Showing posts with label Makeup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Makeup. Show all posts
It's not everyday that a girl gets to wear a forty dollar lipstick, amirite? I was so gratefully gifted this lipstick by one of my best friends and I am truly thankful for her kindness. I have always wanted to try Yves Saint Laurent products, but I couldn't bear opening my wallet for just a lipstick. This isn't any lipstick I have ever tried. That's why I'm dedicating this post specifically for it; because it's just that damn good.
I wouldn't say that I am a total makeup geek or anything and I hardly know anything about higher end makeup. I have heard of YSL don't get me wrong, but it was never a brand that I found reachable to my financial standards (mostly college is in the way). I have the YSL Lipstick in Rosy Coral. I have realized that this might be an awesome gift to give to your most lovable and deserving mother for Mother's Day, which is in about a week or so.
First of all, the packaging is just glorious. Everything I could ever want and more. It's sleek, glamorous, and very minimalist, which I highly appreciate.
This lipstick describes me on so many levels. It's very easy to travel with and bring along anywhere at anytime. Like, look at the detailed engraving? I'm so scared to mess it up! So far, I am impressed beyond expectation. I think this is just a beautiful decorative piece on its own. Perfect for any mother's makeup collection.
The color is just unbelievably vibrant and opaquely pigmented. The formula is beyond smooth and silky. It feels like butter. There isn't a strong distinct smell, but you can tell that it's very high end.
I have only worn it a couple times and it barely moves during the day. Obviously, you might need to reapply, but other than that, it performs beautifully. This coral shade is perfect for this season. I never thought that coral and bright oranges would actually look good on me, but I was surprised to see that this shade works very well with my olive skin tone.
This product is probably something I never thought I would ever try until I was probably thirty because of it's expensiveness--or until I was a mom. I guess that's really the only downside I have faced with it.
Would I recommend this? Yes. However, if you are on a budget like me and don't have the most amazingly generous friends like I do, I would suggest many affordable options that you can buy at Sephora and the drugstores like L'Oreal, Makeup Forever, Mac, or even Wet'N'Wild. Sometimes you gotta live a little and splurge. When it comes to are mothers, though, they deserve the best of the best. What are you doing for your mom?
As the months get warmer, I have been relocating my bb creams because I'm the type of girl who doesn't love wearing a full coverage foundation when it's 70 and muggy out. Even though Chicago is still struggling to stay consistent with it's beautiful spring weather, rain and cool temps become an issue when it comes to doing my makeup. I have always loved bb creams and how versatile and great they can be for pretty much any skin type. All bb creams have some sort of spf, which is great during this time. I have been through a good number of bb creams in my life and have found some that I really enjoy using.
Bobbi Brown BB Cream Spf 35- I was recently gratefully and generously given this from a good friend of mine who didn't really use makeup. I have tried it already a few times and I am really impressed by it. This is my second Bobbi Brown product that I have used (besides the color corrector concealer) and I am really happy about the way it applied and lasted on my skin. It has a very sheer finish and feels very hydrating while also mattifying and fresh. This is probably my new favorite foundation (besides the Nars tinted moisturizer which I love dearly). I just find this one to be a step down in coverage from the Nars one, so I didn't want to include it in this post because I think it's more of a full coverage tinted moisturizer.
Rimmel London BB Cream Spf 25- I think this bb cream really takes the cake. No, it doesn't cake on your face. I think this one is just as great as the Bobbi Brown one. What I noticed is that it is more mattifying than the Bobbi Brown one or the Laura Mercier one. If you are looking for a super inexpensive option, I would recommend this one. It has more of a natural finish and is really great if you don't want to look like you have any makeup on.
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Spf 20- I bought this tinted moisturizer last year because I heard so many great things about it. They were right! I would compare this more to the Rimmel one because of its sheer coverage. It isn't as matte because it is a moisturizer, however, the right about of powder will make it last all day. I use all of these interchangeably, but when I really want to have a more glowy skin look and when my skin is actually cooperating, I like to use this one.
My love for bb creams seems to not end and I don't think it ever will. I love how there's so much in one product that can do so many great things for my skin. Especially during the warmer months, these can be lifesavers because they don't leave your skin feeling sticky and gross. What are your favorite bb creams?
