Tokidoki Makeup Review & Tutorial

I've always loved the super kawaii clutter of Tokidoki Designs. Now they have a whole cosmetics line available at Sephora that I couldn't refuse. I really didn't expect much from makeup in packaging so cute it made me want to vomit rainbows and unicorns, but I was pleasantly surprised. My video shows what I love about the eyeshadows, brushes, mascara, lip stain and lip glosses. There are also swatches and an application tutorial. Tokidoki!!! SQUEE!!!

Ask Marissa...Eye Primer for Red Eyelids

Jane Doe: I'm looking for a good eye primer but can't decide which one to go for. I want something that neutralizes the skin on my eyes (I have a lot of redness) but also gives my shadows mega staying power. 


Me: I have 3 favorite eye primers; M.A.C. Paint Pot in "Soft Ochre" ($16.50), Lancome's Ombre Perfecteur Pen ($23), and Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion ($18). All have yellow undertones to neutralize redness, and the staying power of shadows are amazing!

 
 

Smoky Eye Tutorial

This was a very unplanned, spur of the moment video tutorial of how to create a smoky eye. I've never edited video, but I tried my best. Please try ignore the lame Musak, and occasional whining child in the background.

Marissa's Pick of the Week - NYX Pigments

NYX Loose Pearl Powders are sold as eye shadows, but work like pigments, and for only $2.50 a pop, why spend up to $20 more on department store brands? The highly concentrated powder can be used on your eyes, face, lips, and eyelashes. You can find NYX products at www.nyxcosmetics.com, Ulta stores, and Ulta's website.

Here's a rundown of my NYX Loose Pearl Powder look:

Eyes:

All Over - Yellow Pearl

Outer corner, fanned out from the top of my cheek bone to the temple - Orange Zest Pearl

Under eyeliner and lashes - Jade Pearl





Face:

Apples of cheeks & bridge of nose- Very Pink Pearl







Lips:

no lip liner- Orange Zest Pearl on top of Make Up For Ever Lipstick #201

Marissa's Pick of the Week - Glitter!!!

1. I like glitter.
2. I like inexpensive, quality makeup
3. I LOVE NYX Glitter Cream Palette!

The website says it's 6.00 USD, but I purchased my pallet in "Sureal" for only 4.00 at a beauty supply shop (probably because "palette" was spelled wrong). I like using this formula with powders because it intensifies the pigments while adding a glittery effect. After experimenting with this cream shadow, I learned a couple things. It does not play well with other cream formulas, and it's a must that you pat it on, not stroke or rub. I like using a foam tip eyeshadow applicator or a concealer brush. It can be a little frustrating to get the hang of it at first, but once you figure out how to apply it, you will love it.

Here are the shades on my bare skin:

With a black base:

With a white base:

You can see how the glitter is subtle so that it's fun and pretty, not strippery.

Makeup Mondays: Neon!!!

It’s no secret that I LOVE the 80s. The 2010 summer trend definitely brings it back with bold neon colors that make me squeal with excitement! Hot pinks, vivid tangerines and shocking yellows will blind you with such ferocious fierceness, you’ll want to get out your metallic leggings and rubber bracelets.

Available Now:

M.A.C. of course has a variety of neon colors. I plan to get the following on my next visit:

Eyeshadows ($14.50) in Rule (vivid orange) and Bitter (vivid green)

lipsticks ($14) in So Chaud (intense reddish orange), and Morange (loudmouth orange)

Then I went on a mini neon splurge at Sephora yesterday and looky what I got (From Left to right):

Make Up For Ever Eyeshadows ($19) in #75 Neon Pink, #18 Tangerine, and #2 yellow 2;

Sephora by O.P.I. nail color ($9) in Hi Def

Kat Von D. Painted Love lipstick ($18) in A Go Go

Brands to look out for:

Chanel has a stunning 2010 summer collection coming soon. I’ve seen it, but don’t have a picture (boo!) due to the super special agents making sure online pictures don’t leak before it is released. You can, however, pre-order the nail polishes here. Keep checking Chanel.com for updates.

Also available soon: China Glaze's Poolside collection.

