Testing: Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes

I am a horrrrrriiiiibbbblllleeeeeee makeup wearer. You know how it is: in an ideal world, you totes wash your face twice a day, washing away the grime of the day. And this is why I don’t wear makeup a lot, and of course my eyes get irritated! I sleep in all that eyeshadow! Boo on me!

Anyways, I have been trying to work through my immense collection of beauty samples, and last week, I decided to try out my sample of Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes.

In a nutshell: not my fave. The wipes weren’t too dry or too wet, and were not irritating when wiping away my makeup. What’s holding me up? Probably the fact that my favorite $1 Epielle wipes already does such a great job! The Simple wipes cost five times that at around $5. Not only do I prefer Epielle because of the great price, but they. are. always. so. nice. and. moist. Yay. I like that in a wipe. Sorry, Simple. I will not be buying you.

I just love Epielle.

And my cat who helped me review.

NiftyBa + The Makeup Show Orlando 2012!

Almost a month ago, I attended my very first beauty convention! It was everything I absolutely love times a zillion- BRUSHES, COLOR, BIG HAIR, RIBBONS!!! AHHASHDHWDHWUHDFWUFHWUHWURHR!

It tired me out! And then I broke my nails!

And then I lost my blogging mojo and didn’t want to blog at all. *ihazasadz*

But, here I am. My nails are growing out. I’m trying to get back to wearing polish AND blogging. Besides losing my mojo a la Autin Powers, I was just plain lazy. Do you know how many random pictures I took of TMS?? Too many. (As in, I narrowed it down to 60 or so.) So enjoy the following photo essay, AKA it would take me days to express in words how I felt, enjoy my feelings in picture form instead.

I will actually post about the experience later on, and will also have a special post about the Beauty Bloggers of Central Florida at the show!

The Sights

The People

The Goods

The NiftyBa

OOTD
MNG jeans
Not sure where I got the sweater (a makeup convention is a random day to attempt a “casual fall” look)
Pursebuzz hairbow!
Gap flats
NOTD
Cult Nails Flushed w/ a beautiful Nail Veil

Cult Nails Behind Closed Doors

Not only am I going to The Makeup Show Orlando for the first time, but my dear blogger friend/owner of Cult Nails Maria will have a booth there as well!!! I thought that it would be perfect to showcase the newest Cult Nails collection, out later this month and previewed early by nail bloggers like myself!

I present to you: Behind Closed Doors.

There are five beauties here, all with a great shimmer to add to your holiday season.

For the following swatches, most shades are 2 coats (except for Disciplined, 3 coats) with no top coat. Descriptions are from the Cult Nails blog website.
Flushed: a true Blurple (blue/purple) buildable sheer with an intense purple/pink shimmer effect that appears to glow through the polish.

Bitten: a raspberry glass flecked polish.

Afterglow: a copper infused with a subtle pink shimmer.

Coveted: a jelly deep green with metallic green flakes and subtle green shimmer.

Disciplined: a sheer but buildable soft grey with purple, pink and blue shimmer.

My favorites are Bitten, Flushed, and Afterglow. I didn’t feel excited until they were on my nails. That shimmer: zomg. Very very pretty. My least favorite is the green, Coveted. I would have actually preferred it without the flakes, but otherwise that shade is very striking. Disciplined would have been my favorite if I just looked at a picture of the collection. It would look better on nicer nails, though. My nails were very stained, and the polish was very sheer but very buildable. I may love this even more if my nails were in top shape.

Per their website: Our last collection of 2012 will release with Preview Pricing on Friday November 9th – Thursday November 15th, 2012. Preview pricing allows you to purchase the entire collection at a reduced price of $40 for all 5 colors. The polishes will be available individually starting on Nov 16th for $10 per bottle.

I cannot wait to haul from their booth tomorrow!!! Their collections have been amazing, I can’t imagine what 2013 has in store.

Products in this post were provided for consideration.

The Makeup Show Orlando Blogger Preview

It felt surreal.

Because I never meant to get here.

But here I am!!! The Makeup Show Orlando! Zomg!

