Beauty Haul 2016

So I thought since traditionally it has taken me quite a bit of time to post something I would share some of the pretty beauty bits that I have picked up. Some a little while ago, some much more recently (as in this afternoon kind of recently). The Sephora VIB sale just started today. It will be going on until the 13th and then it there will be 10% off available to Beauty Insiders. GO GET YOUR SHOPPING ON! 

So anyways lets get into the haul!.. 

I want to start off with the bits I have gotten from the drugstore because I really love them its like finding a real hidden gem. The first I wanted to mention is the Loreal Paris Brow Stylist Definer. I think that this aside from the NYX Micro Brow is the BEST dupe out there for the Anastasia Brow Wiz Pencil. The Loreal one I am liking even better than the Micro Brow because its a little bit more pigmented and less scratchy. The spoolie at the end is also very nice as well. I highly recommend this if you were thinking about the Anastasia Brow Wiz because this is only $8.00!! (BARGIN!) and the two are so incredibly similar. 

The next item from the drugstore I am really kind of obsessed with. The Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer is gorgeous. The packaging is adorable and the formulation is soo unbelievably creamy. Sometimes even when I am not putting on makeup I will open this up just to touch it because it is that buttery and smooth. Its a very subtle color that is mistake proof, very good for natural makeup. It adds a little bit of warmth to the skin. Also, I need to mention that this smells SO GOOD! Like pina colada coconut bliss (if you don't love scented makeup I would steer clear of this product because it is pretty strong in the compact), but I love this product so much. Two thumbs up. 

Next up I have a new primer to play with. It is the Sephora Collection Beauty Amplifier Afterglow Primer I just got this so I have not had much chance to play around with it yet but when I swatched it on my hand it looked very pretty and luminous which was what I was after because I have been in a summery makeup mood lately and I want all that glow. So, if I end up really loving this I am sure it will land itself in a favorites post. 

Next I have two Too Faced Products that I have purchased recently. I have been wanting one of their Love Flush Blushes for forever and a half and I finally decided to pick one up. The one I got is in the shade "I Will Always Love You" (which is great because that is a lyric to one of my all time favorite songs. I will leave you to guess what that is...If you can we are best friends), but aside from the name and the ADORABLE Polly Pocketesque + Bunny PACKAGING I loved the color of this shade which is a beautiful peach shade which I thought was perfect for spring and summer time. 

Too Faced always has the cutest packaging which goes the same with this next exciting purchase The Peanut Butter Jelly Palette I finally got my hands on it. I wanted to pick it up in store and every time I checked my local Ulta it was sold completely out until this afternoon! I saw only one left and practically leaped for it. I am a sucker for warm shades in a palette and this palette has them galore plus some fun purple shades which I don't use often but now that I have this palette I definitely want to try them because they are beautiful. The pigmentation is really wonderful in this palette and the palette itself is very lightweight and slim which makes it really perfect for travel. Also, again this smells wonderfully of cocoa and peanut butter I am so happy to finally own this palette! 

Speaking of palettes I also wanted to show my support for youtuber MannyMUA who brought out his own palette in collaboration with MakeupGeek. It was very difficult to get a hold of which is kind of why I wanted to showcase it here at least once in this haul (it might still be available but I am not sure). I really love this palette a lot. Especially that deep red shade called "Mars" which is RIDICULOUSLY PIGMENTED it's insane! you barely you have to touch it with a brush to get that intense pigmentation. I love to support the creators I watch when they come out with products that capture my interest and this palette is no exception. Congrats to MannyMUA (if you are not subscribed to him already I highly suggest you do so) and may he continue to bless us with more beautiful work just like this palette. 

Only three more to go! I recently got to visit the Sephora in Boston, MA in the Prudential Center and it was literally breathtaking! It was so huge with tons of brands I had only seen online it was amazing. Makeup Nirvana~ I saw that they had the full line of Anastasia Beverley Hills which got me very excited. I of course wanted to try one of their famed liquid lipsticks I chose Pure Hollywood which is one of their lighter nudes. I am really liking this formula a lot. Its not too drying at all which is the winning ticket in my book when it comes to liquid lipsticks and it does not crumble or anything. Very pleased with that one as I am with Anastasia's gloss formula. If you know me personally and my makeup preferences you would know I am not big on gloss at ALL. I hate that sticky feeling and since I have long hair it can spell disaster. However, this gloss that I picked up in the shade Tara really impressed me. Its not a extremely sticky gloss it gives that shiny look which I am starting to like now, also smells like vanilla cake. These glosses are very pigmented, the color I have here is a warm terra-cotta brown which I think is very pretty. I think the price of their glosses is also very agreeable at $16, not bad.. not bad at all. Really, really liking that one lately. 

Lastly, I picked up some new brush cleaner. Again, from Sephora Collection. I used up the Solid Brush cleanser from the Beauty Blender brand and I was going to pick up another when I saw this little one that was only $8 and decided I would try it out and see how it compared. I will let you know how that fares soon in the future. 

