Mini Zoya Haul!

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Happy Friday!
I’m so ready for my weekend, this week has kicked my butt! Zoya had a promo going a few weeks ago, if you bought any item, you’d get two polishes for free. I picked up Riley, Anja, and Bela:

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Riley (2 coats), Anja (2 coats), and Bela (3 coats).

Riley- Beautiful. I was in a rush, but the formula is lovely and opaque in 2 coats when you’re not balancing your laptop while you’re painting lol. This would be great any time of year, but perfect for xmas.

Anja- Vampy and sexy. This formula was the best out of the three and completely opaque in two fast coats. Cannot wait to wear this in the fall. Actually, wearing it this weekend, I literally couldn’t wait lol.

Bela- Classic and pretty. A very sheer polish, perfect for a subtle color that is decently opaque in 3 coats. Not runny and goes on like a dream. Perfect any time of year. Will be wearing this on my hands with Anja on my toes this weekend :).

Did you pick anything up during the promo?

<3V

Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara Review

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Hi Babes!
I know, I’ve been MIA, I’m sorry :/. I go through periods of writers block and it makes me frustrated to type anything other than work documents and those are done because I HAVE to lol. I’ve been working on quite a few posts for the next few days though, here’s the first and the one I’m so very excited about!

One of my best friends, Liz, spent the weekend at my house a few weekends ago and we went out for drinks with the girls. While getting ready, I noticed her gorgeous lashes and asked what mascara she was wearing. She pulled out the Neutrogena Healthy Volume mascara and let me try it (I know, you’re not supposed to share mascaras…but I’ve known her for almost 20 years and we pretty much have the same cooties). I looooved how full and long my lashes looked after a few coats.
All of my regular readers know how devoted I am to my Covergirl Lashblast, so this is a big deal. The formula isn’t clumpy, it doesn’t have a weird smell, and it leaves my lashes really soft, even after many coats. It’s really easy to build up this mascara, so it’s great for a soft daytime look or dramatic lashes for a night out. The brush large, but it’s a pretty standard mascara brush, not a rubbery one like Lashblast’s.
Healthy Volume washes off easily and doesn’t leave smudgies, and it doesn’t irritate my eyes, even when I’ve slept in it. For about $7, it’s pretty amazing and I’d recommend it to anyone.
For extra drama, I alternate coats of Healthy Volume with coats of Lashblast and can build up really dramatic clump free lashes that look like falsies :). Check out the pictures below:

Sad, sad, naked lashes. They’re decent in length, just really light colored…you can’t even see the tips -_-.
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One Coat:
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Two Coats:
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Three Coats:
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What’s your favorite mascara?

Aaand a new beauty item! This was my bday gift from my bf last week and I’m very excited about it. I’ve been wearing Fantasy by Britney Spears for years and wanted a more grown up fragrance that isn’t too grandma or floral. This has Citrus Accord, Peony, Rose, Osmanthus Flower, Pink Pepper, Sandalwood. I smells very faintly sweet, kind of like a muskier vanilla without being vanilla. Okay, I’m awful at describing fragrances, but this one makes me feel seductive, pretty, and a little grown up.
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<3V

All Brown Smokey Eyes + A Mini Haul

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PhotobucketWhat my bed looks like when I’m getting ready :).

Hi Lovelies,
Happy Tuesday! If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know I love my black pencil and liquid eyeliner, I wear at least the liquid every day. I’m trying to step out of my comfort zone and decided to do a smokey eye without any black shadow/liner this weekend. Part of the inspiration came from Drop Dead Diva; Jane always has lovely smokey brown eyes that warm up her fair complexion. I played around with some MAC shadows and Ulta liner to create this:
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Products Used:
-UDPP all over the eyelid and along lower lashes.
-MAC Wedge e/s applied all over the lid, halfway to the brow past the crease.
-MAC Corduroy e/s blended into the crease.
-MAC Embark e/s blended into the crease and outer corner of the lid. Also applied along lower lashes and blended with a fluffy brush.
-MAC Mylar e/s blended into the inner corners of the eyes and along brows.
-Ulta Extreme Wear Gel Eyeliner in Perfection applied along upper lashes and winged out.
-Covergirl Lashblast mascara.

