This spring I had the opportunity to test out 6 Harvey Prince fragrances in the Scents of Purpose Kit. Harvey Prince is a different kind of fragrance company- all of their perfumes are scientifically designed to evoke emotions, curb cravings, or make you feel beautiful and younger!  I fully enjoy this set; I am a bona fide  perfume freak, and I know perfume doesn’t last forever, so I prefer to have several smaller perfumes and be able to create or express my mood though many different types of scent.

I love the story behind the company- they started it for their Mom! They wanted to create great scents without toxic chemicals, and best of all, no animal testing.

Disclosure: Some of the products shown were sent by PR; Complimentary products never receive preferential treatment; My Subscribers are my #1 priority and my blogging philosophy is that if I wouldn’t recommend it to my best friend, I won’t recommend it to you. This video/post contains opinions that are solely my own; I am not influenced by, nor do I represent any company.

Hey Guys & Dolls!

Last week I did a massive review video and in that video I was wearing makeup similar to this. At that time I was just testing things out & playing around with them, so it was a tad sloppy, but many of you wanted to see a tutorial for it, so I tweaked it a bit to be a wearable and easy summer makeup tutorial. In the first minutes of the video I walk you though my tan today gone tomorrow “tan-trick”. I also wanted to provide you with a few substitutes/dupes since we don’t all have the same products to work with, so I’ve provided some alternatives in the product list below.

What do you guys think of the animation at the beginning of the video?

What I used to create this look & a few alternatives

Skin:

Moisturizer- Cera Ve Spf  30 AM lotion

Laura Geller Spackle Primer (Bronze Tint)

Foundation-Make Up For Ever 115 HD Foundation

Concealer-MAC NW15 Pro Longwear Concealer

Powder-MAC Studio Fix Nc15

Highlight/Bronzer-Milani Hermosa Rose Highlight/Bronzer powder

Blush-Milani Mai Tai Blush

Eyes:

Eye Brows- MAC Brow Gel & MAC Cork eyeshadow

Crease Shadow- Milani Brown Stone -substitute with MAC Mystery, Milani Abstract Palette or any deep brown matte eyeshadow

Transitional Color- Milani Abstract Palette -substitute with MAC Bisque or any light beige matte eyeshadow

Brow Highlight- Milani Pearl Powder Shadow -substitute with MAC Shroom or any light beige shimmer eyeshadow

Lid Base- Milani Brown Deluxe Shadow Eyez pencil

Lid Eyeshadow- Milani Caramel Brown- substitute with MAC Romp, Bronze or Woodwinked, Urban Decay Smog or Snake Bite; any pearl-metallic shimmered brown gold.

Center Lid- Milani Abstract Palette- Substitute with MAC Goldmine, Urban Decay Baked, Milani Drench in Gold & Gold Dust, Wet ‘n’ Wild Vanity Palette, the list goes on & on!

Inner Corner Highlight- Wet ‘n’ Wild Blue had me at hello Palette

Black Gel Liner-MAC Blacktrack Fluidline

Lower Lash-line- Milani Metallic Liquif’eye Pencil in “Aqua” & Wet ‘n’ Wild Blue had me at hello

Inner rim- Urban Decay Zeo 24/7 glide on pencil

Lips:

Laura Geller “Broadway Berry” Lip Pops lush waterproof lip gloss – bright magenta gloss

Hi Guys & Dolls!

I just received the information about the new Hey Sailor! collection from MAC and I am so thrilled to share it with you! The Nautical trend is HUGE this season, and what better way to channel your inner pin-up than with gorgeous sailor-inspired makeup? This launch has lots of new products, new colors of current products, and a return of a few we’ve seen before! Keep reading to see promotional images & pictures of the products!

SET SAIL THIS SUMMER WITH A COLOUR AND BRONZING COLLECTION DESIGNED TO DROP ANCHOR IN THE MOST SOPHISTICATED PORTS OF CALL.
Decked out in stylishly sailor-striped packaging, a fabulous flotilla of Small Eye Shadows, Lipsticks, Lipglass, Powder Blushes, Pigments,
Powerpoint Eye Pencils, Pro Longwear Lip Pencils, Nail Lacquers and Zoom Waterfast Lash. Get sun dipped with Bronzing Powders, Pro Longwear Bronzing Powders, High-light Powder, To The Beach Body Oil, Suntints SPF 20 Liquid Lip Balms and a 167SH Face Blender Brush. M·A·C invites you to experience the jauntiest, yacht-iest collection of the season!

