Cute Baked Jewelry GIVEAWAY!!! (Celebrating my 1 year on Youtube)

Hello my lovely readers!:D Today is a special day! Today is my first Youtube birthday (I started my YT channel exactly one year ago!!!!!!) So guess what??!

I thought it would be great to give you guys some of the baked goodies I make!!! :) (Part of them are featured in the image above).
SO EXITED!!!

This giveaway is my tiny way of saying thank you to all of my Youtube subscribers and my blog readers!

So now, without talking too much, let's get to the official rules:

The contest:

The contest is open internationally, starting Saturday, April 28, 2012 through Saturday, May 12, 2012 (Two weeks long). The winner will be announced here, on my blog, on Sunday, May 13, 2012.

How to enter:

Each person has 3 ways to enter the giveaway and that way to increase their chances of winning!

1. By Youtube - Subscribe to my Youtube channel and Comment below the giveaway video saying what's your favorite color combination.

2. By Twitter - Follow me on twitter and tweet about this giveaway with a link to this blog post and my twitter name (@MakeUp_ArtFreak), so I can see it.

3. Follow this blog with GFC and comment on this post saying your GFC name, so I know you followed.

Eligibility: 

This contest is open internationally unless prohibited in your local state or country. Participants who are under the legal age in their country (US - 18, Alabama - 19, Mississippi - 21..) must have permission from their parents or legal guardian to participate, so they will be allowed to give me their address in case of winning, to ship the prize. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. 

The winner:

One winner will be randomly selected and announced here, on this blog, on May 13, 2012. Be sure to come back on May 13th and check out who won! The winner will be asked to contact me by e-mail. In case the winner won't contact me within 48hrs after the announcement, a different winner will be randomly selected. 

The prize:

The winner will be receiving two (2) charms of their choice - one (1) charm from the existing collection and one (1) charm by custom order, OR two (2) charms from the existing collection. (Whatever they choose). To see the existing collection and choose the charm\s, the winner will be asked to go to the Baked Goodies album on my Facebook page (you can click here to view it). The winner can choose to receive any charm as a charm* or as earrings (hanging earrings or stud earrings) regardless of the way it shows up on the pictures. (One pair of earrings will be considered as one (1) piece of charm).
The winner will be asked to contact me by e-mail (as mentioned above) with his\hers shipping information and saying which 2 charms he\she have selected OR which one charm he\she have selected and what another charm he\she would like me to make for him\her by custom order.

All of the charms are handmade by me, and usually sold for 7-20$, so this is the prize value. 

The prize is only the one mentioned above and can not be received as it's money value.

The contest is not sponsored by any company. I will be paying the shipping from my own money, but I won't be responsible for any possible shipping delay or incident.

*The charms can be used as for a key-chain, necklace, cellphone chain, bracelet, etc.

I wish a very good luck to everyone!!! Please watch the video below for more info.

✿GOOD LUCK! :)✿

XOXO,

Tina.

Coffee And Raisin Muffins

This is the first time I'm trying to improvise with a muffins recipe, and it turned out pretty darn good! So I thought I will share it with you guys! :)
I was actually looking for a good coffee muffins recipe, but all of them included some ingredients which I didn't have. So I found this basic and simple muffins recipe, changed it a little and added some ingredients. I also had some raisins so I thought I'll add them too.
It's super easy to do and comes out delicious! :))
So here is my Coffee and Raisins muffins recipe:

Ingredients:

2 Cups all-purpose flour

1/2 Cup + 2 tablespoons sugar

1 Tablespoon baking powder

1/2 Teaspoon salt

2 Tablespoons of your favorite coffee

1/3 Cup chocolate milk powder 

1 Egg

3/4 Cup milk

1/3 Cup vegetable oil

1/2 Teaspoon vanilla extract

1/2 Cup raisins 

In a large bowl, combine all the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, baking powder, salt, coffee and chocolate milk powder). In a small bowl, beat the egg, milk, oil and vanilla. Pour into the dry ingredients and stir until just moistened. Fill greased or paper lined muffin cups and bake at 400 ℉(Or 200 °C)  for 20-25 minutes, or until a toothpick inserted into the center of a muffin comes out dry. 

 

Colorful Handmade Thread Bracelets

 

You all know how much I love crafting and creating things.. ^_^ I'm a creative person! :D
My mom gave me these beautiful colorful threads, and I wanted to do something with them so much! They're just such pretty colors!!

I didn't know what exactly I want to do with it. Then I've figured I'll create some colorful bracelets! :) I've had some last summer, and I loved it! It's just so pretty and fun for summer!
It's so easy to do! I just took 10 threads in the same color and created one thick thread out of it, I did the same thing with two more and breaded them together in different color combinations!

