Snooze Alert: My Go-To Everyday Look...

And a few bonus pics...

Another basic look I rock constantly...

EOTD: Brown and gold for fall

              Only pic with flash, it always washes out the colors. :( 

All the shadows are from the same E.L.F. palette as yesterdays look.

EOTD: Purple is the new black...

All the shadows used are part of an E.L.F. (Eyes Lips Face) palette I got at Target, I'm not sure if it's available anymore. This palette is the closest I could find on their site.

Review: Hard Candy Lash Ink- 4 Day Lash Stain

Hey ladies! It’s review time again, and today we’re talking about Hard Candy Lash Ink- 4 Day Lash Stain. I should note that I bought it months ago, before I found the Roux Lash and Brow Tint. I also had unfortunately not done my research on it beforehand. On to the nitty-gritty…

Hard Candy Says:
Mascara that won’t quit until you do. Flatter your flutter for 4 days straight! Hard Candy four day lash stain defies the elements. Paint Lash Ink on and don’t reapply for up to 4 days. Shower, go in the pool, cry, rub your eyes, or get rained on – your lashes will stay flawless no matter the circumstances! Perfect for a weekend away or partying all night long.

Mrs. Blacksten Says:
Um, from the name alone, you immediately get the wrong impression. I saw an ad for this in a magazine, and like I said didn’t do any research before purchasing. So of course I thought it was an actual lash stain. I was wrong.

It’s more accurately and hellishly difficult to remove waterproof mascara. If waterproof mascara has a staying power of 8 on a scale of 1-10, then Lash Ink is a 14. Seriously. So of course it has all the drawbacks of regular mascara; potential for clumping, looking unnatural, flaking, etc. And since it’s basically semi-permanent, once you sleep on it, your lashes get funky creases which aren’t really fixable.

The brush for Hard Candy Lash Ink is pretty basic, and definitely not designed for volume or thickness. So the results were basically like applying mediocre mascara and then being unable to remove it, having to rock it for 4 days.

Hard Candy Lash Ink is not a stain in any sense of the word, and will not stain or tint or in any other way alter your natural lashes. Unless you mistakenly apply it thinking it’s a stain, and then subsequently try to remove it. In which case the only difference to your natural lashes will be that you hardly have any left, because you’ve accidentally pulled them out trying to remove this.

Needless to say I was severely disappointed in Hard Candy’s Lash Ink, and wouldn’t repurchase it. However, I’ll take my fair share of the blame, I should’ve known to get all the information I needed beforehand, and I wouldn’t have been in semi-permanent mascara hell at all.

So ladies, Have you tried Lash Ink? What were your thoughts on it?

Review: Roux Lash & Brow Tint

Hey ladies! I’m back again, and have a ton of new products, not just hair products, to tell you all about. But today’s post is directed to all those gorgeous gals out there, who like me, have invisible eyelashes and brows.
Yes ladies, you know what I’m talking about, if I don’t have on full makeup I look freaky, because it appears as though I have no eyebrows or eyelashes. So everyday, if I want to look like a human being, I have to fill in my brows at the very least. If you have to color on an entire eyebrow, let’s be honest, it never looks natural.

 So……….I’ve been dying to get my brows and lashes tinted. I know as much as I talk about products and buying stuff, etc. it seems like I spend money like a crazy person. In reality I’m a cheapskate, I always look for the best deal I can find before purchasing, and if something is expensive, chances are I’ll think about it for months before purchasing. I do tons of research, and read reviews before I shell out any cash. With that being said, I am not willing to pay the amount of money they want at salons for lash/brow tinting services. So of course, I browsed and came across Roux Lash & Brow Tint at Sally’s.

Roux Lash & Brow Tint isn’t exactly cheap at $36.99 a box, but you get around 40 applications per box, so it’s only $.92 an application. Where I live lash tinting services start at $15 and so do brows. So if I were to go to a salon and get both done, it’d be at least $30 before tip. No thanks, I’ll do it myself.

The Roux Lash & Brow Tint isn’t quite as simple as at-home hair color, but it isn’t rock science either. It’s a 2-step process, and the kit comes with a bottle of stain remover, eye shields, for the under eye area and these little wooden sticks, that look like toothpicks that got thrown in the discard pile. The sticks are for the actual application, you’re supposed to cover the tip in cotton and dip it in the bottle. Um….no thanks. I bought disposable mascara wands for easier application.

You simply dip an applicator into the Step 1 bottle, and apply it to whatever hair your trying to color. Be very careful not to get it on your skin. Step 1 deposits finely divided silver onto the hair strand. Then you wait for it to dry, around 3 minutes, and apply Step 2 in the exact same way. Step 2 is what actually does the tinting, so be very careful not to get it on your skin. It will color anything it touches instantly.  Until the 2 solutions come into contact with each other they’re both clear, but as soon as they touch the dye is apparent. Then you wait about a minute, and wash it off. Done.

It’s literally as simple as it sounds, but it takes a bit more time than you’d think. You really have to be careful to not get it on your skin. The directions recommend applying Vasoline to skin around the brows and lashes so it won’t take color if you mess up. I used Ion Color Brilliance Stain Barrier Creme, also from Sally’s, just around my brows.

