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Skinfood Honey Pot Lip Balm Review

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Skinfood is probably my favorite Korean skincare brand and I was so happy to see that they're now sold at Urban Outfitters because it's finally more accessible (yay!). Previously, you could only get Skinfood at one of their stores in NYC or Cali (or order it from Korea).  So I ordered a few things from Urbanoutfitters.com since I don't have a store in my immediate area, and one of the things I just couldn't resist is this Honey Pot Lip Balm ($12).  It's super adorable and comes with a wooden honey stick instead of a spatula. Let's take a look...


I got the Berry shade, but there is also a Mandarin shade and a Honey shade.  

The pot is actually a little smaller than I thought it would be, but once I used it, I realized that it's going to last a long time since you only need a little bit.  It has a fruity scent to it...I'm not sure if the other shades smell different, but if you're sensitive to fragrances I wanted to point that out.  I don't mind it and don't really notice it after a few minutes anyway.


It has a thick, jelly-like texture that feels really good on dry lips...it forms a nice thick layer of protection that doesn't feel sticky. Although the wooden stick is cute, I have yet to use it because I don't want to have to clean it!  So I've just been using q-tips to get the balm out.
This balm does a great job of moisturizing my lips but it only leaves a very slight pinkish-red tint so if you're looking for a tinted lip balm, this isn't going to give you much color.
Overall, this was definitely an impulse purchase based on the super cute packaging.  I really prefer my lip balm in a tube or a stick because it's just easier to apply, so I probably wouldn't get this again once it's gone.  While this is really moisturizing and makes my lips feel soft and smooth, it doesn't perform any better than others I've tried that cost a lot less.
I have more Skinfood reviews on the way, so stay tuned!

To order the Honey Pot Lip Balm, please visit UrbanOutfitters.com


Giveaway! Win a Makeup Revolution Ultra Blush and Contour Palette in Golden Sugar!

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It's almost Valentine's Day, and to show you guys how much I love you, I'm hosting a series of giveaways on my Instagram page.
This week, I'm giving away a Makeup Revolution Ultra Blush and Contour Palette in Golden Sugar. Check out my review and swatches HERE if you missed it. It's one of my favorite palettes and I use it almost every day...it has the most beautiful blush, bronze, and highlight shades.
So head over to my Instagram page to enter. Good luck!

Wet N Wild Fergie Centerstage Photo Focus Eyeshadow Palette Camouflage Couture Review and Swatches

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The Spring 2015 Wet N Wild Fergie Centerstage collection has really wowed me so far, from the amazingly pigmented 10-shade Photo Focus palette, to the Nars-style Around the Clock blushes, and the fabulous Come Correct Celebrity Concealer, so I wanted to grab as many of the new releases as I could because they've been really hard to find. 
I've been looking for the 5-shadow Photo Focus palette in Camouflage Couturefor a few weeks now, and finally one of the Walgreens near me started stocking it (in the Wet N Wild section with the other Photo Focus palettes, not in the front with the new stuff so I almost missed it). It contains gorgeous green shades with one gold shade in the center.  Let's take a look! 
This palette claims to have intensely-pigmented eyeshadows that are jet-milled and are supposed to deliver all-day crease-resistant wear. This collection contains two shimmers, two mattes and one glittery shade in the center.
The compact is the same as the original 5-color Photo Focus palettes...black with a window on top, no mirror and a small sponge-tipped applicator.




This is the first 5-color Photo Focus palette I've tried from Fergie and I was a bit disappointed in the pigmentation of some of the shades in this one.  I don't know if they're all like this, but I had high expectations because the 10-shade Photo Focus palette I reviewed a few weeks ago had amazing pigmentation.  This one just didn't deliver the same results for me.  The top two shimmer shades were a little tricky to pick up with tons of fallout.  The gold glitter shade in the center was also hard to pick up and it took several swatches to get it to show up in the photo below.  The matte shades actually had pretty good pigmentation, so they saved this palette for me.  
I love green eyeshadows and they're not easy to find, especially all in one palette! Since I haven't tried the other 5-shade Photo Focus palettes, I'm not sure how this one compares to those, but when I hold it up against the 10-shade Photo Focus I have, it's just not as impressive.
Overall, these shadows are nice and soft, and I plan on using the matte shades often!  I wish that the shimmers weren't so messy to apply, but they're pretty nonetheless so if you're looking for some green shadows, this is still a good deal for $5.  They might do well over an eyeshadow primer, so that's always an option as well.
Have you seen this at your local Walgreens lately? This is actually on the Walgreens website, so you can check and see if it's at your local store!

Free Harvey Prince Temptress and Yogini Perfumes!

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A few weeks ago, I posted a deal from Harvey Prince to get a free $21 bottle of their best-selling Hello perfume, and they're doing it again with two more of their scents!


