Review: Maybelline Brow Drama

This is Maybelline's newest brow gel: Brow Drama in "soft brown." I hate to say I was not all that impressed with this product. I am always on the hunt for great brow products. Since I have blonde lashes & brows, I use mascara and brow tint daily. I typically use a brow wax or pomade on a liner or angled brush, and I set it with a tinted or clear gel. At the moment, I'm using the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade. On an everyday basis I set this with the e.l.f. clear brow gel and when I want a bolder look, I use Benefit's gimme brow (see my thoughts on that here).

I love gimme brow, but it's a bit pricey so I'm searching for a cheaper alternative. Unfortunately, this definitely doesn't qualify as a dupe. It doesn't seem to have many fibers or if it does, they're not working to add thickness to my brows. It doesn't help keep my brows firmly in place and doesn't add much tint, either. I was most surprised by the brush shape. It looks like a regular mascara wand but then has a big round bulb on the end. This is really a bad shape for brows. It was much too large to tint my brows without getting onto the surrounding skin. When I try to apply this neatly, I end up not being able to get enough product onto my brows. The product may be ok when applied with a normal brush, but this brush really ruined it for me.

I won't be repurchasing this and my hunt for the perfect brow gel will have to continue. I would really love to find a drugstore brow gel that holds hairs in place and has fibers for added volume. If you have any suggestions, please leave them below so I can check them out! Until then, I'll stick with Benefit!

Spring Blush: MAC Fleur Power Satin Blush

It's finally Spring time! I love Spring - I love the weather, the flowers, and the colors that we typically associate with the season. While I love Fall & Winter, I'm always really happy to break out the pastel nail polishes, bright blushes, and sandals when the weather starts to warm up! This is one of my favorite MAC blushes: Fleur Power. You can probably already tell by the name that it's perfect for Spring & Summer!

I think this is a really great choice for fair skin. It's also a great neutral if you're wearing a bright lip color as it doesn't really clash with much. It's a nice orange-y peach but it's natural enough to wear with other corals, pinks, peaches, and even red lip colors. As with most MAC blushes, a little bit goes a long way. This is a satin finish, so it's not exactly matte but it definitely doesn't have a shimmer. To me, this is the ultimate Spring blush color. Pink, orange, and peach all seem like essential Spring colors. 

As you can see in the swatch above, it's a really beautiful color but very subtle and natural. I love to pair this with Benefit High Beam when I want to brighten up my cheeks even more. However,  I usually wear this on its own without a bronzer or contour because I think it's so pretty that it deserves the spotlight. Because it's not super bright, it provides a tiny bit of a contour, too. With a little highlight on the tops of the cheek bones, this is my favorite spring time look. This would be suitable for natural makeup looks, too. 

What are your favorite MAC blushes? Which products do you love to bring out again when Spring returns? Post your favorite Spring products below!

First Impression: Neutrogena Healthy Lengths Mascara

I've seen this mascara many times in the store but I haven't heard much about Neutrogena mascaras so I've never picked it up. I was recently in a Target and decided to try this out. I got it in the shade "carbon black." It's a really skinny tube and it's packaged with the brush separate from the tube. So, when you open it for the first time, you open the mascara tube and insert the clean brush. This mascara claims to lengthen lashes 100% and includes vitamin E, olive oil, and antioxidants to increase lash health as well. It is anti-clumping, flaking, and smudging. 

The first thing I noticed about this mascara was the consistency. It's a lot thicker than the mascaras I typically use. I could tell it was a much thicker formula as soon as I inserted the brush. I noticed that this is beneficial when applying as it's a lot less messy, doesn't smudge onto my eyelids, and doesn't flake off onto my cheeks when I put it on. I was a little worried that would mean it'd be clumpy, but actually the opposite was true.

The first time I applied this, the first thing I noticed was how natural it looked. After applying one coat, it looked like I had naturally black, full lashes. It coated every lash but remained soft to the touch. I applied a few more coats to build up length and volume and was really happy with the finished product. This is definitely not a dramatic mascara - even after several coats it's very natural-looking. This would be a perfect "no makeup" mascara, a base coat, or a good everyday mascara if you're looking for something a little more subtle. 

This was just under $8 at Target and can be found in most drugstores and also at Ulta. It's a great mascara to keep in your makeup bag or to take when traveling because of its slim tube!

