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Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in “Ultimate Glow”

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Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit, “Ultimate Glow” $45.


Anastasia Beverly Hills is a brand known for their amazing eyebrow products, but recently they have gotten a lot of hype for their gorgeous “Glow Kits.” These sets typical feature 4 highlight shades that are guaranteed to give your lit-from-within shine. One of the reasons I have loved the Anastasia highlight formula so much is because it is smooth and doesn’t have a chunky glitter formula like a lot of other highlights on the market tend to have. I was very excited whenever I saw this limited edition palette come out because it had all warm gold shades which are my absolute favorite to wear! Some of the colors are a little dark for my skin tone, but I figured this would be amazing for medium to dark skin tones, which is great to see makeup brands considering! Now let’s get onto the swatches; the fun part!
     

The first color in the kit is, “Snow” and I would describe this as a bright-white shade that has cool-toned, silver reflects. Out of all the colors in the kit, this one is by far the most glittery. It is a bit stark white, so on my skin tone it is too bright and light to be subtle, but I think some fair-skinned gals will love this color to highlight with! I plan on either mixing this color with other darker shades to make it more wearable and also using it as a brightening, inner-corner highlight. 

     

Next is “White Sand,” which is my absolute favorite color in the whole kit! It reminds me a lot of champagne-pop and that is my all-time favorite highlight! This is a warm, peachy, champagne color with a lot of gold shimmer throughout. I think a variety of skin tones will find this flattering. This color only needed one swatch to show up evenly pigmented, which did alert me to some inconsistency in the formula for this particular Glow Kit. 

     

“Golden Dawn” is a true yellow-gold shade. When I was looking at this palette online, I thought this color was going to be one of my most used in the kit, however once applied to the tops of my cheeks, I didn’t find the strong yellow undertone very flattering. I will most likely just use this shade as an eyeshadow because I’m not sure how else I could make it work on the face!

     

Starting on the bottom row, we have “Sunray,” which I would describe as a peachier version of “White Sand.” This shade has a lot of golden glitter, which looks awesome in photos, but a little odd in natural lighting. I feel like this shade will give you an Instagram worthy highlight in flash photography, but it kind of emphasizes texture and comes across super unnatural in person. I was also displeased with this formula because it was super chunky, most likely from all the glitter packed into the pan. 

     

“Amber Gold” is another extremely glittery shade that has a ton of champagne and gold reflects. This one has a creamier formula, which makes the glitter blend out into nothing once applied onto your cheeks, but still…I don’t know why the majority of these shades are packed with so much loose glitter. None of the other Anastasia Glow Kits that I have tried have this formula, so I don’t know what exactly enticed the brand to change it up. 

    

Lastly, we have “Hot Sand” which is a really gorgeous bronze-rose gold color. I really love the formula and pigmentation on this shade. It is super creamy and blends out gorgeously on the face. Unfortunately, it is too dark to highlight on my skin tone, but I think it may work whenever I have a tan in the summertime! I found it looks gorgeous as a blush/bronzer topper when I am going for that extra glowy look!

   


For my final review of this product, I find myself a little conflicted on if I should recommend this to you. At $45 total, that makes each highlight $7.50, which seems like a great value for a brand known for it’s high quality makeup products. Whenever I switched these, I could tell immediately that they were inconsistent in the formula from shade-to-shade. It was also upsetting to see that these didn’t have the same glossy texture like the other Glow Kits seem to have. I think these shades may be perfect for someone and a lot of this is just personal preference. On a day-to-day basis, I personally don’t wear a super glittery highlight because it does emphasize my pores and is super obvious in natural lighting. I am not sure if I’ll return this or not because there are a few colors I can make wearable and the others I can use as an eyeshadow. 

   

With that said, I would highly recommend the Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in “That Glow” because those shades are super creamy, pigmented and perfect for that glossy, natural glow that I love so much in a highlight! For whatever reason this kit in, “Ultimate Glow” is not as wearable and definitely not as easy to work with as the other palettes I’ve tried by Anastasia. I hope you found this review somewhat helpful, even though I have an undecided verdict! I think there is good and bad to this particular glow kit, but it would ultimately be up to personal preference on what you look for in a highlight to decide whether or not the value is there! If you have tried this, what ways do you use the glittery shades to make them work on an every-day basis? Let me know! 

   

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The Best Affordable Fall Eyeshadow Palette! 

