Milani's Champagne Toast makes eyes look sparkling!

Sometimes in the morning you just don't have enough time for a complicated makeup look!  On those days I turn to a quick swipe of champagne eyeshadow.  It brightens up eyes and is universally flattering!

That's where Milani Shadow Eyez in 03 Champagne Toast comes into play!  This eyeshadow pencil is the bomb.

I don't have a lot of eyeshadow sticks - I tend to stick with pressed options.

 However, I had heard wonderful things about these Shadow Eyez sticks so I picked one up at CVS recently.

This promises 12 hour wear and I have to say it delivers.  I have oily lids and this stays on really well. (Of course, I use a primer, as usual.)  No creasing, no fading, and easy to layer other shadows on top of it.

The color is beautiful.  Today I did an incredibly simple makeup look using this on my lids.  A quick line of eyeliner, swipe of mascara, and bit of blush make everything work.

Doesn't this color make your heart melt?  I can't get over how beautiful!  I feel like I need the white Shadow Eyez now!

You can pick it up HERE for $7.49 or at your local CVS.

XOXO

-Kaitlin

Email me at orangelipstickblog@gmail.com

Tweet me at OrangeLipstickK

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All items were purchased by Orange Lipstick for personal use and review purposes. 

The most unique polish in my stash + a cheap dotting tool!

I have a pretty decent nail stash compared to the average woman.  (Compared to true polishaholics, I don't have anything.)  Anyway, I have a lot of nice shades but I think most of them are "Yep.  That looks like red," or "Yep, a purple glitter."

This, however, is my most unique polish (for the moment) and is something I just recently stumbled upon.  I have no idea how I hadn't heard of it until now!

This is Orly Ingenue and it's simply fantastic.  This is a pinkish-purplish metallic color with TONS of gold glitter!  The glitter is teeny-tiny and doesn't scream "glitter" like some super chunky glitters tend to do.

At some angles, the color is purple.  At other angles it is pink.  And at other angles the gold flares up to create a beautiful, shiny surface.  

This is one of those weird shades that is a GLITTER but is still super work-place appropriate.  I only used two coats in these pictures.  This is a nice, thin consistency which happens to be my favorite type to work with.  I know some people prefer a little thicker but this is perfect for me.

My only complaint is the Orly brush in general.  I hate how long it is because it tends to pick up waaaayyy more polish than you need for each nail.  Tread carefully!

Of course, I couldn't be satisfied with just this gorgeous color - I had to add in another favorite that I've mentioned before...

That's right!  I added dots in Milani Key West.  This really wasn't difficult at all.  I'd say it took about ten minutes to do both hands and that was because I was going nice and slowly.  And what did I use to dot?

That's right!  I'm a frugalista so I just stuck a pin in the end of a pencil eraser!  This makes a cheap and easy dotting tool!  Just put a blob of polish on a piece of paper/cardboard/wax paper/etc and then dot the end of the pin into it.  Easy!

Have you ever dotted your nails before?  What are your favorite color combos?

I bought my bottle of Orly Ingenue at Sally's Beauty Supply for about $6.50.

XOXO

-Kaitlin

Email me at orangelipstickblog@gmail.com

Tweet me at OrangeLipstickK

Find me on Facebook at Orange Lipstick Blog

All items were purchased by Orange Lipstick for personal use and review purposes.

Reader Question: Budget Blushes

Today I have a reader question that came from my sister!  She sent me a text with a picture of her Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes tube saying that she had picked it up (on my recommendation) and was loving both the mascara and the Baby Lips.  Sweet!  Then she sent me a follow up text:

“I need a recommendation for a good, reasonably priced blush, please :) ”

Sure thing, sis!  Now, I’m going to admit that I haven’t tried any of these out yet myself BUT I do read a lot of beauty blogs and these blushes pop up all over.  Blush is one of the few things that I’ve always stuck to high-end for, but I’m getting interested in some of these budget options!  So, here are my picks for budget blushes!  

Jordana Color Tint Blush Stick - $2.99 (Buy here)

Photo taken from Jordana's website

Stick blushes are all the rage right now.  You simply swipe them on and blend them out with your fingertips.  (Of course, be careful if you also use powder.  You’ll want to put these on before powder application.)  These are a STEAL at $2.99.  I’m actually about to order almost all of them!  You can only get them on Jordana’s website but let’s all pray to the makeup gods that they’ll be available in drugstores soon, mmkay?!    

