Life Updates

Hey Everyone,

I hope you're having a great day today! I wanted to share a quick update that isn't beauty/fashion related. I haven't been posting much this week - I have to get better at managing things! I had a job interview, and all the normal day to day stuff.

Today I've got books to read, walks to take, a copycat recipe of Panera's Mac N' Cheese to make, a caramel filled dark chocolate cupcake with caramel buttercream frosting and chocolate ganache to bake (Labor day party) and I'm sure there is more I've forgotten. Actually I know there is. Is it nap time yet?

I'll have some more posts up soon and I look forward to talking to you guys!! Have a safe and fun holiday weekend!

Best wishes,

Elisabeth 

August Favorites 2013 + Madcap Makeup Monday

Hey Everyone!

It's almost September so today's Madcap Makeup Monday is also a monthly favorites. Let me know what you've been loving this month too!

Best wishes,

Elisabeth 

Not a great thumbnail - thanks YouTube! 

Instagram: http://instagram.com/msdandeliondreamer13
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/thecky912/boards/



Drink - Sobe Strawberry Daiquiri

Food - I don't usually eat the same meal too many times in a month, but this month I've been doing tuna with sea salt, ground pepper and chipotle wrapped in a heart's of romaine leaf, a lot. And I've also been eating the Progresso pasta fagioli soup, which is a meatless soup. It has a tomato base, pasta and cannellini beans. Oh and tons of raspberrries. Nom, nom, nom.

App - snapchat, youtube, candycrush, instagram, a sleep sounds app.

Book - Poison Study and Magic Study by Maria V. Snyder.

Movie - New Year's Eve and One for the Money.

Music - Under the Sea by the Squirrl Nut Zippers, Blurred Lines by Robin Thicke, The Count of Monte Cristo by the Noisettes, Barton Hollow by the Civil Wars, the Crybaby and Rock of Ages soundtracks, Ella Fitzgerald and the Lady is a Tramp by Frank Sinatra.

Fashion - J. Crew tank top seen in video! :)

Random - My new bookshelves I built (with assistance - ok I was more of the assistant here. Details, details!), reading in the sun, playing with my 4 dogs.

Blogger - Couture Carrie. I haven't been among the blogging community that much and Carrie's one of the few bloggers I've ever talked to. I'm so glad I did though! She is one of the sweetest, nicest and most fashionable people you will ever have the privilege to know! If you haven't had the chance to see her blog, you can check it out here! 

And Katie at Lovely Lady! She is an amazing girl and dear friend with a fabulous blog that you can check out here! She writes beautiful posts and takes amazing pictures, and is so open and honest in her blog. She inspires me all the time. 

Top Ten Under $10 - Drugstore Makeup Deals

Top Ten Under $10

A leave in conditioner/detangler and dry shampoo. These are the two I'm currently using. I don't have a particular favorite brand, however I think the drugstore brands do a great job overall and they're staples in my day-to-day life. 

Leave in Conditioner - With naturally curly, dry, color treated hair this helps prevent breakage and helps keep my hair moisturized.

Dry Shampoo - I doubt I need to sing its praises to anyone, but it's perfect to freshen up hair and add volume.

Rimmel Match Pefection Concealer fair/light

Kate Moss for Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick 101

Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal Eye Liner in 004 Taupe 

 Full review and swatches for these Rimmel products here!

Concealer - I have tried a fair amount of concealers and this one is great. Inexpensive, light-weight but full coverage, doubles as a highlighter. 

Lipstick - A high end lipstick masquerading in the drugstore. Love it.

Eyeliner - Both high-end and drugstore brands make oodles of great eye liners. For the drugstore this line of eye liners is fantastic! There are a ton of excellent eye liners at the drugstore though, and what sets this one apart it the shade. How often does a drugstore produce a quality shade like this? Not very often in my experience. Fifty perfectly fine black eyeliners, but very few nude or taupe shades. And Rimmel does both for under $4!!

Maybelline the Falsies Flared Mascara

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Beige (LE - Barely Branded is similar)

Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Eyeliner in Express 

Mascara - Another product that the drugstore has tons of offerings to choose from and many excellent ones. I love this one for the crazy big lashes (makes my eyes look freaky big) it gives me, the inexpensive price tag and the fact it doesn't damage my lashes.

