Tag: mac

New Favorite Nude Lipsticks! Swatches and Review!

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bareMinerals GEN NUDE™ Matte Liquid Lipcolor, “XYZ,” $18.


I raved about the new bareMinerals GEN NUDE liquid lipsticks in my July Favorites post! These are by far the most beautiful and comfortable matte lip products that I own! I cannot get over how smooth and liquid-like these apply (which is usually a sure sign that it’s going to be painfully drying) yet they remain comfortable on the lips throughout the day. One swipe has enough pigment to cover your top and bottom lip. Plus I’m obsessed with the applicator that makes it easy to precisely apply without the need for a lip liner. The color “XYZ” is my perfect, warm-nude shade. I am so excited to try out other colors in this range because the formula is so incredible. I would highly recommend these if you’ve been searching for the perfect liquid lipstick that dries extremely matte, without feeling or looking chalky! Let me know your favorite GEN NUDE liquid lip shades because Sephora is calling my name!   

   

tarte Tarteist™ Glossy Lip Paint, “Snap,” $20.


The new tarte Glossy Lip Paint’s are amazing! These are a thick, buttery, gloss-like product that provides full-coverage pigmentation as a lipstick would! I am obsessed with the high-shine effect that this formula gives off! This gloss does not have any shimmer, which I love because my lips just look shiny and full when I wear it, without being too over-the-top. The shade “Snap” is actually pretty unique because it’s a cool-toned mauve, which I rarely buy! There is a slight gray-brown undertone that makes the lip color seem super edgy and on-trend for Fall makeup looks! I don’t buy lip gloss too often because if I want to wear anything on my lips, I want it to show up. Most glosses are just too sheer for me to love them, so it was great to find such an extremely pigmented lip gloss by Tarte!    

    

M.A.C Lipstick, “Velvet Teddy,” $17.


I have been lusting after M.A.C’s Velvet Teddy lipstick for so long! I felt so accomplished when I finally purchased this cult-favorite lip color recently! It’s described as warm-nude shade, which is right up my ally! This is a matte formula, so it definitely isn’t the most hydrating lipstick I own, but it’s nothing too terrible! I think the color of this is my perfect, every day nude shade, but also amazing to compliment intense, smokey eyeshadow makeup looks. It’s crazy how different this shade looks swatched onvarious skin tones, so keep that in mind! I think this product is worth it since you can manipulate the color with different lip liners. For example, I can use a brown-toned lip liner like M.A.C “Whirl” and get a darker, natural, nude lip; or I can use a pink-toned lip liner, like my Makeup Forever 3C and create a peachy-pink nude shade. Let me know if you have any other ways you like to make this product versatile!

   


Thanks for taking the time to read this post! I love nude lipsticks and personally believe that all of mine look different…Delusional? I just may be. I am always trying to hunt down the newest lip products because I personally love changing up my lip color every day! If I had to recommend only one to you, it would be the GEN NUDE liquid lipsticks from bareMinerals because I’ve literally never tried a more comfortable and better formulated matte lipstick before. They are truly innovative and one-of-a-kind. Plus the shade selection is huge, so you’re bound to find your perfect color!

   

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Bronze Eyes and Terracota Lips

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


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


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


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

  


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

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

June Favorites!

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


  

Beauty

M.A.C Cosmetics Lipstick, “Del Rio” 

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

     

Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Pomade, “Ash Brown”

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

  

ColourPop Highlight Super Shock Cheek Pearlized, “Wisp”

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

    

Real Techniques Bold Metals 300 Tapered Blush Brush

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


Lifestyle

Starbucks, Stainless Steel Clip Handle Tumbler

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

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

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

FunKo Pop Figure, Phoebe Buffay

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

Fashion

Nordstrom, Treasure&Bond Cuffed Denim Boyfriend Shorts

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

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

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

   
Tory Burch, Sedgewick Ballet Flat, Blond

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

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

Are Makeup Setting Sprays Even Necessary? 

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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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