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the Rite of Aging…early

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the Rite of Aging…early

Author Archives: MonicawithRA

Monthly Favorites | September 2015

29 Tuesday Sep 2015

Posted by MonicawithRA in Beauty, Reviews

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Chanel, Clinique, Hourglass, makeup, Milani, monthly favorites

Some links may be affiliate ones.

I decided to re-start my monthly favorites posts because even though they do not get a lot of traffic I love making them! I also really enjoy reading and viewing other people’s favorites. They are a great way to keep track of fun trends and products!

SEPTFAVES

The first items are actually all part of a new eye makeup look I have really been enjoying.

 

Chanel Imitation

(Chanel Illusion d’Ombre Long Wearing Luminous Eyeshadow)

I love shimmer so I have no qualms about applying this glittery number all over my eyelids. These eyeshadows do not have a lot of base pigmentation but they build up pretty well. The glitter is prominent but chic. Initiation is the perfect neutral color for me. It is a cool-toned bronze similar to my skin color. The texture is spongy but slippery so I always apply this over primer. As with most glitter it travels during application but once the shadow sets it does not budge. Initiation was discontinued but the more gold Mirage is very similar.

 

Milani Cosmetics - Bella Copper Gel Powder Eyeshadow | The Rite of Aging

(Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow)

I apply Bella Copper on the outer half of my lid. This shadow is spongy but dense and extremely pigmented. It is a deep warm gold that looks a little brighter once applied. There is no fall out and wears well without fading. These new “gel” shadows are a definitely step up from the old Milani eyeshadows. Bella Caffe and Bella Espresso are next on my list to purchase.

While the product is fantastic I have a serious issue with the packaging. It feels cheap and flimsy. I don’t know if it is just mine but the plastic lid popped out the first time I opened it. I pushed it back in so the product wouldn’t dry out but it falls out with every use. I know packaging can make or break people’s decisions to buy a product so I just wanted to make a note of it.

 

Clinique 'All About Shadow' Super Shimmer Eyeshadow - Black Honey | The Rite of Aging

(Clinique ‘All About Shadow’ Super Shimmer Eyeshadow)

To finish the look, I apply Black Honey on the outer V of my eye. The good quality of this shadow surprises me as I don’t typically associate Clinique with good cosmetics. I guess there is a reason why the Black Honey line is a cult favorite. The color compliments the skin well, ranging from a deep burgundy to cranberry color. The shadow, itself, is soft and blend-able. While it is not particularly pigmented, over primer the intensity builds up nicely. I noticed it doesn’t crease but it does fade after a few hours, a side effect of low pigmentation! This is not a huge deal for me as I have extremely oily eyelids. I am used to touching up eye makeup frequently during the day.

 

Hourglass - 'Ambient' Lighting Palette | The Rite of Aging

(Hourglass – ‘Ambient’ Lighting Palette)

I gave into the hype! I held out for a good while but in the end, couldn’t help myself to a new highlighter. I considered purchasing the single pan of Radiant Light but it was more expensive for not that much more product. I could not see myself hitting pan on either in my own lifetime and figured the palette was a better bang for my buck.

Even on my no-makeup days I find myself dusting all three shades over my face. Dim Light provides a matte brightening and blurring effect for my entire skin, Incandescent Light highlights my brow bone and inner corner of the eyes while Radiant Light lends a glow to the top of my nose, cheekbones and forehead. There is a slight shimmer in the second two powders but it is barely visible on the skin. These powders provide a subtle radiance to the entire face for healthy-looking skin but do not build up to a high intensity highlight.

 

Have you tried any of these products? Do you like them? Let me know in the comments!

And, if you purchase online and haven’t already, sign up with Ebates! Many sites like Nordstrom, Sephora and Macy’s have great cashback options! (I am not affiliated with Ebates but have a referral code that everyone who has an account gets).

Ebates

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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#31DC2015 – Inspired by a Flag

28 Monday Sep 2015

Posted by MonicawithRA in Community, Nail Art

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31DC2015, 4th of July, Barry M, blogging community, dotillism, dotticure, Formula X Nails, Milani, Nail Art

On the Fourth of July I was in the middle of a bad flare and only managed a simple red, white and blue glitter gradient. I used today’s 31-Day Challenge to try out the design I actually wanted to do and I really dig it! I wish I had the dexterity and energy for it…maybe next year!

I hope you like it too!

