Make-Up Monday: Skinfood Brandy Mild Foam Face Wash

I don't have a problem, really, I just have a penchant for things that involve alcohol. Knowing that Skinfood has a line of peach sake stuff I figured I'd see what else they had that was adult beverage in theme.

There's a men's line with a brandy theme.

"I don't care that it's for men," I thought, "I like dude shampoo sometimes." And I ordered it and have used it for a week now.

I'm not sure what I was expecting but it doesn't really smell like brandy or anything, it smells pretty much like generic guy soap. The packaging is good, controls the product well and looks nice and it cleans just fine... I just... I guess I was hoping for more...

I works well enough, it smells fine and the packaging is cute enough. Just not sure I'm down for shelling out $15 for an okay product when I can pay $8 for a slightly better okay product (the Peach Tea Milk cleanser).

Outfits of the Fortnight v.10

This is a biiiiit belated, I know. It basically is going to cover all of what I wore in November since NaNoWriMo kept me so busy and then we went into the busy season at work.

Scary Godmother

For work, since Hatofully Loli-Scarecrow wouldn't have been appropriate I did a subdued Scary Godmother lolita outfit. Bat wings~!

Hat: Handmade

Coffin Hair Bow: Handmade (bought at AFest Loli Swap)

Wings: Handmade

Blouse: Offbrand (F21)

Skirt: Offbrand (Old Navy)

Scarf, Ring, Best Witch Brooch and Ribbon Belts: Offbrand

Socks: Sockdreams (and if anyone with larger calves wants them I'd like to sell them since they're too loose on my scrawny gams)

Shoes: Offbrand

Goooold and black~

Not really all that special but good for work and comfortable so yeah.

Headband: Offbrand (Claire's and IT BROKE AND I CAN'T FIND ANOTHER. T^T)

Blouse: Offbrand (Izod)

Skirt: Offbrand (Old Navy)

Socks: AatP

Shoes: Offbrand

Voted!

I wanted to show my team colors at the polls (which btw podunk Texas had the most depressing candidates and on the ones where I really didn't like the options I wasn't even allowed to write in >:T) and be fab for the Election Day party I went to that night.

Jacket: Offbrand (F21)

OP: Offbrand (APT9)

Overskirt: Handmade

Leggings: Offbrand

Boots: Offbrand

Not Every Coord Can Be a Winner

Yeah, so there's going to be a running theme starting pretty much here of me being in too much of a hurry to properly add in accessories. With pigtails and SOMETHING in my hair it would have been much cuter.

Blouse: Offbrand

JSK: Offbrand (Converse)

Leggings: Offbrand

Shoes: Offbrand (Spirit)

Frillgiving 1

I happened to not have work the same day as the ATX loli Frillgiving so I donned some gay/frilly apparel and had myself an Austin day (Austin is 1.5/2 hours away so if I go to Austin then I'm going for the whole day). This is right before I left so my hair is perfectly curled and I'm wearing comfy shoes. My main goals before Frillgiving itself were to investigate the facilities at Circuit of the Americas (no campsites at the track BOO) and do some Asian grocery shopping (Those tiny honey marron pancakes are sooo good).

Headflower: Handmade (Fall Loli Craft Swap 2010)

Star clip: Handmade

Blouse: Offbrand (Target)

Vest: Offbrand (Walmart)

Cardigan: Offbrand (Anthropologie)

Skirt: Handmade

Shoes: Offbrand

Frillgiving 2

And here I am in my piratey/Judge Dredd boots. The heel is really tall so they aren't very walking friendly but they're just so cute! This is also after I got home as you can tell from my deflated curls. Very happy I figured out how to do poofy pigtails though (Go spin pins!). Headflower: Handmade (Fall Loli Craft Swap 2010)

Star clip: Handmade

Blouse: Offbrand (Target)

Vest: Offbrand (Walmart)

Cardigan: Offbrand (Anthropologie)

Skirt: Handmade

Shoes: Offbrand (Spirit)

Hime-ish?

My a-line petti is navy so it'd show under this rather thin JSK and I knew that it'd be kinda tight quarters at Faux-Thanksgiving. I was trying to both be lolita fancy while not being too insane since Faux-Thanksgiving is a meal between adult friends. It felt so beige but I was stumped on what to do since a black cocktail dress just felt so boring (and my nicer LBD makes me feel fat which is quite a feat). Star clip: Handmade

Fur: Vintage

JSK: Offbrand (Anthropologie)

Cardigan: Offbrand (Anthropologie)

Stockings (They've got guns printed on them! :D): Offbrand (Chinese ebay seller, thanks ATX lolis for showing me these!)

