Stila Gerbera Convertible Color Review!

Stila Gerbera Convertible Color

Stila Convertible Color ($25) is an award winning lipstick and blush all-in-one. Although it can be used as a lipstick, it's best used as a blush. The pigmented cream adds instant color and fresh radiance to the cheeks that will last for hours.

It's available in nine (9) shades: Gerbera, Gladiola, Lillium, Petunia, Peony, Camellia, Rose, Fuschia and Poppy. Although Lillium (dusty pale pink) is a popular choice, Gerbera looked like my perfect color.

Gerbera is a light, warm peachy-pink. Once applied, the color really comes alive and has a sense of vibrancy on the cheeks. On my skin, the color doesn't pull orange, so for those looking for a peach with rather pink tones as opposed to orange, this might be for you. It'd also work as a great base for a warm pink, peach or coral powder blush. On my lips, it actually looks similar to YSL Tender Peach Rouge Volupte Lipstick (but slightly lighter - one of my favorites!)

Eucerin Giveaway Winners Announced and a Thank You!

 

First off, I'd like to apologize for my absence lately - I've been busy, busy, busy, so I should be back to my regular schedule after this week. (My birthday is Saturday - yay!)

Secondly, I'd like to mention that I received some e-mails last week that were sent through my contact form on my 'contact me' page, but no e-mail address was provided for any of the messages, so unfortunately, I couldn't respond to them. If you sent me a message through my contact form and didn't get a response, please send me a message letting me know (you don't have to type the whole message over again). I am now using a new contact form where it is mandatory to provide a return e-mail address. I apologize for any confusion!

As for the giveaway, I'd like to thank all of those that entered. I am so appreciative of all of the feedback I received, and it was incredibly helpful! I'm in the process of changing things up a bit so you can navigate my blog easier, become a little more involved and provide the content you are the most interested in! As always, thank you for all of your support and your kind words! You guys are the best!

All qualifying entries were counted (there were a few after the deadline) and the winners were chosen using random.org.

-AIDA
-Maureen 
-Urban Bedou Girl

All three e-mails were provided, so I will e-mailing each of you shortly! 

Thank you again for entering, and there will be more giveaways very soon!

Final Day to Enter my Eucerin Giveaway! Please Enter!

Final Day!

Today is the final day to enter my Eucerin Giveaway, so make sure to enter if you haven't already!

There will be three (3) winners chosen, and each will receive both products shown below. 

Entering is easy, all you have to do is leave a comment on this, or the actual giveaway post letting me know what you'd like to see more on this blog. Any of your feedback/suggestions will be very helpful to me! 

Thank you so much!

*You have until 11:59 PM CST to enter. 

Make Up For Ever #139 Eyeshadow Review, Photos and Swatches!

Make Up For Ever #139 Eyeshadow

Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow ($20) are high-intense powder shadows that come in a huge variety of shades (over 100) and finishes (matte, semi-matte and iridescent). Some of the brighter shades can even be used as a blush.

The eyeshadows are cased in small, slim black plastic compacts (no mirror) and are very lightweight and great for travel. They are a bit flimsy, and dare I say cheap, but as they are a pro makeup artist brand, they are meant to be placed in palettes. The Make Up For Ever Eyeshadow Palette holds ten eyeshadows.

Everytime I go to Sephora I have a "routine" of the brands I'll visit, and I always stop by Make Up For Ever. I've tried many of their products through the past five years, but I never actually purchased any of their shadows. I always thought they were a bit expensive, so I would purchase MAC as an alternative. For reference,  MUFE shadows actually contain a bit more product than MAC (MAC - 0.05 oz, MUFE 0.08 oz) not that it's hugely significant.

I'm typically drawn to all shades of brown, and shades that are versatile and can be worn often. #139 is described on the website as a Iridescent Brown Black. I would describe it as a neutral, dark brown with a satiny/matte finish.

MUFE #139 on my eyes

Lancome Artliner Precision Point EyeLiner in Brown Review!

