Lime Crime: 20% off off first orders!

At IMATS Lime Crime handed out a card that has a 20% off promo code for “your first order”. This sale will run from February 1st through the 15th.

UNICORNLOVE20
Valid from February 1, 2013 through February 15, 2013
Applies to your FIRST ORDER only.
Here are a few of my favorite Lime Crime products (which are items I own myself or plan on ordering). Note: These contain affiliate links.

Lipsticks

I have eight but I’m pretty sure I have nine because there was a LC lipstick in my press kit. Maybe I do only own eight with the eighth on from the press kit but I just don’t remember if I put the one from my press kit away or if it’s still with the stuff I got from IMATS. Either way I love my LC lipsticks BUT not all the colors are friendly for daily wear depending on where you live. I live in a very conservative area so obviously Styletto can’t be worn daily on it’s own but it’s fantastic if you do shading with it. Like Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tars the Lime Crime Lipsticks can be mixed but colors like Glamour101, Retrofuturist, Centrifuchsia are wearable without customizing it.

Velvetines

Unfortunately these are currently sold out at the moment. I love the Velvetines however I do warn people that because these are very pigmented to use a small amount and add more as needed or wanted. Red Velvet is a very deep red color while Suedeberry is lighter. I think Suedeberry is more wearable in the day while Red Velvet is like the little black dress you pull out for a night out.

Carousel Gloss

I actually only own Candy Apple but Hollygram, Present, Snowsicle has been on my hit list since I first saw these. I didn’t pick it up that Friday like I should have and by Sunday it was a mad house. I wish Doe would bring back the other Carousel Gloss colors because I really wanted to get the gold and purple, guess I’ll just have to order those through Naimies.

Eyeliners

I only own Lunar Sea, Rhyme and Reason at this time but played with the other colors at IMATS last year and loved all the colors. Lunar Sea is sold at currently but if you’re looking for a silver or gold liner then you might like Rhyme and Reason.

Fantasy Palettes

I own all four palettes now and if I to pick one it would be hard but my two top favorites are Alchemy and Aquataenia. Granted those two I’ve had the longest but the colors in those two I really like with the greens and purples. Palette D’Antoinette has more subtle colors while Chinadoll is the most bold of colors.

Primers

Shadow Helper has been reformulated and repackaged. Gone is the jar version and it’s now in a squeeze tube. My old Shadow Helper dried out some because I left the top slightly open so I’m THRILLED that the new Shadow Helper is in a squeeze tube.

What’s new is the Glitter Helper and I did see it at IMATS. I found it’s not too thick and not too thin, the drawback to me is that the packing is similar to the Shadow Helper so I might confuse the two when I have my glasses off (I’m very near-sighted).

Nails

I don’t own any of the polishes but have seen pictures of it and everything is so cute and pastel. I’m not sure if I’ll order any because I like more bold colors in my polishes.

Zodiac Glitter

I fell in love with these when I saw these in person at IMATS but didn’t pick any up (lesson learned, buy on Friday don’t wait). I’ll be ordering at least two of these. Cancer, Capricorn, Pisces, Aquarius all call to me the most but all 12 are just gorgeous.

Gift Shop

I was given the Fairytale Hand Mirror and it’s so cute! It IS small and I know a few people were shocked by how small it is. I think it’s just so darling and whimsical so if you love whimsical things this mirror maybe for you.

As for the Sparkling Unicorn Necklace, I did buy this at IMATS and it’s so cute! The only complaint I have about it is that I wish the chain was more delicate looking but it can be replaced easily (which is what I’m doing with mine).

I wish the promo code applied to everyone but alas according to the card handed out it’s “Enjoy 20% off your FIRST ORDER…” 😦

UNICORNLOVE20
Valid from February 1, 2013 through February 15, 2013
Applies to your FIRST ORDER only.
FTC Disclaimer: Affiliate links enclosed. See disclaimers page for more details. Images from Lime Crime.

Saucebox Cosmetics: Midnight Blossoms swatches

Now available on Saucebox Cosmetics website:

Midnight Blossoms
This is her largest palette with 12 full size pans each weighing 5 grams! Now I do have to warn you if you’ve never used any of her shadows, they are VERY pigmented and so I do have to recommend that you use a primer prior to using any of her shadows to prevent potential staining.

This was my first purchase at IMATS, I made a bee line to her booth on Friday – even getting in about hour before they opened to get my hands on this palette. I saw the sneak peek pictures she posted on her Facebook wall and had to have this palette. I’m so glad I bought it.

The photos on the left were taken with flash on, photos on the right without flash.
Over Glamour Doll Eyes Control Freak.

Price: $65
On sale: $50 (through 1/27/2013)
Additional 15% off use ZADIDOLL15 (after promo code it’ll be $42.50)

The price break down:
At $42.50 for the entire palette it does break down to about $3.54 per pan with each pan about 5 grams each so I think the price is fantastic on this palette. The regular price is suppose to be $65 which is like $5.42 per pan so it’s a $1.88 less per pan with the promo code or $22.50 less for the entire thing.

