Random Acts of Swatching: MUFE Aqua Taupe, Graftobian Lips, and Stila All Over

Today’s edition of random acts of swatching really is quite random, as I have a smattering of products from a smattering of different brands. Let’s get to it then, shall we?

Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream in Taupe

Make Up For Ever Metals

Glittering jewelry, foiled accessories, and now adornments for face and body. Molten metals are everywhere you look this season, but they are especially making a big splash on the cosmetics scene. Giving makeup fanatics (a group I may or may not be a part of) what they want, my beloved Now, Make Up For Ever has captured gold’s true essence in a brand new product that both delights and inspires. Say hello to the metal collection, a new line that will be making its way to Sephora stores for the holiday season.

An Audience with Dany Sanz, and Make Up For Ever Aqua Creams Launch at Sephora

As a beauty blogger, I sometimes have to step back and think about how incredibly fortunate I am to have gotten where I find myself today. My journey has marked several accomplishments, most of which are attributed to the amazing talents I have had the privilege to meet. From the world's most talented artists, to the wonderful people that make a beauty brand, I have oftentimes found myself to be in the company of greatness. On this particular occasion that I will visit in the post, I had a second opportunity to listen to, and speak with one of my idols, Dany Sanz. For those of you who are not familiar, Dany is a professional makeup artist and the creator of my beloved brand, Make Up For Ever.

In town for the Makeup Show, Dany and her team gathered several lucky bloggers in the intimate New York Studio to introduce her newest product, Aqua Creams. If you are a regular reader of the blog, you know that I purchased these creamy pots of waterproof goodness the very moment they came out at the pro boutique. Since I was already well acqainted with the product, I could devote my full attention to the story Dany told.

*Not included in the US release is the deep purple shade, whose pigment formulation is not US- approved

Inspired by the French Aquatic Ballerinas she worked with, Dany set out to create a multitasking product that would withstand the test of heavy underwater wear. With a beauty philosophy that has always embraced products that are both colorful and heavily pigmented, Dany would stand for nothing less than a cream with a waterproof (not water-resistant, but PROOF), opaque, sparkling finish. She shared with us that her concept and the product were a long time in the making, but that her journey to the finish line was not an easy one. In the end though, she created 22 shades from the demure to the intense, made to be worn on eyes, lips, and cheeks.

In case you didn't know, these pots of color are pretty much rocking my world.

Not quite a beauty product, but I do have to show you all these micro cupcakes from Baked by Melissa, that were too adorable not to be snapped.

Post presentation, we were given free reign to play. Naturally, I had to pick Dany's brain for some more tidbits on what Make Up For Ever has in store. Being the color fiend that I am, I inquired after the possibility of matte Aqua Creams. Dany shares my desire to see that idea come to life, as she too loves mattes, but the issue is the unstable nature of finish. She assured me that it was only a minor bump in the quest towards the perfect product. If anyone can do it, Dany can. She also told me to expect more products in her famous HD range.

I am still over the moon after having chatted with Dany, even a week later. Her dedication and devotion to creating a brand that embraces all beauty philosophies has brought the masses the wonderful products that make up our lives (and faces).

Make sure to check your local Sephora for the Aqua Creams, since these beauties are now available both online and in stores. Trust me, if ever there was a Make Up For Ever product that you absolutely NEED, MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Creams are it.

A Closer Look at New MUFE HD Blushes- Skin Swatches

An addendum to my original post on the brand new HD blushes, here are swatches of 3 of the shades on skin. More as I get them of course.

Beauty Quickie- Make Up For Ever Flash Color Heaven, The Palette

Ladies and Gents, one of my beauty wishes has finally come true. I have received the Make Up For Ever Flash Color Palette as a gift, and I am over the moon giddy right now.

Beauty Curiousity

For those of you that were speculating on which shades I chose to be my first for the new Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream Shadows.

Make Up For Ever Icons Metallic

Make Up For Ever Icon Collection Holiday 2010

Excited for all things new from Make Up For Ever? Well how about one last tasty little morsel to whet you appetite for holiday(!) 2010? Say hello to the metallic Icon collection.

For swatches and more details, read on!

New Make Up For Ever Colored Aqua Creams- Taste the Cream-Filled Rainbow (Swatches and Review)

It wasn't too long ago that we all heard rumblings of a very new and exciting product from Make Up For Ever via their twitter account. Whisperings of an aqua cream formula in all colors of the rainbow leaked late last summer, much to my frenzied excitement.

To say I was excited about the launch of Aqua Cream in color (COLOR!) is a gross understatement. Aqua black is already one of my most beloved products, and the prospect of having that formula in glorious technicolor left me gleeful, giddy, and altogether desperate to get my hands on them. As soon as I heard these were available in store, I ran, skipped, and subwayed it over to the boutique to go play.

