Introducing…Fashion to the blog

Hey Gems and Jewels…long time NO blog! So I won't give any excuses about being missing in action because I'm sure to blame it all on my overnight work schedule but I am happy to be posting today and I missed you ALL!! I have so much to post and POW I come right back in, fresh out of hibernation with a slight name change to the blog.  I know…I know but change is good, right? Anyway, I decided to include fashion because I do love it equally as much as I love makeup and beauty and I have come across some very fascinating shoes, handbags, purses and jewelry and I just have to share them because unfortunately I can't buy them all! Thank you all for being patient and there are so many pictures to come.  I also looked at my giveaway goodie bag and I need to give stuff away so I'm going to do a contest that I will announce soon and it looks like YouTube tutorials are coming sooner rather than later…..please comment and subscribe.  Thanks dolls!

my shoes…we have a lot to talk about...

Cut Crease LOTD

Hey Gems and Jewels! I am still catching up BUT here are some pictures of a look that I did after I picked up my Lady Danger MAC lipstick.  I love an orange lip anyway but was inspired to do a look around it once I picked it up. For this look, I decided to do a cut crease which is achieve by dividing your crease just above your crease line and adding contrasting colors or even an ombre look.  Surely I used a heap of products to achieve this look, if you want a list or step by step feel free to leave a comment.   I hope you enjoy...

Lips: MAC Lady Danger
MAC lip liner "What A Blast"

AND....I spend a lot at Sephora apparently!!!

Summer Favorites

Hello Gems and Jewels!!

I have missed you all!!! We are waaaay into summer and yes it has been hot, humid and rainy here on the east coast so it has been difficult to stick to one makeup routine since the weather has went from 103 to 70 degrees all within a few weeks time.  I have managed to favor a few products that have been my made summer favorites list.  I am also going to include a prom look that I did but never posted.....I'm blaming it on summer fever!!!I promise not to leave you for so long again, I really have missed you.

This summer like any other summer is not foundation friendly so a mattifying primer, bronzer and light concealer have taken me a long way along with some bold lip colors.  Here are my favorites so far and I am sure I will have a part 2 as the weather continues to change some more. Enjoy...

*Cover FX Mattifying Primer-* This is such a great primer for summer for so many reasons, it is light, mattifying, has an anti-acne treatment, feels more like a moisturizer and is great under foundation in humid climates.  I have even worn it in place of my moisturizer all summer.  It is a bit pricey but is worth every dime and a little goes a long way.  I have worn it from spring to summer so I am certain it will be great during the fall and winter

*Nars Bronzer in Laguna* This is a great bronzer for most skin tones because it has just the right amount shimmer to make your skin look as if its been kissed by the sun just right.  It can also be used for contouring if you are going for more intense look.  For the summer, I have mostly replaced my blush with this unless I do a more neutral lip.  Other bronzers such as Victoria's Secret and even Maybelline are also great too!

*Makeup Forever Face and Body Foundation* This water-based foundation has been my holy grail for the summer.  It is very light with great coverage.  It goes on perfectly with a stippling brush or BeautyBlender sponge and provides a very dewy and summery look.  Can be powdered down but is great alone.  You know I can't say enough good about MUFE sooo....

*MAC Pro Longwear Concealer* Great full coverage concealer as I have used it mostly for dark circles from allergies of lack of sleep! A little goes a very, very long way and again the coverage is fabulous and blends out wonderfully to be a MAC concealer.

Of course I could go on but I will save some for part two of my list.  Happy reading lovelies!!!

BeautyBlender Sponge Review...Yes another one

Hello Gems and Jewels! For some of you this will be one more post about the BeautyBlender sponge and for others it may be informative but I have to say again how much I love this sponge and the results it produces.  Yes there are dupes out there but this is one of the tools of the trade that again I am willing to splurge on.  The BB is an egg-shaped, soft, latex, washable, re-usable and recyclable sponge that gives you a flawless airbrush finish when used to apply your foundation.  The trick to getting the perfect finish is to dampen the sponge with water until it swells to pretty much double the size and then squeeze out the access water and apply your foundation using the stippling method (or bouncing off the  skin gently).  You can also roll it on your skin and use the pointed side to get to hard to reach places like under your eyes and around your nose.  The BB sponge can also be used to apply and blend out concealer and it leaves no harsh lines or streaks.  Although I hesitated to add to the numerous posts about the BB, I was recently reminded about how much I love it when I used it to apply the Cover FX foundation.

