Sleek MakeUP Nude Collection:Review & Swatches

Staying on top of the trends, and just in time for fall, Sleek MakeUP recently released it's Nude collection. Included in the collection is the Au Naturel i-Divine Eye Shadow Palette, Suede Blush and Bare Minimum Pout Polish.

I'm generally not a fan of neutrals (too boring!) but they are classics for a reason, and nothing beats neutrals for autumnal elegance. The Au Naturel Eye Shadow Palette contains 12 shades with a nice range of finishes- everything from matte to satin to shimmer.

Sleek Au Naturel i-Divine Palette

Au Naturel Pallete, Left Side

Au Naturel Pallete, Right Side

Upon swatching, I was initially disappointed in the pigmentation of the lighter shades. Though the texture is wonderful, especially for the matte finish shadows (smooth, soft and not at all chalky) they simply just didn't have much to show for it. 

Au Naturel Pallete, Top Row

Having said this, I can still see their worth in "blending" shades, to soften edges on more intense shades, and the shimmery champagne shade Taupe is a wonderful highlighting shade for light and light-medium skin.

Swatching the deeper shades on the bottom row was a different story altogether. Every shade was packed with pigment, applied smoothly, and blended like a dream. 

Au Naturel Palette, Bottom Row

While the palette is filled with neutrals, the shades are just different enough to make them different. Moss, for instance, isn't your typical muted green, but rather a slightly green-tinged dirty ochre-bronze. Regal is a great eggplant that's the perfect balance of not too drab, not too bright. Bark is a gorgeously rich cool toned brown with a creamy texture and a semi-matte finish; if I'd had this palette last month after breaking a shadow at a bridal trial-run, this shade would have saved me a last-minute Sephora trip that cost me $19 for a single shadow! Compare that with the i-Divine's $10.50 price tag and it's a steal- even with a few lackluster shades.

Since the richer, smokey shades are obviously the star of the eye shadow palette, it's no surprise that the cheek and lip offerings are more subtle.

Suede blush is a nicely pigmented spiced peach shade. My Suede looks VERY different than the one on the Sleek website. In real life, it's brighter, warmer, and frankly, much prettier than the drab Sleek swatch! The warm shade and matte finish work nicely in the fall, but I also think this is just bright enough to work in the warmer months as well.

Sleek Suede Blush

The Pout Polish in this collection is very aptly named Bare Minimum; a barely-there creamy nude.

In the pot, Bare Minimum looks like it leans on the peachy side, but it's so sheer this doesn't really read on the lips. 

Sleek Pout Polish in Bare Minimum

It's perfect for days when you really do want the bare minimum- a plush, moisturizing balm with sun protection and a hint of shine. If your lip color is naturally more pigmented, this shade may mute down the color ever so slightly, but if you're looking for more color on your lips, you may want to pass on Bare Minimum. As with all Pout Polishes, this balm has a vanilla scent and slight chemical aftertaste.

All in all, I think this collection is great for anyone who wants to get in on the "Nude" trend or just stock up some neutral basics. The blush is pigmented and blends well, and while the Pout Polish doesn't pack much of a pigment punch, it is a great formula for nourishing and protecting the lips. Like most eye shadow palettes, you may find one or two shades that remain untouched when your palette is tapped, but the quality for the price, as usual, is hard to beat!

The products featured in this review were submitted for promotional consideration by a representative of the company. What does this mean? I didn't pay for it. My commitment is to you- my readers- and to myself (it's called integrity, I like to have it). The opinions expressed on Outinapout.com are my own, based on my own research and experience; I am not paid in any way nor is the final outcome of the post influenced by any outside party.

Illamasqua Theatre of the NamelessReview & Swatches!

It's no secret that I'm a fan of Illamasqua. The announcement of every new collection has me waiting with bated breath for just a glimpse of the campaign. This season's Autumn/Winter collection, Theatre of the Nameless, is no different. Dark, opulent tones blend with flashes of iridescence evoking the dank mustiness of an illicit nightlife long past...or simply hidden out of sight?

"In this nocturnal den of the dissident leaders of underworld subcultures, exotic dancers rub shoulders with actors and anarchists."

With copy like that and images like these, what's not to like??? Oh, what about the products, you say? Well, I was lucky enough to have the chance to try several of the collection's items: Intense Lipgloss in Facade, Precision Ink in Havoc, and the brand new Masquara in Raven.


Intense Lipgloss in Façade is described as a high-shine Grey Pink, though to me it's more on the mocha-taupe side (more brown, less grey). For those that have never tried Illamasqua's Intense glosses, they are highly pigmented and do indeed pack a lot of shine- I'd almost call them a liquid lipstick with the shine of a gloss. The texture is somewhat thick and sticky (not unlike MAC Lipglass) so the color wears well.

Intense Lipgloss in Façade, on bare lips

Precision Ink in Havoc is a fine felt-tipped liquid liner pen in a rich, red-aubergine shade. The liner is long wearing and waterproof, and despite a very wet feeling, it is very quick-drying. The dry speed can be a benefit and downfall at the same time: it is much less likely to transfer and smudge on my eye as I'm applying (which is great since I have a hooded lid) but if you're someone who likes to perfect your line by cleaning up the edges with a cotton swab or sponge, you'll have to work quickly- once dry the product does have a tendency to flake if fussed with. 

I also have to add I adore the shiny, almost patent leather-like finish this dries down to! You can see the shine somewhat in the eyeball pic, but more so in the hand swatch. I also smudged the bottom line on my hand to better illustrate the color. 

Finally, Illamasqua's New Masquara. Raven is a midnight black shade (and the only one currently available) in this lengthening, defining mascara. The brush is a traditional, somewhat large style with full bristles, not un-like a larger version of Make Up For Ever's Smoky Lash. The formula applies well (though for the first week or so I did find I needed to wipe away the excess mascara from the wand before applying) and results in a very well defined, much longer and slightly thicker looking lash. The effect reminds me of Dior's coveted Diorshow, with one notable difference: Illamasqua's Masquara wears all day with no sign of flaking, or smudging!

