Category: Makeup Reviews

How to Look Well-Rested with Brighter and Wider Eyes!

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Do you have dark circles, puffy eyes or just a sleepy looking appearance after repeatedly hitting snooze on your seven alarms? Because same. I developed a routine to de-puff and give a highlighted, lifted appearance to my under eye area, while also brightening and widening my eyes! Keep reading to see the list of products I use and the ways I apply them to look more awake!

I always wake up with puffy eyes and the Clinique “Pep-Start” Eye Cream is my go-to for hydrating and brightening! I love it for so many reasons. I’ve struggled with finding the perfect formula to lightly moisturize my under eyes before I apply concealer. Whenever eye creams are too heavy, it will cause whatever you put on top of it to look heavy and crease. This one is so lightweight, while also being hydrating, so it’s the perfect formula for A.M. application! It is cooling to the touch, which helps with de-puffing as well! I’ve also noticed that this doesn’t give me those small white bumps, which sometimes can happen with different eye creams that I’ve tried. I use a small, pea sized amount and tap it on with my ring finger since it applies the lightest amount of pressure! I wait about a minute for it to sink in and then I go onto the next step!

I’ve been using the Becca “Under Eye Brightening Corrector” for a couple years now and I can’t imagine this product not being in my daily routine! If you have stubborn dark circles that show through with even the most full coverage concealers, then you need to invest in a good corrector! This one is a peach color with light reflecting illuminators, which will counteract the blue tones in your dark circles. A little goes a long way with this product, plus it lasts all day long! I apply this with my damp beautyblender underneath my eye and in the inner corners.

After I’ve moisturized and corrected, I apply a full coverage concealer! I always purchase one that’s 1-2 shades lighter than my foundation to give a highlighted effect! My holy grail formula is the Tarte “Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Contour Concealer” (that’s a mouthful!) and it comes in 14 shades so you’re bound to find your perfect match! It is by far the most lightweight, full coverage formula that I’ve ever tried! It truly conceals acne, dark circles and redness so flawlessly! I always use this product with a damp beautyblender to help sheer it out slightly! If you’ve struggled with your concealer wearing off, then you NEED to try this one because it doesn’t fade during the day or look drying!

By this point, I’ve used so many creamy, liquid products underneath my eyes, that I have to set it with a powder to lock it all in and prevent any creasing! I always choose a yellow-toned, matte highlight powder to enhance the brightening effect I’m going for! Even if you have a different skin tone than me, I would still highly suggest checking out the NYX “Highlight Pro Singles” on Ulta.com! These aren’t sold in store, but I always stock up online! At only $5 a pan, they’re extremely affordable and there are 12 different shades to choose from. I was constantly buying the Anastasia highlight refills and then I discovered these, which are just as pigmented! The powder will also help smooth out any fine lines you may have, which is an added bonus!

Now that my under eyes are concealed and bright, I move onto making my eyes look big and awake! On a daily basis, I typically just apply my bronzer in my crease and take a shimmery shade all over the lid. Even when I’m rushing, I will never forget to highlight my inner corners with a shimmery, champagne eyeshadow! This makes the biggest difference in opening up your eyes and reflecting much needed light in an otherwise shadowy area! I love using this L’Oreal “Infallible Eyeshadow” in “Iced Latte” to brighten everything up! I take my pinky finger and dab the shadow on my inner corners, blending it outwards to seamlessly fade into my lid color.

I have round eyes, with a lot of lid space, so I always use eyeliner on the top lash line to help define and thicken the look of my eyelashes! Whenever I don’t put eyeliner in this area, I feel like my eyes look super tiny and tired. My favorite liners to use are the Kat Von D “Tattoo Liner” in “Trooper” for an ultra black, winged liner and I love the Marc Jacobs “Highliner Matte Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner” in “(Earth)quake 41” for a smudged out, brown liner look! I also use the Marc Jacobs liner on my top waterline to further define that area, as well as smudged out on the outer corners of my lower lash line!

I’m pretty sure the best makeup secret to opening up your eyes and making you look awake is using a nude eyeliner in your lower waterline! The Tarte “Fake Awake Eye Highlight” is the most pigmented and long wearing one I’ve tried so far! I’ve repurchased it so many times because nothing compares! The nude color will neutralize any redness you have from having your eyes closed all night long. Using a light color in the lower waterline will help widen and brighten your eye. Back in the day, I would use a white eyeliner, but I’ve started to enjoy the more natural effect of a nude eyeliner now! If you haven’t tried this beauty hack yet, you really need to! It makes the biggest difference and I really can’t do my makeup without it!

Do you have any tips or tricks to getting a fresh and well-rested appearance when you’re really just a sleepy gal?! Let me know by leaving me a comment! I love learning new techniques from you guys! Thank you so much for reading, I hope you found this type of product review/routine helpful!

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“Tartelette Toasted Eyeshadow Palette” Review and Swatches!

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It’s sweater weather, so you need a warm eyeshadow palette to feel extra cozy! The “Tartelette Toasted Eyeshadow Palette” is a brand new, 12 shadow palette from one of my favorite makeup brands, Tarte Cosmetics! I really love wearing warm shades on my eyes and find them to look somewhat natural on a daily basis. Even though I love makeup and have so many different options, I get the most out of my warm-toned, natural eyeshadows! I was so drawn to this palette in particular because it has both matte and shimmer shades. I knew I could create multiple looks using this one product, making it perfect for getting ready in a rush or traveling!

