January 2015 Favorites!

Happy Friday beautifuls! I can't believe it's already the end of January and the year just started! 2014 went by fast...

Today I'm sharing my January 2015 favorites with you all. I have some makeup, body care, brushes, and some random stuff I decided to throw in the favorites pile.

 Makeup:

Milani Matte Lipsticks (Matte Innocence & Naked): 

Oh my, when I finally got my hands on these lipsticks, I was excited to try them out. I usually don't get too many matte lipsticks becuase they either dry my lips out or don't sit very well on my lips. These lipsticks are amazing! They are so creamy! They lasts so long, don't dry my lips out, and the color payoff is beautiful!

Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Bronzer (Light/Medium):

I finally gave this bronzer another shot. I loooooooove it. No really, I do. I think I've found the perfect everyday bronzer for my skin tone! It's perfect, stays all day, and smells so delicious!

Milani Powder Rose Blush (Romantic Rose):

These blushes were limited edition a year or so ago, and I could never get my hands on them, never! They were always sold out and at select stores. When I saw that they were bringing them back as a permanent collection on their instagram page, I was excited! These blushes are a must have, especially if have pale skin like me. They are long lasting, wonderful smelling, high pigmented, and not bad on the price either.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit (Banana shade):

I finally got on the "Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit" wagon. For so long, I was told I should get it, it's great, blah blah blah.... I finally decided to get it with my 20% off coupon and points at Ulta for super cheap and I'm in love with banana shade. I use to set my undereye concealer and it sets it for the entire day with no creasing!

Maybelline "The Brights" Palette:

This is Maybelline's newest palette they released in the very beginning of this year. It's exclusive to Target, so it's very hard to find, if you find it at all right now. I have a full review and currently a tutorial up about this palette. I have loved with palette since I bought it. It's their best released palette in my opinion. Such pretty colors and pigmentation!

Video Tutorial - Fun Purple Look

Video - Review

Blog Post - Review

L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Set & Spray Makeup Extender Setting Spray:

I've only liked a few makeup settings sprays in my entire makeup experience. Those by Urban Decay and Skindinavia. This one is amazing! It works just as well as my Allnighter Spray by Urban Decay. It holds my makeup in place all day and especially around my nose where I get the oiliest in my oily t-zone.

Brushes: 

Real Techniques Buffing Brush:

I've been using a large stippling brush to blend out my bronzer, blush, and highlight, until now! I love this brush for that. Don't get me wrong, I still love and use my stippling brush for blending, but this brush gives the blending an airbrush look!

Real Techniques Contour Brush:

I haven't used this for contouring much, maybe just a little! I've been using it to pat on my highlight on my upper cheek bones and it does such a wonderful job! It puts on the right amount of highlight; not too much, not too little! Just enough!

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush:

I haven't used a foundation brush to apply foundation in almost a year or so now since I was so hooked onto using my beauty sponges to apply it. This brush it awesome! Not only does it apply foundation beautifully, it gives it an airbrush look, and the blending it does is incredible!

Sonia Kashuk Large Shader Brush (No. 203):

I picked this up early this month while at Target and was curious about trying it out. I've been eyeing it for awhile and thought, "why not!" It makes packing colors onto the lid so easy and fast! It great for inner corner highlight colors too!

Body Care:

Acure Coconut & Pumpkin Ulta-Hydrating Body Wash:

I loooove this body wash. It smells amazing. I found it at Whole Foods. It's so moisturizing, I don't even need lotion on my legs after a shower with it. I can ever shave my legs with it if I want. Acure makes such great products.

Shea Moisture Olive & Great Tea Body Wash:

Another body wash that I absolutely love! I'm so glad I finally tried this brand after seeing it for so long. It's such a great smelling, moisturizing body wash that leaves my legs feeling so wonderful after a shower. I can also shave with this if I want. My skin is also no longer dried, itchy, and red after starting to use this body wash. 