And there is my little haul. I feel as though there was a strong theme of scented makeup in this haul. What can I say I am being lead with my nose this year when it comes to cosmetics. Be sure to take advantage of the sale while its still going on! 15% off your entire purchase! I hope that you enjoyed this post! Let me know in the comments below if you did and if you have made any fun beauty purchases lately! 
See you all (hopefully!) really soon! I have been busy getting prepared for my older sister's wedding happening later on this month! Craziness!! 

Hope you all are having a great week (happy shopping!) 

-A 

Covering Your Bases // Too Faced Born This Way Foundation

Hello all! 

As you might have seen in my previous post, I mentioned a new foundation that has entered my life that I have been quite enjoying. The Too Faced Born This Way Foundation ( trying desperately not to break out into the song with the same title while typing this..). This foundation has become a great little base for the autumn/fall season. The focus of very dewy and glowing sun kissed skin becomes a little more subdued in the Fall and Winter. Interests shift to more dramatic and glam looks for the eyes and lips. This is one of those foundations that is getting quite a bit of hype on the internet. I can't help it but be curious and really put it to the test to see if it lives up to the standard that has been created for it. After using it for two and a half months now I have a few thoughts to share about this product.

Lets get down the nitty gritty rundown shall we.. 


Packaging// Design 

Too Faced went with a slightly more traditional approach with their packaging for Born This Way with glass packaging and pump applicator. However, that never goes unappreciated. The pump is easy to use and does not dispense too much product. The frosted glass packaging is cute but may be difficult to travel with. The gold lettering used on the product is also a nice touch. Aside from it being glass I think Too Faced made great choices with its packaging by keeping it practical but also sticking to their cute branding which they are partly known for. 

Color Range// 

When first released there were12 shades starting from Porcelain described to suit fair skin with pink-neutral undertones to the shade Caramel described to suit deep/tan skin with neutral to golden undertones. There were quite a lot of people to be left out of the initial release who had very fair skin ( since the lightest shade still ran a bit dark) and also to those who have much deeper skin. Cries were heard and Too Faced answered by recently releasing two new paler shades; Snow and Pearl, and four new deeper shades; Mocha, Maple, Chestnut and Mahogany. I really appreciate that Too Faced brought out more shades so that more people are able to try and use this foundation. Just as I was typing up this review I was aware that you could only purchase new shades on Too Faced.com but I am pleased to inform that now all 17 shades are up on Sephora's website. I am still unsure if they have hit the brick and mortar stores but still ( hooray!). Personally,  I find the shade Porcelain to be pretty satisfactory for me, though I am curious how the shade Pearl would suit me since I do fall slightly into the category of the "ghost skin" club. 

Application//
When pumped out into the hand this foundation appears to be on the thicker side, meaning it does not slip and slide quickly on the hand. When actually applied to the face you can already get a feel for the coverage but it applies very smoothly. As always when it comes to foundation I cannot stop using my trusty beauty blender. I barely remember the last time I used a brush for applying foundation. Not that a brush is bad, I just love the refreshing feeling of the beauty blender. When dampened with cool water and just pouncing the sponge onto the skin feels so nice. I do like to take my time to really blend this foundation in since it is a full coverage foundation but as I said before I find this foundation to apply really smoothly and easily onto the skin. On a second note this foundation also has no scent which may be good for more sensitive skin types. 

Coverage//

Now, as I have mentioned this foundation is a full coverage foundation so for those who prefer really light coverage will not suit this foundation. I do find that it can be build-able without looking too heavy. I have some acne scarring on my cheeks that are a bugger to cover up and one of the reasons I prefer a higher coverage foundation so I can smooth out the redness and texture that remains on my skin. After creating one layer I get pretty great coverage but I usually add a light second layer to those troubled areas. All of that only requires about a pump and a half of product.  


Overall Thoughts// 

My overall thoughts on this foundation. I think it has become a great staple for the fall and winter months. I would call the finish mostly matte ( but not flat and dry looking) and normally I prefer a more dewy finish, but thats when I pick up my powder highlighter and go to town. Of which anyone could certainly add a more glowy primer beforehand or liquid highlighter into the mix to also achieve a more glowing appearance ( like the new Becca Backlight Primer or one of their liquid illuminators for example). That aside my conclusions to this foundation are as follows : Its long lasting on the skin which is probably one of the bigger pros to this product with me and battling against winter skin. Scarves, environmental elements like wind and snow and cold make wearing certain foundations difficult as it tends to break down a lot more ( at least that is what I notice I am not quite sure why that is.) I have not yet seen how this will last during a blizzardy day but that day I am sure is quickly approaching being from New England. However, I have given it the "really long day at work test" and it passes with relatively high marks. When I get back in my car to go home or when I am on break I usually check to make sure I don't look like a hot mess with foundation breakage and or any other makeup mishaps. Foundation wise at least this one passes the grade by lasting on the skin without moving around too much at all. Second conclusion is that I think this foundation suits a nice and large audience. Its a crowd pleaser from its packaging to its performance  People want something that is going to look great/flawless without feeling heavy or mask like on the skin but  they want something that will last through a very long day without major touch ups. People want something with skin benefits and that isn't going to break them out. And they want something that can fit most skin types. I think that this foundation fits a lot of that. Because is is lighter weight on the skin, it is a great full coverage, it does last long throughout the day, it has coconut water infused in the formula to help hydrate the skin but is oil free which makes it less likely to cause breakouts. And I lastly I think with its edits in color selection and the formula it would suit a lot of skin types. If you are severely dry I might use a hydrating primer or mist. If you are severely oily I would use perhaps a bit of a mattifying primer where you find yourself most oily. 
The Too Faced Born This Way Foundation gets a high mark in my book I would recommend it if you happen to be in the market for a new foundation. Remember, you can always ask for a sample if you are close to a Sephora location. You can test out pretty much any foundation you may be slightly on the fence about before buying it full size.    
That about wraps it up for this review. I hope it was enjoyable/educational. If you have tried this foundation or have any other foundation recommendations  I would love to hear your thoughts down in the comments below, it would really make my day. 
I hope you all are having a great week and I will see you all soon! 
- A 

