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Sunday, August 28, 2011

Lasers V. Peels: The War for Your Skincare Dollars.

My next blog will be about Lasers versus Peels and how they are invariably trying to win the war for your skincare dollars. Join me, will you, in this discussion. I would love to have some questions to answer. Please send your questions to: mariepapachatzis@gmail.com. No need to write all of that out, just copy and paste it into your program! Please don't hesitate to send questions. :)

Marie

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Some of the Best!

Believe it or not I have not really had time lately to sit down and do a full blog posting. So I am just going to do a quick "Some of the Best Products on the Market". Today we are doing eyes.

Eyeshadows: This category used to belong mainly to MAC but lately Urban Decay, Illamasqua, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics and Inglot have stolen the spot. For loose pigments I am in love with Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics! They have a beautiful selection of colors at great prices. The pigments have amazing payoff and blend incredibly well. I am so happy to have discovered this line.

I really love Inglot shadows. They are smooth, have great payoff and little fallout. Also, the color lasts longer when used with a primer than most shadows. And they have the best selection of colors.Inglot shadows range in price depending on if you purchase them in the pan or if you use the Freedom System. I personally recommend the Freedom System, which is a fancy way of saying buying a palette and filling it with shadows. As for Illamasqua, currently it is only sold in the United States at Sephora. Certain stores carry it and it is available online.

Eyeliner: Urban Decay owns this category. They have the most wonderful liquid liner ever. Their 24/7 liquid liner goes on so easily and it looks amazing, one precise line. The pencil category also belongs to UD, with their 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencils. I have never used a pencil that glides on so well. I get a perfect line in one step. Thank you Urban Decay!!!!! Both of these are $18.00

Mascara: This category changes depending on the newest mascara on the market. Honestly, I love MAC mascaras and Maybelline mascaras. Yes, I said Maybelline. Lately their products have become the top of the line in the drug store. Their Falsies Mascara is quite nice. But I really like MAC's False Lashes ($19.00), Studio Fix Boldblack Lash ($15.00)

You can find these products at www.sephora.com, www.urbandecay.com, www.maccosmetics.com, www.illamasqua.com, www. ulta.com, www.inglotusa.com, www.occmakeup.com and www.beauty.com.

There you go. These are what I consider to be some of the best on the market right now.

Saturday, August 20, 2011

Update: The Defined Eye For Evening!

So I did my Defined Eye look today. I decided that I wanted to update it and make it have a little more "oomph" for evening. Who doesn't want to freshen up and add some drama for their evening activities?

I applied some powder to freshen my face, then grabbed an Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero, a nice sooty black. I took it and made a winged cat eye just on the end of the eye and then added some liner on the lower lash line. I also added some NYX liner in silver for the rest of my lower lash line.

My lips were looking kind of naked. What to do? How about some MAC Lipgelee! After lining the lips in a soft nude brown from Cover Girl, Sublime, I took MAC's Fashionflower Lipgelee and gooped in on my lips. This one is a light nude pink with tons of shimmer. It really makes the lips pop!

This look is a nice subtle way to add some evening flair to The Defined Eye look without having to do too much or using too many products. The Urban Decay pencil is perfect for doing the winged liner look. All you do is grab your eye with one hand and take the liner with the other then line and go up! Then connect from the bottom lash line and color in. Ta da! You have winged liner. Not too hard now is it?

A Defined Eye.

Today I decided to do a light but well defined eye. I decided that I am mainly using the last Stila Palette I did not review, Haute in the Hamptons (www.stilacosmetics.com, Sephora and Ulta) and Make Up For Ever's Aqua Cream 18, a waterproof cream eyeshadow that is extremely pigmented (Sephora, $22.00).




First I applied the Aqua Cream to my lids. Then I decided to define the crease.I used  Route 27, a beautiful shimmery brown with blue sparkles throughout. Under the brow I used Sand, a very light shimmery nude pink. I lined my eye with Sephora's Long-Lasting liquid liner in Black Purple and topped it off with MAC's False Lashes Mascara in False Black. For blush I used the Montauk Highway color in the Hampton's palette, a lightly shimmery peachy pink. I wanted a nice nude lip so I used a classic: MAC's High Tea lipstick.