I wanted to give you a break down on all of the shades and the way they apply! As you can see, the shadows swatch beautifully, but some of them require a little extra work to show up equally as pigmented on the eyes! There are 5 shimmer shades and 7 mattes and I am super pleased with that ratio! In my opinion, you need to have more matte shades so you can create depth in the crease. It’s also nice to highlight your brow bone with a matte light shade and also have a dark enough matte color to add a shadow liner or deepen the outer crease.

  • S’more – This is the perfect “all-over-the-lid” shade. I use this after I apply eye primer to set my eyelid and give an even base to the shades I blend overtop. This is the perfect brow bone highlight too! It’s a bright, matte beige color that will work for a lot of skin tones.
  • Sunrise – I wasn’t very impressed with this color when I swatched it, just because it seems so sheer! I’m happy to report that it looks a lot prettier when you apply it as an eyeshadow! It is a cream shade with a slight golden sheen. If you like to wear really natural colors, you would love this! I love putting this in my inner corners to help my eyes look more awake!
  • Sunset – This is such a perfect gold/bronze shade! It’s not packed with sparkles, so you don’t feel overly glittery when wearing this on a daily basis!
  • Crackle – This is actually such a unique eyeshadow! It is a true brown base, but also has gold flecks throughout! When blending this shade, some of the glitter falls out, so be warned! I think this is best applied in patting motions using your finger to prevent any fallout!
  • Cashmere – A creamy, matte peach shade! I love using this as a transitional shade in my crease! It will be perfect on “no-makeup makeup” days to lightly define!
  • Warmth – This is my favorite matte color in the whole palette! It’s a rusty, terracotta shade that is super pigmented! You need the smallest amount of this color to make a statement! It will instantly warm up any eyeshadow look! I think this is going to be so pretty blended all over the eye and paired with a dark lip for Fall!
  • Flame – By far one of the most metallic colors in the palette! You can apply it with a brush and it will definitely show up on your eyes, but this is another shade that works best with your fingers. It’s a bright copper color with gold shimmer throughout.
  • Cozy – I absolutely love this matte brick color. It’s super creamy and applies evenly on the lids. You do have to be careful when using this alone, either all over the eyelid or underneath your eye because it can make you look slightly sick haha! I think it’s best to add dimension on the outer edges and that’s how I’m personally planning on using it.
  • Candle – I’m so indifferent towards this color because it’s chunky and glittery, but looks so gorgeous on the eyes. I would describe it as a sparkly champagne shimmer! This is the most “high maintenance” color in the palette because you have to use a mixing medium, like M.A.C Fix Plus or the Too Faced Glitter Glue to make it work. You will have a ton of fallout if you try to apply this dry with a brush. It’s best to use your finger to pat it on and work in light layers because it can look uneven and patchy when trying to build it up!
  • Latte – This is my perfect crease shade! It’s one of the more neutral colors in the palette and will help add some variety to natural and more dramatic looks!
  • Simmer – My favorite shimmer shade in the entire palette! This is the most beautiful copper color! It has a gold shift and applies really well with a brush OR your fingertips! I can see this complimenting blue eyes so beautifully!
  • Fireside – This swatch doesn’t do this shade justice, it looks kind of patchy, but it’s really creamy and blendable on the eyes (which is what really matters)! This is a deep plum/brown that looks beautiful as a soft liner if you want to naturally define your lashline. Or you can use it right on the outer corners of your eye for extra drama!

Even though a few of these eyeshadows require a little more work than others, I think this palette is totally worth it! I’m so happy I purchased mine before it sells out and I can already tell that I’m going to use it all the time! You get 12 Amazonian Clay eyeshadows for $46! That’s a really good deal, making each shadow a little less than 4 bucks! They are all extremely pigmented and very creamy, they also smell like vanilla! I have sensitive skin and haven’t had any reaction to the scent or red pigments in these shadows, hooray! This would make an awesome gift for the holidays too! The only person I wouldn’t recommend this palette to, would be someone that hated warm toned eyeshadows because that’s literally all that is inside! Haha! What do you think of this Toasted Eyeshadow Palette? Do you own any of the other Tartelette palettes? If so, I would love to know how this one compares! Have a great week and thank you so much for reading!

Shop the Toasted Palette Here!

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Pumpkin Spice Makeup Tutorial!

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I wanted to do a look using the Jaclyn Hill Morphe palette for Fall! I get a lot of comments and messages asking to do a look using the shades in this palette because so many people own it and love it! The hype is real, I’m obsessed with mine and use it on a daily basis. It has the perfect array of neutrals and bright colors.

Warm-toned smokey eyes are my favorite to create because they give your eyes definition, without being too intense. There is something about combining these matte shades of brown, orange, red, and yellow that translates as “more natural” than the traditional silver and black smokey eyes. I would personally wear this eye look during the daytime, but I think it would look great for nighttime too! You could even go extra glam by adding some gold glitter onto the center of the lid, falsies and a more intense winged eyeliner!

