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November Favorites!

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I really can’t believe that it’s December 1st! The month of November flew by, but luckily I was able to try out some incredible products that I can confidently call “my favorites”! I gathered up my top makeup, skincare, and haircare picks and luckily, most everything is on sale right now! I’m talking discounts up to 30% off! I linked everything for you, so you can be directly taken to the product’s site!

Briogeo “B. Well organic + cold-pressed 100% castor oil” | $26

If you purchase one thing from this blog post, let it be this! The Briogeo “B. Well organic + cold-pressed 100% castor oil” will literally grow and condition your eyebrows, eyelashes, and hair! You can even apply a drop of this to severely dry skin for instant relief! I’ve also used this on my cuticles for my at-home manicures. I just love multi-use products! Whenever I’m asked what mascara I use, I always mention that I apply this castor oil on my lashes nightly. I really think it makes all the difference! I place a drop on a disposable mascara wand or q-tip and gently brush through my lashes from root to tip. I do the same with my eyebrows, but sometimes use a little bit more product than my eyelashes, to make sure they’re really conditioned. You can even massage some into your hairline if you’ve noticed thinning or breakage. I think it’s super important to mention that all castor oils are not created equally! This one Is an organic and fair trade certified castor oil from India. It is naturally cold-pressed, which means that it contains the highest amount of nutrients and trace minerals that were originally present in the seed after it has been picked. It is less processed, which means it is more powerful and you’ll see the results quickly! I cannot recommend this enough!

Clinique “Pop Splash Lip Gloss + Hydration” | $19.50 | 04 Latte Pop

These may be my new favorite lip glosses! Such a silky, non-sticky formula that have great pigmentation! They leave a super shiny finish on your lips. These are just as hydrating as a chapstick or lip balm too. I’ve really been on a hunt for clean beauty products that are just as good, or better than their non-clean competition. These have no Parabens or Phthalates. These are also fragrance-free, which is a plus if you have sensitive skin. These lip glosses earned an “Allure Best of Beauty” award and I can definitely see why! They have such a range of shades, from nudes, pinks, to bold colors! I have mine in “04 Latte Pop,” which is the perfect rose/brown nude color for medium skin tones! I really want to try “06 Adore U” and “17 Spritz Pop” next!

Stila “Suede Shade Liquid Eyeshadow”| $24 | Midnight Espresso

I’ve been loving matte shadows recently and this Stila Suede Shade Liquid Eyeshadow in the shade “Midnight Espresso” creates such a beautiful, monochromatic eye look so easily! You can quickly build these up to get a multi-dimensional matte finish on your eyes. One layer all over creates a diffused wash of color, but you can easily apply a second layer to the lid to get a smokey eye. Even though this finish is definitely matte, they aren’t flat or boring looking! These are gorgeous worn alone, but you can also pair them with Stila’s glitter or shimmer eyeshadows (which I absolutely love!) These liquid shadows are long wearing, light weight, and hydrating on the eye lids! I’ve only tried the dark brown color, but I have my eye on the stunning matte mauve shade!

First Aid Beauty “KP Bump Eraser Body Scrub 10% AHA” | $26

I know I can’t be the only one that has those annoying tiny bumps on my arms! It’s called “Keratosis pilaris” and is described as “A condition that causes rough patches and small, acne-like bumps on the skin. This condition develops when the skin produces too much of a protein called keratin, which can block hair follicles and cause bumps to develop.” For me personally, I’ve dealt with it my entire life. I’ve never found a product that effectively removes the bumps and keeps my arms clear, until now! This body scrub has chemical and physical exfoliators that remove the annoying irritation! It is definitely fast-acting, but you have to continue using it every 3-4 days to keep your skin from flaring up again! This product has all of the exfoliating benefits of a micro-dermabrasion, and uses Glycolic and Lactic Acids to chemically exfoliate your skin. This is another clean beauty product, and is allergy tested, safe for sensitive skin, and fragrance free. This product has really improved my confidence because I no longer have any insecurity when it comes to showing my arms or having my husband touch them! It really is a life changing product that I’ll continue to repurchase!

