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My Favorite Places To See A Movie in LA

Posted on by traciil

Not coincidentally, built by the film and television industry, Los Angeles is home to some of the best places to see a movie. With the popularity of streaming, one of my favorite things to do is go to see a movie. There is just something about unplugging from life for a few hours and escape to far away times and places. It’s where you can be transported back to 1969 Hollywood one day, then to Hogsmeade, England the next. Here are my top 3 places to see a movie in Los Angeles.

3. Grauman’s Chinese Theater

One of the most beautiful theaters in Los Angeles is the Grauman’s Chinese Theater. The ornate ceilings are spectacular and it is massive. A truly old school movie palace, the Chinese has undergone many renovations. However, the most recent upgrade with the IMAX screen and enhanced projection, is also spectacular. It is my go to place to see big budget, visually impressive films.

Location: 6925 Hollywood Blvd.

2. Cinerama Dome at Arclight Hollywood

The Cinerama Dome is the most unique theater in Los Angeles because it is just that-a dome. This shape allows for the best sound and the curved screen is perfection for action movies. When the new Bond comes out, this is where I will be seeing it. A major bonus is the jalapeño and cheese stuffed pretzel they have at the concession stand.

Location: 6360 Sunset Blvd.

1. New Beverly Cinema

This choice might seem odd in comparison to the grandness of the other two theaters above. But truly, this is my absolute favorite place to lose myself in film. Owned by Quentin Tarantino, the New Bev screens only 35mm films every day. Most of the time, they are double features, but occasionally a triple feature will be on the schedule. It’s probably the only place you can see a double feature of Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice with Model Shop. And this is why I love this place. It’s a place owned and run by people who live cinema. Not only is is it my favorite place to see a movie, but it is also one of my favorite places period.

Location: 7165 Beverly Blvd.

SuperBloom!

Posted on by traciil

While Southern California is not famous for offering a variety of seasons, this year offered a wonderful Spring.  We had so much rain that we ended up with a SuperBloom.  This coupled with an unbelievable butterfly migration made Southern California even better.  One of the best places to view what all that rain caused, was the Antelope Valley Poppy Reserve in Lancaster, CA.

For years, I’ve been intrigued by the Poppy Reserve.  And this was the perfect time to check it out.  Poppies are in bloom from March until about Early May, and with the recent uptick in temperatures, the poppies aren’t as populous.  I visited mid-April, and I don’t think I  have ever seen anything like this.  Whole hillsides were covered in poppies and other wildflowers.  Truly stunning!

A few poppy facts:

*It is the official state flower of California.

*April 6 is California Poppy Day.

*Poppies do not survive well outside of the ground.  So picking them is almost pointless, as they will wilt almost immediately.

*Poppies on protected land, such as reserves, is not allowed.  It is a violation of state law.

*The California Poppy was discovered by a Russian explorer in 1816.

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Sources:

https://www.wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Plants/California-Poppy

https://www.fs.fed.us/wildflowers/plant-of-the-week/eschscholzia_californica.shtml

http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=627

What’s in My Travel Makeup Bag?

Posted on by traciil

Lately, my life has been a little crazy.  I’ve been busy and its such a good problem to have.  When you’re going from place to place on a busy day, taking a work trip or even just a great vacation, feeling your best is imperative.  For me, I like to look put together, especially at work events.  This month, I had an overnight work function.  As it was only overnight, taking only one bag was important…mostly because I didn’t want to be embarrassed by taking too much.  And let’s be honest, if I took every makeup item I thought I would want to use, that would take up its own suitcase.  I tried to bring a makeup bag full of items that can work for almost anything.  Its like a capsule wardrobe, but for makeup.  Here are my go-to items to take with me traveling.

COMPLEXION

NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Matte Primer– $14

NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation – $15

*These 2 items in conjunction with each other has virtually eliminated my need for needing a continuous stock of blotting papers.  My skin is so oily and this foundation is so great.  It is in the same class as the Colourpop foundation, but wins by a hair.

