So, this is something I haven't done yet, a list of what my currently most-used products are. I plan on doing proper reviews of everything in the near future, but if you want my current opinion on something, just ask and I'll let you know how it's working out =]
SKINCARE
MAC Microfine Refinisher
Clinique Facial Soap Bar (Mild)
Clinique Moisture Surge Moisturizer
Clinique Take The Day Off Makeup Remover
L'Oreal Milk-To-Toner Makeup Remover
(I need a new remover =/)
HAIRCARE
Tressemme Shampoo (Anti-Frizz!)
Tressemme Conditioner (For Colour-Treated Hair)
Tressemme Heat Protection Spray
MAKEUP
MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation (NC15)
MAC Studio Fix Powder Plus Foundation (NC15)
MAC Studio Sculpt Concealer (NC15)
MAC Studio Sculpt Foundation (NC15)
MAC Fluidline (Blacktrack)
MAC Plush Lash Mascara (Blacktrack)
MAC Eyeshadow Pots (Most Used: Sketch, Shale, Satin Taupe, Swish, Saddle, Ricepaper, Gesso)
MAC Hello Kitty Lipsticks and Lipglasses
MAC Hello Kitty Blushes
BRUSHES MAC Except otherwise specified
109SE [Foundation]
214 [Packing on colour]
239 [Lid Colour]
217 [Blending and Highlight]
226 [Crease]
187SE [Blush]
Chanel #8 Kabuki Brush [Setting with Powder]
Tuesday, 31 March 2009
A Brief Rant
How much does it suck that the only MAC Pro store in the UK is in London?
I have no idea why suddenly this is irritating me more than usual, but I'm very annoyed right now. Maybe it's because my body is adjusting TERRIBLY to the whole time-change fiasco, that I nearly fell asleep on the bus on the way into work. Not to mention that I bashed the inside of my ankle against the wheel well when I slid into my seat. Sigh. But, as usual, I'm digressing.
I'm just lucky that I've got a friend down south who's willing to CP items from the Pro store for me, otherwise life would be difficult. And I know, I know, you can mail order over the phone. But here's the thing about me - I hate ordering stuff over the phone. I even order my pizza over the internet. Do you seriously expect me to order makeup over the phone? Nevermind the fact that my indecisiveness would have some poor call centre representative on the phone for several hours while I agonized over the decision between three eyeshadows and a lip gloss.
I think MAC should seriously consider setting up another Pro store somewhere a little further north. Like, I don't know, Sheffield for example? Sheffield also desperately needs a standalone store please. Thank you.
On top of that, I just want to tell you all that I am currently in a state of constant irritation and sometimes-agony with my braces. By this point you would think they wouldn't bother me anymore but the past week or so it's really flared up. It probably doesn't help that I fell up the stairs on the weekend and jammed one of my braced-molars, and it's that whole side of my mouth that is constantly throbbing. Sigh. Six weeks today they will be off. Six weeks today and I will be 23 years old. God, I feel so old.
Finally - and this part is in relation to my previous post, whining that I had to cut down my Sugarsweet list due to money having to be diverted elsewhere - it seems that I would actually have enough cash left over for my whole Sugarsweet list. But, I think I might stick to my guns and get the shorter list anyway. I mean I figured, I've managed to cut it down a little bit so clearly the items I've managed to cut out are not essentials anyway.
Yet another mostly-useless blog post. But, there you have it. That's how I feel today.
In other, completely unrelated, news - I'm going to try to get some manner of tutorial up. Maybe my favourite Hello Kitty look? Or something a little more inventive. I'm not sure yet. Once I get some creative juices I'll figure out some tutorials to upload. Whoosh!
XOXO Vix
I have no idea why suddenly this is irritating me more than usual, but I'm very annoyed right now. Maybe it's because my body is adjusting TERRIBLY to the whole time-change fiasco, that I nearly fell asleep on the bus on the way into work. Not to mention that I bashed the inside of my ankle against the wheel well when I slid into my seat. Sigh. But, as usual, I'm digressing.
