BENEFIT - SOME KIND-A GORGEOUS - REVIEW



A sheer, oil-free, cream-to-powder complexion perfector. This is lightweight,
translucent, foundation-like product smoothes out imperfections and evens skin
tone with a silky, smooth finish that's super natural and super gorgeous.

First I got it as a mini in those Travel kits released by Benefit, a great way to try those sample size product before committing on a full size one. Initially I had like this product, but my only issue was the color match. I went ahead and bought the Deep color and unfortunately that color too didn’t work.

On to the review:

Benefit calls it “Foundation Faker”, which obviously means something that you can apply to get a look like Foundation, but is not really one…duh!


Some Kind-A Gorgeous in Deep

The Packaging: The Packaging is cute, like most of the Benefit products. It looks like a record and comes with a good size mirror and a sponge, securely nested in lower compartment. It is white in color and as the product is a cream, after a couple of uses the Plastic container tends to get dirty and looks ugly.

The texture: This is a light weight, cream to powder product. It has no smell and is not too greasy or oily to touch. Infact it turns into powder form almost instantly on rubbing. Its pretty easy to blend.

The application: This being a foundation faker, does not really has the coverage of a foundation. It is pretty much light coverage cream and all it will do is give an even look to the skin. It turns to a powdery finish on application, without actually looking cakey. It comes with a sponge, but I personally prefer using my fingers. The sponge soaks up too much product and there is a lot of wastage. Also, its just gross. I could never apply any cream product on my face with that Skunk Brush. Fingers are my best friend.



The color: Benefit has this in 3 colors. Lite, Medium (Original), Deep. Apparently, it is supposed to be self adjusting and these 3 colors would almost work for anyone. I think that’s dumb. The lightest color will probably work on very light skin tone person and may be one or two shade before and after. Same is applicable for other shade in medium. At the most the product will cater to one shade lighter or darker than the actual color of the cream. This one did turn ashy on me and was totally light and unnatural. The darkest shade which is Deep, is just so dirty, muddy and Orange/Yellow. I don’t really see it working for many dark skin tone people, including myself. Its just Dirty!

The feel and Finish: When I tried the sample size in summer, I liked how it felt on my skin. Apart from the mis-matched color, nothing was wrong with it. I am more of a tinted Moisturizer person, so I personally liked the whole concept of giving the face an even look, without all the caking and heaviness.
In colder months, now that my skin is drying, I find this product too drying and it just sits on the skin and makes those flaky patches more noticeable. This would not be a great choice for people with dry skin or with many issues.



If your skin is in a condition, where you need to apply a lot of Concealer, this product will be useless, because you will end up seeing Concealed Patches beneath this!


Size Comparison of a mini with MAC Eyeshadow

I personally feel, that this a product more apt for someone with really good, healthy skin with minimum issues. Someone with Normal and Oily skin will enjoy this product. The color match would still be an issue though. I strongly believe with my experience, that those 3 colors DO NOT work for almost all the skin tones.




Swatches of Foundation Faker in shade Medium (Its so Ashy)

Did you ever try this Product? Share your thoughts...

Trick-or-Treat Time for SpongeBob and Patrick - ArtRage Digital Painting Process


SpongeBob ArtRage Pumpkin Halloween Nicelodeon Magazine
(Click on the image above for a bigger version)

Submitted for your Pumpkin-Day viewing is the painting I did for Nickelodeon's Halloween issue of SpongeBob SquarePants Magazine...a special Halloween themed portrait of SpongeBob and Patrick as seen from inside a Jack-o-Lantern pumpkin.

Here are a few thumbnails of the work in progress:

SpongeBob steps painting process Halloween Pumpkin cover Nickelodeon Magazine

SpongeBob Patrick Pumpkin Nickelodeon magazine Halloween pumpkin ArtRage digital art
(Click on the cover above for a bigger version)

...and here's the published version with all the word-balloons, headlines and logos.This was painted digitally using the fantastic (and cheap) graphics program, ArtRage 2.5
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A cute little Wishlist!!

I do this every year. Its an old trick, but it works! I make sure that my Wishlist reaches all those people who will be gifting me with something for the Holidays or all the other especial days that come during the last months and Initial 3 months of new year.

