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!

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

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

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

MAC bronzing powder & Sigma F05 Brush Reviews

MAC Bronzing Powder in "Golden" & Sigma Small Contour F05 Brush

Bronzer can be really tricky when you have fair skin. It takes a lot of trial and error to find the perfect one, and when you do - you tend to stick to it. I have been using this bronzing powder by MAC for years, and I always come back to it. It is probably my holy-grail bronzer. As always, the quality is very good and it's just formulated really nicely. I don't use a lot of bronzers, but this has always been a staple in my makeup drawer. It's not matte, but it isn't shimmery either. It has a glow to it, but it's subtle enough that this can still be used as a contour shade. I use this not only as a cheek bone contour  but all over my face, too. Golden is the lightest shade, and it's the perfect color for my skin tone. I struggle to find a good bronzer because they're always much too dark and I have to dip my brush in very lightly, be sure to dust off most of the product, and then blend like crazy to make sure it doesn't look scary. I also struggle with finding bronzers that don't show up orange. In my opinion, an orange face is one of the biggest makeup faux pas. This is light, but buildable. I start off with just a little, and if I wanted a more intense contour, or to add more color to my face, I can build up the color to be pretty dark. I definitely see myself continuing to repurchase this - even if I try out other products, it's nice to have this as a trusted back-up. On darker skin tones, this would give a really nice glow all over the skin, perfect in the summer. 

I recently placed an order with Sigma specifically for a small counter brush. I found the F05 small contour brush and knew it would be perfect. I'm a big fan of Sigma brushes - I always check their website before I look anywhere else. They are really high quality brushes - right up there with MAC brushes, but they're a fraction of the price. Literally, they are half the price of MAC brushes. This small contour brush is $21 which, in my mind, is still a lot to spend on one makeup brush. The MAC version of this particular brush is a whopping $35. I still think the $21 was a splurge, but I had really been wanting a small brush with this exact shape just for contouring, which is something I do quite a lot, so I felt it would be worth it. As usual, I was not let down! I love this brush - it's perfect for contouring. It gets right into the hollow space under my cheekbone for a really precise application. As with all Sigma brushes, it's super soft and never sheds. Another perk about shopping with Sigma is that they always have a promotion or sale going on. Free shipping? Yes, please!

These two products are a match made in heaven. I have been using them together daily and have a feeling they will be making their way into my January favorites! What are your favorite bronzers? I would love to try out a good drugstore bronzing powder. Let me know in the comments!

Until next time... xoxo



PS - Don't forget to check out my "52 Books in 52 Weeks" book giveaway! 

Review: e.l.f. Stipple Brush

I've been loving this e.l.f. stipple brush lately! I have had this for a while - I initially purchased it to blend in e.l.f. cream blushes, but found out that they blend better with fingers rather than a brush. This is the first stipple brush I've ever owned and I had thrown it into a drawer, deciding it's just easier to use my fingers for cream products. I recently took this out and tried it on a powder brush and finally discovered its purpose! This works so well to blend in powder blushes onto the cheek bones. It picks up a light amount of product and evenly distributes it onto the skin so you can blend it out for an airbrushed look.

It's a duo-fiber brush so it picks up the product and deposits it onto your skin without catching too much of the powder on the brush. It's a light brush and the hairs are more sparse than a regular blush brush but I find that it really gives a flawless, natural finish. The best part about this brush is the price - for just $3 you could easily stock up on these and have plenty of clean blush brushes ready to use! I'm definitely planning a Target run to pick up more of these stipple brushes! So glad I was able to put it to good use.

What do you use your stippling brushes for? Have you tried any other e.l.f. brushes? Let me know if there are any others worth trying!

Until next time! xoxo

Review: Real Techniques Setting Brush

Real Techniques is a makeup brush line created by Sam & Nic Chapman - popular YouTube personalities, makeup artists, etc. I was eager to try these brushes as I was a fan of Nic & Sam's YouTube videos for quite a while. I have been using several RT brushes for many months, but I recently picked up this setting brush from Ulta. I have dry skin so I'm not a big powder-er, but I do like to set my under eye concealer with a light, translucent powder to avoid creasing, smudging, etc. This brush is perfect for the job! I could not be happier with this brush. 

There isn't too much to say about this brush other than I love it. It does exactly what it's meant to do, it costs $8, it doesn't shed, it's easy to clean, and it's the perfect size & shape. I would definitely recommend this over any other makeup brush for any skin type and for anyone from beginner to expert. I like my other RT brushes, but I don't use them for everyday makeup, so I hadn't fallen in love with them like I have with this brush. I will definitely shop Real Techniques for my brush needs before I look elsewhere in the future.

