Makeup Tips, Beauty Reviews, Tutorials | Miss Natty's Beauty Diary Blog

Some of My Guilty Pleasures. What are Some of Yours?

2013-05-28T09:30:00.000-05:00

Some of My Guilty Pleasures

We all pretty much have guilty pleasures that we like to indulge in whether it be listening to some of your old-school jams, going on unnecessary shopping sprees, getting an occasional massage or indulging in something sweet. I think it's a way of keeping our own sanity even though many of us don't like to admit some of the things we occasionally enjoy when there's a small feeling of guilt involved.

TV is a common guilty pleasure whether it be watching some old re-runs, "reality" shows, daytime talk shows or following a new series. As a Glam Media publisher, I get the wonderful opportunity to work with many different brands. Right now, Glam is celebrating the premiere of ABC's new show Mistresses. A bit scandalous, Mistresses is a new drama about four girlfriends on their own paths to self-discovery. We have a bit of a feeling that it's sure to be one of our next guilty pleasures.

Continue reading to see what some of my guilty pleasures are. I'd also love to read some of yours!

A Certified Pamper Day

Keeping up with a beauty regimen can be a lot of work and can require loads of upkeep. One of my guilty pleasures is designating myself an all-out "Pamper Day" to myself. My pamper day is an all-out spa day for myself, hosted by myself and usually falls on a Sunday when I have absolutely no plans and feel like sticking around at home for the day.

I usually do what I tend to neglect on most days, which would be a full body exfoliation in the shower, shaving from head to toe (sometimes waxing) and loading myself up with a good moisturizer and throwing a protein treatment and deep conditioner in my hair and cover my hair with a shower cap while I do some of my other things. I like leaving deep conditioners in my hair for as long as I can, so with some time to kill, I like to tweeze my eyebrows really good with a 5X mirror (and any other strays I can find) and pick from my array of beauty masks. If my nails aren't looking the best, I'll paint my finger and toe nails - one of dreaded chores of being a girl. I love freshly polished nails, but I just hate doing it. I try to be good though about removing my polish as soon as it chips, but I've been guilty on several occasions of having chipped nails for days. My day usually ends with a self-tanning session and by the next morning, I feel incredibly refreshed and ready to take on the day. I loathe the feeling of when I neglect my beauty routine, but to my defense, it's only usually the periods of time where I've been super busy and haven't had much time to myself.

Thrift Stores, Consignment Shops & Garage/Estate Sales

Who doesn't love a bargain, right? So it's no secret that If I see a sign for an Estate Sale, I'm following the signs and arrows all the way to the sale. I've always enjoyed going to them since I was really young to see if I can score something really good for a low price. You definitely have to get there early if you want dibs on the good stuff, and sometimes you can get really lucky. I always have the hopes of snagging some vintage designer fashion jewelry or accessories. I've found some pretty cool things, including a real Louis Vuitton wallet for like fifty cents.

I also really enjoy going to random thrift stores and consignment shops once in a while when I get the chance. It's not something I do regularly, because frankly I don't have any good shops that are local, but if I spot one, I always like to take a peek inside.

Lately though I've been regularly looking at online consignment stores that specialize in designer goods (mostly handbags) in hopes of scoring a great deal on something that really wouldn't be in my budget otherwise. Hey, no one has to know that you weren't the original owner.. haha!

Splurging on Makeup

Surprise! I'd consider purchasing makeup a guilty pleasure only because I own so much already that I absolutely do not need any more. It's really hard for me not to give into makeup temptations, but you can bet that If I spot anything pretty at a makeup counter, it's going to go home with me. My ultimate guilty pleasure is the higher-end, pricier brands of makeup that I don't purchase too often. Purchasing a pricey foundation or blush makes me feel extra luxurious.

Junk Food

I eat very healthy regularly for the most part, but I'm guilty of indulging.. maybe a little too often than I should. There are many "forbidden" foods on the invisible list in my head which mostly consists of fast food, junk food (candy, chips, snacks, processed baked goods) and pretty much anything loaded with calories and that's high in fat or sugar.

One of guilty pleasures believe it or not is just a regular, greasy, fast food meal. I never eat fast food - maybe once or twice a year and when I go to restaurants, I will never order fries with my food. Don't get me wrong, I love it! But it's something I've steered clear of for many years. Actually eating a full meal at McDonald's would be a treat for me! Don't judge. haha!

I'm also a sweet addict and can't go to any store without looking at the bakery section. I won't necessarily purchase anything, but I love to feed my eyes with all of the yummy treats. A really good coffee cake would be a total guilty treat for me. I also love cannolis (with chocolate chips), napoleons and pretty much anything filled with custard and topped with whipped cream.

1990's Animated Movies

I was huge on Disney Movies as a little kid and during my Summer vacations I use to watch my Disney movies over and over again. I was a child with a large imagination and I remember I had a big selection of VHS tapes and I always acted like I was shopping at the video store when it was time to pick a movie. I think I even use to stamp a card with the date to "return" the movie (back to my shelf) because I saw them do it at Blockbuster. Some of my favorite movies were Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Pocahontas, Thumbellina, Once Upon a Forest, Princess and the Goblin, The Swan Princess and many more! I still love these movies, and if I happened to run across any of them playing on TV, I'd definitely watch them.

I'd love to hear what some of your guilty pleasues are! Let me know in the comments!

Four friends. Four hearts. 13 weeks of seduction. Based on the hit UK television series of the same name, "Mistresses" is a provocative and thrilling drama about the scandalous lives of a sexy and sassy group of four girlfriends, each on her own path to self-discovery. These four friends find support and guidance with each other as they brave their turbulent journeys and life's storms of excitement, secrecy and betrayal, all the while bound by the complex relationships they've created. "Mistresses" stars Alyssa Milano, Yunjin Kim, Rochelle Aytes and Jes Macallan. Don't miss the series premiere Monday, June 3rd at 10|9c on ABC after an all-new "The Bachelorette."

Sally Hansen All Fired Up Complete Salon Nail Polish.

2013-05-22T16:22:00.000-05:00

Sally Hansen All Fired Up Complete Salon Nail Polish

I haven't posted any nail posts recently, mostly because the cold weather this past winter was super harsh on my nails. I have Nail Miracle (blogged about this a few months ago) to thank for my now long, healthy nails.

I like wearing neutral and dark nail colors all year round, but this Summer I've been loving the classic neon and bright pinks, coral, warm reds and orange.

Sally Hansen All Fired Up is a warm, summery red with a hint of orange. In some lighting, it reads a bit of a warm coral. It's a very classic color that you can't go too wrong with. I love the way it looks on my nails, especially when I have a little bit of a tan going on.

The Sally Hansen Complete Salon Nail Polishes have a thick, flat, stubby brush so you can coat more surface area in less strokes. I like the brush because I can paint my nails quicker with a larger brush. If you have very petite hands or very small nail beds, you might find it to be a little large.

The formula is fantastic and applies evenly and opaque. Two coats is perfect.

Paired with Orly Bonder Base Coat and Seche Vite Top Coat, my manicure lasted a full week with minor tip wear.

This is definitely a nail polish I'll be rocking all Summer long.

What's on your nails?

Rocksbox Review Vol. 002!

2013-05-18T19:02:00.000-05:00

Rocksbox Review Vol. 2

This is my second Rocksbox, and I could hardly wait to open it once I saw the package lying on my doorstep. Within seconds I was busting the package open with a pair of scissors - sounds a little dramatic, I know.

For a recap, Rocksbox is a new subscription box company where you pay a $19/month fee to borrow unlimited designer jewelry. You'll receive three items at a time, and with the enclosed prepaid envelope, you can send your items back at any time and you'll promptly receive a new package with three different items. You can wear and enjoy items up to the 60 day deadline, and if you want to keep any of the items, you can purchase them at the discounted member price.

It's really exciting not knowing exactly what's inside and knowing that I'm about to unleash some trendy, designer jewels.

My box contained:

CC Skye Resort Cuff in Green Ostrich (retail price $150)
Urban Gem Pave Crescent Necklace in Gold (retail price $65)
Dara Ettinger Cynthia Double Druzy Earrings in Lunar (retail price $180)

In my style survey I completed, I stated that I prefer statement pieces that are modern, glam, edgy and a bit feminine. I think they did a great job catering to the type of jewelry I'd like to wear. I actually love all three items I received.

If you follow me on Instagram, you might know about my newfound love for CC Skye jewelry so I was really excited to find the cuff in my box. Forest green is actually one of my favorite colors, so I can't wait to wear it. I recently purchased a CC Skye Kenzie Lock Cuff Bracelet, which is very similar, so I won't be purchasing this item, but I will enjoy wearing it over the course of the month.

I'm loving the dainty rhinestone bar necklaces that are popular right now, and given this piece isn't too expensive, I think it will be staying with me. But, I'll wear it and see if I can part with it or not.

The earrings are absolutely gorgeous and I may have a hard time giving these back as well. It has peaked my interest in Dara Ettinger jewelry - if you have a minute, I urge you to check some of her things out. They are just so pretty and unique to look at.

Again, I'm super happy with this box, and I've been searching the hashtag #rocksbox on Instagram almost daily and have been loving what others have been receiving as well.

