Apr 25, 2014

Potato Salad Recipe | Jamaican Style - Low Fat, Low Cholesterol




 Potato Salad Recipe
Jamaican Style - Low Fat, Low Cholesterol



Ingredients:



·         6 Medium-sized Yukon Gold Potatoes

·         4-6 Eggs

·         Small White Onion

·         One stalk Escellion/Scallion

·         1 Cup Frozen Mixed Vegetables (preferably not canned)

·         1 tbsp. Butter

·         3 tbsps. Mayonnaise

·         Salt and Black Pepper to taste

·         Paprika for presentation

Note: This is my first go at a recipe so any feedback on how to improve and what details to include would be appreciated. I am not a professional chef by any means and I am just sharing what I do in my own kitchen. I don't usually use recipes....in fact my measurements are made by sight and are approximate to say the least. LOL. I hope this helps and if there is anything you would like me to share just let me know. Thanks.


P R E P A R A T I O N:

1.   Peel, wash and dice potatoes.

2.   Add 3-5 cups of water to a saucepan (enough to cover potatoes and eggs). Bring water to a boil.

3.   Add potatoes and eggs to boiling water. Cook for 8-15 minutes until fully cooked on medium heat.

4.   Drain potatoes and leave to cool.



5.   Remove shells for eggs and dice once cooled. You may place eggs in cold water to cool faster before removing shells. For a healthier recipe remove all/some of the yolks before dicing.



6.   Chop onion and escellion/scallion. You may use less or more depending on your taste.



7.   Steam frozen mixed vegetables as directed by package. Drain and leave to cool. You may also use canned vegetables but chose a low sodium option. 



8.     Add butter to the potatoes and crush/mash to liking. You may choose to leave potatoes chunky or go for a smoother texture.


9.     Add eggs, vegetables, onion and escellion/scallions to potato mixture. 


10.    Stir in mayonnaise. Use more or less to your liking. For a healthier choice use a no-cholesterol option.
 



11.    Add salt and black pepper for taste.



12.   Sprinkle a pinch of paprika for presentation.
  



13.  Remember to refrigerate potato salad for freshness.  

 


Apr 22, 2014

MAKEUP LOOK | IMATS NYC Look

MAKEUP LOOK | IMATS NYC Look 






 Eyes:  

★ PRIME:
I used Urban Decay Anti-Aging Primer Potion as my primer. Then I applied Anastasia Beverly Hills Pro Concealer in 2.0 under my browbone as a highlight - Anastasia Beverly Hills Synthetic Concealer #18 Brush. I then applied Kat Von D High Voltage Eye Primer in Skin all over my lid up to the brow bone and also on my lower lashline as a base - fingers. 

★ COLOR:
For the cut crease on the browbone area I used MAC Landscape Green Chromagraphic Pencil topped with MAC Landscape Green Pigment (matte grass green) - Sigma E17 Waterline Liner Brush.

To help with blending on the browbone I used MAC Chrome Yellow Eyeshadow (matte yellow) - Hakuhodo J5529 Small Blending Brush. 

To darken the base of the cut crease I used Laura Mercier Crème Eye Liner in Canard (matte deep teal) - Sigma E17 Waterline Liner Brush.
 
Also for my inner lid I used Laura Mercier Crème Eye Liner in Canard (matte deep teal) topped with MAC Landscape Green Pigment (matte grass green) - MAC 242 Small Shader Brush.

For the cut crease on the outer lid I used Laura Mercier Crème Eye Liner in Indigo (matte blue) topped with Urban Decay Chaos Eyeshadow (matte bight blue) - Sigma E17 Waterline Liner Brush + MAC 242 Small Shader Brush.

Then on the middle of my lid I applied MAC Chrome Yellow Eyeshadow (matte yellow) - MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush.

Also for the middle of the lid and between the browbone and outer lid cut creases I used NYX Milk Jumbo Eye Pencil (creamy white) topped with MAC Pure White Pigment (matte white) - MAC 231 Small Shader Brush.

I also added MAC Reflects Pearl Glitter on the middle of my lid with Lit Cosmetics Clearly Liquid Glitter Base™.

