Cute Blog Award

Thanks, Holly (from ulta.is.my.candy.store), for the Cute Blog Award!  This one's kinda fun :D

For this award you:

1. Link back to the person who awarded you.

2. Answer the award questions.

3. Tell something about yourself that you haven't told anyone on your blog yet.

4. Award as many blogs as you think worthy of this award.

5. Make sure to let those you gave this award to know that you awarded them.

The Award Questions:

1) What is your go-to makeup brand? Quite the difficult question! Offhand if I could only use one brand I'd pick MAC at the moment. I finally got All That Glitters and I can honestly say I have NO DUPES (amazing!) and it's by far the prettiest champagne-color eye shadow that I have.

2) What was your favorite fashion trend of 2011? Coral. I guess the trendiest color this year is almost-red tangerine? Not as pretty, IMHO.

   
3) What is your favorite dessert? Krispy Kreme Original Doughnut... oooh.

 
4) Favorite color? Light green, usually, though my favorite color eyeshadow ATM is red.

  
5) What is your middle name? Melissa

6) What's the last song you listened to? "Party Rock Anthem" by LMFAO

 

7) Cats or dogs? Don't make me choose, I love them both so much! I don't have any pets, though :(

  
Something you didn't know about me is... we're going to try to have a baby this year <3

The cutest blogs I can think of:
Natasha's Ain't that Pretty
Tiffyama
Riya's Pinkstrawberrielove

I honestly think these questions are kind of fun and short-'n-sweet, so if you answer below or in a post I'd love to read it.
xoxo,
<3 Sarah S.

The Bird that Dreams of Being Queen

I bought these adorable, gorgeous earrings from The Emporium at Worshipblues.  Her "shiny fings" are always so befitting her blog's style and I was so excited to finally secure some for myself!
I ordered "Freezing" but I don't know why I had it in my head that these had the bow-shaped crystals like the "Sprouting" earrings. Alas, they're missing that little "something" for me but when I opened up the box I realized they were perfect for my coworker, Hitomi (shhh, don't tell her, it's a suprise!).

I couldn't be happier with "The Bird that Dreams of Being Queen" earrings. First of all, of course the little bird post is adorable!  The story, horribly paraphrased by moi, is that the little bird steals the crown off the head of the queen and flies away:

There is a trapped gem inside the crown as well <3  They're amazing!
I apologize I don't have a full-face photo... my hair needs to be dyed and is super-shaggy right now, and I'm breaking out (PMS... argh).  I hope those of you that celebrate had a cozy, delicious Thanksgiving!

My First Blog Swap! Super-Thank You to Pinkstrawberrielove

Wowowowow, I am so floored by the generosity of Riya from Pinkstrawberrielove!  She e-mailed me and offered to take my blog-swapping virginity (okay, she didn't say it like that at all, LOL).  Now I'm a little worried I was stingy or something, but of course I really hope she loves what I sent her ^.^

Look at this fantastically generous gift from Riya~

She knew I was having trouble finding Asian beauty brand cosmetics where I live (Detroit area) these days.  It used to be a lot easier but with our economy doing so poorly a lot of people have moved away, including shops that were importing fun Japanese and Korean beauty goods!  I got to try some Japanese products when I lived in Japan, but I haven't had a chance to try any of the Korean brands (Laneige, Missha, Etude House, etc.) that I've been reading so much about on some of my favorite blogs i.e. Musings of a Muse and, of course, Riya's blog <3

Skincare: Some wrinkle creams (haha, I need these and Riya most definitely does not!), those paper masks (I've never tried one! So excited! Including the Hello Kitty one <3) lotions, face washes, and even peels... I LOVE peels!

Look at that pretty purple Missha compact powder! I believe it's a highlighter and I can't wait to swatch (I'll swatch some of these things when I have decent light).  There's a tangerine blusher with a cute rocking-horse embossing, pink glosses, and a doll-skin makeup primer that Riya says is a favorite! She always looks so perfect so I'm really excited to use her secret (heehee).

