divinelyurban

Here's what I've been lovin'

2011-10-08T09:03:00.000-07:00

Ok don't hate me I know I've been a terrible blogger!! :( But it probably won't change for a little bit because I have been SO busy with college applications but I'm getting to the finish line soon enough (yay!)

I thought I would show you guys some of the makeup I have been loving lately... and I definitely will be posting some sort of look/tutorial soon as well because I've been lacking in that category for a while. Enjoy!

As you can see, it accentuates the dryness of my lips, but it's stickiness helps it last forever and it's the PERFECT nude gloss to top off lipsticks for nights out especially

This does exactly what the name says... with one coat it's amazing for daytime and surprisingly I can build it up to several coats and without getting clumpy it looks dramatic, full, and beautiful... it's my new favorite mascara for sure

This ELF contouring/blush duo was mentioned in my last haul and I have been getting a lot of use out of it ever since. From the reviews I had read I thought I would be mainly using the bronzer but I actually love the blush too! It doesn't come out with glitter all over my face and it gives me a really really natural flush. For $3 there's no way this goes wrong

I've really been getting into nail polish lately and I can't get enough of this true red by Sephora called Cherry Popsicle. The color is super opaque, not gloopy, and the brush is rounded and dense to fit my nails perfectly.

Korres Lipstick in Natural Pink. This is my "MLBB" shade for sure. The formula is glossy, lightweight, and incredibly moisturizing. I will be repurchasing this forever.

I have had this foundation for a while now, but I've been wearing face makeup more regularly and I always go for this. It smells AMAZING, feels like nothing on my skin, and gives me a flawless finish. It's just slightly darker than my skintone and makes me look like I have a little tan... love!

Thanks for reading :)

Beauty Haul!

2011-09-09T15:27:00.000-07:00

I recently picked up a few things at Sephora and Target, and just so you know everything I have purchased I have been absolutely loving! I hope you enjoy!

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Bisque... $22

E.L.F. Concealer & Highlighter...$3

Sonia Kashuk Contour Brush...$4.99 (I got this on clearance, so it may be discontinued)

Dior Lipstick in Dior Kiss... $29

Benefit Hoola Bronzer... $28

E.L.F. Contouring Blush & Bronzer Duo...$3

Thanks for reading :)

Natural Look!

2011-08-27T14:22:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! This has been a typical everyday look for me for about the past month, so I thought I'd share. It's a shimmery golden eye with a glowy face and a bit of color on the lips. Being such a neutral lover, it's quite simple and very easy to recreate with your own products, enjoy!

What I Used:

Face: Covergirl Natureluxe Foundation in Aspen Tremble

Blush: Sephora Brand Blush in Rose Abricot

Bronzer: Clinique Bronzer in Sunkissed

Concealer: ELF Concealer in Light set with Clinique Eyeshadow in Buttermilk

Eyes: DuWop Duet in Chai, Tarte Long Wearing Eyeliner in Bronze, L'oreal Lineur Intense Carbon Black

Lashes: Maybelline Full n' Soft Mascara

Lips: Korres Lipstick in Natural Pink, a light touch of bright orange lipstick from an unknown company

Thanks for reading :)

Vacation Makeup

2011-08-19T11:54:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I'm currently on family vacation, and I thought it was worthwhile to show the cosmetics I took with me and my thoughts on them, enjoy!

Lancome cosmetics bag (gift) and random travel brush set (not sure where it's from) I tried my best to pack products that are travel-sized/travel-friendly

Face:

Caudalie Cleansing Water to go: I bought this recently after dying to have it for months now and I thought it would be perfect to bring on my trip... I will post a full review soon!

Neutrogena On the Spot Acne Treatment: I don't have very bad skin, but I brought this to treat the occasional breakout I might get during traveling. It works pretty well and I like that it goes on and dries clear.

Elf Highlighter/Concealer Duo: This is probably my favorite under-eye concealer to date and especially because it is $3. It's a little light on me now in the summer but the medium shade would be too dark so I think it's just fine.

Lancome Absolue Premium Moisturizer SPF 15: I got this in a gift set a while ago and although it is too thick for my oily skin, it's perfect protection for my neck and hands

Kiehls Super Fluid SPF 50: Absolutely love this... high protection, feels like nothing on my face, doesn't leave a white cast

Clarins Eye Contour Cream SPF 30: Very lightweight but moisturizing, and high protection!

Jouer Luminizing Moisture Tint: This I got when I used to belong to Birchbox and in the winter, it was waaay dark and orange on me. It's now the perfect glowy tan shade on me and I really love it. Even though it "luminizes" your face and I've been very shiny lately, it doesn't make me look overly shiny and it's very natural looking

Eyes:

Urban Decay Primer Potion: a staple

L'oreal Lineur Intense Liquid Liner: my favorite liquid liner!

