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Swatches & Review: Nyx Lip Lingerie Liquid Lipsticks

February 12, 2016February 12, 2016 byte of beautyLeave a comment

Left to right: Ruffle Trim, Embellishment, Corset, Exotic, and Beauty Mark

Product Info

Nyx has released a new line of liquid lipsticks, Lip Lingerie. The line features 12 shades, mostly nudes, and boasts a matte, long-wearing finish. A lot of the lighter nude colors are very similar, which slight variations in undertone, but this isn’t really a bad thing, because it lets people of all skin tones to find a nude that works for them! There are a few darker shades in the line, as well. I have also seen these on women of color, and they look AMAZING, so I applaud Nyx for this versatile shade range!

I decided to buy five, in a variation of shades, to get a true feel of the range and formula. They are $7 each and come with .13 oz of product (for comparison, Anastasia Beverly Hills comes with .11oz and Jeffree Star comes with .19 oz). I purchased them on the Nyx website, but Ulta also stocks them!

Nyx LL Bottles w Names — Left to right: Corset, Ruffle Trim, Embellishment, Exotic, and Beauty Mark

Here’s how the Nyx site describes the shades:

Corset- Nude Toffee
Ruffle Trim- Cinnamon Pink
Embellishment- Muted Purple
Exotic- Warm Mahogany Red
Beauty Mark- Chocolate Brown

Swatches

Left to right: Beauty Mark, Embellishment, Corset, Ruffle Trim, and Exotic

Review

The formula is a soft mousse-like texture, which reminds me of the texture of theBalm’s Meet Matte Hughes liquid lipsticks. They do not apply completely opaque on the first pass, and can look a little streaky and patchy at first. The fix for this is to use thin layers of the product on the lip and build up the coverage. Start with a thin, even layer on the product, avoiding using too much of the product. Using too much product can make it harder to apply and get it even. The swatches above are two thin layers of the product!

They do dry down completely matte, something that there Liquid Suede lipsticks did not do. The formula does remain slightly tacky on the lips, but not to a point where it is uncomfortable. A small amount of translucent powder dabbed on the lips can also fix this!

They are long wear and it takes a lot to make them budge. Of course, greasy food is the antithesis of liquid matte lipsticks, and they do move slightly when introduced to anything oily, but normal wear won’t make them budge too much. Reapplication is easy, as long as you simply use thin layers!

For the price, these preform very well. The shades, in my opinion, are very trendy and beautiful, and the formula is much more long wearing that some of their other options, like the Soft Matte Lip Cream. Overall, I would recommend you pick up a couple of these if you are looking for a good drugstore liquid lipstick, but do check out swatches so you can find the best shades for you!

What’s in Travel My Makeup Bag

February 6, 2016February 6, 2016 byte of beautyLeave a comment

I like to pack light, mainly because I am always packing at the last minute and just grab the bare minimum. Years of practice (?) have honed my skills. Here’s what I packed for my upcoming weekend trip to Louisville. All of it fits in ONE makeup bag!

Face:

Figs & Rouge Mattifying Emulsion and Pore Refiner Primer
Fit Me Matte & Poreless Foundation in 110
Nyx HD Concealer in Fair
Airspun Loose Face Powder in Translucent
Elf Mist + Set spray
Nyx Blush in Taupe
Laura Geller Blush-n-Brighten in Tropical Hues

Eyes:

Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette
Elizabeth Mott Thank Me Later Eye Primer
NYC City Proof 24 Hour Eyeshadow in Taupe
Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe (for my brows!)
Wet n Wild Megaclear Clear Mascara + Brow Gel
Maybelline One by One Waterproof Mascara
Tarte Tarteist Clay Liner

Lips:

Colourpop Lippie Stick in Tootsi
Pacifica Power of Lover Natural Lipstick in Nudie Red

Tools:

Real Techniques Powder Brush
Flat Contour Brush, no name brand- bought on Amazon
Elf Blush Brush
Elf Crease Brush
Beau Gachis Smudge Brush
Crown Brush Deluxe Infinity Shadow/Crease Duet
Studio M Eyebrow Brush, bought from local big box store- Meijer
Spoolie, no name brand- bought at CVS
Tarte Eyeliner Brush
Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge
Estee Lauder Eyelash Curler

Inner Beauty: Be Your Own Biggest Cheerleader

February 3, 2016February 3, 2016 byte of beautyLeave a comment

cheerleader-622894_960_720

It’s okay to be self-centered sometimes. Really. I know that our society has this weird stigma about actually liking yourself, but it’s about time that we stop self-deprecating and start self-loving! I am so guilty of this. Instead of being proud of myself for my accomplishments or rooting myself on in my endeavors, I continue to tear myself down and discount everything I may have done that deserves a pat on the back, and I think a lot of you can relate to that. But it’s time to stop that.

