Category: Beauty

My Favorite Powder Highlight Products! 

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One of my favorite makeup products is highlight powder! I am always on the hunt to find the latest and greatest and have acquired quite the collection over the past year! I love “strobing” with these powder products because they emphasize the high points of my face, showing off my favorite features. I also love that I look instantly healthier and more alive by adding some extra radiance to my skin. I think highlight powder can take what would otherwise be considered simple makeup and instantly turn it into a Pinterest-worthy look! The tops of my cheekbones, temples, inner-corners of my eye, tip of my nose and cupid’s bow are my favorite places to highlight. I never skip out on this step of my makeup routine and highly encourage you to try out this popular beauty trend! I wanted to share all of my favorites with you so you can find your best match; whether you want a dewy and natural skin look, or an extremely bright and noticeable glow, I think I’ll have you covered!   

Subtle Glow


Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder Compact, “Highlight 01 – Golden Nude,” $40.

This product truly stands out in my collection because it provides the most beautifully subtle glow. If you want a natural, effortless highlight, you will absolutely love this product. It gives a reflective sheen once applied, which brings a lifted effect to your face. If you have mature skin, I would highly suggest this one because it isn’t glittery and definitely won’t emphasize any fine lines or texture.
   

Too Faced Candlelight Glow Highlighting Powder Duo, “Warm Glow,” $30.

I love the “lit-from-within” glow that this highlight gives my face. Again, it really just provides a radiant looking complexion, rather than an intentional shimmer. My favorite way to apply this product is with a large fluffy brush all over my face, not being specific where I place it. Whenever I do this technique, my skin looks hydrated and gorgeous! I would not recommend this product as a strategic highlight because it doesn’t have enough power in its pigmentation to bring out your cheekbones and other high points of your face. It really works best as an all over dusting powder when you’re finished with your makeup and want to look extra dewy. For me personally, I never apply this product in my t-zone, just because after a couple hours I will look unattractively oily, rather than my desired healthy glow.
    

Makeup Revolution Pro Illuminate, $7.

I mentioned this product as a highlight to pick up in my drugstore starter kit post because it really gives a universally flattering sheen to anyone’s face. Regardless of age or skin type, I find this product beautifully brings attention to the high points of the face, without looking harsh or glittery. I would best describe the overall look of this product to be glossy, which is unique for a typical powder formulation!
     

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit, “That Glow,” $40.

I am obsessed with the formula of these highlights! They glide on the face so evenly pigmented, so you never have one area that looks shinier than the rest. This kit is super versatile because it not only comes with four different highlight shades, but it also can be intensified with beauty mists, like M.A.C Fix Plus if you want an intense, almost metallic looking effect! They last beautifully for hours and I am always getting compliments whenever I wear these out!

      

M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinsh, “Soft & Gentle,” $32.

This was one of the first highlight’s I ever owned because I read so many blog posts that recommended it! I was so excited to get it and expected it to be a bright and sparkly highlight, but surprisingly it gave me a super natural, skin-like glow! This product does have shimmers in it, but after blended out, they don’t really show up on your skin. It is a gorgeous champagne color, which is universally brightening on many different skin tones! I enjoy wearing this product on a day-to-day basis because it has the power to compliment any kind of makeup look.

   

     

Beaming from the Heavens


BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed, “Opal,” $38.
I love Becca highlights because they’re creamy, but also have extremely shimmery color payoff. Sometimes the more glitter that’s in a highlight, the more chalky and patchy they apply. With this product, you can guarantee that your highlight will look gorgeous on the skin. I love the shade Opal because it’s a warm, champagne, neutral color that goes great with any makeup look. I love this color as an eyeshadow as well since it’s such an effortless brightening shade for all over the eyelids and the inner corners of the eye! Another amazing aspect of the Becca highlights are their longevity! I can apply this product at 6am and still have it show up when I get home from work at 6pm! I will definitely continue to buy these highlights because I do think they’re the best on the market! 

       

BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed, “Champagne Pop,” $38.

This is my all-time favorite highlight! If you have no idea where to begin with this glowing skin trend, look no further than Champagne Pop! It’s a beautiful peachy-gold shimmer, that brightens and compliments any skin tone! If you’re a fan of peachy or bronze blushes, you will absolutely love this shade to place on the tops of your cheeks! Of course it has the signature Becca creamy formula that is long-wearing and pigmented, so you really can’t go wrong in any aspect!

    

Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator, “Gilded Honey,” $26.

This would definitely be ranked as my second favorite highlight! The best thing about this product is its brightening power! If you’re looking for a shade that will give lift to your face, than you’ll love the way this formula reflects on the high points you place it. It is also absolutely beautiful in the sunlight. Since it’s a true gold, it does compliment my olive-tan skin tone very well, but I also believe its universally flattering too! This is also one of the few powder highlights I own that layers evenly over cream products, which is an extra bonus! 

    

theBalm Highlight, “Mary-Lou Manizer,” $24. 

This was one of the first highlights I ever bought because of its popularity online! I heard so many YouTubers and read so many blog posts about this being the ultimate glowing skin product. It really is amazing! The bright, champagne radiance it brings my skin is so gorgeous and unique! This is a highlight I’ll always have in my collection because it matches any makeup look and is my go-to whenever I want to sparkle from space. This is also an extremely long wearing formula and will last you throughout long days and summer weather! 

         

ColourPop Highlight, “Wisp,” $8. ColourPop Highlight, “Avalon,” $8.

These ColourPop highlights are the best value on the market right now! They are extremely pigmented and have such great color payoff even once you blend them out on your cheeks. With some powder products, the shimmer will fall out once blended, but since these are a unique cream-to-powder consistency, they go own as dewy and evenly pigmented than they look in the pan. I love the shades Wisp and Avalon because they’re different from one another in shade, but both perform exceptionally well. The shade Wisp is a gorgeous golden-champagne color and Avalon is copper shade that acts beautiful as a blush/bronzer topper to give your entire face a shimmery glow! I’m also astounded that these inexpensive highlights last longer than anything else I own! You’ll love these if you’re just starting out and want to build your collection because they’re budget friendly and extremely high quality! 

