Tag: ulta

Olivia Culpo Oscars Inspired Makeup

.Reading time 5 minutes.

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Photo from glamour.com

The most glamorous night of the year came and went without any controversy (*insert Steve Harvey joke here*) but surprisingly there weren’t too many fashion and beauty missteps.I was a bit sad to see the lack of color this Oscars season, but my eyes lit up at Olivia Culpo’s lovely  lilac eye look. I love the whimsical vibes this gives which makes  it perfect for spring. You could definitely wear this everyday  for a pop of color with a BB cream or light foundation, or you could wear as-is for a more formal event. I used mostly affordable products for this look, and gave alternatives if I used something higher end. Olivia’s team used L’Oreal for the eye look so you can really achieve this on a tighter budget. Read below if you want to get this dreamy pastel makeup look!

Makeup Look

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Primer: Wet n Wild CoverAll Face Primer

Foundation: L’Oreal Pro Glow Foundation in Classic Ivory applied with a damp Beauty Blender

Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in Fair. Affordable option: Maybelline’s Age Rewind or NYX HD Concealer

Cream contour: Wet n Wild MegaGlo Makeup Stick Contour in Call Me Maple (applied in contours of the cheeks, high points of the forehead, nose and under the lips) blended out with a stippling brush, and patted in with a damp Beauty Blender. Then took my Shape Tape concealer under the cheek contour and blended it out for a harsher line.

Liquid highlighter: Maybelline Master Strobing Liquid Illuminating Highlighter in Light/Iridescent (applied with a damp Beauty Blender to the tops of the cheeks, bridge of the nose, inner corners and above the brows).

Bronzer: Physicians Formula Argan Wear Bronzer in Light

Powder: Kat Von D Lock It Translucent Powder. Affordable option: Maybelline Translucent Powder

Brows: Benefit Precisely My Brow in 5, Benefit ka-Brow in 4 and NYX Brunette Brow Mascara. Affordable options:  NYX Microbrow Pencil and Maybelline MasterDrama Brow Powder

Eyeshadows: 

  1. Lid: L’Oreal Infallible Paints Eyeshadow Shady Violet, used the darker shade in a thin line on the lid just above the upper lashline.
  2. Lid and crease: L’Oreal Colour Riche Pocket Palette in Violet Amour, used the bottom left shade (light purple) all over the lid, first using a blending brush in the crease and then packing all over with a shader brush.
  3. Outer crease: L’Oreal Violet Amour top right shade (medium toned Violet) a bit of this in the outer crease applied with a blending brush.
  4. Lower lashline: Bottom left shade from Violet Amour palette applied generously with a fluffy pencil brush, then applied a bit of the lighter shade from the Shady Violet eye paints in the center.
  5. Inner corner: I used a discontinued Wet n Wild pigment (sorry didn’t even realize!) but you can use your face highlighter in the inner corner for the same effect.
  6. Brow bone: Any shimmery light nude will do; I used the last shade in the L’Oreal La Palette Nude 1

Mascara: Maybelline Big Shot Mascara in Very Black (I believe Olivia is only wearing mascara, but I like a bit more drama so I added falsies, but you could definitely stop at mascara).

False lashes: Velour Silk Lashes in Fluff’ n Whispie. Affordable option: Ardell Faux Mink Lashes #811

Eyeliner: Rimmel Scandal Eyes Eyeliner in Nude 

Blush: Wet n Wild Color Icon Ombre Blush in The Princess Daiquiris

Powder Highlighter: Makeup Revolution Vivid Baked Highlighter in Radiant Lights

Lip liner: NYX Slim Lip Pencil in Mauve (your liner should be a shade or two darker than your lipstick for this look so you see a subtle shift for light to dark)

Lipstick: Maybelline Inti-Matte Nudes in Almond Rose, and I added a little concealer in the middle of my lips to lighten a bit.

Bodysuit: ASOS (no longer available). Similar: Asos Night Sleeveless Embellished Bodysuit

 

 

 

 

Allover Olive: Smokey Green Eyeshadow 

.Reading time 3 minutes.

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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 🙂

Makeup Look

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Foundation: Fiona Stiles Luminous Finish Foundation in 01 Porcelain

Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer in Fair

Powder: Kat Von D Lock-It Translucent Powder (only apply on under eyes because I’m very dry!)

