Subtle Transitions

FOTD & Back 2 MAC

2011-08-17T20:41:00.003-04:00

I have finally accumulated and used 7 MAC packages. The program only requires 6 empty containers, but I wasn't so sure about the eye makeup remover as a qualifying container. I decided to break my new habit of solely using the PUR minerals palette. Today, I used my Urban Decay Book of Shadow's VOL I. I used Gridlock as my lid color, on top of Benefit's Stay Don't Stray (which isn't all that great, imo). My crease color and highlight, I returned back to the PUR minerals palette - same colors as my previous post. I used MAC's Ablaze blush & MAC's Pucker Tendertone.

I trimmed my bangs last night, I need some thinning shears.

Process of moving back home, hence all the boxes.

Today's only errand consisted of going to the MAC counter at Macy's. I arrived with my empty containers and walked away with Capricious lipcolor. I feel I already have a color similar to it, Lightly Ripe or Buoy o Buoy - which are both limited edition, so I'm not complaining since I love both colors. I was almost tempted to get Cyber or Diva, since fall is around the corner but I have so many deep berry colors already.

I think that's all I have for today, might play around with more makeup tonight.

Current Cosmetic Faves

2011-08-16T22:07:00.004-04:00

It has been quite some time since I have posted. Quick catch up, I've graduated college and have a little bit of free time on my hands and lots of make up that needs to be used. I've since thrown away my coastal scents 88 palette, as I became too dependent on it to achieve looks. Now, I have quickly replaced the 88 palette with the PUR minerals palette that I rediscovered. Oy, I need to get a rotation started.

Since it's summer, hot and humid here in Virginia, I try to wear minimal make up when I do go out. These are my current faves:

Pur Minerals Inspire, Reflect, Celebrate palette
Everyday Minerals Peach color corrector
MAC Spaced Out Sheertone Shimmer blush
Loreal Hydra Perfecte Loose Powder
MAC Blacktrack Fluidline
Maybelline concealer
PUR Minerals 4-in-1 Pressed MIneral Makeup
Make Up Forever Sens'eyes (eye makeup remover)

I've been using Vanilla Foldspar (lid color), Olivenight (crease color), White Opal (highlight) the most out of this palette. Here is the look I created today on my day off to do errands.

Excuse the in your face grillin' you look. Oh, I'm in my "house clothes" too.

Til next time!

What Are Putting On Your FACE/BODY?

2009-09-09T11:25:00.002-04:00

I was in my Human Biology class and my professor brought up this website during lecture.

http://www.cosmeticsdatabase.com/

Basically, this is a database of makeup and beauty products. It lists the hazard levels of an item you search. I was pretty much blown away. Upon searching, you can select a product which then details ingredients in the product that are linked to: CANCER, DEVELOPMENTAL/REPRODUCTIVE TOXICITY, etc.

Man, I know "Beauty is pain" but its costing us our health too, damn! :P

Hmm, I just felt like sharing that.

3 Months and Some Change

2009-08-31T16:29:00.003-04:00

Yes, it has been a while since I have dipped my feet into this blog. Honestly, since school has ended I haven't really played around with my makeup. Summer has been so busy ... work, summer school, & trying to enjoy the little time I had between that. I have only worn makeup twice the whole summer.

I'll leave a few pics of a look I came up with last night. I was feeling some sort of a Coppery color from Coastal Scents & MAC's Carbon theme going on. I might post up things I used, but I am far too lazy right now. :P

If you want to know what I used, let me know. Take Care.

Prepared To Be Amazed

2009-05-03T01:39:00.006-04:00

Continuing from my last post -- I was ready to go to bed, I had to take off my "face". I went to my new love, the Equate Makeup Remover Wipes. I only had to use one to take off foundation, blush, eyeshadow, mascara, & (majority of) eyeliner.

As you can see, the majority of the products are gone.

The texture of the cloth really helps pick up the makeup. I am going to have to go back to Wal-mart and get a bigger size than the trial/travel pack.

Tame the Mane . . . rawr!

2009-04-30T02:07:00.006-04:00

As I mentioned in my previous entry, I had went to an End of the Year dinner. I wanted to wear my hair down, since I always wear it up. When I do have my hair down, people who know me ask, "Why don't you wear your hair down more often?" With good reason, you will see shortly. My hair is thick and wavy. I occasionally wear it down wavy, but it seems I have to weigh it down with so much product. Since it is practically summer, no reason in having everything melt under the sun. So I like to have my hair straight with minimal product.

