Tuesday, July 19, 2011

Madd Style Cosmetics Reviews

     I just want to start this post by saying that I know I had a few people tell me they didn't like this brand based on their customer service. But I went ahead and tried it out anyway. I had absolutely no issues. I placed my order, I was contacted when my color choices didn't go through (which is I problem I have constantly had with  artfire messages), it was shipped in a timely manner. If you check out their facebook page (found here) you can see they have a great following. So I would tell anyone who was interested to go ahead and check them out (you can find their shop here).

     I ordered the 6 for $20 when it was sale- now I think it's back to 5 for $20 (which is still a great deal.) I took FOREVER to choose my colors. I wanted to branch out a bit and try new things, so I choose a few colors I wouldn't normally gravitate towards.


Left to right: Kick Ass, Tiger's Blood, Oz, Lust for Life, Space Oddity, Ecto Cooler



Left to right: Kick Ass, Tiger's Blood, Oz, Lust for Life, Space Oddity, and Ecto Cooler

     Check out the difference between the pot and the swatch for Lust for Life. In the pot it's much more grey looking, but on it has an awesome purple/pink shift. I am LOOOOOVING that color. I am also really digging Tiger's Blood- I love how metallic it is, and I don't have another color like it.


Me wearing Lust for Life on lid and under eye


And closed. (My nose is peeling a bit, ignore that!)

     Overall these shadows are great. No problems with application or blending. Great pigmentation, and wear well.

Thanks for reading. Follow my blog and check out my facebook page here- The Beauty Fiends

Review: Rockereque Beauty Company

     Rockeresque is a super cool company that has Vegan products in GORGEOUS colors. They remind me a little bit of Urban Decay because of their large color range and the funky, punk rock vibe. I also have to say- I don't think I've ever been as impressed with the model shoots as I am with this brand. They look like editorial shots, you can easily picture them in your latest issue of Nylon magazine. Go check out their website here and their facebook page here.

      Rockeresque offers a free membership club through their website. They send you a cute little card and product sample when you join. From then on when you order you include your member number with your order, and you can earn points. Plus you get e-mails about all the cool upcoming stuff.

     Since I thought all their colors were so pretty, I decided to order the sample set. It's $17 for 18 samples. It's a little bit pricey compared to other brands, but I felt it was the best way to see everything they had to offer.
(Click to enlarge)


Here's the collection! I'm not going to name the colors here, but I swatched them in the same order as above. So you can refer back to this picture that way if you'd like.


I'm not sure why it's rotated, but whatever. Top to bottom: Zombie Ballerina, My Monster, Heavy Metal, XOXO


L to R: Sparrow, Burning Heart, Chicklet, Toxicity, Hollywood


Pudding Pop, Peppermint Gummy Bear, Little Lamb, Schoolyard Crush, Dead as Night (I'm not crazy about this picture. With all my other swatches the camera picked up the shimmer, not so much with these guys. I especially love Peppermint Gummy Bear and Little Lamb- they both have that pretty sheen to them.)


Gingerbread Cookie, Lower East Side, Broken Teeth, Platinum Blonde, Ursula


Me wearing Zombie Ballerina lashes to brow, with XOXO in crease


Broken Teeth on the lid

     I love these shadows. Great pigmentation and staying power. Also, I'm always posting on their facebook page and they are always so sweet when they write back- they love their customers a lot. And I forgot to mention earlier- they also have cool necklaces and pins in their shop! (I especially love the hot pink glitter lightning bolt!)

     So all and all I am all about this brand- it is quickly becoming on of my favorites, and I can't wait to see what else they come out with! 

Thanks for reading! Follow my blog and check out my facebook page here- The Beauty Fiends


Sunday, July 10, 2011

Review: Carina Dolci Mineral Cosmetics

     I found Carina Dolci's shop on Facebook through mutual likes. Her colors were really pretty, and she was having a moving sale, so I decided to try her stuff out. (Check out her shop here and her facebook page here.)

I ordered nine eyeshadows (because I'm ridiculously indecisive. And like I said- SALE!)


Frrom L to R: Black w/ Blue glitter, Black w/ Gold glitter, Black w/ Dark Fuchsia glitter, Copper, Merlot, Twinkling Lights, Lilac, Sweet Tart, and Mint

     I got a nice mix of dark, metallic, and pastels. Before I my order was shipped Carina Dolci messaged me and told me I needed to get the Starry Eye Serum because it makes a huge difference in the shadows, and gave me a coupon code for free shipping as well. I was really iffy about it because it looks just like water, but I got it just to be safe.

     Here are all the colors swatched, half over the serum and half over naked skin.


(Colors are in same order as first picture)

As you can tell, the serum does make a HUGE difference, especially in the metallic and dark colors! And though the serum looks and feel like water, it holds the shadows on all day, with no creasing! And blending was still no issue over the serum. However- you do need to make sure you let it dry before putting shadow over it.


This is the "Copper" shadow.


Better picture of the color.

     It did take me awhile to get my order, but it's understandable because they're moving their shop. And for the inconvenience she sent me 18 shadows samples. 18! I won't swatch them because it's so many, but I am very appreciative of her!

     All and all her stuff is great!