New In// Collective Beauty Haul

Hey guys, I know its been ages since I updated last. Got caught way behind on things and then simply ran out of steam for a little bit. Now its time to play catch up. How are you guys? I missed you! I hope all is going well. I think I can say spring has officially sprung here in New England ( I hope I can say that now, this winter has gone on for much too long). The flowers have started blooming, the snow has all but disappeared and the weather is just starting to really warm up. All and all its a rather large mood uplifter. 

Along with the arrival of spring, this means the arrival new beauty launches and new makeup to play with, ( which is also a large mood uplifter ;) at least in my book). I have been collecting a "few" things, some during the recent Sephora VIB Rouge sale and other bits here and there which I have picked up and have been loving. So I wanted to share with you a collective beauty haul of all the exciting makeup bits I have picked up recently

Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water 
I have been hearing a lot of buzz surrounding this "fancy water"aka The Smashbox Primer Water. So I decided to give it a go, It feels very nice and refreshing on the skin and has a very light rose scent, I have not noticed anything life changing when it comes to this product so far, but I will keep you updated. 

NYX Prismatic Eyeshadow "Girl Talk"
As I was perusing around Ulta one day I came across these new prismatic shadows from NYX, when I gave them a swatch I knew one had to come home with me. They were all so soft and very pigmented. The shade I picked up is "Girl Talk" which is a very bright shimmery champagne pink shade. It looks gorgeous when popped into inner corner.

Benefit Roller Lash 
Another hyped up product I was eager to try was Benefits new "Roller Lash" mascara. I have heard very polarized opinions on this mascara. Some people hated it while others considered it holy grail. I do like the packaging with the rubberized cap and the formula itself does add quite a bit of length and curl. Like Benefits "They're Real" however, this product is quite difficult to get off the eyes. Make sure you have a makeup remover strong enough to get this guy off. 

The Body Shop Honey Bronzer
Its starting to warm up which means time to warm up that complexion! Fellow fair skinned girls should take a look at this excellent bronzer from The Body Shop. The color range I find is great for those who find themselves in the "very light" skin category. This bronzer is matte and very build-able  If you have never tried out a bronzer before and are a little intimidated ( Like me around this time last year). I would give this one a try. It's wonderful ( plus that cute honeycomb packaging?! come onnn!)  

NYX High Voltage Lipstick "Stone" 
Right after I had done my damage at the VIB sale I thought I was satiated for a while in the makeup department ( oh no...I was quite wrong). I passed into Ulta a couple days later and picked this up along with a concealer I had run clear out of. NYX has been kind of killing it with its newer releases including these High Voltage Lipsticks which come in a large range of colors and offer amazing pigmentation. Its also shocking to me how NYX has such great products for really affordable prices. These lipsticks run up to around 5 dollars and yet provide such a high quality offering. I picked up the color "Stone", this sort of color has been quite popular at the moment in the beauty world- this pale taupe nude kind of color which is unique and pairs well when mixed with other nudes. 

MAC Lipstick "Creme In Your Coffee"
Someone has to make an intervention with me and nude lipsticks, its getting a little out of hand. Especially when it comes to MAC lipsticks. I saw a swatch of this color on Instagram and had to go check it out in person. First of all I will admit that the name suckered me in a little, "Creme In Your Coffee" it sounded so  appealing. The color I find is very similar to MAC's "Twig" but a little more nude and the finish is a lot more creamy and not as drying. Out of the three MAC nudes that I own I find that this one is the most "moisturizing". I also like pairing this color with the High Voltage lipstick I just mentioned. It looks awesome. 

Too Faced Melted Lipstick "Melted Chihuahua"
No comment, I know, its another "mauve, pinky nude"... I have always wanted to try out these Melted Lipsticks from Too Faced. I would swatch them in store all the time and I really liked the pigmentation, the colors and the little sponge applicator. During the sale I committed to taking one home with me and I chose "Melted Chihuahua" which, I have to mention, out of all the other shade names..( which are all cute and accurate sounding like "melted sugar" or "melted coral") they decided that this really pretty color would be called Melted Chihuahua.... I find that pretty disturbing and hilarious but in any event. The formula of these liquid lipsticks is awesome, long wearing and not drying. ( *two thumbs up*) 

The Bodyshop All In One Cheek Colour "Cherryade"
I new little cheek addition has entered into my collection. The Bodyshop's All In One Blush in the shade "Cherryade", not only a cute name but also a very cute color popped onto the cheeks. 


