Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Deviant

So, the only reason I bought this pencil was because I passed by it with a friend of mine when we were at Sephora.

 

As you can see, the pencil in "Deviant" is blue--it is pretty, sparkly, and vivid night time blue. It caught my eye immediately, and the second I swatched it on my hand, I thought to myself, "There is absolutely no way I can pull this off, but it's so beautiful that I have to buy it and try it out." So, as usual, I bought it.

The way I decided to use this pencil would be to add a bright pop of color on top of a nude eye. I am officially obsessed with it, now that I tried it! It glides on so easily and it's incredibly deep in pigment. Not to mention it stays during the day (I do have a primer on...it would be interesting to see if it smudged if I wore it bare). 

The nude eye with Urban Decay 24/7 in Deviant ended up beautiful.

I think it definitely illuminates a brown eye!  I used Smashbox Photo Finish Primer and used my Coastal Scents Warm Palette to add a skin color on my lid, a vanilla highlight, and a light brown to my crease. A fluffy crease brush blends out the brown--feel free to deepen the crease to ask dark as you'd like. Eyebrows were done with a Sephora kit, and then I popped on Deviant. I added a touch of a light brown to my bottom lash line, a little mascara, and voila!

I think this blue would look good on darker eyes, for the most part. I'd love for you to comment and tell me what you think of what it may look like on a light eye.

Making an entirely long story very very short: a bang for the buck--I am going back to Sephora to buy this in many other colors (I'm thinking Stash and Lust)


<3 kristie

Mac Haul :)

I have been waiting for a haul for a very, very, VERY LONG TIME. Every college student knows that money is kinddd of hard to come by--"gifts" from mom and dad are few and far between, and money doesn't just come through the door when you only work two days out of the week.

So, in light of all of that, I have been saving up some buckaroos and decided that the text message I got from the Mac at Nordstrom saying there was a buy 3 lipglosses and get 1 free was a sign from above saying: KRISTIE! NOW IS THE TIME FOR YOUR HAUL!

I am very excited to share what I got with you. I wish you could be here to enjoy the pile on my bed.
Included in my haul were (ahemmm...):

• Mac 109 brush, a small contouring brush that seems to work well with...
• Mac Margin, a frosty peach powder blush with a tinyy bit of gold, definitely much less gold than Orgasm from Nars (which should be a staple in your collection, I may add). I tried it on--it's beautiful on my skin. It has a little bit of bronze in it, so you look nice and healthy.
• a lip pencil in brick, another staple in any collection--it's just a go-to red pencil. Excited for that.
• two eyeliners, one in graphblack and the other in purple dash. They say that plums really bring out brown eyes--we'll see, I tried it on and everyone said it looked nice.
• a liquidlast liquid liner in aqualine. Now this thing is absolutely crazy, but that's what I love about it. I came home and put it on immediately. As a top liner for a nude lid, it's the cutest pop of color. Absolutely loving it.

And for the lip glosses: (two dazzle glasses and two lip glasses)

• Rags to Riches--kind of a mauvey-pink with teal and pearly shimmer in it. Very soft. Beautiful
• Sugarrimmed--my favorite. Milky, neutral color with pink shimmer. Tried it on with bare lips at Mac, and I already know I'm going to wear it every day.
• Viva Glam VI--this lipglass is much more mauve and has a deeper pink quality than rags to riches. Kind of a gold shimmer tone. Plus proceeds go to a good cause.
• NOW FOR THE BIG ONE: Russian Red! Oh my GOODNESS, how to describe what this lipglass is like! Literally, you can wear this in lieu of red lipstick. It is so opaque and a perfect red--defintely a must-have! (Like a little black dress!) It was definitely the last one I chose, but the makeup artist at the Mac counter was like, "!!!! You must have this!"...so what did I do. It was my free lip gloss :)

Here's Mac Margin, in the worst light ever. Definitely not grandma's blush. ::shudder::

 

From top to bottom, left side to right side:

--Margin Powder Blush and three little samples

--Mac109 :D

--lip pencil in brick

--eyeliner in graphblack

--RUSSIAN RED :D

--viva glam VI

--sugarrimmed

--rags to riches

--eye pencil in purple dash

--aqualine liquidlast liquid liner

Expect many reviews to come your way, especially on the red liner and dazzleglass. If I can pull this off, a whole new world is going to be opened up to me.

<3 see you soon, kristie

Skin Routine :)

 

A lot of people ask me how I keep my skin the way it is. I'm going to admit, it's a little bit of genetics and a little bit of tender loving care. In terms of genetics, I suppose in many ways I just lucked out. A lot of time acne and blemishes and sensitivity comes from the simple fact that it's in your genes. Fortunately, I have none of that. But don't be fooled--I am still completely prone to pimples and unevenness, and my skin needs just as much care for the future as the next person's does.

