NYX Haul

I went to Ulta a few weeks ago and stocked up on a few NYX matte finish type lip products that I thought would be a good fit for my fair-skinned self so, here's a quick review of the items.

NYX lip pencil in Flower- This is a pale pastel blue-toned pink lip pencil that would be a good match-up with Maybelline's ColorSensational lipstick in Porcelain Pink 850 (I think this may have been a limited edition color) or Barry M's lipstick in 147 as these shades look pretty similar.

NYX lip pencil in Dolly Pink- This is a vibrant pink lip pencil and would be a good match-up with Revlon's matte lipstick in Stormy Pink as the two are similar in color.

NYX lip pencil in Pale Pink- This is not really a "pale" shade as the color states, to me it's more of a medium nude shade. I don't really have a lipstick that matches this but I'm thinking it may look nice with the NYX lip cream in Cairo that I also bought in this haul.

NYX lip cream in Cairo - This is a light colored matte nude shade and honestly if it were a shade lighter you wouldn't see my lips at all, so for me this still feels like a fairly wearable nude as I don't want my lips looking as though I completely covered them in foundation.

NYX lip cream in Tokyo - This is probably my fave shade lip cream of the ones I bought in this haul. It's a natural pastel peach shade but I don't find it to be an unwearable shade on myself like a lot of pastels can be as it still looks a little toned down.

NYX lip cream in Sydney - This is a shade that can still give fair-skinned individuals a tiny pop of color without looking too Nicki Minaj (love her though!). It's pretty similar to the other lip cream I got in Tokyo but it's more of a pastel blue-toned pink rather than a peach like Tokyo.

NYX in Couture Mode - Once I brought this pretty colored natural-esq lipstick home I really thought I would have a dupe for it but the closest lipstick I could find from my existing lipsticks was Revlon's lipstick in Smoked Peach which is more on the orange side rather than pink so it's really not a perfect dupe. One gripe I have about this is that the tube does not stay in place during application so I feel it may only be a matter of time before this lipstick gets damaged.

New Lipsticks and Review

I haven't been buying any new makeup lately which is why you've probably seen a lack of makeup posts on here. I just have too much makeup as it is right now, and with school, work, etc... I have little time to do any new looks. However, I did just buy two Maybelline ColorSensational lipsticks ($7.19 per lipstick at Rite Aid) one is Magnificent Mauve #430 which I believe is a new shade in this collection and the other is Sparkling Sand #740.

Wearing Maybelline's 'Magnificent Mauve' Lipstick

Today at work I decided to try out Magnificent Mauve and a lot of my male co-workers were like "ohhh... nice lipstick, what's the occasion" so, positive reactions to the shade as I usually just wear more natural colors. I do really like this color, it's probably my favorite shade of Mauve right now. My past fave shade of Mauve was Maybelline's lipstick in Sassy Mauve although darker and I usually ended up having to blot it down a bit to suite my pale complexion, but Magnificent Mauve is close to perfect for me as it's mostly pink with a bit of blue undertone to it making it a smidge purple although not really what I'd I'd call a fuchsia (because fuchsia shades look yuckster on me, hah). It also has some very fine silver-ish shimmer to it which gives it a bit of shine, and also the ColorSensational lipsticks are a bit sheer so they'll probably look a bit different on everyone, and also my lips are not really pigmented in color naturally (if that helps).

Left to Right: Sparkling Sand, and Magnificent Mauve

Sparkling Sand really doesn't look like much on myself, it just adds a shiny sheen to my lips and is a nude pale shade with fine shimmers, very sheer on the lips.

Bronzed Face for Fair Skin

I noticed that a lot of people have questions about bronzer and application so this post is just to give you my advice on applying it to the face and creating a nice natural tan appearance for fair skinned individuals.

For some reason I've noticed a lot of people say to apply bronzer where the sun would naturally hit your face. I find that to be horrible advice, especially for fair skinned individuals like myself that naturally sunburn and possibly freckle. However, if you want to add a light highlight shade to your face than you would want to apply that where the light would naturally hit your face. I find that applying bronzer to the contours of your face is much more appealing and doesn't give you that dirty appearance if it had been applied to where the light naturally hits. You also want to blend your contours expanding it out a bit on the areas where light doesn't naturally hit your face but focus most of it around the sides of the forehead, under the neck, along the jaw line and the sides of your nose.

