How Do You Vamp?



Or do you vamp I guess is the better question? If you don't, you should. (IMHO) There is nothing I love more when the cooler weather rolls around than playing Snow White. With my transparent complexion a nice deep pout makes me fee like the yummiest of sexpots. Yay! (Isn't that what all this makeup business is about anyway)

 

Now I realize for most people this is well afield of your comfort zone. Trust me, I've got you covered too.

 

 Milani Color Statement in Chilled Brandy. Now this one is a hair frosty, but in a deep shade I think it looks amazingly reflective, festive, and very high fashion. My love of all things foiled was well documented last year.

 If you are feeling really and truly bold, Urban Decay's Revolution Lipstick in Shame is for you. I. Love. This. The formula is stellar. Long-wearing, pigmented and bleed resistant. If you're willing to commit to the vampy lip this is the formula to go with.

On the fence? Opt for the Revlon Super Lustrous in Raisin Rage. It's a bit more on the brownish red side of vampy, so it gives you the comfort of neutrality. It's still dark, but it's more like a My So Called Life lip and less like an Elvira lip. (Shut up. I love Elvira.)

The real safe bet? YSL Glossy Stain in #2 Brun Glace. Insanely buildable, a true long-wearing and pout staining product. It gives you the freedom to do one layer for a light, deep glassy look, or 3+ layers for a sexy glossy full on lip look. (The swatch above is in between with 2 coats.)

How about you? Will you be channeling your inner vamp this fall?

Crystal Clear

I am not really the kind of girl who looks for a lot of sparkle in my accessories. I like naturally occurring metals and earthy looking stones. I was desperate for a raw quartz necklace but, like always, was unwilling to pay the price for the pieces I found. These are the times when I'm thankful to live in a place with abundant resources and for a "do it yourself" spirit.

It was so simple. 15$ in raw quartz pieces, an upcycled necklace chain, earring backs, and some super glue and I was in business.

I simply wrapped the silver wire through the pre drilled hole in the larger "pendant" piece, creating a loop in the process, and voilà instant necklace. The earrings are easier still. Superglue back to "flattest" side of crystal chunk. That's it.

I love them. Super simple and incredibly statement making. I have not stopped wearing them since I made them.

DIY next up, this super cool new Celine choker for Fall'13.

Koh Gen Don't

I was so excited to see Koh Gen Do pop up on HauteLook this past month. I've seen their products a handful of times but had never really investigated anything too seriously. I know they're famous for their base products, but none of the formulas that were available really spoke to me.

Instead I opted for the Maifanshi Mineral Eyeshadow quad in #302. After a quick Google  I saw that it had been featured as an autumn must have (last year) on Into the Gloss (Love!) so I decided to pull the trigger and add it to the cart.

Unfortunately, I really don't think this lives up to it's 60$ pricetag. (I paid $30 on HauteLook) It's supposed to be "undetectable, cinema quality" makeup but it really just doesn't show up. These swatches required a lot of building and were even more difficult on the eyes. Discount or not I say pass on the eyeshadows from Koh Gen Do.

Have you had any luxury disappointments lately?

Quick on the Draw

For the longest time I only ever had one NARS blush. I bought Orgasm for my 16th Birthday and wore a very generous hole in the middle. Even after a longstanding and loving flushed relationship, I never went back for more. Then last Christmas I got Sin and lo-and-behold the to-buy blush list was born.

First up, Outlaw, made permanent after last year's Fall re-release (it was previously a permanent fixture from NARS) it's a stunning addition to the line. I have seen some pretty unforgiving reviews of this color, but I have nothing but good things to say here.

 It's a warm brick rose type color with an evident gold sheen. I like to think of this as my adult version of Orgasm. (hm...) It's more flattering to my skin-tone and does that snow white flush thing that I love so much. It has a smooth texture, applies well, and wears all day.

Do you have a go to blush? Change it up with the day, season... tide??

