Monthly Favorites for September 2015

Monthly Favorites September 2015

It is time for my Monthly Favorites post for September.  I don’t know what it is, but I really love Favorites posts.  For anyone new to the blog, Monthly Favorites are those products that particularly stood out to me, and ones that I reached for over and over throughout the month.  I’ve been drawn to deep berry and gold shades all month long, and I’ve been trying to mix in some of my older products as well as trying new ones.  Lucky for me, September didn’t have any fails, so I am going to get right into my favorites.

Too Faced Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer

I’ve been trying a new primer in September, and my choice was the Too Faced Primed & Poreless Skin Smoothing Face Primer.  My favorite primer is still the Smashbox Photofinish, but I have been enjoying Primed & Poreless.  It makes my skin feel so smooth, and foundation lays very evenly over it.  It doesn’t fill in my pores as well as Smashbox Photofinish, but I like the way my makeup looks over Primed & Poreless.  It’s a good option.

Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Foundation

The foundation that I have been reaching for has been the new Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Foundation.  I don’t think that the skin bettering ingredients are enough to really make a difference in skin quality, but I like the formula of the foundation and they way it makes my skin look.  It has a light-weight formula that blends easily over the skin.  It builds to medium coverage that looks natural and healthy.  I don’t think that it would do a great job controlling oil, but it feels great on normal-dry skin.  I wouldn’t count on it for real anti-aging or skin improvement, but it has SPF 15 and is a good drugstore foundation.  Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Foundation comes in 12 shades.

Coastal Scents Forever Blush in Poetic

My go-to blush for September has been Coastal Scents Forever Blush in Poetic.  Poetic is a warm, nude peach with a satin finish that looks good for any occasion.  I have raved about the Forever Blush formula before, so I won’t go into too much detail.  It applies smoothly, and the blushes have great pigmentation and staying power. You can read my full review to see swatches and get more details on the Forever Blushes.  Poetic is such a universally flattering shade, that I strongly recommend it.

Lorac Pro Palette 2

I pulled out my Lorac Pro Pelette 2 during September and it was hard for me to want to use anything else.  For me, the Lorac Pro 2 has such a perfect mix of shades that I can easily come up with dozens of looks that are beautiful and distinct without having to think too much about it.  I love that, unlike the Naked palettes, there are plenty of matte shades as well as the shimmers for looks that have more complexity and that wear better on aging eyes.  The neutral everyday shades are appropriate for any situation, and the few colorful shades add some whimsy and set the Lorac Pro 2 apart from most other neutral palettes.  The mix of warm and cool tones makes the palette universally flattering and a good choice for anyone.  All the shades have great pigmentation and blend very well with each other without getting muddy.  I personally don’t need primer when I use LORAC shadows to get crease-free wear that lasts all day.  I can not recommend this palette enough, and it is one of my all-time favorite palettes. Feel free to read my full review of the Lorac Pro 2 for swatches.

Sleek Blush by 3 in Sugar

When I wasn’t wearing Lorac Pro 2, I pulled out the Sleek Blush by 3 in Sugar and used that middle shade, Muscovado, for a golden berry eye look.  You guys, this shade!  It is amazing on the eyes.  Don’t get me wrong, I like wearing the three blushes in the Sugar palette in the Fall.  They are beautiful, extremely pigmented and long-wearing.  But using Muscovado as an eyeshadow was a stroke of brilliance.  I can’t get enough of the gorgeous rich berry shade with that lovely golden sheen.  It makes me so happy.

L’Oreal Glossy Balm Crayon in Petite Plum

My final favorite of September is the L’Oreal Glossy Balm Crayon in Petite Plum.  The Glossy Balms are really comfortable on the lips.  They glide on as smooth as silk, and leave lips feeling hydrated.  They are definitely more moisturizing and have more slip than the Revlon Balm Stains.  They feel more like the Maybelline Color Whispers on the lips, but even more hydrating than those.  They really do feel like lip balm, so much so that I forget that I’m wearing lip color.  Petite Plum is a brown based plum shade with a lot of pigmentation.  It’s a great lip color for Fall.

That is all for my September Favorites.  I hope you saw something that you might want to check out for yourself.  There were several oldies but goodies mixed in with the new.  If you have used any of these products, I’d love to know what you thought of them in the comments below.  I am so excited that October is here.  I will be celebrating my 10th wedding anniversary!  I have so many fun things planned and at the end of the month I will be at Walt Disney World for 10 days.  It is going to be a wonderful month and I can not wait for the adventure to begin.

Monthly Favorites and Fails for August 2015

August Favorites

Hey everyone, I am back.  Last week kind of got away from me, so consequently I wasn’t able to post at all.  You know how it is sometimes.  Thanks for your patience.  But now I am here with my Monthly Favorites and Fails for August.  (How is it September already?  Good Lord, time is flying by!)  Late Summer is when I embrace my inner golden goddess and go for looks that lean heavily toward orange, gold, and bronze shades.  I am usually not a huge fan of highlighters, but this is the time of year when I give in to illumination and get all glowy.  So, let’s take a look at my August favorites.

