Makeup Archives | Page 4 of 9

The Nude Lipsticks Edit!

March 10, 2016

Happy Thursday almost Friday everyone!

Just as every closet should contain a classic little black dress, every makeup arsenal needs at least one nude lipstick/gloss to complete any look. After all, nude lipsticks provide balance to a smokey eye or provide a hint of barely there color when going for the all natural (which is not so natural, haha) look.

From budget friendly to high end, I’ve got you covered.

Lipsticks

Kiko Milano Smart Lipstick in Nude Neige 901

For under $10, this hidden gem looks unassuming in the package but provides a nude lip that doesn’t make me look washed out.

MAC Peachstock

A warm-toned peachy beige, this lipstick looks great with a pink gloss on top.

Too Faced Melted Lipstick in Melted Nude

For a longer-lasting, slightly darker nude, look no further than this one as it dries down to a matte finish.

Lipglosses

Burberry Burberry Kisses Lip Gloss in Nude Beige No. 17

A non-sticky lipgloss that provides a nice natural glow to lips and is nicely pigmented.

Lancome Gloss in Love in Mocha Queen

The lighter shade of the bunch, this gloss has tiny shimmer particles that give lips a poutier finish.

NYX Intense Butter Gloss in Peanut Brittle

Another under $10 find, this smooth gloss requires just one swipe for beautiful opaque coverage.

Top-Bottom: Peanut Brittle, Mocha Queen, Nude Beige, Melted Nude, Peachstock and 901

Some swatches of the shades.

Share your favorite nude lip products below!

Stephanie

Besame Cosmetics Red Velvet 1946 Lipstick Review!

February 16, 2016

Happy Tuesday readers! How was your Valentine’s Day weekend? I didn’t have anything planned really but at the last minute I went out with my family/friends to a lake where we celebrated an Un-Valentine’s day, haha.

Late last year, I picked up this cute set while I was waiting in line to purchase some items at Sephora. I had heard about Besame Cosmetics and instantly fell in love with this unique vintage packaging. Later, I read that this lipstick, Red Velevet 1946, is the lipstick that Hayley Atwell wears on the show Marvel’s Agent Carter so of course I had to try it.

Let’s take a look!

The matchbook has this quote written on the inside:

“Life without lipstick is like cake without frosting.”

I couldn’t agree more. 🙂

Besame Cosmetics Lipstick and Matchbook Set

Described as, “a set of five rich, highly pigment lipsticks housed in a portable matchbook, plus a full-size lipstick with a satin, matte finish that delivers full coverage in one coat.”

Pros

Highly pigmented

Good value ($23 for the lipstick and matchbook-lipstick alone is $22 and the matchbook alone is $6)

Long-wearing

Leaves behind a stain

Cons

Difficult to apply

Doesn’t glide on as smoothly as I would like

Drying

Can accentuate fine lines/imperfections

Overall: I really like this lipstick as the shade is gorgeous and it’s what I used in my Valentine’s Day look (check it out here). If you’re looking for lipstick shades that are true an era (i.e. 1940s, etc) then Besame Cosmetics is your brand. I did have trouble applying this straight out from the tube so a lip brush comes a bit handy. The formula is a satin matte, which kind of tugged on my lips a bit when I was applying; however, prepping your lips beforehand-exfoliating and a little bit of lip balm-helps the appearance and and application process. The lasting-power is great, however with eating and drinking, this will come off although it leaves behind a stain.

The lipstick matches are a cute addition and you’ll get about 1 use out of them. Word of caution: make sure you close the matchbook well if you’re going to be carrying this in your purse.

Here’s a swatch of Red Velvet 1946.

Have you tried Besame Cosmetics?

Stephanie

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Color Review!

February 4, 2016

Happy Thursday everyone! I was at Target the other day and was thrilled to find the new Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Colors on the shelves. Here’s my review on it.

Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Color in Nude Flush

Described as, “bold, vivid color [that] glides easily onto lips for a velvety matte finish. Formula is comfortable and creamy with a smooth feel upon application.”