I have to say, I really love the results. I didn’t have any idea what to expect, but I’m happy to say that Roux Lash & Brow Tint did exactly what it was supposed to. My upper lashes and brows are now a deep brown, and I no longer look like a weirdo. I opted to leave my bottom lashes alone, as I was nervous about getting dye everywhere. The eye shields that come in the kit are for covering your under eye area, but they’re a joke.

Anywho, Roux Lash & Brow Tint……Yes! If you’ve tried it, or get yours done at the salon, leave me a comment!

New Product Alert!! Tarte multiplEYE Natural Lash Enhancer

Check out Tarte's new multiplEYE natural lash enhancer!

Clinical Results:

• 152% change in the appearance of lash length after 6 weeks
• 100% of subjects reported an increase in the appearance of lash length
• 100% of subjects reported an increase in overall lash health
• 90% of subjects reported an increase in lash thickness

 

Fall Trends and The Colors Delight

The gorgeous colors that are trendy this fall are not only rich, but they're vibrant and exciting. Fall doesn't need to be a time to tone down, rev-up your gorgeous face and show it to the world. Fall is my favorite time of the year, the heat of summer is over, and the freeze of winter hasn't come. Fall is full of the perfect hues, that both compliment and excite.

So what's super hot this fall you ask? Jewel tones; rich purple, turquoise, navy, emerald, ruby, etc. Gold is also really hot this year, which allows some of the bronze looks of summer to live on and evolve. That's one of my favorite things about makeup, it's like energy, it never ends or stops, it simply evolves.

Winged liner is back, not that it ever really went anywhere to begin with. However, play it up and instead of using basic black, use color; make your eyes and personality pop!

Glowing, gorgeous skin is also in, as always. So treat yourself and your face to some TLC, and show off your gorgeous skin. Throw a beautiful blush on the apples of your cheeks, and embrace the chill in the air.

Review: Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette

So, I promised months ago that I'd review the Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette...Many apologies ladies, I've been busy, busy, busy, and I forgot.

The Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette is $24.95, and in my opinion, money well-spent. I haven't used every single shadow yet, but the ones that I have are great. The eyeshadows in this palette are so neutral and silky, everyone can use them, everyday.

There are so many options with this many shadows and finishes. I use the 88 Warm Palette literally almost everyday.

There are a variety of really light colors, which frankly can be hard to find. New eyeshadows come out all the time, but how often do you find highlight colors that you love. Most major makeup companies don't put out a lot of light whites and creams, they have a few and then they're done.

The Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette also has some colors you may not expect, there are some gorgeous purples and oranges. You generally don't expect to see orange and purple in a neutral palette, but the colors are so user-friendly and truly neutral, don't be scared to test them out.

Seriously, I highly recommend the 88 Warm Palette, if you've been on the fence, jump over and grab this!

Brand Spotlight: Nicole Paxson Cosmetics

Hello ladies!! Today I have something a little more serious than usual to discuss and share. My Mom was diagnosed with Lupus when I was little, and growing up I watched her struggle with the disease, and try to cover up the butterfly rash associated with Lupus. Lupus affects so many women, and it can be quite a struggle to deal with all the symptoms associated with the disease.

Recently, while browsing the internet I came across a makeup company called Nicole Paxson, and discovered a makeup for women with Lupus and other chronic skin conditions. The great people at Nicole Paxson agreed to send me some product to test out and share with all you lovely gals. So I got the package a few days ago, and I'm so excited to share.

Nicole Paxson Cosmetics are full-coverage yet aren't heavy feeling or cakey at all. One of the most notable things for me was how easily and beautifully the makeup blended. Often with full-coverage makeup it's really hard to blend, and this just wasn't the case with Nicole Paxson at all. Every product in the line has broad spectrum UVA/UVB SPF. The packaging is so adorable, and classy looking. Every product is also named after a butterfly, because of the butterfly rash associated with Lupus.

If you suffer from a chronic skin condition like Lupus, or maybe you just prefer full-coverage makeup, than check out Nicole Paxson.

If you'd like more information about Lupus than visit the Lupus Foundation of America.

And Some More...

Best Maybelline Mascara's

I always make my eyes the focal-point of my makeup, because I think they're my best feature, and it doesn't hurt that I love eyeshadow, mascara, and eyeliner. I have naturally long eyelashes, but they're so light that without a good mascara you can't see them. These two mascaras are my absolute favorite Maybelline mascara's ever!

Maybelline Lash Discovery Mascara is great, it doesn't really thicken or add volume to your lashes,but it's great at getting every-single-lash. I love this mascara, and I've been using it for several years. Maybelline Lash Discovery has a teeny, tiny little brush that manages to coat every lash with mascara, and not leave any clumps.

Maybelline Define-A Lash Mascara is awesome! The brush in this mascara is great, and the results are even better. This mascara is my go to for everyday use. Define-A-Lash never leaves my lashes clumpy, it gives my lashes definition, and it lenghtens. Maybelline Define-A-Lash mascara has even won awards; Allure Best Of Beauty,and an Editors Choice Award for 2007.

