YSL Fusion Ink B10

I'm going to attempt to keep this short and sweet since I'm kind of tired.  I do want to share my thoughts about trying the new YSL Fusion Ink foundation, though, so TA-DA!  Here it is and here I am and I'm happy to say that overall I am quite pleased with it.

I'm wearing B10 here and have applied it using my fingertips.  It feels very silky and slippery, much like the Armani Maestro does.  This one has a bit more coverage, though, and also takes a little longer to dry down, which gives you a good amount of play time to blend and move about.  The finish is very velvety smooth, but not dry or flaky.  Keep in mind that my skin is relatively normal, but I do have a dry skinned friend that is loving this formula as well (and I am surprised at that, really).  I think with good skincare underneath, even dry skinned folks could potentially enjoy this formula.

It did not emphasize pores or texture issues for me (and it's worth noting that I'm having all kinds of texture problems right now).  The coverage is light to medium in my opinion.  And the wear is really decent.  I chose not to blot my nose today to give it a sturdy test, and only toward hour eight and beyond did I notice any real shine on my nose.  It wasn't obnoxious shine, either, and the foundation beneath had not disintegrated, separated, or otherwise misbehaved to any significant degree.

The color match is ridiculously nice on me, would you agree?  It seems to be a very neutral shade and I'm liking that.  Any extra pinkness to my skin that you see is really just my naturally pink skin showing through.  I'm going to wager that B10 is similar to an N10-15 in "MAC" terms.

Here's a full break down of products, if you are curious.

Face:
Laura Mercier Radiance Primer
BECCA Ever Matte primer (just on nose)
YSL Fusion Ink Foundation B10
MUFE Full Cover 1 (spots)
BareMinerals Stroke of Light Luminous 1 (under eye)
Nars Light Reflecting Powder Loose

Cheeks:
Dior Aurora 01 Bronzer
Stila Custom Color Blush Coral
BECCA Gypsy
Holika Holika Highlighting Blush Twinkling Kitten

Eyes:
Wet 'N Wild Fergie Eye Primer
Essence Metal Glam N'Ice Frosting (lid)
Stila Rain (crease) and Air (brow bone) from In the Know palette
Stila Stay All Day liner in Paradise Pink
Stila Stay All Day liner in black (tight line)
Sephora Contour Eye Pencil in Blonde Ambition (inner lowers)
Kat Von D Immortal Lash mascara
UD Perversion mascara
Tarte Brow Architect Taupe
Milani clear brow gel

Lips:
Holika Holika Twinkling Kitten (cupid's bow)
Guerlain Rouge Automatique Reflex

I leave you with one last thought about the YSL foundation, and I think this goes without saying, but I'm going to say it anyway.  The applicator is absolutely bone chilling and a giant faux pas for me.  I just can't handle the thought of slapping that little wand onto my face and then plopping it back into the bottle.  ICK SQUIG help us all!!!  If I end up getting this foundation I will absolutely not be using that cray applicator to apply it, which makes the whole thing slightly inconvenient and awkward for sure.

As per my usual, I'm going to test this out a little further and see if I'm still liking it so much.  I'll be sure to update here if my initial thoughts change.

The Usual Vampy Stuff

Face:
BECCA Ever-Matte primer (just on my nose)
Ardency Inn Americana Fair Pink mixed with LM Radiance Primer
MUFE Full Cover 1
BareMinerals Stroke of Light Luminous 1 (under eye)
Nars LRP Loose (under eye mostly)
MUFE Super Matte Loose 12 (around and on nose)
D&G The Foundation Powder Ivory 50 (forehead)

Cheeks:
Dior Aurora 01 bronzer (soft contour)
Benefit Hervana
BECCA Gypsy

Eyes:
WnW Fergie eye primer
Marc Jacobs black Highliner pencil
Illamasqua Precision gel liner (tight line)
MUG Corrupt
MUG Burlesque
MUG Shimma Shimma (inner corner)
Too Faced Salted Carmel (transitions)
Lorac Chic Baked Matte Satin e/s (brow bone)
UD Perversion mascara
Clinique Bottom Lash black mascara (lowers)
Tarte The Brow Architect Fair/Light (just the pencil part used)

