Urban Decay Friends and Family Sale Nov 9th - Nov. 20th

It's been way too long since I last spoke about makeup and I miss talking about it! Yep, I'm still a makeup junkie with a flat wallet. But this sale is hard to pass up because I recently heard about the buzz on the Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliners. I swatched them at a sephora store and omg, the colors are just gorgeous! They are one of UD's best-selling products, so take advantage of this sale and try them yourself!! Eye pencils have the tendency to not last, they smudge and smear especially if you have oily lids, so I'm hoping these will be better than most. I am definitely putting these 24/7 sets in my shopping cart and move them right along to checkout. I want to try them on my oily lids and see how well they hold up. I will post my review on these once I received them. But before I do, I want to pass on the sale code "FNFW1" effective Nov 9 - 20th on Urban Decay so you guys won't miss out! With the holidays coming up, these would make greatttt presents, so take advantage of this:

Along with these 24/7 sets, I'm also getting the Urban Deday Book of Shadows Vol II.
I also swatched a few of the colors and fell head over heels screaming in excitement. Check them out at your nearest store to see in person or just head straight to Urban Decay for the sales! Did I mention it's Free Shipping over $50!
Aside from this sale, I have received my order of the Decade of Glamour Beauty Wardrobe Makeup Collection from Sephora and one quick review at first glance. I haven't tried it yet since I just received it a couple of days ago, but from looking at the kit with the size, this is definitely worth the bucks for $19.50! I was expecting a much smaller size, but it turned out better than expected. You could slip this in your handbag when you're on the go and have most of what you'd need. You can't go wrong with this, so check it out!
Hope this will brighten up your day!

--12/18/2009 Update:
Ok, here is my review on the Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliners after wearing it for almost a month: THEY'RE GORGEOUS and WORK FABULOUS!!! AMAZING by far!
1) I love the colors, bold and pigmented.
2) I love how they glide on nicely and smoothly! (Assuming you have an eyeshadow primer on already ;) When I tried at the store, I didn't have on the base, so they didn't glide on nicely.
3) Most IMPORTANTLY now is: THEY LAST!!!! I have very oily lids, and I am amazed at how well these 24/7 pencils last. They don't smudge and they stay on from the morning to evening. I would say a good 10 hours.
4) Would I recommend? TOTALLY!!! YESSS! what else could anyone ask for? They got beautiful colors and they last without smudging!!
5) So go out there and get yourself some pretty 24/7 liners and enjoy!!

The New and Improved Embrace Photo Blog!

Yay....I'm VERY EXCITED!!! Supperrrr excited. Finally...our blog got a make-over! Back in July, I was gathering my ideas and thoughts because I wanted my blog to get a new look for its one year-anniversary (per se). So, after we did the group photo shoot with the ladies in June (from this session blog post), I got to know Annie! I never really knew Annie, she was a close friend of one of my girls, we'd go out together..but didn't get a chance to talk much. Well, that's one reasons why we love to do what we do because from our photo sessions, we gain friendships. Not only she is this gorgeous model on our shoot, holding a full time job, party-on when it's time, but in her spare times, she has helped several friends with their web projects! From our talks, she was willing to lend us a hand to make updates to our blog in her free time. On the other hand, whenever she feels like looking good on the camera, she knows who to come to! You betcha! This was her first Blogger project, and it turned out amazing! After she came back from her vacation recently, she pulled all the loose ends together and got this out of the door within a week! Thanks for being so patient with me Annie, it was new for the both of us...she was learning how blogger works and I was learning how to put the pieces of my ideas together...slowly one at a time. For example, I never took advantage of the labelling of each blog post. When I played around with it, I realized, that's how we can catogorize things! Simple things as that...that I never used before. And I finally also learned something about myself. Interestingly enough, I have realized that the time when I usually figure out how to put pieces of the puzzle together, it usually happens when I can't fall asleep and just roll around on my bed. So Annie, when you see ideas on the emails, they're from my half asleep dreams. It was indeed an interesting project for me. I hope it was a fun experience for you too =) It is when I'm seeing what I'm seeing right now! Thanks so much for your help...and you know who to holler when you want some rockin' photos!

