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Holiday Makeup Collaboration!

November 24, 2015

Happy Tuesday readers! When Tanya from Tanya’s Beauty Diaries invited me to do a holiday makeup collaboration, I was thrilled. Taking inspiration from the new Tarte Apple of my Eye Eye Shadow Quad and the Marc Jacobs lipstick in Je T’Aime, I decided on pairing glowing skin with a red lip and subtle smokey eye.

Get the Look

Foundation: Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick in Natural Tan (4.25)

Concealer: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla

Eyeshadow: Tarte Apple of My Eye Amazonian Clay Eye Shadow Quad

Highlight: Golden Delicious

Lid: Honeycrisp

Crease: Caramel

Lower Lashline: Gala

Directions: Apply Golden Delicious all over the lid and underneath the brows. Use Caramel on the crease and Honeycrisp on the lid. Take a pencil brush and apply Gala to the lower lashline.

Eyeliner: MAC Fluidline Eyeliner Gel in Dipdown on the top lashline.

Mascara: Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

Blush: Kiko Milano Rebel Bouncy Blush in Velvety Peach

Lips: Marc Jacobs Beauty Le Marc Lip Creme Lipstick in Je T’Aime

*Note: The hairband I used is Deepa Gurnani Katie Crystal Headband that was featured in this month’s PopSugar Must Have Box.

Special thanks to Tanya for having me on board and please don’t forget to check out and follow Tanya for more holiday looks!

Stephanie

PopSugar Must Have Unboxing November 2015!

November 19, 2015

Hi readers! It’s almost the weekend again. Yay!

PopSugar Must Have Box also came in last weekend so here’s your peek at November’s box.

Gramr Gratitude Co. Exclusive Thanksgiving Postcard Pack, $10

A cute set of 5 postcards. They included a $15 coupon code to try out their quarterly subscription.

Tarte Cosmetics Beauty and the Box Eyeshadow in Apple of My Eye, $22

When I first saw we were getting a Tarte eyeshadow quad, I wasn’t too thrilled but after seeing the shades, it’s clearly the star of the box. Perfect fall and everyday colors. This is a new product from Tarte’s fall line that will soon be released.

Swatches of the eyeshadow quad. Top-Bottom: Gala, Honeycrisp, Caramel and Golden Delicious. I’m really loving Caramel.

West Emory Bingbo Set, $20

Pretty self explanatory. Not sure if I will keep this or gift it away but it’s a good idea for a rainy day.

Deepa Gurnani Katie Crystal Headband, $56

This festive headband seems to be a perfect fit for the holidays coming up.

Capri Mercury Jewel Box Candle in Rain, $18

I love candles and this one is no exception. Everything from the packaging, a recycled hand blown glass box with wooden lid, to the scent is lovely. Plus, it can be used as a keepsake box after the candle is finished.

Terrapin Ridge Farms Pecan Honey Mustard, $7.30

I must admit I love honey mustard and was happy to receive this. It’s gluten and dairy free and tastes a little bit like Dijon mustard. I couldn’t taste the pecans really. This can be used as a vegetable glaze, cheese pairing, sauce for pork tenderloin or roast turkey, or pretzel dip.

Another good box from PopSugar. 🙂

What’s your favorite item?

Stephanie

November Birchbox Unboxing 2015!

November 17, 2015

Hi everyone! How was your weekend? I managed to pick up a few items at Sephora plus I have some on their way so I will post on that later. I’ve also been battling a low grade fever so I’m a bit behind on comments/social media but I will get back to you. 🙂

Birchbox came in over the weekend so here’s a glance on what was included.

Malin + Goetz Grapefruit Face Cleanser and Vitamin E Face Moisturizer (sample)

This cleanser is said to help clear up breakouts and balance skins natural pH;the moisturizer has hyaluronic acid and vitamin E to nourish skin. I haven’t had a chance to try these two yet.

LOC Vibrant Matte Lipstick in First Kiss

Birchbox has a new in-house brand called LOC. This month’s sample I choose was a lipstick that was curated by YouTube beauty star Tati Westbrook. It’s a matte pinky beige color that is so pretty but unfortunately doesn’t last long and definitely needs to be paired with lip balm or lipgloss so it doesn’t dry out lips.

LOC First Kiss

Montale Dark Purple

This fragrance sample has “notes of rose petals, geranium bourbon, and patchouli [that] sit on a woodsy base of gray amber, teak wood and white musk.” It smells a lot like berries and while I do like it, it’s not unique enough that would compel me to purchase the full size.

