Sunday, October 30, 2016

Glossier The Supers Serums Review (Pure, Bounce, Glow)

(vs. Paula’s Choice Boosters)


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Glossier recently launched a line of serums. Upon first glance I noticed the three serums had similar themes, for a lack of a better word, as Paula’s Choice. I think Glossier might of taken some inspiration from Paula when creating their line of serums. I saw a lot of people on intothegloss (Emily’s website, creator of Glossier) asking how they compare to Paula, I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who saw the correlation. 
The biggest difference between the two lines, besides ingredients, is Paula can be mixed with serums and moisturizers or used alone. 
Glossier has: Pure (Niacinamide + Zinc PCA), Bounce (Hyaluronic Acid + Vitamin B5), and Glow (Vitamin C).
Paula’s Choice has a larger line including: Resist Niacinamide 10% Booster, Resist Hyaluronic Acid Booster, Resist C15 Super Booster, Resist Moisture Renewal Oil, and Resist Retinol 1% Booster.


Wednesday, August 24, 2016

The Ride Or Die Makeup Tag

  • Primer: Becca Ever Matte (matte), Becca Backlight Filter Primer (hydrating/glowy), Dior Diorskin Pore Minimizer (smoothing)
  • Foundation: Estee Lauder Double Wear
  • Concealer: Nars Creamy Radiant (bc color match)
  • Face Powder: Laura Mercier Translucent Loose
  • Undereye Setting Powder: Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder
  • Blush: Nars Luster
  • Bronzer: Nars Laguna (matte) / Hourglass Ambient Lighting Bronzer (glowy)
  • Highlight: Laura Mercier 01 (day) / Becca Champagne Pop (dramatic)
  • Mascara: Lancome Grandiose 
  • Eyeshadow Primer: Nars Smudge Proof Base
  • Eyeshadow Palette: custom MAC (hope thats not cheating lol)
  • Liner: n/a
  • Brows: Glossier Boy Brow (gel), ABH Brow Powder (powder), Urdan Decay Brow Beater (pencil)
  • Lip Balm: Tatcha Camellia Moisturizing Lip Balm
  • Lipstick: Charlotte Tilbury Penelope Pink / MAC Innocence Beware (would be it but its discontinued) 
  • Liquid Lip: Stila Beso
  • Lip Liner: NYX Ever (i need a high end dupe color wise)
  • Gloss: Dior Lip Maximizer 
  • Lashes: Ardell Wispies (i want to find some mink ones comparable tho)
  • Setting Spray: n/a
  • Perfume: Chloce by Chloe

Kat Von D Lock It Revolution Review


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KVD launched new concealers, brushes, and a setting powder.

Sunday, July 31, 2016

Current Skin Care Routine



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Day, Night, and how to save money on buying products! My skin type is oily with v slight dehydration. (as of 7.16)