Briogeo “Don’t Despair, Repair!™ honey moisture deep conditioning mask” | $36

I’m not going to lie, the adorable honey bear packaging is what influenced me to buy this! Trust me that the product inside is equally as amazing though! I’ve used this hair mask a few times a week during the month of November and I’ve noticed a significant difference in the health of my hair. Everything looks so much more smooth and hydrated, my split ends are gone, and it has actually helped my hair continue to grow long! I really wish this wasn’t limited edition because I like it more than their original version! This one is super creamy and smells like honey! It is actually created with organic, unpasteurized honey! I use this directly after I shampoo my hair. I apply it to all of my hair, just avoiding my roots and let it sit for 10 minutes before rinsing it out. I seriously notice a huge difference every time I use it and already purchased a back-up! I have thin, fine hair that is pin straight and it doesn’t weigh it down! Miracle hair treatment!

Smashbox “Studio Skin Full Coverage 24 Hour Foundation” | $36

This is my new holy grail, full coverage foundation! I have dry skin in these Winter months and this never clings to any dry patches or You need the smallest amount to cover your entire face, so I’m pretty sure this tube is going to last me until Summer. I love that its practically weightless too. It doesn’t feel heavy, or settle into any of my fine lines or wrinkles. My foundation usually creases into my smile lines and this is one of the only ones that doesn’t at all! I apply it with a damp beauty blender, which really helps to sheer out the formula and evenly distribute the foundation. I do set this with a translucent powder to ensure that it doesn’t fade or transfer throughout the day. The color match is perfection, which can sometimes be difficult for me since I have neutral olive undertones like me!

As always, thank you so much for taking the time out of your day to read this blog post. I love writing monthly favorites and getting the chance to share these all star products with you! I would love to know what your favorites are this month, so please leave me a comment so I can try them next. Have a wonderful Sunday night and great rest of the week! Love you!

Concealers Worth Your Money, Honey! | Part II

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One of my most viewed blog posts is my “Concealers Worth Your Money, Honey!” post from October 23rd, 2016! I thought it was time for an update and to my surprise, only one of the concealers mentioned in that previous post has remained a present day fav! If I had to guess, this subject has such popularity because of how common dark circles are for all of us! Whether you have them because they’re hereditary, or you’re a new Mom, an overworked employee, whatever the circumstances may be…we all seem to struggle with being tired and/or having discoloration in our under eyes. I wanted to include different brands, price points, formulations, etc. to fit the needs of the variety of skin types/concerns of my readers. Just to give you some background information about me. I am always tired due to a new job with a very demanding work schedule. I also have dark, blue-black circles underneath my eyes from genetics. Plus, I have seasonal allergies which play a big role in the puffiness and swelling that I experience this time of year. Safe to say, I have less-than-perfect under eyes and personally NEED to wear concealer in order to feel comfortable. It’s a step I never skip, whether I’m going for a natural, “no makeup makeup” look or a full glam beat! There is never a time (unless I’m physically ill or in a state of emergency) that I’ll pass on concealer. Since I do have this great need, I’ve tested a lot of different formulas from many different brands and have narrowed down my list to 5.

L’Oréal Infallible Full Wear Waterproof Concealer | $13.49

I stumbled upon this product when I was trying to find a more affordable dupe for the Tarte Shape Tape Concealer. After reading reviews and testing swatches in store, this one seemed to be the closest match on the claims and coverage from Tarte Shape Tape. This is a very full coverage product that dries to a matte finish. I would definitely recommend applying this with a damp beauty blender to thin out the formula. I really like the large doe foot applicator because it covers such a wide area very quickly! It claims to be water resistant and all day wear, but I’ve never really tested it to withstand either of those conditions. I can tell you that it for about 14-15 hours on me and didn’t fade. I really like the versatility of this concealer because I can use it to cover up imperfections, such as blemishes and dark spots, and also use it underneath my eyes!

