Ms. Adventures in Makeup

Lash Love with Esqido

2018-08-01T10:11:00.002-04:00

Hello lovely readers - how are you? It's been a whirlwind of changes for me over the last 5 months, and I do apologize for the absence, but... We recently welcomed a little adventurer to our family, so my time has been occupied by this wonderful new addition! However, when I was given an opportunity that I could not pass up, I thought "this would be a great time to get back into blogging"!

Esqido reached out to me, and offered me the chance to try out a pair of their lashes, as well as their lash glue*. I own a pair of Esqido Mink Lashes lashes that I purchased while at IMATS in NY, but at the time I was into the whole "go big or go home" makeup life, so the lashes I chose were pretty ~~ridiculous~~ extravagant (they didn't earn the name Lashmopolitan for being "natural"!).

The flamboyant Lashmopolitan lash, $29

As much as I thought I'd wear them when I went out, I only rocked them once or twice because they are just so voluptuous, and frankly, over-the-top for regular use! So, when Esqido told me I could pick any pair I liked, I decided to play it a little more low-key, and chose the Starlet lash - a little less dramatic than the Lashmopolitan, but with a bit of a pop to emphasize my eyes. The Starlet is a medium volume mink lash with a length of 4-10 mm (they start off smaller on the inside, and increase in length on the outer edges).

The sexy yet demure Starlet lash, $29

Per the website:

"Get that glamorous starlet makeup look with this pair of clustered and wispy mink lashes. Short yet voluminous, this lash is designed to provide enough volume at a shorter length to accentuate your eyes without looking too long. Suitable even for smaller eyes. The ends are also winged out to give a beautiful lifted effect to your eyes.

The ultimate in luxury, our mink lashes meticulously handcrafted with premium mink hairs, and a soft cotton band. Discover our collection of beautiful styles you can wear again and again, suitable for any occasion."

In addition to the lashes, I was sent a tube of the Companion Eyelash Glue:

Companion Eyelash Glue, $10 for .18 oz

"Our best selling Companion Eyelash Glue is the only eye lash glue that offers an extremely strong & sticky hold, with a safe, long lasting formulation. You’ll never have to worry about your false lashes falling out. It also gets incredibly tacky in seconds, for quick lash application. Specially formulated for sensitive eyes and all types of false eyelashes, our lash adhesive is latex-free, hypoallergenic, and formaldehyde free, paraben free, and 5-free. It’s also waterproof. Great for those who experience watery eyes or are irritated/allergic to other glues. Goes on white, dries clear.With a precision brush tip, it’s super easy to simply brush on the perfect amount to your fake lashes. Compared to drugstore eyelash glue, the Companion glue is non-latex, and packs a good amount of product in a beautiful bottle. When you’re ready, it’s easy to remove with oil free makeup remover."

When I received the package in the mail, I was so stinking excited to try them out! The packaging is so nice - the lashes came in their own little reusable bag! Unfortunately, for me, #momlife does not often give me the opportunity to wear falsies, so I had to wait for the chance. But, as luck would have it, my SIL was getting married and I was a bridesmaid getting all dolled up for the wedding - what better time to try out my new lashes?!?

With the Lashmopolitans, I had to trim off some of the outer edge so they would fit my eye, and I was hoping I wouldn't have to do so with the Starlet lashes, but I did. The lashes, though shorter and "suitable for smaller eyes", were still fairly long band-wise. I typically don't have this problem with falsies - I am pretty much able to wear them straight out of the package, so I found the need to trim them slightly annoying. However, I do understand that people have different shaped eyes, so while they may have been to long for me, they are probably the perfect length for someone else, and might even be too short for others. I did have to take a few extra minutes to fit them to my eye, but it was an easy fix - I used some tiny scissors to take off a few segments off the outside edge - and they then fit my eye perfectly.

These lashes are definitely high-quality, the band is cottony vs the plastic band that comes on less expensive brands, but that makes them slightly harder to work with, in my very humble opinion. Practice makes perfect though, so the more you wear lashes, the easier they are to apply. The lashes themselves, being made of mink, are very soft, and blend in seamlessly with your natural lashes.

The Companion Eyelash Glue is downright luxurious when it comes to lash glue. The packaging is so pretty - a clear frosted tube with gold accents, and the formula is just as fabulous! I am a big fan of brush-on glue - I just find it so much easier to apply the perfect amount to the lash band. The glue goes on white, with almost a pearly finish, but it dries completely clear. It did take a little longer than I expected to get tacky, but that allowed me a little flexibility to make sure the lashes were perfectly positioned on my eye. As described, the hold is VERY strong; once applied, these lashes did not budge, and I needed a ~~jackhammer~~ firm hand to remove them. Additionally, there was no irritation from the glue as there can be with other glues, my eyes did not water when they came in contact with the formula, and there was no lingering redness once the lashes and glue were removed.

The website is user-friendly and easy to navigate, and offers a large selection of lash styles to choose from, both real mink and Unisyn - their premium synthetic lashes. If you're new to lashes, or are not quite sure which direction to take as far as style, they offer an interactive lash guide to help you find your perfect pair. There is a blog that offers loads of useful information (though I do think their post for stay-at-home-moms is a little far-fetched...I wish I had the luxury of applying lashes before running out to the grocery store!), as well as a reward program with some pretty fabulous rewards.

Overall, I am really happy with the Esqido Mink Lashes and the Companion Eyelash Glue. I think for the quality of the product and the longevity of the lashes when properly handled, the price is fair. Sure, you can get lashes for much less - some for even $1-2 a pop - but you will immediately see the difference in craftsmanship and performance. Whether you are a beginner, or a true lash aficionado, you will undoubtedly feel elegant, sexy, and more than a little pampered while wearing Esqido lashes.

Do you have any experience with falsies? What are your favorite lashes? Any tips for easier application? Please, share in the comments below!

Thanks so much for spending some time with me today! Hope to see you again soon!

Live a beautiful life,

~Jessica

*This product was gifted to me in exchange for my unbiased review. I have no affiliation with Esquido, nor do I receive compensation for any purchases made from my review / links in my blog.

Gone astray...and Happy Holidays!

2017-12-21T11:56:00.002-05:00

Hi Lovely readers!