So, this weekend, my family and I are headed off to Virginia to go visit my sister and my close family friends. The last time I was on a place I think was when I went to San Francisco last spring. If you don't know me, then I will tell you that packing is probably one of my favorite things to do when travelling. I love picking out things to wear and trying to consolidate things I may or may not need. Now that more makeup brands are carrying travel friendly makeup and beauty products, travelling with these amenities (or necessities) has become so much easier and convenient.
I thought that I would share what I am bringing on my trip. It's also Easter weekend, so I thought it was a little important to bring at least some blush and lip gloss along. I also love to see what types of things people bring and leave behind when they go on trips.
The first thing that I think is necessary to have on a trip is a tinted moisturizer of some kind. I love the Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer because it is light and is great for sunny trips because of its spf 20. They have a ton of shades and I love how matte it actually is. I love to pair it with this mini Nars Concealer which is very full coverage and creamy. It's blendable and great to bring along for touch ups. Under my eyes I love using the Smashbox Undereye Primer to make sure that my concealer stays all day!
To top off my face makeup, I have been using this great Bare Minerals Powder that mattifies my look and keeps everything in place. I have also been trying out this mini Tarte Cheek Stain in Sheer Berry and it surprisingly is easy to blend and gives great pigment. I love the mini size, too.
I have been exploring color correctors and I knew that peach was great for minimizing redness under the eyes and my friend happened to give me this Bobbi Brown Color Corrector which I have really been loving. It kind of acts like a concealer, but evens out my skin.
I also have this mini Makeup Forever Lipgloss in Sweet Pink that's great to soften up a look and add some shine to your lips.
My good friend Ellaby also gave me this Clinique Compact that is also very great to take travelling. It has a taupey-cream shade and a coffee brown eye shadow shades and a great travel sized blush that I can use if I don't feel like using the Tarte one. I haven't ever tried out Clinique makeup before, but I love the pigmentation of it so far. I like to bring along my very tiny Benefit Stay Don't Stray Eye Shadow Primer that I love and got in a Christmas makeup set that Benefit had a while ago.
To finish off the simple eye look, I use the mini Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara which I have fallen in love with recently. It was an impulse buy in the travel section of Sephora, but man is it a great mascara. I would compare this to the Maybelline Lash Sensational, but I love how much length and volume it gives in comparison.
I leave for my trip very early this morning and I am so excited to just get away for this weekend! I don't normally go on trips like these right during school, but it's nice to just take a break every now and then. What's your must-have beauty travel essential?
I have been getting into highlighters recently and thought that I would share the few (yes, few) that I have. I'm always a sucker for glow, especially when it's a J-Lo glow. My highlighter collection is clearly small and needs some more additions, but I don't often use them as much as blush or bronzer and I have been very impressed and content with these three.
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector full size $38- I had to include this mini rose gold highlighter because it's such a great product. I haven't ever used Becca before, but I get the hype of all of her products. I wouldn't normally use this on my cheeks as much, but it is a beautiful eye shadow and adds a pop of shimmer and color to any summer or spring look. I don't know if you can buy this mini separately because I got it in a Sephora Favorites set.
Soap & Glory Glow All Out $15- I really love this highlighting powder in the winter because it is more of a frosty and "moonlit" type of highlighter. It's subtle, but can be flattering on many people. I think this would be a great powder to use to brighten up the face by lightly dusting it on after foundation. It gives off a very natural shine.
Essence Pure Nude Highlighter $4.49- I have to say, this highlighter takes the cake and really impressed me. This golden highlight really gives off the J-Lo glow vibe. It's very opaque and a little amount goes a very long way. I love the way this looks in the summer and I am obsessed with it's versatility because you can also use it as an eyeshadow like the Becca one. For the price and the quality, it's well worth it. I haven't tried many of Essence's products, but this by far, is one of the best drugstore highlighters.
Whether you are looking for the J-Lo glow or not, these highlighters do a bomb job at achieving it either way. I have slowly been acclimating to all of the highlighting nonsense and really adore the way highlighting can transform any look. There are some great expensive and inexpensive quality products that are amazing and no one should feel like they have to spend their paycheck on it. My worth it buy was probably the Essence highlighter because of how pigmented and creamy the formula is and how great the price is.
What highlighters have you been loving?
I have been loving liquid lipsticks lately, however, the problem of dry and cracked lips always ruins the look. I have seen all of the scrubs and oils, but I wanted something handy that I could just easily and conveniently use to scrub my lips before I applied my favorite liquid lipsticks. The E.l.f. Lip Exfoliator in Mint Maniac has been a game changer and really has made my routine a whole lot easier.
