Updated Blog Sale 12/30/12 Ft. MAC, Tarte, Jane Iredale, Urban Decay, OPI, Essie + more!

I have a few items to sell, leave a comment with paypal address if interested and I will invoice you. I ship worldwide and costs will vary according to package weight. Most domestic shipments will be roughly $2.25-$2.75 if under 10 oz. Please don't ask about how much it costs to ship to such and such country because all I can give is an approximation without knowing how heavy the package will be. Most shipping to Canada is roughly $7 or so for a package with a couple of items but most anywhere in the world should be between $6-$10 if the package weight is under 12 ounces. If it ends up being a dollar or more less when I create a label, I will refund you the difference to be fair. 

** There is a $10 minimum purchase requirement please! 

**If you want to see pictures, there are some listed in an old blog sale post which I have linked with certain items below. I can also email you pictures but right now, for some reason, I am having trouble attaching photos to my blog posts. I have linked my older blog sale next to some of the items if a picture is available on the old post. Some of the items, if you visit the old blog sale, may still be available. If you want any of those, leave comment in THIS post.

Items for Sale!

Bellapierre Compact Mineral Foundation in shade Cinnamon, still in box but used 3-4x. Retail is $60, I'm selling it for $30

Jane Iredale PurePressed Mineral Foundation (shade natural), roughly 90% left with no original powder puff. Retails for $52, I'm selling for $22

Jane Iredale Liquid Mineral Foundation (shade natural) roughly 75% left Retails for $48, I'm selling for $19

Urban Decay Primer Potion (full size) in shade Greed, roughly 80% left, $9 PENDING

MAC Mighty Aphrodite Blush from Wonder Woman Collection, 90% left, $20 SOLD


MAC Fabulousness Warm Eye Palette from holiday 2012 collection, comes with box, swatched each shade once. Item is no longer available. I'm selling mine for $45 since item is sold out and LE. 

MAC MSF in Petticoat, discontinued product, roughly 90% left, $30

LAYLA Hologram Effect Nail Polish in Flash Black, used on one nail, retails for $14.99, I'm selling for $10 

Tarte Cheek Stain in Tipsy, Never used. Retails for $30, I'm selling for $15

Tarte Rising Star Palette, 90% left comes with bronzer/two blush/highlight and shadows. Picture in my old blog sale post here if you scroll down some $14 PENDING


Tarte Maracuja Creaseless Concealer in shade medium, 90% left $12

Bourjois blush in 35 Lune D'or, used 1-2x, $9

Bare Escentuals Ready Eyeshadow Duo in Iris/Azure Iris, used 3x, picture found here if you scroll down some, $11

Coastal Scents 24 Neutral Palette (with names of MAC dupes written in silver permanent marker over each shadow) shades have all been swatched and used 1-2x. $10

Sephora I.T. Round Powder Brush (pink/black), used a couple of times may be a ding or two on the side, pictures found here, retails for $40, I'm selling mine for $15 PENDING

Revlon Kissable Balm Stains in Crush & Adored each used once $3 each 

Nail Polish: (some stickers may have been removed off bottom of some OPI polishes thanks to my kids)

OPI My Boyfriend Scales Walls (Spiderman collection) Used once. $4

OPI Guy Meets Gal-Veston – Used once. $3

OPI Rosy Future- Used once $3

OPI (sticker is missing, no idea the shade name, its pinky-lavender)- Used once $3

OPI Dulce de Leche (no sticker on bottom)- Used once $3

OPI Bubble Bath- used once $3

OPI Light My Saphire, used on a couple nails, $3

OPI Mini’s from Spiderman Collection, each used 1x: Your Web or Mine, Into the Night, Number One Nemisis- $5 for all three

Sephora by OPI Blasted in Opalescent, swatched on one nail $3

Essie Stylenomics- Used once $3

Essie Mojito Madness- Used once $3 Essie Penny Talk- used once $3

Essie Stylenomics, used once $3 

Essie Butler Please, used once $3 

Essie Good to Go Top Coat, used 2x $3

Nicole by OPI Kardashian Ladies in the Limelight- Used 1x $2 Maybelline Colorshow Green With Envy-used 1x $2

Revlon Colorstay Bold Sangria- Used once $2

    Seche Vite Ridge Filler Base Coat- Used 3x $2

MAC Cosmetics Free Overnight Shipping Promo Code

I'm not sure how much longer this will work but right now if you use the code "holiday12" you can get FREE overnight shipping! I used it last night and it was a success. Just thought I'd pass that along...

