Sandy Beaches- EOTD featuring Glamour Doll Eyes

FTC Notice: All items were purchased out of pocket.    

      Hi everyone! First off, I would really like to thank everyone who visits and checks on my page- I appreciate it more than you know. My schedule is a little strange for now since I recently started a new job, but I have several future ideas set and would like to implement an e-mail notification list and Facebook page in the near future.

With flash.

     For this look, I patted a little Glamour Doll Eyes Control Freak primer all over the eye area.  Next, I brushed Mannequin onto the lid.  It's a beautiful sheer neutral that has a gorgeous sheen in the light.  Using Peep Show from the Easter 2013 Collection, I brushed all along the crease, above the lid. It's a pretty, pale matte blue shade.  To give a nice pop, I brushed Celestial Crow into the outer half of the crease and outer "v."  It is a highly-pigmented, super shimmery blue with loads of glitter in it. Next, I applied Skin of a Killer onto the brow bone and inner corner. To finish off the eye, I used my finger to dab a little Hippity Hop from the Easter 2013 Collection onto the center of the lid. It was a mystery color being sold, and is a matte sea foam green. It puts just a slight variation of texture and color on the neutral lid.

With flash.

     For the lips, I applied the Shiro Cosmetics' Ridiculously Photogenic Intertube on as a base, and topped Triple Dog Dare on top for added shine.

Products Used:

     Face:

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation in Light

Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer in Light

Revlon Photoready Sculpting Blush Palette in Peach

    Eyes: 

Glamour Doll Eyes Control Freak primer 

Glamour Doll Eyes pigment in Mannequin (Halo Collection)

Glamour Doll Eyes pigment in Peep Show (Easter 2013 Collection)

Glamour Doll Eyes pigment in Celestial Crow

Glamour Doll Eyes pigment in Skin of a Killer (Twi-Shadows, discontinued)

Glamour Doll Eyes pigment in Hippity Hop  (Easter 2013 Collection, mystery color)

Milani Easyliner Retractable Liner in Black (lower lash line)

Sally Girl Mini Liquid Eyeliner in Black

L' Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara in Black Lacquer

Milani Brow Fix Eye Powder Kit in Medium

    Lips:

Shiro Cosmetics Intertube in Ridiculously Photogenic

Shiro Cosmetics Holiday Gloss in Triple Dog Dare (Christmas 2012)

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St. Patrick's Day Look: Pot O' Gold

      Hello Everyone! I know it's a few days late, but I wanted to briefly share the look I did for St. Patrick's Day.  While I usually really look forward for an excuse to wear green shadows every year for this occasion, I chose to steer away from using it this year. Instead, I opted for a "pot of gold at the end of the rainbow" type of theme:

                                       

     Please note that for the above photo, I did photoshop a small mascara smudge out of the blue shadow region, but I do not normally do that and would state so if I did. I avoid it at all costs, but  really wanted to best display the look for demonstrative purposes.  

     If you REALLY want to amp it up, add some colored glitter to each color line and add a playful little shamrock to the side of the eye:

     This was my first time trying a triple liner look, which was challenging, but I'm allowing myself a little grace because I know it's not perfect but only gives me space to improve! :) I hope everyone had a safe and fun St. Patty's Day!

Products Used:

NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk

Urban Decay Sin shadow from the Naked Palette

I-Candy Cosmetics Blue Shadow from the CHAOS Vie En Rose Palette

Glamour Doll Eyes:

    Gruesome (Halloween Collection 2012, Set 1)

    Hayride (November 2012 OTM)

    Greased Lightning

    Steam Punk Eye Lights 

    Mannequin (Halo Collection)

    Laced With Snow (December 2012 OTM)

For the added pop in the final photo:

Claire's Cosmetics Eye Makeup (glittery gel color palette)

Shiro Cosmetics in Beta

Rest of the eye:

NYC Eye Liner Duet in Through The Storm (black side)

Milani Brow Fix Brow Shaping Kit in Medium

L' Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Mascara in Black

Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer in Light

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Shiro's February COTM: Gettin' Frisky With "My Cat's My Valentine"

     Shiro surprised us with not one, but TWO colors of the month this February! While both colors are gorgeous, I'm on a budget and trying not to select colors similar to what I already have. However, I felt obligated to purchase one of them. As a self-confessed "cat lady", I was loving My Cat's My Valentine! (Click here to see both colors). It was just too funny and adorable; not to mention a very pretty color.

  My Cat's My Valentine is described as "a creamy light pink with bright white sparkles" on Shiro's website.  While I enjoy pink shadows, I was expecting a very soft, light pink. I was pleased to open the jar and find that it was actually more of a light pinky mauve, which is something I did not have in my collection. If you're curious as to what white sparkle may look like, it's actually an iridescent color that reflects pink and soft greens. Due to its creamy consistency, it comes off as pearly when applied wet.  

