Mother's Day Top 10 Picks Under $100

Hi Angels!!

We know it's always so hard to figure out what to get for our mothers, wouldn't she just tell us!!!  So, since Mom will always be elusive and say she doesn't need anything (she's so selfless <3), we decided to put together some beauty products and accessories that won't break the piggy bank!  We tried to pick items that we would like to receive ourselves, because as it turns out, we're not all that different from our moms, though we would like to think we are. 

And the winners for 2014 are......

So here is the run down:

1.  Nars The Narsissist Eye Palette (Limited Edition):
We love all the range of colors in this palette, and great for the Mom on the go!
$79 @ Sephora

2.  Guerlain La Petite Robe Noir Set:
Can't go wrong with the luxe feel of Guerlain!
$74 @ Sephora

3.  Formula X - The Twenty-Two Nail Set:
Love all the choices of colors in this set!
$55 @ Sephora

4.  Jo Malone Candle:
We would ONLY be able to indulge in this candle if it were a gift, so why not splurge for Mom?
$65 @ Saks

5. Pave Edged Delicate Initial Cuff by C Wonder:
Monogram is always a great way to add a personal touch.
$38 @ C Wonder (and still some money left over to buy something else!)

6.  Alex and Ani Bangles:
We don't think this one needs too much explanation, everyone loves them, and they're are way affordable. You can get bangles with initials, zodiac signs, birthstones, or almost anything else!
$28 @ Alex and Ani

7.  Michael Kors Buckle Bangle:
This one is at the tippy top of our budget, but it's a classic.  They also come in a range of tones, gold tone, rose gold tone, two-tone, etc.
$95 @ Saks

8.  Marc by Marc Jacobs Square Sunglasses:
These are so chic, everyone loves sunglasses!
$98 @ Saks

9.  Tory Burch Evie Stud Earrings:
These are so cute and come in two great shades for the Spring and Summer.
$68 @ Saks

10.  Monogram Jewelry Box:
The perfect place for Mom to store all of her goodies!
$78 @ C Wonder

Hoping this takes some of the guesswork out of your Mother's Day!

MAC Pressed Pigments Review

Hello Angels!

Back with a review of some MAC pressed pigments I picked up to complete my collection of what I found most interesting from that collection.  While I was at it I also decided to try (for the first time!) their Strobe Liquid, famed by many makeup artists and beauty bloggers as a go-to for creating an ethereal glow on any skin tone.  So it came home with me (see separate review post!).

All told I own 7 of the 20 pigments.  The complete collection can be viewed here
Here is my haul (plus strobe liquid):

I've swatched them on my NW45 skin.
From left to right, we have:
Moth (silver based light purple), Sweet Acting (silver based frosty pink), Angelic (silver based frosty off-white), Day Gleam (pearly NC30 shade), Deeply Dashing (pearly NW55 shade), Lime Ice (glittery seafoam green) and lastly Black Grape (deep aubergine with multi-pearl).  No primer, one good firm swipe across the pan.  

What do you think?  Ok well for starters let's address the name: Pigments  When we were discussing this with our local fave MAC artist she explained that the goal of these was to provide something like their glitter pigments that is a little bit easier to use.  If you've every tried using any loose pigments or glitters then you understand what difficulty she's talking about.  Imagine dropping black MAC pigment... anywhere....  Disaster.  With these they stay put in the pan.  

What about the color payoff?  Well I'd say there's a loss of color on a darker skin tone such as mine, and the silver undertone can start to take over.  I purchased Moth when these first came out and really liked that I could use it as a lightly colored, sparkly overlay for my purple eyeshadow looks, and decided to go back for the others to use for the same purpose.  So for me, the fact that their color isn't high impact isn't a deal breaker.  What is high-impact is the SPARKLE!  And I'm not talking crazy looking arts and crafts glitter chunks.  The ultra fine sparkle from these babies on the lids is, as my boyfriend put it, "mesmerizing" for a fun date night makeup look.  

Here is an example I put together to illustrate:  

That said, the colors are subtle enough to wear during the day as well.  They're all pigmented enough to wear alone when applied correctly, and would look very nice with an "unmade-up" makeup look (especially the Day Gleam and Deeply Dashing pigments).  

How to apply, you ask?  I would use any stiff and short-bristled eyeshadow brush (my fave for these is the MAC 215 but the 213 and 239 work as well.  You just don't want the bristles so long that they flick sparkle all over your face as you apply.  Moisten the brush with a little MAC Fix+ solution misted over it to really pack the shadow on to deepen the color if desired.  I also recommend using Shadow Shields, to avoid excessive fallout (although with a moistened brush and careful application it's not too much of a problem).

The only heartbreaker here?  I couldn't get my hands on the most popular pressed pigment: Damson.  Described as a "deep brown with gold pearl" online, the pot I swatched in the store made me gasp it was so pretty on my brown skin.  But they're alllll sold out.  I may check Ebay, and pay above retail, it was that pretty.  

Well that's all for now.  Hope you liked the swatches and got some useful tips!  Please leave your comments and questions below and as always... Happy Haulin'!