Eye Shadow - How I doth love thee. Let me count the ways - but quickly, cause Shakespeare I ain't. The colors are amazing, the pigmentation is crazy, they last forever on your lids, they make great primers/bases for other eye shadows. 

Eye Liner - Long wearing, doesn't dry up (I've had mine for well over a year), easy to work with, great color and pigmentation.

Revlon Lip Butter in Sweet Tart 

L'Oreal Caresse Wet Shine Stain

Zoya Nail Polish in Maura

Lip Stick - Creamy, pigmented without ever getting into clown territory, doesn't wear off in the blink of an eye, great color range.

Lip Stain - Long wearing shine and color, not too difficult to work with, cute packaging. Not the best color range - limited and pretty basic, they lack the color complexity of the YSL lip stains, but for the price and what it does do, I'm a fan.

Nail Polish - I've tried high-end (Chanel, Butter London, etc) to the low (NYC, Sally Hansen, etc) and this is hands down my favorite nail polish. Long wearing, chip resistant, huge selection of colors, $8, shiny without a top coat, opaque in one coat. 

What are some of your favorite beauty items under $10? Let me know in the comments! I love to try out new things from the drugstores!

Best wishes,

Elisabeth 

Quick and Easy Smoky Eye Tutorial

Hey Everyone! Hope you're having a great day. I've recently become obsessed with a mono-tone smoky eye - I lay all the credit for the inspiration at the platform heels of Grav3yard girl and Leanne Woodfull. They're are amazing YouTube Goddesses :)

I thought I'd try my own version of the look in an ode to them. Here are my results!

Best wishes,

Elisabeth 

Products Used:

Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer - Light

Maybelline Baby Lips in Peach Kiss

Tarte Blush in Dollface

Too Faced Galaxy Glam Eye Shadow in Amber Asteroid -  Full review and swatches here

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer and Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal Eye Liner in Black -  Full review and swatches here

Maybelline the Falsies Flared Mascara 

Madcap Makeup Monday

Hey Everyone,

I hope your week is off to a great start so far! It's been pretty simple lately, but without further ado I'll share what I've been loving over the past week.

Best wishes,

Elisabeth 

The products of the week:

Too Faced Glamour to Go II - Full review and swatches here

Anastasia Eye Shadow Duo in Power Lunch

Anastasia Eye Shadow Palette in Milky Way -  Full review and swatches here

Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer

Revlon Colorstay Mineral Lipglaze in Perennial Pink 538

Maybelline Baby Lips in Peach Kiss

Tarte Blush in Dollface

Too Faced Galaxy Glam Eye Shadow in Amber Asteroid -  Full review and swatches here

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer and Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal Eye Liner in Black -  Full review and swatches here

Maybelline the Falsies Flared Mascara 

Elf Golden Bronzer

The perfect peach nude. Moisturizing and inexpensive, easy to wear, smells good and great for beginners!

I use this as a highlighter more than a bronzer. Allegedly this is a dupe for Dior's Amber Diamond. I wouldn't go that far, but for $3 it's a decent highlighter.

Eye Shadow: Too Faced Galaxy Glam Eye Shadow in Amber Asteroid -  Full review and swatches here

Eye Liner: Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal Eye Liner in Black

Mascara: Maybelline the Falsies Flared Mascara 

A tutorial on this eye look can be viewed here!!

How to fold a shirt - a better way! Get Organized

Hey Everyone,

As you may know, I'm currently in a process of trying to streamline my life. Clear out the old, keep from adding too much new, appreciate life and not things. With that in mind I have tons of boxes that I've cleared away to sell or donate thus far.

My dresser drawers however, continued to shame me with their unruly behavior, so I revamped them and I love how organized they are now. 

Thought I'd share what I did if anyone else is looking to tidy up! Hope this helps!

Best Wishes,

Elisabeth 

How to fold a shirt - a better way.

Get to Know Me: 100 Things About Me

Hey everyone,

I saw my dear friend friend and amazing blogger Katie at Lovely Lady do this tag and I enjoyed reading her's so much, I wanted to do it too! Without further ado.

1) I used to want braces. I'd take rubber-bands or un-kink paper clips to wear across my teeth when I was a very tiny child. What I didn't realize as a Midwestern toddler was that I didn't want braces, what I really wanted was a 'grille'.

