MAC Style Black- Review and Complete Swatches

I have already reviewed Style Black for you here, now feast your eyes on complete swatches of the collection!
So, what do you all think? Will you be hauling Style Black? :)

Roll Out the Red Carpet with Lorac, & Meet Carol Shaw!

Being the huge celebrity that I am, I just don't have the time or patience to spend on applying lots of makeup that doesn't perform. I mean, in between the movie screenings, killer afterparties, and trips to the French Riviera, who has the time to waste on junky products and messy singles?

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OK, so maybe I am exaggerating just a wee bit, but good palettes are hard to come by, while great liquid liners are even harder to spot. Fortunately, LORAC has the cure for what ails you (and me). LORAC proves that you don't have to be rich and famous to have quality makeup that works as hard as you do, whether you are a Hilton or a simple suburban gal.

I have not had the opportunity to explore much of the line before, but after trying both the Red Carpet Reveal Palette, and Front of the Line Pro Liner, I swiftly kicked myself in the shins (not easy, trust me) for not trying LORAC sooner. I came, I swatched, I tested, and I promptly fell madly in love.

Front of the Line Pro Black Liquid Liner

Front of the Line Pro Liner is a gift from above, and an amazing liquid liner to boot. This sleek pen applies both the thinnest and thickest of lines, and does. not. move! I have previously declared my love for the fabulous Chanel liquid liner pens, but Front of the Line Pro has now bumped Chanel out of the rotation. The black shade is rich, with a slight metallic sheen to it. Best of all, no clicking necessary, and no ooze to deal with.

Red Carpet Reveal Palette

The Red Carpet Reveal Palette houses a beautiful trio of neutral eyeshadow shades, alongside a dusty rose blush. Not one to gravitate towards neutrals usually, it was the quality and versatility of the palette that drew me in at first. Each and every shade is buttery soft and deliciously pigmented. The colors range from a shimmering pale gold to rich, deep chocolate brown, with textures that are in that perfect state of everyday shadow homeostasis, right between a shimmer and a matte.

Don't take my word for it, here are the swatches:

And here is an fotd featuring the palette and liner as well:

These new offerings from Lorac are definitely not to be missed. Seriously, you need these now. Get your own at LORAC.com, or Sephora.com, and get camera ready in no time flat.

Speaking of which, all of you lucky ducks in California have the opportunity to meet Carol Shaw, creator of LORAC (Carol spelled backwards) in person, at Ulta in Huntington Beach.

Here is the 411:

WHAT: Beauty aficionados will have the opportunity to meet Carol Shaw and get the inside scoop as she shares her makeup tips! Guests will also be treated to VIP makeup consultations from LORAC and ULTA Makeup Artists and complimentary beauty essentials including a mini TANtalizer Baked Bronzer. Plus, as a gift with purchase LORAC is offering a full-size Co-Star Lip Gloss.

WHEN: SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3RD, 12pm - 5pm

WHERE: ULTA – Huntington Beach
7777 Edinger Avenue, Suite 130
Huntington Beach, CA 92647
714.891.9708

As always, I highly recommend that you attend if you are in the area. If you do, I would love to hear all about it too!

La Prairie Releases the Life Threads Fragrance Collection

In a fragrance release that is as sumptuous and luxurious as the iconic house that is releasing it, the Life Threads Fragrance collection from La Prairie takes perfumery one step further with a full-on sensory experience that combines smell, sight, touch, and sound. The fragrances themselves unfold to reveal distinct notes that call to the senses, progressing much like the important stages in a woman's life. Having had the ultimate pleasure of sampling the scents at a recent event, I must say that it was love at first sniff.

