Just Beyond Neutral Shadows From Overall Beauty Store

Neutral tone makeup is always safe. But it isn't always exciting. However, I have noticed, in the past couple of years, how neutrals have evolved and are getting a bit of sizzle to them.

To prove my point, here are a couple of mineral eye shadows provided to the Central Florida Beauty Bloggers from Overall Beauty...

First, Kim, the owner of Overall Beauty, makes up the cutest packages. It's enough to make anyone that sits at the vanity squeal in delight.

Part of the package was these two square emery boards. Just perfect for keeping one in the car and the other one my nightstand.

And the mineral shadows...

On the left is 'Blink!' and, on the right is 'Summer Wheat'. I spoke with Kim regarded the colors and how well they work, not only together, but also with almost any combo. She told me that she picked these shades to share with the Beauty Bloggers as they were the most universal shades for all skin types.

Take a closer look at 'Blink'!...

It is peach tone with a bit of depth to it. I like how it looks on my eyelid.

And 'Summer Wheat'...

What a cool smoky brown. I use it for the crease but it works just as well on the lid too.

Some swatches for you to compare...

'Blink!' is on top and I have 'Summer Wheat' underneath. I used a light hand to swatch but both shades can be built up. 'Blink!' is soft and has just a hint of a shimmer. It's a pinky-peach on my skin. And 'Summer Wheat' almost looks like a brown matte. But there is a very subtle shimmer to this one as well. The shades blend easily and with a shadow primer, I was good to go for the day with my neutral look that dared to push the envelope.

I think Kim was right on the money in choosing both of these shades for a universal neutral look. You can order these shadows, check out even more shades and look at all the other beauty items at OverallBeauty.com.

These products were given to me for my honest review. All opinions are mine without promise of compensation.

My Recent Order From Southern Magnolia Minerals

Last weekend, I received my order from Southern Magnolia Minerals. The order I received previously had a promotion where I got several samples with my order. Two of these samples prompted me to order full size. Here's what I got...

Fixative Shadow Gel, Eye Silk Creme Sample,  Anti-Wrinkle Lip Rescue Firming Contour Cream, Hair and Skin Tonic, and Pretty Amazing Copper Shadow Sample.


In a post I did here, I mentioned that I have been a customer of SMM for easily over five years. I think it really has been about eight years now. When I got my samples, I couldn't wait to start using them. The two that I had to get full sizes of are the Lip Rescue Cream and the Hair and Skin Tonic.

 

The Lip Rescue Cream has been THE best product I have ever used on my lips to make them smooth and soft. My lips have not been peeling, dry or rough since I started using this cream. The smell is pleasant and even though I don't lick my lips, I'm not getting a taste from it. I use it several times a day because it just feels so soft on my lips. And I use it around the skin of my lips as well. This cream has found a permanent place on the vanity!


Next, is the Hair and Skin Tonic. I didn't know what to do with this tonic, at first. But, SMM's website has wonderful descriptions of their products that it didn't take me long to figure out this was a do-it-all product...

Oh my goodness, all the things I use this for: face moisturizer, eye cream, hair moisturizer, and frizzy hair tamer. There isn't hardly a scent to this and it is so light that there is no way I can get build up. I love how soft my skin feels after applying it. My skin drinks it in and there is nothing greasy or heavy about this tonic.


Now, just who does not think that this is the most stinkin' cute sample jar EVER...

 

This is a sample of Eye Silk Cream. Barb is the owner of SMM and when I emailed her to ask what this cream is for, she got back to me, as she always has, so quickly. She said that it is used around the eye area for moisturizing either alone or before other skin products like her Cucumber De-puffing Eye Gelee. I have been using it before I use an anti-aging eye cream. Eye Silk Cream is. yet again. another SMM product that makes my skin feel moisturized and soft.


I purchased the Fixative Shadow Gel as a shadow primer and a gel to make my mineral shadow powders into eyeliners.

So far, I have only used it as a mix for eyeliner. It doesn't take but a tiny speck of the gel to create a mixture of liner. It applies very evenly and that liner didn't budge until it was time to wash my face. The gel makes for a fun way to create bold and creative eyeliners.


