Tag: milani

Cruelty Free Makeup Look and Top Animal Friendly Brands and Products

.Reading time 5 minutes.

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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.

Favorite blog: Cruelty Free Kitty

Favorite Youtuber:  Carli Bybel 

My Favorite Cruelty Free Products:

High End

Affordable Makeup

Makeup Look:

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Primer: Too Faced Hangover Replenishing Primer (V)

Foundation: Too Faced Born this Way Foundation in Snow (V)

Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in Fair (V)

Powder: Cover FX Perfect Setting Powder in Light Medium (V)

Brows: NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Chocolate (CF). Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel (CF).

Bronzer: Colourpop Skinny Dip (CF) (discontinued, I like the Physicians Formula bronzers as listed above for all my fellow pale gals)

Blush: Milani Berry Amore Baked Blush

Eyeshadows: All Too Faced Natural Love Ultimate Neutral Eyeshadow Palette (CF) (read Temptalia’s review for an in-depth review of each shade)

  • Crease: Lace Teddy and Nudie
  • Outer crease: Makeup & Chill
  • Lid: Tickle Me (all over), Push-Up (mid to outer lid), Love Bug (inner lid) Kittens (center)
  • Outer V: Undercover
  • Lower lashline: Love Bug, Coffee Date and Undercover
  • Browbone: Heaven

Mascara: Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara (CF)

Lashes: Ardell Studio Effects Demi Wispies (CF)

Liquid Liner: NYX Matte Liquid Liner (CF)

Blush: Milani Berry Amore Baked Blush (CF)

Highlighter: Wet n Wild MegaGlo Highlighting Powder in Precious Petals (CF) (also used for my inner corner highlight)

Lip liner: Kat Von D Everlasting Lip Liner in Lolita (V)

Lipstick: Too Faced Melted Matte Liquid Lipstick in Suck It (CF)

Setting Spray: Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Mist (V)

 

 

Rosy Valentine’s Day Makeup

.Reading time 3 minutes.

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Hello lovelies; we are only a few days out from Valentine’s Day, or Valentine’s Day weekend, and I wanted to get a romantic makeup look up that also has a sexy edge. You can definitely interchange the lipstick for something nude if a flirty romantic vibe is more your thing, or you could change the brown eyeshadow I used to smoke this out with a black for a more sultry look. Whether you’re spending the day swapping candy hearts with your significant other or hitting the movie theatres to see a certain lust-filled movie (okay, it’s Fifty Shades Darker) with your girlfriends (or you’re doing both, because you should never forget about your girls!) this is the perfect Valentine’s Day Makeup. Read below for all the details.

Makeup Look

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Foundation: L’Oreal Pro Glow in Classic Ivory applied with a Beauty Blender (I can’t believe I waited until now to try one; I swear you see a difference!)

Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in Fair  (applied down the bridge of the nose, under the eyes, on the center of the forehead and sides of nose)

Powder: Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder

Brows: Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil in 5, and filled in with Benefit ka-Brow in 4 

Eyeshadows: 

The Best List: Best of Beauty 2016!

.Reading time 3 minutes.

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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!

Face Products

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Ole Henriksen Nurture Me $40

First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Hydrating Serum $36

MAC Prep and Prime Fix+ $23

L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation $12.99

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Full Coverage Foundation $39

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Complete Coverage Concealer $28

Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer $24 

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Concealer $8.99 

Maybelline FaceStudio Master Fix Setting + Perfecting Loose Powder $8.99

Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder $30  

Eye Products

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Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil in 4 $24

Colourpop Bangin’ Brunette and Black N’ Brown Pencil $5 each 

NYX Tinted Brow Mascara in Espresso $6.99

Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette $42 

Morphe 35O Palette $22.99

BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Palette $14.50 

NYX Matte Liquid Liner $6.99

Jordana Cat Eyeliner $3.99

L’Oreal Paris Infallible Silkissime Eyeliner $6.19

Maybelline Eye Studio Lasting Drama Eyeliner $6.99

L’Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara $9.99

Benefit Roller Lash Super Curling & Lifting Mascara $24 

Ardell Cluster Wispies Demi Wispies $3.99

Eylure Vegas Nay Grand Glamour Lashes $7.99

Velour Silk Lashes in Fluff n’ Whispie $26 

House of Lashes White Lash Glue $8 

Cheeks & Highlighters

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Milani Baked Blushes $8.29 each 

