Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab / Trading Post Review and Haul!

I've never bought from BPAL before, and I have wanted to for YEARS. Kind of feel lame getting obsessed with them so late, when there are so many people who have been buying their scents for years, but, eh. Better late then never. Overall, I am very impressed with the scents; they are all crafted and thought out very well. I high recommend them, and am overall pleased with the majority of the scents.

What I Ordered (Might Post Pictures if Anyone is Interested)

Black Phoenix Trading Post
Halloween Inquisition Pack (Treat) :
• LICORICE BATS – Black licorice with cacao nibs and anise.
• TREATSY BATH OIL - Apple candies and lemon drops.
• PLASTIC JACK O’LANTERN SOAP - A plastic Jack o’Lantern, scattered with bits of rock candy, honey taffy, butterscotch, marshmallow buttons, gumdrops, jellybeans, and bubblegum.
• WHITE PUMPKIN EXTRAIT
• IMP’S EAR: WAD OF CHEWED UP STRAWBERRY BUBBLEGUM

Black Phoenix Alchemy Lab
• Halloweenie: Boo 2010 - Eerie billows of spun sugar, fluttering white cotton, and sheets of cream.
• Halloweenie: Ghoulish - This season’s Ridiculous Scent! Creepy like Creepy and as spooky as Spooky, this is the scent of a black cherry and coconut amaretto confection gently laced with saffron.
Imp’s Ears:
• HUNGER - Evokes sheer, unadulterated carnal lust. An undeniably warm and sensual scent. Black narcissus, orange blossoms, and vanilla.
• LOLITA - Bright, sweet and youthful, but swelling with a poisonous sexuality. Glittering heliotrope, honeysuckle, orange blossom and lemon verbena.
• SIREN - Bewitching, tantalizing and dangerously seductive. A thrilling, exotic blend — deceptively sweet, but spiked with malice. White ginger, jasmine, and a touch of vanilla and apricot.
• HAUNTED - A mournful, poignant scent, thick with foreboding. Soft golden amber darkened with a touch of murky black musk.
• BLOOD - A vital, bold scent, throbbing with sensuality. Essence of dragon’s blood resin, thickened with myrrh and cherry, with a trickle of clove.
• MAENAD - Orgiastic mayhem in the extreme: sweet strawberry and orange blossom distorted by carnation, black poppy and hibiscus.
• FAE - A brilliant, ethereal scent: white musk, bergamot, heliotrope, peach and oakmoss.
Imp Samples:
• BLUE FIRE - Papaya, blueberry, lemongrass, and gin.
• BRUISED VIOLET COMPOND – Crushed violets, red currant, patchouli root and Spanish moss. http://www.blackphoenixalchemylab.com/bruisedviolet_lg.gif
• BIEN LOIN D’ICI – The Scarlet Woman, aglow with sensual indolence: red musk, benzoin, caramel accord, golden honey, and spiced Moroccan unguents.
• THE APOTHECARY – Tea leaf with three mosses, green grass, a medley of herbal notes, and a drop of ginger and fig.
• L’EAMEN DE MINUIT – The rapture of sorrowful things: frankincense, black plum, melancholy lilac, rose otto, and myrrh.
• TWINKLE, TWINKLE LITTLE BAT – A sparkly, batty little scent: green tea, melon, mint, lime rind, and champagne grape with lemon balm, mullein, and toadflax.

I Choose You! - #262 Mightyena

RAMBLE RAMBLE So I got a new camera and I am in love with it. There. I said it. My old one broke and as much as I liked it and all the good times we shared... I definitely am loving the new one. ANYWHO. Mightyena! I noticed this looks WAY too similar to Absol, and I'm kicking myself for that. Oh well...



Brows:
Senna Cosmetics Brow Shaper in Light Taupe

Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Milk
88 Palette
MAC eye shadows in; Carbon, Print
Rimmel Stay Matte Compact Powder Foundation in Sand
LA Splash Eye Sparkle in Island Sunset
MAC Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Feline
K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner 24hr
Estee Lauder Sumptuous Mascara

Cheeks:
NARS bronzer in "Laguna"

Lips:
OCC Liptar in "Petty Beige"

I Choose You! Tutorial Series - #133 Eevee

I was requested by someone on YouTube to do a tutorial on eevee. Eevee I think is super adorable, and probably among my top 20 favorite pokemon. They specified this was for a con, so while I could easily have done something really extreme and unwearable (as it was for gijinka cosplay) I decided to keep it pretty simple and pretty, because that is kind of the vibe I get from eevee. Hope you like :)

