Eye Look: Warm and Cool Neutrals Mixed Together

Unii Palette in Turquoise, Clockwise from Top left: Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Rose, Sephora Trio in Blues, Pixi Pans, Round Lancome Quad, Revlon 16-Hour Palette in Siren, L'Oreal HIP in Striking

My skin undertown is neutral--pink cheeks, warmish tones in the skin,
so I can use both warm and cool colors on my face.

My Outfit: Target Pencil Skirt, Save the Queen Shirt bought in Positano, Italy, Violet Scarf,
Sandals with a black denim ankle detail. Can I go back to Italy? How about right now, please!
And here's why you turn off that flash when using a mirror! Doh!

My Unii Cosmetics palettes are so awesome! I love being able to put exactly the pans I want into the palette and the mirror is so big. Very useful. As you can see in the top pic, I've put a variety into this turquoise one. The bright yellow is the only one that couldn't be called a neutral.

But such a variety of neutrals! I bought the Revlon Siren palette  because I loved the way each gray varied not only in value (darkness or lightness) but warm or cool. The lightest gray has a touch of green-blue. The next darker shade has subtle red and green shimmer (crazy, right, but look at that first picture and see if I'm wrong). The next darker one has lots of lavender.

For this eye I used the Lancome rose gold on the lid to the crease,
and then put that medium gray with the lavender shimmer into the crease,
and finished it off with the Sephora white from the blue trio.
This white has a smattering of bright tiny white glitter in there, above the very soft pearly multicolored shimmery white.
It's not quite what you expect, and I love that!

Lips: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Sweet Tart, neutralized by Pink Truffle.
A warm pink balanced out by a cool brown-based pink.

NYX "butt" naked palette cheeks. I know, I use this like every day when I'm doing the makeup at home.
But I do that because it's awesome!!! This is my favorite contour, bar none. It's a perfect shade.

Results:

• Using warm and cool neutrals on eyes adds a bit of interest, and gives you another way to make things project or recede. Warm pops forward, and cool recedes. Thus endeth the art lesson. But seriously, if you've taken basic art class, the knowledge really does translate very well into makeup!
• Mixing two lipsticks is a great thing to do to fine tune your lip. Here I was going for pink, but I wanted the lip to balance the eye, not upstage it, as I would if I was going for one of those Mad Men looks I did a few weeks back with the Revlon classic shades. Sweet Tart is a pretty bright shade. Pink Truffle was too subtle. Together, they were just right! So mixing warm and cool on the lips can get you just where you want to be.

Bike to Work: NYX nude on nude FOTD

Doesn't look like I biked to work today, does it?

My company has many incentives if you want to carpool, take public transportation or bike to work, and several years ago, I joined the company's Triathlon team to get healthy and fit and make friends across different divisions. It is a very rewarding thing to do! We raise money and have fund raising events throughout the year for a local charity.

The upshot is that I used to bike to work a lot, and then because of lots of nighttime commitments I stopped. But now if you bike to work 3x per week you get this really cute bike jersey. Want to know how to motivate me? SWAG!

Simple neutral eyes and a pink lip, just from this one palette, the NYX nude on nude palette,
plus a little MAC graphblack pencil around the lash line,
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara,
and Anastasia Brow Wiz in Ashe Blonde on brows.

Better view of the eye look

View showing blush and contour

My Unii Palette in Lavender. These are my most basic neutral shades, all depotted. Great for work!
I used the circular blush in the center on my cheeks.
For contour I used the Aveda three-pan on the upper right.

NYX nude on nude palette
All over the lid and on the browbone I used the soft pale taupe top left.
In crease and on outer edge of eyelid in V I used the blue-gray top row, second from right.
On lash line I used the charcoal black top row, all the way to the right.

My Bianchi Brava - My Commuter Bike

Lips:

• I only used the frosty pink gloss third from the left from the NYX palette. You can't tell from the photo, but it is the frostiest of all of the pinks of the 5 on the left. It lasts longer and has the same taste as their lip glosses.