It's been an inexcusably long time since I last checked in - it shocks and saddens me to see 6 months have passed since my last post! I just wanted to touch base with all of you to let you know that, while I've gone astray, I do plan to continue blogging, and sharing new products, tips, tricks and reviews with you. The past 6 months have brought many changes in my life, and there are more to come in the near future, but I have missed sharing my love of beauty with you all. Please stay tuned for new posts in the beginning of 2018! If you have any questions about products, or there is something you would like me to try out and review, please share below. I hope you are all well, and that you are living your most beautiful life!

Warmest wishes of a happy and healthy holiday season ~ see you in 2018!!

~Jessica

Favorite 5: ColourPop Lippie Stix

2017-06-15T10:56:00.003-04:00

Hi Lovelies -

I'm a HUGE fan of affordable, high-quality makeup products - and if it's cruelty-free, it's for me - which is why I love ColourPop! They have an amazing selection of lip colors and formulas, and have been growing rapidly to include brow, eye and face products a well! They come out with new products and develop new shades on the reg, making it easy to keep up with trends without doing too much damage to your wallet! They offer some great kits that contain several of their fabulous products to try for one low price, and it's always worth it to check out the Last Call section of their website to snag some discontinued products at a 20% off! I enjoy so many of their offerings, but my biggest addiction is their lip products - Lippie Stix, Lippie Pencils, Ultra-Matte, Ultra-Blotted, Ultra-Satin, Ultra-Metallic Liquid Lips...there is truly a lip shade and formula for everyone! I am almost always blown away by the pigmentation, high-end feel, and longevity of their lip products, and for $6 or less with free shipping over $30, you seriously can't beat the value. There are so many of their lip products that I love and reach for daily, I want to share my favorites with you. I'm going to break it down into two posts to make things easier - Lippie Stix, and then Liquid Lip colors; today, let's talk about my 5 favorite ColourPop Lippie Stix :)

Lumiere - $5

Source

Lumiere was one of the first ColourPop products I ever bought, and it remains one of my top must-haves; it definitely sparked my addiction to ColourPop! It is a dusty mauve pink, definitely leans cool, and IMO is simply stunning! It can be worn alone for a more subtle look, or paired with the matching Lippie Pencil for a more opaque, intense mauve lip that lasts and lasts.

Lumiere - natural light

Lumiere - artificial light

Cookie - $5

Cookie is described as a warm brown nude, and it is my most reached for of the five Lippie Stix. This color goes with any look, from "no-makeup makeup" to the most outrageous smoky eye. If I don't want to think about it too much, I just want things to be simple and easy, or I'm not sure what color will work best with my LOTD, I go with Cookie, and it always works.

Source

Cookie swatch

Cookie - indoors

Cookie - natural lighting (outdoors)

Tootsi - $5

Source

Tootsti is a pinky greige shade, a cooler take on Cookie. It has that gray undertone that might scare some people, but for those of you interested in trying out the trend, it is definitely user-friendly and not too over-the-top...really, it's the perfect greige shade. It also has a matching Lippie Pencil.

Tootsi swatch

Tootsi - with flash

Tootsi - no flash

Tootsi - indoors

Grunge - $5

Source

A mid-toned red brown, Grunge is a bit of a darker take on your everyday lip color. I must admit, I was initially drawn to the nostalgia of the name more than the color, as I was a child of the 90's and definitely lived that grunge life for awhile (Doc Martens, flannel everything, dog collars and my dad's old sweaters were my wardrobe staples - don't judge). However, when I actually put Grunge on my lips, I knew it was the perfect shade for those days when you want a little more oomph, but still want to keep with a neutral-ish hue. It is a true 90's lipcolor - matching Lippie Pencil and mini-backpack optional.

Grunge swatch

Grunge - with flash

Grunge - no flash

Grunge - natural light

Brink - $5

Source

This terracota rose shade is my ultimate YLBB (your lips but better) color. When I'm feeling drab or not quite up to adulting, this Lippie instantly brings life back to my face and makes me feel pulled together when I'm not. Lippie Pencil also available.

Brink swatch

Brink - with flash

There you have my 5 favorite ColourPop Lippe Stix! Have you tried any ColourPop Lippie Stix? What do you think of the product? What are your favorite shades?

Thanks so much for reading - remember, live a beautiful life!

~Jessica

Review: Benjabelle Sunflower Brush Tree

2017-03-31T13:22:00.000-04:00

Hi Lovelies -

Hope you are well, and that spring has sprung where you are! We are expecting a SNOWSTORM here in New England, and it's no April Fool's joke!

To get my mind off of snow and on to warmer weather, I've been thinking about flowers...Sunflowers to be exact. For Christmas my DH gave me a Benjebelle Sunflower Brush tree*, and I've been meaning to review it; so, what better time then now - with snow in the forecast, but spring on my mind?

Benjabelle is a small, Madison, WI based company owned by Ben and Jan. According to their website, one day Jan was washing her makeup brushes when she asked Ben if they could create a device that would allow her brushes to dry vertically, thus minimizing dry time and reducing the space the brushes take up on the counter. They put their heads together, and voila!- the Benjabelle brush tree was born!

There are 5 different styles of brush tree to choose from, all of which are available in your choice of black, white or pink:

Original $34.95- holds 14 large brushes or up to 42 small brushes
Daisy $19.95- accomodates 2 large brushes, 4 medium, and 8 small
Mini $24.95- dries up to 24 thin brushes
Tulip $24.95- holds the same number of brushes as the Daisy, but in a more compact setup
Sunflower $39.95- the largest of the brush trees, and the one I will review for you today

There is also an optional Spinner available for $12.00, which converts any of the above models into a rotating brush tree, and creates 4 "cubbies" in which you can store small items, like brush cleaner or makeup sponges. In addition to the brush trees, Benjabelle also offers organic brush shampoo, foaming wash, and cleansing balm.

The Sunflower Brush Tree

The Sunflower is the largest of the 5 brush trees available from Benjabelle. It costs $39.95, plus shipping ($4.95 in the US).

Benjabelle Sunflower Brush Stree

Please excuse the water spots - it's a well loved brush tree :)

The brush tree consists of a plastic "top" with various silicone holders for your brushes, as well as the base (two plastic "legs"). It is simple to set up and to disassemble, and takes up very little space on your counter. When broken down, it is about the size of a typical tablet, and can be easily stored away. All materials used in the brush trees are made in America, and the silicone used in the gripper slots is peroxide free and FDA approved.