Also I make sure that I keep bringing the topic of what things I am 'lemming' or 'missing' or 'wishing' etc etc. It may be dumb, rude, foolish or whatever, but it helps me in getting what I want and it also helps the giver to decide. Also saves the hassle of "returning".

Honestly, there is two list in my mind. A "Practical wish list" and an "Impractical Dream list". The dreamlist is Obviously a list of products that I can only Dream of...I will post that for fun someday, but right now...

On to the Practical Wish list:



I love Ceramic Watches. I have the above two models, but the FENDI in white color and the MARC JACOB in Black. I find myself using them a lot. So I wish to get the above two again in the colors shown. Is it a good decision to buy same models of watches in Different colors??



MOVADO, an all time classic piece, affordable kinds and still work with many outfits. I have one, exactly same as the one pictured above that pink dial watch. I wish to own two more. One in dual tone, an Esparanza Model and a 100% Gold tone, in a model that is undecided.


Swarovski Desert Parallel

I have a similar one in Silver and Clear Crystal. It looks beautiful, but I think the gold one would work still better on my skintone, especially during summer months. Those parties are cool and this would go well with the natural tan that I get. I am kind of weird! If I like a piece in one color, I wish to own them in other colors available too. I do this often with my clothes.








David Smallcombe Jewelry

I like the work of this artist. His website just shows the pieces, but not the price. Its difficult to choose something without its price listed. I do love the way his jewelry looks though.


PANDORA

Pandora/Chamilia Beads for my Charm Bracelets. This will always be a part of my wishlist. There is nothing called as 'too much beads'. The permutation-combinations are endless! The more beads you have, more unique creations are created!




I was searching for Authentic Gemstone beads, for making Bracelets to go with 2 Gemstone bead bracelets that I already owned. My idea was to stack them like the picture shown below. Those are a bunch of woodbead bracelets, by a Youtuber named Dara. I am not sure if this name is correct. I stumbled upon this Blog Eightseventeen jewelry, and the blogger makes these lovely bracelets with real Gemstones and a silver charm. Its so cute, I just can't stop thinking about them!Definately wish to own a black and White one.


WOOD BEAD BRACELET


CHANN LUU WRAP BRACELET

This is very much in fashion and insanely expensive. Well, not insanely...but considering the fact that its just leather and nuggets, I don't want to spend so much on it. A gift is always welcome..lol!

As much as I love Accessories, I just can't keep myself away from make-up. There sure is a wishlist, though I am pretty much not in a position to buy more, for reasons many of you know.


JUICY COUTURE

The new Fragrance Peace, Love or something like that. I personally liked the smell. Fragrances are subjective, so it may be Yuck! for someone, its a Wishlist Item for me!!


CHANEL TWEED BLUSH

I recently got chance to experience a CHANEL Blush (the round one). Want to try this one aswell. The pattern itself is GORGEOUS!!


URBAN DECAY NAKED PALETTE

It SUCKS that this palette is always Sold Out. I have many similar colors, but the whole idea of these nested in one palette is great! I love the fact that its SLEEK and NOT BULKY like the BOOK OF SHADOWS. Definately, tops my Wishlist.


ESTEE LAUDER EYESHADOW PALETTE

I don't remember the name of this Estee Lauder Palatte, but me being a sucker for neutrals, I just need this in my life.

So this concludes some of the materialistic things that I wish to get or buy. I hope I manage to own at least 25% of the list.

DO YOU HAVE A LIST IN MIND...PLEASE SHARE..I would love to add more to my list, by Copying yours!!!

Disclaimer: I am not Affiliated with any of the brands or Blogs mentioned above. This is just a wishlist!

