Pinch Me! Favorite Green (Colored)Beauty Products

March 16, 2018March 13, 2018 MaritzaLeave a comment

Story Time: Many years ago when I was in my 20’s, I went on vacation to Paris, France with one of my friends. We actually landed in Paris on March 17 and, despite our jet lag, were so excited when we found out that right next to our hotel was an Irish Pub. We were totally planning on celebrating St. Patty’s Day abroad, only to get to the pub and see like 3 people sitting at the bar and they were most definitely NOT drinking green beer.

That was the day we found out that St. Patrick’s Day, at least the way we celebrate here in the U.S., is not really done anywhere else.

Oh well. You live and learn.

I’m not sure why I get so excited to celebrate St . Patrick’s Day. I’m not Irish and don’t live in a city with a predominantly large population of Irish folks, but I love any excuse to go out and drink some beer. I get even more excited about the opportunity to wear some green colored makeup, particularly eyeshadow. So, with that being said, I have compiled a brief list of my favorite greens:

Eyeshadow

“I’ll Get You My Pretty” by Devinah Cosmetics– If you read my last post, you know that I am in LOVE with this eyeshadow single. It’s this fabulous shimmery metallic green, that pays homage to the Wicked Witch of the West, however, brings forth mental images of Leprechauns as well. Either way, wet a brush with some setting spray and go to town on your eye lids with this magically delicious shade.

Mermaid Boy and Water Bearer in Dream Street Palette by ColourPop – This a two-for-one recommendation because alone they are great, but together it’s even better. Found in the latest Kathleen Lights collaboration with Colourpop, these are deep blue green shades that once again, can be applied all over the lid (Mermaid Boy) or to deepen the crease and outer V (Water Bearer).

Helia in Aurora Glow Kit by Anastasia Beverly Hills – Also a two-for-one shade as you can use this cool lime green as a highlighter for your cheekbones or, do what I like, and pat this on my eye lids over a black matte shade for a out of this world iridescent green effect.

Face

Sheer Envy Color Correct Cushion Wonder in Green by Hard Candy – I don’t always color correct, but if I have a zit or am going to go all out glam, I like to cover all my bases, so I apply a dot or two of this color in green to counteract any redness I may have. I blend it in, apply some foundation and concealer and Voila! I’m no longer tomato red.

Lips

Frog Prince by Lipstick Queen – Ok, so some of you may consider this cheating as, technically, this is not a green lipstick shade, but I had to include it. This is one of my favorite lipsticks for two reasons: it’s actually goes on a lovely berry shade despite it’s toad like color AND it’s literally one of the silkiest lipsticks I own. I could space out to the feeling of applying this on my lips. It glides on beautifully and leaves a really nice sheen. Also, when you rub your lips together, it feels a bit like a balm, which I like.

Anyone else all pumped to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day. How do you get all dolled up? Let me know in the comments below.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

Uncategorized

Project Pan – 2018 – Better Late Than Never

March 9, 2018March 8, 2018 Maritza2 Comments

I know, I know. Everyone starts Project Pans in the beginning of the year, but much like dieting, there is no better time to begin than the present.

As I mentioned in my Palette of the Month post, I am beginning to feel a little overwhelmed by all the products coming out and feeling like I always need to get the next big thing. Why? I don’t know, but quite suddenly it all felt so wasteful. Like, why do I buy all this beautiful stuff to just use it once or twice and then stuff it in a drawer?

I actually declutter quite frequently, so whatever I currently have in my collection is stuff that I intentionally kept and like, so I decided to make a conscious effort to use the following products all the way to the very end. I also intentionally chose products that I would not typically go through quickly and use daily, like foundation and mascara, but rather products that will give me a challenge to finish. If I can finish these, I can finish anything!

The Balm’s Mary Lou Manizer Highligher. The OG highlighter. I think everyone has this in their collection and for a very good reason, it’s gorgeous! It’s a beautiful, golden shimmering shade that blends into your cheekbones, without giving you that weird strip of glow that some highlighters give off. It’s also the only product I currently own with a considerable dip in the middle. I use this sucker a lot and I feel like this will be the one I will hit pan on first.

Nars Liquid Blush in Torrid. This one is going to be a toughie. I can feel it, but I did say I wanted a challenge. It’s a gorgeous deep coral that will be perfect for summer and in fact, I did use it last year quite a bit. The problem is that a little goes a long way so getting through this bottle might take me all the way to December, but I’m a tenacious woman, so I’m up for the challenge.

Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow in Kitten Karma. Now this one I picked because I just did not use it enough since I bought it. Don’t get me wrong, it’s beautiful, but I always seemed to skip it when I was going for a glam look. I don’t think it will be too difficult to get through it, but it will certainly be interesting creating so many looks. I’m going to be sporting glitter to work meetings and, I’m sure, getting loads of side eye.