Estee Lauder More than Mascara: Even though I try to avoid expensive mascaras, this is an unbelievable one for crazy long, voluminous lashes. I wish I brought another more daytime appropriate one, but with one coat it can work.

Tarte Eye Couture Day-to-Night Palette: This is my favorite wearable eyeshadow palette and it has everything I need for traveling

Lips:

Benefit Posietint

Korres Lipstick in Natural Pink (review soon)

Clinique Lipstick in Pink Beach (perfect warm shimmery pink for summer!)

Fresh Honey Sugar Tinted Lip Balm (see last post for review)

Kiehls Lip Balm in French Rose (one of my first posts was on this!)

Covergirl Lip Perfection in Heavenly Paradisque

Mac Lipglass in Underage (review soon)

Estee Lauder Rich and Rosy: for a bright pop of color

Sally Hansen Overnight Lip Recovery: a staple

Cheeks:

Sonia Kashuk Creme Blush in Rosey

Clinique Palette: I only use the bronzer side which I love (True Bronze Pressed Powder Bronzer in Sunkissed)

Thanks for reading :)

Fresh Sugar Honey Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15

2011-08-16T10:22:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! For a while now I've owned and enjoyed Fresh's rose tinted lip balm and I knew that I had to buy their newest shade as soon as I saw the advertisement for it (it's $22.50, a little pricey). It is described as a sheer warm nude shade and I think it's a very true description.

It is a great glossy MLBB shade that warms up my whole look any day I use it. The metal tube is sleek and compact and it's perfect to throw in my bag. With SPF 15, it's especially perfect for summer as well as the fact that it's sooo moisturizing so it's perfect for year round!

The one thing I don't like about this product, which I find with the rose tinted balm as well, is that when the product gets warm (and it does very easily) it melts a lot. And I mean a lot! The pigmentation of the product increases a huge amount, but the texture becomes heavy and waxy and eventually makes my lips peel. When I store it at a cooler temperature though, it returns to it's normal texture and I get to enjoy it again!

Although it's a bit expensive, I loove this product and how it's so easy to just swipe on. I don't regret the purchase!

L to R: Fresh Lip,
L'oreal Infallible in Color of Hope,
Clinique Superbalm in Rootbeer

Thanks for reading :)

L'oreal Colour Riche Lipstick in Fairest Nude

2011-08-11T08:51:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! For months and months I have heard from so many bloggers and youtubers how wonderful L'oreal's lipstick in Fairest Nude is. Finally I decided to buy it because I have really been on the hunt for MLBB shades. From what I've heard, it's one of the few nudes that doesn't wash people out, as it's a pink-based nude. In the tube I certainly agreed, though it looked a little brown, and swatched on my hand I could see the pink tones. But on my lips, it looks a bit more mauve than pink, which I like but not what I was hoping for exactly.

For about $7-8, I think that this creamy finish, non-drying lipstick is definitely a must have. Although it is a bit of a mature color for my age (17) when worn alone, it's the first nude I've ever bought that doesn't wash me out and I think it will have some awesome combinations with various lip glosses. I am not over the moon about it as many are, but it's a very successful, wearable nude.

I am still in search of the perfect pink-nude, since this came out more mauve on me, but I still am happy with the purchase.

Thanks for reading :)

Milani HD Advanced Lip Color in #117 Sweet Grape

2011-08-09T18:52:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! So good news, computer is fixed (finally)!!! Although I am the biggest denier of the approach of fall being the diehard summer fan that I am, I thought I should throw in a shade that I think will be beeeeeeautiful for fall... and it's from the drugstore! I was sent this by the company, but there was no note with the lipstick at all and so I'm certainly not being compensated for reviewing this (for all I know I wasn't even supposed to be sent this haha).

When I first saw this lipstick, I have to admit that my first reaction was "why this shade?!" because deep grapey/plum shades have never flattered my pale skin and they've always looked a little to "gothy" on me. But I decided to try it nonetheless and I am so happy I did. This is my first Milani product, and I now definitely want to try more.

Sweet Grape is a plum lipstick with a great deal of golden shimmer. In fact, it reminds me a lot of my Estee Lauder eyeshadow in Berry Ice. The packaging is sleek and slim, but a little long so it's hard for me to store it with the rest of my traditional lipsticks. For about $10 at the drugstore, it is on the pricier side, but I think that it is worth it. For one, I haven't found a shade exactly like this ever, especially for this price. As well, it doesn't make me look ghostly or goth in the least. The gold shimmer didn't look chunky or accentuate the lines of my lips, in fact it brightened the color wonderfully and the formula is so moisturizing! It comes out rather sheer with one swipe, but it is a very buildable shade which I appreciate.

(this is darker and has much more beautiful gold shimmer than it appears in the photo)

Thanks for reading :)

Please read!

