NOTD: Depend #135

Todays NOTD is Depend Cosmetics #135 which is a tangerine-y coral/orange cream shade.
This one is semi-sheer; it's definitely a three to four coater if you want bottle color, but you can get away with less coats if you prefer a sheerer wash of color.
The swatches are four coats with Seche Vite as top coat.

Natural daylight, w/ flash

No flash (it started raining here as you can see :))

So; how do you like this one for a spring/summer mani?
See you soon, take care :)

Nivea Beauté Flex & Strong Mauvestar

This is Nivea Beauté Flex & Strong nail polish in Mauvestar, which is a light shimmery pink lavender with silver micro glitter. To tell you the truth I had some doubts whether I should post this or not, since I really don't believe these are available any longer. But, I could be wrong, and even if they have been discontinued it's always entertaining to look at swatches, right?

To be honest I don't like this at all. I mean I kind of enjoy the color, but the formula is just terrible. It applies evenly and all that, but it totally refuses to throughly dry, even with Seche Vite on top. It's been a good five hours since I did this mani, and it's still not dry, so every time I hit something I'm left with unsightly marks and dents :(
I applied it as I usually do; three thin layers and Seche Vite as top coat, but I just can't get it to work. I can tell you I'll take this one off tonight as it's not a pretty sight...

Luckily, I shot these pics before things started looking far too messy.

Natural daylight...

With flash

Super closeup to show the glitter...

In the snow freezing...

Have you any Nivea polishes in your drawers? What do you think of them?

That's it for today; I wish you all a great weekend!

Another Earthen Glow Minerals Sample Haul Arrived...

Another little sample package was delivered by the mail man today!

I ordered some foundation samples in the beige/neutral range, since I've been wanting to try these colors out as well. Until now I've gone with the warm/peach range, but on some days those colors seem to wash me out, so I figured it can't hurt to test drive these just to compare.
Of course I just *had to* order some blushes and eye shadows as well; a few of these are brand new releases and wasn't even pictured on the website yet, so it was kind of a surprise to see what I had ordered when I opened the package.
Anyway; here they are... (click pictures to enlarge)

First row L-R: Pan, Rowenna, Whitley, Juliette
Second row: Lenora, Lois, Paris, Translucent Soft Focus Finishing Powder
Third row: Papaya, Beautiful, Gossip (eyeshadows)
Fourth row: Trust, Emotions, Blushing Date, Bali (blushes)

The foundations...
Ooops; apparently I ordered two cool foundations: don't know what the heck I'm gonna do with these. I can't wear them, that's for sure! :)

...and the eyeshadows and blushes...

So, has anyone else hauled some minerals this week?

That's it for now, see you soon :)

Mineral Makeup Application - How To

I love mineral makeup and I know many of you do as well, so I thought I'd share some application tips and general ideas with you.

A foundation should make your skin look as smooth and clear as possible while also helping to even out your skin tone. Choosing the correct formula and color tone will help provide a perfect base for the rest of your makeup application.
When you've accomplished this, the fun part begins..!


Mineral Make up Application Step by Step:

1. Make sure your skin is throughly cleansed, well moisturized and hydrated. Let the moisturizer soak in for about ten minutes before applying your minerals in order to avoid an uneven, blotchy application.
   


2. Don't use lots of product. One of the most common mistakes in applying mineral makeup is using too much product, leading to a chalky appearance. MMU is a very concentrated product, meaning it doesn't (or shouldn't!) contain any fillers, so you don't need to apply a lot. Most times, you really only need a few grains; much less than you think. Plus, it's always easier to add a little more as you go along. However; it also depends on your formula how much is needed.
   


3. Procedure: sprinkle a small amount of product into the lid or a swirly bowl, swirl your brush into the powder, tap off the excess, and then buff into the skin using a circular motion. Start your application in the center of your face, working outwards. To get a flawless natural look, always apply mineral foundation in thin, light layers. Keep adding layers until the desired coverage has been reached. Keep in mind that two or more light applications of your mineral foundation are better than one heavy application.


4. Take care to blend/buff well. This process not only distributes the foundastion evenly, but also warms up the minerals and allows them to meld with your own skin. You will notice that your foundation appears more flattering within 10 - 15 minutes after applying; which is because the minerals have melded with your skin due to your body heat.


