Make-Up Monday: Shiro Cosmetics Lingered in Twilight and For Generations Eye Shadow

I finally got it. I finally got the brilliantly stickered eye shadow I've been wanting for months. The concept of For Generations might even beat Nic Cage. But that's because the Armstrong Family joke has never gotten old for me. It is YEARS old now but it has never gotten old. I also got Lingered in Twilight because I've really been needing something like a really dark green to expand my smokey eye options and this kinda fit that (and looked super pretty on the site).

For Generations is a bright pink, a little lighter than hot pink but still punch to the face bright. And it is filled with lots of multicolored sparkles.

Lingered in Twilight is best likened to fish scales. Dark greenish blue and when the light its it just right it is brilliantly sparkly.

Now for swatches (all of which are done on my forearm over a stripe of eye shadow base). I wanted to compare FG with my collection of pinks since I kind of have a lot of pinks now (for how often I wear them). The top is in direct sunlight the bottom is indirect sunlight. Mew, Clefairy and Eye Contact are all other Shiro shades. Altair is Aromaleigh and Suffocation is Evil Shades. If there is one thing I really like about Shiro it is that I can own three different middle pinks from them and they are all different. The closest to For Generations is Eye Contact but it is slightly more cool toned hot pink and has a shimmer as opposed to sparkles. They are still different.

So basically, pretty sticker art, gorgeous colors and as usual they apply and wear like a dream. c:

Also someone remind me when suggestions for the next February Color of the Month comes up. Losing the Girl To My Superior Officer Once Again with a dejected Havoc sticker needs to happen.

Make-Up Monday: Morgana Cryptoria Dragonscale, Ginger Spice, Burnt Orange, Charleston and Asylum lipstick swatches

Look who's back! Though I'll be completely out of contact due to SDCC and the like for the rest of July. But! I should have some lovely new stuff to review once I get back since I plan on replenishing my stash of Asian beauty products. Not much lolita wearing has been going on due to the heat and humidity and my medical treatments making my legs gross and not so pretty but I'll be doing some during m trip so hopefully I'll remember to take pics and can have an OotF in August. :D

But onward to make-up!

Asylum is a pretty brownish grey with a pronounced green undertone/glow. It's very hard to photograph and get the green but it is there. For such a strange color (green) it actually applies remarkably well. But then again this is a MC lipstick so that's to be expected.

Charleston is a brown. I was hoping it would have a bit more of a red tint to it, it's almost there but not quite. It's a very dramatic color either way and not bad. Just very brown.

Dragonscale is very like Hydrangea, but the pink is a much more electric pink and instead of green sparkles it has a pronounced green shift. I adore it, while I ordered it hoping for something closer to hydrangea (there was no photo, just a short description) I really don't mind how it is different. Still beginning to run out of Hydrangea though. ToT

And now for our oranges. I absolutely love orange lipsticks, they're like red lipstick but blend in with my yellow toned skin better. I got Burnt Orange and Ginger Spice in the hopes they would be like 24k Pumpkin and Pumpkin Eater which are my two favorite lipsticks in the history of ever. They are similar but nowhere near being dupes.

I never thought of 24k Pumpkin as a dark lipstick until I compared these two! 24k Pumpkin has a darker, background and gold shift with it's gold sparkles where as Burnt Orange has a very straight up orange background with its gold sparkles. I really do like Burnt Orange though.

What you can't tell here is that Pumpkin Eater has a pronounced metallic quality to it. Not glitter or a shit it is just a metallic red orange. Ginger Spice is a reddish orange with copper sparkles. Ginger Spice is also a brighter/less dark color. A lovely color but it does was me out a tad.