I've only been using this for about a week so I can't review it's lash lengthening properties, but I would repurchase just because I liked the product. I've actually been using this as a base mascara because it separates lashes and coats them so they're totally black. Then, I go in with just one coat of a different mascara to add a bit more length and thickness for a bolder look. I have used this several times on "no makeup" days and I really love the way it looks just on its own. I've also been using this on my bottom lashes and it has not smudged at all.

Have you tried this lengthening mascara? Did you see any results? Let me know! I will provide an update after I've been using it consistently for several weeks.

Products I Love: Smith's Rose Salve Balm

I am obsessed with this lip balm. I have been using this for so long - I remember always having a tin of this when I was a little girl. When I rediscovered it years later in Sephora, I was dying for that minty rose scent again. I picked up the Rosebud Perfume Co.'s Minted Rose Lip Balm tin and have gone through several since then. It smells amazing, it's adds the slightest pink tint to my lips, it's very hydrating, and makes my lips look instantly soft and moisturized. 

When I was in Sephora again recently, I had already browsed through the mini items near the register and was actually on my way out when salve tube caught my eye. I had to go back and purchase the tube because I love the tin version so much but it's not as convenient or hygienic. Sephora calls it a "cult-favorite" and I have to agree; I have loved that balm for years and it's perfect for anyone at any age! 

I also love the packaging! It's very antique-looking and classic. The tin seals really tightly as well so it never gets dirty or opens up when it's floating around my handbag. These are both technically salves so they can be used for other things such as scrapes and burns, although I haven't tried them for anything other than dry or chapped lips. Their website claims that the salves can be used to tame unruly brows, flyaway hairs, to add a dewy finish on cheek bones, etc. 

The tin version definitely adds more shine and a bit more tint to my lips, but the tube is super easy to throw in my handbag and quickly apply some balm on the go. Also, I believe the tube is just rosebud scent rather than minted rose. I have to say I prefer the minted rose option, but I love the smell of roses and Rosebud Perfume Co. manages to capture the rose scent without it being overwhelming or too floral. These are perfect for everyday wear; they can be applied alone or on top of lipsticks or pencils to add a glossy finish. 

Like I mentioned, I picked both of these up at Sephora, but you can also find these (and tons of other products) on the Rosebud Perfume Co. website. I also have the strawberry lip balm and I love it as well. Again, it's a scent that reminds me of when I had this as a child. The tins go for $7 and the tube for $6 so they're super affordable and last forever! I have a feeling I will get through the tube much quicker since it's so easy to apply.

Have you tried any Rosebud Perfume Co. products? Do you regularly use salves? Let me know in the comments!

Products I Love - My Top 5 Favorite Lush Products

I'm a huge Lush fan. All-natural, hand-made, never tested on animals, amazing scents, real ingredients - what's not to love? I can honestly say I've never purchased something from Lush that I didn't like. Unfortunately, the closest Lush store to me isn't all that close, so every time I get a chance to pop into the store I pick up my old favorites and try out some new things as well. I have several Lush products that are a part of my regular routine, and some that I save for special occasions or pamper nights. 

On a regular basis, I use their Breath of Fresh Air Toner. Don't let the word "toner" throw you off - this is basically just a facial mist. It's not at all drying and doesn't have any alcohol in it like a lot of traditional toners. Facial mists are so refreshing; I love to use this during the summer when it's super hot outside. It's made with seawater, seaweed extract, & aloe vera so it's very soothing and moisturizing. I spritz this onto clean skin and then follow up with a moisturizer. 

Another favorite of mine is the Ocean Salt Face & Body Scrub. I keep this in my shower and use it weekly on my body. It's made with sea salt, lime, and vodka so it's refreshing and gives your skin a very deep clean, but it also has avocado and coconut to keep skin moisturized. When my face is feeling particularly dry, I use this as a facial scrub, too. I love the smell of this! Reminds me of the beach.

One of my favorite cleansers to use in the morning is Angels on Bare Skin. I have very dry skin, so while I remove my makeup and cleanse with a more heavy-duty cleanser at night, in the mornings, I like to use something gentle and moisturizing. I don't like to strip my skin of necessary oils in the morning. This cleanser doesn't really lather or foam up like some cleansers, and because of the ingredients and consistency, it gently exfoliates as well. 