    

Thank you so much for taking the time to check out my highlight powder collection! I am constantly rotating each of these products into my everyday makeup routine, so they are all being used and well-loved. Although I don’t think you absolutely need every single highlighter I mentioned, I do hope you found a new one to love or discovered some helpful info on the one you’ve been recently eyeing! Happy highlighting!

CoverGirl Katy Kat Matte Lipsticks!

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I wanted to review my new favorites from the drugstore, otherwise known as the Cover Girl Katy Kat Matte Lipsticks! After reading mixed reviews online, I wanted to try the formula out for myself and see if it could work for me and my preferences. I like the matte look, but struggle with lipsticks that dry out and give me a cracked appearance after an hour. The description of these matte’s claim they’re infused with shea-butter and feel creamy once applied to your lips, which enticed me to finally purchase! I have been testing these for about two weeks now and think they’re a great product that compare to a lot of my high-end lipsticks!     

   

CoverGirl Katy Kat Matte Lipstick, “Sphynx” $8.99.


I purchased two colors in the collection to test for variations in the formula based on shade. I was very happy to learn that both perform the exact same as far as longevity, creaminess and pigmentation. Sphynx is a true nude shade that has a rose undertone. I find this is a super wearable and natural shade for an everyday lipstick color, but I also think this would complement a dramatic, smokey eye beautifully! 
     

CoverGirl Katy Kat Matte Lipstick, “Pink Paws” $8.99.


The next shade I wanted to try out was Pink Paws. I would describe this as a peachy-pink color that can also be very wearable on a day-to-day basis. I love wearing shades like this in the Spring and Summer because they provide an extra pop of color to my standard bronze makeup look. I really enjoy the color combination that comes from mixing Sphynx and Pink Paws as well!     

   


The formula of these lipsticks swatch very creamy and feel buttery whenever you rub your lips together. With that said, they definitely do not dry down to a completely matte look. I would describe it as a “satin-matte” because it isn’t glossy, but it also isn’t completely flat. For me personally, I like the feel of this formula because it isn’t sticky or slippery like some satin formulas, but it also doesn’t make my lips feel like chalk like a lot of matte lipsticks tend to do! The color lasts on my lips for 3-4 hours before it starts fading and it does wear off whenever you eat. Both Sphynx and Pink Paws do leave behind a bit of a lip stain once they are off your lips, so that can be either a pro or con based on your pigmentation preferences! I personally like it because it gives me a hint of color if I am busy and can’t immediately reapply!

   

Another great aspect to these products are their pigmentation! I find that they are very opaque on the lips, which is nice when you want a full-coverage lip look. The creamy texture does not sink into your lip lines, so you are able to get away with wearing these without a lip liner or primer. The color payoff is really impressive for a drugstore lipstick that is at such a budget-friendly price range. I want to try some of the other darker colors in the line as well to test for further consistency in formulation. The two colors I bought are extremely wearable and I did appreciate the fact that this range is comprised of mostly everyday shades that will work for a variety of skin tones. I always appreciate new product releases that include colors that you can actually wear in public to school or work. With that said, there are also some unconventional colors, including a black, that are available in the Cover Girl Kitty Kat matte range.

   

I really hope this review helped you decide whether or not these lipsticks would be a good fit for your collection! I initially was drawn to these based on the cute display and adorable packaging, but was so happy to learn that these shades and formulas work wonderfully based on the personal preferences that I look for in a lipstick. Let me know if you have tried this product, or other drugstore lipsticks that you are currently loving! Thank you so much for reading!

How I Clean My Makeup Brushes!

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Let’s be real, nobody actually enjoys washing their makeup brushes. Shamefully, I admit I haven’t washed my brushes in about 4 months… There are so many benefits to using clean makeup brushes. There are the obvious hygienic reasons for keeping your brushes clean, like not having bacteria and facial oils cause breakouts on your skin. However, there are also makeup application reasons for keeping your brushes clean too! Once excess oils build up on your brushes, it can cause your powders to apply streaky and give your face a blotchy appearance. Brushes that are full of excess product, will begin to apply more sheer washes of color because they have an existing layer of product that isn’t allowing the hairs to pick up additional pigment. In the case of your eye brushes that are constantly picking up new colors, you want to make sure you clean them well. Your eyes can also easily pick up bacteria, so again, for hygienic reasons it is recommended you wash these every other week. I really want to try the “Color Switch” product by Sephora and Vera Mona, which described on Sephora.com as a, “dry, makeup-removing sponge that allows you to switch colors without having to switch brushes.” This seems too good to be true, so if you have this product and it truly takes away all of the pigment from your brushes, let me know! Anyways, this is my routine (that I need to start doing monthly) for deep cleaning my makeup brushes!     

2X Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove $39 Dr. Bronner’s Pure Castile Liquid Soap Almond, $4.09


To begin, I gather my Doctor Bronner’s Soap (which I’ve mentioned in another post on cleaning my Beauty Blender) and my Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove to wash my brushes. 


For $39, this glove did seem a bit gimmicky and overpriced, until I used it. Honestly, this product changed the way I washed my brushes and encourages me to wash them more often because it is so easy! I have spent a lot of money on Sigma brushes, so I wanted to also buy the product they sell that claims to cleanse them in the most gentle and effective way. The bumps and ridges on the glove really deep clean down to the brush head and make sure you’re getting all excess product out. In conjunction with the Doctor Bronner’s soap, your brushes will be stain-free and look brand new once dried! Every once in awhile, I’ll mix in some olive oil with the soap for a conditioning treatment to soften the brush hairs, but I definitely don’t do this step every time.

