EOTD - Silk Naturals neutral look

Here's a look I did a bit ago with Silk Naturals stuff. I wanted something neutral with a little bit of drama.




Products used:
Fyrinnae shadow primer
Silk Naturals Sonic to highlight and on inner third of lid.
Silk Naturals (GWP) Bubbly on outer two thirds of lid.
Silk Naturals (GWP) 9:59 in crease.
EDM Samba Lessons to line.
Gabriel Color mascara in black brown.

Advice for me to consider for looks in the near future

Awhile back, I participated in a thread on Chanty's forum where heavenlyfox (known on YouTube as lavoulpe) was offering color advice to people based on photos they posted or linked to. She's a makeup artist, so I trust her. Here's the conversation (partially for my own reference):

(from her) @Emily .... your eyebrows are amazing! i love the shape! :)

For Shadows: try to stay warm in tone... especially since your eyes and hair have warm tones to them... Instantly i would put you in some wine colored shadows... not exactly red but not exactly purple. Like SNs Plush or Naughty shadows.... not only will your eyes kinda pop with wine colors, they will actually suite your features instead of appearing more red.
Also try some rust tinted browns, some golds (not bright but more gold than yellow), and warm plums... do try to steer clear of blues, unless it's a really warm blue it runs the chance of looking kinda ghoulish.
Easily you could pull off the classic modern eye looks that i covered in my Eyeshadow application video! Your eyes are shaped wonderfully for that kind of look!
As for blushes, try to stick with the warm corals and warm pinks.

HTH!!!!! :)

(from me) Thanks!
Ginger Peach was always my favorite EDM color, and I even liked the color of Morocco, but I need to add something to it because I don't care for the finish. Maybe some Aussie? I'll try to bust out the Shopping Spree more, too. And SN's 9:59 is kind of a warm purple. Wine is not something I'd have considered.
I have quite a lot of golds - Golden Medal, Meow's Sand Dune, Fyrinnae Polar Bear - I'll play more with those.
Rust tinted browns - I think awG will have some more after their break...

Funny you warn against blue, though, because I have a lot of it - mostly warmer ones (Fyrrinnae Anemone, awG capricious, some turquoises) but also some cooler more silvery ones. I also do green a lot.

I can definitely stick to the warm pinks and corals. [/quote]

(from her) @Emily

hey if those blues and silvers work for you go for it! :) Again most of the colors people choose are the right tones for their skin... they just don't realize it! But i've found that most people don't really know or can tell if a blue is a warm blue or a cool blue, so usually i just say try to avoid them to avoid heartache and frustration lol :)

Oh dear how did i forget greens? lol yes greens will go well with your eyes since you have slight specks of green already there ;)

Mini haul - Lovely Android: EDIT - now with pics!

I just got my mini-haul from Lovely Android, a new mineral company based in California. I got a foundation sample kit, which I'll be swatching and reviewing later this weekend, Pinkpocalypse blush, and a free sample of Tuxedo eyeshadow. Tuxedo is a sparkly navy blue.




Notice how the heart stickers match the color of the product inside?



Swatch of both the blush and the freebie eyeshadow. The eyeshadow looks bluer in real life.



Just the blush in close up - swatch on the right is over ELF mineral eye primer. All of Lovely Android's blushes are eye and lip safe.



Just the eyeshadow - swatch on the left is over ELF mineral eye primer (which I seem to use mostly for swatching lately).

Reviews to follow.

Everything was very professionally wrapped, and I like the packaging - clear jars with silver tone lids. Very classy.

Personal update

Sorry for not posting this week - I've had a pretty bad time lately. I lost my job and also have to go on medical leave from school. I'll be better pretty soon, and things should be back to normal by the fall, but I haven't had much time to think about looks and reviews lately.

I'll be posting more later, though!

