Makeup Blog Sale Starting Nov. 8, 2013

Hi there, and thanks for checking out my Blog Sale!
I am abfabjeanius on Makeupalley.  As you can see, I have over 400 positive swap tokens.
I probably have 3 lifetime's worth of makeup, so I am selling some of the items that I don't use often.

Please read before contacting me:

• All prices in USD.  I am located in the US (New York), and will ship to the US via First Class mail with Delivery Confirmation.  International (including Canada) - I will review on a case-by-case basis.
• ALL SALES ARE FINAL.  Additionally, I cannot be responsible for packages lost, misdirected, or damaged.  I will pack everything in safe, clean and sturdy packaging, but unfortunately cannot be liable for anything that happens to it after I mail it.
• Items are as pictured and described.  If you have further questions, please contact me.  Additionally, I will wipe off all packaging, but will not sanitize the product before sending.
• I take payment through Paypal.  If you agree to purchase an item, and I do not receive payment within 24 hours, I will have to release the item to the next buyer.
• I am happy to invoice via Paypal, however, because they do charge a fee, I will ask that you please include that as part of your payment price.
• For Shipping/Handling, I charge $6 for the first item, and $1 for each subsequent item. 
• If you are interested in an item, please contact me at makejeanup@gmail.com

Now, onto the items!

First, we have Bobbi Brown Bellini Lip and Eye Palette - $45.
The eyeshadows have each been used lightly 1X and are:

1. Navajo
2. Candlelight Gold (metallic)
3. Petal (shimmer wash)
4. Cement
5. Prosecco (metallic)
6. Truffle
7. Bellini (shimmer wash)
8. Bronze Stone (shimmer wash)
9. Brown Sugar (metallic)
10. Caviar

The lip glosses have never been used.  The colors are:

1. Bubble Bath
2. Chrome Pink (shimmer)
3. Bellini (glitter)
4. Bare (glitter)

I will also include the box on this one.

Second, we have Bobbi Brown Sand Tortoiseshell Eye Palette - $35.

The eyeshadows have been used about 3X each, and the colors are:

1. Ivory
2. Hot Stone
3. Terracotta
4. Desert Sand (metallic)
5. Antique Rose 
6. Black Chocolate
7. Sandy Rose (Metallic)
8. Gold Bar (sparkle)

Third, we have Bobbi Brown Bare to Bold Eye Palette - $24.
Each color has been used 4-5X, and the colors are:

1. Navajo
2. Cement
3. Champagne Quartz (metallic)
4. Quarry (shimmer wash)
5. Evergreen (sparkle)
6. Caviar

Fourth, we have Bobbi Brown Dress for Success Eye Palette - $24.

Each color has been used 4-5X, and the colors are:

1. Bone
2. Beige Linen (shimmer wash)
3. Taupe
4. Navy
5. Espresso

Fifth, we have Bobbi Brown Ultra Nude Eye Palette - $24.

Each color has been used 3-4X, and the colors are:

1. Chino
2. Praline (shimmer wash)
3. Pink Chandelier (metallic)
4. Stone
5. Champagne Truffle (shimmer wash)
6. Cocoa Berry (shimmer wash)

Sixth, we have Dior DiorSkin Poudre Shimmer Shimmer Powder in #002 - Amber Diamond - $27.

This has been used 3-4X.

Seventh, we have Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint in Pearl - $19.

This has been used 5X.  Expiration date of 8/2014.

Eighth, we have Clinique Moisture Surge CC Cream in Light - $17.

This has been used 5-6X.  

Ninth, we have Estee Lauder Double Wear liquid foundation in 1N1 Ecru - $15.

About 85% remaining.

Tenth, we have Chanel Perfection Lumiere Longwear Flawless Fluid makeup in 10 Beige. - $24.

About 80% remaining.

Eleventh, we have Burberry Sheer Foundation in Trench No. 05 - $12.

About 55% remaining.  Good for someone who wants to try it.

Twelfth and Thirteenth, we have Bobbi Brown Creamy Lip Color in #52 Washed Seashell (left) and #4 Nectar (right).  $10 each or $17 for both.

90% or more remaining on both.  The first pic shows the colors, the second pic shows usage (the bullets are twisted all the way down.)

Thanks for looking!!

Shimmery Spring Clubbing Eye Makeup

Do you ever notice how ubiquitous the dark, smokey eye has become for a night out on the town? If you're looking for something a little more spring-centric, then check out my latest video tutorial!

The products that I feature in the video are:

NARS Nouveau Monde powder eyeshadow duo;

NARS Celebrate Soft Touch Shadow pencil;

BareMinerals Glisten High Shine Eyecolor;

Stila Color Wheel eyeshadow palette (currently only available in select Macy's stores);

Urban Decay Zero 24/7 Glide-On eye pencil;

Paul and Joe #04 Eye Gloss N.

