This stinks

I just wanted to update you guys as to what is going on with me right now. My computer died, so I had to send it off to be repaired. So, I have no way of working on posts/vids/anything unless I can snag a friends computer for a bit here and there. Don't worry, I have notforgot you guys and I am working on vids and posts while I have this time to do nothing! I am really starting to go through withdrawls tho! If I can use someones computer long enough, I have a vid and a post to put up for you guys!

I am about to start working on Halloween, so if you have any requests, just let me know and I will do my best to get them done for you! I am going to try and stick to products that are readily available to you. I have some things lined up, but if you have a great suggestion, I will certainly try and fit that in as well!

Thanks for your time and understanding while this is going on! HOpefully, I have my computer back by the weekend...if not, I have next weekend that will be full of traveling, so I can get a lot of editing and such done in the car for you guys!

Take it easy and I will be back asap!!! Love you guys!

Organization Video - Good or Bad??

Hey guys! I hope you all have had a great weekend! I have been super busy and have not thought much about makeup at all...except for yesterday when I started to reorganize....that didn't go so well! I have hit my beauty budget for the week, so when I discovered I needed a few orgainizers...I couldn't go get anything. So, everything ended up thrown back in the drawers like it used to be! ARGH! I hate when I get in the mood to do this and CANT!

SO....next week, I will be on an organizing mission! I have some really great ideas and cannot wait to get it all put together! (I am really ready to move so I can spread out!!! LOL!) I basically just want to know what you guys think about organizing vids...do you love them/hate them...what?!? Give me your opinion, because I really feel I have some great makeup organizing tips/tricks that I would like to share. I just don't know what people feel about that. Do you think it is still bragging and showing the collection or not?

Post your comments below and let me know if I should do the vid or not!

Love you guys!

KONAD SALE 30% OFF!

I just wanted to let you guys know that you can get 30% off at www.wowsocool.com until the end of August for all your Konad Nail Art needs! Simply enter the coupon code wowsocool1 at check out for your 30% discount on all products except the build your own kit set. Shipping is free over $20 and they have tons of new products on their site!

The Konad system is amazing and SO much fun to play around and create with! Go now and get some goodies for your nail collection! I am!!!

Hey Blue Eyes - Inspiration Look on YouTube

I was SO inspired by Geisha1254's blue smokey eye look, that I decided to do a version of it myself! You can check out my live tutorial/look video here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GEGWuXGXkXM

She is a fabulous artist and her vision for color combinations is impeccable! I only hope that my version of this look is half of what hers is! I want to thank her for being such a fabulous inspiration and so nice to all her subscribers! Everyone that I have referred to her site has said the same things I have...she is simply amazing! :) You guys should make sure to go check out her site at www.YouTube.com/Geisha1254! You won't be disappointed!

Now....on to the products list!
Coastal Scents 88 Palette, of course!
Cover Girl Tropical Quad - Darkest Blue Color Only
Loreal Quad in Nila's Blues - Dark Navy Blue Only
Mac Eye Shadow - Gesso
Mac Powerpoint - Black Russian
Jordanna Easy Liner - Bliss
Channel Eye Shadow Base - Rose
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil - Milk
MAC DazzleLash - Black
Bare Minerals Big Tease Mascara - Black
Coastal Scents Gel Liner - Black
Maybelline Brow Color - Light Brown
Red Earth Blush - Sun Rush
Rimmel Bronzer - Sun Bronze
Bare Minerals - Well Lit Highlight Color
Bare Minerals - Warmth Contour
Bare Minerals - Light Foundation
Bare Minerals - Mineral Veil
Loreal True Match Compact Foundation - N2 Classic Ivory
Benefit Erase Paste - No. 2
Benefit Powderflage
Benefit Boi-ing Concealer - No. 1
Mac Chromeglass -
Scotch Tape
Sponge Applicators
Qtips
Makeup Wipes

I believe that is it! I know it seems like a lot, but most of the face products are just a part of my daily routine, plus I did some contouring which always adds extras!