    


I wash each brush until the stains are no longer visible and only clear water (without soapy bubbles) comes through the bristles. Once I reach this point, I gently swirl my brush onto a soft towel to help the drying process, and lay them down flat. 


Many people suggest drying your brushes upside down and hanging them so the water does not leak into the brush handle, causing it to detach. Personally, I have never had any issues with laying my makeup brushes flat, but I do suggest flipping the brushes over about halfway through so they dry evenly.

   

I know this blog post wasn’t the most entertaining or innovative, however I do find that this routine is really helpful on remaining sanitary and extending the longevity of your makeup brushes. I think clean brushes apply makeup more beautifully and definitely help with blending your makeup more seamlessly. What products do you use to clean your makeup brushes? Let me know! Thanks for reading!

Formula X Delete All – 5 Finger Nail Polish Remover

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Formula X Delete All – 5 Finger Nail Polish Remover, $15


   

I just want to preface this review by saying, a $15 nail polish remover seems absolutely ridiculous and overpriced. Typically, I spend around 4-8 dollars on a bottle of nail polish remover, usually purchasing the “Pure Acetone” formulas. My hunt for the perfect remover came about after I noticed myself getting super lazy about taking off my nail polish because I truly dread the process of scrubbing my nails and having my cuticles burned. I wanted a gentle formula that worked quickly and could most importantly, remove all traces of glitter polish! Some of the different glitter’s I own will not fully detach from my nail, even with standard remover, so I wanted my next purchase to truly remove all traces of sparkle and color. I started browsing the top rated products in the nail category on Sephora.com one day and came across the “Formula X Delete All – 5 Finger Nail Polish Remover.”     

Before adding to my cart, I carefully read the description of the product and the many reviews that proceed it. Some of the most impressive claims that instantly sold me were, “Quick and convenient, this innovative five-finger soak removes all types of polishes—even the most stubborn glitters—without the mess. It features five-finger pockets that are perfectly cut into a soft, saturated sponge. Just dip, soak, and you’re done. Featuring the powerful formula of the original 5-Finger Nail Polish Remover, it now has a reinforced sponge with tightly interwoven, micro-mini pores for extra durability. Its one-step, spill-proof process makes removing your mani even easier.” I knew I had to buy to test this out for the blog because I really don’t think I am the only one who feels personally victimized by regular nail polish remover that burns and soaks polish off painfully slow. 

    


To start this review, I want to point out how awful my nails look. Let’s just address that this was going on two weeks and I nervously scrape my nail polish off when stressed. I did feel like this was a good example of how powerful (or not powerful) the formula would be! Now we shall proceed to the uplifting and renewing part of this process, the removal! I began by following the exact directions from Sephora.com and dipped my fingers in the sponge for 10-15 seconds. It was suggested to gently rub against the sponge wall during this time.


    

As soon as I lifted my fingers from the sponge, I was absolutely shocked to see that it literally took all of my polish off! The formula of the remover is obviously strong, but does not burn or dry out your fingertips like standard ones do. I really enjoyed how fast and easy this process was and can see myself more frequently changing the polish on my fingers because it is now convenient to remove! I am very excited to use this product with my stubborn glitter polishes too!

   

Overall, I think this product is worth the money and you should definitely purchase it if you do at-home manicures! It is such a time saver and makes the entire removal process pain-free if you have sensitive skin like me! I love when a product exceeds my expectations and this one definitely did. My only con (if this even counts) is that this can’t be used to take off polish from your toes. Unless you were to dip each toe into the sections (the thought of that makes me lol) I am not sure how else you could use this on that area since it’s specifically designed for the fingers! With that said, I hope you try this product out and find it as useful as I do! Please let me know if there any dupes or cheaper alternatives to a product like this, because I would love to try those as well! Thanks for reading!

Drugstore Makeup Starter Kit Under $170!

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Did you know that you can have a complete collection of makeup for only $170?! Well, you can! This blog was written to further prove this point! One of the most common beauty questions I am asked is, “What are the best makeup products from the drugstore?” I wanted to list out my top picks in each category that are tried and true! These are not only my personal favorites, but are also loved by friends and family that have tried too! I love finding products that perform like high-end makeup, but are budget friendly, so this post was a joy to create! To narrow down the list, I only included the products I feel are necessary for a day-to-day makeup look! You can interpret this post as a drugstore makeup starter kit, since I am only providing my reviews on the basic beauty necessities! I hope you enjoy reading and find your new favorite drugstore makeup products! 

Face

     

NYX Cosmetics Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer, $15.99
An amazing primer for all skin types. This product works best by gently patting into the areas where you have enlarged pores or tend to get oily. I have tried out very expensive, high-end primers and this one beats them out every time. This will fill in all of your trouble areas, including fine lines, while also extending the wear time of your face products. Another great aspect is that you only need to use a small, pea-sized amount for a flawless complexion! 

     

L’Oréal Infallible Pro-Matte 24HR Foundation, $12.99
I can’t get enough of this foundation! It gives you full-coverage and conceals any redness or skin troubles, while also allowing some of your natural moles and freckles to peak through! I love the demi-matte finish because it keeps your face looking fresh, while also controlling the production of excess oils. My favorite way to apply this foundation is with a damp Beauty Blender or sponge, but I have also found that this product goes on beautifully with a flat top blending brush. 

     

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer, Neutralizer, $8.99
Another long-time favorite of mine, I have found this concealer to always be a staple in my collection. The coverage on this product is amazing and will definitely conceal any dark circles or discoloration. I use the shade “Neutralizer” because it has a brightening, yellow undertone, which highlights my medium-to-tan skin tone perfectly! There are a few different shades in the collection so you can certainly find a perfect match for yourself too! The reason I continue to repurchase this product is for its combination of a full-coverage finish, brightening shade formulation and ability to wear throughout the day without fading or creasing!   