2) I think S'mores are God's reminder to be happy and appreciate the little things.

3) I love Mexican food (and indeed, all food in general) but I hate onions and cilantro so every time I go to a Mexican restaurant I spend twenty minutes denuding my food of the hateful duo.

4) I never know the lyrics to songs. I know all the lyrics to about four songs total and one of those is Happy Birthday. And to be honest, I have to stop and think about those lyrics too. This doesn't stop me from singing, I just make up my own lines. For years I thought it was love potion of the night, not love potion #9. Which really, I think my title makes more sense.

5) I have never not had a dog. I came home from the hospital to two dogs, and I've been a doggy companion ever since :) and general animal fan.

6) I hate hot drinks - I like coffee/hot coco/tea, but only lukewarm.

7) I am a HUGE film buff - especially old movies and action films. I usually know every actor and can name half the films they've been in.

8) I love to bake.

9) One of my biggest pet peeves is when the bathroom stall door isn't hung correctly. You're paid to work in construction! How hard is it to make sure I don't have to hold the door closed while I pee?

10) Speaking of construction, I'm actually quite handy with power tools.

11) If I could only buy 5 fashion/beauty related items for the rest of my life it would be: Jeans, boots, button down shirts, eye shadow and purses. I really hope someone would give me a coat for winter or I'd be SOL.

12) I was home schooled my entire life.

13) I have a really interesting family history that I won't get into now. Which makes this a very pointless fact. It's there though.

14) While I'm good at multi-tasking, I really prefer to focus on one thing at a time. I'd rather spend time with one close friend than a group. I do enjoy parties and family get-together's - I just don't like groups of my close friends where I can't really pay attention the way each friend deserves. I'm even that way with my food - for example I don't like ala mode. I want ice cream or dessert. I prefer to focus on one thing at a time when I can :)

15) 4th of July is my favorite holiday. Then Christmas and Easter. I hate Halloween, New Year's and Valentine's Day. I'm a patriotic curmudgeon!

16) I am a huge Star Wars fan. In fact I am a huge SFF fan in general.

17) I love KISS, Alice Cooper, Ozzy Osborne, Guns N' Roses, Michael Buble, Neon Trees, The Civil Wars, Jimmy Dorsey, Ella Fitzgerald, Pitbull...My music taste is eclectic.

18) I love to dance and I'm currently taking a belly dance class.

19) I collect Hot Wheels (the little cars little boys play with - yes) and Just the Right Shoe (the little shoes women play with - yes) both make me happy :)

20) I count potato chips as a veggie and ice cream as a dairy. Tongue in cheek of course. Mostly.

21) I taught myself how to knit and play chess. I'm (slowly!) teaching myself  how to play the guitar and French. I've been working on that for about five years now.

22) I've taken ice skating class, horseback riding class, archery class, target practice, personal investment, song writing, history of rock, motorcycle class, computer class and swim class. In addition to regular schooling obviously :)

23) I'm definitely a bit of an odd duck. I'm corny and hokey and quirky and any other word you can think of.

24) I'm a good driver and I rarely get lost, but I take the wrong exit half the time when I'm someplace new. Like people count on me taking the wrong exit in a new place.

25) I don't have any tattoos.

26) I love to garden.

27) My family is the number one thing in my life. And most of my close friends are like family to me too, so I guess you could say people are the number one thing I my life. And oh, I count my dogs as family too. Animals lovers will understand!

28) I have owned both crocs and uggs. And I still think I can write a blog on fashion and beauty! I must be crazy :p

29) My lucky number is 13. I like having something that is considered to be unlucky by most.

30) I have a goal to read everything written by Stephen King (close), to see every movie Johnny Depp has been in (close) and to watch everything Tim Burton has created (close)

31) Johnny Depp is my favorite actor. Seann William Scott is my celeb crush. Angelina Jolie, Emma Stone and Jennifer Lawrence are my favorite actresses.

32) Jim Butcher is my favorite author.

33) I have a pinterest board filled with guys I think are cute. I'm not shallow, I just appreciate the view :)

34) My dream since I was two years old has been to own my own home.

35) Pink or cream peonies are my favorite flowers. Closely followed by dandelions and hydrangeas.

36) I don't like swimming in water I can't see in.

