Smackdown! mark. vs. M.A.C.

Here are a affordable few duplicates for some of the more expensive beauty products!

mark. Eyeshadows Review and Swatches

I have gotten a TON of questions regarding mark. products since I started sell them, so here are a couple of videos to answer some of those questions!
Are you wondering what the mark. eyeshadows really look like on your skin? It's hard to tell online or in the magalogs.

These are my opinions on the mark. products based on my use. Hope this helps!

What's the deal with selling mark.?!!

Here is what you can expect when you sign up to sell mark. cosmetics. The video explains it all! :)



To be a part of my team, go to www.meetmark.com and use referral code #9709300
To shop from my store click: www.mymarkstore.com/abarber

30 Days of Shades: Day 26--Katy Perry Purr

I bought Katy Perry's new perfume, Purr, and I LOVE it!

Katy Perry Purr

I know this isn't the traditional eyeshadow, but every now and then, it's fun to do something different! I was inspired by Katy Perry's Purr perfume ad. :)

To see how I created this eyeshadow look, scroll down and watch the video!

Here is the description of the perfume:

The composition of Katy Perry Purr combines top notes of peach, forbidden apple, gardenia and green bamboo with the heart of jasmine, pink freesia and Bulgarian rose and the base of vanilla orchid, creamy sandalwood, white amber, coconut and musk.

It's hard to tell in this pic, but I have on some false eyelashes with sequins on the lashes. You can tell in the video. Very fun! :)

I know it's a bit lengthy, but this isn't something that can be done too quickly! Makeup is ART! :)

Thanks for watching!

-Amber

30 Days of Shades: Day 17 Laura Geller

Here is a quick look using the Laura Geller Sunset Horizon palette. I used the lightest shade on my lid and brow bone and the darkest shade subtly in my crease. I lined my lower lashes with the gold color.

Check out this blush. It is the Laura Geller Blush-N-Brighten Tropic Hues blush. I L.O.V.E. it. Now I am not usually partial to one blush or the other. I can take it or leave it. My love of make-up revolves around eyeshadow for the most part. HOWEVER, I have never had a prettier blush! I have worn this almost everyday since I got it off of QVC. I seriously cannot stop putting it on. So if my cheeks look over blushed, well you will know why! I am addicted to applying this shade!

It is a shimmery shade with hints of gold, peach, and pink. By far, my all time favorite. :)

Good News---The weather is WAY better and I have gotten to go back to my studio to work on a few little sewing projects! YAY! Now, I can find a way to burn my creative energy other than just using my eyelids for a palette!

I am going to continue my 30 days of Shades though, don't worry! I have had so much fun with my makeup posts that you are going to see a lot more of them. However, I hope to have more crafts and recipes mixed in.

Creativity is what keeps me sane. :) Hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend! --Amber

Feed Your Addiction!

Check out some new pigments that I found online! I am so excited about these..and they are only $1.00 each!!

Here are the shades that I bought. I wanted to swatch them so you could see what they really look like on the skin.

Chocolate blueberries, Tiger's Eye, Heather mist, Iris, Twinkle, Promiscuous, Immortal, Froufrou, Romance, Chocolate Grapes, Chocolate Oranges, Khaki.

(It's hard to see the Tiger's eye shade, because it is the exact same color as my skin, only shimmery.)

Pure Luxe Cosmetics is the website you can get them from. (Click the link.) They also have larger sizes with sifters if you are wanting that. Have fun shopping!

Laura Geller Escape to the Tropics

Since I have been insanely busy, I haven't been able to post on my 30 days of Shades in a couple of days. It's a good thing I didn't say 30 CONSECUTIVE days of shades! :)

I made this video a couple of days ago. I figured that I would post it and show you guys some of the new products that I am trying out!

Here are swatches of the pigments and eyeshadows from the video:

M.A.C. Reflects blackened red (over a dark base), M.A.C. Push the Edge, M.A.C. Vintage Gold.

The last four are from the Baked Eye Dreams/Sunset Horizon from Laura Geller.

Maybe I will get back on track with my posts soon. I have more videos planned, cause I have more stuff to show you guys! :)

Hope everybody has had a good week!

