Cherry Culture End of Summer Sale

Cherry Culture is having a 20% off (on any order) End of Summer sale.  The sale is going on now until August 24, 2008.  So stock up on your fave beauty brands, including NYX Cosmetics, LA Colors, Kleancolor.

Discount Coupon Code EOS20

Happy haulin’!

E-mail Change Update for Pumps and Gloss

Hey Pumps and Glossy ones,

The contact e-mail has changed to pumpsandgloss at rocketmail dot com. Please feel free to send questions or inquires to that e-mail account.

Have a super day

Urban Decay Friends and Family Discount Event (8-19-2008 – 8-28-2008)

Urban Decay Family and Friends Coupon Code - FFL30

Urban Decay also offers free shipping on orders $75 and over.

Hard Candy 75% OFF Sale

Also everything on Hard Candy dot com is 75% off.  (No code needed for the savings)  Free shipping for orders $50 and over. You may also find some Hard Candy items in Sephora.com’s clearance section, but they won’t be 75% off.  I have one of Hard Candy’s 9-shadow palettes and I like it a lot. 🙂

Happy Haulin’

Review – Milani Black Magic Liner & Eye Glimmer

I have been enjoying the Milani Color Brilliance Eye Pencil in Green, which I give a 5 out of 5, so I decided to try Milani’s Black Magic Liner & Eye Glimmer pencils.  The pencils are double-sided and the “eye glimmer” side’s tip is thicker than the liner side. The Glimmer side can be used as a shadow or placed over the liner for a glittery look.  (I suggest, if you are going to use the glimmer side, place it over the liner or creamy shadow for the best effect, otherwise the glimmer side is utterly useless!)

Milani Black Magic Liner & Eye Glimmer

I purchased the Blue and Black Milani Black Magic Liner & Eye Glimmers ($4.99/ea at Target.)  The liner sides are very creamy and smooth and easy to apply.  Now, the magic eye glimmer side was another story.  The blue side did not show up too well (looked rather blotchy), while the silver is vibrant and pigmented.    I wiped the Blue Magic side with a tissue and cotton swab to no avail.  I also sharpened the tip, nothing could help the texture.  I do not think I will ever use the blue magic side of the pencil. Milani needs to reformulate the blue glitter because the color is gorgeous.

Milani Black Magic liner and Eye Glimmer Swatches (Blue and Black)

I used the Black Sterling liner for a neutral church look.

Milani Black Sterling Liner from Duo Pencil

Overall, the purchase was worthwhile and I, definitely, plan to purchase more.  I am impressed with the Milani products that I have used and swatches that I have seen.  I cannot believe I used to walk past these products in my local drugstore.  Please forgive me. 😉

Overall Rating: 4
Price [Value]: 5
Packaging Quality: 5
Would you buy this product again? Yes

UPDATE -CVS has a special on Milani, buy $10 Milani get $5 back!  *What a deal!!!*

Mix Maven

Here Kitty Kitty!

I love Hello Kitty, since elementary school when Mummy Maven bought me a Hello Kitty pencil case.  I kept that thing as long as I could. LOL  Now, that I am older and do not have a daughter, I buy Hello Kitty stuff, especially barettes, little purses, stickers and such for 2 of my little cousins, both under 6 years old.

Now, I have a limit to my Hello Kitty love.  I will not wear Hello Kitty apparel (including underwear), shoes.  I do not and will not buy Hello Kitty wallets, jewelery, nor purses. (I will get a tote bag!)  Now, I am all over notepads, mugs, bowls, ziplock bags, ice packs (which come in very handy), pens and pencils.   FYI, check your local Target for Hello Kitty paraphernalia in the Dollar section.

Last year, when it was time to order checks, I ordered Hello Kitty.  Now, I had to check with Mr. Maven because since the account is joint and I did not want him to feel bad about presenting a Hello Kitty check.  Well, he was cool with the idea because he rarely uses checks, especially since I am the Home CFO, so I placed my order.

Hello Kitty Check (1 of 5 Designs)

Recently, I was in the bank doing a transaction and I gave the teller my Hello Kitty check for deposit. After the transaction, she showed me a Hello Kitty debit card.  Whoa-wee, I was very excited.  The card is too cute. As soon as I got home, I called up my bank and ordered my Hello Kitty check card.

Hello Kitty Debit Card

There is buzz on Specktra that Hello Kitty and MAC will collaborate for MAC’s anniversary collection. That sounds better than good to me.   Someone cracked me up by saying (paraphrasing), “How can Hello Kitty promote lip gloss when she has no lips?”  Too funny LOL!!!  *Good point* I cannot wait to see the  products and colors that will result from the collabo.  The launch is slated for early 2009.

Mix Maven

Pumps And Gloss: Fall Luxury Shoe Picks

The summer will be over before you know it, so it is time for us to focus on Fall fashions.

You know that shoes are loved on this blog (hence the first part of the name) 😉  Joyful Radiance and I always send each other Neiman Marcus links for shoes that we love and adore, yet cannot afford…well, if we want to be homeless and not pay our mortgage, we could get them LOL.  Anyhoo, Christian Louboutin is one of our favorite shoe brands.  Each season, he comes out with some gems that we drool over.

Here are our Fall 2008 Luxury shoe picks:

The first pick is the Open-Toe Passementerie Pump.

Christian Louboutin Open Toe Passementerie Pump

The detail on this sexy pump is exquisite.  The word “passementerie” meant lace in early French, but now means designs made from silk cords (braiding) or bead work. I can see the design on a lamp shade and draperies.  The red color is very festive.  A definite 5 out of 5.

