Category Archives: Favorites

Review: E.l.f. Zit Zapper

Posted on by
1

Hello Lovelies :),
I hope you’re all having a fabulous weekend! I celebrated my friend Liz’s bday this past Friday, spent yesterday recovering (fishbowl drinks…so delish, but they come with a side of regret the next day lol), and today I’m being lazy with the bf– getting ready to FINALLY watch the last episode of True Blood.
If you’ve been a reader for a while, you know I LOVE e.l.f. products, they’re amazingly affordable and some of them are really really great quality. A while back, my sister told me she’d picked up the Zit Zapper roller at Target and absolutely loved it so I thought I’d give it a try. This stuff works! If I have a pimple or zit, I just use the little roller ball after washing my face at night; when I get up the next day, my blemishes are visibly smaller and less red. I’ve also started using it under my makeup, applying it right after moisturizer for daytime treatment.
I really love the scent too, it smells kind of like minty tea to me. The e.l.f website lists Salicylic Acid, Tea Tree Oil, Witch Hazel, and Camphor as the main ingredients. I haven’t experienced any dryness or flaking from using this product, even when I’ve used it a few times a day.
This has become a staple in my kit and I carry it around with me to treat those random blemishes that show up out of nowhere in the middle of the day. At just $1 a tube at Target or on the e.l.f. website, you really can’t go wrong.

Have you tried Zit Zapper? What’s your favorite quickie blemish treatment?

<3V

Obsessed: Sofia Vergara at the 2011 Emmy’s

Posted on by
3

OHMYLORD! This Vera Wang dress is absolute perfection in every single way, I can’t get enough of the color, phenomenal fit/tailoring, and beautiful fabric. As a fashion lover, I’m giving her look a perfect 10/10. Her makeup was just bold enough without being overpowering. I’m infatuated lol. Had to share the beauty. Who was your favorite on Emmy night?

<3V

Product Rave: MUFE Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream Concealer

Posted on by
1

Perfect pink roses courtesy of my bf last weekend.

Hello Beauties,
Happy Saturday! Taking a minute this morning to post about my new concealer that has quickly reached Holy Grail product status: Makeup Forever’s Full Cover Extreme Camouflage Cream. I heard about this from Sam over at http://finallyindigo.wordpress.com/. He posted a great review and I decided to pick up a sample of the stuff at Sephora a couple of weeks ago.

Click the picture to purchase on sephora.com.

*Dramatic pause…*

My makeup life is changed forever. I have not found another concealer with the coverage and staying power that MUFE Full Cover offers. Seriously, it covers EVERYTHING. I only use the tiniest amount to cover under my eyes, around my nose, and any random spots I get. This doesn’t cry off, cake, flake, move, sweat off, sleep off, get oily, or oxidize…it stays put from 6 am when I apply it until 11 pm when I wash it off. I picked up the full size (.5 oz) at Sephora last weekend and couldn’t be happier.

MUFE Full Cover passed the sensitive skin test for me, I have not broken out because of it and it hasn’t made my skin more oily. Another plus is that it comes in 12 shades, and they flatter different undertones so you should be able to find a match. For reference, I’m a shade 4 in the concealer and a shade 20 in their Matt Velvet + foundation.

Although it’s very creamy, I find that I have to work fast with this concealer. Once it’s out of the tube, it gets drier/thicker the longer you wait; I’m sure this has to do with being long lasting/waterproof. This isn’t a deterrent for me though, because the finish is absolutely perfect. Just remember to close the tube correctly and as fast as possible.

At $30, it’s not cheap. I do think it’s worth it if you’re looking for a long lasting concealer that covers everything and stays on through anything; it also photographs beautifully. As I build a bigger kit for my freelance makeup artistry work, I plan on building up a collection of these to use on clients. Because I only need the tiniest amount, this tube should last me upwards of 4-6 months. I’ve been covering spots with it and buffing MAC’s Mineralize Skinfinish Natural over it.

Overall, MUFE’s Full Cover concealer gets an A++++ in my book. Ah-mazing. What’s your favorite full coverage concealer?

Off I go on an Ikea and British pub adventure with the bestie. Hope you’re having a fab weekend!