NYX HD Photogenic Concealer Wand – $5

*This has been my favorite concealer ever since NARS made the decision to test on animals again.  Plus, its very affordable.  I usually use a light contour powder for under the eyes.

(Brushes:  Morphe Y6)

FACE

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer – $50

*These days, it is surprising how many different kinds of bronzers are out there.  First of all, I love Hourglass.  Yes, it is a high end brand, but I can’t resist.  I have always had this issue with bronzers.  They always make me look like my face is dirty (too dark, not blendable) or do nothing (lack of pigment/too light).  But this Goldilocks found the bronzer that was just right.

Makeup Geek Blush – $10

Anastasia Beverly Hills Amrezy Highlighter – No longer available

*One of the best highlighters ever made, it breaks my heart that it is no longer available.

Fenty Beauty Diamond Bomb All-Over Diamond Veil – $38

*I think I bring this everywhere with me ever since I got it.  You never know when you need a little sparkle.

(Brushes:  Morphe MB43, Y8 & Y5)

BROWS

Kat Von D Brow Struck Dimension Powder – $20

(Brush: Kat Von D #75 Powder Brow Brush)

Eyes

Wet N Wild Photofocus Eyeshadow Primer – $4.99

*Somehow, this primer is the best I’ve ever used.  I’ve tried so many primers and this is the only one that consistently works.

SmashBox Cover Shot: Eye Palette – $29

*These little palettes are great since they are compact and you can do a complete look with them.  I personally like the Punked Eye Palette as I lean towards a smoky eye most of the time.

Fenty Beauty Flyliner Longwear Liquid Eyeliner – $20

*I’ve been trying this thing where I am trying to not be dependent on the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner.  I tried the NYX Epic Ink Liner, but it takes FOREVER to dry.  Then, on a random trip into Sephora in Vegas, I tried the Flyliner on my hand.  I fell in love.

NYX Worth the Hype Mascara – $8

*Another product that I tried on a whim that I instantly fell in love with.  Some mascaras take FOREVER to dry (looking at you SmashBox) and this dries fairly quickly and looks great on my lashes.

( Brushes:  Morphe MB13, MB46 & MB10)

LIPS

I try to have 4 lip products with me to handle all situations.  I always bring a lip balm and 3 color products.  To cover all bases, I bring a Nude, a Red and a color that is more subtle, like a Blotted Lip.  Here are my favorites.

Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Refillable Lipstick in Secretly – $34 (Red)

*This lipstick is the BEST stick lipstick in the world.  It is so long lasting and the formula just seems to be magic.

Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick in Mannequin – $18 (Nude)

*This lipstick is almost always in my makeup bag as it literally works for everything.  This was the first nude lipstick I ever bought and nothing else compares.

Urban Decay Lo-Fi Lip Mousse in Amplify – $22 (Blotted Lip)

*I was very skeptical when UD first came out with these Lip Mousses.  But I really enjoy them.  They give a Blotted Lip type look despite how they look in the component or online.

And last but not least…Setting Spray!

Wet n Wild Photo Focus Matte Finish Setting Spray – $4.99

*Sometimes, you don’t need to spend a bunch of money for a good setting spray.  While the smell is not favorite, it works.  Plus, the bottle size makes it great for travel.

And in case anyone is curious about the Moomin Makeup Bag, I got it here.

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None More Black: My Favorite Black Eyeshadows

Posted on by traciil

One of my favorite movies is This is Spinal Tap.  It is arguably the funniest rock and roll movie ever made.  It has also spurned some of the best one-liners to come out of a movie.  When someone says to turn it to 11, we all know what that means, right?  One of my favorite scenes is the one in which Nigel is talking about the album cover.  The actual quote is:

“It’s like, how much more black could this be?  And the answer is none.  None more black.”

That line in the movie perfectly spoofs the obsession with black in the rock and roll world.  And I have to say that I fall victim to that same obsession.  Not only do I prefer to wear black, but one of my favorite makeup items is black eyeshadow.  I think its something that I’ve loved ever since I started buying makeup.  It was the first thing I ever bought from M.A.C., and for me, its like a red lipstick.  You can never have too many.  In my opinion, all black eyeshadows are not created equal.