All of the lipsticks were easy to apply as usual and came looking very swanky in professional looking tubes (excepting Asylum which came in a slim balm tube but it's a slim lipstick so expected). I'm happy with my purchase though the hunt for replacements for Pumpkin Eater, 24k Pumpkin and now Hydrangea continues! Hopefully Morgana Cryptoria will do a blast from the past thing during a future Halloween or something. :)

Make-Up Monday: Alba Botanica Rainforest Lush Facial Cream

Another "It was in the clearance bin and I'm out of face lotion so why not". This one is a lighter cream than the rosemary one which soaks in immediately. It also has a pump so it is easier to control how much I get. I like this one better than the Rosemary Light Night Cream, since we're starting to get humid this doesn't make my face feel like an oil slick but also actually moisturizes my skin. my skin seems a smidge happier using this as opposed to the Light Night Cream too: fewer zits!

The major downside is the smell, it is very strong. It is a pleasant smell for me but it is super strong and only just bearable. I would not buy this again because of how strong the smell is. It's something like Brazil nuts or some sort of tropical fruit.

Price: $5/
Packaging: 4/5
The packaging is super cute and doles out well. It could be cuter though!
Quality: 4/5
It leaves my face a bit dewy if it's a rainy day but otherwise the only drawback is how strong the scent is.
Value: 5/5
A face lotion my face actually seems to like for $5? Heck. Yes.
Overall: 4.33/5

Make-Up Monday: Botanics Complexion Refining Light Night Cream

I bought this solely because it was in the clearance bin and had rosemary on the packaging. I LOVE rosemary. It's my herb. So even though I normally avoid anti-acne/refining moisturizers because they irritate my sensitive skin.

It doesn't irritate my skin at all, it doesn't seem to do anything beneficial but it doesn't cause problems either so it wasn't a waste of my $7. I just wish it was in a tube instead of a jar I'm sticking my fingers in, I always end up with too much. I don't know how that refining is working out since I still have zits and the pores on my nose are still a bit big.

Price: $7
Packaging: 2/5
It closes and looks nice on the counter but a tube would help control how much product I get which would be nice.
Quality: 3/5
It neither harms nor helps, just moisturizes. Which goes against what it advertises but honestly finding something like that for my sensitive skin is tricky.
Value: 3/5
It works alright but not great and it doesn't smell obscenely like rosemary which is what I was hoping for.
Overall: 2.66/5

Make-Up Monday: Maybelline The Rocket Volum' Express Mascara

Given how much I like Maybelline's Falsies mascara I thought I'd give this one a go since it is in the same Volum' Express line and references rockets (I am that dork).

The brush is different than the Falsies one, this one has all sorts of short spikes instead of a more traditional bristle brush.

It applies easily but doesn't really plump and lengthen my lashes quite like the Falsies does. It does well to lengthen though and if I didn't have Falsies then it would be my favorite (it also clumps less than Falsies but I'm willing to take some clumps with my giant lashes so y'know). And also since I accidentally bought brownish black instead of my normal blacker than space it lends a very natural look.

Price: $7
Packaging: 4.5/5
It fits well in my hand and make-up bag, is cute and the applicator works well though isn't the very best.
Quality: 4.5/5
It doesn't flake, it applies easy and it stays once applied until I wipe my face with make-up removing cloth at night. Like I said elsewhere, if it weren't for The Falsies it would be my favorite.
Value: 5/5
It is a really good mascara for less than $10 and it is easy to find coupons every so often so the cost can easily be closer to $5.
Overall: 4.66/5

Make-Up Monday: Victorian Disco Cosmetics

There is no picture for this since... I never received my product.

I ordered during last year's Memorial Day sale. My order was only resolved the end of March.

May 2012

So I ordered during the Memorial Day sale and then the owner got sick. Hey, it happens. I figured she would fill the orders or whatever when she was doing better.

August 2012

I hadn't heard anything so I looked online and noticed that on her facebook page she was offering to give refunds to those who wanted them. I really wanted the eye shadows I'd ordered instead and didn't mind waiting a bit longer so I didn't email her about a refund.

October 2012

I emailed asking what was going on. I got one response back saying she would look into things.

Januaryish 2013

I emailed again asking what was up but got no response back.

