xoxo

New to makeup or just looking for a great staple palette, you should definitely check out Becca's Ombre Nudes Palette. It's the perfect neutral brown collection of five matte shades. Each color is matte but definitely not flat. They have dimension and I can see these layering to perfection. Go from clean to smokey chocolate in seconds. It retails for $40 but beginning on November 6th Sephora is having a VIB Rouge and VIB member 20% off sale. If you are thinking of picking it up I would definitely snag it during that sale. Use code GIFTROUGE if you are Rouge member and use code GIFTVIB if you are VIB member.

Find it here!

xoxo

I feel like the pictures pretty much speak for themselves, this is a perfect palette! There is literally every color included here plus both matte and shimmer textures. The size is portable and slim. It's not heavy and bulky. Every single shadow is richly pigmented and buttery smooth. Lorac has included 32 eyeshadows here that are pretty much all brand new. Meaning, this is different than the previous pro palettes, 1 & 2. I have all three palettes and I don't regret having them all whats so ever. I feel like all three could be perfect companions when traveling or when I need to bring a variety of shades with me but don't know what I will need ahead of time. Simply perfect, there are not other words! Lorac, you have outdone yourself! 

This is currently sold out on their website and on amazon. I would definitely check ebay.com if you are still interested. Here is the link to Lorac's website though if you want to check out their other products or check back for a restock. I do not know if they will be restocking or not. 

www.loraccosmetics.com

xoxo

The perfect last minute costume! 

I love this one because it's simple but still a powerful statement. 

We can do it!

xoxo

Mac always has a great collection during the holiday season and it is definitely one of the brands I look forward to checking out this time of year. Although the last couple years their pigmentation in limited edition palettes has been below average some of them are still worth checking out. 

This year, like every year, I purchased their smoky eye holiday palette. I am always drawn to those types of colors and I know it is something I will use on a regular basis. This year's palette is a nice collection of 8 colors that include both matte and shimmer. It also includes their permanent shadow in Satin Taupe which is one of my all time favorite eyeshadows.

The pigmentation of this wasn't fantastic, I wanted a little bit more but when i applied it to my eyes with my brushes it applied much better than I thought and looked a lot better than it did when I swatched the colors below with my finger. So definitely keep that in mind. I would also suggest going to your local Mac store or counter to check these out in person. 

Find the palette here!

The Shades:

Fancy Dress - matte white beige 

Kid - soft beige

Honey Lust - coppery shimmer with golden sparkles

Satin Taupe - taupe with a silver shimmer

Forgery - white sparkle

Divine Rule - frosted grey mauve

Noble Spirit - matte warm black brown

Carbon - matte black

xoxo

Mac has just started releasing their holiday 2014 collection and some of the pieces look pretty awesome. I purchased two products so far, this Modern Majesty pigment is one of them and I'm so happy I got my hands on it. The one thing I will say that disappointed me is that the permanent pressed pigments are much larger and this is regular eyeshadow size for the same price. But, pressed pigments do last a long time so I still think it's worth it since it is limited edition. 

Anyway, the color is a beautiful kind of duo chrome burgundy plum but when watched it turns kind of reddish brown. I really love the tones this has and it's really elegant. This is also a really gorgeous color for fall. 

xoxo

Products Used:

face moisturizer of your choice

Perricone MD No Foundation Foundation - here

Tarte BB Tinted Treatment - here

bareminerals original powder foundation - here

Josie Maran Argan Illuminizer - here

Mac Paint Pot - Layin' Low here

Mac Pressed Pigment - LE

Saucebox Cosmetics Etude Palette - here

Too Faced Natural at Night Palette - here

Josie Maran Watercolor Eye - Rio De Rose Gold here

Mac Pigment - Tan here

Covergirl Clean Glow Bronzer - The Spices here

Mac Eyeshadow (used for brows) - Soba here

Ardell Accent Lashes - 301 here

Younique 3D Fiber Mascara - here

Urban Decay Eyeliner - Venus here

Gerard Cosmetics Lipstick - 1995 here

Mac Lip Liner - Plum here

xoxo

Becca has really created a fantastic product here with their blush in Wild Honey. Spear describes the shade as a peachy nude and I would say that is pretty accurate. It is perfect for adding warmth and a glow to my skin without needing a bronzer. This is great for all year long, in the Summer when you want that sun kissed look and then even in the winter when you need some color put back into your skin. It is definitely a "wake me up" kind of product. I feel like it adds life to my look and I don't see myself ever being without this. It would also say it's like a super pigmented Kat Von D blush in the shade Wish. The two are kind of similar but Kat's blush is much more subtle and less red. They both give me the same effect I've been looking for, a nude glow. 