So, in honor of one of my favorite movies, here are my top 5 black eyeshadows.

#5:  Kat Von D, Shax from Shade & Light Eye Contour

*One of the things I have loved about Kat Von D since she started her makeup line was her commitment to the grungy, rock and roll aesthetic.  At the time, I remember that it was different than what others were doing.  At the time, of KVD Beauty’s inception, there weren’t a ton of quality, black-as-night eyeshadows besides M.A.C.’s Carbon.  The black in the Shade & Light Eye Contour Palette is one of my favorites as its very matte and blends nicely.  However, it does take some layering, more than I would like, to get that super black look.

#4: Laura Lee Los Angeles, Oddball from Cat’s Pajamas

*Let’s quickly address the current controversy.  Laura Lee has recently come under fire for some past tweets that were offensive.  Due to this, she has lost followers, customers, etc.  However, I do believe people can change, and for that, I am not willing to count her out just yet.  Yes, at 24, we know right from wrong, but I certainly don’t want to be judged by who I was at 24.  Now that that is out of the way, this is why I love Oddball.  It is extremely pigmented.  I don’t need to keep layering and layering to get the color I want.  It is in the Cat’s Pajamas eyeshadow palette, and this palette is enough on its own, especially while traveling.  The downside for me is that there is a lot of fallout that I really have to be careful when applying, or I will have it EVERYWHERE.

#3: Colourpop, Roulette (Single, Super Shock Shadows)

*When I first started buying Colourpop, one of their main products was the Super Shock Shadow.  The formula is not a powder and not a gel.  Its somewhere in between.  And that is what makes it so great.  Every single SSS that I try is super creamy with an amazing color payout.  Despite the fact that the preferred method to apply is with your finger, I forgive all of that because its so great.

#2:  Jeffree Star Cosmetics, Black Rainbow from Beauty Killer

*Hands down, my favorite eyeshadow palette in my collection is the Beauty Killer palette from Jeffree Star Cosmetics.  I LOVE every single color in this palette, and it is an extremely fun item to have in my collection.  The real star for me in this palette is the matte black shade, Black Rainbow.  It is matte black with the tiniest bit of glitter.  The pigment is out of this world, and just makes me so happy.  If I could have any shadow from a palette made into a single, it would be this one.

#1: Natasha Denona, Blackest Black Gold Rush (Single)

*For whatever reason, when I travel to Las Vegas, I like to splurge on something.  Now, I’m not talking about anything crazy.  But this is usually when I buy a makeup item that I’ve been eyeing, but don’t want to shell out the money.  Why Las Vegas has this effect on me, I will never know.  On one of my recent trips, I picked up the single eyeshadow that I never knew I needed.  The Blackest Black Gold Rush eyeshadow single from Natasha Denona is the best black eyeshadow I have ever used…EVER.  It has these gold flecks in it that just make it a little sassier than a normal black shadow.  Everything about this shadow makes my heart sing.  Its pigment, its quality, and minimal fallout.  I was a little hesitant after the Crystal Top Coat fiasco, but I’m glad I took the $29 plunge.  It was VERY worth it.

**The best part is that these are all cruelty-free =)

Vegas: More than the Strip

Posted on by traciil

Vegas.  An easy getaway destination for anyone that lives within driving distance.  What is it about Vegas that appeals to so many?  Most would say it’s the gambling, the shows, world class dining, etc.  This has been a frequent getaway for me over the last few years.  I love it.  I’m not necessarily a big gambler, but I love to take advantage of the dining that is available.  Now, I know it seems silly to say that, since I live in Los Angeles.  But its just different.  With all that being said, I’ve gone enough times that I needed something more from a city that I love.

On my most recent trip, I didn’t want to do the usual.  I wanted to do things I normally don’t do.  I decided that one of my must dos was going to be trying restaurants off the strip.  I’ve grown a little tired of the restaurants on the strip, and wanted something different.  I also decided to get out into nature, even if it was only for a few hours.  And although not in Vegas, but on the way, I really wanted to stop at Bottletree Ranch.

