Viva Glam Nicki Dupe!

Hey guys, I came across this dupe a few weeks ago when I noticed I had purchased two new lipsticks that looked pretty similar! Both bright coral/pink colors that are very trendy for Spring and Summer!
So here it is...MAC Viva Glam Nicki vs Wet 'n Wild Pinkerbell!

MAC Viva Glam Nicki, Wet 'n Wild Pinkerbell

MAC Viva Glam Nicki, Wet 'n Wild Pinkerbell

Wet 'n Wild Pinkerbell on left, MAC Viva Glam Nicki on right

Wet 'n Wild Pinkerbell on left, MAC Viva Glam Nicki on right

Wet 'n Wild Pinkerbell on left, MAC Viva Glam Nicki on right

Wet 'n Wild Pinkerbell on left, MAC Viva Glam Nicki on right

Differences:

• Color -  Both are coral but Pinkerbell may be a tad more on the coral side as the Viva Glam Nicki leans pretty pink. Not noticeable on the lips, though.
• Texture - Looks the same on my hands but Viva Glam Nicki is a Satin finish while Pinkerbell is Matte. Since Pinkerbell is "more" matte, it's more drying on the lips.
• Viva Glam Nicki is also much smoother and applies more consistently. Pinkerbell "drags" more on the skin/lips and is a little chunky if swatched heavily.
• Price - Viva Glam Nicki is $14.50 and Pinkerbell costs anywhere between $1.50-$1.99 (even cheaper with sales!) But, all the money made from a Viva Glam product go straight to the MAC Aids Fund, so you can't feel bad about that!

I hope this helped someone out there. In my eyes, these are dupes and such a gorgeous color for summertime. I can't wait to wear these babies!

My Go-To Products...Revisited!!

Alright, so the last time I did this tag was almost exactly a year ago today. If you want to read that post click here.

Favorites by ep3074 on Polyvore.com


Primer: To be honest, I really don't wear a primer on my face every day. I do use Urban Decay Primer Potion or MAC Bare Study Paint Pot on my eyes daily, though.

Foundation: I've recently been trying out a sample of Makeup Forever HD Foundation. I love it, I'm going to try MUFE Mat Velvet + next. But my go-to foundation has been a mixture of Revlon PhotoReady and Revlon ColorStay. Whew...that's a lot of foundations.


Concealer: Hands down the best concealer for under eyes is Bobbi Brown Corrector. My shade is in light bisque. If I really look tired, I'll throw some MAC Select Cover-Up in NW20 over that, with Bare Escentuals Well-Rested to set. For blemishes, I usually grab Maybelline Dream Matte Mousse Concealer.


Setting Powder: I always use my NYX Twin Cake Powder in Natural.


Blush: One of my favorite combos lately is MAC Ladyblush Creme Blush with NARS Sex Appeal Blush over top. I also reach for Physician's Formula Happy Booster in Natural often. It's cute, it smells good, and it has cute hearts all over it.


Bronzer/Contour: I use Physician's Formula Healthy Wear Bronzer. It's very subtle and light.


Highlight: My favorite highlight for this time of the year is (and has been for a long time) MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Perfect Topping. Love!


Mascara: I absolutely LOVE Makeup Forever Smoky Lash. It's the best mascara I've ever used. But I don't want to waste [all $22 of it] at work so I use LOReal Voluminous daily. It's a great mascara but it does tend to transfer on me.


Eyeshadow: I have been trying to use up my Ulta Truffle Eyeshadow for...well ever now. It's on my P10P list so I'm dying to get done with it. It's pretty, I'm just becoming bored of it quickly. I also wear MAC Brule everyday. And I like to throw a Bare Minerals shimmery shadow like Nude Beach or Queen Tiffany, on top once in a while.


Eyeliner: Again with the P10P, I'm trying to use up my Urban Decay Bourbon pencil as well as my Rimmel Black Magic liner. But I do find myself reaching for MAC Dipdown Fluidline a lot.


Lipstick: I use a lot of different lipsticks, usually whatever is in my purse. I like MAC Viva Glam Gaga II, MAC Creme Cup, MAC Shy Girl, Revlon ColorBurst in Baby Pink...just to name a few.


Lip Liner: The only one I use throughout the week is Jordana Easy Liner in Rock 'n Rose.


Lip Gloss: Oh geez...MAC Viva Glam Gaga II, Revlon ColorBurst in Crystal Lilac, NYX Sweetheart, Revlon Super Lustrous in Lilac Pastelle and Peach Petal...the list goes on.


