How to Repair Broken Eyeshadow, Blush, Bronzer, or Palettes

Hello hello!!

I'm sure that for any makeup lover out there, one of the worst feelings is opening your make up bag and finding that your favorite eyeshadow, blush, bronzer, or palette is smashed and broken into bits. Maybe in the past, you would simply shed a tear and either throw away the damaged beauties or try to make the best use out of the shattered pigment, but in this post, I will share with you a simple trick that will definitely be a life saver when it comes to broken eyeshadows, blushes, bronzers, or palettes.

So gather up all your broken treasures and lets get fixin'!

What you'll need:
- 70% (or greater) rubbing alcohol 
- Toothpick, small spoon/fork (crushing tool)
- any tool to use to press your broken pigments (a coin)
- paper towel 

Step 1: Using your crushing tool, crush your pigment on its pan until it becomes a fine powder...make sure you don't have any chunks left behind
Step 2: Slowly pour a decent amount of rubbing alcohol on powdered pigment and constantly mix until all pigment is wet and you have a creamy consistency 
Step 3: For 30 seconds or so, let the rubbing alcohol evaporate, then cover the pan with a paper towel and press on to the paper towel with your pressing tool to absorb most of the alcohol left behind
Step 4: Let your pan sit for 2-4 hours to ensure it is fully dry and ready to use
Step 5: And you're done!!


I hope you found this helpful!!

-Mary

Disney's Frozen: Elsa Makeup Tutorial

Hello there!

Today I have a quick makeup tutorial for you on how I recreateed Elsa's makeup from Disney's Frozen.

Enjoy!

Here's the final makeup look.

With my lids already primed, I started off by using my Real Techniques Base Shadow brush to blend the shade Taupe from the Lorac Pro Palette (1) into my crease and fading it up to my brow bone. 

Using the same brush, I then took the shade Mauve and blended it right over the Taupe shade in the crease.

Using a small flat shader brush (unbranded), I wet my brush using the e.l.f. Mist & Set Spray and picked up some pigment directly from the side of the Milani Bella Gel Powder Eyeshadow in 19-Bella Rouge and dabbed it all over the moving part of my lid.
**When using the eyeshadows wet, make sure to use the wet brush on one side of the actual product so you don't mess the top of the product in case you want to use it dry later on.

Using the the same brush (make sure you dry it first), I dabbed the shade Garnet on the outer V (or C) of the lid, slightly blending this inward into the lash line and the crease.

Using an e.l.f. brush, its either a definer, pencil, or blending brush (label rubbed off), I lightly blended the shade Sable from the outer V, into the crease, and slightly upwards toward the brow bone.

Using the same Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush, I lightly took the shade Espresso and blended it from the crease, into the outer V, and connecting it to the bottom lash line.

With the Real Techniques Definer Brush, I defined my bottom lash line with the shade Sable, connecting and blending it with the Espresso from the previous step and blending it halfway through the bottom lash line.

Taking the Real Techniques Definer Brush and Duo Fiber Blending brush, I picked up the shimmery Nude shade and blended it in my inner corners and on the brow bone. 

Back to the Real Techniques Definer Brush, I softly lined and winged my upper lash line to add some slight definition.

Here's whats on the rest of my face...Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, e.l.f. HD Lifting Concealers, L'oreal True match Mineral Powder Foundation in 'Natural Beige W4-5/464', Smashbox Photo Set Pressed Powder in 'Dark' (for bronzer), Smashbox 'Hint of Bronze' Blush (for bronzer), Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in 'Flush', e.l.f. Mist & Set, Milani Bella Gel Powder Eyeshadow in '19-Bella Rouge' and '28-Bella Chiffon', Lorac Pro Palette, eos lip balm, e.l.f. Eyelid Primer in Nude, Jordanna Eyeliner in Black (brow pencil), Too Faced Glamour Gloss in 'Erotic'.

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial!

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more!

-Mary

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Precision Micro Eyeliner | Review + Swatches

Hello hello!

Todays review is on the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Precision Micro Eyeliner.

I picked this up just a couple weeks ago and have been testing it out for quite some time now.

Here's a close up of the fine, felt tip applicator.

Here are some swatches of the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Precision Micro Eyeliner, as you can see, the felt-tip applicator allows you to draw really fine or thick lines.
The only down side, which is a major issue to me, is that it is not as opaque as I would like it to be or as it claims to be. With a single stroke, you can definitely see through the line. This could be because I got an older stock, but either way, I'm not too impressed by it.