The following are some skin care tips I have acquired:

1) Please, please, please moisturize before you hit the sheets, especially in the winter time. I moisturize with Olay prodcuts most of the time because they market moisturizers that are made for controlling fine lines around the eyes. If you've see me smile, you know I'm going to have to watch those crow's feet for life!

2) SUNBLOCK. I know it's hard for me to say because a tan is such a beautiful, healthy look. But I promise you, day by day the UV will accumulate and the wrinkles will begin to appear. The tinted moisturizer I use in lieu of foundation has SPF 20. Stay covered. Wear a hat. They're cute.

3) Speaking of moisturizing, any time you remove yourself from warm water, I expect you to moisturize. Exfoliate every once in a while, too. That's where the pimples come from. Dead skin tends to clog pores--you have to get rid of it. But remember to moisturize after! Dry skin is unhappy and prone to wrinkling!

4) Stay healthy overall--aka drink a lot of water and take vitamins. I have been so bad with the vitamins since I've been at school, but your skin needs nutrients just like the rest of your body does. I take Viactiv, which is a supplement for women (you have to start early, ladies, this is preventative!) It's super yummy. I am pinky swearing with you right now, when the stress levels get high and I don't drink water and take my vitamins, the pimples come out like it's their job. Throw in some crystal light if water is too boring for you. Or tea. Green tea is great.


Now, as for my routine, this is what I do in the mornings and evenings. It's literally five minutes:

1) If you cleansed and moisturized the night before, a splash of warm water on your face is all you need. Sometimes I use a Neutrogena scrub that is exfoliating. Maybe once a week? Something like that.

2) Tinted moisturizer. I use Tarte's Smooth Operator; I did a review on it before and mentioned that I use it every day. Smooth Operator is filled with all sorts of good nutrients for your skin, it supplements the supplements! Haha!

3) I use Coastal Scents Concealer Quad in my skin tone's colors--the quads come with four different colors, so feel free to mix and match. If I'm especially sleepy, I'll put a little bit of the white it comes with right on the tear duct of my eye. Brightens you right up.

4) If I want to set it, I use Coastal Scents loose powder, and just dust that ever so lightly. Usually I don't, but if i need to look extra uniform and matte, that's what I'll do.

5) If there is no time for anything else, I will run some mascara through my lashes. At this moment I'm using Lash Blast, but I have a feeling that that is going to change some time soon. I'm going to test other ones out. Curl them for a few seconds, and it opens your eyes right up.


At nighttime, you have to take all of your makeup off. ALL OF IT. Recently I bought Lancome Bi-Facil and it is definitely really good at removing eye makeup. And the bottle lasts forever.
Remember--moisturize before you really jump in bed--don't let the 12 hours you're in your bed ruin your beautiful complexion!

Lather, rinse, repeat :)

It seems like it's a lot, but your skin loves you, and you should love it back. Five minutes of care will definitely show.


<3 kristie

Covergirl LashBlast: Volume Blasting Mascara

 

I bought this mascara after seeing it in Allure Magazine. I already have fairly long eyelashes, so I don't really need length, but volume is always an eyelash attribute that girls are looking for.

  

LashBlast comes in this adorable chunky orange tube--I use very black, but it comes in a regular black and a black-brown and brown color, although I don't think I saw that in the drugstore that I bought it in. You can definitely order it, if you are lighter skinned.

 

Here is my eye without any makeup on. Literally, I have nothing on my skin. I put on Lash Blast--a few coats. When you open the tube, it seems very liquidy--maybe a little TOO fluid for a mascara. Which ends up being true--although it really does give your eyelashes the volume that it boasts, it also manages to get all over your face if you blink too early.

 

Another annoying thing--this tube is "aged" a little bit; I've had it for a few months, and I've been wearing it on and off. This tube is beginning to clump--the newer ones literally just coat every eyelash rather than causing that one clumpy thing that happened in the middle of my eye in the picture above. I promise you it will get worse--I recommended this mascara to my mother, and she has had the tube since the summer, and I called her and insisted that she not use it anymore. Clumpiness on women who have aged a little bit more is literally the most unattractive thing I've ever seen--worse than seeing it on a young woman, or at least I think.

