Updated Makeup Storage!!

The way the top of my "vanity" currently looks. It's just a table from IKEA. There's a large drawer set underneath, but it's not interesting so I left it out.

I didn't take any closer photos of the things stored in the turntable. If you would like to see some, let me know! I got the utensil container at a rummage sale and the turntable is from Walmart. 

The newest additions! The bottom two drawers are the men's shoe drawers and the top one is the women's shoe drawer. All are from The Container Store: http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10000103&N=&Ntt=men%27s+shoe+drawer. On top are my eyeshadow palettes stored in a desk organizer from Target. If you'd like any more detailed photos of those, let me know! 

Top drawer. In an empty cookie package, I have my loose eyeshadows, gel/cream liners and shadows, bases, and single shadows that are not depotted.

Middle drawer. I got a divider set for this drawer, which can be found at the same link. The back left has backups, back right is random products, middle left is eye makeup removers, right is brush cleaners and guards, front left are Wet n Wild palettes that aren't depotted, right are liquid foundations and my primer.

Along with the drawers, I picked up two of the lipstick organizers (found here:http://www.containerstore.com/shop?productId=10009899&N=&Ntt=lipstick) I put all the lipsticks and glosses that could fit upright in there, then lipliners and taller products down in front, along with my lip scrub and Sonia Kashuk sharpener.

The top drawer of the larger drawers is just my hair stuff (headbands, clips, bobby pins, etc) and it's not cleverly stored at all. If anyone is curious, I can post a photo however.

The middle drawer now has my face products. This is where my lip products used to be stored. I got this divider from Target awhile back. I got it in store and I'm not sure how to find it on their site - sorry!
Back left is an NYC loose powder (that I never use), middle left are my blotting sheets, and the front is my lash curler and Sonia Kashuk sharpener (this thing is AMAZING. GET ONE! http://www.target.com/Sonia-Kashuk-Cosmetic-Pencil-Sharpener/dp/B00333U1D2/ref=sc_qi_detaillink) The middle section is pressed powders and a cream foundation. Back right are concealers, front right are highlighters, bronzers, and the one blush that's not depotted.

The bottom drawer. The cookie package on the left is all brow stuff. The one on the right has moisturizers, cream makeup remover, lip balm, and contact stuff. The container in the back is extra contact stuff. It's one that comes in 3-packs at Walmart or the dollar store.

 I hope this was interesting and helpful to some of you! If there is anything at all you want to know about more specifically or see different photos of, please let me know and I'll do it!

Rimmel Collection and Swatches

Soft Kohl Kajal Eyeliners in Pure White, Denim Blue, and Stormy Grey
Sexy Curves waterproof mascara

Vinyl Shine lipgloss (the name wore off! Sorry!)
Moisture Renew lipstick in Rosette
Lasting Finish lipstick in Airy Fairy

NYX Collection and Swatches

My NYX collection & swatches.

Eyeshadow swatches are done first alone and then over NYX white eyeshadow base.

Lip products are swatched alone.

I have already done a separate post swatching all my jumbo eye pencils, which can be found here: http://vibrantbrush.blogspot.com/2011/04/nyx-jumbo-eyeshadow-pencil-swatcheswit.html

Single Eyeshadows: Top row - Cherry, Yellow Funk.
Bottom row - Black, Lime Green.

Jumbo lip pencil in Soft Fuchsia, Megashine gloss in La-La.

Lipliner pencils in Hot Red, Rose, and Pinky

Lipsticks in Louisiana, Tea Rose, and Femme.

Eyeshadow base in White, Concealer in a Jar in Fair,
Automatic brow pencil in Dark Brown, Eyeliner pencil in Acid Green

Wet n Wild Collection & Swatches

In addition to the items pictured below, I also have a clear lipgloss in a tube, but since it's clear I didn't see a point in photographing it. I appreciate any feedback about how this post is set up and suggestions for when I do other brands in the future!
NOTE: you can click on any of the images to view them larger.

Lipsticks are swatched straight from the tube.

Lipsticks

Eyeshadows are swatched first alone and then over the NYX eyeshadow base in White.