<3V

Purple EOTD

Posted on by
2

Hi Dolls!
I hope you’re all having a great weekend. I had a fantastic night in with my girls on Friday (nachos, margaritas, and a Friends marathon) and spent yesterday at home, being lazy. I have some really exciting news to share, but I’ll have to wait until after tomorrow night to tell you guys. Seriously, so excited :). And no, I’m not engaged/expecting lol; this is beauty related.

One of my friends has asked me to do a wedding makeup trial and if she likes it, I’ll be doing her makeup in December. Her favorite color is purple, so I’ve been playing around with different shades of it to get inspired. Here’s a look I put together yesterday:

PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket
Products Used:
-UDPP original all over the lid and long lower lashes.
-MAC Nocturnelle e/s all over the lid, just past the crease. Also blended along outer 3/4 of the lower lashes.
-Urban Decay e/s in Flash in the crease, to soften the edge of Nocturnelle. Also blended into the inner 1/4 of the lower lashes.
-Urban Decay e/s in Sin along the edge of Flash.
-Urban Decay e/s in Virgin blended along browbone and inner corner of eyes.
-MAC Sketch e/s blended into the outer v ov the upper lid and a little into the crease.
-Revlon Colorstay liquid liner along upper lashes and the pencil on waterlines.
-Neutrogena Healthy Volume mascara.

What are you up to this weekend?

<3V

Mini Zoya Haul!

Posted on by
1

Happy Friday!
I’m so ready for my weekend, this week has kicked my butt! Zoya had a promo going a few weeks ago, if you bought any item, you’d get two polishes for free. I picked up Riley, Anja, and Bela:

PhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucketPhotobucket
Riley (2 coats), Anja (2 coats), and Bela (3 coats).

Riley- Beautiful. I was in a rush, but the formula is lovely and opaque in 2 coats when you’re not balancing your laptop while you’re painting lol. This would be great any time of year, but perfect for xmas.

Anja- Vampy and sexy. This formula was the best out of the three and completely opaque in two fast coats. Cannot wait to wear this in the fall. Actually, wearing it this weekend, I literally couldn’t wait lol.

Bela- Classic and pretty. A very sheer polish, perfect for a subtle color that is decently opaque in 3 coats. Not runny and goes on like a dream. Perfect any time of year. Will be wearing this on my hands with Anja on my toes this weekend :).

Did you pick anything up during the promo?

<3V

Neutrogena Healthy Volume Mascara Review

Posted on by
4


Hi Babes!
I know, I’ve been MIA, I’m sorry :/. I go through periods of writers block and it makes me frustrated to type anything other than work documents and those are done because I HAVE to lol. I’ve been working on quite a few posts for the next few days though, here’s the first and the one I’m so very excited about!

One of my best friends, Liz, spent the weekend at my house a few weekends ago and we went out for drinks with the girls. While getting ready, I noticed her gorgeous lashes and asked what mascara she was wearing. She pulled out the Neutrogena Healthy Volume mascara and let me try it (I know, you’re not supposed to share mascaras…but I’ve known her for almost 20 years and we pretty much have the same cooties). I looooved how full and long my lashes looked after a few coats.
All of my regular readers know how devoted I am to my Covergirl Lashblast, so this is a big deal. The formula isn’t clumpy, it doesn’t have a weird smell, and it leaves my lashes really soft, even after many coats. It’s really easy to build up this mascara, so it’s great for a soft daytime look or dramatic lashes for a night out. The brush large, but it’s a pretty standard mascara brush, not a rubbery one like Lashblast’s.
Healthy Volume washes off easily and doesn’t leave smudgies, and it doesn’t irritate my eyes, even when I’ve slept in it. For about $7, it’s pretty amazing and I’d recommend it to anyone.
For extra drama, I alternate coats of Healthy Volume with coats of Lashblast and can build up really dramatic clump free lashes that look like falsies :). Check out the pictures below:

Sad, sad, naked lashes. They’re decent in length, just really light colored…you can’t even see the tips -_-.
Photobucket

One Coat:
Photobucket

Two Coats:
Photobucket

Three Coats:
Photobucket

What’s your favorite mascara?