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If you have been searching high and low for the perfect Fall eyeshadow palette, well look no further! The Morphe 35O – 35 Color Nature Glow eyeshadow palette is only $22.99! So you are getting 35 richly pigmented, shimmery and matte eye shadows that are all warm-toned, Fall shades. I find this palette is amazing for both daytime and dramatic looks since it has a variety of light and dark colors. Also there a couple of eyeshadows in this palette that give off an intense foiled effect that you can usually only find in high-end eyeshadow formulas. If you are just starting out with makeup and looking to build your collection, then you should definitely purchase this palette! Morphe also has a lot of other eyeshadow palettes on their website that are all matte or cool toned or neon if you aren’t into this particular one!        

   

When I began swatching these shadows, I realized just how pigmented they are and buttery soft! I find that it is so hard to find affordable matte shadows that aren’t chalky. However, these are so soft and blend out like a dream so you can’t go wrong! The shimmery shades are just as beautiful and give your eyes just the perfect amount of definition. There are so many gorgeous all-over-the-lid shades to help you achieve an easy, quick eye look. As I mentioned before, you’ll see in the swatches that there are a few foiled shades that are so bright and glittery! I love these eyeshadows because they look like a loose glitter pigment, but they’re 10 x easier to apply since they’re in a pressed pan and don’t have any annoying fall out! Here are some swatches row-by-row!






I wanted to mention that there are always coupon codes floating around to save even more money on Morphe makeup! I always use the code “JACLYN” for an extra 10% off! Also since these are only available online (since I live in MD and not California) you do have to purchase online at MorpheBrushes.com or click the link here to shop the 35O palette directly! I want to do another blog post on my favorite Morphe brushes because they are really high quality and very affordable! I know the 35O palette is so popular and loved by many, but I want to try out another palette and see if it’s just as good! What is your favorite eyeshadow palette by Morphe? What brushes do you love using? Let me know because I would love to try those out! 

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Sephora Favorites: Trending: Beauty’s Most Coveted! Is it worth it?!

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I am always sucked into buying holiday sets from Sephora! I came across the, “Trending: Beauty’s Most Coveted” after browsing the dangerously addicting “Just Added” section on my Sephora app! It is described as, “A multibranded sampler set of beauty’s most coveted SPF, lip, eyeliner, setting spray, lipstick, mascara, and primer products.” I always enjoy these sets since they include top-rated products from multiple brands! I always enjoy trying new things, but of course it’s a bonus when you know the products are best selling and widely admired by other makeup lovers! I also was impressed with the variety of face, lip and eye products in this kit! I rarely see skincare products featured in these sampler boxes, so a Foreo and Glamglow item made this seem very valuable! The exact price of this set is $75, but claims to be worth a value of $219! Keep reading this review to find out my thoughts on trying the majority of these products out for the first time and whether or not I think this is truly worth your money!


Face Products

beautyblender Nude: This is one of the full-size products that is offered in the kit! I am a huge fan of the original hot pink beautyblender, so I was really excited to try this one out and see if there was any difference between the two! I’ve been testing this specific beautyblender over the last couple weeks and so far I’ve noticed that it doesn’t expand as large as the original pink one. However, I think I like this one more because it seems softer and bouncier. Another huge bonus is that the nude color doesn’t show foundation stains as terribly as the pink one does. I would say this is a great addition in the kit and a useful full-size product to include.

    

Becca Cosmetics Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in “Moonstone” (0.08 oz/ 2.51 mL): I absolutely love the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector highlights because they’re a powder formula, which makes application quick and easy, but they are formulated to be super creamy so they glide on skin without clinging to any dry spots! The shade “Moonstone” is perfect for lighter skin tones that want a bright, champagne shade with pearl undertones! If you have medium to darker skin tones, I would recommend using it as an eye shadow since it’s the perfect size to fit a shader brush in and swipe all over the lid for a fresh, awake look!

            

Cover FX Enhance Click in “Bubbly” (0.17 oz/ 5.02 mL): This is my first time trying out a product from Cover FX and I couldn’t be happier that it is a highlighting product! Also this is another full-size product in the kit, which is regularly priced at $18! I think this cream highlight is stunning and would be suitable for any skin tone! It is a gorgeous rosy peach shade that blends beautifully on top of any blush shade you apply. It is a very natural glow as opposed to a shimmery/glittery highlight. I can see this product working wonderfully on mature skin since it is moisturizing and does not sink into or emphasize fine lines.

        

FOREO LUNA Play in Fuchsia: This is also a full-size product, however I really wish this wasn’t included in the overall value of this kit. At first glance, I was super excited to be getting a product from the FOREO line, which is a high-end cleansing system that has rivaled by longtime favorite Clarisonic. I feel like this is super misleading though because it doesn’t have charging capabilities and only has enough battery to last for 2 weeks of cleansing. This seems super annoying, but that is apparently the purpose of the “Play” device, intended to give users a sample for $39 so they can justify splurging on the re-chargeable version that is over $200. Well this Foreo Play only worked for 3 cleansings…then it didn’t turn on again…so…yeah. I’m not sure if I just got a bad one in my kit or something, but this was pretty frustrating since I know this product held a lot of weight in the overall value of this kit. This is why I wish they just didn’t include this product at all and gave us another couple products that could justify the $39 value of this device.  

