My Favorite 5 FOTDs of 2013!

Hey Guys!!

It is the end of 2013 and I just wanted to thank ALL of you for being such wonderful supporters of my blog. I'm so thankful to have such loyal followers who read my posts and comment. I hope you have had a great 2013 and that you are very safe on New Year's Eve!

This year I decided that I wanted to play in color more and, looking back, I succeeded! I want to share with you my favorite looks from this past year. Don't be afraid to chime in and tell me which were your faves as well!

#5- Spring Flowers

#4- Arabian Nights

#3- Enchanted Forest

#2- Orange Aide 

 

#1- Purple People Eater

Those are my picks!!! Thanks so much for reading and I look forward to seeing you in the new year!!

FOTD:: Dark Angel

 Hey Guys!

I've really been trying to come up with a name for this look and I've failed every time lol! I wanted to use my Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette [swatches here] for an entire look and I've always loved neutrals with a pop of color on the lower lashline. I think the super dark lip ties everything together. I hope you enjoy!

FACE:

Full Foundation Routine & Products *HERE*

EYES:

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette [Cherry Cordial- Crease | Champagne Truffle- Lid | Triple Fudge- Outer V | Candied Violet- Lower lashline | Amaretto- Browbone]

NYX Purple Blaze Slide On, Glide On pencil [Lower lashline]

Maybelline Eye Studio gel liner

Milani Liquid Eye eyeliner pencil

Benefit They're Real mascara

EYEBROWS:

BH Cosmetics Eyebrow pencil Dark Brunette

BLUSH:

Illamasqua Powder Blush Thrust

LIPS:

MAC lipstick Yung Rapunxel [LE]

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Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette ::First Impressions + Swatches::

Hey Guys!

Ever since I saw this beauty pop up on some blogs a few weeks ago, I KNEW I had to have it in my possession!

"Indulge your craving for chocolate with these 16 antioxidant-rich cocoa powder infused matte and shimmer shades. Inspired by our best-selling cocoa powder based Chocolate Soleil Bronzer. Chocolate Bar comes with our signature Glamour Guide with three beauty looks to get you started."

Yes, it smells just like chocolate! I even had bugs flying up to me while I was outside trying to take pictures!

The first half of the palette has more of the natural, neutral colors.

The second half of the palette has more purple, mauve, burgundy tones.











PROS:

• The smell is divine.
• Great variety of mattes and shimmer shadows.
• Well rounded colors.
• No fall out was experienced from the shimmery shades.
• Sturdy case.
• Adequate amount of shadows.

CONS:

• Matte shadows aren't as smooth as I expected.
• Shadow names aren't physically on the palette.

This palette retails for $49 and is available on Sephora.com! Will you be picking it up?

                                       [P.S. to comment, click this individual post. Thanks!]

Naked3 Swatches + Review (WOC Worthy?)

Hey Guys!

I apologize if this is, like, your 100th post about the Naked3 that's popped up on your blog feed in the past couple of weeks, but I just wanted to put my swatches up. I'm not sure how many brown girls have them up and I just want to help in any way possible! :)

So... as you know (or maybe not), the Naked3 is the "rosy" sister palette of the Naked dynasty that Urban Decay has so eloquently built. Like in the past, for $52, you get 12 [all new!] shades and this time the palette comes with a double ended synthetic brush and four Urban Decay Primer Potion samples.


The packaging is the same as the Naked2 except it has this beautiful water ripple effect on the top. I personally don't own the Naked2 so I can't really vouch for the stability of the packaging. 

Let's get onto the swatching!

Strange | Dust | Burnout | Limit | Buzz | Trick

Thoughts On The First Six Shades:

• Strange & Limit are the only two matte shades. They have good pigmentation and aren't chalky on my skin.
• Dust is very, very odd. One minute it swatches wonderfully & the next it's all patchy and sheer. Be aware of that when using it on the eye.
• Trick is aptly named because you have to pull out some tricks to get this very sheer shade to show up. It's one of the more unique shades since it has a peachy-golden shift, so it's very disappointing that it requires so much work.

Nooner | Liar | Factory | Mugshot | Darkside | Blackheart

Thoughts On The Last Six Shades:

• I love every one of these shades!! 
• Factory is my favorite shadow out of all the colors, followed by Darkside.
• Nooner is the only matte shade in this group and is such a unique color. I cannot wait to play with it!
• With the shimmery shades, you'll probably need to tap off your brush so you don't experience fallout.

