Review: E.L.F Beautifully Bare Foundation Serum!

Lightweight & Natural!

Once in a while I like to stop by the "What's New" section on the E.L.F website and to my surprise this foundation was there waiting for me to order it haha ;-) The E.L.F Beautifully Bare Foundation Serum retails for $8 and there's only 3 available shades at the moment. The site states that it's limited so if you like what you read make sure to place your order asap. 

Off the bat I loved the fact that water was one of the top ingredients! It keeps the consistency lightweight which is exactly what I want for the summer time. It also has Dimethicone which gives it that "serum" like feel and allows the foundation to go on smoothly. 

The foundation is pretty liquidy so I used the E.L.F Studio Powder Brush to apply it and it was perfect! One layer evened out my skintone but didn't cover much. I had to apply a second layer to get it to my liking but my freckles and dark spots were still noticeable.

I chose the color light/medium which was a little too light for me. It seemed more of a light and the following color seemed too dark so I hope they release more colors in the future.

I used primer, powder and a setting spray like I do with all my foundations and it held up super well! The finish is very beautiful, not matte but not super luminous... right in between which made my skin look so youthful. It actually didn't feel like I had anything on which is awesome! 

Bottom line:  I really enjoyed this foundation! If you have imperfections that you want covered this is not the foundation for you. It's very light and not buildable. It feels amazing on and wears well. For days that I just need to even out my skintone and head out the door this would be perfect. It's beautiful, natural and comfortable. :-) 

Review: NYX High Voltage Lipsticks in Stone & Free Spirit!

Great Formula!

The NYX High Voltage Lipstick in Stone has been a hot item ever since it released. It was out of stock for the longest but I manged to get it and because I love things in pairs I also ordered the shade Free Spirit! ;-) These lippies retail for $6 each and I would recommend to purchase them at Ulta so you can take advantage of their coupons!

I wasn't thrilled about the packaging because it does feel cheaper than their other lipsticks. But... the formula is so spot on that I can overlook that! These are so smooth, opaque and very moisturizing! I really appreciate the thinner lipstick because application is a lot easier.

This is just one swipe of the lippies so you can see how pigmented they are!

Here are the swatches :-) I'm truly impressed with the color payoff of these lipsticks! My lips are pretty pigmented so I thought Stone would go on patchy but I was wrong. It went on evenly and lasted a good 4 hours before I needed to reapply. Free Spirit is a pretty bold color, I love it! Since these are pretty creamy I would recommend to line your lips to help with the wear time.

Bottom line: These are great! The color selection is so extensive so if these are not what you tend to wear definetely checkout the other colors. If you have dry lips these will be your best friend because your lips feel amazing during and after wearing them. Even when I don't need to reapply I still do because it feels so good haha. :-)

Review: Sephora Favorites Bronze Bares All Set!

Summer 2015 Set!

I was eyeing this set since the moment it landed on the Sephora "Just Arrived" section! I was waiting for others to post swatches but I couldn't find them anywhere. That's when I decided to just bite the bullet and order it and let me tell ya... it's amazing! It was only $39 which is an awesome price for all the things you get in the set. I just checked the site and it seems to be sold out but if Sephora brings it back or if you find it in-store I highly recommend it! Lets see what's in it :-)

Everything comes in this cute beachy box which is definitely worth keeping! It's a magnetic closure with the most relaxing design on the inside and out so I plan on showcasing it somewhere in my room. It will serve as a reminder than I need a vacation in paradise haha.

The products are a nice mix between deluxe sizes and full sizes. The full size products combined surpasses the cost of the set which I love! 

The full sizes are:

*Nars Lip Gloss in Supervixen (retails for $26)

*Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12 Hour Wear in #14 (retails for $10)

*Urban Decay Split Pan Eyeshadow in Half Baked & Twice Baked (retails for $18)

I'm super stoked about the Nars lip gloss and the Urban Decay Duo! The colors are right up my alley and with a summer tan it will look gorgeous on!

Here are the deluxe items:

*Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal (perfect travel size!)

*Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil in Madeira (Adore this color!)

