Over the past month I’ve added some NYX cosmetics to my ever growing makeup stash! I can’t help but say great things about NYX cosmetics! I absolutely love them! I picked up 3 shadows, 2 blushes, 4 lip glosses, 5 eyeliners/lip liners, and a concealer stick.

Eye Shadows and Blush

Eye Shawdow $3.99 Blush $4.99

Lip Gloss

Lip Gloss $3.99

Eye Liner/Eye Brow/Lip Liner Pencils

Eye Liner/Brow Liner/ Lip Liner colors: Baby Pink, Plush Red, Gold, Emerald City, Moss $1.99

Bronzer

Mosaic Powder: $5.99

Where to buy:

NYX Website

Ulta online and in stores

Discount Beauty Supply Stores

Discount Makeup Brushes

You can’t have makeup without brushes! Instead of investing more money into expensive brushes, I decided to try some discount paint brushes that come highly recommended by plenty of professional makeup artists and YouTube beauty vloggers. The brushes I bought are comparable to MAC brushes.

Brush Details:

Simply Simmons 1/4″ Angle Shader (Comparable to MAC Mac 266 Angled Brush)

Simply Simmons 1/8′ Angle Shader (Comparable to MAC 208 Angled Brush)

Loew-Cornell 1/4′ Maxnes Mop Brush (Comparable to MAC 217 Blending Brush)

Loew-Cornell 1/2″ Maxine’s Mop Brush (Comparable to MAC 252 Large Shader Brush)

Available at Michaels $2.99-$4.99 AWESOME beauty steal!

In addition to my makeup steals I I stumbled on some great makeup remover tissues by Nicka K Cosmetics-Nicka K Absolute Makeup Cleansing Tissues. I never use dmakeup wipes in the past because I thought they were a waste of money or they irritated my skin.  I was skeptical to recommend these until I tried them several times. So far I’ve used about 10 in the 30 pack. For the low price of $3.99 I am impressed! The pre-moisturized soft tissues contain a Green Tea Extract which easily removes all makeup. I was sure to test the wipes directly on my lashes and my waterline. I was happy to find out that one wipe removed all makeup, including waterproof mascara and eyeliner without burning. After using the wipes my skin wasn’t dry or irritated, and luckily I didn’t need to follow up with a facial cleanser. I’m definitely going to keep these in rotation through the winter.

Check out some expert tips from Celebrity Makeup Artist Sam Fine, on how to prep and apply the face with foundation!

products mentioned in the video:

COVERGIRL Queen Collection Natural Hue Concealer

Natural Hue Compact Foundation and Natural Hue Minerals Pressed Powder

Related posts:

1. Makeup for less: NYX Cosmetics
2. Blended Beaute: Interview with Shades of Shaunè Makeup Artistry
3. Get the Look: Colored Mascara & Eyeliner

Here’s how to achieve the look:

NYX Gloss in Honey, Eye liner in Sapphire, Mascara in Electric Blue

Maybelline Ultra Brown in Dark Brown

NARS Orgasm Illuminator & Rated R

Laura Mercier Rich Sienna

MAC Moisture Cover NC45

brushes: random blush brush, Sonia Kashuk, MAC 227

Finished Look

So how did I do?

Related posts:

1. NYX Mini Haul + Makeup tips!
2. Spring Beauty Trend
3. Beauty News: NARS Set to Open First Flagship Boutique!

It’s still summer but I could not wait to try new fall nail colors! Up first on my list was MAC’s Earthly Harmony created by manicurist Jin Soon. I’d described this color as a grayish-taupe with light reflecting bronze sparkles. I used 2 coats plus a top coat and it gives off a matte color with a touch of shine. When I tweeted the pic of my manicure I noted that it reminded me of  OPI “You Don’t Know Jacques” with a touch of sparkle! This new high gloss formula also contains conditioners and UV protection. This is a great color that would look good on a variety of skin tones for the upcoming fall season!

where to buy: online or at MAC Counters $13

Tell me what you think of MAC Earthly Harmony! 

Related posts:

1. Fall Manicure: You Don’t Know Jacques
2. Falling for Fall Nail Colors!
3. Fall Nail Trend: Embellished Glitter Nails

One of my Twitter followers recently asked if I knew anything about Burberry makeup. She wondered if it was worth the price. I’m sorry to report that my love for the “berry” as I call it stops at boots, handbags, and clothes. I have no idea about their makeup. I did a little online research and came across a great review about their new line but I’m not completely sold for the price and I’m not sure if it’s for “us”. There is a more affordable makeup line that I think more women of color could benefit from if they just give it a try and that’s NYX Cosmetics. Take a few of my favs for example:

Products featured: Lip Glosses L-R Honey, Mauve, Sand Dune; Liner in Chestnut; Shadow: Golden/Rust/Walnut Bronze

NYX on Me

glosses: L-R Mauve, Sand Dune, Honey

Shadow L-R: Golden/Rust/Walnut Bronze

I highly recommend brown beauties to invest in NYX cosmetics. The colors are very pigmented and super affordable! 3 glosses + 3 eye shadows +1 lip liner = $18 <—WOW!!! I also recommend the eye brow/liner pencils. One of my other favorites is the White Pearl 918 (not pictured) which works well for me as a base when I want shadows to appear brighter. NYX is sold at most Asian Beauty Supply stores or you can find it online.

Beauty Rating:

Related posts:

1. NYX Mini Haul + Makeup tips!
2. MAC Cosmetics All Ages, All Races, All Sexes Collection
3. Spring Beauty Trend: Nude Lips

Yesterday was a typical Friday in the DMV. Eager for the weekend, I rushed to leave work by 4 only to sit in traffic. One hour and 3 accidents later I finally arrived at the nail spa. The spa pedicure and manicure was the perfect way to end my long work week. Even though the weather was a surprisingly high 83 degrees, I still opted for last season’s favorite Fall color by OPI.

 ”You Don’t Know Jacques” is from the De France Fall 2008 Collection. This taupe, matte color is very wearable on both the hands and feet. I get so many compliments and questions about this color. Until I find another color I like this much, I believe this will be my Fall manicure color!  iDig it

Related posts:

1. Falling for Fall Nail Colors: MAC Earthly Harmony review!
2. Fall Nail Trend: Embellished Glitter Nails
3. Fall’s Must Have Mixed Metals Manicure