You may need some specific types (not brands) of brushes to help acheive some of the effects of the eyes. I would suggest.....

* Pencil/Fat Liner Brush - I use Loew Cornell's Finch Shader Brush, you could use a Mac 219 or the liner end of the BE Rock N Roll Brush
* Smudger Brush - I used one end of the BE Rock N Roll Brush or you could use a stiff shader brush...that would work just fine!
* A small, flat shader for inner eye corner color
* Regular Flat Shader Brush can apply the rest of the colors, even the brow highlight. Just make sure to clean the brush in between colors so they don't mix! :)

Review - Loreal True Match Liquid & Compact Foundations

Loreal True Match Super Blendable Liquid & Compact Makeup: It was suggested by icosmeticRN on MUG that I do a review on Loreal True Match Foundation. This was a little bit ago and I just now got the chance to purchase it on sale. Rite Aid was having a Buy One Get One ½ off sale and I had a coupon for $2 off, so I HAD to get it! I ended up paying around $13 for both foundations!

It took me a minute to decide my shade, but found that their shade guide in the store was EXTREMELY helpful! I really wish that every drugstore brand would have a shade guide when it comes to foundation! (I mean, that stuff is expensive, you can’t return it if it is the wrong color, and I certainly don’t want to have to buy 10 million dif bottles!) So, I pretty much knew the color would be okay and if not, I could just mix it with some others that I have.

I have been using this foundation for about 2 weeks now and I absolutely love BOTH of them! I have extremely oily skin and neither one of them makes my skin feel more oily and the oils on my face generally don’t break through for about 10-12 hours if I use a primer. The color did, in fact, end up matching perfectly and the coverage is superb. I didn’t end up looking like I had foundation on with neither the liquid or the compact makeup…generally if a foundation makes me look like I am wearing it, I kick it to the curb.

The super-blendable liquid foundation goes on very smooth and silky. A little goes a long way with this particular foundation so I know the bottle is going to last a while…def worth the money (around $10-$11-depending on the store you purchase it from). I have applied it using my fingers, a foundation brush, and a few different types of sponges. I discovered that, for me, a wedge sponge worked the best dry. (I have yet to try it with my Sonia Kashuk Blender…but I will in my next look video on YT so I can let you know about that!). The function of it is true to it’s name, it is super blendable and oh so easy to work with. Don’t get me wrong, all the other applicators worked well, I just like the sponge the best!

On to the compact makeup! I saw this on a commercial and thought it was a cool concept, yet it is like so many others out there that claim it is a “cream to powder”. I was skeptical about this one. The packaging is very sleek and under the pan of makeup there is a housing that keeps a sponge and mirror…which I like a lot! I generally don’t use the sponges that come with makeup like this, since I am allergic to latex…you just never know! I grabbed one of my own sponges to put in the case (just a normal round, latex-free sponge) and low and behold…the dang thing was too thick to fit! (That was a strike.) I know that is something small, but it is very important to me! If you are going to provide a sponge with a place to put it in the compact, you should be able to replace it with a standard one! (After all, I change sponges about every 1-2 weeks depending on use…it’s just more sanitary! I would use a new one everyday if it weren’t for the cost!) Anyway…the formulation was phenomenal! I did try it with different applicators and found the round, dry sponge worked great as well! I believe I like this formulation for my skin type a bit better since it is a cream. The oils hardly broke through at all! (Minimal touch ups are always going to sway my vote!) Oh, and the claim was completely true…it DID end up feeling like a powder! However, I still set it with a finishing powder since that is just what I do! LOL! J

I really do like these foundations a LOT! I have the true match bronzers in my kit…and some sitting in my fridge too (lol)! I have had a great deal of luck with those, so my hope was that I would enjoy their line of foundations just as well…and I do! The ease of use, the formulation on both, and minimal touch ups were what did it for me! Not to mention, that I have not broken out a bit from the makeup since I have started using it! What is so great, too, is that you can apply it as heavy or as light as you want for the level of coverage you need and it still looks fabulous! I would def repurchase this product in the future….for sure! I actually look forward to my next purchase from their line! I may go for the blush next!!! (I will wait for another sale though!)

