My swap with Brikasiabeauty!

If you've never done a swap before, I highly recommend you do one! It's so much fun! I had the best time shopping for Brianna. I first met her at the Beautylish event during IMATS NYC weekend. Out of all the gurus there, I instantly recognized her and wanted to meet her since she looked so friendly in her YouTube videos.   I always end up recreating her tutorials since they are easy to follow and are amazing looks!   She is also a freelance makeup artist and college kid like me :). I'm so glad I met her, and I cannot wait to see her at IMATS NYC 2012. Do yourself a favor and subscribe to her channel & follow her blog (one of the best blogs I follow)!

When I first opened the package all I could see was tissue paper! She had wrapped everything so nicely. I am so grateful for every single thing she got me! My friend was there when I opened everything, and she commented that Brianna knew me to a tee LOL! 

Pardon the poor quality of the pictures. I have no camera at the moment unfortunately (which is why I'm writing a blog post, rather than filming a video). These cell phone snapshots will have to do for now!

1. Notebook: I'm always in need of a notebook pretty much every day of my life lol - at work, school, and when a random idea pops into my head so this is perfect!

2. Bare Minerals palette 2.0 in The Inspiration: Not only did she send me this in my favorite eyeshadow color, I have been wanting to try BM shadows for the longest time! Yesss! :) I've already played around with it and the colors are so easy to work with...I smell a tutorial in the near future.

3. Mixtape: Nobody's ever made me a mixtape! So thank you Brianna!! I absolutely love it :)

4. Minimergency kit: This is like a guardian angel in a little pocket sized purple bag. I've never had something like this but I know for certain it'll be used frequently!

5. Disposable lipstick/lipgloss 
applicators & spatulas: What MUA doesn't need disposables? These will 100% come in handy. I'm so glad Brianna included spatulas, because although using the end of a brush to scoop out product was a good technique, using spatulas will definitely be more professional :)

6. Gold earrings: These are so gorgeous! She added in the note that they would look great with the blouse, and I have to agree!

7. Peacock necklace: This is probably my favorite piece of jewelry that I now own! It's so pretty and original. I've actually always wanted to a long statement necklace like this :)

8. Teal tunic: This is perfect for spring/summer! However, belted, with my favorite cardigan, leggings, and pair of boots, I can definitely turn this into a great winter outfit :).

Thank you so much Brianna! We should do this again next year for sure!

XOXO

Womp womp womp

Yesterday, I attended the MAC holiday collection event. Because the MAC in Georgetown is located in a small temporary location, it was very cramped and hard to look at the products. Someone was always breathing down your shoulder and it was starting to feel almost claustrophobic. And I never feel that way in crowds! I didn't get to take any pictures either for this reason - it was so crowded. :(

The collection itself looks very futuristic, with its white packaging and promotional photos: 

Picture from temptalia.com

I was pretty disappointed in the shadows. I feel like the eyeshadows looked a bit too frosty. The only things I would buy are the paint pots and lipsticks. I definitely need the lipsticks in this collection. Since I didn't get to play around with it alot, I think I'll wait for reviews before I buy anything. I did purchase one thing though: fancy moves technakohl liner - a very pretty deep purple liner. 

xo

MAC event

I'm so excited for the event at MAC tomorrow! Probably not going to buy anything since I don't get paid until Thursday (T_T), but I'm so happy that I can preview the holiday collections before the general public. I'll try to take lots of pictures to give you guys a preview as well!

In other news, nursing school is taking over my life. I have 2 tests and paper to do this week. When I will study and write it is a good question. Can't wait for May!

xo

TARTE HAUL

I've never bought any makeup from Tarte Cosmetics before, so when I found out about the 30% off sale going on, I thought it the perfect opportunity to try some Tarte! The first things I knew I was going to get were the Amazonian Clay 12-hour blushes. The pigmentation of these blushes is fantastic. I just tapped my brush and used it on both my cheeks. Amazing quality.

Left: Blushing bride, Right: natural beauty

My favorite one right now is blushing bride, a rosy color with gold iridescence . It actually does give you a natural "blushing" effect. I was afraid the shimmer would be too much but it is very subtle. Natural beauty is a reddish coral, perfect for summer. I don't know yet how long wearing they are, but I've heard good things!

Tarte emphasEYES eyeliner in plum: This was the one regret purchase. This eyeliner has let me down - it is so bad. You actually have to tug at your eye when applying. The formula is not creamy at all. It's very hard to work with.

Dark Circle Defense™ Natural Under Eye Corrector: AMAZING. A big huge problem I have with most under eye products is that they sink into my fine lines. This doesn't! It melts into my skin. I love how creamy and smooth it is. I have the Eve Pearl salmon concealer I bought at IMATS that compares to this product and while I do love it, this shade (light/medium) suits my skin tone better.

For $3.50 I couldn't pass up buying some blotting sheets. A must have for just about everyone. 


Hope you enjoyed!

