This is kind of a double post, a Friday Favorite and a Budget Beauty. I did not like the original Maybelline Dream BB but once I saw they had a bronze one, I had to try it out of curiosity.

The first thing I thought of was, oh could this be a dupe for Stila's Bronze Beauty Balm (which I love but it's $32)? Well so far I wouldn't say it's an exact dupe but maybe the darker shade would be. I really like this so far. It's the perfect amount of glow for a quick makeup look during the week or just a touch of sun for a laid back weekend.

I would say this has very sheer coverage. It adds more of a veil of warmth to the skin. I think this would be nice in the Winter too for some life during those pale sunless days. It is available in two shades, Light/Medium and Medium/Dark. I chose the Light/Medium shade. I think the Medium/Dark would be nice to use to warm up a lighter foundation in the Summer so I might try that out.

Left: Sunset   Right: Hermosa

I am excited to announce that Younique will be releasing 5 new products in the next few months! The products include lip stains, cream eyeshadows, makeup remover wipes, blending buds, and bronzers!

The one that I am super excited about it is their Beachfront Bronzers! It's a baked mineral bronzer that will pump up your look this Spring and Summer. Who doesn't want a fresh just off the beach glow everyday? With three shades to choose from you are bound to find the perfect one.

I will keep you all posted with links as each product becomes available and when I get my hands on them too! Interested in hosting your own online Younique party or purchasing Younique products in the meantime? Go here!

Fall has come ladies and gents. This brand new palette from Smashbox has you covered all season with it's rich cherry hues and neutrals. Each shade is buttery smooth and the pigments are perfect. I love a good reddish eyeshadow and this palette just needed a place in my collection. I can see myself using this daily. With it's mix of matte and shimmer you have all the textures you will ever need plus three nice highlighting shades and two deep smokes. Retailing at $39 it's affordable and gorgeous.

swatched with no primer

Stila has always been a favorite brand of mine from their amazing liquid liner pens to their bb creams. I have recently fell in love with their bronzing BB cream. It is an easy way to add glow (no shimmer) and warmth during your quick morning routine.

I really love how it treats my skin and find that it does help improve my skin's condition over time. It is pricey at $38 dollars but you only need the smallest amount of product at a time. This week I've been mixing it with my morning moisturizer and then going on my glowy way.

a little inspiration for your Friday! xoxo

I have all three and use them all the time. I don't find they are too sparkly or settle into lines. The Illuminating and Bronzing shades are definitely the most sparkly of the three but I don't think it's over the top. Although I think that if you tend to stay away from glitter they might not float your boat. These are finely milled and are dispensed from the compact with a shaving contraption. By spinning the circle of powder you dispense your desired amount. I like that you have control over the amount you use and it seems more hygienic that way.

The powders are complete with jojoba oils and Vitamin E to moisturize and care for your skin while keeping it feeling and looking luxe.

correcting, bronzing, illuminating (not fully blended; natural sunlight)

The brand Too Faced is starting to phase out their old packaging some a slimmer, more travel friendly version. It is an aluminum container and I think it is the perfect size complete with a magnetic closure. They have been releasing all of their new palettes in this form but now they are starting to re-release original versions which is so exciting! I have been talking myself out of some of their original palettes because of the packaging.

So here is their first re-release, the Natural Eye Neutral Palette.




This palette is so great for creating day to night looks and I have been especially loving it this week for a daytime smokey eye. The colors are so rich and buttery soft like you would expect from Too Faced.



The Shades:
Heaven - matte ivory cream
Cashmere Bunny - matte milk chocolate with an extra dash of milk
Sexpresso - matte dark chocolate
Silk Teddy - golden shimmery pink
Push-up - medium rose gold shimmer
Erotica - cool toned deep brown with golden glitter specks
Nudie - matte taupe
Honey Pot - coppery gold shimmer
Chocolate Martini - deep warm toned espresso with golden glitter specks

shades used: heaven, cashmere bunny, and erotica