For many of you makeup lovers, liquid lipsticks are probably a staple and dry or cracked lips are totally not. It's safe to say that I have probably found one of the best solutions out there. Forget the messy and oddly flavored Lush lip scrubs, Elf knows where it's at! With six other flavors, including pink grapefruit and coconut, elf has created a convenient lip sugar scrub that's totally edible and easy to use before using your Kylie Lip Kit. For only $3 dollars, you can have the most soft and kissable lips out there. Who doesn't want that?
These lip scrubs are infused with vitamin e, Shea butter, avocado, grape and jojoba oils to smooth and help protect your lips. All pretty safe ingredients to me! I like to wet or lick my lips before applying it because it can be harsh on dry lips. Then I either lick it off my lips or wipe it off with a tissue and apply my lip balm or lipstick. I just find it so easy because you don't have to abandon your makeup routine to go into the bathroom to get your fingers all messy while scooping out your bubble gum lip scrub. If you aren't a diy fan and don't feel like making your own sugar scrub, I would really suggest purchasing this amazingly inexpensive one. It's so convenient to just bring along for quick fixes.
I have been so impressed by Elf lately and love all of their products. They really kill at making great quality and affordable makeup. I know sometimes Elf can be overlooked because it's too "cheaply priced" to be good. You just have to try it because there are some really great products.
Over the past couple of weeks, I have picked up a few new things to try out and experiment with. I was kind of in the mood for new makeup and needed a couple replacement products for things that I have used all the way up. Since it's almost spring, I have really focused on getting things that will actually be something i'll use and not waste or end up hoarding in my makeup collection. I love to clean, but I hate wasting product.
I went to a few places over the past month like Sephora and Target, and have been impressed by the newer things that are becoming available. I love trying out newer things and I have heard many great things about these products that I just bought.
I had just bought these two Too Faced products on a fashion field trip I took a week ago. I'm always going through primers and thought it would be best to try a newer one out for the new season. I bought this Too Faced Hangover Primer, which I found to be incredibly moisturizing and hydrating. It doesn't cause oily skin even though it's infused with coconut water. You can read more, here, but I have really been reaching for this on my more natural makeup days.
I also picked up the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara. I have heard raves about this across the web and have hesitated to try it because I already love the Maybelline Lash Sensational. It does a great job at curling the lashes and really gives them more volume. It gives the illusion of butterfly lashes and is so pretty on anyone.
I also wanted a lip scrub, but I hate lip scrubs. Haha. So, I found this Elf Lip Exfoliator in Mint Maniac and I love it! It's basically a lip scrub in a tube of lipstick. It's sugar based and has great, moisturizing oils in it to soften your lips. It has really changed my lipstick and liquid lipstick application a ton. Plus, it's only three dollars!
I happened to be looking for a new highlighter at Target and I literally strolled right in front of an Essence kiosk! They have Essence at my local Target and I didn't know about it?! Apparently Target has acquired many new brands like Essence, Zoella Beauty, Soap and Glory, Boots, and more UK brands. The Essence Pure Nude highlighter has become a favorite! It's a warm, golden highlighter and the pigmentation is phenomenal. For the size of it and being only about five bucks, it is so worth it.
I was also looking for a new, springy nail polish and fell in love with this pinky taupe color. It's a very subtle rose shade and I love the way it pulls together any spring outfit. It dries insanely fast, too. I'm impressed with Sally Hansen right now and wonder why I never really got into any of her nail polishes before.
I hope you guys enjoyed my quick little 5 to try post. I enjoy reading and writing these posts because they aren't as long and I love to see what people have been trying out and using lately. What makeup have you been using recently?
I am sort of getting back onto my feet after a couple weeks of pain and sadness, so bear with me. If you'd like to know what happened, you can read about it all here. I'm not gonna get into any of it because I want to slowly get back into writing and I also found some great products over the past couple of weeks that I have been using a lot and am really impressed with.
