After a bit of a hiatus, I’m back and happy to get out of my makeup rut with two super collabs from Dose of Colors DesixKaty collection (Youtubes: Desi Perkins and Lustrelux) and JaclynHillxMorphe Eyeshadow Palette (Youtube: Jaclyn Hill).
I did grab a ton from the DesixKaty collab and most of the collection worked beautifully, I especially love the liquid lipstick in Hot Fire, Fuego Highlighter and The Girls palette. But the lipsticks in No Shade and More Creamer Please, are a bit tough to pull off on my pale princess skin. They can definitely be mixed though if you want a bit of a more yellow undertone. Just wanted to give a little mini breakdown, see below for all the look deets!
Jaclyn Hill x Morphe Palette $38 and Dose of Colors DesixKaty The Girls Palette $28 (follow both brands and the girls as these come back in stock soon!) Noted as JH (for Jaclyn Hill Palette) and DxK (for DesixKaty products)
I’m back everyone! Sorry it’s been so long since I have posted, but work and life have gotten in the way as of late. I wanted my next post to be meaningful, and not just a summer makeup post (no worries, those will be coming!).
So with that, my best friend is in the process of going vegetarian and is transferring all of her makeup to cruelty free brands, which is something I would love to do as well soon. So I wanted to make a post about both high end and affordable brands who are CF (cruelty free) and V (vegan), and some of my favorite products. I also created a full face makeup look. So, take your step to saving the fur children and read below.
PS, note that many parent brands for example L’Oreal, who tests on animals, own cruelty free brands such as NYX, so that could be an ethics issue for some. (I’ve put a * next to these brands) Doing research is key, and apps such as Cruelty Cutter, can help when shopping. Also, not all of my posts from here on out will feature only CF and V brands/products, but I am looking to make the shift over the next few months.
Cruelty Free Makeup Brands
*Look for the cruelty free label on most brand’s websites or in their about me/FAQ section.
**Additionally, I’ve only listed brands I personally have used below. I will be testing more brands soon.
Hello everyone! I’ve been waiting to break out the insanely beautiful MAC Spellbinder Shadow in Mysterious Influence for a twist on a smokey eye, so I did today for this makeup look. I will say while these shadows are beautiful, they are very finicky to work with. I would recommend applying your foundation after your eyeshadow, and tapping any excess powder off your brush because the fallout from this was crazy! Needless to say even with some not-so-great attributes, I really loved the way this color looked on the eyes. Read below for how I achieved this look, and I’ll have some Valentine’s Day posts coming up soon 🙂
Lid: Applied more of Valley Girl in the center of the lid
Outer lid: Used some of Kat Von D’s Jet shadow from the Metal Matte palette to darken the very outer part of the lid. Can use any black shadow.
Lower lashline: Morphe 35O row 5, shade 2 (golden bronze), then blended Mysterious Influence with that, then used a black shadow with a definer brush close to lower lashes to deepen.
2017 is upon us, and with it I’m sure some holy grail makeup products will launch, but let’s not forget about the 2016 standouts! My favorites for 2016 have a mix of high end and drugstore, and also this year I discovered the importance of moisturizing so I even have some skin care in my line-up.The products below are the ones that will be in my makeup bag for a long, long time. So if you’re still on the hunt for your must-have makeup staples read below for the best in foundations, lipsticks, eyeshadow palettes, brushes and more!
Happy almost New Year everyone! I hope 2017 brings you lots of love, inspiration and of course lots of makeup! I wanted to get up what I think is the perfect look for New Year’s Eve– silver, glitter and a bold lip! Read on to find out what I used to get this look and some dupes if you can’t get the products I have in time.
*For the matte Kat Von D Shades below, use any matte eyeshadows to achieve this look! I like NYX’s Nude Matte Shadow which you can get at Ulta. You really just need a good matte light brown, black and white shadow for the browbone.
Crease: Kat Von D Metal Matte Palette shades Suede and then Stone (blended with a fluffy eyeshadow brush)
I promised I’d be back at it again (every time I say this the Damn Daniel kid’s voice rings in my head) with another blog post! I love when you feel inspired by a makeup look that’s something fresh in the sea of overdone looks, and that’s how I felt about model Taylor Hill’s makeup from the MTV Video Music Awards; Glamour breaks down her look here. The lovely and wearable makeup reminds me of a beauty look ripped straight from Brigitte Bardot, but with a some new wave flair with the glittery lids. Even though the VMA’s are known for the wild and crazy ensembles, I feel like this year’s red carpet featured a ton of wearable looks for you next event or date night.
We may not all have Taylor’s pout, eyebrow game or perfect wispy flyaways, (I tried and ultimately looked like my hair got stuck in a hanger, so back it went) but anyone can achieve this look. See my steps below with some affordable options as well, and I even give a mini lesson on how to get that sleek ballerina bun!
Tip: Use a brush that is not stiff and not too fluffy. I used an old Estee Lauder similar to their Contour Shadow Brush then I packed color into the outer V with a standard eyeshadow brush like the Sigma E55.
Use a boar bristle brush, I use one similar to the Wigo Teasing Boar Bristle Brush, and some hair spray then flip hair over and smooth all around into a high ponytail.
Secure hair in a high ponytail with an elastic.
Bobby pin any sections that may be a bit lumpy and bumpy (no need to work those arm muscles by starting all over)
Twist the ponytail into a bun and secure hair with bobby pins as you go. Shape as you go along until it’s sleek and round. If you have layers you can use bobby pins to tuck those pieces away.
Then spritz with some hairspray (pull some front framing pieces out if you’re lucky to have cute ones) and you’re all set.
I’m finally back in action! I’m so sorry I’ve been MIA posting, life got in the way. I promise I’m not going to let it get in the way of my creativity as this is what I love and I don’t want to let any fellow beauty junkies down! I’m also going to try to incorporate some fashion posts into the blog this fall. Unfortunately, not all bloggers have got a photographer savant BF/husband to take some slay-worthy photos, but I’m gonna make it work so I can put up more content, anyway on to this review. Today, I’m reviewing Juvia’s Place Nubian 2 palette which I originally spotted on Nikkie Tutorials Snapchat. The colors and pigmentation caught my eye, and then I saw how affordable this palette is for the size and number of shadows and I knew I had to try it. Below are all the pretty nitty gritty details!
Individual size: 3.5 grams, a standard MAC eyeshadow is 1.3 grams
Pigmentation: 8.5/10
Longevity: 6 hours no primer, 10 hours with primer
Blendability: 7.5/10
Fallout: 5/10
Summary: If you’re looking for a pigmented and stunningly colorful palette, the Nubian 2 has all that and more. Even on workdays or more laid back occasions I find a use for the neutrals in this palette. I personally use Morocco, Jezebel and Yaas a ton; Yaas is especially stunning for green eyes. If you like Yaas, Colourpop’s Game Face is similar if you’re not in the game for a full palette right now. The mattes in this palette are all you would ever really need to blend, but the shimmers are really the stars of the show. The only downfalls are the shimmers have a decent amount of fallout and once you blend them you do have to go back in and re-apply color as the shades pigment blends away a bit. I usually apply my foundation and concealer last with this palette, which is something I’ve never loved doing, but if you want your makeup to look good you do what you have too. So how long does this baby last? I know I for one hate reapplying my makeup. The true test was when I wore this palette recently for my cousin’s outdoor wedding in the 86 degree heat, and with a setting spray it lasted all day and night long. A huge win in my beauty book. The value is also great compared to other palettes as the pan sizes are huge and the pigment is spot on. If you’re looking for a new affordable palette, each shadow breaks down to $2.50 a piece in this! I say if you really are lusting for a colorful and shimmering palette that’s versatile this is an awesome staple that’s also affordable.
Good afternoon lovelies! I’m so so sorry I’ve been MIA, the month of May was crazy busy for me as I started a new position at work and had some big events like my sister’s college graduation which I had to be out of town for. I’m back and ready to be on my more consistent posting schedule, and play with some makeup! This week I’ve decided to review some new products including the Ofra x Manny MUA liquid lipsticks, Makeup Revolution Highlighters and Urban Decay’s One and Done Foundation. Next week I think I’m going to whip up a bright summer makeup look using the NYX Brights Ultimate Eyeshadow Palette and do a review of that. I used some of the shadows from that palette for this look, but I think it deserves it’s own post! Anyway, I’ll stop rambling and get into the reviews down below!
This foundation is more or less a hybrid between a beauty balm, concealer and foundation. What this means for us is you get a light to medium coverage, this definitely doesn’t build to full, that is lightweight and provides pretty good coverage. I use the shade light, which is supposed to cover skin tones 0.5-3.25 based on Urban Decay’s other Naked Skin Foundation colors. I was definitely hesitant to commit to this as the color looked darker than what my super light skin could handle, so I first got a sample. The color is a teensy bit dark but if you get any sort of color in the summer this will work fine if you’re fair. I don’t get tan by any means but I do go up usually one to two shades.
I purchased the full size and really think this is a great summer foundation as it is really light on the skin, while still evening out my skintone. The bottle features a pump which is wonderful for bringing this on the go, and this product has SPF 20 which also sold me for summertime wear. For reference there are five shades, which cover a pretty large spectrum and they all have a range like the Light shade. This is a foundation I can see for workdays and outside summer events, but the coverage isn’t great for a special occasion. This wore on me for about 7 hours. I’d give this a product an 8/10 overall.
Shades from left to right: Aries, Charmed, Hypno
MannyxOFRA Lip Set $49.70 (Individually sold for $19.90)
I’ve always been a huge fan of OFRA Cosmetics liquid lipsticks: they’re a whipped formula, not too heavy and they stay like a dream, especially my favorite red named appropriately for me, Atlantic City. So I swoopd in on the Manny shades as the were limited edition, but lucky for you they are permanent now. Manny MUA is a Youtube and Instagram beauty guru, and I’ve actually never watched his videos (I have to get on that), but I saw so many other beauty guru’s wearing these gorgeous shades I knew I had to have them! These colors did not disappoint (I have arm and lip swatches below) and they wear beautifully.
The first and lightest shade, Aries, is a peachy nude on me unlike any other color I own as far as nude lipsticks go, and I like it so much better on than when I originally saw it. It gives that punch of color without washing me out and it wears for about 6 hours, and is easy to build if you need to touch up a bit. The second shade, Charmed, is my favorite. It’s a mid-tone pink with a hint of berry that is just the perfect everyday color. I also think this shade wears the best of them all longevity wise at about 7 hours. The third shade, Hypno, I did not like on me at first. It was one of those shades I felt wasn’t dark enough to be vampy and was too dark to wear as a mauve shade. The color has grown on me, but this is also the driest formula. Not that it cracks or anything, it’s just not as airy as the other two shades. I think Kathleen Lights Havana Nights shade is a way way better option if you want a vampy and super comfortable shade, but I think that buying Manny’s set is still a great investment for the nude-mauve lip lover. I’m not going to rate the set, as I think they all wear a bit differently, but I do think it’s a good purchase. Also, OFRA is always offering 30% off so check out their social media sites!
I’ve been hearing about the brand Makeup Revolution a little bit on Youtube and never really had the desire to try anything until I read an article that Khloe Kardashian loves their Radiance Lights highlighter. Say what you will about the Kardashian’s, but they know their shit when it comes to the glow life. So, while I was in Ulta I picked up two shades, Golden Lights and Radiance Lights, and I will say I don’t love Radiance. It doesn’t kick off enough va-vam factor for me, but Golden Lights is amazing for fair skin. It is one of the most intense highlighters I’ve used especially at a drugstore price. I will say these are on the powdery side, but I think that Golden is a great buy. If you have more olive skin Radiance might show more, but it really didn’t give me an intense highlighted effect. I’d rate Golden at a 8/10 and Radiance a 5/10.
Swatches
Golden Lights on top and Radiance Lights closer to wrist
Makeup Look
Primer: Smashbox Primer Water
Foundation: Urban Decay One and Done Foundation in Light
Concealer: Naked Skin Concealer in Fair Neutral
Powder: Maybelline Loose Powder
Brows: Colourpop Pencils in Bangin Brunette and Black ‘n’ Brown with NYX Control Freak Clear Brow Mascara
Brow Bone and Inner corner: Makeup Revolution Highlighter in Golden Lights
Lower lashline: NYX Bright Ultimate palette periwinkle blue shade (3rd row first shadow) with bright blue shade on the outer half (3rd row second shadow)
Eyeliners:
Top: Maybelline Gel Liner in Blackest Black (applied with an IT cosmetics angled brush for that knife sharp edge) topped with Kat Von D Trooper Tattoo Liner
When Coachella hits its officially festival season. I’m sure like me, many of you have lusted over the perfectly mused, slightly lived-in makeup and outfit vibes of Victoria’s Secret models, musicians and fashion bloggers. My motto for a great festival look is bronze, highlight and a pop of color. I love to use bronzes for festival looks as they give that desert vibe that looks messy yet chic. With so many festival or even just summer concerts, I’m already booked for Beyonce and The Lumineers!, you can wear a bronzy look like this all summer long. Keep reading for how I got this look.
Makeup Look
Moisturizer: Neutrogena Hydro-Boost Gel in SPF 15 (so important to wear sunscreen to any outdoor event this season. I like to use a moisturizer with SPF and a foundation/BB cream with one too).
Concealer: Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Fair Neutral.
Powder: Maybelline MasterFix loose powder
Brows: Colourpop Brow Pencils in Bangin’ Brunette and Black N’ Brown (previously blog post shows how I use these). Topped with NYX brow mascara in Espresso
Eyeshadows:
Crease: Too Faced PB&J Palette shade Peanut Butter (any warm soft matte shadow will do)
Browbone: Too Faced PB&J Extra Creamy (any off white shadow will work)
Lower lashline: Too Faced PB&J Peanut Brittle with the darker bronze shade in the Carli Bybel palette on the outside. Her lighter bronze would work in place of Peanut Brittle.
Lashes: L’Oreal Carbon Blac Telescopic Mascara with Ardell Demi Wispies cut in half on the outer lash. (Cut your lashes in half for a more natural lash look, honestly I’d just go with mascara for a festival).
Bronzer: L’Oreal Glam Bronze in Light $14.99. So I could not find this online at all. It’s a new limited edition bronzer and you get a very large pan. I think the color is a bit cool, but it is pretty great for really fair skin like mine. I didn’t think it looked muddy at all. I put photos below incase you find this in-store; I got mine at Walgreens.
Highlighters: MAC x Rihanna RiRi Hearts Cream Higlighter in Diamonds (this is from 2013, but any liquid or cream gold highlighter will do I love Benefit’s Watts Up as well). I topped this with the gold shade in the Carli Bybel palette (3rd highlighter in). Get your paws on her palette soon, it’s going to be discontinued in June!
Blush: NYX Ombre Blush in Strictly Chic
Lips: Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip in Tansy topped with an old Bath and Body Works gloss (any tinted gloss with shimmer will work) You defintely want a no fuss lip look for these types of events. I love Colourpop’s Ultra Satin lips, they’ll stay all day and wear comfortably.
Top: Forever 21 Festival Collection (similar here and here)
Necklace: ASOS Pieces Benna Statment Necklace (sold out :(, but I love ASOS’s costume jewelry, it lasts long and looks/feel expensive without Urban Outfitters prices) Type in silver statement necklace in their search and you’ll find a ton of similar options.
Happy Spring everyone! Sorry I’ve been a little makeup-post MIA, but my skin was freaking out over the past month and I finally got it to behave. Listen to your Momma when she tells you less is more; I swear with all the skincare obsession you see on Youtube and social media you want to just pile it on. That’s not to say skincare isn’t important, but just remember if a simple routine works for you don’t feel the need to add this oil and that cleanser and a toner to the mix, but do always add a sunscreen for daytime. I’m loving the Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel in SPF 15; it’s light, doesn’t smell like sunscreen, hydrating and doesn’t break me out! Anyway, on to this post which is all about my favorite affordable brand, Colourpop. I swear each season they kill it even more. Read on to hear my stance on their new brow and Ultra Satin lip products!
Review and Swatches
Colors from left to right: Petit Four, Marshmallow, Lost, Cozy, Lyin’ King, Tansy, Frick ‘n’ Frack, Echo Park, Magic Wand
Colourpop’s Ultra Satin Lips retail for $6 and hit the market right as many bloggers and makeup lovers started to lose faith they’d get a long-wearing lipstick that didn’t dry the shit out of their lips. Well welcome the best formula I have ever worn, and I mean ever. I purchased nine shades in a variety of colors, and not one color wears any less than the others, which can often happen with darker colors that aren’t a matte. Speaking of, these lipsticks are not transfer-proof, but they do stay put on your lips for about 6 hours with eating and drinking. They are honestly the perfect lipstick. You get that longevity you love from a matte without the crusting and drying of a matte liquid lipstick. Seriously, I would hitch these things if I could. All the shades are great, but particular standouts for me are Frick ‘n’ Frack (I wear this almost daily), Cozy (the perfect spring coral with a hint of spice), Magic Wand and Lyin’ King (best name ever). 10/10
Brow pencils in: Black N’ Brown and Bangin’. Brunette Bangin’ Brunette brow color.
So for the brows, the pencils retail for $5 each and the brow color retails for $6, I still am working with these to see how much I really like them. The pencils are much creamier than say the NYX Microbrow Pencil, and if you’re not careful you can get really heavy-handed. I personally use Bangin’ Brunette (the lighter pencil) in light strokes in the beginning of my brow through the arch. Than I use Black N’ Brown towards the tail, and brush through it all with the spoolie. I like to use the brow color if I’m going out, I think it’s a bit intense for everyday. The one thing I don’t love about these is how long the handle/twist up is, it makes it really awkward to hold and you can only get a little product out. Overall, for the price I think these are a win, but if you don’t mind spending the extra $5, I still prefer my NYX microbrow pencils. 7.5/10
The Beauty Capsule 