The postman arrived with my lovely black box of MAC, and inside were many gems that I’ve been anticipating for a week. Two of those items were better than expected, the MAC Viva Glam lipstick collection, featuring my idol, Cyndi Lauper and that other chick, Lady Gaga.
Mac Viva Glam Cyndi and Gaga
Both sheer, both sexy as hell.

MAC Viva Glam Swatches
I know that red is all the rage this spring, but this isn’t the red that you think it is. The MAC Viva Glam Cyndi is very wearable and would probably go well with most skintones. You could kick this red outta the ballpark with a rich red lipliner, which I will experiment with during the week.

MAC Viva Glam Cyndi
This pic was taken right after work..didn’t have time to touch up my face, but you get the picture.

The next shade, MAC Viva Glam Gaga, is going to be a pretty hard color to pull off, given it’s intense blue/pink hue. My makeup for the day did not go with this lip at all! Even my red tank top would need to be changed to pull this lip off. (See below)

MAC Viva Glam Gaga
Ewww no! I’ll have to change my entire outfit and eye look to go with this one.

This lipstick might not look on darker skintones, it’s very bubble gum pink! This is something you would probably need to try on in the store in order to see if it fit you.

MAC Viva Glam Lady Gaga

Overall, I am very pleased with the texture, the feel and the look of these Viva Glam lipsticks. I give them 5 stars each!!! Well done, MAC!

Mac Haul
Other purchases I made were : MAC Pro Palette for Blush, the 222 brush for the crease (I lost mine!), Impeccable Brow Pencil in Dirty Blonde and the Penultimate Brow Marker. We will see how these work out, I already broke a blush trying to de-pot it from the compact because I was impatient and didn’t want to wait to find the wire clippers. Do an internet search for videos and blogs about how to de-pot your MAC products! Make sure you have all of the tools before you start de-potting because I totally wasted a blush! I ended up dropping some alcohol back into the blush compact and pressing the blush back down into the pan, but it looks really crappy.

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My big trip to Sephora should be happening on Saturday, so I’ll have updates soon after that! I am going there to check out the Tarina Tarantino makeup collection and try on a few goodies while I am there.

New for Spring 2010!

MAC Viva Glam 2010
MAC ‘Viva Glam VII’ Lipstick ($14 each @ Nordstrom / Macy’s / MAC Pro Stores)

This is the highly anticipated collection of Viva Glam lipstick from MAC.. starring the shock-popstar Lady GaGa and 80s pop legend, Cyndi Lauper. Although I am not a GaGa fan, I am a super-fan of the Viva Glam GaGa lustre formula light blue / pink lipstick color, which has been a signature color of mine for years (I wear the matte YSL version, and NYX). The Viva Glam Cyndi is a lustre formula shade of a light reddish coral.. this is also a must-have! Do not forget that every cent raised through the sales of Viva Glam lipstick go to the MAC AIDS Fund to help support the fight against AIDS / HIV. A hot lipstick shade with a good cause, it can’t get better than that!

Givenchy Powder Blush
Givenchy Le Prisme Blush Powder Blush
This is a four-color blush palette with gorgeous high-pigmented shades that you can use all together or one shade at a time. This product allows you to customize your color! I am loving the It-Girl Purple, and since this is a Sephora-only product, I am going to defs test this out on Saturday!

Available in the following colors:
- Aficionado Peach
- It-Girl Purple
- In Vogue Orange
- Fashionista Brown (pictured)

Kim Kardashian Fragrance
Kim Kardashian fragrance (starting at $16)
Ok, so I want to see what all the “stink” is about. Since I hear that Kim stole her fragrance logo from a jewelry company logo, and that she probably stole her fragance scent from J. Lo (that is just my joke, not a rumor!) I gotta see what the fuss is about and if this product actually delivers.

Laura Mercier Mattifying Gel

Laura Mercier Secret Finish Mattifying Gel
($27 @ Sephora) and the
Laura Mercier Smooth Focus Pressed Setting Powder – Shine Control ($32 @ Sephora)
I have oily skin and the summer months ahead only mean trouble for sebum control! I am always trying new things, so this might be just what I am looking for. This Secret Finish Mattifying Gel is a shine-controlling liquid-gel formula that you can use to touch-up your shiny areas through the day, you can even dab this over makeup! The current mattifyer that I use by Clarins (in a little red pot) breaks my skin out within an hour. I really want to give this one a try! Along with that, there is the Smooth Focus Pressed Setting Powder for shine control, another product that looks excellent for oily skin!

