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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

SuperGoop Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50 Review!

October 6, 2015

Hi everyone! How was everyone’s weekend? I’m hoping it was good. 🙂

On the posting schedule today is a quick review on the SuperGoop Defense Refresh Setting Mist SPF 50 which I received in July’s PopSugar Must Have Box. Let’s get to it.

Described as “an innovative three-in-one mist that sets makeup, helps control oil and shine, and refreshes your defense against photoaging UV rays with an uplifting scent of rosemary and mint.”

Pros

Portable/Travel friendly

Sunscreen factor

Mattifying

Excellent concept

Cons

Rosemary and mint can be irritating for some individuals

Created a burning sensation on my face

Potential health hazard from inhalation of sunscreen

Nozzle doesn’t always spray product on evenly

Overall: As much as I love the concept of this product- refreshing skin/makeup while providing essential SPF protection- it didn’t work for me. Every time I sprayed this product, my face has this uncomfortable burning/tingling sensation that lingered. Also, for most spray-on sunscreen formulations, it needs to be rubbed in for the full effect which is hard to do if you have a face full of makeup. There’s also the concern of potential health hazards with accidental inhalation of the product. I did find that this really kept the oily parts in my skin matte though. In the meantime, I take this with me to theme parks or when doing outdoor activities and use it on my body, making sure to hold my breath while applying. However, once it’s finished I will not be purchasing.

Have you tried this product? What are your thoughts?

Stephanie

*Note: Stay tuned tomorrow for a special collaborative post on fall makeup looks using the Urban Decay Naked palettes!

Skin Tip: Fall Skincare Tip!

October 2, 2015

Friday is here which means my weekly skin tip!

With fall and cooler weather around, now is the perfect time to have more invasive skincare treatments such as chemical peels and laser treatments to help with uneven skin tone and reveal a rejuvenated appearance.

See you next week readers!

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

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

Skin Tip: How to Soften the Appearance of Fine Eye Lines!

September 25, 2015

Friday is finally here- yay! Time for a skin tip.

An easy way to minimize the appearance of fine lines around the eyes is to moisturize with an eye cream. Lines and wrinkles are more prominent when the skin is dry and adding hydration softens the look.

Thanks so much for tuning in this week and make sure you are also subscribed to The Peachy Queen Blog for awesome fashion posts and to catch another exclusive post from me tomorrow! 🙂

Wishing you a great weekend,

Stephanie

R+Co Death Valley Dry Shampoo and Analog Cleansing Foam Conditioner Review!

September 24, 2015

Hello everyone! I have for you today reviews on two R+Co products that I have been testing out. I purchased the Analog Cleansing Foam Conditioner from the Birchbox store and the Death Valley Dry Shampoo came as a sample in my August Birchbox. For reference, I have curly, color treated hair and I tried both of these with my natural hair and then also when I straightened it.

R+Co comprises “some of the most forward-thinking, rule-bending hairstylists in the business.” Their products are free of parabens, sulfates (SLS or SLES), mineral oil, petrolatum and gluten. They are also vegetarian, cruelty-free, color-safe and most of the retail packaging can be recycled. Also notable from this brand is their androgynous fragrances and the colorful images that mark the containers they come in.

Let’s get started.

Death Valley Dry Shampoo

Described as “the quickest way to get volume and body into your hair.

Pros

Adds volume to hair

Nice, clean scent

Good product to refresh hair

No white residue left behind

Unique packaging/pictures

Available in travel-size

Cons

Does not absorb oil

Can feel a little bit sticky at times

A bit pricey- $29 for 6.3 oz/$17 for 1.6 oz

Overall: This dry shampoo didn’t absorb any oil and I felt that when it mixed with the oil in my hair, it made it feel a bit sticky and heavy. It smells very similar to the Dry Bar Detox Dry Shampoo but leans more towards a woodsy scent-I love it! This is best used on straight hair that isn’t too oily and adds good volume. I doubt I would purchase this as both the Dry Bar Detox Shampoo and Bumble and bumble Pret-a-Powder work better at absorbing oil and I do prefer the Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray for adding volume/texture over this one.

Analog Cleansing Foam Conditioner

Described as “the only step you need to weightlessly soften and condition, no matter what kind of hair you’ve got.”

Pros

Cleans pretty well for a product that doesn’t really foam up

Light, airy mousse-like texture

Doesn’t make hair feel stripped which is great for curly and color-treated hair

The scent is not overpowering

Unique packaging/pictures

Cons

You’ll still need to condition your hair despite the claims

Pricey- $29 for 6 fl oz

You do need to use quite a bit of product

Hard to tell how much product is left

Overall: I’ve tried several shampoos, including DevaCurl, that are designed to clean hair without foaming and while they were nice at first, my hair just looked greasy by the end of the day or over time. This cleansing conditioner though is one of the best formulations I have tried thus far. The product looks similar to mousse but a bit creamier and it really removes oil without making your scalp feel dry. I had to use about 3-4 pumps to cover my head and I did need to use conditioner on the end afterwards but my hair looked soft and significantly less frizzy. My only problem with this is that you can’t tell how much is left in the can and you do need to use more than is indicated in the instructions. It is pricey but well-worth the price and I will definitely be repurchasing this.

Have a great day and let me know in the comments below what your favorite or least favorite hair products are!

Stephanie

PopSugar Must Have Unboxing September 2015!

September 22, 2015

Disclaimer: This post contains a referral link.

