My Black Friday Aromi Purchase (Liquid Lipstick and Lipstick Review)

Hi, hello!

Black Friday happened recently and for the most part I was very restrained with my purchases!  Yay!  I only put in two orders and one of them was with Aromi!  You may recall, when on my recent trip to Portland, that I stumbled upon my first Aromi liquid lipstick and I was so excited because Aromi is a brand I'd been following for a while.

For Black Friday they offered an irresistible 20% discount off all of their items and that meant I ordered myself 3 more liquid lipsticks and took my first foray into their traditional lipsticks!  Hooray!

I received my order very promptly.  I ordered on November 29th and received my package on December 8th, which is AMAZING, because I'm in Canada and they are a US based company.  Typically things take around 2 weeks to get to me, so I was very pleased to see such a quick turnaround!  My order was also packaged very well--it came in a cardboard box filled with pink tissue paper so that none of the items inside were able to shift around.  Yay for Safe Shipping Strategies!  :)

Now on to the pictures!!  (All photos can be clicked for a larger picture.)

Here's what the outer packaging looks like.  I like it!  It's bright and clean!

And the packaging of the lipsticks themselves looks like this.  The liquid lipsticks are in glass tubes.  The lipsticks are in a black plastic casing.

Each liquid lipstick has the name of the colour on the bottom of the tube.

The lipsticks also have a sticker with the name of the colour on the bottom.

Here is the liquid lipstick in Ripe Raspberry.  I like this colour a lot--it tends to pull more purple than it really is in photographs, but that's okay with me because purple lipstick is fun!  The doe foot applicators take some getting used to, but I find that they apply the colour quite evenly and if you take your time you can get a great application using just the doe foot.

Here is the liquid lipstick in Vamptastic Plum.  Out of all of the shades this one might be the least impressive as compared to the promo shots that Aromi features on its website.  You'll notice that on the doe foot applicator it looks almost the same as Ripe Raspberry (when looking at the picture of the glass tubes side by side, this is also quite apparent--although Vamptastic Plum does look slightly darker from the outside of the glass tube).  It's a lovely formula still and I find it does look more purple on the lips than Ripe Raspberry, but it isn't as purple as the website swatches would have me expect.  Perhaps I need to experiment with layering this one on a bit to see if that brings out the purple even more--I do find, however, that when layering, I can experience a patchy application.  I may just need more experience with the liquid lipsticks before perfecting my application method!  :)

And the last liquid lipstick is Black Cherry.  Holy smokes.  A beautiful dark cherry colour.  

Here is the lipstick in Flirty.  A satin (semi-matte?) red. 

 

And this is the lipstick in Wildberry.  A satin (semi-matte) bright berry colour.  The formula on this and Flirty is lovely--they go on smoothly and after two passes are perfectly opaque.  They don't tug at your lips and I don't find that they emphasis dry skin too much (although I'd suggest exfoliating beforehand!).  They don't "set" so to speak so you will experience transferring if you're drinking from a cup or a straw.  They last a long time on me--for the past couple of days I've been wearing Wildberry to work (with a lip liner from Zuzu Luxe called Fraise) and after eating lunch I only need to do a quick touch up and then it lasts all day.

The formula of the liquid lipsticks is definitely very liquid!  When you first apply it, it doesn't "run" around on your lips, but you have to be careful when applying it.  I typically apply it using the doe foot applicator, but sometimes I go in with a lip brush afterward to clean up the very outside edge.  After about 30 seconds, these babies dry down to a very matte and comfortable long wearing lipstick.  They're not moisturizing or drying.  A big plus on the "not drying" aspect.

Here is everything all together.  From left to right: Flirty, Wildberry, Black Cherry, Vamptastic Plum and Ripe Raspberry.  This photo was taken before the liquid lipsticks had set 100%.  For these lipstick swatches I did three passes of each--but I find when applying it to lips, they are opaque after two passes (as mentioned before).

Here they are again after the liquid lipsticks had set 100%.  

And now for some lip swatches!  All of these were applied with the liquid lipstick or lipstsick alone--no lip liner or lip primer was used.

Ripe Raspberry

Vamptastic Plum

Black Cherry

Wildberry

Flirty

 I am very pleased with my purchase from Aromi.  Both the liquid lipsticks and the "traditional" lipsticks have a subtle scent to them that I can't quite place--sometimes I think it's vanilla, maybe?  It lingers on the lips for a short amount of time and then fades.  I've recommended the liquid lipsticks to friends and so far they are also enjoying them!  Hooray!  The lipsticks are lovely, as well, and I am sure my collection will continue to grow in the future!

