Friday, May 29, 2015
Around The Web
Around The Web
The work week is coming to an end which means that it's time for another round of favorites things from around the web! This week was a crazy one here in Houston. We have had some insane rain lately and had a whole lot of flooding all over Texas. If you live here in the Houston area I hope you and your loved ones stayed safe. If you are interested in donating I will link the red cross page, a lot of people lost everything in the floods and can use all the help they can get. I hope you all enjoy your weekend!
Its getting hotter and hotter in the south; doesn't this drink look amazingly refreshing?!
Interested in donating to the Red Cross? Click here.
10 ways you are damaging your hair.
10 Celebrities that were roommates first!
What summer looked like in 1995.
A deliciously easy to make avocado strawberry salad.
Thursday, May 28, 2015
Tame & Frame
NYX Brow Pomade
This year has been the year of eyebrow products. I don’t think
I can recall a time when so many brands (drugstore and high-end) had such a
variety of brow products. For years it was cheap pencils from the drugstore, concocting
your own with a matte brown shadow or shelling out a pretty penny for Anastasia’s
products. Well now we have a whole lot more options. And that my friend excites me!
I find this product gives a very natural and polished look
to my brows. It glides on easily allowing for natural brush strokes. I like to apply
this by making short strokes with an angled brush since it allows for the most
control. I don’t find it smudges on me during the day although I do set it with
my L’Oreal Brow Plumper.
NYX recently released the Tame & Frame Tinted Brow
Pomade. One of the first pomades I have seen from a drugstore brand. I was
eager to try it and I wasn’t disappointed in the least. It comes in 5 shades
ranging from a light taupe for blondes to the blackest of black. I picked mine
up in the shade Brunette.
You can’t beat the price on this. It’s just 6.99 which is
about 3x less expensive than the too faced bullet proof brows I was previously
using.
Have you tried this new NYX product yet? Have any other drugstore
brow recommendations, I would love to hear from you!
Wednesday, May 27, 2015
Clinique Cheek Pop and Pop Lip
+ Gift With Purchase
For a long time when someone would talk about Clinique makeup
I would think of the marbleized green compacts that flooded the purses of teens
when I was growing up. I just always thought of it as a brand that had simple
makeup geared to those just getting their toes into the makeup world. I still
think this is true, Clinique is a great brand to start on for a young daughter/niece
(you get the picture) that is interested in makeup. Lately though my thoughts
on Clinique have changed a bit.
Last year Clinique released the Cheek Pop line and everyone
went bonkers over them! The packaging is simply adorable and while they started
the range with only a few shades they have recently added on. Then a couple
months ago Clinique came out with the accompanying Pop Lips. I was done. I had
to get my hands on them.
I picked up a few items from the collections over at Nordstrom
and even got myself a little gift with purchase ;). I decided to film this one so if you want to
hear more on my thoughts go ahead and check out the video below over on my YouTube
channel.
Items purchased:
Pop Lip in Bare Pop- $18
Pop Lip in Melon Pop - $18
Cheek Pop in Ginger Pop – $21 actually picked this up about
a month ago.
Cheek Pop in Pansy Pop- $21
Gift with purchase($85
Value): This comes with a $32 purchase. Extra bonus if you spend $47 (Bonus
worth $20)
All About Eyes (0.21 oz.)
Repairwear Sculpting Night Cream (0.5 oz.)
Take the Day Off Makeup Remover (0.5 oz.)
Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser (1 oz.)
Compact with All About Shadow Duo in colors from Wave
After Wave and Smoke and Mirrors plus a Soft-Pressed Powder Blusher in Cupid
Dual-End Different Lipstick in Raspberry Glace and High
Impact Mascara in Black
Long Last Glosswear in First Date
Green Printed Cosmetics Bag
Tuesday, May 26, 2015
Everlasting Foundation +
Clarins
Until recently I had never tried any products from Clarins,
cosmetics or skincare alike. I don’t hear much about the brand from US beauty
bloggers but recently kept hearing their products brought up by a few of the European
and Canadian bloggers that I follow. I always knew they were a respected brand
but never felt like picking anything up… until recently that is.