It's definitely a subscription box that I'm going to stay subscribed to. And for the records, I like much better than Jewelmint, which in my opinion is going straight downhill (more about that later).

I know "renting" jewelry might not interest some of you - as you can easily purchase more affordable jewelry with the $19/month membership price but I love the face that there is no commitment and you have the opportunity to try out different designers, styles and trends without having to shovel out lots of cash. Sometimes paying a high price for trendy jewelry isn't the best idea if you can't really afford it since trends come and go so fast, so I think it's a great way to stay on trend without paying a big price. You may occasionally come across an item you wouldn't necessarily pick out yourself, but it allows you to experiment a bit, and maybe you'll end up discovering a style or brand that you never liked before and now love. You can't buy jewelry anywhere and wear it for 60 days and return it, so I'm all for Rocksbox.

Also, like I mentioned in my first post, if you show off your jewels on your social media pages and tag Rocksbox, you'll receive a $5 credit in which you can use towards a purchase. You can share your items an unlimited amount of times, so you can really bring down the price of some of your favorite pieces.

Discount Code-

iFabbo and Rocksbox is providing my readers with an awesome discount code of 50% OFF your first three months ($9.50/month) by using the promo code FABB. If you feel that Rocksbox isn't for you, don't worry, you can cancel your membership at any time.

(click to join!)

Estee Lauder Hot Fuse and Techno Jam Pure Color Lip Shine Review, Photos, Swatches!

2013-05-09T16:38:00.001-05:00

Estee Lauder Pure Color Lip Shine

This Spring, Estee Lauder is all about bringing us bright and fun colors in sheer, lightweight formulas. All of the products in the Estee Lauder Pure Color Cello Shots Collection all commonly share the same characteristics of being beautifully bright yet very subtle for a fresh, healthy look.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Lip Shine ($26) is described as bringing a sheer rush of color to the lips. The formula is lightweight, moisturizing and long-lasting.

Available in (6) limited edition shades: Pink Patent, X-Pose Rose, Plexi Pink, Hot Fuse, Techno Jam and Poppy Shock.

Does the description sound familiar? If you've had a chance to look at my previous review for the Estee Lauder Pure Color Sheer Rush Lipgloss, this product is exactly the same - but in lipstick form. Luckily, there is a bit more pigment with these lipsticks.

The two shades I have are Hot Fuse, which is a soft blue-based red, but when applied, it gives off more of a raspberry/rose tone. Techno Jam is a slightly deeper cherry red, and definitely is more red on the lips than Hot Fuse. Both are equally as pigmented, and comparable to something like Revlon Lip Butters. Sheer upon the first swipe, but very buildable to a fairly opaque coverage.

Estee Lauder Techno Jam

Estee Lauder Hot Fuse

They are waxy/balmy consistency lipsticks, so they apply super smooth and feel really lightweight. I find them to be moisturizing and they feel buttery soft on the lips.

I like applying them with a couple of swipes for a light wash of color, but I also love wearing them layered for their full intensity.

I do find that with both of these shades that because of the thin, slippery formula, it can migrate outside of my lip lines if I don't apply it carefully or use a lip liner, and it tends to settle slightly in my lip lines when I apply layers.

Lastly, I'm not really swooning over the packaging - I think it could've been much nicer. Super lightweight and travel-friendly? Sure. But it doesn't reflect the $26 price tag in any way. It almost looks like tester/sample packaging.

Overall, I really like these lipsticks and I've been reaching for them often. I'm not sure if I'd be able to justify the price, though. What do you think?

Wearing Techo Jam

Swatches of Hot Fuse and Techno Jam (a few layers)

The Round-Up

Pros:

Apply smooth and even
Sheer, but buildable to fairly opaque coverage
Moisturizing - feel great on the lips
Shiny, balm-like finish

Cons:

When applied in layers, the thin, slippery formula has a tendency to settle in fine lines
On a couple occasions I noticed the color travel (smudge) outside of my lip lines, so I make sure to apply lip liner first
Packaging is very plain, simple and in my opinion, could have been better - especially for a limited edition item

Price: $26, Estee Lauder.

Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder #03 Review, Photos, Swatches!

2013-05-01T15:36:00.000-05:00

Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder #03

Guerlain Terracotta Bronzing Powder ($51) is a best-selling luxury bronzer that promises to "enhance" the complexion and provide a natural, radiant and luminous tan with a texture that won't look streaky or overdone on the skin. It contains moisturizing ingredients that won't dry out the skin or look powdery.

There are (8) shades in total: Numbers 00, 02 and 04 are geared for rosy complexions and 01, 03, 05, 07 and 08 are for golden complexions.

I purchased shade 03, as I really liked the golden-yellow bronze (slightly orange) tone. It works really well on my warm, medium (MAC NC35) skin tone. Bronzers that are too neutral or red-toned have the tendency to make my skin look ashy or bruised, so I lean towards very warm toned bronzers. I find that this one works really well without being too light or too dark.

Guerlain Bronzing Powders are finely milled and are super soft upon application. What I love about soft powders such as this one is that they're almost fool-proof because the powder blends so well on the skin and if I've made the mistake of coating my brush in too much product, it won't leave a big blotch on my cheek. It blends out with no problems.

Some bronzers have a tendency to sit on top of the skin, but this bronzer seems to melt into my skin with no obvious edges and a lovely satiny finish. It's a fabulous bronzer for adding all over warmth to the face and neck.

This photo was taken at the same time as my MAC Angel Lipstick Review - I used the Guerlain Terracotta #03 all over my face - on my cheeks, nose and the outer edges of my face. You can see that there are no obvious edges and my face is very naturally bronzed.

Comparisons from left to right: Guerlain Terracotta #03, MAC Give Me Sun MSF, NARS Casino Bronzer, NARS Laguna Bronzer and MAC Refined Golden Bronzer.

It's a very pretty, slim and dainty compact that's perfect to carry in your bag for touch-ups.

I've tried bronzers from so many companies and I do think Guerlain has one of the top formulas, but I don't necessarily think it's a must-have because there are many bronzers on the market that work fine.

I love MAC MSF's and I think they are just as soft and blend just as well across the skin for half of the price.

The only real difference is how well the Guerlain powder diffuses into the skin. It's likely the most natural looking bronzer I own and gives my skin a very natural glow.

If you absolutely love bronzer and are curious to explore the brand, you can't really go wrong with the Guerlain. I don't think I've ever tried anything from the brand that wasn't good.

Have you tried Guerlain bronzers?

The Round-Up

Pros:

Great variety of shades
Silky soft, finely milled formula
Applies evenly and blends easily
Sheer but buildable
Diffuses into the skin for a very natural, non-streaky or blotchy appearance
Satiny, glowy finish without the glitter

Cons:

Very pricey
Strongly scented (not as pleasant as the Meteorites scent - reminiscent of the scent of the old Covergirl pressed powders I used in high school)
Won't work well if you want an intense bronzer or contour

Price: $51, Sephora or your local Guerlain counter.

Estee Lauder Hot Fuse and Pure Rose Pure Color Sheer Rush Lipgloss Review, Photos, Swatches!

2013-05-01T14:55:00.000-05:00

Estee Lauder Pure Color Sheer Rush Lipgloss

The new Spring 2013 Estee Lauder Cello Shots Pure Color Collection is all about playful and bright colors delivered in sheer, lightweight formulas that will keep the skin fresh and glowing all day. Tom Pecheux, the Creative Makeup Director at Estee Lauder says, "This season, I’ve been working a lot with what I call “acqua color”. It’s a gentle, watery look with just a touch of bright, vibrant color."

Estee Lauder Pure Color Sheer Rush Lipgloss ($24) is described as a "cellophane-sheer" gloss that brings a super-sheer rush of vibrant color to the lips with a high shine finish. It's moisturizing and long lasting.

Available in (6) limited edition shades: Pink Patent, X-Pose Rose, Plexi Pink, Hot Fuse, Techno Jam and Poppy Shock.

The two colors I'll be talking about are Hot Fuse, which is a bright cherry red and Pure Rose, a vibrant grape.

Some companies tend to "embellish" the product claims to make their product sound wonderful, but refreshingly, I found the description to be dead-on.

These glosses are super-sheer and tint the lips with vibrant, transparent color. The finish is very glossy, so it almost gives a watery, juicy look to the lips. It almost looks like a very mild stain with a clear gloss on top.

The formula is amazing. It doesn't settle in my lip lines or accentuate dryness and it even makes my lips appear slightly fuller. It's very silky and feels wonderful on. It has a glossy, balm-lip texture on the lips, so when I'm wearing it, I often rub my lips together to be reminded of the softness. No lip balm is necessary, just this lipgloss and I'm good to go.

(I accidentally labeled Pure Rose as Techno Jam)

Estee Lauder Hot Fuse Lipgloss

Estee Lauder Pure Rose Lipgloss

Usually when we're paying the price for department store cosmetics we want to see lots of pigment and something different than what we'd find in our drugstore. And although the colors in this collection aren't all that unique and the color is so sheer, I actually really enjoy these lipglosses.