Bite Buttercream Lipstick "Moka"
The newest release from Bite are these marvelously creamy, hand-cut lipsticks. These lipsticks also have quite chic packaging with magnetic closure and everything. All the shades in this range run quite neutral and feel wonderful on the lips. This one I picked up last month but I thought I would throw it in here. I got the shade "Moka" which is a very deep neutral color. 

Kat Von D Shade & Light Eye Palette 
Lastly, the cherry on top is the newest palette from Kat Von D. Following up her bestselling Shade & Light Contour Face palette. Kat Von D released this all matte eye "contour" palette. Now, I am not one to get excited about mattes ( I am like a magpie..I like shiny things!) I did not expect myself to want this palette at all....until I got to swatch it. I stared at the swatches on my hand all the way home from work. They were so soft and pigmented, the shade range was full of great transition colors. I justified owning it and now I am a very proud owner of this palette. I think its bloody amazing! I have been able to create so many looks with it, plus set the ground work for any shimmery shadows I want to put on top. Matte eyeshadows may not be that exciting, but I think the formula of these sure are something to talk about! ( Plus, I mean warm neutrals can't get enough of em..) 

I am super excited to play around with these new products. Let me know if you want any of these products talked about more in depth. What new products have you been loving? Let me know in the comments below!
Again I hope you all are having a great week and I will be seeing you soon!

- A 

Covering Your Bases// Hourglass Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint

Hello everyone, happy Tuesday & St Patricks Day for those who celebrate ( Erin Go Bragh)! I hope you are all having a great week so far. I just want to warn you all to be prepared for quite a tale leading up to this review. Have your tea ( or beverage of choice at the ready its probably gonna be a long one). That being said, I hope you enjoy. 

So its been a while since I last wrote a "Covering Your Bases" post. Ever since discovering the Becca Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme I had not tried out any new foundations. I thought, "Yes I have found the perfect foundation for me! A foundation that gives full coverage, wears well on the skin etc.." 
However, when this winter hit New England my skin went through hell, and my beloved Becca foundation was looking dry and flaky and was not holding up well on my skin at all. 

As you will read in a future post this dry skin issue was throughout. I was trying hydrating primers, moisturizers, etc to keep my skin hydrated and to prevent my foundation from clinging to dry patches. They helped a little but by the end of the day I was still looking pretty rough. 
Next- I was really curious about the launch of the new NARS All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation. I had read some reviews, some of them were raving and others were not a fan. I took a sample pot home and gave it a shot. The first day of wear I liked it, the shade I picked was not quite right but I went with it. It seemed to wear alright, still was looking a teeny bit dry at the end of the day, but I was feeling optimistic. I picked up another sample pot of it in the correct shade for my skin and wore it the following day at work. 
Within the 5 hour duration of my shift, my foundation took a turn for the worse. This foundation clung to dryness like crazy and had disintegrated on large portions of my face leaving me looking like a hot mess. After my shift I strolled over to Sephora, ( still conveniently located right across from work). I was racking my brain of moisturizing bases that would still give me decent coverage. I was looking at my "hot mess" face in the mirror contemplating, when one of the employees that I know greeted me. I showed them my woe and pleaded for some guidance. They handed me into the care of another employee who also deals with similar skin to mine to help me out. Instead of being given another sample, I was invited to come and have my foundation redone. We took everything off and started from scratch. 
First we tried the Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation which I knew had great coverage and only guessed that it might have more moisture. Halfway through application, it was looking just as bad as the NARS Foundation. We took it all off and started again, next trying out her suggestion which was the Hourglass Hyaluronic Skin Tint. 
The name of this base is pretty misleading I think "Skin Tint" and I assume : " tinted moisturizer/BB cream hybrid with barely there coverage"  
However, this foundation packs a lot more punch than its name would suggest and the kicker was that it made my skin look healthy and DEWY! ( aka: NOT A DRY FLAKY MESS! whoo hoo!) I couldn't stop looking at my skin, it had been so long since my skin had not looked dry. I picked this guy up right away and might have even clicked my heels in joy leaving the store. 
( And my skin and I lived happily ever after. The End.) 

Just kidding! Now I have to give you guys a proper review. 

Packaging// Design 

Hourglass is kinda known for its sleek packaging and design. Always going for eye catching metallic packaging ( also known for pesky fingerprint marks). For this product they went with a shiny cap but a smooth, wide, lightweight tube making this easy to travel with. The nozzle inside is narrow enough to distribute product but not squeeze out too much. The wide cap is also nice because it will stand up on its own. My only gripe with tube packaging like this is when it starts to get low, it can be difficult to get product out. 

Color Range//

The Illusion Hyaluronic Skin Tint comes in 12 shades. On the Sephora website they all look pretty pale but in person this product tends to be a tiny bit darker. I believe based on trying out two of the shades on my skin that this range tends to cater more towards yellow undertones despite the description of the shades catering to pink, yellow and neutral undertones. If you were thinking about this foundation I would definitely have it applied on your skin or take home a sample or two of what you think matches you because its deceiving. My match was the shade "Vanilla" which is described as a very fair pink undertone even though I have a yellow undertone. The shade "Shell" which has a yellow undertone which would have been my guess for a perfect match was a bit too warm on my skin. 