Have you tried any Aromi products?  Which are your favorites??

Madd Style Cosmetics: Embrace the Black!

Hi Everyone!

For this tutorial I decided to try filming it!! It is essentially 1 part: a tutorial on using blacks and 1 part: a review of my new Sigma Mrs. Bunny brush set!

So, if you want to learn how I achieved this look:


Then please, keep on watching! (Unfortunately I had to break the video into two parts, I hope you'll watch both! :) )

Part 1:


Part 2:


In case you missed any of what I used, here were my supplies:

(Gabriel Color Mascara, Urban Decay 24/7 pencils in "Yeyo" and "Zero", NYX Eyeshadow Base in "White", The All Natural Face Primer in "Black", Too Faced Shadow Insurance, Madd Style Cosmetics piggies: Kitty Wumpous, Fabby Lala, Petal Parade, Sparkle Motion and Birfday Suit, Mrs. Bunny Brushes (!) and a Body Shop blending brush.)

Like I say in the video--thank you so much for tuning in and please let me know what you thought of my very first official filmed tutorial! :)

MTCoffinz: Second Package Review

After my first wonderful experience with MTCoffinz I knew that it was only going to be a matter of time before I had to put in my second order! That time has came and went! Oh, has it ever! A few weeks ago a 20% sale was announced, I think it was for the 4th of July (U.S. holidays don't really stick in my mind--makeup sales, however, those stick like crazy glue!!). I decided I had to pick up a few more of their colours--especially the brighter ones as my first order only had the white (Gossip), black (Nocturne) and two of the darkest colours (Fallen and Veruca). I had intended to purchase four colours, but then I couldn't decide between Wormwood and Nemesis. The easiest decision to make: just to buy BOTH OF THEM. And I'm happy that I did, as you will see!!

The MTCoffinz colours I have so far are all vegan (of course), hypoallergenic, paraben-free, fragrance-free and gluten-free--as is explained on the MTCoffinz website. It's always good to have more awesome vegan cosmetics options around, if I do say so myself. :)

My package arrived promptly (seriously, MTCoffinz shipping astounds me!) and was very well (and securely) packaged. The little "Thank you" note was awesome and piiiiiink! I also really appreciated that this box fits in my mailbox--yay for tiny boxes! It meant I didn't have to go to the post office to get it! Win!

(All pictures can be enlarged by clicking on them.)

I ordered five colours. Clockwise from the pink (on the left): Charisma (described as a rosy pink with purple toned pearl and hot pink shimmer), Wormwood (a teal with grassy green undertones and holographic shimmer), Bad Influence (a soft lilac with pink and purple pearl and bright purple shimmer), Afterburner (a reddish coral with red and orange shimmer) and Nemesis (a soft turquoise with green and hologram shimmers). I really love the packaging of these. Again, I forgot to take a picture of the little brush that is hidden within the bottom of the snap-closure type...jar? I actually have no idea how to describe these things! Anyways, there is a hidden little sponge brush within each shadow. I'm sure it would come in really handy for on the go touch ups!


Here's a picture with the lids flipped open.


And one with flash (because it helps to show the sparkle and shimmery factor!)!

(Here you can really see how Bad Influence (the purple) has that pink sheen to it. And if Charisma (the bottom pink) had been in better focus you'd be able to see the neat purple/blue-ish shimmer that it has.)

And here they are on my fingers! The texture of these is really really nice. They're silky, smooth, evenly pigmented. Just gorgeous.

Here they are swatched on my arm (over the MTCoffinz "Under the Rainbow" eye primer). Aren't they just so pretty?!! Bad Influence, again, with it's amazing pink sheen. Wormwood is such an intense great greenish teal!!


Since Charisma and Bad Influence impressed me the most when I first received my package, they were the first two I put together in a look. I applied Gossip (MTCoffinz's white) in the duct and then applied Charisma all over the lid and on the first half of my lower lash line. Then I applied Bad Influence on the outer eyelid and into the crease.


The day (or so) after receiving my package I decided to play with all of the other colours (except for Afterburner, I still haven't thought up an awesome plan with that--I'll probably have it play with Charisma. I think any colour could play nice with Charisma!).