30 Days of Shades: Day 13 Plum Smokey

I was so excited to do my makeup today because I finally got to try some Mally Beauty products! My friends Mandy and Becca came over yesterday to play in the makeup with me. (I totally demand a redo though! I wanted to take pics of their eyeshadows once I was finished with them, and forgot!! So, we have to do it again!) I had so much fun...and Becca brought some Mally products over to give to me! She gave me a mascara, a "Bullet-proof" eyeliner, and an eyeshadow duo.

I am still in my Smokey Mode, so I decided that a plum smokey look was what I was going to go for today.

I also used a different foundation--Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + in Porcelain (I think. It's the lightest color they make). I usually use my bare Minerals foundation powder, but I wanted more coverage since I was trying out the new eyeshadow look. I wanted it all to be perfect!

I actually layered these plum shades from Mally over my M.A.C. Constructivist paint pot. I wanted it to be a deeper color, so I wanted to use that as a base.
Here are the products from Mally..aren't they gorgeous?! I can say, I absolutely LOVE this stuff! Especially the mascara so far! :) I have to wear the eyeshadow and eyeliner and everything all day to see how I really feel about it. So far, my initial reaction is that I am a BIG fan of this stuff! I just want to wear it all day long to see if it really is "Bullet-Proof" and see if it wears all day long without smudging, or running, etc.

You can definitly see the intensity of the colors after applying over a paint pot.

I was also actually surprised that the colors came off more brown than purple

by themselves.

In the tin, they look really purple and scary, but when you apply them, they

are very wearable.

You sure you want me to keep this Bec?? They are FABULOUS!

Here are the two Mally plum shade swatches. The first two are layered over the contructivist paint pot, and the second two are just the eyeshadows on their own.

(Constructivist/Plum Glow, Constructivist/Lavender Glow, Plum Glow, Lavender Glow)

If you are interested in Mally Beauty, check out the website by clicking here:

QVC

WONDERWOMAN by M.A.C.

30 Days of Shades: Day 8- NEW 120 Palette

My fabulous sister bought me a new eyeshadow palette! It is the 1st edition 120 Palette from BH Cosmetics.

(Yes, I colored my hair black yesterday. Don't worry, it will fade to dark brown shortly. I color it this dark so that it lasts longer in between hair colors.)

I was planning on doing something with blue or green eyeshadow, but I cannot resist this pretty pink/purple look. Especially since we are so close to Valentine's Day, and these colors make me think of Valentine's! ;)

My sister also bought me this 66 color lip palette(Left), in addition to the 120 palette (Right).

I used the colors from this tray. There are some really pretty shimmery AND matte shades. Love it. AND the color payoff is good! WOOHOO! :) I hate eyeshadow that doesn't actually turn out the color that it looks in the pan, but these do!

This is the second tray in the palette--blue, yellows, and greens mostly.

And here is the lip palette. I used a bright pink shade today. (3rd row from the top, 1st pink shade in that row.) There are some crazy shades in here. BLUE? I have no idea when I am ever going to need to use that one, but if the need arises, well, I am prepared!

I can't wait to play with more of these eyeshadows. It makes me wish I had more than two eyes!

30 Days of Shades: Day 7/ NEW KITCHEN!

Look what came in the mail for us yesterday! The girls played with the packing peanuts for the first hour, and I was starting to question buying this. However, once we had it unpacked, and put the legs on and had it set up, they started playing with this like crazy! And so far today, they have been "cooking" all day long!


If anyone has any idea what fabric this is, please let me know! I would love to make some matching things for their rooms. (I ordered this, and asked the seller, so we will see if she tells me the fabric designer's name.)

30 DAYS OF SHADES: DAY 6

Sally Hansen Natural Beauty Earth palette

I wasn't crazy about this eyeshadow. I bought it at CVS at 75% off, so I only paid like $1.75 for it
..or something like that, but I probably won't use it again. I didn't feel like the color pay0ff was very good. I had to really really work to get the color to show up. It does look really neutral, so if that's a look you like, go for it. The colors are like a cranberry, an olive color, and a flesh toned color. I didn't feel like it was as shimmery as it looked in the palette, so I stuck some extra shimmer on top from a different palette.

The green is supposed to be for the lid, the peachy color is the highlight, and the cranberry is the crease. I just couldn't tell a huge difference once I put the colors on. After I took this pic, I stuck some of my Urban Decay shades on top, just because I like more shimmery shades, and this just didn't do it for me. It is what it is though!

