July 2015 Favorites!

It's officially August, and that means I round up some of my favorite products I've used throughout July to share with you! I've been gravitating towards products that are fool-proof and easy to apply because with the unusually hot weather here in the Pacific Northwest, I don't want to wear heavy makeup that is going to melt off. Here are a few products I've been loving!

The Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette (for a more in-depth look and swatches of this palette, check out my post on it here!) I use this almost everyday because it's filled with beautiful, matte shadows to create an everyday neutral eye look. This palette and the OFRA Highlighter/Eyeshadow in Bliss put all over the lid is a match made in heaven! Bliss is a fantastic metallic peachy champagne shade I got in my Ipsy bag that also can be worn on the cheeks. I've been obsessed with this combination on my eyes. So gorgeous!

Another sample I've been loving from my Ipsy bag is the Tarte Park Ave. Princess Bronzer! It's the perfect bronzing shade that can be used to lightly contour and warm up the face at the same time since it's not too orange or muddy looking. I cannot put this product down! It isn't matte and has a slight bronze-gold sheen, but it's very subtle. It makes me definitely consider buying the full size version.

My favorite lip balm at the moment is the Smiths Rosebud Perfume Co. Minted Rose Lip Balm. I heard so much about this balm for a long time, and when I first bought it I wasn't super impressed to be honest. So I left it untouched for a while, but I recently picked it up again and I'm so glad I did! It's moisturizing, not too tacky but has enough slip to coat the lips. Plus it's tinted so it provides a little bit of color.

I also started using my Coastal Scents Forever Blush in Poetic again, a satin finish peachy pink with gold sheen that has great pigmentation and lasting power. I recently did a post on my Coastal Scents Forever Blushes and made me fall in love again with these blushes. They are super affordable too.

I've also been going for a more natural brow lately, and I re-discovered my NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder in Brunette. It includes two neutral brown powders, a clear wax, a tiny spoolie and brush, a perfect little kit for travelling! The dark shade matches me perfectly and has buildable pigment for a natural or bolder brow. I use my NYX Micro Brow Pencil in Taupe first to shape my brows, and this powder to fill them in. It's a great brow powder with a few different shades available if you are in the market for a good brow powder that doesn't have red-brown undertones!

These are my favorites for the month of July! What are your favorites?

xoxo

Jessica

Ipsy Bag July 2015 #SummerLovin'

I actually have had my Ipsy bag for a while now, but was missing a sample so I wanted to wait to get it before I did this post. This gave me plenty of time to try out a few of the products, and needless to say some of the products are AMAZING. 

The bag this month is also pretty cute, and is sort of like a canvas material that feels sturdy and well made. In this bag I got a sample of the Coolway Beachy Salt Spray, Bare Republic Natural Mineral Tinted Face Sunscreen in SPF 30, Tarte Park Ave. Princess Bronzer, full-size BellaPierre Lipstick in the shade P.I.N.K. and full-size OFRA Highlighter/Eyeshadow in Bliss.

*SPOILER ALERT* I loved pretty much everything. I've gotten SO many salt sprays though over the past few months that I probably will pass this one on. Plus, I don't really use them because they just make my naturally wavy/curly hair more frizzy. I will definitely use the tinted sunscreen though for protecting my face and giving a slight bit of coverage for those days I'm out lounging in the sun.

I was beyond excited to get the Tarte Park Ave. Princess Bronzer though! I've always wanted to try it since everyone raves about it, and I have to say I might have to go out and buy the full size of it once I use this one up. It's a nice texture with good pigmentation and has a subtle golden-bronze sheen to it. I've used it pretty much everyday since I got it and I just love it. The packaging for this sample is so luxurious too!

The Bellapierre Lipstick is really creamy and in a surprisingly wearable pink shade. I don't typically wear this type of pink, but I'm excited to try it out. 