This offer is only valid until Feb 14th, so be sure to take advantage before then!

Wet N Wild Fergie Centerstage To Reflect Shimmer Palette in Hollywood Boulevard Review

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Wet N Wild's Fergie collection is really amazing this season and I've had a lot of fun reviewing all of the new products in the line.  They've included a new To Reflect Shimmer Highlighter for Spring 2015 called Hollywood Boulevard ($5.99 Walgreens). It's a golden shade with shimmery pink and bronze running through it in an animal print design. Let's take a look! 
This can actually be used wet for a bolder, extra reflective finish or dry for a more subtle shimmer. I didn't try it wet, but when used dry, the formula is smooth, soft, and easy to pick up with little to no fallout or crumbling.
The compact is almost identical to Fergie's blushes, but it's a bit larger in size, more like the 5-pan eyeshadow palettes.



When swatched, this is a beautiful warm, golden shade.  The bronze mixes in and makes it look darker than it does in the palette and when the light catches it, you can see the pink shimmer in it too. It's such a gorgeous combination, and I've used it on my cheekbones (dusted on with a fan brush) and also as an eyeshadow!
Overall, this is a beautiful highlighter at a great price!  It's a large size that'll last a long time and this can be used anywhere on the face.  Plus, you also have the option of using it wet...I think it would make a stunning eyeshadow that way!
You can purchase this at Walgreens for $5.99

What do you think?  Have you been loving Fergie's collection this season like I have?

Memebox Special #50 Step-by-Step Skincare Review and Unboxing

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I was so psyched when my latest Memebox arrived on my doorstep, because it's an entire Korean skincare routine in a box (minus the cleanser but I have enough of those anyway)! I've been using the multi-step Korean skincare routine since last summer and I can't believe what a difference I've seen in my skin. If you missed my post that details the entire routine, please click here.
This latest Memebox makes it easy to follow the routine and they've chosen some really stellar products that are multi-tasking so you can skip a few of the steps and shorten it a little bit. Let's take a look!

This box cost $29 and contains 6 full size products worth $189! This is what I love about Memebox...the value is always excellent.  Where else can you get an entire skincare regime for $29?
Every box includes a card that details the products and how to use them. If you're new to Korean skincare products, they're way ahead of Western skincare formulations in terms of cutting edge ingredients and research.  When things become popular here (like BB Creams for example), we often find out that they've been popular in Korea for months or even years before making their way here. Korean products are also typically filled with active ingredients rather than a lot of filler, and the market is so competitive there, the products are often a lot cheaper than an equivalent product here in the US.





1. Mizon Alcohol Toner Mojito 150ml
Product Description
Fancy a bottle of mojito for your skin? This unique facial toner is formulated with all the ingredients found in a glass of mojito – lime, sugar cane, sparkling mineral water, apple, and peppermint leaf juice! The lime complex will prevent skin impurities from clogging up the pores and the mineral-rich components will refresh and deliver abundant nutrients to dry, tired skin.

How to use
Apply to face with a cotton pad or with your hands. Use it right after cleansing as the very 1st step into skincare.

Korean toners are nothing like the astringent formulas we're used to in the US.  They're soothing and help to refresh and balance your skin after cleansing.  This one smells incredible, just like a Mojito! It felt so refreshing on my skin and made it feel soft and less tight after my double cleanse. Mizon is a really popular brand and is gaining popularity in the US- they even sell it at Urban Outfitters! I absolutely love this toner and will continue to use it every day.

2. insobeau Super Yellow Intense Renew Essence 30mlus.memebox.com/ustk-super-yellow-intense-renew-essence
Product Description
An anti-aging facial essence made with a special idebenone formula for effectively treating fine lines & wrinkles as well as brightening up uneven and dulled complexion.
How to use
After toner application, apply a dime-size amount of essence evenly over face and pat it in for full absorbance.

In the Korean skincare routine, the next step after toning is serums and there are three types...Essences, Serums, and Ampuoles. An essence is a thin, almost watery consistency, a serum is slightly heavier, and an ampuole is a heavier weight serum with more concentrated ingredients. This step can include one product or several depending on the skin issues you want to fix. This essence contains Idebenone, which is the active ingredient in Prevage (and you know how expensive that is!). 
It's a very lightweight consistency and disappears into the skin quickly. I'm excited to see results with this...I've tried Prevage and I loved how it made my skin look and feel.  It was just so expensive I couldn't keep using it, so this was a very welcome addition to this box!
3. Migabee Royal Jelly & Honey Energy Ampoule 12mlus.memebox.com/ustk-royal-jelly-honey-energy-ampoule

Product Description
A highly concentrated facial ampoule enriched with nutrition-rich royal jelly and royal honey extracts. It will soothe, moisturize, and strengthen skin’s natural protective barrier.
How to use
After essence application, apply a couple drops of ampoule evenly over face and pat it in for full absorbance.

