Happy Birthday RPattz!

Today is my man's birthday, LOL. (Again, wishful thinking!) And had to give him a shoutout in case Bella decides to get into makeup and magically stumbles on my blog...haha.

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY Edward Cullen...err... I mean Robert Pattinson!

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Stacey & Marc's Wedding

This past weekend I attended my co-worker Stacey's wedding, who just looked absolutely stunning and glowing (as she is also 6 months pregnant!) but you can't even tell in these photos since her dress just draped her perfectly. Her dad was crying before he walked his daughter down the aisle and it was truly a sweet moment. Could you believe this gorgeous wedding was done in a backyard of one of their friends' house overlooking the valley?! They said their own vows and I was trying not to cry, LOL.

The groom was actually a photographer for High School Musical (like the behind the scenes shots, etc for the books and whatnot) and was also the roommate of Lucas Grabeel (the guy that played Ashley Tisdale's brother in the movies) and he is actually an ordained minister! So he married the two, and a bunch of other actors and familiar faces were also in attendance.

The bride and her dad, he wore chucks with yellow shoelaces! How cool is that!??


Her friend made her gorgeous veil:


Wedding party, and the groom waiting for the bride...






My other co-worker Irina, and the bride and groom:




Made centerpieces:




Me and my other co-workers Cynthia and Natasha. My dress is from a brand called "Teeze me" that I bought from Macy's...


My look for the wedding, really plain faced other than the eyeliner, falsies, and lippie. So I am not gonna bother to list everything I used since it was really simple. The lippie however is Revlon's "Really Red' with MAC "Cult of Cherry" lipglass.

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Must-Have: Revlon Matte l/s in "Really Red"

Regarding my last post on the pepper spray, I had a few readers ask me where the BF got it from, and he got it at Sports Authority (formerly known as "Sport Chalet") but I am sure any sporting goods store shall have it. There are so many crazies in the world, gotta protect yourself!

Anyway, here is a gorgeous red lipstick that is a must-have (and it's drugstore!), not to mention very wallet-friendly! It's the Revlon Matte Lipstick in "Really Red", it's such a nice deep red that I think would complement any skin tone because it's just so pretty! And the best part, these lipsticks are under $10. (Varies from store to store, and of course state).

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Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to all you mommies and mommies-to-be! I hope you all have a great time with mom today and let her know how much you love her! My mommy is out of state so unfortunately I can't take her out for a nice lunch, but thank goodness for iChat! LOL.

I am working today from home on a project/media kit for work so hopefully I can post later tonight!

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FOTD: Green look using "Princess Caraboo"

A reader requested I do a look using the "Princess Caraboo" eyeshadow from my lime crime post a few days ago, so here was a look I did this morning. Oddly enough it looks like a green look I did a few posts ago but used totally different products for this look, goes to show that there are so many dupes out there!

The BF was sweet enough to get me some pepper spray for protection, LOL and it's PINK! I didn't even know they came in colors! Years ago I had one, but it was all black...so I GUESS he's in some ways like Edward, always trying to protect me, PUHAHAHA!











What I used:

[Face]
- MAC Prep + Prime Base Primer
- MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC35
- Purely Cosmetics Mineral Foundation in "Olive Beige"

[Cheeks]
- Flirt! Cosmetics Bronzer in "Golden Minx" for contouring
- MAC Blush in "Nuance"

[Eyes]
- Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer (on right eye)
- UDPP on left eye (for a comparison)
- MAC e/s in "Sour Lemon" and "Eye Popping" on the inner corners
- MAC e/s in "Bio Green" (PRO) on the middle of the lid
- Lime Crime e/s in "Princess Caraboo" on the outer-V and contour
- NYX "Black" on lower part of the outer-V
- MAC e/s in "Shroom" with a touch of "Goldmine" as highlight on brow bone
- MAC Fluidline in "Blacktrack"
- L'Oreal XXL mascara in "Blackest Black"
- UD Eyeliner in "Zero" on waterline

[Lips]
- MAC Cremesheen in "Creme d' Nude"

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Tagged: Getting to know you...

I was tagged by my lovelies Christiana and Erica.

Rules: Take a picture of yourself RIGHT now. No primping or preparing. Just snap a picture. Load the picture onto your blog. Tag some people to play.