>

Brows:
MAC Fluidline in Black Track (applied SUPER lightly)
Brown e/s from the 88 Palette

Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Kryolan Aquacolor in #043 (Brown)
Matte Warm Brown (Lancome; color name unknown), matte Lighter tan (Mary Kay; color name unknown), Dark brown (Chanel; color name unknown)
*** You could substitute colors from the 88 palette for these**
MAC eyeshadow in "Next to Nothing"
MAC fluidline in "Black Track"
K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner 24hr
Estee Lauder Sumptuous Mascara
False Lashes (brand unknown)

Cheeks:
NARS bronzer in "Laguna"
NARS blush in "Orgasm"

Lips:
NYX Lipliner Pencil in Soft Brown
Lancome Color Design Lipstick in "Sugared Maple"
OCC Liptar in "Petty Beige"
NYX Goddess of the Night Lipgloss in "Smokey Look"

(Excuse my photos, for some reason my camera took them so I look really pale and ashy for some reason...)

I Choose You! Tutorial Series - #384 Rayquaza

This was probably the most dificult damn pokemon tutorial I have done up to date. It's actually easier to do than Goldeen, however, for some reason this particular pokemon was bad luck. I literally have attempted to do a tutorial, not just a practice, but legitimately FILMING a tutorial about FIVE TIMES before I got it right. Kind of sort of ridiculous, I know. I was originally going to do something crazier, but them I remembered to "KISS"; keep it simple, stupid. Hope you like :)



Brows:
Senna Cosmetics Brow Shaper in Light Taupe
Brown e/s from the 88 Palette

Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Kryolan Aquacolor in #512 (Leaf green), #509 (yellow), and #081 (red)
88 Original Palette
MAC eyeshadow in "Goldenrod"
MAC kohl power eye pencil in "Feline"
K-Palette Real Lasting Eyeliner 24hr
Estee Lauder Sumptuous Mascara

Cheeks:
NARS bronzer in "Laguna"

Lips:
NYX Lipliner Pencil in Soft Brown
OCC Liptar in Melange

Rusted Hearth Makeup Tutorial

Sooooo. Yeah. Hi.
This is not a pokemon tutorial. I just really was in a rut, came up with this, liked it, and ran with it. I also got to use my NEW NARS Taj Mahal blush which I love love love sooo much.

Hurr chu go:



Products:

Brows:
88 Palette (brown)

Face:
Urban Decay De-Slick in a Tube
The Balm Time Balm Concealer in Medium
Some drugstore mineral powder that I no longer remember the brand/color/etc

Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
MAC Flammable Paint
MAC Electric Coral Pigment
88 Palette
MAC Fig 1 Eyeshadow
Make Up For Ever #92 Eyeshadow
NARS Albatross Blush
NARS Taj Mahal Blush
K-Palette 24/7 Tattoo Liner
Lancome Definicils Mascara

Cheeks:
NARS Albatross Blush
NARS Taj Mahal Blush
NARS Laguna Bronzer

Lips:
NYX Soft Brown lip pencil
MAC Freckletone Lipstick
Inglot Lip Gloss #11 Yogurt

Red Panda Face Painting

On Youtube I was tagged by TheKillerBurrito to do a painting of an exotic animal. I picked the red panda, because I think most of the big cats (lions, cheetahs, leopards) are kind of overrated. Plus, red pandas are REALLY cute!

I mostly used Kryolan Aquacolors (don't remember the numbers), as well as the white and black Make Up For Ever Flash Colors.









(If you plan on doing this legit, make sure you cover you neck! I didn't, because I was going to wash it off right after anyways c: )

Misleading Video Thumbnails: A Dramatization

Ullo, all of makeup blog reading land! I have no excuse for my abscence, again. Well, I do have turning 18, preparing for college, and being loaded with school work excuse. hm.

Anyways. Tell me if this has happened to you:

You're surfing the Tubes of the You, and you come across some makeup tutorials/videos/slideshows. The thumbnail looks REALLY snazzy. General, I see something really vibrant, well blended, and all around beautiful. I am intrigued. So I click.

However, the ACTUAL makeup in the video is a whole different story. It's usually less vibrant; the bright neon acid green is actually some matte, chalky, pastel mess. And sometimes, it's even blended and applied TERRIBLY.

