Sorry!

I know that there has been a serious lack of updates this week, but this week has been insane for me. I've had two doctor's appointments and have a third tomorrow morning. Everything is fine, but it makes it so that I can't shoot tutorials or reviews. Labor Day weekend is coming up (hooray!) and I should be able to get a ton of stuff shot and readied for next week. Thanks for hanging in there with me!

Beauty Box Roundup : August 2013

'Tis that time again boys and girls; time for the beauty box roundup. Coming in a little bit late this month (thanks UPS... geez), but here nonetheless. 

What I received:

• Mor Emporium Hand Cream in Snow Gardenia
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Genius Waterproof Top Coat 
• Vapour Organic Beauty Elixir Lip Gloss in Hush
• Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant 
• Coola SPF 30 Face Classic Sunscreen in Cucumber
• Pixi Beauty Endless Silky Eye Pen in No. 5 Deep Plum
• Carita Paris Magique Biologique Mask 
• Philip B. Maui Wowie Beach Mist

My Thoughts: Not a horrible bag by any means, but it doesn't live up to last month's box, unfortunately. Also, I cut all of my hair off, so the beach spray doesn't seem as useful as it once would have. None of the products that I received in my box are duplicates of things I've receive before, but there is lot of brand overlap. Pixi came in Ipsy this month, I got Anastasia in an Ipsy a few months ago, and Coola is just popping up everywhere. Also, I know that these beauty boxes love to send out lip gloss, but I hate lip gloss and I've already received a Vapour gloss previously... and gave it away. I don't mind the brand overlap too much, but I am getting sick of seeing Coola and if I never saw another Pixi product again, I'd probably be perfectly happy. Also, the Mor Emporium Hand Cream is a discontinued item on blush.com, which in theory doesn't bother me too much, but what if I fell in love with it and wanted more? 

Monetary Values

Mor Emporium Hand Cream - $10 (full size)

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lash Genius Waterproof Top Coat - $12.16 (.11 oz - full size: $21/.19 oz)

Vapour Organic Beauty Elixir Lip Gloss - $20 (full size)

Eminence Strawberry Rhubarb Dermafoliant - $11.43? (no size on sample, guessed 1 oz - full size $48/4.2 oz)

Coola SPF 30 Face Classic Sunscreen - $4.33 (.23 fl oz - full size $32/1.7 fl oz)

Pixi Beauty Endless Silky Eye Pen - $15 (full size)

Carita Paris Magique Biologique Mask - $26 (.5 fl oz. - full size $90/1.7 fl oz)

Philip B. Maui Wowie Beach Mist - $22 (full size)

Total Bag Value: $120.92

What I received:

• Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in 69
• Michael Todd Pumpkin Nutrient Rich Facial Mask
• Nailtint nail polish in Mai Tai
• Pixi Lash Booster Mascara
• Mica Beauty Shimmer Powder in Bronze

My Thoughts: I definitely think Ipsy stepped it up this month, but it is still on the chopping block for me. I keep noticing that I receive one good month, then one bad month, then one good, then bad, etc. I really lucked out this month and only received one item that I truly didn't want. There was a lot of, for lack of better words, drama about the Ipsy bags this month. 1) The price discrepancy between some of the bags was almost $20 and 2) the shipping of the bags was totally effed up. I didn't get caught up in the shipping mess and I got one of the high dollar bags, so good for me? I'm not a fan of the polish color, so this will be given away. The mascara is maybe one of the worst mascaras that I've ever used and lo and behold, it's from Pixi... The pumpkin mask, the lipstick, and the eye shadow are all really nice though. The bag this month, I hate, but I don't ever factor that in to whether or not I like the contents and I will probably end up donating it. This month was definitely good for me, but I'm still keeping an eye on Ipsy.

Monetary Values:

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick - $7.33 (.03 oz - full size: $22/.09 oz)

Michael Todd Pumpkin Mask - $10 (1 oz - full size: $34/3.4 oz)

Pixi Lash Booster Mascara - $7.14 (.105 fl oz. - full size: $17/.25 fl oz.)

Nailtini - $13 (full size)

Mica Beauty - $14.95 (full size)

Total Monetary Value: $52.42

If you want to subscribe to Ipsy, you can follow my referral link here or visit ipsy.com

What I Received:

• Juice Beauty Green Apple Peel Sensitive
• Model Co. Party Proof Lipstick in Dusk till Dawn
• Jasmine Seven Fresh Feet Wipes
• Sumita Color Contrast Eyeliner in Hansa
• Miss Jessie's Original Super Slip Sudsy Shampoo

My Thoughts: I'm really torn on this box, because I love three of the items so much and kind of don't understand the other two. On one hand, I received two full sized makeup items, which is kind of rare for Birchbox, and I love them. I am so in love with the Model Co. lipstick, it's the perfect MLBB shade and I am seriously considering picking up a three pack of the "Classics" shades. The lipstick smells like Starbursts and is really moisturizing and amazing. I'm also pretty stoked about the Sumita pencil; it doesn't budge and it's in a color that I don't have (kind of a dark olive green). I'm also really excited to try the Juice Beauty Peel once my skin calms down a little bit more. The two items that I'm not so thrilled with are the shampoo and the foot wipes. It's not the fact that I got shampoo and foot wipes that upsets me, it's the size of the samples. The Miss Jessie's sample is technically a "beauty extra" but it also has the word "FREE" on the front. I know, for a fact, that I could email their company and ask for a sample and this is what they would send me. I want Birchbox to send me samples that I can't obtain on my own... you know? And the foot wipes. I like them, I actually do, but I got two foot wipes, that cost a whopping grand total of $0.66. I'm irritated with the foils and once use products, step it up with that Birchbox.

