Pinky & the Brain

What has currently been the beauty obsession on my brain?

Pink blushes! 

Currently on my pinky wish list:
Bobbi Brown Pale Pink
Bobbi Brown Nectar
Bobbi Brown Pink Rose
NARS Desire
Chanel Joues Contrast in Rose Petale
Chanel Tweed Blush in Tweed Corail

Has anyone tried any of these, and can recommend if they areas good as they seem?

Short Beauty Tip # 5

This pencil looks battered and beaten, but it will never leave my make up bag.

The cap broke long ago, but that did not stop me from finding a replacement for this baby!

A step I nearly never skip in the morning is to apply a n*de colored liner in my waterline. 

This helps brighten and enlarge my eyes from sleepy looking Monday's especially.

I don't line the whole waterline, because it seems for my eye shape, incredibly obvious and un natural but from the outer corner to just before the middle of the iris.

Now many women, know this n*de waterline trick, and are thinking this is quite old news.

Did you know, this pencil can act as a double duty function, and act as a concealer?

Now I don't recommend this for everyday, this is definitely not a concealing product for the face!

But if you are ever in a real pinch, like just leaving the gym, and received a phone call for last minute dinner plans, or a red spot appearing right before a meeting, whip this baby out!

Agreed, this will NOT work on all skin tones, but it does not have to be a n*de liner. Liners come in a myriad of colors these days.

I quickly swipe  a few short strokes, mostly around the redness on my nose and spread the product out before it sets. It actually spreads quite easily! especially with the fingers.

Since this is a pointed product it is actually quite nice for pin point spot touch ups!

I recommend after using this on your face to remove all excess product so when it contacts your eyes again, there will be no additional bacteria or germs from the face.

Have you tried to double duty your pencils?

Closet Tip for Scarf Organization

Since Sandy has hit town, I have been under house arrest, and since I really am not the kind of person who can sit around, I decided to clean.

Today we are going to take a quick peek into my closet for a tip on saving space for scarf lovers everywhere!

I spent a good amount of time in my closet today, and like many others, mine is not exactly huge. 

I had seen a StyleDiet video a while back on how to organize a closet.

Anyone else procrastinate on cleaning and organizing by watching how others do it??

Anna of the StyleDiet showcased an interesting method of displaying her scarf collection by tying them on the clothes rods themselves so she can have a good view of all the shades.

When I tried this I quickly realized, this took up an enormous amount of space 

(this is dependent on your closet size and scarf collection) 

So I tweaked it.

Instead of trying all the scarves on a clothing rod which admit tingly does showcase the colors better, I tied them on a hanger so I can fit several on at once to not only save space, but see the shades I had

The method does work better with lighter weight scarves and nothing of a an extremely high knit, but I think this does save a good amount of space and is an efficient way to hang them as the cooler season sets in.

You can organize them by any color order or pattern if you wish to see a more focused view on your choices, but I just hung them up!

And the final result!

Look at how much space I used to hang 14 scarves! 

Hope this tip helped any other person cleaning out that closet of theirs.

And final mentions to those who are hopefully safe and well from the storm! 

How I Finished my Make Up Products - PART 1 The Make Up Bag Theory

According to my blogger stats the most popular posts on my blog are the “Finished Products of the Month(s)” updates.

According to my memory the most popular comment I receive on such posts is
“How do you finish your make up?”

I personally do not believe I finish any make up product quickly, they do take a good year + to complete, but I understand if you are a make up junkie like myself you are probably surrounded by choices, and to rotate through them all, making mini dents in several little items, but never completing a full product.

I have finally thought of my method on explaining how I do it personally. 

I don’t know if this is going to help anyone, but to finally answer the question, here is Part 1.  

(stay tuned for Part 2, as I have a diagram planned! Lol)

The Make up bag Theory:

Every day, I use the same products.

Out of my entire collection 99.9% of the time, if you see me within a several months span, I am most likely wearing the exact same thing.

Everything I use is housed in a small self- contained make up bag – the true contents of my face!

The first thing I do, is create a look.

This takes a few days of experimentation, but something put together, not lengthy or product heavy, and something you would not mind wearing every day. You should look forward to these products.

Not only will this save you a mass amount of time in the morning because you can put your face together in a few minutes (you get faster each day if you choose the same products) but you will get through your items – make sure to pick items you enjoy using!