Aaand a new beauty item! This was my bday gift from my bf last week and I’m very excited about it. I’ve been wearing Fantasy by Britney Spears for years and wanted a more grown up fragrance that isn’t too grandma or floral. This has Citrus Accord, Peony, Rose, Osmanthus Flower, Pink Pepper, Sandalwood. I smells very faintly sweet, kind of like a muskier vanilla without being vanilla. Okay, I’m awful at describing fragrances, but this one makes me feel seductive, pretty, and a little grown up.
Photobucket

<3V

UD All Nighter Setting Spray Review

Posted on by
4

Hello Beauties!
I hope you’re all having a lovely weekend :). I’m loving this summer weather; the blue skies and warm temperatures make me so happy. Honestly, I don’t even have to go anywhere, I’m perfectly content with reading a good book outside while drinking iced tea (or a margarita). The downside to all of this heat is that my makeup can go from perfect to hot mess in a minute if I don’t set it with anything.
A few months back, I bought Urban Decay’s All Nighter setting spray at Ulta for $29. While pricey, I decided to pick it up since I was going to be doing makeup for a few friends and didn’t want them to have to worry about touch-ups. I set their makeup at about 11 am and followed up at 11 pm to see how it was holding up; their makeup had not moved or faded all day. Since then, I’ve used this whenever I go out and whenever friends have asked me to doll them up.
This setting spray has not let me down at all! I’ve gone out for cocktails and dancing all night with friends, come home, and woken up with my shadow and foundation still in tact. While I don’t recommend sleeping with a full face of makeup on, it really shows this stuff’s staying power.
The only downside to All Nighter is that it doesn’t help control oil very well, but a few blotting papers in your clutch/evening bag can take care of that.

*Random beauty tip: When you don’t have blotting papers on hand, you can always blot with the matte side of a clean toilet seat cover. Not sure where I picked this up, but it works and has saved me from crazy shiny face on many occasions.

Overall, I absolutely love this product, and would recommend it to anyone. I plan on picking up the De-Slick version asap to test its oil controlling power.

Have you tried any settings sprays? Tell me about them, I’d love to try different ones :).

Have a lovely weekend and enjoy the fireworks!

<3V

June Favorites

Posted on by
4

PhotobucketThis is how the bestie and I spent last Friday night, along with watching Mermaids. Therapy at its best!

Okay. I think I have my makeup mojo back. I’m finally feeling inspired, creative, and colorful again :). I think it may have been the new lipstick I bought that kick started my brain up again lol. Here’s to new makeup and the power it can have! Check out some of my favorites from the past couple of weeks:

PhotobucketPhotobucket Crosswires lipstick from MAC. I’m CRAZY about this color right now, it’s the most perfect/flattering coral I’ve ever seen. I can dab it on for a light stain or apply it from the tube for a bold pop of wearable color. My tan younger sister tried it on and it looked great on her too. Try it the next time you’re at a MAC counter :).

Photobucket Can’t get enough Zoya polish in my life. This is the best nail polish I’ve ever used; not only are the colors beautiful, but the wear time on these babies is amazing. I’ve had the same shade of hot pink on my nails since Sunday with hardly a chip. Worth the $8 price tag.

PhotobucketPhotobucket Personal Style blush from MAC. This is from the All Ages, All Races, All Sexes collection from last year. It had been sitting in my makeup drawers for almost a year and I decided to give it a go two weeks ago. It’s a beautiful rosy brown that gives me a little bit of a flushed/tan look that glows. I’m really pale, and very happy that doesn’t get ruddy/orange on me. Perfect for contouring too. I’ve been wearing this every day.

PhotobucketSmashbox Fusion Eye & Cheek in On in 5. Awesome bronzer that looks really natural and blends like a dream. I haven’t tried it as eyeshadow yet, but I’m sure the colors would pop beautifully.

PhotobucketIvory soap. So simple, so affordable (3 bars for $1), and so effective at removing makeup without irritating my sensitive skin. It’s the only soap that removes every stitch of makeup from my face without having to scrub hard or go over it twice. Can’t see myself not using it, ever.

What are some of your favorite products right now?

<3V