Wednesday, March 31, 2010

FOTD: UD Ammo Palette Neutral

Hey all!
So today I did a bad thing. I spent more money on makeup :( I splurged and bought the Urban Decay Ammo Palette.. But I have to say, it is amazing. I am in love with all of the colors, and I think I'm going to do a bit of a series with the palette. Today I did a simple neutral look hoping to start playing around for my formal look (haha). What I did today was a bit too ha
rsh, but I did love the look and can't wait to play with these colors some more. I am also getting the Urban Decay Wallpaper Palette for my birthday (Saturday!) so expect a lot of Urban Decay posts!
So I only used five colors: Maui Wowie, Smog, Oil Slick, Polyester Bride and Sin
First: After primer, I applied Maui Wowie all over my lid
Second: I applied Smog on the outer half and in the crease
Third: I applied Oil Slick in the outer v for a bit of
definition
Fourth: I applied Polyester Bride as the highlight
Fifth: I applied Sin in the tear duct
I also used Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara, Loreal Telescopic Explosion Mascara, and NYX Sapphire Slim Eyeshadow for a pop of blue.




If I weren't taking a new license picture tomorrow I would love to do this look again with Last Call on the outer half. But, I'm going in to get my "grownup license" for my upcoming 21st birthday! What are some colors you would like to see play around with, any requests?

(Top L-R) Smog, Mildew, Oil Slick, Last Call, Chopper (Bottom L-R) Maui Wowie, Shattered, Polyester Bride, Grifter, Sin

Smog, Mildew, Oil Slick, Last Call, Chopper

Maui Wowie, Shattered, Polyester Bride, Grifter, Sin

xo
Rachel

Monday, March 29, 2010

Formal Look Ideas

Hey everyone! So I already mentioned how I purchased a dress for my formal, but today I got some shoes to match :) I am soo in love with the outfit, and even more pleased with the price! I only spent about $50 altogether. Not bad at all.

Anywho, I've been trying to figure out what I want to do with my makeup for the night. I do have quite a bit of time (April 30..) but I am an overachiever, and want to be able to practice and perfect a look that will have my date's jaws on the floor!

Some pictures for your viewing pleasure:

The colors are white, brown, blue and grey. I have a few ideas.. neutral brown with blue in the crease, neutral with brown in the crease.. But the dress is very summery/tea party, so I want to dress it up.

So the big question is..
What are your ideas?


xo
Rachel

Saturday, March 27, 2010

MAC Pigment DIY

Hey lovelies!
Sorry I've been a bit vacant, it's my spring break and I've managed to get sick :( Anyway, I've had a few pigments that I've decided to press and wanted to share some tips with you all.

The pigments I have are: Your Ladyship (my favorite), Mutiny, Jardin Aires, and Circa Plum.
(pictures from google images)

What you'll need are: Pans, rubbing alcohol (mine is 99% alcohol but you can use one with less), something to stir and pour with, and a palette to put them in and a mixing medium.

The Process:
1) Pour a few scoops of your pigment into your mixing medium (ie. a bowl). It will take trial and error to figure out how much you'll need, try small amounts and work up.
2) Add a few drops of rubbing alcohol and mix.
3) Once its mixed pour it into your tin pan
4) Let it sit so that the alcohol evaporates and feels powdery
5) Place a paper towel over the tin with a quarter on top of the paper over the powder
6) Place a heavy object on top of the quarter, paper and tin (this is wear the pressing comes in)
7) Let sit over night, and there's your new eyeshadow!


A few other uses for pigments:
*mix a small amount with some clear nailpolish
*mix a small amount with some clear lip gloss
*use as blush
*use as loose eye shadow (great for the tear duct!)


Good luck!
xo
Rachel

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Haul: MAC, Ulta, Romy

Good news! I found my Viva Glam Cyndi Lauper :) It was hiding in a random drawer...

So the first three things I got were from MAC that I ordered around the time my first post was published.
So here they are...


The Give Me Liberty of London small
makeup bag

MAC Viva Glam Cyndi Lauper & Lady Gaga


From Ulta..