*Formula X Nail Color in Evocative

*Tarte The Sculptor Contouring Face Slenderizer in Park Ave Princess

*Too Faced Cosmetics Chocolate Soleil Bronzer (Smells so good!)

These deluxe sizes are perfect to test out before you commit to the full size. I always wanted to try out the Bite Beauty lip pencil so I was excited to see it in this set. I also needed a deeper bronzer now that I'm getting a little sun so Chocolate Soleil was a must have for me!

Here is everything swatched! I am head over heels for this set and the price is unbeatable. If you have this set let me know if you love it as much as I do in the comments below! :-)

Swatches: Hard Candy Glow all the way Ombre Baked Blush in Punch!

Highlight + Blush!

Anything Ombre is always so pretty! Plus it's the best way to get a 3-in-1 deal ;-) Today I wanted to share swatches of the NEW Hard Candy Glow all the way Ombre Baked Blush in Punch! There's two blushes to the line but I ended with this beauty because it was more pink. It's only $7 and completely accessible since it's sold at Walmart. If you like what you see make sure to pick it up or your next trip!

The packaging is awesome! But... look...at...that...blush!! In the pan it's pretty much everything! Since it's baked it gives your cheeks the prettiest sheen. Here are the swatches:

When swirled it ends up looking like an angelic baby pink. It gives you a beautiful youthful glow!

I hope these swatches were helpful! This blush is lovely and I can't wait to use it in the summer for that glow! #BlushHoarder ;-)

Dupe Alert: Drugstore Dupe Of LORAC "The Resort" Palette!

Ready For A Dupe Alert?

Today I have a very exciting post for you and your pockets! While having a swatch-fest I came across a drugstore alternative for the shadows in the LORAC "The Resort" Palette! This palette released on the Nordstrom site a few months ago and sold out immediately. I recently saw it at Nordstrom Rack for $15 which is an amazing deal for all-in-one palette. But if you're only eyeing the shadows than how does $4 sound? :-D

This is what the Resort Palette looks like! Pretty neutral colors which is just what you need for everyday looks.

Here is the drugstore dupe, Wet n Wild Color Icon Eyeshadow Palette in Vinyl Collection! Wet n Wild 6 pan palettes are some of the best and this one is no different. All the colors are smooth and nicely pigmented! This is a total steal at only $4!

Here are the dupes! I was able to dupe most colors, I left out the black and brown because they're common shades. I swatched them in pairs, to the left is WnW and to the right is LORAC. Pretty similar right? On the eyes they are spot on!  

The Wet n Wild Palette should still be available at your local drugstore so next time you're in the area make sure to pick it up! It's a gem. :-)

Need it Or Leave it: L.A. Girl Matte Flat Finish Pigment Gloss!

Matte Lips For Less!

L.A Girl has come out with a bunch of new and cool products like these Matte Flat Finish Pigment Glosses that I just needed to try! In a matte world ruled by Lime Crime, Dose of Colors and Anastasia Beverly Hills I needed an inexpensive alternative to satisfy my urge and keep my pockets full haha. I ordered mine from ikatehouse.com because they were discounted at $3.99 each when they retail for $5!

There's 16 shades to choose from, I decided to stick with the basics: a nude, a pink and a red! :-) When I first saw the glosses I was surprised because they are way bigger than I expected... which is a good thing! I was a little confused with the word "gloss" in the title because these are very matte. The consistency is just like the Sephora Luster Mattes, they take a minute or two to dry. They are comfortable and I didn't think they were drying at all! They last all day long which I love! The formula is pretty thin too, so thin that it doesn't feel like your not wearing anything but when you look in the mirror the color is super vibrant!

The wand is flat on both sides so application is pretty easy. I'm just so impressed by the pigment, one swipe and you're done! I do wish they had a more pleasant scent. They smell like makeup but the good thing is that it doesn't linger. Let's get into lip swatches!

*Dreamy- a pinky nude, a really lovely shade! This color is very flattering and definitely a fave!

*Timeless- a bright mauve pink, another great color. This one will be perfect for Spring and Summer! Must have! :-)

*Frisky- a vivid red with a slight hint of pink, so classic! A matte red is necessary in any collection and this is a great one!