Bottletree Ranch is located off Old Route 66, somewhere in between Victorville and Barstow.  The gentleman that owns is an artist and this is his art.  And its fantastic.  I love Route 66 things.  There is a certain nostalgia for a time that was simpler and not so stressful.  And Bottletree Ranch is extremely peaceful.  You wouldn’t spend a ton of time there, but it’s a nice little stop along the way.

Prior to the trip, I made reservations at two restaurants off strip that I’ve been wanting to try.  One was Lotus of Siam.  As an Anthony Bourdain fan, I’ve wanted to go there since watching the Las Vegas episode of Parts Unknown.  For the past few trips, there is always something that prevented it from happening.  But, on a solo trip, there was no excuse.  And let me tell you, it was worth the wait.  I had such a great meal, and will definitely add it to the rotation.  I had the Crispy Duck Khao Soi, the Northern Larb, Chicken Satay and the Crepe Cake.  All were fantastic.

The second reservation I made was for Sparrow + Wolf.  Someone recommended this restaurant to me, and the menu was interesting.  It’s located in Chinatown, which is definitely an area I need to explore more my next trip.  Sparrow + Wolf has interesting menu items and has a great atmosphere inside.  I ordered the Charred Romanesco Salad and  the Beef Cheek & Bone Marrow Dumplings.  It seems like this is not enough food, but it was enough.  I left full and happy.  I can’t wait to go back.  After dinner, I had a craving for boba and was able to find a boba place fairly easily.  I went to Tea of Joy, and I enjoyed my drink very much.

I even managed to get out into nature for a few hours.  I got up early one day and went to Red Rock Canyon.  I had never been there before and I most certainly regret not going before.  Its beautiful and they offer a good variety of hiking trails.  I drove on the scenic route and was able to get on a trail before it got too hot.  I left at about 9am and it was already almost 100 degrees.  My next trip will be in the Fall, and it will be the perfect weather for a longer hike out in the desert.

All in all, my trip was a major success.  I had a good time and I didn’t ever feel the need to sit at a slot machine for hours to entertain myself.  I also managed to get some pool time in!  Sitting by the pool is something that I almost never do.  Usually, I don’t have time.  So, I took advantage of a big hole in my day and used it to be lazy by the pool.  As always, I’m looking forward to my next trip there!

How Comedy Helps My Depression

Posted on by traciil

Mental Health.  Its something that is important.  In fact, we even devote all of May to Mental Health Awareness Month.  However, for whatever reason, mental health is not talked about all that much.  It can be hard to be honest about struggling with your mental health.  People feel ashamed, they don’t want to burden others with their problems, or a combination of many different reasons.  Well, its time to get honest.  I’ve gotten personal about my journey with cancer, but never about my mental health.  However, its important to be honest about it.  My friend pointed out to me that I should write about it.  So, here I am…talking about it.

For almost my entire life, I’ve been dealing with depression.  For most of that time, it was undiagnosed.  About 10 years ago, I finally found out what was wrong and went on medication.  I’m not one to talk about the glories of prescriptions.  I don’t like taking pills, so the less the better.  But I firmly believe that going on medication saved my life.  And this was my experience.  I know people who treat their depression differently, and that is their experience.  I’m supportive of others who choose different methods of treating their mental illness.  The good thing is that people try to help themselves feel better.

About a year ago, I found out about this initiative/organization called I Don’t Mind.  It was started by Chris Wood, an actor from the show Supergirl.  Melissa Benoist has also been a major face of I Don’t Mind.  I Don’t Mind has a goal to destigmatize mental illness.  After discovering this I started to become more honest about my own struggles.  Its been great, as I’ve been able to be of service to people I know.  People are more likely to confide in others if they know they have the same struggles.

