Almay's Purple Amethyst Mascara Review

So I bought a mascara made by Almay, called "Purple Amethyst". It's part of their line that's supposed to enhance the color of your eyes.

I tried it and I have to say that it's only so-so for me. I'm not extremely impressed by it. I have short lashes and the description on the packaging says it's supposed to volumize and lengthen. My lashes still look short, just with mascara on. And I don't know if it's my make up and the colors I used, but you can hardly tell I have purple mascara on.

Also, the little thing on the inside of the opening of the mascara tube that pulls off the excess mascara (sorry, don't know the name of it, LOL) ends up pulling off too much so you're only left with the mascara brush rather than the actual mascara.

So this product might okay for those lovely women with the long lashes, and not looking for too much color (although that was the point in buying this mascara), but if you're looking for something to brighten and lengthen and volumize as promised, you're better off sticking with Benefit or Urban Decay which are the mascaras I use when I want to thicken and lengthen my lashes.

Halloween/Day of the Dead

Okay, so I know this is a little late, but in honor of Dia de Los Muertos and All Hallow's Eve...

I wanted to share a look I created for my friend. She approached me with the idea of doing a Sugar Skull look for Halloween and as we talked and went more into detail, we decided on doing half of her face in the Sugar Skull/Day of the Dead look, and the other we'd an almost pinup girl like look.

I used a combo of Halloween store cream makeup and my Sugarpill loose shadows with a mixing medium and this is what we came up with.

and also a quick photo op for both of us. ;-)

Hope you like this quick look. :-)

you can buy Sugarpill cosmetics at: www.sugarpill.net

*pictures are mine. please do not steal*

Sugarpill Overdose

So I decided to do a colorful look with a gradient brow. I saw it done by this chick called Nymphette (who I think is total eye candy/rockstar and you can check out her website atwww.iamnymphette.com) and I thought, "Wow! What a fun look!" So I tried it out.

I used my Sugarpill pallets and I used Poison Plum (purple) Afterparty (blue) and Dollipop (pink).

It was definitely a fun look and much brighter than what I would usually do.

On my lips I wore MAC's "Pink Nouveaux" because I was feeling kinda Nicki Minaj-like with all the brightness I had going on.

Anyway, I hope you enjoyed the look. Definitely one I'll try again.

You can check out my review on Sugarpill here:

http://chaselovemakeupartistry.blogspot.com/2011/07/sugarpill-cosmetics-swatchreview.html

And you can also buy Sugarpill Cosmetics at: www.sugarpill.net

*pictures are mine. do not steal*

Ichiban Joyas Handmade Jewelry Review

I'm part of a makeup group on Facebook called "Makeup For Everyone!" (link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/makeupforeveryone/), and everyday, wonderful and amazing women post their latest stashes/hauls/finds and and whatnot. One of the women in our group posted about her cousin who creates handmade jewelry, key chains and figurines.

After one particular necklace she made caught my eye, I decided to check out her page on www.etsy.com.

Her shop name is called "Ichiban Joyas", but the creator's name is Jenn Ramirez and she makes her pretties out of colored polymer clay, which after shaping she fires to harden and then adds a glaze to give it that lovely shine. Her collection ranges in styles from steampunk and gothic, to sparkly and pretty. When I found out she also makes custom jewelry, I decided to contact her via her Facebook page to see what she would charge for a custom cameo necklace.

After contacting her first, she made sure to email me right away and we got to talking about what I had in mind for my custom pendant. After several emails back and forth, relaying my idea to her and her grasping my concept very quickly, she worked on my piece and emailed me a picture of what she'd done within a couple days. (I'm a hair stylist with a little punk rock flair, so I wanted my piece to express my personality.) When I gave her the okay on our collaborative design, she fired and glazed it and sent me the link to purchase it. I bought my custom necklace for $22.50 including shipping. After buying it, I received my purchase within the next few days.

From initial contact to actually opening my package, it took about one week. Not bad turn over if you ask me.

I received my package in a padded yellow envelope, complete with invoice and my necklace came in a little box wrapped in tissue. Through correspondence, Jenn had asked whether I wanted to have my pendant on a 16" doubled up ribbon or 16" chain. I chose the chain but she graciously included the ribbon in my package.

I wore it to work the next day and received so many compliments and made sure to recommend Jenn and her treasures to all of my coworkers.

