Daily Dose for 2018

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0749CCRXM

It is my goal for 2018 to get healthy again, if you have been following me, you would know that starting January 2016 to about May 2016, I lost 25 pounds. Going from 210 lbs to 183 lb at my lightest weight, which was amazing. I felt strong, healthy and my actual Resting Heart Rate, besides cholesterol rates were amazing. I attribute alot of my weight loss was using my Fit Bit HR and inputting my daily food intake into the journal it has, besides my work out of yoga and running at the gym. But as it goes, life happened..a new relationship and being happy I gain about 20 lbs of it back. 

So I am starting at 200 lbs as of 2018..ugh I know! 

My goal this year will be to get healthy again, the difference is in body, spirit and mind! 

With body, I do plan on calorie counting again and inputting my food journal with Fit Bit as well as adding my vitamin routine completely into effect. 

The picture above includes what vitamins I will be taking:

NOW Magnesium Citrate 

Nature Made Multi Complex (multi vitamin)

Zone 365 Cranberry Concentrate 

Zone 365 B Complex including B-12

Premium Health Chewable Papaya Enzyme 

Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin, Nails

So here is to a New Me, the Best Version of Myself 

Crystals that I am loving

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B076CZT3ZS

 KISSPAT Choker Necklace Clear Quartz Crystal Pendant

If you didn't realize it, but you regularly watch my youtube videos you will see me wearing some type of Crystal, or semi precious stone. I believe I have done a video explaining the jewelry I wear most often. However I have a recent addition at the tail end of 2017 and I am super thrilled with it.

Did you know:

Quartz is a silicon dioxide mineral with a hardness of 7. Its crystal system is hexagonal which grows in a large variety of formations. It is one of the most abundant minerals, found on every continent of the Earth, though much of the quartz available comes from Arkansas, Brazil and Madagascar. Crystal Quartz exhibits the property of piezoelectricity, by which it can transform mechanical energy (eg pressure) into electromagnetic energy and vice versa.

Spiritual Meaning behind it:

Clear Quartz encourages clarity of thought and purpose to one’s heart and mind. It works on all levels of the energetic and physical bodies and resonates with all chakras. Clear Quartz will amplify any energy with which it moves into resonance, including other stones, constantly broadcasting that energy into the Earths electromagnetic field. This makes Clear Quartz an excellent stone to use for healing, manifestation or prayer work. Clear Quartz helps to establish a strong, clear connection to higher guidance.

Overall, the piece itself is beautiful black cloth with gold besides the crystal itself. 

It is fashionable for 2018 but still keeps with the hippie, crystal lover in me!

Intentions VS Resolutions

After much thought, I decided verses making Resolutions for 2014, I would rather make Intentions.

If we literally look at the definition of the words themselves, we can see how this seems like a better choice.

Resolution:

: the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc. : the act of resolving something

: an answer or solution to something

: the ability of a device to show an image clearly and with a lot of detail

Intention:

: the thing that you plan to do or achieve : an aim or purpose

I personally feel that an Intention, a plan...a Goal is something better to aim for.  Verses making a Resolution which I could ultimately fail at.

I actually had this discussion  with one of my close friends last night...and he actually brought up a good point. When I asked him if he was making a New Years Resolution,he said no. His Resolution was not to make Resolutions...which is an Oxymoronic...and entertaining.

He continued on saying, everyone is all about upgrades and improving, and having the best in things...why not have that or be that as a person. He didn't really need to go on much further.

Playing off of his idea tho, if you want to be a healthier you don't have to give up sweets or wheat or coffee. Or have to go to the gym 3 to 5 times a week..but rather just make the modifications in your routine, and if you are like me, research, plan and adjust.Verses, starting off right at the beginning of I CAN NOT have this or I HAVE TO DO this. If you do this then as my friend put it "Just setting yourself up to Fail"...and the pessimist in me response to that is Life does that to you anyways...why do it to yourself. 

For example, I love coffee...and during the holiday especially when I was at work...totally gave into my caffeine fiend and visited the Starbucks, Mad Coffee Fix, and 6 to 5 deli by my work for espresso coffee drinks...once maybe even two times a day (pending on my day and how tired I was, as well as how many gift cards I got). I need to cut back my intake off coffee...and espresso drinks are pretty pricey. Especially if you get them on a regular basis (3 to 5 times a week), which I'm trying to save money.