Brows: Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil in #5 and Benefit ka-BROW! in #4

Eyeshadows: Steps in order of application

  1. Lid: Colorpop Valley Girl Supershock Shadow all over the lid
  2. Crease: Morphe 35O row 1, shade 6 (khaki brown shade) and row 3, shade 2 (light, neutral brown)
  3. Outer Lid and Inner 1/3 lid: MAC Spellbinder Shadow in Mysterious Influence (applied with a MAC 242, and my finger to blend, a blending brush has too much fallout with this shadow)
  4. Lid: Applied more of Valley Girl in the center of the lid
  5. 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.
  6. 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.
  7. Browbone and Inner corner: Makeup Revolution Vivid Baked Highlighter in Golden Lights

Eyeliner: NYX Matte Liquid Liner and L’Oreal Silkissime in Black

Lashes: Eylure Luxe Lashes in Baroque

Blush: Milani Berry Amore Blush 

Highlighter: Makeup Revolution Vivid Baked Highlighter in Golden Lights

Lips: Colorpop Grunge Pencil, Urban Decay Vice Lipstick 1993 and L’Oreal Infallible Lip Paint in Nude Star

Necklace: BaubleBar

Dress: Asos

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 

 

 

 

Give What They Want, Get What You Want: Holiday Gift Guide 2016

.Reading time 9 minutes.

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Happy soon to be holidays everyone! With a few weeks left to shop, and those Secret Santa and holiday parties right around the corner I wanted to provide a gift guide with options for every price range. Whether you’re looking for the perfect gift to swap with your friends at a White Elephant/Secret Santa party (because let’s be real it’s hard to find something everyone likes!) or you have no idea what to tell your aunt to get you this season, below are beauty and miscellaneous (fashion, jewelry, etc.) items that will always land you on the nice list! These are broken into category in case you’re looking for something specific; this post is a long one!

Brush Sets 

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I included the three brush sets above because I love and use brushes from all these brands. Remember, don’t get trapped in “what’s pretty” or super affordable because you may be skimping on quality. These little makeup magic makers are both beautiful and in a price range you can afford! I’ve been lusting over the Morphe ones in particular. Also, anyone can use makeup brushes, so I think this is a perfect Secret Santa gift too.

Eyeshadow Palettes

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I also think an eyeshadow palette is an awesome and universal gift to give this season. Gone are the days where low-price meant low quality. I personally use and love the Carli Bybel Palette and Morphe palette all of the time, and ColourPop’s range is perfect for the makeup beginner. I actually discovered MAC’s glitters in a holiday palette and they are my favorite glitters to this day. Unfortunately, you can only snag them in a holiday palette, at a pro store or online :(. The pricier palettes on this list have been star shadow palettes this year(the Too Faced Palette completely sold out once already!) so you won’t go wrong putting those under the tree!

Highlighters and Blush

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One way to brighten anyone’s holiday morning is with a stunning highlighter or blush palette. Whether you’re looking to give more of a makeup everyday staple like the Tarte of Benefit cheek palettes (the Benefit one is almost sold out, not surprising as it features many of their bestsellers, but a few are still on Sephora). The Colourpop trio is perfect for any highlighter beginner or seasoned makeup lover as the colors are easy to apply and work across many skintones. I’m very fair and use darker shades like Butterfly Beach all of the time. The Laura Geller highlighters were at the top of everyone’s highlighter wish list this year, so this little trio gives the makeup lover some try-on options to find her highlighter holy grail. Also, you cannot go wrong with my favorite make-you-glisten-like-an-ice-queen highlighter, Champagne Pop. I have my eye on the Make Up Forever as a new hit for 2017, maybe I’ll finally cave in and get it with some Christmas cash.

Lip Sets

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You can’t be caught kissing under the mistletoe without a bit of fool-proof lipsticks! Liquid lipsticks are totally the way to go during the holidays, and some of my favorite formulas including Kat Von D, NYX and Colourpop have some awesome sets. I’ve never personally tried Kylie’s Lip Kits, but what girl wouldn’t want one as a stocking stuffer!? (and some of her classics are in-stock now, so it’s a good time to grab some!) The Tarte and Bite sets are perfection for anyone with their comfortable and wearable formulas and color selections (both great sets for Mom!).

I also included the stunning Jouer Lip Topper in Frost Bite (Skinny Dip and Tan Lines are awesome sparkly options too) as a major want of mine this season. It’s the optime of holiday sparkle. Oh, and the holiest of them all? The Urban Decay set which includes 30 lipsticks, and I promise this formula is amazing too. What else could a girl want?