    

Glamglow Supermud (0.3 oz/ 8.87 mL): I was extremely excited that they included this product in the kit because it is amazing stuff! I have lived off samples of the Glamglow Supermud mask because it is $70 full-size and I just can’t justify that expensive of a face mask. However, this stuff is GOOD! It will minimize your pores, draw out any excess oil, but not over dry your skin! My absolute favorite way to use this product is to apply to blemish overnight and wake up with it completely vanished! I would highly recommend purchasing any set that has this product in there since you only need a small amount for big results! 

      

Laura Mercier Travel Size Translucent Loose Setting Powder + Puff (0.33 oz/ 9.75 mL): I have tried this product repurchased so many times! This is my all time favorite setting powder and all of the hype built around this product is real! It will not settle into fine lines and it will last all day long. It works great for dry skin and oily skin, mature skin, all the skins! Also this product will not flash-back in photos, so yay for no ghostly white under eye areas! I am so happy I have this travel size now because the full-size is a bit bulky in my travel makeup bag!

      

NARS Cosmetics Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard (0.04 oz/ 1.41 mL): I have been wanting to test out this concealer for such a long time, but it is rather expensive and I have never been one that is drawn to purchase NARS products. The shade “Custard” is perfect for a subtle brightening effect underneath my eyes on my medium-olive skin tone. This formula is amazing and provides a lot of coverage! It is super creamy, but blends out perfectly without settling into lines. It is kind of a bummer that Sephora doesn’t allow you to choose the shade that comes in the box so people of all skin tones can enjoy this product. I would definitely recommend that for future boxes, they allow customers to choose their concealer shades because one color definitely doesn’t suit all and that is pretty unfair.

        

Tarte Marine Boosting 4-in-1 Mist (0.24 oz/ 7 mL): I used this product as a setting mist for the first time and I really liked it! I felt like it was super refreshing and took away that powdery-effect that can tend to happen with makeup. I didn’t notice that this product pro-longed the wear of my makeup, but I do think it gave my skin a healthy appearance with a subtle glow, which will be perfect for the colder months when my skin starts to become more dry! My plan for this product is to keep this tiny sample in my purse so I can freshen up my face throughout the day!

  


Eye Products

    

Benefit Cosmetics Ka-Brow! in Shade 3 (0.03 oz/ 0.88 mL): I have been obsessed with my Anastasia dip brow lately, but was excited to try yet another brow pomade product! I was so pleasantly surprised by this Ka-Brow! and actually feel like it will replace my longtime favorite dip brow! The formula creates perfect, hair-like density in your eyebrows that looks super natural, yet defined. It is also smudge proof and long lasting, which are both musts in any eyebrow product! I will definitely be repurchasing this product in the full-size once I finish this!   

     

The Estée Edit The Edgiest Kohl Shadowstick in 01 Black Viper (0.04 oz/ 1.44 mL): This is a full-size eyeliner in black, which is super helpful to have on hand! I noticed this product was very easy to smudge onto the lower lashine, but didn’t end up lasting on my waterline. This happens a lot with other eyeliners on me specifically because I have very watery eyes, but it was kind of disappointing that I couldn’t get the most out of this eyeliner that claims to not budge in the tight line. I think this will make a great eyeshadow base whenever I apply a foiled eyeshadow on top to intensify some of my darker and more colorful shades. This wasn’t my favorite in the kit, but it wasn’t a complete waste and I do feel like I can get some use out of it.

      

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner in Trooper (0.02 oz/ 5.91 mL): A holy-grail eyeliner for me! If you have been struggling with eyeliner and can’t seem to perfect your wing, you need to go out and buy this product! I have gone through so many and will never stop buying it! It is by far the longest lasting liquid liner I’ve ever tried and will never flake or crumble. The felt tip applicator makes flicking out your winged liner super easy! I am so happy I received a full-size of this incredible eyeliner because I know I’ll definitely use this product and get my money’s worth!

       


Lip Products

    

Urban Decay Vice Lipstick in 714 (0.11 oz/ 3.25 mL): I have never tried a lipstick from Urban Decay, so I was really excited to receive this full-size product in the kit! I wasn’t particularly thrilled that it was in a bright red shade, but that is just because I rarely wear a true-red lip on a regular basis! I would’ve personally preferred a mauve color or violet shade, something a bit more on trend! With that said, this lipstick is beautiful formula! It is so comfortable on the lips and does not budge! I find it is pretty rare to find a lipstick that not only moisturizes, but also lasts through eating and drinking.

