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Urban Decay "Hall of Fame" set

For my birthday this year, my fellow blogger Monika gave me this particular makeup set as an incentive to expand my cosmetic horizons. It's called "Hall of Fame" by Urban Decay, and it comes with 5 items (all in travel size except for the primer):

• Eyeshadow Primer Potion--Goes on smooth and covers evenly. A must-do before applying eyeshadow
• 24-7 Glide on Eye Pencil--The smoothest, softest eyeliner I have ever tried. I use it mainly for my bottom lash line, and it glides on flawlessly in one even stroke. The color goes on dark, which is great for a dramatic look 
• Midnight Cowboy Lipstick--A nice, subtle shade. It's a shimmery nude color, which is great when you want to tone it down. It gives your lips a surge of moisture and has a nice scent as well 
• Pocket Rocket Lip Gloss in "Timothy"--This lip gloss is awesome. It comes in a pretty coral color and has a very soft, creamy texture. Just like the lipstick it also has a nice scent, almost like butterscotch. It's a great shade for the summer and spring 
• Skyscraper Multi-Benefit Mascara--Love this as well. The mascara goes on evenly and doesn't make eyelashes clumpy, which is a major plus point. It separates each lash so that eyes pop with definition. I use one coat for just a casual, laid back look and two coats if I'm going for a more dramatic look

I had never tried anything like this before, and I have to say that I'm very happy that Monika gave this to me. This particular combination set may have been a limited edition, but you can find other similar Urban Decay sets like this one at Sephora and of course Urban Decay's website. 

Final word? Absolutely wonderful products, as a set and individually. Definitely worth buying!

Individual product photos and color swatches coming soon!

Guerlain Paris: Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder

Well I went shopping for a new summer product to review and voila after browsing 2 stores (Macys and Sephora) I found what I was looking for at Dilliards. I remember how much I loved the Meteorites Miniature Guerlain Collection I bought when I was in Paris some years ago, so I decided to look into what they have. When the sales lady asked me if I wanted something, I replied I don't know. I want something new with color and dimension. I just want something new. Luckily she was Indian (she could work with my skin tone correctly! Most people match me wrong) and directed me to the Terracotta Light Sheer Bronzing Powder. At first I was skeptical (I mean I still had the meteorites, isn't it the same thing?) but then she brushed some over half my face and I was impressed with how even my face looked with ONLY powder on and I looked like I had a nice summer glow. I was so excited that I paid the crazy 50 dollars for it. But then I went home and had buyers remorse, I mean everything looks pretty in the light at the make up counter. I almost ended up returning it today, but I decided to do my make up fully and apply the bronzing powder again. Well I can say I am really happy I didn't return it. My face was absolutely gorgeous today and my boyfriend was falling all over me. Lol.

I got the 02 Brunettes shade for olive tones - perfect! They also have a 01 for Blondes (fair) and 03 for Dark Haired Women (dark)

Packaging: 5 out of 5
Rating: 5 out of 5

---Monika

Tom Ford Lipsticks!

New Tom Ford Lipsticks. Hot Lipstick packaging!!! Check out original page: Click HERE

Eye Make Up Ideas

Sexy eye make up!


How to achieve this look:

Matte black all over the lid, extend out past the eye in a triangle shape.Extend the black shadow under the eye lining thickly towards the middle. Use a shimmering green in the inner corner. Then  apply a light beige shimmer on the bottom inner side. Blend a chocolate eyeshadow right above the black shadow but do not extend all the way to the brow. Use a white cream highlight right under the brow. Voila!

Love and Luck
---MONIKA

Fair Skinned Make Over

OK so I did a make over for my friend Amanda. The following are the results.

TIPS: Use good make up brushes and big Velcro rollers and hairspray for a fast voluminous do!