Nubian Heritage Lavender & Wildflowers Body Lotion:

This is a wonderful body lotion. It definitely lives up to it's claims of being soothing, anti-inflammatory, and relaxing to tired muscles! My legs are so happy when I use this lotion. I have the beginnings of arthritis in my ankle and this really helps to calm it down after a long day on my feet. It has the consistency of a body butter, so I prefer to use it at night after a shower, but either way, it has really improved my skin. My skin is no longer itchy and dried out!

COMPLETELY RANDOM THINGS!

 Juicy Fruit Starbursts Gum (Strawberry):

This gum tastes just like strawberry starbursts. I can't stop chewing it!

Windex Electronic Wipes:

I really like these wipes for my Galaxy S4, iPad, iPod, Laptop ... all my electronics! They get gunky and greasy after a few days of handling and these wipes get all the oil from my face, hands, makeup, dust, and dirt off them!

Pledge Multi Surface Wipes:

My vanity and bedside table from all mirror furniture from the Hayworth Collection at Pier 1 Imports, and for the longest time, I was cleaning them with windex. Thankfully, I stopped doing that and used a cleaner specifically designed for mirrors. This gets all the gunk and powder off my vanity that collects throughout the week (and I mean... a thin line of powder is on my vanity by the end of week, haha!)

SimCity BuildIt:

Ooooh my goodness! I haven't been obsessed with a game this long since Guild Wars (and I still play Guild Wars, ever since 2007, haha) If you ever played the Sims, you know they the most demanding people ever! In this game, you have Sims living in your city and you have to keep them happy, healthy, and safe! It's like building a city, destroying it, rebuilding it, and playing with Sims at the same time! Fun addictive game! 

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What were your favorite products for the month of January?

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Watch my January 2015 Favorites video on my beauty channel!

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Tutorial! Fun Purple Look using Maybelline "The Brights" Palette!

Hello beautifuls!

I recently spotted and picked up Maybelline's newest palette "The Brights" and was playing around with it and came up with fun purple look that would be great for Spring, Valentine's Day, or soon to come Summer! I look forward to doing more looks with this palette!

I hope you enjoy the tutorial!

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Review! Maybelline "The Brights" Palette + Swatches!

Hello beautifuls!

I'm back with another review for you on Maybelline's newest palette "The Brights"

Maybelline has released two palette prior to this one; The Nudes and The Smokes (I picked up The Smokes awhile back and have yet to see it in stores since I picked it up. Same with this palette here. Perhaps they are limited edition?) I spotted this in a Target near my boyfriend's apartment and had to pick it up! 

I was very disappointed in The Smokes when I tried it out. It didn't blend, the shadows were powdery, I had to keep digging my finger into the product to get color, and overall that palette was a disaster. The Nudes was only a better than The Smokes by a small amount.

The packaging is exactly the same as The Nudes and The Smokes. Same font, size, feel, weight, and the information on the back is the same (information about different looks, distribution information, expiration, etc.)

The palette comes with a nice variety of fun colors that can be used for Spring and Summer coming up. I was really hoping for the colors to be a little more on the actual bright side. These colors are very dark for being considered "bright" colors.

The palette also comes with a double ended sponge applicator.

First row of shades are more on the "bright" side. All of the shades in the top row have good pigmentation and blend nicely, except for the second pink shade. It doesn't come off the way it shows in the palette.

The second row kinda bothers me a little bit. They are very dark for being in a palette that is said to consist of bright colors. Perhaps to make bright smokey eye or some crazy neon look for a party. Either way, they are nice shades, good pigmentation and easy to work with.

Pros:

Inexpensive for the quality pay off (Paid around $12.00)

Good pigmentation

No offensive scents

Easy to apply and blend

Cons:

Hard to find the palette in stores

Possible limited edition

The pink champagne color in the top row doesn't swatch the same as in the palette

Palette contains a lot of dark shades for me a "bright" palette

Final Thoughts:

I'm very happy with this palette. I truly think Maybelline hit the target on this one. The last two weren't the best. The Nudes was a great palette, but something was missing for me. The Smokes was horrible for me. If you are able to find this palette, I definitely suggest picking it up!

