tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-45494355430453199782024-03-14T00:40:19.184-07:00peachy noonit's after noon. do you know where your makeup is?Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.comBlogger77125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-29496765496775960702015-12-19T15:27:00.001-08:002015-12-21T13:33:44.099-08:00Lonely Planet Co, the Sequel: Strange Obsession, New Pleasure & Starr<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Pleasure, Strange Obsession* and Starr liquid lipsticks from Lonely Planet Co</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>*Strange Obsession was given to me as a gift in an order along with another color, Pet Cemetary, and a thank-you note telling me they enjoyed my last blog post. I also was given some cute <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/9ioZVGMHsV/">handmade earrings</a> (wearing them in that photo) by the owner's mother too! I was not given these with any sort of implicit implication I'd be obligated to review them or anything of the sort, but I still want to note that this particular color was a gift. Starr and New Pleasure were purchased myself without any special discounts or circumstances.</i></span></blockquote>
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I still haven't seen the sun very much lately. That's a bad excuse, I know, but it does tend to complicate things a bit when you largely prefer to photograph in natural light and our Winter Sad-B-Gone lamp doesn't quite cut it as well as the real stuff.<br />
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I got smiled on about two weeks ago, though. "Is that sun??" I said in disbelief as we left the cafeteria. "Holy shit that's the sun! That's totally the sun!!"<br />
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Winter here kinda makes you react to the sun like a person reacts to spotting Brad Pitt at the grocery store.<br />
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Anyways, long story short I ran home and used the last precious half hour of sunlight I had to do what I wanted: swatch up some good stuff.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lonely Planet Co Strange Obsession, New Pleasure and Starr in natural light.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Better shot of Starr. These are always so smooth!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you sun.</td></tr>
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If you'd like a better rundown of the formula, you can find that <a href="http://peachynoon.blogspot.fi/2015/06/lonely-planet-co-debbie-brick-city.html">here</a> in my first review of these! I do find some of these, like New Pleasure and Strange Obsession, can be a little more runny, but Starr and other darker colors like Brick City are a bit stiffer and more mousse-like. These go on creamy and dry down matte but still retain a slight moisturizing feel to them underneath. They also have a light vanilla frosting scent that dissipates fairly quickly.<br />
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New Pleasure is pinker and more muted here than you'd expect going off of their etsy listing. I think their etsy swatch throws people off a little, because it looks a smidge brighter and more purple there, which is why I honestly recommend <a href="https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/lonelyplanetgirls/">searching instagram</a> for swatches of these before you buy. I love Lonely Planet because of their muted colors, but I think the muted nature of them naturally makes them difficult to pinpoint with just one swatch to go off of, since they're affected a lot of times by lip pigmentation, skin tone and other factors. I wouldn't say their etsy swatches are inaccurate, because at the end of the day they are actual photographs of the colors and not photoshopped representations, just that there are about twenty bajillion things that can affect the appearance of a color in a photo vs in real life<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wearing Strange Obsession in natural light. <br />
Crooked glasses, whoops!</td></tr>
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<b>Strange Obsession</b> is a taupe color with slightly grey and purple tones to it. It's a nice take on the greige lip trend, which is pretty much my favorite lip trend of all time honestly. It is a little sheer on the first coat, so I recommend just going back in with a little more product if you want very opaque color, but overall getting it to opacity is not challenging at all.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Do you like my kitchen? I love my kitchen.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New Pleasure in natural light.</td></tr>
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<b>New Pleasure</b> is a mauve-y plum color that is, quite honestly, my favorite. I say a lot of things are my favorite, but out of my current Lonely Planet lipsticks this one is actually, really my favorite. It's got just the right balance of muted pink and purple tones for me, and I love it double over a mauve lipliner (my current go-to is Wild Rose Lipliner in shade 2 from Lumene). This one is a bit more liquid-y like Strange Obsession and will require maybe an extra wand pull for true opacity, but on my lips the sheerness doesn't look overly weird or patchy if I only go for one coat.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I love that one curl of hair that's always trying to escape.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Starr in natural light.</td></tr>
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<b>Starr</b> is a deep, dark brown with a slightly red undertone, but not too red that it pulls more dark red or burgundy than true brown. This is one that I'd recommend a brown or nude lipliner under just to tighten it up, but other than that despite being so dark it's very easy to achieve full opacity with about two coats, and there's very minimal issues with patchiness or that weird semi-transparent line of color you get around the rim of your lips, if you know what I mean. Like when you try and get a dark color on the cupids bow but then when you close your mouth some of it transfers so you have a solid line at the rim but it's patchy below that? Yeah, none of that here, which is good. This shade also looks great on a <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/-NUV0WxTwN/">variety</a> of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/-KNxqpRT50/">skin</a> <a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/99g2qxRTxi/">colors</a>.<br />
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I continue to really love this brand's color range for more unique muted shades, though like I advised above, checking instagram is a really good idea to get a feel on how a color will translate irl. They've become my go-to company when I want a more toned-down mauve/nude/brown shade in a liquid matte formula. I actually play roulette with these, because I keep like five of them in my purse. (Starr is the only one that doesn't go in there, because the darkness requires a bit more methodical application.) Mid-day if I haven't applied lipstick yet and I'm feelin' it I'll reach in, grab one, and that is the day's victor. They're all so easy to wear and flattering that I have zero fear.<br />
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Overall, there are no duds here. I own around seven of Lonely Planet Co's lip products now and I haven't come across a dud yet! They have consistent quality with shades that are easy to build to opacity, and the staying power is surprisingly strong despite their slightly more wet feel on the lips, which usually indicates transfer city. If you really want a creamier liquid lipstick or one that's not as drying as traditional formulas, this is totally my pick.<br />
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<b style="font-size: small;">Where to buy:</b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span><b style="font-size: small;">Lonely Planet Co</b><span style="font-size: x-small;"> on </span><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LonelyPlanetCo" style="font-size: small;"><b>Etsy</b></a><span style="font-size: x-small;">.</span>Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-8088035497401437972015-10-19T12:48:00.001-07:002015-10-19T12:48:08.179-07:00capitalism hates her!!! ONE WEIRD TRICK to save your dried up makeups!!!!!!!!!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ONE WEIRD TRICK!!!</td></tr>
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I really couldn't resist giving this a clickbait title, I really couldn't.<br />
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Anyways so last week I was in Helsinki, and for those of you (ok like everyone except Iris and Noora and anyone else Finnish who might click this) who don't know, Urban Decay recently came here to our tiny country! Yay! We have been blessed. The Nordics are <a href="http://pixijasmine.com/2015/10/exclusive-launch-kat-von-d-sephora-scandinavia/">slowly becoming smiled upon</a> by the God of Beauty Capitalism, honestly.<br />
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<a name='more'></a>Anyways, my complete joy for being able to finally get my hands on stuff without jumping through several circus hoops aside, a while back I had to de-pot (de-tube?) my UDPP. It was starting to separate in a way that no amount of squeezing the tube would fix, so I cut it open and scraped every last bit I could find into a little travel pot. All was well.<br />
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Until recently I realized it was becoming harder and harder to blend over, though I was unsure if I was imagining it. I ended up swatching a tester at the counter in Helsinki to be sure and yep, the sad truth became known: mine was drying out.<br />
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Given the picture up there you can probably guess the endgame but spoiler: I fixed it. I didn't have the 25€-ish on hand to buy a new one, so upon coming home I had the clever idea to at least try adding a bit of TKB's My Mix Press-It Binder to it and see if it would rise from the dead. I figured if I ruined it, no foul because it was getting unusable anyways.<br />
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But it lives! I just squeezed in about 3ish fat drops, stirred and prayed. And voila! It's smoother, but still plenty sticky enough. It feels almost like it did when new!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My dear sweet hero...</td></tr>
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Having this success, I also managed to fix one other near-disaster: my eyeliner. I have the MUFE No. 27 Aqua Creme, and it's a bit old (I bought it in the States, if that says anything...) and to the point where it now flakes and crumbles on application. Two drops of the TKB Binder, some hardcore stirring and...we have a miracle on our hands. It dries down the same but is now much, much easier to work with, less stiff and doesn't flake, and spreads easily.<br />
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Voila! TKB Press-It Binder has become my little miracle worker at the moment. It's also great for its namesake, which is for pressing loose shadows! A little goes a long way too, I've probably pressed at least 20-ish shadows plus used some for my makeup reviving needs and I still have a very full bottle.<br />
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What I have here is the <a href="http://howtomakecosmetics.com/products/mymix-clear-pressing-medium?variant=739375245">2oz bottle</a>, which runs about 5 USD, not including shipping. Totally worth every penny if you're looking to press shadows, even moreso if you can get in with a group order. (Also totally worth it: their mica in Echo, but more on that in another post some other time.)<br />
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In other news I've been carefully caring for my pathetic nails, and they're growing out nicely! Some are already long enough to be shaped and give at least a few of my fingers a good claw-esque look. My nail polish lust consumes me terribly.<br />
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The manicure above is this week's, Femme Fatale Fiends group-exclusive Unwoven Light polish, with the ring & thumbs having gradient tips of Shleee polish's Aquaman. Both of these polishes are currently unavailable from the makers, so my deepest apologies for showing you pretty things you can't have. However, both makers make excellent polishes consistently, so they're sure to have something else just as gorgeous somewhere for you to snatch up. Also Femme Fatale Fiends is a great Facebook group to join if you enjoy sneak-peeks of FF's latest wares, though all of the swatch and haul posts can make your heart ache, so careful with that!<br />
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But to wrap this up, my makeup has been saved, my nails are pretty, and I have to go to bed if I have any hope of doing well on my Finnish tests tomorrow. I'm almost at Level 3 of 4 already, can you believe it???? Time really really flies somehow...maybe soon I can attempt a few bilingual posts, with some heavy proofreading.<br />
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'Til Next Time,<br />
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Noon<br />
<br />Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-4988426470018337812015-08-30T08:32:00.000-07:002015-08-30T08:36:24.335-07:00thanks to writing this review of arcana's ophiuchus, i have gotten really good at spelling ophiuchus without googling it<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arcana Soaps Ophiuchus</td></tr>
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Ophiuchus is one of Arcana's newer scents from their Summer Constellation line, and part of my impulse to purchase it was purely on the name alone. I love astrology and myth quite a bit, so a perfume based on the snake bearer drew me in, especially with promises of frankincense. I was expecting to probably like this, but I wasn't quite prepared for just <i>how much</i>. This is good to me, so so good. I've been unintentionally applying this nearly daily in the haze of my early morning shuffle to get presentable for class <i>suomeksi</i>. </div>
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<i>Blackest vanilla, sweet cream, and patchouli wind around mandarin, tangerine, petitgrain, ginger, citron, and bright frankincense tears. </i></blockquote>
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As this first opens I'm hit with the slightly medicinal edge of the patchouli, followed by the bright citrus. The citrus is bright but not too astringent, for me it has a fruity and slightly watery quality rather than a bitter one. On the skin as it dries the cream comes out, as does the frankincense, giving this a slightly spicy and cologne-like edge. Somehow I almost feel like combined with the citrus it feels like candied orange, but yet not? The cream floats in the back and rounds this out. The ginger may also be there, but it hides from me between the citrus and the frankincense. It's not a single note that I can detect alone, but if I try hard enough I can sense where it might be lurking. The patchouli lingers on top with the slight medicinal and sharp edge, but it's just enough to keep this from being too sweet or gourmand. It's spicy, creamy, fruity, a little sweet and a little sharp. This scent is glorious.</div>
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On the topic of the name, Ophiuchus, this scent does not make me immediately think 'snake bearer', but when I take time to ponder it, I understand. Green patchouli, bright orange and yellow citrus flesh and peelings, deep black-brown vanilla pods, frothy white cream, and beautifully translucent amber-colored frankincense. Together, they remind one of the colors of a hot jungle floor, lush with green plants, and the thick, slithering body of a python. I feel like it can't be anything but intentional that these scents not only blend well as perfume components but also as a color palette for the great snake Ophiuchus is eternally wrestling in the sky.</div>
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I get good wear from this, usually after a full day of about 7-8 hours it gets too faint to detect unless I jam my face into my wrist, but it's still detectably there. The sillage I find isn't too overly strong, it tends to stay pretty close to the skin, but I'm curious how that might change as it ages. </div>
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Overall, this is a killer scent. Amazingly well-blended and just overall delicious. Ophiuchus' snake wound its perfume around my heart and wrestled it to the ground. 3...2...1...! Round over! I'm more than happy to be entangled in its grasp.</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Where to buy:</b> <b><a href="http://www.therhinestonehousewife.com/products/product-detail.php?iid=640">Rhinestone Housewife</a></b> or <a href="http://www.prettyindulgent.com/collections/frontpage/products/summer-constellations-collection?variant=3390870020" style="font-weight: bold;">Pretty Indulgent</a>,<b> </b>prices vary by stockist.</span></div>
Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-48477783994078244592015-07-22T08:12:00.000-07:002015-07-22T08:12:24.296-07:00it is summer and i am somehow not a sweaty mess.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NERFntWHWT8/VWmR0BHu7AI/AAAAAAAABuE/tesbTKEabnU/s1600/_MG_2844.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NERFntWHWT8/VWmR0BHu7AI/AAAAAAAABuE/tesbTKEabnU/s400/_MG_2844.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is what dreams are made of.</td></tr>
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I sweat like a pig. I don't know why, I assume it has something to do with being such a hot-blooded person that even in coat-appropriate weather I'll get home and strip and lay on the couch and moan, "It's so waaarrrmmm." People usually stop me and ask me if I'm cold with genuine concern, but I rarely am. It seems I have the heat-producing capabilities of a large dog.<br />
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And sadly yes, tmi but I have the smell to match when I sweat.<br />
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I have been trying out several different "natural" deodorants in hopes of getting rid of the stink, at least, if not the sweat too. And Finally!, I have the miracle answer.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMd_9g2nW1s/VWmYHOJp_tI/AAAAAAAABuU/S9nGu6WSIFM/s1600/_MG_2845.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-iMd_9g2nW1s/VWmYHOJp_tI/AAAAAAAABuU/S9nGu6WSIFM/s400/_MG_2845.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenter Square's trial size Finally! deo in Vanilla Mint.</td></tr>
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A user had posted a review of Scenter Square's products they'd gotten at the Bristol Renaissance Faire (which I have been to back in the States--twice, even!) and mentioned their Finally! deodorant as being incredible. I Googled it, and as soon as I read the process of formulating it involving using an actual chemistry degree, I was sold. (Seriously. I appreciate natural and stripped-down products where appropriate, but <a href="http://www.lisaliseblog.com/2012/10/why-your-diy-baking-soda-deodorant-is.html">baking soda and coconut oil a good deodorant does not make</a>. I've actually had a bad pit-peeling reaction to a deodorant cream I tried off Etsy back before I was really into the "indie scene". Don't do it guys. Love your pits.)<br />
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Despite it being summer, it somehow hasn't been so miserably hot this year that I've been sweating the flesh off my bones, but I've still be sweating an average enough amount to say this stuff really, truly works. It goes on slightly white and can clump up in the folds of your armpit skin if you apply too much, and will leave white marks on clothes, so not overly revolutionary there. But as for power? Yeah, this stuff is tops.<br />
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It stays pretty dry, which surprised me. When I started trying this out I had a cute little forest of underarm hair and it managed to keep me dry even with that challenge. It also keeps me from smelling hideous. Even with standard deodorants I tend to find I get that "sweat-covered-by-flowers" smell. With this it doesn't smell amazing, but it tends to smell just a lot closer to "barely anything". The large patchouli version I have of this isn't my favorite scent, as patchouli can end up smelling a bit musty or moldy, but overall the scents of these tend to be fairly subtle and the formula does a good job of neutralizing odor and not just covering it. I've also tried Honeycakes, which is much sweeter and more pleasant to me in terms of residual fragrance.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQBGpp0Hnv4/Vag31XdKdGI/AAAAAAAAB1U/wAH-rHHAanI/s1600/_MG_2847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DQBGpp0Hnv4/Vag31XdKdGI/AAAAAAAAB1U/wAH-rHHAanI/s400/_MG_2847.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scenter Square Lip Butter in Vanilla Bean Tangerine</td></tr>
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Scenter Square also makes Lip Butters, which I initially had thrown in my first order as a, "Meh, it makes shipping worth it and I always need lip balm because I will die without it" sort of thing.<br />
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That dumb reasoning changed my life, really. I had thought maybe these would be decent, since they're coconut oil free and use mango butter, which I love, but these are like...oh. Oh ho man. They are the silkiest smoothest lip balm I have ever felt in my entire existence. They're soft but not oily, firm enough on the lips without being too waxy, and they leave your lips so, so incredibly soft. I have not exfoliated my lips in months really due to laziness, and thanks to these I don't need to. I only tend to now have flaky lips when I forget to pocket one of these (which is rarely) or when I use something else. These leave my lips so soft and moisturized that I have actually spent time accidentally touching my lips because I now have tiny pillows on my face.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lHRen7dWRmY/Vag51p7L1-I/AAAAAAAAB1g/oZ1RJnID7to/s1600/_MG_2846.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lHRen7dWRmY/Vag51p7L1-I/AAAAAAAAB1g/oZ1RJnID7to/s400/_MG_2846.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Occasionally you get a funky pour, but I have found it does not affect the actual quality of the balm itself.</td></tr>