Lancome Artliner Precision Point EyeLiner

Lancome Artliner ($29.50) is a product I've been curious to try for the past few years. Many have dubbed this liner pen as their favorite liquid liner, and with it's relatively high ratings, one can only wonder what the fuss is all about.

I use to be a liquid liner on the upper lid and kohl pencil on the waterline type of girl, but after realizing that just about every pencil irritates my eyes, I actually gave up wearing both and resorting to gel/cream liners and deep, dark eyeshadows (used as liner) for the past few years. MAC Liquidlast Liner was my Holy Grail liquid liner for several years (it still remains a favorite), and only recently have I started reaching for the liquid after I developed a little love relationship with Physician's Formula Eye Booster (it's just quick and easy). So I felt like it was time to give in to the Artliner, after several occasions of swatching it on my hand on my frequent trips to Sephora.

It's basically a liquid liner pen that offers dramatic color and precise product product placement that is said to last all day. Many love this liner for it's ease-of-use, smooth application and long wear-time.

There are seven (7) shades to choose from: Noir, Ice Black, Smoke, Brown, Navy, Forest and Aubergine. Naturally, I would have gotten black, but I opted for brown, for a softer look.

Wearing Lancome Artliner in Brown 

(list of products I'm wearing are at the end of the post)

Essence My Favorite Milkshake Stay with Me Lipgloss Review!

Essence My Favorite Milkshake Stay with Me Lipgloss

The Essence Stay With Me Lipglosses ($2.29 each, Ulta) are a small range of color-intense lipglosses, that leave your lips with creamy, long lasting color - and no sticky trail behind!

There are currently six (6) shades to choose from: Me & My Ice Cream, My Favorite Milkshake, Candy Bar, Kiss Kiss Kiss, Deep Rose and Hottest Pink.

I already own and have re-purchased the shade Me & My Ice Cream on a couple occasions, and when I spotted My Favorite Milkshake, it looked like a perfect natural lip color I can wear for on-the-go.

My Favorite Milkshake is a light, warm, natural pink with medium opacity. I think it's a shade that can work on just about anyone. Despite it being "warm", it's not overly warm and doesn't look yellow or orange on my lips when my skin is lighter. When I'm tan, this color still works perfectly, without washing me out like some pale pinks tend to do. It actually brightens my face up a little bit!

The consistency is a bit thick, but surprisingly moisturizing (kind of like a thick balm) and isn't sticky. The only lipgloss formula that's similar that comes to mind is MAC Cremesheen Glass, or MAC Lipglass without the stickiness. Because of it's thicker texture, the wear time is pretty good with these, but because this shade in particular is pretty light, the color sheers out after a while of wear.

My Favorite Milkshake on my lips

Bonne Belle Strawberry Parfait Lip Lites Lipgloss Review!

Bonne Belle Strawberry Parfait Lip Lites Lipgloss

You all know me by now, and I love finding a good makeup bargain. I'm not one that really likes to invest in a pricey lipgloss - as I always feel like I could find something similar at the drugstore for less than half of the price.

Take Bonne Belle Lip Lites in Strawberry Parfait ($3) for instance. A light, creamy, bubble-gum pink that is said to be a close duplicate for the ever-popular Nars Turkish Delight Lipgloss ($24). Both lipglosses will pretty much give the same effect to the lips, but Bonnie Belle costs 1/8th of the price of Nars at a mere $3 per tube.

The formula is creamy, non-sticky and feels great on the lips. The color pay-off is pretty good for a gloss - a couple of layers will give you that baby pink pout that everyone loves.

Bonne Belle Strawberry Parfait Lipgloss on my lips

Nars Belle De Jour Lipstick Review, Photos and Swatches!

Nars Belle De Jour Lipstick

Nars Belle De Jour Lipstick ($24) was one of my older favorites that has been sadly neglected in exchange for new and flashier colors. If you're a lover of nude lipstick, you may have been acquainted with this shade before, but for those who haven't, let me introduce you two.