  1. I always start off by priming my eyelids with the Urban Decay Primer Potion in “Eden” to cancel out any redness and conceal veins. This will also prevent your eyeshadow from creasing throughout the day and allow the shades to appear more vibrant. I apply a light amount of translucent setting powder over the lids to help the shadows we place on top to blend easier!
  2. I always use a matte, light brown eyeshadow in my crease. Even when I’m rushing, I will still blend a little of my bronzer to lightly define the shape of my eyes. I applied “Silk Creme” in windshield wiping motions with a fluffy blending brush. With the same brush, I buffed “Butter” right underneath to add a layer of dimension.
  3. I took the color “Pukey” on a more precise blending brush and concentrated the color on my outer V. I made sure to blend it into the two other shades in my crease, but tried to focus it mainly on my outer corner to create a cat eye effect.
  4. “Hunts” is one of my favorite shades in this entire palette! On a tapered blending brush, I brought this color on the outer third of my eye.
  5. I used “Creamsicle” as my lid shade! I was so afraid of using a true yellow color on my eyes, but I think this one is actually super wearable and flattering! Taking a flat shader brush, I pressed this color on the inner third of my eye and lightly blended it with a clean, fluffy brush into the middle section for a seamless transition into “Hunts.”
  6. On a detailed blending brush, I patted “Jacz” on the outer edge in a V shape. I made sure to keep this darker color lower on the eyelid and didn’t bring it up too much into the crease.
  7. I drew my standard winged eyeliner and then decided that the look wasn’t as dramatic as I liked, so I took “Chip” on a precise angled brush and patted it on the outer edge, layering it close to the winged eyeliner. I took another clean blending brush and lightly buffed it into the rest of my outer crease colors.
  8. I just used some regular mascara for my lashes, but I think this would’ve looked amazing with falsies! My favorite are the Ardell Demi-Wispies Natural and I love the House of Lashes glue!
  9. On my lower lash line, I blended “Pukey” and “Jacz” and added “Chip” only on the outer edge for a gradient, eye-opening effect.

I circled the shades I used in the palette, just in case you didn’t know them by name and accidentally threw away the plastic insert that labeled them!

The additional makeup products I used on the rest of my face!

Anddddd that’s it! So easy right?! I really love how the eye look turned out and I definitely think it’s easy to recreate! It gives me pumpkin spice, Fall makeup vibes and that’s what I crave all October long! Do you own the Jaclyn Hill palette?! Are you equally as obsessed with it?! I’m already thinking of ideas for my next few blog posts and I would love to know what you want to see next! Feel free to leave your suggestions, I always respond to comments and would love to talk to you! I hope you had a great Sunday and enjoy the week ahead, thanks for reading!

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September Favorites!

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I have been trying so many new things in September, but only a few items have stood out as absolute favorites! I love sharing the different things that I recommend to my family, friends and coworkers! My “monthly favorites” are the products that I know will work for a variety of skin types and people with different levels of experience with makeup. I try to include products that are great for everyday use because the majority of my life consists of work and activities that limit how glam I can be from 8 am – 5 pm (although I do wish I could wear glitter eyeshadow to weekly meetings).

Anastasia Beverly Hills, Brow Powder Duo – $23.00

I recently picked up this old favorite of mine that I haven’t used in years! The Anastasia brow powder duo is a two-shade product that helps fill in and shape the brows! This is the most natural way to define your eyebrows, so if you don’t like using a pencil or pomade, definitely try this out! The formula is so good, it will stay put and is completely smudge proof. You can build up this powder, so I recommend using different amounts of pressure to get the desired light-to-dark effect on your brows. With the lighter shade in the duo, gently fluff it with feather-like strokes into the front of your eyebrows. With the darker shade, use slightly more pressure and precisely shape your arch and tail. They have 11 shade options to choose from and I use the duo in “Ash Brown.” By using a powder, you will get a much softer and natural effect, while still looking like you put effort into your eyebrows!

China Glaze, Street Regal Collection – $7.50

If you know me, you know I have an obsession with blue nail polish. I have always loved royal blue shades, but I’ve noticed that so many of them chip within a day of wear. I know certain colors are more difficult to formulate than others, so maybe blue is one of the cursed ones! I finally found one that is a cream finish and lasts really well on my nails! The China Glaze “Street Regal Collection” is online only at Ulta.com. The blue polish is called, “Born To Rule.” They have some absolutely stunning Fall shades in the range and I would recommend checking them out online if you enjoy doing your nails at home! I have been pairing any polish with the CND Vinylux Weekly Topcoat and I think that also helps prolong the wear of the manicure!

L’Oreal, Infallible Pro Matte Liquid Lipstick – $9.99

This is by far the best liquid lipstick formula at the drugstore! The most standout feature for me is the longevity, this will stay on your lips without fading or transferring for hours…it lasted throughout an entire meal without budging! You actually have to use an oil-based makeup remover to get this stuff off! It’s matte, but not uncomfortably drying. I really love the applicator because it allows you to be super precise when filling in your lips and it distributes just the right amount of product. I have mine in the shade, “Stirred,” which is a vampy, burgundy color. Be warned that the colors are darker than what they appear in the tube! I’m super excited to try out some of the more wearable nude shades now that I know the formula is top-shelf status!

Kiehl’s, Midnight Recovery Eye – $37

My under eyes are such a problem area for me. I’ve tried a lot of different eye creams and never found “the one” or a formula that did everything it claimed to do. I have super sensitive skin, so most eye creams would actually burn my skin and give me a reaction with small white bumps. I have been testing the Bobbi Brown eye cream for awhile and it’s really good, it was actually my favorite for a few months. When I ran out of that one, I decided to try out the Kiehl’s Midnight Recovery Eye because 1. Sephora finally sells this brand 2. So many people rave about it being their holy grail eye cream 3. No parabens, mineral oil, fragrance, silicones 4. Affordable in comparison to other popular eye creams! This claims to help with dryness, puffiness, fine lines and wrinkles. Since using it, I’ve noticed a significant difference in my dark circles, which is super exciting! I’ve noticed an increase in hydration and my fine lines seem to be fading! It’s absolutely a miracle product and I would highly recommend it if you’re like me and desperately trying to prevent any signs of premature aging!

