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 ^_^

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

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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.

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!

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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.

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?

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.

Weekly Favorites #4

1. Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm 'Standout'
When ever I have reached for a red lip product lately, I have reached for this red from Revlon. This week I used this matte balm various times and I am so in love with it! It is really pigmented, matte (but not drying), and it looks simply amazing on the lips. It is hands down one of my favorite red lip products!

2. Dior Creme de Rose 
I purchased this balm about two weeks ago and I have used it every day since then. It is a really pricey product (I think it was about $22), but I can say that this is worth the hype! My lips have felt more moisturized with this balm than with any other balm I have used in the past. It smells like roses and it makes my lips look so pretty! It does not have a visible color, but it leaves the lips looking a bit glossy with a touch of pink sheen. This stuff is absolutely wonderful. I think I will purchase another one to keep in my purse at all times!

3. Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser in the shade 'Neutralizer'
I'm sure I have already raved about this product more than enough, but I wanted to make sure I mentioned it again. This is definitely my HG undereye concealer. I love it very much! It brightens up the eye area and it is amazing to clean up any eye look. I recommend the shade 'Neutralizer' over the other shades though (I have the shade 'Light' as well, but I don't like that one as much). 

4. Tarte Airbuki Brush
I bought this brush along side the Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation,  but I use it with other foundations as well. I find this is a great brush for BB creams because it really blends in the product into the skin. I have used this brush pretty much all week to apply my Lioele BB cream on my skin. Definitely worth the money!

5. Illamasqua Cream Pigment 'Androgen'
The only cheek product I wore this week was this cream pigment here. I am loving corals lately and this is a really fantastic coral multi-purpose product. It looks so great on the cheeks though. It gives the skin a refreshed and glowing appearance. I highly recommend the Illamasqua Cream Pigments!

6. Shiro Cosmetics Seven Kingdoms Collection
The only eyeshadows I really used this week (besides the ones from my last FOTD) are a few eyshadows from the Shiro Cosmetics collection inspired by Game of Thrones. I particularly love 'Mother of Dragons' (purple/mauve with silver) and 'Maiden Queen' (emerald green). I pressed all of these eyeshadows so I have them conveniently all in one palette.

Thank you for reading!

     

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World of Warcraft Series: Alexstrasza

"Life is my Aspect, Dark One, and I, like all mothers, know both the pain and wonders that entails!"

Alexstrasza, the Life-Binder and Dragonqueen, is an "immense dragon...colored a deep, rich red that seems to shimmer and dance before your eyes" (source). For this look, I wanted to use red, purple, and gold as the main colors.

Not my image. Source.

EOTD: Summer Seashell

Greetings from the Dark Side!

I was in a rush to take a photo of my eye look today and so I completely forgot to take a full-face photo! I went to my friend's soloist concert (and if you read this, you did an amazing job Alma!) and I wanted to a do a fun eye look. I used a whole bunch of eyeshadows for this look, but I love the end result!

                                                                                      Products Used                                                                              

 

- Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser 'Neutralizer'

- Maybelline 'Sunwashed Sky' Color Tattoo (lid base)

- Shiro Cosmetics 'Mother of Dragons' eyeshadow (lid)

- Shiro Cosmetics 'Little Bird' eyeshadow (crease)

- Victorian Disco Cosmetics 'Evenstar' eyeshadow (inner corner) 

- Shiro Cosmetics 'Here I Stand' eyeshadow (lower lash line mixed with a bit of 'Mother of Dragons')

- Prestige Total Intensity black pencil eyeliner

- Kat Von D Tattoo liquid liner

- L'oreal Voluminous mascara

- Wet n Wild Ultimate Brow Kit

Thank you for reading!

     

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Comparison Swatches: Maybelline Color Tattoos Summer 2014

Swatches: Maybelline Summer 2014 Color Tattoos

Greetings from the Dark Side!

I haven't been the best blogger lately and I apologize for that. I have been really busy with a new job, and I am having much less time for blogging, sadly. But I always have time to post really exciting stuff! One of those things in new Color Tattoos! You should all know by now that I am sort of obsessed with these and I must catch 'em all! I actually do have all the shades released in the U.S...hehe. Well, anyway, I just wanted to pop in and swatch these two quickly for all of you who are just as obsessed with these as I am! And if you are curious, I bought these at Rite Aid. They are limited edition, FYI. So snatch 'em up quick!

I will have comparison swatches with other previous Color Tattoo shades tomorrow :D

Star Wars Series: Darth Vader

"You don't know the power of the Dark Side" -Darth Vader

Darth Vader is not just one of favorite Star Wars characters, but he is also one of the most iconic character in the series. He is one of the main antagonists of the Star Wars saga, yet he is also redeemed by his sacrifice in the end. When I thought about creating a Darth Vader look, I have to say I was quite intimidated; I didn't know how I could do any justice to his character. I knew I wanted something dark and smokey, but I wanted to add in red for his lightsaber too. I also wanted to add a bit of light, since he is not entirely a bad character which resulted in me adding some silver glitter. The sparkles over the black base in this look also are very reminiscent of all the space/galaxy scenes throughout the films. I was quite pleased with the outcome, and I hope you all like it as well!

Weekly Favorites #2

Bath and Body Works Stress Relief Candle 

I looooove this candle so much! I bought one during the holidays when a 2 for $22 sale was going on. I passed by B&BW the other day, and I noticed they were having another 2 for $22 sale so I picked up two of these. I love anything that is minty, but this isn't too minty and rather has a very spa-like scent. It definitely helps me relax. It has come in really handy this past week because I am really stressed with school right now >_<"

Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation and Airbuki Brush

I have been using this foudnation and brush for about two weeks now. I did a First Impression post and I am still waiting to do a full review on it. I am loving it though! It looks so natural but it still gives great coverage!

