Urban Decay Book of Shadows III Tutorial

And now.........for a high end look! My favorite high end brand is Urban Decay. Their products are just top notch as far as quality goes and the selection is amazing. The colors are just perfect and suit my makeup taste perfectly.

This is a look I created with the purple colors in the palette. It combines glitter, matte, and shimmer. This is a moderately complicated look.

First, as always apply primer to lids. You can use any primer, but I'm using Urban Decay Primer Potion since I'm going with Urban Decay products.



After applying primer, use a clean eyeshadow brush to apply 'bordello' to the inner lids only. For this look, we will split the eyelid into thirds. Apply this color to the inner third. As usual, I'm using my E.L.F. eyeshadow brush.



Next, clean the eyeshadow brush on a clean cloth and grab the darker purple color labeled 'psychedelic sister' and apply to the middle third of the lid. No need to blend the colors yet; just apply like paint by numbers.



Finally, we will apply the darkest purple to the outer third of the lids. Clean the eyshadow brush again and apply 'rockstar' to the outer third of the lid. With all colors, apply all over lid to crease.



Now, use a clean blending brush to lightly blend the three purles so that they gradually blend into each other. What you are trying to get rid of are harsh lines between the colors. Since they are all very similar, this shouldn't take an awful lot of blending. Again, I'm using my Kat Von D blending brush (avaliable at Sephora).


Finally, use a crease brush (here I'm using Essence of beauty's crease brush) to blend the matte black 'perversion' into the crease.


Now, use a clean blending brush (wipe on soft cloth if this is the same brush used earlier) to blend the crease color so no harsh lines exist. For me, this sometimes mutes the color too much and I go back and add more color to the edges with my color crease brush.



Finally, we take my favorite shade ever, 'midnight cowboy rides again' and place it as a highlight to the brow bone and inner eyes. You can use a fluffy shadow brush for this and blend with this same brush. Here, I'm using sonia kashuk's eyeshadow brush (target stores).


Next, it's time for eyeliner. For my lower lash line, I use the Urban Decay 24/7 liner pencils. Now, let me say these are my favorite liner pencils ever! I'm currently looking for a cheaper dupe though because a full size pencil is 17 dollars each. So, I'm using the two pencils that come with the set. The black color, 'zero' goes on the outer lower lash line (only line half). On the inner lower lash line (the inner half to completely line the lower lash line), I use the purple color, 'ransom'. Blend where the two colors meet and smudge out the lower lash line if desired.


For the upper lash line, I use black liquid liner. So, again, I'm using E.L.F. liquid liner in black.

Now, this is my favorite part. I like to add a little more sparkle to the look. I love the NYX candy glitter liners. You can use these as liner, or just anywhere you want. It's a glitter gel and they come in different colors. For this, I'm using the green candy glitter liner. The above picture is a close up of the brush.

This is a better view of the glitter liner tube. Since NYX makes this, it means it's affordable and avaliable at either Ulta or a variety of online sites (such as cherryculture.com). Each costs aboout 4.79 at Ulta or ulta.com (and they're worth every penny!). If you don't like glitter you can skip this step. What I do is apply the liner over the black liquid liner on my upper lash line. I usually only apply to the outer half of the lid unless it's for a nighttime look; for nighttime, I apply all over the upper lashline. The key is to do a thin line. The only downside to these liners is that they take a little while to dry, so you must keep your eyes half closed for a little while.

Now, curl your lashes and apply your favorite black mascara. Right now, I'm using Rimmel's glam' eyes.

This is the finished look on just the eyes. You can see the glitter, graduated purples, and the black.

This is the finished look! thanks so much~!

L'oreal Sublime Bronze spray gel: A Review

This is a review of a (from what I understand), new product. I picked this up last week on a sale as I'm always trying to look tanned without going out into the sun. I have been a fan of l'oreal sublime bronze's self tanners because they typically give good color, blend well, and are easy to apply. The idea of a gel was what caught my attention as I don't think I've ever seen anything quite like this before. Bottom line: I do like it.

Color: I got the medium natural tan and it produces a good, natural looking, moderately deep color. I noticed results the day I applied it even though it was hours later.

Smell: This is what I love about this product. Anyone who has used self tanners knows that they smell awful. This does produce that 'tanner' smell after the color develops but that is inevitable with any product. The smell of the actual prodcut that is evident during application is probably the best of any I've used! It's like an oriental deep scent that is very pleasing.