Lips:
Stila Color Balm Lipstick Isla


I know.  It's a crazy amount of complexion products happening, especially for me!  This is me wanting and needing full coverage complexion but not wanting it to feel, look, or act heavy (read:  misbehave).  It was relatively successful, I'm happy to say!  The Ardency Inn Americana + LM Radiance primer base mix did really well for me.  Mad science has finally paid off.  :)  And using the D&G powder lightly to set my forehead (the area I'm trying most to cover), worked well, too.  I can't believe all that held up through a long day at work, but pretty much it did.  I think I only did a slight touch up around my nose and between my brows once, while on my break.  My nose was decidedly shiny by hour nine, but I can live with that, and could have done another proper blot.

Salted Caramel from the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette is fast becoming a favorite crease and/or transition color.  I can't tell you how much I adore it.  Also, a huge rave for BECCA Gypsy mineral blush, which is a solid fave for blush transitioning!  Who would know that I would become such a transition freak?  I'm loving Gypsy just on top of my cheekbones paired with nearly every blush.  Sometimes I skip the highlight, sometimes I add one over top, just on the high points.

More new stuff - the Urban Decay Perversion mascara.  I really love this!!  But it's not suitable for use on my lower lashes.  Can we say smudge city?  That happens to me with loads of mascaras.  It's perfect on the uppers, though.  I like that it gives me length, a touch of volume, good separation, glides on so easily, and is very black.  On my upper lashes I have no smudging, flaking, clumping, or otherwise egregious behavior.

I hope that everyone is enjoying a good summer!  I can't believe how freaking hot it is.

New Loves

Face:
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer SPF 15
Marc Jacobs Genius Gel 10
BECCA Bronzing Skin Perfector
Dior Aurora 01 Bronzer
Clinique Airbrush Concealer Fair
Illamasqua concealer 115
Nars LRP Loose

Cheeks:
Tarte AC Captivating
MUFE Star Powder 940

Eyes:
WnW Fergie eye primer
Marc Jacobs The Siren LE e/s palette (cloud white pearl, copper shimmer, seafoam pearl, and sea smoke glitter pearl)
Illamasqua black gel liner
MUFE Smoky Extravagant
Clinique Bottom Lash black
Hourglass Arch Soft Brunette
Milani clear brow gel

Lips:
MUFE Star Powder 940 (cupid's bow)
Edward Bess Island Blossom (patted on with fingertip)


Want to hear my rambling thoughts about this makeup?  I'm kind of falling hard for the Genius Gel foundation.  The formula is just...SO...darn...GOOD!  Really amazeballs.  It's a long lasting champion for me.  Also, it's really lightweight and comfortable.  I like the slightly powdery finish, as well.  It's powdery but not in a dry or overly matte way, if that makes any sense.  I've read where folks say they love the "dewy" finish of this but I'm not seeing that at all.  Nope.  Not on me, at least!  And granted, I always set my foundation with powder as well (but what I'm trying to say is that I see no dewiness before powdering).  If this foundation is dewy on you, speak up, I say!  Talk to me.  Anyway, that's all beside the point.  I'm trying to tell you that for me, it's a huge winner.  It does not settle into expression lines, get overly shiny, transfer, melt, fade, or misbehave in any way.  The coverage is light and I am a-okay with that.

Now, let's talk about the color of the Genius Gel.  It's really white.  10 is the lightest shade and I'm for sure that the 14 is too dark and yellow for moi.  I've worn the 10 straight up a few times, and it's definitely do-able.  But I feel slightly ghost-faced with it (darn my "tan" arms and this wicked FL sun) and was really happy with this particular mix.  I took about one part BECCA Bronzing Skin Perfector and two parts Genius Gel and mixed them in my palm, then applied normally.  If you are lighter than me, get thee a sample of Genius Gel in 10!  It's one of the lightest foundations I've owned or tried, also quite neutral in my opinion.

