Makeup Archives | Page 6 of 9

September Favorites 2015!

September 29, 2015

Happy Tuesday everyone! Hope everyone’s weekend was great.

October is practically here so here’s a quick post on items I have been enjoying this month.

Sephora Collection Pro Airbrush Concealer Brush

I have the older model of this brush but I’ve found myself using this practically everyday this past month. Not sure why I overlooked this brush for a while but I’m happy to have started using it again. This brush is bigger than most concealer brushes but I love it for that purpose. After applying concealer underneath my eyes, this quickly blends everything into place and it doesn’t tug the eye area.

Sonia Kashuk Core Tools Synthetic Buffing Brush 130

Another brush I have used frequently, as you can probably tell from the disappearing letters. I picked this up at Target and love using this to apply foundation/tinted moisturizer and it’s excellent for buffing out cream blushes or bronzers.

Origins VitaZing SPF15 Energy-boosting Moisturizer with Mangosteen Sheer Tint Release

A sample that came in this year’s Sephora Sun Safety Kit, this moisturizer goes on clear but within a few seconds turns into a tinted moisturizer. It’s a bit darker than my normal foundations but gives just enough of a tan glow that doesn’t come across as orange or fake. It gives an, “I’ve been on vacation,” glow without having to leave home and I use the Sonia Kashuk Buffing Brush with this one.

HydroPeptide Power Lift Advanced Ultra-Rich Moisturizer

I picked up a HydroPeptide set at the trade show and this moisturizer has been a pleasant surprise. The consistency with this one is very thick where I can flip it upside down and it takes a while to move. Normally, I run away from these types of moisturizers as they are too heavy for my combination skin and cause me to breakout. So far, this has worked wonderfully for my skin. I only use a pea-sized amount and it glides on my skin, making it feel hydrated and not tight. Surprisingly, it doesn’t feel heavy either. I use this at night and feel it will be perfect for the cooler weather coming up.

What were your favorite products this month?

Stephanie

Make Up For Ever Mattifying Primer Review!

September 10, 2015

Hi everyone! How is everyone holding up with this weather? It’s hot and humid in So Cal with no sign of cooler temperatures yet.

Speaking of heat, I have a review on the Make Up For Ever Step 1 Skin Equalizer Mattifying primer and summer has provided the best weather to put this to the test. Let’s get to it.

Described as, “a makeup primer that assists with balancing the skin’s texture and tone for smoother, more even, and longer-lasting makeup wear. Mattifying Primer reduces shine for oily skin.”

Pros

Travel sized version costing $16 for 0.5 oz

Does have a mattifying effect for a couple of hours

Absorbs quickly into the skin

A little bit goes a long way especially if you only spot treat certain areas

Cons

Pricey with full size costing $36 for 1 oz

It’s best to avoid putting this primer on dry patches

Has a cooling effect that tends to feel tingly when foundation is applied on top

Although it absorbs quickly into skin, I can feel a sort of powdery residue

Didn’t work well with certain foundations/BB creams

Overall: I like the primer but I’m not sure I would purchase it again, mainly because I feel it sensitizes my skin a little bit. When I apply foundation over it, sometimes I feel a tingling/burning sensation. It does help keep oil at bay for a good amount of time, about 4-5 hours when inside and 2-3 hours when I was outside. It won’t leave you completely shine free, especially when you are out in the scorching sun, but I didn’t look as shiny as I normally would. Unless you have very oily skin all over, it’s best to apply a small amount to the T-Zone or wherever you’re oily as it can feel and look drying on the skin. For reference, I have combination skin. I also found that wearing this primer underneath BB creams wasn’t the best choice as my skin looked dry and patchy.

What’s your favorite face primer? Comment below!

Stephanie

My Top 3 ‘No Foundation’ Foundations!

September 3, 2015

Hi everyone!

I’m constantly asked on a regular basis what foundations are the best at not looking like you’re wearing foundation. Having tested multiple brands and formulations over the years, here are my top picks that give me a ‘my skin but better” look.