I am extremely grateful to have the opportunity to attend this pro-only beauty event tomorrow! The Makeup Show Orlando will be here November 4 and 5th. I went to an early blogger preview today- getting psyched!

See you inside The Makeup Show Orlando tomorrow!

Going to see some great companies… and some great friends!

Oo La La: A Photoshoot with Cult Nails

So I told a friend, “Yeah, I, uh, did a photoshoot,” and they were, like, “Whaaa?” It really did happen, I just never got around to 1) talking about it and 2) posting about it. So, here it is! This is a post I’ve been putting off for the longest time, and by a long time, I mean almost two whole months. Back in August, I had the wonderful opportunity to meet up with some lady friends of the Beauty Bloggers of Central Florida to not only preview the latest Cult Nails fall collection, Deceptive, but also take some photos. I narrowed the photos down to around 30 or so, they looked so good. Thank you, photographers Mandy and John! And thank you so much, Safia for putting me in a blue OCC Lip Tar shade! Everyone was so gorgeous! It was great to hang out with Maria at CN HQ, with Kimberly, Alyssa, Courtney, Christina, Safia, and Brittany!!

First, we got ready by doing our nails (with Cult Nails, of course!). Mine is the last one.

Naturals in front of the camera.

Jump pics of Christina and Courtney, and then Christina and myself.

Cray cray shots.

Group pic!

Beautiful head shots.

Last of all, here are some pictures of myself. I took the blue lipstick off and changed clothes. They told me to do a “sexy librarian” look. Later on, they found out I really DID work at a library. Also, I cannot hold a straight face for the life of me. No makeup this day, I’m only wearing a lipgloss in coral here.

The Makeup Show Orlando 2012

THE MAKEUP SHOW IS COMING! For the first time ever, The Makeup Show is coming to The City Beautiful, and I shall be in attendance with the lovely ladies of the Beauty Bloggers of Central Florida. Can’t wait!

BEAUTY, INSPIRATION, AND EDUCATION IS LESS THAN ONE MONTH AWAY AT

THE MAKEUP SHOW ORLANDO

Beauty brands and top makeup artists are standing by to share their newest products and beauty secrets on November 4 and 5!

NEW YORK, NY (October 2012) – The Makeup Show Orlando is excited to bring beauty, inspiration and education to the Sunshine State in less than one month on November 4 and 5. Top beauty brands will congregate under one roof for two days to launch new products and offer exclusive pro-only discounts. Amongst these brands are Diamond Sponsor MAKE UP FOR EVER, Platinum Sponsor Crown Brush and TEMPTU PRO, Supporting Sponsors INGLOT, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics, Cosmix School of Makeup Artistry, On Makeup Magazine, and The Powder Group. Other brands include Stila Cosmetics, Embryolisse USA, Kissable Couture, Kevyn Aucoin, Senna Cosmetics, Cinema Secrets, and Graftobian Makeup Co (to name a few). In addition, many of these brands will be hosting seminars and sharing their secrets on the main stage and in the Keynote & Business Forum. A few of the Keynotes you will not want to miss include:

A Career in Makeup with AJ Crimson

From celebrity clients including Fergie, Estelle, Hillary Duff, Keyshia Cole, and Missy Elliot to his lip gloss brand Kissable Couture, and his own eponymous AJ Crimson brand, AJ has managed to make a name for himself in multiple areas of makeup artistry. In his first time as a featured keynote at The Makeup Show, AJ tells us the truth about building your own name, branding yourself as an artist in diverse areas. AJ will take you through his techniques for flawless application and reveal his secrets for success for the red carpet, for real women and every occasion in between.

The Journey of Special Effects Makeup with The Wolfe Brothers – Brian and Nick Wolfe (sponsored by Graftobian)

Identical twins, Brian and Nick Wolfe, take to the stage and show you the artistry they have become internationally recognized for while sharing their story about how two young men made a name for themselves in Florida theme parks. Watch and learn as these masters show you what you need to know about body art.