My birthday’s on the 10th, but I picked up some goodies with bday coupons my favorite stores sent last week. Check it out:
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-Victorias Secret Rockin’ Body Luminous Perfecting Cream. Price was $12, I paid $2 with my bday coupon.
-Philosophy Happy Birthday Beautiful body wash/bubble bath/shampoo. It smells like cake :D. This was free.
-Torrid earrings. Price was $10.50, I paid $.50 with my bday coupon.
-OPI InStyle Red. This was free with my subscription that I got myself for my bday.
-MAC Ample Pink Plushglass. This wasn’t for my bday, but it was new so I included it in the haul :P. MAC sells it for $18.50, I paid $13 for it on Ebay.

What have you picked up recently?

<3V

Bronzer Basics

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Hello Beauties :),

I hope you’re all having a good Monday! I got a text from my bff a little while ago, letting me know she had just landed after being in Italy for a month. I haven’t seen her for five weeks so I took tomorrow off for a bff day that includes Target roaming, mani/pedis, and having a huge meal at In-N-Out burger. Can’t wait!

Earlier today, I was on Facebook and one of my high school friends posted this:

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LOL, I know I’ve picked products up before and felt the same way. I asked her what she bought, and she said it was the Mineralize Skinfinish in Gold Deposit to use as a bronzer, but didn’t know how to use it. I’m putting this post together for Tracy and all of the newbie bronzer users. Trust me, it took a while for me to embrace bronzer and get it just right. Here’s a face chart I drew guidelines on for where bronzer goes:

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I’ve tried all kinds of different application methods, but applying the bronzer in the shape of a three has been the one that provides the best and most natural looking results for me. To start off, you need a good brush. For a lighter application, I use the e.l.f. complexion brush; the bristles are really soft and fluffy, so it doesn’t pick up a ton of product. Swirl the brush in the bronzer, lightly tap off the excess, and start buffing the product into your skin in about one to two inch swirls. Here are some pointers:

-Blend, blend, blend your heart out! The worst thing you can do with bronzer is apply it in one sweep and then just let it sit on top of your skin. You have to blend away the lines of demarcation so it looks natural and warms up to your skin.

-Do not apply bronzer all over your face unless you’re a pro. This creates a dirty/ruddy looking complexion that flatters no one. Sparkly bronzers are especially bad in this case, they’ll make you look shiny. Try to follow the three shape to start off and go from there as you get more comfortable. Example of bad all over bronzer below:

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-Don’t use a product more than two…maybe three shades darker than your skin tone (I say three for those of us that have been out and tanned everywhere except our face lol). You’re not trying to change your skin color completely and this wont look natural at all. You want this to look like sunkissed color, not fake.

-Once you learn to gauge the amount of product you need, try a flat top brush like the e.l.f. powder brush for application. This brush blends like a dream, but can be iffy for blush/bronzer application if you’re new or heavy handed.

-Remember to start off with a little bit of product. You can always add more and it’s easier than having to wash your face and start all over again.

-Make sure you blend the product well along your hairline, ears, and neck…you don’t want to be two-toned.

-If you got a little excited with the bronzer and need to tone it down, you can buff some of it away with a clean brush and some powder in your natural skin tone. Remember to blend like crazy!

-If in doubt, don’t be afraid to ask me for anymore pointers. You can email me at nessalovesmakeup@gmail.com and I’ll get back to you asap.

I hope this has been at least a little bit helpful, Tracy!

What tips do you have for bronzer application?

<3V

Pink & Purple EOTD + New Bag

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Happy Monday Lovelies!
I hope you all had an amazing weekend. I’m typing this from my family’s home computer, which is one of the slowest machines on the face of the earth, but I couldn’t stay away from blogging :). It’ll be at least a week before I get another charger for my laptop. Here’s a pink and purple EOTD from last week. Pink is kind of intimidating to me, so I have to use it in small doses. I included a rough outline of where I place the colors (hope it helps, Rayleen!).