    


      
Overall, I feel torn on when deciding whether or not you should purchase this set. It doesn’t suit every skin tone, which is super annoying because there are more people than just light-medium in the world and Sephora is well aware of this. I was also super disappointed in the FOREO Play device because it has such an unfairly high price point for only working twice…like honestly what a waste. I feel like the other products outweigh this one dud, but still, it’s pretty annoying. I feel like there have been other Sephora Favorites kits released in years past that I liked more, but I don’t dislike this kit enough to return it because the full-size products were mostly items I am already purchasing and love! Let me know your opinions on the Trending: Beauty’s Most Coveted Kit and whether or not you think it’s worth it!

    

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Romantic Mauve Makeup Look

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Mauve and blush tones are very on-trend this year and seem to be popping up all over various Instagram makeup accounts. I feel like these rose-toned shadows look super natural, without being the same-old browns and gold tones I usually stick to. This makeup look would pair well with your standard neutral shades, like gray, cream and black, but I think it would look gorgeous with a blush-toned ensemble for a monochromatic, trendy vibe. I used the Naked 3 palette to complete the eye look and I loved the way it turned out. I re-discovered my love for these eye shadows and would highly recommend this palette if you love mauve-toned makeup looks.


  1. I started off by priming my eye lids with my new favorite Wet N’ Wild Eyelid primer and then sweeping the color “Strange” from lash line to brow bone. I love using a matte, light color to set my primer and allow the other shades I place on top blend easier.  
  2. Next, I blended “Limit” throughout my crease as a transitional color.
  3. Taking the matte shade, “Nooner,” I deepened my outer crease. I love doing this gradient effect to make my eyes appear larger and more defined.
  4. I used a combination of “Burnout” and “Liar” for my lid shade. I made sure to pack on this color with a flat shader brush to decrease the likelihood of glitter fallout!  
  5. I used ColourPop’s “Tassel” on my inner corner to provide an intense highlight effect and further widen the look of my eyes. I loved the pop of sparkle that this step added to the overall look!
  6. Lastly, I lined my upper lash line using the Stila “Stay All Day” felt tip eyeliner pen and used the Tarte “Tartiest” mascara to prep my eyelashes for falsies.

   

I used the shades “Bubbly” and “Dripping In Gold” from the Anastasia “That Glow” Glow Kit for my highlight! I love the glossy look of this product when applied to my cheekbones, which is rare to find in a powder formula! For the lips, I used ColourPop Ultra-Matte Liquid Lipstick in the shade, “Midi,” which is a cool-toned, dusty pink shade that compliments the eyes really well. I would definitely recommend wearing a chapstick or lip primer underneath these lippies because they’re very drying and borderline chalky otherwise! The only aspect of this look that I wasn’t too fond of was the lashes…not only were they extremely uncomfortable, they would not adhere to my natural lash line! They were the Ardell “Double Up” Wispies, but I wanted to mention the Ardell “Demi Wispies Natural” are my favorite lashes and are so light to wear! I tried two different lash glues with the “Double Up” style and neither of them would help this thick band stay in place on my eyes, which resulted in covering the band with lots of gel eyeliner and trying to make it work! They look beautiful when your eyes are open, but unfortunately it is pretty visible and not cute whenever you close them.

    

Let me know if you enjoy these simple makeup looks and would like for me to do more! I know it would be much easier to film a tutorial from beginning to end, rather than meticulously explain each detail of the process, so let me know if you would be interested in seeing that instead! Thank you so much for reading!

   

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August Favorites!

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Well August flew by! I feel like I just wrote my monthly favorites for July, ah! Regardless, I am really excited to share some of my new favorite products and exciting beauty discoveries for the month. A lot of these products are new items in my collection and products I haven’t heard much buzz about from the beauty community, so hopefully you find some of these mini reviews helpful!     


SEPHORA COLLECTION Lashcraft Length & Volume Mascara, $12. 

As I was browsing the “Just Added” section of Sephora.com (one of my favorite pastimes) I noticed this new mascara by Sephora Collection. I usually don’t buy too much from this brand, but once I read that this is both a lengthening and volumizing mascara, I figured I would try it out! Typically, I use two mascaras to achieve a dramatic lash effect, but in this case, this product can do the work of both combined in one convenient product! After using this product for a few weeks, I can definitely say it saves me a lot of time getting ready in the morning because it does lengthen and provide volume, without me having to switch mascaras! This effect is due to its flat-paddle wand, which you use by taking the flat side of the wand to lift your lashes and create volume, and then use the comb side to lengthen! Something else I love about this mascara is that it lasts all day, doesn’t flake, but somehow removes easily with just warm water! Amazing, huh?! Definitely try this out if you want a time saver product that will give you big and bold lashes! 

