So, I needed to replace my Bobbi Brown Cream Eyeshadow that I use as a base, so I made a small Sephora order and got my double points and this adorable Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick mini in Lovecraft. First of all…that name. HELLO. I love Lovecraft’s writing and the Cthululu mythos, so this is one of the coolest makeup names ever. Plus, look at the studded tube:
How cute is that?
The color is a muted, warm rose mauve, basically one of those colors that looks amazing on my cool toned fair skin. It’s also really, really matte. I have heard that some of the mattes in this line apply patchy or are too dry, but this one applies nicely and feels comfortable to me!
I have it on here with MAC Soar lip liner – perfect match!
Have you tried any Kat Von D products? So far, I have loved everything I have tried from the line.
I try to snag these Target Beauty Boxes whenever I see them before they run out. You have to be fast because they run out fast! I usually see announcements on the Target Facebook page, but this time I saw someone mention it on a WordPress blog I read on Bloglovin. It’s particularly awesome for me, because my boyfriend is a Target employee and I get domestic partner benefits, so I get his discount on these boxes! They’re a steal at $6, but I paid a little less. (And yes, I use the hell out of that discount, guys. If he moves jobs I will cry employee discount tears.)
The box itself is super and I will be saving it for storage.
Hello, yourself! How exciting!
Hmm, I might give this coupon away. Nothing shall ever tear my Mason Pearson tools away from me. It was insane to buy them, but I love them like my own children. My own overpriced, hair obsessed children.
WHAT HAVE WE HERE.
Ok, so this is a full sized bottle of Clairol Hair Food mask. I just colored my long hair and it’s super thirsty. SCORE.
Ok, so I have been whitening my teeth lately. They are stupidly sensitive though, so I use the sensitive strips for 5-10 minutes. These right here scare me. Maybe just a few minutes? This type is stronger and meant to be left on longer, and the time I used this type caused major pain when used as directed. Be warned.
Ok I love Olay, but these products contain menthol. I think they’re for young people who want tingly things because they think that means their skin care is doing something. However, I’m 44 and sensitive. I’ll stick with my fragrance free Regenerist.
Now this is interesting! This is a hair sun protectant! If this keeps my black from fading, I’m in. It looks siliconey, so I bet it will help with frizz. I love the Fekkai dry shampoo I got in my other beauty box, so high hopes here.
Yay, volumizing mascara! Please don’t suck! I’m very picky about mascara being clumpy. Really, really picky. I also will not use anything that transfers below my eyes. At all, ever. So, hoping this is good. This mascara is around the price of the whole box, so it’s like everything else in it was free!
Honestly, these beauty boxes are always so awesome, Target should consider just doing a subscription service like Ipsy or Birchbox. I hear that Sephora is getting in on the game starting out in the fall in some test markets.
A while back, a friend of mine sent me some MAC makeup. One item was this Chromaline cream liner in Rich Purple, which is a rich plum shade. I’ve tried several times to wear it as eyeliner, but it has just enough red in it to make it look like I’ve been crying or something! Same thing happens when I wear pink eyeshadow. Anyway, it’s such a big jar and I don’t want to waste it, so today I thought I would try it as a cream eyeshadow. I placed it on the lower lid, and then I used a cooler blue-purple shadow under the eyes and in the crease and my regular black eyeliner on the top lid. I think it worked!
Omg, that hair frizz! It’s humid in August in the South, guys.
MAKEUP BREAKDOWN:
FACE: Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation in 010 Light Porcelain, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly, MAC Casual Color on cheeks in Evening Stroll with ELF Small Stipple Brush, face set with NARS Light Reflecting Powder
EYES: Bobbi Brown Cream Eyeshadow in Bone on top lid, MAC Chromaline in Rich Purple on bottom lid, L’Oreal Infallible Cream liner in black, MAC Mega Metals shadow in Noir Plum in crease and for lower liner, Dolce and Gabanna Passion Eyes mascara, Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder in Ebony with #7 brush
LIPS: NYX Deep Purple liner with MAC Up The Amp lipstick
So, I’ve been out for about a week sick! But before I became ill, I did this fun little project. You see, my cats stole my other vintage Stratton compact from atop my dresser and I have yet to find it. My boyfriend and I have looked under all the furniture, etc. We are completely mystified! I decided to get another compact, this time something to keep in my purse. This one is modern and holds pressed powder. It’s a bit thicker so it will hold a modern powder puff (it did come with one that fits in the sifter, but I prefer the velour puffs). It just so happens that there are only a few powders that fit in these and the ones that are actual refill types didn’t look light enough for me. The two types that looked like they would work for my pale skin are Estée Lauder Lucidity and Rimmel Stay Matte. Seeing as how the Rimmel has great reviews and is $3.99, it was the obvious choice.
