I went to the party last night. So sorry I didn't post last night but I was pooped. I've been having such a hard time getting up in the morning that I didn't dare post last night. I really shouldn't have gone to the party at all. It was pouring after work and I got drenched. I had to come home and change into new clothes, rain boots and a big umbrella. Well after all of that by the time I left out it stopped raining. I hate walking in those boots. Anyway, I was so nervous because I had a late time slot and I was scared stuff would be sold out. I planned to just get my stuff and go but after all that rain I figured a drink would work. They had Cirroc?? coconut drinks. It was really good. Anyway, as others have said. They had the male models out. I thought the guy making the necklaces was just decoration but then he put one of the necklaces on me. I happily obliged. Anyway, back to the cosmetics...
The place was super crowded and I could hardly move so I didn't really try much on. I did ask about the Creme Bronzer and the MA suggested Weekend for me and put it on my hand. It looked okay to me. Someone on the Beauty of Color forum thought it wasn't dark enough for women of color but it looked okay. This person (will edit your name in later) thought Beach Bronze was nice as a highlighter. I decided to check that one out too. More on this later.
As far as the eyeshadows, the MAs seemed to only do looks with Sweet & Punchy all over and Humid in the crease. Well, I saw one MA do this on 2 different people. It looked very nice though. I noticed many of the MAs had on Sweet and Punchy but did different looks with it. I only recognized 3 MAs from that store and one who always has the prettiest makeup looks on looked great as usual. I didn't get to ask her what she had on but she had mostly Sweet & Punchy all over the lid and under the lashline. I think she must have had some gold mixed in as well but she definately had the glow going on.
I didn't even look at Hipness because I already had it and I didn't want to be tempted by the comments I have heard about how green it looks in the green packaging. I didn't look at the pencils either. The only lip stuff I tried was the Flurry of Fun l/g. It just looked glittery on my had but wow did I love it on the lips.
So basically I tried very little at the store. I just looked at everything at was unable to eliminate anything from my huge list and wound up adding somethings.
I got:
Marine Life Highlighter
Get Away Bronze blush
Sweet & Punchy e/s
Firecracker e/s
Thrills l/s
Funbathing l/s
Flurry of Fun l/g
Weekend creme bronzer
Beach Bronze creme bronzer
Sun Rush lustre drops
Refined Golden bronzer
#217 brush
#239 brush
I had been planning to try these brushes for awhile now and I was so excited playing with them last night and this morning.
So a review from an NC44:
Bronzers:
When I got home, I used my #130 brush to apply Weekend. I have to say, I really didn't see much of anything. I thought maybe I need to apply it with fingers or another kind of brush. I tried the Beach Bronze with the brush and I didn't see much either.
That being said. I'm not going to give up just yet. I know that with bronzers many times you don't really see much and you put more on just to end up looking crazy.
That is kind of what I did with Refined Golden last night. I think I overdid it but I have to say I looked fabulous! I love this stuff! I have resisted buying if for some time now but I am so glad I did. I couldn't stop looking in the mirror.
Marine Life Highlighter - Boy this stuff is vibrant! But so beautiful! As a lover of corals, peaches, bronzes,etc. I didn't need much convincing to try this but I'm very happy with it.
I tried it last night with either my 188 or 131 brush I'm not positive but I'm thinking it was the 188. Bright city! but still beautiful. I knew better this morning. I needed to tone it down for work. I used the 187 brush. I just did a light sweep of the top darker shade and then I pressed it to my cheek (no sweeping-Is this the stippling method?) Anyway gorgeous!
Brush #130 - I already had this brush and was seriously considering buying another but I thought I should wait since I bought so much stuff. Well, today lately I've been using this brush to apply the Select Tint Spf 15 tinted moisturizer as well as concealer under the eyes and the nose. It looks great. I like it much better than the 187 for the tinted moisturizer. I think this may turn out to be a very versatile brush. I must get another.
Get Away Bronze blush - I have really used this yet. I bought it because I love bronzy shades and I can't resist trying them. For my skin tone, I can and do wear bronzers and blush and it looks very natural so I love to try colors like this. This is why I bought Springshine Blush Ombre where others said it was no biggie but I love that blush!
Sweet & Punchy eyeshadow - I really like this. It is bright but I think it is very wearable. I like the look I did with it last night and wish I wore it today. I did S&P all over the lid and under the lower lashline with a little bit of Firecracker in the middle part of the lid. Then I did Rosemary and Thyme eyeliner (already had this) on one eye and another green eyeliner on the other eye. I'm not sure which green though - I have a lot of green Mac eyeliners but maybe it was Forever Green. I'm not sure which one I liked best but I think the R&T was more summer like.
Firecracker eyeshadow- This does look a lot like Hot Hot Hot but I've haven't really found a look for this color. But I did like Firecracker with Sweet & Punchy but maybe it was the new brush I got. Today I wore Firecracker all over the lid with Flip in the inner third of the lid and Henna in the outer V and under the lower lashline. I liked the look but I don't know if Firecracker was featured enough.
Thrills lipstick looks phenomenal! It looked great with everything!
Funbathing is really pretty but I'm not sure it is a must have. I think it does look a lot like O but maybe more plummy. I haven't done a side by side comparison yet and I haven't worn O in forever.
Flurry of Fun - This looks very pretty on the lips. For a glittery l/g, I didn't think it would look like much but it looks really nice. I don't really get the Apricot tone on my lips. It is just sheer but for some reason it works! It looks much cooler in tone on lips than in the tube but it looks very wearable on me.
Sun Rush Lustre Drops - I haven't really tried this yet.
Okay, I think I got everything. So verdict is: Great collection! I'm happy with most things but the jury is still out for the creme bronzers. I think it will definately work for someone lighter than me but I still have to see if using another application method with help. I hope it does because I love the formula.
I don't have Humid but I may get that later. I'm really not big on backups but I may have to get another Marine Life. I'm not worried about messing up the seahorse or worried about using it up. But I am a klutz and I would be so upset if I dropped it and broke it and couldn't get another so I may have to stay up at Midnight to order it.
I'm really excited to try different eye looks with Sweet & Punchy & Firecracker and I can't wait for face charts.
Sorry for the long post but it is hard for me to edit myself.
After seeing the pics that Ilovemakeup84 posted of the lip combos using Beachbound and Lazy Day, I am back to wanting them. Can't stop thinking of Float on By either. Still resisting Marine Life, but I am SO afraid I will regret not getting it. Oh how I wish money was no object... DH gave me enough money for Mother's Day to get the things I am definately wanting, as well as the ones I am on the fence about, but for some reason, I am having a hard time putting out the cash. WHY is that?!
