Sunday, November 23, 2014

My Makeup Must Haves

I, like many beauty fanatics have a problem with shopping. Especially when it comes to makeup. In an effort to tone down my spending habits, I have compiled a list of products that I feel are necessary essentials and basics. This is a great starting point if you are just getting into makeup or you are completely revamping your collection for whatever reason.

Face


Primer:
Everyone should be using a face primer if they are using any sort of foundation or powder. Not only will it further protect your skin from makeup and environmental impurities, it will help your makeup last longer. Many are also formulated for specific skin concerns, for example oil control, pore minimizing, tone correcting or luminosity.

Tinted Moisturizer/Foundation
I never leave the house without some form of coverage on my face. I don't have perfect skin and I feel more comfortable knowing that my skintone looks even and my face is not exposed to the elements.

Concealer
This is a big staple for me because I have horrible under eye circles. I love Nars Creamy Concealer in Chantilly.

Powder
For those with oily skin or who like to use foundations and concealers, this is a crucial product to have. It will prevent oilyness throughout the day and will set your makeup to make sure that it stays where it is supposed to. I prefer translucent powders but that is a personal preference. I have been using the Too Faced Primed and Poreless Translucent Powder.

Blush
My personal recommendation is that you should have at least one blush and if you like to change your look for the seasons up to 4. Although I have way more than that as I am sure that many of us do. Start out by figuring out what your favorite blush tone is. Do you like peach or coral blushes, rosey or bright pink, or do you prefer plums and reds? Next, decide how often you wear certain colors and pick up to your top four. Anything beyond that, probably isn't necessary even if it is nice to have. I have four must have colors; a natural pink for spring, a peach for summer, a rose/berry which is my favorite year round and a red for the winter. I recently purchased the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette which has just about every color that I need in it. There is a nice, natural pink, a beautiful peach and a gorgeous dusty rose color. For my red blush I prefer MAC's Fever.

Bronzer
Not everyone likes bronzer. I only use it to contour because I personally do not like the tanned look on me. However, I still think it is a good staple if you feel that your face could use some contour. I always look for a bronzer that has a cooler undertone, which can be a challenge as most bronzers are warm or even orangy. Two that I would recommend are NYX Blush in Taupe and Kevyn Aucoin's Sculpting Powder.

Eyes

Eye Primer
This is necessary if you wear eyeshadow. It will prevent it from creasing throughout the day. Do not forget it! I love ELF's primer and it is only $1. Better and more affordable than Urban Decay's in my opinion.

Eye Shadow


Skintone Eyeshadow
Look for a matte or satin eyeshadow that is at least the same shade as your skin, if not a little lighter. I use MAC's Blanc Type and apply this as my base color all the way up to the brow. Not only will this even out your eye area but it will provide an extra layer between your other shadows and the oils on your skin. Your eye makeup will be less likely to crease this way.

Neutral/Everyday Eyeshadow Palette
I love having most of the main eyeshadows I like to use in a palette. This is something you could even do at home with a Z Palette. My favorite for everyday is the Urban Decay Naked and the Naked 2 Basics. Your palette does not have to be neutrals, just one that consists of just about every color you wear on a daily basis.


Eyeliner
I wear eyeliner about 90% of the time. If I don't it is usually because I used a powder to add definition to the lash line or I was rushing and only had time for mascara. I am extremely picky with eyeliner and it is one of few the beauty products that I don't particularly like to experiment with, brand wise. I have a select few brands that I like and usually stick to them. My favorite is Rimmel London's Scandal Eyes Eyeliner because it is so soft and creamy.

Mascara
This is more of a must have than eyeliner. If I had to leave the house with one or the other, I would choose mascara hands down. You look more put together with mascara vs just using eyeliner. I have been trying higher end brands but I just don't like them as much as the drugstore ones. I love the Cover Girl Clump Crusher and Maybelline Lash Stiletto.

Lips


Lip Liner
If you don't wear lip liner often but still want to have one for special events, go for a clear liner. This works with literally everything. I also always recommend getting a separate red liner. When wearing bold lip colors with a clear liner, the lipstick may still wear through and instead of seeing more color, you would be seeing bare lips. When I do a red lip, I always apply it in layers, red lip stain, red lip liner, and 2 coats of lipstick, blotted in between each coat. Lip liner does not have to look old ladyish; in fact it can make you look more put together. Lip liner should not, under any circumstances, be darker than the lip color you are wearing. When in doubt, go lighter and fill in the entire lip. My favorite everyday lip liner is Rimmel's Eastend Snob.

Lipstick
There are three main categories that I go by when I purchase lip products from a new brand. I always try a nude, a pink/rose and a red. If you are looking to have a minimal but well rounded makeup collection, that is all you need. A nice nude color that does not make you look dead, a 'my lips but better' color (or your favorite kind of pink) and a classic red. Obviously you can tailor and customize this to suit your personal taste and style. Maybe you don't like red but really love the dark vampy plums or you prefer mauve instead of a natural pink. Tailor to fit your needs. My favorite grab and go lip products are Loreal's Sheer Linen, Revlon Kissable Balm Stain in Honey Amour, and Lipstick Queen's Medieval. 

Lip Gloss
The same rule applies to lip gloss. Find a clear or nude color that is flattering, a pink that is similar to your own lip color and a classic red. I love NARS Scandal.

Running Late?


I usually keep a few products in my bag that I can throw on if I really have to run out the door. I always try to get at least my primers, foundation, concealer, and powder on before I leave but sometimes there just isn't time for anything else. These are products that are similar to ones you would use every day but not so much that you would have to go into your bag for them constantly. So what is in my emergency makeup stash?


  • Concealer (something easy to apply with fingers)
  • Mascara
  • Single Eyeshadow, Quad or Small Travel Palette (you can apply this with your fingers, included applicators or if you decide to have a small travel brush on hand)
  • Small Blush (you could also use your lipstick or have a travel palette that includes this)
  • Lip Liner (this should either go with your natural lip color or the color in your bag)
  • Lipstick and Gloss (these are usually my grab and go products mentioned previously)


I keep these either in a section of my bag or in a small makeup bag, that way it is separated from all of the other makeup products I end up carrying around with me in between bag organizations. Let me know if this helped you and I would love to hear what your makeup must haves are! Leave a comment below!






Sunday, October 26, 2014

Too Faced Snow Bunny Bronzer Review

Too Faced Products

This is my first time trying anything by Too Faced so I was really excited when I finally got off my bum and placed a (very small) order on their website. I didn't get too much at once because I didn't want to risk wasting the money if I didn't like the brand.

