Quick Look: Cabana Glama

I finally bought The Cabana Glama Kit by Benefit. I've been wanting this kit for a while 1) for the amazing "cigar box" looking packaging which instantly makes you think of being on an island in the summer with its post card print on front and bright summery yellow background and 2) because a peachy neutral palette is a must in any makeup collection.

Although this palette is more for a summer look, I just couldn't wait to try it out.
(Bear with me again folks, I'm still blogging from my phone)



Immediately after opening the box, I am whisked away to a far off tropical place. The postcard like pictures and notes on the back add a realistic and fun touch to this kit. Well done on the packaging Benefit, well done.

So now the fun begins. I started by using the oil free Pixi Flawless and Poreless Primer that I received in my February Ipsy Bag.

After putting the primer all over my face, I went on to the Perfect Match foundation in medium. Immediately I noticed the texture to be silky and smooth. I used this all over my face to even out my skin.

I have to admit the coverage wasn't the best for the winter months but seems it will be perfect in the summer months when you don't want something too heavy on your face.

Once that was done, it was on to the " Hoola" bronzer which also had a nice and smooth texture.
Because its still winter, I want to add color to my skin but don't want it to look unnatural so I didn't use this all over, just in a contouring fashion under my cheekbones and around the edge of my forehead and temples . It added just the right amount of glow.

Following the directions, I used the Posietint gloss on both my lips and cheeks. Right away I was unhappy with the formula. It was thin and watery and almost immediately soaked into my lips needing to be reapplied. I ended up using another coral color that I had in my stash.

When I moved the color to my cheeks I had the same feelings. The watery formula seemed to wipe off any foundation and bronzer that I had in that area and left little to no color on the apples of my cheeks. I ended up using the "Peach Fizz" eye shadow (seen below) on my cheeks instead.

After using the highlight color from my Milani Brow Fix Kit on my inner tear duct area and 1/4 way across my lid, I used the "peach Fizz" color on the remaining eyelid area.This is a beautiful color in itself and also very buildable. I used two coats for an extra peachy look. I then used "Bronze Buzz" in my crease bringing it up just under my highlighted brow bone.Finally, I used the "Cocoa Pizzazz" color on the outer edge of the eye to deepen the color.

Because the kit didn't come with an eyeliner, I used my own. The liner I chose to match this look was an Avon Glimmerstick in "Brown Glow". This color is a beautiful bronze which I used on the lashline of the top lid and in the lower waterline of the eye.


A few coats of my favorite mascara and the look was complete! (Because I am blogging from my phone and the lighting is not great, I have no decent picture of what the finished look looked like.)

Pros: 

• Great Packaging
• perfect color palette for enhancing an already sun-kissed face
• Eye colors are very build-able
• Foundation gives just the right amount of coverage

Cons:

• Would rather have a small brush instead of a sponge tip applicator
• Formula for Posietint is watery and weak. Definitely not a fan
• Could have used a small mascara or liner in the kit

Overall:

This is a great palette for adding the perfect glow to kick your summer look up a notch.

Thanks for stopping by,

Kat

Quick Look: Simply Vintage

Simple vintage look created by shaping brows to perfection, covering lid up to brow bone with a light pink highlighter shade and applying a light grey to the crease to add subtle dimension. Next, I applied Avon's ExtraLasting Eye Liner in Cobalt a thick line over the top lid winging it out at the ends and around the bottom lid in a thin line under the lash line and in the tear duct. Then I applied COLOR ICON™ BROW & EYE LINER in White to the waterline to help open my eyes and make them POP! Lastly, after curling my lashes, I applied 5 coats of SuperSHOCK Max Mascara in Black to add volume to the top lashes and Mary Kay Lash Love in Black to lengthen each bottom lash to their full extent. Add your favorite lip gloss and VIOLA! you have a simple everyday vintage look that's virtually effortless.

Quick Look: Teal and Taupe Tutorial

 I'm back.... Finally. I was under the weather for a while with a slight case of pneumonia, I'm back now and ready to show you the eyeshadow treatment that that I did for work yesterday and got TONS of compliments on it! So many that I decided to make a "tutorial" if you will, on how it was created. I'm calling this one....



Teal and Taupe



• First I began with using my Mirabella Prime face and eye primer all over my face and eyelids.

• Next I primed all around my eye using my e.l.f. Studio Eye Primer , a steal at only $3!

• Using my all time favorite Coastal Scents Mirage Palette I began with my lid.

Starting at the tear duct I patted #1 half way across the lid until about the center. Although most all Coastal Scents shadows are made of Mica and are extremely pigmented, I went over the area twice to ensure that I get the exact color hue that I wanted. (I did not blend) At this point I changed to an angled liner brush and applied the same color on the bottom lash line half way across.

I then used #2 for the other half of the lid and applied it all the way to the end of the outer edge of the lid going over it twice again to get the best pigment. No blending at this point either. Switching again to the angled liner brush I applied this color to the lash line beginning at the outer corner and working my way to the center, slightly and more gently overlapping with color #1 to add a bit of a blending affect.

Next using a light pearly taupe color #3 I changed brushed to a softer more full blending brush and applied the taupe to the upper crease of the lids, still at this point not blending any of the colors.