Belle De Jour is a sheer, nude beige with warm undertones. It's the particular nude that had many running to stores to purchase a tube after Kim Kardashian mentioned it was her favorite nude lipstick in an interview a few years back.

I have many nude lipsticks, but not all of them are flattering on me. I think one of the main keys to wearing nude lipstick (aside from finding the right nude for your skintone) is finding a shade and formula that isn't going to erase your lips, but slightly lighten them a couple of shades. I know we all love pigment in the makeup world, but when it comes to wearing a lipstick shade that's lighter than your lips, lots of pigmentation can lead to a very unflattering result. (Hey, Is that milkshake on your lips?)

A Subtle Nude

I love that Belle De Jour isn't your average chalky nude. It doesn't make me look ill or washed out. It's funny how your coloring really plays a factor in the way certain colors appear. Without a tan (NC15-20), this color looks too orange on my lips - pinker nudes work better on my lighter skin. When I'm NC30-40, the pinky beige tones come out more, and I like it so much more.

Here it is applied on my lips. I applied a few coats to show the color better, but normally I'd wear one sheer coat.

Becca Nefertiti Pressed Shimmer Powder Review!

Becca Nefertiti Pressed Shimmer Powder

I have another Becca product to talk about today! Boy, the month of May seems like a Becca Extravaganza. I apologize for those that haven’t found much interest in the brand.

I’ve been very curious lately in exploring the different products the brand has to offer, and stumbled upon the Becca Pressed Shimmer Powders ($38).

The Becca Pressed Shimmer Powders are available in eight (8) shades: Hyawatha (silvery beige), Athena (golden bronze), Angel (pale silvery pink), Gypsy (bright golden pink), Odette (golden peach pink), Nymph (porcelain white), Princess (golden rose) and Nefertiti (golden pink).

Is it a Blush or a Highlighter?

These finely milled, shimmering powders are actually considered a “multi-use” product that can be used as either one – depending on the shade, that is. Some are better suited as a highlight shade for the cheeks, brow-bone and eyes, whilst the colorful ones would work great as a light blush. If you don’t want to wear them alone, you can lightly layer them on top of your blush for added dimension, color and glow.

I have Nefertiti, which is described as a golden pink. It’s an accurate description, as the base appears to be a neutral, dusty pink cascading with golden shimmer that provides a candlelit glow, rather than a tasteless inclusion of gritty glitter or abundance of metallic frost. When pink and gold collide, typically in a blush with a pink base and gold shimmer, it gives the illusion of a vibrant peach with pink undertones. But because the pink is so neutral, it doesn’t have the bright pink-coral effect of Nars Orgasm (or similar shades). I'd say it's a bit similar to MAC Honey Rose Magically Cool Liquid Powder, but less shimmery with a slightly deeper pink tone.

Haionic Super Lightweight Blow Dryer Review!

Haionic Super Lightweight Hair Dryer

Truth: I have never owned a blow-dryer that costs over $30.

Why? Well, I always figured that blow-driers simply don’t mix well with the texture of my hair, so I never felt like I had to invest in a good one. I also didn’t want to use additional heat on my hair. Considering I use heat on my hair on a regular basis (curling iron and flat iron), I try to limit the amount of heat on my hair as much as I can. So, I resort to washing my hair at night, letting it air dry and styling it the following morning. It works fine for me, but on days where I didn’t have time to wash my hair at night, I have to suffer the consequences of having to spend hours on my hair in the morning – between the blow-dryer and flat iron.

*To clarify: There is nothing wrong with not shoveling out the big bucks for pricey styling tools. Expensive doesn’t always equal better. With that said, by no means am I putting down the less expensive brands or trying to encourage you to invest in a product you may not need. We all have different hair needs, so what may work perfectly for you may not work for me, and vise versa. None of the blow-driers I’ve used worked well for me (granted I haven’t tried them all), but they may work wonderfully for others!

