HAPPY NEW YEAR....



WISH YOU ALL A VERY HAPPY AND PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR.....

xoxo,
dazzling, sparkling.....me!!!

MAC - WARM & COZY, LOVE LACE Thoughts/swatches

Before I say good bye to 2009, I thought I would post a little something about makeup, other than my seasons greetings. I got a chance to see both Love Lace and warm and Cozy Collections by MAC.


MAC - WARM AND COZY


MAC LOVE LACE COLLECTION

I didn’t find anything too impressive from the Love Lace collection, except two eyeshadows. One in Love Lace and other one in Suave Intentions. Love lace was the prettiest. I don’t use blues much, so I didn’t buy any of those. I think it would work perfect over a black base. I liked it, but not enough to pay full for it. Maybe when it hits the CCO. Pincurl eyeshadow was very much like Vex and the other one Hypnotizing was just ok. Not so unique.


Swatches of MAC shadesticks in Nurture, Relaxed and Cuddle

I didn’t even care to look at the Lipsticks. My MAC was just too over crowded and I was in a hurry to check out the Warm and Cozy collection.
This collection was so me…All lovely wearable neutrals. I didn’t get a chance to swatch the whole collection, but I did try to swatch the shade sticks and the lipstick in Warm me up, which I was most interested in.


Swatches of MAC eyeshadows in Pincurl, Suave Intentions, Love Lace

All the shadesticks were pretty. Warm and cozy was missing from my counter. Infact many things were missing. All the MUA were busy working on clients and they were using the products from the new collection. The four shadows had good pay off and were pretty and wearable, but definitely dupable with the colors form the existing line.

The Shadesticks were the one that really stood out. The texture was amazingly soft, unlike the older version of shadesticks. Cuddle was a lovely goldish color and I liked that one a lot. Relaxed and Nurture were pretty too, but I think if you have colors from Benefit creaseless cream shadow, you can pass on these. (I am consoling myself giving reasons...lol!!)


Swatches of Eyeshadows in Hypnotizing, Pincurl, Love Lace, Suave Intentions

The lip glosses were lovely too. Light that fire looked most attractive to me, but it reminded me of more orange version of Pink grapefruit l/g that was LE from the Neo-Sci-Fi collection. 2N and 3N were pretty too, but I had similar colors.



Swatches of MAC lipsticks in Brave and Warm me Up

I had heard Warm Me Up lipstick was similar to Brave lipstick from permanent line. So I swatched them next to each other. Brave is bit more pink and Warm me up has more peach tones to it. Warm me up is amplified cream so it had way better texture than Brave which is a satin. Warm me up was more creamy and soft.

The collection was good and I would have loved to pick a shadestick and a lipstick, but I didn’t buy any. I had already purchased some stuff from Sephora, so I was low on cash.
Overall a lovely, neutral and wearable collection…just like its name…WARM AND COZY!!!

Stop a Rampaging Gorilla with Royal Crown Cola!

Leading Comics 031 0016
Scan from Leading Comics #31 1948

CLINIQUE - 7 Day Scrub Cream - Review

My skin gets very dry and flaky in winter months. It is weird because the dryness and flakiness is distributed in patches. So when I try to increase the moisture level by applying more rich moisturizers, the non- dry areas turn oily. This is both ugly and annoying.
Exfoliation in these winter months is also a pain, because it leaves the face dry and stretched. As I ran out of my Origins exfoliator, I was not very regular with exfoliation too. (my mistake!)

Anyways, to cut long story short, I got a chance to use 7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula from Clinique that was a part of GWP. They usually have a generous size sample tube, good for more than a dozen uses. I have never used any scrubs or exfoliant from this brand before. I love their moisturizing lotion, cleansers and eye cream, so it was not a surprise that I very much liked this product too.


CLINIQUE - 7 Day Scrub Cream

7 Day Scrub Cream Rinse-Off Formula Nudges away roughness,
flakiness to refine skin. Helps lessen the appearance of fine lines. Clears the
way for moisture. Suitable for all skin types.

