Ben Nye Cover All Concealer Wheel (SK-1)

 

I've been searching for a neutralizer, preferably a salmon colored one, as it's best for neutralizing bluish tones such as dark under eye circles which I have. I have a MUFE concealer palette I got from one of the makeup shows but it's just a concealer palette that has flesh colored tones, not a neutralizer palette that has a mix of colors.. I thought it would be nifty to have a neutralizer/concealer wheel just so I have more to play with in terms of mixing colors to suit whatever needs to be concealed. 

So I went with the Ben Nye Cover All Concealer Wheel in SK-1, and bought it off of eBay since Naimies sold out of it when I went last week. They are between $10.95-$15 depending on where you go and this particular concealer wheel is great for those with light/light medium skintones. Size wise, it's a tad bit smaller than the size of your palm, they look big in pictures but they are probably the size (width wise) of a MAC blush pan refill.

I wasn't too picky with picking out a concealer wheel, I know there are plenty out there that are great, but I absolutely loved the salmon shade (MO-2) in this wheel in particular. ***I'll do another post using this concealer and do a tutorial soon.

Initial observations? Don't worry if there are oil bubbles where it looks like your makeup is sweating, that's perfectly normal when it comes to creams due to its consistency, beads of oils tend to sit on top, but the product is still good. When I first tried to swatch them, it was a little dry because my finger was cold, but if you have a warm hand, it's softens a bit so it's easier to apply, or you can scrape a little out with a spatula and mix it with a dab of moisturizer or primer to make it more creamier. 

Essentially you want to apply a neutralizer first (pat if using your fingers), concealer, and then your foundation. For example if you want to conceal redness, you want to use a green neutralizer to calm the redness down, then conceal; and then you can use a setting powder to set.

Tip: Neutralizers may be applied beneath or over foundation. Apply with a flat or dome brush; blend, then powder lightly before applying foundation. For intense discoloration, carefully pat on (not swipe or rub) additional layers of neutralizer.

Ben Nye Cover All Concealer Wheel in SK-1- Four classic neutralizing shades are included in this palette. Mutes redness, veins, tattoos, beard shadows and skin discolorations. About 40-100 applications. Shades: MY-2 (Mellow Yellow), MO-2 (Mellow Orange) , CC-3 (Coverette Cover Up), FS-3 (Five O' Sharp). 

Mellow Yellow: Cover redness, three intensely pigmented shades are in this group, has a smooth consistency to neutralize and cover redness, blemishes, scars and capillaries. 

Mellow Orange: Neutralize blue-green face and body imperfections including veins, tattoos, bruises and deep under-eye discolorations.

Coverette Cover-Up: Often recommended by doctors and "Camouflage artists" to cover scar tissue, birthmarks, vitiligo and post-op skin discoloration. Blends easily to most skin tones.

Five O'Sharp Series: Conceal blue beard shadows with this series of four specialty cover-ups. May be applied beneath or over foundation tone. Very effective in concealing deep discolorations, including black eyes or intense under-eye discoloration.

Red Neutralizer Series: Specifically designed to conceal intense redness due to bruising, acne, birthmarks or capillaries. Use before base as facial corrector, or blend with other neutralizers.

Blue Neutralizer Series: Conceal blue-hued discolorations, such as veins, tattoos, bruises and deep eye circles with this unique palette.

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Wet N Wild Eyeshadow Palettes

I know I am behind on these awesome Wet N Wild palettes, but better late than never right? I saw a few people do gorgeous looks with these palettes and I was curious to see just how good they could possibly be- and boy are they really pigmented! I was amazed how bright and pretty the colors were. And they are $5 each palette! ONE MAC e/s pan refill costs more than that...and that's just for one color! I found these at Rite-Aid (which had all the colors), Target had only Lust and Vanity.

6 yummy shades are in each palette, the 3 eyeshadows on the left side are all matte, and the other 3 on the right side, are all shimmery shades. Comes with a tiny brush and applicator.

They have 4 palettes of this kind: vanity (browns), pride (blue/teal), lust (purples), and greed (smokey/neutrals). Wet N Wild also has other palettes that have 3 or 8 eyeshadows. There's a lot of buzz that these are great dupes of some of MAC eyeshadows, I found a helpful link here that breaks what its a dupe of HERE.

I will be doing looks in the coming days from each palette to really give them a good test drive.

