Stephie Estie

November Favorites 2015!

Nov End

Happy December everyone! My, my, how time is just zooming by.  Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend.  🙂

Well, it’s the start of a new month which means it’s time to share items I have been loving all throughout November.  Let’s get started!

Why Not Me? Mindy Kaling

Featured in October’s PopSugar Must Have Box, this was a fairly quick and great read.  A humorously written account of her life and experiences, I especially loved the beauty advice she gives.

“Who is the beauty icon that inspires you the most? Is it Sophia Loren? Audrey Hepburn? Halle Berry? Mine is Nosferatu, because that vampire taught me my number-one and number-two favorite beauty tricks of all time: avoid the sun at all costs and always try to appear shrouded in shadows.”

I mean, there is some truth in that. 😉

Dior Addict Lip Maximizer High Volume Lip Plumper in Pink 001

After my horrible experience with the Dior Addict Fluid Stick-it made my lips burn and feel sensitized-I returned it and the sales associate gave me a sample of this.  I took a liking to this immediately.  I don’t think it plumped up my lips but the high shine, non-sticky texture is amazing.  It’s light pink in color and feels slightly minty on the lips without being overwhelming.

Skinfix Ultra Rich Body Butter 

A little body butter jar that came in my Target Beauty Box, I keep this on my nightstand as it deeply moisturizes my dry hands.  It absorbs fairly quickly and doesn’t really have a scent.  I love mixing this with my favorite lavender essential oil for a customized scent.

Kiko Cosmetics Smart Lipstick in 901 Natural Neige 

I was ecstatic when a Kiko Cosmetics store opened up near me and one of the first things I gravitated towards was this lipstick.  At a little less than $5, this lipstick is absolutely amazing. (Note: I found this one in the discount section of the store.)  Creamy and the perfect nude color for me, this looks great worn alone or under lip gloss.  Did I mention it is under $5?  You need this.

Kiko 901

Kiko Smart Lipstick 901

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick in Natural Tan 4.25 

I received an array of Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick samples and immediately went to Macy’s to purchase the full size.  The stick form makes this a breeze to apply and is perfect when you are on the go. It melts into moisturized skin and doesn’t look cakey on me plus the coverage can be light or built up.

Foundation Stick

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick Natural Tan

Deepa Gurnani Katie Crystal Headband 

Another PopSugar Must have item, I love this headband!  It is festive and perfect for the holidays.  It doesn’t move once you put it on,which is an issue I have sometimes with other headbands, and is super comfortable.

Holiday Down

That’s it for my favorites.

Nov Faves

What were your favorites this month? 

Stephanie 

Happy Thanksgiving 2015!

thanksgiving

There is so much to be thankful for everyday but today I especially want to give thanks to all of you who take time out of your busy schedules to read my blog.  This week Stephie Estie hit 500 followers on WordPress alone and we’re very close to 1k total subscribers!  However, no one does anything alone and all of the support and encouragement I receive from you guys keeps me inspired and going. For that, I am immensely grateful so from the bottom of my heart, thank you!

Wishing you and yours a safe and Happy Thanksgiving, 

Stephanie 

Holiday Makeup Collaboration!

Holiday Main

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

Holiday Down

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.

Holiday Side

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 

Holiday Glance

*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!

Holiday Makeup

Stephanie

PopSugar Must Have Unboxing November 2015!

PSMH

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.

Tarte Eyes

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.

 

Tarte Swatches

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

PS 2

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 BB

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

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

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.

BB Last

What are your thoughts on this box? 

Stephanie 

 

Skin Tip: Glow From the Inside Out!

Happy Friday everyone!

Eating foods like salmon, tuna,  walnuts, flax and pumpkin seeds  that are rich in  omega-3 can help combat dry skin from the inside out.  So, if topical treatments aren’t enough, take a look at your diet and see if you are incorporating enough Essential Fatty Acids.

Have a lovely weekend everyone!  Sephora VIB weekend is here for me and well, you know I’ll be doing some shopping. Nothing too crazy though.  😉

Stephanie 

Disclaimer:  The contents on this website, and any related links, are provided for general informational purposes and should NOT be considered medical advice. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read here. Please consult a healthcare provider if you have any questions about a particular health condition.  

What You Need to Know Before Booking a Facial!

 

facial

Happy Thursday everyone!

With the holidays fast approaching, you may be thinking of booking a facial.  Make sure to read this first so you know what to expect!

Be Prepared to Fill Out a Consultation Card

Before receiving a facial, you will be required to fill out a consultation card.  This helps determine what treatment will be best, and most importantly safe, to perform.  This step should always be incorporated before any treatment. Expect questions asking you about your lifestyle, current product use and medical history and be honest with your answers to avoid any complications.

Your Treatment May Change

Be mindful that after reviewing your consultation card or skin analysis, your esthetician or medical provider may modify or advise you to post-pone a treatment. For example, if you’re using prescription Retin-A, a chemical peel will not be performed unless you have discontinued use for a couple of weeks with permission from your doctor. Or, if you have an eczema flare up or an active blister outbreak, expect to immediately be prompted to medical treatment.

Have Realistic Expectations and Follow Directions

While facials and chemical peels can produce excellent results, you also need to have realistic expectations.  One treatment may not be enough to control your hyperpigmentation or extensive sun damage. Also, maintaining your results is largely contingent on you.  If you are advised to avoid sun exposure and heat for a few days or instructed to not pick at your face, take heed!  Trust us, you don’t want to aggravate your skin and make a condition worse.

Hope you found this helpful!

Stephanie 

Kat Von D Lolita vs NYX Soft-Spoken!

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

Lolita and Sodt Spoken

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.

Bottom Pic

Have you tried these?  Which is your favorite? 

Stephanie 

Skin Tip: Cleansing Agents to Avoid!

It’s Friday and the weekend is upon us yet again in a flash. Time seems to be zooming by right?

I hear many people tell me they use soap to cleanse their face and complain about their face being very dry.  I highly advise people to use a soap-free cleanser because soap tends to have a higher pH level and can disrupt our skin’s protective barrier.  Especially during cooler temperatures, our skin needs that protective barrier and if disrupted, it can lead to redness, sensitivity and dryness.

Enjoy the weekend readers! 

Stephanie