Lipstick Bandits: The Secret Santa Look Swap

IT'S CHRISTMAS EVE!!!

In the Filipino culture, we celebrate on Christmas Eve and take it easy on Christmas Day, so the 24th has always been one of my favourite times of the year. Back in the Philippines, we would go to church for "Simbang Gabi" (translation: "night church") and then head back home for "Nochebuena", which is the meal we all eat at around midnight. After that, we open presents and then head to bed. 

Now that my family lives in Canada, we still continue with the tradition of celebrating on Christmas Eve and then keeping it mellow on Christmas Day (we usually watch a movie in the theatres); a tradition I think I will probably pass on to my own family. 

Anyway, the Lipstick Bandits have decided to do a little Christmas celebrating of their own by doing a "Secret Santa Look Swap". We were each given a Bandit to emulate through our makeup looks and here is what I came up with...

Some hints about my Bandit:

- She has beautiful, flawless skin (ok, they all do, so this is a crap hint)
- She has her flick technique down
- She likes coral-pink lip shades
- She has cuuute freckles
- She highlights the inner corners of her eyes like a pro

Any guesses???

If you guessed Monika of Rocaille Writes, then you are CORRECT!

Hope you like the look, Monika!

I was inspired by the look she created for her review of L'oréal's Infallible Eyeshadow in Golden Emerald. I didn't have the exact shades she used, so I took some liberties and went as close as I possibly could to her look.

Products Used

Face:

Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation

Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Concealer

Eyes:

Annabelle Eyeshadow in Vert-to-Go

Make Up For Ever Eyeshadows in a grey-taupe, brown-taupe, brown, and black shades (MUFE, y u no put eyeshadow names on the pan?!? >_<)

MAC Extra Dimension Skinfinish in Whisper of Gilt

NYX Retractable Eyeliner in Bronze

L'oréal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Black Lacquer Mascara
L'oréal Voluminous Power Collagen Mascara

Cheeks:
MAC Mineralize Blush in Subtle Breeze

Lips:
Rimmel lipstick in Airy Fairy
Revlon Colorburst Lipgloss in Peony

As I mentioned above, I took some liberties with this look. I went a little bit heavier on the eyes because I feel that I need more definition and I decided to go with a lip colour that I see on Monika most often. She didn't do a glossy lip in her look, but I needed Peony to get a better colour. But I think the most telling part of this look is the inner corners of the eyes. Monika almost always highlights her inner corner and although the highlighter I used was more grainy than anything Monika's ever used, it was the one I had that would show up the most on camera (btw, so sorry for the crap quality of my photos. It's been so gloomy the last couple of days and I don't have proper lighting at home).

This post has been a lot of fun and I really hope you guys like the look (especially you, Monika-dear). Now, if you'll excuse me... It's time for me to troll everyone else's posts. I can't wait to see who got me who everyone else got! 

• Call It Beauty
• Eye Heart It
• Getting Cheeky
• Glitter Geek
• Makeup Morsels
• Messy Wands
• Musing on Beauty
• My Funny Valentine
• Rocaille Writes
• theNotice: a beauty blog‎

And a new Bandit this round:

• ChloeAsh‎

Merry Christmas, everybody!

What's In My Makeup Bag?

I've seen a number of "What's In My Makeup Bag" posts in the blogosphere and decided to join the bandwagon. I always find it fascinating, seeing what kind of cosmetics people bring around with them. It's a good indication of what products people can't live without on a day-to-day basis.

Anyway, without further ado... This is what Dani has in her makeup bag:

I guess one must start with the makeup bag, no? This cute little thing was a Winners purchase... For all you non-Canadian lovelies, Winners is our version of Ross (if you're in US) or TK Maxx (if you're in the UK).

It's a nice size and has a super cute print, so I've been quite happy with it... The reason I say "I've been" instead of "I am" is because I'm thinking of getting a larger makeup bag. It's kind of a challenge making everything fit in there -- it's almost like putting a puzzle together. ("Now, if I put this here and that over here, it should zip up!")