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If you like TenThree's Salve Sticks (which I do!) but have found them a tad too slick or oily for you, I feel you will probably love these. In fact I can't think of someone who wouldn't love these, unless you prefer really stiff waxy balms or ones that melt into oil at the touch. These also have no coconut oil or beeswax or lanolin for people who prefer to avoid any of those. They also come in quite a few flavors, I personally have tried:<br />
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<b>Pumpkin Chai Spice</b> (very good, very pumpkin spice latte-esque, but incredibly weird to put on at the height of summer because it smells so much like mid-October to me), <b>Wintermint</b> (basic spearmint with a slight sweetness), <b>Vanilla Bean Tangerine</b> (smells like a delicious creamsicle but tastes/smells a bit like very nice laundry soap on my lips, but without the soapy part, so I am so confused), and <b>Passionfruit Rose</b> (fruity and tangy, but also heavy on the fresh rose without too powdery). All very decent flavors, none of them smelled too fake or generic, which I always appreciate in a product.<br />
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Overall Scenter Square has a lot of offerings I haven't even delved into trying yet either, but if these are anything to judge by, I would believe their quality must be fantastic. For those itching to be part of the process, they even sell DIY kits for making shampoo and conditioner bars! (I'd totally nab one if international shipping wasn't so...internationally priced.) They have a lot to offer, I also bought their cuticle balm and didn't include it in this review, but it's worth looking into if you don't mind your cuticle balms ointment-y and non-vegan.<br />
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Maybe if you're lucky instead of hitting up their online shop you can even run into them at a Midwest Renfair (like Bristol, the best Renfair ever) this summer!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Where to buy:</b> <b><a href="http://www.scentersquare.com/">Here</a></b> at <b>ScenterSquare.com*</b> or <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ScenterSquare?ref=shopsection_shophome_leftnav">here</a></b> at their <b>Etsy</b>.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>*Note that if you are international and buying from their website the shipping doesn't like to calculate properly and Paypal tries to error when you pay, so you're better off emailing them or ordering from their Etsy, which has less options but calculates shipping correctly. I'm unsure if they're working on fixing this or not, but they were very friendly and helpful when I emailed and allowed me to place an order via an alternative method.</b></span>Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-6711773459732964612015-06-22T12:38:00.000-07:002015-08-30T08:56:46.283-07:00Lonely Planet Co Debbie & Brick City<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YY_NmmVwGgU/VYg2x0jfmAI/AAAAAAAAByc/Nf4ZPN3COmk/s1600/_MG_2919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YY_NmmVwGgU/VYg2x0jfmAI/AAAAAAAAByc/Nf4ZPN3COmk/s400/_MG_2919.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">The goods!</span></td></tr>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Please note the photos in this post have been adjusted for lighting tint using photoshop to make the colors of the product appear to true life. However, the product has not been enhanced, saturated or otherwise improved in any way.</i></blockquote>
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I forget where I first saw Lonely Plant Co's liquid lipsticks. I think it was a random "liquid lipstick" Etsy search and they popped up. Either way they happened to enter my life at a time when I was desperately searching for a good nude liquid lipstick, but at the moment they only had one shade I wanted, so I shelved that idea. But then a few weeks later they came out with more shades AND a sale...so I took the plunge.<br />
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I've been giving these a test run for a few days straight now and feel like I have a solid grip on the formula and my feelings about it, so let's get down to it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7sgJEsji8tw/VYg5ztgiBmI/AAAAAAAAByw/JrCTXtwBKYY/s1600/_MG_2921.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7sgJEsji8tw/VYg5ztgiBmI/AAAAAAAAByw/JrCTXtwBKYY/s400/_MG_2921.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shot of the ingredients!</td></tr>
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Lonely Planet Co has their brand aesthetic based around 70s era New York, which I really love. The names of all their lipsticks reference either pop icons or places from that time, and even their packaging labels have a neon 70s roller rink/disco vibe to them. The box labels were actually what sold me on purchasing from here, weirdly enough, but hear me out!<br />
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When I'm looking at a new indie company I'm not totally sure of, I'll usually look to make sure they have their ingredients listed, real swatches of the product that are undoctored, and what kind of packaging they have. For me, having not only tube labels but also customized box labels (and boxes even, that's not always common for indies) shows a dedication to the product and brand. It's an investment in the company you're now part of, so when I saw Lonely Planet not only had boxes but box labels that look quite pleasing to the eye? I was sold that this product was made by someone who cares about what they do. To me, it's the little extra touches like boxes or custom business cards or nicely drawn labels that make things really feel like you're purchasing from a company that cares about how it presents itself to customers. These things look professional and tell consumers this isn't just someone making cosmetics, this is a <i>brand</i>.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lh17JYhAN6E/VYhFBMQ_iWI/AAAAAAAABzA/3FO2ITx7Wjk/s1600/_MG_2922.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lh17JYhAN6E/VYhFBMQ_iWI/AAAAAAAABzA/3FO2ITx7Wjk/s400/_MG_2922.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another nice professional-looking detail? Perforated shrink wrap baby.</td></tr>
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So, long story short, small touches make me a happy consumer because I feel they further bridge trust between me and that person however-many-thousand miles away. In that respect, Lonely Planet Co is really doin' it right. Everything even came mailed in a lovely bright pink box and packed carefully with pink and purple tissue for those extra cherries on the sundae.<br />
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These also shipped within a few days despite their big sale, so a short TAT is a bonus!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_nGU24J-sc/VYhFNaIHo0I/AAAAAAAABzI/XG7NG3wj4mc/s1600/_MG_2923.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E_nGU24J-sc/VYhFNaIHo0I/AAAAAAAABzI/XG7NG3wj4mc/s400/_MG_2923.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debbie, named after Debbie Harry, and Brick City, which is named after "the streets on an autumn day".</td></tr>
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I picked up two colors I fell in love with: Debbie, a nude, and Brick City, a brick red color that was newly released along with a few other shades at the time of the sale. (Too many brick reds is an impossible thing, right?)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pzt28JBiCoo/VYhGy2iEYQI/AAAAAAAABzU/10vzFfgsu00/s1600/_MG_2948.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pzt28JBiCoo/VYhGy2iEYQI/AAAAAAAABzU/10vzFfgsu00/s400/_MG_2948.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Creamy, dreamy goodness.</td></tr>
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The consistency of these was a bit surprising for me, because they're a lot more cream than liquid. The consistency of these reminds me a bit of the cultish Nyx Soft Matte Lip Creams, but better. (More on that in a sec.) These do have a scent/flavor of frosting, but it's not the standard "vanilla frosting" a lot of lip products have, but what I always detect as strawberry frosting. If you have bought a custom Shiro lipgloss, the scent might be familiar, because it's the exact same as their "Pink Frosting" flavoring/scent they use!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yg6A5Dz9mD0/VYhKRTWRrYI/AAAAAAAABzg/PB1mVo7L76c/s1600/_MG_2949.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yg6A5Dz9mD0/VYhKRTWRrYI/AAAAAAAABzg/PB1mVo7L76c/s400/_MG_2949.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L to R: swatches of Brick City and Debbie in natural light.</td></tr>
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These are basically what Nyx Soft Matte Lip Creams wish they could be. They're very smooth and silky, but they dry to a very nice matte finish that doesn't transfer too much with normal light activities like cheek smooches or drinking coffee. If you apply balm before apply these they tend to keep the moisture in, so they don't always come off as drying as other liquid lipsticks can. I do find they can be a little itchy on the edges sometimes, but I'm not sure if that's entirely important or if it's just my face being fussy. (It's not an allergic reaction though at the very least, I have lip-tested and patch-tested these multiple times with no redness or actual flare-ups of any sort.)<br />
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Anyways, as far as dry time, these do take a bit longer to dry down. They are also not sticky like some liquid lipsticks can be, and when you rub your lips together you don't feel any flaking or crumbling either, like some other liquid lipsticks are prone to do. They set fully probably after a good five minutes or so, before that they can transfer and smudge. They're a bit prone to transfer if you accidentally, say, whack yourself in the face (not that I've done that...) or rub your mouth. Given how different the formula feels from other liquid lipsticks though I was quite surprised how kiss-proof and light snacking-proof these are. They take off best with oil or an oil-based makeup remover and stain very minimally.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hI59hNZqgAg/VYhOOLiSv7I/AAAAAAAABzs/9jvcc5H0gSE/s1600/_MG_3027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hI59hNZqgAg/VYhOOLiSv7I/AAAAAAAABzs/9jvcc5H0gSE/s400/_MG_3027.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brick City on lips in natural light.</td></tr>
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<b>Brick City</b> is a nice Brick Red with a slightly orange-y undertone. It's the slightest bit washed out here, it photographs slightly lighter than it is. In real life it's a slightly deeper burnt red color. I find this one a bit thicker and drier formula-wise than Debbie. It takes a little work to spread it even around the edges of the lips, but it's not overly difficult.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-maeLRAtesis/VYhOsqjMkiI/AAAAAAAABz0/v-Yd6H_cJtM/s1600/_MG_3036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-maeLRAtesis/VYhOsqjMkiI/AAAAAAAABz0/v-Yd6H_cJtM/s400/_MG_3036.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debbie on lips in natural light.</td></tr>
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<b>Debbie</b> is a nice nude, it's a brown with a peachy type of undertone. This formula is a bit wetter than Brick City, thus a smidge more prone to streaks (you can see I got lazy on the upper border of my lips, oops) but overall it's not too difficult to maneuver. This is also a bit darker than it photographed here.<br />
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One note, when I opened Debbie the tube had a smidgen of excess product caught in the threads when I unscrewed it, but it didn't bother me much, since I've had lipglosses from other companies do the same thing. I just felt it was worth mentioning, but overall it was one minor hiccup in what I have found to be a very pleasing order and experience overall.<br />
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Debbie is my favorite for more than just generally liking the color. Debbie is the one thing I thought I wouldn't find and then I found it by accident and...lemme explain. So my favorite favorite nude "lipstick" of all time is MAC's Nice 'n' Spicy Prolongwear Lip Pencil. I'm slowly wearing it down to a nub and I'm just overly in love with it, it's incredibly perfect.<br />
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<i>However </i>I don't wear it as much as I should because it's a bit sticky, being a pencil meant to extend the life of a lipstick layered on top of it. I was never sure if I'd be able to find a properly coordinating lipstick for it, let alone an exact match. I didn't even know where to start.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRtAsfFB3QM/VYhVVrgPwBI/AAAAAAAAB0E/WRJ7XZRTQsE/s1600/_MG_2957.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pRtAsfFB3QM/VYhVVrgPwBI/AAAAAAAAB0E/WRJ7XZRTQsE/s400/_MG_2957.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debbie, with a line of Nice 'n' Spicy swatched under it, and a bit of Nice 'n' Spicy scribbled onto the right end of the swatch to prove just how <i>good</i> a match this is.</td></tr>
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And yeah, you guessed it. Debbie is pretty much an<i> exact color dupe</i>. I bought the exact color dupe I was looking for without even trying. I still am in total shock and awe. I already liked Debbie before I'd really gotten it, but this put me over the moon. In fact, it put me pretty much shooting past the moon out to Jupiter and beyond.<br />
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So I think I've pretty much used up my makeup-allotted good luck for the next five years, but I'm cool with that. This made all the hassle of jailbreaking these out of customs feel totally worth it. So, as always, I leave you with some snaps snagged from instagram of these on a human face:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P5-MRd_zvK4/VYhjf9oiAHI/AAAAAAAAB0U/gVWYE78vE9Q/s1600/11430223_110849012585995_1905685336_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-P5-MRd_zvK4/VYhjf9oiAHI/AAAAAAAAB0U/gVWYE78vE9Q/s400/11430223_110849012585995_1905685336_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brick City.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dmabR0S2Nx4/VYhjkKLz0xI/AAAAAAAAB0c/cOGK_HByJ10/s1600/11353138_415098225349685_748301107_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dmabR0S2Nx4/VYhjkKLz0xI/AAAAAAAAB0c/cOGK_HByJ10/s400/11353138_415098225349685_748301107_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Debbie.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Where to buy: Lonely Planet Co's</b> Etsy shop <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/LonelyPlanetCo">here</a></b>! Also check out the tag #LonelyPlanetGirls on instagram for more swatches and pics of lipsticks by various customers.</span></div>
Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-57226231703416763222015-06-18T10:18:00.000-07:002015-06-22T10:25:08.519-07:00scaredy cat cosmetics: no scare here, but a solid "meh".<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1-7pCuV1gnc/VYHFkSx6VnI/AAAAAAAABwk/4_zdO1Z-l20/s1600/_MG_2928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-1-7pCuV1gnc/VYHFkSx6VnI/AAAAAAAABwk/4_zdO1Z-l20/s400/_MG_2928.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shot of ScaredyCat's Trial Vials in natural light.<br />
L to R: Rose Gold, Hivemind, Kid You Not, Poysonberry Pie, Cirrina.</td></tr>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Please note the photos in this post have been adjusted for lighting tint using photoshop to make the colors of the product appear to true life. However, the product has not been enhanced, saturated or otherwise improved in any way.</i></blockquote>
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Yeah. They're cute, right? Yeah, they're really cute.<br />
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ScaredyCat is one of the indie shops known for using unique vial-style samples for their eyeshadows instead of the classic baggies or clamshells. Personally I do enjoy this style, I find them easier for travel and I enjoy how secure they feel in comparison to a flimsy bag, but in the end I'm not one to outright refuse any style of sample if I want something badly enough.<br />
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And oh, how I wanted the reddest of all red eyeshadows.<br />
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I ended up placing my order for a five-pack of trial vials, which arrived neatly at my local post office about twoish weeks later. I ordered on the 21st of May and they shipped out on the 26th, so they went out pretty fast!<br />
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They came packed no frills, just neatly wrapped in a small plastic bag with a printout of my etsy invoice. I was really excited, mostly for Kid You Not and Cirrina, so I uncorked the small vials of sparkly wonder and went to work.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pM1Q4E8OLxg/VYHNTN4auyI/AAAAAAAABw4/z-bYaAYeqLU/s1600/_MG_2930.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pM1Q4E8OLxg/VYHNTN4auyI/AAAAAAAABw4/z-bYaAYeqLU/s400/_MG_2930.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cirrina uncorked and ready to go!</td></tr>
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I'd read previously on reddit that others tend to use these by dabbing their brush on the end of the stopper, which is a pretty good method. I like to roll it on my hand and then swirl my brush in it, because lately I've come into the habit of using the back of my hand as a mixing/swirling palette.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pVWabdI1Wdk/VYHPbNoekKI/AAAAAAAABxE/S8hqgrIJF5Q/s1600/_MG_2931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pVWabdI1Wdk/VYHPbNoekKI/AAAAAAAABxE/S8hqgrIJF5Q/s400/_MG_2931.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rose Gold and Cirrina in natural light, over UDPP.</td></tr>
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<b>Cirrina</b> was a color I was very excited to recieve, and color-wise it does not disappoint. ScaredyCat has it as a copper with pink undertones. I see the pink in the bottle and on-camera, but in real life I find it a bit more fiery and orange. I have dreamed of owning MAC's Coppering, and from swatches I've seen this seems to be up that same river.<br />
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However formula-wise, this and I have our differences. It's hard to get even on bare lid, it goes patchy in some spots and doesn't want to stick. Over primer it is much easier to smooth out and get even. But, then even with a primer like UDPP, I've had some fading. And weirdly enough the fading wasn't on the sides of the lid but in the center. The color wasn't totally gone but it looked a bit transparent in some spots. I'd worn it maybe four hours or so at that point. Usually with shadows I get creasing but not patchy fading, so this was new for me. I do have very oily lids, so if you have drier lids or have no issues with creasing or fading over a primer you might find these a lot longer wearing than I do!<br />
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Either way Cirrina's color is gorgeous though, and I'm currently debating if I want a full jar of this color badly enough to put up with its quirks.<br />
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<b>Rose Gold </b>is considered a "holy grail" rose gold color by some, so I had to try it. It's rose gold man! It speaks to me on <i>levels</i>. It's a very lovely metallic rose gold that doesn't lean too orange or too gold. I haven't worn this all over the lid yet, so I can't say if it's prone to fading like Cirrina, but I would expect it probably is, since their ingredient lists are pretty close. Overall it's a very nice balanced rose gold color to add to your collection if you're the type that can't get enough.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rfeboT7owJ0/VYLarx_oNdI/AAAAAAAABxg/KASHUTlkAAY/s1600/_MG_2934.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rfeboT7owJ0/VYLarx_oNdI/AAAAAAAABxg/KASHUTlkAAY/s400/_MG_2934.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L to R: Poysonberry Pie, Kid You Not and Hivemind, all over UDPP in natural light.</td></tr>
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<b>Poysonberry Pie </b>is a soft and slighty warm-toned violet shade with a blue shift. It appears a bit more pink than it photographed here, but it's a lovely shade. Not overly unique, but a good staple. I picked it up because I tend to lack proper purples when I need them. It's sheer but can be built up and looks good patted over other shades to give them a nice twist.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's really not Kidding around.</td></tr>
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<b>Kid You Not </b>is crazy. It's red. I've seen people compare this to other reds and say this is the reddest red eyeshadow they've ever found, and I'd believe it. It does need a primer to get the real power out of it, but even without primer it's still decently red. You can see above the difference of the opaque red over primer vs the part where the swatch I've done has gone a bit beyond my circle of primer. It feels rough to the touch and a bit grainy/chalky but somehow blends wonderfully with no streaks or pulling. If you want the reddest red to fulfill your teenage goth dreams, I can see why people mention this one.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gvYpgVh7ibQ/VYLiD6BMFHI/AAAAAAAAByE/vaan1AO0vXE/s1600/_MG_2937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gvYpgVh7ibQ/VYLiD6BMFHI/AAAAAAAAByE/vaan1AO0vXE/s400/_MG_2937.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NO NOT THE BEES!</td></tr>