Tuesday, June 7, 2016

Summer Essentials



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  • Skin Care
    • Drunk Elephant H-Hydra Intensive Hydration Gel: If you have oily skin, like me, don’t let the name of this product scare you! This moisturizer (or serum for dry skin) is ultra lightweight. When I apply this is actually feels like a cooling water mist being applied on my skin. It absorbs fast, keeps my skin hydrated, and doesn’t make me oily. 
    • Paula’s Choice Resist Weightless Advanced Repairing Toner: This toner is new to my routine but I’m already in love. It’s has some anti-aging benefits and preps my skin for all my skin care. I enjoy this toner in particular because it doesn’t add too much hydration, making me oily. (and trust me, I didn’t have a/c for a month and my skin wasn’t getting ridiculously oily in the humidity of atlanta)
    • Paula’s Choice Skin Perfecting 2% BHA Liquid: Exfoliation is key in the summer if you have oily skin! With sweat and oil mixing on your face you want to make sure your pores aren’t getting clogged causing blackheads and pimples. I use this twice a week at night. It helps keep my blackheads & pimples away. They come on multiple formulas for all different skin types too!
  • Prep/Base
    • Nars Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base: Eyeshadow primer is key for me 24/7 because I have hooded eyes. In the summer it’s even more important because the hot temperature can cause my makeup to melt off. 
    • Becca Ever Matte Primer: Attention oily girls and guys buy this ASAP!!! Out of every matte primer I’ve ever tried this is hands down the best.
    • Becca Backlight Filming Primer: Okay I know I just said I had oily skin and you’re probably wondering why I have this on my list of essentials. I use this a few different ways. I like to use this as a highlighter and I like to use this to mix in with my matte foundations. It gives a really nice glow without making me too greasy (if you’re skin is ultra oily I would skip this). If you have dry skin this is the primer you need! You could wear this as a primer or as a mix in. Becca has the Aqua Luminous which is basically this primer mixed with a pigment to give sheer coverage. If you want more coverage but a glow just buy this to mix with. 
    • Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet: ELDW is my favorite foundation in the entire world. Why is this one on the list instead? This foundation does keep my matte longer (ELDW lasts longer tho). The consistency isn’t as runny which can just be easier to work with when I’m in a rush. 
    • Laura Mericer Translucent Loose Setting Powder: No matter your skin type this powder can be beneficial. It’s nice and mattifying for anyone with oily skin. It doesn’t cause flash back either. If you have dry skin I’d suggest just using this in your t-zone if you want a matte look. 
  • Summer Glow
    • Nars Laguna Bronzer: Laguna is my go to bronzer in the summer. In the other seasons I’ll play around with other bronzers but in the summer I gravitate to this shade. It’s natural matte and finish. It’s not too orange or too cool.
    • Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette: In my previous review (here) I gave the actual product a glowing review but the shades I wasn’t impressed with for my fair complexion. I have since changed my mind. I like using Incandescent Light as a highlight. The other shades (Dim & Radiant) I previously dislikes are now my go to glow-y bronzer topper or natural blush/bronzer duo on quick days. They give a glow without making me look shimmery. These products do not emphasis pores which is essential for anyone with oily skin.

Relaxing Spa-like Facials At Home 101

The first step to do a facial with the best benefits is to know your skin type and use products appropriate to your skin type! When you get a facial it’s always personalized there is no follow these steps / use these products exactly because skin is always changing. One day you might want to focus on relaxing, blackheads, hydration, exfoliation, etc... Feel free to leave me an ask! I can help you understand your skin better. Sometimes we feel like our skin is doing one thing but it could be a result your skin care routine. 

Colleen Rothschild Treatment Complex: Vitamin C, Retinol, and Salicylic Acid Review!



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Colleen Rothschild currently has 3 Treatment Complex products in her line up: Vitamin C Treatment Complex, Retinol Treatment Complex, and Salicylic Acid Treatment Complex. 

Glossier Generation G Review




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"A soft, popsicle-stain flush is our idea of a perfect lip.” Glossier

Summer Essentials: Lips



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  • Quick Days: Products I can throw on (and in my purse)
    • Nars Chelsea Girls Gloss: I love this lip color. It’s so effortless. I throw this on when I want glossy lips, which I prefer in the summer. Since it’s a neutral pink, think MLLB, I can retouch without a mirror.
    • Glossier Crush Generation G: In the summer you will catch me in a nude lip or full on red lip. Crush is the perfect quick-y red lip. It gives a hit of red, like you just ate a popsicle, without all the precision and patients a matte liquid lipstick takes. 
  • Glam: Full lips and pigment
    • YSL Le Orange 13: This is by far my most worn lipstick in the summer. It is the perfect mix of red and orange. The YSL Rouge Pur Couture formula is long lasting, full color, a satin finish, and not drying. I gives juicy lips without the overly glossy look. (Also I feel like a bold lip makes me look put together when I’m wearing almost no makeup.)
    • Bare Minerals Swag Gen Nude: These Matte Liquid LipColor are new to Bare Minerals line (coming in July). The formula is a liquid matte lipstick that isn’t drying. This is your standard liquid lipstick, you will get transfer. (See the next option for budge proof lips) I really enjoy this color because 1) every time I wear it people want to know where to buy the color and 2) it’s matte color that is comfortable to wear. 
    • Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipsticks: Stila makes my favorite liquid lipsticks. They are thin, don’t crack, and last all day! If you want something smudge proof I suggest these. They have a wide range of colors from reds, nudes, plums, and pops of colors! 
  • Toppers: Things to mix with any lip color
    • Buxom White Russian Full on Lip Polish: White Russian is a very light pink nude. I love to wear this on top of any nude or pink. I’ll wear this over lip liners, liquid lipsticks, or lipsticks.
    • Bite Honey Luscious Fruit Lip Gloss: Summer is the only time of year I’ll consider wearing glitter on my lips. Honey is practically translucent with a fine shimmer, micro-glitter. You can feel a bit of grit as the color wears off. I love toping this on any color. I like that is has the thicker formula because I can feel when I need to reapply.
  • Maintenance: Keeping those lips healthy
    • Dior Lip Maximizer: I know another clear gloss! I like wearing this while I get ready. It has a subtle plumping effect (filling in lip lines) and moisturizes my lips before application. 
    • Bite Lip Mask: This is a staple in my collection. If you want to wear a liquid lipstick (or matte lip) and not have patchy dry lips afterwards wear this the night before.
    • Glossier Balm DotCom: Coconut is my fav flavor. (They currently have 4 other flavors depending on your preference.) I carry this in my purse for when my lips get dry. If you go out to eat your lip color is bound to come off. I’ll throw this on while eating and when I’m about to leave excuse myself and reapply my lip color. BAM!, my reapplied lipstick isn’t crusty. 