I picked mine up in the shade 107 and it is a perfect match
for my skin tone. I picked this up online and tried my best to match with my
skin since I had never tried a foundation from Clarins before. The great thing
about this foundation is it comes in a wide range of colors, 14 to be exact. So you are sure to find a shade that works for
you. The bottle is also quite nice, glass with a good weightiness to it. This
can be good and bad. I like having a quality bottle especially when I am
shelling out a bit more on a high end foundation but it isn’t the most travel
friendly bottle. I tend to leave this one at home and bring a foundation that’s
more travel friendly if I am going to be on the road. It also comes with a pump
top making dispensing and application quite easy. No worries of dumping or
squeezing too much product out.
The formulation its self is liquid and buffs into the skin
easily. This is definitely a full coverage foundation that can be easily built
up to the fullest of coverage. Since this is so weightless feeling you won’t be
left with any cakiness. I do suggest moisturizing and using a primer beforehand,
especially if you may have dry patches because this can cling a little more to
those areas. Overall I felt like this foundation lasted me through the entire
work day keeping my t-zone matte but with still a natural finish to my skin. I don’t
think it last for 18hours like Clarins claims but close enough for me! It was
able to cover small acne spots and redness but I still found I needed a bit of
concealer on any spots that were more prominent.
After browsing the blogger and beauty world for a high
coverage long-lasting foundation that would work for my oily skin I stumbled upon
the new reformulation of Clarins Everlasting + foundation. With promises of 18hour flawless coverage
that is lightweight and natural I quickly added it to my cart. It’s formulated
with Bamboo Powder and Organic Quinoa for mattifying but comfortable
long-lasting wear.
I never tried the original formula so I can’t compare it but
I can say that I really enjoy using the new one. This isn’t the cheapest of
foundations but that is to be expected from a more highend brand like Clarins,
this retails for $40. Have you tried this foundation before? I would love to
hear from you in the comments!
Monday, May 25, 2015
May 2015 BOXYCHARM
BOXYCHARM
Check out my May BOXYCHARM unboxing video to see what came in this months box! This months box was the "Bold & Beautiful" collection and had a value of $98.
Box Contents:
ModelCo BRONZE SHIMMER - $22
Lauren B. Beauty Nail Polish - $18
Check out my May BOXYCHARM unboxing video to see what came in this months box! This months box was the "Bold & Beautiful" collection and had a value of $98.
Box Contents:
ModelCo BRONZE SHIMMER - $22
The Lip Bar Lipstick in Purple Rain - $20
Bodyography Essential Brow Trio - $19
Bodyography Brow Brush - $19Lauren B. Beauty Nail Polish - $18
Friday, May 22, 2015
Around The Web
Around The Web
With the Memorial Day weekend is upon us. There are a pretty huge selection of sales to shop so I wanted to link some of my favorite stores for you to browse through. I told myself no shopping this year but then I spotted this gorgeous purse from Rebecca Minkoff I have been eyeing marked 40% off! So yes as you can imagine I broke my promise to myself (Thats it no other purchases. I swear! ;) ) . I plan on spending the long weekend surronded by friends and hopefully (fingers x the weather improves) in a pool celebrating and remembering those who have fought for our country. How are you spending this weekend?
Ebates. Because who doesnt want cash back when shopping.
Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale. 40% off.
Loft 40% off everything.
Kendra Scott up to 70% off.
Rebecca Minkoff 50% off.
Saks up to 55% off.
With the Memorial Day weekend is upon us. There are a pretty huge selection of sales to shop so I wanted to link some of my favorite stores for you to browse through. I told myself no shopping this year but then I spotted this gorgeous purse from Rebecca Minkoff I have been eyeing marked 40% off! So yes as you can imagine I broke my promise to myself (Thats it no other purchases. I swear! ;) ) . I plan on spending the long weekend surronded by friends and hopefully (fingers x the weather improves) in a pool celebrating and remembering those who have fought for our country. How are you spending this weekend?