Close up of the silicone brush holders

This brush tree easily fits all of my makeup brushes

According to the website, the Sunflower can dry 4 large brushes, 6 medium brushes, and 16 small brushes; however, I can tell you from personal experience that, depending upon the thickness of your brush handles, you can get many more brushes comfortably into the slots. IE: For small eye brushes, I can typically get two per small slot, making a total of 32 brushes just in the small holders! I can fit up to 4 small brushes in the medium slots, 2 medium brushes in the large slots, etc. - it's exceptionally versatile! On this particular day I did not have too many brushes to clean, but on a typical day this tree is packed! I can wash practically every brush I own, and I'm able to fit them all in with a little strategic placement.

Simply push the brush handle up through the silicone slot, and you are good to go!

Water drips down from the brushes, resulting in shorter dry-time

I'm amazed at how quickly the brushes dry when hung upside down like this! I used to lay my brushes down on top of the microfiber mat, prop cans of hairspray underneath so they drained properly, and even went to far as to individually wrap each brush head in toilet paper or paper towels to facilitate dry time! Talk about time-consuming! This is so quick and easy - wash the brush, squeeze out excess water, and pop it up into the silicone slot! Within a couple of hours, the small brushes are dry, and the larger brushes are well on their way to being dry! What used to be a 24 hour process has been cut down by at least half!

The Sunflower Brush Tree can accommodate a variety of brush sizes

Drying brushes upside down gives your brushes a longer life

Drying your brushes in this vertical position (bristles down) helps prolong their life. When brushes are dried on their side- or worse, bristles up - water can pool at the base brush. This causes damage to both the bristles, as well as the ferrule (part that holds the bristles together and attaches the brush head to the handle), resulting in a loss of bristles, or even the total destruction of the brush. The more you know... (insert musical notes here).

When I opened my brush tree after getting it for Christmas, I was very sad to discover that one of the plastic legs was cracked in half. I tried to glue it back together, but it just didn't line up correctly. I emailed Benjabelle, and quickly received a response from Ben, who told me that he was sorry to hear that I received a broken leg and that he would mail me out replacement legs right away. Only a few days later, I received my new legs, along with a bonus brush Cleansing Balm! So thoughtful! I am very happy to say that not only is the product amazing, but the customer service is wonderful as well!

Benjabelle Organic Brush Cleansing Balm

The Cleansing Balm is available for $14.95 on the Benjabelle website. It comes in a small metal tin, making it easy to use and store. It is made with natural ingredients, free from preservatives, artificial colors and fragrances, and animal byproducts. I was impressed with how well it deep-cleaned my brushes - removing all traces of foundation and concealer - and that it also conditions the bristles, leaving them so soft and well-maintained!

Filthy foundation brush, ready for a thorough cleaning!

So easy to use, simply dampen, swirl in the the tin, and rinse!

I give the brush a little swipe over my Sigma Express Spa Glove, and then rinse away the old makeup!

Sparkling clean, well-conditioned brush!

Final Thoughts

I am thrilled to have received this brush tree for Christmas - it has been a game-changer for sure! I still may not LOVE the task of brush washing, but having this little gem makes things so much easier; it takes up less of my time and counter space, and it drastically reduces drying time! I have had such a great experience with the products and the company that I highly recommend the Benjabelle brush tree and the cleansing balm to anyone who owns makeup brushes. I am thinking of ordering the spinner soon to see how it works...if I do, I will be sure to let you all know my thoughts!

Have you tried any of the Benjabelle Brush trees, or a similar product? What are your thoughts?

Thanks so much for checking out this post! Have a great weekend, and live a beautiful life!

~Jessica

*The Benjabelle Sunflower was purchased at full price. This review was not sponsored by Benjabelle in any way. All opinions are my own, and are based on my experiences.

The Blogger Tag

2017-02-17T15:37:00.001-05:00

Hi lovely readers!

Hope you are all well, and 2017 has been good for you thus far! I was given the chance to participate in a Blogger Tag that Cassie at Zombie Goddess Beauty created. It's all about what prompted me to create Ms. Adventures in Makeup, and what keeps me motivated. Check out my answers below, and feel free to tag other bloggers - just please make sure to loop back to me and Cassie, and go check out her awesome blog!

1. When did you start your blog?
My first blog post was in August of 2014 - about 2.5 years ago!

2. Why did you start blogging?

I had been wanting to start a blog for awhile, but wasn't sure which direction I wanted to take it (food, lifestyle, etc.). My friend Melissa had started a YouTube channel about makeup, which inspired me to start writing about beauty.

3. Where did your blog name come from?

I had several different ideas, but many of them were already being used. I like wordplay, and wanted to bring it into my blog name...I liked "Miss Adventures in Makeup", but since I felt like I was a little older than the average beauty blogger just starting out, I decided "Ms Adventures..." was more appropriate.

4. What do you blog about?

All things beauty and makeup related - product reviews, looks, unboxings, etc.

5. What is the first blog you started following?

Gosh...it was so long ago that I started reading blogs on the regular. I believe the first blog I every started seriously following was Nothing But Bonfires. Holly is an incredible writer, and I just love her wit and the way she tells a story. Unfortunately, she hasn't written a post in quite some time...but I still hold out hope. As for beauty blogs, I'll have to give it to Karen at Makeup and Beauty Blog - to me, Karen is the OG BB, and she is always in-the-know when it comes to new trends and products!

6. What is your favorite thing about blogging?

Sharing my experiences with my readers - letting them know what has worked and hasn't worked for me, showing them how I create a look, and giving them the tools to make decisions on products and/or shades.

7. What do you find is the toughest thing about blogging?

I have a hard time posting regularly. Sometimes I am able to post often, and at other times my posts are more spread out. It all comes down to having the time to take pictures, having the money to purchase new items, and having the inspiration for new blog posts.

8. What is your biggest blogging pet peeve?

Not being able to always buy a product when it is new and relevant. It may take me a little longer to acquire a hot new item, and by the time I get it, I feel like the moment has passed.

