June 2015 Favorites!

June is coming to an end and that means it's time for my monthly favorites! Summer is in full swing and there has been some gnarly heat waves that have not been doing great things for my make up. So most of what I have been wearing this month has fantastic staying power through heat, sweat and cuts down on my face looking like an oil slick. Here we go!

Let's talk foundation. My favorite combo has been the L'Oreal Infallible Pro-Matte in 102 Shell Beige and L'Oreal True Match in W3. While I cannot live without my Infallible Pro-Matte, I have a love-hate relationship with True Match. When first applied it looks beautiful, skin-like, natural and has minimal dewiness that I don't mind. Four hours later, I look so greasy and foundation is sliding right off my nose and chin. But when combined with Pro-Matte, oh my gawd, so good. It lasts my full work day, even on a 100 degree day, and still looks great when I come home. 

The bronzer combo I can't stop using is my theBalm Bahama Mama and my tried and true Physicians Formula Mineral Glow Pearls in Light Bronze. I use the Bahama Mama (which is matte) to lightly contour and the Glow Pearls (shimmery) to warm up my face. I have always repurchased the Glow Pearls when I run out because the shimmer is subtle, gives my face a nice glow and is fool proof to use since it blends out so well. When you first open it though it does have an intense glitter over spray like most Physicians Formula products do, but that is easy to dust off. Mine is well loved obviously! 

Check out my other post and swatch on the Bahama Mama bronzer here since I feel like I always talk about it!

Since blush fades the quickest for me, especially in the heat, my Colour Pop Blush in Birthday Suit has been my go to because it's staying power is fantastic. It's a nice natural pink shade that actually stays on my cheeks throughout the day. 

Since I tend to look extra oily dewy in the summer, I try not to highlight too much. The Wet n' Wild Color Icon Bronzer (really a highlighter) in Reserve Your Cabana is what I've been using almost every day. The sheen is so subtle and soft that it looks like a very natural, 'glow from within' highlight since it's more of a beige powder. Some say it's the closest dupe at the drugstore for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders and gives a similar effect at a fraction of the cost. Plus it's a huge amount of product that you get for under 4 bucks!

I've been going pretty minimal on the lips and using more lip butters/balms since my lips have been so chapped lately. The Maybelline Color Whisper in Made-It Mauve has been my favorite. It's a mauve-brown that gives my lips a wash of color and feels hydrating at the same time.

An eye shadow quad I've been obsessing over is the Maybelline Eyestudio in Copper Chic. These shadows have such a smooth, buttery feel that they almost feel like a cream! They are also super pigmented and metallic. 

My ultimate summer staple is setting spray, because without it my makeup would melt right off. My Skindinavia Bridal Setting Spray has been a life saver in this heat and helps not only keep my makeup in place but minimizes shine from oil and sweat. 

What are your favorites for this month?! 

xoxo

Jessica

High End Haul: Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette and MAC

Hey guys! These few items I've recently picked up have been on my wishlist for what feels like an eternity.I finally got the guts (and the funds) to bite the bullet and purchase them. Do they live up to my hopes and expectations? Let's find out!

Side note: this book Cindy Crawford's Basic Face is a make up book I got as a gift in 7th grade when I first started wearing make up. Though the information inside is timeless, I don't think anyone foresaw 'basic' having any other meaning in the future. So now every time I pass this book on my shelf I chuckle a little... #basic.

I have been on the hunt for a versatile, yet neutral all matte eye shadow palette for a LONG time. The Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette answered my prayers! For $46 you get 12 all matte neutral shadows that are of great quality and blend seamlessly.

Some shades are a little more powdery than others but I don't even care! They are separated into 3 "quads." The left four are neutral brown toned shadows, middle four are cool toned shadows and the last quad is warm toned browns. The warm quad is my JAM! Love reddish browns. It does not come with the brush she made to go with it though; you have to buy it separately which is a bummer. But it's not like I don't already have an over abundance of eye shadow brushes so I'm fine without it.

Is it worth the hype? Yes! Especially if you don't already own a matte palette and you prefer neutrals. Hell, I would still buy it even if I had a billion similar palettes. It's versatile and can produce a variety of looks on it's own or paired with other shimmery shades (holla at Colour Pop!).

Next I picked up the infamous MAC Mineralized Skin Finish in Soft & Gentle ($32)and MAC Lipstick in Faux ($16). Hard to believe, but these are my first MAC purchases. *Gasp*! And I call myself a make up junkie. I just haven't gotten around to it honestly and I finally caved.