Self-love is a journey, but the first step is knowing that you are worthy of love, praise, and admiration. Good things happen because you deserve them, and you are so worthy of all the good the universe can bring you. You are unique, beautiful, and above all else, WORTHY. You deserve love, respect, and positivity, and you should settle for nothing less. A lot of us fail to see our worth and settle for being treated (or even treating ourselves) poorly. Sometimes we can be our own biggest enemy.

So how can we battle this? Well, it takes conscious effort to love yourself, lift yourself up, and let your light shine. You are a result of millions of years of evolution. Everything that has happened before you has led up to creating the perfect, flawless person that you are. Own it! Own your uniqueness, your quirks. They are what make you special. I have always been “weird”, but weird doesn’t equal unworthy or unlikeable, and when I realized that, I was able to start loving myself for all of those things I used to view as flaws. Yes, I’m loud. I talk too much. I make weird references that people rarely get. But that’s okay, because I am a good person, with a good heart, and I am just as worthy of success as anyone else.

It’s okay to be a little conceited at times; you are beautiful, funny, smart, and it is okay to recognize that! Be your own cheerleader. Encourage yourself to follow your dreams. And know that you are so worth it and worthy of every success in the world!

If you or someone you love suffers from depression or anxiety, visit http://www.adaa.org/finding-help for locating resources and assistance. Sometimes, even with all the self-help and mindfulness in the world, you still need therapy or daily medications, and that’s OKAY! Getting help for mental illness can be the first step in a whole new path in life.

First Impressions: Becca Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme

January 31, 2016January 31, 2016 byte of beautyLeave a comment

Thanks to my one true love, Sephora, I got a chance to try this foundation! (Finally a useful sample, amirite?) I rarely try out “high end” foundations, but I was really excited to try this. Becca is know for their highlighters, but I was very interested to try their complexion products.

About the Foundation

This foundation is a full coverage, liquid formula. It claims to cover blemishes, redness, and even skin tone while also hydrating. It comes in 20 shades. The color ranges from pale-pink porcelain to a rich, chocolate brown. I am very impressed at their range, particularly the selection of medium to deep shades! The bottles are 1 fl. oz. and are $44 from Sephora.

Application + Coverage

I used the shade “Shell” for my first impression application. I dabbed it all over my face and used a Real Techniques stipple brush and a Real Techniques beauty sponge to buff it into my skin. I would recommend using a sponge or Beauty Blender with this foundation, as I was not satisfied with how the stippling brush worked with it. I was very impressed with the coverage. I had a lot of redness in my cheeks and around my nose and chin, and it did cover it. It also covered up the acne scarring on my chin.

Full face after using the Becca Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme [Artificial light]

Full Impression

This foundation is awesome. The coverage is medium to full, but it does not settle into my lines, enhance my skin texture, or look cakey. The finish is a very soft satiny matte, but I did set it with a loose powder and finished with my Elf Mist n Set. It looked radiant and had a lot of dimension. My skin is pretty normal in regards to moisture; I am not really oily or dry. I do have a lot of texture on my cheeks and chin, as well as hormonal acne on my chin. I also have fine lines around my eyes and my undereye tends to get pretty crepe-y. I did not feel it settled into my lines or enhance any of the texture on my face. It covered my redness and blemishes. I did use the Nyx HD Concealer for my dark circles and darker pigmented acne scarring, but I used less than I typically do with my Maybelline Fit Me foundation.

Final Opinion

It’s a really good foundation for my skin and the skin issues I personally have. It covered amazingly while also not looking to heavy or cakey. That price tag is hard to swallow though, especially because I usually pay $7-10 for my foundation from the drug store… However, it may be worth the investment due to just how beautiful it does look on the skin. I have two nearly-full bottles of Maybelline Fit Me, but once I use that up, I will be getting a full size of the Becca Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme.

Brush Cleaning 101 + Tips for Extending the Life of your Makeup Brushes!

January 28, 2016January 28, 2016 byte of beautyLeave a comment

I am so guilty of letting my makeup brushes go quite a long time without a proper cleaning, but “new year, new me” right? Today I’m going to break down how I clean my brushes and also some tips and tricks to properly care for your brushes! Spoiler alert, my whole routine costs less than $10!

What You Need

All I use is two items to get my brushes squeaky clean and sanitized: Dr. Bronner’s 18-in-1 Castille Soap and a BrushEgg!