Price Comparison: 

• Walgreen $5.99
• Walmart: $5.49

Size:

Size/Count  0.04 fl oz

Claims:

• Ultra fine applicator draws super precise lines
• Intense color lasts up to 24 hours X
• Waterproof and smudge-proof X
• Uniquely slanted 2-in-1 felt tip
• Intensely pigmented formula X
• Long lasting ultra-black color X

X - Indicates that its a false claim, I disagree with this claim

While attempting to line my eyes with my typical wing eyeliner look, I felt like this eyeliner dried out on me! The final look wasn't at all 'intensely pigmented' black like it claimed, it was more like a translucent and streaky charcoal shade like in the pictured swatches. While testing its resistance to water, I was even more disappointed. With a single wash of just water, a majority of the eyeliner immediately rubbed off.

Overall, I'm not at all impressed with this eyeliner. I think this is a product you could definitely pass without feeling like you're missing out on anything. I've definitely had better experiences with other drugstore eyeliners that were even more affordable than this one and that actually sticks to their claims!

I hope you found review this helpful!

-Mary

Makeup Tip #3: How to Make Your Eyelashes Grow | DIY Eyelash Growth Serum

Hello hello!!

Today's post will be a combination of a makeup tip and a DIY (do it yourself) post on how to make your eyelashes grow. 

There are lash growth serums available all over the market that range from $7-$100+ with ingredients you don't even know how to pronounce and with results you can't even guarantee. In this post, I will be sharing with you a 'secret' on how I grew my short, barely existent Asian lashes using one very affordable product that you may or may not already have in your house.

Please keep in mind that I am not claiming that my lashes are the longest, fullest, or thickest natural lashes, I have definitely seen other people with naturally longer and fuller lashes, I am just sharing with you what has worked for me and I have stopped constantly using this product for this purpose because I have already reached my desired length for my eyelashes.

Here's what you'll be needing: Vaseline (petroleum jelly)

Optional: Cotton swabs , an empty mascara tube and brush

Step 1: This is best to do before bed. Make sure your eyes are clean and free from any makeup and make sure you arent wearing any contact lenses.

Step 2: Using either your finger or a cotton swab, massage a thin but generous layer of Vaseline over your lashes, making sure to get the inner and outer corners of your top and bottom lashes. I prefer using my clean fingers because I get familiarized with how much Vaseline I am picking up from the jar and I feel like the warmth of my fingers really helps to work in the Vaseline. Be very careful to not get any Vaseline into your eyes!!

Step 3: Leave overnight and wash off any excess Vaseline in the morning.

If you'd like, you can put some Vaseline into a clean and empty mascara tube and apply the Vaseline on your lashes like you would with a mascara.


I did this every night for 2 consecutive weeks (14 nights total) to reach my desired length. Every now and then, every 4 or so months, I find myself massaging Vaseline on my eyelashes, except now I usually focus more on the outer corners of my lashes.
Some people say that putting Vaseline on your face could clog your pores, but personally I have not had clogged pores from doing this. If your pores do get clogged, leave a wet warm face towel over your face for a minute and then exfoliate your face with any facial exfoliator you have. 
Also remember, when doing this, try your best to not get it into your eyes!! If a little Vaseline gets into your eyes, don't worry, its happened to me a couple of times, your eyes will naturally get rid of them by crying it out.


I hope this works for you too and I hope this helps anyone out there suffering from short, barely existent lashes like I did. Please do let me know if it works for you too, I'd love to hear from you guys.
Thanks for reading!! 

-Mary

Favorites of the Moment: Makeup + Mini Reviews

Hello there!

Today I have a Favorites of the Moment to share with you, here I'll be sharing with you some of the products I've been really enjoying recently plus I'll do a mini review on each product. Enjoy!

Through out summer, I've been branching out and trying new products and new brands mainly from the drugstore. From palettes...to brushes...to glosses...I've tried a couple, and some I didn't like so they aren't included here. But for the most part, I've been really enjoying these products. Let me know if you want me to do individual full reviews on a specific product :)

To start of, the new Maybelline the Nudes eyeshadow palette is one of my greatest finds of August! This is one of the best full neutral eyeshadow palettes from the drugstore and is in my opinion a good drugstore replacement (not at all saying its a dupe!) of the Urban Decay Naked Palette or the Lorac Pro Palette...somewhere along those lines. This is a great and affordable drugstore neutral palette especially when used with the right primers! I recently did a full review on the Maybelline the Nudes palette if you're interested.

