My First Music Review: Every Time I Die - New Junk Aesthetic

Every Time I Die

New Junk Aesthetic

Release Date: September 15, 2009

This album kicks your ass before you ever even put it on your stereo/iPod/whatever the hell you listen to your music on.  The packaging is amazing.  If you buy a hard copy of the record(as opposed to the popular iTunes download alternative), you will notice the outstanding artwork, designed and drawn by Every Time I Die guitarist Jordan Buckley. You can check out more of Jordan's artwork at http://www.jordanbuckleymadethis.com/ and see more of the album artwork featured in the video to the band's first single off New Junk Aesthetic, Wanderlust.

Now, for the music.This album is totally Every Time I Die. it is totally true to their sound and style, but different at the same time.  They've grown, and improved.  The shattering riffs and the heavy vocals are fully in tact, but the music has a different flavor than, say, Gutter Phenomenon or The Big Dirty. First off, Ryan Leger's drumming really sticks out in my head on this album (maybe it's the drummer in me).  It sounds even heavier, cleaner, crisper, faster, and all around more multifaceted, deep and intense than previous albums. The guitars sound new and improved as well.  Either Andy Williams and Jordan Buckley aren't doing as much with the dual guitar sound, or they are just so in sync and tight that it's not as noticeable.The guitar sound is a lot darker and more brooding, much heavier than previous works.  The riffs are catchy and intricate, and bassist Josh Newton's (formerly of From Autumn To Ashes) playing style compliments Andy and Jordan VERY well.

Kieth Buckley's vocals/lyrics.  What can I say?  I love lyrics that are a little quirky and open for interpretation.  The lyrics on this record really fit the bill. As far as his vocals, they seem to be even heavier on this album than previous albums, and he has knocked his own vocal range out of the park. His screams are higher pitched and bolder than they were on earlier records, and he manages to get thim just right, never reaching that annoying ass dogs can only hear this shit screech.  He even SINGS with a growling, screaming vengeance.  Basically, it's Keith, only bigger, stronger, harder, and just better. There are guest vocals on the album from Pete Wentz of Fall Out Boy on After One Quarter of a Revolution, Greg Puciato of The Dillenger Escape Plan on The Marvelous Slut (one of my favorties on the album), and Matt Caughthran of The Bronx on The Sweet Life.

The production quality is of this album is also phe-freakin-nomenal!!!!!  New Junk Aesthetic was produced by Steve Evetts, who in addition to producing Every Time I Die's The Big Dirty, has also done production for The Dillenger Escape Plan. In my opinion, using the same producer and the same studio to record New Junk Aesthetic not only contributed greatly to the albums intensity, but aided in staying true to the band's sound as well.  The pace of this album is faster it's predecessor, The Big Dirty.  It's more the speed of  Hot Damn!  It's a steady, rapid firing brutal flow of ass-kicking southern hardcore.  If you are looking for something closer to the mainstream crap that is infiltrating your radios and TVs today, this album is not for you.  It will rip your face off your skull and slap you with it.  Old school Every Time I Die fans, rejoice.  In a world where so many bands sell thier souls to be played on modern rock radio, New Junk Aesthetic kicks the shit out of modern rock radio and sends it packing.

Basically, Every Time I Die raised the bar for themselves and every other "hardcore" band out there.  It combines all of the previous Every Time I Die albums, amps up the musicianship and tightens up the sound and rocks you from start to finish. Plus, each track is equally amazing.  You know how some records have say, 9 killer tracks, and 3 or 4 that you always shuffle passed?  Not this one.  It kicks your ass from start to finish.

I give New Junk Aesthetic a solid 4.5 out of 5 stars.  It may not be perfect, but in a world where Nickelback and all the Nickelbackish shit out there is considered rock, it's as goddamned close as you can get without going over. If you haven't already, get your ass on iTunes and download it or down to your local record store and pick it up.