NYX nude on nude palette

Results:

• I like that there are some warmer and cooler options in the NYX palette eyes. The photos make the colors more vivid than they are. Really it's a neutral palette with a few warmer and cooler accent shades.
• The lip palette is particularly useful. I wish it included a darker berry shade, but mostly, it's got you covered.
• Biking to work makes me feel better all day long. I'm just way more cheerful. I'll be doing this a lot more.

How do you commute to work? Need any tips on how to bike to work and still look cute at work? I've got drawers stuffed with useful things in my office.

Happy Bike to Work Month!

:)BeautyJones

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

Review: Smashbox Mascara and Lip Stain

Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara in Jet Black

 I recently ordered a mini-haul from the Smashbox site.  Here's what I ordered:

• Smashbox Shades of Fame Reflection High Gloss Collection (Review to come at a later date)
• Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara in Jet Black
• Smashbox Limitless Lip Stain and Color Seal Balm in Sangria

Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara in Jet Black

Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara in Jet Black: The Label

Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara in Jet Black: The Wand

 THE MASCARA:

• Goes on in thin layers
• The wand, although large, isn't awkward to use
• Absolutely no clumping
• One coat covers all of the lashes on one eye
• Virtually no smearing onto the eyelids!
• The color is black, but I think could be a bit more blackest black
• Multiple applications add drama; layering works
• On my blondie-brown lashes, multiple coats are necessary
• I would rather do multiple coats than try to separate ugly scary clumps, as I always had to do with my Stila Lash Visor Waterproof stuff
• This mascara isn't waterproof, but later that night at a club, my friends played a really beautiful moving song about Moms, and I really cried, and it didn't run.  How is that possible??? NO TAMMY FAYE!
• Verdict: 4.5 stars out of 5. Love this!!!

 SMASHBOX LIMITLESS LIP STAIN AND COLOR SEAL BALM IN SANGRIA:

• Love this deep berry red shade
• Stain applies easily and with precision
• Balm has a nice texture
• Last 4 hours on me
• Wish the Balm end retracted so that when I pull the cap off, I don't risk dinging up that nice smooth balm stick
• Verdict: 5 out of 5 stars. This is the real deal.  The Cadillac of long-wearing 2-step lippies!!!

Just Mascara, Foundation, brow pencil, Sangria Lip Stain, and Cinema Secrets White Cream Shadow

 Above, freshly applied mascara, and lippie.

In the golden light of my bathroom, the Sangria Lip Stain looks true red, although it's a more berry color in most other lights.

 See those precise lines on the lippie?

After finishing the face at the office

 An hour or two later, the color has settled a bit into the lines on my lips, but I don't know a product that doesn't do this. Color is going strong!

Copper Shade from my Pop Beauty Eye Shadow Palette, and some evident shine on my nose.

 Oh, that bluish light in my office is hell on my dark circles!

Lip Stain/Balm at midday, 4 hours after original application.

 Midday, and time for another coat of Sangria!  Not the beverage, the stain & balm, of course!

Full Outfit: My pink is in the scarf. Weight Watchers is working! I'm only 5-7 lbs from my goal weight!

 I love this scarf! These jeans are too loose! Yay!

My Pink Instagram. Toluca Lake is full of gorgeous pink blooms this time of year!!!

Smashbox Shades of Fame Reflection High Shine Lip Gloss - Review coming soon!

 

 

Cheers, BeautyJonesers!

May Pink: Rainy Day Face

My Pink Lipsticks: From Bottom to Top: Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Swee Tart, Lollipop, and Sugar Frosting, Marinello freebie pink gloss from The Makeup Show LA, Sephora Sephora Collection Maniac Long Wearing Lipstick Color 01, Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Pink Truffle, Revlon Super Lustrous Matte Lipstick in Stormy Pink, Revlon Moon Drops Lipstick in Persian Melon

Love this pink scarf! Love a pop of color on a dreary day.

My eyes have shades of lavender, anchored by burgundy and just a bit of black around the lashes.

Day 1 of the Wear Pink All May Long Challenge. I may very well live to regret this one.  But I can do it! Sure I can. (So what if I was bored with orange on day 3 of Tangerine Tango week?) Pink is such a perennial color. So versatile.  Right? Right?

