Thursday, July 24, 2014

Sugarpill Elektrocute Pigment | Supercharged

 It's neon and glitter. The review stops here. *drops mic* 

I kid, I kid. Prepare yourselves. This is one of those products I need to go point by point on otherwise I may miss some important information. What we have here is the perfect hybrid of neon colored pigment and sparkling shimmers. It's something the beauty obsessed were constantly dreaming of until Sugarpill finally came out with their Elektrocute Pigments. When they first came out all I could do was drool at my computer screen as beauty blogger after beauty blogger reviewed these beauts. The Elektrocute pigments are bright and sparkly which appealed to me on so many levels. I only admired from afar because I had no idea what I'd do with these pigments once receiving them, so I put off purchasing them, that is until I got to IMATS. Once I hit the Sugarpill booth and saw them in person, I just had to have one!

The Elektrocute collection was released with five shades; a shocking blue, vibrant yellow, hot pink, electric green, and a dazzling orange. I ended up getting the pigment named Supercharged, which was the bright orange with yellowish-golden shimmers. It was the one I thought I'd get most wear out of (although now that I think about it, I probably should have gotten the hot pink shade) It's a gorgeous shade to swatch over and over again. The finish of the pigment is matte and even with the shimmers it's easy to see that. The shimmers are quite fine and when applied to the eyes you can't even feel them like you would if you had used a coarser glitter.

Let's just get it out of the way now, this is quite a fussy shadow. It's like a high maintenance girlfriend that you need to wine and dine before she maybe decides to be nice to you. Don't get me wrong, the pigment applies smoothly, maybe some patches here or there, nothing too difficult to fix, but the shimmer ... Without a primer and with a standard primer (such as Urban Decay Primer Potion or NARS Smudgeproof Base Primer, etc.) the color stays but the shimmer is gonzo in about 20 minutes! Your only hope of having the shimmer stay on along with the color is to do 2 things. The first, find a super sticky white base, such as the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk. It keeps the color vibrant and the shimmer likes to adhere to it. Second, you need a flat/dense brush and need to pat and pack the color onto the lid. If you use a sweeping motion you're just going to sweep away all the glitter off your eye and onto your eyelashes and cheeks. No bueno, unless that's the look you're going for, haha! I've included swatches without primer, with Urban Decay Primer Potion, and then the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in two different lightings so you can get a real sense of how it's likely to come out. 

With all that said, Supercharged is not a terrible pigment. I wouldn't even classify it bad, I'm just not the most experienced with this sort of texture of shadow. It's gorgeous and the idea of blending glitter and neon colors together was genius. Just know that you're going to have to work with the shadow to get it looking how you want. I used it for my sister's prom make up and it came out stunning (although there was severely less glitter on her by the time she got to the party bus) I don't see myself getting a lot of use out of this if I'm honest. I don't wear orange a lot, either, and if anything pink would have been a better option for me. It's $16.00 for .19 oz. which I don't think is too terrible since pigments tend to last a very long time even with daily use. If it's something you're willing to experiment with then I'd highly recommend you get a shade or two! It's a unique piece of make up to have in your arsenal! 
What are your thoughts on this shimmering neon hybrid?
Something you'd be willing to work with?

Wednesday, July 23, 2014

Shopping Withdrawals Pt. 2 || Topshop Wishlist

TopShop

Holy long picture. Sorry for all the extra scrolling, haha. Last week I explained to you guys that I'm going through some serious shopping withdrawals and shared my crazy beauty wish list. Well, my want for all the things just grows and grows and it's spilled over to wanting so many fashion pieces, specifically from Topshop. Topshop is a store I do not window, online, or real life shop at (well, once or twice I did) It is a dangerous store for me and I don't trust myself in its presence (#overdramatic) So dangerous that I can't even walk in because I know, oh boy do I know, that I'll fall in love with some beautiful piece of clothing that I shan't be able to afford. Once I almost convinced myself that I could absolutely rock a bowler hat that would cost me $50, yeah, wow, so me! *facepalm* So last night, I did something bad. I opened my browser, typed in "topshop.com" and sent myself down a deep whole of online window ogling. When I finally pulled myself away I came out with these gorgeous articles of clothing that, right now, I feel as though I need to have. Not want, but need. 

Now, I'm nothing close to a fashion blogger or even a fashionista; hence why there is a distinct lacking in #ootd posts (plus, how does one even begin to take those photos?!) But lately, looking through my closet, I've noticed that my style is just way too casual for my liking. Not that all my casual t-shirts and flannels are bad to have, but I noticed that when it was time to dress-up, or just look a little more put together (what I like to call, fancy-casual) I seriously had nothing to wear. So I'm starting to look out for more stand out pieces. Ones that I can dress up and dress down with the proper make up, accessories, and shoes. I chose pieces that were still within my comfort style, but there's a bit more pizazz to each piece.

I've always loved crop tops and instead of the graphic ones I usually sport these all have a little something (like the flower and lace hems, scalloped edges) to make them stand out a little more and give them a less casual appearance. I've also been on the look out (high and low) for some nice high waisted pants, that are actually high-waisted. I tried the ones in the photo and fell in love. They're comfortable and accentuate all the right curves to really flatter my figure. Plus, I think these would look great with any of the tops I have picked out. As for the skort (haven't heard that term since I was 10!), they're really out there with the bright coral color and unusual structure but I'm so drawn to them, especially if I can pair them with the jewel embellished collar top. And okay, maybe I can't totally stray from my comfort casual style of wardrobe, but something about that raglan top was calling to me. Last but not least, the dresses. Looking through my dresses I'm just not happy with what I have. Some are, like I've pointed out, too casual and look like cover ups for the beach and some just look way too young for me to wear anymore. I'm in love with the aztec print on the romper and the little cut outs. It's looks casual and comfortable but put together and fun! Hopefully it'd be something I could pull off. As for the dress, I've discovered I look quite nice in white and I just love the way this dress is made to look like a crop and skirt. I could probably get away with wearing it out just to go to the city or even for a dinner party.

