How I Wear: bareMinerals "The Possibilities"

My laptop crashed (well, it works, but it has to be plugged in at all times) and even though we have a desktop, I just slacked in writing another post. You see, I need the portability of the laptop so I can keep up with the three toddlers trashing my house. I have a very busy little boy, and another one in the works. No unsupervised time is advised.

Anywho...next up in the series is the understated "The Possibilities." When I saw this quad as part of their December TSV for QVC, I wasn't thrilled. It was the other shades offered in the auto-delivery plan that got me to take the plunge. When I received my Beautifully Brilliant kit in the mail, I was pleasantly surprised to see the READY 4.0 quad in person. (This isn't important, but I loved everything else in the kit as well...hello, READY Liner Shadow!) As far as I know, this quad was exclusive to this kit from QVC - I'm not sure if it will be available as a single product purchase from the boutique or another retailer at some point in the future.

bareMinerals The Possibilities, clockwise from top left: Promise, Future, Destiny, Sign

The shades are muted, but quite beautiful when applied. Online, the shades are described as:

• Promise: a creamy beige
• Future: a sunset pink
• Destiny: a warm gray matte
• Sign: a smoky purple haze

bareMinerals The Possibilities, L-R: Promise, Future, Destiny, Sign

bareMinerals The Possibilites, L-R: Promise, Future, Destiny, Sign

I have read mixed reviews on this particular combination of shades. I've found that after applying them a few different times, I really do like what they've included. I think my favorite so far has been, Future all over the lid, Destiny on the outer corner and through the crease, Sign blended into the outer corner, lower lash line and deep into the socket, and Promise as a brow and inner corner highlight.

{Face}
It Cosmetics IT-O2 Oxygen Anti-Aging Liquid Foundation - Light
tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Concealer - Light
bareMinerals Blush - perfect rose
bareMinerals Mineral Veil - perfect light
bareMinerals brow powder - dark blonde medium brown

{Eyes}
bareMinerals prime time
bareMinerals The Possibilities
bareMinerals READY liner - The Horizon duo, Perspective (brown shade)
Mally Volumizing Mascara - Black

Do you have this quad? What are your favorite ways to wear these colors?

Ahhhh, the possibilities ;),

Becca

How I Wear: bareMinerals "The Wild Thing"

Scared. I am scared of wearing bright colors. Why? I don't know, it's just makeup, right? I first fell in love with the packaging of the Remix Trend Collection (out for spring from bareMinerals), and almost bought items for that reason alone. 

I decided to try The Wild Thing....and I will say that I am not sorry. While it's not a quad I would reach for everyday, it is nice for a change. And the super "scary" colors? Not so scary. I think I've said it before, bareMinerals READY shadows can be sheered out, or built up to the color you see in the pan. It makes these brighter shades more wearable for the color shy.

Online, bareMinerals describes the shades as:

bareMinerals The Wild Thing, clockwise from top: Sensational, Icon, Controversy, Elitist.

• Sensational: iridescent aqua
• Elitist: bronzed taupe
• Icon: electric chartreuse
• Controversy: deep marine blue

bareMinerals The Wild Thing, L-R: Sensational, Icon, Elitist, Controversy

bareMinerals The Wild Thing, L-R: Sensational, Icon, Elitist, Controversy

This READY 4.0 quad retails for $30 and is sold in stores and online at bareescentuals.com, ulta.com, sephora.com, or anywhere else bareMinerals items may be sold.

Here is how I wore The Wild Thing:

Icon on the lid, Controversy blended onto the outer corner, Elitist in the crease and Sensational as an inner corner and brow highlight. I also smudged Icon, Elitist and Controversy under my lower lashes, in that order, from inner to outer corner. I used a navy colored liner and smudged Controversy over the top.