Allure Spa Beauty Box

And I thought the Beauty Box from Allure's May issue was the only one. This is something new starting this year I guess. A friend of mine, of course, the one and only beauty special agent (Jin) again passed me the awesome deal that Allure magazine is giving.
Starting Sept. 23rd at 12:01 pm EST Allure will have the Spa beauty box available for $35. Retail value of $255.

**Note** It is now SOLD OUT...
Click here to go to order yours, http://www.allure.com/go/spabeautybox

For pictures of the box, click here scroll down to Wiki Community Board

• Alterna CAVIAR Anti-Aging Moisture Shampoo

• ARCONA Triad Pads

• Becca Cosmetics Line & Pore Corrector available at Makeup.com*

• Borghese Rejuvenata Cuticle Oil

• Borghese CuraForte Moisture Intensifier available at Makeup.com*

• Colorscience® Achromatherapy Gem Spritzer in Be Still (Travel)

• jane iredale — The Skin Care Makeup® — Cherry Sparkle PureGloss™ for Lips

• Kinara Eye Cream firming and hydrating for all skin types

• La Bella Donna Lip Pencil in Beaujolais

• L'Oréal Professionnel Texture Expert Expansion

• SUKI Triple Cream Eye Definer available at Makeup.com

*Each Beauty Box will feature one product from either Becca, Borghese, or SUKI.

I will post pictures of the box when it received it!
----updated:
I have received my package on the 10th, so it took a little over two weeks to receive this. Ok, here's the thing, this time the box came by FEDEXGround and they requested Signature! That's something I'm never thrilled about! I had to stay home and wait for this package after 2 door notes. Back in May, the package arrived safe and sound through regular USPS. So I was VERY SURPRISED when I received the FedEx door notes. I didn't know who was the sender, so I called Fedex to ask who was the package from and they said "Log On". I was like what? I didn't order anything from Log On! But whatever, I stayed home and signed off on the package and when I signed off, I asked who was the sender, and the delivery guy said "Allure". To my very surprise...
Here are a few snapshots of the package:




The one I ordered this pass May is this, click here to see pictures

My April MAC Haul !!

My Wishlist

This is the list that I will use to keep track of all the makeup items that I really really want to get. But this list is about 3 weeks outdated because I've done some MAC shopping over the past weekend!! Is that an "ALRIGHT!!" or "EEKSS" I don't know! But I'm happy, and that's all it matters right?

1) A rolling makeup Traincase!!! YES, a must- I'm dying to get a cute, girly one. Laff away, but that's how I am! I was thinking of a pink or the ones with a nice brand...like LV? LOL...jk..I can't even afford a LV handbag! I'm saving the greens for more MAC and makeup. Back to earth, ok so far, I only found pink. So I'm still truly debating!!! If anyone stumbles onto a cute one, please DO share!!!
As of today: I currently have one that I've recently purchased. And it's not a regular makeup traincase. It got wheels alright, but I've taken a spin with it. I don't want to give off the details since I'm planning that one of these days, I'll do a video of it! It does exactly what I like or at least for now!

2) I'll start with the primers, most of which are highly regarded by my MA idols, Pursebuzz and Enkore:
a) cream color base LUNA = $16.50
b) Bare Canvas MAC paint = $16.50
c) MAC Stilife Paint = $16.50
d) Smashbox Photo Finish - very nice for photography purposes!
e) Prep + Prime MAC = $22-$26.50
f) Prep + Prime Lash MAC = $13.50
g) Prep + Prime Eye = $16
g) Lip erasure MAC - neutralize color of lips esp for dark lips and give it more of a flesh tone.
Damage: ? woahh