9. What camera and photo editing software do you use?

TBH, I usually just use my phone camera - it's always there, the pictures are easy to edit, and they automatically upload to the cloud, making it super easy to add the photos to my blog post. I used to try to use a real camera, but it became so time consuming, so I decided to simplify. Maybe that's a little basic of me, but I'm OK with it, lol.

10. What is you dream campaign?

I would love to do something for MAC - it would be a dream-come-true to be given a new collection to review, or products to create a look with.

11. How do you come up with posts ideas?

My ideas stem from buying a new product, or trying out a new look or technique.

12. How do you stay motivated to keep writing?

It's a great artistic outlet, which satisfies a need for me. I will admit I lose motivation, but, as mentioned above, a new product or makeup look never fails to spark the excitement once again. Also, reading other blogs or watching YouTube videos is great motivation.

13. What are your blogging goals for the next year?

Just to continue to post. Trying to keep to a schedule would be awesome, but as long as I am able to share what I can with my readers, I am happy.

14. What advice would you give to new bloggers?

Write from the heart, write what makes you happy and interests you...people will read it.

15. Lastly, Recommend 5 Bloggers for anyone reading this to check out.

Below are the top five blogs currently on my reading list - let me know if you check any of them out!

Makeup and Beauty Blog - Karen is always so on top of things - definitely an inspiration for beauty bloggers!
The Fitnessista - Seriously, #Fitnessgoals. Gina is amazing, and so well balanced!She offers readers a little bit of everything: posts about fitness, health, beauty, lifestyle and parenting!
Putting Me Together - I love Audrey's no-nonsense approach to fashion, and the way she shows readers how to create several looks with a few basic pieces.
Nouveau Cheap - Up-to-the-minute beauty deals and steals - I've gotten some awesome bargains thanks to this blog!
Slashed Beauty - More deals on beauty items, as well as tips and tutorials.

I hope you enjoyed reading this tag and learning a little more about me and my blog. Please feel free to tag other bloggers, and to share this Tag! Thank you so much to cassie for inviting me to participate in this tag, and thanks to all of you readers for joining me!

Live a beautiful life!

~Jessica

Holiday Must-Haves 2016

2016-12-23T19:34:00.000-05:00

Hello you lovely readers!

Are you in disbelief? Blinking your eyes to make sure you're seeing things clearly? Well, it's true, it's me, I'm back! Sorry for the hiatus, I can't even believe it's been so long since I last posted! Where does the time go? Life has a way of just racing by if you're not paying attention!

I want to get back to posting again, and sharing all of my awesome tips and product finds with you! I don't want to say I was on a no-buy this whole time, but I definitely did limit my makeup purchasing to the necessities so that I could use up the products I had and make room for new products. When you're not buying much makeup, there isn't much to talk about lol! BUT, now that I'm looking to add to my collection again, you can expect to see me around a little more :)

To kick things off (again), I want to share some of my favorites right now. Many are holiday inspired, and make great gifts for others...or yourself, if we're being honest, hehe.

Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Splits Shimmering Skin Perfector and Mineral Blush Duo ~ $38

Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Splits Shimmering Skin Perfecter
and Mineral Blush Duo in Pamplemousse / Prosecco Pop

Wow, that is a mouthful! Looking for that perfect flush with just the right amount of shimmer to make your new year Pop? This duo is perfect! Combining a poppin' highlight shade (see what I did there?) with a beautiful mineral blush, this duo is sure to make your holiday sparkle and shine! There are four color combos, two with the highlight that started it all -the infamous Champagne Pop - and two with the newest addition to Jaclyn Hill's highlight collection - Prosecco Pop, which is a bit more gold-toned than the original. The blush shades range from Flowerchild, which is a lovely shade of pinky peach, to Hyacinth, a bright fuchsia shade. All are gorgeous, and there is at least one combo that is sure to suit your tastes.

ColourPop Ultra-Satin Liquid Lipstick in London Fog - $6.00

ColourPop UltraSatin Lippie in London Fog

Nothing screams "Happy Holidays" louder than a bright-red lip, and right now I'm all about this cool-toned pinky-red liquid lipstick from CoulourPop's Ultra-Satin Lippie Collection. The staying power of this $6.00 lipstick is beyond impressive, and the satin formula is much more comfortable on the lips than the ultra-matte lipsticks by the same company. The one caveat - it does smudge (which the ultra-mattes do not tend to do), so just be careful if you eat / drink and wipe your mouth...you may end up with lipstick where it doesn't belong! However, I wore this a full 12 hours the other day, and only had to touch it up once! If you're not a liquid lipstick fan, then I highly recommend CoulourPop's Lippie Stix in Bossy - another festive holiday red!

MAC Eyeshadow in Humid - $6.00-$16.00

MAC Shadow Pro Palette Refill Pan in Humid

So, we have the softly shimmering, perfectly flushed cheekbones and the vivid red lips...what are we missing to make this holiday look really come together? Why, green eyelids, of course! Now, you might be thinking: "Ok, Jessica, you had me up until this point...but GREEN SHADOW?!!? You must be drinking some pretty good wine... ", but hear me out. Humid is an amazingly beautiful, intense green shade with just the right amount of sparkle. It is gorgeous all over the lid in a one-shadow look, it pairs beautifully with golds and bronzes, and it is just what you're looking for in a pop of color either winged out on the top lashline, or smudged under the lower lashline. Seriously, so versatile, festive and unexpected!

If you're still a feeling a bit reluctant, there are some more subdued options for you to add a bit of green during the holidays: MAC Greensmoke is a stunning silvery olive shade, and MAC Sumptuous Olive is for those who like a more golden sheen - legit,the perfect khaki color. Now that MAC shadow refill pans are just $6.00 each, you can try out all three of these green shadows without breaking the bank (they also offer individual shadow compact for $16)!

Urban Decay Primer Potion - $8 - $20

Urban Decay Primer Potion, Original formula

Tired of creasing shadow that doesn't last the night? You need a quality eyeshadow primer in your life! I've tried many, and the one I've turned to time and time again is the iconic Urban Decay Primer Potion! Apply this sparingly to your lids, and your shadow will lock in place and stay there the whole night through!