Honey in Hollywood by Henry Boltinoff

Honey 1 of 2 Adventures of Alan Ladd #3 - Page 37 Honey 2 of 2 Adventures of Alan Ladd #3 - Page 38 ----------------------------------------------------
Honey 1 of 2 1951 Adventures of Alan Ladd #6 - Page 37 Honey 2 of 2 1951 Adventures of Alan Ladd #6 - Page 38 ---------------------------------------------------------
Honey 1 of 2 Adventures of Alan Ladd #8 1951 - Page 35 Honey 2 of 2 Adventures of Alan Ladd #8 1951 - Page 36
------------------------------------------------- Honey 1950 Adventures of Alan Ladd #5 - Page 26---------------------------------------------- Honey 1950 Adventures of Alan Ladd #5 - Page 50
Honey in Hollywood filler comics
by Henry Boltinoff

...check back soon for more!
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MILANI LIQUIF'EYE LINER -BLACK


MILANI LIQUIF'EYE LINER

Seriously? This is a Drug Store Product? I mean comeon...Its FANTASTIC!!
This literally proves "All that Glitters is not Gold"!!

I am a self confessed ardent eyeliners user. I always always waterline and tightline. I have tried numerous Brands from Makeup Forever to MAC to Smashbox and Urban Decay. Also, in-between brands like Ulta, Covergirl, Stila, Prestige...and so on.

I obviously had heard that this product was good, but for some reasons my nearby CVS and Giant stores never had it in stock. Now I know why it was always 'Out of Stock'!

I can confidently say, nothing is as rich, soft and long lasting as this one. Consider my past reviews as Out-dated. Urban Decay though is long lasting, its still not as rich in color nor is this smooth. Milani Liquif'eye liner is like Liquid liner. It has this shine and intensity of a liquid liner and not to mention the richness and darkness of the color.

I have Black color, so I am talking about that one color. Its long lasting and once it dries within 30 seconds, its sets and then nothing can budge it.

I use a make-up remover to get rid of it at night. So very impressed with this one. Its a new Favorite and I know its going to be in my good books for very long time.

Disclaimer: I am raving about this product, it was purchased by me. Not sent in for consideration.

MONDAY MORNING...



Hi my friends..

I am back again, with another weekly update of my life. I can't help for this Monday Morning post appearing in quick succession...The weeks are passing by Super Speedy...

Anyways, last week we went to see the beautiful Fall trees and colors, but my son was really mad at us as he didn't get any chance to see Pumpkins, which is what HE associates with Fall/Autumn. So this weekend, we went to show him Pumpkins. This Garden had a display of over 300 varieteis of Pumpkins all big and small... He got chance to play in the hay and take pictures with Scare-crows and all the silly stuff.

I too did my little shopping. I added a few Pandora Charms to my Bracelet. I have yet not ordered from Sephora FF sale, which is really giving me restless nights..lol!! Due to my self impossed restriction to buy much stuff, I didn't order any Fragrance. Fragrance bottles are heavy and it will be difficult for me to move across the globe with heavier luggages. I will have to pay more...which I really want to avoid now. I am sad that I am missing this sale, as I love adding Fragrances to my collection during sale times.
Will order for some Urban Decay Eye Pencils though (esp the Color Stash). Its one of my favorite Colored eye liners.

Rest all fine. I will be around, posting something that might interest you, but honestly nothing very new, because I am not buying much.

Have a great and Lovely week ahead.

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

NARS Sin and MAC Gentle Blushes = Winter Love!!


NARS SIN AND MAC GENTLE

I picked MAC Gentle Mineralized blush , just because it looked so pretty in pan and also my MAC was out of Warm Soul blush. When I came home, it instantly reminded me of a similar shade, SIN by NARS. Both these colors fall into the Plum Category and are lovely colors for Fall and Winter.


NARS SIN AND MAC GENTLE (Swatches)

NARS Sin is pretty much a dirty-mauve color, with some Gold Sparkles. It looks very sexy in pan. The color has much needed warmth in it and it is not as pigmented as other NARS Blushes. It still has amazing pigmentation of its own. The color blends in beautifully and after blushing the Gold shimmeres just give a glow and do not look Obvious OTT sparkles. I like to pair it with a very neutral eye make-up. Colors like Satin Taupe on eye, with some Pinky nude lips and Sin Blush on cheeks really give a lovely sexy look. It would work very nicely on many skin tones and depending on the application, the intensity can be controlled.

