This would probably be the most decent photo I could take. I have yet to study the settings of my camera to get the closest resemblance in terms of colors.

Okay I give UP, here’s a photo I snagged from Google image finder:
This is definitely a must-have for the make-up fanatic who wants to cheat genetics hee hee. Why? Because you can instantly have an illusion of higher cheekbones, softer jawlines, chiseled noseline (ehem ehem!) and more oval-shaped face. Others would settle with a bronzer to get a contoured look but I like the combination of these 3 shades. It can be pretty hard to blend at first and you would end up with brownish shades of cheeks and jawlines, read: muddy-dirty brown shade. But once you learn how to blend them well and use the step-by-step direction, this can be your everyday staple make-up.

These are the only 3 shades you can have in the kit, no other options. I do not know if these 3 shades would work with all skintone but it did for me and again, I am a MAC NC25 shade. It is important that you watch the Contouring and Highlighting Video before you decide to purchase it.

VANITY.KIT’s RATING

Overall Product: A+

Value: 4/5 (I have used it everyday and I think it would last me more than 6 months.)

3-shades kit palette with a contouring brush is $45 (don’t forget to get them online on Tuesdays and Thursdays for their Let’s Do Lunch Promo)

Ease of Use: 4/5

Packaging: 5/5

VERDICT: Definitely, a  must have!

One more review coming up before I read on the side effects of diet pills.

Now, here is a Smashbox offer you won’t resist .
It’s like getting the cheapest refurbished fitness equipment!
I just got mine.

For every $25.00 purchase, you get this FREE WATERPROOF EYE SHADOW PALETTE ($40 VALUE)! Just enter code JUST4YOU at checkout. Offer expires December 12, TONIGHT or while supplies last. Not valid with any other offer, including Let’s Do Lunch. Limit one per customer.

Guess what, apart from the jumbo samples they usually have, they also sent me a free Mascara . Hurry up and grab this once in a year offer .

To complete my vanity kit for 2011, here are 5 more items in my Christmas wishlist . Too bad, I did not get them last Black Friday when most of these items were on sale . Anybody, generous out there willing to sponsor me these stuff hee hee, I swear I’d be your best girl next year. Or if you find these stuff hard to purchase, just give me shopping money instead tee hee. Please, Santa hurry up!

I do not know if you still remember how my love affair with make-up started.
Just to refresh your memory or if you have skipped on that entry, I started tinkering with make-up when I started to grow terrible and very dark circles under my eyes. I started to mix different foundation shades to conceal perfectly those tired eyes, then I moved on trying out all sorts of concealer: stick, powder, liquid, etc…

Up to now, I still find myself non-stop reading under eye cream reviews and I would not mind spending a bit more on on concealers and undereye cream over any other beauty product. I always want my eyes to look bright and never droopy.

Laura Mercier Camouflage is for me the best undereye concealer but not practical enough to use it on a daily basis. So I discovered Smashbox Camera-Ready Full Coverage Concealer which is so much affordable compared to Laura Mercier’s Camouflage concealer.

But with the colder season, this stick seems so hard to apply and makes my skin a bit more dry. I bought myself this Smashbox High Definition Liquid Concealer and tried out the very famous Smashbox Photo-Op Undereye Brightener. Guess what, they work well together. My eyes look very bright for straight 12 hours and I do not have to retouch at all. The good news is this liquid concealer is more economical in terms of usage than the stick. Oh and yes, as soon as you apply the Undereye Brightener, you’d notice an instant brightness in your eyes. Make sure to use them first before any concealer.

Verdict: You will never go wrong with Smashbox!

Before I check out these healthcare it jobs for a friend, let me share with you my new Smashbox loot. I am waiting for 2 more packages and I am done with my Make-Up Christmas shopping.  Wheee! Here they are:

quench moisture rich lip gloss
photo finish foundation primer
photo finish lid primer
photo op undereye brightener
high definition concealer

I swear the Undereye brightener does wonder! I will make an extensive review and how to apply it with your concealer. In the meantime, here’s sharing a sale ad I received from them.