Tarte Double Duty Beauty Shape Tape Contour Concealer | $27.00

If I could only recommend one concealer to you, it would definitely be this one! I’ve used it for years and it’s just so consistently amazing. Not only is it very full coverage, but it is also lightweight and very blendable! Warning: this can get cakey and look dry if you 1. Apply too much (all you need is a small swipe of product underneath each eye) or 2. You blend it out with a brush. I’ve found that using a damp beauty blender is key to sheering out this concealer and making it look more skin like and natural, without taking away from any of the coverage it provides. It also will not settle into your fine lines, exaggerate pores, or cling to dry patches. I think it’s also very important to mention that this is formulated without Parabens, Mineral Oil, Phthalates, Triclosan, Sodium Lauryl Sulfate, and Gluten. It’s also Vegan and Cruelty-Free! I have 2 of these in my collection at the moment. One is in the shade “Light Neutral” which is about 1-2 shades lighter than my skin. It’s definitely personal preference, but I’ve found that buying a concealer that is a shade lighter than my foundation, really helps brighten up my under eyes. I also use the shade “Light Medium Sand” to conceal blemishes, which I want to match the color of my foundation and provide extra coverage for redness and inflamed looking skin.

Too Faced Born This Way Super Coverage Multi-Use Sculpting Concealer | $29.00

If you have dry under eye skin, combined with dark circles, then I would highly recommend this Too Faced concealer to you! The formula is infused with coconut water, alpine rose, and hyaluronic acid which keeps your skin plump and refreshed throughout the day! I’ve noticed that this product is a lot thinner than the previous two I’ve mentioned, however it still has high coverage and will conceal darkness and discoloration. It has a very lightweight feeling once applied and blends effortlessly into foundation. I’ve actually found that it pairs so perfectly with the Born This Way foundation from Too Faced! I know this product works really well on mature skin because it is so nourishing and won’t settle into fine lines. You definitely have to set this! I would use a really finely milled translucent setting powder on a tapered brush and just tap tap tap out the creases! I find that all hydrating concealers require setting powder to last all day. I use this in the shade “Snow” which is one of their lightest colors. It does oxidize (turn a shade darker) after it’s applied, so be warned of that as well. I would test some in store on the back of your hand, walk around for a bit, then check back to see if the color has darkened since first applied. That’s how I had to select my perfect brightening color!

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Eraser Dark Circle Treatment Concealer | $9.99

Okay I HAD to include this because I don’t use it alone, but rather in conjunction with all of these other concealers to brighten the darkness first, and then cover it with a shade of concealer that is closer to my skin tone on top. The “Brightener” shade is a peachy pink, color correcting product that is going to counteract the blue/black tones of your under eyes. It instantly gives life to sallow, sunken areas that need an extra boost! I’ve found that I use less concealer when I first apply this, which ensures that I never look cakey around my eye area. It’s seriously so good! I really love the shade “Neutralizer” as well. These are such a great affordable concealer that I seem to always have in my collection. Such a staple!

bareMinerals bareSkin Complete Coverage Serum Concealer | $22.00

If you really don’t have bad dark circles, but mainly just want to brighten and hydrate your under eyes, then this is going to be your bestie! This has such a silky, smooth texture and glides evenly over the skin. I love the way this feels on my skin. It is definitely not the most full coverage, but it does cover and will last for 8 hours (sometimes more) without fading! The way I apply this is by creating the standard diamond shape underneath my eyes, then letting the product sit there for about a minute. Then once I feel like it’s started to set, I will blend it out with my damp beauty blender. I’ve found that this method works best if you want to get the maximum amount of coverage from this concealer. As always, I think it’s really important to know that this formula is Paraben-Free, Phthalate-Free, Formaldehyde-Free , Chemical Sunscreen-Free, Triclosan-Free, Triclocarbon-Free, Propylene Glycol-Free. Mineral Oil-Free, Coal Tar-Free, Microbead-Free, and Cruelty-Free. If you get this concealer, I guarantee that your eyes will look more healthy and hydrated!

Whew, that was a lot! If you made it to the end, thank you SO much for sticking it out and reading all 5 of my recommendations. Each of these concealers is so different. I wanted to give you a variety to choose from because I know that we don’t all have the same skin types and concerns! If you know of an incredible concealer that I’m missing out on, then please leave me a comment so I can try it next! Love you!

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October Favorites!

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I feel like I always say this, but WOW this month flew by! I feel like this entire year is going by fast. As always, I’m bringing you my monthly round up of the top products I used and loved throughout October! These posts are so much fun for me to write. I get an opportunity to thoughtfully reflect on the things I’ve been using and give insight into application, wear time, etc., which could only be determined over a period time. If you like these types of posts, please “like” and share with your fellow makeup lovers and leave a comment so we can talk about your loves for the month of October!

