Glossier Phase 2 Review and Swatches

While Glossier's first launches focused on creating the perfect, dewy base, Phase 2 is all about the fun extras - lipsticks in 6 shades and the Boy Brow among them. Here are my thoughts on the range!

Stretch Concealer in Light *
This concealer is very emollient, buildable, and completely melts into the skin. The end result covers up skin concerns like dark circles, but still looks very natural and lost lasting!

Generation G Lipstick Cake and Jam *
The Generation G lipsticks are like nothing else in my collection - matte, sheer, but you can build up the color depending on your preference. I really love how comfortable this feels on the lip, and how it's a matte sheer formula - not to mention the shades are gorgeous! I love Cake for a natural peachy pink, and Jam for a more intense, beautiful popsicle stain shade.

Boy Brow in Blond *
The Boy Brow has quickly become a favorite - the ability to, essentially, brush on your brows makes it so, so easy - and looks polished and natural at the same time! The Boy Brow has become a fast and firm favorite that has found its way into my everyday makeup routine.

Glossier is having a 20% off sitewide sale beginning November 25 through the weekend - and I already have my eyes set on their highlighter, Haloscope!

Lancome Cushion Blush Subtil 021 Sorbet Rose Review & Swatches

The last time I was at Sephora, I found myself immediately drawn to the Lancome Cushion Blush Subtil. As somebody who has completely fallen for cushion products, I was intrigued by Lancome's version of a cushion blush and the second I swatched the shade 021 Sorbet Rose, I knew I had to have it!

Housed in the sleek black compact (complete with the iconic Lancome rose logo), you get a clear mirror, powder puff, and the actual blush itself enchased in a cushion, or "sponge". Unlike a lot of applicator tools that come with a product, I really enjoy applying the blush with the powder puff it comes with. The design also makes it much easier to touch up your blush if you are out and about - and as a beauty and fashion history nerd, I always think of flappers touching up their blush out in public in the 1920s when wearing makeup was still seen as scandalous, much less applying it outside for everybody to see (again... I'm a dork)!

Depending on how much pressure you apply to the cushion, the more product the puff picks up. Because of this, you have the option to wear the blush sheer or build up the pigmentation. This blush gave me a natural looking flush with a satin finish - no glitter, just a beautiful dewy sheen.

This was definitely a splurge for me, but the luxe packaging, cushion "technology", and beautiful dewy finish made this product worth it for me! If you are in the market for a high-end blush, I definitely recommend this!

You can see the blush in action in my September Favorites video, and it is available for purchase on Lancome's official website and Sephora.

On my face I'm wearing:
Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint in Light *, NYX Matte Liquid Liner, Tarte Tarteist Lash Mascara Paint *, CoverFX Custom Enhancer Drops in Celestial *, Lancome Cushion Blush, NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Buenos Aires

MAKEUP: Marie Antoinette

When Lancome asked me to do a makeup look inspired by a modern day Marie Antoinette I jumped at the chance! Growing up, I obsessed over Isabella Rossellini’s Lancome ads and I have been equally smitten with the latest face of Lancome, the incomparable Lupita Nyong’o! Here is the makeup look I created - another excellent last minute Halloween costume idea!

Products Used:
Hypnôse Drama Waterproof Mascara *
Auda[City] in Paris Palette *
L'Absolu Rouge Définition Lipstick in Le Carmin *
Sourcils Gel Eyebrow Gel-Cream in Blonde *
Sourcils Gel Dual End Eyebrow Brush *
Blush Subtil in Rose Paradis *

MAKEUP: Roy Lichtenstein's Crying Girl

THE WHITEPEPPER DRESS *

Decided to do makeup inspired by this youtuber's amazing version of the infamous "crying girl" illustration by Roy Lichtenstein! The perfect last minute Halloween costume - all you need is makeup and clothing that looks like it would belong in a comic book!

Here is a set by step guide to know I did it if you are curious:
To start, apply your concealer and foundation as usual. Use eyeshadow primer on your eyelids and extend to under your eyes. To create the stark lines, I used NYX Matte Black Eyeliner. I like NYX’s eyeliner for it’s small brush which enables you to do very precise work. Steady your elbow on a firm, flat surface, and start drawing a line down your nose. Outline your jawline, and two curved lines - one by your nostril and one between your eyebrows - to make it look like you are in constant distress!

Do a cateye and apply false lashes. Using a thin white eyeliner pencil, line your waterline and extend the line a bit to make your eyes appear cartoony and larger, finish by outlining it with more black eyeliner. Then, start blocking out “tears” under your eyes. I used NYX’s Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk as a base/primer and to outline where I would be laying down the blue eyeshadow. After perfecting the shape of the tears with the white pencil, I carefully applied the blue shadow overtop the white. Again, outline the tears with your black eyeliner. Clean up around the tears with concealer (I used by favorite NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer) - to perfect any mistakes.