Find Wild Honey here!

I have been really into dry shampoo for probably the last year or so. It is a lifesaver when you, on -want to keep your color looking fresh but also two - need your hair to get through another day without washing it. 

I don't think you need to spend $20 on a dry shampoo, it just seems like a waste to me. I have been trying drugstore versions and looking for a good quality bargain product. Herbal Essences has a couple different versions out now to go along with their variety of hair care lines. I tried the pink one for color treated hair and thought it was pretty good! Then I saw this naked version and was intrigued. 

Well I'm not impressed. It just didn't wow me and I didn't feel like it made my hair feel any cleaner cleaner. I will not be repurchasing. I would possibly repurchase the color treated one but really the best "dry shampoo" I've come across is baby powder. It's cheap, smells nice, and absorbs all of your excess oil. I like to apply it at night before bed and in the morning my hair feels fresh. 

Here is a link to the Herbal Essences Color Me Happy dry shampoo.

xoxo

I know I have talked about these products many times before but in case you haven't heard these are my smooth lip must haves! Both are a need during the Fall and Winter months when I love to wear lipstick more often and my lips are dryer than normal. 

Find the Bite Agave Lip Mask here and Lush's Popcorn Lip Scrub here.

xoxo

xoxo

I love a good mud mask. It's refreshing and who doesn't want to pamper themselves every once in a while? I have a few sample packets of Glam Glow products and decided to try the SUPERMUD Clearing Treatment first since everyone is crazy about it. Here are my thoughts...

It smells kind of like black licorice so that wasn't really appealing to me. But, I will let that slide because after removing the mask with some warm water my face was completely blackhead free! It was amazing. I've tried a bunch of other masks from Boscia to Freeman and this was the only one that truly cleared my nose. 

I decided to leave the mask on for about 20 minutes. It says you can leave it on for 5, 10, 15, or 20 plus it can be used all over or as a spot treatment. I used it all over to really see how it worked. There was no intense burning or heat which was nice. It did tingle but it was nothing I couldn't handle for 20 minutes. The mask dried super stiff but as soon as I started splashing my face with water it started to disinigrate and wash away. 

After washing off the mask completely and pat drying my face, my skin started to feel a little dry and tight. I recommend that if you have dry skin to apply your favorite moisturizer afterwords and not to use this more than once a week. I personally don't even think I would use it more than once a month. It's that good. I do still need to see how long the results last but so far I am pleased. 

The only real downside to this product is the price. It's $69 for 1.2 ounces. You only need to apply a thin layer and the small sample packet I had covered my entire face. I can see something like this lasting me a long time since I wouldn't use it every week. They have a set for the holidays at Sephora that I might try because it includes the small size of this clearing treatment, the exfoliating mask, and then a full size moisture mask which I've also heard amazing things about. That set is also $69 so I feel like it's a real steal. Find the mask here and set here.

xoxo

This week's Mani Monday is a rich one. Essie's new nail lacquer in "Partner in Crime" is the perfect vampy Fall polish. It's a deep rich chocolate brown with a high shine finish. 

I love how shiny it is, resembling patent leather. I used my Sephora Formula X nail cleanser, base coat, and top coat. So far it's been a week without any chipping. This is the perfect shade if you want to add a touch of the trending 90's grunge look to your everyday beauty routine. Find it here. Find the Sephora Formula X system here.

xoxo

If you haven't heard of Makeup Geek Cosmetics then you are really missing out on a fantastic affordable brand. She has made professional performing cosmetics available to everyone, even those on a budget. These loose pigments are just a sample of her huge product list that includes eyeshadows, gel eyeliners, blushes, and she is currently working on a lipstick line as well. I know I will definitely be purchasing more colors in the future. These are so pigmented it's crazy. 