Known for it's exceptionally innovative skincare and stunning color collections, La Prairie sought to take the existing line one step further with a trio of fragrances that goes places fragrance doesn't traditionally venture to. The Life Threads experience goes beyond scent, stimulating other senses such as sight (with video), touch (with beautiful bottles encircled with their namesake threads), and sound (with a distinctively beautiful soundtrack). As for the scents themselves, each one is unique and beautifully crafted. I think of the fragrance trio as a progressive series, with notes in each that call to distinct, fundamental elements of the feminine personality.
My absolute favorite of the bunch, Life Threads Silver is a sweet floral that is both warm and flirtatious. To me Silver is your twenties. The scent represents that stage in your life where you are simply enjoying life and all of the pleasures it has to offer. You aren't sure where you are headed, but you are definitely enjoying the ride. The citrus notes provide a burst of energy, while the strong floral notes lend a hint of flirtation. I happily wore this scent all weekend, and received dozens of compliments.
The second fragrance, Life Threads Gold is a spicy floral scent that instantly draws you in and wraps you in its silken embrace. A twist on the traditional citrus floral, the spicy notes add just the right amount of intrigue and mystery. Gold is your thirties, representing that time in your life where you are comfortable with yourself, and confident in your abilities. The Gold woman is ambitious, strong, powerful, and fiercely feminine.
The third fragrance of the collection, Life Threads Platinum is a musky floral. The fragrance personifies assertiveness, sophistication, and elegance. The leather and musk provide the 'strength' of the scent, giving the otherwise sweet floral a bit of a kick. This is a scent for a powerful woman, both radiant and confident. To me, this scent was a bit more mature than all the others, yet nonetheless beautiful in both execution and tone.

To compliment the release of the fragrances, La Prairie is launching a website on October 1st, appropriately titled lifethreads.com. Providing the visual backdrop of the launch, the life threads site will house a total of nine featurettes that embody and exhibit the very essence of each scent. The first video to launch will be 'Top of the World', the embodiment of the Platinum fragrance.

The voice of this launch is none other than soulful songstress Lucy Kaplansky, whose beautiful ballad "Life Threads" provides the auditory backdrop for the launch. Lucy will be touring starting next month, so be sure to check her out at a La Prairie counter near you. Her first appearance will be on October 1st, at Bloomingdales SOHO (504 Broadway) from 5pm-7pm, so don't miss it! Visitors will receive an autographed CD and the chance to meet Lucy herself with the purchase of any Life Threads fragrance.

For tour dates and more information, be sure to check out Lucy's tour schedule here. I have listened to her album, Red Thread, and it is truly something special.

The full Life Threads Fragrance Collection officially launches in October, and will be available at Bergdorf Goodman, Bloomingdales, Saks Fifth Avenue, Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, and LaPrairie.com

ShoeWoo for the Shoe OBSESSED

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Raise your pedicured, ankle boot covered feet if you have more pairs of shoes than items of food in your fridge. After all, who needs food when you have a closet full of beautiful shoes?

Fortunately, we are not alone in our minor obsessions. There is a new kind of destination coming to New York City that will set out shoe-loving hearts aflutter. Shoe Woo is an exciting new store opening on October 1st, at the corner of 59th and Lexington (in the heart of the city!). Designed for shoe lovers, by shoe lovers, Woo celebrates you and your passion for fabulous shoes. Something tells me that the shoe lovers in all of us will feel like kids in a candy store!

There will be lot of fun giveaways, so make sure you are following @ShoeWoo on Twitter.

And, not one to go on descriptions alone, here is a sneak peek into the new store via artist renderings. Looks like shoetopia to me. ;)

Stay tuned for more news on Shoe Woo. Until then, tell me how many pairs of shoes you have?

40% Off Super Sale at Three Custom Color

From now until midnight on October 1st, receive 40% off all of your purchases at Three Custom Color Specialists. Simply enter code LOVE at checkout.

Happy Shopping!

Contest News & a Vote for Me

First and foremost...

I won Mizz Worthy's Illamasqua Contest!!!

I cannot even begin to tell you how honored I am, that my superhero entry earned me the win in Jen's fabulous superhero and villains contest. Congratulations to everyone who entered, because all of your submissions were stellar.

Here is the winning entry, Starchild:


Now, on to the second item of business, hehe

I was recently nominated and subsequently made a finalist in the Hyper Luxe Media Network Hot 100 for favorite beauty blogs. If you could take the time and vote, I would really really appreciate it! It will only take a second, so please vote for me here: Vote!

