My big birthday haul! (Yey!!)...and some thoughts.

So............. next Saturday is my b-day! 36! Wow...36. You know, I feel strange being so "old" but feeling so young inside, you know?. Not that 36 is old, is just that I remember being little and thinking people 30 and over were ancient. Now....NO WAY!!! ROFL!

Sometimes I see my reflection on the mirror and ask myself "Do I really look like that?/ Do I really have wrinkles? (I have one of those "expression" wrinkles on my forehead; my Cannon DC is so lovely as to hide most of it in the pics)/Hell, another gray hair?" Then I just laugh.

I'll tell you something. For the last year I have tried to change in the manner of not thinking negative about me in any way. Like "I'm so fat" (which I still am, not making it up or exaggerating) or "I'm horrible". It has been really hard. Believe it or not, makeup has helped with this new attitude. It helps me feel more pretty, I won't deny it. That's one of the reasons I work hard to do it right (I'n still learning new things everyday!).

I deal with my "fat" issues everyday, not easy since I always was and am the fat one in my whole family. Really, all my cousins were and still are so thin. Funny, looking back I see a girl who developed too much at a young age. Wow, I had such a perfect body but everybody called me fat. That didn't help so I ate like crazy to forget all about it (ironic!). And then I became really really fat. To make a long story short, I've spent all my life trying not to look too much at myself, just doing what was necessary to look and appear presentable. About two years ago I got tired of it, exhausted of hiding (if that makes any sense). And last year I decided to do something more and try makeup and stand out from the rest!. ---->It's kinda backfired, now I'm addicted! LOL

Another thing is that I wanted to stop referring to myself as "OMG I look hideous" "Terrible" "Don't look at me, I know I look scary" "Wow, I hate my skin, so many dark spots!" ...stuff like that. I think I hadn't done that for quite some time now. Now I think I'm beautiful and gorgeous and...modest? Hehe...

I have to say my husband has always found my extremely beautiful and he is ALWAYS telling me how pretty and gorgeous and sexy I am. I always tell him I'm not but on my mind I go "Hurray Me!". He is such a great guy.

So yeah, I think I have done a nice job taking better care of myself, thinking positive and trying to look better for these past year. Come to think of it, all of those things are so related. One goes hand in hand with the others. Kisses to me.

What I would like to see now is more ladies --young or old-- saying and thinking the same: that they are all gorgeous and we all are the most beautiful creatures ever created...which I think is true, we just forget sometimes. I think that when we start loving ourselves more, that love will be reflected on others as patience, peace, tolerance and understanding.

Okay, I'll stop now. (I know you are already thinking I've gone mental).

I went today to my local MAC store and got so many goodies! Courtesy of my husband (didn't I tell you he was the greatest?)

Here's a pic:

1. Blush Pro-Palette
2. Springsheen Blush
3. Cheery
4. Sunbasque
5. Frankly Scarlet
6. Face & Body foundation-C6
7. Strobe Lotion
8. Eyebrow Self-Sharpening Pencil-Stud
9. Paint Pot-Soft Ochre
10. Prep+Prime Eyes-Light
11. Embark e/s
12. Swiss Chocolate e/s
13. Concrete e/s
14. Brushes: 150, 225, 213
15. Lutreglass: Pinkarat and Wonderstruck
16. Sample of Mineralize Satinfinish SPF15 Foundation
17. Full Coverage foundation--C40

I'm exited about the matte e/s I got and the frankly scarlet blush, it's like WOW! I'll be doing swatches soon.

If you would like to see a specif one just let me know.

L8R!



Vivan, Amen y Rían!
(Live, Love and Laugh!)

Look: Soft grays (perfect for work!)

I keep on playing with my CS palettes and today I got inspired to do this look after watching a video on Totalbeauty.com ---funny, it was a look for Halloween! LOL! I just kept it real with the foundation, didn't get all extra-light and looking pale.

I did use my MAC Studio Fix Powder foundations in NC40 and NC30. The lighter one I just use it on and around my eyes and my nose, blending it with the NC40. I was looking to get a glow effect by doing that. I think I got it, what do you think?

I applied the foundations with a cosmetic puff for maximum coverage. I did have to moisturize my face very well since this foundation is so matte it can bring out my little wrinkles **blush** . I put it on while my face was still moist. It worked like a charm.