Final Verdict:

Do you need this palette? YES! Even if you have the other two, I still say yes. The only way I'd say steer clear is if pink shadows don't look particularly well on your eyes. Most importantly, is this black girl friendly? Yes it is! I see myself using this so much and I'm very excited! Stay tuned for an upcoming post about possible drugstore "dupes". 

This is currently sold out on Sephora.com, but it's on Ulta.com and it's also in stores, so go run and purchase!

What do You Think Of This Palette?

 Is It Worth It For You?

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MAC Lipstick Haul + Quick Swatches:: Punk Couture & Studded Kiss

Hey Guys!!

A couple of weeks ago, Nordstrom.com was allowing you to pre-order lipsticks from the new MAC collection Punk Couture [Release Date: 12-26], so I picked up two of the five lipsticks($15.00 each) available! 

From MAC's website:
"Punk's rebel spirit and revolutionary impact on fashion inspires an exclusively-online collection of hautecore colours, superbly M∙A∙C. Lips and nails attract all the right attention in blackened plums and deep burgundy, while Fluidline and Liquid Eye Liner give intense definition for that daringly gorgeous glare."


The two picked up are Studded Kiss (A deep brick red), & Punk Couture (A blackened purple):

Punk Couture | Studded Kiss

Punk Couture | Studded Kiss

*Sorry for the quality, I took both pictures on my phone*

Each lipstick is a matte formula and I find them to be on par with the other MAC matte lipsticks. As usual, you'll need to exfoliate before using these because every dry patch will show up, but the wear is not uncomfortable. I plan on also ordering Investigator when the collection releases!




I decided I wanted to do a "punk" look, so here's a quick OOTD!!

Me wearing Punk Couture [Follow me on IG!]

My "punk" inspired look
 Aviators: Prescribed | Dress: Torrid | Tights: Target | Boots: Charlotte Russe[here]| Jacket: F21

So, there was nothing couture about my outfit today, but I kinda liked dressing differently than I usually do!!

Are You Picking Something Up From This Collection?!

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FOTD:: Purple Smokey Eyes

Hey Guys!

Purple is so beautiful on my skin tone, so I decided to go a little different than normal and smoke it out :) I hope you enjoy!

FACE:

Full Foundation Routine & Products *Here*

EYES:

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Wet N Wild Petal Pusher palette [Lid, Lower Lashline & Inner Corner]

Wet N Wild Lust palette [Crease & Outer V]

Sedona Lace Liquid Eye Pen

Milani Liquid Eye eye liner [Waterline]

Maybelline Colossal Volum' Smoky Eyes mascara

BLUSH:

NYX Amber

LIPS:

NYX lip liner Purple Rain

Revlon gloss Pink Pop

BROWS:

BH Cosmetics Eyebrow Pencil Dark Brunette

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Thanksgiving FOTD || 50 Shades of Cranberry

Hey Guys! 

Today I wanted to share with you my Face Of The Day from Thanksgiving! I hope you had a wonderful holiday and enjoyed spending time with your family!!!

   

FACE:

Full face routine & products here.

EYES:

ELF eyelid primer

TheBalm Nude 'Tude palette [Sexy in the crease; Stand-offish in the inner corner]

Coastal Scent Hot Pot [Raisin Berry on the lid]

BH Cosmetics 26 Color Palette [Burgundy color to blend out the crease]

Wet n Wild Vanity palette [Dark matte brown in the outer v]

NYX Slide On Pencil [Glitzy Gold on the lower lashline]

Maybelline Eye Studio gel liner [Top lashline]

Milani Liquid Eye eye liner pencil [waterline]

Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express Smoky Eyes mascara

BLUSH:

Sleek's Flushed

LIPS:

NYX lip liner Deep Purple

Maybelline Color Sensational lip gloss Raspberry Ablaze

BROWS:

BH Cosmetics eyebrow pencil Dark Brunette

*To see how I got this look, please click this link, and don't forget to subscribe! :)*

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FOTD:: Winter Berries

Hey Guys!