Essie 3 Way Clear Glaze

& From Romy (a small boutique)
A dress for my sorority formal :)


At Ulta I also got a new hairdryer with a round brush attachment. Its called the Revlon Ionic, and it was on sale for $20. It's ok... I got my moneys worth! And, I looove the lipsticks. The Cyndi Lauper is a really nice red for my skin tone. The dress is for my sorority formal at the end of April, and I thought that since I found a date I needed a dress :)

Also, the weather has been fantastic in San Francisco lately, which is quite rare. So I thought I'd show some pictures I took today while out and about!

slideshow of my day:


xo
Rachel

p.s. check out these contests!

Products I'm Using

Hey guys! Sorry it's been a few days, I wanted to share a haul but I can't find my Viva Glam Cyndi Lauper.. I have no idea where I put it :( But, until I find it (I also want to give a review) here's a little post..

Shampoo: Fekkai Protein Rx Reparative

Conditioner: Fekkai Protein Rx Reparative

Styling products: Herbal Essences Long Term Relationship Leave In Conditioner, CHI Silk Infusion, Living Proof Full Thickening Cream

Shower Gel: whatever is cheap.. not gonna lie!

Body Moisturiser: Dove

Deodorant: Ban

Fake Tan: n/a

Cleanser: Clean & Clear Morning Burst

Exfoliator: St Ives

Primer: Benefit That Gal

Foundation brush: I use my fingers and a sponge!

Concealer: MAC, or Benefit Boing/Erase Paste

Powder: MAC Studio Fix in NW15 (Im quite pale)

Blusher: NARS Orgasm

Bronzer: NARS Laguna and Benefit Hoola

Highlighter: MAC Strobe Cream

Eyeshadow base: MAC Paint Pot

Eyeshadows: MAC Satin Taupe, Retrospeck, Twinks, Shroom

Eyeliner: Ulta Waterproof in Black

Curler: n/a

Mascara: Fresh Supernova & Firebird

Lipstick: MAC Viva Glam Lady Gaga

Lipgloss: MAC Cha Cha

Nail Colour: Essie 3 in 1 Clear Gloss (base coat, top coat & strengthening.. but I'm using it on its own for now)


This is just what I've been doing the past few days, I've falled madly in love with Satin Toupe, and Viva Glam Lady Gaga. What have you fallen in love with or find yourself reaching for?

xo

Rachel

Saturday, March 20, 2010

TAG: 25 Facts

Hey everyone! So today I'm doing a popular facebook tag. I know on youtube/blogger it's usually only five and you elaborate more, but I liked the idea of 25 more. so.. here goes!

25 things..

1.) I never believed in love at first sight until I stepped outside Heathrow Airport and met the great city of London.

2.) I'm quasi-type A. I'm obsessed with storage systems, but sometimes I'm too tired to put everything away.

3.) For me summer is about catching up with some good books :)

4.) I actually really enjoyed working in retail, I even liked putting out product. I felt like it was a puzzle I was putting together.

5.) I am shy, and awkward. I'm HORRIBLE with eye contact. I'm quite open now, and I do have a lot of friends, but to new people I'm a bit invisible.

6.) To piggyback on that, I am in a sorority which really helped with the whole shy thing.

7.) I was always a bit of a tomboy, until senior year of highschool. Freshman year of college I became obsessed with Disney Princesses, and second semester I joined a sorority.

8.) I may be a member of the 'princess family', blonde, a Communications major (stereotyped as the "easy" major) and own a 6lb dog, but I am by now means a "spoiled princess."

9.) Im terrified that people will take what I am saying the wrong way so I over use smiley faces. :) :) :)

10.) I cannot stand snow. I can't tolerate cold weather, even though where I live its about 40-60 degrees all year round, and I hate the feeling of rain drops and wet snow hitting me.

11.) Car accidents, particularly pertaining to snow, have taken too many people away from me. Another reason why I dislike snow, and why the use of seatbelts is NEVER a question in my car.

12.) I really dislike that you can't put words to ever feeling. I try until I get as close as I possibly can.

13.) I forgive way too easily, Im a bit passive. But I'll never forget.

14.) I'm an extremely picky eater, so a lot of people think I don't eat much. Not true :)

15.) I'm a huge city girl, and have only recently accepted suburbs as suitable. But the city has to be very close by! My dream is to live in London.

16.) Birthdays are the ultimate holiday in my book. Its the one day a year where you can celebrate being you!

