Makeup Review: L'Oreal Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara!

 

Things I love: 

• The packaging--its a nice shiny gold, so pretty :) haha
• The way it separates my lashes IMMENSELY
• The wand type, its the perfect size, not too big or small 
• The little spoolies shape, not sure if you can tell in the pic above, but its like a propeller shape.  Add this with TONS of bristles and you are bound for the "millions of lashes" look!
• How black it is, I believe mine is "blackest black" -or something like that. 

**I absolutely LOVE L'Oreal Mascaras, they have always been my favorites even after branching out to try other brands, I don't know what they're doing, but I hope they keep it up. I decided to give this one a whirl because just the name in itself sounded promising, especially from a very reputable brand.  I was pleasantly surprised with the results, and this has become my new favorite mascara.  I have pretty long lashes to begin with, but I can definitely attest to the fact that this mascara separates each and every lash because of the brush and it also does not get clumpy (which is obviously a plus!) I cannot think of anything that really bothered me to mention, so I will leave it at this and say that I definitely recommend trying this! :)

To gals batting their beautiful lashes everywhere,

xox 


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Fall Season Meets Beauty Routine

 With the fall weather approaching, there are a few key things to keep in mind when it comes to skin care. 

1. The cooler air and the heat you may be forced to blast in your car as the nights get rather brisk, are two things that can severely dry out your skin! Be sure to alter how much you moisturize to compensate for this, no one likes dry crackly skin.

2. Remember to also maintain using SPF in your skincare somewhere.  Just because you don't see or feel the sun, doesn't mean its harmful rays don't exist!

3. What did you all do this summer? Probably something that consisted of loads of sunscreen from sunbathing and makeup for those fun warm nights out on weekends right? Well now is the time, as the weather is changing and those warm nights are coming to an end, to exfoliate your skin and do a nice deep cleanse. You want to make sure you dig deep down in your pores to remove any excess residue left behind from this warm humid summer season.

That all being said, there are a few fun ways to incorporate one of my favorite sights to see in the fall, Pumpkins, into your daily beauty routine! :)

 

Vitamins A & C are collagen building and Zinc is a great helper to fight off those blemishes, and guess what?! these things are all found in pumpkins! 

Here is a QUICK and super EASY recipe for a killer pumpkin treat for your lovely skin : 

1. Firstly, you want to carve out the seeds from your pumpkin.  

2. Slice your pumpkin into smaller pieces and peel the skin off.

3. Place these pumpkin pieces into a steamer or colander (whatever you have on hand), and steam over some boiling hot water for about 45-50 mins (pretty much until tender, which you can make sure of with your fork!)

4. After the pumpkin pieces are nice and tender, puree them in your food processor. 

5. Let this puree mix cool off, after all we don't want to place something super hot on our faces! haha 

-2 Tsp. of the cooled pumpkin puree

-1/2 tsp honey (I use organic honey because remember this is going to be absorbed into your skin!)

-1/4 tsp milk

-1/2 tsp. brown sugar (this adds to make a wonderful exfoliant!)

* if you have oily skin, leave out the brown sugar and use 1/4 tsp. apple cider vinegar, it works wonders ;)

Leave this mask on for 10-15 mins, rinse off, pat dry with towel and you are on your way to better looking skin, in just 15 mins! :)

Another quick treat for your skin, that is so delicious sounding you may want to eat it! : 

1. In a food processor or blender, combine 2 cups canned pumpkin, 4 tablespoons low-fat vanilla yogurt, 4 tablespoons honey, and 1 teaspoon pumpkin pie spice.
2. Slather this on your entire face, leaving your eyes out as always (they are super delicate!).
3. Leave this on for 10 minutes and then proceed to rinse as normal and pat dry.


A Great body exfoliant:

1/2 cup pureed pumpkin
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1. Combine all of the above ingredients and while in the shower, take a moist washcloth and proceed to scoop a table spoon at a time and scrub this all over your body starting by your feet and stopping at your neck.  (we use the other scrub above for the face :)
2. Be sure to work this into your skin in circular motions.
3. Rinse this off with warm water and I guarantee your skin looks and feels amazing!

While doing research and testing these scrubs and masks out myself, I found that pumpkin really works wonders on the skin, no it's not only good for making jack-o-lanterns and  making your front steps look pretty.  I always love finding ways to use all natural ingredients in my beauty regimen because what you put in and on your body is what you get out of it. If you want radiant healthy skin, eat healthy and use healthy beauty products right? :)

Hope you all have a wonderful start to the fall season, and to any of my readers who are still enjoying wonderful weather for the next couple of months, I envy you! haha

Pumpkin Patches and Beautiful Faces,

xox

Shop and Tell!