From correspondence, to execution, to delivery and actually seeing and holding my pendant necklace, I can say that I am extremely pleased and so happy with my purchase. She is definitely someone I would buy from again.

you can also contact her on her Facebook Page:

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Ichiban-Joyas/190003832236

*pictures are my own. please do not steal*

please check out my other review at http://www.luuux.com/fashion/ichiban-joyas-handmade-jewelry-review

BodyJewelleryShop.com Contact Lens Review

I decided to write a review on some contact lenses I purchased from an online website called www.bodyjewelleryshop.com.

I was looking for some contact lenses that would be a part of my Halloween costume and I decided to purchase "Zombie" lenses. (I have a thing for all things Zombie.) I took to Google and found BJS.com's website and decided to give it a look.

The site was easy to navigate. They have their menu toolbar set up on the left hand side and you can see their vast array of items to purchase from contact lenses to body jewelry. I went to their tab marked "Halloween Contact Lenses" and it immediately brought me to their selection of lenses . After looking at several different contacts, I decided to purchase the "Zombie" lenses, which were $27.88 with free shipping for items over $15.50.

BJS.com is based out of the UK so it would take 6-12 days for me to receive my purchase. And because I live in the US, the company does not provide tracking with my item. Upon ordering, I was immediately emailed an order confirmation of my purchase, and the next day I received an email stating that my purchase had been shipped. All that was left was to play the waiting game.

I received my purchase on October 26 in a brown envelope with the bubble wrap padding inside. Inside the envelope was my contact lenses, separated into two different vials, instructions, and and a contact lens case to hold them in after use. The box they came in was wrapped up in my invoice and BJS.com also included a catalog of their other contact lenses which makes for fun browsing and possible shopping for a later date.

I decided to try them on the night before I was to dress up for Halloween to see how they would feel and get adjusted to them. The vials they came in were sealed with a very strong metal band that was almost difficult to remove. While annoying, I truly appreciate the fact that it is there because it lets me know that my lenses are sterile and have not been touched until I actually opened the vials.

When I tried them on, they were very soft and comfortable. The white also showed up with lots of opacity against my dark brown eyes and so I was very pleased with that. They immediately gave me the "creepy" factor I was looking for.

I ended up wearing them for almost 12 hours at work, which I do not suggest, but my eyes were comfortable up until the last hour of work which was when I took them out and put them in the contact lens case.

Here is my look for the day:

Overall, I can say that I am very please with my purchase and would definitely consider purchasing from them again. I can't complain about the fact that they're based in the UK and the two week wait because I was very please with the quality of their products.

Hope you all had a Happy Halloween!!!

*all images are my mine. please do not steal*

Madd Style Cosmetix Review/Swatches

"Madd Style Cosmetix"

The first time I heard the name, I thought, "Sounds interesting." I checked it out and when I saw the pictures, I thought, "Right up my alley." Several friends of mine use Madd Style Cosmetix and the line has developed one hell of a following. Many of MSC's users swears by it. So I thought, "Why not?" I took to Mo's (the owner) webpage (she used to sell on www.etsy.com but has since moved to www.artfire.com. I will include the link down below at the end of this review.)

The set up of her virtual shop is very neat and organized, her personality exuding through every aspect of the page. Near the top she has a "Featured Items" tool bar set up for new promotional items, Color of the Week and special deals such as 5 shadows for $20.

She has her information set up for everyone to see including what ingredients are used as well as what is not used and whether they're Vegan or not. (Miss Mo's products are all vegan FYI.Yay for Vegan Piggiez!! lol)

She also has a set up on the right side of her webpage categorizing her products by color, making it easier to find what you're looking for.

Upon looking at her products, I saw the awesome "Rock Star" flare showing through from her product presentation to the names. When clicking on any particular shadow that catches your eye, she also has swatches provided to show a consumer what it will look like on the skin and/or closeups as well as a product description for those who want to know what they're buying.

Each shadow sells for $5.00 plus an initial $2.00 for shipping and then an extra 25 cents for each product ordered thereafter.

After searching through her bountiful selection of pigments, I (barely since many of them looked so AWESOME) managed to select 8 different shadows to buy.

The shipping took a little over a week, something Mo has put on her page. She works alone and ships every Wednesday so if you want to get an order in, make sure you do it before Wednesday.

 So anyway, these are the 8 pigments I ordered:

• Spooky Girl
• Ecto Cooler
• Silver Haze
• Kitty Wumpous
• Glitter & Doom
• Glitter Bitches
• Outlaw Star
• Trashed

After waiting, impatiently as always, my order came in a yellow mailing envelope and my shadows safely packed and neatly placed inside. I immediately opened them and began looking at my lovely sparklies. I loved the packaging of the shadows instantly. The pigments come in 5 gram sifter jars and are filled to the brim. On the lid is her signature zebra print and pink diamond with crossbones.

on the back is the names of the pigments.

