Life is a cabaret!

Personally, I love cabaret/burlesque style. There's just something about corsets, lace, feathers... And as I have been looking for a few new pretties for myself, I browsed Etsy for the most fabulous Burlesque-inspired items I could find. I came across quite a few beauties (some of which I would just love to call my own, so I simply had to add a few of them to my favorites). I made a list, which was difficult, I found SO many great things!

Spectrum Cosmetics - Review & GIVEAWAY

Erica, of Spectrum Cosmetics, was nice enough not only to let me do the interview - but a review of her products! ...AND A GIVEAWAY!

I don't wear eye shadow as much as I used to, and when I do I typically gravitate towards vibrant colors. Usually, with bright eye color (or really any eye color) you get it and it's really bright and pretty in the package, but then when you put it on it's really light, you have to wet it and put it on thicker than you should have to. Then, it just ends up cakey, and lasts an hour...Ugh. No fun at all. If you're looking for pretty shadows and pigments on a budget, you can find yourself hard-pressed to find a good product.

Erica let me choose 5 colors that I would like to try (was difficult choosing, with so many pretty colors), and was very sweet through all of our convos. The 5 colors I chose were: Peacock, Poe, Lenore, Green Man, and Under The Sea.

-THE REVIEW-

Peacock


I REALLY liked this one, it just might be my favorite. The name is very fitting for the color, a very pretty, shimmery blue-green. It's not dark, it's really vibrant and beautiful. I applied it dry, and with only one coat, and got great results! I highly recommend this product. Definitely worth buying...and at $4 you can't go wrong! It would cost the same price (or more) in a drugstore for a lower quality product.

Lenore

I absolutely loved this shade of purple. It went on exactly the same color as shown in the pot above. It's a slightly shimmery purple pigment, a really nice shade of purple. After Peacock and Under The Sea, this is one is my third favorite. I thought it looked nice. If you're looking for some pretty purple pigment - look no further.

Poe

Personally, this wasn't a favorite of mine. I preferred Lenore in terms of a purple color. But, that all depends on what colors you like and what looks good on you. This is a matte purple, a very true shade.

Green Man

This one was my least favorite of the five products I tried. Again, it all depends on what you like and what colors you feel comfortable wearing. This is a matte spearmint green shade. I just didn't feel it looked that great on me, but it could definitely work on some people.

Under The Sea

Loved it. Loved this color. I couldn't decide if this one was my favorite or Peacock, but I would definitely recommend this shade to anyone. It may look similar to Green Man in these pictures, but this one is so much prettier in my opinion. It's shimmery, and not in a weird silvery way that shimmery makeup can sometimes have. I was really impressed with this color. I think it would work on just about anyone. (Side note: Of all the five shades, my boyfriend thought this one was the prettiest by far. Said it was his favorite, no question.)


THE GIVEAWAY!
Erika has offered to giveaway 3 sample pigments of the winners choice!
She has 59 fabulous colors to choose from, so you have a nice selection to choose from. (And might I add, the sample bags are fairly generous you could get at least 2-3 uses out of them.)



TO ENTER:
Leave a comment with your favorite Spectrum Cosmetics color. Leave your email address so that you can be contacted if you win!

EXTRA ENTRIES (LEAVE A SEPARATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY):

- Follow this blog

- Purchase an item from Spectrum Cosmetics. Then come back here and leave a comment with your Etsy username, and that you made a purchase.

- Subscribe to the Spectrum Cosmetics YouTube channel

- Heart the Spectrum Cosmetics shop.

This contest ends February 12, 2010 at 11:59 PM EST.

The winner will be chosen at random and will be announced the following day. This giveaway is only open to U.S. residents. This prize is not redeemable for cash or a shop credit. None of these pictures were touched up. All of the opinions I have given are my own, and I was not paid to give them.

Handmade Earring GIVEAWAY!

I got my sister so interested in Etsy that she just recently opened a shop of her own! And my giveaway gave her an idea...She is giving away THIS pair of earrings:

TO ENTER:
Visit Cin Cin's Crafts and leave a comment on this post telling with your favorite item in the shop. Don't forget to leave me your e-mail address so I can contact you if you win!

EXTRA ENTRIES (LEAVE A SEPERATE COMMENT FOR EACH ENTRY):

- Become a follower on twitter - (1 Entry)

- Add Cin Cin's Crafts to your favorites on Etsy - (1 Additional Entry)

- Purchase an item from Cin Cin's Crafts - (4 Additional Entries per item. *Entries valid upon payment* Leave a comment on this post with your Etsy username, or put 'giveaway' in the message to seller box at checkout.)


This contest ends January 24, 2009 at 6:00 PM EST. The winner will be chosen by traditional drawing (number of entries) and will be announced the following day. In the event of a tie, a winner will be chosen at random from the tied entries. This giveaway is only open to U.S. residents. This prize is not redeemable for cash or a shop credit.

Steampunk, anyone?

If you're a fan of Steampunk art and jewelry, or you just like unique, beautiful jewelry then check out Catherinette Rings. This shop has been a favorite of mine on Etsy for a while now, and if you haven't checked them out yet, I suggest you do.

They sell gorgeous, handmade jewelry- rings, bracelets, necklaces, earrings, tie tacks..oh, and they have gift certificates! Not only are their items great, but so is their shipping cost- they offer free shipping EVERYWHERE! I highly suggest this shop.