Playing with liners

I guess this would look a lot better with a tan.

Products used:

e.l.f. studio primer (it creases, it's nothing like their normal eyelid primer)
UD Misdemeanor e/s blended with a 224 all over the lid
Bobbi Brown Champagne wash as a highlighter
KIKO Shimmering eyeliner in 01 and 02 (shimmery black and gold)
N°7 Extreme lashes mascara
NYX Elite lashes
Pupa eyebrow pencil

I got the blues (FOTN)

click to enlarge...I look scary in a thumbnail version!
(and yes, that is Sam Chapman behind me, among paintings by Caravaggio, Dalì, Rothko, Pollock, and Bacon. She deserved her place near my favourite artists!)

trying to show the rich colour...I love the lashes there! 2 thumbs up for the KIKO booster!

as usual picture looks blurry when I crop it...I much prefer taking photos with natural light!!! Damn you, flash!

And this is just a poser picture to show how I am going on with contouring.
I am not a fan of dark contouring if not for photographic purposes, so as you can see mine is very light. I loooove the Illamasqua Powdered Metal for contouring!

Products used:

FACE
Revlon Colorstay foundation in Sand Beige
Eyeko cream on the cheekbones and undereye (highlighter)
Illamasqua Powdered Metal in Thalia, for cheek contouring (buffered with a Sigma kabuki brush)
KIKO Soft Touch blush in 02 Pearly Pink Kiss on the apples of my cheeks (buffered with a Sigma powder brush)

EYES
KIKO Long Lasting Stick Eyeshadow in 17 Blu Notte (base and on the lower waterline)
Barry M Dazzle Dust in 927 Storm Cloud
Urban Decay e/s in Sellout (highlight)
KIKO 30 days treatment mascara
Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara on top of the KIKO one
e.l.f. studio brow kit in medium

LIPS
MAC Creme d'Nude Lipstick
KIKO Unlimited Lipgloss in 08

FOT(yester)D - neutral beige with a blue twist

I was wearing a blue and beige ensemble yesterday, so I thought I might replicate that on my eyes.
I used a shimmery beige on my entire lid, to give it light, and 2 semi-matte colors on my crease, to try and give it more depth.
Results aren't so clear from the pictures, but I liked it.
Please, excuse one of my eyes being swallen - I don't really know what was up with it.

Different angles, as the sun was shining bright here yesterday.

Products used:

FACE
Diorskin Nude foundation in 030
Bourjois blush in Cendre de Rose Brune
KIKO soft touch blush in Pearly Pink Kiss

EYES
e.l.f. eye primer
shimmery nude beige from the KIKO Electric Town palette in 04 Omotesando Beige
Lancaster e/s in beige - semi-matte
Lancaster e/s in copper brown - semi-matte
KIKO LLSE in 17 Blu Notte heavy on the lower lashline
Sleek Ink Pot gel liner in Espresso on the upper lashline
Max Factor False Lash Effect mascara on the top lashes

LIPS
MAC Creme d'Nude lipstick

ooh yes, I made it!

I have finally managed to put on false lashes! I cut them into halves, to be honest. I needed to start somewhere with my practice, didn't I?

I also perfectioned the green and brown smokey eye inspired by the Urban Decay look-book on my BOS vol II palette. And with proper lighting and camera, it does look a lot better.


these lashes are from e.l.f. (www.eyeslipsface.co.uk) and only cost me £ 1,50.
Sounds barganeous, especially if you're a beginner with false lashes. Last year I spent € 7 on some Ardel falsies, couldn't get the hang of them, and ended up wasting them.

The only downside is that the little glue in the package does not even open, so you'll have to have your own glue.


Products used:
UDPP
UD Misdemeanor e/s all over the lid and on the lower lashline
UD Homegrown e/s on the inner corner, and blended onto Misdemeanor on the upperlashline and outer corner
UD Twice Baked e/s on the crease
UD 24/7 glide-on pencil in zero on the upper and lower waterlines, and then smudged into Misdemeanor on the lower lashline
e.l.f. dramatic false lashes (outer half of the eye)
two coats of Rimmel Sexy Curves mascara in Intense Black
e.l.f. brow kit to fill in my eyebrows.




DISCLAIMER: all of the afore-mentioned products were paid for. I do not represent or work for any of the company named in the post.

eofn: Urban Decay Inspired series, part II

For my inspiration picture, click here, although I am sure you all know where it comes from by now.

U.D. does not sell in Italy, so no, I did not use any U.D. product for this look...

...and that reminds me that I don't really need it, because I can have the same effect with other things I already have,
but since I can find U.D. in London I'm going to buy a palette nevertheless - ahah...I call it investment. Or being spoilt.