     


It’s Skin Cookie & Body Ice Cream, $10.

Just stop reading this blog post now and spring to your nearest Sephora because you need this. I may not know you personally, but I do know you need this product in your life. Of course the novelty of this adorable little “ice cream” container is EVERYTHING, but the actual product inside is equally as exciting! This cream is full of nutrients that will soften and improve the texture of your skin and I can definitely agree with that claim! It is also feel of chemical sulfates and phthalates, so yay for that too! It is so softening on my hands, arms and legs and never feels greasy! A lot of times with scented lotions, I find that they have that sticky, oily feeling, which never actually moisturizes and just feelings annoying throughout the day. This body cream smells like warm cookies, I don’t know how to explain the warm smell, but they mastered it. I have the Mint scent and it has little “chocolate chip-like” beads that absorb into the skin after application. It’s seriously a must have and I cannot wait to try out the other scents as well!

    


stila, Eye Shadow, $18.

I recently received this eye shadow in the shade “Kitten” as a 500-Point Perk from Sephora! Let me just say, I cant believe I haven’t tried this award winning shade before?! I am a huge fan of highlighting my inner corner with a bright, shimmery, champagne shade and this product is exactly that! I will say, you do have to use a primer to get the full-effect of this eye shadow, because otherwise it is not as vibrant or long-lasting. However, it does look stunning on the eyes and can even be used as an intense cheekbone highlight! I have been using this a lot during the month of August to look more awake on those sleepy mornings, rushing off to work!
   
stila Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner, “Moray”

The stila Smudge stick liners are by far my favorite eyeliners because they not only stay put on your waterline, but they are also creamy enough to blend out on your lower lash line for a soft effect. I have been loving the shade “Moray” because it’s an olive green color with gold glitter. I find that combination especially flattering for my brown eyes, but of course I think this would be gorgeous on any eye color! I’m so excited to continue wearing this color into the fall season since olive is very on trend this year! You can also use these liners as an eyeshadow base to make any powder colors you place on top really pop! I love blending out this gorgeous green color and then going over top with a gold, shimmery shadow for a beautiful foiled effect! 
     
NYX, Soft Matte Lip Cream, in the shade “Stockholm”

I’ve loved these liquid lipsticks for such a long time because they’re affordable and come in so many different colors! Recently, I’ve been loving the shade “Stockholm” because it’s a warm-rose neutral color that looks great as an everyday lipstick. The trick to applying this particular formula so it doesn’t dry out your lips, is to only use a very thin layer of product and then lightly press it out with your finger tip, removing any excess product! Since this formula is very mousey, you can add too much product by just applying the dispensed amount from the wand, causing it to look thick and super dried out on the lips! Instead, I use my ColourPop Lip primer or a light Chapstick and gently tap out the lip cream onto my lips. This color is going to transition beautifully into the fall months and I have a feeling I’ll be buying more soon! 

          
      


Stella McCartney, “Pop” perfume, sample size. 

I received this product as another point perk at Sephora and I’m in love! I definitely will buy the full size “Pop” perfume once I finish this teeny bottle! When I looked up the notes on Sephora.com it said, “Tomato Leaves, Violet Leaves, And Green Mandarin, Violet, Tuberose, Plumeria, Sandalwood, Cedarwood, Musks,” which I definitely wouldn’t have guessed that’s what this smelled like! All I can tell you is it’s a very feminine and fresh scent, but it’s not floral or powdery smelling! It’s a mature perfume, but definitely still smells energizing and different from a lot of my other fragrances! If you’re just looking to try something new and different, I would recommend just trying some in-store and seeing if you like how it smells on you! I was really impressed that this perfume lasted so long on me too and didn’t fade off by the end of the day!

     


Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Shampoo and Conditioner

This is my new every day shampoo and conditioner and I truly believe it’s helping my hair grow! Once I read the claims that it helps with hair loss and promotes growth, I knew I needed to try it immediately! I have really long hair, but I always seem to shed like crazy and have a whole ponytail worth of hair in my brush once I’m finished coming through! Since using this shampoo and conditioner, I’ve noticed my hair falling out significantly less. Plus it’s actually growing faster than I’ve ever seen it grow before! I love that this formula is sulfate free since I do have color treated hair. It gives me volume and truly cleans my hair from root-to-tip. The only downside is the smell…it’s very earthy and kind of smells like licorice for some reason, which is just personally a bad scent for me. But other than that, it’s pretty reasonably priced and actually delivers on its claims! 