Too Faced Snow Bunny Bronzer
Too Faced Snow Bunny Bronzer
Too Faced Snow Bunny CompactThe actual product that I ordered was the Snow Bunny Bronzer. I wanted something more shimmery for the holidays and this looked perfect. Plus it felt seasonal with the name and everything. The whole idea behind this bronzer was that it would give you a natural bronze look in the winter when you wouldn't normally be tan, not that I like being tan anyway.

I really liked the packaging. The box was cute and the actual compact felt nice and heavy. It also has a great mirror. I love the elaborate pattern and the gold; it's different from the sleek black packing from a lot of brands, drugstore and high end. It is cute without being tacky.

Too Faced Snow Bunny Finger Swatches
Too Faced Snow Bunny Finger Swatches

Too Faced Snow Bunny - Separate Swatches
Too Faced Snow Bunny - Separate Swatches
Too Faced Snow Bunny - Mixed Swatch
Too Faced Snow Bunny - Mixed Swatch
The colors themselves I was impressed with. They did not look too orange or dark which, for me works fantastically. However, the bronze was the only one that you really noticed a color. The white was a very pretty highlight but the two pink shades looked nearly identical and were not very pink or pigmented. They are not really meant to be used as a full on blush but you can't see them at all on camera and it is hard to see them in real life. They just give the skin a shimmery glow. I have not decided whether that is good or bad yet. When all of the colors are mixed together, they give a really pretty subtle bronzed glow to the skin. I would not use this as a contour because I think matte bronzers work better for that purpose but this is great to add an extra glow.

Too Faced Primed and Poreless Powder
Too Faced Primed and Poreless Powder
When checking out, you get the option of picking two samples. The first sample I chose was the Primed and Poreless Powder. The first day I tried this, I was rushing so I just stuck a bunch of powder on my brush and all over my face. BIG Mistake! I ended up in a cloud of powder and I felt like I applied too much and my skin felt slightly too dry for most of the day. However, I love the effect the powder had on my skin and especially my pores! It felt silky smooth in a way that no other powder has ever felt on my skin. I also had very minimal oiliness and wear by the end of a busy 13 hour salon work day. My foundation did not look overly slick or like it had streaked off anywhere. It also did not settle or cling to any dry patches. You also get a lot for just a little sample, there is 0.07 oz which you get for free with a purchase! Assuming you don't do what I did and accidentally use 3 times the amount of product, this will last you awhile. The dry feeling, I suspect came from using too much. I am officially hooked! The only thing I am not fond of is when you are applying it onto your face, you get a cloud of product and I actually have to hold my breath so I don't breathe it in. If you have asthma or cannot be around smoke or other irritants for what ever reason, I would avoid this product.

Too Faced Lip Insurance Primer
Too Faced Lip Insurance Primer
The second sample was the Lip Insurance Lip Primer. It is a good size, especially for a sample. It has a basic doe-foot applicator. The product itself is clear and goes on a bit like a gloss but dries quickly. It can feel drying on the lips and a bit tacky. I applied the primer first, then applied whatever lipstick I intend to wear that day. The first time I applied it, I realized how drying it felt and I reapplied my favorite lip balm, Smith's Minted Rosebud Salve ontop of my lipstick. I have tried a few different lip products from different brands and I am not really wowed by this. I think just using a clear lip liner would give you better results.

If you have never tried Too Faced products before and don't want to pay the higher price tag for one item, you should check out their holiday collections! It is a great way to try out more products from any brand at a less expensive cost per item. Be sure to leave a comment below, I wold love to hear your Too Faced recommendations!

I bought these products with my own money. All opinions are my own and these are not affiliate links. 

Thursday, October 16, 2014

New Skincare Routine

Skincare Routine

If you read the very first post on my blog then you will probably know that I have been using the Simple face wash, scrub and moisturizer for a few months now. I still really like them and they are definitely the best drugstore skincare products I have ever tried. However, I have been noticing that they were making my face red so I decided to switch back to my Dermalogica Dermal Clay Cleanser. I am also trying out a bunch of new products and I have noticed that my skin improved dramatically ever since. I still get breakouts and black heads but they are far more manageable now. I would still purchase Simple products if I really needed to replace something and could not get my hands on anything else for whatever reason but I think I will be sticking with higher end products from now on.

Morning Routine


I use my Dermal Clay Cleanser in the morning. I love this face wash so much. It has menthol in it so my skin always feels de-congested. This is also great if you have a cold! The only thing that I am not overly fond of is that if you use this in the winter when your house is colder, you will freeze! It makes your face feel extremely cold. The first time I use it as a mask; I just leave it on for about 5-10 minutes before washing it off. Then I apply it again as a regular face wash.

I use a face scrub about twice a week in the morning. I got a small sample of the Brighten Up! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator by Vasanti Cosmetics from my Birchbox so I have just been using that. I like it so far. It dissolves the bonds that hold dead skin cells together and scrubs the dead, dull skin away. There are also natural healing ingredients to combat redness and irritation.

I bought the Caudalie Favorites Kit which included a small Caudalie Beauty Elixer. I love this product! It is so refreshing. You can use it as a toner or a refreshing mist throughout the day. It is also said to help reduce breakouts.

If I am going to be applying makeup then I will use my Embrolysse Lait-Creme Concentre. I buy mine from Birchbox just because it is the most convenient for me. You do not have to be a subscriber to Birchbox to purchase products from them. They have the small 30ml for $16 and the large 75ml for $28. This moisturizer works great, even during the cold winter months and also acts as a primer. Clearly there is a reason it is favored by makeup artists everywhere.

If I am just planning on staying home for the day or if I am feeling really tired and have an early morning, I will use my Origins GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer that I got from my Origins Bestsellers Kit

Another moisturizer that I love is the Dermalogica Active Moist. This is light and oil free, and keeps my skin balanced and moisturized even during the harsh winter months. It is one of my holy grail products!

For eye cream I use the Orgins GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream. I absolutely love this product! I have gone through multiple samples of this and can honestly say that it works amazingly. I still have dark circles but the puffiness has been greatly reduced.

Then I will apply a lip balm. I love Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm but I also will use an EOS one or if you are looking for an even more budget friendly option, Carmex is great as well.

Nighttime Routine


If I am wearing makeup I will first remove it with a makeup remover wipe and some of Maybelline's Extra Eyes Waterproof Eye Makeup Remover if I wore something heavier. Then I will go in with my Caudalie Makeup Removing Cleansing Water. I am in love with this makeup remover. It is not greasy or oily and it doesn't sting my eyes or make them all blurry and it works great!

Then I will go in with my Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash on a scrub brush. I only use the scrub brush once because I have sensitive skin. Then I will follow up by just using my finger tips for my second wash. If I had no makeup on I will usually skip the face brush and just wash my face twice with my fingertips.