Too Faced Born This Way Foundation

My first favorite is actually one that I don’t have to photograph.  This is the Too Faced Born This Way Foundation.  I got a couple of samples from Sephora and I have been using them up throughout the month.  I have heard a lot of good things about this foundation on Youtube, and I think it lives up to the hype.  I have really enjoyed the two samples that I received.  Born This Way has a lightweight, skin-like feel.  t feels like you aren’t wearing anything.  It builds to medium coverage, enough to hide my rosacea redness.  I am not one who usually buys higher end foundations because I think that there are several really good ones in the drugstore.  But, if you don’t mind shelling out the extra dollars, Born This Way is a very good option.

e.l.f. Studio Contour Palette

I have really been enjoying the e.l.f. Studio Contour Palette.  I have a full review coming for this product, so stay tuned for swatches and more details.  There is a good collection of shades in this palette that make it quite useful.  I like that the highlight shade is subtle and that there are both warm and cool shades.  When I purchased the palette online, I was initially concerned that the contour shade might be too dark, but it is much lighter than I thought that it would be, and a great shade for me.  I definitely think that the palette is worth picking up.

Sephora Collection MicroSmooth Baked Blush Duo in Tangerine Tease

My absolute favorite product of the month has been my Sephora Collection MicroSmooth Baked Blush Duo in Tangerine Tease.  OMG you guys, this is so gorgeous!  I picked up this blush for my birthday and have been loving it ever since.  I promised KK that I would review the two MicroSmooth Baked Blush Duos that I purchased, so a full review and swatches are on the way, but in the meantime I am just going to gush about how beautiful Tangerine Tease is.  It is just so glowy!  Tangerine Tease is this fiery orange unicorn kiss of illuminated loveliness.  (I know, I know- words, I haz them.)  But seriously, the first time I wore Tangerine Tease I could not stop looking at my face.  It is pure gorgeousness.  I will try to get the review up soon so that you can see swatches.

Sleek Eye & Cheek Palette in Dancing Til Dusk

In my June favorites I mentioned the Sleek Eye & Cheek Palette in A Midsummer’s Dream, and for August I have been reaching for Dancing Til Dusk.  These Sleek Eye & Cheek Palettes are really nice.  I have a haul post featuring swatches of the new Sleek Eye & Cheek Palettes.  Be sure to check it out to see how the shades swatch for the three Sleek Eye & Cheek Palette that I purchased.  Dancing Til Dusk has been exactly what I have been wanting to compliment my fiery Tangerine Tease cheeks.  It is a generally neutral palette, but that burnt coral blush makes a fantastic eye shadow shade up pump up an otherwise neutral eye look.  I think Sleek is under-appreciated here in the States.  Shipping is not that bad, and Sleek offers free shipping to the US (with a min. purchase) several times a year.  If you get a chance, you should definitely explore what Sleek has too offer.

Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

I am still loving Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara, and am on my second tube.  In a row.  That says a lot about how good it is.  Long fluttery lashes with no clumps is my preferred look, and Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara gives me what I need.  I have no issues with flaking or smudging.  Everyone has different needs and preferences with mascara, but I think it’s a great formula for me.  Maybelline has become my favorite drugstore brand for mascara, and Lash Sensational is a winner.

Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in Honey

And my final Favorite for August is Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatment in Honey.  You all know by now how much I love Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatments.  They are one of my favorite lip products on the market, and the only complaint I have for them is their ridiculous price.  This mini of Honey came in a holiday set.  It is a sheer warm nude, the perfect shade to accompany my golden/bronze looks throughout the month.  The formula is wonderfully moisturizing and truly lovely.  Be sure to keep an eye out for any value sets Fresh may be releasing for the upcoming Holiday season, because these Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatments are totally worth it.

That does it for my favorites, now onto this month’s Fails.  Always keep in mind that my reviews are based on my specific experience with these products, and good or bad, you may have different results.  So, just because I give a product a bad review, it doesn’t necessarily mean that it is a bad product.  It just means that it did not work for me.

Stila Perfectly Poreless Putty Perfector

The biggest disappointment of the month was the new Stila Perfectly Poreless Putty Perfector.  I wanted to like this product so much, but it was an utter fail for me.  The Putty Perfector is part of the new Fall 2015 collection from Stila, and it is a hybrid skin perfector that’s a traditional pressed powder and a cream foundation.  It’s a very unique product, which is why I had to try it.  Here is the blurb from Sephora: “Stila’s Perfectly Poreless Putty Perfector offers the best of a traditional pressed powder and a cream foundation in one. This weightless, invisible formula features natural-looking coverage while it smoothes the look of skin, blurs imperfections, and can be worn alone, layered on top of foundation, or used for touch-ups on the go. Smudgeproof and waterproof, this foundation is long-lasting and ensures complexion perfection from morning to midnight.”  I had seen reviews that it could be used on all skin types, but that is false.  It clung to the dry patches on my skin, making them look flaky and gross.  I also think that I had a mild allergic reaction because both times that I used the Putty Perfector my skin got really itchy and I broke out.  I have seen some rave reviews on the Perfectly Poreless Putty Perfector but for me, Stila failed with this one.  So sad.  I was really bummed by this one.

That is all for my August Favorites and Fails.  I hope you saw something that you might want to check out for yourself.  If you have used any of these products, I’d love to know what you thought of them in the comments below.  It still feels very much like Summer to me with our triple digit heat wave last week, but I am anxious to usher in the Fall.  Fall and Winter are my favorite seasons, and I can not wait for the temperature to ease up a little.  I will miss seeing the leaves change color this year, now that I am in So Cal where our trees are pretty steady.  Still, it is just around the corner and I am ready to welcome Fall in with open arms.  How about you?

