Darling Girl feat. Vicar in a Tutu

It wouldn't be normal if I went more than a month without purchasing something from Darling Girl. :} So without further ado, here are the swatches! If you're looking for specs on sizes, amounts, etc, refer to any of my previous posts here, here and here. The pictures below show my full-size Vicar in a Tutu, petit-size How Soon is Now, and two free sample baggies.

:::  THE PICTURES  :::

Swatched over NYX Jumbo Pencil in Cottage Cheese. Pictures are clickable to enlarge.

{Photographed in natural light}

{Photographed in natural light}

{Photographed in natural light}

{Photographed in natural light}

{Photographed in natural light}

{Photographed with a flash}

{Photographed with a flash, blurred to show sparkle}

:::  THE OPINIONS  :::

I wish I could have captured the awesomeness that is Vicar in a Tutu. It's part of the Darling Grrl! collection, and looks even better in person than it does in any picture I've seen. It's a gorgeous shimmering pearl with a light green shift and a very duochrome-like finish. I wear it a lot, and always take it with me when I travel out of town. The other three eyeshadows are lovely as well — you really can't go wrong with any Darling Girl products. :}

Stay Fabulous!

Detrivore Cosmetics: Review | Swatches

Finally, it's time for my Detrivore review/swatches! And it's just in time for their awesome 10 for $20 sale {on full-size jars!}... so let's get to the good stuff.

:::  THE SPECS  :::

I ordered way back when... probably in February. I ordered during a sale, so the prices I paid are not the "normal" prices — so I'll list the non-sale prices for the products.

:::  (3) Full-size eyeshadows at $4.00 each for 5g jars {I got the 3 for $10 deal}
:::  (9) Sample baggies at $1.00 each — not sure how much product, but I know it's quite a bit more than other companies' samples.

TAT is currently 1-20 days, which is normal. Shipping costs $3.00 for orders under $50 {U.S.} and $5.00 internationally. U.S. orders over $50 receive free shipping.

:::  THE PICTURES  :::

Swatched over Darling Girl Glitter Glue, under warm white lighting. Pictures are clickable to enlarge.

{Photographed under warm white lighting - please excuse the goosebumps once again}

{Photographed under warm white lighting}

{Photographed under warm white lighting}

{Photographed under warm white lighting}

{Photographed with a flash}

{Photographed with a flash, blurred to show sparkles}

{Photographed under warm white lighting}

{Photographed under warm white lighting}

{Photographed under warm white lighting}

{Photographed under warm white lighting}

{Photographed under warm white lighting}

{Photographed under warm white lighting}

{Photographed under warm white lighting}

{Photographed with a flash}

{Photographed with a flash, blurred to show sparkle}

{Photographed with a flash, blurred to show sparkle}

:::  THE OPINIONS  :::

My favorites of the bunch are Dust Bunny, Muse, Scar, Luna and Mildew. Topiary is a color that I have heard about from many fellow customers who absolutely love it. It's a nice neutral, but it just wasn't my kind of color. I've seen many great EOTD looks done with Topiary, so if you're looking for a well-loved neutral, I know it's highly recommended. All of the eyeshadows applied like butta — soft and silky, great pigmentation, little fallout. A dream to work with! Detrivore has something for everyone, and it doesn't stop at eyeshadows; check out the lip glosses, blushes, primers and more!

Stay Fabulous!

Victorian Disco: Review | Swatches

I made a purchase with Victorian Disco Cosmetics a while back, after seeing some swatches of "Atrophine" {which you'll see below} on another blog. Here are the deets!

:::  THE SPECS  :::

I ordered five mini jars of eyeshadow for $2.00 each, and one full-size jar for $4.50. Each mini jar comes with approx. 1 gram of product, and full-size jars come with approx. 2 grams of product. I also received two baggie samples for free. You can also order baggie samples for $1.00 each. Shipping is $3.00 for domestic orders in the U.S., $6.00 internationally, or $1.50 for orders consisting of just sample baggies, world-wide. If you live in the U.S. and spend more than $35.00 you get free shipping.

My order was sent out only two days after processing, and I received it in about 3 days, for a total of 5 days from the time I submitted the order to the time I received it.

