EOTD: Wet n' Wild Color Icon Palette I'm Feeling Retro

I originally wasn't even interested in this palette but the husbeast kept grunting and pointing and I decided to pick it up.  The purple did catch my attention and at the price I figured why not?  Instead of posting a wall of text, I shall let the pictures speak for themselves.  Please ignore the stray eyebrow hairs, I desperately need to wax/tweeze!  My camera also had a little difficulty with the glitterbomb shadow in some of the pictures so they came out a tad blurry.  I apologize.

Products used:

• Olay Total Effects 7 Daily Moisturizer
• Revlon ColorStay Mineral Foundation in Fair
• L'Oreal Infallible 16 Hour eyeliner in Carbon Black (this will be the last time I use this liner as I refuse to support L'Oreal; they are NOT a cruelty-free company)
• L'Oreal mascara, I do not remember which as I have already tossed it for the same reason as I will not be using the liner again.  I have switched to Wet n' Wild Mega Plump and will be picking up other cruelty-free brands to test :)
• Wet n' Wild Color Icon palette in I'm Feeling Retro.  I did not use it as recommended; instead, I used the blue as my lid, liner, and undereye color with the purple in the crease and white on the browbone and swept around my inner eye.
• Wet n' Wild Mega Last lipstick in Bare It All
• Wet n' Wild Speed Gloss in Reckless liberally over my lips; it's superbly glimmery!

I was surprised by how much I loved this palette!  I didn't think blue would do much for my green eyes but as you can see, the colors really made them pop.  The fuschia-leaning purple was a definite winner, despite not being as pigmented as I would have liked.  It definitely required some building to get the color payoff I wanted.  Using a primer would have helped too.  The blue was very dense from the get-go.  There was some fallout but not too much.  Actually less than I would have expected for such a pigmented shade.   The white also impressed me.  It was a glitterbomb!  Lovely for highlighting and at the inner eye.  I can see myself using the white often.  I need to check out the single colors in the Color Icon line and see if there's a comparable color or I'll be hitting pan quickly.  I will definitely re-buy this palette!  I refuse to comment on the liner or mascara as they are made by L'Oreal, who is not cruelty-free and unfortunately own many smaller cosmetic companies.  I will make a post addressing this issue specifically in the future and my stance on buying from cruelty-free subsidiaries of non-cruelty-free parent companies, but for now, suffice to say L'Oreal is on my no-no list.  Happily, Wet n' Wild is cruelty-free and always a bargain so I can buy with impunity!

My lips were done using my favorite nude lippie, also by WNW.  It's just so dang versatile!  Here I swiped a shimmery gloss over it since my eyes were so dramatic to give just a hint of that drama on my lips while still keeping them toned down.  I loved this look!

This EOTD/FOTD was done before I learned some of the tricks I use now, such as ALWAYS using eyelid primer (so far I only have ELF primer but it's amazing!) and using a BB cream to even out my skin.  And as mentioned in my last post, lip liner!  Even with the BB cream, I find my undereye circles are prominent so I will be adding a good concealer to my regime so you guys will be privy to my quest for a good, inexpensive, cruelty-free undereye concealer.  Excitement!

Red lips: Wet n' Wild Stoplight Red vs. Cherry Frost

TGIF :D  Today I have for you a small comparison of Wet n' Wild brand lip colors in a perennial favorite: red!  I love a red lip, especially with a neutral or smoky eye, or pinup-styled.  I'm on a personal quest for a great red and I've purchased a couple of reds recently in my hunt.

Both are Wet n' Wild.  The top picture highlights why you should ALWAYS use lip liner, especially for reds.  I had some definite bleeding which was completely avoidable, had I but used a lip liner.

Products used:

• Wet n' Wild Mega Last in Stoplight Red
• Wet n' Wild Silk Finish lipstick in Cherry Frost