Milk Makeup Flex Foundation Stick | Sephora, $36.

I’m going to start off this review by stating who may not love this type of foundation stick… If you like full coverage, want your base makeup to look flawless, or have combo/oily skin… I wouldn’t recommend this to you. If you like light coverage, want your face to look natural (freckles still showing, etc) and have dry skin, I think you would love this! I picked up the Milk Makeup foundation stick to wear on days where I do a very minimal routine and need some extra hydration. Now that the Fall and soon-to-be Winter is here, I’ve noticed that my skin is becoming more dry and needs that extra layer of a moisturizing foundation throughout the day! I apply this by drawing lines all over my face, then blending it all out with a flat top brush to get maximum coverage. This is great for the “no makeup makeup” look because your moles and freckles will still show, but you’ll have an even skin tone and can build coverage on areas where you may need additional concealing. I love this for traveling too because it’s in stick form and can easily be applied on the go! I love the shades in this line as well. “Golden Sand” is so complimentary to my olive complexion.

Ilia Soft Focus Setting Powder | Sephora, $34

If you only buy one thing from this post, this is what you need to get! On my quest for finding clean beauty products that perform better than their less natural competitors, I stumbled upon the Ilia translucent powder. This has become holy grail status for me! It is talc-free, which helps my sensitive skin stay clear and healthy! Since using this powder, I have not produced any mila bumps near my eyes and it’s all because of it being talc-free. I’ve become so reliant on this powder and *dramatic statement ahead* but I really don’t like the way my makeup looks whenever I use something different to set my face. This is my one and only to help prolong the wear of my makeup, aide in oil control, and improve the softness of my skin!

PÜR Skin Perfecting Powder After Glow | Ulta Beauty, $26.

I am a complete highlight addict. I own a shameful amount of golden, champagne shimmers that give my face a gorgeous glow! This one from PUR is absolutely stunning! I would describe the shade as a true bright gold that is highly reflective. You’re definitely going to get the “wet look” with this product. A little goes a very long way, so you definitely get your money’s worth! I love using this as an inner corner highlight shade to brighten and widen the shape of my eyes too. The texture is so creamy and finely milled, which makes this a dream to blend! This was a product that honestly shocked me because I haven’t heard it talked about yet. It really encouraged me to check out some more products by PUR!

CoverGirl TruNaked Queenship Shadow Sticks | Ulta, $9.99.

One of my favorite “throw on and go” products are the CoverGirl shadow sticks in the shades “Frivolous” and “Leading Lady”. I love these two colors for different reasons! Frivolous is a super bright rose gold color that has a ton of champagne shimmer throughout. Once applied, this maintains is brilliance throughout the entire day! The glitters do not transfer and the color doesn’t fade as time goes on. Truly impressive for this price point! I love the matte cool brown color in Leading Lady to use as a smoked out eyeliner color on quick makeup days where I need to swipe something across the lids and quickly blend out for an effortless smudged look. The only con to this product is that once is sets, it’s set. These really don’t budge, so you have a short amount of time to blend and manipulate the color in any way before it is completely budge proof on your eyes. There are a few other shades in this line that I’m dying to try, but these 2 have been in heavy rotation throughout the month of October!

Neutrogena Lip Gloss Hydro Boost Hydrating Lip Shine, Berry Brown | Target, $8.39.

As much as I wish I was sharing a bold, cranberry lip color with you for Fall…that’s just not the reality of my daily life! It’s so nice to have a gloss to apply on the go, without having the fear of precision or transfer! This Neutrogena gloss is so hydrating that it honestly gives your lips a plumper appearance, without the stinging sensation that most plumping products will give you! The shade “Berry Brown” has a hint of mauve and a gorgeous warmth, making it a lovely Fall lip color option if you prefer a more natural look! The texture is hydrating without feeling heavy or sticky. You really can’t go wrong with this line of glosses! I own a few different colors and every shade is consistently wonderful.

Thank you so much for reading my monthly favorites for October! These aren’t the most festive products or “on theme” for Fall, but this is what I truly used and never wanted to put down! I hope it gave you some good ideas for products to pick up the next time you’re browsing the isles of Sephora and Ulta. As always, I would LOVE to know the products you’re adoring for the month, so please leave me a comment with your top picks too!