All The Trimmings (Misc. Gifts)

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Blissful Berry Holiday Makeup

.Reading time 3 minutes.

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“Happiness can be found in the darkest of times, if only one remembers to turn on the light.” With everything happening in the world, I think it’s important to try and find whatever happiness you can. My outlet is creating, and channeling that helps take my mind off everything else. So with that, I hope whether it’s reading makeup tips or something else, this blog can be a place of escape for a little bit. With that, read below to get this vampy holiday makeup look, (I also have a nude lip option!) and know that we must be kind to one another.

Makeup Look

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Foundation: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Full Coverage Foundation in Fair Sand

  • Funnily enough this was a sample from Sephora, and I fell in love and just bought the full size! I had purchased the new Hourglass foundation and the fairest shade is too light even for me, so keep that in mind if you want to try!

Concealer: Tarte Shape Tape Concealer (this is sold out everywhere but a good, and afforable, dupe is Maybelline FaceStudio Master Conceal in Fair)

Powder: Kat Von D Lock It Setting Powder 

Brows: Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil and Benefit  Ka-Brow both in #4

Eyes: Kat Von D MetalMatte Palette (this palette is stunning, and limited edition, so if you love Kat Von D’s shadows I would defintely grab this! They are super pigmented and perfect for everyday or dramatic looks)

  • Crease: Suede, Silk and Velvet (applied Suede and Silk with a fluffy blending brush and Velvet with a pencil brush for a more defined crease)
  • Lid: Tinsel with a little bit of Touch in Sol Glitter in Talia on the center of the lid
  • Browbone: Bone
  • Lower lashline: Velvet, Volt, Synergy
  • Liner: NYX Matte Liquid Liner and L’Oreal Silkissime Eyeliner in Black

Lashes: Eyelure Baroque Lashes

Highlight: Kat Von D Pressed Shadow in Thunderstruck (insanely pretty highlighter for fairer skin, one of the only ones I think beams off my cheeks haha)

Blush: NYX Ombre Blush in Nude to Me

Dark lip: Coloupop Ultra Satin in Hutch (this is super comfortable and will last through a meal, making it perfect for holiday parties!)

Nude lip: Maybelline Mauve Me lipstick with NYX Angel Food Cake Butter Gloss on top

Bodysuit: Nasty Gal, similar Material Girl Illusion Lace Bodysuit

 

Fawning Over Fall: Glam Fall Makeup Look

.Reading time 4 minutes.

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It’s almost time for Fall, which is where, in my opinion, the best makeup looks come out to play. I recently picked up Urban Decay’s Moondust Eyeshadow Palette, because who doesn’t need a little glitter in their life? (oh and the model with the Bowie style star helped too). So, I decided to do my own glittery spin on a look I saw on my Instagram feed by makeup artist, Natalie Phalen facedbynatalie. This look is perfect for the autumn months as a glam go-to, and would also be a great for any lower key Halloween parties. If you change out the orange for green you could totally create a female Joker look! Read  below for all my steps.

Makeup Look

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Primer: Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water

Eyes: (you want to do your eyes before foundation because the Moondust shadows have a decent amount of fallout)