Then again, I'm not sure if it's a good idea to get a bigger makeup bag, because a bigger bag = more room, more room = "LET'S PUT ALL THE MAKEUPS IN TEH BAG!", "LET'S PUT ALL THE MAKEUPS IN TEH BAG!" = heavier purse, heavier purse = sore shoulder. And Dani does not need sore shoulders, yo!

*and exhaaaale*

On to the actual makeup!

I'm a Lipstick Bandit, so it's no surprise that I have this many lip products in my purse... Actually, this is probably pretty tame compared to a lot of other women. From left to right, they are:

1) L'oréal Crayon Petite Automatic Lip Liner in Clear Transparent - I love the idea of a clear lip liner because that means I don't need to have a lip liner to match every single lipstick I have. It works quite well for me, though I would like to try a clear lip liner from a higher price point. Any recommendations, lovelies?
2) Buxom Big & Healthy Lip Polish in Dolly - This is a mini version of the lipgloss, which I received as a 250 point perk from Sephora (along with 2 more mini lip products). It's a gorgeous shade, described by Buxom as a shimmering muted plum, but the cooling sensation is just too much! Seriously, I put the damn thing on and 10 minutes later, it was still tingling. I felt like I had ice cubes attached to my lips! I know Buxom says that the "tingling sensation reminds you it's working," but maybe it should say: "the tingling sensation reminds you that soon you will have no feeling left in your lips."
3) Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick in Mulberry - I've got a soft spot for this lippie because it was one of the first I ever featured on a Lipstick Bandits post. I'm a fan of Bite Beauty's products and this shade is just lovely.
4) Bite Beauty Luminous Crème Lipstick in Tannin - So, so, sooo pretty! I don't want to say too much because I have yet to review it properly (note to self: get on it, lazy bones!), but trust me when I say it's absolutely gorgeous!
5) MAC Cremesheen Glass in Galaxy Rose - This was a limited edition product released in MAC's Heavenly Creatures collection. I'm a fan of the Cremesheen Glass formula because it's comfortable to wear. I wouldn't call it non-sticky, but it's definitely much less sticky than MAC's other lipglass formulas. I love the shade, too -- it's still bright, but a little more grown up.
6) Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Mauvy Night - This shade is so perfect for Fall and looks extra gorgeous layered underneath the Buxom lipgloss I mentioned earlier... I put it in my makeup bag in hopes that I would use it more often; but so far, I've been much too obsessed with reds... I feel like Mauvy Night is the kid who's cool enough to get invited to the party, but not cool enough to be talked to at the party -- the party being my makeup bag... (does that even make sense?)
7) NARS Pure Matte Lipstick in Mascate - Favourite lipstick EVER (right now)! Again, I've yet to properly review this, so I'll save my squee-ing for then. If you're impatient, then go read Larie's review of it on Eye Heart It.
8) MAC Prep + Prime Lip - This stuff is amazeballs! It creates a barrier between my lips and the lipstick so my lips don't dry out and it makes lip products last so much better! For example, I wore this and Mascate together at a friend's birthday party and I didn't have to reapply -- even after dinner. I mean, obviously, there was some wear in the seam of the lips; but I found that I just needed to rub my lips together to distribute some more product into that area and I was good.
9) MAC Tinted Lip Conditioner in Fuchsia Fix - This is probably my most repurchased beauty product of all time. It keeps my lips hydrated, while adding a nice touch of colour.

The beautiful thing about my makeup bag right now is that it can also fit brushes! Which means I can always touch up my blush or powder away some shine whenever I need to...