Comprehensive Foundation Review

In my quest to find the perfect mineral foundation, I’ve tried a whole bunch, and reviewed all of them with stringent criteria, because I wanted to know which one was the best. I’ve reviewed a lot of loose powder foundations, three liquids, and one pressed powder. As I try out more stuff in the future, I'll make updated versions of the list, but this is where I am so far. Pics above are for color comparison purposes (and to some extent, coverage comparison).

Here’s a quick summary, with products ranked from best to worst.

1. Silk Naturals Original Coverage foundation (1 Warm Gold: 10 Ivory): 26/30. Despite receiving high scores, I’m still waffling on getting this. I was looking at a photo I’d taken for an EOTD post while I was wearing it and didn’t like the finish that much. I’ve ordered more samples to play with, because one of my biggest complaints was that it had too-sheer coverage. I really liked the oil control and the custom mixing aspects. I also think that SN might match my summer skin needs better than my winter skin needs.

2. Earthen Glow Minerals Mineral Mousse foundation (Lora – light warm): 25/30. I’m very glad I ordered a full size while it was on sale, because I love this stuff.

3. adorned with Grace Minerals foundation (Love 3.0): 24.5/30. Probably ordering this in full size so I have the option of a powder. Main weakness: my face gets shiny after awhile. Main strength: this stuff is so finely milled, super creamy, and a little goes a long way.

4. Earthen Glow Minerals Cover Me foundation (Lora – light warm): 21/30. Best for those with normal skin (no dryness or oily issues) and stuff they want to cover up, or who can’t find a good match elsewhere, as there are lots of options for colors with this brand.

5. Aromaleigh Glissade foundation (1W): 21/30. The better (IMO) of the two Aromaleigh foundations, it still wasn’t right for me. Better for someone with dry skin.

6. Aromaleigh Voilé foundation (1W): 20/30. This didn’t stand out in any way for me. Probably better for someone with dry skin.

7. Everyday Minerals Matte foundation (Golden Fair): 20/30. This was my standby for a year and a half. There are much better choices out there, and I am happier with other stuff. I was thrilled to finally use the jar up the other day. However, it did get me started on minerals, which was a really good thing in the long run.

8. Everyday Minerals Pressed Powder foundation (old formula Fair Yellow, d/c): 19/20. This stuff has two things going for it: coverage and ease of use (no swirly dish – just swirl brush in product and use!) Everything else, it doesn’t do well on. I can’t wait to use this up, but I also kind of want to chuck it.

9. Almay PureBlends liquid foundation (Buff): 19/30. Main strengths: it matched my skin and comes in a nice package. Too bad it doesn’t do anything else well. The face burning was a definite problem. The only reason it scored as high as it did is because of the bottle and the matching. I’m planning on returning this to the store and getting some Milani liners instead.

10. Meow Cosmetics Pampered Puss foundation (Sleek Chartreux). 18/30. I was really disappointed in this and really wanted to like it. It’s way too sheer for me, though, and also does nothing against oil. If you have dry skin and mostly want to even out your skintone, this will probably be great for you.

11. Physician’s Formula OrganicWear tinted moisturizer (Ivory to Fair): 17/30 (will up to 18/30 if a customer service issue is resolved to my satisfaction). This would have scored a lot higher if it were lighter. If you have normal skin and aren’t either very fair or very dark, you might just love this stuff. Also, I got a tube that expired two months after I bought it, so they sent me a mailing label and I’m going to return it to the company for something else. I’m sure I’ll like whatever else I get better.

EOTD - bright green!

Here's a look I did with bright greens!




Products used:
Too Faced Shadow Insurance (still working on that free sample!)
Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy in outer part of lid
Silk Naturals Sonic as highlight
Silk Naturals Lime on inner lid
Fyrinnae We're All Mad Here on outer lid
Aromaleigh Gothic Lolita collection Divine Intervention mixed with Silk Naturals Mixing Medium on lower lashline and in outer crease.
Gabriel Color mascara in Black Brown.

This looked way better in daylight than it did in my bathroom - I really need to take better pics.

I'm still undecided on the mixing medium - it seems great for a sheer application, but I haven't been able to figure out how to make a brightly foiled color with it yet.