NYX Ombre Blushes $9.99

Becca X Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop Shimmering Skin Perfector $38 

Makeup Revolution Vivid Baked Highlighters in Radiant Lights and Golden Lights $6 each

Lips

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Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil in Uptight $20 

Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip in Frick N’ Frack and Echo Park $6 each 

Maybelline Color Jolt Lip Paint in Stripped Down $9.99

Maybelline The Loaded Bolds Lip Color in Raging Raisin $7.49 

Smashbox Always On Liquid Lipstick in Disorderly and Bawse $24 each 

Tarte Double Duty Beauty Lip Sculptor in VIP $24 

Brushes & Tools

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*In bold is what I personally use each brush for. 

Foundation: It Brushes for Ulta Airbrush Buffing Foundation Brush #110 $24 

Blush: Morphe MB1 Deluxe Powder Brush $10.99 

Crease: Morphe MB13 Deluxe Blending Fluff Brush $4.99

Blending brush for lower lashline: Morphe MB18 Round Crease Brush $3.99

Lid: Morphe MB20 Oval Shadow Brush $3.99 

Concealer: Real Techniques Makeup Sponge $10.99 for 2 pack 

Highlight: Real Techniques Setting Brush $3.92 

Powder: Sonia Kashuk Core Tools Synthetic Buffing Brush $12.99

Crease: MAC 224 Tapered Blending Brush $32 

Lid: MAC 239 Eye Shader Brush $25 

For pigments and glitters: MAC 242 Shader Brush $25 

Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner $42.97 

 

 

Bring on the Shine 2017: Silver and Smokey NYE Makeup

.Reading time 3 minutes.

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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.

Makeup Look

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Foundation: L’Oreal Infallible Pro-Glow Foundation in Classic Ivory 

Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in Fair 

Powder: Kat Von D Setting Powder

Brows: Colourpop Black N’ Brown Pencil with NYX Brow Mascara in Espresso to set

Eyeshadows: (In order of application)

*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.

Liquid Liner: NYX Matte Liquid Liner

Lashes: Eylure Luxe Faux Mink Gilded Lashes

Bottom eyeliner: L’Oreal Silkissime in Black (only on the outer half)

Contour: All Kat Von D Shade and Light. Temples to bronze: Shadowplay. Hollows of the cheeks and nose: Sombre.

Blush: Milani Rose D’Oro (I get Milani at CVS)

Highlighter: Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone

Lip liner: Jordana Plush Plum lipliner (get at Walgreens)

Lipstick: Milani Amore Matte Metallic Lip Creme in My Soulmate (found this recently at CVS, but can’t find it online. Similar: Making Me Matte) 

Gloss:  Maybelline Shine Shot 

Bodysuit: Boohoo

Necklace: BaubleBar 

 

 

 

The New List: Review of New Summer Makeup + Makeup Look

.Reading time 9 minutes.

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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!

Reviews

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Urban Decay One & Done Hybrid Complexion Perfector $34

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.

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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!

Swatches

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Makeup Revolution Vivid Baked Highlighters in Golden Lights and Radiance Lights $6 each

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

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Golden Lights on top and Radiance Lights closer to wrist 

Makeup Look

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  • 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
  • Eyeshadow:
    • Crease: Milani Earthy Elements Eye Palette second shade in
    • Outer crease: NYX Brights Ultimate shadow palette burnt orange shade (last shadow top row)
    • Outer V: Same burnt orange shade
    • Lid: Makeup Revolution Highlighter in Radiance
    • 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:
  • Mascara: L’Oreal Carbon Black telescopic applied before lashes (top only)
  • Lashes: Ardell 120 Demi Wispies
  • Blush: NYX Strictly Chic Ombre Blush
  • Highlighter: Makeup Revolution Golden Lights
  • Lips: Ofra X Manny collab Aries liquid lipstick
  • Top: H&M $5!