Can we talk about how Tarte Captivating blush (mine is from the Aqualillies palette released last year, but they just came out with it as a single) is the perfect peach on me?!  It's everything I wanted Illamasqua Lover to be on me and then some.  It's my new (but not new) favorite blush.

I'm really happy with the Edward Bess lippie, too.  It's very lightweight and long wearing.  I have a pink and red one yet to try out.

I'm sad that y'all can't see the magical iridescent grooviness of the MUFE Star Powder on my cheek bones and cupid's bow.

So, I am really enjoying doing tulip placement eye looks these days.  It's everything I like about smoky eyes but with an added technical challenge!  If I'm not a totally lazy bum and actually get back to posting, be prepared to see some more.  :)

My Week in Review

Alright then.  This is going to be a rather long post featuring pictures from the past week.  This first look is from Sunday.  I'm wearing Maybelline Color Tattoo in Seashore Frosts supplemented with colors from the Tarte Aqualillies palette.

For liner, I used a blue-gray Buxom smoky stick and Jordana's brown pen liner.  I'm slightly disappointed in how subtle Seashore Frosts is, however, I hear it is great layered, so I will be game to try that next.

My lip color is Belmacz Glow in Ruby and my blush is Nars Boys Don't Cry.

Not sure why these two photos turned out so "cool" compared to the previous ones, but I rather like them!

I believe I was wearing the Tarte BB primer with BECCA pressed mineral over top here.

Monday's look was a bit odd, I must confess.  I guess I was going for something kind of techno-futuristic.  I debated between this lip color (YSL Glossy Stain 18) and something really neon pink.  Perhaps neon pink would have been nicer as I look pretty washed out in these photos.  Nars Gaeity is my blush.

On my eyes I am wearing Belmacz Silver Swan, which I'm really sad to say is already showing signs of shrinkage and drying up.  I've not had it that long and have only used it once before!  :(  My package seems a bit loose, so maybe that's the reason why.  In any case, for something as expensive, I do expect more.  I lined the upper lashlines with Urban Decay Dime pencil and smudged Nars Barrow Street liner into the lowers.  The pink mascara is from L.A. Splash.

On Tuesday I went for dramatic smoky eyes!  I used Chanel Illusion d'Ombre in Mirifique as my base color and Fantasme as the inner corner highlight.  UD Creep eyeshadow went over the lids and around the lowers.  Catrice Vanessa's Paradise was the teal color used.  On the waterline I had Sephora Flashy liner in Flashy Brown.

My blush was Addiction powder in Amazing and my lipstick was Bite Cuvee in Blush.

I really loved the sparklies from Mirifique and Fantasme - they were much better in person!

For Wednesday's look, I used Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Cocoa as my base and on the lowers.  I blended L'Oreal Infallible in Liquid Diamond over top on the lids and into the creases.  This combo was not my idea, but taken from Missy, a.k.a. "dreamonnnnnn," of MUA.  Stellar combo!  I thank you!!  I used the brown Jordana liquid pen liner to line, as well as a dark brown Bare Escentuals liner for my waterlines.

On my cheeks is Guerlain Terracotta Light Blondes 01 Halees.  I'm still not sure if I can pull off bronzer as blush - but heck, some days I just want to and I don't really care.  The glow from it was really nice.

Cocoa is kind of magical with my eyes, I'm starting to think.  LOVE IT.

On my lips I am wearing Shisiedo Lacquer Rouge in Sunstone 312.  The formula on these is just plain awesome.  They are long wearing, light feeling, and do not dry my lips.  I highly recommend them.