Marc Jacobs Re(marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate - $55

Re(marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate

You want to talk about full-coverage, long lasting foundation? Marc Jacob's Re(marc)able Full Cover Foundation Concentrate is IT! This magic fluid packs a powerful punch, with the tiniest amount going a very long way! I'm not joking, this stuff covers! The first time I used it was out of one of those little sample lacons from Sephora, and I didn't listen to the advice I had been given to use this sparingly. I learned quickly that less is more, and to thickly slather this on is a big no-no - you will look like you're wearing a mask!
For the best results, shake it very well, and apply in small dots (start with one small dot on each quadrant of your face and blend out - you can add more if needed, but you cannot take away!); if you follow those steps, you will be thrilled with the coverage, look and feel of this foundation. Just be aware that it can cling to dry patches, so make sure you moisturize well, and use a primer. Not only does it cover all imperfections, but it feels light as a feather (if you use it correctly), and it lasts a ridiculously long time; you actually need to be diligent about removing it at the end of the day, it stays on so well that you need to work a little harder to get it all off!

Urban decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray - $31

Urban Decay All Nighter Makeup Setting Spray

The final step in any look, especially one you want to last, should be a setting spray. This locks your makeup in place, creates a seamless, more natural look, and absorbs excess oil. My favorite right now is All Nighter, which helps prolong your makeup, preventing fading and settling, but they also have DeSlick, which controls oil and deflects shine for a matte look (another fave of mine), and Chill, which is cools and hydrates. Whichever you choose, all will set your makeup in place and help it last.
While this is currently sold out on the UD website (they are revamping their packaging, and will restock in the new year), you can still pick up a bottle at Sephora.
Another great option for those with drier skin, or who prefer a more dewy look, is MAC Prep + Prime Fix + . I use this to set my makeup when my skin is feeling parched from the cold weather and drying heat, or as a makeup refresher throughout the day. I also use this to wet my beauty blender when I'm ~~not near a sink~~ too lazy to get up and go to a sink, and also to apply eyeshadow or pigments, which gives eyes that foiled effect and really makes the eyeshadow pop (just spritz your brush after you pick up a little shadow or pigment, and gently pat it on to the lid - instant intensity!)

There's a reason Urban decay is on my list twice - their primers and setting sprays just don't quit! I have and will continue to repurchase both items time and time again. Also, their rewards program is pretty sweet...Sign up for UD Beauty Junkies (the Urban Decay Rewards Program), and earn points towards "kickbacks", or discounts on purchases!*

So, there are my top beauty products to get me through the festivities of the holiday season! I hope you are inspired by my picks; please inspire me as well by sharing your must-have products in the comments below!

Thanks so much for visiting with me - it's so nice to be back with you!

Live a beautiful life,

~Jessica

*Referral link

Seeing Double: MAC Vex vs MUG Rockstar

2016-03-16T13:38:00.003-04:00

Hi Loves!

With all of the makeup options available to us on the market, we are bound to run into color dupes. Unless we have both products right there in front of us, it can be hard to tell if an eyeshadow or lipstick you're thinking about buying is the same color as one you already own. I've run into this problem most often when shopping online, and it's so frustrating! I've decided to start this new series, Seeing Double, to swatch and compare the most recent products I've had this issue with (many of them are Makeup Geek and MAC products - so many possible dupes between the two!). I hope it helps make some of your future buying decisions a little easier :)

Is MUG Rockstar a dupe for MAC Vex?

MUG Rockstar

MAC Vex

When Makeup Geek launched their Duochrome Collection *, they re-promoted some of their existing shades, Rockstar being one of them. To me, from the online swatches and pictures, it looked like it might be a dupe for MAC Vex eye shadow, so I decided to order it to find out. I was secretly hoping that they were just different enough that I wouldn't have two of the same shadow colors in my makeup arsenal. I'm sure that there are many of you out there that are wondering the same thing - is Makup Geek's Rockstar a dupe for MAC's Vex? Let's take a look:

Beauty Confessions Tag

2016-02-23T12:31:00.002-05:00

Hi lovies - welcome back to the blog! Today I am going to be participating in a beauty tag!

The Beauty Confessions Tag was created by Cassie Hampson, who has a wonderful blog about "beauty, life and nerdy things". The tag consists of 7 questions that all have to do with confessing something in the field of beauty.

I'm going to tag Beauty by Alexis, Makeup Minnie, Forever You, My Pink Rambles, Teapots and Elephants, and Lipstick and Bubbles. If you want to participate, just copy and paste the questions below (I listed the questions in the comments), tag some other great beauty lovers, and then link back to me!

Now, on to the tag!

1.) What is your biggest beauty product addiction? (Lippies, blushes, highlighter, bronzer, mascara, etc.)

Eyeshadow! I just love all the shades and formulas available, and how you can create so many unique looks using a basic color palette!

2.) How many products do you have from your addiction?

I’m not sure how to count them - singles, palettes, trios? Let’s just say I have hundreds of shadows…

3.) What is one type of beauty product you hate? (highlighters, hairspray, etc.)

I can’t think of anything I hate, per se, but I guess we can go with sunless tanner. I love the results when applied properly, but I rarely, if ever, apply it properly. IMO, nothing looks worse than poorly applied self tanner, so I just stay away from it most of the time.

4.) What has been your biggest challenge in beauty? (ex: a technique you learned or leaving a beauty comfort zone)

Winged liner. I can never get it to look proper on my right eye…the left one usually comes out great though lol!

5.) What is one beauty comfort zone you don’t ever think you’ll leave?

I’m pretty good at experimenting with different types and colors of cosmetics, but I don’t think I can ever break away from powdering my face after applying my base. I know there are tons of people out there who don’t use setting powder all over their face, and their makeup looks all flawless and dewy, but I just need to powder.

6.) What is one beauty thing you suck at? (ex: eyeliner like cat eye or taking your makeup off at the end of the day, etc.)

False lashes. I truly love how they make my eyes look when applied properly, but I suck at applying them.

7.) What is one thing in beauty that you don’t understand its hype? (Technique, trend, etc.)

There was a spidery lash trend that was trying to gain popularity a few months back that I just couldn’t understand. People were actually applying mascara so that their eyelashes clumped together and looked jagged. Most of us spend so much time applying smooth coats of mascara and combing out the clumps so that our lashes are fluttery and soft – why undo everything we have worked so hard for?

And there you have the Beauty Confessions Tag! Thanks so much for tagging me Cassie! Be sure to visit Cassie's blog , as well as the amazing people I tagged above, to see how they answered – I’m sure they have some fabulous responses!

