Happy New Year!

I know that I have been MIA lately in the blogging department.  It has been a crazy end to 2011 with Christmas and New Years.  I wanted to take this opportunity to wish all of our readers a HAPPY & HEALTHY NEW YEAR.  This past year for me has been so rewarding.  I am able to get on the blog and talk about things that make me happy.  What I especially like is that people actually read what I write because it makes them happy as well.  My new years resolution is that I am going to continue to blog about makeup, skincare, fragrance, and everything else in between.  I want to thank you for reading and for your wonderful comments.  Blogging is truly something that I enjoy doing.  I finally found a place where I can go on and on about things that I enjoy.  I hope that you truly enjoy reading as much as I enjoy writing. 

Well I am off to get ready for my night out with Detective Lynn and our boys!  Just a peek into the new year for blogging - I am looking forward to blogging about all my makeup gifts that I received this year for Christmas.  I also already bought tickets for IMATS NYC in April.  I just found out that someone I met on Twitter is going to be there and I couldn't be more excited to meet her in person! I see YouTube tutorials and vlogs in our future! Please continue reading to see whats to come, and what cases the Makeup Detectives are going to solve in 2012! 

Again, thank you to everyone who enjoys reading our blog.  Please have a safe and wonderful New Years Eve!  As for the coming year, may it be filled with love, happiness, and peace.  May all your glammy wishes and dreams come true! Oh and may you buy at least one limited edition piece of Chanel!  ; )

As for ending the year on a glamorous note - This chapter is CLOSED! 

Detective Kathy

Santa came early today!

So on my way home from work I happened to hear one of my all time favorite Christmas songs - "Dominick the Donkey" hee haw hee haw hee haw, just when I thought my day couldn't get any better I pulled into my driveway and spotted a big box!  There was a package there waiting for me with NYX in big letters!! To my surprise I had forgotten that I won a contest on Twitter that NYX Cosmetics was having.  Ok so if you dont know I will tell you that I tweet like its my job! You had to be one of the first few people to tweet your favorite NYX product.  My little paws can type mighty fast and of course, I was a winner!  They told me that they would send me out my prize. 

Today in the mail I received some fabulous goodies from NYX!  I think NYX products are awesome and a lot of fun to work with.  For being a less expensive brand, the quality of NYX can hold its own against any of the more expensive products on the market!   If you look at some of my past posts you can see that I actually have quite a few NYX products.  So here is what they sent me, all FULL SIZE!  Doll Eyes Mascara, Peach Blush, Jumbo Pencil in French Fries, Black Eyeliner Pencil, Mega Shine Gloss in Desert, Lip Liner in Citrine, Eyeshadow Base in SkinTone, and Triple Eye Shadow Palette in Rock & Roll.  Can you believe all of those goodies, all for me, for free!  It was like Santa had come early to my house!  I currently use the Eye Base, Jumbo Pencils, glosses and lip & eye pencils and LOVE THEM!  The colors that they sent me are so gorgeous!  I am most excited to try the Doll Eye Mascara.  This was such a generous gift I am so lucky!  Here is a photo of my goodies -

Aren't they GORGEOUS?  I would like to thank NYX Cosmetics for sending me all of these wonderful products.  As I said, I love their products and have used everything before accept for the mascara.  I will be investigating this tomorrow.  I will let you know what my discovery is.  I am sure it will be ahmazing just like all the other NYX products on the market! 

In the case of Santa NYX coming early with some cosmetics for me to open - This case is SOLVED!

Detective Kathy

P.S. Before Ulta rolled into town I would stock up on my NYX products at http://cherryculture.com/index.php  This is the perfect place to get all your NYX goodies and they usually have a discount.  Check them out! 

** I assure you that I am in no way affiliated with CherryCulture.com, NYX Cosmetics, or Dominick the Donkey in any way, shape, or form.  The products were sent to me as a result of winning a contest.  All of the opinions expressed above are my own.**

The Holiday Tag

Well its that time again.  Time for me to do a tag!  I love YouTube, as all of you know and I love tag videos.  Here is a tag that I found while I was watching MakeupByMel on Youtube.  She is one of my favs!  I will put a link to her video below. The holiday that I celebrate is Christmas.  So here are the questions along with my answers -

Questions:

Favorite Christmas Movie? - Home Alone 2 Lost in NY
Are you on the Naughty list or the Nice list? - It depends who you ask!
Have you ever had a White Christmas? - Every year since I was born.  I live in Upstate NY!
Where do you usually spend your holiday? - At my house with my family
Play or Sing your favorite Christmas Song! - Well since I cannot play or sing, I will tell you that it is "Last Christmas" By George Michael
Do you open any presents on Christmas Eve? - YES only one from my husband.  We each open one, my husband and son open only one too.
Can you name all of Santa's reindeer? - Vixen, Dancer, Prancer, Blitzen, Rudolph, Donner, that's all I think!
What holiday tradition are you looking forward to most this year? - Seeing what is in my stocking on Christmas morning- MY FAVORITE! Santa brings me LOTS of Chanel! My dad and sister also come over because Santa comes for them as well! 
Is your Christmas tree real or fake? - Fake, it was real all of my life but the past few years we got a fake one. Its gorgeous! There is a picture below!
Hands down, what's your all-time favorite holiday food and holiday sweet treat? - I love all the fish that we eat on Christmas Eve.  I love all the different Christmas cookies, especially since I don't bake.
Be Honest: do you like giving gifts or receiving gifts better? - Giving, I like to make people happy!
What would be your favorite place to visit for the holiday season? - I absolutely LOVE NYC at Christmas time! 
Does your family have a special holiday recipe you like to help make? - UM no, I really don't like to cook or bake at all so I don't help with that.
Are you a pro-present wrapper, or do you fail miserably? Fail miserably for sure.  You can ask the customers who would come to the Lancome, Clinique, or Estee Lauder counter and want their gifts wrapped.  Yup they were better off paying that stand in the middle of the mall to wrap them!
Most memorable Holiday moment? - My son's first Christmas and the year my husband gave me my engagement ring.
What made you realize the truth about Santa? - I heard my dad downstairs filling the stockings.
Do you make New Years Resolutions? Do you stick to them? - I make them, and NEVER stick to them. Maybe this year!
What makes the Holidays special for you? - Spending time with my family and friends makes the holiday special for me.  I love listening to Christmas music, watching Christmas movies, and seeing all the beautiful decorations.  Here is a picture of my Christmas tree which makes me happy every time I look at it -

Well this was a little peek into my life and what I like about Christmas.  I would like to take this time to extend holiday wishes to each and everyone of you reading.  I hope that you have a wonderful holiday season with your friends and family.  Please comment below and tell me what holiday you celebrate and what you love about it. 

Here is the link to Mel's video - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AKHDHtglXtM

In the case of giving you a little peek into my holiday world - This case is SOLVED!

Detective Kathy

Urban Decay - Naked 2

So the word on the street was that Urban Decay was creating a Naked 2 palette.  As all of you makeup mavens know by now, that is totally true.  The website had a sign up to be notified once this product was available to be sold.  The sale date was 12-1-11.  I was planning on a midnight shopping experience but Urban Decay's facebook page said to go catch some ZZZ's because it would not be available at the stroke of midnight.  I woke up early that morning and still no Naked 2.  So the day went on and I clicked the Urban Decay website like it was my job.  The only time I couldn't click was when I went to lunch.  No worries, my friend Emmalee who is equally as obsessed as I am clicked for us.  Our goal was to get our greedy little paws on 2 of the Naked 2.  One for me and one for her!  After lunch I continued on with my clicking obsession until all of a sudden...it was available.....AHHHHHHH it was like the Heaven's had opened up and the Angels were singing.....BUY ME hurry up GET ME IN YOUR CART AND CHECKOUT AS FAST AS YOU CAN.  My heart was racing and my fingers could barely put in the numbers to my credit card.  Then there was one last CONFIRM ORDER and it was DONE!! Emmalee and I had our wish fulfilled.  We were proud owners of the Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette.  Ok so this took place on Thursday mid afternoon.  How about a few minutes ago it was at my door.  I have one thing to say - URBAN DECAY YOU ROCK MY WORLD with you super duper fast FREE shipping.  I am so excited I can hardly stand myself.  I have this palette in all its gorgeousness in my greedy little paws right now as we speak, or as I write.  So without further ado, here it is -

These colors are ahmazaballs!! Really just when I thought Urban Decay couldn't possibly create anything prettier than the original Naked Palette, they did it.  I will be rocking these colors today for sure! I actually have to run to Ulta for some self tanner so I just might put this bad boy in my purse for a little show and tell. 

If you have any questions about this palette please let me know in the comments below.  I can't wait to use it.  The brush that it comes with looks equally as amazing as the colors.  It also came with a little lipgloss. This was $50.00 and TOTALLY worth the price of admission.  The shipping was FREE and if you sign up for the Urban Decay website, they give you 10% off your first order.  Really it doesn't get any better than that! 

Ok have to hurry so I can start playing with these beauties!!

