From Dud to Stud - Revival

So, there I was... ready to top off an impromptu eye look with a simple swoosh of black when I realized that my L'Oreal HIP eyeliner was M.I.A.  Although not my favorite, I would reach for HIP regularly out of sheer avoidance of having to confront the sad state of my Inglot gel liner - which had long ago been pronounced D.O.A.  Stiff and totally dried out, #77 arrived as an already unusable block of black so in the back of my drawer it sat for years.  However, in the absence of my "fall-back", I knew it was time to address the woes of my Inglot gel liner and see if I could legitimately transform it from a disappointing dud to a certified stud.

Completely desiccated with no sign of life whatsoever, my #77 was hard as a brick with very little give and even less color payoff.  I had heard that there were ways of restoring dried out cream products, including gel liners and paint pots, back to their original consistency so I went online in search of a good remedy.  Not sure of which would work best for my situation, I decided to scoop a small portion of the liner out and transfer it to a sample container I had on hand to keep from marring the entire batch if things went south.

Online I found a bunch of different recipes and regimens for resuscitating gel liners.  One called for just a simple zap in the microwave while another called for a mix of a glycerin-based product along with a silicone-based product (like a face primer) and a hair dryer/microwave.  After sorting through the suggestions and trying a couple of them out (and failing at both!) I settled on a basic concoction of one part silicone-based face primer and one part heat.

After putting a portion of the eyeliner into the container, I squeezed an equal amount of my silicone-based face primer directly on top and then mixed it together as best I could to disperse.  Next, I put the mix into the microwave, nuking it for about five seconds then stirring.  I noticed it needed a little more heat to smooth it out so I nuked it again for five more seconds.  It was at that point that I found it to be creamy and emollient enough to coat my angled liner brush for use on my eye.  Finally, #SUCCESS!

When I applied the reconstituted #77 upon my eye, there was no tackiness and, therefore, no tugging or pulling.  It went on smoothly as if it was never out of commission; I was able to achieve an inky black cat eye with absolutely no issues and it stayed put all day long until I finally removed it with a makeup wipe.  #WINNING and #SMILING!

I am so happy that I was able to revive my Inglot gel liner and finally put it to use!  Now, I checked back on my sample portion before heading to bed and it was still soft, however, I don't know how long it will stay that way.  I'm not worried, though.  If need be, I'll just go through the process again.  Hey, it beats having to throw away a never-been-used gel eyeliner and spend money on a new one!

Administering CPR to a certified D.O.A. and getting a virtually N.E.W. product in the process at no extra cost?  Oh, I'm all about that life!  Yes, please and thank you!

On the Fence...

Oh, boy.  I'm kinda on the fence when it comes to some popular (and some not-so-popular) products that continuously catch my attention when I'm in the store, but fail to compel me to pull the trigger and buy for whatever reason.  Partly fueled by a desire to maintain a well diversified cosmetic wardrobe, I think I've become a bit pickier about the items I end up buying.  Whether it's a highly regarded blush or new lip product, I find myself passing on more and more items that already seem way too familiar... like Too Faced's Melted Liquified Lipsticks.  A gloss, a stain and a lipstick all-in-one, they remind me of OCC's Lip Tars - which I happen to like and plan to get more colors of.  I mean, outside of Melted Violet, I really don't think I'll be picking up any of these anytime soon.

Now, believe you and me, I do NOT need another highlighting product.  Creams, powders, liquids - I've got all the mediums covered!  But, alas, I can't help but look at Stila's Illuminating/Bronzing Balms whenever I see them.  The force is strong with these.  However, I continue to resist because I don't need them.  I really don't.  Even if they do come in a convenient package of three at a seemingly decent price.  I don't need them... (right?)

I've been playing with the idea of getting some higher-end foundation for a minute now.  I'm close to finishing up my Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer, still have plenty of my Revlon ColorStay, but wanted to up the ante with a base from a loftier retail bracket.  I've heard a smattering of reviews regarding Miracle Worker Foundation from philosophy, but the fact that they even had a deep enough shade I could play around with was very tempting.  I teetered... I tottered... but my will power has not faltered.  At least not yet...

