Ipsy's April 2014 Glam Bag: Beauty Rocks

Hey Beauties!

I'm not going to lie to you, I was struggling to find a topic for this post. I have a couple in the works, but no where near being ready for today. I got lucky when I came home from work today because my Ipsy Bag was in my mailbox. Win!

Here's what came in my bag this month:

• dr. brandt Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant
• Elizabeth Mott Pop! Goes the Shadow - Champagne
• Demeter Roll On Perfume Oil - Jasmine
• Cailyn Cosmetics Tinted Lip Balm - Apple Pink
• Urban Decay 24/7 Velvet Glide-On Eye Pencil - Black Velvet

I haven't had much time to play around with these products yet so I don't have much to say here. I am super excited to try the Urban Decay Eyeliner though. I will let all of you know how that goes in a future post. Also, as we all know, I love Cailyn Cosmetics, so I'm excited to try the lip balm as well. 

What's your favorite Demeter scent?

Thanks for reading!

Brianna

My Makeup Removing Secret

Hello Bombshells,

Today we are talking all about my favorite makeup remover. I have tried just about everything when it comes to removing makeup and this one product has never failed me. 

Makeup remover, in liquid forms, have always proved to be too oily for my skin. Maybe I just haven't found that special brand yet, but for now I really can't stand my face feeling oily. Makeup removing wipes, in general, are quite expensive for the amount of wipes that come in a package. They work great, obviously, but they just don't fit well into my budget. I use makeup remover every day. A package of 16 or 20 wipes won't do me very well, especially when they can cost around $5 at some of their cheapest brands. So here is my little secret:

That's right, I use baby wipes. This also happens to be one of the cheapest brands too. I am well aware that I am not the first or the only person to use these to clean my face. They really get the job done and they are very cheap. This basic brand costs me $2 for 120 wipes at Walmart. You can also find cheap store brands at any other department or grocery store. I have used them all and recommend any of them. I prefer this brand because it is alcohol free and hypoallergenic with little to no scent. It also has aloe to help subtly moisturize while cleaning. I even use these wipes to clean my face if I'm going to skip using my face wash, not just for removing makeup. 

I've heard of a million different ways to remove makeup. This is my favorite way. What's yours?

Thanks for reading!

Brianna

NYC Ultra Moist Lipwear Review

Hey Beauties!

It's finally starting to feel like spring! So as the snow is melting and my house is defrosting, I figured I would give you another review. In this post I'll be reviewing the NYC Ultra Moist Lipwear in Petal and Cafe.

My boyfriend's mom actually turned me on to these because she loves them and had me try hers. They are $0.97 at most places, which is insanely cheap for lipstick. I had to wonder if the quality was suffering because of the price. NYC is a fairly cheap drugstore brand, so don't expect super high quality products when looking at these. Despite my first suspicions, I did find that this product is a nice moisturizing lipwear, which is what it claims to be. I was shocked, however that the color payoff was very weak. I don't know why, but I thought it was going to be a lot better than this.

Here are the swatches:

I did choose some of the lighter shades in this collection so I can't really speak for what the others look like. The top color you can barely see is the Petal shade and the bottom is the Cafe. I suppose these are good for a lightly tinted moisturizing lip product. The color doesn't stay for too long, but it's not like you would notice anyway because the color  is really sheer. 

The Bottom Line:

I would recommend these lipsticks for people who want a lightly tinted moisturizing lip product for cheap.

Pros:

• Moisturizing
• Cheap
• Lightly Tinted (if you are into that)

Cons:

• Weak Color Payoff (for people who like color)
• Wears off easily

How do you like the NYC brand?

Thanks for reading! 

Brianna

March 2014 Favorites

Hello Beautiful!

It's been a while since the last Favorite Friday post, but it's returning better than ever! Not a whole lot has happened in this monotonous month, but I've managed to pull together a list of my favorite products for you to try.

Here is what I've used the most of this month:

NYC City Duet 2-in-1 Lip Color - The Waldorf Roses

I just did a review post about this on Wednesday. This lip color is really awesome. It's dual-sided with two different complementary colors. It can be worn in several ways: each color individually, mixing both of them together, or a different color on each lip. It's perfect for going from a day look to a night look with only one lipstick!