I used MAC Wild By Nature Eyeshadow (matte nude) for my highlight - MAC 252 Large Shader Brush.

For my lower lashline I used MAC Marine Ultra Chromagraphic Pencil (matte bright blue) topped with Urban Decay Chaos Eyeshadow (matte bight blue) - MAC 242 Small Shader Brush.


BROWS:
My brows are filled in with Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Pencil in Brunette (matte brown) and Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow in Dark Brown - Anastasia Beverly Hills #12 Large Synthetic Duo Brush.

DEFINE:
For my lower waterline I used L'Oreal Paris Infallible Gel Lacquer Liner - Blackest Black (matte black) - Sigma E05 Eyeliner Brush.
On my upper lashline I used Laura Mercier Crème Eye Liner in Indigo (matte blue) - Sigma E17 Waterline Liner Brush.
I used Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara for my lashes and added House of Lashes Femme Fatale Eyelashes for effect. Duo Lash Adhesive.





Lips: 

POLISH:

I applied MAC Hodgepodge Lip Pencil (matte taupe-brown) to outline my lips. Then I coated my lips with MAC Yash Lipstick (matte nude) topped with MAC Spite Lipglass (creamy plum-taupe brown).



Face: 

FINISH:
I primed my skin with Laura Mercier Oil-Free Foundation Primer - hands. I used Tarte ReCreate Anti-Aging Foundation in Shade Walnut 20 - Sigma Round Top Synthetic Kabuki Brush - for my face. I set my t-zone with bareMinerals READY™ Touch Up Veil in Dark - powder puff.

For my contour I used Make Up For Ever Contour Kit #2 - IT Cosmetics Heavenly Luxe Radiance Brush.

I used MAC Gingerly Blush (matte capri bronze) for my cheeks - Cozzette Contour Stylist S135 Brush. I used MAC Perfectly Poised Mineralize Skinfinish (shimmery pinky bronze) for my highlight - Suqqu Cheek Brush. I also used Hourglass Dim Light Ambient Lighting Powder in my t-zone for added subtle highlight - Hakuhodo J505 Blush Brush.





 (Wait.....is this the duck face look? LOL!)


Apr 3, 2014

REVIEW + SWATCHES | Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette

 
    

The Chocolate Bar experience begins as soon as you open the palette and the smell of sweet chocolate envelops you. The eye shadows are pigmented with pure, antioxidant-rich cocoa powder and includes 16 matte and shimmer shades of natural browns, delicate pinks and luscious plums. Includes our signature how-to Glamour Guide with three looks to get you started.


This set contains:

0.03 oz x 14 Eye Shadows in Gilded Ganache, Milk Chocolate, Black Forrest Truffle, Triple Fudge, Salted Caramel, Marzipan, Semi-Sweet, Strawberry Bon Bon, Candied Violet, Amaretto, Hazelnut, Crème Brulee, Haute Chocolate, Cherry Cordial

0.10 oz x 2 Eye Shadows in White Chocolate, Champagne Truffle

How To Glamour Guide 


 



 

The Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette retails for $49 for 0.62 oz. (0.03 x 14 + 0.10 x 2) of product.

There is now a bounty of neutral palettes to choose from on the market. The Urban Decay Naked Palettes are priced at $52 for 0.6 oz. (0.05 x 12 + dual-ended brush + eyeshadow primer samples). The Smashbox Full Exposure Palette is priced at $49 for 0.49 oz. (0.035 x 14 + dual-ended brush + mini mascara). The IT Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Palette is priced at $42 for 0.49 oz. (0.035 x 14).

This palette is priced in line with other neutral palettes from comparable brands. However, there are no bonus items included such as a brush, mascara, etc. which are provided with other palettes on the market. There are more eyeshadow shades included though which kind of levels the playing field somewhat.
 


 
The Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette is a permanent item (until it's discontinued of course) and is available for purchase online at Sephora and Ulta Stores as well as online at Sephora.com, Ulta.com and Too Faced.com. You can also find this palette wherever Too Faced products are sold either online or at other cosmetics counters.