There are two other eyeshadow colors in the palette Haute in the Hampton's palette, Linen (shimmery taupe) and Blue Skies (shimmery navy). The other blush color is Hydrangea and is a light matte pink.

Friday, August 19, 2011

Smoky Blue Eye with Urban Decay Book of Shadows Vol. #3

I am a big fan of Urban Decay eyeshadows. So much that I collect their Book of Shadows collections that they put out. Today I decided to challenge myself and do a smoky blue eye because it is harder for me to look as good in blues. Surprisingly I found that I really liked the look I did. I must say this about my eyes. I have hooded eyes and the crease overlaps the eye to a certain extent. This is why I must use a deep color shadow in them. Eventually I might have to have plastic surgery if they keep me from seeing. My eye also slants downward, which is why I put a deep color on the outer edge of the lid. It helps to make the lid look less slanted.

 I took Haight and used it in the crease. Haight is a medium to dark turquoise shimmery blue . Then I used Loaded, a dark midnight lightly shimmery blue-black to define the crease more. And I took Loaded and used it in the outer edge of my lid and under the eye as liner. I used Radium, the bright blue shimmery tone, on my lid. I also used it on the inner edge underneath my eye in the inner corner. Finally, underneath the brow I took Midnight Cowboy Rides Again and blended out Haight. Midnight Cowboy Rides Again is a beautiful highly shimmery beige with a little bit of glitter. It didn't have any fallout.


 The Urban Decay Book of Shadows Volume #3 is available at www.urbandecay.com and Sephora. The price is $54.00. It has 16 shadows in it. It came out last year for the holiday season but I think a lot of people still don't have it. They are getting ready to release a new Book of Shadows that is going to be spectacular. All of the Urban Decay eyeshadows are pretty great. They go on smooth and have great payoff (pigmentation). Very little fallout (coming off the brush onto the face). Please send me your comments and questions!

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Loose Pigments

One day I was reading somebody's blog or website and I came across a few words. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics. Hmm...I had never heard of this brand before. I think it was because I had not been on Makeup Alley in a while. Anyway I went over to their website and WOW! Boy was I happy camper. Their loose pigments are gorgeous. Not only do they have a good number of colors but they are 100% vegan and cruelty free. They also cater to professional makeup artists.

I have two looks I am going to share with you today. I will mention that all the colors I have tried so far went on smoothly, have good payoff and have very little fall out. These pigments are $12.00 each for 2.5 grams of product. They come in a sifter type jar. I am very happy with what I have tried and will shop here often!

  In the photograph with the swatches we have Wasabi, then Rime, followed by Maritime, and finally Bitmap. For this look I wore Static (a violet-periwinkle) in the crease, Maritime defining the crease and on the outer edge of the lid, under the eye. Wasabi on the lid. Rime under the brow. Urban Decay Bobby Dazzle 24/7 liquid liner. I used Illamasqua Tremble blush and Test lipstick.










Another look I tried is Authentic all over the lid, Artifact lightly in the crease and Bitmap under the brow. I lined my eyes with MAC Superslick liquid liner in Definitely Feline and then put Brasstacks on top of it to make it glow gold. My blush is MAC Sun Centered Color Form Powder and the Lipstick is Sunsational Glaze.


In this swatch photograph we have Authentic, followed by Artifact, with Brasstacks next and then Bitmap. All of the pigments I purchased were shimmery, even the bright Wasabi had a tiny bit of shimmer to it. Let me tell you, if you use these wet they will look even more gorgeous!


Monday, August 15, 2011

OCC Loose Pigments!!!

Tomorrow: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Loose Pigments. I got some great colors and I plan on doing a wild eye. Keep an eye out.  Well, don't literally keep your eye out, you know. :)

Friday, August 12, 2011

Glow baby glow! Makeup Artist's Choice Peels.



