Friday, September 30, 2011

September 2011 Favorites

Wow, that was a quick month. I had to cut down massively on my spending (because I got a new car!), but I still managed to add new favorites to the lineup:

The olive ("Browbone") shade from Wet n Wild LE Earth Looks Small From Down Here Trio ($2.99):
This is just incredibly gorgeous. I love to do a gradient greens eye with it, and this has a duo-chromey, antiqued gold look to it so if I am in a rush but still want my eyes to pop I can just swipe this across my lid by itself.  It's perfect.

Jill Stuart Mix Blush in Romantic Poppy ($65):
Hard to get, but other shades are available from iMomoko.com.  These are in beautiful packaging and come with a great brush.  Each shade in the blush quad can be worn alone, and when swirled together it has this dimension I cannot compare to any single blush I own.  It is almost a 3D effect.  It's so soft and blends out so well, you can get a full-on pigmentation look like NARS or a whisper if you prefer.  These are so pricey but I'm contemplating collecting every one that comes out... if I win the lottery... sigh.  I've been wearing this more than my beloved Illamasqua Lover this month!

Clinique Black Honey Brush-On Cream Liner ($15):
I wasn't really feeling the limited edition blush or eye quad, but I picked up the lip duo and this cream liner.  It looks more interesting than my usual black or dark brown, while still being neutral.  I think the bit of red in it makes my eye color skew more green.  When I've done a linerless look and find myself thinking I need more definition, this is what I've been reaching for all September. It just screams Autumn, doesn't it?  The brush it comes with is kinda meh but does the job in a pinch.

Mac Zoom Lash Mascara in Zoomblack ($15):
This just works for me; it volumizes, lengthens, separates, and defines with true, deep blackness.  The price isn't bad at all, but I've been using various samples of it that I have around.  I've bought it in the past because I heard it is vegan, but I can't confirm that is still true. I have several mascaras in rotation at the moment (more than I ought to!), but this is the one I reach for when I just want a mascara I can rely on!

Dior Aurora (LE, Sold Out):
I can't even remember how much it cost.  I was boycotting Dior, like NARS, earlier this year because I have issues with the fingerprint-magnet packaging and excessively high prices.  I eventually caved on both of those boycotts, and this is what made me cave on Dior.  It was being raved all over the blogosphere, and when I got it back in June I didn't touch it for a few months because it was so pretty in its compact.  Well, I caved to that temptation, too!  This is what I've been reaching for when I don't want to put on anything besides mineral foundation.  At that point, I look too washed-out, and this is a perfect combo of a natural bronzer and peachy blush to send the pallor packing.  It's near impossible to over-do and requires no finesse; easy, goof-proof makeup at its finest.  This ought to be permanent.

Philosophy Purity Made Simple ($20 for 8 oz.):
I received a free bottle of this with a purchase during a promo at Ulta back in May or June, and eventually got around to using it on a regular basis this month. I've had samples of it before and was unimpressed - I tend to like a good lather with a facial cleanser.  I do have to use the CVS makeup remover wipes beforehand.  Still, with use over an extended period its gentle cleansing is growing on me despite my dislike for rose scents.  My face feels really clean but not at all irritated, tight or dry after I use it.  If my skin clears up a bit more I may attribute it to this cleanser rather than the cooler temperatures of Fall, but the verdict is still out.

Too Faced Sweet Dreams Palette ($52):
I think this was obvious; how many FOTD/EOTD have I done with this palette this month? The packaging is pretty and fun, the cheek products in the drawer alone justify its purchase.  Full review is here, but since writing the review I've figured out how to work with its few shortcomings and we're running away together ;-)

No lippies in the favorites this month;  Honestly, I was a lippie ho and love them all. Maybe next month!

Wednesday, September 28, 2011

100th Post Giveaway!