You can find basic scrub brushes at Sally's Beauty Supply or Sephora. I don't have a fancy Clarisonic or anything like that. Any face brush will help give you a deeper clean. If you have sensitive skin, be extra gentle or find a brush specifically meant for sensitive skin.

I try to use some sort of mask every night. Depending on the condition of my skin I will either use the GlamGlow Thirsty Mud Hydrating Mask, my Michael Todd Organics Pumpkin Mask or my Origins Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask or sometimes I will try a new mask as well. The pumpkin one really helps to clear away dead skin but I only use this on days where I have done nothing else that is abrasive in any way; usually that is on a weekend where I was not wearing any makeup so I didn't use my face brush and didn't use a scrub that morning. Technically this mask is not supposed to be used for sensitive skin but I have had no funny reactions to it as long as I am careful about when I use it and how often. Other nights I will use my charcoal mask which I am obsessed with! I have noticed that my pores are cleaner and smaller just after one use and it leaves my face extremely soft! Other masks that I like are the Lush Mask of Magnaminty and the Origins Drink Up Intensive Overnight Mask. There is also a Drink Up 10 Minute Mask version of this as well.

Usually when I go to rinse off my mask I will take the tiniest bit of face cleanser and use that to help get all of the mask off. Literally only a pea size is plenty. It is just to make sure that there is no left over mask lingering on your face.

Then I will use my Caudalie Beauty Elixer and apply my nighttime moisturizer. I have been using the Origins High Potency Night-A-Mins Mineral Enriched Renewal Cream. For me, this feels a bit oily and I also wake up with my skin feeling a bit dryer than usual so I am not sure whether I like this one or not. However, it doesn't clog my pores or cause any funny reactions. I did find out that they make an oil free version but I am going to use up this one first.

For my nighttime eye cream I have been using Origins Eye Doctor Moisture Care eye cream.

After I brush my teeth, I use my ELF lip scrub to exfoliate my lips and get rid of the dry skin. Then I will use my Smith's Minted Rose Lip Balm. This is one of the few lip balms that are thick and moisturizing and keep my dry, cracky lips from getting dry or cracky for at least most of the day.

Since the holidays are coming up, companies are coming out with all kinds of gift sets. I think that this is the perfect opportunity to try out new face products because you can pay less for small versions of a bunch of different things. This is especially great if you are trying out a new brand all together. The same applies for makeup! These are the two gift sets I have purchased so far.

The Origins Best Sellers Kit includes a 1 oz Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash, a 0.5 oz Clear Improvement Active Charcoal Mask, a 1 oz High Potency Night-A-Mins Mineral Enriched Renewal Cream, a 1 oz GinZing Energy Boosting Moisturizer, a 0.5 oz Plantscription Youth Renewing Face Oil and a 0.5 oz GinZing Refreshing Eye Cream. Retails for $38 from Sephora.

The Caudalie Favorites Kit includes a 0.15 oz Lip Conditioner, a 1 oz Hand and Nail Cream, a 0.33 oz Vinosource Moisturizing Sorbet, a 1 oz Beauty Elixir Spray and a 1.69 oz bottle of the Make-up Remover Cleansing Water. Retails for $32 from Sephora.

I hope this helped some of you who are looking for new products to try. Overall, I have noticed a huge improvement in my skin's condition so far. I would love to read your comments and recommendations!

None of these links are affiliates. I am not making any money by you clicking on them. Everything was bought with my own money.

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Monday, October 13, 2014

Bath and Body Works Haul - Fall 2014

Bath and Body Works Bag

I love Bath and Body Works and couldn't wait to get there for some of their fall candles! I didn't go crazy because I am kind of late and there is only really another two months of fall left. I also had to try extremely hard to resist the Christmas candles that have begun to slowly take over. News flash Christmas; Halloween isn't even here yet, wait your turn!

Sweater Weather BBW Wallflower Plug InSo the first thing I got was one of their wallflower plug ins. I got Sweater Weather which smells amazing! To me it smells like a fresh, crisp autumn day, however this is what BBW has to say about it. 'Cuddle up with an aromatic blend of eucalyptus, juniper berry and fresh sage that celebrates the arrival of crisp autumn breezes.' Yep, sounds good to me. Because I got the wallflower in this scent, I reluctantly decided to skip out on a duplicate candle. May yet change my mind.

Vampire Blood BBW PocketBacAnother thing I made sure to grab before heading to the candles was my Vampire Blood Pocket Bac. The scent itself is called Wicked Plum and smells like berries. I love the scent, the name and the packaging! And like any proper vampire related thing, there is no GLITTER in this!

BBW 3 Wick Candle HolderI ended up getting a large candle holder. I had previously purchased both a large and a mini Christmas one a few years ago and also a mini holder on a stand. I decided to splurge and buy another large one that worked for all year so that I was not as tempted by the cute seasonal candle holders. And they are getting better and better each year! I love this one, it goes with the tall mini holder I already own and it is on a slight pedestal which for me takes away some of the worry about putting my candles on cardboard or wooden surfaces. I have never had an accident with a BBW candle but you never know.
BBW White Barn 3 Wick Leaves Candle
BBW Mini Candle Holder and mini Leaves CandleMoving on to the candles! I got a mini Leaves candle. Not entirely sure why as I also got the big 3 wick one. I do like to have a small stash of mini seasonal candles on hand just in case I can't get to BBW for whatever reason at the beginning of the season. I have a Sparkling Icicles mini candle left over from last year just for that purpose! The holder is one from last year so they may not have it anymore.

As I mentioned, I got a large Leaves candle, except this is the White Barn version, while the mini is the regular BBW version. I personally thought the White Barn one smelled stronger this year for some reason so I am going to try both. This is what BBW says about Leaves. 'Celebrate the brilliant colors of autumn with a rich blend of golden nectar, red apple and spiced berries.' I found it interesting that both the BBW and the White Barn brands had the same description. I don't particularly care for one brand over the other but I have noticed that there is sometimes a difference in strength between the two.
BBW 3 Wick Sweet Cinnamon Pumpkin Candle
This one I wasn't so sure about. Usually when I smell this candle, it is so sweet and I want nothing to do with it. However, when I smelled it this time it reminded me of the pumpkin mask that I use and wasn't as offensive. BBW says, 'A fall harvest favorite inspired by delicious homemade treats - pumpkin pie, vanilla cream and spice.' I am not 100% sure that I will like this one but as I have never actually burned it before, I will give it a try. Hopefully it doesn't make me sick, which is what usually happens with sweet scents.