Make Up For Ever Creme Blush
Make Up For Ever HD Microfinish Cream Blush ($25 @ Sephora for .33 oz)

Want a healthy and lasting glow? Well, this new cream blush in a pump looks awesome! The blush combines mattifying & reflecting powders to create a soft-focus glow.

Can’t wait for my mall trip! I hope I don’t spend too much.. my taxes are coming back soon, so we will see!

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I want to dedicate this blog space for a wonderful, creative and innovative man in the fashion industry that we lost today: Alexander McQueen.

Alexander McQueen

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Dita Von Teese

I am doing this for a friend who requested a pin-up girl look for Halloween, I know she likes Dita Von Teese, so I chose that look for her (I might do another one if I have time this weekend) since it’s really simple to do and you can get dramatic results pretty easily.

Maybelline Superstay 24Hr Makeup in Sand Beige

I decided to try my new foundation, Maybelline Superstay 24Hr Makeup in Sand Beige. This color is pretty pale considering the name “Sand Beige” ($9.99). I really love the consistency of this foundation and it goes on beautifully. I am basically comparing this to Revlon Colorstay, which is probably what this product is trying to compete with. I will say that this foundation is good, but it is not great. I still haven’t given it enough of a chance to see if it will break me out or if it “outlasts” Colorstay. I am pleased with the color match because it is not too yellow like the other foundations I have been using.

Maybelline Superstay Foundation

Super EMO in that pic?? Anyway, yeah, as you can see I am tired and wishing I could sleep, my eyes look like crap… but the coverage of that foundation ROCKS. If you want to go for that super pale Dita complexion, you might need the lightest foundation in this line, perhaps Porcelain Ivory and adding a white powder or cornstarch powder.

Bare Escentuals Natural Light Powder

I wanted to add a nice glow to my skin, so I chose Bare Escentuals Natural Light Highlighting Duo. You can use any type of shimmer powder product that goes with your skin tone. Don’t use too much or you will end up looking oily and greasy! Just a bit on the cheek bones, forehead, bridge of nose and chin.

The next part, which was the trickiest part for me, was matching the eyebrow shape:

Dita Von Teese Makeup Tutorial

Her brows are definitely filled in, as you can see in the pic that I posted of her. Her brows seem to float on top of her natural brow so she can get that high arch. What I did was the same technique as I normally do on my brows (click here for that tutorial) but I added a little bit of a rounded dip in the front bottom part of my brow and a pointier triangle arch. I also stopped the tail end of my brow in alignment with the end of the corner of my eye.  I will admit, I used a few spit-soaked q-tips to refine and shape my brow as my hands were not in the surgical precision kind of mood. The arch is somewhat hard to match on both sides, but with some practice, you will be able to master these. I suggest that you practice your brows ahead of time so you aren’t struggling on Halloween to get these right.

If you have thick brows or brows that you would rather cover up first, (do not attempt to shave off your brows!)  there is an amazing tutorial on YouTube featuring a glue stick, concealer and painting on your brows. Click here for a tutorial on how to conceal your brows so you can draw them back on however you wish!

Revlon Eyebrow Clear Gel

I used a bit of Revlon eyebrow gel in clear to comb and set my brows. I brushed them upwards and then to the sides to keep the hairs in place. It also helps keep your brow powder or paint on. I also suggest if you are going out to a party or dancing, to use some makeup sealant, I use Irene Gari Lipstick Sealer to waterproof my makeup. (Click this link to go to the Irene Gari product page, there is also an eyebrow gel available! Reasonable prices!) You may also try Benefit Cosmetics She-Laq if you don’t mind spending $30. The product lasts years, but there are still cheaper makeup sealers out there.

MAC Brule Matte Eyeshadow
MAC Brule Satin Eyeshadow

Next, I applied MAC Brule satin finish eyeshadow over the top of an eyeshadow primer, like Urban Decay Primer Potion. The eyeshadow should be lighter than your skintone and a matte (no shimmer) finish. It gives you a really clean and sophisticated look when paired with the heavy black liner that will go on next!

