IMATS 2013 Haul

Hey dolls! I know I am a bit late in posting my IMATS Haul but right after my mini vacay to Pasadena I have been working non stop! I had the best time at IMATS this year and it was really amazing getting to see everyone, meet new people, visit the different brands and admire all of the talented makeup artists & special fx artists all under one roof! If you have an IMATS Haul blog post or YouTube video please leave your links in the comments below. I would love to watch them all!

Let's begin!

Velour Lashes - I have been wanting to try these lashes for the longest time. The price was definitely holding me back. I was extremely happy to see Velour Lashes at IMATS and to find out that their lashes were on sale! I was immediately attracted to this style which is called "Oops! Naughty Me" I love how they looked layered and they are longer in the middle. I usually wear a winged liner and I love having more volume in the center of my lids. They feel so luxe and look very natural. 

Lit Cosmetics - You all know how much I love glitter right? Lit Cosmetics has the best glitter out there. I love that you get to chose the cut size of the glitter. I usually get size 2 and 3. From left to right I got Peacock, Hot Chocolate & Twisted Sistah. I can not wait to incorporate these glitter into my looks. I have a difficult time photographing glitter so if any of my fellow Beauty Bloggers have any tips I would greatly appreciate that.

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics - OCC was packed. I was pretty bummed because I wanted to try out their concealers but it was really hard to get a chance to grab any testers. I knew that I wanted these two lip tars in Vintage and Hoochie. Both of these lip tars are must haves for your collection. I can see myself wearing Vintage everyday. It is the perfect deep red. Hoochie is lighter than Belladonna and is more on the magenta side. Love them both!

Sugarpill - We may sometimes think to ourselves, "Why don't I own this already?" and that is exactly how I feel about Goldilux Loose Eyeshadow from Sugarpill. I would see this color featured in so many gorgeous looks. I really have no idea what took me so long to get it but I am so happy that I am finally a proud owner of Goldilux! Let me tell you, Sugarpill had this AMAZING palette for sale that featured all of their eyeshadows rolled up into this mega palette. I was so close to buying it but since I already own the Burning Heart palette I just couldn't do it. When that palette does hit the Sugarpill website I may consider it again.

Lime Crime - So many items that I wanted to get! Let's start off with her newly reformulated and repackaged Eyeshadow Helper. I loved the original primer but the concept of needing a spatula to scoop out the primer every time was a bit time consuming. I love that it is in a tube now. I have already used this primer and it works just like the original! Next on the list was Poisonberry lipstick. This lipstick is beyond. When I run out which I probably will because I feel like wearing it every day I will definitely buy back ups. Drum roll please...Velvetines!!! I can not even begin to describe how awesome this product truly is. I bought Red Velvet and Suedeberry. They look like a gloss but in reality they are like a matte lipstick. They are not dry whatsoever. I wore Red Velvet out and by the end of the night it was just as vibrant as it was when I first applied it. This is my honest feedback. I always prep my lips with lip balm but there are some matte lipsticks out there that even with my lip balm tend to get dried out and make my lips feel tight. I do not get that feeling with the Velvetines. The bad news is that they are currently sold out on the Lime Crime website but they will be back in stock in March. Lime Crime also hinted about adding more colors to their lineup. I can't even.

Not Pictured - Sadly, there were a few products that I did not get a chance to photograph up close. (a.k.a I forgot) I also got Model In A Bottle setting spray, Sigma E40 Tapered Blending Brush, Sigma F05 Small Contour Brush, Ardell Wispies which also came with a free large makeup case.

Sephora VIB Valentine's Day Gift

Hey dolls! I am mega late on posting about this but I was so happy when I found out that Sephora was having a special Valentine's Day goodie bag for their VIB Customers! The promo was spend $35 and receive a free NARS giftbag filled with awesome NARS Minis. My bag came with their bronzing powder in Laguna, Illuminator in Copacabana, Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Primer and a super cute NARS drawstring bag. This was the best freebie ever.

My cousin was raving about their eyeshadow primer so I was pretty stoked to try it out. I love this primer! I am so sad that I already ran out of product. I used it a good week or 2. My eyeshadow did not crease and I secretly miss the wand applicator from UDPP so I was in heaven! The illuminator was perfect for my skin tone. I can't wait to post pics wearing it on. I have not tried the bronzing powder yet but I am sure that it will be perfect for contouring.

Did any of you take advantage of their Valentine's Day special this year?

Review - Two Faced Shadow Insurance

Official Description - Your full coverage insurance policy against all fading, creasing and smudging. Our skin-soothing formula evens out skin tone and smoothes fine lines to create a perfect canvas for shadows. Color is intensified and locked down until you take it off.

I have been using Urban Decays Primer Potion for many years now. I love it so much. I was always interested in giving Two Faced Shadow Insurance a try. I have seen so many youtubers use it and read a lot of positive reviews. When I heard that Ulta was having a sale on it for half off for their 21 Days of Beauty promotion I thought that was a perfect opportunity to give it a try.

