Revlon ColorStay Sophisticated Grays Eye Collection

happy monday, beauties! hope you enjoyed a fabulous holiday weekend. did you get any yummy makeup and beauty goodies?

i received a few gems, but the one shadow palette i have been using a lot these days comes by way of a trip to Target i took a few weeks ago.



this Revlon ColorStay Eyeshadow Quad in Sterling Rose came with a ColorStay Eyeliner and was packaged as the Sophisticated Grays Collection. i was drawn to the classic shades because they're perfect for this season and beyond. three of the shades are pretty light, and all of the shades have a sheen to them, but i love mixing and matching the colors-- day to night looks are effortless!



i'm a huge fan of Revlon ColorStay eyeshadows and these didn't disappoint. the pigments of each shadow are good with fab blendability and wear. each color is classic and will easily transition into spring. the liner is mechanical (perfect for waterline application), and stays put all day!

Revlon is available at your favorite drug and mass retailers. be sure to visit revlon.com for more info.

xo
pics taken by me :)

MAC 'Going Bananas' Eyeshadow from the Dare to Wear Collection

a little over a month ago, i took the plunge and bought an eyeshadow color i never thought i'd wear. i had heard some good things about it, and, being the makeup junkie i am, was content with the idea of just collecting another LE eyeshadow from MAC if i didn't like the way it looked on me. the great thing is, it actually does look good and i love wearing it!

the color i'm talking about is called Going Bananas and it was one of many funky, bright shades in the Dare to Wear collection. this bright yellow isn't as bold on the eye as i thought it would be. it's finish is a frost, but not glittery and definitely not matte. on my eyes, it adds a nice pop of color and looks good with any other shade i choose to pair it with (who knew?)



the whole collection:

Dare to Wear Lipglass shades:

Dare to Dare-- light blue pink with multi-pearl
Bold & Brash-- bright red with multi-pearl
Ban This!-- deep purple with multi-pearl
Gimme That!-- bright fuchsia pink with pink pearl
So Bad-- mid-tone coral orange with pink and gold pearl
Wind Me Up-- dirty bronze with pink and gold pearl

Eyeshadows:

Louder, Please-- bright fuchsia (matte)
Free to Be-- creamy true coral (matte)
Going Bananas-- soft lemon yellow (frost)
Lime-- lime green (matte)
Sassy Grass-- bright grass green (matte)
Atlantic Blue-- bright violet blue (matte)
Crazy Cool-- pale frosty lavender (veluxe pearl)
Shock-a-holic-- deep purple (matte)
Aqua-- subdued, pale greyed aqua (matte)
Sky Blue-- robin's egg blue (frost)
Winkle-- mid-tone cornflower blue (satin)
Zingy-- bright sky blue (matte)

Dare to Wear is still available online (maccosmetics.com), but not much longer. if you're like me and sometimes procrastinate, you'll be happy to know that there still just maight be products left in stock at your local MAC even if there isn't a display out (trust me, i've done this many times in the past). :)

xo
pics taken by me :)

Longwear: Giorgio Armani Metallic Eye Shadows for Fall 2010

So the verdict is in per InStyle's beauty department and the news is good.  Armani Metallic Eye Shadows set to launch in mid-October stand the test of time (read: last all day)!

The densely pigmented powder-gel hybrid combines shimmer with translucent emollients that lock color in place.  Professional makeup artist Joanna Schlip chimes in, "These shadows are ideal for my red-carpet clients because there's no need for a touch-up."  Schlip does provide a few tips for application of this unique new product, though.  The color is extremely rich and can be tricky to apply.  She suggests, "dipping a damp brush in the pot and swirling it on the back of your hand until the shadow is a sheer paste."

Beauty editors claim the shadows lived up to the long-wear claim.  The report they applied it on a steamy summer morning, and the color didn't budge, fade or crease; no small feat.  The shadows are said to be easily removed, however, with an oil-based makeup remover.  The color lasted on these beauties a whole 10 hours.

Looking forward to trying these me thinks, if for no other reason because of the luxury of a richly colored gel-powder Armani shadow on my lid! Armani Metallics will be available online at Giorgio Armani Beauty mid-October.  The shadows will retail for about $32 each.

product craving: Urban Decay Naked Palette

i know i'm not the only one who wants the new Urban Decay Naked Palette. why? because it keeps selling out within seconds of becoming available again!

i'm totally kicking myself: i had my chance to order it via sephora.com** a little over a week ago (my local store sold out and won't be getting any replacements-- see the photo below, LOL!), but missed it-- now i have to wait again...



in any case, you'll find in this palette 12 full size eyeshadows in shades ranging from a pale champagne to a gorgeous deep charcoal. you'll also find a double-ended 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Zero (black) and Whiskey (brown), as well as a mini Primer Potion.

shadows include:

Virgin-- nude satin
Sin-- champagne shimmer
Naked-- buff matte
Sidecar-- beige sparkle
Buck-- nutmeg matte
Half Baked-- bronze
Smog-- golden brown shimmer
Darkhorse-- bronze-plum shimmer
Toasted-- taupe-bronze
Hustle-- mocha shimmer
Creep-- near-black metallic
Gunmetal-- dark grey metallic


tell me: are you craving this fabulous product like me, or do you already own it?

xo
**i'll keep checking the site daily. as soon as i have it, you'll be the first to know! ;)

My New Beauty Obsessions from Benefit Cosmetics

like you, any new beauty product is so exciting to have and use, but every once and awhile you get your hands on a product and you can't get enough of it. i just happen to have two new products that i am loving from Benefit: Creaseless Shadow/Liner in Birthday Suit, and their newest gloss, Ultra Shines Lip Shine in Wild Child.

i can't tell you how happy i am to have these in my beauty life!

i was introduced to these, and other goodies (see the pic above of her train case), by an old friend who just happens to be a makeup artist for Benefit! i was thrilled when i found this out because, while i have some experience with the brand, i always like to learn about products from someone who uses them all the time. so, needless to say, i was able to play with the products, ask lots of questions, and buy what i really liked (there were some other gems i picked too, so you'll be hearing about those soon).



these shadows are fab for the summer season-- the cream formula is super blendable, quickly transforms into a powder finish after being applied, and doesn't budge as the day goes on. they'll also definitely work to take me into the fall/winter season. i'm thinking Birthday Suit will keep my smokey eye looks looking fresh and radiant. :)




the Ultra Shines lippies are so lush and yummy on my lips. they aren't sticky and moisturize fabulously. the Wild Child shade is described as a glimmering amethyst and definitely not a color i would have chosen for myself. in its tube it looks so pretty-- not pink, not purple-- and quite bold, but on my lips is a great sheer-but-bright color. love!


me, wearing Wild Child-- excuse the up-the-nose shot, LOL!

of course, you don't have take my word for it-- discover these for yourself. visit your local Benefit beauty counter and have some fun! you can also find the Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow/Liner (available in 12 shades) and Ultra Shines Lip Shines (available in 5 gorgeous colors) online at benefitcosmetics.com and sephora.com.

xo
pics taken by me :)