 
 
The Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette comes in a dark brown metal tin with an embossed chocolate bar design (think Hershey's Chocolate Bars) with a magnetic closure. Inside the palette there is a centered mirror that does not span the entire length/width of the lid. The eyeshadows are also laid out the chocolate bar design with 14 of the eyeshadows being regular-sized and 2 are double-sized.The eyeshadow names are printed on a transparent insert that lays on top of the eyeshadows to indicate the shade name underneath.

The palette closes securely enough for everyday use but may not be secure enough for travel. It would helped to hold the palette together with some securement means to ensure that the eyeshadows don't break inside luggage, etc.

The transparent sleeve also irks me a bit since I am a blogger/vlogger but may not be too much of an issue for the casual makeup user. I would rather the eyeshadow names be printed on the palette itself. 

The Box (Front)



The Box (Back)


The Palette (internal)



 The Palette (External - Front)



The Palette (External - Back)






"This beautiful assortment of chocolate-inspired shades were formulated using real cocoa powder. Encased in a playful chocolate bar tin, the rich selection of the perfect browns, neutrals, and little pops of color appeal to every candy lover."
 SCENT
The Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette has a delicious cocoa/chocolatey scent that is true to the cocoa formulation. The scent is not overwhelming but you will get a whiff when you open the palette and even when you apply the eyeshadows. It is not an artificial or sickeningly sweet fragrance so I wouldn't worry about being sensitive to it at all. It is very faint on the skin and doesn't linger for very long throughout wear.
 COLORS/SHADES
The Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette features 16 shades including neutral browns, pink/purple, burgundy/cranberry, bronzes, ivory/champagne, gold. There are an assortment of intense and light shades with pops of color that I think truly gives the makeup lover enough variety to create a multitude of looks.
TEXTURE & FINISH 
The  Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette includes 6 matte shades, 6 frost/shimmer shades and  4 glitter-infused shades.

All the matte shades are buttery soft and smooth without being too powdery or patchy when applied to the skin.

The shimmery shades are also very buttery and creamy and glide effortlessly onto the skin.

The glitter-infused shades are gorgeous but will have fall-out as with any glittery eyeshadow. The glitter is fine enough though that they apply smoothly with any chunky particles. A good primer and brush will minimize fall-out.


PIGMENTATION 
All the shades have great pigmentation except for Strawberry Bon Bon and Cherry Cordial. Both shades require a bit of layering to get fully opaque color. 

APPLICATION & WEAR 
The Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette contains nicely pigmented shades that are smooth and creamy. They apply and blend easily with each other and even with other eyeshadows. They wear well for over 8 hours with minimal fading.


 

The Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette has become a staple in my collection. It is a great neutral palette with just the right amount of matte shades, shimmery shades and pops of color. I love that the eyeshadows are smooth and blend-able with great color payoff - even the matte shades. You can get a great variety of looks of this palette - from everyday looks to bolder night looks and even fun looks with a pop of color. I highly recommend this palette to anyone who loves neutrals and is looking for a great everyday/slighty sassy palette!


A

Have you tried this palette yet?  Interested?







  Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette





Gilded Ganache, White Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Marzipan, Semi-Sweet, Hazelnut, Crème Brulee, Haute Chocolate
(top-bottom: left to right)






Milk Chocolate, Black Forrest Truffle, Triple Fudge, Strawberry Bon Bon, Candied Violet, Amaretto, Cherry Cordial, Champagne Truffle

 (top-bottom: left to right) 



 Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette





  Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette


  Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette




 Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette



 Amaretto, Candied Violet, Black Forrest Truffle, Cherry Cordial, Strawberry Bon Bon, Haute Chocolate, Crème Brulee, Marzipan, Hazelnut, Gilded Ganache, Triple Fudge, Semi-Sweet, Milk Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Champagne Truffle, White Chocolate 
(left to right)




 Triple Fudge, Semi-Sweet, Milk Chocolate, Salted Caramel, Champagne Truffle, White Chocolate 
(left to right)



 Amaretto, Candied Violet, Black Forrest Truffle, Cherry Cordial, Strawberry Bon Bon, Haute Chocolate, Crème Brulee
(left to right)



 Haute Chocolate, Crème Brulee, Marzipan, Hazelnut, Gilded Ganache, Triple Fudge, Semi-Sweet
(left to right)


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