La Fresh Eco-Beauty Oil-Free Face Cleanser Wipes 

I like these face wipes because they have a nice light pomegranate smell to them. They don't smell like chemicals like a lot of face wipes do. It's not made to wipe off a ton of makeup, but it's a nice refreshing product that I like to take with me when I travel.

Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Lotion

I actually found this lotion through one of my coworkers. We had been complaining about how dry our hands were the night before and the next day she brought this in. It worked wonders compared to a lot of other hand lotions. It's got a lot of pros and no cons for me!

What are your favorites this month?

Thanks for reading!

Brianna

NYC City Duet 2-in-1 Lip Color Review

Hey Beautiful!

I found the best lipstick when I went home for vacation. NYC's City Duet 2-in-1 Lip Color. The shade I love the best is #426 The Waldorf Roses, which doesn't appear to be on their website.

For those of you who don't know. This lipstick is double sided with two different shades. There are several ways you can wear it, which makes this lipstick well worth your money. You can have one shade on each lip, you can blend them together, or you can just use one side. Four/Five different ways to wear this lipstick for $2.99. I don't know about you, but I fell in love. 

Both colors are very pretty on. Here are some swatches for you:

I have never loved lipstick so much before. This lipstick feels very nice on. It has Shea Butter in it which makes it feel very moisturizing and less dry like some other lipsticks. This product also doesn't bleed and can last quite a few hours before reapplication. 

The Bottom Line: 

I definitely recommend this product. Give it a try!

Pros:

• It's a drugstore brand so it's cheap money-wise
• It's creamy to put on
• It's moisturizing and includes Shea Butter
• It doesn't bleed
• Lasts a while before you have to reapply
• Several different looks you can achieve because of the two colors
• Two lip colors in one

Cons:

• Can be tricky to put on just one color if you aren't careful

What's your favorite shade of this product?

Thanks for reading!

Brianna

Ipsy's March 2014 Glam Bag: Destination Beauty

Hello Bombshell!

The Destination Beauty bag is all about spring and dolling up for that beautiful vacation. This month's bag was created by artist Klari Reis, which gives a fun and interesting look to the bag!

Here's what I got this month:

• Nicole by OPI Roughles - On What Grounds?
• Be a Bombshell Eyeshadow Quad - Bora Bora
• bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick - Get Ready
• Pixi Beauty Flawless Beauty Primer 

The colors in this bag are really awesome. The nail polish was the most exciting part of this bag at first. I love the color so much, although I'm not quite sure how I feel about the texture. I'll definitely still wear it, but the texture is distracting. I'm in love with the lipstick, it's creamy and a beautiful shade.

Have you tried a textured nail polish? Which one do you like the best?

Thanks for reading!

Brianna

Ipsy's February 2014 Glam Bag: The Look of Love

Hey Beauties!

It's that time again where the pretty pink bag shows up in my mailbox and I get a lovely surprise of five makeup products. This month's Ipsy bag was centered around Valentine's Day and some colors to transition us into Spring. I can't wait for the warm weather!

Here's what I got in my bag this month:

• City Color Be Matte Blush - Fresh Melon
• J. Cat Beauty Eyelashes - EL66
• Zoya Nail Polish - Odette
• Pop Beauty Plump Pout Mini - Peony Petal
• Mally Beauty Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Eyeliner - Starshine

Ipsy's February Glam Bag was a hit with me, but then again, when aren't they? There is a nice touch of color in this bag preparing us for the Spring, but not getting too crazy. The Plump Pout Mini in Peony Petal is an awesome shade, scoring Ipsy yet again some awesome points for finding a shade of lip product that I enjoy! As you can probably see, my blush came broken, but it's not a big deal because it's still mostly intact. Overall, I'm very pleased with this bag. 

What's your favorite nail polish brand and color?

Thanks for reading!

Brianna

Ipsy's January 2014 Glam Bag: 19 Reasons

Hey Beauties!

I'm back and feeling better than ever. I got my Ipsy Glam Bag last week and I'm excited to share it with you! This month was a little more geared towards skin health. There weren't as many fun new lip or eye products to try, but that's the point of this whole subscription: trying something new. I ended up loving some of these products more than I originally thought, so try not to judge a book by it's cover!

