MAKEUP LOOK: Using Inglot AMC Pigments

This look was made using pink and purple Inglot AMC pigments and a bronze glitter from Lit Cosmetics.
This is how I achieved this look:
\1.) Apply and eyeshadow primer.  I used the NYX HD Primer.
2) Apply a white base on the lid.  I used the NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk.
3.) Apply Inglot AMC Pigment in 50 (rose color with a gold duochrome) to te outer half of the lid.
4.) Apply Inglot AMC Pigment in 112 (purple color with a slight pink duochrome) to the inner half of the lid.
5.) Apply Urban Decay eyeshadows in Buck and Naked to the crease.
6.) Apply Wet n Wild eyeshadow in Brulee above the crease to help blend it out.
7.) Apply a bronze eyeliner to the lower lash line.  I used the Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Smog.
8.) On top of the bronze eyeliner, apply Lit Cosmetics' glitter in Mexican Lucky with the Clearly Liquid Glitter Base.
9.) Use a white eyeshadow with a pink duochrome on the brow bone and lower lash line. I used MAC Pink Opal pigment.
10.) Apply a dark brown pencil to the waterline.  I used Lancôme Le Crayon Khol in Black Coffee.
11.) Apply a dark brown liquid liner to the upper lash line.  I used Physicians Formula Eye Booster Liquid Liner in Deep Brown.
12.) Use a black mascara.  I used the Cover Girl Super Sizer Waterproof Mascara.
13.) Next fill in your brows with the Anastasia Brow Powder in Taupe.
14.) On my face I used the Maybelline Dream Velvet foundation, L'Oreal Infallible Pro Matte powder, and Too Faced Pink Leopard Bronzer.
15.) On my lips I used the NYX Lip Duo in Poppy & Lilly.


SHOPPING LIST:
-NYX HD Primer: available at ulta.com for $6.99
-NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk: available at ulta.com for $4.49
-Inglot AMC Pigments in 50 and 112: available at inglotusa.com for $16 each
-Urban Decay Eyeshadows in Buck and Naked: available at sephora.com for $19 each
-Wet n Wild Eyeshadow in Brulee: available at drugstor.com for $0.99
-MAC Pink Opal Pigment: unfortunately this has been discontinued but an alternative is the Loose Eyeshadow in Iced Pink from thebodyneeds2.com for $1.99 for a 5 gram jar
-Urban Decay 24/ Pencil in Smog: available at sepora.com for $20
-Lit Cosmetics Clearly Liquid Glitter Base: available at litcosmetics.com for $23
-Lit Cosmetics Glitter in Mexican Lucky: available at litcosmetics.com for $16
-Physicians Formula Eye Booster Liquid Liner in Deep Brown: available at ulta.com for $10.99
-Cover Girl Super Sizer Waterproof Mascara: available at ulta.com for $7.49
-Anastasia Brow Powder in Taupe: available at sephra.com for $23
-Benefit The Porefessional Primer: available at sephora.com for $31
-Maybelline Dream Velvet Foundation in Warm Porcelain: available at ulta.com for $10.99
-L"Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Powder in Porcelain: available at ulta.com for $12.99
-Too Faced Pink Leopard Bronzer: available at sephoa.com for $30
-Marc Jacobs Poutliner Longwear Lip Liner Pencil I  Prim(rose):available at  sephora.com for $24
-Tarte Lip Paint in Namaste: available at sephora.com for $20