I actually asked if she'd get me some of the Dolly Wink Lashes, and they are MASSIVE.  I wonder if they'll fit on my lil eyes? I'm excited to try the Sugarpill sample because I haven't used any of that brand yet :) The Majolica Majorca mascara is a favorite of Riya's, so I bet I'll really like it as well <3  The little gold eyeshadow is by Missha, and Riya must have read my mind (or blog) because that's a lime green Anna Sui eye shadow and greens KATE palette! <3 <3 <3 Lastly, there are some white shimmer cream shadows in a tube and pencil, and a liquid liner with a verrrry fine tip:

It came with a single J-Pop CD and I like some J-Pop a lot (mostly early 2000's Ayumi Hamasaki and Hikaru Utada, if you're curious), so it'll be fun to give it a listen on my looong morning commute :)

Extras: For fun she included a bilingual Japanese/English fashion mag, Sugarpill decal, and some little nail art and hair care pamphlets. That little package with the rose on it is a shampoo brush which is awesome because I've been wanting to try one of those (but my husband will probably steal it from me for a scalp massage, lol).  The little Tous-style bear might be a hair tye but I'd wear it on my wrist :) I can definitely wear the little pink bow band! I've been known to make makeshift Alice bands with ribbon, after all.

Last but not least is a whole rainbow of adorable nail polishes. I'm absolutely going to swatch these and write a post as soon as we get a sliver of sunlight!

A humongous, enthusiastic "Thank you so much!!! <3" to Riya for her thoughtfulness and generosity.  You totally made my month! I'm so looking forward to trying all this amazing stuff out *happy dance*

Liebster Blog Award

The beautiful Emma from mmm...makeup! awarded me with the Liebster Blog Award, an award for blogs you love that have less than 200 followers (to show lesser-known blogs some love).  I really appreciate it and I am happy to pass on the love to:

Makeup by Seana (her eye looks are amazing)
Kat's Cosmetics (very useful reviews and frequent updates)
A Certain Vintage (lovely girl with a love of tea and retro style)
all these pretty things (a well-balanced mix of life, OOTD, and beauty)
Confessions of the Psycho Cat (gorgeous girl with amazing style and can I please have her hair?)

I hope you'll check them out!

Some pictures (i.e. photobucket) won't load on this computer, so instead of the blog award .jpg here's a pic of me wearing Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Graffiti

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.

Milani LE Swatches, and All My Purple Lip Swatches

At last I've had the chance to do lip swatches of the Milani LE High Speed Fast Dry One Coat nail lacquers in Yellow Whiz (hehe) and Purple Rush, as well as the four limited edition Milani Haute Flash Glosses.  The purple, In a Flash, got me itching to compare it to all the random purples I have, so I thought I'd include them as well.  Sorry, this will be picture-heavy!  But please note how white teeth look with purple lip color, and how my green eyes are intensified.  If you're curious, I'm wearing Stila's Beach Girl Travel Palette in Living the Life in Laguna $14 on eyes and cheeks, with Lancome Hypnose Drama Mascara (much better than Hypnose Doll Lashes, imho).

Left to Right: Sephora OPI IM Beauty topped with Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear in Disco Ball, Sephora OPI IM Beauty alone, Milani High Speed Fast Dry in Yellow Whiz

Left to Right: Milani Yellow Whiz, Sephora OPI IM Beauty, topped with Sally Hansen Disco Ball, Milani Yellow Whiz

Milani High Speed Fast Dry in Purple Rush on Thumb. I couldn't photograph the red tones in this polish, but it is really a good purple between warm and cool

Yellow Whiz is definitely a cheerful, Corvette yellow, while IM beauty is more of a Marshmallow Peeps yellow.
Guess what? Between the bottle, the brush, the coverage (1 to 2 coats to full opacity), the shiny finish, and the quick dry-down time, this is without a doubt the best fast-drying polish I've ever used.  However, fast-drying polishes always chip on me within a day, so if these make it 1 day or more they are still winning.  I am very seriously considering ordering the rest of the colors but I have a million nail polishes I've yet to use...