Next, I applied NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Cruella - a dazzling, true red matte - and outlined the lips with the black eyeliner. For a finishing touch, adding a “highlight” to the lips with NYX’s white liquid liner.

Finally, I used the NYX’s Jumbo Pencil again in Milk to create the white dots on my face.

Do you have any fun plans for Halloween? I'd love to hear all about them!

Glossier Mega Greens & Moisturizing Moon Masks Review

GLOSSIER MEGA GREENS GALAXY MASK *, GLOSSIER MOISTURIZING MOON MASK * VALFRE TANK *

Glossier’s highly anticipated first permanent addition to their phenomenal Phase 1 collection are a set of masks.

I am a huge fan of face masks (anybody remember this post?) and, once again, Glossier has hit it out of the park with these products! The Mega Greens mask left my skin feeling clean and fresh (without being dry!), whereas the Moon mask was so cooling, soothing and soft!

Not to mention the show stopping packaging - their lids have beautiful, fully illustrated logos that tell you which one your picking up without having to read a label.

Two big thumbs up from me! Have you ever tried Glossier's products?

Self Portrait: As Jean Shrimpton by Bert Stern

In honor of Spring's arrival, I decided to recreate one of my all time favorite photos - Bert Stern's floral portrait of Jean Shrimpton has always stuck with me for it's sheer beauty.

I plan on doing more self portraits as some of my favorite 60s ladies! I really love taking self portraits - though I do sometimes wish I could just clone myself because it would be easier then running back and forth between the backdrop and the camera, flowers falling out of my hair as I go...!

Happy Spring!

The Inspiration: Jean Shrimpton photographed by Bert Stern for Vogue, 1965

Primp & Pamper

With stressful lives and the gloomy weather, feeling blue in the last legs of winter is almost inevitable. In times like these, I think we all deserve an hour or so just to ourselves for self care in the form of relaxing and pampering. Since I've been feeling a little glum myself, I thought I'd outline some of my favorite ways to "treat yo self"!

Put On Your Favorite Lipstick
Is it just me, or does putting on lipstick put anybody else in a good mood? I have found that devoting a couple minutes to experimenting with your makeup makeup collection has always been a bit therapeutic! After wanting and saving for months, I finally splurged on a Tom Ford lipstick (in Paradiso) and it is heaven. Another favorite? Too Faced's Juicy Melons.

Eat Your Favorite Candy
(Because candy is dandy)

Read a Magazine
While waiting for a face mask or your nails to dry, why not pour over one of your favorite magazines? I am currently smitten with Betty Magazine (look out for a post on this gorgeous magazine soon)!

Use a Face Mask
With a host of affordable to luxury face masks that deep clean, tighten pores or exfoliate on the market, your face deserves a bit of pampering - just don't forget the cucumber slices! n_~ (Here I used a purifying papaya mud mask)

Wear Perfume
I'm kind of guilty of using my perfume only for very, very special occasions - it's just so pretty and expensive I don't ever want to use it all up ;A; I do think, however, spritzing yourself with a lavish scent can be just the right way to perk up your mood! I love Marc Jacob's Daisy (I've had it for years and it still smells perfect!) and Nicki Minaj's fragrance.

Paint Your Nails
Filing and painting one's nails is something I haven't gotten the hang of yet (seriously, how do you people get your nails into specific shapes?!), but now that my nails have grown out (I bite them when I'm nervous!) I've been painting them left and right! Here I'm wearing Wet n Wild's Tickled Pink.

How do you pamper yourself? ♡

Too Faced Sweethearts Blush Review

If you've been reading Mermaidens for very long you will know I absolutely a d o r e makeup! Being able to put on a little bit of lipstick and eyeliner makes me a little bit more comfortable with my outward appearance and does wonders for my self confidence.

And because of this, I want to start sharing makeup reviews! And isn't Too Faced's Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush the perfect product to start with?!

Lately (due to Jessica's influence, no doubt!) I have been extremely curious about using blush - and so when I saw Too Faced's Sweethearts Blush I absolutely melted and made a bit of a snap decision and bought it!

I absolutely love the packaging's aesthetic - it's pink, it's gold, it's a heart shape! What I'm not as pleased about is the fact the case is made out of paper, and thus not quite as durable as I would hope!

But otherwise, I really do love it! What really cinched the purchase for me was the fact it comes with three different shades of pink - all of which can be built up to be more pigmented if you wish!