I'm just lucky that I've got a friend down south who's willing to CP items from the Pro store for me, otherwise life would be difficult. And I know, I know, you can mail order over the phone. But here's the thing about me - I hate ordering stuff over the phone. I even order my pizza over the internet. Do you seriously expect me to order makeup over the phone? Nevermind the fact that my indecisiveness would have some poor call centre representative on the phone for several hours while I agonized over the decision between three eyeshadows and a lip gloss.
I think MAC should seriously consider setting up another Pro store somewhere a little further north. Like, I don't know, Sheffield for example? Sheffield also desperately needs a standalone store please. Thank you.
On top of that, I just want to tell you all that I am currently in a state of constant irritation and sometimes-agony with my braces. By this point you would think they wouldn't bother me anymore but the past week or so it's really flared up. It probably doesn't help that I fell up the stairs on the weekend and jammed one of my braced-molars, and it's that whole side of my mouth that is constantly throbbing. Sigh. Six weeks today they will be off. Six weeks today and I will be 23 years old. God, I feel so old.
Finally - and this part is in relation to my previous post, whining that I had to cut down my Sugarsweet list due to money having to be diverted elsewhere - it seems that I would actually have enough cash left over for my whole Sugarsweet list. But, I think I might stick to my guns and get the shorter list anyway. I mean I figured, I've managed to cut it down a little bit so clearly the items I've managed to cut out are not essentials anyway.
Yet another mostly-useless blog post. But, there you have it. That's how I feel today.
In other, completely unrelated, news - I'm going to try to get some manner of tutorial up. Maybe my favourite Hello Kitty look? Or something a little more inventive. I'm not sure yet. Once I get some creative juices I'll figure out some tutorials to upload. Whoosh!
XOXO Vix
Monday, 30 March 2009
Tough Decisions
So, after having to use my credit card for the first time last month, and paying it off in full when I got paid on Friday and therefore dwindling off a large chunk of this month's pay, I'm facing some tough choices. And as much as I hate it, I'm going to have to bite the bullet and do the right thing.
Here goes. I really cannot afford everything on my Sugarsweet Wish List.
And I'd rather forego an item or two I'd probably never use anyway, than get stuck into a stupid cycle of using the credit card and paying it off next month just to have to use it again. The card, is has a balance of ZERO right now, and I want to keep it that way. And the fact of the matter is, I have slightly less money this month than I thought I would due to an obscenely high gas bill, and the fact that I still have to pay international shipping to get my CP'd NYX Lot Sale purchases sent over from America.
So, my Sugarsweet wishlist has dwindled significantly. Or, it will. I'm just not sure where to start. The Perfect Topping MSF is one thing that I do really want. And I'm agonizing over the rest.
Lollipop Loving and Bubbles lipsticks are super, super gorgeous. But do I really need Saint Germain? I could probably just get away with ordering Snob and pretending I never saw the swatches that foretold of the slight difference between the two. It's a shame, because Saint Germain is the perfect bubblegum pink.
And, oh it pains me to say this but...the shadesticks. Oh, my, some of the shadesticks are going to have to go. I can maybe get a couple but all 5 are just not going to happen.
I hate downsizing, I'm indecisive enough to begin with, but such is the way of the world. If they're in stock at the end of April I have some overtime pay coming to me that means I could get the things I was missing on top of my Rose Romance list... but it's a gamble as to whether or not the things I want will still be in stock.
The life of a working-class makeup addict, it's a toughie.
So, that's where I stand. I wanted to blog about it because this? Having to cut down your wishlist because real things like bills crop up from time to time? This is real life. And I'm all about reality. And I'm trying my damndest not to be about debt.
So my Sugarsweet list is now:
Bubbles Lipstick
Lollipop Loving Lipstick
Perfect Topping MSF
Red Velvet Shadestick
Butternutty Shadestick
Cakeshop Shadestick
After all. I'm not exactly notorious for wearing yellow and orange eye makeup, so I could do without Penny and Lemon Chiffon. At least, that's how I'm rationalizing this to myself. At the end of the day, as much as I may want it, none of the items I've cut out so far were essentials or things I really needed to have.