Application: To apply, you spray the gel and rub in. It's easy to apply but isn't tinted, so it's hard to tell if you've applied it evenly. Due to this, I did notice some streaking in places but I think this could be approved with more practice and perhaps a lighter trigger finger.

Drying time: I love how this dries super fast. Because it's a gel, you can put your clothes on pretty quickly after application.

Overall, I like this product. The only thing I think could improve it is if it were tinted. I like how other sublime bronze products are tinted; this allows for better application and an instant bronze color to your skin.

Manic Panic for the dyehards!

Sorry I don't have any pictures for this. This post is about using manic panic to dye your hair and if you've used it, you know that it's staining. I didn't want to get my camera all pink. But, I'm going to go through the steps to use manic panic to get good results.

First, before I get into it, I have to layout how manic panic will affect different hair types. Manic panic is a temporary dye but they reccomend bleaching hair first for the best color. If you bleach your hair and put manic panic over it, you will get a really bright color. I haven't done this myself so I can't say much about it. I have naturally brown hair that I go to a salon to have dyed red. The red looks great but (as anyone with dyed red hair knows), it's so hard to keep vibrant and fresh. It will fade inevitably. You can postpone the fading by using color safe shampoos and reducing the frequency of washing your hair but again, it will happen. So, I use manic panic (in vampire red) to brighten my current color when it fades. It does a great job of this. The color takes well and makes my hair look again, like i'vet stepped out of the salon. However, If I did the same color manic panic over my naturally brown hair it would not take nearly as well. You can use the manic panic reds over undyed brown hair but it won't be as noticeable. There are many pictures of this online. So, if you're interested look them up. I definately did a lot of reasearch before I dyed.


So, lets get on with it.....

1.) pick a color: manic panic has tons of bright shades and some not so often seen shades. I stick with red as it looks more understated than a pink or other. I do want to use purple one day.....

2.) purchase manic panic: i get mine from sally's beauty supply but they also sell it at other outlets and online.

3.) purchase supplies. You will need: a color mixing bowl, a color brush applicator, gloves, shower caps, vaseline, and hair clips. Oh, and towels and clothes you don't care for very much.

4.) Patch test: this is very important. I don't feel like they really emphasize its importance on the dye. You have to apply the dye to your inner forearm and let it dry. leave it there for 24 hours and watch for a reaction. If you have a reaction (reddness, etc...) then it's a no go. THEN, I would reccomend a strand patch test to make sure you don't have to schedule corrective color the next day. Apply it to a small section and see how that goes first.

The actual dying process:

1.) clear your bathroom counter and lay down a towel or newspaper - something you don't mind getting dyed. Get your supplies out and put them on the towel.

2.) apply vaseline to hairline and ears to prevent staining.

3.) brush through your hair and section with a part. I do mine in two sections and clip each when I'm done.

4.) Put on gloves (also, I like to have a second pair handy) and pour the dye into the bowl.

5.) Use the tint brush to pick up dye and apply as close to roots as possible. Apply to right and left side of part. Keep sectioning off 1/2 inch sections with a comb to apply all over roots.

6.) once done with one section's roots, apply to ends with brush and gloved hands. Now, twist hair and clip up. Be very careful not to splash the dye in your eyes (very bad as the label states). I do the actual dying pretty slowly.

7.) repeat on the other side.

8) take off current gloves and use second pair to clean bowl, brush, and comb. Put them all aside

9.) apply shower cap to dyed hair and wait forever........ The dye says to leave on for 15-30 minutes but I usually leave it on for at least 2 hours. Some people sleep in it or leave it on for 4 hours. I do this for better color. I have read that this is okay since the dye is really like a stained conditioner but if you want to stick with the 30 minute time, that's fine.

10.) shampoo out with a color protecting shampoo. be careful not to get dye in eyes during the shower.

11.) bleach towels used and clean shower. Mine always turns pink.

That's about it. :-)

Another Wet N Wild Look - 'Lust' color Icon palette

This look is another from my new favorite cheap yet awesome makeup, Wet N' Wild. I had no clue how good their products were until recently as I'd always written them off being so cheap. After using great E.L.F. products, my eyes were opened to the world of good quality, budget friendly makeup that DOES exist. This look can be done with all drugstore products.