So my intention when it comes to caffeine and me, is I want to be nicer to my body and my wallet. I will still have my espresso coffee drink as a treat, but verses it several times a week. Perhaps just once a week...and if I need coffee...cause you know..that shit can be addicting and all. I will drink regular coffee...and considering work has a coffee pot and really an espresso machine, I just have to bring my own milk and supply my own coffee beans. I can then cover two birds with one stone...still have my coffee...while saving money. And all it requires is me making a little more conscious effort.

It's kinda crazy to think, that we prefer to have the instant gratification of something, verses putting in the effort or energy for it. I'm a huge culprit of it, but I'm slowly starting to realize. That you can save alot of money when you do it yourself...and you help improve your character.

Thus, I do have several intentions for 2014...but they are a daily thing. I wake up in the morning and make one intention, similar to how you do when you enter your space on the yoga mat. And as long as I make forth the effort for that intention for the day...until the next. I have done something good, and improved myself just a little bit more.

"None of us really changes over time. We only become more fully what we are"

Anne Rice The Vampire Lestat

2014....Man time has flown by!

Finallly getting around to writing on the ole blog again, and I realize how much has truly changed since I first started this blog back in 2010!!! Me OH MY, has that been a long time of actually being active in the beautyish world/community!

Most of the stuff has remained the same, from when I first started it...but I think it would be fun to revisit the information and do more of an update since it has been 4 years!!!

So first...here's what I said 4 years ago!!!! Lookey Here Lookey Here

A Little About Me:

My name is Lorena, but most people call me Lo (yup this hasn't changed)

I'm 31 years old, married having celebrated 6 years of being together (which marriage is constant work, I remember my mom telling me that it's a job that you never get to clock out for. That you never get a vacation from, and one of the hardest you will have in your life. And now I fully understand what she means).

I'm originally from Sunny San Diego,and currently living there. No place called home right? HA HA, the mister got out of the military 2 years ago now. And after some thought, we decided to hang out hats in San Diego, because well, my family is here..and honestly we needed all the help we could get back when we first became civilians. We are managing alright, he's in school full time and I'm working full time. Both he and I agree that California is the best place to be, though I think I will agree with him that Northern CA is the place that ideally I'd like to end up at. But San Diego will always be home!

I do have my Bachelor's Degree in English,that hasn't changed! I have worn several hats, especially in the work force. My current job working in administration in the ESL world has been interesting, and I can confidently say that I'm a free lance Make Up Artist (though the job market for that is very concentrated with others, here in California). I actually am signed up and very excited to be starting Yoga Teacher Training in a 200 hr program with a local yoga studio. It starts in 16 days!

I'm an avid collector depending on what phase I'm into, it was shoes, then purses, then MAKE UP and now...well I dont necessarily collect anything persay. But my collection of Yoga accessories has increased (ie yoga pants, tanks, props and books.) I have to catch myself from looking at the different yoga pants that each brand/ department store carries. Because really, how many yoga pants does a girl really need??!!

I don't necessarily know if I'm still a MAC whore, though a good chunk of my professional kit is MAC (thank you MAC Pro). I like to see myself as open to about any make brand or products. I do have favorites, and eventually when I do an updated set up of my Make up Collection (see my old one below) you will be able to see what I really enjoy, verses what I just bought and bought and bought.

My goal in regards to my make up is to switch completely to Cruelty free make up. For now I am trying to intergrate it into my collection, so that eventually one day everything will be animal friendly. Until then, it's a day by day...and I have a complete different box of what I use on a day to day basis (which I go through and change out every to every other month). 

What I like to do for fun:

Well has this section changed quite a bit. Although I do still love reading, bowling and of course surfing the net researching, I'm not as make up obsessed as I was, when I first started this blog. Honestly, this is a good thing, for my pocketbook as well as my make up drawers!