You can check out the band at:

www.myspace.com/everytimeidie

www.everytimeidie.com/

http://www.last.fm/music/Every+Time+I+Die

http://www.purevolume.com/everytimeidie

www.twitter.com/therealETID

Review: Smashbox Lash DNA in Midnight Black

Lash DNA Mascara by Smashbox Cosmetics: Midnight Black

So, even though I am not a big fan of the Smashbox Bionic mascara, I had to give this one a try.  I am really glad I did.  This is advertised as a lengthening and curling mascara, and it does both like a charm.  First off, the mascara has a really unique double-helix brush.  The shape of the brush is excellent for lenghtening, separating, and curling each and every lash, no matter how small.  You get a beautiful fanned out effect.  It actually looks like you are wearing false eyelashes.   Although you don't have to with this product, I suggest using a lash curler to optimize the effect.

With Lash DNA, I tend to forget during the day that I put mascara on because it's so light, fluffy, and non clumping.  It doesn't stiffen or harden the lashes at all.  Also, a little goes a long way.  It's quick and easy to apply.  The formula is a little dry, but it's good because it doesn't run like the more watery brands.  It's not HARD like most drugstore brands, just a little dryer than some in consistency. 

I always get a ton of compliments on my lashes in this mascara! I get tons of volume and length, and it doesn't clump at all.  Also, it doesn't wear off or flake during the day.  Even with DiorShow, I tend to get black mascara flakes on my face by the end of the day.  With this one, it looks as good at 10:00 pm when I wash it off as it did at 6:30 am when I put it on.

I was reluctant to try this one after the Bionic Mascara, but I am really glad I did.  It's an amazing product.

I give it 5/5 stars!

xoxoxoxoxox,

Sisi

Review: Mally Beauty City Chick Smokey Eye Kit - Plum Chelsea

Mally Beauty - City Chick Smokey Eye Kit - Plum Chelsea

Mally does it again! This is an amazing kit from the packaging down to the product. It comes in an adorable and functional pouch that holds the compact, eyeliner, and the instruction booklet for application that Mally so graciously provides. The shadows are in a green metallic palette & the pan around the shadows is a grey/green snakeskin print. there is a huge mirror in the lid of the palette as well, which really comes in handy for application accuracy.

With this kit, you get a cream eyeshadow base, three eyeshadows, and a matching eyeliner pencil. then The all-over eyeshadow is a beautiful peachy gold with a hint of sliver micro glitter, the eyeshadow that goes from lashline to crease is a gorgeous plum shade with hints of gold micro glitter, and the lashline/crease highlight color is a stunning dark eggplant color. The eyeliner is a dark eggplant, slightly darker than the darkest shadow. Not oly are the colors gorgeous, but the texture is excellent as well. The shadows are very finely milled.

When, you get these shades on, oh my GOD. They are beautiful on! I never really experimented with a smokey eye outside of the black/grety realm, but these plum colors really create a beautiful look. These shadows are highly blendable and the staying power is unbeatable. At the end of a ten hour day, I never have to touch up my eyes. I used to look as if I didn't wear makeup by the time I would get home from work. These days, when I walk in the house, I look just as polished, pretty, and fresh as I did when I left in the morning. Also, this kit will last forever because you only need to use a very small amount of the product since they are so richly pigmented.

In conclusion, I am absolutely in awe of these eyeshadows! These colors matched with my black Smashbox jet set eyeliner on my inner lids REALLY make my eyes pop. I find these better than a lot of the overly hyped shadows out there too...(MAC, I am talking to you!!!). Each shadow is perfectly milled and the colors are spot on. The price very reasonable considering the quality and pigmentation of the shadows, the small amounts you will have to use, the quality of the primer, and the super cute and FUNCTIONAL packaging. I will definitlely be purchasing the other palettes.