MAC Pro Card: How I got mine

Let me just start off by saying that the MAC Pro card is heaven-sent. When I buy things from MAC, I don't feel guilty anymore! Some prices are even better than drugstore. Who wouldn't love that?! For makeup artists, this card is especially amazing because you can build your collection without going bankrupt. The following is how I got mine (I'm a freelance makeup artist): 


STEP ONE: Go on http://macpro.com >> Download an application. Easy right? The direct link is: http://www.maccosmetics.com/docs/applications/d_201008_macpro_application_pro.pdf Print that out. *For people living in the UK, France, Australia, or Spain, find your application here: http://www.maccosmetics.com/macpro/cms/membership/howtoapply.tmpl#applications.


STEP TWO: Fill out your information at the top. Under categories and available professions, check the one that applies to you. Since I'm a freelance MUA, I checked off 'makeup artist'. 


STEP THREE: 'Professional identification': for this I included a copy of my driver's license, my business card (I ordered mine from zazzle.com) and a comp card (I got mine at vistaprint.com). A comp card is an 'oversized postcard' with about 4 pictures and the information that is on your business card. Those 4 pictures have to be pictures of people you've done makeup on. Take pictures of them wearing the looks. GOOD QUALITY ONLY (goes for everything). Borrow your friend's, mom's, or grandma's camera if you have to. Nobody likes grainy pictures. Anyways, the comp cards cost me about $16. The business cards about $20. I'm so glad I invested in these because they looked very professional! And in the end, that's what we want. This step took about a week for me because I ordered the comp cards and business cards online.


STEP FOUR: Under 'membership status,' check off 'new' since you have never had a Pro card before. 


STEP FIVE: 'Membership fee payment information': The fee if you live in the USA is $35. If you live in Canada, it is $45. You can pay with check, money order, American Express, Mastercard, or Visa. NO CASH. I paid with a money order that I bought at the USPS (United States Postal Service).


STEP SIX: Sign and date the bottom.


STEP SEVEN: Get a manila envelope and enclose your membership fee (if you paid with check or money order), your comp card, business card, copy of your driver's licence, and application. The MAC Pro website states: "You can drop everything off at any M·A·C store for forwarding or send it directly to the processing department at: M·A·C PRO MEMBERSHIP, PO Box 435, 3219 Yonge Street, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3S1. (FOR THOSE LIVING IN CANADA) OR MAC PRO MEMBERSHIP, 2316 Delaware Ave., PO Box 289, Buffalo, NY 14216-2687 (FOR PEOPLE LIVING IN THE USA).


THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW: 
1. Make-up artists receive a 40% discount. Aestheticians, Cosmetologists, Hairstylists, Fashion Stylists, Nail Technicians, Costume Designers, Models, On-Air Talent/Performers, and Photographers receive a 30% discount. 
2. Are you a freelance makeup artist? You can still apply. You don't need a fancy license or be registered at a beauty school. 
3. You cannot use the discount on limited edition packaged items or Viva Glam products. 
4. You can only use it in store or online, not at the MAC counter. 
5. You cannot use the discount on other people. 
6. You can receive discounts off such things like the Make-Up Artist Magazine, workshops, classes, events, or tuition at the Make-up Designory. 
7. I got my card in about 4 weeks


(I originally posted this on Luuux).

DIY Vanity!

IKEA is my new best friend.

Products:

• KOLJA mirror $10
• LEDING Track light $15
• VIKA AMON table top $20
• VIKA CURRY black table legs $3.50 x 4
• JEFF folding chair $10
• SKUBB storage boxes $8

Birthday look #2

So I was recreating JulieG713's Party Girl Eyes & came up with this. It has more black and blue than the purple and pink she used, but I reallyyy love how it came out! PS. totally used the wrong color concealer for under the eyes (lighting is horrible in my room).

PRODUCTS USED

Eyes

• NYX milk jumbo e/s pencil on lid
• MAC sketch e/s on lid/crease/bottom lash line
• 120 Palette e/s, raspberry pink in crease
• 120 palette e/s, pale pink + light orange
• Inglot #487 in crease
• Maybelline unstoppable eyeliner in onyx
•  MAC sketch e/s on top of liner and smudge upwards
• Inglot #397 inner corner & highlight
• Inglot #62 in outer corner
• Inglot #47 on lid
• Physician's formula organic wear mascara

LIPS

• Revlon pink pout matte lipstick
• MUFE M16 lab shine lipgloss

13 Personal Questions Tag

1. What do you order at Starbucks?
Summer drink: Iced passion tea lemonade. Winter: caramel macciato or vanilla latte.

2. What's one thing in your closet you can't live without?
I heart my nude pumps. They make your legs look longer and go well with almost every outfit. I definitely think every girl should own a pair. 

 3. What's one thing most people don't know about you?
 I can only watch soccer games in Spanish. English sportscasters are so boring.

4. One thing you want to do before you die?
Go to a shooting range. 

5. What's one food you can't live without?
I fricken love strawberries.  

6. What's one quote that you live your life by?
Don't tell me the sky is the limit, when I know there are footprints on the moon

7. What do you like and dislike about the YT beauty community?
Love: Learning from great makeup artists who I otherwise wouldn't know about. Dislike: Mean internet trolls.

