Smashbox Double Duty Beauty

Smashbox Double Duty Beauty kit

I am a bargain hunter and a kit fan...I buy MAC from CCOs and I am ALWAYS interesting in trying products that come in kits and deals...


The Goodies

Ulta came out with this Smashbox Double Duty Beauty kit for $ 12.99 only as a part of their Doorbuster sale. It included a cream cheek/lip product, a dual Lip liner and Lip color and a Clear Lipgloss.


Lip color in Apricot

I am not a fan of lip products that need sharpening...loads of wastage...thats one reason, inspite of liking the colors of NARS velvet lip pencils, I don't 'spend' on them...
But this was a great chance to try a similar product for less.
The lip color is very very creamy and decently opaque. Its moisturising too, with practically no scent. It has not shimmers, which is great. So the end finish is a creamy, opaque lip.
It did last for 3 hours, but then I had to re-apply.

Lip Liner

This is an odd color. I mean if its meant to use lip liner and lip color in combination, I don't know how to use it. The Lip color is a peachy apricot color like the Ravishing cremesheen by MAC and this liner is more mauvey nude. The Lip liner has a very nice texture. Its not drying at all. It lasts for a long time. The duo retails for $22 per piece.

Swatches of Lipliner and Lip color in Apricot

Lip color in Apricot

This reminded me of Ravishing Lipstick by MAC.

Lip liner

Smashbox dual lip/cheek color in SPEEDRACER

This is a creme blush. It looks scary dark and brown in pan. I used it only once and I didn't go out or anything. So I will need to use it for some more time before reviewing it. As far as the texture goes, its light weight, creamy and dewy. Its not at all sticky. Not at all Shimmery which is good. It did blend beautifully and just melted in my skin. I liked the texture a lot...Color???

I am not sure...Its more of a summer color I think......

The gloss that came with this is just another clear lipgloss, with high shine. Nothing unique about it.

Blush swatch

P.S: This is my first attempt with Lip swatches. Please bear with all the crapiness...I can't change the shape or pigmentation of my lip that I am born with...but I can work on the light arrangment and clearity. I need your support and feedback....Drop a comment and let me know, if these lip swatches are ok...or pain in ......... to watch.

FUNTASTIC FRIDAY....BLACK FRIDAY!!!

I shopped till I dropped dead….seriously, on black Friday!! I woke up early and became a part of all the mad rush…
I did save a lot of bucks on Camera, but more than the saving part, I totally enjoy the over all ambience of those sales and rush…People just shop like crazy, as if its end of the world…Kids, families…everybody running around, carrying those carts and bags…I just love every bit of this craziness….

Few things that I hauled and thought were worth mentioning….


Ulta haul

I had to stop at ULTA....Obviously....hehe!!!
Detailed review and swatches in next few posts....


Bath and Body works goodies..

This is the season when I stock on my bath and body products...and ofcourse Holiday Candles..
I picked the New Twilight stuff and that P.S I Love you scent is amazing!!!


Miniature Fragrances...

This as purchased becasue they looked cute....


Benefit Lipsticks..

Benefit has released awesome shades of lipsticks (Trios) at an affordable price...This one was picked at Benefit Counter at MACY's...How cute is that bag!!!
(Reviews and swatches to come)


Canon SLR...

This started whole of my shopping....5 in the morning!!
Awesome deal as i could add accessories....this was a gift from me to my hubby...
Now I am assured to get regular supply of make-up from him for the whole next year....lol!!


Kohl's casual...

Just random stuff....few earings, toys....etc.etc..
I didn't include any of those bedsheets and towels and clothes....they are boring but necessary...and it helped me to raise my bill, so i ended up getting few dollars as reward.....woohooo!!!

Hope you guys had a great, great weekend....Mine was a Funtastic one...
xoxo

Two Faced Guy on Storyboard Paper

Painting fun in ArtRage (and a little in Sketchbook Pro). I took a doodle I had made on storyboard paper, scanned it, made the white paper background disappear in Photoshop. Then imported to ArtRage for all the painting. Then colored the lines in Sketchbook Pro.

I was trying out all the tools and settings to get that scrumbly Golden Books kind of texture to my paint. Fun!

After so many years of being hung up on making things look "just right," I'm not at ALL concerned about "painting inside the lines." It feels quite liberating !

MAC RED LIPSTICK SWATCHES

MAC RED LIPSTICK SWATCHES
(Russian Red, Ruby Woo, Lady Bug, Brave Red, MAC Red, Utter Fun)

These are a few Red Lipsticks from MAC brand....

My hunt for RED lipstick continued from one brand to another....and I am still confused...:)

NARS LIPSTICK SWATCHES -- RED LIPSTICKS

NARS RED LIPSTICK SWATCHES
(Red Lizard, Shanghai Express, Afgan Red, Jungle Red, Scarlet Empress,
Fire Down Below, Viridiana)

I went hunting for a nice Red lipstick and ended up confusing myself !!! With tons of lovely reds available it is not easy to choose just one....
I don't own any of NARS lipsticks, so I am not in position to review any of those. But none of these were drying in texture when I swatched them.

