Blush Part 3: Intensely pigmented Blush

We have finally reached the last installment of my 2 cents on blush --- those amazingly highly pigmented blushers. You know...the ones that are impossible not to over apply. In my opinion, I've never seen a more pigmented blush than some of NARS blushers...Particularly NARS Exhibit A and Taj Mahal. (For swatches/descriptions http://mintedrose.blogspot.com/2010/01/nars-blushersoh-pretties.html#comments)

I find the best way to deal with these suckers is to use a very fluffy brush. The fluffier a brush is, the less amount of product is picked up giving a lighter and more even application. Here are the brushes I use from left to right MAC 188, 131, NARS yachiyo. Please pardon the fact that they are kinda...dirty.


In contrast, the more densely packed a brush is, the better it picks up pigment, thus more product is deposited on your face. These types of brushes are good for those sheer blushers that don't really show up on you.

From left to right, MAC 109, unknown brush, Sue Devitt Baby Cheeks.

But I digress...the type of brush you want is something like a skunk (ie MAC 187, 188, 131) or the NARS Yachiyo type brush. Lately I find myself reaching for the NARS yachiyo over any of my MAC skunks. I feel like I have more control with the yachiyo. Also, I want to mention, you don't want to use something too fluffy like a powder brush because then you can't control your placement.

Step 1: First I dab the brush...NOT swirl onto product.

Step 2: Tap off excess product

Step 3: Tap on back of hand to remove any other excess product from brush

Step 4: Tap lightly or "stipple" onto cheeks starting at apples and slowly blending/stippling backwards.

Step 5: If you still managed to apply too much, as with the previous "how-tos" you can buff over it with your regular powder using a fluffy powder brush.

And done. Perfect gently blushing cheeks.

UPDATE: Use it up Challange

Soooooo very EXCITED!!! I finally finished something!!!

So quick tip for those of you don't know the little trick on getting the most mileage out of your gloss ----> remove that plastic stopper on the inside of your gloss. I should have taken pictures, but I was lazy and didn't. I'm sure there are tons of youtube tutorials on this if you are still confused. I find the best way is to use a clean staple remove. Just jab one of the prongs into the soft plastic part and keep wiggling it in a back and forth upward motion. You may need to re-jab into the plastic a few times at different parts. Eventually the little stopper part that "squeegees" excess gloss off the wand pops out and you can get the last bits of your gloss :D

To be honest, I'm sure I could have gotten that tube spotless but I am too lazy and I'm sick of seeing it. LoL

But for those industrious few who want to know, you can either use a lip brush to get the last bits. You can also dunk the gloss in hot water so the gloss "melts" and all goes to the bottom of the tube so you can get it with your lip brush. (Standing the gloss upright for a long period of time works as well, but may take longer.)

Blushes Part 2: NARS Multiples

These poor multiples catch so much flack from everyone, but they really are an awesome product...if applied properly. (This is just my opinion) I agree that some of these are just annoyingly shimmery and the texture on some are not so great, but I do adore the bronzer multiple as these are not total glitter bombs. I also find the texture to be different from the regular multiples...less oily.

I have NARS multiple in Cap Vert. So pretty! I love using this all over in the summer for a nice warmed up look. I find the easiest way to apply these are to use a dense flat top brush or fingers (a la cream blush method) vs. streak and blend. In my opinion the streak and blend method deposits too much product on your cheek thus making it difficult to work with to achieve the look you want.

NARS Cap Vert heavily swatched (to the right)


This has the perfect amount of brown and redness to give me a perfect bronzed glow. It's so smooth and silky to apply. It looks fairly matte, but if you look very closely, there is a subtle shimmer to it. I love the subtle shimmer to this, gives me a nice glow without looking greasy or like a disco ball.

NARS Cap Vert blended out with flat top brush (below left)



It looks a little blotchy there because I just blended out the swatch above. This is why I don't like the streak and blend method.