Christian Louboutin Armadillo Satin Dorsay

This rouge, pleated satin pump is the hotness!!  I would not have to wear these shoes.  I would put them on a pedestal and gaze upon them all the day.  I would pair with an updated sheath dress in Royal Violet. (So First Lady!!) 🙂

JCrew Wool Sheath in RoyalViolet (Side)

JCrew Wool Sheath in RoyalViolet Back

What fall trends are you looking forward to?

Mix Maven

Mix Maven’s Tidbits 8/12/2008

Hey Pumps and Gloss-ers,

Just wanted to update you on some of my favorite things.

One of my favorite shows is Lincoln Heights.  Many fans were waiting with bated breath wondering if the show would be renewed for a 3rd season.  The new season will begin September 16, 2008, 8 PM Eastern Time.  I cannot wait to see what the writers have come up with!!  I am sure there will be more drama than the first two seasons.  Cassie and Charles will still be in a romantic limbo.  Dad and Mom will continue to face challenges in their workplaces and Lizzie and Tay will continue to learn how to navigate the mean streets of the Heights.  Set your DVRs!!!

Lincoln Heights on ABC Family

I was sad to learn that Las Vegas on NBC has been canceled, even though I knew the show was going to be canceled when James Caan left the show and Tom Selleck joined the cast, but how I am supposed to get my weekly Josh Duhamel fix.

Cast of NBC's Las Vegas

I also wanted to see more of the storyline with Piper and Mike and how their relationship would develop from their weird, drunken wedding.  Molly Sims bored the stew out of me as Delinda, so well.. nothing more to say about her.  I just hope that Josh Duhamel will be on my television soon, with his fine self.  If you have never seen this show *gasp* check out old episodes on TNT.

Mix Maven

Review – LA Colors Palette

Recently, I posted a Cherry Culture haul that included a LA Colors palette and Sweetz, a fellow Pumps and Gloss-er, wondered if the LA Colors palette was a worthwhile purchase.

LA Colors Serenade Palette

LA Colors Tease Palette

LA Colors Palette are very pigmented, but  there was a lot of fall out, which means that a tacky base is needed.  (I was totally frustrated using this product!)   The LA Colors All-In-One Makeup pencil (can be used as a blush, lipstick, eye shadow and/or primer) would be a great base because of the extreme tackiness.  The problem for me is this product makes me crease and that can be quite problematic. (For some people, the tackiness will pose no problem.)

LA Colors All In One Make-up Pencil

I have seen people make the palettes work and I applaud them for that, but as for me, I will focus on other discounted brands that have the same pigmentation and little to no fallout that deserve my money, time and attention.

LA Colors Palette

Overall Rating: 3
Price [Value]: 3
Packaging Quality: 4
Would you buy this product again? No

Mix Maven

StarFlash Update

I received my StarFlash package from .com and went to a MAC freestanding store the same day.  *I know I know … Don’t judge me!!* 🙂

I received:

1. Sunset B. – I am not pleased with the texture …Lustre Lite is what it should be called.. Not smooth like the others. Tried with Fresco Rose and Nice Vice Paint Pots and it looked pretty decent, so all is not lost.  Someone mentioned that it looks great over Perky Paint Pot, but I do not have that one…oh well.  As Timm
2. Go – pretty and smooth (Definitely Tempting’s unchunky twin or close cousin.)
3. Grand Entrance – pretty and smooth
4. Talent Pool – pretty gorgeous and smooth (Has more blue than Shimmermoss and since I do not have Steamy nor Parrot, definitely a worthwhile purchase)
5. Mink and Sable – gorgeous and smooth (Greener and darker than Sumptuous Olive)  All I can say is delish!
6. Glamour Check! – pretty and smooth (What BeautyBurst [for Barbie Loves MAC] should have been.

FOTD from the weekend:

(Products used are MAC, unless otherwise stated)

Face

• Studio Tech NW 43/NC 50
• MSF Dark
• NYX Concealer in Nutmeg

Eyes

• Matte Gel
• Soft Ochre Paint Pot
• Grand Entrance e/s on lid
• Brown side from the L’Oreal Hip Duo Brazen
• Brown side from the L’Oreal Hip Duo Forgiving
• Tan side from the L’Oreal Hip Duo Adventurous (highlighter)
• Black Ore Solar Bits
• LA Colors Lash Building Mascara in Black
• NYX Eye Pen Felt Liner – Black
• Engraved PowerPoint Pencil

Cheeks

• Barbie Loves MAC Fab Blush
• X-Rocks Spaced Out

Lips

• Pucker Tendertone
• NYX Thalia l/s
• NYX Brown l/l

What did you all get from StarFlash, if anything?

Overall, this was a good collection.  I am not sure if I will get back-ups, but I think the collection was definitely more than hype.

Mix Maven

Sale Alert: L’Oreal HiP Color Rich Cream Crayon

I was at Target and was too excited about the clearance sales.  There were many clearance items that piqued my interest, but after lingering in the baby department and school supply area, I did not have enough time to check out the beauty clearances, but I did make a stop in the L’Oreal aisle.

There I found:

The L’Oreal HiP Color Rich Cream Crayons had the ubiquitous red stickers on them.  I have a few of the cream crayons and have been pleased with them.  The price is under $6 (for now).  I am not sure if the clearance sale means the items are being discontinued or the stock is being replenished.

L'Oreal Hip Color Rich Cream Crayon in Unmistakable (Pink)

L'Oreal Hip Color Rich Cream Crayon in Perfectionist (Black)

There was also a few HiP Duos that were marked $2.97, but I did not check if the non-marked ones were on also on clearance.  The tube lip glosses were also marked with clearance stickers.

So RUN to your nearest Target NOW!!!

Mix Maven