If it wasn't for the amazing formula, I'd say skip these. But if it sounds like something you'd be interested in, definitely give them a try. I love the way these feel on and especially for someone like me who is constantly putting on lip balm, these are such a nice refreshment.

Although they are great for anyone - I think this collection in general caters to the more natural girl who enjoys quality products with sheer pigments that perfect the skin and draw attention to features without very noticeably doing so. Very light, fresh and perfect for the Spring/Summer.

The Round-Up

Pros:

Tints the lips with sheer, vibrant color
Super moisturizing formula - feels buttery and glossy on the lips
Non-sticky
Lightweight
Very shiny finish

Cons:

If you're looking for a lipgloss with full coverage color, you'll want to skip these.

Price: $24, Estee Lauder.

MAC Angel Lipstick Review, Photos, Swatches!

2013-04-25T02:08:00.000-05:00

MAC Angel Lipstick

MAC Angel Lipstick ($15) is a soft pink. It's a frost finish by MAC, but I don't find it to be noticeable (at all, really) frosty. It does has a bit of a light pearl to it which makes the color shine and glisten on the lips. The coverage is sheer upon the first swipe, but it's very buildable to opaque coverage. I find it to be a very wearable every day baby pink, which is probably why it's one of MAC's best selling lipsticks.

In comparison to other popular MAC pink lipsticks - Angel is very similar to MAC Creme Cup in color and depth, but Angel is a touch cooler. It's almost difficult to tell them apart in different lightings, but I tell on me that Angel leans slightly more lilac and is a touch brighter/lighter. MAC Hue is a couple of shades lighter and is a bit warmer. MAC Lovelorn is deeper and pinker.

To be truthfully honest, it's not super flattering on my tan skintone, but when I top it off with a brighter lipgloss, it looks really pretty. It will of course vary on your personal taste and coloring. I think it looks lovely on light to light-medium skintones, but if you like nude pinks in general, Angel is a great choice.

Swatches from left to right: MAC Angel, Creme Cup, Lovelorn and Hue.

MAC Angel Lipstick on my lips

The actual lipstick itself has pretty standard lasting power. It sticks around for a few hours before needing application. I don't find it to be all that moisturizing, so applying a lip balm prior or lipgloss after is necessary for me.

Final Verdict? I like it. But Creme Cup still remains my ultimate favorite! :)

Swatches from left to right: MAC Angel, Creme Cup, Lovelorn and Hue.

Have you tried Angel? What's your favorite pink lipstick?

The Round-Up

Pros:

Pretty, every day light pink that can be worn day and night
Buildable opaque coverage
Smooth, creamy texture

Cons:

Isn't particularly moisturizing on it's own
Isn't super flattering on my warm golden-yellow (MAC NC35) skin - leans light and cool - I can see this working better for me when I'm not as tan

Price: $15, MAC.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer Review, Photos, Swatches!

2013-04-23T17:17:00.001-05:00

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer

This past February, Nars added a new concealer to their permanent line. It's about time, right? Nars is such a fabulous brand, and it was only a matter of time before they'd launch a liquid concealer, as the brand prior had only a stick/cream concealer, which frankly isn't that popular.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer ($28) is a lightweight creamy liquid concealer with a medium (buildable to full) coverage and a luminous finish. It is creaseproof and long-wearing. It doesn't contain parabens, alcohol, synthetic fragrances, etc.

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer is available in (10) shades: Chantilly (True ivory for fairest skin), Vanilla (Slight pink for for fair skin), Honey (warm peach for light-med skin), Custard (yellow tone for light-med skin), Ginger (golden tone for med skin), Biscuit (neutral med-dark skin), Caramel (golden yellow for med-dark skin), Amdande (med-dark w/ golden olive undertones) and Cafe and Cacao (for dark skin w/ deep gold/brown undertones).

I chose the shade Custard, which is a good MAC NC25-NC30 match. I could've gone a shade darker, which would have been Ginger, which is a good MAC NC35 match.

The consistency of this concealer is a creamy satiny-velvet. Despite it being liquid, it's not very moist in comparison to MAC Select Moisturecover or MAC Pro Longwear which feel wet and creamy to the touch & provide a dewy finish. The NARS concealer wipes on in an opaque layer (literally like paint) and blends quickly to a high coverage perfection and dries to a natural, non shiny, non matte finish.

One layer of product provides adequate full coverage for me. It doesn't settle in my fine lines (I'm assuming because of the high silicone content) and it brightens up my eye area really well.

Here's a before and after of one layer of concealer blended with a foundation brush.

I usually apply it directly from the applicator and sweep it under my eye area and pat it with my fingertips to blend, or I'll use a foundation/concealer brush and blend. I only need one layer for my desired high medium coverage.

The only negative I can find about this product is that after it dries, you can't really mess with it much. If you rub it after it has dried, it can have the tendency to break apart and look slightly dry. When powdering over pop, I try to lightly tap it in rather than buffing it in like I normally would.

I typically don't have issues with concealers fading on me, and this one as promised holds up well throughout the day.

For color comparison, I've swatched it next to the NARS Duo Concealer in the shades Custard/Ginger.

Swatches from left to right: NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard, NARS Duo Concealer in Custard and Ginger. Custard in the Radiant Concealer is slightly more yellow.

Overall, I'm pretty impressed with this concealer, and if you're a concealer addict like myself, I think you'll like it as well. I still prefer MAC Pro Longwear Concealer best for a liquid concealer, but this one is definitely at the top of my list as well. I love everything about the NARS concealer in terms of coverage, overall appearance and wear, but I don't love the somewhat dry texture.

If you've tried this concealer, I'd love to know what you think of it! Let me know in the comments.

The Round-Up

Pros:

Does a great job brightening up my under eye area
Doesn't look (or feel) heavy or cakey
Medium to full coverage
Doesn't settle in my fine lines - behaves like other crease-resistant formulas

Cons:

Isn't as creamy/moisturizing as I'd like it to be
Can have the tendency to look dry after I've set with a powder

Price: $28, NARS Cosmetics, Sephora.

Estee Lauder Pink Patent Pure Color Cheek Rush Review, Photos, Swatches!

2013-04-17T17:28:00.001-05:00

Estee Lauder Cello Shots Pure Color Cheek Rush

The new Spring 2013 Estee Lauder Cello Shots Pure Color Collection is all about playful and bright colors delivered in sheer, lightweight formulas that will keep the skin fresh and glowing all day. Tom Pecheux, the Creative Makeup Director at Estee Lauder says, "This season, I’ve been working a lot with what I call “acqua color”. It’s a gentle, watery look with just a touch of bright, vibrant color."

Estee Lauder Cello Shots Pure Color Cheek Rush ($28) is a water-based transparent gel that provides the cheeks with a vibrant, yet very sheer stain. It's super lightweight, easy to blend and gives such a natural, fresh and dewy look to the skin.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Cheek Rush is available in (4) shades: Hot Fuse, Pink Patent, X-Pose Rose and Techno Jam.

I have the shade Pink Patent, which is a lovely soft pink that warms up beautifully to my skin. I think it's a shade that's best suited for fair, light and medium skin tones and would adapt well to either cool or warm undertones.

The consistency is exactly what it sounds like - a water-based gel. It's kind of hard to explain because it's not runny, nor is it thick. It's light and airy, but not moussey. I'm not sure I've used any other product like it. It's cooling to the touch and disappears into the skin once blended without any greasy residue.

Application: You can absolutely use your fingers and tap the product into your cheeks, but because it can temporarily stain the fingertips, I like using a small stippling brush such as the MAC 130 or 188 Brush. Since the formula is so sheer and easy to work with, just about any brush would do (I'd stick with a synthetic brush though).

Here are a couple of photos where I was wearing Pink Patent on my cheeks - this is 7 hours after it was applied! I wasn't wearing any other cheek products but a bronzer all over my face and you can see that my cheeks look fresh and glowing.

Here's a swatch of Pink Patent on my arm. I didn't blend it in completely, but once blended, it's hardly visible. It seems to show up better on my cheeks.

I really didn't expect to love this product as much as I do, but I do! I know I don't need anymore blush, but I can't help but want to pick up the other shades.

If you love cheek stains, I'm sure you'll love these. I think they'll be a staple in my summer makeup bag.

For another look at Pink Patent, check out Best Things in Beauty for a great review.

The Round-Up

Pros:

Applies nicely without looking blotchy
Easy to work with using the fingers or a synthetic brush
Leaves my cheeks looking fresh and pinched with pink
Long lasting - I've worn Pink Patent a handful of times and each time it has lasted me the whole day. Pretty impressive!
Pretty, lightweight packaging with a pump dispenser

Cons:

None with the actual product, but because the container is a dark plastic, you can't tell how much product you're using/how much product is left. I try to use it sparingly because I don't want to run out quickly!

Price: $28 each, Estee Lauder.

My March Beauty Favorites!

2013-04-17T00:41:00.002-05:00

Most Loved Beauty Products March 2013

We're already halfway through April, but I still wanted to share with you all my March beauty favorites! My schedule has been a little hectic this month, so I apologize for the lack of updates. I appreciate those who have asked about my aunt - there have been a couple of complications, but overall she's recovering very well!