MAKEUP LOOK: Using the Naked Cosmetics Shock Effect Stack

This makeup was done using the Naked Cosmetics Shock Effect Stack.  The colors are numbered 1-6 from top to bottom. Here are the steps I did to achieve this look:
1.) Apply an eyeshadow primer.  I used the NYX HD Primer.
2.) Apply a white base to the lid and lower lash line.  I used the NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk.
3.) Apply your crease colors.  I used the Urban Decay eyeshadows in Naked followed by Buck.
4.) Apply your brow bone color.  I used the Wet n Wild Color Icon eyeshadow single in Brulee.
5.) Starting at the inner corner, apply the yellow (SE-1), followed by the yellow green (SE-2), and finally the green (SE-3).  Also use that green to create an outer V and blend it into the other crease colors.
6.) Now it's time for the lower lash line, Blend a little of the yellow (SE-1) on the inner lower lash line, followed by the pink (SE-4), then the purple (SE-5), and finally the blue (SE-6).  Make sure to blend the blue up towards the green in the outer V so there is a seamless transition.
7.) Next, apply a royal blue liquid liner on the top lash line.  I used the NYX Vivid Brights Liquid Liner in Vivid Sapphire. I feel like the blue balances the eye look.  Otherwise, it looks a little bottom heavy just because the dark colors are on the bottom and the lid is so light.
8.) Now apply a yellow liner to the waterline.  I used the Stila Smudge Stick in Canary.  It's more of a pastel yellow but still works great for this look.
9.) I decided to use a royal blue mascara on the bottom lashes.  I used the Maybelline Great Lash in I See Blue.
10.) On the top lashes I used a primer (Lancôme Cils Booster XL), followed by the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara.
11.) For my brows, I used the Anastasia Brow Powder in Taupe.
12.) On my face I used the Makeup Forever Mattifying Primer, Maybelline Dream Velvet Foundation in Warm Porcelain, L'Oreal Infallible Dream Matte Powder, and the Too Faced Pink Leopard bronzer on the cheeks.
13.) On the lips I used the Anastasia Liquid Lipstick in Paint and I put some of the pink pigment from the stack (SE-4) on top.

SHOPPING LIST:
NYX HD Primer: ulta.com for $6.99
NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk: ulta.com for $4.49
Urban Decay Eyeshadows in Naked sephora.com and Buck sephora.com for $19 each
Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Single in Brulee:drugstore.com for $0.99
Naked Cosmetics Shock Effect Stack: nakedcosmetics.com for $59.99
Stila Smudge Stick in Canary: sephora.com for $22
NYX Vivid Brights Liquid Liner in Vivid Sapphire: ulta.com for $$6.99
Maybelline Great Lash Mascara in I See Blue: this was a limited edition color but an alternative is the NYX Color Mascara in Blue Dream at ulta.com for $$6.99
Lancôme Cils Booster XL: sephora.com for $25.50
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara: sephora.com for $23
Anastasia Brow Powder in Taupe: sephora.com for $23
Makeup Forever Mattifying Primer:sephora.com for $37
Maybeline Dream Velvet Foundation: ulta.com for $10.99
L'Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Powder in Porcelain: ulta.com for $12.99
Too Faced Pink Leopard Bronzer: sephora.com for $30
Anastasia Liquid Lipstick in Paint: this was a limited edition color

IMATS NY: Tips for Getting The Most Out of Your Experience

I'm going to IMATS NY tomorrow and this will be my third time going.  I've learned a few things over the first two years that I thought I'd share.  One of the first things you should do is decide if you're going o buy makeup, network, or watch the demos and keynote speakers.  If you want to go just to get some great deals on makeup an you want to avoid the huge lines and crowds, then you should get there very early.  This is also a good idea if you want to shop and stay for the demos and keynote speakers.  If you can get you shopping done early, you'll have more time to stay and watch some of the makeup artists you've gone to see.
     Another tip I have is to see what brands will be there and decide what you're interested from each brand.  Once you get there, it can be very overwhelming, especially if it's your first time.  There will be a lot going on, so if you go there with a plan, it will be much more manageable.  Also, if you are interested in going to a popular booth where the lines can be an hour or more, you should get there first (getting there early will allow you to avoid the worst of the crowds too). 
     These are some of the things I've learned over the first two years.  Every year that I've gone, it's gotten bigger with more venders and more people.  I always have a lot of fun, interacting with representatives from various brands, learning about brands that I don't normally have access to, and just meeting people who have a love of makeup and the artistry behind it.  I also love learning from the artist giving talks or doing demos.  It's definitely enjoy the learning aspect just as much as the shopping.  How you choose to make the most of your experience is up to you, but I hope this short article has helped. 

