Review: Sleek MakeUP

I just received my Sleek MakeUP order and wanted to share my thoughts on the products I received. I discovered this brand via YouTube, I believe in a video by MakeupbyMel. The colors in the palette were so beautiful, that I kept thinking I must have this! After much research, I found this UK based brand to only be sold in the UK… in their drug stores! You can find past and present palettes on eBay, but now you can order online.

I ordered four palettes, the Oh So Special, Storm, Bad Girl, and The Original, and each contain 12 eye shadows. The palettes are $10 USD each and the shipping charges are $13.50 USD for all orders to the U.S., regardless of how much your order totals. It took about 10 days to arrive via postal service.

The Oh So Special palette contains 7 matte shades and 5 shimmer shades, including pinks, browns and plums. The Storm palette is probably my favorite, containing 3 matte shades and 9 shimmer shades. With lots of neutrals, this palette is perfect for every day or nighttime looks.

The Bad Girl palette is the palette made for smoky eyes with 2 mattes and lots of dark shades. The Bad Girl palette will bring out the bad girl in all of us! The last one is The Original with all 12 shades being shimmer. The colors are vibrant and bright. Each palette contains a black shade, for smoking out your look.

The shadows are mineral based, so an eye shadow primer is needed. I found that the Urban Decay Primer Potion works well, I used Eden. It helps the eye shadows stick and not crease or fade. I have not tried foiling these shadows, as I don’t want to ruin them.  The colors are so pigmented that the color you see is the color you get! And you really do not need much product on your brush, because a little bit goes a long way!

I look forward to more from this company. My next order will be… blush! Check out sleekmakeup.com for all the products that they offer.

XO Shannon

Friends with Benefits... Go see it!!!

So this past Friday night, me and two of my girlfriends got together for our Friday dinner and a movie. This weeks feature, Friends with Benefits starring Justin Timberlake and Mila Kunis. It seems like everyone is comparing this movie to No Strings Attached, which starred Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman. FwB was ten times better, and I really liked No Strings Attached. FwB gets an A- from me for hilarity, great chemistry and cute storyline.

Friends with Benefits centers around a friendship that develops between two self-proclaimed emotionally damaged and unavailable people, Jamie (Mila Kunis) and Dylan (Justin Timberlake). Yes the movie is slightly predictable, but the chemistry between the two leading actors is undeniable, their delivery is superb, and that is what separates this movie from No Strings Attached for me.

Dylan is brought to New York by Jamie, the two instantly become friends. After a night watching a sappy romance movie (which is so hilarious, starring Rashida Jones and Jason Segel) and a few beers, the two decide since they are equally emotionally damaged/unavailable why not take a chance and just do the sex and nothing else... What could possibly go wrong with this scenario?

JT's character, Dylan, moves to New York from sunny L.A. He leaves behind a father with dementia, who's own personal relationship with a former love and his wife have affected Dylan more than either he or Dylan realized. There is a scene in the movie between Dylan and his father that is so touching, that it almost brought tears to my eyes.

Mila's character Jamie is from a single mother, who is lets be honest... a flake at best. She grew up not knowing who her father was, therefore never really putting herself out there. Throughout the movie Jamie realizes what she is trying to avoid is what she truly wants most. But, is she willing to put herself out there?

This movie is a great movie for girl's night, guy's night, date night even. Give it a chance, you will be laughing so hard!

XO Shannon

July Birchbox

I received my July Birchbox in the mail and wanted to share all the wonderful products I received. For those who are new to Birchbox, it is a U.S. based company that will send you 4-5 deluxe samples each month and subscriptions are either monthly or annually, monthly is $10 and annually is $110. When you sign up you can create a beauty profile, so products are sent for your skin and hair type. Once you receive the products, you review at birchbox.com and earn points to purchase full size products.

Boxes are mailed out once a month, like a magazine subscription. They are shipped via USPS from the east coast, so depending on where you live within the U.S. it may take longer for you to receive yours. Being that Birchbox is a relatively new company, there are a few issues that I personally have experienced. My first box came in at the end of April, I never received my May box and my July box had a damaged sample.