NARS LIPSTICKS

A wide range of captivating shades designed to provide the look and style
the color dictates.

Lipstick available in three formulas:

Satin - moist, longwearing lipstick containing micro-bubble spheres to
continually release lip conditioners which yield creamy, silky color that wears
for hours.

Semi-Matte - A highly pigmented matte, non-drying formula that provides a
longwearing, full-bodied, velvety finish.

Sheer - long lasting color pigments have been suspended in this translucent
formula to provide a sheer, natural tint.

Fashionable colors available in three textures
Exceedingly longwearing
Nourishing and Non-drying, with Vitamin E

Thanksgiving Thoughts from Ralph Bakshi

Last year I read this interview with animation legend Ralph Bakshi (Wizards, Heavy Traffic, Mighty Mouse). I love the last paragraph the most –- a wonderful look at being thankful for the the life of a cartoonist -- so I’ll share it here:

How would you like to be remembered as an artist?

Ralph Bakshi: You do something because you love it, and you do it with everything you’ve got. And then you die. What you leave behind doesn’t matter. How much money you make doesn’t matter. What people think of you doesn’t matter. The only thing that matters is how you spend every fucking day of your life, how you feel about yourself—and not in the narcissistic, egotistical way. It doesn’t matter how I’m remembered, because I’ll remember everything myself. I’ve drawn every day of my life since high school and that’s a pure victory. I’m able to eat. I have hot dogs and I’m not starving. I live in a decent home on top of a mountain. I give my thanks, and I’m not angry anymore. The only person I’m angry with is Robert Crumb. He’s been on my back for too long. Tell him to get off it.

You can read the whole interview at: http://bit.ly/1o2A5W

Bakshi's Book:

And more wisdom from Ralph Bakshi:

HAPPY THANKSGIVING...

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ALL MY FRIENDS AND BEAUTIFUL READERS...

My Last Cover for the Last Issue of Nickelodeon Magazine :(

The last cover for the last issue of Nickelodeon Magazine. Very very sad to see the magazine close its doors, but I'm happy that I got the chance to work with so many great people at Nick Mag for the last 13 years. Proper eulogy will follow when I can properly gather the right words. I am very honored to have the opportunity to paint this final cover, capping a thirteen-year relationship with the coolest magazine on the planet.

Here’s the version of the painting that I sent in to the magazine, before all the text overlays and color adjustments.

I tried something new on this one...I used Photoshop to put a knit-sweater texture on all the sweaters. I never knew how to do it before, but all I had to do was import a texture that I found online, then cut it to shape, adjust the angle and make the layer mode into Overlay. It worked!

Original drawing in marker on printer paper. Inked in Illustrator CS3. Painted in ArtRage 2.5 "Knit sweater" Texture applied in Photoshop CS3.

I’ll run a “making of” process feature as soon as I have time to put it together. In the meantime, head to your newsstand to pick up this historic final issue.

NARS Soft Touch Shadow Pencil swatch

NARS Soft Touch Shadow Pencil swatch
(Goddess, Skorpios, Aigle Noir)

Soft Touch Shadow Pencils provide easy, portable, long-wearing application.
These jumbo sized pencils have versatile functionality to shade the lid, line,
or highlight the eye.
Smooth, creamy texture delivers a smooth, velvety feel to the eye and make
for easy blending and an ideal base for layering with a powder shadow for
increased color intensity.

1. Portable application
2. Smooth, creamy, long-wearing formula
3. Easy and seamless blending
4. Ideal base for layering with powder eyeshadow to increase color intensity

I was immediately drawn towards the color Skorpios at my Sephora counter. It looked soo amazingly beautiful, lovely coppery color. When I swatched them, they were very creamy (usually in-store testers are always creamy) and were not glittery. The color Aigle Noir had these gold shimmers, which were not huge chunks of glitter. I just swatched these. I don't know if they are crease resistent or long lasting. Temptalia had reviewed one of these colors in the past. She has an extensive review. I obviously can't afford to buy everything and review them.

The swatches above are definately lovely and I wish to buy a few colors someday...:)

NARS VELVET MATTE LIP PENCIL (SET 2)

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil swatches

(Dolce Vita, Belle De Jour, Cruella, Dragon Girl, Damned)

I had swatched Velvet Matte Pencil Pencil (swatches here) in the past at my local NARS counter.

Yesterday, I swatched a few more. Though these are lovely in colors, personally I am not a fan of lip products that need sharpening. Tons of product is wasted. When I was swatching these at stores, they were so soft and few of them were breaking easily. At $24...nah! I can't afford wastage....:)

SHERM Comics – In The Dog House – from Popeye Comics #21 1952

from Popeye Comics #21 July-Sept 1952
Story and art by Bud Sagendorf

More adventures with Sherm coming soon!