I see dates and schedules, along with vender lists, and demo schedules go to the IMATS website: imats.net

MAKEUP LOOK: Blue Winged Liner & Blue Lips

This is a simple makeup look with a lot of impact.
This is how I achieved it:
1.)Apply an eyeshadow primer.  I used NYX HD Primer
2.) Apply a light gold cream shadow on the lid.  I used the Maybelline Concentrated Crayon in 745 Gold Rush
3.) Apply a light gold shadow on top of that.  I used the  MAC Pigment in Vanilla.
4.) Apply a crease color.  I used the Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Naked and I used the Wet n Wild Eyeshadow in Brulee to blend the crease color out.
5.) Time for the wing.  I used the MAC Liquidlast in Aquqaline.  Sadly, this color has been discontinued but you can use something similar.
6.) Use a similar colored blue pencil liner on the lower lash line then top it off with a similar eyeshadow.  I used the Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Deep End and I used the Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Deep End from the 15 Anniversary Palette.
7.) Use a blue liner on the waterline.  I used Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Crayon in Ody(sea).
8.) Use a hightlight eyeshadow in the inner corner and brow bone.  I used the LORAC Eyeshadow in Sand.
9.) Time for mascara.  I used the Cover Girl Super Sizer Waterproof Mascara,
10.) Time for brows.  I used the Smashbox Brow Tech Gloss Stick.
11.) Time for face makeup. I used the Makeup Forever Hydrating Primer, Makeup Forever Ultra HD Foundation Stick, and L'Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Powder
12.)  The last thing I did was apply lipstick.  I used the Impulse Cosmetics Duochrome Lip Lacquer in Hypnosis.

SHOPPING LIST:
NYX HD Eyeshadow Primer: ulta.com $6.99
Maybelline Color Tattoo Concentrated Crayon in Gold Rush: ulta.com $6.99
MAC Vanilla Pigment: maccosmetics.com $22
Urban Decay Naked Eyeshadow: ulta.com $19
Wet n Wild Brulee Eyeshadow: drugstore.com $ .99
LORAC Sand Eyeshadow: discontinued
MAC Liquilast Liner in Aqualine: discontinued
Urban Decay 24/7 Pencil in Deep End: ulta.com $20
Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeshadowi n Deep End: currently available in the Spectrum Palette at sephora.com for $55
Marc Jacobs Highliner Gel Crayon in Ody(sea): sephora.com $25
Cover Girl Super Sizer Waterproof Mascara:  ulta.com $7.49
Smahbox Brow Tech loss Stick in Taupe: ulta.com $21
Makeup Forever Hydrating Primer: sephora.com $37
Makeup Forever Ultra HD Foundation Stick in 115: ulta.com $43
L"Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Powde in Porcelain: ulta.com $12.99
Impulse Cosmetics Duochrome Lip Lacquer in Hypnosis: impulsecosmetics.com $10.99

March 2016 Favorites

I did not wear a lot of makeup of this month so I don't have many favorites, but here they are:
1.) NYX Avant Pop Palette in Surreal My Heart
I couldn't stop wearing this from the time I got it.  The colors are all very pigmented, smooth, and wear all day.  I always wear primer on my eyes but I didn't have any fading or creasing.  I also live how the colors all go well together which makes it very versatile. It's available at ulta.com for $16.99 or at nyxcosmetics.com for $17.
2.) Tat2U Makeup Color Play Extreme Color Powder in Rave Party
This is marketed as a hair/ brow powder but I use it as an eyeshadow.  It's a neon green ad is very pigmented and applies smoothly.  It lasts all day without fading.  It's available at tat2umakeup.com for $12.
3.) Impulse Cosmetics Duochrome Matte Lip Lacquers in Cryptic (brown), Haphazard (orange), and Hypnosis.  These are amazing because although they are a liquid lipstick that dries down to a matte finish, they have a unique sheen to them.  I really love how comfortable they are and they are very long wearing.  They are available at impulsecosmetics.com for $2.99 for a sample size and $10.99 for a full size.
4.) Impulse Cosmetics Matte Lip Lacquer in Maui Wowie.  This is a liquid lipstick that dries down to a matte finish.  It has a cream finish with no shimmer or sheen, is very comfortable to wear, and lasts all day.  It's available at impulsecosmetics.com for $2.99 for a sample size or $10.99 for a full size.
5.) Kat Von D Metal Crush Eyeshadow in Electric Warrior.  This is a metallic finish chartreuse eyeshadow.  It has a creamy texture, goes on smoothly, and doesn't fade or crease.  I really love the formula for this eyeshadow line.  It's available at sephora.com for $21 or at katvondbeauty.com
6.) Impulse Cosmetics Eyeshadow in Pick Your Poison.  This is a very vivid yellow with a lime green duochrome.  Its pigmented, smooth, and long wearing.  I was pairing this with the NYX palette.  It's available at impulsecosmetics.com for $3.99