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<b>Hivemind </b>is a bright matte yellow shade, and boy is it bright. Weirdly though it does seem to have a bit of tonal shimmer? You can see it a bit better in the fullsizes of this and the previous photo above. It's very fine and not enough to make it metallic, but there is some kind of sheen to it. It seems to appear matte when actually used on the eyes. It also needs a primer to get actual impact out of it, without it's fairly faint. You can see on my swatch the part where this has also lapsed into the "no-primer zone" and how it's much less bold than the rest of the swatch. Still I feel this, like Kid You Not, is a fairly solid color and blends well. If you need a super-bright bee butt yellow, this is probably a decent choice.<br />
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Overall these shadows are mostly okay but they don't wow me as much as I'd expected. Cirrina is an amazing color but the formula is a bit weak for my taste, since it doesn't apply as evenly as I'd like. Rose Gold is lovely but the color overall isn't too unique to make it a must-have. Poysonberry Pie is similar in that sense, pretty but overall fairly dupeable, and if your stash is large enough there's a chance you'll have something similar. Kid You Not is the real standout in how bold and punchy it is, but it does require a primer for full effect, though it also does blend well, which is a huge point in its favor. Hivemind is also wonderfully bright over a primer and blends decently.<br />
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For me, I probably won't really be going back for anything unless I decide I'll die without a fullsize of Cirrina and I can't find anything similar to it. I think ScaredyCat makes okay shadows, but your best bet in ordering would be to go after their unique shades or their mattes. I'm not sure if other colors of their shadows share some of Cirrina's quirks but it's quite possible, so if you want to commit to a color, do so to one you absolutely must have and can't get anywhere else.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Where to buy: ScaredyCatCosmetics </b>can be found<b> <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/ScaredyCatCosmetics">here</a> </b>at their Etsy shop<b>.</b></span>Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-6593274949631611542015-06-01T11:59:00.001-07:002015-06-01T12:00:44.673-07:00they say those in glass coffins shouldn't throw stones...<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vSrA5RL1r6M/VWyMrnKfgtI/AAAAAAAABuw/8Sgdbkx5ISI/s1600/_MG_2905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vSrA5RL1r6M/VWyMrnKfgtI/AAAAAAAABuw/8Sgdbkx5ISI/s400/_MG_2905.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Art of Witchcraft and Glass Coffin</td></tr>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Please note the photos in this post have been adjusted for lighting tint using photoshop to make the colors of the product appear to true life. However, the product has not been enhanced, saturated or otherwise improved in any way.</i></blockquote>
Yeah, the 90s are still back. Childhood in a bottle: thermals, glitter, jellies, everything you could want from your 90s childhood is back and blasting you in the face with some elegant polish goodness. I've got Glass Coffin and Art of Witchcraft here giving me some Snow White-inspired fingertip magic. And the ones distributing these little bottles of sparkling joy? None other than the cosmetic thunder down under, Femme Fatale.<br />
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First off I do just need to talk a little bit about how much I love the overall theme of these polishes. Not because I'm incredibly fairytale-obsessed or the like, but more because of the overall uniqueness and coherency of the concept. If you look at <a href="https://instagram.com/p/04u44yuopj/?taken-by=femme_fatale_cosmetics">collective swatches of this collection</a> you can see the overall color scheme and it even gives off an ethereal and enchanted "princess" vibe without being too literal. There's some darkness, some moodiness, but overall everything they chose evokes a floaty storybook vibe. No red for poison apple or deep eggplant for the dark queen. They took something done to death and made it entirely refreshing, and that is what I love about it.<br />
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Their newest White Witch collection also displays this same artistry, and it's wonderful. But my choice selections from those, which are now totally pre-ordered and set to go, are another matter.</div>
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Today, it's all about the fairest polishes of them all:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gBiQdMnGlgQ/VWyMGVV0C9I/AAAAAAAABuo/PQi9wjSW0ds/s1600/_MG_2908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gBiQdMnGlgQ/VWyMGVV0C9I/AAAAAAAABuo/PQi9wjSW0ds/s400/_MG_2908.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Femme Fatale Glass Coffin</td></tr>
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Out of the two of these, Witchcraft had been the polish I was more excited for, but Glass Coffin has won my heart. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fe3xCBtd8ik/VWya90yqsZI/AAAAAAAABvk/p6ZTJwRwYL8/s1600/_MG_2914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fe3xCBtd8ik/VWya90yqsZI/AAAAAAAABvk/p6ZTJwRwYL8/s400/_MG_2914.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glass Coffin's thermal effect after some ice ice baby.</td></tr>
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<b>Glass Coffin</b> has an easy formula, thin enough to spread but not too runny. It takes at least 2 good, thick coats to get full opacity, but it's worth it. A baby blue with green shimmer when warm and a lilac color with green shimmer when cool, it takes the thermal polishes I loved as a kid and raises them up to a glamourous and sophisticated level. A stunner in either color and waaaay too distracting when washing your hands or exiting a building and it changes. The thermal's response time is crazy fast too, all it takes is a touch. I'd also swear the shimmer reflects red and glows in warm light, but I can't tell if it's real or if I'm just going crazy.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Femme Fatale Art of Witchcraft</td></tr>
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<b>Art of Witchcraft</b> is still crazy gorgeous, don't get me wrong, but I think I expected a little more out of it than it gives. It's a deep teal jelly with tons of holographic and dark reddish pink glitters and hidden red shimmer. On the nail is takes about two or three coats to build up, but the glitter doesn't always like to play nice. Sometimes you end up with bald spots, which is weird because the glitter looks like it should disperse evenly, but it doesn't! The red shimmer does show in light, but it's not as prominent as I find it in the bottle. It's still gorgeous, but you mostly get deep teal jelly with holo glitters and the occasional red flash. Sadly, an example of "don't judge a polish by its bottle".</div>
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And now, for a fun mani magic trick I like to call "too many polishes, not enough fingers".</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YTtxOEcrIcs/VWyaZhjlDkI/AAAAAAAABvM/pK7YsIduUeo/s1600/_MG_2910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YTtxOEcrIcs/VWyaZhjlDkI/AAAAAAAABvM/pK7YsIduUeo/s400/_MG_2910.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Glass Coffin, you can see the effortless ombre thanks to the thermal!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SnXjhO1v6Ro/VWyabvZEleI/AAAAAAAABvU/E2p9UTgiYGs/s1600/_MG_2911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SnXjhO1v6Ro/VWyabvZEleI/AAAAAAAABvU/E2p9UTgiYGs/s400/_MG_2911.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Surprise! It's Art of Witchcraft!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VI8mcYRund8/VWyawyWcDTI/AAAAAAAABvc/frahDGi5BTg/s1600/_MG_2913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VI8mcYRund8/VWyawyWcDTI/AAAAAAAABvc/frahDGi5BTg/s400/_MG_2913.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Altogether now!</td></tr>
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Painting the undertips of the nails isn't anything new by a longshot, but I don't see it done nearly enough and I love it! For me it's a good way to get the best mileage out of my falsies while adding a fun surprise. I have a fashion show (for one of the local art institutes) to attend tomorrow, so I wanted to do something both understated yet fancy. With this I get both! It's the mullet of manicures: business in the front, party underneath.</div>
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(Also of course if I really wanted to use both polishes at once I could also paint my toes, which I do, but I can't really wave my toes in people's faces without being seen as terribly inappropriate. Fingers are much easier.)</div>
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Sadly these are both not for sale this month, though it's possible Femme Fatale might want to bring them back, so keep checking their presales the 1st of every month to see if you get lucky!</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Where to buy: </b>Online at <b>Femme Fatale's polish presales</b>, 1st-5th of every month <b><a href="http://femmefatalecosmetics.com.au/product-category/presale/">here</a></b>.</span></div>
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Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-37924579356658059392015-05-22T10:35:00.000-07:002015-06-01T11:58:07.372-07:00beautybarbaby matte attack in scandal and fuzzy sweater<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ddyjBBV1qqY/VV9IQFv5HbI/AAAAAAAABpM/U-qOZODvOZs/s1600/_MG_2864.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ddyjBBV1qqY/VV9IQFv5HbI/AAAAAAAABpM/U-qOZODvOZs/s400/_MG_2864.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuzzy Sweater and Scandal in their tubes!</td></tr>
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Iiiiiiiiiiii may have spent a good hour at least browsing the #liquidlipstick tag on instagram searching for the perfect liquid lipstick to throw my cash at. I wasn't quite sure what I wanted, I was mostly concerned with finding a color that spoke to me somehow. Most places had great colors that were out of stock or they only had one color I loved, and to order that by itself would've made shipping terribly unreasonable.</div>
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Then, purely by chance, I stumbled across BeautyBarBaby's swatches and was drawn in by Scandal. I also picked up Fuzzy Sweater, their "Cashmere" dupe, mostly because who <i>doesn't </i>need more greige, am I right?</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UD9ISqPQJlw/VV9OZMM5yKI/AAAAAAAABpc/A_esGkn3zIQ/s1600/_MG_2866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-UD9ISqPQJlw/VV9OZMM5yKI/AAAAAAAABpc/A_esGkn3zIQ/s400/_MG_2866.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I own so many doefoot applicators...deer must be afraid of me.</td></tr>
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First off, let's get packaging out of the way. It's a standard tube style but not totally round, the bottom has more of a hexagon type shape with ridges, which I like because that makes these differ from my other tubes. When I'm searching in my purse or pocket for a lipstick I'm a feeler, not a looker. They're also not too fat, they easily fit in a jean pocket if needed. The labels though are...well honestly, they're atrocious. I'm not a big fan of the look of them at all, but for most indie cosmetics I kinda ignore the outer packaging or labels, because I usually expect to be paying more for the product than the packaging or branding when it comes to an indie. At the very least the paper is fairly thick and durable feeling, so it should be able to take some wear and tear bouncing around in the no man's land at the bottom of my purse. Also each tube has a sticker with a shade name on the cap, so you can tell which is which when you grab them.<br />
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The only real thing some people might take issue with is that the tube labels do not list the ingredients. They did come with a list, each tube was individually packaged in a small zip bag with a sticker on the outside listing the ingredients, so it's not a matter of neglect of some sort on the owner's part. It's just the tube labels themselves don't list the ingredients, but rather offer some directions/tips for getting a good application. Personally it doesn't bother me, as once I've chucked a MAC box I have no idea what the ingredients are either, but I know some people prefer to have them accessible, so that may be a small turn-off.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JDsSxiOqsPk/VV9OaHnHBwI/AAAAAAAABpk/Crn5kjlsyBo/s1600/_MG_2862.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JDsSxiOqsPk/VV9OaHnHBwI/AAAAAAAABpk/Crn5kjlsyBo/s400/_MG_2862.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fuzzy Sweater and Scandal swatched on bare skin in natural light.</td></tr>
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I'm quite happy with the colors. They're very true to the swatches on the etsy page, though somehow the etsy ones appeared a bit weirdly shiny, I'm unsure why. I can't actually say if Fuzzy Sweater is a real "dupe" or not, because I do not own Cashmere, but it's very much in the pinky brown "greige" family of colors that are very on-trend right now. Scandal is a deep reddish brown with a slight bit of plum. On me it pulls a little more plum than red, but it's overall just gorgeous. I especially think it'll be perfect for fall, but I'm going to wear it all summer long anyways, because it's too pretty to just shelve it. Summer trends never appeal to me anyway, I'm not really a brights girl at heart to begin with!</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fyC7p6CjXbQ/VV9INMLmm4I/AAAAAAAABpE/21S_jj34EBw/s1600/_MG_2841.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="190" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fyC7p6CjXbQ/VV9INMLmm4I/AAAAAAAABpE/21S_jj34EBw/s400/_MG_2841.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Naked lips, a slight bit stained from wearing Scandal earlier today at school. <br />
This is just to give you an idea of what we're working with here.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cFsbetHJ6mI/VV9TO-aGgpI/AAAAAAAABp0/rMvd4LjxWD8/s1600/_MG_2857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="250" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cFsbetHJ6mI/VV9TO-aGgpI/AAAAAAAABp0/rMvd4LjxWD8/s400/_MG_2857.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lip swatch of Fuzzy Sweater in natural light.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FYkQQSS-gco/VV9Tc3wbmzI/AAAAAAAABp8/4LeHZ806974/s1600/_MG_2868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="278" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FYkQQSS-gco/VV9Tc3wbmzI/AAAAAAAABp8/4LeHZ806974/s400/_MG_2868.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Lip swatch of Scandal in natural light.<br />
(Also I apologize for the seeming lighting difference between this and Fuzzy Sweater, these were taken from two different angles and the sun was being finnicky.)</td></tr>
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As you can see thanks to my bff macro lens, these are very very dry and very very super extra matte. There is not a lick of shine about these. The formula is a soft cream texture, much like Nyx's matte lipcreams. It's also quite silky and silicone-y, it feels very smooth as it glides on. It takes a solid minute or two to dry down, but it's worth it because it's not sticky at all. However, due to the matteness and dryness, it does feel a bit crumbly at times. It doesn't actually flake off, but it feels much less flexible than other formulas can. </div>
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It's also very dry, around probably six or so hours of wear it starts to feel like a little much. It's also not very lightweight, it's so matte it definitely has a bit of weight on the lips. It's also one you very much want to start out with a good balm and moisturized lips under. BeautyBarBaby has a recommendation for exfoliation on the label as well, which I think is a good idea if you tend to have the occasional flake, because these will stick to them and show them like crazy.</div>
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Wear-wise, it wears like a champ. Not a gold medal champ maybe, it's not gonna last forever, but probably a solid silver. Naturally it fades easiest in the center of the lips, but it'll still go through a light lunch or two or three cups of coffee and not look like a hot mess.</div>
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As a demo of this, here is what Scandal looks like after I coated it in oil to remove it, then blotted (not rubbed) it off.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IvpkIeSb7no/VV9dN6e-UyI/AAAAAAAABqM/Qsl700dvz7s/s1600/_MG_2885.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="257" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IvpkIeSb7no/VV9dN6e-UyI/AAAAAAAABqM/Qsl700dvz7s/s400/_MG_2885.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scandal after one coat of oil blotted off.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
So like most lipsticks these don't hold up to oil that well (oil is makeup's kryptonite, after all) but this was enough oil to be the equivalent of a really greasy burger or salad drenched in vinaigrette. So it holds up this decently against cleansing oil, which overall I find pretty solid.</div>
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Aside from that though these aren't a huge pain to remove, a little rubbing with oil or oil-based makeup remover will do the job. I also like to keep an oily (like a highly coconut-oil based) lip balm in my bag so if I need to reapply on the go I can easily coat my lips liberally with balm, wipe the old lipstick shambles off and reapply to freshly a moisturized pout.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E_Sd-VlR1qc/VV9gbTfqMEI/AAAAAAAABqY/CwQO6Mcnyb0/s1600/_MG_2881.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E_Sd-VlR1qc/VV9gbTfqMEI/AAAAAAAABqY/CwQO6Mcnyb0/s400/_MG_2881.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BeautyBarBaby Matte Attack in Scandal vs Fyrinnae Liquid Matte in Sinister.</td></tr>
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Also just for thoroughness sake, here's a comparison of Scandal to Fyrinnae's Sinister. Both of these companies have "Cashmere" dupes (Fuzzy Sweater from BeautyBarBaby and Kitten from Fyrinnae) so I thought a comparison might be good so people can weigh them and decide which formula might better suit their needs. </div>
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Formula-wise they're totally apples and oranges. Fyrinnae's is more of a watery consistency, like ink, and BeautyBarBaby's is thicker, more like paint. Sinister also transfers much easier, (just touching it caused me green-stained fingers) whereas I can rub and rub the swatch of Scandal and have absolutely nothing budge. I find Fyrinnae's much more comfortable to wear, but it's not as pigmented and sometimes takes two coats. BeautyBarBaby's is more pigmented and wears much longer and stronger. Sinister also came off easily with soap and water, but Scandal and Fuzzy Sweater actually require me to break out the cleansing oil and work a little.</div>
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I don't dislike Fyrinnae's formula at all, I think if you're choosing between these it'd be a matter of what you prefer. Both have strengths and weaknesses. Some people like a matte look but can't tolerate a lot of dryness, or prefer more flexibility, so Fyrinnae would be suitable for them. Others who want the ultra-matte look and need something that lasts would be better with BeautyBarBaby.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OzanOBlPby0/VV9j-pVarnI/AAAAAAAABqk/000O8PG8POo/s1600/_MG_2852.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OzanOBlPby0/VV9j-pVarnI/AAAAAAAABqk/000O8PG8POo/s400/_MG_2852.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Luv dat Fuzzy Sweater.</td></tr>
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Overall, I'm really really pleased with these! If you're looking for a good, ultra-matte liquid lipstick, these are worth considering. They also recently released more colors, including a red and a nude, and they also stock an incredibly deep dark purple. They also shipped very promptly to me, I think TAT was only 1-2 days. They're also reasonably priced, on the lower end of liquid lipsticks at $13.95 USD. I'm happy to say they totally delivered on being everything I expected them to be!<br />
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Also now, like usual, it is time for full face pics ganked from my insta, so you can get an idea of how this looks full-face and how it tends to photograph and appear generally:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svDy7IWrGNA/VV97Hh-rr5I/AAAAAAAABq0/RG2WYTCFGxc/s1600/11272990_769397256491793_370897953_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svDy7IWrGNA/VV97Hh-rr5I/AAAAAAAABq0/RG2WYTCFGxc/s400/11272990_769397256491793_370897953_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scandal in the classroom, yo.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u6_x3B1E_N8/VV97HthInDI/AAAAAAAABq4/bVC0cJbTNgQ/s1600/11324309_1663206633900991_601495961_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-u6_x3B1E_N8/VV97HthInDI/AAAAAAAABq4/bVC0cJbTNgQ/s400/11324309_1663206633900991_601495961_n.jpeg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wearing Fuzzy Sweater on my lips and a fuzzy sweater I stole from my girlfriend on my torso.</td></tr>