Here's the list of products in this month's bag:

• Benefit the POREfessional
• (MALIN+GOETZ) Mojito Lip Balm
• Balanced Guru Balm Me Up Organic Sweet Cocoa & Tangy Body Balm
• Absolute! Makeup Cleansing Tissue
• Yaby Liquid Foundation - Buff

Overall, I'm pleasantly surprised by the January bag. I was concerned that it would be boring and I wouldn't use these products, but boy was I wrong. In the dead of winter, Ipsy saved me with the body and lip balms. My skin has never been so happy in this dry weather. 

What is your favorite body lotion or balm to use when your skin is dry?

Thanks for reading!

Brianna

December 2013 Favorites

Hi, Beauties!

The month of December has flown by, is that just me or what? It's crazy that next week will be the start of 2014. In a state of nostalgia, here is the list of my favorites from the past month. 

Lorac 3D Liquid Lustre - Amethyst 

I know, I know. This again?! I am in love with these, obviously. I've used this color for more looks this month than anything else. The subtle purple and coppery look it gives is so pretty and brings out my eyes. So yes, I wear it often. I promise these products won't be in my next favorites post.

Studio 83 Piece Essential Makeup Collection - White

This is totally meant for summer because of the bright colors and the shades of the bronzers, but I wear it in the winter and don't care! I love colors and have used this palette often to spice up my everyday looks. It also helps that a few of the eyeshadow colors perfectly match some of my sweaters in my closet. 

Victoria's Secret Fragrance Mist - True Escape

I love, love, love this scent so much. The funny thing is I only find myself wearing it in the fall and winter. When I was shopping in Victoria's Secret I was smelling the fragrances and immediately knew this one was a must. I literally have never had such an intense feeling of I want this more than anything. I've broken this fragrance out for the season and am happily in heaven smelling it all day. 

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

This was an obvious pick for the favorites this month because I absolutely love this mascara and use it everyday. I'm going to be sad when this sample runs out.

Too Faced Perfect Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner - Perfect Black

This eyeliner has changed the way I look at other eyeliners. Even the Starlooks one that I have raved about before (although I still love it). It comes off so dark even over eyeshadow. It's creamy and so smooth to apply. Can't get enough.

That's it for the December favorites. Have a happy New Year! I can't wait to see what 2014 brings!

What's your favorite scent from Victoria's Secret?

Thanks for reading!

Brianna

7 Beauty Subscriptions to Look into for the New Year

That's right Beauties! 2014 will be a whole new year of beauty and glam. As I've stated before, beauty subscriptions are awesome for trying new things for cheap and helping you find products you would have never known you loved. They extend and expand your beauty knowledge, as well as your collection. Here is a list of 8 beauty subscriptions that I think are worth looking into for the new year.

1. Glossybox

This beauty subscription service offers 5 luxury products for $21 a month which they keep secret until it's delivered. It's also available in certain countries outside of the United States. Try it out here.

2. Julep Maven Boxes

For the nail polish addicts or for the girls who are simply trying to expand their collection. This service offers at least two nail polishes along with some beauty products all for $19.99 a month. The nice part about this service is you can view what you are getting around the middle of the month. If you don't like the colors you can opt for a new style or you can send your box to a friend for no additional charge. Along with that you can add discounted products to your Maven box. By becoming a Julep Maven, you get free shipping and 20% off their website. Try it out here.

3. Birchbox

Birchbox is a subscription that offers 4-5 products in mixed categories for $10 a month. The box usually includes beauty, grooming and lifestyle products. This service offers boxes for both men and women which is different than most beauty subscriptions. For this one you have to request an invite which normally is a two week wait. You can check it out here.

4. Ipsy Glam Bags

Ipsy is the only beauty subscription service that I'm subscribed to right now. As you all know I love it and can never stop raving about it. Ipsy offers 4-5 beauty products for $10 a month. The products come in a different reusable bag every month that are absolutely adorable. You can see my posts about what I have received in the past to get a good idea of what you can expect to get. Here's my referral link or if you prefer to check out the site this is the link.

5. BeautyArmy

BeautyArmy has a cool idea with their service where you choose 6 products from the 9 shown each month for $12. You have the option to pick less than 6 if you really wanted to, but the price stays the same. You have the option to a skip a month with this service. These products are mostly sample sized with very few full sized products, but they offer the full sized products on their website. To check it out click here.