With a stellar assortment of 22 different shades, there is literally a color to satisfy everyone from the neutral Nancies to the bright Bettys. Each shade is deliciously unique, with finishes that range from the metallic, to the shimmering, to the satiny matte. The creams glide on easily, blend dreamily, and do.not.budge once they dry down on the skin. Also, these are incredibly versatile in that all of the shades are lip, face, and eye safe. Yay for multi-taskers!

Enough of the chatter, let's look at the colors (COLORS!).

L-R Top Row 1-6, then 7 to 13, 14-20 (Natural light)

To see more swatches, click on!

Make Up For Ever HD Blush

Have I ever told you all how much I adore Make Up For Ever? No?!

I is just a little bit obsessed... Anywho, after several emails from all of you, and countless teasers from the Makeup Show LA (Felicia, I am looking at you!), you know it wouldn't be long before I gave in to the siren call of all the new goodies just launched by my precious. With the goal of doing some investigating (and purchasing, but don't tell mom!), I embarked upon an epic journey of great import to the famed land of cosmetic hopes and dreams known as the Make Up For Ever Boutique. Completely overwhelmed by the face candy explosion, and as excitable as a tot in a candy store, I set about the incredibly difficult (not really) task of playing with makeup. Blogging and playing with beauty products is hard work you see, and I was very fortunate in that I had the amazing KJ Bennett present to guide me through it all.

First up, let us discuss the new HD Blushes. An addition to the wildly popular HD line,

Sneak Peek- Make Up For Ever Newness!

A little birdy told me that she heard a rumor that a certain Make Up For Ever crazed beauty blogger took a field trip to one Make Up For Ever boutique. Coming soon to Krasey Beauty...

Who is excited? :)

Krasey in Love

This has been a long time coming, but I wanted to do a post like this. These are my current obsessions.

Basically, it goes a little something like this:

I am applying my makeup in the morning, or my skincare in the evening
I reach for something either automatically, or with the intent
I have a bit of an epiphany, during which I toss up my arms and do the happy dance as I realize that I am head over heels, crazy (krasey) in love with that product.

Contest Alert- Make Up For Ever and the Runaways

Krasey Beauty loves Make Up For Ever, and Make Up For Ever Loves Rock and Roll!

To celebrate the upcoming release of the film, MAKE UP FOR EVER has partnered with “The Runaways” to host a sweepstakes where one lucky winner and a guest will be invited to party like a true rock star at the New York City premiere of the film on March 17th. For official rules and more information on how to enter, visit the official Make Up For Ever site. Don't forget to also fan MUFE on facebook to get your smoky-eyed, rocker-inspired, makeup look fix.

More on how to get your favorite rocker look later. In the meantime, be sure to enter that contest.

New from Make Up For Ever- HD Blush!

I have long heard rumblings that there was going to be a brand new product in Make Up For Ever's HD line. In fact, Dany Sanz told me herself that we would specifically be seeing a brand new HD blush sometime in 2010. Well folks, that time has come to reveal the latest and greatest in the HD line. Introducing...

 

"Make Up For Ever’s high pigmented, non-drying cream blushes leaves virtually no visible texture on the skin and comes in 14 shades ranging from soft natural tones to richly saturated colors for dramatic effects."

Looks like a product that will be perfect for the blush-fickle. Color me excited, who else can't wait to try HD blush?

Backstage at New York Fashion Week- Thuy by Make Up For Ever, Zoya, and Cutler Salon

The Thuy girl is classic and cool. A refined Uptown Girl, who is just a little bit undone.

Makeup by Lottie for Make Up For Ever

 

Led by Lottie, the Make Up For Ever team created a look that was cool and fresh, without trying too hard. 

To get the look, models were prepped with HD Foundation, Super Matte Loose Powder #12, Mat Bronze #2 and #6, Shine on Powder in #3 and #6, and Pan Cake Foundation in #3.

The eyes were adorned with Diamond Shadow in #305, Star Powder in #920 and #957, and Smoky Lash Mascara. Lips were stained crimson with a mixture of flash colors #1 and #17, for a soft red pout with no harsh lines.

 

Nails by Sunshine Outing for Zoya Nail Polish

For the nails, Thuy wanted a look that was neutral, but not too pedestrian. Zoya brought some pizazz to the realm of neutrals by applying two coats of Tasha (a sheer cream), with a layer of Uli (a warm gilded nude) on top.

Hair by Rodney Cutler for Cutler Salon

 

The hair look for Thuy was all about unique textures and a strong silhouette. To achieve the look, the Cutler team first utilized a straight blow-out. To achieve lift and volume, stylists back-combed hair at the root, effectively lifting hair at the crown. The ultimate goal was to have movement and bounce on the top layer of the hair, as models walk down the runway.

 

 

  

Cool, chic, and just a little undone, the look at Thuy was as beautiful as it was wearable. If shows thus far are any indication, fall will be about red lips and hair texture in a big way.

Make Up For Ever Love at the Grammys

I love MUFE, you love MUFE, we all really do love Make Up For Ever.