NYX Cosmetics HD Finishing Powder, Banana, $9.99
I feel like this is a hidden gem from the drugstore because it brightens your under-eye in the same way that most high-end “Banana” shade powders apply! I set all of my highlighted and concealed areas with this product to provide additional brightening effect, while also ensuring nothing creases throughout the day. If you have dry under eyes, you can just swipe your damp beauty blender that you applied your concealer with, into this pressed powder and apply directly to your skin to give an additional amount of moisture, while also setting your makeup! I have noticed that the formulation of this product gives an airbrushed finish to the under eyes because it buffs out any fine lines underneath the eyes and fills in the pores that can tend to appear in your t-zone. 

     

Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder, Transparent, $4.99
This is my favorite all-over face setting powder because it is so finely milled and gives your skin an airbrushed appearance without looking chalky, which some matte powders can tend to do. I purchase the shade “Transparent” because it sets my foundation, without altering the color. Whenever certain liquid products oxidize, they can change to a darker or more orange color, the same can happen when applying a face powder. Choosing the wrong shade can completely throw off the good color match you had for your foundation, which is annoying. I like this particular shade because it truly just sets your foundation, without changing the coverage or color of it.    

    

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder, Sunny, $4.99
Such a beautiful, natural looking bronzer that can suit so many skin tones. This is a really popular bronzer because it is matte, which can be tough to find at the drugstore. It also has a unique terracotta undertone that gives your skin the most beautiful warm glow. In my opinion, bronzers that have an almost red undertone can translate on the skin very naturally since your face gets a tint of that when you’re sitting outside, regardless of your pigmentation! Although this bronzer is extremely warm, I have seen it work on a variety of complexions because of its unique color. At a price point of 5 bucks, it’s definitely worth a try! 

        

Wet n Wild Color Icon Blush, Pearlescent Pink, $2.99
These blushes are my absolute favorite from all drugstore brands because of their extremely inexpensive price and incredible pigmentation. I have every color in the range, but especially love “Pearlescent Pink” because it’s an exact dupe to one of my favorite high-end blushes by NARS in the shade “Orgasm.”

     

Makeup Revolution Pro Illuminate, $7.00
This highlight can be found at Ulta because I truly could not find a product from the common drugstores (Walgreens, CVS, Rite-Aid, etc.) or Target/Walmart that was worth mentioning in this post. It’s really difficult to find non-glittery, sophisticated highlights at a low price point. I came across this product out of pure curiosity and ended up loving it! It is a very neutral, champagne highlight that can complement any makeup look. It has very fine gold shimmer, which I personally think looks more natural on the skin than silver or white. If you live near an Ulta and want to add a highlight to your kit, I would definitely recommend giving this product a go!

     

L’Oréal Infallible Makeup Extender Setting Spray, $16.99
This is hands down my favorite drugstore setting spray because it makes your makeup last forever! It gives your skin a slightly matte look, which is nice whenever you’re trying to keep a fresh face throughout the intense summer weather! I also love this formula because it doesn’t cause your mascara to transfer onto your eyes, as some setting mists do. I truly think I like this setting spray more than my Urban Decay because it works better at keeping my makeup on and looking freshly applied. My only complaint is that the nozzle on this product doesn’t dispense the mist as finely as the Urban Decay. Luckily, I can look past a packaging annoyance when I’m paying only half of what my high-end favorite costs!  
 

Eyes

   

Wet n Wild Photo Focus Eyeshadow Primer, $4.99
As someone who has oily eyelids and constantly fears eyeshadow creasing, I need to use a primer every day. The best one I have found at the drugstore is by Wet n Wild! Not only does this product prevent creasing, but it truly brings out the vibrancy of the eyeshadows you are using. I noticed that the pigmentation lasted longer when using this product than without. 

     

L’Oréal Infallible Eyeshadow, Iced Latte, $7.99
These are the best shimmery eyeshadows at the drugstore! They come in a ton of colors and I always get compliments whenever I wear them out! The shade “Iced Latte” is a perfect, taupe/champagne, every-day eyeshadow color to wear all over the lid, or just to brighten up the inner corners of your eye. I like to apply these eyeshadows using my finger because you will get the most color payoff by gently pressing the pigment onto your eyelid, rather than sweeping with a brush!

        

Milani Everyday Eyes Eyeshadow Collection, Earthy Elements, $8.52
This is my favorite drugstore eyeshadow palette because the formula is just as good as many high-end palettes than I own! I had previously never tried Milani eyeshadows and picked up one of these palettes on a whim. I could not be more pleasantly surprised with the buttery texture of the matte blending shades in the palette. I love the shade selection in the “Earthy Elements” Palette because I am obsessed with warm bronze and orange shades. These shadows last forever on the eyes too! Every palette in this range have beautiful shades that you could combine to make many different looks. If you like the shades in the Urban Decay Naked Palette, you should pick up “Bare Necessities” because it’s an exact dupe!  

    

L’Oréal Infallible The Super Slim Liquid Eyeliner, Black, $8.99
Finally, a good felt tip eyeliner at a drugstore price! I am obsessed with this eyeliner because it is completely matte black and does not budge once you apply it. I find that for me personally, using felt tip eyeliners work easiest when doing winged eyeliner, so that is why I am very happy to have found this one at the drugstore. 

         

Rimmel London Exaggerate Waterproof Eye Definer, Nude, $6.99
These Rimmel liners are excellent for the waterline because they stay in place, even if you have watery eyes like me! I love using a nude shade for every day because it widens the look of my eyes, while brightening my inner rim, which is a win-win on sleepy mornings at work! 

    

L’Oréal Telescopic Carbon Black Mascara, $9.99
This is just my personal favorite mascara of life. Regardless of how many high-end mascaras I buy, I always come back to this one from the drugstore because it gives me my idea of perfect eyelashes. I think this formula does an excellent job at both lengthening and adding volume. I also love the fact that it does not smudge and is able to last on my eyelashes all day long. 

