tarte's sweet dreams Holiday 2014 Collection

I apologize in advanced, but I really wanted to post my obsession with tarte blushes, and the quality of natural lighting was fading fast in the afternoon when I photographed these. As it is, in northern Alberta, the daylight hours are becoming too few. The last few days have been gloomier and gloomier. And thus, you will see that my natural day-time swatches change and fluctuate as I took more photos. =/

Isn't it all so pretty? I knew you'd agree with me. =3

Do you know what's even better? Having to hold them! =P

Oooh~! Aaah~! Weeee~!

Also take note, these four sets were purchased at two different spots; Sephora and Tarte.

First up, is the pin up girl clutch palette. It is the Amazonian clay 12-hour blush feature palette for this 2014 holiday. It comes with two vintage-inspired, wearable hair pins. This clutch was available at Sephora, and I purchased it online through the site. For some reason, they are out of stock at the moment, but I have a feeling they will make a come back closer to the holidays.

Opened up, you get a nice-sized mirror and five limited-edition blushers with the protective plastic sheet that lists the names of the blushes.

Swatches are in natural lighting and cooler indoor lighting.

From left to right, we have breathless (pinky beige), embraced (plummy rose), whimsy (light pink), bashful (rosy peach), and irreplaceable (mauve rose).

I think this is just a lovely palette to have, and for anyone who loves blush, this is gold. All of the shades are workable and really, I don't know how much more I can go on about the quality of tarte blushes. The first, third, and fifth shades are all matte, the second shade is more shimmery, and the forth shade is a semi-satin finish. Anybody else awe-ing and oh-ing? =P

Next up is the magic wish deluxe lip duo set. I love how tarte extends their intricate designs onto the products' packaging as well. As with tarte, they tend to divide up their entire holiday collection so they are sold at different places depending on the product. For example, this duo set is sold on their main site at tartecosmetics.com, and that is where I picked it up. It is not available at Sephora, unfortunately. 

Swatches are in fading natural lighting and indoor lighting.

Again, I apologize on the lighting for these swatches. The swatches are the LipSurgence lip tint in wishful, LipSurgence lip gloss in magic. The third swatch is both applied. I do love this duo, and wish that tarte had them available for the permanent line. The shades are just perfect enough for almost any skin tone, and are wonderful for any setting.

This set was also available at Sephora. It is also currently out of stock at the moment, but I'm sure it'll come back soon closer to the holidays. This is the pigment of imagination deluxe cheek set.

Swatches are in natural lighting, and indoor lighting.

Here is the cheek stain in fantasy, and the Amazonian clay 12-hour blush in mirage. The cheek stain comes off more as a luminizer and is very shimmery. I would use a light hand when applying that one. The blush in mirage is a light pink and seems suited more for a lighter skin tone, but I'm even determined to use this during those really snowy days. =P

Lastly, for all of my tarte blush obsession is this chic to cheek quad of mini blushers. This set is also available right now at the tarte Cosmetics website. Get 'em while htey're still hot, ladies and gents, because they are *whispers* limited edition!

This is the first time that I'm able to grab some of these smaller, limited edition blushes from tarte. A regular sized blush is usually 5.6 grams. These teeny blushes are 1.6 grams of product for comparison.

Swatches are in natural lighting, and indoor lighting.

From left to right, we have amour (rosy pink), classic (candy pink), prim (soft apricot pink), and daydream (plum nude). I love all of these shades. You get a good range for a limited set, and they are all very wearable. Again, I wish they had all of these shades in the permanent line. Just sooo pretty!! *squees

Anyway, these are definitely some more gift ideas once Sephora restocks their lot. I am hoping they do, because tarte would be sorry to miss out on such a gain. Thanks for checking in to this post. More holiday stuff to look forward to!

~Misty

theBalm's Lou Manizer Sisters - Cindy-Lou, Betty-Lou, and Mary-Lou

I think it's these extra touches that always gets me.

The're not really sisters; I added that bit, but it seems likely. We have Cindy-Lou Manizer, Betty-Lou Manizer, and Mary-Lou Manizer. 

