2/26/14

NARS NARSissist Eyeshadow Palette Review

Good morning beautiful!!!

Fot today's eyeshadow palette review I will be reviewing the stunning Nars Narsissist eyeshadow palette. I am obsessed with the beautiful colors. I bought it through the Sephora website as soon as it was released (Feb. 1) and since then I've been hooked. I've given this palette so much love since it became a part of my collection. I made a review on my youtube channel (makeupbymarcelar) as well as  mention it in my monthly favorites. I read many reviews before I made my purchase and so many people gave it a really negative rap. Either way I decided to take the plunge and I am ecstatic that I did.
The colors are so gorgeous, and the palette itself is so versatile because of the really neutral light shades which are perfect for any daytime look, but also they are intense that are perfect for a night time sexier affair. Sort of like the look that I'm wearing below. I also mentioned this palette in a previous post where I did a fotd (face of the day) and ootd (outfit of the day). Because I had such a positive outcome with this palette I decided to write and tell y'all my experience with it, in case you wanted to take the plunge as well.

This is what the stunning palette looks like...

There are 15 shades at 0.003oz, some of which are matte, satin, shimmery, and somewhat glittery. So there's a little of every finish which makes it perfect for a one shot one kill type of palette. It's a little larger than my palm but so sleek and light weight, with a large mirror which makes it perfect for traveling. The shades range from nudes, to browns, to grey's, to black. I feel like they don't lean too cool or too warm tone, but more as neutral. This makes the palette so versatile for pretty much anyone to wear. Fourteen of the shades are permanent signature shades either in the single or duo's, and one is a special edition from the Guy Bourdain collection that came out in the holidays. In my youtube review I had only used it once and I mentioned that the pigmentation was not as good as the single's or duo's but now that I've broken through the top layer from some usage the pigmentation is definitely there. They are buttery soft, super finely milled and blendable, and very little fallout. 

Top Row: All About Eve I, Madrague II, Fez, Bali, Coconut Grove
Middle Row: Madrague I, Nepal, Ashes to Ashes, Brousse II, Mekong
Bottom Row: Bellissima I, Lhasa, Bad Behavior, Dogon II, Pandora II

Brousse II on lid, Lhasa on outer V and crease
a mix of All About Eve I and Madrague I on browbone
Bellissima I on inner corner.  Lhasa on lower lashline



I typically don't like doing swatches on my arm just because depending on your skin color the shadow will obviously show up different. I rather show you how it would look on your lids. Even though if you're of a darker complexion than I am it's still going to look different on you than how it looks on me. But I hope you get the gist of what the shadow color looks like. If you would like swatches on my arm just leave the comment down below and I will do that for you.

In conclusion, I love this palette but at $79 you have to make sure this is something you'd be okay with splurging in. If you are fairly new to NARS and would like to start your eyeshadow collection I recommend you pick up this palette. It gives you a great introduction to the shades and then maybe you'd get hooked like myself and want more. :) Also if you're a narsissist addict I recommend you pick up this palette. But if you're on a budget obviously don't do it.

I hope you enjoyed my review.

As always...peace and love.



xoxo, ♡Marcela♡

2/18/14

Smashbox Full Exposure Eyeshadow Palette Review

Eyeshadow palette series

Good morning beauties!!!

Today's post will be one of many, I want to start a new series on my blog where I review all the makeup products I have in my collection. I really like doing reviews for y'all so you know what is worth spending your money on and what's not.

I'm starting the series with the beautiful Full Exposure palette by Smashbox 

This is what the front looks like
the back...
the inside...

Top Row: chocolate brown with golden pearl, deep golden brown with gold pearl, soft gold with gold and silver pearl, light tan with gold and silver pearl, golden wheat with gold pearl, mid-tone slate with silver pearl, rich grey with multicolor and silver pearl.

Bottom Row: warm chocolate brown, mid-tone brown, soft tan, beige, light taupe, dark brown, black.

This palette has 14 beautiful neutral shades, 7 of which are shimmery, glittery material, and 7 that are velvety smooth matte shades. The versatility of the shades and finishes of this palette is perfect, you can create a simple daytime look to a dramatic night time look in no time. I found the shades to be long lasting (I did use a primer), the application was phenomenal and the blendability was ahhh-mazing. It also includes a dual ended brush, the blending end is perfect for applying the matte shades, specifically in the crease and the flat end laid down the shimmer colors like nobody's business.

