MAC Viva Glam: Lady Gaga 2 Lipstick & Lipgloss

"No Bad Romance here. We’re unveiling a hot new shade inspired by Lady Gaga and her passions, in both Lipstick and Lipglass. And by now you know every cent from the sale of MAC VIVA GLAM goes toward the MAC AIDS Fund.

Pro discount is not applicable.

The VIVA GLAM and Lady Gaga collaboration takes off again with a shade as enigmatic as the Diva’s star persona. A light warm beige with an Amplified finish, the look is as cool as only she can be. All monies raised go the MAC AIDS Fund to help support people living with HIV/AIDS. Limited edition."

My skin has light neutral cool tones. In MAC products I'm about an NC15, so these colors are slightly darker than my lips, but I think they're both fabulous. Honestly, when these were first released I just wasn't interested. Lately I've been reaching for more neutral shades, when I'm not reaching for blue-based reds, so I picked this up with my last MAC order. The lipstick is fairly dry, so intend to use a moisturizer with this before applying it.

These boxes were smashed in shipping, but the products are fine.

MAC's Viva Glam program is such an amazing charity. Every cent of the selling price of MAC Viva Glam lipstick and lipglass is donated to the MAC AIDS fund. So far it has raised over one hundred million dollars to support HIV/AIDS programs around the globe since it was first created in 1994. This charity donates shoes to orphaned children, provides medical assistance, gives counseling sessions, educates, gives free testing, and provides nutritious meals to those living with and affected by HIV and AIDS in places like the United States, South Africa and the Caribbean.

Some of the celebrities MAC has chosen as its spokespeople have been Ru Paul, Dita Von Teese, Boy George, Fergie, Cyndi Lauper, Missy Elliot, Nicki Minaj, Christina Aguilera, Pamela Anderson, and Lady Gaga.

All the Viva Glam lipsticks are in the permanent collection and are the same price as their normal lipsticks. They retail for $14.50.

Learn more about the MAC AIDS fund.

♥ ♥ ♥
Lotus

Lotus Organic Cosmetics, photos swatches review

A month ago I was randomly checking Hautelook when I caught a glimpse of my name among the brands. I had never heard of Lotus Pure Organics cosmetics before, but I gladly picked up a couple of things! This is a brand that literally has my name written all over it. I instantly envisioned myself applying this lipstick in a mirrored compact with a tube of "personalized" red lipstick. I've never in my life owned anything with my name on it, because I have such an uncommon name. When I was a little girl I always wished I could have my name on something like my friends all did. It's completely silly, I know. But, secretly this is me making up for my lamentations from being a child with a weird name!

Lipstick: Rose Berry & Classic Red

Lipstick swatches: Rose Berry & Classic Red

Here's what the official website has to say about their lipsticks:
Lipstick offers naturally vibrant colors blended with essential oils and shea butter to moisturize, plump and condition lips. Our lipstick is a long-lasting formula that provides maximum coverage with effortless application, leaving lips feeling soft and smooth all day. Our Lipstick is a super hydrating formula loaded with antioxidants and is 100% natural lipstick with color derived from fruit pigment.

Strawberry Lipgloss

Melon Lipgloss

Lipgloss swatches: Strawberry & Melon

Pressed Eyeshadow Palette - Seduction

Honestly, this eyeshadow quad was a huge disappointment. On the official website their eyeshadows are described as "soft, creamy formulation of pure pigments." The colors are poorly pigmented with a really hard, stiff texture that makes the application impossible. Maybe that's why it was on sale? I don't know since this is the only eyeshadow from the brand I've ever tried.

four eyeshadow swatches, one blush swatch

Cream to Powder Blush - Rose

Here's what the official website has to say about the Cream-to-Powder Blush:
Cream To Powder Blush is made with all natural ingredients, applies like a soft cream but finishes like a silky powder. Antioxidant-rich botanicals help moisturize the skin, while natural pigments provide long-lasting color for a healthy, radiant glow. Cream to powder blush offers a sheer finish.

To me, this looks more like their "apricot" shade than it looks like a rose. I would wear rose, but this isn't exactly my cup of tea. I love the compact design though.

Hautelook sale prices:
Lipstick: $9.00
Lipgloss: $7.50
Eyeshadow Quad: $12.00
Blush: $12.00

All purchases are non-returnable. If they were, I would return the eyeshadow quad because of its poor pigmentation and quality.