MAC's Answer to the Z-Palette: Customizable Palette

I do not own a Z Palette but I've heard numerous reviews about them. If you don't know what that is, it is a large palette that you customize by adding whatever eyeshadow, blush, or powder pans you want of all shapes and sizes because it doesn't have an insert inside. Without an insert, you have more space to put your shadows or whatever else you want to put in there. Typically, MAC has sold a 15-pan palette that holds eyeshadow pans or a blush palette with an insert to fit their blushes. However, now you can mix and match your products because MAC has come out with something similar to the Z-palette that gives you the option of forgoing the insert or giving you some insert options to purchase separately. There is a magnetic bottom in the tray that will hold your shadows in place if they too have a magnet on the back. If you depot shadows from their original packaging, you can glue a magnet on the back and achieve the same result. I picked up the "Pro Palette Large/Single" that has one layer and I believe it can hold 24 regular MAC size shadow pans. I will review it when I use it. They also sell a Large/Duo version that has two layers for $25. I did not see that one on the MAC site so it may be a Pro item.  So for anyone that has the new MAC palette, what do you think of it?? Does it hold the shadows well? If you own both the MAC and the Z-Palette, which one is better?

Here is the new MAC Pro Palette Large/Single that retails for $18 and below is the Z-Palette to give you an idea of how they can be used.

MAC Pro Palette Large, Photo credit: www.dharian.com

Z-Palette, Photo credit: http://kitschsnitch.blogspot.com

My Makeup Storage Featuring Muji Acrylic Drawers + Target Clearance Finds!

I was in Target a few days ago and noticed they had a lot of their holiday housewares on clearance. I found the cutest silver candle holders on sale for a few dollars each and snatched up the three that remained. What's great is that although they were part of the holiday collections, they don't look too Christmas-y so I can use them year round. I thought, what a great way to store makeup brushes, eyeliners, mascaras, etc and jazz up your counter top (or vanity) at the same time. 

As far as makeup storage goes, I am not creative. I use a two-part system: the Muji acrylic drawers for the makeup that I actually use and then a reject drawer in the bathroom for fallen products that didn't make the cut but that I still hold on to because I "may need them someday". Ahhh, that old rationalization that helps us justify keeping junk that should be tossed out or given away, "I may use this someday". But we all know that "someday" never comes and the next thing you know your family has submitted your application to that TV show, Hoarders where they find you knee deep in Beanie Babies and old pizza boxes that a pack of squirrels have sought refuge in. So before that happens, I will likely clean out that reject drawer and come to terms with myself. 

Muji Acrylic Drawers + Candle Holders

So the Clear Cube acrylic makeup storage system was all the rage a couple years back because the Kardashian's use it and had it on their bathroom counter in one of their reality shows. I hear they are quite amazing but they are also like $300. So if you don't want to spend that money, Muji makes some pretty good acrylic drawers of different sizes that you can stack and try to emulate the "Clear Cube" look. Personally, I love being able to see my makeup and so I do like clear drawers. The drawback is that even the large Muji drawers are not as deep as the Clear Cube drawers but they are still durable and I've been satisfied.

Muji acrylic drawers: two five-stacks and two large drawers (much deeper and better than the thin drawers in the five-stacks) + some odds and ends up top that do not fit in the drawers: Laura Mercier Mineral Powder, Jane Iredale foundation, etc.

Candle holders make great storage for tall items like makeup brushes, liners, mascaras, and other odds and ends! You can always find these cheaply at places like Wal-Mart, Target (sometimes cheaply), Big Lots, etc.