37) Ed Hardy is the unequivocal fashion choice of douche-bags everywhere, but to be truthful, I still kind of like his (unblinged) art work. I like the old sailor Jerry inspired tattoo art and while I wouldn't get the ink, I admire the art. So I still wear some of my favorite things from him - if slightly cringing at the thought that people think I'm unaware of who his followers are.

38) I read the last Harry Potter in under four hours.

39) I think black lipstick can look high fashion in the right circumstances.

40) We're all mad here.

41) I went deep sea fishing and discovered while I'm great in 4 1/2 foot swells, I cannot handle a 'calm' sea. Go figure.

42) I love watching sports. I like football and baseball, but I am a gigantic basketball fan. I never played on a team since I'm practically pocket sized, have an insurmountable inability to jump and am so aggressive a player I'd be fouled out in the first two minutes, but I am a great fan!

43) If I could be a mythical creature I would definitely be a mermaid. Or a siren. They're pretty much the same thing in most myths.

44) Beauty and the Beast is my favorite Disney movie and I totally identified with Belle. Still do in fact. Book worms who don't fit in - unite!

45) I'd like to someday restore a vintage Stingray Corvette.

46) I have a very long list of goals/dreams/hopes/plans that few of the people who know me have any idea about.

47) I tend to be pigeon holed and overlooked. People who should know better think I'm a push-over, or dumb, or provincial. They don't realize I'm just not bothering to share who I am with them. I'm trying to work on this.

48) I'm very proud that this list hasn't evolved into a list of foods I love.

49) When I was little I was OBSESSED with prehistoric times, Egypt, and the Greek and Roman Empires. I'd make my mom read to mnne about Homo Sapiens in National Geographic while she was at the salon getting her hair or nails done.

50) I started talking at six weeks old. And have yet to shut up. My first words were "Good girl." I was talking to the dog.

51) My mom would read Sherlock Holmes to me when I was a toddler. And Agatha Christie. And a ton of other classic mystery writers.

52) I had a very liberal arts and classically trained education. Besides the basics, I had a heavy blend of classic literature, an in-depth study of history, theology, philosophy, and classic theater, such as Stoppard, Miller, Shakespeare and Wilder.

53) Huge book worm. This bears repeating. And I like reading classic poetry aloud to myself. Well, my dog seems to really enjoy it too. At least he likes falling asleep to it.

54) I'm not all that afraid of snakes or spiders - I don't love them per say, but if they leave me alone, I'm happy to do the same. I hate vermin though.

55) I've never left the country (yet) but I've traveled all over the USA by myself.

56) I have a talent with hummingbirds - as I write this there are several a few feet away from me. They like my 'special blend' of hummingbird feed. Basically I put so much sugar in they become addicted. All of them seem happy and healthy though!

57) I got my ears pierced when I was eleven and have not gotten anything else pierced in the time since then.

58) My first celeb crush was Pierce Brosnan. And Sean Connery. And Shamar Moore. I was still a toddler. I'm no longer a toddler and they're still scorchingly hot. Though the Highlander and The Avengers dimmed Connery's light a little.

59)  Even years when I get 'big' gifts, I still get the most excited over my stocking at Christmas time. And I demanded that Easter baskets become a tradition again. So what if I'm an adult. It's debatable anyway and they're fun.

60) I love thrift stores. They're my favorite places to shop. I mean, I like Saks and Nordstrom too, but it's not nearly as much fun as hunting through a thrift store. And I save a ton of money. Win-Win.

61) Wow, why did I pick a 100? That seems both vain and fool hardy at this point. I'm committed though.

62) I love working around the house - but I hate mowing the lawn.

63) I also detest pumping gas.

64) I have a cycle of youtube, instagram, buzzfeed. I just go from one to the other. With occasional stops here, facebook, textsfromlastnight.com (it's like junk food and trash tv in one) and candy land. This is what keeps me from sleeping most of the time.

65) If it's not the above cycle keeping me up, it's a book. I am one of those people - I start reading and it's 4 am before I stop. And I only stop because I finished the damn book. I have a problem. I am a bibliophile.

66) I love kitschy things. Not overboard, like I wouldn't have a Rte 66 themed kitchen (if you do, that's awesome though) but I would totally take a Saturday and go drive historic Rte 66 and maybe stop at a drive-in diner kind of kitsch.