Silk Naturals Haul!

The other day, I got my Silk Naturals stuff in the mail.



I know I like the Sonic and Sleep in a Jar (Extra Light Peach) because I had samples. Bubbly was the free eyeshadow, and I also got a sample of Date Bait powder. I still want to play with foundation options some more, so I got some of those. I also got skincare gumballs and some of the Aloe and Green Tea moisturizing serum, which I like so far.

Oh, and remember my blush drawer, full of old EDM I'd never use up?


Well, I also got some 10g jars, and this is what happened to it!

EOTD - Aromaleigh Opulent Lustres

Hey all! I'm having a craptastic time lately, but one thing that always cheers me up is sparkle and shimmer. These aren't the best EOTD pictures I've ever taken, but I had them on my computer and wanted to share. The first look is primarily Aromaleigh Opulent Lustres, which I get compliments on when I wear, and the second is some light purple stuff - I forget which exactly.




Products used:
Fyrinnae shadow primer.
Fyrinnae pixie epoxy on lid.
Aromaleigh Opulent Lustre in Ginger on inner third of lid.
Aromaleigh Opulent Lustre in Tea on center third of lid.
Aromaleigh Opulent Lustre in Jasmine on outer third of lid.
Aromaleigh Gothic Lolita Burnt Roses to line.
Lavera mascara in black brown.

The green and purple show up more in real life. These are great shadows. It's sparkly, but appropriate for everyday.




I'm not really sure about what I used here, but there's probably some combination of EDM's Hot Chocolate (which is the best color of my last order ever from them), Aromaleigh Opulent Lustre (Jasmine), and Silk Naturals Sonic. I don't remember which I put where, but I thought it was pretty. I wore a purple shirt that day and it matched.

Shiny=happy. Now let's hope that my week turns around soon.

So tell me, what makeup tricks always make you feel better when life gets you down?

Review - Earthen Glow Minerals Cover Me foundation

Over the weekend, I went through my samples from the Earthen Glow Minerals Cover Me sample kit I got in the Light range. Normally, I'm fair, but Earthen Glow is one of those companies that makes stuff for the extra-fair. They sent me all 12 colors in the light range for the Cover Me foundation formula, and I picked out the 3 that looked closest, face swatched them, and picked Lora as the best match, which is unsurprising as the mousse foundation that matches me so well is also Lora.

A. Color matching.
5. I can't even tell where the line is!

B. Coverage.
4. Significantly reduces contrast between normal skin and blemishes/scar.

C. Adhesion/durability.
3. Gets me through an eight-hour day. I blew my nose a few times, and that wiped off the product around my nose. It also seemed patchy on my forehead. Not a lot, but a little.

D. Combination skin friendliness factor.
3. Does ok until lunch. I touched my forehead five hours after putting the foundation on, and my fingers came away with oil on them. After I removed the makeup, my skin was a little dryer than usual.

E. Irritancy.
3. No problems at all.

F. Presentation
2. Functional packaging. Sample baggie, good size. Full sizes appear to come in normal jars.

G. Value
1. Costs more than you'd expect. $18 for a full size? I haven't seen a price that high on the other sites I frequent.

H. Company is nice to work with, good customer service. 1 point.
(Reserving judgment on this until I hear back about the dried cream liner. Will revise accordingly.)

Total: 21/30. Not bad, but also not one of my favorites. If you have normal skin with a greater number than usual of blemishes or discolorations, then this is probably great for you.

Some thoughts on finishing powders

Someone over at Chanty's mineral makeup forum posted a question about finishing powders, which got me thinking about the ones I've tried. Here's my thoughts on them:


1. EDM's (discontinued) Silk Powder - I loved this. It was the first EDM product I ever used a full size of up, and I got it at the same time as the Natural Reflections, in my first non-sample EDM order.

2. TKB Trading Micronized Silk Powder - got this because I loved EDM's and couldn't get it anymore. The tablespoon sample baggie and a 25g jar to put it in cost me less than an EDM sample. I reach for this most of the time now, and when I run out, it's only $1.50 for a new baggie (though the company has a $20 order minimum, but I always want at least that much stuff from them).