Face:

• Laura Mercier Perfecting Water Light
• Neutrogena On-the-Spot Acne Treatment on chin and along hairline
• Embryolisse Lait-Crème Concentré
• Aveda Inner Light Tinted Moisturizer in #02 Beechwood
• Dermablend concealer in Sand

Cheeks:

• NYX Stick Blush in Tea Rose

Eyes:

• Urban Decay Primer Potion Original
• NYX Nude on Nude Palette: Shimmery Taupey Pink shade all over lid
• Pop Beauty Day to Play Eye Shadow Palette: Fuchsia and Cinnamon shades in crease and in V from crease to outer lid, deep burgundy shade along upper and lower lash line and blended up into the crease, black shade around outer edges of eye upper and lower lash lines

Lips:

• Too Faced Lip Insurance
• Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Sweet Tart

Results:

• I'm testing out this Laura Mercier Water. It's supposed to moisturize your skin and make it absorb the active ingredients in your other beauty products. I like the way it feels and smells. It does feel like it's doing something.
• Too Faced Lip Insurance - I really don't think this is doing all I'd like it to.  Maybe I need to try one of those clear lip pencils Pursebuzz is talking about in her Ombre Lips tutorial....
• Thought I'd swap in the Aveda Tinted Moisturizer for the BB Creams. It really is moisturizing. I like it.
• Still need more concealer in those purple hollows next to my nose, or maybe I need something more yellow for that bit, especially when I'm wearing purple shadows in my eyelids.

Hey, today I tested out my new Smashbox products, or two of them, the mascara, which rocked, and the lippie recommended by Sam of the Pixiwoos.  Reviews to come tomorrow!!!

And I finally have the Terra Cotta La Femme Blush I ordered, so look how pretty is my blush palette now!!!  See?

And some day soon I will photograph them in focus!

Blurry La Femme Blushes in Unii Palette

So what are YOU jonesin for? Let me know below!

Can I really do pink all month? What do you think? Let me know.

NOTW - Giro D'Italia #1 & Pink May

View of Castel San Felice from our apartment in Sant'Anatolia di Narco, Umbria, 2009

Aah, Italy...

This Saturday the Giro d'Italia starts in Denmark.

What is that, you ask? It is the Tour of Italy, like the Tour de France, but instead of taking place in France over 3 weeks of July, this takes place over 3 weeks of May, and it covers the most beautiful country in the world.

If you have only been following my beauty blog, you don't necessarily know about me and Italy. We've been having a passionate affair since I first went there in 2003. My favorite city there is Rome.

Since I started cycling in 2004, after joining the Triathlon team at my workplace, I started watching professional cycling races, got to know the riders like a football fan knows their favorite players, and so every year at this time, I gear up for 3 passionate weeks of gorgeous views and thrilling races.

But alas, my cable company has seen fit to remove Universal Sports from their lineup, and RAI International, my Italian TV station stopped covering the entire Giro a few years ago.

So what does this mean for you, Beauty fans? It means I'm going to be looking for some streaming options on my computer, and that you are going to see a heckuva lot of pink looks from me until the Giro ends on the 27th of May.

Why? Because the leader of the Giro d'Italia wears not yellow, like in the Tour de France, put palest pink.

And yes, in July, you're going to see loads and loads of yellow from me. Good news is, yellow polish is chic again this summer!

But for now, think May! Think Italy! Think Pink!

Think Pink! number from Funny Face. Love this movie and this song!

For my first pink look, here is this very feminine pale pink manicure.

Here's how I got it:

• Seche Vite base coat
• Julep Penelope, 2 coats (a baby pink that really needs 3 coats to cover fully)
• OPI Princesses Rule! (a silvery pink with tiny satin pink glitter
• Seche Vite top coat

Results:

• No chips yet, and I did this one 3 days ago
• My pictures don't do justice to the satiny glittery effect. So Princess! And it's actually very close to the Giro leader's jersey color!

By the way, the OPI Cajun Shrimp pedicure is still going strong and looks cute!

Cheers and Viva Italia!

--BeautyJones