The products I'll be talking about in this post are beauty products that I've used frequently and loved in the month of March. Reviews for each of the products will follow!

Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch Makeup Base - $34

I've used samples of this product in the past, but have only recently been using it regularly prior to applying my foundation. As far as silicone based primers go, I really think this is one of the best. It smooths out my skin for a flawless, even application of foundation and it doesn't cause my skin to itch, feel heavy or greasy like many other silicone based products tend to do for me. I love applying this before my concealer to mildly fill in fine lines and provide a smooth base for a more natural finish. I also like applying this on my chin and forehead (where I tend to have visible pores) and it softens them so they aren't as noticeable. I'm definitely going to purchase a full size container.

MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF15 Foundation - $33

I've been using this foundation all month and I really like it. This foundation seems to oxidize (or darken) a little bit after applied, so I've been mixing it with a lighter shade of MAC Studio Fix Foundation and it works perfectly. I love the thin, creamy consistency and how well it blends across the skin. It gives an almost transparent veil across the skin with light (to light-medium, not full) coverage and a dewy glow. I highly prefer wearing this foundation mixed with another foundation as on it's own it's a bit too shiny for my liking, and transfers easily. Mixed with Studio Fix Fluid, it gives my skin the right amount of glow and looks great all day.

Urban Decay Urban Defense Tinted Moisturizer - $30

This is only the second tinted moisturizer I've ever used (the other one was Laura Mercier) and I love it! It provides just the right amount of coverage and evens out the skintone and covers mild discolorations/red splotches without making the skin look "made up" with foundation. The lasting power is great too. After wearing it the first time I was really surprised that my face wasn't blotchy or greasy by the end of the day. The only downside is that it oxidizes like crazy! There are only 4 shades, so it doesn't leave you with too many color options. In order to make this work, I like taking a concealer (or concealer/highlight pen) that's lighter than my skintone and apply it under my eyes in the shape of an upside down triangle, down my nose and in the middle of my forehead and blend outward. It adds a highlight to the skin without really adding much more weight or coverage.

MAC Give Me Sun! Mineralize Skinfinish Natural - $30

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Powders are some of my favorite products to use for bronzing and contouring. The powder is very soft and lightweight and glides across the skin so well without ever looking patchy. Give Me Sun is a light, peachy-tan which leans on the orange side, but with my coloring, I really like the look of terracotta toned bronzers. It gives lots of warmth and healthy color to my face and pairs really well with coral blushes.

Benefit Bella Bamba Blush - $28

Bella Bamba is a watermelon pink with golden sparkles. It sort of leans into the Nars Orgasm category of shades, but there aren't really any peachy-coral tones. It has a prominent warm, vibrant pink tone, and in conjunction with the golden sparkles, it gives a nice sheen to the skin. I've been loving this blush on the days where I want a little color on my cheeks (since most days my blush is pretty subtle).

Milani Baked Powder Blushes - $8

Believe it or not, I haven't tried any of Milani's baked blushes, so I recently picked up a couple. I got the shades Dolce Pink - a light-medium rosy pink with golden shimmer and Corallina - a vibrant coral-orange with shimmer. I love both blushes equally. They are super soft and blendable and provide such pretty, glowing color. Corallina is especially nice if you're a lover of peach and coral-toned blushes. They do alright without a base, but I find they last much longer with one. I usually just dab a neutral cream blush on my cheeks to give the baked blush something to stick to, and it prolongs the wear. Definitely recommend for a good drugstore blush, although if you prefer a matte finish, you may want to skip.

Swatches from left to right: MAC Give Me Sun! MSF, Milani Corallina Baked Blush, Milani Desert Rose Baked Blush and Benefit Bella Bamba Blush.

MAC Eyelash Curler - $20

I never thought I'd love any other brand eyelash curler after I purchased my first Shu Uemura around 7 years ago. Since buying Shu in the US is nearly impossible (unless I purchase from the website of course) I took my chances with purchasing a MAC Eyelash Curler and I'm loving it. I still think Shu Uemura is the best, but this MAC one gets my lashes sky high in 1, 2, 3.

Red Cherry Eyelashes #82 - $2.50

I have fairly small eyes and low eyebrows (not too much lid space), so most full lashes don't look right on me. Glamour (thick and full) lashes especially look ridiculous on me, and I usually have to opt for half lashes, individual lashes or natural/sparse styles of full lashes. After trying countless styles, I've finally found a style that actually flatters my eye shape and aren't too natural or too fake.

Michael O'Rourke Rock your Hair Spray it Hard Big Volume Hair Spray - $22

I've been loving this as finishing spray to give my hair some texture with medium, non-crispy hold and some root volume. I love that it's non-sticky and easy to comb out at the end of the night. Also, the can is super cute. That's always a plus.

Crest 3D White Professional Effects Whitestrips - $40

I'm around halfway through my box of Crest Whitestrips and my teeth are looking bright and so much whiter. I've been using them every other day to limit sensitivity as well as skipping the whitening toothpaste and using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth. I've had no issues with sensitivity and my teeth are looking great!

Ardell Lash & Brow Growth Accelerator - $5

When my lashes are starting to look crazy and sparse, I can always rely on this lash conditioner from Ardell. It's super cheap and it works. In just a couple of weeks of nightly use, my lashes are in so much better condition and seem to be growing in quicker.

Julep Julia Nail Color - $14

I get super bored with nail colors and it's almost never worth it for me to purchase a bottle of nail polish (especially salon polish) because I rarely ever use one more than once or twice. It's rare for me to find a color I like enough to wear continuously, but I haven't been able to get enough of this nail polish from my Julep Maven December Box. This comes from someone that doesn't really like purple - It's a metallic purple with gold shimmer. Especially love this shade on the toes.

What products are you loving right now?

I'm already gathering up my products for my April favorites! :)

The Jewelmint Midnight Blues Ring.

2013-04-04T15:30:00.002-05:00

Jewelmint Midnight Blues Ring

I apologize for another accessory post, but my Jewelmint packages have been piling up over the past month. Recently, there was a promotion going on for 4 rings for $40 ($120 value). I quickly jumped on that promotion and promptly received my rings in the mail.

Jewelmint Midnight Blues Ring is my favorite ring of the ones I chose and it's easily one of my favorite Jewelmint items I own to this date. It features a cheetah with gray rhinestones and sapphire crystal eyes and a large sapphire crystal stone. The ring has an oxidized (antique finish) silver finish.

I really like that the ring itself is a statement piece without being too oversized. Sometimes similar style oversized rings can steer into tacky-ville, but I think it's the perfect size and looks really chic and eye catching on the hand.

The quality of this ring is really good and it's an item I would have definitely paid full price for. It's currently sold out, but if it happens to come back, it's an item I highly recommend.

Unfortunately I wasn't thrilled with any of the other rings, but I'll post about those soon. I also have a couple of necklaces and some collective pieces (Oia Jules) to show you, but I'll try to post about makeup in my upcoming posts. I don't want to bore you with my accessory obsession. :)

What have you been obsessing over lately?

My First Rocksbox - First Impressions, Review, Photos and Discount Code!

2013-03-27T15:25:00.005-05:00

My First Rocksbox

Rocksbox is a brand spanking new membership-based jewelry styling service. I know, another membership site, but Rocksbox is a bit different from the rest. As many other membership sites, you start out by taking a style quiz (or style profile) and based on your selections, a stylist will handpick items for you that should fit your own personal style.

In your Rocksbox, you will receive designer jewelry - (3) items to be exact to trial for up to 60 days. So unfortunately, all of the goodies aren't yours to keep permanently, but if you are interested in purchasing any items you received, you can with a 20% off member discount. What's really cool is that if you don't like your items, you don't have to wait for the month to be over. Just send the items back in the enclosed padded envelope and you'll be sent an alternative package. The amount of items for you to try each month is unlimited, and you will only be charged the one-time monthly fee of $19.

I wasn't sure what to think about borrowing jewelry, but once I received my box I quickly changed my mind.

Here's what I found in my little box:

CC Skye Enamel Pave Dome Ring ($195 retail price)
Viento Tooth Pave Necklace ($120 retail price)
Gamine Sarah Dagger Charm Earrings ($59 retail price)

All of the items in my box are trendy and edgy - exactly the kind of things I like to wear. I actually love all three items and I was extremely excited to see a piece from CC Skye. I love CC Skye jewelry, but don't own any. I've already worn the earrings and have worn the ring just about every day.

I'm already getting anxious to see what my next box will contain, but I can't part with this gorgeous ring just yet.. maybe in a couple more weeks. haha!

Like I mentioned, I was a little hesitant of the idea of borrowing jewelry. But it's really growing on me. It makes me think of some of the high end shops that celebrities and fashion bloggers might visit to rent a designer bag or some luxurious jewels for a red carpet event. I think it's fun to be able to wear items that might not be in your price range.. as women we all love to feel glam! It's also a great way to try new things and experiment with different styles without any commitment. I also think if you have a trendy or fashion related job, it's a nice option to be able to wear and constantly try a variety of designer jewels without having to put out lots of cash.

I also thought that it might be a hassle to return the items, but it's really not at all. The time period is long enough (60 days) where you don't have to feel rushed, and your package comes with an already labeled padded envelope. All you have to do it drop it in a mailbox. Simple as that!