17.) I had both pneumonia and scarlet fever in 1st grade, but I never got the chicken pox.

18.) I could eat burritos and bagels w/cream cheese (not together..) for the rest of my life and be happy.

19.) I identify with both dogs and cats. I am extremely loyal and affectionate (sometimes needy) like a dog, but fiercely independent like a cat.

20.) I may be short, but my mom's family is extremely tall and nordic. I'm almost a full 1/4 Norwegian.

21.) I was and always will be a daddy's girl. I'm his spitting image and have his good humor which helps me keep his memory with me everyday. I am close with my mom now as well.

22.) My parents were happily together for 21 years even though they never married. They were only separated when my dad passed from heart failure last year.

23.) I have probably been through a lot more than the average girl my age, but I still consider myself to be extremely lucky and try to live my life in stride.

24.) I have panic attacks, and have for 10 years.

25.) I am genuinely happy! :)



I'd love to hear facts about all of you! So I tag all of my readers, 5 facts, 10 or even 25!


I'll also have a haul/review post something this weekend, probably sunday!


xo
Rachel

Friday, March 19, 2010

FOTD: Spring Pink & Orange

Hello all!
This post is a bit late in the day, or early depending on how you're looking at it! I've just been busy enjoying the sun and studying for midterms. So today it was a wonderful 75* in normally foggy San Francisco, California. For us this is as good as it gets! Everyone trudged out what little summer clothes they own and made the best of the day, because here you never really know how long it will last. To celebrate the sun I decided to do a bright pink and orange look, it is a bit dramatic but hey.. I didn't have class, and I'm young! I might as well have a little fun ;)

The Process:
1) I primed my eyes with MAC Rubenesque Paint Pot to bring out the orange and gold
2) I used MAC Paradisco on the inner third of my lid
3) I used MAC Hot Hot Hot (LE) on the middle of my lid
4) I used a Coastal Scents bright pink from the 88 Shimmer Palette
(the original idea was to use MAC LaLa (LE) but I think something funky happened to mine!) on the out third and in the crease
5) I used MAC Twinks finely in the crease for definition
6) I used MAC Shroom under the brow
7) I used MAC Deck Chair Pigment in the tear duct and under the brow
8) I used my regular Ulta Black Waterproof Eyeliner on my waterline
9) I used Fresh Firebird Black Mascara
10) I used a black felt tip liquid liner on my top lashes

I didn't do anything special with my face or lips today. I did add a little extra bronzer: Benefit Hoola all over then NARS Laguna as a contour. And, I just used Kiss My Face Pineapple Coconut chapstick on my lips for extra moisture.

The pictures aren't actually showing how intense the pink was, but it turned out very nice I really liked it. Well, I hope you all enjoyed it!

xo
Rachel

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Mini Haul: MAC

So I have an itty bitty little hual from Mac :) I went last night on a whim with a good friend of mine & ended up getting only two things, but I am very excited about both of them!

First, I got Satin Taupe eye shadow ($11):

(Sorry about that shadow, nothing was even covering the light!)


It looks like a dark brown there, but it's really ..diverse! There are so many different colors in it, and it's not terribly dark but still has a wonderful color payoff. And obviously, you can see all the pretty shimmer :) It is pretty brown, but with red and grey undertones. Very, very pretty!


And, I also got strobe cream ($29.50)
"The ultimate quick fix for the skin. Super-powered with potent botanicals; de-snoozes, de-stresses, moistens,
freshens and boosts the look of dull, flat or tired-looking skin with a fully loaded vitamin zap and a mega dose of green tea. Brightens and clarifies with iridescent particles and antioxidants. Enhances the effects of light on all skin and in all lighting conditions from sunlight to spotlight."



Fortunately I got the angle just right to wear you could see the swatch shimmer! I'm only going to use this product as a highlight, and to intensify it I will put the Shell Pearl Beauty Powder over it. I was going to wait to get it, but my friend put it on in the store and it looked amazing so I knew I had to get it!