I have very sensitive skin, so a natural soap like Dr. Bronner’s is ideal, and it does a wonderful job of cleaning my brushes, even the ones saturated with foundation or thick concealer. It lathers wonderfully, but if your brush is particularly dirty, it may take a couple rinses before it suds up. I find that I have to scrub and rinse the brushes I use with cream products a couple of times before it begins to foam up. Dr. Bronner’s is very affordable, and can be found both online and in drugstores! A 8 oz. bottle (which will last you FOREVER, a little goes a long way) sells for around $6.

2015-new-product-on-China-market-brush

The BrushEgg is a convenient rubber scrubbing surface that can really help deep clean your brushes. Many companies have these BrushEggs, and they sell anywhere from $5-15, but I will let you in on a little secret… I bought mine for ONE DOLLAR from eBay! It shipped from Hong Kong, so it did take about 20 days to arrive, but I am a sucker for a good bargain and this one was too good to pass up! They are available in several colors. I personally got the mint green! Here is the exact listing I used!

Get Cleaning!

I dampen my brushes first with warm water and then use a drop or two of soap per brush. I swirl the brush around the textured surface of the BrushEgg until it begins to lather up. Rinse the brush and repeat gently swirling on the BrushEgg until your brush is completely clean. Rinse with warm water and allow to dry. Voila! Brushes as good as new!

Tips for Brush Care to Extend Their Life

Try to only get the bristles wet. Water can loosen the adhesive holding your brushes together and can cause them to fall apart!
If your brush does separate from the handle, a drop or two of super glue or another strong adhesive will bind them! Just make sure you don’t get any on the bristles.
Don’t scrub too hard! It can cause the brush to lose its shape and some of the bristles to come loose.
If your brush starts to lose its shape, you can restructure it by using a no-crease hair tie. Don’t tie it too tight, as this will have the opposite effect. Loop it around the bristles after you wash the brush, while it is still damp. In about 20-30 minutes, take off the hair tie and the brush should be back to its original shape! For eye brushes, those tiny plastic hair bands work great!

Inner Beauty: Put Good In, Get Good Out

January 21, 2016January 21, 2016 byte of beautyLeave a comment

KARMA-3

For my first post of 2016, I wanted to introduce a series on my blog called “Inner Beauty”. Now, I know that I am no pioneer, and I won’t be the first (or last) blogger to do this type of thing, but, in my opinion, there can never be enough positivity in the world, and that is what this series is focused on: positivity, good acts, and personal growth and wellness, in mind, body, and soul. I’m no guru, nor am I a life coach, but after battling with depression and anxiety for over a decade, I have found what works for me in my life, and I want to share that with you.

You know that saying “bad things happen to good people”? I don’t buy it. What you put into the universe is returned to you ten-fold. Sure, shit happens. We all have bad days, we all slip on ice and scrape our knees, and we all lose loved ones (everyone IS mortal, after all). However, if you live your life in a way that is consistently good, the universe will reward you. Be good to others. Share what you have with those who have less. Make ethical choices that reflect your values. Even simple things, like letting someone go at a tricky traffic intersections or dropping your change in the Riley can at the gas station, can drastically improve your life.

I find that the more I give, the more I receive. I am not just talking monetarily, either, because I have student loans just like everyone else. In philanthropy they talk about the Three T’s: time, talent, and treasure. Giving your time and abilities is sometimes even more impactful than giving money. Make an effort to do good for others, even in small ways. Be kind. Say thank you to your barista. Offer to help an elderly person to their car. See if there are any volunteer opportunities in your area.

It all comes down to this; what you put into the universe will affect what the universe returns to you. And I’ll also let you in on a little secret… You will be happier too! There is very little that makes me feel happier than knowing I helped someone or made someone happy. And when you are happy, people want to be around you and share in your positive energy. Happy, good people attract positive things, while negative, mean-spirited people attract negative things. Making a conscious effort to do good and put good energy and vibes back into the universe will be rewarded.

So try it, what’s the worst that could happen? You’ll be happier, the world will be a better place, and I can promise you that you will find your life improved in ways you could never imagine. Do good for yourself. Do good for others. Do good for the world. You will reap the rewards!