*Note: A good skincare routine is paramount to achieving the best results but that will be for another post.

Make Up For Ever Face & Body Liquid Makeup

The first Make Up For Ever foundation that I tried and immediately fell in love with. This one has a very watery consistency (thank goodness they have since incorporated a pump) and you don’t need much to cover your face. It feels very light-weight and isn’t too glowy or matte and can be used to cover up body imperfections. True story: My grandmother loved how this looked on me that she had me go buy her one and she has been an avid user ever since.

Unfortunately, I think this had an ingredient my skin might have not agreed with because over time my nose would start to itch so I stopped using it. Despite this, I highly recommend it.

Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation Serum

I picked this up when Sephora had their Fall VIB sale last year and after using up a sample. As the name implies, this has a serum-like consistency and gives a nice satin finish. I prefer to apply this using my fingers to pat and roll it in the skin but you can also use a brush and achieve results. Super light-weight as I forget sometimes I have it on and hold up nicely throughout the day. My only complaint is that the shade range is very limited.

Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm

While I know this isn’t a foundation, I do think tinted moisturizers, BB creams and CC creams are some of the best products to use for achieving a natural look. They tend to cover up redness and even out skin tone and work best if you don’t have major imperfections. Since it has the texture of a moisturizer it’s really impossible for it to give a cakey appearance. My favorite way to apply these is with a sponge and stippling it into the skin. Favorites include Too Faced Tinted Beauty Balm, Laura Mercier and Marcelle BB Cream.

What are your favorite foundations to use for a natural look?

Stephanie

August Favorites 2015!

September 1, 2015

Happy September 1st everyone! I can’t believe how fast last month zoomed by, which brings me to share with you things I’ve loved this past August.

Let’s get to it!

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick in Potent

My first Estee Lauder lipstick purchase and the credit goes to Cos from The World of Cos. 🙂 I love a great creamy lipstick and this one is perfect for everyday, a night out-virtually any occasion. It’s a light pink coral nude that glides on nicely over exfoliated lips and has good pigmentation. I’m not a fan of the scent, which I’m not sure how to describe, but once you apply it, the smell disappears. Pairing it with a lip pencil underneath extends its wear time.

Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay-In-Place Lip Pencil in Nude

It’s been a while since I used a lip liner but I am happy I picked this up along with the lipstick. The shade Nude is a MLBB (my lips but better) and pairs well with a lot of neutral/pink lipsticks I own. While I don’t agree with the creamy consistency claim, it applies nicely and really extends the wear of lipstick. A lip brush is included on the opposite side of the pencil which is a nice addition and a magnetic cap.

Tresemme Keratin Smooth Flat Iron Smoothing Spray

I’m not a fan of Tresemme hair care products but this keratin infused heat protection spray is the exception. I love using this when I straighten my hair as it facilitates the straightening process and smooths hair without making it feel greasy. The style holds up very well and this product doesn’t make your hair smell burned when heat is used.

Below are swatches of the lipstick, lip liner and CC Cream.

A picture of me wearing the lipstick and lip pencil plus my hair after using the Tresemme spray.

Supergoop Daily Correct CC Cream SPF 35

A sample that came in my August Birchbox, this CC Cream, housed in a convenient squeeze tube, provided good coverage without the heavy feel. It evens out my redness while allowing skin to look like skin.

In the Unlikely Event by Judy Blume

A book that came in June’s PopSugar Must Have Box, In the Unlikely Event was a great summer read that was based one real life events. The book is set in Elizabeth, New Jersey in the 1950s and follows a young woman’s memorable journey in the aftermath of multiple plane crashes in her hometown. I was impressed at how well Judy Blume was able depict the emotions of all the characters who make up and tell the story- her writing manages to convincingly transport you back to the 1950s and experience the tragedy that occurred, offering multiple view points from different age groups and characters that feel so real. It made me feel nostalgic for a time period I didn’t even experience.

What are you favorite August items?

Stephanie

Bobbi Brown Cream Shadow Stick vs NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil!

August 27, 2015

Happy Thursday everyone!