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<b style="font-size: small;">Where to buy: <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/BeautyBarBaby?ref=l2-shopheader-name">BeautyBarBaby's etsy</a></b><span style="font-size: x-small;">, $13.95 USD.</span></div>
Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-58578080578260306632015-05-16T08:42:00.002-07:002015-06-01T11:57:57.255-07:00ultimate red: mac ruby woo<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZblUv23W8eY/VVdeOwRn4QI/AAAAAAAABoQ/kUNcGjfe1WU/s1600/_MG_2807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZblUv23W8eY/VVdeOwRn4QI/AAAAAAAABoQ/kUNcGjfe1WU/s400/_MG_2807.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mac Ruby Woo.</td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;">Please note the photos in this post have been adjusted for lighting tint using photoshop to make the colors of the product appear to true life. However, the product has not been enhanced, saturated or otherwise improved in any way.</i></blockquote>
<i style="background-color: white; color: #777777; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small; line-height: 15.600000381469727px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px;"><br /></i>
In the vast expanse of makeup, there are a lot of red lipsticks. A lot a lot.<br />
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There are more red lipsticks than anyone probably really has time or care to wear, and the number of them expands every fricking second.<br />
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So, in the vast ocean of these lipsticks, which of these is the buried pirate's treasure? Which red can one possibly pick up and say, "<i>perfection</i>" about?<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ulb3HnrVrg/VVdf3ayEABI/AAAAAAAABog/2pWRurKImQI/s1600/_MG_2626.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5Ulb3HnrVrg/VVdf3ayEABI/AAAAAAAABog/2pWRurKImQI/s400/_MG_2626.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I may have decorated my tube with some bootleg Sailor Moon stickers. Maybe.</td></tr>
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For me, that lipstick is MAC's Ruby Woo. Nearly every time I wear it I get compliments (though at least one of those has been from a creepy man who was married, of all things, go away creepy man this lipstick is not being worn for you) and it's the type of lipstick that just makes me feel <i>good</i>.<br />
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Despite this, I usually forget to wear it. Why? It's quite dry and the initial application tends to require maintenance to even up the borders (I use MAC's Cherry lip pencil, though now they have released one specifically for Ruby Woo).<br />
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I always forget that despite the dryness it's not heavy at all, and I'm surprised each time I wear it by how comfortable I find it. Because of the dryness it also wears crazy well, with minimal transfer. I've worn it through several cups of coffee and still had it look as decent as it had when I'd first applied it. If you need a red that's tough as nails, Ruby Woo is your friend.<br />
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If you have chapped lips...maybe not so much. This is one that a good exfoliation prior is highly recommended, because being so dry it will show a lot of the flakes on your lips. However, I do find a few small flakes are easy enough to get away with, because the color itself and lack of sheen draw attention away from minor imperfections. Despite its dryness, I have had much much worse in terms of lipsticks that make me look like I need a tub of Blistex.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MVqCMGEyPNU/VVdf3SZBXRI/AAAAAAAABoc/sZlHYMJJgHw/s1600/_MG_2627.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MVqCMGEyPNU/VVdf3SZBXRI/AAAAAAAABoc/sZlHYMJJgHw/s400/_MG_2627.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Left to right: MAC Cherry Lip Pencil, thin swatch, then swatched as a square. Rightmost is Ruby Woo.<br />
All swatched in natural light.</td></tr>
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It is very pigmented to the point of it being a bit annoying if you need to clean up the edges of your lips, because anything you wipe off will probably take a little coaxing with a q-tip to remove all the redness. But the pigmentation also means it's amazingly bright, classic siren red turned up to eleven. It's blue-based, so it will make your teeth a bit whiter too, but if your undertones tend to pull blue-based reds pink on you it might not be as red as you like.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SfJsWSvn_t0/VVdihycbWdI/AAAAAAAABow/X_R4symEbuc/s1600/_MG_2812.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SfJsWSvn_t0/VVdihycbWdI/AAAAAAAABow/X_R4symEbuc/s400/_MG_2812.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lip swatch of Ruby Woo in natural light.</td></tr>
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To sum it up, there is a reason people talk about this shade quite a bit. It's not hype without merit either. Ruby Woo has stood the test of time. If I remember properly this was originally released by MAC in 1999 and then brought back. Now here in 2015, over 10 years later, it's still going strong. I'd actually bought this shade without really being aware of just how loved it is, but after owning it I can't say I'm surprised at all when I see it mentioned a lot in talks and articles about red lipsticks. It completely deserves the place it has.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Where to buy:</b> Online at <b><a href="http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/168/310/Products/Lips/Lipstick/Lipstick/index.tmpl">MAC</a></b>, <b>$16</b>; alternatives include MAC counters and distributors; for INT try various MAC retailers or counters worldwide, price varies depending upon country.</span>Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-52477046273488269992015-05-04T10:48:00.000-07:002015-05-04T10:48:55.279-07:00notoriously morbid slay me mattes: the most aptly named product ever<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uwz5JJfmnto/VTvihAc9t3I/AAAAAAAABko/Ludzs0AEVLs/s1600/_MG_2562.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uwz5JJfmnto/VTvihAc9t3I/AAAAAAAABko/Ludzs0AEVLs/s1600/_MG_2562.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'm missing one rogue jar in this shot, whoops!</td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Please note the photos in this post have been adjusted for lighting tint using photoshop to make the colors of the product appear to true life. However, the product has not been enhanced, saturated or otherwise improved in any way.</i></span></blockquote>
I think my foray into Notoriously Morbid was largely hindered by the fact that they were always just sort of hovering at the corner of my vision, rather than being in full-on glorious view. I'd toyed with the idea of buying some of their glorious products a few times but was never able to actually make the plunge because somehow there was just no real deep pocket-burning need for me to have their shadows. That all changed though when they released not just their Slay Me Wave 4 collection, but also two limited edition GWPs for it that came free with the full set purchase and--and--free shipping.<br />
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For everyone.<br />
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My jaw hit the floor at this unprecedented concept.<br />
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Free international shipping? For me? Really? <i>Really? </i><br />
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It worked too, because I ended up placing not one, but two orders within an hour. And both of them had fabulous results.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qxDpRcbTxTM/VTvjl1ge5XI/AAAAAAAABkw/jD-XM1aFRaI/s1600/_MG_2563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qxDpRcbTxTM/VTvjl1ge5XI/AAAAAAAABkw/jD-XM1aFRaI/s1600/_MG_2563.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L to R: Bringers of the First, Burn All the Witches, It's the White Hats</td></tr>
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I had no mattes that weren't Blackbird or Shiro before these, and oho, these have brought me into an entirely new realm of matte goodness. They're soft, a little powdery but very pigmented and blend out like a dream. The first day I got them I tried on Burn All the Witches and was amazed. What is this pigmentation? This silky smooth ease of blending?<br />
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Honestly, these are my new favorite mattes. I'm totally smitten, though unfortunately the colors in this wave aren't all incredibly easy to wear on a daily basis.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YleigduX2_I/VTvkcdvMvAI/AAAAAAAABk4/Ma_Yy36pTY4/s1600/_MG_2564.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-YleigduX2_I/VTvkcdvMvAI/AAAAAAAABk4/Ma_Yy36pTY4/s1600/_MG_2564.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's the White Hats over UDPP.<br />
Damn I feel pale now.</td></tr>
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It's the White Hats is a matte pure white. No cream tinges, not too grey or blue, just straight clean white. It's not chalky or streaky, but due to being white it does take a bit of building to get completely opaque. It's also very nice for lightening other shadows as well, a heavy hand with this over something too dark will get you pastels, man.<br />
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It also makes a killer liner when mixed with foiling serum:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bL7oE-_zgvg/VUEpjETB3DI/AAAAAAAABlQ/by0SYBqcz2g/s1600/_MG_2496.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bL7oE-_zgvg/VUEpjETB3DI/AAAAAAAABlQ/by0SYBqcz2g/s1600/_MG_2496.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">White Hats mixed with Missha's Magic Eye Change serum.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2xsaAUrhGz8/VUEp4cnsrqI/AAAAAAAABlY/lqQBGSHPqE4/s1600/_MG_2565.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2xsaAUrhGz8/VUEp4cnsrqI/AAAAAAAABlY/lqQBGSHPqE4/s1600/_MG_2565.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brings of the First over UDPP in natural light.</td></tr>
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Bringers of the First is a matte, slightly mustard-y khaki color. It's not green or olive but still has a weirdly unnerving yellow tinge to it that makes it slightly more slickly than your standard warm brown/khaki. That said, it's great as a base shade or pre-shadow crease shade to smooth everything over, and the color looks weirder in the jar than on the skin.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0VBvEHxOPxU/VUeIjlroozI/AAAAAAAABm4/5aWdC_HStwg/s1600/_MG_2798-15.37.40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0VBvEHxOPxU/VUeIjlroozI/AAAAAAAABm4/5aWdC_HStwg/s400/_MG_2798-15.37.40.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burn All the Witches over UDPP in natural light.</td></tr>
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I apologize for this swatch, mostly because my camera ran out of battery the day I was shooting my initial swatches, and by the time it charged I was out of daylight. You can see my initial swatch of Burn All the Witches on my arm above Bringers of the First, and then here, where it looks a bit less pink. Overall I think a weird combo of lighting conditions and adjustments may have made this swatch a little brown but the other one a little too mauve. The actual shadow is something like a mix of all these things.</div>
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It's described on the site as "burnt rose", which I think is a good description. It's a warm deep pink with a tinge of red and brown to it. I compared it to Shiro's Little Bird, and Little Bird was both more pink and a bit more orange, plus it's not as deep. Overall I'm really in love with this shade, it's gorgeous when blown out in the crease.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wIovyh50wlY/VUEsapOlR2I/AAAAAAAABl0/MbCjVaNMsOM/s1600/_MG_2574.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wIovyh50wlY/VUEsapOlR2I/AAAAAAAABl0/MbCjVaNMsOM/s1600/_MG_2574.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Powers That Be over UDPP.</td></tr>
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The Powers That Be is a bright pastel turquoise. NM has it as cerulean, but to me it's a bit green for that, but that's splitting hairs I suppose. This isn't chalky but it does take some building to get proper pigmentation on the lid. If you want it quite opaque it'll take a bit of work, but not so much it's totally unworth it. It still blends very beautifully as a formula, it's just that in blending it loses some of its punch. But if you're looking for a great shade for spring, this is it. It's everything spring.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RmtZpSG7Ug8/VUEvZPEb57I/AAAAAAAABmA/Sb2RilWCsE8/s1600/_MG_2575.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RmtZpSG7Ug8/VUEvZPEb57I/AAAAAAAABmA/Sb2RilWCsE8/s1600/_MG_2575.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Done over UDPP in natural light.</td></tr>
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Done is a warm violet shade, pastel but also quite bright. For me I find this one also a bit weak, it takes a bit of building to get the true punch that the shade looks in the jar. Since it's warmer-toned and goes well with Burn All the Witches, but would pair decently with any other warm shades.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o3m4sqo5gV4/VUeKpwVJx3I/AAAAAAAABnE/iaE6G4RFixs/s1600/_MG_2576.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o3m4sqo5gV4/VUeKpwVJx3I/AAAAAAAABnE/iaE6G4RFixs/s400/_MG_2576.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watcher to Father over UDPP in natural light.</td></tr>
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Watcher to Father is a nice deep, slightly greyed navy color. It looks a bit eggplant to be in the jar but applies clearly as a navy. This one really is one of my favorites, I love the navy but even more than that it applies very smoothly, without any difficulty blending or any chalkiness. As far as the deepness of the color and the opacity and ease of it, this one is a real knockout. It's perfect for smokey eyes, smudged liner, crease, outer-v--it's got an endless array of possibilities!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--QKI7bCPrHc/VUeMEeMcN3I/AAAAAAAABnM/rU6EidWYubo/s1600/_MG_2578.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--QKI7bCPrHc/VUeMEeMcN3I/AAAAAAAABnM/rU6EidWYubo/s400/_MG_2578.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passion and Unattainable over UDPP and Pixie Epoxy in natural light.</td></tr>
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Lastly, we have these two bad boys. And I mean that quite literally, as these are Limited Edition Spike/Buffy and Angel/Buffy shadows that were a GWP available only for the weekend of the collection's release. I honestly forget which color is for which couple, especially since these are no longer on the NM site and I searched their FB group but got nada. I can guess based on the shades, but I am not sure if I'll be right, so I'll just leave it at vagueness.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAKm3QFxxvk/VUeNfSg40TI/AAAAAAAABnU/HZuVR7mb_EM/s1600/_MG_2580.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OAKm3QFxxvk/VUeNfSg40TI/AAAAAAAABnU/HZuVR7mb_EM/s400/_MG_2580.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passion in natural light, left over UDPP, right foiled over PE.</td></tr>
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Passion is a slightly sheer and silvery color that looks like a greyish sparkly white in the jar, but applies very metallic on the skin. It also has a slight pink tinge to it in some lights. It's not my favorite but it's lovely, especially with the multicolored shimmers inside it. It's very nice for an overshadow or inner corner sparklebomb.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DcDUOmLZfB8/VUeO_narHoI/AAAAAAAABng/_eN3M7SUb-4/s1600/_MG_2583.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DcDUOmLZfB8/VUeO_narHoI/AAAAAAAABng/_eN3M7SUb-4/s400/_MG_2583.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unattainable in natural light, over UDPP on the left and foiled over PE on the right.</td></tr>
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This shadow. This. Shadow. This is one I didn't like when I saw it on the site, but in person it is a stunner and has helped to change my entire perspective on "blurple" type colored shadows. (I'm not a big purple person, really. But that has been changing.) Applied wet or foiled on the lid it really glows, and in some lights it even exhibits a slightly rich green shift. I remember NM said they'd bring one of these back, and I hope it's this one, because it is fantastic.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xf4hV38HdRQ/VUeT8YoANzI/AAAAAAAABnw/toQvGXPXo3k/s1600/_MG_2591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Xf4hV38HdRQ/VUeT8YoANzI/AAAAAAAABnw/toQvGXPXo3k/s400/_MG_2591.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unattainable on the lid.</td></tr>
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Overall these are a fantastic lineup of matte shadows and since this is Wave 4 (!!) there is a huge selection of amazing shades to choose from. The formula on all of them is wonderfully blendable, but some of them (namely the pastels) take more building than others to get good color oomph. I'm extremely pleased.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Where to buy:</b> Notoriously Morbid's shop, <a href="http://notoriouslymorbid.com/">here</a>.</span>Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-69979611934998989512015-04-24T11:34:00.003-07:002015-04-25T02:52:02.213-07:00#gemglam week 4: now firing dramatic peridot<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ygzzPM7S1o/VTqC2CQScRI/AAAAAAAABjk/6ovrdJHRIYQ/s1600/_MG_2764.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7ygzzPM7S1o/VTqC2CQScRI/AAAAAAAABjk/6ovrdJHRIYQ/s1600/_MG_2764.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Peridot. She says her name is Peridot."</td></tr>
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The final week!<br />
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This project has been so much fun for me, planning a look around a theme each week. It's like an event! I've been planning this look since we started this, as soon as I got Peridot for my second gem, so I was really excited for this!<br />
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Peridot has her visor over most of her upper face, so I wanted to replicate that! This look is a lot less minimal than my other look for her, I wanted to keep the visor with clean lines but have everything else a bit glowy and "space-y" haha.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4u_sDuKfP80/VTqEOPNqgAI/AAAAAAAABj0/ra7l46frRKQ/s1600/_MG_2769.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4u_sDuKfP80/VTqEOPNqgAI/AAAAAAAABj0/ra7l46frRKQ/s1600/_MG_2769.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">"This site may have been compromised.”</td></tr>
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For the eyes I used scotch tape to plan out the mask and used a damp brush to pat the color along the line, then buffed it out, then went over it once more to deepen it again. I used the LE Hello Waffle Skittles eyeshadow from the Kitty Kingdom collection, as its a darker gold color. I primed my lids and applied some Blackbird Smudge and Half-Full as a base. I then applied Shiro's Fourth Be With You all over the lid, blended it out, and used Notoriously Morbid's Bringers of the First in the inner section to brighten it up and give it some dimension. Skittles went lightly in the center of the lid with some of Hello Waffle's Al'Thor for more sparkles. I also applied some of Fyrinnae's polar Bear in the inner corner and on the lower lashline, more of Skittles more heavily in the outer corner, and used Blackbird's Lucid mixed with foiling serum as a liner to bring out a thin but sharp wing that extends quite far. Then naturally, mascara. I used L'oreal's Voluminous Curl, my old standby. I also added some of Skittles to my brows and the top of my forehead, then blended it down, but not so it was too much of a solid mask.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DlvdOx7z670/VTqJCqVgowI/AAAAAAAABkE/IOW1PmAbPAk/s1600/_MG_2766.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-DlvdOx7z670/VTqJCqVgowI/AAAAAAAABkE/IOW1PmAbPAk/s1600/_MG_2766.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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For the face I applied my base to get a good all-over even tone, and after the eyes were done I highlighted to hell and back, then used some of Fourth Be With You in my philtrum. I've seen it done on instagram before and I thought it seemed like when I needed to pull this look together and unify the green. I also took it liberally on a blush brush and patted it and blended it outside the eyes and on the temples and cheekbones to further add to that eerie green glow, and added a small bit to the tip of my nose to further enhance the effect.<br />
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For lips I used Inglot's super awesome holographic AMC Lipgloss in 546, and patted some of Skittles in the center of the upper and lower lips to give it some extra depth.<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BxNAWl8pMWA/VTqKESCRLUI/AAAAAAAABkU/9372PO-A8aU/s1600/_MG_2772.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BxNAWl8pMWA/VTqKESCRLUI/AAAAAAAABkU/9372PO-A8aU/s1600/_MG_2772.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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I went with gold for the visor because it's a very limey yellow green in the show, and I extended that to yellow, and to gold thru that. The gold also made sense to me because it's assumed Peridot and Jasper serve yellow diamond as well, so gold made sense. I also felt keeping it to just lime green was too monochrome, and I didn't have much else in the way of shades of green that weren't too blue based.<br />