Now this product is designed for all skin types. It is white in color with a creamy texture. The consistency is not runny or thin. The micro beads, which are actually responsible for the scrubbing part is very fine like sand, but its not overly gritty or abrasive. It does a great job of exfoliating the skin gently without leaving is dry or deprived of moisture. It didn't make the face greay at all.
I used some on my wet face and massaged it with my finger tips in slow, circular motion. (Try not to rub on dry or ‘less wet’ skin). I found that all the flaky skin was sloughed off and the skin was super smooth and clean. My blackheads were considerably reduced and skin appeared polished. The scrub is not harsh because when I used it more than 3 times a week, it didn’t irritate the skin at all. The smell is ok, not annoying at all and unlike Origins Modern Friction, it didn’t hurt my eye.
In a nutshell:
Pros:
Gentle, creamy, not gritty.
Does not irritates the skin
Clears of dry, rough patches/flakiness
Cleans pores and clears blackheads
Non-Drying
No annoying fragrance.
Easily available
Comes in a tube and not in tub (for all you germ freaks!)
Cons:
I don't see any as of now...

I am happy that I got a chance to try this product and once again Clinique’s skin care line didn’t let me down!!

Orly - Sweet collection 2010


ORLY Spring II 2010 Collection
Satisfy Your Sugar Craving

With a playful, yet nostalgic look back at iconic sugary treats, the NEW ORLY
Spring II 2010 Sweet Collection not only reminds us of our childhood favorites
and past times, but stays on trend with a throwback to Jackie O’s pastel pillbox
hats. This collection incorporates spring’s feminine pastels by adding a milky
white opaque tone to baby pinks, blues, yellows, purples and greens

Each Nail Lacquer in the Sweet Collection comes with a FREE matching flavored mini lip gloss key chain.

The six new lacquers include:

Pixy Stix - Pink Crème
Lollipop - Pastel Purple Crème
Lemonade - Pastel Yellow Crème
Gumdrop - Pastel Turquoise Crème
Cotton Candy - Baby Pink Crème
Snowcone - Baby Blue Crème


The Sweet Collection Lacquers will be available beginning April 2010 for $7.50 each.

I 'Saw' this on Lushious Beauty and 'Read' it on A polish Problem. These were my Ultimate sources for scoop....lol!!!
I don't understand the language of the Lushious beauty website.

These pictures were hard to resist, so i just thought i would pass on the news....

Givenchy Gloss Interdit Lip Gloss -- Swatches

I had recieved a sample of Givenchy Gloss Interdit Lip gloss, which I had liked a lot (review) and so I decided to swatch them at my local Sephora, just to make sure how the colors look and just be prepared with a 'rough list' for my next haul.


GIVENCHY Gloss Interdit Lip Gloss swatches
Swatches of 01 Capricious Pink, 02 Impertinent Nude, 03 Coral Frenzy
04 Rose Taboo, 05 Indiscreet Beige, 06 Lilac Confession, 12 Rouge Passion
13 Delectable Brown, 14 Sensual Chocolate, 15 Velvet Purple


Its a good gloss and many of them are pigmented enough to be worn alone. The shades in 07 Glamorous Fuchsia and 11 Succulent Orange were missing from my counter. I personally like the shades in 04 and 05. This shade in 05 is called Indiscreet Beige and is described as Rosy Nude. Neither the name nor the description matched..but i liked that color a lot.
I don't think all colors justify the $24.50 price tag. I mean some of the colors are dupable by other brands (read nude colors), but there are a few, that looked lovely, wearable and just awesome...I won't call them unique, but definately worth trying especially the more pigmented shades.

(I seriously didn't understand what I said in the last line, but yes...some colors are cool..some are so-so)
Also, the Rose Taboo shade reminded me of Lovechild lipglass from MAC and I will try to do a comparison swatch soon.

Is it Dupeable or Dupable??

Givenchy Gloss Interdit Lipgloss - Review

This lipgloss was one of those beauty insider perk sample. I would think 10 times before buying a $24.50 lipgloss…
Anyways, it’s a decent size sample and I have used it and personally I am impressed!!
The shade is in Rosy Taboo (04). A lovely mauve rose shade.