I give this product 5/5 stars!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxox-

Sisi

Review of the Day: Shu Eumura Eyelash Curler

Shu Eumura Lash Curler

Okay, to this point a lash curler is something that I never really thought I needed. I have tried several of the drugstore brands, and none of them really make a difference. Some of them put a kink in my lashes like a litle crimping iron, and most all of them pinch me, pull my lashes, and even pluck them out (I have heard some women's horror stories that they have CUT their lashes, YIKES!!!). I always wondered what I was doing wrong. I had been hearing the hype on this Shu Eumura curler, and finally said, okay, I guess I will try it. Now I know the only thing I was doing wrong was buying the wrong lash curlers. You might say, "they are all pretty much the same thing, right?" I say "wrong".

This curler works like a charm! It's quick, easy and flawless! All it takes is a few seconds of compression and my lashes are so curled and perfect looking that people think they're fake! This is a must have product! Pair it with Mally Beauty's Volumizing Mascara, and girl, you cannot be STOPPED!!!!!!!

One thing you do need to make sure you learn is how to angle your lash curler to get all of your lashes and get close to the base of the lash. This will give you the most natural curl effect.

My ONLY complaint is that Shu Eumura doesn't sell replacement pads. You have to replace the lash curler when the pads get old. However, with the two pads it comes with, it will work for a long time. I have heard women say that they have used it daily for a year and still have plenty of life left in theirs.

That said, although $19 is a little steep for a lash curler, it is well worth the price when you take into consideration the quality and longevity of this product in comparison to the cheaper alternatives.

All in all, I give this products 5/5 stars!!!!!

xoxoxoxoxox-

Sisi

Dark Circles? No way! Mally Beauty Cancellation Concealer 3-piece System Review

Mally Beauty Cancellation Concealer 3-piece System

Where do I start with this one? There is so much to gush about. First, let's just talk about the packaging. The packaging on this product is amazing. It comes in a very cute and functional pink pouch that snaps closed. On the inside it has a pocket for the concealer, which is in a gorgeous pink aluminum compact, a pounch for the setting powder, which is in a silver aluminum compact, and a snap holder for the wonderful double sided appplicator brush.

Next, let's talk about the coverage. Let me tell you, ladies. 6:00 a.m. rolls around VERY early in the morning, and sometimes my eyes really show that. I apply this after I allow my moisturizer and primer to set and dry. This concealer blends VERY well with your skin and does an excellent job of covering up bags and dark circles under your eyes. the texture is very creamy and goes on very smooth. A little of this concealer goes a long way.

Also, the setting powder is amazing. It brightens your eyes, keeps your concealer set all day long, and even keeps your eyeliner from running. One thing with the powder. It takes a minute to set, so try and pull your face taut so that the skin under your eyes is stretched out before you put on the powder, and hold that for a minute. That way, it doesn't settle in the creases of your eyes. the first time I applies it, I didn't do this, and it did settle in the creases around my eyes a bit. Easy fix though. In addition, when the powder sets, there is no white residue. I apply my Halo over this, and voila! I look like I slept at least 8 hours the night before (what does THAT feel like?!?).

Next, let's discuss the brush. This applicator brush is wonderful. The concealer application side has just the right amount of firmness to smoosh the concealer into place without being too abrasive around your eyes and causing irritation. The powder brush is wonderful for blending and very soft to the skin around your eyes.

Ladies, even if you don't have dark circles under your eyes, this does WONDERS to even out the skin tone and give you a fresh, bright eyed look. Also, if you have any redness, acne, broken capillaries, sun spots, or light scarring, this concealer will cover those wonderfuly and give you an even, flawless complexion under your foundation.

Finally, let's talk about the price. Some might say that $30 for a concealer is a bit pricey. Look at what you are getting here. I love the fact that you get three pieces, and additionally, a very functional carrying case. You have to use so little, and you don't need touchups throughout the day, so I think this is actually an extreme VALUE.

My only problem with this product is the fact that the compacts are a little hard to open. You may want to use a tweezer or pair of small nail scissors or something, as I am sure you don't want to break a nail trying to get these open.