Whew. I feel a little proud of myself after all that. Sorry for the boring rambling blog post, but there you have it.
Here goes. I really cannot afford everything on my Sugarsweet Wish List.
And I'd rather forego an item or two I'd probably never use anyway, than get stuck into a stupid cycle of using the credit card and paying it off next month just to have to use it again. The card, is has a balance of ZERO right now, and I want to keep it that way. And the fact of the matter is, I have slightly less money this month than I thought I would due to an obscenely high gas bill, and the fact that I still have to pay international shipping to get my CP'd NYX Lot Sale purchases sent over from America.
So, my Sugarsweet wishlist has dwindled significantly. Or, it will. I'm just not sure where to start. The Perfect Topping MSF is one thing that I do really want. And I'm agonizing over the rest.
Lollipop Loving and Bubbles lipsticks are super, super gorgeous. But do I really need Saint Germain? I could probably just get away with ordering Snob and pretending I never saw the swatches that foretold of the slight difference between the two. It's a shame, because Saint Germain is the perfect bubblegum pink.
And, oh it pains me to say this but...the shadesticks. Oh, my, some of the shadesticks are going to have to go. I can maybe get a couple but all 5 are just not going to happen.
I hate downsizing, I'm indecisive enough to begin with, but such is the way of the world. If they're in stock at the end of April I have some overtime pay coming to me that means I could get the things I was missing on top of my Rose Romance list... but it's a gamble as to whether or not the things I want will still be in stock.
The life of a working-class makeup addict, it's a toughie.
So, that's where I stand. I wanted to blog about it because this? Having to cut down your wishlist because real things like bills crop up from time to time? This is real life. And I'm all about reality. And I'm trying my damndest not to be about debt.
So my Sugarsweet list is now:
Bubbles Lipstick
Lollipop Loving Lipstick
Perfect Topping MSF
Red Velvet Shadestick
Butternutty Shadestick
Cakeshop Shadestick
After all. I'm not exactly notorious for wearing yellow and orange eye makeup, so I could do without Penny and Lemon Chiffon. At least, that's how I'm rationalizing this to myself. At the end of the day, as much as I may want it, none of the items I've cut out so far were essentials or things I really needed to have.
Whew. I feel a little proud of myself after all that. Sorry for the boring rambling blog post, but there you have it.
Saturday, 28 March 2009
Latest MAC Haul
Ladies, we have Haulage.
I know I still haven't done my previous hauls yet - I completely forgot to take photos of my HK collection. Sigh. So at this point I really don't think there's a huge point in posting my HK haul at all (I mean, if you'd really like to see, tell me and I'll do it, but if there's no demand there's really not much point, right?).
Instead I'm just going to get myself back into the habit of posting hauls as they happen. Like today! Blow is a shot of today's combined haul =]
First the brushes. Top to bottom:
242
213
214 (BBR)
195
209
219
Next - Miscellaneous pots. Left to Right:
Studio Sculpt Concealer NC15
Fresco Rose Paint Pot
Painterly Paint Pot
Finally, the eyeshadows! Clockwise from top left:
Satin Taupe
Texture
Contrast
Nocturnelle
Carbon
Shale
Sketch
Knight
Pincurl
Eyeshadow swatches. Left to right
Pincurl (it's hard to see here but it's there!)
Knight
Sketch
Shale
Satin Taupe
Texture
Contrast
Nocturnelle
Carbon 
Love!
I've also got a new YT video up today!
XOXO, Vix
Friday, 27 March 2009
Primer Potion Plus Paint Pot Versus Paint Pot
Forgive me - I realize this is an even less creative blog title than usual. It's just hit midnight and I am exhausted. My left forearm is full of crampy-badness due to lugging heavy cookbooks around town today. Don't ask.