8. #1 song on your iPod/iTunes?  
#1 Hasta abajo - Don Omar #2 Never tear us apart -Inxs

9. What kind of style would you describe yourself as having?

 I don't know, relaxed to elegant? I wear what I find is cute.

10. Favorite number?
Don't have one.

11. Two hobbies?

Makeup geek and Youtube.

12. Two pet peeves?

You're late for everything. & people who don't blend their eyeshadow.

13. Your guilty pleasure?
Say yes to the dress. You know those girls who have everything planned for their wedding 10 years before it actually happens? That wasn't me. Until I started watching this show.

 

Birthday look #1

My 21st birthday is coming up on the 18th and I'm really excited! As usual, before a big event, I plan what makeup I''m going to wear (don't lie, you do it too). After buying Benefit's Tidal Wave creaseless cream shadow the other day, I knew I would want to incorporate it into my look. It's a GORGEOUS color & I'm a sucker for anything teal.

Birthday Look #1

(going to get my eyebrows threaded asap eek)

Products used:

FACE

• Lancome teint idole ulta in buff 6
• MAC select moisturecover concealer for undereyes
• Benefit Hoola bronzer
• Milani minerals blush in luminous

EYES 

• TFSI
• NYX jumbo e/s pencil in milk on lid
• Benefit creaseless cream shadow in tidal rave on lid
• Urban decay e/s in gunmetal on lid and bottom lash line
• MAC e/s in cork in crease using MAC 217 brush
• Bit of UD e/s in creep in outer V
• Milani baked e/s in medley in outer V
• MAC e/s in electra in inner corner
• MAC e/s in brule as highlight
• Maybelline gel liner in black
• MAC smolder eye kohl
• Benefit they're real mascara
• Clinique bottom lash mascara

LIPS

• Rimmel airy fairy l/s
• MUFE lab shine lipgloss in M16

What do you guys think?

CVS haul

So I make it my own personal goal never to buy any makeup full price at the drugstore. All the products shown below were on clearance or purchased with a coupon. I can give a first impressions review on some of them since I've already tried it out. Enjoy :)

Left: Physician's Formula Gentle Cover Concealer Stick in Yellow - this concealer does an amazing job of covering up dark shadows under my eyes. If I don't put a primer underneath, it only lasts a couple of hours but once a primer is in place, it's pretty awesome. I just swipe it underneath each eye and blend it in with my INGLOT 4SS brush.

Right: Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Double Face Perfector in Light and Medium -  This liquidy  concealer is great for the under eye area. It doesn't provide much coverage for blemishes or hyperpigmentation. I'm in the shade medium, I bought the light shade for my kit.

Left: Revlon Beyond Natural Smoothing Primer in Clear - I bought this on recommendation from a friend. I've used it only once but couldn't really tell you how it worked out because I wore it on the day I got my wisdom teeth out >.< So I wasn't really "there." LOL. But when I put it on it had a gel-like consistency - not sticky - and dried to a matte finish. I didn't think it minimized my pores much but again, it was my first time trying it out.

Middle: Revlon Beyond Natural Skin Matching Makeup - I don't know why I purchased this - it was just a spur of the moment thing. But WOW! I LOVE this makeup! It doesn't feel like makeup at all - more like light tinted moisturizer but it does cover and evens out your skin tone. It starts out as a white cream then literally changes to a skin tone color once your start blending it in. I've only worn this once but i know this is going to be my favorite makeup for summer.

Right: Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation - Why not? It was 75% off. LOL. I haven't tried it yet so I can't say much but hopefully it is true to its matte claim.

Physician's Formula Shimmer Strips in Riviera Strip - The top two strips give a gorgeous glowing highlight. Total LOVE. I've tried using them as eyeshadows but it doesn't really convince me. I'll stick to my NAKED palette.

Milani Minerals Blush in Luminous - Having been claimed as a NARS Orgasm dupe, I'm really excited to try this blush out.

Almay One Coat Dial Up Mascara - I'm not a big Almay fan...no reason really but I've never had the interest to buy their products. So it really surprised me that this mascara is pretty good! The brush isn't supposed to be bent - I think mine was just a dud but having it bent that way makes it apply really well! The whole Dial Up  thing is a simple idea - the wand doesn't change - just the amount of mascara that stays on the wand. On level 1, the brush comes out pretty clean - on level 3, there is a lot more of the formula that comes out that helps thicken your lashes. It's not goopy or clumpy though. This is a first impressions review but I'm really liking this product.

Right: Sally Hansen Hard as Nails French Manicure Set - I bought this set to do my own french manicure for my cousin's graduation. I've used this since I discovered it in high school. It comes with guides so your white tips look clean and neat. I really like the top coat. I use it for all the time with other polishes and it makes them last a good while.

Essie Nail Polish in Eternal Optimist - Neutral pink at its best. I fondly call this the most "boring pink." LOL It's pretty but just the MOST BORING PINK. It'd be perfect for brides who want pretty pink nails though. I just can't get over how boring this color is. lol

I'm pretty proud that I didn't buy any lipsticks. I have been on too many lipstick binges lately!

xoxo

Tester

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