Let me tell you something. I like peels. I love the idea of putting acid on my face and having layers of old, dead skin peel off to reveal youthful glowy skin underneath. How fun is that? I have normal skin that is not sensitive and can in summer be a little more oily in the T-Zone. So, I like to go full force with as much product as I can and peel away!
Currently I use a number of different things. I did find this site called Makeup Artist's Choice that has cosmetics and skincare. Now I will tell you this. I am an esthetician and I am able to purchase their products without proof of a license and they have some products (like the Jessner's peel and TCA peel) that should only be used by a professional. So, either these products are not professional strength or they are skirting the law. Hmmm...
In my last order I bought the 40% Lactic Acid (1 oz. $33.75). I feel I can use this kind of product fairly easily so it isn't an issue for me. I cleansed my face with my wonderful Clarisonic (another topic for a blog), dried, used the Prep Solution, and waited for it to be very dry and not damp. I then applied the peel with a cotton swab to my entire face. I really want to work on my T-Zone, since it is oilier, so I applied twice there. Then I, and this is kicker, left it on. I did not wash it off or neutralize it. On my skin I did feel some tingling but no redness. I waited 10 minutes and then applied their Argan Oil (1 oz. $10.00), which could act as a neutralizer, as it would just stop the peel from oxidizing. The next day I had some peeling on my forehead but that is the only place.
For those of you who have little experience with peels, I would not do what I just did. Caveat emptor. Instead I would definitely neutralize with water or a baking soda and water solution (Baking soda is alkaline and will neutralize the acid better than water). Another option is to start with peel pads, such as the Philosophy Microdelivery pads I mentioned in another post. DO NOT under any circumstances purchase the TCA or Jessner's peels unless you have someone who knows what they are doing. My best guess though is that these peels are somewhat less effective in general than most peels on the market. I like the one I bought and will continue to use it until it is gone, but I have adapted it to my needs. I hope that this has helped or answered a question that someone has had about website's like this. :)






Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Stila's Striking in South Beach Palette or Yes, I Would Like Another Smoke...

 It's not often that I go for the REALLY smoky eye in summer, but when I do I can see myself reaching for this palette. It is a cool toned, purple themed palette that just screams "sexy". Today I am wearing this in the daytime but for most people I see this as a nightime palette, unless you are daring like me :)
The four shadows in this palette are: Ocean Drive (shimmery light silver), Wave (shimmery light orchid), Nightlife (shimmery charcoal) and Cabana (shimmery iris). The only color I was disappointed in was Cabana. I thought it would go on beautifully, as it looks gorgeous in the pan but when you put it on it is chalky. The other colors are pretty pigmented, especially wave.
The two blushes included are Art Deco (slightly shimmery bright cool pink) and Sobe (shimmery medium rosy bronze). Again, I use the blush colors to contour my cheeks. The blushes are highly pigmented!



I am pretty predictable when it comes to eyeshadows and placement, because of my eye shape. I used Cabana in the crease (like I mentioned, it was very chalky) and then Nightlife to define the crease more and on the outer lid and under the eye. I used Wave on the lid and then Ocean Drive under the brow. Wave was the winner for me. I used Urban Decay's 24/7 liquid liner in Retrograde on the top lid to line and define my eye, it is a beautiful shimmery purple.
Like the other palettes, this one is $14.00 and can be found at www.stilacosmetics.com, Sephora and Ulta. Comments? Questions? Smart remarks? I plan on some skincare posts soon, so please, if you have some questions, please ask!


Sunday, August 7, 2011

Stila's Stunning in Sayulita Palette. A Nice Mix of Neutrals!

 Yes, yet another Stila palette to review. Well, they keep them coming! Stunning in Sayulita is a cute little mix of neutrals that is good for a day look but (yes, there is a but) the colors extremely shimmery. So, for those of you who are a little gun shy, you might want to skip this one.
The four eyeshadows are Starfish (lightest shimmery pink), Sandbar (dark shimmery brown), Getaway (light shimmery lilac) and Palm Tree (a light shimmery palm green). I have greenish-blue eyes and the colors work well on my eyes.
The blushes included are Playa (a matte coral) and Banderas Bay (a very light shimmery pinkish highlighter). I like that the blushes work well to contour the cheeks. In fact, I find that this seems to be the theme for all of the palettes.
Today, my look inlcudes Palm Tree in the crease, Sand Bar as a definer in the crease and on the outer edge of the lid and under the eye. I used Getaway on the lid and Starfish under the brow. I will say that Getaway barely shows up. All of the other colors have better payoff. I also used Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner in No.4 (Diamond Lagoon Green), winging it all the way out and my mascara is Hard Candy's 1000 Lashes Mermaid Teal. Lipstick is MAC's La Di Bra.
This palette is available at www.stilacosmetics.com, Sephora, and Ulta. Like the others is is $14.00. I think they will be going on sale soon, since they are named the "Beach" palettes.



