Tag: #sephora

Magnetic Face Mask?!

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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! 

August Favorites!

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


SEPHORA COLLECTION Lashcraft Length & Volume Mascara, $12. 

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

     


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

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

    


stila, Eye Shadow, $18.

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

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

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

          
      


Stella McCartney, “Pop” perfume, sample size. 

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

     


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

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

    

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

     

Links to shop my favorite products! 

SEPHORA COLLECTION Lashcraft Length & Volume Mascara, $12. 

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

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

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

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

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

Stella McCartney, “Pop” perfume, sample size. 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Rahua Voluminous Shampoo Review! 

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If you have fine, thin hair that always ends up laying flat and looking lifeless, then you need this shampoo. I would honestly never advocate that you should spend $34 on a shampoo that’s only 9.3oz., however if it actually works and you are tired of wasting money trying to test other shampoos, then I feel like I have to at least share my experience of this product with you. So to preface this review, I received a sample of the shampoo and conditioner with one of my Sephora orders and decided to try it out because why not. As soon as I opened the packet, I noticed a strong herbal/licorice kind of smell, which I was initially not very fond of. I decided to use both the shampoo and conditioner and could immediately feel that the strands of my hair felt more plump. Even once I towel-dried my wet hair and brushed it out, I could visibly tell my hair look lifted and voluminous!   

I shower at night and do not use a blow dryer on my hair. So when I woke up, I was absolutely shocked that my hair had so much volume, but also felt super silky and healthy. My experience with other oil-reducing or clarifying volume shampoos is that they may give lift and body to my hair, but they turn my hair dry and brittle, which is never a cute look. I decided to straighten my hair and still could not get over the lift this gave me at my roots! All I used was a shampoo and conditioner, zero styling products and was able to achieve a voluminous hair effect that I never knew my hair was capable of achieving!

     

I instantly purchased the shampoo on Sephora’s website because I knew I couldn’t be without this product. I didn’t purchase the conditioner because it is just so unbelievably expensive to get the duo. So fast forward to now, I am still absolutely loving this shampoo. I only use it for special occasions because I’m trying to make it last for as long as humanly possible hehe. I just know how absolutely frustrating it is to have fine, ribbon like hair that never looks full, so whenever I find a product that gives me my dream hair, I have to jump on it and share the good news with my pals!

    

Also if you want to attempt to justify the high price-point, this shampoo does have an amazing ingredient list that will make you feel luxurious just by reading it. “Organic and 100 percent natural ingredients, formulated with lemongrass and green tea create body, volume, and bounce by balancing and removing excess oils from the hair shaft, without compromising the integrity of the hair. It’s enriched with quinoa, a gluten free super-food indigenous to South America, to promote healing and moisture retention. Citric juices break down oils, extending the time in between washes. Rich in omega-9, the rahua-ungurahua oil restores, heals, moisturizes and strengthens hair follicles and the hair shaft, resulting in stronger, healthier hair.” Like are you kidding me…I’ve never felt more cool than I do when using a 100 percent natural, vegan, cruelty-free, USDA certified organic ingredient based shampoo. Also important to mention it has no parabens, sulfates or phthalates, which are unfortunately found in most lower-priced shampoos and conditioners.

   

I never would devote an entire post on a hair product, especially a shampoo if it really wasn’t something to rave about. I am of course searching for cheaper alternatives and trying to compare ingredient lists, but it is really hard to find such a natural shampoo that also delivers incredible effects. Plus it will make your hair healthier and stronger the more you use it, which will save you money in the long run because you won’t be spending money on pricey restorative treatments. So definitely let me know if you love this shampoo and if you think the conditioner is totally worth it as well (I have a feeling it may be, ugh) because I am really digging this Rahua brand and their stance on creating sustainable products that really work. Thank you so much for reading!

First Aid Beauty 5 in 1 Bouncy Mask! 

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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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My Favorite Powder Highlight Products! 

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One of my favorite makeup products is highlight powder! I am always on the hunt to find the latest and greatest and have acquired quite the collection over the past year! I love “strobing” with these powder products because they emphasize the high points of my face, showing off my favorite features. I also love that I look instantly healthier and more alive by adding some extra radiance to my skin. I think highlight powder can take what would otherwise be considered simple makeup and instantly turn it into a Pinterest-worthy look! The tops of my cheekbones, temples, inner-corners of my eye, tip of my nose and cupid’s bow are my favorite places to highlight. I never skip out on this step of my makeup routine and highly encourage you to try out this popular beauty trend! I wanted to share all of my favorites with you so you can find your best match; whether you want a dewy and natural skin look, or an extremely bright and noticeable glow, I think I’ll have you covered!   