Have you tried Real Techniques? If so, what are your favorite RT brushes? If you haven't seen a pixiwoo video, check them out here.

P.S. - I use BareMinerals Illuminating Mineral Veil to set my under eye concealer.

Until next time! xoxo

Foundation Friday: Laura Mercier, Revlon, & NARS

#FoundationFriday

I wanted to put the spotlight on these foundations that I've been loving recently. There's something for every skin type and every budget. I've tried and tested these so that I'm able to do a complete review on them and share with you exactly why I love them so much. If you're looking to change up your foundation routine in the new year - this post is for you. You won't be disappointed with these fab foundation options.

I wanted to start out with the most affordable option - the Revlon Nearly Naked foundation is a beloved staple I've used for quite a while. For just around $10 (1 oz.), this is super affordable, which makes it the easiest to try out. It has very light but buildable coverage - one layer will give you a really natural finish, but you can add another layer or two in any areas where you like more coverage. This never cakes or clings to dry patches and it always looks like natural skin. I have this in the shade "ivory," which is their lightest shade. I love Revlon's color ranges, especially if you are fair. Their "ivory" shade is a perfect match for my skin at its palest and never looks orange or too dark. This could easily be your new "everyday" foundation. If you have oily skin, you can set this with your favorite setting powder for all-day lasting power. If you're like me and have dry skin, this on it's own has great staying power and never breaks up or sticks to dry skin after a long day.

NARS Sheer Glow foundation is a fan favorite - I was a little late to jump on the bandwagon but I'm glad I finally did! This goes for around $45 (1 oz.) at Sephora, so it's definitely pricier than my drugstore favorites, but I think the quality matches the price. The packaging is really luxurious and nice (you can purchase a pump for an additional $6) and the formula truly feels like a nice high-end foundation. It's smooth and creamy, but it has a thin consistency so it's still sheer and perfect for dryer skin types. I use this in the shade Siberia and it's a good match for my skin tone. This foundation (or, at least, this particular shade) has very yellow undertones to it. This is really nice if you suffer from redness or have pink-toned skin. This helps even out my skin to give me a neutral complexion and it masks any redness (including redness from breakouts). If you have oily skin, there's a sheer matte option. This doesn't ever irritate my skin as it's fragrance-free and non-comedogenic. A little bit of this foundation goes a long way and it can get cakey if you apply too much. If you do apply too much on the first application, don't set it with a powder, use a damp beauty blender and give it some time to sink into your skin. After it oxidizes and settles, it looks much more natural. I will definitely repurchase this when it runs out (which will be a while since a little goes such a long way) and it pairs perfectly with the NARS radiant creamy concealer. I apply this a little at a time with a damp beauty blender and sometimes set my under eye area with a translucent setting powder.

Laura Mercier Smooth Finish Flawless Fluide has easily become my all-time favorite foundation. This was definitely a splurge at $48 (1 oz.), but I really love it. It's oil-free but it has "reflective waters" that add a glow to the formula so it looks really nice and dewy on dry skin. This is packaged in a sort of tube that you have to really shake well to mix up the "two part formula." I shake this for a good 10 seconds before I apply it. The only thing I'm not a fan of is the packaging - when you open it, because the foundation is thin, it leaks into the cap and you lose some of the product. Sometimes it squirts out after shaking, too. That being said, the formulation more than makes up for the packaging. It looks so beautiful on - I get compliments every time I wear this and it really does give a flawless finish. I use it in the shade "creme" and it's a good match for my skin. Again, it's lightweight but you can apply several layers to add coverage. I don't use this everyday because it's the priciest of my foundation options, but it's perfect for a night out or special occasions. It's definitely worth the price, in my opinion. It's also the slimmest out of the 3, so it would be perfect to throw in a makeup bag or for traveling. Before you buy - make sure to test out the shades, as I thought I would be the lightest (as usual) but actually went for the 3rd shade as it matched my skin tone better. The range is not necessarily sorted from lightest to darkest.

Are you a fan of any of these foundations? What are your #FoundationFriday favorites? Let me know below!

Until next time! xoxo

Review: Sephora Collection Perfecting Ultra-Smoothing Primer

I don't usually use primers (other than the L'Oreal Magic Lumi Light Infusing Primer when I need an added glow), but I picked this up before a big event because I wanted my makeup to look good in photographs and really achieve that flawless face look. This Sephora Collection primer creates a perfectly smooth surface by smoothing over fine lines, wrinkles, etc. to allow your foundation to glide over skin and sit nicely on skin, rather than settling into any fine lines. This really does make my foundation look ultra-smooth and perfect. I don't feel like this is a product I need daily, as I don't usually wear makeup for prolonged periods and since I'm not oily, my foundation doesn't typically slide around on my face. However, this is really handy for an event or special occasion or any time when you need your foundation to stay in place and look flawless and silky all day and night. I paid around $15 for this half ounce bottle and it will definitely last me a while. I use about half of a pea-sized amount for my entire face. 