This look was actually pretty easy and fast. Cropping the pictures and uploading them was not, on the other hand.
The connection in my dorm SUCKS!

The flash captured pigments so much that it looks wet. It is not. And my skin's not oily, but I'm wearing no foundation.
I was just bored and only did 1 eye to try it out ehehe...

So the products I used are:

e.l.f. eye primer;
the "lightest" bright blue in the Sleek Acid palette;
blended in with the very light glittery baby blue in my Pupa Precious gold palette;
an orang-y shimmery e/s blended in the crease from a Pupa palette;
Yellow/gold glittery e/s from my Pupa Precious gold palette highlighting the browbone, and on the inner corner;
black kajal pencil in the waterline, upperlashline and in the crease (yep!);
Pupa Diva's lashes mascara (ran out of my Sexy Curves today, and didn't want to use the Lancome one for a trial)


I guess this prooves us all that we don't need every single eyeshadow that is released, we just want them.
At least, I do, and I often give in...

fotd: Urban Decay campaign inspired.

I love Urban Decay, and eventhough they do not sell in Italy I have decided to replicate one of the looks for their recent campaigns, which are genious!
We have no such product as Ink for Eyes, but I do have a navy blue matt eyeshadow from Pupa, which has just the same color. Unfortunately, I didn't have anything to make it a little big glossier.

Pardon the messy eyebrows, I really couldn't fix them today.

[I look so much older in this pic! :S And what's that fatty looking chin there? yuck!]

[visible pores, how do you cope with them?]

This look is awesome for a night out. I didn't wear this today, I just gave it a go, because the navy tricotted vest reminded me of that look (as you can see, I was wearing it on a grey shirt).

The products I used are:

Face:
Clinique Stay-True makeup foundation in 29-StaySable, mixed with Neal's Yard Remedies Hydrating cream

Eyes:
e.l.f. eye primer
Pupa Matt Extreme e/s in 07 - navy
Revlon black eye pencil (upper and lower waterlines)
Lancome Virtuose mascara in Black Carat (review coming soon)

Lips:
Jane Iridale Lip Color in Emily (the real perfect nude!)

I'll do more U.D. inspired looks, because their campaigns are stunning!

I'm sorry for these pictures, I should really improve the photography skills, and maybe get a tripod ;)

xoxo,
Lyd

eofn

I wanted to try out the Dazzle Dust I received from Louise, so I created this tonight:

[excuse my badly groomed eyebrows. I hate how amazingly fast hair grow in that time of the month]

Products used:
e.l.f. eyebrow kit in medium;
bronze random pigment I think I bought in a street market in Rome aaaages ago in the inner corner;
Valentina dark brown (kind of on the copper side) pigment on most of the lid;
Barry M Dazzle Dust in 82-Mint Green on the outer corner and on the lower lashline;
Pupa Lumynis baked eyeshadow as highlighter;
Deborah black eyeliner;
Pupa Diva's Lashes mascara.

simple eotd

Products used:
e.l.f. eye primer
Mabelline Expertwear Duo in 10 - Cashmere brown
Shiseido Accentuating cream liner
Rimmel Exaggerate waterproof eyeliner in 250 - Emerald sparkle
Corolle Pastel pour les yeux (a jumbo pencil) in Luce oro on the inner corner (eventhough it's too subtle on the photo...weird)
Rimmel Sexy Curves mascara in Black.

I am loving the eye primer...I hadn't used the Mabelline duo in ages because it was very very subtle. Now I can take out all those nice pigments, and it looks gorgeous. It hasn't creased or smudged all day long!

xoxo,
Lyd

'gainst my window, I can feel the rain....(eofd)

It is pouring! It's a bit of a waste because my boyfriend is at home, and won't come over as he has a dinner at his friend's, but I like it. It hadn't rained in 3 or 4 months here, and I am loving it now.
Mainly because all that heat, with no possibility to go to the beach was like a slap on my face! LOL
Not that it's cold, in fact, there is a very pleasant temperature outside, plus it will finally sterminate my number one enemy: mosquitoes!

Well, seems like the summer is officially over, even in super sunny Sardinia. My tan is officially fading too. That makes me sad. I loved it. It was so bright and goldy...and healthy looking as it was real! ahah...

So today I thought I'd wear a navy-golden stripes tshirt, and I decided to match my make up, as a chance to try out the new e.l.f. stuff.
In fact, I have tried the crease brush, the brow kit, and the seal end of the eye primer and seal thingy. I love everything. The latter, especially, is an amazing product!
I have a matt navy eyeshadow from Pupa which I think I wore like...3 times on me, and I have always applied that on my friend as she has dark eyes and pale skin, so I love that on her. Anyways, now I have the chance not to think that it was a waste of money! I turned it into a navy eyeliner, and it looks awesome!!!
I love this primer and seal product from e.l.f., it gives you the chance to play around and do different things with eyeshadows that you love, or love and hardly ever wear because you think they are just way too much for you. A line around your lashline is certainly not overpowering! Goodbye, buyer's remorse!
I feel sorry that the pictures do not do justice to the real colors of this look, but even in its simplicity I find it gorgeous, and I'll do that again in the future. It is also a very good look for when you wear glasses (no pics of that, I discovered it when I got back home and I took off my contacts).