Bottom Line:
I highly recommend giving this sponge a try as it will dramatically cut down on your makeup application time, especially in the morning when most of us are rushing to get out the door.  If you are in between replacing your brushes and are not ready to invest in a good set, this is a perfect alternative.  The BB goes for about $18.00 but typically lasts through many applications and can be used with all types of makeup.  Again there are dupes out there like the Sonia Kashuk sponge that you can find in Target, they don't hold up and are not as versatile as the BB.  Give it a try and let me know what you think!!

BeautyBlender

LOTD/Cover FX Cream Foundation Review

Hello Gems and Jewels!!! Today's post is gonna serve two purposes, I will be reviewing the Cover FX cream foundation as well as showing you a look that I did with it.  Let me say that I think that this is one of the most slept on makeup brands that are out there and I think this is due largely in part to the packaging.  Unlike most other brands, the packaging is very simple and until recently it looked like something that you might find in the dollar store.  Now, the packaging remains simple but has a had a slight adjustment in packaging and formulation.  Cover FX has a bit of an interesting history, it was founded by makeup artist Lee Graff and former M.A.C employees.  It was originally created to help men and women with skin conditions to hide their flaws while offering therapeutic benefits and matching their skin tones.  The brand is also free of the 5 inflammatory ingredients that most other have; parabens, fragrance, gluten, mineral oil and talc.  Cover FX is definitely a a full coverage foundation that comes in 25 shades that helps you find a match based on your skin's undertones.  They do live up to providing full coverage and will be great for those with problem skin or scars and discoloration however, the look is not natural and as a consumer of a product such as this, I don't have that expectation but it is a selling point that they are proud of.

Pros:
Cover FX offers a moderate to full coverage line of makeup for those of us who like to use a full coverage foundation when applying makeup.  The foundation also contains an SPF.  I have to say that I can see how Cover FX markets that their products a good for sensitive skin because the cream foundation goes on very creamy also like a tinted moisturizer but without a horrible scent.  I was able to get a very even canvas when I applied it and I absolutely loved the coverage of the concealer.  While wearing the cream foundation for several hours, I didn't get any irritation at all but I did get oily even after I applied their mattifying primer.  My skin looked great and felt very hydrated but going outside was the true test.  I was surprised that the foundation held well during such a humid day.  Although my walk outside was quick, I can imagine that prolonged exposure to heat and humidity will require lots of powdering during the day.

Cons:
If you are looking for something that appears natural, this is not the foundation for you.  Also for my oily gems and jewels, this may not be the foundation for you unless you have skin issues that you would like to cover.  However, I would suggest that you do try it even if you do have oily skin as it can be powdered down to a very beautiful finish.  The product is limited in that it has only 25 shades and they don't have a comprehensive line of shadows, mascara or lipsticks or glosses but they have mastered full coverage cream foundation, powders and primers.  Another con is that Cover FX is slightly more expensive than the other brands but it is a great alternative to the higher end brands that give you the same amount of coverage.  I will say that I could feel the makeup on and that is a slight con for me but my skin did not feel clogged at any point.  Overall I love this foundation because it is full coverage but I am curious about how it will stand up during the humid summer months.  The cream foundation retails for $42.00.

Makeup For Ever Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation Review

Hello Gems and Jewels!! It is no secret that I love MUFE and this product makes me love the brand even more.  Today I will be reviewing the Makeup For Ever Pro Finish Foundation.  I actually previewed foundation a few months before it hit the store because QVC offered a limited color range before it was introduced to Sephora.  I have to say that I am thoroughly impressed with this foundation and I think that this will easily be my "go to" foundation for the summer.

MUFE Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder is a sheer to full coverage matte foundation that can be applied wet or dry for a very buildable, customized finish and without ruining the foundation. This powder goes on extremely smooth and even so much so that it doesn't feel like you're applying makeup although the finish is flawless.  If you desire a sheer finish, this can be easily achieved by dampening the sponge and evenly pick up the amount of product you would like to put on your face.  It also doesn't leave a cakey or dry look once it is applied and it happens to control oil pretty well.