First, use a primer (any will do). I reccomend l'oreal's decrease for drugstore and Urban Decay Primer Potion for prestige. For most dark looks, I prefer to use a primer AND a cream base as I believe it helps my makeup to stick better without creasing. The above cream pallette is revlon's creme illuminance in seashells. I use the color to the far left but any color that matches your skintone will work. Apply the primer all over the lid and place the creme base on the lid and crease.

As I have mentioned before, the color Icon pallettes have one matte side (left) and one shimmer side. You can mix the two types of shadow up or stick with one. I am going to use the matte deep purple for my lid but use the shimmers in the look as well. Mixing of matte and shimmer produces a cool effect. Put the color highlighted above all over the lid with a clean eyeshadow brush. I'm using my favorite eyeshadow brush here, E.L.F.'s shadow brush ($1 at target and online).

Next, we will use the midtone shimmer highlighted above to put in the crease. This is a dark look (can you tell I like dark makeup?). When a dark color is used all over the lid, a lighter color needs to be used in the crease. This is the oppositive of an everyday, typical look. Such a look would call for the lighter color on the lid and the darker in the crease. Just go with me here though. :-) Use your crease brush to apply that color to the crease being careful not to go over too much of the lid color. Here, my crease brush is CVS's exclusive brand, essence of beauty. The essence of beauty crease brush is my favorite for detailed work because it's so small.

Next, we blend it all together (before the highlight color is applied so it doesn't look muddy). I am using Kat Von D's crease brush to blend. Make sure you use a fluffy brush that is clean for this. I love this brush for blending because it's soft and does it very nicely. To blend, first blend the crease color out towards the brows and then lightly blend the crease color in with the lid color; but, be careful not to erase your lid color.

Finally, we will use the lightest shimmer as a highlight right under the brow arch and in the inner corners of the eyes. blend this with a large fluffy brush. Here, I'm using Sonia Kashuk's eyeshadow brush (exclusively sold at Target).

It's eyeliner time. This week, I picked up a new purple eyeliner as I know I'll run out of my cherished Urban Decay soon. This is the physician's formula shimmer liners that come in a set of three. I am using the set for brown eyes. In the set, there is a black, a purple, and a brown variety. I'm using the purple variety here to line my lower lash line. You can skip this step or use a black liner if you prefer. I like purple because it's not as harsh with the dark looks and it brings out brown eyes well.

I love liquid liner, so I use it pretty much exclusively when I do dark eyeshadows. I feel that the liquid has a higher contrast against the dark eyeshadow and it lasts longer. Here I'm using my favorite liquid liner, E.L.F.'s liquid liner in black ($1 at target and online). You can use a gel or a pencil if you don't have confidence with a liquid liner.

Next, curl those lashes and finish off with mascara. I'm trying out a new one I just got - Rimmel's Glam Eyes. I do like it. It lenthens and seperates well which is suprising considering how small the brush is. I feel it has good precision though. See the picture below to see a picture of the actual brush.

Rimmel glam eyes brush. Not a bad mascara - it does go head to head with Maybelline's volum' express but I can't decide which one I like better. We'll have to see....

This is the overall finished look (whole face).

Just the eyes. You can see the two different colors here and the blending.

By the way, this look lasted for hours during class and errands. Primers work!! I also reccomend a makeup setting spray. I love Urban Decay's All Nighter spray.

OPI Swatches and Review: Shrek Collection

First and foremost, forgive the lowlight in the pictures. I decided to take pics when the nail polish was fresh; and, I apply new polish at night (since the polish hardens while I sleep, leading to fewer flaws). I always have a hard time deciding what color to repaint and this time, I picked a never before worn shade I've had stashed away for a little while. The color is 'who the shrek are you' from OPI's Shrek collection. I don't think you can find this collection anymore except maybe on ebay. They did have some neat colors and I must say this isn't my favorite but I'll still rock it for a few days.


The above is the color with my nails. You really need to do at least 3 coats with this color or else your nails will just look dingy. As with all OPI polishes, it applies well and dries without bubbling or otherwise. I do love OPI but at around 8 dollars each (depending on where you buy them), I now only buy the colors I can't get anywhere else. My favorite thing about the OPI line is the brush. It's nice and wide, making it easy to apply the polish well.