These next two were part of a system I planned before I got into the store. I knew that, being half way through October I would most likely still have fall candles left over by the time I was ready to get the Christmas ones. So while still carefully avoiding the Christmas candles, I picked up two 'transitional' candles that could work for either month. I will burn my fall ones first and then start on these two in November.

BBW 3 Wick Cranberry Woods Candle
I love Cranberry Woods. It is similar to Frosted Cranberry, just spicier and less wintry. It is described by BBW as 'Tart cranberries, black currant and warm cinnamon bark captures the magic of the woods during harvest.' This is one of my favorites for fall that I have repurchased many times along with Leaves and Sweater Weather.

BBW 3 Wick Fresh Balsam CandleThis one is probably the most wintry one that I got. It is usually the one that I get that smells like a Christmas tree but really it just smells like a pine forest during the colder months. 'Crisp eucalyptus, fir needles and cedarwood musk evoke the invigorating aroma of evergreen woods on a clear fall morning.' Something odd that I noticed was that the descriptions for Fresh Balsam varied depending on the packaging. They are all the same scent by White Barn but are described differently. I love the packaging for this one though, it makes it look more fall-ish than having pinecones or glittering Christmas trees on the front. I am saving this one for the end of fall/beginning of winter.

A Thousand Wishes mini BBW perfumeOnce I got to the checkout I ended up grabbing this little thing. It is a mini of a new perfume that will be coming out for the winter. It is called A Thousand Wishes and says 'Warm your heart a thousand times over with a festive blend of sparkling champagne, crystal peonies and almond creme.' This smells really good and is a perfect spicy winter scent. Those of you who like Victoria's Secret Night or Dark Orchid will probably like this as well. The top notes are Sparkling Champagne, Twinkling Star Fruit and Golden Quince. The middle notes are Crystal Peonies, and Purple Freesia. The dry notes are Gilded Amber, Almond Creme, Sugared Sandlewood and Velvet Musk.

That is everything that I got from Bath and Body Works. What are your favorite scents for fall! I would love to know so leave a comment!


Saturday, October 11, 2014

Fall Favorites Q&A!

I am a child of Halloween! Not literally, my birthday is unfortunately in August. But Halloween has been my favorite holiday since I can remember and I have never once stated otherwise. In fact most of my early readers books were about witches and other Halloween themed things. I remember fondly my green skeleton Halloween lights in my bedroom window, those are gone now too. I decided to do a Fall/Halloween questionnaire in honor of the best season ever!

Fall Drink

In general, my favorite fall drink is apple cider but if you want to be more specific, I always get excited for Starbucks' Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate.

Fall Accessory

Scarves. It is the only time of the year where you can wear a scarf without getting hot or having to wear a thick one out of necessity.

Fall Candy

Candy Corn. I have discovered that if you eat too much candy corn, it gives you a sore throat. That is how much candy corn I consume at one time. A good alternative is Butterscotch, they taste very similar.

Fall Makeup Product

MAC Spice it Up! I love this color and it will be a fall favorite for many seasons to come!

Fall Nail Polish

OPI's Every Month is Oktoberfest. I always gravitate towards colors like these but this is my favorite. Another that is a classic for me is Vampsterdam on top of a layer of Black Onyx. It reminds me of my first ever nail polish color that I bought for Halloween in middle school. Unfortunately I have no idea what brand the polish was.

Fall BBW Candle Scent

Leaves. This is one that I will always buy. It is a fall staple and I love the scent.

Fall BBW Body Scent

Amber Blush. I love this scent for fall. It is a perfect balance of floral and warmth that I love in the fall.

Fall Perfume

Dolce and Gabbana The One Desire. I love this perfume! It is slightly floral, warm and spicy. My perfect scent for fall.

Fall Desert

Without a doubt, Pumpkin Pie! Anyone who knows me knows that I will gladly finish a whole pie by myself if given the chance.

Fall Activity

Pumpkin Picking and Corn Mazes!

Halloween Additions

Haunted Houses, Corn Mazes or Hay Rides?

I prefer haunted houses and insane asylums to haunted corn mazes and I just think haunted hay rides are boring. I usually do regular corn mazes along with my pumpkin picking.

Favorite Halloween Movie

Trick r Treat, The Little Vampire and Hocus Pocus. Trick r Treat is supposed to be a scary movie but it is more of a mildly spooky, rainy fall Saturday movie. It is one of those movies that isn't really that good but enough people like it that you can still find it some places. Hocus Pocus on the other hand is a classic halloween family movie and I had to include The Little Vampire in honor of my child self who absolutely loved it.

Most Worn Costume

Vampire. I alternated between a vampire and a witch for most of my Halloweening career with the occasional Mad Hatter and miscellaneous other characters but I think that Vampire won most used overall.

What is the first costume you remember wearing?

This is slightly complicated for me. I have pictures of my baby self in a lamb outfit, I was a cow when I was about preschool age and I distinctly remember my mom making me a homemade angel costume one year when I was young. I don't remember the lamb at all and I am not sure whether the cow or the angel was first.

What was usually still left in your Halloween stash after you have eaten everything else?

Blow Pops, Tootsie Rolls, Whoppers, Smarties, and Licorice (unless it was Twizzlers).

I would love to know your answers to any of these questions! Leave a comment down below.



Monday, October 6, 2014

My Top Fall Nail Polishes

Yet another reason that Fall is the best season ever! It has everything!  The best weather, the best makeup, the best pie (yay pumpkin!), Salted Caramel Hot Chocolate from Starbucks, and of course the best nail polishes! So without further delay, here are my top  must have nail polishes for Fall!

The first one is a staple for fall. I have so many taupes but I had to narrow down to my all time favorite, which is OPI's Berlin There Done That. This is my favorite because it is not too brown or purple.

Butter London's Old Blighty
This is a really pretty smoky brick red creme. A real fall classic. Comparable to Julep's Claudette.

OPI Every Month Is Oktoberfest Swatch
OPI Every Month Is Oktoberfest
OPI's Every Month is Oktoberfest
This was my first ever OPI polish. I just love the color! It is a beautiful deep, almost coppery purple wine color. It seems more blue based but with purple, red and gold shimmer. I love colors like this and the is my favorite out of all the ones I own with a similar color.

OPI's Nein, Nein, Nein, OK Fine!
This is a nice dark neutral color. It is a dark grey that has a bit of a greenish hue.

Julep Trina
This is a shimmery eggplant purple color with purple shimmer. I think it is quite similar to OPI's Suzi and the 7 Dusseldorfs but it is warmer.

OPI's Vampsterdam
When I was younger I had a polish very similar to this but it was darker. I have since thrown away the bottle and long forgot what the brand or the name was. This polish reminds me of that other one. Even more so when layered on top of OPI's Black Onyx. I just do one coat of each and the effect is stunning.