Here is a list of the things I picked up during this run, pictured above:

First Stop in this "Shop and Tell"--Sephora/Target and MAC!

1. e.l.f Cream Eyeliner in Black from Target--I love this so far! It goes on smooth with my angled eyeliner brush and it has always lasted me all day and is super black! For only $3.00 you really can't go wrong. (comes in a few other colors as well)

2. MAC See Sheer Lipstick--I purchased this because it was the perfect sheer medium pink tone for the wedding I was in this past weekend. I was wearing a navy dress and didn't want something so pigmented and matte because I was doing a rather dramatic eye look. On the other side of that, I didn't want to do something that would be too washed out, needless to say this was the perfect choice! It is a great shade that can be layered for maximum pigmentation, but like the name says, it can also be that perfect "bitten" sheer medium pink tone as well :) I definitely recommend this as part of one of your staple lipstick shades from MAC.

3. MAC Painterly Paint Pot--I wanted to try something new and have always wanted to get more paint pots. I use this as an alternative to my Urban Decay Primer Potion. I love this because it is heavier and provides more even coverage on top of being an amazing primer.  I am totally loving this so far and look forward to purchasing most of the other shades as well.

4. Sephora Nano Eyeliners in Pearl Beige and Azure Blue--These little things (literally only a few inches) are great! I love the pigmentation and I really love all the shades they are available in!

5.DUO Lash Glue in the dark tone-- Special Occasions call for lashes! I picked this one up as an alternative to another one I had that was regular white--I love that it dries dark and it for sure held my lashes all night! :)

6. Makeup Forever Mat Velvet Foundation--I used this for the first time last weekend, literally the day after I purchased it. I was nervous, because I have never used a foundation at all before, but figured for a wedding where lots of pics are being taken, I should have something.  I love this foundation--although it is a thicker formula (so I hear in comparison to others) with a light hand, it can give you just the coverage you need. It also kept me matte for the majority of the night! Perfect shade as well. Definitely will use this again.

7.Urban Decay All Nighter Spray--I have heard of this a ton of times and was always meaning to pick it up. Sometimes when I go out for special occasions, I am out well into the evening and want my makeup to last me.  This worked without a doubt for me, 7 hours and my makeup didn't budge at all!

Next up, my final leg of the shopping voyage this week, Bath and Body Works.  I love when my house smells good, it just makes me happy honestly! haha I love the fall because of the wonderful colors and scents that come along with it.  Bath and Body Works is the perfect place to find all of the candles that capture the best scents of the Fall season and you are guaranteed to have a yummy smelling house!

1. 4 oz. Candles in:
       --Creamy Pumpkin
       --Kitchen Spice
       --Smores--MY Favorite of the bunch--oh my goodness, smells JUST like real smores!!
       --Mountain Leaves
       --Pumpkin Caramel Latte--Another Favorite, sweet pumpkin like something from Starbucks haha
       --Homemade Cookies (not pictured because I gave it  to my boyfriend's sister, she's quite the baker! lol)

2. Mini Candle in Marshmallow Fireside--this is a mini that I got free with a coupon but smells so good that I will be returning to purchase the big size asap!

3. Mini Anti-bacterial to-go in:
       --Chocolate Chew (not pictured because I gave this to my boyfriend's sister as well!)
       --Cranapple Crisp
       --Phantom Pumpkin
       --Bat Bite Apple
       --Creamy Pumpkin

4. Wall Flower in Japanese Cherry Blossom (I will insert a pic of it below as I hastily put it up in my bathroom) haha

Well that completes my Shop and Tell.  I hope you all like the setup--I took less space with the pics and did more explaining, because that is what this is about after all right?! :)



Cozy Autumn Smells and Blissful Beauty,

xox

Bridal Party FOTD

Products I Used On Myself And The Girls: 
 

 