On a more positive note, in the beginning of Lash Blast's life, it really does make my eyelashes incredible. Length and volume like I can't get from other mascaras. And in the beginning, feel free to dole on the coats--I used to put on so many coats without one hint of a clump.  I am telling you in complete honesty that I think that in the beginning of its life, it is better than DiorShow. Lash Blast has a rubber bristled brush which definitely does not accumulate the nastiness on it that regular bristled brushes do. You know what I'm talking about. When it gets kind of dry, the regular bristles turn into one enormous mass? Ew.

My main issue with Lash Blast is the flaking that happens at the end of the day. I have consistently patted under my eyes at the end of the day to figure out what that dusty stuff under my eyes was. Oh, of course, it was black smudgy dots from my mascara flaking off of my eyelashes. Really. Annoying. If you touch your face without wiping gently, you will assuredly get black smudge marks all over your face. 

long story short: for like, $6, this mascara is worth a try. in the beginning. the minute it gets thick, don't hope for anything good.

<3 kristie

Tarte Cosmetics--Smooth Operator

Today's Review: Tarte Cosmetics' Smooth Operator: Oil-Free Tinted Moisturizer w/ SPF 20.

I'm going to tell you right now--I own three bottles of this stuff.

 

Smooth Operator comes in a cute yet small-ish bottle which absolutely screams that it's going to do good things for your skin. I first purchased Smooth Operator probably over a year ago now, after I walked into Sephora, frustrated and reluctant to ever use any form of foundation ever again. My skin is naturally very forgiving--I do have a T-Zone that can act up sometimes, but I felt like every time I used a foundation, it would clog my pores and leave my complexion looking like a grandma. Literally, I got more pimples when I wore makeup than when I didn't, which just creates a downward spiral. The people that worked at the Sephora suggested I try a tinted moisturizer instead--get the benefits of a tint to cover problem spots, but also not put enough foundation on to turn my face into pleather.

So, I went home with Smooth Operator. My tint is called Agent 06, which used to be known as veil. In the summer time, it's a little bit light, but it definitely agrees with the yellow/olive undertones of my skin.

 

So, when you first look at the bottle, you're like, "Hmm, what are all of these things that are NOT in Smooth Operator? Are they really in my other makeup products?" If you really must know, yes, they are. For example, parabens are class of chemical preservatives used in many cosmetics and phamaceuticals. Their use and safety in cosmetics is continually being debated. Tarte just stays away from anything like that.

And look, gluten free, for everyone allergic! This company is so vegan and awesome!

 So, I literally take this much, dab a little bit on each of my cheeks, my chin, and my forehead, and just blend out. Sometimes I will put pressed powder on top, but usually not. My skin just looks and feels great after I use this. Variations in skin tone are totally blended out, but I don't feel like I just packed eight pounds of makeup onto my face.

I use this every single day. EVERY. SINGLE. DAY. It is quick enough that I just throw it on right before class, and I am glowing. No need for this hour-long procedure. Look at some of the great things Tarte lists that are in this product:

ginko billoba root extract: powerful antioxidant that fights free radicals, helps prevent premature signs of aging and boosts skin circulation and collagen production (nice)

apple extract: natural extract from the phytonutrient-rich apple has known anti-inflammatory and soothing properties. (soothing--after a dry night in a dorm that sounds great)

chamomile extract: rich in essential oils, this natural plant extract is antiallergenic and anti-inflammatory, and has been known to treat and heal dry or damaged skin. (again, perfect.)

It is truly an unbelievable product. It is a little on the expensive side, but I promise you--that little bottle goes a long way. And it's so good for your skin! You're not even supposed to step OUTSIDE without SPF 20 anyway! When you're old and NOT wrinkly, you will thank me.

Long story short: perfect product for that light, on-the-go, every day coverage. A+ <3 kristie

Bliss Steep Clean, pt. 1 of The Sample Series

I've done two in one day to get this puppy started. :)

 

So I got this sample pack from Sephora, I think it was. Maybe it wasn't...maybe it was from something I bought at Neiman's....regardless. This is the sample size of Bliss Steep Clean, professional strength facial mask for all skin types. You should all check out the Bliss website...just take a look around, get acquainted.

I've had some other Bliss products before--I love their Super Minty Soap n Scrub, and some of their Lemony Body Butters. So...I was definitely excited going into trying this. I often look longingly into the Bliss Spa when I pass it in New York City.

So when I first looked at this little sample, I ripped one from the other....whichhhh, after I read the directions, I found out I wasn't supposed to do. You take the yellow goo from one and mix it with the blue goo from the other, make a green goo, and put it on your face for 15 minutes. After you let it sit for 15 minutes, you wash it off with a warm washcloth. As usual ladies, avoid the eye area. It's delicate. And my crow's feet from smiling are bad enough already.