I am also wearing:

Paul and Joe #101 Protective Fluid Foundation S (This just came out for spring, and is my new favorite foundation for summer);

Dior SkinFlash concealer in #002;

NARS Sex Appeal powder blush;

Illamasqua Obey lipstick;

BareMinerals Sprinkle 100% Natural lipgloss;

Giorgio Armani Megan Fox's Eyes to Kill Excess mascara.

Let me know what you think!

New Lipstick Launches for Spring 2011

In April 2011, the three big French cosmetic brands are offering new lipsticks, each promising weightless color and moisturization.

Chanel previewed its collection of Rouge Coco Shine with a limited-engagement offering in February, of the color Boy, a sheer mauve-pink. The full range of 18 colors, with advertisement featuring Vanessa Paradis, will be available at counters April 6.

Lancome displayed its collection of L'Absolu Nu lipsticks via its celebrity artists. Colors were used on Mila Kunis and other stars for events such as the Golden Globes and Academy Awards. This collection has launched in select department stores, but I have yet to see it on the Lancome site. There are 16 colors total, all very sheer and balmy. The ad features the lovely Kate Winslet, in the buff.

Dior first offered its renewed Dior Addict line of lipsticks at Sephora, offering a selection of pinks. The full line is now available in all department stores, and consists of 56 colors in a wide array of shades. The ad features the inimitable Kate Moss (pictured above), and Dior has also invested in a short film featuring the supermodel.

See my YouTube video for a full review!

Breakdown for My Profile Pic (bigger pic inside)

This pic was part of a series of different makeup looks I did for a "photoshoot" that Jarrett wanted to do. This looks was supposed to be glowy, very neutral, sort of reminiscent of a Calvin Klein ad. Here, I am wearing:

FACE

Cle de Peau Concealer in Ivoire (which I've reviewed before)

CARGO Liquid Powder in Beige

I got this some time ago as part of a value set from Sephora, but never used it much. When purchased by itself, it retails for $22, which is not cheap. The premise of Liquid Powder is as a multi-tasking product -- a primer, a setting "powder," or as a touch-up "powder." It has an interesting texture, because even though it is a liquid format, it applies with a powdery finish. The finish is matte, but it has lots of shimmer in it (which you can kind of see in this pic) to give the skin some dimension.

Unfortunately, if you are allergic or sensitive to silicones, this may not be for you. Even though this product is oil-free, it has lots of -cones to give it a good amount of slip.

Chanel Bronzer (from the Summer 2009 collection, which I have reviewed before.) This has 4 different colors that you can mix to create darker or peachier shades.

EYES

MAC Eyeshadow in Omega (which I've reviewed before) to fill in the brows. I made the brows a lot thicker than they naturally are.

Bobbi Brown Nude Eye Palette

This palette contains 6 "nude" colors and retails for $60. What's great about her new palettes and packaging is that everything is interchangeable and refillable. My confidence in BB was restored when I purchased this, as I stopped using her brand some time ago which just didn't seem that interesting to me anymore.

The colors n this palette are:

Navajo (matte bone), Pebble (metallic silvery-taupe), Chino (matte grayish-taupe), Beige Linen (light shimmer khaki beige), Maple Sugar (metallic honey-bronze), Caviar (matte dark, deep brown-black).

The textures are all very smooth, even the metallic ones, and I think this palette is versatile enough to create lots of different work looks and also take those looks into a smokier, night-time look.

Here, I am wearing the Maple Sugar color from lashline to crease, and then under the lower lashlines. I really packed it on, and as you can see, this does not look orangey at all. I also used the Caviar to line the upper and lower lashlines.

Estee Lauder Turbolash Mascara (one of my HG mascaras, which I've reviewed already.)

LIPS

I wanted a really nude lip, but nothing too matte or washed-out looking, and I didn't want to use a gloss. Here, I blended two MAC lipsticks in order to get the effect that I wanted.

MAC Satin Lipstick in Myth

This applies fairly matte, and like other MAC Satin finish lipsticks, can be a bit drying on its own. Myth is an opaque, light peachy-beige color. It's sort of a peachier version of a concealer color, to be quite honest. I like the look, but it shows every little imperfection or line in your lip, which can be frustrating.

MAC Cremesheen Lipstick in Creme D'Nude

The Cremesheens are quite soft in texture, and the finish is glossier than the Lustre finishes. However, I do find it is less long-lasting on the lips than the Lustres, and there is the same sort of issue where is shows every little imperfection in the lip. Creme d'Nude in tone is pinker than Myth, and is described by MAC as a "pale muted peach beige." In fact, it's quite similar to Myth, just different texture and opacity.

This was fun, and I think definitely a look that I might wear to work.

Do Mondays Deserve a Smile?