My new favorite from Lush is the Ro's Argan Body Conditioner. I picked this up a few weeks ago and I have been obsessed with it since then. This is a shower lotion. Yes, a shower lotion. This is meant to be applied to damp skin while you're still in the shower and then rinsed off before getting out of the shower. This. Smells. So. Good. I could smell this all day. It's made with rose, cocoa butter, almond and Argan oils. I'm pretty lazy when it comes to moisturizing my skin after a shower and this becomes a bigger issue in the winter when my skin is much drier. Slathering this on in the shower and rinsing it off quickly is much easier and it leaves my skin so soft and hydrated. I have used this every other shower and I have not had any dryness at all. It was a little pricey at almost $35 for about 8 and a half ounces, but I will definitely be repurchasing this. It was totally worth the price to me - it feels so luxurious on the skin, smells amazing, and really works. Also, it doesn't take much to really moisturize a large portion. I still have more than half of the pot left and I've been using this for several weeks now. 

My last Lush staple is their Butter Ball Bath Bomb. I love to try out all their seasonal bath products, but this is one that I always pick up to use when I feel like a nice luxurious bath. It smells so good - like creamy vanilla and cocoa butter. This fizzes up as soon as you drop into your bath, makes the whole room smell like warm vanilla, and rehydrates skin that may have been dehydrated by a hot bath. I keep a few of these in my bathroom and they scent the entire room. 

I love making a trip to the Lush store to see what new bath bombs they have and any other products I need to try. Let me know what you can't live without from Lush!

Until next time! xoxo

Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara - Review

There hasn't been much hype around this mascara (I can't figure out why) but I spotted it in Sephora and decided to give it a try. I'm a long-time fan of simple, old-fashioned mascara wands. I'm not a huge lover of plastic brushes, curved brushes, fancy wands, etc. I tend to stick to more basic brushes and I find that they give more volume and length without clumping or getting all over my eyelids. I love the packaging of this - it's a bamboo tube with simple but cute labeling and design. The wand is just a normal mascara wand, nothing crazy; it reminded me of my all-time favorite, holy grail mascara - the L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black formula. 

I love the brush! It's fat (but not so much that it makes a mess when applying) and fluffy and gives really great volume and length. It holds a curl but it isn't difficult to remove. I never have problems with smudging, running, or it wearing off after a long day. This is definitely one of my new favorite mascaras! I also like the smell (weird?) it's a bit sweet and almost vanilla-like. A little weird in a mascara, but I'm not complaining.

I will definitely repurchase this mascara. I feel that it doesn't damage my lashes much (if at all) because it's easy to remove and the formula doesn't feel too harsh. In fact, I was noticing such a change in my lashes that I decided to look up the description of this mascara to see if it's meant to improve the quality of your lashes. Sephora's description of the gifted mascara claims that it's meant to repair, strengthen, and rebuild lashes. I can definitely see the results after just a couple weeks! It's easy to apply - only takes a couple coats and you're ready to go. Even without curling my lashes, it adds volume, length & lift. I have also tried the Lights, Camera, Flashes statement mascara by Tarte (you can read my thoughts on it here) but I definitely prefer this formula. It's perfect for everyday wear and could easily be a staple in your vanity. 

A bonus is that it's formulated without mineral oil, parabens, sulfates, or phthalates. Also, Tarte does not test on animals!

What are your favorite mascaras? Do you prefer a traditional brush or a plastic one? Let me know in the comments!

Perfect Formula Pink Gel Coat - First Impression

Just a quick first impression of this gel polish! I got this as a free gift with my VIB points at Sephora. I'm a big fan of the slightly pink natural nail polish. My all-time favorite is the Dior Nail Glow which costs a whopping $27 but looks so natural and pretty on my nails. When I saw this as a gift option, I knew I had to try it! 

A pink-toned clear polish is a perfect option when you need to swipe something onto naked nails in a hurry. You don't have to worry about being precise or getting any on your skin, because you won't be able to tell anyway. Also since it's "clear" you don't have to use so many coats - I swipe on a coat or two and that allows it to dry quickly so I can move on. Perhaps the best part about wearing a natural shade like this is that the nicks and chips don't show. I use this during busy weeks because if it chips, no one will be able to tell and you can wear it a lot longer before it starts to look worn. This polish claims to strengthen and brighten your nails. My first impression is that it dries really quickly, but it's not as rosy as the Dior version. It also really stinks - like a very strong top coat. The full version of this is $30 for .6 oz., which is still much cheaper than the Dior version ($27 for .33 oz.). I would imagine that the .6 oz. bottle would last a long time. I use my Dior polish more than any other polish I own and I haven't made much of a dent yet. After 2 days of wear, I don't see any chips in the polish. It is super shiny like a gel and seems to be holding up much better than Nail Glow usually does. My only complaint is that it really isn't very pink. I think next time I'll try 2 coats of Nail Glow and top it off with a coat of this Perfect Formula polish. Maybe that will be the magic combination!