2011-07-18T14:34:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I just wanted to apologize for the lack of posts... My computer broke :( it's finally getting repaired but it is supposed to still take about a week but don't lose faith I'll be posting a lottt more as soon as my computers fixed!

Thank you all for the patience :)

2011-06-24T08:26:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! For my prom last March, I bought this gorgeous lip gloss at Sephora ($26) to match my hot pink BCBG dress. Lancome advertised this gloss as a medium coverage gloss and I agree. It seems a bit sheer at first which is frustrating because the color looks so phenomenal in the tube, but with a few more coats you can build it up pretty well. It is not a sticky, heavy feeling gloss at all which I love, and it has a wonderful floral perfume fragrance. What's most interesting about this gloss though is the applicator. It's a tear drop-shaped foam applicator which I find picks up the product well but isn't necessarily better than a standard applicator. It actually bends very easily on the wand, which makes me feel like it's going to fall off haha, and personally I like firmer brush applicators when I can find them. But overall, the color is so fun and sparkly, while the medium coverage makes it more wearable so I loveee this gloss! This gloss comes in 14 shades.

Thanks for reading :)

Jemma Kidd I-Tech Liquid Liner in Covert

2011-06-13T18:14:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I've had Jemma Kidd's liquid liner in Covert ($16 at Target with a few other amazing colors) for quite sometime now, but seeing as how brighter colors are so much fun for summer I've been using it as a pop of color with my regular black eyeliner and I really love it! I also decided to post it because I find it similar to a recently very popular product, Lancome's Artliner in Beach Gem. I heard very often that people find it hard to find well pigmented glitter liners and this one is AMAZING!

Covert is a ridiculously long lasting, pigmented, vibrant, teal liquid liner that so reminds me of summer and the beach. It looks great with my green eyes, due to its green reflects, but I think it would look equally stunning in contrast with brown eyes or using the teal tones to enhance blue eyes. One thing to note though, the brush is very thin and precise which is great, but it picks up a lot of product and is also a bit flimsy so for beginners with liquid liner it may be a bit difficult to use. As well, this is so long lasting (which makes it great for swimming and the beach) but it is pretty difficult to remove, especially if it gets on your lashes.

All things aside, look how beautiful it is!

I couldn't resist making a little design :) This pic came out a bit blurry, but the true effect is how it looks in the tube!

Thanks for reading :)

Revlon Blase Apricot Lipstick

2011-06-04T13:13:00.000-07:00

I picked this up at the drugstore a few weeks ago in an attempt to find an inexpensive (it's $8.99) option to follow the coral/orange trend for this summer. I love the new vintage-inspired packaging and I think the Moon Drops name for the collection is pretty interesting lol. It is a coral/orange/pink shade that really brightens up my face. The formula leaves a very pigmented, creamy finish and does tend to show the lines in my lips but just slightly. I apply this lightly because it has an unusual nude undertone that washes me out a bit if I put on too much, but otherwise I think it's such a fun, unique, and bright color that everyone should try!

Thanks for reading :)

Splendid Shadows

2011-05-30T12:56:00.000-07:00

Left to Right:
-MAC Talent Pool ($14.50)
-Pixi No.3 Nude Nouveaux ($14.00)
-NARS Bali ($23.00)

These are some of the most beautiful and pigmented shadows I have ever come across!

Talent Pool is a gorgeous shimmering aqua with a hint of green reflects. I almost never wear colors in the blue family, but it is perfect for summer and would look stunning on brown eyes. Because it is so bright and I tend to stay with neutral shades, I run this along my lower lashline for a pop of color.

Bali is clearly the most pigmented of the three, and the most expensive. Although the price makes me cringe, I was lucky enough to receive it as a holiday present. Yet having used it I personally think it is worth the price tag. The packaging is adorable, the case is hard to describe, it is hard with this rubbery feel, and comes with a convenient mirror inside. It's a pure matte rich dark brown that is essential in every collection and its quality is outstanding.

Nude Nouveaux I bought on a whim. I had swatched the shadow in Target and thought it was so wonderfully velvety that I had to have it. I am obsessed with shimmery champagne shadows so I thought this would just add to the many I already have but I was dead wrong. This is my "holy grail" eyeshadow! I try to branch out to my other shadows but I always end up using this one practically every day. This shadow is magical; I can use it all over my lid during the daytime as it runs gold/champagne with a hint of pink, or at night where it somehow turns a slight silver tone perfect with jet black liner. AHHHH i love this!

Thanks for reading :)

Recent Bits and Bobs :)

2011-05-18T14:47:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!
My life has been beyond hectic and my blog has become the neglected victim :( But I decided to try something new today and make a video to show you all some new products that I have been trying out lately. Please watch the video and let me know what you think, enjoy! P.S. I KNOWWW my camera is terrible quality :/ but I just enjoyed making this video, if you like the regular posts better, or maybe a combo please let me know!!