Sonia Kaushuk Flat top brush...my weapon of choice. It's densely packed and the bristles are soft. I like the size of the head as it's not so big that I can't be precise on application.

So lets get started :D

Step 1: Spritz brush with MAC Fix +
(This is optional. I like to do this because I find that this helps in the application process)

Step 2: Swirl brush/fingers on multiple

*Step 2b (for fingers): Rub opposing fingers together to distribute product a la cream blush directions in previous post.*

Step 3: Then in a dabbing circular motion, apply onto face starting where you want the color intensity to be the highest working your way back. Be sure not to apply too much pressure..let the brush do the work for you!

Step 4: Blend blend blend!

Done :D
(Nothing else on face except NARS Cap Vert)

Blush Part 1: Cream Blush

I am a blush "aficionado" and today I was thinking of sharing everything I've learned about blush and application over the years.This is just my 2 cents on blush application and it is not the end all be all of how to do this. Everyone is different and each person has methods that work best for them, but I hope this helps someone! :D

This will be divided into two parts:
Part 1: Cream blush
Part 2: NARS Multiples
Part 2: Highly pigmented Powder Blush

Lately I am on a huge cream blush kick, so we will start here. In the past I hated them because I wasn't applying it correctly. So I hope that this will help some of you make that cream blush in your stash work for you or what not.

My Cream Blush Hall of Fame-rs:
(In no particular order. Personal color faves below)

* Bobbi Brown pot rouge -Cabo Coral

*NARS cream blush - Penny Lane

*Stila convertible cream - Petunia

First things first, I don't really like using a brush for cream blushers. I like fingers b/c it helps warm and spread the product. I also feel like I get the smoothest finish using my fingers while a brush leaves me a little streaky, uneven and splotchy. Sometimes I do use my NARS yachiyo brush to apply cream blush, but not often.

Another thing is, depending on the formula/texture of the cream blush, especially if it's on the drier side, I find applying on a freshly moisturized face helps with the blending process. (Or a freshly MAC Fix+ misted face). So here goes! Onto the pictorial!

Starting with a naked face...*eep*

Step 1: Swirl middle and ring fingers in product. You should have a decent amount of product, but be sure not to get over zealous and get too much.


Step 2: Rub opposing fingers together.

Step 3: Dab/stipple onto face starting where you want the color intensity to be the highest working your way back. By the end of this, your fingers should have little to no product left.



Step 4: Blend in with fingers. At this point I like to smile to get a more accurate idea of where to blend the blush. I also like to use my index and middle sometimes for more control and precision.

Step 5: (Optional) Set face with translucent powder or your regular light weight powder. From here you can contour or layer on a powder blush/highlighter/etc.

If you find that you applied too much and the color looks scary bright and clown-ish, you can buff on your regular powder to help tone it down. Make sure the powder isn't too heavy though so you won't end up looking cake-y.


***HINT***If I am using a very pigmented/bright cream blush (ie BB calypso coral) I apply first, then foundation on top. For something softer like NARS Penny lane which is really fool proof on me, I apply on top of my foundation.

and Voila! You're done! Piece of cake right??

Serge Lutens

Uh-oh. I seem to have found a very expensive new lemming. I was a little concerned when I had ordered samples of Serge Lutens perfumes from The Perfumed Court, but now I'm in trouble. The samples (Chergui, Bois et musc, and Fleurs d'Orangeur) arrived yesterday and from the two I've given an honest try, I'm in love. So I pre-face this with the fact that I am a perfume newbie and I suck at explaining perfumes but I will do my best. I also wanted to note that I was quite impressed with the size of the TPC vials. I was expecting a small tiny cheapo vial..the type you get at perfume counters..but these are bigger than expected (or maybe it's an optical illusion?) and very nice looking..like mini mini mini beer bottle looking things.