Shoes: Offbrand

Make-Up Monday: PixiGlow Straight on Til Morning Liner in 2nd Star

I have a thing for space themed things. So much so that I will drop $15 on an eyeliner because it is called 2nd Star. Also it is a dark green which I like. Love greens.

It is a pretty good liner, it applies fairly easily though not as easily as my favorite Morbid ones but it is super hard to rub off. If I rubbed my eye right now I'd mess up my shadow but the liner would be like 'whatev'.

Here is a swatch of it, it is on the right and Ulta automatic liner in Olive is to the left. Also sharpening this thing is a royal pain. The black fake wood looks pretty but is a punk to sharpen.

And here's a look where I've used it. Pretty simple. Should I ever use all of this I'm not sure if I'd buy it again. It is a little pricey for what it is, even with a coupon (which I so had).

Price: $15/.04oz
Packaging: 4/5
The packaging is super cute and totally durable but a pain to sharpen, which means a full freaking point off since that makes it a bear to use.
Quality: 4/5
Sure it lasts and the color is gorgeous (Olive! With gold sparkles!) but it is a little annoying applying it and washing it off at night requires a makeup towelette or remover.
Value: 3/5
It is mighty expensive for a liner. If you want an olive liner (though minus the sparkles) that also is an automatic and costs way less I'd say get the Ulta one.
Overall: 3.66/5

Make-Up Monday: Gucci Westman for Revlon lip gloss in Crystal Waters

I had no intentions on getting this gloss or any Revlon gloss really. I'm not normally a fan of too many glosses so I don't even bother. But I saw this at the grocery store and it was practically glowing blue. And then I saw a $2 off coupon taped to it and figured why the heck not.

It is a generously sized gloss and the packaging is very grown up but still shows off the main player, the lovely, almost glowing gloss.

The applicator is basically a spatula like one that also happens to be fuzzy. It works and that is all I care about.

Sadly the ethereal bluish glow in the tube does not happen on the lips. But it makes them shiny and has a subtle sparkle so it isn't a total wash. It also smells divine, like vanilla cake without frosting. I'm used to glosses with frosting like scents so this was a nice departure from that. It also moisturizes my lips and fades nicely since it is colorless. Even without the blue glow I really like it (hence why it lives in my purse).

Price: $7.50 for .2oz
Packaging: 5/5
It is pretty and sophisticated and the applicator works very well.
Quality: 5/5
It is moisturizing the scent isn't sickly sweet and the subtle sparkle makes it my favorite go to for just something to moisturize my lips without having to worry about color.
Value: 5/5
You don't need much to do you so the amount in the tube isn't bad at all and it is such a nice product that for $7.50 that is quite a deal. And Revlon coupons aren't hard to come by so it'd be easy for this to only be $4-$5.50.
Overall: 5/5

Make-Up Monday: Mabelline Volum'Express The Falsies Flared Mascara

I thought I'd posted a review of the original formulation for The Falsies mascara because I love it. Like feircely. The only reason I even grabbed the tube of the new flared variety was because it was marked down to $2.65 and that's a great price. Luckily the flared variety doesn't seem very different... like at all.

It applies easily, don't do that side to side motion though or else your lashes will clump together. It seems to work best when you just go straight from the roots of the lashes to the ends with a light touch and a couple goes.

So here are my natural lashes.

And here I am all dolled up. As you can see both volume and length and a good lack of clumps. I love this stuff. Also they package juuuust about the perfect amount. By the time I'm running out is about when I should be replacing it anyways. I don't feel wasteful OR like I'm buying mascara all the time.

Price: $7/.31oz (about 3-6 months worth)
Packaging: 5/5
The wand applicator works perfectly and the purple and silver packaging is very pretty. The normal variety is purple with teal in place of the silver and just as gorgeous.
Quality: 5/5
It applies perfectly, it lasts all day without flaking or any of that business and it washes off pretty easy too. It also does both volume and length. It. Is. Perfect.
Value: 5/5
Perfect performance, pretty packaging and it is under $10? How could it be better? Well keep an eye out for Maybelline coupons and it can easily just be a fiver. Yes.
Overall: 5/5

Make-Up Monday: Ulta Pressed Eye Shadow Singles

Don't buy these. That is a terrible way to start a review but seriously. Don't buy these. The packaging and colors look nice enough and they have cool names. You are there in Ulta going, "these are nice colors with cool names and they're not too expensive, I'll grab one or five." I've never had great luck with them. I'll be showing you Mesmerize and Deep Sea (which I somehow have 3 of. Apparently I'm drawn to the color though I never wear it).