Monday, March 28, 2016

Exuviance Gentle Cleansing Creme Review!


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“Used as a makeup remover or a gentle facial cleanser, this cleansing creme delicately removes dirt and surface oils with a special poly-hydroxy acid formula, leaving skin silky and smooth.” Exuviance

L’Oreal EverPure Cleansing Balm Review!


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"Ever Cleansing Balm from L’Oreal is a sulfate-free conditioner that transforms into a gentle cleanser. These low-lather balms are a full haircare regimen in one step. They clean, condition, treat, detangle, soften, and add shine. No stripping, no drying, no build up.” 

Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Valentia Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask & True Glow Eye Cream Review!



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“True Glow Eye Cream: A luxurious antioxidant rich eye cream that helps lock in moisture, repair and tighten skin for a youthful looking glow around the eye area. Ultra Plumping Hydration Mask: A blend of amino acids and hyaluronic acid work together to flood the skin with moisture providing intense hydration and nourishment.” Valentia xx

Wednesday, February 17, 2016

Makeup Brushes Review: Best to Worst Brands

  • Zoeva: Hands down the best brushes I own! They are very soft, high quality, and have very minimal (if no) shedding / color bleeding. The price is very reasonable, if not cheap for the quality you receive. The brushes are hand made and hand cut. They have a nice balance to them, the handles tend to run a bit shorter than your average brush. Review: here /here
    • Fav Brushes: 288, 317, 231, 225, 126, 105, 237, 127, 234, 233
    • Not so Fav Brushes: 142 // Zoeva face synthetic brushes are not my fav. They don’t clean the best, leave stains. They are not terrible, but not my favorite synthetic brushes. The synthetic brushes for the eyes are great, I don’t run into the same issue. 
    • Price Range: 5.71 - 24.37 EUR / ~6.39 - 27.28 USD (doesn’t include sets)
    • Have I repurchased? Yes
    • Overall Rating? 10/10
  • Mikasa Beauty: I really enjoy Mikasa brushes. I find them to be on par with MAC and Sigma but at a fraction of the cost. The brand is also based in Canada which is great for those looking for great brushes without the major price increase most brands do for orders outside of the US. Review: here
    • Fav Brushes: E300, F100, F200, F110, E210
    • Not so Fav Brushes: E200 // I just don’t use it, this isn’t my fav type of brush in general. 
    • Price Range: 6 - 18 USD (doesn’t include sets)
    • Have I repurchased? Yes
    • Discount Code: LIPSTICK15
    • Overall Rating? 9/10
  • MAC: MAC is a cult classic. When you first get into makeup almost everyone goes through the stage of only buying MAC! The brushes are price-y but well worth it. I’ve had my brushes for years and they show no sign of falling apart. Brushes are hand made (last time I checked).
    • Fav Brushes: 266, 217, 168, 239, 109
    • Not so Fav Brushes: Holiday Sets // The holiday sets are very low quality. They are made by machines at a low cost. I don’t recommend the sets, after about 1-2 years they feel like they are going to fall apart. They don’t keep their shape either.
    • Price Range: 15 - 53 USD (doesn’t include sets / LE brushes)
    • Have I repurchased? Yes
    • Overall Rating? 9/10
  • Esum: I received these brushes with a purchase of Viseart palettes. They are currently sold at Muse Beauty.Pro! The brushes are platinum bowed brass (as the price reflects). The actual brushes are very soft. I have 3 eye brushes. The brushes are targeted for Pro MUAs as well as beauty lovers. The brushes are handmade. 
    • Fav Brushes: G29, G27, G09
    • Not so Fav Brushes: n/a 
    • Price Range: 12 - 80 USD (doesn’t include sets)
    • Have I repurchased? No
    • Overall Rating? 9/10 (bc platinum bowed)