Hi guys! How was your weekend? I spent my Sunday at the International Congress of Esthetics and in Long Beach which is a trade show heaven for skincare professionals. I picked up a few items which I’ll be posting on Instagram so follow me if you’re interested to see what I picked up. 🙂 I also attended a conference on makeup for acne-prone skin taught by celebrity makeup artist Angelica Itomura so that was exciting and very informative. All right, let’s get to today’s post.

September’s PopSugar Must Have box has arrived and if you haven’t heard of this it’s a monthly box whose items range from fashion, beauty, home, fitness and food, making it a well rounded subscription box. Subscription plans start at $39.95, all items are full size and are valued at over $100.

The inspiration behind this month’s box.

Hudson + Bleecker Labyrinth Onyx Travel Trio, $42

This travel friendly and TSA-friendly clear pouch holds your items while there are two printed drawstring bags that can be used to store shoes.

Briogeo Rosarco Milk Reparative Leave-In Conditioning Spray, $20

This leave in conditioning spray is infused with argan, rose hip and coconut oils that help protect against heat and nourish your hair. This did not weigh my hair down nor did it feel heavy. I feel leave-in conditioners are a must for my curly hair and this one is a good one to try.

Kris Nations “XO” Stud Earrings, $35

These handmade California stud earrings are “cut from recycled brass and plated with 14k gold.” I think the little XO design is cute and although I hardly wear earrings, I’ll give these a try. Plus, I love the little glass container packaging it came in, perhaps more than the earrings, haha.

NCLA So Rich Vitamin-E Enriched Cuticle Oil, $18

An oil that softens and conditions cuticles with just a drop. This strengthening oil is said to “keep nails moisturized and smelling divine” and I love the smell. To me, it’s reminiscent of almonds and cherries or something among those lines.

Nourish Snacks Almond to Cherries, $2

A healthy, well-proportioned snack that contains six grams of protein and three grams of fiber to give you energy throughout the day. Almonds are one of my favorite snacks and combined with cherries-yum!

Too Faced Cosmetics Brow Envy Brow Shaping & Defining Kit, $39

In my opinion the star product in this box is this brow kit. Included are two customizable brow powders, a highlighter, a setting wax, a mini spoolie and brow brush, eyebrow stencils and a small set of tweezers. Full review to come later on this one.

A closer look at the cuticle oil, earrings and brow kit.

Other goodies included that are not pictured were 20% off coupons for Too Faced and Kris Nations along with two, $10 coupon codes to share PopSugar with friends and family. Overall, another great box and one of my favorites so far.

If you’re interested in trying out PopSugar Must Have, click here and use coupon code MUSTHAVE5 for $5 off your first subscription box.

Have a great Tuesday,

Stephanie

Skin Tip: Ingredients to Avoid When Pregnant!

September 18, 2015

Happy Friday readers! Can’t believe it’s Friday again!

When you are pregnant, here are three major skincare ingredients to avoid: retinol, Isotretinoin and hydroquinone. If you’re ever in doubt of which ingredients to use, ask your healthcare professional.

Have a great weekend everyone and don’t forget to tune in tomorrow to The Peachy Queen Blog for great posts including a new and exclusive post where I will be talking about the red lipstick as concealer trend!

Stephanie

September Birchbox Unboxing 2015!

September 17, 2015

Disclosure: This post contains a referral link.

September’s Birchbox is here and this month they’re celebrating their subscribers. Take a look at what was included in my box.

L’Artisan Parfumeur Mure et Musc Eau de Toilette

Described as having notes of blackberry, rich musk and wood, this sample perfume smells like men’s cologne and I don’t like it at all. The blackberry and musk scent combination doesn’t mesh well with me. Sorry to say but I will be discarding this immediately.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil

The sample choices this month were between Pop Beauty Eyeshadow Trio, Davine’s LoveShampoo and packet conditoner and Anastasia Beverly Hills Perfect Brow Pencil. I picked the eyebrow pencil as I needed one and I’m already a fan of the powder duo. Personally, I prefer powder over pencil because I feel it gives a softer effect but this will do for now. I can always blend it out. 🙂

TOCCA Esfoliante de Corpo in Bianca

I’m happy this sugar based body exfoliant was included since it has two of my favorite scents: lemon and green tea. I tried a little bit on my hands and the word luxurious came to mind. Seriously a must try for the cooler months ahead as it leaves skin feeling hydrated and silky. *Note: Sensitive skin should tread with caution as it is fragrant.

treStiQue Correct & Cover Concealer Crayon in Bisque

I haven’t tried this concealer yet but I love the packaging. The top portion is the cap, shaped like the tip of the concealer-how cute is that. I’m a little nervous testing this because it’s infused with coconut oil and I’m worried it may be too heavy for the eye area. We’ll see.

Rene Furterer Absolue Keratine Sublime Renewal Leave-in Cream

This “keratin-rich cream smoothes, restores, and protects even the most damaged strands.” It’s heavily fragranced but I don’t find it overpowering. It is a rich, heavy cream that feels soft but I need more time to really see if it makes a difference. Having curly, color treated hair, I feel I am a perfect candidate. Stay tuned for a review.

Overall, it was a good box and although I won’t be using the fragrance sample, the Tocca exfoliant made it worth it.

Curious to try out Birchbox? You can subscribe to Birchbox for $10.00 per month and receive 50 bonus points to use towards a purchase by clicking here . If you subscribe before October 9th, you’ll receive your first box for only $5.00.

What are your thoughts on this month’s box?

Stephanie