I tried Bois et Musc first. Opening notes are quite nice and un-offensive. Slightly powdery, floral..slightly sweet, soft and very feminine about this perfume. I think I also detect something slightly woodsy in the mix as well. There's something in there that I don't particularly LOVE but don't really hate either, I think it's the powder, but like I said, it's a very un-offensive smell to my nose. I'm not particularly fond of powdery scents, but holy moley the dry down on this is AMAZING!!! Very "your skin" smelling. I can't describe how the dry down smells, but it's very soft and comforting. LOVES! Unfortunately this is one of the non-export perfumes, which means it's only available in Paris in the bell jar as shown in above picture. Fortunately, there are ways around it, but you will be paying a bit more..or less depending on how you look at it. Shipping and handling vs going to Paris yourself.


Next I gave Chergui a go. It is described as having notes of: honey, musk, incense, tobacco leaf, hay sugar, amber, iris, rose and sandalwood. Initially I wasn't liking this one at first blush, very spicy, smokey and woodsy. I do smell green-ness..kinda like a tea leaves kinda smell. Initially there's this very masculine scent about this perfume, but it's tempered by something that makes it quite feminine. I can't seem to put my finger on what note does that though...perhaps the sweetness of honey? There's also something a little powdery to this as well. To my untrained nose, I don't really smell floral in this at all. Once again, the dry down to this is amazing! Very creamy, comforting, sweet and warm. Thankfully this is part of the export line and is thus easier to aquire.

Ok. So the whole export and non-export thing is very confusing and I think it gets even more confusing because within the export lines there's something to do with the lable colors. I am not even going to attempt to explain all this because I am not quite sure myself. If you really care to know, http://sergelutens.blogspot.com/ has a comprehensive list of all all things Serge Lutens. (I'm not affiliated, yadda yadda yadda).

Stressed Rambling

So my girl, Gwen had 2 seizures within 24 hours of each other. So far there wasn't any need to put her on meds, but it seems like we are going that route. Gosh it's horrible watching her go through the seizures. It's incredibly frightening for me and I'm sure it stresses her out as well. Oh my poor baby. Then the heartache continues because it's so sad watching her come out of the seizure all disoriented stumbling and bumping into stuff.

I am so scared that she's going to get yet another seizure within 24 hours. I'm afraid to let her sleep because that's when she seems to get them, at night when she's sleeping. Right now she's curled up next to me and every time I see her twitch in her sleep I cringe. I know it could be something worse than seizures, but it's a hard thing to deal with when they do happen. I really don't want to have to put her on meds, but I think it might end up being the best thing for everyone involved especially if the meds stop the seizures all together or at least spread them out to 6 months to a year apart. I am at a loss of what to think/feel. It's been an emotionally tense month for me this month and this is just the frosting on the cake. :(

Products I'm Loving Right Now

I am happy to say that I am for once happy with what I have and am not looking for the next thing. With that said, I dug through my stash and re-discovered somethings and re-kindled my love for them.

Items are:
* Korres Wild Rose Powder-Great for the days I am lazy and don't feel like using foundation. Gives me just enough coverage to even out my skintone, yet still look natural and fresh.

* Benefit Creaseless Cream in Birthday Suit-Originally I wasn't too keen on this because it was too silvery/cool toned. I gave it another go today and it was a different color on me! Isn't that strange? It was a gorgeous skin toned shimmer on me...absolute *love*.

* MAC Sunny By Nature MSF-I got this and forgot about it a week later. I re-discovered it because I am wanting warm weather and what better way to pretend by using some bronzer! I don't know why I forgot about this, such a gorgeous bronzer!

* MAC Perfect Topping MSF-This is my favorite highlight powder at the moment. I have been using this daily. It's not overly crazy shimmery and it gives me the most gorgeous natural glow. Perfection!

* NARS Taj Mahal- A recent purchase that I'm totally in love with! It definitely is not for the feint of heart as it is incredibly pigmented. It is a scary pumpkin orange in the pan and I need to dab it on my hand first prior to applying or else I end up looking scary.