Butter London All Hail the Queen Swatch
Butter London All Hail the Queen
Butter London's All Hail the Queen
This color is a taupe with holographic glitter. I love it because it gives an elegant twist to a basic nude color.

Essie Stylenomics
I bought this during IMATS on a whim. I didn't expect to love it as much as I do. It is a very dark greyish green and really unlike any other color I have seen.

Julep Boris and Nicole
This is a beautiful frosty autumn leaves color. It is a warm reddish brown that just screams fall.

Revlon Raven Red
This has been my favorite red for years before I even had OPI's Got the Blues for Red (see honorable mentions). It is a tad lighter but it is still a beautiful blood red.
Butter London British Racing Green Swatch
Butter London British Racing Green

Butter London's British Racing Green
A beautiful hunter green with subtle shimmer. I love dark greens but they can be hard to find. This one is a real winner!

OPI's Suzi and the 7 Dusseldorfs
I actually bought this one because I saw my Cosmetology teacher wearing it on her toes and it looked so good! I later realized that it is nearly an exact dupe for China Glaze Draped in Velvet. The only difference is that Draped in Velvet has more of a chunky shimmer and OPI's Suzi and the 7 Dussel-what-its (it's a long name) has a much finer shimmer and seems a bit darker because of it. I love both but the OPI does not chip as easily on me. Out of the two I definitely prefer the OPI polish.


Honorable Mentions

All of these are either discontinued or hard to find.

My classic red for fall is definitely OPI's Got the Blues for Red. It is a dark vampy blue toned red. However I cannot find it for sale other than amazon or drugstore.com.

OPI's Skyfall Collection
This was a limited edition collection that came out for the new 007 movie, Skyfall; which by the way, was awesome! My favorites from this collection are On Her Magesty's Secret Service, Live and Let Die and The World is Not Enough. The last two come in the mini's collection if you can find it on amazon.

Julep Hoch
I love this polish but sadly it was limited edition. However Julep's Emilie seems to be a decent dupe for it. The Polish Jinx here on Blogger did a post comparing them. Check it out HERE!

Finger Paints Harvest Hues
I tried to find a color like this for years before I finally stumbled across this one. It was also limited edition and it has mostly been replaced with Butter London's British Racing Green, though they are not really a dupe for each other. It is a beautiful blue toned dark green with some silver shimmer. Very Slytherin!



Nail Polish Safety Specs.

Essie is 3 free. There is no DPB, Toluene, or Formaldehyde.

Julep is 5 free and vegan friendly. There is no Formaldehyde, Formaldehyde resin, DPB, Toluene, Camphor, or animal ingredients or byproducts.

OPI (green label) is 3 free. There is no DPB, Toluene or Formaldehyde.

Revlon is Formaldehyde and Toluene Free.

China Glaze (black label) is 3 free. There is no DPB, Toluene or Formaldehyde.

Finger Paints is 3 free. There is no DPB, Toluene or Formaldehyde.

Butter London is 5 free. There is no DPB, Phthalates, Toluene, Formaldehyde or Parabens.






Thursday, October 2, 2014

My Current Playlist - Fall 2014

Okay I know most people make a summer playlist. I have one but I just love fall so much more that I decided that it needed it's own playlist too! I know some of these songs are pretty old but I listen to what I want, not what the radio is currently playing. It's a nice change from the overplayed radio music. There are a few instrumentals listed as well. Here are a few of the songs I have been listening to lately.



Marina and the Diamonds - Numb



Adele - Skyfall


Midnight Syndicate - Blackest Rose (Instrumental)


Motion City- Always Running Out of Time


Voltaire - The Industrial Revolution (and how it ruined my life)


Demi Lovato - Heart Attack


Roger Daltrey - It's A Hard Life


Avenged Sevenfold - Save Me


Selena Gomez - Round and Round


Plain White T's - Welcome To Mystery


Alice Madness Returns - Madness(Instrumental)


Rae Morris - Walls


Kerli - Walking on Air


Tokio Hotel - World Behind My Wall


They Might Be Giants - Istanbul


Thomas VanOosting - Crispy Breeze (Instrumental)


My Chemical Romance - Disenchanted


That is a sample of what I have been listening to lately. I would love to know what is on your current playlist! Leave a comment below!

Monday, September 15, 2014

Butter London First Impressions

Butter London Polish

I have been eyeing Butter London's nail polishes for a long time and finally got my hands on my two most coveted colors! Since these are the first Butter London polishes that I have ever tried, I decided to do a first impressions.



The Colors

Butter London British Racing Green, All Hail the Queen
Butter London British Racing Green, All Hail the Queen

The first one that I tried was the color All Hail the Queen. It is a beautiful holographic, glittery taupe and is actually completely unique in my collection, it is a great year round color. It is a slightly dressier option to the classic taupe or nude polish while still being elegant.

Butter London All Hail the Queen Swatch
Butter London All Hail the Queen


The second color is British Racing Green. I am a sucker for a beautiful dark green polish because they are so hard to find. This color is also unique to my collection. I only have two other basic dark green polishes and neither resemble this one in any way. It is a dark hunter green with subtle shimmer.

Butter London British Racing Green Swatch
Butter London British Racing Green

The Packaging

Butter London All Hail the Queen PackagingI really like Butter London's packaging. It is heavy and luxurious, exactly what you would expect from a $15 polish. There are two separate parts to the top. The cap actually comes off to reveal the screw top of the brush. As someone who has cracked plastic nail polish lids before (mostly Avon) I am happy that the large plastic top is only for show. There is actually a sticker on the side that says 'lift to open'. This sticker seals the polish so you either have to remove it or do what I did and slice it apart with nail scissors.
Butter London All Hail the Queen Packaging

The Application


Application was fantastic. It is a bit sheer on the first coat but two coats will create a nice coverage. The formula is somewhat thin but by no means watery or streaky. It is very easy to work with and creates a beautiful finish.


Staying Power


I work as a salon assistant so my nails go through a lot of abuse. My nail polish will often start to chip and peel off by day 2 (same day for some polishes) even if it has good staying power under normal wear and tear. This polish held up pretty well compared to other brands, lasting a grand total of 5 days before beginning to chip. I think that for someone who is not so hard on their nails, this could last all week!








I also got this cute clutch for free with my order (from Ulta) which is also available separately from Butter London's website. It is a perfect size for a small makeup bag. The zipper is very heavy duty and doesn't feel like it will break in a few weeks. It is black faux leather with gold writing on the front that says "We Believe In Rock & Roll, Great Britain, And Fashion." Clutch retails for $15.