Have you tried anything from the new collection? I'm awfully curious about the new Nail Varnishes; I know Illamasqua is at the top of the polish game, so of course new colors wouldn't be enough- the 4 new Theatre of the Nameless shades dry down to a waxy, rubberized finish, which seems like the perfect evolution of last season's matte trend. I can't wait to try them!

The products featured in this review were submitted for promotional consideration by a representative of the company. What does this mean? I didn't pay for it. My commitment is to you- my readers- and to myself (it's called integrity, I like to have it). The opinions expressed on Outinapout.com are my own, based on my own research and experience; I am not paid in any way nor is the final outcome of the post influenced by any outside party.

30 in 30: Question #8What's Your Favorite Daytime Look?

My answers to 30 makeup questions in 30 days! Today's question is:

#8. What's your favorite daytime look?

Nothing! Haha, wouldn't you just love me if I answered that and nothing else? In all seriocity, most days I'm at home with my 3-year-old and I do more finger painting than face painting. Though I love makeup and it's a big part of my life, I don't want my daughter to grow up thinking it's a daily necessity, so on most days, it's skincare in the AM, maybe some BB Cream fi we're spending time outside, and that's it. Of course, most days I'm testing one thing or another, so it wouldn't be odd to see me bare-faced and purple lipped, but I can't really call that a "look" can I?

When I do need a quick, easy look that I can wear with almost anything, I start with foundation (see my answer to question #4 for specifics) concealer (Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage in SC-1) & powder (my favorite is Estee Lauder's discontinued So Ingenious Loose Powder, but I also use Make Up For Ever HD Powder). My every day blush lately is MAC Bite of an Apple, which gives me nice, natural looking flush.

For an easy, flattering eye I line the outer half of my top & bottom lid with Urban Decay 24/7 liner in 1999, a raisiny plum that emphasizes the green in my eyes but still looks soft & neutral, add a white pearl highlight under the brow and on the inner corner of my eye, and finish with some mascara (the brand changes constantly, but it's always black) and a groomed brow. My favorite brow enhancer lately is MAC Penultimate Brow Marker topped off with an auburn brow gel. These keep being discontinued, and I think my current favorite from Bourjois has been the latest victim, so I'll be on the hunt for a new one.

Finally a bit of color on the lip- and we've already covered that: it's usually Sleek Pout Polish in Perfect Plum.

That's it for me- what about you? What are your "can't live without it" daily essentials?

30 in 30: Question #5What's Your Favorite Lipstick, Lip gloss and Lip Liner?

My answers to 30 makeup questions in 30 days! Today's question is:

#5. What's your favorite lipstick, lip gloss and lip liner?

Favorite, schmavorite! Again, variety I say!!! But if I have to choose, I’d say my favorite lipstick and my favorite lip gloss are the same product- Sleek Pout Polish in Perfect Plum. Depending on how you apply it, you can get anywhere from a plummy-pink stained look to a glossy wine- all with sun protection & tons of moisture in a shade that goes with almost anything! (I have to thank Ana for introducting it to me, she may have changed my life). Aside from my every-day Pout Polish, I'm a huge fan of a red lip- almost any will do, but I have a particular weakness for deep-but-still-bright scarlet reds.

My favorite liner is the now discontinued Nude Plum from Victoria’s Secret’s VS Makeup line. I have dry skin, which means lipsticks and glosses bleed very easily as my skin searches for moisture. VS liners are some of the only liners I've used that stop this cold.

I'm also a fan of e.l.f.'s Lip Lock pencil, which is an "un-liner" style clear crayon that goes around the outside of the lips rather than on them. You can check out my full review here.

Luckily, I have several backups of my favorite VS liner (in every shade it was available in, of course) but I suppose I’ll have to find a substitute eventually. What’s your favorite?

Product Review: Geek Chic CosmeticsJoySticks & Geek Gloss

OK, so I'm gonna start this post out by admitting that I kinda suck. Months ago (I'm pretty sure there was still snow on the ground!) the lovely ladies at Geek Chic Cosmetics sent me a few of their products to try out. If you're not familiar with Geek Chic, the name pretty much says it all. Self-proclaimed lady-geeks Chantel and Deb own their gaming, sci-fi loving personas and proudly emblazon it on their unique creations. With shade names like Element Zero, and Captain Tight Pants, there's a little chic for every kind of geek out there. Though Geek Chic's selection is smaller than many indie retailers, what they do, they do with love, and it shows.

To be honest, (which my fiance always says you shouldn't say, because it implies you're not normally honest!) as much as I love the idea of indie cosmetics, there's only so many loose pigments that a girl can really make use of, so I was thrilled to see two of the Geek girls' lip products in my package.

My Little Pwny is one of the brand's "JoySticks", described as "sheer, semi-opaque lavender with oodles of glitter".

Geek Chic calls "Geek Gloss" in Mana Potion "a sparkly, opaque, soft china blue lip gloss...a frosty blue with a sprinkle of rainbow glitter!"

I found both descriptions pretty apt, though I will say that I didn't notice tons of glitter in either formula, though it is more visible in My Little Pwny.

I'm also a little confounded by the description of Pwny as both sheer and semi-opaque. I think what Geek Chic is saying is that the lipstick can be applied sheer to semi-opaque, not both at the same time. Maybe? The lipstick is quite buildable, though I will say the color had a tendency to gink up a little in the corners of my mouth when I layered it heavily.

Applied in one coat, Pwny is what I would classify as a semi-sheer, neutral lavender. It covers enough to get a good representation of the color in the tube, but you'll still get a good amount of natural lip showing through. This means that the color will look a little different on everybody, and it could quite well be why it's probably the most flattering purple shade I own.

As you can see, on my lips Pwny appears much pinker on my lips than it appears in the tube, which is due to my natural lip color showing through. On my ::ahem:: much less pigmented arm, you can see the shade on it's own appears to have more of a blue undertone.