LIPSTICK

SALUTE! Neutral peach (amplified)
TO CATCH A SAILOR Highly frosted tan (frost)
RED RACER Bright yellow red (satin)
SAIL LA VIE Bright mid-tone orange (satin)

SRP $15.50 U.S./$18.50 CDN

LIPGLASS

CUT LOOSE White gold with pearl
ORANGE TEMPERA Pale peach
RIVIERA LIFE Bright tangerine
BLESSEDLY Rich Pale coral
SEND ME SAILING Bright yellow red

SRP $15.50 U.S./$18.50 CDN

PRO LONGWEAR LIP PENCIL

SAUNTER Pale nude beige

THROW ME A LINE! Bright true red
SHORE LEAVE Light vibrant coral

SRP $19.00 U.S./$22.50 CDN

EYE SHADOW

CRYSTAL AVALANCHE White with reflects (veluxe pearl)
BAREFOOT Tarnished gold (veluxe pearl)
JAUNTY Light yellow beige (frost)
FEELING FRESH Bright green (frost)
NAUTICAL Navy Blue (satin)

SRP $16.00 U.S./$19.00 CDN

PIGMENT
OLD GOLD High frosted tarnished gold (frost)
NAVAL BLUE Deep smoky blue (frost)

SRP $21.00 U.S./$25.50 CDN

POWERPOINT EYE PENCIL

HANDFORGED Metallic yellow gold
EMERALD SEA Kelly green
BLUE STRIPE Dark navy

SRP $16.00 U.S./$19.00 CDN

ZOOM WATERFAST LASH

WATERFAST BLACK Black

SRP $15.00 U.S./$18.00 CDN

BRONZING POWDER

SOFT SAND Golden bronze with fine gold pearl
REFINED GOLDEN Finely spun golden with soft pearl finish

SRP $24.00 U.S./$29.00 CDN

PRO LONGWEAR BRONZING POWDER

NUDE ON BOARD Bronzy, yellow tone

SUN DIPPED Dirty red tone

SRP $28.00 U.S./$33.50 CDN

HIGH-LIGHT POWDER
CREW Soft peachy cream with fine shimmer

SRP $28.00 U.S./$33.50 CDN

POWDER BLUSH
LAUNCH AWAY! True peach (satin)
FLEET FAST Pinky, golden coral (satin)

SRP $21.00 U.S./$25.50 CDN

NAIL LACQUER
VESTRAL WHITE Creamy white (creme)
TOUCH OF RED Bright yellow red (creme)

SRP $16.00 U.S./$19.00 CDN

M∙A∙C TO THE BEACH BODY OIL
SEASIDE Dirty blushy pink with multidimensional sparkles
MAN RAYS Glowing tan with multidimensional golden shimmer

SRP $22.50 U.S./$27.00 CDN

SUNTINTS SPF 20 LIQUID LIP BALM
SEA MIST Peachy nude with multidimensional pearl
AU ROSÉ Poppy coraly pink with gold pearl

ABALONE See through hot pink with no pearl

SRP $16.00 U.S./$19.00 CDN

BRUSH
167SH Face Blender

SRP $34.00 U.S./$41.00 CDN

MAKE WAVES WITH THE JE NE SAIS QUOI OF THESE RIVIERA READY CARRYALLS.
Their instantly recognizable Mariniere pattern, originating on the coast of Brittany, gets modernized
with an op art inspired twist. The bucket-style canvas cinch tote is perfect for on or off dock leisure.
The navy-and-white striped canvas Makeup Bag Set, replete with bright red patent edges and golden roped
hardware closures, make them stylish enough to carry on their own. Consider them l’essentials for lazy
beach days and breezy bay nights…we sure do. Adieu!