Butter London Clutch

Butter London is available from Ulta , Sephora, some department stores and through their website, www.butterlondon.com. They retail for $15 each with 11ml/0.4 fl oz. TIP: Ulta sometimes has 2 for $15 sales.

All Butter London products are free of formaldehyde, toulene, DBP, phthalates and parabens.

Disclaimer: These polishes were bought with my own money. There are no affiliate links in this post and all opinions are my own.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

My Holy Grail Beauty Products - Fall 2014

These are my holy grail, tried and true, cannot live without, stranded on a tropical island in the middle of nowhere, must have products.

This is one of my pricier must haves, but a must have nonetheless. This primer really gives you a nice smooth, pore free canvas to work with. It has some color in the tube but it is translucent on the skin. This is the first thing that goes on my skin after moisturizer and eye cream. It is also oil free.

This is another of my must haves for oil control. Like my face powder, I always notice a huge difference if I don't use it. A bad difference. This is a light, clear gel that spreads well and has an instant mattifying effect without drying out my skin. I put this on right before my foundation.

This is my favorite drugstore foundation. It gives a fantastic coverage without looking cakey and still slightly allows your real skin to peak through a bit. I cannot tell you how many times I have received comments on how great my skin looks, when it is really all thanks to this foundation.

This is my second favorite drugstore foundation for when I want perfect coverage. It is thicker than the nearly naked and gives you about...98% coverage depending on the condition of your skin. If you have a massive, raised, red blemish you will probably still see a small bit of it. This formula is specifically for combination/oily skin so I don't have to worry about it making my skin look oily and cakey.
They also make a formula for Normal/Dry skin types. One thing that I noticed that I found a little weird was that the formula for normal/dry skin has spf 15 and the combination/oily skin only has spf  6. ???

This is a great tinted moisturizer! It has a nice color range so you can find one that really matches your skin tone and it blends amazingly. There is one shade lighter but because I tend to get about a half to one shade darker in the summer whether I like it or not, I use the second lightest one. The lightest is Alabaster Tint and there is really only a tiny difference between the two. There are no streaky spots of color or ompa lompa orange tints with this stuff.

A great pressed powder for oily skin! It says up to 5 hours of natural shine control with natural minerals. I have not timed this but it definitely pulls it's weight throughout the day and I always notice a bad difference when I don't use it. It also helps minimize the appearance of pores, giving your face a nice soft finish, which makes me happy. It is not translucent (they do have one, Transparent 001) but there is little to no actual coverage. It is very sheer.

I am prepared to swear under oath that this stuff is better than the Urban Decay Primer Potion. I have tried both and I think this has a better result. It is also cheaper ($1). They make a few different types but I just get the original sheer one. I can pile as much eyeshadow as I want, in any formula, from any brand and it will not budge until I am ready to take it off.

This is probably the only mascara that I have ever done a repurchase on. Originally I intended to splurge and buy a mascara from sephora but after looking at so many reviews I chickened out. I hate shopping for new mascara because I don't like to have a bunch open at once and I want the one that I buy to work. Then I realized that I was comparing all of the mascaras that I looked at to the Cover Girl Clump Crusher. It lengthens and volumizes my lashes while still looking natural without clumps or making them look like straw.

My all time favorite lipgloss! I love the color that this gives to my lips. It is described as a cherry red by Nars but on me it looks more of a brick red. The formula is amazing though I have not tried the new formula yet. I still have the old tube.

This eye cream is amazing. It has caffeine so it really helps you feel more awake instantly. It also helps reduce under-eye circles and puffiness. It also has a bit of a shimmer (not really noticeable on the skin) that helps to brighten the eye area.

I have only had this palette for a short amount of time but I am already in love with it. It has become a staple in my makeup routine. To see my review on this palette, click HERE!

This eye shadow is my perfect lid shade. I use this as a base for all of my eyeshadows, from my lid to my brow bone, corners of the eyes and underneath the eye. It is very creamy and blends amazingly. Using this under other shadows also helps them blend better than if I were to put them straight onto primer.

I would love to know what your holy grail products are! Please leave a comment below!


Friday, September 5, 2014

How to Achieve a 'No Makeup' Makeup Look


Practically Perfect in Every Way


no makeup makeup look
This is actually one of the hardest looks to achieve. You want your face look like your bare skin, but better. I am going to share my tips and favorite products to help you achieve this look.

The main goal of this look is for everything to be so seamlessly blended that everything you put on looks like your natural skin or a shadow. You want to look like you just woke up looking perfect!

Primer
In my opinion, you should always use a primer under any other makeup. It helps prevent your makeup from taking international flights to somewhere else on your face. For face primer I use NYX's Shine Killer face primer. It works great for controlling oily skin. My holy grail lid primer is ElF's eyelid primer. It works better than some of the higher end brands and it is only $1.

Foundation
You don't have to use a foundation if you don't want to. A tinted moisturizer or even just a face powder will work perfectly. Use what you feel the most comfortable in.

I use both foundation and tinted moisturizer interchangeably. For foundation I use Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation in 110 Ivory. This foundation is extremely light on the face and has about a medium coverage. If I want something lighter or faster to apply then I use Bobbi Brown Oil Free Tinted Moisturizer in Extra Light Tint (summer), or Alabaster Tint (rest of the year). This tinted moisturizer has great coverage with a nice, slightly dewy finish. Unfortunatly I found out that this product is to be discontinued. Stay tuned for a new tinted moisturizer review!

Concealer
Apply any needed concealer after your foundation. That way you know exactly what needs to be covered. Blend well.

Blush/Bronzer/Highlight
Use a subtle highlighter on the cheekbones, bridge of the nose and above the lip. Again, nothing very shimmery or obvious. Cream highlighters work great for this look. Cream blushes look very natural as well but not everyone likes them. Use whichever formula you are more comfortable with. You don't want anything strikingly bold or obvious. Go light on the contouring. Make sure everything is blended very well. Remember, it is supposed to look like how you look naturally, but better! I usually use NYX's blush in Taupe as my bronzer and MAC's Blushbaby on my cheeks.

Setting Powder
I always set everything with a translucent powder because I have oily skin. I found that using translucent powder helps blur pores where tinted powders can sometimes make them worse. I also like to use a puff to press the powder into my skin. I sometimes use a brush but when I have red spots or blemishes, the brush can sometimes wipe away the foundation and concealer covering them.

Eyeshadow
Find an eyeshadow that does not have shimmer or glitter; though it does not have to be perfectly matte; and that either matches your skin tone or is just a hair lighter. Mine is MAC's Blanc Type. This will go all over the lid, up to the brow bone, the inner corners of the eyes and underneath the eye.

