How to Incorporate POPS of Color into Your Eye Look

The more that I play with makeup, the more I want to experiment with color and step out of my comfort zone. Because I would still feel a little bit weird walking out of the house with a neon color from lashline to browbone, I incorporate small, but noticeable pops of color into my look.

The first method to adding some color on your eyes is using a bright shadow or liner on your upper lashline. Before doing this, I used a matte brown shadow about a shade darker than my skin tone. For this look, I would recommend using colors that bring out your eyes. If you have brown eyes, blues and purples will to the trick. I used Stila's "Impulse" from the "In the Moment" palette which is a gorgeous light pink/purple color with a good amount of shimmer and Maybelline Color Tattoo in "Blue on Bye" which was a limited edition shade from last year, but it is a gorgeous royal blue color. This color pop also helps your eyes pop so its a win win. 

The next way to add a little burst of color is to use a lighter or brighter colored base under other shadows for a more subtle pop of color. I applied Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal in "Inked in Pink" as an eyeshadow base and put a matte cream colored shadow on the top so it wasn't and overdose of shimmer. This look is especially good for the first step of using color. 

This look is a little bit more edgy, and isn't appropriate for every outing, but it is fun and cute. This mascara is a royal blue color by Tokidoki which was purchased a while ago and is no longer available. However, you can find Rimmel's limited edition colored mascaras at Walgreens and it will give you the same effect. You can apply this on its own or over clear mascara, but I wouldn't reccomend using this over black mascara. The reasons for this are that the colors can mix and the colors wont show true against the black. 

Apologies for not posting for a while. I'll make it up to you, I promise! More exciting posts to come! xx

Bath Time!

Although I don't have much time to relax, I decided to unwind today with a calming bubble bath. Here's a few of my bath time essentials. 

First, to set the ambiance and create a sweet aroma.

Cotton Candy Soy Candle

This cotton candy soy candle that I found at  Target for around $10. This has a really light, but sweet fragrance that sends a hint of sugar into your nose. 

Next, to make the bubbles.

Philosophy Orange Pineapple Smoothie

This sweet and tangy citrus smelling shampoo, shower gel, and bubble bath, is perfect for the bath. It cleanses your body and creates a frothy layer of bubbles on the surface of the water.

This is actually discontinued but there are so many other Philosophy washes to choose from.
Sephora

To wash my face... 
I first mix the two cleansers on the Clarisonic and scrub them on my face for a full cycle. I leave this on for about three minutes and then rinse it off. 
I then rub the masque on my face and leave it on for the remainder of the bath.

Clarisonic PLUS
$225 - Clarisonic
This deep cleansing scrub brush cleans deep inside of your pores and gets ALL the dirt an oil out. This is also feels so relaxing on your skin. 

Dermalogica Clean Start Wash Off
This facial wash is very potent and works especially well for younger skin. This takes away so much oil from your face you can feel the difference after just one wash.

Dermalogica recently revamped the line and is now called "Clear Start" the equivalent to the product is the "Foaming Wash".
$19 - Dermalogica

Dermalogica Medibac Clearing Skin Wash
$35 - Dermalogica
This wash is better for more mature skin than the previous. It contains two types of acids to clear breakouts and kill bacteria that may be lingering on the skin. This helps to stop breakouts before they start.

Dermalogica Medibac Sebum Clearing Masque
$45 - Dermalogica
This clay mask detoxifies skin and has the most amazing cooling affect. My skin feels fresh, clean, and cool while wearing this. 

To treat the hair...

Once my hair is shampooed, I run this through my hair, excluding the roots, and put my hair up into a top knot. I leave this until the very end of my bath and then rinse it out. 

Organix Ever Straight Brazilian Keratin Therapy Hydrating Keratin Masque
$7.99 - Ulta
This masque hydrates and replenishes damaged hair and smells like coconuts. This also helps to reduce frizz, makes hair sleeker, and less puffy. 

To get out and dry off...

After relaxing with a good book, I got out of the bath to prevent turning into a human prune. I quickly dried off with a towel then put on this cute yellow bathrobe.  

Juicy Couture Velour Robe
Juicy Couture
I got this robe on super sale at the Juicy Couture outlet I think i paid somewhere between $30 and $40 for it which is a great price. This robe is soft and I know it will last me a long time.

August Favorites!

 September has finally rolled around (ugh) and it's time to tell you all the things I've been loving for the month of August.  

#1: Bath and Body Works - Sea Island Cotton Fragrance Mist 

$6 - Bath and Body Works

Reccomended to me by a friend about a year ago, I've had this for a while. This is the best summer fragrance, but its honestly acceptable for all times of year. This scent is so fresh and clean smelling with the perfect hint of sweet. Starting the summer off with an almost full bottle, its now pretty much... empty. 