Gloss Interdit Ultra-Shiny Color Plumping Effect

A vibrant gloss with a high-performance formula, a sophisticated
silhouette, and a professional brush applicator. With its infinitely light
texture, Gloss Interdit provides spectacular shine and leaves lips smoothed and
plumped. The formula is enriched with high-performance skincare ingredients
developed by Givenchy Laboratories.


Swatch of Givenchy Gloss Interdit Lipgloss in ROSE TABOO

The tube is square in shape and not round like most of the glosses, very chic.
It has a brush applicator, which is cool. The product itself is a bit on thicker side and is completely creamy, with just a hint of Silverish shimmer, which is visible in the tube, but not much on lips. On my lips its an opaque creamy, slightly thick, but not so sticky or tacky gloss. The brush applicator gives more control in application as the consistency is on thicker side. This particular shade is not sheer at all. Its decently pigmented and gives medium to opaque coverage on lips. It plumps the lips a bit, with no tingling or burning sensation. Now, I am not sure if the plumping part is due to the formula or the shine in gloss makes it appear plump… May be I am just making it up….I don’t care…Never been a fan of swollen lips….


Givenchy Gloss Interdit Lipgloss in Rose Taboo (04)

The gloss lasted for around 3 hours and then I had to re-apply. I don’t remember eating or drinking. Usually MAC lip glasses last a bit longer than this. I guess as this gloss is less sticky, it affects the staying power.
The Scent of the gloss is something to notice. As per Sephora website, there is something else to know about the gloss.

The scent of Gloss Interdit is an elegant, sensual, and sophisticated new facet
of the "Espièglerie" concentrate found in Rouge Interdit and Rouge Interdit
Shine. The fragrance is composed of top notes of bergamot, litchi, and red
fruit; middle notes of rose, jasmine, and lily of the valley; and base notes of
sandalwood, vanilla, amber, and musk.

I never knew so much went into the Fragrance part of this lipgloss. In my layman's language, i would call it sweet, strong and like those flavoured, scented lipgloss that come in kits for small girls. Those cute, little Barbie, Disney make-up kits. Ok, may be I am exaggerating a bit. Its not that bad...its just sweet, not so annoying...and for a color like Rose Taboo, I can live with that scent.


Lip Swatch for Givenchy Lipgloss in 04 Rose Taboo

This particular review is just based on one color that I have. I don’t know how good or pigmented other shades are. I would sure love to try other shades from this line, if I get some kind of discount in near future.

Anybody wanting to share their thoughts on lipgloss from this brand? What do you think? Drop in few lines below...:)

Popeye in Microbe Battle by Bud Sagendorf - Golden Age Comic Book Scans plus Fun Links!

Popeye in Microbe Battle by Bud Sagendorf
Popeye in Microbe Battle by Bud Sagendorf
comic book scans from Dell Four-Color #168 October 1947

CLICK on any thumbnail to see a BIG comic book scan!
Popeye Four_Color__0168_Popeye - Page 04  Popeye Four_Color__0168_Popeye - Page 05 Popeye Four_Color__0168_Popeye - Page 06 Popeye Four_Color__0168_Popeye - Page 07 Popeye Four_Color__0168_Popeye - Page 08 Popeye Four_Color__0168_Popeye - Page 09 Popeye Four_Color__0168_Popeye - Page 10 Popeye Four_Color__0168_Popeye - Page 11 Popeye Four_Color__0168_Popeye - Page 12 Popeye Four_Color__0168_Popeye - Page 13 Popeye Four_Color__0168_Popeye - Page 14 Popeye Four_Color__0168_Popeye - Page 15 Popeye Four_Color__0168_Popeye - Page 16 Popeye Four_Color__0168_Popeye - Page 17 Popeye Four_Color__0168_Popeye - Page 18

In the early 1930's Bud Sagendorf was a teenage assistant to original Popeye cartoonist E.C. Segar on his Thimble Theatre and Sappo comic strips. After Segar's death in 1938, Sagendorf illustrated marketing materials for King Features, eventually moving on to creating Popeye comic books starting in 1945.