The products used were:

CHI 44 Iron Guard

Redken Outshine 01

Redken Glass 01

CHI Turbo Straightner

I used the CHI Iron Guard spray, then following up with Redken Outshine 01 before blowdrying. The Redken outshine is an anti-frizz polishing milk. It claims to: Defy frizz with super shine and clean definition. Light cream styler with shea butter melts on outspoken shine and smoothness. After blowdrying my hair, I sprayed the CHI Iron Guard prior to straightening my hair. I used my CHI Turbo to get the job done. After an hour of straightening (no joke!), I glossed it up with Redken Glass 01, a smoothing serum. This serum claims to: Kick-up the shine and flatten frizz.

Overall, I am satisfied with these products. Two haircuts ago, the hairdresser used these products and was pleased with the results.

This is after about 10minutes of blowing drying my hair.

Here is a picture at the dinner with this guy. :]

Credit to: Harvey Samaco

EOTN: Silver Smoke

2009-04-29T00:50:00.017-04:00

I had the urge to play with my makeup after talking to Monica earlier tonight. :]

After coming from an "end of the year" dinner, I came home at a crossroads: to go out or stay home. A majority of people were going to celebrate that the semester being over and a Reading Day (no school) tomorrow -- but I decided to stay in. I already had some foundation & some eyeliner on from the dinner, so I decided to "bump it up" and update this puppy.

I came up with a silver look, mainly because I was feeling "poetic". I've come to the conclusion that people I've come across think I am cold hearted or mistake my shyness as being snobby. I think I'll just save that discussion for my personal xanga account. Ha.

Anyways, here is what I came up with ...

FACE:

Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion

MAC Studio Tech "NC43"

MAC Blot Powder "Dark"

MAC Blush "Sunbasque"

EYES:

MAC "Rubenesque" Paintpot

MAC "Platinum" pigment

MAC Water Based Mixing Medium

MAC "Tete-a-Tint" e/s

MAC "Sweet Sienna" pigment

Coastal Scents "A11"'

MAC "Engraged" e/l

CoverGirl VolumeExact mascara

LIPS:

Carmex

Loreal Colour Riche "Tawny" l/s

MAC "Tenderbaby" Tendertone

Symbollicaly, with this picture - I am heading off to bed. I am exhausted.

REVIEW: Equate Facial Cleansing Towelettes

2009-04-21T01:55:00.007-04:00

I completely jinxed myself. I said I was going to update the next day, but of course I didn't get a chance to get around to update. Like I said in my previous blog, I wanted to review/introduce my newest love. Allow me to introduce you to EQUATE FACIAL CLEANING TOWELETTES.

Pros:
- Really inexpensive
- Textured to grab all the makeup
- Full of moisture
- No eye irritations
- Only need one wipe for face, eye, lip makeup
- Smells delightful

Cons:
- Doesn't completely remove eyeliner

I bought this at a Wal-Mart, for $1.97 + tax, when I forgot to pack my MAC wipes. This is comparable to the Ponds Wipes, but since I just needed something to take off my makeup for that night and I had my MAC wipes in my apartment -- I saw no need to purchase the "brand name". For an off brand, I was pleasantly surprised.

It may not be able to remove all the eyeliner, I don't mind. Fifteen wipes for that unbeatable price, I can't complain. Plus, it didn't give my mild abrasions near my eye which the MAC wipes did. The wipe is really soft and full of moisture.

I would definitely but this again!

Summer Citrus

2009-04-15T01:25:00.008-04:00

Two days in a row. I promised myself that I would update every day this week before I go back home for the weekend. Two down, THREE MORE TO GO. :]

After I took my shower, I put on some sleep clothes and it just so happened to be a yellow shirt. I decided to do a look I would wear in the summer. Plus, today was super ugly. I needed a bit of sun to help me look forward to summer.

Once again, the BF played photographer. Since I can't extend my arm that long with his camera. If I took pictures with my camera, everything would have been washed out.

Here is my, "HURRY UP & TAKE THE PICTURE" look.

FACE:

Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Mineral Makeup "Tan"

Sephora Bronzer "Caribbean"

MAC Blush "Other Worldly"

MAC Fix+

EYES:

UDPP

Loreal HIP "Flare" e/s
MAC Tete-a-Tint e/s

MAC Melon pigment

Loreal HIP "Adventurous" e/s

Pout eyeliner

LIPS:

Carmex

MAC "Cream O' Spice" Cremestick Liner

MAC Sugar Trance l/g

I blended like no tomorrow. I wanted a sunkissed, starburst look.

