The Thursday Post

Misun: Sharpshooter. Makes me want to dance.

I can't help but think of Mufasa and Simba, haha.

Itty bitties.

AHAHAHA. I want a label maker! I can put one on Dennison.

I bought perfume. As soon as I get my little hands on them, expect another review. I justify this by saying that I haven't found my wedding perfume yet. *cough* That's legit, right? Yeah. Yeah it is.

Is this really Katy Perry? She almost looks gorgeous in these photos :P (Can you tell I'm not a fan? Yeah).

Ahahaha. So tolerant.

Another Summer FOTD: Even Less Makeup!

If pressed, I could probably do this face in five minutes. So I guess that qualifies it as a "five-minute face." #fistpump (which is much easier than a victory lunge, thank you very much. Less stress on the legs. I'm lazy).

As the summer heat gets more intense here in Seattle, my desire to wear tons of makeup decreases. I've been focusing on power lips (like this vampy lipstick) or an easy, fresh-faced look. I've got the second up for you today.

First comes skincare and all that jazz, but when I'm ready for the makeup, it goes this way: Smashbox High Definition Concealer in Light on the undereye area and other problem spots, buffed out with MAC MSFN in Medium.
I add some color to my face with Dior Aurora, using that 3-shape method with a fluffy brush. I pat some Guerlain Terracotta Sun Shimmer Highlighting Blush in Sunny Pink on the apples of my cheek, blending out into the cheek bone (with my fingers or a stippling brush), and then work on my eyebrows with theBalm's Nude'Tude palette and MAC Brow Set in Clear.

Then, eyes. I quickly smudge some NARS primer on the lid, and then use a Clinique quad in Teddy Bear (rescued from the blog sale pile) to create a matte, natural look. I finish with mascara; this time, it's Guerlain's Noir G*.

For lips, I apply Hourglass Aura Sheer Lip Stain in Flush and top off with Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment for that added SPF 15 and a glossy sheen. There. Ta-da!

Not the most polished or glamorous face, but I feel comfortable and natural :)

What are your tricks for keeping your summer face fresh and beautiful during the heat?

*received as a free sample during a company Facebook promotion

Dressing up Revlon Gold Coin

Revlon Gold Coin has been everywhere lately; I remember seeing it on Vita's blog and of course, on Temptalia. This is a Revlon that I actually like. It lasted for a week with an Essie top coat, and then another couple of days after I jazzed it up with some glitter. Impressive, and all for $4.99!

With a Sephora by OPI base coat, two coats of Gold Coin, and Essie Good-to-Go Rapid-dry Top Coat.

It's a gold metallic polish that is rather irritating to remove, but the color and lasting power make it worth it. When I first applied it, I was a little doubtful, but it's grown on me.

You can see that it's flecked and kind of complex. 

It is lovely and festive on its own, but after a week I got bored, so I put some Sinful Colors glitter on it. This is Call You Later, which is a mix of green and gold glitter in a mostly clear, green-tinged base.

I could see this being a good holiday manicure! This is Revlon Gold Coin with Sinful Colors Call You Later layered over it.

And then again, I was at first like, "What is this???" But after a few hours, it totally grew on me. I LIKED IT. Until it was time for removal. Then I hated it. But that's how it always goes, no?

Revlon Gold Coin runs for $4.99 at most drugstores. I think it works really well on its own, but it also has tons of possibilities as a base polish for layering. Of course, I'm really not that creative, so this is about the extent of my contribution here.

The Thursday Post

Citizen Cope: Sideways. Some songs are just so freaking sexy. Light the candles and pour the wine! There's also a mysterious Santana cover/thing that's really sexy.

I like them, too. This is sweet and romantic. And of course, Miranda Kerr is gorgeous. But still very real.

A dog that does parkour.

AND MORE DOGS.

I like mushrooms, but holy cow, hahaha.

My heart (why yes I have one :P) melts.