Bottom line; For less than $5 you need these! The formula is a true matte but not drying. The color stays put all day with no budging or gathering. The rest of the colors are so beautiful, you'll definitely find a shade for you! :-)

Must Haves: L'Oreal La Palette Nude 1 & La Palette Nude 2!

Best Drugstore Palettes!

If you've been thinking about purchasing either of these palettes (or both!) GO FOR IT! These palettes are so so so good! But before I start confessing my love for these palettes let's get into the basics! haha :-)
L'Oreal released two fully loaded palettes within a new line called "La Palette Nude". They will set you back a little more than $15 depending on where you purchase them. The price may seem high for being drugstore but... they are worth it! Make sure to take advantage of BOGO sales and coupons to get that price down. Let's start off with La Palette Nude 1!

This is one is full of neutral, warmer shades! Off the bat I noticed a few dupes for the Urban Decay Naked Palette which is awesome! The finishes are mostly matte or satin, no true metallic shades which is different. When compared to other L'Oreal shadows like the ones in their quads, there's a HUGE difference! It's pretty much night and day. These shadows are so smooth and the pigmentation is really nice! Here are the swatches:

Can you believe that color payoff?! This palette is a must have for any neutral lover! :-) Now let's take a look at La Palette Nude 2.

This palette is definitely on the cooler side. The purple shades were calling my name so I had to have it! I mean... purples suite brown eyes right? ;-)  The pigmentation was just as good as the first one. But there's something so refreshing about these colors! They're neutral but not your ordinary neutral which I love. The matte shades remind me of a few in the new Tartelette Palette so this would make a great affordable alternative! Here are the swatches:

Those colors towards the end are so stunning! The matte shades are the ones that stand out in this palette. They're so silky, pretty comparable to high end!

I combined a few colors from both palettes last week to come up with this look. I've been obsessed with using the palettes together!

Bottom line: Whether it's $15 for one or $30 for both I would recommend them to anyone! L'Oreal and Urban Decay belong to the same company so just imagine getting similar quality at a drugstore price! Even if you get both it's a better value than getting a higher end palette. Where else can you find 20 shadows for $30. I'm very passionate about these because they're really good, plain and simple! :-)

Review: E.L.F Studio Contouring Brush!

New From E.L.F!

Contouring is the "it" thing at the moment and E.L.F has joined the game! They released their Studio Contouring Brush for only $6... pretty much the best value in the market! I've been testing it out for a little bit over a month now and I'm loving it! This is a great quality brush and it works amazingly with creams or powders!

The handle is very sturdy and the brush hairs are very secure so no worries about shedding! I love the shape of this brush because it makes getting product in the hollow of your cheeks easier!

The brush hairs are pretty dense but super soft! I love using it for contour placement because the shape and size is perfect for that. You can also blend with it but you have to work with it more since it's on the thinner side. I prefer to use the Studio Ultimate Kabuki Brush for blending. Contouring is done in less than 5 minutes with that brush combo! 

Bottom line: I'm a fan of this brush! I love how affordable it is and how good it is for that price. I'm excited to keep practicing my contouring with this brush because it really makes everything seem easier. Drugstore knows best! :-)

Review: Sephora Luster Matte Long-Wear Lip Color in Rose Luster!

My New Obsession!

Sephora released a few new shades within their Sephora Luster Matte Long-Wear Lip Color line and Rose Luster caught my eye immediately! So during the sale I ordered it and I'm loving it! I have two other colors that I reviewed so make sure to check out that post for more info! The formula is pretty good, it's definetely long wearing but it requires a some patience to make sure the application is flawless because these are PIG-MEN-TED!

Rose Luster is a gorgeous mix between a pink and red! It's matte but still has a sheen to it which looks so pretty. The formula is super moisturizing but because of that it tends to transfer easily the first few hours. So touch ups are needed but this color is worth it!

Bottom line: I highly recommend this lovely shade! The formula is awesome and the price isn't bad either. This shade is the definition of spring and summer and with a tan... gorgeous! :-)

Review: Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette! (+ Swatches!)

All Matte Perfection!