The Story of My Life: I cannot live without a concealer .
Seriously, I want to undergo those laser-injection-type which could lessen the darkness of undereye circles, but I am too coward since the skin in that area is extra sensitive. So for the meantime, I am happy to have discovered these concealers.

The 1st 2 concealers are my staple concealers as these are the ones I use on a daily basis. The Smashbox is very good for humid and hot season while the Revlon Colorstay during winter.

The 3rd concealer, I have been using for almost 4 years now but the catch is I only use it during special occasions or events which I know I have no time to retouch. And yes, the price is a factor why I do not use it often.

The last 2 concealers were gifts from make-up artist-friends and I love them, I use it during my job interviews and when I know we have meetings or when we have guests and yes, no time for retouch is a factor. They are long-wearing and are not cakey at all. The coverage is very nice, very good for corporate and barely there make-up .

1.) Smashbox Camera Ready Full Coverage concealer

Dark circles and blotchy spots are a thing of the past with this vitamin-infused, portable fix-it stick. The innovative formula contains a soft focus powder to help minimize imperfections and vitamin C to fight free radicals and keep your skin looking younger. Provides natural yet buildable coverage on any area of the face.
$18.00

2.) Revlon Colorstay Undereye Concealer

Exclusive ColorStay™ formula and soft-touch applicator work to gently conceal dark undereye circles and discolorations, while giving you natural looking coverage all day. SoftFlex™ technology provides a lightweight, comfortable feel. Oil-free. Non-pore-clogging. Non-irritating. With SPF 15 UVA and UVB protection.
$9.99

3.) Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage

Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage completely camouflages dark circles, minor imperfections and discolorations.
Allure Best of Beauty Editors’ Choice – Best Concealer 2009
$28.00

4.) Bobbi Brown Corrector

For very dark circles and extra coverage, Bobbi’s secret is her Correctors. Use daily or just when you need extra coverage. Designed to be layered under your yellow-based Creamy Concealer shade, Correctors come in a range of twelve Bisque and Peach shades. Use fingers or the Concealer Brush to apply up to the lashline and into the inner corner of the eye. Smooth and blend by gently patting with the pads of your fingers. Follow with a layer of your regular Creamy Concealer shade.
$22.00

5.) Benefit Erase Paste

This concentrated, creamy concealer brightens and camouflages in one easy step! Targets dark circles, discoloration and imperfections.
$26.00

Ciao for now, I need to research on green shopping and yes, will blog about cosmetics that also contribute to saving mother earth .

So sorry for posting this Smashbox Sale Alert very late. I got preoccupied checking out life insurance quotes comparison and other errands in the homefront. Nevertheless, you still have until today to avail of this 20% off Friends&Family Smashbox sale. Just enter code: FF2010 upon check out and do not forget you get free shipping as well! Too bad I already purchased my Camera-Ready Concealer 2.0 at Ulta 2 days ago. Yay!

I had my own story of lash perming, you know the way salons do it permanently, well, permanent for at least 3 months. The only thing I did not like about it is when the curls start to wear off and I have irregular eyelashes. A make-up artist friend told me that this process also lessens the growth of your lash and eventually leaving your eyes with lesser eyelashes. Yikes! So for those looking for a product that would help your lashes grow more in terms of volume, this Smashbox Lash DNA Mascara looks promising. Off to check out these  spring plungers before I log off. Have a blessed week ahead everyone .

LASH DNA MASCARA

Revolutionary Double Helix Brush
- Specially-engineered design dramatically lengthens, separates & defines each lash
- Delivers intense, jet black lashes in just one coat
- Lashes instantly look bigger, bolder, longer & more defined
- Sweeps lashes up & out for a gorgeous, doe-eyed effect
$19.00