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Overall this look was a lot of fun and I regret not having much to say about Peridot, because I want to know more about her! I hope soon we get to see her again. I also really would love to do a project like this again, I think it's very useful for testing one's skills, and it's kinda cool to plan out looks and figure out how to interpret not just a character's colors but also personality and motifs via makeup that isn't just straight-up cosplay. (I love seeing cosplay though, I really do.)<br />
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And if our posts have inspired you to take up this Steven Universe makeup challenge or to try a look of your own, I hope you do! I'd love to see more people enjoying SU through their own mediums and outlets.<br />
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Thanks for sticking with us through all of our #GemGlam April!<br />
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Believe in Steven and lots of love,<br />
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<i>Noon xoxo</i><br />
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<ul>
<li><a href="http://miekeup.tumblr.com/post/117290752419/gem-glam-week-4-an-avant-garde-look-inspired">Mieke's BIG BUFF CHEETO PUFF</a></li>
<li><a href="http://alioninthecorn.blogspot.fi/2015/04/gemglam-week-4-lapis-lazuli-water-witch.html">Mollie's amazing Water Witch Lapis Lazuli</a></li>
</ul>
Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-5922859193741037942015-04-22T07:36:00.001-07:002015-04-22T07:37:47.489-07:00Polish Me Silly: Holy Shift is right!!<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7n9RAa8EWE4/VTepLrLYfHI/AAAAAAAABio/qY6piz1MWRw/s1600/_MG_2569.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-7n9RAa8EWE4/VTepLrLYfHI/AAAAAAAABio/qY6piz1MWRw/s1600/_MG_2569.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Polish Me Silly Holy Shift, fullsize bottle.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Please note the photos in this post have been adjusted for lighting tint using photoshop to make the colors of the product appear to true life. However, the product has not been enhanced, saturated or otherwise improved in any way.</i></span></blockquote>
When it comes to makeup, there's two products I fall really hard for. One of those is lipsticks.<br />
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The other is nail polish.<br />
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I used to spend time every week at home when I was in the states polishing my nails, I had at least 70 or so colors. It was a calming ritual for me, it made me feel complete. Like that "cherry on top" type thing. I cut down my collection to about 1/6th of the size when I moved to Finland, but my love of polish is still strong, even if I don't buy it as much here because of the small selection. (They finally got Sally Hansen in our remodeled Sokos last week. I almost cried.)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qZlSJbF4Qsc/VTep_38GwmI/AAAAAAAABiw/5Gv-ZQ2LKUQ/s1600/_MG_2571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qZlSJbF4Qsc/VTep_38GwmI/AAAAAAAABiw/5Gv-ZQ2LKUQ/s1600/_MG_2571.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Holy Shift in natural light.</td></tr>
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Indie Polish comes with its own drawbacks, mainly the high shipping price, but god was this polish worth it. It's a gorgeous slightly warm purple at a flat angle in normal light that shifts to deep purple the closer it gets, and then to red and flashes of gold the farther away you angle it from you. The morning after I applied this I laid in bed for a good five minutes just watching the colors dance across my nails. I was mesmerized.<br />
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It applies very smoothly and easily, the first coat is thin and streaky, as with a lot of polishes, but by the second coat it easily evens out into a lovely glossy multichrome. I didn't experience any chipping, but I wear false nails so that may make a difference, as sometimes my nails fall off before the polish has time to chip. I also paired this with ORLY's Polishield, my one true topcoat love, so it's possible that extended wear time as well.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_77d8JoPvAg/VTer01BNFYI/AAAAAAAABi8/pEKK65dHO9c/s1600/_MG_2568.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_77d8JoPvAg/VTer01BNFYI/AAAAAAAABi8/pEKK65dHO9c/s1600/_MG_2568.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Uggghhhhh that shift. Ugh. Beautiful.</td></tr>
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The bottle is a minor thing but also impressed me, it's a nice sturdy glass with the logo printed on it, and the brush cap handle is that small-grain textured plastic you find on, for example, China Glaze bottle caps too. It felt nicely professional to me and was easy to use.<br />
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One thing that does need to be noted for international (non-US) customers is that Polish Me Silly has an explicit disclaimer (in all caps, so not easy to miss) that once a package leaves the country it is out of their hands, and they don't replace lost or damaged international orders. A small gamble, but not overly unreasonable in my opinion, since overseas packages are more expensive to replace, and personally all my mail losing issues seem to be with USPS and not Posti or Tulli anyway.<br />
<br />
My odds worked out just fine, it arrived even faster than I expected, packaged in a million layers of bubble wrap and packing peanuts, safe and sound. I would rather have the option to test my luck rather than just be told they refuse to ship overseas at all, and I think they obviously did their best to ensure my package would arrive with the bottles in-tact and full of chrome-y goodness.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8BBUarGD8w/VTexslmavzI/AAAAAAAABjM/Ake-eyckyAU/s1600/_MG_2632.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-r8BBUarGD8w/VTexslmavzI/AAAAAAAABjM/Ake-eyckyAU/s1600/_MG_2632.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I just really like how this picture came out.</td></tr>
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They also do have some overseas stockists like Femme Fatale, who don't always carry the full-on lineup of their polishes but do have a decent selection, so international customers also have the option to try and find what they want in-country first.<br />
<br />
If you're looking for a wide selection of fun polishes, I'd really give them a try. Their Spring collection seems to involve a lot of crellies with neon glitters, they also recently released a bunch of multichrome flakies, and they have one of the largest selections of duo/multichromes I've seen. They also offer mini size bottles as an option, so you don't have to commit to just one big bottle either.<br />
<br />
Next time I'll probably go through a Europe-based stockist instead (I'd just do Cesar's but their stock is super small), but I am already considering another haul from them. This polish is a stunner!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Where to buy:</b> Directly from <b>Polish Me Silly's etsy</b> <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/PolishMeSilly" style="font-weight: bold;">here</a>, multichromes are $11.50 USD for a large bottle or $7.50 USD for a mini.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"> Also try INT stockists such as: <b><a href="http://rainbow-connection.co.uk/collections/polish-me-silly">Rainbow Connection </a></b>(UK), <b><a href="http://femmefatalecosmetics.com.au/product-category/polish-me-silly/">Femme Fatale</a></b> (AUS), or <b><a href="http://www.hypnoticpolish.com/collections/polish-me-silly">Hypnotic Polish</a></b> (Netherlands), <b><a href="http://pshiiit-boutique.com/153-polish-me-silly">Pshiiit</a></b> (France), <b><a href="http://www.cesarsshop.fi/kynsilakat-polish-silly-c-516_526.html">Cesar's Shop</a></b> (Finland)</span>Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-22786385335220948642015-04-19T05:48:00.003-07:002015-04-19T07:01:33.088-07:00the queens of land and sea: Arcana Queen Crossbones and Dia de los Muertos reign supreme!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRaKlYECc98/VTOYum0tutI/AAAAAAAABh4/50367u-QaQo/s1600/_MG_2737.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GRaKlYECc98/VTOYum0tutI/AAAAAAAABh4/50367u-QaQo/s1600/_MG_2737.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arcana Soaps Dia de los Muertos and Queen Crossbones perfume oils.</td></tr>
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You know how you get lucky sometimes? And not just like, a little lucky, but <i>really</i> lucky? That's how I ended up with these two Arcana bottles in my paws.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.prettyindulgent.com/">Pretty Indulgent</a> was having a week-long Arcana giveaway on their Facebook, and I was lucky to be the winner of day one! These were both perfumes I'd never given a second glance, mostly because I had somehow wrongly assumed Dia was more a cinnamon scent and Queen Crossbones was one that just didn't sound or look like something I'd want to wear. My luck rounded out and ended up making me doubly happy when I finally pulled both of these out of the package.<br />
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I've never been so happy to be so wrong and so surprised.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3fStRJS09S0/VTOa157vPSI/AAAAAAAABiE/2sYI6wEW2Vo/s1600/_MG_2735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3fStRJS09S0/VTOa157vPSI/AAAAAAAABiE/2sYI6wEW2Vo/s1600/_MG_2735.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arcana Dia de los Muertos in a 5ml bottle.<br />
The label art of the original <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/La_Calavera_Catrina">Catrina</a> is a perfect fit.</td></tr>
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<b>Dia de los Muertos</b> is described as, <i>"Though Spanish conquistadores tried to put the kibosh on this Aztec ritual for the dead, the holiday not only endured but retained its flamingly pagan core. Celebrate, honor, and even laugh at death with our fusion of spices, honey, tobacco and dark chocolate."</i><br />
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It's absolutely gorgeous wet out the bottle, a slightly musty and deep cocoa with a few spices I cannot name and a slight sweetness from honey. It's perfect. The cocoa is rich and dark and not at all fake or sweet. There's something a bit "dusty" about it in a way. It's not wet syrup or melted chocolate. It's true, powdery bitter cocoa.<br />
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On the skin for me something a bit fruity amps up, almost like wine. I'm unsure what that's from, but it's lovely, a bit like spiced wine and honey with the cocoa fading in the background. It dries down nicely to just a warmly sweet and spicy scent without the spices being too overpowering.<br />
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Depending on where I am hormonally it seems to either stay that way and fade into faint spiced sweetness or it goes weirdly plastic. There's a note in Pumpkins Crave Terror that seems to do the same to me at the same times, so I think it must be something Julia uses that just doesn't agree with my skin chemistry on certain days. Overall this reminds me a bit of Reign in Hell, but with less cinnamon and no patchouli. It also reminds me of a sweeter and less musty version of Villainess' Dulces En Fuego Whipped, which I am also in love with right now.<br />
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Deliciousness from this aside though, it wasn't even the standout of the two compared to the unexpected holy grail that is Queen Crossbones.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L1DPAhY4VBA/VTOewQM94JI/AAAAAAAABiQ/j0gUJdYML-I/s1600/_MG_2734.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L1DPAhY4VBA/VTOewQM94JI/AAAAAAAABiQ/j0gUJdYML-I/s1600/_MG_2734.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The label looks so unassuming...</td></tr>
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I think part of the reason this had never crossed my radar was the label art. I'm a huge sucker for dazzling art or interesting product names that to me, nothing about this had ever grabbed my attention. I hadn't even considered it as a candidate.<br />
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Oh boy, what a dark horse.<br />
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<b>Queen Crossbones</b> is, <i>"The adventurous scents of a pirate queen's far-flung travels: creamy Egyptian musk, wild honey, sweet coconut and exotic resins."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Out of the bottle it's honey with powdery musk. Just golden, dripping honey, so much so that smelling it brings to mind memories of tasting honey. It's a scent I can nearly feel on my tongue. Many have praised Arcana's honey note, and this is why. It's incredibly rich and true, it is very nearly real honey, like sticking your nose in the jar.<br />
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On the skin at first it's almost a bit overwhelming, because it's quite strong in sillage. I don't get any resin out of it that I detect, or anything tropical or coconut notes. Instead what I get is very powdery yet creamy musk and that dripping honey, which is pleasant, but it's in the drydown about half an hour in the real magic starts. Once it settles and mellows it just becomes wonderfully soft and sweet and creamy, not in a gourmand way, almost in a laundry or warm blanket way, but not as clean or astringent or fake. Sometimes the honey resurfaces and makes itself prominent with a hint of floral sweetness, but then fades back in. It's a very soft, warm and natural smell. It's the kind of soft perfume that brings people closer to you. It lasts fairly long, several hours at least, but it continues to get fainter fairly quickly. It stays, but the sillage is pretty low after the first hour or so of wear.<br />
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This has been a daily wear for me. Which maybe sounds very innocuous, but for me it's a big deal. I am very much a "favorites" person, I enjoy variety but when I find something I really love, I will love it until it's in pieces. I listen to the same song on loop on itunes and I'd willingly eat the same thing for dinner three nights in a row if I really love it.<br />
<br />
For me, this perfume has become my song on loop. I'm sure I'll change it out with others here and there, but I'll keep coming back to it. If you are a honey person, or a sweet perfume person, this is very much worth a try. Arcana doesn't sell samples outright, so you may need to plunge on a full bottle, but I've heard from many Arcana lovers that this is a cult fav, and now I honestly understand why.<br />
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Dia de los Muertos, Queen Crossbones and Holy Terror now form the holy trinity that is the cornerstone of my Arcana perfume stash.<br />
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<i>O captain, my captain!</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Where to buy:</b> Arcana<b> </b>may be purchased from <b><a href="http://www.prettyindulgent.com/collections/arcana">Pretty Indulgent</a></b>, <b><a href="http://www.therhinestonehousewife.com/products/brand.php?bid=16">Rhinestone Housewife</a></b> or from <b><a href="http://www.ebay.com/usr/arcana_soaps">Arcana's eBay</a></b>. Scent availability tends to waver, so your next best bet would be checking destashes of people selling off their collections.</span>Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-36414124032250532322015-04-18T05:38:00.002-07:002015-04-19T11:36:19.893-07:00the longest day of the year, and 364 other days<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bsfS6mOV2a0/VTJD1F70wYI/AAAAAAAABhM/OK6lK3BkhHM/s1600/_MG_2630.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bsfS6mOV2a0/VTJD1F70wYI/AAAAAAAABhM/OK6lK3BkhHM/s1600/_MG_2630.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I can't stop playing ねこあつめ, it keeps my days bright.</td></tr>
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If you've followed me or talked with me for a bit, or even flipped back to my really old (and rly poor quality omg) blog reviews, chances are you've gathered my origins: namely, that I am an American. I lived in America, in a little nowheresville type small town in Wisconsin all my years, save a stint at big city college that didn't work out too well. Now, I reside in the wonderfully strange and small Nordic country of Finland, I have a taste and sometimes craving for salmiakki that I thought was unpossible and <i>joskus maa saunon, kun maa voin</i>.<br />
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Last year this time, I left through Chicago's international terminal, my mother and father cried and hugged me and insisted on taking pictures as I walked through the security gate of no return. (Parents, right?) I'm very glad Skype exists, because it lets us talk and laugh for just long enough before we start to get on each other's nerves. My parents have adapted well to technology, even if sometimes they still can't figure out where the video chat button is for a solid thirty seconds.<br />
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I do love them, and I miss them and my little brother (twenty-two, hardly "little" by any standards, but eternally fifteen to me) a lot sometimes, but mostly because I wish they could see how I've grown.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dz-frHWYapw/VTJIwEfxXII/AAAAAAAABhg/MIwqj1EOi38/s1600/SAM_7374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dz-frHWYapw/VTJIwEfxXII/AAAAAAAABhg/MIwqj1EOi38/s1600/SAM_7374.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just a normal evening.</td></tr>
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Last year this time was also a time when people kept asking me the same question: "Are you ready?"<br />
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There was only one real answer: of course not.<br />
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How is it ever fully possible to be "ready" to move to another country, to start a new future, to have every sign you've grown accustomed to on the street in another language, to have to re-learn how to ask for basic things like a napkin or where the bathroom is. Finns are kind and speak wonderful English naturally, since Finnish is only spoken by a handful of a million worldwide, but I still feel crazily shy speaking my native tongue, because I feel like I'm imposing. I didn't travel seven hours across the ocean to be an American in Finland--I traveled here to become a Finnish American. I can speak much more Finnish now, much to my excitement. I had a small victory party the day I was able to finally say to a shopkeeper, "<i>No, I don't need help, I'm fine thank you,</i>" in Finnish and have them not respond to me in English out of an embarrassing kindness.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ky8D48kEqAM/VNYpGfMwI2I/AAAAAAAABUU/H2xZmjVeZXk/s1600/_MG_2415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ky8D48kEqAM/VNYpGfMwI2I/AAAAAAAABUU/H2xZmjVeZXk/s1600/_MG_2415.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MAC Chili lipstick, a Christmas gift from my mother.<br />
TenThree Labs Salve Stick, a gift from Noora. I used it up quickly; I love it.<br />
Lit by our lightbox, which is likely to be a staple for winters to come. <br />
Accompanied by coffee, the eternal staple.</td></tr>
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Still, I feel I have grown much this year. I feel more sure of myself and happier than I have in many years, and in spite of the stressfulness of immigration paperwork, failed school entrance exams, and high shipping costs, (I just want my makeup, sob!) I am thankful this year of my life has been one of my best. I fall deeper and deeper in love each day, not the heart-fluttering and pulse-racing kind but rather the warm, soft blanket kind that comforts and makes you feel secure and at peace. The sun is finally coming out again, and the bleakness of winter seems to be fading.<br />
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I have survived.<br />
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More than just survived, I have flourished.<br />
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I am grateful to everyone this year who has loved and supported me, talked with me, or just been there to brighten my day, even if they don't know they did.<br />
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<i>Kiitos paljon</i>, I hope this next year may see us all bloom even brighter than the last.<br />
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Lots of love,<br />
Noon xoxoNoonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-86479501222775773922015-04-17T06:50:00.003-07:002015-04-18T04:42:12.073-07:00#gemglam week 3: wearable peridot<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wHY0mmyHnA4/VTEDNriQoiI/AAAAAAAABgI/RNZDTrdXi8k/s1600/_MG_2744.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-wHY0mmyHnA4/VTEDNriQoiI/AAAAAAAABgI/RNZDTrdXi8k/s1600/_MG_2744.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Go to earth, they said. It'll be <i>easy</i>, they said..."</td></tr>
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Ah, we've reached homeworld gems now! Both this and Amethyst have been incredibly fun for me so far because they're colors I normally don't use in my looks at all. In addition, Peridot is also my birthstone, so I guess I have extra reasons to do this look justice, haha.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJUm3-oEqAg/VTEGzHjxYhI/AAAAAAAABgU/tQYqxLq0CQM/s1600/_MG_2740.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gJUm3-oEqAg/VTEGzHjxYhI/AAAAAAAABgU/tQYqxLq0CQM/s1600/_MG_2740.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"That's them alright. They're the ones who keep breaking my machines!"</td></tr>