GONE SAILING MAKEUP BAG SET
SRP $35.00 U.S./$42.00 CDN

GONE SAILING TOTE
SRP $45.00 U.S./$54.00 CDN

********************

AVAILABLE
North America May 24, 2012 at all M·A·C locations
International Ex Asia May 2012 at all M·A·C locations
Asia June 2012 at select M·A·C locations
1.800.588.0070 and www.maccosmetics.com

I just recieved a Press Release from MAC announcing a new Mascara- Extended Play Lash! From the sound of the press release if looks like MAC will finally be launching a tubing mascara! That is my favorite kind, so I’m incredibly excited to try this mascara out and see if I can add it to a list of favorites! Check out the photo & information below

NOW YOU – AND YOUR LASHES – CAN
PARTY ALL NIGHT WITH NEW EXTENDED PLAY LASH.
A CURLING, LIFTING, DEFINING, VOLUMIZING
MASCARA THAT’S SO LIGHTWEIGHT…FLIPS UP ANY
DOWNWARD TILTING LASHES, STRETCHES THEIR
VOLUME AND DEFINES THEM IN A CHIC SHADE OF
ENDLESS BLACK. 16 HOURS OF WEAR!
DESPITE ITS STYLE AND DOUBLE TENACITY,
REMOVAL IS SWIFT AND EASY:
A 20-SECOND SOAK WITH WARM WATER AND
A GENTLE WIPE IS ALL THAT’S REQUIRED

EXTENDED PLAY LASH ENDLESSLY BLACK
SUGGESTED RETAIL PRICE
$15.00 U.S./$18.00 CDN
Available North America May 24, 2012
International June 2012
at all M·A·C locations, 1.800.588.0070
and www.maccosmetics.com

Hi Guys & Dolls!

The Winner for this giveaway is….

http://www.youtube.com/ShamanKeema ! YAY!

If you’d like to learn more about the Appear Bracelet, check out the Phosphor Website http://www.phosphorwatches.com/Nylon-Bracelet-Watches-s/38.htm

******************************************************************************************************************

How To Enter:

First go to the Phosphor website to check out the watches and select a color you love!

http://www.phosphorwatches.com/Nylon-Bracelet-Watches-s/38.htm

Next leave a comment on this blog post stating your YouTube user name & what color watch you want to win!

Only leave one comment- additional comments will disqualify you. I need your youtube name to verify that you are subscribed to my channel & to contact you when you win.

If you’re under 18 please ask a parent before entering/giving away shipping information.

This giveaway is open internationally, Whoo-Hoo!

The Prize for this giveaway is one (1) Phosphor Appear Bracelet sent to the Winner by Phosphor.

The Giveaway will end May 12th at 11:59 PM. The winner will be chosen though random.org &  announced by Wednesday May 16th on my blog & shared though my social media sites (Twitter & Facebook). After 24 hours I will contact the winner and I will give them an additional 48 hours to respond.  If they haven’t contacted me in the time allotted, I reserve the right to pick a new winner.

Happy Winning!

Facebook:

http://www.facebook.com/vintageortacky

Twitter:

https://twitter.com/vintageortacky

Disclosure: This giveaway is Sponsored by Phosphor. Complimentary products never receive preferential treatment; My Subscribers are my #1 priority so if I wouldn’t recommend it to my best friend, I won’t recommend it to you. This video/post contains opinions that are solely my own; I am not influenced by, nor do I represent any company.

I want to start a new weekly feature where once a week I ask you a question that is related to makeup hair etc, but we’ll do the occasional random/personal question.  I will also be answering the questions, so this should be a fun way to get to know each other better. If you come up with a question, please submit it to me though email: requests4cora@yahoo.com and I’ll credit you in that week’s post.

Drum roll please…..Our inaugural question:

Q

What do you do first when you’re getting ready? Is there a certain order you do your Makeup, Hair, Jewelry, or Clothing, and if so, is there a method to your madness? Does that order change when you’re going to a special event?

A

My routine normally goes:  Hair, Makeup, Clothing and lastly Jewelry, as though the Jewelry is the topping to the look.

