Sunday, August 30, 2009

SweetShuGaHon's Giveaway!




Congrats to SweetShuGa on reaching 100 followers! Her makeup blog is wonderful, and to celebrate she is hosting a MAC giveaway. For details on how to enter check out her below at the link below, and be sure to congratulate her! :)

http://sweetshugahon.blogspot.com/2009/08/my-first-contest-mac-giveaway.html

Thursday, August 27, 2009

Take 5 with Poppy King!

I have made numerous posts singing the praises of Lipstick Queen and how much I adore the brand. So you can only imagine my excitement when I was given the opportunity to do an interview with the creator and genius behind Lipstick Queen and author, Poppy King:



Besides being beyond gorgeous, she's a seriously driven business woman! She made her debut in the industry at the age of 18 after noticing the lack of matte lipsticks available so she took it upon her genius self to fill that void! I asked five questions that I have always wanted to ask her, and here is what she had to say:


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Ashley: Hi Poppy! First, just let me say that you are my idol. I hope that one day, I can turn my love for lipstick and cosmetics into a successful career like yours! You have paved the way for so many, and proved that perseverance and dedication are among the main ingredients to making any dream come true! My first question is; how do you come up with such unique ideas for your products (Chinatown glossy pencils and the latest 15 minutes of fame pop art glosses, for example)?

Poppy: Thank you for your lovely words! You can do anything with passion and persistence.

Ashley: Where do you look for creative inspiration?

Poppy: I find my creative inspiration in the wonderful experiences I have with people, art, films, literature and words. I can find inspirations for new colors just by hearing something someone says to me.

Ashley: I LOVE the 30's, 40's and 50's era of makeup. The women looked so glamorous and exuded such confidence! What is your favorite historical era of makeup and why?

Poppy: The 30’s and 40’s are my favorite for sure because women looked beautiful and empowered with a sense of self rather than like cupcakes with frosty pink all over them. I loved the clothes in the 50’s but prefer the 30’s and 40’s for make up.

Ashley: In your opinion, what constitutes a 'Lipstick Queen'?

Poppy: It is an attitude thing. You can be a lipstick queen without actually wearing lipstick. It is about feeling strong and ready to participate in the world.

Ashley: What is your favorite 'look' to sport on a daily basis, and what are your favorite cosmetic products used to create your signature look?

Poppy: Red Lipstick is my favorite cosmetic in the whole world and I love wearing it just with a little mascara (Maybelline Colossal) and some blush (NARS Orgasm) and no other make up.

Ashley: I'm sure the life of a Lipstick Queen is very busy and chaotic so I will keep this short, but I just wanted to say thank you for your time! :)

Poppy: THANK YOU! xx

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And there you have it, straight from the Lipstick Queen herself! I am extremely thankful that Poppy took time out of her day to do this interview with me! She is AWESOME!

-ashley

Monday, August 17, 2009

Beauty For A Cause

[click the photos for official product details]

LUSH Charity Pot - hand & body lotion
($20.45)


Moisturizing is a part of a healthy skin care routine anyway, so why not make a purchase that not only makes your skin incredibly soft and supple but also goes to a cause to support animal rights, protection for the environment and humanitarian concerns? Every penny (except taxes) goes to this fund. I think it's an awesome way to get the softest skin imaginable and give back.

Philosophy Oatmeal Raisin Cookie - shower gel
($16.00)


For two months only (August 15th to October 15th), 100% of proceeds from buying this shower gel will be donated to Cookies For Kid's Cancer - an organization created to raise awareness of and funds to assist research for creating new and improving existing therapies for children with cancer through the very concept of local bake sales. Visit the Cookies For Kids Cancer website to join the fight against pediatric cancer! The official website for CFKC has details on how to do more than just purchase this shower gel for a limited time.

Philosophy Shower For The Cure - shampoo & shower gel
($20.00)


Proceeds of this shower gel are donated to benefit the Women's Cancer Research Fund. Being a woman myself, I am very sensitive to issues like breast cancer. One of my cousins had breast cancer, and one of my mom's friends died from complications caused by breast cancer. It is an extremely startling reality that the lives of many women are changed annually by breast cancer.