My current major hobby, that I suppose you could say has become a passion of mine is Yoga. I plan to do a much longer in depth post about my journey, especially considering the fact I will be going thru 8 week teacher training. But I came to yoga, originally with the thought in my mind that it was going to help me get in shape, but it is so much more than that! So far, I have been regularly doing it for 4 months (and when I say regularly, I mean 4 to 5 times a week), and I'm interested to see where my practice takes me once the 17th begins.

Besides yoga, and make up, I have increased dramatically the amount of concerts that I go to. I like to randomly take videos of my favorite songs by whomever I am seeing and post them to my Youtube channel! If you want to see who I've seen live in the past 2013, check it out!

Why I'm starting this website:

As I stated before I pursue whatever phase/fad I am into at the time full heartedly. Since it is makeup, I do plan on using this site to give opinions/review of various product. as well as suggestions of different looks. All comments or suggestions are greatly appreciated of what I do. Hope that you enjoy this site, and if you have any questions feel free to contact me :)

Above is the original reason why I started my blog, and looking at this now, 4 years later. I think it's proper to say, that I still feel just as passionate about sharing my interests at the time, as I did when I first started this. Although my interests now differ in priority, I feel that getting it out on in the open will help develop me as a person overall. Whether it is about a modification to a yoga pose, or just my ramblings of my normal day to day. Perhaps my voice, thoughts, opinions will spark something in someone else to try something new, or to merely be open to something new. I'm all for sharing, as the saying goes "Sharing is caring", but I do want to make a difference. Even if it is just one person, if I can help or inspire just one person, then I have reached my own personal goal.   

With all this revisited! Happy New Year 2014!!!

A little LATE

Better late than never at all...as I was editing my recent giveaway video that is currently on my YouTube (which if you havent checked out whats up for grabs go to my YT channel..it;s on the front page!

Anyways I found my NOVEMBER 2011 favorites video...and considering November was my birthday month I'm pretty sure I show off a few things I got for my birthday or around my birthday that fell into FAVORITES!!!

Hope you enjoy!!!

MASSIVE SWAP 2011...second one for me this year!

I was very very lucky enough to be recently requested to do a swap with one of my wonderful subscribers, Lilian AKA Yaya8212335.

I gladly agreed and received my package of my AMAXzing goodies about two weeks ago. I am a little slow when it comes to getting my blog up and going. But I did want to share and thank Lilian for taking the time, effort , energy, and money to totally HOOK ME UP!!!

Seriously, she went above and beyond what any other person I have ever swapped with has done before. Not only did she get me the items I requested (as they do not carry them regularly here in Germany), but she also threw a ton of extra goodies of various products that I have NEVER tried or owned!!

The products that she sent covered all the different areas of the face that one could possibly imagine and want! Eyes, Lips, Face, Nails...lol the only thing that was missing in the box was acessories (btw that is just a statement...no WHINING from me).

Since we are talking about the various areas that the products I received went, the largest quanity of products that I recieved was for the eyes

The biggest and pleasant shock was receiving my first NARS eyeshadow product...which is a FIRST and an AMAZING first at that! I know NARS products are very very expensive and to have such goodie in my box...easily already matches the agreed upon price of products we agreed to swap for. Amongst the various items in the picture above is I did get alot of mascaras, one was particular for my make up kit (ie Mayebelline Falsies) and the others were random selection from Lilian...which is totally fine with me. I love trying out different drug store mascaras because I haven't found my Holy Grail one yet! The Wet N Wild Cream eyeliners in Black were also requested items as at my military exchange are always out of the color black.

The next section that I received the next most products in were Lips

I was also quite excited to receive all these different lip products (though like I really need anymore)...but whatever works. I did request the EOS lip blams, though Lilian was awesome and sent me two verses just one. I have recently opened and started to use the Passionfruit EOS lipbalm and I really really like it! I even had Joe test it out and he said he liked it as well!

She also included some of the new, improved Cover Girl Lipsticks that have been the rage on YouTube...though since I am working on my Make up Project Finish what you started as well as having given purchasing make up for myself for Lent. I have been unable to test out these new lipsticks...and boy are they pigmented and very creamy. She did give me a good variety of shades that go along great with both my skin tone as well as the Spring season. The most surprisening product within the lip section was the Victoria Secret Lipstick...one the packaging is just super cute. Two, the color choice itself is lovely...and three well it's the brand itself. I haven't personally purchased any products from Victoria Secret (beauty products) since 2006..as I use to work for the company. I was a total Victoria Secret brand whore...swore only by their products in both lingerie as well as beauty.