Monthly Favorites, June 2015

June 2015 Favorites

It’s Monthly Favorites time!  I don’t know about you, but I really enjoy reading Favorites posts and watching Favorites videos on Youtube.  For anyone new to the blog, Monthly Favorites are those products that particularly stood out to me, and ones that I reached for over and over throughout the month.  I’ve got some lifestyle favorites to include this month in addition to the usual beauty favorites, so let’s gt started.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation

My first favorite was a bit of a surprise.  This is the Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation in the shade Fair-Light Neutral.  The foundation came in a Tarte kit that I purchased in May.  I don’t usually use powder foundation.  I feel like I need more coverage than most powder foundations give because of my rosacea redness.  But, since I had it already, I figured that I’d give it a try.  I am so glad that I did.  The Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation lives up to its name.  It has great coverage, and I can actually wear it alone (over primer) and be totally comfortable with how well it conceals my redness.  It is very finely milled, and gives my skin a slightly soft focused look.  It doesn’t dry me out at all.  This is a pretty heavy swatch so that it could show up on camera.  Obviously you wouldn’t apply the powder this thickly, but you can see how opaque it is.  I am not a connoisseur of powder foundation, so I am going to share what Tarte has to say: “It’s like airbrushing without the air! Powered by Amazonian clay and infused with natural, light-reflecting gemstones, this unique waterproof foundation gives skin rich dimension while invigorating the complexion for a youthful-looking appearance. The full coverage, weightless powder formula is offered in a range of skin-matching shades and lasts for 12 hours. Using the unique, custom mesh delivery system, simply pick up and buff on just the right amount of moisture-rich powder for a flawless airbrushed effect while allowing skin to breathe.”  I still prefer liquid foundation as my go-to, but have been enjoying the Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation so much more than I thought that I would.  I really like it a lot, and if you are in the market for a powder foundation, you may want to give Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation a try.

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light

Next up is the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Diffused Light.  I mentioned in my previous post that I had one of the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders.  If you missed it, here is the description of the powders: “Ambient Lighting Powder is a groundbreaking collection of finishing powders that capture, diffuse, and soften the way light reflects on skin. Unlike traditional powders, which merely cloak imperfections, Ambient Lighting Powder utilizes photoluminescent technology to filter out harsh light and refine the appearance of the complexion. The powders deliver a multidimensional luminescence to every skintone, making it appear softer and lit from within. The finishing powders enhance skin in any type of light, including flash photography. With three universal shades available in the Ambient palette, you can create any desired effect.”  I have had this powder for a while now, but I use it very sparingly.  Even though I love how it looks, it is so expensive that I don’t want to use it up.  Lately, however, I decided that I was being a bit stupid taking this Fine China approach to it.  Why have it if I’m not going to use it, y’know?  So I have been using it a lot more, and am really enjoying it.  I have the shades Diffused Light, which is described as “A soft, warm, pale yellow powder that conceals redness and gives skin clarity—like a soft ray of morning light.”  The Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders are pricey, but they are beautiful.

ColourPop Supershock Blushes

Anyone who read my review of the ColourPop Supershock Blushes shouldn’t be surprised to find them here in my Favorites post.  They are pigmented.  They apply smoothly and evenly.  They are really beautiful, and they are reasonably priced.  You should definitely check out my review to see swatches of theses shades and to get more details about the formula.  All in all, though, ColourPop Supershock Blushes are the bomb.

Milani Rose Powder Blush in Romantic Rose

When I wasn’t using ColourPop, I’ve been using the Milani Rose Powder Blush in Romantic Rose.  I love this shade.  It is a muted, nude rose shade in a similar color family to Tarte Exposed.  It is a very subtle color, but it looks gorgeous on the skin.  The look is minimal and natural, but oh so lovely.  And of course, I can’t mention this blush without talking about that beautiful embossed rose.  It’s the kind of product that you want to keep out because it’s so pretty to look at.  Bottom line, you need this in your life.

*I have a question for you.  I finally bought two shades of this Milani Rose Powder Blush, and I am debating doing a full review.  I know that they have been out for a while now, but it took me until this past month to finally get them.  Let me know in the comments below if you want a review and swatches of the Milani Rose Powder Blushes or if you think I should skip them.

Sleek Eye & Cheek Palette in A Midsummer’s Dream

My final beauty favorite this month is the Sleek Eye & Cheek Palette in A Midsummer’s Dream.  You may remember the haul I did featuring swatches of the new Sleek Eye & Cheek Palettes.  Be sure to check it out to see how the sades swatch and to see the other palettes.  I know that A Midsummer’s Dream looks like a good palette for late summer/early fall, but something about this palette has been so appealing to me lately.  I have really been loving playing the cool gray and the warm coral off each other.  That matte blush actually makes an excellent shadow.  I’ve gotten both subtle and pretty dramatic looks with this palette, and both approaches look great.  I definitely recommend it, especially for those in the UK who can get Sleek easier than we can here in the States.

Now, onto my non-beauty favorites.  I don’t do this every month, but sometimes there are things that I really want to share with you that aren’t beauty products.

Archer Farms Peanut Butter & Chocolate Cookie Snack Bites

So I was Target one day, and I came across these Archer Farms Peanut Butter & Chocolate Cookie Snack Bites.  OMG you guys, these are so freaking good.  I am a peanut butter monster, and these Snack Bites are perfect.  They have peanut butter chips, chocolate pieces, peanut butter candies, and cookie pieces all rolled together in a delicious snack bite.  They are sweet and dense, so only a couple bites are necessary to satisfy.  If you like peanut butter treats, you have to try them.