Makeup Mondays: The Matte Movement

Remember when the cool, special makeup colors had shimmer, and matte color was the normal boring stuff? Nowadays it's the opposite. Of course shimmer and glitter and sparkle are everywhere! The girls love it! Supply and demand, right? I'd like to present a challenge to all you millennium kids: leave the shimmer behind. Don't get me wrong, I love shimmer too, but there comes a time for change. I personally think matte makeup is more sophisticated and does a better job at defining facial features. Maybe it's my inner goth, but deep merlot lips and black shadowed eyes exude seductive, mysterious and inviting. My softer side thinks matte neutrals are perfect for achieving a romantic, vintage look. The best brands I've seen for matte makeup are Make Up For Ever and M.A.C. Matte will probably be a new trend this fall, so keep a look out for limited edition matte makeup from your favorite brands.

My faves!

Eye shadows:

Carbon (MAC, $14.50) - the blackest black. I also use this as an eyeliner.

Orange (MAC $14.50) - the perfect orange.

Fuchsia (Make Up For Ever, $19)

Teddy Bear Colour Surge Eyeshadow Quad (Clinique, $25) - I wear this quad on simple days to brighten my eyes. It enhances a very naturally.

Lipsticks:

Plum (Make Up Forever, $19) - a deep burgundy

Rust (Make Up For Ever, $19) - warm nude

Pink Chocolate (Clinique, $14) - neutral warm pink

Diva (M.A.C., $14) - reddish burgundy; this is my favorite plum ever!

Viva La Glam I (M.A.C., $14) - intense cool red; %100 of the profit goes to M.A.C.'s AIDS find

Viva La Glam III (M.A.C., $14) - warm plum; %100 of the profit goes to M.A.C.'s AIDS fund

Sephora Flame (NARS, $24) - the perfect red for warm skin tones

Blush:

Peach Apricot (Make Up For Ever, $19) - a light coral for a natural look

Pumpkin (Make Up For Ever, $19) -orange for bright and kind of crazy

Dusty Pink (Make Up For Ever, $19) - warm dusty pink for a natural look

Fever (M.A.C., $18.50) - Intense reddish burgundy for a vampy look

Melba (M.A.C., 18.50) - soft coral

Foundation:

Teint Idol Ultra (Lancome, $40) - oil free, buildable coverage, and wears for 14 hours

Perfectly Real Makeup (Clinique, $23) - long wearing, light weight, natural finish

Studio Tech (M.A.C., 29.50) - compact makeup that diffuses light and had a powder finish

Mat Velvet + Matifying Foundation (Make Up For Ever, $34) - oil free, controls shine, water-resistant

Dream Matte Mousse Makeup (Maybelline, $8-$10 available at drugstores) -super matte finish, light weight, buildable coverage

Makeup Mondays: Pink!

Until a few months ago the color pink made me uncomfortable. It was so feminine, so demure, so "girly." To me, "girly" was a bad thing. It meant giddy, air headed, boy crazy and shallow; everything I didn't want to be. When I was pregnant with my daughter, I would tell people "no pink please," in fear that she would inherit those traits by simply wearing the color. Well, just a few weeks ago I admitted to the Facebook world that I liked pink! What really triggered my admiration for the color was Aaron de Mey's debut color line for Lancome, Pink Irreverence.

I was practically forced into liking pink. As I looked through my Lancome spring business planner, I stopped jaws dropped on the pages gushing with hot pinks and sparkly blacks. I could hardly contain my excitement...for pink? A couple months later the line launched, and I was surprised to find out that I actually looked good in it! I then declared that anyone can wear pink. It's just a matter of finding the perfect shade for you.

I would go into detail about how to chose and wear the right pink for you, but cosmetiholic already interviewed me for this very subject. I was featured on her "Makeup Artist Monday" article back in June. You can view the blog here: http://cosmetiholic.com/2009/05/31/makeup-artist-monday-marissa-rhoades.aspx

Here are some of my favorite pinks:

Eye shadow:

• "MMM...Brains" by Coffin Color
• "Romping," from M.A.C.'s Hello Kitty "Too Dolly" eyeshadow quad ($38)
• "The Pink Carpet" by Lancome (unfortunately this color is discontinued, but you can search eBay for it.)
• "# 26 Fuchsia" by Make Up For Ever ($19)

Lips:

• "Bamboo Pink" Long Last Soft Shine Lipstick by Clinique ($14),
• "Rock Icon Fuchsia" Color Fever Lipstick ($25), and "Electric Pink" La Laque Fever Gloss ($26) by Lancome
• Posie Tint Lip and Cheek Stain by Benefit ($28)

Blush:

• "Iced Lotus" Blushing Blush by Clinique ($18.50)
• "Rose Fresque" Blush Subtil and "Shimmer Pink Pool" Blush Subtil Shimmer by Lancome ($29.50)
• "Thrrrob" cheeck powder by Benefit ($28)