You know what comes next...

SWATCHES!!!

(Dry/Wet in artificial light)

(Dry/Wet in natural light)

close ups in same order of list and swatches:

Spooky Girl

Ecto Cooler

Silver Haze

Kitty Wumpous

Glitter & Doom

Glitter Bitches (which i forgot to take a close up picture of, but it is swatched on my arm above.)

Outlaw Star

Thrashed

Now, since I bought so many shadows, I will only review 3 of my absolute favorites from this batch of shadows.

First up is Outlaw Star.

I'm a sucker for hot pink. I have more than one type of hot pink lipstick and it is fast becoming true in regards to my shadows. Outlaw Star is a deep metallic pink that especially shows through when applied wet. I love the glint and gleam of it against my skin tone and it's just an all out fun color to own.

Next is Thrashed.

Thrashed is an amazing green/yellow metallic duo chrome that changes from an interesting pea green (who'd have thought?) to a deeper shade of the same green but with a golden sheen to it. Another fun color to own and from what I've seen on many of the women who use MSC, it works on many skin tones. Always a plus. As of right now, the pigment doesn't look like it's for sale on MSC's website but maybe it will come back at a later date.

Last is Silver Haze.

I love this color because it is a shimmery pastel that shows up white with a hint of green on the skin. But when applied wet, it turns to a translucent jade color that shimmers very nicely on the lid. 

All in all, I love this product as well as the lady who runs this neat little independent cosmetic line. Since buying this first batch, I have bought 10 samples pigments as well as several 5 gram jars more bringing my collection of Madd Style Cosmetix to a whopping 21 shadows. (My collection has nothing on several of my friends collections. LOL)  I've also spoken to Mo several times via Facebook and she is, without a doubt, one of the sweetest and sassiest chicks I've ever met... on the internet. LOL.

You can check out her web page at: http://www.artfire.com/ext/shop/studio/MaddStyle

You can also check her out on Facebook, Youtube and Blogger. 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Madd-Style-Cosmetics/117690188289432

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/MaddStyleMozie?feature=mhee

Blogger: http://maddstylezz.blogspot.com/

Hope you enjoyed this review!!!

Sugarpill Cosmetics Swatch/Review

I first heard of Sugarpill on YouTube while watching one of my favorite Makeup Gurus, Petrilude. He was reviewing a local (I live in California) cosmetics line called Sugarpill created by none other than Shrinkle herself (if you don't know who that is, check her out on eBay. She sells her clothing line as well as other cosmetics.) From the moment I saw Petrilude's swatches and the pretty boxes and packaging it came in, I knew I had to have this cosmetics line.

Now, I know there are tons of reviews out there singing it's praise as well as many beautiful swatch reviews... and this swatch/review will be no different.

So without further ado, here is my Swatch Review on Sugarpill Cosmetics.

The website from which you can order is www.Sugarpill.net. It's a melange of pink and black print with flashing images of pretty models wearing the pretty makeup. There are tabs near the top that help you navigate your way around the site. Of course upon the site loading, the first tab I click is "Shop". It brings me to a page where potted shadows and pigments are on display, bedazzling my senses with what I call Sparkle Overload.

Her line carries 9 pressed shadows, two eye shadow palettes that carry four eye shadows at a time, and 18 loose shadows. She also sells lashes and other fun stuff like stickers that you can put on your cosmetic boxes. Each shadow is sold for $12.oo each and each eye shadow palette is sold for $34 (which, as I said before, come with four shadows in them. If you got both palettes, you would get 8 out of the 9 pressed shadows and would essentially be buying 3 shadows and getting one free. I'll go over the palettes when I swatch). When you click on each shadow to view it, you can also see the information of ingredients and whether or not it is vegan.

So after staring at the website for several hours (yes, literally, hours) I finally chose several pieces to buy. I ended up buying both of the eye shadow palettes and four loose eye shadows. Shipping took the standard 3-7 days and I waited impatiently every single one of those days, LOL. When it finally did arrive, it came in a non-descript white box that had what is becoming Shrinkle's signature pretty kitty stamped on the outside. When I tore it open, it was wrapped in hot pink tissue paper and came with a hand-written note from Shrinkle herself, thanking you for your purchase. Awesome customer service if you ask me. It also came with a sample of one of her loose shadows, a Sugarpill logo sticker and two business cards with bomb looking models wearing the makeup. I haven't even bothered to throw them away. I keep them in my makeup train case, haha!