Hi Girlies! I'm celebrating my 100th Post with another giveaway! I'm sorry, but the size of the prize forced me to make this one U.S.-only (please enter the international giveaway here, and Canadian residents please stay tuned for a contest in the next couple of months!):

Sally Hansen Flirty Eyes Lash Curler
Maybelline The Falsies Mascara
Benefit BADgal Lash mini Mascara
Revlon Fantasy Lengths Self-adhesive Lashes 99500



Benefit High Beam
Benefit Cha Cha Tint (Please note: this item has been swatched and tested by me for review)

Urban Decay mini Midnight Cowboy Lip Junkie Lip Gloss
NYX Round Lipstick in Sky Pink
Stila travel-size Lip Glaze
Revlon ColorStay Liquid Lipstick in Royal Raisin
Cherry Culture GWP Bubble Gum Lip Balm
Lancome mini Juicy Tubes Lip Gloss in Moulin Rose
Tweezerman Floral Mini Slant Tweezers
Stila Trio Eyeshadow in Goddess
Jill Stuart Illuminance Eyes Quad in Brocade Gold
Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Liner in Whiskey (full size) and Rockstar (travel size)



Giveaway Rules:
  • Open to U.S.A. followers only
  • Please follow with Google Friend Connect
  • Leave a comment below with your email address in order to be contacted
  • For an extra entry (+1) mention this giveaway in your sidebar
  • For an extra 2 entries (+2) write a post about this giveaway (3 entries maximum per person)
  • Giveaway ends October 10th, 2011

*If mentioning my giveaway in either sidebar or post, please leave me a link to your blog*



Official Rules

The approximate value of the grand prize is $200.00. This prize is non-transferable. There are no cash or other substitutes of prizes by winner. Beauty Vigilante reserves the right to substitute similar prizes of equal or lesser value in the event the above prize is unavailable for any reason. Individual, parent, or legal guardian of the winner is solely responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes with respect to the grand prize. Prize will be mailed to the winner’s physical mailing address. Please allow six (6) to eight (8) weeks for delivery. Beauty Vigilante is not responsible for lost/damaged/stolen items in the mail.
By entering or accepting the prize in this contest, winner agrees to be bound by these Official Rules, Terms, and Conditions and to conform to all federal, state and local laws and regulations.
No purchase necessary to enter or win. This contest runs from September 28th, 2011 through October 10th, 2011 at 12:01AM EST.

Eligibility

This contest is open to all U.S. participants unless prohibited by their local state/country. Prizes won by minors will be awarded to their parent or legal guardian on their behalf. For reference, the age of majority is 18 years old in the United States, with the exception of Alabama (19), Delaware (19), Mississippi (21), and Nebraska (19). The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Eligible participants are allowed to enter up to three (3) times, as per the section above.

How to Win

One (1) winner will be selected through a random drawing from all eligible entries after contest closes. In the event that the original winner does not meet eligibility requirements or he/she forfeits the prize, the prize may be awarded to the next randomly drawn eligible participant. All entries must be received on or before October 10th, 2011 at 12:01AM EST. The winners will be notified via e-mail or message (as applicable), and blog post. Winners will have 48 hours to claim prize after initial notification. If winner fails to claim within 48 hours, an alternative winner may be selected.




NOTD: Sally Hansen HD Nail Color in Three D

Hello girlies :) Just a quick NOTD. I finally had to remove my chippy Incoco silver strips last night.  I used this Sally Hansen Hi-Definition Nail Color in Three D, a corally orange that is opaque in two coats (but I used three), topped with Seche Vite.  On my ring finger accent I used a couple coats of Confetti polish from CVS in Pink Confetti, an iridescent glitter that looks pale pink in the bottle but is basically a clear base with pastel glitter glass flecks.
That's MAC Evolution Revolution Lipglass

Here you can see some of the pinkness of Three D

Monday, September 26, 2011

I love the UK Giveaway! (My First Giveaway)