Bud Sagendorf also wrote and illustrated (anonymously) much of the material in the Famous Artists Cartooning Course , especially Lesson 15 on Props and Backgrounds (See above sample)




MONDAY MORNING...



Hey all you lovelies....
Hope everyone is good....Same here, but I am a bit tired and feeling lazy.....
Anyways, this is probably the quickest Monday that came after last Monday!! The whole week passed by so fast and so full of fun and excitement!!
Parties, Gifts, After Christmas sale….yes, I did go on Saturday, the 26th for all the sales…and the malls were sooo crowded!! It seemed as if the stores were just giving things for free. People had so much to shop!
Both the parties I attended last week were lovely. I met many of my friends and we all had good time. I know people don’t like talking about Christmas hauls and gifts, but I would tell you all one gift that really made me happy. My Pandora charms!! I got 4 of them and I am excited to add more and complete it soon.
Apart from that I won a Macy’s gift card in that BINGO game. This is technically a prize and not ‘gift’…so I am sharing this too…lol!!

The agenda for this week is pretty much same as last week…parties, fun, eating, sleeping…minus all the mutual exchange of gifts…
I have got some nice swatches to post,, so hopefully the blog will be worth visiting this week…

Well, nothing else….I just wished we all had 2 weeks of no work, only play…just like my son is having his winter break…

Wish you all a happy day and a happy week ahead….

xoxo,
dazzling, sparkling....me!!

Steal Deals!!!





Stila Good to Glow $10


NARS Concealer duo in Custard/Ginger $10


BENEFIT To Go Beauty Bestsellers $10


Skinprep FX
Mini Nourishing Foundation Primer & Anti-Aging Serum $8

These are a few deals worth considering. Especially the NARS Concealer Duo. Its just $10 for full size and originally retails for $30. I ordered mine now along with other NARS stuff using my Holiday Gift Card. The Stila deal is just awesome. You get so much of quality product for just $10. The other two offers are good too. Even though the product size is just teeny tiny, I guess its a great way to try many products before commiting for full size.
Anyways, I am totally enjoying my Holidays and I would like to share my Holiday goodies, but I have heard many people don't like seeing/listening about Holiday gift hauls...I personally enjoy to see what people get and the little stories they share..Its fun..:)

HAPPY HOLIDAYS....



Dear Lovely Friends
Wishing you all a DAZZLING AND SPARKLING HOLIDAY SEASON.
Hope everybody finds loads of love stuffed in their stockings and tons of luck under their tree…Oh, did I forget gifts…..???
xoxo,
Dazzle ‘n’ Sparkle

Stop Roman Soldiers and Lions with a Columbia Bike!

Leading Comics 031 0019

Another fun ad from Leading Comics #31 1948

WARM & COZY FACECHART


WARM & COZY

EYES:
Define and elongate brows with Lingering Eye Brows. Neutralize eyelid colour by using 242 Shader Brush to apply Prep + Prime Eye. Sweep a soft highlight under brows with Chamomile Eye Shadow and 217 Blending Brush. Use 242 Shader Brush to apply a concentration of Nurture Shadestick over the centre of the eyelid, with Chamomile Eye Shadow blended over the inner and outer corners only. Continue to blend Chamomile Eye Shadow through the crease for a wash of colour with 231 Small Shader Brush. Lightly define the upper lashes by using 266 Small Angle Brush to apply Bountiful Brown Powerpoint Eye Pencil. Create a soft, smudgy definition through the lower lashes with Bountiful Brown Powerpoint Eye Pencil and 231 Small Shader Brush. Apply two coats of Lofty Brown Zoom Lash Mascara on both upper and lower lashes to finish the eyes.

CHEEKS:
Create a soft flush of colour on the cheeks using By Candlelight Mineralize Skinfinish.

LIPS:
Hydrate and perfect the lip by using Prep + Prime Lip. Define and contour the lip with Velvetella Cremestick Liner. Apply Feelin' Good Tinted Lip Conditioner and follow with Warm Me Up Lipstick.