1. Bronzer side of the Elf Bronzer and Blush Duo
2. MAC Painterly Paint Pot to prime the eyelids
3. Urban Decay All Nighter Spray to Set the makeup and make it last all night--which it did! :)
4. Urban Decay Eyeshadow in Smog
5.Makeup Forever Matte Velvet Plus Foundation in #45
6. Garnier Dark Under Eye Circle Roller
7. Covergirl Lashblast Mascara in whatever the blackest one is (I forget the name at the moment!)
8. MAC See Sheer Lipstick
9. Prestige Lip liner in Silk
10. Stila Kajal Eyeliner in Sapphire
11. NYX Jazz Nights Palette --This was the main palette used for all of the girls I did--LOVE the colors!
12. MAC Blush in Melba
13. Miss Adoro Lashes in #600 and #28
14. Duo Lash Glue in the Dark tone
15.L'Oreal Lineur Intense Liquid Eyeliner in black
16. Urban Decay Pore Perfecting Face Primer




Well there you have it, the list of ALL of the products used for all of the makeup I did that day including my own.  The makeup turned out spectacular and we all got tons of compliments on it! I had never done makeup for a wedding or even a large group of girls like this, normally I only do my own! It was very nerve wracking at first because of time constraints, but I made it work.  The other good thing is that I was doing the makeup for members of my own family, which made the whole process much easier because I didn't have to worry about using only products for clients and not mixing it with personal use makeup. My main goal was to make the girls look a little more dramatic for the sake of taking pictures, but also make them look themselves and not too out of their normal style. My second largest goal was to give them a look that would last all throughout the evening, and this was achieved thank goodness! The All Nighter Spray really does work! Staying Matte was a third goal and this was also possible for the majority of the evening.  Toward the end I saw a little shininess here and there, but nothing that a little blotting paper wouldn't help in an instant. 


All in all I had a wonderful time doing every ones makeup and it made me excited and happy that my cousin and my sister liked the outcome as well! 


Wedding Bells & Beautiful Belles of the Bridal Party, 

xox

Bachelorette Dinner OOTD :)

I am the 2nd one in from the left for those of you who are new to my blog :) I had an awesome night having dinner with these ladies. The bride is my soon to be aunt and I am so honored to be her Maid of Honor!

Outfit:

H&M black bodysuit (SOOO comfy and fits stunningly well :)
Patricia Field Black Studded Belt to cinch my waist. Although this isn't found on her website anymore, I got this belt because it is the exact one that SJP wore in the Sex and the City movie! You can see it here:

My shoes, which can't be seen are from Steve Madden called Glaamm :

I am also holding a black Urban Outfitters Clutch!


Makeup:

Lipstick: Neutrogena Moisture Shine in Poppy Red - My FAVORITE red lipstick!
Eyes: Naked Palette
Bronzer: MAC Refined Golden
Blush: NARS Orgasm (just a smidge)

That wraps up this quick OOTD, hope you enjoyed!

To all the Summer Brides out there and all of their brides/maids of honor,

xox

June Beauty and Fashion Favorites!

This has been yet another month that has flown by! I didn't really have too many new things that I tried this month, but I love doing my monthly favorites so I figured I would go ahead and share the few things with you anyway. Lets get started:

1. Firstly, a new lipstick that I have become pretty in love with this month, my L'Oreal Vagabond Mauve #550 shade. I picked this up at Target on a whim, simply because I wanted to try something new and I am so glad that I did! This color reminds me a lot of a more calmed down mauve-y tone of my previous favorite VS Heat Lipstick. (I will do a swatch collection of all my new lipsticks soon! at the moment my camera is dead )

2. Aveeno Positively Radiant Tinted Moisturizer in Medium, I bought this as an alternative to my Origins VitaZing moisturizer. At $35.00, I thought I would try to find a cheaper option, but agreed that if it didn't do the same thing that my Origins one did, I would definitely deal with paying a higher price. Needless to say, I LOVE this product. I know I hopped on the bandwagon late with this, but thought I would share my thoughts with you guys about it anyway. I don't really have problematic skin, so the fact that this is a sheer coverage tinted moisturizer with SPF 30, I found this to be exactly what I had been looking for. It does not clog my pores or break me out etc, the medium shade was also a perfect match to my skin! I definitely recommend this.

3. Come to think of it, this is the second thing that I bought this month as an alternative to a product I was already using, but was running out of. I have been an avid L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara user for years let me tell you and finally I decided to try something different. I wouldn't necessarily classify this mascara as being something better or worse than my L'Oreal Voluminous one simply because I find that it does something completely different for my lashes. What I love most about this mascara is how much it separates each of my individual lashes making the length look that much more natural. I am definitely glad that I tried this!