So, here’s my lovely Stratton compact in the Art Deco design.
Here’s my towel laid down to cushion my powder when I pop it out of the pan. I used the candle method to depot my powder. I don’t have to tell you to open a window and turn on a fan when you do this, right? We are talking melted plastic fumes, here. Hell, do it outside! And BE CAREFUL. I seriously have a friend who’s house burned down this week. Be vigilant when messing around with fire! Ok, Mom Moment over.
You can see on the back of the Rimmel Stay Matte that there are a couple of pin holes. These aren’t really going to do a whole lot of good though. The glue is in one blob right in the very center, so you can’t really push it out with the pin hole.
I held the candle over the label for a few minutes, using metal tongs. DO NOT hold it with your fingers. Burns hurt.
WTF? These old grilling tongs should be replaced, LOL! Anyway, they’re good for something.
I was able to peel the label off with ease.
Then, I held the compact over the flame. I was REALLY surprised at how fast it melted! The glue is all one big dot under that cross area in the center. You want to melt around that, and then you can slip a knife in under it and pop the pan out. Don’t burn yourself!
All out. Nicked it with my nail, heh! Pretty perfect, though.
The circle of glue popped right off the back.
A perfect fit! My velour powder puff sits on top and when the compact is closed, it holds the pan perfectly in place, so there is no need for a magnet.
These compacts seem to sell for $60-100, so I was shocked to find this new one on eBay for $10. Total cost for this project was just under $15.00. Depotting is a pain, but this piece is so unique and fun to use! And this huge pan of powder will last ages, as I am just using for touch ups.
Have you depotted any powder makeup products before? I also have done this with many eyeshadows and blushes, so I’m kind of a pro at it by now. Putting stuff in palettes really saves room!
So, being in a bit of a vintage makeup mood lately, I decided to try out a vintage loose powder compact. I decided that to try one out, I would get a very inexpensive one on eBay first, because I wanted to see how they work and if I could stand to use one at all. I got a 50s model Stratton (a UK brand) on eBay. It’s a bit beat up on the outside, but it seals perfectly, the hinges work great, and everything is in perfect working order. It was only $5.00 with free shipping, so I wouldn’t be out much if it was too much of a pain in the ass to use.
Well, isn’t that cute?
Stratton made compacts for decades, starting around the 1930s on up to around the 1990s. In this blog post, there is some handy information on how to date a vintage Stratton. It appears mine was made in the 1950s.
So, the self-opening inner lid version of these compacts were made from 1948 onward. I have to say, this is one of the coolest things I’ve ever seen! Or, maybe I’m just easily amused. 🙂 Tilt the lid of the compact nice and far back and the inner lid springs open. It’s the most satisfying sound.
Under the inner lid is the powder well where you put your loose powder. You place a powder sifter over it, which presses the powder down. The sifter fits tightly in place and keeps the powder from coming out. The sifter is a fine mesh fabric which only lets a bit of powder through onto your puff or brush. Your powder puff is very flat and fits on top of the inner lid; however this compact didn’t have the puff and modern puffs are too thick to fit inside vintage compacts. There is only one manufacturer I know of, but I intend to use a portable kabuki with this compact. The sifter in this compact was in great shape and easy to clean up with an antibacterial brush cleanser.
I cleaned a spoon with alcohol and filled the compact with MAC Set Powder in Invisible, which I have been using for many years.
Press the sifter into place and close the inner lid, and your powder is pressed and secure.