 

If you want to get extra jazzy, some ribbon tied around your candle holders will spice up the look of your counter-top or vanity. I used one one that was wrapped around some Chanel makeup for Christmas!

Now if I could only find a snazzy way to store my boring products like toothpaste and skin and hair care. I will work on that. 

Look What Santa Brought Mommy!

My husband and kids were very kind to me this Christmas and spoiled me with such awesome gifts! Mostly cosmetic items and some non-makeup items but I will leave those out of this post since this is a makeup blog and all. Here is the rundown:

Chanel Eyeshadow Quad in Eclosion

Chanel Nail Polish in Vamp

Chanel Nail Polish in Rose Cache

Chanel Lip Definer in Nude 

YSL Lip Stain in #18

Dior mini-brush set

Rebecca Minkoff cosmetic bag (SO adorable)

A Christmas with Chanel is a Merry Christmas indeed! 

 

Chanel Les 4 Ombres Quadra Eyeshadow in Eclosion

Dior Holiday Travel Brush Set

Rebecca Minkoff  'Made-Up' Makeup Bag

Christmas Eve Nails of the Day! Pink + Silver

I opted for a pink and silver manicure today after browsing some google images for some "nail-spiration" using OPI Crown Me Already glitter polish. I've been wearing various shades of red for about two months now so I gave the traditional holiday colors a rest and this is what I came up with. 

Photo taken by me, http://makeupsessed.blogspot.com

How I Achieved This Look:

I placed three coats of Orly Confetti nail polish (discontinued but any pale pink will do) to make it more of an opaque pink. Try Essie Ballet Slippers for a really pale pink or OPI Sweetheart for a more creamy opaque pink. I took OPI Crown Me Already silver glitter polish (any silver glitter will do, Sally Hansen Gems are great!) that has a multitude of very fine shimmer in combination with some small silver discs in a clear base. I love this one because it is a true bright platinum silver. I lazily brushed the glitter on to the tips of my nail about a third of the way down. By "lazily", I mean this isn't a french manicure where you have to do the tips perfectly. I prefer the glitter to be thicker on the top and kind of thin out toward the bottom in a gradient effect. To do this, just wipe off excess product and use the brush to kind of dab whats left on the brush as you get to the end of your glitter tip. I touched up some nails that were less glittery than others and topped it off with Seche Vite, a quick dry top that gives an unbeatable glassy shine.

This manicure can be done with any combination of polish and glitter colors. Try a glossy black polish like OPI Onyx or Essie Licorice with silver glitter on the tips, so chic yet so glam. 

P.S. I filed my nails in a more rounded fashion for the first time ever. I think it makes my fingers look longer, I'm digging it.

Great Gift Alert! Sephora Favorites Lash Stash

I was given some lovely new makeup goodies over the weekend, one of which was the Sephora Lash Stash which is always one of the very best value sets that Sephora puts together each year for the holidays. For $45 you receive nine mini mascaras (one of which is a primer), a set of false lashes, and two FULL SIZE mascaras. The retail value is $132USD. I love trying new mascara but I do not enjoy shelling out $20 for a full size that I will most likely return because mascara is such a hit or miss product. There are just so many that I want to try and this kit is perfect because it allows you to do just that. And an added bonus is the set includes two of my favorites that I already know I will love as well as two that I've been dying to try. And it all comes packaged so nicely in a red box that ties with a shimmery red bow. This is a great value because it includes some of the top-selling mascaras. I can't stand when brands will put together a value set and its full of all of the crap that no one wants. So instead of selling individual things that no one wants, it gets repackaged into a set of things that no one wants. This isn't one of those instances. This is what you get:

Mini's (all in shade black):
Sephora Outrageous Volume 
Benefit They're Real
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Volumizing
Buxom Lash
Tarte Lights Camera Lashes
Korres Volcanic Minerals Volumizing
Clinique High Impact 
Lancome Hypnose Drama 
Tarte MultiplEYE Lash Primer

Full Size:
Smashbox Full Exposure
Fiberwig Paint on False Lashes

Sephora False Lashes Flutter (half-lashes)

The Best Sweaters Ever are @ Target + Some Tank Top Love

I have found my favorite sweaters of life. And I found them at Target. They aren't my favorite inexpensive sweater, they are my favorite sweater, period. And they are only $13.99 right now with a regular price of $17.99 which is still way cheap. They are the Mossimo Ultra-soft Scoop (or V-neck) sweaters and are usually folded on a table somewhere between the juniors and women's sections. 

