How I Organize My Makeup Collection!


I am a happy owner of the popular “Alex” drawer system from IKEA. This organizational unit is awesome at storing beauty products. The depth of the top five drawers are perfect for laying down eyeshadow palettes or stacking powders and single eyeshadows. The four bottom drawers are even deeper, making them perfect for storing bulky makeup bags or other larger beauty tools. Initially, I tried to organize my collection by designating a drawer to each type of makeup item. For example, my top drawer was only filled with eye products, my second drawer full of skincare, my third held all my foundations and powders, etc. This system lasted for about a year, until I realized that the inside of the drawers looked so messy and disorganized. I was burying products under more products and not properly evaluating what I already owned and needed to use. 
      

I began doing research on ways that other “Alex” drawer owners sorted the contents of their units. I saw that a lot of people recommend the “Linus” drawer system from The Container Store. I had never previously shopped there, but I was intrigued by the idea of a store being solely dedicated to organization. The “Linus” system looks like it’s designed for kitchen or desk drawers and allows you to configure the layout since they come in different sizes and shapes.

     

The “Linus” collection has two different categories of sizes; Shallow and Deep. I will list the different ones that I bought and my purposes for each one below! 

       

Deep

  • 4″ sq. – These are pretty small, so I just stored some small hair masks, think sample sized products in this. 
  • 4″ x 8″ – I used this for storing single eyeshadows and eye primers.
  • 4″ x 12″ – I stacked my single blushes (fits Tarte) and highlighters. You can fit three of these next to each other in one drawer. 
  • 6″ sq – I used this for storing my ColourPop liquid lipsticks, lippie sticks and NYX butter glosses. I reach for these every day, so I plan to keep this container on my vanity.     

    

Shallow

  • 3″ x 6″ – I put samples that come in little packages with online orders into this! 
  • 3″ x 12″ – I was able to fit my Too Faced small eyeshadow palettes into this. I also used this for bronzers as well!
  • 6″ x 12″ – I stacked my ColourPop single eyeshadows into this since it’s so narrow. It kept them from rolling around when I close the drawer, which was perfect! 

          
I would highly recommend the “Alex” drawer system if you are in the market for a storage unit that can blend in with the other furniture in your room. It really holds a lot when you break it down drawer-by-drawer, but it doesn’t take up that much space. The “Linus” collection from The Container Store is awesome to sort your items by category and understand visually what you have. Since they are acrylic, they’re super easy to clean as well! I can see these working great in a kitchen too since you can place the various sizes of containers together to fit in one large drawer. 

      

What are some ways that you’re able to manage your makeup collection?! I know there has to be some other creative ways to store and organize! I also want to know how you are able to rotate items through your collection, does anyone participate in Project Pan or do Shop My Collection posts? I would be very interested in reading and finding ways to actually use the makeup that I’ve purchased! I hope you had a very Happy Easter and thank you for reading! 

     

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Mally Beauty “Effortlessly Airbrushed Blush & Highlighter” Review and Swatches!


As someone that thrives off golden highlighter and warm-toned blush, I about fainted when I saw the new Mally Beauty “Effortlessly Airbrushed Blush & Highlighter” in the shade “Perfect Peach!” For $35, you get a pigmented, beautiful blush and a dimensional, golden highlight shade! I haven’t been this excited over a new makeup product in awhile, so I would highly recommend trying it out! This is my first purchase from Mally Beauty and I am so beyond impressed! There is also a “Pretty Pink” set, if you prefer more mauve, true pink colored blushes and a champagne colored highlight!     


The formula of the blush and highlight is so soft and pigmented! The blush is actually very natural looking. You can easily layer it to look more intense or wear it more sheer for a “no-makeup” makeup look! I love this blush shade in, “Perfect Peach” and would totally purchase it in the full-size! I find that I have nothing like it in my current collection. The color is a very true warm, orange-peach color that has the smallest touch of pink. I would describe this product as having a satin-matte finish because it’s not completely flat once applied on the face, but also not shimmery at all. It lasts all day on my face without fading or changing color, which is a major plus! 