Mesmerize is the most deceptive of the lot, it has that cool duochrome! DUOCHROME! Take my money, Ulta! I want a duochrome green/beige! Also not how it is scraped? Yeah, this is my second time using this

As you can see the duochrome does not come through when on your face. Considering Urban Decay, Morgana Cryptoria and Evil Shades have all done great duochrome shadows there is no reason for this to happen other then them being cheap/just not caring. Mesmerize is by the brow, Deep Sea is by the lash and Urban Decay omen is in the corner because I wanted some freaking duochrome gosh darn it.

Price: $2.99-$7 depending on the sale
Package: 4/5
Sturdy, lets you view the color. Looks alright. I care most about it being sturdy and it is.
Quality: 1/5
You will get color, you will have to work for it but you will get it. You won't get duochrome. And it'll do that thing pressed shadows do where they kind of turn to rock and your brush can barely get any color off of it. Sucktastic. The shadow itself is prone to shatter/explode if you drop it too. Peachy, ne?
Value: 2/5
You'll get color. You'll work hard for it and be annoyed but if it is this or no shadow on my eyes I'd grudgingly use this.
Overall: 2.3/5
Suuuucks. Don't waste your money unless this is a matter of life or pantslessness. And even then, you're in an Ulta or on the internet, there are other options. Even other budget options. And are you really saving money if you buy crap you won't use? Exactly.

Make-Up Monday: Smakers Disney To-ki-o Treats Eyeshadow duo in First Love

There's a reason I try to not walk past the cosmetic aisle when I go to the store. Something will catch my eye and I'll buy it. The to-ki-o treat display was so cute, all the packaging was cute. I thought about getting both shadow duos (the other has Daisy on it!) but I didn't know if I'd like the shadow. Smackers makes good lip gloss and balm but I'd never tried any of their other stuff before.

I've been using it for a while now, please excuse the powder. I actually suggest using a brush in place of the sponge applicator though. Brush works awesome. Applicator not so much.

And here I have the two colors swatched. I got First Love because I need some more super pale options for my eye shadows. I really like both, they are great and since they are pressed they travel well (used this at Afest).

I used the milky color right by my brow, pink below and then the bottom is Evil Shades Drakon. You can switch in just about any brown or tan for the bottom and get a great soft eye. The shadow stays in place well (I use primer) and is easy to apply. I really like it and will probably pick up City Nights next time I see it too.

Price: $5
Package: 5/5
Cute, easy to view the shadow and easy to get the shadow out. It is also sturdy. This is about everything I could want from packaging (except making it heart and jewel shaped, why don't we get canmake here?)
Quality: 5/5
Easy to apply, stays and doesn't explode in the container (oh Ulta eye shadows, always a party). I dig.
Value: 5/5
$5 for two decent sized plates of shadow is a good price, especially when the packaging is cute and the product is good.
Overall: 5/5
I hope Smackers expands their shadow offerings! I've always dug their cheap but nice and cute lip stuff so I'm really open to more from them! Sadly I know they'll never do anything but pastels since it is meant for preteens. *sigh*

Make-Up Monday: Morbid Makeup Purple Glitter Eyeliner Pencil

EDIT: Hot Topic no longer carries this make up brand any more. If you have an unused black eyeliner or find one at your Hot Topic, I'm willing to pay double sticker price (so $4) plus shipping per pencil. I know this sounds silly but OMG I don't think I have it in me to hunt down a new everyday eye liner. T^T

Make fun of me all you want but I still hold that the goths have it right when it comes to eyeliner. I picked up the purple glitter one since it was in the clearance bin for $.69. And purple brings out the green in my eyes.

It applies just as smoothly as the regular black though while applying it can feel a little tickly/scratchy. Scratchy isn't quite the right word since it isn't really irratating it just feels weird.

It stays in place all day just like the black variant and washes off easy-peasy too. Have I mentioned how much I love this eyeliner?

Price: $1.99 (or lower since clearance and all)
Packaging: 5/5
It is a very easy to use pencil and the silver with the black fishnet over lay and aluminum cap is kinda pretty.
Quality: 5/5
Easy on, stays put (barring rubbing) and washes off easy. It is perfect.
Value: 5/5
Any good eyeliner under $5 is a hit with me but $1.99 for the best? I almost gave it a 6/5.
Overall: 5/5
Per. Fec. Tion.