  • Primer: NYX White Eyeshadow Base. This really makes vibrant colors stay all day and pop on the lid. Applied with my finger.
  • Eyeshadows used throughout: NYX Ultimate Shadow Palette Brights, $18(the quality of these are amazing for the $18 price tag!) and Urban Decay Moondust Palette, $49.
    • Upper Crease: NYX Palette 4th row, 3rd orangey shade. Blended lightly with a MAC 224.
    • Crease: NYX Palette 1st row, 3rd orangey shade. Blended and packed on a few times with a MAC 217.
    • Lower Crease: NYX Palette 1st red shade. Put through the crease with any pencil brush and blend with any blending brush.
    • Note: I repeated all of the above after completing the below to intensify the colors again.
    • Lid: NYX Palette 2nd row, 1st purple shade. Packed on the lid with a MAC 252 Flat Shader brush. A flat shader brush will give the eyeshadow the most impact.
    • Glitter on top: Moondust eyeshadow in Magnetic put on with my finger. I prefer using my finger compared to a brush with these.
    • Glitter in the inner corner and outer V: Moondust eyeshadow in Element.
    • Lower lashline: NYX Palette 4th row, 3rd orangey shade applied with a MAC 212 Flat Definer Brush, and then applied 1st red shade on the middle to outer lashline with a pencil brush.
    • Brow bone: Any nude/white shade will do. I used LORAC’s White and Cream shadows.
  • Eyeliners:
  • Lashes: Ardell Demi Wispies with House of Lashes lash glue.
  • Mascara: L’Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara
  • Foundation: Tarte Rainforest of the Sea Foundation in fair neutral, $39
  • Concealer: Maybelline Age Rewind Concealer in fair (such an amazing, and affordable concealer!)
  • Powder: Kat Von D Lock-It Translucent Powder
  • Bronzer: L’Oreal Glam Bronzer in Light
  • Brows: Benefit ka-BROW! Cream Gel Eyebrow Color in 04 Medium
  • Blush: Tarte’s 1st Holiday Palette (peach-shade) similar Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Celebrated 
  • Highlighter: Kat Von D Metal Crush Eyeshadow in Thunderstruck (this is stunning as a highlighter!)
  • Lipstick 1 & 2: First look- Maybelline Storm Sahara lipstick. Second look: OFRA Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick x Kathleen Lights in Miami Fever.

Wearable VMA’s Beauty Look: Taylor Hill Inspired

.Reading time 5 minutes.

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Via Glamour.com

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!

Makeup Look

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Foundation: L’Oreal Pro Glow 203 Nude Beige

Concealer: Maybelline Fit Me in Light 

Powder: Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder

Brows: Colourpop Black N’ Brown Pencil 

Eyeshadows (shortest list I will probably ever have! But so easy)

  • Mid to inner lid: Colourpop On the Rocks Supershock Shadow (applied with my fingers!)
  • Glitter: MAC Copper Sparkle Pigment on top of On the Rocks and in the inner corner
    • Applied with a MAC Fix + and a MAC 242 shader brush. Spritz brush a bit with Fix + and then dip into pigment and press on lid.
  • Browbone: LORAC Pro Palette Cream and White shadows mixed. Can use any neutral cream shadow.

Lashes: Ardell Lashes Double Ups 205 (in the pinkish/purple packaging) found in-store at Ulta. Used House of Lashes lash glue.

Mascara: L’Oreal Carbon Black Telescopic

Blush: Colourpop Holiday;  I apply cream blushes with a stippling brush

Highlighters: Broke out two highlighters to get the Victoria’s Secret glow. Colourpop Spoon Highlighter and Makeup Revolution Vivid Baked Highlighter in Golden Lights. I applied on the bridge of my nose, tops to middle of my cheeks, forehead and above my brows. Always apply the cream first, then powder highlight if you use both.

Lips:

Dress: Boohoo

How to Get a Sleek Ballerina Bun

  1. 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.
  2. Secure hair in a high ponytail with an elastic.
  3. Bobby pin any sections that may be a bit lumpy and bumpy (no need to work those arm muscles by starting all over)
  4. 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.
  5. Then spritz with some hairspray (pull some front framing pieces out if you’re lucky to have cute ones) and you’re all set.

 

Cult Reviews: Juvia’s Place Nubian 2 Palette

.Reading time 6 minutes.

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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!

Review

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  • Buy: juviasplace.com
  • Price: $30 USD
  • Shades: 8 metallics, 4 mattes
  • 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.

Swatches

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From wrist up: Morocco, Madagascar, Sheba, Yaa, Jezebel, Zuri, Cleopatra, Nefertiti, Nairobi, Leyla, Kenya, Egypt

Makeup Look

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  • Bronzer: L’Oreal Glam Bronzer in Light/Pale
    • Brush: Real Techniques Powder Brush
  • Top and Bralette: American Eagle (in-store) and Victoria’s Secret Tribal Print Bralette (in-store)

 

These Are My Impressions: L’Oreal Pro Glow Foundation and Modern Renaissance Palette Review

.Reading time 6 minutes.

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Happy summer loves! There are so so many great products hitting the market and I want them to review them all, but I’m trying to take on a few at a time so you can get the best of the best as soon as possible and skip on the rest. This week I’m reviewing the L’Oreal Pro Glow Foundation, which I was ecstatic to try. The L’Oreal Pro Matte is an awesome drugstore, but wasn’t a great fit fit for my drier skin, so when I heard they were releasing a glowy version I jumped on it.