Last, but not least, is Friday's look.  This one features Illamasqua's Paranormal palette (green and purple shades).  The palette is really creamy.  I'd say more cream texture than it is powder.  The shadows I used are decently pigmented yet somewhat hard to work with.  I also experienced minor creasing.  Not too happy about that!  The colors are really gorgeous, though, so I'm sure I will try to make them work again in the future.  :)

I used UD Kush lightly over top of the green Illa color, hoping to minimize any creasing.  RBR Gracious Arasari was in the crease with Too Faced Cocoa Star in the outer corner.  On the lowers, I smudged the purple Illa color into a blue-purple Sephora Flashy liner pencil.  UD Uzi was on the very inner corner and Virgin was my brow highlight.  Also, I lined the uppers with UD Mildew pencil.

I actually really like all the colors on my face here and find them to be nicely harmonious.  My blush was Tarte Tipsy powder and my lipstick was a combination of Tarte Buff and Achiote pencils.

I look extra glowy here because I was HOT!  Also, I learned that I do not love Clinique's CC Cream with BECCA Mineral over top.  It was okay, it just didn't wear as flawlessly through the day as I had hoped.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  Let me know if you have questions about anything that I used that is not mentioned, or anything at all, really.

Spring Forward

Face:
Miracle Skin Transformer SPF 20 Translucent
Urban Decay Naked Skin 0.5
Illamasqua Concealer 115 (spots)
Tarte Maracuja Concealer Fair (under eye)
Nars Light Reflecting Powder Loose

Cheeks:
Illamasqua Katie
Nars New Order

Eyes:
Nars eye primer
Chanel Illusion d'Ombre Illusoire (lid into crease)
Chanel Illusion d'Ombre Vision (center of the lid over Illusoire)
Urban Decay Virgin e/s (inner corner and brow bone)
Sephora Flashy e/l Ultra Black
MUFE Aqua Eyes e/l 16L (lower lash line)
Fyrinnae Bitey Tyrannosaur (smudged into lowers)
Urban Decay El Dorado e/l pencil (inner lowers)
Urban Decay Mildew e/l pencil (waterline)
Stila Stay All Day liner pen (tight line)
L'Oreal Voluminous False Fiber Lashes Black Lacquer mascara
Anastasia Brow Powder Duo Ash Blonde (light side)

Lips:
Beaute Weightless Lip Creme Trace


Thoughts about this face...  I'm really happy with the color of the Urban Decay foundation.  It seems to be a good mix of yellow and pink on me.  It also photographs nicely!  I adore Illusoire and it's been a while since I wore it.  It did not disappoint and even though I've had some creasing in the past, it wore like a champ today and did not budge one bit.  Vision only gave me minimal fall out, too, so I'm pleased with that.  I adore the Trace lippie.  It's such a lovely, perfect pinky-nude on me.

I'm not happy about the under eye concealer looking a pinch too light here, but in person I think it was better.  And I'm wondering if I should have put mascara on my lower lashes or not.  Obviously, I went with the lazy option of not doing it.  I think I like it okay that way, but I'm not sure.

Enough rambling!  Thanks for stopping by!  Let me know what you think.

Diamond Dusk

This was a face from last week.  I was wearing Make Up For Ever Lift Foundation in #11, Nars Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder, Guerlain Meteorites Perles du Paradis, Tarte AC Adored Blush, YSL Glossy Stain #15, and Tarina Tarantino's Diamond Dusk Aurora Jewel palette (LE from a while back).  How's about that for a quick product breakdown?!  :)

Thanks for stopping by!

NW10

Recently, I picked up a sample of MAC Studio Fix liquid in NW10 to try out.  Here I am wearing it!

On my eyes, I used Urban Decay shadows:  Mushroom on the lid, AC/DC in and above the crease, and Ecstasy smudged into liner on the lowers.  I used UD Perversion pencil liner along both lash lines.  On the uppers, I smudged Perversion eyeshadow into it, under Mushroom.

