Review & PICS: DINAIR Airbrush Studio Beauty Kit

I received my Dinair airbrush kit shortly before Christmas.  It's was one of my Christmas presents from my hubby!  I was so excited that it had arrived and I quickly got to practicing on myself and on others.  I often get asked to do makeup for my friends, etc. for special events.  I decided to use the airbrush system on some of my "clients". 

SYSTEM:  Just FYI, the system I ordered came with the compressor, the airbrush gun, a bottle of airbrush cleaner, an eyeshadow guide, several eyebrow stencils, a small travel case for the gun, a small .25 oz of moist & dewy, and eight .25oz bottles of a mixture of foundations, blush, and eye shadows, and even a larger bag that was included for the holiday special.  I got to pick all of the eight colors myself. 

EASE OF USE:  As I opened the box, I fell in love!  I ordered my compressor in a bright pink color.  There was an additional charge, but I went ahead and did it. 
The system is very easy to assemble and incredibly easy to work with.  Just about 6 drops of foundation and that's enough to cover the entire face.  I have taken an airbrush class, so this was not something that gave  me any difficulty.  The hardest thing about it all, in my opinion, is to color match.  I have used the machine on about five different individuals, and was able to match perfectly.  It all takes time and practice.

CLEANING:  Cleaning is very easy.  Just clear the machine of all product, and drop some cleaner in the well.  Spray the cleaner in a napkin until it is clear and clean the residual foundation from the well and spout with a q-tip.  It's vital that you clean your system each time you use it, or else you will experience clogging of the gun. 
I don't have pics of the actual compressor, but it fits in the palm of my hand.  I can easily store it in my kit and take it with me when visiting someones house, etc. 

FOUNDATION:  The foundation is light and it feels as if nothing is on your skin.  Yet, it provides amazing coverage!  It's so easy to use this on myself that it can only take me about five minutes (without cleaning) to apply the foundation, and even highlighter and blush.  The foundation is also very very affordable.  $12 for the .25oz, $16 for the .5oz, and $25 for the 1.15oz.  Since you only need about six drops of foundation, even the .25 oz can last quite a while.  They have about twenty shades of foundation, and if you send them a picture of yourself they will send you some suggestions on what foundation color is best for you.

Overall, I'm so excited about this purchase.  I foresee alot of use!.  I am disappointed that I DID NOT receive my instructional DVD with my set.  I should have just called customer service so that they could send it to me, but I just decided to watch their videos on their website. 

Here is the second person (other than myself) that I tried the Dinar system on.  She wanted something natural, not too dramatic with her eye makeup, etc.  I had not added eyeliner, lipstick, or mascara yet.  But look at the difference in her skin.  The hyperpigmentation is gone and her skin looks flawless.  The foundation looks amazing on young and even more mature skin.  She loved the results and so did I.  On top of that, it lasted all night! 

Hope you enjoyed this review :)

xoxo

-C

MAC & Mickey Contractor Collection

I can hardly wait for this collection to release!!  All these colours seem right up my alley...but I will have to see them in person before I can say for sure...  I've grown up watching Bollywood movies and love seeing international makeup trends!  So if this seems like a collection you may be into, mark your calendars for January 6th

Anyone else impatiently anticipating the release of this collection?

additional collection info from WWW.



"Who is Mickey Contractor, and why can’t about a billion people live without him? The answer involves breaking out into song and dance, because long before Glee, Mickey made the dashing heroes and exotic enchantresses of Bollywood Cinema into the famous faces throngs of fans want to look like. As M·A·C’s Director of Makeup Artistry for India, he’s more than an icon to a glamorous Eastern audience – he has mentored in-the-know Artists around the world for over three decades. These exclusive collections of Mickey’s musts are all about natural skin tonality and total performance, in addition to colour with a touch of exotic cine-magic. Foundation, Concealer, Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder, goddess-gorgeous Eye shades, Lipstick, Lipglass and Blush, with his favourite brushes to star in your own big Bollywood hit."

Availability

U.S. & Canada Launch Date – 6 January 2011

International Launch Date – 6 January 2011

MAC & Mickey Contractor Makeup Collection for Spring 2011 include the following products:

Lipstick – $14.50

• Yash Deep neutral (Matte) – Limited Edition
• Gulabi Bright fuchsia (Amplified) – Limited Edition
• Mehr Mid-tone blue pink (Matte) – Limited Edition
• Mocha Peachy yellow-brown (Satin) – Permanent

Lipglass – $14.50

• Flesh Mid-tone nude brown (Frost) – Limited Edition
• Lust Soft muted pink (Frost) – Permanent