Thanks so much for stopping by - live a beautiful life!

~Jessica

Adore or Ignore: Magic Makeup Remover

2016-02-18T12:26:00.002-05:00

Hi loves - welcome back!

Today I'm going to give you my thoughts on an item I received for Christmas - the Magic Makeup Remover.

The Magic Makeup Remover is a cloth that is designed to remove all of your makeup - including mascara and eyeliner - without the use of other products that may contain harsh chemicals and fragrances. It is very simple to use: wet the cloth, and wipe off your makeup!

Read more »

Battle of the Boxes: Birchbox vs Ipsy January 2016

2016-02-02T15:15:00.001-05:00

Hi There lovelies!

I received two subscriptions in January: Birchbox and Ipsy. In my experience, subscriptions can be very hit or miss; most of the time I'm fairly content with the items I receive for $10/mo, but I do have to admit there are times I've been disappointed with the contents of the bag, and even an occasion or two that I've felt that there wasn't a single item I could use. I often debate about cancelling one of my subs, but then they go and send me an awesome box, and I am once again sucked into subscription box bliss. If I do ever decide to whittle it down to just one sub a month, I want to know which box I am better off keeping; therefore, I like to compare month to month and get an idea of the sub I am happiest with most often, and which has the most bang for the buck. I like to compare both products received and overall value to the cost of the subscription; to make cost-comparisons a little easier, I round the estimated value to the nearest quarter dollar. Without further ado, let us begin this month's Battle of the Boxes - read on to see which box reigns supreme for the month of January!

Read more »

Whole Palette Challenge - Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons

2016-01-16T20:45:00.000-05:00

Hi Lovelies - hope you are well!

Welcome to another Whole Palette Challenge with my friend Melissa from the YouTube channel MakeupMinnie83. Make sure you stop by her YouTube channel to see the looks Melissa comes up with! The rules are simple: You have 7 days to create looks using all of the eye shadows in the chosen palette. Depending on the size of the palette, you must create between 5 and 7 looks, and you must use every shade in the palette at least once. You can use the same shade in multiple looks (some palettes only have one transition or matte highlight shade), and you can even bring in outside colors if need be (some palettes have no matte black or dark brown).

The goal of this challenge is to push you out of your comfort zone, and to allow your creativity to flow. Sometimes I find myself in a shadow funk - reaching for the same colors over and over again. This challenge will really force us to think outside the box and try looks and combinations that we tend to shy away from on a daily basis. For this challenge, we chose to go with the new addition to Too Faced's chocolate craze: the Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons Eye Shadow Collection!

via Too Faced Cosmetics

This palette is just as fabulous as its predecessors; if you own either the original Chocolate Bar, or the Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar, then you already know what I'm talking about. The color payoff is (mostly) fantastic, the formula is buttery and easy to blend, and the delicious chocolate aroma is just beyond.

A few main features of this palette are:

it comes with 16 shades, including neutrals and pops of color
the finishes range from matte to metallic, with a nice variety of satin and shimmer finishes as well
the delicious cocoa scent is heavenly (unless you dislike chocolate), and if you happen to get a little fall-out on your lips, it even tastes sweet!
it costs $49, and is available at Too Faced, Ulta, Sephora and HSN (look for coupons and discount codes online, which can help make it a little less expensive)

At the end of this post, I will give you a little review on this palette, since it is pretty new to the market...but first, let's check out the looks I came up with:

Read more »

Three Things Thursday - 1/7/16: The Hair Products Edition

2016-01-07T16:03:00.001-05:00

Hi Loves -

Welcome to Three Things Thursday! Today, the focus is on hair styling products, from prep to finish! I don't consider myself to be a huge hair product junkie, but there are a few tried and true products that I use regularly to achieve a somewhat pulled-together appearance. Ok... let's be honest: most work days I just run a brush through my hair and leave it at that (I like having more time for makeup!), but I have been trying to style my hair more often, and these products make it so much easier!

It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin
$20.00 - $39.99 at Ulta

Source

This is my HG, after-shower hair product; I've tried the Original Miracle Leave-In Product, as well as the Miracle Styling Cream, and I've found that I really like the Keratin formula best. It is pricey, but believe me when I say that a little goes a very long way. I spray 6-8 pumps of this into freshly washed, wet hair and comb it through. No joke, one bottle lasts me nearly a year (I must disclose that I do not wash my hair daily, but 3-4 times a week). I love how It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin detangles, prevents frizz, hydrates, protects against heat, and adds shine to my locks, in addition to replacing the lost protein in my hair, and protecting the keratin I do have. Keratin is a protein that helps make up our skin, hair and nails; by using products with keratin in them, you replace the lost protein in your strands - essentially reinforcing the shaft - which may result in hair that is softer, stronger, and has less split ends. While this sounds like a miracle product, it should be noted that not everyone will have the same results, and overuse of keratin could have the opposite effect: dry, brittle hair. I personally love how my hair looks and feels after using It's a 10 Miracle Leave-In Plus Keratin, but it is the only keratin product I use. If you are using a shampoo or conditioner with Keratin, stick to the Original It's a 10 Leave-In to avoid caking your hair with too much of the protein. However, if you are looking for a way to strengthen your hair while adding shine and thermal protection, give this spray a try!

Read more »

Seeing Double: MAC Club vs Makeup Geek Havoc

2015-11-17T14:59:00.000-05:00

Makeup Geek Havoc

MAC Club

With the launch of the new Makeup Geek Duochrome Collection * , I saw what I believed to be a dupe for the infamous MAC Club eye shadow. I couldn't be sure from looking at swatches online, so I decided to order it to find out. I was secretly hoping that they were just different enough that I wouldn't have two of the same shadow colors in my makeup arsenal. I'm sure that there are many of you out there that are wondering the same thing - is Makup Geek's Havoc a dupe for MAC's Club? Let's take a look:

Read more »

Battle of the Boxes: Birchbox vs Ipsy, October 2015

2015-10-28T13:06:00.000-04:00

Hi There lovelies!