An ampuole, as I talked about above is a thicker, more concentrated serum.  This one contains royal jelly and honey to strengthen the skin.  Unfortunately, I didn't get a chance to use this because it leaked out into the box.  The bottle is actually still sealed but it looks like it leaked around the dropper.  I was bummed because I love ampuoles! 
4. She’s Uris Rice Water Double Action 80g – in stock in Memeshop (with extra info there too)us.memebox.com/rice-water-double-action-cream
Product Description
A moisturizing water-drop type facial cream. This Rice Water Double Action is a smart, multi-functional cream for hydrating, tone brightening, and wrinkle refining. Its formula includes rice bran water, adenosine, cacao extracts, and various herbal ingredients.
How to use
Apply directly to face and pat it in for full absorbance.

The next step is moisturizing, and this cream does double duty as both a wrinkle-fighter and a brightener. These are two  things I look for in a moisturizer so this is perfect for me! 
This is a water-drop type cream that feels very lightweight and absorbs quickly without a greasy feel. The texture reminds me a bit of Laneige Water Bank Gel Cream.
5. Tonymoly My Sunny Milky Sun Cream SPF35 PA+++ 45gus.memebox.com/ustk-my-sunny-milky-sun-cream-spf35-pa
Product Description
A mineral oil free sunscreen that works to color control uneven skin tone and to protect skin from UV exposure. It’s extremely gentle and it leaves skin silky soft and smooth, with a healthy glow.
How to use
Apply directly to face at the very end of skincare routine.

The final step in the Korean skincare routine is sunscreen.  I admit, I almost never wear it unless I know I'm going to be outside for a while in the summer (and never in the winter).  But I need to get better about it so I'll definitely start using this when the weather gets a little warmer.
It feels lightweight and non-greasy but it does leave a bit of a white cast to the skin once absorbed. That's because this contains a physical sunblock rather than a chemical one, which is actually more effective and natural for your skin. 

6. Taphre Special Care Mask 25ml – in stock in the Memeshopus.memebox.com/special-care-mask
Product Description
Enriched with propolis extracts, hyaluronic acid, collagen, and various fruit & nut extracts, this Special Care Mask helps replenish, repair, protect and soothe skin against dehydration and aging, for a much softer and more luminous complexion.
How to use
Cleanse face and apply toner with a cotton pad. Unfold the mask and spread it evenly over face, aligning the eyes, nose, and mouth properly. Rest for 15~20 minutes, remove mask, and pat in the remaining essence for full absorbance.

Some nights, you may want to add on to your routine with a mask or a scrub.  This paper mask is for firming and lifting the skin, and I'm all for that! I have a ton of masks but this one actually sounds interesting so I think I'll try it this week.  

Overall, I loved this Memebox and have already been using all of the products (except for the ampuole that leaked).  It's a fantastic box for anyone looking to get into Korean skincare.  Unfortunately, it's sold out, but in the link below, there's a 4-piece starter kit that simplifies the routine down to only a few steps.  One of the products in it is the Skinfood Black Sugar Cleansing Oil, which I use every day during my double cleanse...it's awesome! Also, get $5 off a $50 order using this code:
$5 off orders above $50 for USA Shop and XO Memebox items. Use code: FABFIVE
Memebox Starter Kit #Beginwithskin

Tarte Tartelette Palette Review and Swatches

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Tarte's new Tartelette Palette ($44, Sephora) is a brand new matte eyeshadow palette for Spring 2015 and I'm so happy that I finally got my hands on one! Let's take a look...
First of all, can we talk about the packaging? Purple and shiny gold...gorgeousness! It's about the thickness of a CD case but a little smaller lengthwise. It has a full sized mirror on the inside lid, which is great if you're using this on the go, and the case feels very sturdy overall and snaps closed tightly. It's sleek, yet feminine and pretty- I love it!
It came with a card that has detailed instructions on how to create a Day Time look and a Play Time look using the shades in the pallette. I followed the Day Time look and it was easy to create and looked really good!