Tarte, On the Prowl Tarteist PRO Magnetic Palette – $10

These magnetic palettes make life so much more convenient! You can pop in your single shadows, blushes, highlighters, powders, literally anything that you can de-pot and keep them in one little place! These are really ideal to keep your 3-4 essential products that you know you reach for every day. You don’t have to dig through your vanity or worry about misplacing anything, because you have it all in one compact place. I have a few different Z Palettes and although they’re nice, I really do prefer these Tarte magnetic palettes so much more! These come with a mirror and they’re more padded than the other ones I’ve tried in the past. I would definitely feel comfortable and confident that my powders wouldn’t break when traveling with the Tarte version. The camo print is so adorable and fun! They also have a leopard print and some limited edition holiday versions as well! Any product that helps keep me and my makeup collection somewhat organized is a winner!

That is all for my September Favorites! I love using all of these products and I feel like you would too! Let me know if you are also enjoying any of these beauty items! What were your favorites in September?! Please leave me a comment letting me know! I love talking to you guys and I feel like I get so many awesome product recommendations! I hope everyone has a great week!

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Shop the products here!

Anastasia Brow Powder

China Glaze Nail Polish

Loreal Liquid Lipstick

Kiehl’s Eye Cream

Tarte Magnetic Palette

Favorite Fall Nail Polishes!

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I love Fall makeup and fashion, so it’s really no surprise that I’m equally obsessed with seasonal nail polish shades as well! I wanted to do a post on my favorite colors for the Autumn months! I try my best to coordinate the clothes that I wear to my nail polish and these all seem to match my wardrobe perfectly!

All of these polishes are the “OPI Infinite Shine” formula, which is a hands down, holy grail product for me. It will not chip, flake or fade. It lasts for one week, sometimes even two! I’m a huge fan of gel manicures, but it can get costly and the excessive time spent at the nail salon every other week makes me twitch. This is by far the best regular polish formula that I’ve found and I usually buy mine from Ulta, when they have the buy two, get one free deal going on! I’m going to list them out and try to explain the color to you, so don’t judge me on the descriptions!

Reach for the Sky– Creamy, Blue-Gray

Taupe-less Beach – Cool-toned, Neutral Taupe-Gray

You Don’t Know Jacques– Dark Taupe with Mauve-Brown undertones

Miami Beet – Violet-Red Berry

Dulce de Leche – Brown-Nude with Peach undertones

Malaga Wine – Rich Warm Red

You Sustain Me – Violet-Mauve Cream

Linger Over Wine – Warm, Brown-Mauve

I’m really looking forward to doing more Fall-themed blog posts! I have some good ideas, but I would really love to know what you would like to see! Getting your feedback is so important to me and I love reading the comments! I feel so inspired by your new ideas and suggestions, so definitely let me know!

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August Favorites!

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Too Faced, Matte Chocolate Chip Palette, $26.

I have been loving matte eyeshadows for my quick and easy, every day makeup routine. This little palette has all of the shades you could possibly need for a simple look! There are 11 eyeshadows included and they are all super buttery and creamy. I love that the largest shade in “White Chocolate” is an all-over cream shade that you can use to set your entire eye lid or highlight the inner corners and brow bone with. I can tell I’ve almost hit pan on this one because I use it daily! It’s also the perfect size for travel. I would compare it to the size of my hand, extremely portable and compact. I love that there is variety in the shades, you have cool/warm tones and light/dark. Having such a seamless color range helps me easily create a “put-together” eye look in less than 5 minutes! Also it smells like cocoa so I’m instantly happier each time I use it! This is limited edition, but I found it in stock on the Too Faced website! I will link everything below!

Kat Von D, Shade & Light Face Contour Palette Refill, $14.

Am I the only one who always hits pan on the highlighting/brightening shades in the contour palette first? I can never get through an entire dark bronzing/shading color! I’m so happy Kat Von D started selling refills for the shades in her infamous contour kit. The Shade & Light Palette is my absolute favorite for powder contour and highlight. Her shades are so pigmented, creamy and long lasting! The yellow, “banana” color called, “Lyric” is my absolute favorite for brightening up my under eyes. Sometimes concealer isn’t enough and I need an extra oomph of light! Setting underneath my eyes with “Lyric” helps me look well-rested and more youthful, plus it won’t give you the heinous flashback in photos like some translucent powders can! Since the back of these refills are magnetic, I typically just pop it into a small Z Palette to store it. I would highly recommend these refills if you don’t feel like buying an entire contour palette, especially if you know you’re only going to use 1 or 2 shades! Save your money and only buy what you’ll actually use!

Essence, “Make Me Brow” Eyebrow Gel Mascara, $2.99.

I’ve recently been trying out more affordable products and this eyebrow gel is incredible for the price point! I have mine in the darkest shade, “Browny Brows 02” which brings me to the one and only con I have of this product, not enough shades! At Ulta, there are only 3 shades to choose from, Blondy, Soft Browny and Browny. If you compare to a high end eyebrow brand like Anastasia Beverly Hills, they have six different tinted brow mascaras compared to Essence’s three. I think it would helpful to add a black, light blonde and a red/auburn shade. Now onto all the reasons I love this product! The formula has tiny fibers that attach to your natural hairs and help to build up thickness. My eyebrows do have sparse areas, so running this product over helps fill in any spots in a natural way. It seriously lasts all day without fading or transferring too! It has a really strong hold, so if you like to brush your hairs straight up or lay them flat, you can rest assured that they will stay in that exact style all day long. I really can’t say enough great things about it! I have tried the Benefit Gimme Brow and this is an exact dupe (if not better) and a fraction of the price!

Bite Beauty, Prismatic Pearl Creme Lip Gloss, $22.

