The Dark Side of Beauty

Monday, March 24, 2014

First Impression: NARS Creamy Concealer

Empties #9

1. Paula's Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid Exfoliant
I believe I have mentioned this product before along with one other PC product. I freaking love this product so much! I have purchased about 4 bottles already and I notice a huge difference when I don't use this. I stopped using this about 3 months ago (I started using a few other skin care products), and I recently noticed that my pores looked really bad. I started using this again a month go, and I immediately noticed that my pores looked cleaner and smaller. This stuff also is great for acne-prone skin and for overall exfoliation. I can't say enough good things about this stuff! I would most definitely purchase this again!!

2. Koh Gen Do Cleansing Spa Water
I bought this small sample size at Sephora a while ago because I was curious about it. If you don't know what micellar water or cleansing water is, it is basically a makeup remover that feels just like water; it is not oily at all. I love Bioderma's micellar water, but I hate that I can only buy it online. I thought this stuff might be a good replacement for Bioderma and I can purchase it at Sephora which is really close to my house. I did really like this one, it worked pretty much the same as the Bioderma one. They both remove makeup really well and have a similar texture! However, I think the Koh Gen Do one is a bit more expensive than Bioderma. I think I will mull it over and see which of the two I prefer to buy...I would repurchase if I did not want to buy Bioderma online.

3. Bath & Body Works Moonlight Path Perfume
Ah this perfume smells so good! This is one of my favorite perfumes and I am sad that I finished it up. I will have to buy another one. This stuff smells so good that I have had three men come up to me and ask me what perfume I'm wearing because they really like it and want to buy it for their girlfriends. I guess this is a scent that both women and men really like because it is not very strong, but still has a nice floral and slightly musky scent. I would definitely repurchase this!

4. L'oreal Lash Out Butterfly Mascara
This mascara was alright. I liked the unique fan-like brush, but the formula left a lot to be desired. I would not repurchase this.

5. L'oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Excess Mascara
I really do not like this mascara. The brush is okay, but the formula is too clumpy and too moist. This just gave me very clumpy lashes! I would not repurchase.

Thank you for reading!

Saturday, March 22, 2014

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!

In Progress: Indie Swatch Gallery

Hey guys! I wanted to let you know that I am currently doing a swatch gallery on imgur for my indie eyeshadows. Right now I only have Victorian Disco Cosmetics swatches, but now that I am done with school, I will have a lot of time to start swatching more of the brands I own. I hope to have albums for individual brands, and one folder for all the brands together. I am really new to making swatch galleries, and I am using imgur. If any of you know any other sites that would be better for this, please let me know!

I just added swatches of the VDC Sindarin collection which will hopefully be brought back in the VDC store soon! But, in the mean time, you can see colors side by side to see how they compare and how they look!

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!

Saturday, March 15, 2014

Star Wars Series: Boba Fett

Greetings from the Dark Side!

I am really excited to finally bring you another Star Wars inspired look! I should really have done lots of these by now since my blog name is inspired by Star Wars after all! Today I will be sharing my Boba Fett inspired look. Boba Fett, a Madalorian bounty hunter and the clone of Jango Fett, is one of favorite characters from Star Wars, mostly because I really like his armor. So I was very excited to try to create a look inspired by him!

Life Update and Upcoming Posts

Greetings from the Dark Side!

You might have noticed that I am not posting too much lately. I wanted to make sure to address a few things just so you all know that I am not neglecting my blog! Firstly, I am coming to the end of my undergraduate education. Next week, I have my final exams and after that I will be graduating! It is really exciting but it is also putting a lot of pressure and stress on me. I am currently trying to finish up a bunch of term papers before I begin to study for my exams. Because of this, I haven't had much time to post anything.

Even though I won't be posting much until after my exams are over (which is on the Saturday of next week) I will still be doing this week's and next week's series challenge looks. I think those will be the only posts I will have up until the end of my finals. But after that, I will have a lot of reviews, swatches, looks, and haul posts! So just stick with me for the next week until I resume my usual posting routine :D