 I wanted to do a slight cut crease winter look. I hope you enjoy! :)

EYES:

Sephora Outrageous Prisma Chrome eyeshadow [Metallic Beige on the lid]

Wet N Wild Vanity palette [Dark matte brown for the cut crease & outer V; Champagne in the inner corner & brow bone]

BH Cosmetics 26 Shadow Blush palette [Burgundy in the crease]

Maybelline Eye Studio gel liner

Maybelline Colossal Volum' Express Smokey Eyes mascara

Milani Liquid Eye eyeliner pencil [waterline]

BLUSH:

Sleek blush in Flushed

LIPS:

CoverGirl Embrace

BROWS:

BH Cosmetics eyebrow pencil in Dark Brunette

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My Simple Full Face Foundation Routine For Oily Skin

Hey Guys!!

I recently changed up my foundation routine and I wanted to share the products I now use with you. First, lets talk about my skin and what I try to achieve when putting on a full face of makeup:

• I have oily skin so mattifying primers, foundation, and/or powders are a must.
• I have lots of hyper-pigmentation, so I look for full coverage foundations.

My Base Products:

• Milk of Magnesia-$3-$5- This is a great, inexpensive primer for any of you that suffer from oily skin. It doesn't matter if it's name brand or generic, they all work the same way. I would suggest getting "Original" though, unless you want to smell like mint or strawberries :). 
• Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector-$36- If you have the money, go buy this primer! I'm not sure what my life was like before I started using this, but I wasn't living it to its full potential lol. This primer keeps me matte for at least 6 hours and then I start to look "dewy" (not like I've just run a 5k like I normally do). The only thing with this is that you have to hurry up and rub it into the areas you want mattified because once it sets, it sets!
• L'Oreal Revitalift Miracle Blur-$20 full size- Okay. I know you've been hearing all about this product and it's honestly worth the hype! This silicone base smooths out my pores and gives a photoshop type effect. It's pricey, but so so worth it!

Now, My Face Products:

• MAC MatchMaster foundation [9.0]-$34- This is my HG foundation and I cannot, for the life of me, understand why I keep straying from it. First of all, the color is perfect [like most MAC foundations]! Secondly, it's long wearing and doesn't break down on my face during the day when my oiliness tries to take over. It is high medium to full coverage and it's just all around amazing.
• MAC Pro Longwear concealer [NW45]-$19- This is the perfect concealer if you have really dark spots and you want something that's not too heavy to cover them up. This, like the foundation, does not break down or wear off [hence the name] and easily blends under powder when I go without liquid foundation.
• Ben Nye Banana luxury powder-$10- This is another raved about product that I use sometimes to set my under-eye concealer. It gives a slight highlight without looking too ashy or too out of place. It's really finely milled and blends flawlessly.
• Maybelline Fit Me pressed powder[360]-$7.99- At first, I didn't really know what to think about this powder and I was a little hesitant to try it since the liquid foundation and foundation stick didn't work for my oily skin, but I decided to be optimistic. It's great for setting your foundation or wearing it alone to even out your skin tone. It's borderline medium coverage if you build it up enough. Oily girls, do not use this if you don't have your proper mattifying primers in place because this will do nothing for you in that department! Other than that, I like this powder..

That's everything I use on my face! To see how I apply my full face foundation, click the video below. Don't forget to like and subscribe!!! Thanks for reading!

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You NEED This! ::Maybelline Color Elixir "Vision In Violet"::

Hey Guys!!

When I'd heard there was a new purple drugstore lippie hitting the shelves,  I HAD to find it!!

The Maybelline Color Elixirs($7.99USD) are supposed to have the color of a lipstick, but the comfort and feel of a lip balm.

The packaging is quite compact and chic. They are small with only 0.17oz and you may feel like you're getting bamboozled for your money, but don't worry! These minis pack quite a punch!

 The brush is similar to the YSL Glossy Stains and their drugstore counterpart, L'Oreal Colour Riche Caresse Aqua Lip Lacquer [review here].

So, how does it feel?! In one word: Amazing. It is not sticky, gloopy, watery, or sheer. It's extremely pigmented and keeps my lips moisturized long after the color has worn off. The wear-time is for a few hours longer than a normal gloss. Like I said, you need this in your life!!

 

Have you tried this or any of the other 19 shades? Which is your favorite, because I need to pick up more!!

Thanks for reading!

 

 

 

 

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::LOVESTRUCK:: OOTD

It was somewhat of a chilly day today, so I decided to pull out my favorite beanie! I planned my outfit around that haha.

Beanie: Target

Jacket: Burlington Coat Factory [[old]]

Shirt: F21+

Leggings: Old Navy

Boots: Random Beauty Supply

Jewelry: Charlotte Russe

 

 

 

 

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