LIST OF PRODUCTS & ALTERNATIVES

• Lip Balm or other deeply hydrating product, Prep H works great @ de-puffing! I forgot to mention in the video that I prefer to use a shea-butter based lip balm when possible, and be sure to wipe this away before continuing on.
• MAC Fast Response Cream- The Caffeine reduces swelling while the silky silicone formula makes for evened out texture. I’ve sworn by this for over 7 years for everything from acne to undereye bags!
• Maximum coverage concealer- Three of my faves are OCC Conceal, MUFE Full Coverage Concealer, and MAC Pro Longwear Concealer. Place this on, and gently smooth it out with a beauty blender of a fluffy brush.
• Gently set with powder like MUFE HD or Purely Cosmetics Diamond Powder & you’re done!

Hi Guys & Dolls!

Last week I took a little holiday, did a little shopping and I wanted to share my haul with you! On Friday my friend Jamie and I were fortunate to be invited to the Makeup Geek open house where we got to swatch all the products and check out the new Pigments which are AMAZING! I wanted to go nuts and buy them all but I was “good” and just got 5 and a Gel Liner! Shout-out to Elle and Darcy!

On Saturday we went wine tasting & shopping in beautiful Napa California, and I have to say how lovely it was. I really need to start taking advantage of living in Northern California! You know how when you see something all the time you stop really seeing it? I want to try stopping to smell the roses so to speak. Wine tasting at Mumm Napa was delightful and I even ran into a subscriber!

But back on track, we went to the Outlet Mall in Napa and hit up the Cosmetic Company store, otherwise known as a CCO. It’s an outlet store of Estee Lauder Brands like MAC, Clinque, Bobbi Brown, Tom Ford, etc. I picked out a few staple MAC items though I was tempted by all the pretties there, like the Tom Ford Perfume that was “on sale” for $196!!! HOLY NO-WAY BATMAN!  We also stopped into a beauty supply where we tracked down the OPI Bond Girls Collection and some of the Color Club Hologrpahic polishes. On Sunday I came home to packages from OCC & Milani, so I decided to include them in this Swatch & Tell session. I hope you find my swatches & insight into the products helpful!

Makeup Geek: Utopia, NewYears Eve, Sweet Dreams, Birthday Wish,& Liquid Gold Pigments, and Poison Gel Liner.

MAC: Beet & Cherry Lipliners, Mineralize Loose Foundation

Nail Polish: OPI Save Me, Jinx, and Pussy Galore, Color Club Beyond & Cosmic Fate.

OCC Stained Gloss: Meta, Jealous, Rhythm Box, Androgyne, Voyeur, & New Wave

Milani Shadow Eyez Shade Expansion: Black Ink, Espresso Line, Cafe Au Lait, Almond Cream, Sand Dunes, & Golden Bronz

May this weekend be As Lovely, Happy Mother’s Day!

Love, 

Cora

Hi Guys & Dolls!

When I sat down to film my Urban Decay eyeliner  review Swatchfest I decided to film the makeup application. I was so pleased with the result I knew this had to be a tutorial, so I did something different: Rather than recording a voice over after I’d edited the video footage, I recorded me talking about everything I just did, with the makeup on! Then I spliced them together in a split screen. This was so much easier for me to film, and surprisingly easier to edit. I know some of you don’t like voice overs, so I think this is a perfect compromise! It helps me to focus on the makeup while I’m doing it, and gives me time to fully explain something. I also added in the text for the products I used, not sure if i’m going to keep doing that because adding in all the text it takes FOREVER, and I always list everything here on the blog anyway. Also I bought new bedding and night lamps, and I think I finally got the lighting right!!! YAY!!! I would really appreciate your feedback on this new format!

I’ve wanted to so a Monochrome look for a while and since Orange is so hot right now it seems like the perfect one to do. A few weeks ago Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics sent me some items to review and I’m so impressed with them and I used several in this tutorial. I’ve really fallen in love with both the Loose Color Concentrates and especially the new Cream Color Concentrates. “Grandma” is a bright Coral that has just enough of a coolness to it that it works on my red-based complexion. Today I used it on my eyes, cheeks and lips to create a harmonious monochrome makeup look. ” Trick” is the other I used, and it’s my new go-to for contouring; I’ve heard John Doe is also quite good for contouring , so I’m going to have to check that one out as well. Sadly, my new favorite eyeshadow, the incredible duochrome one I used for the the lid, “Hum” has been discontinued. You can still get it while it lasts on the Sephora website, but it’s going going, gone. In the event that you can’t get Hum, Twirl might be a good alternative.

http://www.occmakeup.com/
http://www.sephora.com/obsessive-compulsive-cosmetics

The secret to making a bold color like Orange to not just look fun, but also beautiful is to create a neutral base, and blend, blend blend. I this having fresh but perfected skin keeps the look clean and stops it from looking tacky.Each color and texture was carefully selected to create a look that looks effortless ^_^

oki-doki, Please leave me feedback about the new video format, and enjoy the look!

 List of Products
EYES
NARS Smudgeproof Primer
MAC “Soft Brown” Eyeshadow
Makeup Geek “Cocoa Brown” Eyeshadow
MAC “Handwritten” Eyeshadow
OCC “Grandma” Cream Color Concentrate
OCC “Hum” Loose Color Concentrate
Urban Decay “Yeyo” 247 Glide on Pencil
NYX “Milk” Jumbo Pencil
OCC “Oberon” Loose Color Concentrate
Physician’s Formula “Ultra Black” Eye Booster/Liner
Anastasia “Noir” Covet Waterproof Liner
Urban Decay “Roach” 24/7 Glide on Pencil
Blinc Amplified Mascara
FACE
Urban Decay Brightening Primer
Illamasqua Skinbase White & 3.5 Mixed
Make Up For Ever HD Powder
tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer ”Light”
Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
OCC Cream Color Concentrate “Grandma”
LIPS
Jack Black Shea Butter Lip Balm
OCC Cream Color Concentrate “Grandma”
Milani Lipstick ” Nude Creme”

Hi Guys & Dolls!