6. Wantable

This subscription service not only offers a box for beauty, but also one for accessories and intimates. Each one is $36 a month or $40 for a one-time box. The beauty and intimates boxes have 4-5 products (all full sized beauty products) and the accessories box has 3-4 products. You have the option to skip the box for the month in this subscription as well. Check this one out here.

7. Beauty Box 5

Beauty Box 5 ships 4-5 beauty products to your door every month for $12. This beauty subscription is one of the only ones on this list that isn't customized to you. Check this service out here.

Are there any beauty subscriptions that you like that I didn't include? Let me know in the comments below and include the details!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and have a Happy New Year! Thanks for reading!

Brianna

Ipsy's December 2013 Glam Bag: Celebration

Hey Beautiful!

My Ipsy Bag came in the mail on Monday! Yay! This month's bag is a good one, featuring some products and brands that are new to me. I'm really excited about it! And an added bonus is that the bag is super cute this month and doesn't feel as flimsy as some of the others have.

Here's the list of products in this month's bag:

• Pop Beauty Bright Up Your Life Eye Shadow Trio - Naturally Bare
• Be a Bombshell The One Stick - Girl Crush
• English Laundry Signature Fragrances - Signature and Signature Pour Femme
• Nicka K New York Nail Color - Classic Taupe
• J. Cat Beauty Big Lip Pencil - Red Rose

This bag sets up a nice winter look for the holiday season, which is something I really like about it. The red lipstick is a little bright for my skin tone but I'm sure I can find a way to make it work. The One Stick by Be a Bombshell is a really cool product because it's a three in one product. It can be a lipstick, eyeshadow, or a cream blush. This shade is too light to be a good lipstick for me, but as a blush it is very flattering. I'm really starting to like the brand Be a Bombshell thanks to Ipsy! Overall this month's bag was a success. 

What did you like or dislike about this month's bag, Ipsters? 

Thanks for reading and see you on Christmas!

Brianna

Too Faced Better Than Sex Amazing Eyes Set Review

Hey Beauties!

I was Christmas shopping a week or so ago and found some pretty awesome sets at Sephora that I couldn't resist. One in particular was the Too Faced Better Than Sex Amazing Eyes Set. I have seen the Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara at Sephora before and have always wondered the one and only question: is it better than sex? Below is why Too Faced is quickly becoming one of my new favorite brands.

The set comes with Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara and Perfect Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in Perfect Black. 

Too Faced Perfect Eyes Waterproof Eyeliner in Perfect Black

The eyeliner lives up to the name by being a very rich black eyeliner. It's extremely creamy and easy to go on. The awesome part? It doesn't budge for the entire day and it's waterproof. Normally eyeliner fades or smudges by the end of the day, but this product literally didn't move. I think I'm in love. 

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

When I first saw this mascara in Sephora I was intrigued. It runs for $23.00 and claims to be "better than sex," so naturally I assumed this mascara must be fantastic. Another part of mascara that I'm really big about is the brush. This brush is thick with a unique shape. When I first used the mascara, it went on like no other mascara ever has. It separated my lashes and lengthened them like so many other mascaras have tried to promise. The mascara is also dark and one sweep of the wand is all you need to have beautiful lashes. 

The Bottom Line:

Yes, I would definitely recommend these two products. They live up to the names and prices. 

Pros:

• Vivid dark color
• Creamy application
• Easy application
• Lasts all day
• A little bit of both products goes a long way

Cons:

• Expensive

Have you tried these two products? What are your thoughts on them? Let us know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading!

Brianna

The Differences in Lip Products

Hey Beauties!

Today's post will go over the differences in the different kinds of lip products. I was inspired to do this idea because I know a lot of people who are confused by the different types of lip products. I was also going through my makeup and realized I had organized my lip products into the different types and thought it would be interesting to do a post based on this idea. Hope this helps!

Lip Balm:

Lip balm is a moisturizing lip product that helps heal and protect lips against dryness. ChapStick is one of the best known brands (along with Blistex, Nivea, etc.), but is often confused as being its own type of lip product because that is simply what we call it. I always use the term ChapStick when referring to lip balm because that's basically all I use. Lip balm can be tinted or not. If it is tinted, it's normally not very pigmented because when using lip balm, you aren't normally looking for a full coverage lip product. If it's full coverage you're looking for then you will want...