    

Thank you for taking the time to read about my August favorites! Let me know the products you’ve been using and loving all month long and maybe they’ll end up in my September version of this series 🙂 

     

Links to shop my favorite products! 

SEPHORA COLLECTION Lashcraft Length & Volume Mascara, $12. 

http://m.sephora.com/product/P408602

It’s Skin Cookie & Body Ice Cream, $10. 

http://m.sephora.com/cookie-body-ice-cream-P411212    

stila, Eye Shadow, in the shade Kitten, $18.

http://m.sephora.com/eye-shadow-P8431

Stella McCartney, “Pop” perfume, sample size. 

http://m.sephora.com/product/P406521?icid2=skugrid    

stila, Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner, in the shade “Moray,” $22. 

http://m.sephora.com/smudge-stick-waterproof-eye-liner-P261621

NYX, Soft Matte Lip Cream, in the shade “Stockholm,” $5.99.

http://www.ulta.com/soft-matte-lip-cream?productId=xlsImpprod3020045#

Shea Moisture Jamaican Black Castor Oil Strengthen, Grow & Restore Shampoo and Conditioner, both $10.99.

http://www.ulta.com/jamaican-black-castor-oil-strengthen-grow-restore-shampoo?productId=xlsImpprod11361001 

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Too Faced Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer Review!

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As a concealer junkie, I’m always trying to find the best and brightest product to put under my unsightly dark circles. Just to give you some insight into the exciting world of my under eyes, they are puffy, discolored and have fine lines; attractive! So when I’m researching new concealers, I not only look for one that has the ability to cover, but also brighten and moisturize. After reading the description of the new, “Too Faced Born This Way Naturally Radiant Concealer,” I knew I had to have it! Take a look at the main ingredients, “coconut water, alpine rose and hyaluronic acid” are formulated to hydrate, promote youthful elasticity and last for a long time once applied to the skin. It is in the high-end price range at $28, but once you read the many benefits of using this product, it is worth it to receive a skincare treatment and essential makeup item all in one! I think it’s also important to mention that this product is oil-free, so when you’re using it on existing blemishes or if you just have sensitive skin, rest assure that this won’t do any damage!      


So as you can see in the first photo, my under-eye area looks puffy and dark. Not a great overall look. You can’t really tell in the photo, but I also have some serious fine lines underneath there too. I’m not sure if it’s just because I do have dry skin or if I’m just rapidly aging only in my eye area; either or. Once I applied the Naturally Radiant Concealer, I could definitely see that the “Light” shade was maybe too brightening, but decided to roll with it any blend out anyways with my Beauty Blender sponge. Within seconds, this product began creasing and settling into my lines. Although initially discouraged, this happens to me A LOT with pretty much every concealer and I do have strategies to make it work. If you’re noticing that even after you’ve blended your concealer, it still is creasing, take your ring finger (it applied the least amount of pressure) and gently tap on the creased areas and it will remove that excess product, without disrupting your existing makeup.

    

 
Once I blended this product out, I could tell it was a situation that I needed to set with powder immediately in order to prevent further creasing! I used the NYX HD setting powder in the shade “Banana,” which also additionally brightened up this area! Once set, I thought this concealer looked absolutely beautiful! After a few hours, I was absolutely impressed that my fine lines were still concealed and my under eye area felt super hydrated and soft! This continued on throughout the day as well! I was very excited that the concealer stayed true-to-color and didn’t fade or oxidize darker throughout the wear time.

    

I am in love with this product after using it for a couple weeks. I love it for natural looks and I love it for full glam makeup. I find it does have a radiance property to the formula, hence the name! This product blends seamlessly into the skin, making it perfect for those “no-makeup-makeup-looks.” I think this product is going to perform well for any skin type, but especially those with drier skin! I know for me personally, it really hydrated all day long and kept this area plump and youthful looking. What new products are you currently loving? Let me know in the comments below! Thank you so much for reading!  

    

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Bronze Eyes and Terracota Lips

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One of my new favorite lipstick shades to wear are these warm, terracotta, burnt-orange colors. I mentioned in my June Favorites that M.A.C “Del Rio” is my latest obsession. I find this product to be especially flattering in the summertime when I have a tan and wear less eye-makeup than usual. One of my favorite ways to look like I put effort into my makeup look is to wear a bold lip color and spend less time focusing on my eyes and face. I love the way this lipstick defines my smile and gives a whitening effect to my teeth, even though it isn’t a blue-based red color. Since I kept the eyes and face super easy, I think this look is totally wearable for work or any daytime occasion as well. Feel free to wear this anywhere you want!