Yes, I swear those are the same lipstick! If you prefer the in-the-tube shade of My Little Pwny more, like I said, the product does build intensity as you layer it, and as such, you'll get a more accurate representation of the color you see in the tube.

Now, of course, glitter is a biznatch to photograph, but it is definitely there in Pwny. You can see tons of it in the tube, and I could definitely feel it going on as well. Once the lipstick was in place though, the feel was smooth and just a little creamy- not at all gritty like some glitter formulas. I did expect to see more sparkle on my lips, but wasn't necessarily disappointed that I didn't. If you're looking forward to the "oodles", a bit of clear gloss or balm will bring the glitz out a bit.

Overall, I liked My Little Pwny; it's a unique shade that's still very flattering (especially so when worn semi-sheer), and I agree with Geek Chic's assertion that this would be great on pretty much any skin tone. Since I waited so darn long to post this (I lost my camera! I was potty training my daughter!!!) I should mention that the formula has been slightly tweaked to make it a bit more moisturizing and help it glide on better. While the formula I have isn't drying, more moisture is always better in my opinion!

Now on to Geek Chic's gloss offering, which I tried in Mana Potion. Geek Gloss is a cushy, almost balm-like formula. China blue is a great description, though again, I didn't notice the sparkle so much- I'd say Mana Potion is more metallic than shimmery or glittery. The gloss has a satiny, soft gloss finish.

There is a slight bit of tack to the formula, but I still found it very comfortable on my lips (FYI, I have a very low tolerance for sticky lips). The thing that impressed me the most about Geek Gloss was its level of pigmentation and opacity- it easily could be labeled a liquid lipstick rather than a gloss. Again, I did notice the color pooling in the corners and inside the lines on my lips, but it didn't travel outside my lip line one bit. A gloss that doesn't bleed on my lips is pretty much unheard of, so this was a nice surprise.

I was also pleasantly surprised at the wear time for Geek Gloss. I didn't notice fading until after the 3 hour mark, and even then the color was still very visible. The wear was also very even- no ring around the lips- even the pooling I noticed at first had disappeared. BTW, based on my experience, I'm betting that the pooling/settling effect I mentioned would probably be less noticeable in more "natural" shades. Guess I'll just have to try a few more to test that theory, right?

Luckily, though procrastination isn't generally seen as a beneficial trait, there is a bright side to the fact that it took me months to get this post up: Geek Chic is in the process of switching over from traditional tubes to slimlines, so right now, all JoySticks are on sale for just $5.99 (reg. $7.99). Geek Glosses aren't on sale right now, but with a retail price of just $5.99, they're a great way to get your geek fix!

The products featured in this review were submitted for promotional consideration by a representative of the company. What does this mean? I didn't pay for them. My commitment is to you- my readers- and to myself (it's called integrity, I like to have it). The opinions expressed on Outinapout.com are my own, based on my own research and experience; I am not paid in any way nor is the final outcome of the post influenced by any outside party.

Product Review: Crazy Rumors Lip Balms

I have dry skin, so I'm always on the lookout for a great lip balm. When the folks at Crazy Rumors offered to let me try some of their Fresh Squeezed balm how could I resist?

As some of you may surmise, I'm picky when it comes to skincare- and lip balm is no exception. So I was thrilled when I looked at the ingredient list on my Pink Grapefruit Juice balm and found tons of skin friendly ingredients. Skin-identical jojoba and olive oils and shea butter add moisture and help to reinforce the skin's protective lipid barrier. The olive oil and shea butter, along with vitamin E, also provide antioxidants to protect against environmental damage. Also of note is what the balm doesn't include- annoying irritants like peppermint, menthol or camphor. Crazy Rumor balms are cruelty free and vegan too, for those of you who keep track of such things!

I love the way Crazy Rumors balm feels on my lips- it's the kind of balm you want to keep applying all day because it's just so soothing. It applies easily- the balance of oil and wax is perfect and allows the balm glide on easily without feeling overly greasy or at all waxy. The flavor is lightly sweet and very subtle (almost more scented than flavored, in my opinion) and comes in TONS of varieties- from the Fresh Squeezed that I tried to ice cream & tea inspired. The finish is moist but not shiny- so even your best guy can get in on the goods. Best of all- at just $3.49, Crazy Rumors is a totally reasonable indulgence!

As if finding a great balm isn't exciting enough, Crazy Rumors is offering 15% off all orders now through June 15th, just use the code FRESH at checkout! Have you tried Crazy Rumors yet? I'd love to try the HibisKiss lip colors, and just about all of the flavors sound super yummy!

The products featured in this post were submitted for review consideration by a representative of the company. What does this mean? I didn't pay for it. My commitment is to you- my readers- and to myself (it's called integrity, I like to have it). The opinions expressed in my product reviews are my own, based on my own research and experience; I am not paid in any way nor is the final outcome of the review influenced by the featured company.

Illamasqua Toxic Nature: Swatches & First Impressions!

Illamasqua's tantalizing new collection is now available online, one week in advance of UK stores (US launch date is still TBA, but should be some time in April) and I was lucky enough to receive a few of the new shades and products to try. Here's a first look at a few of the highlights of the collection, including a peek at two of the brand new Cream Pigments!

Since Illamasqua's polish has a cult following, and this one is a doozy, we'll start there. Radium is a bright, acid-lime green with a soft pearl finish.

It applies almost opaque in one coat, but will likely require two to ensure even coverage. This is my first experience with the famous Illamasqua polishes, and so far so good- you can look forward to a review of how the polish performs in the near future! Here's a peek of it on my sad, sad little thumb nail!

Is it a coincidence that when I received this in the mail yesterday, I was wearing sweat pants this exact color? Maybe, maybe not. And while this may not be a great shade to paint one's living room (I happen to know that from experience...I guess you could say I'm fond of lime green) it is fabulous on the nails!

Now for the Cream Pigments. Designed to be a multi-use product for the eyes, face, lips and body, Cream Pigments purportedly provide a crease and water resistant matte finish.