The most incredible section (as I am still a blush whore) was the Face products she sent

Again she blew me out of the water with including a personal favorite of hers (which really already become a favorite of mine) NARS blush in Mata Hari. It is a gorgerous matte purple/pink blush that really looks great with my dark hair! I was so amazed that Lilian sent not one but TWO NARS products...I didn't really know what to do with myself (if you watch the video below you will see what I mean). She also included a WONDERFUL cream blush in a nice peachy color..that at first I didn't think would go that great with my skin tone...but after last weekend of wearing it...I know it was a GREAT choice by her! Irony of course is the Fox in the Box that she also included from Hard Candy is actually perfect to set the cream blush! Talk about double score!

Hard Candy has been a new recent favorite of mine to try out...considering they have started to put more bang into their products (hence the new release of the Glamofage concealer...which is supposedly comparable to Kat Von D's concealer. As well as the addition of Fox in Box which is supposedly comparable to Benefit's boxed blushes). Thus Lilian, knowing my newest liking to the brand hooked me up with a mini package deal that had mini (travel) sizes of the various newly released products. I totally love the highlight powder in the package...and I'm pretty sure I will be using the mini's in my upcoming trip to the states!

The last...but not least section (one of my favorites ha ha) Nails

I have watched several YouTube videos on the new Sally Hansen Salon Effects nail stickers (and I am a bit torn about whether or not I will like them). As everyone who watches my videos know..I am notorious for not having a full pretty set of nails painted. Or if I do it doesn't last very long (ha ha). And I know with the Salon Effects it will possibly make it alot easier to have my nails look like. However with all the hassle of getting the sticker filed down to my original nail size and then getting it to stick will be interesting!

I am pretty excited about the Essie nail polish...it's actually funny..I have personally never purchased Essie. I have been very lucky and very spoiled that my fellow Youtube friends and subscribers have hooked me up with such wonderful goodies.

Overall, Lilian's swap was AMAZING...HUGE...and totally shocking! I'm very lucky to have a friend and person like her in my life that is so generous to share such great products with lil ol' me!

Thank you so much Lilian for making my second swap of 2011 rocking!!!

My Mail Time video of opening Lilian's BOX

First Swap of 2011

So I did a video on this Swap earlier last month, but never posted it here on my blog. And considering people take the time, effort and energy to go shopping for items for me for the swap...the least I could do is talk about the items I received.

As luck would have it the first swap for 2011 for me was actually with the first person I ever did a swap with, Miss Jackie AKA theQueenofHearst214...I always call her the Queen of My heart!

She did totally hook me up the first time we did a swap last year and did so again this year as well! So I know I said it in my video but I do want to stress the point that Jackie is awesome and a great friend. And I thank her from the bottom of my heart for my awesome goodies!!!

The biggest surprise in the box was the awesome cigar box...that apparently she saw while out and automatically thought about me. And I totally love it!

It's funny one of my friends here from base saw this box recently over in my make up section and she started telling me exactly how this picture differed from the original pose (as apparently it is one of her favorites).

Another huge shock, suprise and delight to have in my swap box was some Jesse's Girl Shadows!!! I have never owned any...so it was nice to add them to my collection..since I have watched a few YouTube videos featuring these products!

It's funny that she ended up sending me these particilar colors as I sent some pretty similar from TKB (a mineral company up in the bay area...its where many people who make their own shadows get their products from).

Some other random and fun goodies she threw in my box were the following:

Matching make up bags (big and small)

Nail Jewel Wheel (though thats alot of work to use them)

Nail Design stickers (which I might use next week)

Scented Rose Petals (can be put in bath or used as decoration)

2 mini Lip glosses/balms

And finally Jackie knows I lover accessories so she made sure to totally get me some diverse choices!