Applying a blush will look more natural than just adding a tan shade to a fair complexion and it can also make for a more youthful appearance. Being fair skinned and knowing that when you get sun you probably turn a pinkish shade I like to use a very light pink blush on the apples of my cheeks and sometimes the bridge of the nose (avoid the tip of the nose so you don't look like Rudolf!) during warmer months. During winter months I'd go with a bit more intense blush shade since you will be exposed to the cooler climate and you probably won't get sunburn (unless you happen to be skiing!).

I'd also advise using a tinted moisturizer (or mix some of your liquid foundation with your face moisturizer) all over your face and neck if you're fair skinned and want to look a bit tanner or add more color to your complexion, this will help give you an all around tan appearance when followed with my bronzing advice above.

You probably don't want to neglect your eyes when going for a naturally tan look so apply an off-white matte shade (or skin tone shade) all over the lid (or a gold shade) along with an off-white shimmer shade under the brows, you can then either use the bronzer you applied to your face or a similar colored eyeshadow blended into your crease. You may also want to darken your brows slightly with an eyebrow shadow if they are blonde in color. Add some brown or black-brown mascara to your lashes and your eyes are complete (you can also line your eyes or add a bit more depth to the eye with a dark brown eyeshadow if you want to be a bit bolder).

With a nude tan face on fair complexions almost any lipstick shade will work but I'd probably avoid the pale pastel shades which can make you look too washed out, especially during summer months. For a more natural tan approach try a bronze lip color (like Rimmel's lipstick in Summer Angel).

Maybelline Baby Lips - Review

I had watched a YouTube review (can't remember who it was) on Maybelline Baby Lips and decided to purchase the recommended shade/flavor called Pink Punch.

It's a cute shade for spring although I'm not sure the color is uber flattering on myself (probably looks best with some pink blush on the cheeks). I do find it moisturizing (lasting well over an hour but not 8 hours as advertised) and it is nice that it has SPF 20. For a chapstick type of product it does have nice pigmentation in the colored ones, especially for being a bit sheer. The scent is of fruit punch although a bit artificial smelling, I can detect some citrus and berry notes in it. The packaging for Pink Punch is pretty cute with its bubble gum pink and yellow lipstick dispenser, very youthful and girly :P I probably wouldn't buy this shade again, perhaps one of the clear shades I might though and then just wear regular gloss/lipstick over top.

Create Fuller Lips

For the past month or so now I've been on a mission...to create fuller looking lips! Sure I've looked at nearly every lip plumping tutorial there is, but the fact of the matter is...nothing has really ever worked for me. Lip plumpers make my lips peel as an end result, and light colored lip glosses disguise them instead of making them look fuller and existent. So now that I've recently been receiving compliments on my lips (for once in my life!) I decided to share my below lippy look.

Step 1 Exfoliate: Lightly brush your lips using a wet toothbrush to exfoliate them (you can do this while you're brushing your teeth). I'd recommend using a cool mint whitening tooth 'paste' (not 'gel' based) as the cool mint can have a plumping effect on your lips in itself, the whitening to bring out those pearly whites to better showcase your lips, and a paste because it's actually gritty enough to gently exfoliate your lips.
Step 2 Moisturize: Use a hydrating chap-stick/ointment like Aquaphor and allow your lips to absorb the moisturizer for several minutes (I do this before applying my makeup and then continue on to the next step after my makeup is done).
Step 3 Line: Apply a natural shade of pencil lip liner like Prestige waterproof lipliner/contour in Nude. Line the bottom lip slightly outside the lip line. To line the top lip round it outward from the peaks to the outer crease and fill in any gaps from the actual lip for a slightly rounder/fuller pouty shape. Line the "V" a little below or on the lip line. Press your lips together to blend on the lip liner and use your finger to even it out (it'll look like a lipstick basically).
Step 4 Lipstick: Apply a matte nude lipstick all over the lips and liner, I used Revlon matte lipstick in Nude Attitude.
Step 5 Blend: Pucker out your lips (like a kissy face) and even out the color using your finger and you're done!
Step 6 Touch Ups *Optional*: Throughout the day I'll do touch-ups to my lips using Rimmel's lipstick in Airy Fairy (although this extra step won't really create fuller looking lips).

My Top LipStick/Gloss Picks for 2011

I went through all my lippies and decided to pickout a good handful of colors I'd like to wear throughout this year. From shades I want to use more this year, to popular shades, personal favorites and trending shades! Here goes...

