ColourPop Review on Flitter and My Jam!

Happy Tuesday everyone!  I’m still recovering from my long and fun-filled weekend!  I attended a wedding so it’s always fun to get glam for an event.  You can check it out on my Instagram.   Did you do anything fun for Labor Day weekend?

A few weeks back I purchased two new items that ColourPop released so if you’re curious about what I thought, keep on reading!

ColourPop Ultra Metallic Lip in Flitter 

Described as, super intense color with high impact metallic pearls and a non-drying formula that is extremely long-wearing.  The shade Flitter has a warm pinky undertone with flash of gold on top in a Metallic finish.

Pros 

Cost effective at $6

Beautiful and unique shade

Smooth application

Good lasting power

Cons 

Tube looks about half empty

Not very hydrating

Accentuates dry lips

Overall:  As soon as I saw swatches of this shade on several beauty blogging sites, I knew I had to have it.  The color itself is ah-mazing! It’s a nice pink shade that has gold swirled in it and pictures don’t do this shade justice. It glides on smoothly and lasts a decent time without heavy drinking or eating.  I sometimes pair this with my Lancome Juicy Shaker to get a more hydrated feel.  It does accentuate any lip imperfections so it’s a good idea to prep them beforehand. One of the biggest cons is that this tube looks half empty. As soon as I took the applicator out, I could see through the tube.  I know it’s priced at $6, but all the other glosses are filled so I’m not sure what happened here. Other bloggers have complained about this issue too. I love the color so I would repurchase this again-I just hope they fix the half-empty issue.

Top to Bottom: ColourPop Flitter and My Jam Swatches

ColourPop Ultra Glossy Lip in My Jam

Described as, “a full coverage gloss with a smooth pearl metal finish that does not contain any glitter.” (Note: This is the description for the Ultra Metallic finish).  The shade My Jam is depicted as a warm golden nude shimmering with silver and gold in a Metallic finish.

Pros 

Cost effective at $6

Hydrating

High shine without the glitter

Tube was filled with product

Cons 

Not long lasting

Shade on website doesn’t match the actual color

Slightly sticky

Sheer

Overall: I like this color but in all honestly, it was very different from the picture on the ColourPop website.  I was expecting a warm golden, sort of peach nude but when I pulled the tube out, the shade was more copper/brown like.  It’s still a nice shade that has a high shine and is great for layering but I was kind of disappointed with this one.  Though hydrating,there is little bit of tackiness and the color is pretty sheer so the lasting power isn’t the best.  I would not repurchase this shade again.

Have you tried any new ColourPop items?  Which are your favorites? 

Stephanie 

 

Play! By Sephora Unboxing August 2016!

Hi everyone!  I know took an extra week for my summer blogging break but I’m back!  I’ve been keeping pretty busy with my new business, getting ready for a wedding I’m attending this weekend, my regular work, researching, and working out.  Sending a huge thanks and welcome to all my new followers. 🙂

I’m bringing you a review for the August Play! By Sephora, which is a monthly $10 curated subscription box featuring samples of different brands available at Sephora.  The theme for this month is The Eye Openers, with products meant to refresh and recharge your beauty routine.

Clean Reserve Blonde Rose

A classic yet edgy bouquet of rose, jasmine and peony with a sandalwood base that is supposed to evoke feminine sophistication and allure.  I typically love rose scents but this smells awful.  Definitely not my type of perfume at all.  Doesn’t help that it has a combination of peony and jasmine, which is way too overwhelming for my taste.

Make Up For Ever Artist Shadow in I-544

An eyeshadow described as a, “highly saturated, iridescent pink granite eyeshadow made with a unique gel-powder formula and ultrafine pigments for smooth color.”  I like this shadow and the fact that you can create a smokey effect that’s subtle and pretty.  It shows up kind of purple on me but it can be sheered out or built up to more intensity.

Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12hr Wear Waterproof in Flirting Game 

An easy-to-apply pencil that has a 12-hour waterproof formula in a shimmery taupe shade.  So confession, I have been wearing this as eyeliner only.  I confused this with eyeliner but it’s actually supposed to be used on the contour of your eye.  Whoops. No worries though, it works just as well as an eyeliner and the taupe shade is a perfect enhancing shade that gives definition without a stark harshness. It lasts all day yet by the end of the day, it has smeared a bit.  I doubt it would hold up for 12hrs without a primer on my oily lids. The Make Up For Ever shadow and this are great shades for transitioning into the fall season.

Swatches below: Sephora Contour Eye Pencil (top) and MUFE Artist Shadow (bottom).

