What'd you get with your Sephora VIB?

I caved and got the Naked 2 palette. I've been holding out for awhile because I was convinced (or was I?) that the original Naked palette is enough. WHO AM I KIDDING?!?

It's gorgeous! I'm sure you've all read and seen enough reviews and swatches of it already. I know I have.

The shades are much more cooler than the original Naked, which I really love. I'm excited to start using it tomorrow! The double ended brush is nice and has a heavy feel to it. The packaging is loads better. The tin is much sturdier than the original palette, definitely an upgrade packaging-wise.

Foxy, Half Baked, Booty Call

Tease, Snakebite, Suspect

Pistol, Verve, YDK

Busted, Blackout

In comparison to the original Naked, this one has 5 new shades exclusive to this palette. The formula is the same as the UD Anniversary palette, with less fall out and more intense pigments. It is also the same formula in the Build Your Own Palette that's been buzzing on the interwebs lately. 

The price point is great -- $50 for 12 full sized shadows and a brush. Of all my palettes, I think the UD Naked ones give you the most bang for your buck, especially with the very wearable shades. Definitely a neutral lover's dream! I was able to get it for $46 with the 15% discount. Yes!

Thoughts on the Naked 2? What'd your get with your VIB discount?

Reviews Coming Soon

Hi all! Sorry for my lack of posts lately. I've been a little frazzled this past week. I'll be doing mini reviews for the Benefit Oxygen and the MUFE HD foundations very soon and some of my uses for the Benefit Benetint ;)

Alas, I leave you with my current love of the moment: Crabtree & Evelyn's Summer Hill body lotion that sits prettily in my office.

Stayed tuned - more later!

Lip Liners and the such

Hello everyone!

Lip liners. I used to think they were for people who outlined their lips to look artificial and trashy. That thought has since went out the door when I realized how versatile and important a lip liner is. Much like an eye liner, a lip liner is used to define the lips, give it color, give it a base or to intensify a lipstick.

I have a total collection of 3 lip liners that I've been regularly using for 2 months now. I'm very drawn to natural, nude and earthy colors. I haven't had the need to get bright lip liners (yet), and I'm sure once this post is made, there will be readers who'll enable me to pick up more ;).

Here are the 3 in my collection that I've been using on a frequent basis.

L-R: Sephora Nano Lipliner in Native Nude, Cheery Chestnut, and Aura Science lip pencil in Toasty Nude

Heavily swatched

For reference, this is my natural bare lips with nothing on. 

Sorry for my "beard", LOL I'll have to clean that up ASAP! * embarrassed* 

Sephora Nano Lip Liner in NATIVE NUDE, topped with a clear lipgloss.

Sephora Nano Lip Liner in CHEERY CHESTNUT, topped with a clear lipgloss.

Aura Science Lip Liner in TOASTY NUDE, topped off with a clear lipgloss.

So there it is! Simple definition for the lips. I can't believe I just discovered this technique o_o I really like it. It's easy and effective and I can really see a difference. 

What do you guys think of lip liners? Is it a must-have in your makeup arsenal? :) 

Who are your favorite beauty gurus?

I spent nearly all weekend (evening) watching tutorials and makeup videos from Lisa Eldridge. Ever since I posted my review for the Bourjois Healthy Mix foundation, many readers commented on how they were inspired to get the foundation because of Lisa Eldridge. Little did I know she's a renowned makeup artist for many celebrities. I did a quick google search on her and I have been hooked. How amazing is she?!

I love her personality, her views on making up and she is all around gorgeous! I read somewhere she is 42 years of age. I thought she was in her twenties!

My dear readers, who are your favorite gurus? Any recommendations? Do share! ^_^

Recent Acquisitions

My never ending love for foundations has nudged me once again. I present to you the MUFE HD Foundation. I caved and bought it. I've used it twice already and I can already say that I love it. Stark contrast to the MUFE mat velvet one that i wasn't too fond of.

And for my rosy, lip stainy fixations... the Benefit Benetint lip and cheek stain.

Lazily swatched on a tissue. Does absolutely no justice to how pretty this tint really is. Smells amazing too!

And for the blusher and highlighter hoarder in me  all of us, the Hervana blush from Benefit.

I couldn't possibly say no to the zany swirls of colors. It's like 4 products in 1 box! 

What have you acquired lately...?