I have been running out of my Laura Geller Spackle face primer and my fashion merchandising class happened to be going to a fashion show last week and then to a mall straight after to shop and eat food before we headed back (awesome field trip amirite?). So I was just strolling along with my friends and we happened to make our way to Sephora...oh gosh. Yeah I tried to resist the urge to buy anything, but I was like, "I'm here, I don't wanna come back for a while, and why the heck not?". So, I gave in and bought a couple things from the ever-so-thoughtfully placed travel items kiosk right in front of the cashiers. I have heard tons about the Too Faced HangoveRx Primer and a Better Than Sex mascara.
This primer is actually really nice. I have had a thing with primers lately and I think I've just never used makeup without using a primer. My skin is so combo-oily that it's hard not to use foundation without a base underneath. I didn't find this primer to be blurring per say, it felt very hydrating and kind of acted like a serum that you put under your foundation than an oil-free base, which it isn't. If you are extremely oily, I wouldn't recommend this. However, it's great if you have drier to combo skin because I noticed that it makes my skin look healthy and glowy. I usually put a BB cream on over it for a more natural look.
I noticed that it really smoothes out the skin and doesn't leave it looking slimy and shiny. I mean, that's gross, but no one wants that! This is also perfect for using instead of a liquid foundation; just blend a little bit in the trouble areas and apply some powder on and you're good to go. I was intrigued by it because it has coconut water in it and it really smells like coconut. I also loved the fact that it's a pump, which is really nice and appreciated. I need to keep using it more, so I will keep you all updated!
I noticed that it really smoothes out the skin and doesn't leave it looking slimy and shiny. I mean, that's gross, but no one wants that! This is also perfect for using instead of a liquid foundation; just blend a little bit in the trouble areas and apply some powder on and you're good to go. I was intrigued by it because it has coconut water in it and it really smells like coconut. I also loved the fact that it's a pump, which is really nice and appreciated. I need to keep using it more, so I will keep you all updated!
Then I bought this mini sized Better Than sex mascara, which I knew I would love. I reminds me exactly like Maybelline's Lash Sensational. It really does an awesome job at curling the lashes even without using a lash curler. I did notice that it can smear easily, so you want to be careful when touching your face or other things. I personally like the mini, travel-size mascaras because I find that I can use them up more instead of the full tube that dries out too quick.
As I gradually make my way back on schedule and into the swing of things, I just want you all to know that I am okay and life will move on. I don't want to stop doing what I love, so I'm happy to be back on track. What have you guys loved from Too Faced?
Happy Valentine's Day lovelies! I'm not one to personally love the idea of Valentine's Day, sometimes I think it's just a consumer holiday, but I'm not gonna just hate on the day that's about love and all things candy hearts, roses, and enjoying time with everyone you care about. In all silliness, it's honestly just a fun day to write about. I was inspired to do a collective "pink favorites" in the spirit of V-Day and realized that I actually have a lot of pink products even though I hardly prefer to wear pink.
The first "pink" product that I have been loving over the past couple of months is the Revlon Colorstay Moisture Stain in Cannes Crush. It's more on the coral shade spectrum, but is a lovely pop of color on the lips and isn't too pink. I love these stains because they really aren't drying on the skin. Keeping the subject on Revlon lips for a moment, I have also enjoyed the Revlon Ultra HD Matte Liquid Lip Color in Love, which is undoubtedly the most accurate product for this post. I'm not one to love matte lips, but Revlon sure has it in the bag with matte lip colors. This classic redish-pink is what Valentine's Day is all about! Amirite?
I have also been obsessed with rosegold for a while lately and the Urban Decay Single Eyeshadow in Scratch, which is a very unsettling name, is this beautiful rose gold shade and I love to swipe this all over the lid and define it with a golden brown in the crease. You really can't go wrong with Urban Decay eyeshadows.
On my cheeks, I have been loving Tarte's Amazonian Clay Blush in Blissful. It has been the perfect peachy pink shade on my cheeks. I think it will look perfect in the springtime and isn't too overly pigmented. I have also enjoyed the way that the Nyx Blush in Hamptons is a bit of a step up from the Tarte one on the pink level. It's more of a watermelon pink and is a great shade for the wintery months and gives the perfect wind-kissed look.
As for highlight, I haven't been too adventurous with finding any more highlighters that I actually will use instead of this Soap & Glory Glow All Out highlighting powder. It's more cool toned and gives a really nice natural glow that I adore on the cheek bones.
I have also loved the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Rose Gold as a touch of highlight, but mainly used on my eyes for a pop of shimmer because I find that the shade is a bit too much for the face.