Dab Cream pigment (pastel lilac)

Mould Cream Pigment (deep, bruised grape)

Both Cream pigments that I received were, as promised, completely devoid of shimmer. While they show as more of a cream than matte finish on my hand (meaning they had no shimmer, but a slightly moist finish) they applied with a true matte finish on both my eyes and lips.

Dab Cream Pigment on bare skin.

Mould Cream Pigment on bare skin.

So, what do you think of the Toxic Nature collection? Anyone hauling? Stay tuned next week for complete reviews of the products mentioned in this post!

The products featured in this post were submitted for consideration by a representative of the company. What does this mean? I didn't pay for it. My commitment is to you, my readers, and myself (it's called integrity, I like to have it). I can assure you that the opinions expressed in my product reviews are my own, based on my own research and experience; I am not paid in any way nor is the final outcome of the review influenced by the featured company.

5 Uses for Disposable Mascara Wands(That Have Nothing to Do with Mascara)

The other day whilst applying my makeup, it occurred to me that there is a tool I use daily that, unless you're a professional makeup artist, you probably don't even have in your arsenal. It's cheap, easy to find, and has a myriad of uses: a disposable mascara wand. Yes, I'm aware that you can buy a non-disposable version (a lash or "spoolie" brush) but don't do it. Mascara wands pick up everything-they get dirty and linty extremely fast & aren't the easiest thing to clean, plus if you're actually using them in mascara, the disposable ones are easier to fit in the tube, less messy, and (of course) more sanitary.

But what else can you do with these little buggers? Here are a few uses I've discovered over the years:

• Brushing eyebrows after makeup application- This would be the "daily use" that I mentioned above. You know those people that have harsh, penciled-in, "old-lady brows"? 9 times out of 10 that look can be remedied by simply brushing through the brows after filling them. This softens the lines and assures there aren't any brow hairs clumped together from a wax, pencil or gel. I always, always, ALWAYS brush through my brows as a finishing step.
• Exfoliating lips- sugar scrubs are great, but not always handy. Yes, a toothbrush will work too, but leftover toothpaste residue can irritate. Instead, put a little lotion, lip balm, or plain Vaseline on a disposable wand and lightly buff over your lips for a few seconds.

• Taming hair flyaways- spritz a little hairspray on the wand (or directly on your head, whatevs...) and use the wand to brush the stragglers back into place. The fine, closely placed bristles on the wand grab tiny, fine flyaways better than a brush, and they don't leave tell-tale "track marks" like a comb.

• Root touch-ups- for those of us that color our hair, these wands can be a god-send for quick root jobs. For me anyway, the long brush I use for my whole head can get unwieldy if I'm only doing roots; the tiny wands place color exactly where you need it without glopping extra product all over. If you color your brows, these work great for that too (of course, I would never recommend doing something so silly, since you could go blind, but if you happen to choose to of your own accord, I happen to know it works!)

• Removing cuticles- Apply a little cuticle remover cream, or just a bit of plain ol' olive oil, let it sit for a bit, then lightly buff at the base of your nails to remove softened bits.

And here's a little bonus tip that has a little to do with mascara (or lashes anyway). The non-bristled end of a disposable wand is the perfect for applying glue to strip lashes. Instead of applying glue to the lash straight from the tube (which can put too much glue on) I put a bead of glue on the plastic handle of the wand and run the lash through the bead. Wipe the excess glue off of the handle, place the lash, and use the end of the handle (again, the end opposite the bristles) to lightly push the lashes into place. Much more precise than your finger!

Chappiness is a Cold Gun...

Get it? Huh, huh, huh? OK, I know it's bad, but regardless of my creative lapse of judgement, the season of lip smacking dryness is in full swing. Lip balm is a precious commodity in my household, I have no fewer than 3 types just in the room I'm currently sitting in. Lips are especially prone to dryness because they don't contain oil glands- when the arid weather hits, it becomes vital to protect them. Here's a few pointers on what to look for, as well as a few of my current favorites!

-Look for a balm that contains emollient ingredients. Nut butters (like cocoa butter, shea butter, etc...) Oils (and yes, mineral oil is good. I repeat, mineral oil is GOOD), lanolin and petroleum (like Vaseline) are all good emollients.

-Stay away from balms that contain menthol, camphor, phenol, or any mint oil. These ingredients are surprisingly common in some very popular brands (Carmex, and Blistex to name a couple) and are irritants. These ingredients are the root of the myth that lips can become "dependent" on lip balm, or that balms make chapped skin worse. If you're applying irritants to your lips, they will remain chapped. Period.

-Skip balms that are mostly wax based without emollients like the ones listed above appearing higher on the ingredient list- wax just forms a barrier, it won't do anything to add moisture to the skin (which is what will actually relieve chapping).

-Don't forget sunscreen! I know I've talked about this before, but it bears repeating. Sun burnt lips have pretty much the same symptoms as chapped lips- dry, red, peeling...and if the damage is from the sun, those aren't your only concerns. Why risk it?

My current favorite balm is, believe it or not, Aquaphor. If you don't have a baby's butt in your general vicinity on a regular basis, you may not be familiar with this stuff, and while there isn't a whole lot to it, what's in there does the trick. I buy the regular old formula in the 3 oz "Baby" tube which runs a whole $6.99. Oddly, the 1.75 oz non-baby tube is only a buck cheaper, and is the same exact thing, so even sans-butts, it's a better deal. Another trick that's helped me a lot is that I put my CeraVe cream on my lips day and night, then seal in that moisture with the Aquaphor. Works like a charm.

For a great day-time option, I love my Sleek Pout Polishes. They're chock full of emollients, SPF, and just enough color for me. I know the company seems a bit sketchy right now (check out the comments on their Facebook page if you're unaware) but that doesn't change the fact that the product is fantastic. If you're looking for a similar option and don't mind a higher price tag, MAC's Tinted Lip Conditioners look VERY similar. As in almost identical....do I smell a Drugstore Dupe showdown ahead?

