Tag Archives: beauty blogger

Crafty Weekend Project – Refilling a Vintage Lipstick Tube!

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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.

fire and ice

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).

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Before lipstick transplant surgery

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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. 🙂

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I’ll be damned! It came out so easily and in one piece!

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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!

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Siren In Scarlet ready to go in the reproduction vintage Revlon tube.

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It fit perfectly! Would you look at that!

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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!

Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lipstick — Siren In Scarlet

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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.

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When I opened it to get a look, I got super excited…oh my gosh!

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That’s frickin’ red, guys!

So, how does it look?

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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*

Have you tried the Creamy Mattes by Maybelline?

Makeup of the Day – I Dyed My Hair! 

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So, this happened…

  
I dyed my hair black!  Ok, when your hair is already dark brown, it’s not a huge stretch, but it’s so glossy and neutral toned now!  This is the Pravana 1N Black in Chromasilk used with the Zero Lift Developer.  I’m in love.  

Luckily, I was able to switch my brow color from the light color of the Anstasia Brow Duo in Ebony, to the dark side.  Handy!  Since this is a demi-permanent hair color, if it fades, I can go back to the lighter brow color.  I Love the Anastasia Brow Powder Duo for its versatility! 

Also featured:  MAC Smoke and Mirrors eyeshadow palette, Benefit Dandelion Blush, MAC Lightscapade highlighter, MAC Soar lip liner and Brave lipstick.  The rest is my usual stuff!  

Makeup of the Day – with Guerlain Meteorites

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You guys.  I really need to get out the Guerlain Meteorites more often, right?  I look like I used a beauty filter on my camera or something…except I didn’t!  

  
What I used:

Kat Von D Lock-It Featherweight Primer (this sadly was too rich for my combination skin), MAC Studio Fix Fluid in NW10, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly, NYX HD Concealer in Porcelain around the nose and to spot conceal, MAC Invisible Set Powder to set concealer, NYX HD blush in Taupe to Contour, Smashbox Baby Pink blush (Wondervision Mega Palette), Guerlain Meteorites in Clair all over to brighten, MAC Mineralized Skinfinish in Lightscapade on cheekbones

EYES:  Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Duo in Ebony (light side) with angled brush set with ELF Clear Brow Gel, Bobbi Brown Cream Eyeshadow in Bone, Smashbox shadows in Beige, Fawn, and Blue (Wondervision Mega Palette), L’Oreal Infallible Gel Liner in Black with MAC 210 Precise Liner Brush, Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara

LIPS:  NARS Rikugien satin lip pencil (Sephora 2015 birthday gift)

What are you wearing today? 

Kat Von D Lock-It Featherweight Primer — First Impression

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I got a sample of this foundation primer with my last Sephora order and kept forgetting to try it!  I finally got around to using it today.  Here’s what Sephora has to say about the product:

What it is:
A lightweight, water-based face primer that hydrates, smoothes, and protects skin while it reduces the appearance of pores—creating the perfect canvas for long-wear foundation application.

What it does:
Get locked-in hydration, locked-up comfort with this fast-absorbing, water-based primer. It’s the ultimate prep step that hydrates, protects skin, and smooths the appearance of pores for flawless makeup application. This innovative, lightweight formula is formulated with advanced polymers that help even out the skin’s surface while it provides a flexible, protective barrier to prevent foundation from settling into fine lines and pores. Scentless, colorless, and weightless, it delivers essential hydration and its infused with vitamin B5, aloe vera, jojoba, and shea to bring nourishment to the skin’s surface, leaving it feeling refreshed and comfortable all day—even underneath long-wear, full-coverage foundation.

My take:

I sort of had a feeling this product was not going to be for me, but I wanted to give it a shot.  I felt like maybe this was going to be more suited to normal to dry skin types and I am more normal to combination.  This is a water based primer, but I was not prepared for it to feel like…well, it just feels like lotion.  Just plain old straight up…lotion.  Like lightweight plain old buy-it-at-the-drugstore lotion.  I guess I’m not used to primers that don’t feel…primer-y.  Like, oil controlling, or siliconey with some slip, or something.  I was putting this product on and kind of not seeing the point?  It didn’t really blur pores or minimize fine lines or anything like that.  It definitely felt hydrating, which is nice, but I get properties like that from my skincare, which I always use before I use a primer.  I suppose if you are extra dry and need that little boost of moisture, this could be great.  But, this is an extra step for $32.00, and as far as actual foundation priming, I didn’t see it doing much.  It did give a dewy look to the skin, which can be nice.  In my case, in the summer, I need something that will control oil and fill pores, so this product isn’t right for me in the first place.  If you’re very dry and like a dewy look to the skin, you may love this.  I would definitely get a sample first!  I for sure was shiny in the t-zone in no time and I had to powder my face more often throughout the day than I do with my Smashbox Photo Finish Primer.  Like I said, I’m not really the target audience for the Kat Von D Lock-It Featherweight Primer, so give it a shot if you’re looking for a water based primer for dry skin.  (Note, this is water based but it does contain dimethicone halfway down the list, so it is not totally free of silicone based ingredients.)

What’s your favorite primer?  Do you even use one?  Sometimes I skip it altogether, but lately I’ve been switching between the Smashbox one (thanks, Ipsy) and NYX Photo Loving Primer (the two are very similar).