Check out the lid. How ADORABLE is that?!

The colors below were swatched under regular indoor lighting:

Without flash
Left- Applied with I-Candy Cosmetics Eye Base
Center- Applied wet, with I-Candy Cosmetics Base
Right- Applied alone

With flash
Left- Applied with I-Candy Cosmetics Eye Base
Center- Applied wet, with I-Candy Cosmetics Base
Right- Applied alone

     I'm really glad the latter swatch captured the color's shimmer, because the creaminess really does give it a little more pop.  Some soft pinks, while beautiful in color, come off as a bit too subtle.  Also, since it's lip-safe, this will be a fun color to play around with on lips and cheeks, too.

     The following look was done using I-Candy's Eye Base with Shiro's My Cat's My Valentine applied wet on the lid, Nic Cage Raking Leaves on a Brisk October Afternoon ;) along the crease, and Day of Reckoning on the lower lash line.

Without flash

With flash

     You can get My Cat's My Valentine while it's still out this month! It's definitely a unique novelty name and jar (like most Colors of the Month) and a pretty pink to boot.  It sells for $6.00 a jar, or you can purchase both COTM's for a total of $10.00.  

     And, only because it's appropriate, here is my sweet little Valentine ;)

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Valentine's Series: Vampy Valentine (Featuring Glamourdoll Eyes)

     This is a darker look using mostly Glamourdoll pigments. This one was probably my favorite of the series because it's not something I wear often, though I'm a fan of darker colors.  I've also been really into revisiting purples lately, which was my original favorite eye color years ago. While I was referring to the "vamp" fashion look, I unintentionally ended up using the Twi Shadows from Glamourdoll Eyes...what a coincidence!  Take note that is is also a very glittery look, as all but one of the pigments contain sparkle.

     I started off by priming my entire eye area, and then applied Skin of a Killer (now discontinued) onto my brow bone and inner corner. I then placed Premonition (now in the permanent line!) lightly onto my lid and all over my crease and outer "v." I also applied Premonition onto my lower lash line with an angled brush. Next, I took Shiro's Day of Reckoning and pat it into the outer "v." I blended it into Premonition with my brush.  Finally, I applied Mannequin from the Halo collection onto my entire lid area.  Since this is a more dramatic look, I traced my entire eye area with retractable liner, including the inner corners of my eyes.  For the upper lash area, I did a cat eye look with the liner. I finished with  mascara, and concealer.

    For my lip, I used N.Y.C. Ultra Moist Lip Wear in Mahogony, which is a deep, rich berry red.(Since I tend to look for either Wet n' Wild or N.Y.C. at the stores and often tend to find only one or the other, or if you have a preference, Wet n' Wild. has a color that appeared identical to this one in Cherrybomb.  I chose the N.Y.C. color since it cost less. I honestly expected a cheap taste when I applied this onto my lips, but was so surprised to find that it was a pleasant berry flavor.  The application was so-so, but it was a very dark color, and I expected it to be a little messy. After applying the lip color, I traced it with concealer on the outer lip. 

     Since I was using so many cooler-toned colors, especially the lipstick, I knew it would wash my face out. To help add warmth, I used Sparkler from Glamourdoll Eyes as a blush on the apples of my cheeks.

    Since this is a flirty look, I chose one of the largest lash sets I have and put those on as a final touch.

Without flash.

With flash.

 Products Used:

     Face:

elf Glow Bronzing Powder in Sun Kissed 

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation in Light

Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer in Light

Glamourdoll Eyes pigment in Sparkler (Blogger Collection)

    Eyes: 

I-Candi Cosmetics Eye Shadow Base 

Glamourdoll Eyes pigment in Skin of a Killer (Twi-Shadows, discontinued)

Glamourdoll Eyes pigment in Premonition (Twi-Shadows, PERMANENT Collection)

Glamourdoll Eyes pigment in Mannequin (Halo Collection)

Shiro Cosmetics pigment in Day of Reckoning

Tarte Amazonion Clay Smart Mascara in Gifted

Nyx Waterproof Retractable Eye Liner in Black 

Wet n Wild Color Icon Brow & Eye Liner in Taupe

elf Ultimate Lashes 4 Piece Lash Set 

    Lips:

N.Y.C. Ultra Moist Lip Wear in Mahogony

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Little Orphan Annie Says, "Be Sure to Get Your Glosses...from Shiro!"

      And unlike Ralphie, you won't be disappointed.  Caitlin announced on Thursday that both the holiday glosses and The Science Collection are on FINAL sale. (Check out the link for The Science Collection).  These would all make great Valentine's Day gifts.  Back when Shiro first revealed its A Christmas Story themed glosses, I felt like little Randy Parker in the film when he kept exclaiming how he wanted everything under the tree!  Three glosses were released, each with its own unique color, including Leg Lamp, Red Ryder, and Triple Dog Dare.  Red Ryder, appropriately, is a gorgeous red hue.  Since I already have enough red lip colors, I opted out of purchasing Red Ryder. I did purchase the other two, since they looked uniquely gorgeous.

