Madd Style Cosmetics: Simple Purple &Grey Tutorial

So sorry everyone! <3  I'm back to battling coughing and sneezes and feeling under the weather so I hope you won't mind this simple look I put together <3

Here's what I used for this look:

Top left: Tick:Tock Cosmetics Infinity Eye Shadow Base in 'Milky Way' 

& Too Faced Shadow Insurance Anti-Crease Eye Shadow Primer

Middle left: Sephora Full Action Extreme Effect Mascara

& Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in 'Zero'

Bottom left: bdellium tools green bambu brushes #777 & #781

Top right: MSC loose eye shadow pigment in 'Are you my Mummy?'

Middle/bottom right: MSC loose eye shadow pigments in 'Be Fearless and Play' & 'Frankenberry'

As always, start with your primer and base

Using my shadow brush (bdellium tools green bambu #777) I applied 'Are you my Mummy?' over about two thirds of my lid and brought it up into my crease

Still using my shadow brush, I applied 'Be Fearless and Play' to the outer portion of my lid and started working 'Be Fearless and Play' into 'Are you my Mummy?' and just slightly into my outer crease.

Using my crease brush (bdellium tools #781) I lightly added in a little more 'Be Fearless and Play' above 'Are you my Mummy?'

I then applied 'Frankenberry' to the inner corner/duct and also right under the brow for a highlight (can you tell that I'm obsessed with 'Frankenberry' lately? ;))

And last but not least, apply your liner and mascara and you're all done :)

I hope everyone has a safe and wonderful New Year! <3 <3

My December Ipsy (Formerly MyGlam) Bag!

This has been a long time coming! Sorry for my blog neglect - I've been miserably sick :( :(

I received my December bag on the 10th (I almost can't believe how quick the shipping was this month!) and although I was surprised to see it so quickly.. I kinda already knew what we'd be getting (but only because I'm terribly impatient and love to stalk the Facebook page/guess the hints..) ;)

&Here it is:

Pictured:

be a...bombshell cosmetics - lip gloss in 'Hot Mess'

Urban Decay  - 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in 'Zero'

Mirabella - 'Prime' for face and eyes

Mai Couture - highlighter papier in 'St. Barts'

NYX Cosmetics - Ultra Pearl Mania eyeshadow in 'Black Pearl'

I don't think there's a single item in my bag (this month) that I wasn't looking forward to trying. I already know and love the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils so it was a nice bonus to receive (at least for me). &I've been wanting to try the NYX Cosmetics eyeshadows for quite a while now (I always see them at Ulta but end up passing them by).

The bag is pretty cute this month and a little bit different than the bags we're use to seeing:

It's a shiny grey/silver color (love), &a little bit shorter and wider than the other bags we've received. 

They also lined the inside with their name.

Here's a closer look at the items in my bag this month:

be a...bombshell cosmetics lip gloss in 'Hot Mess'

This lipgloss is full size (3g/.11oz). It retails for $14 on their website, and can be purchased here. It is said to be a "true" red and goes on sheer but can be layered for more opaque coverage.

Here is a quick swatch I did on the back of my hand:

This gloss is super pigmented and has some major staying power. 

It left behind a bit of a 'stain' when I went to remove it so if you're not a fan of wearing sticky lipglosses I would recommend blotting your lips a bit after applying this - it should leave you with a nice wash of color. :)

Mirabella 'prime' for face and eyes

Also a full size product (12.85g/0.45oz). This primer retails for $29 on their website, and can be purchased here. Unlike other eye primers I've used, this one is clear (which is more common with face primers, or at least the majority that I use/have tried). This actually seems more like a face primer (to me) and I probably won't end up using it on my eyes - but I think it's really handy that it doubles for a face and an eye primer!

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in 'Zero'

Received a travel size (0.8g/0.03oz) which is not currently sold individually. I would estimate the value to be about $6.33 as 'Zero' is currently sold in a set of three (Triple Threat Travel Pencil Set) for $19, or a set of six (Smoked 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil Set) for $38. A full size (1.2g/0.04oz) retails for $19.

The Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliners are by far my favorite eyeliners to use as they come in a range of vibrant colors, as well as the blackest black 'Perversion' - the waterproof formula wears so well for me, I actually have to work a bit harder than usual to remove it! They are also very creamy and rather easy to apply - no scratchy feeling or pulling on my lid. Here is a swatch I did comparing my new Zero eyeliner from my Ipsy bag to Perversion:

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in 'Zero' on the left, 

and in 'Perversion' on the right.

Mai Couture Highlighter Papier in 'St. Barts'

Received a deluxe sample size containing 25 sheets - I'm estimating the value to be $14, the full size contains 50 sheets and retails for $28 on their website and you can purchase it here.

This is the only shade they currently offer but I'm hoping they might come out with more shades in the future. Judging by the pictures on their website I would have thought this would be much lighter, but it actually has a peachy tint to it and is much more shimmery than I anticipated..

The Mai Couture Highlighter Papier opens up like a little booklet, and you can easily tear out a sheet to use them. It looks like a really pretty peachy color, but on my skin it shows up kind of orangey :( 

(swatch on the right, swiped a quarter of the sheet on the back of my hand).

NYX Cosmetics Ultra Pearl Mania in 'Black Pearl'

Last but not least, another full size item! (0.06 fl oz/5ml). These eyeshadows retail on their website for $3 and come in a wide variety of colors that can be purchased here.

I'm not a huge fan of black eyeshadow and prefer darker browns to black, but this color is actually really pretty (click the picture to enlarge). Swatch was done over NYX JEP in Milk.

Ipsy decided to implement a 'trusted influencer' program this month. In short, they had a limited supply of a new and unreleased product and rather than pass on the opportunity to sample it out - they wanted to find a way that they could still include them. They chose to send these products to customers who they felt were more interactive on the website.

Although I think that they could have gone about this better, I do understand where they are coming from. Long story short, I sent in my opinions/feedback and Ipsy was absolutely wonderful in listening to my suggestions and went WAY above and beyond by sending me a little 'care package' - this is just one of the many reasons I love Ipsy and continue to highly recommend them/support them. They are *always* listening to our feedback and trying to implement our ideas/suggestions. I've seen so much improvement over the last year and it makes me even more excited for whatever is to come. :)

Because Ipsy was so generous in sending me a little 'care package' - I wanted to add on the swatches of the other three Ultra Pearl Mania eyeshadows I received (and who doesn't love swatches? ;)). I also feel like it's worth mentioning that these eyeshadows have blown me away. As I stated above, black really isn't my choice of eyeshadow color so although 'Black Pearl' is unique and quite pretty - it didn't leave me feeling like I needed to 'run out and buy them' - you know what I mean? When I saw these three, I was excited but still skeptical.. until I swatched them. Holy amazing pigmentation! They are all so smooth and vibrant and just a little really goes a long way with these - out of habit, I pat them over NYX JEP in Milk for swatching but they really didn't need it (though I would still recommend a good primer for wear to eliminate any yucky creasing). For the price point ($3.00/ea.) these are super impressive and I'm thinking I may need to go pick up a few more.. pretty soon.. ;) The only complaint I have with these is the packaging. The way they're 'bottled' and the long neck where the lid screws on (you can see the above photo of it for reference) is inconvenient and messy to use and especially a pain to maneuver a brush into to pick up product (but not entirely impossible).

This is Baby Pink Pearl, Mocha Pearl, and Yellow Gold Pearl.

Absolutely. Freakin'. Gorgeous.