I tag: Anyone that hasn't done this yet!



Me. At work. With my pink headphones in one ear listening to Paula Deanda's song "Good Girl" and drinking Welch's Apple Juice. :)

I was also tagged by Jacquelyn!

TAG: Getting to Know Me, Getting to Know You

Q: What made you choose your blog?
A: I just decided to write a makeup/beauty blog because I was having trouble finding swatches and reviews online of products I was interested in and thought it would be a great idea to help others who were in the same boat. I also love to "write" so it just came naturally to me to start a blog. Even if no one reads it, it would be my own personal little diary to help me keep track of the products I used for certain looks.

Q: What's your actual name?
A: Vanessa Garcia

Q: Do you have any nicknames?
A: V, Van, Ness, Nessa, Nessie (like Renesmee!), boomer (my co-worker calls me that and I don't know why, lol)

Q: Apart from the obvious make up / beauty hobby, what other hobbies do you have?
A: I like reading novels, painting (acrylics, oils, pastels), drawing when I have time, I also like to learn things on the side like cooking, etc.

Q: What do you do?
A: I work for an internet company (which shall remain nameless for obvious reasons lol) and I am an advertising account manager in which I help those who own an online business get more traffic to their site. Similar to Yahoo (which we work with) and Google.

Q: What would you like to do?
A: I love my job, we get massages on Mondays, free gym membership, and we get to wear jeans and flip flops to work, can't get any better!

Q: Tell us something embarrassing, but that you love doing?
A: Ummm, I have TONS of embarrassing moments, probably not any that involves makeup, but when people recognize me in real life I feel a little embarrassed because 99% of the time I think they think I am weird or something, HAHA. Although I DO LOVE meeting those of you I have casually ran into!

Q: Tell us a little something that we don't already know about you.
A: I am an emotional person, and I cry easily. Yet, I am the biggest jokester you will ever meet, I love a good laugh and my overall perspective in life is that you only live once so just enjoy everything while you can and don't let anything or anyone get you down. The more people say I can't do something, the more it motivates me to prove them wrong and work harder. I think I am a very nice person in general and go above and beyond for the people I care about, I think my pet peeve is when people just assume things about people without truly getting to know them because half the time you'll be amazed at what lies below the surface.

Q: What achievement are you most proud of?
A: Helping raise my 2 younger sisters as if they were my own. Being the eldest, I never had anyone to watch over me or "guide me" to the right path- so it's nice that my sisters can depend on me and can talk to me without feeling they're gonna be judged. I am also glad that I have always been pretty self-sufficient and independent, it's nice to know that even through the struggles, it got me to where I am today, and that I have an amazing set of parents from different backgrounds and cultures that have kept me grounded and focused.

Q: What do you most like about yourself?
A: That I can make other people laugh.

Q: What would you change about yourself if you could?
A: Umm, I wish I was more patient...physically there's a few things I don't like about myself but I accept it (just being honest), doesn't mean I want surgery or anything, but I would be lying if I said I was 100% happy with my body. LOL. Overall, it's not that important for me to even want to change a thing, just because I feel like I can offer a lot more outside the physical aspect.

Q: If you could have anything in the world (that doesn't cost any money), what would you want?
A: Well I already have happiness and love, I think id wish for everyone to also have happiness and great health and just for everyone to be kind to one another...but then again I wouldn't mind having Edward Cullen either, LOL!

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FOTD: A Rose Romance-esque Look

I tweaked the "A Rose Romance" look and made it more me by making it a little more vibrant, but also using the same key colors: pink, purple, and blue.

Just a quick run-down on what I used:

[Face]
- MAC Prep + Prime Skin Base
- MAC Studio Tech Foundation in NC35

[Cheeks]
- MAC Beauty Powder in "Blush of Youth"

[Eyes]
- Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer
- MAC e/s in "Trophy Pink" from the Antiquitease Holiday Cool Palette on lid
- Lime Crime e/s in "Empress" on contour
- MAC e/s in "Ricepaper" as highlight
- Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen
- L'Oreal Telescopic Mascara
- MAC pigment in "Mutiny" and UD Eye Pencil in "Electric" on lower lashline

[Lips]
- MAC "Magnetique" lipglass

I also did a little Hawaii shopping and ordered a few things online for my trip; even though it's in August, so many good deals are going on right now I just couldn't pass 'em up! So I bought a few swimsuits, since I am gonna be there for nearly 2 weeks, and I also bought some water shoes because last time my sister and I went to Hawaii we cut our feet from the coral and the jagged rocks when we went snorkeling, and since I plan on getting "rugged" this time, I thought id get a pair of water shoes, and they are actually pretty cool as they have "drain holes" at the bottom for the water, and it's made out of the wet suit material so it dries fast. No walking around with mushy, wet, squeaky shoes!

