Brija Cosmetics Anniversary Sale!

It's another mail day! This is an exciting one as it's from the Brija Cosmetics Anniversary sale!

As always, packaged with care. Brianne who owns/runs/created the company is such a sweetie who appears so passionate about what she does. I have no problems supporting her creativity (and getting pretties!).

This was packaged in a padded envelope and made it well ahead of TAT. The USPS and Canada Post worked well this time. 

My gifts with purchase! A beautiful eye shadow and a lip jelly. Also shown is the birthday shadow :) happy two years Brija!

Wow! My sample Baggie of Pink Frosting was generously upgraded! 

This blush! I am looking forward to trying it. Last moment I decided I should try the same, and not dive into the full size. Best part? It reminds me of my baby as this was one of the dates they really wanted to induce me. 

These are the Harry Potter collection. 

I saw some searches of the one tree hill collection and knew some had to be mine. 

Another pic. I typed these on my phone so I'll take out the one that doesn't look as nice. 

I just barely made the cut-off for the the lip product bonus Sprinkles. 

Which looks so much like the very pretty Phoenix Tears! I'm not in natural light, but inside they both look orange and sparkly. Love. 

These are the jars I picked up. I must be in a sparkle mood as I adore premonition.

I always feel so cheap ordering sets of sample baggies, especially during a sale. But it is better if I promote them on my blog, right? And I truly intend on getting some of these in full sizes. 

These are the ones I am most exited for bases on finger swatching. We have Game, sunrise, sawyer's heart, comet, choices trump abilities, the boy who lived, and Phoenix tears.

Have you checked out Brija yet? What did you select in the sale? What are your favorites? 

Five Favorite Collections

I've been pondering what collections would I suggest to someone wanted to expand to something new. These are some of my favorites.

1. Darling Girl Cosmetics: Who Ya Gonna Call?

I love the purples and I was surprised how much I loved the light shades and even the "out of my comfort norm" There is No Dana. It's a great mix of highlight, crease, lid, nuetral and bright. I bought the sample size and wish I would have opted for full. Worth the wait.

2. Glamour Doll Eyes: That's Awkward 

Maybe it's because I still get to be a teenage watching the show, and I can pretend it's clever as it's written by and stares members of MENSA, but I love to get my Awkward on. Some of these are already on the best sellers list. My favorite is of course, New Girl with an honorable mention to Outie 5000.

3. Shiro Cosmetics: Seven Kingdoms
Again, fan girl may have bought the collection (the lid art is divine!) but the girl who wants to be good at makeup loves the colours. Mother of Dragons is an internet favorite, but I'm partial to Salt and Stone, No Men Like Me, Master of Whispers and Maiden Queen. It's a great collection of neutrals with just a touch of brights. This is a collection I would highly recommend even if you choose samples/minis and don't get the artwork.

4. Brija Cosmetics Glamour To Go. This is a super cute, easy to wear "welcome to make-up!" set. I would recommend this to someone who just wants to try wearing something new. The colours are simple, but classic. 

5. Innocent and Twisted Endless Rain. This was the first set that I bought in completion so it hold a spot close to my heart. I love how light these shades are and how well they all fit together. My favorites are 1000 Cherry Trees, and Needs More Lace. The lid art on this set is also beautiful. I want to go back and try several of these again using some of the nicer sticky bases I have.

Honorary Mentions:

Honorable Mentions:

Femme Fatale Cosmetics Spell Weaver. My love for WoW goes to as much depth as these colours. I only have select shades from these (medal for self-control please :P). Any of the five World of Warcraft collections are welcomed gifts. *hint hint*

Hello Waffle Catssic Literature Collection. Just look at that lid art! I have a couple shades from this collection, and I giggle a tiny bit every time I use Call Me Ish-meow. Also check out the seductive Hisster Pryne.

TL;DR I like neutrals, purples, greens and sparkles. Add some cute artwork and you'll hear me squee! In all honestly, I think a great starting set includes a range of complemntary colours, something special and lots of love.

What are your favorite sets? Do you like to amass collections? 

Brija Cosmetics - (most of the) Dexter Collection Swatches

Here are the last of the Brija Cosmestics Shades I have for a while. I did forget to add sample baggies of which I have "Kit" (very pretty). Another shade you might want to look up is "The Boy Who Lived". The Harry Potter collection has been getting lots of love, and I know I'm very tempted by the newly released Mean Girls blushes.

These are my mini and full jars from the Dexter collection based on the TV show based on the Novels by Jeff Lindsay.

(I'm so sorry, It won't stay rotated and without a mouse I only have so much determination). 

Here's what we are going to see them over:

Bare skin

Brija's Adhesive Eye Wax

Benefit Stay, Don't Stray primer

Glamour Doll Eyes Glitter Fix

Ah-ha! Got it. And because I'm stubborn, I'm leaving both photos in :P

Left to right (and Top to Bottom below):

ITK (Ice Truck Killer)

Endure

Nothing Sexy

Ladies Man

Brave (from the power puff girl collection)

Just as Sane as I am (from Harry Potter, a lip colour) 

The Dexter shades are more delicate that I imagined, but I am really liking Endure. I was very please with the depth of Brave (but I am very much in a green mode this year). These desperately need a sticky base. Both the wax and the glue seem to hold the colour fine. When I left them on my arm, the glitter fix did hold better but keep in mind I'm more experienced with the glue.