 

Urban Decay Perversion Mascara

A lengthening and volumizing mascara that has a triple-black pigment formula to coat lashes.  I like this mascara as it makes my lashes look thicker and the pigment is intense.  However, just like the Perversion eyeliner, the formula does make my eyes water and sort of burn by the end of the day.  Because of this, I won’t be purchasing the full size.

Caudalie Resveratrol Eye Lifting Balm 

This eye cream is said to lift and smooth the eye area with a breakthrough patented formula while reducing the look of dark circles and puffiness. This eye cream does have a brightening effect on me- like a very muted opal iridescence. It works well under makeup and doesn’t irritate my eyes.  Will definitely keep this on my wishlist.

Lancome Energie de Vie Smoothing & Glowing Liquid Care Moisturizer 

A concentrated energizing liquid lotion that visually relieves dullness, diminishes signs of fatigue, and promotes a healthy-looking glow.  I haven’t tried this one yet because my skin has been acting up and I’ve been keeping my skin care routine simple until I’m back to normal.

Since I liked about 4 of the six products included here, I’d say this was a good box overall.  Curious to see what next month holds.

Any particular favorites that you see here? Let me know in the comments below! 

Stephanie 

 

 

 

 

First Impressions: Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation!

Hi everyone!

A little over a month ago, I found myself at a Charlotte Tilbury counter and was given samples of her new Magic Foundation.  Since then, I’ve received requests to share my thoughts on it so here it is.  🙂

Charlotte Tilbury Magic Foundation in Shade 4

Described as,” a miracle in a bottle that transforms skin for all ages, skin tones and skin types.  It conceals imperfections, glides on like a dream, and literally feels like a second skin. Whether your skin needs just a bit of perfecting, or you struggle with a frustrating issue like acne, melasma or rosacea, my Magic Foundation will give you a perfect looking skin day, every day!”

Pros 

Contains broad spectrum sunscreen

Offers medium to full coverage

Fragrance free and no discernible scent

Doesn’t feel heavy

Shade 4 is pretty spot on with my skin tone

Cons 

An ingredient in here caused my skin to itch

Contains talc which may be a problem for some people

Clings on to dry areas/imperfections

Vitamin C and mushroom extract are at the bottom of the list

Doesn’t blend easily

Overall: I had such high hopes with this foundation but unfortunately for me, this didn’t work out for me. There’s an ingredient in here that made my nose itch throughout the day. Despite prepping my skin prior to application, this foundation accentuated any abnormality in my skin and looked cakey.  Surprisingly, this feels light-weight and comfortable given the thicker consistency of this foundation yet this factor is not enough to offset the patchy application.  Using my beauty blender helped give this a more natural look versus applying it with a brush as the damp sponge helps the foundation blend in better.  As far as the inclusion of vitamin C and mushroom extract to provide antioxidant and firming properties, these ingredients are included towards the bottom of the list, meaning they may not be concentrated enough to make a notable difference.  I appreciate the fact this is fragrance free and includes a mineral source of sunscreen, however, I would highly recommend Charlotte Tilbury’s Light Wonder over this one.

What are your thoughts on Charlotte Tilbury’s Magic Foundation? 

Stephanie 

 

 

April Favorites 2016!

Hello everyone!  We’re a few days shy of the end of April and I’ve got a great collection of items to share so let’s get started!

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Double Dare

One of the items I picked up at the Sephora sale, I can’t get over this beautiful shade.  If you’re in the market for a great liquid lipstick, pick this one up, if you can find it.

Colour Pop Ultra Satin Lip in Echo Park

If you’re looking for an affordable liquid lipstick, then Colour Pop is your brand.  At $6, this warm peachy nude applies smoothly and surprisingly lasts even though it’s not a matte formula.  It does come off as it never fully dries and I did find this to be on the drying side but lip balm underneath helps.

The Estee Edit by Estee Lauder The Barest Lip Color in So Bare

A collection I initially dismissed, I’m glad I went back to take a closer look.  A lipstick/lip balm hybrid, this feels creamy, hydrating and imparts good pigmentation

Lancome Juicy Shaker in 252 Vanilla Pop

Lancome’s newest take on the original Juicy Tubes, this lip oil is unique.  You shake the bottle to mix the lip oils and pigments to create a nice, albeit sheer, wash of color.  The applicator is a stubby sponge attached to the cap which feels plush and melts the product onto your lips.  This product gets addicting so you have been warned. 😉

 

L’Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion in C3 

I was a fan of the Laneige BB Cushion Compact so I wanted to give this one a try.  This does give a nice luminous look to skin that doesn’t feel heavy.  I’m not a big fan of the sponge that’s included so I use my beauty blender to apply the product.  Overall, I’m happy with this one.