5. Most women use a kabuki or a flat top brush for medium to heavy coverage. Others prefer using a flocked sponge (dry or wet) for heavy coverage, and others still like to mix their minerals with either Aloe Vera gel or a face cream for application (apply with fingers, a sponge, or a taklon foundation brush). Find whatever works best for you.
   
   
6. After application, spray your skin with either hydrosol or aloe to set your makeup. This is particularly good for dry skin, but also works well for oily skin (esp oily skin that is oily because it is dehydrated).

To keep your mineral powder makeup as bacteria-free as possible, store your makeup in a cool, dry place. Avoid leaving your makeup in your bathroom because the warm temperature and high humidity encourage bacteria growth (although most of us keep our makeup in the bathroom, I believe :)). Always put the lid on tightly after each use to avoid spillage and moisture getting into the powder.


So; now you're hopefully ready to walk out the door and show off that gorgeous face!

NOTD: China Glaze Cowgirl Up ~ Rodeo Diva

Hello dear reader!

Todays NOTD is China Glaze Cowgirl Up from the very popular fall 08 Rodeo Diva collection.
As of today I own three shades from this collection, but I'll definitely pick up a few more; so far I've been incredibly impressed and pleased with these!
I'm lemming Wagon Trail, Guissed Up Green and Side Saddle...

Ohhh; the love I have for this jewel toned little gem..! It's a gorgeous, vibrant berry burgundy red/violet shimmery shade.
This one applied very well, the consistency is excellent hence very easy to work with.
This is 3 coats, with Seche Vite as top coat.

Outside without flash

Outside with flash

Are you a Rodeo Diva fan too? Please tell me about your favorite(s) from this awesome collection!


That's all I have for you right now; hope to see you very soon :)

NOTD: China Glaze "Poetic" ♥ Romantique ♥

Today's NOTD is China Glaze Poetic from the spring 2009 Romantique collection.

This shade is a rosy bronze with a metallic-y, foil finish (like all of the colors in this collection).
I'm a little surprised here - I so expected I would love this color, only to discover that I really, really don't :(
I can't figure out exactly why, though; it's a pretty color per se, but I just don't care a teenie weenie bit for it. I'm usually a sucker for colors like these; well, not this time.
Anyway; the coverage is awesome - it's almost completely opaque in one coat. I did have some application problems. The formula was kind of thick, and also there are some visible brush strokes, which is often the downside with metallic polishes.
This is two coats, no top coat.

Daylight, cloudy, no flash

Anyone planning to pick up colors from the Romantique collection? Tell me which ones you are lemming :>

Love and beauty to y'all!

NOTD: Isadora Frosty Wine

Todays NOTD is Isadora Frosty Wine; which is a deep shimmery burgundy shade.
Although application was good (this is the old brush, not the new wide brush), I did experience a good amount of tip pull after a few hours of wear.

This is two coats with Seche Vite on top.

Outside, partial sunlight

Hope to see you back here soon :)

Frosty Blue/Charcoal EOTD

Today I did a frosty charcoal/blue look using Dreamworld Minerals pigments on the eyes.

These are the products I used:



Face:

Earthen Glow Minerals Cover Me Foundation in "Claire"
Dreamworld Minerals "Peach Crème" Topping w/ clay and silica
Earthen Glow Minerals blush in "Deep Rose"



Eyes:

UDPP as base, Yves Saint Laurent Volume Mascara False Lash Effect (black)

I love UDPP, but when are they going to do something about the packaging..?
It really sucks, there are always loads of product left that's impossible to get out.
Perhaps I can cut it open in the middle somehow, and then transfer all remains into an empty jar...

The pigments...

Shade descriptions:

• Excaliber - a pretty dark silver w/ undertones of blue - whole lid up to brow bone
  
• Gothic Sapphire - two blues mixed together into a dark blue w/ sparkle - foiled as eyeliner on upper eye lid
  
• First Frost - ltd winter 08 color - no longer available - icy white shimmer - inner 1/3 of lid and on brow bone
  
• Jack's Midnight Ride - ltd winter 08 color - no longer available - muted steel blue shimmer - outer v and crease and under eye
  

Lips:

NYX Long Lip Pencil - Mauve
NYX Round Lipstick - Christie
Isadora Chrome Lip Polish - Brisk Coral




And the result?
















So; what do you think of this look?


That's all I have for now, hope you've enjoyed :)