Obsessed with this Jefree Star liquid lipstick in I’m Royalty! Testing out the new eye tints from Armani on my eyes too :D

Came home to find these lovely lippies on my doorstep! Can you tell I love matte lipsticks?

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!

Perfect Pink: Too Faced Pink Chocolate

As a general rule, I have a hard time wearing lighter pinks. For some reason my skin tone really pulls the pink shades out of lip colors (I have a hard time wearing corals that don't have enough orange in them because the pink is the only thing that will show up). For this reason, my "pinks" tend to be things that are like Revlon Fuchsia or MAC Girl About Town. Unfortunately, those kind of pinks aren't exactly the everyday kind so when I saw the promotional pictures of Too Faced's spring collection, Pink Chocolate immediately caught my attention. I already own two other lipsticks from the La Creme line, and they are buttery soft, smooth and quite moisturizing with a light sheen. They last about 3 hours on my lips, and Pink Chocolate has the same consistent qualities. Not to mention they come in lovely luxe gold packaging.

In the bullet, Pink Chocolate looks like a dark browny-pink, which is probably what it will show up as on people who don't pull pinks as much as I do. I think the color on it's own is lovely, but on my lips it actually shows up a bit "pinker" which I think helps make it a true everyday pink. On lighter skin tones this would be a phenomenal fall color.

This is seriously one of my favorite lipstick formulas, and there's a wonderful selection of permanent shades. If you're interested in pinks/plums, the spring collection is definitely something worth checking out :)

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

De-Cluttering 2014

Recently I was watching PinkSoFoxy's videos on Youtube and she has a MASSIVE makeup collection which she has been slowly downsizing and donating products she hasn't actually been using. I felt pretty inspired by her video and decided to take a look through my eyeshadows and lip products (the two products I tend to hoard) to see if I needed to just toss anything, or if I could donate it to a friend who would love it. After a quick 20 minutes, I came up with a pile of eyeshadow, lipstick and lipgloss.

Here's what I'm giving away and why:

• ULTA Singles (3): Perfectly pigmented and nice but I just NEVER use them.
• Stila Kitten mini: I already have a full size which I love, and received this as part of a kit.
• Starlooks Conquest: Dark navy blue, I really don't need a single in this color as I already have some in palettes that I use more frequently.
• Wet n Wild I'm Getting Sunburned: The only trio of the ones I own which never gets any love, even though the colors are super pigmented and pretty.
• Sleek The Original palette: I originally purchased this for the olive green on the right hand bottom corner, but I just never reach for this palette.

Onto the lipstick:

• Loreal Le Laque in I Laque You a Lot: This is an orange red, and just doesn't suit me.
• Milani Flamingo Pose: This color again, just doesn't suit me.
• Revlon Fuchsia: I have MAC Girl About Town which is the same exact color.
• Neutrogena Berry Bright: LOVE the formula, but the color doesn't work for me.
• Wet n Wild Sugar Plum Fairy: Picked this up and then realized when I got home it was the exact same as MAC Rebel.

And lastly, the lipgloss (yikes):

• Lorac Christian: Just doesn't suit me and is better for a lighter complexion. Really nice formula though, and I got it as part of a kit.
• Julep Camellia: Got this for free with some nail polish, but baby pinks don't work for me.
• Cargo Route 66: Pretty pinky red that I just rarely ever reach for.
• NARS Place Vendome: The applicator is tiny and out of lazyness I don't use it.
• Mally Starburst: Got this as part of a kit which included Mally products I really wanted to try for cheap. I knew already when I got the kit that I wouldn't be keeping this color.
• Loreal Shine Stain in Coral Tattoo: Ugh it's too sticky for me, but these seem to be massively popular so I will give it to a friend to try out.
• Benefit Sugarbomb: Sample size I got for free, and I already have another one.
• Bella Il Fiore in Marie Antoinette: Beautiful color and texture, but I already have a lot of peachy glosses.
• Lancome Juicy Tube in Raspberry Ice: For some weird reason, I'm actually allergic to all juicy tubes. They are lovely glosses which are really popular so I'm sure it will find a good home with a friend.
• Chanel Controversy: What an apt name. I feel horribly guilty that I never use this expensive product, but I've just realized that I like wearing matte vampy lips rather than glossy.

Phew, that's all for right now. I'm using this as a sign to make sure I don't purchase colors I already own, and I'll be on a temporary no buy for a few months so that I can just shop my own collection and enjoy what I have!

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!

Review: CK One Apology

As it's mid-September, I've really gotten into rocking some fall makeup. After all, you can only wear summery makeup for so long before you need to shake it up. The weather isn't exactly fall, but if I wait for that fall is basically only the month of November so I figured I might as well start now.