Charlotte Tilbury Light Wonder Foundation #3

I requested a sample of this foundation at the Charlotte Tilbury counter and this one is pretty much perfection.  It’s light-weight and provides enough coverage for me where it doesn’t look cakey and covers up my redness.  I was worried that this would be to glowy for my combination skin but so far it gives a nice sheen without looking like an oily mess.

Charlotte Tilbury Film Star Bronze and Glow

Another iconic item from Charotte Tilbury, I had to pick up this Film Star Bronze and Glow palette after one of the makeup artists tried it on me.  I will say that the Sculpt shade is lighter than expected but it sculpts cheek bones in a not-so-obvious way.  It blends in pretty nicely too.  The highlighter is also not that obvious looking but adds a subtle ethereal glow.

Becca Mineral Blush in Wild Honey

I love using this blush as it blends effortlessly and looks great applied over bronzer.  It’s not matte and has small shimmer particles but when it’s on me, it looks a bit matte.

Benefit Cosmetics Hoola Matte Bronzer

A perfect shade for sculpting and contouring, I’m only sad I didn’t try this sooner.  Love that the color is dark enough to define cheekbones but not overpowering.  I use this instead of the CT Sculpt shade when I want more definition.

Renee Rouleau Soothing Eye Makeup Remover

I received this when Renee was in town and I have to say that this did not irritate my sensitive eyes. Sometimes certain makeup remover wipes or formulas sting my eyes but this one was very gentle with no burning feeling.  It did well in removing minimal eye makeup but I had to use something more oil based if I had heavier eye makeup.

Skin Script Glycolic Cleanser

I ordered a few samples of these and boy these are very active products.  Containing 17% glycolic acid, I use this about twice a week when I’m experiencing some breakouts.  It’s also doubling as my beauty blender cleanser as it effectively removes all the gunk that accumulates on it.

Briogeo Don’t Despair, Repair! Deep Conditioning Mask

I’ve been impressed by this hair mask.  As soon as I apply this, it leaves my color treated hair softer and smoother feeling.

 

Govino Go-Anywhere Carafe and Water Glass Set

I know this is missing from the main picture, but I didn’t have it with me at the time.  I received this carafe and water glass set in my March PopSugar Must Have Box and since I’ve kept it with me at work, I’ve been staying way more hydrated than I normally do.  The carafe is 28 oz and I refill it a few times a day.  I also love the fact that it’s easy to store and doesn’t take up too much space as you can place the water glass upside down on top of the carafe.

 Please let me know your favorites this month and if you’d want a full review of any of these products!

Stephanie

 

February Favorites 2016!

Happy first day of March everyone!  Another month has zoomed by and of course, as one month ends, my monthly favorites are bound to ensue. Let’s get to it! 🙂

Caudalie Hand and Nail Cream

One of my all time favorite hand-creams, this grape-seed oil cream that is rich in antioxidants and smells like oranges.  It moisturizes and absorbs quickly into the skin which is great when you’re in a hurry and don’t want to transfer the lotion onto surfaces.

Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Eye Pencil in Bourbon

I’ve used this glimmering dark brown eyeliner practically everyday this month and it gives definition to your eyes without it looking to harsh.  Perfect for work and it lasts all day on me.

Bobbi Brown Blush in Pretty Coral

Sorting through my blush stash, I rediscovered this gem which is a great everyday shade that gives the ‘pretty in pink’ phrase a run for its money. Used this look as part of my Valentine’s Day makeup look.

(Malin + Goetz) Grapefruit Face Cleanser 

I received this sample in my November Birchbox and I just got around to trying it.  This cleanser really surprised me to be honest.  It feels refreshing but gentle and that has a subtle citrus scent.  Left my skin clean without feeling stripped.

Kiehl’s Creme de Corps 

After buying a gift at Kiehl’s, I was given samples of this body cream and I loved it so much that I went out to purchase a bottle. It’s a very creamy and rich and while it absorbs nicely into the skin, I do find that it is a bit greasy.  I prefer to use this at night after I take a shower to deeply moisturize my skin and the scent is neutral so it’s not overpowering at all. The only two issues are a) it’s pricey and b) it’s sometimes difficult to get the product out.

Tell me, what were your favorites this month? 

