Uh oh, not another monthly favorites blog!

I’ve been pretty lazy when it comes to doing my make up lately, being busy with school and all.  So here are the products used to create my most basic look for the month!

• Always my basic stuff…. Face Atelier Ultra Foundation, Maybelline Define-A-Brow brow pencil in medium brow (identical to MAC Lingering, in my opinion), Urban Decay Primer Potion on the lids prior to eye make up, and Urban Decay De-Slick mattifying powder to set the face.

• Nixie eyeshadows in Night Falls and Violaceous (MAC duplicates are Satellite Dreams and Violet Trance).  I put Night Falls all over the lid, and then Violaceous in the crease and outer corner of the eye.
• Nixie eyeshadow in Grace (closest MAC duplicate is Seedy Pearl).  I use this as a highlight, and have also been enjoying it as a cheek highlight as well as eye highlight!
• Urban Decay Lip Envy in Envious.  I apply this lightly so as to not get too much color on my lips, but just to add a little pink.  This is my go-to daytime lip color.  For gloss, I’ll throw on Nixie’s Smashing lipgloss, a shimmery pale pink, right over it.
• If I’m feeling adventurous, I’ll throw on a red lip with Nixie’s Mila lipstick (close to MAC’s Russian Red) with Nixie’s Rosie lipgloss over it (any opaque red lipgloss will do).  This is more of a night-time look for me, or if I’m looking for something more dramatic.  I don’t do red lips everyday, and touching it up can be tedious when working.
• Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Pencil in Zero.  This is my favorite black pencil ever to be on the market.  You can even use a brush and wing it out on the top lid!  Otherwise, a gel liner is my favorite on the top lid.  Any will do from MAC, Smashbox, L’Oreal, Urban Decay, and Bobbi Brown.
• Nixie eyeshadow in Gem for a blush.  This is a pretty pale pink similar to MAC’s Well Dressed, which would also work beautifully.  Slight shimmer, but not too noticeable.  For contouring my non-existent cheekbones I’ve been using Nixie bronzer in Montego Bay Glissen (a slightly pinky brozner).  I apply this VERY lightly seeing as I have fair skin, and don’t want to over do it!

For your homework, what are your favorite beauty products for this month?

Every season is changing, both the weather and what trends cosmetic companies are laying down for the season!

I’m going to share some of the trends that are going to be in hot demand this winter along the lines of cosmetics, and hope that we can all try something new that we haven’t done before.  I’ll also post product recommendations for each trend!  (If there are more than one suggestion from a brand for each category, I’ve separated the color names using a forward slash, or /.)