5 Year Anniversary FOTD and FOTD

As I had previously mentioned, this past weekend I celebrated my 5 year anniversary with my boyfriend. We spent the weekend enjoying each others company, and a hotel suite out east. Saturday night we went to one of our favorite seafood restaurants, and here is the look and outfit I wore. :)

Face:
Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Lite
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
it Cosmetics My Sculpting Face Palette
MAC Otherworldly Blush

Eyes:
Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin
Lorac Red Carpet Reveal Palette
Dior Night Butterfly Palette (the deep burgundy shade)
Illamasqua Pure Pigment in Android (LOVE!)
MAC lashes 45 (the most amazing falsies ever)
Fusion Beauty XL Mascara
Lorac Liquid Liner Pen
Make Up For Ever Aqua Black Cream Shadow to line waterline and tightline

Lips:
Illamasqua Lipstick in Sonnet
Illamasqua Sheer Gloss in Explode

Outfit:
Tights by Givenchy
Shoes and Dress by bebe
Jewelry by Aqua
What do you think of the look? :)

Carol's Daughter Hair Milk Contest

Carol's Daughter has a great contest that is running RIGHT NOW.

In the weekly HAIR MILK contest, winners are selected every Thursday night with the winner announced every Friday. The weekly HAIR MILK contest ends on October 15.

The weekly winners advance to the next level of the contest where a GRAND PRIZE winner, a RUNNER-UP and a third-place winner will be announced on Monday October 26th.

Make sure you enter, to win a bunch of fabulous prizes. Enter by clicking here, and good luck!

Nordstrom Brings You the Philosophy Makeover Event

Now my readers know, I am a HUGE fan of Philosophy. That in mind, I am jealous of all of you that have the opportunity to attend this wonderful event.

WHEN:
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 3rd (Santa Ana, CA),
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 10th (Chicago, IL),
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17th (Arlington, VA), all from 11AM – 6PM

WHERE:

Nordstrom-Santa Ana 2820 North Main Street Santa Ana, CA 92705 714.338.4470

Nordstrom-Michigan Avenue 55 East Grand Avenue Chicago, Il 60611 312.464.1515

Nordstrom-Pentagon City 1400 South Hayes City Arlington, VA 22202 703.415.1121

WHAT: Whether you’re 15 or 50, the key to looking your best is having flawless skin. Philosophy is hosting “supernatural saturdays,” a series of special events for mothers and daughters to receive personalized makeup consultations and applications, as well as teen-tested and mom-approved tips for applying makeup the right way and accentuating your best features. John Trau, philosophy’s expert makeup artist, will be on-hand to offer tips on how to introduce teens to makeup and play up their natural beauty – without looking too made up.

CALLING ALL TEENS AND MOMS: PUT YOUR BEST FACE FORWARD WITH PHILOSOPHY’S “SUPERNATURAL SATURDAYS” MAKEUP SCHOOL AT NORDSTROM STORES IN SANTA ANA, CHICAGO AND ARLINGTON

Philosophy Hosts Series of Makeover Events To Help Mothers & Daughters Look their Most Beautiful this Fall

Philosophy’s new supernatural collection boasts healthy new makeup options that are derived from nature. Minerals, plants, fruit extracts, vitamins and antioxidants to hydrate, improve and protect. Just as important as what’s in the products is what they’re free of – parabens, phthalates, mineral oil, talc, sulfates, propylene glycol, pegs and fragrance.

Anyone who receives a makeup application will be able to create their own supernatural video in a customized supernatural video booth and email it to five of their closest friends or family members. In addition, receive a FREE 4oz award winning Purity Made Simple cleanser with the purchase of any two supernatural philosophy products, and a FREE “be supernatural” philosophy cosmetic bag with any $100 philosophy purchase.

AND – if you can’t make it to one of the three supernatural Saturday events, visit your local Nordstrom counter to enter for a chance to win a private supernatural makeup party with five friends at the Nordstrom store in your neighborhood, which includes a private skincare and makeup consultation, personalized makeup tips and custom makeup applications for the group. Consumers can enter from October 1st – 17th, and four winners from each of Nordstrom’s 112 stores will be chosen on October 31st, the final Saturday of the month.

If you are lucky enough to be in those areas, I highly recommend that you check it out. If you do, send me pics and tell me all about it. :)

Anniversary

Those of you who know me, know that today is a very special day. Today marks the 5 year anniversary of the day that my boyfriend and I officially started dating.