Speaking of eyeshadow bases/primers, one of the best eye primers I've been loving to use with the Maybelline the Nudes palette or even as a stand-alone product are the e.l.f. Smudge Pots I find that the shades Gotta Glow, Back to Basics, Cruisin Chic, and Brownie Points are shades that really go well with the Maybelline the Nudes palette and the other shades like Poppin Party, Ocean Bound, and Hit the Town are the shades that could be used to achieve similar looks that the Urban Decay Naked Palette or the Lorac Pro Palette could give. These smudge pots have a decent color range and are very creamy allowing you to have some working time with them once they're on the lids.

To single eyeshadows, the new Milani Bella Gel Powder Eyeshadows are another one of my greatest finds of August! I've been especially loving the shade 28-Bella Chiffon as an all over highlighter and use it everyday since I purchased it...that says a lot because I'm not one who enjoys highlighting much! This product is available in 30 shades and various finishes that range from matte, to shimmer, to metallic, to even iridescent! They have such great pigmentation and last all day! I also did a full review on the Milani Bella Gel powder eyeshadows if you're interested!

Speaking on highlighting, the limited edition Smashbox Hint of Bronze Blush has been my go to summer bronzer. Yes, this is a shimmery blush/bronzer and is no longer being sold at the Smashbox website, but you can still find it at Amazon or eBay (where I purchased mine). This blush/bronzer is very versatile and depending on your skin color, it can be used as an eyeshadow, a natural looking highlighter, blush, or bronzer! I will soon do a review on this product as well!

Moving on to lip products, the NYX Butter Glosses are amazing!! I know, I'm so late on this, but I've just been so hesitant to try on lipglosses because like everyone else, I hate the sticky feeling lipglosses have! These ones however, are buttery smooth, have great color selection, great pigmentation (not to mention, are true to color), are non-shimmery/glittery, and smell like vanilla! I will definitely be picking up more of these!

Another lip gloss I've been quite enjoying is the Milani Brilliant Shine Lip Gloss in Coral Crush (I've been really into that orange/coral lip this summer). This lipgloss is very light weight and is true to color so what you see on the tube is what you'll have on your lips. The formula is quite smooth and buttery (but not as buttery) as the NYX Butter Glosses, it is not sticky, tacky or gluelike on the lips.  

Drifting toward lip balm type of products, I've been really loving the Jordana Twist & Shine balm stain in Honey Love. This is definitely one of those 'my lips but better' types of products, plus it's very light weight and moisturizing! This is definitely a more affordable alternative to the Rimmel Balm Stains or those other chubby lippies from both high and low end brands. 

Lastly for the lips, I've actually been really enjoying these eos lip balms! At first I was really disappointed by these since they have a dry formula, but now I've actually been using them to provide a light layer of moisture underneath my lip gloss or lipstick, I find that using dryer formula lipbalms instead of the creamier lipbalms will prevent any lip product from slipping and sliding on your lips. 

Finally, my last favorite as for now is the e.l.f. Kabuki Face Brush! At first I was really disappointed by this brush because it shredded a lot on me whille I was using it and washing it. But after about 3-4 washes, it stopped shedding on me. I find that depending on the angle tou hold it, this brush could be quite multipurpose..I use it for my mineral powder foundation, blush, bronzer, and highlighter.

With all the new limited edition fall/autumn makeup sets, I'm excited to see what the following months bring! :)

-Mary

DIY Jewelry & Accessories: Earrings + Earring Organizers

Hello hello there!!

Today I have a double DIY project for you guys and its on these really cute and unique earrings and an easy and quick earring organizer...more like a trick to organize your earrings so you won't lose them.

These are the three earrings that I will be demonstrating how I made them.

Things you'll be needing: tweezers, pliers, wire cutters, eye pins, head pins,  E6000 Glue or Super Glue (any strong, permanent, fast drying glue), earring hooks, various sized jump rings, etc., assorted buttons, spikes, studs, charms, pendants, gears, pretty much anything you want to make or recycle into earrings..

Milani Bella Gel Powder Eyeshadows | Review + Swatches

Hello hello!!

Today's review is on the new Milani Bella Gel Powder Eyeshadows which were released in July 2014.
These eyeshadows have a gel powder formula and claim to have pure color with a single stroke application and have a long power wear. 