* Illamasqua Cake Liner in Mislead- (not pictured) This is my first cake liner. I really love using this almost as much as my BB gel liners. It is so easy to use and creates a smooth flawless line.

* NARS Calliope- As you guys may remember, this is one of the items I'm trying to use up. In many ways, I really don't want to use this up because it's such a lovely fantastic everyday polished lip color.

*MAC She loves Candy lip gloss- This poor gloss is nearing the end. I am so sorry to see this go because this is a gorgeous go to gloss for me.

And the products applied.....voila! My perfect gorgeous, glow-y, natural look.

What's in my Hair Care Arsenal

My hair care products that I'm loving right now from left to right: Moroccan oil, TiGi rockaholic shine serum, Phyto 9, Tresseme heat protectant spray, Aura Rosemary Mint conditioner, Aura Cherry bark and Almond conditioner, and Redken Anti-snap.

Aside from the fact that I've been tying to cut back on using heat products on my hair, I've also have been trying to keep from using too many products as well. I have been alternating using the Moroccan oil or the phyto 9 in conjunction with the Redken Anti-snap after showers. These products don't weigh my hair down, but totally amp up the shine and moisture. (Though in excess I'd imagine it would make my hair oily.)

The latest products I got are the Aura products. They can be found at Sally's beauty supply. They are both around $6.00. For the price I am quite impressed! They give my hair softness and moisture without weighing down my medium hair. They both also smell nice as well, though the Cherry bark one kinda smells like the bathroom soap you find at public bathrooms to me, but I'll live.

The TIGI shine serum is quite nice. A little pricy, but nice. It contains lots of good for your hair oils and it smells soooo good! It reminds me of Philosophy falling in love..a sweet kinda cotton candy kinda smell. Smell aside, it gives nice shine without weighing down my hair. I only use this rarely and only on my ends..

Onto the last product in my arsenal, Tresseme heat protectant. It smells nice and has slight hold, and as far as I know it does seem to keep my hair from getting damanged from blow drying. My only gripe is the packaging. It's really difficult to spritz on myself. The handle is at a strange angle or something and trying to spritz it is not easy. I'd think it'd be easier to use on someone else vs. yourself. But it's cheap yet effective so I'm happy.

My Perfume Collection

This is my modest perfume collection in it's sad disorganized closet shelf.

My absolute favorite perfume is Philosophy Amazing Grace, I always come back to this perfume. I have a big bottle, a little purse spray, and a roll on version of this. Can you tell I love this??

My next go to is Burberry Summer. It's a nice clean fresh scent. I usually end up rotating this with the Philosophy one.

Also hiding somewhere in the picture is: Guerlain love is all, Victor & Rolf Flowerbomb deluxe mini, Vera Wang Vera Wang and Fresh Pink Jasmine.

Then there's my latest addition, Etoile de Rem by Reminiscent Paris.
I got this scent un-sniffed off Beautyhabit, my latest favorite haunt. (I am in no way affiliated, I bought everything shown here with my own money...etc.) Initially I didn't like it at all. Something about it was strange. It was definitely way out of my comfort zone. However, as the day wore on, the more and more I grew to love it! Then the next day I gave myself a spritz in the morning and I really loved it! It definitely is a keeper and I am glad I gave it a few more tries before tossing in the towel.

It is described as a solar floral fragrance with notes of citrus, bergamot, marine accord, jasmine, ylang ylang, orange blossom, coconut, vanilla, coumarin and musk. To be honest I don't smell the coconut that much. It's really hard for me to describe perfumes, but I'll try my best. I definitely smell the marine notes and soft florals. It dries down to this lovely warm creamy soft scent. It definitely reminds me of the beach and summer. I can't wait till summer so I can wear this to the beach!

What's in my Purse

My latest daily purse...a gift from my mom from a long while ago. I'm normally not into brown, but I actually like this purse.

Inside: My walette, planner, Korres yogurt body butter, perfume, a bajillion lip products and my mp3 usb cable.

