BH Cosmetics x Missy Lynn palette

As noted in the video this palette has been on my radar for quite some time but for whatever reason I was not eager about spending money on it.  I got the whole support a sista angle but the colors did not jump out at me.  If you are a lover of cosmetics as I am then you totally understand.  For those that do not, simply put, the more sparkly and bright, the better.  This palette was neither.  But do not let that deter you...allow me to explain...

We are in a season of all things (cheek) highlight and rose gold in the land of beauty so for those reasons the palette fits the bill.  If you are looking for something to throw in your purse that can take you seamlessly from day to night then you got it with this product.

Pros:  affordable(currently on sale for $8.95), travel friendly, bang for your buck, WOC friendly

Cons: lack of variety in shade offering

All in all I recommend the palette.  Yes in order to support a sista in a venture not afforded to most but also because I really think it is user friendly for a novice as well as gets the job done for an aficionado.  Check out the video for swatches and more about what I felt when first trying the palette.

Licorice lips with Inglot (hautecore alternative)

So I recently moved and as I continue to unpack I am discovering once forgotten clothing, shoes and makeup!  I suspect that is the only plus to moving.

Anyway, when Hautecore by MAC released on Black Friday I resisted the urge.  I had seen swatches that didn't quite move me and also after my disappointment in Grey Friday well I just couldn't be so bothered.

The other day while sorting through my makeup closet (yes I now have a whole closet dedicated just to makeup smh) a little black pencil caught my eye...

I remember purchasing this from the Times Square location of Inglot but at the time the artist who assisted me used it as an eyeshadow base.

Well I got extra excited because of course this was gonna be perfect for my matte black lip!

I didn't know when I would wear it until the day of my holiday party rolled around.  Once I was dressed I didn't want a bright lip or red and as I contemplated using Cyber I remembered my Inglot pencil.  And so...

So this pencil is definitely black and absolutely matte!  I would urge you to exfoliate prior to application and to use a lip balm as well.  

The good thing though about a matte lip is the minimal touch ups needed.  I had a number of glasses of champagne and wine and the food was outstanding so you know I ate; I only touched up my lips once the whole night.  So I would say 6 hours of wear with one touchup = a win!

Good News: The Inglot AMC Lip Pencil is sold in stores and online (www.inglotusa.com).  And it's currently on sale!

Bad News: This particular shade is #35 and I do not see it on the site.  I'd suggest calling the store or emailing via the site to see if it's still in stock.

If for some reason it isn't and you want the matte black look try going for a creamy black liner (eyeliner will work).  Try the Milani Liquif'Eye eye liner pencil in #01-Black or MAC liner in Smolder or Feline.

Review: Cailyn Gelux Eyebrow

When new products arrive in the spalon we get extra excited.  So when these showed up one day we were over the moon and began testing immediately!

http://www.cailyncosmetics.com/category_s/292.htm#.UphU2Xi9Kc0

After careful contemplation I selected the Mahogany shade.  My hair is black now but black brows and my lack of a tan is a bit too harsh.

It is a gel formula but a bit more on the dry side so perhaps a gel to powder formulation.  Also includes a tiny angled brush for application which is ideal for personal use but when applying to clients at work I scrape out with palette knife onto a palette and use my own angled brush.

Intense color payoff and once applied will not budge.  Here I only used the Gelux product but now I do a combo with my Kevyn Aucoin brow pencil in Brunette along with the Cailyn Gelux Brow in Mahogany.

Retail price - $22

Review: L'oreal Voluminous Butterfly Mascara

This past weekend I took an impromptu quick trip to Charlotte, NC to visit my mom. During a Target excursion I came across this mascara and I have not seen any advertising for it so I picked it up.

L'oreal Voluminous is my favorite mascara anyway because it pumps up lashes big time, a plus for someone like me with super curly lashes who doesn't prefer to wear falsies all the time.

As you can see one side of the brush mimicks a traditional mascara wand that you would see nowadays while the other side is more like a comb.

For me this definitely helped with application.  I did not get instant volume with this formula.  I had to build it up quite a bit and in doing so of course it began to clump on me something terrible.  So much in fact that the mascara crumbs began to fall in my eye. 

The quicker you move the better to avoid drying in between coats.  I would suggest applying the mascara with the brush side then combing through with the other side.

$7.99 at Target

No mascara

1 coat

3 coats

5 coats

7 coats (yes 7, I love mascara)

Black Radiance Week! A #prettypout review

The next brand we chose to celebrate for #prettypout was Black Radiance.  Below is my Instagram recap:

While I enjoyed the shade offerings of the line I was not too pleased with the wear of the Perfect Tone lipsticks.  I would say that these are more of a hydrating product HOWEVER, I have tried other brands that describe their lipstick as hydrating but they still lasted.  I would snap these pics and not even an hour later feel like I needed to touch up the color.  Mind you that was before having a beverage or a bite. 