So, I re-discovered my Evian Mist hidden away in one of my drawers and decided to alternate between my Fix+. They are practically the same, except the Evian has a fine mist and a wider span. I think I'll carry it around with me once it gets really hot for a quick skin pick me up.

Evian and Fix+ gets love from me. :]

I originally wanted to do a different look today, but I think I'll save it for tomorrow. I am excited. I always wanted to do something outrageous, since it is just makeup -- IT COMES OFF! ;] Speaking of coming off, I'll share one of my new "holy grail" findings. I LAAVES IT.

Natural/Neutral

2009-04-14T01:50:00.012-04:00

I haven't been keeping up with this blog. I've been dabbling in my makeup here and there but I always forget to update this. School has been keeping me busy. Ironically, I have a bunch of homework/studying/projects I should have been doing, instead I was playing with makeup. Excuse the frizzy hair and the bummy attire. :]

I decided to come up with a look I would feel confident wearing to class ... if only I wake up early enough to execute it. LOL Nonetheless, here is what I came up with.

FACE:

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer

MAC Studio Tech "NC43"

MAC Blot Powder "Dark"

MAC Blushcreme "Lilicent"

MAC Blush "Sunbasque"

Evian Eau Minerale Naturelle

EYES:

UDPP

MAC Ricepaper e/s

MAC Tete-A-Tint e/s

MAC Museum Bronze Pigment

Coastal Scents "A10"

MAC Powerpoint Pencil "Engravaed"

LIPS:

MAC Prep + Prime Lip

MAC "3N" l/s

Stila Lip Glaze "Vanilla"

I want to be able to do the "Egyptian/Cat" eyeliner near my tearducks. No such luck. :

Maui decided to come out and play with Mama.

Me & my babies.

The Laura Mercier was a sample I got from making an online purchase from Sephora. I like it way better than my Smashbox Color Correcting Primer. First off, it's so silky and smooth. I feel Smashbox is a bit chalky and grainy. I don't know, maybe it's just me. I am contemplating whether or not I should finish my Smashbox before spluring on a $30.00 tube of that stuff. Hmm, what to do, what to do?

I am tempted to purchase The Brush Guard. I don't see it as a necessity, since I have been able to wash my brushes and travel fine WITHOUT it so far ... so I don't see why I would need it now. Err, fighting temptations.

Hope you ladies had a joyous Easter & enjoy your week! :]

Perks of a College Student

2009-04-02T16:25:00.004-04:00

So being a college student has its perks ... xsparkage posted this on her blog, but I wanted to share just in case some of you haven't come across it. I wonder if this 20% off includes Stila, UrbanDecay, and their other high end products. If so, I would like to pick up more UrbanDecay shadows. They are so velvetty, though some have that chunky glitter, which me no likey.

Now we have something to look forward every first Tuesday of the month!

It's been HOW LONG?

2009-04-01T05:50:00.009-04:00

I went to the makeup tutorial and was somewhat not impressed. In my opinion, I felt it was poorly organized and the student coordinators were unprofessional. They did have a raffle, it was Philosophy FULL SIZED goodies - a bunch of them. The ticket that won was ONE NUMBER before mine. I was bummed. :

However, here are the freebies that were passed out: a sample Philosophy's Pure Grace, a sample of Philosophy's Purity, and Estee Lauder's Hydra Bright Skin Tone Perfecting Moisturizer. There was another option to the Estee Lauder for dry skin, but since I have patchy skin I went with Hydra Bright.

I was bored one weekend night and there was nothing to do, I decided to play around with some makeup. I re-created or inspired by RissRose2's Smokey Purple Eye and decided to see what I could do.

This was taken with the boyfriend's camera. I'll upload some pics that came out crappy with my camera, too. I improvised with the stuff I had. I didn't have MAC Rule, so I used something similar to it from my Coastal Scents palette.

Make Up Used:

MAC Studio Tech NC43

MAC Blot Powder "Dark"

Evian Facial Mist

UDPP

UD Mayhem

UD Last Call

Coastal Scents "D2"

Coastal Scents "A10"

MAC Blacktrack Fluidline

MAC Engraved Powerpoint Eyeliner

CoverGirl Volume Exact

MAC Sunbasque Blush

MAC Wildly Lush Plushglass

Spring Break Haulage & Update

2009-03-18T22:55:00.007-04:00

I am excited for tomorrow's makeup tutorial with Lancome professionals. I haven't decided if I was going to go there in the "raw" just in case I get lucky and have someone apply makeup on myself. I'm currently leaning towards just wearing moisturizer to the event.