It also includes an insert which helps you to identify your eye shape and teaches you how to apply the shadows in a specific way to enhance your eye shape. It shows you how to achieve the best day look, best night look, and best defined look. I suggest you really analyze and look at your eyes to identify what your eye shape is before trying out any look, because if you try a different method that doesn't enhance your eye shape it can look a little wonky. My sister tried a look on her eyes one night that did not flatter her eyes and made her small eyes look even smaller.

                                      

S3 and S4 on lid, M3 on crease, S6 and M7 on outer v, M4 on brow bone


I absolutely love this palette because of its versatility, but at $49 it is a hefty price. As I always say, if you're a makeup hoarder and love collecting palettes and have the funds for it then I suggest you pick it up.

I hope you enjoyed my review.
Let me know if there's anything in particular you'd like for me to review.

As always...peace and love.

Have you seen my latest video on my youtube channel? makeupbymarcelar





xoxo, ♡Marcela♡

2/15/14

Casual Look

Today's fotd, and ootd are pretty casual. This is what you will see me in most of the time. I'm usually in a basic tee or a nice blouse, jeans, and flats. I try to dress up my look with my makeup, hair, and/or accessories. Unless I'm on a date night with my husband, or out on the town with girlfriend's this is what you get from me.

Hope you like it...





FACE
SMASHBOX color correcting primer (green)
BENEFIT Porefessional
Lancome Teinte Idole Ultra 24 H in 230 Buff W
NARS Laguna
NARS Cactus Flower
NARS Albatross
HOURGLASS Ambient Lighting Powder in Dim (face)
MAYBELLINE instant age rewind concealer in neutral
MAYBELLINE instant age rewind concealer in light
HOURGLASS Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused 
(under eye)
EYES
MAC pp in Soft Ochre on brow bone
NYX jumbo eye pencil in Milk on lid
NARS Narsissist eyeshadow palette
Bellissima e/s on lid
Fez e/s on outer lid
Madrague II e/s on crease
Madrague I e/s on brow bone
MARY KAY eyelash primer
MARY KAY lash love mascara
CLINIQUE bottom lash mascara
MAC wedge e/s and espresso e/s for brows
ANASTASIA brow gel

LIPS
MAC subculture lip liner
MAC Blankety lipstick
NYX mega shine lipgloss in Beige






ACCESSORIES
Forever 21 

SHOES

I am obsessed with my shoes, Tory Burch ballet flats





OUTFIT
Top: Target
Jeans: Express














Hope y'all are having a wonderful and blessed week, Peace and Love


xoxo ♡Marcela♡

2/13/14

My MAC face brushes

Good Morning my beautiful people!!!

So today is a snowy and gloomy day and I didn't want to film because my lighting is not the best as of yet, so I figured the next best thing to do was to write a post for y'all.

Today I will be talking to you about all my MAC face brushes. I have many that are in the permanent line and two that are limited edition or have been discontinued. I still want to include them in this post because if you check your local CCO (cosmetic company outlet) you can probably still find them there. Also MAC re-promotes many products so if you see a brush you like you can snag it up if they were too relaunch it. If you are not aware of what a CCO is, it's an outlet store that has Estee Lauder makeup companies at a discounted price. Most of their products are either discontinued products, or limited edition, but they also have products that are in their permanent line. Always check your local CCO before going to the actual MAC store. I've purchased many products that are in the permanent line for very inexpensive prices. Enough with the ramble, let's get on with the review.

109 small contour brush US$35.00
This brush is made of natural bristles. I specifically use this brush to contour the hollow's of my cheeks and to also blend the products. I've also used it for foundation but wasn't that fond of the application with it because it shed A LOT, so I now only use it for contouring.

116 blush brush US$35.00
This is a tapered brush that is perfect for applying blush on your cheeks, or a highlighting shade on the tops of your cheek bones, or a light dusting of your face powder. Keep in mind, you can use all these brushes however you desire, just because they have a specific name doesn't mean that's how you have to use them.

128 split fibre cheek brush US$35.00
This brush is made of natural and synthetic fibres, allowing the perfect application of fluids or creams on one side of the brush, and on the other powder. I use this brush for either cream blushes or applying my foundation.

129 powder/blush brush US$35.00
This brush is slightly larger than the 116 but I use it for the same purpose as the 116. I actually prefer using this one for my blush because it's slightly bigger and I can get a better application with it. In my personal opinion you don't need both. They both perform the same duties, it all depends on how large or small your face is.

129SH powder/blush brush US$35.00
I'm not going to spend too much time talking about this one. SH just means short handle, perfect for traveling. It comes with a small pouch to keep your brush clean while traveling.

130 short duo fibre brush US$42.00
This is my all time favorite brush for my BB cream application, specifically the Tarte bb cream. This brush is short, round and flat topped made with natural and synthetic fibres.