Fresh Faced Spring Makeup: L’Oreal Lumi Cushion Foundation Review

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IMG_4663Spring weather seems like it’s finally going to make an appearance in New Jersey this week and I’m itching to wear some of spring’s newest trends (blog post to come on spring trends!) and try out some new looks. I purchased the L’Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation, also is it just me or are foundation names getting longer than texts from your Mom? Anyway, I wanted to review this probably 3 weeks ago but I still couldn’t determine how I felt about it. So after week of trying this out I have a verdict! Read on below for the review and as always this drugstore makeup look.

Review

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So cushion foundations are all the rage right now, this spring is definitely stepping out of the matte looks we’ve been seeing for the past two years. This cushion foundation is light to medium coverage, as are most cushion foundations. It features a puff applicator that may be useful for touch-ups throughout the day, but I didn’t like the way it applied my foundation. This foundation is on the pricier side for a drugstore foundation at $16.99 and you only get 0.52 oz of product, whereas you normally get 1 oz for most foundations. There’s also 12 shades, but if you are extremely fair you may have a hard time as I did. There isn’t a standard N1 or W1 like the original True Matches which I find to be frustrating. But, N2 works okay for me when I blend it out.

I’ve found that the best way to apply this foundation is with a Real Techniques sponge, rather than a brush or the puff applicator. I can build it easiest this way; this foundation will only build to a medium coverage so keep that in mind. For being a “lumi” foundation this formula dries my skin out like crazy, even with a moisturizer or primer underneath. This is why it took so long for me to test because I wanted to make sure another product wasn’t drying out my skin! I also typically don’t have sensitive skin, but this gave my skin tiny textured bumps (they go away after a day or so, but still not thrilled). I’m not saying this won’t work for your skin type, but I really, really wanted to like this and I just can’t with the way my skin is reacting.

I think I can use it up, but I will not repurchase. I personally think Maybelline’s Dream Matte Hydrating Foundation is  better value and more hydrating, with better coverage. Or if you love L’Oreal’s foundations go with the original True Match Lumi, which is an old favorite of mine. An overall score for me is 5/10. Let me know your favorite cushion foundations because I think they’re great for spring and summer!

Makeup Look

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Moisturizer: Neutrogena Hydro Boost Water Gel SPF15 (found mine at Walgreens in-store; can’t find on their website).

Foundation: L’Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation in N2 Classic Ivory

Concealer: Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Fair 

Powder: Maybelline Master Fix Setting Powder 

Brows: Maybelline Brow Define and Fill Duo in Deep Brown (just used pencil side) and Maybeline Master Brow Drama Palette in Deep Brown to fill in. Set with NYX Brow Mascara in Espresso

Eyeshadows:

  • Crease: NYX Matte Shadow Dance the Tides and Milani Earthy Elements Palette 3rd shade (orange color) in the outer crease.
  • Lid: Dance the Tides in the outer lid, wit Earthy Elements Palette 2nd shade (camel brown) on the center and inner lid.
  • Browbone: 1st shade (frosty beige) Milani palette.
  • Lower lashline: Orange and camel shades mixed.

Eyeliner: Top: Jordana Cat Eyeliner in Black Brown. Bottom: Maybelline Gel Pencil Liner in Glazed Toffee.

Mascara: L’Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black with Maybelline the Rocket on top (an oldie but a goodie)

Blush: Colourpop Supershock Cheek in Bonus (discontinued) similar Holiday.

Highlighter: Colourpop Highlighter in Wisp (on tops of cheeks, bridge of nose and cupid’s bow).

Lips: Lipliner: Jordana Easy Liner in Sedona Red. Lipstick: Colourpop Ultra Satin Lip in Cozy (review of these coming soon!).