March Favorites!

2011-04-12T16:11:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone!

I LOST MY CAMERAAAA!!! :(
I've been doing my best to find it and hopefully I will soon. But for the time being, I still wanted to show you my favorites so I just took some pictures from online. Enjoy!

Sephora Collection Doe Eyed Felt Tip Liner
For years I have used my L'oreal Lineur Intense to master my winged liner (which I do everryyy day) but I decided I wanted to see if I could find something better. Although I'm not totally satisfied with this and am still looking for something even better (the tip is already a little frayed and I have to shake it sometimes to make the product come out) I think it is soooo easy to use, inexpensive, and I'm enjoying it for the time being!

Pixi Solo Light Eyeshadow in Nude Nouveaux (unknown shade pictured)
The shade I have is a frosty/shimmery taupey champagne color with a bit of pink? haha That's the best way I can describe it. I absolutely love shimmery shadows because they just make my eyes sparkle and for the past month I have been reaching for this pretty much every day because it's such a versatile, every day shade.

Covergirl Naturelux Gloss Balm in 203 Coral
I was so excited when this product came out because I am obsessed with lip balms and the range of colors for these is amazing!! I would say this is a good combination between a gloss and a balm because it is pretty moisturizing (nothing heavy duty) and it gives a sheen to the lips. But because it is not a true liquid gloss it does show the lines in my lips a bit and doesn't make them look fuller or anything. When I first bought this shade I didn't find it very pigmented but now that I've used more of it and warmed up the product it is so pigmented! Once I put on a bit too much and my lips were legit orange... not good! But I really like this especially due to the popularity of orange lips this season and I would love to try more shades

Bad Gal Lash Mascara
THIS MASCARA IS AMAZING!! I know that it's been popular for so long and I'm one of the last to try it, but it took me forever to finally splurge for a non-drugstore mascara. I bought the sample size and because I have so many other mascaras that I use on and off it has lasted me a good amount of time. It makes my eyelashes sooo voluminous but not clumpy which I lust for. Sadly for my wallet, I don't think I can live without this I will definitely be repurchasing!

Thanks for reading :)

Lancome's Precious

2011-02-20T13:23:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! I can't believe that it's been over a month since my last post and I'm so so sorry! First I had midterms, then I had ACTs, and recently a family member of mine passed away so things have been hectic to say the least. But I wanted to show you guys a really unique lipstick I've had for a while and I've also included some dupes in case you can't get your hand on this particular shade. Enjoy!

Lancome Sheer Magnetic Lipstick in Precious $20-$25
This lipstick is a very sheer electric purple shade with blue and purple glitter in it. It looks alarming in the tube, but on the lips its quite toned down and I don't find the glitter to be chunky at all.

L to R: Precious, Smashbox Smile Brightening Lipgloss (almost exact dupe), Revlon Lipgloss in Lilac Pastelle, MAC Lipglass in Eclectic Edge

Thanks for reading :)

How I Conceal my Under Eye Circles

2011-01-12T10:22:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! For the past year and a half or so, under eye circles has been a huge problem for me. I've tried tons and tons of products to try to fix and cover the darkness, veins, and puffiness but I never was able to. I've finally found a routine that really works for me, although it's not perfect and I'm still seeking even better options. Alsooo, I don't wear foundation or tinted moisturizer on my face, so it was really important for me to find products that blend well into my natural skin. My dark circles and puffiness are also related to genetics and lack of sleep, so it might never be fully treatable but I try my best. It might seem a little overboard, but it works for me! Also, I don't have a very high quality camera, so the "before and after" difference might not be very noticeable, but in person it very much is. Feel free to comment what you do to cover up your under eyes!

Before

First I apply a small amount of Kiehl's Ultra Protection Moisturizing Eye Gel with SPF 15 to moisturize and prevent premature wrinkling from sun exposure. It has a slight yellow color but it blends in completely clear.

Before the moisturizer fully sets in, I use the Garnier Anti-Puff Eye Roller. Its supposed to help treat dark circles and puffiness. I think because it has a cold metal applicator and caffeine in the product it helps with puffiness, although I haven't seen a dramatic difference in my dark circles. I run it from my inner corner to the crow's feet area and use my fingers to blend it in with the moisturizer. This also helps increase circulation and revive my eyes.

After those two dry into my skin, I apply a thin layer of YSL's Touche Eclat from the inner corner of my eye to the middle of my eye (below my pupil) for a brightening effect. A lot of people think this infamous tool is a concealer, and while I am mixed about it, it's meant as a brightener/highlighter not a product to cover up. I tap this into my skin with my fingers.

I don't use this every day, but when my eyes feel especially tired, I add a very small amount of Benefit's High Beam to the inner corner of my eye. It's a pink based highlighter with a slight sheen that gives my eyes a little more oomph. I also blend this in by tapping it with my fingers.

