3.1 Philip Lim for Target

My man P.Lim has got some amazing things going on over at Target. I absolutely adore Target's collaboration with designers (read: otherwise no other way can I afford their products).

I was able to to get my hands on the Philip Lim handbag/satchel and I am in l-o-v-e. Here are some pictures of it:

Bonus picture via 31philiplim just to show you why Philip Lim is awesome

You can find this bag at Target, unfortunate, it is sold only in store (but sold out in most stores) for $44.99. For reference, it is this bag here.

New Brush Holder

I bought a new brush holder today and I thought I'd share it with you guys. It's amazing what you can find when you're not looking!

I found it at Marshall's for $6.99 in the Office area and I suppose it's used for pens/scissors and that sort of things. It's perfect for my Sigma brushes and my Real Techniques brushes. Let's take a closer look:

It's got 4 compartments:

On the bottom, it's got a swivel so that it can turn, but it doesn't work that well, but that's alright with me because it's super portable and it's great:

All filled up: I have them sectioned by face/eyes and Real Techniques/Sigma:

Another view:

If this is something you like, you better go get it quick. If you don't know, Marshall's, TJ Maxx and Home Goods are run by the same company and they cycle through their stuff pretty regularly. Who knows if it will be there next week!

By the way, I ordered 2 Muji five (5) drawers, so expect an updated post of the makeup area next week =)

Benefit Stay Flawless 15-Hour Primer

Benefit's 15-Hour Primer is amazing. This is a product that's gotten a lot of mixed reviews from a lot of folks. It's definitely a product that's a trial and error for me. I've had this primer for well over 2 months now and it wasn't until about 3 weeks ago did I actually start to really enjoy this product. My face is oily in the t-zone and I have combo skin.

First, let me say, if you don't use this product correctly, you will not get proper results. If you are not careful with this product, you will break this product (see first picture).

I use this primer with my liquid foundations and I apply the primer (and foundation) half of my face at a time. I do not rub it into my face and I use the stick directly. Some may find this unsanitary, but as long as your face is clean and you're the only person using it, it should be alright.

A lot of folks (on the internet and YouTube) have mentioned that their stick have broken in half/snapped when it was time to twist it up. Mine did exactly that. As you know (from my blog), I have a separate makeup area, so it's not like I keep my makeup in my bathroom or anywhere wet...anyhow. I was very upset. A big chunk fell on the floor and the tub inside (see first pic) had a big hole. TERRIBLE!

I wish Benefit could have made this into a tub instead of of a stick maybe. That way, you can use a brush and brush it on your face and it would also be more sanitary.

The product is also supposed to be waterproof, though I haven't exactly fell into a pool to test that theory.

I believe that though the primer is great, the staying power has a LOT to do with what kind of foundation you are using. I've been pairing them Estee Lauder Double Wear Light or Mac Matchmaster. Both lasts me all day with wearing the primer underneath. Here are some pictures!

Here is the broken (old) primer, as you can see, there is a big hole and the chunk that fell out:

I bought my primer from Ulta (and I am a member there) well over 2 months ago and they were SO NICE about it. They looked up my information and was able to confirm my purchase and they just gave me a new one and took the old one. Big yay to Ulta's customer service!

I am not sure what the little white specks are:

This is a swatch on my NC25 skintone, I just wanted to show you all that there is no color, it does go on clear:

You can find this product at:

Benefit Cosmetics or Sephora or Ulta for $32

I give the product a 8.5/10 but I give the packaging a 6/10

Candles, Candles, Candles everywhere!

I love candles. Fall is the perfect seasons for them too! I'm a bit of a candle hoarder. The pictures below are just the ones that are waiting to be burned...time for some Fall Favorite Flavors:

Yankee Candle has their $1 sales and I love stalking up on these:

For the most part, I love candles with cute designs, I love fruity scents. Apple is a favorite scent of mine

Bath and Body Works is a must have for everyone of course! I also get candles from Yankee Candle, Target, TJ Maxx and Marshalls!

 Mini candles are great so that I don't get sick of scents!

Sigma Brushes: Mr. Bunny Essential Kit

First Impression Unboxing Review Only!

Warning--Pic Heavy

This will be an initial review or an unboxing review only. This means, it will just be pictures of the products. I have not yet used the products so I cannot comment on the quality or performance of the product. However, I will do an update of this post after I have given this set of brushes a week or two of use!

First off, I got Mr. Bunny set for my birthday. The shipping was 4 business days. Relatively quick. The shipping cost $14 dollars. Not cheap. AND, they messed up my order. I also ordered the F80 flat kabuki brush as well. It was no where to be found. I have emailed their customer service (the same day I received the order). I will update you guys once I update the brush post regarding the F80.

The brushes all came individually wrapped (I didn't take a picture of that because there was a glare) and it had a very strong plastic smell. I'm sure airing it out a bit would take care of that.

I also noticed how heavy the brushes were. I like that. A LOT. I enjoy holding a brush with a little weight to it. Granted it might not make it very 'travel friendly' if every ounce counts, but it definitely beats all the other brushes I have in terms of weight and size.

Let's move on to the pictures:

The box that it came in

The infamous holder that opens up and doubles as a brush container/holder

Here's what the holder/container looks like (this is one of them and one holds all of the brushes fine)

The Mr. Bunny Essential Kit comes with 12 brushes (top to bottom):

F30, F50, F40, F60, E40, E60, E55, E70, E65, E05, E30, E70 and the brush holder

 The Break Down of the Brushes w/descriptions taken from Sigma website

F30 - Large Powder: Even powder application. Uniform blending of powder products onto the face and body (I will be using this to dust powder to set my face).