30 Days of Shades: Day 6 Bed Head

After about three tries this morning, this is the eyeshadow I decided on. It looked great until I cut up a ridiculously hot onion to put in the beef stew I was making. It seriously made me cry...tears rolling down my face cry.



I really was trying to use some drugstore makeup to create a look, but the two palettes that I bought are going straight back to CVS. I hated them. There was no color to it, it was like putting on invisible eyeshadow.



Instead, I used my Bed Head eyeshadow palette. As you can see, I have hit pan on a couple of shades there. It's a great palette, and the eyeshadows have great color payoff. Today I used the 2 pink shades and the brown shade.


I bought some new eyeshadow brushes from Bed Head that I am crazy about too. I think I will do a whole separate review on them soon.




The light pink shade is what I used all over my eyelids and on my brow bone. It is called Pink...very clever. It's a shimmery shade. In my crease, I used Sienna. It's the darker pink color--almost mauve. For the outer V, I used the shade called Brown. I am betting you can guess which one it is.



I thought it was a perfect look for Valentine's Day too. It's shimmery, pink, and romantic.

30 Days of Shades: Day 4 Hard Candy

Today I picked a very tame neutral look because I also did a tutorial video on it. I wanted to do a video on an eye look that I thought everyone could wear to work, or where ever. I also wanted to use easily accessible products, so I chose Hard Candy baked eyeshadow duo in High Maintenance, and mark. (by Avon) in Wink Wink. I used L'Oreal HIP gel liner in black and L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Blackest Black.


You can get all of the products except for the mark. eyeshadow at Wal-Mart. Instead of using a mark. eyeshadow, you can just get a matte taupe or purple shade from Wal-Mart to use in your crease.

I do like the mark. eyeshadows however, and if you are interested in them, click the link below and you can order them from my Avon Representative, Jane Claypool, online and have them sent directly to your house! (Y'all know I like shopping from home... so this is perfect!) You can create your own palette with the shades that you think you will prefer. Love this :)

I will be ordering from Avon soon, because there is a really cool army green jacket and brown purse from mark. that I love. :)



http://shop.avon.com/shop/default.aspx?newdept=&s=ShopTab&c=repPWP&otc=201104&bnd=&setlang=1&ym_mid=&ym_rid=



Here is the finished look!




(Oh! I forgot to mention that I already put eye shadow primer on before I started this video. So don't forget this step!)Hope you all have a blessed day! To watch the video, click below.

30 Days of Different Shades: Day 3

Ok, so I have been having so much fun with my makeup, and I am getting such positive responses from you guys, that I thought I try to do a new post. I think I am going to try a new challenge: 30 Days of Different Shades. I want to show you guys that you can do SO much with eyeshadow, and you do not have to get stuck in a rut with the same shades every day.

Here was the look for today: Day 3. (Yes, I am counting the previous two posts as Day 1 and Day 2.) It is my "vampy" look, according to my friend Cassidy. I use purples and a burnt orange shade. Purples make brown eyes pop, so I do usually gravitate toward purples in some way or another. I do really think it makes a difference. When I wear this shadow out in the sunlight, my eyes look almost reddish brown.. you know like a Vampire in need of feeding :) (And yes, I know it is a reference to Twilight, and I did just post a Mark Driscoll video about that. But the damage has already been done, and I have read all the books and watched the movies. I do agree with him however, and as a mom, I am probably not going to let my kiddos get enthralled with the Vampire era here. But I digress...)

To get this look, I used my Tarte palette. I used 3 different shades of purple. A matte dark purple in the crease, which I applied first, then I gradiated up to a lighter matte purple. On the lid, I used a burnt coppery orange with some shimmer. In the corner of my eye, for the outer V, I used a dark shimmery purple. I lined the bottom outer half of my lid with the shimmery purple, and then inner bottom lid with the burnt orange. I of course highlighted with Virgin from my UD palette. My eyeliner is UD Rockstar, which I used on my waterline, as well as to line my upper eyelid.

Here is my Tarte Jewelry Box palette. The top layer of shadows have shimmery shades, and the bottom has matte. I prefer to use matte shades in my crease. This palette also has two more levels that pull out. There is a beautiful highlight color in there, plus a bronzer, and several lip shades. Also, the bottom drawer has liners.