Now grab a make up bag, and pick a bag that’s not too big.

Not big enough to fit in 2 bronzers, 3 blushes, 8 lipsticks. No.

One powder, one color product, one single shadow, one brow pencil.

Little things, but enough to comprise your look.

Everyday, your face routine is mainly the items in your bag. I don’t carry a lash curler or loose powder, those kinds of things stay home.

I don’t re apply mascara so that also stays out of the bag. 

Mostly bring whatever you use that can also act as a touch up if needed.

Try not to use separate items at home, then other items for touch ups.

Try to use the same items.

Here is my make up bag and it's current contents. These have been steady residents of my bag for the last five months. (Yes 5 months! at least! ) I keep these in the bag and use them daily, usually to the point where enough products are completed and I need a new routine- then the cycle recommences.

I apply a tinted sunscreen as my base every day and just touch up with concealer so I carry 1 small concealer in my bag daily that I can re apply if I go out at night.

I carry Lancome Dual finish powder if I ever get shiny, I don’t really anymore, but if I go out at night and take photos I do want to give myself a dust of powder. One L'Oreal true match concealer for touch ups. 

Guerlain bronzer as my all over color. I just concentrate a bit more on the cheeks.

Jemma Kidd's  Dewey Glow in Rose Gold for a highlight.  I just added MAC's Peaches this week to the mix since my bronzer lost all the peachy shades and it lacked the color it once provided so Peaches fits the bill. Sephora brow pencil which I just carry around in case I lose a leg at the end of the day with a spooly end, I use brow powder at home.Mac chromographic pencil to look awake, I try to buy eyeliners that stay on my waterline  so I don’t carry around a pencil outside this, as the waterline does tend to fade the most. Anastasia's brow duality to give my inner corners a wake me up and can double as a brow highlight. Benefits Speed Brow in case I don’t have time to pencil, the light color in the gel is enough to polish those stray hairs and add a hint of color. Benefits RSVP sample. This is my daily base and shadow. I just use my fingers and don’t even apply powder on top. This is brightening enough. Chap stick, 1 colored lip gloss (currently Ample Pink by MAC) because I don’t wear lipstick during the day often, and 1 red lipstick (Mac's Runway Red to be specific) for night time!

Mini travel perfume spray to freshen up my scent up if I continue to a night out, and blotting papers in case I do get the occasional shine but don’t feel like powder.

Lastly is a mini kabuki for either the powder, bronzer, or blush.

That’s my everyday routine. Sometimes I apply a little less, but this generally does not change and I can do it in about 10 minutes or less.

I don’t feel the need to reach for other products because I have come to fully love these products- admit tingly after 5 months I am ready for some pink blusher!

On the weekends I generally do lean towards this routine also, but if I am doing something special I whip out a few things from my inventory ;)

Stay tuned for Part II on how these products get chosen!

Discontinued Dumps

A few things I have been waiting patiently to be re promoted or re launched.

Why do brands create great limited edition items?

MAC's Moon River

MAC's Style Snob

The Bobbi Brown Chocolate Palette

The Bobbi Brown Velvet Plum Palette

Chanel Teint Innocence

Luckily, MAC's Raven Khol Power pencil is no longer on the list.

Re promotions happen people! This one happened this past Thursday in the states.

Grab it now if you ever lost your chance before!

:)

Bobbi Brown Desert Twighlight Palette

2008 and 2009 were the years I should have been a Bobbi Brown fan.

Those were the two years she released palettes I still am lemming for to this day.

(Bring back the Shimmering N*des Palette please!)

Since then, every collection, every holiday, every new season I look at the Bobbi Brown palette offerings thinking maybe THIS year will be the year I like it.

This year I purchased my first Bobbi Brown Palette, Desert Twighlight.

Many people may have initially complained about the size (it's quite small) especially stacked against it's price. I loved the size. I wanted something I can carry in my bag everyday, and never think about. A palette I can always have with me and always delivers.

I passed this palette numerous times post release and swatched some of the colors and remember thinking "gritty" 

I played with the palette one day and created a look on my eyes that numerous people in the store inquired about and ended up buying it because it seemed complimentary.

Insprired by the Arizona sunsets Bobbi Brown inputted a palette of rosy browns, soft pinks, and beautiful plummy liner shade which I loved. 

