I Can't Believe It's All Vegan! FOTD

Happy Saturday and Happy Holidays to those of you who are celebrating!
I broke my budget yesterday buying a few new goodies (the Too Faced concealer and powder, and Stila foundation mentioned below) because they are vegan, and decided to challenge myself to a fully-vegan FOTD!
Let me know what you think <3

Avalon Organics Lavender Revitalizing Eye Gel
Crazy Rumors Soda Fountain Lip Balm in Black Cherry
Wet n Wild Megalast Lipstick in 900B
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
Stila Natural Finish Oil-Free Foundation in C
Too Faced Absolutely Flawless Concealer in Perfect Nude
Too Faced Amazing Face SPF15 Powder Foundation in Warm Vanilla
Sleek Contour Kit in Light
Sleek Blush By 3 in Lace (middle shade)
Too Faced Eye Duo in Lucky Charms
Victorian Disco Eye Shadow in Skywalker
Urban Decay 24/7 Eye Pencil in Stash
(I forgot mascara, as I often do when I wear bright monochrome looks, but I don't own a vegan mascara yet anyway!)

Brushes:
ELF: Studio Powder Brush (used to apply liquid foundation), Studio Blush Brush, Studio Crease Brush
Real Techniques: Multi-tasking brush (used to apply foundation powder to set liquids/creams)
Rite Aid Renewal: Contour Brush

Disclaimer: I got the information that all these products are vegan from the internet, not from the manufacturers. Some misinformation could apply - please be sure to check yourself!  All these products are guarenteed cruelty-free.

Wishlist: Vegan mascara, Vegan version of Fix+ (I noticed I look quite powdered, so a spray to diffuse that powdered look would be nice).

Do you own any makeup that just happens to be Vegan?

DUPE SMACKDOWN #7: Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil Eyeliners

Happy Friday, Beauties. I just wanted to again thank you all for your kindness and support!  It is so saddening when trolls make nasty critiques and it can feel so discouraging.  We're all putting ourselves out there by blogging, however, and unfortunately that type of person is also out there.  On the wonderful side, for every single mean troll there are dozens of people with gorgeous hearts, as all of your comments evidence.  I can't thank you enough <3

Top to Bottom: UD Dime, Milani Silver, UD Flipside, Milani Aqua, UD Electric, NYX Azure, UD Stray Dog, Sephora Taupe, UD Bourbon, Wet n Wild Copper, Milani Brown, UD Demolition

Back to fun makeup talk, now!  I have several black eyeliners, brown eyeliners, color eyeliners... but most of them have some nuance of difference. I did a comparison for fun in my stash (FYI I collected every Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner over the past year.  They're now $19 apiece!) and found a few cheaper alternatives to the pricier Urban Decay pencils - have you noticed these dupes in your stash?

UD Liner: Dime
Dupe: Milani Liquif'Eye Metallic Eye Pencil in 02 Silver (Milani pencils are $7.99 each)
These two wound up not being total dupes, so my apologies. In the warmer light at my house they looked dead-on, but in the harsh, reflective office fluorescent lighting the Milani looks lighter.  Disregard if you like!

UD Liner: Flipside
Dupe: Milani Liquif'Eye Metallic Eye Pencil in 04 Aqua

UD Liner: Electric
Dupe: NYX Slide On, Glide On, Stay On & Definitely a Turn On Water Proof Extreme Shine Eye Liner in Azure (sheesh, what a name. On the pencil it also says, "This eye liner is so good, the name had to be this long!" can anything be that good? haha). $8

UD Liner: Stray Dog
Dupe: Sephora Flashy Liner Waterproof in 14 Taupe $8

UD Liner: Bourbon
Dupe: Wet n Wild Color Icon in Copper $0.99 (best bargain! It's not as creamy, admittedly, but it lasts on your lashlines)

UD Liner: Demolition
Dupe: Milani Liquif'Eye Metallic Eye Pencil in 05 Brown

Top Row: UD Dime, Milani Silver, UD Flipside, Milani Aqua, UD Electric, NYX Azure
Bottom Row: UD Stray Dog, Sephora Taupe, UD Bourbon, Wet n Wild Copper, Milani Brown, UD Demolition (I messed up the order while swatching, sorry!)

