Swatch Me Pretty

I'm a huge believer in "try before you buy." Let's be serious - if I learned that a long time ago, would I own THIS MUCH MAKEUP?!

Swatching is simply trying a small amount of product on your hand, lips, eyes, etc. This way, you can see how the color actually looks on you and feel out the texture of the product. This may seem like common sense to some, but often times we are so hyper and desperate for new makeup (i'm GUILTY) that we'll just buy something based on how it looks in the package or tube.

The color of the packaging itself can alter how the product looks in the tube. Then, probably the most awful thing that can happen, you get your new pink lipgloss home and try it out...and it's all WRONG. "Oh...I thought it would be pinker, sheerer, less glittery..." Below are some of my favorite pretty pink treats, and what they look like on paper.



Clockwise from top left:

*Dior Addict - Ultra Gloss Reflect 257
*Lip Fusion - Glow
*Lancome Juicy Tubes - Ultra Brilliant
*Too Faced - Girls Dig Pearls in Shell
*Revlon - Super Lustrous Gloss in Pink Afterglow
*MAC - Dazzleglass in Bare Necessity
*Urban Decay - Pocket Rocket in Doug
*Tarina Tarantino - Disco Nap

As you can see, some glosses have more glitter, more pigment and so on. Next time you are on the market for a new gloss, try a few colors next to each other on your hand or arm and compare them. What looks better on your skin tone? Which one is silkier, stickier, darker, etc. As my mother always says "If you're not in love with it, leave it."

Passionate About Purple

I'm from Jersey. I work in New York City. All I see, wear and live is black clothing, black makeup, etc. Once in a while, you need to break out and say, "Hey, there ARE other colors!" Hence, here it is. Purple things that I am passionate about.

Urban Decay - Rockstar Glitter
When you need a little fun and edge, Urban Decay's glitter is amazing. Use a primer, then apply a nude shadow. I like to line my upper lids with this glitter, very rock and roll!

Sephora - Eye Shadow in Chrome Mono No. 2
Intense color is here! Tired of sheer, nude, light eye shadows? Rebel! Pick one of Sephora's Mono colors. I would go lightly on the mascara with this one, and no eye liner...the color is intense enough to make your eyes stand out.

MAC Cosmetics - Pigment in Quietly
Who doesn't love a MAC Pigment?! They seem to last FOREVER, and the colors are so bold and vibrant. I love Quietly, because it brings out the green flecks in my brown eyes.

Urban Decay - Eye Shadow in Ransom
Similar to the Sephora Mono Shadow, it makes a statement for sure. I like to mix a lighter purple shadow (like MAC's Winter Sky below)for the inner corners of my eyes, and use Ransom on the outer corners as a smoky eye look.

MAC Cosmetics - Small Eye Shadow in Winter Sky
I love this color. It's great by itself with a bit of mascara, because it gives a hint of color without being overpowering. Or to jazz it up, add some purple eye liner or load on the mascara to the top and bottom lashes to instantly update your look.

DKNY - Be Delicious Night Rollerball
I am a rollerball ADDICT! They last a long time, and save the day. I always keep one in my purse for emergencies, like this DKNY rollerball. It's nice to freshen up before you go out after work.

Urban Decay - Clean & Sober Makeup Remover
I'll confess, I bought this makeup remover just because it had a mermaid on it and I'm weirdo. In my defense, I did need a new makeup remover!

Crazy About Cream...Shadows!

Hi Makeup Addicts! Since I got such great feedback and LOVE from you ladies on my Eye Liner reviews, I figured i'd share with you some of my favorite Cream Eye Shadows of all time! Read up and enjoy!


Illamasqua - Liquid Metal
Shade: Enrapture

Illamasqua is one of my new favorite brands, it reminds me of MAC with a different type of edge. This shadow is so beautiful! It's highly-pigmented and intense, definitely will make your eyes stand out. I prime my eyes, and use either a flat eye shadow brush (like MAC's #242 brush) or my fingers. If i'm going to apply eye liner on top of the shadow, I usually let the shadow dry for a few minutes before laying. This shade (Enrapture) is a great day to night color that will make a statement.


Too Faced - Lockdown Ultimate Creaseless Cream Eye Shadow
Shades: I'm Guilty (Teal Blue) and Bondage (Ivory)

This is truly the first of its kind, a NO CREASE CREAM EYE SHADOW. This is no joke - Too Faced means business! I purchased Bondage first, and it has become a staple in my every day beauty routine. It is a go-to, no-fail color that looks good on everyone, and it really does stay put all day! Unlike Illamasqua's shadow, these Too Faced shadows are more on the sheer and shiny side. I loved the formula so much, that I went back to Sephora and purchased the shadow in another shade - I'm Guilty (sounds about right...)This teal color is so fun for spring/summer! I keep both creaseless shadows in my beach bag - they are great to throw on when you aren't wearing a lot of makeup and always look shiny and pretty. A must-have in my opinion!

