Things that Make Me Go Oooh La La: July 23-29 2012

Welp what a week it has been! Literally I've been through a menagerie of things in my life personally and career wise, which has left me with a lot to think about. Whenever that happens though I go to the very thing that gets me in a host of trouble but brings me some clarity...SHOPPING! I did some damaged but I'll make sure to clean that up but in my walking around I came across some things that definitely made me say Oooh La La! Stay tuned for some new content to Miss Merli in NYC. I'm going to be sharing my dating experiences, since people think I'm quite hilarious and have the craziest stories to share.

Tarina Tarantino Emerald pretty palette swatches at Sephora 

Just bought this baby as part of my shameful spree Smashbox Masterclass Palette beautiful colors will swatch shortly.

Dior Nail Varnish in Nirvana

Me and Dora I love her backpack

Would you cop these beautiful sneaker wedges from Steve Madden for  69.95 there a  steal 

Love this Jesus tee but Its a little too short for my torso at Forever 21

So excited to get my first pair of earrings from Beads by Aree get yours!! She has amazing designs and the prices are also great for a diva on a budget.

Loving Make Up Forever US Lip stick in Moulin Rouge with Armour Beauty in a bright orange love it! 

You know I love my sweets I went back twice!

Didn't but this but I certainly need like 3 of these and maybe that's an under estimate from Container Store 20 bucks a piece.

I went to Forever 21 and went picture crazy check out the following photos 

Went to a tech fashion event and this woman was just doing it right Love the style here

If you know me Miss Merli was loving the clear skin and that necklace that did it for me

I then went to DSW and took photos of some of my fave footwear I also picked up a damage here as well... Don't Judge Me! 

Splendid wedges 79.95

BCBG Paris heels 84.95

Chinese Laundry 49.95 yep you guessed it I took these girls home

These Haute Pink beautifies from Nine West were yummy! 

Mark and James for Badgley Mischka are sexy! 107.95

Finally got my first pair of Torrid jeans and I can't wait to try them on 

Created a lip palette for my makeup kit  I love it! 

Certainly I feel bad about my shop till I feel guilty spree so I want to know... What do you do when you have a lot on your mind and have decisions to make? Let me know I'd love to try some of them.

New Collection: Illamasqua's Summer Naked Strangers

Yes the season that I love so much is finally here SUMMER! What does that mean fashion, beauty collections, and lots of great events to attend. One of my new fave makeup brands Illamasqua is not disappointing me one bit and has come full throttle with a beautiful summer collection appropriately called Summer Naked Strangers I think the name is so hilarious and so definitive of the summer time. Here is some pics and info about the collection. Stay tuned for swatches as soon as I can get my hands on some

The Naked Strangers Collection ( from left to right  Powder Blusher in Naked Rose (neutral beige brown), Cream Blusher in Zygomatic (naked pink brown), Intense Lipgloss in Stranger (platinum gold) *heavily pigmented*, Sheer Lipgloss in Intimacy (nude pink brown),  Mongamous (creamy flesh pink), Faithful (coppered metal) and Swinger (glistening platinum gold)

A place where alter egos are laid bare and naked flesh is a source of unashamed inspiration. In this delicate tipping point between intimacy and pleasurable detachment, we revel in the unknown; exploring the distance between pure Monogamous, gilded Faithful and uninhibited Swinger. Exposed nude tones, adorned with rich licks of gold, leave you gasping for more. Don’t restrain yourself. Unless, of course, you enjoy it.

“Naked Strangers captures inner glows and depths. The deeply and darkly alluring exists alongside ethereal shimmering brilliance. We are complex and multifaceted whilst also being naked to the world.”

Alex Box, Illamasqua Creative Director.

The Nail Varnish is $14, Lipglosses $20 and Blushers are $24 so plan accordingly beautiful people. The collection can be found in Sephora stores and online starting May 31st (Whoo Hoo)

ARE YOU GOING TO GET NAKED?

Who is the Blackest Pencil Liner in the Land?

Hello Beautiful People,

     On a recent browsing at Sephora I decided to swatch some of the blackest pencil liners that were available in store at that point. I will note that Make Up For Ever's liner was sold out at the time so its not apart of this swatch test. I was on a mission to find the BLACKEST liner available that at the same time wouldn't move. I tested the following brands:

• Stila
• Nars
• Clique
• Too Faced
• Benefit's Bad Gal Liner 
• Buxom 
• Sephora

 Here are the swatches ...

Stila, Nars, Clinique, Too Faced, Benefits Bad Gal Liner, Buxom, and Sephora

So who won?

1st Place: STILA

2nd Place: TOO FACED

3rd Place: Buxom

Who stayed on the longest? I used makeup remover and a pad and the two that I had to really scrub off was  STILA and TOO FACED with STILA being the winner. So there you have it. Go get your STILA!

The FACES of IMATS

Hello Beautiful People,

      I was fortunate to attend my first IMATS this past weekend at Pier 94 in NYC. In terms of vendors there were lots NYX, Royal Langnickel, Bdellium, Alcone, Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Give Good Face, Stila, and Jesse's Girl just to name a few. Since there is so much to talk about I'm going to start with just the unique and beautiful faces that I saw at the show. I'll talk about the vendors in my next post. Here are the FACES of IMATS.

Kevin James Bennett fixing my eyes that began creasing I love him!

A splashed black eye so lovely

Michael Devillis and the amazing Make Up For Ever Staff

Met this beautiful woman who's body art skills are through the roof. Look out for a feature about her.

Ms. Sherry Blossom Smizing you go girl

My fave divas This Fancy Face and Luxe Leopard look fabulous

My fave Sephora MUA with a face that is beautifully beat you do GIVE GOOD FACE

Julie G. holding up my fave color from her name sake collection

Fabulous She'll cut a chick and I approve

Stila Eye candy NICE!

My lovely friend Clifford who is an amazing artist and beautiful spirit.

The following monsters were apart of a contest that was taking place at IMATS

LIT Cosmetics really out did themselves on her eyes they pop like crazy

So grizzly!

That FACE IS BEAT!