Subtle Glow


Laura Mercier Matte Radiance Baked Powder Compact, “Highlight 01 – Golden Nude,” $40.

This product truly stands out in my collection because it provides the most beautifully subtle glow. If you want a natural, effortless highlight, you will absolutely love this product. It gives a reflective sheen once applied, which brings a lifted effect to your face. If you have mature skin, I would highly suggest this one because it isn’t glittery and definitely won’t emphasize any fine lines or texture.
   

Too Faced Candlelight Glow Highlighting Powder Duo, “Warm Glow,” $30.

I love the “lit-from-within” glow that this highlight gives my face. Again, it really just provides a radiant looking complexion, rather than an intentional shimmer. My favorite way to apply this product is with a large fluffy brush all over my face, not being specific where I place it. Whenever I do this technique, my skin looks hydrated and gorgeous! I would not recommend this product as a strategic highlight because it doesn’t have enough power in its pigmentation to bring out your cheekbones and other high points of your face. It really works best as an all over dusting powder when you’re finished with your makeup and want to look extra dewy. For me personally, I never apply this product in my t-zone, just because after a couple hours I will look unattractively oily, rather than my desired healthy glow.
    

Makeup Revolution Pro Illuminate, $7.

I mentioned this product as a highlight to pick up in my drugstore starter kit post because it really gives a universally flattering sheen to anyone’s face. Regardless of age or skin type, I find this product beautifully brings attention to the high points of the face, without looking harsh or glittery. I would best describe the overall look of this product to be glossy, which is unique for a typical powder formulation!
     

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit, “That Glow,” $40.

I am obsessed with the formula of these highlights! They glide on the face so evenly pigmented, so you never have one area that looks shinier than the rest. This kit is super versatile because it not only comes with four different highlight shades, but it also can be intensified with beauty mists, like M.A.C Fix Plus if you want an intense, almost metallic looking effect! They last beautifully for hours and I am always getting compliments whenever I wear these out!

      

M.A.C Mineralize Skinfinsh, “Soft & Gentle,” $32.

This was one of the first highlight’s I ever owned because I read so many blog posts that recommended it! I was so excited to get it and expected it to be a bright and sparkly highlight, but surprisingly it gave me a super natural, skin-like glow! This product does have shimmers in it, but after blended out, they don’t really show up on your skin. It is a gorgeous champagne color, which is universally brightening on many different skin tones! I enjoy wearing this product on a day-to-day basis because it has the power to compliment any kind of makeup look.

   

     

Beaming from the Heavens


BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed, “Opal,” $38.
I love Becca highlights because they’re creamy, but also have extremely shimmery color payoff. Sometimes the more glitter that’s in a highlight, the more chalky and patchy they apply. With this product, you can guarantee that your highlight will look gorgeous on the skin. I love the shade Opal because it’s a warm, champagne, neutral color that goes great with any makeup look. I love this color as an eyeshadow as well since it’s such an effortless brightening shade for all over the eyelids and the inner corners of the eye! Another amazing aspect of the Becca highlights are their longevity! I can apply this product at 6am and still have it show up when I get home from work at 6pm! I will definitely continue to buy these highlights because I do think they’re the best on the market! 

       

BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed, “Champagne Pop,” $38.

This is my all-time favorite highlight! If you have no idea where to begin with this glowing skin trend, look no further than Champagne Pop! It’s a beautiful peachy-gold shimmer, that brightens and compliments any skin tone! If you’re a fan of peachy or bronze blushes, you will absolutely love this shade to place on the tops of your cheeks! Of course it has the signature Becca creamy formula that is long-wearing and pigmented, so you really can’t go wrong in any aspect!

    

Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator, “Gilded Honey,” $26.

This would definitely be ranked as my second favorite highlight! The best thing about this product is its brightening power! If you’re looking for a shade that will give lift to your face, than you’ll love the way this formula reflects on the high points you place it. It is also absolutely beautiful in the sunlight. Since it’s a true gold, it does compliment my olive-tan skin tone very well, but I also believe its universally flattering too! This is also one of the few powder highlights I own that layers evenly over cream products, which is an extra bonus! 

    

theBalm Highlight, “Mary-Lou Manizer,” $24. 

