You're the Top series: My current favorite 6 blushes

Hello my lovely Stars and welcome back to my blog! Today I am going to share with you six of my all time favorite blushes. They are mostly high end but there is one drugstore blush that made the cut.  Keep reading and I hope you enjoy!

Back to School Series: Starter Makeup Kit

It's that time of year again, back to school time! That means new pencils, notebooks, and if you're going into middle school or high school or college that means getting to wear makeup for the first time.  Today I'm going to show you what I think you would need in your starter makeup kit.  I hope you enjoy!

Eyelash Curlers, Torture Chambers or Objects of Brilliance?

Earlier today I was asked by one of my friends what the best eyelash curlers are and that got me thinking, besides answering just her question why not also calm the nerves of those just entering into makeup and trying one of them for the first time?  They look like 'torture chambers' as my boyfriend calls them but they truly aren't.  They do require a bit of finesse but once you've got it down, you're golden. So let's get started with some of the best curlers out there and then I'll explain, to the best of my ability, on how to use them.  Shall we begin?

June Jubilee Day 21: Top 5 Foundations

Hi guys! Welcome back to another day of posting and another day of June Jubilee- which is sadly coming to the end, boohoo! But do not fear, I already have my blog and YouTube (channel found here) schedule up on my planning/inspiration board so there will be plenty more to come!  Today, I will be showing you my top 5 favorite foundations, so let's get started!

June Jubilee Day 20: Top 5 Blushes

Sorry for being gone for a while folks, but I was celebrating my birthday along with a few other things coming up but I'm back now and I'm starting a Top 5 series that will carry over into July and possibly August (If I find enough stuff, lol) So, as you can probably tell from the post title this one is about, that's right, my favorite blushes! So let's get started! (This is no no particular order)

June Jubilee Day 9: ELF Lipstick Review

Today I'm going to be reviewing the six ELF lipsticks I own- four studio line lipsticks and two essential line lipsticks.  They are wonderful lipsticks, for the price, hands down but keep on reading to see swatches and to see why I think so.

Makeup MAYhem Day 28: ELF Lash Primer REVIEW

Here are the products I used to test the ELF Lash Primer; ELF Lash Primer (obviously), Maybelline The Rocket mascara, and my Tarte eyelash curler.  I prepped my eyelashes by curling them with my curler.  I clamp down on my lashes then bend them up and pump for ten counts and then hold the lash curler there for a count of five.  I did this on both eyes.  Then on my right eye (the picture's left eye) I applied the eyelash primer, using two coats.  I then put The Rocket mascara on the non primed eye for the first coat and then put the first coat on the primed eye, wiggling the brush back and forth.  I then went back and repeated the previous step except this time instead of wiggling the brush, I blinked my lashes into the product and I did this on both eyes.  Here is the result:

As you can see, the lashes with the primer look significantly longer and thicker than the side without the primer.  My final verdict? At first I was VERY apprehensive about this product.  I mean, a GOOD lash primer for under $20? You've got to be joking.  As you can see, though, I am currently eating my own words.  This lash primer is absolutely amazing and comes in at under $10.  ELF definitely has it's misses but as I've discovered this past 2015 it has more hits than misses.  I would definitely recommend this product for people wanting to try a lash primer for the first time OR looking for a new one since they've finished off their high end one.  I definitely say go to the ELF site here and get yourself this product. XOXO

Be Bold, Be Beautiful, Be YOU!

YouTube//Twitter//Instagram//Facebook

Makeup MAYhem Day 12: Top 5 at (or under) $5

Welcome to Makeup MAYhem Day 12 which I have for you my top five products under $5.  They are all over the board with prices from $1.99 to $5.  These products are great and work just as well as their high end counterparts.  

1. ELF Studio Blush in 'Twinkle Pink'- This was my first studio blush from ELF and I was really surprised by how pigmented and beautiful it was when I put it on for the first time.  They are soft and not chalky or powdery and the best part? The total cost is $3 for the blush.
2. Sinful Colors Nail Polish- This brand of nail polish is one of my all time favorites and not just because of the great price of $1.99-$3.99.  They have colors upon colors, from straight color to major glitters and duo chromes.  They are usually opaque within one coat and, if you use a  top coat, it lasts for at least a week to a week and a half.
3. ELF Mist and Set setting spray- For $3 you get 2.02oz of product.  While it does not completely compare to, say, the Skindinavia spray or the Urban Decay setting spray (which is produced by Skindinavia) which cost upwards of $20+ but it does set your makeup.  It does make your makeup stay put even under theatre lights, I know from experience, which is a feat in and of itself.
4. City Color Cosmetics Glowing Complexion Illuminating Cream- This is one of my most favorite products on this list, costing $4.99.  I love to mix this with my foundation because then I get that lit from within kind of glow.  You can also use it alone to highlight your cheeks and your cupids bow.
5. Colour Pop eyeshadow in 'Fringe'- This is a gorgeous, silver gold color that is packed with shimmer.  These shadows (and lippie sticks) are the best $5 you could ever spend online. They are super creamy and they blend flawlessly and amazingly.
What are your favorite products under $5? I would love to know, so leave a comment down below! XOXO

Be Bold, Be Beautiful, Be YOU!