The two shades I have are 19 Bella Rouge and 28 Bella Chiffon

This collection has 30 available shades that range from satin matte, shimmer and iridescent metallic finishes.

Shades Available: 01 Bella Ivory, 02 Bella Sand, 03 Bella Cappuccino, 04 Bella Caffe, 05 Bella Taupe, 06 Bella Espresso, 07 Bella White, 08 BellaSky, 09 Bella Navy, 10 Bella Gray, 11 Bella Charcoal, 12 Bella Black, 13 Bella Pink, 14 Bella Violet, 15 Bella Purple, 16 Bella Champagne, 17 Bella Khaki, 18 Bella Emerald, 19 Bella Rouge, 20 Bella Silver, 21 Bella Teal, 22 Bella Gold, 23 Bella Copper, 24 Bella Bronze, 25 Bella Cobalt, 26 Bella Fuchsia, 27 Bella Mandarin, 28 Bella Chiffon, 29 Bella Rose, 30 Bella Diamond

Close up of the 28 Bella Chiffon shadow (highlighter/shimmer finish)

Close up of the 19 Bella Rouge shadow (metallic finish)

Finger swatches of the shadows.
Top swatch: 28 Bella Chiffon
Bottom swatch: 19 Bella Rouge

Wet swatches of the shadows.
Left pair: wet swatches using water
Right pair: wet swatches using e.l.f. Mist & Set Spray

Product Description: The formula of this eyeshadow is a gel powder...I know, what would that even look or feel like!? There are 30 shades available in this collection, each shade has a rich, vibrant color that glides on in a single stroke, delivering a 'stunning multi-dimensional effect'. What exactly makes it a 'gel powder'? The formula is stated to start as a gel and then is transformed by a 'special process' into a stunning powder eyeshadow with pure color and power wear. This unique process allows you to blend this incredibly innovative, weightless formula easily with your fingertips or a brush (real or synthetic) to brighten up your eyes. These eyeshadows can be used wet or dry and it resists creasing.

This product has an average rating of 5 out of 5 star rating.

Ingredients: Mica, Synthetic Fluorphlogopite, Silica,Aluminum Starch Octenylsuccinate, HDI/Trimethylol Hexyllactone Crosspolymer,Dimethicone, Isononyl Isononanoate, VP/Hexadecene Copolymer, Cetyl PEG/PPG-10/1Dimethicone, Octyldodecanol, Magnesium Aluminum Silicate, Nylon-12, CaprylylGlycol, Ethylhexylglycerin, Ammonium Acryloyldimethyltaurate/Beheneth-25Methacrylate Crosspolymer, Polysorbate 20, Polyisoprene, Talc, PentaerythritylTetra-di-t-Butyl Hydroxyhydrocinnamate. +/- May Contain: Tin Oxide, TitaniumDioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), ManganeseViolet (CI 77742), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510),Carmine (CI 75470).

Net Weight: 0.05 OZ/ 1.4g

Retail Value: (Milani site)$3.99

Price Comparison: Walgreens: $3.99, CVS: $4.59, Walmart: $3.97

These eyeshadows look very similar to the Maybelline Bouncy Blushes by size and by how they have a similar thumbprint kind of indentation in the center of the product. Once you touch these, you'd notice their differences, these ones aren't 'squishy' at all...which is a little odd, especially after being given a 'gel' formula...it can be quite misleading. These eyeshadows, without a doubt, are like a pressed powder and not gel at all. I do notice that the 28 Bella Chiffon has an odd plastic smell and the 19 Bella Rouge has no scent at all, I'm not sure if this is because of the different finishes or it just so happened. 

I would definitely agree that you just need one stroke of these eyeshadows to get a very vibrant pigment on your eyes even without a primer underneath. Using these eyeshadows wet, either with water or a setting spray, makes the eyeshadows even more vibrant and intense.

Overall, I am soo impressed with the new Milani Bella Gel Powder Eyeshadows, I'm typically not fond of single eyeshadows so I picked up the shade 28 Bella Chiffon with the purpose of using it as an all over highlighter...now I use it as an all over highlighter and as an eyeshadow itself! With a single swipe with either your finger or a brush, you pick up a lot of pigment! I will definitely be picking up more (maybe even all) of these eyeshadows. I am so impressed with the quality, especially for the price! I would highly recommend it to anyone...everyone! Don't miss out on these great eyeshadows!

I hope you found this helpful!

Thanks for reading!

-Mary