67) I like hot weather over cold.

68) I'm really loud. I talk loudly, I laugh loudly, I walk in a loud manner. It's not that I want to, I mean I feel kinda embarrassed by it usually, but I can't help it.

69) I like silver toned jewelry (this includes platinum) over gold. And I'm not a huge fan of precious stones, I really prefer semi-precious.

70) I only want to live in a brick or stone house. I want to be prepared in case of fire. Or zombie attacks.

71) I love kids. Really and truly. I love baby sitting my friends' children. Or giving tours to 100+ school kids. It's all fun, even when the kids are acting up, I still don't mind.

72) I hate most cheeses. Unless it's a mild white ala mozzarella or brie, keep it away from me. That rhymed.

73) I love Christmas lights and fairy lights. I have an obsession with lighting in general, as a matter of fact. I think one of the most beautiful things in the world, is the sight of the old-fashioned, big, brightly colored bulbs on the surface of a lake.

74) I'm pretty sure I'm going to sputter out at about 76 and this is going to become the "76 things about me" tag.

75) My first rated R movie (that I remember) was Braveheart. I loved that film and told my mom all the blood "was only Ketchup"

76) I've never sung Karaoke. I can't say I'm overly upset by this.

77) I don't drink, do drugs, sleep around, or smoke. Contrary to popular belief this does not make me boring or make me judgmental of others.

78) I hate intolerance and cruelty more than anything.

79) One of my best friends got me a pack of cards for Christmas once. Each of the cards has a swear word in English with a list of the same word in five other languages underneath it. It's still one of my favorite gifts ever.

80) I love the 80's TV shows 'Remington Steele' and 'Moonlighting'. Remington (Pierce Brosnan)  is better looking and suave, but I find David (Bruce Willis) hotter :)

81) I've tried to cut out TV from my day to day life, so the only things I watch anymore is NCIS and NCIS: LA. Ok, so probably the only person you know who watches them is your dad, but I find them to be awesome :)

82) I've never really played video games. The last video games I played were Lara Croft and Donkey Kong. When they were still pretty new.

83) Yankee Candle's Maple candle is like nirvana in a glass container.

84) I stored almost all of my dolls and stuffed toys when I "grew up" but I still have one stuff animal that stays on my bed and I have a stuffed Gene Simmons doll (complete with silver lamé boots and sewn on chest hair), a stuffed R2-D2 and a stuffed basketball.

85) My decorating style is very rustic/reclaimed/romantic but among all the girly (pink walls, cream lace, etc) there are some quirky things hidden in there. Like stuffed kiss dolls and - I'm counting what I can see in the room-8 star wars things. I may have to do a room tour someday. Love me or hate me, you can't say it isn't unique :)

86) I like cemeteries. I like to go for walks in them. They're peaceful, filled with history, tell a lot about human nature and I feel like maybe the inhabitants like the company.

87) I love going to the theater. Most especially musical theater. I do attend the occasional serious play - Death of a Salesman with Brian Dennehy was particularly good, but not as awesome as Rock of Ages live.

88) I love valley girl movies from the 80's. Like 'Valley Girl' with Nick Cage and 'Earth Girls Are Easy' with Geena Davis and Jeff Goldblum. Great films, no. Highly entertaining however.

89) I'm extremely ticklish. Don't abuse this knowledge, please.  

90) Pearl is probably my favorite color. 

91) I used to love those quizzes you'd get in your email or the ones on the internet. I've *ahem* changed so much. 

92) I love decorative storage boxes. Even though I'm really trying to de-clutter my life so theoretically I wouldn't need to store as much, I'm genuinely obsessed with them.

93) I love rollercoasters. Especially the loopy ones. The ones that just go fast do nothing for me, except cause me to have serious difficulty in containing my saliva. TMI. 

94) I saw a pig race for the first time last year. I cheered them - loudly. They race for Oreos. It was a life changing experience.

95) I -not all that uniquely- text a lot. I just don't text a lot of people. I have my inner circle. When someone from outside that circle texts me I'm all like 

96) I hate cotton balls. Something about the sound/texture of those little buggers makes my skin crawl.