Have I mentioned that I have the best Husband in the world!? :-D I recently got promoted at work (wohooo!) and my hubby knows me so well that he gifted me this beauty to celebrate haha! I was super happy to have my hands on the Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette! I've had it for about 2 weeks now and I wanted to share my thoughts with you.

It retails for $46 at Sephora, which for the amount of shadows you get it's a pretty good value. It's an extension of the Shade + Light contour palette which has been raved about non-stop. Even though I skipped on the contour palette I knew I wouldn't do the same for the eyeshadow palette because it's so rare to find a good all matte palette. Too Faced released a great matte palette recently but it leans more sultry, mauve tones while this is a combo of cool and warm.

The packaging is pretty simple this time around but still looks kool, yes kool with a K haha. It's a pretty sturdy cardboard palette like the Monarch Palette, super durable if you're looking to travel with it.

The colors are so diverse and pretty much suitable for any skintone. The top three shades are the ones I've been using the most so it's awesome that they are larger than the rest! My only complaint is that I wish one of the cream shades was lighter for my brow bone. Other than that this palette is so nice! I have been using it almost everyday, alone and in conjunction with other palettes.

Here are the swatches! Just like Kat Von D does best the shadows are so buttery and silky! They don't have too much powder kick up like the other palettes. Some of the colors are ultra pigmented and some need to be built up but overall the looks turn out fantastic! With this palette I've been leaning towards more smokey looks for some reason. I love using the browns all over the lid and it looks so sexy! ;-) 

Bottom line: I'm super pleased with this palette! It's great alone or combined with other palettes that may be lacking matte shades. The price is pretty great, even better when your hubby pays for it haha. I love it and would recommend it in a heart beat! :-)

This To That: Eyeshadow As Highlight!

2 in 1!

Hey everyone! Today I have a very exciting post to share with you! It might be the beginning of a new series on my blog, let me know if you'd like more of these in a comment down below :-) I was sorting my single eyeshadows which I use once in a while but not as often as I do my palettes. I wanted to make it a goal to use them more and then it hit me... I can use these lighter Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadows as a highlight!

These are the shades that seemed perfect for my little experiment! Bella Ivory is a satin matte finish for those who are not into the sparkle. Bella Chiffon has shimmer which looks amazing on the cheekbones! It's a white gold type of highlight... so pretty! These shadows are less than $5 each and so accessible since they're from the drugstore.

These are the swatches, I love Bella Chiffon the best! That golden sheen would be perfect for the summer! I'm pretty stoked about using these now: brow bone highlight, inner corner highlight, cheekbones beaming haha, the possibilities are endless! This will put me in the right direction to using some of my products up! Win Win situation! :-)

Review: bh Cosmetics Studio Pro Beauty Sponge!

Awesome Value!

There's so many beauty sponges in the market nowadays. Some are really good and others are just plain terrible. Luckily bh Cosmetics released their amazing version called the Studio Pro Beauty Sponge! Not only is it priced so well it also gets the job done flawlessly! Plus it's purple... what more can I ask for? ;-) I managed to catch mine on sale for only $4.95 and it retails for $9.95 which is not bad at all. Some great things to point out about this sponge is that it's latex free, hypoallergenic and odor free which is perfect for you sensitive skin gals.

If you were to compare this beauty sponge to the Beauty Blender it's pretty similar in size, I'd say this one is wider and more round which is awesome for covering more surface when applying your foundation. The point is also pointier which is great for getting into those hard to reach areas around your nose or under your eyes. Overall I love the shape of this one better!
The material is very different. This one isn't as bouncy as the beauty blender, it's actually a bit stiff. The material also doesn't absorb much water nor product. When using it wet with my foundation the product stayed on the surface which was great because it means a little will go a long way! The picture above is the sponge when dry.

This is what the sponge looks like wet. It definitely plumps up!  The texture becomes so smooth making your foundation and concealer airbrushed! I love the finish if give your makeup/skin!

Bottom line: I'm a huge fan of this beauty sponge! It's one of the best I've used and the price is pretty amazing! Even though it's different from the beloved beauty blender sponge it's just as good (or better!) The texture will take some getting use to but trust me when I say you can't go wrong! :-)