Lipstick:

Lipstick is a thicker lip product that is highly pigmented and used for full coverage. The thickness of lipstick is sometimes a deal breaker for some women because it feels different than a lot of other lip products. The opaque coverage and the usual matte finish are what really make this product popular. Lipsticks don't have to all be matte though, there are tons of lipsticks that are shimmery or have some glossy looks to them. The downside of using lipstick, is that most of them don't last all day (although some brands do have long lasting kinds). If it is long lasting color you are looking for then you'll want to try...

Lip Stains:

Lip stains can be pretty awesome because they last a long, long time. They can add a nice touch of color without being too much, like lipstick sometimes can be. The issue with lip stains are that they tend to be very drying. Some of the higher end brands do a better job at fixing this issue though. You want to make sure to use some sort of moisturizer after using lip stains.

Lip Crayons:

Lip crayons are a "new-ish" product on the market. They are a more sheer type of lipstick that doesn't have the weight that lipstick does. Due to its shape, it is also slightly easier to apply. I like lip crayons because they are a nice subtle color without drying or without too much thickness to them. It's a happy medium.

Lip Gloss:

Lip gloss is a very glossy lip product (hence the name) that is more sheer. It can be shimmery, sparkly, flavored, and scented. It is a staple throughout late middle school and high school for a lot of girls. It's a quick way to play up your look if you want to make up your eyes, but not look too heavy in the day time. I find it to be more sticky than anything else, and don't usually prefer it. The particular lip gloss in this photo is from Sephora and is made to match your skin tone using pH. It's actually a really cool idea and works pretty well. No more fighting with trying to find a shade that looks good on you because this product does it for you. 

Plumping Lip Gloss:

If lip gloss doesn't give your lips that juicy glossy look that you want then plumping lip gloss may be your thing. Plumping lip gloss has all the perks of regular lip gloss, but is supposed to "plump" up your lips by temporarily irritating them. Lip plumpers use ingredients that increase the flow of blood to the lips such as different types of mint or cinnamon. The increased blood flow causes lips to swell temporarily. Lip plumpers are used to make lips look more full. The cheaper brands, such as e.l.f. (above), don't make much of a difference, but I can't speak for higher end brands because I haven't tried them. 

I hope this list helps clarify things a little bit!

Do you think I missed anything? Comment down below! Also let me know what your favorite kind of lip product is!

Thanks for reading!

Brianna

November 2013 Favorites

Hey Beautiful!

Happy (late) Thanksgiving to all who celebrated it yesterday here in the U.S. I hope you ate lots of food and had a great time surrounded by family, or just one on one with someone special if that's what you prefer. Every last Friday of the month I decided to post a monthly favorites list composed of the top 5 products I loved. It's fun to recap on the things you've used and loved the most and I thought why not share that with you!

Here is the list of what I loved this month:

St. Ives - Daily Hydrating Vitamin E Body Lotion

I have used this almost every night because of how cold and dry it's starting to get. The lack of moisture in the air combined with how many times I have to wash my hands while at work makes for very unhappy skin. St. Ives has helped sooth and protect my skin all month long.

Chapstick Moisturizer - Green Apple

Since we are already on the topic of dry skin, I found this chapstick a couple months ago at my local grocery store. I love green apple products and I also like the different flavors that Chapstick makes. Last year I got an apple cider flavor and it was amazing. This lip product is my go-to in the fall and winter. 

Lorac 3D Liquid Lustre - Diamond

I know I just did a post on these, but I still can't get over how much I love them. I really like all of them a lot, but I figured putting them all on here was kind of cheating. The Diamond shade is a nice touch to any look because it's neutral and goes with everything. Use it all by itself or use it to spruce up some eyeshadow, either way it's definitely awesome. You can find my review on this product here.

Starlooks Kohl Eye Pencil - Obsidian

I love love love this eyeliner. Maybe it's because I only ever buy myself $1 eye pencils from the drugstore, but either way, this is like heaven. It goes on so smoothly unlike any other eyeliner I've EVER had. And you don't have to work for a dark line, it's super pigmented. I love Starlooks pencils.

Be a Bombshell Lip Crayon - Shameless

I love this new product I got in my Ipsy bag because it is one of the only lip colors I've actually liked on myself. I don't know what it is about lip colors, but to me it just never looks right. But this one is perfect. 