So my recommendation is that if you are looking for a foundation to transition to for the summer and you can afford to splurge on a good quality product, then this is a must try.  Like most people, I tend to get very oily in the summertime so it is refreshing to find a powder foundation that has great coverage as well as help control oily skin.  Now I have to say that I am slightly concerned on how this foundation will do on dry skin but I don't think that it is anything that a good moisturizer can't handle.  MUFE Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder foundation is also formulated without parabens so that makes it even better! Let me know what you think about it if you have tried it.

Make Up For Ever Pro Finish Multi-Use Foundation Powder

Chic Week Sephora Haul!!!

Hello Gems and Jewels!! Although I am way, way behind on posting my haul from Chic Week at Sephora, I thoroughly enjoyed using my 15% off discount several times during the 11 days that it was valid.  I managed to pick up a few new items including, the Makeup Forever Technicolor Palette (which features a two-step tutorial and comes with brushes), Nars Radiant creamy concealer, Cover FX  Total Cover Cream Foundation, Cover FX concealer and Matte Setting Powder in light and medium.  I also restocked on some favorites which included another Beautyblender sponge, Nars Bronzing Powder in "Laguna", Nars Illuminator in "Copacabana" as well as a few new Sephora brand eyeshadows in "Rolling in the Grass" and "Walking in the Sand".  I will be doing a look/review on the Cover FX and the MUFE Technicolor palette.  Thanks for reading loves!

April Favorites

Hello Gems and Jewels! As a lover of all things makeup and beauty, sometimes I fall in and out of love with products depending upon how my skin is feeling.  So I have decided to do a monthly favorites post that will include beauty products that I have worn and loved during the month.  Inevitably, some will be old products that haven't gotten much use and some will be newly discovered products but I will be sure to report back to you.  I even think that I will include some of my favorite perfumes because they seem to change like the wind with all the variations come to surface!!! Anyway here are my April favorites, I hope you enjoy!

1. Makeup Forever Face and Body Foundation--I have used it as a primer for the MUFE HD foundation and alone and I love it! It is water-based and has a light weight natural finish. It is good for normal skin types and those with larger pores.  I applied with a Beauty Blender sponge and am so in love with it for the moment! It can also be used for the body as well.
2. Makeup Forever Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation--This foundation is amazing! It can be used wet or dry.  When used dry, you get a full coverage matte finish and when used wet, you get a satin sheer finish! I have been waiting for a product like this from MUFE since Lorac released theirs.  Gems and Jewels this is the one you will want to keep in your purse..it's awesome.
3. MAC Candy Yum Yum Lipstick--Yeah, I'm pretty much obsessed with this pink lip for spring.  It is a bright pink that looks intimidating but can be toned down with the right lip liner and gloss.  I used a magenta liner and the Pink Noveau lip gloss and again I love it!! Although Emerald is the color of the year pinks and reds still rule the lips!!
4. MAC Strut Eyebrow Pencil--I have been using this eyebrow pencil very often since I dyed my hair red.  It's very creamy and works well because it adds a little more reddish brown to my brows.  I also added some Embark eyeshadow to fill in my brows further.  I love this combination.
5. Red Cherry Eyelashes--I have been loving these lashes lately.  They are 100% human hair and come in many style variations for top and bottom.  They are easy to apply and put the perfect finishing touch on your look.  I have used #82 lashes several time this month and love them.  
6. Chloe Eau de Parfum--This is my favorite fragrance right now, I'm actually panicking because I may run out soon.  It is a yummy, fresh, sweet, floral that smells great on me.  The notes that are in the fragrance are as follows:  Pink Peony, Freesia, Lychee, Magnolia Flower, Lily of the Valley, Rose, Cedarwood, Amber, Honey

These are just a few so let me know what you have been loving or hating this month! Giveaways starting in May to my readers and subscribers!