 #2: Covergirl - Jumbo Gloss Balm in 215 Watermelon Twist

$6.94 - Walmart

This sheer tinted lip balm is the perfect summer color and its not an overwhelming pink. This is definitely buildable. This is so moisturizing and looks great on its own or with a similar colored gloss over it. This has been my go to color all summer especially because it is so moisturizing and glossy, but its also one of my favorite colors. 

#3: Yes to Grapefruit Correct & Repair Dark Circle Correcting Eye Cream
$15.99 - Yes To 
As I had never been a user of an eye cream before, I was very interested in trying one out. While browsing around at Ulta at the end of July, this one caught my eye with its cute summery packaging. When using this, you have to be pretty consistent using it, or you wont get the full effect. If you use this two times a day as instructed, you will see results in a week. This also helps to get rid of those little crows feet on the side of your eyes. This also smells so amazing, like a sweet, tangy citrus. Your complexion will be perfection.

#4: Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder in Translucent
$3.97 - Walmart
This powder is exactly what you need for a quick fix on those oily summer days. This translucent powder is great for pressing into pores and absorbing oil. I don't know about anyone else, but my skin is a mess in the summer. When it was impossible to wash my face in the middle of the day, I pulled this out and it made the world of a difference. This powder is also really good for setting foundation or concealer so your makeup isn't dripping off of your face, but it doesn't give you a cake face. 

#5: Sun Bum SPF 30 Coconut Lip Balm 
$3.99 - Sun Bum
I'm one of those people who can't stand the taste of sunscreen, especially if its in my lip balm. Since the sun shows no mercy, you're still going to have to wear sunscreen if you're out in the heat, even on your lips. This lip balm, although having a high SPF, doesn't taste the least bit like sunscreen, only a sweet, tropical coconut. Don't forget the fact that its incredibly moisturizing, and fixes dry lips in a pinch. 

#6: Real Techniques Expert Face Brush
$8.44 - Target
A brush like I've never seen before, I am totally obsessed with this. The bristles are so soft, but the brush is very densely packed. This is perfect for applying foundation, blending in concealer, or dusting and pressing in powder. This brush does it all. 

Drugstore Pick 3 & Reviews: August

I thought it would be nice to try out a fun little series on my blog, and what's more fun than makeup shopping? For this post, I went to the drugstore, not knowing exactly what to get, picked up three products and reviewed them. I'm thinking of doing these once a month. 

Rimmel- Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Lipstick in #11
$5.49 - CVS
✰✰✰

I've recently been looking at the Kate Moss lipsticks for a while, never being able  to find a color I particularly liked. When I saw this color at a quick run to the drugstore a few days ago, I was very drawn to it.

When looking at the actual lipstick, it looks like a dark red/ burgundy color which I really enjoy for the fall season. When swatted, it remains pretty true to the actual color. The color in the picture is a little off (It's actually much darker). The finish is shiny and glossy and the lipstick glides on very smoothly. The color is pretty buildable; when worn over a balm, it comes out pretty sheer but with enough swipes of this, you can get a really dark and pretty burgundy color. Its also pretty moisturizing, but I would still recommend wearing a bit of lip balm underneath it so your lips don't dry out.

One more thing... as soon as I opened this I noticed that this lipstick had a particular scent, which smells pretty strongly like artificial berries and a little bit like medicine, which is gross. The smell ruined a great possible product for me. Because of this, I will not use this lipstick. I'm not sure I can get past this. By the way, I asked other people to smell it, so its not just me.

Besides the smell, this is a pretty good product. I would definitely recommend smelling it in the store before spending your money on this.

Hi again! I'm trying this lipstick on the next day, and it doesn't smell bad once you put it on. Still berry sweet, but no medicine. I'm raising it to three stars because it really is a gorgeous cool toned red velvet color. Another downside to this is that is gets everywhere! It some how managed to make its way onto my hands and computer screen. I probably will end up giving this another shot.
~xo   

NYC- Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny
$2.79 - CVS
✰✰✰✰
I had been looking for a good bronzer for a contour and decided on this one after my last drugstore bronzer which was a huge failure. I had heard many good things about this bronzer prior to buying it today.

This bronzer is completely matte and is amazing to contour. When I first opened, looked, and swatched it I was really upset because I thought it would be too light on my olivey skin tone. When I attempted to swatch this on my hand, it blended right in to my skin, hence the lack of swatch. When I took my brush and contoured my face with this, it was subtle, but looked amazing! I am so impressed with this. This bronzer would work for olive skin and anything lighter. You can use this as an allover tan or as a contour. Especially for the fall time, I tend to shy away from shimmer on the face and go for a more matte look, so this is great for that. 

This is a great product for the fall time, or any time you need a little bronzing. I will get a lot of use out of this product for sure, and the price is great. 