NARS - Cream Eye Shadow
Shade: Corfu

Similar to the Too Faced Creaseless Eye Shadows, the NARS Cream Eye Shadow is subtle and sheer. I like wearing this shade (Corfu) with a little mascara and bright lips. It looks natural and flawless - unfortunately, it will crease after some time. Since the application is silky and easy, I'll sneak off to the bathroom for a mid-day touch up!


Urban Decay - Precious Metals
Shade: Platinum

This product screams REBELLIOUS! The shadow name says it all - Precious Metal: Platinum. The color is extremely metallic, shiny and BOLD. I'd say mostly a night time color, I really go all out with my eyes when using this shadow! Once I let it dry, I like to apply a thick strip of liquid liner to the lash line, then apply false lashes. Instant diva makeup.


Yves Saint Laurent - Eye Colour Touch Water Resistant Shadow
Shade: Luminous Toffee

This is an excellent "on the go" shadow. With a built-in applicator brush, you could even put it on without using a mirror. This YSL Shadow has a high-shine, glow factor that makes for instant pretty doe-eyes. I keep this product in my desk at work and love it.





Partners in PRIME
Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer & Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

With all the amazing cream eye shadows above, you absolutely HAVE TO HAVE a good primer base. If any eye shadow is going to work for you all day, you must properly coat your lid with a primer first. I alternate between Urban Decay's Primer Potion and Smashbox Photo Finish. The best way to describe the difference between the two primers, is the Urban Decay primer is dryer and has a powder-like finish. The Smashbox Lid Primer is wetter and creamier, so only use a tiny amount each time or you will have a mess on your hands. =)

Was this helpful, chicks? Are there any Cream Eye Shadows that you can't LIVE without? Share them with us!

Liquid Liner Love

Let's face it, most of us can't LIVE without eye liner. For those of us who use eye liner in our every day makeup routine, it is insanely important to find just the right eye liner. You want it to stay intact throughout the day, without smearing or smudging or creasing. This, as we know, is not such an easy task since most of us are running around like crazy people with work, school, social lives and so on.

I've tried four different liquid liners from four different brands. I wore each one all day, and kept track of how it looked throughout the day.

MAC Cosmetics - Penultimate Eyeliner


I am a huge MAC fan. I bought the Penultimate liner and wore it all day. The tip of the liner is very long and flexible, which made it a little difficult for me to apply. I used a primer and nude eyeshadow, and applied the Penultimate to my lash line. It looked nice at first, but by the 3rd hour of working it kind of wore off and got smeared a bit. I'm a believer in long-lasting makeup and hate reapplying eye makeup during the day, so unfortunately this liner did not pass the longevity test!

Sephora Brand - Doe-Eyed Liner Pen

This is the first Sephora Brand product i've ever purchased, so I wasn't sure what to expect from this liner. Same as above, I used a primer and nude eyeshadow, and applied the Doe-Eyed liner to my lash line. The application was fairly easy and I liked the formula. I checked my makeup throughout the day and it seemed like this liner was staying put. The only trouble began when I went to remove the liner with my makeup remover and it BURNED! My eyes felt like they were on fire. Therefore, it was long lasting but I don't think I would wear it again since the removal was painful!

Smashbox - Heartbreaker Liquid Liner Pen

Simply put, I am IN LOVE with this product. It has kicked out any other liner i've used, and has become part of my daily makeup routine. While browsing Ulta Beauty, the girly Heartbreaker packaging caught my attention and I started playing with the products. Always on the lookout for the next best product, I purchased the Liquid Liner Pen to see if it passed my test. The application was flawless, the black color was extremely BLACK, and the line looked sharp and crisp. It stayed on all day, from 7am until 6pm when I returned home from work. It allows you to achieve that perfect winged-tip eye that every woman is after. This liner is truly great, well done Smashbox!

Urbay Decay - Ink For Eyes

I love Urban Decay's products. However for my "test," this eye liner did not make the cut. Ink for Eyes comes with a dual-sided brush applicator, which is a useful brush...I was hopeful about this one! I had trouble applying the liner to my lash line, and found it to be very smudgy and messy. During the day, I look for liners that have longevity, not so much a "smoky eye look." So, this liner did not pass the day test BUT it wasn't a total waste. I use Ink for Eyes on the outside corners of my eyes when trying to achive a smoky eye look for night time.

Ladies, what do you think? Any comments or reccommendations as to "day time" eye liners that are long-lasting? Share them with us! xoxo