Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner High Precision Waterproof Eyeliner

If you're a false lash junkie, like me, then you know you need to take the time to invest in a good eyeliner.  I received a Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner High Precision Waterproof Eyeliner in Mat Black a few months ago from the gotta-join-site Stylez4Women, and I have been using ever since it arrived.  Before this liner, I never really put much thought into liquid liner quality and how it can really finish and polish your look.  I've only used two other liquid liners before this one, both lower in quality (L'Oreal Lineur Intense Felt Tip Liquid Liner & ELF Essential Liquid Eyeliner), but I just assumed you had to make a liquid liner work for you because it's liquid and hard to work with.

The Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner is extremely easy to use, easy to line with - either super thin or dramatically thick, wears ALL day without smudging or running, and it's very easy to remove.  My favorite thing about this liner, and what really sold me on it, is the felt tip.  It's stiff enough to hold the liquid without dispensing too much product on your eyes.  The felt tip is also flexible and can be pressed down to expand and create a thick line.  The swatch photos show thin lines created when I just run the liner along my skin, thicker liners to show you can apply a little more pressure to get a fuller liner, and some artistic swiping to show you can easily line and flick without working too hard.

The Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner comes in 15 other shades (which I want to collect sooo bad!); Diamond Gold, Iridescent Emerald Green, Diamond Lagoon Green, Diamond Turquoise Blue, Iridescent Navy Blue, Diamond Black Purple, Iridescent Electric Purple, Iridescent Fuchsia, Iridescent Red, Diamond Burgundy, Mat Mocha, Mat Black, Diamond Multicolor Black, Iridescent Anthracite, Diamond White.

Courtesy of Sephora.com:
What it is: A waterproof liquid eyeliner.
What it does: Rich in polymers, this superior eyeliner offers an impeccable hold that guarantees water-, tear-, and smudge-proof color. Its ergonomic, foam-tip applicator is designed to resemble a makeup brush handle for the quickest, easiest, and most accurate application.
What else you need to know: This product is fragrance free and ophthalmologist tested.
Sephora is the exclusive beauty retailer for this product.
Size: 0.058 oz
Price: $23.00


*Product(s) were received for trial/review; these are my honest opinions

ELF Champagne, LA Splash Sweet Heart

A friend of mine asked if I could do a "neutral" version of my latest NOTD glitter gradient because her work only allows neutral nails.  So, she asked about a pink nail with pink glitter.  I decided to use ELF nail polish in Champagne because it's a very subtle pink, then I chose LA Splash Sweet Heart for the nail tips.  I chose Sweet Heart mainly because the polish is tinted hot pink and it would add just a little color gradient to the nails, which in my opinion, helped the pink glitter stand out a tiny bit more.

I love rocking the glitter gradients, and now I love using it for neutral looks too!  It's such an easy way to spice up your manicure without adding loud colors or rhinestones.  I absolutely love it!

Base Coat: Seche Retain
Top Coat: CND Super Shiny Top Coat

Mermaid Eyes featuring LA Colors Single Eyeshadows

 

I just posted a review on these shadows, and thought you might like to see a look I've been rocking using all three of the shades; Army Green, Violation and Cosmic Blue.

I used Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion as a base.  I put Cosmic Blue on the lid, Army Green in the upper outer corner and a little in the crease, then I put Violation in the crease and on the lower lid (which I placed on top of MAC Eye Kohl in Fascinating - white - so the purple would stand out more).  I used MAC Brule as a brow highlight and ELF Facial Whip in Spotlight as a cheekbone highlight.  For blush I used MAC Surf, Baby! Bronzing Powder in Solar Riche.  Liquid liner is Make Up For Ever Aqua Liner in Mat Black, water line liner is MAC Eye Kohl in Smolder.  Lips are Sally Hansen Lip Inflation Extreme in Sheer Cherry.

LA Colors - Single Eyeshadow

A few months ago I bought three LA Colors Single Eyeshadows off of Cherry Culture, they have these on Special Offer all the time as buy 2 get 1 free, and at $2.00 each.  I initially wanted to buy every shade they had to offer, but decided that since I've never used these before, I should see what the quality is like first.