So, if you are interested in this makeup, I would say, you will more than likely have good luck with it too! I like it better than my MAC Mineralized foundation! (I don’t know if I like it better than studio sculpt…that may be a difficult battle! LOL!) Make sure to go check out the full review on my YouTube channel and don’t forget to rate, comment, and subscribe! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GgJBL5KjjoY

If you have used this makeup, I wanna hear about your experiences with it! Comment below or on the YouTube video! Also, if you have a video review on it, post it as a response so I can check it out for myself!! J Thanks for coming by today, you guys! Have a good one!!!

Femme Couture Look on YouTube

Make sure to go to YouTube and check out the video! Here's the link... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSvIZT6euKo ...& MAKE SURE TO SUBSCRIBE!!! :)

Products Used for this Look:

Femme Couture Mineral Shadows in Pink Sand & Deep Amethyst, Mac Carbon e/s, Mac Nylon e/s, Mac Powerpoint Pencil in Black Russian, Smashbox Envy e/s, Maybelline Brow Powder in Lt. Brown, Ulta Clear Brow Gel, Loreal True Match Super Blendable Makeup in True Beige, Bare Minerals Foundation in Light, BE Mineral Veil, Benefit Boi-ing in #1, Benefit Erase Paste in #2, Benefit Powderflage, Channel Eyeshadow Base in Rose, BE Warmth, BE Well-Lit, Rimmel Bronzer in Sun Bronze, BE Blush in Pink Diamond, Maybelline Colorsensational l/s in Pink Sand 005 (what a conincidence!), Mac Lipglass in Pop Mode, Rimmel Foundation Primer, Mac Dazzlelash Mascara, Jane e/s sticks in Pink Pearl 02 & Island Breeze 01, Wet ‘N Wild e/s Stick in 130 (a champagne color…don’t know the name)….I think that just about does it with the exception of brushes and sponges!

I went haulin’ last weekend and ended up at Sally’s Friday evening to check out what they had in house. I have never tried their cosmetics, so I thought I would give their mineral line a try since all the products were on sale for $5 off 3 items! I purchased a gel liner as well as the two mineral shadows featured in this look. (Pink Sand and Deep Amethyst) They are okay besides being terribly hard to blend! This was the first time I had tried these shadows, so you are right there discovering them with me if you go check out the video on YouTube by clicking here -à
The shadows ended up being pretty shimmery as you can tell in the photos. I tried to tone them down with the matte, black carbon…when that didn’t work as much as I would have liked, I decided this could just be a going out look instead! I think too much shimmer on myself, really highlights my wrinkles, so I will be doing as little of that as possible! But, some of you that don’t share the eye lines that I have, would look SO gorgeous in this look!

Of course, you don’t have to go and purchase these exact colors and can use anything you have in your drawer! I know the CS 88 palette has many dupe colors and MAC makes a ton of shadows that would look, probably better, if I am being completely honest. For the price of $5.99 each, I am not too awful mad that they are hard to blend or not super pigmented. You can pretty much pack the color on, or I am sure apply them wet, to achieve a greater intensity just like a lot of other mineral companies out there.

I have yet to decide if I will be repurchasing these shadows or not. I guess I am sort of waiting to see how the other items from the line turn out to be. They did have some really pretty colors in eyeshadow, I just really wish they had some samples or something that I could look at up close and personal prior to purchasing! I guess not everywhere can be MAC or Ulta! LOL!
I will be doing a full review on Femme Couture Mineral Effects for you guys once I feel I have given every item I purchased, a full chance. You can also see what else I purchased at Sally’s and my other stops along the way in the haul video that will be posted next! J So, make sure to go check that out! I will be posting photos here on my blog of all the items I purchased along with as many swatches as I can make show up!!!