Baby Pink Pearl is like an icy pink but almost looks lilac in some lighting,

Mocha Pearl is like a pretty taupey shade with a bit of a golden overlay,

&Yellow Gold Pearl is a super pretty yellowed gold, 

but if you look really closely it has an orange hue to it (which makes me think of sunsets). <3

All in all, I think this months bag was a huge hit. I originally thought my favorite product would've been the Mai Couture Highlighter Papier, but I have to say I am actually more excited about the lip gloss and NYX eyeshadows. Just goes to show, you never really know until you try it. :) The bag contents are a combined estimated 'value' of $66.33.. but I use this term loosely, because in the end what matters is whether or not the type of products that are sent out are products you will actually use/want to try. If you're interested in finding out more about Ipsy or signing up, you can visit their website here.

FTC: This subscription is paid for by myself/by my boyfriend. I am not being compensated to write this post, these are my honest opinions on the products and company. All photos of products and swatches were taken by me in natural lighting, and are unaltered aside from cropping/collaging!

Madd Style Cosmetics: Playing with Purple Tutorial

I recently received a couple of the Madd Style Cosmetics Dr. Who inspired mattes (from my last order) and decided it was time to see what the fuss is all about ;)  I think it's safe to say I absolutely love them <3

Here is what I used to create this look:

Top left: Tick:Tock Cosmetics Infinity Eye Shadow Base in "Milky Way" - UD Eyeshadow Primer Potion (original)

Middle left: Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in "Perversion" - Sephora Full Action Extreme Effect Mascara

Bottom Left: bdellium tools green bambu brushes #777 and #781

Top/Bottom right: MSC Pigments in Frankenberry, I think you call me Sexy, Hallucinogenic Lipstick, Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey

Start off by applying your primer and then your base (all over lids and up to the brow - I apply a more opaque coverage of the base on my lid and then use very little up to the brow)

Using your eyeshadow brush, pat 'I think you call me Sexy' on the innermost part of your eyelid and bring the color up just a bit to the crease/hollow.

Using your eyeshadow brush, pat 'Hallucinogenic Lipstick' on the center of your eyelid, slightly overlapping 'I think you call me Sexy' - you also want to bring this color up a bit, following where you left off with 'I think you call me Sexy'

Still using your eyeshadow brush, pat 'Wibbly Wobbly Timey Wimey' on the outer portion of your eyelid and pull some of the color into the crease/hollow

Using your crease brush, blend out your colors a bit (if you made any mistakes or the look ended up a bit darker than you wanted - grab a color that's close to your skin tone to help with blending). Grab 'Frankenberry' and very lightly apply some to the inner corner/duct and right under the brow to highlight.

Last but not least.. add your favorite eyeliner and mascara to complete your look :)

&Here's another angle that shows the colors a bit better<3

Urban Decay Vice Palette: Swatches!

Sigh. I'm honestly not nearly as excited about this post now, and I don't really want to get into any debates.. Urban Decay is being sold to L'Oreal - here is the article from The Wall Street Journal if you would like to read more about it/if it's your first time hearing about it. I encourage everyone to read the article, do your research and form your own educated opinions on the matter (you probably already know where I stand).

Since I had already posted a while back that I'd do some swatches, and already put the work into putting them together.. I'm just going to leave these here:

All swatches were done over NYX JEP in 'Milk' and photographed in natural lighting.
I actually really love this palette and I guess I am glad I snagged it when I did! The shadows are buttery smooth, nicely pigmented, and easy to work with (I found best to apply by swiping and not patting). I love the color range and was even pleasantly surprised by the shades that contain chunkier glitters (though they would have more potential applied over a glitter adhesive).


FTC: This item was paid for by myself/by my boyfriend. I am not being compensated to write this post, these are my honest opinions on the products and company. All photos were taken by me in natural lighting, are unaltered aside from cropping/collaging!

Madd Style Cosmetics Haul & Swatches!