They sat in my makeup collection for months, and I finally moved them to my vanity so I would remember to use them.  The three shades I bought are Army Green, Violation and Cosmic Blue.

The consistency is a little powdery, a bit sheer at first, but very buildable and easy to blend out.  Used without an eyeshadow primer, these shadows are decently pigmented and last up to 6hrs before fading away.  Used with an eyeshadow primer, these shadows are very pigmented and last up to and probably well past 8hrs before fading away.

I definitely recommend these, especially since they are so affordable AND if you buy them on Cherry Culture you get the B2G1 FREE deal!

Krystal's September Birchbox!

If you follow me on Facebook or Twitter, then you know that my August Birchbox is MIA due to the Postal Service :(
So, when my September Birchbox finally came, I was so excited!  (I will still share my August Birchbox if/when it arrives)  This month's box is Birchbox's 12th box, so, HAPPY BIRTHDAY BIRCHBOX!!

Here's what I received this month:
Minimalist Colorescience Pro Sunforgettable Mineral Powder SPF 30 in Tan
Adventurous Incoco Nail Polish Applique
Practical Jouer Lip Enhancer
Crafty Truth Art Beauty Face Nourish - Birchbox Blend
TREAT - Birchbox Friendship Bracelet

In case you didn't read my blog all about Birchbox, here's the link if you have any questions about it: What is Birchbox?

Here's the video, hope you all enjoy!

What's In My Mail?

This week I was pretty much locked out of my mailbox because the postal service thinks it's a good idea to shove all of my packages into the tiny mailbox, rather than deliver it to my door (as I have kindly instructed numerous times).  Our mailbox was so packed that I couldn't even turn the key to unlock the door to it.  I had to wait two days till our complex maintenance men caught the mail person before they left and had them unlock my mailbox from behind to get all my mail out.  The maintenance man was even kind enough to deliver ALL of it to my door last evening.

I was shocked that all this was shoved into my mailbox, but that explains why I couldn't open it.  So, since I was so excited as if I had just gone shopping, I decided to share my mail with you all! :)

First off, I was shopping on QVC last week, after talking to my BF's sister about Rachel Zoe's show on Bravo.  I decided to buy the rosetone Luxe Rachel Zoe Slinky Snake Cuff Bracelet - GORGEOUS!!!

Then I noticed my BF had a package in the mail, and he never gets packages, so I nosily asked him viz text if I could open it for him (he was at work at the time).  He received a FREE watch from Northcoast Sports Service just for being a customer with them!  It's a Croton watch (I'm unfamiliar with this brand).

Lastly I had a large envelope from ELF Cosmetics.  If you follow my Facebook or Twitter than you probably know what's coming next - a bag of polish bottles, unprotected, chipped and one is even cracked and leaked inside it's own wrapper!!  I was livid and I have emailed ELF's customer service asking for a replacement to be shipped - no response yet, but I've dealt with their CS before and I'm sure they will resend one.

QVC Special - NewBeauty TestTube Summer/Fall 2011

While I was shopping on QVC for the rosetone Luxe Rachel Zoe Slinky Snake Cuff Bracelet, I saw a QVC Special NewBeauty TestTube on the side bar and of course, as a major fan of NewBeauty, I just had to buy it!  I was able to choose an individual purchase, rather than signing up for another subscription.

The QVC TestTube is quite different than the two I have received so far in my subscription.  First, my subscription is $29.95 (plus $8.95 for shipping) per box, the QVC box (individual delivery - non-subscription) is $33.00 (plus $6.47 for shipping).  The products I have received in my last two subscription TestTubes have overall been brands I've never heard of or tried (which I like because I LOVE to learn of new brands and products), the QVC TestTube has more well known brands that I was more excited to try out because they are products I see all over YouTube videos and beauty blogs.