Let me tell you a little bit about my hair. It’s long (below the chest), thick, curly (not tight curls, though –more along the lines of wavy) and fine. I shed more than a golden retriever and God help me if I ever let my hair air dry and then go in public.

Since we’re getting all comfy here, let me tell you another truth. The reason I avoid hair salons at all costs is because I cannot stand how long it takes them to blow dry my hair. Honest to God, I feel so bad every time I’ve gone to a salon (the small handful of times in the past 10 years) and the hair stylist can barely hold her arms up anymore with her round brush, tugging through my thick-ass-hair. My Mom went through the same torture doing my hair in the mornings when I was growing up, and when the blow drier was involved, the result was usually a frizzy mess. I use to go through Johnson’s detangler like nobody’s business, and a comb? Sure, buddy. Once those went in, they didn’t come back out. But hey, I’m not complaining. I love my difficult hair!

The Blow Dryer that Changed my Outlook on At-Home Blowouts

I recently got my hands on a Hai HAIonic Super Lightweight Dryer from Folica.com. I’ve been using it about 2-3 times per week and quickly came to my first realization that hey, they don't all dry out and burn my hair!

The HAIonic Super Lightweight Dryer comes with a bunch of different features, and is said to actually improve the condition of your hair. It uses negative ion technology, which helps seal moisture in your hair, protecting it from heat damage and making it feel soft and shiny. The body is lightweight with a motor that’s less noisy than it’s competitors, and it’s easy to clean with a flip-open vent.

My Everyday Face Routine.

My Everyday Face Routine

This post isn't really supposed to be hugely informative, but I thought it would be a fun post to quickly go through my typical day makeup. My routine is never really "solid" as I change up products from day to day, otherwise I'd never get through any of my products.

On a daily basis I keep my eyes very simple. The colors always change, but what stays the same is that I always apply MAC Brule all over my lids as a base and smudge color across my top and bottom lashline, followed with lots of mascara.

Products Used (in order used)
MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NC20
Hard Candy Glamoflauge Concealer in Medium
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation in Tawny (applied with Real Techniques Stippling Brush)
MAC Eyebrows Retractable Pencil in Spiked
Spoolie Tool
Guerlain Meteorites Powder (applied with a Sigma F30 Large Powder Brush)
Becca Flamenco Bronzing Powder (applied with Coastal Scents Destiny Kabuki on a Stick Brush)
MAC Honey Rose Magically Cool Liquid Powder (applied with Kirkland Stippling Brush)
Nars Dolce Vita Blush (applied with Kirkland Stippling Brush)
MAC Brule, Club and Nehru Eyeshadows
Shu Uemura Eyelash Curler
Shiseido Nourishing Mascara Base
Covergirl Lash Blast Fusion Mascara
MAC Viva Glam Nicki Lipstick
NYX Nude Peach Mega Shine Lipgloss

I'll be doing individual posts on application technique (how to apply concealer, blush, bronzer, etc) because I'd like to explain in detail, rather than briefly in a quick tutorial.

Eucerin Daily Protection GIVEAWAY!

EUCERIN GIVEAWAY!

These products may look a little familiar, as I recently mentioned them in my recent sun-care post. They are the Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Body Lotion with SPF 15 and the Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion with SPF 30. I've been using both products (especially the face lotion) to keep my skin hydrated, as well as providing my skin with adequate sunscreen to prevent any sun damage - I already have enough sun spots on my face, and I'm not interested in having any additional ones! 

Well, the kind people over at Eucerin wanted to make sure all of you are prepped this Summer with the proper tools to protect your skin and are providing three of my readers with both products!

The Prize:

• One (1) Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Body Lotion with SPF 15 (13.5 oz)
• One (1) Eucerin Daily Protection Moisturizing Face Lotion with SPF 30 (4 oz)

How to Enter:

• Entering is easy peasy. Just post a comment stating what you'd like to see more on this blog! I'd really appreciate any feedback/suggestions any of you may have for new content and ideas. If this question just plain stumps you, you can simply just write the first thought that comes to your head (L'eggo my eggo?), or, "enter me". 