1) Royal & Langnickel Master Pro Blush Brush - Despite it's fluffiness, this brush is actually shaped more flat than round, which is how I like my blush brushes most, I've discovered. It's sooo soft, too!
2) MAC Prep + Prime Transparent Finishing Powder/Pressed - Don't let the whiteness fool you, this stuff does not go on white at all! I love how it mattifies my skin and sets my makeup beautifully. I've used this on clients too -- it's pretty awesome!
3) MAC Mineralize Blush in Subtle Breeze - Another limited edition product, this time from the Naturally Collection (originally reviewed here). It's such a pretty shade and it goes well with a lot of lip colours I have in my makeup bag. It applies beautifully too, so no need to be super careful when applying. Which is awesome if you're pressed for time...

I don't always need to touch up my eyeliner throughout the day; but when I do, I prefer Dos Equis it's comforting to know that I have something in my bag.

1) Marcelle Waterproof Liquid DIP-PEN Eyeliner - I really like this formula! It's goes on easily and sticks around! I wouldn't quite call it waterproof, as it did cause some raccoon eye action when I went swimming. But it stays put on my oily lids even without a primer, and that's enough of a victory for me.
2) NYX Retractable Eye Liner in Gypsy Blue - This is such a great pop of colour and I love applying it on my lower lash line. It stays long, but it does smudge a bit after a while. It definitely stays put on the upper lash line, though.

This is probably one of my favourite purchases this year... The Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer (oil-free) provides fantastic coverage and all you have to do is smear it onto your face... Smear... What an awful word... All you have to do is apply it onto your face with your fingers. (Much better!)

It smells like SPF, unfortunately; but that scent definitely dissipates after some time. I love how this product just evens out my skintone beautifully. The fact that it's so easy to apply makes it even better. Lately, I've been using it after class when I've taken off all the hard work my classmates have put into my face. I literally just whack it on, apply a bit of blush, and I'm good to go. Such a great product!

And here we have: the randoms!

1) Jean Artaud Paris printed compact - I bought this compact in a cute little boutique on Granville Street many, many years ago and no one is more surprised than me that I a) have not lost it, and b) have not broken it after all these years. I love the vintage print and the fact that it's a sizeable mirror.
2) Bath & Body Works Fine Fragrance Mist in Cashmere Glow - This certainly does not fit in my makeup bag, but I thought I'd share it anyway because it's such an important piece in my purse. I sometimes feel gross after a long day's work, as I'm sure many of you do as well; but we don't all have time to go home before going out to meet up with friends. So having a lightweight bottle of fragrance to spritz yourself can be pretty important. Cashmere Glow has top notes of bergamot, golden peach, pink guava, exotic berries, and gilded apricot; has mid notes of glowing muguet petals,  mimosa, fluffy peony, and fresh jasmine; and has dry notes of shimmering vanilla, dulce de leche, sandalwood, and cashmere musk. Don't let the silly note descriptions turn you off (I wasn't aware scents could shimmer or glow... And what does a gilded apricot smell like compared to a regular apricot?), this perfume smells lovely. The fact that it's such a lightweight bottle makes it so much more convenient to carry around, as well.
3) Vaseline - Good ol' Vaseline! Some of you may remember that I've been struggling with dry, flaky lips this year. I've tried numerous products and while they all worked marvelously when my lips were normal, nothing could get them to behave when they're acting up quite like Vaseline could. I've been slathering (again with the gross words!) this on every day and my lips have not been misbehaving... I can wear lipstick again! *victory lunge*


Hope you guys enjoyed this post! It's actually quite fun to pick through my makeup bag to see what products I like to have around with me... Sometimes you just dump things in the bag with no thought as to why you want it on your person. It's good to take an inventory sometimes. :)

What beauty item do you absolutely HAVE to have 

in your makeup bag?

About Face - Spring For Less

Greetings, lovelies!

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling very Spring-y as of late. My heart has been taken with purples (when is it not, though? <3) and pinks in the past few weeks, so I thought I'd do a looky-look since I haven't done one in a while.

I also wanted to do a look using all drugstore products, so I dug around my humble collection to see what I could use. It turned out to be a good thing, because I rediscovered some products that I haven't use in a while and remembered how much I love them!