GA-DE Soft Satin Eyeshadow Palette Review, Photos, Swatches

So as you probably already know, I was working at the National Women's Show last weekend, at the GA-DE counter. If you haven't read my latest blog post, check it out for more information! :)
I've promised to do a review on one of GA-DE's products, and here it is! At the end of the show I got to choose one product from the counter that was presented as a tester. I chose their Soft Satin Eyeshadow quad in 32 - Golden Leaves.
It contains 4 eyeshadows: Top right - greenish gold, pretty good pigmentation.
                                   Top left - olive green with gold shimmer, same pigmentation as the previous.
                                   Bottom right - yellowy gold, very frosted, not so good pigmentation.
                                   Bottom left - golden beige, frosted, not so good pigmentation.

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Here are MY thoughts about it:
Colors - I love the color combinations in all of their palettes! It's great for creating the perfect look.
Texture - Most of them are very frosted and have lots of fallouts, which I don't really like..
Price - It sells for 35$ for 8g. Which is probably the price I would give for it. Fair enough.

Rate: ★★★☆☆ (3\5)

The National Women's Show, Montana's And A New Dress!

If you are following me on twitter, or friends with me by Facebook, then you probably know I was at thw National Women's Show in Ottawa last weekend, at the GA-DE counter, doing peoples makeup! :) It was lots of fun and I've met many cool people there! A lot of you where asking me what GA-DE is, so it's a European brand, that is new to Canada. I actually have no idea if it's available in the US too.. I think not.. Anyway, right now it has no stores in Canada and it only sales online, but they hope to open some stores soon! I will be reviewing one of their products soon.

 After that, me and Alex decided to go have some dinner at a local restaurant named "Montana's". It has this cool interior design, glass jars instead of glasses, and the tablecloth is made of this material which you can paint on! And they even give you some crayons haha! I've ordered nachos and Alex ordered something I've never tried and have no idea what's it called.. But it was very funny when the waitress came with our dishes, and mine was like 4 times bigger then Alex's haha!

 The day after this, we went shopping and I bought this super pretty dress at Garage (it's a Canadian store that I really love :) I love the color of it! it's kind of a bright teal and it makes you skin look more tan! ^_^ 

I hope ya'll are having a great week! :)

xoxo,

Tina.

Maybelline 24hr Color Tattoo Eyeshadows Review, Photos, Swatches

I have heard too many good things about these that I couldn't skip trying them!
People were reviewing them saying it's their new favorite product, comparing them to MAC paintpots and even saying they're better then it!
As you know, I don't like buying many products of a new brand I'm trying, or many shades of the same product when I'm trying it for the first time. I like to buy some, try them, an then buy some more if i really like it.
It was no different this time. I've purchased only 2 shades: Tough as Taupe & Pomegranate Punk.
Tough as Taupe is a matte taupe. It's very smooth and pigmented.
Pomegranate Punk is a burgundy color with golden glitter to it, but not a chunky glitter. It's very settle and smooth. It's a little bit more sheer then Tough as Taupe, but it is buildable.  

Tough as Taupe

Pomegranate Punk

Tough as Taupe/Pomegranate Punk

Since I got them I've been wearing them in any possible way: With a prime base, with no base, with an eyeshadow over it (as a base), and on its own. And they worked PERFECTLY for me in any of those ways!
It doesn't crease, It stays true to color, doesn't smudge, it's perfect as a base to prevent your eyeshadow from creasing, and also good as an eyeshadow on its own. [Below are the pictures of the eyeshadows when just applied, and after 8 ours. (They're supposed to stay on for 24 hrs, but I didn't really had a chance to test them for this long, so I just did for 8 hrs..)] I wore Tough as Taupe on the outer half of my lid and Pomegranate Punk on the inner half:

With primer underneath:

When just applied                             After 8 Hrs   

(With no primer underneath (on its own))

When just applied                             After 8 Hrs

The differences in color you see on the pictures, are just because of the different lightning (When just applied the picture was taken under day light, and the other picture was taken under my room light).

The product is available in many places and drug-stores, for 6.99$, and most of the time it's even on sale! So it's also a great deal for your money!
The only thing I'm disappointed about, is that they have a limited range of colors.. I hope they'll make some more colors in the future! 

Rate: ★★★★★ (5/5)

What's In My Bag And Exsiting News!

Finally! A video! After such a long time!
I forgot how much fun it is to make videos :) I have to get back to it!.. I hope I'll find some free time for it X_X
So my Canadian video background is back and I've decided to recreate my "What's in my bag" video, because I had a very very old one. Which apparently I even deleted a long time ago =\ So here it is. Two bags, one video!

*I have to warn you there is something strange going on with this video.. Obviously I don't have all   the video in one piece, because I'm editing it, so it has decided to make every second cut in stripes-motion-blur.. It's not that noticeable and doesn't makes a huge change, but it's funny.. I'll try to do better next time! I just thought I'll tell you that before you ask yourselves :P*

BE SURE TO READ THE PARAGRAPH UNDER THE VIDEO FOR SOME EXITING NEWS

So now for some exiting news! :)  I am going to be at the National Women's Show in Ottawa this Saturday and Sunday! I am going to be at the GA-DE counter, doing peoples makeup! :) It's going to be so much fan! The coast is 12$ at the door, or 10$ online. You can get free samples there, hair and makeup presentations by professionals, fashion shows and food! I would love to see you guys there, so if you're in Ottawa, ON, this weekend, be sure to stop by!