Polish haul

This is my first nail polish haul in a looooong time. I was in the mood for some purples as I have no purples in my stash. I ended up getting: Essie pop art, OPI pearl of wisdom, OPI lucky lucky lavender, OPI grape fit, OPI Short story, OPI ate berries in the canaries, CHG ruby pumps and CHG Dorothy who. (Pictured from left to right)
I also got CHG refresh-mint, CHG four leaf clover, OPI Do you lilac it? which are not picutred. I couldn't seem to find them and was too lazy to go digging. :P

Last night I did my nails with OPI Do you Lilac it? This is 2 coats. It applied well and with good coverage and it's quite nice. The color is definitely not what I'm used to, but it's really growing on me. It's such a happy color. Very Easter egg-y.

Now onto a more pressing question....what to try next. :D

Move over makeup! There's a new love in my life

Quick someone take my temperature!! I think I'm ill!! I have no desire for new makeup these days!! Instead it was replaced with a desire for....PERFUME!!! Uh-oh. Even worse!!!

So a few weeks ago a friend introduced me to The Coconut Hut. (I am in no way affiliated with this website. Everything I will review was bought with my own money.) Their website, http://www.coconuthutbeauty.com, is nicely organized and easy to navigate. Not to mention..HOLY COW do they have a WIDE selection of scents. I didn't even know where to start on their gigantic, gargantuan, extensive list!! The scents can be organized by catagory or alphabetically which is

Their perfumes are right up my ally, as it is chock full of sweet, tropical, yummie delish scents. I am totally in love with foody scents, but at the same time, I am not sure how I feel about smelling like dessert. Anyhow with that said I ordered samples of: Serendipitous type, Vanilla coco type, and LUSH Almond snow cake type. All three are knock offs of other perfumes. In my opinion they all smell true to their originals, with the exception of Serendipitous type as I have never smelled the original.


The cost for 3 of the 5/8 dram mini glass bottles with foil lined capped closure in your choice of the Tiki Roll On Perfume or Beach Baby Perfume is $8.95 + $5.55 s/h = Total cost $14.50. So with that said, I think it's a little price-y for sample vials. Also I kinda wish they let you know when your stuff ships so you can expect it, but that's just splitting hairs. I guess it's always nice to get a surprise package in the mail. The quality of product that you are recieving justifies the cost in my opinion. The vials are really nice with a nice screw top and not one of those dinky ones you get if you get a sample from a counter. Also the most important part..the quality of the perfume is top notch in my opinion. They have good staying power and strength, I am definitely impressed. I am particularly liking the tiki roll on oil perfume over the beach baby perfume, I feel the roll on oil is much more concentrated and lasts longer than the perfume spray. So onto my thoughts on the perfumes I got.

Serendipitous type: It's supposed to be a chocolate-y orange waffle scent. Normally I am scared of chocolate scents as they tend to smell very chemical-y and fake to me. I can't quite make up my mind on this one. Initially it does smell a bit fake and plastic-y to me, but once it dries down it smells pretty good, a mix of sweet creaminess and chocolate. I love using this together with the Vanilla coco type..yummm!

Vanilla coco type: This is a knock off of the CPS Vanilla coco. I was amazed at how dead on it is! Its a lovely scent, and as the name suggests it smells of vanilla and coco. It's very sweet, creamy and soft. The vanilla is a little cloying to me, but for some reason when it's mixed with the Serendipitous type, it smells really good.
LUSH Almond Snow Cake type: I love LUSH products! They all smell so good! This definitely smells like the actual LUSH product. Soo good. It's actually a really complicated smell to describe, or maybe it's because I suck at describing perfumes. Anyhow, it's kinda very creamy almond-y vanilla smell with this sharpness to it.

I will definitely be purchasing from this e-tailer in the future. As I mentioned earlier, the only tiny gripe is that it's a little price-y and the shipping and handling cost kinda makes me wince, but the quality is amazing, so I guess it's worth it. Can't wait to try more!!