What are your favorite natural nail shades? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time... xoxo!

Products I Love: BeautyBlender & BlenderCleanser

I'm in love with my beauty blender!! I was holding out for quite a while and using off-brand (Sephora, Ulta, etc.) beauty sponges, and I did NOT know what I was missing. This has totally changed the look of my makeup, particularly my foundation. It blends foundation, tinted moisturizer, concealer, and whatever else seamlessly and it's amazing on my dry skin. I know I'm a little late to the party on this one, but if you're like me and you've been holding out because of the hype or the price, I'm telling you it's worth it! It's definitely not your average makeup sponge. I guess it's the material they used, but its so soft and bouncy and it just blends foundation so well and pushes it directly into your skin instead of smearing it around. I have been using mine for a few months now and I still love it so much.

I rinse it out before using and just squeeze most of the water out - leaving it a little bit damp. I dot my foundation onto my skin and then use the damp sponge to blend it in. Then, I repeat the same steps with my concealer. I use the larger end for foundation and the larger parts of my face and the tapered end for under eye concealer so I can easily blend it under my eyes and in the inner corners. 

I got mine at Sephora for around $20 and it has lasted me several months. I just recently picked up the BlenderCleanser Solid which is actually just a little bar of soap formulated for the beauty blender. It's supposedly safe to use with it because it doesn't damage the material. I have heard that if you try to use regular soap or brush cleaner, it can dissolve the material and take chunks out of the sponge. I was a little hesitant to buy the soap, I actually thought to just buy a whole new beauty blender instead (it's only about $5 more), but I picked up a sample with my VIB points and it cleans the sponge SO well! After I was finished washing it, it looked brand new. Definitely worth buying, and you could (and probably should) clean it bi-weekly or so and your beauty blender will probably stay in really good condition.

Have you caved and tried this famous sponge? Let me know your favorite foundation-application methods below and how you clean your makeup sponges!

Until next time! xoxo

Anastasia Beverly Hills DIPBROW Pomade

I've been a long-time fan of brow "pomades" or "waxes" and I prefer them over pencils and/or powders. Having lighter brows, it's an everyday must for me! For several years I've used the e.l.f. Studio Eyebrow Kit in medium and it's the perfect shade for me. It's not too light or too dark, and most importantly, it isn't red. I have a problem finding eyebrow products because 90% of the brow tints/pencils/powders/etc. on the market are way too red. Since I have light brows, any warm tones show up really vividly and end up looking much too red. When I first picked up a DIPBROW pot, I chose the shade "caramel" and it was definitely too warm and yellowy. I ended up returning it for the shade "taupe" and, while it's better, I'm still not convinced this is my perfect shade. I'm thinking I need to head back to Sephora and try "soft brown" or even "medium brown." 

Regardless of the shade, I love this product! It makes my brows look flawless, sculpted, and perfectly tinted in just a few swipes with my favorite eyeliner brush by e.l.f. It doesn't budge, and it stays looking perfect all day long. This shade, "taupe," is a bit green or maybe too ashy, but it doesn't have the warm tones like the "caramel" shade, so it's a better fit, but I still think I'd prefer a more neutral shade. Luckily, Anastasia has a pretty large range of shades - I was surprised by the number of options (11 total). You have plenty of warm, cool, and neutral shades to choose from. It's hard to find the perfect shade, I think, without using the product on your brows. Swatching on your hand can give you a preview of the color, but you can't really tell which shade is best without applying it directly. Luckily, Sephora is great about returns!

When going to check this out for the first time, I was expecting it to be really pricey. Anastasia Beverly Hills is definitely a more high-end brand and for brow products, they're usually a bit expensive. However, I was happily surprised with the price. This .14 oz. pot costs $20 and you barely need any product to get the desired look. I use a ton of the e.l.f. pomade in comparison with the amount of this that it takes to get really sculpted and flawless brows. I imagine this would last for a really long time. In my opinion, totally worth it!

I'll let you guys know if I find a shade I like better than taupe! If you've tried any brow pomades or waxes that you love, please let me know!