Thanks for reading! Follow my blog and check out my beauty page here! The Beauty Fiends 

Saturday, July 9, 2011

Etsy Shop: ReneeLoughlin

     I love jewelry just about as much as I love make-up. And I can't really say I love one specific type, because I have girly stuff, edgy stuff, vintage stuff- a little bit of everything. While trolling on etsy (like I tend to do) I found ReneeLoughlin's shop (check it out here!) She has such awesome stuff! Everything has a kind of vintage/retro kind of vibe, which I love.

     I bought (click to enlarge):


This pretty bird necklace (two are white, one is turquoise) ($24)


And these awesome razor blade earrings! ($18)

     When my package arrived, I was surprised by the necklace. For some reason I thought the birds were going to be bigger. But I actually really like the size once I had it on because it looks much more dainty and lady-like. The earrings are just pure awesome- and no, they aren't sharp. She also sent me cute bobby pin with a skull brooch on it, which was really nice!
     
     I feel like the prices were decent- not too high. And she had great communication and ships super fast! I would definitely buy from her again.

Thanks for reading! Follow my blog and check out my Facebook page- The Beauty Fiends 

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Facebomb Cosmetics Review!

     I just receive my Facebomb Cosmetics order the other day, and I'm HELLA EXCITED! I ordered two full size colors and the sample pack. I bought during a sale, so for everything (including shipping) I paid a whopping $9.75. Not too shabby at all! (Check out Facebomb's etsy shop here and their Facebook page here to learn about sales and see all the new stuff before it's listed in the shop!)

     The very first thing I did when I got the package was take the sifter lids out of the eyeshadows. I don't know why, but sifter lids drive me bananas. But besides that, packaging was great- the shadows were shrink wrapped to prevent spillage and the samples came in little ziplock baggies.

Now on to swatches! (Click to enlarge)


Hyrule, Diabolique, Stranglehold, and Stay Frosty (Ignore my tattoo :-D)

     These colors were swatched over a primer (WHICH IS ALWAYS A MUST! SERIOUSLY! Not only do you use less product, it also helps your shadows wear all day!) The first two colors I ordered, and the last two were my random samples. All of these colors are pretty glittery/shimmery which I personally LOVE!

     Hyrule is a beautiful teal.
     Diabolique is a purple/brown/taupe kind of color, and 
     it's probably my favorite.
     Stranglehold is a pretty lilac purple.
     Stay Frosty is an awesome metallic silver.

     And here they are in action- (Click to enlarge)


I'm wearing Stranglehold on the lid, with Diabolique in the outer corner/crease.

     Diabolique is actually darker than in the picture, but I applied it with a fluffy brush so it went on nice and soft. These shadows apply well, blend well, and are just beautiful.

     Now for the most important question- how do they wear?


Me at work- six hours after initial application.


Me at home- NINE HOURS after initial application.

     I am very, VERY happy with how these wore! As long as you're wearing a primer, Facebomb eyeshadows will last you all day! LOVE!


Thanks for reading! Follow my blog and check out my facebook page for more fun stuff!  The Beauty Fiends



One Of My Favorite Shops- Tifthapeach

     I don't know about you guys, but I think gauged ears look SO COOL. But, I just can't commit to stretching out my lobes. I have tons of earrings, and I don't want to feel limited to only gauges. Plus, it's really not appropriate for my more conservative job.

     While surfing etsy, I came upon Tifthapeach (check her out here). She makes SUPER AWESOME earrings for gauged ears- but she can turn any of them into "fakers." Fakers give the look of gauged ears, but are made for pierced ears. SO AWESOME! Plus, she'll totally customize them for you. Color, style, glitter- you get a totally unique earring.

I've ordered from her twice now, and she's a total doll. And she gives a coupon code to return customers, which is always a nice touch. All and all, both times I've worked with her I've had a great experience, and her products are awesome. Total A+!

Now for some pictures!


First pair I bought. The "Samari" style in black with glitter.


Part of my second order. "Corkscrew" style in hot pink with glitter.



This one might be my favorite pair. "Woodland" style in "bloodwood" color.



Thanks for reading! Follow my blog and check out my facebook page here! The Beauty Fiends

Tuesday, July 5, 2011

A Quick Intro, and What I Hope To Accomplish!


     Hello there! My name is Alison and this is my blog of all things I love. I've had this blog for some time now, and am pretty sporadic in my posts. But now my friend Grace and I started a fan page on Facebook in hopes of sharing our obsessions with like minded people. (Check it out here! The Beauty Fiends) So now with hopes of a bigger audience, I revamped my blog and am ready to post!

     So, for anyone who doesn't know, I work two jobs- one of them as a make-up artist. So obviously. the passion for make-up is there. But beyond that I love jewelry, purses, and pretty much all things girly. My other job is more business-like, so I can't be fun and wild like at Ulta. But I think it helps in reviewing, because I try to suggest things for both worlds.

     As for things I'd like to accomplish... well, let me start by saying I am a huge fan of etsy. (If you haven't seen it, YOU MUST GO!) There is so MUCH amazing stuff! And I have found quite a few great beauty shops on there. Awesome products for even the smallest budgets- it's amazing! So I want to share my discoveries, tell you what I think, and show you how how the products work.

     I'll mostly be focusing on make-up, but if I have anything else worthwhile, I will happily share those too! And a lot of brands will be indie, but I also will cover more well known brands.

     Basically, this will be my happy little corner of the internet where I get the chance to ooh and ahh over all sorts of fun stuff, and spread the words to others. If I get anyone half as excited as me, I'll feel like I succeeded!