So what is so great about them? Well, they are the perfect sweater consistency. If that term even applies to sweaters. They are thin but not at all see-through and they are super soft and comfortable. More importantly, not the least bit itchy! They are the perfect sweater for people like me who live in the south and do not experience real winters. When I think of this sweater, I think of the type of sweater that you can wear to an indoor function without burning up and regretting your outfit selection. You know, the type of place that is going to be crowded and stuffy where you will ultimately end up sweating despite the cold temperature outside. Like your kid's Christmas program or the mall on a weekend. I'm convinced that Hell resembles the mall on the Saturday right before Christmas and you're forced to stand in the food court line over and over again. Let's get back on track, Hell has no place in a discussion of great sweaters. 

So the sweaters are semi-fitted, true to size, and a flattering length that most anyone would be pleased with. I bought one a couple of weeks ago, loved it, and then convinced myself the deal was too good to be true for a truly amazing sweater and that it would probably not wash very well and end up falling apart. Oh, why do I doubt you, Target? Must I always pre-judge inexpensive things? Most of my Target clothing holds up better than my J Crew stuff and are a tenth of the cost. Turns out the sweater actually washed up very well and became even softer. I bought it at $17.99 but when I returned to the store to buy more, they were marked down to $13.99! The problem was that the shelf where they are usually perched ever so neatly was kind of ransacked. Seems like $17.99 was too much to pay for some but when they went down a few bucks, it was game on for Target shoppers. Luckily, I was able to snag three more of them: two more scoop-necks and a v-neck yay! And then I walked around to the other side and picked up two cardigans that were a few dollars more expensive and equally as soft as my beloved sweaters. Also by Mossimo. The picture below is the style I love but they also have v-neck version. The one below is supposedly a scoop neck but I find them to be in between a crew and scoop. Enough scoop that you don't feel suffocated but not scoop in the traditional sense. If that makes sense.

Mossimo Ultra-soft Sweaters

I have been so overcome with my sweater love, I forgot to mention the perfect accompanying piece to the sweater. The Mossimo long and lean tanks. Seriously, the best tank tops ever. They are the perfect length, strap width, color selection, and price ($6-8 range depending on if they are on sale). More importantly, they also wash up very nicely, MUCH better than my JCrew tanks. It isn't crap on JCrew day but their quality has taken a nose dive straight to hell over the last few years. And as their quality plunges, their prices go upward. So for basic tanks and lovely soft sweaters that won't make you itch, Target has been killing it lately. 

Mossimo Long & Lean Tank

Great and Inexpensive Holiday Shoes (Target!)

So I'm in Target the other day, doing the usual "only here to buy one thing but end up with a cart full" shopping trip. There were these really cute pumps that came in bright pink, red, green, and navy, some with gold and some silver capped toes. They have a suede-ish material, about a 3" heel and a $32.99 price tag. Perfect. So I grab the red which is more like a reddish orange thinking how perfect they would go with some dark skinny jeans and a slouchy black sweater. They have a bit of padding in them to make them a bit more comfortable than the average non-platform pumps. Oh, and they have a rubber bottom that will help prevent any unforseen accidents but without looking cheap or orthopedic. I thought I would share my find with you all in case you are looking for some great shoes for the holidays that look chic and dressy but can also be casual and cool. Think skinny (faux) leather pants/leggings paired with some type of black top/sweather with these pumps and some gold jewels. The outfit practically screams holiday party attire for the girl who doesn't want to put much work into it but still wants to look great!