Until next time - xoxo

Clarisonic Mia 1 Facial Sonic Cleansing Brush - First Impression & Review

I have been checking out the facial brush market for quite some time now and finally made a purchase! I picked up the Clarisonic Mia at Dillard's about a week ago so I wanted to give my first impressions (since I haven't owned it very long) and a review of what I think about it so far. Since this is my first experience in the world of facial brushes, I chose the Mia 1 because it's the simplest and most inexpensive of the Clarisonic products. I thought this would be a good brush to start with. I chose the shade "pink" - they have several colors including purple, electric pink, grey, & white - and I love the color, I think it's really pretty. 

The Mia 1 comes with the "sensitive brush head" and only has one speed, speed 2 (universal) for use with all skin types. This speed is safe to be used daily, or even twice daily if you'd like. The brush heads are interchangeable, so you can purchase new brush heads after a few months to replace the existing head, or you can buy alternative heads for different skin types and uses. The brush heads typically cost around $27 each, so it's pretty affordable to change your brush head every 3 months (as recommended). 

The Mia is also waterproof, so you could use it in the shower and you don't have to worry about keeping any parts of it dry. The charger is actually magnetic so there's no plug or holes for the charger to plug into on the actual brush. You just touch the charger to the bottom of the handle and it sticks magnetically to the handle pretty firmly. It also comes with a cover for the brush head with holes so the bristles can dry while still protected. The power button is a grey rubber button and once you power on the Clarisonic, it is on a 60-second timer. 60 seconds is the recommended daily use time. 

Since I purchased mine at Dillard's, I also received a free gift with purchase. The Mia 1 comes with a sample size of the Clarisonic cleanser, but the gift with purchase from Dillard's provides 2 more sample cleansers and a small travel bag for the Mia. The travel bag is the size of a toiletry kit or rectangular makeup bag. It's purple with yellow trim, so it's not the cutest bag, but it fits all the cleanser samples, the charger, and the Mia itself, so it's handy for storage and/or traveling. It has a zipper shaped like a mini silver Clarisonic brush.

I read quite a few reviews before using this. It's recommended that you charge the brush for a full 24 hours before using, so I had plenty of time to read up on the brush. I read some really scary reviews of users that broke out really badly after starting to use the Mia. I was expecting a few blemishes or spots to pop up as is pretty standard with any new product, especially one that's exfoliating. However, I was hoping it didn't ruin my skin or give me any serious issues.

I'm happy to say, I have had a really good experience with the Mia so far. I did get a few very small spots after the first few days of use, but they went away very quickly and didn't leave any redness or marks on my skin. I had very very minimal "purging" with this, so I was really happy about that. It has definitely helped with my dryness. After about a week of use, I no longer have any major dry patches or peeling. My skin is never irritated by it and I have been using it both at night and in the morning. Most noticeably, I can tell a huge difference in the occurrence of blackheads on my nose and the size of my pores. The pores, especially on my nose, seem much cleaner, which makes them less visible. This is the best result I've experienced and it's what motivated me most to buy the brush. I'm happy with the Mia 1, I'm not sure that I need fancy brush heads or multiple speeds. For $99, I'm very satisfied with this brush and I don't think I would spend more to get a brush that has different speeds. Especially if you're new to facial brushes, I think this is the perfect brush for daily use. They also have a 1-year warranty, so you're covered if you experience any troubles in the first year. 

You can find the Clarisonic at most department stores, online at Clarisonic.com, and Sephora.

Let me know what you think of Clarisonic's products. If you've used any of their cleansers, please let me know! I think I will give my skin plenty of time to adjust to daily Clarisonic use before I try out any new cleansers or skincare products. One step at a time!

Until next time... xoxo

Sigma Beauty Spa Brush Cleaning Glove Review

It's no secret that I'm a huge Sigma fan. I love their brushes and when I'm in need of a new brush, their site is always my first stop. The quality of their brushes is so high-end but the prices are perfect, and a lot less than MAC, Sephora, etc. I also love the packaging that my Sigma orders come in, and they always send a nice little sample. With my last order, I got this mini sample-sized spa glove. I was a little skeptical at first - do I really need a "spa glove" to clean my brushes? I had been using MAC brush cleaner and my hand for forever... a "spa glove" seemed a little high maintenance and gimmicky to me. Just another product to spend a ton of money on and end up not using. I threw this in a drawer with other minis and samples and forgot all about it.