Too Faced Creamy Peach Oil Lip Gloss in Papa Don’t Peach. I was so into this lip gloss last year when it first came out and then it fell off my radar. I recently got into it again when I dug it out from the bottom of one of my purses and decided that I was going to pan it. I do not anticipate this will be difficult at all as I love the muted peachy color and find the formula to be lovely, glossy and moisturizing.

Hard Candy Cushion Wonder Color Corrector in Peach. I don’t have a lot of color correcting products, but I find this one to be quite nice and use it often, or at least when I remember. I have dark under eye circles, and this not only corrects it, but in a pinch, is a great substitute for concealer, if you are going for a natural look. I just apply some of this before my foundation and find that once I powder, I’m good to go. There is quite a bit of product left, because a little goes a long way, but if I use it more often than I have in the past, then I think I can squeeze the very last from the tube before the end of the year.

I’m been really into Project Panning lately, so feel free to drop your blog post in the comments below so that I can see what you are panning and maybe we can all motivate each other and keep our goals in check throughout the year.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

PS – Amazon links above are affiliated, so if you choose to purchase some of the products above, I will make a slight commission.

Hard Candy

Hard Candy – Pinking of You Palette

November 27, 2017November 27, 2017 MaritzaLeave a comment

I was trying to get into zone to write this post, so I did a quick search on Pandora for songs with the word Pink in it and I came across one from Aerosmith, which is actually called “Pink”. I think they may be talking about lady parts (not 100% sure as I tend to be quite literal), but don’t worry, today’s musing is definitely about Hard Candy’s Pinking of You Palette. Not lady parts.

I have a lot of love for Hard Candy. It takes me back to my youth, when they sold those nail polishes with the little heart-shaped ring on the applicator. I used to work at this department store in high school called Burdines that sold them and I remember that one Christmas I splurged and bought myself like 5 with my employee discount. I specifically remember one of the colors was this canary yellow color that I wore on my toes. I felt like such a baller!

Nowadays, Hard Candy is definitely way more accessible in price. As a matter of fact, nothing is over $10! So when I was in Walmart last weekend, I decided to anti-splurge and buy my self a little something-something. Sofia was with me, and she showed me the Pinking of You palette and at first I was like, “Nah”, I have so many similar colors at home already. Off the top of my head, The TooFaced Sweet Peach Palette and Natural Love already carries most of these shades, so I declined. However, Sofia said she wanted it for herself, and seeing as my TF Palettes are off-limits to her, as things mysteriously enter her room, but never come back, I said yes.

Just a couple of hours later, I was the one taking Sofia’s makeup when I was getting ready for a night out with the family and I spied the palette sitting there and I was like “Why Not?”. On the outside it looks like a lovely warm palette with bright pinky corals, browns, creams and one red. They are all shimmers, which is a drawback, and didn’t exactly swatch very well as they seemed very sheer and powdery. However, I trucked on.

I ended up using my Marc Jacobs contour as a transition shade, and then dipped into the brick-red color and applied that to the outer V and blended that just a bit into the crease. I was not expecting the color to come show up, but it did. After building it up a bit, I was intrigued to try the others.

Trying to keep the look simple, I patted the pinky shimmer one in the middle (why does Hard Candy not name these colors?) with my finger on the middle of my lid and took it to the inner corner. Then, with the same brush I applied the red, just blended it a bit to remove any harsh lines.

Wanting a little more definition on the outer V, I took the dark brown shade on the left and darkened the corner a bit. I then took the red again and smoked the lower lid and added the dark brown again to the outer lower lash. Finished it off with the white shimmer shade on the brow bone and the inner corner and I was done.

Although these colors swatched like duds, they blended really nicely with a brush. I liked the look so much, that I replicated it for work the next day and I got TWO compliments, so I knew it was a winner and one that I needed to add to the repertoire.

I will say that you definitely need to use some eye primer as by the end of my work day, the look did fade a bit. The red I used on the outer was still visible, but the shimmery pink was pretty much all gone. I think next time, I would definitely use some setting spray to see if I can extend the life a bit. I always forget that step!

Anyone else have any other Hard Candy products they want to recommend? If so, leave in the comments below.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

Lipstick

Happy National Lipstick Day!

July 29, 2017July 31, 2017 MaritzaLeave a comment

Judging by the number of lipsticks I own, it looks like I have been celebrating National Lipstick Day for quite some time. But that's ok, everyone has a hobby, right? Mine happens to be collecting the same nude shade (it's never the same!) over and over again across multiple cosmetic lines.

Well, in honor of the best holiday EVER, I'm sharing with you my two favorite lipsticks. I would have only chosen one, but I couldn't. It would be like choosing which one of my children I love the most.

Milani Color Statement Moisture in Matte Naked. If I had to pick one lipstick to take with me to a deserted island, it would be this one. Not because it's my #1, but because, quite frankly, I think it would go well with the island decor. But seriously, I love the warm toned nude color. I think it would go well with multiple skin colors and also totally gives me 90's vibes. It's matte, but not drying and long lasting. I can put this on in the morning and not have to touch up till lunch.