Barry M
100
129
130
Maybelline
Pink Sand 005 (ColorSensational)
Coral Crush 515 (ColorSensational)
Bronze Beam 750 (ColorSensational)
Shimmer Shell (Shiny-Licious)
Revlon
Nude Attitude 001 (Revlon Matte)
Gentlemen Prefer Pink 450 (Super Lustrous)
Siren 677 (Super Lustrous)
Peach Petal (Super Lustrous SPF)
Papaya 020 (ColorBurst)
Crystal Cut Coral 700 (Moon Drops)
Wet 'n' Wild
909C (Mega Colors)
901B
Coastal Scents
Pep Pink (Smacks)
Prestige
Madrid CL-40A
CoverGirl
Divine Divine 330
Shiseido
Spiced Cream BE109

Shop Before Work

This lipstick is by Revlon in Siren, it's the brightest orange color I could find at Target today...I really don't think Cheeto is my color though, lolz...but the new bf seemed to like it (it looks a bit more orange in person then this pic btw).

I found several of these adorable white Imoshion purses at TJ Maxx today for $35 which sells for $99 on their site (total steal!!!), thought it was macrame/lace trendy, eheh...but what do I know :P It's part of Imoshion's Spring 1 collection. This is what my mom and I refer to as "grandma cute" haha.

Spring/Summer 2011 Hair and Makeup Trend

This season is all about just changing your hair color from what it was last year, so be bold with white blondes, saucy reds or a deep brunette shade. You could even try adding some subtle highlights if a full on hair dye route isn't for you.

As for hair style, fringe/bangs are super in, along with longer bob cuts. I personally am leaning more toward styling my hair like a 1960's pinup, using a 1/4 barrel curling iron or pin curls and reaching for the bobby pins to create some victory rolls, but still trying keep it a bit more modern and wearable of this decade. It's even possible that the pom pom inspired hair do's will turn into a beehive at some point ;D Just curling your hair like your grandmother probably still does and lightly brushing them out with a soft boar brush once they're cooled is the way to go.

As for makeup, this year it is mostly taking a natural route, leaving your brows light in color and having a vibrant orange colored lip (such as MAC's Morange). If eyeshadow is required, stick to warmer shades of brown or natural bronze hues. Orange, coral or bronze colored cheeks are also coming more into play for blush shades.

Maybelline LipStick Colors

(NO FLASH)

(FLASH)

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT)

Pink Sand 005, Nude Blush G132, Sweet Ginger G80

Barry M LipStick Colors

(NO FLASH)

(WITH FLASH)

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT)

100, 129, 130

Rimmel LipStick Colors

(NO FLASH)

(FLASH)

(FROM LEFT TO RIGHT)

 Vintage 026, Airy Fairy 070, Summer Angel 640, Pink Chic 220

Revlon Lipstick Swatches and Possible Dupes

I decided to finally start sharing some of my current makeup collections...also wanting to purchase more items and forgetting which colors I currently owned was cause for this as well :P

(NO FLASH)

(WITH FLASH)

(STARTING FROM LEFT TO RIGHT)

TWINKLED PINK, GENTLEMEN PREFER PINK, SASSY MAUVE, PAPARAZZI PINK, APRICOT FANTASY, NUDE ATTITUDE, CRYSTAL CUT CORAL

POSSIBLE DUPES

TWINKLED PINK: N/A

GENTLEMEN PREFER PINK: RIMMEL IN PINK BLUSH, ICING IN LIGHT PINK #04

SASSY MAUVE: RIMMEL IN HEAVENLY

PAPARAZZI PINK: RIMMEL IN AIRY FAIRY

APRICOT FANTASY: N/A

NUDE ATTITUDE: MAC MYTH

CRYSTAL CUT CORAL: N/A
 
SIDE NOTES: Paparazzi Pink is probably going to be one of my favorties after taking a good look at the actual color here. Sassy Mauve is definately one of my favorites when applied with a light hand and some clear gloss. Nude Attitude should probably be a basic staple for most fair-skinned makeup go-ers as it goes nice with any makeup look really. I also found that combining Nude Attitude with MAX Factor Lipgloss in Champagne Bath can be a dupe for MAC TANARAMA or by combining Nude Attitude and NYC Mocha it looks similar to MAC FRESH BREW.