The only downside is that if you do fall in love with an item, it may (depending on the item) be expensive as the pieces are designer labels. Sharing your items on your social media sites will score you a $5 credit, so keep sharing and you'll knock down the price of any item/s you want.

Wanna know another cool feature? Every month you are able to give one free month to a friend. So you and your BFF's can rock some pretty cool jewelry.

Gamine Sarah Dagger Charm Earrings

Viento Tooth Pave Necklace

CC Skye Enamel Pave Dome Ring

What do you think about this service? Is it for you? Let me know in the comments!

For my Readers:

(click to join!)

I'll be back soon!

2013-03-23T16:36:00.000-05:00

Hey Everyone!

I just wanted to give you all a quick update and let you know why this whole week has gone by without any new posts.

About two weeks ago my aunt (who lives with my family) went to the hospital for pains she was having, as well as some other minor things. They did a series of tests on her and among some of the problems she was having, she was diagnosed with colon cancer. This past Monday she had surgery to remove the cancer, and thankfully it didn't spread to any of her other organs. So all of this week has mostly been spent in the hospital with my aunt until she recovers. She's doing really well and we're hoping to have her back home as soon as possible.

I asked for prayers on Twitter on the day of my aunt's surgery, and I really appreciate all of your kind responses. Thank you so much!

Hopefully I should be posting again this week.

Talk to you all soon!

xoxo

MAC Large Duo Pro Palette Review with Photos!

2013-03-16T15:33:00.000-05:00

MAC Large/Duo Pro Palette

MAC Large Duo Pro Palette ($25) is a new double-sided pro palette that accommodates two inserts. It has a see-through lid/divider so you can view all of your shades at once while keeping them secure and protected. What's cool about this palette is that you can customize it any way you want. For example, you could turn it into an every-day palette and put blushes, bronzers, etc on one side and eyeshadows on the other.

All of the inserts are sold separately, and they all retail for $9 each. You have the option of purchasing a 15-eyeshadow insert, 6-blush insert, 12-customizable insert (usually for cream foundations, concealers, etc) and 24-customizable insert (for lipsticks and other cream products).

So, if you were to purchase the palette and two inserts, it would cost you $43.

I never use the inserts on any of my palettes, so I took the route of skipping purchasing any inserts for the time being to see how I like the palette as is.

The palette itself is slightly shorter in length than the old style palettes and almost three times the height. Some may find it to be bulky, but I love the fact that the palette is deeper than the old palettes, so there are no issues closing it, unlike the older MAC palettes. It shuts with a magnetic closure, which is really nice.

The old palettes held 8 blushes side by side with no divider. What dissapointed me about the duo palette is because it's slightly shorter, it doesn't hold 8 blushes nicely and uniform like the old palette. Nevertheless, it does hold 8 blushes with a little shifting around.

If you have nails, the clear middle divider is easy to lift up. Sometimes I have trouble with it, which can be slightly annoying, but you can just tilt the palette to get the divider to swing to the other side.

Most of my blushes are depotted, which means I have my own magnets on them. Many of my magnets are cut out from business magnets (you know, the ones businesses give you to stick on your fridge) and I found that the thicker the magnet was, the much stronger hold it has to the palette. The larger magnets also have a stronger hold than some of the smaller magnets. I only have one pro pan blush, and the hold is super weak. It hasn't fallen out, but I won't doubt it would with lots of handling.

From every review I've read on this particular palette, those who decided to fill it up with eyeshadows have had eyeshadows fall out and land on the clear divider lid, and have sometimes broken. I wouldn't doubt it one bit as the magnet isn't super strong. I put some eyeshadows in the palette to show you, and they didn't feel very secure. Huge bummer. It's not any less strong than the old MAC palette, but with the old MAC palette, once shut, there wouldn't be any space for any of the shadows to fall out. With this duo palette, half of the shadows would be stored upside down, and there is plenty of space for them to fall. I wish MAC would have put that aspect into consideration and made the magnet stronger.

Holding 48 MAC Eyeshadows in one palette is like a dream to me, but to me it's not worth the risk of breaking eyeshadows, so I don't think I'll be going the route of using one of these to store my eyeshadows in. Even with the inserts, it will hold 30 eyeshadows. Without the insert in the old MAC palette, it holds 26 eyeshadows - so I don't find it to be significant enough to make the change.

I think the overall quality of the palette is really good and worth the price tag. $24 might seem like a lot, but you're basically getting two palettes in one, so I think it's pretty justifiable. The palette is very well crafted and I don't find it overly heavy for travel.

Bottom line - I think this is a great palette for every product, except for eyeshadows without the insert. If you're planning on buying inserts, I'm sure the MAC eyeshadows will be a little more secure, but if you aren't, I wouldn't recommend putting your eyeshadows in this palette - unless you are extremely careful. It works great for depotted blushes, so I'll be purchasing another one to store more of my blushes. It's also deep enough for mineralize blushes, so that will be a project for me soon!

Anyone get this palette? Thoughts?

The Round-Up

Pros:

Nice, simple, sleek design
Isn't overly heavy
Fits 24 shadows or 8 blushes without an insert or the standard 15 eyeshadows and 6 blushes with an insert
Completely customizable any way you'd like
Since it's a double palette, it's much more convenient to see all (or more) of your products at once

Cons:

Slightly shorter in length, so it will fit a few less shadows than the old MAC palette (without an insert) and MAC blushes don't fit side by side.
Magnet isn't strong enough to hold eyeshadows tight and secure.
Expensive if you're purchasing the palette and inserts.

Price: $24, MAC.

Step by Step: How to Bleach your Eyebrows!

2013-03-15T16:20:00.000-05:00

How to: Bleach your Eyebrows

Bleaching my eyebrows was always a part of my regular beauty routine back when I had blonde highlights in my hair or when my hair was a lighter shade of brown. Everyone has their own preference and opinion about matching your eyebrows to your hair color or just bleaching/coloring the eyebrows in general (some like it, some don't), but when done properly, it can really enhance your look.

My eyebrows are very thick, coarse, dark, naturally high arched, non-symmetical (meaning they don't match) and grow quick. Or in other words, nightmare brows. So, I usually have a hell of a time getting them to match every day.

Because I have quite a bit of filling in to do, they can sometimes look too harsh, dark or obvious. I also think that when my brows are super dark, it can create too much emphasis on them, taking away from other features of my face. When they're lighter, the emphasis is taken off my brows and creates more emphasis to my eyes and lips.

In this post, I'm going to briefly go over how you can achieve lighter eyebrows in some really simple steps.

Tools Needed:

Facial Bleach (I'm using Sally Hansen Creme Hair Bleach for the face)
Spoolie (or a clean cosmetic wand)
Vaseline (optional)
Purple Shampoo or Hair Toner (optional - I'm using Clairol Shimmer Lights Shampoo)

My Eyebrows before and after bleaching them.

Start out with clean, freshly groomed eyebrows. (In this photo I've filled my eyebrows in with my regular brow product to show you the difference in the before and after photo)
Using a Q-tip, apply vaseline on the skin around the eyebrows. This will prevent the bleach from touching your skin and causing irritations. This step is optional, but if your brows are freshly tweezed, I highly recommend applying vaseline, as the bleach can slightly burn freshly tweezed skin.
Mix your bleach as directed on the instructions and take your spoolie and comb it through your brows. You want to bleach each hair evenly, so work the spoolie back and forth so the hairs are coated on all angles.
Heavily coat your eyebrows in the bleach mixture so they are completely covered. Watch the clock. If you only want to slightly lighten them, you may only need the mixture on your eyebrows for about 5 minutes or so. I wanted my brows to be extra light, so I left the mixture on for 10 minutes.
Remove the bleach mixture from your eyebrows using your spoolie or a damp cloth.
Rinse and pat your eyebrows dry.
Using a Q-tip, apply purple shampoo to your eyebrows and let them sit for around 10 minutes.
Rinse and pat dry. You can see the difference from step #6 where my brows have yellow/orange tones, and #8 where they are more neutral.
You're finished! This is what my brow looks like filled in with a lighter brow product.

Some things to keep in mind:

If you have very fine and/or sparse eyebrows, the bleach will develop quicker. Keep a close eye on them and with a cotton swab, wipe a little off every couple of minutes to check on them, otherwise if you keep the mixture on for too long, you might end up with light blonde eyebrows.
If you have very dark brown eyebrows, they will always come out with brassy tones. Think of it as adding bleach to dark hair.. It's always orange before you dye or tone it. Bleach lifts color, it doesn't tone.
If your brows came out too light or orange, don't panic. They may look super brassy on the first day or two, but it does settle in well and the brassiness will fade throughout the week. You will be filling them in with a brow product anyways, so after they're filled in, any orangey tones aren't noticeable.
A toner isn't necessary (in fact, most of the time I skip the purple shampoo) but I wanted to show you that step anyway if it's something you'd be interested in. I don't want to tell you to go out and purchase a bottle of dye (that can only be used once) just to use a tiny bit for the brows. I've never used a specific toner, but if I were to purchase one, I'd get a semi-permanent ash or cool blonde or light brown dye and apply it to my brows after I've bleached them. I like using a purple shampoo because if you bleach them regularly, getting a bottle of purple shampoo would be a better value. I use the purple shampoo on my hair as well to get rid of the brassy tones!
If you are going to use a toner, please use extreme caution as you don't want it near your eyes. Apply a little product at a time with a q-tip, making sure not to overload them with product so they won't drip and get in your eyes.