I’ve found that I actually like using loose powder with a mesh sifter better than straight out of a powder jar. Instead of getting either no powder, or a metric f-ton of powder on your brush, you get a perfect, finely distributed amount of powder on the brush, and a perfectly distributed amount of powder on the face. It’s really pretty brilliant!
This compact doesn’t leak when I tap it on my hand, but I am going to keep it on my vanity just in case. Compact manufacturers started making “convertible” compacts around the 50s that also held pressed powders and I think I will look for one of those for carrying with me, as there are just a few types of powder still made that fit those (two types being Rimmel Stay Matte and Estee Lauder Lucidity). I am a bit nervous about spilling my precious Set Powder in my Coach bag (even if it was a cheap outlet bag, LOL)! So I am looking around for a steal on a pressed powder compact now.
Do you have any refillable cosmetics items? I really think with people more concerned about “going green,” this should be something companies should start bringing back. At least companies like MAC are encouraging recycling, I guess. What do you think?
You guys…if you are now or have ever contoured your face with bronzer…just stop, sit down, and take a couple of minutes to watch this brilliant makeup artist preach the gospel of how to do it RIGHT.
Soooooo, before I even get started, let me just say, this shade of this foundation is only sold in the UK, as best as I can tell. The lightest shade of this foundation in the United States is Light Ivory, which you can see on me here:
HOLY CRAP, NO!! I totally returned that the next day. How about that fabulous lipstick though? (Maybelline Creamy Matte Siren In Scarlet)
I knew that 010 Light Porcelain existed in the Rimmel Stay Matte (entirely too dry and not long lasting on me at all), so I did a quick search for this color in other Rimmel foundations. Apparently 010 Light Porcelain is sold in Lasting Finish and Match Perfection, just not in the United States. Our shades start one shade darker, because the company hates me. (LOL)
I did what any reasonable person would do, and bought a bottle on eBay. I paid $10.00 USD and got free shipping, so only $3.00 more than what the U.S. version costs, and the UK version HAS A PUMP! And it’s a good pump! BEHOLD, look how the other half lives:
Seriously, Rimmel? Why do you cheap out on us in the U.S.? WE KNOW YOU CAN GET THE PUMPS.
And look…oh my god. If you’re a gal with Scots-Irish in ya, I guess you need to buy your makeup from across the pond:
AND THE ANGELS SANG!
As long as this doesn’t break me out, this could become my less expensive replacement for MAC Studio Fix Fluid. I’ve been looking for something that doesn’t dry my skin out as bad as Studio Fix Fluid (which I cannot even wear in the winter) and has a slightly more satin finish. This has that beautiful satiny look once it sets. It supposedly has a “comfort serum,” and I can attest that it’s not drying and doesn’t make my face feel tight. This foundation is a similar shade to NW10 and has more coverage. It’s definitely buildable and blends easily, which is nice. I was able to blend a cream blush flawlessly over this with ease! Most long wear foundations are hard to do that with, as they dry to a very powdery finish. I set this with a loose powder (a super light dusting of MAC Set Powder) and it just looks beautiful. I am wearing it quite full here, but it could be sheered out, too. This does have a light fruity fragrance, but compared to most long wear foundations that smell like paint, I think it’s quite nice. Between the bottle, the feel, and the look of the product, it seems like a higher end product.
Ok, fingers crossed for no reactions or breakouts or dehydration, etc. I will certainly keep you guys posted! American folks, if you don’t want to get this on eBay or Amazon, I have heard this is also carried on Asos!
OK, so I’ve had this reproduction vintage tube of Revlon Fire and Ice lipstick for a few years now. When this came out, I went crazy for this gorgeous metal tube and had to have it. I’m into women’s history and that of course includes the makeup and fashion. This color has been around since the 1950s. Unfortunately, this red shade is very orange and just doesn’t look the best on my pink toned skin. But…the limited edition tube is gorgeous.
Yesterday I obtained the Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick in Siren In Scarlet. It’s pretty much the perfect blue-based matte red on me. I actually do like the packaging on the lipstick as far as drug store lipstick goes, but a lightbulb went off in my head. Can you put a lipstick into a vintage case? I turned to blog posts and youtube for the answers. This YouTube video by D Beauty Liv has the best tutorial on how to do it!