Ok, so I'm really psyched to finally have an all matte palette! I mean, I love my Naked Palettes and Chocolate palettes, etc. but I'm in my mid-thirties now...lately I find myself using less and less shimmer shadows (and pretty much no glitter), so mattes are what I gravitate toward for my everyday looks. This gives me a lot of different options to choose from on a daily basis without getting bored with the same one or two go-to shades, because this entire palette is full of go-to shades!
At first glance I knew I was going to love this palette. It's designed so that you can use each row across to complete an eye look. It has your highlight, lid, inner crease, and outer V shades that coordinate perfectly with each other.
It has a wonderful mix of neutrals...creams, browns, taupes, purples, and black. You don't have to follow the rows either, they can all be mixed and matched in endless combinations!
Each shade name is meant to celebrate, inspire and empower women.  I can relate to a lot of the names (as I'm sure most of you can) and see a little of each in myself (and sometimes a lot...hello Multi-tasker, Caregiver, and Dreamer!).
I swatched all of the shades over Wet N Wild's new Coverall Primer (which is actually a face primer but I had to cover large sections of my arm, haha). When I first touched these shadows at Sephora when this first came out, I didn't buy this because they felt dry and powdery. But I'm glad I finally did because they are way more pigmented, smooth, and easy to work with than your average matte eyeshadows (which can be chalky and streaky). 
These don't have that soft, buttery feeling of let's say, an Urban Decay eyeshadow, but they pack just as much punch pigment-wise and really surprised me in a good way.

Here, each shade was swatched 2-3 times to build the color and as you can see, they are really pigmented. They are a little bit powdery with some fallout when you dip the brush into them, but they're not crumbly...the powder that comes up is very fine and light so I didn't find it to be annoying. These have a really long wear-time...without primer, these lasted a solid 8 hours on me without too much fading. 
Free Spirit (Cream), Force of Nature (Nude), Dreamer (Warm Brown), Multitasker (Chocolate)

Caregiver (Pale Pink), Natural Beauty (Mauve), Best Friend (Mulberry), Bombshell (Dark Plum).
Super Mom (Ivory), Wanderer (Light Brown), Power Player(Taupe), Fashionista (Black)
Overall, I can safely say that this is my favorite palette of the moment! It's just so wearable that I can see myself using this every day for a very long time (I already have been since I got it). It may not be filled with the most exciting or interesting colors, but it's something that everyone should have in their makeup arsenal, regardless because it'll definitely get a ton of use given how versatile it is. If you're on a budget and are looking for a splurge item, this is definitely a solid choice! It's one of those items that'll get so much use you don't have to feel guilty about spending the money on it (and if you don't like it, Sephora has a great return policy!).
So what do you think?  Have you tried the Tartelette Palette yet, or if not, do you think you will?

Wet N Wild Fergie Centerstage Around The Clock Blush- Brush With Brilliance Review

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Last month, I reviewed two of the new Fergie by Wet N Wild Around the Clock blushes (see review here), but at the time, my local Walgreens was sold out of the third new shade, Brush With Brilliance. On a recent trip to Wags, I saw that it was back in stock so I grabbed it.  This was the shade I mentioned in my previous post that could possibly be a dupe for Nars Orgasm, so I just wanted to show you guys the color and swatch it next to Orgasm for comparison.  This isn't going to be an in-depth post since I've already reviewed these (please see my previous post for more details) so let's take a quick look!

These blushes are highly pigmented and super soft.  They're also a nice large size that'll last a long time and they're a bargain at $4.99.
As soon as I saw this color I thought of Orgasm with that gold shimmer and peachy pink appearance.
This is one of those times when a color looks different in the pan than swatched, because it looked way more pink on my skin than I thought it was going to be.
Here it is next to Orgasm...you can definitely tell that Orgasm is more peachy-pink, while Brush With Brilliance is pretty straight up pink with gold shimmer.
So it's not technically a dupe for Orgasm but I'm loving the color anyway!  What do you guys think? Have you seen these blushes around at your local Walgreens?  They've been so hard to find for a lot of people!

NYX Cosmetics Prismatic Eyeshadow Swatches

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NYX Prismatic Eyeshadows are brand new for Spring 2015 and I found them at Ulta.com for $6 each. I'm a huge NYX fan but in the past their eyeshadows haven't impressed me all that much...well, these have changed all that!  Let's take a look...
There are 12 shades in all, and I picked up four of them to try.  I don't have an Ulta near me, so I ordered them online and unfortunately, one came broken...bummer because it's a beautiful shade!
Top Row: Frostbite, Smoke & Mirrors
Bottom Row: Liquid Gold, Bedroom Eyes
These come packaged in cute little silver and black pots and the clasp is a little silver bow.  It gives it that little bit of a girly touch without going crazy with pink or purple packaging...they're keeping it sleek and simple. They also have a hinge opening, similar to their other eyeshadows, which I prefer to a cap that comes off all the way. 

These are probably some of the softest eyeshadows I've ever touched...you can actually see how soft they are in the close-ups below...they almost look fuzzy! To me, they kind of look like loose eyeshadow that was loosely pressed together. The only downside to them being this soft is that it makes them prone to breakage (as you saw in my situation) so you have to be really careful with them.


The pigmentation is incredible, and they rival any expensive eyeshadow on the market.  That's why these were such a pleasant surprise because the original NYX eyeshadows were decent but I wasn't super impressed by them.