Top: Marshall’s.

Fun Fact: Look created while throwing it back to Fall Out Boy’s Under the Cork Tree

 

 

 

Modern Day Retro: Oscar Party Look

.Reading time 3 minutes.

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Hello and happy weekend! I am currently sitting in my PJ’s on this Saturday night because I am just a partayyyy animal. Anyway, I hope all my party animals and not so party animals get some inspiration from this look. I’ve been dying to use the Buxom Eyeshadow Bar Single in Wild Nights since I picked it up from Sephora a few weeks ago. I thought I’d do a “modern day retro” look that is kind-of Oscars inspired with this shadow. I originally wanted to load this look with NYX’s Glitter Brilliants in Violet and it was a hot mess. I tried with Too Faced Glitter Glue (NYX’s reviews say it works well with the NYX glitter glue so I may try that) but besides that my glitter stopped coming out no matter how much I shook it! So anyway major disappointment on the glitter front, but I absolutely love how this came out. So if you’re going to an Oscars screening party or just want to feel a little extra glam try this look out! Deats are below 🙂

Makeup Details

 

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Primer: Nivea Men’s Post Shave Balm

Foundation: Maybelline Dream Velvet Foundation in Warm Porcelain

Concealer: Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Fair Neutral

Contour: NYX Sculpt and Highlight Duo in Ivory/Taupe, only used the Taupe shade to contour my nose and cheekbones. Blended out with a Real Techniques sponge.

Powder: Maybelline Perfecting Loose Powder 

Brows: Maybelline Fill and Define Duo in Deep Brown with Anastasia Dipbrow in Dark Brown and NYX Brow Mascara in Brunette.

Eyeshadows: All Shadows are from the Morphe 35N palette and the Buxom single eyeshadow. I will put the row number for the Morphe palette.

  1. Crease: Row 3, shadow 4 (purple) blended through the crease with a fluffy blending brush. Then I used the shade right new to that (terracotta reddish) with a MAC 217 just above in the outer crease.
  2. Outer crease: Row 4, shadow 7 (deeper purple) blended out in an exaggerated wing shape with a MAC 217 brush. Blend up towards your hairline. Don’t worry if this is messy at first I cleaned it up with a sharp line of concealer and then blended with my makeup sponge. This gives you a sharper, cleaner line.
  3. Lid: Buxom Wild Nights eyeshadow.
  4. Lower lashline: Wild Nights on a pencil brush and shadow in Row 4, shadow 6 (a deep eggplant shade) on a flat definer brush. Then I blended with a large fluffy brush.
  5. Browbone: Row 1, shadow 1.
  6. Inner Corner Highlight: Colourpop Highlighter in Wisp

Lashes: Ardell Wispies style in 305 with L’Oreal Telescopic in Carbon Black

Eyeliner: Jordana Cat Eye Liner in Black (to cover the lashband) and Rimmel ScandelEyes liner in Nude.

Blush: Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

Highlighter: Colourpop Wisp (used on cheekbones, bridge of the nose and cupid’s bow)

Lips: Jordana Tawny Lip Liner and NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick in Vintage.

Top: Forever 21 

 

 

 

Hello Halo: Romantic Halo Eye Look For V-Day

.Reading time 4 minutes.

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So it’s Valentine’s Day weekend, or Galentine’s Day weekend or love yourself weekend, whatever it may be a Halo eye makeup look is calling your name. This style eye makeup, where you use a darker color on the outer and inner corner, and a lighter, often shimmery shade on the center lid, is my latest obsession. This is a recreation of the makeup look the Queen of Eye Makeup, Jaclyn Hill, did here. This look is honestly natural enough for everyday, but adds that little pop of allure and sexiness to your eyes depending on the shades you pick. I also have decided 2016 is the comeback of satin and more glossy lip looks. Colourpop is releasing a satin lip collection on Thursday that looks swoon-worthy, and I couldn’t be more relieved. I think we all need a bit of a breather from all matte everything (not that I don’t like a good matte lip every once in a while). Below is the makeup look per usual and my top favorite romantic palettes, so tell your significant other if they’re stuck on a Valentine’s Day gift! Anyway have an amazing chocolate-induced weekend, pop in a romantic movie (even if that’s Magic Mike, like I will probably be watching; no shame here!), and definitely recreate this look!