3. EDM's Natural Reflections (light) - I haven't noticed any good oil control benefits or that it sets my makeup particularly well, but I do use it for added sun protection. I'm down from a full size jar to a 10g size jar. It was one of the first EDM products I bought in a full size.

4. Fyrinnae Fluff. I have a 10g jar, which is fine as I don't use it often, but it has a blurred soft-focus effect. I can toss it and a baby buki in my bag if I need to touch up later. I've also used it without makeup to reduce shine and blur imperfections.

5. EDM's Start-to-Finish Kaolin. I disliked this enough to give it away mostly full. I don't think my face likes kaolin.

6. Fyrinnae Oil Control mineral powder. I bought this in a full size and wish I hadn't. Again, my face doesn't like kaolin. I should have known. I am using it as a base for DIY eyeshadow projects.

7. Physician's Formula MineralWear pressed powder. I used this for years, but it irritated my skin. Maybe I should have tried it with better brushes, but I think it might have been the product.

In the distant past, I also tried the Corn Silk powder in the blue compact (grainy and itchy making!), and Bonne Bell used to make pressed powder that I used in my teens. At one point, I tried Cover Girl's loose powder and it was also ok, if nothing special.

I am expecting to get one of Physician's Formula new precious gems pressed powders (no scary ingredients!) sometime soon, and I am also waiting on a sample of SN's Date Bait.

I currently own the TKB Trading silk powder, EDM Natural Reflections Light, Fyrinnae Fluff, and Fyrinnae Oil Control Mineral powder.

EOTD - New Year's Eve eyes

Just for fun, I took pictures of the eye look I did for New Year's Eve. I'm pretty proud of it as it's one of the fanciest looks I've done and it worked pretty nicely. Maybe it was too much for the small party with friends I went to, but both the eyes and the party were a lot of fun.

Eye open:


Eye closed:


Products used:
Too Faced Shadow Insurance on entire lid (free sample from Sephora, woot!)
Fyrinnae Pixie Epoxy on lower lashline, lid, and just above the crease.
Meow ScandalEyes Traci L. on inner third of lid.
Fyrinnae Equality on outer two thirds of lid.
Fyrinnae Immortality as upper liner and above the outer crease.
Silk Naturals Sonic to highlight (I am almost out of this sample baggie!)
Meow VandalEyes Breaking and Entering to line lower lashline (I like this color but want to buy a green liquid liner instead of purchasing a full size - it migrated later in the day)
Gabriel Color Mascara in Black Brown.

I liked this because it was dramatic without being overpowering for my fair skin and it brought out my blue eyes.

What did you do for New Year's?

Review - Earthen Glow Minerals Mineral Mousse Foundation

Another liquid! (And most probably my last, unless anyone has samples of stuff).
Today I wore my new Earthen Glow Minerals Mineral Mousse foundation. How'd it do?

A. Color matching.
5. I can't even tell where the line is! I ordered Lora, which is "Light warm," after being warned that their fair shades were for the truly ghostlike, and on consultation with them via email. I also took a gamble and ordered a full size, so I could take advantage of the 30% off sale, and I'm glad I did because it does match very well.

B. Coverage.
4. Significantly reduces contrast between normal skin and blemishes/scar. Covers all but the worst of the red marks and the darkest part of my surgical scar.

C. Adhesion/durability.
4. Almost gets me through a twelve-hour day. Looks great on my lower face, like I'm not wearing makeup, but my forehead got a little patchy.

D. Combination skin friendliness factor.
4. By mid-afternoon, some oil spots have broken out or some areas look dryer than normal. Not too much oil, actually, just a tiny bit of shine on the forehead. Dryness is a slightly bigger issue, but less so than with some other brands.