Results may vary, but I bleach my eyebrows once a month for upkeep.

It's super easy and takes a short amount of time. If it's something you'd like to try, I'd say go for it! It only lasts for a few weeks anyways, so if you don't like it, don't worry, it fades gradually and is almost completely gone in 3 weeks.

Nars Lola Lola and Night Fever Eyeshadows Review, Photos & Swatches!

2013-03-10T15:09:00.000-05:00

Nars Lola Lola and Night Fever Eyeshadows

I recently purchased a couple new Nars eyeshadows to add to my forever growing collection. Like I need any more eyeshadows, right? Well, after these I'm probably done one for a while.. don't quote me on that though.

I'm all about simplicity on most days, so I love a good eyeshadow single that can make me look quickly polished without the help of any additional eyeshadows.

Nars Lola Lola Eyeshadow is described as a neutral brown with shimmer. It looks copper/brick toned in the pan, but once swatched, the color is more muted and neutral. It definitely has some soft reddish tones (no yellow-orange) mixed with silvery/gray pigments, so it doesn't lean warm.

It's actually more unique than it appears. The slight shimmer/frost really pulls this shade together and makes it a really pretty, elegant shade. It's a nice shade for any eye color, but I'd think it would look especially nice on blue and green or hazel eyes.

The eyeshadow itself is super soft and pigmented and blends like a dream. I've been wearing it alone on my lids and lower lash line for a soft daytime eye. I like that it's not super intense and has a softness about it so it's a shade that I can wear every day.

Nars Night Fever Eyeshadow on the other hand is a super dark and intense shade that I thought would be a great eyeliner shade. Night Fever is described as a black with red pearls. Pretty Simple. It's a super dark, matte black filled with fine red shimmers.

It's one of those shimmers that disappears when you wipe it, so to get the shimmer to show up, you have to pat the eyeshadow on as opposed to sweeping it. If you sweep it on, you'll only get a matte black. It doesn't transfer well when applied dry, but applied on top of a base (preferably a sticky one), it really helps the shimmers stick. They also show up when applied wet, but regardless, if you want the shimmer to stick, you need a creamy base and you have to dab it on.

Truthfully, I think it's too much work and I'd recommend skipping this shade all together. MAC Beauty Marked Eyeshadow and NYX Sensual Eyeshadow are both similar alternatives for a lower price.

To see these two shades in action, check my previous post where I'm wearing Lola Lola on the lid and lower lash line and Night Fever on the outer corners.

Swatches from left to right: Nars Lola Lola, Nars Night Fever (applied dry), Nars Night Fever (applied over a brown cream base), Nars Night Fever (applied over a frosty white base) and Nars Night Fever (applied wet).

Price: $24 each, Nars, Sephora.

My Face of the Day.

2013-03-08T15:57:00.001-06:00

Haven't posted one of these in ages! This is pretty much my usual makeup look using all products that I use on a regular basis. I don't wear false lashes often, but I recently ordered some Red Cherry Lashes and I've been wearing them almost every day because I love them so much! Strangely, my eyelashes are almost non existent as of lately and I'm not sure why. I think since I've begun using Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara, I've lost all of my lashes. (This happened to me when I was using Covergirl Lash Perfection too - good mascaras, but for whatever reason, they pull my lashes out) So I've been resorting to falsies for the time being and I purchased the Ardell Brow & Lash Growth Accelerator treatment I used in the past to grow my lashes back.

I've had a few questions regarding my eyebrows because they are lighter than they were before. I bleach them every three weeks using Sally Hansen Creme Hair Bleach and I've switched to a lighter shade in my Make Up Forever Aqua Brow. I really like the way they look now.

Products Used-

Face
Le Metier de Beaute Peau Vierge (tinted luminizer, skin treatment and spf - used as a base)
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer NW25 (applied under my eyes)
Guerlain Parure Extreme Foundation #3
NARS Laguna Bronzer (applied all over the face)
NARS Oasis Blush (applied to the cheeks)
MAC Superb Extra Dimension Highlighter (applied to the highest points of my cheeks for shine)
Ben Nye Neutral Set Powder (applied to my undereyes and t-zone to set foundation)

Eyebrows
MAC Spiked Eyebrows Retractable Crayon (used to shape my brows)
Make Up Forever Aqua Brow #15 (used to fill my brows in)
MAC Girl Boy Brow Set (tinted brow gel)

Eyes
Nars Lola Lola Eyeshadow
Nars Night Fever Eyeshadow
Red Cherry #82 Eyelashes (my new favorite lashes!)
Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion Mascara

Lips
MAC Soar Lip Liner
MAC Insanely It Sheen Supreme Lipstick (very lightly dabbed on my lips)
Nars Super Orgasm Lipgloss (my new favorite lipgloss!)

*Nars eyeshadows not pictured.. oops!

I'm working on a post as we speak on the Nars Eyeshadows I used in this look - it should be up in a couple of hours!

Ulta 21 Days of Beauty 2013!

2013-03-08T09:49:00.002-06:00

Ulta 21 Days of Beauty 2013

It's that time of year again! Ulta Beauty is hosting their bi-annual 21 Days of Beauty event at Ulta stores. The event will showcase Ulta's Spring and Summer trends, as well as provide makeup and skincare consultations and demonstrations from several brands in order for you to find the perfect products to suit you. There's also of course special offers and my favorite part of it all - the "Beauty Steals" which features a new product every day. The event will start March 10th and will be ending on March 30th. Appointments for each event are recommended, so make sure to visit your local ULTA store and sign up!

Continue reading for the full calendar of events-

Week 1 Events

SUN: 3/10
bareMinerals
Learn how to get flawless natural beauty with bareMinerals best sellers
Lorac
See how one palette can give you 3 gorgeous looks
Philosophy
Recapture hydration to eliminate wrinkles

MON: 3/11
Stila
Learn how luxurious complexion starts with perfectly prepped skin
Dermalogica
We'll give you a skin analysis and match you with the perfect skincare regime

TUES: 3/12
Tarte
Learn to perfect your look with 4 steps: Brighten, Define, Glow, Shine

Derma Doctor

Stop skin from acting out. Bring blemishes under control

WED: 3/13

Pur Minerals

Show off the golden age of glamour with one kit

Clinique

So layerable, so addictive there's no need to stop at one

Kinerase

Improves skin tone, reduces appearance of fine lines and enhances complexion

THURS: 3/14
Too Faced
Create irresistible looks for all occasions
Lancome
Choose your look: defined, doll or drama eyes
Exuviance
Try the newest in anti-aging. You'll be amazed at the results

FRI: 3/15
bareMinerals
Learn how to get the flawless natural beauty with bareMinerals best sellers
Smashbox
Get matched with perfect gloss, liner and shadows
Murad
See how a 4-step skin regime can give you back your youthful appearance

SAT: 3/16
Benefit
Enhance your complexion while you conceal
Urban Decay
From foundation to shadows, let Naked make you feel sexy
Clarisonic
Elevate your cleansing to a sonic level
Philosophy
Recapture hydration to eliminate wrinkles

Week 2 Events

SUN: 3/17
Smashbox
Get matched with perfect gloss, liner and shadows
CK One Color
Fresh spring makeup looks that pop
Murad
See how a 4-step skin regime can give you back your youthful appearance

MON: 3/18
Lorac
See how one palette can give you 3 gorgeous looks
Dermalogica
We'll give you a skin analysis and match you with the perfect skin regime

TUES: 3/19
Napoleon Perdis
Learn how to prime and smooth your complexion for a flawless finish
Exuviance
Try the newest in anti-aging. You'll be amazed at the results.

WED: 3/20
Pur Minerals
Show off the golden age of glamour with one kit
Lancome
Choose your look: defined, doll or drama eyes
Strivectin
Try the #1 skin tightening anti-aging neck cream on the market

THURS: 3/21
Stila
Learn how luxurious complexion starts with perfectly prepped skin
Clinique
So layerable, so addictive, there's no need to stop at one
Peter Thomas Roth
Packed with Amino Acids, Peptides and Collagen, a must try to believe

FRI: 3/22
Urban Decay
From froundation to shadows, let Naked make you feel sexy
Clarisonic
Elevate your cleansing to a sonic level
Benefit
Enhance your complexion while you conceal
Philosophy
Recapture hydration to eliminate wrinkles

SAT: 3/23
bareMinerals
Learn how to get flawless natural beauty with bareMinerals best sellers
Tarte
Learn to perfect your look with 4 steps: Brighten, Define, Glow, Shine
Mario Badescu
Uncover your true skin type with Mario Badescu and try best-selling products from our customized line
Dermalogica
We'll give you a skin analysis and match you with the perfect skin regime

Week 3 Events

SUN. 3/24
Pur Minerals
Show odd the golden age of glamour with one kit
Philosophy
Recapture hydration to eliminate wrinkles
Juice Beauty
100% Organic. Rejuvenate your skin with supple results

MON. 3/25
Anastasia
Learn how face framing brows can maximize your look
Dermalogica
We'll give you a skin analysis and match you with the perfect skincare regime

TUES: 3/26
Laura Geller
Find out how baked makeup gives you a radiant finish
Clarisonic
Elevate your cleansing to a sonic level

WED: 3/27
Cargo
The all-in-1 kit solves both weekday and weekend beauty needs
Exuviance
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Physicians Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Concealer Review, Photos, Swatches!