Milani Baked Bronzer - $7.99 (Buy here)

Photo taken from Milani's website

Oh, Milani.  I love your lipsticks and your nail polishes – I can’t tell you how much you tempt me with these baked bronzers.  (You say bronzers…but let’s just admit that you are a blush!)  These remind me so much of the super-expensive blushes that just came out in the MAC Heavenly Creatures collection.  I just couldn’t make myself spring for those, but I think I may have to have one of these to satisfy the craving!  

Milani Baked Blush in Fantastico

Photo taken from Milani's website

Look at that purple-y color!  Wowza!  

Milani Powder Mosaics Bronzer and Brightener - $7.99 (Buy here)

Photo taken from Milani's website

Another pretty from Milani.  These are lovely, but they don’t excite me as much as the Baked Bronzers.  These are another blush option that won’t break the bank.

L’Oreal Paris Project Runway Blush - $8.57 (Buy here)

Photo taken from Walmart's website

The Muse (from Musings of a Muse) raves about the Project Runway Blushes.  They are part of the Fall offerings coming up so keep your eye peeled for them at Wal-Mart and other drugstore-type places.  I know this link only shows you one blush, but I promise that there are new and exciting ones coming out for Fall.  I’ve seen pictures on other blogs but can’t seem to find any promotional images.  I’ll update y’all if I find something.

e.l.f. Studio Blush - $3 (Buy here)

Photo taken from e.l.f.'s website

Blush for $3?  I’ll take it.  The great thing about having a cheap blush is that you can afford to keep one at home and take one in your purse.  That way you can do touch-ups on the road.  I’ve heard good things about these babies and I like the color selection!  {EDIT:  My sister ordered three of these!}  

The Balm Frat Boy - $21 (Buy here or find it on sale for dirt cheap at T.J. MAXX)

Photo taken from The Balm's website

Here’s my final pick.  I know you’re looking at the price tag going, “Girl, you said BUDGET blushes!”  Well, let me tell you that I’ve seen The Balm products at T.J. Maxx for much cheaper!  So, if you have a T.J. Maxx nearby, you should definitely cruise the makeup aisle to see what’s hiding there.  I have wanted to buy The Balm products there so many times but always make myself resist.  However, Frat Boy is just so beautiful and I love the packaging!  If I saw it there, I’d nab it. 

I hope that helps and gets you thinking about some budget options for your stash!  What blush colors do you tend to like?  Baby pink?  Fuchsia?  Coral?  Red?  Do tell!

XOXO

-K

Email me at orangelipstickblog@gmail.com
Tweet me at OrangeLipstickK
Find me on Facebook at Orange Lipstick Blog

All items were purchased by Orange Lipstick for personal use and review purposes.

If you give a girl some makeup...

Have you ever read If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff?  My mom used to read that to me all the time when I was little and it's an awesome book!

(Photo taken from Wikipedia)

Anyway, the book is about how if you give a mouse a cookie he'll also want milk and a story and...

Well, sometimes I feel that way about my makeup!  Yesterday, I had to run to Kroger and I was barefaced.  I thought, "I'll just put on some milk of magnesia."  Then, since I was already at my makeup table I decided that I should put on some BB cream to test for wear.  Then I thought, "Well, it'd just be rude not to put on some blush..."

Long story short, I ended up with a full face of makeup.  Whoops!  Anyway, here's the eye look I ended up with:

Yeahhh...that's a turquoise cat-eye look.  A little dramatic for Kroger, yes?  Well, I've been wanting to try it for a while and what better time than a Saturday afternoon?  I used Urban Decay's Deep End out of my 15 Year Anniversary Palette.  I applied it wet with a small concealer brush.  I was pretty happy with how it turned out!

Later that night I thought I might as well top the whole turquoise look up with one of my favorite nail polishes.

This little pretty is Milani Nail Lacquer in Key West.  If you've never visited the lovely Key West you should definitely go!  It is a party all the time and a very fun place to be.  I think the namesake of this polish is why it has such a special place in my heart.

This is a beautiful turquoise/teal foil.  The color is so deep and amazing - I can't find a fault with this!  I'm wearing two coats in these pictures.  The color is thin enough to work with easily and it dries quickly.  I also have great wearing power with this baby.  You can find it in some CVS stores or you can but it on Milani's website for $4.49.

(Not sure why my hands look so red in this picture - I think the lighting was bad.)

XOXO

-K

Email me at orangelipstickblog@gmail.com

Tweet me at OrangeLipstickK

Find me on Facebook at Orange Lipstick Blog

All items were purchased by Orange Lipstick for personal use and review purposes.

