summer beauty: Too Faced Rock n Roll Candy Eye Shadow Collection + swatches

rock your look this summer ~ from subtle songstress to full-on rockin' beauty!

this gorgeous palette won't guarantee you a backstage pass at your favorite concert, but at least you'll look amazing. this palette is versatile and so fun! also included with the palette is a glamour guide with three how-to beauty looks to get you started and inspire you to create your own looks… 

Rock n Roll Candy Eye Shadow Collection houses nine fabulous shadows in edgy mattes and metallics, seven of them being brand new shades.

 {top to bottom} Rockabilly, New Wave, New Romantic
 

{top to bottom, left} Rap, Pop, Glam Rock
{top to bottom, right} Ska, Heavy Metal, Punk


if you are looking for a bold, out-of-the-box shades to give your summer look a little kick, you should really consider picking up this palette. like all shadows from Too Faced, these beauties are highly pigmented and deliver fabulous, long-wearing color payoff. i've worn all of them, but the shades i find myself wearing the most are New Romantic, Heavy Metal, Punk and Rap {see pics below of an easy day-friendly look i created using these shades}.

what do you think of this Rock n Roll Candy Eye Shadow Collection? for more info, be sure to visit toofaced.com. 

product featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

keep skin looking its best this holiday party season!

office parties, cocktails with friends, family get-togethers, late night "ugly sweater" parties...

soirees that come along with the holidays are fun, but all the festivities can leave you looking less than lovely the morning after. thankfully, my sources that have shared some tips and products you can use to reinvigorate your skin and maintain a wide-eyed and bushy-tailed look.

consider trying the following list of beauty essentials ~ they just might be what you need to help your skin recover from all that fun you've been having...

start the morning after by cleansing away last night. Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase HydraBalance Foaming Cleanser is a soap-free, non-drying cleanser that contains a balancing formula to restore the skin's natural protective barrier, as well as help it regain and retain lost moisture.

wake up your skin with a cooling spritz! Jurlique Chamomile Soothing Mist gently calms and soothes tired skin; this beautiful formula will leave your skin feeling refreshed and hydrated {and one step closer to your former glory}.

lock in the moisture. Kinerase Advanced Lotion conditions while supporting your skin's natural production of hyaluronic acid. this gentle lotion also boasts in aiding the improvement of the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

wake up your complexion. follow this skin rehab with a light layer of Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm Multi-Benefit Skin Care Makeup all over to even out your skin-tone.


if your face is feeling fresh, but your eyes still look a little bloodshot, here are some easy tricks to brighten up those peepers...

start with the Dr. LeWinn by Kinerase Under Eye Recovery to soothe and deflate puffiness for a bright-eyed appearance {this affordable wonder also decreases dark circles as it brightens}, then neutralize the redness and draw attention outward with a pale reflective shadow like the Too Faced Exotic Color Eyeshadow in Firefly.

complete the illusion of bigger eyes by tight-lining with the Too Faced 3 Way Lash Lining Tool and finish your look with a quick tap of Too Faced Full Bloom Full Bloom Lip & Cheek Crème Color in Sweet Pea. your fresh-faced look will leave people thinking you spent the morning doing yoga.


keep your skin happy and healthy looking this festive season. have fun of course, and remember that simple things like staying hydrated, eating healthy foods, and getting as much sleep as possible are also always beneficial!

happy holidays!

beauty review: Too Faced Better Than False Lashes

it's been out for more than a few months now, so chances are you may have read, or even tried for yourself, the Too Faced Better Than False Lashes system. this new 3-step process is already a must-have in the lives of many beauty-lovers!

three steps might seem like a lot, but it's quite simple once you know what to do:  first, prime your lashes with 1-2 coats of Activating Mascara Base & Top Coat to lashes. next, build up length and volume with 1-2 coats of FlexiStretch Nylon Fibers (its these tiny fibers that form a flexible coating to allow lashes to "stretch" beyond the length of your own lash). finally, seal fibers in with another 1-2 coats of Activating Mascara Base & Top Coat.