What's your favorite winter-time lip saver? Do you have any secrets for keeping your pout smooth? Don't lurk, share!!!

e.l.f Sale!50% Off for Your Eyes, Lips and Face!

How's this for good timing? If you were intrigued by my last review and you're itching to try out some e.l.f. for yourself, now's the time because you can get 50% off of your purchase by using the code TREASURE at checkout! Here's the silly part: the discount is only up to $7.50! A total bummer, but since the majority of e.l.f.'s products are just a buck, you can still rack up a nice little cart! Also, the 50% off deal ends 10/18, but the site is also having a "treasure hunt" with additional discounts, and that ends tomorrow.

In case anyone was wondering, I am not affiliated with e.l.f. and any products of that I own from the company were purchased with my own cold, hard plastic. I had actually planned on posting my review on the Lip Lock Pencil last week, but didn't get around to it. When I heard that e.l.f. was doing a 50% off promo, I figured now was the time!

Are you an e.l.f. fan? What are you stocking up on this time around?

Product Review:e.l.f. Studio Lip Lock Pencil

Designed to "keep your lipstick, lip gloss and lip liner from feathering, traveling or budging" e.l.f. Studio Lip Lock Pencil is a colorless, crayon like pencil meant to be drawn around the outside of the lips, rather than on them like a traditional pencil.

The idea of reverse lip liners have intrigued me for a while. My dry skin seeks out any moisture it can find, so any slick lippie I put on is generally bound to be soaked up by the surrounding skin, creating lovely rivulets of bleeding color around my lip line (darnnit, lips, can't you tell there's color in that moisture?!) Consequently, I consider lip liner a must with any highly pigmented lipstick, and to my disdain, glosses are virtually impossible for me. Enter e.l.f's Lip Lock pencil.

For testing purposes, I grabbed the bleediest lip color in my collection- Chanel Rouge Allure Laque in Dragon. Beautiful shade with a beautiful finish, but for me, impossible to wear without looking like Mommie Dearest after a bender.

This is my lovely Dragon, applied without any liner. Sexy, no? Oh...No? After only 15 minutes of wear, the lip color had begun to pool at the corners of my mouth, giving me a slightly Joker-esque appearance. This photo was taken at the 30 minute mark; the bleeding is quite apparent and is definitely past the point of embarrassment! So, can a $3 pencil really improve a $32 lipstick? You bet:

Muuuuuch better, right? Believe it or not, this pic is not the freshly applied "before" version- this is how the same exact Dragon Lip Lacquer looked on me after over an hour of wear when applied with e.l.f. Studio Lip Lock pencil.

Lip Lock Pencil couldn't be easier to apply; you simply draw the product on around the outside of your lip line, rather than on it like a traditional liner. I appreciated that I didn't have to be ultra-careful about accidentally going up onto my lips- I had no issues with lipstick refusing to "grab" onto areas where I may have strayed a bit. The pencil is clear but not chalky, so it will work on all skin tones. It's waxy texture did leave an ever-so-slightly visible line where it clung to the fine hairs around my lips; all I had to do to remedy this was run a fingertip over it lightly to blend and all was well.

The only issue I had with this product is one with the packaging, rather than the performance. Not exactly a pencil in it's true form, the "lead" of the Lip Lock is actually encased in a crayon-like tube, and twists up rather than sharpening. No problems there, until I uncapped my pencil one day and the entire lead fell out onto my counter. Luckily, the formula is solid enough that the pencil wasn't damaged- I was able to slip it back into the crayon and have continued to use it with no problems. For the price, I don't even consider this an issue, but it's definitely something to mention.

Would I recommend this product? In a hot second! Though it is part of e.l.f.'s pricier Studio line, $3.00 is still a steal for such a great product (similar products by DuWop, Cargo and Urban Decay run more than five times the price!) This is a great option for any look, but especially for those who need the benefits of a liner but don't want the look of one. It's a great option to keep sheer glosses in place without altering the shade like a traditional liner would, and it completely eliminates the horror of "ring around the lips" that colored liners can leave.

Pros:
- keeps lip color from bleeding or feathering outside of the lip line.

- clear pencil can be used on any skin tone.

- can be used with any lip product without altering the shade- especially great for hard to match lipsticks or sheer glosses.

- It's only $3.00 (kicks but in the value department compared to similar products!)

- fragrance free and vegan

Cons:
- e.l.f. can be tough to find in brick-and-mortar retailers (I shop on the e.l.f. website).

- product may not be secure in the tube. My lead fell out and, while it was easily fixed, it's an issue that certainly needs to be addressed.

Ask OutInAPout:Which Red Lipstick is Right For Me?

I swear, I didn't write this question myself, though my expertise on the issue goes way beyond being a makeup artist. I still fondly remember my first tube of red lipstick- it was a rosewater scented, fire engine red (OK...not exactly what we called it then...but much more polite!) It came in a classy, vintage-inspired gold tube, printed with the signature Coty white flower motif. I was 14, and I'm pretty sure I bought it to wear whilst portraying a street urchin in the musical Little Shop of Horrors. Ever since, red lips have been my signature look. When I started working as a makeup artist, I loved nothing more than to hear the phrase "I wish I could wear red..." Not because it showed how uniquely fabulous I was for looking good in red lipstick, but because it always provided the opportunity to show someone that, YES, they too could wear red lipstick. Which leads us to...

The question:

I have very pale skin (yellow undertones), very dark hair and eyes, and my teeth are quite yellow. I want to buy a red lipstick. Which one would you recommend, or should I stick to neutrals?

My Answer:

Are you kidding me? Red is neutral- and perfect for your coloring. Hey, Snow White had pale skin & black hair, and what color were her lips? Granted, I don't recall Snow White having a Starbucks addiction, so the yellow teeth probably weren't an issue for her.