Review: Covergirl Outlast 3-in1 Foundation/Queen Collection

Hello Gems and Jewels!!! I am finally getting around to reviewing the Covergirl 3-in-1 foundation along with the Covergirl Queen Collection 3-in-1 foundation.  There are several reasons why it has taken me so long to review this foundation; one reason being that while applying this foundation, I noticed that the color I had was too light and then I selected a color from the Queen Collection and that was too dark.  Therefore, I decided that I would mix the two foundation to attempt to create a match for me.  Finally, after applying it and then removing it, I awakened to a rash on the one side of my face where I applied it.  With that being said, I think it is still a very good foundation and I have seen it look flawless on many! This foundation is priced at just under 10 dollars so it is very affordable.

The Covergirl 3-in-1 foundation is a long wear primer, concealer and foundation all in one.  Now I have to admit that this concept is amazing and it goes onto your skin very smoothly.  Covergirl 3-in-1 is a medium to full coverage foundation that dries to a semi-matte finish which will be very good for those that have oily skin.  Although there is a built in concealer, it does not offer enough coverage to be used alone as a concealer.  I wore this foundation for several hours without powder and noticed a very normal amount of oil in my t-zone area but I think this was due to the moisturizer that I used.  It does indeed have very good staying power and I definitely think this is due to the primer that's built into the foundation.

Pros:
*The foundation comes with a pump that lock so it is very good for traveling
*The product consistency is great and it blends very well
*The staying power is phenomenal
*SPF is included and is doesn't flashback white in photos

Cons:
*There are only 15 shades available to choose from (i think this will increase)
*It does seem to oxidize on the skin
*It is not completely shine free if you use a moisturizer with it
*It has been known to cause breakouts

The bottom line is that this is a good foundation for those on the go and those that want to avoid all the steps that go with applying foundation.  I do recommend that you buy at least one or even two shades lighter because it does oxidize on your skin to a darker hue (orangey on me).  Buying several shades will also come in handy during the summer months.  Again, for me personally this is not enough coverage and building it up could prove to be tricky.  I would actually recommend this for those with mature skin who are looking for a good drugstore foundation.

Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation

Covergirl 3-in-1 Foundation (860 and Q815)

Party LOTD

Hello Gems and Jewels! long time no blog right.  Well Spring has sprung and so have these allergies and so has many outings an parties but guess who's back? I have several reviews and hauls coming but here are some pictures of my looks from this past party-filled weekend! Happy Birthday Alicia, the ace!

Face:
Makeup Forever Face and Body Foundation (12)
Makeup Forever HD Foundation (173)
Makeup Forever Primer
Makeup Forever Concealer
Makeup Forever ProFinish Powder (174)
Lips:
MAC Magenta lip liner
MAC Candy Yum Yum lipstick
MAC Pink Nouveau lipgloss

Eyes:
Base, Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eyeshadow (painted purple)
All MAC Shadows: Stars N Rockets
Shock-A-Holic
Parfait Amour
Embark (crease and eyebrow)
Patina (transition)
Nylon (highlight)
Strut Eyebrow Pencil
Red Cherry Lashes (#82)
Rapidblack Penultimate Eye Liner

NYX Lipstick Haul/Swatches

Hello Gems and Jewels!! Most of us know Ebay for buying and selling items but Ebay also has great deals on beauty products including discontinued perfume.  I happened to be browsing and came across a lot (bulk) of NYX lipstick that was a great deal.  For those of you who don't know, NYX lip products are very creamy and actually very pigmented especially for the price you pay.  I am excited to try them all out but here are some swatches of the colors that I picked up.  Enjoy and check them out when you have a chance!

Eggplant, Peach Bellini, Cream

Silk, Chaos, Doll

Left to Right
Haute Melon, Fortune Cookie, Chic Red

Pandora, NYX, Fig

Review: L'Oreal's True Match Foundation...Is it worth it??

Hello Gems and Jewels! Today’s review is on L’Oreal’s True Match foundation.  With L’Oreal being one of the most expensive drugstore foundations besides Covergirl, I was a little skeptical as to whether it would actually be worth the price and if they could live up to their 100% match guarantee.  Well beauties I am happy to say it is so worth the price!  The packaging of this foundation is labeled “super-blendable makeup” so imagine my facial expression when I finally decided that I would in fact purchase and try this “True Match” foundation.