Terms and Conditions:

• You must be subscribed to my blog, as this giveaway is exclusively for readers of 'Miss Natty's Beauty Diary'. (To clarify: If you don't have a Google Account, you can be subscribed to my RSS Feed, Twitter, FB, Bloglovin - any of those!)
• There is one (1) entry allowed per person.
• Entrants must have a valid e-mail address so they can be contacted once their name has been drawn.
• The giveaway is open to US Residents 18 years and older only.
• The deadline to enter is Sunday, May 27th at 11:59PM (CST).

Three (3) winners will be selected using Random.org, and will be announced within 48 hours of the deadline.

Thank you for entering!

Milani Liquif'eye Metallic Eye Liner Pencil Review!

Milani Liquif’eye Eye Pencil

Milani Liquif'eye Metallic Eye Liner Pencil ($7.49) is basically a pencil liner with a super-smooth texture, that when applied, it glides on smoothly like a liquid liner - no tugging of the skin like a traditional pencil. It’s said to provide high pigmentation with long-lasting wear.

Milani Liquif’Eye Eye Pencils are available in five (5) shades: Black, Brown, Gold, Silver and Aqua. I own Brown and Aqua, but in this review I'll be focusing on the Brown pencil. (Swatches of both is at end of the post)

These pencils have been compared to Urban Decay’s ever popular 24-7 Glide-On Eye Pencils ($19 each) for their similar smooth texture, pigmentation and lasting power. Some even say they are exact dupes. I know this is going to sound crazy, but I don’t own any Urban Decay Liners so unfortunately, I can’t compare the two.

I do own other liners with smooth formulas – MAC Pearlglide and L’Oreal Extra Intense Liquid Eyeliner Pencil to name a couple, along with other liners such as MAC Eye Kohl, Stila Kajal Eye Liner, etc. Texture-wise, Milani excels above all of these.

 In this photo, I lined my upper lid with the Brown pencil (went over it twice for a deep line) and I applied a little under my eye and quickly smudged it with an angled liner brush and lastly applied the liner across my waterline.

10 Beauty Products I'm Loving Right Now!

1)      L’Oreal Sublime Bronze Clear Self-Tanning Gel – As some of you may have noticed, I dropped my religious routine of fake baking (self-tanning) last October, but I felt like it was time for a little bit of color again. So, I recently purchased this and have been using it on my face, décolleté and arms, and I’ve really been enjoying it! Sure, it’s no St. Tropez, but for something quick and easy, it works well. And, it doesn’t stink, or break out my skin – yay!

2)      Pacifica Tuscan Blood Orange Body Butter – Can we say yum!? Blood Orange is one of my favorite scents, and if you are keen on orange, this body butter is a must-have. It’s fruity, it’s sweet, it’s spicy – it’s everything you could ask for.

3)      Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Penetrating Oil– I’ve had this for a while now, and am beginning to realize (when I don’t use it) how awesome it really is. When I use this, my hair feels softer and everyone around me seems to notice how good my hair smells – that alone will make me want to keep using it!

4)      It’s a 10 Miracle Leave-in plus Keratin– I dyed my hair last week (one shade lighter, you can barely tell in photos) so I wanted a good leave-in treatment to keep my hair hydrated. I knew about this stuff for ages, but never purchased it because of the hefty price tag ($20/4oz). With the health of my hair in m best interest, I decided to take the plunge, and I’m punching myself in the arm for not buying it sooner. Best Leave-in I’ve tried, hands down. It leaves my hair so much more manageable and my hair looks and feels so much healthier.

5)      Reviva Labs Hyaluronic Acid Serum– One of my past favorites. I just got a hold of a new bottle and the sparks in my heart started flying once again. Applied under a moisturizer (or alone) this serum keeps my skin hydrated better than anything else. I never have a bad skin day when I’m using my Reviva Labs.

The proper suncare you'll need this summer and the products I'm currently using! Plus free samples!