I applied the Studio Fix using my fingers.  I found that a little goes a long way and also I needed to work quickly as it dries rather fast.  I am very pleased with the coverage and lasting power!  The color match is excellent, as well.  Normally I wear foundations that are a tiny bit darker than this and either bronze my neck to match or can't even be bothered to do that!  It's weird seeing myself in a color that matches my neck closely but also doesn't totally wash me out.

It's pretty hard to tell, but I've used UD Asphyxia pencil along the water line.  In my brows is Anastasia powder duo in Ash Blonde (just the lighter side).  Also, I'm testing out a sample of DiorShow Iconic OverCurl mascara.  It's not super dramatic, but it does get major points for wearing extremely well on both my upper and lower lash lines (most mascaras smudge terribly on my lower lashes).

I'd like to try mixing some radiance primer or something a bit glowy into the Studio Fix to see how that goes.  It's a bit more matte than what I'm used to!

Let's not forget lips and blush!  I'm wearing Illamasqua Katie Blusher and Korres Lip Butter Glaze in Jasmine (I later switched to a brighter rose lip, which I really liked with these colors).  I also used Nars New Order (or did I?  I'm fairly certain I did!) for a shimmery cheek highlight - but it's not evident whatsoever in these pictures.

Thanks for stopping by!  I hope you enjoyed this look.

Slackin'

Okay.  I've been seriously slacking on the posts.  Sorry for that!  Here are a whole mess of looks from the last week +.  This first one features Shu Uemura's Prestigious Bordeaux palette.  I used the blush in the palette, as well!  That was a total pain in the bumsky to get on my brush because the pan is so tiny.

I'm wearing Beaute weightless lip creme in Trace.  It's a really good nude for me.  I was also testing out Nars Light Reflecting Powder (loose) - stay tuned for a freaky flash pic!

Prestigious Bordeaux is great for me, as long as I use a good base under the dark purple (I used Stila Smudge Stick in Tetra here).

Next is a face featuring really simple eyes with Laura Mercier Gilded Platinum eyeshadow.  I also used a Tarte SmolderEyes pencil in Rainforest Black.

The lipstick is By Terry Grenadine Diablotine.  I got it on super sale through Space NK recently!

Here is a look using the Ulta Lorac Mint palette.  I look so tired here!  It was kind of early in the morning.  I used all the shimmery shades of eyeshadow as well as the lightest matte ivory shade.

This one below features Guerlain Terracotta Sun in the City, which I've used as eyeshadow and also a highlight.  The liner is UD Lucky pencil and I used a darker brown in my crease (it's from Sephora's Moonshadow palette - the black and gold one).

I'm wearing BECCA Bronzing Skin Perfector, along with BECCA mineral powder, Dior Aurora 01 bronzer, and Hello Kitty blush (from the black and white Head of the Class palette).  BECCA beach tint in Dragonfruit is on my lips.

The next look features the lovely Nars Cordura eyeshadow duo, a la smoky.  I'm loving how my eyes look more blue here.  I wore Dior Aurora as blush here and Lipstick Queen gloss in Saunter.

Also worth noting is that I'm wearing the Too Faced BB Cream in Snow Glow, along with the Nars Light Reflecting Loose.  I think my skin looks really great!

Last, but not least, is a smoky look with shadows from Urban Decay's NYC book of shadows.  I used Loaded, Bordello, Rockstar, and Perversion.  I've done this look before and I imagine I may do it again!  I just love it.

I'm wearing Illamasqua Naked Rose blush, Nars New Order (super shimmery in person), and Nars Albatross lip gloss.

I really wish I had bronzed my neck.  It only takes about 10 seconds, but makes a big difference (at least, in pictures, where my neck often looks blindingly white compared to my face).  Live and learn!

Thanks for stopping by and do let me know if you have questions about anything.  I'm happy to ramble on more about these looks, as much as I can remember what I did/used.  :)  Aaaaand I'm going to try to get back to more regular posts (unless of course you like these monster posts).