Ebates. Because who doesnt want cash back when shopping.
Nordstrom Half Yearly Sale. 40% off.
Loft 40% off everything.
Kendra Scott up to 70% off.
Rebecca Minkoff 50% off.
Saks up to 55% off.
Thursday, May 21, 2015
Summer Bronze With A Pop Of Color
Easy Summer Look
I was playing around with my make up the other day when I created
this look. I thought it was such an easy bronze eye look that would be perfect
to wear during the summer. You can pretty much pair it with a multitude of lip
options but I gave you two I like most in this post. If you want to see how I created
this look then keep reading.
I always start with my eyes first. Just in case
I get any fallout I don’t have to worry about re-doing my face makeup.
To
start I used an eye primer (UD Primer Potion), this helps ensure the longevity of your eye
look and also helps with getting the most intense color payoff from the
shadows. I use the shade Ivory Slipper from Estee Lauder all over my eyelids all the way to my brows. For my
transition crease shade I used what is actually a blush. Estee Lauder Pure Color Blush in Sensuous Rose. This is a peachy warm shade that blends
out so smoothly. Next I applied the bronze shade from my Coastal Scents palette (the last shade on the top row) on my lids but no further than my
crease. Then finally to darken up my crease I used the matte brown shade from the same palette (3rd to last shade on the bottom row), I applied it concentrating on my
outer corners and blending in. I then took a pencil brush and lightly dipped it back in the bronze shade and blended out my lower lash line. For my
eyeliner I used IT cosmetics liner in brown/black. I applied this pretty
haphazardly then I proceeded to blend it upward with a angled liner brush.
This gives a soft smokey look to the eye. I filled my eyebrows in using the NYX Tam & Frame and L'Oreal Brow Stylist Plumper. For mascara I applied a couple of coats of the new CoverGirl Super Sizer mascara and the Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara.
For my foundation I mixed the IT Cosmetics cc+ illumination and Estee Lauder Double Wear. For my under eyes I used the Korres concealer corrector and then applied the double wear concealer in that upside down triangle under my eyes (you know the technique made famous Kim K.). I set everything by using the Hourglass Ambient Light Powder in Diffused Light.
For my cheeks I bronzed up my skin with my Vitality Disc and created a contour with the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil bronzer. I then highlighted the tops of my cheekbones using the Stila All Over Shimmer in Kitten. For blush I used a combination of two products, Tarte's Bronzer Blush all over the cheeks and Clinique's Cheek Pop in Ginger Pop on the apples of my cheeks.
Here I show two lip options but really any lip color would look awesome! For lip option 1 I used Urban Decay lipstick in Jilted and put a bit of Maybelline Elixir in Dashing Orchid over the top. For lip option two I am wearing Revlon's Colorburst Matte in Audacious.
Lip Option 1
Lip Option 2
Products mentioned:
IT Cosmetics CC Cream Illumination in Light
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
Estee Lauder Double Wear Stay In Place Flawless Concealer in Light
Korres Concealer Corrector
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder
Stila All Over Shimmer Liquid Highlighter in Kitten
IT Cosmetics Vitality Brightening Disc
Estee Lauder Pure Color Blush in Sensuous Rose (as an eye shadow)
Estee Lauder Pure Color Eyeshadow in Ivory Slipper
Coastal Scents Revealed 2 Pallet (shades aren't named)
Clinique Cheep Pop in Ginger Pop
NYX Tame and Frame Brow Pomade
L'Oreal Brow Stylist Plumper
Cover Girl Super Sizer Mascara
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Audacious
Maybelline Color Elixir in Dashing Orchid
Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Jilted
It Cosmetics No Tug Eyeliner in Brown/Black
Tarte Colored Clay Bronzer Blush in Pink Bronze
Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer
Wednesday, May 20, 2015
Disappointing Products
What Hasn't Worked For Me
It has been quite a while since I have done a disappointing products post, I typically just give these products to someone else to try if they dont work for me but I thought why not share my thoughts on them. If you are curious to see my full review head on over to my youtube channel!