Application//

This foundation has a thick consistency when squeezed out onto the back of the hand. However, it smooths on very lightly. This foundation definitely applies better with either fingers or a damp Beauty Blender. I tend to choose the Beauty Blender, dot the product on each area of the face and then blend. 

Coverage//

As I mentioned above, this foundation has more coverage than a name like "skin tint" would suggest. I would call this a buildable medium coverage base. I usually go for one layer on areas like my forehead and the under-eye area and then add a second layer where I require a bit more coverage like my cheeks and chin. I like to go in afterwards with my NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and spot conceal. I really like the finished result, it is very dewy looking so if you are not so much into that look I would just dust a bit of powder on.

Overall Thoughts//

This foundation was formulated with Hyaluronic Acid. An ingredient that has been quite popular in the beauty community. Hyaluronic Acid is an ingredient that delivers mega hydration and firming of the skin. Which is why this foundation gives a hydrated and dewy looking finish. Another plus, is that this foundation has an UVA/UVB SPF 15 which will be nice as the weather gets warmer. It feels very smooth on the skin and lasts pretty much all day. Especially when used with primer/setting spray. The price for Hourglass is pretty steep. Retailing for $55 at Sephora. However, even though I have probably said this before a dozen times during a foundation review: If the product is really really good I will gladly pay every dime for it. 

What foundations have you guys been enjoying? Let me know in the comments below! 
I hope you all enjoy the rest of your afternoon! 

See you all very soon! 
- A 

WED//What I've Picked Up Recently

Hello everyone! Happy Wednesday! You might have heard through the grapevine that Sephora had a 20% sale for VIB and VIB Rouge Members just this past weekend, their friends and family sale a couple weeks ago and also a full blown event party for Rouges last Wednesday. And I took advantage of all and came away with some pretty makeup goodies to share with you. Now, even though I have this draw to buying makeup whenever I shop I seem to be very restrained and buy very minimally. However, working right across from Sephora ( my metaphorical candy store essentially) I collect things often.. That is how my collection grows. ( brick by brick...lipstick by lipstick) So this "haul" or a show and tell as I like to think of it is a collective of beauty items that I have gotten between these sales. 

Alright, lets look at the damage.

Marc Jacobs "The Dreamer" Eyeshadow Palette

Yup, I went for a pretty big ticket item here there is no denying that. More and more I have been fascinated into more luxury brands ( dangerous territory. I know I am aware, my wallet is aware too.) to see what they have to offer. Plus pretty packaging is just as alluring to me as a moth to a flame. Now, does pretty packaging and the famous name brand justify this product? In this case I think it does. The Dreamer Palette drew me in with its warm neutral shades ( If you were able to ask anyone that knows me and my makeup tastes recently they would simply respond: warm. toned. neutral. eyeshadows.) I am in love with the selection of colors and I also really love the quality of these shadows. They are really nicely pigmented and beautiful on the lids. I especially love that peachy color, I think its pretty unique in my opinion. 

Beauty Blender Original

With so much hype surrounding this egg shaped pink little sponge I decided to take the leap and give it a go. Just fill this little guy up with water, watch him expand magically, squeeze out the excess water and then *bounce your choice of foundation on your face for a seamless application. I am pleased with the results this sponge gives. No need for tireless blending and streaky lines a brush can sometimes give. However, like most sponges they get filthy. Very quickly in fact. I have the special solid "blender cleanser" that I got many moons ago that works effectively but once that sponge is used it will never look perfectly clean. Not that is any major issue but something that is a given with any sponge applicator. 

NARS Holiday Blush in "Almeria"

I would love to do a full review on this because this blush is so beautiful. From their "Laced with Edge" Holiday Collection NARS has done it again by bringing out a fantastically designed and formulated blush color. The design on the top appeals to their ultra chic modern aesthetic that I have spoken about before, but also you can gather that this could be a holiday blush because the design is reminiscent of frost. But the real ticket is the color, NARS's blushes have gathered a real cult following over the years but I had yet to try one other than swatching on the back of my hand. I don't own a ton of blush in my makeup collection but I think this addition is a star. It is described as a "tan rose" color with deep warm tones, its fully pigmented and matte and when I apply this with an angled blush brush it gives a beautiful flush to the cheeks. Plus, I am not the only one that thought this blush made a difference in my makeup, upon coming downstairs after first use of it both of my parents complimented me on my makeup ( which does not happen too often.) I think this one is going to be a firm favorite and I suspect I will be talking about it again in the future. 

Sephora Collection Classic Multitasker Blush Brush #54

During the VIB Rouge event last Wednesday I went to their little station where the associates instructed how to contour. I knew how to contour a little bit by being constantly attached to the computer learning about makeup however I thought I would immerse myself in the whole experience and really enjoyed myself! After successfully sculpting my cheekbones I realized I did not have an angled brush with which I could apply my newly acquired contouring knowledge. I strolled over to Sephora's extensive collection of brushes and picked this one ( there is another pro angled brush that was prettier looking, but this one was also cheaper) This brush is super, ultra soft and applies contour and that new Almeria blush very well and effectively. 