Man, I'm tired today! I didn't get much sleep, so don't mind the bags under my eyes in this horrid pic! I've already had a giant Dunkin' Donuts coffee and a can of Diet Dr. Pepper, and I am still exhausted!

Yesterday, I had the chance to explore the Dolce & Gabbana makeup that was released earlier this year. Currently, it is only available in 2 Saks stores in the US -- Beverly Hills and NYC, so I thought I would check it out. I walked away with 2 eyeshadow duos, an eyeliner, and a lipstick. In this pic, I am wearing some of the items.

For the full line of D&G's products, please see their official website at:

http://www.dolcegabbanamakeup.com/

The line is manufactured by P&G Prestige (yes, good ol' Proctor & Gamble), who also makes their fragrances and also does SK-II. The talented Pat McGrath is the beauty consultant on this line as well. Everything is packaged in elegant gold.

FACE

Cle de Peau Concealer in Ivory (reviewed before - my holy grail concealer!)

Chanel Double Perfection Compact in Soft Beige 1.0

Chanel expanded their color offerings in this about a year ago, as well as changed the formula. It used to be a lot more powdery, and immediately after application, you had to wait for it to meld in with your skin.

The new formulation is better -- it is quite finely milled, but offers about medium coverage. The finish is matte with a slight radiance, if that makes sense. It only offers SPF 10, so you will still have to wear sunscreen underneath. It's not as heavy as, say, MAC Studio Fix, so if you're used to that level of coverage, you may find the Double Perfection to be too sheer.

However, this is one of the few powder foundations that look like skin. The only reasons that I would recommend the Dior Forever compact over the Chanel are that the Dior controls oil better, and that I can personally find a better color match in Dior.

The Chanel compact is offered in 13 different shades, but some of them are kind of strange (like too peach or too pink.) The Soft Beige 1.0 is a new color, and is a warm-toned light beige. However, it is like half a shade too dark for me. The next color down is too light.

This retails for $50, which is pricey, but it does last a long time. Also, they now make separate refills that are available for $40.

Chanel Joues Contraste in Narcisse (Have reviewed this previously.)

EYES

Dior JazzClub Palette -- Only using the brow powder (Have reviewed the palette previously.)

Dolce & Gabbana Smooth Eye Color Duo in Stromboli

Retails for $36. This duo is really beautiful. It consists of a peachy-nude with shimmer and a dark pearly grayish-black with silver and gold sparkles. The peach color is a little warmer than my skintone, and is like a peachier, prettier version of MAC Naked Lunch, or a mix between the dark and light colors of NARS All About Eve duo. It looks really pretty as a base color, but I think it could also be lovely on the browbones. The dark gray color can be used as a crease or liner color, or also smoked out all over the lid.

Here, I did a very natural looking eye, with the peach from lashline to crease, and then the dark gray along the lashline. However, for more drama (and outside of the office!) -- it can easily be brought to a more dramatic effect by using more of the dark color. I will probably do that one of these weekends. You can also use them wet for a more metallic effect.

The texture of these shadows is just lovely -- very silky, and also quite pigmented. I've experienced no creasing or fading, and I'm not even using a shadow base.

Dolce & Gabbana Crayon Intense Eyeliner in Stromboli

Retails for $29. Stromboli is quite a unique color. It is a dark gray-black flecked with gold glitter. I have to wear dark eyeliner to define my eyes, so this is dark enough to do that, but the harshness of gray or black is tempered by the glitter. In this pic, I didn't apply a lot of liner, just a thin line along the lashlines, but if you were to use a thicker line and use the smudger tip to blend, you could really get the glitter to show up.

I haven't used liners with glitter since college, when Hard Candy had a pretty black one with silver glitter, but Stromboli is definitely mature enough that you can wear it as an adult.

The texture is quite blendable, which means that you will see a bit of smudging towards the afternoon, unfortunately, It's not super creamy, so you won't get a raccoon effect, but it's no Bobbi Brown gel eyeliner, either!

Givenchy Phenomen'Eyes Effet Extension Mascara (reviewed previously)

LIPS

Dolce & Gabbana Shine Lipstick in Soiree

Retails for $30. Pretty hefty pricetag for a lipstick... the only other 2 lippies that I've owned which are near that pricepoint are Chanel Rouge Allure and YSL Rouge Volupte. Compared to those 2, I do prefer the D&G.

There are 2 formulations of D&G lipstick - Shine and Classic. I've tried colors in both ranges, and am pleased with the lasting power, the fragrance, and the creamy consistency of both.

Previously, I'd strayed away from any "shine" lipsticks because the lasting power was always a joke, but I have to say that D&G has hit the nail on the head with these.