Madd Style Cosmetics recently had an awesome sale to celebrate Halloween (and you all know I had to pick up a 'few' things ;)) So, now I'm celebrating the arrival of my order with some swatches! <3

Pictured: Oops, D'oh, Derp (oopsie colors) - All that Glitters, Spanish Fly lip bomb - Wibbly-Wobbly, Timey-Wimey, I think you call me... Sexy, Pandorica (Dr Who inspired mattes) - and last but not least... You've got red on you, The Winchester, Record Toss, The Zed Word (Shaun of the Dead inspired collection). Sample is the Dr Who inspired matte 'Book Of Spoilers'

As I was saying.. Just a few things, yeah? ;)

Before we get started.. all swatches were done over NYX JEP in 'Milk'. All are photographed in natural lighting outdoors. Descriptions of each color are taken from the original listing of each product, and the asterisk following the description will contain a link that will take you directly to the shop listing for that color. :)

First up, the three colors I like to call the 'oopsie colors' - these are basically what Mo referred to as "factory blems" and they did not quite make it to the permanent line. They are limited, and once they're gone.. they're gone. Hustle! These are by far the most gorgeous 'oopsie colors' I've ever seen <3

(OOPS! is a shimmery light coral color, perfect for every skin tone!)*

Shield your eyes! My camera really intensified the coral tones ;) I think this is probably my favorite of the oopsies!

(D'Oh is a red berry color with silver flecks of glitter.)*

(DERP is a plum brown color with a frost finish.)*

Okay, okay.. I take it back! Maybe this one is my favorite. hehe

Next up.. Doctor Who inspired mattes, anyone? I don't think it gets any better!

(WIBBLY-WOBBLY, TIMEY-WIMEY is a matte purple.)*

This is such a stunning deep purple!

(I THINK YOU CALL ME... SEXY is a matte lavender pink.)*

(PANDORICA is a deep teal.)*

One of the Halloween collections that Mo released this year is a Shaun of the Dead inspired collection containing four colors (there is also another Halloween collection this year - 'Alice in Zombieland' which I have yet to purchase. I will have to pick that one up soon!). Please keep in mind that this is a collection, and these colors are not sold individually.

(YOU'VE GOT RED ON YOU: A darkened, blood red with LOTS of red glitter.)*

(THE WINCHESTER: a plummy brown with a hot pink shift and a blingin' amount of hot pink and gold shifting sparkle.)*

(RECORD TOSS: A metallic lilac purple with a chrome shine.)*

(THE ZED WORD: a flesh toned neutral with a pink tint and lots of rainbow shimmer.)*

Gah! I cannot even put into words how much I love this color<3

Last but not least, I picked up 'All that Glitters' which was the C.O.W. at the time of my purchase. &I received the Dr Who inspired matte 'Book Of Spoilers' as the sample included with my order. :)

(ALL THAT GLITTERS is a layered blend of sliver and gold with lots of glitz! Definitely one of a kind!)*

(BOOK OF SPOILERS is a matte deep sky blue.)*

FTC: These items were paid for by myself/by my boyfriend. I am not being compensated to write this post, these are my honest opinions on the products and company. Descriptions of each eyeshadow (underneath swatch photos) were copied directly from the listing of the product. All photos were taken by me in natural lighting, are unaltered aside from cropping/collaging! I AM a model for Madd Style Cosmetics at this time, but it does not change my opinions on the products themselves or the company<3

My November Birchbox: Give (Box #9)

I received my Birchbox today in record time! Very impressed with how quickly and smoothly shipping went this month and also pleasantly surprised with the contents (for the most part!). Their theme this month is to 'give' and so instead of using the additional tissue paper to wrap items, they included a little gift envelope to use to gift or re-gift something to someone special! Here's a look at my unwrapping and the items I received this month:

Normal 'Birchbox Pink' packaging this month ;)

Inside is a little card that gives more information about the theme for the month, as well as Birchbox supporting 'The Art of Elysium' this month. (click to enlarge)

On the back of the card it lists the products from my Birchbox this month, as well as their descriptions and prices for the full-size versions. (click to enlarge)

And, the most exciting part... unboxing! Instead of the normal tissue paper, the little pillow box was used in place and contained two of my samples inside. I think it is a pretty cute idea for gifting or re-gifting and I really like the design/options on the back :)