Lastly, the OFRA Highlighter/Eyeshadow in Bliss. Mother of God. It's a stunning metallic peachy champagne shade that is absolutely beautiful on the eyes and cheeks! I have to force myself to not just use this every single day. It's buttery smooth, pigmented as hell, and is a huge pan to boot. What's not to love? I'm going to see if OFRA has different shades because I need more in my life. 

That's what is in my bag this month! What did you get? Any hits or misses? 

xoxo

Jessica

Minimal Makeup: Products For A Natural Look

On my days off from work, I usually don't wear any makeup whatsoever and choose to brave the world bare faced. But for those occasions when I do want something on my face but definitely don't want full on makeup, these are the products I typically go to for a minimal makeup look.

I've always found it hilarious that for "no makeup" makeup looks it always involves like 20 products. I've narrowed it down to 10, which still feels ridiculous, but that's if I feel like getting extra fancy. Usually I just use 4-6 products which is much more reasonable!

  I start out with a BB cream, and one I've been using lately is the Maybelline Pure BB in Light which has surprisingly good coverage, is more of a demi-matte finish and is a nice shade for me. I have a hard time with BB creams being too orange, dark, greasy and just don't do much for me in general, but this is a good one! I also like the L'Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream. If I have bad dark circles or blemishes, I use a concealer and then a powder to add a little more coverage. The Maybelline Fit Me Concealer is fantastic for under the eye, hiding blemishes and even doing some highlighting. Any powder will do, but the Maybelline Dream Wonder Powder is a great powder that is finely milled and adds decent coverage too.

I then comb through my brows using the Nyx Tinted Brow Gel in Espresso to give a little definition and fullness and throw on some of my favorite mascara, the Maybelline Volum'Express The Rocket Mascara. Lastly I put on some lip balm like Smiths Rosebud Perfume Co. Minted Rose Lip Balm and I'm good to go. This lip balm is my favorite right now, and I use it all the time. My only complaint is that the tin is so goddamn hard to open and when I do finally Hulk it open, my fingers accidentally dig into the product sometimes. SO NOT COOL. But I put up with it anyways because I love it so much.

If I have the time, desire or energy to do more, I'll put on some bronzer, blush, a really subtle highlight and a cream shadow. The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder in Medium and Nyx Powder Blush in Mocha are both matte and add just a little color to the face or can be layered for more intense color. For adding a little more glow, I like the Physicians Formula Powder Palette Mineral Glow Pearls in Translucent. It's subtle enough to dust all over the face or just adding it to the cheekbones. If I do add anything to my eyes besides mascara, I typically just use a cream shadow or eye base like this Be A Bombshell Eye Base in Submissive to add depth, shine and color. I got this in an Ipsy bag actually! It's a nice bronze-taupe with a hint of gold.

Top to bottom: Nyx Blush in Mocha, PF Mineral Glow Pearls , Honey Bronzer, and Submissive eye base

What are your go-to's for a minimal makeup look?

xoxo

Jessica

July 2015 Birchbox Unboxing!

When I opened this months Birchbox, I instantly fell in love with the box. IT'S THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BOX EVER. Definitely keeping it! Anyways, let's take a peak at what I got this month!

I was so stoked to receive a sample of the Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Beso, a classic red shade. I've been dying to try the Stila liquid lipsticks and I've been in the market for a long-wearing matte red color so this is beyond perfect. Score 1 for Birchbox! It feels so creamy, light weight and took a hard scrub to get it off my lips, great news for staying power.

I was also excited to see an Amika un.Done Texture Spray sample. I got a dry shampoo sample of this brand before and really liked it, so I'm excited to try this texture spray! Plus the packaging is so damn cute.

The two skin care samples I got is the Vasanti Cosmetics BrightenUp! Enzymatic Face Rejuvenator and Marcelle BB Cream Golden Glow. It's hard for me to actually use skin care samples because I easily forget about them when it comes time to wash my face, but they are great for travel! The Marcelle BB cream is kinda throwing me for a loop just by swatching it because it's a pretty opaque, dark gold tinted cream that I'm nervous to put all over my face, haha. I'll still test it out though and see how it goes. It might be good mixed with foundation to add a little more glow to it.