I was excited when I saw Sephora had a mini Bobbi Brown Shadow Stick as part of their rewards system and with my new found appreciation for shadow sticks, I had to pick one up.

Eyeshadow sticks are a convenient item to have as they are quick and easy to apply, streamlining your makeup routine when you’re in a hurry. You just glide the product on your eyelid and underneath your bottom lash line, with minimal to no blending required. There’s no worry about powdery fallout and you can store these in your purse for on the go.

As you already know, NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil was included in my Summer Must Have On the Go Beauty and with great reviews, I wanted to see how it compared to the Bobbi Brown ones. So, let’s get started.

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick in Shadow, $29 (smokey blue grey)

Described as “a long-lasting, waterproof eye shadow that glides on easy like a stroke of genius.” It’s a smokey blue grey color that has a matte texture (i.e. no shimmer)

Pros

Long lasting and won’t crease with a primer

Glides on the eyelid easily

Rich pigmentation

Good variety of shades

Twist up container so you don’t need a sharpener

Cons

Splurge item at $29 each (I have a sample so the actual product is bigger)

It takes a little bit of effort to blend in

Heat mushes up the texture which can affect the application process

Wide rounded tip makes it difficult to apply on the waterline

Overall: I do like this product but I don’t love it. Although the pigmentation is amazing and it doesn’t crease, I found blending out this product was difficult to do, perhaps because of the matte texture. You are required to blend this out since it’s a darker color and if you don’t want harsh lines to show. One thing worth mentioning is that since the weather has been hot, somehow the heat really softened it up and caused a mushy like consistency. While it still retained its shape, when I applied it, it kind of broke off a little.

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Iced Mocha

Described as “a radiant eye liner that also doubles as an eye shadow.” It’s a bronzey, gold color that has a little bit of shimmer.

Pros

Budget friendly $4.50

Easy application + formula glides on easy

A wide range of colors

Pencil like tip makes it easy to line the waterline

Cons

Requires a larger sharpener

Does tend to crease after a while even with primer

Takes a few passes to build up the color

Overall: I love everything about the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil except the wear time. I get about 5 hours of wear before it starts to crease, about 3 if it is really hot an humid outside. I then find myself needing to reapply or at least blend in the product so that the crease marks don’t show. Applying a similar shadow underneath does help with this product staying on longer but it adds an extra step. However, this blends easily and I had no problem using it as a liner, thanks to the pencil like tip- perfect for creating a quick smokey eye look.

Have you tried shadow sticks? Which ones are your favorite?

Stephanie

Summer Must Have: On the Go Beauty!

July 28, 2015

Hi everyone! How was your weekend? I had a great and relaxing weekend filled with yoga, massage, Pressed Juicery and Urth Caffe goodness. 🙂

I’m back today with products that are compact and simple to use. Travel and purse friendly, see what products are great to get when you’re on the go!

Hair and Body

Bumble and bumble Pret-a-Powder

Toss this in your purse to refresh your hair on the go. The powder quickly blends into the hair, absorbing any excess oil and is perfect if you have bangs that start to stick to your forehead after a few hours.

Davines SU Hair and Body Wash

Streamline your shower routine by using this gender neutral scented item that cleanses skin and hair but won’t leave it feeling stripped.

Spongelle

Included in June’s PopSugar Must Have, you can save time and space with this soap infused body buffer. Just wet the sponge and enjoy a rich lather that will leaves your skin (and bathroom) lightly scented.

Face

Dermalogica Precleanse Wipes

One of the best makeup remover wipes I have tired, these oil saturated towelettes break up makeup and sunscreen quickly without any harsh tugging or pulling.

Makeup

Fresh Sugar Berry Tinted Lip Treatment SPF 15

Easy to apply, this lip balm requires no mirror, protects lips for the sun and is on trend with this season’s berry lip!

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer (my shade: Light 2 Vanilla)

The doe foot brush and formula conceals imperfections with a few dabs underneath your eyes.

*Note: If you’re concealing blemishes, dab some first onto a clean finger and then apply to affected area to prevent cross contamination.