134 large powder brush US53.00
This brush is a very large fluffy paddle shaped brush. The natural fibres are very soft to the touch. I use this brush for applying bronzer on my cheeks and my forehead, because it is so large it is so convenient. You can also use it for applying a setting powder all over your face or adding any other powder to your body.

150 large powder brush US42.00
The fibres on this brush are soft and form a full rounded shape. It's dense but not dense enough. I particularly use this brush for a light dusting on my t-zone when I want to set my foundation with either a pressed or loose powder.

159 duo fibre blush brush US35.00
Made of natural and synthetic fibres, this brush is perfect for applying a light coverage of your full coverage foundation. I personally like to use full coverage foundation, but depending on the density of the brush you use you can get a lighter coverage. That is the main reason I like to use this brush, I can manipulate how my foundation will appear.

163 flat contour brush US35.00
This brush is awesome for a more detailed, concentrated, sharp contour. It's a short, wide, flat top brush made of synthetic bristles. When I use this blush to contour I use my MAC paint pot in quite natural and the contour is very intense. It's not the best for blending the product out, for that I use my beauty blender, but it does place the product very precisely in the hollows of your cheeks.

168 large angled contour brush US35.00
As the name of this brush states this is an angled brush. It's perfect for applying a powder contour, or a powder highlight. Depending on the angle that you use it you can achieve both tasks.

182 buffer brush US53.00
This is a goat hair brush that is very full and soft to the touch. I like to use this brush to either apply my face powder or when I've over done the blush I can use this brush to buff some of the product off and not disturb my foundation.

184 duo fibre fan brush US24.00
This brush is made of synthetic fibres and goat hair. It can be used for a light application of pigments and powder. I personally only use it for highlighting the tops of my cheeks.

187 duo fibre face brush US42.00
This brush is also made of synthetic fibres and goat hair. The large circular shape of this brush makes it easy to apply pigments, powders or liquids on your skin. I like to use it to apply my cream blushes as well as a light application of my liquid foundation.

188 small duo fibre face brush US35.00
This brush is the little sister to the 187. I use it for the same reasons and for highlighting the tops of my cheeks.

190 foundation brush US34.00
This was my very first MAC brush, thanks to my beautiful sister who got me hooked. I've had this brush for maybe ten, eleven years. I like to use this brush only for cream foundations, specifically the MAC full coverage foundation. I don't think it's the best for blending so I don't use it for anything else.

last but not least....

195 concealer brush US24.00
This is a flat pointy brush made of synthetic fibres. It's perfect for under eye concealer because it allows you to really get into the inner corner of your eye. I also like to use it to spot conceal any acne scars or active acne. The pointy tip of this brush allows precise application not casting a shadow on your acne making it appear larger.

These last two are discontinued so I left them for last

136 I'm not sure on the price but I believe it was $62.00
These bristles are the softest bristles my hands have ever touched. I personally use this brush to dust my hourglass powders all over my face. The hourglass powders are so luxurious it just made perfect sense to me to use them in conjunction. If you ever come across the brush and have the funds for it, I highlight recommend it.

167SH face blender $34.00
Made with white goat hair, this brush is dome shaped with densely packed bristles. It reminds me a lot of the 182 buffing brush. I like to use it to either apply my face powders and also to apply my bronzers.

I hope you enjoyed my short reviews on all my MAC face brushes. If you have any questions feel free to leave it down below.

As always....peace and love


xoxo, ♡ Marcela♡

2/12/14

Valentine's Day Makeup

I wanted my first blog to be my Valentine's Day makeup tutorial I posted on Youtube. I hope you like it.



    Products Used

AVON Candy Sorbet
AVON Sparkling Plum
MARY KAY Pale Blush
URBAN DECAY NAKED 3
Black heart, factory, nooner, limit, burnout, trick, and strange
MAC Feline eye kohl
MAC Chromaline in black black
Ardell Natural Demi wispies
BENEFIT Erase Paste
SMASHBOX CC Primer
BENEFIT Porefessional
MAC Studio Fix Fluid NW 22
BOBBI BROWN concealer in bisque
MAC Care Blends oil
BOBBI BROWN concealer in Beige
MAC Pro conceal and correct palette
CLINIQUE Bottom lash mascara
NYC Sunny Bronzing Powder
TARTE blush in Amused and Dollface
PHYSICIAN'S FORMULA Waikiki Strip
ELF Matte lipstick in Natural
REVLON Colorburt lipstick in baby pink
BUXOM lipgloss in sugar

As always my beautiful people, peace and love.

xoxo, ♡Marcela♡