3) For the eyes: Pigments/eyeshadows/highlighters:
a) Vanilla Pigment = $19.50
b) Lumene Eyeshadow base
c) Shilaq by Benefit
d) MAC Naked Lunch = $14
e) Blanc Type = $14
f) Naked Pigment=$19.50
g) Nylon = $14
h) Shroom = $14
i) for oily lids: Lumene eyeshadow base
j) List to be continued...MAC MAC MAC
Damage: ? woahh

4) Fix+ = $15 and its uses are (thanks Enkore!!)
a) sets makeup after everything has been applied
b) as refresher - imagining it would be great for the brides
c) Moisturizing Toner
d) as Mixing medium
Damage: not bad

5) For the face: Contouring - If you're a model, you know how popular cheekbones are. But if you don't have one then Contouring is the way to go. Believe it or not Tyra Banks mentioned in one of her talkshows that she didn't have cheekbones, she said it's the contour that makes it look like she does...Now that's ART!!!
a) Sculpt / Accentuate dual
b) Nose contour - contour darker shade on the sides of the nose and a lighter
shade on top
c) Bronzer - gives that 'sunkist' look for the winter time = $20
d) Skin Finish Natural - good for males, has no shimmer = $24.50
e) Emote blush = $17.50
f) List to be continued...
Damage: not bad

Here comes the Brushes...Until I have a full wallet to get myself a set of MAC brushes, these will do for me...highly recommended set for on the budget. I'm dying to get my hands on a complete set of MAC brushes though, so, I just have to be patient and hope that someone will hear my prayers and mail it to my home as a surprise gift :P

6) Brushes- Enkore did a wonderful job at comparing MAC brushes with one of the top painter's brushes Loew Cornell (LC). So per Enkore, if you asked a makeup artist what brush brand is good, they would say MAC, while if you asked a painter then Loew Cornell is one big brand:
a) MAC 150 => LC XXL
b) MAC 129 => L-round
c) MAC 136, 134 => LC Maxine 1"
d) MAC 239 => LC 3/8"
e) MAC 208 angled => LC 1/8" angled
f) MAC 266 => LC 1/4"
g) MAC 269 => LC 3/8"
h) MAC 194 => LC Filbert #8
i) MAC 228 => LC 1/4" maxine mop
j) MAC 190 => LC 1" Filbert
K) MAC 242 => LC 1/2" Filbert

I can't leave this blog naked without a picture. It feels like Christmas time! I was one excited little girl. Before I opened and depotted them, I took several pictures as soon as I got home - like 10pm? I should have waited for the daytime to take these but I don't care I had to put them in my palettes ! So here is my April MAC collection:


As of now, these have been transferred to its MAC palettes so, YAYA, they're
sitting comfortably in their shadow/blush palettes.

Sephora Sun Safety Kit

Ok, so Allure package is really sold out. But if you missed it, Sephora is having a kit as well, check it out, for $25 Sephora Sun Safety Kit

The only thing is, the Sephora kit contain SAMPLES size, versus Allure which actually are full sized products. I hope this would help with some disappointments!

(from Sephora's site: 100 percent of the net profits (that's $21.55 from every kit sold!) will benefit The Skin Cancer Foundation. Sephora will make a total donation of up to $430,000.00 before 12/31/08. Supplies of the kit are limited and will be available from April through June 2008 or while supplies last.) I'm sure this will make you feel better!

Awesome Allure beauty box 2008

I just wanted to share with you what makes me happy right now:

A friend of mine passed me this awesome deal (Thanks Jin!) that is from the May issue of Allure magazine. The Beauty Box starts 4/22 12:01 PM EST. After two hours of trying to beat this rush traffic to place the order, we finally got through! I got my share and I wanted to post this up asap, but it's too late now because as soon as I placed my ONE order, my friend told me they're out of stock now. So, sorry!!! Guess those that missed out, just have to wait for next year's beauty box!! And we do hear that a lot of these are actually FULL SIZE products. So, this might be the best deal I have ordered so far!!! I can't wait till the package arrives and I'll let you know how good of the deal actually was! http://www.allure.com/magazine/2008/04/beautybox
From one of the forums, someone has the breakdown of all the products and its price. Can't believe I actually got my hands onto one of them. Super exciting! For your information, delivery of this beauty box is 4-6 weeks!!!