ELECTRIC RAINBOW: New Hair

I decided I needed to change my hair up after having it bright red for the last year and a half.  I bleached a great deal of the red out but not all of it, so I decided to go with this neon rainbow look.  I used 2 Manic Panic Hair Dyes in Electric Banana and Psychedelic Sunset and I used Special Effects Hair Dye in Nuclear Red on the ends.  I'm really happy with how this turned out.  I've never done ombre hair and I always dye my hair myself.  I was actually a little nervous because I wasn't sue how difficult this would be.  It turned out to be quite simple. 
This is how I achieved this look:
1.) Wash your hair with a clarifying shampoo.
2.) Towel dry hair so it's not dripping.
3.) Using a tint brush, start applying the Electric Banana from just above the roots, followed with the Psychedelic Sunset, and finally apply the Nuclear Red.  I used a different tint brush for each color, but you can just wash the brush between colors. 
4.) Comb hair from roots to ends, washing the comb between passes.  Both Manic Panic and Special Effects say comb the color through hair until it becomes frothy so that's what I did.
5.) Apply a conditioning cap (or shower cap) to hair and let it sit.  I find that the longer the dye sits, the more vibrant the color is and the longer it lasts.  I usually keep it o for 4-6 hours or sometimes overnight.  Tis may be overkill but that's just what works for me.
6.) Rinse hair, shampoo and condition as usual. 
This is just what I do, and it may or may not be what you're supposed to do, but for me it works.  I am not a professional but I like doing this myself.  I hope this was helpful. 
These hair dyes are available at:
Manic Panic Electric Banana: at rickysnyc.com for $11.49 or at manicpanic.com for $13.99
Manic Panic Psychedelic Sunset: at rickysnyc.com for $11.49 or at manicpanic.com for $13.99
Special Effects Nuclear Red at amazon.com for $15.32 or at idyemyhair.com for $13.99

OVERVIEW: MyGreen Lipstick Collection

For St. Patrick's Day this year, I posted a picture on my Instagram of my green lipsticks.  It was one of my most popular posts ever, so I decided to do a more in depth overview.

