UDPP: Finally in a squeeze tube!

For us fans of the original UDPP, this is great news. Sephora sent an email to Beauty Insiders:

I understand this size is available for now to Beauty Insiders (go to the Sephora website to become one!), really don't know if it will be offered later in the same size at Sephora or the UD website.  

But the big news here is Urban Decay is apparently getting rid of the beatiful but non-functional genie bottle.  Finally!

Total Beauty.com: Fall Beauty Guide

My favorite one is that of Shenae Grimes. Simply sexy!

Fall Beauty Guide

Look polished in a pinch by following these fresh hair and makeup tricks.

This is a TotalBeauty.com makeup article Makeup artist Sue Devitt and celeb hairstylist George Papanikolas show us how to create fall's hottest beauty trends -- in mere minutes. See tricks

Totalbeauty.com: The Priciest Facial Creams

The Priciest Facial Creams

Would you ever drop a grand on an anti-aging moisturizer?

This is a TotalBeauty.com skin care products article This round up of the nine most expensive facial products will make your jaw drop. See what makes these creams so special that anyone would fathom spending their entire paycheck on a tiny tube. See product

¡Vivan, amen y rían!

Finishing powders!: MAC Prep+Prime and E.L.F. HD Powder Comparison

MAC Prep+Prime Finishing Transparent Powder (as per MAC's website):

'A silky finishing powder that provides an invisible way to set makeup. Reduces shine while optically minimizing the look of pores, lines, imperfections. Available in one universal colour that suits all shades. Wear over makeup or on bare, moisturized skin.'

9 g / 0.32 US OZ, USD $22.00

Ingredients:  Zea Mays (Corn) Starch, Silica, Mica, Zinc Stearate, Caprylyl Glycol, 1,2-Hexanediol

E.L.F. HD Powder (as per E.L.F.'s website):
'The high definition loose powder creates a "soft focus" effect to the skin. Masks fine lines and imperfections for a radiant complexion. The incredibly soft and invisible powder is great for on-screen and everyday wear.'
8g / 0.28 US OZ, USD $6.00


Ingredients: Dimethicone/Vinyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica.

My experience with them:

MAC Prep+Prime Finishing Transparent Powder and the E.L.F. HD Powder are both great products. They are designed to set our makeup, "hide" imperfections and to make the skin look and feel soft.  After months of using both of them, I'd say they deliver what they promise.  Yes, yes, my skin texture gets incredibly soft after I apply this powder over my foundation or after finishing my whole makeup look. Great for no-flash pics, real everyday looks. ETA: If you are going to have your picture taken with flash, don't over do it with this powders or you will look like Nichole Kidman in those famous pics that went around the world.

Similarities:

• White powders that are transparent on the skin.
• Not too much product is needed for great results.  Too much product can leave a white cast on the skin (blend it!)
• Both provide, a velvety not-to-matte finish.
• I find that they can accentuate dry areas on my skin; on the other hand, be careful not to apply on moist skin (yeah, that is always a no-no).
• I'm careful of not applying them in the under-eye area because it looks and feel dry (maybe is the silica?), though that happens more with the MAC powder than the ELF Powder.
• Both powder have silica and I feel they do help to control my oilies for a few hours.
• Not a fan of the packaging on both, they can get really messy (be careful when opening!). I do wish the packaging of the ELF powder was smaller.

Differences:

• Price per ounce, of course.
• Ingredients--Though both have Silica, the ELF HD has silicones (dimethicone); MAC P+P Powder has Corn Starch and Mica.  Different ingredients that may cause different reactions on the skin. Apparently, though my skin is a little sensitive, I haven't had any issues.
• I feel the ELF HD blends easier and feel softer than the MAC P+P, pretty sure it's because of the silicones.
• The ELF HD has a faint chemical smell; not something terrible, but it is there.
• To me, the MAC P+P powder stays on longer on my skin and does a better job on dealing with small lines and huge pores.

I apply both these products with a makeup puff and then blend with a kabuki or powder brush.

If I need to refresh my makeup during the day, I blot and then apply any of them again and my makeup looks great, almost as if I've just applied it.

