Finally depotted my domed makeup :)

Sephora & Ulta Haul!

After three months of using up tons of products, I finally accumulated enough reward money to do some shopping! In case you are curious, in order to curb my shopping and encourage myself to use up things in my collection, I use a reward system where I get $4 for every full size item I finish, $2 for every deluxe/travel size item, and $0.50 for foil packet samples. The rule is I can't buy anything if I haven't accumulated the money to purchase it. On a limited budget, I made use of some of my ULTA rewards as well as their BOGO sale on NYX items to keep myself in check.

The goodies!

As you can see, I went a little bit crazy with lip products but I am super pleased with all of them! The palette is from Mally and it's a blush/bronzer/highlight palette which I thought would be great for travel purposes.

First up, the Mally Shimmer, Shape and Glow palette ($40, 11.4g). I chose the "Deeper" option, but the "Lighter" option is very similar with a more champagne highlighter, a slightly lighter bronzer, and a pink blush. The highlighter is a really nice gold, sort of similar to NARS Albatross. The bronzer is a cool brown with a matte/satin finish, which is similar to Benefit Hoola. The blush is a gorgeous peachy coral with some subtle gold sheen. It's the perfect combo for the summertime!

  

I've been seeing reviews for the Too Faced Melted lipsticks ($21, 0.4 oz) all over the internet, and for once, the nude shade is one that doesn't wash me out! This is a really rare thing, so I knew I needed to snatch this up. This is a browny pink nude and the formula is divine. It's smooth and non-drying with a fuzzy felt tip applicator which makes application a snap.

Believe it or not, these are my very first NYX Butter Glosses ($4, 0.27 oz). The original line didn't have any colors that appealed to me, but NYX recently doubled their color selection and I went straight for two of the nude options, Praline and Ginger Snap. Praline is a pinky brown, while Ginger Snap is pretty much just a brown. I love the texture and scent on these, though they aren't very long wearing. These are perfect to wear on their own, or to pair with light nudes or brights that you want to tone down.

This was a new display in Sephora, and it's called the Luster Matte Long Wear Lip Color ($16, 0.14 oz). It was basically love at first swatch with this product. They are super slick and although they dry somewhat matte, they still have a really nice natural slickness to them and don't look dry. The formula is smooth and moisturizing, and doesn't emphasize fine lines. This color is a fall one, but it was the one I was most drawn to. Who cares about makeup rules, I'm gonna rock this vampy color whenever I feel like it! I hope to pick up some other colors once I use up more products.

I also picked up a Nano lip liner in Chic Choco ($5) from Sephora, but I couldn't get it to stop rolling long enough to take a close up picture. It is however swatched in the picture below :)

Everything in the haul is super wearable, and I have already started incorporating these products into my daily routine!

Sephora VIB Haul (15% off)

I've been on a no-buy since January so I thought I could treat myself to some new things since I had the coupon. I picked up the NARS duo in Earth Angel, the Urban Decay Electric palette, the Sephora Color of the Year blush palette and a 100 point perk which is a deluxe size of the Glam Glow Youthmud Tinglexfoliate mask. Let me know if there's something you want me to review!

Birthday "Haul"

As I stated in my last post, I'm currently on a no-buy. BUT, one of my oldest and dearest friends sent me a Sephora gift card so I had to go spend that...right? Plus Sephora gives a free birthday gift during your birthday month so I figured I could pick that up as well.

Before I went, I decided after looking through my collection that I would not be purchasing any lip products or eye products. I ended up deciding to swatch a few different Marc Jacobs and Nars blushes, and then pick one to purchase.

I ended up getting the Marc Jacobs blush in Irresistible ($30, 0.15 oz) which is described as a warm terra-cotta color. It is so pretty! I highly recommend this color for anyone with a medium/tan olive complexion because it will really pop against that skin tone.

As for the free birthday gift, this year Sephora is giving out a mini Make Up Forever lipstick and smoky lash mascara. I've had a sample of the smoky lash before, and it's a great volumizing formula. The lipstick is their Rouge Artist formula in color N9, a really nice neutral browny pink color. I also ended up redeeming some of my points to get a mini Buxom eye liner because I go through black eyeliner like it's going out of style and wanted to try the formula.

I'm really pleased with everything I got and am looking forward to using these products in the next few weeks :D

Review: Tarte be MATTEnificent palette

I think if you read my blog, you knew this was coming. I have an unhealthy obsession with matte eyeshadows, so when I saw that Tarte was going to be releasing an all matte eyeshadow and blush palette I knew I had to have it! Because, I only have 5 other matte palettes...lol.

I love how the packaging has a geode print on it!