The Shine lippies are available in 12 colors. Soiree is supposedly one of the most popular. In the tube, it looks like a flamingo-ish pink with a bit of glitter, but on the lips, it is a soft peach-pink color with a semi-glossy finish. There is a light, flowery scent, but nothing offensive or strong. And it is long-lasting and also moisturizing. I don't use lipsticks too often because they dry out my lips, but I think this lippie has changed my mind!

------------------

Can't wait for the Fall collection to come out! More reviews to come...

Shiseido "Perfect" Rouge?

Dick Page is one of my favorite makeup artists. I tried to get backstage at the Narciso show to meet him, but that didn't happen... so instead, I just follow his work through magazines and online. Ever since he has been the creative director for Shiseido, I have paid more attention to their products.

Perfect Rouge is their latest lipstick venture. It retails for $25USD (hefty price tag!), and there are 20 colors in the current line-up, ranging from rich reds, to deep wines, to light pinks, peaches and nudes. Now, the term "perfect" shouldn't be used lightly, as that is making a pretty steep claim. Shiseido's schpiel is: "Driven by the advanced technology of Dual Optimizing Powder, Ultra-Fine Satin Smooth Pearl, and Super Hydro-Wrap Vitalizing DE, each radiant shade gives lips lustrous, all-day moisture and a protective veil that actually improves texture. " According to previous editorials, the pigments in this also adjust and stay true in different lighting.

There is no SPF, so I'm not sure what protective veil they are referring to. The color that I got was BE208 - Baby, which is a light creamy peachy pink-beige. For the $25, this lipstick is very pigmented without being too heavy. There is no greasiness or waxiness, nor is there is any dryness or weird lipstick smell. The opacity is quite good without looking like it is just sitting on the lips. Also, it is quite long-lasting... for me, about 4 hours without eating food. I did drnk water throughout the time, and some color did come off on my glass, but enough stayed on my lips that I didn't have to retouch.

I do hope they come out with other colors, like more nudes. I tried on some other colors, but I think for my complexion as well as my pink-pigmented lips, this was the most attractive.

Addicted to Dior Lippies

I remember when Dior first converted to the whole "Addict" concept about 10 or so years ago. I bought into the original Addict lipsticks, which I adored because of the flashy and unique packaging. Now, we have the latest incarnation, the Dior Addict Lipcolors, which promise high color payoff with a lightweight and shiny texture.

The new collection has a total of 24 colors, ranging from pales to brights, and even a few darker shades thrown in. I, of course, being the nude and pink aficionado, purchased 3 in: #223 - Beige Negligee, #219 - Undressed Pink, #319 - Beige Dandy, which are a shimmery peachy-pink with golden pearl, a creamy nude pink with no shimmer, and a shimmery peachy-beige with gold shimmer. They retail for $26USD each which is kind of a hefty investment, but well worth it.
Packaging is very cute and Dior, with an exterior silver-toned mirrored case that covers the whole tube and etched with "Dior." The actual tube is quite thin, but for some reason, the exterior case is thick and a tad bulky. (Please see pic above.)

The lippie does live up to its promise.. There s no waxiness at all, and it almost feels water-like on the lips. It just glides on. The finish is semi-gloss, so not too shiny. The density of the color, though, even in the lighter shades, is incredible. The lasting power is superior to most glossy or light lipsticks, and wears for a couple of hours without losing its sheen or luster. There is no scent (much improvement to the old school Dior lippies which have a perfumey-flower odor, or even compared to the Rouge Diors.)

I like these a lot and will repurchase in the shades that I bought (if I ever use them up!). I'm also open to trying other colors. I bet the brights in this line are gorgeous!

"Viva" Viva Glam!

Somehow, I always get sucked into the different MAC campaigns that come out every 6 weeks or so. Viva Glam is no exception... I have followed this collection since the original, RuPaul days. I was originally intrigued by the AIDS project, but it's also great to know the good cause is championed with a good product.

The collection is now 9 strong, with 3 lipglasses (Viva Glam V, VI, VI SE) and 6 lipsticks (I-VI). The latest in the collection are the VI SE ("special edition) which are advertised by Fergie. The VI SE lipglass came out last year, and is a cool-toned light pink with some shimmer and pearl to it. The VI SE lipstick came out just a few weeks ago.

It is a mid-tone, cool-based pink without shimmer or pearl. The formulation is lustre, which is slightly shinier and moisturizing than the satins or mattes without being too sheer. Compared to, say, Syrup, this is cooler and goes on more lavender-based, but tonally, it is similar.

On me, a warm-toned light beige gal, this is surprisingly pretty attractive. I do think it would be super hot on someone with cool undertones and light-colored eyes, though. (Guess that's why they picked Fergie-ferg.) I like layering the VI SE gloss on top to give the lips more dimension and add more staying power.

Overall, for under $15, this is a good purchase for me, and I would probably rebuy if I ran out (though, for the record, I've never finished a lipstick!) If you're afraid of the coolness, I would recommend VGV or the regular VGVI.