If I had an unlimited bank account I probably would've just placed an order online and had these babies delivered to me right now (can you imagine the happiness of receiving such a huge haul of clothing in the mail?!) It took me all of 30 minutes to discover that I needed these pieces of clothing in my life, which is why Topshop is dangerous. Don't even get me started about walking over to the beauty section, haha. I implode in that area. I've come to terms that what I need is versatility in a piece of clothing that'll have me set for all occasions! I think it's time to clean out my closet and make room for some 20 year old me fashion. I haven't gone clothes shopping in the longest time (except for work uniform related items) so that's why I've had so much to gush about in this wish list. If you made it this far down, you're a peach :)

Is Topshop as dangerous for you as it is for me?
Do you have more guts and actually spend your pretty pennies on pretty clothing's?
Also, what's on your clothing wish list? 
Or better yet, don't tell me because then I'll look it up and probably want it as well.
Okay, tell me! ;D

Saturday, July 19, 2014

PocketBac's || A Sweet Smelling, Germ Killing Essential

What a random post, haha, but that's what I'm all about lately. If you wanna blog about it, then do (the mod mermaid-isms, coming to a fortune cookie near you) Anyway, whenever you walk into Bath & Body Works there's no way you can resist the little acrylic tubs of goodness that are filled to the brim with these little PocketBac hand sanitizers. There's a huge array of scents that'll make your nose tingle and twitch. My eye always goes to the sparkly and glitter packed sanitizers. Every time I pick a newly glittered scent, I cross my fingers and hope it smells good. Who doesn't love disinfecting while at the same time glitter coating their hands? Plus, they're always running a promotion on them, which is 5 for $5. The ones that don't get infused with glitter have little blue "bursting beads." I'm not exactly sure of their benefit but they're super distracting to squish during long lectures. The scents on all of these are super potent which is fantastic as it not just the alcohol smell. Be warned that if you're in the confines on a NYC subway you will get glared out if it's not a universally delicious smelling smell, but you do you! My favorite scent I ever got of these was a peachy smelling one that was called "I Love Shopping" which was more than fitting for me. The scents are constantly changing with the seasons and whilst I love the fruity and citrusy scents of the summer, I cannot wait for the sweet Christmas cookie smelling ones in the winter!
Do you prefer the bursting beads or glitter?
Which is your favorite scent that you've ever had?
If you're wondering why there are only 4 instead of 5, it's because I was kind and gifted one to the man friend (you're welcome, Anthony!! ;) 

Friday, July 18, 2014

I'll Have the "Usual" || #FOTD

• Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Liner in Black • Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil in Fairytale • Benefit gimmeBrow • Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Natural Beauty • MAC Marilyn Monroe Love Goddess Lipstick 

Everyone has their "go to" look. The look they'll always slap on their face because it's the easiest or makes them feel the most beautifullest (not grammatically correct but if you ever hear me talk in real life, this is how I emphasize, haha) For some it's a little shadow all over the lid, mascara, and lip gloss. For others it's full out foundation, liner, brows, you know, the whole shebang. My go to look has always been liquid eye liner, bold lips, and natural looking red cheeks. Ever since high school this has been the look I go to because it makes me feel pretty, put together, and, most importantly, comfortable. It makes me less self conscious about the actual redness in my cheeks and defines my eyes which are my favorite feature. I still don't know why I'm so comfortable and prefer to wear bright reds and pinks and fuchsias, but I do. Maybe because it makes me want to smile more, haha.

The thing with go to looks is that it's all about the comfort. The reason you always manage to go back to it is because it's what makes you feel most you and it's the look you're not checking up on in the mirror every five seconds. So now I want to know ...

What's your go to look?

Tuesday, July 15, 2014

Midnight Munchies

 Nothing sexier than a guy mashing up guac for you, amiright, ladies? (You can tell me I'm wrong, haha, there's probably loads more things sexier than this ;)  

Did you ever have one of those super long shifts at work that just had you daydreaming about food and the possibilities of what you can eat when it's over? I have those every shift and since the group of people I work with are so eclectic, the list of different foods and places to eat just grows and grows and grows when we talk about how hungry we are! 

If it's a closing shift I will no doubt always be craving Table Side Guacamole from Chilli's. It's only $7 and what you get is this mountain of chips,  a side of salsa that doesn't taste quite right, but yet soooo right all at the same time, and then this mound of guacamole. Okay, so it's not exactly a mound, but I can never finish it, so to me it's a mound of avocado, pico de gallo, cilantro-y, and lime-y goodness. Oh, and jalapeƱos. I get those suckers thrown in every time because I like it nice and spicy! There's just something so wonderful about being able to satisy your midnight munchies. Your taste buds seem to amplify the flavors after like 9PM and it makes it all the more satisfying. 

Haha, oh my, where was I going with this? I think I've just gone and made myself hungry and it's like 6 in the morning. I should note that most of the time when I go on an after-shift-midnight run to get this delicious guac it's right as the restaurant is about to close. I always feel so sorry for my server because they have to make the guac table side, so like they bring all the ingredients out and make it right in front of you. At 10:30PM (or sometimes 11:30PM, haha I'm the worst) if I were my server I'd hate me, haha. I always tell them they can make it in the back but they insist on brining it out so, what are you gonna do? When a girl needs her guac fix, she needs her guac fix! I think I need one right now, haha!

What are your favorite midnight munchies?
Did this post even have a purpose?
Yes. Yes it did.
It made you hungry.
No, this wasn't sponsored.
But I WISH.