All in all, I give it 4.5/5 stars!

xoxoxoxoxox-

Sisi

Just an addition to the Mally Mascara review.

The day the review was done, I went running around and got super busy after work, and didn't get to bed until after 3:00 am. Obviously, when I got home, I was exhausted, and forgot to wash my makeup off. Bad, I know. BUT, there is a silver lining to that dark clous makeup faux pas.



I got up at 8:30 the next morning and realized I needed to run to the store ASAP. I didn't have time to wash my face or put on any makeup. I threw my hair in a ponytail, threw on some lipgloss and ran out the door.



My Mally Beauty mascara from the MORNING BEFORE that was applied at about 6:45 AM WAS STILL IN PLACE, and STILL LOOKED GORGEOUS. I actually got compliments on my lashes.



Moral of the story? Mally Roncal is amazing!!!!!

The eyes have it! Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara Review

Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara in Black

Okay, so I saw the presentation of this mascara on QVC one day (the day that I ordered almost everything from that hour and Ms. Mally almost made me go broke, ha ha), and I thought, wow, that worked amazing on that model. Then, I saw the price. $28.00 for two of them? Then, I started to get skeptikal. No way does this mascara amp up this model's lashes that much with ONE COAT for that price. I thought surely they must have primed the lashes with something prior to putting the mascara on her eyes. I have theright to be skeptikal when it comes to TV, right?

I listened to Mally talk about the grueling process she went through with the Italian mascara and Japanese pigment to make the stars lashes look so fabulous, and how she has worked long and hard to formulate a mascara that can emulate that look in one tube. I decided, why not? While I am on this Mally kick today, I might as well try this mascara. Can't be the worst thing I have ever used, right?

Turned out to be the BEST mascara I have ever used. My lashes aren't very long, and they are light and thin, so when I am not wearing mascara, you can barely tell they exist. When I applied it the first day, I only used one coat. My lashes looked thick and black and shiny and gorgeous!

This morning, I used two coats, and let me tell you. My lashes look longer, thicker, and more defined than any false lash I have ever used. To get this look with mascaras in the past, I have had to use a lash curler, sometimes two different mascaras, powders, primers, and several other products. It was always such a production, and in the mornings I don't have that kind of time. This mascara, I didn't need anything. Two quick coats and I am done!

The finished product not only LOOKS amazing, but feels amazing as well. It doesn't clump or spike or flake, and when I feel my lashes, they feel clean, like I am not wearing anything.

The best part, ladies, you can even use this on your bottom lashes! It gives beautiful, lengthy, separated lashes on the bottom without ever causing you to get raccoon eye.

This stuff stays put like glue through heat, humidity, crying, and everything day to day life can throw at you. It won't budge until you take it off. When you wash it off, however, it comes off so easily.

Pros: Incredibly low price, lengthens, curls, volumizes, long-lasting, non clumpy, non sticky, basically EVERYTHING!

Cons: Not one that I can think of.

I love you, Mally! Thank you for your wonderful products!

I give this product an enthusiastic 5/5 stars !!!!!!

xoxoxoxoxoxox-

Sisi

Smile Pretty! Smashbox Smile-Brightening Lip Enhancing Lip Gloss Review

Smashbox Smile-Brightening Lip Enhancing Lip Gloss

The next product I will be reviewing today is Smashbox's Smile-Brightening Lip Gloss. This stuff has become a staple in my makeup wardrobe. I keep one in my makeup case, one in my purse, and one in my desk drawer.

This is one product I will make sure I am never without. Unlike most glosses, it is not sticky in the least. The consistency is better than any other lip gloss I have tried. It goes on smooth and hydrates the lips. Your lips are well moisturinzed all day long, and the brush applicator is amazing.