Monetary Values:

Juice Beauty Peel - $4.88 (.25 fl oz. - full size: $39/2 fl oz.)

Lipstick - $8 (full size)

Sumita Eyeliner - $11 (full size)

Miss Jessie's Shampoo - $0.75 (.43 fl. oz - full size: $14/8 oz.)

Jasmine Seven Foot Wipes - $0.66 (2 wipes - full size: $10/30 wipes)

Full Monetary Value: $25.29

If you want to subscribe to Birchbox, you can follow my referral link here or visit birchbox.com

Overall, I'm pleased with all of my boxes, but nothing blew my socks off EXCEPT for the Model Co. lipstick; that's the hands down winner. Other than that lipstick though, everything has been fun to play with but nothing too life changing. August is my least favorite month of the year, so I'm not surprised by the boxes not being amazing. Next month will be the true test since my favorite season starts up in September and I'm curious to see what the boxes will bring. If you have any questions or comments, please let me know!

Lady At Play : Tutorial

Lady at Play was a recent purchase from MAC, but I had no idea how hard I would fall in love with the shade. The MAC Mineralize Lipsticks are a very different finish than the other MAC lipsticks; smoother, creamier, more luxurious (as they should be since they cost $7 more). I decided to build a look around this lipstick; a look for a bold lip. You can pair the face/eyes with any bold lipstick, just make sure that you're sticking to similar tones to keep the makeup from looking off. 

Questions, comments? Let me know down below!

The Girl on Fire : Tutorial

I've been wearing reddish eye shadows a lot the last few days, so I thought what better with which to do a tutorial! This is a bit different than the look I've been wearing, but I love how autumnal and fiery it is! If you have green or blue eyes (or grey... which my eyes actually are), then this is a look that will make the color pop!

Prime your lids! I didn't get a "naked" photo, but I feel like you guys know to do this at this point. I put some champagne shimmer on my brow bone and on the inner corner of my eye. I used the lightest shimmer shade from the NYX Love in Paris Palette in Merci Beaucoup.

Using the same palette, I applied the tan, matte shade to my socket. This will be used for blending upward later.

I then applied YDK from Urban Decay on the inside third of my lid.

On the middle of the lid, I applied the bronze shimmer color from the NYX palette.

And then Terracota from Stila on the outer third.

And blend! 

And what it looks like with the eye open.

I went under the eye with Terracota (on the outer half) and the bronze shade from the NYX Palette (on the inner half).

I know you can't seem much of a difference in this photo, but I tightlined since I won't be using any eyeliner on the lid.

And a heavy dose of mascara. I'm wearing Lash Love Lengthening Mascara from Mary Kay.

I completed my look with Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso, MAC Mineralize Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle, and L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Wet Stain in Lilac Ever After.

If you have any questions or comments, let me know down below!

Lantana Inspired Eyes : Tutorial

If you say my last post about my new favorite "foundation", then you probably saw that it was sitting in a bed of flowers. Those flowers, at least the pink and yellow ones, are called Lantana and I think that they are incredibly pretty. Inspired by those colors, I decided to do a quick and dirty little eyeshadow pictorial. Follow along!

Prime those lids! I'm still working on my Tarte 360 Creaseless 12-hr primer... the container is never ending! It's a sample size, I bought it in November of last year and it's still going. I don't get it.

I applied a white base, NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk, and blended it out a bit.

I applied Sugarpill Buttercupcake eye shadow along the inner half of my lid.

I then took Stila Countless Color Pigment in Lyric and applied it to the outer 2/3 (it overlaps the yellow a bit).

And blend, blend, blend. Blend up toward the socket and over on top of the yellow.

I wanted to make my pink darker, so I added the coral shade from L'Oréal Colour Riche Quad in Shopping Spree everywhere that I had applied Lyric.

And applied I Do from the Too Faced Romantic Eye Palette into the socket, including the area closest to the bridge of the nose.

Added a wing on top and some olive colored eyeliner from Sumita.

And added mascara! (The eyes on the left look lighter, but that's just due to the lighting)

And there you have it. Questions/comments? Let me know!