Finally for the actual concealing! I use the Sonia Kashuk Confidential Concealer in Light which I get at Target and is literally only $5!!!! It's such a good concealer that I would easily spend at least $20 on it but I don't have to! I find that it blends extremely well and covers great. To make sure I get the best coverage with it, I also tap this with quick pats under my eyes and blend the rest up to my inner corner.

After :)
Because I used so many creamy/liquidy products it's an absolute must for me to set it all with a powder. I use a very small amount of the Clarins Multi Eclat Face Powder in Shade 2 to make sure the products under my eyes don't crease and that they stay all day.

Thanks for reading :)

MAH 2010 FAVESSSS

2010-12-30T16:43:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! I hope everyone has been enjoying the holidays and is excited for the new year! As many bloggers have been doing this past week I wanted to do a favorite products of 2010. It was REALLY difficult for me to narrow my choices down to just one favorite per category so I decided to do a "winners" and "runner ups" and "honorable mentions". I chose not to go into descriptions of the products for the sake of a concise post, but if you have any questions about the things i mentioned just post a comment or email me and I'll answere asap. By the way, I don't wear foundation and I'm not very much into hair products because mine is very manageable, so if you notice those categories are missing that's why! Hope you enjoy!

Favorites:

Lip Balm:
Winner- Neosporin Overnight Recovery Lip Balm
Runner Up- Blistex Medicated Lip Balm with SPF 15
Honorable Mention- EOS lip balms

Lip Stick:
Winner- Estee Lauder Lipstick in Pinkberry
Runner Up- YSL Rouge Pur Couture in Rose Stiletto
Honorable Mention- Estee Lauder Crystal Lipstick Quad

Lip Gloss:
Winner- NYX Round Lipglosses
Runner Up- MAC Lipstick in Eclectic Edge
Honorable Mention- DuWop Lip Venom

Eyeshadow (Single):
Winner- Clinique Buttermilk
Runner Up- Nars Bali
Honorable Mention- Pixi Nude Nouveaux

Eyeshadow (Palette):
Winner- Tarte Day to Night Palette
Runner Up- Urban Decay Deluxe Shadow Box
Honorable Mention- Coastal Scents 88 Color Shadow Palette

Eyeliner (Liquid):
Winner- L'oreal Lineur Intense Carbon Black (the only one I use!)

Eyeliner (Pencil):
Winner- Clinique Liner in Blackened Taupe (comes out brown)
Runner Up- YSL Crayon Yeux Haute Tenue in Velvet Black
Honorable Mention- Sephora Brand Liner Electro in Khaki Electro

Eyeliner/shadow (Gel/Cream):
Winner- Maybelline Eyestudio Gel Liner in Charcoal and Black
Runner Up- Stila Smudgepot in Kitten
Honorable Mention- ELF Shimmer Palette

Mascara:
Winner- Covergirl Lashblast Fusion
Runner Up- Arabella Stuart Perfect Lash
Honorable Mention- Estee Lauder More than Mascara

Blush:
Winner- Benefit Posietint
Runner Up- Sephora Blush in Rose Abricot
Honorable Mention- Sonia Kashuk Creme Blush in Rosey

Highlighter:
Winner- Smashbox Artificial Light in Flash
Runner Up- DuWop Doubleglow7 in Champagne
Honorable Mention- YSL Touche Eclat

Concealer:
Winner- Sonia Kashuk Confidential Concealer in Light

Skin Care:
Winner- Neutrogena Oil Free Moisture with spf 15
Runner Up- Kiehl's Ultra Protection Moisturizing Eye Gel spf 15
Honorable Mention- Garnier Skin Renew Anti- Puff Eye Roller

Cleansers/ Acne Products:
Winner- Clearasil Rapid Action Pads
Runner Up- Aveeno Positively Radiant Cleansing Pads and Ponds Makeup Removal Pads
Honorable Mention- Neutrogena On the Spot Acne Treatment

Nail Polish:
Winner- Revlon 85 Minted
Runner Up- Sally Hansen Double Duty Strengthening Base & Top Coat
Honorable Mention- OPI Aphrodite's Pink Nightie

Perfume:
Winner- Vera Wang Princess

Ok, those are all my favorites of 2010! This year I got really into makeup and found so many loves... I hope you all did as well!
Feel free to leave a comment telling me some of your favorite products of 2010 or a link to a post of them if you made one.

Thanks for reading and have a fabulous new year :)

Super Simple Green Look for the Holidays!

2010-12-22T18:17:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! I wanted to show you a look that I came up with while playing around with my makeup today. I think that dark, shimmery greens look absolutely stunning for the holiday season and this look is so simple to do! Enjoy!