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Products Used (all shadows are from MAC):
-UDPP original all over lid and along lower lashes.
-Sunset B. in the inner corner of the eyelid.
-Hepcat blended into the edge of Sunset B., moving towards outer corner of eyelid.
-Nocturnelle blended into the outer corner of the lid. Also blended along lower lashes.
-Naked Lunch blended above the crease along the edge of all the pink/purples.
-Dazzelight blended along brow as highlight.
-Revlon Colorstay liquid and pencil liners in blackest black.
-Covergirl Lashblast mascara.

How do you wear pink eyeshadow?

One more thing. For those of you that don’t follow me on Twitter, I bought my first Coach bag :). I had seen the purse at the Coach store for about $498 a few months ago and just couldn’t rationalize spending that much on a bag right now; that’s saying a lot, because I can talk anyone and myself into buying just about anything lol. Well, I was at the Ontario Mills mall and by chance, walked into the Coach factory store and spotted the bag for $219. This sales lady comes up to me and hands me a 30% off coupon to use on any purchase. I had to drag myself out of the store, pouting like a little kid. I slept on it, consulted my bff (all the way in Italy lol), and decided to pick up the bag the next day after work. At the end of it, I paid $165 and don’t regret it one bit! I had to give up shopping for any other clothes/shoes in July , but I’m so happy that I don’t care. This is the large leather Ashley Satchel; it’s timeless, chic, and goes with everything.  LOVE!
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I hope you all have a great week :).

<3V

Paz!

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Hi Dolls!
Happy Friday :). Just posting a quick NOTD from my phone since my charger broke again (that’s what I get for buying on ebay for $7 lol). This is Paz by Zoya and it’s so amazingly bright, I can’t get enough of it. What are all of you up to this weekend?

Blue Flame

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Hello Beauties!
Happy Friday! I hope you’ve all had a lovely week :). How did all of you spend the long weekend? I went out for drinks with one of my besties (hi Liz!), spent time with my sisters, and spent allllll day at the beach on Monday. Although I used an entire tube of sunscreen on myself throughout the day, I’m still burned. Seriously hoping that the red patches calm down soon. Check out my view on the beach, it was already packed at 7 am!

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On a sad and happy note, I miss my bff, Shannon, so very much. She’s in Italy this entire month (I know, SO JEALOUS), and I’m bummed that I don’t get to meet her for drinks after work or email/text with her regularly. Putting the sadness aside, I’m really happy that she was able to take the opportunity and can’t wait to see every picture and hear every story. Kiss a few Italian boys, Shan! She’ll be posting pics from her trip, on her blog if you all want to take a peek :).

Here’s a blue EOTD that I put together this past weekend:
PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket Hm. I have some truly rebellious baby hairs -_-.

Products Used:
Eyes:
-UDPP all over the lid.
-MAC Shimmermoss e/s along inner half of the eyelid and blended into the tear duct area.
-MAC Blue Flame e/s blended into the outer half of the eyelid and slightly into the inner part of the crease.
-MAC Naked Lunch e/s blended along the edge of the blues, along the halfway point between the crease and the brow. Blended my heart out here with a fluffy brush.
-MAC Dazzlelight e/s as a brow highlight.
-Revlon Colorstay liquid liner along upper lashes.
-Revlon Colorstay pencil in navy along upper and lower waterlines.
-Covergirl Lashblast mascara in blackest black.

Face:
-MUFE Matt Velvet +.
-MAC MSFN in Medium, buffed in with a flat top brush.
-MAC Personal Style blush.

Lips:
-Lightly lined with nude pencil.
-MAC Fulfilled plushglass.

I hope you all have an amazing weekend! Don’t forget the sunscreen :P.