I have sometimes been guilty of abusing Photoshop the edit my pictures. However, I general try to keep it realistic looking as it is in real life as possible. I understand that sometimes, video cameras have the tendency to wash out colors. However, video cameras DEFINATELY do not change how well blended your shadow is. And people with HD cameras? Don't even try to act like your shadow is actually brighter IRL.

Here is a dramatization of how it usually goes down (click to enlarge):

I Choose You! Tutorial Series - #039 Jigglypuff

Jigglypuff! Our favorite little singer. I always loved Jigglypuff as a form of comic relief on the show; it's little sharpie/microphone was just as iconic as the pink puffy ball of fluff. I think besides Pikachu, this was the most requested tutorial. And who can blame 'em; it's hard to resist something so cute and pink!



Face:
Benefit Dr. Feelgood
Revlon Color Stay Mineral Foundation in "060 Medium"
The Balm Time Balm Concealer in "Medium"

Brows:
88 Palette

Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Kryolan Aquacolor in 03 (Light Pink)
88 Original Palette
Revlon Color Stay Mineral Foundation in "060 Medium" (brow highlight)
Heavenly Natural Beauty Mineral Pigment in "Fantasy" (used wet as a liner)
Estee Lauder Sumptuous Mascara

Cheeks:
NYC Color Wheel Mosaic Powder in "Pink Cheek Glow"

Lips:
Stila Lipglaze in "Pinkle Twinkle"

Stila Lip Glazes

Long time no post, eh eh?
Yeah. I really have no excuse. Except laziness.
On an unrelated note, I was cleaning out my gargantuan picture folder on my computer, and have found a lot of unposted FOTDs and Makeup looks. Since they're so old though, I would have no idea what I used. But, if anyone wanted to see some, I could post them.

Anyways, today I went to Cosco with my family. They sometimes sell cosmetics there, and no suprise, they had a set of 8 mini Stila Lip Glazes for about $17. I don't know why, but I was compelled to buy them.



A normal sized lip glaze is 0.08 oz and $22 apiece. Each lip glaze in this set is 0.03 oz (a bit less than half) and about $2 apiece. Deal? I think so.



(Top to Bottom; Blackberry, Cranberry, Plum Fairy, and Candy)



(Top to Bottom; Kitten, Marmalade, Starfruit, Pinkle Twinkle)

All of the colors are very sheer. A few have no shimmer, while the rest have a very nice shimmer, with no obvious glitter chunks or gritty texture. They have little pigmentation, so if you're looking for a very pigmented gloss, I would not reccomend these. But for a nice, non-sticky, sheer wash of color, these are fantastic. Plus they smell absolutely gorgeous, each with their own distinct smell.

Swatches below:





Edit: I just realized that the SAME EXACT deal is sold at Sephora... for $25! Holy crap.

Sparkling Copper

Whooooooey. Tutorial time. And it's not a pokemon tutorial! Though I have a lot to do. Off the top of my head; I've had a few requests for Jigglypuff, Rayquaza, Mightyeena, Growlithe... I'm probably missing more but those are just the ones I can remember. So honestly... I should not be fucking around with non-pokemon tutorials. Oh well.

Anyways, this is a look based on the one I did for New Years Eve; it's not exact, but it was a brown smokey eye using Reflects Copper (which I loooove so so so so much!)

Here is what I used:

Face:
Honestly, I do not remember, because this tutorial is soooo old.

Brows:
88 Palette

Eyes:
UDPP
MAC Cream Color Base in Antique Gold
MAC Eyeshadow in Tempting(Dupe is "Smog" from UD)
MAC Pigment in Copperbeam
88 Palette
Ben Nye Glitter Glue
MAC Reflects Copper Glitter
Lancome Definicils Mascara
K-Palette 24/7 Tattoo Liner

Cheeks:
Lancome Blush Subtil in Cedar Rose

Lips:
Mark Glow Baby Glow Hookup Lipgloss in Secret Secret

Horrible Fanfiction

So yesterday two of my friends came over, and we were reading one of the worst fanfics of all time; My Immortal. So we thought it would be a good idea to write our own.