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil (my shade: Iced Mocha)

Eyeshadow sticks are virtually the foolproof way to apply eyeshadow. Glide some over the eyelid for day and take it up a notch at night by applying it to the lower lash line along with black eyeliner.

Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour

Featured in my June Favorites, this product sculpts your face with ease, no brush required.

What are your favorite travel friendly items?

Stephanie

Summer Must Have: Eyes and Face!

July 23, 2015

Hi everyone!

Almost down to the last post of my series and so far we have covered skincare, lipcolors, blushes, nails and hair. Now, it’s time for the face and eyes. Take a peek at my picks in today’s quick read post!

Face

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Sunscreen Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15

Light-weight makeup is key for me in summer months and this is one fits the bill. This foundation provides enough coverage to conceal redness yet still allows skin to like skin. Another slightly less expensive option is Make Up For Ever Face & Body Liquid Makeup.

bareMinerals Ready Translucent Touch-Up Veil SPF 15

This is great for setting your makeup and helping to control shine. Bonus: it has SPF.

Eyes

Urban Decay Naked Palette

The original product that started it all, this palette has a great color selection and a variety of finishes that take you from workday neutrals to sultry bronze summer nights. My favorite picks: Half-Baked and Smog.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Jet Back

Just as the name implies, this liquid eyeliner will last all day without creasing or transferring. Just a little primer underneath and you can create a thin or thick line thanks to the fine tip.

Rimmel London ScandalEyes Eyeshadow Stick in Witness White

An easy way to brighten your look, just pop this shade in the inner corners of your eyes and you’ll instantly look awake. You can also use this as a base to accentuate other eyeshadow shades.

Do you use any of these? What are your favorites?

Stephanie

Summer Must Have: Blushes!

July 21, 2015

Happy Tuesday everyone! Hope your weekend went well. 🙂

My ‘Summer Must Have’ series continues with a current obsession: blush!

Let’s dive right in.

Bobbi Brown Blush in Pretty Coral 31

Although I’m not sure why the word coral appears in the name of this blush-even the MUA was confused- this is such a nice pink color that goes perfectly over bronzer. Looks very natural on the skin and can be used as an everyday/work blush.

Burberry Beauty Light Glow Earthy Blush No. 07

A versatile product that can be used as a blush or contour shade. This taupe shade has an incredible smooth and buttery consistency and although there is no shimmer, it has a subtle ‘glowy’ look and is one of the products I reach for when I want the ‘no blush’ blush look.

Cargo Cosmetics Swimmables Water Resistant Blush in Los Cabos

A generous sample that I received in my May Birchbox, this is what coral looks like to me. I can’t attest to the water resistant claim but I can say it is long-lasting and nicely pigmented. Blending is easy, I think this would look great on multiple skin tones and if this shade doesn’t scream summer, I don’t know what will.

YSL Creme de Blush No. 4 Audacious Orange

Despite the bright orange color, once blended in, this leaves behind a nice flushed look. Only very little is needed because it’s highly pigmented, it’s easy to work with and holds up in the summer heat. You can’t beat that.

*Note: As I write this, I just noticed that this isn’t readily available anymore but if you can find, I highly recommend it. A great and inexpensive alternative is the Colour Pop Super Shock Cheek blushes and my favorite shade is Trickery. You can read my review here.

Bottom to Top: Pretty Coral, Earthy Blush, Los Cabos, Audacious Orange

What are your favorite blushes?

Stephanie

May Favorites!

June 2, 2015

Hi everyone! Just thought to pop in and write a quick post on a few makeup items I really enjoyed in May so let’s get right to it. 🙂

Rimmel Lasting Finish 25H Foundation in 100 Ivory

Confession: I have never owned a drugstore foundation before. When I started wearing makeup, my go to products were tinted moisturizers from brands like MAC and Merle Norman. I could never find a good match and often felt frustrated which resulted in me seeking products from stores where I could actually be color matched. With all the buzz surrounding this product and in need of a new foundation, my trip to Target ended with this in my cart in the shade 100 Ivory which is a near perfect match. I am very impressed with this foundation. It’s a full coverage foundation that feels very lightweight, lasts all day and doesn’t look cakey as it has a satin finish. The only drawback with this one is that it does make me breakout a little and cause a few blackheads but using a primer underneath helps a bit- for this reason this is reserved for special occasions or weekends.