This was one of the first highlights I ever bought because of its popularity online! I heard so many YouTubers and read so many blog posts about this being the ultimate glowing skin product. It really is amazing! The bright, champagne radiance it brings my skin is so gorgeous and unique! This is a highlight I’ll always have in my collection because it matches any makeup look and is my go-to whenever I want to sparkle from space. This is also an extremely long wearing formula and will last you throughout long days and summer weather! 

         

ColourPop Highlight, “Wisp,” $8. ColourPop Highlight, “Avalon,” $8.

These ColourPop highlights are the best value on the market right now! They are extremely pigmented and have such great color payoff even once you blend them out on your cheeks. With some powder products, the shimmer will fall out once blended, but since these are a unique cream-to-powder consistency, they go own as dewy and evenly pigmented than they look in the pan. I love the shades Wisp and Avalon because they’re different from one another in shade, but both perform exceptionally well. The shade Wisp is a gorgeous golden-champagne color and Avalon is copper shade that acts beautiful as a blush/bronzer topper to give your entire face a shimmery glow! I’m also astounded that these inexpensive highlights last longer than anything else I own! You’ll love these if you’re just starting out and want to build your collection because they’re budget friendly and extremely high quality! 

    

Thank you so much for taking the time to check out my highlight powder collection! I am constantly rotating each of these products into my everyday makeup routine, so they are all being used and well-loved. Although I don’t think you absolutely need every single highlighter I mentioned, I do hope you found a new one to love or discovered some helpful info on the one you’ve been recently eyeing! Happy highlighting!

Formula X Delete All – 5 Finger Nail Polish Remover

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Formula X Delete All – 5 Finger Nail Polish Remover, $15


   

I just want to preface this review by saying, a $15 nail polish remover seems absolutely ridiculous and overpriced. Typically, I spend around 4-8 dollars on a bottle of nail polish remover, usually purchasing the “Pure Acetone” formulas. My hunt for the perfect remover came about after I noticed myself getting super lazy about taking off my nail polish because I truly dread the process of scrubbing my nails and having my cuticles burned. I wanted a gentle formula that worked quickly and could most importantly, remove all traces of glitter polish! Some of the different glitter’s I own will not fully detach from my nail, even with standard remover, so I wanted my next purchase to truly remove all traces of sparkle and color. I started browsing the top rated products in the nail category on Sephora.com one day and came across the “Formula X Delete All – 5 Finger Nail Polish Remover.”     

Before adding to my cart, I carefully read the description of the product and the many reviews that proceed it. Some of the most impressive claims that instantly sold me were, “Quick and convenient, this innovative five-finger soak removes all types of polishes—even the most stubborn glitters—without the mess. It features five-finger pockets that are perfectly cut into a soft, saturated sponge. Just dip, soak, and you’re done. Featuring the powerful formula of the original 5-Finger Nail Polish Remover, it now has a reinforced sponge with tightly interwoven, micro-mini pores for extra durability. Its one-step, spill-proof process makes removing your mani even easier.” I knew I had to buy to test this out for the blog because I really don’t think I am the only one who feels personally victimized by regular nail polish remover that burns and soaks polish off painfully slow. 

    


To start this review, I want to point out how awful my nails look. Let’s just address that this was going on two weeks and I nervously scrape my nail polish off when stressed. I did feel like this was a good example of how powerful (or not powerful) the formula would be! Now we shall proceed to the uplifting and renewing part of this process, the removal! I began by following the exact directions from Sephora.com and dipped my fingers in the sponge for 10-15 seconds. It was suggested to gently rub against the sponge wall during this time.


    

As soon as I lifted my fingers from the sponge, I was absolutely shocked to see that it literally took all of my polish off! The formula of the remover is obviously strong, but does not burn or dry out your fingertips like standard ones do. I really enjoyed how fast and easy this process was and can see myself more frequently changing the polish on my fingers because it is now convenient to remove! I am very excited to use this product with my stubborn glitter polishes too!

   

Overall, I think this product is worth the money and you should definitely purchase it if you do at-home manicures! It is such a time saver and makes the entire removal process pain-free if you have sensitive skin like me! I love when a product exceeds my expectations and this one definitely did. My only con (if this even counts) is that this can’t be used to take off polish from your toes. Unless you were to dip each toe into the sections (the thought of that makes me lol) I am not sure how else you could use this on that area since it’s specifically designed for the fingers! With that said, I hope you try this product out and find it as useful as I do! Please let me know if there any dupes or cheaper alternatives to a product like this, because I would love to try those as well! Thanks for reading!