Products mentioned
Tuesday, May 19, 2015
Recent Empties
It's been a couple of months since I did my last empties post and in that time I managed to amass quit a large amount of products in my empties bin. You know the drill ill be going through what I have used up and my thoughts on them. Keep reading if this sort of thing interests you ;)
1. Bobbi Brown Face Touch Up Palette - This is a perfect travel companion, it contains your foundation, concealer, corrector and pressed powder.
2. Tarte Colored Clay Liquid Foundation - This is a lightweight foundation that gives a natural finish to the skin. It claims to be full coverage but I would say it is more medium coverage that can be built up for a more full coverage look.
3.Urban Decay Primer Potion - There is one thing I can live without and that is an eye primer. I go between this one and the Too Faced Shadow Insurance. It keeps my eye shadow in place for a crazy amount of time.. I mean sleep in your makeup and your eye look is intact.
4.Studio Gear Hidden Agenda Concealer - A completely underrated concealer (and brand in general) I love using this to help hide dark under eye circles. It has a salmon tint that helps hide the blue tint your dark circles give off.
5.It cosmetics Celebration Foundation Illumination - My new favorite powder foundation! I never thought I would find a powder foundation that gives your skin a glow while giving complete flawless coverage. I already picked up a fresh one!
6. Korres Quercetin &Oak Antiageing Eye Primer - I bought this along with several other products from Korres, I was wanting to test out the range some wee hits some were misses. While this is a decent product it just doesn't hold up nearly as well as the Urban Decay Primer Potion.
7.Lorac Breakthrough Performance Foundation - I mostly used this foundation mixed in with others. It was a bit dark on me and the finish wasn't anything to write home about but it did mix nicely with other foundations to add a bit more of a yellow tone.
8. Korres Quercetin & Oak Antiageing & Antiwrinkle Face Serum - This serum is meant to help improve the signs of aging mainly help fight wrinkles. This serum left my face feeling nice and plump.
9. Korres Quercetin & Oak Antiageing Foundation- I really enjoyed using this foundation, it gave a nice full coverage finish while still keeping the skin looking youthful.
10. NYX Mineral Set It Don't Fret It - If you are looking for a inexpensive setting powder then this one to try out. It keeps my foundation and concealer set all day and is such an affordable product!
11.Not your Mother's Clean Freak - I go through a bottle of this dry shampoo every couple of weeks. It's the best dry shampoo I have found on the market!
12. IT Cosmetics Hello Lashes Extensions Mascara - What I love most about this mascara is the ball tip end that really helps define every lash even the tiniest of lashes.
13. L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara - A favorite drugstore mascara option, this is a go to for adding volume.
14. Tarte Lights Camera Flashes Mascara - This is one of my favorite mascaras of all time. I have gone through so many of these through the years! It adds amazing volume and length to the lashes.
15. YBF Perfect Prep Face Primer - This was a deluxe size sample from HSN.I had never tried anything from this brand was a fan of this primer. It helps fill in pores and create a smooth canvas for foundation.
16. Julep Glow Pore Minimizing Bronzer - I got this bronzer in a Julep Maven Box almost a year ago now and it has just finally run out. This is in the shade medium tan and gives a wonderful summer sun kissed glow to the skin.
17.Michael Todd Blue Green Algae Toner - This is my favorite toner, I use it day and night to help treat any acne blemishes. Michael Todd is one of my favorite skincare lines and I always keep back ups of this product so I am never without.
Monday, May 18, 2015
Sephora Beauty Closet
I picked up the Sephora Collection Beauty Closet during their VIB sale. I was drawn to this product because it was full of so many products I have been dying to try. I figured it would be better to try out a bunch of them before springing for the full size products. You can see my full review over on my NEW YOUTUBE CHANNEL! I hope you enjoy the video!