MY FIRST DRESS FITTING IS TOMORROW AND I'M TERRIFIED. WHAT IF IT DOESN'T FIT??? Also I don't remember what my dress looks like. They could bring out anything and I'd put it on. Well, maybe not anything. It's not a princess frou-frou dress, I remember that much.

He made a heart-ish shape with his breathing, haha.

Some Beauty Tools with Sass

I've always had plain, boring tweezers - I used a pair of Revlon ones for a very long time. They work fine, but my hand does get cramped up after a while. Which is why I was intrigued by the idea of a differently designed pair of tweezers - one with a bigger pad for your fingers, so you can get a firmer grip on it. Like this one*, from Mont Bleu (their online store is here).

The company makes glass files and tweezers, most of which have pretty designs in Swarovski crystals. I confess that while the practical side of me doesn't really feel like tweezers need to be blinged out, I have to admit that it is really pretty, and it does make me happy to use them. The tweezers themselves are fine; the edges are a bit sharp, but I haven't managed to scratch myself yet, so I'd say they are okay. The design does make it easier to keep a grip on them.

They're made of stainless steel, and the clean, slanted edges make them easy to use.

The glass file* is also nice, and I like that they match, ha! I'm a big fan of glass files, in general; I have one that my mother gave me, but I think she bought it at a fair and I haven't seen too many other nice ones. This one is a good length, and actually, the crystals at the end also make it easier to keep hold of at the edge. It comes in a nice sleeve, and I think it will be fine for travel if you keep it in a small purse or bag.

All in all, the quality of these is quite good, and I think they're a lovely way to add a bit of spice to your basic beauty tools. The tweezers run 15 Euros (about $18 at the current exchange rate) and the glass files are 10 Euros (about $12 now).

*Items were received for evaluation from PR. 

The End of the Vampy Lipstick Quest

If you follow us on Twitter, you have prolly seen that Xiao and I and Tracy have been on the hunt for a deliciously vampy lipstick. It's a difficult thing; the lipstick needs to have the right combination of purple, red, brown shades, and it needs to be dark enough but not precisely black. I also prefer my dark shades to have a bit of gloss to them, so as not to make my face look too dull and dead. Also, matte, dark lipcolors can make lips look thinner.

Collectively, we went through quite a few shades, but I have found THE ONE FOR ME. It is this:

My first Rouge d'Armani! This is Plum 609. It looks red in the bullet, but just you wait.

Plum 609 meets all of my requirements, and even though it is still ridiculously hot in Seattle, I've been really enjoying it. I feel all va-va-voom with this on, you know? The texture is comfortable, and the color lasts and lasts. I also feel like it didn't transfer as much as some of my other lipsticks. This may be because the Rouge d'Armani doesn't feel creamy so much as almost...gel-like? Hard to describe, but I LIKE IT.

Natural light. You can see that it does feather after a while. I don't know if I should buy a dark lipliner?

In direct sunlight, it looks warmer, more red. Still gorgeous.

And then of course we need a FOTD up in here so you can see what it actually looks like on a person. Keep in mind that this is a very awkward looking person. I apologize in advance.

I tried to keep my makeup simple, but also wanted some color in my cheeks to keep myself from looking like a ghost.

So what do you think? Vampy enough? Too dark for my pale paleness? Is this a color you would rock? 

My hair has been doing weird things. I blame the heat.

Les Rouges d'Armani go for $30 at Nordstrom or Neiman Marcus; I bought mine at Nordstrom with the help of a very awesome SA - we went through all of the counters looking for THE VAMPY LIPSTICK. If you're ever at the flagship Nordstrom, give Kristy at YSL a holler, ya hear?

The Thursday Post

The Peach Kings: Fisherman. LOVE. Oooo-oooh.

It's just paper! Incredible.

I made these and you must make them. It's like blueberry pie. But not quite as much work. And just as delicious. Mmm, crumbs.

Literature + food, two of my favorite things!

More nature photography.

What does everyone around the world eat? Very, very cool.

6 songs to describe your life?

"Boss, it's hot up here. Can we go back downstairs yet?"