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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Sephora Birthday Haul!

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With birthdays, come Sephora gift cards. I decided to treat myself to a few new items that I haven’t seen before! I want to give you my first impression based on using these products over the past week.

Tarte Application Mitt, $6. SEPHORA Beauty Amplifier Set and Refresh Spray, $16. Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Quad, Sage, $26. Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush, Sparkling Bellini, $30. Tatcha Luminous Overnight Memory Serum Concentrate, $110. Fresh Rose Face Mask, $60. Fresh Soy Face Cleanser, $15-$30.


 

      
Tarte Application Mitt: 

This particular self tanning mitt feels soft and velvety. I was intrigued by the texture because I assumed this would mean my tanning mousse would blend in smoother and appear more natural. I also noticed that this mitt is reinforced with durable stitching so your hand won’t randomly break through when you’re in the middle of applying (yes, this has happened to me before.) I love that this has the same plush material on the back of the mitt too, rather than the typical flimsy netting that most tanning mitts have. I am going to use this mitt with my Loving Tan Ultra Dark Mousse and I will keep you posted in an upcoming blog about my feelings towards it!

      
SEPHORA Beauty Amplifier Set and Refresh Spray:

As someone who religiously uses Urban Decay All Nighter setting spray after makeup application, I knew it was going to be difficult to find a mist that was just as good. After using this Sephora Set and Refresh spray for a week, I think it is a wonderful product that sets my makeup beautifully and extends the longevity of my face products. It also smells amazing! I would describe the scent as very light and refreshing, which compliments the slight cooling sensation that the mist leaves on your face. The only reason I wouldn’t label this as my “holy grail” or new favorite makeup setting spray is because of the packaging. For whatever reason, the nozzle that the mist comes out of has stopped working. It sprayed perfectly for the first few days I used it, but now the nozzle appears to be blocked with the liquid from within the bottle and won’t spray out. BUMMER.

     


Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Quad:

I purchased this palette in the shade “Sage” because it’s promoted as a brown eye enhancing selection of shadows. I also had nothing like this in my collection, so I was drawn to the green-gray, cool tones that I rarely use. When I began swatching these eyeshadows, I immediately recognized how creamy they are! They feel buttery soft to the touch and blend out so beautifully on the lid. I did a look using these shadows as they are recommended in the palette (lid color, crease color, blending shade and highlight) and will be posting that next! You can be the judge if these cool, green tones really enhanced my brown eyes. I’m definitely going to be purchasing the other color versions of this palette after how incredible these performed! 

       
Too Faced Sweethearts Perfect Flush Blush:

I have been wanting to try one of these blushes for a long time! I was so drawn to the new shade “Sparkling Bellini” and felt compelled to purchase it. Peach colored blushes are my favorite kind to wear because I think it compliments my olive complexion. I have found that very pink blushes seem to look unnatural and stand out in a bad way on my face. This particular blush is very peach when you look at and once you swirl the colors around, it leaves a warm orange tone on the cheeks. I personally really like the color it gives off because it suits me and blends in beautifully with my bronzer. I also love the soft shimmery effect that this blush formula gives off. It’s subtle, but definitely provides a glow-from-within look that is perfect for Summer. I also wanted to mention this blush lasted all day for me! 

       
Tatcha Luminous Overnight Memory Serum Concentrate: 

I got this as a free sample with my online order and couldn’t be more impressed with this product. As many of you know, Tatcha is a super luxurious skincare brand that celebrities, like Kim Kardashian, swear by! I jumped on the chance to score a nice sized sample and began using a small amount every night for the past week. It claims to moisturize and plump your skin, all while giving you a glow! This couldn’t be more true. I was actually kind of sad at how well this product worked because a full size is $110…so… It’s definitely an item I would feel a bit guilty repurchasing again and again. However, if you’re in a “treat yo self” type of mood and want to try a really luxurious product that gives you the most beautiful skin, this one truly works and delivered on every claim it listed in the product description. 

      
Fresh Rose Face Mask and Fresh Soy Face Cleanser: 

Yay for getting good, free birthday presents from places I frequently shop! I opted to select the skincare gift option, rather than the Marc Jacobs lipstick and eyeliner duo. I have tried both of these Fresh products before and absolutely love them! It always feels good to know that I’m putting all natural ingredients on my skin throughout the day. Plus Fresh makes a great moisturizer and an eye cream that are perfect for sensitive skin. I’m glad I got these best selling items in portable, travel sized versions!