Physician's Formula Organic Wear Fake Out Mascara
$8.79 - Target
✰✰✰✰
One of the reasons I picked up this product was because Physician's Formula is not normally a brand that I search if I'm popping into the drugstore. The other is that there was a great deal on it. If you happen to be at CVS, all Physician's Formula is buy $10 and get $6 extrabucks. You're welcome ;) This product is a bit more on the expensive side, which is why I was never really looking to get it but since I was getting something out of it, I thought, "Why not?" 

This mascara is organic as it says in the name. It helps if you have easily irritated eyes or skin. This mascara will probably be my go to during Spring allergy season. This mascara is  worked really well from the first application. It lengthened and curled my lashes adding volume and definition. i had to comb them out a little, but that didn't bother me too much. I think this mascara would be great for layering with others because it doesn't make your lashes crispy and hard. 

Overall, I really like this product because it applies beautifully and gives my lashes an amazing affect and doesn't make them clumpy. 

Eyes of the Day

Although I have nowhere to be, I decided to do a more personal post today. Naturally, I decided to play with my makeup. 

This look is very wearable and a tiny step away from my usual neutrals but still very subtle and pretty. 

Concealer: Maybelline Fit Me 

Base: Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal 24HR in Inked in Pink 

Lid: Urban Decay in Walk of Shame 

Crease: Stila in Sunset and Coastal Scents in Spiceberry 

Highlights: Urban Decay in Venus

Mascara: Mally Volumizing and Covergirl Clump Crusher 

Drugstore Dupe: Stila Smudge Pot & Maybelline Color Tattoo

When shopping for makeup, some people think, "The more expensive, the better it is, right?" 

Not necessarily! Despite what people may believe, you can find some real gems at the drugstore. 

        Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten & Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Beige                                                    

$20 - Stila                                 $5.94 - Target

Let's take a closer look at these two  cream eyeshadows. The packaging is the same, with different labels, placed in thick glass jars with black lids. They have the same amount of product in each jar (.14 oz/ 4g). Both are also made in the USA. When touched and swatched, both have a creamy, easy glide on formulation. The Stila Smudge Pot feels more densely packed and the Maybelline color tattoo, more plush. 

When swatched, the two look very similar. The Maybelline Color Tattoo is more glowy and shiny, but the Stila smudge pot is more sparkly. Because of the slightly different formulation, the Maybelline Color Tattoo applies a little thicker. I left the swatches on my hand for the rest of the day, and they have the exact same staying power.

The Maybelline Color Tattoo in Barely Beige is a great dupe for the Stila Smudge Pot in Kitten. The packaging, color, and formulation are very similar, and is almost as good of quality.

Disclaimer: These are in fact my pictures, I recently changed the name of my blog.

Luxury Fashion Brands take their turn in the Beauty World

Many popular and luxurious fashion labels have decided to take a few steps down a different path than usual. Brands such as Michael Kors and Marc Jacobs have recently launched their very own makeup lines.

Marc Jacobs

Image Courtesy Marc Jacobs Instagram

Sold at Sephora, this line is exactly what you would call luxurious. With a price range from $18 to $78, these cosmetics aren't exactly affordable. Considering the prices, these makeup items are extremely good quality, and in this situation, you get what you're paying for. This line is reviewed very highly and is not all hype. There are many products in this line including nail polish, eyeshadow palettes, blush, lip lacquer, brushes, and foundation. The packaging is a very modern, ovular, and super chic, adding to the expensive feel of the line.
Pictured: Style Eye-Con No. 7 Plush Shadow in "The Starlet", Genius Super Charged Gel Foundation, Lust for Lacquer Lip Vinyl- Full, Lash Lifter Gel Volume, Remedy Concealer Pen 
$18-$78 - Sephora

Michael Kors

Image Credit Allure
This beauty line, although much smaller, is just as expensive and high end as the prior. Macy's has been carrying this exclusive line since the middle of this summer. I haven't actually heard much about it, or any reviews, but I'm sure people will come across it while browsing the popular department store. After collaborating with Estée Lauder in the past, Kors decided to branch off and create a small line of its own.
Pictured: Bronze Powder, Nail Lacquer, Lip Lacquer, and Lip Luster
$18-$50 - Macy's


Tory Burch

Image Credit WWD

Very recently, Tory Burch has announced that the launch of her new makeup line is coming soon. Not releasing many pictures, the designer gave people an idea, but they are going to have to keep guessing until a later date.... September 26 to be exact. Burch is keeping her classy approach with gold packaging, but adding orange and a modern geometric design. Along with the makeup, a new fragrance and bath and body line are coming along. Her line is very family oriented, being inspired by both of her parents. The fragrance will be exclusive to places such as Bloomingdale's, Holt Renfrew, Tory Burch stores, and of course on her website. 

Coming September 26 - Tory Burch