Matching necklace and earrings from Claire's (Gothic themed)

Funky matching earrings and necklace (black jeweled)

Awesome flower clip for my hair or a brooch

Cute stud star earrings

Overall, I'm very lucky to have such a good friend to hook me up and help a girl out. Alot of products are either more expensive here to purchase since we have to pay in Euro or we have the particular products/brands available!

*Side Note*

I do plan on doing maybe one swap a month or every other swap...pending on my budget and if anyone is wanting to. I know with the huge push in crackle nail polishes and people being interested in trying out European make up products...I will be more than happy to swap. Just let me know!!!

Spectrum Cosmetics: Swatches and First Thoughts

So the one thing about Twitter is not only is it a great way for stalking your favorite celebrities, beauty gurus and friends. It is a great way to network and find out about other companies that you might not have heard of before.

Yes, I know I know pretty similiar to YouTube. However with twitter you have the capablilty of having more ways to converse with a person, either @'ing them or sending them the Direct Message (DM).

As it worked out, I was actually following someone else on Twitter when I saw them mention Spectrum Cosmetics. Not hearing of that particular line before, I looked them up on YouTube and saw a few tutorials using their products as well as some reviews. I continued my research and went to the website to see the various products that this line offered.

Spectrum Cosmetics is owned and ran by Amber Rose, a Californian Licensed ESTHETICIAN.

After checking out the website I decided to apply for a review of the products...cause you guys know that I am a sucker for mineral products. And what better way to force myself to take the time to play with minerals but to be able to do a review on a company. Thus Spectrum has a semi lengthy application to fill out, please keep in mind, that when it comes to the application process of reviews you always need to include all your current and up to date information..whether its your tube channel, blog, twitter, etc. The more networking sites that you have that you are active on...and people are interested in reading, watching or interacting with you. In MY OPINION, looks better for companies who are looking for reviews.

**I need to point out something that was and has been tweeted several times in particular this past week by Spectrum.

"As of February 19, 2011, Spectrum will now longer be accepting applications for SPONSORSHIP/REVIEW PROGRAM DUE TO MANY ACCOUNTS OF UNFULFILLED AGREEMENTS, FRAUD AND THEFT. WE APOLOGIZE FOR INCONVENIENCE. WE WILL BE OFFERING A MUA DISCOUNT LATER THIS SEASON"

Thus I am personally pretty lucky to be able to do this review of the line...however please don't allow the change in their policies to effect whether or not to contact them in the future in regards to your interest in their products.

Keeping all this in mind I filled out the application for the review of this line on December 25,2010 (yup Christmas...no matter time than to take advantage of my time off from work). The one thing that I did have to pay for when it came to reviewing this line was the Shipping and Handling for the products.

I was charged $5.95 for shipping and handling and an additional $.57 for taxes thus costing me overall $6.52.

Now I don't necessarily see a problem with paying for shipping for a product, however in regards to reviewing a line this was the first time I was required to do so.

I received an email from Paypal informing me of my purchase, however it would take about two days before I decided to @ Spectrum on Twitter in regards to their process. As I did NOT receive any emails, if I had been accepted to do the review. I honestly figured, if I was required to pay a shipping and handling fee then I would be able to do a review on the line.

I did received a replay on Twitter from Spectrum letting me know that it would take about three days for the order/review to process through and then the items should be shipped.

I waited patiently for the products to appear in my PO Box as during the holiday season it took our post office on base longer to process packages. However after more than two weeks went by I decided to question Spectrum again....now normally I would email a company. However I did notice on my Twitter feed that Spectrum regularly posted, thus I decided this was the fast means to contact them.

On January 14, 2011 I @ Spectrum and inquired to my products for review. At that time frame Spectrum told me due to weather conditions there was a delay in their mailing system, but that they would be getting the package out to me within that week or so. That they had decided to have me review some products from the Valentine's collection.

Again, I continued on my back and forth checking of my PO Box so when the 28th of January rolled around I was @ing them again. This time I was told that the package had been placed in the mail on that Tuesday of the week and to keep them updated of when I received it (the 25th was the said Tuesday).

