Author Archives: Rachel

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About Rachel

One-half of the brains behind abadhomance.com here on Wordpress!

Sephora Birthday Goodies! 

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So, every year I grab an item or two from Sephora around my birthday to treat myself and to get their yearly birthday freebie.  This year, it’s this awesome NARS duo of lip crayons:


Sephora Beauty Insider birthday gift, NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella and Satin Lip Pencil in Rkugen

Cannot wait to try this!  They look interesting.

I ordered myself two rather luxe items.  First, I ordered something I’ve been wanting to try for ages, but I’ve been waiting to use up another product (took me a year to use up my MAC Mineralize Concealer).  The object of lust is NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantillty, and oh my gosh…it appears to PERFECTLY match my ridiculously pale skin tone.  If it covers and wears well like the reviews say, I’m thinking this is worth the $29.00 for the color match alone!

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly

Next is something I have lusted after since before it was released (thanks, YouTube), the Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Blush in the shade Bitter Sweet.


Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hour Powder Blush in Bitter Sweet

Dat packaging tho…


AHHHH GAHD!  Can we talk about purple?  Let’s just talk about purple.  Purple is my favorite color and you can easily find purple eye shadows and lipsticks.  Blushes?  Not really.  You can find the rare lavender, but they usually end up reading as pink on the skin.  I can’t tell you how excited I am that UD is bringing back the COLOR with this blush line.  Check out the other shades and you’ll see what I mean…not everything is nudes!

SO EXCITE.

Anyway, Sephora was having a deal with a coupon code where you could get 3 deluxe samples, so I jumped on that.  Here’s what I got:

Deluxe samples of Fresh Sugar Lip Scrub, Jack Black lip balm, and Dolce and Gabbana Passion Eyes curling mascara

How awesome is that?  I usually make my own lip scrub with sugar and coconut oil, so having one from Fresh is always awesome when they have these samples (it’s a very nice product).  The Jack Black lip balm has SPF 25, so that’s going right in my purse!  I have tried the Dolce and Gabanna Passion Eyes mascara, but not this curling version (I liked it, just not $30 worth, LOL).

Sephora also always offers 3 free samples so I got this Urban Decay card sample of the blush trio in Naked Flushed:


Urban Decay Naked Flushed sample card

I also received a Christian Dior Diorshow mascara sample and a sample of the Kat Von D Lock-It Featherweight Primer (I’m excited to try this, since it’s a water based primer):

Samples of Christian Dior Diorshow mascara and Kat Von D Lock-It Featherweight Primer

All in all, I would say with all the deluxe samples that this order was a great value for the money and made my birthday feel rather special!  I cannot wait to share how these things work for me with all of you!

What do you guys do for your birthday?  Anything special?

Guys, guys, guys!! NYX is having their Memorial Day sale and the whole site is 30% off! 

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Look what I got in my email!

Don’t do like me and order $15.00 of stuff because you didn’t realize you get free shipping with $25.00 orders, ok?  LOL My total was $20.00 and then I saw the fine print…fail.  ALWAYS READ THE FINE PRINT!

Can’t wait to share my stuff with you!  I’m trying the new HD blush in Taupe for contouring, the Porcelain HD concealer, the Wicked Lippie in Betrayal (metallic purple), and the Primal Colors shadow in black.

Two years ago during this sale I got a bunch of the slim lip pencils for around 2 bucks, so it’s a great time to stock up on those – they are awesome!

Makeup of the day — Sleek Bad Girl Palette 

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So, I had a bit of a makeup fail today.  I tried out the Sleek Bad Girl eyeshadow palette today for the first time.  This was a gift from a friend and I was so excited!  I did not realize, however, that these are basically pressed pigments and SUPER rich and have tons of fallout.  It’s not the fault of the product, really; pigments are just like this!  But I had already done my foundation when I went crazy with the dark blue and purple colors in the palette…which blend much easier than I thought they would…and I looked like Tammy Faye Baker circa 1992.  NO, NO PICTURE FOR YOU.  (Kristin was dying.)

So, I took all my makeup off with some Simple Micellar Water and started again…and this time I used the less challenging silver and grey shades from the palette.


Sleek i-Divine eyeshadow palette in Bad Girl

I still probably should have done my eyes first, but regardless, I had a much easier time using these shades.  Honestly, even as bold as I like to go with my makeup, the dark blue and purple in this palette are fairly impossible to work with because they’re so dark and become muddy easily if you blend a lot. Perhaps I can use them wet as eyeliner?