Rock royalty has been flocking to MAKE UP FOR EVER at the Grammy Style Studio to dish on the products they can’t live without and get touched up last week’s many red carpet events.  MAKE UP FOR EVER’s expert artists were also on-hand to offer tips and personalized product recommendations to get glam for yesterday’s big show.

Here is the scoop on a few celebrity favorites:

• Adam Lambert – loves MAKE UP FOR EVER HD Microfinish Powder
• Keri Hilson – is a big fan of HD Invisible Cover Foundation and HD Microfinish Powder
• Colbie Caillat – uses the HD Complexion range

All I can say is these musical talents know a great thing when they see it. I am a HUGE fan of the HD range, touting it as my HG. Good to know that I am in good (and glamorous) company. 

Pink, Purple and White Valentine's Themed FOTD

This past Sunday, I found myself rather bored and in need of expending some serious creative energy. Given that it has been quite some time since I rained love on my Make Up For Ever eyeshadows, and with Valentine's day coming up, I got the creative juices flowing again with this Valentine's Day inspired FOTD.

For more pics, and to find out what I used, take the jump!

On a Roll with the FOTD's, and An OOTD to Boot!

I took the time I had 2 weekends ago as a chance to really get my creative juices flowing. I am not home on weekends all that often, so being home and having all of my palettes and materials at my disposal was a fun change of pace.

This look was for a lazy Sunday out with the boyfriend. I haven't shown love to my beloved MUFE 92, and that of course needed remedying.

To find out what I used, see the outfit, and for more pics. Take the jump!

Halloween Inspiration- A Make Up For Ever Superhero Look

Given my obsession with beauty, and my love of all things creative, it is surprising to some that I do not participate in Halloween festivities. Fact of the matter is, I grew up terrified of clowns, and of people wearing exaggerated monster makeup. I'm not kidding either, as a little girl when I refused to eat my dinner (which was quite often), my mom would threaten to call the clown car. Another fun fact, I told a clown at my 6 year birthday party not to touch me or come near me. Yeah, clowns creep me out.

Anywho, suffice it to say that I don't like the holiday. Not wanting to leave you all out in the cold though, I wanted to at least provide one piece of inspiration. Recall my Illamasqua superhero contest entry.

This look is surprisingly easy to do, with a trick.

Ingredients:

Foundation and blush of your choice

Make Up For Ever Eyeshadows in 75 and 92

Nars Lipstick in Schiap

A pair of funky neon-ified lashes

Apply foundation and blush as usual, and achieve the eye look by applying hot pink to the lid and neon purple to cut the crease. Line under the eye with neon purple, and top off the eye look with the exaggerated lashes.

The stars look difficult, but are super easy to do as well. The secret is stickers. Yep, stickers.

Pick up a pack of standard issue star stickers, and separate the border, not the stars from the sheet. You are then left with rectangular, sticky templates to lay across your face in whatever shape you choose. Pack an eyeshadow brush with the eyeshadow of your choice, and dab it into the star shaped spaces. Once  you peel off the template,  you are left with a face full of stars.

.A fun hot pink lipstick like Nars Schiap gives the look a little something extra.

What will you be this Halloween?

5 Days of Fashion Week Looks- Day 2

Day 2 was a biggie for me. Not only was it my first day reporting from the tents (and backstage!), but it was also Fashions Night Out. You already saw some of my pics from the day, now allow me to give you the inside scoop on what I wore.

The Outfit:
For my first day, I wanted to make a statement. I knew I would be running around a lot, but I did not want to sacrifice style or comfort. I opted with a pair of distressed skinny jeans, a lace blouse, and an attention grabbing cropped jacket. The jeans were tucked into my trusty Corso Como boots, naturally. You tell me what kind of a look you think I was going for. ;)

Jeans, Blouse, Jacket by bebe
Earrings by H&M
Boots by Corso Como
The Makeup:
I wanted to switch it up for Day 2 by going dramatic on the eyes, because that is what the Krasey Beauty does best.
Wearing:
Make Up For Ever HD Primer (pink) and Foundation (115)
it Cosmetics My Sculpted Face Palette
Smashbox Blush Rush in Crush (I abused the heck out of this last week!)
Make Up For Ever HD Concealer
Urban Decay Primer Potion (Original)
Make Up For Ever Silver Flash Color
Make Up For Ever Eyeshadows in 116, 120, 160, 170
Makeup Designory Shadow in Voodoo
Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream Liner in Green
Mascara Duo of YSL and Smashbox
Same Mascara Duo as before
MAC Myth Lipstick
Nars Chelsea Girls Lip Lacquer

Thoughts?

Make Up For Ever- Ultra-Violet

This isn't actually a spotlight feature in the US, this artistry look hails from Make Up For Ever of Singapore.

The key pieces in this collection are eyeshadows in 92, 126, and 169 (of course you know, I have all 3 already), Aqua Eyes in 11L and 21L (check), Sculpting Blush #10, Glossy Full Lip Colour #9 (double check). Looks like I have all the ingredients, so I should probably get to work.

Source: My Lifestyle Map

This look is all kinds of stunning, what do you think?