Below my brow bone, I used Benefit Cosmetics High Brow highlighter pencil, you can also use any matte white or off-white highlighting shadow which is lighter than the shadow you used on your bottom lid. I also used the High Brow pencil to brighten my under eye area by dotting on a few spots of the product and blending it in with a very thin eye cream. (I used Benefit Cosmetics Ooh La Lift eye brightening and tightening product)

MAC Chromaline in Black Black

Next you want to get out the big guns.. the eyeliner. I prefer to use either a gel / cream or liquid liner for this look. I do not use pencil on my upper lid because I just can’t get it precise enough. For this tutorial, I used the new MAC Chromaline gel liner in Black Black. You want this liner to be matte and not shimmery. It can be shiny if you wish, but I prefer the matte look for this pin-up girl style. I also saw that Wet ‘N Wild has a new creme liner and I haven’t tried it yet, but if you are on a budget, I’d say give it a try. I used the Benefit Cosmetics Bent eyeliner brush. The hairs on this brush are stiff enough to pick up and apply enough product.

MAC Chromaline Black Black

I started from the inner corner of my eye, applying pressure paint the gel liner across my lid, as close to my lash line as possible. I stopped once I got to the end of my eye. If the line isn’t thick enough, don’t worry, you can build up the line, but if you think it’s too much, you may have to use a makeup remover cloth to remove it all. Oops! Start small and build your way up to the line thickness you desire.

MAC Chromaline Black Black

Next you are going to apply your winged tip to the end of your line. This takes MUCH practice if you have never attempted to do this before. I started off with a small wing and built it up to a thicker wing.

MAC Chromaline Black Black

MAC Chromaline in Black Black with Maybelline Lash Stylist Mascara

I decided to speed the tutorial up a bit since my camera was running out of battery power, and I have NO idea where the plug is to charge it. Oops. So anyway, I kept building up my eyeliner, since if you notice, Dita’s eyeliner looks like it covers her entire eye. It probably is not, but it is a very thick line. I applied a thick and full coat of mascara, which was the Maybelline Lash Stylist mascara comb(discontinued) mixed with Maybelline XXL Volume and Length mascara, which is a very black mascara, which is what you want. I really do recommend fake lashes for this look, but I was running out of time. I highly recommend these lashes: Ardell Accent Lashes #305.

Ardell Accent Lashes 305

These are corner lashes that give you a gorgeous winged out look. I loooove these lashes so much and will not use anything else. I also love the MAC Hello Kitty lashes, but those were a limited edition product and more expensive than the Ardell version. I also applied my fake beauty mark to the side of my eye, directly in line with the tip of my eyebrow.

MAC Cosmetics Chromaline Black BlackMAC Cosmetics Chromaline Black Black Gel LinerMAC Chromaline Black Black and Maybelline XXL Volume Mascara

To polish off my eye look, I applied Benefit Cosmetics Mr. Frosty shimmering white eye pencil to the waterline (bottom inner rim) of my eye as well as under my lash line. You can use any type of white eyeliner for this look, I also recommend the Paladio’s white pencil which you can find at CVS pharmacy and Long’s Drugs. Click here for more info. I also applied a very thin and precise coat of mascara to my bottom lashes.

MAC Frankly Scarlette BlushMAC Frankly Scarlette Matte Blush

Next, I used a bit of MAC Frankly Scarlette matte blush, which is a vivid red rose, more on the pink side. I used a very light application since this blush is heavily pigmented.

Benefit Cosmetics Gypsy Liner and Elizabeth Arden Red 01 Lip Liner

The lips are the second hardest part of this tutorial. It took me a while to get the liner just right. I am not used to wearing lip liner, so it was a bit tricky at first. I used two different shades of lipliner because I wanted the darker outline. I used Benefit Cosmetics Gypsy lip liner as the darker outline color (which for some idiotic reason is discontinued) which is a darker brick red / brown shade, and Elizabeth Arden Red 01 lip pencil as the brighter inner shading color.

Benefit Cosmetics Gypsy and Elizabeth Arden Red 01
Benefit Cosmetics Gypsy lip liner and Elizabeth Arden Red 01Benefit Gypsy Lip Liner and Elizabeth Arden Red 01 and MAC Russian Red Tinted Lip Glass

For the finishing touches, I applied the infamous MAC Russian Red Tinted Lipglass.

I did not bother doing my hair since I spent all day dying and toning it (with an amazing hair dye that I will review soon) so here is just the finished face for you:

Dita Von Teese Makeup TutorialDita Von Teese Makeup TutorialDita Von Teese Makeup Tutorial

Did I miss anything?? I am exhausted. Two tutorials in one day!?!? Ughh. My camera is dead, I am dead. I can’t do another tutorial until I find that damned power cord. =( Love you guys, hope you enjoyed this. Happy Halloween!