Thanks so much for stopping by to read this entry! Keep your eye out for many more to come! I am about to get to work on a series as well as my VERY long list of reviews that have been requested! I hope you guys have a wonderful day and don’t forget to sign up to follow here on my blog, at www.Twitter.com/VanitysEdge, and subscribe to my YouTube channel for more in depth reviews/hauls/looks… www.YouTube.com/VanitysEdge! I would love to have everyone’s support on this journey I am taking!

Major Shopping Weekend!

Wow! I took two days off from work this week to be able to stay home with my daughter and end the summer together with a bang! We have had the BEST time! We have done lots of swimming, playing in makeup, getting hair done, and SHOPPING, of course! So, I am working on my Haul vid, which I have been straying from doing lately because a great deal of people say they don't like them! (I would actually like to know what you guys think on this topic, tho!) However, since I found some stellar deals and discovered some things I didn't really take the time to realize even exhisted, I thought I would share! It will prob end up being a two-parter, so bear with it!

I just wanted to give you guys a bit of an update on what has been happening and also ask what your feelings are about haul vids! I suppose everyone is different and I can't please everyone, but I want to know that I am at least trying! I enjoy showing you guys the deals I stumble across, but at the same time, don't want you to be bored! All comments are always welcome! Thanks so much for stopping by for this quick update and thank you all for subbing to my blog! I really didn't think anyone would...I know I don't have a ton of you guys, but I know I will always remember the first subscribers!!!

As always, let me know if you would like to see any swatches, reviews, or anything else dealing with beauty!! Make sure to check out my YouTube page and sub, if you haven't already! www.YouTube.com/VanitysEdge Hop on over to Twitter as well to chat and keep up with each other on things that are makeup and non makeup related! www.Twitter.com/VanitysEdge Love you guys and have a great rest of the weekend! Peace <3

July Favs! There's a first time for everything!

I feel like July was a month of rediscovery of sorts! So many things happened in my life in general it's amazing that I even had a moment to notice makeup at all! Following the passing of my dog, getting a new puppy, and work slowing down a bit, I feel that I actually have a moment to get back on track with my passion! So, here is just a break down of a few of my favs from the month and some that I rediscovered when going through the mountain of drawers on my vanity!

I fell in love with my Lemon Aid (by Benefit) this month! When I purchased this product on eBay at the beginning of the summer, I absolutely hated it! It had claimed to be a primer, among other things. I found that it did it's job with neutralizing the color on my lids, but the primer part of the story hardly fit! So, I threw it back in my drawer planning to never use it again! But, low and behold, I found a use for this little pot of pure joy! The inner area of my eyes around my nose have a tendancy to look blue and almost bruised, so following UDPP/Erase Paste application, I dab a bit of the Lemon Aid in that area and my eyes are instantly brightened! I love this product!

After a great deal of searching, I found a CHEAP tinted moisturizer that works pretty well, as long as it isn't 97% humidity outside! LOL! This moisturizer is by Wet 'N Wild. I don't love the formulation, but the coverage and the color on me work pretty well under my Bare Minerals foundation. Plus, the price is SO right at around $3.50 a tube! For the money, it is worth a shot, I think!

When Marlena, our YT resident MUG, posted her eyeliner only look contest, I looked at it as an opportunity to scan all the drugstores in my area for liners I may not have found before! When I was in Walgreens, on this mission, I discovered a brand of liners (they also make glosses) that is super cheap, yet work super well! The brand is Jordana and I believe I purchased almost all of the liner colors they make as well as some of the lip liners out in their line! They have Kohl Kajal and Retractable Pencils in some of the most gorgeous colors I have ever seen! The colors I can compare to Urban Decay (the formulation is obviously different). These liners range in price from 99 cents to $3.99. I purchased their liquid liner in brown, which is like a marker, as well! I have been thoroughly pleased with these liners, for a drugstore brand!