I know - such a dork! Trying to have some fun and get a picture without 1 of my 3 toddlers in the background.

bareMinerals The Wild Thing, top to bottom: Controversy, Elitist, Icon, Sensational 

bareMinerals The Wild Thing, clockwise from top left: Icon, Controversy, Elitist, Sensational

If you were wondering, here is a list of all other products/tools used. I will try to include this for those that wonder what else is on my face. I don't know that I would necessarily pair the bright lip with this eye look, but I wanted to try a new Moxie out. 
Other products used:

{Face}

Smashbox Photo Finish Hydrating Primer

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation--3.5

Bobbi Brown Corrector--Light Bisque

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles Treatment Concealer--Light

theBalm Time Balm Concealer--Lighter Than Light

bareMinerals brow color--dark blonde/medium brown

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural--Light Plus

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer--Original Chocolate

MAC Powder Blush--Melba

bareMinerals READY Luminizer--The Love Affair

{Eyes}

bareMinerals Prime Time eyelid primer

bareMinerals READY 4.0--The Wild Thing

Mally Evercolor Ultimate waterproof eyeliner--Navy

Chanel Long Lasting Eyeliner--Ebene

Mally Volumizing Mascara

{Lips}

bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie--Siren

{Brushes}

Sigma:

F80-Flat Kabuki

F75-Concealer

F20-Large Powder

F25-Tapered Face

F10-Powder/Blush

F35-Tapered Highlighter

E55-Eye Shading

E25-Eye Blending

E21-Smudge

Stila:

9

bM:

precision eye

brow

Do you have this quad? Any suggestions on how I should wear it?

Hope you're having a great Monday (if that's possible)....don't forget to check out the 50% off sale on theBalm.com!! I think it goes until 10am PST tomorrow (April 9th).

Here's to the The Wild Thing ;-),
Becca

How I Wear: bareMinerals "The Truth"

So....leave it to me to start a new series to give myself structure, and then not actually do anything for 2 weeks. Awesome. Well, I do have good reason for not posting sooner, but whatever. I'm here now! 

The first product I'm featuring in this new series is bareMinerals The Truth. I feel like this brand is often overlooked and not given the attention it deserves. Don't get me wrong, there are some amazing die hard fans out there, but generally speaking, whenever I search online for reviews or videos, there aren't always a ton to choose from. 

The Truth is a lovely neutral quad. I find it extremely easy to wear and is one of those that can be used lightly or smoked up a bit for a night out (whatever that is....it's been a while). 

bareMinerals describes these shades as:

• Serendipitous: delicate peach
• Magnetism: brushed taupe
• Fate: light mocha glaze
• Apropos: twinkling espresso

bareMinerals The Truth: (clockwise) Serendipitous, Magnetism, Fate and Apropos

bareMinerals The Truth: Serendipitous, Magnetism, Fate and Apropos

For an easy go-to look, I like to pat Serendipitous all over the lid and use as a highlight. I place Magnetism through the socket, outer corner and the middle of the lower lash line. Using Fate, I deepen the outer corner and blend along the outer third of the lower lash line. I line my upper lash line with Apropos.

Eye of the Day featuring bareMinerals The Truth READY 4.0 Quad

 

I only got one decent (referring to quality) picture on my "real" camera - and it's this goofy one right here. I tried for several days to wear the quad and remember (or have time) to take pictures. And that would be the reason that all of them are from my iPhone instead. Although the photo quality is not the best, I think you get the idea. Future posts will have better photos, but if I catch a good one on the iPhone, I'm not above using it.

In this last photo, I have on a cream color base from MAC (Take Root), and I've used Serendipitous along the inner third of the lid, Magnetistm on the outer two thirds and blended softly through the crease to meet the highlight (Serendipitous). Then I used a tapered blending brush (E45 from Sigma) and put Fate tightly in the crease and onto the outer corner. Next I used a brown eyeliner smudged into the lash line and topped with Apropros. Lower lash line: Apropos on the outer third, Fate in the middle, Magnetism on the inner third and Serendipitous on the inner corner. Good thing the photo really shows you how I used it. Oh Becca....how helpful am I? Also, this photo was taken about 8 hours after applying it - some of it has rubbed off. I'm one of those that touches my eyes a lot throughout the day.

The READY 4.0 quads from bareMinerals retail for $30 and you can find them in a bareMinerals boutique, Ulta or Sephora, as well as online at bareescentuals.com, ulta.com, sephora.com, qvc.com, or wherever else bareMinerals is sold.