I have been recently grabbing this Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous Foundation more now and forgot how much coverage it gave. It's a very beautiful foundation and seamlessly covers up imperfections. It does a great job at keeping my skin looking smooth and doesn't overly make it matte which I sometimes like (since it's an oil-free foundation).
There wasn't really anything for eyes in my collection that was pink besides the eyeshadow/highlighter, but I thought I could throw in the Maybelline Falsies Push Up Drama Mascara as a product that counts. And it truly does. I've been using this so much lately and love how it really opens up my eyes and gives my lashes great length and volume.
I hope you guys enjoyed this cute, themed Valentine's Day post. I wish all of you the loveliest of days filled with laughter and of course, LOVE! No matter what the circumstance, lover or not, there shouldn't be any reason to slum on this heart-filled day. Love yourself and eat that whole box of chocolates because you damn right can!
I thought it was about time to do an updated travel makeup bag post and I am so excited to show you all what I normally bring on adventures. To be quite honest, I actually love packing and organizing things for trips so I find this kind of fun to read and talk about. I am also always curious to see what different types of products and sizes of products people bring on trips.
It inspires me to be smarter or more thoughtful about the things I take and have to leave behind when I am limited to so many items, especially on flights. I know that brands are becoming more accommodating to travel and create tons of travel sized products to make it easier to bring along wherever we go. Here's what I currently have in my travel makeup bag...
This makeup bag was actually a score I found at Target (obvi) in the Dollar Spot section for about three bucks. It's copper and gold and if you look close enough, it says "This and That" on it which is a very cute detail.
So, to start off, I have found it incredibly difficult to carry makeup brushes through travel; they take up an insane amount of space. So I found this Sonia Kashuk Grand Bazaar Hidden Treasure Chubby Brush Set at Target and immediately grabbed it because it's so hard to find great travel sized brushes that aren't so small they're practically for dolls. It's hard to keep brushes safe in my makeup bag sometimes because they do get smashed and tossed around. You can see some of the estranged hairs, but all in all, it's a great travel brush set and it comes with a travel bag, too.
For lips, I have this mini Makeup Forever lip gloss in Sweet Pink that I really like to add a bit of pigmentation and shine to my lips. I normally use it when I go out to eat or something like that. Great for touchups!
I also make sure to have a natural colored eye pencil and this is the current one I'm using right now; it's the Covergirl Perfect Blend Liner in Mink. Sometimes, I can get away with using it as an eyebrow pencil and it works perfectly. It's very smooth and easy to use.
I usually make sure to always have a powder with me. Foundation is debatable depending on where I'm headed, but powder for me is always a must. I never want to be in that sticky situation where I can't powder my face because I "forgot" to bring it on a trip. I just can't and won't. The Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent is a lifesaver when it comes to mattifying my skin. It's a classic and it comes with me everywhere.
I also make sure to have an eyeshadow primer because one of the worst things to have to worry about on a trip is whether or not your eyeshadow will crease or run off your lids. I find that the Urban Decay Primer Potion is probably the best primer for your eyes out there. It's not sticky and definitely does the job.
On the topic of primers, I also love to keep a mini Benefit Porefessional with me as well. I only use a pea size amount and especially during the summer I like to use this under tinted moisturizers or BB creams. It seamlessly hides my pores and makes a very soft and smooth base for my makeup. I personally love the smell of it and it's just one of those staple products to have, I guess.
Now that "baking" is becoming more popular, I have decided to give it a go myself and have really liked the way it prevents my skin from becoming oily quicker. I travel with this mini Mary Kay Translucent Powder that I am really impressed by and love the way it makes my makeup last.
Sometimes, I like to have a couple foundations in my makeup bag to try out or sometimes I get samples and just toss them in my bag to use when I'm on a trip because they're usually so conveniently small. The first foundation I have in my bag is the Benefit Hello Flawless Foundation. It's a very light to medium coverage and I like to use this more in the summertime because it gives a great natural finish. Then I also have the Clinique Superbalanced foundation which is a bit heavier coverage and is very smooth on the skin and is great for sensitive skin like mine.
Then I have this mini Stay Don't Stray Primer which is another eye shadow primer that I have been meaning to use up and got in a Christmas gift set one year. I don't particularly love this one as much as the Urban Decay Primer Potion, but it gets the job done for the most part. I like the doe-foot applicator a lot.