Earlier this Spring MAC Launched two new additions to their Mineralize Line: Mineralize Loose Foundation and a Mineralize Concealer. I really love MAC’s Mineral line, and I pretty much can’t live without my Mineralize Skinfinish Natural (I wear “Light” in that product) so I wanted to give the loose version a  shot.

Mineralize Foundation/Loose

Mineralize Foundation/Loose comes an a round jar with a sifter and a rubberized lid. The jar seems to be made our of acrylic and resembles the jars some MAC skincare comes in. I think the Foundation is a repackage/reformulation of the one that came in the weird, all black packaging with the funny top. I hated that packing, when I worked there I would always spill those! I like to use loose powder foundations as a setting powder for tinted moisturizers or other foundations to give you an oomph of color or coverage- it can be especially helpful if you have hard skin to match, since powder can be easier to match than liquid. I should note that this isn’t the same thing as MSFN but it is similar- sheer-medium powder foundation with a semi-matte finish. Over the course of the day it gives you skin what I think is a very attractive glow. I think this powder gives the skin an excellent, refined texture, definitely worth checking out. Also worth noting that the colors of this are different compared to Mineralize Skinfinish Natural- the “Light” shade is a bit darker & yellower, but luckily it also comes in “Extra Light”. Score!

The Concealer is a medium coverage concealer in a tube with a brush style applicator, and a rubberized top the is bulbous on one end. Even though this type of product dispersion isn’t the most sanitary, I must admit  I like this type of concealer for my purse- it makes on the go touch-ups so easy! When I first received this for review it was essentially still winter, and my skin was quite dry, so this didn’t look the greatest on me. I feel like this is the Select Moisture Cover for oily skin- it’s not full coverage, it has a built in applicator, and it comes in a similar tube, but it’s not as hydrating, so it won’t make oily skin oilier looking. Also worth mentioning that the colors of this are different from other MAC concealer- I have this in NW 15 and compared to the NW15 I have in Select Moisture Cover it looks like NC10!

The Bottom Line-  This launch is a real boon for pale people! Thank you MAC, now could you please expand your other lines (like Pro Longwear!) The Concealer is great for on-the go touchups, and I’ve even taken to cocktailing it with my foundation- but we’ll discuss my concoctions another time. The powder I have (“Light”) is a touch to dark for me to use on myself, but I have been using it in my kit & I love it on other people!

Price: 

Mineralze Foundation Loose $30 for 7.5 gm 9 shades available  Extra Light to Deep Dark

Mineralize Concealer $19 for 5ml 15 shades available From NC/NW 15 to NC/NW 50

Do you use a powder foundation?

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Disclosure: Some of the products shown were sent by PR; others were purchased myself. Complimentary products never receive preferential treatment; My Subscribers are my #1 priority so if I wouldn’t recommend it to my best friend, I won’t recommend it to you. This video/post contains opinions that are solely my own; I am not influenced by, nor do I represent any company.

Hi Guys & Dolls!

Earlier this spring Milani launched a new highlight/blush/bronzer combo called Illuminating Face Powder in 3 shades, Amber Nectar, Hermosa Rose & Beauty’s Touch. The powder is made of of several different colors embossed with a rose pattern that lasts pretty well, I tested these thoroughly  and all of mine still have a bit of the roses showing. These really work best as a highlighter, the colors are too sheer and too pearly to use as a blush or bronzer.  I tested each shade out and while you can get some color by building up the product, the color doesn’t last very well, and since these have a pearl finish you end up with “Frosty Face”.  Not a great look.

That said, these do work great as highlight colors; the shimmer they do have is smooth & uniform (not glittery or chunky). My only real gripe is that these have a certain…smell. I checked the ingredients list and doesn’t look like it’s been intentionally fragranced, but when you use them, even sometimes just opening the compact, you get a whiff of…baby wipes? That sort of powdery smell, to me there’s pleasant powdery, and icky powdery…for me it’s a turn off, but you might not notice it  or it may not bother you.

Back of the Compact

Amber Nectar, Hermosa Rose, Beauty’s Touch, swatched dry.

Amber Nectar

Beauty’s Touch

Hermosa Rose

The Bottom Line- These make great highlighters, but do not live up to the 3 in one claim. The flower print is cute and I love the simple packaging, it’s just too bad they have an odd smell.  I would recommend these to anyone looking for inexpensive highlight powders, with the caveat that the smell might turn you off.

Price: $9.49 for 10 gm of product 

Where to buy: Milani’s Website, Various Drugstores & Mass Retailers

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Disclosure: Some of the products shown were sent by PR; others were purchased myself. Complimentary products never receive preferential treatment; My Subscribers are my #1 priority so if I wouldn’t recommend it to my best friend, I won’t recommend it to you. This video/post contains opinions that are solely my own; I am not influenced by, nor do I represent any company.

Hi Guys & Dolls!

Earlier this year I received a press release about new Milani Powder Eyeshadows, and I was instantly excited: I was so amped for this release because for whatever reason I anticipated that these would be similar to the MAC sized (and MAC Dupe) shadows Milani used to sell in drugstores a few years ago. I majorly built these up in my head and the day they arrived it took a great deal of will power to not touch them until I had taken photos.

I was thrilled when I did!

These are exceptional quality: the mattes are not chalky, the pearls are smooth, and everything has great color payoff. I’ve already used several of these bad boys in tutorials (Click here and here). The Packaging on these is great-relitively easy to open and simple in design- some of my favorite packaging from a mass retail/drugstore cosmetic line. I highly recommend these, they are available now as a CVS exclusive, but should be available on the Milani website soon.

The Colorful Shadows

Tickled Pink

Warm pink with gold shimmer.

Comparable Shades: Very similar to an older Milani Shadow ”Illusion”, less warm compared to Ben Nye Apricot Pink.

Shocking Pink

Neon Pink, matte texture. One of those colors that looks bleached out in photos because it is so bright.

Comparable Shades: Lighter than MUFE #76, Less magenta compared to Sugarpill Dollipop

Olympian Blue

Neon Blue, Matte Texture. One of those colors that looks bleached out  in photos because it is so bright.

Comparable Shades: More Blue Compared to MAC Electric Eel, Less blue compared to MAC Atlantic Blue.

Purple Shock

Purple-Blue duo-chrome, pearl texture.

Comparable Shades: MAC Violet Pigment is similar, but lacking a duo-chome, MAC Stars & Rockets, Urban Decay Fishnet & Ben Nye Cosmic Violet are similar though more pink.

Gold Dust

Warm Yellow Gold, pearl texture. This one almost has an orange-pink like duo-chrome, kind of a dialed down Melon Pigment. It’s the least smooth of all the pearl texture shadows of this launch and the most powdery- however it’s still a great shadow!

Comparable Shades: This is a similar to many gold eyeshadows- Ben Nye Aztec Gold and MAC Goldmine are smoother, less warm, Urban Decay Honey is smoother & cooler, MAC Melon Pigment has a stronger duo-chrome.

Just Perfect

Deep Teal With a golden shimmer, pearl texture.

Comparable Shades- At first glance this is a dead ringer for MAC’s Teal Pigment (the pre-2010 formula) but when you swatch them side by side Just Perfect’s base is bluer, and teal has little micro glitter.  This is as close to the old Teal Pigment as you can get- snatch it up- it’s simply gorgeous!

Colorful Shadows With Flash, Swatched dry with Urban Decay Primer Potion as a base.

Colorful Shadows Without Flash

The Earthtones

Brown Stone

Medium Chocolate Brown, satin texture.

Comparable Shades: This is similar to many brown shadows, however I wasn’t able to find a dead-on dupe- it has a warm-yet ash appearance that is similar to MAC Mystery but it’s not that dark, it’s sort of a warm version of MAC Brun. This would be great as a brow shade for many different hair colors, much the way that Brun & Mystery are (hint- I used those 2 on 85% of clients, when brow powder is used) so this would be a great one for budding makeup artists to use in their kit.

Caramel Brown

Bronze Gold-Brown, pearl Texture.