From May issue of Allure:

To order the Play Safe in the Sun Beauty Box, visit http://allure.com/go/beautybox08 starting April 22 at 12:01 P.M EST

This exclusive offer, a $255 value, is yours for $29.99 and includes 17 beauty must-haves from some of your favorite brands:

*Anastasia Brow Highlighting Pencil in Matte Buff $21
*AVEENO Continuous Protection Sunblock Lotion SPF 45 $8.99
*BIOLAGE scalptherapie Cooling Mint Shampoo $13
*Biore Pore Unclogging Scrub $6.29
*BLUE LIZARD Austrialian Sunscreen Daily Moisturizer Face SPF 30+ (probably a sample)
*Coolibar Quality Sun Protection – UPF 50+ Reversible Cotton Hat $30
*Garnier Nutritioniste Skin Renew Anti-Sun-Damage Daily Moisture Lotion SPF 28 $11.69
*jane iredale – The Skin Care Makeup Powder-Me SPF $44
*Jergens natural glow express Body Moisturizer $7.49
*Lancaster 365 Cellular Elixir $95
*Neutrogena Mineral Sheers Powder Foundation $11.99
*Neutrogena MoisturShine Lip Smoother $6.99
*NIA 24 Niacin Powered Skin Therapy Introductory Regimen Kit for Moderate to Severe Skin Damage $?
* Physicians Formula Organic wear 100% Natural Origin Bronzer $14
*Redken Color Extend Total Recharge $16
*Sephora UV Exposure Indicator Card
*Skin Effects Sun Effects Continuous Spray SPF 45 Active Sunscreen $10.39


------
05/09/2008: Hey guys, I got this box last night!!! I took pictures and will put it up soon so you all can see the actual product size. So it actually only took 2 1/2 weeks for me. So if you're waiting for it...expect it coming soon!!
05/18/2008: Sorry I took a white to upload the pictures from my small sony camera. But, here are the pictures:
Opening this box is like opening presents at Christmas time.



To go back to our blog, click here

What an inspiration !

More makeup flying at you! This might make your jaws drop. Well, it made my eyes pop! Here is a video of picture slideshow of some makeup inspiration. Not everyone of those are an everyday look, but I consider it arts. Not everyone of us can draw a piece of painting, but it doesn't mean we can't enjoy a piece of art.

Here is a list of my favorite. Some of which can be subtle enough for an everyday look. But definitely more party/night out look:

:14, :26,
:32 white/black, :34, :36 NICE
:49 her lip angle here reminds me of ...u got it, Angelina??
:59 purple
1:07, 1:11, 1:26, 1:31, 1:36 nice purple/black love to try!
1:52 white shimmer
2:19 looks so smooth
2:20, 2:31 black smoky, 2:37 a good try
2:49 this one scared me, I didn't want to look, but wow
2:56 - smoky black and blue
3:04
3:11 nice subtle

With that said, let's roll it with Eily311:

Urban Decay, our lovable primer..but a little disappointing!

This is FRESH OFF THE PRESS!! Ok, makeup lovers out there, I'm sure some of you have stumbled onto Urban Decay Primer Potion (UDPP). If you're about to throw it out and go buy another one because you think you have finished up your old one. STOP RIGHT THERE!!!!!! HANG onto your seats!!!

The news is out there now! Click here to check out how you can get more for what you had paid for!! Thanks for passing to us this great info!!! Or Bella Sugar.

So basically, you need to CHOP/Cut/Knife that genie in the bottle open, and scoop scoop scoop on the sides and you'll be surprised of how much more stuff is still left in there, Am I hearing the stuff you scoop out will fit in a 5 grams jar??!