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I feel like I am going to die. This week has been exhausting and I am so glad I can finally sleep a little bit tomorrow. I won’t go into much detail, but I’ve been wearing my goWear fit device on my arm (as seen on the Biggest Loser) and burning calories like crazy. If I see that I haven’t burned enough calories for the day, I start jogging in place, or dancing in the living room, needless to say I lost three pounds in a week. I am even closer to my Megan Fox dream body goal. LOL..I’m nuts! Anyway.. on to the makeup…

So, I tried a couple new products this week, spent some money, you know how it goes.

MAC Chromaline Makeup

I tried the following products:

MAC Full Coverage Foundation in NW20: WOW.. thick and creamy. It was a perfect match for my skintone, but it was a really heavy makeup that never really dried fully on my skin. It does have a matte look, but it tends to get a little greasy. I see this as being good for photographs and events where you aren’t dancing or sweating.. maybe even stage makeup with a good setting powder. I did use powder, but I think I need to use something like plain Cornstarch to set this makeup with. I will continue to try this and update with another review.

MAC Pro Pan Blackberry and Star Violet Eyeshadow

Eyeshadow Pro Palette Refills
: Blackberry(pictured on bottom) and Star Violet. Awesome colors. I haven’t tried Blackberry yet, but Star Violet ROCKS. The last time I tried to purchase it, it was out of stock, so I am glad I got it this time.

Here is a quick tutorial on my eyebrows (again). I get a lot of people asking me how I do my brows without a stencil and so here it is in more detail:

I think of my brows as a series of connecting straight or slightly curved lines. In the picture above, I made my starting point line on the bottom of my brow first. I use a slanted eyebrow brush (made by Brandon) and a matte powder shadow from MAC (shades vary from time to time, depending on my hair color).

I start the second part of the lines on the top as shown, connecting it with the bottom line at the highest point of my natural brow line.

I fill in that middle area lightly, using upward strokes with my slanted brow brush.

The next and last line is the end of the brow. I press down with my slanted brush to start the line going in the direction I want, then in short quick strokes, work my way down. If you go too far, you can use a q-tip to clean up or shorten the length of your brow. If you see long brow hairs that you want to trim, I normally comb the hairs downwards then cut them.

My arched eyebrow

Finished product ! I no longer need the help of stencils or pencils.. just two products and I am done.

NEXT.. the Chromaline tutorial!

Chromaline Process Magenta

This lovely product is a gel liner and is available in really bright and lovely colors! From the MAC Process Colour collection, I bought Process Magenta and Black Black Chromaline gel products. I used a thin and flat eyeshadow brush to apply the Chromaline and it seemed to work well and wash off the brush very well. The product itself is very easy to apply and blend. It takes a little while to dry, but once it does, it’s waterproof. Creamy and smooth, this is great stuff for applying under eyeshadows as an eyeliner or to use alone.

MAC Chromaline Process Magenta
MAC Chromaline Process Magenta and Black Black

Here is Process Magenta with Black Black.

MAC Process Colour Collection

Here is Process Magenta with my new MAC Star Violet shadow blended over the crease with Benefit Cosmetics High Brow pencil on the brow bone.

I didn’t have time to apply mascara, but hopefully you get the idea.

Paint Stick Process Magenta and Maybelline ColorSensational Lipcolor, Make Me Pink

I finally got that lipstick I saw in the Christy Turlington Maybelline ad! It’s called: Maybelline ColorSensational Lipcolor, Make Me Pink The swatch of it is on the top. I tried it on my lips and although it did smell like Playdough, I loved the color. It’s a cute baby Barbie pink! Also, it’s pretty moisturizing. Below that swatch is the MAC Process Magenta Paint Stick. I haven’t tried this on my face just yet, but I plan on using it as a blush and lip color. (Subscribe to this blog to see what I end up doing with the Paint Stick! Click on “Subscribe” button on the upper left column)

UP NEXT.. Dita Von Teese pin-up girl makeup tutorial… for a friend who has a Halloween request!

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It’s been a tough month for me so far, I haven’t had time to do anything fun! So, here is what’s in the works for the next few weeks:

I am going to scour the web for new product launches: Fall and Winter looks for 2009. NARS, MAC, you name it, I am going to find out what’s new.

Tutorials! Halloween is coming, I know, but I am not going to slap on a pound of green zombie makeup.. I promised my friend that I’d do a pin-up girl look, so I plan on doing at least that. I am thinking about doing three different styles, one with another Megan Fox look (at the Jennifer’s Body premiere), one with a sultry red lipstick look, and a dark sort of vampy pin-up style. AND please, don’t be Lady GaGa for Halloween. That’s just lame. (Sorry, I had to.)