BY CANDLELIGHT

EYES:
Create a full, defined brow by using 266 Small Angle Brush to apply Charcoal Brown Eye Shadow. Neutralize eyelid colour by using Prep + Prime Eye with 228 Mini Shader Brush. Use 219 Pencil Brush to blend a soft highlight of Chamomile Eye Shadow under brows. Use 252 Large Shader Brush to apply Painterly Paint Pot over the eyelid, and follow with Chamomile Eye Shadow on the outer eyelid. Blend Motif Eye Shadow through the crease with 217 Blending Brush and follow with a concentration of Modellete Eye Shadow through the inner crease only. Elongate the upper lashline by using 209 Eye Liner Brush to extend Earthline Technakohl Liner. Define the inner rim of lower lashes with Earthline Technakohl Liner, and then follow with Motif and Modellete Eye Shadows (outer) dusted through the lashes with 219 Pencil Brush. Define both upper and lower lashes with Brownette Plush Lash.

CHEEKS:
Create a soft glow on cheeks using By Candlelight Mineralize Skinfinish.

LIPS:
Hydrate and perfect the lip with Lip Conditioner Stick SPF 15. Define the lip with Oak Lip Pencil, and shade with Siss Lipstick. Finish the lip with a glossy coat of C-Thru Lipglass.



WARM ME UP

EYES:
Lightly define brows by using 266 Small Angle Brush to apply Espresso Eye Shadow. Use 224 Tapered Blending Brush to sweep a soft highlight of Chamomile Eye Shadow under brows. Apply Painterly Paint Pot on the eyelid with 252 Large Shader Brush. Then, follow with 239 Eye Shader Brush to apply Modellete and Mythology Eye Shadows (outer) over Painterly to set. Blend a defined contour of Embark Eye Shadow through the crease with 219 Pencil Brush. Define the upper lashline with a delicate line of Dipdown Fluidline, applied with 210 Precise Eye Liner Brush. Apply two to three coats of Black X Mascara X on both upper and lower lashes.

CHEEKS:
Create a soft contour on cheeks with By Candlelight Mineralize Skinfinish.

LIPS:
Hydrate and protect the lip by using Prep + Prime Lip. Lightly contour the mouth with Sublime Culture Cremestick Liner. Shade the lip with Warm Me Up Lipstick, and finish with a glossy coat of Light That Fire! Lipglass.



MULLED CIDER

EYES:
Lightly define and warm brows by using 208 Angled Brow Brush to apply Wedge Eye Shadow. Neutralize eyelid colour with Prep + Prime Eye, applied with 242 Shader Brush. Use 224 Tapered Blending Brush to sweep Brule Eye Shadow over the browbone for a subtle highlight. Prep the eyelid with a light layer of Bamboom Paint, and follow with an application of Modellete and Embark (outer) Eye Shadows with 224 Tapered Blending Brush. Use 217 Blending Brush to blend a contour of Mulled Cider Eye Shadow through the centre and outer crease. Define the upper lashline by using 266 Small Angle Brush to apply a precise line of Embark Eye Shadow. Create a smudgy line through the lower lashes by diffusing Teddy Eye Kohl with 209 Eye Liner Brush. Finish the eyes with two to three coats of Black Dazzle Dazzle Lash Mascara on both upper and lower lashes.

LIPS:
Hydrate and protect the lip with a layer of Lip Conditioner Stick SPF 15. Define and contour the lip with Plum Lip Pencil. Shade the lip with Spiced Tea Lipstick, and follow with Clear Lipglass.



MODELETTE

EYES:
Define and groom brows by using 208 Angled Brow Brush to apply Mystery Eye Shadow and follow with Clear Brow Set. Neutralize the eyelid by using 242 Shader Brush to apply Prep + Prime Eye. Lightly dust Chamomile Eye Shadow under the brows with 224 Tapered Blending Brush for a soft highlight. Apply Nurture Shadestick on the eyelid, then follow with a layer of Modelette Eye Shadow, applied and blended with 213 Fluff Brush. Use 224 Tapered Blending Brush to blend Beautiful Iris Eye Shadow through the inner crease, and Mulled Cider Eye Shadow through the centre and outer crease for a diffused contour. Define the upper lashline by using 209 Eye Liner Brush to apply Plank Technakohl Liner. Distinctly define the centre of the lower lashline with Mulled Cider Eye Shadow, applied with 209 Eye Liner Brush. Finish the eyes with an application of Black X Mascara X on both upper and lower lashes.

