Favorite Things: July 2011

Hello Makeup Mavens!  

I thought I'd breeze through and share some of my favorite things for the month of July...   I've been practicing some form of restraint by not over indulging in makeup, and I must admit I've done pretty good, but of course I had to splurge on a few items....

Let's start with my e.l.f. products.  After reading about the benefits of a primer I decided to start cheap.  I figure there was no need to spend a lot of money on a primer until I saw the results of what a primer can do.   Well I purchashed the elf primer from Target for the great price of $3.00...  Now it was my intention to get a primer but I ended up with the Makeup Mist and Set (which is on the right side).  I used the mist and set as a primer and it worked wonders, I also used it after I had on a full face to set the makeup and it was sill awesome.   It gave my face a dewy appearance.

e.l.f. Mineral Infused Face Primer and e.l.f. Makeup Mist and Set

But, it wasn't until I got my hands on the e.l.f. Mineral Infused Face Primer did I realize just how awesome a face primer can be!  lol  This stuff is the bomb and I can't wait to get my hands on a primer that is a better quality.  What the primer does for me is to prepare the face for the foundation and powder.  It acts as a seal of sorts, it fills lines and it allows for an even distribution of foundation which results in a flawless finish,  but the piece da resistance for me is that I can go the entire day without touching up my face, there is no shine in the t-zone and my makeup looks freshly applied all day long... for me that's MAJOR especially since I have a super oily t-zone and I'm super shiny before lunch time...


I've been playing around with Ben Bye products. What a great line!   Over the years I have heard about Ben Nye but I never new where to purchase the products so I never gave it a second thought.   Then my coworker who is a professional makeup artist mentioned Ben Nye and went on to tell me that the line is sold at a theatrical makeup supply store that is around the corner from my house, I mean it is literally around the corner, I can walk to the place.   So I made my way to Kinetic Artistry and that began my face to face introduction with Ben Nye.

Ben Nye Matte Foundation SA-1 Au Lait

I've been on a mission for a new foundation.  I wanted something Matte and I thought I wanted a liquid but I was talked into a cream/cake foundation.  Now I don't know why I hadn't tried cakes before, I guess I assumed they would be hard to work with.  Well I was WRONG!   I love this cake foundation, it's easy to use and I find that I don't use nearly as much as I did when I was using liquid foundation, and for the price (I wanna say it was $9.00)  you can't beat it...  

Ben Nye Mojave Collection Luxury Powder in Olive Sand

 

 

 

Not only was I on the look out for a new foundation I was in search of a loose powder and low n' behold Ben Nye had quite the selection.  I chose this awsome powder all for the wonderful price of $11.00.  Can you say DEAL of the MONTH?!?!?!?   and it's a great powder ---  a little goes a very long way.  "It's a finely milled translucent powder favored for its slight yellow/peachy tint. The powder is perfect on darker skintones because it doesn't appear ashy or create a grey cast on the skin the way some traditional white translucent powders can."

Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer

Due to the fact that I have the oilest of oily eye lids I am constantly looking for  an above average primer.  I finally found one in Smashbox's Photo Finish Lid Primer, it was $20.00 well spent. "Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer creates the perfect canvas for eyeshadow application. Wear this universal shade under shadow to increase longevity, or create the perfect nude eye by applying over the lid for an even tone".

MAC Paint Pot in Groundwork and Soft Ochre

After playing around with concealer as an eye shadow base I decided it was time to stop playing games with the concealers and step up my game with a Paint Pot by MAC.  $17.00 worth of awesomeness tucked away in a tiny little package but it's worth every penny and a little really goes a long way. The Paint Pots are "a highly pigmented eye color that goes on creamy but dries to an intense, vibrant finish. Long-wearing, colourfast. Creates seamless coverage without weight or caking. Blends smoothly over the lids. Cream-based, can be mixed with M·A·C shadows and liners."  (and any other product you choose to mix it with).

Ben Nye Pressed Colour Palette aka the Essential Eye Shadow Palette

I've been lusting after the Ben Nye Essential Eye Shadow palette for a month, and today I purchased it for $45.00.  This is a highly pigmented palette and the size of the shadows is huge I'd say they are much bigger than a silver dollar.  "Our sleek palettes combine versatility and convenience. This 8 color palette contains has a complete range of neutral shades for eyes and brows."  Now, I haven't used the palette yet, however if it's anything like the foundation and the loose powder I know I will be pleased!   This one palette has me in "Smokey Look" heaven...  and it's perfect for fall!  


So these are a few of my July favorite things...   just a few!  lol