Makeup Look

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Primer: BECCA Backlight Priming Filter 

Foundation: Maybelline Dream Velvet Soft-Matte Hydrating Foundation in Warm Porcelain

Concealer: NYX HD Concealer in Porcelain

Powder: Maybelline FaceStudio Translucent Powder

Brows: Maybelline Brow Define and Fill Duo in Deep Brown to shape brows (used pencil end) and NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder in Brunette (deepest shade) to fill in. NYX Brow Mascara in Espresso to set.

Eyeshadows: Used LORAC Pro Palette for the whole eye look, other than a Mac Pigment. 

  • Crease: Taupe then used Mauve slightly above the crease with a MAC 224.
  • Outer lid: Sable with a teeny bit of Espresso in the outer V to deepen used a MAC 217.
  • Inner lid: Sable, really build this to a diffused brown with a blending brush, I used the MAC 217. Don’t put in inner corner where you’d highlight. This gives rounded eyes more of an almond shape.
  • Lid: Champagne, then topped with MAC pigment in Tan. Spritzed my MAC 242 brush with Fix + then applied the pigment.
  • Browbone: Nude
  • Lower lashline: Sable blended out with Mauve on a pencil brush.
  • Inner corner highlight: BECCA x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop

Lashes: L’Oreal Carbon Black Telescopic with Ardell Wispies 600 lashes. These are STUNNING and so romantic. These must be new, I can’t find them online. I got mine at CVS. These are very similar to House of Lashes Bambi.

Eyeliners: Jordana Cat Eye Liner in Black Leather just to line lashband and Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Eyeliner in Nude.

Blush: Milani Baked Blush in Dolce Pink

Highlighter: BECCA Champagne Pop (applied on the bridge of my nose, above my brows, and cheekbones.

Lipliner: Jordana Tawny

Lips: Maybelline Totally Toffee (got mine in-store at Walgreens) with NYX Butter Gloss in Praline (obsessed with this color so so much)

Setting spray: MAC Fix +

Dress: Forever 21 (mine’s sold out, but this one is  similar)

Top Romantic Makeup Palettes

(Also make great last-minute Valentine’s Day gifts, boys)

 

Kiss-Proof Valentine’s Day Looks

.Reading time 5 minutes.

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Hi beauties! If you’ve noticed something different about my page you would be correct; I changed the layout and URL for my blog, which you can now share with your friends as abeautycapsule.com! I’m super excited to take this step towards a newer look and feel. Anyway, today I’m here to recommend my favorite kiss-proof lipstick options, even if you are only kissing you pet this V-day like moi, haha. I also have two makeup looks, warning the red lip was NOT kiss proof, but I will give red lip options that are. I’m also going to give you some Valentine’s Day date night options; so all in all this is a jammed packed post. I would like to get a romantic halo smokey eye look up before V-day as well. But for now read on for some lovely looks.

Best Lipsticks for Smooching

*Disclaimer: These are what work best for me. Performance can change based on lip care, eating and drinking. For best wear time I apply a lip balm, let it sink in for a few minutes, then pat it off a bit and then I apply my liquid lipstick. Also, I find any high-pigment lipstick is going to have some transfer. To eliminate I’d pat with a tissue. 

  • Reds
  • Pinks/Magentas
    • ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip in More Better 
    • OFRA Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in Mina 
    • Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipsticks in Sad Girl
  • Nudes
    • OFRA Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in Bel Air 
    • Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Dolce
    • NYX Liquid Suede Lipstick in Soft Spoken (I’m obsessed with this for everyday)

Makeup Looks

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Products:

Primer: Nivea Post Shave Balm for Sensitive Skin (you’ll understand once you watch Nikkie Tutorials explain here, and yes it really works!)