Oh, I also used Fix+ Spray to set the makeup (with the help of a puff). I sprayed it all over my face then used the MAC 182 to blend it well with the foundation. I love it because it helps to get rid of the "powdery cheeks" look (hate it).

NOTE: I took these pics hours later after doing my makeup, I forgot to touch up my lipgloss...oops.

Product Breakdown:

FACE
No Primer
ALMAY Bright Eyes Concealer (under my eyes and over the dark spots of my face--to many of them!)
MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NC30 and NC40
MAC Dollymix blush

EYES
MAC Prep+Prime for Eyes--Light
COASTAL SCENTS E/S -- Regular Palette (vanilla and gray colors)
MAYBELLINE Full-n-Soft W/P Mascara in Very Black
MAYBELLINE Lash Discovery Mascara in Very Black (lower lashes)
RIMMEL Eyebrow Pencil-Dark Brown

LIPS
CARMEX Lip balm
MAC Rich-n-Ripe Lipglass

The Eyeshadows...

All over the eyelid up to the brow bone

Crease(left) and Outer 1/3 of Lid

The Look...

BYE!

Vivan, Amen y Rían!
(Live, Love and Laugh!)

Coastal Scents 88 colors palette: Look #2 and a Review

I did this look two days ago--kind of my "fall look". I used the regular 88 color palette, most of the colors used are matte, except maybe the orange-coral one. It is more like satin finish.

I also used a new foundation, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Creme Foundation in Honey Beige. This has turned out to be a nice foundation, really hydrating as it claims to be. Also, I applied on my cheeks Maybelline's Dream Mousse Blush in Satin Peach. I love it. Great color.

Here are the colors:

Inner Half Lid


Outer Half Lid


Crease and outer "V"


Highlighter



The combined results:

I really loved this look and the foundation I used. It gave a special glow to my skin.

REVIEW:
So after doing 2 looks with these 88 colors palettes, I have to say I am really impressed by the quality, given the price. I wish the texture of the shadows were a little "softer" but I forgot all about that when I saw the good color payoff. I really recommend these palettes, specially to those starting their makeup collections.
Rating: 4.5/5



Vivan, Amen y Rían!
(Live, Love and Laugh!)

Coastal Scent 88 colors palette: Look #1

This is the first look I did with the CS palettes, I used both of them. It's very neutral. I am so loving these palettes. When they say Ultra Shimmer they mean it! The colors are amazing.

Here are the colors I used:

All over the lid:
(from the Ultra Shimmer Palette)


Highlighter:


Crease:

It came out like this:

Vivan, Amen y Rían!
(Live, Love and Laugh!)

Ways of applying Cream/Mousse Blush

This is how I do it. I love cream blush, it looks way more natural on my dry cheeks than powder blush.

Enjoy!

Vivan, Amen y Rían!

(Live, Love & Laugh!)

Product Review: Neutrogena Moistureshine Soothing Lipsheers

A few months ago I bought my first Lipsheer from Neutrogena, the Peach Sorbet one. Since I loved it so much, I decide to buy a whole bunch more from Ulta.com. I really like this lipsticks or lipbalms or however you see it. LOL


Product Name: Neutrogena Moistureshine Soothing Lipsheers
Shades: Available in more than 10 shades (they just added 6 new ones. Go to: Neutrogena.com and see the new ones at Ulta.com --for some reason the new shades aren't listed on Neutrogena's website o_O )
Price: $8.99 USD (but you can get them on sale at different retailers, like BOGO free!!)

Description: Neutrogena write on its website "Neutrogena MoistureShine Soothing LipSheers instantly soothe dry lips with sheer, cooling color. Moisture-infused formula contains SPF 20 to protect lips. This sheer, elegant lip color feels as good as it looks. The advanced formula contains moisturizing emollients and vitamin E to instantly soften and hydrate, while SPF 20 guards against sun damage. A unique cooling sensation soothes on contact."

These lipsheers come in a "sleek metal shade" and comes in more than 10 shades (and they just added 6 new ones).

My take on them: I like them. What is most important to me is how do they feel on my lips and their staying power. They remind me of some of the MAC Slimshines, but Neutrogena's Lipsheers has SPF20 --always a plus. I love how they feel on my lips, like a balm, and the minty sensation is so nice. They don't stay on much, not even 2 hours --MAC Slimshines do. That is why I consider these lipsheers a balm. Glimmering Orchid even has some glitter (I think?) that makes it really shimmery.