I actually have very similar coloring (and, unfortunately, me likey the Starbucks!) Personally, I love red, and wear many shades regardless of the fact that they may make my teeth look less-than-gleaming. I can tell you that reds with a blue base (like MAC Ruby Woo) will make your teeth appear whiter, while those with a yellow undertone (MAC Lady Danger) will emphasize the yellow. Oh, BTW: Crest White Strips= your best friend!

Since you have yellow undertones in your skin, you'll have to find a happy medium; a lipstick blue enough that it enhances your smile, but not so blue that it clashes with your skin. I try to stay as close to true (neutral) red as I can- once a red strays toward "cherry" or "berry" I always feel like its too blue on me. Keep in mind, this is truly just personal preference, really there are no rules in makeup and you should always feel free to experiment.

One other quick tip to help you wear any red you can think of is to line your lips underneath the lipstick with a brown lip pencil. This can be tricky at first; you have to line, then fill almost to the center of your lip. Blend the line with your finger before applying the red lipstick, and then blend the red in with a brush after you've applied. The brown is meant to neutralize the red- you shouldn't be able to see any of the brown liner underneath or around the red. For other tricks on how to ease into red lips, check out this blog post.

Finally, one last bit of advice. Red isn't just a color, it's an attitude. Wear it with confidence (even if you have to fake it at first.) I promise, before long, people will be saying to you "I wish I could wear red like that..."

Ask OutInAPout:Why Do Some Shades of Lipstick Make My Lips Look Small?

So being the Twitter addict that I am (oh, you're not following me?) I finally caved and started up a Formspring account, really just so that I could ask others questions & let them know it was me, but whatever...For those of you that aren't familiar, Formspring.me is a website where you go to ask people questions. Really, that's it. You can do it anonymously, or you can create an account like I did, so that people know who's asking what.

This new format has prompted me to do something I've been meaning to do for quite a while; an "Ask OutInAPout" feature. I'm usually the go-to person in my social circle when it comes to anything beauty related, so it's not uncommon for me to get random calls or texts from friends, acquaintances, family members, etc...asking me my opinion on something. Sometimes it warrants an in-depth post, and I love drawing inspiration from these experiences. Often though, the answer is just a quick tip or blurb, not enough to do a full blown essay on, but still interesting nonetheless. The "Ask OutInAPout" feature will cover a range of topics, with not much holding them together as a series other than the fact that someone thought me enough of an authority to ask.

I should also caution, if you choose to visit me on Formspring, not all questions are beauty related, and some have already gotten quite personal. I am an honest person, and wouldn't have opened up myself to such a forum if I'd not intended to answer openly. Thus, if you're likely to be offended, skip Formspring and instead, click here to ask your question. So...is it too late to say "without any further ado"...

Today's Question:

Why do some lipsticks that are not very dark make lips seem smaller?

My Answer:

Typically, dark lipsticks make lips look smaller, while lighter ones make them look larger. This is because dark colors absorb more light, while light shades reflect it, which highlights and makes the lip appear larger. Light reflection can also be effected by things like the finish of the lipstick. Since matte shades don't reflect light, even medium tones mattes may make lips look smaller. If there's a particular shade you love, try it with a dab of clear gloss placed in the center of the top and bottom lip & see if that helps!

There it is. Please feel free to ask away. Of course, I can't promise every question will make the blog (I'm going to try to stick to questions that I feel a lot of readers may have) but I will do my best to answer your question regardless, if not on the site, then via email. Talk soon!

Lime Crime Look:The Phoenix

This incendiary look is an update of an old signature look of mine that came to be known as fire eyes. When I first created this look, you simply couldn't find red eyeshadow; I used blush and lip liner to create the flame's vivid red. Now, in honor of Xenia and the launch of her fantastical Lime Crime Makeup, I've been inspired to revive fire eyes. From the ashes of old arose- the Phoenix!

I created this look with eye colors exclusively from Lime Crime Makeup, using only 2 shadows and a glitter for the entire look! Read on for all of the details, and make sure to click here to read my complete review of Lime Crime Makeup.



As always, I started by priming my lids from the upper lash line up to the eye brows. Using a small eyeshadow brush, I applied bright yellow Circus Girl to my lid, starting at the inner corner of my eyes and extending it just up to (but not in) the crease, leaving the outer third of my lid blank. I was very careful not to take the yellow into the crease or outer "V" of the eye, since I wanted the red to be as pure as possible.

Placing my pencil brush in the crease at the outer corner of my eye, I worked Siren (a warm, satiny red) along the crease, extending it just past the center of my lid, blending it slightly into the yellow shadow. Switching to a fluffy, domed shading brush, I used the brush clean first to blend the red crease shade lightly into the yellow, being careful to leave the inner corner pure yellow and the outer corner pure red. Then I applied the smallest bit of red pigment to the brush and applied it lightly it to the center of the lid and out. As you can see in the closeup, the result was a gorgeous coppery orange tone.

As an update to my old look, I added a bold blue "flame" along my lower lash line with sapphire blue glitter. I moistened a flat, angled eyeliner brush with a mixture of glycerin and water, dipped it into the glitter and placed the sparkles just underneath my bottom lashes, thinning and winging the line up slightly at the outside corners. Then, I used a moist smudger brush to apply a bit more glitter to my tear duct, extending it up slightly onto the inner corner of my lids. I applied a deep blue liner to my waterline, and finished the look with black mascara, false half-lashes, and a thin line of black gel liner to disguise the lash band.

Since this look is more editorial than daily wear, I chose to match the boldness of my eyes with a bold red lip. I applied a cherry red shade to my lips, patting a bit of Circus Girl pigment on top before applying clear gloss. When I ventured out on a shopping trip later in the day, I did switch to a more toned down lip, filling my lips with a nude liner before topping it with a bit of Circus Girl mixed into clear gloss.