If you have this quad, what is your favorite way to wear it?

Hope you all (yes, all 2 of you), have a wonderful weekend! I'll be doing a bit of judging at a cheer competition. Woohoo!

Becca

bareMinerals: My Latest Obsession

Please tell me you've tried the READY line of bareMinerals? Ok, so I haven't tried the foundation, blush or bronzer from the line...yet. I'm still obsessing over their eyeshadows. So many pretty colors!

Now, to be fair, I was a fan of the original formulation of bareMinerals. I love so many of the shades. But I haven't used them in a while because, like many others will tell you, the loose pigments can be such a mess and take longer to apply. 

Shades in pot clockwise: Bare Skin, Black Ruby and Desire. Shown on hand L-R: Desire, Bare Skin and Black Ruby.

I highly recommend picking up a duo...or quad....or palette...or some of each. This formula is so buttery smooth and pigmented, and they blend beautifully. I honestly love all of the shadows I own from this line. As far as application, I think it's important to mention--you do not need to sweep your brush around in the shadows. You only need to tap into the color, and then pat or lightly sweep the shadow onto your lid, depending on what look you're going for. If you want a wash of color, use a fluffier brush. For more color payoff, use a stiffer, more dense brush.

Some shades are more sheer, but can be built up to the vibrancy you see in the pan. This is something I appreciate about this brand - scary shades become wearable for us "shy-of-bold-color" folk, but will equally satisfy those of us who crave "look-at-me" lids.

When I put my finger in the pan to swatch, it almost tricks my mind. They feel so creamy to the touch, but they are definitely a powder. As I mentioned above, you don't need to swirl the brush around in the pan - if you do, you will absolutley see product being dislodged. This is not to say that the formula is powdery or has fall out, it just speaks to how finely milled and pigmented it is.

I will admit, the first duo I purchased (The Epiphany), I sometimes struggled with a little bit of skipping with the darker, matte shade. I have since remedied any issue I had (my primer was a little too tacky and was grabbing the shadow). Now, I like to apply a transition color first, whether another bM shade or not, when I'm using the darker shade to blend into the crease. Problem solved, and since it's a step I already do anyway, I don't mind doing it first, and now actually prefer doing my makeup that way.

So here it is...a peek at my bareMinerals READY eyeshadow collection.

Listed from L-R, T-B: The Finer Things 8.0, Shine On Palette, The Star Treatment 8.0, The Cliff Hanger 2.0, The Scenic Route 2.0, The Escape 2.0, The Happy Place 4.0, The Possibilities 4.0, The Enlightenment 2.0, The Epiphany 2.0, The Horizon Line (liner shadow), The Nick of Time 2.0, The Showstopper 2.0, The Vision 2.0, The 15 Minutes 2.0, The Promise 2.0, The Truth 4.0 and The Rare Find 4.0.

If you're interested in a particular duo or quad, let me know in the comment section below. I'm starting a new "How I Wear" series for this blog where I will be featuring a different product for each post, along with swatches and photos showing the product in action.

I realize my blog is not seen by many, but I figure I might as well help out anyone who happens to stumble upon one of my posts. If you're reading this, thanks so much for stopping by!

Resolving to put more into my blog in 2013,

Becca

EOTD: I think I've found my "Happy Place"...

Ummmm, yes. I have definitely found "The Happy Place." Stop being nasty - I'm talking about one of the new limited edition quads being promoted in the Super Natural Trend Collection from bareMinerals. 

This collection is gorgeous and features, along with several other products, two limited edition Ready 4.0 quads with new shades: The Happy Place and The Rare Find. I love them both! Check out my other post for my mini review, swatches, and comparison. Here is how I used The Happy Place:

1. I primed my eyelid with the tarte clean slate 360 creaseless 12-hour smoothing eye primer.
2. I swept the lightest shade all over my eye, from lash line to brow bone, with a Sigma E25.
3. I used a Sigma E55 to pat the rose gold shade all over the lid.
4. Next, I deepened the crease with the taupe shade, using an E25.
5. With an E45, I blended the eggplant color just onto the outer corner.
6. I used the same shade to line my upper lash line and placed it on the outer third of my lower lash line with an E30.
7. Using the E30 again, I blended the rose gold shade on the middle third of the lower lash line.
8. Next, I lined my upper and lower water line with the Maybelline Master Drama Cream Pencil in Midnight Master.
9. Last, I applied gifted Amazonian clay smart mascara from tarte (loving this!).