But medication is not everything.  There are things that I need to do on a regular basis to keep the lows not as low.  One of those things is comedy.  Stand-up comedy is near and dear to my heart.  Laughing, for me, brings me out of my own head.  And just the physical act of laughing releases endorphines.  Over the last few years, one of the greatest things to come into being is Netflix’s presence in the comedy world.  They started coming out with great comedy specials.  When I’m having a bad day, Netflix can be my best friend.  And, of course, I have my favorites.  There are just some comedians that can make me laugh NO MATTER WHAT.  And those are the ones that I always watch.  It doesn’t matter if I’ve seen it many times, there are just some that can make me laugh every time.

Here are my top 5 comedy specials that make me laugh, even when my depression doesn’t want me to.

#5:  Dave Chappelle Dave Chappelle

*At the time of its release, Dave Chappelle was making a comeback.  And this 2 part comedy special was so great.  It left me wanting more.  There is no wonder why it won a Grammy award.

#4:  Chris D’Elia Incorrigible  

*I love the show Undateable.  It was funny and spoke to people that were perpetually single.  I was so sad when they cancelled it.  One of the stand outs on the show was Chris D’Elia.  Chris D’Elia is creative with his comedy.  Its not the same thing you hear out of other comedians.  One of my favorite bits from this special is Drunk Girls.  Its worth watching for that alone.

#3:  Natasha Leggero & Moshe Kasher The Honeymoon Standup Special

*One of my favorite comedians has been Natasha Leggero.  I love her almost apathetic view of life.  And that she is always overdressed.  My favorite style of comedy is observational, and she just delivers it perfectly.  The second piece to this magical special is Leggero’s husband, Moshe Kasher.  I first saw Moshe Kasher on the now defunct, Not Safe with Nikki Glaser.  He was just so funny, and it made me wish he was hosting instead of Glaser.  Together, they are even funnier.  Their personalities play off each other perfectly and it makes you see why they are married.

#2:  Ali Wong Baby Cobra

*One night, I was at the Hollywood Improv to see a show with Chris D’Elia and others.  One of the comedians that night was Ali Wong.  She was pregnant and incredibly funny.  I identified with her comedy so much, especially as another Asian American.  Shortly thereafter, her special, Baby Cobra, came out on Netflix.  I was hooked.  Her second special, Hard Knock Wife, is just as funny.  There is always at least one moment in which I say to myself, “Is she reading my mind?”.

#1:  John Mulaney New in Town

*What can I say?  John Mulaney is the one comedian that can make me laugh so hard that I have to pause the tv and catch my breath.  Yes, I think he is that funny.  He is a former writer for SNL and frequently collaborates with fellow Georgetown alum, Nick Kroll.  For whatever reason, everything he touches is just funnier.  New in Town is one of three specials on Netflix.  This was done in 2012 and is just as funny today.  The highlight of this special is the Xanax Story, but beginning to end, this one just makes my day every time.

All of these specials can be found on Netflix in addition to many others.

This is just my experience with depression and mental illness.  No one has the same exact experience.  There is no one treatment that works for everyone.

If you or someone you know is struggling with depression or other mental health issues, please seek out the advice of a medical professional.  None of us have to go through ANYTHING alone.  Please see links to resources below.

I Don’t Mind – Mental Health awareness program

Mental Health America – Nonprofit dedicated to helping those in need with Mental Health services

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline – Lifeline # – 800-273-8255

Colourpop No Filter Foundation…and other things.

Posted on by traciil

One of the brands that I have a great fondness for is Colourpop.  They are inexpensive, locally made & cruelty-free.  And, they made great products.  I first fell in love with their Super Shock eyeshadows, and it went on from there.  I love their pressed powder eyeshadows and their Ultra Satin Lippies.  But something that they haven’t had until recently is complexion products.  They started with their No Filter Concealer, and recently expanded into other products.  One of the most hyped of the products is the No Filter Matte Foundation. These days, don’t even bother launching a foundation if you don’t have a decent shade range.  Colourpop didn’t necessarily knock it out of the park with the shade range, but they did have an ok amount of shades for those who need a Deep/Dark foundation shade.  It was still better than other brands that have recently launched foundations (lookin’ at you Tarte).