Brows: Now that I'm blond, nothing.


Brushes: Sigma ss217, Sigma ss239, Sigma ss187, Sigma sswhatever-the-straight-eyeliner-brush-is-called, Elf Blush Brush, Elf Angled Eyeshadow Brush, Elf Powder Brush, Alicia Silverstone for Eco Tools Powder Brush...


Nail Polish: I wear all of my nail polishes...which is a list way too long to list. Some of my favorites include Essie Nice is Nice, OPI Melon of Troy, China Glaze for Audrey, Rimmel Steel Grey, OPI Sweetheart, Essie Playa del Platinum, Essie Topless and Barefoot...I guess I'm into nudes right now...there's about a gazillion more. I love my CND Stickey Base Coat, too.


I decided to add Perfume: Vera Wang princess is always a favorite, SJPNYC is a good spring scent, I love the VS Pink Body Mists in Bold & Playful and Warm & Cozy...and I can't forget my favorite, Viva La Juicy!


Well, that's all, and it's a lot.


What are some of your go-to or favorite products?


-Liz


collage from my polyvore :)

MAC Stereo Rose MSF vs. Stila Make Me Blush Cheek Color

I remember it like it was just yesterday, my phone alarm going off at 5am just so I could go online to order the coveted MAC Stereo Rose Mineralize Skinfinish. It was being repromoted with MAC's In the Groove Collection. One I heard how in love with it everyone was and how hard it was to get your hands on, it became a mission of mine to own it. I placed a small order that morning, just Stereo Rose and Jazzed Lipstick, which, oddly enough turned out to be pretty sought after as well. I waited patiently with no confirmation email from MAC all day. Or the next day. Did I order early enough? Why don't they make more of these things!?!

And then, it came. It was everything I'd hoped for (in a blush of course, I'm not that crazy.) And I've cherished it ever since. Stereo Rose is a great blush for every skintone, my go-to cheek color in the summer and, up until tonight, a very unique piece in my collection.

Enter Stila Make Me Blush Cheek Color. Inspired by Conversation Hearts of Valentine's Day, this cheek color is absolutely gorgeous.

Stile MMB and MAC Stereo Rose don't look anything alike to me in the pan. If I hadn't heard someone else on the Internet claim these two to be dupes of each other I'd never put two and two together.

Ready for some comparison shots?

I'm not even going to bother with the prices point of this comparison since you can't find Stereo Rose anywhere other than overpriced on EBay and the Stila blush is part of a set sold online at Sephora (sold out as of now, but hopefully they re-stock!)
The Stereo Rose is .35oz and the Stila MMB is .34oz.

So are they dupes??

In my opinion, yes. I don't think anything is ever 100% the same as something else but these are pretty darn close. The only differences I can spot are that Stereo Rose is a bit more dimensional than the Stila. From different lights it can take on either a more pink, coral or gold tone. Another teeny tiny difference is that the Stila Cheek Color may be a little more orange/rusty colored than Stereo Rose, but it's barely noticeable. I'd say if you couldn't get your hands on Stereo Rose, Stila Make Me Blush Cheek Color would be a great alternative. (Plus, it's cheaper! You can buy this blush by itself at Macy's and on the Stila website for $14)


Does anyone else have both of these products? How to they compare in your opinion?

-Liz

Day 21 — Your favorite lip stick

Out of all the different brands and colors of lipstick I have, I'm still going to have to go with the first MAC Lipstick I ever bought. Shy Girl.

It's a cremesheen formula so it's very smooth and pigmented. It's a perfect nude with a touch of peach or coral to it. It goes well with a lot of different eye looks. I just love it, I'll definitely repurchase.

See ya tomorrow!
-Liz

It's Homecoming!

Well it's homecoming season again...my high school is a little different than most, we have 3 homecoming dances every year. Our school is really more of a campus, with three separate high schools. Every student has a "home school" but each has classes in all three schools. Nice in the spring, rough in the winter. But that means three times as many homecoming football games and dances.

I volunteered to do my sister's makeup for homecoming. It's the last one of the year and the only one I was free for. I also did her friends' and my mom's hair and makeup while I was over there. I think they were all satisfied and I really liked how they turned out...here's some pictures!


My sister, Alex.

I used the Wet 'n Wild Lust Palette for her. I also used the Wet 'n Wild Gel Eyeliner in Eggplant. Her dress is black but her eyes are green so I thought a deep purple would look really good.