Eye Bruise Easily

Cool as a Cucumber

Spoiled Brat

Vanity

Lust

Blue had me at Hello

Comfort Zone

Pink Gradient Nails

I may have a ton of nail polishes, but I don’t have every  color out there! Therefore, my attempt at a gradient manicure is far from perfect – some pinks are more cool and others are warmer, and there are certainly uneven jumps in darkness. Despite that, I thought it turned out pretty nicely.

Lightest to darkest:

China Glaze Something Sweet
Revlon Top Speed Candy
Revlon Top Speed Guava
Covergirl Fuchsia Girl
Revlon Cherry Berry

End of July Outfits

July 22nd
Shirt: The Gap
Skirt: H&M
Earrings: Wet Seal
Necklace: Forever 21
Shoes: Payless

July 28th
Dress: Target
Shoes: Payless

I just got this dress and I LOVE it – it’s so nice and lightweight for summer, but it could easily be worn in the fall also with tights and/or a sweater. Plus it has pockets! (Why all skirts and dresses don’t have pockets is beyond me.) Meanwhile, I’ve had those shoes since 2006 I think.

July 29th
Shirt: The Gap (different color but same shirt as the 22nd)
Skirt: Forever 21
Earrings: gift – unknown
Shoes: thrifted

Rainbow and White Crackle Manicure

This is probably my favorite manicure I’ve done to date. It’s so fun! And it lasted really well on my nails.

The top picture is me trying out different things on my nail wheel. I knew I wouldn’t be patient enough to try to get the lines straight and even enough to leave them alone, so crackle seemed like a good solution. I thought I would like the contrast of the black, but I ended up loving the look of the white.

I started with a base layer of China Glaze White On White. The pink is Covergirl Fuchsia Girl, blue is Sally Hansen Xtreme Wear Blue Me Away, the yellow is the Xtreme Wear in Mellow Yellow, and the orange is Maybelline Orange Blazes.

After the stripes were dried, I went over with China Glaze Lightning Bolt crackle polish.

I used the China Glaze Strong Adhesion base coat and the Fast Forward top coat as well.

Green Eyeshadow Look

I wasn’t wearing any makeup today since it was raining when I was leaving my apartment, but then in the evening I just felt like playing around. I came up with this look and I liked how it turned out so I figured I’d blog about it. I normally don’t do anything with my brows because 1) I’m lazy 2) I’m not convinced it looks sane, and 3) brow products of an appropriate color do not exist. Those things aside, please feel free to share your thoughts on my attempt at putting products in my brows.

I’m also trying a new way of putting the pictures together – let me know what you think!

Face:
L’Oreal True Match compact – C1
Revlon Colorstay Under Eye concealer – Fair
L’Oreal True Match powder – C1
ELF Studio blush – Candid Coral
ELF Mist & Set

Eyes:
Palladio primer
NYX jumbo eye pencil – Lemon (all over lid as base)
NYX eyeshadow – Lime Green (all over lid)
L’Oreal HIP eyeshadow duo – Devious (crease)
Revlon matte eyeshadow – Luscious Lime (highlight)
Ulta eyeliner – Raisin
Wet n Wild Cool as a Cucumber trio – purple (to go over liner on lid & waterline)
Maybelline 24hr Bold mascara
NYX automatic eyebrow pencil – Dark Brown
Maybelline Great Lash clear mascara

Lips:
Palladio tinted lip balm – Rosey

Outfits!

Since I haven’t been blogging for a few weeks, I stored up a few of these! I’ll split them up into a few posts and I’m not posting outfits from every day so it won’t be too crazy. I’ve been wearing primarily skirts and dresses, especially when it was really hot and humid for several days in a row.

July 16th
Tank Top: The Gap
Skirt: Zara
Necklace: American Eagle
Sandals: Zara

I was in Chicago July 11th-15th and got the skirt and sandals while I was there. The shoes are really challenging to get on, but I like them once they’re on. The skirt is arguably one of the best things I’ve gotten in awhile – it’s lightweight but not sheer since it’s black, but it’s perfect for the summer heat!

July 18th
Tank Top: Old Navy
Skirt: Target
Hair Clip: a shop called O’Day Cache. I got it at the one in Fargo but there is also a location in Minneapolis
Sunglasses: Forever 21
Sandals: Born, via Marshalls

July 21st
Dress: American Eagle
Earrings: Wet Seal
Hair Clip: O’Day Cache
Belt: H&M
Sandals: Payless