Then find an eyeshadow, again without glitter or too much shimmer, that is a few shades darker than your skin tone. I have been using Frisk from the Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Palette. Use this color only where you want subtle definition. Usually in your crease and along your top and bottom lash line. Use lightly and blend well. There should be no defined lines, just a seamless shadow.

I love using the Real Techniques Deluxe Crease Brush for blending. It is so soft and fluffy and oversized and it works amazingly! The only problem is that it is only sold in the 'Your Eyes Enhanced' Starter Set. It is not available individually.

Eyeliner
Black eyeliner looks more harsh on some people than others. If this is the case for you, try a brown, black brown or grey eyeliner. If you have an extremely light complexion with light hair you could even try a taupe eyeliner. The idea is that you want to define your lash line but don't want to look like you have liner on. I like to just dot along the lash line and smudge it out. I also sometimes apply it under the eyeshadows to make it less harsh. My favorite black liner is Rimmel London's Special Eyes in Black Magic. If I want brown then I use NYX's Jumbo Eye Pencil in Dark Brown.

Mascara
There are several options for mascara as well. This isn't the time for the big runway false lashes look, you just want your natural lashes to be more defined. Stick with either a brown, black brown, or black mascara; which ever is closer to your natural lash color and overall coloring. Find a mascara that gives a little bit of volume and length without making it obvious that you are wearing mascara. Curl the lashes before applying mascara to avoid pulling out lashes. Curling the lashes will instantly give you a more awake appearance. I love Covergirl's Clump Crusher mascara in Very Black.

Lips
You can use a lipstick, gloss, pencil or whatever you are comfortable with. I like to use a tinted lip balm or a gloss for the most natural look. Look for that, my lips but better shade. A nude lip or a slightly darker lip also works well as long as it is not too far from your natural color. Nothing too shimmery or sparkly. Dab the color with your fingers for a more blended and sheer look. I have been using Loreal's Color Caress Lipstick in Sheer Linen or Revlon's Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey.

And there you have it. These are my tips and tricks for a flawless no makeup, makeup look. Let me know what you think! Leave a comment below, I would love to know if you tried any of these tips and how they worked for you!








Monday, September 1, 2014

Snakey!

My brother found this adorable little guy outside! Then I got to hold him, then my brother dropped him in my room where he tried to hide in my purse. Don't worry he is back outside safe and sound! Don't know what kind of snake he is but he's so cute!

Little black snake
Cute black snake!
If anyone knows what kind of snake this is, let me know in the comments! We are up in the Poconos if that helps.
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What's In My Bag?


I love watching What's in My Bag videos so I thought I would share what is in my bag. There are actually less salt packets than there were originally because I discovered that half of them broke open and filled my bag with salt. Word to the wise, keep all condiments in a Ziploc bag; you would think I would have learned this after a container of barbecue sauce spilled in my bag! Don't remember why that was in there, I don't even like barbecue sauce!



What's in my bag


What's in my bag
Lulu by Lulu Guinness Bag
As much as I like colored bags, I prefer to look for ones in neutral colors for every day use. They go with a lot more and I don't have to worry about something clashing badly with it. My bag is by Lulu by Lulu Guinness. This particular line of her bags is available at JC Penny. This one I got on sale last fall for about $30. There is a Bath and Body Works Pocket Bac holder attached to it. It has 3 pockets; one big main one that zippers up and two side ones that have a magnetic closure. There is also a removable cross body strap. I think this was in the color Stone with the gold hardware. 

What's in my bag

  • Bath and Body Works Forever Sunshine Triple Moisture Body Cream
  • Halls Breezers (No Menthol!)
  • My Ancient iPod in it's little armband case
  • McDonald's salt packs for when they forget to give you salt at the drive-through
  • My gold wallet from Target
  • My polka-dotted wallet for all of my rewards cards and coupons
  • Purse Hanger (for restaurants and salons; you hang your purse from the table with it)
  • Advil and Excedrin
  • Headphones
  • iphone/iPod car charger
  • Keys with my Mad Hatter Keychain
  • Sephora oil blotting paper
  • Travel Pepto-Bismo (these taste horrible but it's better than nothing)
  • Laura Geller Marble Shadow in Rome/Milan
  • Revlon Kissable Balm Stain in 001 Honey Douce
  • Victoria's Secret Color Shine Lip Gloss
  • Nars Lipgloss in Scandal
  • Avon Smooth Minerals Lip Gloss in Natural Glow
  • Tweezerman Stainless Tweezerette
  • Pens
  • Hair Clips
  • Cheap Sunglasses
  • Sunglasses case from Charming Charlies
  • Victoria's Secret Dream Angels Heavenly Mini Body Spray
  • Jessica Simpson Vintage Bloom Rollerball
  • Bath and Body Works Paris Amour Pocket Bac
  • EOS Lip Balm
  • Victoria's Secret Travel Mirror
  • Maybelline Lash Stiletto Mascara (I always have an extra mascara in my bag in-case I forget to put it on or I really need to run out the door)
  • And usually my iPhone but I was using it to take this picture cause I don't have a good camera

So that is everything in my bag! I would love to see what is in your bag so leave a comment below!



Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Fall Makeup Haul and Favorites

Fall Faves!!

"It's the most wonderful time and it's Fall!" 

If you love fall like I do and you are a beauty geek, you will probably be starting to bring out your favorite fall products or trying to find new ones. I am doing a bit of both. I recently went shopping and picked up a few things to add to my fall makeup collection. I have also included some old favorites that I just cannot go without mentioning.



Now, I have pale skin and a lot of people might look at this blush and run away. But I promise you, even those with paler skin can wear darker blushes. All it takes is a few dabs into the product and a very light hand. Fever is an extremely dark but beautiful reddish-burgundy color. The quality is great! Creamy and blend-able with good pigmentation.

MAC Fever Blush Packaging

MAC Fever Blush
MAC Fever Blush

MAC Fever Blush Swatch
MAC Fever Blush Swatch


When I was in middle school, I dressed up as Sarah Sanderson from the movie Hocus Pocus for Halloween. My mother used a lipstick that was a unique and beautiful frosty plum color. That lipstick is long gone and neither of us can remember what brand it was from. I have tried for years to find a lipstick that is similar to that color. The biggest problem I had was that everything was either too dark, too light, too warm, too cool, too opaque, or too pink/brown. 
Finally though, I think I found it. MAC's Plum Dandy lipstick is the perfect frosty plum bronze color. It is wearable and looks amazing for fall!
I also compared it to Loreal's Lipstick in Mica. It is very similar but Mica is just a bit warmer. I would consider it a decent dupe.