Eyes: -Stila Smudgepot in Jade (base)

-Stila Eye For Eye Palette (dark hazel and black shade)

-Sephora Shadow in Aspen Summit (inner corner)

-L'oreal Lineur Intense Carbon Black Liquid Liner

-Yves Saint Laurent Long Lasting Eye Pencil in Velvet Black

(tightline and waterline)

-Estee Lauder More than Mascara Mascara

Cheeks: -Smashbox Artificial Light Flash

-Sonia Kashuk Creme Blush in Rosey

Lips: -Rouge Pur Couture in 9 Rose Stiletto

-MAC Lipglass in Enchantress

Thanks for reading and happy holidays everyone!! :)

Lovely Holiday Gifts for Makeup Lovahsss

2010-12-19T19:14:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Since it's officially holiday season, I wanted to make this post showing you some makeup items that I think any makeup lover would enjoy as a present this year. Also,I've been stalking sephora.com like a madwoman (because I'm so obsessed haha) and they have some really great holiday deals as well. Enjoy!

Coastal Scents 88 Shadow Palette: This is one of the most popular/infamous palettes out there in the beauty community because of it's quality, price, and wide range of colors. I believe the regular price is $24.95 but for the holidays it's reduced (I think the whole website is) to $18.95. The dime sized shadows are very pigmented with every color imaginable and perfect if you have a friend or loved one who is just starting out in makeup. I bought this palette when I first was starting my makeup collection and it's wonderful. The only downside is that you can only purchase online, the brand is not sold in stores as far as I know. Coastal Scents has TONS of other palettes, brushes, and makeup products that are really good quality so take a look for some great makeup presents! Coastal Scents website

Tarte Day To Night Palette: This is most likely my all time favorite palette. The colors are shimmery, blendable, and richly pigmented and whether it's a wearable day look to a super dramatic night look I can do it with this. It has really basic but gorgeous colors that I just can't get enough of! Ok, I just need to stop now because I really could go on about this palette all day! It also comes with a large mirror, a double sided eyeliner (not shown), an eye primer sample that I did not like (not shown, and an awesome double ended shader/crease brush (not shown) and an adorable purple case that I wish was a real clutch! This is an AMAZING deal for $44 and it would be an even better present in my opinion. Tarte Day To Night Palette

DuWop Exclusively Ours Gift Set: I'm pretty sure I'm going to do a full review on this gift set soon, but for the time being it's a 4 piece gift set that's exclusive to Bath and Body Works that has amazing products. It includes Venom Flash gloss, Doubleglow7(incredible product), Blushbooster, and a gold/champagne shadow duet. There are more details on the website, but as a $50 gift I think it's fantastic and comes with very basic, beautiful products that a true makeup lover would adore! DuWop Gift Set

Stila Smudge Pots Set: One of these at Sephora costs about $20, so for $32, this set is a ridiculous deal! Smudge Pots are a 2 in 1 cream shadow/liner product that I find pigmented, long wearing and they do not crease (wooo!). This set also comes with a liner brush that I haven't used, but it doesn't look that great. The four smudge pots are in the famous shade Kitten (love this), Violet (shimmery true violet), Black, and Starry Night (navy with multi colored reflects). Smudge Pots

Birchbox: I discovered this website after watching a video missglamorazzi on youtube made raving about it. Birchbox is essentially a website where for just $10 a month you receive random deluxe samples of high end cosmetic and skincare brands. In my first order, I got a heat protectant for my hair, a tinted moisturizer (although the shade is too dark for me), Stila lip glaze in Kitten, and a perfume. If there's a product that you fall in love with and want the full size version of, you can also buy it on the website with redeemable points (I'm not totally sure how the point system works so check out the website). It's such a great gift because whoever you give it too will feel like they're getting a gift from you every month of the year! Birchbox

Vera Wang Princess: THIS IS MY ALL TIME FAVORITE PERFUME AND WOULD MAKE AN AMAZING GIFT! I DID A FULL REVIEW ON IT HERE.

Yves Saint Laurent Sephora Exclusive Holiday Set: I recently got this set from Sephora, and I can not say enough what a great deal this is. The beloved and infamous Touche Eclat alone is $40 but this set is just $65! It comes with Rouge Pur Couture in Rose Stiletto (rich berry rose), Mascara Volume Effet Faux Cils, Touche Eclat in 2 Luminous Ivory (for fair to light complexions with yellow undertones), Long-Lasting Eye Pencil in Velvet Black, and a chic black pleated evening clutch. All the products are really high quality, and they feel so luxurious haha.... its YSL! This makes a really great gift for the holiday season because it's beautiful products with just as beautiful packaging. YSL Gift Set

Boy, this is a long post! Hope this helped give you ideas of gifts for this holiday season... thanks for reading :)

Lips I'm Lovin and Haircut!