What are your favorites for this month? Do you disagree with some of the products I posted? Let me know why in the comments below!

Thanks for reading!

Brianna

Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara

Hey Beauties!

This post is half a review and half a challenge. I received a sample size Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara in my September Glam Bag, which I was extremely excited about because I love trying new mascara. I went to the website, as I do for all products I receive in my Ipsy bags, and checked it out. I like to see the cost of the products I'm getting and what else they offer. It's a really cool way to find new brands and new favorites. That's how I fell in love with CAILYN Cosmetics. But when I checked out the website, I found that Elizabeth Mott offered two things; mascara and what they call a lash card. My immediate assumption was wow, this mascara must be pretty good if that's all they sell. On the homepage you can see that they have two pictures comparing eyelashes with two and ten plus coats with this mascara. The eyelashes with ten plus coats looked completely unreal. That lead me to my next thought: challenge accepted.

The thing that has always bothered me about mascara and the companies that supply them is the fake lashes they use for advertising. Maybe it's just me, but I want to know how it ACTUALLY looked on that model! Then at least I could have some sort of clue how it would look on me. But instead, the commercials are fake and you just have to spend the money to find out for yourself. Which is exactly why they do it and it works like a charm. But unfortunately for them, they have beauty bloggers and the power of reviews so if they have a below par product, everyone has the opportunity to find out. 

Also a side note here: 

When reviewing mascara products, I'll always show you what they look like on me. And I do understand that it looks different on everyone. At least I can give you a better clue what it REALLY looks like unlike the commercials and ads. 

So continuing on with my story. I decided to put the ten plus coats to a test to see if my lashes really did look like the picture advertised on the front page of Elizabeth Mott. After all, if they did, then they can have all my money and that's what I'll switch to. 

These are the results. The three pictures on top from left to right are the first, fifth, and tenth coats respectively. The picture on bottom compares both eyes after using ten coats but in different ways. My right eye was the one used in the above images where I took a picture after each coat. This gave it time to dry slightly before applying more. My left eye was me applying ten coats one right after the other. Definitely a difference there. The right eyelashes are darker and fuller.

As you can see in the images above the tenth coat isn't as glamorous as the one on the website. Although from far away it's not too far off. This leads me to believe that they, too, used false lashes for advertising. I must point out that I didn't use a lash card which could have helped reduce clumping as it claims on their website.

Overall though, this mascara isn't as bad as I first thought. After a couple coats it does look rather nice. It does clump a little bit as you can see, but not as bad as others I've had. It doesn't smudge or flake off throughout the day; it stays put like a good mascara is supposed to.

The Bottom Line:

No, I would not recommend this. It's not worth the $20 to me. I have drugstore brand mascara that works better than this using less coats.

Pros:

• Doesn't flake 
• Doesn't smudge
• Stays put all day
• Lengthens

Cons:

• Expensive
• Requires at least 3 coats to look lengthened and volumized
• Drugstore mascaras are a better option (cheaper and seem to work better for me)

Do you own or have you tried Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara? What are your thoughts on this?

Thanks for reading and Happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate it!

Brianna

Ipsy's November 2013 Glam Bag: Glam It Up

Hey Beauties!

I just got this month's Ipsy Glam Bag on Monday and I'm really excited to share what I got with you guys. This month was really awesome because we got an additional product on top of the 4-5 we normally get. Since Michelle Phan curates the bags for Ipsy she gave out a product from her new line, em michelle phan, to all the subscribers. If you haven't subscribed to Ipsy yet, you probably should. I can't stop raving about it.

Here is the list of the products I received this month:

• Be a Bombshell Lip Crayon - Shameless
• Starlooks Gem Eye Pencil - Amethyst
• em michelle phan Waterliner Intense Color Eyeliner - Amazing Grey
• Kiss everEZlashes Lash Double Pack - Lash 03
• Pixi Beauty Bronzer - Subtly Suntouched

I've already tried the Be a Bombshell Lip Crayon. It's an awesome shade for my skin tone and it's a creamy formula that feels nice. I'm going to do a review on Starlooks pencils in the near future because I love them so much and want to share that with you! 

If there are other things that you would like me to include in these Ipsy posts just let me know. As of right now I'm trying to find a good way to share them with you without making them too short. Also if you would like to join Ipsy you can use my referral link here or if you don't want to be pressured into using it you can use this link.

