Review: Rimmel London ScandalEyes Waterproof Eyeliner 001 Black

Thanks to Rimmel London and Influenster (contact me for an invite), I received a free box full of makeup a while back, and the ScandalEyes black waterproof eyeliner was one of those products. 

I must admit, I was a bit skeptical. I've tried many cheap and terrible eyeliners in my time, most of which ran down my face the very second my eyes started watering... 

But this stuff is different. 

For starters, it's only $4.49 at Ulta, which is a total steal if you ask me! 

The first time I tried it happened to be on a day when my eyes were sensitive and acting up due to allergies. It glided on so smoothly, hardly any pressure required, and I was surprised it didn't agitate my eyes. Even when they watered, this eyeliner didn't budge at all! 

My lids tend to get oily throughout the day, and it's difficult to keep my eye makeup in place, even with eye primers and makeup setting sprays. For the trial run, I did not use any products to make it last longer, for a more accurate test. And it stayed put all day long. I'm impressed- this never happens to me! 

I'm used to spending $15+ for an eyeliner of this caliber. No joke. 

While I don't see myself running out any time in the near future, I definitely intend to buy another when I do. Rimmel London ScandalEyes waterproof eyeliner in 001 black is impressive. I recommend it to everyone. 

Have you tried it yet? What do you think? 

What's In My Makeup Bag: Christmas 2013

Cold winter weather is so harsh on my skin, so it's hard to find makeup that not only looks good, but also moisturizes and protects. Here's what I'll be wearing Christmas 2013: 

Studio Gear CC Cream 

Studio Gear Holiday Smoky Eye Palette 

Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix 

Sephora MicroSmooth powder 

Benefit Bad Gal Lash mascara 

Benefit Watt's Up! highlighter 

Smashbox Photo Ready foundation primer 

Both of the Studio Gear products, which I love, have been gifted in exchange for a review, FYI.  

I don't have anything special planned for the holidays. Gary and I would prefer not to celebrate, really. So we're keeping it low-key. And I intend to create a less dramatic smoky eye (think black and gold shimmer) this year. Plus my usual skin products- perfection! 

Are you doing anything for the holidays? And what makeup will you be wearing? 

Grey Smokey Eye Tutorial

Here is a great basic smoky eye tutorial I found, courtesy of MyBeautyCompare on G+. Check it out:

Review: Studio Gear Cosmetics Holiday Smoky Eye Palette + 10% Off Discount Code!

Studio Gear Cosmetics
Holiday Smoky Eye Palette

Many thanks to Studio Gear Cosmetics, I was given the opportunity to try out the new Holiday Smoky Eye Palette! 

This is a fun palette with super-pigmented black and silver, shimmery gold and white highlighters, and a bright blush with a beautiful gold sparkle. 

I was impressed with how easy it was to create a beautiful smoky eye, with the great coverage of the black and silver, and they were super blendable. The gold and white were a beautiful finishing touch. The blush is very pigmented too, and shows up really well on my pale skin, so a little goes a long way. Also blends well, with a gorgeous natural looking shimmer. 

I will be rocking these eye shadows a lot this month- PERFECT for the holiday season! 

Isn't the upstate NY scenery beautiful?

The mix of silver and gold is an interesting and surprising one, too. I love the blue tint the silver has, and although I do not like myself in light-medium blue-ish shadows (due to my blue eyes), this was very flattering. Highlight the brow bone with the gold, and tadaa! A gorgeous blend! Love it! 

Try the Holiday Smoky Eye Palette out for yourself and get 10% off with this discount code: 

SGHOLIDAY

**This code does not expire.**

Have you tried this beautiful makeup palette yet? What do you think? 

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Makeup: Winged Eye #2

*This post contains affiliate links.*

Like Winged Eye #1, this is one of the least dramatic winged eye looks I'll show you here, and perhaps even less time consuming than the first. It is also probably the eye makeup technique I use the most right now.

Note: These photos have not been edited other than cropping and resizing for this post. I have not edited out my imperfections because 1) this is who I am, and 2) I want to 'keep it real'.

What I used: 

Kat Von D True Romance eyeshadow trio in Fever Ray 

Benefit They're Real! mascara 

How I did it: 

First, I used the medium, matte shade to cover my entire top lids, lined the bottom, and extended out toward my temples. Then I applied the dark shimmer shade to the outer corners. After that I brushed the light shimmer on my brow bones and along the bottom lids, beneath the darker shades. And to top it off, I applied a coat of mascara. No liner necessary- this is a softer look. 

Application time: 

Less than 5 minutes. 

Makeup: Winged Eye #1

*This post contains affiliate links.*

This is the first of many makeup photo posts here on my blog - Winged Eye #1.

This was a very simple and quick look to create, and probably the least dramatic of the winged eye looks I'll show you. I applied a line of bronze eyeshadow along my top lids, and extended from the outer corners, toward my temples. Then I brushed on a little shimmery nude shadow along my brow bone, as well as along the bottom of my eyes. A little extra in the inside corners helps brighten up my tired eyes. (Can you tell I didn't sleep well last night?) Then I lined my bottom lids with a purple glitter eye pencil and swiped on a layer of mascara to finish it off.

What I used:
1) Smashbox foundation primer
2) Smashbox high definition foundation
3) Sephora MicroSmooth face powder
4) Sephora Black Magic eye palette
5) Sephora 12HR eyeliner in Tango Night
6) Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant mascara
7) Urban Decay De-Slick makeup setting spray

A good set of makeup brushes is really important if you want to play around with different looks. They don't have to be super fancy and expensive either - I use e.l.f. brushes - you just need some quality tools to work with.

And don't despair if it doesn't turn out right the first time- sometimes it just takes a little practice.

Review: Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant Mascara

Yesterday I received a free sample of Make Up For Ever Smoky Extravagant mascara at Sephora, and I absolutely love it!

I like the shape of the wand and the way it coats my lashes with a dramatic black that doesn't smudge, even on a hot summer day. My eyes look amazing with this product!

I personally have not come across a better mascara yet, and intend to buy the full size product in the near future.

Rating: 9.5/10

MAKE UP FOR EVER Smoky Extravagant Mascara

Do you have a product you would like me to review? Email me at Raivyn1985[at]gmail[dot]com. Serious inquiries only.