     

NYX Cosmetics, Micro Brow Pencil, Ash Brown, $9.99
This eyebrow pencil is an exact dupe for my Anastasia pencil in the shade Ash Brown and costs half as much. It’s a no brainer to switch to these because they apply exactly the same, their shade selection is just as expansive, they give a natural looking texture to the brows, plus they last throughout the day! I continue to repurchase this eyebrow pencil and personally could never go back to paying twice as much for Anastasia pencils again. 

        

e.l.f. Studio Eyebrow Kit, Medium, $3
This is my favorite eyeshadow powder! I like to use powder on the front part of my brows so it doesn’t look as harsh as filling in completely with a pencil would. This powder has the perfect ashy undertone to compliment my eyebrows and keep them looking as natural as possible. 

      

L’Oréal Brow Stylist Plumper Brow Gel Mascara, Medium to Dark, $9.99
By far the best eyebrow gel at the drugstore! This product will hold your hairs in place and make sure they do not move throughout the day. Whenever I don’t set my eyebrows with a gel, I notice they tend to fall straight (which looks weird and terrible) so this product is perfect to prevent that from happening! The formula attaches to your existing hairs, so if you wanted to fill in your brows naturally with just one product, you could totally just run this through to get a subtly defined look. 
 

Lips

    

Jordana Easyliner for Lips Retractable Pencil, Tawny, $1.99
One of my favorite every day lip pencils! The shade “Tawny” matches my lips perfectly and allows my lipstick to stay in place and not settle into any lines. I love filling in my entire lips with this product and wearing as a lipstick as well because it’s so beautiful. I can’t get enough of these liners and own them in every color!

    

NYX Cosmetics Butter Lipstick, Root Beer Float (aka Pops), $5.99
This lipstick feels more like a chapstick, which I personally enjoy for every day wear! I think the color is a beautiful nude shade, but I am also impressed with their bold colors as well! The formula is very sheer and won’t be the longest lasting through eating and drinking, however if you are just looking for an easy, comfortable lipstick to wear to work and school, I think you will enjoy these!

    

NYX Cosmetics Butter Gloss, Crème Brulee, $4.99
You just can’t go wrong with NYX lip products! These lip glosses are so nice to wear because they have a buttery consistency that isn’t sticky at all! They are pigmented, so you could totally get away with just wearing one of these without a lipstick underneath! I own many shades and all are consistently incredible!
       


Thank you so much for taking the time to read this lengthy post! These products would cost a grand total of $168.34 without tax if you buy every item at full price. Most of the time, ULTA offers Buy One Get One Half Off on their drugstore lines, plus many drugstores also run sales and provide coupons on beauty offers so shop smart! I think that you will all love these products, but I also want to know which drugstore makeup products you love the most! For whatever reason, I get more excited about finding hidden gem products that are inexpensive, than high-end makeup releases, so I would really appreciate your suggestions! Thanks again! 🙂

   

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Laura Geller Baked Color & Contour Palette

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Laura Geller Baked Color & Contour Palette, $45.

    

I wanted to review the new Laura Geller Baked Color & Contour Palette because I think this is extremely appealing to those who enjoy having the convenience of three face products in one compact. If you love to travel, but hate separately packing a blush, bronzer and highlight, this product could be for you! This palette is also ideal for girls who want an easy way to grab one item and complete a majority of their face makeup without the worry of choosing blush/bronzer/highlight shades that all match. The overall size of the product is huge, which is nice because you can fit your normal sized brushes into each individual section, without mixing colors. Laura Geller’s baked products are known for their airbrushed appearance on the skin and their ability to last throughout the day! I will preface this review by saying unfortunately these shades are too light for my olive-tan skin tone. I am torn on whether I should return it or not, because I could potentially use it during the winter months when I am more of a medium skin tone! Regardless, after testing this formula for a week I can say those with fair to light-medium skin tones will absolutely love it!

   


The blush is in the shade Tropic Hues, which can be described as a glowing, peachy-pink. This was my first time wearing a Laura Geller baked blush and I really liked the way it looked! It is a very sheer formula, but can be layered for desired intensity, without looking cakey. It isn’t a shimmery blush, but it definitely has a glowing aspect to the formula that translates to a very youthful and fresh look on the cheeks. The Bronzer is the same as their Baked Body Frosting in Hawaiian Glow, which is a bestselling/top-rated product in the Laura Geller line at Ulta! I thought this bronzer was gorgeous and gave my skin a luminous glow, very similar to my Hourglass bronzer! I loved that this gave my skin a dewy-look, without getting oily throughout the day. I was so impressed that this bronzer blended seamlessly and looked natural, even in broad daylight! The French Vanilla Baked Highlight is also a cult-favorite product, which I’ve read other bloggers rave about in the past! I was happy to try it out and think it looks absolutely beautiful on the skin, however if you are tan or darker, it can look like a white stripe on your cheekbones (not flattering) so be warned! With all of that aside, it is a pretty shimmer highlight that does look shiny on the cheeks, without being glittery! It could be described as a creamy bright champagne highlight.

  

So although this product wasn’t a perfect match for my skin tone, I would still definitely recommend it to those who are more fair than me. I think the product performed great, it lasted on my face through long work days without a setting spray, which is very impressive! I was also extremely impressed with the bendability of these products. Once applied, they seemed to melt into my skin to the point where you couldn’t see where the lines began and ended. I loved the luminosity to these products and thought they brightened my face in a very unique and youthful way. Although this is a baked powder, they never look dry or cakey on the skin. I also enjoyed the simplicity and convenience of having all three shades in one compact. Laura Geller did a great job choosing shades that were all very complimentary to one another and didn’t require the use of other shades to make a complete and cohesive makeup look. I want to try out more products from this line, so if you have any favorites that would compliment olive-tan skin tones, than please let me know! I would love to do another review based upon your recommendations! Thank you for reading!

Festive Fourth of July Makeup!