Also, taking the Main Floor to educate on the trends of the industry from bridal to airbrush include INGLOT Cosmetics, Stila Cosmetics, MAKE UP FOR EVER, Naked Cosmetics, Crown Brush, Mehron, Senna Cosmetics, TEMPTU PRO, Alcone Company to name a few. For a complete list of Main Floor Seminars and times, visit the schedule here.

The Makeup Show Orlando is held on Sunday, November 4, 2012 from 9am to 6pm and on Monday, November 5, 2012 from 9am to 5pm at The Peabody Hotel Orlando, 9801 International Drive. For a complete list of participating brands, educational speakers, schedule of events and prices, please visit www.themakeupshow.com.

About The Makeup Show
The Makeup Show is owned and produced by Metropolitan Event & Production and travels internationally from LA, NYC, Chicago, Europe, and Orlando. Bringing each destination over 60 beauty brands, and unique convergence of artists and community, where beauty professionals are sure to find an artistic energy that will inspire any beauty buff, from the passionate beginner to the seasoned professional. Each show offers an unparalleled lineup of education and appearances from top beauty professionals and focuses on career building and networking within the makeup community. The show provides a unique experience for the makeup professional to network directly from the best in the business.

A Quick Look from Across the Pond – featuring Sleek & MUA

I did a quick look yesterday to test out the products I received from a Superdrug haul. I did not swatch everything, but 1) the colors *look* nice (doesn’t mean they’re awesomesauce) and 2) I can tell you now, that teal MUA shadow is pigmented! I’ve not seen great things about the primer palette online, but I’m sure if you use it with another primer, it can intensify any eye look.

Recap, this is what I got: MUA shadow singles in shades 1 (beige, pearl finish), 8 (teal, pearl finish), and 18 (purple, matte finish), along with a Sleek eye primer palette.

Before I continue with the look I did, here’s a swatch of MUA 8. Clockwise from the very top, swatched alone, then on top of TFSI and Sleek primer in green, then on top of only TFSI.

After applying TFSI, I tried the black primer color under MUA 8 (the teal).

Then I tried the white primer color under MUA 8.

I then applied shade 1 to the inner lid and shade 18 to the crease. To finish it off, I used a Jordana InColor FabuLiner liquid liner and L’Oreal Carbon Black Voluminous mascara.

I don’t wear makeup much anymore (that used to be soooo different), and my eyes were agitated right after I applied everything, so I took it off. It looked nice, though! I’m no pro, but hey, no one looks bad in teal eyeshadow… right? I love the colors in eyeshadow that my in-laws chose for me, and the variety in primer color is very nice. I could not tell much of a difference in using the white and the black primer base with the teal eyeshadow, but I can tell that it made the products apply creamier on the eye. On its own, I bet the primer palette shades would crease instantly, but when sandwiched between a regular primer and powder shadow, it should hold for a while.

UK Haul!

I shop a lot, but I don’t often post haul pics. I know a lot of other people love doing it, but seriously… there’d be a haul pic up every day if I did that. This haul is special, though, because it comes all the way from Scotland, with love from my in-laws. Yay! They went to a Superdrug just for me! Thank you, thank you! They even took time to pick out the colors for me. Aww. *loveit*

What’d they pick up for me? A Sleek primer palette, MUA shadow singles, and Max Factor Fire Fantasy (my MIL was so surprised by how tiny it was!). Here’s a look at the haul. I will be posting a small review of the eye products soon along with a sample look. Enjoy!

Sleek Shadow Primer

MUA Shadow Singles in 1, 8, and 18

Max Factor Fantasy Fire

Disney Smackers to-ki-o treats

AKA I’m a child.

Despite your knowledge and wisdom as an adult, there are times when the childish draws you in. I succumbed to cuteness (and not just normal Ali round animal or Hello Kitty cuteness) while I was walking around Wal-Mart today. World, I present to you: Disney’s Smackers to-ki-o treats!

(I think it’s funny that the lip gloss packaging stated it was for ages 9+, but there’s a very small range of time when you’re allowed to buy these things. I’m a rebel at 26.)

I picked up a gloss in Passion Fruit Pie Tart and a fragrance spray in True Love. I got these for $3.77 each. Or rather, I got these just for the freaking adorable packaging. Minnie and Mickey are round and kissy kissy!