:::  THE PICTURES  :::

Swatched over Darling Girl Glitter Glue and photographed under warm lighting. Pictures are clickable to enlarge.

{Mini jars come without sifters, and the full sizes have sifters included}

{Photographed under warm white lighting - please ignore my goosebumps, apparently I was chilly!}

{Photographed under warm white lighting}

{Photographed under warm white lighting}

{Photographed under warm white lighting}

{Photographed under warm white lighting}

{Photographed with a flash}

{Photographed with a flash, blurred to show sparkles}

:::  THE OPINIONS  :::

The stand-outs for me were "The Force, Use It" and "Archduchess." The former is described on the company's website as a light green with a purple/red sheen, but I see a minty seafoam color with a soft pink shift. Depending on the light, you could definitely see it in a variety of different ways. "Archduchess" is described as a dusty purple with violet, gold and blue sheen. I see it as more of a gunmetal gray with a purple sheen and gold and blue sparkles. Very lovely either way!

After browsing the website again, I've noticed quite a few new colors that have been added since I last ordered {which was a few months ago}, so I may have to place another order when the shop is up and running again. The owner is on a break right now, so you can view the products and create a shopping cart, but you can't check out. I assume it's only temporary, based on the note on the homepage. Keep an eye out for the company's reopening!

Stay Fabulous!

Here, There & Everywhere

I've been meaning to get back to my blog this week, as I took a much-needed hiatus the last few weeks to focus on school and work. Lots going on, the most important of which revolves around my job/career and my future with my current company. I've been holding my breath for almost a week now, waiting for decisions to be made and for people who know nothing about me to decide my professional future. It's really great. *sarcasm*

So my unplanned hiatus took place right in the middle of my fashion/beauty photo challenge, which means I have a LOT of catching up to do. I'll be picking up where I left off, around day 11 or so. Look for those posts to begin again this week. :} I also have a shitton of reviews and swatches to share, which I'm hoping to have underway yet today. I'd like to have a good amount of them done before classes resume on July 9th. Only three classes left until I have my master's degree, and I'm getting really antsy about it. After December I'll have so much free time for blogging, I won't know what to do with it!

I also want to thank those of you who sent me your positive vibes over the weekend, after I requested happy thoughts via one of the FB makeup groups I'm in. While it's not over yet, and I'm still in need of those good thoughts, it's been much appreciated and I know that it's working. It just has to.

Hope everyone is doing well, with lots of peace and makeup to go around. :}

Stay Fabulous!

One Hand Washes the Other: Review

I've been using OHWTO products for months already, so this review/spotlight is long overdue. Becca, the owner of OHWTO, makes fantastic perfumes, bath/body products, facial cleansing products and more. I have yet to try something from OHWTO that I don't love.

:::  THE SPECS  :::

For this particular order, I purchased the following:

:::  Black Magic Breakaway Bar
:::  (4) Black Magic Sample Bars
:::  Black Magic Bar Soap
:::  Coconut Lip Butter
:::  Fresh Snow Solid Scent
:::  Carnivale Solid Scent

I also received free solid scent samples of Pasticceria and Besos del Sol.

Shipping was $6.25 but I was refunded the overage once postage was paid for, which is really great customer service. Her stated TAT is usually around 14-24 business {working} days, and I've never had it go over the TAT. She also keeps customers up-to-date with shipping timeframes, order details and sale announcements via Facebook, so I always felt very confident when ordering from OHWTO. The products themselves are pristine and high-quality, with so many unique fragrances to choose from.

:::  THE PICTURES  :::

{All of the goodies!}

{The free samples + business card}

{Black Magic Breakaway Bar}

{Black Magic Soap Bar}

{Black Magic Soap Bar — love the Celtic knot design}

{Black Magic Sample Bar — cute little flowers!}

{Fresh Snow and Carnivale solid scents, Coconut Lip Butter}

:::  THE OPINIONS  :::

Black Magic soap is to-die-for. It has really worked miracles for my complexion, reduced my random breakouts and evened out my skin tone. I purchased the small sample flowers for traveling, as well as a future blog giveaway. I keep them in the little baggie and they're perfect for a weekend away. I also have a large bar of Black Magic that I ordered previously, which has lasted about four months so far and isn't even half gone yet. It's in great condition and still works like a charm, so the Black Magic formula is obviously well-made and dependable.