NARS Dual Intensity Eye Shadows- Himalaya & Andromeda

It's from NARS, its eye shadow, its an instant draw I just can't help it. These single eyeshadows are very soft to the touch the duality of these shadows come off as a duo-chrome ( there is more than meets the eye), but also the versatility of applying these shadows wet or dry for dramatically different looks is a very appealing aspect. The two colors I picked were  Himalaya which is described as a shimmering topaz and Andromeda which is just described as a alabaster shade. I think these colors would complement any neutral look or used just on their own. (Himalaya washed all over the lids and Andromeda popped on the inner corner and brow bone.) 

GlamGlow Supermud Clearing Treatment( not pictured) 

Last month I was dealing with a bout of pretty terrible behaved skin. Despite my care for it, I had a flare up with painful acne and then after that a bout of regular acne appearing along my chin. I was looking for some reprieve and when I went to Sephora for the friends and family sale one of my favorite associates, Meghan ( Hello Meghan if you are reading!) recommended I try the Glamglow Clearing Treatment Mask, regaling me her success story upon using this product. There is a lot of hype surrounding these pricey little devils so with the sale and the great recommendation I decided to take the plunge. I have used this mask a couple times, especially when I have had a hard day. What I like about this mask so far is that I don't need to use very much. I only cover my troubled areas which is mainly my chin and my cheeks. This means I can enjoy this mask for a pretty long time. What I have noticed in my skin after using this mask so far is a smoothness that I don't normally feel, any painful cysts I may be dealing with feel much less agitated and any other acne is significantly diminished in size. 

I am pretty impressed with this stuff, I gotta say. Though I will continue to test it out and gather more thoughts on it. 

That wraps up all that I got from the recent Sephora sales. Did some pretty good damage but I love everything that I got.

Are there any beauty buys that you picked up recently? 

 I hope you all are enjoying your week thus far. I have been working pretty hard trying to get content written up ahead of time please let me know if there is anything you would like to see from me I am very open to new ideas. 

See you all next time! 

- A 

MON// Makeup On The Run - What's In My Makeup Bag

The "hustle bustle" life is a hard one to get used to even though it is the reality for many. This includes, occasionally giving up the luxury of meticulous and enjoyable makeup application and instead just quickly slapping some on because you may...I don't know.. wake up only to find yourself running really late- a predicament I have been finding myself in lately, so I wanted to share with you my basic makeup kit that comes with me in my purse that can get me through the week days where I have to hustle and bustle from morning till evening. 

Face//Complexion

I much prefer liquid foundation, currently I have been loving my Becca Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme( which you can read more about here X ) However, I don't always have time to apply that so instead I opt for my Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Airbrush Foundation ( X ) . Using their specialized "air buki" brush I can quickly pat and swirl the foundation onto my face and "woli'a" foundation done. I am surprised at the decent coverage this stuff gives especially since I have been dealing with pretty terrible skin. Currently, none of my foundations cover all of my blemishes completely. It's just the frustration I have to deal with for now until I can properly sort out my skin. I also like to bring this foundation with me for light touch ups throughout the day. 

For concealer, I take my NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, ( x) . The one I have is in the shade Vanilla, a shade darker than the shade I normally get in Chantilly. I have this one because I ran out of my previous tube and all my local Sephora had in stock for me was Vanilla. I find that its not too much of a bother because this concealer blends into the skin so beautifully and seamlessly. Its perfect for covering up blemishes and also its great at combating those under eye circles.

Brows//Eyes

For quick fuss-free eye makeup I prioritize the brows first. My eyebrows are pretty full and dark but require a little filling here and there and also a quick comb through to make them nice and neat. Currently, I have been using the NYX Auto Eyebrow Pencil in the shade, Brown.  I got this pencil as cheaper alternative to the Anastasia Brow Wiz which I have used and loved in the past. I do find that this shade is a tad on the warm side and does not match my brow hair color quite right but I think it does the job. I also prefer a spooly brush in comparison to the brush attached to this product. 

For the eyes I recently was gifted this adorable mini travel size Smashbox Full Exposure eye shadow palette from my lovely blogger friend Sydney! ( check out her blog here! X) Among other glorious goodies she sent me I have found this palette to be so incredibly useful! It is smaller than my phone and fits perfectly in my makeup bag. The color selection is very well put together and thought out for a tiny little palette. You have a mix of shimmers and matte shades, all neutral colors for easy day time looks. I usually pat the creamy shimmery color all over the lid and inner corner with my finger to brighten the eyes a bit and then I round out the look with the dark brown matte shade blended into the crease and outer edge with my MAC 217 brush. So easy I barely even have to think about it! After the eye shadow is done I quickly swipe mascara onto my upper and lower lashes with a mini Makeup Forever Smoky Extravagant Lash Mascara I received in a Sephora birthday gift. This mascara is really nice, the brush has a nice tapered edge so you can really get the inner lashes evenly coated though I do recommend wiping extra product off the brush before applying, as this brush picks up a lot of product and could leave you with quite a mascara dilemma if not cautious.   