Other products used: tarte clean slate poreless 12-hr perfecting primer, tarte maracuja miracle foundation in fair, Bobbi Brown Corrector in Light Bisque, Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circles in Light, the Balm time balm concealer in lighter than light, MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Light Plus, Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder, tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Exposed, Maybelline Define-A-Brow in Light Brown, Rimmel Stay Glossy Lip Gloss in All Night Long.  

 I can't do the serious face pictures without giggling :)

What do you think? Do you have this quad? Any suggestions on how to use these shades?

Here's to you finding "The Happy Place" - Becca

bareMinerals and Stila: Mini Review and Swatches

My husband knows he's married to a makeup junkie...and I think he accepts it. Heck, I would go so far as to consider him an enabler, but I am absolutely not complaining about that. Honey, if you're reading this, thank you for my new "toys."

Stila Eye Shadow Trio Set in Amsterdam

Stila Eye Shadow Trio Set - Amsterdam

Included: a refillable 3-pan eyeshadow palette and a pan each of dune, sun and twig eyeshadows.

L-R Dune, Sun and Twig

These shadows are of the same great quality as the other Stila eyeshadows I own. Twig actually feels quite dry, but still delivers a beautiful color, albeit not quite as pigmented as I would hope. I think these are great shades for the summer, and for transitioning into the fall as well.

Direct sunlight - Dune, Sun, Twig

Indoors, natural light - Dune, Sun, Twig

I picked this little beauty up at Sephora for $16.00. You read that right. Such a great deal! There are several other options available, but I either wasn't interested in the color combination, or I already had one or two of the shades in the trio. I highly recommend these little sets - you can't go wrong!  

bareMinerals Ready Eyeshadow 4.0 - Quads from The Super Natural Trend Collection

All of the bareMinerals Ready shadows I own have been superior in quality, and these quads are no exception. They are so buttery smooth and richly pigmented, they sometimes seem unreal. The only issue I've encountered is that the matte shades sometimes don't apply and blend as easily as shades with different finishes. However, I think it may just be because the shadow is sticking to the primer. I've solved this minor issue by using a lighter shade as an all over base, layered over the primer, and then continuing with my eyeshadow application as usual. The skipping does not keep me from using and enjoying these shadows, and it will not keep me from adding more of these to my collection in the future. 


These bareMinerals Ready 4.0 quads retail for $30.00 and are available online at bareescentuals.com, Sephora, QVC and Ulta. Since they are part of a limited edition collection, they may not be available at all retail stores and you should check availability before heading out to purchase. If you want to compare value, 4 refill pans from MAC would total $48.00 ($60 if purchased in the casing) for 6g of product. With bareMinerals, you are paying $30.00 for 5g, which, when compared is $8/g for MAC and $6/g for bM.

Check out swatches below, along with comparisons to other shades from my collection.

bareMinerals The Happy Place

This is my kind of palette! I have hazel eyes that can lean green when paired with the right shades. I like the way this quad brings out the green in my eyes, and I just plain like these colors. Check out my EOTD featuring this quad (to be posted soon! posted!).

Direct sunlight - L-R: Peace, Imagine, Exhale, Euphoria

Indoors, natural light - L-R: Peace, Imagine, Exhale, Euphoria

bareMinerals The Rare Find

I think this quad screams fall - such beautiful shades. The green shade was probably what attracted me most, that and it's limited edition. 

Direct sunlight, L-R: Lost for Words, Surreal, Eureka, Frisson

Natural light, L-R: Lost for Words, Surreal, Eureka, Frisson

Comparison Swatches

Let's start with The Happy Place....