Nars Audacious Lipstick in Jane

I’m late on jumping on the Nars Audacious bandwagon but better late than never, right? Seeing the countless pictures on Instagram about these lipsticks prompted me to buy one during Sephora’s VIB sale. After swatching a few recommended shades, I settled on Jane- a terracotta rose- as it was a shade I found to be unique and unlike anything I own. Aside from the color, I love how pigmented this is. One swipe and your lips are saturated with color meaning this will last you a long time. The finish is matte so I prefer to add a bit of lipgloss to add some moisture.

Below is a picture of me wearing the Rimmel foundation and the Nars Jane.

Colour Pop Super Shock Cheek Highlighters (Pearlized)

After loving the blushes from Colour Pop, I was thrilled when they launched their highlighters and immediately purchased three shades: Highly Waisted, Most Necessary and Teasecake. Highly Waisted is described as a “soft golden peach with pink and gold duo chrome finishes”; Most Necessary is described as, “soft copper with rosy gold highlights”; and Teasecake is described as “pale pink with a gold and pink duo chrome finish”. The formula on these is creamy but they don’t have that mousse like texture as the blushes and these also rub off rather easy. Highly Waisted and Most Necessary have noticeable glitter chunks but once you apply them, they disappear or aren’t visible. I love the overall effect of these since they give you a nice glow and they have a great selection of shades to choose from, so regardless of your skin tone, you’re bound to find a shade you like.

The swatches below are as follows: Highly Waisted, Most Necessary and Teasecake.

Have you tired any of these products? What are your thoughts?

Stephanie

April Faves!

April 30, 2015

Hi everyone! Can you believe another month has practically flown by?

With today being the last day of April, here are a few products I have been enjoying this month.

Dermalogica Sebum Clearing Masque

With the weather warming up, I’ve had a few breakouts here and there and this cooling clay masque always helps clear up pimples since it’s formulated with salicylic acid, while kaolin and bentonite mop up excess oil. I use this mainly on my T-zone or as an overnight spot treatment.

Renee Rouleau Triple Berry Smoothing Peel

A great exfoliating treatment that consists of enzymes and several fruit acids such as mandelic, lactic, salicylic, tartaric and malic for a sweet skin treat that will leave skin soft and glowing. Smells like and has the consistency of jam complete with berry seeds. One word of advice: Since the color of this mask is red, if you decide to walk around with other people in the house, let them know so they won’t freak out. 🙂

The Honest Co Lavender Mint Lip Balm

I received a trio of lip balms as part of a gift bag when I attended a film festival and I instantly fell in love with this one. I get my calming lavender scent fix-yes, I love aromatherapy and this type of lavender is my favorite- as well as moisturized lips that feel light.

Colour Pop Super Shock Cheek Blush in Trickery

Mousse like texture and long-lasting peach color that’s wallet friendly. Need I say more? Click here for a complete review.

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution in Birkin Brown

My first Charlotte Tilbury purchase. From the gorgeous, sophisticated packaging to the product itself, I can see what all the hype is about. This matte lipstick feels creamy on application, delivers a chocolate cream opaque coverage in one swipe (but can be sheered out) and stays that way for a few hours. It’s similar to the new Maybelline Mattes but in my opinion stays a bit more hydrating than those. Exfoliating your lips prior to use is a must and layering a lip liner underneath helps the wear time. Below is a picture of me wearing Birkin Brown.

P.S. According to the Charlotte Tilbury website, there is one day left in the U.S. to purchase the Modern Matte lipstick so if you’re interested head on over there to check them out. 🙂

I still have a few new items I received that I haven’t tried out but this is it for this month.

What are your April faves?

Stephanie