Next up, the Haute Flash Glosses. These aren't so much glossy or moisturizing as they are shimmery (not frosty, though, which is nice).  They feel similar to other Milani glosses I tried before but I can't remember the line name.  They smell as usual, too, which is sort of plastic vanilla, but it's light and doesn't bother me.  They are a little tacky but I don't personally have to worry about getting hair stuck in my gloss, obviously :P
The feel and wear time are nothing special but these are definitely show-stoppers:

Star Flash (is more opaque than it looks)

Flashy

Hot Flash (I lovelove this in the center of my lips over Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick in Are You Red-dy)

In a Flash

My lips bare, for reference

That purple is GORGEOUS!  I don't know why I have so many purples, but I love to put them on when I'm not going anywhere and In a Flash triggered a swatch-fest:

Milani In a Flash (FYI the gloss pencil Milani makes that is also called In a Flash is far lighter and pinker)

MAC All of My Purple Life Lipglass

Wet n Wild Megalast Lipstick 919B

Cover Girl LipPerfection Lipstick in Divine (I have worn this to the office a few times XD)

The "divine" stain CG Divine leaves behind

NYX Round Lipstick in Castle

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in African Queen

Stila Lipglaze in Guava, for reference. Notice how my eye color appears duller?

I hope you enjoyed the comparisons!  I'm going to make a colorful look with the LE Milani paint palette this weekend and actually wear it around (it's not ideal for the office... duh).

Regular Teeth

Holy Nuclear Smile, Batman!

Brighter Teeth

 Of course, the only woman of my coloring who'd wear a lipstick this intense would probably be a Batman character, ha.

HG and Five Enablers

If you've been reading beauty blogs for any length of time, eventually you're not going to be able to just watch your wishlist continue to grow.  You're going to cave and indulge in some of those products that are always raved about.
I keep up on over 30 beauty/fashion blogs on nearly a daily basis, all of which are entertaining or interesting in some way.  Within this selection I have certain go-to blogs, because I've tried some of their recommendations and discovered HG-worthy products as a result.
A lot of these are things I wouldn't have tried without their endorsement and review.

Vivianna does Makeup - Origins Vitazing /I think most people love her best for her gorgeous mane, Victoria's Secret Model-like tan, and lippie obsession, but her thorough review of Origins Vitazing led me to purchase it after years of avoiding their products because I had a reaction to a lipgloss in, like, 2002.  Origins definitely stepped up their game since then, but I wouldn't have felt confident to try it without her rave.

Will Work for Makeup - Milani Blush in Luminoso /Many blogs are raving about this now, but I saw it here first, and her pictures and personality that comes through in her writing are lovely.  She writes as if to a good friend, with honesty and enthusiasm.

Makeup and Macaroons - Illamasqua Blush in Lover /A blush and lipstick-loving Aussie (not to mention the drool-worthy macaroons!), Lilit loves a bold lip and cheek.  After trying a couple of her inexpensive lipstick recommendations and loving them, I had to try one of her pricier blush faves.  Illamasqua Lover blush, why did I wait so long to try you?  Oh, right, $$.
But so worth it!

Don't Call Me Jessie - Boscia BB Cream /I can't even remember how I found her blog; I think I was googling about whether other grown-up women love Disney and cute stuff (obviously, lots of us do!). She has an amazing fashion sense and makeup collection, and even got me watching Disney movies again (specifically, "Tangled," which transported me back to my childhood; it's great!).  I'm not that old, but sometimes I get that little voice saying I'm too old to love pink and Hello Kitty.  LOL so I guess her blog made me feel normal!  Anyway, I found lots of other great beauty blogs from her favorites.  The specific product I love and first saw on her blog is Boscia BB Cream, which offers pretty good coverage but doesn't feel like a layer of product on your skin... it's my go-to summer foundation this year.

Zoella - MAC Shy Girl Lipstick /This girl is cute as kittens! She doesn't do any really funky, out-there makeup, but her usual makeup look is amazeballs, her sense of style is boho-fabulous, and she is so charming in her Youtube videos to boot.  I think most people would trade one of their five senses to have her hair!  And she has that innate photography sensibility that can't be taught.  She often rocks a pale peach-nude lip, and I'm so glad her blog inspired me to try it as well.  The more I use MAC Shy Girl (she's wearing it in many blog archive photos) the more I absolutely love it.

I would love to have an ounce of the natural glamour that these bloggers have in spades! Thanks, ladies, for sharing a bit of it with your readers!