NARS Creamy Concealer

I haven't mentioned this concealer before on my blog, and that is because I recently purchased it (I really need to write up a haul post!). I bought this because I heard really great things about it and I've been using it in place of my MAC Pro Longwear Concealer for the past dew days. I will have a First Impression post, but for now I can say that it is living up to the hype! 

Maybelline Baby Lips 'Grape Vine'

I don't love the Baby Lips that much, but I do really love this shade. I love the subtle dark purple color! And if you know me, you know I love purple lippies! The smell is wonderful too, like a grape popsicle!

NYX Butter Gloss 'Creme Brulee'

I mentioned this in my last week's favorites, but I needed to mention it again. I never thought I could love a nude gloss so much, but this one is AMAZING! I can't rave enough about it. The texture is awesome, the color suits every look, and it does not chap my lips. I can say with much confidence that this is pretty much the HG nude lip color I have been searching for. 

Juicy Couture 'Viva La Juicy' Perfume

This has been my favorite perfume for a very long time. I have tried other perfumes, but I never end up liking how they smell on me. Every time I wear this delicate floral scent I get so many compliments, and it has become like my signature scent. I think the reason I like it so much is because it has jasmine notes. I LOVE jasmine scents and this one applies too. I wish I could find another perfume that was a little more "mature" than this one because it is a bit "girly" and "young". If anyone has any good recommendations for me, I would greatly appreciate it!

Thank you for reading! Join me next Sunday for another weekly favorites!

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Weekly Favorites #1

1. NYX Butter Glosses
My absolute favorite product of this week was the NYX Butter Glosses. These are pigmented, smooth, and not sticky. I haven't been excited by lip glosses in a looooong time, so I was pleasantly surprised by these ones. The one in the picture is 'Peaches and Creme' but I absolutely love all the shades I have. In fact, my favorite of the bunch is actually 'Creme Brulee', a nude shade. I picked up 'Creme Brulee' at the recommendation of one of my favorite Youtube vloggers Claire Marshall, aka HeyClaire. I also used one of these in my Hufflepuff look.

Review: Maybelline Baby Instant Skin Pore Eraser

Greetings from the Dark Side ^_^

I have now used the Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser for almost a month and a half. I posted a First Impression, but I want to post a formal review for anyone who is still curious about this product. Keep reading for my thoughts on this drugstore primer :D

FOTD: Nude Compliment

Greetings from the Dark Side~

Today, I just wanted to try out some new products that I purchased and decided to use them together and post this FOTD. It is so exciting to use new products!

                                                                                        Products Used                                                                                

 Eyes

- Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser 'Neutralizer'

- Maybelline Color Tattoos called 'Nude Compliment'

- L'oreal Lineur Intense

- L'oreal Voluminous mascara

-  Wet n Wild Ultimate Brow Kit

Face & Lips 

- Lioele Super Gold Snail BB Cream

- NYC 'Sunny' Bronzer 

- Maybelline Master Hi-Light in 'Natural'

- Brija Cosmetics 'Stole Luxury' Cream Stick Highlighter

- Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick 'Venom'

Thank you for reading!

     

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Swatches and Comparison: Maybelline Spring 2014 Color Tattoos

Greetings from the Dark Side!

There are so many Color Tattoos in the Maybelline range now. So how do you know if you need a new shade? What if it is similar to a shade you already own? Well, I am going to try to help you guys out here by swatching the 6 new Spring 2014 Color Tattoos and comparing them to all the previous shades that look anywhere remotely close to these. Are you ready?! Keep reading for more~

EDIT: These are limited edition after all, as confirmed by Nouveau Cheap 

Haul: Maybelline, Urban Decay Victorian Disco Cosmetics, NYX, Milani

Greetings from the Dark Side!

Although I've been trying to cut down my spending on makeup, I am super stressed out from school right now which causes me to buy makeup xD These are some purchases from the past week or so and I just wanted to share them before I post any First Impressions, swatches, or Reviews. 

1.Maybelline Spring 2014 Dare To Go Nude Collection (Color Tattoos and blushes)

The Dare To Go Nude collection is a new collection for this spring that consists of all neutral colors. I have been really excited for this collection because there are 6 new Color Tattoos! I collect these and I always need to buy the new shades xD I don't think these are limited edition because the shrink wrapping did not have "Limited Edition" stamped on them. They might be permanent shades, but that has not been confirmed yet. Because all the Maybelline stuff was BOGO 50% at Rite Aid, I ended up getting two more products from the collection: the Master Hi-Light in 'Natural' and the Master Glaze in 'Barely Pink'. These two are Limited Edition and I have yet to try out these two ranges of products so I though I might as well try them. The Color Tattoos are $6.99, the Master Hi-Light is $9.99, and the Master Glaze is $8.99. However, I took advantage of the BOGO 50% and got all six products for about $47.

 EDIT: These are limited edition after all, as confirmed by Nouveau Cheap 

Return of the Look: Slytherin (Harry Potter)

"Or perhaps in Slytherin,
You'll make your real friends,
Those cunning folk use any means,
To achieve their ends." 

—Sorting Hat

When I think of Slytherin, I think of Draco and his gang, Voldemort He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named, and Snape. Besides Snape, I never really cared much for people in House Slytherin! They usually tend to be a bunch of jerkwads! So when I tried to visualize Slytherin as an eye look, it was quite bold and eviiiil~ It was also green and silver since those are the House colors. If I was a Death Eater, this is totally what I would wear when I created chaos~ Mwahaha!  

And for those of you who are not familiar with my "Return of the Look" series, it is a series where I redo looks I did in the past. Well, this is a redo of my Slytherin look that I did about 2.5 years ago.