I honestly can't choose between the two. I like how the MAC P+P powder deals with my  skin imperfections for a longer period of time, that is a huge concern for me.  What I do is I use the ELF powder for my daily makeup routine and the MAC one mostly for special occasions.  'Til next time.

ETA: Everyday natural look using the ELF HD Powder **Click on pic, then click again for enlarged, hi-res pic**

¡Vivan, amen y rían!

TotalBeauty.com: Dramatic Celeb Makeunders

Dramatic Celeb Makeunders

See how toning down makeup and hairdos transform these stars for the better

This is a TotalBeauty.com makeup article Some of these photos capture a mere makeunder moment, while other celebrity's less-is-more look seems here to stay. See makeunders

¡Vivan, amen y rían!

Look+Review: Maybelline Natural Smokes Quad

Maybelline Natural Smokes Quad (~$6.00 USD @ most drugstores) is simply amazing. I really think Maybelline changed the formula of their eyeshadows, at least for the quads. I've used (and posted) looks using Maybelline's Eyeshadows Singles but eventually didn't buy again because I noticed they felt "hard". Getting color on my eyelids was difficult even with a good shadow base and applying many layers.  Not too much pigmentation. I decided to broke my "Not Buying New Eyeshadow For A Few Months" Policy after reading so many good reviews and hey, the price was/is right.  (I went back to my policy right away...really).

The "Natural Smokes" Quad shades are fairly pigmented and feel soft to the touch. A big improvement from my old Maybelline E/S Singles. I really like the colors! So, so beautiful! The lid color is a beautiful taupe with a frost finish, the crease is more of a copperish brown maybe? and a touch less "frosty"; the outer corner shade is an almost matte grayish dark brown and the brow bone color is a barely there Ivory.  I would say this last one is the least pigmented of the 4. They can be placed differently in the eye area, although I'm a sucker for "instructions" in a pre made eyeshadow palette.  I just use my primers+bases (concealer, UDPP, TFSI, NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils, etc) and then put them over it. Really nice. 

As always, packaging is not the best & looks cheap, but honestly for the price it's okay. I feel that this was a good buy for what I got. 

RATING: 4.5/5

**Click on pics for enlarged versions**

ABOUT THE LOOK: I was staying at my in-laws when I did this look so that's why you see a different background. I also think my camera had some trouble adjusting to the light =/.  If I look "glowy" is not because I applied highlighter or other stuff: I was just starting to sweat! LoL. Oh men, I love my EL Double Wear.

Face

SMASHBOX Photo Finish Light Face Primer
ESTÉE LAUDER Double Wear Makeup 4W1-Shell Beige
No Concealer
MAC Prep+Prime Finishing Powder
ELF Blush+Bronzing Duo

Eyes

ESTÉE LAUDER Double Wear Concealer in Medium
MAYBELLINE Stylish Smokes Quad in Natural Smokes (applied as directed on packaging; darker shade as eyeliner)
COVER GIRL Lash Blast WP Mascara in Very Black
MAYBELLINE Define-A-Brow Pencil in Dark Brown

Lips

I honestly can't remember what mix of l/s and l/g I made =(

3 Maybelline Mascaras: Photos and Review

I love mascaras. I like how they define my eye shape and overall look.  Eye Makeup is not finished without applying mascara. Punto.

In the last months I've bought various mascaras: Lash Stiletto and Colossal Volum' Express Mascara (both waterproof) and the Great Lash BIG Washable Mascara.

**REMEMBER:  CLICK ON ALL THE PICS FOR ENLARGED VERSIONS**

Lash Stiletto Waterproof Mascara in Very Black ($8-9 USD):

• Love the "Grip & Extend" brush! It really grabs my lashes and apply the product evenly. It grabs smaller lashes very well.
• Not a fan of the formula.  Very thin and though it accentuates my lashes, it really doesn't do nothing to "lengthen" them any more than other regular mascaras. It just defines them.
• The product dries fast.
• Though this is waterproof, it smudges on my under eye area if I sweat just a little. This happened even when I just applied mascara to my upper lashes! 
• I honestly don't know if I would buy it again. Maybe if they change the formula. Man, I love that brush!