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Huda Beauty “Nude Obsessions” Eyeshadow Palette | First Impression Review and Swatches

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Huda Beauty Nude Obsessions Eyeshadow PaletteHuda Beauty Nude Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette

I am so excited to bring you a full first impression review, swatches, and wear test on 2 of the new Huda Beauty “Nude Obsessions” eyeshadow palettes! I chose the Nude Light and Nude Medium versions because honestly, the Nude Rich had too many red-toned shades and sometimes my eyes can get really sensitive to that specific pigment in shadows. I can do mauves and even rose pink colors, but straight burgundy’s and brick reds can cause irritation on my eyelids from repetitive use. I also love the mix of lavender/cool tones in the light palette and the warm, gold colors in the medium one. It’s awesome the Huda did come out with 3 options for everyone to select what fits their needs/skin tone/preference best!

Huda Beauty Nude Obsessions Eyeshadow PaletteHuda Beauty Nude Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette

These palettes feature 9 eyeshadows, varying in texture and finish. Upon first swatches, the mattes are super rich and soft to the touch, the shimmer shades are ultra metallic, and the glitters are very smooth and pigmented! At $29 each, I do find these to be a great value and definitely worth the price point. I picked both of these up at Sephora. Their faux crocodile packaging is really eye catching, but not over the top. Although these are small in size, I wouldn’t suggest traveling with them because of their soft formulation. You may discover some broken shadows if you have experience a bumpy ride!

Huda Beauty Nude Light Eyeshadow PaletteHuda Beauty Nude Light Eyeshadow Palette
Huda Beauty Nude Light Eyeshadow Palette

Huda Beauty Nude Light Eyeshadow Palette

Huda Beauty Nude Light Eyeshadow Palette

Huda Beauty Nude Light Eyeshadow Palette

My first set of swatches belong to the Nude Light palette. This was the first one that really caught my eye because I don’t have anything else like it. All of these swatched so evenly. When applied with a brush, there was some fall out from the shadows. Because they’re so finely milled and soft, I did expect this from the beginning. I personally don’t have an issue with it, but thought it was important to share. The standout shade for me was the shimmering lilac with gold sparkle in the center row, all the way to the right. I wanted to incorporate my entire eye look around that shade because it’s such a fun pop! Purple is one of the few “bold” eyeshadow colors that I actually feel comfortable wearing during the daytime. Blues and greens can sometimes feel a little foreign for work makeup, but I always feel like “myself” in purple tones. I wore this shadow for about 8 hours until I noticed that some of the shimmer did transfer from my lid to my crease. I did wear my NARS eyeshadow primer underneath and usually shadows do hold pretty well with that as a base. I was surprised to notice that this transferred, but it wasn’t anything to significantly sway my favorable opinion of this palette. I love the matte formula a lot! Each shade I tried blended so well, with zero patchiness or uneven pigment. The shimmers were stunning too, but I feel like it’s a lot more rare to find good mattes in these multi-finish palettes. This is my first time trying Huda’s shadows and I was so impressed with her formulation!

Huda Beauty Nude Medium Eyeshadow PaletteHuda Beauty Nude Medium Eyeshadow Palette
Huda Beauty Nude Medium Eyeshadow Palette

Huda Beauty Nude Medium Eyeshadow Palette

Huda Beauty Nude Medium Eyeshadow Palette

Huda Beauty Nude Medium Eyeshadow Palette

The Medium Nude palette was equally as impressive. I was impressed that there was proven consistency spanning from palette to palette. I absolutely LOVE the look I created with this one. I don’t know if it’s because it’s suited for medium skin tones and these shades are naturally more complimentary to me; or if it’s because this is my most used (hence most comfortable) arrangement of color for my every day eye looks. I’m just very drawn to this color story! The only downside to this palette (for me personally) is that there isn’t a matte light highlight shade for underneath the brow bone. That is the only thing that could’ve made this palette a home run for me. I think this one features really thoughtful depth, so you can differentiate shades on your lid even after you’ve blended them. I’ve noticed that more and more brands are creating palettes with colors that are practically duplicates of one other. Then once you have them blended out, you can’t even tell which one you used! I think that’s such a cheap marketing ploy to sell large palettes that are a “better value” when practically half of the shades are nearly the same as the one next to it in the palette. I can tell that all 3 of these palettes were strategically curated and I really appreciate that! These shades wore just as great as the ones I tried in the Light palette. They stay pigmented and vibrant for 10 hours until slightly noticeable fading began.