Metallic lips are on-trend for Fall 2017! I’ve been loving this lip gloss by Bite Beauty to give me a glittery effect. You can definitely use this product in different ways based on your personal preference. I find that if I wear it on its own and apply it just like a normal lip gloss, it can be a bit too foiled for my liking. Instead, I apply a matte lipstick first, then pat this gloss onto my lips using my ring finger. I mostly just focus it onto the center of my lips to help them appear fuller and more dimensional. These last for so long, which can be rare in glitter glosses. They are also not gritty at all! You can rub your lips together and not feel a single grain of sparkle! I have mine in the shade “Champagne Pearl” because I tend to wear warm nudes on an every day basis, but if you are into more bold lip colors, I would highly recommend checking out “Peacock Pearl.” I swatched the teal/blue shade in store and was blown away by its beauty! It has a green and red shimmer throughout and looked so fun and editorial!

NARS Lipstick, $28.

This is my favorite go-to lipstick! I have the shade “Dolce Vita” and it is a sheer nude pink color. I love this so much because it makes my lips look so healthy and hydrated! This is the type of lipstick that you can put on without a mirror since it’s super creamy and light. Although it does give color to the lips, it definitely is more on the sheer side, which I really like because I can feel comfortable wearing this product at work, on the weekends, day, night, really just any occasion! Even though it is a satin finish, I find that it still lasts on my lips for 2-4 hours, which is a perfect amount of time for me! I would highly recommend these lipsticks if you’re looking for something to wear daily! They have so many shades so you’re bound to find one you love!

Thank you for reading about the products that I’ve been loving for the month of August! As always, I want to know what you are obsessed with! Please leave me a comment letting me know! Also, how crazy is it that we’re already in September?! I think this year is flying by! Like this post if you’re excited for future Fall fashion and makeup content on my blog!

Shop these products:

Too Faced Eyeshadow Palette

Kat Von D Refill PowderEssence Eyebrow Gel

Bite Beauty Lip Gloss

NARS Lipstick

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Natasha Denona Eyeshadow Palette 5! Review and Swatches!

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Have you ever heard of Natasha Denona? She is an international, highly acclaimed makeup artist who started her own brand! Her signature look includes glowing skin and shimmering eyes, so it’s no surprise that the majority of products in her line will give you a similar appearance! I have read many reviews about her eyeshadows being incredibly pigmented and blendable, but they’re also pricey, so I decided to wait until I could buy during a random sale at Sephora. I recently was able to earn 4x the points as a VIB Rouge, so I decided to purchase the palette and use it towards maintaining my rewards status until 2019! I wasn’t planning on dedicating an entire blog post to this product, but as soon as I swatched it, I knew I had to share it with you all!

I got the 5 pan palette because I really couldn’t commit to the cringe-worthy price of her larger 28 shade palettes ($239) YIKES. Now that I’ve tried the shadows, I know they’re definitely something special, but I personally could never justify spending that much on eyeshadow, sigh. However, for $48, you can get 5 extremely high quality eyeshadows in 13 different color combinations. I decided to purchase “4,” which includes the shades, Aura, Cool Bronze, Oxide, Cool Plum and Moonstone. I love wearing one metallic color across my entire lid and they’re all gold/rose gold/bronze tones, which are my absolute favorite for every day makeup looks. I wanted to buy the colors that I knew I would get the most wear out of! I was super close to getting “2” and “10,” but I’m extremely happy with my choice and find the colors to actually be more wearable than the online product photos portray!

I barely pressed my finger into the first eyeshadow and was truly shook at the color payoff. Like you need the smallest amount to get a full, metallic, pigmented layer of color on your eyes. I tried these shadows with my fingers and brushes and they definitely show up more foiled with your finger, but if you want a more subtle effect, I would recommend a flat, synthetic shader brush! The shade “Cool Plum” is a satin matte formula, so that’s why it isn’t “BAM” when you look at it compared to the other shades! I used it in my crease to add depth and it was really creamy and blended so well. These have minimal fall-out, which is so rare for a sparkle/glitter eyeshadow. They are even water-resistant…so you know that implies how long-wearing and fade-proof these will be throughout the day!

Here is just a little natural, easy eyeshadow look that I created with this palette!

  1. I only have eyeshadow primer and translucent powder on my eye at this point, no shadows!
  2. Since there isn’t a matte transitional shade in the palette, I threw some bronzer in the crease to help add depth and blend any harsh lines from the lid shades that I apply next.
  3. I patted Moonstone on the inner half of my eyelid. I wanted to use a brighter shade towards the front of my eyes to help them appear larger!
  4. With a flat shader brush, I swept “Cool Bronze” on the outer half of my eye. I love the subtle transition from light-to-dark that this combination of colors gave!
  5. Using a fluffy blending brush, I buffed “Cool Plum” into my outer third to give depth and shape my eye. With my finger, I patted “Aura” on my inner corners to help open the eyes and help me look more awake!
  6. I really dislike this angle because eye whites and veins 😂 however, I wanted to show you that I used “Oxide” on my lower lash line to give a little drama and definition!

Here’s the final look! As you can see, it really came out super natural and it was incredibly easy to create! I’m so excited to wear these warm metallic shades in the Fall with a dark red lip! I really want to buy another one of these 5 pan palettes, but have you seen the new Natasha Denona “Lila” Eyeshadow Palette coming out to Sephora in September?! It has 15 eyeshadows, so of course it’s expensive, but the colors are literally calling my name! So many purple and gold shades, which are my absolute favorite to wear! Let me know if you’re thinking about getting it, I want to read your opinion of the swatches! Thank you so much for reading!