The Penguin Challenge Week 3: White + Color

I wanted to do another color that I have trouble with for week 3, because it's a challenge, right?

So I chose purple. And lemme tell you, for someone who doesn't like purple eye shadow, I apparently have abso-freaking-lot of it.

Surprise! Why so much purple???

I don't know how that happens. It...it comes out of the walls, or something. (Can you imagine how creepy that would be? Purple eyeshadow, tumbling from the walls...glitter everywhere. Oh goodness).

NARS Smudge Proof Eye Shadow Base
theBalm Nude'Tude palette Sassy (pearly white)
Stila Pro Artist Palette No 1 (dark purple shade), Shiro Cosmetics Rattata, Silk Naturals Jean Queen*
Annabelle Smudge Paint in Plummed (thanks, Tracy! :D)
Guerlain Noir G mascara**

So I guess purple's not that scary. Purple that is blue-based, that is. Red-based purple still freaks me out. Well I guess all purple is red- and blue-based, but you know what I mean. 

And there we go! That rounds out the challenge. As always, please check out the other looks! I'm excited to see what everyone else came up with.

*Item received from company for evaluation.
**Item received as a free sample during a brand-sponsored promotion.

Solstice Scents Summer Scrubbies

Well, okay, so I didn't actually get any sort of exfoliating scrubs. But the title just needed to be used. I ordered two whipped soaps and two body ganaches (lotions) from Solstice Scents after they released their summer collection, because I needed more bath goodies and who doesn't want Root Beer Float whipped soap? Like last time, my items shipped quickly, I received tracking information, and they arrived intact, packed very nicely. I love the way they pack their orders - such attention to detail!

The whipped soaps come in 8 oz tubs, and the body ganaches come in 4 oz tubs. The whipped soap seems like it will last me quite a while, though, as I only need a little bit per use.

I have only ordered perfumes in the past, so this is the first time I'm trying any of their other products. I chose whipped soaps in Root Beer Float and Tropical Moon, and Body Ganaches in Lavender Vanilla and Savannah; I think Lavender Vanilla is the only one that is part of their core line.

I haven't tried the body lotions yet (I'm still working on another one - I like to have only one open at a time) but the whipped soap is rather divine. It's frothy, like...whipped...soap. Ha! It's like bubbles with more substance. It's hard to explain, but it's magnificent. Kind of like shaving cream, I guess. Or...whipped marshmallows? Without being sticky, of course. It lathers up pretty well for something that is SLS free, and I feel clean without feeling like all the moisture has been stripped from my skin. I would definitely repurchase these. The one I have open right now is Root Beer Float, which smells quite like the real thing, though perhaps lacking the sweet cream finish. A bit medicinal, as well, so if that's not your thing, you probably wouldn't enjoy this one. I like it, though the scent doesn't linger after the shower. That's fine with me, though, because then it's lotion time, anyway.

The products range in price depending on the ingredients used, I believe. Whipped soaps seem to go from $8.75 - $9.75; the Body Ganaches from $8.50 - $10.00. All of the ingredients are listed on the product page, which makes me very happy.

If you're looking for indie bath products, I'd definitely give these a look. Solstice Scents stocks a variety of scents and products (whipped soaps, lotions, perfume oils, scrubs, etc.) and though some scents do sell out (especially from their seasonal releases), they often restock popular items. You also get a free perfume sample with each order; this time, I chose Nightgown, and omgdivine. More of that will be coming home to me at some point, I promise. Tropical Moon is supposed to be the summer counterpart to Nightgown, so I'm excited about that soap as well. All in all, happy happy Larie! And clean, yummy-smelling Larie.

Learning to Love a Color: an EOTD

In my July Favorites post, I said that I was surprised to find that I really liked the copper shade in the Tarina Tarantino Wonderful palette, because I don't usually love warm shades like that. I've still been pulling it out a lot, so I thought I'd show a quick EOTD today.

This is the Wonderful palette. Such lovely greens!