I don't carry my beloved Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector ( x)  or my blush/bronzer Flushed Palette from Urban Decay (x) with me as they simply will not fit in my current makeup bag. In place of highlighter I will sometimes take the shimmery cream shade from the aforementioned Smashbox palette and run that on my brow bone and upper cheek for some highlighting magic on my face. 

Lips

Lastly, the lips. I just recently spoke about my love for my NARS Audacious Lipstick in the shade Charlotte (X) but, in my "On The Go Makeup Bag" I tote around a lipstick from The BodyShop in their Color Crush line. It is a deep garnet color called " Crazy, Sexy, Crimson". I don't know who thought up that name but regardless, I am crazy in love with this lipstick. It feels ultra moisturizing on the lips and very comfortable. It also leaves a pleasant stain in its wake after wearing it for a couple hours. Also, this lipstick only runs to $12.50 which I think is a outright bargain! I know dark red is not an easy everyday shade like a nude pink but, for me that is what takes my really simplified look to a higher level of sophistication. Red lips are just so classic and feminine and it just makes me feel like I am put together. 

And that completes it! That is all I take with me in my makeup bag! Its all very simple so that I can do my makeup extremely quick but still feel like I am looking pretty good for the day.  I hope you all enjoyed it. 
Let me know what are your favorite makeup products for when you have to have already been out the door! I would love to hear your suggestions! Hope your having a good day today, ( I hope it is restful too) See you all next time! 

- A   

Shop//

- Tarte Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation 

- NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer 

- NYX Auto Eyebrow Pencil 

- Smashbox Travel Sized Full Exposure Palette 

- Makeup Forever Smoky Extravagant Lash 

- Body Shop Color Crush Lipstick " Crazy, Sexy Crimson"

T U E S // Beauty Buys #2

Hello my dears! It's a dreary Tuesday afternoon. I am sitting in the corner of a bookstore cafe, blogging. Truly living the dream here! 

That being said I think there is something appealing about working away from home for a little bit. There are even studies done that indicate that people work best with the subtle hustle and bustle of cafe in the background. 

If you perchance don't constantly inhabit cafes there is a website called: Coffitivity that provides you the background noise for you to get your work done~ pretty neat huh? too bad it can't give you a real coffee to go along with that. 

Anyhow! Lets get back into the beauty talk!

I bought this stuff last week but never got around to write a post about them until now. I had also planned to combine this beauty haul along with a fashion one but ultimately decided against it. I have a hard time figuring out how I want to share fashion hauls at the moment. I would like to save my pennies and get a real camera, (though my new phone camera is freaking amazing) and a tripod so that way I can take good looking outfit pictures. Hopefully that day will come soon~ for now I will just work with what I got. If any of you guys have ideas of how to display better fashion hauls let me know. 

Hourglass Ambient Light Blush--Diffused Heat

  I have been waiting for weeks and weeks for this particular shade to come back into stock at my local Sephora.In fact pretty much all shades of this product were sold out for what seemed like forever. But I finally got my hands on it and I really like it so far. 

I couldn't decide on what shade I wanted for  the longest time. After humming and hawing I got Diffused Heat, a slightly more dramatic shade of poppy red. I think it looks really beautiful in the pan and on the skin especially when you sheer it out, providing you with a pleasant flush. X

DryBar Detox Dry Shampoo 

Just one of those products at the register that caught my eye and lead me to an un-calculated purchase (why does that always happen?!)I love a good dry shampoo and this product does not disappoint. It feels super cool on the scalp and hair and smells amazing. I have dark hair, so it does leave that cast if you hold too close, easily remedied if you hold it far away. I am planning on bringing this cute little mini with me on my trip to Cali. I think it will be perfect at keeping my hair feeling refreshed and actually kind of cool. ( Since my black hair + hot sun do not mix well together)  X

Nars Velvet Matte Lip Pencil -- Red Sq.

A shade I recently set my sights on since I felt that most of the red lip colors I owned tended to be on the cooler side and I was longing for a warmer shade for the summer time. I was a little timid not knowing how such a bright red would look on me but after giving this pencil a try I am hooked on it! 

  

( My newest profile picture for most of my social media features the Red Sq. Lip Pencil. It's soooo pretty!) 

 I often mix this with my NARS Satin Lip Pencil in the shade Majella ( a dark and rich red) by  placing it in the inner center of my lips for more definition. X

Alongside Red Sq. I finally picked up the sharpener. So ridiculously affordable at $6! and its perfect for sharpening these products. X

That is all I have to show today! I hope all of you are having a wonderful week! 

Come and network with me on Twitter & Instagram!

@AllegraShortill + morbidcupcakes

Also you can also follow me on Pinterest! -- X

See you all next time! 

- A 

T H U R S// Beauty Buys #1

Hello my dears, it's Thursday. My last day of the spring semester. I can now breathe a sigh of relief! Its been a trying school year. Somehow all the turmoil feels worth it when  summer arrives and the sun kisses your tired skin. 