Imagine

I think I went a little crazy pulling out every shade I thought might be similar...oh well. Of the shades I swatched, I think MAC's Expensive Pink was probably the closest, followed by bareMinerals Pinot Noir and Inglot 407.

In both photos, the order is as follows: (1) Expensive Pink (MAC), (2) Imagine, (3)Pinot Noir (bM), (4) Brighton Peach (NYC duo), (5) Imagine, (6) Emerald Boudoir (highlight shade, Lancome), (7) Inglot 407, (8) Variations (peach shade, Chanel), (9) Melon pigment (MAC).

I know the photos look almost identical, but it's a slightly different angle.

Exhale
The only shades I had that were similar were Urban Decay's Tease and MAC's Copperplate. Neither are very close, but I'd go with Copperplate for a similar look.









Euphoria
Moving on to the eggplant shade of Euphoria...ahhh, it's so pretty. Here we go: (1) Kaska Beige (dk purple shade, Chanel), (2) Euphoria, (3) Day to Night (purple shade, ELF), (4) Sketch (MAC), (5) Euphoria, (6) 423 (Inglot), (7) Private Affair (deep wine shade, Lorac), (8) Encore (purple shade, Smashbox), (9) Black Ruby (bM). 

Comparison swatches for Euphoria

Although none of these shades are ones I would consider a dupe, there are a few that are similar. I'd say Sketch and Inglot 423 are similar, and even Black Ruby - although if you buff Black Ruby too much, it just starts to look black. After taking these photos, I about hit myself in the head. Why didn't I include Twinks in the mix? Don't worry, I finally came to my senses (look down there somewhere). 

Next, I have a comparison photo below of four MAC shades I would consider to be the most similar (of shades that I currently own).

L: The Happy Place
R: MAC's All That Glitters, Expensive Pink, Copperplate and Sketch 

The photos above are taken at a little bit different angles so that you can see the sheen of the shades. In each pair of swatches, The Happy Place shade is on the left.

Close up of Peace-All That Glitters and Imagine-Expensive Pink

Of the MAC shades I have, All That Glitters was the closest I had to compare to Peace. I'm fairly certain there has to be another MAC shade that would be more similar, or at least with the same finish, but I can only work with what I have.

Now, Expensive Pink is extremely close to being an exact dupe, but it is not 100% exact. The peachy/golden sheen in both shades is pretty dead on, however, the color is not quite the same.

Close up of Exhale-Copperplate and Euphoria-Sketch

Copperplate is obviously more gray than Exhale, but it may provide a very similar look when applied to the eye. Euphoria also has much more of a sheen than Sketch does, although it does have a similar color.

Finally, I decided to swatch Twinks next to Euphoria. I think I originally did, but there were swatches all over my hands and arms, and when it came to do the swatches for the photo, I somehow decided it was too brown to include. Twinks has a very similar finish, but the color is more brown than Euphoria. I think it would be worth it to try a look using Sketch and one using Twinks to see what performs more like The Happy Place on the eye.

Top-Euphoria and Sketch, Bottom-Twinks (MAC)

Let's check out similar shades for The Rare Find...

Eureka

L-R: Spectacular (bM), Eureka, La Douce (Stila), Meadow (Stila)

Now, I already own the Ready 2.0 in Scenic Route, and I was concerned (more like wondering) if the green shade in that duo would be too much like Eureka. While the color is similar, the sheen is not. Both are shimmery, but I'd say that Spectacular is more on the frosty side and has a much more prominent golden sheen. 

Frisson
This color was much harder for me to find any shades that were similar enough to even include in a comparison. The closest shade I found was a bareMinerals eye and cheek color in Soft Focus Savvy.

L-R: Frisson and Soft Focus Savvy

Hope the photos are helpful in either convincing you that you need these limited edition quads, or maybe that you don't need them. Did I mention that they are limited edition? These are wearable shades that can both be worn during the day and also intensified to be worn more dramatically at night.

Let's not forget about the Stila trio in Amsterdam - such a great deal for some remarkable shadows.

So, what's the verdict? Are you going to make any of these yours?

Love, from one makeup junkie to another - Becca