Laura Mercier Kohl Eye pencil swatches

Laura Mercier Kohl Eye Pencil swatches

(Black Violet, Antique Jade, Brown Copper, Stormy Grey, Black Navy,

Black Turquoise)

I had talked a little about Laura Mercier Kohl eye Pencil in Black gold, that was a free sample.

As I had liked the color in Black Gold, I checked out the other shades too. They all had lovely sheen and non of them had chunky glitters. I liked theses pencils a lot. The swatches don't do justice to the sheen that these cuties had in real.

Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) Lipstick swatches (set 2)

YSL ROUGE VOLUPTÉ LIPSTICKS
(Sensual Silk, Sweet Honey, Legendary Mocha, Fetish Pink, Provocative pink,
Forbidden Burgundy)
(2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12)


YSL ROUGE VOLUPTÉ LIPSTICKS
(Orange Shiver, Red Taboo, Spicy Pink, Exquisite Plum, Praline Delight,
Tender Peach)
(14, 18, 20, 22, 24, 26)

These 2 part swatches of YSL lipsticks were done at my local Sephora. The two shades in number 15 and 16 were missing from the counter.
Hope somebody finds these helpful.

Yves Saint Laurent (YSL) Lipstick swatches (set 1)

YSL ROUGE VOLUPTÉ LIPSTICKS
(Nude Beige, Beige Ultimate, Divine Mahogany, Lingerie Pink)
(1, 3, 5, 7)

ROUGE VOLUPTÉ
Silky Sensual Radiant Lipstick SPF 15
An extremely smooth and creamy lipstick with a formula that transforms into
a fluid veil of radiant color when it touches the lips.

YSL ROUGE VOLUPTÉ LIPSTICKS

(Caress Pink, Rose Culte, Peach Passion, Red Muse, Frivolous Pink,

Vibrant Brown, Luscious Pink, Soft Beige)

(9, 11, 13, 17, 19, 21, 23, 25)

One of these Yves Saint Laurent ROUGE VOLUPTÉ Silky
Sensual Radiant Lipstick SPF 15 is sure to be your new signature color: they're
sensual, radiant, and strong. With shades that drench the lips with densely
pigmented color and a unique color-shine complex, lips are visibly smoothed,
plumped, and radiant with luminous satin color.

More “SHERM” Comics from the Pages of Popeye

From Dell’s Popeye Comics #20 April-June 1952. Last issue (Dell Comics Popeye #19) he was called “Sherm.” Now he’s “Sherman” and already looking quite a bit different than in the previous story.

Story and art by Bud Sagendorf
------------

Next time: From Popeye #21 - He’s back to being called “Sherm” and he’s in the “Dog House!”

THANK YOU!!!

I am soo happy and excited and elated and well.....thankful...:)



Not to be formal, but it really means a lot to me, to know that 100 lovely people shellout some precious time from their schedules and visit my blog.
I soo very much treasure you 100 gems!!!!!

xoxo

Again, I am soo happy.....all bloggers are happy when they get followers...:)

MAC- Holiday Collection 2008

MAC HOLIDAY '08

I run a year late…..late in buying MAC Holiday goodies…WHY??

Answers:

1. I have high hopes that some one will gift me something from MAC Holiday, as I keep giving them hints…
2. I am pretty positive that it will land in CCO’s some day.
3. Sub-consciously I believe that Holiday collections have dupable colors as they are meant to cater everyone (for gifting) and are not meant for junkies…
4. I have patience to wait.

Ok, so last year…no one gifted me anything from any of those lovely RED packaging…On Saturday, my CCO was filled with goodies from last year’s collection and I ended up with a mini haul….



MAC -- CHARMING GARNET -- GLAMOUR BASICS
(Bare Slimshine, Ebony Eye Pencil, 181 SE Brush, Zoomlash Mascara
Belightful Powder)

As this is an old collection, no point in discussing much….except for the fact that the Holiday packagings are cute, give value for money and make great, affordable gifts…not to mention, they become collectors item for make-up lovers.
I got at CCO…so I am proud for saving some bucks…

The Charming Garnet, Glamour Basics had 181 SE brush, that I wanted along with one of my favourites, Bare Slimshine. The tiny make-up bag is cute too


ADORING CARMINE -- ROSE LIPS
Lipsticks in Romancin, To Swoon For, Lipgloss in Delicate Crush)

The lipsticks remind me of Viva Glam V which is pretty. Also the bag is cute. I didn’t like the lipglass though, because its way to frosty for my liking.


MAC -- Intriguing Scarlet --Warm Eyes Palatte

They had all the palettes, but I wanted the warm one, because of the gorgeous green and olive colors.


Swatches of MAC -- Intriguing Scarlet --Warm Eyes Palatte

I just wanted to share the haul…so that someone can comment, “Its ok girl…you didn’t waste money, you picked good stuff…“
My guilt of spending unnecessarily will be reduced….