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I wanted to do a quick little blog post on my festive Fourth of July makeup! For me personally, this was a fairly glamorous look since I included glitter and red lipstick, but I think it’s perfect for any daytime event. For me, I think this look is very balanced and subtle enough to not make a bold statement when wearing. I also think you could totally add false eyelashes, darken up the outer crease and use black eyeliner on your waterline to make it more dramatic! I thought this look was very easy to create and fit perfect for the theme of Fourth of July, but also would be great for any other special occasion this summer! 

Too Faced Peanut Butter & Jelly Eyeshadow Palette, $36. ColourPop Eyeshadow, $5. M.A.C Pro Longwear Paint Pot, $22. Benefit Roller Lash Mascara, $24. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Eyeliner, $22. Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner, $20. Revlon ColorStay Lipliner, $8.99. Stila Stay All Day Vinyl Lip Gloss, $24.


I first primed my eyes using the M.A.C Pro Longwear Paint Pot in the shade “Ochre” because it neutralizes all veins on my eyelids and applies a yellow base to compliment the golden shadows that I’ll be placing on top! Next, I took the ColourPop eyeshadow in “KathleenLights” and patted that all over my eyelid. I wanted to choose a darker bronze/orange color for my eyelids since I knew the bright gold glitter that I would later place on top, would stand out more when contrasting from a darker base. To blend out this color, I used a mixture of “Peanut Butter” and “Spread the Love” from my Too Faced Peanut Butter & Jelly Palette! Although this product was limited edition, I still see them at Ulta and would highly recommend this palette to anyone who enjoys warm-toned eyeshadows! I then took the shade “Extra Creamy” underneath my brow bone for an extra highlight. On my inner corner, I used “Bananas” to add a bit of brightness, without being stark white. I then blended out my lower lash line with a mixture of “Peanut Butter” and “Nuts About U” to balance out the eye look. 

      

Next is the fun part; glitter! I love the Urban Decay glitter liners because they don’t sting your eye (as some glitters do) and it lasts for hours without retouching! For added simplicity, the brush tip applicator makes this product ideal for creating a precise glitter winged eyeliner or in my case, “painting” the glitter on top of my eyeshadow. I find this method works best if you apply, keep your eyes closed for 30 seconds to dry and then continue with the rest of your look. I also added some glitter on my lower lash line to compliment the eyelid! Based on personal preference, I did decide to add winged eyeliner because I love the way it compliments my round eye shape, but feel free to just add a standard line or none at all! You can truly make this look as natural as you want! I finished off with a couple coats of Benefit Roller Lash Mascara (which is probably my favorite high-end mascara) on my top and bottom lashes! Again, I think this makeup look would be stunning with wispy, false eyelashes as well! 

     

For the lips, I used my Revlon lip liner in “Nude” to define, while also ensuring that my red lipstick did not bleed or transfer. The red lipstick I chose is actually a lipgloss from Stila’s Stay All Day collection. These glosses are very opaque and thick in consistency. They stay shiny, but will not wear off like standard lip glosses because they are such a thick consistency. This shade is a true blue-based red, which is perfect for Fourth of July! Most of my red lipsticks are matte, but in the summer when my lips are more dry, I opt for satin or glossy formula to hydrate and plump! 

      

I really love how this look turned out because I thought it was fun and festive without being overboard! I think this look provides a great outline for Fourth of July makeup since it’s so simple, which allows you to easily change out certain aspects to fit what you’re most comfortable and confident in wearing! I would love to know how you spent your Fourth of July and what makeup look you decided to go for! Please let me know in the comments below, thank you so much for readying! 

June Favorites!

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M.A.C Cosmetics Lipstick, “Del Rio,” $17. Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Pomade, “Ash Brown,” $18. ColourPop Highlight Super Shock Cheek Pearlized, “Wisp,” $8. Real Techniques Bold Metals 300 Tapered Blush Brush, $18.99. Starbucks, Stainless Steel Clip Handle Tumbler – Mint, 16 fl oz., $22.95. Keurig K-Cup Pack 18-Count The Original Donut Shop Vanilla Cream Puff Coffee, $11.99. FunKo Pop Figure, Phoebe Buffay, $11.99. Nordstrom, Treasure&Bond Cuffed Denim Boyfriend Shorts, $39.90. Nordstrom, Ray-Ban ‘Original Aviator’ 58mm Polarized Sunglasses, $200. Tory Burch, Sedgewick Ballet Flat, Blond, $175 (On Sale).


  

Beauty

M.A.C Cosmetics Lipstick, “Del Rio” 

My first favorite is the M.A.C Cosmetics Lipstick in the shade Del Rio. The color is described online as a muted plum-brown, but I find that on my lips, it looks more red-brown. I bought this product thinking it was going to be a dark mauve color that looks like the rest of my favorite every day lipsticks, but instead it stands out for its unique terracotta hue. I love that this is a satin finish that feels hydrating, without being sticky like a standard lip gloss. Since my lips do tend to dry out during the summer months, I try to branch out from the popular matte formulas. This lipstick is also amazing because once it stains your lips once wearing off, leaving a pretty natural flush to your lips.    

     

Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Pomade, “Ash Brown”

Known as the queen of eyebrows, Anastasia always creates the best brow products! The DIPBROW pomade is known as a product that will fill in your eyebrows and provide a natural looking color to any sparse areas. The formula is waterproof and performs amazing in the hot weather. One of my biggest fears is to sweat an eyebrow off, so knowing that they will stay in place through sweating and random summer rain showers gives me peace of mind. I love the shade “Ash Brown” because it’s dark enough for definition, but does not look harsh in natural settings. The best way to apply this product is with a very thin, angled brush to create natural-like hair strokes. It took me about a week to get the hang of using this product, but once I mastered the application technique, I don’t think I’ll ever go back to a standard brow pencil! Not to mention, since using the DIPBROW pomade, I have cut down the time it takes me to do my eyebrows in half, which also makes this product very valuable to my makeup routine!

