Gotta Have It/Can Live Without It

Milani Power Lip Lasting & Moisturizing Gloss Stain

Milani’s new products are really big on YouTube and various blogs right now. One in particular are the Power Lip Gloss Stains. The gloss stains come in a small twist-up tube in eight different shades. I purchased seven of the eight shades and chose not to purchase the shade in strawberry sugar because I didn’t think it would flatter me at all. The brush applicator is very stiff when you open the package and has to be bent to apply the product. I do find them to be very pigmented but I don’t think they have the high shine or the moisturizing element that they claim to have. They may seem high shine in the pictures but they aren't. Rubbing your lips together would cause your lips to tug and pull. They have a semi matte finish not a glossy one. I don’t find them to be drying or at all sticky. I just wished they were actually moistening to the lips and glossy.

Be very careful when twisting the applicator to bring up the product. It takes a little while before you can see any of it come up but it can make a bit of a mess if you don’t take your time. The colors on the other hand are beautiful shades of pinks, corals, and even a nice beautiful deep plum red. I find that they last a really long time even through eating which surprised me.

Macaroon is a rose pink mauve nude that actually works for me as a very nice nude lip. 

Macaroon is a rose pink mauve which is a perfect everyday nude for me.

Raspberry Tart is a dark mauve another perfect every day color.

Mango Tango is a mango orange which is a perfect lips for this coming spring and is trending right now.

Pink Lemonade is a bright pink/red. This is one of my favorites.

Red Control is a deep classic red and is my favorite. This is the only one that I find to be glossy.

Cabaret Blend is a dark wine red that is a perfect fall color and very flattering on my skin tone. 

The verdict is in and I am happy to say that I am pleased with the overall quality and performance of these products. They are easy to use, comfortable on the lips, contain no scent or taste and are really pigmented. My favorite shades are Raspberry Tart, Pink Lemonade and my favorite classic red in Red Control. These products are available in stores now. Happy shopping!

Grade B+

11 Questions Tag

I'm so excited to be doing my first tag! My very good friend Chelle from Everyday Polish asked me if my blog was only about makeup or about me too. I thought about it and decided I want the people who are interested in knowing my opinion's on makeup, style, fashion, and even life to get to know me as well. What better way is there to make new friends around the world and help me get out of my shell. I immediately jumped at the chance to participate in the 11 Questions tag. Check out what  she had to say on her blog Everyday Polish because I know you'll enjoy getting to know her as I do.


1. What makes you happy?

When I think about what makes me happy three things come to mind. Children make me happy. My family is full of kids and they are full of laughter, fun, and unconditionally love. They always bring a smile to my face. Of course makeup makes me happy. For me, makeup is art. Being able to make and shape a face in my own image using different colors, techniques, and textures just brings joy into my life. I love to create and makeup gives me the freedom I need to do so. Last but not least is singing. I used to eat, sleep, and breath music. It wasn't until I stopped singing that I realized how much of myself I was missing because my life lacked the sense of self, calm, stability, and satisfaction I got when I would sing. I try my best to get out and sing when I can.

2. Why do you blog?

I blog because I enjoy everything beauty related. I thought it would be a good outlet to express myself while talking about the things that I love. I have a very busy life and very little time for myself. Blogging allows me to share my views on products to help people be better aware of the products available to them and how they perform. I enjoy talking about something that I love and showing people the possibilities that can come with some good contouring for the chubbier faces like myself. Or what products work best for oily skin. I've only been blogging for a couple of weeks and I've had so many people ask my opinion and recommendations on products and that makes me happy.

3. What’s the last book you read?

The last book I read was the Hunger Games series and of course I was obsessed. I enjoy reading but sadly I don't get to do it enough. This is one of my new years resolutions that I'd like to achieve. 

4. Who is your dream lunch date?

My dream lunch date is with you. One of my blog, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter, etc. followers. I would love to one day be able to have hundreds of friends out there who follow me and make recommendations and enjoy reading or hearing about my beauty opinions. When that day comes I want to be able to meet all of you and thank you for wanting to get to know me as much as I want to get to know you.

5. What would your 15 year old self say if he or she could see your life now?

She would say, "Oh my Gosh. Why do you have so much makeup"? Makeup didn't become a key part of my life until my last year of college. So my younger self would be stunned at the amount of products I own.

6. Who or what inspires you?

Wanting more for my family inspires me to reach for the stars. I have so many big dreams, goals and ideas. Wanting better for myself and them has really pushed me to take control and push myself to be better to be able to make my dreams a reality so I can support them as they have supported me.

7. What is one thing in your life you hope will be different one year from now?

One year from now I'm hoping I'll be able to see some progress on my blog and YouTube for all of my efforts and passion. I'm hoping that people take interest in what I have to say and in me.

8. What song ALWAYS makes you want to dance?

I am Haitian and I love a lot of things about my culture but one thing in particular is the music. Now, our music is very different from what you hear on the radio in the states and we dance differently as well. I love all of their music but if I had to pick one it would Danre Ra by Oli Duret. I jump up and dance every time I hear that song even if I'm driving. 