E. Irritancy.
3. No problems at all.

F. Presentation
3. Beautiful presentation. Ok, so the packaging isn't really that attractive, but it's in an airless pump that comes with this little piece of plastic you can use to keep air from getting in through the pump hole. The pump also makes it very easy to only dispense what you need, you won't accidentally pour out more. Extremely functional packaging.

G. Value
2. Costs about what you'd expect.

H. Company is nice to work with, good customer service. 1 point.
Company does not have good customer service, or service is unrated - 0 points. I will come back and edit another point into the score if I get appropriate resolution on the dried cream liner I got in the same order. They also took a long time to respond to my emails about the ingredients of the foundation, but when they did answer they were very helpful.

Total: 25/30. This stuff is pretty good. It's amazing how it evens out skin tone and covers minor imperfections without looking chalky or cakey. Word to the wise: this stuff is easy to overdo. I only use one tiny squirt the size of a pea for my whole face. I had equally good results dispensing onto the back of my hand and applying with a foundation brush as I did dabbing small amounts around my face with my fingers. Both times, I blended with my fingers. Liquid foundation shouldn't require a brush, in my opinion. Overall, I really like this stuff.

Mail! (ETA - now with pics!)

Today, I went to the post office to pick up all the mail that had accumulated while I went to visit family for the holidays.

I got:

1. My Earthen Glow Minerals mini haul - a full size mineral mousse foundation in Lora (light warm), a Cover Me light sample kit (loose foundation), and a cream liner (Alpine - off white). I'm pretty excited about the foundations, but the cream liner came hard, so I'm hoping I'll hear back from them soon. I hear good things about their customer service, so I'm sure it'll be ok.


2. A swap package from Jackie over at Chanty's forum: some EDM samples, a couple Signature Minerals sample blushes, and a nice pile of baggies with pretty colors in them.


3. A swap package from Nacori, also over at Chanty's forum: a foundation sample kit from My Beautiful Earth, which is a UK company I wouldn't get to try normally.



4. A free return postage label from Physician's Formula so I can return a tinted moisturizer I bought from them that expired two months later. Now that's what I call customer service!

Rubric for reviewing vegan mascara

Hey all!
So due to my beeswax allergy, I can only use vegan mascara. I prefer natural products, but I'm not averse to coating my lashes with plastic, either (though I'd prefer to not have to).

But how to pick the best vegan mascara? The foundation rubric is working out so well, I'd like to propose one for mascara reviews, too.

So:

A. Clump factor.
1. Super clumpy.
2. Some small clumps, but mostly smooth.
3. No clumps! Very smooth.

B. Longevity.
1. Raccoon eyes or flakies not too long into wearing.
2. Raccoon eyes or flakies toward the end of the day.
3. No raccoon eyes or flakies!

C. Lengthening.
1. Lashes do not appear any longer.
2. Lashes appear somewhat longer.
3. Holy length!

D. Volumizing.
1. No improvement.
2. Some improvement.
3. Full, lush looking lashes.

E. Irritancy.
1. Burny eyes.
2. Some burny eyes or other mild and short-lived irritation.
3. None.

F. Natural factor.
1. Recognizable ingredients.
2. Mix of natural and synthetic.
3. Only vegan because there's no petrochemical or silicone animal.

G. Value.
1. Costs more than you'd expect.
2. Costs about what you'd expect.
3. Costs less than you'd expect.

H. Brush.
1. Difficult to use - gives poor results.
2. Okay, nothing special.
3. Pretty awesome - gives great results!

I. Customer service.
0. Bad, unhelpful, nonexistant, not tried.
1. Great company to work with.

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone's 2010 is shaping up to be a good year!

I'm waiting for some weather to clear up so I can be safe on my drive home, where I should have some swaps and a mini-haul from Earthen Glow Minerals (mineral mousse, cream liner, a Cover Me sample kit) waiting for me.

In other New Year's News, I just joined Megsmakeup.com, which is a site that gives you points for reviewing different products that you can redeem for free makeup at 50, 150, or 250 points. If you're interested in joining, I can invite you! Just comment with your email.

Or use the link on my sidebar to check it out if you're interested. :)