Foundation: Too Faced Born This Way in Porcelain, applied with the It Cosmetics Airbrush Buffing Foundation Brush

Concealer:  Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Fair Neutral, buffed out with a damp Real Techniques sponge

Powder: Maybelline FaceStudio Loose Powder 

Brows: Sculpted with the Maybelline Brow Define and Fill Duo in Deep Brown (only use pencil side) then filled in with the Anastasia Dipbrow in Dark Brown. Set with NYX Brow Mascara in Espresso

Contour: Kat Von D Shade and Light Palette shade Sombre. Contoured nose and cheeks.

Eyeshadows: 

Liners: Jordana Cat Eye Liner in Black Leather and L’Oreal Silkissime in Black on the waterline

Blush: ColourPop Between the Sheets 

Highlighter: The Balm Mary-Lou Manizer 

Lips:

1st lip: NYX Soft Spoken with NYX Ever Lip Pencil

2nd lip: L’Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Gloss in Shanghai Scarlet (This is NOT a liquid lipstick). This color will transfer, but it does wear evenly, and does not bleed. But if you plan on kissing you partner, beware, unless you want to leave some kiss marks.

Dress: Lulu’s

Date Night Picks

 

Best in Class 2015: My Top Beauty Picks

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Hi guys! I’m finally posting my Best of Beauty 2015! Today was the perfect day to filter through all my favorites as New Jersey is getting lots and lots of snow, so thank you Jonas. Below I’ll have all my favorite products listed; I was able to photograph most, but the ones I couldn’t I’ll still list 🙂 Hope you guys enjoy and get a shopping cart ready, you’re gonna want these!

Primer

  1. Becca Backlight Primer Filter $38
  2. Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer $36
  3. L’Oreal Studio Secrets Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer $12.99

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  1. Too Faced Born This Way Foundation in Porcelain $39
  2. Maybelline Dream Velvet Soft-Matte Hydrating Foundation $10.99 *This was a very late 2015 addition, but it was still one of my favorites.

Concealer

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  1. Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Coverage Concealer Fair Neutral $28
  2. NYX Hi Definition Photo Concealer Wand in Porcelain $4.99 *I honestly like this just as much as the Naked Skin, but the Naked Skin applies a bit easier and last longer as far as product.

Powder

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  1. Revlon Colorstay Aqua Finishing Powder in Translucent *So I believe this is discontinued (eternal crying face). I’ve only found it on a few sites but they aren’t any I feel comfortable recommending as I’ve never bought from them. This was hands down my favorite powder though. You could try Revlon’s Colorstay Mineral Makeup in Light which is what I’ll try after I run out of this. I’ve also been liking Maybelline’s new finishing powder, I just think this has a hydrating quality that is hard to replicate.

Brows

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  1. Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade in Dark Brown $18 *This was a recent try for me because I heard it was hard to work with, but I think if you use a little bit of this and blend out with a spoolie you’re set! I love how dark this makes me brows, and they also don’t look powdery.
  2. NYX Micro Brow Pencil Brunette $9.99
  3. Maybelline Eye Studio Brow Define and Fill Duo Deep Brown $7.99
  4. Maybelline Brow Drama Pro Palette Deep Brown $12.99
  5. NYX Tinted Brow Mascara Brunette $6.99

Eyeshadows

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  1. LORAC Pro Palette 1 $42
  2. LORAC Pro Palette 2 $42
  3. LORAC Mega Pro 1  *This was the 1st Mega Pro and was limited edition; I don’t have the second because I love the warm colors in this. I want Lorac to bring it back 😦
  4. BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Palette $12.50
  5. Morphe 35O Palette $22.99 *This product is always in and out of stock, but Jaclyn Hill and Amanda Ensing always have discount codes and update their followers when it’s back in stock. Also, I know I didn’t give this product an A+ review, but that’s more for quality of some of the shades. Overall though if you love warm oranges this is where it’s at, and a lot of the matte shades are great affordable crease options.
  6. NYX Nude Matte Shadows in Dance the Tides and Maybe Later $4.99 each *The best affordable crease colors on the market in my opinion.