• Red lips.  Red lips are back in full demand this season, offering a bold, classic and sexy look for any woman.  That is, as long as you find the proper shade of red!  Orange-based reds tend to be the brightest, while blue-based reds will help make your teeth look whiter.  My favorite red lipsticks include Kat Von D’s Stiletto/Underage Red/Hellbend (Sephora), Nixie cream lipstick in Mila (Nixie), Urban Decay Gravity/Gash/Revolution (Urban Decay), and NYX round lipstick in Electra (Cherry Culture, NYX)
• Nude lips.  I know you’re thinking, “What?  Nude and red are in this season?”  And yes, it’s true.  Both colors are 100% in to go with the “in” eye look.  Nude lip colors often pale your lips, or are close to your natural lip color but add a bit of zing to your look.  Some excellent ideas to look for are Rimmel London’s Airy Fairy (Rimmel London), MAC’s Creme D’Nude/Myth/Blankety/Honeylove lipsticks (MAC).
• Silver and shimmery gray eyeshadows.  What a wonderful way to deck the halls this season than with some shimmery silver eyeshadow!  Almost all brands have an excellent silver, so here are my favorites!  Ben Nye Grand Lumiere eyeshadow in Silver (Fun-Shop), Nixie eyeshadows in Cosmic/Silver Lining (Nixie), MAC eyeshadow in Electra/Silver Ring (MAC).
• Bronze smokey eyes.  Here are my recommendations for eyeshadows to help you achieve this look!  Urban Decay deluxe eyeshadows in Underground/Shag (Urban Decay), Urban Decay eyeshadows in Baked/Half-Baked/Rush/Smog/YDK (Urban Decay), Nixie eyeshadows in Bronzo/Bronzed/LA/Ritz/Morocco (Nixie), Ben Nye eyeshadow in Bronze (Fun-Shop), MAC eyeshadows in Patina/Era/Honey Lust/Bronze/Antiqued (MAC).
• Purple smokey eyes (Can you tell smoke is in this season?).  Here are some of my favorite violets, plums and purples from different brands that can help you achieve a vibrant smokey eye, or one with subtle and subdued color!  Urban Decay eyeshadows in Flash/Last Call/Purple Haze/Ecstasy/Crash (Urban Decay), Urban Decay Deluxe eyeshadows in Frigid/Freakshow/Ransom/Fishnet (Urban Decay), Nixie eyeshadows in Violaceous/Scorpio/Grape/Zodiac/Night Falls/Jinx/Romance (Nixie), Ben Nye grand lumiere eyeshadow in Royal Purple/Amethyst (Fun-Shop), Ben Nye eyeshadow in Violetta/Deep Violet/Royal Purple (Fun-Shop), MAC eyeshadow in Purple Shower/Violet Trance/Stars N Rockets/Trax/Satellite Dreams/Beautiful Iris/Idol Eyes/Nocturnelle/Shadowy Lady/Parfait Amour/Contrast (MAC).
• Blue and navy eyeshadows (which can also be used to achieve a smokey effect).  Thinking 80′s?  Think of this is the 80′s blue with more class and sass.  Urban Decay eyeshadows in Goddess/Mary Jane/Shattered (Urban Decay), Urban Decay Deluxe eyeshadows in Peace/Adore (Urban Decay), Nixie eyeshadows in Anchored/Starlight/Blue Angel/Electric Blue (Nixie), Ben Nye grand lumiere eyeshadow in Cosmic Blue/Peacock (Fun-Shop), Ben Nye eyeshadow in Celestial Blue/Navy Blue (Fun-Shop), MAC eyeshadows in Electric Eel/Freshwater/Tilt/Deep Truth/Nehru (MAC).
• Gel or liquid eyeliner in black.  Use what works for you, everyone’s eyes are different so I’m careful in recommending for this category.  As a note, I’ve never had problems with any black gel eyeliner I’ve used, from Smashbox, to MAC, to Urban Decay, to L’Oreal.  Pick your favorite in your price range!
• Black eyeliner pencils.  I have one recommendation here, Urban Decay’s 24/7 liner.  There’s nothing better!
• Pink, shimmery cheeks!  Make sure it’s a subtle pink and not overpowering to your skin-tone!  Urban Decay blush in Quickie (Urban Decay), Nixie cream blush in Elegance (Nixie), Nixie powder blush in Elegance/Radiance (Nixie), Maybelline Dream Mousse blush in Pink Frosting/Rose Petal, MAC blush in Well Dressed/Dame/Fleur Power/Dollymix (MAC).
• Fresh, even complexion.  Of course, good skin starts at the root of good skincare.  I recommend visiting an esthetician to assist you in picking out some wonderful skincare items.  Or going to Ulta, or Sephora, and talking to one of the guys and gals there who are trained in their skincare lines.  I’m personally particular to Bioelements (nothing has worked better for me), but there are also a ton of mass consumer products if you are on a budget.  Always read the back of the bottle, it will tell you who the product is formulated for, what type of skin it is formulated for, and what it is supposed to do.  After skincare, of course comes  your foundation.  I cannot recommend more the Face Atelier Ultra Fluid Foundation (Face Atelier), it goes on so smoothly, and really evens the complexion without looking like make up.  Who could ask for anything more?  For a more cost effective alternative, L’Oreal True Match (Ulta) has a wonderful selection of shades, and blends seamlessly onto the skin.  The added SPF is a bonus!  Not to mention it’s readily available at any drug store across the nation.

Update: I did receive my items in August of 2009.  It took nearly a month, but I did get them.  I have also had other readers reply that they’ve placed orders they have received (including in September), and some orders placed early this month (October) that have NOT been received — but October’s not over yet!

If you have ANY information regarding Nixie, and have placed an order between July-now let us know if you have received it, haven’t received it, and when you placed the order.  Was everything included in your order?  We’re trying to figure out if Nixie is still a company, or if it’s long gone!  Hoping it’s the former, not the latter.  I love the products to death!

I placed an order in July.  It’s not here.  I’ve never had this issue with you before, even though your customer service has always been on the iffy side — I’ve never just not received an order.

Have you closed?
Has something horrible happened?