Only one chapter, but we hope to lengthen it. Here you go:

The Jonas Brothers Meet Edward Cullen

Chapter 1: Edward the vampire meets the jo-bros
“Hi, my name is Edwurd Cullen.” Said Edwuard culen to the joanas brothers. “I am a vampire, and I like your music. I like MCR and Hawthorne Heights and Slipknot and other goffick music to.” Edward was a vampire for as long as he had remember, he was biSt by Frank Sintatra (because he did many sins and was an aevil vampire too) when he was a kid too. He was kawaii ^_^ but he didn’t like being a vampire. He tried eating regular food but his toof hurt because vampires can only eat blood and not normal food because it hurts their tooths. “Oh hi, we’re the jonas brothers!” said the brothers happily, they didn’t know that Edward was a vampire because his teeth wheren’t sharp and ugly like those old vampires like Frankenstein and Nosfrtatu.

Old FOTD & blah & MAC Spring Colour Forecast

So, before I go on to a regular post, I must say that... one of my IRL frinds is following my blog. Not that I mind, I don't really care, but it's kind of awkward considering he is a straight boy who is uninterested in makeup (which is what I usually talk about) and thus will find my posts really boring. Just saying.

With that said, I realize how vain and petty beauty blogging must be to someone totally uninterested in this. Like, my upcomming FOTD probably seems really vain. The thing is, I don't take pictures of myself to be like "ADMIRE ME, MOTHER TRUCKERS". To be honest, I could give a flying fruck about how I look like, but rather, if my makeup (note: MAKEUP, not me) looks hot.


Anyways, this is a FOTD from Saturday (super late, I know). It was really simple and pretty and I liked it. I'm not going to list everything I used, but I did use Natural Flare beauty powder loose on my cheeks, and wet it to use on my eyelids. Makes such a pretty wash of color <3 Then I put a matte chocolate brown in the crease, and a neutral matte color to blend it all out (both were from the 88 palette). The lips? Chapstick. Hahaha. For the blush, I did something different and used a mix of mostly Cosmic Violet Ben Nye Lumiere Eyeshadow, with a touch of MUFE #92 (and when I say touch, I really mean VERY little). It was sort of something different, but after buffing it out it looked less bruise-like, and a very nice plummy pink. Eyebrows were also the 88 palette, and my staple K-Palette Tattoo Liner, and Lancome Definicils Mascara.

Anywhooo I've been trying to be a good little girl and save for IMATS L.A. and Anime Expo but... uh... the upcomming MAC Spring Collection is making this REALLY difficult. Take a look see at my wish list:

1. Eyeshadow – Very Violet - $14.50
2. Eyeshadow – Lala - $14.50
3. Eyeshadow – Hot Hot Hot - $14.50
4. Crush Metal Pigments – Stacked 1! - $32.50
5. Eyeshadow Quad – Colour 3 - $36.00
6. Eyeshadow Quad – Colour 4 - $36.00
7. Lipstick – Fresh Salmon - $14.00
8. Lipstick – Victorian - $14.00
9. Lipstick – Bubblegum - $14.00
10. Lipglass – Kumquat - $14.00
11. Lipglass – Hush, Hush Rose - $14.00
12. Lipglass – Electric Fuchsia - $14.00
13. Blush Ombre – Ripe Peach - $25.00
__________________________________________
Total: $243

... I hate not having money. Hopefully some of the above mentioned items, when I see in person, will not tempt me as much and I can skip on them. But seriously, why is this collection SO HUGE? Does MAC not realize we're in an economic frickin' recession? Grr. Damn you MAC. Damn you.

I Choose You! Tutorial Series - #118 Goldeen

So I'm pretty happy with this look in general, however I do hate the fact that the brows wax I used had started to crack/shift -___- oh, and the fact that my eye started watering like CRAZYYYY. Luckily I cut the part out of my video where I blew my nose and talked about "snot fetishists who would buy me stuff in exchange for blowing my nose on camera". Ah. Anyways, Goldeen. Goldeen... I can't say I was ever a fan as a kid, and from a trainer standpoint, I still am not. But I do think it is an absolutely GORGEOUS pokemon, with so much potential. I love her fins.