In the case of finding something even more gorgeous than the original Urban Decay Naked Palette - This case is SOLVED!

Detective Kathy

I Love NY.....I Love NY....lalalalala

If you happen to follow me on Twitter you know that I spent Thanksgiving in my favorite city New York!  This tradition started last year when we made our way down to see the parade for the first time.  Now it is a tradition that I see happening for many years to come.  My sister lives in Bayside which, by train is only about 20 minutes to Penn Station.  We wake up early and go to the parade, and then have dinner at her house.  Of course for me no trip to NY would be complete without some shopping.  I ended up purchasing my birthday present which was something that I have been wanting for such a long time.  I will save that until the end. 

Not far from our hotel is a shopping mecca in Long Island called Americana Manhasset.  This is a dream come true even though I usually end up window shopping.  I always go into Chanel, unfortunately not to purchase a handbag, but to check out the cosmetics.  They have a wonderful woman working in cosmetics.  You know I love Heather for all my Chanel needs but I cannot pass up a live counter, and especially a Chanel Boutique.  I only ended up getting two items.  My birthday present was quite extravagant so I didn't want to press my luck!  I purchased a nail polish which the woman suggested called Rose Cache.  This is quite light for my taste but she was right, it is very pretty.  The other item was a Rouge Coco Shine in #41 Canoter.  This is a gorgeous shimmery pale gold.  I love going into the Chanel Boutique to catch a glimpse of all the gorgeous bags and jewelry.  It is nice that I am only spending money on cosmetics, and get treated like someone who is purchasing a $4000.00 bag!  OK now on to Sephora.  I ended up only getting two lipsticks that I have been wanting forever.  I purchased Fable by Illamasqua, and Agatha by Kat Von D.  These were recommendations by Vanessa, The Bombshell Suite on YouTube.  I also ended up getting a blush from Illamasqua called Ambition.  This is a gorgeous shimmery pink.

When I was in Times Square I ended up going to Inglot, which I also love.  I purchased one of their Freedom System Palette's for my sister.  I chose some gorgeous colors for her.  One blush, two shadows, and a pressed powder.  I always tell her how much I love mine.  I got myself a gloss which is a frosty pink.  It is similar to Brilliance by Chanel.  Here is a picture below -

OK so now on to my birthday present.  This actually speaks for itself -

YAY YAY YAY She is the Louis Vuitton Speedy 35 in Damier Ebene! If you look close you will see my initials Hot Stamped on the handle in gold.  This is actually the first bag that I was able to go into a store and purchase.  My first Louis, I ordered from Eluxury.com, which is no longer open.  My second, I ordered over the phone.  My Niece Sammie came with me to help me pick out the perfect bag (you can see Sammie in all her cuteness if you go to my Newspaper nail polish post).  We had a lot of fun, and Mr. Fung was
ah-mazing.  He made me feel special which made waiting to go to the store even better. 

WOW this was an ah-mazing 4 days!  I will leave you with a few pictures from the parade, and also a few of my favorites from the Bergdorf Goodman window displays.  These were breath taking in person.  Oh and my favorite Louis Vuitton window, of course.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving!  xoxoxox

In the case of having a lot to be thankful for this year  - This case is SOLVED!

Detective Kathy

So many items ... So little money!

I received a call from my sister in law the other day telling me that a Rite Aid was closing its doors.  What that meant was 75% off everything in the store.  She told me how she got some great cosmetic deals when she was there!  This was a few days ago, and unfortunately I haven't had time to go take a look until today.  When I walked in the store was practically empty.  I was about to walk out and then I saw 3 stands full of cosmetics.  As I approached the sale racks I saw my holy grail Revlon Foundations in a plethora of dark colors!  These are right up my self tanned alley!  I ended up picking up 3 bottles of Revlon foundation.  I got a variety of colors since I like to mix them to get a custom color.  If I self tan, I am obviously darker than when I don't.  I bought one of the Photo Ready in #007 Cool Beige, and 2 of the ColorStay in #380 Rich Ginger, and #370 Toast.  I also decided to pick up some lip liners.  I got two Revlon ColorStay liners, one in Rose and the other in Natural.  I also picked up a Cover Girl Lip Perfection Liner in #210, and a Prestige Liner in Natural.  A few more goodies that I could not pass up were Revlon Color Burst Gloss in #014 Rose Pearl, Revlon Gloss in #200 Lilac Pastelle, Maybelline Color Sensation Lipstick in #300 Warm Latte, and the square lipgloss palette from the Revlon Gucci Westman Collection. 