Shades included in this palette are:

 Navajo (creamy pinkish white), Cement (grey beige), Chocolate Mauve (black chocolate plum)

Twilight Pink (pale n*de pink), Twilight (pink bronze), Pink Dust (pink bronze mauve)

 Sparkle Eye Shadow in Dusk (silver heather pink), Water Color Pink (silver baby pink)

I am quite new to Bobbi Brown shadows but have come to like some of her formula's and found a least favorite. Sparkle.

In this palette I fell in love with the shade Twilight, if she had sold this as a single, and I asked she does not, I would have snatched it up! A perfect rosy brown in my opinion. I also loved Pink Dust, lined with Chocolate Mauve, which was also not sold in single form! Grrrr, I was in love.

Ok Navajo is just a highlighter which is standard. I know this is one of her best selling shades, and quite creamy. Cement I have never loved and I see it in many of her palettes...because to me it is a bit too cool toned, but what I did not really like about this palette, the Sparkle shades. Remember that word I used? Gritty.

I believe they are designed to be layered on top of other shadows for a sparkle effect, I really do think she would have been fine adding in only 1 of these types of shades since they lack color payoff, so one shade could have easily layered over this mauve and rosy shades but two were added.

I bought the palette knowing I was not in love with the two sparkle shades or Cement.

Top Row

Bottom Row

Full line up 

In the end, I returned the palette. I was in love with it's size, it forms, many of it's shades but for me, having three shades in there I would never use was not enough to make this fitting to be my go to Bobbi Palette.

I also realized I owned Mystic Eyes by Chanel which also has a simmiliar purple brown liner shade, and rosy shades along with a sandy brown. 

I have since, gone to Bobbi Brown to attempt to make my own palette of her permanent shades, I really do not like her normal palette layout, the 4 pan set up is huge, but this is not her fault, her actual product adapatability is great, but her seasonal palettes really are the best sizes.

If Twighlight and Chocolate Mauve become singles, those will defintly be added to my personal collection. 

I am still waiting faithfully for that perfect or at least near perfect Bobbi palette like she used to make but for now, I am still waiting. 

Current Make Up Bag Staple for the Working Girl – Anastasia Brow Duality

An unsung hero, but a staple in my personal everyday make up bag, is Anastasia's Brow Duality 

It comes in two shade choices, I have the one in "Shell and Lace"

I must admit I use Shell the Matte Pink highlighter the least of the two. I don't hate it, I just don't use it too often, but it reminds me of a less white version of Benefit's Eye Bright and is quite effective to give your brows a more polished effect if they look a bit scraggly at the end of the day.

The reason why I love this product is the "Lace" side

A smooth gold shade that is not as creamy as all the shadow sticks that are coming out, but is thicker meaning it will  stick on!

I apply this to my "inner corner"

My eye shape does not have the traditional V shape where most people place a light colored shadow to open their eyes. 

When I tried that it looked WEIRD.

I apply this about 1 centimeter to where my eyes create a "V" and just dab a little on. Then I take my finger and gently press on the product to spread it a bit and blend out the edges. 

Straight on you actually do not see it as being obvious but whenever I move my head slightly there is a light effect on my eyes wake them up a bit and brightening them.

In hurried moments this either side can be used on the lid. The matte side to clear discoloration and slightly brighten, and the shimmery side as a champagne wash.
I sometimes apply the Lace side on my lower lash line for additional oomph! 

Final plus to this product?

I've used it nearly everyday for a year and have only sharpened it a handful of times because I just need a dot of the gold and a mini swipe of the pink.

In short, this will last ages. 

My favorite and daily habit of brightening my "inner corner"

I ♥ Fall TAG!

1 Favorite Fall lip product?

Revlon's Berry Smoothie!

YSL Glossy Stain in 20

2 Favorite Fall Nail Polish?

Chanel Pirate 

3 Favorite Starbucks Fall Drink?

PUMPKIN SPICE LATTE!!!! Decaf, Non fat, no whip! MMMMMMMMMMM

4 Favorite Fall Candle?

             Currently enjoying Bath and Body Works Candle in Hot Chocolate which is nearly out, eek!

5 Favorite Fall Scarf or accessory

Boots! Chunky boots, army boots, classic boots, I heart them all!

My favorite Frye Engineer boots ( I did not have a good photo from my archives )

6 Haunted house, haunted hay ride, or haunted corn maze?

NONE! I am probably the biggest chicken you will ever meet  when it comes to "Scary" stuff! I think even the commercials for horror movies are scary! 