On to the pictures:

[junk food indulgence broke out my skin!...I am getting back to my healthy nutritional habits though]

Products used:
Lumiere Cashmere mineral foundation in Medium Deep Golden
e.l.f. brow kit in medium
Pupa Lumynis eyeshadow all over the lid
Lumiere eye pigment in Foliage on the crease (for some reason it looked greysh today :S)
Jane Iredale PurePressed eyeshadow in Ecru on the brow bone
Pupa Matt Extreme in 07 (navy blue) used as eyeliner on the upper and lower lashline - using the seal end of the Eye Primer and Liner Sealer from the e.l.f. studio line.
Two or three coasts of Pupa Diva's Lashes mascara in black.


So if you like it, give it a go. It only takes 10 mins!

xoxo,
Lyd

My e.l.f. purchases and an update

Goodmorning angels,

Just a quick post to show you what I've got from e.l.f.
First off I have to say that this is the only package in a lifetime that arrived on time! Italy is having so many troubles with posts, and I am now thinking that it is because of the recent "security laws" that have been issues. Laws that actually bring Italy back to the fascism years, about immigrants and pretty much everything, including things that are sent to the country. I kind of feel like I'm under and embarg regime, and that it also breaks European laws, but anyway, this is not a political post.

I have selected the "sign for" method, and the parcel took 5 exact days to be delivered (it promises to be delivered in 3-5 work days). So whoever lives in my same country, if you want to see your order, pay extra cash for the "sign for", at least until the Italian e.l.f. site is under construction.

So on to the stuff I got:

[excuse my bare foot. ahah...no polish on it, it looks aweful]

Brow kit in medium, from the studio line, which contains a shaping wax/gel and a filling powder to create a natural look. It also contains a tiny brush, but I wouldn't bother using the angle side of it. I have a better brush which is great for this. I am very happy with this product! Although I feel the light shade would have been better for me eheheh. it's ok though.

Slant tweezers from the ordinary line, which is the only product I dislike. They do tweeze, but they're not replacing my professional ones for any reasons. I can't grab tiny hairs with them, so I think I'll pass this along to my brother who only needs it to take a little bit of excess hair in between the two brows. Men do not need perfection, so...

Contour Brush from the studio line, which is kind of a crease brush. it is also good for the V corner and lower lashline defining. I love it! The bristles are awesome! Great buy for just €4,00!!! I think I will order some more of their brushes!

2xBlending brushes, from the ordinary line. Great brushes for such a small value! They are so fluffy!! I took two of them, because no store sells blending brushes like those here in my island, so if you want them you'll have to spend big €€€€ ordering a Mac one, or the likes. I can't wait to do my make up and finally be able to blend easily and in less time!!

Studio eye primer and sealer: ooh great product! One end is for priming your eye (we do not have eye primer in Italy...paradoxical for the fashion country, isn't it?), the other end has a small eyeliner brush with the sealer formula, which you can dip into your preferred eyeshadow to transform it into your liner! How great is that?

I'll show you a very fast swatch:I think you can definitely tell the difference: first is the pigment on the primer, second is the pigment as a liner, third is the pigment on its own. Great stuff!!!

I am very very happy with my e.l.f. order and I can't wait to do a fotd with the products I got! :)



Now, as an update: I have reached my 100 followers!!! Thank you so much, girls!!! It is a lovely feeling indeed. I am planning to host a contest when I reach 150, and I already have an idea for the theme. It is going to be very interesting.

Now...youtube...I have tried my digital to record a video and I have to tell you, the quality is horrible. You can't really tell colors from it...so I don't know if I will make tutorials with that. I will see what I can do. I can enclose pics to show the real colors...or I can get a good webcam and use my laptop's screen as a mirror ehehe...yeah right, because one has to develop good skills for that...getting the right angle, being able to work on a little mirror, and so on. And there is also the editing part. I don't know where to start with it. I have never recorded a video and edited it in my life!
And last, but not least...how much does it take to upload...let's say an 8-10 mins video on youtube? Because my connection here at the dorm is so slow that it takes 2 hours to upload a 10 mins video to watch. :S I'll do something eventually, but I need help and info's. ehehe..

Well I really have to go now, my bf is coming over in an hour and I still have to shower get ready.

xoxo,
Lyd