    

The highlight is in the shade, “Stardust” and I think it’s easily becoming my most reached for product! I use this whether I’m doing a full-glam or natural makeup look! It gives the very trendy and desired “wet-look” to the tops of my cheek bones. It’s a true gold highlight, but it’s brighter than Laura Geller “Gilded Honey” (my all time fav) or Becca “Champagne Pop.” I love how it doesn’t emphasize any texture on my face since it’s not glittery whatsoever. It also layers on top of cream highlights so perfectly, which is somewhat hard to find in a powder product! Just like the blush, this highlight also lasts for such a long time! I honestly get so many complements whenever I wear this product and everyone is always so surprised when I tell them it’s by Mally! 

   

I would highly recommend this duo to anyone that loves wearing blush and highlight! I think everyone should try this product out because it’s SO good! The quality is there and the price is right, so what do you have to lose?! It does come in two color options, but I have not tried out the “Pretty Pink” set. I’m definitely going to be purchasing to check for consistency in the line! What products do you love by Mally Beauty?! Have you tried out the “Effortlessly Airbrushed Blush & Highlighter” yet? What do you think?! Let me know in the comments! Thank you for reading! 

        

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My Favorite Fall Fashion Accesories!

My favorite way to stay up-to-date with ever-changing, seasonal fashion trends is by adding a few key accessories to my very basic wardrobe. I wanted to share with you some of my favorite Fall accessories that I am loving this season! A couple of these exact items aren’t currently in stock, however I linked similar alternatives that are in the same price range! I find that just interchanging different accessories can give the same, plain outfit a totally different feel. For example, I feel like a big, blanket scarf is perfect for a festive daytime look, but just by swapping out the scarf for a trendy choker, you have a new, edgy vibe that works for nighttime looks as well! I think investing in a few key pieces each season can prevent you from overbuying multiple items that will eventually turn out to be trendy for a brief moment in time.


  
I feel like a floppy hat is a perfect way to play it safe, but also stay on-trend. You can’t go wrong with this neutral color either! Hats are great for hiding bad hair days or concealing unsightly roots. I personally love wearing this hat with two fishtail braided pigtails! I honestly think floppy hats are going to be around for the next couple years, I bought a black one last year and wore it all the time! I think hats in general are just huge for this Fall season, I have been eyeing a gray, suede baseball cap as I mindlessly browse the Nordstrom app and I am pretty sure I need it.

    
I absolutely love big, square scarfs! This one in particular has been my favorite because it has such a unique color combo that I am so drawn to! The square shape makes it perfect for folding into a triangle and wearing it like a blanket scarf! I highly recommend checking out Pinterest  here to see exactly what I’m talking about and how to tie it in this way! Geometric patterned scarves are everywhere this season, so I would definitely suggest investing in this trend! Not only will it keep you warm, but it will keep you very fashion forward, which is a win-win in my book.


These are my all-time, favorite boot! Not only are they leather AND water resistant, but they are truly the comfiest heeled boot that I own! I can wear these all day, walk five miles and still feel absolutely content. They are so padded and perfectly designed to not put tension on the arch of your foot. I think the suede tassel design is unique, but definitely on trend from what I’ve been seeing in handbags and shoes this season. I get compliments on these all time from everyone, regardless of age or style! They seem to be pretty universally adaptable to anyone’s wardrobe and I would highly recommend checking them out and at least trying them on in store! I am someone that values comfort above all things, so I can definitely attest to how worth it these babies are!


BaubleBar is one of my favorite online retailers to buy trendy, but well-made jewelry at a reasonable price! I have seen so many people rocking the famous ’90’s trend recently, but I never felt confident enough to take the plunge! Whenever I saw this particular choker, I thought it was so feminine and unique, that I had to try it out! I really love the quality of the necklace and find that the small tassel details and well-made closure, make it feel more luxurious than it cost! I receive so many compliments on this piece that it makes me want to start wearing chokers more often! BaubleBar has a simple, burgundy velvet choker that I have been adding and re-adding to my cart recently, so I will keep you updated on whether or not I purchase!

    
I hope you enjoyed reading about some of my favorite fashion accessories for Fall! Please leave me a comment letting me know what you’ve been wearing on repeat this season!