Let me just say that Faux is where it's at. It's a satin finish and is that mauve brown everyone goes nuts for. Love it! Perfect nude shade for me.

Soft & Gentle is a baked highlight that is like a golden peach champagne shade that can be overpowering if not used carefully. It's a beautiful shade and will last me forever, but is it worth the hype? I don't think so. I feel like I'm about to be chased down by a hoard of MAC fans any minute for saying that.

But hear me out!

It's because I have a dupe that is literally $3, basically almost the tax amount on what you pay for Soft & Gentle. It's the e.l.f. Baked Highlighter in Blush Gems, and it is almost exactly the same. It's a tad on the warmer side towards bronze and not as finely milled but on the face it's identical to Soft & Gentle.

I say save your money and buy the e.l.f. version instead! It's basically the same but laughably cheaper. But hey, if you're a hard core MAC gal Soft & Gentle is still a beautiful highlight.

Have any suggestions for future MAC necessities? Have a product that you don't think is worth the hype? Comment!

xoxo

Jessica

Summer Nail Color Favorites

Summa' summa' summa' summatime! And that means I'm now wearing sandals or flip flops on a regular basis, exposing my toes to the world. Here are a few nail polishes I've been obsessing over lately to help my toes look fabulous!

(Kimono is from Target, and clutch is Billabong that I got from a store on the Oregon coast.)

Sally Hansen Hard As Nails Xtreme Wear Nail Color in 240 Babe Blue

(Periwinkle blue)

Ginger + Liz Colour Collection in Poole It Together 

(Orange toned red)

ORLY in On The Edge

(A true indigo, but my camera was picking up mostly blue)

Essie in Butler Please

(Cobalt blue)

ORLY in Push The Limit

(Neon coral)

LVX Nail Lacquer in Mynt

(Mint Green)

Look at how gorgeous and bright these are!

Most of these I got from Ulta or Target with the exception of LVX which I got in a Boxycharm here. Unfortunately I can no longer find Poole It Together from Ginger + Liz on Ulta's website but I got mine on clearance so I would dig through the bins to try to find it! My mini Essie was from a holiday set but you can buy the full size version at either store.

Orly On The Edge is to die for. It truly is indigo; a blue-purple that is distinctly neither one. In some lights it's more purple and in others it's more blue. SO COOL. It is honestly my favorite out of the bunch, and if I were to only recommend one it would be this one. Push The Limit is my favorite nail color on my toes because I love me a bright, see-it-from-space nail color on my toes in the summer. And when you want a bold nail color that isn't bright neon, Poole It Together is so nice and summery, especially paired with a super glossy top coat like the Sally Hansen 3D Shine Top Coat.

I also have been loving the light pastel shades like LVX Mynt and Sally Hansen Babe Blue because they are so light and pretty. I'm currently wearing Babe Blue now with the Sally Hansen Big Matte Top Coat.

I've either been loving a super intense glossy look or very matte, no shine at all look right now. Sally Hansen's Big Matte Top Coat and 3D Gel Shine Top Coat are great for transforming any polish into a gel like manicure or flat matte. Definitely recommend! But I do have to say the Gel Shine does take a little longer to dry so putting a quick dry polish on top of that helps seems to speed up dry time.

What are your summer polish picks? Let me know in the comments what I should pick up next!

xoxo

Jessica

Say whaaaat?! Nominated for The Versatile Blogger Award!

Well this is cool! A huge thanks to the gorgeous blogger Gabrielle from The Gift of Gab for nominating me for The Versatile Blogger Award! For those who don't know (*cough* me), there are rules...

-You thank and link the person who nominated you in your blog (duh)

-Nominate 15 bloggers you love, read regularly, just discovered etc. and link them of course

- Tell 7 things about yourself!

Here is my list of 15 bloggers (in no particular order) I nominee because I think their blogs are the bomb.com:

1. A Girl, Obsessed 

2. Love, Krista

3. All That Shimmers

4. Plain Sarah Jayne 

5. Dorthea Beauty

6. Chloe Reed

7. Aim In The Game

8. Danielle's Beauty Blog

9. The Sunday Girl

10. Simple Beauty Chatter

11. Geek and Chic

12. A Beauty Moment

13. Musings Of A Muse

14. Nouveau Cheap 

15. Making Up The Midwest

Now, for the 7 things about myself.