Eyeshadow – $14.50

• Athma (Description unknown) – Limited Edition
• Jaan Light neutral with soft gold pearl (Lustre) – Limited Edition
• Vivah Brown with gold pearl (Lustre) – Limited Edition
• Folie Reddish-plum brown (Satin) – Permanent
• Carbon Matte black (Matte) – Permanent
• Oomph Forest green with soft gold pearl (Veluxe Pearl) – Limited Edition
• Marvel Deep purple with soft pink pearl (Frost) – Limited Edition
• Rani Bright fuchsia with soft pink pearl (Frost) – Limited Edition
• Saffron Deep coral caramel (Satin) – Limited Edition

Fluidline – $15.00 – Limited Edition

• Siahi Deep turquoise blue
• Ivy Bright green

Blush – $18.50 – Limited Edition

• Gana Bright white gold (Frost)
• Sur Mid-tone rose brown (Satin)

Studio Fix Fluid Foundation – $26.00 – Limited Edition

• NC41
• NC43.5
• NC44.5

Moisturecover Concealer – $16.50 – Limited Edition

• NC23
• NC43
• NC44
• NC45.5

Moisturecover Double-End Concealer – $21.00 – Limited Edition

• Coral Corrector/Yellow Corrector

Prep and Prime Transparent Finishing Powder – $22.00
Brushes

• 116
• 219
• 239

  X + O,

-S



Review: Smashbox High Definition Concealer

This is the concealer of my dreams!!  The other day I was at my local beauty boutique, Pout Cosmetics, getting myself into trouble again. Heehee

I needed (I did, I swear!) to purchase another foundation, since mine was running low.  I decided to purchase the "Perfection Complexion" kit from Smashbox Cosmetics. 

This set contains:

• 0.5 oz High Definition Foundation -Travel Size
• 0.2 oz High Definition Concealer- Travel Size
• 0.25 oz Mini Photo Finish Foundation Primer
• 0.25 oz Halo To Go- Hydrating Perfecting Powder

The sizes in this kit are pretty decent.  The foundation is excellent and of course, the halo powder is amazing.  But this concealer just stands out to me.  I have moved from brand to brand searching for the perfect concealer. Literally!  From MAC, to Prescriptives, to Laura Mercier, and even Chanel.  This is the ONE! 

My main concern was creasing.  This has to be the best concealer I have ever tried.  Seriously.  I have alot of allergies and there are some fine lines under my eyes.  This concealer does not creep into them.  This liquid concealer is creamy but not too creamy.  It's not runny either, and a little goes a long way.  You just have to use a tad, and it covers up those dark circles like magic.  I'm devoted!

On a side note, even when I'm using my airbrush makeup, I can use this wonderful concealer prior to airbrushing.  I love it!  As soon as I use the other products a little more, I'll give a more detailed review of the entire kit.

xoxo

-C

Review: OneDollarEyelashes.com!

Hello Everyone!

Yes, this is another lash haul!  I just CAN'T stop!  The other day I was watching some YouTube.com videos, which is my favorite past time by the way, and I stumbled upon a video by FJ (flowerjump.com).  I guess she is the official guru of onedollareyelashes.com.  Anyway, in the video she reviewed all the different styles on the website.  It got me interested....

Website:
The website itself is easy to navigate through.  The eyelashes are separated into two categories:  Natural and Dramatic.  Easy enough.  There is also a category of "sale" items.  And in that tab are listed eyelashes in larger quantities. 

Price:  The eyelashes are $1.00 but you have to buy them in boxes of ten.  So I'm assuming the minimum purchase of eyelashes is $10.00.  There are 13 different styles of lashes listed on the website.  That a lot of choices!  Additionally, there are several videos posted on the website that review the different styles and give a review on the glue that they make.

Products:

I was a bit skeptical about the products.  But, i love me some lashes, so I decided to give it a try.  I purchased two boxes of ten lashes.  Style C7, which is classified under the natural tab.  And style C2 which is under the dramatic tab.  Both styles seem very dramatic to me. 

Each style comes is a separate box.  These eyelashes are Korean eyelashes and they are synthetic.  I'm really starting to like synthetic lashes.  The packaging is mediocre, but I really don't mind since I'm only paying one dollar for eyelashes!

Shipping:

The shipping was very fast, but it's also about $8.  I believe their company ships out of the United States, so the lashes only took several days to get to Texas.  That was a pleasant surprise since most eyelashes are coming from overseas and can take several weeks to arrive. 

Thoughts:  After trying the lashes myself and even using them on someone else, I've decided I like them!  They are definitely better quality than eBay lashes.  The lash band is not too thick, and still flexible and easy to work with.  The fibers themselves are soft and they don't have that extra sheen that the eBay lashes have.

Like I mentioned, both styles seemed dramatic to me.  Even so, I used both of these styles and they both looked beautiful. 