Make-Up Monday: Morgana Cryptoria Lip Gel in Pentacle

This is a different type of lip gel than the stuff that came in the slim balm tubes, this in fact comes in a squeezy tube. The lip gel seems to be replacing her lip gloss (sadness! That gloss was perfection.) so I figured I'd give it a try. For science.

This packaging solves the problem of the product melting out of the tube but to be honest this needed to be in a lip gloss tube with a doe foot applicator. Why? Because you either have to use a lip brush or your finger to spread the product on your lip. Now I know plenty of people already use lip brushes for everything but
I only have two travel lip brushes and cleaning them constantly is a pain. The carmex like applicator works for clear colors because you don't have to worry about perfect application. This product is anything but clear.

The product itself is like a liquid lipstick, it is as opaque as a lipstick but gooey like a gloss. This sounds awesome in concept except one of the great things about her lipsticks is that they have great staying power and one of the great things about her glosses is that they fade in a very natural way as you eat and go about your day. This product does neither of those things. This product doesn't stay put. You'll leave a big glob on your coffee cup and it'll look patchy pretty quick. The only saving grace for this is that is doesn't feather. I'm not really a fan of this product. And the color is nice, not quite a full purple but def not a red.

Price: $10 a tube
Package: 2/5
It won't melt all over your purse but requires an extraneous lip brush.
Quality: 3/5
It smells nice and feels nice but doesn't do great otherwise.
Value: 3/5
$10 a tube for something you'll have to keep touching up? Eh....
Overall: 2.66
Not a fan and I don't think I'll be buying any more lip gels. And I didn't even luck out like last time where I was able to repurpose it (that purple one from the last batch is hands down my fav blush).

Outfits of the Fortnight v.9

It's still staying pretty cool so more loli-ing about has been done. :3

Even Cool Enough for a Sweater!

We've had some freaking crazy weather. Like so cold I am cranking up the electric blanket to 9 some days (since they don't light our heaters til mid to late November) and then hitting 90 or so a few days later.

Tie: Bodyline

Blouse: Offbrand

JSK: AatP

Bolero: Offbrand

Socks: Offbrand

Shoes: Offbrand

Brave Hair

It was so humid that day I went to see Brave that I was rocking some serious Merida hair. Happy to go fullstop lolita though! :D

Headbow: Offbrand

Blouse: Offbrand

JSK: BtSSB

Socks: Offbrand

Shoes: Offbrand

But It's Got Kitty Ears!

That'd be the justification for buying Meta's Card Playing Kitty hoodie. I so need the JSK in black. So so need.

Hoodie: Metamorphose

Blouse: Offbrand

Skirt: Offbrand

Socks: AatP

Shoes: Offbrand

Laaaayers are for Cold Weather

Look at dem layers. But it has been freezing here so loli is the only way to stay warm dontcha know? ;D

Everything is offbrand.

Loli! Hatoful Scarecrow

I love Hatoful Boyfriend. Like, you come for the crazy pidgeon dating sim and stay for the feels. It is an oddly well written story. And I thought why not loli-fy the Scarecrow/Labor 9 for the ATX Lolitas' Halloween Tea. I forgot my arm armor though. D:

Hood: Handmade

Shoulder armor: Handmade

Sweater: Offbrand

Blouse: Offbrand

Gloves: Offbrand

Skirt: HMHM

Socks: Offbrand

Boots: AatP

Make-Up Monday: Shiro Cosmetics Alkahestry, Nic Cage, Ragdoll, Oogie Boogie, Pumpkin King and This is Halloween Swatches!

Just thought I'd toss these up. I still love her shadow formula.

Alkahestry: Ignore my spelling error on the pic. I bought this because I'm trying to find something just like Omen. Clearly this isn't just like Omen since it has blue sparkles over a blue sheen but OMG the sparkliness is so in your face it is so amazing. Love. It. I'm getting FOR GENERATIONS next order, I didn't realize it had Alex on it and omg I need a shadow with Alex right on the cap.

Oogie Boogie: Money green. It's listed as mildewy green but it is more midtone. Goes lovely with Alexandria though, as you can see.

Ragdoll: The color I figured I wouldn't really like but the cap art was super cute so I got it. It is actually a really nice midtone and perfect for fall eye looks. *thumbs up*

Pumpkin King: Is like identical to Nic Cage. I thought it was a packaging error until I looked on the website again and yeah no they really are supposed to be very similar. But I absolutely love it, I've been wanting a good really dark brownish black and this so fits the bill. So I'm okay with having two jars of basically the same color.