97) I'm a pretty private person by nature. Being this open/honest is really hard for me. I always want to hide who I am so I don't get hurt. I want to be 100% myself and honest here though, even if it's extremely difficult!

98) I am more mechanical than technical. Which means I can probably build you something or help you fix your house, but I am at a loss on a computer. I'm trying, but I have no idea what I'm doing. I have to seriously look stuff up on the internet and check books out of the library to figure this stuff out. I'd like my blog to be more advanced, but I really have no clue how to make it so. New project, I'm trying to figure out how to link my favorite bloggers on my site so it will go to their's. It took me half a day to figure out how to edit a movie and I'm relatively intelligent!

99) I love writing letters, real stationary and leather journals.

100) I love meeting and talking to new people. Really, really as Shrek would say :)

Thanks for reading this - if you made it all the way through, I very much appreciate it! I hope it was entertaining and I would love to hear something about YOU :)

Best wishes,

Elisabeth

Get Ready with Me and Outfit of the Day - Summer 2013

Hey Everyone,

I filmed a quick get ready with me video and thought I'd share it with you. Hope you enjoy!

Best wishes,

Elisabeth 

Instagram: http://instagram.com/msdandeliondreamer13

Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/thecky912/boards/

Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MsDandeliondreamer

Products used:

H20 Marine Toner

H20 Oasis Mist

Boots Power of Plants Day Moisture Lotion

Philosophy Supernatural Blotting Sheets

Boots Expert Sensitive Hydrating Eye Cream

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer

Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer

Maybelline Color Tattoo Barely Beige 

Too Faced Glamour to Go II (2)

Maybelline Gel Eye Liner in Expresso

Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara

Benefit Posie Tint

NYC Powder

Wet N' Wild Eye Shadow in Comfort Zone

Kate Moss for Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick in 101

L'Oreal Color Caresse Wet Shine Stain in 184 Rose On And On

The Body Shop Vanilla and Tonka Bean Body Spray

Website where I got the songs: http://www.beatpick.com/player/index#

Madcap Makeup Monday

Hey Everyone,

Welcome back to another week of Madcap Makeup Monday! This week I tried to break out some different products from what I've been using so you don't feel like you're reading the makeup blog equivalent of Groundhog Day! 

Wet and Wild Comfort Zone Palette- I used the cream shade as an inner corner highlight

Anastasia Eye Shadow Duo in Power Lunch

Kat Von D Tattoo Concealer in Light

NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Face Powder in 701A Translucent

Maybelline Baby Lips in Peppermint and Pink Punch

Burt's Bees Sun Protecting Lip Balm with Passion-fruit

Benefit Posie Tint

Clinique Lash Doubling Mascara

L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Wet Shine Stain, Rose On and On 184

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Beige 100 

Maybelline Gel Eye Liner in Expresso 

Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in 815 Glisten Up Pink 

Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer in Park Avenue Princess 

Too Faced Glamour to Go 2 - Full review and swatches here

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer/Hightlighter in Fair/Light - Full review and swatches here

Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeliner in Black - Full review and swatches here

Kate Moss for Rimmel Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick in 101 - Full review and swatches here

Best Wishes,

Elisabeth 

Impress Press-On Manicure Review & Tutorial: Casting Call

Hey everyone,

I picked up a set Impress Press-On nails last night. I've been curious to try them and since the set I had my eye on was $5 I decided to pick it up. 

I'm not a huge fan of fake nails typically, I don't have against them, but I find them irritating in my day to day life. Trying to open anything while wearing them is way beyond my skill set!

Listed below are photos and a quick live-action video of me applying them. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to ask! I'll check back in a few days to let you know how they're wearing and my final thoughts!

Since  I'm like a monkey discovering how to use tools when I wear fake nails, I picked the short length nails. The color is 'casting call' which is a shimmery Merlot shade.

Final thoughts:

After a week filled with golfing, bookcase building, four active dogs, 90 degree days and lots of exposure to water...these things are amazing. They stayed shiny, chip-free, didn't damage my nails and most importantly - they stayed on! I highly recommend them if you're interested in a long-wearing, no fuss or maintenance manicure.  

After a week:

2 Minute Tutorial

Madcap Makeup Monday

Hey Everyone!