A few weeks back I was approached by Evans to do a  review of their new swimsuit line. At first I was hesitant, because as much as I’m all for empowerment, and self-acceptance, I’m just not comfortable being stripped down to just a bathing suit on the internet. Even those of us with mucho confidence sometimes want to keep something private. At least for now. Super sexy, and fabulous plus size models like Tess Munster post is swimsuits and lingerie all the time, and inspire me to say “to hell with it”
but I’m just not quite there yet. I was relieved when the rep from Evans assured me they only wanted an honest review!

Evans recently re-did their swimsuit sizing to include not only the over-all size, but different cup sizes as well. They offer sizes US Sizes 10-28 with a B-C cup and size 10-28 with a D-DD cup. The swimsuit has a fantastic retro styling; the halter shape, the blue with white polka dots, its amazing. The suit itself fits nicely- tight, but not suffocating. As a person who has had swimsuits ”travel” while in the pool, I personally like a suit to be snug as possible when dry. There was no bulging or weirdness, it seems to smooth me out and make me feel as comfortable as I’ve been in a suit. I felt supported and ready to dive-in, except in the boobie department.

Sadly the cups are still not big enough for my tig-ol-biddies. I wear a G cup, so a DD still doesn’t quite cut the mustard, support-wise. I knew this might be an issue, but I was hopeful since the UK sizing is an E not a DD, and I forgot to look up the conversion.  I mean, I can get em in there, it’s just that the boobie parade is on display, which is fine, but the support is a little lacking. The suit gives me a bit of pointy-boob (more of the retro styling?) but I kinda like it. Definitely not one to wear in front of my nephews, but great for looking hot sans-kids this summer. The Husband approves ;p

So my opinion on this is that in terms of quality I have it about 80%- I think any suit for a “plus” woman with big cha-chas should have a bit more support to hold up the boulders; I could see the lack of support being an issue for true DD’s, but probably not for the B-C’s, Other than that the quality is ace. The styling is fantastic and even though it’s not perfect, it’s the best suit I’ve ever had! If you’re in the market for a new suit I say give it a whirl!

Check it out for yourself: Evans Website

Love,

Cora

The swimsuit was sent to me by Evans UK PR for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

Hi Guys & Dolls!

Urban Decay recently expanded their 24/7 Shadow Pencils and they now offer a whopping 40 shades! Included with the shade expansion are 14 previously limited colors, and 13 brand spankin’ new colors! Urban Decay sent me the new shades and a few of the older ones so I could share the swatches with you!

24/7 GLIDE-ON EYE PENCIL is regarded by many as the industry- “gold standard” of eye pencils and it’s not hard to see why- they’re long lasting, water proof, and the shade range is extensive! On a personal note I find them less irritating on the eye compared to other waterproof liners, and they don’t give me the “film” on my contacts like other waterproof liners will do. The fomula glides on smoothly (hence the name), they never tug, pull or abuse my eyes.

The pencils are $19 each and are available at Urban Decay.com

My favorite colors are: Mushroom, Vice, Psychedelic Sister, Ether, Empire, Freak, Sabbath, Chaos, Roach & Scorch.

Blacks, Silvers, Greys

Purples

Greens, Golds, Teals

Blues

Browns

Hey Guys & Dolls!

I just received the information that Rihanna loves M∙A∙C, and in her honor, MAC had remixed their classic Ruby Woo Lipstick!!! This will be an online exclusive, and it launches this Thursday, MAY 2! I’ll be picking up a tube, will you?

All clothing was purchased by me

Hi Guys & Dolls! I’ve been on a major Target kick lately- their plus-size clothing is really good this season, at least better than it was last year! I’ve been really into dresses since they are easy, breezy and easily take me form day to night. I’ve worn all of these out and I think I’ve been complimented on every piece, especially the high-low dresses.This is shape that I love because it’s almost like a frame for your legs- and the shape is flattering! I hope this trend doesn’t end- at least for dresses & skirts Target tapped into a lot of trends and are long-time loves of mine, such as Mint, Purple, Hot-Coral, Stripes, and Polka Dots! That Black Striped & green bottom dress would have been Perfect in my nautical look book! If you get anything from Target this season share it with me!

Strappy high-low dress in 3 colors $29.99 each
Casual high-low Skirt $24.99
Mint Lace & Navy Polka Dot Dress $27.99
Black & White Stripes & Emerald Dress $27.99
Pastel Plaid Button-up $24.99
Leopard Print & Petal Print Dress $27.99 Each

A little advice about Target’s Clothing sizes:
I’ve noticed that in the “Women’s” brands (Mossimo, Merona, etc) I usually will wear my size, or one size down depending on the fit, but in the “Juniors” brands (Xhilaration, Pure Energy) I need a size up form my normal size almost all of the time. Hope this helps! In my case I did have a bit of back & fourth, ordering online & then returning in store, which is why this is do delayed (one thing appears to be sold out!). About half of this was bought online, the other half in stores. Of course I wish more plus-sizes were available in-store, but I was able to snag 20% off women’s clothing online!

My Latest Look Book

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