My final Favorite for June is Ingrid Nilsen’s (missglamorazzi) coming out video.  I have been subscribed to Ingrid’s channel for several years now and watch off and on. With over three million subscribers, if you are a part of the Youtube beauty community at all, you have probably heard of her.  Ingrid came out earlier this month, and I think that this video is actually really important for several reasons, not the least of which is the huge platform that she has to say that it is perfectly fine and normal to be gay.  I am going to try to be brief as I explain why I think this video is so great.

• Even within the LGBT+ community, there are stereotypes and boxes that people get forced into, and that is nothing to what stereotypes they face in our heteronormative society.  Ingrid is a cute, femme, girly kind of girl who loves makeup and fashion.  Just like NFL player Michael Sam who shattered the expected boxes of what a gay man (supposedly) looks like, Ingrid shows that a lesbian can come in every shape and size, even with curly hair and petite lace dresses.
• In the video, Ingrid explained how hard it was for her to be honest about her sexuality because of her fears of not being accepted and loved by family and friends who were not okay with gays.  She talks earnestly about how miserable she was as she tried to deny her feelings and how she felt that she didn’t deserve love.  The target audience for her channel is on the younger side, so she has many viewers that are still trying to figure out who they are.  I think that it is so important for them to see someone who may have had the same struggles that they are dealing with so that they know that they are not alone.  Also, when Ingrid talks about learning to love herself and the warm reception she got from her true friends when she came out to them, I think it sends a clear message that it gets better.  You can clearly see how relieved she is and how happy she is to finally be living an authentic life.  Her video has been viewed over 9,000,000 times There are so many young people getting the message “I’ve been there. I know it hurts, but it gets better.”
• Because Ingrid tried to force herself to be straight for a while, she has had boyfriends and relationships that were public on youtube.  I think it is great that she addresses this in her video.  Sometimes I think people are so quick to dismiss another person’s truth just because they have had a past.  Yes, she has dated men.  No, that doesn’t mean that this is a “gay phase” or that she doesn’t have a right to call herself a lesbian.  No one has the right to define someone else.  Going back to my first point, in this area as well, Ingrid is busting out of the boxes other people are trying to put her in.  I think that’s great.

That’s it for my June Favorites.  I hope that you saw something that you liked.  What have you been loving in the last month?  Let me know in the comments below.

Sleek Makeup Haul

Sleek Makeup Haul

I am back from vacation, and I have a haul to show you today.  Before I left I placed an order with Sleek Makeup because they were offering a sale and free shipping to the US.  If you are not familiar with Sleek, they are a popular UK brand that is known for good quality at low prices.  They kind of remind me of NYX Cosmetics here in the States.  Sleek just released some new Eye & Cheek Palettes that looked great to me, so I wanted to check them out.  I also still hadn’t gotten my hands on the Garden of Eden Palette from last Spring and I felt that the time had finally come.  I took photos and swatched everything that I got, but I haven’t used anything yet, so this isn’t an actual review.  I have used Sleek eyeshadows and blushes in the past and like them a lot, so I knew what I was getting into.  But enough jabber, let’s take a look.

Sleek I-Divine Eyeshadow Palette in Garden of Eden

This is the Sleek I-Divine Eyeshadow Palette in Garden of Eden.  For those of you who haven’t seen the Sleek I-Divine Eyeshadow Palettes before, they all contain twelve shades, and the palette has a full mirror.  There is a long dual-ended sponge tip applicator included as well.  There are currently thirteen I-Divine Eyeshadow Palettes available on Sleek’s website, but only some of them are available to be shipped to the US.  I am not totally sure why, because some of the palettes that have been able to ship to the US in the past are no longer able.  There are different rules as far as what pigments are acceptable in Europe than there are in the US, and I know that is part of the issue, especially with the neon shades.  Just be sure that, if you live in the US, you pay attention to what palettes can be shipped to you, and which ones can’t.

Sleek Garden of Eden Palette

The Garden of Eden Palette is full of greens, browns, and taupes.  This palette was made for me.  Here is what Sleek has to say: “Enhance what mother nature gave you with the striking, beautiful colours of our new Garden of Eden i-Divine eyeshadow palette. An earthy, nature inspired palette that echoes the hues of a stunning tropical jungle with ultra-wearable earthy browns, dusky purples and organic greens.”  There are seven high shimmer shades, two shades with a matte base with microglitter inclusions, and three true matte shades.  The taupe shades all have a lavender undertone to them.  I have swatched all twelve shades below.  To swatch them, I split the palette in the middle, with the six left hand shades in the first swatch and the six right hand shades in the second swatch.

Sleek Garden of Eden Palette Left side

The shades in this swatch are Gates of Eden, Eve’s Kiss, and Paradise on Earth on the top.  Then there are Entwined, Adam’s Apple, and Fig on the bottom.  This is on bare skin with no primer.  Adam’s Apple is a matte shade, and Entwined is a matte base with some glitter.  The left side of the palette seems to contain all of the lighter shades.  They all swatched well with the exception of Adam’s Apple.  That shade doesn’t seem as pigmented as the others, and will need a base to show up well.

Sleek Garden of Eden Palette Right side

The right side of the palette contains Python, Forbidden, and Flora on the top.  On the bottom the shades are Evergreen, Fauna, and Tree of Life.   Forbidden is mostly matte, with less glitter than Entwined contained.  Flora and Tree of Life are both completely matte.  Again, all of these shades swatched well with the exception of Tree of Life.  It swatched unevenly.  It is absolutely still workable, but you will have to fiddle with it a little.  Sleek does a much better job on the skimmer shades than the matte shades.  Overall, though, I am pleased with the Garden of Eden Palette and can’t wait to use it.