NARS Smudge Proof Eye Shadow Base
Tarina Tarantino Wonderful palette
Benefit Magic Ink, Urban Decay Mildew
L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes

Lately it seems like I've also been experimenting with mascara and bringing the shadow down to my lower lashline; I find that when I do this, it actually makes any mascara smudging less noticeable, and it sometimes can balance out an eye look. It's nice to change up the techniques once in a while, I suppose!

I like this hat.
Face: Smashbox High Definition Concealer + MAC MSFN Medium
Dior Aurora
Revlon Gold Dust

So I guess copper is all right - this shade, at least.

Have you ever changed your mind about a color family that you were convinced was evil?

The Thursday Post

Snakadaktal: Dance Bear. Is that not the coolest name ever? Hahahaha.

GAH SO CUTE. The captions really make it, too.

You watched this, right? NASA celebrating the landing of the new rover? You must. It just makes you smile.

The travel bug is back. THOSE LAVENDER FIELDS. !!!!

I LOVE this open cabinet, and all the pretty fragrances!

Talk about creating beauty out of mundane things.

He decided to hide in the closet. Under all of the hanging clothing. Sigh.

The Penguin Challenge Week 2: Black + Color

What color did I pick, you ask? Well, something unexpected.

NARS Smudge Proof Eye Shadow Base
theBalm Luscious Lani, Urban Decay Woodstock, theBalm Guilty Gwen
Chanel Mirifique

I picked pink. The black is there, I promise, you just can't see it when my eyes are closed.

Face: Smashbox High Definition Concealer + MAC MSFN
Cheeks: MAC Subtle Breeze
Lips: Clinique Flirty Honey Almost Lipstick

See? Totally there. It looks a bit patchy on my right eye because, uh, I honestly think it's the brush...but whatever. I rarely do everyday looks with more than two colors, so this is like, a big thing. BIG. Also, Chanel Mirifique is a really, pretty, liner. REALLY.  That is all.

Don't forget to check out the other looks in the challenge!

A Lipstick Bandit Breaks the Bold!

Boldly going where no bandit has gone before...we bring to you: sheer lipsticks. I know we're usually about the bright, dark, intense, strongly-colored lipsticks, but sometimes you want something different. Especially in the summer, when makeup is worn at a minimum due to glorious weather. I didn't have any sheer lipsticks, or any lipsticks of soft, moderate coloring (hello, red, red, red, red and bright orange), so I was delighted to pick out something to fill the gap in my lipstick arsenal. This is what I chose.

This is Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Natural 37. The bullet shape, texture, and faint scent of the lipstick actually reminds me of my beloved Rouge Diors. And they are $13 cheaper! This doesn't mean I will abandon my Rouge Diors, of course.

Lip swatch! Soft, peachy goodness.

The Rouge Artist Natural texture is quite nice, actually. It's not overly slippery (like the YSL Rouge Voluptes), but also not dry. It slides onto lips nicely, giving me a soft wash of color. It's not sheer in a juicy way (like Clinique's Almost Lipsticks), but more in a understated, romantic way. Or something. Like I said above, they actually remind me of Rouge Diors, and that is a lovely thing.

Full face shot. Looks more pink here, but it's more of a soft coral - it has some definite orange to it in person.

This is described as an "irridescent icy coral," but I don't really think it's that shimmery; there's certainly no sparkles or glitter, thankfully. S. helped me choose the color - the other corals were too orange.

MUFE's Rouge Artist Naturals retail for $19 at Sephora, which is where I bought mine. What's your favorite sheer(-ish?) lipstick? Let me know! I could use maybe one or two more...ahaha.

Now, check out the other Lipstick Bandits' choices! I'm excited to see what they've chosen, too. I love Lipstick Bandit days!

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Empties + Rejects V7

It's that time again! Once you get into a rhythm, you just kind of keep going through products. Especially if you aren't buying anything new! This series of empties is kind of blah...but I guess they can't all be wildly exciting.

Empties

Also, another random face mask.