Maybelline Lash Stiletto WP Mascara

 Left--No Mascara; Right--Lash Stiletto in Very Black

Colossal Volum' Express Mascara in Glam Black ($6-7 USD):

• This product is part of the "mascara-with-huge-wands" wave that hit us a couple of years ago maybe? The brush is great for applying the product but I don't know if it would work for ladies with barely-there lashes.
• It does not clumps.
• I like how it made my lashes look a bit more fuller but it doesn't has a Wow! factor.
• Again, it's a waterproof formula but it smudges. I guess I wouldn't have that problem if I lived in a cooler place. =/
• Of all the three, this has to be the one I like the most. I would consider buying it again.
• I have to mention that when I first tried the original formula long ago, it flaked terribly and I hated it, but now I like the WP formula much better.

The Colossal Volum' Express WP Mascara in Glam Black

Left--No mascara; Right-- Colossal Volum' in Glam Black

Great Lash BIG Washable Mascara in Very Black ($4-5 USD):

• Okay, so I always disliked the regular Great Lash Mascara but thought I would give this one a try just for the brush.  Similar to the Colossal Volum' one but I guess more "pointy"? It's okay...
• Very natural looking, though I applied various coats. I liked that. 
• No clumping. Thin formula.
• This smudge like hell. =(
• Will not buy again.

Great Lash BIG Mascara in Very Black

Left--No mascara; Right--Great Lash Big Mascara in Very Black

NOTE: I tried all this mascara without using lash primer. 

RATING for all of them:  3/5 (I think they are nice average mascaras, price is okay for all of them, better if on sale)

I think I'll stay with my Full-N-Soft Mascara. I really like that one.

From top to bottom: Colossal Volum', Great Lash BIG & Lash Stiletto

Hasta luego!

¡Vivan, amen y rían!

Totalbeauty.com: Color Finder!

Color Finder

Discover which makeup and hair shades will look best on you

This is a TotalBeauty.com makeup article This trusty color finder will point you to your most flattering eye, lip and face makeup hues, plus offer up product suggestions. Get started

¡Vivan, amen y rían!

Finishing Powders!: Revlon PhotoReady Translucent Finisher (Review + Swatches)

REVLON Photo Ready Translucent Finishing Powder

Price: $12-$13 USD for 0.25 oz

Availability: Drugstore and General Dept. Stores (Walmart, Target...)

REVLON claims: "Revlon PhotoReady™ Translucent Finisher is a sheer, translucent shade that eliminates shine and sets makeup. Photochromatic pigments bend, reflect and diffuse light to help erase flaws. Micro-refined ultra-lightweight texture. Soft, luminous finish. Fragrance free and oil free."

This powder, mmmm...has too much shimmer in it to my liking but I like it as a highlighter on top of my cheeks & bridge of my nose.  If you like a luminous and a shimmery finish, this is for you. In that, Revlon delivers.  I just prefer to place highlighter in certain areas on my face, not all over it (though I do love bronzers with a touch of shimmer on my face). I have noticed it can feel a bit chalky.   It works great to set the concealer under my eyes, giving that area a nice glow (but I don't overdo it when applying it, as with any powder). BUT my favorite way to use this powder:  I LOVE-LOVE it as a wash on my eyelids up to my brows. Perfect for days when I'm in a rush, natural looks or when I just want to have bright eyelids.

The big con: the price is def. high for a DS product. I mean, the price per ounce would be around $52 for this powder (at regular price) while MAC Select Sheer Pressed powder sells for $52.40 per ounce.  Lucky for us, Revlon is almost always on BOGO-half price sale (Off Topic: Is it me or are most drugstores not having BOGO-free sales any more?).

Oh yes, the little brush and mirror are useless. Revlon could provide a more efficient, smaller packaging.

So this powder is a failure to me based on its intended use but a complete success as a soft highlighter and on my eyes (I mean that literally--I've already hit pan). LOL.

Rating: 4/5 (Would I buy again? Yes, considering I use it more as an eyeshadow. Love it.)

Later!


¡Vivan, amen y rían!