Make Up For Ever Launch: New Aqua Liners, official photos and promo info

Make Up For Ever has just released their new Aqua Liner collection. They are available now exclusively from Sephora in 25 vibrant colors. Fun Fact: Dany Sanz originally created this product for performers of water ballet. Each pencil is 0.04 oz for $20.

Staying true to our belief of never having to sacrifice color for performance, MAKE UP FOR EVER introduces another vibrant addition to our award-winning Aqua range – new Aqua Liner. This eye-catching, highly pigmented new collection of waterproof liquid eye liner was developed to outperform even in the most extreme environments. Aqua Liner was created to provide make up artists with the ultimate liquid liner that boasts precision, a 100% waterproof formula and a bold assortment of colors.
As the official make up sponsor of Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Swim in Miami, MAKE UP FOR EVER put artists to work at the top 2011 swimwear shows testing Aqua Liner on models backstage. Their challenge was to create bold, show-stopping make up looks that wouldn’t melt or fade while on the runway under hot lights, performing in the water, or in the humid Miami climate. The end result? Aqua Liner guaranteed intense weather, tear and sweat-proof color that lasted through the shows.
Aqua Liner is formulated with acrylic copolymer, a hydrophobic macromolecule that forms a flexible film to lock water out. It contains 50% more polymers than traditional eyeliner formulations to ensure a long-lasting, waterproof result, as well as essential amino acids derived from apple juice for high-color intensity and bold pay-off.
Available in 15 vibrant shades with matte, iridescent and diamond finishes, Aqua Liner can be used to match all moods and styles. The long and dense, yet flexible applicator is designed like a make up brush handle to ensure easy application, with a specialized foam tip that delivers the ideal amount of texture for drawing an ultra precise line with a buildable result. Aqua Liner goes on evenly and dries quickly for a look that lasts all day and all night long.

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Skincare: Boscia Luminizing Black Mask: Peel-Off Mask for All Skin Types

This is a product that I've been wanting to try for awhile now. It's the Boscia Luminizing Black Mask. Boscia is a preservative-free botanically based company from Japan. You can read about the company here. Something about a peel-off mask makes me giddy like a schoolgirl. I've read tons of reviews and I've had it in my Sephora wish-list for several months. It has vitamin C, clay, pine bark extract, witch hazel, honeysuckle rosemary, eucalyptus and jojoba in it. It contains no animal ingredients and is not tested on animals.

I made sure to do a skin test on my jawline before use just in case it caused some kind of undesirable reaction with my skin. The pamphlet inside says to apply an even layer, which I tried to make really thick because I wanted to peel it off in one big piece!

It doesn't have much of a scent, though I've read reviews that comment on fumes, but I didn't notice it. Just make sure you don't get it in your eyebrows. It says to wait 20 minutes or until completely dry before peeling it off. It really leaves my skin feeling fresh. This, of course, is because it's removing dead skin cells and impurities on the surface of your skin. I love the feel of peeling it off my skin! When pulling it away from any vellus hair, it does sting a tiny bit, but not enough dissuade me from using it! I recommend removing the mask in a downward motion to prevent tearing any of that peach fuzz out. As my mother likes to remind me "It is better to look good than to feel good!"

(This mask looks totally creepy on.)

Post mask: my skin feels amazing! I am not disappointed in this product. I can't imagine using it three times a week though, but maybe once a week. Remember to moisturize afterward!

This product retails for $34.00 for 2.8oz/80g

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Lotus

3 Year Etsy Anniversary Sale

I opened my Etsy store, asoftblackstar, on April 21st, 2008. Has it been three years already? I hardly know where the time went! So far I've sewn over 1,200 makeup brush rolls and makeup bags, and a few days from now I will make my 1,000th sale on Etsy. I never knew that my handmade business could take off like it has!






It makes me so happy to be able to help other people stay organized and look gorgeous doing it! To say thank you I'm having a huge store-wide sale. Starting today, April 20th, you can save an additional 20% off every listing in my store by using the coupon code "3yearSale" at checkout. This offer is only good for two weeks. That's 30% off the matching brush roll and makeup bag set! Don't miss out.

My makeup brush rolls come in three different sizes to fit your needs -- whether you have five makeup brushes or thirty plus -- and there are so many fabrics to choose from! I offer damask, leopard print, zebra/tiger print, polka dot, houndstooth, stripes, florals, and many more. Don't forget that Mother's Day is right around the corner. Make sure to order early, and let your friends know they can get a discount, too. Stay informed about my new products and sales on Facebook.