If you are a neutrals girl and want to add another high quality palette to your collection, then I would definitely recommend the Huda Beauty Nude Obsessions eyeshadow palette to you! For me personally, I didn’t need another eyeshadow palette (or 2…to be exact) but I really wanted to test these for you and get my honest review out there for readers to make an educated buying decision. I’m so happy these worked out for me and I definitely want to try some other products from Huda! I have a sample sized lipliner and lip strobe from the line, but that’s it! Let me know if you enjoy these first impression reviews. I really like writing my initial thoughts on a product as soon as I’m finished testing, so these are really fun for me to write! Which palette did you prefer more? I don’t think I can pick one! I hope you’re all having a wonderful day and look forward to more reviews coming from yours truly! Thank you for reading!

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ColourPop “You Had Me At Hello” Pressed Powder Eyeshadow Palette! Review and Swatches!

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I have been a huge fan of all things ColourPop Cosmetics since they first launched their online store! Their Super Shock Shadows and Ultra Satin Lips are some of my holy grail makeup items! In the past year, I’ve seen the brand grow tremendously by expanding the variety of products they sell. They were also recently picked up by Sephora, so you can shop select items on Sephora.com and I’m pretty sure you can also buy the same items in store! The largest collection of products is definitely on their main website, which is where I purchased the Eyeshadow Palette that I am reviewing in this post! The “You Had Me At Hello” Pressed Powder Eyeshadow Palette is a bronze, mauve and plum toned beauty! If you have brown eyes, this is going to be your best friend! This is an awesome value, you get 12 eyeshadows for $18! This palette also comes with a mirror, which makes it perfect for traveling! Now let’s break down each shade in the palette!

  • The Knot – A pearly, champagne metallic shadow with rose gold and silver shimmer. I really love this for an inner corner shade to brighten and widen my eyes!
  • Moon Struck – This is my favorite all-over-the-lid shade! I love wearing warm gold colors with my skin tone on a daily basis. This one is a true light gold with a soft gold shimmer throughout!
  • Two Peas – A warm brown transitional shade that is super matte and creamy! This one has a peachy undertone, which is very complimentary to the gold and purple shades in the palette!
  • Candygram – Another one of my favorites in the palette, I know I’ll be getting a lot of wear out of this one! This is a pink with metallic gold shimmer!
  • Winning Ticket – A matte dusty rose color. I love this for blending out the crease! This would also be a gorgeous color to put on your lid with a flat shader brush, then blend out with a fluffy brush for a super easy, monochromatic eye look!
  • FBO – I’m a bad beauty blogger and completely forgot to swatch this shade on my arm! This is a very metallic, pinky plum shade with silver shimmer! It’s super beautiful, I’m so sorry I forgot to swatch this!
  • Look See – A matte plum with a cranberry undertone. I was really impressed with the even pigmentation of this shade! I think this is going to be so pretty blended on my outer crease and lower lash line!
  • Fool’s Rush – This is a bronze color with gold shimmer throughout! This is probably the shade I’ll use most often! I love these types of shades to compliment my brown eyes!
  • Pulling Strings – I love warm matte browns for crease colors and this one is so creamy and evenly pigmented!
  • Want U Back – A cool toned, matte brown with a mauve undertone! I’m really glad they put this one in the palette because it will easily tie in the gold colors and purple shades for a cohesive eyeshadow look!
  • DTR – I typically don’t purchase these shades, so I’m really happy I have one included in this palette to get me out of my comfort zone! It’s a gray, taupe color with silver shimmer. It has a slight lavender shift, which gives it a unique twist!
  • Sparks Fly – This was the only shade in the palette that looked a little patchy! I haven’t used it on the eyes, so take this with a grain of salt! Sometimes swatches can be super deceiving, but I did want to point that out! It is a dark brown matte color that has a plum undertone. This will make a great liner shade to give the eyes soft definition.