I don't like that when they are fading away they can get a bit drying, not too much, but you can feel it (I've had the same experience with some lipbalms. It's weird since they are supposed to give moisture to your lips). I tried using MAC Prep+Prime for lips first, but got the same result.

Normally when I apply lipstick or gloss, I apply primer or lipbalm first on my lips. I like that with these ones I just put them on and go!

From the shades I bought (the ones I show you below) my favorites have to be Ruby Bliss, Pink Splash and Peach Sorbet (I've shown Peach Sorbet in some of my earlier posts). Least favorite is Spring Blossom, my lips look like death.


Rating: 3.5/5

Ruby Bliss, one of my fave...


Glimmering Orchid: this one is
sparkly and shimmery

Vivan, Amen y Rían!
(Live, Love and Laugh!)

Waiting for Omar...

Hurricane Omar, that is. Omar is a Category 1 hurricane right now and it is expected to be Category 2 when it reaches Puerto Rico and Virgin Islands. The trajectory of this hurricane is between our little islands of Vieques and Culebra and the US Virgin Islands. The main land is to receive Tropical Storms winds (we are under a Tropical Storm warning, the little islands are under hurricane warning). Apparently, the worst of it shall be expected at early hours on Thursday.

Thing is, we still recovering from the rains and floods from three weeks ago and it basically hasn't stop raining. I think we have had about 5 days of good sun in these past weeks. Grounds are still saturated, we just can't have more rain. So yeah, I'm praying for the hurricane to go away, better yet, for it to dissapear...

Let's hope for the best. =/




Oct162008 --- ETA: Oh yeah!! It went by without touching the island! It just went east and now is on the Atlantic Ocean. Thank God it was just a good scare, because right now it's a Category 3 hurricane.

Makeup Haul: Coastal Scents 88-Pieces Makeup Palette

,I gave in! I got the two CS 88 colors palettes -- Regular and Ultra Shimmer. I admit I was so curious after watching so many wonderful looks and videos on YouTube. I just had to get them. And hey, the price was so right.

I'm gonna be doing a makeup look with them soon, but right now I'm enjoying trying all the colors. Yes, as you might have heard, they are really pigmented.

The review will be posted as soon as I use them. =)

Close-Ups pics for texture appreciation:















Here are two pics of the same colors but
with different finishes:






This are side by side comparison of shades that are
supposed to be the same, but with different finishes:

Love all the colors!!!

L8R.


Vivan, Amen y Rían!
(Live, Love & Laugh!)

Look: L'oreal HIP Metallic E/S -- Sculpted (also using mostly drugstore products)

My face is showing some signs of youth...I have two terrible pimples that just don't go away. So after dealing with them these last few days (see my previous post) and letting them rest for some time, I decided to do a nice look because I was feeling down.

The metallic L'oreal HIP e/s are pretty, but I find they are not as pigmented as the regular ones. IDK. All I know is that I had to keep applying product on the lids for it to show. But yes, the colors are beautiful.

I used my ColorStay Makeup because I needed good lasting coverage and this foundation always delivers. And it always provides such a soft skin finish -- but yeah, I also had to do my best on blending all the products together, trying to get the best finish possible. =D

Here's what I used.

FACE
Revlon ColorStay Makeup in Toast mixed with Clinique Superfit Foundation in Neutral--(to tone down the Revlon Found--it was great for summer but a bit dark for me right now)
NYC Smooth Skin Loose Powder in Translucent
MAC Powder Blush in Dollymix
Milani Bronze Powder in Medium -- for contouring the cheeks

EYES
L'oreal HIP Creme
L'oreal HIP Metallic E/S in Sculpted
L'oreal HIP E/S in Flashy -- I just used the creamy colored shadow (similar to MAC's Vanilla)
Prestige Waterproof E/L in Black
Maybelline Full n Soft Waterproof Mascara in Black
Rimmel London Proffesional Eyebrow Pencil in Dark Brown -- don't like it much...

LIPS
Carmex Lipbalm SPF15
Revlon Super Lustrous in 473-Mauvy Night
MAC Dazzleglass in Spanking Rich

As always, click on the pics to see larger versions. Hope you like it. ;)

No Flash

No Flash



With flash:

Bye!

¡Vivan, Amen y Rían!
(Live, Love and Laugh!)