  
Speaking of foundations, when I saw this, I immediately thought of the ever-popular beautyblender sponge (and all of its imitators) that so many now use to apply and blend their makeup with.  Bamboo handle aside, it would seem as if this ecoTools Foam Applicator would be a proper, discounted alternative.   I'm not all the way convinced, though, hemming and hawing over it constantly whenever I see it hanging on drugstore shelves. 

Oh, my goodness... when these Clinique Cheek Pop blushes first came out, I was in a tizzy to get my hands on each and every one of them.  And then when I went to the store and saw them firsthand, I was like, "Eh," and passed.  It wasn't because they weren't pretty or anything, but more so because the colors weren't outstanding or unique enough to warrant a purchase.  I don't think you understand - I can NOT buy another pink blush until I finish at least ONE of the ones I have in my stash.  Cannot!!

And then there's the hair products from Carol's Daughter, which are now even more accessible via outlets like Target.  I don't know what it is about hair products; even though I have my HG list set pretty much in stone and my regimen down pat, I am inexplicably always willing and ready to try new items!  I've been waffling on Carol's Daughter for a long minute now.  And product line names like Black Vanilla aren't helping me in my struggle, either...  but I haven't caved. 

I dunno.  I think I'm getting bored with a lot of stuff, too.  I feel my enthusiasm waning.  So many products just seem like a recycling of what's already out there.  I guess that's why I got so excited about the new Make Up For Ever Artist Shadows.  The colors, the formula, the fact that I only own three eyeshadows from them all play a part in my unbridled response to their new collection.  And I know just from looking at their breadth of shades that I'll be able to easily pick up and fill-in (color-wise) wherever my shadow stash may be lacking, which absolutely puts a song in my makeup loving heart.  But other than that, I'm on the fence and kinda "meh" about everything else.

Oh, I'm gonna keep my eyes peeled for the sure-to-come onslaught of holiday palettes and makeup extravaganzas... you can be sure of that.  And maybe that'll help break the spell of indifference I'm currently under.  Eh, who knows.  We shall see, though.  We shall definitely see.

Weekend Report: A Hint of Smoke

Hey, guys!  We made it to another weekend (woo-hoo!) and let me tell you, I've more than earned my "me time" for this week.  I'm going to keep it light this go 'round with both my schedule and my makeup, opting for a soft smoky eye that'll carry me from sun up to sunset.  I'm planning a simple face with just a hint of drama, courtesy of a few simple products... 

Building on top of MAC's Constructivist Paint Pot, I'll be employing Inglot's #423 as well as Hustle, a sootier plum-bronze from Urban Decay's original Naked palette, to achieve the look I want.  Rounding out the cast of characters will be MAC's Carbon, which will be focused on the lash line, and my currently crowned favorite mascara - Lancome's Hypnose Star.

For my lips, I'll be going the nude route - Revlon's Soft Nude, to be exact, with MAC's C-Thru Lipglass lacquered on top for good measure.

So there you have it - my moderately drama-filled look for what will (hopefully) be a completely drama-free weekend!  This was so quick to whip up and put on that methinks I'll have to rock this smoky combo more often.  It's the perfect hint of smoke... and precisely what I was aiming for.  #MissionAccomplished!

Bronzey Plum - 423

Hey, guys!  For this weekend, I was thinking of doing a smoky eye.  Whaddya think?  Haven't done one in awhile, but my recent trip to Sephora where I visually imbibed on all the colorful goodness of the new MUFE Artist Shadows left me drunk with inspiration.  And so I poured over my collection and settled on a shadowy gem that should totally sate my need for a little "smoke" this weekend.  Not too dark, this shade can be carried from day to night.  So, if you have a few moments to spare, I'd love to you the 411 on Inglot's #423.

#423 is a moody, burnished plum that hails from Inglot's Freedom System family of single eyeshadows.  It is potently pigmented, surrendering opaque color in every swipe, and is über soft to the touch.  I have never had a performance issue with Inglot shadows as they have lasted all day on me atop a primer without fading and I don't expect any different from this lovely lid-lustre, which boasts a pearl finish. 