 

...so I sat around for fifteen minutes. Looking like a green alien.

I must say, I have no shame with this photograph. So first things first--the downsides: I don't like the feeling of the gooeyness on my face, I will say that. It feels like you have permanently broken a sweat over your lip, and I can't be immobile for 15 minutes, I'm sorry.  It got in the little stray hairs that always manage to find their way onto the side of my face...yuck. I know that it was just a sample size, but even the sample size didn't have enough in it.

On a positive note, it smells really good, and what girl doesn't want to put on a facial mask every once in a while. Maybe for free time, but definitely not when Olympic Hockey and Physiology studying are both pending and very, very important. After I washed it off, my skin felt really great...there was no residual gooey yuckiness and it wasn't as dry as I expected it to be. The oil nastiness that tends to accumulate in the T-Zone, especially on my nose, is completely gone. COMPLETELY.  It does feel tighter, but not dry. I am pleasantly surprised. 

Another downside, however, is that the regular sized bottle is really freakin' expensive. Painfully expensive. I would definitely enjoy acquiring this product...as a gift or something. I am never EVER going out of my way to buy it, simply because I'm not going to use it enough to be worth a week's paycheck, maybe even more. Bliss is a high end company, but I'd definitely need to start a career before I even thought about buying this.

Other products from Bliss are worth the money, I think, including the super minty soap n scrub and their hair remover kits. But for supple skin on the face, you can definitely look elsewhere.

Long story short: amazing product. for an arm and a leg.

<3 kisses,

kristie

Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette

 

I have nothing but good things to say about this palette, and this company, for that matter. I think I ordered this palette on a Tuesday and got it on that Thursday or Friday. I already have the 88 shimmer palette which I think is gorgeous enough, but it's not that versatile. I can use it when I'm going out clubbing or I'm going out on a date, but when I saw this palette, I knew it would be that "everyday" palette that you will order three of.

 

So, as you can tell, this palette is every color that you will use on a daily basis. I appreciate the mix of matte and shimmer colors, as well as a range of highlights and crease-darkening browns. TIME OUT the matte black is also such a great thing to have! Add that to your crease to darken up the color, and it adds that much more sexy flare. Also, that matte black makes it easy to produce a simple smoky eye, or you can put it over your liner to set it. It's aboslutely a go-to. You won't regret owning this palette.

Each color is sooo pigmented, it's definitely worth the ridiculously cheap price of $24.95. If you run out of one color, which I promise you won't happen that quickly, there is probably a color close to it nearby.

Sorry about the blurriness...my camera is literally the worst at this moment. It will not listen to me. 

ANYWAY. I use this palette every day. Sometimes I just take a highlight color and put a little bit right by my tear duct--a simple way to open up tired eyes--try it! Or just dust a little bit of a gold(ish) color on your lid and just sweep a deep brown through your crease and blend it out quickly. Your boyfriend will be very happy that you can throw on a deep look in like, thirty seconds. It is all at your fingertips! No fumbling for different eyeshadows in your case!

Long story short: Coastal Scents is always a sweet surprise. This palette is a must-have for college students who have no time (or money, for that matter!) to go makeup-store hopping. Trust me. You won't regret it.

kisses,

kristie

sites:

www.coastalscents.com

if any of you know emily on YouTube, she is a makeup guru who agrees with me.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8frq1Npj_Yo

<3

Hello, World!

Alright, this isn't a review, as you will quickly tell. My camera isn't charged and I have 100 things I could begin with, so I'm going to have to decide which review I'm going to do first. There's a lot of thinking that has to be put into a blog! I'm a little bit scared and overwhelmed! Alas, I will take this on as the biggest project I haven't instantaneously given up on, but only if you promise to follow me. More on myself, I suppose, just so you don't think I'm some randomsville girl. I'd like to get to know you, too.

I'm Kristie. I'm 20 and a little bit years old, and I am a full blown college student. Like, no time for anything else kind of college student.

I am Italian in descent and a New Yorker in heart and mind.

My obsession with makeup has nothing to do with insecurities, I just think it is a way to express beauty--it's still you, just a self-confident, comfortable, sexy you.

My friends and family always come first.

I think my best friend has put on mascara once or twice...one time I painted her toes pink. That was an awesome day. If it isn't obvious by that sentence, we're polar opposites. Which is why we love each other.
Do any of you have a best friend like that?

I am heartily in favor of drugstore brand things, if they work effectively. I'm not married to Mac or Dior.

I am always hungry! Why is that?





Anyway, I will definitely charge my camera and post something later...probably on the Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette. BE PREPARED.



be bad, bitches. ;)
kristie alexis