 Comments? Information? Ideas for blog entries?

Saturday, August 6, 2011

Stila's Wonderful in Waikiki or Wow! That is a Bright Blue Eyeshadow You Have!




One of the other palettes that Stila put out this summer is the Wonderful in Waikiki palette. Like the other one it has four eyeshadows and two blushes. The four eyeshadows are: Wahine (shimmery gold), Sarong (shimmery light copper), Coconut (shimmery medium bronze) and the kicker Surf (matte bright blue). Let me tell you, Surf is a very bright, gorgeous blue. As you can see on my eyes, it is definitely bright and not for the faint of heart. I love it!!!! As a liquid liner on the lids I wore Stila's Curacao, a bluish-purple.
Next are the blushes, which are supposed to look a little differently toned on the box but to me look almost the same. One is North Shore ( a very light pink-peach with slight shimmer) and the other is Hanuauma Bay (also shimmery peach). Today I am wearing North Shore and it is very pigmented.
This palette has a lot of bang for your buck! All the shades are pigmented but are also powdery and have some fallout, especially Surf. So be careful or you will have blue all over your face. They are available at www.stilacosmetics.com, Sephora, and Ulta. The palette is quite affordable for $14.00.  Let me know if you have tried this palette and like it or not.



Friday, August 5, 2011

I Got New Stuff or Stila's Cute Little Laguna Beach Palette...

 This year Stila put out some cute little beach palettes, with four eyeshadows and two blushes. There are five of them (that I am aware of) and the one I am going to review here is Laguna, the newest. The reason I like Laguna the most is because it is for us warm toned chicks. Now, I am one of those who can wear just about anything but I look the best in warm tones. I have greenish-blue eyes so you put coral on them and BAM!, out comes the green.
In this palette the eyeshadows are as follows: sand dollar (very light shimmery coral), sunset (medium copper), cove (shimmery taupe) and bonfire (a slightly shimmery brown with a hint of copper). The two blushes are seashell (beautiful light peach) and pacific coast highway (darker peach).
Using the palette today I used cove as the crease color, sunset as a definer in the crease and in the outer lash line and lower lash line. I used bonfire just a smidge in the crease to also define and then sand dollar on the lid and under the brow. For liquid liner I used Urban Decay's Woodstock, a fuschia.
The two blushes I used as contour for my cheeks. I used seashell to highlight on the top of my cheeks and pacific coast highway on the lower part of my cheeks.
I love this palette. It is so cute! I bought it at Ulta for $14 but they also have it at www.stilacosmetics.com, and Sephora. I will review some of their other palettes as I wear them and some of the other stuff I got recently.
Thanks! Any comments?




Monday, August 1, 2011

Packages on the way!

Recently I have placed a few orders with Illamasqua, to get my little paws on their new Skin Base. This stuff is supposed to be the end all be all of foundations mixed with Blemish Balms. I won a sample and loved it. It was too dark so I am hoping the new color I ordered will be better. They are in England so you are just hoping and praying!
I also was contacted by a company that originated in Spain and is now in London, called Cazcarra. They have some beautiful shadows and I am hoping that what I ordered will be just gorgeous and all shimmery. You know I am all about the shimmer. :)
My oldest daughter wanted some Stila palettes now that she found out about my discount. Me and my big mouth. They were just a few dollars so I bought her a couple and a few for me. I am really happy with the quality that Stila has had recently.
As soon as I have my fun stuff I will write about it all!!!!!

One more thing. Is there anything anyone wants me to write about? I can answer skincare questions, etc.? 





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