Parlor by Jeff Chastain Touchable Curl Cream

An “innovative formula [that] combines the siky texture of a serum with the light hold of a cream.” Another item I have yet to try but I do find that I always need to layer hair products with these type of creams to really hold my curls in place and prevent frizz.

The Beauty Crop Lighting Crew Highlighting Cream

I had seen this in other bloggers’ pages and I was excited when I discovered this was included. It smells like pineapple, (yum!) and really does add a glow so a little dab will go a long way. It can also be mixed with body lotion to give your body a festive and luminous glow. Note: Make sure to blend this quickly when you use it.

The Beauty Crop Highlighting Cream

Overall, this box was okay. I wish the lipstick was formulated as more moisturizing but the highlighting cream was a great choice and made this box.

What are your thoughts on this box?

Stephanie

Kat Von D Lolita vs NYX Soft-Spoken!

November 10, 2015

KVD vs NYX

Hi readers! How was your weekend?

Liquid lipsticks have taken center stage and today I am comparing NYX’s Soft Spoken, which is a pretty spot on dupe for Kat Von D’s Lolita. Take a look!

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita

Pros

Long-lasting

Minimal dry down time

Applies evenly

Color can work well for a variety of skin tones

Excellent color payoff

Cons

Pricey at $20

Accentuates fine lines

Overall: I really do love this shade but I’ve found that other shades from this same line don’t work so well for me. The application feels creamy and you get opaque color in one swipe. I find this fades pretty evenly and I have a bit of a stain left over even after eating and drinking. Exfoliating is a must beforehand but it’s worth the money.

NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipstick in Soft-Spoken

Pros

Budget friendly at $7

Applies evenly

Great color payoff

Good wear time

Color can work well for a variety of skin tones

Cons

Slow dry down time

Accentuates fine lines

Semi-tacky feeling

Overall: This is a good inexpensive alternative to KVD’s Lolita. It has great color payoff in one swipe and applies evenly. Application feels velvety but then turns into a tacky feeling that never quite goes away. I’m assuming this is the reason why it’s not that long lasting. Exfoliating lips beforehand is a must and I find applying a bit of balm underneath makes

Top to Bottom: Lolita and Soft-Spoken

Swatches from both lip shades. As you can see they are almost identical. Kat Von D is a bit darker with a little more brown.

Have you tried these? Which is your favorite?

Stephanie

Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Lip 2015 Review!

November 5, 2015

Hi everyone! I won this lip set from a giveaway hosted by the lovely Cat Forsley from My Lip Addiction and as you can imagine, I was thrilled. So in time for the Sephora VIB sale, here’s the breakdown of the set along with my review.

This limited edition set comes with six deluxe-size lip products, though the Tarte lipstick looks to be full size, and retails for $25.

Sephora Collection Rouge Infusion The Neutrals in 19-Peony

This dark pink shade is gorgeous and has good staying power unless you’re eating or drinking. It fades somewhat evenly though you’ll find you have to reapply so that it looks even. It feels glossy at first but dries to a matte finish.

Tarte Amazonian Butter Lipstick in Coral Blossom

A nice bright and somewhat sheer coral color with a slight peppermint scent. Personally, I love lipsticks that are creamy and moisturizing and this one fits the bill. The lasting power is not long, maybe 2 hours, but I don’t mind. As the name implies, these glide on like butter and feel comfortable.

Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment

You gotta love two in one products. This hydrating lip balm has a rosy tint that gives you a polished look with minimal effort. It also has sunscreen so that’s always a bonus.

Marc Jacobs Le Marc Lip Crème in Je T’Aime

My first Marc Jacobs lipstick and I have to say I do like this one. The description states it’s ultra hydrating but I disagree. It’s not super hydrating but not matte either so I would say satin. The color is a beautiful rum raspberry that will last around 3-4 hours. Exfoliating lips is a must with this one but if you’re looking for the perfect shade for the holidays, I highly recommend this.

