sesame randomness

Beauty Blog

cey0219 — Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:40:46 -0700

So I've decided to start a beauty blog, which I had been meaning to start for a long time but was too lazy to do so. I will be uploading color swatches, the latest news, reviews, and whatnot - anything that triggers my beauty interest. I'll try to make it as informative as possible, although I am no professional. Drop by if interested!

Link: http://wonderland.onsugar.com/

O.P.I : No Room for the Blues

cey0219 — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 12:27:03 -0700

A perfect summer color :)
and this shade dries pretty fast.

I think this color would be look better on your toes,
because it's harder to match your outfit when
they are painted on your fingernails.

Stila's Charmed Eye Shadow Palette

cey0219 — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 12:24:10 -0700

Almost a month ago, I made a visit to my favorite store, Sephora, to get a makeup remover. While waiting at the counter, I noticed this palette. After trying them out on my hand and seeing its high pigmentation, I decided to get it. After all, it was just $10.

According to Stila's webpage:

Go for the gold and the bold this summer with Stila’s India-inspired eye shadow palette! Adorned with authentic Indian bindis, this palette features four highly-pigmented new shadow shades all infused with genuine 24kt gold. Long revered for its skin revitalizing properties, this luxurious metal helps minimize the appearance of fine lines and creates a rich, shimmering effect.

According to Stila, these shadows can be used wet or dry.

Here are the authentic bindis.

With the flash on.

Flash off.

Flash on.

From left to right:

Warm gold with gold shimmer
Mid tone copper with gold shimmer
Intense teal blue with green and gold shimmer
Deep burgundy with black and red shimmer

As I described above, the shadows are highly pigmented, with the exception of the deep burgundy. That one I had to rub a few times. The other colors, however, resulted in the swatches above with just one rub. So I guess the only precaution would be to make sure you don't apply too much or else... Oh, and another precaution would be to be careful when applying, because they can land on your cheeks like little dusts and might smudge when you try to wipe them off...

The colors were a bit too warm for me. I had a long debate on what tone my skin was - cool or warm? I am not cool toned for sure, but I am not completely warm toned either. I don't look great in blue or silver/grey eyeshadows and prefer brown or dark purple. I really liked the teal blue though - great to use as a point color for the summer. The deep burgundy I usually use as eyeliner.

As for how they stay on and how long they last - I was pretty satisfied. I use Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion, which I highly, highly recommend. It works as an excellent base to make colors more vibrant as well as keep the shadows stay put on your eyelids and prevent creasing.

Overall, I am not 100% satisfied because these aren't everyday colors for me. I've used this palette maybe twice so far. (But then again, I haven't been wearing much eyeshadow lately so...) But I repeat once again - the pigmentation is pretty impressive.

Sephora by O.P.I - Mermaid to Order

cey0219 — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 07:56:16 -0700

On a random trip to Sephora, where I bought cotton pads and eye makeup remover (highly recommend it!), I took a look at the manicure section. I've recently been coloring my nails in vibrant colors. I had tried red, pink, orange, and blue, and I had yet to try something green. This color looked interesting, so I decided to try it on. After a test coat on my pinky, this color was instantly in my basket.

The color is named "Mermaid to Order."

Perhaps the greenish bluish turquoise-ish aqua-ish - however you want to describe this color - reminds one of the deep blue seas where the mystical creature called the mermaid gracefully glides through the waters...

Like this? Kinda.

Well, the color definitely has a "mystical" feel to it, because it looks green but shows tints of blue at certain angles.

I think it looks mostly green on the nails though.

I applied just one coat in this picture. One of the great things about this particular color is that one coat is enough. I think it dries pretty fast too.

Many people commented on my nails when I wore them to my internship.

"Ooooo pretty colors!"

"I like your nails!"

etc. etc...

And I've seen them randomly on the nails of random people on the streets, so I suppose this has appealed to many.

MAC Pink Nouveau

cey0219 — Tue, 26 May 2009 22:06:04 -0700

My new favorite lipstick - MAC's Pink Nouveau.
It's a Satin finish - a pretty matte texture with vibrant coloring.

Picture is a bit dark... :(

MAC's website describes Pink Nouveau
as "bright pink," which is pretty true.

I say this picture did a good job capturing the color.

Definitely not a cute, baby pink.
Vibrant. Lively. But girly at the same time.

My colorless lips. (Yuck.)

Voila. Pink Nouveau.
I think the color came out a bit light in the picture.
It looks a little washed out...

Full look. Looks great with just mascara.
Also looks great with dolly eyes and cheeks
(and a flower clipped to your hair too :P)

I personally love using Clinique's blush color
in Iced Lotus with this lipstick for the dolly look.

The only thing is that this lipstick is very matte,
so conditioning your lip beforehand with a chapstick or lip balm
is a must for smooth application.

Other than that, a wonderful lipstick color for spring!
.......although it's almost past :(