Again, I don't typically reach for primers unless there's something specific that I'm looking to achieve. For day-to-day foundation wear, I wouldn't use a primer, but this is affordable and effective enough to be used daily if that's something you need in your makeup routine. It's a really nice silky, velvety consistency, blends easily into the skin and does all that it claims to. There are a few other varieties that Sephora offers for anti-shine and other issues, but this seems to be the standard option. It's packaged nicely in a sleek bottle with an airless pump and secure lid so it won't leak. It's paraben free and can be used all over the face, including eyelids, so it can double as an eyeshadow primer. 

I would definitely recommend this if you're in the market for an everyday or all-purpose primer that's affordable and really works! I have tried several Sephora Collection products and I've been happy with them all so far. 

What's your favorite primer? Do you use a primer daily or only on certain occasions? Let me know in the comments!

Until next time! xoxo

Disappointing Products: Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Oil

I recently made a trip to Sephora to pick up some skincare items for a special event I had coming up. I love Clinique and wanted a few skincare products - some I've tried and loved and some I have not yet tried out. As you know, I'm a sucker for cleansing oils. A while back, before I was into cleansing oils, I remember Tanya Burr mentioning a Clinique "Take the Day Off" cleansing balm. I kept that recommendation in the back of my mind and when I was at Sephora last week, I decided to finally check out the range. Included in the Take the Day Off range is a cleansing oil. Obviously, I had to try it. 

Clinique take the day off cleansing oil

This pains me to say it was a disappointing product because I absolutely love Clinique products - especially their skincare. Unfortunately, I was really disappointed by this product and cannot continue to use it. I love the formula - it's so silky and smooth and it really dissolves makeup quickly and completely. There's no obnoxious smell and at first, I was really pleased with the oil. However, as soon as I began to remove my eye makeup, it started to sting my eyes pretty badly. I realize this will not be a problem for everyone - as different products react differently with each person, but it was so intense that I definitely won't be using it again. I'm sad that I have to return this. I'm not sure if there's a particular ingredient in this formula that isn't in my other cleansing oils, but this does seem to be a lot less natural than The Body Shop version. I ended up with red, watery eyes that stung all night.

Although the ingredients didn't agree with me, I thought the name of this range was really cute and unique. I definitely want my evening skincare products to "take the day off" and leave my skin feeling fresh and clean. I also love the packaging. I wish all cleansing oils would take note of this! The pump lid twists into a locked position so that it doesn't leak (perfect for traveling). It's also in a pretty translucent purple bottle which looks nice and would be suitable to be displayed on a bathroom counter. It's definitely the best packaging out of all the oils I've tried. If this didn't burn my eyes it would be a definite winner. 

Even though this product isn't for me, it hasn't put me off Clinique. Some of my favorite skincare products are made by Clinique and I will continue to try out their other lines. I don't think I'll be trying any more from this particular range, but my quest for the perfect cleansing oil will continue! Another thing to consider if you're looking to try this product is the price. It's the priciest oil so far - going for $27 for 6.7 oz. The Garnier oil is the cheapest at just under $8 for 4.2 oz., and The Body Shop oil goes for $18 for an even larger (6.75 oz.) bottle. 

Have you tried this oil or any other products from the "take the day off" range? If so, let me know your thoughts in the comments. As always, I'm still accepting recommendations for other cleansing oils!

Until next time! xoxo

Product I Love: MAC Paint Pot Review

This is the second time I've repurchased this little gem. MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Bare Study has been a trusty staple in my makeup routine for many years. These are meant to be cream shadows, but they are definitely multi-purpose products. These run around $21 for a 0.17 oz. pot and they last forever! My last Bare Study paint pot was purchased about 5 years ago and I've been out for a few months and finally got to the MAC store to replenish my stash. 

Bare Study is a nude shimmery color that's a really good base for other shadows, but also looks really nice on its own. These paint pots are super creamy and smooth and they're long wearing and creaseless. Since they don't crease, they work really nicely as a shadow base. They're creamy so they hold a powder shadow onto the lid, fight off creasing, and make shadows look more vibrant. On "no makeup days" I wear this by itself all over my lid, crease, and up to my brow bone. This shade is really brightening and highlights the brow bone, too. It's pretty shimmery so it can add a glow to other shadows, highlight the inner corner, and it can dress up a more casual shadow look. 

I'm interested in trying a darker more taupe shade paint pot. What are your favorite paint pot shades? I like to pair this with the e.l.f. jumbo eyeshadow sticks for a more complete look. I treated myself to a replacement paint pot for a special event I was going to but this will definitely become a staple in my daily routine again. It's so versatile and easy to use.