I hope you had a great weekend and that your week is off to a great start!! Below are photos and swatches of my weekly favorites and as a bonus I filmed a quick live-action version as well. I don't know if I'm the only one but sometimes I feel like reading a blog post and other times I'd rather listen to a video. So, I totally cheated and did both! :)

What have you been using lately? Any constant favorites in your makeup bag? Let me know in the comments!

Best wishes,

Elisabeth 

New for this week:

Stila Eye Shadow in Prize

Boots No. 7 Liquid Eye Liner

Pixi Fairy Light Solo in No. 2 Champagne Glow 

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Sweetheart

Revlon Lip Butter in 070 Cherry Tart - full post here with swatches and a review!

Lasting Finish Matte Lipstick by Kate Moss for Rimmel in 101 -  full post here with swatches and a review!

The Holy Grails and Weekly Repeats:

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface

Anastasia Illumin8 Eye Shadow Palette in #3 Milky Way - full post here with swatches, review and tutorial!!

Rimmel Scandaleyes Eyeliner in 001 Black and 004 Taupe &

Rimmel Lash Accelerator Mascara - full post here with swatches and a review!

Rimmel Match Perfection Concealer and Highlighter in Fair/Light - full post here with swatches and a review!

Check out the video here! 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Illumin8 Eye Shadow Palette: Review and Tutorial

Hey Everyone,

I recently purchased the Anastasia Beverly Hills Illumin8 Eye Shadow Palette in the shade #3 Milky Way. I am in love with this palette!

Details, swatches and tutorial are below. 

Where to buy: Sephora and Anastasia. E-Bay and Amazon have a few, but not all and the prices are full-priced or higher. 

Price: Normally $30.00 at Sephora and Anastasia, but I found it for $13 at my Nordstrom Rack. 

FYI: Out of the 5 Illumin8 eye shadow palettes, my Nordstorm Rack had 4, for the duos they had 3 out of the 4 available and they also had the seen and be seen beauty kit. All of these shadows are currently for sale full-priced at Sephora and Anastasia!!! This is not old merchandise so if you're interested check it out!  
Full price the duos are $23, at NR they are around $10. The see and be seen kit sells for $43 full-price and is available for around $16 at NR. 

Product Details: Easy to blend, super long wearing even without a base. I've been wearing it for 10-12 hours straight in July heat without creasing. Easy to apply, intensely pigmented but not overwhelming on the eye.

Claims: The product's main claim is to make your eyelids look more youthful. As my upper eyelids don't have too many wrinkles yet (oh but my under eyes do! Eek!) I asked my mom to come try it out. She never wears eye makeup anymore - mostly due to the fact that she's too busy and too pretty to need it- but she graciously allowed me to slap some on her face. It really seems to work! If you have more mature skin or premature wrinkles, I would highly recommend this eye shadow. It glides on top of the skin without creasing or settling into fine lines. And it doesn't feel heavy or greasy at all on the lid. 
I also checked out the reviews on Sephora/etc. 4 1/2 stars out of 5 and many positive reviews from women who are 50/60+ years of age.

Before and after photo of my model :) 

I used to lightest shade from the palette all over the lid.

She is lifting her eyebrow slightly in the photo on the right just to allow the shadow to show up. In person though, you can really see a difference in the wrinkling on the lid. 

From Top Left to Bottom Right:Natural indoor lighting. Without primer.
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Beige and Silver Strike
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Photo on the left: Outdoors full sun. Photo on the right: Natural indoor lighting
Swatches from top to bottom: Top: Over Too Faced Shadow Insurance. 
Middle: Over Silver Strike.
Bottom: Without Primer.  

Photo on the Left: Natural indoor lighting. Photo on the right: Outdoors full sun
 Top: Over Too Faced Shadow Insurance.
Middle: Over Barely Beige.
Bottom: Without primer.

Colors from left to right:

Light silver grey taupe satin

Medium steel gray with silver glitter

Satin teal/peacock blue

Matte blackened cherry

Jet black with heavy iridescent silver glitter

My Tutorial using the palette. Click to see the shadows in action! 

All in all I am very happy with my purchase. I've worn this palette every day since I got it and I've been able to create a multitude of looks with it. I'd like to get another one with more neutrals in it, but I have been able to use this as a day look and I think it's especially great for night time looks. 

Have you ever tried anything from this brand? What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments!!

Best wishes,

Elisabeth