Petroleum Jelly For Eyelash Growth

Another Week Another Post Dear Sparklers,

Like all my images, I'll gladly give someone credit for their image or take it down if someone throws a hissy fit.

This week I wanted to give you a quick tip that has really been helping out my puny little lashes.  In a nutshell, using mascara (especially water-proof mascara) can really dry out your lashes.  This can cause them to fall out more easily or not grow as long as they used to.

I have heard various ideas from other beauty bloggers/youtubers which suggest using creams or oils gently on your lash line and lashes.  This always results in me getting crazy horrible eye burning as the product inevitably gets in my eye.  Eek.

There are also really expensive lash treatments that come in mascara tube form.  I find that these don't really seem to make much of a difference and are simply not worth the cash.

What have I found that actually works?!  Petroleum Jelly*.  It's hydrating, thick enough not to get in your eyes, and very very inexpensive.  Just use clean fingers or a cleaned old mascara wand to apply a drop sized amount to your lashes before going to bed.  TaDa!


Hope you liked this quick tip!
Shine & Sparkle!

*I am not paid or contacted by any of the companies mentioned in this post.  But seriously, I said Petroleum Jelly, not that-common-petroleum-jelly-brand-that-shall-not-be-named. These are my honest feelings and opinions.

A Little Post-Holiday M.A.C Haul!

Post Holiday Season Bliss Sparklers.

As part of a gift to myself, I decided to update my M.A.C* cosmetics collection by purchasing some essentials that I ran out of and some cool new products as well.  M.A.C is one of my favorite higher end make-up splurges, so I like to have a good idea about what I'm getting before going to a store.  Reviews like this from other bloggers help me, so hopefully my purchases and reviews help you out as well! Lets get started.

Here are my personal pictures of the products. Getting makeup colors right is very difficult, so below, I included MAC's pictures from their website. All of those images on this post belong to M.A.C cosmetics.  They are way better photographers of their products than I am.  Like all my images, I'll gladly give someone credit for their image or take it down if someone throws a hissy fit.

Mineralize Skin Finish Natural in "Medium Golden"- $32 USD

This just gives the most flawless and gorgeous finish to your skin.  I like it on top of foundation for a full made-up look.  I also like just concealing my flaws with concealer and then dusting this over my whole face for a more natural look.  I previously loved my skinfinish in "Soft and Gentle" (reviewed here), but after I used up every last drop of that, I wanted something that had a bit less glow to it.  Thus, the natural-matte finish of Medium Golden was perfect for my NC25 colored skin.  I love the new packaging which feels a bit heavier, luxurious, and has a mirror.  That being said, it does take up more room than the previous packaging.

Red Red Red Collection, Casual Color in "Red Obsessed"- $22 USD

The Casual Color product line is pretty new to M.A.C and is really cool.  It is harder than a cream, but still wet.  It is highly pigmented and can be used on the lips or cheeks.  It has wonderful color pay off and can be used with a brush or your finger tips.  It can add soft subtle color but can be built up to be quite bold.  Used under a powder blush, it really extends the wear-time of your cheek color.  Red Obsessed is a soft rosy color which I absolutely adore with just about any look for my skin tone.  

M.A.C Lipstick in "Viva Glam III"- $16 USD

M.A.C makes my favorite lipsticks of all time.  Viva Glam III is no exception.  This is a great matte lipstick which can be applied lightly for a flush of color, or applied thickly for a bolder look.  The Viva Glam III was released in the 90's, which mean's it is right on trend in 2014-2015 as the fashion world is bringing back the 90's brown-ish lip trend.  I particularly like this one because the plum tones keep the 90's brown-lip more modern.  It is extremely comfortable to wear, does not dry out my lips, and is long lasting.  Oh, did I mention all money made from Viva Glam lipsticks go to charity?!  They also have cool pink accents to the packaging where the regular MAC lipsticks do not.  

M.A.C Brow Set in "Boy Girl"- $17 USD

If you didn't know that I've been in the process of going blonde (see blonding part 1, part 2, and part 3 of this process so far).  As part of that, I realized that my stark black brows were not right for the new look.  However, the idea of applying bleach right above my eyes was absolutely petrifying.  That is where M.A.C's brow set has become part of my every day routine.  I brush it own after I do my brows with powder for full make-up looks.  Even when I'm not wearing any makeup, I still brush this through my brows (when I'm going out in public) so that they go nicely with my hair.  "Boy Girl" is a nice fawn-brown color which complements a lot of shades of brown-blonde hair.  I love that I never worry about this smudging or coming off.  It perfectly sets and colors my black brows.  IT also does not leave them crunchy.  This is my second tube of this and it is really just a back up.   My first tube has lasted over 8 months and I still have about 1/3 of a tube left!  Mini-Tip:  I use a clean mascara wand/spooli--yes that is what they are called-- to brush through after the brow set to get rid of excess product or clumping.  