New Sleek Eye & Cheek Palette

Now on to the brand new Sleek Eye & Cheek Palettes.  The palettes come with four eyeshadows and two blushes, though some of the blushes would also make great eye shades.  There is a full size mirror in the palette, and they come with a small dual-ended sponge tip applicator and a small blush brush.  The eyeshadows are a decent size, and I will have no issue getting my brushes in there.  The blush wells could be a tad bigger in my opinion, but I have dealt with smaller.  I like to use a large duo fiber brush for my blush, which may be a little big for this palette but a smaller blush brush would work perfectly.  I purchased three of the new Eye & Cheek Palettes

Sleek Eye & Cheek Palette in Dancing Til Dusk

Sleek Eye & Cheek Palette in Dancing Til Dusk

First up is the Sleek Eye & Cheek Palette in Dancing Til Dusk.  According to Sleek, “Dancing Til Dusk includes velvety browns and shimmering fawns from our Au Naturel i-Divine palette. With radiant Blush shades Mirrored Pink, an iridescent soft pink and Sahara, a matte, dark coral, for a sophisticated finish.”  This is a warm neutral palette that would work for most people.  There are two matte shadows and two shimmer shades.  While the shimmery pink blush isn’t my favorite part of the palette, that gorgeous orangey-coral blush is what pushed me over the edge to buy Dancing Til Dusk.  Both blushes have a ton of pigmentation.  Dancing Til Dusk is an easy, everyday palette that looks to be very useful and travel friendly.

Sleek Eye & Cheek Palette in See You at Midnight

Sleek Eye & Cheek Palette in See You at Midnight

On the complete opposite end of the spectrum is the Sleek Eye & Cheek Palette in See You at Midnight.  Here is what Sleek says: “See You at Midnight combines deep blue and pearlescent purple eyeshadows from our Romance i-Divine Palette. Along with Blush in Pomegranate, a golden berry hue and Antique a shimmery dusky rose, for a captivating look.”  I have been wanting to get more into purple and berry eyeshadows, and this palette caught my eye.  I think that See You at Midnight will be pretty versatile.  There is obviously great potential to create crazy colorful looks with the blue, purple, and Pomegranate shades (I doubt I’d use Pomegranate as a blush, but it will be a sweet eyeshadow).  But you could also create a more classic look with the gold and eggplant shades paired with that neutral blush.  I am going to have a lot of fun playing with See You at Midnight, but I do not think that it is a stand-alone palette like the other two are.

Sleek Eye & Cheek Palette in A Midsummer’s Dream

Sleek Eye & Cheek Palette in A Midsummer’s Dream

The final Sleek Eye & Cheek Palette that I purchased is in A Midsummer’s Dream.  According to Sleek: “A Midsummer’s Dream is the perfect palette for hazy summer nights and features Marsala the pantone colour of 2015, in a stunning shimmery eyeshadow. Along with muted tones of grey, earthy brown, white and copper, the two beautiful coral blush shades add a bronzed highlight to the skin.”  This palette is much cooler in tone than Dancing Til Dusk.  Also, the matte coral blush is much less orange here than in Dancing Til Dusk.  I am in love with both blush shades.  I think the shadows are going to create some really beautiful looks, not just for Summer, but also throughout the Fall.  If your skintone can handle cooler-toned shades, A Midsummer’s Dream looks to be an excellent option.

And that concludes my Sleek Makeup Haul.  I can not wait to dig into these palettes and start creating looks.  If you are in the UK, I think that you can find Sleek at Boots.  The rest of us need to go to their website, sleekmakeup.com.  Sleek has some great prices.  The I-Divine palettes are only $11.99 and the new Eye & Cheek Palettes are $14.99.  As I mentioned before, this order had free shipping to the US, but if I remember correctly, shipping wasn’t too bad.  I have enjoyed the other palettes that I have from Sleek, and definitely think that they are worth checking out.

Monthly Favorites September 2014

Monthly Favorites September 2014

It is Monthly Favorites time again.  September has come and gone, so I have rounded up my favorites to share.  For those of you who are new to the blog, “Monthly Favorites” feature those products that particularly stood out to me and ones that I reached for over and over throughout the month.  I didn’t wear a ton of makeup through September because I was laid out for two weeks because of my back problems.  I still ended up gravitating to a few products pretty much every time I did wear makeup, though, so those are the items I have to show you.

Sleek Sunset palette

First up, I have my Sleek Sunset palette. I did an Eye of the Day post a couple weeks ago using some of the blush colored shades in this palette.  I have been loving the shades in this palette for some warm, romantic looks to transition into Fall.  I do wish that there was a little bit more variation in the palette, because the shades can look very similar on the eye.  Overall, however, I love the colors, and really enjoy the Sunset palette, especially paired with less shimmery shades.  Which brings me to my next favorite.

Coastal Scents Go palette in Beijing

I busted out the Coastal Scents Go palette in Beijing to pair with the Sleek Sunset palette, and to wear on it’s own.  The pinks and mauves in this palette have really been appealing to me lately.  I used to avoid a pink and purple color palette on my eyes, but over the last year or so I have been going in that direction more often and am loving it.  Coastal Scents shadows are pigmented and smooth.  I have a couple of the 88 shade palettes and they are great too.  I also love how affordable CS palettes are, and how often they offer bundles and sales.  I think that the Go plattes are a great bargain.

