The Original Viva Glam

Viva Glam The Original

It's back!! The original Viva Glam lipstick. Before Nikki, before RiRi there was RuPaul. It all started with RuPaul back in 1994 with the release of this amazing color. MAC has re-released this gorgeous beauty for us all to experience. In my opinion this color is a beautiful deep brick red burgundy with burnt orange undertones. This is a matte lipstick so expect it to have the staying power of a stain once applied. Although it is matte it applies very smooth and is not drying to the lips. The Original Viva Glam retails for $15 and can be purchased at any MAC store or major department store that carries MAC Cosmetics. This would be a great addition to your fave fall lipsticks!




Photo courtesy of MAC.com

Fall Faves....Nails!

Vampy, Sultry, Mysterious...Nail Polish can be all of those things!


I can't say enough about fall. It's my favorite season! The fresh crisp breeze, crunchy colorful leaves, pumpkins, apples and cider....I'm excited! One of the things that excite me most about fall is the change over from the bright pinks and coral nail polishes to the vampy and sultry deep blues, plums and purples. Nail polish probably doesn't excite the average person the way it excites me but I'm ok with that.

Whatever your mood I'm sure you will find a color to suit it. These are my picks for fall nail polishes.

Stay tuned for my fall faves....Lipstick!!

NARS: Realm Of The Senses & Soulshine

As I've said before I've never met a NARS product I didn't love and these two newly released blush palettes are no exception! I do believe in the saying "You get what you pay for" and that has been true for me with each NARS purchase. I don't mind paying for a good quality product. As you will see below these two blushes are stunning and a must have for the remainder of summer. I will even be carrying these beauties over into fall and winter!

Realm Of The Senses:
Golden, pink, bronze glow is how I would best describe how the color looks on me.

Soulshine:
Pink, peachy, coral, golden, bronze glow is how I would best describe how the color looks on me.

Both have tiny specks of golden glitter. Just the right amount where mature women can feel comfortable wearing it without feeling like a teenager. Both blushes are very pigmented and can be applied lightly for more everyday wear or heavier depending on your preference.

I have to admit these blush palettes are similar. I don't think it's necessary to purchase both for this reason. However I do believe once applied on the skin you can tell the difference. Skin tone will play a big part in bringing forth the differences in color once applied on the face.

Both palettes will be released 8/1/13 exclusively at Sephora.

I'm not certain if these are limited edition or if they'll be apart of the permanent blush line so if you are interested I suggest you head to your nearest Sephora counter and check them out or purchase online.

Smashbox Liquid Halo HD Foundation & Small Haul

Smashbox Cosmetics

I decided to do a little shopping this weekend and thought I'd share. I picked up some high end and budget items. If I like it I buy it!! If it's $200.00 or $20.00 and it peaks my interest I'll make the purchase. I shop everywhere from Target to Nordstrom and everywhere in between.

The Foundation
Nordstrom was one of my stops this weekend to purchase the newly released (released 7/10/13) Smashbox Liquid HD Foundation. I also purchased their new Photo Op Eye Brightening Mascara Illuminateur and the Photo Set Finishing Powder. There was a representative/make up artist from Smashbox at Nordstrom specifically for the launch of this new foundation. Needless to say I was like a kid in a candy store.

I decided to have Smashbox's make up artist make up my face using the Liquid Halo Foundation. I knew I was in love instantly. The foundation is perfect for my combination dry/oily skin. It applied smooth, no clumping, no streaks, non greasy and non drying. Believe it or not of all the make up I own I only have one foundation and one tinted moisturizer. I am not big on foundation. If and when I do decide to wear anything it's never full coverage. My skin is my skin and I'm comfortable in it however imperfect it may be. There are those days though that I want to get a little cute and fancy! LoL This foundation will be my go to for those cute and fancy days. I would consider this foundation sheer to medium coverage but buildable.

• Light weight
• Sheer to medium coverage but buildable
• No "cake face" look
• Goes on super smooth
• Last all day
• Skin is still touchable and soft
• Not ashy looking

The Mascara
Elongated my lashes to the point I thought I had fake lashes on. If that's the look you are going for then this mascara is for you. I have to point out though that it's hard for me to be blown away by a mascara because my lashes are naturally long and full so the mascara is just enhancing what is already naturally there. It's not doing anything amazing to my lashes. Did I just toot my own horn? Yeap, TOOT TOOT, BEEP BEEP :)

Photo Set Finishing Powder
LOVE IT! Imagine finely milled silk...that's what this feels like. She applied it after the foundation, blush and bronzer and my face was "set" for the rest of the day. My makeup did not move until I removed it at the end of the evening. I'm impressed. This matte translucent oil-absorbing powder banishes shine and leaves you with a flawless finish.

Just me...Real Regular

A lil fancy in the face but still me. I love that I still look like me. I still see my face, my skin. My imperfections that make me...ME! I'm not caked under tons of foundation. This foundation is like a second skin. Very pleased with my purchase.

 Bonus Pic: Other items I picked up over the weekend. With the exception of these exceptional flats I purchased from payless.com for work. Every year/season I purchase a couple pairs of shoes to leave in my desk at work. I like these flats so much I might have to incorporate them into my regular wardrobe.

Shoes: Payless.com DexFlex comfort flat
Make Up: Smashbox from Nordstrom
Bangles and striped Vintage T's: Old Navy
Nailpolish: Sephora.com
Real Techniques Blush Brush: Ulta
Lipstick: Lancome from Ulta
Lipstick: Buxom from Sephora
Shorts: Torrid from at least 2yrs ago. Planned on wearing them today but ended up in Capri's instead

MAC RiRi Hearts Summer Collection 2013

RiRi Woo, RiRi Boy, Heaux, Hibiscus Kiss

I know there are tons of reviews online about this collection. I debated on whether or not I would put up a blog post about it but I figured it is quite possible that there could be some people that have not heard about or seen this online only collection. This is just a first impression blog post as I have yet to use any of the products. I can say that I have swatched RiRi Woo and the Hibiscus Kiss Powder Blush Duo and so far I like them both. I have heard mixed reviews about the blush duo but I found it to be a gorgeous flush of color when applied. Follow me on Instagram to see what these products look like on. I'll be posting pics soon wearing the blush and each lipstick. Do you have this collection? What are your thoughts?

http://www.maccosmetics.com/whats_new/11190/New-Collections/RiRi-Hearts-MAC-Summer/index.tmpl