2013-03-05T17:49:00.001-06:00

Physicians Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Concealer

Physicians Formula Super BB All-in-1 Beauty Balm Concealer ($12.95) is new twist-pen style concealer that's a part of the Physicians Formula Super BB line. The line consists of a BB Cream, concealer and powder that are all designed to perfectly compliment each other. The BB concealer is said to diminish the appearance of dark circles, puffiness, imperfections, blemishes, redness and uneven skin tone.

Physicians Formula Super BB Concealer is available in two shades: Light/Medium and Medium/Deep. I purchased Light/Medium which I'd consider to be around the MAC NC20 coloring. It's peachy toned, so it's ideal for covering up under eye darkness.

The consistency is very thin and creamy. If you're familiar with MAC Select Moisturecover Concealer, it has that similar thin, wet consistency, but creamy to the touch.

One quarter of a twist provides enough product for one eye. I apply it directly from the brush to my undereyes and then lightly pat the product with my finger tips to blend. Patting works best with this concealer as opposed to wiping to provide the best coverage. The product diffuses into the skin without much of a trace. It has a healthy, dewy (not greasy) finish much like the BB cream.

The coverage is light and can be slightly built, but not up to much. With two layers it can be built to a light-medium, but still fairly sheer. It never fully reaches what I'd consider to be medium coverage.

It doesn't completely camouflage my under eye darkness, but it does slightly lighten them up. Since I like a pretty opaque undereye coverage, I usually apply my regular concealer prior to my foundation and then after my foundation I like applying a brightener - something like YSL Touche Eclat or MAC Prep & Prime Highlighter. Sometimes I use a lighter concealer, and this seems to work pretty well for that. It's not opaque enough to do major brightening, but because of it's thin consistency and blendability, it's ideal for layering since it will never look thick or cakey.

It doesn't settle in my fine lines and it feels lightweight on the skin.

Here's the before and after of one layer. You can see from the after photo that some darkness is still visible and you can faintly see my sun spots.

Swatch of Light/Medium

Here's a super close up shot of the product applied under my eyes before I blended it in to give you a better idea of the texture and color.

Overall I enjoy using this product and I think it goes well with the Super BB Cream. Both products are very lightweight and blend seamlessly into the skin. I do wish the concealer had more coverage because I find it to be too sheer for my needs. The consistency and blendability is great though, so if don't have much undereye darkness and only need a light coverage, this may be worth looking into. But if you need a medium to full coverage concealer, definitely look elsewhere.

The Round-Up

Pros:

Blends really well with a virtually seamless finish
Feels lightweight on the skin
Doesn't settle in fine lines or get cakey
Great packaging
SPF 30

Cons:

Only available in two shades
Sheer coverage - does not cover blemishes (at all) or adequately cover undereye darkness
Slightly expensive for a drugstore concealer

Repurchase? Probably not.

Price: $12.95 at your local drugstore.

Physicians Formula Super BB Cream Review, Photos, Swatches!

2013-03-04T15:25:00.001-06:00

Physicians Formula Super BB Cream

Physicians Formula Super BB Cream ($14.95) is a new all-in-one "miracle" multi-tasking cream that combines a hydrating moisturizer, light foundation and sun protection so you can simplify your morning beauty routine.

BB Creams (or beauty/blemish balms) are hugely popular because of the versatility of the product itself. You don't need a moisturizer, serum, primer, sunscreen or foundation because most BB creams do it all for you. Depending on the BB cream, it can treat blemishes/acne and provide anti-ageing. The coverage is typically light, but there are some pigmented formulas out there.

The Physicians Formula Super BB Cream is actually the first BB Cream I've ever tried. Quite honestly the sale tag at CVS and the holographic letting on the tube sealed the deal for me. (I'm pretty easy to please.)

Physicians Formula Super BB Cream is available in two shades: Light/Medium and Medium/Deep. I chose Light/Medium because it looked a little warmer than Medium/Deep. It's a little light for me, but definitely workable with some bronzer.

The consistency is thick and super creamy, so it blends really easily on the skin. Most of the time I apply the product with my fingers as I would apply a moisturizer and work it into my skin until blended. Then if I need any additional coverage, I'll apply a little extra product on a buffing brush and build the coverage wherever needed.

The coverage is light, but it builds really well to a medium coverage. It covers and perfects just about everything on my face unless I have a really red blemish, I might need extra concealing.

It provides a dewy (not oily) finish to the skin. I usually use a light setting of powder and I'm good for most of the day. With the creaminess of the product I'd almost expect it to crease after a few hours (around my mouth and such) and get oily, but it doesn't at all. It stays perfectly in place. (I have very normal or balanced skin for reference).

Here I am wearing Physicians Formula BB Cream, my brows filled in, tiny bit of mascara and a little lipgloss. My typical morning face.

The photo on the left is the product swatched on the back of my hand, and on the right it's completely blended. Although you can't really see the healthy finish, you can definitely see that it evened out my skin and gave a "soft focus" appearance to the skin.

This has been my go-to foundation all month for the daytime, and I've even been using it as my going out foundation with a powder foundation dusted on top for extra coverage, or mixed with other foundations.

I love this product and I'm already anticipating the next sale so I can pick up an extra tube!

Have you tried this or any other BB Cream?

The Round-Up

Pros:

Moisturizer, sunscreen and foundation all-in-one
Super creamy, super blendable consistency
Great coverage, while maintaining a very natural appearance and finish
Holds up really well throughout the day
Hasn't caused me any skin irritations
Cute travel friendly packaging
Scent free

Cons:

There are only two shades that are both in the medium range. If you have really fair or dark skin, you won't be able to get a good color match. Light/Medium is an okay match for me, but slightly light.
It's a little pricey for a drugstore foundation, but CVS usually has some amazing deals on Physicians Formula.. keep your eyes out!

Price: $14.95 at your local drugstore.

Weekly Poll Results - What's One Item of Makeup you Can't Leave your House Without Wearing?

2013-03-01T14:30:00.000-06:00

What's One Item of Makeup you Can't Leave your House Without Wearing?

I'm sure all of us beauty fanatics alike have become sort of accustomed to the way we look with makeup, so when we aren't wearing something in particular, we feel a little.. well.. naked. I remember a time period where I wore false eyelashes (snipped in half.. nothing crazy) just about every day. Then when I stopped, it took some time adjusting to the way I actually look without false lashes because to me without false lashes, it always looked like there was something missing on my face.

There's also the times where I had really over plucked eyebrows. I barely let anyone see me without my eyebrows colored in. I use to apply She Laq (discontinued product by Benefit to seal your makeup) to my brows at night so I'd wake up with my brows still filled. Only to wash my face and fill them in again. I guess we all go through phases.

Whatever it may be - maybe the greatest concealer ever or a really good mascara, many of us have that one item of makeup that we need to get through the day.

So the question was, what is one item of makeup you can't leave your house without wearing? (Or at least would prefer not to leave the house without wearing.. haha!)

The Results Are:

Foundation, Tinted Moisturizer or BB Cream - 73 votes (18%)
Concealer - 37 votes (9%)
Mascara - 93 votes (23%)
Brow Filler - 18 votes (4%)
Eyeliner - 27 votes (6%)
Eyeshadow - 5 votes (1%)
Bronzer or Blush - 10 votes (2%)
Lipstick, Gloss or Balm - 41 votes (10%)
I can't choose only one! - 55 votes (14%)
I can get away with wearing no makeup at all! - 30 votes (7%)
Other - 0 votes (0%)

This poll is based on 389 votes.

The number one answer is mascara!

I'm having a hard time choosing, but I know that when I'm about to go run errands and I have no makeup on, I almost always need to conceal my undereyes because they're naturally reddish purple. My second next important thing is filling in my brows, and then mascara. I could very well go without a foundation if I have a concealer on many days, but since I can only choose one, my answer would be foundation.

How about you? What would you choose?

My February Beauty Favorites!

2013-02-28T14:55:00.000-06:00

Most Loved Beauty Products February 2013

I haven't done a monthly favorite in ages and I feel like I have so many products to talk about with so little time! I used so many different products throughout February, but I wanted to keep the list short and sweet. All of the products in this post have been used and loved throughout the whole month of February. Reviews will be up shortly for several of the products!

Physicians Formula Super BB Cream - $15

A moisturizer, foundation and SPF all wrapped up in one product. I honestly didn't have high expectations for this product but I seriously love it. It's been my go-to makeup every day for my "no makeup" makeup days and I even like it so much that I've been wearing it on nights out. The coverage is great for a BB cream and it makes my skin look like my skin but better!