Review and Swatches: Sugarpill Edward Scissorhands Eyeshadow Palette

October 6, 2015 byte of beautyLeave a comment

When I first saw this palette on Instagram, I was immediately in love. Not just because I adore Edward Scissorhands, which I do, a whole lot. No, I was in love because the shades are S T U N N I N G. Look at Heart-Shaped Cookie. LOOK AT IT! It’s beautiful. And Suburbia… insert heart eye emoji here. But I digress. Once I saw it, I immediately started planning the looks in my head and knew I had to buy it. I’ve never purchased anything from Sugarpill, because I am a little scared of all that bright color they are known for, but I knew the quality is proclaimed as beyond amazing, so I took the plunge for this beautiful palette. It was $36 plus $6 shipping on the Sugarpill website, and is limited edition. I know that as of right now, the palettes are sold out, but that may change by the time you read this, so be sure to check! The collection also includes two polishes that are $10 each, but I didn’t pick up either of them (they look gorg though, so get ’em if you want ’em!).

The ordering process itself was a breeze. I didn’t have any issues at all with the site, even though I was on within minutes of the release. By late afternoon I was alerted that the shipping label was created, and it shipped out two days later. I received the package exactly one week after I ordered it. For a big release like this, I was pleasantly surprised by the speed of the process. Great job Sugarpill!

The palette features six beautiful shades: four mattes and two shimmers.

Home Sweet Home: A matte, powder blue
Ice Angel: A white with a blue-violet shimmer
The Inventor: A steely dark blue-gray shimmer
Suburbia: A bright matte coral
Heart-Shaped Cookie: A matte neutral beige
Castle on the Hill: Cool toned matte brown with slight plum undertones

Below are my swatches from the palette, in the order they are in in the palette, with and without flash! Notice that Heart-Shaped Cookie is almost exactly the color of my skin tone, so it is a bit hard to see the swatch.

These shadows are .08 oz each, which is a very generous size for a multi-shade palette. They are very pigmented, blend so beautifully, and have very little fallout. The quality is just as good as I anticipated. The color range is versatile and will be useful all year around.

Here are a couple pictures from the look I created as soon as I received the palette. I put Heart-Shaped Cookie all over the lid, Suburbia and Castle on the Hill in the crease, and the Ice Angel on the browbone. I really like the contrast of the cool highlight with the warm crease shade

All in all, I am so happy that I purchased this. All of the shades are beautiful and the mix creates a very versatile palette that is a perfect and unique addition to my collection! If you find this baby in stock, definitely grab it!

Have you ever tried Sugarpill? What did you think?

Mani Monday: Barbie Pink Sparkle

October 5, 2015October 5, 2015 byte of beautyLeave a comment

Quick post for this Monday morning, because I was out of town and under the weather all weekend (’tis the season…). What a better way to start the week than with a Barbie pink sparkle manicure? And even though Grumpy Cat isn’t enthused, I can’t stop staring at my bright nails!

I used Sinful Color’s 24/7 as the base coat. This is my favorite neon pink and is only $2 at Walgreen’s, CVS, ect! I topped it with my newest nail obsession, the Revlon Transforming Top Coat in Matte Pearl. This top coat mattifies the polish, obviously, but it also has micro-fine violet glitter that is stunning. I am not sure if this is permanent or limited edition, but is a very unique and necessarily addition to your polish collection and is only $4! So go get it right now.

Revlon Transforming Effects Top Coat in Matte Pearl

This girly manicure is perfect for starting off the work week! What are you rocking on your nails right now?

Full Review & Swatches: L.A. Colors Eyeshadow Trios

October 2, 2015October 1, 2015 byte of beautyLeave a comment

L.A. Colors is a very cheap makeup and cosmetics brand that is available at discount stores like Dollar General, Family Dollar, and Dollar Tree. Most of their products are $1-2, and these eye shadow trios were just $1 each! I decided to pick up two of the more neutral trios to try out. I grabbed “Natural”, an all matte trio featuring an ivory shade, an ashy brown, and a dark brown. I also got “Sunflower”, which is an all-shimmer trio with a pale gold, reddish copper, and a bronze-y brown. There are also several other trios is varying shades and finishes if you want to try them out but aren’t fond of the ones I picked.

Sunflower Trio (I dropped it and the bronze pan partially crumbled, so ignore how ratchet it looks…)

I have a very split review on these, because I LOVE the Sunflower trio, but don’t really love the Natural trio. The Sunflower trio reminds me of a foiled eyeshadow, due to its pigmentation and butteriness. It does have a bit of fall out, but not very bad, and I love how creamy these are. The Natural trio on the other hand… this trio kind of sucks. It swatches nicely on the finger, but on the skin and eye it comes off as patchy and is so powdery that there is insane amounts of fallout. The pigmentation isn’t amazing, no where near as good as the other trio, and I have many other matte colors similar to these that I choose to reach for instead of these when I am doing my makeup at home, just because the fallout and patchiness is a pain to deal with. I was really hoping it would rock, because these would be beautiful crease and transition shades, but they are just not pigmented or smooth enough for me to really love. I will still continue to try and make this work, because the colors are nice shades and it is so small that it is great for travel or on the go, but it is pretty “meh” for me. I found that it works best over an opaque white base (see swatches below).