Alex's friend Sarah:

For Sarah, I used the Maybelline Stylish Smokes Quad in Charcoal Smokes. The taupey -colors really went well with her dress, which was a white with a gunmetal grey flower and sash. I used MAC Blacktrack Fluid Line for her eyeliner.

Their friend Kelsey:

For Kelsey, her dress was gold and her eyes are blue so i really wanted to bring that out. I used MAC All That Glitters on the lid, Mulch in the crease and Lorac Garnet in the outer v and blended. I used the gold color from another wnw palette and it turned out great. No before picture of her though, boo!

My Mom:



My mom looked the most different when we were done. She hardly ever straightens her hair and she never wears a smoky eye look. I used the Maybelline Stylish Smokes Quad in Charcoal Smokes on her as well.

Well that's all for me today, the Michigan/Michigan State game is on, we're winning and I have a really bad headache. I'll probably do a video or post later on or tomorrow. Thanks for reading!

-Liz

A Couple Things...

Here are a few things that have to do with the fall season...in Martha Stewart's words, here are some "good things."

First up, pumpkins. I love the look of them for fall decorating purposes, plus the taste of them in just about every form. What I don't like, however, is the way they are adored and eaten by squirrels. I have more squirrels in my neighborhood than I'm pretty sure populate the rest of the nation. And those squirrels are on my pumpkins like Kid Rock at Waffle House. Take a look...

I've tried mixing cayenne pepper with hot water and pouring it on them, I sprayed them with Pam and sprinkled cayenne on them and it rained all last night so it washed it away. While they were still wet from rain, right after this picture was taken, I sprinkled more pepper on them. I hope it works. Little bastards. They're a dumb animal too. I would never run over one on purpose but they run in front of cars and look around. Do they have no sense of sound or sight? I don't get it...

Enough for my rant on squirrels...another thing I've been loving is this eye look I created for a family Oktoberfest I went to last weekend.

I used Wet n Wild Nutty on the lid with Bare Escentuals Celestine over top, followed by MAC Satin Taupe in the crease with a little bit of Lorac Garnet in the outer v. I put MAC Shroom as an inner corner highlight, MAC Vanilla as a brow highlight and for liner I used Rimmel Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer in Noir smudged on the upper lash line and Rimmel Special Eyes Precision Eye Liner Pencil in Black Magic on the waterline. I smudged the same colors from the lid on the lower lash line and topped it off with L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara on top and bottom lashes. I really like how this turned out, I think the warm tone of Garnet really helped bring out the blue in my eyes.

Another thing that is meaningless but one of those little things that just makes me happy is this pillow:

 I got it from Ikea, about a week or so ago so they probably still have them. It was only about $14 and I love that it looks like a cozy sweater. I had to change out my Liberty of London pillows anyway and this one is just too cute. My only wish would be more color options, as far as I know, the cream color is the only one available.

Thanks for being here!

-Liz

Updated Go-To Products!

I am going to post my "Go-To" Products again because the last time I did this was April. A lot has changed in 4 months, including the weather, trends and of course, my tastes. So, here we go:


Primer
Currently, I'm not using a primer at all. If I do, it's rare but I'll either use my Rimmel Fix & Perfect (which I used to loathe) or Loreal Studio Secrets Magic Perfecting Base on my t-zone. But typically, I apply my foundation right over my moisturizer.


Foundation
My foundation is ahhmazing. I cannot say enough good things about it. I'm currently using Maybelline Dream Smooth Mousse in 110 Porcelain Ivory. Not Dream MATTE Mousse, but Dream SMOOTH Mousse. This foundation came out about a month ago, I'd say, and I'm in love! It provides medium to full coverage and leaves your face with a healthy, dewy glow. I apply it with a 187 brush and it looks flawless!


Concealer
Ahh, finally I end my battle with concealers. I've found my concealing soul mate and it's name is Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque. This concealer has a peachy tone to it, which helps cancel out dark circles. I also found it at the CCO so I saved a few bucks, which is always nice. I apply this concealer with either a fluffy brush or a flat concealer brush, both work wonders. I'm not saying this is forever my HG concealer, but for now, we have a winner :)


Setting Powder
I really have been loving my CoverGirl TruBlends Mineral Powder in Translucent/Fair. It looks dark in the jar but it's a perfect match. It isn't completely matte, so it leaves a good finish on top of my Maybelline foundation. I really like this powder for setting my makeup!