I also purchased a vial of their eyelash glue.  There was alot of hype about this glue.  I haven't had a chance to use the glue, but once i do, I'll let you know.  I'm a little scared to, since it has their strange blue tinge to it.  I'm sure its safe, but the color is a bit scary!  According to FJ, this glue is truly waterproof!  You need to check out that video too, she sprays her eyes with water and the onedollareyelashes.com glue, really stood up to the water!

Along with my two boxes of lashes, and my one glue, they threw in an extra set of lashes as a sample.  That was sure nice of them!  I haven't tried them the sample set out yet, but I soon will.  I think I'll even try these for work, since they look very wearable for the daytime.

Overall, I definitely will be reordering from this site again.  The prices are great, the shipping was extra fast and the lashes are good quality for the price.  Please keep in mind that everyone has their preferences.  I enjoy synthetic lashes, and I enjoy Korean lashes.  If you haven't tried them out, take a look at their website and maybe order a set.

xoxo

-C

Sephora Introduces Limited HELLO KITTY BEAUTY!

I'm so excited, I can't even contain myself.  I adore Hello Kitty!  I don't know if it's because she reminds me of my youth or because I refuse to grow up, but I'm a thirty something year old who still is proud to say "I LOVE HELLO KITTY"! 

I honestly didn't buy much of the Hello Kitty Collection from MAC, mostly because I was too late.  I'm so excited about this collection. 

From the pictures, it looks like Sephora is aiming at all ages, so nothing edgy like the MAC collection.  But either way, the items look way cute.

What do you think, will you pick up something?  To see a sneak peak at the rest of the collection,

CLICK HERE!

xoxo

-C

Review: Ebay False Eyelashes

As you may or may not know, I'm in some strange false eyelashes phase.  I just can't stop buying them!  A couple of weeks ago I signed onto Ebay and was taken aback with all the false eyelashes listed.  Tons of lashes, lots of styles, pretty cheap prices.  Of course, you buy what you pay for, but in this case I think I came out OK.

I received 40 pairs of eyelashes (yes, I only have two eyes...) for 3.99 plus 3.99 shipping.  That's $7.98 for 40 pairs of eyelashes!!!  Pretty good, huh?

Yes, yes, I know, you get what you pay for.  But for $7.98??  Really??!  The lashes are synthetic, but the lash spine is thin and flexible.  The lash spine or band is the portion that glues onto the eyelid.  If the band is flexible, it's easier to adhere to the lid and easier for the lashes to conform to the lid.  If the band is bulky and thick, it's a whole lot harder to use the lashes.

There were four boxes sent to me.  Each box had ten pairs of eyelashes.  Each box was a different style.   I'm glad they sent four different styles, since I don't know what I would have done with four boxes of the same style! 

Before I got into this phase, I did use false eyelashes.  But now, I'm starting to use them almost every day.  Of course, I'll tone it down for work. 

These eyelashes were purchased from an ebay seller from Hong Kong, named Glamlabel.  They are made of synthetic soft fibers, and they're gorgeous.  A bit dramatic for me, but I'll still get some use out of them.

Synthetic lashes can sometimes still appear as natural as human hair eyelashes.  But, synthetic are less delicate and are sometimes less expensive.  Due to the fact that they are more sturdy, can be reused if taken care of properly.  The only negative thing about these lashes, is they do appear a bit shiny when they are worn.  You can dull the shine down by applying some mascara.

I'm really enjoying this eyelash phase and I hope to post another haul from my eyelash adventures :)  Hope you enjoyed this post!

xoxo

-C

Review: Smashbox Eye Wish Palette 2010

A couple of weeks ago (maybe longer?) I attended an event at my local beauty boutique named Pout Cosmetics.  Not only am I super excited that my little city has a beauty boutique, but it's gorgeous!  They have two locations, and I couldn't be happier.  Check out their blog, or if you live in this neck of the woods, check out their locations!

Anyway, I picked up a couple of items for myself to try out.  One of these items was the Smashbox Eye Wish Palette 2010. 

It was only $45 and it came with all these goodies:

• 12 Eyeshadows
• 4 Cream Liners
• Travel sized mascara
• Travel sized Primer
• Helpful makeup look cards
• Cute Box

Super cute, right?  Each eyeshadow and cream liner is numbered.  The shadows get darker as the number increases.  Overall, the shadows are pretty creamy.  There were a few that felt a bit dry, but overall they are great quality.

The cream eyeliner colors are amazing!  I did try them as an eyeshadow base, and I did notice some creasing.  But, as an eyeliner, they are superb.

Here are those little makeup cards I mentioned.  They each have a special look that you can recreate using the numbered shadows.  They are pretty helpful, especially if you are used to doing the same technique over and over again.

These are ugly swatches, sorry guys!  I swatched some of their darker colors.  Number 10, 11, and 9, in that order.  The eyeshadows are pretty pigmented and my favorite as of right now has to be no. 9.  These were swatched with no primer in natural daylight.