March 2013

The intern who had suggested Victorian Disco to me was telling me about the order from them she had just ordered and received within that month. Naturally I was not a happy camper as I hadn't heard back from the owner in months for an order placed almost a year ago. So I emailed her again asking when exactly my order would be filled. She got back to me, said most of what I had ordered she no longer had stock of and offered to let me either substitute or get a refund. I chose a refund since the ones which had spurred the order in the first place weren't available any more and apparently no more would ever be made.

I am a very understanding person, especially when it comes to illness or something else completely out of a person's control messing things up. If she had kept up communication (she didn't, her facebook page went untouched for a long time in there and her website went down) I wouldn't have nearly as much of a problem.

What gets me is that she obviously didn't go through the order backlog once she was better. You wouldn't even have to fill the orders, she could have gone though and refunded them all and this wouldn't be a negative review. It's the fact I had to keep pushing to get a resolution.

So, uh, I guess if you like a gamble and don't actually have your heart set on any of the shadows you order then you could take a go but otherwise I would advise y'all to not.

2012 Favorite Product Round-Up~

I bought a lot of things in 2012, especially when it comes to cosmetics and the like. So here's my favorites, things which I will for sure be using well into 2013, though I may not have actually bought/first bought/reviewed them in 2012.

Evil Shades shadow in "Drakon"

I don't list what all goes in my make-up looks unless it's a product review but let me tell you this was very often the middle color in eyeshadow combos I did this year. It's a smokey color with gold sparkles and it is so very versatile. It looks like sunset.
$5.75 for Full Size

For Sale at Evil Shades' Website

Shiro Cosmetics shadows in Meowth/White Out and Alkahestry

Meowth/White Out was very often the top/browbone color in eyeshadow looks, since it's a very pale cream it goes with just about everything and is super easy to apply. Alkahestry is this lavender with INTENSE blue sparkles. It is perfect at the inner corners of my eye. It's basically Urban Decay's Omen but amped up into a blue glitter instead of a blue glow.
$5 for Full Size

White Out Alkahestry

Maybelline Volum' Express The Falsies Mascara

Oh Maybelline don't ever stop making this, baby. It lengthens and fattens lashes without being clumpy (when it starts getting clumpy that's approx when you should get a new tube). Best mascara ever.
About $6

Regular American Retail

Missha Signature M Real Complete BB Cream

The packaging is unfortunately not adorable but the product has the best staying power of all the BBs I tried this year and it also feels the lightest to wear and makes me break out the least. It's completely replaced foundation for me (which is good since l'Oreal doesn't make w1 liquid foundation anymore since apparently warm toned pale people don't exist I guess).
$20-50

Ebay, local Asian cosmetics stores

NYX Lipstick in Hestia

My one true love in red lipstick. The formula is only really okay (though moisturizing) but the color is perfection. It's the lip color I wore when I got my driver's license photo taken, that's how much I love it.

Discontinued, Ebay

Morgana Cryptoria Lip Gloss in Galaxy

It's so bright and lavender! It makes my lips look like they're glowing and could be considered the lipgloss version of Urban Decay's Omen shadow.

Discontinued

Morbid Make-Up Eyeliner in Black

The best liner in the history of forever. And it just got discontinued. Womp womp. It applies easy, comes off easy but stays in place the whole goddamn day. I'm really hoping that BlackHeart make-up that Hot Topic now carries is just a repackage of Morbid Make-Up. Oh gods please.

Discontinued

l'Oreal Magic Perfecting Base

This actually has a much longer more ridiculous name but if ever I mention this then I cut out the Studio Secrets Professional Secret #1 from that. It is the most amazing eyeshadow primer in the world. You think Urban Decay's Primer Potion is good? It's got nothing on this. You can do super dark colors, super bright colors, there's little to no creasing, it's the bomb. If they ever discontinue it I may die.
About $8

Regular American Retail

l'Occitane Ruban d' Orange Eau

It smells like church by the Mediterrean Sea at Christmas. Woodsy with orange notes and a faint sweetness~! That is all. It is the perfect scent for me.