Anyways, I wanted to share the various knick-knacks I got over Spring Break. Oddly, I went to Ulta twice; knowing I did not NEED to make any purchases. Also, I finally got my Cibu order. I have heard so many great things about Cibu. Aubrey has nothing but good things to say and LePooke on YouTube had a video about such a great deal they were offering: 1L of Shampoo or Conditioner for $15.99. The lower weighing products cost MORE. I had to jump on it! Ladies, the sale is still going on; head over to www.cibuinternational.com!

I ordered my shampoo and conditioner on Feb 20, but the shipping somehow got screwed up with FedEx. I contacted Jenn from Cibu and she was considerate and very helpful. Nonetheless, I got my order from my apartment leasing office.

Without further adieu . . .

I got the Color Protecting line, since my hair is deathly dry.

I wanted to try the China Glaze line, so I picked up a bottle at Ulta. It might just be giving OPI a run for their money. I got a hair brush to tame my hair before straightening. You can never have too many pointed qtips to clean up areas. I mainly use them when I solely wear eyeliner and make one line thicker than the other. LOL Ooh, Kmart in VaBeach is having a store closing, but I felt I came a bit late since it looked like a tornado hit that place. I was able to snag some Revlon foundation and some lipliner which both were 40% off the originial price.

Not much, but I am glad I didn't go overboard. :) I wish there was a store closing here, so I can indulge once more. LOL.

Gift Baskets? Say What?!

2009-03-16T21:38:00.002-04:00

Finally, my school is offering something worth my while -- makeup wise. The university is having a make up tutorial with Lancôme professionals. In addition, there will be gift baskets raffled.

So for those of you "RAM Ladies" interested, its on Thursday, March 19 from 5 to 7. I may be there to partake in the festivities. :]

Long OVERDUE.

2009-03-12T14:07:00.008-04:00

Currently, it's spring break for us here. Knowing I would have more time, I went home last Friday afternoon with some makeup -- with hopes of actually playing with some looks. I did something out of my comfort zone of neutrals and such, with a bright pink and grey smokey eye.

I started off with my Stila tinted moisturizer since it had SPF in it and I was going to be out in the sun. It's a bit on the thick side, but i watered it down with some Fix+. I dont know if that's bad or not, but I didn't want to put so much on and be oily the whole day.

Products used:

Stila Illuminating Tinted Moisturizer

Pur Minerals in Tan

Everyday Minerals Color Correcting in Peach

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk

Coastal Scents 88 Palette (not the shimmer one)

MAC Blacktrack Fluidline

MAC Powerpoint Eye Pencil in Engraved

MAC Blush in Other Worldy

MAC Lipglass in Sugar Trance

*I didn't feel like wearing mascara that day.

Now, for some FOTDs.

I was in mid-blink. LOL.

In the evening, it was getting a bit cold out.

I'm back in my apartment in Richmond since I had to take care of my little one since she got spayed Tuesday. I left majority of my things at home, but I'll pick them up Friday. I got a few things here and there, so I'll do a haul post later when I've got everything together in one location. LOL

Not So New to Blogspot

2009-03-02T23:01:00.000-05:00

Welcome to Blogspot, Riza.

No, not really. I've had this thing since October 2008 but I had no idea what I wanted to do with it. I knew I wanted it to be somewhat makeup related since I am completely enamored and religiously check blogs like fafinettex3, xppinkxx, nessasarymakeup, yummiebitez, pursebuzz and all the other makeup gurus. I enjoy reading their finds such as coupons or online deals, and their hauls. I will say I plan my purchases around their valued two cents.

I know some that know me that come across my blog will be very surpised to find out that I love all things beauty related, since I show little interest in my appearance when I go to class. That is mainly because I am so lazy to wake up the extra 30min to an hour to get ready. So, so sad I know. However, I do enjoy getting ready to go out on the weekends when I am able to get ready at my own pace.

Since I have my new prescription of contacts, I feel more motivated to wake up early and create some looks.

I am by no means a professional, just a 21 year old coming into my womanhood. I've learned many things shying away from this blog and plan to learn more.

Come along with me in my journey. ;)

Test Post

2008-10-17T03:21:00.000-04:00

TEST POST