4. My White Mountain Seaside Boat Shoes may be my all time favorites thing that I discovered this month. They are a close twin of Sperry's but when I purchased these, I found them at Marshall's for only $34.99! That's less than half the price of the Sperry's! They are SOO comfy and definitely a staple item in a casual comfortable summer ensemble :) They also go with my Nautical Themed Blog post that I posted a few posts  back ;)

5. Last, but certainly not least, my St. Ives Naturally Clean Apricot Scrub. I have actually used this off and on throughout probably the past 4 or 5 years believe it or not. I have always really liked it, which became evident obviously by how many times I repurchased it, but this past month I bought it and for some reason I really came to love it. I love that its a gentle yet thorough face scrub, I love the way it smells, and I also love that my face feels amazingly smooth RIGHT after I rinse it clean! I bought the one in the jar as opposed to the one pictured above, the only difference is that one comes with 4 more oz.'s of product :) This product is also very inexpensive, which you know is always great in my book!

CARGO: Tahiti Eyeshadow Palette Review

 

 Where to begin?! First off, I have had this palette for a very long time, honestly I had forgotten about it for a little while but re-found it recently while cleaning my makeup storage unit out and got so excited all over again! I forgot how much I truly loved this palette and I can't wait to start doing more looks with it :) Now to get started on my thoughts about it: 

1. I absolutely love the pigmentation, two or three swipes and you have an amazing color payoff on your lids, showing the actual colors that you see with your eyes in the palette itself, no washed out coloring here! 

2. I love the convenience of this palette. It is a quad of all complimentary colors, I have done looks in the past using ONLY this palette and although it is a very vibrant out there palette with some of the bright colors, when used subtly and not overdoing it, you can really bring out the color of your eyes and make them pop with colors like this! 

3. I love that these colors are metallic which offers one a nice shine to the shadow, but no chunky glitter that leaves unwanted fallout and can at times when applied the wrong way, leave you looking like a disco ball!

4. This palette comes with a mirror which is great for on the go application. 

5. This palette, in my opinion is priced very fairly. Although not a huge bargain at around $28.00, I find it to be acceptable for the product you are receiving, 4 velvety smooth, very pigmented colors that are sure to last you a long time. 

Final Thoughts: 

This CARGO eyeshadow palette in Tahiti definitely surpassed everything I was hoping for when I purchased it. These shadows are perhaps some of the best quality shadows I have in my collection. I definitely suggest giving these CARGO quads a try, they come in a variety of different colors. 

You can find these palettes here. 

xox

May Fashion/Beauty Favorites!

Here are a few of my fashion favorites for the month of May. These are all things that I have obsessively loved this month and thought that they were significant enough to share with you guys :)

1. J.CREW Tanks: These tanks are my favorite tank tops this spring! They are super comfy, as most JCrew tops are, and come in the cutest color stripes. I bought the two above and have worn them both already, layering them over a white or gray tank. These are definitely the kind of tanks you want to layer as they are that super awesome baggy fit, on myself at least. The cotton is super soft and they also have a cool zipper detail on the upper part of the back making them all that more interesting :)

2. Urban Outfitters Fedora: I am really big into fedoras as you all probably know from my previous fashion related blogs. This one however has been one that I have wearing weekly during this month of May. It just seems to go with a lot of what I wear on a daily basis so it is so easy to just grab it and go.

3. Lucky Brand Acacia Sandals: These sandals are amazing! I bought them on impulse at my local Macy*s one weekend before vacation and I thought hey if I don't like them when I get home I could always just return them. I say this because too many times do I love something in the store and then hate it when I get home lol Needless to say, these are definitely going to be a staple shoe of mine this summer. I LOVE the 70's boho vibe they give off with the chunky bottom, they are soft good quality leather and are SO comfy!! I wore them all day on vacation this past weekend and I was on my feet going up stairs walking through museums etc for almost 7 hours and not a blister or hurt in sight :) DEFINITELY recommend!

4. Ballerina Buns: Here I show a pic of Kourtney Kardashian sporting this look, one of my favorites as the warm humid weather comes upon us. I find that when it is hot and sticky (humid) out the last thing I want is hair on my neck, the thought of it just makes me hot! lol This is a simple yet put together way to get your hair off of your face and out of the way. It only requires bobby pins, hair ties, smoothing hair brush and hairspray and you are good to go. There are many levels on your head to wear this, I however wear it like this:

My casual version of the ballerina bun :)

5. Havaianas Slim Flip Flops: A girl can never have to many flip flops during the warm months in my opinion. They are almost the only shoe I wear in the summer/spring when being casual. The Havaiana Slim flip flop is my favorite because it is comfy, sleek & stylish and comes in a variety of colors to match any outfit!