2010-11-27T10:52:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! Lately I've been really into experimenting with lip glosses and lipsticks and I wanted to show you guys some of my favorites lately. Enjoy!

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipgloss
in Lilac Pastelle. This is such a unique lavender color that looks great when applied lightly(it's pigmented)alone or on top of another lipstick for a variety of colors.

***

L'oreal Colour Riche Lipstick in A Deeper Shade of Hope
and Michael Todd Lipstick in Bone. I had both of these colors just sitting around for a while because I found them both just so unwearable for myself(a super dark plum and a paler than pale nude). On a whim, I combined the two colors and OMG! it made the most gorgeous, natural pink! If you have two unwearable colors lying around like I did, try combining them, you might be surprised :)

***

Smashbox Smile Brightening Lip Gloss. First off,
I don't find this lip gloss particularly "smile brightening". But that aside, I was so happily surprised when I got this to see that rather than a typical pink, it's a purply-pink with tons of purple and gold glitter in it. It didn't pick up very well in the photo, but it's such a fun color! It's quite sticky which means that it lasts a long time and I love the brush applicator it comes with. I got it for only $5 at Sephora so check out if that deal's still going on!

***

Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick in Shade 36.
Once again... muted color UGHHH but DO NOT BE FOOLED by this photo!! This lipstick is an extremely bright, hot pink that can be a little scary, but a whole lotta fun as well. It's a little bit drying so I recommend putting on a lipbalm before applying it, but the pigmentation is great!

***

Haircut!

Before

After

Thanks for reading :)

Jennifer Lopez Perfume Look

2010-11-21T10:27:00.000-08:00

Hey everyone! The other day I was flipping through People Style Watch and i came across the Love and Glamour perfume ad with Jennifer Lopez and I absolutely loved her eye makeup. I decided to recreate it with my own products and although my look doesn't look nearly as good as hers, it was really easy to do and can be done with pretty common products. I did this look a while ago so I don't remember exactly what products I used but they are all very basic. Enjoy!

I started off with packing a shimmery
dark grey all over my lid and winged it
out on the outer corner of my eye

To darken the look, I smudged a black-
grey color along my upper lash line and
then highlighted my brow bone with
a white shadow

Now the fun part! With a black
liquid liner, create a basic winged line
on the upper lash line and then recreate
the same line along the lower lashes.
Towards the inner corner, slightly bring
together the two lines.

Place a vibrant silver shadow in
between the black liner in the
inner corner, mine got smudged :(
and add your choice of mascara to your upper
and lower lashes

P.S. I forgot to do this, and it's totally optional, but in the picture, it looks like J.Lo is wearing some white liner in her waterline if you'd like to do the same

Use a dark nude lipstick on your
lips and top it off with either
a gloss of the same/similar
dark nude or a clear shade

SORRY FOR THIS GROSS PIC!
but anywaysss I finished off by
highlighting my cheeks and the
bridge of my nose. Then I contoured
beneath my cheekbones (the contouring
is quite heavy in the ad)

Here's the ad, isn't it gorgeous?!

Thanks for reading :)

October Favorites!

2010-11-03T16:22:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! Here are my favorites for the month of October. I don't have that many but I hope you enjoy!

From L to R:
-Clinique Superbalm Tinted Lip Treatment in Grape Tint: This is obviously a sample size of the product, but as you can tell this month helped me make a dent in it. It comes off pretty colorless but there's definitely a grapey tint to it. It's veryy moisturizing, sticky so it lasts a while, has a gorgeous glossy finish, and it sits above my lips not settling into the lines and making them look fuller. Love!
- Onsen Cuticle Conditioner: I've had this sitting around for a while, but with the weather getting colder and school stress growing, my cuticles have not been great at all. I really love this product because it immediately softens my cuticles, is really moisturizing, and is very cool to the touch so it helps soothe any of my painful cuticles immediately.
- Sephora Daily Makeup Brush Cleaner: This small bottle was only $6 and for what it is it's pretty good. I haven't used any brush cleansers in the past but I really like this one. It has a somewhat strong perfumed smell but it's not offensive, and with just a few sprays my brush is pretty much clean. What I love most about it is that my brushes dry within minutes of cleaning them with this so that I can use them right away!
- Candles: Because the weather's getting colder, I've been lighting candles almost every day, mainly this lavender scented candle because it makes my whole room smell soo good... it's such a calming scent
-L'Oreal Bare Naturale Gentle Mineral Eye Shadow in Bare Lavender: This is a loose shadow that's only like $2 at the drugstore. I love purple shadows and this is such a pretty super shimmering lavender. What I also love about it is that I can wear it as a sheer wash on my lid or really build up the color. The brush it comes with is good for a light wash, and the one really difficult thing about it is that it literally gets everywhere! But that's expected with pigments and it's just such a pretty color!
- ELF Mineral Blush in Plum: This is a loose mineral blush that's a really true plum color that I love for fall and with just a little dab in the pot I can get a really nice flush. For just $3 it's amazing
-Stila Kajal Eyeliner in Pearl: This is a matte white eyeliner that I absolutely love. It's so so so creamy and pigmented that it glides onto my waterline really easily. I use it for the famous white in the waterline to make your eyes brighter trick and I really love this particular eyeliner to do it with
- Eyebrow Razor:I don't exactly know what this is called, but I just call it an eyebrow razor... trust me it's not as scary as it sounds! This is a really small razor that I use to quickly clean up my brows when I don't have time or want to suffer through the pain of tweezing them. The hairs grow back quicker because it's not as precise but it's still a good pain free option