***The swatches below were done in ONE swipe, dry (no base, nothing). ***

[CLICK TO ENLARGE TO SHOW DETAIL]

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Product Review: e.l.f. Brush Holder (Large)

Product: 4 out of 5

Quality: 3.5 out of 5

Overall: 4 out of 5

Price: $15, (small one is $5) www.elfcosmetics.com and www.target.com

Dimensions/Size:  9"L x 3"W x 4"H

Would I repurchase? Yes

I recently purchased e.l.f cosmetic's large brush holder from Target.com since it was sold out on the elfcosmetics website (but it's back in stock!), it was $15 and they have a smaller one that's a single cup for $5. Each cup is labeled accordingly: eyes, lips, face; which makes organization a breeze in separating your eye brushes, lip brushes, and face brushes (and how cutesy is that it's also the company name!?). Since I don't have an insane amount of lip brushes, I use the lip portion of the brush holder to hold more eye brushes and whatnot, such as tweezers. I also filled each brush holder with clear beads similar to Sephora's setup to help hold the brushes together, see my tutorial HERE.

So what are my thoughts on it?

Their description: The stylish and sleek makeup compartments hold your brushes, makeup pencils, tools and more. The professional storage dividers keep everything organized for quick use. The luxurious material is easy to clean and durable for storing on countertops or in cabinets.

PROS:

- Pretty sturdy brush holder for $15

- Each cup is labeled to help organize your brushes; eyes, lips, face (labeled on one side of the holder only)

- Holds a good amount of brushes, such as those you use for everyday wear (or can be used to store extra brushes)

CONS:

- I wish it was a bit taller to accommodate longer brushes

- Plastic is sturdy but you can squeeze them if you press hard so it may break easily/crack

- Unlike a brush roll or a covered brush holder, brushes are out in the open so they are more prone to dust and bacteria if left out, so just be sure to wash your brushes frequently or placing them in a drawer or under the bathroom sink when not in use.

Overall? For $15, it's a pretty decent brush holder. It holds a lot of brushes, and I use it to house all my everyday brushes that I use and then some; making it easy to choose which brush I wanna use. It's pretty sturdy and the price is right. I just wish it was a tad bit taller so that some of my brushes don't look like they are trying to jump ship, lol.

Without beads...

In comparison to my hand, so you can get an idea of how big it is...

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Homemade Guacamole Dip

Makeup aside, I love food. And I especially love avocados! Which is really strange because I never really liked avocados or guacamole up until a few months ago. I know there are TONS of guacamole recipes out there, but thought i'd share a quick dip I frequently whip up and it's super fast to make, not to mention I like it better than some of the guacamole they have at restaurants.

What you'll need:
1 ripe avocado
1/2 of a tomato (you can use more or less, I love tomatoes so I put a lot!)
Less then half of a red onion (unless you like it a bit spicy)
Cilantro
Salt & Pepper to taste
A small amount of sour cream (optional)
And a few squirts of lime juice
Tortilla chips (I like Tostitos Scoops)

Scoop out 1 ripe avocado into a bowl, mash with a fork

Dice red onions, tomatoes, and chop cilantro, then add to the bowl

Add lime juice, pepper, and salt to taste (amounts vary to your desired taste)

Add a tiny bit of sour cream (optional)

YUM!

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FOTD: Grape Sunset & OCC Lip Tar Mix

[Click to enlarge]

[What I used:]

[Face:]

- Luminess Airbrush (F6)

- MUFE Camouflage Concealer Palette #5

- MAC "Bone Beige" Sculpting Powder (PRO) for contouring

- Ben Nye Visage Powder in "Banana" to set (applied with stippling brush)

[Cheeks:]

- Dab of MAC Blushes "Dollymix" and "Coygirl" on apples

[Eyes:]

- MAC PP in "Painterly" as base all over the lid

- Light peach matte color all over the lid and as highlight (top row, color all the way on the left) from this neutral palette

- MAC "Hepcat" e/s blended in crease

- MAC "Top Hat" (Starflash collection) and "Shadowy Lady" above crease and lower lashline

- MAC Fluidline in "Blacktrack"

- L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara in "Blackest Black"

- False lashes from kkcenterhk.com

- UD Eyeliner in "Rockstar" on lower lashline (smudged)

[Lips]

- OCC Lip Tar "Hoochie" and "Feather" mixed together (applied with Naimie's Lip Brush)

***On the FOTD pic above (your left), I toned it down by putting MAC "Cherish" l/s on top

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Naimies & Graftobian Haul

I've been feeling a bit sick the last couple days, so hopefully I can get Part II of my Luminess review up soon. Just been having those days where I am feeling like a hot mess LOL. Since Naimies is by my work, I thought i'd stop by and grab a few things. If y'all don't know what Naimies is, it's like a playground for the makeup/skincare/and hair obsessed! I bought a Naimie's small tapered brush to use as a lip brush (works great with OCC Lip Tars!), got a few wedge sponges, a pink nailpolish, Ben Nye Visage Powder in "Banana" which is a setting/finishing powder that warms up your complexion and doesn't produce a white cast like other finishing powders, I also got the Ben Nye Neutral Set Colorless Powder which has an anti-perspirant to help combat sweat shining through your makeup; after all it is theatrical makeup! It's great for setting cream or liquid foundations, and got Orly's Smudge Fixer nailpolish.