Bath and Body Works Twilight Woods Shower gel
I used to like this scent, and now I don't. Hahaha. As I keep saying, I'm just trying to power through these things. I don't like them much any more, as I find that my skin sometimes feels tingly afterward and the smell isn't long-lasting or anything. A few more to go!

Boscia Green Tea Blotting Linens, sample pack
Hahahaha it kind of cracks me up that this took me so long to finish. It only has 25 sheets! I only use them when it's warm out and I have to run around doing stuff; that tends to make my face all oily. So I blot. AND BLOT. Now they are finally all gone. I have the peppermint pack from the holidays (when they are $5 and a steal!) so now I've moved on to that. Based on the amount of time this one took me to finish, I should be done with that one in five years.

Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover
A drugstore bargain that works just as well as many others that I've tried. It's a dual-phase remover, and I like it.  No weird packaging or anything, and absurdly cheap. Win! Already repurchased.

Rejects

Sephora Outrageous Volume mascara, sample
Another mascara that I received as a 100 pt perk from Sephora. It does give me a volume boost, but it smudges a lot. I tried keeping it around for a few weeks to see if it got better with time, as I hear some mascaras do, but nope. Still really wet, very smudgy. I do think part of my problem is that I wear a very emollient eye cream, so if you don't, this will probably work wonders for you!

Alba Deep Sea Facial Mask
I used this a few times (purchased it a while ago), but it smells really strongly and I'm pretty sure it gives me a rash, so I'm chucking it. It was only a few bucks at Ulta, so I don't feel bad, and I have no idea what else to do with it. It's thick and pasty, and feels okay, but rashes are no good.

Emilio Pucci Miss Pucci deluxe sample
Something I received from Sephora as a perk at some point. It starts off light and citrusy, but then winds down to smell like Givenchy's Very Irrésistible L'Intense, which I don't like.  No point in keeping a sample of something I dislike, so out it goes.

Tarina Tarantino Fleur de Lash mascara sample
Another 100 pt perk from Sephora. I am trying to find my HG mascara, okay? The problem with this one is that it smudges on me, because of issues I just mentioned above. It's a shame, because I really actually like this one - it gives me the illusion of fuller lashes, without clumping or getting crunchy.

Well, that's it for this month! This is also a good way for me to keep track of how long something lasts (like makeup remover, for example), so I guess the empties posts do serve another purpose besides (hopefully) short and sweet reviews.

The Thursday Post

Grace Potter and the Nocturnals: Sugar. I want to be this badass. The instrumentals are badass. Her voice is badass.

This totally has to be what Dennison looked like as a puppy.  I feel sad that he had terrible first years of life somewhere...but I think he's happy now! :)

Absolutely breath-taking.

Ahh, so cool! The way artists play with dimensions is mind-boggling.

The world is amazing, and this is a bit creepy.

I'm pretty much obsessed with Songza. I may have to do a "currently listening to:!" post soon because I'm overloaded with new music to share, and there aren't enough Thursdays in the world.

"Hi boss. What's up? I'm chillin'. Chillin' like a villain."

The Penguin Challenge Week 1: Black & White

 When I was contacted by Mimi, Alexis and Kaki about The Penguin Challenge, I was at first a bit hesitant - black and white are some strong colors, yo, and how can I outdo a penguin? Not possible.

image source

But I figured it'd be fun, so of course, I hopped on board. For week 1, the prompt was "black and white." So I decided to do a wearable EOTD, because white and black are such stark colors that they are usually either paired with soft neutrals (i.e., brown) or avoided completely. They are dramatic and can be scary, but I also think they make a lovely duo.

NARS Smudge Proof Eye Shadow Base
theBalm Nude'Tude palette Sassy (pearly white), Serious (glittery black)
Chanel Mirifique
L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes mascara

I actually did wear this out and about on Sunday, finished with soft pink blush and sheer pink lipstick. Not work appropriate, but not over-the-top scary, either. I liked it. Plus, it gave me a chance to use the much-neglected glittery black shades that I own, which, while pretty to look at, aren't the easiest to incorporate into "neutral" looks. So, ta-da! Penguin-esque, right?