Lazy Sunday Photos

So it's Sunday and I'm bored. No working out since it's my day off. WHEW! Hubby is still sleeping and I have nothing to do except do some internet shopping. Whoops. BUT it wasn't makeup so I'm good....or so I tell myself. I ordered some perfume samples from the coconut hut. (I am in no way affiliated.) I can't wait till they arrive! I got the scent samples in Serendipitious type, Vanile coco type, and Almond something or the other (LUSH knock off).

Anyhow on to the fun stuff. I did some looks with my new Bobbi Brown goodies and some bonus pics of my babies.

I used:
Eyes: MAC rice paper as a wash
BB Brown stone e/s
BB sepia gel liner
Cheeks: BB Cabo coral
BB nectar shimmer brick
Lips: BB salmon lipstick
BB Golden nectar lip gloss

A picture with my reluctant photo buddy. My gorgeous fuzzy Gwennie girl.

And then there's my boy Cruise. Don't let his good looks fool you. He is still very naughty at times, but he's such a laugh riot. He's very comical and goofy. Gwen on the other hand is so serious and definitely very loving.

Look how angelic he is when he's asleep...little do you know what havoc he likes to create while awake! :P

And the Bobbi Brown-palooza Continues

Soooo I know I said that I was going on a no buy until I finished 8 items but the hubby came into some money and said I could get some makeup. Who am I to say no?? I kinda feel guilty now, but just look at my new pretties!!!!


I got the lipstick in Salmon, the lip gloss in Golden Nectar, and the shimmer brick in Nectar. I really wanted both shimmer bricks, but I restrained myself.

So we'll start with the lip products. While lately I have become a big drugstore lipstick lover, BB salmon was just too pretty to pass up. It is a gorgeous pinky peach nude color, but not so nude it washes me out. Very natural and summery on my lips. It is very smooth and creamy to apply, but a touch drying on my lips. The dryness is easily fixed with the BB lip gloss in Golden Nectar. Together the color is just so pretty! A gorgeous golden pink-y peach. The gloss is a very pretty shimmery medium peachy pink color with LOTS of gold shimmers. Sooo perfect for summer. My only gripe has to be that god awful horrendous plastic icky brush. What the heck is up with that Bobbi??? For a gloss that price-y I kinda expect a better brush for pete's sake!

Left to right: Coral beach lip gloss, Salmon lipstick, gloss+lipstick combo

Moving on, the shimmer brick in Nectar. If I remember correctly this is one of the Nordstrom exclusive mini's. Normally I steer clear of these as they are chock full of crazy over the top shimmer and glimmer, but I was quite pleasantly surprised by these. While it is quite shimmery when swatched heavily on my hand but applied on my face it is just such a gorgeous coral pink shimmer. The Pink Quarts, which I didn't get, was a gorgeous beige-y color and I really still want it, but I guess I do have my MAC MSF in Perfect Topping. They are by no means dupes of each other, but I'd imagine they would accomplish the same thing. AGHH! I STILL WANT! >:(

I tried this over the pot rouge in Calypso Coral and it's just so pretty! Not too much shimmer but a gorgeous enhancing highlight. I think this might kinda compare to the MAC MSF in refined, only more pigmented and more golden. I unfortunately no longer own the MSF in refined or I would do comparison swatches.

I did my best to capture the colors of the shimmer brick, but it was really tough to capture. Pardon that awful orange overtone :(

left to right: colors swatched individually and all together

Bobbi Brown Coral Pot Rouges

They're here! They're here! I am so excited! They came a lot faster than I had expected so that makes me very happy. I am such a sucker for corals especially when they come in blush form. Corals are just so happy and summer-y who DOESN'T love corals??

So these will be my first BB pot rouges in a long time. I used to have the raspberry one, or at least I think that was the name. Anyhow I am on a huge cream blush kick and these are awesome! The texture is fantastic, very creamy and smooth. In my opinion they are a tiny tad sticky but easy to blend onto my cheeks. I think I prefer using a skunk brush such as the MAC 188 for these instead of my fingers. I do like using my fingers to apply my NARS cream blush though.