Stephanie

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream Review!

Happy Tuesday readers!  Hope your weekend was great. 🙂

After much debate, I finally caved in and purchased two NYX Soft Matt Lip Cream products.  I’m currently obsessed with nude/pink shades so I picked up the shades Athens and London.  Let’s get to the review!

Soft Matte Lip Cream

Described as a “velvety smooth Soft Matte Lip Cream delivers a burst of creamy color and sets to a stunning matte finish. Surprisingly durable, lightweight and delightfully creamy, it’s no wonder this sweetly scented formula is a NYX fan favorite.”

Pros

Creamy on initial application

Nicely pigmented/opaque coverage

Amazing scent

Decent lasting power

Budget friendly at $6/ea

Great array of colors

Cons

Slow dry down time

Feels drying once it sets

Color of bottle doesn’t match the actual shade

Needs to be reapplied after drinking/eating

Overall: Aside from the amazing cake scent once you open these, I noticed that the shades don’t necessarily match the bottle so I highly recommend swatching these in store beforehand.  They feel very creamy when you first apply them and stay that way for about 10-20 minutes-the dry down time on these is fairly long.  Once dry, this is a true matte finish so it will feel dry unless you apply a little bit of lip balm underneath.  Exfoliating lips prior comes in handy so that the color doesn’t cling to dry patches. These have decent lasting power, however, they do come off if you are eating or drinking and you’ll need to reapply.  I’m happy with these though as they provide good pigmentation and are inexpensive.

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Athens- a peach/pink nude.  Very similar to a MLBB shade on me.

 

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in London- a peach/beige nude.  Applied a little streaky at first but layering helps.

 

Another swatch in the light.

Top-Bottom: Athens and London

I hope you found this review helpful. 🙂

Have you tried these?  What shades do you recommend? 

Stephanie 

Best of Beauty 2015 Part I: Makeup!

Hello readers and Happy New Year!  Hopefully this year has been off to a great start for you. 🙂

I’m rounding up my standout makeup products for 2015, so let’s get started.

Lipstick 

Charlotte Tilbury Matte Revolution Lipstick

Housed in gorgeous, vintage rose-gold packaging this lipstick will change the way you view matte lipsticks.

Kiko Milano Cosmetics Smart Lipstick 

Priced under $10, you’ll be able to stock up on a few without breaking the bank and they wear incredibly well.

Estee Lauder Pure Color Envy Sculpting Lipstick

With a magnetic cap to keep the lining of your purse safe, these lipsticks have all you can ask for: creamy application and highly pigmented color.

Lipgloss

e.l.f. Cosmetics EX-tra Lipgloss

At $2, you’ll get smooth application and impressive pigmentation with these glosses.

NYX Butter Gloss

Another great and affordable line , these glosses come in a beautiful range of non-sticky colors and smell so sweet.

Dior Addict Lip Maximizer 

Higher on the price point but definitely worth it, this tingly pale pink lipgloss leaves lips with a smooth and fuller pout that isn’t sticky.

Foundation 

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick 

With the portable, sleek packaging, this foundation stick is perfect to carry on the go and allows for buildable coverage while letting your skin shine through.

Rimmel London Lasting Finish Foundation 

Giving high end foundations a run for their money, this drugstore gem offers full and light-weight coverage with a satin finish.

Highlight 

The Beauty Crop Lighting Crew Highlighting Cream 

One of my Birchbox samples, this highlighting cream smells amazing and provides a nice glow for the face or body.

Charlotte Tilbury Wonder Glow

I received a sample of this product and it provides a lovely lit from within sheen that doesn’t scream heavy shimmer or glitter.

Mascara

Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Curling and Lifting Mascara

A great mascara that lengthens and curls my lashes with no irritation.

Eyeliner

MAC Fluidline 

One of my favorite gel liners, this is easy to apply and control with lasting power.

Stila Cosmetics Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner

A staple in my beauty arsenal, once you apply this, it will not budge and it will last you a long time.

Bronzer

Clinique Chubby Stick Sculpting Contour

My first cream contour product, this is easy to carry with you, blends easily and gives a natural but defined finish.

Concealer

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer 

The wand in this concealer allows for precise application and the shade Vanilla provides great coverage without it feeling heavy.

TreSiQue Correct and Cover Concealer Crayon

Another Birchbox sample, I like to use this when I need a tad more coverage and blends out nicely.

Brows 

Too Faced Brow Envy Kit 

This kit almost has everything you basically need for grooming and touching up your eyebrows including tweezers, setting wax and customizable brow powders.