May is National Skin Cancer Awareness Month, a time to raise awareness about skin cancer and how to properly protect your skin against the sun. Skin Cancer is one of the most common Cancers in the US, affecting people of all ages. Since Summer is right around the corner, it's the perfect time to address sun protection, while still enjoying some time in the sun this season.

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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend these simple options for protection against UV radiation—

Seek shade, especially during midday (10am to 4 pm) hours. 

Wear clothing to protect exposed skin. 

Wear a hat with a wide brim to shade the face, head, ears, and neck. 

Wear sunglasses that wrap around and block as close to 100% of both UVA and UVB rays as possible. 

Use sunscreen with sun protective factor (SPF) 15 or higher, and both UVA and UVB protection. 

Avoid indoor tanning. 

(Source: http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/prevention.htm) 

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Of course since many of us can't wait for Summer so we can enjoy the nice weather and wear less layers, wearing a suitable sunscreen (SPF of 15 or higher) is key.

Sunscreen for the Face

Although an SPF of 15 might be fine for the body, a higher SPF is recommended (minimum of 30) for the face. The lighter skin you have, the more protection you need. Most foundations don't contain enough SPF (or any) so wearing an additional sunscreen under your makeup is necessary for adequate protection. Why do you need more protection for your face? Aside from skin cancer prevention, the sun damages the collagen in your skin, which leads to - yes, wrinkles and premature aging. Also, the sun causes freckles and sun spots which you'll end up paying hundreds (or more) dollars in the future on chemical peels and AHA's to fade them, when you could just do one more step, like applying a layer of sunscreen on your face in the morning to avoid it all together.

Guest Post: Review: Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturizing Foundation

Guest Post Written by Lindsay

We're all on an endless journey to discovering our favorite foundation - From one foundation fanatic to another, Lindsay of 'Lindsay C Makeup' shares with us her opinion on Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturizing Foundation.

Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturizing Foundation

I am a foundation addict! I can admit it. I have found many foundations I love or really like but I have yet to declare one my *Holy Grail.* So far, I have been loving my Bobbi Brown foundation.

The Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturizing Foundation claims:
It gives skin a soft, healthy, even-toned glow as it helps reverse the visible signs of aging. Formulated with a natural collagen boosting, skin firming blend of Hexapeptides and Milk Thistle Extract. Softens fine lines and imperfections. Skin looks and feels refreshed, renewed and beautifully luminous. Offers medium-to-full coverage. For Normal to Dry Skin.

Bobbi Brown Luminous Moisturizing Foundation in Natural Tan 4.25 (MAC NW35-40 equivalent)

This foundation is definitely moisturizing! It kept my super-dry skin moisturized throughout the whole day. The consistency and feel reminds me of NARS Sheer Glow. However, I feel the Bobbi Brown lasts much longer but a bit more matte than Sheer Glow. It gives a 'luminous' finish without looking glittery or shiny. The website claims it provides medium to full coverage, but I found it to be more light maybe light-medium coverage. The foundation blends nicely with a foundation brush or sponge. Overall, I'd rate it an 8/10 because it gives me a natural glow without fading throughout the day.

Becca Frangipani Creme Blush Review - My Favorite blush right now!

Becca Frangipani Creme Blush

Alright, so I've been using this blush for the past month, which explains why it looks like shimmery slop in a compact. You can quote me on this, but I'm pretty sure it's safe to say that if the makeup police confiscated all of my blushes and told me I can only have one, I'd either be kicking and screaming or sitting there dumbfounded at which blush I'd pick. AHA! That is, before I discovered this beauty.

One makeup product that I enjoy most of all is blush. I don't know why, but I find a pretty blush hard to resist. Needless to say, I have loads of options in the morning for which cheek rouge I want to wear for the day. Because I'm full of love, I like to give each blush special attention, trying not to neglect past favorites and devote all of my attention to my new loves. So it's very (and I really mean very) rare for me to find a blush that I can wear for weeks straight without switching it up. That's why I think Becca Frangipani is extra special. 