Product List:

Eyes
Base: Urban Decay Primer Potion
Inner Lid: Circus Girl Magic Dust (Lime Crime Makeup)
Outer Lid & Crease: Siren Magic Dust (Lime Crime Makeup)
Lower Lash Line, Tear Duct, and Inner Corner: Unicorn Glitter (Lime Crime Makeup)
Top Lash Line: Blacktrack Fluidline (MAC)
Waterline: Blue Jay Duo Eye Pencil (Vincent Longo)
Mascara: Chanel Inimitable in Black
Brows: Automatic Brow Pencil Duo in Soft Brown (Estee Lauder)
Eyebrow Mascara in Auburn (Bourjois)
Lashes: Andrea Accents #305 in Black

Cheeks
Fusion Soft Lights in Dusk (Smashbox)

Lips
Pro Longwear Lipcolor in Lasting Lust (MAC)
Circus Girl Magic Dust (Lime Crime Makeup)


Brushes
MAC 239 (small dense eyeshadow)
MAC 219 (pencil brush)
MAC 222 (fluffy, domed shader)
Estee Lauder 7E (flat, angled eyeliner)
Lancome #10 (small smudger)

Beauty Buzz Word: Cupid's Bow

The Cupid's Bow is the name given to the double peaks of the top lip, so named for their resemblance to the Roman god of love's bow.

Summerize your Winter Lipstick

Yearning for a fresh summer lip shade but can't bear the thought of banishing your winter favorite? Though I'm a big believer in the "no rules" rule, it can feel a bit silly to sport deep red or wine lips on a hot summer day. Tearing yourself away from that deep dark go-to can be tough, especially if you have a hard time finding shades you like in the first place. Luckily, just a couple simple tricks can easily turn your winter stand-by into your favorite "new" summer sizzler!

For the quickest, easiest way to use a dark shade in the summer, think stain. Simply use your finger tip to pick up a small amount of color from the tube. Use your finger to apply a dab of lipstick to each side of your Cupid's bow, then smudge the color into your lips. Don't automatically apply more product to your bottom lip, simply press your lips together to transfer the lipstick and blend a bit with your finger until the color is even. The idea is to look as if you've just eaten a Popsicle or a handful of berries- the color should be worked into your lips until it doesn't feel as if there's anything on at all. This works best with smooth lips, since the color will grab onto any dry or flaky areas and look uneven. (For an easy way to smooth lips, check out my post from December '08).

Another great way to transform deep shades is to sheer them out. All you have to do is apply a clear balm to the lips before you apply your lip color. The balm creates a barrier that prohibits the lipstick from adhering to your lips completely, so you end up with just a tint of your normal color. Almost any clear lip moisturizer will work from ChapStick to Lip Smacker. I like Victoria's Secret's Beauty Rush Soothing Lip Balm- it has a nice shine, contains Vitamin E and Aloe to soothe and moisturize, and never feels sticky. After you've applied your balm, apply your lipstick starting with your top lip, rubbing lips together to spread color as you did for the stained look. This is a great way to get a "juicy" look for your lips: winter wines become summer berries, scarlet reds become fresh cherries.

Use these simple tricks as a starting point and start experimenting- you may even find a new favorite in a color you never thought you'd wear!

Huge Sale on Very Sexy Makeup

Consider the rumors confirmed: beginning this Thursday the ENTIRE Very Sexy makeup collection at Victoria's Secret will be a whopping 75% off!!! The company is repackaging the whole line; some products and formulas will carry over into the new design, some will not. If you already use the line, you know what you'll be stocking up on. If you've never tried it, here's a look at some of the items I'll be picking up:

Eye and Lip Liners- I say get one of each, but I'll likely get extras in my favorite lip pencils: Foxy Brown (a deep chocolate shade) and Nude Plum (a neutral raisiny plum, the perfect go-t0 color for almost any skin tone.)

Mosaic Bronzer in Natural- this multi-toned bronzer adds just the right amount of sun-kissed color. It has a natural (not shimmery) finish and never looks orange.

Mosaic Blush in Wild Child- the perfect pink flush for almost all skin tones. Since the palette has 5 shades to blend together you can customize it each time you wear it!

Brilliant Lip Shine in Steamy- the pigment of a lipstick with the sheen of a gloss; just click the bottom of the nifty pen and color comes up right through the built in brush applicator. Another plus: they last forever- one pen of my (basically) every day shade has lasted over a year!

Silky Eyeshadow in Fierce (a nicely pigmented black with silver sparkle) and Mystified (a great light neutral; use it on the lid and add winged black liner for instant glam!)

Lip Stains in Quickie and Rose- though at these prices, I may just get them all! The marker-like applicator makes application easy and mess-free, and the colors stay put for hours. I layer two or more to create my own unique shades.

Perfect Lipstick in, well, too many colors to list!

Considering the fact that VS makeup was reasonably priced to begin with (no single item cost more than $18) this sale means you can literally stock up without dropping this month's mortgage payment. Take my advice: show up early- and when the sales associate offers you a shopping tote, take it!

Product Review:CoverGirl Outlast Lipstain

Recently, I've been vetting every long-wearing lipstick I can get my hands on. (Keep an eye out for a future post with my complete side-by-side comparisons.) Though not a traditional long wear formula, Cover Girl Outlast Lipstain kept popping up in my favorite beauty magazines, praised for it's ease of use and long-lasting results. When Oprah gave it one of her Spring O-wards for "Most Enduring Performance" I decided that it was time to give it a try.

For the sake of consistency in my long-wear trials, I decided to test similar shades in each formula. Since bright colors are most likely to show signs of wear, I chose the shade closest to true red that each line offers. In the Outlast Lipstain range (10 shades, though none of the stores I went to had the full range in stock) the color I chose was "Wild Berry Wink", a slightly blue based red.

When I first drew it onto my lips, I was in love! The color was smooth, bold, and it even smelled good. I ran downstairs to rave to my (completely disinterested) fiance. Then I licked my lips. Not only did 80% of the color disappear from my lips, but it relocated onto my tongue and teeth! I looked as if I'd just drank a gallon of Hawaiian Punch! Through the course of a few weeks, I've tried several different techniques for applying the color, always with the same disappointing results. After all of the great reviews I'd seen, I really wanted to love this product. Perhaps that's why I was so let down with the results- to quote one of my favorite fluff-rock lyrics: "If you don't expect too much from me, you might not be let down."