1. I live for Shark Week every August

2. I am a Gemini (but introverted, so strange)

3. Love Corgis!

4. Obsessed with Harry Potter

5. I am a quarter Vietnamese

6. I can't whistle for the life of me

7. Broad City is my jam

Who did you nominate!? And don't forget to check out these blogs I just mentioned! 

Boxycharm Unboxing June 2015! #SeaLaVie

Woot woot! Boxycharm is here, and that concludes this round of subscription boxes for the month of June. This is by far my favorite box to open each month, so let's take a peak at what I got...

The biggest thing in the box was the Eslor Chlorophyll Lifting Mask ($38.00). It's a mask full of milk proteins, plant and seaweed extracts and minerals to help lighten, brighten and tighten skin. When I opened it up, it looks like green slime! It straight up looks like flubber in a jar. A little frightening. We will see how this works on my skin!

Next we have the Cargo Cosmetics Eye Shadow Single in Pasadena ($16.00). This is a huge eye shadow pan! It's a satin pink shade that's pretty and feminine. It blends easily and would make a nice crease shade or all over the lid shadow.

I picked up the Bellapierre Cosmetics Kabuki Brush ($29.99) next! It's soft and is the perfect brush to buff on powder foundations and is ideal for travel. The ncLA Nail Lacquer ($16.00) is from their Nudes collection and is in the shade Volume IV. Such a fantastic pink nude shade that looks so classy.

Lastly, I got The Beauty Crop Lighting Crew Highlighting Cream ($18.00)! This liquid highlighter certainly packs a metallic rose gold punch. I don't typically wear cream highlighters because they make me look extra oily, but I'll test it out just because it looks so gorgeous. 

As a bonus, I also got a $20 off a $50 purchase at www.malibeads.com! Promo code is BOXYCHARM. Enjoy!

That was a decent box, I love the shadow and nail polish for sure, and that liquid highlight. What did you get in your box?

xoxo

Jessica

June 2015 Birchbox Unboxing!

To me, Birchbox is the OG of subscription boxes and started the trend of samples being sent straight to your door. I do have to say, even though it's not my favorite, it's the most versatile subscription box I get and usually has a bit of everything.

Let's take a look at this months box...

The Coola SPF 50 Sport in Mango will be perfect to throw in my purse for when I forget to put on sunscreen before I run out the door. I'll have to try it out on my face too to see if it'll break me out, but the scent is to DIE FOR. Straight up mango scent that helps mask the sunscreen smell. I approve. I've heard good things about Coola so I'm excited to try it out.

I also received a sample of Real Chemistry Luminous 3-Minute Peel that is supposed to give softer, brighter looking skin. I just tried it last night and it's not a peel mask, it's like an exfoliate but with the same formula. You massage it around your face and it starts to ball up, which means it's combining with the dead skin and removing it. Kinda gross, but at the same time oddly satisfying. 

The W3LL People The Expressionist Mascara in black with a rubber brush seems pretty good after one use, nothing exceptional but a good mascara for traveling. The crisp, white packaging is going to get dirty real fast though... 

I've tried TOCCA lotions before, but not any of their perfumes, and this TOCCA Eau de Parfum is in Bianca. Usually perfume samples go unused because I'm not in love with the scent and their size is just kind of inconvenient for me a.k.a they just explode all over me and my things. But the scent of this is just amazing. According to the description card, "this clean, citrus scent has undertones of rose and sugar for long-wearing, intriguing layers." It definitely is a strong citrus scent, and I'm in love.

The Emi Jay ribbon hair tie will be good to keep in my vanity to put up my hair during my make up process, yes I said process. Ribbon ties unfortunately don't work for me because my hair so thick and doesn't have a tight enough hold on my hair. It sucks because they are so cute. *Sigh*.

Lastly, I'm pleasantly surprised with the Marcelle Waterproof Eyeliner in Electric Blue. Even though I already got a blue eyeliner literally last month, I'm okay with it because this shade is so great! Just as the name implies, it's an electric blue with a slight metallic sheen. Love it!

As a bonus, I also got 20% off in the Birchbox store on $50 or more!

Get anything you loved in this months box? 

Ipsy Bag June 2015 #SwimIntoBeauty

Summer is here! And so are my subscription bags/boxes! Ipsy is one of my favorites, and I'm always excited to see what I'll be getting each month. This months theme is Swim Into Beauty, so let's dive right in... See what I did there? Annnnnyways...

If you're interested in Ipsy, sign up here! https://www.ipsy.com/new?refer=77ty 

The bag itself is almost like a neoprene fabric with Ipsy embossed on the front, and a bright neon orange zipper. A nice bag to bring to the beach or pool (probably not waterproof though).