I'm pretty new to Becca, but I have to say that they sure know what they're doing when it comes to creating quality cosmetics. It seems that I'm knocking out trying each of their best sellers one by one (Compact Concealer, Mineral Bronzing Powder, Beach Tint) - and now the Creme Blush.

Becca Creme Blush is described as being highly pigmented, yet because of the smooth texture, it diffuses into the skin for a natural and healthy "glow from within" appearance. There are no parabens or preservatives. It's recommended for most skin types except very oily or blemished skin - that is because cream blush can make oily skin appear oilier, and it won't last as long, and for very blemished skin, it can emphasize blemishes. 

There are eight (8) shades available: Turkish Rose (rosy nude), Terracotta (neutral apricot), Byzantine (peach gold shimmer), Wild Orchid (violet pink), Hayacinth (bright watermelon pink), Dahlia (rich burnt red/orange), Amaryllis (dusty pink), Geranium (muted red) and Frangipani (tropical pink shimmer). 

From the way Frangipani looks in the compact, tropical pink shimmer isn't exactly how I'd describe it. It looks more like a metallic/shimmery silvery red. Depending on the lighting, it can also look plum (the red tone really only shows through in the sunlight). The name 'Rose Bronze', or maybe 'Rose-Berry' seems more appropriate, but, don't let the looks of it scare you away. It looks like it has a rosy-red base, but with the silver metallic hybrid, it creates a beautiful rosy-pink hue. It's not a shade only warm skinned gals can benefit from, but a shade that's flattering to many. Possibly a highlight for some? The color definitely isn't one-dimensional and leaves the skin flushed and glowing in any light. 

Chanel 'In Love' Joues Contraste Blush - A Lovely Summer Peach.

 Chanel In Love Joues Contraste Blush

Chanel In Love Joues Contraste Blush ($43) is a medium peachy-coral with very fine golden shimmer. It applies sheer (but buildable) and gives off a soft, peachy-coral glow. The shimmer is tasteful and isn't chunky or frosty. It gives the illusion of very fresh, healthy, glowing cheeks. It has a slight vibrancy to the color, which makes it a really nice pick for the summer. It's almost like a peach version of Nars Orgasm Blush.

Chanel Joues Contraste Blushes are finely milled, super soft textured, pressed powder blushes - that when you touch them, you almost feel like because of the texture, they will apply powdery, like some of the softer textured budget brand blushes. But they apply such a soft, sheer veil of color to the cheeks that never looks blotchy or overdone. It's buildable, so with a couple of layers, you can really achieve intense color (if that's what you're looking for), otherwise, one layer deposits the perfect amount of blush.

Chanel Joues Contraste Blush is available in eleven (11) shades: Imprevu, Orchid Rose, Rose Bronze, Rose Petale, In Love, Espiegle, Rose Ecrin, Pink Explosion, Plum Attraction, Malice and Tumulte. (You can correct me if I'm mistaken, but there are 11 currently listed on the website)

Becca Peach Beach Tint Review, Photos and Swatches!

Becca Peach Beach Tint for the Cheeks and Lips

I've been a fan of Becca products as of lately, and although they aren't talked about much because 1)They're expensive and 2)They aren't widely available, I have loved everything I've tried.

I can't really say I'm a pro when it comes to cheek stains - to be honest, I've only tried one in the past, and it was a deluxe sample of Benefit Posietint. I was interested in giving cheek stains another try since Summer is just around the corner and when it's hot and muggy, there's nothing I love more than wearing a product that I can't feel on my face, and one that I won't have to worry about budging throughout the day.

I know Tarte is a very popular choice for cheek stains, but I felt like stepping into the world of Becca once again.

Becca Beach Tint is a cream stain that can be used on the cheeks and lips. It's "kiss-proof" and water-resistant and blends seamlessly (streak-free) into a non-greasy finish (it's oil-free!)