These were swatched without primer, and each shade was swatched only twice so you can see how truly pigmented these are! They last about 7-8 hours on my eyes, so they're long-lasting as well!

Frostbite is white with a lilac duochrome when it catches the light...just gorgeous!
Nyx frostbite swatch
Frostbite

nyx prismatic eyeshadow frostbite swatch
Frostbite
Smoke & Mirrors is a beautiful pewter or gunmetal gray. This would make an amazing smoky eye!
nyx prismatic swatches
Smoke & Mirrors

nyx smoke & mirrors swatch
Smoke & Mirrors
Bedroom Eyes is a warm medium brown that's perfect for everyday.  It's such a rich color!
nyx bedroom eyes swatches
Bedroom Eyes

nyx bedroom eyes swatches
Bedroom Eyes
Liquid Gold is a deep golden shade.  I'm so upset that it broke because it's stunning!
nyx liquid gold swatches
Liquid Gold

nyx liquid gold swatches
Liquid Gold

Here are all four swatched together...aren't they so soft and beautiful?! They actually look as soft as they feel and go on so smooth, like butter. 
I just can not get over how soft and pigmented these are! Without a doubt they're the nicest drugstore eyeshadows ever.  I really want to try more colors now and I regret only buying 4, but I just didn't know what to expect. I would run right out to Ulta and get these if you can.  I have a feeling they'll sell out quickly, especially as more reviews and swatches start coming out.

What do you think?  Are you planning to try these, or have you already?

New! Biolage Cleansing Conditioners at Ulta

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Lately, I've been trying to co-wash as much as possible, avoiding shampoo to see if it makes a difference in my hair. I started with Wen and since that's really expensive, I've been using the Herbal Essences Naked Cleansing Conditioner in between.  I've been trying to grow my hair out and I need it to be as healthy as possible since my hair is thin and has a tendency to break, especially after using heat tools and coloring.
So I was excited to see some new options from Biolage that just arrived at Ulta.  The great thing about these is that they're tailored to your specific hair type, instead of the typical one-size-fits-all model.  They have a version for fine, thin hair like mine that doesn't weigh it down, one for medium hair for those who have a medium volume and texture, one for curly hair, and one for coarse hair. They're not cheap, at $26 for 16.9 oz. but they are a little less expensive than Wen, which is $32 for a 16 oz. bottle.
Medium Hair, Fine Hair, Curly Hair, Coarse Hair
They also have a 33.8 oz version for $35, which is actually a better value.

Are you a fan of co-washing?  Would you try this?

Tarte Miracles From The Amazon Kit- Special Value Today ONLY

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Today only, QVC is offering an amazing kit from Tarte called Miracles From The Amazon and it contains their new Maracuja Miracle Foundcealer (foundation-concealer combo), plus a bunch more products for only $59. It's an amazing deal because that makes each item here just under $10 each...crazy for Tarte right?
Includes:
  • 0.51-fl oz Maracuja Miracle Foundcealer
  • 0.27-fl oz LipSurgence Liquid Lip Shine in Exquisite, a berry mauve shade
  • 0.24-fl oz Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara in black
  • Amazonian Clay Eye and Cheek Palette with one 0.20-oz blush in Talented, a peachy coral shade; and six 0.035-oz Amazonian Clay eye shadows in Pink Beyond, a pink shade; Taupe for the Best, a taupe shade; Dreams Plum True, a plum shade; Out of This Pearl, an ivory shade; Thistle be the Day, a grey shade; and Paint the Brown, a dark brown shade
  • Double-ended eye shadow brush
  • Maracuja Miracle Foundcealer Brush
  • Makeup bag
I already bought mine at the stroke of midnight when the deal went live!  I really wanted this eyeshadow/blush palette, the brushes and of course the new foundcealer.  I've also never tried the Amazonian Clay Smart Mascara so I'm looking forward to that as well.  Check out swatches of the entire kit in this quick video below (you don't have to leave this site)-


The best thing about ordering from QVC (aside from the great deals) is that they have a great return policy, so if this doesn't work for you, they'll take it back no questions asked...even if you've already used it. 
To order, please visit QVC.com

Valentine's Giveaway! Win a Makeup Revolution Iconic 3 Palette!

Profusion Luxy Lips Review and Swatches

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Oh man, do I have a cheap thrill for you! Look what I dug out of the $1 bin at Walgreens...Profusion Luxy Lips! At first glance, I thought these were just your run-of-the-mill lip glosses and I set them aside thinking I would review them at a later date.  Well, I decided to try one the other day and got a huge surprise! These are heavily pigmented, matte, lip paints.  Let's take a look...
I found 5 different shades but there could be more out there. That's all I was able to find...the bins at my Walgreens are all disorganized and like a rummage sale so I picked through what I could. They don't have names on the tubes either, so I'll just refer to them by their color during the review.