Here is the line up of products I received this month:

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, Formula X Nail Color in Power Source, BeFine Cucumber Facial Mask, tre'StiQue Mini Shadow Crayon in Marimoto Pink and Swissco Electroplated Eyelash Curler.

I haven't tried the original Smashbox primer, only the primer in Light, so I'm pretty excited to try it out. I also haven't tried any Formula X polishes, and the color  Power Source is a hot, Barbie pink, right up my alley! The Befine Cucumber Mask smells like refreshing cucumber. Yum! I love me some masks, so that's always nice to get. I don't really ever use eyelash curlers (blasphemous, I know) because they are awkward and don't really fit my eye shape, therefore it doesn't get a lot of my lashes to curl. Thankfully my lashes are decently curled already so it's not that big of a deal to me. But this one is purple and cute! So it'll be nice to have around just in case.

The packaging of the tre'StiQue shadow crayon is cute first off, but the shade Marimoto pink is more like a beige gold to me. It glides on smooth and would make a beautiful base color for powder shadows or just by itself.

In this months bag I was left longing for more make up products, but I liked everything I got. I wasn't necessarily blown away by anything, but no products were fails for me.

What did you get in your bag this month?

Skindinavia Setting and Primer Sprays

I live and die by setting spray. It helps prevent make-up melt down and controls oil so that by the end of the day (or night) the make-up look you put time into that morning is still there. Nothing is worse than looking #flawless just after you're done doing your make up and checking back a few hours later to find it greasy, faded, creased or just gone from your face. Not cool.

 I was getting dangerously low on my Urban Decay De-Slick Setting Spray and decided to check out actual Skindinavia setting sprays. They were even having a sweet deal of two travel size sprays (1 setting spray and 1 primer spray) with a purchase with free shipping AND I got 10% using a coupon code (which is BRIDAL29)! They are still having the sale so I would check it out if you are in the market for setting sprays! 

After some debate between the Oil Control spray or Bridal spray, I decided on the 4 oz. Bridal Makeup Finishing Spray version just to try something different.

I was also curious about the primer spray so I'm glad I got a travel size to try! I am nervous just using this instead of a traditional primer so I use both just to really ensure oil control (so unnecessary, I know). So far I like it, but I haven't tried it without the setting spray so I don't know the wear time of it just by itself.

The original Makeup Setting Spray will be great to travel with too. It's just your basic, fine mist setting spray that works well for everyone.

All these sprays are also oil-free and paraben-free!

After just trying the Bridal spray for a few days, I was really pleased with the results. I set my makeup with it at 9AM and when I cam home at 7PM I wasn't a complete grease ball and my make up still looked decent! Even after using one of my foundations that makes my face the most oily and spending an hour outside at recess with the kids in 90 degree heat. HOT DAMN it works well!

The Bridal formula supposedly resists excess moisture, reduce shine and prolong make up up to 16 hours, according to the website. Totally ideal for brides, hence the name. I would recommend this even for every day, not just special events if you want to keep your makeup intact for long periods of time without touching up.  It's also has a "ultra fine" mist, which is nice to really coat the face evenly.

I'm really impressed with it.

Here is my make up just after setting it, leaving for work at 9 AM:

My make-up when I got home, no touch ups during the day, at 7 PM:

Obviously there is still oil around my nose and cheeks, but it's pretty minimal for me which is amazing. A tiny bit of my blush is even still left, and that's the first thing to go!

I think any setting spray from Skindinavia is going to be great, and so worth the money. And even though Skindinavia makes the Urban Decay sprays, I think I like these ones better.

What are your thoughts?

xoxo

Jessica

P.S This was not sponsored in anyway, and these are my genuine opinions, ya feel me?

BH Cosmetics Galaxy Chic Palette

As I rummaged through my steadily growing eyeshadow palette collection, I re-discovered this gem! It's my most colorful palette for sure, and I'm going to be 100% real; I mostly bought it for the packaging. I have a soft spot for space, astronomy and learning about the universe in general so I died when I saw the Galaxy Chic palette by BH Cosmetics.

It's not only an awesome palette full of 18 baked eyeshadows, it's a CHEAP awesome palette! Right now it's on sale for $15 on BH Cosmetics website.

Let's take a closer look...

Inside the sturdy, cardboard package is a big mirror and these magnificent baked shadows that not only look like planets, they are named after them and other space objects!

