Friday, October 17, 2014

FOTD: Pomegranate Punk

Greetings from the Dark Side!

This week it finally started to feel like autumn here in North California...finally. It has been so freaking, so the sudden onset of chilly days have been more than welcome. I cannot wait for it to get even colder! I am really not a summer person and I much prefer the colder weather~ Along with the autumn weather we start to see autumn trends, that including makeup trends. I wear dark makeup all throughout the year, but I wear it even more during fall and winter. Here is an easy purple/cranberry look using indie makeup and some drugstore items~ I really do need to use my indie eyeshadows more often! They are gorgeous!I hope you all like it ^_^


Tuesday, October 14, 2014

FOTD: Autumn Neutrals

Greetings from the Dark Side!

It has been a while guys! I am so sorry for being MIA! Life has been extremely busy for me (I am sure it has been for everyone!). I have had to juggle school, two jobs, and my social and home life. But mostly I have been lacking inspiration to do creative makeup and to blog, if I am totally honest. I felt really unmotivated to do any cool makeup looks or even to buy any new makeup. I have so much makeup that it makes me feel totally guilty about owning that much. But I decided to get back to blogging, even if it means just using the makeup I currently own. I can't believe my last FOTD was in July!!

The makeup look I am showing you today has been my sort of everyday neutral smokey eye. It just uses neutral bronzes and a pop of a smoked-out green eyeliner on the lash line. Keep reading if you want to know what products I used ;)


Thursday, August 14, 2014

Giveaway: Maybelline The Nudes Palette

Greetings from the Dark Side!

I have been using this palette from Maybelline a lot recently so I thought I would give one away~ Good luck to everyone who enters!



                                                                      Rules and Information                                                     
-You must be 18+ years or have your parent's permission to enter
-You must be a follower of The Dark Side of Beauty
-This giveaway is international, so anyone can enter :)
-There will only be 1 winner
-Fill out the Rafflecopter form below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway




Tuesday, August 5, 2014

Top 5: Holy Grail Products

Greetings from the Dark Side!

For me, it has always been very difficult to label a product as a Holy Grail (HG). I use so many different products that it is hard to choose only a few to call my HG products. But, I thought about it and choose 5 products I can definitely label as HG. My criteria for HG products are products that 1) I really, really like; 2) that I used very often; 3) that are NOT limited edition and could easily obtain them; and 4) if I lost/finished them I would immediately repurchase them.


Update!

Greetings from the Dark Side!

So...hi guys! It seems I have left my blog hanging for almost a month! Yikes >_<" I want to apologize for being so inactive, and not just on my blog but on all my social media. I was super busy with work, lazy, and (insert other lame excuse here). Honestly though I just did not feel inspired to write anything or create any makeup looks. In fact I have cut down on makeup-buying significantly and have been wearing pretty minimal makeup for most of July/beginning of August. I do want to get back on the wagon though and start writing again. I feel a bit more recharged after my mini blogging hiatus, so yay!

On other note, I totally did not do the July Series Challenge D: So I will be doing during this month (August). However, I will not be doing another Series Challenge giveaway since someone already won that prize. Look forward to seeing some looks from me this month!


 Thanks for reading!

Wednesday, July 16, 2014

FOTD: Orange and Nude

Greetings from the Dark Side!

I'm not dead, I have just been a terrible blogger. And as usual, I blame both work and the fact that watching anime gets pretty addicting! I have been keeping my makeup quite minimal because of my job (and maybe you also noticed that my blue hair was quite short-lived!). I have been playing around with some of the new makeup I purchased recently and today I used the Maybelline The Nudes palette to create this eye look. I paired it with a very summery orange lip, Lime Crime's 'My Beautiful Rocket' lipstick~! I love pairing neutral eye looks with bright lip colors and Lime Crime lipsticks are always my go-to lipsticks for bright lips.



Thanks for reading!

Tuesday, July 8, 2014

July Series Challenge: League of Legends

Greetings from the Dark Side!
For an introduction of this Series Challenge, go HERE. Otherwise, welcome to another month of my challenge series! This month's theme will be: League of Legends!  For weekly dates and inspiration pictures, keep reading!
*Every person can do one look per inspiration (so a maximum total of three looks per month). 
*Share your weekly look  by the end of each week on my Facebook Page, my Twitter, and/or by email (darksideofbeautyblog@gmail.com). You can do eye makeup, full-face makeup, or nails!


                                                                 Inspiration Pictures                                                                
 *These are not my photos. You can use the photos I will be using for inspiration or you can use a different photo of the same character if you wish.

Week 1:  Goth Annie



Week 2: Jinx


Week 3: Mercenary Katarina


                                                                   Contest Giveaway Prize                                                       
At the end of the month, all of you who have participated in the challenge will have a chance to win this: a $20-30 gift certificate of the store of your choice. 

