Hey y'all

So as my contest comes to an end (is your entry in yet?!) I decide to show some love and enter someone's contest as well.

Here's my entry for Whitz Gold Digger Contest:

I don't know what's up with the sourpuss face y'all. I must've been tired.

Anyway - I tried to make it look like I had gold flecks on me face and lips. Does it show?



MAC Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in Dark as bronzer
MAC Mineralize Blush in Dainty (probably my most favorite blush ever)
MAC Select Cover-Up in NW20
Lancome Oscillating Mascara in Black
Urban Decay E/S colors from my custom made palette:
Midnight Cowgirl, Twice Baked, Heist, Baked, Half Baked
MUFE Flash color in 4 (gold)
Jane lipstick in 14 Cotton Candy
Absolute Shimmer lip gloss in Chelsea

Watcha think?

I kind of decided I would do teasers with just photographs and minimal descriptions, and then do singular posts on companies that really left a mark in my heart (or wallet).

There were plenty bloggers at the show, a couple that I already knew, but mostly new friends that I made! I will have to wait for some of my fellow blogging beauties to post up their pictures of the actual people and not the makeup :) as my camera was on the fritz, so bear with me if you don't feel like I've satisfied your hunger!

Are you on Sephora's mailing list?

Today my e-mail was full of mascara. Only, most of their "8 most popular mascaras" have not crossed my shopping wrath or I have even heard of...

Mind you - we are only talking Sephora here. Here is what they got and whatever else I have to say about it - it IS my blog y'all!

Vibrating

Lancome - ÔSCILLATION - Vibrating Infinite Powermascara
What it is: The first vibrating powermascara by Lancôme. $34

Last time yaya was in Sephora she tried this. And loved it. Her wallet didn't so they parted ways, but there is a sequel coming soon.

The only con I found with this is that the vibrations make your eyes tear so you can't do it for a long time. However, 10 seconds per eye was perfect mascara-zation for me. I'll make a whole darn post about it soon, you just watch.

Volumizing

Buxom Lash (by Bare Escentuals)
What it is: A paraben-free, lash-volumizing mascara. $18

I really like brushes like these. The rubbery texture of it is conducive to volumizing. However!!! This never did it for me in store so it never walked home with me neither. For me this is an everyday mascara, and for that price, it needs to work harder. I'd spend my pennies on the MAC Plush Lash mascara - now that is what I call volume.

Best Seller

Dior DiorShow Mascara What it is: A cult-followed mascara that leaves lashes ultra thick, long, and curled. $24

Does it seem like I only condone the high price lash-wear paint? I like all sorts of mascaras, but Dior is a classic for me. I have this in black, brown, and blue. It doesn't clump. It's pretty big, so it kind of makes up for the price, and it's effective. It gives you the right amount of volume and length for your 9a-5p and 5p-9p... and 9p-5a. Yea, I said it.

Lengthening

Sephora Lash Stretcher
What it is: A lengthening and curling mascara, infused with fibers for maximum extension. $16

I haven't personally tried this but I already have found something wrong with it. The price kiddies. Now maybe I was the only person paying attention in undergrad business classes, but the store brand is intended to be the cheapest version of what's out there. That's generally how they can afford to sell other brands and earn a small profit on them - the profit they get from people picking up their cheap alternatives. Sephora ya hear me? You failed this class.

Waterproof

BADgal Waterproof Mascara (Benefit)
What it is: A waterproof black mascara. $19

Have any of you done the waterproof test? I.e: put water on it and see what happens? Have you ever taken a shower with mascara on? Yeah... that sight was gruesome. Most mascaras can be washed off with mere warm water and lightly running a wet wipe/finger, etc over the lashes. Most of this mascara went bye bye with the test for me, but maybe I just know their kryptonite? H2O that sucker. Overall I'm not a waterproof gal anyway. I like to make sure that water can take my war paint off pretty easily...

Primer + Mascara

LORAC Special Effects Mascara
What it is: A double-ended wand that features a conditioning primer and a defining and lengthening mascara. $22

I'm going to admit to never trying this, BUT I only speak for myself when I say that I'm not a fan of these, as I often neglect to use them, and they are an extra unwanted step when getting ready in a hurry. I suppose I will try it though, since LORAC has been kind enough to create good products for a while now :).