My thoughts:
As you can see all of these colors have a lovely metallic quality to it. To me these are soft and buttery to the touch and as you can see very pigmented. I swatched these over Glamour Doll Eyes Control Freak.

Now while I love all the colors in this palette but there are four that I really like – the two greens in the top row, the red in the top row and of course the glitter black. I do like the creamy gold (1st color, 2nd row) and used that along with the black glitter as well as Bellbottom Blues Blingtone from MyFace Cosmetics last Saturday at IMATS and got tons of complements.

Two things that maybe potential negatives to some people.

1. The colors are not available individually at this time. Alla might one day sell the colors individually but right now if you want one color from this palette you just need to get the whole thing. While the colors are not sold individually if you do the math the price on the pans in this palette are an absolute steal and actually is less per pan compared to her other individual shadows which are normally $8 each.
2. The black contains a glitter which is gorgeous and why I love this color but you need to have a light hand when working with that particular color to avoid glitter fall out. I have to say tap your brush before applying the black to help prevent any potential glitter fall out. I love using this black as an eyeliner and used a flat liner brush (IB130) from Morphé Brushes. If you don’t like glitter then try Saucebox Cosmetics Black Widow ($9 regular price) which is sold individually and in the Creme de la Creme palette ($38 regular price).

Over all, I’m REALLY happy with this palette and so happy that I was able to get my hands on it at IMATS.  Did you pick this palette up at IMATS? What do you think of it?

FTC Disclaimer: Not affiliated with nor compensated by Saucebox Cosmetics. Promo code provided by Alla for my readers however I’m not paid for nor given anything in return. The opinions in this blog post are my own and hones.

American Horror Story: Asylum makeup secrets

I am so sad! American Horror Story Asylum is over and while the 3rd series won’t air until this fall I feel that it might as well be next year. Yes, I’m impatient!

At IMATS LA the makeup artists Jason Hamer, Mike Mekash, Eryn Krueger Mekash, Christopher Allen Nelson and Christien Tinsley were there to discuss the behind the scenes makeup secrets.

They showed many pictures from the set including one of a guy getting his throat torn out and discussed how pantyhose was used to create the effect. LOTS of Pepper photos and discussion on how the actress shaved her head for the role so they didn’t have to make a cowl. While the panel did go over the hour allotted time, Joe Nazzaro extended the time giving the MUA more time to talk. Eventually the panel discussion ended and I had the chance to talk to Eryn one-on-one because I HAD to know two very important things I’ve been DYING to know.

Me: I have to know; how is the White Nun’s makeup done?
Eryn: Basically it was standard clown white set with a translucent powder. The black was digitally added.

Me: Ravish Me Red lipstick used on Jessica Lange. Is it a real lipstick? Or was it custom made for the show?
Eryn: We ended up using Femme Noir lipstick by Jessica Hewitt.

Thank you Eryn for taking the time to talk to me at IMATS!

5ekz Ultra Conditioning Brush Soap

Koren‘s new brush soaps were available at IMATS LA 2013 and so I picked one up Friday and then four more on Sunday. I’ve been using Mona Lisa’s Pink Soap for a year or two now after a recommendation from someone on Beautylish. I love Mona Lisa’s Pink Soap and have suggested it to other people as well however MLPS is not travel friendly because it’s a liquid but 5ekz Ultra Conditioning Brush Soap on the other hands is totally travel friendly!

Using it is really easy, simply wet the brush and use the soap side to wash and the loofah side to scrub the brush without having to use your fingers.

Directions: Wet your dirty brush and simply lather on one side of the soap using a back-and-forth sweeping motion, then use the loofah side to deep-clean and loosen makeup residue. Rinse, reshape the bristles, and dry the brushes flat.

 Gardenia scent
I’ve used this soap a couple of times already (at IMATS and earlier today) and it works fantastic. Even though Mona Lisa’s Pink Soap does a really good job at removing makeup from the brushes I have to say that 5ekz soap works just as well. As I brushed it back and forth on the soap I could see the dirt and makeup residue come off the brush and as I rinsed off the brush under warm water even more grime rinsed away. Over all I’m impressed by the brush soap.

The smell of Gardenia is so nice but I’m a sucker for Gardenia in the first place so I’m bias on that scent. I also picked up Lemon, Cantaloupe, Lavender and English Rose. The other scents available are Patchouli, Apricot Freesia, Ylang Ylang, Tangerine, Mango, Pomegranate and an Unscented soap which are sold for $6 a bar on his site but are currently on sale for $4.50.

Now a warning. While you are rinsing the soap off the potential for residual oil to remain on the brush is still there so you do need to be careful if you are allergic to almonds or any of the other ingredients. As someone who is allergic to raspberries I’m finding myself having to look at ingredients in products I’ve never tried because I encountered a shadow that had raspberries in it so I always want people to be aware to read the ingredient of any product they’ve never used as precaution.