Products Used:

Bourjois Paris Healthy Mix Serum Foundation - No 53 Beige Clair

Revlon PhotoReady Concealer - Light Medium 003

NYX Cream Rouge Blush - Natural (applied to the back of the cheek)

Joe Fresh Cosmetics Cream Blush - Bloom (applied to the apples of the cheeks)

NYX Cosmetics 10 Colour Eyeshadow Palette - Velvet Rope (purple)

Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Trio - I'm Getting Sunburned (dark brown)

NYX Cosmetics Retractable Eye Liner - Black

Bourjois Paris Volume Glamour Ultra Curl Mascara - Black Curl

Revlon Lip Butter - Berry Smoothie

Hope you all like this look!

Also, thanks so much for all the love on my first post about my makeup artistry classes. Keep checking in, I'll definitely be writing about my journey often!

What colours have you been reaching for most often?

These NYX Retractable Eyeliners Rock My Socks!

I'm going to be honest with you... I haven't had a great track record with pencil eyeliner.

Because my eyes are every-so-slightly hooded, they generally tend to migrate south. I did have the option of not applying the eyeliner right to the lashes; although that left a thin line of flesh showing, which only looks marginally better than the whole Raccoon Eyes look. Because of this, I like to stick to liquid or cream eyeliners. Even then, I still need to use a primer to help it stay put.

So imagine my complete and utter surprise when I discovered that the NYX Retractable Eye Liner's did just that, without the aid of primer!

Left to Right:

Golden Olive, Black, Gypsy Blue, Purple, Turquoise Blue & Bronze

I was originally drawn to these eyeliners because a) the shades were so lovely, b) they were quite pigmented, and c) they were cheap; each pencil retails for $6.99 CAD. But deep down inside, I wasn't really expecting much from them; I've been let down a lot before, you see...

But boy, was I ever wrong! These babies actually stick around for a full work day! Colour me surprised! That said, I find that I get a small bit of product under the eyes if I'm particularly active throughout the day, but it's not very noticeable. But overall, I'm so impressed with the staying power.

My favourite shades are definitely Golden Olive and Bronze. Both shades are so gorgeous and they look beautiful together! Lately, I've taken to wearing Bronze on the upper lash line (a softer alternative to the traditional black) and Golden Olive for a pop of colour on the lower lash line. 

The blue's are just as lovely and are so vibrant! Purple doesn't apply quite as vibrantly as the rest, so I find that I have to layer it on more to get the desired look. Black is... Well, black. It's not as jet black as a liquid liner or my Urban Decay Glide-On Pencil in Zero, but it's definitely black enough for me.

But if I would have to make any recommendations, definitely pick up Golden Olive and Bronze. They are beyond lovely!

What's your favourite pencil liner?

Get A Pretty Flush With NYX Cosmetics' Rouge Cream Blush In Natural

I never used to like cream blushes, mostly because I could never apply it properly with my fingers. I still have trouble, if I'm honest; but I've recently added another cream blush to my burgeoning collection: NYX's Cream Blush in Natural. That brings my collection to a whopping 3! I'm out of control, guys...

So the first part of this post was written back in the Summer. I thought that in order to give it a more thorough review, I should also test it out in the Fall when the temperature drops; it might give you guys a better idea of how this product works in the heat and in the cold. 

From NYX Cosmetics: More delicious than peaches and cream? We like to think so. Our velvety smooth mineral Rouge Cream Blush offers a sheer wash of radiant color. The glorious payoff is dewy, sultry and long-lasting. Available in 12 shades.

I really love the dewy finish it gives, it looks so pretty on the skin. Although, unlike the Joe Fresh cream blushes, these remain tacky. So while the weather is still quite warm and my skin somewhat oily, I make sure to only wear this blush when I don't have to be out for very long or on those odd Vancouver days when the temperature drops. 

That said, I find that even though my face has gotten oily, the blush stays put. I'm wearing it as I'm writing these very words, 6 hours after I first applied it and it's still with me. Might I add that it was quite hot today with a high of about 25°C (yes, that's hot to me) and it somehow didn't melt right off my face?