I began the look by priming my eyes with Urban Decay primer potion in “Eden” to extend the wear time and prevent any creasing of my eyeshadow. For this look, I used ColourPop’s “Sunset Blvd” eyeshadow all over the lid and blended up into the crease. This shade is a gorgeous, golden-bronze shade that compliments the warmth in the lipstick shade. I used my Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer in “Medium” to further define my crease. I used a mixture of “Sunset Blvd” and my bronzer to blend onto my lower lash line too. Next I took the eyeshadow, “Smog” from my Urban Decay Naked Palette and drew a soft winged eyeliner. I like the effect shadow liner gives my eyes whenever I am wearing a bold lip because it defines, while still being subtle and allowing the lips to steal the show. Next, I used my Tarte Inner Rim Brightener eyeliner on my waterline to give myself a “wide-eyed” appearance. The last step on my eyes was just to apply two coats of L’Oreal Telescopic Mascara on my upper and lower lashes.


For my face makeup, I did my usual foundation routine and added highlight, blush and bronzer for additional warmth to compliment this look. I would like to point out that the blush photographed very bright and peach, but was more bronze and subtle in person. I like to keep the face fairly simple when doing a bold lip or eye. I find that when I do intense contouring and bright face colors, it can sometimes distract from the statement lip color and throw off the balance of the look. Let me know if you want to see a blog post of my foundation/concealer routine since the products I am using now have changed in the last month!


Now for the star of the show, the lipstick! I am obsessed with M.A.C lipsticks in general and have not purchased a single shade that I do not like! “Del Rio” is such a unique color and I liked it because I had nothing like it in my collection. I used the Revlon lip liner in “Nude” to outline and define. In my personal opinion, I think using natural colors for lip liner pair better with a bold lip than finding that exact lipstick color in a liner and using them together. Sometimes it can be really harsh and noticeable lining your lips with red and then filling them in with red. Plus, if you make any mistakes or overdraw too crazy, it’s much easier to blend out with a nude shade than a bold one. So after lining and filling in my lips, I applied “Del Rio” all over. This is a satin formula, so it provided a subtle sheen. I personally think the satin formulas are the best from M.A.C because they’re richly pigmented, comfortable to wear and last a long time. This product stayed put through eating and drinking and after hours of wear, it still left a pretty stained effect on my lips. 

  


I got a lot of compliments on this look because it was minimal makeup, but still appeared that I put effort into getting ready. I think a warm lip shade and a bronzy/gold eye are gorgeous for summer, but equally stunning as we transition into fall. If you want to try the dark lip trend, but are too afraid to wear something intense, I would say this lipstick is a great starting point! It isn’t “dark,” but definitely pigmented and bold, so you’re able to make a statement, without feeling like you’re wearing editorial makeup to the grocery store.

       
Let me know if you enjoy reading about the different looks I’m loving at the moment and the products I use to achieve them! I enjoy sharing artistry, but find it’s not always the easiest to write about technique. I have always been interested in creating YouTube tutorials, so if you think I should do that, let me know too! 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!

May Favorites! 

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I love reading other bloggers monthly favorites, so I wanted to do one of my own! I included beauty, fashion and lifestyle favorites! Let me know if you enjoy reading posts like this and want me to do other monthly favorites in the future! Thanks for reading! 

    

Beauty       


Elizabeth and James, Nirvana White Eau de Parfum Spray, $80.

This perfume is described on Sephora’s website as a “blend of delicate peony, chic muget, and tender musk for a feminine scent with dark sophistication.” I have a hard time with most floral perfumes because they tend to give me headaches, however this one does not! It’s really difficult to describe scents, but I will try my best to convey my thoughts! Nirvana White is a very light floral scent that is mixed with a warm note that I can’t pinpoint! I think the idea of such a natural, floral scent gives this perfume more of a refreshing vibe that I haven’t experienced before! It lasts really long into my day and I get compliments every time I wear it! It is by far my favorite daytime scent!

    

Dermadoctor, KP Duty Dermatologist Formulated AHA Moisturizing Therapy For Dry Skin, $10.

I think this is the perfect product for Summer if you struggle with severe dry skin like I do! Dermadoctor’s products include, “a patented blend of glycolic acid, green tea extract and urea to help exfoliate, calm and hydrate,” which are all great ingredients for sensitive skin! As long as I can remember, I’ve had rough bumps on the backs of my arms. It’s a huge insecurity of mine because in the summertime I’m always wearing short sleeves and tank tops that reveal this problem area. Luckily, I’ve found this lotion that has significantly decreased the look of bumpy skin on my arms! On Ulta’s website it’s listed that this product, “Helps improve the appearance of parched skin and rough chicken skin bumps (like keratosis pilaris).” So good news, if you’ve always struggled with uneven texture on your body, this lotion will fix it for you! 