Normally on trips I don't bring palettes, but I like to bring duos and trios to have a bit of variation with my eye looks because I never really know where or what I'm going to be doing so, it's always good to have options. Right now I have this Wet' n 'Wild Silent Treatment trio in my bag and I really love the smokey look I can make with it or just use the browbone shade on my eyelid for a more glowy, natural look. The shadows are so pigmented, I can't EVEN. The two little brushes are helpful sometimes, but are kind of in the way because they always fall out of the tray when I open it. Moreover, my mascara usually changes every couple months, so right now I have my mini Benefit Roller Lash mascara. It gives the perfect curl and is very easy to apply with since it's so small. I'm obsessed with it and need to buy the full size, pronto.
Last, but not least, is the Smashbox Photo Finish Under Eye Primer. I just included this because it was in my bag anyway and why the heck not? Primers are awesome! Especially this one. I like to put this under my eyes and use it like concealer since I don't normally pack it, and then I top it off with foundation and powder. That's what I love to use before I bake with my translucent powder, too. It helps to prevent any creasing and can suffice as a faux concealer. What's in your travel makeup bag?
So, basically, Wet'n'Wild is now my new absolute favorite drugstore brand of all time. I have no idea why or how their company keeps on getting better and better, but I am not complaining. Wet'n'Wild is pretty much known for its incredibly inexpensive beauty products that are amazingly great quality. They're coming out with new lines, collections, and formulas more better than ever. I drove probably a good five miles from my house to the next Walgreens across town to find these shades that I wanted to try out. Call it whatever you want, but venturing out was well worth it, even during a snowstorm might I add. The Wet'n'Wild Liquid Catsuit Matte Lipsticks are definitely a product I would repurchase over and over.
I bought the shade Nudie Patootie and Rebel Rose. I'm not one to love liquid pretty much anything, so it was a first that I decided I loved these two liquid lipsticks. I didn't want any bold lip color because that's not what I'm really comfortable wearing, so I was also happy to find some nudes. They have oranges, reds, pinks, and darker, more sultry red and berry shades. Priced at only five bucks, I'd say this is definitely a great product to buy at the drugstore. Matte lipsticks are especially hard for me to find the right ones that I like because many become too dry and crumbly overtime. These matte liquid lipsticks are moisturizing without giving you that desert-like dryness and does not leave your lips cracked.
The packaging is very cute and simple which I appreciate because no one wants very weird, shaped products that you just can't figure out. The doe foot applicator is very easy to use and it is kind of shaped to fit your lips and is easy to apply on the outer corner of your lips.
I was very happy with the formula of these lipsticks because they have great staying power and really do last a very long time. That's what everybody want's from a matte liquid lipstick, right? I really fell in love with the colors I chose. The more nude one is more brown toned and looks great paired with any eye look really. However, the shade that I loved more and thought was a bit more me was the pinker shade I bought. It's your classic blush nude and I really like the way it makes my lips look.
For what it's worth, these aren't your praised, Kylie Jenner Lip Kits, but they might just be better. They're not 30 dollars and the formula, to me is probably similar or at least almost as good. I have never bought a Kylie Lip Kit, so obviously I'm not an expert, but I feel like these would be great dupes. They really do "glide on like butter" and mattify pretty quickly. These don't smell as great as the Kylie Lip Kits probably do, and that's just a minor thing I noticed when I first put them on. I'm glad that's all I noticed though because the formula, pigmentation, and staying power have really impressed me.
I think I am getting more into matte things, because it's easier to maintain and put on for the most part. I just never liked it when matte lipsticks made my lips look dry and unappealing. We all want kissable lips and many lipsticks never really achieved that, besides these that are actually pretty moisturizing. I tried using a lip scrub and then lip balm before applying these just to make sure that my lips were smooth throughout the application and ensure that they aren't going to crumble, which really helped.
I think these are great as everyday lipsticks or even party and evening lipsticks. They have a very wide range of shades that I'm sure anyone could love if they're looking for a new matte lipstick. Have you tried these yet?
The first month of the new year has already crept upon us. I can't believe how incredibly fast time has flown. A lot of things happened last year and I hope that this year brings a lot more great things as I transition out of high school and into college. On a less serious note, I have collected some of the products I found this beginning month, to be great products to start off the new year. I have many favorites, but I wanted to show you all the ones I have been reaching for the most this month and probably will next month, too.