Hard Candy Velvet Mousse Lipstick in Cherry Blossom. Every time I go to Walmart, I pick up one of their Liquid Lippies in the tin box. The formula's are long wearing, extremely pigmented and do not dry your lips out. Their Velvet Mousse line is probably my favorite of them all. They are not necessarily matte, but certainly not glossy and they smell like buttercream frosting. All their colors are great, but if I had to choose one, it would be Cherry Blossom. It's the perfect rose color and can got from a day to night look in a heartbeat.

Both lipsticks mentioned above can be picked up at Walmart or your local drugstore (Milani only), however, if you are planning to go to the mall today, make sure you stop by your local MAC counter, as it was announced that MAC will be giving out a FULL SIZED lipstick to all their customers on July 29. Not a sample, not a mini or deluxe size…FULL SIZE!!! Deep Breaths, Maritza. Deep Breaths.

I think National Lipstick Day is officially better than Christmas.

Tell me what are your favorite lipsticks in the comments below. I know I need to add another nude to my collection (they are not the same!).

Love,

Maritza

Hard Candy

Color Correcting for Dummies with Hard Candy

July 23, 2017July 27, 2017 Maritza1 Comment

I realized that I am constantly correcting things. If a picture frame is tilted, I straighten it. If my children are picking their noses, I tell them to use a tissue (gross, I know). My husband goes to Starbucks and doesn’t bring me back an Iced Cinnamon Almond Macchiato? He dies.

Ok, I won’t kill him. But he will endure intense passive aggressiveness for at least a week.

Interestingly enough, the only thing I am not correcting is my face. As in color correcting, that is. I have always been intimidated by the whole process. Adding green, yellow or orange to my face seemed really counterintuitive, not to mention intimidating. I mean, isn’t the whole purpose of makeup to make the skin look more like your skin, only better? So how does adding non-skin like colors, make it more natural? And what if you add too much or don’t blend it out? You are basically going to be walking around like a clown college reject.

Stuff like this keeps me up at night.

Well, to ease my concerns and help with my sleep routine, the nice folks at Hard Candy sent me a trio of Sheer Envy Color Correct Cushion Wonders. These beauties come in a squeeze tube with a cushion tip that you twist to open and close. It doesn’t take a lot of pressure to get the product to come through, so my suggestion is to just squeeze a bit. A little goes a long way.

HC Color Correct

You can find these products at Walmart and they cost $6 each. Now that seems like a deal if you ask me, but, let’s test these babies out first, shall we?

Not coincidently, today I woke up with the usual dark circles under my eyes (see what keeps me up at night above), redness and discoloration on my cheeks, nose and forehead and, of course, a zit right on the bridge of my nose.

First I tackle the under eyes and use the peach to soften the darkness a bit. The formula seemed lightweight and went on smooth. When I rubbed it between my fingers, it felt a bit mousse like. It also had a very faint sweet floral scent, which I really liked. I moved on to yellow and apply a bit on my eyelids to cover the bluish veins and on my forehead and chin to add a little brightness. Since it is a squeezy tube, why not freehand a cute little design? No one said you can’t have fun neutralizing redness.

Hmm….Halloween Costume?

Looking at my zit

I think this one is Instagram worthy

To conquer the zit, I hit up the green one. Out of all the colors, this is the one that freaks me out the most. I can deal with peach and yellow, but GREEN? The Hulk is green. Kermit is green. Me? I’m pasty white with freckles. But it’s ok, this will work. I apply a small (size of sun) dot on the zit and on the side of my nose and begin blending the products with my beauty sponge.

I start off with the peach and yellow and find that they blend out surprisingly easy. Then I tackle the Hulk colored areas. Once again, I find that the color sinks into the skin really well and immediately, the zit looks less red. By George.. I think we found something!

But before we get all excited, we haven’t passed the final stage. Blending your foundation and concealer on top of the Impressionist painting currently hanging on your face. So I grab by trusty Covergirl Vitalist and my Tarte Shape Tape and finish prepping my face. When I look in the mirror and check out my handy work, I am totally impressed. My under eyes look brighter. Same for my forehead and chin. However, what I am most impressed by is the zit on the nose. Right off the bat, you could barely tell it was there if not for the bump. Yet, that’s not all, my friends. Three hours later when I do a quick check in, it still looks good. This is literally one of the oiliest parts of my face. Products usually breaks up first around my nose area and I still could not pick up on any redness.

Boom! Mind is blown.

I have no idea why I was so worried. I guess, as with everything, the product you are using is key, so if you are like I once was and are a bit hesitant to venture into the scary world of color correcting, stop by your local Walmart and pick up one of these Hard Candy beauties. I guarantee you that you will not be disappointed as they have made it practically goof proof.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza