Saturday, September 14, 2013

ipsy - September 2013

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September's ipsy bag featured items for the classic beauty. When I think of "classic beauty," I think winged liner, thick lashes, and luscious red lips. 

Click below to see this month's ipsy bag!

Friday, September 13, 2013

Pixiwoo at Ulta!

Pixiwoo is on a tour through the U.S. and stopped by the Ulta in Kildeer, IL today. You guys might have noticed I'm a pretty huge fan of Pixiwoo, so of course I trekked it on over to Kildeer from South Chicago. My husband would note it took nearly two hours, with traffic.

The event was advertised as a meet and greet with Samantha Chapman, but I was so happy to hear (I was checking the Facebook every few minutes on the ride over) that Nicola would be there as well!

I wasn't sure what to expect and I was very nervous walking into the store.

I didn't even notice the free brush promotion until after I'd purchased a set!

When I arrived, Sam and Nic were posing for fan pictures. They had just finished a set of Q&A's. I quickly got in line and worked my way up to where they stood.

They were so tall compared to this tiny gal, haha!

I hadn't quite made up my mind on what to say until it was my turn for a picture. I told them how their videos have been such an inspiration and help in getting my self-confidence back. They were so sweet and humble. Nic told me I had plenty to be confident about and should be confident in myself. They both thanked me and we took this picture. It came out a bit blurry, unfortunately. I wish I could have told them more about how hard my life has been and to have articulated just how much makeup has come to mean to me, but I think the sentiment came across to them.

Captured the moment she addressed the black eye issue.

After the picture session, the girls began another Q&A. There were some great questions asked, one of which was from a guy asking how to conceal a black eye! Samantha applied a red lip on a fan who had a question on lip liners. She looked great! I asked them on tips for picking the right undereye concealer. Their advice was to look at whether the concealer made my undereye area gray (if it does, it's too light). Nic also said to try applying a very small amount of orange or red lipstick in combination with my concealer to see if that works.

Pictures of Samantha were then passed around and a line was formed for autographs. These fans were pretty intense! One of the fans asked the ladies to sign her arm! Samantha said it was a first.

When it was my turn, I once again thanked Sam and Nic for everything. My husband, Sam, jokingly said I was a huge fan and he was a "longtime listener," which made the ladies laugh.

Samantha was concentrating on taking the selfie!

After signing the picture, we posed for a "selfie." My arms were too short, so Samantha took the picture for us haha. I was still a bit emotional at this point, as you can tell. I gave both another hug and then that was it.

I walked out in an almost state of shock, not fully accepting what had just happened; I met Pixiwoo! One life goal, down! I'm so glad to have met them and to have walked out knowing they really are as great in person as they are in camera. Thank you, Ulta for hosting the event and thank you Pixiwoo, for your years of advice.

-Claudia

Sunday, September 8, 2013

FOTD - Lucky Green


A couple of weeks ago I was in a funk. I'd just gotten over this extreme fit of allergies and I was feeling restless. I woke up at nine and decided to head out, bright and early, to the mall.

To be honest, I'm not sure I'd ever been to the mall this early. The store clerks were putting the final touches on their window displays and slowly their gates began to slide open.

I hit up a few stores, but couldn't shake that feeling of unsatisfaction. I wanted something, but couldn't quite put my finger on it.

I looked at various shirts and jewelry, hit up the usual places, but left empty handed.

Finally. I arrived at Macy's and headed to MAC.

At this point, my eyeshadow palette had yet to be filled. I swatched as I always do, looking for the one shade that will pop out and say "take me home!!" Still, I wasn't sold.

I left a few swatches on my hand and walked out.

It wasn't until I had walked into the morning sun and took another glance that I noticed the stunner:

Lucky Green.


I could suddenly see the different ways to pair the glinting, golden green and I turned right around for it.

After that long introduction, here is the look I envisioned with Lucky Green.


Face
Sonia Kashuk tinted moisturizer in Tan
MAC Stereo Rose, Sweet as Cocoa
Benefit Girl Meets Pearl
MAC Rice Paper, highlight



Eyes
MAC paint pot in Indianwood
MAC Woodwinked, Lucky Green, Swiss Chocolate, Embark, Bronze, Ricepaper
Urban Decay eyeliner in Underground, Zero
Rimmel London Scandaleyes pencil in 003 Bad Girl Bronze

Lips
Nothing

Have you ever had a similar experience finding a new shade?
-Claudia

Friday, September 6, 2013

Finally Finished: My MAC Palette!

Hello everyone! I'm so excited to finally write this post. After three long years I have finally finished filling my MAC eyeshadow palette.

It took a long time of figuring out what shades worked for me and what type of looks I like (or would like) to create.

So, without further ado....here it is:


Click below for more!

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