I received two subscriptions this month: Birchbox and Ipsy. In my experience, subscriptions can be very hit or miss; most of the time I'm fairly content with the items I receive for $10/mo, but I do have to admit there are times I've been disappointed with the contents of the bag, and even an occasion or two that I've felt that there wasn't a single item I could use. I often debate about cancelling one of my subs, but then they go and send me an awesome box, and I am once again sucked into subscription box bliss. If I do ever decide to whittle it down to just one sub a month, I want to know which box I am better off keeping; therefore, I like to compare month to month and get an idea of the sub I am happiest with most often, and which has the most bang for the buck. I like to compare both products received and overall value to the cost of the subscription; to make cost-comparisons a little easier, I round the estimated value to the nearest quarter dollar. Without further ado, let us begin this month's Battle of the Boxes - read on to see which box reigns supreme for the month of October!

Read more »

Tuesday Tips - 10/20/15

2015-10-20T11:50:00.001-04:00

Hi lovely readers! Today I bring you a new series, Tuesday Tips! On select Tuesdays, I will be sharing with you little tips and tricks that I have discovered help to make my makeup routine go more smoothly, or make application a little bit easier.

Today's tip is so simple: Baby Wipes!!!

$3.29 for 72 unscented wipes at CVS.com

Three Things Thursday:10-01-15 - The Brow Edition

2015-10-01T15:36:00.000-04:00

Hello lovely readers -

For this edition of Three Things Thursday, I am focusing on brow products. I've never been into high-maintenance brows. I have fairly thin brows that are light in color, and barely ever have to pluck them. I have never gotten a brow wax or threading because, well, I just don't need to. I was perfectly happy letting my brows do their thing...until one day, I looked at a picture, and realized: you couldn't see my brows! The inner part, near the bridge of my nose, was noticeable, but then it looked like they kind of stopped just before the tail. My brows were so thin and so light that you could not see them in pictures, and it made for quite an interesting look. From that day forth, I started filling in my brows, and it has made a world of difference! Brows are the frame of the face, and by adding a little definition you can set the base for a bright-eyed, pulled-together look, whether it be a simple 5 minute makeup routine, or an all-out glamorous full-face application. Now, I'm still not into spending a ton of time on my arches - let's be real, they'll probably never be"on fleek" - but a little effort goes a long way to completing your look. To see my three favorite brow products (for now, at least), read on!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz -$21.00

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz
Source

Anastasia Beverly Hills...the name is synonymous with well-defined brows. For the longest time I resisted the urge to try this cult favorite, mainly because I didn't want to spend a whopping $21 on a brow pencil, but also a little bit because I could not stand the pretentious way You Tubers and Sephora salespeople (or cast members, as they are called) pronounce the name " Anahhhstahhhsia". Like, seriously? Should I really be looked at condescendingly because I do not emphasize the "ahhhhh"? Well, tomato/ tomahhhto. I eventually caved when I went to IMATS NY and everything at the ABH booth was on sale. Let me tell you, I really wish I had given in to the hype sooner. Not only is the pencil itself amahhhzing (see what I did there?), but the brush is pretty spectacular as well. The pencil comes in 9 shades, which makes finding a shade that actually matches your hair color and tone so easy. Gone are the days of orange-hued brows! I use Taupe, which is the perfect cool-toned shade for those with blonde to light brown hair. The fine tip of the mechanical pencil allows you to mimic your natural brow hair, and the spooley brush is neither too soft nor too rough when brushing out the brow to blend the lines and shape the arch. I am entirely pleased with the ABH Brow Wiz, and have repurchased multiple times (usually when I can find some sort of sale or discount code).

Read more »

EOTD: Into the Blue ft. MUG Eyeshadows

2015-09-22T13:27:00.000-04:00

Hi lovely readers - I want to share with you a blue eye-look I created using Makeup Geek shadows. I absolutely love these shadows - they perform well, have a plethora of shades to choose from, and at $6.00 a pan they are an amazing price! I am now and always will be a palette girl, but I love choosing the exact colors I want and putting them all together in a customized Z Palette to create my own unique collection. I just ordered some of the new Duochrome colors, and I can't wait to play with them and create a look for you, so keep your eyes peeled for that! Because I think that these shadows are such high quality and well worth the money, I recently signed up to be an affiliate; I'll be sharing my affiliate link throughout this post. If you decide to purchase anything from Makeup Geek, please don't feel like you have to use my link...though if you do, thank you very much! :) :) :) Now, onto the good stuff: if you'd like to know how I created this blue-toned look, read on:

Read more »

Three Things Thursday: 9-10-15

2015-09-10T13:22:00.001-04:00

Hi there lovely readers,welcome to another edition of Three Things Thursday! If you're like me, then you are sad to see the summer slipping by...however, while the season may be drawing to a close, the summer weather is still here, so read on to find out what helps me keep that summertime feeling alive:

Urban Decay Naked Flushed in Naked

Naked Flushed in Naked

This trio just screams healthy, glowy skin, like you were kissed by the summer sun! Urban Decay did a marvelous job of combining a bronzer, blush and highlight that work in harmony, whether worn individually or swirled together to create a radiant glow. The powders are so soft an silky they apply like a dream, the pigmentation is brilliant, and the "flush" lasts throughout the day. There are 4 different color combinations to choose from, from light pink (Native) to peachy coral (Streak), so there is something for everyone. I always get excited to grab for this palette, because I get the most fantastic fresh-faced results whenever I use it -definitely a must-have in my book!

Read more »

Battle of the Boxes August 2015: Birchbox vs Ipsy

2015-08-27T12:27:00.002-04:00

Hello again my Lovelies!

Style-eyes: Summer look with Too Faced Sugar Pop Palette

2015-08-14T09:21:00.000-04:00

Hi lovely readers! I just wanted to share with you a quick summery look I created with the Too Faced Sugar Pop Palette:

$36.00 on the Too Faced website

This is a really fun palette, full of bright colors that are perfect for this time of year! If you find that you are intimidated by bold shadows, this palette is perfect for you because it also contains some neutral shades, like Malted Milk Ball (a medium bronze brown shade with gold sparkle) and Blackberry (a matte plum purple), as well as some soft pastels like Peach Fuzz (pale peach) and Strawberry Ice (soft lavender). However, the real stars of the show are the brights - I mean, just look at Bubblegum (candy pink) and Blue Raspberry (teal blue)! Don't they just inspire you to create a fun summer look? If you're thinking "no way I am putting Blue Raspberry anywhere near my eyes", breathe for a minute. You don't need to slather a bright blue shadow all over your lid - you can get a subtle pop of color by using a bold shadow as an accent shade, as I did below.