Shop these items here! 

Phase 3 Whipstitch Wool Floppy Hat, $19.80.
Similar Style Here – Now on Sale! 
    

BP. Geo Pattern Square Scarf, $18.80.

Similar Style Here – Now on Sale!

    
PIKOLINOS ‘Andorra’ Water Resistant Boot, $199. Shop Here

    
BaubleBar Lariat Choker, $36. Shop Here

  

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October Beauty Favorites! 

Fall favorites are the best favorites! During the month of October, I have been in love with warm bronze tones. I’ve been wearing my makeup pretty much the same for every occasion, changing up my lip color to suit day or night. I’ve been focusing on flawless skin with bronze and copper eyeshadow shades and a glowy, warm-toned blush. I always try to include high-end and affordable options because on a daily basis, I’m typically wearing a combination of both! I also usually mention fashion favorites in these posts, but I’m actually going to do a separate blog on that because I have a lot for the month of October and didn’t want to make this one too lengthy! I hope you enjoy reading about the beauty products I’ve been loving this month and please let me know if we have any favorites in common, or what new products you think I should try out! 

Nars Dual-Intensity, “Himalia”

These eyeshadows are pricey, but they’re absolutely gorgeous! They are pigmented on their own, but can also be used with a wet brush for an intense, foiled effect. The shade “Himalia” is a neutral, bronzey-taupe color that has champagne sparkles throughout it. Once applied to the lid, it has a unique violet undertone, which makes it especially beautiful! This is an easy color to wear all over your lid and blend into the crease for a quick makeup look that appears to have taken a lot of effort! Another reason I love this particular eyeshadow is because it’s so long lasting and it will not fade throughout the day! I really want to try other colors, but at $29 each…I’m pacing myself! 

     

M.A.C Glitter Pigment, “Reflects Bronze”

I have a few of these miniature M.A.C pigments and I never seem to make a dent in them! I love the shade “Reflects Bronze” because it’s very sparkly, but it’s also somewhat wearable since it’s a gold shade that seems to compliment any look! I find myself loving this on natural eye looks, just as much as I love it with a dramatic smokey eye! I find that the copper glitter in this pigment compliment my brown eye color too! Since this is a loose glitter, I recommend using a mixing medium of some kind to make it easy to apply and decrease the amount of fallout. My favorites are M.A.C Fix Plus and Too Faced glitter glue! 

    

Benefit Ka-Brow! Cream-Gel Eyebrow Color, “03 Medium” 

This is my new favorite brow product ever! I’ve been using this every single day and I love it so much! It is a very natural color, which sometimes is harder to find than one would think! A lot of brunette brow products are too ashy or too red-toned, but this one is the perfect, as-natural-as-you-can-get-when-filling-in-your-entire-brow color! It will not fade or transfer, but comes off pretty easily with makeup remover or warm, soapy water! I feel like this product has decreased the amount of eyebrow hair loss too…which might sound crazy, but I’m pretty sure using a pencil for years has damaged the natural hairs in my brows. Another pro to this product is the convenient, travel friendly packaging! There is a perfectly sized, angled brush in the lid of the product, what a bonus!

     

Tarteist Clay Paint Liner, “Bronze”

If you’re looking for a softer alternative to classic black eyeliner, then you need to try out this gorgeous brown shade from Tarte! I love using gel eyeliner on my upper lash line, since I usually wing it out on the daily. This one lasts so long and will not budge after you apply it! The shade “Bronze” is a chocolate brown color with a slight shimmer, making it subtle, with a fun twist! 

   

ColourPop Lippie Stix, “Oh Snap” 

I can’t get enough of these ColourPop Lippie Stix and at only $5 each, you can afford to get every color you love! The shade “Oh Snap” is that super, on-trend, mauve color that everyone is wearing! This color isn’t too off from my natural lip shade, making it a really easy product to just apply without being too precise! These Lippie Stix are super creamy and pigmented, but also very long lasting, which sounds like the perfect formula to me! 