They come in a squeeze tube with a slanted applicator.  The formula reminds me of OCC's Lip Tar...these can get messy, so applying them straight from the tube isn't the neatest way to apply these...a lip brush is probably way more effective.
When swatched, these are opaque and have a paint-like consistency.  They appear glossy at first, but that quickly goes away in a few minutes and you're left with a demi-matte finish. They have a faint bubblegum scent that reminds me of straight-up Bazooka Joe.


Nude, Pink, Purple, Orange, Red
These have a tendency to bleed outside my lips a bit, at least when I applied them straight from the tube. I think using a lip brush might help, or next time I'll try lip liner first.  For some reason, the nude shade felt drier than the others and applied more patchy.  The rest went on smoothly and stained my lips for the majority of the day.
Nude

Pink

Purple

Orange

Red
Overall, if you love OCC Lip Tars or the J.Cat Wonder Lip Paints, you'll love this bargain version-I just can't believe these are only $1 each!  If you live near a Walgreens that has the $1 bins, I highly recommend you check these out.

Real Techniques Bold Metals Now BOGO 50% at Ulta!

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If you've been dying to try the new Real Techniques Bold Metals brush collection, now's your chance to get them Buy One Get One 50% off...right now at Ulta!
I don't live near an Ulta, but I like to go when we visit my in-laws on Long Island.  The few times I've gone to look for these, the display was empty- they just keep selling out! I finally went online to place an order and to my surprise, they're on sale- yesss!


I'm really wanting the Pointed Crease Brush (2nd row to the left) and the Flat Contour Brush (bottom row)!  Click on any of the brushes below to head over to the Ulta website!

Have you tried any of these brushes yet?  I'd love to hear about it!

NYC Cosmetics City Proof 24HR Eye Shadow Spotted at CVS

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I just spotted the new NYC Cosmetics City Proof 24HR Eye Shadows at CVS ($3.19 each) and right now they're BOGO 50% off!  These claim to be Vibrant, Waterproof Color and they come in 10 shades. There's also a primer (far left) that will help to make them even more vibrant and long-lasting.  Let's take a closer look at the shades...

Primer, Wall Street Bronze, Brooklyn Mocha, Tribeca Taupe, 5th Ave Gold Rush

5th Ave Gold Rush, Murray Hill Champagne, Rockefeller Center Snowflakes (x2)

Empire State Building, New York at Night, Central Park Tulips, East River Romance.
I can't wait to try these! I love cream shadows (like Maybelline Color Tattoo) but when they're in a chubby stick, they're so easy to apply especially on the go!
Grab these now while they're on sale!

Maybelline Color Tattoo Spring 2015 Shades

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Maybelline has released two new Color Tattoo shades as part of their new Rebel Bloom collection for Spring 2015. Let's have a look! 
There are apparently three new shades but all of the displays I've seen only had two...Petunia Punk and Hibiscus Heartbreak.
Petunia Punk is a light frosty pink that looks almost white when swatched.



Petunia Punk
Hibiscus Heartbreak is a pinky purple shade that's just beautiful. It also has a little bit of a frosty finish.
Hibiscus Heartbreak
Here are the swatches...these are actually quite sheer (more so than other Color Tattoos) and I had to build the color up a bit to get them to look like they do here.

Here they are swatched on my eye and you can see how sheer they are. I used Petunia Punk up to my brow bone and Hibiscus Heartbreak on my lid. Petunia Punk almost disappears except when the light catches it, but I'm totally smitten with Hibiscus Heartbreak. 
 Have you seen these out and about yet (or seen the third shade)? I picked these up at Harmons and I've also seen them at Bed, Bath and Beyond.

Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipstick Swatches and Review

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I just got my hands on four of the brand new Urban Decay Sheer Revolution Lipsticks ($22, Sephora) and I am crazy about these already! These are a sheerer version of the original Revolution Lipstick, but they're not as sheer as you would think.  They still have quite a bit of pigmentation, but they're a bit softer and more casual...the perfect compliment to their Naked products!  Let's take a look...
I chose four shades I thought I would be most likely to wear:

Liar- Sheer Pinky-Brown Nude
Rapture- Sheer Dusty Rose
Ladyflower- Sheer Rose Pink
Streak- Sheer Coral Pink
The tubes are very similar to the original Revolution lipsticks, except they're metallic purple.  They're nice and heavyweight and feel very luxurious and high-end.