Anyhow, back to the Bobbi Brown pot rouges. I got them in the colors Calypso Coral and Cabo coral (left to right).

Calypso Coral for sure is a bright pink-y coral color while Cabo Coral is more of a peachy slightly orange cream coral. You can tell the color better in the swatches than in colors seen in the pot.


Top: Cabo Coral
Bottom: Calypso Coral

Look at how gorgeous they both are!!! Cabo Coral is sooo gorgeous! I love the peach to it. I bet it would look fantastic layered with NARS Passion blush.




Swatches on arm. L to R Calypso Coral, Cabo Coral.






And some pics of it applied on my face. I don't know how helpful these pics will be seeing as how I think the lighting ended up being slightly different, but oh well. I promise they are slightly different from each other even though you can't quite tell in the face pics. I say it's totally justified to have both says the makeup obsessed lady. :P But seriously, Cabo Coral is much more peachy coral and easier to make it look "natural" on me. It most definitely is NOT oompa loompa orange on me at all. Very summery and gooorgeous! Calypso coral takes a little more work or else I end up looking clown-ish. It is definitely very pink coral. It's absolutely gorgeous if applied right. If I over apply, I just do a dusting of my Korres face powder and voila!

So I have no makeup on except for MAC bare study, BB pot rouge, cherry chapstick, and Korres wild rose powder...eeeewww my skin is so icky lately :( Shield your eyes!!!

CABO CORAL

CALYPSO CORAL

8-pan Challenge

Alright ladies it's spring makeup collection season! My favorite makeup season of all! I love how all the colors are starting to warm up and looking so bright, sunny and tropical. I am drooling just looking at all these gorgeous coral blushers and vibrant eyeshadow colors that are out right now. It's total sensory overload! What is everyone else lemming-ing? Planning any purchases?

So with that said, I need to go on a no buy. So starting today I am going to challenge myself to finish 8 makeup products before I get to buy anything new one. Originally I had started with doing a 5-pan challenge, but I ended up upping it to 8 because I am the proud new owner of Bobbi Brown Cabo coral and Calypso coral pot rouges!!!!! (well once they arrive as I ordered online.) I will get swatches of them up asap!

Anyhow, back to the challenge. The rules I'm setting for myself are as follows:

8-pan challenge rules:

1. Make up items only. Skin care/hair care items do not count

2. Two deluxe sample items count for 1 product.

3. Once I finish 8 items I can purchase only ONE makeup item.

4. If at any point I break my challenge, I tack on 2 more items that need to be finished before I can get another makeup item.

So far I have a few items "nearing the end". I can do this! I have been making a point to use these daily just so I could finish these suckers up and not have to look at them anymore.

Nearly gone items. Listed top to bottom left to right:

*THE SHE SPACE- RUDE AWAKENING
This is such a pretty wheat slightly gray/taupe color. It has just the right amount of shimmer. I just ordered a full size version of this!

* KORRES WILD ROSE POWDER WRF3

* MAC RICEPAPER
-other e/s top to bottom, left to right: ricepaper, era, satin taupe, grain-

I love using Ricepaper as a all over wash these days. Totally wakes up my eyes

*NARS BETTINA VELVET LIP MATTE
Gorgeosus peachy hint of orange warm toned matte

* TOO FACED SHADOW INSURANCE

* MAC SHE LOVES CANDY
I am so sad I'm almost done with this gloss. This is gorgeous alone or over any lipstick. It is this unique shimmery pale pink with a hint of a cool lavender tint to it.


And on to the swatches!

Left to right: Rude Awakening, Ricepaper, Era, Grain, Satin Taupe, Bettina, Bettina with She loves candy on top, She loves Candy

***NOTE: Eye shadows were swatched over TFSI***