I personally feel cheated! (But welcome to the real world!) Now, pass it on to all of your sisters, brothers, friends, colleagues. A penny saved is a penny earned!!

My NYX collection

I heard good things on the NYX ultra mania loose powder and other great reviews on some other colors of the single and trio. As much as I love cosmetic, my wallet is crying out loud, so this is all the collection I have thus far. At the time of order, they didn't have all of the loose powder in stock, so, I'm short on 4 of their whole collection. But anyhow, thanks to Enkore for the tips on how to depot my trio, I took his advice with a little spin. I got lucked out that I only have 4 of the trios, so guest-imate that they will fit into my MAC palette even if I don't take each metal pan out individually. So, I followed Enkore's method by prying out the black plastic pan, by wiggling it and bending the corner and side. Yes, I sort of observed the sides, and wiggle to loosen it up..then I sort of saw a small opening, from then I inserted my tool, and pried it out. I was afraid to cut the black pan, so after the whole plastic insert is taken out, I used double sided tape and taped the whole trio black plastic pan onto my MAC palette. (Oh, of course, you'll have to follow Enkore's method of converting the MAC 15 and snapped it out.) So instead of taking advantage of all of the 15 available spots, I put all 4 of my trios and have the perfect 12. I'm very happy with the result for now. For those that don't mind using your MAC palette for just 12 NYX eyeshadows, then this is really a quick method. But if you want all 15, then you can do enkore's or glitzy's method (: If you feel the double tape isn't secure enough, then use more double tapes, or...you can use your imaginary from here to try out whatever you'd like (maybe krazy glue - after all, enkore's genius alcohol method can loosen the glue if you ever want to take the black plastic pan out from the MAC palette). I just want to share my experience with you all. Feel free to let me know how you think.

Of course here is my NYX collection and the before / after the NYX trio depotting (don't mind the crazy original NYX's label I taped onto MAC, that's just for temporary before I use the other labeling method :)





I really want to share this with you all. I can't really do anything without my princess's help. She saw me taking pictures of my makeup, and this is what she came up with:

She took a picture of her own kiddie collection!!!
Too cute (:

By the way, NYX's loose powder are not bad at all, pretty good as a matter of fact, but do use it with a mixing medium. Their jumbo eye pencil leave crease on my lids, but I will definitely give them another chance. I have only used one of their trio thus far, and the rust is indeed very nice! I used that for the holiday party look I posted earlier. The gloss- I ordered only one- the Earth, and 3 words- simply too pretty!!

Happy Holidays everyone, may this season bring you much peace for your heart and much laughter for your soul.

Happy Holidays from the Makeup Gurus

I thought this was very cute, how all the makeup gurus I've been following put together this. Thought I'd share it with you. Pursebuzz, you're so cute, I love your new haircut. Thanks for passing it on to us. Aboywearingmakup, you're just soooo hilarious. Enkore, thanks for putting it together! Thanks for thinking of us (: And Happy Holidays to you all from Maryland!!



By the way, thanks again to pursebuzz for passing on the awesome sale that Urban Decay is having, 30% off HOLI code. And the best part is, it's $1 shipping. You can't beat that!! It's a dead on STEAL!!! I'll share with you my hauls in future posts to come (:

Some makeup we love

I couldn't help but share this with you all:



Note: on either browsers, you can click on the above picture and zoom in/enlarge to see the detailed directions on how to achieve that beautiful look.

This is sooo sooo perfect. Hope you enjoyed (:
Those that are interested in trying some fun eyeshadow colors and on a budget, L'Oreal is having BOGO going on NOW at your Eckerd Pharmacy or also known as Rite-Aid!! Actually the sale wasn't on their ad!!! I just stumbled onto it while in the store, so just wanted to let you know. I bit my tongue and hauled some HIP duals for myself!! I will post my collections as I get them (soon) (**SiNgiNg** I'm so excited... and I just can't hide it). LOVEEEEEEEEE ~.~