One of my favorite things about fall makeup are the dark burgundy/wine lip colors. No surprise, today I bring you my thoughts on one of these such colors.

Apology is a lipstick that is part of CK One's limited edition fall collection. The collection is small, consisiting of two lipsticks, two eyeshadows and a mascara. The lipsticks contain 3g of product and retail for $16 (I found mine at Ulta). The packaging is interesting. The base of the tube is a black rubberized material much like NARS, and the top of the tube is a white shiny plastic.

The formula of the lipstick is very smooth and creamy, and is probably one of the more hydrating formulas I've encountered. I can put this lipstick on without prepping my lips with any lip balm and go about my day without that horrid chapped lips feeling. The color is opaque in one pass, and as with most dark lipsticks, can be worn lightly as a stain or full on to true color. The color is a burgundy with a very berry undertone. A lot of burgundy lipsticks are a dark red with brown undertones, so this is a nice alternative. If you are new to darker lipsticks and don't fancy anything with a brown undertone, I highly recommend checking out this color. It's a great starter color and a nice alternative for those who have a few burgundy lipsticks and are looking for a bit of a twist.

Summer Splurge!

Bare Minerals Valentines Day purchase! Since I’m single I figured I’d just spoil myself and treat myself to some new things. I purchased the blush and the four eyeshadows, and received the lipgloss/liquid lipstick for free :) Reviews and swatches coming soon!

Favorite Red Lip Products for Valentine's!

This February (I know it’s only been 3 days in) I’ve been wearing red lips nonstop. I always gravitate towards red or pink lips during this month. Not that I’m a big fan of Valentine’s Day because I rarely ever do anything for it, but the “holiday” gives me an excuse to do it.

Anyways, here are the products that I’m loving for red lips!

1. MAC Ruby Woo - matte lipstick, true blue-red with a very retro feel (0.11oz, $14.50). This is seriously the boldest and brightest red I have found. For people who don’t like having their lips feel dry this lipstick might be problematic, but I find that soaking my lips with some good lip balm an hour before I apply really helps. I also make sure that my lips are smooth and exfoliated because matte lipsticks will tend to emphasize any residually clinging skin. The blue undertone really brings out the whiteness in your teeth which is a big plus! I find that this lipstick will transfer, but it still lasts me through eating and drinking without much fuss.

I personally like to pair this with MAC Cherry lip liner (0.05oz, $14.50) underneath for an extra boost to the lasting power, and when I’m in a glossy mood I sometimes will pop some of MAC Russian Red lipglass (0.17oz, $14.50) in the center. In general, I’m a bit wary of red lipglosses because somehow I manage to get them on my face or teeth.

2. Kat Von D Foiled Love Lipstick in Adora - bright metallic true red, and my go to for Christmas time because the finish reminds me of a shiny ornament (0.11oz, $19). I basically only wear this around the holidays because it is a lot of color and the texture is eye-catching as well. Again, this lipstick is on the drying side as well even though it doesn’t have a matte finish so lip balm beforehand is your friend. During meals the base color lasts even though the lipstick will transfer, but the metallic finish can fade away, so I usually touch up just a little bit afterwards. I like wearing this with winged liner and mascara so that all the emphasis is on the lips.

3. MAC Diva - dark red, matte finish (0.11oz, $14.50). I LOVE this color. In fact, I wear it much more frequently than either of my bright reds. I’m not sure if it’s just because I’m more comfortable with a deeper shade or if it’s just because I’m automatically attracted to any rich red shades I see. This lipstick is opaque and I skip any form of lip pencil when I use it. Again, it does transfer and fades slightly after eating and drinking. It’s not as drying as MAC Ruby Woo even though it has the same finish.

4. Revlon Lip Butter in Red Velvet - again, lovely dark red but with a glossy finish (0.13oz, $7 but you can get BOGO deals if you are on the lookout). If you’re looking for comfortable wear on the lips, this is the one to go for. It feels moist and hydrating on the lips but still packs a lot of color. The major downside with this is that it will wear away on its own after about 3 hours (even if you haven’t eaten or drank anything) so you have to carry it around and check on it. Plus you use it up a lot faster than the other lipsticks I mentioned.

5. Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Adore - dark red with a glossy finish (0.095oz, $8 but again you can get BOGO). As the name states, it truly is a “balm stain”. It will definitely stain your lips, but on the plus side its pretty transfer resistant. This would be good if you are going on a date on Valentine’s day and want to be able to kiss your date :p Instead of a traditional lipstick type bullet, it’s a chubby lip pencil which makes it really easy to apply and especially good for beginners. You don’t have to sharpen it since it will twist up on its own. I often will layer this underneath the Revlon Red Velvet in order to make it last longer, so that even when the lip butter fades I still have a good amount of color stained onto my lips.

Photos of Products and Swatches!