Ok so now I am going to break it down for ya - That is 4 Lip Liners, 2 Lipglosses, 1 Lipstick, 1 Lipgloss palette, and 3 Foundations.  The total without the discount came to $97.05.  The total WITH the discount came to.......drum roll please.......$ $26.41!! YAY Can I get a - YOU GO GIRL!!! Can't beat that with a big fat bat!  Just call me bargain shopper.  All in all I am happy with my purchases.  I especially LOVE the Maybelline Lipstick.  It is so shimmery and pretty!  I am going to wear it tonight with a smoky bronze eye. 

Here is a picture of my treasures, I was so excited I didn't even take the ugly price tags off! - Let me just remind you one more time that you are looking at $97.05 worth of products below for a obscene low price of $26.41!!!

In the case of saving a lot of money on some drug store treasures - This case is SOLVED!

Detective Kathy

Excuse Me Smashbox Cosmetics .. Why Haven't We Met Before?

Since my milestone bday a few weeks ago I have been obsessed with looking younger.  I tanned both in a tanning bed and in the sun since I was about 15 years old.  I feel that I am actually lucky that my skin doesn't look like a piece of alligator skin because of all the damage, or at least I hope it doesn't!  One plus is that I learned about good skincare at an early age.  I used to have acne in my 20's and realized that good products and cosmetics were a must.  I blogged about my skincare routine a while ago and honestly nothing has changed.  I still LOVE my Chanel Ultra Correction Line Repair.  It is my holy grail of skincare items.  It is expensive but I totally believe worth every single penny!  As for foundation and other face products I have used Chanel powder foundations and bronzer for years now. 

As the years go by I finally realized that it is time to stop tanning!  Anyone who knows me probably won't even believe that one.  I was obsessed with being tan for as long as I can remember.  I now try to maintain a healthy SELF TAN and stay out of the beds.  For now at least!  Its like a 12 step program for me.  I really want to try and save the skin I have and not make it any worse! Um like the pac man shaped sun spot on my left cheek - um ya not so pretty!

So on to the topic at hand - Smashbox Cosmetics.  I really never had the opportunity to see Smashbox products up close and personal since Utla rolled into town about a year ago.  I always watched Holly on QVC doing her thing and was curious but never ended up purchasing.  I found myself with a bunch of Ulta gift certificates in my paws after my birthday and wanted to try something new.  I also wanted to be able to try the colors on to see if they were right for me, thanks Detective Lynn!

Here is what I ended up with  - Smashbox Studio Skin Foundation, Photo Set Pressed Powder, Soft Lights Shimmer, Bronze Lights Suntan Matte, Camera Ready Concealer, and Double Take Lip Color in Gossamer.  I realized that all of the other face products were way too dark for my newly lightened skin.  I wanted something that made my skin look more soft focus and glowing and  not so matte from all of the powder.  I also wanted something that photographs well.  Um because you never know where that paparazzi is hiding : P  Here is a photo of the products I bought along with some free gifts when I ordered the lip liner stick on the website -

I have to say that I am so happy with all these products.  The foundation is super long wear and gives a great coverage.  Its not too cakey and doesn't get in my lines (soft focus)!  To be honest I haven't tried the concealer as of yet.  I have been sick since I got it and haven't had a chance to wear it.   I will be using this tomorrow and will report back.  The shimmer powder is so pretty.  It gives my face a soft highlight and doesn't make me look like a shiny little disco ball!  The pressed powder is great to set my makeup and for touch ups throughout the day.  I got the color Medium in the pressed powder.  Usually I would go for the darkest of the bunch but I decided to look more natural these days.  The bronzer is matte, so again no disco ball.  It adds a healthy pop of color and doesn't make me look orange or like I am trying too hard.  I will be trying the highlighter in the little round pot tomorrow as well.  That was a free gift on the website, along with the little bag and lip colors.  Those were my bday gift from the website.  Most of my products were purchased at Ulta but the website offers fabu deals.  I have 2 more of the lip pencil/color coming tomorrow and I got a free full size gloss, along with a free mini gloss.  There was also a free Halo sample in the little pot (I can't wait to try this).  I would strongly suggest checking out Smashbox's website.  I have never received so many fun free gifts before.  This is a great way to try the products.  Oh and if you like double ended lip pencil and lip color sticks, run to the website because they are on Last Call Sale!!! 

If you have any questions about any of the products, please comment below or email me.  All in all I am so happy that I discovered Smashbox.  Don't worry I am still completely in love with Chanel, just thought I would try something new. Oh and believe me those dark colors will come in handy in about 5 more months when the sun shines down on Upstate NY again!

In the case of turning 40 and trying to look fabulous - This case is SOLVED! 

Detective Kathy