I have struggled to find positives about this product, a reason to give it any praise at all. I would say that if it's a 1 out of 10, that one point is simply margin of error- I tried one color out of the range; perhaps the other colors perform better. I seem to see nothing but good reviews everywhere I look; I have to admit that I'm tempted to pick up another shade just to see if perhaps I got a defective lot. If I do find out that's the case, I promise to update you, but for now, I'm afraid 1 out of 10 is the best I can do.

Pros
- I truly can't list any pros that aren't canceled out by Outlast Lipstain's poor performance. While claims that it is lightweight and non-drying may technically be true, it's kind of a moot point since the product was gone the second I licked my lips (even after waiting 10 minutes for it to "dry"). So, yes, of course your lips will feel weightless- it's because there's nothing on them!

Cons
- Color washes off immediately when it comes into contact with water or saliva.
- Color easily transfers to skin and clothing (including tongue and teeth after licking lips).
- The stain's fruity scent is rather strong and may not be best for those who are sensitive to scented products.

Brand Spotlight: Archetype Cosmetics

I'll admit, I’m new to the mineral makeup game. I avoided mineral foundation for years- since it was initially introduced via late-night infomercial, I wrote it off as a passing trend. I have used powder foundations before and found them to have an itchy, tight, line-enhancing effect on my dry skin. Due to my complete lack of interest in foundations of the mineral persuasion I was unaware of a makeup trend growing right under my brows- mineral pigment eye shadows. Recently while I checking in on fellow blogger Padmita, I noticed a gorgeous shade of green on her eyes with a brand name I wasn't familiar with: Archetype Cosmetics.

According to her website, Archetype owner Holly Regan's love of color was cultivated with a background in fine arts; mixing oil paints led to mixing makeup. Archetype specializes in multipurpose loose pigments in unique, often sparkly or iridescent shades. They also have a wide range of loose mineral foundations, as well as a line of lip products.

To avoid confusion, the site does not picture foundation shades. However, it does odetailed descriptions along with advice on choosing the right formula and shade. The company offers two different formulas, classified in depth levels (1-5), each with six different undertones available.

Though Archetype classifies their pigments as eye shadows, many of the shades are multipurpose. Most pigments can be applied to lips, blended with lip gloss, used on the cheeks as blush or highlighter, and even mixed into nail polish. Color swatches of the eye shadow pigments are shown on the site, but since most of the line’s colors are shimmery or iridescent, photography often doesn’t do them justice. Thankfully, the site includes spot-on, incredibly vivid descriptions of each shade, and often suggests color combinations as well as comparisons to other shades in the brand that may be similar.

By my best estimate, Archetype makes around 150 mineral pigment eye shadows and 60 foundations. With such a wide selection of products, even a non-junkie could get herself in trouble here- luckily, Archetype’s prices are incredibly reasonable: foundations are currently $9.00; lip and eye products come in 2 sizes- the small retails for $3.75, the large is $7.00.

Of course, I’ve saved the best for last: All of Archetype’s products are available to order in sample form! For just a quarter each you can try any (or all) of Archetype’s eye shadow pigments. Lip glosses and foundations are available too, for $1.00 and $2.00 respectively. Each sample contains enough product for several applications- more than enough to experiment! For all of you recessionistas- this is your guilt-free indulgence!

My one caveat with Archetype: don’t expect a speedy delivery. Take the company warning at face value: generally orders take about 4-5 weeks to ship. I ordered 2 small shadows and almost 40 samples and it was indeed about a month before they hit my doorstep. This is in no way a condemnation- Archetype is a small, privately owned business and there is no mass marketing here. Creating, mixing, and dispensing over 200 products by hand takes time. Don’t let this discourage you from ordering, just order accordingly.

Stay tuned for full reviews on both the eye pigments and the foundation. For a sneak peek, see my spring colors look, which features Archetype Cosmetic's mineral pigment eye shadows in China White, Conjunction, and Weeping Willow.

Ignore the Snow- It's Spring in Ohio!

For this look I combined lots of vibrant colors, but blended them well to keep the look soft. I'm loving the combination of pink and green this spring, it's very ethereal. I foiled Weeping Willow onto the lid, extending it just a bit above my crease. Applying the pigment wet not only brightens the green, but also brings out it's incredible violet iridescence.

Just above the green, I chiseled out my contour with Flamingo. Then I softened the line by blending upward with a lighter pink. Since green eye shadow doesn't do much to bring out my eye color, I added a bit of violet underneath to bring out the green in my eyes.

After blending under my arch with a matte white highlight shade, I decided to add a pop of Chrome Yellow to the inner brow bone to keep my eyes from looking too much like an Easter egg! Then, just for fun I glued some fabric flower petals to the outer corners and dusted them with a bit of the green and violet pigments to integrate them a bit!

Product List:

Eyes
Base: Urban Decay Primer Potion
Lid: Weeping Willow (Archetype Cosmetics)
Contour: Flamingo (Kryolan), Candy Cube (Estee Lauder- discontinued*)
Brow bone: Gesso, Chrome Yellow (both MAC)
Tear Duct: China White (Archetype Cosmetics)
Lower Lash line: Conjunction (Archetype Cosmetics)
Mascara: Chanel Inimitable in Black
Brows: Automatic Brow Pencil Duo in Soft Brown (Estee Lauder)
For the Petals: I hand cut 4 petals for each eye from small silk flowers (I bought mine at Michael's). Then I glued them on in 2 layers with spirit gum.

Cheeks
Flamingo (Kryolan eyeshadow)

Lips
Liner: Hottie Pink (Victoria's Secret)
Lipstick: Love (Estee Lauder- discontinued*), Vinyl Voltage (Estee Lauder- discontinued*)
Lip gloss: Beauty Rush Smoothie Moves (Victoria's Secret- discontinued*)

*Please feel free to leave comments or send me a message if you'd like suggestions on substitutes for discontinued colors.