Making Your Marc

I am not typically a "luxury" makeup kind of person. I have a few designer beauty treats I've acquired over the years but they typically happen at Christmas time or after long, careful, consideration. They also generally are acquired alone, as a one off purchase to ease the financial blow.

That is not how this purchase happened...

I knew when these came out that I had to have this palette. It was the first collection review I saw for Marc Jacobs Beauty and it was just meant to be. I am particularly enamored with two of the center shades, the copper and the gold, which are beautifully suited to the incoming autumn. ( I told you, I'm excited. I may have bought a few other Fall 'beauts on this trip, watch this space.)

This look however is the first I tried with the palette, and I love if for day to day wear.

Have you guys thought about any of the new Marc Jacobs items? What's on the top of your wishlist?

The Next Generation

In beauty sometimes you really do get what you pay for. Sometimes that $22 lipstick outshines anything  else you've tried and you will dutifully hand over your card for your next favorite shade. Sometimes though, the drugstore brings out something that is a quality surprise at a quantity price tag.

 This next generation version of the budget eyeshadow pencil has very quickly weaseled it's way into my daily makeup bag.  In order of appearance...

1. Rimmel Scandal Eyes Eyeshadow Crayon in Bad Girl Bronze is the newest to my arsenal and the most autumnal. (i'm already anxiously awaiting Fall, can you tell?) A beautiful warm brown shot through with a copper gold shimmer. This is ideal for an allover smokey, but still daytime appropriate look.

2. Milani Shadow Eyez 12 Hour Wear Shadow Pencil in Sand Dunes was one of the first of the new budget offerings I meticulously hunted down. This puppy is straight up sparkly. It doesn't apply perfectly and has a tendency to go patchy but, I love this layered under a matte nude shadow. It's just enough shimmer to wake up the eye but no so shimmery it's childish.

3. Jordana Made to Last 12 Hour Shadow Pencil in Continuous Almond. This offering from Jordana (owned by the same folk as the Milani above) is a beautiful long wearing matte nude shadow. If you pay attention to the beauty world you know Milani released a very similar shade by the name of Almond Cream, but this one is more affordable and more easily accessible. Such a good basic, it seamlessly evens out the lid and provides a beautiful base for other shadows.

Have you tried any of the new shades at the drugstore?
If not I highly suggest you consider it the next time you pop in for teepee.

Hip To Be Square

I shop a lot. I realize this is not a revelation but it's worth saying out loud (or in writing) sometimes. Often I'll shop without buying anything at all. My favorite thing though, about being a casual shopper, is finding that unexpected (better still; affordable) gem in an unlikely place.

This time the place happened to be Old Navy.

These little cube studs give just the right amount of edge to a newly minted office professional (semi-professional) such as myself. I love that they are not girly but not pyramid studs either. It's the ultimate office balance. At $6.95 it's a hard item to walk away from.

Unfortunately Old Navy does not feature their jewelry bits on the website yet but it wouldn't be a bad idea to poke around your local store for these.

Any other work apropos items out there I should look into?
 Give this semi-pro a heads up.

Back in the Habit (and the World's Greatest Lipstick)

Well it has certainly been a while. Lets do this bit quickly.

1. No income to buy beauty

2. Unhappiness over persistent unemployment.

3.New Job!

4. Constant exhaustion from said new job.

All better?
Good!

After months of silence it's time to talk about all of the things we here at the Unanimous Molly would rather talk about above all other things; and we're gonna start with the best one.

Lipstick!

Ah, the new Urban Decay Revolution Lipsticks. A revolution indeed. I opted for the neutral, medium pink shade call "Catfight" and I could not be more impressed. Comfortable to wear, albeit thick feeling on the lips, seamless color coverage, and staying power to make superglue weep. Run, do not walk, and test some of these bad boys out!

The brand's previous delve into lipstick was pretty unremarkable, but this launch is a reminder that Urban Decay is a brand that consistently knocks innovative beauty launches out of the park.

What color will you be trying first?