The one mascara that I have been grabbing every time I use makeup is the Revlon lash Potion mascara. It has really grown on me since I first bought it. This was one of my Amish store bargain buys that I posted about last year. It has a great lengthening formula and is great at opening the eyes up more.
For my eyeshadow base, I use Urban Decay's Primer Potion. I've gotten way more into primers this year and love the way they can make my makeup last. I never knew why I was oblivious to any primers at all. I actually bought this version of the Primer Potion at Nordstrom Rack for only 10 bucks! It's a steal and I think I'll have to go stock up on some more for the future because it's pretty much the same as the new version they came out with. There's really no creasing or makeup moving around at all and I will continue to use this product forever until Nordstrom Rack stops selling it.
I haven't been wearing liner too much lately, but when I do, I have been loving the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide On Velvet Liner. I feel like this liner has really changed the game for me and has been applying very smoothly. When I want to create smoky looks, this liner really does the job.
I have never been a huge fan of shadow sticks, but when I bought this on a whim at that Amish store, I was so glad I did. The Maybelline 24 Hr Color Tattoo in Creamy Chocolate has been amazing under the eyes and for lining my lids. It gives off more of a bronze tone and looks beautiful on a golden eye look. I really love the look of it.
Next, is this Essence Brow Pencil that has been quite the handy tool when it comes to fixing my un-sculpted brows. When I'm not using my Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow, I grab this and naturally touch up my brows for a subtle definition. It's not too waxy and is very easy to use, especially for beginners. I love taking this pencil on the go.
I have fully transitioned to using this palette and cannot get my paws off of it. The Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance palette has been my holy grail palette these past two months. The colors are insanely pigmented and look great on just about everyone. Check out my in depth review I wrote last week, here.
Powder is something that I use almost everyday to just keep my face matte and oil free. I have been on the lookout for a really nice pressed powder and Mac Studio Fix powder has really stood out to me. I'm one to keep repurchasing a powder if I love it, however, I think I will definitely have to keep this one stocked in my collection. It has a cute compartment for a puff pad to take easily on the go, which I love and keeps me matte all day long.
On the bandwagon of primers, I have been using and getting the most out of my Laura Geller Under Makeup Mattifying Primer. I put a dime sized amount and just use my hands to spread it all over my face before applying makeup (kind of like a moisturizer in a way). It's really great under any foundation and I can't put on makeup without it. It makes all the difference and allows my face to stay oil free all day!
I hope you guys enjoyed my compiled favorites for this past month. I have a lot of great things planned for February and am excited for what this year brings. What has been your favorite products this month?
For all of my years I've had with makeup, I've always wondered what it was like to actually own a Nars product, let alone four, because I was darn right broke (and still am). After constantly wanting more from my foundation, I decided to splurge for myself and purchase the ever-so-praised, Nars Velvet Matte Tint in the shade, Finland. I knew that I needed to try out Nar's foundations before spending 45 bucks on a product. It's a pretty big investment, but my attitude towards it was just psyched to get something better for my skin that I could wear wherever, whenever without creasing, sliding around, and becoming oily easily since it is a matte foundation.
I walked into my Sephora and bee lined straight to the Nars counter just so I wouldn't have gotten distracted by the other amazing products Sephora has to offer. Commercialism, people! Anyway, I wandered over and a nice woman greeted me and I immediately got help to find the best foundation for my skin. The lady color matched me first and I think it only took her one try to figure out my shade. Props to her! I felt very comfortable with the shade and it wasn't too orange or yellow.
Nars has four different types of foundations and I ended up trying the Sheer Glow and the All Day Luminous, along with the Velvet Matte. The lady gave me three quarter sized containers of each to bring home and put to the test. To be honest, it was more than enough product to use for about a week or two (and I still have extra) to try out. You only need a pea sized amount which is great.
I knew immediately that I did not want any part of the All Day Luminous because it is a water based foundation and with my oily skin, it was a complete no-go. I was unhappy with the application as I found it to stick into every nook and cranny on my face. It took a lot to actually build coverage on my face and I have heard a lot of disappointing reviews about it. I also tried the Sheer Glow, which was okay, but I still didn't want the "extra" glow it promised, or the Sephora lady promised.