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I wanted to keep this look very clean for the most part, and very minimal. Peridot is that clinical, single-minded, "sciencey" type from what we've seen of her, so I wanted to reflect that with something that wasn't too overdone. I also wanted to keep it very sharp and graphic, since Peridot has a whoooole lotta angles going on.<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-no8G5TwpTWE/VTEIKlXRVtI/AAAAAAAABgc/Bb0ay9_T3dE/s1600/_MG_2763.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-no8G5TwpTWE/VTEIKlXRVtI/AAAAAAAABgc/Bb0ay9_T3dE/s1600/_MG_2763.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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For this look I primed my lids and applied Blackbird's Half-Full as a base, and then applied Shiro's Moon Prism Power all over the top lid and bottom lashline. I chose it because it's a light pinky white color, but it has an eerie green shift, which I thought was perfect to mimic the "glow" Peridot's ship and computer screens give off. I then mixed Shiro's Fourth Be With You with Missha's Magic Eye Change foiling serum and used it to line my bottom lashline, and then mixed the serum with Blackbird's Lucid and used it to line the top lid. I took a bit of May the Fourth Be With You on a fluffy brush and blended it in the center over my crease for a bit of an extra eerie glow. Finally, mascara on the bottom lashes only, to add to the clean minimalism of everything and just add a little necessary definition to the eyes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfNBHPzF2Zs/VTEMZYXOdAI/AAAAAAAABgo/HvaLhfwJN7Y/s1600/_MG_2761.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-NfNBHPzF2Zs/VTEMZYXOdAI/AAAAAAAABgo/HvaLhfwJN7Y/s1600/_MG_2761.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Tell me...have...<i>Stevens </i>replaced humans as Earth's dominant species?"</td></tr>
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For my face I used TonyMoly's Goddess Aura BB, which is quite full coverage, and then powdered it well to get a nice matte finish. I also dabbed a bit of it on my lips to give them a nice muted quality. I mixed Moon Prism Power with some of Fyrinnae's Center Stage highlighter and dabbed it everywhere to get a nice green highlight to go with the eyes. I also used a little of Hello Waffle's Puddin' Cup contour to give me face a bit of warmth and sculpt. Gotta work those angles!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LwnwBcOOUVg/VTEOG2QK37I/AAAAAAAABg0/R6yKqsPqTlw/s1600/_MG_2756.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LwnwBcOOUVg/VTEOG2QK37I/AAAAAAAABg0/R6yKqsPqTlw/s1600/_MG_2756.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Don't touch that! You clods don't know what you're doing!"</td></tr>
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So overall a very minimal look this week, but still a lot of fun! Peridot is a character we don't know much about, but I look forward to her inevitable return. Next week will be a far more dramatic look, and I'm really excited because I have big plans. I've enjoyed putting a lot of though into planning my looks each week, and I hope everyone is enjoying seeing them!<br />
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<br />
<ul>
<li>Mollie's soft and aquatic Lapis Lazuli look is <b><a href="http://alioninthecorn.blogspot.fi/2015/04/gemglam-week-3-soft-look-for-lapis.html">here</a> </b>on her blog!</li>
<li>Mieke's bold and brash Jasper look is <b><a href="http://miekeup.tumblr.com/post/116672372429/gem-glam-week-3-a-wearable-look-inspired-by">here</a> </b>on her blog!</li>
</ul>
Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-79554657954140921222015-04-16T11:39:00.000-07:002015-07-28T11:33:47.180-07:00arcana soaps straitjacket<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KD8FY-7Eex0/VS_9LvDMfGI/AAAAAAAABds/UZ8dE9Z01nM/s1600/_MG_2560.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KD8FY-7Eex0/VS_9LvDMfGI/AAAAAAAABds/UZ8dE9Z01nM/s1600/_MG_2560.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My bottle of Arcana Soaps Straitjacket perfume oil.</td></tr>
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It's finally Spring so it's the perfect time to...review Halloween perfumes? Yes? Is Halloween ever not appropriate? It's the season that keeps on giving.<br />
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(God I love Fall. I love Halloween. I love the colors and the scents and flavors and weather and giant sweaters. I will be a Fall person always, regardless of season.)<br />
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<i>Anyways</i>...<br />
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I get to brag about this one, at least a little bit. This is the last bottle of Straitjacket to come out of the Arcana workshop, ever. I feel kinda special about that, I guess. I asked Julia what the year was on this, but she was unsure, so I'm not sure how long this batch has aged.<br />
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Also, while I say "last bottle", this is simply the last one Arcana made and sold, it's not the last one floating around for sale. SBC still has <a href="http://www.thesoapboxco.com/hidden-seasonal-limited/straitjacket-perfume">a few</a>, and for a killer price, in case this review strikes your interest.<br />
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I bought this mainly for the bottle art, but the scent is also right up my alley too. From Arcana:<br />
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<i><b>"Trust us, it's for your own good. A warm, controlled hug of rich Tahitian vanilla, pumpkin flesh, ginger custard, breadfruit, and hints of tonka bean, mango, and cinnamon."</b></i></blockquote>
True to its origins as a Halloween scent, it's a very warm and gourmand Autumn scent in a bottle. Right out the bottle wet I get the custard and vanilla with the tonka bean and a fruity and slightly tangy hint of mango and a whiff of cinnamon. I worry about my skin amping cinnamon like crazy, but this actually goes opposite. Dry on the skin it's rich vanilla and custard with slight fruitiness, and the cinnamon fades fairly fast into a slight hint of spice. The cinnamon wafts in and out but never becomes overpowering, and the mango fades pretty quickly and gives way to the sweet custardy base. As it fades it just becomes a rich vanilla custard scent on my skin, and it stays that way.<br />
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For <i>hours</i>.<br />
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This has some of the best wear time and sillage I've ever gotten from any perfume, and I'm not sure if it's the age or Arcana's formula or both. I've had this last somewhere around twelve hours on me, and at that point I was still sometimes getting whiffs of vanilla as my wrist brushed past my face. Arcana perfumes always have pretty good wear time for me, but this one has to be top tier.<br />
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If you really love Fall candles and gourmand scents, you will probably like this. It's everything you could ever want in a Fall foodie scent, very rich and sweet and slightly spicy and just overall very cozy and delicious. The "comforting hug" part really makes sense, because it reminds you of one of those desserts that's so rich that after consuming it you just want to curl up into a blanket burrito and sleep for a week.<br />
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Happy uh...seven months until Halloween, everyone?<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Where to buy:</b> <b><a href="http://www.thesoapboxco.com/hidden-seasonal-limited/straitjacket-perfume">SBC</a></b>, unsure how limited stock is; otherwise you're best off checking destashes from perfume junkies on reddit or other forums!</span><br />
<br />Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-11341502274514618412015-04-13T11:07:00.000-07:002015-04-13T11:14:57.692-07:00MAC Styled in Sepia needs to come back so i can buy 6 back-up tubes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KAdrWFjyXFo/VSv7ZBq5F_I/AAAAAAAABbY/8B9QPwp7Qso/s1600/_MG_2491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KAdrWFjyXFo/VSv7ZBq5F_I/AAAAAAAABbY/8B9QPwp7Qso/s1600/_MG_2491.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px;">Please note the photos in this post have been adjusted for lighting tint using photoshop to make the colors of the product appear to true life. However, the product has not been enhanced, saturated or otherwise improved in any way.</i></blockquote>
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When MAC announced their Limited Matte collection last Fall and my friend offered to snag me a tube of Styled in Sepia as a late birthday/early Christmas gift and mail it to me, I never thought she'd be doing me the solidest solid ever done for anyone by anyone before.<br />
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That's a really long run-on sentence, but it's true.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4wF_ED1aHqk/VSv-DMjRNcI/AAAAAAAABbk/QcCdSYucjYw/s1600/_MG_2492.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4wF_ED1aHqk/VSv-DMjRNcI/AAAAAAAABbk/QcCdSYucjYw/s1600/_MG_2492.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My loved bullet of Styled in Sepia.</td></tr>
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Styled in Sepia is described by MAC as "dirty cement beige". It's a slightly pink but greyed brown, very muted. The color it comes out on the lips seems to vary a lot, as some people find themselves very washed out while others find it ends up as a slightly strange and offbeat but gorgeous nude. I'm lucky to be in the latter category. On me it's clearly somewhat muted greyed brown-pink.<br />
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The formula is MAC's classic matte formula, which I love. It's creamy and easy to apply, and not drying at all. It's one of the easier matte formulas I've come across, and not even necessarily a true hardcore matte because it does give off a slight sheen. If I only had to stick to one lipstick formula this would be it, because I've yet to have a MAC lipstick fail me. It wears decently, won't last though a meal but it'll stay around while you have some coffee or a bagel, and if you need to reapply it's not the type of formula to gunk up.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jVu-VwOHHfM/VSwAuxUwNfI/AAAAAAAABb4/HOSKO1qmRbE/s1600/_MG_2495.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jVu-VwOHHfM/VSwAuxUwNfI/AAAAAAAABb4/HOSKO1qmRbE/s1600/_MG_2495.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Styled in Sepia swatched on pale yellow-toned skin, natural light.</td></tr>
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All in all it's a very polarizing color, and one that I think will be defined as "that lipcolor" for this mid-teens era of the 2000s, much like how cherry red is associated with the 50s or deeper brown and high frost finishes are very 90s. Right now, it's all about the "greige". Everyone wants to dupe Cashmere or Sepia or get their hands on Ghoulish or Fyrinnae's Kitten. We've looped right back around to nudes, but slightly dirty and more muted. I won't lie, I'm totally into it.<br />
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(Also the past few times I've put this on and taken some selfies, the sweet brain and beauty behind <a href="https://crimsonandclovher.wordpress.com/">crimsonandclovher</a> always comments to let me know she thinks it's fantastic, haha!)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjqTzQEhBu0/VSwBVmF_5yI/AAAAAAAABcA/RCjtVcfYAYs/s1600/_MG_2490.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VjqTzQEhBu0/VSwBVmF_5yI/AAAAAAAABcA/RCjtVcfYAYs/s1600/_MG_2490.jpg" height="259" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lip swatch of Styled in Sepia in natural light.<br />
For comparison to bare lips, see <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--UdC_TvfUmo/VI3DLZUxM2I/AAAAAAAABIQ/A8-JRlEoVKY/s1600/pieni2.jpg">here</a> or <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ugKfzCZWlU/VSfPZLjHx3I/AAAAAAAABaE/YzTb70W6SLE/s1600/_MG_2713.jpg">here</a>.</td></tr>
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Honestly, I think this shade is in a family of shades out to become iconic in a way, and I hope MAC brings this back like they did with Heroine and Candy Yum-Yum. It's not a shade that looks good on everyone, but I think it's one people need to be able to try for themselves. And some people are into that whole washed out corpse chic my-lips-but-deader thing.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W1RVZ_LMyGA/VSwGhMYqa8I/AAAAAAAABcQ/bdR99EPcgsE/s1600/11018421_952211438125127_627980303_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-W1RVZ_LMyGA/VSwGhMYqa8I/AAAAAAAABcQ/bdR99EPcgsE/s1600/11018421_952211438125127_627980303_n.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yanked from Insta; <br />
MAC Steel Kiss lipglass over Styled in Sepia, <br />
which is layered over MAC Pro Longwear lip pencil in Nice n Spicy.<br />
Natural light, #nofilter</td></tr>
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<br />
And of course to the greatest friend ever, thanks muchly. This is the best Chrisbirthmasday present a Noon can get. ♥<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Where to buy:</b> Sadly this is sold out of pretty much anywhere you could think to look, so if you're desperate for a tube you might have to take up pleaing on MakeupExchange on reddit, or offer up an arm and a leg on eBay. C'mon MAC! Bring it back!</span>Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-11071944847695290552015-04-10T07:08:00.001-07:002015-04-11T01:54:14.594-07:00#gemglam week 2: dramatic amethyst look!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ugKfzCZWlU/VSfPZLjHx3I/AAAAAAAABaE/YzTb70W6SLE/s1600/_MG_2713.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2ugKfzCZWlU/VSfPZLjHx3I/AAAAAAAABaE/YzTb70W6SLE/s1600/_MG_2713.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Let's mash it uuuuup! Bigger, better, better! Ohohohohoooo!"</td></tr>
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Today's #GemGlam look is all about the drama fun! I could've probably gone even more 'out there' if I wanted, but I was really set on doing a super grungy smokey eye, and I had to give in. I'd also messed my brows up the other day doing a trial run for this look and I was super happy with how that came out, so I mussed em up good!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--zDpnYkKqik/VSfT-CsolWI/AAAAAAAABaw/lJqYCr3WEHA/s1600/_MG_2714.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--zDpnYkKqik/VSfT-CsolWI/AAAAAAAABaw/lJqYCr3WEHA/s1600/_MG_2714.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"What can I say, I'm scrappy!"</td></tr>
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Amethyst is quite a messy and disorganized type of person (her room is seriously impressive) but also very authentic. She's impulsive, especially when it comes to things she thinks are fun! Last time I wanted to reflect her soft side and vulnerable heart, but this time I want to reflect the other side of her, the one that's gross and messy and "fun mom". The side that's also a little "bad", sometimes not the best influence or judge of good choices, but overall still a lot of fun to be with. She is not always a perfect or good person and resents being told what to do.<br />
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"<i>You can't let others treat you like garbage</i>," she says to Steven in Tiger Millionaire. Still, I think sometimes she can mistake love and concern from Pearl and Garnet as them trying to look down on her and tell her who to be. But in the end, despite how they chide Amethyst for being childish, they both love her very much. Amethyst has come a long way in the series so far, she's still impulsive and mischievous but understands Pearl has never seen her as a mistake, and understands more often that Pearl's concern is often purely Pearl's way of showing love, and not her way of telling Amethyst that she's not good enough.<br />
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So that was the idea behind this look--the scrappy, mischievous, secret-night-wrestler and macaroni-cheese-stealer Amethyst. A bit selfish, a bit childish, a whole lotta mess, but overall still very loving and loved.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GJVNJotPhno/VSfRa9aQ8EI/AAAAAAAABaQ/r0hC2OE5ykQ/s1600/_MG_2694.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GJVNJotPhno/VSfRa9aQ8EI/AAAAAAAABaQ/r0hC2OE5ykQ/s1600/_MG_2694.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ugh I hate it when you're right, you get this look on your face...yeah that's the one."</td></tr>
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The shadow may have come out a bit blue for this, so it's not ideal, but I'm still satisfied.<br />
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I used a lot of Notoriously Morbid's Silent Samurai, which is a blue/purple shifting shadow with a ton of gorgeous blue and purple glitter. I started with a base of Urban Decay Perversion all over my lid, and then applied Notoriously Morbid's Watcher to Father over it and blended it out. I darkened up the edges with Blackbird's Lucid and blended it out a lot in a circular motion just under the browbone. I lightened up the lid a bit with Fyrinnae's Agenda in a throwback to my other look, and also applied that on the lower lashline and smoked it out in a very fat arc. To refine it a bit I used Blackbird's Half-Full to smooth out the browbone and inner corner.<br />
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Then I took my sample of KaeQ's B.S. Beso and messily patted some in the center of the upper lid to give it some grungy, greasy shine. I patted Silent Samurai over that, and finished off the inner corner and outer edge of my bottom lid with Dark Matter's Polaris.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WZIS6Q2LTMU/VSfSdgulKgI/AAAAAAAABak/fwfLU0LEfwg/s1600/_MG_2695.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-WZIS6Q2LTMU/VSfSdgulKgI/AAAAAAAABak/fwfLU0LEfwg/s1600/_MG_2695.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"And I've got a monster headache..."</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Gz81b8KT2k/VSfSdnpsRGI/AAAAAAAABag/q21Ct2iKjTo/s1600/_MG_2699.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Gz81b8KT2k/VSfSdnpsRGI/AAAAAAAABag/q21Ct2iKjTo/s1600/_MG_2699.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">That crease-y, grunge goodness.</td></tr>
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I didn't use a base on my face at all. I pinpoint concealed some redness and spots but left my dark circles and general overall skin untouched, because I wanted to keep it very stripped and authentic, aside from the dramatic and messy eyes. I also left some of the fallout from the shadow on my cheeks too to add to the "messy" sense. The lips were also left bare, and the skin highlighted to the max with a combo of Fyrinnae's Hollywood Sorcery, Revlon Skinlights in Bare Light and good ol' Vaseline. I also added up a bitof warmth and definition to the cheeks with Hello Waffle's Puddin' Cup Contour used as a blush.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFZWqlDGoik/VSfX5sYr6uI/AAAAAAAABbE/wyo43hGdcCI/s1600/_MG_2711.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xFZWqlDGoik/VSfX5sYr6uI/AAAAAAAABbE/wyo43hGdcCI/s1600/_MG_2711.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Never started a car with a key before...Haha! That's <i>way</i> easier!'</td></tr>
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<ul>
<li><b>Mollie's</b> duo-toned Avant Garnet look is <b><a href="http://alioninthecorn.blogspot.fi/2015/04/gemglam-week-two-avant-garde-garnet.html">here</a></b>!</li>
<li><b>Mieke's</b> perfectly pastel Pearl look is <b><a href="http://miekeup.tumblr.com/post/116055720754/gem-glam-week-2-an-avant-garde-look-inspired">here</a></b>!</li>
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Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-21734356420055084372015-04-09T12:25:00.001-07:002015-04-09T12:27:40.606-07:00Blackbird Alliance eyeshadow: my sad and woeful disappointment<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mi0C4Zd1T-8/VSbL61MFbzI/AAAAAAAABZM/be9BlaQ8d4s/s1600/_MG_2500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mi0C4Zd1T-8/VSbL61MFbzI/AAAAAAAABZM/be9BlaQ8d4s/s1600/_MG_2500.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackbird Alliance pigment built up a ton and blended over bare skin, then primer, then thinly applied over bare skin again.</td></tr>
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<i style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;">Please note the photos in this post have been adjusted for lighting tint using photoshop to make the colors of the product appear to true life. However, the product has not been enhanced, saturated or otherwise improved in any way.</span></i></blockquote>
I am usually not that easily disappointed. I somehow tend to be a weird "it could be worse" optimist, in a large contrast to my cynic teen days, so now more than ever I can tolerate a good "oh, well that's unexpected" type of twist. I don't actually remember being legitimately disappointed in an indie product before, which is why this post is a little sad and weird for me, but I think it needs to be reviewed. It's not even for purchase anymore, so this review doesn't serve much purpose besides general feedback and opinion, but sometimes you gotta just put everything out there, right? So here it goes.<br />
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Alliance was a Limited run pigment from Blackbird, I believe it was a custom shade that was whipped up for another customer and the remainder of the batch was put into the shop and sold as a Limited color. I am super into anything cobalt-colored, so I jumped on it right away, and also threw a jar of my beloved Atlas in the cart too.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f4sV7T1tfjI/VSbNFhSIYmI/AAAAAAAABZc/jqMoj0gSM50/s1600/_MG_2531.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-f4sV7T1tfjI/VSbNFhSIYmI/AAAAAAAABZc/jqMoj0gSM50/s1600/_MG_2531.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">For contrast, Blackbird's Atlas, over primer and bare skin, not overly built up.</td></tr>