For those who don't know about Black Magic soap, here's the info presented on the OHWTO website {taken directly from the site}:

Black Magic is my facial soap of choice. I haven't used anything else for years now and my face is STILL loving it! It's absolutely LOADED with ingredients long-used for toning and clarifying the skin: Tea Tree Oil, Peppermint Essential Oil, Grapefruit Essential Oil, Lemongrass Essential Oil, Rosemary Essential Oil, Vitamin E, Glycerin, French Green Clay, and Activated Charcoal. In addition, the soap is made after I HAND-INFUSE the base {and then filter it} with heaps and heaps of healing Calendula petals — you won't find another soap like this anywhere!

Now, you can go ahead and Google these skin-loving additives and see for yourself what their benefits are and how people use them {I encourage EVERYONE to do their own research and come to their own educated conclusions}, but I've compiled a list of snippets found via Google here in one place for your convenience:

- Tea Tree Oil: antibacterial, antimicrobial, antiviral, fungicide, antiseptic; it's believed to heal wounds quicker and protect them from infections, as well as help neutralize the scar marks and after-spots left by eruptions, boils, pox, acne, etc.
- Peppermint Essential Oil: Contains Menthol, which gives a cooling effect. It nourishes dull skin and improves oily skin.
- Grapefruit Essential Oil: an antioxidant, antiseptic, disinfectant; it's said it keeps the skin clean and is particularly good for treating oily skin and acne.
- French Green Clay: very absorbent, and literally drinks oils, toxic substances, and impurities from your skin. Its toning action stimulates the skin by bringing fresh blood to damaged skin cells, revitalizing the complexion, and tightening pores.
- Calendula: has a long history of use as a wound-healing and skin-soothing botanical. It has impressive healing powers, and can clear up many different types of skin problems.
- Vitamin E: helps skin look younger by reducing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.
- Activated Charcoal: has the ability to attract other substances to its surface and hold them there. This is called "adsorpotion" {not absorption}. Charcoal can adsorb thousands of times its own weight in harmful substances.
- Glycerin: aids in preventing breakouts and keeping pores clear. It also can speed healing of present acne lesions. It is not inflammatory and will not irritate skin like many other products with harsh chemical ingredients. 


Now, this is what these ingredients are traditionally used for and believed to do for your skin; I'm not making any claims here, other than that my soap will clean your face, or whichever body parts you choose to wash with it...
I use gentle, SLS and SLES-free vegan soap base to create these soaps. There have been no colorants added; everything I've added to it adds up to create the green/black coloration of it. Additionally, I have left out any fragrancing, so this soap smells very medicinal — not unpleasant, but its not a bouquet of flowers-type scent, either. Think "herbal" or "apothecary" and you'll have a good idea of what to expect...


In my opinion, Black Magic soap is an indie beauty must-have. Simply amazing.
As for the other products I received, the lip butter is really moisturizing and has a nice, subtle flavor. Fresh Snow is a fantastic perfume solid that combines a fresh shower, fabric softener and an overall "clean" scent. It's one of my favorites now. Carnivale is one of OHWTO's custom scents {private stock}, and it blew me away! Ordering a scent without ever smelling it is always a gamble, but I was immediately convinced that I made a great decision as soon as I opened Carnivale. It's sweet, but not sickly-sweet, and wears down to a mouthwatering mix of lemon and cotton candy {those are the notes that I personally detect when wearing it}. I recommend OHWTO to anyone looking for that perfect signature perfume!

Stay Fabulous!

30-Day Photo Challenge | Days 9 - 10

:::  DAY 9: SHOES YOU LOVE BUT DON'T WEAR OFTEN  :::

{My ASICS GEL-Kayano 18 running shoes. I wear them for working out, but I need to start wearing them out more to show off the flashy colors!}

{Sparkles!}

:::  DAY 10: FAVORITE NAIL POLISH  :::

{Zoya Loredana - Matte, Private-Label Pegasus Poop, Zoya Elke}

Stay Fabulous!