I am also going to do reviews for the following products:

Clairol Nice N Easy Perfect 10 Permanent Hair color: Dark Brown 004:
Clairol Nice 'n Easy Perfect 10 Permanent Haircolor, Dark Brown 004

Maybelline ColorSensational Lip color : Make Me Pink (I finally got it!!)
Maybelline ColorSensational Lipcolor, Make Me Pink

Maybelline Superstay 24 Hour Makeup : Sand Beige – I tried a sample of it on my hand and LOVED it. I ordered and I am now waiting!
Maybelline Superstay 24Hr Makeup, Sand Beige

Stay tuned!!!

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Ok, so umm.. I can understand a movie like Twilight coming out with a soundtrack.. getting a little cheesy with a clothing line.. but a cosmetics line?? Straight RIDDICK! “Ohh , look at me.. I am wearing ‘I heart Edward’ glitter gloss #2′..”

Ok, so I am not a tween, but I think the tweens are going to beg and scream for this to go into their stockings this holiday season:

Twilight “New Moon” Cosmetics – Luna Twilight:

Luna Twilight Cosmetics

With products like “Mortal Glow” Blushing creme, and DuWop Lip Venom’s vial o’ blood lip plumper (not really the name, I’m just being a smartass), you can’t go wrong with making the tweens squeal with glee over even more Twilight crap. (Thinking back to when I was 15, I wanted everything and anything with Joey Joe’s face on it from New Kids on the Block) Yeah, I guess I understand, but.. ehh.. from a 30-something perspective, it’s so LAME!!! Let me know if this crap is any good.

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New from mark. cosmetics – Order from me!

mark Cosmetics new Fall 2009 Collection

Lauren Conrad has done it for mark. cosmetics again! That nude look is awesome on her and I can’t wait to try it out! LOVE the eyeshadow combo! Click on the picture above to go to my mark. online shop and check out the new colors for Fall 2009.

mark cosmetics Sophistique gift set
For those who are Holiday shopping a little early for your gal pals, check out this gorgeous gift set which includes the new Lauren Conrad fragrance, Sophistique! I have 9 sampler post cards sitting in front of me which need to go to 9 deserving gals out there in internet land. I am just itching to get these sent out so you can smell the new fragrance, which can be described as floral with ginger wood, golden amber and basmati rice with a nice woody finish.

The first 9 people to sign up to become my customer will get a scented Sophistique postcard directly from me so that you may smell this fragrance for yourself! No purchase necessary to receive the postcard!

The gift set includes the Sophistique fragrance, the shimmering body lotion, golden hoop earrings AND a totally cute clutch bag.. all for $36 bucks with FREE SHIPPING! Your friends will flip for this, so get them before they are all gone.

Just click on the “Shop Now” button on my mark. website and start from there.

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Cover Girl Lash Blast Length Mascara! New!

Ok, so I get the point that me and many other gals are pissed that our favorite Maybelline Lash Stylist mascara is discontinued for the most part. You can still find it online, but it’s rare and doesn’t come in the formula and color that I wear… so I tried Cover Girl Lash Blast mascara (big orange tube) and I liked it, but the brush seemed too big and I accidentally bought a gray/black formula, so I didn’t really do back flips over it.

I just saw, via Facebook, a post by Cover Girl, announcing the newest mascara to join the lineup: Lash Blast Length!

Cover Girl Lash Blast Length Mascara

Shorter brush, which to me means, better control and a thicker lash look. This mascara contains nylon.. for lengthening with a no-flake formula. Obviously in the ad for this product, Drew Barrymore is wearing falsies.. but oh well, we knew that. Let me know if you guys try it and what you think!!

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Megan Fox is flawless

Before I went to Hollywood, I thought to myself, “If I run into Megan Fox, I’ll die. Scream, faint and die.” I went to Hollywood this past weekend with my honey, we planned on seeing the new Stark Trek movie, but we were too tired after going to a musicians conference for 6 hours. I still looked fab, and honestly, I didn’t see any celebs or glamorous people walking around. I think I went a little too far glamming up, but hey.. I still had fun.

What did I bring??? I didn’t get to the mall in time to get Sevin Nyne self tanner, TOTALLY bummed. So here’s the list of stuff I brought to the land of celebs!!

I also wore a half-wig that blended into my hair quite nicely. You def. could not tell it was a wig! I really do think these are a better alternative to salon extensions, and they only take like a few minutes to put in! I bought mine off of ebay! I will put up pics later! I am too tired to do it now.. just stay tuned!!

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