I am currently watching the revealing of the new Xbox One and the new technology associated with it. I’m quite impressed with what I’ve seen so far and I’m only a few minutes in. There are three shown components of the Xbox One that have been revealed: a sleeker physical controller that has some minor tweaking, the main console that features a disc insert slot (finally trayless), and what seems to be a facelifted Kinect.
It seems that a lot of consideration has gone into the design of the Xbox One. It’s an all-in-one system that changes the way we see entertainment forever. With the words, “Xbox on,” Xbox One is instantly powered on. The Xbox One console has an elegant design that features a blu-ray drive, USB 3.0 ports, and 8 GB RAM. Xbox One losses the organic curves that its predecessor Xbox 360 has. While the Xbox 360 teeters, the straight and sleek lines of the Xbox One makes this a solid console. The controller is updated with over 40 design innovations making it more ergonomic, responsive, and more precise when it comes to gaming. The Kinect receives some more bulk and meat and is also solidified with a wider and sturdier stand.
Xbox One is looking to be more intelligent and immersive. Over a dozen new franchises from Microsoft Studios will be released during the Xbox One’s first year of release. Although no release date has been available at this point, it has been slipped that it will be around E3 this summer.
I’ll post final thoughts after I finish watching the reveal.
Update: I’m thinking both the Xbox One and its rival, PS4 will not be backwards compatible when it comes to gaming. Not that I mind too much honestly. I’m sure better games will be out and since Dance Central 4 will be released this October, I’m definitely not worried. I’ve had the Xbox 360 slim for a few years now and am ready for something new. I feel bad for the people who just got a 360 but that’s just the way it is. EA and Microsoft have undergone a special contract although the details still elude me. From what the announcement revealed, ths two are working towards creating an immersive gaming experience when it comes to sports. A live-action Halo series involving Steven Spielberg is in effect.
The Xbox One’s graphic look sharp and realistic. I’m not too worried about price as I imagine it would still be relatively affordable. Perhaps $500 or so since it is an all-in-one system.
I must say the announcement was ended abruptly but that just leaves more to be desired. E3 will take place in June and more details on the price, options, and release date will be announced then.
I ran out of my go-to lip color, Cute Pink, the other day so I had to pick up another from Sephora. I ended up spending almost $100 on a few glosses but they last for so long (a year to two years per tube) that it’s not really a big deal. I’m super excited and content with the colors at the moment and I will pick up some more when I get the chance in the future. I have a lot of pinks and I think a few violets and nudes would be good, too. They’re only $14 a tube so they’re pretty affordable. I like that they’re not overly pigmented so that they are noticeable yet not harsh. I’ll do a swatch test later on but I just wanted to show you all my new glosses for now. Sorry for the image quality. I’m still waiting for the Note 3 to be released and I refuse to get a new phone until I get to play with it. Note: The colors are slightly darker than the photo depicts.
My new Sephora glosses!
Here are the list of colors (from top to bottom) and my names for them:
#10 Baby Doll Pink (shiny): I actually wanted a gloss that was a very pretty and light pink for the days when I’m wearing a dramatic eye look. Baby Doll Pink is perfect for that because it stands out without taking the spotlight from any other features you may want to be showcased. For the strong eye and ballet pink lips, I’ll call this one my Angelina Jolie.
#11 Pin Up Pink (shiny): I LOVE THIS LIP GLOSS! The color is a very hot pink and it is so flattering, fun, and youthful in my opinion. I honestly think every girl and woman should have this shade in her make up stash. The color is highly pigmented and it’s quite opaque. I think my Cute PInk will have some competition because I wouldn’t mind wearing this one every day (I actually plan on wearing this to work today lol!) I feel like Nicki Minaj when I wear this because I feel so vivacious and fierce.
#15 Cute Pink (shimmery): I’ve had this shade for just about a year or two and I really love it. It’s wearable and great for an every day look. You can amp it up with a second coat and it’s actually quite natural looking unless you’re very light or very dark complexion-wise. It’s has light-reflecting particles in it so it gives off a three-dimensional effects when light hits it. This is a must-have for the minimalist and even the professional woman. Believe it or not, but this shade exudes Drew Barrymore to me. I know she wears a lot of reds and plums but she has also worn a lot of sheer pinks and mauves. This shade is just like her – fresh, subdued and approachable.
#18 The Red (shiny): I know the photo doesn’t do this shade any justice (will post new ones soon), but this is actually a fire-engine red “red”. I wasn’t sure what to think of it at first but I can definitely tell you that the color is semi-opaque and it’s not as harsh as it would seem. It’s such a sexy color that I think everyone should have. Red is empowering, seductive, and mysterious. I see people everyday at work but the ones with a strong and beautiful lip color always stand out in my mind, and typically, those ladies are wearing a red. This is my Marilyn Monroe because Marilyn Monroe really knew what she was doing! Like I said, this red is sheer but you can really layer it on with second coat.
#09 Love Me Pink (shimmery): This pink feels like a sheerer version of #11 Pin Up Pink with some hot pink and blue light-reflecting elements incorporated in it. You’d think that blue and hot pink particles in a pink lip gloss wouldn’t look good but it actually does. If #15 Cute Pink is three-dimensional, this really takes it up a few notches, super holographic. I’m not saying you’ll look like a disco ball but it’s sheer enough that you won’t. This is possibly the sheerest shade of all the lip glosses named here. I’d say this is for the days when you don’t want a strong lip color but you still want your lips to look finished. This shade really reminds me of Ke$ha who loves glitter so much and it’s afraid of a dewy, experimental look.
Before I sign off, I just wanted to answer the question of why Sephora when there are so many better brands out there such as NARS and MAC? I am a NARS die hard and I agree that their lip glosses are so highly pigmented as with all of their products. However, for over $25 a tube, I’m a little reluctant to spend. I like variety in my lip color so it is more important for me that whatever collection or brand I went with that it had a large color selection and that is was slightly more affordable than $25. I have no issue with $12-14 a tube. NARS is extremely pigmented as is with MAC lip glosses and I think the NARS glosses and Larger Than Life glosses tend to be stickier and tackier than I like. I typically never wear lip gloss because I absolutely hate the tacky, sticky feeling that always seems to draw my hair to my lips.
From my experience, I think the Sephora Collection lip glosses are very light in texture and they hydrate and smooth out my lips which are always dry. Your lips are actually in better shape after using them. They don’t have any strong fragrances or tastes to them and the consistency has stayed the same throughout a one to two year period of usage. You get 0.11 oz. per lip gloss and like I said, my #15 Cute Pink has lasted me for nearly two years. The applicator wand is one of my favorites because it looks lips a spongy cotton swap with a pinched waist, very hourglass like. At first, I didn’t like it but then I understood why the design was like that. The pinched waist is for your bottom lip so that the product glides on effortlessly. The flat portion of the wand can be used for your upper lip and to “pat” on product to fill in spots, etc. I think the wand makes it a lot easier to put on your lip color even without a mirror or if you are in a rush because of it’s organic shape and design.
Here is the link to the Sephora lip glosses and you can even get them at your local Sephora:
I hope you enjoyed reading this review and I will post more photos later. There are so many other shades I want to get but that’ll come with time. I have to get ready for work that I start in a couple of hours so it’s time to get glammed up.
Napalm Kitty 