Here is a little more information about the brand that I took from the Hautelook page:

Lotus Pure Organics was founded by Dr. Joan Husain, a practicing internist with both a personal and scientific appreciation for the benefits of a natural lifestyle-- from the food we eat to the products we use every day. And for how they affect the overall health of our bodies and the planet.
However, Dr. Husain discovered that many personal care products sold as natural or organic still contained ingredients that were neither natural nor organic. While others sacrificed the more luxurious benefits of high-quality skincare and cosmetics.

Lotus Pure Organics combines the best of both worlds: an elegant line of 100%-USDA-certified organic products that deliver exceptional results. But without the use of synthetic preservatives, petrochemicals, parabens, fragrances or FD&C dyes. And which have never been tested on animals.

Guided by passion and knowledge, Lotus is committed to researching and developing 100% organic and bio-mineral beauty products that are safe, healthy and effective.

♥ ♥ ♥
Lotus

MAC Me Over Collection, photos, swatches, and review.

I'm very excited to be sharing this new collection from MAC! The Make Me Over Collection is separated into three sections, pairing two models each. I personally prefer the Shirley & Nicole products, which is most of what I have reviewed and swatched here.

Runaway Red (satin), Rebel (satin), Prince Noir (matte), Smoked Purple (matte)

My MAC order was delivered on Friday while I was out of the house, so it was left outside in the heat for some unknown amount of time before I could bring it in. As a consequence, these lipsticks all had beads of sweat on them. The effect looks the worst on Prince Noir.

My Swatches: Runaway Red, Rebel, Prince Noir, Smoked Purple

I am very pleased with this collection of  four lipstick colors. The limited edition colors are Runaway Red and Prince Noir. Both Rebel and Smoked Purple are in the permanent collection. Smoked Purple is not what I expected with purple in the name; it's very brown. It's also very dry since it's a matte. Rebel goes on opaque.. My favorite here is Runaway Red, as I love blue-based reds.

Fluidline: Avenue, Dark Envy, Midnight Blue

I decided to skip the fluidline in Dark Diversion because it looked more brown than I wanted. I was hoping for a rich purple fluidline in this collection, but no. Avenue has a bit of gold sparkle to it.

Deep Sea & Purple Majesty, both creme finish

From the Rachel & Ian collection I picked up the lipstick in Secret Lover, a beige color with lustre finish, and the eyeshadow in Creamy Bisque, a beige with a frost finish. I didn't get anything from the Xee & Sharon collection, although I really did like Xee's look.

Secret Lover (lustre) finish

Secret Lover swatch

Creamy Bisque (frost finish) eyeshadow

I only picked up one of the eyeshadows from the collection. Creamy Bisque is a frost highlight perfect for browbones and arches on pale skintones. Will it replace Vanilla as my favorite go-to brow color?

Although I was really excited for the Evil Eyes eyeshadow quad, I passed it up because I had read such negative reviews.

Retail prices:
Lipsticks are $14.50
Nail Polishes are $15.00
Fluidlines are $15.00
Eyeshadows are $15.00

I purchased all of these with my PRO discount, as usual.

♥ ♥ ♥
Lotus

Zoya Mirrors Collection Fall 2011, photos, swatches, and review.

The Smoke and Mirrors Fall Collection 2011 from Zoya was released in July. This is the Mirrors Collection which are all shimmery metallic shades. The Smoke half of the collection are all creams. They all focus on the sultry shades of autumn.

Nimue is described as "a smoky muted thistle purple with blue and mauve tones and a silvered metallic finish. An unexpected soft metallic for an antiqued nail look."
Marina is described as "a strongly blue-toned smoky silver-grey with a dusty metallic finish. A blue smoke shade to give a dreamy artistic look to the nails."
Tao is described as "a light smoke grey with blue undertones and a muted, softened metallic finish. A cool metallic machine shade for a rock'n'roll look."
Yara is described as "a medium smoky olive drab with an illuminating splash of bright gold glitter. An olive drab that's anything but- it's completely glam."
Neeka is described as "a greyed amethyst with subtle red duochrome shimmer and bright gold glitter accents. A fascinating, unique shade that manages to be glittery but not too flashy."
Jem is described as "a dark red-toned purple base with metallic dark pink highlights and subtle gold duochrome flecks. This shade has it all; bold color, vampy drama, bright sparkle and a glam rock persona."

On each of these I applied two coats for opaque coverage.