  • Sigma Beauty: Sigma has some of my favorite synthetic brushes (Sigmax collection)! The other brushes are nice. I have noticed over the years they haven’t stayed as soft as I would of hoped (goat hair brushes). As I said before Sigma, MAC, and Mikasa are very similar in quality. Mikasa is the cheapest, MAC is the easiest to find (stores/other online retailers), and Sigma has the largest brush range. If I remember correctly Sigma is no longer handmade (lmk if this is incorrect).
    • Fav Brushes: F82, F80, E45, E55
    • Not so Fav Brushes: E20 // I find their black dyed goat hair brushes to be a bit scratchy. 
    • Price Range: 14 - 33 USD (doesn’t include sets)
    • Have I repurchased? No
    • Overall Rating? 8.5/10
  • Cozzette: All Cozzette brushes are synthetic/vegan. By far these are the most realistic feeling synthetic brushes. When I first received them I went onto their site to re-read their FAQ. I though I had received natural hair brushes! 
    • Fav Brushes: S185, D240
    • Not so Fav Brushes: (D240 is not as pointed as the site makes it seem)
    • Price Range: 15 - 30 USD (doesn’t include sets)
    • Have I repurchased? No 
      Overall Rating? 8/10
  • Real Techniques Bold Metals: This line is specifically made for pro artist in a easy access buying location. The PixiWoo sisters have two lines. This is their luxury line that is sold in the drugstore. All their brushes are synthetic, compared to the original line the synthetic is much higher quality and much softer. Obviously anyone can buy these brushes, the PixiWoo sisters just made a few things very clear in their video about these brushes. They are higher quality (that’s why they are more expensive), the shapes are for more precision application (like a MUA would need for detailed work), the handles have flat edges (so when you’re working on clients the brushes do not role off the table), and the ferrule is weight (it will rest in the hand comfortably while doing others makeup).
    • Fav Brushes: 300, 203
    • Not so Fav Brushes: 200 // I find it’s too big for the eyes unless I’m using it to set my primer. It’s not bad at all, I just think it’s not marketed right. It works better as a face brush.
    • Price Range: 16 - 26 USD (doesn’t include sets)
    • Have I repurchased? Yes
    • Overall Rating? 8/10
  • Real Techniques Original Line: The original line has some great brushes for the price. If you’re looking for some synthetic brushes at a low cost, buy these! The brushes are great for beginners. My only con with Real Techniques as an entire brand is they lack eye brushes. 
    • Fav Brushes: Setting Brush, Shading Brush, Complexion Sponge, Contour Brush, Detailer Brush (why don’t they sell this individually?)
    • Not so Fav Brushes: Pointed Foundation Brush 
    • Price Range: 6 - 13 USD (doesn’t include sets)
    • Have I repurchased? Yes
    • Overall Rating? 7/10
  • Anastasia Beverly Hills: The number 7 brush has been one of my favorite brushes for a few years now. I use it on my brows almost every single day. The rating is only so low because the brush falls apart after 2~ years. After about 4-5 years I finally bought a new one. I’ve had brushes that have lasted longer. You can always re-glue the brush. While I love love love the brush the rating reflects that it does fall apart fairly quickly for the price. Note: the brush fell apart on the spoolie side, which is better than the actual angled brush. The double ended palette brushes are not good.
    • Fav Brushes: 7
    • Not so Fav Brushes: double ended palette brush // I’d rather have a lower price with no brush.
    • Price Range: 17 - 25 USD (doesn’t include sets)
    • Have I repurchased? Yes
    • Overall Rating? 6.5/10
  • Crown Brush: I love Crown Brushes for the price!!! I always get them onhautelook for three to eight dollars. I probably wouldn’t pay full price for these brushes, but for the hautelook prices…. I can’t help myself. They are decent quality. I find some are better than others. Crown is a private label brand, so some are hit or miss. Sometimes the brushes don’t have anything on them at all when you get them which is annoying. I found out about this brand from KJB! They have a few lines. I’ve only have products from the Infinity Series, Studio Pro, Studio, Duo Fibre, and Italian Badger. I recommend the Infinity Series and Studio Pro for the most consistency. 