    

ColourPop Super Shock Cheek, “Avalon” 

Can’t stop and won’t stop raving about ColourPop! If you want to expand your makeup collection on a budget, then you need to go online right now and check out their wide range of products! This bronze, rose gold, highlight color is perfect to use as a blush topper if you’re wanting to give your skin an extra pop of shimmer during the colder months! You can also use this on your eyes to achieve a glossy shadow look, which is super on trend at the moment! I’ve been enjoying this particular shade on and off the last few months, but I cannot put it down during October! 

Shop Nars Eyeshadow

Shop M.A.C Pigment

Shop Benefit Brow

Shop Tarte Liner

Shop ColourPop Lippie Stix

Shop ColourPop Super Shock Cheek
    

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Touch In Sol Metallist Liquid Foil & Glitter Eye Shadow Duo Review! 

Touch In Sol, Metallist Liquid Foil & Glitter Eye Shadow Duo, $25.


I’m the type of girl who finds glitter appropriate for any occasion. Daytime or nighttime, I love to wear shimmery shades on my eyelids with zero shame. The “Touch In Sol Metallist Liquid Foil & Glitter Eye Shadow Duo” is a double-ended, liquid and glitter eyeshadow duo that claims to be very pigmented and long-lasting! I had initially checked out this product while browsing Sephora.com, but it didn’t have a lot of reviews at the time, so I decided to skip out. I was recently watching Jaclyn Hill and she was raving about how amazing this product is, so I decided to pick it up before all the colors sold out! I got mine in the shade, “Margaret” which is described as a champagne shade online. I do think it is more of a copper-champagne shade just because it has more of a rusty undertone than gold.
     

I decided to use the M.A.C paint pot in “Soft Ochre” before applying the liquid eyeshadow. I wanted to use a more “dry” formula of primer to prevent any creasing that tends to come with gel or liquid eyeshadow products. I applied the liquid eyeshadow straight from the applicator and onto my eyelids. Then I buffed out the edges and smoothed it over by gently tapping my finger over the lid. Next, I used a blending brush with no eyeshadow on it and tried to blend the edges of the liquid. I took the Makeup Geek eyeshadow in the shade, “Peach Smoothie” to provide some definition to my crease and further blend the eyelid color. I also took another Makeup Geek eyeshadow in the shade “Bitten” and blended it into my outer crease for a wide-eye effect. 

Left side: Liquid eyeshadow only. Right side: Glitter layered on top.

Now it is time for the best part of all; GLITTER! I sprayed a flat shader brush with some M.A.C Fix Plus Spray to give the loose glitter something to stick to and act as a mixing medium. Then I applied directly to my eyelids, making sure to not get glitter into the crease and only stick to the lid. I kept my eye closed for about 30 seconds to help it dry and prevent the glitter from transferring onto my brow bone area. I immediately noticed how finely milled the glitter is, making it comfortable and not scratchy-feeling on the eyes. As you can see in the photo, it layers beautifully onto the liquid shadow, giving you a richly pigmented and metallic look! 

     

I wore this makeup look for 10 hours and was pleasantly surprised at how well both the liquid and glitter eye shadow lasted throughout the day. I will say that there was little fallout from some sparkles coming loose and transferring onto my brow bone and cheek bones. Nothing too intense though and certainly not a deterrent from purchasing this product. I was also very happy that this eyeshadow did not irritate my eyelids at all! I read that it is formulated without Parabens, Sulfates or Phthalates, which is always wonderful to discover! 

     

The “Touch In Sol Metallist Liquid Foil & Glitter Eye Shadow Duo” is totally worth it if you are a glitter lover like me! At $25, I would say it’s fairly priced because it’s double ended and a high quality formula! There are 5 shades in the range, so you’re bound to find a color that suits your preference best! What other new products have your eye this holiday season? Let me know! 

Magnetic Face Mask?!


I recently received the Dr. Brandt MAGNETIGHT Age-Defier Mask as a Sephora free sample and knew I had to document trying it out for the blog! It is described as, “a powerful age-defying facial mask that dramatically transforms the look of your skin by harnessing the power of attraction.” Yes, you read that right, this is a magnetic mask. The formula is created with iron, which helps reduce the signs of stressed, aging skin! It’s good for individuals that suffer from wrinkles/fine lines, elasticity, firmness and uneven texture. Plus, it comes with a triangle magnet that supposedly lifts the mask right off your skin, leaving behind a skin softening oil that has additional skincare ingredients.    