F40 - Large Angled Contour: Subtle cheek application. Use the angle to softly contour the cheekbone. Can also be used to apply blush (I will be using this for blush).

F50 - Duo Fibre: Creates an airbrush effect onto the skin. Can be used with powder, liquid or cream products (I will be using this for cream blush/contour).

F60 - Foundation: Smooth foundation application. Apply liquid or cream products such as foundation and primer (I'm not a huge fan of this type of brush, but I would use it for foundation as a back up for my F80).

E60 - Large Shader: Uniformly cover the whole lid with product. Apply cream shadow base or cream shadow for quick and even coverage (I will use this to place color all over the lid as a base).

E40 - Tapered Blending: Soft blended crease. Using just the tips to apply color, sweep back and forth through the crease for a diffused and blended finish (I will be using this for transitioning colors).

E70 - Medium Angled Shading: Soft application of color. Use for brow highlighting or to blend the crease (I will be using this to do exactly what it says...highlighting my brows and creating creases).

E55 - Eye Shading: Even application of color. Place color across the whole lid for an even and strong application of product (I will be using this for pigments and placing defined colors).

F70 - Concealer: Conceal small areas. Conceal the hardest to reach areas such as around the nose and eyes (I'll be using this for my under eye concealing).

E30 - Pencil: Soften and smoke out lines. Soften pencil liners along the top and bottom lash lines, add shadow to line the eyes, or use to highlight inner corner of eyes (I will be using this to line my eyes).

E65 - Small Angle: Create precise lining. Moves fluidly and easily across the upper and lower lash lines. Use with gel, cream or powder liners (I will be using this for my brows).

E05 - Eye Liner: Create smooth and even lines. Use with gel or liquid liners (I will be using this for eyeliner).

You can find this product at Sigma Beauty for $120

My Desk

I'd like to share with you guys where I work on my editing, posting, blogging, shooting.

My desk is very important to me. I like for it to be clutter-free and organized and minimalistic. Here are some pictures of my work space:

The overall space:

I haven't decorated the walls or the surrounding space yet, so there isn't much to show other than the desk itself.

Some Details:

This is a DIY coaster. I obviously don't want any water rings around my desks so I made a coaster. I am always drinking something. Coffee, tea, water, coke...you name it, I've got it near me. If you'd like to see my DIY coaster, I'd be happy to post how I made it!

A candle is a must have. This is a current favorite smell right now. The packaging is cute. I have plenty more waiting. I am a bit of a candle fanatic. I have probably 10 candles as backup.

A notepad for jotting down notes, thoughts and ideas. Stationary is also another 'hobby' of mine. I also have a craft room. If you'd like to see more of that, let me know, we can get into that another post too.

That's really it for my desk. Simple and chic. I do have a camera set up on the side where I take my pictures and there is a bright window next to the desk!

China Turns 2

I'd like to share a picture of my dog. Her name is China. She turned 2 this past weekend. I got her from the pound a year and half ago:

Happy Birthday, China

Tarte 2013 Holliday Blush Palette: Off The Cuff

Amazing, beautiful, elegant are the 3 words that I will use to describe this gift set. Let me show you what I mean:

It comes nicely package. The perfect size and shape for wrapping (if you are gifting it). This is important. I hate wrapping oddly shaped presents. Obviously, I'm greedy and this is for myself...so I don't care about shape particularly in this instance.

The palette itself comes wrapped with the cuff bracelet around it. I'm not a fan of thick (faux) leather bracelets, so I will be giving that way, but it does add a festive touch. I will say, I would have MUCH rather paid less for the palette if it DIDN'T come with a bracelet than if it did.

Now, the REAL DEAL...The blushes itself...

(L to R) Crave, Dazzled, Darling, Dollface and the bronzer Park Ave Princess

Listen up guys...Dazzled is the ONLY one in this set that has a slight hint of shimmer. The rest are all matte. So if you are a fan of matte blushes/bronzer. This is your calling!

Close up

The colors are great for leading up to Fall

Swatched in artificial light on NC 25 skintone

You can find this product at Sephora for $42

I give this product a 9.5/10

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils

Following my previous review NYX review, I am doing a NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil review. I have a total of 12 Jumbo Eye Pencils and fair to say, that's a lot of colors to experiment with! If you don't know what Jumbo Eye Pencils are, these are creamy eye pencils that you can use (and sharpen) as eyeshadow sticks and blend out on your eyes. They are both an eyeliner and an eyeshadow.

Let's get started:

(L to R): Milk, Cottage Cheese, Strawberry Milk, Cashmere, Yogurt, Pure Gold, Iced Mocha, French Fries, Rust, Dark Brown, Slate, Black Bean)

I've laid them out in the order of lightest to darkest. Let me point out a few things:

1. The caps: They are terrible. If you cap them too tight, they crack. If you don't cap them carefully, you might smudge the pencil. ARG. Let's hope NYX can find a better solution!

2. Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk: This is a cult favorite. It can be used as a base, it's a great white matte cream that you can use to cancel out all color on your lid and you can use it to lay your bright shadows on (or any shadows).

3. Milk, Dark Brown and Black Bean are the 3 matte colors that I have. The rest all have a hint of shimmer in them.

4. The lighter colors have less of a color pay-off than the darker colors.

5. Oily lids beware! Prime your lids (and wear powder shadows on top, if necessary) to prevent creasing.

Swatched on NC 25 skin:

NYX products can be found at NYX Cosmetics Ulta, Cherry Culture, Target