Guest Post: Revlon Candy Apple Lip Butter Review, Photos, Swatches!

Revlon Candy Apple Lip Butter

If there was a perfect season to break out the red lipstick, winter is it! Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter ($6-8) is a balm-like ultra moisturizing lipstick. Revlon Lip Butters contain: Mango, Shea, and Coconut Butter to intensely moisturize the lips. Revlon says, “Instant burst of rich color with a feather light feel. Available in 20 gorgeous shades.”

For a fun holiday shade I picked ‘Candy Apple’ a bright red/orange. Candy Apple has no glitter unlike some of the other shades; it’s just a beautiful glossy finish. One coat has sheer coverage, but with multiple coats the color is very buildable. Candy Apple is also very wearable, it's not an in-your-face type of red. Which makes the color perfect for daytime wear, or for lipstick new-b’s.

Overall, this is a brilliant versatile lip product great for a holiday color, it's easy to use, and has a lovely texture. It doesn't last all day (1-2 hours) but it’s easy to re-apply and you don’t have to worry about bleeding or smudging.

What’s your favorite holiday lip product?

Revlon Candy Apple Lip Butter on my lips.

Swatch of Revlon Candy Apple Lip Butter

Guest Post Written By Rendee

Rendee, a nursing student from Arizona has a huge passion for all things Beauty, DIY, and Photography related! You can check out her thoughts on all things beautiful at her blog Beauty by Ren. Another way you can stay can updated with Rendee's reviews, tips, and tricks is on Twitter @beautybyren.

If Rendee looks familiar to you, it's because she has guest posted before! Check out her Nars Mata Hari Blush Review.

Guest Post: Nars Mata Hari Blush Review!

NARS Mata Hari Powder Blush ($28) can be found at Sephora. After being obsessed with NARS ultra-pigmented products I’ve begun slowly-but-surly expanding my NARS blush collection. On a recent trip to Sephora in hopes to pick out a more fall/winter friendly blush (everyone changes blush with seasons right? Ha) I ended up picking Mata Hari. I was un-sure that I'd like Mata Hari after swatching it two different times when I went into Sephora, but after using this blush it is a wonderful addition to my collection. I usually lean towards peachy-pink blushes but this beautiful cool, matte, rosy pink color is a lot of fun!

Despite how bold this color looks in the pan, its not nearly as vibrant when applied. This blush is by far my most pigmented blush I own. The picture above is only using one swipe with my Sigma F40 brush. Because it’s so pigmented a light hand and blending applies Mata Hari sheer and subtle. If your looking for a more intense look of course add a little more to intensify your look. Usually I find myself grabbing this blush when I use a matte foundation, I can count on Mata Hari staying on all day. Mata Hari is very matte (meaning without any simmer or sheen) so if you want to brighten up your cheeks, or have a glowy face you'll need to use a highlighter.

Guest Post: Kristen Stewart Burgundy Smokey Eye Tutorial!

Kristen Stewart Burgundy Smokey Eye Tutorial

Kristen Stewart’s looks on the red carpet have been hit or miss. This burgundy smokey eye look happens to be one of the more popular ones and is my favourite look of hers because she rarely goes out in anything pink or girly, so a cranberry/burgundy smokey eye look is a great way to make her grunge-y style appear more feminine.

FACE

The eyes are the main focus, so keep the rest of the face looking natural. Apply something sheer like the MAC Face and Body Foundation, and buff it in to achieve your desired coverage. Conceal any dark circles or blemishes as well. To set the foundation, apply a translucent powder very lightly over the sides of the forehead, jaw line and chin. Leave a bit of shine on the T-zone.

A light pink blush may be applied to the cheeks, but is not entirely necessary as the overall finish is very subtle and natural. Ladies with naturally rosy cheeks may skip this step.

LIPS

Kristen doesn’t look like she has a lot on, just a nude lip liner and a peachy-toned gloss. Go for something that’s close to your natural lip color so it doesn’t overpower the eye makeup.

Continue Reading (after the jump) to see how the eyes are done!

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.

Guest Post: Eye Look featuring MAC Star Violet Eyeshadow.

Guest Post Written by Ashley

Today the lovely Ashley of Beauty-Twist shares us a gorgeous eye look focusing on MAC Star Violet, a pinky-brown plum veluxe pearl eyeshadow that will compliment all eye colors.

MAC Star Violet Eyeshadow

I'm really loving purple toned eyeshadows at the moment and as I was swatching shades during my latest trip to MAC, I spotted Star Violet, a gorgeous pinky-brown plum with a veluxe pearl finish. This purple-burgundy shade blends like a dream and pairs beautifully with golds and browns. Star Violet is highly pigmented, extremely smooth and velvety, and has a slightly metallic sheen. I find that it performs best when blended into the crease and on the outer-v of the eye.

I only recently began wearing purple on my lids and wish I would have started doing so much sooner! Shades within the purple family are a great compliment for all eye colors and really make the eyes pop!

*Follow these steps for a gorgeous eye featuring Star Violet*

1. Using a flat eyeshadow brush, apply Maybelline Color Tattoo cream shadow in Bad to The Bronze onto the lids. Blend the shadow upwards and stop at the eye's crease. Use an eyeliner brush and apply to the lower lash line.

2. Apply a gold shadow to the inner corners and first 1/3 of the eyelid. (I used Urban Decay's Half Baked but you may use any gold shadow that you have on hand.)

3. Next, apply Star Violet to the outer-v of the eye and blend into the crease. Be sure to buff out and harsh edges for a soft, smoky effect.

4. Finish of the look with liquid liner and 2 coats of mascara.

Guest Post: Real Techniques Powder and Blush Brush!

 
Guest Post Written by Ashley
Today the beautiful Ashley of Lashes Anyone? shares her thoughts about some of her favorite Real Techniques makeup brushes!

Hello Beauties!

About two years ago I fell hard for the infamous Sigma brushes that had every beauty guru in beauty craze. I did adore the face brushes, until the bristles started shedding on a daily basis. I do love the Sigma eye brushes, as they have impeccable quality and have held up nicely.

I was in need of a serious powder and blush brush rescue, considering those are my primary brushes for everyday use. About a month ago, I was wandering through the lit up aisles of ULTA and came across the Real Techniques brush line created by Samantha Chapman of YouTube.

 Real Techniques Powder and Blush Brush

 Real Techniques Powder and Blush Brush

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Guest Post: A Sulty Smokey Night Look!

Guest Post Written by Marla

Today the incredibly talented Marla of Makeup By Marla shares her Face of the Day (FOTD) from this past weekend. She also goes through the list of products she used to create the look!

On Saturday night I went out with a few friends to “The Marketplace”. The Marketplace is a tiny plaza that has restaurants, boutiques, and a movie theatre. I didn't want to look too made up but I wanted to wear a dark smokey eye to make my eyes pop.

Going out at night is really the ultimate test for your makeup. The staying power and durability needs to be good because you don’t want to have to be reapplying all night! I used a variety of drugstore and high end products that I both rely on and trust to stay put all night.

I will add small anecdotes about products that I recommend wearing when going out at night.

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