New Sigma Brushes Sneak Peak!

Exclusive news!On Monday, April 16th, Sigma is launching 2 new brushes that will be sold individually and will join to the permanent collection!

E75 Angled Brow (11$)- This firm, angled brush is perfect for filling in sparse brows with powder or gel products. Use a sketching motion to create a hair like effect and more defined brow. Synthetic bristles.

E80 Brow and Lash (9$)– An essential grooming tool for brows and lashes. Ideal for combing and taming brow hairs while shaping and filling. Great for pulling through lashes for separation and exactness. Synthetic bristles. 

Don't forget to use the coupon code APRIL2012 on checkout to receive 10% off (during the month of April)

I am so exited abut these! What about you? :D 

MAC Immortal Flower Blush (Tres Cheek Collection) Review, Photos, Swatches

I absolutely LOVED all the new colors in this collection! They're all so great for spring! But I've decided to buy only one of them, to save myself some money.. You know I just arrived to Canada and I'm looking for a job.. Not the best position for spending money on goodies..
I guess it won't surprise you if I'll say I purchased a peach one.. 'Cause I'm a freak of peaches and corals! Love, love, love those colors! (If you've read my 11 questions tag, or watched my latest favorites video, then you probably know that already).
I got Immortal Flower. It's probably the lightest of them all.
Immortal Flower is a bright peach, and has a satin finish. (As all the other blushes in this collection).
It looks almost like the bright baby of Peaches, the well-known Mac blush from the permanent range. I really love the color that is in the pot, but as weird as it may sound, the color that you get when you swatch it is slightly different from what you see in the pot. The color you get is a little bit more on the pink side, and it's just a tiny bit darker. For me, it's kind of a good thing, because as much as I love the color, if it would look the same on my skin as it looks in the container, it would be too light for me and almost unnoticeable. This color would look great on darker skin tones!

Rate: ★★★★★ (5/5)

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On the left, it's a heavy swatch, and on the right is a more blended swatch:

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MAC Beauty Marked Eyeshadow Review, Photos, Swatches

MAC Beauty Marked eyeshadow has a velvet finish. It looks very pretty in the pot, like a dark purple with purple glitter, but it's very different then that when you actually swatch it or apply it on the lid. It is actually a very deep burgundy color, almost black, with plum, purple and silver sparkles.

The picture of the swatch is the real swatch you get without any base underneath and without building it up. It comes out uneven and not very pigmented.
This eyeshadow was featured in my latest favorites video, and I did changed my mind a little bit from then. Although I still think it can be very pretty with a primer and a base, if you apply several coats of it all over the lid, or even just on the outer edge. It also adds a lot of interest to the classic smokey eye.

Rate: ★★★☆☆ (3\5)

 

Back To Canada!!..

3 Days ago we came back to Canada by air. We've had a 7 our waiting break in London, UK, where I got my YSL lipstick :)
The waiting time at Heathrow airport went pretty quick as most of the time we were just walking around the airport or eating :P Then I've decided to take an important step in my life and spend not a small amount of money to taste for the very first time the very famous and spoken treat.. Macaroons!! :D I have to admit it was pretty tasty :)

I'm pretty exited to come back to Canada, but I'm also very sad to leave my family and friends behind again :( Hoping to come back again soon and for much, much longer!!! <3

Oh and I'm sorry I had to skip this months favorites video AGAIN. It's because of the flight and everything.. >_<

Have a great day everyone!
XOXO,
Tina.

YSL #30 Rouge Volupté Lipstick Review, Photos, Swatches

You all know I'm a sucker for packaging.. So I have to admit that's one of the main reasons why I got this lipstick.. It's just so fancy looking! I love it!
I got it at Heathrow airport in London for 19£. 

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Price: Not cheap. Like most of the YSL products..
Scent: Sweet. Reminds me of water melon.. Very close to the YSL golden glosses scent, only a little bit weaker.
Texture: Very creamy and smooth. Feels very nice on the lips, almost moisturizer feel. 
Duration: In my experience, 2 to 3 hrs. Without eating and drinking. 
Dupes: (From what I have) MAC Sheen Supreme lipstick in Gotta Dash. Only MAC's is a tiny bit darker and more glossy. 

Mac Sheen Supreme - Gotta Dash (Left), YSL #30 Rouge Volupté (Right)

Overall: Love the packaging, but I wish I could pay less for it.. I have to say I'm pretty disappointed it didn't last for a longer time. I do really like the texture of it and the fact it applies so smoothly on the lips.

Rate: ★★★☆☆ (3\5)