CHEEKS:
Create a soft glow and contour on cheeks by blending Harmony Powder Blush and Comfort Mineralize Skinfinish.

LIPS:
Hydrate and prime the lips with a layer of Prep + Prime Lip. Lightly define the lip with Subculture Lip Pencil. Use Tinted Lip Conditioner in Feelin' Good and follow with an application of Spiced Tea Lipstick.



CHAMOMILE

EYES:
Define brows by using 208 Angled Brow Brush to apply Brun Eye Shadow. Neutralize eyelid colour by using 242 Shader Brush to apply Prep + Prime Eye. Create a soft, nude highlight under brows with Mylar Eye Shadow, applied with 217 Blending Brush. Use 239 Eye Shader Brush to apply Chamomile Eye Shadow over the eyelid for a strong highlight. Use 217 Blending Brush to blend Print Eye Shadow through the inner and outer crease only, and then create a stronger definition through the inner and outer crease with Carbon Eye Shadow, applied with 239 Eye Shader Brush. Define the upper lashline with Boot Black Liquid Liner, and follow with Print Eye Shadow, applied with 209 Eyeliner Brush. Create a subtle highlight under the lower lashes by using 209 Eye Liner Brush to apply Chamomile Eye Shadow through the centre of the lashline only. Apply a generous coat of Coal Black Pro Lash Mascara on both upper and lower lashes to complete the eyes.

CHEEKS:
Create a soft glow on cheeks by blending Comfort and By Candlelight Mineralize Skinfinishes.

LIPS:
Hydrate and prime the lip with Prep + Prime Lip. Contour the lip with Beurre Cremestick Liner and apply Blankety Lipstick. Finish the look with a glossy coat of 3N Lipglass.

Stop Dangerous Lunatics with U.S. Bike Tires!

Leading Comics 031 0047
Quite a bit more dramatic than any Hostess Twinkie ad!

the BALM -- SHADY LADY PALETTES


I always see this brand at Sephora, hiding in one corner. The counter is not as huge as NARS or Urban Decay, but the products look lovely and appealing. The packaging is sleek and 'Different'. I have only used one product from this brand. The blush in 'HOT MAMA'. The experience has been good so far.


Shady Lady eyeshadow palette

The eye shadow palettes look amazingly beautiful They are pigmented, as i have swatched them many times, but they are sparkly and shimmery. I shy away from such glittery stuff, but these are so beautiful and pigmented!! I would compare them to Galapagos from NARS...
I was chating with Xerin from Xinarox and even she said she liked it. Well, we all know she can create wonders with any kind of color and textures...lol!!

Tucked inside a leopard print package, you will find nine gorgeous shades:

Caught in the Act Courtney (rich brown with gold sparkle)
Shameless Shana (tahitian bronze)
Luscious Lani (icy pink champagne)
Jealous Jordana (rich shimmering green)
Risque Renee (dark navy blue sheen)
Curvy Cami (plum shimmer with gold flecks)
Jet-Setting Jennifer (pale gold shimmer)
All About Alex (olive shimmer)
Easy Wheezie (gunmetal gray shimmer)

These shadows can be used both as an eye shadow and an eye liner.


The Balm Shady Lady palette (Vol 2)

This is another new one and it has a cool packaging too. First one was Leopard print and this one is Zebra print.
The colors in this one are:

Sexy stacy
Feisty Felicia
Insane jane
Bossy Bobbi
Makeout mary
Just this once jamie
Mischievious Marissa
Tempting Tara
Devilish Danielle

Nine shades, just for approximately $40...Not bad at all!! That is just $4 a shadow!
have any one of you tried these palettes?? what do you think?
Please drop in some lines and share your thoughts on this cool stuff....