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I also have a video on my YouTube channel reviewing this palette...

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If you're interested, I have a tutorial using this palette on my beauty channel!

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Eye & Makeup of the Day! (Neutrals for Work)

Hello beautifuls! It's been awhile since I've shared an eye and makeup of the day with you all, soooo... here we are!

Eyes:

MAC Paint Pot (Painterly)

MAC Warm Neutral Palette - Brule (inner highlight + brow bone), Saddle (transition), Dark Brew (crease), Divine Decadence (entire lid), Dance in the Dark (outer corner)

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner (Trooper)

Makeup Forever Aqua Eyes Eyeliner (Black)

Too Faced LashGasm Mascara

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Face:

BECCA Ever Matte Poreless Priming Perfecter

Revlon ColorStay Foundation (Buff)

Maybelline FitMe Concealer (15 Fair)

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (Transparent)

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzer (Sunny)

Milani Rose Powder Blush (Romantic Rose 01)

Too Faced Candlelight Glow

Brows:

Milani Clear Brow Shaping Wax

Milani EasyBrow (Natural Taupe)

ELF Brow Kit (Light)

Mabelline FitMe Conealer (15 Fair)

Milani Clear Brow Gel

Lips:

Milani Lipstick (Enchanted)

Setting Sprays:

L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Set & Spray

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Review! Sephora+Pantone Universe Lip Wands + Swatches!

Hello beautifuls! I feel it's been awhile since I've done a review for you all. Ever since December started rolling, the holidays and work got crazy, I tried to keep up with Blogmas, and everything was a crazy mess! I'll be sharing with you these four lip wands from Sephora + Pantone Universe!

I found these in a set of four at my local TJ Maxx for around $7.00. Not a bad price, considering it's Sephora + Pantone Universe, which is a pricey brand on it's own. I believe these were a set from there color of the year for Emerald, but I'm not quite sure.

The lip wands are small sized and square shaped, perfect for putting in a purse, wallet, pocket, and storing just about anywhere. I do love the packaging. It's very simple, feminine, and inviting. However, even though the packaging is small, it's still an awkward shape to store. 

The shade of the lip product is shown in the square. This square is where you squeeze the product out, like a squeeze tube lip product. The product is a bit hard to squeeze out.

The bottom of the lip products have their name, how much product is in the packaging, distribution information, expiration date, and the website of Sephora.

From left to right: Touch of Emerald, Georgia Peach, Cameo Brown, Crocus

Pros:

Sweet smelling (I swear they small like marshmallows) 

High pigmentation

Long lasting

Cons:

Sticky!

Limited edition

Final Thoughts:

If you're able to find these at TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Ross, Etc., I think they are worth checking out and buying them. They are definitely worth the small price of $7.00 that I paid for them, considering in Sephora they would three times that amount. They are long lasting and have great color pay off despite the product being sticky.

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December 2014 Empties + Would I Repurchase?

First of all, sorry for the lack of posting, again! I got busy with the holidays, came down sick twice to where I needed a steroid injection and antibiotic (still recovering from being sick twice), and working so much at work that I was barely getting good amounts of sleep. Hopefully, I'll be uploading videos again very soon and I'll be back on track!

I know I'm pretty late on the empties for the month of December, along with my favorites for that month and best of 2014 post, which is coming soon! I decided to blog about it anyway!

Skincare, Bodycare, Hygiene, Etc.

Dove Unscented Sensitive Skin Body Wash:

I absolutely love the body washes from Bath & Body Works, but for some reason, I'm either not allergic to their ingredients, fragrance, or my skin is so sensitive that scented bath products are no longer an option. When my skin has an issue, I go back to this body wash to help soothe my skin. Works like a charm! Repurchase!