Now this is just my own opinion in regards to situations like this, as again this is a first time I had to constantly contact a company in regards to a package of product that I was going to review. I have received products from other companies and they are normally the ones to email me to let me know of the status of the package, or if there have been any changes to an order. I did feel a little frustrated that I was having to go back and check on whether or not the items that I was reviewing were shipped out.

**I am NOT trying to sound like I'm all about getting FREE things...not not at all. However I did have to pay a bit for the products, so I just felt that even if I am doing a review. My money is like any other paying customer...that my order or package is just as important to get shipped out. If this was a REAL order where I paid for every piece of product that was being shipped to me...and I hadn't received it in a month...there would be a HUGE ISSUE.

Keep in mind, I'm not saying there isn't an issue with it taking as long as it did for me to finally find out the package got sent to me. I'm just merely stating an opinion...if any customer has to pay from their pocket for something...they should be informed of the status of an item. They shouldn't have to check on it...as well as the products should be shipped out in a timely manner.

I finally received my package in my PO Box on February 8, 2011.

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I received a total of 8 pigments and a handful of business cards. The box in which they were shipped in was a small flat rate shipping box, that costs to mail $4.95 regularly. (I only know this because of my constantly mailing of items back to the states on a regular basis). Keep in mind I paid $6.52.

Another interesting thing I do want to point out...not again saying it's a bad thing...but it is note worthy as I try to be as honest and unbiased of a company, product and brand.

Is the actual date that was printed on the shipping label of the box.

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Yup, the proper three day turn around date that I was originally told when I first questioned Spectrum about their review process. Again, I'm not suggesting anything...I just thought it was interesting that the shipping label was printed out on the 28th of December and the actual item wasn't shipped until over a month later.

Something else that I didn't take a physical documentation of but note worthy is the package did have a USPS tracking number on it so that it would be able to be tracked while in transit. Now when I looked up the package number myself on the 8th of February I noticed the date in which it was processed through a Californian post office as February 1st...not January 25th as I was informed.

Even if the item was dropped off at the post office...January was a longer month (with 31 days) I personally do not think it would take the post office a full work week to go through processing packages.

At the time frame when I checked on the status of the package, the USPS had not been updated with me having received the package.

The package came from Elk Grove, CA...and for you those know me already...you know that I'm a Californian myself. Growing up in so cal but living most of my college career and early adult life in northern CA...thus I know that Elk Grove isn't that far from Sacramento (capital of CA).

And I only bring this up because I keep in contact with friends and family in both so cal and nor cal...and I know that the weather wasn't necessarily terrible nor was it ideal during the month of January. So to be told that it was weather conditions that caused the delay the first time when I inquired about my package....makes me wonder.

Anyways...enough about the mailing/package situation...I personally don't know how I feel about it all. I just wanted it to be known...because I think everyone is entitled to this knowledge. Just as I have the right to express my concern and opinions about it.

I keep track of dates and conversations, whether its via Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, phone or email when it comes to dealing with companies. Because I like to refer to it later on for review purposes...or especially if I am being told one thing by one person..and something completely different by someone else of the same said company (this happens more so when dealing with phone companies, tv..etc).

Products

As I stated I received a total of 8 pigments...I had hoped to be able to not only try their eye products but a lip product as well.

The pigments were in 15 gram jars with a simple sticker on the top...each contain a shifter with a sticker top that could be removed. According to the website you get 10.5 grams of product.

Of the 8 pigments, 2 of the 8 stickers had become loose or fallen off in transit..thus just a small amount of product was loose.

When it comes to swatches of these products, I used ELF Mineral Eyeshadow Primer on the Dry swatch, while Using MAC's Refreshing Water to get the pigments Wet. I used natural lighting for the pictures...and have NOT altered any of the pictures in any form.

An * will be the official description of the color of the item found on the website.

Circus Cookie

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Circus Cookie- Frosty, icy pale/baby pink with Shimmer

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When you get this color wet the shimmer is lot more noticeable. It seems to have pink and purple shimmer...a bit more purple than pink...giving it a slight purplely undertone.

This color would be a really pretty lid color or even a very girly lip shade

*Circus Cookie- Silky pink with silver sparkles and blue iridescent undertone

Fairy lady

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A matte medium purple.

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Of all the colors that I received I was most disappointed with the formulation and pigmentation of this color.