      

Loving Tan, Deluxe Bronzing Mousse, in shade “Ultra Dark,” $39.95.

This bronzing mousse by Loving Tan has the best formula by far when compared to my old favorites, St. Tropez and Vita Liberata. The color is FLAWLESS! It’s a deep olive-based, natural looking tan, rather than your standard orange or red undertone formula. The best part about this product is its longevity! On my skin, I can maintain my Loving Tan application for up to 5 days until it starts to fade! With other self tanners, I would notice it wearing off by the second day! I encourage you to check out their Instagram for before and after photos so you can see the difference I’m talking about! 

        

Becca Cosmetics, Becca x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed, in shade “Champagne Pop,” $38.

If you don’t have this product, you need to go on Sephora’s website and purchase it immediately! If I could only recommend one highlighter to you, I would say Champagne Pop by Becca every time! It is universally flattering on every skin tone and truly unique in color. It’s highly reflective with peachy, champagne undertones. It looks gorgeous for daytime or night looks and lasts all day long! It’s a beautiful, buttery product that I know you’ll enjoy no matter what! I’ve been wearing it non-stop during the month of May! 

        

Laura Mercier, Translucent Loose Setting Powder, $38. 

This product is something I never want to be without. I never understood the hype over using translucent setting powders because I thought if they didn’t provide any extra coverage, then what was the point? Well, this powder has changed my opinion completely! It’s silky-smooth texture fills in pores and leaves your skin looking matte in areas you would tend to get oily (t-zone). It never looks cakey, which some tinted foundation powders can tend to do! Another reason I love this is because it does not have any flash back! A lot of translucent powders will show up as a white cast on your face in flash photography, but for whatever reason, this powder does not! Believe the hype and go buy this powder for the summer months! 

      

Too Faced, Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick, in shade “Fig,” $21. 

I’m absolutely in love with the formula on these lipsticks! It’s a very comfortable and creamy matte that you apply out of a lipgloss-like tube. I love many of the shades in the range, but in particular, I think the shade “Fig” is perfect for the spring months! It’s a beautiful, violet shade that is surprisingly subtle. These lipsticks are non-drying and leave behind a pretty stain once they’ve worn off! I have worn this lipstick so much throughout May and always receive compliments on the color of this product!

     

Nivea, Men’s Sensitive Post Shave Balm, $6.49.

If you’re new to makeup and want to build your collection with an inexpensive primer, you need to try this Post Shave Balm instead! Yes, it sounds crazy and this is definitely a product marketed towards men…however, the ingredients in this formula match many of those in high-end face primers! It smooths skin, extends the longevity of your makeup and moisturizes at the same time! I have the one labeled for sensitive skin and haven’t broken out once from this product. The trick to using this product is to rub it into your face long enough to feel it get tacky. You want your skin to feel borderline sticky and then apply your liquid foundation on top! Shout out to NikkieTutorials on YouTube for this amazing drugstore find! 

     

Fashion 

    

I wanted to add in some of my fashion favorites for the month of May as well! I’m not going to go into detail about each of these products because this is a beauty blog, but let me know if you would like to see some fashion posts! My Converse are comfortable to wear and go with any outfit! I love wearing these with casual outfits or t shirt dresses! My favorite loose jeans are the Tomgirl style from AE! They are baggy and on trend, without being unflattering. My fringe bag is my new favorite thing! I love crossbody styles and find that this color matches every outfit. I was really happy that I could find an inexpensive, but high quality bag that has this trendy fringe style! These are items that I’m wearing on repeat all month long and wanted to let you know about!    

Converse Chuck Taylor All Star Lo Sneaker, Optical White, $49.99. American Eagle, Tomgirl Jeans, $49.95. Nordstrom, BP. Layered Fringe Crossbody, $28.

     

Lifestyle     

I also wanted to include some lifestyle favorites of mine that I’m loving! This bottle will keep your water ice cold for 24-hours without melting your ice! I’ve been using this product on a daily basis and never want to be without it during the summer months! My Erin Condren Life Planner keeps me organized every day! It’s durable on the outside and has beautiful colored pages on the inside! Lastly, my snack obsession are the Snap Pea Crisps in the Caesar flavor! I promise you’ll be hooked on these after you try one! They satisfy the need for something crunchy, without being high in carbs and fat! 

S’ip by S’well, Jelly Bean Green Stainless Steel Water Bottle 15oz, $24.99. Purchased from Target! Erin Condren Life Planner, price varies. Snap Pea Crisps, Caesar, $1.99.