My final thoughts on this palette is that it’s awesome and I would highly recommend it to anyone that loves these types of shades! It actually feels like better quality than some of my more expensive, luxury brand eyeshadow palettes! The shimmer shades are metallic and the mattes are very creamy and evenly pigmented! I also love that it comes with a mirror as well! The packaging is super compact and I can definitely see myself traveling with this palette and not needing to bring any other shades to create a complete look. Do you own any of the ColourPop Pressed Eyeshadow Palettes? Do you prefer them over the Super Shock single eyeshadows? Leave me a comment below! Happy December to everyone and I hope you have a great week! Thank you so much for reading!

Shop the palette here!

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Stila Eye for Elegance Liquid Eye Shadow Set! Review and Swatches!

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It can be so stressful trying to find the perfect gift. With the holidays approaching, I wanted to feature some makeup sets that would make great presents for friends and family members that love all things beauty! During the Sephora VIB Sale, I snagged this Stila “Eye for Elegance Liquid Eye Shadow Set” and I couldn’t wait to share my thoughts with you on how amazing it is! First we can talk about how great of a deal this is, you’re getting 6 deluxe size shadows for $45, for an overall value of $72! There are two different formulas in the set, “Glitter & Glow,” which is exactly as the name states, very glittery with noticeable sparkles. “Shimmer & Glow” is a shimmer, satin formula that doesn’t have any chunky glitter. The “Shimmer & Glow” shadows won’t be released until Spring, so I was very excited to try a product that you can only use if you buy this set!

What I love most about these liquid eyeshadows is their long lasting formulation and the very limited fallout I experience (if any) throughout the day! The “Glitter & Glow” will most likely drop a couple sparkles down from your eyelids, onto to your face, but it’s nothing horrible! I always use these before I do my face makeup, just so I can clean up any fallout before I do my foundation and concealer! The consistency of the formula is somewhat watery, but they do dry very quickly so you have to work fast to blend them out! Once they have set, they’re not going anywhere, so make sure you place it exactly where you want it!

I love that you can layer these liquid shadows, without them breaking up and separating on the lid. The applicator is perfect for placing the shadow down, but I like going in with my ring finger and softly blending out the edges of the shadow right after.

Shimmer & Glow Liquid Eyeshadows

  • Kitten – This is exactly like their award winning powder eyeshadow, a beautiful champagne shade with a bright peachy, pink shimmer throughout. I would use this shade all over the lid to create an easy, but gorgeous eye look that only takes about 30 seconds to look complete!
  • Grace – I’m not going to lie, I thought this color was a little too similar to Kitten and if I was personally curating the shades selected for this kit, I would’ve chosen something that was more golden to give some variety. With that said, this is a very beautiful taupe color with a champagne shimmer. It looks stunning on the eyes and I think I’ll be getting a lot of use out of it!
  • Twig – This is a warm, chestnut brown with golden shimmer. I’ve been using this on my outer corners to give added depth. This is also beautiful smudged on the lower lash line and looks less harsh than a traditional eye liner.

Glitter & Glow Liquid Eyeshadows

  • Peachy Sheen – I don’t know if this color will be everyone’s cup of tea, but I personally love it! It will give you that editorial, glossy lid look that you see in high-end beauty campaigns! The peach shimmer is going to be complimentary on so many skin tones as well! This doesn’t have the pigmented base that the other shadows have, but the glitter is incredible and will give you an effortless, while still on-trend eyeshadow look!
  • Smoldering Satin – This is my favorite shadow in the entire collection! I know this is the shade that I’ll get those most wear out of because it’s a neutral champagne shade that has a ton of gold and silver glitter! I am so excited to pair this with a bold lip for upcoming holiday parties! This would also be beautiful with an all matte eyeshadow look on the top eyelid, with a glitter accent on the lower lash line!
  • Next to Notte – I already have a look in mind for an upcoming tutorial using this eyeshadow! It is a gorgeous cranberry red, with pink and silver shimmer! I am really excited to step out of my comfort zone and rock this stunning red glitter shadow!

I can’t say enough good things about this set! I think it’s definitely worth the money and I know I’ll use all of these shades. I think this would make a great gift for anyone that loves makeup! The formula is on point and I think there are enough wearable shades for someone to use these on a daily basis! The box is so cute that you can just stick a bow on it and you have a perfect little present to place under the tree! What did you think of the swatches? Are you planning on giving makeup sets as gifts this Christmas? Let me know in the comments! Thank you so much for reading this review!

Shop this set here!

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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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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

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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