Review: Abigail's Boutique Designs Smurf Collection

Sample sized Smurf collection

As you may already know, Abigail's Boutique Designs released an amazing Smurf inspired collection late this summer.

The Smurf Collection consists of six very fun yet versatile shades.These colors are really packed with sparkle, and  shimmer- which you know I am a big fan of. As usual they are fairly pigmented, and super blend-able.

I usually just use these over my E.l.f mineral eye primer, and they show up vibrantly every time. They do however look great used over NYX white eyeshadow base if you're wanting a brighter look. When used wet these colors will just blow you away at how shiny they really are. I think 'Smurfville' + a foiling serum would be a sight to behold ;)

Included in this collection is:


Big Papa- A cranberry red shade that can be worn dry for a subtle look, or worn wet for a festive sparkling metallic look.



Brainy- Brainy is a soft sparkly brown with sort of a mauve-ish undertone. If you like Abigail Boutique Designs color 'Blackberry cobbler' you will love Brainy & Gargamel.


Gargamel- is a soft sparkly brown with a purple-ish undertone. This shade looks incredible any way you apply it.


Smurfette- is a shimmery Robin's egg blue with just the slightest hint of gold. It is a very soft and dreamy looking blue that would compliment many different skin tones.


Smurfling- is my favorite of the bunch! Smurfling is a very pale sparkly lavender that has an intense shine when used wet. I love this as a highlight shade.


Smurfville- is a sparkling shimmery olive green with hints of gold. I think this color is really the gem of the whole collection. For me it is difficult to find a shade of green eyeshadow that I like with my skin tone, and this one is just perfect.

top row swatched over white base, 2nd row dry no primer

still amazingly vibrant with no primer

Sooo sparkly

I made a video tutorial for the look you see here using Smurfville, Smurfling, and Smurfette that can be seen below :) Overall I'd have to say that I have no complaints about this collection whatsoever! These colors are just fantastic and appeal to neutral lovers & bright, fun color lovers alike. If you prefer mattes or do not like glitter this collection might not be up your alley though. I do think a little sparkle is always fun & festive ;)

 

You can get your Smurf Collection *Here*

Going pink for the cure...Team Pink Eye Project

I'm sure by now you've probably figured out that October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. I think it's a great thing that so many people are using their blogs and small businesses to create not only awareness but also to raise money for the Susan G. Komen foundation.

Every Friday in October the Team Pink Eye Project has been featuring groups of bloggers who are turning themselves passionately pink for the cure by doing all sorts of pink makeup! :D It's not just about pink makeup looks though. Many blogs have combined their efforts with small independent businesses and have been hosting awesome giveaways and raffles. The goal of Team Pink Eye is to raise $1000 this month for the Susan G. Komen foundation. A lot of these same companies are also offering special products all month long with a portion of their proceeds going to this cause. You can get pick up some truly wonderful products and have the added bonus of helping your community. Just a few of these stores offering such products are: Rag Doll's Bath & Beauty,  Whimsybeading, and Glamasaurus.  You may also make a donation directly to the Team Pink Eye Project HERE if you are so inclined. If you want to bid on the raffles or browse all the awesome pink makeup looks contributed and see whose sponsoring what please check out the Team Pink Eye blog. 

In 2011, it is estimated that there will be 230,480 new cases of invasive breast cancer, and 39,520 breast cancer deaths. While it's pretty rare, men also die each year from breast cancer. In 2011, it is estimated that there will be 2,140 new cases of breast cancer among U.S. men and 450 breast cancer deaths. You can protect yourself by knowing your family history, getting a clinical breast exam every 3 years starting at age 20, and talking to your doctor about your potential risk factor. Always make sure to check your breasts monthly for any lumps, nipple discharge, painful spots, and any other changes. If you are over 40 you need to have a clinical breast exam each year and a mammogram. Don't skip out on these things ladies (& gentlemen). Prevention and early detection can make the difference between life and death.

Here is my pink-inspired look :) I've really been into bronze/gold tones and sparkly browns this fall. 

I used Abigail's boutique designs colors in 'Gargamel', 'Papa Smurf' and 'Ice Queen'. I also used a small amount of Rag Doll's Bath & Beauty 'Cranberries'.

These are WT-A07 (I believe?) lenses and they can be purchased from Circlelens2u.com

Check your boobs!

-Kaitlyn

Sad things/Happy things

So it's been awhile. Why do I always feel like I am apologizing for being neglectful of my blog? Anyways... I have come to the conclusion that this blog will never be neat and have scheduled posts like much nicer blogs.

I've been more neglectful these last 2 months than I meant to be however. As you may already know I also do cat rescue. This summer it came to my attention that someone I used to consider a good friend was involved in some neglect of a more serious nature. For reasons I will never be able to begin to understand she and her boyfriend were not feeding a litter of 4 kittens in their possession, or taking care of them in any way. One of them had a warble (bot fly larvae) buried in a wound above his eye that she was going to remove herself with tweezers instead of going to a vet. Nothing could convince those people to take that kitten to the vet and he was going to die. Now if you know me..you would know that I'd spend my last dime helping an animal. Long story short, I insisted on taking them all. And they all did really good for awhile. They ate, grew nice shiny healthy coats, got bigger, and grew strong enough to play and rough-house. All except for the little 'runt' of the litter, Apple Bloom.

This whole month I've been back and forth to the vet with her. First she had fevers and wouldn't eat. Then she got a little better and even gained weight and her strength back. I thought she was finally starting to really recover from the abuse at the start of her life . But then she started to decline again very fast. I'd stay up all night with her trying to get her to eat, and just making sure she was comfortable. She was diagnosed with the 'wet' version of FIP which has no cure or treatment. I had become very attached to her by then. She was my favorite out of the litter. Even though she probably felt sick her entire life she just loved me. She loved my roommate. She loved the vet. She loved anyone who even glanced in her general direction. She was always purring and needed to be snuggling in someone's lap at all times. There was nothing I could do to save her- which was devastating. I'd like to take some sort of divine lesson out of this whole mess, but I'm honestly not there just yet.

here's her when she was feeling good

You're probably depressed now and wondering why I told you the saddest story ever. Well...I guess I just wanted you all to know what was going on with me recently. I've ignored (well not ignored, but not really replied to either) a lot of comments on my facebook page, not patronized a few select favorite indie companies as much as I would have liked to, and have just generally not been doing the best makeup work. And I know that for the most part people DO understand, but I just wanted to address it incase anyone didn't. I also wanted to thank everyone who had kind words for me or shared their own story of pet loss. I appreciate all you guys' support always. I have made a lot of special friends in the beauty community and I am so glad to know you all.

Now for a few happy things:

• I am starting to get back into the swing of things here so be expecting some reviews of the stuff I've gotten lately. (and if you've sent me something recently and i've yet to review it- again- SO sorry). This also includes a hair dye review!

• Later this month I will be doing a look for TeamPinkEye - which is a group of bloggers & small businesses that are using the power of social media to raise awareness & funding for Breast Cancer. Many cool giveaways are going on right now to raise money to be donated to the Susan G. Komen foundation. I'll talk more about it later but in the meantime don't miss your opportunity to bid on some great items for an even greater cause. Go >HERE< for more info! :)

•  There is always something good happening at Abigail's Boutique Designs! This month only the 'Pink Hope' Collection is available for $15 with $5 of every collection sold being donated to the Breast Cancer foundation. Just another way you can give back while getting something nice in return :)

Pink Hope collection

• One of the other foster kittens is healthy, spayed and being adopted on Monday :)

Anyways..that's what's been going on. I am hoping the rest of the fall is a little bit better than the beginning.