Keeping in the theme of rosy neutrals, which appears to be the trend for this upcoming Spring, Tarte has included a line up of 6 eyeshadows, 2 eye liner shadows and a blush. The special claims come from the colored clay aspect. Tarte has both a rose clay and vanilla clay incorporated in these shadows, which is supposed to give them the ability to soothe the eye area and control oil. To be honest, I'm not sure if it does this or not because I always use a primer underneath my shadows anyways. The palette retails for $36 (though I got mine for 20% off with an ULTA coupon) and contains a 3/4 size Amazonian Clay Blush and 0.6864 oz of eyeshadow. The palette also houses a large mirror and a dual ended brush, which is a flat shader on one end and a precise blender on the other.

The thing that sets the Tarte matte shadows apart from others, is how ridiculously smooth they feel. They aren't creamy, but they are unbelievably smooth to the touch and blend out like a dream. For my skin tone, I feel like I have to layer on the bush a little bit, but the effect is still very nice. I think this is the perfect all in one palette for a working woman because the texture and colors make it ideal for the workplace. Overall, I am super pleased with this purchase and highly recommend checking it out!

Simple EOTD: I used Sand Out from the Crowd as my browbone highlight, Peach for the Stars in my crease, Rose to the Occasion all over the lid, Pink Outside the Box on my inner corner, and a mix of View from the Taupe and Two Plums Up for my outer corner/lower lash line. I used Dream in Chocolate to do a soft winged eyeliner to complete the look. PS: Please excuse the eyebrows, I am in between threading sessions.

Best Bargain Blush: La Femme Cosmetics

I don't know where I've been that I didn't know about these blushes until now, but they are seriously amazing. There's an extensive color range to cater to the fairest and darkest of beauties and the price seriously cannot be beat. The blushes are extremely pigmented so it's best to use a light hand. I ordered mine from Camera Ready Cosmetics and they were delivered promptly in a tiny little box (way to go Camera Ready Cosmetics for selecting boxes that aren't ridiculously huge compared to what's inside!). For reference, the size of the blushes is slightly smaller than the average MAC blush, but given the pigmentation I am pretty sure these will last just as long.

Excuse my dirty Z Palette

I am so tempted to get some more, but I already have enough blushes so I'll need to sit tight for now. If you haven't tried them you definitely should!

Review: Smashbox Wondervision Mega Palette

I picked up the Smashbox Wondervision palette during Ulta's black Friday sale (it was on sale for $39 instead of $49), and it's one of the most versatile palettes I own. Normally I dislike giant palettes; I've never been a fan of the 88 or 120 color palettes, not because of quality or anything like that but simply because I'm the type of person who gets overwhelmed by too many choices. It's so much easier for me to look at 20 shadows at once and figure out what to do. I've never purchased a Smashbox palette before because they often have gel liners (cream products) mixed in with their eyeshadows and cheek products. This palette has no liners but contains 2 blushes, 1 highlight, 1 bronzer and 30 eyeshadows with a variety of finishes.

There's a lovely mix of neutrals and colors in the palette, along with every essential matte (all your classic highlight and blending colors) you might need to create a completely neutral everyday look or to make your colored shadows wearable on a day to day basis. The shadows are incredibly pigmented, soft and creamy and housed inside of a thick black case which has a metallic closure and a large mirror. The palette stays propped up similar to the Urban Decay Vice 2 palette which is quite convenient since you don't need to use one hand to keep the mirror up while doing your makeup. It comes with a number of cards to help you build looks, which I don't use, but do value since I certainly understand how a beginner could feel overwhelmed and not know where to start.

The bronzer is matte, making it use-able for contour as well as overall warming up the complexion. The highlighter, which perhaps could be a light pink shimmery blush for those with very fair skin tones, is finely milled and the sparkle is not chunky. There is one pink and one peach blush, which is perfect for going with any look you might create using the eyeshadows.

At the price I picked it up for, I seriously think it was a steal. I would still recommend it at the original price point, and can see this being in my regular rotation through out all seasons due to the different colors in it.

One of my recent looks: Fawn in the crease, Umber all over the lid,  Maize as the brow highlight, Chocolate as the outer v color, Mint as the inner corner highlight, Green on the lower lash line and Black as my liner.

Haul: Tarina Tarantino

Every now and then Hautelook has flash sales on higher-end makeup and I always seem to miss the Tarina Tarantino sales. But, for once, I actually checked the site on a day when her items were on sale! I only picked up two things from the sale, both of which are palettes.

The first thing I selected was the Dollskin Cheek Palette (3.5g, $45 but I bought it for $24). The palette contains 4 blushes, two pink and two peach. Both of the peach colors are quite satin, while one of the pinks is a demi-matte and the other pink is a shimmer with silver micro glitter. The blushes are quite smooth with good color payoff. I think even beginners could do well with this because you don't have to use a feather light touch in fear of looking like a clown.