  

ColourPop Highlight Super Shock Cheek Pearlized, “Wisp”

Since it’s June favorites, I had to include the highlight shade I’ve been loving on the tops of my cheeks all month! It is only $8 and of course, from ColourPop! Their Super Shock Cheek in the shade, “Wisp” is amazing! The color is described as a golden champagne with pearlized gold duo chrome finishes. It is seriously such amazing quality for the price since it is so smooth and shiny on the cheeks, rather than glittery (which is common with less-expensive highlights). I have swatched this shade side-by-side with the Becca highlight in “Opal” and it is an exact dupe! Not to mention, this formula is extremely long lasting throughout the summer heat, which is always a bonus. I would mention that if you are extremely fair skinned, you may find that this highlight is too golden on you! I would recommend ColourPop’s highlight in the shade “Lunch Money” or “Spoon” if you have fair-to-light skin tones because they are very bright and light shades that will compliment your complexion beautifully.

    

Real Techniques Bold Metals 300 Tapered Blush Brush

I have a brush to include as well! The Real Techniques Bold Metals 300 Tapered Blush Brush is an amazing, affordable brush for any powder makeup product. My favorite way to use this brush is to press my loose translucent powder into my under eye area and set my liquid concealer before it creases. The brush is very soft and dense, making it ideal to blend powder products seamlessly on the face. Since the dome-shape of the brush is more ideal for sweeping product onto the skin, your liquid makeup will not be disturbed from excessive blending. I also love this brush for blush because it picks up just the right amount of product and is awesome at shading in the apples of your cheeks. For the price, this brush looks and feels extremely luxurious, which is an additional bonus!


Lifestyle

Starbucks, Stainless Steel Clip Handle Tumbler

This coffee mug is SO GOOD! I had previously been using a Tervis Tumbler as a coffee cup because they’re known for being remarkably insulated and keeping hot liquids, hot! This cup from Starbucks puts my old Tervis to shame! It truly keeps my coffee hot (not warm; hot) for hours! I usually brew my K-Cup at 7:30am and my coffee will remain at that initial temp until 11am. It is really that good! I also love the mint color because it’s muted, but stands out amongst the other silver and black coffee cups. Plus this one has a flexible rubber handle because that has a clip attached so you can attach it to your purse or backpack. You need this cup if you are a coffee lover!     

Keurig K-Cup Pack 18-Count The Original Donut Shop Vanilla Cream Puff Coffee

Since I am mentioning my favorite coffee cup, I also wanted to mention my favorite coffee! I am currently obsessed with the “Vanilla Cream Puff” medium roasted coffee from The Original Donut Shop because it has a hint of sweetness, that isn’t artificial or over-the-top. I don’t like adding creamer or sugar to my coffee on an every day basis, so it’s nice to have a mild and flavorful coffee that I can brew and go during the mornings when I’m rushing off to work!

FunKo Pop Figure, Phoebe Buffay

I wanted to include this in my June Favorites because it is something that makes me smile whenever I look at it! Friends is one of my all-time favorite television series and Phoebe is my favorite character, so having this on my desk makes me feel like a true fan girl! I recently started re-watching the seasons on Netflix and I just wanted to throw it out there that if you haven’t watched Friends yet, you really should! It is a show that will brighten any bad days and make you laugh out loud, which sometimes is necessary amongst the craziness of current popular television series. This show is just relaxing and uplifting to watch, so Friends and my Phoebe Buffay figure are definitely favorites every month of the year!

Fashion

Nordstrom, Treasure&Bond Cuffed Denim Boyfriend Shorts

Finally, I’ve found the perfect denim shorts! Recently, I’ve been having a tough time finding shorts that are an appropriate length for a 24 year-old, but also have a trendy look to them. These are amazing! The 4 inch inseam ensures you aren’t showing your butt cheeks throughout the day, but also is short enough to look like shorts. The material is denim, but it is noticeably stretchy, which makes them extremely comfortable to wear through any circumstance. I love that the cuffs around the thighs are sewn to stay folded, so you don’t have to worry about them falling down and having to constantly re-fold. If you are in between sizes, I recommend the larger size because they are a bit small around the thighs (depending on your body shape) and would probably be more comfortable a bit looser, than tight! I already ordered two other washes in these shorts because they are that great, so you need them!

    
Nordstrom, Ray-Ban ‘Original Aviator’ 58mm Polarized Sunglasses

I love these sunglasses so much because they’re not only a classic style, but they also provide serious sun protection! The polarized lenses definitely make a huge difference, so trust me when I say it’s worth the extra money to get the polarized styles! My first pair of Ray-Ban’s were not polarized and I never knew what made them so special from other cheaper sunglasses (besides the brand name) but now that I have used the polarized for a couple years, I think they are a must have for anyone who cares about protecting their eyes and are particularly sensitive to light! I wear these with casual and dressy outfits and find that the aviator style truly goes with everything. The metal frames are such nice quality and feel more comfortable than plastic frames, which can tend to be tight on my big head. I want to continue buying polarized Ray-Bans, so let me know your favorite style so I can add to my collection!

   
Tory Burch, Sedgewick Ballet Flat, Blond

These flats were a major splurge for me! I don’t like spending a lot on shoes, but I could justify buying a pair in a neutral color that I could wear every day to work. I was expecting these flats to look beautiful, since they’re Tory Burch, but I was shocked at how comfortable they are too! I did not have to break them in after buying them, nor did they leave any bruises or blisters on my feet, like most shoes do on my feet! They go perfectly with all of my work outfits and I am always receiving compliments on them! Luckily I picked them up when they were on sale and could use an extra 10% off coupon code too! I just checked the website and they are now an additional 30% off and still in stock!

   
Thank you so much for taking the time to read about my monthly favorites for June! These posts are so much fun for me to write, so I hope you enjoyed! Let me know the products you have been loving all month long!