    • Fav Brushes: C460, C441
    • Not so Fav Brushes: C330, IB109
    • Price Range: 3 - 25 USD (doesn’t include sets)
    • Have I repurchased? Yes
    • Overall Rating? 6.5/10 (bc of the hit or miss between lines)
  • Sonia Kashuk: Found at Target, these brushes are a bit over priced when you start to look at the black ferrule line. I only own from a old set and the white ferrule line (the cheaper line). The set brushes have lasted very well (better than some more expensive ones *cough* sedona lace). The individuals are a bit higher quality than the sets. My biggest con with the brushes are they aren’t super soft to begin with so they get scratchy fast. I currently only own eye brushes, the blending ones tend to be the scratchiest. The flat shaders are my favorite. 
    • Fav Brushes: 106, random set short shader
    • Not so Fav Brushes: 116, random set blending brush
    • Price Range: 1.99 - 19.19 USD (doesn’t include sets)
    • Have I repurchased? Yes // I bought a set, then individuals. 
    • Overall Rating? 5/10
  • Sedona Lace: I have brushes from two different collections. With each collection I had completely different experiences. The synthetic brushes that fade pink to black are great. I do think they are over priced though. The regular line is crap! I bought a set (12 Piece Professional Makeup Brushes - Black) and it didn’t last. One brush fell apart after 2 washes, all the goat hair brushes (I still have) are turning green at the ferrule & the goat hair is practically yellow, and the other brushes are just bad quality.
    • Fav Brushes: 217
    • Not so Fav Brushes: 376 (fell apart), 813 (v scratchy), 850 (turning green, brush is practically yellow), 727 // I basically don’t use any of the Sedona Lace brushes except the 217.
    • Price Range: 13.95 - 21.95 USD (doesn’t include sets)
    • Have I repurchased? No
    • Overall Rating? 4/10 (the 217 is the only reason)
  • ELF Cosmetics: ELF has two ranges the Essentials and Studio line. My biggest complaint wasn’t that they were cheaply made. It was how they performed. I think for the price they weren’t cheaply made. I washed them multiple times with no shedding, color running, or falling apart. What I ran into was while using them they didn’t pick up product. I tried face and eye brushes and ran into that problem over and over again.
    • Fav Brushes: n/a // I threw them away.
    • Not so Fav Brushes: elf concealer brush, elf blush brush
    • Price Range: 1 - 10 USD (doesn’t include sets)
    • Have I repurchased? Yes // I only bought the essentials line at first, I went back to see if the studio line was better. Unfortunately I didn’t like them either.
    • Overall Rating? 1/10
  • BH Cosmetics: BH Cosmetics makes the worst brushes. When I opened up my brush roll….. the brushes were already falling apart. My entire class received these brushes and we all ran into the problem of them falling apart before we even used them. I do not recommend them at all.
    • Fav Brushes: n/a // I threw them away.
    • Not so Fav Brushes: I own the all black brushes. 
    • Price Range: 10 - 30 USD (sets)
    • Have I repurchased? No
    • Overall Rating? 0/10
Save Money $$$:
  • I always use eBates to get cash back! (Yes it works, I’ve gotten checks)
    • Sites that use eBates: Macy’s/Nordstrom/etc (MAC), Sigma, Ulta (Real Techniques, ABH), Sephora (ABH), Amazon (occasionally), Target (ELF, Sonia), and Bh Cosmetics.
  • Hautelook! A Nordstrom owned company that sells products at a major discount. (Crown Brush)
  • Zoeva: lowers prices of brushes for USA because of shipping cost.
  • Mikasa has offered me a discount code. Save with LIPSTICK15 
*The list only contains brush brands I own and/or have used*