Cindy-Lou Manizer is the newest addition to theBalm's powder compacts since earlier this year. I like that they kept within the "convicts" theme.

They even have their finger prints on the back. =P

The compacts are standard in size, but you get a ton, and I mean a TON of product.

Respectfully, we have Cindy-Lou Manizer on the left, which is a lovely, light baby pink-toned highlighter known as "The Con-tour Artist." In the middle, we have Betty-Lou Manizer who is "The Bronzing Bandit." I think Betty-Lou works very well as a beachy, even high summer shade that glows golden. Mary-Lou Manizer, "The Lumizer (Antonym: Womanizer)," is a light yellow-toned highlighter.

Now, they may not all be the best complimenting choices for my skin, but that's why I do appreciate theBalm's suggestion to use any one of these powders as a highlighter/bronzer, shimmer, or shadow. The amount of product you should be using HAS to be the minimal too. I suggest dabbing your brush lightly over the surface to pick up your product. A little definitely goes a long way, as always, with theBalm's intensity of these products.

I think any one of these would be a great gift idea for the holiday season.

Cheers!

~Misty

Finding that Cheeky Sweet Spot with Benefit

With October come and gone, and my birthday as well, dawns the age of holiday gifts and palettes. And thus, I have gone out and spoiled myself with a few of these holiday goodies. Ohohoho... just you wait and see. xD

Tadaaaa~! x3

Must... control... girly squees! =D

This is Benefit's Cheeky Sweet Spot box o' blushes palette.

The actual packaging is in this lovely holiday tin.

On the back, the blurb at the top says, "It's a blushin' blockbuster! For the FIRST-TIME EVER, our/ famous box o' powders are alltogether in one cheeky sweet spot." I don't know why altogether is spelled wrong. You'd probably have to ask Benefit's PR about that. It's still a nice tin though. =D

The booklet inside is similiarly decorated, and showcases some ways you can use your new palette. =D

In zee tin, we have the long awaited loot. Ooh look how they glow! They are protected by a plastic sheet with each of the names coordinated. The lil brush is a nice touch.

If you're not the palette keeping sort, the blushes would be easy to depot to put into a separate Z-Palette type case, and the tin makes for a nice, reusable pencil case, for example. The blush pans are magnetic. ;)

For anyone who has all of these blushes already, this cheek palette may not be for you, unless you like to collect, but this palette for me was an awesome buy. I've never had the chance to own any of the blushes until now. The only cheek products I did own before was the Hoola bronzer powder and the Watt's Up cream highlighter. Hoola never worked out for me, and you'll see why in the swatches I gave it to my sister. I do also have the Watt's Up highlighter somewhere around here. =P

In order from left to right, we have Dandelion, which is a lovely light shade definitely meant for a lighter skin tone than mine. Second is Bella Bamba, which has a lovely raspberry-ish colour and shimmery sheen to it. Sugarbomb is next up; with an all over swatch, it is more like a highlight for me. At the bottom left, there's the Hoola swatch. For me, Hoola is too close to my natural skin tone, so it doesn't work out too well as a bronzer. Coralista is your peachy sheen, and Rockateur is your mauvey-berry shade. The end swatch is Watt's Up, and would probably work well on any skin tone.

Honestly, I wasn't one to get the blushes individually, because I didn't think the lot would really suit me. Having this palette now, I think Benefit made an awesome move in terms of showcasing their cheek products.

Benefit does have a lot more Holiday packs available on their site and by Sephora. Guess it's just about that time of year. =)

Cheers,

~Misty

Urban Decay's Pulp Fiction Palette - be cool honey bunny!

I grabbed this palette awhile ago, and now that it's on SALE, I thought I'd share it's findings in a post! =P

This is the Pulp Fiction palette by Urban Decay, a 20th anniversary token of the release of the film. =D

This definitely goes under my Other Things tab, as it's a Pulp Fiction dedication. This is just the outer packaging, but I thought it was worth documenting. On the back, there's a brief description about who the palette is inspired by; Mia Wallace, who is portrayed in the film by Uma Thurman.