NYX CoQ10 Renew Skin Elixir

I have been testing the new NYX CoQ10 Renew Skin Elixir and will have a full review soon.  In the meantime, however, I am including it in my favorites because I love the formula.  NYX claims that the coenzyme Q10 boosts radiance and vibrancy.  I still need more time to test that theory, but I like the way it primes my skin and the look that it gives me.  It is lightweight and feels great, and I like the fresh scent that it has.  It’s a good option.

L’Oreal Color Caresse Shine Stain Lip Color in Everlasting Caramel

On my lips I have been reaching for L’Oreal Color Caresse Shine Stain Lip Color in Everlasting Caramel.  I’ve been using it as a base stain and then topping it with something more moisturizing because I find the Shine Stains a bit drying.  The staining effect works pretty well, though, and I love the color it gives me.  I like Everlasting Caramel as a base under tinted lip balms like my Maybelline Baby Lips or my next favorite.

Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment

I can’t get enough of the Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatments  I’ve been reaching for Rose more often lately, but I like the whole line.  They are so incredibly hydrating!  They feel so good on the lips.  Rose has a very sheer rose hue, that gives my lips just a touch of life.  It works great over another color to add some moisture.  This is the mini version because the full size it a bit pricey for my taste.  I prefer to get my Fresh Sugar Tinted Lip Treatments in value packs.

Maybelline Master Hi-Light Blush in Mauve

Finally, my last favorite for September is the Maybelline Master Hi-Light Blush in Mauve.  If you were reading me earlier this Spring, then you may remember that I really loved the Maybelline Master Hi-Light Blush in Mauve.  It is such a beautiful shade, and it wears really well.  Mauve has definitely become one of my favorite blushes in my collection.  Mauve is sort of a plum toned rose-gold shade.  It gives me a lovely sheen and looks great.  And a little goes a really long way, so I’ll have this blush for a long time.  Love it.

L-R Everlasting Caramel, Rose, Mauve

Though I didn’t swatch the eyeshadow palettes because that would have been too much, here are swatches of the other color cosmetics.  From left to right: L’Oreal Color Caresse Shine Stain Lip Color in Everlasting Caramel, Fresh Sugar Rose Tinted Lip Treatment, and Maybelline Master Hi-Light Blush in Mauve.  September was a tough month for me because of my back issues.  I’m all better now, thank you.  I am so extremely happy that Fall has arrived, though.  It’s still warmer than I’d like, but I know sweater weather is just around the corner.  The leaves are changing and starting to fall from the trees.  Halloween is fast approaching.  I have some ideas for Halloween tutorials, but let me know if you have any specific requests.  Do you know what you are going to be for Halloween yet?  Let me know in the comments below.  And tell me what were your favorites for September.

EOTD: Simple Fall Eye with the Sleek Sunset Palette

Simple Fall Eye with the Sleek Sunset Palette

Here is a simple transitional Fall eye look, using the Sleek Sunset Palette.  I tend to wear neutrals and golds in the Summer, and then move toward orange reds and greens in the Fall.  So, in September, I like to bridge the gap with warm looks like this that are subtle, but still have the warmth of those Fall colors.  My back is still giving me problems, and I am kind of bored, so I pulled out my Sleek Sunset palette and the new Crown Brush that I received in my Ipsy bag and decided to play.

Sleek Sunset Palette

These are the three colors that I chose to use.  I laid down the soft peachy-pink first.  Then deepened the outer corner a little with the plum-brown shade and carried it down to the bottom lash line.  I wedged some of the cranberry lightly in the crease to warm everything up, but wanted to keep it very subtle.  I used the pencil brush side of the Crown Brush to lightly smudge some of the black shadow for eyeliner.  For some reason, the shades are hard to tell apart in the pictures, but you can definitely see more definition in real life.

Simple Fall Eye with the Sleek Sunset Palette

I think it is a good transitional eye that is so simple to do.  It literally took a few minutes for the whole thing, brows, mascara, and all.  I am surprisingly really loving the new brush that Ipsy sent me.  I don’t like dual ended brushes, but this one is really good.  The pencil brush side comes to a stiff point, and the shader side has an unusual shape that hugs the eye socket and is quite effective.  At any rate, here is my Eye of the Day (even though I’m not going anywhere).  I hope that you like it.

November 2013 Favorites

Monthly favorites November 2013

I’m so happy that it’s December!  This is my favorite time of year.  I want December to go by as slowly as possible so that I can really enjoy the Holiday season, but if the rest of this year has been any indication, time is going to fly by.  Before we know it, it will be 2014.  Crazy!  Anyway, on to my November favorites.  November was an odd month, makeup wise.  I was so sick at the beginning of the month that I didn’t do anything, not even basic skin care.  As a result, my skin rebelled and the second half of the month was spent trying to undo the damage.  Which leads in to my first two favorites.

Michael Todd True Organics Pumpkin Mask

I have reviewed Michael Todd True Organics here on the blog before.  You can read my review of several of the products from the brand here.  After completely ignoring my skin for about a week and a half, I had some healing to do.  My skin got pretty dry and flaky while I was sick, so the first step to getting it back to normal was this Pumpkin Nutrient-Rich facial mask.  I ended up with two deluxe samples that were 1 oz each, so I’ve really been able to get a feel for the pumpkin mask and I really like it.  At first I was worried that the glycolic acid might be too much for me, but my skin reacted just fine and it didn’t tingle too much or sting like some with sensitive skin have said.  The mask really helped to get rid of all of the dry flaky patches and helped my skin look and feel a lot healthier.  And the best part is that the mask smells so amazing, just like pumpkin pie.