Comparable Shades: This is another that has several similar color but no dead-ringer dupes-MAC Woodwinked is less brown, more gold, Urban Decay Smog and Wet ‘n Wild Comfort Zone  are browner.

Pearl

Barely there nude, pearl texture. I know that most of the time I come off like the pigmentatation-police; giving higher praise to product with the most color pay-off, but I have to tell you I have a real soft-spot for sheer highlight colors. Pearl is a highly useful color, and while we all ooh and ahh at the Olympian Blues & shocking pinks of the world- colors like Pearl are must-haves. Pearl is smooth and not too frosty so she makes a perfect brow bone or inner corner highlight, or all over wash for a simple makeup look.

Comparable Shades: MAC Phloof is pinker, more frosty, MAC Naked Lunch is more peach, Urban Decay Bootycall is more yellow, with more shimmer, Urban Decay Virgin is more frosted.  MAC Shroom is very close, in fact they might be dead ringers, but on my super pale skin it is difficult to tell.

French Vanilla

Off-white Cream, matte texture.

Comparable Shades: I don’t ahve anything that is a dead-ringer, most are too beige, too pink, too peach. MAC Blanc Type is pinker & whiter, MAC Brule is probably as close as I can get, but Brule is slightly more yellow based.

White Lie

White, matte texture.

Comparable Shades: Matte white eyeshadow pretty much all looks the same, so we’ll just just compare by pigmentation: MAC Gesso is Less pigmented, Sugapill Tako is more pigmented, and Wet ‘n’ Wild Pride is the most pigmented.

Pitch Black

Black, satin texture.

Comparable Shades-Again, I’ll rank a few based on color payoff/the richness of the black, from Lightest to deepest: MAC Carbon, Sugapill Bulletproof, Wet ‘n’ Wild Blue had Me at Hello, Pitch Black & Urban Decay Blackout.

Earthtone Shadows, No Flash.

The Bottom Line- These are great- I love that there is a mix of colors and textures-well done Milani! Now please give us more, more, more colors!

Price: $4.99 for 3.1 gm of product 

Where to buy: For now this is a CVS Exclusive, though it should be on the Milani Website soon!

What is your favorite brand for inexpensive Single Shadows?

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Disclosure: Some of the products shown were sent by PR; others were purchased myself. Complimentary products never receive preferential treatment; My Subscribers are my #1 priority so if I wouldn’t recommend it to my best friend, I won’t recommend it to you. This video/post contains opinions that are solely my own; I am not influenced by, nor do I represent any company.

Hi Guys & Dolls!

Here we are at the 3rd installment of the Ladies of Mad Men Series! Betty Draper/Francis is a character I have a love-hate relationship with. She’s so easy to dislike: She’s selfish, vain, a terrible mother, image obsessed,  but on the other-hand, she’s deeply unhappy, emotionally stunted as a teenager (her friendship with Glen), in the situation of being a powerless 1960′s suburban housewife who was terrified of admitting her husband’s infidelity. She desperately needs to talk to a psychologist, but it’s understandable she doesn’t trust them after… well, if you’ve seen the series you know.

As I said, I love-hate her.

Betty has had a lot of different makeup throughout the years, but one thing that stood out to me was people telling her (and her pride that) she looked like Grace Kelly. So I went for a very classic 1960′s housewife glamour look- simple, but elegant. I styled my hair like her the best I could (since mine is shorter/layered it was difficult, but pretty close) and added a necklace/earring combo that was my Grammy’s in the 1950s or 60′s. I hope you are loving this series as much as I am, and get ready because there is only one left- the new Meghan Draper!

What I used to create this look:

Skin-

Cera Ve AM Lotion spf 30

Tarte Clean Slate Poreless Primer

Temptu Porcelain Airpod Foundation (I read that they used Temptu on one of the Seasons)

Sonia Kashuk Flamingo Blush

Eyes-

Urban Decay Primer Potion

MAC Eyeshadows in Brule & Orb

Physician’s Formula Deep Brown Eye Booster

Clear Brow Gel

Ardell 110 Black Lashes

Clinique High-Impact Curling Mascara

Lips:

Revlon Fire & Ice- A vintage shade that a real-life Betty Draper might have worn.