Because I sincerely love(d) you, it’s been a long time since I’ve been so excited about a brand, or enjoyed so many different products from one line.  I’m saddened, and deeply hurt by the lack of communication.

And the fact you have my money, and I don’t have the products I ordered.  But that’s a different story.

Are you off to stop the illegal whaling in the Pacific?  Are you trying to stop global warming?  Are you possibly planning a big huge reveal and since you are low on employees, you’ve been unable to fill orders?

Has anyone else placed an order with Nixie Cosmetics and had it not arrive, only to find they are unable to get a hold of the company?

Please, please, please let me know.  Maybe we can start a support group.

Price: $24
Availability: Some salons, and nixiecosmetics.com
Rating:

Product Details: Oil free, hypoallergenic, specially formulated to prevent shine and minimize the look of blemishes with buildable, moderate to full coverage. Encapsulated vitamins, green tea extracts, and antioxidants keep skin looking fresh and even all day.

Product Pros:

• Great natural-matte finish.
• Moderate coverage.  Applies lightly but covers very well.
• Wide range of shades, something you can always value from Nixie.
• Affordable.  Only $24 for 1.1 ounce of product.
• Long-wearing.  Doesn’t rub off.
• Doesn’t oxidize and look weird on the skin after prolonged wear.
• Gentle formula great for sensitive skin.

Product Cons:

• Since Nixie is a newer brand, it is hard to find in stores.  Only a few salons who are registered carry it, and shopping online can be hard to find your color match.
• A little bit runny, takes some getting used to for application.

This is currently my daily go-to product.  I wear it in Ivory 1 (or sometimes Neutral 1, depending on what I feel like ordering), and apply it using a fluffy blush brush.  I prefer to use a fluffy brush when applying this foundation as I think it goes on more evenly and gives more of an airbrushed look.  Since the formula is rather runny, applying it with a regular foundation brush can be tricky and time-consuming.  I have repurchased this foundation four times now, the only foundation I think I have ever done that with.  I like the fact that Nixie provides an exceptionally wide color range — allowing you to find the perfect color to suit your needs.  They also have an excellent return policy for those of you who are shopping online.  You can return your product for any reason (the color wasn’t what you expected, didn’t match, etc) within 30 days as long as you have the original packaging.  They will either refund your card, or they will exchange it if that is what you are choosing to do.  Very often, if you are making a large order, they will include little goodie such as make-up remover wipes so you can try more of their product!

I would recommend this to almost any foundation user.  It doesn’t make dry skin stand out, but doesn’t make me oily either since it is an oil-free foundation.  Very gentle on the skin and evens out skintone.  I would say that this product can be layered for more full coverage.

It’s the middle of July, so time for my favorite beauty products this month!

• NYX lipstick in Electra.  This is a fabulous blue-based bright red lipstick!  (Buy at NYXCosmetics.com, Buy at CherryCulture.com)
• Nixie lipgloss in Rosie.  This is a nice rose-red lipgloss to put over your lipstick for some added shine!  (Buy at NixieCosmetics.com, enter discount mollymua for 10% off Nixie purchases)
• L’Oreal Extreme Volume Collagen Mascara.  Possibly my new HG!  I use it in waterproof for gorgeous thick and long lashes.  (Buy at LorealParis.com)
• Nixie eyeshadows in Jinx and Violaceous.  I’ve been in a purple mood lately! Also Silver Lining for a nice silver on the lid.  (Buy at NixieCosmetics.com, enter discount mollymua for 10% off Nixie purchases)
• Nixie ultra pearl in Cloud Nine as a highlight.  It’s a beautiful shimmery white!  (Buy at NixieCosmetics.com, enter discount mollymua for 10% off Nixie purchases)
• L’Oreal H.I.P cream liner in black!  This stuff stays on and is virtually water and wear proof for the heat in the summer!  It also comes in a variety of colors if you would rather something other than black, including a purple, blue and teal!  (Buy at LorealParis.com)
• Rimmel London Exaggerate Full Color Lip Colour Lip Liner in Red Diva.  A great color to line your lips, plus it’s auto sharpening — thus easier to carry around!  (Buy at Ulta.com)
• NYX Slim Pencil in White to line my waterline and make my eyes pop and look larger!  (Buy at NYXCosmetics.com, Buy at CherryCulture.com)

I know, I know.  Lots of favorites for July