The colors of the glosses. (Top- Leg Lamp, bottom-Triple Dog Dare).

Swatched with flash (thinner layer plus built up area).
Left- Leg Lamp Right- Triple Dog Dare

     According to Shiro Cosmetics, Leg Lamp is very appropriately described as

 " Shimmery true gold.

Flavor: Toffee.

Opacity: Sheer to moderately opaque depending on application."

     I found the color to be rather subtle upon application, so I did put several coats on.  However, I think it's such a beautiful color that would look great on anyone since it's not overbearing and doesn't compete with underlying skin tones.  It's great for those who prefer a subtle little shine to their look, lip gloss junkies, and anyone opting for a dramatic eye look (subtle lips keep the face from looking too harsh).  Oh, and did you notice how it says the gloss is toffee-flavored?  The holiday glosses are dessert-flavored, and they all taste delicious.

Ooh-La La! Check out that label.

Leg Lamp applied onto the lips. Notice the subtle glint of gold?

     Next up is Triple Dog Dare. Shiro describes this gloss as 
"Color: Dusty shimmery plum with beigey undertones.

Flavor: Sugarplum.

Opacity: Sheer to moderately opaque depending on application."

     I was really eager to try this one out, since I'd been on the hunt for a nice purple-toned lip color. Plums have really been in since Fall 2012, which is something I can't complain about.  It seems like a lot of other glosses I've tried either show up pink or TOO purple.  This is a really nice color without actually being too overwhelming (remember, it's a gloss, so you can build it up and manage a nice sheer look).  The color in the tube is actually much darker than how it comes out once applied.

Seriously- who wouldn't want a picture of Flick on their lipgloss tube?!?!

Once applied to the lips.

     I personally prefer the flavor of Leg Lamp, but I know that I'll be wearing Triple Dog Dare more often. It's a close one, though, since both are beautiful colors. I think I'll wear Leg Lamp under lip liners and matte colors, because that gold shine...it's really "a major award!"  

     You can purchase the holiday glosses here for $5.50 each, or get the trio for $15.  You can also check out Red Ryder there, too. It looks like it'd be great if you want a red that brings color to your face without it being too overbearing.  What's left in stock right now is what's left, so it will be gone after that...Oh Fuuudge!

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Get It Before It's Thrown Into The Incinerator! Shiro Cosmetics' Discontinued Science Collection Sale

     Even though The Science Collection has been out for a few years, it is now being discontinued with the remainder being sold for 20% off its original price. Based off the original video game Portal, I knew I had to buy some of these shadows!  I have only recently started playing this highly popular game in the past few months, and it’s amazing.  Owning a part of a collection associated with it containing gorgeous, quality colors is a glam nerd’s dream come true.  Every color has a clever name associated with quotes from the game.

     What I love about the shadows from Shiro is how easily the pigments blend onto the eye area without having to pack a lot of product on. The jars always arrive jam-packed with product, too, whether it be full-sized or a larger sized sample jar.

     

 Check out the Shiro Aperture lid, and how much product is packed into the jar (this was after a few uses, too!)

Without Flash- The pigments I purchased (from left to right) were Because We Can, Party Escort, Beta, and You Were Adopted. Used with I-Candy Eye Primer.

  With flash- The pigments I purchased ( from left to right) were Because We Can, Party Escort, Beta, and You Were Adopted. Used with I-Candy Eye Primer.

     According to Shiro Cosmetics, each pigment is described as such:

     Because We Can- “Super-bright shimmery hot pink with flashes of silver. Lip-safe!”

She wasn’t kidding when she said this is “super-bright.” It’s a gorgeous, girly pink that also makes a great lip/blush color.

     Party Escort- “Shimmery blackened silver with lots of red sparks. Lip-safe!”

I found that this color actually requires a little more building up to achieve as much drama as the other colors. It looks GREAT directly on top of the other colors!

     Beta- “Shimmery blackened emerald. Not lip-safe”

Another gorgeous shade of green. Blends really nicely with You Were Adopted.

    You Were Adopted- “Dark shimmery grey-blue with flashes of silver and green. Not lip-safe.”

Wowzers, is this a bold color!  It really stands out if you want a heavier pigment.

Because We Can on Lid Paired With Party Escort Over Crease, Lower Brow Bone and Outer "V"- Going For That Basic Companion Cube Look

You Were Adopted on the lid, Blended in With Beta on the Crease and Outer "V."

     I’d like to try out some of the other colors as well, but I’m not sure how much longer these shades will be up for grabs.

     Be sure to snag The Science Collection while it’s “Still Alive.” ;)

     You can find the link to view the whole collection here.

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