If you don't have many eye shadows, and you are interested in something to get you started this is the palette I recommend. It has EVERYTHING you need, except for foundation and mascara, all in one little case.

Here is a link to Sephora with the Tarte palette. I have used this SO much. AND these are full-size eyeshadow, not those wimpy samples you get in some sets.

http://www.sephora.com/browse/product.jhtml?id=P275305&shouldPaginate=true&categoryId=5648

Ok, have fun getting pretty!

Pizza and Make-up.. doesn't get much better than this!

Today, on a whim, we decided to pack up and head to Longview to see the in-laws, eat at Pizza King, and shop at Target. We had some gift certificates saved up to go to Pizza King, and for once, Chris was off of work!! If you have never had pizza king, well you have never lived. :) It is FABULOUS pizza, and it is probably one of the oldest family-owned pizza places in Longview--Since 1965. I don't know what they do, or how they make it so yummy, but it is definitely worth a try if you are ever in the area. AND the submarine sandwiches are sinfully delish too. I have tried to make one like it at home, and it just doesn't taste the same. Ahh well, it gives me a reason to visit the area... well, besides the fact that my in-laws live there!

Chris' mom Lola (pronounced Lula) went to eat with us. We stopped by East Mountain and picked her up and took her to Pizza King with us. She also went to Target with us, and in true Grandma Lola style, she spoiled the girls rotten. She bought them each a new princess dress and a bouncy ball. MK got a Princess Dora dress. Here is a picture of her, still wearing it after we got home.

Addison picked out a Little Mermaid dress. She LOVES dress-up clothes. She is such a girly-girl. She got mad at me the other day when I went into the "make-up" store and didn't get her anything. I usually let her have some chapstick and some light eyeshadow, and she thinks she is getting really dolled up. :) However, she came by her girly-girl ways and love of make-up honestly. It runs in the family. (Nice segue, huh??) All I can say is that when these girls get to be teenagers, Chris is in trouble. I have a feeling there will be 3 women living in this house who love to buy make-up.

Now, take a look at this NARS blush/bronzer duo. Isn't it beautiful?? It is priced at $37-39! If it is a product you would wear everyday, I say buy it. I love NARS.

However, if you don't want to spend that much money, there is a great alternative that I found.. for $3.00!! Seriously people. This is AMAZING. Such a good deal, such a steal! It is the ELF brand blush/bronzer duo. Check out the picture. The colors are very very similar. Similar enough for me to save my $32 dollars and spend it on something else! The case and everything looks the same, including the large mirror in the compact.

Here is what I bought at Target. I bought the Sonia Kashuk pressed powder for $8.97. I used it today while I was in Longview, and so far, I give it two thumbs up! It actually came in a shade that matches my skin. This is RARE people. Most make-up lines do not make products for porcelain skin. They think everyone is "Light". Uh..not so. Almost everything I buy in the powder/foundation area has a weird yellow/orange undertone to it. It looks light enough in the package, but then I get it home, and I look like a fake tanner. Ridiculous. But THIS product matches me perfectly. One time I was sent away from the Clinic counter because the make-up girls simply did not have a shade of foundation to match my skin..and that was including all types of foundation: powder, liquid, cream. I am just too pale. (And no, I do not plan on tanning. That is just skin cancer waiting to happen. Plus, I don't want to look like a saddle bag when I am 40.)

I bought the blush/bronzer duo, the Sonia Kashuk powder, vanity Q-Tips, and some Valentine's baking sprinkles. I know these are not a make-up product, but I am really excited that it only cost $2.50 for the whole package! I am going to be playing with those! :)

Anyway, I bought 2 of the ELF studio brushes, one blush brush that I will use for contouring, and one eyeshadow shader brush. These are also $3.00 each. The M.A.C. make-up brushes, which I love, are about $20+ each, so I figured I would give these a try. I did NOT like the white handled ELF brushes because the handles were too easy to detach from the brush part. These seemed sturdier, and the bristles seemed soft and felt really nice. (Yes, I opened the packages in store. Devilish.. :))

I thought I had some fun finds and great product dupes. ;) It was a good day, but I am glad to be back home and ready to soak in a hot bathtub with my Senorita Margarita bubble-bath, now that the kids are in bed!

