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Friday, October 15, 2010


So, I figured that I would swatch my entire "Ciao Italia!" collection from Aromaleigh for you.  Kristen still has not only full sample size sets left but probably about 85% available in full sizes.  This is a wonderful set.  This collection isn't as light as say, Les Papillons.  This collection has heft.  It's very earthy.  This collection is bold, in-your-face and demands attention.  Enough chatter....let's just look at the pictures, shall we??












Which colors are your favorites??  Do you have any colors from this collection?  Let me know in the comments!!

Concrete Minerals

I received some eye shadows from the lovely Emily over at Concrete Minerals.  I chose to purchase her Youtube Guru & Blogger Love listing which included 4 sample size eye shadows.  I selected the following: Wicked, Smut, Prude & Strobelight.  I ordered on September 30th & received my package on October 11th.  Fairly normal turn-around time in the MMU world.  I swatched the colors for you, Gentle Reader....did you think I wouldn't??  Check it out...



**The following pictures were taken inside with flash**



Here are Emily's descriptions of the four colors that I chose (descriptions taken from her shop):
  • Wicked ~ (bright purple with aquamarine shift)
  • Strobelight ~ (Chrome silvery-blue) This steel blue reminds us of a disco ball! Makes a stunning accent, especially with darker contours.
  • Prude ~ (Pale shimmery pink) The perfect highlighter to brighten-up any look! Try below the browbone or on the inside corners of eyes!
  • Smut ~ (Dirty silver with pink-purple undertones) It’s impossible to get the beauty of this incredible color to show-through in photos. “Smut” seems to be an instant favorite of anyone who even glances at it! This shadow looks just as good on as it does in the jar (and it looks reeeeally good in the jar) and compliments every color eye!





 **The following pictures were taken outside in sunlight with no flash**



Emily's eyeshadows are incredibly pigmented & blend very well.  Smut is much more complex in person than in the photos.  It really isn't a brown shade, but more of a purplish maroon with a pink shift/duochrome.  It's my favorite out of the four that I purchased.  I was very happy with Concrete & will be purchasing more colors in the future.
Have you tried Concrete Minerals?  Do you like them?  What do you think of the colors I chose?  Let me know in the comments!!!

Thursday, October 14, 2010

Ephemeral Soul Light

I went with a very soft & toned down look here.  Ivan said that it looked "very nice" and he liked it much better than the darker & brighter looks I've been doing lately.  I tried explaining to him that while I love doing the soft looks, I love doing the bolder looks too.  Makeup is a form of creative self expression for me & it makes me happy.  It's the artist in me dying to get out.  You know, I never thought about it before but both sides of my family are fraught with artists: my dad with music, his sister with drawing, painting & doing stained-glass work, my mom & her crafts & cross~stitch.  My Grandpa was a carpenter & a drummer.  My Gram was a painter, sculptor & doll maker.  My mom's oldest sister is a photographer.  I used to draw - I was quite good actually.  I'm also an artist with music and now, with make-up.  I guess I come by it quite honestly.  Anyway, on to the pics:
Do you like my headband??  I took an open sort of scroll work plastic headband and looped a scarf through it.  It's actually quite a large scarf ~ I got it with a Tarte collection of Lock N Rolls this summer.  There were several inches of fabric left on either side of the headband so I just tied those at the nape of my neck.  I thought it looked cute.
For face, I used my normal products:

  • Meow Pampered Puss in Sleek Chausie
  • BE Brightening Pearl MV
  • Smashbox Soft Lights Quad in Luminary on cheeks












On eyes, I used to following:
  • Aromaleigh Les Papillons "Air & Light" lashline to browbone
  • Aromaleigh Les Papillons "Ephermeral Violet" patted on middle & outer third of lid
  • Aromaleigh Les Papillons "Soul Takes Flight" crease & outer V
  • Blend, blend, blend

I also used Temptu's Retouch Highlighter in Champagne right under my brows.  The highlighter blends in beautifully so you can't tell that there is a product there.  All you can see is that your brows look a little lifted & your eyes look a little brighter.

I haven't worn my hair down in months.  I want to cut it short, Ivan wants me to keep it long.  But it looks so jacked when it's long.  I made him a deal ~ I'll keep my hair long & won't cut it if he lets me get Wen.  He agreed.  Heehee SCORE!!!




Bette's Wonderland

This look was done with newly acquired colors from Aromaleigh & Fyrinnae:

  • Fyrinnae Nijiro lashline to browbone
  • Aromaleigh Gothic Lolita Wonderland inner third of lid, inner V & tearduct
  • Aromaleigh Bete Noire Bette middle third of lid
  • Fyrinnae Arcane Magic Glitterboi outer third of lid & outer V


I didn't use any liner with this look.  For mascara, I used Bare Escentuals Flawless Definition Mascara & Buxom Lash over the FD.  I'm in love with how this looks & have been using this combo quite a bit lately.








































Monday, October 11, 2010

Spells, Snails & Puppy Dog Tails

I was so incredibly blessed recently to receive a full sample set from the lovely Miss Kristen at Aromaleigh of her brand new collection, "Spells!".  Oh can I just tell you how incredibly beautiful & unique each of these eye colors are??  Each one I swatched became my new favorite!  So, without any further ado, here are the pictures & swatches:









I am really intrigued with Incendio.  It is, in my opinion, the collection's most unusual color.  And even though it's orange, I am trying to think of a way I can wear it.  I love it that much.  I tried to capture the complexity of this color, but was unable to.  This collection is a must have & I am so grateful that I was given an opportunity to review it!  Thank you Miss K!!