Giovanni Sensitive Skin Cream Shave (Fragrance Free):

BEST. SHAVING CREAM. EVER. No really... I think I have found it. It works wonders for my skin. Doesn't irritate it, doesn't dry it out, the shave is ridiculously awesome afterwards, and my legs are happy! It's free of a lot of junk ingredients most shaving creams have so ditching those have made a lot of difference for my skin lately. Repurchase!

Bath & Body Works Body Lotion (Vanilla Bean Noel):

Probably one of my most favorite scents from Bath & Body Works, especially in their lotions. It smells like "deliciousness in a bottle". Their lotions are very moisturizing, absorbs quickly, and keeps the dry skin on my legs hydrated all day! Repurchase!

Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant:

Maybe it's just me... I can't use the regular deodorants. They just don't work for me. Either they leave horrible stains or don't control underarm wetness well. I sweat a lot, so this clinical strength deodorant is awesome for me, lasts all day, doesn't irritate my skin, and comes in very nice scents! Repurchase!

Victoria's Secret Body Mist (Amber Romance):

Of all the body mists that I go through, this has got to be my favorite, especially for late summer and early fall. It smells like vanilla and caramel to me! Repurchase!

Haircare

Mineral Fusion Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner:

I believe these have been in a previous favorite blog/video and I definitely think they will be again in the future! I have tried sooo many shampoos and conditioners which claim to "volumize" hair and work for a week on my hair. When I got my hair done early November, I made a promise I would start using shampoos and conditioners which didn't have harsh ingredients (parabens, salt, etc). Since using this system, my hair is seriously volumized! Repurchase!

Dove Dry Shampoo:

One of my top favorite dry shampoos out there. Along with my oily skin and semi oily hands (ugh), I somewhat have an oily scalp, and it's worse if I don't wash it after not washing it for one day (I can go every other day without washing my hair and it'll be fine, anymore and it starts to get greasy). This helps to absorb the oil, freshens my hair for the day, and adds a good amount of volume. Repurchase!

AG Hair Cosmetics Sterling Silver Toning Shampoo:

My hair is naturally blonde and can get brassy at times on it's own, so I use this extremely purple colored shampoo to tone my hair and take out any brassy shades out. It also helps to brighten the blonde in my hair. Love this product! Repurchase!

Sexy Hair Soy Renewal Argan Oil:

I normally take my showers at night and let my hair air dry. But, whenever I take a shower in the morning, I've been using up this sample size of this stuff before I blowdry my hair. It really makes my hair soft, shiny, and protects it very well against my flat irons. I'd say better than any of my Tresemme heat protectant sprays. I'm thinking of buying the full size bottle!

Makeup

ELF HD Undereye Setting Powder:

I've gone through a few containers of this stuff and it's truely the best under setting powder so far that I've used. It sets any concealer under my eyes and it doesn't budge, move, or crease at all! Repurchase!

BECCA Ever Matte Poreless Primer Perfector:

Dealing with oily skin basically my entire life has been an issue with breakouts, shine, greasy hands if I touch my face, and makeup breaking apart. Not anymore! My foundations no longer fall apart, crease, melt, or show shine. This bad guy is a miracle worker for my oily skin. It not only controls my oil, but it holds my foundation in place all day, mattifies my skin, and doesn't break me out! This is my second bottle. Repurchase!

Milani Brow Shaping Clear Gel:

I love this stuff! It holds my brows in place all day after I've filled and sculpted them! Repurchase!

ELF Makeup Mist & Set:

Besides loving my Urban Decay All Nighter Spray, I like to use this spray for days I don't need the extra hold. This really helps with the cakey look with powders (sometimes it happens with pressed powder) and holds my makeup really well for the day. Repurchase!

Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder:

Another product I absolutely love! It's always my go to pressed powder. It controls the shine and oil from my oily shine, keeps me matte throughout the day, barely needs touchups, and doesn't break me out! Repurchase!

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