 On Amanda I used the following items:

Velcro Rollers

Her mineral make up (drugstore brand -pretty good)

My MAC brushes

My Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol II Eyeshadow (Sellout and Ecstasy)

Urban Decay Potion Primer

Artistry Henna Blush

Benefit Lady's Choice Lana Lipstick

Estee Lauder More than Mascara

Aussie Flexible Hold Hairspray

What I did was use my Mac 187 brush to stipple on the mineral foundation and then applied blush on her cheeks, jaw line, nose, and forehead for a nice glow. Than I applied Urban Decay Potion Primer on her eyelids. I used Sellout from my book of shadows as a base color and Ecstasy as the color in the crease. I also used Sellout as a highlight under her brows and inner eye. I used the brown 24/7 eyeliner from my book of shadows on her plus Jinx as an eyeliner on her upper lid.I also used Estee Lauder More than Mascara. Then applied Benefit Lady's Choice lipstick atop her lip balm.
To do her hair all I did was put in 4 Velcro Rollers at the root of her hair after spraying the root with hairspray:  1 on each side left and right, and one on the top front and top back of her head. Then I sprayed her entire head with hairspray and let the rollers sit for 10min and after that I removed them and just fixed her hair by hand. The entire process took about 15-20 min.
This is a simple and fast polished look for Fair Skin. :)
Enjoy!

---MONIKA 

HD Foundation

Remember family guy when everyone got a new HDTV and Peter was excited about how hot the news woman would look in HD? Then when they saw her she looked like she had potholes all over her face and everyone was taken aback in horror? That my friends is what HD FOUNDATION is supposed to prevent. Unless you're going to be on HD TV or camera it's not really a necessity. Now I'm not saying I'm not going to try it now. I mean maybe it'll help with the reflection from the flash; you know the one that makes you look like you have a white face or exemplifies every pore on your face. You can see what I mean by scrolling down and looking at my pic within the cosmetics. HD make up is created to give you a nice flawless and natural look. It is made to keep color consistent in all types of lighting. Sounds like a deal to me. Right now there are two very popular brands out with HD. Make up forever and Coastal Scents. There is a lot of buzz about them and numerous reviews. Coastal Scents is much cheaper and has some very good reviews. I suggest you check it out and I am going to do a review as soon I get some. :)

---MONIKA 

Product Review: Smoky Lash by Make Up Forever

Ok guys one of my favorite mascara's out there is Smoky Lash by Make Up Forever! It has amazing grip; the brush is amazing. It just grips on to your lashes and does not let go until the job is Done! It is thick thus adding volume and curls beautifully. It keeps my lashes pretty all day. I have tried so many mascaras: the famed buxom lash, great lash, whatever... Nothing beats this. I will post pix as soon as I get home to my camera and maybe a short clip. Either way there isn't anything as good as Smoky Lash if you need Volume, Curl, and lasting power. It's your ultimate mascara for a perfect Smoky Look.

During the day mascara: I actually Prefer Estee Lauder mascara, any kind! They are amazing and aren't that harsh on your eyelashes. It doesn't feel like you're going to lose eyelashes. I will do a review for both products shortly. They also carry a great color mascara (gorgeous!) and eyelash primer. I'm dying to try it!

Tip: Try Estee Lauder Take It Away: Total Cream Make Up Remover. It's amazing and simple. It just wipes away stubborn water proof makeup and leaves skin clean and smooth.

---MONIKA 

Spotlight Skin Tone Perfector

Here you go Amanda this is for you! Estee Lauder Spotlight Skin Tone Perfector This stuff is amazing and it does not irritate my sensitive skin. You can probably ask Estee Lauder at Macy's for a sample or tester. This will even out skin and make it look flawless with a healthy glow. I love this stuff, you don't even need foundation.This will also suffice as a great daily moisturizer. When I do wear foundation I use this as a moisturizer/primer underneath. It gives you an added glow to your foundation. This is LOVE!

---MONIKA

Estee Lauder Make Up Brushes

Ok I know that the Mac make up brushes are very popular. I also own them. But let me tell you, the quality is no where near Estee Lauder's brushes. I mean for about the same price I can buy an essential Estee Lauder brush and it won't shed all over my face! I still own both, since Estee Lauder only makes a few brushes. But I recommend getting the foundation brush: 1F and the powder brush! I am crazy about the big fluffy powder brush, and their techniques and tips video is very insightful. I never knew how to perfectly set your make up with powder like that.

Brush and Video (click the Tips tab and then play!)

---MONIKA