 

#31DC2015 - Patriotic Dotticure Nail Art | The Rite of AgingBases: Barry M Gelly Chili, Milani Blue Print

Details: Formula X Nails White Matter

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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#31DC2015 – Green and Orange Smoky Nail Art

27 Sunday Sep 2015

Posted by MonicawithRA in Nail Art

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31DC2015, blogging community, Color Club, Cult Nails, freehand, Nail Art, Sally Hansen, SinfulColors, smoke

For today’s nail art, I was inspired by these ink blobs I saw on HonestlyWTF. They are super cool and it finally gave me the chance to try out Sarah’s smoke tutorial from Chalkboard Nails!

I did not realize that I used Indian flag colors until I was editing my photo and this could easily pass for tomorrow’s prompt as well!

 

Ink Blobs from HonestlyWTF

 

#31DC2015 - Orange and Green Smoke Nail Art | The Rite of AgingBase: Sally Hansen Oil Slick

Details: pure acetone, artist’s brush, Cult Nails Deal with It, Color Club Wham! Pow!, SinfulColors Whiteboard

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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#31DC2015 – Pillow Pattern Nail Art

26 Saturday Sep 2015

Posted by MonicawithRA in Community, Nail Art

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31DC2015, acrylic paint, Barry M, blogging community, dotillism, dotticure, Nail Art

For today’s prompt I went with a fun pillow pattern I pinned from HauteLook. I tried to recreate the circular pattern but it never turned out quite right so I decided on a diagonal one instead.

I hope you like it.

 

Dotticure Pillow from HauteLook

#31DC2015 - Dotillism Dotticure Nail Art | The Rite of AgingBase: Barry M Lychee

Dots: acrylic paints, dotting tools

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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#31DC2015 – Earring Inspired Gradient Nail Art

25 Friday Sep 2015

Posted by MonicawithRA in Community, Nail Art

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31DC2015, acrylic paint, American Apparel, blogging community, gradient, Nail Art, neon, Zoya

For today’s fashion-inspired prompt I, of course, took to Pinterest and quickly came across a pair of cute neon gradient earrings from Etsy.

I used a makeup sponge and an sponge-tip applicator to get the grainy effect at the tips.

I hope you like it!

 

31dc2015 - gradient earrings Base: Formula X Nails White Matter

Gradient: American Apparel Neon Yellow, grey acrylic paint, Zoya Anais

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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#31DC2015 – On Wednesdays We Wear Pink Nail Art

23 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by MonicawithRA in Community, Nail Art

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31DC2015, blogging community, Deborah Lippmann, Julie G, Nail Art, Pueen Cosmetics, Sally Hansen, stamping

I think I mixed up the days/prompts. I thought today was inspired by a book so I posted my Lord of the Rings nail art and then realized today was actually inspired by a movie so I am posting this now and fixing my Inlinkz.

I immediately fell back to Lord of the Rings today but I wanted to do something different. While I was on Netflix Mean Girls popped up on my queue and it hit me!: today is Wednesday AND the movie prompt for the 31 Day Challenge. How perfect.

Mean Girls will always hold sentimental value for me. I was not bullied in school but the history behind the movie has a lot of well, history, for me! I giggle whenever I watch the movie and I love watching it with old friends.

Funny story: I saw the woman who plays Cady’s (Lindsay Lohan) mother as Elphaba in the NYC revival of Wicked so I thought it was fitting to use ‘Popular’ from the Deborah Lippmann Wicked collection in today’s look!

 

#31DC2015 - On Wednesdays We Wear Pink Nail Art | The Rite of AgingBase: Sally Hansen Petal Pusher, Deborah Lippmann Popular

Stamping: Pueen Cosmetics plate PUEEN28, Julie G Beauty Peep Toe Pumps

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

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#31DC2015 – The One Ring Inscription Nail Art

23 Wednesday Sep 2015

Posted by MonicawithRA in Community, Nail Art

≈ 2 Comments

Tags

31DC2015, acrylic paint, blogging community, freehand, Lord of the Rings, Nail Art, SinfulColors, Zoya

At the beginning of September I decided to re-create a couple of nail arts from 2012 just to see how far I progressed. I wanted to start with the One Ring inscription. The first one came out very nicely but I wanted to see if my freehand skills got any better (you can see my 2012 31-Day Challenge archives by clicking on the tab at the top of the blog).

I changed a couple of things and think it looks a little neater but I can’t decide which looks better. I think I should have darkened the red just a tad but all in all I like how this one came out today!

 

#31DC2015 - The One Ring Inscription Nail Art | The Rite of AgingBase: Zoya Goldie, SinfulColors All About You

Details: acrylic paint

 

Hi, my name is Monica and I have RA.

Follow me on Bloglovin’ | Twitter | or Facebook to keep up with me during the challenge!

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