Products in my box this month, from left to right:
John Varvatos 'Artisan' cologne

One Love Organics Aromatic Body Serum in 'Lavender'

Lulu Organics Lavender + Clary Sage Hair Powder

Mox Botanicals Pomegranate & Fig Lip Butter

ModelCo Fibre LashXtend Lengthening Mascara

A closer look at the products I received this month:

First up is my 'Lifestyle Extra' this month, and probably the product I am least excited about (I mean, c'mon.. a men's cologne sample in my monthly beauty box?)... Not usable for myself, but at least I am lucky enough that I can give this to the boyfriend to use. This was a ploy to reel in new Birchbox Man subscribers (you can even read about it up there on the little card that has descriptions of my products this month).. Nice try, Birchbox.. The boyfriend doesn't share my enthusiasm for monthly samples. :/

The sample size I received is .05fl oz. and a full size (2.5 fl oz.) retails for $62. (.05fl oz/2.5fl oz. * 62 = $1.24)

One Love Organics Aromatic Body Serum in 'Lavender' - super excited to have received the lavender scent! You can't tell from this picture but the sample actually has a removable cap and a spray nozzle which makes this sample pretty neat and convenient to use. My only gripe would be that it spilled somehow and made an oily mess (hence why I didn't want to remove the product from the bag for photographs).

The sample size I received is 8ml and a full size (90ml) retails for $39. (8ml/90ml * 39 = $3.47)

Lulu Organics Lavender + Clary Sage Hair Powder

The sample size I received is 5gr/0.17637oz and a full size (4oz) retails for $30. (0.17637oz/4oz * 30 = $1.32)

Mox Botanicals Lip Butter in 'Pomegranate & Fig'

The sample size I received is 0.1 oz and a full size (0.2 oz) retails for $16. (0.1oz/0.2oz * 16 = $8.00)

Last but not least, I received ModelCo Fibre LashXtend Lengthening Mascara in 'extreme black' - this product appears to be a full size which retails for $24. I was pleasantly surprised to see a full size mascara in my box this month, and I thought the packaging was pretty clever with the little mirror on the other side of the tube. I didn't take a picture of the wand because I am actually not planning to open this one for a while as I have *tons* of mascara to use up before opening a new one!

I received the full-size product which retails for $24.

Also, a little added bonus that Birchbox included this month is a 'coupon' code to use at CHROMATICgallerie.com (pictured above)

The overall total 'value' of my Birchbox this month comes down to about $38.03 (this, of course, is all subjective). I'm happy with my Birchbox this month because the products I received are products I am looking forward to trying out, and products I will be able to use. However.. I've gotten to the point where I'm feeling a bit 'sampled out' and I really need to take a break from Birchbox for a month or two so I can use up samples I've acquired (at this point, I'm kind of overrun by them! ha ha). I'm excited about being able to cash in my Birchbox points for some full size products - if you have any recommendations, please let me know!

What is Birchbox, you may ask?

Birchbox is a monthly 'beauty' subscription service. For $10 a month (and free shipping), they generally offer 4-5 deluxe beauty samples, plus a lifestyle extra, delivered right to your mailbox. They have an awesome points system in place and for every product you review you earn 10pts (you can only review your own product samples from your box each month, and you have from the time you receive your box to the 10th of the next month to do so) to their little Birchbox shop where you can order full size products of the samples they offer/samples from brands they've teamed up with.  For every friend you refer who uses your referral link to sign up, you'll earn 50pts. 100pts is the equivalent of $10 in their shop! If you are interested in signing up, you may use my referral link here or you can go directly to the Birchbox website to sign up without using my referral. :)

FTC: This sub was paid for by myself/by my boyfriend. I am not being compensated to write this post, these are my honest opinions on the products and company. All photos were taken by myself in natural lighting, are unaltered aside from cropping/collaging!