Loose pigments are a great way to add rich colors to your eyes, lips, or even to use a highlight on the cheek bones. The uses really are endless. The three colors below are Liquid Gold, Birthday Wish, and Insomnia. Liquid Gold is a rich tarnished metallic pure gold. Birthday Wish I would describe as a pink rose gold. Finally, Insomnia is a duo chrome blue brown burgundy. Insomnia is a perfect dupe for Mac's Blue Brown Pigment at a fraction of the cost. 

Each pigment retails for $6.99 compared to Mac's pigments that retail for $21 a pop. These are a steal and will last forever! You only need the tiniest amount to reach the pigmentation shown below. 

Find them here.

The black lip. A uniquely classic and striking look that for some can seem hard to pull off. But with the right products and a mysterious attitude, anyone can rock it! Here is a collection of my favorites and some top selling black lip products.

Lipstick Queen - Black Tie Optional Gloss

The perfect black gloss smooth and slippery but also a little sticky. This is perfect for the beginner looking to expand their horizons. Find it here.

Lipstick Queen - Black Tie Optional Sheer Lipstick

The black stocking for your lips. I love this for a seductive day to night black lip. Another great product for the beginner. It deepens and neutralizes your natural lip color with its sheer black veil of color. 

Mac Mattene Lipstick - Midnight Media

A limited edition matte shade perfect for a long lasting midnight pout. It's complete with an eggplant undertone. 

Mac Cremesheen Lipstick - Black Knight

Limited edition but not limited on its beautiful black pigment, it's a super black creamy lipstick with an added shiny finish.

Mac Glimmerglass - Blackware

The perfect black lipgloss. Sheer but can be built up to a certain point. I love the slippery texture.

Rimmel London Stay Glossy Lip Gloss - Black Diva

A perfect drugstore addition to your night loving collection. It's sheer but adds the perfect patent leather shine to your favorite black lipstick. Find it here.

Wet N Wild Lipstick - Pagan Angel

The cheaper option for those wanting to test out the full black lip look. Find it here.

NYX Retractable Lip Liner - Black Lips

The perfect black lip liner to use with any of these products or to pare with the perfect red lip. A drugstore option with a high end feel. 

Lime Crime Velvetines - Black Velvet

A no going back option! This is the deepest, richest, mattest black you can get. It's a liquid lipstick formula but dries to a velvet matte finish in minutes. Find it here.

Lime Crime Lipstick - Styletto

A basic black lipstick with slight shine. Not heavy but still opaque in their classic purple packaging. Find it here.

OCC Lip Tar - Tarred

True black liquid lipstick formula that dries matte. A little goes a long way with this. You can also use this to darken any of your favorite lip colors. Find it here.

OCC Tarred & Feathered Lip Balm Duo

Probably one of my favorite lip products I own. It's a duo with both a black and a white balm which can be used individually or mixed to make a grey lip but also meant to darken or brighten/lighten your favorite lip colors. Find it here.

Make Up For Ever Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick - 50 Satin Black

The makeup artist's black lipstick. It's a satin opaque texture that has staying power. A classic. Find it here.

Urban Decay Lipstick - Oil Slick

A sadly discontinued product but I had to mention it. It's a sheer glittering charcoal grey. Not black but another great option for the beginner or a daytime look. It leaves a beautiful effect on the lips.

xoxo

If you are on the lookout for an affordable palette with super pigmented shadows, look no further than Tarte's Bambeautiful Amazonian Clay Eyeshadow Palette. I purchased mine from Sephora for $18 but I think they are sold out again. You could definitely checkout ebay or amazon though. 

I love every color in this palette. It's the perfect everyday neutral quad complete with a highlight shade, two blending colors, and a darker matte perfect for crease and for eyeliner. The quad is neutral but I get a feeling of a burgundy undertone throughout (minus the Ivory color). I think that is what really drew me to this, the cool plum like tones. It's perfect for blue and green eyed beauties! 

The Shades:

Shimmering Buff - soft shimmering ivory

Shimmering Sable - shimmering taupe

Shimmering Cocoa - shimmering bronzy taupe

Matte Coffee Bean - matte chocolate brown with a slight hint of red