I discovered this again recently and used it to clean all my brushes and I LOVED it! It really does help get into the brush hairs to clean deeply and thoroughly, and I instantly regretted that I haven't been using it this whole time. This is just the mini, so you don't put your hand into it and it is small - it fits in the palm of my hand. After using it (and loving it) I got online to see how much the full version costs. To be honest, I really did like this product, I think it's a good idea, but I wouldn't want to pay a ton of money for it. Especially since I have this mini - I would be happy just using this one for brush cleaning. On sigma.com, they have a dual-sided Spa Brush Cleaning Glove (it comes in four colors: purple, pink, turquoise, & black) that you can put your hand into like an oven mitt. It has a "face" side and an "eyes" side with different textured areas: refine, wash, & rinse. It is suggested to use the area between the thumb & fingers to shape the brushes before drying. The full version is $35.

To be honest, I think the price is a bit high, but not so outrageously high that I wouldn't buy it. However, because I have this mini version, I'm definitely not running out to buy the full glove anytime soon. I do think I'd like to have this in my collection, and I do think it is really handy and helpful during the dreaded (but necessary) brush-cleaning time, but I would consider it a wish-list-splurge item. If you're a makeup artist or working in a field where you need to clean a large amount of makeup brushes frequently, this would totally be worth the money. If you just do makeup on yourself and don't have a huge collection of brushes, this isn't a must-have. If you have the mini - try it out and if you really hate cleaning your brushes, this may help motivate you and also speed along the process. 

Overall, I like the idea and I love the product, but I don't love price. It's on my wish list, but if the price came down by even $5 or $10, I would be much happier! Have you guys tried the Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove? Are there are brush cleaning gloves or tools out there? If so, which ones have you tried? 

Until next time! xoxo

Bare Minerals Mineral Veil Touch Up Review

I picked this up a few months ago at Ulta where they have a really large selection of Bare Minerals products. I actually found this near the register (gets me every time) on my way out. I have tried mineral veil before and it's a product I always go back to. For me, it would be the perfect product if I could change one thing. I hate loose powders! They're so messy, especially if you want to keep one in your handbag. The powder gets everywhere and when you open the lid you end up dusting it all over yourself. I decided to try this because it's in a compact and it has a mirror. It comes with the standard pad/sponge inside but it also comes with a mini brush, which is nice for traveling. This is perfect to throw in your makeup bag or take it to-go in your handbag. I also like the idea that it adds a little glow. 

Let's be honest - the packaging is what made me buy this. It's super cute and seemed to be very handy for on-the-go situations. I really like Bare Minerals brushes, too, so I was happy that this came with a travel-sized powder brush. I've mentioned before that since I'm very dry, I don't usually powder my face. However, on really hot days, oily days, or days that I know I'm going to be wearing makeup for an extended period of time, I like to at least set my under-eye concealer. Lately, I have been using this under my eyes and in my t-zone to set everything and keep it matte (but not flat) on long days out. This never looks cakey, it sets everything really well, and illuminates without being sparkly or shiny. I have been using it so much, I may pick up a full-size illuminating mineral veil to set my makeup, and keep this in my handbag for touch ups. They also have a pressed translucent touch up powder (full size) if you're not into loose powders. 

I've been really happy with the brush, too. It's soft and the perfect size to set under eye concealer and touch up smaller areas on the face (like the t-zone). I've been using this for my t-zone and anywhere else I tend to get oily after a long day, and this Real Techniques setting brush for under my eyes. I'm not usually a fan of powder mineral foundations, but Bare Minerals has so many other products to offer. They have expanded so much and they really seem to have something for everyone. Some other products I love include their bronzer and sometimes their loose powder mineral foundation to set my liquid foundation and add a bit of extra coverage. 

What are your favorite Bare Mineral products? What products do you use to set under eye concealer and/or ward off an oily t-zone? I'd love to hear from you!

Until next time... xoxo

4 Book Reviews: Herland, All the Light We Cannot See, Defending Jacob, & The Kitchen House

I loved writing about my 52 Books in 52 Weeks and sharing mini book reviews on the books I've read. I'm still going strong in 2015 - I have finished 4 books so far. The beginning of January is always a good time to get some reading done! I'm on a roll so far; all the books I've read have been really, really good. I had a lot of good feedback on my 52 Books post, so I thought I would continue the book reviews as I go through my reading list for 2015!