Last, I got a sample of a copper mineral shadow...

This was the first shadow I used the Fixative Shadow Gel to make an eyeliner. If you have ever used mineral shadows, you know how versatile they are. And SMM makes very pigmented shadows. The swatch I have in the photo, that is without the fixative; it's just a swipe with a shadow brush.


Southern Magnolia Minerals has specials almost weekly. Check out the website and 'like' the Facebook page to get in on the deals. The Pink Vanity has many SMM products on it and I have found a few new beauty staples to sit on the vanity.

All items were purchased by me except for the samples. This review is my honest opinion and I am in no way compensated for my review.

Neon Orange Is A Screamer

Would it really be summer without a neon orange?

Stepping outside of my comfort box, I am sporting a neon. And there is NO doubt that this is a neon AND, that it is ORANGE!!!!! I teased my hubs by flashing these digits going 'beep, beep, beep!' ala road construction.

The orange is Color Club's 'Wham Pow' from the Popstastic: Colors That Pops collection. I do not think I have a brighter orange in my collection.

Two coats and a topping with Seche Vite. 'Wham Pow' is so bright, I did test to see if if glowed. Alas, it didn't. It was sad, but just for a moment.

Back in April, I got a huge itch to try Frankens. Frankens are a mix of nail polishes or, a combination of polish and another medium, like mineral eyeshadow.

Here's what I started out with...

A mini iridescent polish from Sally's Girl.

An orange, sparkly eyeshadow from a now defunct mineral makeup company. Mix together...

Rats. It looks like a failure. So, I just set it on my desk until I could come up with a better way to get the powder into the tiny neck of the bottle.  Later that day, I found this...

OH, 'Wham, Pow!' Or, maybe this is Mr. 'Wham, Pow' because he is going to lay right on top of 'Wham, Pow.' And the next thing you know....WHAM, POW! Things start happenin'...

Great oogly boogly! In my world, it is very OK to toot your own horn. You have to do that or, someone will come along and use it as a flower vase. Hell, I played French horn for 7 years, I know how to toot a horn!!!

Mr. and Ms. 'Wham, Pow!' do not need horns to get attention. Good C Clef, No! They scream out 'Orange' loud and clear.

Franken Kiss and Teal

Got to ask you, readers, something.  I posted that I would end my giveaway on 4/30.  Would it be a bad thing to move it up?  I feel it is just too far away and I want to give stuff out sooner.  Let me know what you think in the comment box.

I've been swatching today and previewing workout DVDs; my two favorite hobbies, combined together.  I stayed home all day except for my morning walk/run.  I'll do some more of it, again, tomorrow.  What a perfect weekend for me.  I hope you got to do something fun yourself.

This is a fun mani.  Take a look...

I took an old bottle of Sally Gal's 'So 70's' polish  and mixed in Aromaleigh's 'Mela #9' mineral shadow.  I didn't give it much thought, just grabbed a shadow and started mixing.  My franken is in the middle.  Oh, man, that was easy!!
(Note: Sally's doesn't use names on these babies anymore. GASP!!! It's now #315)

I surprised myself that it turned out.  And I love the color.  Here's what it looks like on me...

Very sheer, so it would be an overlay, best of all.  And, because I was using a very old bottle of 'So 70's, it was seriously thick.  I put in a couple drops of acetone but it didn't do much good at all.  I didn't know where my polish thinner was.  Oops.

 This franken hasn't lost any of its sparkly-ness with the mineral shadow color.  It's full of iridescent glitter in a teal base.  I name my creation 'Franken Kiss and Teal'.

This is three coats and it was saturated.  It was gritty even with Seche Vite over it.  But, I'm going to let this slip by because I'm so pleased with myself. ;)   I'm going to ask my Mom to put it up on the refrigerator door as my current work of art.

I'm going to use this polish one more time, over a base coat.  What color do you think I should use?  And, if you are into making frankens or have been wanting to try it for the first time, Sally's has these baby nail polishes at by 2, get one free.  It's an inexpensive way to try it out.