<3V

UD All Nighter Setting Spray Review

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Hello Beauties!
I hope you’re all having a lovely weekend :). I’m loving this summer weather; the blue skies and warm temperatures make me so happy. Honestly, I don’t even have to go anywhere, I’m perfectly content with reading a good book outside while drinking iced tea (or a margarita). The downside to all of this heat is that my makeup can go from perfect to hot mess in a minute if I don’t set it with anything.
A few months back, I bought Urban Decay’s All Nighter setting spray at Ulta for $29. While pricey, I decided to pick it up since I was going to be doing makeup for a few friends and didn’t want them to have to worry about touch-ups. I set their makeup at about 11 am and followed up at 11 pm to see how it was holding up; their makeup had not moved or faded all day. Since then, I’ve used this whenever I go out and whenever friends have asked me to doll them up.
This setting spray has not let me down at all! I’ve gone out for cocktails and dancing all night with friends, come home, and woken up with my shadow and foundation still in tact. While I don’t recommend sleeping with a full face of makeup on, it really shows this stuff’s staying power.
The only downside to All Nighter is that it doesn’t help control oil very well, but a few blotting papers in your clutch/evening bag can take care of that.

*Random beauty tip: When you don’t have blotting papers on hand, you can always blot with the matte side of a clean toilet seat cover. Not sure where I picked this up, but it works and has saved me from crazy shiny face on many occasions.

Overall, I absolutely love this product, and would recommend it to anyone. I plan on picking up the De-Slick version asap to test its oil controlling power.

Have you tried any settings sprays? Tell me about them, I’d love to try different ones :).

Have a lovely weekend and enjoy the fireworks!

<3V

Purple Wings

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Happy Sunday!
I hope you’re all having a wonderful weekend :). I’m over at the boyfriends house, counting down to the premier of the new season of True Blood! I felt like playing with color today, so I did my usual winged liner in purple, instead of black. Loved the way it turned out!

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Products Used:
-E.l.f. cream liner. Click here for my review.
-Covergirl Lashblast mascara.
-E.l.f. angled liner brush. I highly recommend this brush to any gel/cream liner newbies, it makes application so much easier than a foam tipped applicator or a normal liner brush.

Okay, it’s True Blood time! I’ve been waiting since last summer, can’t miss it :D.

<3V

June Favorites

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PhotobucketThis is how the bestie and I spent last Friday night, along with watching Mermaids. Therapy at its best!

Okay. I think I have my makeup mojo back. I’m finally feeling inspired, creative, and colorful again :). I think it may have been the new lipstick I bought that kick started my brain up again lol. Here’s to new makeup and the power it can have! Check out some of my favorites from the past couple of weeks:

PhotobucketPhotobucket Crosswires lipstick from MAC. I’m CRAZY about this color right now, it’s the most perfect/flattering coral I’ve ever seen. I can dab it on for a light stain or apply it from the tube for a bold pop of wearable color. My tan younger sister tried it on and it looked great on her too. Try it the next time you’re at a MAC counter :).

Photobucket Can’t get enough Zoya polish in my life. This is the best nail polish I’ve ever used; not only are the colors beautiful, but the wear time on these babies is amazing. I’ve had the same shade of hot pink on my nails since Sunday with hardly a chip. Worth the $8 price tag.

PhotobucketPhotobucket Personal Style blush from MAC. This is from the All Ages, All Races, All Sexes collection from last year. It had been sitting in my makeup drawers for almost a year and I decided to give it a go two weeks ago. It’s a beautiful rosy brown that gives me a little bit of a flushed/tan look that glows. I’m really pale, and very happy that doesn’t get ruddy/orange on me. Perfect for contouring too. I’ve been wearing this every day.

PhotobucketSmashbox Fusion Eye & Cheek in On in 5. Awesome bronzer that looks really natural and blends like a dream. I haven’t tried it as eyeshadow yet, but I’m sure the colors would pop beautifully.

PhotobucketIvory soap. So simple, so affordable (3 bars for $1), and so effective at removing makeup without irritating my sensitive skin. It’s the only soap that removes every stitch of makeup from my face without having to scrub hard or go over it twice. Can’t see myself not using it, ever.

What are some of your favorite products right now?

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