I'm A Freak...

So, I have a confession, I watch television show’s that I don’t even like and look at the women’s hair and makeup. Does anyone else do this or am I a freak? It’s not just show’s that I don’t like, I do it with show’s that I actually enjoy, and then I end up side-tracked by the makeup and hair.

Sex & The City is one of my favorite shows of all time; I love the friendship, the fashion, and of course the makeup and hair. After watching the show, and sometime’s during watching it, I’ll wonder how I can recreate the look. Episode after episode I will look at the women on the show, and judge how they look on that episode versus how they looked in previous episodes.

What brand of makeup are they wearing? How did they apply the foundation? The blush? How did they style the hair? What product’s did they use? Can I do it at home? I think you get the point.

Anyway, so am I the only woman who sits in her pajama’s and studies the women on t.v., and wonder’s if their look can be imitated?

Here’s a list of my favorite show’s to do this with in no particular order:

Sex & The City

Friends

Weeds

Californication

True Blood

The New Adventure’s of Old Christine

Dexter



One of my favorite things are show’s that are in HD, how do they get their skin to look so smooth? The makeup is seamless. Okay, I know it’s with an airbrush, but damn, I want that perfect skin too.

Okay now it’s your turn. Do you do this too? If so what show’s do you do it with?

Bare Escentuals bareMinerals Warmth: The Many Uses

Bare Escentuals bareMinerals All-Over-Face Color in Warmth is probably one of the most versatile product’s that I’ve ever used. If you’re familiar with Bare Escentuals bareMinerals at all, then you probably already know that they market Warmth as a way to add a “candlelight glow” to your complexion, and a year-round complexion booster.

Most women who use Bare Escentuals Warmth probably are using it as a bronzer, like I often do too, but have you tried any other ways to use it?

One of my absolute favorite things to do with Warmth is mix it with blush and see what color it makes. I’ve made some beautiful blush colors this way. For this option your best bet is going to be mixing Warmth with loose blush, not pressed, as it will mix better with loose, and give you more even color results.

I’ve discovered that for my baby blue’s Warmth is the perfect crease color. Not only does Warmth give me that gorgeous summer bronzed eye look, but it actually makes my eye color pop! Just like using Warmth on your face, less-is-more, and it blends beautifully.

Do you need an awesome contour color for your cheeks? Try Warmth for that too. The best way to use Bare Escentuals Warmth as a contour color though is to use a small brush, not your typical blush brush. Again, don’t forget that with Warmth less-is-more, you can always add as much as you want, but taking away something is much harder to do.

Last but not least, of course, Bare Escentuals Warmth can be used as a lip color. Try mixing a little bit of Warmth with your favorite lip balm or gloss, and see what happens. Another idea, mix Warmth with lip colors you already have and create a custom color!

Just some everyday looks...

Just A Few.....

Review: Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes! Waterproof Mascara

Sephora Says: A waterproof lengthening, curling, volumizing, and conditioning mascara. Tarte Lights, Camera, Splashes! 4-In-1 Waterproof Mascara's waterproof formula gives you the bombshell lashes you love, and is guaranteed to stay put through rain, sweat or tears.



Mrs. Blacksten Says: Love, love, love! Tarte's Lights, Camera, Splashes! Waterproof Mascara is awesome; not only is it waterproof, but it does a major job of giving my lashes clean definition, and length. I have relatively long lashes as it is, but if I can emphasize that even more, I'm all for it. So far I've had no trouble with clumping, or flaking, which is a common problem with waterproof mascara. Another plus as I've mentioned before is that Tarte's Lights, Camera, Splashes! Waterproof Mascara is natural, which I love in eye products. Sometimes mascara and eyeliner tend to make my eyes water because of the chemicals, with this that is not a problem. Another thumbs up to the lovely ladies at Tarte. Tarte's Lights, Camera, Splashes! Waterproof Mascara can be bought direct through Tarte or Sephora for $18.

Sorry.............

Hello lovely ladies, sorry I've been MIA for while, I've been super busy with life, and my day job. Alas, I'm back with more reviews and looks. I'm super excited about bareMinerals new matte foundation, so of course I ordered it, as soon as I've tried it I'll do a review and let you know if it's all it's cracked up to be. Also I ordered the new Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette: I can't wait to showcase some looks with it, and see how pigmented the colors really are. I love browns and neutrals so I can't wait!!

I'm also going to be doing a review on CS Silica Powder Spheres. I don't personally buy into the whole feud over them being unsafe. If they were truly unsafe I think someone would've stepped in and forced CS and other retailers who sell them to stop selling them, or give consumers some sort of disclaimer. Check this out for some more info or google silica spheres for the truth.

Anyway, thanks for stopping by, and we'll talk soon!!

Easy Breezy

Hey gals! I used Tarte's Lock & Roll Creaseless Eyeshadow Duo for this look, and their Lights, Camera, Splashes! Waterproof mascara.