To start this process, I washed my face with soap and water and removed all of my makeup! Then I took the spatula that comes with the mask and spread a thin layer over my clean face, trying to avoid the eye area. As you can see, it doesn’t apply very evenly, but that doesn’t bother me too much! I left it on for about 10 minutes because that was the recommended time! 

   


Next I took the magnet and wrapped it with a tissue as instructed! It is a surprisingly strong magnet, it’s even advised to not use it if you have a pacemaker or other medical devices/implants! So I smoothed it over my skin and was in shock at how instantly it lifted the mask off my face! It made a clean line of removal and did not smear or move around. I was so impressed with this process, I rushed over the rest of my face, waiting for it to not work, but it removed the entire thing all on the same magnet! 

   

Once I was finished taking it off, I realized that it left an oily feeling on my face! Reading the directions, it said that you are supposed to massage the remainder in and use it as a skin treatment! So I decided to do that and continued with the rest of my nighttime skincare routine. Overall, I really liked using this mask! I think the process is so much fun and really easy to do! I definitely didn’t see immediate, extremely noticeable results, but that isn’t a total deal breaker for me! My skin felt hydrated and my pores looked smaller, I just didn’t see a huge difference as far as fine lines, but perhaps that happens over time! This is a pretty expensive mask, $75 for the full size, so I’m not sure if I would purchase that, just because I’m not wowed by this product just yet! It was super enjoyable and cool to see, so I would recommend getting your hands on a sample size if you can! Thanks for reading! 

Are Lash Primers Really Worth it?

If you know me, you know my holy grail makeup item is mascara. I feel like the effect of long and volumized lashes makes the biggest impact on my overall appearance! Without mascara, I feel like my eyes look super tiny and sleepy, which I of course want to avoid. I have been interested in trying a white eyelash primer for a long time now, but I never really saw the purpose in using one since my lashes are pretty long as it is. Plus, I typically use two mascaras (one for volumizing and one for lengthening) so I never really found it necessary to search for another method to achieve eyelash goals. However, when I was browsing some of the top rated products at Sephora and came across the, “Lancôme CILS BOOSTER XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base,” I decided to try it for myself to really see what the hype was about.

Lancome, CILS BOOSTER XL Super-Enhancing Mascara Base, $25.50

   

It is described on Sephora’s website as,”A lash-conditioning, mascara primer in the same great formula and new packaging that conditions and primes lashes to maximize results—creating even longer and more volumized lashes.” Reading that description honestly gave me emoji heart eyes because I would love bigger lashes, but would especially benefit from having a conditioning treatment while wearing this product. My eyelashes are constantly falling out and I do worry if it’s because I’m not conditioning them properly after wearing mascara every day. 

    


This formula is infused with micro-fibers and Vitamin E, which is why you achieve so much extra length and volume before adding your standard black mascara over top! I really noticed that my eyelashes looked thick and much longer with just one coat of the white mascara base. Once I applied my traditional mascara over top, it did go on a little more patchy than it does without a primer. I have a feeling it’s because my natural lashes are brown, so I’m not able to see the gaps that easily, but with a white base, you can really tell the exact places your mascara isn’t coating. With that said, once the black color is built to your desired intensity, it does stand out really well from being applied on the white base, which was a pleasant surprise I never saw coming! Yay!

        


I wish I could answer my the title of this post and tell you whether this was worth it or not, but I honestly don’t know?! I can’t make up my mind on whether or not I need this product in my life, or if it’s just an extra step that prolongs my getting ready process. Ugh, these are real problems people! I guess I would say that no, you definitely don’t NEED this, but what makeup product does one even “need” anyways? If you have short or sparse lashes and you can’t find a mascara to give you the full effect you’re looking for, then yes, totally get this Lancome mascara base because it will make a difference and I definitely think you’ll enjoy the results! For me personally, I’ll continue using it, but I don’t know if I’ll repurchase! I love the way my lashes look once the process is complete and I really enjoy how much longer my mascara stays dark and vibrant by using a primer! However, it does take awhile to apply the base, then go in with my mascara and make sure all of the white is covered up! If you’ve been on the fence about trying an eyelash primer, then I would definitely recommend giving this one a shot because it really does work great! I also wanted to mention that I used my Sephora Collection “LashCraft” black mascara along with the Lancome mascara base and that combination worked really well for me! I mentioned that mascara in my recent August favorites, so definitely check out that post for a separate review on that product! 