Anyway, the results of the test I posted earlier are in!
Advance warning, those of you who have seen my FOTD pics on Specktra and viewed my ever-so-few YouTube videos and who are now operating under the absolute certaintly that I have the most flawless complexion and dewy skin known to mankind, are in for a rude awakening. The below pictures, well, they show me at a point of exhaustion that no amount of makeup can hide with any degree of success. And I haven't touched up my concealer or foundation all day - makeup was applied at 7 this morning and photos were taken at 7 this evening. SO, all kinds of nasty imperfections are evident in the following photographs. You have been warned!
Anyway here's the info. I followed my usual routine for face - moisturizer, concealer, studio fix fluid foundation. Then on the right eye (my left eye, the one to the right in the photos) I used Bare Study paint pot as a base. On the right I layered the Bare Study paint pot over a thin layer of Urban Decay Primer Potion. The idea was to test whether or not UDPP made a difference, to see if Paint Pots would work as well as primers/bases on their own.
For those who are interested, the colours on my eyes were Paradisco on the inner corner, with Ricepaper then blended out over the entire lid, Swish washed on top of that, and with a light wash of Sable in the crease. I used Urban Decay 24/7 liner in 1999 to line the water line and upper lash line, then put some Kitty Power glitter liquid liner on top. Completed with a little Fascinating eye kohl under the inner corner of the eye and some Plushblack mascara. Tadahh, good to go.
Obviously the colour isn't exactly how it looked this morning, and you can view the below photos and make your own decisions, but I'm personally not seeing a HUGE difference between the eye with and without Primer Potion. I suppose the colour did stay SLIGHTLY more true with the UDPP underneath everything, but neither eye suffered from creasing or having the colours fade away.
So my verdict is that if you've got Paint Pots, use them. Primer Potion is great on its own as a primer, but if you want to use both the difference will only be marginal - both products perform pretty well on their own.
What do you guys think?
Just a quick edit to add that no, I didn't touch up my eyeliner ever. I'm really impressed with the staying power of these 24/7 liners, most markedly on the waterline. My eyes always water - usually while waiting for my bus to work, due to allergies or wind blowing in my face - so it's a miracle there was any left by the end of the day. But I didn't have to touch up once. Score! I'll do a proper review later, but this deserved to be mentioned =]
Anyway, the results of the test I posted earlier are in!
Advance warning, those of you who have seen my FOTD pics on Specktra and viewed my ever-so-few YouTube videos and who are now operating under the absolute certaintly that I have the most flawless complexion and dewy skin known to mankind, are in for a rude awakening. The below pictures, well, they show me at a point of exhaustion that no amount of makeup can hide with any degree of success. And I haven't touched up my concealer or foundation all day - makeup was applied at 7 this morning and photos were taken at 7 this evening. SO, all kinds of nasty imperfections are evident in the following photographs. You have been warned!
Anyway here's the info. I followed my usual routine for face - moisturizer, concealer, studio fix fluid foundation. Then on the right eye (my left eye, the one to the right in the photos) I used Bare Study paint pot as a base. On the right I layered the Bare Study paint pot over a thin layer of Urban Decay Primer Potion. The idea was to test whether or not UDPP made a difference, to see if Paint Pots would work as well as primers/bases on their own.
For those who are interested, the colours on my eyes were Paradisco on the inner corner, with Ricepaper then blended out over the entire lid, Swish washed on top of that, and with a light wash of Sable in the crease. I used Urban Decay 24/7 liner in 1999 to line the water line and upper lash line, then put some Kitty Power glitter liquid liner on top. Completed with a little Fascinating eye kohl under the inner corner of the eye and some Plushblack mascara. Tadahh, good to go.
Obviously the colour isn't exactly how it looked this morning, and you can view the below photos and make your own decisions, but I'm personally not seeing a HUGE difference between the eye with and without Primer Potion. I suppose the colour did stay SLIGHTLY more true with the UDPP underneath everything, but neither eye suffered from creasing or having the colours fade away.