I had never used the squeeze tube kind of primer and was used to applying it on with an applicator. It was actually a lot better applying it with my fingers because I got an even application on my lids. I then applied my eyeshadow and liquid eyeliner. I had a full day of work and towards the end of my shift I went to the bathroom to do a check for any crease lines. My eyeshadow still looked fresh and vibrant!

At first I was a bit torn on which eyeshadow primer would become my "go to primer" but in the end I have decided that although Two Faced Shadow Insurance worked lovely for me I will stick with Urban Decay's Primer Potion. What are some of your favorite eyeshadow primers?

Review - Studio Secrets Professional Secret No.1 Magic Perfecting Base

Official Description - - Get the perfect skin texture, instantly and all day. The silky, lightweight formula glides onto skin and minimizes the look of pores and fine lines. Skin looks and feels smoothed and resurfaced. The result is a unified matte finish that's flawless. Suitable for all skin types. Dermatologist tested. Non-comedogenic

I absolutely love this primer! I have tried many different primers to help with my oily T-Zone!

I work long 8+ hours shifts at work and by the end of the day I was noticing that my foundation around my T-Zone area, especially my nose, was almost off. Believe me I thought I had tried all primers. Even super expensive ones but none of them were doing the job! I actually decided to try this primer out because of reviews that I was reading on Beautylish. I applied this primer on before I put my foundation and I was pleasantly surprised to still see my foundation still intact around my nose area. The only negative I could think of is that it is not in pump form. I get scared thinking of any bacteria build up so I use my Sigma F60 Foundation Brush to apply and wash it right after!

I definitely recommend this primer for anyone with annoying oily skin such as myself. I finally don't look like Rudolph the red nose reindeer at the end of my shift!! I also have been noticing this product always being sold out at my local Ulta and Target so I think a lot of people have been enjoying it as much as I do!

Where to buy - Ulta

Review - Benefit One Prime Day

Official Description
This set of mini primers will set your makeup and have you looking perpetually pretty no matter what the situation. "That Gal" face primer smooths on a brighter complexion, The POREfessional PRO balm minimizes the appearance of pores and fine lines, and dual-action Stay Don't Stray eye primer locks on concealer and eye shadow for all-day wear.

My Review
- - "That Gal" Brightening Face Primer - The first thing that I noticed about this little primer was the sweet smell. It was a been reminiscent of a strawberry sorbet smell. I applied a small amount to my face and I noticed an instant brightness to my face. It also gave it a soft glow. I was automatically impressed with it and loved how my face was looking that I almost did not put any foundation on afterwards. It did not feel heavy or thick on my face. When I did put my foundation on it went on smooth and evenly. The packaging is also super cute! I will definitely be purchasing a full size of this face primer.
- - The POREfessional Pro Balm - So this did minimize my pores which was awesome but I did notice that it left my face looking a bit oily. It began to wear off throughout the day. It did leave my face feeling smooth but for the steep price I do not see myself purchasing a full size.
- - Stay Don't Stray Eye Primer - I tried using this product as an eyeshadow primer but it did not work the wonders that my beloved Urban Decay Primer Potion did. I noticed a bit of creasing after a few hours of having it on. On a much lighter note, I absolutely love it for an under the eye concealer. It is the perfect shade for me and helps brightens my dark circles underneath my eyes. I would definitely use it as a concealer but not as an eyeshadow primer.

Where to buy - Sephora

Shopping Goodies - Sephora & MAC

 My boyfriend and I woke up extra early the other day and got Zoe all dressed up to take pictures with the Easter Bunny. The pictures were a complete success and we got a perfect one with Zoe smiling! It was a perfect shopping day. We went around a few malls and my ever so patient boyfriend let Zoe and I spend a long time at our favorite beauty stores!

First stop, MAC Cosmetics. I brought 12 empty MAC products to recycle for Back 2 MAC. I always have the hardest time choosing lipsticks but I chose the two that I thought would be perfect for everyday use. I chose Cherish a Satin Lipstick & Angel a Frost Lipstick

(Left to Right: Angel and Cherish)

 

Swatches on my arm (Angel & Cherish)

Angel Lipstick

Cherish Lipstick

 Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25

I was also excited to use my 15% off V.I.B Sephora Coupon. I wish I would of gotten more stuff but Zoe was ready for a nap and I didn't want to spend long in the store. I have read a lot of good reviews about the Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25. It is supposed to be for men but who cares right? I tried making my boyfriend use it but that was a bust. I love it so much! I got the Lemon & Chamomile flavor. It makes my lips feel so good! I highly recommend! I also got my 87289 bottle of Urban Decay Primer Potion. An essential item I must say. I was also circling the Tweezerman section like a shark. I really really want to buy the Betsey Johnson Marilyn Monroe Tweezers but I am a bit skeptical at a $25 price tag. Is tweezerman tweezers really that good? I am in search of the perfect tweezer. I better research some more before I take the plunge. 
- xoxo Shannyn

Where to buy - Sephora, MAC Cosmetics