I understand the delay for April was due to switching of shipping companies, but March was inexcusable.  Birchbox will send you an email when your box has shipped, with a tracking number. I  never received the email, so when 2 of my friends received theirs I looked in to mine. The money was deducted from my card on the 1st, so I emailed them twice and called over a few days. After no response, I took to Twitter... boy did that light a fire.They told me I was included in the 2nd wave, which I think is total BS, as my friend signed up at the end of April and received her box by May 6th...  Within 10 minutes I had an email with a tracking number and received the box 2 days later. The kicker, 2 days later someone from the Birchbox team emails me and says "you will receive a email and tracking number when your box ships." I was like, OK. Then the June box arrived and the one of the products was a baked brighten and blush by  Laura Gellar, it was a full size $29.50 value. It was smashed... I was so sad. They claim they had no more to send me and gave me a 100 point credit, which is equivalent to $10.

I don't want this to be a hater review, because I truly love the concept and the fact that they try to make it right. The July Birchbox was my 4th box, as I began my subscription in April, and I think they are going to keep getting better and better as their clientele grows, and more brands get involved. This month's box was filled with picks from their favorite designer, Cynthia Rowley.

Redken Shine Flash 02 - Glistening Mist

Ahava Mineral Hand Cream 

Zoya Nail Polish - Touch Collection in the color Shay

Philosophy Purity Made Simple Facial Cleanser

XO Shannon

Transformers: Dark of the Moon... Wait for the DVD

Last night my hubby and I went to see the new Transformers movie, Transformers: Dark of the Moon... I give it a C-. This installation in the Transformers trilogy left little to be desired for more from this franchise.

Dark of the Moon begins with recent graduate Sam Witwicky (Shia LaBeouf), who is currently unemployed and living with his British, modelish girlfriend Carly Spencer (Rosie Huntington-Whiteley), looking for a job where he matters, since he has saved the world twice. Carly is gainfully employed by an exotic car dealer, Dylan (Patrick Dempsey), who appreciates Carly more than Sam likes. The Autobots are defenders of the Earth and allies with the humans. Unbeknown to the Autobots, Megatron is still alive, so to speak, and using the humans to get the Autobots to retrieve what he claims is his. When a Decepticon tries to kill Sam while at his new job, he realizes they are back. Sam attempts to let Captain Lennox (Josh Duhamel) know they are back, however no one wants Sam's help. Sam enlists help from an old friend, Simmons (John Turturro), to figure out what the decepticons are up to.

This movie was way to long, at some parts I was thinking "when will this be over?"... At one point I looked at my hubby, who had the same look on his face. Some of the acting was just brutal, um Patrick Dempsey please stand up, and cheesy, making it hard to sit through. And then you have Rosie Huntington-Whitely, who needs to go back to the Victoria's Secret catalog she came from because she cannot act, and yes I know she is just a pretty face/body to look at for all the boys/men that will be seeing this movie.

Shia LaBeouf was pretty funny, I have been a fan since Even Stevens was on the Disney Channel, and I probably only saw this movie for him and Josh Duhamel. I do wish the parents had more screen time, that mom is hilarious and delivers her lines with flawless humor. So with that being said, I wouldn't rush to the theater for this one,wait for the DVD or maybe see it during the day so you don't spend too much money for your disappointment. They should have stopped at two movies, because with the loss of Megan Fox and just an overall disappointing storyline it just didn't leave me ever wanting more.

XO Shannon

Mini MAC Haul

On Thursday, July 7, 2011, MAC released a new collection of mineralize makeup, inspired by semi precious gems. This is a rather large collection, containing 12 Mineralize Eye Shadows ($19.50), 3 Mineralize Blushes ($23), 4 Mineralize Skin Finishes ($28), 4 Lipsticks ($14.50), 5 Cremesheen Glasses ($18.50), and 4 Limited Edition split fiber brushes (2 eye and 2 face). The collection also offers Zoom Fast Black Lash Mascara ($14), Mineralize Satinfinish SPF 15 Foundation ($29.50), Mineralize Charge Water ($22) and Mineralize Face + Body Lotion ($29.50).



The Mineralize Eye Shadows of this collection are so beautiful, even to look at in the pot. But, what I love is that what you see and what you get when they are blended together, is even more beautiful. These eye shadows can be used wet or dry for different finishes, and using wet will make their wear last longer.

The Mineralize Skin Finishes offered in this collection are very unique. They are two toned and can give you three different colored finishes. With the outer ring being one color and the inner circle being a blend of colors, you can use them stand alone or blended. They are smooth and slightly shimmery, so be careful.