9. What do you think is the key to success?

I think the key to success is never giving up on your dreams, being smart and knowledgeable in the area in which you wish to venture into by doing your research and asking questions, and surrounding yourself with supportive loving individuals who build you up and help you on your journey.

10. What advice are you glad you never took?

All men cheat so you might as well settle for a man who will tolerate you instead waiting for a man who doesn't exist. If I had taken that advice I would be the most miserable person just like the woman who gave me that advice who is currently single with two kids.

11. What’s your favorite quote?

My favorite quote and motto is to "Be your own kind of beautiful". That's exactly what I'm going to do and encourage others to do as well.


So now I'm tagging you my readers answer these same questions. Feel free to message me on my contacts page of even leave a comment on this blog post with your answers. I can't wait to get to know you!

FACES by MelindaMeliana

I had the pleasure of having this beautiful young woman known as Jacinda as my first Makeup Art model. I handled the waxing of her eyebrows, the application of her makeup, and I styled her hair. The products used in this look are listed below.

This is the before photo.

Mac pigment in Tan is a must have! Look at how it sparkles and just opens up her eyes. Look out for the review coming your way soon!

We had first tried the look with a nice soft nude pink lip but decided the look needed a pop of color, and as we all know the client it always right!

So we went with a darker shade of pink that really brought out the raspberry pigment eyeshadows.

We didn't' want to much color on the cheeks to take away from the look as a whole so we decided to go with a really warm blush from MAC in Razin.

Model:
Jacinda P.

Brows:
MAC brow pencil in Stud
Essence Lash & Brow Gel in clear
Studio Finish Concealer in NW 50

Eyes:
ELF Studio Eye Primer
Anastasia Beverly Hills Catwalk palette and Lavish Brow and Eye Kit
LORAC palette

Face:
Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser
MAC Matchmaster foundation in 8.5
MAC Select Cover-Up NW45
MAC Prep+Prime Highlighter Bright Forecast
MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural in Dark Deep
MAC Razin blush
The Balm Mary Louminizer
City Color Contour Palette

Lips:

L'Oreal Le Laque Colour Riche Never Laquering 411 (lip 1)
Milani Uptown Mauve 20 (lip 2)

Hair:
Remington CI95AC/2 Tstudio Salon Collection Pearl Digital Ceramic Curling Wand 1 inch to half an inch
Sexy Hair Spray Clay hair spray

Gotta Have It/Can Live Without It: Milani Lip Intense Liquid Color

Milani’s new spring 2014 products hit stores between the last week of January and the first week of February and boy did they make a splash! One of the many new products released were the Lip Intense Liquid Color lips products. Now who can resist bright neon fuchsias and pinks and corals for the spring? I know I never can matter what time of year it is! These four amazing bright pigmented liquid lipsticks are full coverage but still manage to be lightweight as a gloss and are not sticky or drying.

The product comes in a non-traditional shaped tube that allows you to see the color of the product through the packaging. I am not a fan of this particular dome shaped applicator. I feel like it makes the application more difficult. It is dome shaped but flat on both sides making it impossible to make a precise outline of my lips.

The product comes in a non-traditional shaped tube that allows you to see the color of the product through the packaging. I am not a fan of this particular dome shaped applicator. I feel like it makes the application more difficult. It is dome shaped but flat on both sides making it impossible to make a precise outline of my lips.

Pink Rave

The scent reminds me of vanilla flavored tootsie roll which I love so I have no complaints when it comes to that. It doesn’t really have a taste which I like. The finish can either be glossy or matte depending on how much you build and layer the product and it does not stain.

Fiery Coral

I was impressed with the quality of these liquid lipsticks because they are very much comparable to high end products such as Hourglass’s Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipsticks or Lime Crime’s Velvetine lip stains with the exception of the prices difference. They are opaque and apply smoothly. I didn’t   find that any of the shades feathered on me or dried out my lips throughout the day.

Violet Addict

Extreme Red

I was impressed with the quality of these liquid lipsticks because they are very much comparable to high end products such as Hourglass’s Opaque Rouge Liquid Lipsticks or Lime Crime’s Velvetine lip stains with the exception of the prices difference. They are opaque and apply smoothly. I didn’t find that any of the shades feathered on me or dried out my lips throughout the day.


The verdict is in and I hate to say it but I am obsessed with these products and have added them to my makeup junkie life. These products are a Gotta Have It staple item. Get them while they’re on sale at CVS for buy 1 get 1 50%. You also can earn extra bucks this week when purchasing cosmetics.

New Milani Cosmetics Spring 2014 Products

New Milani Cosmetics Spring 2014 Products

Milani Cosmetics has been buzzing all over social media and YouTube over the past several weeks, for their new product launch for spring 2014! I’m excited to say that Milani definitely hit the target on this one. 

There are not many drugstore products that I would put up next to high end products to compare but I am intrigued and pleased with the quality of some of their items.

Please look forward to seeing reviews on each set of items listed. As of February 9^th, 2014 CVS is having a sale on most of their beauty products. Milani products will be buy 1, get 1 50% until February 15^th 2014. 

Get them while they’re still in stock ladies and gents! If I get additional information as to when these products go on sale or what coupons are offered, I will definitely be sure to share.