Nic Cage Raking Leaves on a Brisk October Afternoon: I bought it because of the crazy name and the even crazier cap art. I now taunt one of my interns that the library is haunted by Nic Cage's disembodied leaf surrounded head. It floats around just being creepy. She always gives me a not amused look and thanks me for the nightmares. >:D Like I said, pretty much identical to Pumpkin King but such a nice color I don't mind.

This look was done with Meowth by the brow, Ragdoll in the middle and on one eye Nic Cage and the other Pumpkin King by the lashes. Seriously, cannot tell them apart.

And here is a swatch of the This is Halloween gloss! This was why I waited to get this up because I wanted to give it a test run. It bleeds a bit and requires touch ups after any time you touch your lips but I love the color. Reddish orange you's my fav. The smell can be strong but it is sweet pumpkin-y chai so not that terrible.

Make-Up Monday: Morgana Cryptoria Lipsticks in Fallen Angel, Midnight Plumeria and Nightly Wishing

More Morgana lipsticks! These are just swatches on lip, not full reviews since I've already reviewed her lipstick before. These are just like all her other lipsticks: amazing bold color, don't bleed and stay the hell in place. <3

Fallen Angel is both purple AND has red glitter which is neat even if it reads more silver on film.

Midnight Plumeria is the most red of these three, it is a pretty color. Have to build it up though, a few quick swipes just gives a smokey effect.

Nightly Wishing is the bluest of these shades. It is also the most metallic.

The only downside to these three shades is that they are supposed to be duochrome but for me just read as purple in the mirror and on camera. :(

Outfits of the Fortnight v.8

It was absolutely miserable for most of September so there was little if any loli going on for me. But! Things are cooling down now so yay!

Summer Gothic

No socks 'cause it was still super humid. I should have worn my Jane mitts, they would have really pulled this together... And maybe a black headbow.

Blouse: Offbrand

Skirt: Offbrand

Shoes: Offbrand

Country Loli!

Still too humid to do socks otherwise this would have been perfect.

Blouse: Offbrand

JSK: Offbrand

Boots: AatP

Whaddya Mean Green Isn't a Fall Color?

I love greens like this, om nom nom I could eat them all up. Also EVERYTHING has a pattern in this yet somehow it doesn't feel busy. Yay.

Tie: Bodyline

Blouse: Offbrand

JSK: AatP

Socks: Offbrand

Shoes: Offbrand

A Bit More in the Season

It's the Jane OP! Yay! I was really wanting to wear my lavender and black coffin with bats clip but didn't think I had anything purple until I remembered that OP I hardly wear. I'm wearing bat earrings but clearly I need some black bat accessories.

Clip: Handmade, from the Afest Loli Swap

OP: Handmade

Socks: Offbrand

Shoes: Offbrand

Navy and White

I love mixing navy and white pieces. They go together so well. I forgot my petticoat and bloomers though since I was late and rushing to get ready. :x

Jacket: Offbrand

Dress: Offbrand

Boots: Offbrand

Parasol: Offbrand

Make-Up Monday: Morgana Cryptoria Slimline Lipstick in Lily

Another of Morgana's new products, I was pulled in because it was $5 and there's one called Lily. You can completely and totally get me to buy something if it isn't too expensive and has a name I like.

The tube itself isn't quite as slim as the balm/lipgel tubes but is slimmer than a regular tube. It is poured directly into the tube instead of being free standing like a not slim lipstick. I kind of dig this since it means it won't slide off (Hydrangea does this all the time but most other Morgana lipsticks don't have this problem. Nyx lipsticks alllll do this).

This is an odd color for me. I really like it, but I have to wear bb cream/can't go sans face goo if I want to wear it. I guess it doesn't quite mix with my skin tone when my face is all red. It applies easily but has a bit of a candy scent to it like all of Evil Shades lip stuff. Not unpleasant but something to keep in mind. This is a very luminous shade. You know how her Galaxy gloss kind of glows? This does too. I love that glowing effect. :D

This is also my lightest lipshade now! As you can see it is a bit bubblegum-y which may explain why it doens't play nice with the red in my face.

Price: $7/2ml
Package: 4/5
Sturdy, supports the lipstick and works without any issues. Classy looking but nothing to write home about.
Quality: 4/5
This formula seems different from her normal lipstick one, it is a bit sheerer and easier to apply but also doesn't have the staying power for daaays aspect. With a light tone like this it isn't a problem, it just means a touch up after coffee or lunch.
Value: 5/5
That's a great price for a good lipstick! Seriously.
Overall: 4.36/5
I'd buy it again, it is a pretty color, I'm digging the price point and quality. And this shade will look tops with my Tron:Legacy Siren coord!