After 6 hours, I blotted my face and it didn't come off. Two hours after blotting and the blush is definitely not as vibrant but it's still there; so I'm seriously quite impressed with the wear time. It's not super long lasting and I'll probably have to touch up if I happened to spend a lot of time running around from place to place, enduring the combination of heat/sweat/oiliness (how lovely)... But 8 hours is still pretty darn cool.

Fast forward to today, November 8th and I still love the product & love the shade. Now that the weather is much cooler, I find that the product settles onto the skin much better and has a drier finish. That said, it still gives a nice, dewy flush. Obviously, the wear time is a bit extended as well because there's no heat t melt it off my face :p.

I currently use Sigma's F15 brush, but I find that it's much too big and I don't enjoy how it feels on the skin when applying blush. If anybody has any recommendations for brushes that would apply cream blushes beautifully, please hit me up in the comments section!

NYX Cosmetics' Rouge Cream Blush retails for $9.99 CAD and are available at PriceSmart, Save-On Foods, and the freestanding NYX Cosmetics store in Surrey's Central City mall.

What are your favourite cream blushes?

All About Eyes - A Shot of Peacock

Products Used:

NYX Single Eyeshadow - Rootbeer

MAC Eyeshadow - Patina

The Body Shop Eye Colour - Peacock Green

Clinque Brush-On Cream Eyeliner - 02 True Black

Revlon Beyond Natural Mascara - Blackest Black

NYX AUTO Eyebrow Pencil - Black

Firstly, I applied Rootbeer eyeshadow all over the lid, then I blended it out with Patina eyeshadow. Next, I applied Peacock Green eyeshadow with a pencil brush on the lower lash line, all the way to the corner. I lined my eyes with a Clinique Cream Eyeliner and extended the line outwards; I also applied this liner on the lower water line. Now because the eye look itself is fairly simple, I wanted to make the eyebrows more a bit more intense. So I used an eyebrow pencil to not only fill in the gaps, but to make my eyebrows look thicker than they really are. I did this by focusing the colour more on the edges of my brows. To finish off, I applied a few coats of mascara to both top and bottom lashes. 

Hope you guys like this look! :)

* This is a pre-written post queued up for today, as I am currently on a month-long trip. Please do still leave a comment, I will be checking in once in a while. :)

Fall Nail Colours!

During the Summer, coral was my go-to shade. For the Fall, I'm taking a cue from Summer by sticking with the same shade family and using mustard and orange shades. Admittedly, I was a bit excited for Fall so I started wearing this at the end of August and early September. 

Joe Fresh Style Nail Polish - Pineapple

Joe Fresh Style nail polishes are great quality, two coats is all you need. The only thing I don't like is the rather short and fat handle, which makes it difficult to use sometimes.

NYX Cosmetics Matte Nail Polish - Orange

I love this shade! The matte finish definitely makes it more interesting as well. Unfortunately, it doesn't take much to make this nail polish chip. Admittedly, I didn't use a top coat; but seeing as there are plenty of products out there that last even without it, this is going to be labelled a disappointment. Even still, I love wearing it, I just don't expect to be wearing it for very long :p.

What are your go-to shades for Fall?

About Face - Intense Eyeliner Look

(someone forgot to comb their eyebrows >.<)

I was inspired to recreate this look after seeing Michelle Phan's "Fun Eyeliner Looks" video on YouTube. I loved the intensity, so I whipped out the eyeliners and got to it. If you'd like to know how to create this look, then go ahead and take a look at Michelle's video (this part starts at 2:05) because for some reason, I decided to do it the hard way (i.e. using liquid liner from the get go).

Of course, I gave it my own little twist by adding another dimension to the look (you'll see in the photos below), changing the shape up a little bit so it's not as round at the top, and extending the line in the corner a little bit longer.