M.A.C Viva Glam - lipsticks
($14.00)


M.A.C started this campaign back in '94 and is still going strong several years later! Every cent of sales from any of the seven shades available to choose from goes to the M.A.C Aids fund - to assist men, women, and children living with HIV/AIDS. Celebrities such as Shirley Manson, Christina Aguilera, Fergie and Dita Von Teese have signed on as spokesmodels for the cause. One of my favorite lipsticks of all time is Viva Glam I (pictured). I love rocking the retro red lip, knowing that my purchase is helping out those in need. A very justifiable buy, in my opinion. Also, the basis of its appeal for many is that there is a shade for everyone, ranging from soft pinks to deep burgundy reds. You can also purchase a coordinating lipglass, available for shades VI/VI Special Edition and V. Look great for a cause!

Cargo Plant Love - lipsticks
($20.00)


Since St. Jude is one of my favorite charities, I just HAD to feature this one considering $2 from every lipstick sale is donated to St. Jude Childrens Hospital. Also, the case in which holds the lipstick is made from corn. Therefore, it is very eco-friendly and greenhouse-gas neutral which assists in fighting global warming. Even the box is good for the environment! All you have to do is moisten the box after removing your lipstick, and plant it into the Earth to grow your own wildflowers. It's green beauty at its very best.

-ashley

Sunday, August 16, 2009

Splurges & Steals

SPLURGE: Stila kajal eye liner in "Onyx" ($18)
One of the (many!) things I love most about this eyeliner is the ease of application. This baby glides on perfectly, leaving behind soft black definition to my light brown peepers. Not to mention how amazingly easy it is to smudge and 'smoke' out a bit without looking messy or sloppy. There are several other shades to choose from as well, I'm looking forward to trying "Topaz" next!
To purchase:
Stila
Sephora

STEAL: Milani Easyliner in "Black" ($4.99)
I used this eyeliner during my junior and senior year of high school and recommended it to my friends who asked for recommendations on a good eyeliner. I also recommended this eyeliner to a fellow student in the girl's bathroom who was watching me apply my eyeliner. This eyeliner saw me through many times in high school and even for awhile after I graduated. It's not waterproof so there is a chance it may migrate to your lower lash line if you have excessive watery eyes or if you cry (like on my last day of high school), but it's a pretty good eyeliner nonetheless. It is a retractable eyeliner so you don't have to carry a sharpener with you. It's a very good basic eyeliner, if you find that regular pencil eyeliners sometimes tug at the skin. Definitely worth checking out for the quality, not to mention the very reasonable price tag!
To purchase:
find locations
online

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SPLURGE: NARS blush in "Orgasm" ($25)
If you don't own this blush already, I am sure you have heard the rave reviews. This blush is one of NARS most famous shades of blush, they even created a "Multiple" makeup product (to use for eyes, lips and cheeks) in its honor. It's a gorgeous peachy golden pink that flatters virtually every skintone, you can use it as a blush (for very fair to fair skintones) or as a highlighter (for deeper skin tones). It's an amazing color that can perk up even the most sallow faces. Makeup artists and celebrities and beauty bloggers and makeup addicts alike have been singing the praises of "Orgasm" for many years. The well deserved hype and demand for this blush launched a mission to search high and low for more affordable dupes in these hard economic times, which leads me to my next featured "STEAL"...
To purchase:
NARS
Sephora

STEAL: Milani blush in "Luminous" ($5.99)
One swipe of this on the apples of my cheeks leaves the prettiest peachy pink glow. Looks awesome in the daytime and pulls my look together instantly, whether I'm wearing a full face of makeup or even if it's a 'mascara, concealer, and lip balm' kind of day for me. This looks just as awesome for the later hours of the evening as well. You can easily take this blush from day to night - not to mention the $5.99 price tag! This is perfect for beauty on a budget. It has been suggested by many that this blush bears a striking resemblance to the cult favorite NARS "Orgasm" blush. I would have to agree... I can always expect quality from Milani. I have tried a few of their lipsticks and eye shadows, and I am VERY impressed.
To purchase:
find locations
online