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How I Stay Tan All Year Long!

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Am I the only one who feels 197639640 x better with a tan? I refuse to bake my body in the sun for hours upon end and tanning beds are simply out of the question, so what’s a gal to do? Well, I have been using the best self tanner duo to make sure I have a bronzed glow all year round! I wanted to share these products with you because for years, I was under the impression that the only way I could be tan was to go outside with all the SPF 5 oils, but now I’m really starting to prevent fine lines and wrinkles and with the statistics on skin cancer, it’s just not worth it to me. Self tanning at home always seemed like such a stressful burden to me and I was fearful that I would turn orange or splotchy, but I promise these products will give you a natural, olive-undertone tan!

For my body, I’ve been using the Loving Tan Self Tanning Mousse for years. I was previously trying out a lot of other popular brands like St. Tropez and Fake Bake. They weren’t “bad,” but they weren’t the perfect formula or color for what I really wanted. When I came across the Loving Tan Instagram, I was shocked at the before and afters! That’s really what sold me on trying the product! The difference in one usage was dramatic (in a good way) and I absolutely loved the natural, olive-toned tan that it gave even the most fair-skinned girls! Nothing about it appeared orange or uneven, just a perfect, “I just got back from the beach” suntan! I definitely wanted to try it out for myself and see if it lived up to the hype. I initially ordered their “Ultra Dark” formula, which instructs you to leave it on for at least six hours. I would typically just apply it at night after I have showered and exfoliated, then go to sleep and rinse it off in the morning before work. If you want the most dramatic, “wow I can’t believe I’m this tan” effect, then definitely go for this! It’s worth it to just sleep in for a night to have perfect bronze color for a week without fading! I still enjoy this color, I just would use it only in the summer, or for special events or a vacation in the colder months! Throughout the Fall, Winter, early Spring months, I do use their “2 Hour Express Dark Self Tanning Mousse” because it is just more believable that it’s my skin color! It’s still very tan, but it’s not as deep and I really like that it’s completely ready to rinse off in 2 hours. I like being able to just get it done as soon as I get home from work or on a weekend morning, it’s just really convenient since you don’t have to wait for too long! I really wish they made the “Ultra Dark” in a 2 hour formula, but for now, the dark shall do! They also have a Medium shade if you are very fair and want to ease your way into the self tanning trend! There are many other absolutely amazing things about this self tanner. One of the greatest being NO SMELL! There is nothing worse than getting a spray tan and smelling like absolute garbage for 12 hours. This one is practically odorless and just smells slightly sweet, rather than rancid. It also has a color guide, so as you apply it, you can visibly see the areas that you’ve placed the self tanner and where you haven’t. Don’t worry if you look a tad crazy and splotchy as it dries, I panicked the first time I used this because it looked super dark in some places and not dark enough in others, but once you rinse it off it will look completely even and flawless! I have super sensitive skin all over and it has never broken out my body or face! I also just love that it lasts! It isn’t until about 7-10 days after my initial application, that I start to notice it fading. I really can’t say enough good things about this product! You can absolutely use the self tanning mitt that comes with the product, but I would highly recommend this Tarte one! It’s so soft and fluffy and I think it buffs out the mousse so evenly. I love that it’s so durable as well and will stay put on your hand throughout the application! I’ve actually tried the Loving Tan “Back Applicator” and I just cannot make it work, so please leave me a comment on how you tan your back! 😂

I’ve only been using the Coola “Sunless Tan Anti-Aging Serum” for about a month and it’s absolutely amazing! I use exfoliating skincare products and a Clarisonic nightly, so applying self tanner onto my face doesn’t always make sense when it usually fades in a day or two. I read a lot of reviews on the Coola serum and decided to purchase it to see if I could finally find a product to match my face to the rest of my body! I don’t wear makeup every day, so when I go into public with a fresh face, I do get a bit self conscious knowing my face is visibly more pale compared to the rest of my body. I just mix 2-3 pumps of this serum into my moisturizer and apply it directly to my face. It took 3-4 days for me to get the desired bronzed shade, but wow this stuff is so great and looks natural! The color is even and it will give your skin a glowing appearance! It hasn’t broken me out at all, which is super shocking since most serums do! This one is created with organic ingredients and has hyaluronic acid for anti-aging! It is lightly scented, but I absolutely love it. I’m pretty sure it smells like a sweet, coconut/pineapple scent, which will you feel tropical even in the dead of winter! I will say that the tan does fade after 3-4 days, so you do have to stay consistent with it, but for me it is totally worth it!

Thank you for reading about how I stay tan all year round! These products simply work and I highly recommend them to anyone looking for a safe and natural tan. I really want to know your favorite self tanning products, so please leave me a comment below! Also any orange, cheeto girl horror stories are welcome! 😂 I always picture Ross from friends when he got the Mystic Tan! I hope you all had a great weekend and a great rest of the week!

Shop the Loving Tan Self Tanning Mousse

Shop the Coola Sunless Tan Anti Aging Face Serum

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New High-End Makeup Haul! Review and Swatches! 

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I recently picked up some new makeup from Sephora and Ulta to try out! I’ve read some reviews on these products and then once I swatched them in store, I knew I had to have them! I recently went on vacation and I brought these beauties with me to try out while I was gone so I could give you a solid review and let you know whether or not you need these products in your life. I noticed in the swatches that these are all bronzey-copper shades so I do apologize that they all fall into the same color family! These are just my personal favorite colors to wear on a daily basis and I know I will get the most bang-for-my-buck by sticking with the warm tones that I love to wear!
     