   

Thank you so much for reading this post! Let me know your thoughts on eyelash primers/mascara bases! I want to know the best strategies on applying as well, so if you have any tips or tricks, please let me know! 

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First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Bouncy Mask! 

I’m a sucker for trying new skincare products, especially masks! When I first checked out the “First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Bouncy Mask” on Sephora’s website, it seemed too good to be true! Not only is this product formulated for sensitive skin, which I have, but it also has no parabens, sulfates or phthalates! Yay! It claims to give the same results as a facial, perfecting the overall appearance of the skin, but in one simple mask application for only 10 minutes! You get 1.7 oz. of product for $38.00, which may seem expensive for a face mask, but when you weigh the cost of getting facials and using other skincare products to achieve the same results, you will see that all of those extra treatments can add up quickly! I think this is a pretty good value for what it’s claiming to do!   

First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Bouncy Mask 1.7 oz $38.00


This mask is aimed at correcting uneven skin tone, dullness and enlarged pores, while also making the skin more firm. It is gentle enough to be used three times a week, or whenever you feel that your skin is looking tired and in need of a pick-me-up. There are many natural products in this formula, including rose bud extract and Vitamin C, which will plump and hydrate the skin. The most impressive claim for me was this mask’s ability to calm, nourish and refine uneven texture, which I do have on certain areas of my face.

   
As I first opened this product, I immediately noticed a strong cucumber smell. So if you don’t like that, you’ll probably want to stay far away from this mask. The texture is exactly as the name states; “bouncy.” It is super sticky when getting it out of the jar and has a syrup-like consistency (weird comparison, I know!) Once applied to the face, it just looks like a completely clear, shiny layer of moisturizer. I actually kind of liked this because I didn’t feel crazy walking around my house, like I do with my black and green colored masks. It says to wait 10 minutes until taking it off with warm water, but I decided to leave it on for 15-20 minutes. 

Mask applied to the back of my hand

Once I rinsed it off, I noticed my skin looked brighter and more hydrated. I didn’t even feel like I needed to put on my nightly moisturizer! Safe to say, I was very impressed. It also calmed some of the redness I have around my nose and chin area. Since I had such great results, I continued using it throughout the week, waiting a couple days in between uses! I noticed that over time, this mask did begin to shrink the pores on my cheeks and give me a much brighter complexion! I don’t know how much of a firming effect this product has, but I do know that the plumping/hydrating aspect makes the fine lines around my eye-area seem softer and not as pronounced.

   
It’s always amazing whenever you find a product that actually works! I was so relieved that my money was well spent on this mask, as it’s one of the more expensive ones I’ve ever purchased! I love First Aid Beauty as a brand and use many of their other skincare products on a daily basis! Let me know if you would like to see a review on some of these other items as well! If you are looking for a good, “facial-in-a-jar” type of mask, then I would highly recommend this one! It’s worth it because it actually gives you the results it claims to offer, plus you only need a small amount to cover your entire face, so I can see this lasting for a long time! I want to know what skincare products you are currently loving so please leave me a comment below! Thank you so much for reading! 

   

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Festive Fourth of July Makeup!


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

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


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

      

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

     

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

      

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

Are Makeup Setting Sprays Even Necessary? 

Let me begin by answering the title question; yes, makeup setting sprays are a very necessary part of any makeup look and will completely change the look and wear-time of the products you use. The most obvious usage for these products are to set your face to extend makeup longevity, however there are other ways you can use these mists to get the most out of your money! I want to share with you my favorite makeup setting sprays and the ways in which I use them!