Here are the swatches:

First row, left: Sun, Jupiter, Prometheus, Aphrodite, Milky Way, Cosmic

Second Row, Left: Saturn, Venus, Meteor, Comet, Earth, Neptune

Third Row, Left: Mercury, Mars, Asteroid, Electra, Moon, Pluto

Aren't they out of this world?! Tehehe. :)

As you can see, this palette is filled with shimmery shades ranging from blues, purples, pinks, golds and even an orange! Like most baked products, these can be used wet or dry. For that intense foiled effect, using your fingers is best. 

Stand out shades for me are Mercury (muted lilac pink), Mars (warm chocolate brown), Comet (aqua blue), Cosmic (silver lilac), Saturn (peachy pink), Aphrodite (cranberry red), Sun (yellow gold) and Asteroid (almost duo chrome dark brown-blue). 

Cosmic, Mercury, and Milky Way are extremely similar, with all three being metallic lilac purples but Milky Way is slightly pinker. Mercury was surprising when I swatched it since it only has a small amount of purple veining in it but swatches a muted lilac pink! 

Comet and Electra are also similar, but comet is a darker aqua and Electra is lighter, more silver in tone.

All in all, this palette is nice for those who love colorful, shimmery eye looks or for those who want to add a splash of color to their palette collection. It's not the best quality ever, but it's good for the price and the amount of shadows you get to play around with!

More Colour Pop! Highlight, Blush, Shadows and a Lippie Stix

Soooooo... Remember when I said I would be ordering more Colour Pop soon? Yep. I ordered more. I just can't help myself! It's just such an amazing company with unbelievable products. Plus, it was their one year anniversary and they were giving out a free eyeshadow with every purchase during their birthday celebration (which was also my birthday too) so I basically had to place an order.

And I've been dying to try some of their new blushes and highlighters.

Let's start with the not so new Lippie Stix in Lumiere, a color Kathleen Lights from YouTube created with them. It's a mauve-pink, and it's a matte finish. It does tug some on initial application, but most matte lipsticks do so I'm not too surprised. But I love the form of this lipstick, as in it's a skinny twist up that always stays "sharp" if you know what I mean.

It's simply mauve-o-lous!

I got one blush, and one highlighter to test them out first since they are the magical gel-cream formula. I'm strictly a powder product person when it comes to my face (besides foundation and concealer) so I was a little hesitant. Like expected though, both are fantastic.

I got the blush in Birthday Suit, which is a satin finish and is a nudeish mid-toned pink. It applies beautifully with any synthetic brush, but I use my Real Techniques Stippling Brush. It looks so natural, has a hint of a sheen and actually LASTS on my oily skin.

It can be sheered out or built up to your liking too!

The Highlighter is in the shade Monster, which is a duo-chrome white that reflects pink and purple. Uh hello?! How could you say no to that? I don't even really gravitate towards pink highlighters but it's unlike anything I have so I wanted to add it to my collection.

It looks like any old white highlighter from one angle and then...

BOOM! It reflects pink and purple shimmer!

Like the blush, it can be easily sheered out or built up for that in your face highlight. Again, it lasts a full work day on me, and I run around with kids all day so that says something about the staying power.

I don't own any matte shadows from Colour Pop, so I order Bill, a matte plum beige. It's great for a muted purple crease color and blends like a friggin' dream.

So Quiche is a shade I've been eyeing for a while, so I jumped at the chance to buy it. It's a really unique shade because it's a gold-olive color with purple glitter throughout. It's like Mardi Gras in an eyeshadow!

Photos just don't give a lot of these glitter, duo-chrom shades justice. It's a fantastic all over the lid color.

Last, but certainly not least, was the bonus shadow called Birthday Girl. It's a metallic rose gold bronze shade and came in pink packaging instead of the standard white! Unfortunately, I don't think it's in the permanent collection and was just a special edition, so that blows. But it does look pretty close to my L'Oreal Infallible shadow in Amber Rush. If you couldn't nab this in time that, would be a good alternative.

Colour Pop never lets me down. All the shadows and Lippie Stix are $5 while the cheek products (blush, bronzer, and highlighters) are $8. Which is a steal considering you get a lot more product for only 3 bucks more than the shadows. Affordable, great quality beauty products? I'm about that life. Check out my other post about my other Colour Pop shadows for more swatches.

Consider me a Colour Pop hoarder collector.

What are your thoughts on the blushes, highlighters, bronzers or shadows? What should I order next?

xoxo

Jessica