I’m also reviewing the Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette. I was a bit hesitant to grab the first permanent eyeshadow palette by them because pinky and red eyeshadows don’t really flatter my fair skin, but I swatched it in Ulta and was very intrigued. Anyway read below for my full thoughts! I’ve simplified my reviews so they’re not so long! Let me know if you like this style 🙂

Reviews

L’Oreal Pro Glow

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  • Price: $12.99
  • Found mine: Walgreens
  • Available online: Ulta; buy here
  • My shade: 201 Classic Ivory
  • Shade range: 12
  • Size: 1 oz
  • Coverage: Buildable and Medium/Full
  • SPF: 15
  • Finish: Radiant
  • Favorite way to apply: It Cosmetics Airbrush Buffing Foundation Brush #110 or Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
  • Longevity: 10 hours
  • Final thoughts: This foundation is my new drugstore favorite. It gives a medium to full coverage and just the right amount of glow without making you a sweaty mess, especially with the warmer weather. The shade range isn’t extensive like L’Oreal’s True Match line which is a bummer, but I love the shade for my skin tone. If I actually get some color this summer (unlikely, but a girl can hope!) I’m not sure how well another shade will work. This foundation is really on par with a high end foundation and wear beautifully between 8-10 hours, the bottle claims “24 hours”, but really L’Oreal who are you kidding! Anyway with that, if you’re dry to normal skin I would definitely pick this up! If not you always have the Pro Matte version which is the same wear and coverage.
  • Grade: 9.5/10

Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Palette

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  • Price: $42
  • Found mine: Ulta
  • Available online: Yes; buy here
  • Shimmers: 4
  • Mattes: 10
  • Pigment: 9/10
  • Longevity: 9 hours
  • Brush quality: Super soft, easy to use for blending and blends shadows seamlessly.
  • Final thoughts: This is an eyeshadow palette I was honestly going to skip. I haven’t even watched my favorite beauty guru’s put it to action because I wasn’t that interested. Believe me I thought this palette was stunning and romantic, but not great for my fair skin. Magentas and reds do not pair well with my pinky undertones. Even for tried and true palettes like the Naked 3, I never grab for because I think the colors make me look sickly. But boy was I wrong with this palette. The colors look beautiful on the eyes, and blend like a dream. I used the blending brush that came with this palette to blend out the crease, and it worked amazing. I used the shader side to blend out the lower lashline, and I also really like the brush, which I usually skip on palettes. The only negative for me with this palette is you get a lot of fallout when you dip your brush in, but if you tap it off a little you’re golden. Fallout doesn’t really deter me as it usually means the shadows are buttery and pigmented, which these are. I really think this will be a new favorite! I love that there’s so many vibrant mattes and unique mattes (I’m so over the standard browns) and a few stunning shimmers that I can actually wear day to day or out.
  • Grade: 9/10

Makeup Look

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Products

Primer: Smashbox Primer Water

Foundation: L’Oreal Pro Glow in 201 Classic Ivory (link to buy above)

Concealer: Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Fair Neutral

Powder: Maybelline Loose Powder

Bronzer: Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer in Light

Brows: Benefit Goof Proof Brow Pencil 4 with NYX Brow Mascara in Brunette to set

Eyeshadows: Modern Renaissance Palette

  • Crease: Warm taupe
  • Outcrease: Raw sienna and Red ochre
  • Slightly above the outer crease: Love letter
  • Lid: Primavera
  • Browbone highlight: Tempera
  • Inner corner: Vermeer topped with Champagne Pop highlighter
  • Lower lashline: Raw sienna with Red ochre and Love letter on the outer half, blended out with Burnt orange

Liners: Top: Jordana Cateye Liner in Black leather. Bottom: L’Oreal Silkissime in Black.

Mascara: L’Oreal Carbon Black Telescopic

False Lashes: Eylure Vegas Nay Grand Glamour Lashes (cut about a fourth of these off to fit my eye, always cut to your eye shape). House of Lashes lash glue.

Blush: NYX Rose Garden Powder Blush (I think NYX is discontinuing, but it’s on sale now for $2.50!)

Highlighters: Benefit Watt’s Up topped with Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Pop Shimmer Skin Perfector

Lips: Liner- Urban Decay Liar all over the lips. Lip color: Maybelline Color Jolt in Stripped Down

Romper: Express

Necklace and Earrings: Bauble Bar