L’Oreal’s True Match makeup comes in 33 shades and is nicely broken down into the warm, cool and neutral undertones of one’s skin.  I have to say that once again I was able to pick the correct color on my first try.  I could tell right from the bottle that this matched my complexion.  They even have a little test to help you figure out what your undertones are.  Apparently the 7 years of research that they put in the product has not been in vain. 

When I first applied my True Match foundation in “W8” with a stippling brush and no primer, this makeup glided onto my skin very well.  It wasn’t until I finished applying it that I remembered that I didn’t apply a primer; needless to say I just proceeded with my look for the day.  I did apply True Match a second time with a very good primer and it still blended very well into my skin.  When you apply this foundation it feels very lightweight and once you start blending it you will see how natural True Match looks on your skin.  This foundation offers a light to medium coverage while still managing to look very natural.  Overall I am very satisfied with the outcome. I wore this foundation twice for approximately 4 hours each and I did notice some oil in my t-zone area but that can be fix with either setting powder after you have applied the makeup or blot powder. 

Pros: They have a wide range of shades to choose from (can be slightly overwhelming at first).  True Match foundation does feel very silky when you apply it and it blends out so easily that it’s almost unbelievable.  It also dries down quickly if you want to reapply another layer if you choose.  I will note that I generally have very good skin to begin with but during this particular season, I get skin eczema flare-ups.   I happened to have several patches on my face during the time that I wore the foundation and I didn’t get any additional irritation from wearing True Match!

Cons: It is a little more expensive ($10.00) than most drugstore foundation but L’Oreal does offer a money back guarantee if you cannot find your True Match foundation.  L’Oreal did not include a pump with this product so you will have to pour it on the back of your hand and risk possible pouring too much and making a mess! If does have a slight makeup smell but that quickly fades away.  

My Recommendation:  I have normal to combination skin usually and I did notice some oily spots but nothing out of the ordinary.  I would say that L’Oreal’s True Match will definitely benefit dry skin simply because of the consistency of the product but I recommend that all skin types give it a try with a good primer and a good setting powder and you will be happy with the results.  As for my oily beauties, I suggest that you try it as well but without a primer and with a setting powder.  Then if you have a mattifying primer, I would suggest applying it before you apply your True Match foundation.  Beauties, this one is a winner, give it a try and let me know what you think! Thanks Melanie for keeping me up and remembering all the products I used! 

L'Oreal True Match Foundation W8
MAC Natural Radiance Prep and Prime
Maybelline Blush/Coral Burst
MAC Trace Gold Blush
MAC Peachtwist Blush
Maybelline Vibrant Mandarin Lipstick (885)
Maybelline Fushia Flash Lipstick (865
Red Cherry Lashes #82

Eyes
Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette
Lid: Snakebite
Crease:Busted
Highlight: Walk of Shame
Eyebrow: Spiked Brow Pencil

L'Oreal True Match
Super-Blendable Makeup

My, my Maybelline Lipstick/Blush Review

I'm back again Gems and Jewels!! My experience researching and trying Maybelline's products has really inspired me as well as restored some of my faith in drugstore makeup! My fellow beauties, I think I am in love with their lipstick and lipgloss colors.  When I turned around and saw all of the beautiful colors of Color Sensational Vivids, I was like a kid in the candy store.  This line consists of 18 highly pigmented lip colors that range from "Pink Pop 860" to "Brazen Berry 905"and to describe them as vivid is an understatement.  These colors POP on your lips and will be great for spring and summer or for any day that you need to add color to your outfit.  While some of these colors may look too bold they can be easily toned down to be worn in the workplace by blotting your lip with a tissue! Because the Vivids are so pigmented, when the color wears off your lips will have enough stain left on them that you can just place some clear lip gloss on and have a totally different look.  The lipstick is very creamy and glossy and I have applied it with a lip brush and straight from the tube.  My recommendation is that you apply them with a lip brush for more control! Color Sensational Vivids are very moisturizing and they have a pleasant light smell that reminds me of fruit.  I also loved that the top matches the color of the lipstick.   These are priced around $8 dollars which is not bad for the amount of color payoff.  I hope that they extend this line or release different Vivid colors every season!

