogging. After finally meeting face to face one afternoon in Starbucks, we realized we should have met each other a lot sooner because we had been going to the same church for a long time. haha.

Since our first meeting, Tina and I have collaborated on several projects. Some shoots where she has been the hairstylist, some where she has been the photographer and some where she has been the makeup artist. Tina is SOOOO talented (obviously), and today she is sharing some makeup tips and her favorite products with all of you.

1. What is your favorite overall makeup brand and why?

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Well, I am a little biased because I have a Pro Account, but I am a M.A.C girl. Even without my pro perks, it is mid-price range and affordable.  I love how vibrant their shadows and pigments are, and the wear longevity of them. So many fun colors in mattes and shimmers. I used to be a Lancome girl because my mom was, and I am still a die hard Definicils girl when I am not wearing my falsies! Yes, I wear fake lashes and I LOVE it :).

2. Right now, what lip product do you use the most often - lipstick, lip stain, lip gloss, lip pencil or Chapstick?

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For everyday natural day look I use M.A.C tinted spf lip conditioner. I used to use the clear lipglass, but it can get sticky and my hair would always get caught in it! I still use lipglass to finish off a lip application. Just a dab in the center of the lips, not to the outer edges, gives the lips a pouty look.

3. What is the biggest mistake people make with their makeup?

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Hmmm.  I don't know about mistakes, but there are lots of tips to applying. Probably the one I would say is a "mistake" is what I call the clown brow. And I have to be honest and say I have done the clown brow back in the day!!!

Many women use a lighter shimmery color or even white shadow right under their brows to highlight them. When you look in the mirror it looks great! Now go take a picture......with a flash.  You look like a clown!!!  When picking a color to highlight use an irradescent shadow, that is subtle however catches light.....NOT shimmer shadows or matte white shadows!  My favorite is M.A.C vanilla pigment.  A MUST in your makeup bag! I can not live with out it! It is the perfect highlighter. Dust it along under your browline or dab your inner eyes and it highlights them perfectly. I often dust some down the bridge of my nose and add some contouring on the sides with some shadow and I just gave my self a "nose" job :).

4. What is the one thing you NEVER miss in your makeup routine?

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Probably darkening my brows. I use M.A.C. firm angle brush and some brown shadow to gently fill and line my brows.  I like to use shadow versus a pencil because it is much softer and more natural.  Brows are one thing many people do not realize can really make or break a face. A well shaped manicured brow can open up the face and draw attention to the eyes. If I am doing a au naturel look, I would maybe do a little powder and line my brows!

5. What's your favorite makeup look right now?

Well since we are entering into fall I am inspired by the two looks I recently did for two photo shoots that we worked on! One being the Marie Antionette inspired very classic look focusing on a bright lip. On the shoot since it was for bridal I chose Coral. However for fall I often go RED! Sometimes with bright lips, when applied they look great but within half hour it doesn't look quite right and you can reapply and still doesn't look like when you first applied it. But M.A.C. Pro Long wearing no smudge lip color is my fave. One side is the lipstain, the other is the gloss. I have tried other "smudge" proof and not a fan. This one really doesn't come off, and you don't need to reapply the color only the the gloss. However,  I don't line my lips when using this product because the oils react a little different than the lip color since it is long-wearing formula.  My favorite, Lasting Lust Red! I would also like to trya dark plum lip too for fall :).

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The other look that I did  was just a very natural pinky "cold" cheeks and lips with a neutral eye or light eye. Many women do the smokey eye with various color combos. Instead with this look you would use lighter colors, which will brighten and open up the eyes giving a softer look. Light foundation, pink blush and maybe an overall dust of shimmer. A very dewey, fresh and clean feel.