1.) Impulse Cosmetics Matte Lip Lacquer in Maui Wowie.  This is a vibrant chartreuse green liquid lipstick.  I only have a sample of this color but I'm already falling in love with it.  It is very comfortable for a liquid lipstick and is very long wearing.  Also, this is a very opaque formula. The full size is available at impulsecosmetics.com for $10.99
2.) Impulse Cosmetics Metaluxe Lipstick in Slime Time.  This is more of the traditional lipstick formula.  It has a metallic green color and feels very creamy when applied.  It is very comfortable but like traditional lipsticks, this one doesn't wear all day.  I can get between 3-4 hours of wear depending on what I'm doing.  However, I really like this color.  Although not completely opaque, the color can be built up.  This is available at impulsecosmetics.com for $6.99
3.) Taterrounds Lipstick in Mansinte.  This lipstick is part of a collab with Drac_Makens .  This is a drier formula lipstick but I find it to still be quite comfortable.  Although it's not moisturizing, it's also not drying.  I really love this color and I find it to be the most vibrant chartreuse green lipstick that I own.  It's on the sheer side but can easily be built up to be completely opaque. It has a matte finish which allows it be long wearing. This is available on Etsy at TaterRoundsBeauty at etsy.com for $3.99
4.) Makeup Monster Liquid Lipstick in G. I. Jane.  This is a matte finish liquid lipstick that is also very comfortable and is long wearing.  The color is a dark chartreuse.  It is quite opaque and doesn't really need to be built up. It is available at makeupmonsters.net for $15.95
5.) Makeup Monsters Liquid Lipstick in I Touch My Elf.  This is  a matte finish liquid lipstick but is has subtle gold sparkles in it so even though it is matte, it still has a bit of a sheen.  It is quite pretty but it does take a bit of layering for it to be truly opaque.  This is a comfortable lipstick formula and is long wearing. The color is a true emerald green that is perfect for the Christmas holiday. Sadly this was a limited edition holiday shade and is no longer available.  But a shade that is similar from makeupmonsters.net is called Jealousy and you may want to check it out.
6.) L.A. Splash Lip Couture in Nagini.  This is the darkest green lipstick that I own.  This is a liquid lipstick and is the longest wearing lipstick out of all my green lipsticks.  It has a matte finish but is extremely drying.  I can't wear it for more than 2 or 3 hours because it just becomes too uncomfortable.  Because of how drying it is, it's a difficult formula to wear.  You have to over moisturize you lips prior to application to be able to wear this.  I wouldn't recommend wearing this by itself.  I usually top it off with either another lipstick or a gloss. This is unfortunately no longer available.
7.) NYX Wicked Lippie in Risqué.  This is a dark green color.  It has a creamy texture and glides on easily.  It only needs about 2 swipes to be opaque.  It ha a very metallic finish and is very comfortable to wear.  It lasts about 2 or 3 hours on me, like most traditional lipsticks.  Even though it is creamy, I don't have issues with it feathering outside the lip line or sinking into lines. I really enjoy this formula. You can get this at nyxcosmetics.com or ulta.com for $6
8.) NYX Macaron Lppie in Pistachio.  This is a cream formula lipstick and the color is more of blue green but more green than blue.  There is no shimmer but it does have a satin finish.  It's not completely matte but not very shiny either.  It's a comfortable formula that's not at al drying but a little bit more long wearing than the Wicked line.  You can get this at nyxcosmetics.com or ulta.cm for $6
9.) NYX Maaron Lippie in Key Lime.  This wears just as well as Pistachio.  Key Lime is a vibrant lime color.  It's very pretty and a very unique color. You can get this at nyxcosmetics.com or ulta.com for $6
10.) Kat Von D Studded Lipstick in Plan 9. This is  drier formula but as a result, it is longer wearing.  It's not moisturizing but its also not overly drying.  It has a metallic finish and is similar to NYX Risqué but is a little bit less metallic and more green.  You can find this at sephora.com or katvondbeauty.com for $21
I know that green lipstick is not for everyone, but I really don't mind wearing it.  I think it's fun to wear unexpected colors and not just for going out. 

REVIEW: NYX Vivid Brights Liquid Liners

NYX Cosmetics has recently released a new line of liquid liners.  There are 9 liners in the Vivid Brights line.  They are: Vivid Fire (red), Vivid Delight (orange), Vivid Halo (yellow), Vivid Escape (pastel green), Vivid Envy (grass green), Vivid Sapphire (blue), Vivid Violet (purple), Vivid Blossom (lilac), and Vivid Petal (pink).These liners are definitely bright and they are all very opaque (including the pastels). 

PACKAGING:  I really love the packaging because the color of the liner matches the outside packaging (except for the Vivid Envy color.  I feel that the outside packaging is a little bit brighter than the actual liner).  The applicator for these liners is a very small brush tip which I really love because it allows for very precise lines. 

FORMULA:  The liners are liquid but not runny.  They do take a few seconds to dry so you have to be a little careful not to smudge them.  However, once they set, they won't budge.  I have worn them for about 12 hours and I did not have any issues with fading, cracking, or flaking.  The only downside is that because they are not waterproof, they will smudge when they get wet.  If you have watery eyes or plan on crying, these liners will get quite messy. But as long as they don't get wet, they will last all day.  Also, all 9 color have a matte finish and they don't have any shimmer or sheen to them.

AVAILABILITY: These liners cost about $6.99 and are available at ulta.com and at nyxcosmetics.com