So my verdict is that if you've got Paint Pots, use them. Primer Potion is great on its own as a primer, but if you want to use both the difference will only be marginal - both products perform pretty well on their own.
What do you guys think?
Just a quick edit to add that no, I didn't touch up my eyeliner ever. I'm really impressed with the staying power of these 24/7 liners, most markedly on the waterline. My eyes always water - usually while waiting for my bus to work, due to allergies or wind blowing in my face - so it's a miracle there was any left by the end of the day. But I didn't have to touch up once. Score! I'll do a proper review later, but this deserved to be mentioned =]
A Little Test
So last night, while talking to the fabulous Liz of Sweets4UK we came upon the subject of eyeshadow primers, and Urban Decay Primer Potion vs Paint Pots.
This led to a little experiment today. I've done my makeup for the day and have used Urban Decay Primer Potion and MAC Bare Study Paint Pot to prime one eye - and used only the Paint Pot on the other eye - basically to see if the paint pots are good enough on their own, or if UDPP will really make a difference.
I don't have any before shots yet because I ran out of time this morning before I left for work, but I'll update with after shots when I get home after work (and try to get a before shot in the next hour or so).
So, let's see how this goes!
Edit: Ugh. I just remembered that I left my mobile phone at home this morning so I won't get to do *any* before shots. Still, the afters should speak for themselves, if one eye looks worse than the other.
This led to a little experiment today. I've done my makeup for the day and have used Urban Decay Primer Potion and MAC Bare Study Paint Pot to prime one eye - and used only the Paint Pot on the other eye - basically to see if the paint pots are good enough on their own, or if UDPP will really make a difference.
I don't have any before shots yet because I ran out of time this morning before I left for work, but I'll update with after shots when I get home after work (and try to get a before shot in the next hour or so).
So, let's see how this goes!
Edit: Ugh. I just remembered that I left my mobile phone at home this morning so I won't get to do *any* before shots. Still, the afters should speak for themselves, if one eye looks worse than the other.
Thursday, 26 March 2009
This has nothing to do with makeup...
... So I have no idea why I'm posting it here instead of in my other, personal-everyday blog.
But last night while looking on YouTube for videos of my favourite J-Pop singers (Yes, I'm lame, and I have very weird and varied taste in music, let's get that out in the open right now), I stumbled across this song: W - Shiroi iro wa Koibito no Iro
Seriously, I am in love. The two girls in the band, I knew from another group that they were in when they were like 13, and they're both super adorable. But in this song their voices sound so much more mature and elegant than they used to. This song makes me feel happy and content and overcomes me with an overwhelming feeling of... calm. It's hard to describe.
I immediately had to go find an mp3 but haven't had a chance to put it on my iPod yet. But, this is my favourite song of the moment, and I love it so much I really needed to share. The song is beautiful even if you have no idea what exactly they're saying, but on the YT sidebar, if you click for More Info, it has the English translation.
After this I promise it'll be back to your regularly scheduled BEAUTY BLOG and less about rambling about music and the fur trade. I promise.
XOXO Vix
But last night while looking on YouTube for videos of my favourite J-Pop singers (Yes, I'm lame, and I have very weird and varied taste in music, let's get that out in the open right now), I stumbled across this song: W - Shiroi iro wa Koibito no Iro
Seriously, I am in love. The two girls in the band, I knew from another group that they were in when they were like 13, and they're both super adorable. But in this song their voices sound so much more mature and elegant than they used to. This song makes me feel happy and content and overcomes me with an overwhelming feeling of... calm. It's hard to describe.
I immediately had to go find an mp3 but haven't had a chance to put it on my iPod yet. But, this is my favourite song of the moment, and I love it so much I really needed to share. The song is beautiful even if you have no idea what exactly they're saying, but on the YT sidebar, if you click for More Info, it has the English translation.
After this I promise it'll be back to your regularly scheduled BEAUTY BLOG and less about rambling about music and the fur trade. I promise.
XOXO Vix
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