When I look at #423, I immediately think of MAC's Constructivist Paint Pot - which is a rich, plummy brown - as the perfect anchor and booster for this shade.  That and a touch of black at the base of my lashes should give it the right amount of smokiness I'm looking for.  Yeah, I think that's what I'm gonna do, y'all.  And then a possible pair-up with a nude lip?  Ooh-wee!  Yeah, I think that'll be happening, y'all.  I can feel it!  And besides, getting familiar with this shade (and finally rocking it) will keep me from buying a similar/duplicate shade when I pick out my MUFEs.  Oh, yes, they are coming.  Do you hear me?  They are coming and coming SOON!  I can't wait!  

Soooo much makeup... soooo little time...  *sigh* I just LOVE being a girl!

Inglot #423 is available at Inglot boutiques and select Macy's, and retails for $7.

OMG, It's the New MUFEs!

Guys, I think I may need some serious help.  At the very least, I need some medication of some sort because when I went into my local mini Sephora (the truncated version of Sephora located inside JCPenney department store), I nearly lost my mind.  Knowing full well that the satellite Sephoras do not carry the full shebang that the flagship stores do, I went in there to see if they had my shampoo (yes, shampoo AGAIN!) and, lo and behold, they had the new, reformulated Make Up For Ever eyeshadows!  Granted, they only had about 69 of the entire range of 210 shades, but it was enough for me to get lost in a whirlwind of swipes and swatches, and gather some intel on what I would eventually want to buy.  So, without any further yip-yap, I'm going to get right into it and show y'all what I spent a good couple of hours ogling and playing around with: the new Artist Shadows by MUFE.


Whites, Beiges, Pinks, Oranges: 

Already strapped with a reputation of having high-performance, highly pigmented products, Make Up For Ever has now introduced a "new and improved" rendition of their already awesome eyeshadows and blushes.  These gel-powder shadows are ultra blendable and come in five distinct finishes: Matte, Metallic, Diamond, Iridescent and Satin.   The top row display of muted neutrals alongside more passionate colors like Tangerine ME734 made me swoon...


Earthy Neutrals, Browns and Taupes:

But, believe it or not, it was the collection of sultry browns and taupes that made me salivate viciously!  My eyes went back and forth, back and forth... running over the array of earth tones and mauve-y taupes until I just couldn't take it anymore - I had to swatch!  I really didn't know what to swatch first, but I had to swatch.  And, OH. MA. GUDNESS...

Each and every shadow, regardless of finish, felt very smooth like crushed velvet.  They had a dry, firmness to them as opposed to them feeling "moist" or creamy like other gel formulated shadows, but were no less impressive as every shade relinquished color on cue and without much effort at all. 


Violets, Blues, Greens, Blacks: 

And then I laid my peepers on the eye-poppers of the day and I literally could NOT stand still!  You guys know how much I love my brights and bolds, and these MUFEs were serving them up big time.  I simply could not wait to get my already overworked fingertips into these...

(Black Purple ME930)

Now, each individual shadow retails for $21 (available at both Sephora and MUFE boutiques) and the palettes retail for $1; however, at Sephora, if you buy two shadows and a duo palette, you get a $9 discount (spending $34 total) and a $20 discount with a three/three combo (spending $44 total).  Really, they needn't say more - they already had me with the quality of the shadows, but they sealed the deal with the word "discount".  #HOLLAAAA!

So, can you see why I needed a dose of something to sorta calm me down and keep me from acting a complete fool in the store?  I do not consider shopping a spectator sport; if I see something I like, I buy it.  I don't window shop, but I was definitely a looky-lou this day as I was totally caught off guard and unprepared.  Oh, but don't worry, chickadees!  Dolce will not be a looky-lou for long.  I've done my research and will be turning in my homework very soon so I can get my hands on these babies.  Consider me a true "stan" of the new MUFE Artist Shadows and I could not be any more excited at the prospect of adding these vivid gems to my makeup collection!