Stoplight Red is a slightly warm-toned rich red.  It took a bit of building up to get it to the color you see in the picture.  Obviously as stated I would have greatly benefited from using a lip liner.  Not only would it have stopped the bleeding I experienced but overall would have made the look more polished and longer-lasting.  With a red or dark lippie, I believe the best way to get the most lasting, best color payoff is to layer.  Apply primer (I see no reason you couldn't use the same primer you use for your lids on your lips, but there are also lip-specific primers; I plan on picking some up!) and/or lip balm (not gloss or your color will slip right off!), line your lips first, then apply one layer of color.  Blot gently, apply a layer of translucent powder if desired (this will help your lipstick last and last and last...), then apply another coat.  Repeat until you reach your preferred saturation of lip color.  Wet n' Wild are generally very pigmented so I doubt you'd need more than two coats.  Mega Last lipsticks are mattes and as such can be drying, which is the reason for applying a bit of lip balm before application.  I personally don't find them drying, however.  If you want a demi-matte or even glossy finish as in my photo, apply a bit of your favorite gloss and gently press your lips together to distribute it.  For a demi-matte look, blot after applying gloss.  Don't rub your lips vigorously together or you'll end up with a mess and undo all the work you did with layering!  Wear was very good, I did have some rub off when I was drinking but not much.  I'm sure you'd need a touch up after eating though.  My biggest peeve with the Mega Lasts is that the lipstick doesn't retract completely.  If you're careful with the cap, this isn't a problem though.

Cherry Frost is a gorgeous vivid red with shimmer.  I love this color!  For some reason, red lipsticks generally make me self-conscious (and that's why I'm on the hunt for great reds) but this one was a stunner!  Applied with a light hand, you can get a nice stained look or you can layer as described above for a more saturated red.  I have two coats of lip color applied (but not layered, I was lazy) in the above picture.  The Silk Finish line is very moisturizing and I'd describe it as a creme finish vs. the Mega Lasts, which are mattes. The shimmer is not at all like the "frosts" some of us may remember from the 80s, but a fairly subtle sparkle.  It adds a little something to what is already a gorgeous shade.  Wear wasn't spectacular and you'd definitely have to re-apply after eating or drinking so keep an extra in your purse.  The Silk Finish lipsticks are a measly $0.99 each so buy one to keep in every room, your car, your purse, next to the computer... 

Wet n' Wild has made HUGE strides from what I remember in grade/high school and are now on par with many high-end brands.  Pigmented and gorgeous.  For $1.99 (Mega Last) or a shocking $0.99 (Silk Finish), these are a budget hunter's absolute dream!

Happy St. Patty's! Or, BC is always a day late and a dollar short...

I had originally intended to start this blog on St. Patty's Day because I'm Irish on my daddy's side and had this amazing makeup look planned but you know what they say about the best-laid plans of mice and men...  So I'm posting it today!  This was my crazy green eye look for the holiday.  Ugh, let's pretend my eyebrows are in better shape, I keep meaning to get them waxed and never have the time!

My lips were intended to be "pot of gold" inspired.

  Products used:

• Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream with SPF 15 in Fair/Light
• Revlon Colorstay Mineral Foundation 
• ELF eyelid primer ($1!  Works amazingly to even out your lids, brighten your eyes, and keep your colors in place)
• ELF liquid eyeliner in Black
• Wet n' Wild Mega Plump mascara in Black
• Wet n' Wild Color Icon trio in I Dream of Greenie plus dark green shade from Color Icon trio Cool as a Cucumber to line outer edge of eyes
• ELF blush in Pink Passion (use a very light hand with this, as it's VERY pigmented!)
• Wet n' Wild Mega Last lipcolor in Bare It All with Mega Slicks lip gloss in In a Tutu layered on top and Mega Brilliance lip gloss in Blushing (a great glitterbomb gloss) in the center of my lower lip and my cupid's bow

I'm a big fan of both ELF and Wet n' Wild, both for their prices (generally between $1 and $5 max) and for the great quality of their products.  As I mentioned, I have sensitive skin/eyes and I have never had a problem with any of their products causing irritation.  Both are also cruelty-free, which is very important to me.  These two brands are my picks for anyone wanting a great makeup collection on the cheap but also values quality.  Very pigmented, buttery eyeshadows from Wet n' Wild and highly pigmented, beautiful blush from ELF.  And ELF's primer is a must-have.  I saw Wet n' Wild's Bare it All lipcolor touted as the "best nude" and I have to agree, it's amazing!  And so versatile, I layer it with glosses and other lipsticks to get all sorts of looks.

Of course, I also did my nails ;)

This is Wet n' Wild fastdry in SaGreena the Teenage Witch.  Dreamy, easy application.  I use various Sally Hansen basecoats and Seche Vite as my topcoat.  Seche Vite is the ultimate topcoat, your nails have a glassy shine and it dries in what seems like seconds!  I pick mine up at Sally Beauty Supply for around $5 and it lasts a long time.  It does tend to get a bit goopy after you've used up 1/3 or so of the bottle, so just add a drop or two of nail polish thinner (NOT nail polish remover!) and you're good to go.

What did you wear to celebrate St. Patrick's Day?