My recommendation for a good and lengthening primer? It's none other than MAC Prep + Prime.
Curling

Clinique High Impact Curling Mascara $14

I feel like no mascara can do the curl like a curler can. The curl it gives me is just enhancing the curl in my lashes because it is essentially putting something on my lashes tokeep them in that place. Don't you think?


Faux Look

I-mju Tiny Sniper
What it is: A lash-extending mascara. $15

Now this category, I was waiting all post to comment on. This is a whole bunch of no nos for me. 1. The packaging is a little misleading in the wand being so big, and the actual pot of mascara being so small. 2. Those darn small wands are no good for your whole eye. Thus, making it necessary to buy another mascara to help you finish your one stinking eye and making it more expensive and unecessary again! excuse my huffing and puffing here.

These are the same darn two main points that left me red in the face with steam out of my ears when I got my Guerlain double ended Le 2 De mascara. Guerlain has some great, luxurious, and expensive products but this went into the I hate you category, and not many things do.

The fail proof lash fiber mascaras in yaya's purse?

1. MUFE Lash Fibers (This is like a primer, so it's white. It already elongates your lashes though, so you can have any cheapie mascara swipe over just once to change to your wanted color. This is also perfect if you want to use color mascara as it makes the color more vibrant with the white base.)
2. I-mju FiberWig. I can feel my lashes touch my eyebrows with this bad boy on. No REALLY. I-mju should've stopped with this and quit with the tiny sniper.
   

And that's how I really feel about it!

What's your mascara grade sheet like?

Makeup Geek has a weekly challenge, well... every week. This week it was all about orange. Here's my version:

Used:

Pop Palette Lid Neon (can't find a site that sells it & Sephora sold the whole brand at 50% off check if they still have it near you! b/c they no longer carry the brand at the store)
Makeup Forever White (Sephora)
Covergirl Mascara Lash Blast (CoverGirl or Drugstore.com)
Covergirl Professional Natural Lash Mascara Clear (CoverGirl or Drugstore.com)
120 Palette Beauties Factory (eBay)
MAC 224 Blending Brush (MAC)
Sephora 14 Smudge Brush (Sephora)



Watcha think?

EDIT: forgot to add the inspiration board!! here you go:

To check out other entries, take a look in the forum here.

So maybe March is a little late to hop on the wagon - BUT yaya has always had her own schedule!

Every year, though I don't subscribe to Allure (I mean how many subscriptions can my mailbox take?) I always vote in the Best of the Year and if I miss that (followed by heartbreak) I always make sure to see what made the list.

Did you check it out for this year?To check it out, click here; but if ya want to download the Master list, kindly click here.

Here's what I have in common with the best of list (all info regarding products is listed courtesy of Allure.com):

Lips:
nada - would ya believe it? They have mostly lipsticks though, and I'm more of a gloss girl.

Nails:

$8.50, 800-341-9999, opi.com
$4.29, CVS/Pharmacy, Walgreens, Duane Reade, drugstore.com; sallyhansen.com

Eyes:

$23, Nordstrom (nordstrom.com), Sephora (sephora.com)

Cheeks:
Base:
Top Splurges:
nada. Well that kinda makes my wallet feel good though.

Cheap Thrills:
$3.99, CVS/Pharmacy, Duane Reade, Rite Aid, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, Kmart, drugstore.com

$3.99, CVS/Pharmacy, Duane Reade, Rite Aid, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, Kmart

Nothing in the following categories:
Natural Selections, Men's Stuff, Skin, Body

Hair:
$4.99, CVS/Pharmacy, Duane Reade, Rite Aid, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, Kmart, drugstore.com $3.78, CVS/Pharmacy, Duane Reade, Rite Aid, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, Kmart, drugstore.com

Scent:
$57.50 to $85, depending on size, Nordstrom (nordstrom.com), Bloomingdales (bloomingdales.com), Saks Fifth Avenue (saks.com), Neiman Marcus (neimanmarcus.com), Macy's (macys.com)

Tools:
$20, 888-474-5369, beautyblender.net (I got mine from Sephora - they had a 2 pack w/the cleaner for $39.95)

So yesterday was Fat Tuesday/Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras (Wikipedia: Fat Tuesday). This was the first time that I did anything or was involved in anything. My coworker treated the whole staff to King cake (another tradition I was unawares to). She also treated us to beads (no topless acts included). The colors of the beads inspired an EOTD - below.

Still getting used to the right way to photograph as well as edit and post, so bear with me! :)




What did you do yesterday? Do you have any Mardi Gras stories/looks?