Herland by Charlotte Perkins Gilman - ★★★

I loved this book but I also recognize that it probably won't be for everyone. This one is about 3 men who stumble upon a feminist utopian society. They end up staying and observing the way this all-female world works and how it has become far superior to our own. I found this very interesting, but not for the usual reasons. The plot was okay - it didn't grab my attention and leave me wondering what's going to happen next, but the reason I got through this book so quickly was because I found the idea of a feminist utopia so interesting from a psychological and sociological standpoint. If you're interesting in psychology, sociology, even anthropology, I would recommend this to you. It's a good story, but rather than falling in love with the characters and being captivated by the plot, I was most interested in the inner working of the society and how their way of live worked so uniquely for them. Very interesting and also a quick read, so if it's not your cup of tea, it won't take you long to get through anyway.

All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr - ★★★★★

I loved this book. The beginning was a bit confusing and it took me some time with the characters to understand the story. Also, the author jumps from one character's point of view to another's in each chapter, and he also jumps around in different time periods from chapter to chapter. At times, I had to take a minute to figure out what year it was and which character I was hearing from. I wasn't so confused that I couldn't figure out what was going on and I actually liked all the shifts, it's what kept me so interested. The story is told mainly from two points of view - a young, blind, French girl living with her father in Paris, and a young, orphaned, German boy in an orphanage with his sister. The book jumps from before, during, and after World War II and shows the two contrasting lives of a French girl trying to understand the war and stay alive, and the German boy trying to fit in with the other members of Hitler's Youth while still trying maintaining some sort of moral compass. It was was very emotional and beautifully written. All throughout the story I was waiting for the moment when the two stories would finally intertwine and I was not disappointed. Loved this!

Defending Jacob by William Landay - ★★★★

I'm not usually into courtroom dramas, but I really enjoyed this and was impressed with the plot twist at the end. The town's DA is investigating the murder of a middle school boy when he is suddenly removed from the case. As it turns out, his own son is being suspected of the murder and is set to be tried in court. The father has his own secret and will stop at nothing to protect his son. Just when you think the story is over, Landay hits you with a huge twist that totally changes the outcome of the story. I couldn't put this down. Also, it was so entertaining that instead of worrying about whether or not Jacob was guilty, I was just enjoying the story without trying to think ahead and solve the mystery. The writing isn't astounding, but the story is very entertaining and unique. Definitely a story you'll remember and would make a great movie!

The Kitchen House by Kathleen Grisson - ★★★★★

This is by far my favorite of this year, so far. I have to warn you, it's incredibly sad, in the same way that My Notorious Life by Kate Manning is. I would call this historical fiction, although I use the word historical loosely. It doesn't incorporate a ton of historical information, but it is set during the late 1700s to early 1800s and so it provides some (fictional) accounts of slavery, indentured servitude, and the role of women during that time period. Books about slavery, civil rights, and racism in early America are nothing new, but I do find them to be very interesting, although terribly sad, but this book takes on a whole new perspective. I've read several books from the point of view of the slaves (maids, servants, whatever they're referred to during that time period) like The Help by Kathryn Stockett & The Invention of Wings by Sue Monk Kidd (a couple of my favorites), but this story comes from the perspective of a child who finds herself as an indentured servant. She was immigrating to America from Ireland and is now an orphaned, indentured servant for a white family in the South on a big plantation. Since she is serving out her years, she lives with the "house slaves" and comes to view them as her family. She is raised by these men and women and has an extremely strong emotional bond with them. When she grows up, however, her servitude ends and now that she is free, she is viewed as a normal white woman. She is expected to marry and, through her husband, own her own slaves. She finds herself in an extremely difficult situation that she struggles to understand. Some part of this were very hard to get through - reading about the atrocities of slavery is never easy - but there are certain storylines in the book that were so heartwarming I was moved to tears. Get your tissues ready, I was crying before I had even reached 100 pages. It was such a good book, I fell in love with the characters and was sad to see the story end. I read this in about 2 days as I could not seem to put it down. I would say this is a must-read of 2015. 

Please share your opinions and your own book reviews with me below. I am, as always, accepting recommendations for 2015. My reading list is always growing!

Until next time! xoxo

Disappointing Product: Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch highlighting concealer

Sorry, Maybelline, I still love you... but this product was a miss for me. I picked up the Dream Lumi Touch highlighting concealer hoping it would be a similar product (maybe even a dupe) to the YSL Touche Eclat, which is a pricey $41. The Dream Lumi Touch is around $8 so I thought I'd give it a try. I was pretty disappointed with the product. Disclaimer: I have not yet mustered the strength to splurge on the YSL original, so I can't compare the two. I can only tell you what I thought about the Maybelline version on its own - compared only to my thoughts on how it should or is supposed to look. The YSL touche éclat is definitely on my wish list, but a major splurge item. 