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While Atlas is still going strong for me, sadly the love between Alliance and myself has been short-lived. Just simply put: it doesn't work. At all. Even applied and built up over primer it blends out rather sheerly and loses intensity and becomes terribly patchy. Without primer, that intensity is even shorter lived. Even with a mountain's worth of packing and blending and repacking, it's still nowhere what I'd hoped for or expected. Blackbird's new formula does seem to "stick" a little less than the old one, thus making for easier blending and sacrificing a bit of pigment punch, but this is neither here nor there. It's not easy to blend or pigmented. It's just...unworkable for me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4A45pKLegaI/VSbNDhn9zLI/AAAAAAAABZU/4FwcYuRZoIk/s1600/_MG_2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4A45pKLegaI/VSbNDhn9zLI/AAAAAAAABZU/4FwcYuRZoIk/s1600/_MG_2529.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alliance over bare skin and blended out a bit with a finger vs reformulated Atlas, also blended with finger.</td></tr>
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When I sat down to photograph for this review I'd actually just received my Notoriously Morbid Say Me Wave 4 mattes, and while I (personally) dislike comparing companies head to head (it feels uncomfortable for me, I suppose, since I'd rather judge a formula on its own merits rather than on comparing it to how it performs vs others) I've used one of them just to compare the difference and highlight the problems with this pigment. I couldn't think of another way to really demonstrate just how difficult it is.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S9ffD0sNTig/VSbPCnubtjI/AAAAAAAABZo/BAjf9UJPJ5s/s1600/_MG_2519.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-S9ffD0sNTig/VSbPCnubtjI/AAAAAAAABZo/BAjf9UJPJ5s/s1600/_MG_2519.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NM Watcher to Father vs Blackbird Alliance</td></tr>
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I applied both NM's Watcher to Father, which is a dark navy-ish matte and Blackbird's Alliance over primer and then attempted to blend them out. You can see easily the difference, especially if you look closely at Alliance:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-618-W6gWt7E/VSbPhpl8Y-I/AAAAAAAABZw/MJ9ddO8qRg0/s1600/_MG_2523.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-618-W6gWt7E/VSbPhpl8Y-I/AAAAAAAABZw/MJ9ddO8qRg0/s1600/_MG_2523.jpg" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blackbird Alliance over primer.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Where as Watcher to Father blended out fairly smoothly (there are a few small bumps, but nothing that probably couldn't be fixed with patience) Alliance took some effort, sticks in some places and just overall ends up fairly patchy. Compared to both my other Blackbird mattes and mattes from other companies as well, I feel this just does not do it for me at all. I'm not sure if perhaps Horde, the red half to this custom order, fares better. I hope perhaps this is just a one-off, a "bad day" of products so to speak, and that future limited custom batches will be more on par with Blackbird's regular shadows.<br />
<br />
That said, I am super grateful to Alliance mostly because it pushed me to make an order in which I ordered a sample of Half-Full, which is my new favorite primer/transition/base/browbone/everything shade. I've got a pressed pan of it on the way and I really am excited for that!<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Where to buy:</b> If you'd like to check out <b>Blackbird's</b> regular selection of matte shadows, they're available <b><a href="http://blackbirdcosmetics.com/">here</a></b> on their website.</span>Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-42376090509503073192015-04-03T06:14:00.000-07:002015-04-04T02:39:57.877-07:00#gemglam week 1: wearable amethyst look!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c2P9Dxw9g0o/VR6J5rLyWjI/AAAAAAAABX8/VRKDoNVvuDI/s1600/_MG_2665.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c2P9Dxw9g0o/VR6J5rLyWjI/AAAAAAAABX8/VRKDoNVvuDI/s1600/_MG_2665.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Well she's an ultra-powerful stone cold betty...that part's me. And she's...kinda tall? That part's Pearl."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
#GemGlam is a collab we're doing all April between myself, <a href="http://miekeup.tumblr.com/">Mieke</a> and <a href="http://alioninthecorn.blogspot.com/">Mollie</a>! We all really love Steven Universe, and I really wanted to try some SU makeup looks but I thought it'd be more fun with friends, so here we are! Each Friday in April we'll each be posting a gem-inspired look based on one of the characters from the show. This week, mine is a "wearable" Amethyst look.<br />
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I thought about this look a lot, honestly. Amethyst was not one of the characters I liked very much initially, but seeing how she's grown and learning more about her made me come to love her.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZHyMEkVMkQ/VR6K5JzAYOI/AAAAAAAABYE/1yqC8mifmVc/s1600/_MG_2667.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZHyMEkVMkQ/VR6K5JzAYOI/AAAAAAAABYE/1yqC8mifmVc/s1600/_MG_2667.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div class="p1">
I'm not going to let you stand there and remind me about everything I <i>hate about myself</i>!</div>
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</tbody></table>
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I wanted to do a slightly soft and smokey eye, but nothing too dramatic. Amethyst is laid-back and a bit grungy and messy, so I wanted to keep it clean but not too harsh or precise. I think Amethyst has shown that despite her happy-go-lucky exterior, inside she's quite sensitive. She worries about her origins, she doesn't like herself, and she fears others secretly think she's nothing but a mistake. So I wanted to use this look to portray a bit of that "softer" side of her.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dedetnBY7zM/VR6MW-Jh__I/AAAAAAAABYQ/x7B-ahUVuas/s1600/_MG_2669.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-dedetnBY7zM/VR6MW-Jh__I/AAAAAAAABYQ/x7B-ahUVuas/s1600/_MG_2669.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My hair is an utter mess from growing out of a pixie cut, but I let it down for this, <br />
because that's what Amethyst would do!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_GHdbWWByG0/VR6MWwKSnbI/AAAAAAAABYU/1Hs9fvT3Sq4/s1600/_MG_2688.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_GHdbWWByG0/VR6MWwKSnbI/AAAAAAAABYU/1Hs9fvT3Sq4/s1600/_MG_2688.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of the eye makeup on the top lid.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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For eyes, I primed using the NYX HD Shadow Base, then lightly covered the lid in Blackbird's Half-Full and blended it out very well to soften everything. I patted Notoriously Morbid's Slay Me matte in Done lightly over the middle and outer third of the lid with a dense shading brush, then blended it out to soften it and being careful to still make sure to keep some of the lightness of Half-Full in the inner corner. After that I took it to the bottom lashline and with a small pencil brush used Fyrinnae's Agenda across the entire length, and used a small smudger brush to really soften it and smoke it out. Then the outer third of both lids got a small patting of Femme Fatale's Prismo, which I used a fluffy clean brush to blend, just to give that outer section a bit more depth. I also patted the tiniest possible bit of Blackbird's Lucid on the very outer edge of the bottom lashline and used the same small smudger brush from earlier to smoke it out and soften it. Finally, the inner corner of the eyes got a bit of Shiro's Master of Whispers, blended in enough to bring a slight lightness and shine to them.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--v2nwIDYwTQ/VR6Or6wW4uI/AAAAAAAABYk/dAHtQ6WZvhM/s1600/_MG_2676.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--v2nwIDYwTQ/VR6Or6wW4uI/AAAAAAAABYk/dAHtQ6WZvhM/s1600/_MG_2676.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Yeah, except I don't dance like <i>that</i>."</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It might be a bit harder to see in photos, but for the cheeks I buffed in a lot of Revlon's Skinlights in Bare Light over the cheekbones, and then went for NARS' blush in Outlaw. I tried to build it up a lot, to give my cheeks a very full and flushed look, because Amethyst is round! She's got a nice roundness and softness to her, so I wanted to accentuate the roundness in my own cheeks, reminiscent of Amethyst's overall roundness but also her playful prankster ways and her adorable smile. I usually use makeup to play it down a bit, but today I decided to play it up and embrace it!<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yrx6bu2mpbU/VR6PWGI87XI/AAAAAAAABYs/c3gpN8zZ4XU/s1600/_MG_2685.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yrx6bu2mpbU/VR6PWGI87XI/AAAAAAAABYs/c3gpN8zZ4XU/s1600/_MG_2685.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></div>
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For lips I finished it off with MAC's Styled in Sepia over Nice n Spicy lip pencil to give it some warmth, then added a small bit of their Prolongwear lip cream in Goes n Goes to give it a slightly more lavender tinge. Finally I topped it all with MAC's lipglass in Steel Kiss. I wanted to go with something slightly neutral but also a bit grey-toned to reflect the slightly muted color palette in some of Amethyst's clothing and hair.<br />
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(Amethyst does have full lips, but I want to note I didn't purposefully overdraw mine in any way because I think her lips are a racialized aspect of her, much like Garnet's, and I would find it incredibly disrespectful to do such a thing. It is important to recognize this I think! Fiction does not exist in a vaccuum!)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JJ7Z5JFrHpo/VR6QTqZ7uSI/AAAAAAAABY4/_zrhv5mp1GA/s1600/_MG_2687.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JJ7Z5JFrHpo/VR6QTqZ7uSI/AAAAAAAABY4/_zrhv5mp1GA/s1600/_MG_2687.jpg" height="400" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Which way to the baby war?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
So that's my small breakdown of this look, I hope everyone enjoys it!<br />
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Believe in Steven!<br />
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<ul>
<li>Mollie's <b>Garnet</b> look for this week is <b><a href="http://alioninthecorn.blogspot.fi/2015/04/gemglam-week-one-everyday-garnet.html">here</a></b> on her blog!</li>
<li>Mieke's <b>Pearl</b> look for this week is <b><a href="http://miekeup.tumblr.com/post/115463299919/gem-glam-week-1-a-wearable-daily-look">here</a></b> on her blog!</li>
</ul>
Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-25019265086721446162015-03-31T13:32:00.002-07:002015-04-09T12:25:40.624-07:00skinfood salmon darkcircle concealer: nothin' fishy to see here!<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vGy70N7gJxk/VRr_ZBIocyI/AAAAAAAABXY/a0LOebcKQrM/s1600/_MG_2659.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vGy70N7gJxk/VRr_ZBIocyI/AAAAAAAABXY/a0LOebcKQrM/s1600/_MG_2659.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Skinfood Salmon Darkcircle Concealer</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;">Please note the photos in this post have been adjusted for lighting tint using photoshop to make the colors of the product appear to true life. However, the product has not been enhanced, saturated or otherwise improved in any way.</i></blockquote>
<br />
I've been blessed with many things in life, but sadly bright, peppy, bag-free eyes are not one of them. I'm not the worse case of dark circles ever, but it's enough that some days the transformation with concealer actually weirds me out because suddenly I look 10x more awake. I'd been switching off between a Flower concealer pen that wasn't doing a whole lot and an Urban Decay pencil concealer that was actually doing too much, and too thickly.<br />
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Then, while browsing Korean beauty shops on eBay, this concealer dropped its way into my basket.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bG2kzwE88mI/VRsAQFyPWvI/AAAAAAAABXg/vyJv1QSVEw8/s1600/_MG_2660.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bG2kzwE88mI/VRsAQFyPWvI/AAAAAAAABXg/vyJv1QSVEw8/s1600/_MG_2660.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swatch of Skinfood Salmon Darkcircle Concealer in natural light, blended and unblended.<br />
This is shade No1.</td></tr>
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I really like the texture of this. It's "dewy", a little bit sticky but very creamy and moist. It tends to benefit from a good patting into the skin, and then letting it sit and absorb for a bit. Only a little is needed, more than a dab and you might end up a bit cakey. My favorite thing is though that it ends up looking quite natural when it's said and done. It looks like skin.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oW8topIfEwI/VRsA2fEILoI/AAAAAAAABXo/-wPMoaUq-Lk/s1600/_MG_2638.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-oW8topIfEwI/VRsA2fEILoI/AAAAAAAABXo/-wPMoaUq-Lk/s1600/_MG_2638.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Eye with concealer and without, in natural light.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Before I came across this I really found covering up dark circles a chore, but now it's easy to do and it looks very organic, which is what I really wanted out of a concealer. It also supposedly contains salmon oil to help reduce dark circles, but I honestly have no idea if it actually has any effect. The fishy smell is evident, though. If you can't stand the scent of fish oil vitamin capsules, you'll want to avoid this. It also does come in a pot, so if you're not one for potted products, this might not be for you either. And it only comes in two shades. So if you're darker-skinned, (or let's be real, like more than NW20) this is not one you'd want to look into either.<br />
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That said, there is one more very nice factor about this, and that's the price. You can pick it up from several online shops. I got mine from eBay, but it's also available on Amazon for around seven dollars. Inexpensive, but effective, and the size of the pot is nothing to sneeze at either! It's pretty huge.<br />
<br />
I'm not a fish person at all, but this is one fish I really do enjoy daily.<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Where to buy:</b> <b>Amazon</b>, <b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/SKINFOOD-Darkcircle-Concealer-Blooming-Whitening/dp/B004FKD3HI">here</a></b>; various eBay shops, and <b>RoseRoseShop</b>, <b><a href="http://www.roseroseshop.com/en/sale-20/110453--skinfood-salmon-dark-circle-concealer-cream-no02.html">here</a></b>.</span>Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-77101303798692806922015-03-28T10:01:00.004-07:002015-03-28T10:44:32.477-07:00fyrinnae liquid mattes: graffiti and sinister<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YLjUJA2UXlo/VRbED7gnIyI/AAAAAAAABVc/2LF-xqBJtWo/s1600/psE8pYHi.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-YLjUJA2UXlo/VRbED7gnIyI/AAAAAAAABVc/2LF-xqBJtWo/s1600/psE8pYHi.jpeg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fyrinnae Liquid Mattes in Sinister and Graffiti</td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: left;">
<i style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;">Please note the photos in this post have been adjusted for lighting tint using photoshop to make the colors of the product appear to true life. However, the product has not been enhanced, saturated or otherwise improved in any way.</i></blockquote>
<i style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small; line-height: 14px; text-align: center;"><br /></i>
I just blue myself.<br />
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Ok, I really couldn't resist that one. Sorry. It's worth it, right? Anyway, I've had these liquid mattes in my possession for about two months now and finally after wearing them a few times I've gotten around to actually posting these lovely little tubes of joy.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKElNhGPCVg/VRbFTpobWNI/AAAAAAAABVk/IpB8w3z-Mp4/s1600/PyMOTn2a.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sKElNhGPCVg/VRbFTpobWNI/AAAAAAAABVk/IpB8w3z-Mp4/s1600/PyMOTn2a.jpeg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swatches of Sinister and Graffiti on my arm, in natural light.</td></tr>
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Initially I'd ordered only Graffiti, the deeper and less green blue of these two, but was sent Sinister by mistake. Sinister is more of a metallic teal, and Graffiti a metallic cobalt. I shot Fyrinnae an email and they quickly replied to let me know they'd send out the right shade. They had it out to me within a day or so, and it even came with another free eyeshadow sample!<br />
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These are liquid lipsticks, but they're quite thin and watery, more so than others I've tried like Stila's. They're not anything like a thin gloss, much thinner and they have no slip. They dry pretty fast, they're pretty set by a minute in but Fyrinnae's website says 90 seconds to be sure. (I also want to note Fyrinnae's page for these says that as of 3/21 they're reworking these to be a bit thicker, so my review may be a tiny bit obsolete. )</div>
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That said, these are not set for good. They do tend to transfer, though not as much as a traditional cream lipstick or gloss due to their dry texture. I find the texture and finish similar to that of the MAC Retro Matte lipsticks. They're not overly drying but the finish is still very dry and some may find it uncomfortable. They also feel very lightweight once on, if it weren't for the slight dryness it'd be easy to forget you were wearing anything at all.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zrxuQlmdpA8/VRbVujDtdYI/AAAAAAAABV0/Tz17HJwIw0E/s1600/_MG_2452.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zrxuQlmdpA8/VRbVujDtdYI/AAAAAAAABV0/Tz17HJwIw0E/s1600/_MG_2452.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graffiti, one thicker coat, still wet. Shot with an artifical daylight lamp.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Onto application: I find these easy to apply with the doefoot applicator (I'm a doefoot enthusiast though) but I usually clean up the edges a little with a q-tip. </div>
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<br /></div>
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Due to the thin formula they can be a bit patchy. Sinister goes on fairly opaque without any obvious patches. Graffiti is the evil twin here, it can be patchy when applied too thinly, and going back over it while still wet will usually just cause uneveness elsewhere. The best way to combat this is to go for two thin coats--better staying power and more pigment! </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g5jM0GQ48OI/VRbWOho_h5I/AAAAAAAABV8/jeY_vV-35V0/s1600/_MG_2456.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g5jM0GQ48OI/VRbWOho_h5I/AAAAAAAABV8/jeY_vV-35V0/s1600/_MG_2456.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graffiti, dry. You can see the slight patchiness in the center of the upper lip.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-usy7_xZ_QW8/VRbWbH01eKI/AAAAAAAABWE/Kz5XjZHbKi4/s1600/_MG_2460.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-usy7_xZ_QW8/VRbWbH01eKI/AAAAAAAABWE/Kz5XjZHbKi4/s1600/_MG_2460.jpg" height="195" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graffiti on top lip; Sinister on bottom.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LTekXZSHLOA/VRbWh1mIZOI/AAAAAAAABWM/eYr7Yx4X_1U/s1600/_MG_2465.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LTekXZSHLOA/VRbWh1mIZOI/AAAAAAAABWM/eYr7Yx4X_1U/s1600/_MG_2465.jpg" height="202" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sinister, one thick layer applied.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And since I mentioned they do tend to wear off fairly easy, I prepared an incredibly scientific test for you where I left Sinister on and took some time to drink some coffee and water. The above swatch is before. And here's after:<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HbdmQyCNVlo/VRbW3IhlxFI/AAAAAAAABWU/AvK4TyOejn0/s1600/_MG_2470.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HbdmQyCNVlo/VRbW3IhlxFI/AAAAAAAABWU/AvK4TyOejn0/s1600/_MG_2470.jpg" height="241" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sinister after indulging in some normal coffee drinking. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
As you can see, it doesn't look the worst a lipstick has ever looked after eating, but it's obviously lost some patches and has worn a bit thin on the edges, especially the outer inside of the lip. That said, I really do find the color gorgeous, and it's not that much more maintenance-intensive to reapply than a lipgloss, so wearing it out during the day and stopping to reapply is not some labor-intensive task out of the question.</div>