And cue the photos:

Mostly Matte. The gloss is buildable to a lovely lavender.

From Left to right:

Bare Skin

Adhesive Wax

Primer 

Glitter Fix

And one last one completely on an odd angle for good luck, 

From what I have seen, the formula is constantly improving. Brija offers beautiful feminine shades that are well suited to her loving personality (you can see it in her videos and interviews) and passion for pretty. 

FOTD - Brija Cosmetics

I'm trying another look with the Brija Adhesive Eye Wax. I've read good things about it, and from my swatches, it does look like it works really well - almost as good as glitter glue but a bit less POW, in your face. I have been using the wax with the powder primer, but as I've been applying the powder with my finger, I thought I would try again using a brush. 

Here's what I used today:

Eyes (all Brija Cosmetics unless stated otherwise) -

Powder Eyeshadow Primer

Adhesive Eye Wax

Apple Cider

Bachelor Watson

Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed

Cranberry Fizz

Mulled Wine

Dark Matter's Cassiopeia

Wide Eyed Waterline Liner

Face - 

Perk Blush applied with Sedona Lace Powder Brush 850

Perk Gloss on Lips

One thing I've noticed about Brija Cosmetics are they are very feminine, and it almost seems impossible to over do them. 

I started with the Powder Primer, and then I really tried to warm up the wax. I'm having difficulty getting it to stick to my eye lids and I'm not sure if that's because I'm up in the great white north or that my eyes have started to get all wrinkly. I think it's the first, and I might shelf this primer until the 5 warms days where eye sweat happens. By rubbing my finger several times, I was able to get the wax to melt enough I could get a thin layer. 

I stated with Cranberry fizz as a inner eye highlight hoping to get the blue/pink sparkle. I worked towards the outer eyes patting then blending Apple Cider, Cassiopeia, Mulled Wine and Bright Eye and Bushy Tailed (BEBT). I blended the edges with Bachelor Watson, and used BEBT as a liner (which is it fabulous!). For under my eye I used Mulled Wine and a touch of BEBT. I finished with Wide Eye in the waterline, and I think this might be a favorite. I want to try setting this liner with powder to see if I can get flashes of bright colour to actually stay in my water line.

FOTD - two Brija Cosmestics Glamour to Go looks

Look 1 - Pressed Shadows

Using the pressed shadows Allure, Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed (love this name!), cream shadow sugar, wide eyes liner, and ITK. 

 My shadows and wax have all come unglued which does make application right now a pain. I'll decided to glue them back in or add them to a pallete. 

I was a bit rushed, so don't think my lack of blending in the outer "v' implies these are hard to work with. 

Look 2 - Loose Shadows

 Products used:

I would agree that Brianne achieved a very simple yet elegant, natural yet beautiful daily look. If I can almost pull it off, anyone can. BEBT is going to be used often to "naturally" line my eyes. 

Brija Cosmetics - Holiday Drinks Swatches

 Bare skin

Brija's Wax

Benefit stay don't stray primer

Glamour Doll Eyes Glitter Fix

I was lucky and was able to snag one of the Holiday Sets. The one I picked was focused on eyes, and earlier this week I posted an unboxing. Here are the swatches.

Left to Right:
Apple Cider
Mulled Wine
Cranberry Fizz

Blurry - trying to show the sparkles and how Cranberry Fizz has an added blue element.

The underside including company name, shadow name, shadow ingredients, and lip/not lip safe. 

Left to right:
Apple Cider
Mulled Wine
Cranberry Fix

Over Bare skin, adhesive eye wax, primer and glitter fix.

And blue to show how pretty they are. I was surprised at how orange Apple Cider goes on my skin, and very pleased with how pretty Cranberry Fizz is. The adhesive eye wax is intended to be sticky enough to keep fall out at bay, and keep on shining though the day. It really brings out the colour in these three.

And sometimes, I think my life would be much easier with a working laptop and mouse ;)

Compared to other Brija Shades. Top to Bottom:

Villains - scar

Pink Frosting

Consulting Detective

Bachelor Watson

(From the Holiday Drinks)

Cranberry Fizz

Mulled Wine

Apple Cider

(From G to G)

Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed (loose)

BEBT (pressed)

Allure (pressed)

Allure (loose)

Over:

Bare Skin

Adhesive Eye Wax

Primer

Glitter Fix

Brija Cosmetics - Consulting Detective Duo Swatches

\Shown over:  
Bare skin

Brija's Wax

Benefit stay don't stray primer

Glamour Doll Eyes Glitter Fix

These two are so cute! I've been big into watching house, so my Sherlock inspired love has over-flowed to these guys. Shown with the GWP (Pink Frosting) and the Scar inspired shadow from the Villians collection.

So cute! Bachelor Watson is becoming my go-to for blending out creases. 

Top to Bottom:

Villains - scar

Pink Frosting

Consulting Detective

Bachelor Watson

(From the Holiday Drinks)

Cranberry Fizz

Mulled Wine

Over:

Bare Skin

Adhesive Eye Wax

Primer

Glitter Fix

A second look in a slightly different light. Also showing from the Glamour to Go set: Allure and Bright Eyed and Bushy Tailed and the Holiday Drink Special Edition set.

To show how little of the pigment shows over bare skin.

And up close and sparkly! I would say these shadows perform best over the liquid glitter adhesive, then closely by the adhesive eye wax, and fared poorly over this primer and bare skin.