Here's what I received:

Perricone Face Finishing moisturizer
Philosophy Microdelivery Wash
Fresh Sugar Rose Lip Treatment
Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss
It Cosmetics Brow Pencil
Lavanila Body Butter
Oscar Blandi Pronto Invisible Dry Shampoo
Lea Journo Hair Conditioner

Overall, I am SO glad I spent $40 on this box, even though I already have the Summer/Fall magazine issue, the products alone are worth it to me.  Some of these items I have heard of and haven't tried yet, and others are items I've never heard of and have been loving so far!  As of right now, QVC has this NewBeauty TestTube available on wait list only.  I'm not sure when it will be available again, but you are able to order it now and wait for it to come when it is back in stock.

Orchid Professional Nail Lacquer

I received my first Orchid Nail Lacquer last week from my good friend Nikki (from my Lovely Gifts From Nikki post).  In her Texas Haul video, she mentioned that Orchid is a new brand to her and when she sent me one of the polishes, I was super excited to try it out!




Excerpt from HEB.com: Dress your nails with Orchid Professional Nail Lacquer. The polish glides on smoothly, dries fast and lasts for days. Each chip-resistant polish is free of harmful ingredients such as formaldehyde, toluene and DBP. Polish your look with 64 day-to-night or trendy-to-classy shades.

Right off the bat, I like the bottle!  I am easily attracted to square shaped objects, and the bottle is a sort of curvacious rectangle.  I love the top too, it fits perfectly in my longer fingers so I'm not awkwardly trying to hold the top and steadily paint my nails.  (can you tell this is a re-occurring issue I have with polish bottles?)

When I first opened the top, I noticed the brush didn't seem to fan out much when I was wiping off polish on the bottles rim, and the brush was a bit crooked.  When applying the polish, the brush performs just fine, but I did have to adapt to using a crooked brush - I kept getting polish on my skin which rarely happens during my manicures.

As for the formulation, I really like it and I plan to seek out more of these polishes online soon to expand my ever growing collection!  The polish applies smoothly, does not bubble, the first coat was a bit streaky because the polish is a bit thin, but by the second coat it was perfect.  The finish of the polish on it's own is very "polished", very clean and very shiny!
(swatch photo was without a top coat)

Overall, I definitely recommend giving this brand a try!  On top of being 3-Free, it's a lovely polish to work with!  Unfortunately, I can't find a company website for Orchid, or any polishes being sold online.  So, if you see them in your local beauty store, pick up at least one!

Check out the jazzy manicure I created with this polish: Nail Of The Day [NOTD] - Orchid Teal Me A Secret, Love & Beauty Sparkling Confetti (aka Multi)

*CLOSED* A Dainty "Thank You" Giveaway!

I was going to write out a big note to all my subscribers - but I decided to keep it simple.

I'm so grateful for all of your support, well wishes for my pregnancy and for sticking with me during my blogging lull.

I decided to give away two little gifts to two very special subscribers!  All you need to do is leave me a comment below this blog post (if you are reading this on another website other than mine, please go to www.BeautyByKrystal.com, find this giveaway blog post, and leave me a comment to enter).

What should the comment be about?  Keeping it simple, just say ENTER ME. (you can include more than that if you want - I always enjoying reading your comments at the end of the day!)

The only other requirement to enter this giveaway - be a public subscriber to my blog through google friend connect.  If you are not public, or are subscribed by email - I won't be able to pick you as a winner because I won't see you on my subscriber list.

I'll keep the giveaway open from 9/21/11 to 9/30/11

The first prize includes:
- 12 ELF Essential Cosmetic Brushes (Total Face, Blushing Bronzing Blending, Foundation, Brow Comb + Brush, Lip Defining, Eyelash & Brow Wand, Eye Crease, Blending Eye, Smudge Eye Sponge, Eyeliner, Concealer, Eye Shadow)
- ELF 10 Divider Cosmetic Brush Case
- 5 ELF Super Glossy Lip Shine Set in Dark Delight
- 3 ELF Beauty Books in Neutral Eye Edition, Bright Eye Edition, Smoky Eye Edition

The second prize includes:
Ulta Be Beautiful 64-piece Collection (36 eye shadows, 1 cream concealer, 2 lining pencils, 18 lip shades, 4 blush shades, 1 bronzer, 1 pressed powder)