It has a slight tingle factor, but it's not overbearing at all. It has a minty fresh taste/smell/feel that makes your mouth feel fresh. The reflective pearlized sparkles defnitely make your teeth appear whiter.

The color is a pretty pink. It's sheer enough to wear alone for a subtle pink shine, buildable enough that you can actually get a pretty pink shade out of it, but also looks amazing layered over your favorite lipstick color.

In conclusion, if you are in searchog an amzing lip gloss that is hydrating, long-lasting, not sticky, has just the right amount of shimmer, a great color alone of partner to your lipstick that will brighten your smile and freshen your breath, pick this up.

Warning: It's addicting. Once you have it you won't ever want to be without it.

I give it 5/5 stars

xoxoxoxox-

Sisi

In the Eye of the Beholder: Smashbox Bionic Mascara Review

Smashbox Bionic Mascara

While this is by no means the worst mascara I have ever tried, I can't say that I am impressed with it. Usually, I love Smashbox products, but this one just falls flat for me. First off, I have tired it a few different times, and every tube I have gotten looks clumpy, dry, and old as soon as you open the tube.

I find it hard to apply. You have to use several coats to get any impact. I think it may be the construction of the brush. It's put together similar to the low end drugstore brands, and isn't at all optimal to coat the lashes without making a mess on your face. Then, when you do, possibly because of the thick density of the formula, you get volume in the form of clumps. Also, it is somehow wet enough to make a mess of your eyelids during application, yet dry enough to clump and flake. When applying to to perfectly clean lashes, I felt like I was putting a new coat over last night's mascara.

If you rub your eyes at all, this will smudge and smear and give you raccoon eyes, yet washing it off is really difficult. I use Purity by Philosphy to wash off my makeup, and it usually works like a charm to get everything off my face. This one, however, won't budge. I have to use a separate eye makeup remover.

In summary, while it's not a BAD mascara, if you want to do a thin layer just for a very subtle look, it may be okay. However, if you are looking for the lengthening and volumizing they promise, it doesn't deliver. The $8.00 Lash Stiletto was less than half the price, and performs more than twice as well.

I give it 2/5 stars

xoxoxoxox-

Sisi

Review of the Day: MAC Mineralize Satinfinish SPF 15 Foundation

MAC Mineralize Satinfinish SPF 15 Foundation

Okay, so the other day when I went to MAC to pick up some Prep + Prime, I decided to try their foundation. I don't know what made me think that something would be better than my Halo, but I did, so after the sales girl's spiel about how luminous, long lasting, and smooth this foundation was, I thought I would give it a try. BIG mistake. Huge.

First off, the initial shade she tried to pick out was almost pumpkin orange on my arm, so she went with the NC15, which, on the underside of my arm looked like it blended okay. When I put it on my face, however, I looked like the Vanilla Ghost (Scooby Doo fans know who this is). :)

Also, when applied, it does not have a "glow" or luminosity about it at all. It's shiny. It makes you look greasy. And it doesn't blend well at all. It settles in any lines on your face, no matter how miniscule, and makes them look awful. And buildable? Not even. I mean, your it just smears around, and you end up washing most of it off your face. The coverage is not very good. Not only does it NOT cover blemishes or redness, it creates more blemishes. I used it for two days, and within those two days my face broke out something fierce. And it wasn't because I didn't wash it off. By the time I got home in the afternoon, I had sprouted more new acne. Not good at all.

The staying power is not very good either. It came off on the collar of my coat, on my hand every time I TOUCHED my face, so it got all over everything, thus, by the time I got home, all the coverage was gone and there were more blemishes than I had tried to cover in the morning.

In conclusion, it is oily and greasy feeling, horrible finish, horrible color, horrible coverage, horrible staying power, and awful for your skin.

As much as I wanted to love it, this one is going back to MAC.

Good news is, I have been using my Halo again for two days, and my skin is already back to clear and beautiful! Thank you Smashbox!

I give it 1/5 stars

xoxoxoxox-

Sisi