Becca Liquid Crystal Glow Gloss, “Champagne Dream X Bellini” 


      

I really wanted to try this lip gloss since it is super multi-dimensional, it seriously sparkles so beautifully in the sunlight! I’ve been into the glittery glosses lately and I was excited to test out a lip product from Becca for the first time! So far, I really love the smell of it and enjoy the smooth texture. I can’t stand when a sparkle lip gloss has that awful gritty texture, almost like sand when you rub your lips together. This one seriously feels like a thick, balm consistency and I can’t feel any of the glitter when I close my mouth. It is on the heavier side, so if you like really light, silky formulas then you may want to pass up on this! You can definitely wear this gloss alone, but I prefer just topping my lipstick or liquid matte lipstick with this product! The shade “Champagne Dream X Bellini” is one of the most wearable colors in the collection, but if you enjoy wearing non-traditional lip glosses than I would check out some of their other combinations in “Amethyst X Geode” and “Opal X Jade.”

      

Bite Beauty Prismatic Pearl Creme Lip Gloss, “Champagne Pearl” 


      

Can you tell I’m kind of obsessed with the shimmery lip glosses these days?! I had this one in particular on my wishlist for awhile before purchasing. This is a very pearlescent formula, with a lot of finely milled glitter. It catches the light beautifully and gives a multidimensional effect to the lips. I love this formula because it’s super long wearing, which is generally rare for a lip gloss. It also has an extremely smooth texture for the amount of glitter in the bottle. I can’t believe you can’t feel the sparkles at all since it is so metallic! I love the smell of this one as well, plus if you accidentally lick some off, you know it’s okay because all Bite products are made with food grade ingredients, YAY! So no accidental chemical ingestion, woo! I unfortunately can’t wear this product alone because it is overpowering and metallic in an unflattering way, however when I just pat it lightly over a lipstick, it turns out gorgeous and gives a plump look to my lips. 

        

Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadow, “Smoldering Satin”

  

       

I’ve been eyeing this product for such a long time! I’ve watched so many YouTube videos and read so many blogger reviews on how awesome these Stila glitter eyeshadows perform, so I couldn’t wait to try it out for myself! I went with the “Smoldering Satin” color because it’s different than any glitter or M.A.C loose pigments that I currently own. It’s definitely more of a neutral bronze color and it has gold and silver glitter throughout it. I wore this product all over my lids, then only in the inner corners, then only on my lower lash line and each way worked out beautifully. They are so user friendly, you don’t have to buy a mixing medium or glitter glue, you can just apply directly from the applicator, or you can put some on your finger and gently pat it where you want it. I had zero fall out with this product, which is great because I’m in the habit of doing my face makeup first and I hate having to wipe away glitter when I have my entire base finished. It also wore for hours without fading, creasing or transferring, which was a first for me! I tested this out at the beach, so I was around humidity and hot temperatures and it performed so great. I will definitely be repurchasing this product in different colors. I don’t think I’ve ever received more compliments on my eyeshadow, I had so many complete strangers ask me what glitter I had used! If you love this product and use it all the time, then please let me know what your favorite shade is so I can try it too! 

      

Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Color Paint Shadow, “Iridescent Copper Gold”


      

I haven’t read too many reviews on this product, but I was really curious to try it out anyways! It is labeled as being “24-hour wear and waterproof” so of course I tested this in the ocean!l I am happy to report that it actually did last! I was kind of doubtful that it would stay at all, and I will admit that it did fade a tad bit, but definitely not a noticeable amount and it didn’t get patchy or crease at all! I also tested these out of water and it lasted all night long and stayed perfectly vibrant and beautiful! I really want to try one of their matte shades as an eyeshadow primer/base because they layer with powder eyeshadows so perfectly and last forever! 

    

Stila Heaven’s Hue Highlighter, “Kitten”


     

This was my first “putty” product that I’ve ever tried and I am obsessed! This highlight is incredible and totally worth all the hype that surrounds it! If you like those blinding, wet-looking highlights then you need to try this! I got the classic champagne shade in “Kitten” and it is a bit bright and light for my tan skin right now, but I know I will get a lot of use out of this in the Fall/Winter months when I’m more light-to-medium. The formula is like a thick putty, you can push it around and smoosh it with your fingers, but it still stays solid! I feel like it gives me the same kind of intensity that I get whenever I layer a cream highlight with a powder highlight, except this is just one product that I can easily apply in a one-and-done way! This also makes a beautiful eyeshadow so you can definitely get your money’s worth with its multi-functionality! 

       

Becca Sunlit Bronzer, “Bronzed Bondi” 


     

Bronzers are one of my favorite makeup items to buy because A.) I use them every day, regardless of the intensity of my makeup look, bronzer will always be essential and B.) I have light, medium, dark, shimmery, matte, warm-toned, neutral-toned, natural and intense bronzers and I still can’t get enough! I’m addicted to finding my perfect formula that looks natural and complimentary with my skin tone! This Becca bronzer is so great because it does have shimmer, but it doesn’t show up glittery once applied to your face. It is also very buildable, you can apply a little or a lot and it never gets cakey looking! I can’t get enough of this product, it reminds me a lot of my Hourglass Ambient Light Bronzer which is my holy-grail, all time favorite! It comes in a lot of shades, so I am sure you will be able to find one that suits your skin tone best! I have a feeling this is going to be my new favorite bronzer for summertime!  


       

Thank you for reading my reviews on some of these new high end makeup releases! I enjoy testing and trying out these products so much. It makes me so happy to write these posts and share helpful information with you all! I love reading your comments, I try to reply to everyone so please let me know what makeup you can’t put down recently! I really want to get some new drugstore products and do an affordable, every day makeup look, so leave me your suggestions for that as well! 