Of course, quality/lasting power are legitimate concerns.  The picture above was taken after I washed my swatching arm with soap and water (minimal rubbing). As you can see, even the bargains didn't really budge!

Please share any dupes you've found in your liner stash below!

Swatch Me Play

Hey y'all! I've just been playing around with some of my products looking for dupes and complimentary colors lately.  I wore the combo of L'oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush with Lorac Multiplex 3D Lip Gloss all day, then when I was playing with my black sparkly shadows I first compared Wet n Wild's new "Trashed" single with Sugarpill's Stella Chromalust with and without a base (NYX Eyeshadow Base White).  Using my new Real Techniques shading brush I just quickly used the Wet n Wild to define my crease. I didn't have any fallout and the brush and shadow are both awesome!

So happy together!

Top: L'oreal Infallible Eye Shadow in Amber Rush

Bottom: Lorac Multiplex 3D Lip Gloss



This doesn't really capture the metallic effect of Amber Rush, sadly. It was really glinty!

Two black shadows with multi-sparkles: Wet n Wild Trashed and Sugarpill Stella

Please note - these swatches are several layers of product!
Left to Right: Trashed over base, Stella over base, Trashed without a base, Stella without a base
Stella is clearly more full of the rainbow sparkles!

Same makeup as above, with just Urban Decay 24/7 pencil in Perversion and Wet n Wild Trashed in the crease

This photo better captures the metallic glint of Amber Rush

Bonus: Here's my pretty ring I bought off of Amazon in lieu of this month's Jewelmint choices.

None of my crummy camera's photos could capture just how much this ring sparkles - my inner little girl is THRILLED!
Nail note: Sally Hansen Real Nail Polish Strips in Speed Dating

Also, a heads up: TwilightBeauty.com is having a sitewide 50% off sale now through February 29th! I wish I hadn't stocked up on my favorites from this line already (d'oh!).  I know this line isn't talked about much in the beauty community, but I personally find the quality great for this sale price.  I highly recommend:

Mortal Glow Blushing Creme in Swoon ( a gorgeous cream highlighter. Let me know if you'd like to see swatches!)

Bella Palette ( has a seriously fantastic peach blush and a couple of great everyday shadows and is really convenient to carry around)

Edward Palette (has a fantastic silver shadow, but the rest of it is ho-hum)

Jacob Palette (I adore all the shadows in this one)

Femme Fatale Lip Glosses

No Judgement: Tropical EOTD at the Gym

I didn't have time for ANY eye makeup in the morning, so when I got home from work yesterday I overdid it:

I just want to reach into the photo and get the stray brow hairs...

Leftovers:  Wet n Wild Halloween Glitter Lashes.  They did NOT want to cooperate with the Duo lash glue.  Once I got them on, though, they stuck through my whole workout!
You can see the little bronze sparkles in the Physicians Formula Glam Brown Eyes black gel liner quite well in this picture.

Fun glitter fallout, cha cha!

Yes, I wore this to the gym; don't judge!  "Judgement Free Zone" is my gym's catchphrase, actually, LOL!
Additional products used: CoverGirl NatureLuxe Gloss Balm in Coral
NYX Trio Eyeshadow in Tropical/Yellow/Lime Green

This is the tank I'm wearing (matchy, matchy) and you can get it here.

Enter a New Realm EOTD

Happy Saturday, Ladies! I was just playing around, having fun with difficult-to-wear red eyeshadow from the Wet n Wild trio Enter a New Realm.  I think placement with a red eyeshadow is everything!

Sorry, my eyebrows look kinda messed up from this angle

Products Used: Too Faced Shadow Insurance, MAC Painterly Paint Pot, Jordana 04 Taupe Pencil (brows), Urban Decay Zero Pencil (top lashline and waterline), Loreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara, Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara in Black, Wet n Wild trio eyeshadow in Enter a New Realm

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!