Introducing New Mineral Makeup Shadows by Gabrielle Faust

If you thought I only obsess about nail polish, I'm going to try and convince you otherwise.



I love mineral makeup.  I have lots of it.  I have more than I will ever use up.  I have found more companies, lately, that make their own mineral collections than I could imagine.  I could name names of those that have turned me on to this new world of indie mineral makeup.  But, I will not blame anyone.  I love playing with minerals.

Here's a new mineral shadow line at Overall Beauty. This is a line collaborated with Gabrielle Faust.  She has a cool moniker and a logo to match.  She should get this as a tattoo! 

Ms. Faust is an acclaimed horror author who pens novels with vampire themes.  Her website has her full biography and accomplishments listed.  And now, she can add cosmetics to a long list of achievements.

Here are just three of the shadows from an eight color set.  You can check them all out at Overall Beauty.

This is 'Vampire Kiss.'  It's a matte, rich burgundy that reminds me of a very red wine.  I like using this color as an eyeliner.

'Sanctified Snow' is a white that gives an iridescent shimmer.  You have to see the swatches to see it perform.  Here, it looks matte, doesn't it?  Great for a highlight.  Or, dab a small amount right in the middle of your lower lip after you apply your lip color.  Then use a lip brush to gently blend it out.  Instant pout!

Here's 'Aftermath.'  Even though it's a matte, it's a smokey brown that has a tinge of burnt purple in it.  Another one for an eyeliner but perfect for the eye crease and smoking it out.

All three of these worked together for me.  The mattes blend nicely if you layer them lightly and build.  'Sanctified Snow' can even be layered over the mattes to transform them into shimmers.  Here I sampled them on my hand sans a primer.

Here they are in the order I listed above.  This is in the lightbox.

These are outside and the last is blurred to show you Sanctified Snow's opalescent glimmer.

I am having fun with these shades.  I like using the 'Vampire Kiss' and mixing it in with a clear lipgloss.  Vampy!  And that's just what this collection is: vampy, seductress, mysterious.  The same words that describe Gabrielle Faust's novels and even, herself.

Don't you think these would be perfect for the fall season?

These products were given to my by Overall Beauty to review and give my honest opinion.

Dollar Tree Haul

Ever since Susie of Susie's Home and Hobbies reviewed some sweet looking LA Colors nail polishes she got at the Dollar Tree, I've been on a hunt. 

I really like my job(s) as a freelance merchandiser.  I get to visit lots of malls and while driving around, if I go by a Dollar Tree, CVS, Wallgreens, Sally's, Bed, Bath & Beyond, etc. I can just swing on in and have a look.

Yesterday, I stopped in at a large Dollar Tree store.  No luck in finding the LA Colors Color Craze polishes though.  But I did find these by LA Colors...

Here are six different LA Colors Mineral eye shadows.  I found a couple packs of false nails by Nailene and a replacement pair of my darling, cute, pink readers.  Whoot!  Last pair broke unexpectedly.  I was very sad too.

Here is a close up of the beige and the gold shadows.  They are a good size larger than normal.  They are very shimmery too.  Here are the colors I found:  purple, teal, white, beige, gold and black.  I tried out the white right off.  It has great coverage, not terribly crumbly, and applied smoothly.  A very good investment for just $1 each.  I got all the different colors they had available.

The lighting doesn't do anything for the fake nails.  The one on the left is red and has these tiny flowers with leaves on it.  The one on the right is a bit more pink than it shows here.
I'm looking forward to getting a light box VERY soon.  Sigh.

And finally, my readers....

This are so damn, stinkin' cute!  There are tiny rhinestones in the upper corners.  And, again, the color is a fuchsia pink.  Very retro.

Yep, that's me hamming it up.  Boy, I've come a long way to feel confident enough to post this goofy picture.  No makeup and my hair just back in a pony.  Well, I did it for laughs anyway.

What do you think of the LA Colors single shadows?  Will you look for them?  When I showed my picture to some good friends, only one of them had the balls to tell me I looked silly.  I really WAS trying to look silly.  What do you think, corny as hell?  Crazy cat lady? LOL!