Pros

Budget friendly

Good pigmentation

Good color selection

Glossy

Cons

Made my lips feel numb

Not matte

Fragrance might be bothersome to some

Easily transfers/comes off when eating

Overall: Unfortunately, this didn’t work at all for me as I think I had an allergic reaction to it. As soon as I applied it, my lips felt very numb. At first I thought my reaction was similar to what I get when I apply lip plumping glosses but the numbness never faded away. The second day I tried it, again my lips felt numb and this time they really started to hurt so I immediately wiped it off. This applied like a gloss and isn’t really sticky but it never dried down to a matte finish. About 2 hours into wearing them, I could still rub my lips together and get a glossy feel. Upon drinking and eating, the lipstick wore off completely, so this product doesn’t last long. Even if I didn’t have a reaction to this, I would still return this as the name is misleading, and, in my opinion, you’re better off sticking to the Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lip Colors.

Maybelline Nude Flush

A swatch of the shade Nude Flush. These are nicely pigmented as I only swiped it once across my arm to get this color.

Have you tried these ones? What’s your opinion on them?

Stephanie

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream Review!

January 19, 2016

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 (peach/pink nude) and London (peach/beige nude). 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.

Here’s some swatches.

Top-Bottom: Athens and London

I hope you found this review helpful. 🙂

Have you tried these? What shades do you recommend?

Stephanie

KIKO Milano Rebel Bouncy Blush Review!

January 14, 2016

Hi readers! I have a review today on this blush I picked up awhile back so if you’re interested, keep reading. 🙂

KIKO Milano Rebel Bouncy Blush in Velvety Peach

Described as a “blush with a new sensory aspect and a satin matte finish.”

Pros

Budget friendly

Sturdy packaging and comes with a mirror

Excellent color payoff/pigmentation

Looks natural

Cons

Hard to apply at times

Not long-lasting

Overall: As soon as I swatched this shade in store, I knew I had to buy it. The color is such a gorgeous peach shade that has great pigmentation. It’s similar to the Colour Pop ones in that it has the same mousse-like consistency and is best applied with my fingertips to achieve a natural look. The two issues I have with this one is that a) the color does fade considerably after a few hours, especially when my skin is oily and b) sometimes it’s a bit hard to apply and blend out. Initially, the texture did feel bouncy when you applied it but now consistency has hardened a bit, which is what makes it difficult to apply sometimes in my opinion. However, once you blend it out it looks natural which is always a plus in my book. Definitely worth checking out. 🙂

A swatch of this lovely blush.

I hope you found this review helpful.

Have you tried any of their blushes? What was your experience with them?

Stephanie

Best of Beauty 2015 Part I: Makeup!

January 5, 2016

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

December 2015 Favorites!

December 29, 2015

Hello everyone! How was your Christmas and long weekend? Mine was great although I still can’t believe that we are only a few days away from a new year. Crazy how time is zooming by.

Anyhow, I’ve gathered my favorites this month so let’s get started. 🙂

Renee Rouleau Purifying Face Wash

This face wash is on heavy rotation in my skincare routine. It’s a very gentle, unscented gel cleanser that slightly foams but doesn’t leave skin feeling stripped of moisture. Ingredients like sea whip and green tea are included to calm skin. I think this cleanser is perfect if you don’t have too many breakouts.

Skin Script Raspberry Refining Cleanser

I ordered a box full of Skin Script skincare gift sets and I’m really loving this cleanser. It smells like raspberries and includes glycolic and salicylic acid to help clear up acne as well as yucca extract to help relieve irritation. This cleanser gently foams and rinses clean without that harsh tight feeling certain cleansers can leave afterward.

Skin Script Cacteen Balancing Moisturizer

I picked up a few samples of this moisturizer at the esthetic trade show in Long Beach and it’s been a good moisturizer for these winter nights. A medium weight moisturizer, this has prickly pear cactus to help heal and is rich on olive oil fatty acids that help retain moisture in the skin.