Make Up For Ever Artist Plexi Gloss 202 Sweet Pink

I was excited that this lipgloss was included in this set and was the first one I tried out. Although the sheer pink color is pretty and the full pouted effect and shine it gives is amazing, the formula on this is super thick and sticky-not comfortable or appealing at all. The applicator has a slit to allow precise application but I feel it’s more marketing than useful. Overall, I wouldn’t shell out money for this lipgloss.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita

The hype surrounding this gorgeous chestnut rose shade is real and warranted. After my unfortunate experience with this line shade in Outlaw, this shade is a dream and the staying power is great. It lasted all most all day, even after eating. Although it does begin to fade, it leaves behind a nice stain. I apply a bit of balm underneath, although the formula doesn’t feel too drying, and make sure to exfoliate lips beforehand.

L-R: Peony, Coral Blossom, Rose Tint, Je T’Aime, 202, Lolita

I hope you found this post helpful. 🙂

Have you tried any of these? What are your thoughts?

Stephanie

Sephora VIB Sale Wish List 2015!

November 3, 2015

Hi everyone! How was your weekend? I stayed home on Halloween, curled up watching movies including Hocus Pocus and I really enjoyed my low key night. I was also leafing through the Sephora holiday catalog that arrived over the weekend, excited about the sale coming up in the next few weeks and decided to share my wish list with you. 🙂

Burberry Kisses Lipstick

I already love their blush and have heard great things about their lipsticks. Shades I’m interested include Nude Beige and Devon Sunset.

YSL Rouge Volupte

Love the packaging on this- so sleek and elegant and they have a great selection of shades. I’m eyeing Peach Passion.

Hourglass Extreme Sheen High Shine Lip Gloss

I’ve been browsing Hourglass products and two lip gloss shades have caught my attention: Child, a pale pink beige and and Fortune, a festive metallic golden pink.

Kevyn Aucoin The Contour Book The Art of Sculpting + Defining Volume II

With the contouring craze, this looks like a nice set to have.

Beauty Blender Set

I have yet to try out the Beauty Blender-yes, I can hear the gasps now but it’s just one of those things I’ve glossed over and thought of as unnecessary. However, I might just bite the bullet and see what the fuss is all about and this looks like a good investment.

Guerlain Rouge G Intense Shine Lipstick

Okay, I will be shallow for a moment and say that I mainly want this lipstick because of the gorgeous packaging. So pretty and luxe and touch ups would be a joy! Unfortunately, this comes with a hefty price tag so the discount might help.

Dior Addict Fluid Stick

Another great product that is constantly raved about. Whisper Beige and Pandore are shades I am looking at trying.

Of course as is often the case, my mind will change and I may pick up something else entirely but I’ve been lusting over these for a while so we’ll see. 🙂

What items are you looking forward to picking up?

Stephanie

Too Faced Brow Envy Kit Review!

October 27, 2015

Happy Tuesday everyone! I hope you all had a good weekend. 🙂 Can you believe we’re that much closer to a new month? Crazy.

I finally have the review for the Too Faced Brow envy Brow Shaping and Defining Kit so let’s get started.

Description: ” Be envied for your perfect brows with Brow Envy, Too Faced’s fool-proof kit that will have you arches, defined and framed like a star.”

The kit comes housed in a black compact, complete with a mirror, setting wax, a cream highlight shade, brow powder duos, tweezers, a spooley, brush and angled brush.

A close up picture. The bottom left powder is Blonde while the bottom right powder is brunette.

Also included in this kit are three eyebrow stencils and a Glamour Guide detailing how to use the kit.

Top to Bottom: Setting Wax, Highlight, Brunette and Blond

Swatches of the shades. You can’t really see the setting wax too well because it’s clear but it’s sitting on top of the pale pink highlight shade.

Pros

A complete set

Good for brow maintenance/touch ups

Duo powder shades allows you to customize a shade

Small tweezers are great for grabbing tiny hairs

Good for traveling

Cons

Cream products make the kit messier

Stencils may not work for everyone’s eyebrow shape

Not versatile enough for every brow or hair color

Overall: I really do like this kit and it has pretty much all of the necessary tools to keep your eyebrows shaped and defined. Personally, I would have preferred a powder highlight instead of a cream one just because I feel I can control it better. Also, the stencils won’t be used because a) they don’t fit my eyebrow shape and b) my eyebrows are pretty wild so I have to get them threaded about every month. The eyebrow brush is a little stiffer than I would like but it’s not a deal breaker. I would recommend this kit to anyone who has dark eyebrows but if you’re looking for lighter shades, Anastasia has a really great selection of powder duos as well.

A picture of me over the weekend using this brow kit.

What’s your favorite product to keep your brows on point?