My customers always say the sweetest things about my products! Take a look at my feedback section and read all of their lovely reviews.

asoftblackstar.etsy.com

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Lotus

Why you should "Like" your favorite Etsy sellers on Facebook.

This post is about keeping abreast with Etsy shops you love and how to get in on their sales and limited editions! 

I'm an Etsy seller as you may know. I make makeup brush rolls which are a must-have for traveling and staying organized. I have a fan page on Facebook for my business, which helps me keep my customers up-to-day on what's new with my business. "Liking" other Etsy sellers fan pages has helped me cash in on their sales too! Because I like Elle Moss on Facebook, I was able to get 40% off a print I had been wanting to buy for several months. I may not have known about her sale otherwise.

Last year during Black Friday I knew about a sale from LadySpleen because I like her Facebook page. I ordered four of her necklaces and got 20% off my entire purchase. Her creations are all hand-sculpted and made to order, not to mention customizable! She's one of my favorite sellers on Etsy.

Bionic Unicorn is an Etsy seller that makes romantic steampunk jewelry. I'm a fan of hers on Facebook as well, which allowed me to get a free matching ring with my earring purchase just last week!

Dame Darcy is one of my favorite illustrators of all time. She has an Etsy shop and a Facebook fan page and her items sell out fast! She posts her newest creations on her Facebook page so fans can know as soon as her new work is up. I have two Dame Darcy illustrations, one was an original custom illustration I requested, and here is a limited edition print I purchased a few years ago:

Moon Raven Designs makes amazingly unique jewelry inspired by nature. They do an excellent job of keeping their Facebook fan page up to date with new designs. I have a silver raven skull from them that I wear several times a week. People are always asking me where it came from.

Well, this turned out to be quite a goth themed post, huh? Find your favorite Etsy sellers on Facebook and keep yourself up to date!

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Pin-up style Peep-Toe Pumps & Polish

It's time to say goodbye to the bitter cold of winter and say hello to spring! Break out your pin-up style peep toe pumps! Don't forget the cute nail polish!

I used MAC's Steamy (hot pink) all over the nail and then used OPI's The One That Got Away (deep berry) on the tips using a tiny nail brush. What do you think?

On another note, yesterday a friend of mine showed me her NARS Angelika blush which I am now completely in love with and must get my hands on! It's cotton candy pink with gold glitter particles in it! I love glitter blush.

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MAC Quite Cute Collection of Pastels for Spring, photos, swatches, and review

So, I've been really eager for this little collection from MAC to come out. The official release date is tomorrow, April 7th, but the PRO release was last week. The promo pics seem to have the influence of kawaii Japanese street style, though the packaging is plain black MAC.

There were two items I wanted the most from this collection. The first item is the Nail Lacquer in Mischievous Mint, which actually is slightly more blue than in the photos. I did buy all three colors and gave myself a perfectly pastel spring nail look. I used Ice Cream Cake to paint flowers, and I tried to use Little Girl Type, but it didn't show up well against Mischievous Mint, so I cleaned it off and didn't use it in the look. I hope you like it, it's so perfect for spring!

The second item I wanted most was the lip color Playtime. Pastel purple lipstick! It won't work for many looks, but it's nice to have around. Quite Cute is a lavender that I haven't made my mind up about yet. Swatch colors are Candy Yum Yum, Saint Germain, Play Time, and Quite Cute. I bought two plushglass lipglosses in Fashion Fanatic and I ♥ U. The pink Fashion Fanatic doesn't really show up on my hand very well.

I also purchased two of the mineralize blushes in Sakura and Giggly, which are super kawaii!

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Handmade Jewelry: Bionic Unicorn

Bionic Unicorn on Etsy sells the cutest stuff! I had my eye on these adorable teal and pink earrings for a while before purchasing them. Everything in Bionic Unicorn's shop is bright, colorful, bold, and eye-catching.

"Bionic Unicorn features steampunk, neo Victorian, shabby chic, and tribal jewelry. I specialize in creating unique steampunk jewelry with enamel flowers and romantic elements. Almost every piece of jewelry in my shop is one of a kind, so you are sure to have a unique statement piece."

Available for purchase at: BionicUnicorn.etsy.com
Dolly Kei Heart Earrings: $28.00

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Lotus