Urban Decay Feminine Palette Review and Swatches

Sale alert Angels!

Back with a quick alert to let you know about a fabulous palette I came across at my local Sephora that was on super sale.  The Feminine palette, originally $36.00 is on sale for $14 in-store at Sephora and for $16 on their website:   Urban Decay Feminine Dangerous Fun Palettes

First, I'm a huge fan of Urban Decay palettes in general.  The Naked Palette 1 and 2 are easy faves, as well as the Smoked palette.  These are invaluable for me, especially when it comes to travel and glam on the go.  So I didn't hesitate to give this palette a shot at this low price.
Well I wasn't disappointed.  Their shadows are always high-impact, with impressive pigmentation and true to pan color.

Here is the palette:

These colors are just as the name denotes:  Feminine.  Soft and pretty, just about each shade could be worn alone but this incorporates well into any makeup lover's collection, and the colors aren't redundant.  

Here are swatches on my hand, from left to right, Bordello, Skimp, and AC/DC:

And Gunmetal, Hijack, Lost:

To boot, UD palettes always come with a cool little "bonus" like a brush, an eyeliner or in this case, a travel sized Lip Junkie lipgloss-- a pretty, modestly shimmery neutral shade that will work with any of the shades in the palette.  Here is a swatch:

Told ya these palettes are absolutely perfect for travel!

Well I can't wait to find a free moment to play with this palette and create some fun looks.   Overall I give this very high marks and recommend it not only because of the price (CAN'T be beat for UD eyeshadow) but also because of the quality.  Will keep you posted!

Until next time Angels.... Happy Haulin!

Clinique Chubby Sticks Review and Swatches

Hello Angels,

Well as always we try to keep you informed on all that's buzzing in beauty and fashion.  Whilst at the nail salon the other day thumbing through a gossip rag (sorry, not sorry) I saw an ad for the amazing moisturizing power and potent color of the Clinique Intense chubby sticks.  Normally, I'm not into sheer lip color because for my money I want color payoffffff honey.  But because these claimed to be "intense" I thought I'd scoot over to my local Sephora and check it out for myself.

As you can see, I was able to find every color of the collection except "Heftiest Hibiscus" because it was totally sold out.  Perhaps this is telling of how great the color is.  I have pretty positive remarks for the rest of the colors, and here are my swatches (and please pardon the ashiness of my hands-- I only got a pedicure lol):

From the top:

Grandest Grape

Broadest Berry

Roomiest Rose

Mightiest Maraschino

Plushiest Punch

The last two colors:

From the top:  

Curviest Caramel

Chunkiest Chili

So what did I get, you ask???

Since I only swatched and didn't wear yet, I limited myself to one...  Plushiest Punch.  

Here's what it looks like on me:

I must say that I'm in love with the texture of this lip color.  It wears as easily as plain ol' vaseline and moisturizes as well.  It won't last through a big meal but it wore for hours on me without feathering.  I outlined my lip with the chubby stick and then filled in the lip with it as well.  The color is potent and true to the stick, with a modest but noticeable shine (a cross between a gloss and a lipstick).  It is flattering on me and so I will assert that it is flattering on all skin tones.   Sometimes the trade-off for gorgeous color is dryness (sorry but lip tar isn't a moisturizer).  Not with these babies!  Great for long work days so you won't have to always reapply.    

Will it replace my favorite reddish pink lipsticks?  No.  But I will say that this little chubby stick has earned its own special place in my makeup collection.  Something I will wear on lighter makeup days, with BB cream, cream blush, a filled in brow, mascara, and this little pop of color to give that fresh faced, finished but not "done" look.  

Hope you enjoyed your tour of the collection!  I'm going to add Grandest Grape to my collection as well.  What colors will you be getting?  Share your thoughts and comments!  

Happy Haulin'!

OCC Lip Tar Review Day 2, Kava

Hello Angels,

As promised, I am continuing my review of the OCC pro picks set I got from Sephora.
We already went over "Hoochie" in a previous post for those of you just joining us.
Today I'm going to review "Kava".

Everything I said before about the ease of application and the smooth feeling it has throughout the day as it wears (no stickiness, no parched lips!) in my last post remains true.  I lined my lips with MAC chestnut lip pencil because for my NC50 skintone, this shade is very light and needed something to tie it in.
All those positives mentioned, I don't think this will be my favorite in the collection.  For those MACnistas out there, this shade is a lot like Peachstock lipstick.  Beautiful, but for someone with a skin tone similar to mine, be sure to blend blend bend.  Other possibilities might include MAC chickory, or cork pencil.  I will also try it with Nars Kenya lip pencil and if I like it better, will post.
For now, you be the judge...

 I experminted by adding a little MAC Boy Bait over it and it looked really nice, but definitely made it wear off faster so I recommend sticking with their "Clear" shade if you want some shine.

And be sure to check back for the remaining two colors in the Pro Picks pack!

Our Facebook Page!!

Calling All Angels!!


Please visit our Facebook page for daily makeup and fashion updates for our stylists and editors!  We are so excited share our finds with you!  Please add us as a friend!  We look forward to hearing from you!