Lastly, a nice little bottle of the Davines SU Hair & Body Wash, a clear gel that supposedly hydrates both skin and prevents sun damage to hair. This will definitely come in handy after spending time in the sun at the pool. I'm a little weary of combination type products though, and reminds of the ridiculous combination toiletries by some sketchy brand you find in hotel rooms that is a shampoo/conditioner/mouthwash/toothpaste and turns my hair into a total train wreck. I forgot my own hair products once and was forced to use them. Never again. But it's Davines so it should be trustworthy. I'll put it in my hair and see what happens I guess!

Welp, not bad Birchbox! The Stila sample was worth it alone. Is it weird that the box was the runner up for me? I just can't get over it. What did you get this month?

xoxo

Jessica

Shine On: Jordana Twist & Shine Moisturizing Balm Stains

Balm stains and crayon type lip products definitely had a moment a while ago, but they still are one of my favorite lip products! One of the cheapest balm stain/lip crayons available are the Jordana Twist & Shine Moisturizing Balm Stains! I get mine from Walgreens for about $2.99 and I have quite a few of them now. 

I have the shades Rock N Rouge, Cranberry Crush, Fresh Fig, Honey Love, Gorgeous Peony, Tropical Frenzy, and Candied Coral. I used to have Sweet Pink but got rid of it a while back since I never wore it, and I'm missing the shades Nude Chic and Terra Crave from my collection.

These are definitely more balm like and sheer than the Revlon version, so they aren't super opaque. But for a wash of color that will last all day this is great! My favorite way to use these are under other lipsticks or lip gloss to help prolong the color a little bit since it leaves a stain. It's especially handy under matte colors to help moisturize or turn it into more of a satin finish without a gloss. 

During the summer months especially, I'm extra lazy when it comes to my lips and most often want a no-fuss lip color that I don't have to think about touching up all day. There is some transfer though, and the gloss wears off as the day goes on but the stain is still there! 

My favorite shades are Candied Coral, Honey Love and Fresh Fig! Some of the darker shades do take a while to build up color, so keep that in mind. Like I've said before, lip crayons are one of my favorite lip products and these are a cheap drugstore alternative!

 I do like the Revlon Colorburst Balm Stains more because they have more pigmentation, have a creamier texture, and have a few different finishes available. But if you haven't tried a balm stain before or want to try colors you wouldn't normally gravitate towards, this won't break the bank. Even the Revlon ones are still around $9! At $2.99, you could try 3 of the Twist & Shines for the price of one Revlon Balm Stain. 

Tried 'em before? What are you're favorite shades?!

xoxo

Jessica

July 2015 Boxycharm Unboxing! #SummertimeRadness

Woohoo! Time to see what goodies Boxycharm has in store for us for the month of July! This months theme is Summertime Radness, which I think is a play on the song Summertime Sadness by Lana Del Rey, who is one of my favorite artists. Let's get this party started and see what I got!

The first thing I grabbed was the gorge I'll make you look amazing daily spray ($29.95), which is a leave-in conditioner spray that is supposed to be used on damp hair for frizz-free, shinier, healthier, stronger hair. Who doesn't want that?! I'm stoked to try it out and it's a full size so I can actually test it out long term to see if it lives up to the claims. 

Naturally, I gravitated to the golden tube next, which is the MDMflow Greater Than Mascara ($35.00), which is not available in the U.S yet. The packaging feels heavy and luxurious! For $35 this mascara better be DAMN good. I don't think it's waterproof either so that's good news for when it's time to take it off, but not so good for hot summer temps. 