I also bought a few things from paintandpowder.com, they have tons of stuff for a budding makeup artist, such as mixing palettes, sponges, disposable wands, etc. as well as theater makeup. I just got a mixing palette so I have a place I can mix pigments, cream foundation or my OCC lip tars; got a spatula to scoop makeup out to keep things sanitary, a refill pan of Graftobian HD powder in "Soft Ivory", and Graftobian HD Cream Foundation in "Buttermilk".  I can't wait to do a review on some of this stuff!

So you can get idea of how big it is compared to my hand...

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Luminess Air Beauty (Review Part I)

Product: 4 out of 5

Packaging: 5 out of 5

Quality: 4.5 out of 5

Overall: 4.5 out of 5

Price: $179 for model BC-100, one speed

Kit comes in fair, medium, dark, and tan

Also has 3 types: Satin, Matte, Ultra

Tried: Light and Medium Kit (Ultra)

Would I recommend/repurchase? Yes

Available: www.luminessair.com, www.ulta.com 

I am breaking this review into 2 parts because I had trouble uploading my videos last night (only 1 out of 2 went thru see above), so I will try to re-do them and post them so you all can see how it works. I was REALLY excited to try Luminess Air Beauty Airbrush System ($179), and was so happy to have the opportunity to review it. I have always wanted to try airbrushing and just love the final result of airbrush makeup- where your skin just looks flawless and blemish free, but mainly because I always felt like it gives the 'no makeup' feeling since a few drops covers your entire face. Because I always thought that airbrush systems were pricey in general, I never bothered to look into them or buy one, but the results are totally worth it and it's probably cheaper in the long run considering you'll look like you have your own personal makeup artist. ;)

For my before and after pictures below, I used a mix of F3 and F6 (golden beige and sun-kissed). Using 4 drops of F3 and about 3 drops of F6.

Go here to compare the different airbrush system models.

Description: Provides light to full coverage while leaving a naturally flawless finish. In less than half the time of other beauty routines, Luminess Air minimizes pores, the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines, and evens out skin tones for the look of perfection! The "Airbrush Look" that was once reserved for models, beauty professionals, and celebrities can now be achieved in the comfort of your own home.  No more dirty sponges, brushes, or fingers!

Sporting my Luminess Tee, wearing it backwards because its plain in the front LOL

Difference between Matte/Satin/Ultra: Matte is of course matte, no shine whatsoever, Satin gives you a more dewy look, and Ultra is a happy medium between the two, looks matte, but gives you a nice glow.

PROS: 
- Once you get the hang of it, it's easy to use, the final result is just amazing! I loved the flawless look it gave me and makes anyone look like utter perfection
- Light weight, I didn't feel like I was wearing makeup, only 6-8 drops is needed of the airbrush foundation to cover the entire face
- Lasted for most of the day, don't have to retouch much, still looks great even after a few hours
- Definitely cuts time in half as it's very easy to use
- Allows you to build your desired coverage, from sheer to full
- Comes in a lot of shades, you can mix shade colors to create your perfect shade
- You can also apply eyeshadow, bronzer, and blush in airbrush form as part of your makeup routine
- Has a cute travel case so it's great to bring on trips!
- Great for people with dry skin too, I HIGHLY recommend using a setting powder to ensure it lasts.

CONS:
- Having to clean it after each use; I don't mind cleaning it of course but it can get tedious, especially when you are dealing with a lot of colors or doing primer > concealer >foundation >blush, etc. You have to add a mix of water and alcohol with the bottle they provide, turn on the compressor, cover the nozzle with your finger so that it back bubbles in the makeup cup/well, then spray all the color out until it is completely clear.
- This particular model has only one setting so it may be difficult working with one speed, but I didn't find any problems with it. (Since other models have 3 settings, one for eyes, face, and body)
- At times it can spray too much even when you are not pulling back on the trigger so hard, so sometimes it can be hard to control. Best way is to spray a little bit of color on a paper towel so you can get a feel for the amount of pressure you need.
- No cover on the makeup cup/well, I haven't spilled yet but I can see how this can be troublesome, BUT the compressor itself has a holster so you don't have to worry about laying it on its side and having the contents spill out.
- Foundations itself may be a tad bit pricey for some, and I am not sure how long each one lasts, might be more pricey if you have to buy 2 to mix shades. It ranges from $29-42 for 0.55oz (larger one) and around $27 (less in some places) for the smaller 0.25oz.