The above is the bottom of the bottle. For those unfamiliar with OPI, they put out new collections frequently and colors stay while others are limited editions. The current new line is the Katy Perry line (which I'm dying to get my hands on) and in Feb., the Texas line will go on shelves. The texas line looks pretty awesome too. Another great thing about OPI -> they put out samplers for most all of their collections. The samplers usually consist of 4 small polishes from each line. I love these because it allows you to try out a couple without paying the hefty price. If I like a color in the sampler, I'll go and buy the full size of said color.

I tried to take a nice picture of the actual nail color. As you can see, it does look Shrek colored green. Not exactly my cup of tea but I also tend to gravitate towards anything that is 'different' from the typical. This color definately fits the bill for different. My favorite color from the shrek collection is 'what's with the cattitude' -> this shade is a light pastel blue.

Wet N Wild Craze Nail Polish Swatch and Review

I have recently discovered the amazing quality of the Wet N Wild products. It's pretty amazing and cool that a makeup so budget friendly comes up with consistent, high quality cosmetics. Oh a recent trip to Rite Aid, I picked up one of the Wet N Wild Craze colors in one that struck my eye, Morbid. It's a dark green that appears black in low light. The nail polish went on easily, stayed as well as OPI, and and looked awesome on my nails. I totally reccomend this line.


The packaging and back of the label with color and ingredients. The packaging is totally cute, may I add.

Front of the bottle. The bottle is a little on the small size at 0.34 ounces, but it only costs 1.99. Plus, it takes forever to go through a bottle of OPI, so this is probably just about the right size.

Swatched on my nails. This is one of my new favorite colors.

Wet n' Wild look from 'Lust'

This look is accomplished with Wet n' Wild's lust pallette. I will outline the images step by step.
First, prime the lids using an eyeshadow primer. I like l'oreal decrease from the drugstore category and Urban Decay Primer Potion from prestige. After primer, I use the revlon illuminance cream shadow palette pictured above to apply a cream shadow to my lids. I think this helps the powder shadow stick better than with primer alone. I used the color circled in pink above; however, any neutral shade will work. Apply this to the entire lid.

The color icon palettes have both a matte and shimmer side. As you can see, the right side is shimmery and the left is matte. I will be using the matte side to create this look. I must add that these palettes, although very inexpensive, are great quality. The color pigmentation is amazing. Probably one of the best I've found for the price range.

Using an eyeshadow brush (here I use E.L.F.'s eyeshadow brush - awesome brush at only a dollar) to pick up the color highlighted above. We will apply this to the entire lid. If you don't know exactly where the lid begins and ends, I will show that in this post.

Next, pick up the midtone color and apply to the crease using a crease brush. Here, I use CVS's Essence of Beauty Crease brush. Again, this brush is awesome and inexpensive; I like it particularly because it's small and good for crease detail.

The above picture is to show where the lid and crease are. I made a 'courtney' goof. I reversed the crease and lid markings above - ooops! The LID is marked in green and the CREASE is marked in pink. :-)

Next, Use a clean, fluffy eye shadow brush to blend the crease color out in order to erase harsh lines. It's also good to blend the crease color into the lid color a bit so that there isn't demarcation there.

Finally, finish it off by putting the lightest shade under the arch and in the inner eye corners if desired. I use another fluffy eye brush for this. The brush above is a sonia kashuk brush from Target. You can also blend that color into the crease color but be careful not to 'erase' your crease color.

I tend to like heavy eyeliner so I'm currently using liquid liner. The pictured is E.L.F.'s $1.00 eyeliner and again, it's great. Liquid liner takes some practice but shows up very bold. Any eyeliner can be used, though. Pencil or gel will work too.

I apply this to the upper lash line only.

Like I said earlier, I love eyeliner, so I use a liner on the lower lash line. This is optional. I could've stopped with the uppler lash line but I choose to line my lower lashes with maybelliene's eyestudio gel liner in brown. The brush I use is the one that comes with the liner. Gel takes some practice to, so if a lower liner is desired, a brown pencil will work just fine.

Next, curl lashes and apply mascara. I love Maybelline's Volum Express. I use this black liner first and then finish off with Hard Candy's lash tinsel (avaliable at Wal Mart exclusively) to add a little sparkle.

AND, finished look. This is a dark look with dark purples, black, and brown but it doesn't look too dark on the finished look. Overall, I'm very happy with Wet n' Wild and my eyeshadow lasted all day.