Here I am after my second attempt!


I’m in the U.S., so the only way to get Sleek that I know of is to order on Amazon, but I must say the prices are awesome!  I’m thinking of trying some other products.  Any suggestions?

Beauty Tag – 20 Questions 

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So this looks fun! 

Do you remember your first makeup item?
Just like the OP I got this from, the first thing I can remember is the Bonne Bell Lip Smackers.  In the 70s-80s, before I was allowed to wear makeup, this was the next best thing, and they smelled and tasted great. They still make these, but the ones I had back then were mega jumbo huge sized and came on a chain you could wear around your neck – whaaaaaat.  I was the coolest girl in elementary school!

Describe your perfect mascara. Have you found one that fits your specifications?
Length, volume, separates, washes off easy.  Clump Crusher comes close, but I may never find my unicorn.

What kind of coverage do you prefer from foundation?
Medium coverage satin-matte.  need it to cover flaws, but still be skin-like and control oil in the t-zone.

Favorite high-end brand?
Since I consider MAC mid-range (though not if they keep jacking their prices, I’m going to say Urban Decay). 


What cosmetic brands have you always wanted to try but still haven’t? 
Lots of indie brands like Jefree Star, Melt, etc

Favorite drugstore brand?
L’Oreal 

Do you wear fake eyelashes? 
My real eyelashes are pretty great, so I don’t bother unless I’m going out clubbing or something and want to get crazy. 

Is there any kind of makeup you can’t leave the house without?
Absolutely nothing!  I go out without makeup all the time.  I don’t feel like I have to wear it, I wear it because I want to!  The only thing that is mandatory for going out is sunscreen! 

What is your most cherished beauty product?
My Guerlain Meteorites in Clair in the gorgeous metal tin.  

How often do you shop for makeup?
My kit is so complete that I usually only shop when I’m out of a staple or something really unique catches my eye.  So not as often as most bloggers! 

Do you have a “beauty budget” or you spend freely?
LOL, spend freely?  No. 

What type of product do you buy the most of?

Eyeshadows and lipsticks

Do you avoid certain ingredients in cosmetics like parabens or sulfates? 
I avoid sulfates in my shampoo and fragrance in my makeup. 

Do you have a favorite place to shop for makeup?
Any place that sells makeup is a favorite.  Oh my, that says a lot about me…

Do you like trying new skincare products or do you keep a certain routine?
I try to keep a routine!  My skin is sensitive so I marvel at people who try new skincare all the time! 

Favorite bath and body brand? 
Aveeno (see above! Sensitive!) 

Do you like multifunctional products like lip and cheek stains?
Nope.  I prefer separate, targeted products as they usually work better – the exception is Benetint, which everyone should have around for natural days! 

Are you clumsy in putting makeup?

Let’s just say I had to wear an eye patch once and everyone should treat the Tweezerman metal eyelash comb with the respect it deserves. 

Do you ever consider taking makeup classes?
I have!  I worked in retail cosmetics for over 10 years!

What do you love about makeup?
Makeup is yet another art medium and it’s fun to have your body as a canvas to express who you are.  

The 10 Commandments of Contouring – Glossible says what I’ve been thinking all along 

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It’s hilarious because it’s ALL TRUE!  I was a professional makeup artist for nearly 15 years.  Ladies, I worked for MAC.  They love dramatic looks!  I’m also a bit of a goth.  If **I** think a makeup look is too much, it’s too much!  Read on about the 10 commandments of getting a naturally beautiful contour and highlight, and get a few laughs along the way! It’s all in good fun, folks.  Thanks for making us laugh, Glossible! 

http://www.glossible.com/perspective/10-commandments-highlighting-contouring

SEPHORA BIRTHDAY SHOPPIN’!  

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Ok, so I don’t wear only high end makeup, but I do wear some.  Every year, I make a birthday order from Sephora to get myself their yearly freebie.  I look forward to it every year!  This year, one of the choices is a NARS lip crayon duo, which I have been excitedly waiting for for months!  I was just about to make an order, when I saw this ad on Facebook for a promo code:


Dude, really? So, I hopped on it.  Some are saying they didn’t get the exact samples they chose, but I’m hoping for the best.  I ordered the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly and Urban Decay Afterglow Blush in Bittersweet and alllllllll this stuff in the photo are freebies:


Items 2, 3, and 4 are from the promo code and items 5, 6, and 7 are part of their regular 3 free samples deal.  I was *this close* to getting a Beauty Insider 100 point item, but you guys.  So done spending for a while.  Which sucks since I’m really lusting after MAC Lightscapade…wait, I’m getting off track.  FREEBIES.  Look at the freebies!!