Discontinued (Whyyyy?)

Goody Spin Pins
For those of you with fluffy/course long hair these are a life saver. You literally twist your hair into a bun then screw these in and it's solid. I've never been able to get buns to work before these and man am I glad for them. If you have two sets and loooong hair like me then you can do poofy lolita pigtails with your natural hair!
About $6
Regular American Retail

Moroccan Oil Hair Treatment
I use the original but there's a light variety too. Hannah, you are amazing for introducing me to this so long ago~! It makes my fluffy/poofy/course hair so silky and managable.
$30-70 depending where you get it
Ebay, Local Salons

And that's it! I'm pretty much done on full size cosmetics/beauty products I've bought until my next Morgana box gets here so look forward to me finally figuring out exactly what all those free samples I've gotten with my asian cosmetics are starting next week. I'm honestly lost on most of them. Multipurpose fluid wat.

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).

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. :(

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!

Make-Up Monday: Missha Signature M Real Complete B.B. Cream

So I said I wasn't going to buy any more bb cream since I have plenty from my order back in May. And then I was in Dallas for A-Fest and had to hit up the H-mart for my fix of Asian groceries and the cosmetics store was open so I went in and the adorable sales lady totes sold me on this one. The one downside of the other four bb creams I have is that they still make me break out. My skin is just mean like that. So adorable sales lady, who takes one look at me after I ask for bb cream, navigates the giant display of them and picks out the best match for my skin thus far in about ten seconds assured me this was one of the best for sensitive skin. And $50 and two weeks of near daily use later I'm now writing this review.

I'm not normally much of a fan of the pump. It normally pumps too much/I can't get just a smidge out. This one I can actually vary how much I get out in a pump which is nice. The packaging is also pretty although not all super cute which is a slight let down. But maybe that just means it is a more grown up/better bb?

So here's my unmade up face. I'm not even wearing eyeshadow. Gasp-horror-shock I know. I is smarter to put on your eyeshadow before your bb though. Any shadow fall out sticks to this stuff like mad.

And here I am with the bb on. It knocks out the red in my face reaaaaal well. I'm wearing it a bit heavy here so it also pretty much knocks out my freckles and moles well too (though I like those so whatev). I've done lighter applications also (how thick I wear it varies every day since I'm normally in a hurry and just go with whatever coverage I get once it is even). I like that I can vary how heavy I want to wear it which I haven't had much luck with when using my other ones. You don't really want a heavy layer of make-up when it is 100+ and 90% humidity out. Though this one does pretty well when it comes to staying in place when you're sweating.

Overall I like it a lot, it does make me break out a little bit (like a couple blemishes on my forehead, one or two on my chin and one in the vague area of my nose on average) but it makes me break out the least of all of them, even though I wear it every day. Also if it has a scent I didn't notice. Like I've been putting this on my face for two weeks now so if it had even a light scent I'd have smelled it by now. Maybe it is the scents in others that make me break out?

And here's a comparison of all the ones I have so far. I can't even imagine how pale Missha #13 must be since #21 is almost too pale for me and I'm pretty pale.

Price: $50/45ml from Cosmetics World in Dallas (can be found online for about $30)
Package: 4/5
Easily able to control how much product you get out, the packaging is also sturdy. I just wish it was cuter.
Quality: 4.5/5
It is the only bb I have been able to do light AND heavy coverage with, the color is really great for me and it doesn't make me break out much. It would have a perfect score if it didn't make me break out at all but that would then be a miracle.
Value: 4/5
A bit pricey but it doesn't make me break out much. I'm willing to pay for that. Also since I got the larger one, even with daily wear I imagine it will last me at least a year of sole use.
Overall: 4.16/5
A bit pricey and the packaging is not super cute but otherwise my absolute fav so far.