Stephanie

3 Important Tips for Halloween Makeup !

October 22, 2015

With Halloween near, some of you may don to wear elaborate makeup for parties and why not? Heck, one of my favorite costumes was when I dressed up as a Homecoming Zombie Queen, complete with blood and gore. So. Much. Fun. Here’s a few tips and tricks to ensure that the horror factor lasts only one night and doesn’t come back to haunt you days later….

Patch Test

ALWAYS conduct a patch test when trying out makeup, especially Halloween makeup as there are many pigments and colors (red and blue) that can be irritating to the skin and cause an allergic reaction. Prosthetics may or may not contain latex so make sure to ask questions about what is being used. Also, if you’re going to use false lashes, keep in mind that many have adverse reactions to the adhesive so tread with caution and to be safe, ask for a P.D. test to be performed.

Primer

Applying a primer on the skin not only keeps makeup lasting longer but it also creates a barrier between the skin, allowing makeup to sit on top of that instead of the skin.

Double Cleanse

Facilitate the removal of makeup by using oil-based makeup wipes. A personal favorite is Dermalogica PreCleanse Wipes which makes removing false eyelashes or stubborn makeup easier and doesn’t require harsh pulling or tugging of the skin. Follow up with your cleanser afterwards to thoroughly remove any heavy, thick layers of makeup that can clog pores and contribute to acne.

Have something fun planned for Halloween? Let me know in the comments below!

Stephanie

The Ultimate Urban Decay Naked Fall Looks Collaboration!

October 7, 2015

Happy Wednesday everyone! I’m very excited today to bring you a special collaborative post featuring a few of my favorite bloggers. We’re taking the Urban Decay Naked palettes and coming up with makeup looks that are perfect for fall. Grab your Naked 3 to create my look and check out the looks of these amazing bloggers using the other Naked palettes: Janet from Jan and Jot, Jennifer from In the Beauty Box, Kaily from Hello Kaily and Karen from Confetti and Curves.

Get the Look

Foundation: Lancome Teint Miracle in Buff 4C

Concealer: Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer in Vanilla

Eyeshadow:

Highlight: Strange

Lid: Limit

Crease: Limit/Nooner

Mid/Outer Lid: Nooner

Lower Lashline: Darkside

Directions: Apply Limit on the lid and Nooner on the mid and outer lids. Use Limit on the crease and to blend out Nooner on the mid and outer V. Use Strange as the highlight shade beneath the brows and just above the crease color. Take a pencil brush and apply Darkside to the lower lashline.

Eyeliner: MAC Fluidline Eyeliner Gel in Dipdown on the top lashline and Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil in Ransom on the waterline, over Darkside (bottom lashline)

Mascara: Dior Diorshow Mascara in Pro Black

Blush: Burberry Light Glow Earthy Blush No. 7

Lips: Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Lip Pencil in Nude and Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Birkin Brown

The finished look! I hope you enjoyed this segment and please don’t forget to check out all of the other bloggers I listed up above as they have more great looks headed your way. 🙂

Stephanie

5 Lip Colors for Fall!

October 1, 2015

Happy first day of October everyone! Lately it just seems as if the days are zooming by, right? While it still doesn’t feel like fall over here in SoCal-will it ever?- at least we can look the part using makeup. Here are my top favorite lipsticks for fall that I think will work on any complexion.

Buxom Full Bodied Lipstick in Menace

This beautiful rich wine color applies smoothly but can be sheered out with a little lip balm underneath to give it a glossier finish.

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick in Birkin Brown

This matte lipstick feels creamy on application, delivering a chocolate cream opaque coverage in one swipe that stays put for a few hours. A chic and glamorous lipstick in every sense.

Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Mattes in Touch of Spice

A more budget friendly matte lipstick, this rosy plum shade feels very comfortable on lips and fits in perfectly for the season’s nineties trend.

Nars Audacious Lipstick in Jane

You’ll be anything but ‘plain Jane’ with this lovely terracotta rose shade. One swipe provides amazing pigmentation and this color looks great when paired with bronze eyeshadow.

Sephora Collection Rouge Infusion in Red Essence

A similar concept to the YSL Glossy Stains, this dark red lip color applies like a gloss but dries to a stain. Very easy to reapply when you need to (which isn’t often) and provides a sophisticated look when worn with grey eyeshadow.

L-R: Menace, Birkin Brown, Touch of Spice, Jane, Red Essence

What are your go-to fall lipstick shades?

Stephanie

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