Last, but certainly not least, has been my beloved Erase Paste (by Benefit)! I LOVE THIS PRODUCT MORE THAN ICE CREAM! (That's saying a whole lot since ice cream is my one weakness when it comes to food! LOL!) It covers the dark circles I often wake up with (from staying up "practicing" late every nite) and helps conceal blemishes that we all hate! This product comes in three color levels, so you will be able to find something that will work for you! I love to set it with Benefit's Powderflage to brighten these problem areas even more!

My top hair product has to be my Bed Head After Party! This product is what I use after styling to keep my hair from getting so frizzy in the humid air here! IT REALLY DOES WORK! The best part about it is that I stumbled across it at a discount store here in town and ended up paying only $3.50 for the bottle!!! (It retails for over $18 in drugstores here!) I couldn't ask for a better product to keep my flyaways at bay and keep my hair looking gorgeous and shiny all day!!

These are just a few of my top products for July! There are a great deal more that I will be putting into a video and posting on YouTube if you are interested. Once I have the link, I will edit this post so you can directly check out more of my favs if you are interested! I am going to be working on some contests for the next couple of days and will post some photos of my creations here to get you gal's opinions! (I value what my peers think about my work...that's what I feel makes us all better artists!)

Thank you all for following my blog! Once my numbers start to climb, I will more than likely post some give aways to say thanks, so spread the word and let's get the traffic flowing through this site!!! Also, make sure you got to YouTube, create an account and sub to my channel if you haven't already! You can click here --> www.YouTube.com/VanitysEdge and click the yellow subscribe button to be able to participate in some contests and giveaways that I will be having soon!!! Thanks again you guys! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Just an update for ya...

I wanted to let you guys know I have not forgotten all the blog posts that I promised. I have been, in fact, working on them and have a great deal of them finished. I am waiting to post until I post the YouTube video that corresponds, so the cross references make sense! I will begin posting these very soon!

I have been taking advantage of the amount of time I have had lately! My daughter went on a mini vaca just with her dad, so I have had a great deal of quiet time without the munchkin! I have used some of the time spending time with girl friends and shopping with my mom, but I have been concentrating a great deal on this love! I worked a lot on one contest entry in particular that I had hoped to come up with something worthy to turn in, but I didn't. I just didn't like how everything turned out! This entry was for the MUG eyeliner only look. The only thing I gained out of this was a crap load of liners!! LOL! I guess I wanted to have a great deal of these colors on hand and did want to try them, but I just wish I could have come up with SOMETHING! Oh, well! I will review the liners I came across for you guys very soon!

So, I just wanted you to know I have NOT forgot you guys! Just working diligently so when my daughter comes back, I don't have to use the time I should be spending with her prior to school starting, on making vids! Plus, since I got my hair all chopped off, I have to get up earlier to fix it, which means if I don't get in bed by 11 pm, I WILL NOT get up! (That cuts work time down as well! boo!) Let me know if you guys are interested in any reviews in particular! I am currently trying to save my cash for the MAC Fall collection (I want one of everything...litterally...i am being serious!) I have never loved a collection so much, so, I won't be able to buy a lot of items (from the drugstore or otherwise), but will be happy to review anything you have seen me use/purchase. I have a long line of them coming up but won't mind to add more or start a list for after I recover from the MAC haulin I will do later this month/first of next month!

Thanks so much for all your support! I really appreciate it! If you like my blog, let me know! Also, if you have any suggestions that would make it better (constructive critisism only-hater comments will be deleted), I would love to know! Once school gets into full swing, things will slow down a bit for me and I will get back on my normal schedule of posting daily/every other day for ya! Take care!

Much Love Always....Vanity