I’ll be honest.  I haven’t been that excited about what Colourpop has brought out within the last 6 months.  It just didn’t excite me.  But, a matte foundation?  Now I’m listening.  As someone who got unlucky with oily skin, it is not the easiest to find a decent foundation.  Fenty Beauty Pro Filt’r Soft Matte Foundation and the Wet N Wild Photo Focus Foundation are the closest thing to a perfect formula for me.  With that being said, I am always game to try a new one.  So, I decided to give it a shot.  I ordered a mini-haul of Colourpop products that I haven’t tried yet to try and see if I can get excited about their brand again.  Here’s what I thought about each product.

No Filter Foundation – $12 – Overall Grade A

*I did a 3 day wear test for this.  I REALLY wanted to try it out before sharing my thoughts.  It is fairly long lasting, but it CAN get a little weird sometimes after some time.  I’m used to blotting during the day so having to blot the oil off my face is not something I necessarily take into consideration.  The consistency is very similar to Fenty Beauty, in that it is thinner than most foundations.  With that being said, it has great coverage.  I don’t have to use as much concealer to tend to my trouble spots, which is always a good thing.  I usually only need one pump for my whole face which again, is a good thing.  All in all, I really like this foundation.  I know that this has gotten a good amount of mixed reviews, but it worked for me.

No Filter Loose Setting Powder – $9 – Overall Grade – A+

*Setting powder is one of those products that you don’t know you need until you use it.  Since I started using setting powder, I’ve used the Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder.  But the one that Colourpop has to offer is definitely giving it a run for its money.  Its really good.  It feels light and you don’t need to use a ton.  The one downside is that you don’t get that much product.  The price is great, but in terms of price per gram, it works out very close to high end setting powders.

Luster Dust Loose Highlighter – $7 – Overall Grade – C

*I’m very skeptical about loose powder highlighters.  They tend to get all over the place.  When they first launched these, I thought they were so pretty.  But I’ve just never pulled the trigger on them.  I figured that now was the time.  I got the Luster Dust in Sugar Trap.  It is a really pretty pink color.  While it doesn’t offer enough pigment, it does offer a good amount of sparkle.  However, it is not long lasting.  Which, is a bummer.  I’m a big fan right now of the Anastasia highlighters, and the luster dust doesn’t match up.

Crème Lux Lipstick – $7 – Overall Grade – A+

*Something that was very hyped was their new Lux Lipsticks.  They were so popular that they were consistently sold out.  However, it seems like they have been able to keep them in stock lately.  So, I jumped on the chance to grab one.  And what can I say?  The hype is well warranted.  I never thought in a million years that anything could stand up to Hourglass lipsticks.  But these are up there in terms of comfort and lasting power.  I can’t wait to get more, and I highly recommend these.

Historic L.A.: Los Angeles Theatre

Posted on by traciil

When one thinks of Los Angeles, historic architecture doesn’t necessarily come to mind. However, Los Angeles, especially Downtown, has incredible architecture. I have recently started volunteering for the LA Conservancy, an organization devoted to saving and preserving historical architecture in Los Angeles. I had the pleasure this past weekend of volunteering for the annual film series, Last Remaining Seats. This series pairs classic movies with beautiful, historic theaters in Los Angeles.

Last Saturday’s installment took place at the Los Angeles Theatre. The Los Angeles Theatre was built in 1931 and is in the French Baroque style. It is possibly the most beautiful theater I’ve ever been in. My favorite until that point was the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood. But I would say this one wins. The high ceilings and ornate decor make the LA Theatre breathtaking.

The stage!

We have entered a time of extreme modernization; a time in which new buildings seem to be designed to be as slick as possible. It’s times like these that I’m glad we have places like the gorgeous LA Theatre. I’m also grateful for organizations like the LA Conservancy, that try and do as much as they can to not let people forget the value of historical buildings.

Who can’t appreciate a Ladies Room with a vanity room?