Below are swatches from both trios. The three shades on the left are from the Natural Trio and the three on the right are from the Sunflower Trio. I swatched them over two bases, Nyx Milk Eye Pencil and Urban Decay Primer Potion, and then on just bare skin. You can see that on top of the Milk Eye Pencil base the colors, even from the Natural Trio, show up the best and brightest.

Nyx Milk Eye Pencil (top), Urban Decay Primer Potion (middle), and bare skin (bottom)

For $1, these shadows are alright, especially the shimmers. They are compact and are the perfect size to throw in your bag or purse for on the go. They definitely require a primer that is very tacky, and an opaque base such as Nyx Milk will make them stand out even more and look more pigmented on the eye. If you plan on using the Natural Trio, make sure you wait until after the eye is done to do under eye concealer, because clean up is required due to the fall out from the darker shades. If you were just going to get one, I suggest getting the Sunflower Trio, as there are better neutral matte shades out there, even at the drugstore.

What is your cheapest beauty find? Did you love it or hate it? Let me know in the comments below!

Fall 2015 Trends | MAUVE LIPS: Top Three Favorites & My Trick for Flawless Matte Lips

September 30, 2015 byte of beautyLeave a comment

The dream of the 90’s is alive in makeup trends. Brown, grey, and dusty rose shades are popping up everywhere, from the drug store to the high end counter. The easiest way to dip your toes into this trend is by starting with a beautiful, matte, mauve lip.

Mauve lips are all the rage this season, and for good reason. The color, ranging from warm, to neutral, to cool, can flatter anyone, and is very easy to wear. A matte finish adds to the grungy appeal and creates a long-wearing low maintenance lip look that is perfect for every day wear, from the office to happy hour. Below our my three favorite mauve shades that I am loving right now. All three are a matte or semi-matte finish, and all three are very affordable!

From left to right: Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color in Bare it All, City Color Be Matte Lipstick in Cappuccino, and Colourpop Lippie Stick in Tootsie

1. Wet n Wild Megalast Lip Color in Bare it All | $2

A semi-matte, creamy opaque warm brown-toned mauve, with dusty rose undertones. This formula is a bit stiff at first, but warms up on the lips and provides a long-wearing, opaque finish. This $2 drugstore lipstick is also a dupe for the cult favorite MAC Velvet Teddy!

2. City Color Be Matte Lipstick in Cappuccino | $5

Ok, this one might not be a true mauve, but it’s in the same family, so I had to include it. This is an uber matte lipstick. It can be a bit tough to apply, due to this, but once applied this baby is staying on. The color is very warm, which is perfect for fall, and the pigmentation is phenomenal. I got this lipstick in my Ipsy bag a few months ago, and I’ve been loving it since.

3. Colourpop Lippie Stick in Tootsie | $5

This mauve leans into “greige” territory, but that is one of the reasons I love it. It’s so beautiful, creamy, and long lasting. It’s cool toned and just lovely. Colourpop also sells a matching lip pencil for $5 as well, and pairing the two, I have had the color last (even with eating!) for around 5-6 hours! These lippie sticks are such a good value, and I highly recommend them all, but in particular this color.

| My Trick for Flawless Matte Lips |

Matte lips can be a bit intimidating, because the show off every single line, crack, dry piece of skin, ect. Believe me, I know the struggle. My lips chap at just the mention of winter. The biggest secret I have is not really much of a secret… Moisturize your lips generously every single day. Especially at night. Give your honey a kiss goodnight and then slather on a moisturizing lip butter, balm, or mask, and when you wake up your lips will look plump and nourished. And when your lips are especially dry, use a gentle sugar lip scrub to slough away the dead skin before putting on your butter, balm, or mask. My current FAVORITE for both day and night is the Nivea Lip Butter. This stuff is thick without being sticky, smells amazing, and has drastically improved the appearance and feel of my lips. Even better? I got this full sized tin for ONE DOLLAR at Dollar Tree! It is also available at Wal-Mart, Walgreen’s, Target. ect. Looking for a splurge? Try out Youtube Celeb Nichole Guerriero’s Best Damn Lip Mask for supreme moisture and nourishment!

There you have it, my top three mauve-ish lip colors for fall and how I prep for matte lip colors. Have you found a stunning fall lipstick or killer lip balm? Let me know in the comments!