If you're an Ipsy member, how did you like your bag this month? If not, what's your favorite makeup brand and why?

Thanks for reading!

Brianna

12 Awesome Cruelty Free Cosmetics Brands

Hey Beauties!

I know that today's post could get a little controversial. For this reason, I will explain further what I mean for this post. This post will NOT be a discussion on what is right or wrong, or what you should believe in or support. I will not discuss my views on this topic because this post isn't for me. This post is for those who actively want to support cruelty-free brands, and I want to help make that easier by listing several options below.

1. NYX Cosmetics

2. Too Faced

3. Stila

4. E. l. f. Cosmetics

5. CAILYN Cosmetics

6. Burt's Bees

7. Wet n Wild

8. L.A. Colors

9. Jesse's Girl Cosmetics

10. Tarte

11. Urban Decay 

12. Smashbox

BONUS: Elizabeth Mott

You can find a MUCH longer list of all the cruelty-free companies at the websites below:

List of Cruelty-Free Companies (PETA)

Cruelty-Free Shopping Guide (Leapingbunny)

Did I miss your favorite cruelty-free brand? Let me know in the comments below! (Comments that I feel are inappropriate will be deleted)

Thank you for reading!

Brianna

LORAC 3D Liquid Lustre Review

Hey Beautiful!

The other day my roommate and I set out on a mission to get her some new makeup and happened to land ourselves in Sephora. Every time I manage to go into that store I find myself just outright giddy. I can't even control myself in there. My roommate can attest for how excited I get, I almost do laps around the entire store even though I've seen almost everything a million times. It doesn't even matter to me. So because of this 'giddiness,' if you will, I decided that I would not leave that store without buying at least one thing. So as you can probably assume by this point, I left with the LORAC Rockin' Red Hot 3D Liquid Lustre Set. That is a mouthful. Just try to say that three times fast. If you can do that, I'm thoroughly impressed with you.

The set comes with four liquid eye shimmers: their most popular shade, Diamond, and three other limited time shades, Amethyst, Platinum, and Topaz. It does not include their other shade Gold. I actually really wanted to try the Gold, but these shimmers are $16 a piece. The only way I justified spending that much money was when I found the set for only $28. Score.

Here's the swatches

I have to say, I absolutely love these eye shimmers. When I came home after buying them I immediately took the Amethyst shade and tried it out. I didn't use a primer because I wasn't really trying out a full look. I just wanted to see what it looked like on my eyes. To my surprise it stayed. All night. When I went to wipe it off before bed that night, it had BARELY faded. I was expecting it to have creased worse than normal eye shadow, but it didn't! I mean, yes, it did crease a little, but not even half as much as I was assuming it would. I was shocked and delighted all at the same time. 

So fast forward to last Saturday and I wore it at a Halloween party. I wore the Diamond shade because I went as Marilyn Monroe and she was known for wearing a whiter eye shadow. I did the unthinkable and fell asleep that night without taking my makeup off. I woke up the next morning and it was still there FULLY intact. Even after tossing and turning all night, my eyeshadow hadn't budged an inch. Talk about good quality and long lasting.

Alright, moving on to the packaging. The applicator is an eye dropper that you drop one drop on your finger and then apply. You can apply more or less depending on the look you are trying to achieve. It blends out a lot better than how it looks in the swatches, I just wanted to give you guys a look at the consistency and the color: which you can see better by clicking on the image. Also make sure you shake before using because the shimmer settles to the bottom. 

The Bottom Line:
Yes, I'd recommend this!

Pros:

• VERY long lasting
• Very pretty shimmer/shades
• Easy to build upon or leave as is
• Great deal
• Can be used on eyes or cheeks!

Cons:

• A little difficult to apply with finger and actually get it where you want

If you have tried these, tell me how you feel about them in the comments below! What is your favorite purchase from Sephora?

Thanks for reading!

Brianna

Ipsy's October 2013 Glam Bag: The Art of Beauty

Hey Beautiful!

First and foremost I must apologize for taking such a large hiatus without saying anything. I didn't say anything because I didn't exactly intend to stop blogging. I have had a very busy month. Next time this happens though, I'll make sure to take a moment and let you all know!

On to the real topic for today's post! I'm writing about the most recent Ipsy Glam Bag that I received which is the October bag: The Art of Beauty! Here is the picture of my bag below.