Hyperspace – Star Wars Inspired Eyeshadow Palette

Posted on by traciil

One of the most fun things about makeup is finding cool things in unexpected places. One of my favorite stores is called BoxLunch. It is a better version of Hot Topic, mostly due to them not blasting music at deafening volumes. I go in there for mostly Funko Pop figures. Yes, I’m a 36 year old who collects little vinyl figures. I happened to also be in there one day to find someone a unique present. In my search of the Star Wars section, I stumbled across an eyeshadow palette that was shaped like the Millennium Falcon, called Hyperspace. The best part is that it was only $16.90. That is a bargain. Sometimes, you can’t even get a drugstore palette for that price. I had to get it. If anything, it would be fun as a novelty. So, I scooped it up! Here is what I thought.

While the colors are all similar to the ones that I already have in other palettes, the mix of colors enticed me. Including cool tones these days is rare, and I definitely welcomed them. I am also glad that they included a black matte. Since I used matte black a lot, I am always a little irked when it doesn’t have it in it. Out of the 16 shades, only 4 were matte. The rest were shimmer. Some people have an issue with this, but for a novelty palette such as this one, I didn’t mind. One thing that was odd was the size of the pans. It is not necessarily the amount of product, but the actual shape of the pan. They were a little skinny. So, if you like to apply shimmers with your finger, it is a little hard to get enough product on your finger. After swatching them, I also thought they had a nice quality. Not the best, bur far from the worst.

So, how did they wear? I give this a solid B in this department. The colors did fade a little as the day went on, but they did stay pretty well. The colors have great pigment, but again, not the best. I used Rebellion and I really had to dip in a few times to get it to look pigmented. They held up pretty well to the day’s events and was pretty happy with it. Now…is this going to be a palette I grab a lot? No, it’s not. But it is most definitely a really fun thing to have in my collection. And, for me, it’s inexpensive enough for it to serve this purpose.

Favorite Crème Lipsticks

Posted on by traciil

In today’s makeup market, liquid lipsticks seem to reign supreme.  They most definitely have their benefits.  They last longer, and don’t transfer as much.  But every now and then, I like to wear lipstick in a crème formula.  Crème formulas are classic, and they are often times more comfortable than a liquid lipstick.  Plus, there is just something about that classic tube of lipstick that just makes me happy.

Here are my favorite crème lipsticks:

Kat Von D Studded Kiss Crème Lipstick $19

*The Kat Von D Studded Kiss lipsticks were the first I ever tried from Sephora.  The first one I bought was Underage Red.  I love that color.  I know the name has drawn controversy, but it’s a dynamite color.  Recently, they updated the formula, and it is just as great as ever.  In addition, the Everlasting Lip Liners are fantastic, and that is my preferred combo.

Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color $2.49

*About 6 months ago, Wet n Wild launched their new eyeshadow quads.  While picking a couple of those up, I grabbed a tube of this lipstick.  I thought, for $3, why not?!  I really never expected to like this lipstick so much.  It is smooth going on, and does last for a few hours.  The color I got was a nude-ish pink, so I can’t speak to their most powerful colors.  But you really can’t beat the price.

Fenty Beauty Mattemoiselle Plush Matte Lipstick $18

*On a recent trip to Sephora, I got a little mini of the new lipsticks from Fenty Beauty.  It was a super dark color, but I tried it anyway.  I was kind of blown away by the formula.  I guess I didn’t expect it to be so comfortable.  When I went back to get a full size, I picked up the color Candy Venom.  The pigment is gorgeous, and is fairly long lasting.

Hourglass Confession Ultra Slim High Intensity Refillable Lipstick $34

*Where do I begin?  Let me start by saying this…its definitely a luxury item.  $34 for a lipstick is kind of insane.  Essentially, you can by 10 of the WnW lipsticks for that amount.  However, it is the best lipstick I’ve worn…EVER.  I never thought in a million years that a crème lipstick could perform like this one.  The first color I bought was Secretly.  It is a classic red.  The best part about this lipstick is that it doesn’t feather.  It is the only red crème lipstick I can wear without a lip liner.  And it is very long lasting.  If you have the funds to buy one of these, buy it in a color you wear often.  I assure you, you will not be disappointed.

*All of the above are cruelty-free.