Makeup Withdrawal

Pixi by Petra Holiday Gift Palette in Sensual Smokey Eyes- Want

Monday, November 9, 2009

I was pretty pleased when Target added Napoleon Perdis Set, Pixi by Petra and Jemma Kidd lines of makeup. Ok, I was more than pretty pleased, I was down right running-through-the-streets-screaming ecstatic. Since then, I have sampled my way through each line, happy with the prices and the availability. After all, there's nothing better than running to Target to pick up some Wheat Thins and Oreos and snapping up a fantastic red lipstick by NP Set as well. However, this really takes the cake.

While perusing for some rubbing alcohol today (ok, I admit it, I was looking for makeup. But I did also need some rubbing alcohol for brush cleaning. Recipe will follow later) I found a gift set- eyeshadow palette in No.2 Sensational for $9.99. Yes, that's right. Less than ten dollars. It's a delightful sampler of colors all slightly shimmery. I was especially impressed by indigo specked with plum shimmer, copper and black shadow specked with navy shimmer. Also in this collection of colors, were lavender, peach and an iridescent pale yellow. There was also another palette that contained more neutral colors, and I could hardly pick between the two.

It comes in this neat little magnetic case, the super slim packaging means that it travels well in any purse or cosmetics bag.
I love samplers, being able to have lots of colors to play with is so much more fun than committing to one color. Besides, there are an infinite amount of looks you can do with a dozen shades! Then, if you decide you simply can't live without one of them, you'll know where to find it, and it crosses over to a Must item.
Cost: $9.99 at Target. But at these prices, I couldn't part with it, there's no way I'm giving it away as a gift.
Looks:

Here's some of the looks I concocted. The first being the basic smoky eye, really simple. Urban Decay Primer Potion as the base, then I used color number 5(from the left) a pearly charcoal in the crease with a small eyeshadow brush, then number 1, a black with navy shimmer from my lash line to the crease. Color number 11 went over my brow bone and blended it with a clean fluffy brush. Color number 1 also went along my lower lash line, smudged with a small angled brush. Liquid black eyeliner across the upper lash line completed the look.

Urban Decay Primer Potion- MUST

Ok, so I figured out what all the hype was about.
Urban Decay Primer Potion is amazing beyond belief. I always figured I'd get to it eventually, but now I've figured out what gives other women that extra 'umph'. It's this amazing beige colored delight.

I'm of Asian decent and I've never had much luck with eyeshadow that didn't crease and fade within about 5 minutes. I was lucky if I had a look that lasted until lunch time. But with this amazing cream in my arsenal, I don't have to worry about smudgy raccoon eyes. It even lasts in humid weather. To test that out, I took a shower with my makeup on. I didn't wash my face and when I stepped out on to the bath mat, my eye makeup was as impeccable as when I stepped in. In addition, it was easier to blend eyeshadow colors with UDPP underneath. In fact, UDPP holds onto my eyeshadow so well that it takes a little bit of scrubbing with makeup remover to get it all off at night! I'd recommend patting the product on instead of using the wand that comes with it or rubbing it across your lids.
Cost:Sold at Ulta, Sephora and Urban Decay's site, $17 for .34oz. It may seem pricey for a small tube but it lasts a long time (cut open the packaging when you think you're all out to reveal another 3 months worth). I usually try to find cheaper alternative or forgo it altogether, but this really works the best.
How: I apply it on clean eyelids with my finger tips from my eyebrows all the way to the lashes. I even dab some under my lower lashes too if I'm doing color there. Dries within seconds, so this is a perfect product for anyone who likes doing their makeup within 5 minutes but expects it to stay put for 12 hours.
Similar: MAC's Prep+Prime Eye in Light(.16oz $16.50), MAC's Paints in Bare Canvas(.23oz $16.50), Too Faced Shadow Insurance(.35oz $17)

Makeup, how I love you so.

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

I've tried to stop my habit, I really have.
But the fact of the matter is, it's too late to stop. There simply isn't anything that can stop my love of makeup. Nothing makes me happier than little pots of color, cakes of rouge and tubes filled with products guaranteed to make skin smooth and pores vanish.
Alas, like most people, there's a limit to how much makeup I can buy in a month. My spending habits have gone unchecked for too long and now I have to learn to shop wisely for the products I want and to pay the best prices.
So here's the stuff you absolutely have to have and things that I long for, yet know to stay away.
Everything falls into two categories; Must and Want.