       

Side note: The amount of confused looks I got from fellow beachgoers to take these photos was hilarious 😂 I suppose it’s “frowned upon” to whip out a makeup bag and prop new products up in the sand and yell at seagulls to get out of your shot…who knew…🤷🏽‍♀️

         

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June Favorites! 

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June was a month full of new discoveries! I tried a lot of new makeup and skincare, but only a few things made the cut to be considered “favorites.” I wanted to share these products with you because I hadn’t seen many reviews on them before. Most of these items were mostly completely new to me and I’m so relieved they happened to work out! 

     

Peri Pera, Cushion Blusher

      

Remember that Korean skincare haul I did a couple posts ago? Well, I also picked up a few popular makeup products (also from Korea) when I placed that order. I’ve been testing out the cream blush from Peri Pera in the shade, “Happy Coral” and I am obsessed! I’m not a huge fan of liquid blushes or bronzers, but this one looks so gorgeous for summertime and gives the most beautiful flush to my skin! It is pretty versatile in the way you can wear it with little-to-no makeup for a fresh, natural look or you can wear it for a dramatic look and even layer a powder blush on top for added intensity! I find that layering a powder on top helps my blush stay vibrant all day long! I’m super happy I decided to go out of my comfort zone and purchase this product! 

      

   

Covergirl, Total Tease Mascara

     
Honestly, this mascara initially caught my eye because of the cool packaging. Then when I opened it up, I was surprised at the unique wand and wasn’t sure if it would be something that I could easily use. Luckily, it’s nothing out of the norm in terms of application and you can totally control the little ball on the end of the wand! It actually comes in handy when trying to coat those little lashes towards the inner corner! I like this because the formula is both voluminous and lengthening, but warning: this can get clumpy looking. The secret it to add a second coat immediately after the first. Hardly wait any time at all in between because it dries really quickly and you can get a “spider lash” effect if you don’t work fast enough. 

     


     

Philosophy, Renewed Hope In A Jar Skin Tint

       
I haven’t seen this product reviewed or written about before, so I’m excited to report that it’s really, REALLY great! I was browsing the Philosophy section at Ulta and was looking at some of their makeup items. I have been wanting a medium coverage tinted moisturizer for awhile and when I swatched this in the store, I was shocked at how pigmented it was and how little product I needed to completely cover my entire hand. After getting it home and using it for the last couple of weeks, I’m thinking it may become one of my all-time favorite face products! I love that it moisturizes, covers my imperfections and dries to a semi-matte finish. It also lasts throughout the entire day! You barely need any product for your entire face, so that means it’ll last a really long time and you don’t have to constantly repurchase if you plan on using this product daily. With SPF 20, it will also protect me from the sun that I love (thank you for the freckles) but also fear because forehead wrinkles and fine lines. I put this product on like a standard face moisturizer, just by patting it on with my hands, then taking a damp Beauty Blender to even things out and make sure it’s properly distributed over my entire face. You definitely don’t need a powder with this, but you can set it with a light translucent powder or go more full coverage with a powder foundation depending on your preference! I’m in the shade “6.5 Tan” for reference, which I can only use when I’m self-tanned or naturally tanned. 

      
Sol De Janeiro, Brazilian Bum Bum Cream
     

I really didn’t want to like this product…I really wanted to continue my life without justifying the high price of this cream, yet here I am, on Sephora.com purchasing the full size version. I received a deluxe sample size of the popular “Brazilian Bum Bum Cream” and it seriously lives up to the hype. The scent is a really light, natural pistachio caramel so that’s obviously delightful. I ALWAYS get compliments from random strangers when I use this cream! Plus it’s formulated without all the yucky parabens, sulfates and phthalates that many other lotions have. It is supposed to be tightening and firming and I actually notice a difference in my arms and legs after I apply it. At first I thought I was just imagining it, but other people that I have had try it, say the same thing! It also dries super fast so I love putting it on right after I get out of the shower! 

        

Sephora, Cake and Bake Sponge

        
For the sake of the photo, I used my fresh and new Cake and Bake sponge, but I have been using my other one non-stop this month! I don’t apply my foundation with this product, but I do use it for my under-eye concealer and cream contour and highlight. The shape makes it perfect to get into your inner corners and precisely define your cheekbones and nose. As the name states, its great for applying a translucent powder over the areas you want to bake and get that chiseled, defined effect. It’s a pretty stiff sponge, but I do use it dampened like I would a Beauty Blender. I think the stiffness actually is a benefit to this product because it doesn’t absorb excess product, so you aren’t blending away any extra coverage from your concealer or cream contour. I was so happy that this product worked out for me and I think it’s going to grow in popularity over time! 

      

O.P.I, Infinite Shine Nail Polish

       
I have mentioned these polishes in previous favorites posts, but I’ve been loving these so much to do at-home manicures! The color, “It’s A Girl” is my current go-to. It’s enough of a neutral pink that it matches any pedicure color and outfit that I’m putting together. I also love that it’s more of a glossy polish that isn’t super creamy and opaque. The formula of the “Infinite Shine” range is super long-lasting and chip-proof! If you’re trying to save some money or want to take a break from gel manicures, I would highly recommend these nail polishes!  

         
I really hope you enjoyed reading about the products I’ve loved in June! These are some really great items that I know I’ll continue to use in the upcoming months as well! As always, I love to read about the makeup and skincare you can’t seem to put down! So please leave me a comment below and we can chat about your June Favorites! 
       

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