November Favorites

It's officially December! I love November - it's so festive and gets me ready for the holidays and colder weather. I tried out quite a few new products in November and I wanted to share my favorites with you...

Beauty Favorites:

Rimmel Stay Matte Liquid Mousse Foundation in "light porcelain." I mentioned this in my October Favorites but I'm still loving it! Don't let the name scare you off - this can be really nice when applied correctly (even on dry skin). 

Benefit High Beam liquid highlighter. I picked up the cutest "Cheek Me Out" set of high beam and posietint samples at Ulta. This highlighter is SO beautiful! It's a "satiny pink" liquid/gel formula, similar to their lip and cheek stains. I use this on my cheek bones and the outer edges of my brow bones as a natural dewy highlight. I have ditched all other highlighters during November because I can't get enough of this. It's super easy to apply with fingers, a foundation brush, or even a stippling brush and it lasts all day. I'll definitely be purchasing the full size when this runs out!

Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadow - Shimmer in No. 48 Faux Fur. This is a taupe/bronze color and it has just the right amount of shimmer. I've been wearing this all over the lid and blending up into the crease for a one-shadow eye makeup look. By blending it into and above the crease, I'm able to create the look of 2 shadows with just this one. It's shimmery but not too glittery, definitely subtle enough for a daytime look. These shadows are smooth and velvety and blend really well. I will definitely be looking at other shades in this formulation.

Sephora Collection Colorful Eyeshadow in Faux Fur

Nyx Butter Lip Balm in Panna Cotta. I included a few of these in my giveaway because I love them. Most of the time I can't be bothered with lip glosses and lipsticks and pencils - it's too much. Also, my lips get very dry so lipsticks aren't always the best option. I typically stick to simple chapsticks or lip balms, so this product is perfect. It adds color but it's super creamy and moisturizing like a balm. I went back to Ulta and picked up every shade I could get because I love these so much. I would recommend these to anyone!

Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss. Speaking of dry lips... this has saved mine! As you can see by the packaging, I carry this around in my handbag at all times. It's a soft and creamy butter inside the tin, and it smells amazing. The best part is that it actually works. It sinks into my lips and deeply hydrates them. I wear this all day and often swipe the Nyx butter lip balm over top for extra moisture & color. It's simple, affordable, and perfect to throw in a handbag, nightstand, desk, etc.

Bliss High Intensity Hand Cream - another handbag essential! I've almost used this tube up during November because my hands get incredibly dry. This is a quick fix - my skin absorbs this lotion immediately and it's super hydrating. It has a subtle, fresh scent but it's not overpowering or obnoxious. I keep this with me to keep my hands from drying out and cracking from cold wind, or exposure to direct heat from a fireplace or heater. It gets rid of rough patches right away and doesn't sting or burn. I love Bliss products and this does not disappoint. 

Non-Beauty Favorites:

I've been loving a new TV show this month. I don't typically tune in to CNN on a regular basis, but I've been recording this show and I'm addicted. It's called This is Life with Lisa Ling. I love Lisa Ling and the way she reports and tells stories and this show is so interesting. Unfortunately, I couldn't find this on Netflix, yet, but you can watch full episodes on CNNgo. I would definitely recommend checking it out if you're into other cultures, different ways of life, and learning about some ways other people live.

I've also been loving my Rue Violet Sleep Mask. I've always been a fan of sleep masks but this one is by far my favorite. It's super soft and lightweight, but thick enough to keep out all the light. The underside of this mask is made from terrycloth so it's comfy and soft. I have very watery eyes, especially at night, and the terrycloth absorbs the moisture so it doesn't irritate my skin. The elastic band is soft and stretchy and the patterns are really cute. The best part about these sleep masks are the price. I got mine off Easy for under $8. These are also machine washable, which is nice. A nice stocking stuffer for someone who loves their sleep or travels frequently - definitely a flying staple. 

I've been obsessed with this Starbucks Acrylic Tumbler. I drink a lot of hot tea, and in cold weather it's nice to be able to take it to-go. This tumbler is really cute, with silver beads and a pink lid. It keeps my beverages hot for hours and it's large enough to hold 16 oz. For just under $12, it's a steal, too. Great stocking stuffer or gift!

My last non-beauty favorite is actually a set - the Chronicles of Narnia Book Series and movies have kept me entertained all month. During November I read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, The Voyage of the Dawn Treader, and The Silver Chair. Unfortunately, only the first 3 have been made into movies, but I love the movies just as much as the books (for once)! The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe is the perfect winter/holiday movie. Young and old alike can enjoy this series. 

What were your November favorites? What made November memorable for you this year?