'Three tomatoes are walking down the street- a poppa tomato, and a little baby tomato. Baby tomato starts lagging behind. Poppa tomato gets angry, goes over to the baby tomato, and smooshes him... and says, "Catch up."' -- Mia Wallace, Pulp Fiction

There's also images of what the palette comes with -- everything except the band-aid. For reference, the band-aid is worn by Marsellus Wallace in the film, who is played by Ving Rhames.

Here is the actual packaging, and yes, I will mention all the fine details of it. The actual size is under 4.25x4.25 inches so it sits neatly in your hand. 

The quote on the front says:
"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the
inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men.
Blessed is he who, in the name of the charity and goodwill,
shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness, for
he is truly his brother's keep and the finder of lost
children. And I will strike down upon thee with great
vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to
poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know my
name is the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee.
-- JULES WINNFIELD, BAD MOTHER F***ER"

Now, Jules Winnfield is another character in the film played by none other than Samuel L. Jackson. Did I mention the film has an all-star cast? =P Anyway, this is the epic Ezekiel monologue he dishes out while following through on an assignment. ;D The eye shadows are all named from the passage.

The extra details were worth showing off, I think.

Here is the palette when you open it up. It's great for travelling I think, as you have a good range of shades together.

From left to right, we have Righteous, Tyranny, Vengeance, Furious, and Anger.

I think the only disappointing shade is the first -- Righteous. It is the only one that feels more powdery than the rest. With that exception, these shadows feel silky to the touch and apply like soft butter. Blending is like a dream with this palette. Righteous and Tyranny are matte shades, while the rest seem to have a semi-matte finish with a satin sheen to them.

It's a small palette, but it's definitely not disappointing. There's also a "Get the Look" card that comes with.

On the back, it showcases the other items from Urban Decay that you can get separately to complete Mia Wallace's iconic look. I'm not one for red lipstick, since it looks horrid on me, but the rest of the collection involves red lipstick and red nail polish: Check it while they're still available! As I said the palette is on sale for $19 CAD now, from $41 regularly, on the Sephora website so if you are a fan, you can still grab it there.

Cheers!

~Misty

Birthday Gift from Shu Uemura

As it is Autumn and October, I was graced with a Birthday code from Shu Uemura in my inbox this month.

The nail colour is called Sparkling Moonstone.

With one coat, I think it is a pleasant sheer shade, and it is meant to be a tinting shade. It is from the summer collection.

With two coats, it builds up to a more festive finish. I think I do prefer the one coat tint though. =P

Thanks for tuning in to this quick post!

~Misty

October Top Box Goodies

I received my October Topbox on Friday, so I have a mind on sharing what I got inside.

For some reason, Topbox gave me this big blue tube. I always opt for the reusable option of the Topbox bag instead of the tube, but they sent me the tube once more. The backside of the content list card is also the London Drugs logo. I think it's to let everyone know you can grab all these items at London Drugs.

This foaming cleanser by Vichy is the first thing I picked up. It is the Purifying Foaming Water Radiance Revealer. It is the full size at 50 ml, and goes for $23 regularly. It is paraben free, and says it is made for sensitive skin, but the fragrance is a little strong, in my opinion. 

The second item is this HD eye shadow primer by Cargo. The quality is nice. I have yet to test out the longevity of it, but the formula consistency is creamy and applies evenly.

Next, is this Lift & Firm 3D Duo Serum 24 Hrs by Lise Watier. There is the Instant Lifting Day Serum and the Firming Night Serum. They both have the same scent overall, but are still too perfumed for me, I think. 

Sometimes I think I complain too much on all these different creams I receive. I do like to think I know what is good for my skin, and disagree much with all these added fragrances.

The last item is something that I will use. It is the Colossal Ink Pen Waterproof Eyeliner in Ultra Black by Prestige Cosmetics. I believe it is part of their Back to Black collection.

The swatches are semi-glossy with the finish. The quality is nice and though you may not be able to have such a fine line with the thick pen tip, I don't think it is very hard to use. The formula isn't too long wearing though, and removes easily with no extra traces with an eye make up remover.

That is all I received in my topbox subscription this time around. Here's a peek into what my sister received this month.

Cheers all!

~Misty