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Fyrinnae does not advertise these as long-wear products at all, and the swatches done for them even show patchiness in some of the shades, like Graffiti. So while these are not an ideal product, I can forgive the issue somewhat because they are not being advertised and sold as something they're not. For me, honesty about the product's issues can be the difference between hating it and being okay with doing a bit of work for it. That is my own personal feeling however, and I'm sure there are some out there who hate touching up lipstick, and for those people I wouldn't recommend these. (Also would not recommend for a day out to eat fried food at the county fair, your face will look like you made out with a one of those dudes from Avatar with all the grease and oil.)</div>
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Overall though? Not a perfect product, but I really like the color and find them comfortable, so I'm happy with them. After shooting the first photo in this post I also accidentally left them on the table, where my girlfriend found them. Let me just say, she was eager to try them out and the results were fantastic:</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rzDTI8OebGs/VRbaaUZwzsI/AAAAAAAABWg/EnGE0mWuzck/s1600/10012481_336210303256409_1691627036_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rzDTI8OebGs/VRbaaUZwzsI/AAAAAAAABWg/EnGE0mWuzck/s1600/10012481_336210303256409_1691627036_n.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reapplying after a tuplajuusto hampurilaisen (double cheeseburger) at McD's.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w-rSD5nFcBM/VRbaaqgxnkI/AAAAAAAABWs/h2GTrNAvHK8/s1600/10611155_500336483448442_809723908_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w-rSD5nFcBM/VRbaaqgxnkI/AAAAAAAABWs/h2GTrNAvHK8/s1600/10611155_500336483448442_809723908_n.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is Graffiti and Sinister layered for a sweet slightly bluer green color.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vEJ4aT6XDcA/VRbbJD_fEKI/AAAAAAAABW4/B4tfYRgnsQw/s1600/IMG_20150113_173940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vEJ4aT6XDcA/VRbbJD_fEKI/AAAAAAAABW4/B4tfYRgnsQw/s1600/IMG_20150113_173940.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Instagram pic of me in Graffiti, it's a bit more opaque and blue here then it is irl sadly.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vdBX2U0Mdbw/VRbdfD092pI/AAAAAAAABXE/_5Fv-Jlpe3Y/s1600/10963824_939689189388082_1554638886_n.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vdBX2U0Mdbw/VRbdfD092pI/AAAAAAAABXE/_5Fv-Jlpe3Y/s1600/10963824_939689189388082_1554638886_n.jpeg" height="400" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another instagram picture of me in Graffiti, enjoying the wonderful country of Sweden.<br />
(No filter on this, I even double checked with filter faker because I couldn't remember!)</td></tr>
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So finally, the great Peachynoon Blog Drought of 2015 is over. I'm sure when you're an old grandperson with children you can tell them all about it. Or not. I'm just so happy the sun has returned. Hyvää Kevät! </div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Where to buy:</b> <b>Fyrinnae's <a href="http://fyrinnae.com/lips/liquid-matte-lipstick/">shop</a></b>, they range from <b>$12.50 USD to $14.00 USD</b>.</span></div>
Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-18185704199135368702015-02-07T07:42:00.000-08:002015-02-07T07:44:02.713-08:00who's that laaaaadyyy?<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n4xKv_Jo068/VNYo43m9ljI/AAAAAAAABTo/Am0UlXcx3BM/s1600/_MG_2419.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-n4xKv_Jo068/VNYo43m9ljI/AAAAAAAABTo/Am0UlXcx3BM/s1600/_MG_2419.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brazen Ultraglaze gloss in Rhinestone Housewife exclusive shade Sparkly Lady.</td></tr>
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<blockquote class="tr_bq" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Please note the photos in this post have been adjusted for lighting tint using photoshop to make the colors of the product appear to true life. However, the product has not been enhanced, saturated or otherwise improved in any way.</i></span></blockquote>
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Sometimes perfection just falls into your lap by chance.<br />
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This is one of those times. Sparkly Lady was a generous bonus sample for me from Rhinestone Housewife included in my order of several Arcana perfumes. Not only is it a color that is my total weakness (pink? gold? orange? ALL THREE? sign me up...) but it's also turned out to be the perfect gloss to tote around and apply in a momentary urge to make my lips twenty times more shiny than necessary.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QJhu6xLHiSA/VNYo46PA_PI/AAAAAAAABUA/KqFL4KIkVg4/s1600/_MG_2420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QJhu6xLHiSA/VNYo46PA_PI/AAAAAAAABUA/KqFL4KIkVg4/s1600/_MG_2420.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Aaaand it's vegan!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PkDUwK0Yjyc/VNYo4w04FaI/AAAAAAAABTs/-8uDartSX74/s1600/_MG_2421.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PkDUwK0Yjyc/VNYo4w04FaI/AAAAAAAABTs/-8uDartSX74/s1600/_MG_2421.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I honestly have to resist the urge to apply a thick and super shiny layer, look at that color.</td></tr>
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It applies nicely from the slanted-tip tube and is best when applied in a thin layer and massaged a little into the lips using the tube's applicator. The formula is a bit stickier than Shiro's but much less sticky than MAC's lipglasses or the incredibly thick and sticky Armour Beauty formula. It also has a very slight silicone-y slip to it that lends it a more cushiony feel. It's important to not apply it too thickly, because it will settle into cracks and get patchy if you try to apply more than your mouth can handle. The first time I over-applied and ended up with a ring of shimmery goodness on the inside of my lips. The second time I went for a much thinner coat and everything went much more smoothly, no patchiness or pooling at all.<br />
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It also wears incredibly well, this is a gloss that will still stick around a bit even after a few coffees. It's a perfect swiss army knife of a gloss that'll get you out of just about any naked lip emergency.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tSE3o8MDS0k/VNYo5kwY7VI/AAAAAAAABTw/nFuh6gdGM6g/s1600/_MG_2422.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tSE3o8MDS0k/VNYo5kwY7VI/AAAAAAAABTw/nFuh6gdGM6g/s1600/_MG_2422.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Also did I mention it's pretty? It's pretty.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MDWWlUidPbw/VNTeyhOOVLI/AAAAAAAABTA/4LHk4G6h4iI/s1600/7kK8TYv.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MDWWlUidPbw/VNTeyhOOVLI/AAAAAAAABTA/4LHk4G6h4iI/s1600/7kK8TYv.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wearing Dark Matter Makeup shadows on eyes with Sparkly Lady gloss on lips.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Where to buy:</b> <b><a href="http://www.therhinestonehousewife.com/products/product-detail.php?iid=282">Rhinestone Housewife</a></b> (this is an exclusive shade!); $4.00 USD; for other shades, also check<b> <a href="http://www.therhinestonehousewife.com/products/subcategory.php?scid=29&cid=14">Rhinestone Housewife</a></b> or <b><a href="http://shop.brazencosmetics.com/collections/lips">Brazen Cosmetics</a></b></span>Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-10203848949446218452015-02-06T07:42:00.001-08:002015-02-06T09:39:30.466-08:00(ursa)major love for dark matter makeup.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lyxwXpktyN4/VNTFZBeOGdI/AAAAAAAABRU/ofp2rK305DM/s1600/_MG_2376.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-lyxwXpktyN4/VNTFZBeOGdI/AAAAAAAABRU/ofp2rK305DM/s1600/_MG_2376.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sample vials from Dark Matter Makeup</td></tr>
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I experienced a miracle today.<br />
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It might not seem like much of one, but if you're anywhere above, like, Kentucky, you'll probably understand what I mean when I describe the miracle as "the sun". Yes, the sun. Today, I finally saw the sun for the first time since about mid-November. That's not even an exaggeration, because I distinctly remember the day in mid-November when it appeared and my girlfriend said, "This is the first time the sun's been out since Halloween".</div>
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I haven't even been longing for the sun in terms of wanting it to be spring so much as it's just been driving me bonkers how hard it is to get gloriously glittery swatches without it. There's just nothing else that's quite the same as that giant yellow sky-ball.</div>
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So, naturally, when the sun came out today I rejoiced, and then I grabbed my Dark Matter samples I'd recently received and my camera.</div>
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"Now," you might say. "When you say you went outside to swatch do you mean you went out in the snow in a sweater with rolled-up sleeves and took pictures of your glittery arms while strangers walking their dogs looked at you funny?"</div>
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And in an ideal world I would answer no, I did it from the comfort of my living room with large window/sun porch/balcony.</div>
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But this is not an ideal world so yes, that is exactly what I did.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u51tfWx8Bo8/VNTFZsw0isI/AAAAAAAABRc/EncvblyZEFk/s1600/_MG_2400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-u51tfWx8Bo8/VNTFZsw0isI/AAAAAAAABRc/EncvblyZEFk/s1600/_MG_2400.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over UDPP & Pixie Epoxy, L to R: Betelgeuse, Ursa Minor, Ursa Major.</td></tr>
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Dark Matter Makeup is a newer company on the indie scene, filled with gorgeous shadows named after various star- and space-related people and things. The owner, Dom, is incredibly nice and the fastest shipper this side of the ol' west. The aesthetic of the brand is really nice too, everything is coherent and packed fantastically. Samples come in tiny centrifuge-style vials that snap nice and tightly for travel, and the fullsize shadows come in elegant bottles rather than flatter jars. I also appreciate that each sample vial has a little flagged label with the logo and the shade handwritten on it, it's a nice touch that makes the samples feel very professional. Everything also comes in a sweet like star-and-moon print drawstring bag, and to finish it off I got Dom's business card and a Dark Matter ingredient card (very handy and a great little touch) sealed up with an extra small baggie sample of shadow in a neat little transparent envelope. It was the extra touch that really made the whole package feel amazingly put-together and I was very impressed.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2KZSxxcDj4w/VNTFZ2WMJ7I/AAAAAAAABRg/UhO9_ByyxeQ/s1600/_MG_2403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2KZSxxcDj4w/VNTFZ2WMJ7I/AAAAAAAABRg/UhO9_ByyxeQ/s1600/_MG_2403.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I apologize for how uneven they came out, <br />
these were applied with a finger and no tape, unlike my usual method.</td></tr>
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I ended up picking up six samples.<br />
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First here we have <b>Betelgeuse</b>, a deep burgundy type color with a gold shift. The shift comes out best over Pixie Epoxy, applied over just primer or bare skin it's rather sheer and sparkly but not at the full potential it could be. It applies decently enough and blends well, it just requires a sticky base to avoid any patchiness or sheerness, as you can see around the edges of my swatch.<br />
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<b>Ursa Minor </b>is a lovely and slightly rose-y gold that applies nice and smoothly over pixie epoxy or just plain primer. It's very smooth and easy to use. It is, quite obviously, very lovely paired with Ursa Major.<br />
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<b>Ursa Major</b> is a slightly rose-y coppery shade with a red glow. On the eyes it's really gorgeous, it just has that "glowy" factor when the light hits it. It's very smooth and applies well over bare skin or primer, or foiled over Pixie Epoxy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wt-j4ACW6tw/VNTFaQnTnPI/AAAAAAAABRo/4tyrcC7cMA4/s1600/_MG_2404.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wt-j4ACW6tw/VNTFaQnTnPI/AAAAAAAABRo/4tyrcC7cMA4/s1600/_MG_2404.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Over UDPP and Pixie Epoxy, L to R: Galileo, Neptune, Polaris</td></tr>
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<b>Galileo</b> is a silvery grey color in the tube, but on the skin it's more of a silvery brown with a red shift. It applies weak without a sticky base, but foiled over one it's incredible. I couldn't stop staring at it while taking pictures in the sun, it just glowed!<br />
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<b>Neptune </b>is a bright blue with a slight green shift. I couldn't resist the opportunity to have a Sailor Moon reference! (Michiru is one of my favorites, along with Haruka.) The shadow is obviously named after the planet, but still. Y'know. Priorities. This one is very smooth and metallic over any base, just like the Ursas, but still looks brightest foiled over a sticky base or primer. I love how bright it is.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_RtVS4Sc9HI/VNTFag4m1iI/AAAAAAAABRs/CMNUHexoYmo/s1600/_MG_2408.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_RtVS4Sc9HI/VNTFag4m1iI/AAAAAAAABRs/CMNUHexoYmo/s1600/_MG_2408.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Close-up of Polaris. It has coppery sparks/a slight copper shift, but they proved a bit hard to capture.</td></tr>
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Last is <b>Polaris</b>, another deviation from my usual staple neutrals and golds. I couldn't resist the coppery duochrome in this one, and the bright blue-tinged purple color is fantastic. This applies alright without a sticky base but can lack punch. For maximum color effect, a good sticky base is best.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CSHKoQCUxVk/VNTFa3dJTMI/AAAAAAAABR4/76V-fZqMyjU/s1600/_MG_2411.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-CSHKoQCUxVk/VNTFa3dJTMI/AAAAAAAABR4/76V-fZqMyjU/s1600/_MG_2411.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Galileo has quite the duochrome power, it's amazing.</td></tr>
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I'd also implore you to not worry too much about the sample vials. At first I struggled applying, but I've figured out the easiest way to do it: cap it tight, turn it upside-down, give it a little shake. Turn it back over, tap the lid lightly with the fingernail a few times, then pop it open. You should have a nice little reservoir of product inside the cap! (If that still isn't your thing though, you can also of course depot them at your leisure.) </div>
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And, of course, what good is a shadow if you can't turn out a few good looks? Here are some bonus pictures of some looks I did playing with these gorgeous gems:<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-98zJwXUWqx0/VNTeJWGDisI/AAAAAAAABSk/mx_x96veIlc/s1600/Qdv4tNB.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-98zJwXUWqx0/VNTeJWGDisI/AAAAAAAABSk/mx_x96veIlc/s1600/Qdv4tNB.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ursa Minor on lid, Ursa Major in mid and outer third of lid, Polaris in outer v.<br />
All over UDPP, Polaris intensified by applying over Pixie Epoxy.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RUYjhiqXZjo/VNTeJF-Q--I/AAAAAAAABSc/paKq0R30zow/s1600/yWDiEoV.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RUYjhiqXZjo/VNTeJF-Q--I/AAAAAAAABSc/paKq0R30zow/s1600/yWDiEoV.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She blinded me with science.</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MDWWlUidPbw/VNTeyhOOVLI/AAAAAAAABS0/d7ualMzAFYw/s1600/7kK8TYv.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MDWWlUidPbw/VNTeyhOOVLI/AAAAAAAABS0/d7ualMzAFYw/s1600/7kK8TYv.jpeg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ursa Major in center of lid, on lower lashline, Neptune in inner corner and outer v.<br />
Blackbird Cosmetic's Lucid used as a liner on upper& lower lashline.<br />
All only applied over UDPP.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just look at that Ursa Major glow. It's...wait for it...<br />
<i>out of this world</i>.</td></tr>
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Overall, Ursa Major is my favorite, hands down. Someone actually asked, "What eyeshadow would you save in a fire if you could only save one?" and I felt inclined to pick it out of my entire stash. (Though I said first I'd probably be too busy saving my bottle of Arcana's Holy Terror. My sweet, sweet smoky love....)</div>
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<a href="https://wakenda.wordpress.com/">Wakenda</a> replied to me and said, "You've sure fallen hard, huh?"</div>
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I guess if it's that obvious it must be true! (I promise you'll all be invited to the wedding.)</div>
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If you're one of those hard-hitting copper lovers like myself, Ursa Major is very much the way to go, and Ursa Minor won't disappoint either. And these are just six of the large repitoire of shades Dom already has, so I guarantee that if something here does not appeal to you, there is something else in the shop that will! There's even the newly-released Zodiac collection, which I am eyeing with reckless abandon. (Must...hold...self...back...until...tax return...arrives...)</div>
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Time to go get yourself intergalatic glamorous!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><b>Where to buy:</b> <b>Dark Matter Makeup</b> is available <b><a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/DarkMatterMakeup">here</a></b> at their store on Etsy!</span></div>
Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4549435543045319978.post-69122209017121213782015-01-30T08:46:00.000-08:002015-01-30T08:46:02.361-08:00picture post: perfume collection & storage.<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TwoAhIjRVFM/VMuvCzqnWyI/AAAAAAAABQg/8-40rmdS6Os/s1600/_MG_2250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-TwoAhIjRVFM/VMuvCzqnWyI/AAAAAAAABQg/8-40rmdS6Os/s1600/_MG_2250.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The perfume box.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Everything fits nicely!</td></tr>
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I had wanted an alternate and more elegant solution to perfume storage than a plastic ammo case or standard plastic box, so I began to look at vintage jewelry boxes. I bought mine from CheekyVintage on etsy. Shipping cost about as much as the box for me, but in the end I'm so happy with it that it was very much worth the cost. If you're considering at looking for one as well I'd reccomend buying from an actual "vintage" shop, either online or in person, because they're more likely to have quality pieces that they've cleaned and cared for rather than just a second-hand shop or someone selling grandma's old wares on eBay with no idea of the true condition or value. It also helps to search a brand name, like "Mele vintage box", because then you'll get boxes from that brand and ones similar to it in style. Also huge photos are good, I'd click each one and zoom i best I could to look at any stains or dirt.<br />
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In the end this one arrived very clean with no stains or smell. It's perfect, and the perfect size, just enough to contain a midsize collection but big enough that I know if I fill it, it's time to slow down a little.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bottom can fit exactly ten Arcana fullsize perfumes.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Darling Clandestine Harpy, Love & Sharks, bitsy solid of Don'tGoPleaseStay, <br />itsy bitsy vial of Spurn, Grace.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bitsy vial of Darling Clandestine Small Saga and fullsize Squander.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arcana samples and the ribbon from DC Grace.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g0JX87wGCOA/VMuvCE90Q9I/AAAAAAAABQU/fQLlOPvJywM/s1600/_MG_2245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g0JX87wGCOA/VMuvCE90Q9I/AAAAAAAABQU/fQLlOPvJywM/s1600/_MG_2245.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Smelly Yeti Queen of the Damned and an extra dropper!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All the Arcana!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Arcana Stretched on your Grave, Dive, Namaka,<br /> Pumpkins Crave Terror, Straightjacket and Goofy Foot.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Lu7-W0jHG4/VMuvAP1b_sI/AAAAAAAABP8/UhZbKidF_yc/s1600/_MG_2239.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9Lu7-W0jHG4/VMuvAP1b_sI/AAAAAAAABP8/UhZbKidF_yc/s1600/_MG_2239.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pumpkins Crave Terror, Straightjacket, Goofy Foot, Gersemi, Krampusnacht.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWBZ3gw8PIg/VMuvAjnh5bI/AAAAAAAABQA/jx_BQzyzxNM/s1600/_MG_2240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZWBZ3gw8PIg/VMuvAjnh5bI/AAAAAAAABQA/jx_BQzyzxNM/s1600/_MG_2240.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Krampusnacht, Sitting Pretty, Holy Terror.</td></tr>
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I hope you enjoyed having a look!<br />
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<br />Noonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00435178167594915197noreply@blogger.com16