7 Favorite Halloween movie?

I can't watch scary Halloween movies so I always watch the Disney channel ones.

I did not like the sequels to either of these movies though. Twtiches  and I guess Halloweentown? ok the Twitches sequel was ehhh...I guess...the original was far better.

8 Favorite candy to eat on Halloween?

Mini twix!!!! I can't tell you how much I love mini twix!!

9 What are you dressing up as for Halloween?!

I have only dressed up once for Halloween, I was 8 and was Little Red Riding Hood, I have not dressed up since :(

10 What is your Favorite thing about Fall?

Leaves changing, eating warm and comfortable foods, crocheting (new this year!) by a nice candle and under the warm heated blankets. The beginning of cocoa season! 

Maybelline Colossal Cat Eyes Mascara Review

Back to sneaky iphone blogging today to highlight a mascara I have been trying.

Over the years, I've had quite bad luck with Maybelline mascaras. Outside Cover Girl Lash Blast everyone seems to love Maybelline mascaras the most, but outside Full n Soft I found most of the ones I tried to be complete duds.

I still give every brand another try, and when I saw the new Cat Eyes Mascara version release from the Colossal line, I decided to give it a go.

I believe the Cat Eyes version of this mascara has been out in several other countries prior hitting state side.

The first thing I noticed was this wand and brush was really skinny! Most volume mascaras are quite thick and fat, this had a thin wand and a pretty thin brush with an elongated "U" shape. 

Now the claim on this mascara is volume with extra emphasis on curling at the outer corner of your eyes. I have never tried any mascaras under the Colossal line but I do believe their claim to fame is volume.

Let me tell you, this mascara is quite good but for none of the reasons above.

Volume is definitely something lacking in this formula. This is an excellent lengthening mascara. But volume?No.

Below are my eyes with one coat of the mascara. 

It looks like I have six long curled lashes, but do they look voluminous?

I think you can actually see mascara better behind glasses in photos!!  Magnification??

The formula is not very wet, and applies easily. 

This mascara held the curl all day. I took this photo at about 5PM, and I had applied the mascara at 7AM. 

The lengthening factor is quite nice and fluttery but I did try to focus on the outer corner of my eyes but nothing happened. They did not get any where near the cat eye effect like the packaging had stated.

Maybe I'm holding the brush wrong?

For fun the other night I whacked on three coats of this stuff to see how far it could go.

It did not really get too clumpy but you can see from the below (badly lit photo, sorry about that) that volume is more apparent but all I really see is the length of my lashes.

In the end, I do like this mascara because it delivers nice fluttery curled long lashes which I always love in a mascara, but was quite disappointed in the lack of volume and outer edge it promised.

*Note: I do own the waterproof version in Glam Black*

What are your favorite Maybelline or drugstore mascara? I want to try the Falsies Flared and Volume One by One versions next! 

Chanel Eyeshadow Duo in 37 Sable Emouvant

I know I am a little late to the Chanel duo party, but it's still a nice time to highlight this lovely piece.

Part of Chanel's Summer 2012 collection which I was not going to review, but since my MACY's counter still had this in stock, and other regions of the world receive collections a bit late, I though it would be ok, after receiving confirmation from my lovely followers :)

The Chanel Duo in 37 Sable Emouvant. 

When I first saw this duo, I saw it as a complete yawn and didn't even swatch it. 

I know, those colors state neutral love! but I assumed I would have numerous dupes of each shade and didn't even give it a second glance.

When it began to show up on beauty blogs I still was not interested, but after some time, I decided to give the item a swatch and an actual examination.

The duo is comprised of two lovely shades that can easily be worn for everyday.

The lighter beige side is a lovely neutral that does not lean warm nor cool on my skin, but have seen pick up a peachy reflection on other skin tones.

Depending on your coloring, I have heard a few people use this as a highlight which I also utilize. It has a fine micro sheen that just brightens up the brow area without it looking obvious.

It applies smoothly to the skin, and blends with ease.

The darker shadow of the duo reminds me of MAC's discontinued pencil in Raven 

(which I don't own but would assume) A rich dark brown that has a hint of red flecks in it to add interest. 

The texture is very well done, and the embedded crimson tone just adds interest.