I literally attempted to swatch this color dry about 5 times and if you look carefully at the picture in the middle of the swatch it appears to fade.

I have used various mineral products...and I do know that mattes are tougher colors to work with to get the payout just right. However the only way to get the proper pay out was to get this color wet..and even then I started to lightly run my finger over the wet, yet dried swatch and it still attempted to blend out and fade.

Perhaps it was just this batch of Fairy Lady...but I overall really disliked it. I was sad too because this was the only matte color I received in my review package as well.

*Fairy lady- Intense blue purple matte

Spaceships don't have Rearview Mirrors

beautiful metalic silver with green undertones that has multi colored shimmer

This was an interesting color because it didn't really want to adhere much to the the basic eyeprimer...though I wouldn't doubt if a stickier base (ie Jumbo Eye Pencil from NYX) were used I would've gotten a better swatch. Yet, the color is unique. And getting the shadow wet, OMG it was an instant disco ball on my hand...you can definitely see the green/blue tones and shimmer all throughout the shadow. It foiled beautifully and I think this was one of my 3 favorites from those that I received.

I believe this would be a great lid color, crease color and even liner...just because you don't see many shadows of this complexity.

*Spaceships don't have Rearview Mirrors- Polished silver with traveling blue to purple to green undertone

Blue My Mind

Light sky blue with pink and purple shimmer

This was one of the few pigments that swatched amazing dry such a pretty color...I love me some blues! When wet this color has more of an aqua blue with a slight pink undertone. Perhaps I'm mixing the undertone with all the pink and purple shimmer that seemed to pop when this was wet!

Pretty lid color or even turn it into a pretty nail polish color for the spring season

* Blue My Mind- Soft blue with pink iridescent undertone and pink sparkles

Alien Can Blend

Mossy green with blue shimmers

This was an interesting green due to the blueish shimmer that it seemed to have in it. I think the fact that I'm also am Warm toned person...thus my veins have more of a green hue to them makes the colors swatch different on me.

When this color was applied wet it had more of a metallic finish and the blue shimmers really POPPED!

This color would be a pretty lid or crease color.

*Alien Can Blend- Duochrome Blue/Green with bright violet sparkles

Take Off Your Cool

Pretty blue/green with blue and green shimmers

Another gorgeous blue...which happened to be another one of my top 3 favorites from the shadows that I received. When wet the blue has more of metallic texture and looks more of a sea green color (reminding me of the ocean). All the shimmer really sparkles when it's foiled...and it's just hard to look away!

Another pretty lid color...I would also use this as a fun colorful liner...especially for brown eyes. Since I have always noticed blue makes brown eyes pop!

*Take off Your Cool- Aqua blue with turquoise and blue iridescent undertone

The final two colors are from the Valentine's 2011 Collection

Pink Monkey

Pink duo chrome with green undertones and multi colored shimmer

This color is totally perfect for being part of the valentine's collection as it is a very pretty shimmery pink that just demands attention. When it is wet you can see more of the Duo Chrome effect, to where you see that green shimmer more...reminding me of the scales of the lizard and how the sun or light reflect off of it.

it is a very pretty color that would be great for the lid or to highlight and brighten the eye...either being in the inner tear duct or brow highlight.

*Pink Monday- Duo Chromo Pink/Blue pigment with reflective violet to blue iridescent sparkles

Pink Pocketbook

Dusty rose pink with slight shimmer

Again another great color that embodies Valentine's day...and also another product that swatched rather easily dry. When this color was applied wet it seemed to have a darker mauve pink payout and you could really see the golden shimmer that was all throughout the product.

I think this would be a pretty crease color or again lip color..especially if you were trying to achieve a soft and girly look.

*Pink Pocketbook- Creamy mauve with pink and white sparkle

Final Thoughts:

Overall I'm looking forward to play with these products...though since most of these products are loaded with shimmer. I will have to attempt to find a good basic matte to go along with the looks...so that they don't get too overpowdered by the shimmer. Because as nice as it is to have shimmer....if you put too much...it ends up taking away!!

Currently Spectrum Cosmetic's is running a promotion with their shadows being $1.00. Check out the website for more information.