I will be taking a very brief break, as I will be away for the weekend. Then, on Sunday into Monday, I will be observing Yom Kippur. Regular posts will resume on Tuesday.

Have a great weekend!

xo
KB

5 Days of Fashion Week Looks Day 5

Since it was a Sunday, and I knew I would be spending the evening with the fabulous Mehron team, I opted to go for a dramatic makeup look with breezy clothing. The weather finally took a turn for the better, so that was a bonus too.

Wearing:
Top by French Connection UK
Black Jeggings by 7 for All Mankind
Gladiator Flats by Via Spiga
Jewelry by H&M
Did I mention that McCafe was a sponsor? They kept us all well caffeinated throughout the week. :)

Makeup:

MUFE HD Primer
Armani Luminous Silk Foundation
Chanel Moisturizing Bronzer
MAC Blush in Otherworldly
MAC Paint Pot in Otherworldly
MUFE Flash Color in Sky Blue
MAC Clear Sky Blue Pigment
MUFE Eyeshadows in 120,168
MUFE Purple Cream Liner
Mascara Duo
MUFE Lipstick in 402
Chanel Coral Reef Glossimer

This concludes my fotd/ootd series. Did you find the posts enjoyable? I would love to hear your thoughts!

HLMN Weekend Roundup

This week BeautySweetSpot's own, Jeannine Morris, was at the Emmy's doing a segment for E!. Get the behind the scenes scoop on the red carpet and celebrity swag suites.

Beauty Junkies Unite has 3 easy ways to plumper, fuller lips.

Best Things in Beauty has a Juice Beauty Giveaway Contest underway, along with information on how gals with straight, wavy, or curly hair can can achieve their coveted look with Ouidad hair care.

Brown Suga Fashion and Beauty Blog breaks down Fall's new face

Fab Glance Nashville guides you through picking the perfect watch for the man in your life.

Fabulous Over Forty has a week long review of mascaras with a giveway at the end of the week.

FerOHHHsh takes on Fall style for Non Barbies.

Gouldylox Reviews asks what makes us jones for the latest and greatest in beauty .

Hot Beauty Health answers a common skin question: How do I get rid of acne scars?

The Informed Makeup Maven heads backstage at the Walter show and gets the scoop on the look for fall with Stila.

Krasey Beauty shows you her favorite outfit and makeup look from New York Fashion Week.

Discover 10 ways to look younger at Prime Beauty.

Looking a little pale going into Fall? Read up on Lipgloss Break's favorite Self Tanning Products and my self tanning application tips!

Marina from Makeup4all reminds you all Collections by MAC cosmetics for 2009th Year.

theNotice takes a look at makeup + chronic pain to come up with a easy five-minute face -- for everyone!

Check out why Ilamasqua is illmatic on SickaThanAverage.com

Fall in love with Su Ferreira's beauty picks.

For more information about The HLMN or how to become an affiliate please visit our website.

Passion for Fashion- Jazzy Jewelry

I think I am going to start a trend here on KraseyBeauty. I will call it Fashion Friday, and in those posts I will focus on pieces that I am loving/coveting/or proudly displaying.

Let's start this feature off right with some amazing jewelry. Everyone and their grandma knows about QVC and HSN, but rarely do us 20-somethings really watch and indulge in the stuff we find when hopping channels. Well folks, I just couldn't resist. Here are my newest baubles, courtesy of Victoria Wieck (HSN) and Lauren G Adams (QVC)

Lauren G Adams Checkboard Princess Cut Cocktail Ring

I absolutely adore anything purple, and this larger than life ring pushes all the right buttons

Victoria Wieck Absolute Sterling Silver Champage Koala Ring

Isn't she adorable?! This ring on first glance is your typical champagne quartz. On closer inspection, the adorable koala just sort of jumps out at you.

Clearly, you can find some gems on them home shopping channels. Victoria Wieck is my absolute favorite jewelry designer, and I own so many of her vintage-looking gemstone pieces that it borders on obsession.

What are your fab jewelry finds, in the most unlikely of places?