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

I’ve been reaching for this eyeshadow quad quite frequently throughout the holidays and I love it. Bronze and gold eyeshadows are my go-to shades and this quad encompasses gorgeous colors that can be used to create subtle daytime looks to dramatic smoky night time looks.

e.l.f. EX-tra Lip Gloss in Scott

I picked up the e.l.f. Mix and Mingle Lip Gloss set at Target and while I’ll have a complete review on the blog later, the shade I have been loving is Scott. Scott is a peach beige lipgloss with gold flecks that once applied give a nice subtle glow. Priced at $2 each, they glosses have good pigmentation, decent staying power, aren’t sticky and have a sweet taste. My only issue is that the lip gloss applicator is flimsy and I’m constantly worried it may break off.

e.l.f. EX-tra Lipgloss in Scott

Rhonda Allison Holiday Wine Luster Holiday Set

I follow fellow esthetican Christina Gliatta from Estie Skincare on Instagram and when she posted this Rhonda Allison kit, I knew I had to order it from her. I’ve been wanting to try Rhonda Allison skincare products for a while and this kit did not disappoint. It includes one ounce of Cucumber Spritz and half an ounce of Blushed Wine Gel.

I use the Cucumber Spritz in the morning before I apply my makeup to add moisture to my skin without it feeling heavy. Depending on the weather, I’ll toss it into my purse and take it on the go to refresh my skin. The Blushed Wine Gel is a great antioxidant moisturizer for my combination skin during the day. It has small shimmer particles that provides skin with a glow and it works great under my makeup.

So far, I am impressed with the Rhonda Allison line and can’t wait to try more in the future. If you’re looking to try out Rhonda Allison products, make sure to follow Estie Skincare-Christina is super nice and helpful.

Sara Happ Lip Scrub in Peppermint

A special extra that Christina included- thank you!- this lip scrub is heaven sent! I like Fresh Sugar Lip Polish but this one is more moisturizing, and perfect for this harsh winter weather. The price is a little steep at $24 but you only need very little of this luxurious feeling lip scrub so it will last you a long time. Lips feel super soft and hydrated and most importantly, are left flake free. Bonus: the packaging is so chic complete with a little bow.

What are your favorites this month?

Stephanie

Best Foundations for a Glowing Complexion!

December 10, 2015

Hi readers!

Today I’ll be sharing my top three foundations I like to use when my skin needs a little extra help in achieving a glowing complexion. 🙂

Lancome Teint Miracle

You’ll get a nice, dewy look with this medium coverage foundation. A little goes a long way and it does a good job of concealing any redness in your complexion. Combination skin types may want to apply a bit of powder as it can tend to appear oily after a couple of hours.

Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua

Definitely the sheerest and the lightest-weight one of the bunch, I love how it allows your skin to look like skin without flaws. It melts right into skin and after a while, you’ll forget you have anything on.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Illuminating

I love the fact that you can wear this alone or mix it in with your favorite foundation to get a customized radiant complexion. Works really well on mature skin to give it a youthful glow.

What are your favorite go-to foundations for a holiday glow?

Stephanie

Sephora VIB Haul + Mini Review 2015!

December 8, 2015

Hi everyone! Today I am sharing the items that I purchased for myself during the Sephora VIB 20% sale along with a mini review of each. There’s a few that I ended up returning but here are the final products I am keeping. Let’s get to it.

Face

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer Broad Spectrum SPF 20 in Nude

One of the best tinted moisturizers out there, I love using this for an everyday look. It’s light-weight, doesn’t make me breakout and with a variety of finishes and colors, you’re bound to find one that is perfect for you.

Sephora Collection Colorful Face Powder Blush in Can’t Stop Smiling

Once I saw the Sephora Collection Blush display, I knew I had to check them out. After swatching a few shades that caught my attention, I ended purchasing Can’t Stop Smiling. Described as a “salmon pink”, this blush has a surprisingly creamy consistency and is nicely pigmented. It does take a little bit of an effort to blend out but overall, I do like it and the shade is unlike anything I own.

Beautyblender The Original Beautyblender

Yes I finally gave in to the hype and I’m glad I did. This tool is a game changer when applying foundation as it helps it melt into skin for a seamless look. If you’ve been on the fence in trying this, I highly recommend that you do.

