BlushPretty: Make-up Artistry Weblog

chanel quadra eye shadow in kaska beige

Leave it to Chanel to make basic beige look anything BUT basic.

Chanel's Quadra Eye Shadow in Kaska Beige has got you covered: vanilla to highlight, taupe to shade, caramel to deepen, and plum to line. Done.

This LBC (little black compact) can take you from day to night easily with just a couple of sweeps of colour.  While all the colours will complement any skin tone, I really like taking the taupe shade over my entire lid and then using the plum as smoke right across the lower lash line.  In fact, sometimes, I just wear the plum - it's metallic and it has a sheen to it that make my brown eyes sparkle.

The texture of the shadows is smooth and weightless.  It doesn't flake or crease and the colour lasts all day!

While I rather use an eye shadow brush, the compact does come with two small applicators so you can change it up in the car, in the bathroom, or right at the dinner table (though I wouldn't suggest that). The mirror is big enough in size and the compact is, um, er, compact enough that holding it while doing your makeup is a breeze. Neither bulky or large, this fits easily in your makeup bag without taking up precious space.

The great thing about Chanel's Quadra Eye Shadow line is that each compact of four contains at least one matte, one metallic and one satin eyeshadow.  You can get a variety of looks by wearing one, two or al four colours. With over 12 compacts to choose from, the possibilities are endless!

-bp-

vasanti lipstick in sweden

By Christine W.

Red, Pink, Coral, Plum, Rose!

So many choices that it would make anyone’s head spin.

I personally never liked wearing lipstick. There are just so many brands, colours, textures, and formulas, it made my head hurt. So I just stayed away from that part of the store. If I did think I needed to go a little over the top with make-up then I would just wear a light layer of coloured lip gloss. This was so much easier than having to worry about going over my natural lip line and staining the skin around my lips.

Also for me, lipstick would never last because I would also eat it off with in an hour. So to me it was just a waste of money. Although trying something new doesn’t hurt. So I didn't hesitate to try Vasanti's newest lipstick colour: Sweden.

I didn’t mind wearing this lipstick. I like the colour (a pink nude), I like how it makes my lips feel moist, and how - after it’s gone - it doesn’t leave my lips feeling dry. And the number one thing that I loved about wearing this lipstick is that it didn’t feel like I really was. Which for me is fantastic because then I don’t feel the urge to eat it off.

This lipstick goes on really smooth and makes my lips feel really soft.  I will definitely be keeping it in my daily makeup routine.

-bp-

Vasanti Eye Colour Palette in The Hamptons

It is like a whole new world outside!

How refreshing is it to be able to walk outside and be greeted by sunshine? Spring has finally arrived and I am now in "spring cleaning" mode. Of course, for a makeup artist, that begins by putting aside my "winter" stuff and opening up a bunch of new beauty candy.

First up: Vasanti's Eye Colour Palette in The Hamptons.

(Unfortunately, this makeup palette won't actually get me to The Hamptons. That's okay. What this palette will do is get my peepers extra pretty.)

It is a selection of neutrals: beige, peach, brown and grey, PLUS a deep navy for lining and smoking up the eye. The neutrals go on sheer with a hint of shimmer.  The texture is amazing - very silky and smooth - so it glides on easily. The navy can be used as a shadow or to define the lash line, but I do suggest that you wet a side of the navy shadow if you would like to use it as a liner.  The texture isn't dense enough to get a dark, tight line right at the lashes. On the flip, the navy does blend easily for a smokey eye or to add depth to your look.

The sleek case has a sizable mirror which makes doing your makeup in the car, a public bathroom, or at your office desk a snap.  It also comes with a dual sided brush which has a medium shader one one end and a slanted tip on the other.  The only thing cumbersome about the casing is that the lid with the mirrored side doesn't stand up on its own, so you can't prop it on your desk and do your makeup - you'll have to hold it to get your mirror angled. (I don't think I dropped my case or harmed it in anyway but it could be that just my particular palette lid is floppy; you may pick up a palette and it has a perfectly working mirrored lid).