'ello guys! I follow no less than 20 Beauty Blogs from the UK on nearly a daily basis.  Some of these are by my favorite bloggers of all.  Most of my day is spent at the computer (for work, so only sort of by choice), and y'all make it a LOT more bearable!
 I understand a lot of you guys don't get the U.S.'s best inexpensive cosmetic brands and I think that's a darned shame!  I sure wish Sleek would hop the pond and be available at CVS already. 
So, I've put together this giveaway box open to U.K. and non-U.S. or Canada addresses only:



Physicians Formula Happy Booster in Light Bronzer
Wet n Wild LE Trio Eye Shadow in Fly Me to the Moon, Bright Idea, and Enter a New Realm;
Color Icon Shadow single in Brulee; Color Icon Eye Kohls in Purple and White
Milani Rose Hip Lipstick and Luminoso Baked Blush


MAC LE Hibiscus Cremesheen Lipstick from the Surf, Baby! Collection (Sold Out!)
Cherry Culture Bubble Gum Lip Balm (GWP)
Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Lip Gloss in Cupquake (My favorite! I repurchase this all the time)
Bath & Body Works Liplicious Lip Gloss in Cookies and Scream (LE Halloween 2011)
Too Faced (Sephora Exclusive 500 pt. freebie palette and Mini Shadow Insurance), Lash Injection Mini Mascara



Giveaway Rules:
  • Open to non-U.S. or Canada followers only (don't worry, I'm going to do a U.S.-only Giveaway! Canadian Giveaways are complicated but I'll try to do it in the future)
  • Please follow with Google Friend Connect (following constitutes entry unless you request to be removed from consideration.  U.S. and Canadian residents will not be considered for this Giveaway)
  • Leave a comment below with your email address in order to be contacted
  • For an extra entry (+1) mention this giveaway in your sidebar
  • For an extra 2 entries (+2) write a post about this giveaway (3 entries maximum per person)
  • Giveaway ends October 3rd, 2011

*If mentioning my giveaway in either sidebar or post, please leave me a link to your blog*
(Thanks to Penelope of Inspired by Beauty because I totally ripped off the format of your giveaway post. I hope it is okay!)


Official Rules so I don't get fined…

The approximate value of the grand prize is $80.00. This prize is non-transferable. There are no cash or other substitutes of prizes by winner. Beauty Vigilante reserves the right to substitute similar prizes of equal or greater value in the event the above prize is unavailable for any reason. Individual, parent, or legal guardian of the winner is solely responsible for all applicable federal, state and local taxes with respect to the grand prize. Prize will be mailed to the winner’s physical mailing address. Please allow six (6) to eight (8) weeks for delivery.  Beauty Vigilante is not responsible for lost/damaged/stolen items in the mail.
By entering or accepting the prize in this contest, winner agrees to be bound by these Official Rules, Terms, and Conditions and to conform to all federal, state and local laws and regulations.
No purchase necessary to enter or win. This contest runs from September 26th, 2011 through October 3rd, 2011 at 12:01AM EST.

Eligibility

This contest is open to all non-U.S. and non-Canadian participants unless prohibited by their local state/country. Prizes won by minors will be awarded to their parent or legal guardian on their behalf. For reference, the age of majority is 18 years old in the United States, with the exception of Alabama (19), Delaware (19), Mississippi (21), and Nebraska (19). The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Eligible participants are allowed to enter up to three (3) times, as per the section above.

How to Win

One (1) winner will be selected through a random drawing from all eligible entries after contest closes. In the event that the original winner does not meet eligibility requirements or he/she forfeits the prize, the prize may be awarded to the next randomly drawn eligible participant. All entries must be received on or before October 3rd, 2011 at 12:01AM EST. The winners will be notified via e-mail or message (as applicable), and blog post. Winners will have 48 hours to claim prize after initial notification. If winner fails to claim within 48 hours, an alternative winner may be selected.


Pumpkin

Besides being my parents' pet name for me, pumpkin is one of my favorite colors/flavors/fragrances!  It's that Starbucks Pumpkin Spice (Soy) Latte and Pumpkin Scone, pumpkin pie, etc... a true harbinger of the season.