Blush
I absolutely love my MAC Stereo Rose MSF. It is such a pretty coral/pink color and gives a glow at the same time. I want to use it everyday, but I'm afraid I'll waste it if I do!! I can't imagine getting my hands on another!

Contour/bronzer
I really like my Milani Sunset Duo in Sunset City. I have never used the blush from it because it's rather small. But I love the bronzer part. It looks like it would be too dark for me but it really isn't. It's not muddy or orange either, which is a big deal. There are minimal sparkles but they work with the glowy face I've got going on this summer.


Cream Highlight
I gotta give LolaMarie7 (on YouTube) a shout out right now. She created this tag and I love that she put "Cream Highlight" and "Highlight" in separate categories. Now I don't have to choose between the two! For a cream highlight, I'll go with my E.L.F. Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal. I've heard this is a dupe for a Benefit product but I'm not sure. Lilac Petal is a taupe/lavender color and it gives a really nice glow on the nose or cheekbone. Blends really well too.

Highlight
I'd say MAC Perfect Topping MSF. This Mineralize SkinFinish is a cream color with gold, orange, peach and purple veining throughout. It does an excellent job at highlighting and doesn't look too powdery.

Mascara
My Go-To mascara of the moment has to be MAC Zoom Lash. I never thought I'd like a MAC mascara, I've only heard negative things about them, but I do. I got this as a free sample with a code I had for free shipping one day and I really ended up liking it. It reminds me a little of Maybelline Lash Stilettos, so maybe I'll have to give that one another go.

Eye Shadow
This is hard, I'm going to have to pick more than one. The eyeshadows I reach for most often are Stila Kitten, MAC Shroom, MAC Wedge and MAC Warming Trend. All neutrals, as usual.

Eye Liner
Has to be Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Bourbon. A deep chocolate brown with gold flecks. It doesn't irritate my eyes like other pencils can.

Lip Liner
I still never, ever wear lip liner but if I do, I'd say NYX Rose. It's a bright vivid pink color that makes your lips pop.

Lipstick
Probably MAC Shy Girl. It's the perfect coral-nude color. If I'm not sure what to wear, I wear that.

Lip Gloss
The lipgloss I find myself reaching for most often is probably Loreal Colour Juice in Bubble Gum. It smells great and the color is a milky, opaque peachy color. It's a similar color to Revlon Peach Petal Superlustrious Lipgloss from the new collection, only difference is the applicator. I like the tube better than the wand. This looks great over a lot of different lipsticks or alone.

Eyebrow
I don't do anything to my eyebrows so...

Makeup Brushes
The makeup brushes I use nearly every day are 187, 150, 194, 239, 224, Sonia Kashuk Bent Eyeliner Brush, E.L.F. Blending Eye Brush and E.L.F. Studio Powder Brush.


Nail Polish
I have been really into nudes, greys and muddy browns lately, much like everyone else. My favorites are E.L.F. Smoky Brown, E.L.F. Desert Haze, OPI You Don't Know Jacques, Essie Playa Del Platinum, Revlon Grey Suede, Rimmel Steel Grey...you get the picture.


Well, those are my Go-To Products as of August, 2010. What are yours?

-Liz

A Little Update...

Wow, May 11th? The last time I wrote a blog post was May 11th? Unacceptable.



Moving on, today is August 9th, 2010. A good day to document since a date like 8-9-10 doesn't happen very often. I'm lying on the couch watching Real Housewives of New Jersey. Gosh I hate/love this show. These people are ridiculous, but I must stay tuned.

I'm pretty proud of myself because I made tomato, basil and mozzarella pasta for dinner, with no recipe. It turned out really good, if I don't say so myself. (And got Josh's stamp of approval as well.) I want to start cooking dinner more often. I think I will when the weather starts cooling off. It has been so unbearably hot here; I haven't wanted to use the oven or stove. Anytime we cook, we grill. Speaking of grilling, we are hosting another bbq this weekend. I'm excited because we've had it "planned" for almost a year. This is our first year with our own house, patio, backyard, firepit, outdoor table, grill, etc., and I've come to realize we love to entertain. We also have a smoker, so maybe we'll use that too.



I honestly cannot wait until fall. Fall is by far my favorite season. I love absolutely everything about it. Wait, I love everything about it except the fact that it means winter comes next. But I really love fall because of the colors, the smells, the crops, cider mills, pumpkins, and the holidays starting and of course, FOOTBALL. I think we're going to skip the UofM games this year, save some money and watch from home. I have a feeling they won't be doing excellent this year anyway...but we can hope.