It'll be fun playing in the make-up tomorrow morning, as always!

Mood Boosters!

It's a known fact that I LOVE make-up. And I mean L.O.V.E., LOVE. ;) I have always liked anything that has to do with beautifying; makeup, hair, nails, etc. Which is why I became a Cosmetologist (Which is a hairdresser, for those of you who don't know that. Believe it or not, I have been asked that question several times.).

So, I have tried TONS of different make-up. I can tell you what works, and what doesn't. There are definite finds and definite duds.

I came across the Physician's Formula Glow & Mood Boosting make-up the other day at Wal-Mart. It definitely peaked my interest! I didn't buy it the first time I saw it though, because I knew that I could get a better price on it if I found a coupon, which I did! It turns out that I had some CVS Extra Bucks to spend and when I went into the store, both of these items had a Manufacturer's Coupon of $3.00 off attached to them! This has already boosted my mood, I can tell you that much!

Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Powder claims:
($13.95)

• Evens out skin tone.
• Pink heart gives the cheeks a pop of color.
• Infused with Happy Boost blend, featuring Happy Skin and Euphoryl, natural plant extracts which have been shown to promote a feeling of happiness by mimicking the effect of Endorphins and helping protect the skin from environmental stress.
• The sweet scent of Violet provides a feeling of joy each time you apply.

Happy Booster Glow & Mood Boosting Blush claims:
($11.95)

• Ultra-soft and bendable blushing powder features a fresh and vibrant mix of blushing tones infused with a pop of color to create a healthy glow.
• Multi-reflective pearls provide a soft iridescence to highlight contour and add radiance to cheeks.
• Infused with Happy Boost blend, featuring Happy Skin and Euphoryl, natural plant extracts which have been shown to promote a feeling of happiness by mimicking the effect of Endorphins and helping protect the skin from environmental stress.
• The sweet scent of Violet provides a feeling of joy each time you apply.

Overall, I can say that I really like these products! They both smell amazing, and the packaging is too cute. It is perfect to put in your purse for quick touch-ups. The compacts both have brushes that go along with them, and a mirror attached. (I hate make-up with no mirrors! Mirrors are a must when you are putting them in your "To-Go" make-up bag, because you won't always be around a place with a mirror.)

The blush is a pretty rose color and looks nice when you put it on. I also like the powder, just ofr a pretty highlight. So, I am happy with the performance of these products.

Now, did this product boost my mood?? Well, I have to say, YES! However, I am always happy when i am putting on make-up. I don't necessarily think it is from the scent, although the scent is a nice plus. So, I can't technically vouch for the fact that it is the scent that is making me happy...but this product does! :) I mean, who can resist the little hearts?? Adorable. And right in time for Valentine's. If I were buying my own Valentine gift, these would be perfect.

Would I buy this again?? YES.

Now, onto the nail polishes! Aren't these colors awesome?? :) Bright colors boost my mood too. I just had to post a pic, cause I love them. Maybe I will wear a different color on each finger, since I can't decide which one to pick! (Okay, maybe not. Just kidding.) I am really, really loving the dark purple color. It's called Starry Night.
These are $3.00 from http://www.qnail.com/ which is a good price for nail polish.

Colors from left to right; Erin Island, Green Apple, Sunshine Orange, Starry Night, Lemon Spritz, Lucy Diamond, Lavender Bouquet, News of the Beloved, and Purple Passion.


They sent Purple Passion as a free gift with this little sticker on top. Too cute. I love free stuff. :) And it's cool that they took into account that I picked quite a few purples..and chose a cool purple shade as my free gift.
I can't wait to try these out. They are much cheaper than going and getting a Manicure and Pedicure done at a nail salon. Just do it yourself every now and then. (Don't get me wrong, manicures and pedicures have their place in my life for sure, but I can't go get one every few weeks. So having your own polish is a nice alternative when you are low on dough.)

Anyway, just thought I would post a couple of the things that I am loving right now. I could add more.. but I will resist... for now.
Now, go make yourself up! That's a mood booster in itself.
Ciao!
** After trying these polishes, I found out that they chip easily. I love the colors though, so I don't mind applying this more than once. Just be sure to use a good base coat and top coat!