TFSI, MAC Paint Pot in Soft Ochre, bareMinerals in King from crease to brow and on inner corner, Copper (Eyelid) Shade from Wet N Wild Trio in Dancing in the Clouds on lid, MAC Saffron in the crease, Clinique Black Honey Cream Liner slightly winged out on the top and smudged into outer 1/4 of lashes on the bottom, MAC Zoom Lash mascara in Zoomblack
7 hours later, in natural light

NYX Diamond Sparkle Lipgloss in Orange Sparkle (lip swatch here), NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Pop, MAC Semi-Precious Collection Mineralize Blush in Warmth of Coral, MAC Blogger's Obsessions Lipglass in Caqui, Jordana Pretty Shine Luxury Gloss in Dazzling (swatched over Barry M Peachy Pink Lipstick here )
Rosegold-plated bracelet - Jewelmint Love That Binds
Top to Bottom: Jordana Dazzling, MAC Caqui, NYX Orange Sparkle, NYX Pop
Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Nail Color in Pumpkin Spice (Scrangie swatch)
Chef Chloe Coscarelli's Creamy Pumpkin Penne with Crispy Sage and Toasted Pecans
This was our Sunday-night dinner but I didn't get a photo of it! Om nom!
The Best Pumpkin Muffins (recipe here), my breakfast today :-P
Bath & Body Works Slatkin & Co. Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Scentportable
Organic Living (available at Bed, Bath, & Beyond for $7.99!) tall pillar candle in Pumpkin (definitely a pumpkin-pie fragrance, though). These candles are hidden gems because they are the cheapest and burn really cleanly.  The scent is really strong and lasting, and I much prefer them to Yankee Candles and Slatkin & Co.  The only downside is they have a very limited fragrance selection.  But isn't the little pumpkin charm on the top so cute?
Go ahead and call me a Pumpkin-head, I deserve it!

Saturday, September 24, 2011

REVIEW: Blink and you'll miss that I've put on Blinc mascara

I got a sample of tube mascara by Blinc in my September Birchbox, and this is the look it achieves:
no mascara

blinc mascara

blinc mascara

blinc mascara (smudged a little on my lashine when I applied it)

no mascara
I think it's a subtle mascara, more for those who want lash-darkening without having to worry about flaking.  It's pretty good for people who have a tendency to rub their eyes as well, because for testing purposes I rubbed the mascara-ed lashes into my surrounding eye area, and as it claims it did not smudge around my eyes.  I found the sample size a little tricky to apply and you must finish application within a two-minute window before it sets.

This is what it looks like after removal:
To remove, you get it very wet, pinch your lashes, and pull it off gently (so as not to take your lashes off with it!).  It's kind of fun in an icky way ;-)
Overall I think this would be a great mascara for a natural look or light lashes you just want to darken without having to worry about flakies through the day.  Maybe for (slightly glam) camping?
It's not enough of an impact for me so I don't think I'll use it that often, but I can see why a lot of people would like Blinc mascara.

Friday, September 23, 2011

REVIEW: Revlon Beyond Natural Lashes in 91181 Defining

These are relatively natural-looking falsies, but they are great for adding an extra oomph that doesn't shout "Look at my false eyelashes!"  I think instead it says, "Hi there, I have mesmerizing eyes flutter flutter flutter."
They are also the most comfortable false eyelashes I've ever tried and I literally put these on in under 10 minutes with ease (which is some kind of record for me with falsies.  I nearly poked my eyes out and burned them with glue the last time I tried to wear falsies, which is probably why I haven't attempted to for months).  They're not really enough for Halloween but they'd be great for a party or going to a bar without looking like you tried too hard.  I used Duo lash glue.