Those are my favorites hope you enjoyed!
Thanks for reading :)

Collective Haul :)

2010-10-23T09:55:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I know that it has been a long time since I've posted, and I know I keep saying that, but it's been reaaally hard for me to find the time to keep up with recent posts. But I'll keep trying my best! This post is just showing you guys some items I've recently purchased over the past two months that I thought people might enjoy and be inspired to add into their own wardrobe. Enjoy! BTW: has anyone else experienced this? whenever I add a photo to my post, it automatically has the color get washed out a little (so annoying!) please let me know that I'm not the only one this is happening to!

Brown Bag: Converse for Target
Black Bag: Nordstrom
Coat: Delias
Blazer: Nordstrom Rack

Dress: Urban Outfitters
Paisley Scarf: F21
Sparkle Bow Top: F21
Bow Top: F21

Beaded Tank: Urban Outfitters
Military Jacket: American Eagle
New Phone! LG Ally

New makeup mirror! With a zoom
and regular mirror, 2 side mirrors,
and 4 light settings... so cool

Beaded flats: Marshalls
Cold Weather Boots: F21

So there's all my recent purchases! I absolutely love every single item and almost all of them were on sale which is amazing. These items are perfect for fall and I hope you get some ideas of what would work for your fall wardrobe too.

Thanks for reading :)

The Marvelous Uses of #3: Lemon

2010-10-07T16:06:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! I know it's been a while since my last one of these, but here's number 3! Hope you enjoyyyyyyyy

1) Toner/ Refresher: Spritzing some lemon juice on your skin helps revive it and tone it because it contains enzymes that help remove dead skin cells

2) Teeth Whitening: Rub half a lemon with a pinch of salt and baking soda all over your teeth for whiter teeth and fresher breath! But do not do this often as acid can wear away enamel on your teeth.

3) Chapped Lips: Mix some lemon juice, honey, and cream for at least a week to see super smooth lips!

4) Anti-Wrinkle Mask: Combine a teaspoon of honey, a drop of almond oil, and lemon juice and let it dry on your face for 20 minutes

5) Smooth Skin: Mix an overripe banana with some lemon juice for clear and smooth skin. Also try mixing lemon juice with vegetable oil and honey for extra dry areas like elbows or heels.

6) Lightener: Combine lemon juice with a leave in conditioner, comb it through and rinse for lighter hair color

7) Age Spot Treatment: Apply lemon juice directly on to age spots to bleach them away but make sure not to do this if you have sensitive skin because lemon juice is quite acidic

Thanks for reading :)

Give me Gold Tutorial and a Thank You!!

2010-10-03T10:58:00.000-07:00

Hey everyone! To start off, I wanted to give a HUGE thank you to everyone who has helped me reach 100 followers!! It's something that I didn't expect to happen for a while and it makes me feel so happy that this many people have found my blog. I also wanted to say that every comment I get really means a lot to me and you guys are all so nice! I appreciate it soooo much and I hope my current followers and the ones to come continue to enjoy my blog :)

And now onto this gold tutorial!

After priming your lid, place a gold
cream shadow over your lid as a base.
I mixed Stila's Smudgepot in Kitten
and NYX Jumbo Pencil in Gold.

Put a light gold shadow all over
your lid (Lancome's Fabric)

Define your crease with a dark
golden bronze shade (Estee Lauder Cinnamon).Use the same shade to run under your
lower lashline.

Highlight with a matte white shadow
(I know this is shimmery... I meant to
use matte/ Estee Lauder Sugar Cube)
and smudge a black shadow lightly along
the upper lashline.

With liquid liner (L'Oreal Lineur
Intense), draw a thin line
on top of the smudged black shadow.
Line your water line in black. Then
add a few coats of black mascara
(Sephora Mascara Lash Plumper).

Place a golden blush on your cheeks
(Lancome Blush Subtil in Bronze Glow)

Put a light bronze lipstick
on your lips (Diandra Slimline Lipstick
in Coral Ice) and top with a
sparkling gold gloss (Estee Lauder Pure
Pops in Fizzy Pear)

Thanks for reading :)