Applying #4 to the inner corner of the tear duct and to the brow bone, I then moved on to my new friend Matt(e) Batalli.

Using my Avon Ergonomic Rounded Eyeshadow Brush I applied Matt(e) Batalli
to the outer corner of the lid bringing it down onto the lower corner of the bottom lid just slightly.

At this point I used my Avon Ergonomic Rounded Eyeshadow Brush to pull the color upwards at the ends then gently pulled it across the lower section of the crease about 1/4th way across.

Using the #9 Blending Brush from my Coastal Scents 22 Piece Brush set I gently blended #1, 2 and #3 across the lid. After getting all of the color off of the #9 Blending Brush, I glided it through the crease.

We are now done with the shadow...

Now for what I call "THE ENHANCEMENTS".

I applied my Avon Glimmersticks Liqui-glide liner in Black Plum in a thin line on my upper lid bringing it all the way to the outer corner. Then I used my COLOR ICON™ EYE LINER in White on just the waterline.

After curling my lashes I used my favorite go-to mascara...the one I always talk about, My Avon Super Shock Max Mascara. I just cant say enough about the amazing results I get with this product. The fullness and lash enhancement really is a step above some of the other high end brands that I have tried. I finished the look off with a light coat of  Super Extend Extreme Mascara on the lower lashes. I didn't want to go to heavy on the lower lashes because I really wanted the tealy green shadow to pop.

These are a few of my favorite things...

Here are the picks for my NOVEMBER Faves!

1. Avon Supershock Max 

Starting out with a BANG! This is the mascara that I spoke about at the end of my last blog. Now, I have to be honest, when I opened this little gem, I thought for sure I would hate it. The formula looked thick and clumpy, the bristles looked too short and it didn't seem to look as if there were enough of them. Like all products, I don't knock em' til I try em'. So There I was, 7am, getting ready for work, thinking that i was going to be very disappointed in this mascara when MAGIC happened. With each stroke of the brush, my lashes got thicker and thicker. With each application, they got longer and longer. I was so impressed! No clumps and each lash seemed to separate perfectly. To top off my excitement, I got TONS and TONS of compliments! So many people noticed how thick my lashes looked!

AVON SUPERSHOCK MAX=MY NEW BFF!

2. Chella Beautiful Brow Gel

This too is one of my new besties. I received this in my November Ipsy Bag (formerly MyGlam). I've had brow gels before but this one really is "the bees knees" he he. The formula is light and airy and doesn't make you feel like you have a thick coat of gel on your brows. It doesn't flake like some others tend to do and your brows stay put. I have the clear because i like to use my brow filler before I apply the gel. The gel then blends the brow filler so that it doesn't at all look like I actually have a brow filler on. Just naturally full brows. Definitely purchasing more of this product.

and the Bonus Fave... Not just for November but of all time is......

3. Happy Endings

This is the season 2 promo. Just to give you a little smidgen... just a little taste of what I think is the FUNNIEST SHOW EVER MADE! Modern Family comes in 2nd and F.R.I.E.N.D.S. being a close 3rd. Season 3 is in full effect so get watching! Everyone MUST click the link above and check this show out! I promise you will laugh and laugh and laugh and laugh.... Seriously you will laugh!

TRUE STORY BRO

These are a few of my favorite things...

For starters...

These are the things I use most EVERY.SINGLE.DAY! I can't imagine my morning routine without these go-to products. Even if I'm not using them for the look of that day, I am grateful to have these as options.

1. Milani Brow Kit 

Love Love Love! this product. Mini tweezers for quick and easy shaping, Mini applicator that's great for highlighting the brow bone and an itty bitty brush which lets you fill and shape your brows into the perfect arch. EVERYONE MUST TRY THIS!

2.Dream Matte Mousse



I really debated on weather I was going to add this to the list or not because although I love the smoothness of the mousse, I don't necessarily love the way it flakes off when you put it on with a sponge applicator. I have ruined a few shirts before work because of this. The coverage however is really nice for a daytime look.

3. St. Tropez Sunrise to Sunset Eyeshadow Palette in Bora Bora

BY FAR my go-to eyeshadow palette! It's full of 6 perfect shades of brown. You can turn a daytime look into a night look in seconds. I'll be sad when this is gone, I can't find it anywhere. If anyone finds it PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE let me know!

4. Avon Big Color Eye Pencil in Vanilla and Night Glisten

Vanilla: Great for highlighting your brow bone, corner highlight and a great primer for making shadow POP and stay power.
Night Glisten: I use it almost everyday! It smudges beautifully for a smokey eye and is perfect for creating a dark mystifying look. Really makes brown eyes stand out when you use it all around your eye.

5. Last but certainly not least, MY FAVE of all FAVES! wait for it........................... waaaaaaiiiitttt foor ittt................... BAM! Lash Stiletto Liquid Liner No seriously, I cannot live without this product!



Whether I'm creating a thin line, thick line,vintage look or just a classic cat eye, this liner works for it all! Lash Stiletto liner goes on so smooth and has great stay power. Never smudges and finishes every single look. I cant stress how much of a MUST HAVE this liner is!



Like I said, these are just a few of my Go To products. Hope you get a chance to try them out and please leave your feedback and tell me your pros and cons.

Thanks for stopping by,

Kat