When I tried the Velvet Matte though, I knew right away that I liked it a lot. I used a Beauty Blender with all of the foundations and I think it worked best with this one. It truly is velvety smooth and leaves my skin feeling soft and crease free. With that said, I have been wearing it for about a month and it lasts a good eight hours before I notice some natural oil around my t-zone. I never thought I would like matte foundations, because they usually make my skin look dry and cracked, but this one practically does the job of a hydrating foundation without bringing out excess oil.
You get a very copious amount of product in the tube and I only use less than a pea sized amount for my entire face. Another thing that really impressed me was that it had an SPF 30. This foundation sort of reminds me of a tinted moisturizer (which I think they have as well), but without being too light coverage. It has a great medium coverage and is pretty buildable if you wanted more. For my situation, I normally don't wear a crap load of product during school, so this is great for an everyday makeup look. I think this could also be very elegant for a night out or even prom. I think because it is so matte, it's perfect for an event like that. It smoothes out everything and leaves a very natural finish.
I know paying this much for a foundation is ridiculous and there are some great alternatives out there, but a girl's gotta live a little, amirite? I was already using up my older BB creams before buying this so, I would be stuck with a pile of foundation to use up. I really think splurging on a great face product is worth it. Especially if it's something you could practically wear anywhere. I love keeping the sample jar as a travel jar so I can bring a little bit of the foundation wherever I travel. Surprisingly, I haven't heard any negative things about this foundation at all, but if you have tried it, please share your thoughts! I'd love to hear them :)
I think it's been awhile since I have reviewed an eyeshadow palette and I am very excited to be sharing this one with all of you today. The Anastasia Modern Renaissance palette has been a product that I have always admired, ever since it came out last summer, while walking past the beauty counters in the shops. I wouldn't say that I absolutely love palettes in general because they're way too big for me to ever use up, but I think this will be the first palette I have and will use up until I'm scraping the shadows from the pan.
I wrote briefly about this palette in my Christmas post as it was one of the gifts I received this past year. I think what really drew me to this palette was the entire aesthetic of it. It comes in a beautiful blush, velvet packaging that is very cute and is probably the first thing I noticed. Obviously, I was drawn to the incredibly beautiful shades. The rich golds, vibrant oranges, and deep red shades really stood out to me.
I like to buy palettes when I know I have room and the need for new eye shadows. I was holding off for awhile before Christmas to get a palette because I knew I wanted this one--and this one only. This palette is priced at around $45 and really isn't that bad for a 14 color palette (compared to an Urban Decay palette). I was so eager to try out the red shades because you would never think red would be a shade to put around your eyes. I wanted to try something new with my eye makeup and I have really loved the contrast it gives when you pop the color in the crease or on the outer lid. I recently did an eye look on my blue eyed sister, and it looks so classy and elegant. The overall theme of the palette was really well thought out. I love the renaissance inspired colors and the names are really unique to that period. I honestly feel like an artist when I use it.
I have swatched the palette a couple times in Sephora to see how the color payoff is and I was so impressed. SO IMPRESSED by Anastasia Beverly Hills. I know she has amazing products already and this palette takes the cake. Each shade is so buttery smooth. There is minor fall out here and there depending on the amount you use, but other than that, the powders are all amazingly opaque and vibrant like any paint would be.
For the sake of saving time and not having to swatch and touch every shade with my finger, I swatched two shades that I really love using. This one above is Primavera and is the perfect inner corner, champagne shade. It has just the right amount of shimmer to it and makes any eye look pop. It also is great to use on top of the lid to add a bit more definition.
I also wanted to swatch Red Ochre for you guys so you all can see the pigmentation of the deeper shades. It just looks so yummy! I think this would be a great touch to any eye look to add some color especially during the summer or fall. I guess you could also use it in the winter, but ohhh do I love this shade of red.
Each color blends really nicely and some of the deeper shades like the reds and oranges are actually better when applied with a finger to ensure all of the color to appear on the lid. Otherwise, using a brush works just as well.
Another shade I fell in love with was Buon Fresco, which is a very rich taupe (in the center above Red Ochre). I think this shade is great used all over the lid and nothing else. I have heard every blogger rave and express their love for this palette and I thought I could add to the mix for any of you looking for a new palette to try out. I think palettes can be hard to find or just hard to own because they can be expensive, too big, or maybe they just aren't the right shades you like or are comfortable with. Everybody has their own preferences and that's what I love about the variety of palettes out there. Have you tried this palette yet?
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