Quick EOTD with Wet n Wild LE Dream Weavers Trio in Dancing in the Clouds

I got stuck buying this marked up to $5 from nonpareilboutique.com, so I thought I ought to at least get an EOTD post out of it.
My Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes mascara is already drying out... lame.

Wet n Wild Dream Weavers LE Collection Trio in Dancing in the Clouds over UDPP with Lancome Hypnose Doll Lashes Mascara, Kat Von D Autograph Eyeliner in Turbo Lover (bronzed metallic plum), and Garnier Tinted Eye Roller

I used the "browbone" shade on the inner crease and lid, the "eyelid" shade on the outer lid, and the sheer violet "crease" shade on my outer crease.  I lined the upper lashline thinly with a plum liquid liner, loaded up on mascara, and blended the edges of the violet color with a skin-tone matte highlight eyeshadow.  This trio is versatile; a light hand gives this office- or school-appropriate touch of color, and a heavy hand can give you a bright and colorful look.

Monday on a Tuesday EOTD: Wet n Wild and MAC Cakeshop mini-review

Even with the extra day to sleep in, it can be a little painful to come off of a holiday.  So, I wanted a treat for breakfast:

Mmm, is it already that time of year? Pumpkin Spice Soy Latte and Pumpkin Scone

It's a chilly 54 degrees out, so I threw on a dark green corduroy hoodie and an ivy eye look:

Fluorescent lighting is horrible, but the alternative is overcast grayness... there's been no good light to be had in days!

Overhead office lights = washed out cheek color and under-eye shadows cast. Plus, I'm wishing I'd gone with a more pigmented lippie...

Rimmel Sun Light Natural Bronzer (so sheer I can practically use it as my all-over finishing powder; I like!), MAC Zoom Lash Mascara sample, Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara, Wet n Wild LE Trio in Earth Looks Small From Down Here (olive shade), Buxom Big & Healthy Gloss in Sugar, MAC Shadestick in Cakeshop, Kat Von D Autograph Eyeliner in Proud Peacock, Jill Stuart Mix Blush Compact in Romantic Poppy (this blends a dream, btw)

Oh, Cakeshop... how I wanted you for the name, then didn't want you after I saw swatches and heard that you tug on the eyelids during application, then how I again wanted you when I swatched you myself... and now I want to take you back and regret tossing my receipt!  It's not a terrible product, but just in using it this morning I realized the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils seriously do it better (and they are less than $5, versus Shadesticks at $17.50).  Not only that, but the color that swatches lovely on my hand emphasizes darkness around my eyes in spite of the shimmer this shade has, and the green tinge of the color is lost.  I guess you can't love 'em all.

Goodbye, Summer Brights!

Doesn't Labor Day Weekend often feel like the last true Summer Weekend? We have barbecues, some people go camping... and beauty/fashion addicts nudge aside the Fall colors they've been rocking for the last two weeks of August for their last go at Summer Brights; the Coral lips, the pop of Ocean Blue, the zealously applied Bronzer. At least, in my case!  It will likely also be one of the last weekends I spend exclusively in shorts and sandals.  We've got some warm days ahead yet, but all too soon it will be "Goodbye, Summer!" Sigh...

Sorry about my brows and wet hair! I wasn't planning to post today and was just playing around, but I love these brights so much I decided to blog :-D I think most people wouldn't pair these eyes with these lips, but I just liked it so here it is!

Confession: I threw every mascara I own on my lashes

Tank: Sugar Factory Las Vegas

Blooper Face!

Cupcake Rings: Forever 21
Donut Earrings: Hot Topic

Eyes: UDPP, MAC Paintpot in Painterly, Stila Travel Girl Beach Palette in Wonderful in Waikiki (used on cheeks, as well)
Lips: Wet n Wild Megalast Lipstick in 909D Coral-ine

I looked way too cheesy in all my toothy-smile photos, but I wanted to show that this lipcolor makes teeth appear whiter. And it's $2.99! One of the best drugstore lipsticks, in my opinion.