Overall, I am happy with this palette.  It's very inexpensive, the eyeshadow sizes are generous, they include some extra goodies, and even the box can be reused when the shadows run out.  Keep in mind that these shades can be used for a natural eye or even something more dramatic for nitetime. 

I know that in comparison to last years palette, Smashbox decided to keep it safe.  That's fine with me, but you may not like that.  Either way, Smashbox has some amazing products that are worth checking out.

Have a great day!

xoxo

-C

Smashbox Eye Wish Palette 2010

I am working on this review as we speak.  I've had this palette for a couple of weeks now,

and I do like it.  I'll give you some details later today :)

xoxo

-C

P.s. What are your thoughts on this product?

SUGARPILLCosmetics!!!

I just wanted to share my joy with ya'll.  I just received my Sugarpill package yesterday, and I'm so excited to start trying them out.  I ordered a bunch of things during their black Friday sale (at 12:45am actually) and I was just thrilled when I went to the post office to pick up this festive little box.

Look at all this beauty!  Perfectly packaged, perfectly designed, perfectly mine!  The review is in the works and I just can't wait to get it to you.  Please check back soon, I'll show you all the items I received IN DETAIL! 

xoxo

-C

Review: Living Proof No Frizz Products

Living Proof’s No Frizz shampoo & conditioner

 I am officially obsessed with my shampoo & conditioner!!

I have been using this stuff for just shy of couple of months…and I can honestly say my hair has never looked better!! I’ve actually been stopped on the street to ask what shampoo I use…and trust me that doesn’t happen that often!!  I live in a city that is humidity filled 24/7… so it’s hard to have a perfect hair day.

 So you can only imagine how long I have been searching for a product that could help my med/thick wavy hair situation.  I have tried ALL kinds of products…from lower end to higher end.  And nothing has quite worked on my hair the way this has.

Truthfully I was a little skeptical about this $24 shampoo & conditioner; I did not believe that it was going to work for me.    But I thought what the heck…what do I have to loose, besides money-LOL!

Well needless to say I am glad I took the chance on this product, because I absolutely love it!!  Btw, I also use these products in accompaniment with the living proof straightening cream and leave-in conditioner.

 So if you have been thinking about trying this product, I wouldn’t wait any longer...

I am in no way affiliated with this company or being compensated in any way to review these products.

x + o,

--S

Review: Pro Rolling Train Case

So, I finally received it!  It's beautiful!  It was carefully sent in an upright box, protected by Styrofoam and wrapped tightly.  Take a look!

Just FYI, I ordered this Pro rolling Makeup case from ebay.  I had initially seen it on Yazmo, and I fell in love!  After some research, I found the exact same case on Ebay and it was even being sold by yazmo.  And as an extra plus, it was $30 cheaper on Ebay.

It is a pretty tall case.  What do I plan to do with it, you ask??  Well, I've been trying to get into makeup artistry again.  I went through a phase a couple of years ago before I got married but I was very overwhelmed at the time.  Even though I have a full time career, I think this is something that I can do on the side.  To keep my sanity....

The top train case can be detached and the bottom part also has several compartments.  Included inside the case was an extra top for the bottom portion.  In case I want to separate the two parts.

It's very roomy inside and I believe the compartment on the bottom is tall enough to fit some full size palettes.

Here it is, all nice an packed with my kit.  I'm still lacking a foundation and concealer palette, but I'm pretty much done filling it with all my necessities. 

Overall, I'm pretty happy.  One of the major cons is obviously the size.  It's huge!  I'm sure that once it's filled it's going to be pretty heavy.  Especially if I need to climb some stairs.  But I think it's worth it!

Let me know what you think!!

xoxo

-C

Eyelash Haul!

For some reason, lately I've been a false eyelash buying kinda mood...  I bought a couple of different styles on ebay, but I still haven't received them.  I've been doing ALOT of research on eyelashes and their county of origin, their quality, the material, etc.  I decided to stop by this Asian wholesale shop I had seen downtown in my home town.  I found several brands, and I'm excited to try them out!  Take a look!

Oh, I also bought a couple of wheels filled with nail decorations, I couldn't resist they were so cute :)

I've heard that "Miss Adoro" lashes are pretty good for their price.  They are made of natural hair and you can use them more than once if they are properly taken care of.  This natural hair thing is pretty weird, but I know that if the hair is natural, the lashes will appear more natural.  The ones I purchased on ebay are synthetic, but I'm sure they will be fine too.

Have a great day!

xoxo

-C

Christmas is comin' early!!

I'm so excited!  I just purchased this Pro Aluminum Rolling Makeup Case in Silver and I'm so excited to receive it!  I initially saw it on yazmo.com for 169.00, but then I found the exact same case on ebay for 139.00!!  It was even sold by yazmo!  Check it out!

As soon as I receive it I'll do a review on it.  I can't wait!

xoxo

-C