And the list of products:

• Zoya Nail Polish - Mason
• La Fresh Eco-Beauty Oil Free Face Cleanser Wipes
• Bella Terra Mineral Cosmetics Mineral Shimmer - Navy
• Coastal Scents Medium Shadow Brush
• Sexy Hair Texturizing Spray Clay

I will give product reviews for all of these in the near future to let you know how they are. This month's bag wasn't my favorite, but I still have yet to be disappointed. Ipsy is an awesome and cheap beauty subscription that you should definitely sign up for it you love trying out new makeup! You can see my semi-review of Ipsy here.

Are you an Ipsy member? If so, comment down below and let me know what you thought of this month's bag and if you liked what you got! 

Thanks for reading!

Brianna

E.l.f. Flawless Finish Foundation and Studio 83 Piece Collection Review

Hello Beautiful!

Today you get a 2-in-1 review because I recently ordered from e.l.f. Two of the items I purchased stuck out enough for me to write a review about them. The Flawless Finish Foundation in Sand and the White Studio 83 Piece Essential Makeup Collection.

I'll start with the 83 Piece Collection because I love colors. I've had my eye on this collection for quite a while. I've also had it in my cart on several different occasions willing myself to spend money on it. I hesitated for a long time because I was unsure of how much I'd use and if I'd like it. I finally waited until they had a nice enough sale and I bought it for half off. I'm glad I did buy it because it's better than I originally thought!

Here's what it includes:

• 64 Eyeshadow Shades
• 8 Lip Gloss Shades
• 4 Blush Shades
• 4 Bronzer Shades
• 1 Lip Brush
• 1 Eye Brush
• 1 Face Brush

It also comes in two different color collections: white and black. The white collection has more of a summer feel with the bright colors and darker bronzers (as pictured above). The black collection has a more winter feel with the more natural, neutral shades.

As far as the quality of the product goes, it's actually pretty good for a makeup palette. The lip gloss actually comes off quite pigmented, although, as expected, it doesn't last too long. The shimmery eyeshadows are very pigmented and the blushes are all a very pretty shade too. Below are the swatches for the eyeshadows and lip glosses. The lip glosses are in order from top to bottom as they appear in the palette, while I just took some of the prettier colors I liked from the eyeshadows.

The Bottom Line:

Yes, I'd recommend this.

Pros:

• Very pigmented shades (eyeshadows AND lip glosses)
• Beautiful blush shades
• Lots of bright colors to choose from
• All contained in a nicely packaged palette

Cons:

• Very cheap brushes that shed (with exception to the lip brush which has been great for me)
• Lip gloss wears off fairly easy
• Some eyeshadow shades are more pigmented than others
• Can be messy if not taken care of as with any palette

The Flawless Finish Foundation in Sand has quite a few ups and downs. I bought it because I'm in desperate need for a good foundation and have been trying to find one that matches my skin tone. E.l.f. foundations are fairly cheap and I figured I'd start here. 

What I really liked about this foundation is the finish. It honestly lives up to the name of "flawless finish." It is more of a matte finish, but it smooths out the skin well creating an even surface to keep building.  I also really like the pump and the sleek packaging in general. It makes it really easy to use. One thing to keep in mind is that this foundation has a perfume smell to it when first applying it. I personally like it so I don't mind it, but I know some of you are sensitive to this and I wanted to let you know now. It does go away once it's dry. Another thing I noticed about this foundation is that it has an orange tint to it. I read this in some of the reviews on e.l.f.'s website, but decided to take the risk because it didn't happen for everyone. So here is my thought, it didn't work for my skin tone, but it might work for yours. You'll never know until you try it, but don't be disappointed. 

The Bottom Line:

I'm at a toss up here for recommending this. It didn't work for me, but I know some people who swear by this foundation. So take in the pros and cons I have listed below and you can make up your mind.

Pros:

• Literally a "flawless finish"
• Nice sleek packaging with an awesome pump
• Makes skin very smooth and easy to build upon
• A nice perfume smell when applying

Cons:

• Orange tint
• Perfume smell for those of you with sensitivities

What are your thoughts on these products? Does the Flawless Finish Foundation have an orange tint on your skin tone? If you have the 83 Piece Collection, which one do you have?

Thanks for reading!

Brianna