MAC Plum Dandy Lipstick Packaging

MAC Plum Dandy Lipstick
MAC Plum Dandy Lipstick
MAC Plum Dandy and Loreal Mica Lipstick Swatch comarison Dupe
Top: MAC Plum Dandy
Bottom: Loreal Mica

3) MAC eyeshadow in Blanc Type

It happens all the time. Your favorite limited edition palate has started to hit pan in several of your favorite colors. For me it was a beautiful creamy off-white from NYX's Dark Shadows Crimson Amulet Collection. So I had to find a replacement. I love MAC eyeshadows, so after debating in between Gesso (a bright white matte) and Blanc Type (a creamy beige), I finally settled on Blanc Type. It is a tad darker and more matte than the color I am replacing; which is almost in between the two with a pinch of shimmer; but it works great for an all over lid and subtle highlight color. This is my perfect skin tone color.

MAC Eyeshadow Blanc Type Packaging

MAC Eyeshadow Blanc Type
MAC Blanc Type
MAC Eyeshadow Blanc Type Swatch
MAC Blanc Type Eyeshadow Swatch

4) Make Up Forever Rouge Artist Natural Lipstick in N9 Copper Pink

This was actually a part of my Sephora birthday gift. I just loved it so much that I had to include it. It is an amazing formula that is creamy and feels very moisturizing and comfortable on the lips. The color is a beautiful natural pink with a bit of copper tone. It has a sheer, gloss-like finish that is very wearable and a perfect everyday lipstick. This line has a large range of colors to choose from. This is not the full size, just the mini from the August 2014 Sephora Birthday Gift Box.

Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Natural Lipstick Mini Packaging N9 Copper Pink

Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Natural Lipstick Mini N9 Copper Pink
Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Natural Mini Lipstick in N9 Copper Pink

Makeup Forever Rouge Artist Natural Lipstick Mini N9 Copper Pink Swatch
N9 Copper Pink Swatch

5) Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Liquid Liner Pencils in Jade Jewel and Purple Fix.

These are amazing! They apply smoothly like liquid liner and just as pigmented. Once they have a moment to set, these will not budge at all. I swatched them on my hand and they were there all day; no fading, no flaking, no smudging. These would not come off until I scrubbed them with a makeup removing towelette at the end of the day.

Jade Jewel is a dark shimmering green that is perfect for fall. This one is particularly pigmented and very vibrant.

Purple Fix is a beautiful, sparkly dark plum purple. This is also very pigmented but I noticed that it is not as pigmented as Jade Jewel.

Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Liquid Liner Pencils

Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Liquid Liner Pencils Purple Fix and Jade Jewel

Jordana 12 Hour Made to Last Liquid Liner Pencils Purple Fix and Jade Jewel Swatch Comparison
L-R: 04 Purple Fix, 06 Jade Jewel

6) Lipstick Queen Medieval Lip Treatment

I love sheer red lips. It is my one of my favorite everyday lip colors and this lipstick is perfect! It is a red that suits all skin tones and colors and is very wearable and build-able. It starts out fairly sheer and can be build up to a nice wearable red. Glossy, natural finish with no shimmer. 

Lipstick Queen Medieval Lip Treatment

Lipstick Queen Medieval Lip Treatment
Lipstick Queen Medieval
Lipstick Queen Medieval Lip Treatment Swatches
The swatch on the left is Medieval built up.
On the right is Medieval applied lightly.

7) Urban Decay's Naked 2 Basics Palette

I am a big fan of the Naked Palettes and was so excited when this came out. It has become my go-to eyeshadow palette. I posted a separate review comparing the original Naked Basics and Naked 2 Basics. Click HERE to read.

Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Palette
Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Palette
Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics Palette Swatches
L to R: Skimp, Stark, Frisk, Cover, Primal, Undone


And now for some old fall favorites!
Please excuse the messiness of the products. They have been well loved!



This is my all time favorite lip gloss, both in formula and color. It gives color without being thick or opaque. I love the color! It is described as being a 'sheer crushed cherry' by NARS. It is very sheer but still has a beautiful red color. I love wearing it alone or pared with NARS Fire Down Below lipstick, which is actually why I bought it in the first place. This swatch is from the old formula, before they redid the packaging. I am not sure if there is a difference in the color or not. Nice creamy finish without shimmer or glitter.

Nars Lipgloss in Scandal
NARS Scandal Lipgloss
Nars Lipgloss in Scandal Swatch with Nars Fire Down Below Lipstick
Left: NARS Scandal
Right: NARS Scandal over Fire Down Below Lipstick


When I first read the description of this color, I just had to try it! Described as a 'Pure Blood Red', this was right up my ally. There are no blue or orange undertones which makes this color suitable for a variety of skin tones. It is a semi-matte formula and can be a bit drying so use a lip balm! Looks great paired with NARS Scandal Lipgloss.

Nars Fire Down Below Lipstick


Nars Fire Down Below Lipstick
NARS Fire Down Below Lipstick
Nars Fire Down Below Lipstick Swatch
NARS Fire Down Below Lipstick Swatch

MAC Lipstick in Spice it Up!

I love this lipstick so much! It is a beautiful brownish berry color. Perfect for fall! I would consider the Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Truffle to be a good dupe. Spice it Up is a bit redder and more opaque while Pink Truffle is more sheer, however they are extremely similar.

MAC Lipstick in Spice it Up!


MAC Lipstick in Spice it Up!
MAC Spice it Up!
MAC Lipstick in Spice it Up! Swatch
MAC Spice it Up! Swatch
  
MAC Lipstick in Spice it Up! Swatch Dupe Revlon Lip Butter Pink Truffle
Left: Revlon Lip Butter in Pink Truffle;
Right: MAC Spice it Up!
              

I have heard that this is a close dupe for MAC's Frankly Scarlet blush. It is a beautiful blue toned red color for fall and winter. I think if you would prefer to not spend the money on higher end products you could get an almost exact look with NYX's blush at 1/3 the price. The one thing I really don't like is that the packaging is flimsy. I have several NYX products with cracked packaging. This blush is very pigmented and you only need a little bit. Especially if you have pale skin. Proceed with caution!

NYX Blush Red
NYX Red Blush
NYX Blush Red
NYX Red Blush
NYX Blush Red Swatch
NYX Red Blush Swatch

MAC Blush in Blushbaby

This is a very light pinky beige blush. I have pale skin and it is perfect for when I want a more neutral color. I love using this for fall and it works for so many different looks. Quality and pigmentation are just as good as ever! Creamy and easily blend-able.

MAC Blush in Blushbaby


MAC Blush in Blushbaby
MAC Blushbaby

MAC Blush in Blushbaby Swatch
MAC Blushbaby Swatch


Please leave a comment if you like or if you have any constructive criticism.
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