Products Used:

Revlon PhotoReady Foundation - 005 Natural Beige

Revlon PhotoReady Concealer - 003 Light Medium

Lancôme Star Bronzer - Éclat Bronze

Clinique Brush-On Cream Liner - True Black

NYX Cosmetics Jumbo Eye Pencil - Black

Eyeko Graffiti Eye Pencil - Jet Black

NYX Cosmetics 10 Color Palette - Velvet Rope (black w/ red-violet glitter eyeshadow)

Joe Fresh Matte Lipstick - Poppy

The most complicated part about this look was definitely getting the shape down for the eyes. I used Clinique's cream liner to trace out the shape, NYX's Jumbo Eye Pencil to fill in all the gaps (including the upper and lower waterline), and Eyeko's Graffiti Eye Pencil to make the points as precise as I could. To top off the eye look, I patted a black eyeshadow with red-violet glitter shot through on the lids. 

Hope you guys like this look!

* This is a pre-written post queued up for today, as I am currently on a month-long trip. Please do still leave a comment, I will be checking in once in a while. :)

Monthly Favourites - September 2011

Goodbye, September! Hello, October!

As I'm writing this, I am trying not to think about the stresses of work and packing for a month long trip (what makeup will I bring?!); but as you're reading this, I am currently thousands of feet in the air, cramped in a flying tin machine, not enjoying the scent of stale air and coffee. Can you tell I'm not much into flying? I'm really not... I might change my mind about it if I get to experience First Class, though :p. But enough whining! And really, why should I? I get to go to the Philippines for a month! #Hurrah

*Yes, I just used a hashtag. Don't judge me.

Well, you know the drill; this is the part where I tell you my September Favourites. Here we go!

1. Urban Decay Naked Palette

I can't believe how often I am using this palette! Typically I become a bit gung-ho about palettes and then I get tired of it... Not so with this one (at least not yet :p). It just goes to show how absolutely wearable these shades are because I've been using it nearly every single day since I purchased it in July.  My favourite combination is Sin all over the lid, Naked & Buck to contour the socket, and Virgin to highlight the inner corners and the brow bone (topped off with black eyeliner, of course). I've also taken to using Sidecar as opposed to Sin for more oomph. But my absolute favourite shade is probably Hustle, which is described by Urban Decay as a "mocha shimmer." It's such a gooorgeous shade!

2. Cargo Blush - Mendocino

This blush came with Cargo's Mediterranean Collection, which I purchased last month and it's my favourite piece in the collection. Cargo describes it as a "wildflower pink with a gold sheen" and it's absolutely lovely. It came out in the Summer, but it's totally wearable in the the Fall and Winter, as you can see from the swatch above. The texture is pretty soft and applies quite smoothly on the skin. The only thing is, I wish that it would last longer on the skin. I find that the shade is noticeably diminished after blotting. Although, the packaging is so lightweight, that it's no trouble bringing it with you in your handbag for quick touch ups.

3. MAC Blush - Feeling Flush

This has been my other blush of choice and has been featured in my Monthly Favourites list a before. It's a lovely blue-toned pink that I can actually pull off. The best thing about this blush is that it's pretty long wearing. I'll definitely be bringing this with me on vacation because I need something that's going to keep up with me.

4. eos Lip Balms - Honeysuckle Honeydew & Summer Fruit

I've been wanting to try these lip balms ever since I first saw them on a YouTube video. How cute are they? The formula isn't as thick as my favourite lip balm, Nivea Milk & Honey, but it still does a decent job of moisturizing my dry lips. It's not useful when my lips get really dry, but they're handy when my lips are behaving. The packaging is an adorable egg shape and clicks shut very securely. The flavours I got are Honeysuckle Honeydew and Summer Fruit; both smell lovely and both have a hint of a sweet taste. I love using this under lipstick, it keeps my lips from drying up throughout the day. 

5. Eyeko Graffiti Eyeliner Pen - Jet Black

Jet black, applies easily and smoothly, and absolutely long-lasting... Seriously, this stuff doesn't budge, even in the heat and even without primer. I haven't yet used any liquid eyeliner this good. The felt tip makes it super easy to create a thin line at the edges, too; which is something that I definitely need help with :p.

