January Faves + Possible blog sale!

I say possible blog sale, because I do not know if that is something you guys would be interested in. I have some makeup in my collection that just is not getting the attention and love it deserves. Some of it has been used only once or twice and swatched for the blog. Items include NYX, MAC, Coastal Scents, Sephora, etc. Many of it is limited edition and highly coveted MAC items! I have never done a blog sale before, so let me know if you might would be interested.


My favorites from this month include:

• Naked 2 - I use my Naked original palette more often, so I tried to rectify that this month!
• B&BW Shea Cashmere lotion - AMAZING!
• Origins Clear Improvements mask - This is my little sample I'm working through.
• Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe - A great neutral base.
• MAC 3N lipstick - My new favorite "lips but better" lipstick.
• Embryolisse moisturizer - One of my fave purchases from IMATS. Works wonderfully!

Feel free to leave some of your favorites from this month in the comments!

Around the World in 80 Eyeshadows Week 20

Group post time!



I don't use foundation that often, as I prefer either using a combination of  concealer and face powder or a tinted moisturizer. When reaching for a foundation, my choice is typically liquid due to my dry skin especially during the winter months. In the summer, I can sometimes get away with a cream. And while I use powders, they are typically as a light dusting as a setting step in my routine and not so much as a heavy duty cover-up.

I do prefer to cover up what needs to be covered with a bit of concealer and powder on most days. Seriously, MUFE's Full Cover Concealer is holy grail material. It covers everything and never looks caked on. With that and a little powder (optional), my skin is evened out and I'm good to go!


Affairs Magazine : is in love this Valentines!
Beauty & Baggage :  has found her perfect drugstore concealer with Bourjois.
Fashionable Heart : has five new Origins products to try.
Massachusetts Mask : is loving the after holiday bargains!
Norwegian Elephant : is vacationing in Singapore!

So how would you answer this week's question?!

Tarte Fantastic Foursome Swatches

This set was limited edition from Christmas, though I have seen it on eBay and Amazon (albeit at inflated prices, for the most part). However, I thought I would still swatch it because even though these shades are limited edition...you just never know when a brand will repromote them or add them to their permanent line-up.

To see more pictures, please keep reading.

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New Layout + Origins Ornament 2012

So late last night, I gave my blog a layout update! Hope you all like it! I went with a bright blue instead of my usual pink. I just needed a change. :)

I received this Origins ornament as a gift for Christmas. And while it is limited edition, I still saw a few out on display at local Origins booths not long ago. If this catches your eye, you may still be able to buy it! And of course, you can purchase all of the samples in full sizes separately, as they are all part of the permanent collection.



^ The samples include Modern Friction, Plantscription eye treatment, Plantscription serum, Clear Improvement mask, and GinZing eye cream.

Of the samples, I have only tried the mask and GinZing eye cream. Both are new favorites in my skincare routine! I own two full-sized jars of the GinZing and now two samples of the charcoal mask and both products are fantastic. After I use up the samples I own, I know without a doubt that I will purchase the full-sized version of the mask. Now to get around to trying out the other three product samples from the ornament! I love the idea of gifts like this since it allows you to try so many new items for a small price. And I get an adorable collectible ornament to boot!

Now, I have a personal request. A friend and colleague from my college days has passed away due to a car crash. Her two young daughters held on to fight for a little while, but also passed away from their injuries. Cecilia's husband Nathan was not in the car and now has to deal with the loss of his wife and two little girls (ages 3 and 4). I just ask that you keep him and the rest of the family in your thoughts and prayers during this heartbreaking and devastating time.

Around the World in 80 Eyeshadows Week 19

Group post time!




Korres lip butters are among my favorite lip products in general and I especially have a soft spot for Jasmine. I use the Nivea one before I apply any lip color to condition my lips and to allow the lip color to glide on smoothly. When my lips are chapped and dry, I bring out the big guns- the Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Cream lip protectant or Smith's Rosebud Salve! I'm not particularly fond of the smell of the Eight Hour Cream or the rosebud salve, but they work amazingly well...enough to ignore the smell and deal with it.


Affairs Magazine : is reflecting on her best looks with Kiss My Sass Cosmetics
Beauty & Baggage :  finds a pretty springtime pink in Illamasqua's Androgen.
Fashionable Heart : got her Sephora Boxing Day goodies in the mail!
Massachusetts Mask : is less than impressed with one of Revlon's Nail Enamels!
Norwegian Elephant : Link TBD.

So how would you answer this week's question?!

Boxing Day: Sephora Haul

I'm still on my "no buy" month, but I ordered these items from Sephora on Boxing Day and just got them a short while ago! I thought I would share what I ordered. Most items are still available, though I did get the Boscia cleanser and Stila set in the Boxing Day sales. The Stila set is still available at the $10 US/$12 CA price, but I don't see the Boscia cleansing cream listed. However, I will provide a link to it on the actual Boscia website.

^ Dr. Jart+ BB Cream set, Shaveworks The Cool Fix, Boscia Soothing Cleansing Cream, Stila Harvest lip set, and a Sephora angled eyebrow brush.

^ The samples included in my order. I used 100 of my VIB points for the Origins charcoal mask and a coupon code for the Josie Maran argan oil. The other three are the typical samples that you choose and they include in every online order.

I have not tried any of it yet (aside from the charcoal mask, as I have another sample of it I'm working through), as I'm still working my way around the products that I got for Christmas. But I'm especially looking forward to trying the different BB creams!

Golden Globes 2013: Best & Worst Dressed

So this past weekend was the Golden Globes ceremony, which brought out the stars dressed to the nines. Some were definitely better than others, but I always wonder who actually used a stylist. I'm sharing my best and worst choices, but you certainly do not have to agree with me. Fashion being subjective is what makes it so fun! Feel free to share whose dress won you over or which one made you wonder if the celebrity got dressed in the dark.


Kate Hudson in Alexander McQueen and Anne Hathaway in Chanel. Kate looks fabulous and this really shows off her figure without showing too much skin. I love how classic Anne looks and the bare neckline allows her to show off her gorgeous pixie cut.

Kristen Bell in Jenny Packham, Tina Fey in L'Wren Scott, and Amy Poehler in Stella McCartney. Kristen did a fabulous job at picking a dress while pregnant. What a wonderful cut and design! I adore how Tina went with a retro look and Amy played up a tuxedo. The fit is spectacular, especially on those tailored pants.

Honorable Mention: Lucy Liu in Carolina Herrera. I believe this was either a "love it" or "hate it" dress. I personally loved it and thought it was beautiful with the flower print.


Emily Mortimer in Jenny Packham and Jessica Chastain in Calvin Klein. This sequined dress did nothing for Emily. Instead of making her shine, she looks rather drab. I feel as though Jessica deserves a dress with more flair. And I dislike the shoe choice, as well.

Jennifer Lopez in Zuhair Murad, Rachel Weisz in Louis Vuitton, and Guiliana Rancic in Celia Kritharioti. Yes, Jennifer looks beautiful with an amazing body, but I don't know...this dress just did not win me over. Rachel's dress looks like it is having an identity crisis, but her makeup and hair is spot on. I did not like anything about Guiliana's look. I think the dress is bringing attention to the wrong areas. It looks like something I would have seen on one of those 80s shows like Dynasty.

Around the World in 80 Eyeshadows Week 18

Girls, it's a new year and we're still growing! If you update your blog often and can handle weekly Monday posts, email me to let me know you are interested in joining AtWi80E. :)

Group post time!




Gucci Soho Disco bag in cream - New dream bag! It's so gorgeous.
Tory Burch Caroline Patent Leather flats in pink -  I've only heard good things!
Jo Malone London English Pear and Freesia cologne - Fell in love with this at first smell!

Granted, this is just a wishlist and all three are so very expensive. These are definitely my top 3 loves right now, though! And if money were no option (shame that it always is!), all of them would have a new home with me! Fingers are crossed to at least get one of the three this year. :)

Affairs Magazine : fell in love with a new trendy color!
Beauty & Baggage :  is sparkling with her Models Own Mirrorball collection.
Fashionable Heart : found a red lipstick that might sway those that are terrified to wear red lips!
Massachusetts Mask : finally got her hands on two tricky lipsticks!
Norwegian Elephant : is taking a wee break from blogging!

So how would you answer this week's question?!

Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick Palette

I got this during the Black Friday sales at Sephora. It is actually still in stock right now for $10 US/$12 CA here, so please don't pay the inflated prices on sale sites like eBay. I think little palettes like this are a great way to try a new brand! Here are my swatches.

To see more pictures, please keep reading.

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MAC Eyeshadows: Sumptuous Olive, Patina, & Naked Lunch

I got these three MAC eyeshadows for Christmas. I have not had a new MAC shadow in a while, so I was excited to get new ones to try out. Here are my swatches of Sumptuous Olive, Patina, and Naked Lunch! I had previously swatched Patina from the Snowglobe palette from Christmas 2011. But I don't reach for it as much as I thought I would with it being in the small palette. I often reach more for my bigger palettes than the smaller ones, so I think the normal sized one will get much more use! Is anyone else like that with their palettes?

To see more pictures, please keep reading.

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Around the World in 80 Eyeshadows Week 17

Group post time!



My goal is to do less spending and more using. At the moment, I'm on a beauty and skincare "no buy" for January since I know I'm going to the States next month! I plan on doing another Project 5 or 10 Pan soon, as well. Probably right after my trip in February!

Another goal is to get a bit out of my comfort zone. I used to wear colored eyeshadow here and there but with the brilliant Naked palettes, I just got out of it and always reach for neutrals. Now I feel weird when I reach for color! I'd love to broaden my horizons again and be a little daring with my eyes. I find it so much easier to do it with lips!

My last goal is to care more for my skin, especially at night. I feel like I don't give it nearly enough attention as it deserves. I have all of these quality moisturizers, facial cleansers, creams, etc....and I so often overlook them and reach for a quick makeup wipe instead. Not all of the time, but often enough that I know I'm doing my skin wrong and not showing it true love!

Affairs Magazine : is Passionately COLD this week!
Beauty & Baggage :  talks about her first foray into high end scented candles. Fashionable Heart : wishes MAC's 3N lipstick was not limited edition! Massachusetts Mask : isn't ready to come back from her Holiday yet!
Norwegian Elephant : raves about the amazing Malin+Goetz acne treatment!!

So how would you answer this week's question?!

MAC 3N Lipstick Swatches

I got MAC's 3N lipstick for Christmas. It was recently released in the Making Pretty Collection. It is limited edition, but it has been promoted before. I believe it is a fairly popular shade, so I have no doubt it will be used in another future MAC collection! With this collection, the lipsticks were a bigger size (.15 oz vs. .10 oz) which resulted in a higher price.

I have offered my swatches in this post, as well as some other MAC lipsticks that come close to it.

To see more pictures, please keep reading.

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My 2012 Christmas Gifts!

If you don't like this sort of thing, sorry! I personally love seeing what other people got so I don't mind these types of posts. If you don't like it, please overlook it. I have loads of product reviews and swatches coming up in future posts!

I was ridiculously spoiled this year. I am very blessed to have the people in my life that I do! I certainly did not expect the level of "spoiledness" that I hit this year, but I am so very thankful. :) On to what I received!

^ Christmas explosion!
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My Glitzy Glam Makeup Bag and Keychain

Happy New Year to all of my readers! I want to thank you all for making 2012 so special for me. Thank you for taking time out of your day to read my blog and I love getting to know you. May 2013 be wonderful for all of us!

I ordered from Glitzy Glam on Black Friday when they were offering 30% off. If you are unfamiliar with them, it is a shop owned by Elle and Blair Fowler from YouTube. I had wanted one of their personalized keychains and makeup bags for awhile. It was hard to narrow it down to what colors and design I wanted!

To see more pictures, please keep reading.

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