Phew, you made it to the end of the mini-M.A.C haul! Congrats! 

Until then,

Shine & Sparkle!

*I am not paid or contacted by any of the companies mentioned in this post.  These are my honest feelings and opinions. Also, like all my images, I'll gladly give someone credit for their image or take it down if someone throws a hissy fit. 

  

Introduction to Pantone's Color of the Year 2015: Marsala!

Hi my Shiny Sparklers!

Sorry for the delay Sparklers!  I was super busy with post holidays and work.  As we have officially made it to 2015, you might be thinking about staying on-trend with the new Pantone Color Of The Year* (PCOTY a long acronym makes me hip right?) "Marsala".  In case the color of the year is something you have never noticed or cared about, it is a color company specializing in color systems--most notably, paint.  Yes, wall paint.  That being said, they have somehow monopolized the rights to determine "this year's color".  That being said everyone is going gaga for "Marsala" right now.

So how have I chosen to incorporate this color into my make-up looks?  Well to start with, I like to use the PCOTY as a guide, rather than a law.  I also like to use it to step a bit outside my comfort zone.  The main idea I get from "Marsala" is that it is a brown-ish red/pink.  Sort of an earthen tone brick?  How many ways can I try and describe a color?  Anyway,  if the true PCOTY does not suit your skin tone or style, just go a little bit in that direction. In that vein, I have 2 main ways I will be wearing "Marsala" this year:

Lipstick:  I love the Viva Glam III lipstick ($16).  This matte lipstick has Marsala-like brown undertones and has the benefit of also being a bit more rosy.  I look nice in dusty rosy colors, so I leaned towards this guy.

While this lipstick is on-trend, it is also very timeless and universally flattering for all skin tones.  It is also an amazing formula that is comfortable to wear, long-lasting, and generally speaking AMAZING!  Thus, I had no qualms splurging the $16 to take this home.






Blush: I spent a ridiculous amount of time looking for a "Marsala" blush that I liked, that also wasn't hideously expensive.  Yet I wanted quality so I swatched my way through Sephora and have been more than satisfied with my purchase of the "Sephora Collection-Colorful Blush" in "Fuchsia Flash" ($15USD).  It is slightly pinker and "wine" colored than the true PCOTY, but this blush is really pretty and perfect for me.  Also, despite the lighting of my pictures, it is a bit more brown-toned, thus the official Sephora picture.  I love this blush formula because it is highly pigmented and smooth.  It feels very high end, but without the huge price tag of a $30-$50 blush. I personally feel that when something might not be a lasting fad, that I don't want to spend a whole ton of money on it.  I also don't want to sacrifice too much quality.  I feel that the Sephora Collection-Colorful Blush line fill this desire exactly.  There are quite a few "Marsala"-eque options.  I highly suggest checking them out in person, colors tend not to translate as well as we bloggers would like due to lighting and different computer screens.  Fun Fact:  Every computer monitor make and model greatly varies in how it displays colors.  This is pure joy for anyone trying to do anything visual via digital media...so joyous...can you sense my enthusiasm? </end sarcasm>

Want an even more affordable "Marsala" like blush? I suggest looking into Wet n' Wild's Color Icon blush in "Mellow Wine".  I have had this blush for so long that I'm totally embarrassed to post a picture of it because the package is crazy ratchet.  However, the lovely internet has provided this wonderful picture for your enjoyment.  That being said, I feel that in real life, this color is a bit softer and has some picker tones.  This color costs only $3USD (you can sometimes get it on sale even cheaper).  It is also highly pigmented and smooth and soft.  The brush that is included is a dismal excuse for a brush, but for $3, I will accept that the packaging leaves something to be desired.




Whether you think PCOTY is silly or fun, perhaps this post made you consider adding it as an element that makes your beauty routine a little more exciting.  I hope you enjoyed this post and I will see you all next week!

As always,
Shine & Sparkle


*I am not paid or contacted by any of the companies mentioned in this post.  These are my honest feelings and opinions. Also, like all my images, I'll gladly give someone credit for their image or take it down if someone throws a hissy fit.