Below are a few beauty related items that I found myself using over and over again this month :)

1. Yes to Carrots Daily Cream Facial Cleanser: I love this stuff! It moisturizes my dry skin and leaves my face looking great. I use it every other day in the shower and haven't had any irritation or anything like that so I am definitely pleased. The Yes to Carrots line has worked wonders for me so far and this is just another thing to add to the list of things I love. It has the consistency of a cold cream and a little bit is all you need which means this will be lasting me a while. The smell isn't strong like I have read from some other reviewers which makes me thing maybe they changed the formulation to take care of this problem.

2. NYC Smooth Skin Bronzer in Sunny: After hearing so many good things about this bronzer, I decided to give it a try. I saw it at my local target and at a little under $3 it was hard to not try. I absolutely love this bronzer, not only is it the perfect flush of light bronzer but it is something that I have found myself using daily, and that in itself says a lot! This may not be great for all skin tones as I have heard that it can appear a bit orangey on certain people, but for me it is perfect! I have other bronzers that are more than 8 times this price and don't look at great as this one. I have olive medium skin and this is definitely a light bronzer on me, but it is just enough for everyday use. I have my MAC Golden for when I need a more intense bronze. Give this a try asap!

3. Essie Nail Polish in Tangerine: I got this right before vacation this past weekend and it has quickly become one of my favorite spring/summer colors! It is a coraly deep orange color, almost completely matching my MAC lipstick in So Chaud. I love the way orange nails look with a nice golden tan :)

4. NYX Lipstick in Paris: This lipstick is another thing that I have found myself wearing at least 4 times a week this month. it is a creamy carnation pink color and looks amazing with nearly everything! It isn't shimmery or anything so it is perfect for everyday wear. I really like the NYX lipsticks because they are very pigmented, although I would always be sure to pack their lipsticks in my handbag because you are sure to have to reapply within the next few hours.

5. Yes To Carrots Carrot Lip Butter: I purchased this a few weeks back and this has already become my new favorite everyday lip balm. It has a citrusy scent that isn't too strong but refreshing. It goes on smooth and keeps my lips moisturized for the most part. I love again that it is from a paraben free, all natural company :)

Packing Beauty Essentials for Vacation!

One of my favorite Cosmetic Bags from Anne Taintor. The words on it just get me every time! haha

When it comes to packing my beauty bag for vacation, I am always a mess. I feel like I over pack because I never want to forget something and then regret not packing it once I realize I need it! Are any of you the same way? If so, hopefully through my trial and error, this blog post will assist you on being able to more efficiently pack your beauty essentials without ending up with a bag that weighs more than yourself! I thought it was fitting to post this blog now being that this weekend, Memorial Day Weekend, I will be packing this very bag, as I am heading out of state for vacation myself. :)

Here are the things that I am always sure to include in my travel beauty bag:

Skin/Face: 

1. When traveling in heated areas, I am sure to pack a tinted moisturizer, you will find that you can avoid having foundation etc. slipping off of your face in the humidity and be glad that you opted for this instead!
2. A facial cleanser that doubles as a body wash (ex. Burt's Bees Milk and Shea Butter Bar). You may think I am crazy for this, but my Burt's Bees bar is all natural and this allows it to be gentle enough to use for my body AND face. This also means you have to pack one less thing :)
3. A good SPF to protect your beautiful faces! I personally like ones that are all natural and non-comedogenic. I have been using all natural/organic things on my face and let me tell you, it has completely changed how clear my skin is, this is so worth it. I would suggest ones like "Suntegrity, Kiss My Face, and Alba Botanical Organic Lavender Sunscreen", these are all great options and come in a variety of SPF ranges. Remember to ALWAYS apply this, even on overcast days, you are still at extreme risk for UV Ray damage!
4. Pack a Bronzer and or Blush that is compact and does the job. I like the Blush and Bronzer Duos from NARS, they are two things in one which means that they take up half the room! ELF also has a pretty good one that I am testing out myself at the moment :)

Lips:

1. SPF lip balm. I had a friend who went to the beach and neglected to cover her lips with any UV Ray protection and ended up blistering horribly, and get this, the sun wasn't even out! Just because you don't see or feel the sun's harmful rays, doesn't mean they don't exist, protect yourself at all times. Your lips are one of the most sensitive things on your face, as well as your nose.
2. Pack two shades of lipstick that are on different ends of the color spectrum. These can be mixed if need be and you will find the colors you can make are endless and you are only using space for two separate lipsticks as opposed to 5 or 6. I usually bring a red and a nude :)
3. A lip gloss that will look well when put over any shade of lipstick. I love my NYX Beige lip gloss because in all honesty, it looks amazing over ANYTHING. This is definitely going in my travel bag this weekend.