Easy Summer Makeup Using The Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette

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I wanted to do a quick look for gals who enjoy bronze-taupe shades for every day makeup! My favorite eyeshadow palette of all time is the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette! I find the colors are versatile enough to be daytime and nighttime appropriate and there are enough colors included for both cool and warm toned looks. Not to mention, the quality of the eyeshadows are amazing. They’re buttery, pigmented and easy to blend! The most important part is that these eyeshadows actually smell like cocoa powder! You will honestly love this palette and see that it is worth every penny once you begin creating the beautiful variety of looks that you like!   


To begin, I primed my eyes using the Urban Decay Naked Weightless Concealer. I then took the shade “White Chocolate” and applied it all over my eyelid, up to my brown bone to neutralize my skin and help my other eyeshadows blend out easier. I then took “Salted Caramel” with a fluffy blending brush into my crease. I think this warm brown shade can be worn in so many different makeup looks to provide a universally flattering transition, while blending out your lid shades. Next I applied “Milk Chocolate” onto the outside corner of my crease in a V shape. This step will further define your eyes and help blend any darker shades you set down. For my eyelid, I applied “Champagne Truffle” on the inner corner to brighten and widen the look of my eyes. This shade can also work beautifully as a cheekbone highlight if you’re looking to keep the look very cohesive. With a flat shader brush, I took “Marzipan” on my inner third to create an ombré effect to my eye look. Next I placed “Creme Brûlée” on my middle third to give a gold sparkle effect. Lastly, I placed “Hazelnut” on my outer third to darken the corner and give a cat-eye effect to my lids. 

    

I did also give myself a black winged eyeliner because I love the way this defines my lash line and elongates my naturally round eyes. On the lower lash line, I smudged the Stila Stay-All-Day Eyeliner pencil in Lionfish. I also took the shadow color “Hazelnut” and further blended out this area for no harsh lines. Of course I added plenty of mascara for this look because I love the look of full and thick eyelashes! Below is a photo featuring the remaining makeup products I used to create this look! 

    

I think this is super easy and pretty for summertime because it incorporates soft shimmer shades in a warm, bronze color family. It’s not too dark or smokey, but it does define the eyelids in a flattering way. I would recommend this eye look to anyone because I think it’s universally wearable and gorgeous for day or night! I also want to add that although I chose a neutral lip color, this eyeshadow look is simple enough to pair with a red or violet colored lippie too! I want to create more looks using this palette, so let me know what you would like to see next! I’m thinking of an olive-green look with bronzed skin…the possibilities are endless! Thank you so much for reading! 

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette, $49.


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The Best Cream and Liquid Highlights! 

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Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight, $22. Benefit Cosmetics Girl Meets Pearl, $30. Benefit Cosmetics Watt’s Up! Cream-to-Powder Highlighter, $30. Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector, in the shade Opal, $19.


As you know, it is super on trend to have glowing, dewy skin this Summer! I love powder highlighters, but I can achieve an intense glow effect when I use liquids! I have a few different purposes for these products and wanted to share how I use them to achieve a flawless, lit-from-within complexion!       


First up is the Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Highlight! This cream-to-powder formula is applied best with your fingers or a damp beauty blender depending on your desired intensity. I would describe the color as a shimmery, pink-toned, silver highlight. It gives a subtle effect to light skin tones because it’s such a fine shimmer. If you have a medium to tan skin tone, then it will be a bit more noticeable since it doesn’t have warm undertones! The only con to this product would be its ability to fade throughout the day. That is why I like this product to layer with my powder highlights to give them an extra boost and prolong the longevity of both products. My favorite powder highlight to wear with this cream highlight is the “Mary Lou Manizer” by TheBalm. I find that using a powder highlight with a champagne shimmer counteracts the sometimes unflattering cool tones of the Clinque highlight formula! 

      

My next favorite is the Benefit Cosmetics Girl Meets Pearl liquid highlighter! I love this product to mix in with my liquid foundation to give my skin a natural glow effect. I find this product is perfect to add into any foundation because it won’t change the color. Some liquid highlights can turn your foundation more yellow or more pink, the Girl Meets Pearl gives a natural, subtle champagne glow that is universally flattering. I only use this product to mix in because it does not look good when I try to use it like a cream highlight. Whenever I place it on top of my cheeks and down the bridge of my nose, it causes the foundation to break up and look patchy. Of course, Benefit packaging is so cute, which is another reason to check this product out! The twist up container it comes in makes sure your product stays as hygienic as possible and ensures no leaking if you do want to travel with this product! 

     

My absolute favorite cream highlight is Benefit Cosmetics Watt’s Up! It has a perfect golden shimmer that gives your skin that intense, almost wet looking effect! This product makes me feel like I’m actually J-Lo (which is the best feeling ever) and it will last all day long! Since it’s a cream-to-powder formula, it will not break up when placed on top of your foundation. It also looks beautiful when layered with a powder highlight on top! I love using Champagne Pop by Becca to layer on top of this because the warm-peach undertones compliment the Watt’s Up golden tone in such a gorgeous way! 

       

The Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector, in the shade Opal is a gorgeous product to blend on your bare skin, before foundation, so that it peaks through when the light hits your face! This is a very pigmented, intense glow so I use this product very sparingly. I have tried to use this product over top of foundation and find that it only works if used with a damp beauty blender because it will break up your foundation if patted in with your fingers. I love the subtle champagne shimmer this product gives and it is highly reflective, which makes it so unique in my collection. I love to layer Becca’s Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed on top of the liquid version because it just intensifies it even further and will ensure your highlight lasts all night long, even through the Summer heat! 

     

Liquid and cream highlights can be intimidating because they do require a lot of blending to look good, however I do find that they give a unique, intense glow effect that cannot be replicated with powders! I want to share my favorite powder highlights soon because I have quite the collection, so let me know if you would like to see that! Thank you so much for reading! 

    

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