*Share your looks  by the end of each week on my Facebook Page, my Twitter, and/or by email (darksideofbeautyblog@gmail.com). You can do eye makeup, full-face makeup, or nails!


First Impression: Milani Bella Eyes Gel Eyeshadows


I'm throwing another First Impression post your way because I actually did a bit of hauling this past week. I've heard quite a lot of things about these new Milani Bella Eyes Gel Eyeshadows so I had to try them out for myself. The name is not only really long but also a bit weird. Are they powder or gel eyeshadows? Let's find out! Here are my first thoughts on two shades I picked up as well as some swatcharoos of both shades.

Monday, July 7, 2014

First Impression: Maybelline 'The Nudes' Palette


I recently found this new drugstore palette from Maybelline and I was really excited to pick it up! I don't own the Naked or Naked2 palettes so I wanted to try this version of a nude palette. I have my first impression as well as some swatches in this post for you guys, and I will also be posting some eye looks using this palette in future posts ^_^ Has anyone else tried this palette out?

Tuesday, July 1, 2014

Kill La Kill Series: Fight Club Mako

"Winning at friendship means winning at life!"

Mankanshoku Mako is by far my favorite character from Kill la Kill! She is so randomly awesome and cute! However, for a few moments in the serious we got to see her as a badass member of the Fight Club with her Two-Star goku uniform (the best uniform by far IMO). I loved seeing her in her goku uniform because she totally reminds me of some delinquent yakuza-ish anime character. Instead of doing something too neutral and cuteish, I decided to do a neutral look with a pop of blue, red, and a bit of black. This is a easy way to wear color AND it totally doubles as a subtle 4th of July look!


Sunday, June 22, 2014

Weekly Favorites #5



If you have not noticed, I've been pretty lazy as far as posting makeup tutorials and reviews on my blog. I have been really minimal with my everyday makeup, which explains why I haven't posted many reviews. I have been sticking to foundation, powder, mascara, and a bit of lipstick/gloss for the past weeks; nothing too exciting as far as makeup is concerned. This week I stuck to the same routine for the most part but I changed up a few of my products. For starters, I purchased a new CC cream, the IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Cream. I heard really great things about this CC cream on Youtube videos and I decided to pick it up at Ulta for a hefty $38. So far, I really like it but we will see if it lives up to its hype. While picking up this CC Cream, I saw the IT Cosmetics Tightline Mascara Primer. I remember hearing great things about this one too so I got it as well (damn Youtube making me want to buy stuff!). I've used it a few times this week and, holy cow this stuff is great! This is awesome for people who want a non-white mascara primer that makes the lashes look freaking amazing. I am really starting to like IT Cosmetics! These are my first two products from this brand and so far I have great impression!

Besides the two new makeup products, I started using two other products that were already in my collection: the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in 'Diffused Light' and the NYX Butter Gloss in 'Merengue'. I stopped using 'Diffused Light' for some time because I completely forgot about it, but I fell in love with it again this week. This is a great setting powder for yellow-toned skin as well as a beautiful subtle highlighter. This is really pricey, but the product is amazing and the packaging is superb. I also starting using one of my least used NYX Butter Glosses in 'Merengue' and I can't believe I haven't used it more. It is a cool pink with lavender undertones that looks really good on my skin tone. All NYX Butter Glosses are beautiful and I love them so much ♥ I used this shade in my latest tutorial.

My last favorite of the week is actually not a makeup product, it's a book! And not just any book, it is the newest addition to my Tolkien collection! This is the translation of Beowulf by J.R.R. Tolkien and now published by his son Christopher. I really liked Beowulf back in high school and it is really great to read it again~ I am really excited to read this classic piece and have translations and comments from Tolkien. It's also so fascinating reading one of the things that basically inspired Tolkien to begin to create his own myths and stories, which basically lead to him creating what we know as Middle-Earth today!


Thanks for reading!



Saturday, June 21, 2014

Kill la Kill Series: Harime Nui

"All memories are lost the moment a girl changes her underwear.

Ah, Harime Nui. You were a delightfully bat-shit crazy character in Kill la Kill. Without giving any spoliers, I'll say to not let her cute appearance and demeanor fool you. She is insanely cute, and insanely...well, for a lack of a better term, insane. She was a very refreshing character and I enjoyed seeing her scenes because she has a hilarious personality! For this look, I wanted to do something kind of cute, but also a little edgy and fun (just like her!). And for the fun of it, I decided to add her signature purple eye patch ( it is in the shape of the Japanese katakana character for the sound "nu" and "i" combined, cleverly forming her name). It is so wearable (note: sarcasm)! I'm totally going to work like this xD

Not my image.

Tuesday, June 17, 2014

Review: L'oreal Voluminous Miss Manga Mascara

Greetings from the Dark Side!