I feel like Black Radiance is on the right path but may need to work on the formulation a little bit.  As you can see I only did 3 days of this challenge and honestly it was because I was feeling so so about the wear of the the product. So much so that I didnt want to purchase anything else from the line.

Have you tried Black Radiance lipstick or any of their other product offerings?  What did you think?

Wet n Wild Week! A #prettypout review

So as you all should know by now I am a member of the Partners in Pretty group.  If you want to know more about us watch this video:




Each week we challenge ourselves to explore a particular brand and the lip products offered and we call it the #prettypout challenge.  It has helped us to revisit lipstick, lipgloss, etc that we may own but have forgotten about and also get to know a brand that we may not be familiar with.  Other beauty babes have joined in the tag and the brands we feature have taken notice as well.  I love the tag because it also shows that women of any shade can wear any color.

While we have been showing the varied colors and products I realize that you may also want to know how I feel about a certain brand or product that has been featured so I am going to do a recap each week here on the blog.

This post is dedicated to our Wet n Wild week celebration!

The Partners in Pretty Wet n Wild Week Instagram Wrap Up

I really enjoyed this week.  If you recall I dedicated a couple of videos to my love affair with the new and improved Wet n Wild lip products; but if you missed it check below:




 I really dont have anything bad to say about this line.  The price point is good, the color selections are modern and on trend and the pigmentation is amazing.  The only downside(s) are now that we have all discovered the greatness of the brand, these lipsticks are hard to come by.  There have been many times when I pop into a drugstore in search of them and the display has been picked completely over.  I am still on the hunt for 24 karat and some other colors but I digress.  Another pet peeve that some have expressed is that they are a bit drying to the lip.  I have been into mattes lately so that doesnt really bother me.

Below is my recap via IG of the Wet n Wild Week #prettypout challenge:

Wet n Wild actually chose this image to feature on their own Instagram page!  I was honored!

Keep up with and/or join the #prettypout challenge via Instagram with the @partnersinpretty.  Dont forget to use the hashtags!

Wet n Wild Mega Last Lipstick

FOTD-Recreation of the UD 15 Year Anniversary Palette Look

image c/o urbandecay.com

Another inspired look I did after seeing the above face chart on Urban Decay's site.  I went there in search of a promo image to go along with the release of the 15 year Anniversary Palette however the face chart was all I could locate.  I thought it was a gorgeous look so I decided to do my take on it.  The onset of cooler temps (hello 60+ degree weather! WHOO HOO!) has me wanting to play with color a bit more - so backwards.

Now in the video below I give a mini review on the palette however I may have come off a bit harsh if you will.  Do not get me wrong, I adore Urban Decay (and no I was not contacted by anyone about my review, I just don't want you all to jump to conclusions).

As I said in the video I love the brand for the color payoff and texture of their shadows however I would love to see them switch it up a bit with the color offerings.  The 24/7 Shadow Pencils (I used Rehab in my date night FOTD vid) are gorgeous but again color selection is limited.  I contend that while a popular brand, if Urban Decay were to increase their color range with something never before seen by them, even if we have seen it from other brands, that their popularity would sky rocket.  I will purchase from them again, I just will be diligent in my research to be certain I am not repurchasing the same color over and over again.

Review: Mehron Tattoo CoveRing

In the vid below I mentioned that I picked up the Mehron Tattoo CoveRing while at IMATS NYC for a bridal client because I had some tattoo cover work I needed to do for a few of the bridesmaids.





Well I did indeed put the ring to work and well... I will let the images tell the story before I add my two cents...

BEFORE: Very large tattoo and you cant see here but there are two medium sized images on either side of the name...

AFTER: 2nd bridesmaid from the front, as you can see the ENTIRE tattoo is covered!

I started this process by removing any excess oils from the skin using the Alcone Makeup Remover Cloths, once the tattoo area was dry I began applying the Mehron Tattoo CoveRing, which can be picked up here, with a brush in thin layers multiple times.  The CoveRing makeup is very thick in consistency as it provides maximum coverage however if you mix it on the back of your sanitized hand it will warm to the point where you can mix to get a better match to your client/yourself.  In between each application I set the layers with my Make Up Forever HD Powder .  Once I completely covered the tattoo I then went over it with a custom blend foundation to match the client's skin, for that I used my Graftobian foundation palette's (I have all 3).  Once her skin tone was achieved I then dusted once more with translucent powder and set it with the Mehron Barrier Spray.

All in all I was pleased with the Mehron Tattoo CoveRing.  Keep in mind that this is in no way an easy process.  It is very time consuming, at least for the type of cover job I had to complete which took a good hour at least!  So just be certain to plan accordingly.  I am now on a quest to find the ultimate tattoo cover products that can minimize time spent on the task itself.