Here is a look I did with Gossip in the duct, Nemesis on the lid, Bad Influence on the lower lash line, and Nocturne (MTCoffinz's black) as a dry winged liner. I was really happy with how Nocturne applied dry! It's a soft version of liner, but I think it's quite pretty. If I used it wet (or with a wet brush, rather), it'd have been much stronger of a black.


In similar style I did a look with Gossip in the duct, Wormwood on the lid, Charisma on the lower lash line, and Nocturne as the liner.


Hopefully these pictures demonstrate even a tenth of the awesomeness that is MTCoffinz pressed shadows. A few new colours are going to be released soon, but I know that of the current colours, I will neeeeeed to get Calamity next! Check out their facebook where Jinx (the mastermind behind MTCoffinz) usually posts sneak peeks of new colours and all of that jazz!! There is also a colour of the week that is offered for 20% off--so you can slowly build up your collection of these pretty spectacular colours--and if you "like" them on FB, you'll be able to keep track of which colours are on special that week!

If you have any questions or want to see particular colours in action with different colours, let me know! I'd be more than happy to play around. :)

EOTD: Sugarpill and Madd Style Cosmetics.

I decided to something a little crazy last night with my makeup. This is what I like to call my first attempt at an "avant garde" type look. :)


Products used:

• Sobe Botanical's Primed and Proper as primer
• NYX Eyeshadow Base in "White" for a base all over lid and up to crease/brow area
  
• Sugarpill's Buttercupcake on inner lid
• Sugarpill's Afterparty in outer lid (and blended into Buttercupcake to create that green colour you see in the middle of the lid)
• Sugarpill's Weekender in outer crease
• Sugarpill's Magentric in innner crease
• Sugarpill's Tipsy on my lower lash line
  
• Madd Style Cosmetic's Up in Smoke "White" as brow highlight
• Madd Style Cosmetic's Cocoa Puff to darken my brow
• Urban Decay's 24/7 Glide-on Eye Pencil in Zero for waterline/tightline
• Gabriel Color Mascara in "Black"
• Sherani Lashes (Style 111) on top
• Ardell Accents (#301) on bottom (outer half) lashes

Fun, n'est pas?

:)

FOTD: A neutral eye and red lip, featuring Madd Style Cosmetics

Today I felt like dressing up all glamorous (at least on the face) for no particular reason. I had nowhere to be, nothin' to do, but that is no reason NOT to get all gussied up. (At least that is what I keep telling myself!)

This is what happens when I'm left to my own devices:


And a close up of the eyes:


Products used on the eyes:

• The All Natural Face Eye Primer in "Buff"
• NYX Eyeshadow Base in "White"
• Madd Style Cosmetics Desert Punk on lid
• Madd Style Cosmetics Dirty Beats in crease (and on lower lash line)
• Gabriel Color Eyeshadow in Bone on brow bone/highlight area
• Madd Style Cosmetics Up in Smoke "Black" (mixed with Make Up Forever Eye Seal) for liner.
• Gabriel Colour Mascara in "Black"
  
• Ardell "Accents" (half falsie) lashes in 301

Product on Face:

• Gabriel Liquid Foundation in "Soft Beige"
  
• Gabriel Pressed Powder in "Light Beige"
  

Products on lips:

• Madd Style Cosmetics Lip Bomb in "Mario" as base
• Madd Style Cosmetics Dark Crystal "Ruby" all over lip
• Madd Style Cosmetics Uber Boss Lip Gloss in "Frankencake" on top

Check out Madd Style Cosmetics, if you haven't already!

The end!

EOTD: Madd Style Cosmetic's Dark Crystal Collection's Citrine and Sapphire

Today I wanted to play with three of my new Dark Crystal colours from Madd Style Cosmetics. Citrine, Sapphire and Opal worked together to create this:



Products used:

• The All Natural Face Shadow Primer in "Buff"
• NYX Eyeshadow Base in "White"
• Madd Style Cosmetics Dark Crystal "Citrine" on lid
• Madd Style Cosmetics Up in Smoke "Black" to cut the crease
• Madd Style Cosmetics Dark Crystal "Sapphire" on top of the black and blended out
• Madd Style Cosmetics Dark Crystal "Opal" in ducts and as brow highlight
• Gabriel Color Mascara in "Black"

I had planned to photograph this look for a tutorial, but I had some camera difficulties and had to abort the photographing process half-way through. Look out for a tutorial on this look in the nearish future though! :)

EOTD: Sugarpill's Lumi, Afterparty and Weekender.