Face:
Cosmedicine Medi-Matte Oil Control Lotion
Benefit Dr. Feelgood
Sheer Cover Mineral Foundation in "Golden"
The Balm Time Balm Concealer in "Medium"

Brows:
Covered with Ben Nye Nose and Scar Wax
fake ones drawn in wih K-Palette 24/7 Liner

Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion
Kryolan Aquacolor in 288 (Orange), 070 (White), and 043 (Medium Brown)
Make Up For Ever Flash Color in 010 (Blanc/White)
88 Original Palette
Splash Eye Sparkle in "Avalanche" (Matte White) and "Island Sunset" (Matte Orange)
Ben Nye Grand Lumiere eyeshadow in "Tangerine"
NYX Glitter Cream Palette in "Eden"
24/7 Tattoo Liner
Lancome Definicils Mascara

Cheeks:
MAC Beauty Powder Loose in "Natural Flare"
NYX Blush in "Expresso"

Lips:
Make Up For Ever Flash Color in 010 (Blanc/White)
MAC Lipglass in "Sockhop"




And even though this is a bad quality webcam pic, I like this because you can see my Goldeen "horn" xD;

Serious Lash Lust

The first time I ever gazed upon Shu Uemura lashes, I remember my remarks exactly. It wasn't a remark of wonder, of awe, or of utter lash lust, but rather, "Who the fuck would pay that much for lashes?!"

Of course, as I grow more into the beauty community (or become more insane, I think they basically are the same thing) for some reason the idea of paying about $30 for a pair of lashes isn't crazy and never happening, but rather, a goal.

What lashes? Specifically, these; Shu Uemura's Black Velvet Feather false lashes. I'm 99% these are the same lashes used in the Pixiwoo Deep Purple New Years Party Look , and if so, I've been in love ever since. I noticed in the comments of the video, people complain about the lashes killing the look, or the look being too dark, etc etc, but as a beauty afficianado (aka, insane person), I immediately thought, "Holy fuck, those are hot. Gimme"

My lust is overwhelming.

And to add fire to the flame, with their new Ègèrie collection (whatever the hell it is) they are releasing ANOTHER set of falsies that I, of course, had to fall in love with.

The Ègèrie black leather false eyelashes



READ THIS MATHAR FRAWKIN DESCRIPTION: "Thick black lashes with eyeliner made from faux snake pressed leather. Add of a hint of rock accessories for a wild and sexy look.

The 130th shu uemura Spring Mode Makeup Collection invites you to be an "Egerie:" a rebellious and daring spirit who never loses her sense of elegance and sophistication. The collection is inspired by the glamour of rock and roll. Flashy, glimmering shine is complemented with delicate satin sheen finishes to transport you under the spotlight of the captivating rock stage."

If you've seen the rest of the collection, everything is very light, pretty, and spring-like, especially the packaging. I think the fact that the lashes are so edgy and dark and different (the lash band is made of frickin' LEATHER) is such an amazingly beautiful contrast. Unfortunately, despite the cute packaging, nothing else really catches my eye... except for the lashes.

I am going to be so poor this year :(

**Edit: I also really like (but don't necessarily NEED) this pair of interesting two color lashes, these adorable rainbow individual lashes, and these gorgeous mink luxe lashes (both the brown and the black look lovely. Black seems more "sexy sultry" and the soft brown looks so unique). Sigh.

**Double Edit: Oh god. I just discovered these multicolored beauties. Please shoot me.

Nars Wish List

I don't know about you, but I like making lists. I really do. I'm kind of a freak that way. And I especially enjoy lists when they have to do with things I want (thought not necessarily things I can always have). But hey, I enjoy looking at them.

Anyways, this is a list of (most) of the NARS single and duo eyeshadows I want. All of the pics and swatches come via Temptalia's Blog. I really love it, and enjoy her swatches/opinions/FOTDs! Check it out!

Anyways, things I really, really, REALLY want and probably will not have for a VERY long time (unless I win the lottery), starting wit hthe single eyeshadows:


China Blue, Tropic (singles, not a duo)

Galapagos

Himalayas

Lulu

Mekong
\
Night Porter

Night Rider

Party Monster

Duos:


Bysance

Cleo

Habanera

Iceland

Kiliminjaro

Meditiranee

Sugarland

Surabaya

Wicked

I don't have swatch pictures from this, but these are three things I want from the upcoming Nars Spring collection, releasing on January 15.



The eyeshadow duo is "Kuala Lumpur" and is described as a rose-gold / boysenberry color. VERY pretty. And the nail polish, since it's purple, is obviously calling my name. It is called "Purple Rain" and described as gothic purple (whatever the hell that means...). And my favorite of all is the eyeliner; it's called "Bains Douches" (Bright sky blue, silver glitter-infused hue). I'm really childish and immature, so it's quite obvious why I like the name so much. And to be perfectly honest, I initially misread it as "Brains Douches". Oh lordy.