Makeup of the Day 

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Going to keep this short since we’re about to make dinner!   Today, I paired Urban Decay Naked2 Basics eye shadows with La Femme blush in Flamingo Pink and Wet N Wild Fergie Creme Lipstick in Penthouse Sweet.


What are you wearing this weekend?

What’s on your nails?  OPI Big Apple Red

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So, my holy grail red nail polish has always been Sinful Colors “Bleeding Heart,” a deep, nearly blood red that’s opaque in 2 coats and looks amazing on fair, cool toned skin.  However, for spring and summer, I found myself wanting a much brighter, true “pinup” classic red to wear on my tips and toes.  Enter OPI “Big Apple Red.”

  
This is the polish after 2 coats, topped with Poshe fast drying top coat.  As you can see, it’s not 100% opaque, as you get a little bit of VNL (visible nail line) through it, though this would be solved with a third coat.  I just don’t mind having a little VNL and love the color regardless.  My main complaint is one that I have with all OPI polishes, and that’s the extra large brush!  I have really small hands and nails, so I like the thin brushes like you get with Zoya and Essie.  As you see here, the wide brush made it difficult not to get polish on my nail folds in the sides.  I may have to look for a dupe of this in a brand with a brush I can stand.  Aside from that, if you know you like OPI’s brushes, you may really love this bright, classic, true red!

What’s on your nails? 

Makeup of the Day

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Finally felt like wearing a little slap today!  Going to keep this short and just post a pic and a list of what I used.  Happy Monday!

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FACE:  Tarte Clean Slate Poreless Primer, Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation in Porcelain with MAC 190 brush, NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Chantilly under eyes, NYX HD Concealer in Porcelain to spot conceal, Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder tapped on with MAC 134 brush to set, MAC Mineralize Blush in Gentle with MAC 116 blush brush, MAC Lightscapade as highlight with Sigma F25 tapered face brush, NYX HD Blush in Taupe as contour with MAC 168 angled contour brush, ELF Mist and Set sprayed lightly to make the whole look a tad less matte

EYES:  Wet N Wild Fergie eyeshadow primer, Urban Decay Naked eyeshadow palette (I seriously used about 6 colors?), L’Oreal Infallible Super Slim liquid liner, Anastasia Brow Powder in Ebony with Anastasia #7 brow brush, Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara.  (I used about 6 different eye brushes, most are Sigma and MAC…no clue what all the numbers are but I shall point out that the Sigma pencil brush is awesome!)

LIPS:  NARS Rikugyen lip pencil (Sephora gives this pencil in the NARS duo for your birthday)

What are you wearing today?

What’s on your nails? Essie For The Twill Of It

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So, I’ve been under the weather, so no posts in a couple of days, but last night I managed a home mani-pedi!  I used Nailtiques #2, Essie’s For The Twill Of It, and topped it with Poshe fast drying top coat.  This nail polish is an amazing multi-chrome with hints of teal, magenta, and silver-brown.  In some lights, it appears gunmetal.  It came out 2 years ago, but if you can’t find it, supposedly Peace & Love & OPI by OPI is nearly exactly the same.

  
I really wish I could capture all the colors in this amazing polish better!

What’s on your nails? 

Beauty Tag!

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I’m from back in the good ol’ days of LiveJournal, so I can’t resist posts like this.

  1. Would you rather lose all your mascaras, eyeliners, lipsticks and lipglosses or lose all of your palettes and eyeshadows?
    Palettes and eyeshadows. I can replace them easily and without eyeliner my life is meaningless. MEANINGLESS
  2. Would you rather chop off all your hair or never be able to cut it again?
    Chop chop, baby.
  3. Would you rather have a coral cheek or a pink cheek?
    Pink. Coral makes me look like a clown.
  4. If you had €1000 to spend, would you rather buy clothes or makeup?
    Clothes, shoes and electronics.
  5. Would you rather apply lipstick as eyeliner, or eyeliner as lipstick?
    Eyeliner as lipstick. I’m goth, I do this all the time anyway.
  6. Would you rather only shop at Mac or Sephora?
    Probably MAC. I love the variety at Sephora but I tend to actually shop at MAC more.
  7. Would you rather only use one eyeshadow colour or one lip colour for the rest of your life?
    One lipstick. Hooker red goes with everything.
  8. Would you rather wear winter clothes in summer or summer clothes in winter?
    That depends on how you categorize “Winter Clothes” — here in Seattle it means “slightly warmer coat”/”heavier hoodie” and long pants, plus boots. I’d rather wear that in the summer (you can always take a hoodie off) than summery clothes in the wintertime.
  9. Would you rather have dark nails or bright nails all year round?
    Dark, absolutely.
  10. Would you rather give up your favourite lip product or your favourite eye product?
    Lip product — I have plenty of “runner up” lipsticks/lip products that I can use!
  11. Would you rather only be able to wear your hair in a ponytail or a messy bun?
    Not applicable. I have hair too short to put in a bun or ponytail. If I had to choose one that would be the result if I grew my hair out, I’d say bun – I hate ponytails.
  12. Would you rather never be able to paint your nails again or never use lipgloss?
    Never use lip gloss. I already don’t! I hate it.
  13. Would you rather shave your eyebrows and have none at all or sharpie them in everyday?
    I already shave them off AND draw them back in, albeit not with a sharpie.
  14. Would you rather live without makeup or nail polish?
    Nail polish.

How about you? 🙂