Author Archives: Fiona

Secret News Leaked: Swatch And Learn’s Anniversary Giveaway Arriving Soon!

Pssst! Come here!

Want to know a secret? Swatch And Learn will turn 1 year old on July 25th! And we’ll be hosting a special giveaway to celebrate!

Stay tuned because we’ll be revealing the details on Sunday, July 3, 2011. The contest will end on Swatch And Learn’s birthday, July 25th.

What are the prizes? This is classified information; we’re not supposed to say anything yet. But since you asked so nicely: there’ll be some eyeshadows, some pigments, some lipglosses, some nail polishes… 🙂

Come back on July 3 for more details!

L.A. Girl Disco Brites Can U Dig It? Review & Swatches

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Image of L.A. Girl Disco Brites Can U Dig It? ** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

Ever loved doing something that you know you suck at? That’s me and bowling. I go just for the fun of it, not to win (at least that’s what I tell everyone). Anyway, every year, I get involved with a fundraising bowling event hosted by a local food bank. I wore L.A. Girl Disco Brites Can U Dig It? just for this special occasion. It was cosmic bowling, and the Disco Brites Collection is supposed to glow under black light!

I admit: I got this nail polish for the novelty of it. I mean, really. How often am I under black light? It’s not like I work for CSI or anything. It’s only during bowling that I get to really let this color truly shine.

BTW, my final score that day was 68. Shame. Shame. Shame! But my team did win a few trophies: Best Male Bowler and Top Fundraising Team. 🙂

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e.l.f. Pink Lemonade Luscious Liquid Lipstick Review & Swatches

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Image of e.l.f. Pink Lemonade Luscious Liquid Lipstick

** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

I want to be able to pull off a sexy blood red (sounds morbid!) on my lips. But because I’m not used to that much color on my lips yet, I feel kind of weird and out of place when I have that red on. I’m slowly working up to it! For now, I feel most comfortable with sheer washes and pinks. But one day – just one day – you’ll definitely see me with lips colored with a vibrant red hue! I promise!

Until then… Today’s lip color is e.l.f. Pink Lemonade Luscious Liquid Lipstick. I believe it’s a pretty-new line because the last time I was stalking – erm, I mean browsing – their site, I didn’t see it. I purchased it on my most recent elf Cosmetics haul. Unfortunately, I only got two colors from the line. I say “unfortunately” because I’m really liking this product. I haven’t tried the other color yet, but Pink Lemonade is awesome!

Update: OK. So this line isn’t new. I just haven’t been checking out their lip section thoroughly enough. Hahah. I know better and will scour their entire site next time. Thanks, Poetic Realist. 😛

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L.A. Girl Matte Sky Blue Review & Swatches

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Image of L.A. Girl Matte Sky Blue ** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

There was a time when I wanted to hide myself. It was a self-esteem issue: I didn’t like people looking at me and seeing my flaws. I liked playing with makeup back then, too, but the colors I chose were always very subtle and neutral. The same goes with nail polishes. Even the finish – somehow in my head, I thought that mattes were less attention-grabbing than high-gloss finishes.

I’ve slowly broken out of that shell and embraced myself, even if it’s just a little. The makeup that I’m choosing is more brilliant. The colors that scream look-at-me-I’m-here were ones I used to shy away from, but now I’m not afraid of them anymore.

Still, my soft spot for matte nail polishes remains. And if you follow Swatch And Learn, you’d know that that blue is my favorite color. So… how could I resist L.A. Girl Matte Sky Blue? Well, I couldn’t, and I’m glad I didn’t. Continue reading →

e.l.f. Wild Mineral Eyeshadow Review & Swatches

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Image of e.l.f. Wild Mineral Eyeshadow ** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

Brown eyeshadow – sounds like a bore, doesn’t it? I understand it can be hard to get excited about neutrals. They’re usually just supporting actors in a colorful makeup production. But e.l.f. Wild Mineral Eyeshadow is a co-star that’s ready to elbow the main attraction outta the way and steal the spotlight for itself.

This is a brown neutral with a shimmering twist, which makes it a versatile actor. Wear it on the lid or in the crease, and you get a solid performance every time. It’s one of my most trusted from the many elf mineral eyeshadows that I own! Continue reading →

L.A. Girl Metal Graphite Review & Swatches

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Image of L.A. Girl Metal Graphite ** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

I love to draw. It’s the one hobby that I’ve had a life-long interest in. I haven’t done it in a while, but I really should pick it up again. It’s very stress-relieving. Back when I was drawing a lot, graphite pencils are some of my fave instruments to use. I just love creating shades and depths with them.

So when I was doing a lil’ shopping and saw L.A. Girl Metal Graphite, I felt obligated to get it. It was calling out to me: “Geeeet meeeee. Get me, Fiona!” And I did. OK, I don’t really hear makeup products talking to me. I swear. Well, not all the time.

Was I glad that the nail polish convinced me to buy it? Yes! I’m usually drawn to charcoal/smoky gray shades, so I knew I would like this color. I just didn’t think I’d find it sexy! Continue reading →

Crown Studio C135 Oval Shadow Review & Pictures

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Image of Crown Studio C135 Oval Shadow ** This post was written by Fiona. She no longer blogs for Swatch And Learn. However, Mary still continues to blog and will be happy to reply to your comment. **

I love doing nail polish and eyeshadow swatches. Taking pictures of all those colors of the rainbow and posting them up is super fun, especially when you lovely peeps comment on what you like and don’t like. But as you beauty lovers know, makeup isn’t always fun and games and colors.

So let’s get serious here for a second and talk about one of my favorite brushes: the Crown Studio C135 Oval Shadow. To me, having a collection of brushes is just as important and as fun as shadows and blushes and lip colors. In fact, I actually enjoy washing my brushes! Well, not the actual act, but I like laying out all my brushes and looking at them all in one place. Am I weird? Continue reading →