The Beauty Thesis

(cherry, orange, milk and yellow)

I'm starting to want to take back my words about editing my photos. In my defense, I had been washing my hands more than usual this week. But ~~damn~~ gee, they're quite dry. Oops! I guess it's true the camera captures the details, my hands look like they belong on the end of Snoop Dog. Aw well, got to be able to make fun of one's self.

This brings me to today's review. I previously discussed my opinion on NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils, and displayed a few swatches. This lot is from the same ideology (eye shadow base) and although these don't crease as quickly as the shimmers, they still contain mineral oil which is an emollient. Emollient = CREASING no matter how dry your lids are. They don't come off as easily either. In the swatch, I had just tested the colors on my hand and went about for an hour and washed with gentle soap and water, no rubbing as if the swatches were on my eyes and there is still remnants of the colors. I didn't notice until posting the pic on the left. I am neutral on whether I see that as a plus, because I would need to use and oil based product (virgin olive, coconut, jojoba) in order to remove them from my eyes, and my eyes are so sensitive and my vision so poor I fear I'll have blurred vision. That's my fault for being vain.

Used yellow as a base with 88 palette e/s

Overall, these are nice, much better in terms of eyeshadow base (not primer) and helping shadows maximize the efficacy. In the above photograph, I used the "yellow" pencil (not as opaque but buildable) over a primer and used a random gold from the notoriously ~~cheap~~ 88 eyeshadow palette. That palette is everywhere and everyone has it in their product line and all of us addicts have at least one in our possession. This photo was taken at the END of the day (notice the chapped lips and glazed eyes) and there is no creasing and it was very hot today. It was record breaking heat. Look at my hands, face, lips, I'm practically breaking into tiny bits ☺

I got these on sale at ULTA cosmetics locally, and I believe they carry them online. They were on sale, but they shouldn't be more than $5.00 at the most. I can help you find a retailer if you wish.

with flash and ash

I would recommend these if you don't already have a base, but to be honest, something with a semi oil based finish can perform the same, unless you are trying to manipulate the color of the eyeshadow. White base, will brighten, darker base adds intensity.

(l-r cherry, orange, milk and yellow)

xoxo

NYX: Part Two the Cremes

by The Beauty Thesis on 10:06 PM

(cherry, orange, milk and yellow) I'm starting to want to take back my words about editing my photos. In my defense, I had been wash...

Soooo....life has been all sorts of bad, and I've neglected doing my hair and makeup and .... weight loss. Stress sucks! I have had the worst year since last year, but I'm determined to get my mojo back. I started by getting my eyebrows threaded. Aside from the eyes, these photos are not false. THIS is exactly how ~~shitty~~ bad I look. I'm thinking of plastic surgery. My breasts are so gone they look like I've been nursing twins! One day at a time. I wanted to review and post photos of some of the products I've been ~~hoarding~~ collecting over time. I don't have the face or voice for YouTube, so I can share my bits and try to contribute HERE!!! I scored these ones at ULTA cosmetics for a buy one get one free. I think they cost about $3.99 plus tax. It's not a bad deal if you can catch them, but they are not good if you use them alone.

They go on like silk, they are so creamy. As a result of the emollients, they will crease like Vaseline and they don't hold eye shadows if your eyes get wet. I shed a tear or two thinking the base would prevent creasing. It's as if there was never any shadow and they crease and if you try to reapply eyeshadow, it's with the crease still there. Best thing, start all over, or don't use these if you plan to be anywhere near vapor or water. I know a lot of people rave about these, but I don't reach for them. I like them, they add a bit of "punch" to any shadow (especially those misses lacking pigmentation) or pigments, but they need to be kept cool if you plan to use them frequently. In fact, if you want to sharpen them, freeze them first. Also, some are depotting them? Meh, I have paint pots, cream eye shadows, paints, etc, and I don't reach for them and it's easier for me to use the stick form than my fingers or brushes.

I don't know my shade in MAC but if I could it'd be NC47

Again, the pigmentation is amazing for darker skin tones, so even if you choose to use them as an eyeshadow alone, I'd highly suggest you use a very good primer, (UDPP) underneath and blend a bit into the skin. Straight from the pencil is how I swatched these in natural light with no flash and I did NOT do any editing or manipulation to the photo. I want these to be as close to "real" as possible without being worthless. I'm tempted to do some touch ups, but I think that would be counterproductive if I'm trying to show images of products. I reserve the right to change my mind, as I notice my colors are deeper than they are looking at my hand. It appears to have a bit of a shadow.

Electric Blue, Mountain Green, Pure Gold, Purple Velvet

The above photo is more accurate than the swatches, I took these on my patio so they are a bit more clear than when I simply stood next to the window pane. I would recommend these for anyone who wants simple, inexpensive, and quick bits of color. I don't recommend these if you live in warm climates like Florida, but for the price, I say get them either on sale, or use the weekly coupon. Good luck!

NYX: Part One

by The Beauty Thesis on 9:11 PM

Soooo....life has been all sorts of bad, and I've neglected doing my hair and makeup and .... weight loss. Stress sucks! I have had th...

freaking adorable!

I'm an old bird. I am far too "mature" to admit this, but something in the color pink makes me stupid. I can be shopping, and the color jumps out at me, and then I'm in a sort of spell wherein whatever the item is, I want it. I've purchased pens, scissors, notebooks, things which mean nothing all because of my love of the color pink. It's embarrassing, but my Post It notes, phone case, laptop, nightgown, slippers, mobile, track suits and more!

I can't say it's really a spell because I do have some sense when it comes to cars, clothes and bedding. If I find it sexy, the color is always black, but little trinkets? I don't know why. I ask myself this often and even though there are other women who are in the same pink boat, which normally is a deterrent. If everyone has something, I usually am turned off. I'm happy to wear my wide leg jeans even though skinny jeans are all the rage. "Who gonna check me boo?" But, I cannot get myself to switch to another color. I've tried and it just.won't.work.

Nope, I wasn't raised like a spoilt "princess" with a Pepto Bismol room adorned with faeries and stuffed bunnies. On the other hand, I wasn't a tomboy so I'm not overcompensating. In fact, I have sense enough as I stated to know when I've crossed the line from "cute" to ~~fucking ridiculous~~ gaudy (Katie Price and Peter Andre's wedding). It's not brought on by my obsession with makeup either, it started before then as well. I really felt it was a phase but I'm embarrassed now that I'm learning to socialize more and the comments regarding how much pink I have or how I gravitate towards things of said color has become bl**dy embarrassing, but I can't stop. Today, I saw the cutest compact (ew even the way I say that aloud) and it was that color, so I didn't buy it. I lied at break about where I was going and bought it! What?! Yep, told a lie to go get it because I didn't ~~have the balls~~ get it earlier. Eek! What next? I can't have them over. This obsession with beauty, hair, shoes, nails, may be what kept me isolated. The fear of being rejected for my "hobbies" and further judged. At least I can blog it all out....♥♥♥