I also got a Vasanti Professional Blush Brush ($29.00). It looks like a typical blush brush but a little denser than expected to help really pack on the color. I'll try it out, but I still am in love with the Real Techniques Blush Brush so I might pass this on. It does not feel like`it should be worth $29.00 at all though, and feels like one of the Ulta brand brushes I have. Hell, for $29 you can buy one of the Real Techniques Bold Metals brushes and those ones are better quality and are way cutie. 

Of course, I got an eye pencil. But this time it's an OFRA Cosmetics Universal Eye Pencil ($13.00). It's a neutral brown pencil that is super creamy and glides on like a dream. The only problem is that since it's so creamy, it rubbed off really easy on my hand. I can only imagine if I wear to rub up on anything my eyebrows would come right off with this. A gel would definitely be necessary. The color is nice though! 

Lastly, I got a yourMinerals Transparent Veil Setting Powder ($26.00). Setting powders are a must for me so I'm really happy about getting this! Except when I went to swatch it, expecting it to be, well, transparent, it was pure white. Granted, I did swatch a lot on my hand and on my face it'll be super blended in, but now I'm worried it'll leave a white cast. It's not as finely milled as my other setting powders, but it's a good size for travelling. 

That's all for this Boxycharm! Not to be a negative Nancy, but I wasn't blown away by this box. I like the leave-in conditioner and the mascara the best. The value is incredible though, and every other month I love the majority of what I receive so I'm not to sad about it. 

What did you like in your box?

Eco Tools Pure Complexion Konjac Sponge: Another Magic Sponge?

I've walked past the Eco Tools Pure Complexion Konjac Sponge (what a mouth full!) many times in stores and wondered how the heck you are supposed to use them since they feel as hard as a rock in the packaging. I could only imagine the pain of scrubbing my face with this "sponge," and had no idea what konjac was, so I would just continue on my merry way...

Until I finally did some research and was intrigued that this sponge is made up of the fibers from the konjac plant, a type of Japanese vegetable. It softens and expands when wet, and hardens when dry, much like my beloved Beauty Blender. This tear-drop shaped sponge is used to gently remove makeup, cleanses and exfoliates by adding water and your own cleanser. It can even be used day and night! It has sky rocketed in popularity recently and other brands have them priced at around $16 a sponge. Which is pricey considering that it is recommended that you replace it every three months due to bacteria build up. Luckily the Eco Tools version is only $6, so I decided to give it a try!

When it's run under water, it really does soften up a WHOLE lot. I was super surprised and almost grossed out at first because it felt mushy and is one of the weirdest materials I've ever felt. I can't even explain the texture! You just dollop on your cleanser and scrub your face with it! When you're done, you lay it flat on a towel to dry. I've tried two different cleansers, a foaming gel and a cream cleanser. In my opinion, a gel/foaming cleanser works the best with it because I felt that the sponge was just absorbing my cream cleanser and was not cleansing my face properly. It really does feel nice to cleanse my face with and gently exfoliates at the same time.

However, I would still continue using whatever makeup removing product, like a cleansing oil, you like the best first before using this to cleanse because it gets gunked up with makeup easily and doesn't do the best job at removing a full face of makeup. It also doesn't ever completely dry I find, so it's always in an awkward stage of some parts being mushy and others crunchy. It sounds totally unappealing but it doesn't bother me too much.

Is it a complete game changer? Not really. Not for me anyways! It's one of those things that I-use-it-because-I-have-it kind of thing, and I am fine without it. I haven't really noticed a difference in my skin but I also don't use it consistently either. I think it'll be great if you prefer foaming cleansers (I don't usually) and if you have sensitive skin and don't like hardcore exfoliates. They also have a charcoal infused version that I might be interested in trying to see if it helps with my acne-prone skin at all. It's worth a try though at only 6 bucks or lower with coupons or sales and can be found in stores where Eco Tools is sold. 

Have you tried a konjac sponge? Whatcha think?

xoxo

Jessica