6. MAC Blot Powder - Medium Dark

I love how this powder just blends into the skin so smoothly. I've been using this after a quick blot with blotting paper and it leaves me looking so much fresher and more put together. It doesn't add any coverage though, which is a shame because I could definitely use a bit after blotting. Still, it feels lovely on the skin and makes me look and feel so much better! Because as oilier skinned gals know, it does not feel good!

7. NYX Eyeshadow - Root Beer

I love this colour so much, I bought it 3 times. 

"3 times?!" You ask? 

Yeah... Turns out, I'm really bad at de-potting. I bought one at IMATS Vancouver, ruined it while de-potting, bought one online, ruined that de-potting and finally was able to buy it at NYX's store in Surrey. Needless to say, I didn't even attempt to de-pot this one. Root Beer is a lovely taupey-brown shade that was absolutely welcome in my "stash" because I've been indulging in way too many brights lately. The texture is very soft and very easy to blend. Because it's so soft, it creates a lot of excess powder; even so, there is very little fall out. I've been loving applying this along the lash line after my usual Naked Palette combo's for a softer look. 

8. MAC Sheen Supreme Lipstick - Bare Again

This has been my go-to lipstick in September. Bare Again is a lovely pinky-nude, MLBB shade that is completely versatile. It's appropriate for work but you can still rock with a smoky eye. I love the creamy texture and the fact that it doesn't dry out my lips at all. Seriously, the texture is amazing; it's such a pleasure to wear.

9. The Body Shop Lotion - Mango Whip

UH-MAY-ZING scent! It sinks into the skin really nicely, leaving behind soft, amazing smelling skin. I've been using this lotion religiously since I first bought it because it's light and doesn't take forever to absorb into the skin. And have I mentioned the scent? I have? Ok, fine...

What are your favourite products of September?

All About Eyes - 5 Looks From NYX Cosmetics 10 Color Palette In Velvet Rope

The best thing about eyeshadow palettes is all the fun you get to have playing with the different shades. I decided to try 5 completely different looks using this one palette. For every look, I used NYX's Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk as a base and L'oréal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black (with the exception of the first look, in which I used Revlon Beyond Natural Eyelashes in 91155).

Now, in the interest of simplifying the write-up a little bit (and because I'm too lazy to describe each individual eyeshadow shade :p), I'll just label each shadow by their row and number them from left to right. So, T1-T5 and B1-B5, et cetera... T for top, B for bottom. Get it? So clever, I know.

On that note, here are the looks I created!

Un - Something Sultry

I applied B3 all over the lid and blended the edges out with B2. Then I highlighted the brow bone with shade B5 and lined all around the eyes with T5.

Deux - Something Soft

I used shade T3 from the inner corner to the middle of the eyelid and shade T4 from the middle to the outer corner. Then, I used shade B4 to to line the upper lash line, flicking it out in the corner.

Trois - Something Vibrant

Firstly, I applied shade T2 all over the lid, then applied shade B1 on the bottom lash line. Lastly, I applied shade B4 on the outer corners blending it outwards and making sure to blend it into the lower lash line as well.

Quatre - Something Linear

I applied shade T3 all over the lid with a fluffy brush for a softer look and also took it down to the lower lash line; I wanted it to look like a haze of lavender on the eye. Then I used shade T2 to line the eyes. I started with the top, using my usual technique for creating a flick. After that, I lined the lower lash line, making sure to keep both lines parallel. To finish off, I dusted some of shade B5 on the brow bone to highlight.

Cinq - Something Simple

I started off with the lightest shade (B5) all over the lid for a very light wash of colour. Then I used shade B3 to line all around the eyes, joining them together in the outer corner and flicking the shape up ever so slightly.

And there you have it! I had so much fun playing around with this palette and am so pleased with how the looks turned out.

Hope you guys like these looks! =)