Becca Beach Tints are available in seven (7) shades: Strawberry (warm orange red), Watermelon (bright pink), Peach (warm orange pink), Raspberry (deep berry pink), Grapefruit (pale coral pink), Fig (tea rose pink) and Guava (bright coral pink).

Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara Review + Before and After!

Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara

I'm sure the majority of us, regardless of age, have owned this little pink tube of mascara with the green cap at some point in our life. When I pass by the the makeup aisles and catch a glance at Maybelline Great Lash Mascara, it instantly reminds me of when I was about twelve or thirteen, when I first developed my love for makeup. Sure, it wasn't "all that", but it was cheap and at the time, it got the job done.

Needless to say, I have never repurchased it since because I like a little (or a lot) more oomph in my lashes, which the very natural, smudgy results of Maybelline Great Lash didn't prevail. So, Maybelline came out with a little something called Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes, a new spin on the classic original. 

This new mascara claims to provide "lots of impact", while the unique brush design grabs each lash for maximum separation and volume.

*Note: The directions state to not let this mascara dry between coats. For the best results, apply the mascara until you are satisfied with the achieved look. (more about this later)

It's available in three shades: Blackest Black, Very Black and Brown Black. I chose Blackest Black, as I always do.

Sigma Tapered Highlighter and Face Brushes Review!

Sigma F25 Tapered Face Brush & F35 Tapered Highlighter Brush

You might remember me talking recently about wanting a domed shaped powder brush, and how I've had my eye on the Sigma F35 Tapered Highlighter Brush. I'm not sure if it's the unique shape of the brush head, or the fact that you don't see them around too often and I wanted something different (you mostly see the regular, standard, boring brush shapes) - All I knew was that I needed one (or two) in my collection even if I don't really need it.

So, I went ahead and ordered both brushes after not being able to choose one over the other.

F25 Tapered Face Brush - Designed for precise product placement of powder, blush and contour shades to the face. ($22)
F35 Tapered Highlighter Brush -Designed for precise product placement of highlighter to the face. ($16)

Upon waiting for my order, I was a little nervous that the brushes wouldn't be soft. I own a few sets of Sigma brushes and they are for the most part very soft, but I also have a couple duds that aren't very soft at all (F50 Duo Fiber and F05 Small Contour).

A simple & pretty eyeshadow tutorial, using one eyeshadow and an eyeliner!

Here's the look we're going to achieve...

I wanted to do this really simple, but really pretty tutorial today using only one eyeshadow and a few basic tools. You can do the same look using any color you want - it definitely doesn't have to be the same color I chose and you can make any substitutions you'd like!

Products Used:
Urban Decay Primer Potion *not pictured (used in step 1)
MAC 'Bronze' Eyeshadow (used in step 6 and 8)
MAC 'Feline' Kohl Eye Pencil (used in step 2 and 4)
Maybelline Great Lash Lots of Lashes Mascara (used in step 10)

Brushes/Tools Used:
Sponge applicator (to pack on the color, used in step 6)
Precision Tip Cotton Swabs (for smudging the eye liner, you can use any brush or pointed sponge applicator if you'd like - used in step 3 and 5)
Sigma Small Angle Brush (used in step 8)
Coastal Scents Tapered Blending Brush (used in step 7)

Revlon Photoready 3D Volume Mascara Review + Before and After!

Revlon Photoready 3D Volume Mascara

Ever since Revlon Photoready 3D Volume Mascara launched, I've been wanting to try it because of the appealing packaging. Revlon products in general have better product packaging than most of the other drugstore brands, but I think it was the shape of the brush along with the sleek black and silver tube that did it for me. Although the reviews for this mascara are pretty mixed, I couldn't wait to try it once my Maybelline Falsie's Mascara was finished.

The rubber brush has loads of thin bristles with a rounded tip, to easily reach every single lash for "maximum dimension". There aren't any claims that this mascara lengthens, but it's suppose to deliver lots of volume with two coats.

Revlon Photoready 3D Volume Mascara is available in three (3) shades: Blackest Black, Blackened Brown and Black. I purchased Blackest Black, of course.