New Favorite : Jouer Matte Moisture Tint

Alright, consider this post a rave and review. I bought this Jouer (this is a French word, pronounced joo-ay; it means "to play") Matte Moisture Tint like three months ago, used it once, and then threw it in my bathroom. I don't know what I was thinking, because I've started to use it again and I am absolutely in love with it! First off, it's a tinted moisturizer, but it's MATTE. For those of us with oily or combo skin, it's hard to pull off tinted moisturizer because most are "luminizing" and therefore leave you shiny. Not this bad boy, it's amazing and while it doesn't control oil completely, it does a damn good job at it. Also, it's coverage is a little more than your average tinted moisturizer, but it's not heavy or overpowering. I think I'm so in love with this because it's like Laura Mercier's Silk Crème foundation, but lighter and perfect for summer. 

The Facts

Price: $38

Amount of Product: 1.7 fl oz.

Number of Shades: 5 

Claim: "This lightweight mattifying moisture tint evens out imperfections and leaves your skin with a velvety smooth finish with its Multi-Mineral Complex. SPF 15 protects from UVA & UVB rays while Vitamins A, C & E deliver rich antioxidants to the skin."

Shade that I used: Porcelain

Coverage: Honestly, I think that this could almost qualify as medium coverage. It's not sheer, but it's not full coverage and it sits beautifully on the skin.

Application: I just rub this in with my hands and it blends like a dream.

Wear Time: The wear time on this is pretty amazing for a tinted moisturizer. When I remove my makeup at the end of the day (we're talking about 14 hours of wear), there is still color coming off. I don't tend to wear concealer with this, so you can start to see my blemishes by the end of the day, but again, this is a tinted moisturizer.

Does it deliver on its claim? Ok, I don't think that they actually make too many claims with this, but YES, it does exactly what they say it will do. 

Final Verdict: If you are a person that loves high end and doesn't mind paying $40 for your tinted moisturizer, PICK THIS UP BECAUSE IT'S AMAZING. If you are a person who prefers tinted moisturizers over foundations, save your pennies and PICK THIS UP. The only thing that should hold anyone back from buying this is the price or the shade range. Like usual, if you have very dark skin, you're SOL. Or, if you have Birchbox points burning a hole in your pocket, spend them on this. Seriously, it's worth it. I am in serious, ready to move in together, love with this product.

Questions/Comments? Let me know!

Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation : Product Review

I've had a hard time bringing myself to write this review; not because this product was horrible and I didn't want to tell you, but because it was kind of unremarkable to me. I had heard so much hype about the Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation, that I was half expecting to have cherubs fly out of the foundation during the first pump. I don't think you need me to tell, but I will anyway... that didn't happen.

The Facts

Price: $9.49 (this was at Target in Kansas, prices may vary)

Amount of Product: 1 fl oz.

Number of Shades: 14 - there are darker shades, but as per usual, they are limited

Claim: "All-in-one foundation with a long-lasting formula that fuses primer, concealer, and foundation in one easy step! The 3-in-1 formula provides a flawless look that lasts all day long."

Shade that I used: 810 Classic Ivory

Shades and the foundation itself: Having been a former Covergirl foundation user, I know that the shade that best matches my skin is Classic Ivory. Unfortunately for me, I find that the lighter shades can tend to border on pink and my particular shade, while being the best match, is a bit orangey. It's not horrible, it's just something I notice and one of the main reasons I stopped using Covergirl. There are 14 shades, which is starting to get in the more generous category for drugstore. There are two shades which are fairly dark, but there isn't much range. Again, this foundation is mostly for lighter skinned people.

Coverage: The coverage on this foundation is medium to full depending on how you apply it. If you used a Beauty Blender (or other sponge like it), I think that it would probably lean more toward the medium side but if you apply it with a brush and really buff it in, I think it leans more to full.

Application: Since this is a liquid foundation, you can apply it a myriad of ways, but my favorite is with the Real Techniques Expert Face brush. I also used a buffing brush from Sephora (it came in a gift set, so I have no clue what it's called), but it was inferior. One thing that this foundation wins with, hand down, is that it had a pump. I don't understand why any liquid foundation comes without a pump these days, but most are pump-less. Anyway, you turn the pump to its open position (yes, it locks, so it doesn't pump when you don't want it to) and get as much as needed. It smooths on fairly easily and blends nicely.

Wear Time: The wear time on this is pretty decent. I don't know if I would go as far as to say that it wears all day, as in 24 hours, but it does last past the work day. So, you can work all day and then go to happy hour and it will still be on your face.

Does it deliver on its claim? Pretty much. I've never used a foundation and been happy with it concealing my under eye circles, so I don't believe the concealer claim on this, but that's getting kind of picky. Since I have oily skin, I do get shiny areas later in the day, but I'm not an oil slick. I don't really know how to evaluate its primer claim, but I guess you could decide that on your own.

Final Verdict: Like I said up above, I had a hard time deciding to write this review because, regardless of how I just described this foundation, it was still somewhat unremarkable to me. Maybe it's because my usual go-to foundation is Revlon Color Stay and while the Covergirl is good, it would never replace my Revlon. If you love Covergirl products, definitely pick this up, it won't leave you feeling sad. If you're a Revlon girl, you can leave this one behind. If you're neither? It's a good $10 foundation that will last you a while and has nice results. 

Questions? Comments? Let me know down below!