M.A.C Prep & Prime Fix +, $22. Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray, $30. Tony Moly Pocket Bunny Sleek Mist, $15. SEPHORA COLLECTION Beauty Amplifier Set and Refresh Spray, $16. Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water (1 oz. Travel Size), $16.


    

     

M.A.C Fix + is a setting spray mist that is water-based and lightweight. It refreshes skin after makeup application and will lay all of your powder products flat to reduce the look of a cakey appearance. This is also the best setting spray to use to intensify the look of your sparkly eye shadows! If you spray your eye shadow brush with this mist, then dip into the shadow you want to use, it will then apply in a more foiled effect for a intense pigmentation! You can even use this method if you want to intensify the glow on your highlighting products. This product stands out to me because of the dewy effect it gives to my makeup. It has the power to take an all-powder, matte look and transform it into a natural, seamless makeup look. It can blend out harsh lines from contouring and highlighting, flattening and melting the product into your skin. M.A.C Fix + is truly a one-of-a-kind product that I cannot live without!

     

My all-time favorite, holy-grail makeup setting mist is the Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray! If you buy only one of these products from this post, I would suggest this one! For starters, this works on every skin type, from dry to oily, it will extend your makeup longevity! I have tested this spray for years and it can will perform through the coldest months, when your skin tends to get dry and the hottest months, where sweat and oiliness can otherwise cause your makeup to break up! I think this spray is a true setting spray in the sense that it locks in your makeup and extends it’s wear time throughout the day (or night)! You seriously need this product because it will completely change the way your makeup looks and feels and of course, it will make all of your makeup products last longer!

     
A newfound love of mine is the Tony Moly’s Pocket Bunny Sleek Mist! First of all, the packaging is so adorable and definitely was the driving force behind purchasing this product! You will find the mist is very finely dispensed and feels so refreshing on the skin. It is described as an oil-controlling facial mist that is also hydrating for your skin. There are added skincare benefits to using this product because it is formulated with fruit extracts! I definitely think this product controls the oiliness of my skin whenever I use it in the morning to set my makeup. It also softens the overall appearance of my pores, which is an added bonus! This product is also awesome to store in your purse for a refreshing mid-day mist. The only con to this product (which I can definitely see past) is the initial fragrance. It does smell exactly like baby powder, so if you are sensitive to that scent, you may want to stay clear!

     

The next setting spray that I love using is the SEPHORA COLLECTION Beauty Amplifier Set and Refresh Spray! This is a really awesome product because it is neither mattifying or glowing, it truly gives a natural, skin-like finish to your makeup once you apply it! The price is also great, $16 for 2.7 oz.! I also wanted to mention that this product has a slight cooling sensation when applied to the skin, making it ideal for the summer months. I have found I can increase the vibrancy of my shadows and pigments by spraying this on the brush I am using, so it serves a dual purpose too! From my personal experience with this product, I have found it extends the longevity of my makeup for a couple of hours, but nothing more than that! Unfortunately, it does not do the best job at controlling oil, so I would pass on this product if that is a major concern for your skin type!  

     

The Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water is a product I initially felt skeptical about. I could not justify paying for something that claimed to be a glorified water. Luckily, this product really is so much more than that! If you enjoy using products that are free of alcohol, oil and silicone, than this will be your best friend! It is enriched with electrolytes to keep your face moisturized, while locking in your makeup. I have tried this product as a priming spray underneath my makeup and I love the way it performs! It is extremely lightweight and refreshing on your bare skin, but works to fill in pores and smooth uneven texture. I find that my foundation applies beautifully and lasts for a long time when used on top of this primer water. I have also used this product to set my makeup and found it also works well in this form too! It is a product that will not extend the longevity of your makeup for an extreme amount of time, but it will prolong it for a few hours. I have heard it does work better on dry skin because the concept for the formula does focus on hydrating, more than oil-control.

    
I really hope you were able to pick a new setting spray out from the list to try out! Since it is summer and the weather is only getting warmer, I wanted to get this post up as soon as possible! I have noticed such an incredible difference in the way my makeup looks, feels and lasts since beginning to use a makeup setting spray. I still have many more that I want to try, so feel free to leave a comment with your favorite! Thank you so much for reading!
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