Zoya Nimue

Zoya Marina

Zoya Tao

♥ ♥ ♥

Lotus

Make Up For Ever Lipstick Rouge Artist Intense #48

It's almost the season for vampy lips again! In my hunt for the perfect new deep red lipstick for fall, I recently picked up Make Up For Ever's Rouge Artist Intense #48 from Sephora. The color description is a satin black currant, but it's not printed anywhere on the packaging! It's a creamy, moisturizing full coverage lipstick. The shade is a gorgeous rich dark red. The pigmentation definitely isn't lacking on this product, it's supposed to be 50% more pigmented than the average lipstick. Rich colors like this are perfect when paired with a neutral eye and a retro winged eyeliner.

The color listed on Sephora's website is inaccurate. Since I purchased this in-store it didn't have an effect on my purchase, but it's still frustrating if I had wanted to buy it online. It looks more like a deep magenta on Sephora's website, but I assure you it is not! It's a vampy, dark blood red.

Do you find yourself gravitating toward darker colors in the fall?

These sell for $19 each for 0.12 ounces.

♥ ♥ ♥

Lotus

Cuteness: pink orchids and comments

Dear Reader,

I've been quite busy lately and haven't had the time I need to dedicate to all the posts I would like to make! I have a list of beautiful new things to review and share -- more MAC! My readers have been so lovely when I post new EOTD photos that I hope to include them more often in the future. I have gorgeous new nail polishes to share with you as well.

What kind of posts do you look forward to reading? Are you enjoying the Cakes and Crafts posts as well as the Cosmetics? I've been playing favoritism lately with the Cosmetics, I know! Do you want to see more of my pink hair? Are you interested in cute shoes? Let me know in the comments section below!

♥ ♥ ♥

Lotus

Shoes: Irregular Choice Bow-Belle & Flick-Flack

Irregular Choice shoes are so over-the-top cute that I have a hard time resisting them. They're the most cutesy, eye-catchy, girlie brand I know of. Fortunately, they have lots on sale right now. I just bought myself a birthday present -- okay, two birthday presents! I saved $60 off regular price! I'll be thirty next week, so why not treat myself to something absolutely adorable, right? Which shoes did I get, you ask?

I bought another pair of the Flick Flack shoes. Really, I would have them in any color combination. These are the "black suede heels with button and printed fabric trim."

The second pair of shoes I bought are the Belle Bow "mid heel court with cute bow, button feature and wood effect glossy heel. Pretty perfect for everyday wear." Court shoes? Yes, this is a British brand and they call their pumps "court shoes." I really wanted a low heal that I would feel comfortable in every day. Clearly, this is exactly what I need!

♥ ♥ ♥

Lotus

OPI Collection: Touring America, Fall 2011, official product photos and promo info

OPI Touring America Collection for Fall 2011

Press Release:


Are We There Yet? - Don’t make me reach back there and take that perfect melon shade!
I Eat Mainely Lobster - We “clawed” through crowds to catch this coral for you.
My Address is “Hollywood” - We put this pretty rose-pink on the map.
Color to Diner For - I’ll take the rosy-red with a side of “awesome.”
Honk if You Love OPI - Don’t let this gorgeous dark grape pass you by.
Road House Blues - In this case…R&B stands for “Really Blue.”

Suzi Takes the Wheel - Buckle up—she’s not stopping until she gets to gray!
French Quarter for Your Thoughts - Want beads? Then show us your sexy gray nails!
Uh-oh Roll Down the Window - You’re gonna wanna pull over for this “unexpected” olive green.
A-taupe the Space Needle - You’ll climb to new heights with this creamy-rich taupe.
Get in the Expresso Lane - An amped-up dark brown that’ll never letcha down!
I Brake for Manicures - This gorgeous eggplant-plum has our full attention.

OPI is available at professional salons, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA.
Suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer is $8.50 ($10.95 CAN).
OPI is a 3-Free brand.

OPI Collection: Miss Universe Fall 2011, official product photos and promo info

OPI Miss Universe Collection Fall 2011

Press Release:


Congeniality is My Middle Name – And berry-wine shimmer is what I do best!
It’s MY Year – It’s about time for this champagne-rose to shine!
Swimsuit…Nailed It! – An itsy bitsy teenie weenie vibrant shiny-blue bikini.
Crown Me Already! – A sassy silver sparkle that knows what it’s worth.

OPI is available at professional salons, Dillard’s, JCPenney, Regis, Trade Secret, and ULTA.
Suggested retail for each Nail Lacquer is $8.50 ($10.95 CAN).
OPI is a 3-Free brand.