Michael Todd True Organics Avocado and Mango mask

Also from Michael Todd True Organics is the Avocado and Mango Mask.  This mask did so much to rejuvenate my skin and bring the moisture back.  This is a hydrating mask, which isn’t always my favorite kind of mask because I don’t feel like it’s doing anything.  However, this month I really grew to appreciate just what a hydrating mask can do and now I am hooked.  The Avocado and Mango Mask feels and smells like fresh mango puree and makes me crave smoothies.  I love it.  I have been so impressed with all of the Michael Todd True Organics products that I have used (there have been a few more since my review) and am becoming a big fan of the brand.

Sleek Blush by 3 in Sugar

I still haven’t gotten around to posting my review of the Skeek Makeup products that I purchased several months ago.  (I’m so back-logged.)  However, I mentioned my Sleek Blush by 3 palette in Lace in my August favorites, and now I have the Sleek Blush by 3 palette in Sugar for November.  I love pulling out my darker blushes this time of year.  Sugar includes the shades Turbinado, Muscovado, and Demerara.  They are gorgeous blushes, and so very pigmented.  I just have to touch the tip of my brush in for major impact.  They blend well and are long-lasting on my skin.  I love them.  For those of you with lighter skin who are afraid of red and berry blushes, you can wear these shades without looking like a clown.  I recommend a duo fiber stipple brush and a very light hand.  Swatches of all of my color cosmetics will be at the end.

Pixi Beauty Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched

I am surprised by how much I like the Pixi Beauty Bronzer in Subtly Suntouched.  I received it in my November Ipsy bag, which you can view here.  Subtly Suntouched, as  the name would imply, is very subtle.  It is just barely dark enough to show up on my skin as a very light bronzer.  I haven’t really been in the mood to do a full contour and highlight this month, so I’ve been using this product to give my face a touch of warmth and it works beautifully.  I can see myself getting a lot of use out of this during the winter months.

Tarte shadow quad

For my eyes, I’ve been loving this quad from the Tarte Gorgeous Getaways palette.  You can see my full review and swatches of the the Tarte Gorgeous Getaways palette here.  I love that warm tan shade as a transition color for a lot of different looks, and I am a sucker for any green shadow.  This quad is such a no-brainer for me and I love the way it looks.  The blush is gorgeous for a light, natural look.  Be sure to check out my review post to see swatches.

Jordana Twist & Shine in Terra Crave

I showed the Jordana Twist & Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain in Cranberry Crush multiple times, but I haven’t mentioned Terra Crave yet.  Terra Crave falls into that pinky-brown, dark nude family that I love so much.  For me, those type of shades are no-brainer, go-to shades that always work no matter what.  I like the Twist & Shines very much, and you can see my full review and swatches of the other two shades that I have here.

Swatch of the color cosmetics

Here are the swatches of the color cosmetics mentioned.  The top three are the Sleek Blush by 3 palette in Sugar.  Obviously you wouldn’t wear the blush that bold, but I wanted you to see how pigmented the blushes are.  They can also be used as eyeshadow.  Underneath that is the Pixi bronzer.  Again, it’s very subtle, but looks beautiful and gives the skin a bit of warmth.  On the bottom is Terra Crave, which looks a little more pink here than in real life (on my lips it pulls more brown), but the swatch is pretty close.

B&BW Creamy Nutmeg Wallflowers

I don’t have my last favorite to show you because I’m using them right now, but here is a pic from B&BW website.  I know that I’ve mentioned before how much I love Bath & Body Works Wallflowers for the home.  One of my favorite holiday scents is Creamy Nutmeg.  I am not a fan of typical holiday scents of cinnamon and pine.  Creamy Nutmeg is “A warm blend of fresh ground nutmeg, vanilla and pralines” that smells amazing.  The vanilla tones down the nutmeg so that it isn’t too spicy, but the scent isn’t sugary or too sweet.  It smells like Christmas in a way that is both sophisticated and homey at the same time.  Love it!  You must smell it while it’s still in the store.

That’s it for my November favorites.  I can’t wait for Christmas, but I also can’t believe that 2013 is almost over.  How did that happen?  I managed to score some pretty good sales online, so I was able to get most of my Christmas shopping done without having to face down the Black Friday crowds.  The problem with shopping early (for me) though, is that want to keep going.  I love shopping, and I keep finding things that I want to get for my family members even though I’ve already got their presents.  How about you?  Did you do any Black Friday/Cyber Monday shopping?  Are you looking forward to Christmas?  Our tree went up over the weekend and we have gotten about 90% of our decorations done.  Do you decorate right after Thanksgiving, or do you wait a bit?  What are you looking forward to?  Let me know in the comments below.

August 2013 Monthly Favorites

August 2013 Monthly Favorites

Before I get into my post for today, I want to let you know that NYX is on sale on Hautelook today.  They have some new offerings and interesting combinations, so be sure to check them out at hautelook.com.  It’s already the 4th of September, so it’s time for Monthly Favorites again.  For those of you who are new to this blog, “Monthly Favorites” are the items that really stood out to me that I reached for over and over again throughout the month.  I was kind of all over the place in terms of makeup throughout August.  I didn’t have a “look” that I kept returning to like I’ve sometimes had in past months.  I do have a good number of products that I continued to reach for, though, so let’s get started.