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SPLURGE: Lipstick Queen shine gloss in "Red Sinner" ($24)
Apply this gloss as lightly or as opaque as you wish. It looks amazing as a light tint of red, or for a full cherry lacquered look. Way worth the $24 price tag. This pot will last me for years, and I have every intention of purchasing when I run out. There are other shades available from this gloss line: everything from clear to black! The formula is a bit thick but it doesn't bother me because thick gloss = excellent staying power. I love the longevity of this, it wears amazingly well for HOURS and stays exactly where I put it so no worries of migrating lip gloss on my chin. The color pay-off is out of this world: the prettiest, perkiest light cherry red gloss. EVER.
To purchase:
Locations in:
United States
Canada
United Kingdom
Australia
Puerto Rico
Hong Kong
New Zealand
Sweden
or
online

STEAL: n/a
I have searched high and low for a more affordable dupe of this to feature in this blog post, but I am pretty sure that Poppy King broke the mold with this one!
-However, if you know of one, contact me so I can do some 'investigation' and feature your suggestion as the long awaited 'STEAL' of Lipstick Queen shine gloss.

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SPLURGE: Benefit "Lemon Aid" ($20)
It's a well known fact that to banish dark undereye circles, use a yellow based concealer. Add a regular concealer on top for extra insurance against those pesky dark spots. Benefit's "Lemon Aid" has you covered. Dark undereye circles have haunted me for years, and I have piled layer after layer of concealer to cover them but sometimes, in certain lighting, the '2 shades lighter than my skintone' concealer just doesn't cut it. This product is also AMAZING for neutralizing any eyelid discoloration. I have hypothyroidism, and that makes my eyelids an unsightly color. I can't really describe the color in a word, because there are traces of purple/blue-ish, red, and even a bit of a yellow/orange. I slick a layer of this on my upper eyelids and below my lower lid for circles and it combats the problem just fine.
To purchase:
Benefit Cosmetics
Sephora
[Psst...right now, Benefit Cosmetics is offering FREE shipping on any order over $50! Just type in the code: PRETTY50 at check out and you're all set!]

STEAL: Physician's Formula gentle cover concealer stick in "Yellow" ($6)
I love this stick, it's so easy to toss in my bag and go. Since I have dark circles that refuse to go away even after a full night's rest, this life saver cancels out the blue under my eyes and neutralizes the skin around the darkness as well. I top this with a regular concealer (just like I would with any corrective concealer) and I'm set for several hours. This also neutralizes the discoloration on my eyelids, just like "Lemon Aid". Physician's Formula also offers other corrective concealers as well including "Green" (to mask redness, birthmarks, blemishes) and "Light" (as a regular concealer, but also to apply over the corrective concealer of your choice).
To purchase:
find locations

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So there are some of my favorite splurges and steals. Leave a comment and tell me what YOUR favorite splurges and steals are!

-ash

Thursday, August 13, 2009

Check this blog out!

Hey everyone, you should follow Nik's Beautiful Daze! She's new to blogging and could use some followers, I know her blog is going to be HUGE once it's up and running! She was my first friend ever (I met her when I was 3!) and we're both in our very early 20's and still friends! She's super awesome and I love her, so follow her! :)



-ashley

Wednesday, August 12, 2009

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics - newly released products!

You down with OCC? (Yeah, you know me!)
You down with OCC? (Yeah, you know me!)

Words cannot describe how much I love Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. The loose color concentrates are a worthy opponent of MAC pigments. I can't believe I'm about to utter such a thing, butttt I think that I might like OCC way better.

I adore ANYTHING with a blue undertone, and Spectral is no exception. It looks shimmery and white in the container, but when you swatch it or apply it to your lids or mix with clear lip tar, it's insane. I have never seen another loose pigment quite like it, much like lots of the OCC products. Besides insanely awesome pigmentation, the colors are beyond unique.
Also, mix it with Frigid and you get the most gorgeous shimmery ice princess baby blue ever. LOVE LOVE LOVE.
Authentic is the most wearable penny colored copper I have ever seen. Most coppers I have tried tend to have a lot of red or pink in them, which can make my eyes look tired. But like with every other thing from OCC I have tried, I was far from disappointed. I love it as a wash of color on my lid, or in the inner corner. It's like MAC eye kohl "Teddy" in loose powder form with an extra dose of gorgeous copper shimmer. These colors are gorgeous!!


OCC was a huge hit at the IMATS and rightfully so. Everybody has been singing the praises of OCC lip tars, myself included. The staying power is out of this world, it dries to a nice matte finish but I don't notice any flaking like I have noticed with other matte products. I highly recommend a lipliner before applying lip tars so the product has something to adhere to and to prevent the possibility of 'bleeding' or 'feathering'.