and that's it! the first time i used Better Than False Lashes i liked the results just fine, but did get some of the fibers in my eyes. not fun. my eyes are sensitive and that was, for lack of a better phrase, seriously annoying. this made me wonder if i'd like using this on a regular basis, even if only a few more times for a review.

so i gave it another try. thankfully, i was able to apply the fibers without getting them in my eyes, but...

this didn't wow me like i'd hoped.

in my mascara-loving, lashes-are-everything opinion, yes, the results are good. false lash good? not really. length isn't the issue with this product-- it's the fullness. that, for me, is a must in a false lash look.
in any case, take a look at the results...

{bare lashes}

{steps 1 and 2}

{step 3 ~ final results}

as you can see, there's nothing wrong with the finished look! in fact, it's quite pretty. and while i know so many have found themselves in love with this pair of lash goodies {and that is fab!}, this just isn't for me.

be sure to visit toofaced.com for more info.

tell me: have you tried Better Than False Lashes? what was your experience? let me know in the comments!

product featured sent to me for review consideration; pics taken by me :)

Too Faced spring 2012 + Mystery Out of Makeup series

bonjour, beauties! the weather remains on the cold-because-it's-still-winter side and i'm still relishing each opportunity to wear layers, but as you already know, beauty brands, including one of my faves, Too Faced cosmetics, are always one season ahead. in this case it means the spring 2012 collection has arrived!

along with a gorgeous selection of palettes and sets, Too Faced has also produced a video series, Mystery out of Makeup, that you can enjoy via youtube.

watch an episode here...




be sure to check out their channel for more fabulous ideas, tips and tricks and visit toofaced.com for more info regarding the new, gorgeous spring 2012 collection!

Too Faced Vintage Sale-- Up to 75% Off!

attention! Too Faced cosmetics has opened up their Vintage Vault for a limited time so you can take advantage and stock up on some of your favorite products-- or get a little holiday shopping done on the cheap! :)

it all ends october 25th, so visit toofaced.com to see a full listing of what's on sale.

happy shopping!

xo

Iconic Beauty: Marilyn Monroe

two days ago marked the 47th anniversary of Marilyn Monroe's untimely death. i don't know about you, but i think she is the icon of beauty that can never be matched, duplicated or replaced. to celebrate the life of hollywood's golden girl, you can always find inspiration with these timeless tips!



flawless skin: Marilyn always had a flawless, radiant complexion. to get ready for your close up, try Per-fekt Skin Perfection Gel. this three-in-one primer, foundation and color corrector gives skin a matte, air-brushed look.




blushing bombshell: never afraid to act the innocent, Marilyn knew the power of a subtle blush. to get a "just-pinched" look try Too Faced Brightening Blush in Pinch My Petals. the pink-mauves brighten the cheeks, forehead and chin for a perfectly pretty glow!





bedroom eyes: master Marilyn's "come-hither" look with Sue Devitt Eye Intensifier Pencil in Pointe-Noire. the rich, velvety formula creates an instant and dramatic finish in a dramatic shade of black. complete the look with Laura Geller's Full Figure Lashes Mascara-- the short and long nylon fibers combine to lengthen and thicken the look of lashes while the carbon black shade finishes off the seductive look.




perfect pout: Marilyn Monroe was rarely seen without her signature red pout. to get the look try coating lips with Michael Marcus's Lipstick in Debbie, a bold red. the classic shade stays put while the silky formula keeps lips kissable.