Overall? I LOVE IT. I think it's a great investment, and great for makeup artists on the go for their clients, and even just beginners because it's virtually mistake proof. I love that you can travel with it and its lightweight, and above all the results are just so amazing, you will really be pleased! I think there's a shade to complement everyone.

Air and cosmetics products combine to provide a smooth, natural-looking finish. The illustrated instruction book and DVD offer tips and training for fantastic results with at-home convenience. Choose from Fair, Medium, Tan or Dark to precisely match your skin color.

Foundation and Blush Colors by Skin Tone:
Fair:

• Foundations: Bloom, Golden Beige, Buff and Fawn
• Blush: Soft Rose

Medium:

• Ultra Foundations: Golden Beige, Buff, Fawn and Sun Kissed
• Blush: Natural  

Tan:

• Ultra Foundations: Fawn,  Sun Kissed, Cinnamon and Chestnut
• Blush: Apricot

Dark:

• Ultra Foundations: Cinnamon, Chestnut, Coffee and Chocolate
• Blush: Plum

CLICK TO ENLARGE

 
Luminess Air Pro Beauty Airbrush System Includes:

• Compressor with stylus, made of plastic and metal. Compressor measures approx. 4-1/2"L x 2-1/2"W x 3"H with 5' cord; stylus measures approx. 5-1/2"L x 1/2"W x 2"H
• AC adapter cord with 6' cord
• Airbrush cleaning bottle
• Instruction guide
• Instruction DVD
• Silvertone travel case, measures approx. 11"L x 2-3/4"W x 3-1/2"H, made of vinyl, plastic, rubber and metal
• Luminess Air 7-piece cosmetics Starter Kit includes: (4) .25 oz. Airbrush Foundation shades; .25 oz. Airbrush Bronzer; .25 oz. Airbrush Pearl Shimmer Highlighter; and .25 oz. Airbrush Blush

Product Features:

• Complete airbrushing system - gives optimal coverage for many skin issues, giving a photo-retouched-looking finish.
• Just one airbrush setting for foundation and allover face bronzing.
• DVD and instructional book show you step-by-step how to use this system. 
• Each skintone kit gives a full range of foundations to complement your skin tone. Allows for color variations as your skin color changes from a summer shade to a winter shade.
• Airbrush bronzer - contours face (cheekbones, forehead, chin and jaw line).
• Airbrush pearlizing shimmer - provides a flawless, luminous glow. Use on your cheekbone, down the bridge of the nose, on chin, forehead, neck, decollete and arms.
• Blush - for a beautiful, natural-looking blush.  
• Unit weighs under 1 pound. 

Wearing Luminess on right side of my face (your left), and bare faced on the other

 You can laugh, because I sure did haha, thank goodness for makeup!

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Graffitifacecosmetics.com Review

Amber from Graffiti Face Cosmetics is super sweet and kind enough to send me a loose mineral eyeshadow in "Grape Haze" for a review. They are a fairly new company, and I always love bringing these kind of companies out of the shadows because they have so much to offer. Graffiti Face Cosmetics currently is only making eyeshadows but eventually will move into making blush, lipstick, lipgloss, mascara, eyeliner, and foundation. Each of their loose mineral eyeshadows are $4 each, for 1.8 grams. When I received it, it was wrapped in cute zebra tissue paper! Zebras are my favorite animal. :)

I love that they really spent time on their packaging, I can't tell you how many times I have ordered from mineral makeup companies only to have it arrive with half the contents in the mailer...I like that these have a shrink wrapped seal and a sifter label to ensure nothing spills during shipping.

I highly recommend using any mineral eyeshadows 'wet' (aka foiling) or with a mixing medium to ensure that it stays on (like all loose mineral eyeshadows, they tend to have a lot of fallout). Applying them wet or with a mixing medium also enhances the pigmentation making the color more vibrant. Also use an eyeshadow base to ensure that it will have long lasting wear and you want to pat the eyeshadow on your eye to maintain coverage and just build from there. "Grape Haze" was pretty light when applied dry, but applied wet it was a gorgeous shade of purple!

Overall, definitely check their website out, since they do not have a lot of products at the moment (but will be launching a few lipglosses next month!) it may be too premature to gauge their products/site in its entirety, but they have a lot of potential and a few eyeshadow colors to keep us busy in the meantime!

 Used MAC e/s in "Nocturnelle" and "Shadowy lady" in crease and contour

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