YSL Multi-Action Concealer - $35

Two words when I first tried this. HELL. YES. This concealer is amazing and I don't think it gets the proper attention it deserves. This is by far the silkiest concealer stick I've ever tried and it glides on the skin like butter. (I know some of you hate that analogy, but it's seriously smooth - like a rouge volupte in concealer form.) It provides full coverage while remaining lightweight.

NARS Oasis Blush - $29

The moment I thought I didn't need another Nars Blush, I discovered this beauty. It's a really pretty rosy pink with a hint of plum and sparkles. Somewhat similar to Nars Sin, but rosier. Although it looks scary sparkly in the pan, they thankfully play a disappearing act once applied to the cheeks. I've been wearing this just about every day. Love!

MAC Please Me Lipstick - $15

This doesn't really look appealing in the tube, but it's a really great natural medium pink. When I'm tan, it gives off more of a bubble gum pink color, but when I'm not tan, it shows up a little darker and more natural. I love wearing this when I want my lips to look a little fuller.

Burt's Bee's Lip Balm - $3

I rarely ever venture out and purchase lip balms because none of them are ever moisturizing enough for my lips, but I've been loving Burt's Bee's Lip Balm. I apply it generously to my lips throughout the day and they stay super soft and hydrated.

MAC NC15/NW20 Chromagraphic Pencil - $16

I've been loving this fleshtone colored pencil to define my eyebrows and cupids bow, as well as my waterline to brighten and open up my eyes.

MAC Soar Lip Pencil - $15

A great plummy pink shade for pairing with pink lipsticks and glosses. I've been using it almost every day!

Mario Badescu Hyaluronic Eye Cream - $18

I've started a new skincare regimen using all Mario Badescu products and the hyaluronic eye cream has been one of my favorites. I was really surprised to see the low review on Makeupalley (2.9/5 w/ 35% repurchase rate), but I guess it just goes to show that if a product doesn't work for one, it doesn't mean that it won't work for another. I've been using this cream every night and I love the creaminess of it and how rejuvenated it makes my under eyes look.

Mario Badescu Glycolic Cleanser - $15

This is a favorite among many, and I can completely see why. The more I'm using it, the clearer my skin has been looking and any blemish scars (from popping my pimples.. bad habit) are almost completely faded.

St. Tropez Gradual Tan Everyday Med/Dark - $30

I recently rediscovered this past favorite of mine and I'm in love all over again. I've been applying this mostly on my arms and hands (no one is seeing my pale legs in the winter) and I love the color it gives me. It's definitely not as orange as Jergens, and holds up really well throughout the week without looking patchy.

From left to right: MAC Please Me Lipstick, MAC Soar Lip Liner, NARS Oasis, MAC NC15/NW20 Chromagraphic Pencil, YSL Multi-action Concealer #2, Physicians Formula Super BB Cream Light/Medium.

What were some of your favorites?

Step by Step Smokey Brown Eyeshadow Tutorial!

2013-02-26T17:59:00.002-06:00

Smokey Brown Eyeshadow Tutorial

A brown smokey eye is a great look if you want a dramatic look, without being too dark. The pop of gold on the inner third of the eye really brightens up the eye and adds a bit of light to make the eyes really stand out. This look works really well on all eye colors - brown, hazel/green or blue. If you're light complected and don't feel comfortable with a look this dark, you can soften it up a bit by skipping the black liner and using a deep brown or charcoal - or you can skip the liner all together. If you have small eyes, black on the waterline can make the eyes appear even smaller, so to avoid this, make sure the eyeshadow on your bottom lash line is extra smokey and extended out and apply a good coat of mascara to the bottom lashes. Adding a flesh toned, ivory or brown liner to your waterline is also an option to open up the eyes. To keep this look more daytime appropriate, you can stop at Step 7 and finish off with mascara.

Products Used:

Nars Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base (used in step 1)
MAC Wedge Eyeshadow (used in step 2)
NARS Galapagos Eyeshadow (used in steps 3 and 5)
MAC Tempting Eyeshadow (used in step 4)

NARS Etrusque Eyeshadow (used in step 6)

MAC Chamomile Eyeshadow (used in step 7)

Urban Decay Perversion 24/7 Eyeliner (used in steps 8, 11, 12 and 15)

MAC Carbon Eyeshadow (used in steps 10 and 11)

Ardell #45 Eyelashes (used in step 13)

Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara (used in step 14)

You will Need:

A matte, light brown eyeshadow
A dark brown eyeshadow
A shimmery brown eyeshadow
A gold eyeshadow
A light matte eyeshadow for the highlight
A black eyeshadow
A black eyeliner pencil
Mascara
False Eyelashes (optional)

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, let me know if you try it out! :)

Sneak Peak - MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick for Spring 2013!

2013-02-24T21:01:00.001-06:00

MAC Mineralize Rich Lipstick for Spring 2013

MAC's love affair with lips has led to the launch of a new MAC masterpiece. Introducing Mineralize Rich Lipstick - it's larger in size and scope and lavishes lips with nutrient-rich moisture. Featuring a luxurious formula and gorgeous colour, enhanced with a mineral moist complex that provides lips with nourishment and lasting hydration. Lightweight colour glides on with ease for an intense bright with shade retention. (Permanent)

Select Shades Available in North America, UK, AU & NZ)

Luxe Naturale - Light beige cream
Posh Tone - Soft warm nude cream
Glamour Era - Mid-tone warm brown frost
Style Surge - Neutral coral cream
Lady At Play - Mid-tone cool tangerine
Lush Life - Deep cool plum
Dreaminess - Soft cool pink cream
Grande Dame - Mid-tone neutral rose cream
Elegant Accent - Mid-tone warm rose cream
Divine Choice - Mid-tone cool pink cream
All Out Gorgeous - Deep warm red
Everyday Diva - True red cream

Other shades (See locations for availability):

Ultraprecious - Soft peach cream* (North & South Asia)
Smart & Sweet - Soft coral cream* (North & South Asia)
Utterly Delicious - Bright coral cream* (North & South Asia, Europe, South Africa, Middle East, India, Latin America)
Splurge - Mid-tone cool tangerine* (Europe, South Africa, Middle East, India, South America)
Ladies Who Lunch - Light cool pink cream* (North & South Asia)
Strikingly Fabulous - Mid-tone warm bright pink* (North & South Asia)
Red Coquette - Vivid bright bluish red* (North & South Asia)

*To see the full list by location, click here.

MAC Mineralize Rich Lipsticks

I've read that they apply buttery, feel moisturizing on the lips and have good lasting power. I also like the chic packaging (they also have a magnetic closure). They also contain 4.4.g of product in comparison to the 3g in a standard MAC lipstick or 3.6g in a MAC Sheen Supreme.

MAC Mineralize Rich Lipsticks will retail for $22.00 US/$26.00 CAD.

Availability: February 28th online and March 7th in-stores.

I can't wait to try these! Do you think you'll be picking any of these up?

Credits: MAC-Guy on Specktra

Sneak Peak - MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation for Spring 2013.

2013-02-24T12:43:00.000-06:00

MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation for Spring 2013

M•A•C expands its innovative collection of foundations with a gorgeous NEW formula full of extraordinary benefits. Its lightweight lush texture feeds skin instantly with mineral-rich nourishing hydration, all day long. The uniquely creamy fluid, ideal for dry skin, blends beautifully, featuring shea butter, emollients and conditioning extracts to keep the face soft and supple. Its combination of powders creates an optical blurring effect that virtually diminishes imperfections and fine lines for a more even tone. (Permanent)

I don't think it's any secret by now that MAC is my favorite cosmetic brand, so when I hear word of new product launches, I'm usually clicking my heels in excitement. Well, last year MAC Mineralize Satinfinish SPF 15 Foundation came to the end of it's road and was discontinued - I've used it in the past and it was okay, but I wasn't really a fan of the thick texture in combination with the sheer coverage. So you wouldn't think MAC would discontinue their Mineralize foundation without coming out with a new one did you? Well, you're right. Early March, MAC is launching the Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation.

I'm crossing my fingers that the formula has improved, and hopefully the coverage has as well. It comes in a similar frosted bottle with a pump like the older version.

Vogue Beauty says:

"Every season, there is new product development that has make-up artists (and therefore us) all excited. For spring/summer 2013 it's all about this new MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF15 foundation, which has be causing quite a stir. Used in Paris at Costume National by make-up artist Sally Branka, it has also been seen in every city at pretty much every show, doing a fine job at creating the dewy, minimal make-up look that is proving to be ever so popular. Launching in the spring, this is going to be pretty major. Trust us."

Available in (18) shades: NC15, NC20, NC25, NC30, NC35, NC37, NC40, NC42, NC44, NC45, NC50, NW20, NW25, NW30, NW35, NW43, NW45 and NW50.

MAC Mineralize Moisture SPF 15 Foundation will retail for $33.00 US/$40.00 CAD.

Featured with the foundation will be the MAC #130 Short Duo-Fibre Brush, which is a permanent brush by MAC and retails for $42.00 US/$50.50 CAD.

Availability: February 28th online and March 7th in-stores.

Credits: MAC-Guy on Specktra, Vogue UK (image)