"beauty and femininity are ageless and can't be contrived..."


xo

Too Faced Sizzling Summer Sale!

check this out, ladies and gents-- Too Faced is having a sale just in time for summer! but you need to act quick-- it will only last until this sunday, june 28. here are the details:

-20% off ENTIRE purchase
-promotion code is SIZZLE
-free Mini Pinpoint with $35 dollar purchase
-free shipping with $75 or more purchase

not sure what to get? i recommend you try the new Lip Bronzers. they combine two colors-- one of them being a more bronzy shade-- to give your pout a pretty, glistening look. i also really like the Smoky Eye Palette . it comes with all the shadows you'll need and three instruction cards that make it easy to create variations of the classic, but-oh-so-fabulous smoky eye look.

in any case, be sure to take advantage of the sale, especially if you're a Too Faced fanatic!

xo

Adam Lambert-Inspired Eye Liner Techniques

Adam Lambert may not have been crowned the king of American Idol, but he created quite the fanbase, not to mention has brought the very popular glam, heavy eyeliner look back, and inspired many makeup enthusiasts to don this look. i have the inside scoop from some beauty experts, including how they would translate this new rocker-chic beauty trend for us non-Idol rockstars...



Too Faced Cosmetics' Jerrod Blandino is a big fan Adam Lambert's style. his top tip to help any eye become a rockstar: "go coal black or go home! when wearing black eyeliner it's important to apply with confidence...it's a statement look so don't chicken out. apply a thin line of metallic color on top of a favorite black eyeliner for added shine!" try Too Faced Lava Gloss Eye Liner in Super Matte Black with a topping of Foiled Eye Liner in Black Beauty




Sue Devitt Beauty is known for its Eye Intensifier Pencils. founder, Sue Devitt says, "for a dramatic eye, apply the eye pencil, in Point Noir, along the base of the eyelid and into the lashline. smudge higher above and below the lashline. extend product just slightly further than usual to make eye look larger. definitely curl lashes, and finish your smoky eye with three coats of mascara."



make-up artist Michael Marcus recommends using a cake eyeliner for staying power, especially when the weather turns hot. simply run an eyeliner brush under water, dab it in the cake eyeliner, place it in a line along the upper and/or lower lash line and he promises it will stay on all day long! "cake eyeliner is a great investment because it not only lasts on the eyes longer, but you'll have it for months and months because you only need to use a little at a time," says Marcus.



Achelle Dunaway, resident make-up artist at e.l.f. Cosmetics, loves black eyeliner because "you can change your look so much with it!" exclaims Achelle. "if you’re going for a professional look, i recommend a small, even line on just the top lashes. try making four or five dots on the lash line and connecting them. this is an easy trick for drawing a straight line!" says Achelle. "if you want a really sexy look, draw a little cat eye, where the line extends outside of the lash line a bit and upwards. this makes the eye look bigger!" try e.l.f.'s Waterproof Eyeliner Pen in Black. for only $1 this liner stays put and offers precision for drawing the finest to boldest of lines.



Laura Geller, founder of Laura Geller Makeup, keeps her makeup to a minimum with eyeliner and mascara and loves the look of a lined eye! to make this dramatic look work for day she suggests using a lighter shade of liner. Laura uses Eye Rimz black powder eyeliners veined with colored pearl pigments that transform eyes from "wow to wowee!" in an instant. to create a perfect cat eye, Laura suggests that you "start from the outside of the eye, making sure the brush is touching the lash line, and line both the top and bottom lashes. if a darker line is desired, simply apply it wet. this will not only deepen the color but cause the formula to become water-resistant." i would say this is perfect for teary Idol-winner moments.


xo

Too Faced Lockdown Ultimate Creaseless Eyeshadow

Too Faced LOCKDOWN Ultimate Creaseless Cream Eye Shadow is a fool-proof cream eyeshadow that features deep, intense, metallic pigments combined with the brand's best selling Shadow Insurance's anti-crease base. now you can create never before seen drama with ultimate staying power!

if you love eyeshadows, but have a serious problem getting them to stick around all day without a primer, you may be interested in trying this. the benefits are great:

*creaseless: your peepers are protected from creasing, fading and smudging.
*water resistant: make out in the rain, take a dip in the pool or watch a-tear jerker; Lockdown has you covered.
*vitamin E: takes care of your eye area while you conquer the world.
*paraben free: safe and healthy is the name of the game.
*effortless: beautiful, long-wearing formula is easy to apply-- can you say stunning?
*versatile: wear Lockdown all by itself or as your shadow base. think of it as 'flexible glamour'.

colors include: Prisoner of Love (pink), Bedroom Eyes (medium brown), Bondage (light brown), Dramarama (dark brown), I'm Guilty (Aqua Blue), and Jailbait (light pink)

even though i have never had to use an eyeshadow primer (go figure the two places on my face that aren't oily are my eyelids-ha!), i'm very curious to see how this works myself. it sounds fabulous, doesn't it?

find Too Faced Lockdown Ultimate Creaseless Eyeshadow at Sephora and online at sephora.com

xo

holiday gift idea: Too Faced Liquif-Eye Kit

here i am with the palette idea again, but hey, they're everywhere, and they're so well-priced! take this Too Faced Liquif-Eye Kit for example. i mean, a palette of 12 ultra-intense, magnificent metallic and smoldering smoky shadows, plus Too Faced's eyeshadow transformer, Liquif-Eye all for less than $40? come on! that's a steal!

Too Faced eyeshadows are great little pigmented gems that create the ultimate glamour-girl look on their own, but are even better when worn together. Liquif-Eye is a very interesting product in and of itself, as it is able to transform any eyeshadow into a long-lasting, water-proof eyeliner-- how fabulous is that?!

here's some great tips for using this kit: *apply darker shades on the top lash line and the lighter/brighter shades in the inner corners and bottom lash liner to open up and energize the eyes. *for eyes that are closer together, line from the middle of the eye out. *shades can even be applied as lip liner for the ultimate in staying power.

find Too Faced Liquif-Eye Kit at toofaced.com

happy shopping!

xo

holiday gift idea under $25: Too Faced Glamour To Go 2 Pocket Palette

being on budget doesn't mean you have to sacrifice giving fabulous gifts this holiday season! Too Faced has created the Glamour to Go 2 Pocket Palette as an amazing way to give someone you love a fabulous gift that won't break the bank.

featuring 8 eyeshadows, 4 lipcolors and a beautiful cheek color, this palette is packed up and perfectly coordinated— to get your glam on, even on the go!

i love that this includes many colors, giving whoever uses it many options for makeup looks and it's travel friendly-- gotta love a multi-tasker!

find the Too Faced Glamour To Go 2 Pocket Palette at sephora.com

xo

find a mascara you will love with The Lash Stash

searching for a new mascara can be a difficult task if you blindly purchase without any sort of plan. packaging can be so misleading, so how are you to know if this ginormous lash mascara is (or isn't) better than this mega-ultra big lash mascara?

Sephora (who else?) has taken it upon themselves to help you out!

The Lash Stash is a collection of 7 black mascaras, and are in a travel size. all are best-sellers, so you can rest assured you'll find at least one you absolutely adore.

this limited-edition kit includes a 0.14 oz Benefit A Little Bit BADgal Lash in Black, a 0.02 oz Blinc Kiss Me Mascara in Black, a 0.15 oz LORAC Publicity Stunt Lashes in Black, a 0.12 oz Smashbox Bionic Mascara in Black (stay tuned for my review of this one), a 0.24 oz Stila Multi-Effect Mascara in Black, a 1.0 oz Sephora Brand Lash Plumper in Black, and a 0.17 oz Too Faced Lash Injection in Black.

this is so ingenious! why didn't i think of this? no worries. at least now if you don't like a mascara, you don't have to feel guilty about throwing it away! find The Lash Stash exclusively at Sephora.



xo

i'm so close to a spa experience, but there
are still many days until i know for sure. please
continue to click on the icon! thanks!

photo: sephora.com