The formula is described as, "Creamy badass luxury meets sheer, richly pigmented color.  Our pigment infusion system evenly disperses color, Maxi Lip plumps, and nourishing oils leave lips cushiony soft".
They're infused with Shea butter, jojoba oil, olive oil, babassu oil and vitamins C and E.  They also contain Maxi-Lip which is a defines and plumps the lips with no tingling.  They have no scent or flavor whatsoever which is great for those who are sensitive. 
At first, I wondered how a sheer lipstick could be described as "richly pigmented" but somehow they are! And yet, you can still see your lips through them a little bit, so I guess you could say they're pigmented but not totally opaque.

Here's a close-up of each shade in the tube first, then swatched, and then on my lips.

First up is Rapture, described as Sheer Dusty Rose.  This may be my favorite lip color ever...it's just beautiful!
Rapture

Rapture
Rapture
Liar is described as a sheer Pinky-Brown Nude.  I'm not a fan of true nudes because they totally wash me out...but this one has just the right amount of pink to make it the perfect MLBB shade!
Liar

Liar
Liar
Streak is a sheer Coral-Pink.  I normally reserve brights like this for the summertime and I have a feeling this is going to be a go-to shade.  It's a pretty pop of color that's not in-your-face.
Streak

Streak
Streak
Ladyflower is a sheer Rose-Pink that really compliments fair skin because it's a nice blue-based pink. It's also a bright color, which normally I would shy away from, but these are so easy to wear they're sort of like a gateway product for people like me who are afraid of brighter shades.
Ladyflower

Ladyflower
Ladyflower
My overall impression is that these are like a tinted lip balm on steroids.  They go on so smooth and creamy like a super hydrating balm, yet they pack a major punch when it comes to pigmentation. They also have the perfect amount of shine...more than a lipstick but less than a gloss. It's that sweet spot that I've always wanted but had a hard time finding.  If I were to create my own lipstick, this would be it, with one exception...it would need to be longer lasting.  That's the one and only downside I see with these.  I got an hour or two out of them and then they were gone.  It was disappointing for sure, considering how long-lasting the original Revolution Lipsticks are.  But it wasn't surprising because lip products that are this moisturizing tend to slide...it is what it is.
The funny thing is, I don't care, because these are such a pleasure to apply, I'll gladly do it often.
Now that I'm officially obsessed, I need more shades! If you haven't tried these, head on over to Sephora and check them out, swatch them on your hand and choose a favorite.  They may just become your new favorite lip product!

Maybelline Master Matte Blush Stick Review and Swatches

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Maybelline Master Matte Blush Sticks are a Limited Edition for Spring 2015 (boo...please make them permanent!). I spotted these at CVS and what's funny is, they were on the display with the new Spring Color Elixir shades and I just walked right by them thinking that they were the Master Glaze blushes from last year.  I did this during two visits and I don't know what made me look at them the next time I went, but I noticed that the word Glaze on the tube is replaced by the word Matte and I went "oh, wait a minute...these are new!".
They're $9.49 each and come in 4 shades.  I wasn't ready to spend $40 on blush, but I had printed a coupon out of the little Extra Care kiosk for $5 off a $15 Maybelline purchase, so I picked up three of them (I left behind a bright orange shade called Fiery Flora- you can see the color on my Instagram page).  When I got to the register, I found out that these were BOGO 50% off so between that and the $5 coupon, I picked up these three for just under $20. 
Golden Thorn, Flushed Up, Rosy Rush
These are identical packaging-wise to the Master Glaze...the only difference is the formula.  The originals leave a dewy sheen on the cheeks while the Mattes don't have any shimmer or pearly finish whatsoever. They have the same creamy, blendable feel and are actually much more pigmented than the Master Glazes.



I swatched all three shades and was really impressed by the amount of color these put down in one swipe.  The one thing to be careful of here is that it can be easy to overdo it and get clown cheeks.  I use them sparingly, blend, then go back and add more if I need to.  These also last longer than the Master Glazes...I got about 7 hours of wear on my dry skin, which is amazing.

Golden Thorn is a bronze shade and it actually makes a great contour color because of the matte finish!
Flushed up is a light pink that would be so pretty on fair skin.
Rosy Rush is a raspberry shade that can be easy to overdo if you're fair, but when used sparingly it's beautiful!
From Bottom: Golden Thorn, Flushed Up, Rosy Rush
Overall, these are a great find...if you can find them!  Just look for the Rebel Bloom displays in CVS and hopefully you'll see these.  Only one out of 7 or 8 CVS stores in my area had these so they're not very widespread yet.  Plus, each display only had 2 of each shade and since they're limited edition, once they're gone, they're gone! I'm hoping that Maybelline decides to make some permanent matte shades (maybe for summer?!) because it's long lasting and nicely pigmented...an improvement over the original formula in my opinion.

