Month: May 2015

Maybelline The Smokes Review and Makeup Look

.Reading time 3 minutes.

Maybelline The Smokes Makeup Look The Smokes Palette I’ve been on a drugstore hunt for Maybelline’s Blushing Nudes Palette, but sadly my Walgreens was sold out. But instead I found Maybelline’s The Smokes. I don’t do a smokey eye often, and I know it’s difficult to get smokey shadows from the drugstore that blend well and have great pigment, so I picked up this 12 shadow palette. Below is a product info, review, swatches and a makeup look. Also I’ll have a surprise for you guys in the next week or so!

Review

Maybelline The Smokes

 

This palette retails between $9.99 and $12, the cheapest place to find is Ulta. The palette features 12-smokey eyeshadows, they’re all shimmering, but the shimmer comes off the brown and navy for a more matte look. It also comes with a sponge applicator but I’d use a brush. Verdict? Honestly, I’d skip this palette, yes the price is good, but the quality is pretty bad. You’ll be able to see in th swatches below, but these eyeshadows lacked pigment and were difficult to blend. I was able to get a nice look with a primer base, but I really had to build up on the lid. I’d give this palette a 4/10. If you want a smokey look for an affordable price, I’d look into L’Oreal’s La Nude Palettes. I have a review here.

Swatches

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Makeup Look

Smokey Eye

Afforable Smokey Eye

Products:

Foundation: Maybelline Fit Me Dewy and Smooth Foundation Porcelain

Concealer: Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Fair/Neutral

Brows: NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Ash Brown, filled in with original Brow Bar to Go (can use any brown brow powder), set with Milani Clear Brow Gel

Eyeshadows: All Shadows Maybelline The Smokes Palette

  1. Base: NYX Eye Base in Skintone
  2. Crease: Maybelline The Smokes, Brown (1st shadow on bottom row)
  3. Lid: Lighter Teal (1st shadow on top row)
  4. Outer V and Lower lashline: Navy (5th shadow on bottom row)
  5. Inner lid and tearduct: Granite (3rd shadow on bottom row)
  6. Browbone: Light Bronze (4th shadow top row)

Mascara: L’Oreal Carbon Black Telescopic and Miss Manga mixed.

Eyeliner: L’Oreal Silkissime in Black on outer waterline and Gold on inner.

Face Highlight: Colourpop Cosmetics Butterfly Beach 

Blush: Milani Rose D’Oro

Bronzer: Physicians Formula Argan Wear Bronzer in Light 

Powder: Makeup Forever HD Microfinish Powder (this stuff has been a lifesaver for sweat and oil)

Lips: Jordana Tawny Lipliner with Maybelline Creamy Matte Daringly Nude Lipstick and NYX Butter Gloss in Fortune Cookie.

New Colourpop Highlighters Review and Affordable Makeup Look

.Reading time 5 minutes.

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Hi guys sorry it’s been a bit since I’ve posted. I’m graduating college tomorrow and things have been a bit hectic. I also am working on a revamp for a new blog, hopefully coming soon! Anyway a few days ago I received the new Colourpop Highlighters and some of their new spring eyeshadows and a lipstick. The reviews and this makeup look are down below, and for all my girls graduating, congrats! Find all products at colourpop.com.

Review

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Above are all the products I picked up, I got four highlighters at $8 each, four eyeshadows at $5 each and a lippie stix also $5. I love Colourpop’s consistent affordability and free shipping on $30 (believe me it isn’t difficult to spend $30 bucks there!). Below are my reviews for each category and swatches.

Highlighters:

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From left to right is: Sticky Sweet, Butterfly Beach, Spoon and Wisp

Yes, I purchased basically all gold tone highlighters. Even though I have fair skin I just love a gold highlight, and when I received these the three gold tones looked almost the same. But fear not, they are different! Also, I’m giving all of these an A++++, they’re the most beautiful glows I’ve ever used, and long wearing. I like them even above my Becca highlighter. I apply mine with my fingers.

  1. Sticky Sweet: This highlighter is a bright magenta, and its fierceness is real. I would def wear this as a blush, not really a highlight. But the pigmentation is insanely beautiful.
  2. Butterfly Beach: This warm golden highlighter will give even fair-skinned girls that J.Lo glow. I was hesitant of this highlighter as I thought it would be too golden for my skin, but it’s turned into my favorite that I ordered. I’ve had a hard time with highlighters showing up with that in your face effect because of my freckles and fair skin. This one solves that problem.
  3. Spoon: Spoon is the lightest gold of the bunch. It has more of a champagne undertone and glittery flecks.
  4. Wisp: Wisp is slightly lighter than Butterfly Beach but still gives a beautiful sheen. I love this for everyday use.

 Eyeshadows:

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From bottom to top: Taco, Shop, Snapdragon and Hello

Taco: Taco is matte and a mid-tone aqua, that reminds me of 70’s mod. I think this would look great on the lower lashline or all over the lid with a nude lip. The pigmentation is great and goes on in one swipe. 9/10

Shop: I love reddy-corals like Shop. This color is also matte and goes on intense. Colors like this make green and hazel eyes pop! 10/10

Snapdragon: Snapdragon is an earthy mint color, and I’m a sucker for mint. This is a great summer staple that can be worn alone or blended with a yellow or blue for a night out. 10/10

Hello: This color screamed summer, but its performance was lackluster for me. I think compared to many powder eyeshadow yellows it’s great. But as far as Colourpop’s usual standout pigmentation it fell a bit for me. But for $5 if you want a yellow that will show, this is a great option. 7/10.

Lippie Stix:

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Yasmin Lippie Stix: Yasmin is an electric coral, matte lipstick. I am obsessed with this color. I think for summer it’s so sexy and cool girl chic, depending on what you’re wearing. Yasmin goes on opaque, doesn’t dry out lips and stays pretty darn good. This will definitely be a summer handbag staple. 9/10

Makeup Look

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BB Cream: Garnier Skin Renew BB Cream for Combination to Oily Skin in Light/Medium

Concealer: Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Fair Neutral, can also use NYX HD Photo Concealer

Powder: NYX HD Banana Powder

Brows: NYX Microbrow Pencil in Ash Brown with original Brow Bar to Go to fill in, can use an brown shadow or drugstore powder to fill in.

Eye Base: NYX Eye Base in White

Eyeshadows: Lid: Colourpop Cosmetics Hello. Cut Crease and Lower lashline: Colourpop Shop. Brow Bone: Colourpop Onai.

Eyeliner: MAC Cosmetics Costa Riche on Waterline.

Mascara: Covergirl The Super Sizer (found at Walgreens)

Cheeks: Colourpop Super Shock Cheek in Holiday

Highlighter: On cheeks and nose: Colourpop Butterfly Beach

Lips: Lipliner: Jordana Sedona Red. Lips: Colourpop Yasmin

Bachelor Degree Beauties: Graduation Dress Picks and Makeup Look

.Reading time 8 minutes.
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Appearance from Ms. Ivy

 

IMG_7374Hi beauties! Graduation season is finally here, and surprisingly I haven’t seen too many blogggers or magazines offer up looks or grad makeup. But have no fear, I’m also graduating in two weeks getting my Bachelor’s in Public Relations from Rowan University, so I know the struggle of finding graduation dresses. I’m super excited to close this chapter and open another, I’ll also be able to dedicate more time to my blog, but of course I loved shopping for my graduation dress as well. A lot of friends have struggled picking the perfect dress, so I wanted to make a list of my top picks so you can look classy, feel comfortable and look timeless (lets face it that crop top combo that’s so in right now might make you cringe in 10 years). Below are my picks! P.S. The dress above is a couple of years old from Zara, I’m not wearing this exact dress, but I’ll link mine below, it’s fairly similar.

Graduation Dresses Galore

For your dress, whether it be high school, graduation or you Master’s, I like to stick with neutral/lighter colors. Most ceremonies are outside or in a humid gymnasium so the lighter the better. Also many high school ceremonies require white, and light neutrals will always look great. I also would avoid complicated necklines, such as strapless, you want to be able to wear a regular bra comfortably of an important day.

  1. Nasty Gal Levina Lace Dress – White, $88. This is the dress I’m wearing, it’s currently sold out :(, but the length is perfect for sitting, yet still short so you won’t be hot and the lace detail is timeless. This dress is available in a blush color here, which is also a great option.
  2. Nasty Gal Daniella Lace Dress, $88. Great for adding a bit of flair with the blue color and print.
  3. Nasty Gal All A Flutter Dress, $78. This was actually my second choice, I love the 50’s style flair this brings and the flowiness.
  4. Topshop Strappy Lace Bodycon Dress, $75.
  5. Missguided Crepe Pleated Waist Detail Midi Dress Nude, $80. A midi dress is great because it won’t ride up or give you a Marilyn moment.
  6. Coldie Lace Short Sleeved Mesh Insert Midi Dress Nude, $70. This dress gives the illusion of a crop top and skirt but is one piece. The lace makes it timeless and the cropped look gives it the trend factor you’re looking for. P.S. Missguided restocks a lot, so put yourself on the email list of a dress isn’t in your size. 
  7. Mandy Brocade High Neck Skater Dress Mint, $64. If you’re a girl who loves Mad Men style, this dress is for you. I love the mint as an alternative to nude and white as well.
  8. Zara Mid length flounce dress with open back, $99.90. This dress it the epitome of timeless and has a bit of trendiness with the open back.
  9. Zara Guipure stars dress, $99.90. I LOVE this dress, I think it perfectly incorporates new trends but old school style both grandma and you can appreciate.
  10. Forever 21 Floral Lace Scoop-Back Dress, $19.53. Inexpensive and you could easily wear this again, it’s a win-win.
  11. Forever 21 Eyelash Lace Combo Dress, $27.90.
  12. ASOS PETITE Embellished Crop Top Skater Dress, $81. Perfect baby blue and the embellishment adds an extra glam factor.
  13. ASOS Mesh Insert Fit And Flare V Neck Mini Dress, $87. This is for my girls who just love black. The nude skirt inserts make this summer apporiate, while giving you that classic and sleek style.
  14. ASOS Premium Romper With High Neck In Bonded Satin, $99. A lot of my friends love a romper, and I think it’s totally cute and appropriate, you just have to find the right one. This one is super elegant.
  15. Urban Outfitters Kimchi Blue Pinafore Lace Mini Dress in White, $79.
  16. Urban Outfitters Kimchi Blue Medallion Fit + Flare Dress, $79. This dress comes in a baby pink, sky blue and white, and they would all fit perfect for graduation. Also the unique lace adds a trendsetter vibe.
  17. Macy’s Jessica Simpson Kymball Lace Dress, $69.
  18. Sabo Skirt Wander Lace Dress – Vanilla, $39.
  19. Francesca’s Rayne Lace Dress, $48.
  20. Francesca’s Zoe Lace Romper, $48.

Recommended Footwear

I would wear a wedge or heeled sandal, as many ceremonies are outside. I would not wear a high heel as it may get stuck in the grass, or you could trip (that’d be me, for sure). My top picks are below:

  1. Anthropologie Jeffrey Campbell Eudora Heels, $178.oo. These are the shoes I’ll be wearing, in the color Honey. They are way over what I would normally spend, but I know Jeffrey Campbell’s are extremely comfortable while still looking great. I also love a suede insole in case your feet get clammy in the heat.
  2. Steve Madden Women’s Rosana Block Heel City Sandals, $99.
  3. Aldo OKELANI High-Heel Sandal, $90. This shoe is available in cognac, white and black, perfect for any dress.
  4. GoJane Fringe Forever Strappy Chunky Heels, $33.70.
  5. Zara Fringed block heel leather sandals, $99.

Makeup

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Products:

Foundation: L’Oreal Infalliable Pro-Matte 24 Hour Foundation in Classic Ivory (I recommended putting an SPF on under)

Concealer: Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer on Fair Neutral

Powder: NYX HD Banana Powder

Brows: Tarte Amazonian Clay Waterproof Brow Mousse in Medium Brown, NYX Brow Mascara in Brunette

Eyeshadows: NYX Eye Base in Skin Tone, LORAC 1: Lt. Bronze on Lid, Taupe in Crease, Sable on Lower Lashline, Cream on Browbone. Anastasia Beverly Hills Lavish Palette Rum Cake LE on outer lid, can use any shimmery brown. MAC Pigment in Naked on top of Lt.Bronze, used with MAC Fix +.

Eyeliner: Jordana Cateye Liner in Brown on Upper lashline. L’Oreal Voluminous Smoldering Eyeliner in Brown on Waterline.

Mascara: L’Oreal Telescopic in Carbon Black.

Blush: Colourpop Cosmetics Holiday

Highlighter: BECCA Cosmetics Liquid Highlighter in Opal topped with BECCA Pressed Powder in Moonstone.

Lips: MAC Soar lipliner all over the lips and NYX Black Label Lipstick in Tea Rose.