Today I bring you a review for a product that has been gaining some serious hype in the beauty community as of late: the L'oreal Miss Manga mascara. If you want to know my thoughts on this drugstore mascara, please keep reading ^_^


Monday, June 16, 2014

A Few Updates: Series Challenge, Graduation, Anime Expo, etc.

Greetings from the Dark Side!

I wanted to come in a give you all a few updates. This past week was a super insanely busy week. I had to work, prepare for my graduation, and prepare to say good-bye to one of my best friends. As such, I did not post my Week 2 look for the June Series Challenge, but it will be posted up by at least Wednesday. Since I will be posting this look late, you are also welcome to post Week 2 and Week 3 looks by the end of Sunday. 


My best friend of almost 7 years is moving away to Boston tomorrow morning and I want to spend these last few hours with her. It would be an understatement to say that I am devastated by her moving away, but I am also happy to see her doing something new. I have plans to visit her in Boston and go to New York in the fall so that will be really exciting! If any of you are from the Boston or New York area, please let me know of any thing I must absolutely visit! 

In other news, I officially graduated this weekend! I had my commencement ceremony for UC Davis on Saturday and it was a really exciting day for me. My family and friends were there and I was just so thrilling to see everyone cheering for me. Thank you to everyone who supported me through my college years! ♥ I had a fantastic 4 years at UC Davis and I will remember them for the rest of my life! 


I think I have already mentioned this a few times, but I will be going to Anime Expo July 3-July 6! I am still working on some of my cosplays, but I just recently decided to dress up as Konan from Naruto. I haven't gathered all the stuff I need for this cosplay, but I have gotten a few things. It is going to happen though :D I will keep you guys updated with my cosplays and I will do my best to get the posts up for my cosplays before Anime Expo! 


Thanks for reading!

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Kill la Kill Series: Matoi Ryuuko

To hell with your opinion! I'll take my own path no matter what anyone else says!” 

Matoi Ryuuko is the main protagonist of the anime KILL la KILL. She is a tomboy who arrives at Honnouji Academy searching for the other half of her scissor blade, a clue that will help her find the person who murdered her father. Throughout the series, Ryuuko is a freaking badass character! I really loved her as a character and enjoyed seeing her in the show. She is a tomboy at heart, but she also displays a heartwarming girly side. For this Ryuuko inspired look, I decided to go for a darker blue and red look, since blue and red are her signature colors. I also added a bit of yellow from the yellow of her outfit (aka Senketsu's eye). I hope you enjoy this look!

Not my image.


Sunday, June 1, 2014

June Series Challenge: Kill la Kill

Greetings from the Dark Side!
For an introduction of this Series Challenge, go HERE. Otherwise, welcome to another month of my challenge series! This month's theme will be: Kill la Kill!  For weekly dates and inspiration pictures, keep reading!

Road Warrior Miss Fortune (LoL) Cosplay Part 3: Guns

Greetings from the Dark Side!

If you are new to this cosplay series check these posts out first:

This post is solely focusing on the Miss Fortune's guns. I've really loved the guns from this artwork compared the guns that she actually has in-game. These guns are more intricate and look way more awesome! I have been in love with them since I first saw them. I wanted the guns to be super cool and to be pieces I actually could have on display in my room, so I did not make them myself. I employed someone else to make them for me. This is where GS Props comes in. I basically commissioned the guns from a prop maker. GS Props has made some really awesome props so I decided to spend a little money to get some really cool guns. The result was amazing! I am so happy with how they turned out. The handle is real wood and everything else is made of...well I have no clue but it turned out really well!


The guns are pretty big (about the length of my arms) but they are very lightweight! I received so many compliments on them when I went to Fanime! I need to look for a good picture of me holding these so you can see how big they are! But for the mean time I leave you with the picture above from GSProps!


Thank you for reading!
     




Saturday, May 31, 2014

FOTD: I Dyed My Hair Red...Sort Of


Hi guys! Long time no see! I have been such a terrible blogger >_<" I wish I could say I have been really busy, but I have actually been really uninspired lately. Also I have been binge watching Netflix and Crunchyroll! I have a few quick updates to share with you all. First of all, I dyed my hair red. Kind of. I lightened my hair a bit because I want to dye it blue when I go to Anime Expo (July 3-July 6), but I hated how it looked as a really light brown. So I decided to dye it red in the mean time. Why not just dye it blue right now? Well I can't have blue hair at work, but apparently red is acceptable xD

Next sort of update is that I will be having my regular Series Challenge for June! I skipped May because I was being lazy but I will be continuing that! Anyway here is my FOTD for today!



                                                                                      Products Used                                                                              
 
Eyes
- Wet n Wild 'Vanity' Palette (shimmery pale gold)
- Kat Von D liquid liner
L'oreal Voluminous Miss Manga mascara


Face & Lips 
- Wet n Wild CoverAll Foundatiin
- Revlon Matte Balm 'Standout'




Thank you for reading!