Eye Liner

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  1. Jordana Cat Eye Liner $2.99 *I loved this more than any eye liner I’ve used in years- it stays through naps (not that you should sleep in makeup) and is so easy to apply! Black Leather and Black Brown were my favorites. I buy mine at Walgreens.
  2. L’Oreal Silkissime Eye Liner $8.99 *The best waterline eye liner’s ever. These do not smudge and last hours, I’m begging L’Oreal to make a brown shade. My favorites were Black, Charcoal and Gold.

Mascara

  1. Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara $23
  2. L’Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara $9.99

Blush

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  1. Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso, Rose D’Oro and Bella Amore $7.79 each
  2. Tarte Holiday Palettes *The ones shown were LE. Any of Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Blushes are the same formula and amazing. These palettes have lasted me so long I haven’t need to buy and individual shades!
  3. Milani Rose Powder Blush in Romantic Rose and Tea Rose $7.99
  4. Colourpop Blush Bonus $8 *It looks like this shade is discontinued but Fox and Between the Sheets look similar.

Highlighters

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  1. theBalm Mary Lou-Manizer Higlighter $24 *I find this to be the best option for super pale skin tones like mine. I’ve tried Becca Moonstone because Nikki Tutorials loves it, but I still think Mary Lou shows up the best on fair skin.
  2. BECCA Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed Champagne Pop $38 *This just became permanent, ultimate squeals over here!
  3. BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel Palette Highlighters $12.50- I’m obsessed with the second highlighter, but they’re all stunning and work for so many different skin tones. I hope BH makes singles of this highlighter formula, it’s the best drugstore priced highlight I’ve used.
  4. Colourpop Super Shock Highlighter Butterfly Beach $8 *I apply this with my fingers, and it’s my go-to summer highlight.

Lip Liners

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  1. NYX Slim Lip Pencil Ever $3.49
  2. Colourpop Grunge Pencil $5
  3. Jordana Easyliner For Lips in Tawny and Plush Plum $2.49 each *I buy mine at Walgreens

Lipstick

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From left to right: Miami Fever, LAX, LBB, Poison, Grunge, Fancy, Brink, Lolita, Euro Trash, Lacque-y Charm, Nude Flush, Divine Wine, Pepper, Glace

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  1. OFRA Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick w/Kathleen Lights Miami Fever $19.90 *My favorite liquid lipstick formula; also, Kathleen Lights normally has a coupon code on her Youtube videos for 40% off.
  2. Colourpop Ultra Matte Lipstick LAX $6
  3. Colourpop Lippie Stix LBB $5 *This is like MAC’s Rebel but cheaper and I personally like the wear of LBB better.
  4. Colourpop Lippie Stix Poison $5
  5. Colourpop Lippie Stix Grunge $5
  6. Colourpop Lippie Stix Fancy $5 *My go-to spring and summer lip color.
  7. Colourpop Lippie Stix Brink $5
  8. Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick Lolita $21 *Note this is not the same shade as Kat Von D’s liquid lipstick in Lolita. This is a traditional formula and a lighter rose color.
  9. NYX Matte Lipstick Euro Trash $5.99
  10. L’Oreal Colour Riche La Lacque Lipcolour Stick Lacque-y Charm $9.99 *I also wore the Le Matte formula in She’s so Matte a ton, but I couldn’t find mine to photograph.
  11. Maybelline Vivid Matte Lip Color Nude Flush $7.99
  12. Maybelline Creamy Matte Lip Color Divine Wine $7.99
  13. Bite Beauty Luminous Creme Lipstick Pepper $24 *The most perfect everyday shade.
  14. Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lip Crayon Glace $24

Brushes

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