Brush Soap Ingredients: Coconut Oil, Palm Oil, Safflower Oil, Gylcerine, Purified water, Sodium Hydroxide, Sorbitol, Sorbitan oleate, Soy bean protein, Argan Oil, Avocado Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, Jojoba Oil, Loofah.

May contain (+/-): fragrance oil, essential oil, titanium dioxide, iron oxides, polyester-3, FD&C & D&C colorants.

Koren will be at The Makeup Show and at PHAMExpo so if you want to check these up or pick these up then definitely check him out.

FTC Disclaimer: Purchased by me at IMATS.

Saucebox Cosmetics: Midnight Blossoms preview

Alla has done it again with her newest palette – Midnight Blossoms! I’ve been stalking her Facebook wall for sneak peeks of the palette and at IMATS I HAD to buy it before the show even started on Friday! lol I said I was going to hit her up first and so I did.

Note: The images were taken inside with both flash on and off. It’s been a gray, rainy day mixed with hail so unfortunately the images just don’t do the palette or colors justice. iPhone used to take photos. I WILL have better photos up later along with actual swatches.

I used this palette on Saturday – I used the black sparkles along with the creme color (2nd row, 1st color on left) and got so many compliments including a complement from Michelle Visage (which made my day)! My other favorite color is the purple in this palette but honestly I’m in love with all the colors in it.
The colors are soft, silky and VERY pigmented so use a good base or primer otherwise it may stain. Honestly, a little goes a long way with this palette as with her other shadows. I’m of the mentality use as little as possible and build up the color because it’s easier to build up color than remove color and with these colors you don’t need to use a lot to begin with.

I will have swatches up of these colors up as soon as possible.

Best of all this palette is currently on sale for $50 on Saucebox’s website which is IMATS price however for my readers there is an additional 15% off making this bad baby only $42.50 (plus shipping)! For those of you unable to have gone to IMATS you have until February 28 to use the 15% promo code she provided my readers (note: I’m not compensated for this promo). She will be at PHAMExpo this June in Pasadena and I believe at IMATS Vancouver in August.

Lastly I’d like to congratulate Alla on selling out of many of her shadows at IMATS this past weekend! I’m so happy for her!

FTC Disclaimer: Not affiliated nor compensated by Saucebox Cosmetics however I am a friend of Alla’s. Palette purchased at IMATS.

Glamour Doll Eyes: Halo Collection

The latest gorgeous shadows from Glamour Doll Eyes are from the Halo Collection. Ten gorgeous shades that will be available on the GDE website later this month. For those who bought the December OTM you would have received two samples of these gorgeous colors.

These will be available January 20, 2013 and are part of the permanent collection. Yay!!!

Full size: $6 each or $40 for the entire collection.
Sample jars: $2.50 each or $17.75 for 10 samples in sample jars.
Sample baggies: $1.25 each or $9.35 for 10 samples in baggies.

Note: Descriptions are from Glamour Doll Eyes.

Audacious: showing a willingness to take bold risks.
Metallic copper/gold with black undertones and copper shimmers.

Disclose: to make known; reveal or uncover.
Blackened gold with red and orange shimmers.

Exposed: left or being without shelter or protection.
Medium matte grey with subtle multi colored shimmers.

Flaunt: to parade or display oneself conspicuously, defiantly, or boldly.
Medium taupe with pink and gold shimmers.

Flawless: without any blemishes or imperfections; perfect.
Light beige/pink with subtle turquoise and gold shimmers.

Imitation: a result or product of imitating.
Medium beige with dark brown undertones and silver shimmers.

Mannequin: a woman who wears the clothes displayed at a fashion show.
Baby pink with metallic qualities and blue shimmers.

Undressed: wearing few or no clothes.
Dark blackened brown with green shimmers.

Unveil: to remove a veil or other covering from.
Dark matte brown with purple shimmer undertones. Also has maroon qualities.

Vulnerable: open to temptation, persuasion, censure.
Light beige with rose and green shimmers.
My thoughts. I love all of these colors however my favorite shades from this collections are Flaunt, Flawless, Imitation, Mannequin and Undressed.

I would suggest that if you plan on buying this to either buy the full size or the sample jars. I have several sample baggies of various other colors and ended up kicking myself for not buying the full size products or at least the sample jars. *sob* I REALLY love Jealousy but it’s now discontinued and I’m basically out in my sample baggy. So yeah, if you’re going for a sample get the jar size or just get the full size. I have yet to encounter one color from GDE that I didn’t like and one thing is for sure I’ve come to really love GDE’s shadows (especially Feline Fatale which is my favorite).

I’ll have swatches up on my Facebook tomorrow since I wasn’t happy with the lighting and want to redo the swatch pics under natural light. If you don’t want to wait to see my swatches head on over to Makeup-is-Everything because she has some swatches up.

FTC Disclaimer: Purchased out of my own pocket.