Hopefully I'll do some more face of the day's soon, I've just been so busy this week! I really want to today, to show off my St Patrick's day look (Steamy with Satin Toupe in the crease with Rubenesque showing through Retrospeck below the brow) buuuut! I really wanted to wash my face and take a nap =/


xo
Rachel

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

40 Questions Tag

I tag everyone! :)

SKINCARE
How many times do you wash your face daily?
twice, once when I shower and once in the morning/night (depending on when I shower that day)

What skin type do you have? (dry,oily,combo)
normal - combination. I'm actually extremely lucky and have pretty nice skin

What is your current facial wash?
Clean & Clear Morning Burst. I love how it smells! and because my skin is already ok, I dont need anything much.

Do you exfoliate?
on occasion, but not enough..

What brand do you use?
whatever I happen to have at the time

What moisturizer do you use?
again, I dont use just one. I dont need anything special so I dont use just one thing.

Do you have freckles?
a few!

Do you use eye cream?
no, but I should start..

Do you or did you have acne prone skin?
not really, only every once in a while

Did you ever have to use Pro-activ?
nope

MAKE-UP
What foundation do you use?
right now MAC, but for my birthday I bought NARS Sheer Glow which I am so excited about!

How about concealer?
MAC & Benefit. Im actually much preferring the Benefit

Do you know your undertone color?
very pink!

What do you think of fake eyelashes?
Ive only tried them once but I think they are so much fun

Did you know that you are supposed to change your mascara every 3 months?
yeah, but thats only a generalization really. some brands last longer, and if you take care of it and you dont happen to have an eye infection it should be fine to keep using.

What brand of mascara do you use?
right now.. Maybelline Great Lash, Maybelline Lash Stiletto, and Fresh

Sephora or MAC?
MAC for eyeshadow and lip products, Sephora for everything else. I loove both!

Do you have a MAC Pro-card?
nope

What makeup tools do you use in make up application?
brushes, fingers, sponges..

Do you use make-up base/primer for the eyes?
paint pots! I love the way they bring out color in eyeshadows

For the face?
Benefit That Gal, it smells wonderful!

What is your favorite eyeshadow (color or shade)?
hmmm. Mythology

Do you use pencil or liquid eyeliner?
both! pencil for the water line and liquid for the upper lash line

How often do you poke your eyes with an eyeliner pencil?
not often

What do you think of pigment eyeshadows?
I think theyre great!

Do you use mineral makeup?
I used to use Bare Minerals.. but I didnt like it

What is your favorite lipstick?
Avon Apricot Glow.. but it broke :(

How about lipgloss?
Mac's Cha Cha from Spring Color Forecast 2

What is your favorite blush to use?
NARS Orgasm, but I want to try Deep Throat

Do you buy your makeup on ebay?
nooope.

Do you like drugstore makeup?
yes, especially mascara!

Do you go to CCO's? (cosmetic company outlets)
once, and I want to go again soon!

Did you ever consider taking make-up classes?
I think it would be so much fun! but I dont have a lot of time

Are you clumsy in putting on makeup?
in the mornings before class yess

Name a makeup crime that you hate?
over tweezed brows, when the face doesnt match the neck..

Do you like colorful shades of makeup (lipstick,eyeshadow) or neutral ones?
both! I figure if you cant play with makeup when you're young, when can you?

Which celebrity always has great make up?
Lauren Conrad, Jennifer Aniston and I do look Ke$ha's look (no laughing!)

If you could leave the house using just ONE make up item, what would you use?
concealer, which I do often

Could you ever leave the house without any makeup on?
I do for class quite often

Do you think you look good even without any makeup on?
I think its fine, but my face is quite red =/

In your opinion, what is the BEST makeup line?
Mac or NARS

What do you think of Makeup??
I think its great, it makes me feel put together. I dont do it for other people, but when I feel put together I feel better about myself.

xo
Rachel

Sunday, March 14, 2010

FOTD: Gold & Brown

Hello again!
Today's face of the day is a really simple look using mainly the Coastal Scents 88 Shimmer Palette. I love using this palette because it comes with 88 colors, is only about $20, and is extremely pigmented. I bought mine from www.coastalscents.com, and no I am not affiliated with the company ;). I wanted to do a bit of a neutral look with golds and browns, so here you go!