Sephora Blush Can’t Stop Smiling Swatch

Eyes

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

I had to pick up another tube of my favorite eye primer. I have used this for years and I honestly have no intention of straying. No other eye primer makes my eyeshadow last without creasing like this one. My only complaint is that with every new tube, the consistency comes out a bit oily and watery but it goes back to its normal creamy consistency after.

Benefit Cosmetics Roller Lash Curling and Lifting Mascara

I bought the travel sized version of this mascara and I will be purchasing the full-size once I am done. I love the brush that comes with this which really does elongate and curl lashes. Best of all, it doesn’t irritate my eyes.

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Jet Black

When looking for a liquid eyeliner that won’t budge, I don’t have to look past this Stila one. Hands down the best liquid eyeliner I have tried so far and another favorite item I’ve repurchased throughout the years.

Lips

Burberry Burberry Kisses Lipstick in Peach Delight No. 57

Ah, Burberry. After falling in love with their blush, I wanted to try out other items so I choose these two lip products. This lipstick is a nice pink-peach color that can be used as an everyday shade or paired with a more dramatic look. It glides on smoothly and it’s neither matte nor creamy but very comfortable to wear. Plus, the cap is magnetic and how awesome is the design?

Burberry Burberry Kisses Lip Gloss in Nude Beige No. 17

I always have room for a nude beige lipgloss and this fits the bill. The gloss isn’t sticky and it gives a nice glow to the lips without making them look overly shiny. I will be honest and say that the lasting power on this is not long-maybe about 2 hours- and it’s not the most moisturizing. But, I do love how pigmented this one is and it looks great on its own or over lipstick.

That’s it for this haul. Are any of these your favorites?

See you Thursday,

Stephanie

November Favorites 2015!

December 1, 2015

Happy December everyone! My, my, how time is just zooming by. Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving weekend. 🙂

Well, it’s the start of a new month which means it’s time to share items I have been loving all throughout November. Let’s get started!

Why Not Me? Mindy Kaling

Featured in October’s PopSugar Must Have Box, this was a fairly quick and great read. A humorously written account of her life and experiences, I especially loved the beauty advice she gives.

“Who is the beauty icon that inspires you the most? Is it Sophia Loren? Audrey Hepburn? Halle Berry? Mine is Nosferatu, because that vampire taught me my number-one and number-two favorite beauty tricks of all time: avoid the sun at all costs and always try to appear shrouded in shadows.”

I mean, there is some truth in that. 😉

Dior Addict Lip Maximizer High Volume Lip Plumper in Pink 001

After my horrible experience with the Dior Addict Fluid Stick-it made my lips burn and feel sensitized-I returned it and the sales associate gave me a sample of this. I took a liking to this immediately. I don’t think it plumped up my lips but the high shine, non-sticky texture is amazing. It’s light pink in color and feels slightly minty on the lips without being overwhelming.

Skinfix Ultra Rich Body Butter

A little body butter jar that came in my Target Beauty Box, I keep this on my nightstand as it deeply moisturizes my dry hands. It absorbs fairly quickly and doesn’t really have a scent. I love mixing this with my favorite lavender essential oil for a customized scent.

Kiko Cosmetics Smart Lipstick in 901 Natural Neige

I was ecstatic when a Kiko Cosmetics store opened up near me and one of the first things I gravitated towards was this lipstick. At a little less than $5, this lipstick is absolutely amazing. (Note: I found this one in the discount section of the store.) Creamy and the perfect nude color for me, this looks great worn alone or under lip gloss. Did I mention it is under $5? You need this.

Kiko Smart Lipstick 901

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick in Natural Tan 4.25

I received an array of Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick samples and immediately went to Macy’s to purchase the full size. The stick form makes this a breeze to apply and is perfect when you are on the go. It melts into moisturized skin and doesn’t look cakey on me plus the coverage can be light or built up.

Bobbi Brown Skin Foundation Stick Natural Tan

Deepa Gurnani Katie Crystal Headband

Another PopSugar Must have item, I love this headband! It is festive and perfect for the holidays. It doesn’t move once you put it on,which is an issue I have sometimes with other headbands, and is super comfortable.

That’s it for my favorites.

What were your favorites this month?

Stephanie