Cover Girl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 foundation

A new foundation to me this month is the Cover Girl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 foundation.  I believe that this came out at the beginning of the year and I had been meaning to try it for a long time.  I was hesitant because it’s a long-wearing foundation and those tend to be drying.  I finally gave it a shot after several recommendations and positive reviews and, despite my dry skin, I really enjoyed it.  Cover Girl claims that it is: “All-in-one foundation with a long-lasting formula that fuses primer, concealer, and foundation in one easy step! The 3-in-1 formula provides a flawless look that lasts all day long.”  Though I don’t agree that it is truly a 3-in-1 product, it is a decent foundation.  Let me know if you want me to do a full review of the Cover Girl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 foundation.

Sigma F80

I have been absolutely loving my new Sigma F80 Flat Top Kabuki Brush.  I jumped on the 20% off sale that Sigma offered last month.  I didn’t think that I would love it as much as I do.  I had heard so many people talk about how great it is, but I didn’t think that there would be that much difference between the F80 and the really good low-cost brushes that I own.  I was wrong.  I don’t know why, maybe it’s how densely packed the bristles are or how super soft they are, but the F80 blends foundation like a dream.  I am going to do an in-depth review of all of the Sigma brushes I purchased during the sale, but I can say right now that the F80 lives up to the hype.

e.l.f. Mineral Infused Face Primer in Tone-Adjusting Green

I’ve been using the e.l.f. Mineral Infused Face Primer in Tone-Adjusting Green.  I think I’ve mentioned the regular clear e.l.f. Mineral Infused Face Primer in a past favorites post.  I wanted to give the green primer a try because of my issues with redness.  I’m not normally a fan of green products because they either sheer out completely and do nothing, or else they give the skin an alien looking gray cast that is really unflattering.  But I figured that, even if I didn’t like the green aspect of it, I knew that I would like the formula of the primer and I did.

e.l.f. Mineral Infused Face Primer in Tone-Adjusting Green

As you can see the primer comes out a a dark mossy green color, which was a surprise.  I didn’t expect it to be so dark.  The right side of the above picture is the primer half-way blended out so that it would still show up on camera.  The color sheers out completely when blended, so I didn’t see it doing much tone adjusting.  It’s not going to cancel out major redness.  Despite that, it is still a good primer and I am certainly getting use out of it.

Milani baked bronzer in Soleil

Since it is still summer, I’ve been pulling out my Milani baked bronzer in Soleil.  I don’t usually use shimmery bronzers, but I do like a bit of shimmer in the summer time.  I have reviewed all of the Milani baked products on this blog and mentioned them several times.  In short, they are awesome, go get some (especially the blushes).  This gigantic bronzer is going to last me forever.  I really enjoyed it all through August.

Sleek Blush by 3 palette in Lace

I placed an order with Sleek Makeup in July and am really glad that I did.  Sleek is a UK brand that I’ve been wanting to try for years now.  I plan to do a brand review on all of the Sleek products that I got, but one item was definitely a favorite through August.  The middle shade out of the Blush by 3 palette in Lace is called Guipure.  It is an absolutely gorgeous shimmering rose gold that I’ve become completely addicted to.  All three of these blushes are lovely, extremely pigmented and long-lasting, but Guipure caught my attention and did not let go.  I’m looking forward to showing you my Sleek haul and doing reviews because I think that you will be very interested in the products.

Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Taupe

I may have mentioned the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal in Taupe before, but it is worth mentioning again.  I love lining my under eye area with this shade.  It defines without being too bold, and is perfect for the day time.  Rimmel products are so inexpensive and these kajal liners are of great quality.  I’d say Taupe is a must-have.  I have a review on the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal liners, so simply enter the name into the search box if you want to read more about them.

Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing mascara

A new mascara that I have really been enjoying is  the Jordana Best Lash Extreme Volumizing mascara.  I picked this up at Walgreens because I want to possibly do another $20 makeup challenge and wanted to try some inexpensive mascaras.  It was only $3.99, but it performs really well.  I’m impressed.  I have walked out the door with only one coat of mascara on because this does so much for my lashes.  I have sad, puny, short lashes, so I need length and volume.  Jordana delivers for me.

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey

Finally, For lips I have been loving my Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey.  I knew that I would.  I really love those soft mauve-ish, my lips but better shades, and Honey is just that.  I don’t like wearing shades that are too nude because I think I look like a corpse, so shades like this are my version of a natural lip.  I’ve mention the Revlon Balm Stains to death on this blog, so I won’t say too much about them here.  Honey is a perfect no-brainer lip color that you don’t have to think about and looks good with anything.

(L-R) Taupe, Guipure, Honey, Soleil

Here are the swatches of the color cosmetics.  First is the Rimmel liner in taupe, followed by Guipure, that rose gold blush in the Sleek Blush by 3 palette.  The next two swatches are Revlon Honey Balm Stain, and then Milani’s baked bronzer in Soleil.  For some reason Honey is looking pretty dark in this picture.  In real life, it’s a lot lighter.  Check out that gold flip when Guipure hits the light.  It’s such a beautiful blush and no need for an extra highlighting product.

So that’s it.  Those are my favorites for August.  Let me know in the comments below if you want me to review any of the products that I mentioned in this post.  September is shaping up to be a really good month.  The Husband’s birthday is next week, and I will be running in my first 5K this month as well.  We are also gearing up for a Disney World trip in October that I am very excited about.  Summer is winding to a close and I am really excited for Fall.  My favorite time of year is Fall and Winter, so I will not miss the Summer at all.  I can’t wait to be in sweater dresses, leggings, and boots again.  How do you feel about the end of summer?  Let me know.  🙂