Today felt like a Sugarpill kind of day.

(Click pictures for larger versions.)

Products Used:

• Sobe Botanical's Primed and Proper as primer
• NYX Eyeshadow Base in "White" for a base
• Sugarpill's Lumi on inner 1st 1/2 of lid + duct
  
• Sugarpill's Afterparty on 2nd 1/2 of lid + lower lid + lightly into crease
  
• Sugarpill's Weekender on outer eye and crease + outer corner of lower lid
• Sugarpill's Lumi as brow highlight
• Gabriel Color Mascara in Black

Close up (without flash):


Close up (with flash):

Sugarpill: Review

Well. I have finally joined the club. Which club, you ask? The Sugarpill fan club, of course!! Yes, I know, it took me long enough--but I joined eventually, so give me a little bit of credit!

When I saw that Sugarpill was having a 1 year anniversary sale on the 14th of February, I could NOT be stopped from putting in my very first order. And since this was my very first order, I did not mess around. I wanted every vegan pressed shadow they offer and then I also wanted a range of the loose "ChromaLust" eyeshadows to try out. And let me tell you, Sugarpill lived up to my expectations.

Side Note: Amy, of Sugarpill, mentioned on their FB Fanpage the other day that Tako (their pressed "white") and Bulletproof (their pressed "black") will soon also be vegan, and I am overjoyed about that!!

Edit (03/23/2011): Tako is now listed as vegan on the Sugarpill website! Go buy it!! :D

I received my package as the sun was setting--so I apologize for the pictures not being as awesome as they could be--but once I get the flash involved, you'll be even more impressed, I promise!

As I was expecting, my package arrived in the adorable white box that everyone raves about. Include a kitty on things and I am pretty much sold!


The inside of the box was sooooooooo neatly packaged. I don't think my products budged an inch!


My invoice had a nice personalized thank you--an awesome touch.


The inside of the package was packaged as immaculately as the outside:


And there were a few extras hiding out underneath. A cute sparkly sticker, a neato business card and a sample of their ChromaLust loose eyeshadow in "Lumi."


To start out with, I ordered five ChromaLust loose eyeshadows. Magentric, Tipsy, Weekender, Darling and Goldilux (I purchased Goldilux for a friend, so it won't appear in my swatches or pot pictures--I didn't want to mess around with the pretty box!). First: the packaging. Adorable. I don't want to recycle them!! I loved that each pigment came in a box that had its ingredients listed on the backside.

(Yes, things got a little bit flipped around here! On the right side of the picture: clockwise from the top left: Magentric, Tipsy, Darling, Goldilux, Weekender. You can see I got them swapped around on the left side of the picture--whoops!!)

The tops of the jars have the Sugarpill logo on them. It isn't a sticker--the logo is printed on the lid itself. Very cool!

And inside the jars...wonderfulness.

(No flash: Magentric (t-l), Darling (t-r), Weekender (b-l) and Tipsy (b-r))

(With flash! Such an amazing magenta, teal, purple and green. Eeee!!)

How pretty are those?!! GAH! And swatched, over BARE skin (no primer, with flash):

(Darling, Tipsy, Magentric, Weekender)

These loose eyeshadows are seriously wonderful. They are sparkly, smooth and so CLINGY (in a good way!) to a brush. I'm all kinds of amazed by them.

Then on to the pressed. Again, with their freakin' adorable packaging!


The cases look like this:


And a close up of each:

Poison Plum: A red-based purple with a slight pearlyness/sparkle factor.

Buttercupcake: The perfect matte yellow.

Afterparty: A super blue with amazing shimmer.

Midori: A lovely green with sheen.

Swatched, the pressed shadows look like this (again, NO base or primer):


My fingers were very happy after all of this swatching, let me tell you.


I couldn't wait to start playing, either.

Buttercupcake>Magentric with Poison Plum on the outer corner.

Buttercupcake>Midori>Afterparty

Buttercupcake (do you see a pattern, cause I sure don't...)>Darling. Madd Style Cosmetics Up in Smoke "White" used as brow highlight and duct colour.

I will definitely be purchasing from Sugarpill again. The quality of the product is superb and worth every penny. I totally need the pressed white and black, once they are released as vegan. Oh, do I ever need them.