Wearing Shades of Blue

Does anyone else get into a neutral eyeshadow rut? While neutrals are beautiful and flattering they can be, dare I say, a bit boring from time to time. So I'm making a conscious effort to use more colors, starting with some beautiful blues. The largest pan in the above picture is Bobbi Brown Bluebell, the furthest shadow is Makeup Geek Sea Mist and the closest shadow is Makeup Geek Peacock. 

All of the shadows apply quite matte, making them extremely blendable and wearable. I know it looks like Sea Mist has some glitter in it, but when it's on the eye I swear there's no glitter. It's like magic, it just poofs away. I wanted to wear these three shadows together, so I blended them into a gradient effect starting with Bluebell into Sea Mist and then finally into Peacock. Here is the look I wore using these three shadows: 

I ended up really liking how it turned out, it was wearable and colorful without looking clownish. Hooray for more color! Hip-hip-hooray! 

I hope you lovely lads and lasses have a splendid day.  

The Emerald Coast

Hello darlings! I recently have been away, without any internet access for a week or so, hence my slight hiatus from The May Flower. I went camping on the Emerald Coast of Florida; I took minimal makeup, minimal technology and lots of sunscreen. Days were spent reading on the beach as waves lapped at our feet, with slight intermissions of boogie boarding and nights were spent round the table with family and good food. It was a much needed break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and it was a much needed break for my face from heaps of makeup. Hallelujah! Here are some snaps from my iPhone to share with you: 

   

 

Just Another Way to Wear White Liner

Just about every makeup lover knows the old trick about putting white liner in the waterline to make your eyes appear bigger. But what about putting your white liner on the upper lash line? This new look is the thing to do for spring and summer. It offers a bright and fresh eye look that is sure to get you some second glances. 

I repped the new trend with a white cat-eye; which was different enough while still being quite wearable. I found that the best way to apply the liner is with a white pencil and then setting it with a white shadow to make it more opaque. 

This trend will look absolutely stunning on those with a deeper or tanned complexion, the white liner would be a serious pop! You can also wear this trend just smudged into the upper lash line for a more effortless and casual way to brighten up the eye area. 

There are really infinite ways to wear white eyeliner, this is just one. Let me know how you wear the trend!

Xoxo,

Haley

Too Pumped Up? A Mascara Review

Who doesn't love a good mascara? It is usually one of the first makeup products a young girl tries and almost every woman wears it at some point in her life. I personally love mascara. So, I test out as many as I can, both high end and drugstore, in hunt for the perfect one. There's a new mascara on the block y'all, Maybelline has recently released their new Volum' Express Pumped Up! Colossal Mascara. I'm not sure the name was long enough, to be honest, they probably could have added even more. *sarcasm* 

Here's the new guy trying to act all cool and like he's better than everyone else. Apparently he adds up to 16x the volume and a double shot of collagen with his super cool new brush. But that's just what he said, you know how new folks like to talk the talk so everyone likes them. 

So I put him to the test. 

Let me start by saying the brush is huge, like the size of my eye huge. Is that supposed to add volume or is there any other logical reason as to why the brush is ginormous? Okay, so brush issue aside, the formula does make your lashes look quite voluminous. Voluminous on the edge of clumpiness. I go over it with a lengthening and separating mascara just to thin out the clumps a bit and finish it off. The mascara it's self stays on the lashes really well, no flakes or smudges. It also comes off easy enough with makeup remover. Over all, I like the mascara, I don't love it. I would not repurchase it, but I am going to use it up. 

And here is the new mascara in action, wonderfully represented in an oddly distorted image. Way to go computer, way to go. 

I hope you all have a fabulous day and let me know if there are any new mascaras you're loving! 

xoxo,

Haley 

Late to the Party

There are some products that have been hyped up for so long that you actually forget the hype and forget to actually try the product so see if you can add to the hype. This was the case with three drug store base products, that everyone talked about so much that their popularity made them seem "old." These poor, poor products, longing to be released from their current CVS imprisonment. And I was just the lass to post bail. I know I take these things a bit far sometimes, don't judge me. 

L'oreal True Match:

In all fairness this was actually one of the first foundations I ever tried back when I was about 13 and had just started to dabble in the wonderful world of makeup. I really didn't remember much about it so when I picked it up recently I was in for a pleasant surprise. This foundation is awesome! It feels light-weight on the skin and offers a medium coverage that is easily buildable, all the while drying to natural, semi matte finish. I find that it is quite comparable to the Nars Sheer Glow/Matte Foundations, at much more friendly price. Needless to say...it's worth the hype.  