From Left
Raspberry Reflection
Vibrant Mandarin 885
Mad for Magenta 95
Oh La Lilac 90

I also tried Maybelline Color Whisper lipstick/color.  These went on very smoothly as well and are  pigmented without a lot of simmer but manage to still give you a more soft look and weightless feel.  This line has 20 shades of of Whisper and I'm thinking that they will extend this line as well.  I managed to grab one of the "High Shine" glosses in Raspberry Reflections and I am in love with this gloss.  It is pigmented enough to wear alone, in fact it wears more like a lipstick.  These glosses are shiny, creamy and pigmented all without feeling sticky.  They come in 12 shades and are priced at $8 dollars and they are wax free yay!

L:Wild Blossom R: Coral Burst

The last thing I grabbed from the Maybelline line was a few of their limited edition blushes, one in "210 Coral Burst" and "205 Wild Blossom" and these colors are AMAZING.  These blushes are also very pigmented with a very slight amount of shimmer.  I used my Real Techniques contour blush and they looked fabulous.  These contain as much pigment as a some of my MAC blushes.  These are not available on Maybelline's website but are available in drugstores with the cost around $7 dollars.  My recommendation is to go try some Maybelline products, I think you will find at least one product that you will like!

My, my Maybelline Fit Me Foundation Review

Hey Gems and Jewels! This is a review that I’m super excited to share with you because the products FAR exceeded my expectations.  Initially when I chose Maybelline products to review, I planned only to mostly on the foundation and concealer because we all know that creating a smooth canvas to work from is extremely important.  Well…Ulta had a sale and then I saw colors, colors and more colors of lipstick, glosses and blushes…oh my.  So while I am very pleased to report on the foundation and concealer that I chose to review fortunately I have a few lipsticks/glosses and blushes that I will touch on as well. Maybelline has a quite a selection of foundations but I chose to review one the “Fit Me” collection.  I chose this collection mostly because it looked as if it was the easiest to match up with my complexion (and it was) and because it is the collection that I see advertised the most.  The results…

 Maybelline's Fit Me Foundation: Overall I have to say that I am very pleased with how this foundation wore.  Let me start by saying that it does not have a pump so I poured it on the back of my hand and used a Real Techniques stippling brush to apply it.  The Fit Me foundation is a light to medium coverage that blended very easily into my skin.  Perhaps what I most surprised about was the fact that I actually picked the correct color match on my first try and that it actually did look very natural on my skin.  Also note that I applied MAC’s skin prep as a primer and also used a Maybelline Fit Me concealer in café (30).  I wore the foundation for about 3-4 hours but even during that little bit of time, there was plenty of shine even though I set it with a finishing powder.  It has a dewy finish so if you are going for that look it will work well for you.  Thankfully Fit Me is very well priced at about $8 and I did not experience any breakouts from wearing it.  Maybelline has also done a good job with making it easy to pick you foundation, powder and concealer and as I mentioned it was pretty accurate as far as matching my skin tone.  

Cons: Although the foundation blended very well, it felt heavy on my skin and had a makeup smell to it (pet peeve).  Fit Me is absolutely not for oily skin.  After wearing it for a short time, I had a lot of shine all over my face.  It also fell short when in comes to the color range as I am an NC45 girl but am also at the end of the spectrum (350) when it comes to this line.  It comes in 18 shades which is pretty good but they could stand to extend the color range a little further. 

My recommendation is to steer clear from this foundation if you have even slightly oily skin or if you perspire heavily.  The Fit Me concealer has a light coverage and covers slight imperfections but if you like more coverage, especially for under eye then you may want to choose another one.  

Maybelline Fit Me

Thanks for reading everyone, gonna do a separate post on the lipsticks and blush since this one ran a little long!

Fun with Color

Hello Gems and Jewels!! One sick pet equals little time to blog especially between vet visits.  Hopefully we're in the clear and I can catch up. Oh and one sick pet also equals LOTS of retail therapy so stay tuned for pictures of all the hauling I have done...I am seriously smh at myself.  So in the meantime, I figured I would post a few more pictures, this time of me, and provide you with several reviews to make up for lost time! And I think I'm in love with Maybelline, stay tuned....