E.L.F. Studio Blush Collection and Review!

About a month ago, I made a huge order from ELF because most of what I ordered was going into my professional kit but there were some pieces that were for my personal collection and one, or four, of those products were the Studio Blushes.  I got the colors Twinkle Pink, Tickled Pink, Candid Coral, and Peachy Keen.  Sadly, none of the pictures I took for this post do the blushes any justice in color.  While they are close in color they are all very different in formula and finish so let's go over each one!

This is my favorite one, Twinkle Pink.  It is a mid-toned pink with a tone of sparkle and by sparkle, I mean glitter which is why I love it.  The glitter though is not chunky, it's pretty fine, which means there is little fall out and it gives the cheeks the perfect hint of sparkle and glow.  The color is perfect for every day and for a night out.  It's a very versatile blush and that's why I love it so much.

This is actually one of my very few matte blushes in Tickled Pink.  It's a medium pink, with no sheen or sparkle.  It's the perfect blush for going to meetings or when you want to go heavier on the highlighting of your cheeks and face.  This blush allows me to feel professional but if I want a tiny bit of sheen I can use a blush topper so that there is a sheen there while still being matte.  The best thing is that even though this blush is matte, it's not chalky which is always a worry when buying light matte blushes for me.

This picture is making the blush look a lot more yellow than it is, this blush is in Candid Coral.  This blush is on the deeper side (I know, the picture really does it NO JUSTICE) which will be really pretty in the fall.  It's not matte, there is a nice sheen to it but it doesn't have glitter like Twinkle Pink does.  This is probably the softest of all the blushes, even though all of them a very soft in feel, but is pretty pigmented.  It gives you a nice deep flush with just a hint of shine when you turn towards the light.

                                      
Finally is Peachy Keen and, no, it is not yellow the lighting just would not cooperate with me. This is probably the most bronze-y looking one out of all four but it still is pink-ish.  I've used this blush as both a bronzer and a blush, so it does double duty which I absolutely LOVE.  There is a very nice sheen with a very subtle sparkle in this blush that I really love.  This is probably the second most pigmented one in the bunch, next to Twinkle Pink as well as being my second favorite, again, next to Twinkle Pink.
Do you like the Studio Blushes by ELF? What colors are your favorite? XOXO

Be Bold, Be Beautiful, Be YOU!

Learn how to Get Your Makeup to Stay Put During a Long Day

Hello Stars! Today, I'm going to teach you about (and hope you learn) what to use when your makeup keeps slipping off your face during a hot or busy day.  Now you may be wondering why I am showing the setting spray by E.L.F. and Suave hairspray instead of just using Urban Decay's setting spray and the Kat Von D setting spray.  I am doing this because both of these are very affordable and you can get them for under ten dollars- that's for both of them together! Suave is usually $2.79 at Target and the E.L.F. spray is $3.  The E.L.F. one works great for everyday during the day, going to be sitting in an office, or something like that.  It is neither matte nor dewy, which is perfect for those who just want their makeup set and not the added 'bonus' of the matte or dewy thing.  So, I would use E.L.F. on a day to day basis. Now, as for the hairspray, that's saved for special occasions because, while it doesn't break you out (at least it doesn't for me), it is very sticky at first and it is hairspray BUT if you use this, your makeup is not going anywhere.  I use this especially when I am a makeup artist on a musical or play because those actors will sweat their makeup off in seconds, I am one so I know, but this holds it all in place nicely.  If you don't feel safe using an aeresol spray, look for hairspray in the non aeresol version.  It is harder to find, but it is possible if you look at Sally's beauty supply or Tiffany's beauty supply.  Thanks for reading, guys, and have a great holiday!

Be Bold, Be Beautiful, Be You. XOXO

Product I regret buying: E.L.F. Moisturizing Stick Foundation

 A few months back I had done an E.L.F. Haul and got three of their foundations, one being the Moisturizing Stick Foundation. When I tested it on my hand, it seemed perfect- creamy, good coverage, moisturizing yet not greasy.  Then I tried it on and boy was I way beyond disappointed.

 Not only was it difficult to apply, both straight from the stick, with a brush, and with a sponge so I did try my hardest to find a way to make it work.  Needless to say, nothing worked. I was just so disappointed because the other two that I ordered, the Acne Foundation and the Cream compact, work beautifully and don't hang onto the dry patches.  For the stick foundation all I have to say is STAY AWAY.  It clings to every little dry patch even if you moisturized right before you applied the foundation.  Talk about frustrating. First I tried it with just my fingers and that didn't work, then I tried to apply it with the stick straight to my face.  This method didn't work either because then it really clung to the dry patches on your face as well as accentuating those little baby hairs that we can't really do anything about but most women (myself included) are self conscious of those little baby hairs.  This foundation just makes them stick out like a sore thumb.  The buffing brush is where I got the best application but it was still patchy at best.

So, my final verdict is to pass on this product and try either the Revlon Photo Ready Stick foundation or the Maybelline Fit Me Stick Foundation. XOXO

FACEBOOK// TWITTER// YouTube