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer:

Everyone, I mean just about everyone says that this is the best under eye concealer from the drugstore. I'd have to disagree. I find that it dries quite powdery and cakey and it also settles into fine lines. Coverage wise it's okay, although I did notice it start to break down after a few hours. In my opinion, it is not worth the hype. I wanted to love it, everyone else loves it. 

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer: 

This is one I've heard quite a few folks form across the pond rave about, so of course I had to try it. Always trust a Brit, always. Most of the time.. This concealer hasn't failed me, yet. It is a sheer coverage that has a bit of an illuminating quality about it; perfect for under the eyes. It is also a perfect everyday concealer when you don't want to wear anything else. I would say it's worth the hype, now I need to try the foundation to go with it!

Here is a photo displaying the True Match foundation and Wake Me Up concealer at work. I think they make the skin look quite nice and natural. I know, I know. I was late to the party, but I'm all in for these products now!  

Let me know if there are any hyped up products you also forgot about!

Xoxo, 

Haley 

Nars- Kauai

Hello lovely people of the interwebs, today I am bringing you a...I'm not actually sure what to call this. It's not a haul, it's not a review, it's not a tutorial, I'm not sure what it is but we'll go with it. I recently bought this eyeshadow duo from Nars called Kauai and oooh man is she a stunner. 

Would ya look at that. It was love at first swatch. I have only got to use this beauty once since our first meeting but she left a lasting impression all right. The pigmentation is unreal, it stays true to color and the gold lasted all day on my lids. I'm still working with the purple, it's such a unique texture and tone of purple that it's taking me a little bit to figure out the best way to play with it. But we'll get there, don't you worry your little socks off. 

I want to try out this duo a bit more before I give it a full yay or nay review. I will also be posting a look with these shadows to show how they can be used in different ways. But at first attempt I don't think this duo can be used alone it needs some other shadows to play with. 

So I guess we can call this a first impression? Maybe? Who knows, either way I will be back with an update for you guys on Nars duo in Kauai. 

Stay Classy blogosphere 

xoxo,

Haley 

This is Empty too?

I read somewhere recently that "empties" posts were done, they were old news and no one was doing them anymore. But I quite enjoy these types of posts and videos and I was also once told to blog about what I enjoy, so here we are with round 2 of empties. 

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray:

I do actually love this product and I would repurchase it but the new Make Up Forever setting spray feels sooo much better on the skin. Scoot over Urban Decay, you're not the only one in town with a bomb setting spray. 

Batiste Dry Shampoo:

What was all the hype about? I mean, yeah, it's good and all but it's not the God send everyone was talking about. It got the job done, so I can't be too upset. I'm still on the hunt for a better dry shampoo so I may or may not repurchase. 

Sephora Triple Action Cleansing Water:

I go through this stuff like actual water, it needs to be made in a jumbo size! Seriously, this is the best makeup remover I have ever used. 

Tarte Light, Camera, Lashes Mascara: 

My feelings about this mascara were like a roller coater. One day I was professing my love and the next I was wising to throw it out the window. This is a fickle little mascara, I like it best layered over other mascara's as a final separation and curl aspect of the whole ordeal. I must say I do prefer Tarte's original Lights, Camera, Flashes much better. 

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Face Moisturizer: 

This was good, real good. It is a nice, lightweight moisturizer that absorbs easily into the skin. That being said I still prefer the plain ole Ultra Repair Cream as my day-time moisturizer. It is a tad thicker and feels a bit more moisturizing to me. 

Bath and Body Works Rio Rumberry Body Lotion: 

As far as body lotions go this is your run of the mill body lotion, not overly creamy and smells good. I prefer a thicker cream because I'm so dry. Though B&BW summer scents do smell delightful!

Elarila Body Velour: 

I honestly had no idea what the name of this stuff was for the longest time, all I knew is that this felt heavenly on the skin. It is an ultra thick cream that smelled like coconut and mango, yummmm. It leaves you feeling extremely moisturized, it's one of those creams that you use right before bed and when you wake up your skin feels like silk. I bought this at a little shop in Savannah, Georgia and I haven't been able to find it since. *sad face* I would definitely repurchase if I could. 

I hope you lot have a gorgeous week in your corner of the world. Let me know if you've used up anything and would actually buy it again!

Xoxo,

Haley