First Day of Fall FOTD

It's the first day of Autumn, officially, and we've got the weather... 53 degrees and rainy! I saw a woman hydroplane off the expressway on my commute this morning. Fortunately, she and her car were okay!  I just hope this weather isn't going to persist the entire season. It was really hard to photograph my FOTD this morning!  I could have reached for the standard fall colors (browns, rusts, etc.) but I was feeling greenish antiqued-gold, blue-glittered purple, and soot to reflect the gray days and rain we've been having.
Face: Origins Vitazing, Boscia BB, E.L.F. Personal Blend Mineral Foundation in Light, Garnier Tinted Eye Roller
Cheeks: Rimmel Sun Light Bronzer, Too Faced Cocoa Rose Blush, Too Faced Candlelight Highlighter



Eyes: Too Faced Shadow Insurance, MAC Paint Pots in Soft Ochre, Too Faced Honeymoon on inner 1/2 lid, Party Girl on outer 1/2 lid, Nice Ash in the crease, blended out with In the Buff (also used on inner corner and browbone), First Dance applied dry to upper lashline, L'oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black, Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara
Lips: What could be more Fall-like than the Clinique Black Honey Lip Duo?

Thursday, September 22, 2011

Perfume Collection

The weekend is so close, I can smell it!  Or maybe that's just my DKNY Pure?  I don't know what a 'normal' number of perfumes to have in rotation at any given time is, but my current collection is the largest I've ever had:
Victoria's Secret Love Spell Fragrance Mist (freebie), Parlez-Moi d'Amour by John Galliano (was this ever released in the U.S.? I ordered it off eBay from the U.K.), Dior Miss Dior Cherie, Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb Hair Mist, Harajuku Lovers Super G, Harajuku Lovers Mermaid G, Benefit So Hooked on Carmella (full size and mini), Benefit Ring My Bella, Versace Bright Crystal mini, Paco Rabanne Lady Million mini, pureDKNY mini rollerball, Stila Creme Bouquet rollerball, Mary Kay Exotic Passionfruit (gift from parents-in-law)

Harajuku Lovers Wicked Style Collection Love, Angel, Music, Baby, and G
Do you have any of these?  Victoria's Secret Love Spell is cloyingly peachy, and Parlez-Moi d'Amour is cloyingly blueberry-y.  I have to be careful with these because it's easy to go overboard and then I just feel nauseous!  Ring My Bella is a lightly-floral grapefruit scent to me. Super G is also strongly fruity, but fades quickly. I just love fresh and fruity scents like these!  I didn't like Creme Bouquet by Stila originally, but it has grown on me a lot.
I think my favorite of the bunch is a tie... Mermaid G is long-lasting, subtle and clean.  So Hooked On Carmella is my other fave because it is sweet but not overly so, and just a little sexy.  My husband likes it a lot! 

He also loved when I wore Guerlain Insolence (I went through TWO 1 oz. bottles in a year! There were too many other fragrances I wanted to try at the time, including the original lineup of Harajuku Lovers Fragrances -I love original G and Angel- so I haven't re-purchased yet, but I'd love to go back to its young, fresh, raspberry goodness!)  The other perfumes on my wishlist currently are Harajuku Lovers Jingle G (of course), and Burberry Brit Sheer (smells amazing, I just can't justify buying it while I own all of the above!). 

What perfumes are in your current rotation?  What past loves are you longing to buy again?  And what new scents are on your wish list?

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

It's Not Easy Being Acid-Green

This is my second attempt to get any decent pictures of my EOTD:
Products used:
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
MAC Cakeshop Shadestick (tones down the lime shadow slightly)
CoverGirl Lime Alive One-kit Eye Enhancer Eye Shadow
Stila Daydream Palette Trance and Kitten Eyeshadows (Trance deepening the crease, Kitten blending it out)
Kat Von D Autograph Eye Liner in Proud Peacock
Stila Kohl Eye Liner in Topaz on waterline
Rimmel Day 2 Night Mascara (clumped horribly on my right eye, started flaking... do not like)
Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara

Lipstick is Revlon Colorburst in Carnation

The lighting in every photo gave me Kermit face :-(

UPDATE: Attempt #3. I love sunlight!



Lesson learned? Save the Barbie-pink lipstick and acid-bright eyeshadow for sunny days!