Lipgloss
This was a safe buy, meaning it doesn’t suck but it doesn’t rock. The pretty colors and shimmy don’t translate on my lips, but I did like the scent.

Fragrance Spray
Hmm… “a powdery soft touch of romance.” I can definitely smell the powdery. It’s like sugar powder, in an only OK way. Slightly reminds me of old ladies… or babies. At least it has staying power (is that good?).

IF and really only IF you love Disney (or are a small child) should you really buy this. I love Disney. And it’s like knockoff Disney tokidoki, so I could not resist. And regret is overtaken by the immense cuteness.

Neiman Marcus Guerlain and Champagne

Last Wednesday, members of the Beauty Bloggers of Central Florida attended Guerlain and Champagne, an event hosted by Neiman Marcus of the Orlando Mall at Millenia to showcase the high-end beauty brand Guerlain and the brand new fall collection that is exclusive to launch Neiman Marcus stores first. Mall at Millenia is home to the only Neiman Marcus in Orlando, and if you have been inside, you know how absolutely beautiful the store is. The Orlando location houses my favorite in-store installation ever. So so pretty!

I loved attending the last beauty event at Neiman Marcus, and was excited to be back to learn more!

For Fall 2012, Neiman Marcus will be the premier launch store for the newest fall colors. The store had *just* put out the display that day, and what a beauty it was! There were colors to please the femme d’amour (for the more ethereal softer look) and the femme fatale (for the sultry seductress). To begin, we all took a short quiz to see which one we were- I was 50/50! Yup, knew I had it in me, hehe.

Then came the introduction of the new collection. Look at this display! It contained lipsticks, lip glosses, blushes, and examples of the compacts. Guerlain has a beautiful bullet case for their lip products that was introduced with their Rouge G lipsticks. I must admit, it took a while for me to open it- but that’s why there are instructions on the case itself! It is a convenient way to house an application mirror. I also learned that Guerlain was the first company to mold lipsticks into the iconic sticks they are in today!

I love, love, love color, and I felt the lip colors, called Rouge G L’Extrait, were the star of the show. My favorites were the brights, but some of the other ladies tried some beautiful vampy colors- perfect for autumn. The lip colors are basically gloss lipsticks with a semi-matte finish, meant to be worn all day, yet be easily removable as well. I tested this later when I had dinner. The color was opaque and matte, but I didn’t have to rub it off to have clean lips again.

I had not worn any makeup to the event, but I sure left with some on! A bright lip and some blush was applied by the lovely Guerlain rep. I thanked her a lot- I don’t ever wear blush! I felt pretty snazzy.

Starting August 6 until August 11, Neiman Marcus will be holding a Guerlain exclusive mega event. At your local Neiman Marcus, to celebrate the release of the newest collection, with the purchase of $250, customers will receive a complimentary brush set worth $250. The set comes housed within a velvet brush holder, presented in a luxe pink box. With any purchase, customers will receive a complimentary sample of Guerlain’s classic Shalimar fragrance. I’m an investor in products like lipsticks, and the Fall 2012 Rouge G L’Extrait colors will be available for $48.

Representing the Beauty Bloggers of Central Florida were Stephanie, Judi, Safia, Cat, Kimberly, Courtney, and Nidia!

Afterwards, a few of us grabbed some dinner at the California Pizza Kitchen. I love pizza, perhaps a bit too much.

It was a very fun event, and thank you so much to Neiman Marcus for inviting us! Please visit your local Neiman Marcus beauty counter to learn more about what’s what for Fall 2012.

OOTD
Forever 21 dress – I must admit, this is the shortest dress I have ever worn outside of my house.
Gap city flats

NOTD
Sally Hansen Kitty Kitty

Outtakes: Duck face edition.
It’s no surprise that I feel better about myself when I don’t look normal. I was able to take some duck face pictures with my friends while we wore our new lip colors. We look good in Guerlain, I tell ya what. Those vampy colors, they look so good on them!!! Need to invest…

niftyBA!

niftier than thou // @nifty_ba whatisyouremail@yahoo.com

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