Casual Friday and New Pink Manicure

 

 

 

Essie Shine of the Times

 This limited edition Essie shade was on clearance, so I had to get it. It's an amazingly versatile holographic glitter that is transparent. It reveals the color underneath, but in the light it gleams with a crystalline light that ranges from orange, through gold-yellow, to green. So lovely! This is the second time I've used it for a blog post, but it won't be the last.

Lips: NYX Lipstick in LaLa

 Some Fridays you make it through the week by the skin of your teeth, and it's almost done, and you're getting ready, and you just need things to be simple.

This NYX LaLa Lipstick is actually a mauvey brownish nude that gives some nice contrast with my skin and makes my lips stand out. It looks more magenta in this shot than it does in real life.

Eyes and Cheeks from the NYX "butt" naked palette

I used the pink shade all over the lid, and then the fawn shade in the crease. The black shade in the NYX "butt" naked palette works really well as a quick liner with an angled brush like the one found in one of those Real Techniques collections.  These are the foundation of my brush collection. So glad I discovered the Pixiwoos and bought me some of these.

Smashbox Mascara Full Exposure Mascara in Jet Black

 I don't put mascara on my lower lashes because it's just going to get smeary.  Instead, I apply to the top lashes, then close my eyes for a few seconds and enough of it transfers to the lower ones without smearing.

My Friday outfit, fitting into the skinny jeans, wearing Uggs wedges.
I think I bought everything on top at Target, but who knows?

That black stuff on my index finger is bike crease.
I got a flat on a 50-mile bike ride and had to change my tube.

Essie Shine of the Times over Essie Silk Crepe =
Good N Plenty Pink with gold-green shredded glitter

Essie Silk Crepe

Such a classic pink. Unfortunately, my bottle of this is really old and getting goopy. Does anyone know a way of reviving old and separated nail polishes without losing quality?

Results:

Friday was good, and productive, and on came the weekend, and I biked a whole heckuva lot. So much, that my legs feel like someone elses, and I can feel my abs. I'm inspired by the Giro d'Italia, that already thrilling Italian Bike Race...

Viva Italia!

Are you jonesin for a beauty product? For a new review? For something else on this blog?

Comment below!

Cheers!

--BeautyJones

NYX Neutral Face with Little Black Dress

What's great about the Little Black Dress is that it goes with everything. A bright red lip? Check. A neutral face? Also good.

This Friday I gave the bright lip a bit of a rest in favor of a neutral face, which turned out to be done with almost all NYX products.  You know when you are in a hurry and you just grab what you know? NYX is the gift that keeps on giving.  How do they do it? Love them!

Here's what I used:

Face:

• Skyn Iceland Soothing Eye Pen
• Neutrogena On-The-Spot Acne cream along chin and near hair line
• Embryolisse Lait Creme Concentré
• Dr. Brandt BB Cream with Flexitone
• Coty Loose Powder
• Paula Dorf Concealer duo under eyes

Cheeks:

• NYX "Butt" Naked Palette—terra cotta shade, coral shade pale highlighter, and contour. Yes, you can use this one palette and layer these shades to get a really subtle and elegant look. Not that mine is so very special, I'm just sayin.'

NYX "Butt" Naked Eyes: I used: Top left, Middle Row 2nd from Left, Middle Row 2nd from Right, Bottom Right.
This palette invites endless play. To me it's a desert island product, if one had need for makeup on a desert island.

Eyes:

• Urban Decay Primer Potion Original
• NYX "Butt" Naked Palette: Pale cream shade all over lid, Fawn color in crease, gray color in V shape on outer edge of eyes and beneath eyes along outer third of lash line, deep purple shade along upper and lower lash line, shimmery pale taupe shade on brow bone and inner corner of eye near tear duct
• Salma Hayek Nuance Brow Pencil in Medium Blonde
• Stila Lash Visor Waterproof in Black

Lips:

• Too Faced Lip Insurance
• NYX Lipstick in Iced Honey 556

 
Results:

• Dr. Brandt's BB Cream may not be the best summer foundation option for me, since it's pretty darned moisturizing. The jury is still out.  I could really use some serious moisture.
• Did I mention I love the NYX "Butt" Naked palette?. Sorry to sound like a broken record. Have you bought one yet? I keep finding new ways to use these shades.
• NYX Lipstick in Iced Honey. What an interesting nude shade this is. It's got peachy tones, a touch of shimmer, a hint of rose, the shimmer seems to have a smattering of bluish green... Only thing is, it doesn't last as long as I'd like, even with the Too Faced Lip Insurance.

What are your favorite products for a neutral face?
What are your favorite makeup looks with your Little Black Dress?

Comment below and let me know!

:)BeautyJones

Why I style my hair

Skin79 Super+ Beblesh Balm Triple Functions

This look is done with my usual Skin79 BB Cream, but with no moisturizer underneath—putting all of those BB claims to the test.

But please take note, these photos illustrate why I blow dry and iron my hair. I love my husband for saying my hair looked cute here--unconditional love!  But da'amn, those tresses coulda used some heat manipulation.

Anyway, it's good enough for an afternoon bopping around my beloved Silver Lake, grabbing some Berlin Currywurst, a glass of wine and maybe some Pazzo Gelato.

Results:

Had a great day, but turns out I need that moisturizer under the BB cream--didn't take long to feel a bit dried out and cakey around my mouth in those lovely laugh lines. And I still say a bright lip works better on me than a nude one. Otherwise I have the Incredible Tiny Mouth.

NYX Face with NYX Lipstick in Iced Honey 556

See the cakiness around the laugh lines? I need a creamy moisturizer base for that BB Cream

This lip was done with a quick swab on of NYX  Lipstick in Iced Honey 556.

Bought this handy nude collection from Hautelook during the NYX sale.
Don't they look a lot like those super-pricey Burberry rose lipsticks?
NYX, how I continue to love thee!

Happy Earth Day, People! Go take a walk, ride a bike, eat locally sourced ingredients or plant a tree! Or have a cocktail based on organic spirits and juices. Or something like that.

By the way, NYX has been having this really awesome Vlogger Contest on their page. I am a big fan of Josh Collier MUA, and his 80s tutorial there, although I think, unwearable, is really cool and creative and well done. Go there, view some videos, find some new favorite beauty vloggers, and vote!

Cheers!

--BeautyJones :)