Here is what comes in the box:
Algenist Complete Eye Renewal Balm
Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Clear Brow GelFull-size Ardency Inn MODSTER Smooth Ride Supercharged eyeliner in Gold
bareMinerals Mini READY™ Touch Up Veil Broad Spectrum SPF 15 in Translucent
Full-size Beautyblender® micro.mini sponge applicator
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector™ in Opal
Bite Beauty BB for Lips in Flush
Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black eau de parfum rollerball
Full-size Formula X Nail Color in Fahrenheit
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
Josie Maran 100% Pure Argan Oil
Julep Freedom™ Polymer Top Coat
Lancôme Paris Lip Lover in 355 Framboise Etoile
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 in Nude
Living Proof Prime Style Extender
Ole Henriksen® truth serum® collagen booster
SEPHORA COLLECTION Colorful Mono eye shadow in #32 Pop Idol
Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream Broad Spectrum SPF 35 in Light/Medium
Stila Convertible Color in Peony
Tarte Amazonian clay waterproof bronzer in Park Ave Princess™
Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara
What I'm wearing from this kit:
Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in Nude
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal
Anastasia Beverly Hills Mini Clear Brow Gel
Ardency Inn MODSTER Smooth Ride Supercharged eyeliner in Gold
Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara
Lancôme Paris Lip Lover in 355 Framboise Etoile
Wednesday, May 13, 2015
Philosophy | When Hope is Not Enough
Facial Firming Serum
After running out of the last serum I was using I decided to test something new out. I have used a whole slew of Philosophy products through out the years and was using the hope in a jar moisturizer so why not pick out another item from the line!
When Hope Is Not Enough is a facial firming serum that helps to improve the appearance of all those pesky signs of aging like sagging skin wrinkles and dull looking skin. Its formulated with glutathione, peptides, vitamin C and E, and soy. It's formulated without - Parabens, Sulfates, Synthetic Fragrances, Synthetic Dyes, Phthalates, GMOs and Triclosan.
This is a really lightweight formula that absorbs quickly into the skin. This type of formula means its good for day and night use. You wont be left feeling oily or like you have a lot of product on your face. As you can see it has a dropper style dispenser, to you just drop about 4 or 5 drops in your hands then apply all over your face and neck. I will forewarn you it does have a slightly unpleasant smell but it dissipates pretty quickly so you won't smell it for long.
Now I know I am relatively young but it is never to early to combat signs of aging. One change in my skin I had noticed was the firmness of my skin. It just didn't seem to be the same as it used to be, It felt thinner under my jawline and neck. Hence my interest in testing out a firming serum. After using the serum for a few months I can definitely say the tightness and firmness has improved. I wouldn't say this serum is a miracle product. It does take time and consistent use to see the improvement, but the improvement is there (and really this applies to most skincare).
I really went for it and picked up the jumbo 5.7 oz. size but it also comes in the standard 1 oz. that retails for $45.
Have you ever tried this product before? Any beauty recommendations? I would love to hear from you in the comments!
Monday, May 11, 2015
Julep Maven May
Set Sail
It's been a few months since a Julep Maven box has been on the blog.I have skipped my last few boxes since my nail polish collection was overflowing and I decided to sign up for the BoxyCharm box. Not having ordered the box recently it completely slipped my mind to cancel the May box (happy accident I say!). It's not that I don't like the Julep boxes it's just I was trying out a new box and I have to cut costs somewhere right?
This months box theme was "Set Sail" and all about the adventures the coming months of summer will bring. Box choices included nail polishes ranging in shades of classic red white and blue to bright pink, purple, mermaid green and coral. New products this month were the Feels Like Velvet Eyeshadow Duo and 4 new bright shades were added to the lip crayon line named It's Balm.
Since I forgot to cancel my box I didn't have a chance to choose which style I wanted and was sent my standard Classic with a Twist box.
Box Contents:
Amanda - Pink Dahlia CrèmeShelby - Navy Ink Crème
Feels Like Velvet - Moonlight & Starlight: Matte lilac grey & white sand shimmer
The eye shadow duo is nice, it is velvety to the touch like the name suggest and has decent color pay off. Although I think the formula is a too soft as I was getting a lot of fall out when applied to my eye lids. There were 5 different combinations and if I had a chance I probably would have picked the Luck and Magic set.