Reader Question: Milani Orange Gina in polish form

After my post about Milani Orange Gina yesterday, a dear friend sent me this question:

"Is there a nail polish in this color?" -P.M.

This got me lacquer hunting (always a dangerous thing) and led me straight to Temptalia’s swatch gallery.  

I take no credit for actually discovering these dupes – I found them all by looking through the swatch gallery and various other Temptalia posts.  If you can believe it, I didn't have ANY dupes in my own stash.  Boo-hoo!

Perhaps it is no surprise that Milani has a color that coordinates beautifully with Orange Gina.  That would be Metal Gear ($4.49) which has beautiful orange and gold-ish shimmer.  I think this is the best possible dupe and it has a friendly price tag, to boot.  Plus, I love the formula on Milani polishes!  (I can’t find this polish on Milani’s website but I believe you can pick it up in select CVS stores.) UPDATE:  I can't find this polish to purchase ANYWHERE!

Next is Zoya Tanzy ($8).  It seems to have a similar color but much more shimmer.  I think this is a BEAUTIFUL color!  It's bright and eye-catching.  You can purchase Tanzy HERE.

Zoya Tanzy
Photo taken from Zoya's website

The next option is Nubar Arencia ($8) which is absolutely gorgeous.  I haven’t gotten any Nubar polishes yet but I’ve only ever heard raves.  I think Arencia is a little darker than Orange Gina but it definitely has the same je ne sais quoi.  It is absolutely lovely and you can purchase it HERE.

Nubar Arencia

Photo taken from Nubar's website

Another nice pick is China Glaze Riveting ($2.81 + $1.99 shipping on Amazon; price varies by location, but this is a great deal).  This came out with the Hunger Games collection and represents District 3 for technology.  I wanted to adore this collection, but something about it was off.  Maybe it was because there was a bunch of drama over the names or because the idea of people worrying about polish in ANY of the Districts was absurd.  (Except of course, for The Capital.)  Anyway, this color is wonderful put side-by-side with Orange Gina and I think it's my favorite one.  It's for sale on Amazon HERE.

China Glaze Riveting

Photo taken from Amazon.com

So there you have it!  Four beautiful polishes that really evoke Orange Gina and that I think would match really nicely.  Be sure to check out Temptalia’s swatch gallery – it is really incredible!

XOXO

-K

P.S.

Feel free to email me at orangelipstickblog@gmail.com or tweet me at OrangeLipstickK

Milani Orange Gina is a rare gem

I have a confession.  The lipstick I'm reviewing today…well…I have three tubes of it.

Milani Color Perfect Lipstick in Orange Gina

I know, right?!  Crazy!  Most makeup mavens don't stockpile unless the product is limited edition (LE) or being discontinued.  However, this Holy Grail product was incredibly difficult for me to find in the first place!

Story time:  I saw this color on another blog (I don't remember which) and had to have it.  I tore up every CVS in a 15 mile radius and NONE of them have Milani lipsticks.  What the heck?!  So when I went to visit my BFF in Texas, I found one there and freaked out!  Unfortunately, there was only one tube.  *sad face*

Milani Color Perfect Lipstick in Orange Gina

Then, when looking at Milani nail polishes when I got back to my local CVS, I saw five tubes of lipstick crammed in a corner like some forgotten stepchildren.  Upon further inspection, I saw that two of the tubes were Orange Gina!  OMG!  I snapped those suckers up.

This power product is Milani Color Perfect Lipstick in Orange Gina.

 Milani Color Perfect Lipstick in Orange Gina

Milani Color Perfect Lipstick in Orange Gina

So, even though Orange Gina isn't discontinued or LE, I now have a mini stockpile.  Fortunately, this color is amazing in every sense.

 Milani Color Perfect Lipstick in Orange Gina

Milani Color Perfect Lipstick in Orange Gina

When I was picking a name for this blog, this lipstick just kept popping up in my mind.  It's everything I love:  orange, attention-getting, smooth, semi-opaque, and with coppery shimmer!  Just perfection.  The color is bright and vibrant with awesome staying power.  This is a surprising "neutral" because it looks good with almost any color of eyeshadow.  

This really sings on my pale skin and I bet it'd be gorgeous on really deep complexions.

I bought mine at two different CVS stores but you can nab it on Milani's website for $4.99.

XOXO

-K

P.S.

Feel free to email me at orangelipstickblog@gmail.com or tweet me at OrangeLipstickK

All items were purchased by Orange Lipstick for personal use and review purposes.