Thursday, December 24, 2009

Saturday, December 12, 2009

Heidi Klum's VS Holiday 2009 Exotic Jewels Collection


For the most part when it comes to makeup I've never really been one to buy anything besides normal drugstore brands. However, when I first saw Hedi Klum's Exotic Jewels Holiday collection for Victoria Secret it was love at first sight. I came across the collection in November when I was browsing Victoria's Secrets website and just knew I had to take a trip to VS and splurge on something!

I ended up getting two items from the Exotic Jewels collection. First I got the Face Powder Gems which was a random gift from my sister. The gems are a mix of pinks, nudes and champages and I've been using it over my blush to add a little extra sparkle. To me the Face Powder Gems aren't really all that pigmented, but they do provide a little bit of sparkle. And not a fake glittery one but a nice subtle glow. I also got a $10 dollar gift card in the mail from Victoria Secret for the holidays and I used that on the Hidden Palace eyeshadow palette. From my experience Victoria Secret makes really great eyeshadow palettes!

I own one other VS eyeshadow palette which I think is from one of their makeup collections in 2007 (the Heavenly Faces quad with white, brown, purple and blue shadows). Ever since I got the Heavenly Faces palette it has been one of my FAVORITE go-to eyeshadow palettes. My addiction to these VS eyeshadows was one of the reasons I could not pass up Hedi Klum's Hidden Palace palette. After using Hedi's palette a few times I can honestly say I LOVE it just as much (if not more than) my Heavely Faces one!!! It's seriously AMAZING! The shadows are pigmented yet you can still apply them sheer. The only color eyeshadow that I haven't tried from the collection is the black. Mostly because I don't know what to do with it or how to incorporate it in with the lighter shades. The only downside to the palette is that the brush it comes with isn't all that great. Personally I don't see that as being such a big deal. I just use another eyeshadow brush I have.

The limited edition collection was inspired by Hedi's recent trip to India and includes six items:


The face gems and eyeshadow palette are probably about all I will be getting from the collection. I love the shade of the lipstick and lipgloss however they both have a strong smell to them that I really couldn't stand. I read online they are supposed to smell like chocolate but in the store they smelled like spices to me. I don't use eyeliner all that much so there is no need to buy that. If I were to get anything else from the collection it would probably be the Amethyst mascara...I don't know if I am adventurous enough to try a crazy colored mascara though!

If you haven't yet check out Hedi Klum's limited edition Exotic Gems collection! These items great quality, beautifully packaged and best of all modestly priced. The Exotic Jewels collection items would make really great gifts (to give or get) for the holidays. Overall I am SUPER happy with the two items I have. I think this may be the beginning of an addiction to Victoria Secret's makeup...I'm really excited to see what they have in store for Spring/Summer and even for next year around the holidays! :)

Sunday, December 6, 2009

YouTube Beauty Guru looks I'm loving for the Holiday Season...

Hi Girls! Just though I would share two makeup tutorials from YouTube that I have tried and think are cute (especially for the winter/holiday season)! In November I tried julieg713's plaid nail art design. I think her design would be super cute for the holiday season! You could even use traditional plaid colors such as red, black, and green or come up with your own crazy combination of colors.

Another look I am really loving is AllThatGlitters21's "Pop of Green" tutorial that she did for people with brown eyes. I have brown eyes and I agree with her-the bit of green really shows them off ! I love this look so much I have been doing a dupe of it ALL week long!

P.S.- For Elle's Pop of Green look Avon's Glimmerstick eyeliner in Emerald is a great (and cheaper) alternative to Urban Decay's Covet. That's what I've been using! :)