WnW, Physicians Formula, Garnier Haul 2012

I've been hauling as much as I can! With a couple of new products out on the market, I just can't help it. I bought a couple of 'first time' items such as the new Revlon Colorburst lip butter and some C.O. Bigelow lip shines from BBW. Overall I'm pretty excited about most of my stash! I've been using quite a number of these items on a regular and never get tired of them.

CHI's Ceramic Nail Lacquer ($1.99) was a low-price find that seemed to be well worth it. Nano Silver, ceramic, and silk, are added to the formula that resists chipping. I got 5 colors...names are cute with an OPI-ish style. Left to Right is Purple Nights at the Mexican Riviera, Meet me in the copy room, Overnight Celebrity, Montego Bay Orange, and Snow Angels in Central Park. They are good for resisting chipping but show signs of wear just after 3 days.

I came across the newest MegaLast lip colors ($2.99). I assume these colors were so popular I have yet to find them again. MegaLast by Wet n Wild offers these long-wear lip colors with a nice color selection...These new colors are divine, 2 being actually wearable with my skintone while the other 2 are a bit too bright and shocking, but nevertheless are cute to add to my collection...Left to Right is Pinkerbell (968), Dollhouse Pink (967), 24 Carrot Gold (969), and Don't Blink Pink (966).

Another lipstick I've been wanting to try more colors of were the Ultra Color Rich lipsticks by Avon. Here I have Instant Mocha and Poppy Love that I picked up while they were on sale for 2.99 each. While I do have Rich Ruby, I find these transfer a bit too much to my liking. Rich Ruby is described as a matte red, Instant Mocha is a satiny mauve pink, and Poppy Love a bright red-orange similar to MAC's Lady Danger.

World Balmination - Glossy tinted lip balm by Hard Candy

One of my newest faves are the Color Sensational lipsticks which to my surprise I did not like at first. At this point I'm sure it was because of the color I had tried which I found was too slippery and shiny. But Pink Me Up (not pictured) has been on my lips practically since March! What I love about these is the satin smooth feel that keeps my lips comfortable during wear. My latest lemming was for Make me Pink and Red Revolution (above).

LA Colors Trio in Orchid

Milani's Multi-tasker powder ($5.99) has become an instant favorite of mine, which came at a good time being that I was in search of a great face powder. The multi-purpose powder is suppose to offer setting, finishing, and blotting, all of which have met these expectations. The powder works great at absorbing excess oil and reduces shine on my face but not so much on my nose, which I have to blot after 4 hrs or so. My color is in Light Tan 04, which I apply using a large round face brush like the Sephora Professionnel 49. I find the powder works best on me after I apply a face lotion or tinted moisturizer.

After seeing a few swatches of Revlon's Lip butters I decided on Lollipop ($4.99) which is a medium fuchsia pink with slight blu-ish undertones. The formula is rich and decadent and this particular color is chock full of pigment. Formulated with Mango, Coconut butter, and Shea that helps to boost lip moisture, I find that it lacks in moisture when wearing for a few hrs. I have yet to see another color that I would like to try but I'll keep my eye out.

New Sinful colors in Feeling Great, Cinderella, and Morning Star

I'm usually hesitant to buy Avon mostly because color matching foundations can be difficult from swatches in a book. I had heard that Avon's Extra Lasting foundation ($10.00) was a good one so I had to try it out for myself. I ordered Soft Honey only to learn that 1. It was too dark for me and 2. It seemed to get darker (oxidizing) after applying. Overall I really like the finish which dries matte.

Another thing I like about this foundation is that it has a pump but I am not crazy about it's cheap plastic quality.

Physicians Formula Bronzer (but I use as a highlighter) in Vegas Strip

Physicians Formula introduced a new pH line which is pH makeup that adapts to skin's own PH and lighting environment.

-Flourescein Based Dye is a dye that senses your pH level on your skin and adjusts within seconds.
-Photochromic Powders have lighting adjusting pigments that adapt to your environment.

Currently the line carries bronzer, lip gloss, and powdered blush, but I only wanted to try the blush, pH Matchmaker pH Powered Blush ($8.99) which I got in 'Natural' I would describe as a bright pink with red undertones. The packaging is quite bulky but is easy to use. It features a small blush brush at its underside compartment and lights up using LED power on both sides of the mirror.

A pish-posh of a few things like Rimmel London's Volume Flash the Max, ELF gel eyeliner, Maybelline Line Stiletto eyeliner, Nicole by OPI Kim-pletely in love, Rimmel London np Black Satin, LA Colors np Fiji Purple, and my newest fave Maybelline One by One Volum Express mascara.