I have learned over the years if you swatch Chanel powder they look pretty "Meh" in the store.  I blame department store lighting.

If you actually walk out in the sun with the swatches still in hand, you can then see the incredible micro shimmer Chanel had embedded into their products that so many people become entranced to and fork over the bill for the effect.

I agree these are not the most original colors the brand could have came up with, but they seem to have taken two shadows who within themselves were beautiful enough, but the combination came to be a duo really worth having in part of their summer line.

This is not a must have, but something I see numerous people gaining a ton of use out of.

An enhancement to the everyday neutral eye with slight twists with red, and incredible technology to create the gorgeous micro shimmers seen in the sun. Sub due indoors, breath taking out. 

Current Everyday Make up Storage

Yeah, I went to Muji.

I bought the two drawer set. I can easily buy another set of drawers but I really feel overwhelmed when I see so much make up...

The top drawer is from the container store, the bottom two drawers is a one piece set from Muji. 

I rarely wear foundation. My real source of cover up is concealers.

I mix the Dior Sculpt concealer in shade 2 with Maybelline's Instant Age Rewind in shade "Brightener"

For my face I mix MUFE's waterproof concealer with a L'Oreal True match concealer to adjust to my fading tan.

This is the only portion of the make up station I actually use

I may have alot of make up, but I don't think I wear much. Most of my everyday items I keep in my make up bag itself. These are the only things I change. The whole slot is just my most used eye shadows, brow powder, lash curlers, mascara, lash serum and nightly lip balm

Ignore the brushes, I just use a bronzer brush, eco tools angled brush for the brows, and a MAC 224 or fingers for my shadows, not too professional I know. 

Products being: Eye shadows: Lorac Moonstone ( the shadow love of my life), Chanel Emerveilé, MAC Moleskine, Dior Ready to Glow Quint, and Smashbox Palette for brown eyes.

Other items: NYX brow powder, Shu lash curlers, Shiseido mascara base, Lancome Hypnose Precious Cells, Rapid Lash, and Baume de Rose by Terry

The second drawer comprises of things I have opened but am current not using. I am at the moment using a face routine, but once those products run out, I will go to this drawer for a replacement or just some fun on the weekends.

Products: Lancome mineral foundation, Bare Minerals Mineral Veil, Laura Mercier Secret Camoflauge, YSL bronzer, MAC Peaches and Ladyblush, Maybelline's Barely Beige Color Tattoo, NYX Taupe, NARS Portofino, and MAC's Love Nectar (new in box)

The last drawer are things also that are opened but I am currently not using BUT also new items to remind myself to stop buying make up because I clearly have enough, including things still new in the box and waiting to be used!

Products: MAC's Soft and Gentle, Laura Mercier Primer, Clarins Lip Perfector, NARS Doucer and O, Burberry Tangerine blush, YSL Sheer Candy no. 5 (new), Korres Lip Butter (new), Chanel Boy (new)

This drawer is not even full. 

On the side I have my current go to nail polishes, and I am giving Clinique's bottom lash mascara another go!

Lastly I have a box which I don't reach for yet because I have yet to find a good storage system. All my favorite eye shadows! Post on the below?

The Current Love Hate of my Life

I found it people!

An eyeliner for the waterline that STAYS put.

I first tried this on holiday where I wore it in 90 plus degree weather, climbed mountains, 

(sweated my fair share, I ain't going to lie, with my hair down no less- wth was I thinking??) 

and this stayed put for over 12 hours. No smears!

At the end of the day I couldn't believe it lasted the sweaty day test. I was in love. 

Pixi's Endless Silky Eye Pen

The following day I applied it again and noticed my eyes were so dry, and getting blurred.

This pencil had smudged all over my contacts, cue in Milani Liquify Pencil de ja vu....

"No... " I did not want to believe it, but it was true. I tried it several times after, thinking it was a fluke, it was the weather, it was the sea level!!!

I have tried it here in NY, in the dead of fall and it happens every time, this smudges all over my contacts to the point where I can't see anything!!! ><

IF, this smearing generally not tend to happen to you on very creamy liners, or you have perfect vision, this is the creamiest, smoothest, super opaque pencil that seems incredible for the waterline, and can found in Target! The black cocoa color is great btw ;)

I thought I found an HG but just another one for the Eyeliner files...view all the ones I have tried in the past via the link!