Trying to look glamourous while using a broken compact...

And now a very important question - what kind of brush should I get to apply this beautiful blush properly?! (⌒▽⌒)☆ And please let me know if you want to see more makeup reviews on Mermaidens! ♡

Mint Floral Dress c/o SwayChic

on my face I am wearing...
Wet n Wild Megalast Liquid Eyeliner
Maybelline Lash Stiletto Voluptuous
Laura Mercier Eyebrow Blonde Pencil
Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush
MAC Toxic Tale (limited edition, dupe)

Rainbow Nails

How cute do my nails look right now?! I saw these on Pinterest (thank you Glitter and Nails - you're a genius!) and just had to try to recreate them. I freehanded the stripes, so they are far from perfect - but I still love how they turned out!

NAIL POLISH I USED: Wet n Wild Shine in Tickled Pink (402), N.Y.C. Taxi Yellow Creme 114, Wet n Wild Megalast I Need a Refresh-Mint (218A), Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Lacey Lilac (270), & Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear White On (300)
The links in this post are provided so you can see more clearly which polishes I used - I bought mine at drugstores where they are significantly cheaper!

Lately it has been raining nonstop (or absolutely freezing) so it's nice to glance down and see these bright nails! Before I moved earlier this year, I lived in California, so this weather is going to take some getting used to!

Currently I'm trying to figure out how to dress warmly and still show my aesthetic - can anybody recommend a pretty, candy-colored coat?!

What do your nails look like right now? :3
♡,
Kailey

(p.s. don't forget to enter my giveaway with I Love Crafty!)

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David Lynch Inspired Nails

Last month I finally watched ERASERHEAD for the first time, and was inspired to do my nails based on some of David Lynch's most iconic imagery.

Thinking of David Lynch, immediately red, black, and white come to mind - all of his work has a very distinct aesthetic to it (something I absolutely love), from the rich blues and reds in BLUE VELVET to the stark and crisp black and white Eraserhead was filmed in.

For the TWIN PEAKS inspired design on my index finger, I turned to "The Red Room" for inspiration - I painted the nail white, cut tape into thin strips, arranged them in a zig zag pattern, and painted over the tape with black polish.

On the middle finger, I painted the nail a blue color that resembled sky, cut more thin strips of tape, arranged them like so, and painted white over the nail. After this new coat had dried, I used a toothpick to carefully drop three small dots to suggest roses. My inspiration for this was the infamous opening scene of Blue Velvet.

I painted my ring finger white, cut tape into rectangles, arranged them into a checkerboard pattern, and painted over the nail with black polish to suggest the floor design in the dream(?) sequence in Eraserhead.

And finally, I painted my pinky and thumb nails a simple red to evoke all the blood that is spilt in his work! For a rough example of how I assembled the tape to achieve this design, click here!

If you want to do this yourself and have any questions, feel free to comment, email, or tweet me them to me!

What color are your nails right now?

♥, Kailey
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Beauty Icon: Elizabeth Taylor

How does one even begin to write a post about Elizabeth Taylor? The iconic woman who had her first break-out role at the tender age of 12, has been attributed as being the most beautiful woman in the world. Indeed, it is not hard to see why: her signature look, consisting of perfectly shaped eyebrows, gorgeous dark hair, and violet eyes have captivated film lovers over the course of many different movies, husbands, and eras!

Images courtesy of tumblr & simplyclassics

Elizabeth's incredible filmography proves she had the talent to back up her star status - Suddenly, Last Summer being an incredibly haunting and claustrophobic film. One thing I truly love about Elizabeth is she used her fame to help people - she has raised more than $270 million for HIV and AIDS-related projects.

Do you have a favourite Elizabeth Taylor film?

♥, Kailey

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Beauty Icon: Charlotte Free

Ever since I have become enthralled with Jem and the Holograms, candy-colored hair has become more and more appealing! Many people have taken to the pastel colored bottle, and at the helm of this trend is the 20-year-old model, Charlotte Free. Already a favorite among talented designers and photographers, Charlotte has walked the runway for Topshop Unique, Jeremy Scott, and Marchesa to name but a few, and will be covering Wonderland magazine's Nov/Dec issue.

I stumbled upon her by chance whilst making the rounds on tumblr, and was stunned by her famous curtain of pink tresses, sharp cheekbones, and piercing blue eyes.

Images courtesy of tumblr & thefashionspot
Bloggers such as Arabelle from The Fashion Pirate and Kate Gabrielle from Scathingly Brilliant also come to mind when thinking of candy-colored hair, and continue to fuel my love of pink and purple hair! What was the most original hair style you've ever had?

♥, Kailey

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