Blush

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush

A smooth blush that gives a beautiful glow and comes in a great range of colors for any skin tone.   

Burberry Beauty Light Glow Natural Blush

My holy grail blush, this feels and blend like butter and the shade Earthy Glow can be used as a blush or slight contour.

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek

These wallet friendly blushes have a unique mousse-like texture that is nicely pigmented and comes in a variety of shades and finishes.

Eyeshadows 

Tarte Cosmetics Beauty and the Box Eyeshadow in Apple of My Eye

Included in a PopSugar Must Have Box, these shadows are can be worn any season as it includes gold, bronze and brown shades.

Bobbi Brown Long Wear Cream Shadow Stick 

Eyeshadows in a stick form that take a little bit of blending but provide long wearing color that doesn’t easily crease.

That’s it for today.  Stay tuned Thursday for my picks on skincare and hair products.

What were your favorites in 2015?

Stephanie 

 

Summer Must Have: Eyes and Face!

Hi everyone!

Almost down to the last post of my series and so far we have covered skincare, lipcolors, blushes, nails and hair.  Now, it’s time for the face and eyes. Take a peek at my picks in today’s quick read post!

Face 

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Ultra-Light Skin Perfecting Sunscreen Makeup Broad Spectrum SPF 15 

Light-weight makeup is key for me in summer months and this is one fits the bill.  This foundation provides enough coverage to conceal redness yet still allows skin to like skin.  Another slightly less expensive option is Make Up For Ever Face & Body Liquid Makeup. 

bareMinerals Ready Translucent Touch-Up Veil SPF 15

This is great for setting your makeup and helping to control shine. Bonus: it has SPF.

Eyes

Urban Decay Naked Palette

The original product that started it all, this palette has a great color selection and a variety of finishes that take you from workday neutrals to sultry bronze summer nights.  My favorite picks: Half-Baked and Smog.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Jet Back 

Just as the name implies, this liquid eyeliner will last all day without creasing or transferring.  Just a little primer underneath and you can create a thin or thick line thanks to the fine tip.

Rimmel London ScandalEyes Eyeshadow Stick in Witness White

An easy way to brighten your look, just pop this shade in the inner corners of your eyes and you’ll instantly look awake.  You can also use this as a base to accentuate other eyeshadow shades.

Do you use any of these? What are your favorites? 

Stephanie

 

 

Sephora Moonshdow Baked Palette Review!

Hi readers!  Hope you all had a great weekend.  I have a full day at IDI today, taking a class on acids, peels, and exfoliation (super excited!) but I wanted to leave you with a review on the Sephora Moonshadows.  I bought this palette about two months ago and what drew me in initially were the colors and the price, about $12 after a few discounts.

Once you open the palette, there’s a mirror on top and 10 gorgeous colors below. All colors have shimmer so if you’re looking for matte colors, this palette might not be for you.   The colors as pictured above from left to right:

Peru: Olive green with gold shimmer

Belize: Red/orange bronze

Barbados: Peach

Seychelles: Peach with a gold undertone

St. Vincent: Frosty white

Grenada: Purple with tiny flecks of silver

Bermuda: Lilac

Fiji: Lilac with a lot of silver strewn in

Martinique: Liquified gold

St. Lucia: Shimmery cream

The majority of the colors are nicely pigmented and blend easily, however, if you want the colors to really pop, using the shadows wet is key.  Below are swatches of all the colors, both wet and dry.

Peru, Belize, Barbados, Seychelles, St. Vincent (dry)

 

Peru, Belize, Barbados, Seychelles, St. Vincent (wet)

 

 

Grenada, Bermuda, Fiji, Martinique, St. Lucia (dry)

 

 

Grenada, Bermuda, Fiji, Martinique, St. Lucia (wet)

 

As you can see in some colors, wetting the shadows really brings out the nuances.

Pros

Majority are nicely pigmented

Can be used wet or dry

Blend easily

Can be used to create subtle or dramatic looks

Cons

There’s quite a bit of fallout when you apply the shadow and it also gets all over the palette

No matte colors that can be used as blending/transition shades

A few shades take a few swipes to develop a good color pay off

This palette is Limited Edition

Bottom Line: If you’re looking for pretty, shimmery but not overly glitter eyeshadows, you can’t go wrong with this one.  Although this particular palette was limited edition, Sephora has some other great baked shadow palettes and I hope this gave you some insight into what to expect from these 🙂

Thanks for reading and if you have any questions let me know. 🙂

Stephanie