I've taken a huge liking to the new Garnier BB creams ($10.99) for many reasons....it provides buidable coverage and are the most moisturizing of any foundation I have tried. I say 'foundation' only because I am not a large fan of tinted moisturizers nor have I tried any popular BB creams in all my life. The formula is creamy and gives my skin a lasting moisturized effect. Not oily at all, does not clog pores, and best of all does not slide off or move around my skin. At first I bought the Light/Medium color and later bought the Medium/Deep for the fast approaching summer season and to my surprise both colors work great with my skintone. Below is the swatch to get an idea of the colors and undertones.

I tend to be more oily during hot weather but since pregnancy I have been experiencing somewhat dry skin. Garnier BB creams are perfect for my skin at this time because I need that richness in a moisturizer.

Swatches of the MegaLast lipsticks by Wet n Wild. Left to Right - Don't Blink Pink, Dollhouse Pink, 24 Carrot Gold, and Pinkerbell.

San Antonio McQueen Fashion Show

San Antonio’s own talented student fashion designers show us their spin on fashion…

Last Saturday we were shown an array of creations designed by students of the International Academy of Design and Technology. This particular show was special as they kept their style icon in mind to cut and clip their way for something special. As a tribute to Lee Alexander McQueen, the show was indeed amazing...

Lee Alexander McQueen passed away 2 years ago but his legend still lingers. It is no surprise that the younger generation would embrace his style to inspire their own creations.

I was there to enjoy the fruits of their passion. Sitting quietly, I enjoyed the fast and exhilarating DJ music blaring in the museum turned catwalk room...Pic credits to Platinum Pixels Photography-

Designers : Mark Anthony, Abneris Gonzalez, Awlida Legarreta, Agatha Nagel, Jacob Soto

Hair and Makeup by: Salon SevenTwenty 

Producers of the fashion show: Aimee de Jongh, Jillian Mata, Sasha Varela

A Little Bit of Indulging

I compiled a list of items I wanted to try first, for example the YSL Volume Faux Cils Luxurious and the Shocking Bold felt-tip eyeliner pen before choosing addictive items like lipsticks, LOL. I wanted to stay clear of the lipsticks and glosses because I have so many...But for me, passing up a lipstick? It's like a bee passing up pollen swollen flowers! :) I kept eyeing them but took a deep breath and concentrated on my list which mostly consisted of powders, powder brushes, eyeliners, and mascaras. I was looking for a good powder to swipe over my new Garnier BB Cream, which I'm totally loving. Anywho, I went on a high-end haul and came home with a few things.

First stop was to check out some Pure Colors by Estee Lauder...but I really wish they had more of a color selection. I knew I wanted some sort of pink shade so Fuchsia Flame was my best choice. It is a creme finish and is one of the best quality polishes I own.

Estee Lauder Pure Color - Fuchsia Flame

The YSL deluxe sample gloss was complimentary of the associate from Saks, she knew me from when I would shop more frequently a few months back so she was kind enough to throw in a few samples. This shade is really nice, it's the Golden Gloss in #4 Golden Fuchsia. I actually really like the Golden Gloss line, these glosses are smooth and soft and come in a huge array of colors...Best of all they contains less than 0.2% of real 24 carat gold flecks :)

Originally I wanted the Chanel powder brush but when I tested it out at home it was sort of scratchy...I was a little disappointed with Saks return policy, as it seems they made a big deal that I had already used the brush, even though they had never given me any problems with returns previously...So I'm not sure what their 'deal' was that day....Honestly, if I am going to spend $60 on a powder brush, it better be pretty darn worth it! As soon as I returned it, off I went to find one that I liked. I tried MAC in search of the #134 but they were out so I finally found one I liked from Sephora, the Rounded Powder #49...and best of all does not scratch my face :) Which brings me to the Clinique Powder. I had used this powder previously while in high school and really liked it so I'm giving it another chance. Look at how big the brush is compared to the lid of the Clinique powder...that is big!

Clinique Blended Face Powder #3

Last but not least, my order from Nordstrom came in, dropping off 2 of the YSL Effet Faux Cils 'Shocking' Bold felt-tip eyeliner pen in Black. From what the associate was telling me at Saks, this pen has continuously sold out, so when I found it at Nordstrom's website I ordered 2. I love the bold and outrageously black color it gives, the felt tip pen is very convenient and easy to use. Meanwhile I went to Saks and picked up the YSL mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils Luxurious because I heard great things about it.

Next on my list....The YSL - Vernis A Levres Glossy Stain...it's calling my name!!