Three Things Thursday 8-06-15

2015-08-06T13:14:00.000-04:00

Hello love bugs! Sorry it's been a few weeks since my last post, but July was vacation month, and I was all over the place! I hope the summer is treating you well, and your summer makeup is looking fresh despite the heat. This week's Three things Thursday is focusing on just that - summer makeup. Read on to find out the three things I love using to protect my face, while keeping everything in its place!

Cotz Face for Natural Skin Tones SPF 40

$19.99 at cotzskincare.com

I recently discovered this lifesaver (literally - skin cancer is no joke) in my Birchbox. Sunscreen is tricky for me, as I know that it is a vital part of my daily routine, but the formulas out there are not always kind to oily-skinned individuals. I've tried many that are oil free and claim to be matte, but by mid-morning my face is shiny and my makeup is everywhere...and don't even get me started on the sunscreen "smell"! Well, Cotz face has since changed the way I look at sunscreen! It is a velvety smooth cream that applies like a dream, and creates a smooth, matte canvas without the familiar sunscreen fragrance. The tinted formula gives just a hint of color, so you can wear it on its own, however it is the perfect base for makeup as well. It is oil free, PABA free, fragrance free, and the SPF is physical, not chemical. If you have been neglecting your skin by not wearing sunscreen because you haven't found a formula you love, give this a shot and tell me what you think! (side note: this also comes in a shade for lighter skin tones , however I do not recommend it because it is white and leaves a cast. Try the natural, as it is pretty universal and just gives a nice glow to the skin).

Read more »

The Whole Palette Challenge: Lorac Pro Palette and Special Announcement

2015-07-03T14:20:00.001-04:00

Hi Lovelies - hope you are well!

I have for you another Whole Palette Challenge with my friend Melissa from the YouTube channel MakeupMinnie83. Make sure you stop by her YouTube channel to see the looks Melissa comes up with! The rules are simple: You have 7 days to create looks using all of the eye shadows in the chosen palette. Depending on the size of the palette, you must create between 5 and 7 looks, and you must use every shade in the palette at least once. You can use the same shade in multiple looks (some palettes only have one transition or matte highlight shade), and you can even bring in outside colors if need be (some palettes have no matte black or dark brown).

The goal of this challenge is to push you out of your comfort zone, and to allow your creativity to flow. Sometimes I find myself in a shadow funk - reaching for the same colors over and over again. This challenge will really force us to think outside the box and try looks and combinations that we tend to shy away from on a daily basis. For this challenge, we set chose a classic: the original Lorac Pro Palette!

Lorac Pro Palette, $42 on the Lorac website

Battle of the Boxes, June 2015: Ipsy vs Birchbox

2015-06-25T12:44:00.001-04:00

Hello again my Lovelies!

I received two subscription this month: Birchbox and Ipsy. In my experience, subscriptions can be very hit or miss; most of the time I'm fairly content with the items I receive for $10/mo, but I do have to admit there are times I've been disappointed with the contents of the bag, and even an occasion or two that I've felt that there wasn't a single item I could use. I often debate about cancelling one of my subs, but then they go and send me an awesome box, and I am once again sucked into subscription box bliss. If I do ever decide to whittle it down to just one sub a month, I want to know which box I am better off keeping; therefore, I like to compare month to month and get an idea of the sub I am happiest with most often, and which has the most bang for the buck. I like to compare both products received and overall value to the cost of the subscription; to make cost-comparisons a little easier, I round the estimated value to the nearest quarter dollar. Without further ado, let us begin this month's Battle of the Boxes - read on to see which box reigns supreme for the month of June!

Read more »

First Impressions Friday: Covergirl The Super Sizer Mascara & Intensify Me! Liquid Liner

2015-06-19T13:04:00.000-04:00

Hello again lovely readers!

Contents of the Influenster Covergirl Vox Box

I received an Influenster Vox Box awhile ago, which included the new Covergirl Super Sizer Mascara, as well as the new Intensify Me! Liquid Eyeliner.* After trying out the products out, I want to share my thoughts with you!
Read more »

Three Things Thursday 6-04-15

2015-06-04T13:27:00.000-04:00

Hi there lovely readers! Welcome to a new edition of Three Things Thursday. This week the focus will be on eyes - read on to find out what is making my eyes shine bright!

Rimmel Waterproof Kohl Kajal Eyeliner in Nude 005

Source

Nude liner is great for lining you lower waterline - it really brightens up the eyes and makes you look more awake on those morning you'd rather be snuggling in your bed instead of rushing off to work. While there are many options out there, the Rimmel Waterproof Kohl Kajal liner performs extremely well, and only costs $4.49 at CVS. This is a staple in my daily routine, and I really can't see getting ready without it!

Read more »

Ms. Adventures in Makeup

Lash Love with Esqido

Gone astray...and Happy Holidays!

Favorite 5: ColourPop Lippie Stix

Review: Benjabelle Sunflower Brush Tree

The Blogger Tag

Holiday Must-Haves 2016

Seeing Double: MAC Vex vs MUG Rockstar

Beauty Confessions Tag

Adore or Ignore: Magic Makeup Remover

Battle of the Boxes: Birchbox vs Ipsy January 2016

Whole Palette Challenge - Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons

Three Things Thursday - 1/7/16: The Hair Products Edition

Seeing Double: MAC Club vs Makeup Geek Havoc

Battle of the Boxes: Birchbox vs Ipsy, October 2015

Tuesday Tips - 10/20/15

Three Things Thursday:10-01-15 - The Brow Edition

EOTD: Into the Blue ft. MUG Eyeshadows

Three Things Thursday: 9-10-15

Battle of the Boxes August 2015: Birchbox vs Ipsy

Style-eyes: Summer look with Too Faced Sugar Pop Palette

Three Things Thursday 8-06-15

The Whole Palette Challenge: Lorac Pro Palette and *Special Announcement*

Battle of the Boxes, June 2015: Ipsy vs Birchbox

First Impressions Friday: Covergirl The Super Sizer Mascara & Intensify Me! Liquid Liner

Three Things Thursday 6-04-15

The Whole Palette Challenge: Lorac Pro Palette and Special Announcement