This will actually get here a couple days after my birthday, but that’s cool…this week will be the party that never ends!  And who wants to pay for shipping, anyway?

Are you going to get anything with the code?  Do you ever do a birthday haul at Sephora or Ulta?

MAKEUP BRUSH SALE – CROWN BRUSH

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Ok, before I get started, let me just say that I am in no way affiliated with Crown Brush; actually, Kristin and I aren’t sponsored by anyone and don’t get PR samples or anything.  Now, onto the excitement:  LOOK what I saw on Instagram earlier:


image from Crown Brush Instagram

Now, let me just say, many things aren’t just 40% off – a lot is 60% off!  I just got 11 individual brushes for $25.00.  Let’s put that in perspective.  My MAC powder brush was $40.00 (ok, ok, but I had my last one for over 10 years).  Now I realize Crown Brush can be hit or miss according to the grapevine, but the synthetic eye brushes I’ve gotten from Ipsy have been great, so here we go!  Let’s give it a shot.  I’ll let you know how they do.

This way to the sale!

What’s on my nails? Sinful Colors Endless Blue 

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Hold on to your hats, color lovers, this electric cobalt blue nail polish is BRIGHT and it’s only $1.99 and found in just about every US drug store.  I’m in love!


Sinful Colors Professional nail polish Endless Blue, $1.99

This cream formula is just the right consistency and goes on opaque in just 2 coats with no streaking.  It’s shown here with Poshe fast drying top coat over it, because I’m a clutz and I have to use a fast dry top coat or I ruin every single paint job I do within minutes. 😉

  
At $1.99 and with such a great color and formula, I’m calling Endless Blue a WIN.

Today I’m Wearing – A Little Urban Decay, A Whole Lotta MAC

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So, today was a whole lotta lazy!  It’s a Sunday and I basically hung around, house sat/fed my sister’s cat, and I didn’t even put on any makeup until 5:00 pm, and that was only because I wanted to play with the gifts I just got and some samples.  Most Sundays are spent barefaced and laying on the couch watching Game of Thrones!

Well, I was having a great time experimenting with the MAC shadows my good friend sent me when I remembered that a couple years ago, she had sent me the Crush Metal Pigments Stacked 1 set!  I decided I would layer the icy violet one on the lower lid over the Mega Metal shadow in Mating Call (LOL, that name).  Even used wet, the glittery pigment still managed to get everywhere including on my face and in my eyes, causing me to have a major tear-fest and red-eyed reaction of Not Good.  Well, here is an example of how glittery it is:

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Top middle frosty glittery concoction is the pigment from Stacked 1

So beautiful, so not fun if you get it in your eye.  Reminds me of Kitchmas in lavender.  Be careful with glittery products, you guys.  I don’t even have sensitive eyes.  I can wear almost anything.

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Me with bloodshot eyes and a face full of fun purple makeup; see below for breakdown.

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Featuring Urban Decay Revolution Lipgloss in Bittersweet

FULL BREAKDOWN:

FACE:  NYX Photo Loving Primer Lavender (I don’t see color correction here, so the clear version would probably be a fine alternative, but I love this primer!), Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation in Porcelain with damp Beauty Blender, MAC Studio Finish Concealer in NC15 with Sigma E10 brush for pinpoint concealing (thanks for the tips to Lisa Eldridge), MAC Mineralize Concealer in NW15 under eyes blended with tip of damp Beauty Blender, MAC Casual Color in Evening Stroll (lovely violet!) sheered out with Sigma F82 round top kabuki brush, foundation lightly set with Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder in Translucent and MAC 150 Powder Brush.

EYES:  Too Faced Shadow Insurance, MAC Vanilla eyeshadow as highlight, MAC Mega Metals shadow in Mating Call (lid) and Noir Plum (crease/outer V/lower liner), MAC Chromaline in Deep Purple, L’oreal Infallible gel liner in Black, Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo Ebony with No 7 double ended brow brush set with ELF Clear Brow Gel.

LIPS:  NYX Slim Lip Pencil in Deep Purple with Urban Decay Revolution Lip Gloss in Bittersweet (thanks for the sample, Ipsy!)

Most of these products are all available to be purchased currently except the two Mega Metals eyeshadows and the Casual Color by MAC, since they love to do those limited edition runs.

Everything here was purchased by me or given to me by a friend.  All opinions are my own!  🙂