Swimsuit from Target, I don't like it as a bandeau, but it comes with a strap so you can make it into a halter....you can bet im hitting the gym hardcore now to fit in it! LOL.


From Spiegel.com




From Landsend.com

A swimsuit cover up with a hood:


Watershoes:


And y'all know I LOVE Twilight, so I thought this was funny:


Oh how I wish this was true! LOL

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Product Review: Smashbox Lid Primer

Hi my lovelies! Thank you to all of you for the well wishes, it seems like everyone is getting sick these days or allergies are acting up. I have so many posts and product reviews to do so I am hoping I can hammer them out quickly! Did anyone watch "The Hills" last night? OMG, Audrina and Jayde drama! I personally am not fond of either of them, but I thought it was pretty hilarious, and Speidi, goodness, I really wish they fell off the face of the earth. I don't know why she stays with Spencer and puts forth all the energy of going to counseling and attacking the bartender- just leave the douche. LOL.

Anyway, I bought Smashbox's Photo Finish Lid Primer at Sephora a few weeks ago and I must say I really love this stuff. The one advantage it has over the infamous UDPP and Too Faced Shadow Insurance is that it really neutralizes the lid- so you can wear it alone if you really wanted to.

****I did not include the Art Deco Base eyeshadow primer in this review/comparisons simply because it's hard to find here in the US and wanted to focus on the main primers that are easily accessible.****

Product: 5 out of 5
Packaging: 5 out of 5
Quality: 5 out of 5
Overall: 5 out of 5
Price: $20, Sephora and Sephora.com
Shades: Only comes in one neutral shade to fit every skin tone
Would I buy again? Yes

To see my UDPP vs. TFSI challenge awhile back (to see which one held up better for me), CLICK HERE.

What it does:
Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer creates the perfect canvas for eyeshadow application. Wear this universal shade under shadow to increase longevity, or create the perfect nude eye by applying over the lid for an even tone.

-Patented Qusome: Delivers active hydrating ingredients that help reduce the signs of aging.
-Phytomoist: Contains a plant-based hyaluronic acid for sustained moisturization.
-Betaine: Contains skin-smoothing benefits.
-Soft Focus Pearls: Helps diminish the appearance of fine lines.
-Silicone Technology: Creates a silky-smooth, velvety texture

Ingredients:
Isododecane, Hydrogenated Coco-Glycerides, Beeswax (Cera Alba, Cire D'Abeilles), Silica, Boron Nitride, Quaternium-90 Bentonite, Talc, Microcrystalline Wax (Cera Microcristallina, Cire Microcristalline), Propylene Carbonate, Cetyl PEG/PPG10/1 Dimethicone, Hexyl Laurate, Polyglyceryl-4 Isostearate, Phenoxyethanol, PEG-12 Glyceryl DiMyristate, Water (Aqua, Eau), Isopropyl Titanium Triisostearate, Betaine, Glycerin, Potassium Sorbate, Tremella Fuciformis Sporocarp Extract. May Contain/Peut Contenir: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron oxide (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499).

How does this compare/differ to UDPP and/or TFSI? The Smashbox Lid Primer itself has pretty nice packaging in the sense that the wand is long, the tube is straight, so you are utilizing all the product in the tube without wasting it or having to cut it open like UDPP (Urban Decay Primer Potion), where it's clear how much product is left that WOULD have gone to waste if it were not sliced open. UDPP and TFSI seemed a bit more watery in comparison to the Smashbox primer, not saying it IS watery by any means, but standing next to the Smashbox Lid Primer (which is nice and thick), they both seem "thin" when it comes to consistency and feel. When it came to vibrancy/pigmentation and endurance of wear, Smashbox was STILL a winner as you can in the photos below. It clearly brought out the color of my eyeshadows as well as lasting longer in wear in comparison to UDPP and TFSI.