The other item I purchased was the Jewel Shadow Palette in Magical (9g, $32 but I bought it for $15). It contains 5 eyeshadows, all of which have a satin finish and follow a purple theme. The website describes the five colors as pearl ash pink, pearl beige, pearl eggplant purple, creamy white shimmer, and pearl soft pink. I'm not normally a fan of palettes which have no mattes in them, but all of these shadows have a very subtle sheen which doesn't look over the top. If you love purple, this could be a great quint to own (I personally wear purples like they are neutrals).

Both palettes are housed in gunmetal reflective packaging and contain generously sized mirrors.

I definitely recommend keeping an eye out for sales on Tarina Tarantino because it's a great way to try them out without paying the normally high price tag.

Photos of Products and Swatches!

Review: The Balm Instain Blushes

I’ve been lusting after these for a while, but was hesitant based on the price point and the fact that I had no methods to actually view the products in person. I’m one of those people who likes to see things before they purchase if at all possible. I love ordering stuff online, but usually only after I’ve had some experience with a brand and their products.

As someone who has oily/combination skin, I find that most of my blushes tend to fade away by the end of the day. The only exception to this is when I use the Benefit 15 hour primer, which is like glue for anything you put on your face. The Balm claims these products are a long wearing, staining powder blush. They’ve got 6 colors total and I ended up picking up a purple and peach one via Amazon. They retail for $22 and contain 6.5g of product. If you get them from Amazon you can actually pay between $12 and $16 for any of the colors, and Kohl’s sells a 3-pack online for $34 (I don’t have any of the colors in the pack).

To test these claims, I prepped my cheeks with the Revlon Photoready Color Correcting Primer (one of my basic no fuss primers) and wore my Bare Mineral’s foundation on top. I find that my blush wear tends to be less on top of any kind of powder foundation, so I figured this would be perfect. After that I just applied my blush with a stippling brush since they do pack some pigment. After a full day of classes and tutoring (makeup on at 10am and taken off at 9pm) my blush was still perfectly vibrant. My foundation had worn off in several places on my face but the blush was a trooper.

I’m really pleased with the performance of these blushes, and I think they perform better than the Tarte Amazonian Clay blushes which tout a long-wear claim. The consistency is buttery smooth and as with all pigmented blushes, a little goes a long way.

I love both colors I purchased, and am keeping my eye on the Kohl’s 3 pack both as a gift for myself and others.

You Know It's Fall When...

You look in your makeup collection and decide to rock a monochromatic burgundy look.

Used all of my favorite red wine products: Chanel Ebouli cream eyeshadow, CK One Apology lipstick, MAC Pop Mode lipglass and Sephora cream blush in Golden Spice. LOVE!

Sensational Blushes for Spring @>--;--

Springtime always gets me in the mood for pretty cheeks. To me, blush adds a healthy, happy, and youthful glow. This is particularly true for the light and bright blushes I like to wear this time of year.

Powder Blushes




1. Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushes (Achiote, Tipsy, Exposed): the texture on these is finely milled and very soft with a matte finish ($25, 0.2oz). These blushes are quite easy to build up if you have a darker skin tone, and don’t look cakey. Achiote was the first Tarte blush I ever tried, and I love the brown toned medium pink color. Tipsy is PERFECT for the spring and summer. If you’re scared of the orange in this, try Blissful for a similar but tamer look. Exposed is really a year round essential blush. This is my go-to when I look at my face and am not sure what will work. Exposed always goes with everything!



2. Benefit Dandelion ($28, 0.25oz): This is a lovely light pink with just a hint of shimmer. If you like to avoid playing up your cheeks, this is a great one to own. This color in particular really adds youthfulness to the face.



3. Sleek Coral ($5.99, 0.27oz): Exactly what the name says, a perfect coral. This would be a slightly tamer version of Tipsy with a greater emphasis on the pink, rather than the orange. This blush requires some layering as the powder is a little bit stiff so you don’t pick up much with one swipe.



Liquid/Cream Blush



1. Mac Something Special Cremeblend Blush ($21, 0.19 oz): Oh what to say about this blush. If I could only pick one blush to have for all of spring and summer, this would most definitely be my pick. It starts out as a cream and sets with a powder finish and is super flattering on tan skintones. It just looks super fresh and light, partially due to the color, and also because its a cream. I highly recommend checking this out :) (Apologies for the brush hairs, as you can see this one is well loved)



2. Benefit Cha Cha Tint ($30, 0.42 oz): This is the perfect mango tangerine color, and it has the added bonus of working both as a blush and a lip stain. It has a very creamy consistency (think nail polish) and is very easy to blend out. I definitely recommend starting out with just a few dots and working that into the skin and then slowly building up. It’s pretty easy to go overboard with this, and then you’re stuck because it stains.



That wraps up my favorite spring blushes. I’m always on the lookout for other colors so let me know which shades you like to rock!

Swatches Pictured Below