Have you seen or tried these yet?  I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Etude House Pink Box February 2015 Give Me Chocolate Review

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I got my Etude House Pink Box last week and it was filled with...chocolate (well, chocolate themed makeup, that is...even better)! These limited edition products were released right around Valentine's Day, and like most Etude House products, they're adorably packaged.  Let's take a look!
I received two chocolate eyeshadow palettes and three nail colors from the Give Me Chocolate collection, plus their new Precious Mineral Any Cushion Moist formula and a sample of the new Face Blur primer.
If you're not familiar with Etude House, they're one of the biggest makeup brands in Korea and are popular around the world.  They have a philosophy that using makeup should be like play, not just part of a boring daily routine, so all of the products come adorably packaged with cute themes.
They're reasonably priced, yet the products are really high quality, so they've definitely become a favorite brand of mine!



Etude's Precious Mineral BB Creams are super popular and I currently use their Precious Mineral BB Perfect Fit...it has amazing coverage for a BB Cream, yet it looks so natural.  So I was really excited to receive the Precious Mineral Any Cushion Moist compact ($18), especially since I have dry skin and it's supposed to be very hydrating. This reminds me a lot of the Laneige BB Cushion I bought at Target last year (see my review here) but this is a lot less expensive and I actually like the finish better.
The packaging is very similar to the Laneige BB Cushion...it has a sponge in the top section of the compact with a BB Cream-soaked sponge in the bottom of the compact.
It's so easy to use...you just dip the applicator into the BB sponge and pick up some product.  Then you pat it all over your skin and it leaves you looking flawless.  The coverage is medium with a demi-matte finish and it dries super fast.  I love to keep this in my purse because I can do my entire face in about 30 seconds with this...so much easier than foundation on the go.  This moisturizing formula is super lightweight and feels comfortable on my dry skin.  I love it!
The Give Me Chocolate shadows ($8.50 each) are super cute and come in little boxes that look like they have candy in them.  Inside, the little compacts look like chocolate bars! There are three shades in all, and I received two of them (Salted Caramel is the third shade, not pictured).

Cherry Truffle has a peachy pink matte shade and a brown that has a bit of pink in it as well.
Cherry Truffle
Both shades are soft and nicely pigmented!
Cherry Truffle
Cacao Fudge has a sheer golden glitter shade and a matte chocolate brown.
Cacao Fudge
The brown is soft and very pigmented, but the golden glitter shade is very sheer and difficult to build up.
Cacao Fudge
This is from the Etude House website showing both Give Me Chocolate shades on the eyes:
Top: Cherry Truffle
Bottom: Cacao Fudge
Next, I received three limited edition nail polishes in Milk Cocoa, Cherry Ganache, and Mint Choco Chip.
Milk Cocoa is a deep chocolate brown shade, Cherry Ganache is a reddish-brown shade, and Mint Choco Chip is a mint green with little bits of chocolate brown in it. Mint Choco Chip is definitely my favorite! Sorry for the swatches on paper, but my nails are in no condition to be showcasing polish right now.
Beauty Shot Face Blur ($15) is a brand new primer that smooths, fills pores, and brightens.  It has a creamy consistency and looks like lotion with a light pink tint. I used it once since this was just a sample, but I was immediately impressed with how smooth and soft it made my skin.  It didn't feel like it was sitting on top of my skin like most primers...it actually sank in with no greasiness and the pink tint made my skin look brighter and more awake.
Overall, I loved my Pink Box and can't wait for next month! Etude House always impresses me with cute packaging and effective formulas. To check out the rest of their products, please check out their website, Etudehouse.com (they now ship to the US).
Have you tried Etude House?  What do you think of the new Give Me Chocolate Collection?

***Disclosure- The products featured in this review were sent to me for consideration by a brand or PR agency. This in no way influenced my experience with the product- all opinions are my own, and I was not paid to write this review. ***

Ken Paves You Are Beautiful Hair Line Now Available at Walmart!

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I didn't need another reason to go into Walmart...I actually have quite an aversion to the place, but it's the only store you can get Hard Candy and Flower cosmetics at so I force myself to go once in a while.  Now celebrity hairstylist Ken Paves has introduced a new line of hair products that are sold exclusively at Walmart called You Are Beautiful... and they sound wonderful, so that means I'll have to make another trip there soon.
Image Credit: Beautyblitz.com

You might remember Ken Paves from his makeovers on The Oprah Winfrey show, and he's styled celebs like Jessica Simpson, Eva Longoria, Jennifer Lopez and Victoria Beckham.  He's put his 20 years of experience into this line made without harsh sulfates, dyes, or chemicals.  They're also free of synthetic fragrances, using only essential oils instead.  The products are said to smell amazing and very spa-like (which makes me think of Aveda).
There are 18 products in the collection and there's something for every hair type.  They range in price from $13-$19, which is actually quite expensive as far as Walmart prices go, but not bad at all when you consider this is an expert's line full of ingredients that are great for your hair. 
To check out the full line, please visit Walmart.com

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