There are tons of Maybelline products that I love, but I do find it hit and miss with skin products sometimes. I believe this is solely because of my skin tone. Maybelline tends to be on the warmer side of the spectrum and a lot of their face products can be too warm or too orange on my skin. This is no fault of the brand, it just simply doesn't work as well as some other brands with my skin tone. That being said, I still have several Maybelline foundations, concealers, powders, etc. that do work with my skin and look great. 

The shade I picked out is a pink-toned highlighting color. I knew I would be using this as a highlight rather than a concealer. I understand the same is true with the YSL product - it's not so much an under-eye concealer as it is a highlighting pen - meant to highlight, not necessarily cover up. Because I had read reviews on the touche éclat, I went for a pinky/salmon shade rather than a normal "ivory" shade because I wanted to test this out as a YSL dupe, rather than just another under eye concealer. I was planning to use this on my cheekbones as a creamy highlighting product.

My first complaint is the packaging. I'm not a big fan of the twist-up brush applicators. As you can see in the photo, things get messy pretty quickly. The packaging also felt very light and cheap, which is probably true as it only costs $8. Also, I had to twist forever to get any product to come out. Another reason I hate this sort of packaging is because you can't tell how much product you're dispensing. I might twist 5 times and get nothing... so I twist another 5 times and tons of concealer comes spewing out. My advice is twist slowly and be patient. The color is my second complaint. I know I chose a rosy shade (radiant 310), but it's much too pink. It comes off as a salmon color that's a little too orange and a little too pink. It just doesn't look good on my skin. I think I could possibly make the shade work better if it had a different formulation, but the consistency of the product is my biggest and final complaint. It's thick and dry... it doesn't blend well or easily and it ends up just being a cakey mess. You can see the lines where the highlight ends and your skin begins. It never seems to blend in seamlessly no matter what application method I try. 

You may be able to tell just from the photo how it settles into fine lines, looks thick and cakey, and doesn't have the right silky consistency that these type of products need to look good. You can also see the color here - it's a very bold salmon color that just isn't flattering on my skin tone. I have not tried any other shades of this product simply because I wasn't a fan of the formulation, but I could have just picked the wrong shade for my coloring. Maybe I should have gone with my trusty "ivory" pick, instead. I don't think I'll be finishing this product as I can't figure out a way to use it that works. 

Have you tried the Dream Lumi Touch highlighter? What were your thoughts? I'm also open to other drug store highlighting pen suggestions! I will still keep the YSL touche éclat on my list - let me know your thoughts on that as well! Is it worth the splurge?! Let me know in the comments!

Until next time! xoxo

Rimmel ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner Review

The name is definitely a mouthful, but the ScandalEyes Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner is the best eyeliner I have ever used. I use this daily, no matter what. Whether I'm sporting a full face of makeup or having a "no makeup" makeup day, I always use this liner. I like to tight line my eyes most of the time, and I tend to prefer tight lining over a winged liner or smokey eye. Even with minimal makeup, tight lining really adds thickness to your lashes and frames your eyes. 

Two things I look for in a standard black liner are water resistance and softness. I like a really smooshy liner so that it applies easily to the inner lids without pulling or tugging on my eyes. This glides on and the liner is really dark and pigmented. Sometimes the waterline is... well, watery and it can be difficult to get liner to "stick," but not this one. My other requirement is that it's waterproof. Again, your waterline can be a tricky place to not only apply makeup, but also make it last. This liner lasts all day and night on my waterline and never smudges or fades. If you swatch this on your hand, you can see that it won't budge after it dries. This is especially useful if you have watery eyes, allergies, etc. 

As you can see, I have just about used up my last pencil and have already repurchased a backup. I keep one of these on hand at all times. I have tried several other similar drugstore options and nothing else compares. If you like to tight line your eyes, or are looking for a really good waterproof liner, I highly recommend this! Also, since it's Rimmel, you can find it at your local drugstore for under $5. They offer a range of other colors as well. My only complaint about this liner is that you have to sharpen it. I am always on the hunt for a twist-up liner that is just as black, just as waterproof, but still soft and easy to apply.

If you've found a liner ever better than this one, please let me know in the comments! If you haven't tried this yet, I would definitely recommend it. Tweet or Instagram me with your pics, favorite liners, etc!

Until next time! xoxo