So, last night I put my 2 lipsticks in the freezer and hoped for the best. Today, I put down some paper towels on my desk and got to work! I washed my hands with antibacterial soap and cleaned out a little eye cream jar with alcohol to put the Fire and Ice lipstick in (in case I get crazy and decide to wear it…hey, you never know).
Before lipstick transplant surgery
You can tell the Fire and Ice is much more orange than Siren In Scarlet. It’s gorgeous, but I think it’s more suited to a warmer skin tone than I have. You can also see that since they’re frozen solid, they’re a little foggy/frosty. 🙂
I’ll be damned! It came out so easily and in one piece!
The inside of the tube has grips to grab the lipstick bullet, so when you gently slide the other one in, it grips the bullet. Nice!
Siren In Scarlet ready to go in the reproduction vintage Revlon tube.
It fit perfectly! Would you look at that!
Now it can be rolled up and down with ease and is perfectly snug in its base. You know, I remember reading somewhere that Dita Von Teese put MAC lipsticks in vintage cases and thinking, “yeah, but she can probably touch things and turn them into unicorns and if I tried it, they would break into a million pieces.” So, I am pretty damned happy that this didn’t turn into a disaster. Now I can stick this into my 1950’s vintage evening bag when I go to the club and feel all fancy.
(UPDATE: My lipstick has thawed out and I tried it on straight from the tube and it works perfectly well and did not tilt or break, etc – it works like any other tube of lipstick. And it looks awesome!)
FYI: If your lipstick tube is *actually* antique, as in from the 1950s or earlier, there’s a good possibility the diameter of the lipstick is going to be much smaller, so you will need to eyeball it to see if your desired lipstick is going to fit in there. Our modern day lipsticks are quite a bit bigger than they were back then. You can, for example, hold up an old Coty lipstick and see that they are very small compared to our great big lipsticks of today – so just keep that in mind!
What kind of crafty things do you do with makeup? Do you press loose powders, decorate compacts, etc? Or do you make your own shades? I would love to hear about your projects!
I’ve always been obsessed with vintage makeup, fashion, etc. I was unable to sleep tonight and stumbled across this gem! Can’t you just see them doing this with modern day contour/highlight sticks? Our makeup roots are strong…this video is from the 30s!
So, being a PPP (this is Makeupalley speak for “pale porcelain princess), I tend to really love the way a red lipstick stands out on my light skin. Actually, I tend to think red lipstick looks amazing on any skin tone, as long as you manage to find a suitable tone, but I digress…today, my awesome boyfriend brought home this lipstick for me (he’s a keeper, y’all) and I have to say, I’m absolutely in love!
I’ve yet to try the other shades in the Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Mattes line, but I watched a few reviews on YouTube and the consensus is that they are pretty great: Not too drying, very pigmented, not patchy, long wearing. I definitely find that to be true with Siren In Scarlet. This shade is a bright, true red with a blue base, suitable for most skin tones and great for making teeth look whiter (bonus!).
The case is like the other Color Sensational lipsticks, except with a grey top that has a slightly textured, matte look and feel. I really love the case.
When I opened it to get a look, I got super excited…oh my gosh!
That’s frickin’ red, guys!
So, how does it look?
Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhmazing! Siren in Scarlet is a true vintage looking blue-based matte red. If you are looking for that retro “pin-up” red on a budget, this is your lipstick! I’m just so impressed! It truly has a look and feel of a higher end matte lipstick for a budget price.
(PS – please pardon my too dark and too pink foundation – I am trying the Rimmel Lasting Finish which feels amazing, but the US shades only go down to Light Ivory, and I need the Porcelain which is only available in the UK, so I just ordered it from eBay…and now I wait! Sigh…another post for another time…)
In summary: I usually have problems with matte formula lipsticks, but I have had this on for hours with no peeling and uncomfortable feel. I find that it is matte but not with that unattractive “flat” look. This shade is a beautiful vintage red that I think most skin tones could pull off. For about $5.50 USD, why not give it a shot? I do believe I shall have to try another color or two from this line.
Anyone know if these are limited edition? If so, I may need another tube of this red…. *wink*
A Bad Homance 