PROS:
- Neutralizes my lid color which I love because that means when I have my no-makeup days I can just put a few dots on my lid, blend all over and voila! No dark areas!
- Did not crease on me.
- Has a bit of a thicker consistency compared to UDPP and TFSI which I liked because I felt my eyeshadows had more of a foundation to 'grab onto' thus, increasing vibrancy and wear.
- No odd smell.
- Longer wand, straight tube, so you get your money's worth and make use of all the product in the tube.
- Doe foot applicator makes it easy to apply a few dots on lid
- Easy to take with you in your makeup bag/travel.
- Neutral color goes with ANY skintone since it's a flesh color and disappears once its been blended
- Relatively affordable considering how long eye/lid primers last you, and as I say "If it does the job right, then it's worth it"...

CONS:
- None!

You might like this if you already love UDPP.

Overall? I love this compared to UDPP and TFSI. Since UDPP still has not changed their bottle/packaging, I feel that by paying $17 for it I shouldn't have to cut the tube to make use of the "forgotten" product that's left. TFSI, as you can see in my challenge didn't hold up for me so that's a negative. Hence I am loving Smashbox's new Photo Finish Lid Primer; it's definitely a prayer that has been answered: easy packaging, neutralizes my lid color, holds onto my eyeshadow for all-day wear without creasing, adds vibrancy, and affordable.





Even held up even after washing my hands!

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Still alive :)

Sorry ladies I haven't posted in what FEELS like ages. I have been feeling a bit sick (not Swine flu sick!) but queasy and headache sick. And on top of that i've been doing traffic school online so I haven't had time to post...but I have new posts waiting to be published! I am also in the process of answering all your reader questions, since there were so many (more than I expected), I am hoping I can focus on those this week.

So stay tuned and hope you all had a great weekend and a wonderful week ahead!

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Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC)

***WARNING: This post is full of color!***

I love colors! I remember my first job, we had to wear ALL black all the time (like the MAC makeup artists! LOL) and I was just dying to wear anything that had the slightest pop of color so it didn't look like I was going to a funeral all the time. My mom thought I was going through a "goth" phase, LOL. So when I finally left that job, I went color crazy!



Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics (OCC) has phenomenal color pay-off and rich pigmentation. If you are looking for vibrant color in the makeup industry, then definitely check out some of their products. I recall first hearing about this company at a makeup show last year, and it was so nice to see them again this year at the recent Makeup Show in LA back in March.

I was able to get my hands on a few products which was perfect timing because I had a reader that wanted to know more about this brand and it's such a pleasure to try these out because I don't know any makeup companies (in a freestanding store like Sephora) that have such bright and vibrant colors, let alone being so affordable for us gals on a budget! OCC's nailpolishes and lip tar are absolutely GORGEOUS, I could not even believe how pigmented these were in ONE STROKE!

Now the lippies in the POTS are lightly-tinted balms (despite the fact they share the same name as the liptars), so they don't show up any color on my skin, but the LIPTAR (the ones in the tubes) are PIGMENTED. And this is surprising coming from a plastic tube one would think they are just regular lipglosses, but nope! These are amazing and much more pigmented than other brands out there not to mention affordable (only $12.50) considering YSL lipsticks are nicely pigmented but are $34 a pop! I know that given it's in a plastic tube that may seem steep, but it's the quality you are paying for. They also feel nice on the lips, not overly drying or gives a "cracked" look or feel. You can always put chapstick before you apply if you find it the least bit drying, but they were fine for me.

I will let the pictures speak for itself (click to ENLARGE some pics):






Don't mind my crappy looking nails, this was from awhile ago and I was trying to get my acrylic nails off so they look janky! I had to put "Dangerous" (gray color) over "Wasabi" since I only had 5 fingers! LOL (ONE COAT ONLY) see how pigmented they are???


The loose eyeshadows:


(NO BASE, applied DRY)


(NO FLASH)


The Lippies:






These lip swatches are the LIPTARS (from the doefoot tubes, NO BASE):

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