MAC Gentle Mineralize blush is a plumy Pink color. It does not has the muddy mauviness of NARS Sin and that’s what makes it more wearable for Day time in winters.
Mineralize blushes from MAC, that were released during the Sonic Chic Collection (part of which is permanent) is probably the best Mineralize blush released to date. MAC gave us tons of Mineralize blushes later, but most of them were very chunky and glittery.
Gentle is very smooth and it blends so nicely. It has no visible shimmer or sparkle, but it gives this amazing glow on cheeks which is natural and makes the face look healthy and happy.

Many girls I know don’t enjoy Plum cheek colors. But none of the above colors are flat Plum or Purple. The blend with mauve or Pink dusted with some Gold shimmers makes these colors complex, but wearable.

If you are in search of a good Fall Winter color, do give these two pretty colors a look. Try them on. Go to the store with bare cheeks. You might fall in Love…

Funny Frankenstein – It’s Alive!!!

70 years ago the Frankenstein monster came to life... but this time the mad scientist that created him was a cartoonist named Dick Briefer.
creation funny Frankenstein by Dick briefer
There are a couple of reasons why these Frankenstein comics are so special. The most interesting thing is that this Frankenstein monster lived two distinct lives, both at the hand of the same great cartoonist. Dick Briefer started out drawing Frankenstein comics in 1940 as a straight horror comic. But by 1945, he changed the entire direction of the book and the character into a wonderfully playful humor comic.
funny and scary Frankenstein comics Dick briefer
The funny Frankenstein comics are delightful stream of consciousness romps drawn with a breezy spontaneity that can only be compared to what Harvey Kurtzman was doing in the late 40s. Like Kurtzman, Dick Briefer had the amazing ability to masterfully execute both serious and humorous comics.
scary Frankenstein comics Dick briefer tomb of the living dead zombies
I was very fortunate to have discovered these comics when my former Nickelodeon Magazine editor Chris Duffy sent me a care package full of color xeroxes of comics that he liked. I fell in love right away, and stuck all of these color xeroxes into a binder that I've been drooling over ever since. Since the actual comic books are so rare and expensive, reading these xeroxes was the closest I could come to reading the actual comic books.
funny Frankenstein Dick briefer Manimals
Dick Briefer's brilliant Frankenstein comics have almost completely been buried by the sands of time. Part of the reason may be that these fantastic comics were published by Crestwood Publications, the publishing outfit that's been out of business since 1963.
Frankenstein smashing through a brick wall by Dick briefer
That's one of the reasons I'm so happy to see this new reprint treasury compiled by comic reprint maven Craig Yoe. His new book, "Dick Briefer's Frankenstein" lovingly reprints 144 pages of those 1940s to 1950s Frankenstein comics... and it includes the best of both the scary Frankenstein and the funny Frankenstein!
Frankenstein scary Dick Briefer

I'm much much much more partial to the funny Frankenstein comics, but I enjoy the more serious stories also... mostly because I'm fascinated that one artist could create both sets of stories so well. On at least one occasion, he reused one of his funny plots for one of his later serious Frankenstein comics.
Today a bunch of us comic book bloggers are celebrating the release of Craig Yoe’s new Frankenstein book by featuring different comic stories by the masterful Dick Briefer.

Make sure to check out the links at the bottom of the post for more Frankenstein fun 
Frankie_Logo
Frankenstein hears a voice from above Dick briefer Since there's absolutely no way to adequately describe the lively, bouncy and silly artwork and stories, I hope you enjoy reading and drooling over the story below: "Blooperman" is a wonderfully silly story from 1947's Frankenstein #8. Enjoy!
08_Frankenstein_Blooperman01 08_Frankenstein_Blooperman02 08_Frankenstein_Blooperman03 08_Frankenstein_Blooperman04 08_Frankenstein_Blooperman05 08_Frankenstein_Blooperman06 08_Frankenstein_Blooperman07 08_Frankenstein_Blooperman08
If you liked this little taste, head down to your local comics shop and see if they've got the new Frankenstein hardcover collection! If not, there's always Amazon.com -- you'll find a link for that right under the picture at right >>> funny Frankenstein by Dick briefer Frankenstein at Amazon
Frankie_Logo And don't forget to check out these other terrific comics blogs for more Frankenstein comics

We’re all celebrating Frightful Frankenstein Friday!