These colors were just released from OCC:


Anime: (top row, left on hand and applied on lips with minimal natural pigment)
Seriously, how AMAZING is this lip tar?! When I first tried it on, I just HAD to take a picture to show people how gorgeous and pigmented and BRIGHT it is! It's soo bright and definitely catches your eye! When I looked in the mirror after applying, WOW. The effect was insane, I put a little bit of MAC 3D Glitter over it, and my lips were out of this world. I wear it around my house and it's probably one of my only makeup products that I can't stop staring at myself when I wear it. It's amazing, and I really recommend it to anybody who loves a bright and bold lip. Or even for somebody who rarely wears a bold lip but feels like making a statement. Look no further, this is without a doubt, the color that everybody needs in their collection whether they like bold lips or nude lips. It's THAT pretty. It puts every other hot pink lipstick/lipgloss I own to shame!


Fondue: (top row, right)
This couldn't possibly have a better name. While it's not a color I could probably wear and successfully pull off, this would be perfect for character makeup. The name makes me think of this restaurant in my home state of Michigan that specializes in AMAZING fondue. Focus, Ashley, focus...

Petty Beige: (bottom row, far left)
I could see this as a very wearable nude. I'm not much of a fan of nude lip colors, but applied sparingly (only a bit of lip tar goes a lonnngggg way), this could totally work for me. It's not too light to wash me out, but not too dark of a nude-y beige color to look awkward on porcelain skin. It has a teeny tiny bit of pink in it (or so it appears on my lips), and does have a bit of brown but not enough to take on a gray appearance (like other brown toned lipsticks/lip glosses I have tried). If you like nude lip colors, I suggest trying this out. And if you do, please comment and let me know what you think! :)

Botanical: (bottom row, 2nd from left)
I love green makeup on my eyes. On my lips? Hmm, I don't think I have the confidence or 'tude to rock such an unconventional lip color but sometimes I slick it on my lips when I feel that my creativity needs a boost while applying to makeup to other people. It's a fun color to wear in private, but I don't know if I could debut this one out on the town. Maybe one day. I also used to say that I could never wear a red lip or hot pink lip back in high school. And now reds and hot pinks dominate my lip products in my train case! So maybe one day, I could give this a go in public. But that day isn't today, sadly. If you're into character makeup and avant garde or if you have the confidence to rock this, go for it. Inspire others to make bolder choices with their makeup, and let the rest of us who are too afraid just remain green with envy for your confidence...pun intended. Even though it wasn't too funny, lol.

Hush: (bottom row, 2nd from right)
This is such a pretty baby pink. I could see this working as an everyday lip with a natural look, a pretty flush of pink to wear as you walk down the aisle on your wedding day, or even to compliment smokey eyes. This shade could work with any kind of smokey eye (black, gray, brown, or even if you prefer jewel toned smokey eyes!). This color looks amazing with NARS Orgasm and MAC Blonde MSF. It's the perfect light pink lip color to accomodate glowy pink cheeks. Highly recommended.

Conquest: (bottom row, far right)
This is like MAC's Myth lipstick and C-thru lipglass in one. This could be a better (and safer!) alternative to using concealer on your lips to mute the natural pigment - considering that some of the ingredients used in concealers are not meant to be injested. There is no trace or orange or brown detectable. Using a thin layer, it erases just about all traces of natural pigment...providing a base for any lipstick to really make any lip color pop. As a stand alone color? I personally wouldn't wear it, although I know MANY who would. It's just not my personal preference. As a lipstick base? Definitely.

Check OCC out if you haven't already! Makeup artists and makeup addicts like myself have been buzzing about OCC before, during and after the IMATS. If you haven't checked out OCC yet, I think you should. Like, soon. Sooner than soon. Like, now.



-ashley

Friday, August 7, 2009

Nu Nu Doll's giveaway

Just wanted to give a heads up to the lovely Nu Nu Doll at http://nunudoll.blogspot.com/
- her blog is awesome, she loves banana peppers, lol, and she's having a giveaway to offer 2 Graphic Garden palettes!

Feel free to enter and check it out @ http://nunudoll.blogspot.com/