I haven't had a chance to wear the blue polish (Shelby) yet but I did test out the bright pink shade(Amanda). I forget how much I love the Julep polish formula, It applies in thick even coats so you only need 2 coats for an opaque color. The formula is also long wearing, these pictures were taken 6 DAYS after I painted my nails! Seriously though I could not believe I didn't have any chipping. I usually chip after just a couple of days!
Friday, May 8, 2015
Around the Web
Around the Web
I hope you all have something great planned for the weekend and treat your moms to extra love and attention. If you are still looking for last minute gifs feel free to check out my gift guide. I hope all of you moms have a wonderful weekend and Mother's Day!
Reese Witherspoon's new lifestyle website Draper James
Humans of NewYork cover the Met Gala.
Summer is knocking on the door and it's time to get the tanning product out from under the counter. I have heard nothing but rave reviews for this product. Have you tried it?
Intimate Portraits of Prima Ballerinas Who Became Mothers.
I hope you all have something great planned for the weekend and treat your moms to extra love and attention. If you are still looking for last minute gifs feel free to check out my gift guide. I hope all of you moms have a wonderful weekend and Mother's Day!
Reese Witherspoon's new lifestyle website Draper James
Humans of NewYork cover the Met Gala.
Summer is knocking on the door and it's time to get the tanning product out from under the counter. I have heard nothing but rave reviews for this product. Have you tried it?
Intimate Portraits of Prima Ballerinas Who Became Mothers.
Thursday, May 7, 2015
Drugstore VS. Highend
Texture and Volume Spray
Living in Texas (or the south in general) means big hair. I have never been one to overly tease my hair as it is fine and breaks extremely easily. So what is my secret weapon to getting texture and volume? Texture spray of course! I thought I would compare two of my favorite volume sprays one from the drugstore and the other a high-end version. I used to swear by sea salt sprays to add texture but started to find the ends of my hair was becoming so dry and brittle I had to find something else that wouldn't do as much damage on my hair. That's where these two products come into play.
The Drugstore Version: L'Oreal Boost It High Lift Creation Spray
VS.
The High-end Version: Oscar Blandi Dry Texture and Volume Spray
Both options work wonders and offer similar styling benefits for your hair. If you have the extra cash then I would say splurge on the Dry Texture and Volume Spray (retail is $24) . Looking to pinch those pennies? The L'Oreal Version will only run you $4.99!
Have a texture spray you love? Let me know in the comments!
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
LVX Nail Of The Day
MYNT
You may remember my March BoxyCharm came with this pretty little nail polish in the shade Mynt (Didn't see it? Check it out here!). Well I finally got around to painting my nails with it and I am in love! This polish goes on so smoothly and you only need 2 coats for an opaque finish. LVX promises a gel like finish and I have to say it does give a nice high shine finish and looks a bit thicker as a gel polish would. The brush makes application a piece of cake as well. I definitely wouldn't mind adding a few more colors from them to my collection.
Tuesday, May 5, 2015
April 2015 Favorites
Monthly Favorites
This month I have managed to keep my routine pretty simple and have been reaching for the same handful of product over and over. I have been looking for ways to cut down my get ready time in the mornings before work and one of the best ways I manage this is by using a curated selection of products that I know work well, are goof proof and last all day. Keep reading if you want to read more about my April favorites!
Monday, May 4, 2015
New From COVERGIRL
The Super Sizer Mascara and Intensify Me! Liquid Eyeliner
COVERGIRL recently released two new products to the LashBlast line, the super sizer mascara and Intensify Me Liquid Eyeliner. There are several things that drugstore beauty brands do well and that is usually eyeliners and mascaras. I was more than happy to receive these two products courtesy of Influenster since I am constantly on the hunt for new mascaras and I always need an eyeliner.

















