1) I primed my eyes with MAC Rubenesque paint pot
2) I put an orange, true gold color all over my lid
3) I put a lighter yellow gold in the inner corner
4) I put a rich brown in the crease
5) I put black in the outer v for definition
6) I used a light yellow for highlight and the tear duct
7) I used Maybelline Great Lash Mascara
8) I finished off with Ulta Black Waterproof Eyeliner







I have a video of all the products and colors I used and the process in which I used them, check it out!




xo
Rachel

Saturday, March 13, 2010

Product Rave/Haircare Routine

Hey everyone!
So today I went on a target run with some of my friends, because well.. we REALLY love target! One of my friends needed a new leave in conditioner, so she asked me for advice which inspired this blog post. As you can see in the picture, I have very long, blonde (colored) hair. It can be difficult to manage, but with a few choice products I keep my hair silky smooth like it's never been touched by color or heat! (Sorry my hair was a bit tangly there, but can you see that shine! It still gets me!)

The Products:
1) Fekkai Protein Rx Reparative Shampoo ($23 for 8oz; $35 for 16oz at Sephora)
2) Fekkai Protein Rx Reparative Conditioner ($23 for 8oz; $35 for 16oz at Sephora)
3) Herbal Essence Long Term Relationship Split End Protector Leave In Conditioner ($2.99 at Target)
4) CHI Silk Infusion ($20.99 for 6oz at Target)
5) Living Proof Full Thickening Cream ($14 for 1.8oz; $24 for 3.7oz at Sephora)
4) CHI 44 Iron Guard Thermal Protection Spray ($12.99 for 8.5oz at Target)


The Process:
1) I wash my hair (at most, every other day) with the Fekkai Rx shampoo. I used the conditioner before I tried the shampoo, but I LOVE both products! I noticed right away the difference it made in my hair, and my hair stays dry (and not oily!) much longer, which is wonderful for the days that I don't shampoo.
2) I condition my hair with the Fekkai Rx Conditioner. Again, I love this stuff. It is expensive, but soo worth it! I washed my hair yesterday afternoon, and it feels perfect - like I just washed it.
3) After showering, I lightly towel dry my hair then apply the Herbal Essence leave in conditioner (two pumps, because my hair is so long). I have used this for two years, by itself, and only added other products recently for heat protection. I LOVE THIS STUFF. Major bonus, it's only $2.99. I swear by it!
4) After the Herbal Essence, I put in a dime size amount of CHI Silk Infusion. I have used this alone and didn't like it very much, but with the other leave in conditioner I do notice a difference, and I also use it for extra heat protection. Even when just blow drying your hair you should always use heat protectant!
5) After combing my hair with a wide tooth comb, I apply a dime size amount of the Full Thickening Cream. This is a new product for me, but I'm hooked! My hair doesn't get too much volume, but it's also very heavy. But with the way my hair smells and feels after using this product, I don't mind one bit! This cream is specially made for before blow drying your hair so it does add extra head protection as well.
6) After I blowdry my hair, or on the second day after washing (but not always, actually quite rarely) I will straighten my hair. Before straightening I use yet another heat protectant. Irons are another form of and another application of heat, so it is a very good idea to use a heat protectant especially meant for hair irons!




I know that this sounds like a lot of expensive products and a lot of steps, but I wouldn't recommend them so highly if it weren't true! Since I've started this routine my hair has felt amazing, and it honestly doesn't even take very long.

Best of luck!
xo
Rachel

Friday, March 12, 2010

FOTD: Give Me Liberty of London

So here is my first Face of the Day! (please excuse my poor tired eyes, it is Friday after all!) Yesterday I posted my MAC Give Me Liberty of London haul, and yes, it was quite a lot of product. But, there is a reasonable explanation. I have known for a while that I wanted to splurge on this collection, and my birthday is early next month, so I decided to treat myself to a birthday present. That being said, after today I am storing it all away until the day of my birthday so today was my last day to play with it all, and give you all a look with it.. At least, until next month!