Eyes:

1. An all in one eyeshadow palette. For this, I think of my Urban Decay Naked Palette instantly. Not only is it an amazing array of neutral shades, but there are also shades included that will give me everything I need to have a sultry eye :) This is my favorite everyday palette because there are so many different looks you can get without straying outside of it. If you don't have this, I recommend maybe your favorite MAC Quad? or a tiny palette by any other company. Remember, you want to avoid packing tons of eye shadows all colors of the rainbow, this defeats your mission to pack efficiently!
2. Eyeshadow Primer, this is a must, no matter what the weather is like, but ESPECIALLY in heated environments. This assures that your eye makeup stays in place and doesn't shift and crease all over the place. I will be packing my UD Primer Potion for this.
3. A good waterproof mascara. More often than not, a vacation entails some type of pool or ocean, and instead of going in the water looking gorgeous and coming out with trails of black mascara smeared all over your face, go waterproof! haha I never ever use waterproof except in weddings and on vacation and believe me it is a lifesaver! I love my L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black for this :)
4. An eyeliner of your choice. Don't go packing liquid, gel and pencil, that's just overdoing it! Choose one that you know you can use for both the top of your lid and your waterline, I recommend a Gel Liner, as  it can be used on both unlike the liquid.

Misc:

1. Makeup Remover Wipes in a soft plastic container. I find that these can be squeezed pretty much in any crevice in your bag and or luggage and won't take up much room at all. I especially love my Yes to Blueberries ones, they have a soft plastic outer but a hard plastic seal to assure that all of that moisture stays inside :) They are also all natural, which is amazing for your face!
2. Blotting Paper, again these take up almost no room at all, but can be a life saver if you are having one of those "extra shiny" days, the humidity does that to us sometimes!
3. A razor
4. Pack the color of nail polish that you currently have on your toes and hands and or a good top coat. You may find that midway through your vacation your lovely mani/pedi chips, and this is a pet peeve of mine although it is inevitable at times. To avoid being the girl in the picture with the chipped fingernails, apply a top coat of clear every few days or when it chips, you have the color on hand for touch-ups. You will thank me later for this gals!

** I didn't include any shampoos/conditioners etc in this blog post because those are a given, be sure whatever else you pack is in a travel size. This can be done by purchasing the miniature sizes or taking some of the product that you love from your regular stock and putting some of them into travel containers :)

Well that about sums up what I will be packing in my travel beauty bag tomorrow. Everyone has a different way of packing, and this may not fully satisfy the things you need on a trip, but in my experience, these are the only things necessary to bring without over packing. All of these things fit easily into my bag and I still have some room for more! Keep it stress free and minimal, the only thing you are missing from this bag is the sun and a drink with an umbrella, but I am SURE you will find this somewhere on your getaway! :)

Happy Memorial Day Weekend to everyone celebrating this weekend, and for those who are out of the country, this can be used for any vacations you are taking as well!

xox

The Ever So Talked About Orange Lip!

Orange Lipstick has been one of the most talked about beauty trends for this Spring and even the coming Summer season.  I have waited so long to delve into my thoughts on this because I wanted to find the perfect Orange Lipstick for myself and not only that, really wear it out and test possible outfits its looked best with. As one would rightfully assume, you are clearly not trying to be cast in the shadows while wearing this color lip, you are most definitely looking for some sort of spotlight, and when worn the right way, I am sure you will shine and deserve the spotlight :)

Here are a few of our favorite celebs sporting the look in different shades:

And Here is a pic of myself wearing my favorite orange lip, MAC's So Chaud:

Although this is a Matte Lipstick, it appears a little more shiny because I had some chap stick on before I applied it, and no lip liner :)

This Orange Lipstick, So Chaud, is more of a deep orange. I didn't line or prep my lips with any type of concealer etc to make the color look more true, this could be why it may appear more "red" on myself in this pic, but it is most definitely orange, trust me.  I love that it is Matte because I find with bold colors like this and red for example, I like to tone it down a little and keep the look not too shiny.  I recommend pairing this Orange lip color with a simple eye using natural colors as you won't want to over do it. I also love wearing this color with blue tops. I love how Orange and Blue compliment one another and this goes for in Beauty and fashion as well! Examples of some blouses/jewelry I could see myself pairing this with:

I did a previous post on my love for the color coral (which could be considered in the orange family) and turquoise (also in the blue family) This applies to blues and oranges as well :) I think the colors are just so easy on the eyes and show that you have edge to your style, but while you remain sophisticated and not tacky. Another great orange color would be MAC's Morange.  As far as a drugstore orange lipstick that I would recommend, I would have to say  Revlon Colorburst in Coral or Milani Mandarina, I have swatched these both and found them to be pretty similar to both of the aforementioned :)

To Oranges, Tangerines, Clementines and everything else orange!,

xox

NYX Makeup Haul/Swatches

So, it's that time, I have swatched everything that I got in my recent shopping adventure with NYX Cosmetics, and I am here to share my brief thoughts with you guys :) I know that I personally love seeing swatches of things on others before I go ahead and purchase things, and especially purchasing them online. The website I ordered these things from has the worse swatches ever I swear! lol However, when the price is right, and you want  a product enough, you deal with the possible "what?! this doesn't look how it looked online" thoughts. Ok, lets get to the good stuff!

LIPSTICKS: 

From just these pics, they actually look more similar than they really are, let me explain each.

The top left corner is the shade Rose Bud, this color reminds me of a lipstick that would result if you made NARS Orgasm into a shade for NYX lol It is pinky peach with flecks of gold shimmer.  I like this lipstick, it isn't like anything that I have already, so I am glad I purchased it.  It goes on very metallic though, so I find that for everyday wear, it can be a bit over the top, you can also tone it down with a gloss though, up to you.

The top right hand corner is the shade Sky Pink. This is also a color that goes on with a metallic like finish. The shimmer however, isn't over powering and I find that the color is actually very flattering. It is a rosy pink color.

Bottom left corner is the shade Paris. This is absolutely my favorite of the bunch that I purchased this time around. It is a creamy medium pink color that just goes on so smooth! It doesn't have any shimmer in it so it is more of a wearable lipstick for everyday. 

Bottom right hand corner is the shade Margarita. I got this one on a whim, and let me say it is actually a very nice tangerine color. It goes on very creamy and the color is very true to what it looks like. I would wear this with a simple eye look because it is a very unique "out there" color. I can totally see wearing this orangey color with something blue. (Orange Lipstick post coming soon!)

Those are the lipsticks I purchased this shopping order. They are all the signature round lipsticks and over all I would say they are definitely worth trying. There are a nice variety of shades and I find that every single one that I have tried has gone on soft and smooth. I would say mine lasted about 4 hours before I had to reapply which isn't too too bad.

LIPGLOSSES: 

Natural, African Queen, Golden Pink, Nude Peach, Beige, Perfect Red, Sugar Pie, Dolly Pink

NYX Mega Shine Lipglosses are by far my absolute favorite glosses for the money. In all actuality, I prefer most of these to my MAC ones, and that's something I thought I would never say! I like these for a variety of reasons, the price, the quantity, the texture, the fact that I don't have those super sticky lips that my hair is sticking to as I walk down the street!, the color pay off and last but not least, the color variety! I love pairing these over a lipstick that just needs a little more "hype".  Sometimes I will wear African Queen, Perfect Red or Dolly Pink alone, that's how pigmented they are! They last a reasonable amount of time as well, something that I love because I don't always have the time to reapply my gloss. Definitely give these a try if you haven't!

SINGLE EYESHADOWS:

Earthy Shimmer, Deep Brown, Blue Marine, Prune, Rust, Ocean, Odyssey, Iced Mocha, Violetta

These swatches don't really do some of these colors justice. You know, sometimes I wonder if NYX is playing jokes on us, the customer, with these color names. For example, Deep Brown is in all actuality a deep purple, and with the lipglosses, Beige, in fact is a pink color, crazy right?! lol Anywho, I swatched these to the best of my ability to show you at least a little bit of an idea as to the colors of these shadows. Some of them look completely different before using them. Odyssey looks black here, but is a dark glittery blue, this reminds me of MAC's contrast a little. Rust, reminds me of MAC's Cranberry as well and Iced Mocha of Satin Taupe,  just in case you were interested in possible dupes for those.

JUMBO EYESHADOW PENCILS:

Both pics are of the same 7 swatches, just in a different order. I will name the colors from the pic on the bottom in order from left to right. French Fries, Rocky Green Mountain, Milk, Purple Velvet, Pure Gold, Pots & Pans, Cottage Cheese.

These Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencils are great as eyeshadow bases. You do, however, have to prime your lids especially well before applying these because they will crease without a doubt if you don't. I like that they are easy to use because of the fact that they are packaged like a drawing utensil lol and I love the color shade variety that they offer. These are just a few and they were, as well as all of the other swatches in this post, swatched without a primer underneath. They really make your eyeshadow more vibrant when used as a base!

LIP LINERS: 

Nutmeg, Fuchsia, Deep Red, Hot Red, Coral

I have always been a big fan of NYX lip liners.  I love that they come in so many shades and work very well in accompaniment with a lot of their own lipsticks and glosses. These lip liners are perfect to make a lip look very long lasting. I am especially sure to make sure I line my lips before wearing dark lipsticks. When wearing bright pink or red lips, its all about wearing the right lip liner base to make that color stay looking like you it did when you first applied it. I would definitely recommend these!

Well guys, that's it! I think I am done purchasing NYX products for a while, I'm set! haha I hope you all found these swatches helpful, although I am not the best at situating the correct lighting etc.

www.nyxcosmetics.com

Aside from the actual NYX website, here are some websites that often hold sales for your NYX addiction!

www.beautyjoint.com
www.cherryculture.com

Happy Shopping! xox

Top 5 Go -To Blushes

Blush can completely change the way a face looks. Sometimes I will just add some mascara to my curled lashes and throw on some blush and chap stick and leave my house. Having that natural looking flush to your cheeks not only gives the look of healthiness, but also completes whatever look you're going for all together :) That being said, although I have way too many blushes to list here, I am going to share with you guys the ones that I find I am always reaching for. Regardless of season, these 5 blushes are all powder blushes, and cover all spectrum's of color from peach, natural, pink and fruit punch color! Lets get started (in no particular order, and allow me to apologize in advanced for the poor lighting. I am only able to take photos of swatches etc when I get home from work which is when the sun is already almost in hiding, I do my best though!) : 

From top to bottom:

1.  MAC Melba Blush

Melba is a Matte Peach colored Blush. I love that it is Matte because its hard to find a good blush that isn't overly shimmery. This blush goes on very pigmented and I use a light hand with it. 

2. NARS Orgasm

Who doesn't already know about NARS Orgasm right? lol This universally flattering pink/peach color is amazing. Its very build-able in my opinion, and although can be a bit sheer at first (swatch), It has just the right amount of shimmer in it to give you that perfect glow :) Definitely a must have in your makeup bag! A great dupe, which I own as well as a backup, is NYX powder blush in Pinched. This dupe is also VERY affordable, so its worth it to try the color out!

3. Lancome Blush Subtil in Rouge Glow

Right after I took these swatches, I realized that this color is no longer offered :( It is a mauvey/taupe color. VERY natural as you can tell from the swatch) I will however recommend any of the Lancome Blush Subtil colors. I have tried quite a few others and LOVE the formula of this product. My second favorite color aside from this would have to be Aplum or Rose Fresque :) Check them out: 

Aplum- deep rose color--Matte :)

Rose Fresque- a pinky peach color--Matte :)

4. Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Flushed

*This is not my photo* I decided against using the photo that I took because in all honesty, it just didn't show the true color of this blush, and being that it such an amazing color, I didn't want to cheapen it :) The color that you see in the pan is exactly what you get on your cheeks. A BEAUTIFUL fruit punchy color, this blush is very potent and long lasting for sure, which I love. I have used it several times and have seen no fading out of the engraved print on the top of the blush which makes me think this is going to last me a long time!

5. NYX Powder Blush in Pinky

I love this blush as an alternative to MAC's Dollymix. Dollymix is another wonderful color, however at less than half the price, I feel, you can't really go wrong with this one. This blush can be a little chalky but it doesn't have to look chalky on your face, its all about how you apply! I use a light hand with this one as well because it is very pigmented, that perfect bubble gum pink :)

 Well, there you have it guys, my Top 5 Go-To blushes. As you can see some of them are pretty similar, but what can I say, when I like a color, I really like it! haha Although some may seem almost identical, these blushes all apply differently on my skin, and that's how they made it to this list, their beauty. NYX and Milani are my favorite Drugstore blushes and for almost any blush that you find high end, there is a close dupe within these brands, so fear not if your budget doesn't include a $25 blush, those are "treats" for me as well :) Hope you enjoyed! xo