(Semi Precious Rose Quartz Mineralized Skin Finish - taken with flash)

(Golden Gaze Eye Shadow and Pressed Amber Blush - taken with flash)

(Rose Quartz MSF - outer, inner, blended; Golden Gaze Eye Shadow; Pressed Amber Blush)

After carefully reviewing everything offered, I settled on purchasing one lipstick, one MSF, one blush and one eye shadow. I may go back and purchase one of the cremesheen glasses, I tried Pure Magnificence and I loved it! The only thing that kept me from purchasing on the spot was that it was barely noticeable and I have several lip glasses like that. But, let me tell you what changed my mind… it lasted a long time and it is not sticky, so light weight! I am not sure if I will go back for that same one, or for Looks Like Sin, which is the second darkest of the collection.

The products I chose were One of a Kind lipstick, Semi Precious Rose Quartz MSF, Pressed Amber blush and Golden Gaze eye shadow. And I picked up another lipstick with my Back to MAC, I chose Politely Pink with a Lustre finish.

(Golden Gaze Eye Shadow, Pressed Amber Blush, Semi Precious Rose Quartz Mineralize Skin Finish)

(Left - Politely Pink; Right - One of a Kind)

I am looking forward to using all the products I purchased, especially the blush and eye shadow.

XO Shannon

NKOTBSB Concert in Lafayette, LA

On June 24, 2011, I attended the NKOTBSB (New Kids on The Block and Back Street Boys) concert at the Cajun Dome in Lafayette, LA. Now let me tell you, this is my third time as an adult seeing these guys and it was probably the best show so far!!!

Having all those hotties on one stage, singing and dancing... just made me feel like a 12 year girl! I am an NKOTB fan 100% and knew very little BSB songs, but I was soo surprised by how good they were... even missing their 5th member.

They opened the show together, each taking turns throughout the show with NKOTB singing a few, then BSB singing a few. They did their single "Don't Turn Out the Lights" together and closed the show out with a mash up of "Hangin' Tough" and "Back Streets Back".

It was such a great show that I can not wait for them to come back! I am willing to travel to see these guys, just not too far! ;)

XO Shannon

Monte Carlo... Cute and Family Friendly

This Saturday I took my seven year old daughter to see Monte Carlo. And yes, her only reason for seeing this movie was Selena Gome. I had heard that the movie was tolerable for us adults, so I thought I would give it a shot. And I have to say that the movie was really cute, with lots of fun and humor. Sure, some parts were predictable, but I was still rather cute. I give it a B-.

Monte Carlo is about one girl, Grace (Selena Gomez), who takes a trip to Paris after her high school graduation, with her BFF Emma (Katie Cassidy) and unwanted step-sister Megan. Upon arrival in the city of lights, the trio find themselves being left behind by their tour guide. After wondering around in the rain, Grace is mistaken as a British heiress, thus beginning the trip of their lives.

The movie does not concentrate on Grace alone, the movie follows all three girls as they try to figure out their lives. Grace is trying to get out of her small town life and do something meaningful, who falls in love on the way... but does he love Grace or the heiress?

Emma is a high school drop out, who breaks up with her BF Owen (Cory Montieth) on the eve of their departure. Emma learns that the grass isn't always greener on the otherside, will Owen still be there when she realizes this?

Megan is the unwanted tag-along, pushed to go by her father, who is also Grace's step-father. Meg is uptight and needs to let loose, it may be possible with the help of a handsome Austrailian.

The clothes and makeup in this movie were really great. There is one dress that Emma's character wears that is to die for! I love the ruffles and the color. Her makeup is beautiful and if I can find a nice still I may just try to recreate.

So, if you are taking any little ones to the movie, give Monte Carlo a chance I gaurantee it will not leave you bored and counting down until the end.

XO Shannon

Hello and Welcome!

Hello and welcome to my blog! I love makeup and movies, so what better than to blog about my two favorite things! This blog will focus on two of my favorite things... makeup and movies, with a splash of my third favorite M.. MUSIC! And since I love both makeup and movies, my posts may be on one or both topics at times.

I go to the movies a lot, usually once or sometimes twice a week, and for years my friends have told me I should do a blog. Up until recently I was like no... but then thought... why not? I see lots of different genres of movies with my friends, kids and hubby; so I thought why not do a joint review with my hubby... We can give a couples perspective on movies we see together.

Over the last year I have spent lots of time on YouTube watching all the amazing and fabulous gurus. I have learned so much from them and they have inspired the makeup part of this blog. I have not decided if I will venture into the YouTube world yet... If and when I do, it will be posted here first!

On occassion my posts may be about music and books I am loving. I love music and try to attend concerts when possible, which seems to be a lot. I also love reading... when I find a great book! Any recs?!

I look forward to blogging about my favorite things and hope you all enjoy!

=) Shannon