So that's what I'm looking forward to; fall (and everything that comes along with it), hosting parties and actually not being in school for the first fall season since I was four years old. I will be in school again, but I'm definitely taking a much needed year off. I accomplished my degree, but still have no idea what I'm going to do. So, there's that...

Hmm...what else is new? Oh! I've been running in the mornings before work. Ok, well, it's only been 2 weeks but I plan to keep doing it, 4-5 times a week. I really want to get healthy. That being said...I ruined whatever good I did today with my pasta and about 4 Paula Deen cookies. I know, I know. Tomorrow is a new day. I have also been considering switching from coffee to tea. We'll see how that goes.


Since this is a makeup/beauty blog, I guess I should talk a little about it. I'm really excited about the Eye of the Day I came up with for work today. I tried something a little different, putting MAC Bare Study Paint Pot (a shimmery white/beige colored base) all over my eye. I topped it off with MAC Phloof! Eyeshadow (Shimmery off white) from lash line all the way to the brow bone. I used a 224 Brush to put MAC Wedge Eyeshadow (a medium toned brown) in the crease, just to add a little dimension. Then I used my new E.L.F. gel liner in Midnight (a deep navy) and made bold line on my upper lash line with a winged out edge. Then I used a Rimmel eyeliner (I can't remember the name but it's a navy color as well) on the lower lash line. Finished with MAC Zoom Lash Mascara and I was good to go. Took me all of 5 minutes but I really loved the way it turned out. Note to self: Experiment More.



I also need to invest in a night time eye cream. I’ve heard you are supposed to start using them in your early 20’s and I’ve already noticed some fine lines around my eyes and nearly panicked. I need to also look for a face wash containing Benzoyl Peroxide because I know I’m going to break out with the weather changing in the next month or so and I don’t think my skin reacts to Salicylic Acid. Benzoyl Peroxide is a harder ingredient to find than Salicylic Acid so this should be fun. Very interesting, I know.



I think I may do one more blog post before bed, perhaps an updated Go To Products? Lots have changed since April :)



Talk at you soon, Forensic Files just came on.



Liz

Easy spring-time look without liner! :)

First toot! Yay!

Here we go...first step. You want to apply concealer under your eye to cover any dark circles. Here I'm using Clinique Advanced Concealer. Gently dot it onto your eye and pat in using your ring finger.

 

Next, apply a primer to make your shadow last longer and help to prevent creasing. Use your favorite skin tone primer for this look, I'm going to be using Urban Decay Primer Potion.

Make sure to apply it all over your eye lid up to your brow bone as well as along your lower lash line.

Now we're going to use a warm neutral color all over the lid using a flat shader brush. I'm using Truffle by Ulta.

Then, using a small crease brush (mine is from Studio Tools at Target), place a medium brown in the crease. I'll be using MAC's Satin Taupe.

Now it's time to blend. I like to take a shade that is inbetween the lid and crease color to blend them seamlessly together using a fluffy brush. I'm going to be using Private Beach by Victoria's Secret.

Then, apply a highlight color. I love using my Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette for that. I'll be using the light yellow color 4th column from the left, 3rd row down.

To apply highlight to the inner corner with the same color, I use a lip brush from ELF because it fits perfectly.

Now the fun part! Take an angled eyeliner brush, like this one from Sonia Kashuk.

Spray the brush lightly with MAC Fix + and dab it on to your favorite brightly colored eyeshadow. Some people say this ruins the eyeshadow (though, not in my opinion) so try to use one that you don't normally use dry. I'm using the Coastal Scents 88 Color Palette because there are so many good choices. I chose a turquoise blue color.

Now, I have seen some YT gurus doing this look recently. I have been using a bright eyeshadow as a liner on the top lid for years and I thought this was perfect for spring so it's definitely an inspired look. 

Take the angled brush, starting in the center of your lower lash line and pat the shadow on to create a line. Run the line from your outer corner and stop it where your inner corner starts. Remember to spray the brush again before doing the other eye, it will make a big difference!

Apply a double coat of your favorite mascara on the top and bottom lashes and you're good to go! Beautiful! :)

Final look with NYX blush in Natural, MAC MSF in Perfect Topping, Viva Glam Gaga lipstick and Little Vi gloss...don't mind  puffy yellow cheek, still swollen from a wisdom tooth removal! :) Comment below!