All in all, I do love the shadows in this palette.  The hint of shimmer in each shade is wearable for day which makes me eyes look rested and alive. 

You can pick up Vasanti Cosmetics at Shoppers Drug Mart or Rexall.

-bp-

you love me ... you really love me

It's kind of thrilling that for this Thursday's product, I get to post a review my OWN product.

A very VERY special thank you to everyone who have tried my beauty balms.  For the past couple of weeks I've been doing mini focus groups by handing out a couple to friends, sending them out to my twitter followers, and pretty much thrusting them at anyone who comes through my front door. Here are a couple of fresh.beautiful. words about BlushPretty's Beauty Balms:

"I have been lucky enough to try some of these beauty balms and they are fabulous!!! I have had the pleasure of trying three different flavours and I love them all. I will have to purchase some of the new ones."
- Leesh (who might be kinda biased cause she is my bff ... but at the same time a super beauty junkie ... so it's like a 50/50 why she gave such a positive review - lol)

"Just recived my comp lip balm from @BlushPretty ... aaaaah so soothing, and Lemongrass - my fav!! Big warm thnks!"
- @Freedom_CC on Twitter (and those aren't typos in her message, remember, Twitter is only 140 characters)

"For your balm - will you be selling it soon? Would love to post about it, I love love love it!"
- @SensationalWV on Twitter (who has been my personal cheering squad since she received it in the mail - thank you)

As a thank you to all my readers, I'm doing a mini-giveaway.  Leave comments on this post, and I will pick one winner to receive two .8 oz round tins of BlushPretty Beauty Balm. The flavours?

trekking thru thailand: lemongrass and grapefruit; this balm is perfect for lips and moisturizing dry patches.

i heart georgia: mango and peach; this balm is actually a bit creamier than the others so it's perfect for softening extremely dry patches.

Contest ends March 15, 2010.  Thanks and thanks some more! :)

-bp-

noir ultra rich black eye pencil: love at first smudge

By Meredith Sinclair, Makeup Artist

Editor's Note: Oh how I love Meredith, let me count the ways. When BlushPretty went through a serious growth spurt last year and needed to bring on some team members, a good friend (thank you @Openmiq) introduced me to Meredith. Meredith is sunshine. She currently works as a makeup artist with BlushPretty and does some of her own freelance work as well. I always have good times with Meredith and she's A+ company (two-hour drive at 5:00am in the morning to Blue Mountain and she didn't fall asleep on me once!).  That scored high in my books - plus she loves NARS as much as I do

Oh black eyeliner, how do I heart thee...

Shopping your local beauty shop or drugstore can be challenging when looking for a new back liner. Everyone and their sister has a black liner or two in their offering. How is a beauty to choose?!

First decide what you are comfortable working with. Are you particularly talented with gel liner and a brush, flawless with liquid, or prefer the versatility and convenience of a pencil? Are you looking long wear or smudge-ability?

Noir’s offering of black liners appear to have something for everyone – a black eye liner one stop shop! Having tried the Ultra Rich Black Eye Pencil, it was love at first smudge. This fabulously rich pencil liner has multiples uses. Sharpen the tip ever so sharply for fine day wear, tracing the top lash line. For evening smudge this black goodness in to your lash line, extending slightly upwards on to lids (focus is on the outer corner), contouring your eyes for a smoldering night time look. Add to bottom lash line for added drama!

Glossy and glamorous, this pigment rich pencil goes on very smoothly making it easy to apply. Noir’s Ultra Rich Black Eye Pencil gets my vote. Make your peepers pop with this trusty staple!

Tip: Draw an imaginary line from the outer corner of your eye to the outer tip of your eye brow. Keeping your smudged liner and/or shadow on the inside of this imaginary border will keep your eyes looking lifted and fabulous!

-bp-