Now comes the fun part! PICTURES!!! These are the pieces I bought.

Pretty, huh? It's enough to make you want to keep the boxes. So of course, I immediately opened up each box to see the treasure inside and of course, did swatches. First up are the palettes.

(back of the box the palette came in)

(cover of each eye shadow palette with the outside box removed)

So as I said before, she sells two palettes that carry fours shadows each. They are called the "Sweetheart Palette" and the "Burning Heart Palette".

The boxes are made of heavy cardboard which seem durable (although I don't plan on tossing it around any time soon) and also have a full sized mirror inside.

The "Burning Hearts Palette" contains the four pressed shadows called Flamepoint, Buttercup, Love+ and Poison Plum.

The "Sweetheart Palette" contains another four pressed shadows and they are called Dollipop, Afterparty, Midori and Tako.

The only shadow not featured in these palettes is the pressed shadow Bulletproof, which is a matte black shadow. I didn't get that one as I already have several matte black shadows in my makeup kit.

I swatched them on my arm over Urban Decay Primer Potion, no base.

Flamepoint, Buttercake, Love+, Poison Plum

Dollipop, Afterparty, Midori, Tako

The colors went on very smoothly and I love the color pay off Love+, Poison Plum, Dollipop and Tako. Buttercup's color pay off impressed me as yellow tones that contain no shimmer don't really show up very well on my skin without a white base underneath. Flamepoint was also impressive but being a warmer tone, it is still something I would use with a white base in order to get a more truer shade without my skin tone contributing anymore warmth to it. Afterparty and Midori are beautiful colors as well and I love the coolness of each color, especially Afterparty. I do feel that I had to rub on a little more of Midori for it to show up on my skin, so again, it's another shadow I would use with a white base if I wanted to get a truer shade out of it.

The two that stood out to me most of the 8 shadows would Dollipop and Afterparty. I could definitely see an eye shadow combo using these colors.

Next are the loose shadows. Each loose shadow jar contains a net weight of 5 grams and for only $12.00 that's a huge amount of pretty sparklies that will get any Makeup Junkie addicted quick. The lids of the jars are twist on tops with the label printed on.

The loose shadows I picked out were:

Stella, Goldilux, Absinthe and Asylum

The jars come packed with loads of product and sparkles. I found myself "ooh"ing and "ah"ing over each jar that I opened. Shrinkle was surely not stingy with distributing her product.

First up, Stella:

Stella is a beautiful black based pigment with tons of sparkle that are almost chameleon like as they change in colors from blues and purples to greens and pinks. In the jar it is very pretty to look at, but this shadow is one that I would suggest be used wet. When applied dry, the shadow needs to be packed on which results in a lot of fall out. Also, when I attempted to brush it on, it only seemed to smudge the black base of the shadow and sweep off the sparkle. Something that I did find that helps with keeping the glitter on is using a duo-fiber crease brush.

Next, Goldilux:

There is so much to be said about this shadow. It is beautiful applied wet or dry. When applied dry, it creates a beautiful shine on the lid that is visible in any light. And when it's applied wet... all I can say is OMG!!!. It creates a dramatic, metallic sheen on the lids that is sure to catch anyone's attention. It stays its true color in either form and is almost too decadent to wear. Almost being the operative word....

Now for Absinthe:

The name itself made want to have this shadow. It is a beautiful metallic lime green shadow with a multifacetous glitter that changes in the light. The glitter color ranges from golden sparkle to pink and then green. This shadow can be used wet or dry but I prefer to use it wet so that it shows true on the skin.

Lastly, is Asylum:

This shadow is one that I actually had to wait to order because it was sold out. As soon as it came back into stock, I made sure to order it right away. When I first opened the jar, I thought that it looked a little darker, maybe more smokey, than the swatch that was shown on the website. This was definitely one that had to be swatched in order to see what color it would show on the skin. It is a pretty red brick color with lots of redglitter and one I cannot wait to use. I can already tell that this is something that I would use a lot during Halloween time.

These are the swatches on the skin.

(Dry/Wet over Urban Decay Primer Potion)

I see lots of sparklies in my future... ;-)

I know this has been a lengthy review, but I wanted to express my thoughts on a great line and let all of you know that it is truly worth the buy and wait. Thanks for sticking through the whole review and I hope that you enjoyed it.

Oh, and thanks, Shrinkle, for creating such a wonderful cosmetic line!