So, here's a rundown of the products I used:
Face:
Benefit 'That Gal' Face Primer
MAC Studio Tech in NW 15 (I dont actually like to use this product)
Benefit 'Confessions of a Concealaholic' (Erase Paste, Bo-ing, Lemon Aid, Eye Bright)
MAC Summer Rose Beauty Powder
MAC Shell Pearl Beauty Powder
Too Faced Brow Kit

Eyes: MAC Rubenesque Paint Pot (I will be using Delft when I get it for my birthday from my mom! :) )
MAC Birds & Berries Eyeshadow on the lid
MAC Bough Grey Eyeshadow in the crease
MAC Retrospeck Eyeshadow in the tear duct
MAC Shroom Eyeshadow under the brow
Ulta Black Waterproof Eyeliner on the water line
Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara in Very Black

Lips: MAC Ever Hip Cremeshene Lipstick
MAC Frankly Fresh Lipglass

Review:
It's official. I LOVE this collection! I enjoyed working with every product, with the exception of Bough Grey (it wasnt very easy to blend, but still workable). By far, my favorites are Birds & Berries eyeshadow, and all of the lip products. The pigmentation and color pay off in Birds & Berries is phenomenal! And the way the lipstick and lipglasses feel is to die for. Ever Hip is a little bit strong for this look, so I toned it down with Frankly Fresh and I think its my new favorite lip combo, I just love it all! I can't wait to get the makeup bag in the mail :)

xo
Rachel

Thursday, March 11, 2010

Haul: MAC Give Me Liberty of London


Today MAC's Give Me Liberty of London limited edition collection came out in stores, and I was able to pick up my pre-ordered loot! Altogether, I didn't get the entire collection but I did get most of it. I got both of the beauty powders: Shell Pearl and Summer Rose; one blush: Prim and Proper; two eyeshadows: Bough Grey and Birds & Berries; one lipstick: Ever Hip; all four lipglasses: Frankly Fresh, Perennial High Style, English Accents and A Different Groove; and one nail lacquer: Blue India. I didn't pick up two of the eyeshadows (Free to Be and Give Me Liberty of London) because I do own a lot of pinks, and these just didn't stand out to me. Plus, Free to Be is now a permanent shade. I also didn't pick up the Dirty Plum blush because it is too dark for me, and it is permanent (PRO) and is in the Riveting Collection currently out. Finally, I didn't pick up the Vestral White nail lacquer because it was just a simple white and had already come out with Hello Kitty.


Beauty Powders
Summer Rose: this came out with the Rose Romance collection, but I wasn't able to get it then. It's a very satiny pink with plum undertones with a very slight sheen. This product can definitely build up for more color pay off, or can be left sheer. For my light skin tone this is a great blush.
Shell Pearl: this is a light peach-coral with a sheen and I'd say would work best as a high light, even for lighter skin tones. This color is absolutely gorgeous, and has already sold out at my counter (as of 4pm 3/11)

Blush
Prim & Proper: This is the only blush I picked up and I actually picked it up for my mom. It is a beige-nude with some shimmer, and is too dark for lighter skin tones. However, lighter skin tones could use this for a bronzer (like my mom will).

Lipstick
Ever Hip: This was the only lipstick I picked up, but I love it! It's a nude-coral-orange color in a cremesheen finish so it feels wonderful when applied. It looks quite orange in the pictures, but its much softer on the lips.

Lipglasses
Perennial High Style: This is a pink-coral color that goes wonderfully with the Ever Hip Lipstick. It doesn't have any shimmer and has more of a yellow undertone.
Frankly Fresh: Is a bit of a dark peach with gold and pink shimmer. This color is a bit different for me, but can be a wonderful nude with shimmer for some.
English Accents: This is a wonderful milky pink gloss with blue undertones, making it almost purple. It has a sliver shimmer, and is overall quite nice.
A Different Groove: Is a very opaque, dark purple-wine with gold shimmer. This color is too dark for me, but my mom loved it so this one was for her.

Eyeshadows
Birds & Berries: This is a wonderful frosted dark blue-teal with a veluxe-pearl finish.
Bough Grey: Is a soft grey with green undertones and a satin finish. This is quite unlike any other color MAC has come out with before.

Nail Lacquers:
Blue India: This is one of the most beautiful, unique nail polishes I have come across. Especially with such nice packaging! It's a dark blue-teal with grey undertones. This color looks amazing against the Bough Grey and Birds & Berries eyeshadows.


I did also buy the small makeup bag, but since it isn't sold at counters I ordered it online with both Viva Glam Lada Gaga and Cyndi Lauper lipsticks, so reviews and pictures for those to come soon!