In my last post I mentioned I was really liking a mini sample of Chanel Vitalumiere Aqua Foundation. I decided to bite the bullet and grab it. I do require a bit more coverage than this base provides but it's nothing a good concealer can't fix. I will probably write up a full post on it soon but the consensus is that I really enjoy it.

My other beauty buy recently is a creamy lip stain from the Sephora brand. In the shade -- Always Red. I was turned onto this because of lovely blogger, Amelia Liana of LianaBeauty.com

read her review in her lip product addict tag FT. Essiebutton X

When I saw her wear this I thought it was really pretty. She then added that this product had really, REALLY great staying power. Claiming that she could eat a burger and the lipstick would still be perfectly intact. 

By then I was sold because red lipstick is so difficult to keep on the lips. After giving it a test run I would agree with Amelia's assessment. It stayed on my lips for the larger portion of the day and lasted through a meal of homemade stir-fry! (yum!)

This shade of red is bright and on the warmer side which makes it great for summer. The other plus about this product is that its really affordable! at $13 

Find it here X

This week is looking pretty great so far. I have some other products from The Body Shop that I picked up and need to be reviewed. Is there anything that you guys want me to talk about? or a product you think I would like? I would love some feedback! 

I hope you are all doing well! I will see you soon. Catch up with me on Twitter or Instagram!

Find Me!

Twitter : @AllegraShortill

Instagram: morbidcupcakes 

Bloglovin: TheBatsandRabbits

- A 

Show and Tell: Collective Haul! VIB Sephora Sale! + More

Hello my dears, its been a little bit hasn't it. Life has been pretty busy lately its been a challenge to get back into the gear. However, I think its safe to say that we have made it into spring!

( whoo hoo!!!)

I have been quite the shopping bug recently, hoarding things left in right. With the current VIB Sephora 15% sale going on I kicked my heels in glee. Because I had just landed VIB status about a week before the sale started. I spent quite a while eyeing up products and contemplating. I only managed to pick up three things but before the sale is over I might go in for one more hit. However, I was pretty chuffed with what I did pick up and I am exited to show and tell you about what I got.

Let's get started!

---Naked Three Palette

After being one in many desiring to own this palette. The latest edition to the Urban Decay Naked Palette's I decided to bite the bullet and grab it while I could get it at a reduced price since it is so hefty at $52 normal price. It was between this or the Lorac Pro Palette ( that is regrettably not sold at my Sephora or online at this time..) So I came home with this in my little Sephora bag and I am really happy with it. Out of all three of the Naked palettes, this was the one that intrigued me most with its beautiful romantic rose gold themed eyeshadow tones. I am sure all of you have seen this and talked about to death so I won't go on. But it was probably the most exciting purchase I made. 

---Sephora Lip Stain in the shade Red Essence

I am not sure which blogger spoke of it but I am positive I picked this up due to a bloggers influence. ( Like that is of any surprise.)Though when I was swatching these new lip stains from Sephora I was pretty impressed with the color payoff and how it feels on the lips. I picked the shade Red Essence but I am always on the quest for nice very deep red shades. It's almost my comfort zone to wear red. An odd observation you might find with this lip stain is its scent. It reminds me of a pool, its not too offensive, just odd. But not to worry! the scent does not linger.  

--- Clinique Take the Day Off Cleansing Balm 

Actually when I was in the store searching of what I wanted I spent the majority of my time browsing through skincare. With my skin embarrassingly bad as it is I have been wanting to try out anything I can ( with proper research) that might work for me. With that in mind I decided to pick this cleansing balm up by Clinque seeing as it was affordable and I have been wanting to jump onto the balm train. After trying it out a couple times I am not sure how I feel about it. It is supposed to take all of your makeup off while not over-drying the skin. But even after I have cleansed and wiped my face multiple times with a hot cloth I still find lots of makeup residue on my face which I find kind of annoying. Perhaps I should have gone with the Ren Rosa Cleansing Balm instead. If you guys have any tips on using this cleansing balm let me know!  

--- * Free Sephora Makeup Bag 

 Not much to say here but with my purchases I also received a free makeup bag. Pretty cute right?

--- It's A Ten Miracle Shine Spray

After my little trip I also stopped at Target for something and also ended up coming out with this hair product because my hair stylist usually uses this on me as a finishing touch. It smells amazing and unlike other shine sprays I have used it does not make my hair look greasy, nor does it feel heavy. I like it so far! 

On a completely separate shopping trip I picked up two clothing items, a nail varnish and a little travel perfume set from NEST fragrances.

--- High-Waist Black Skater Skirt - Forever 21

Was in desperate need for another black skater skirt. Its a big staple in my wardrobe and due to some weight loss recently my trusty one from H&M is getting a little big. The skirt I picked up from F21 was really affordable no more than 12.50 and came in a couple different colors. I have already worn it to death. It's just one of those things.

--- Navy Striped Bodysuit- Forever 21

I was browsing around Pinterest and I kept seeing a picture of a girl wearing a low back navy striped body suit with some shorts and a boater hat. I thought it was so cute and I knew I had seen similar bodysuits at F21 so when I went besides the skater skirt hunt I also sought after a striped bodysuit and in no time I was able to locate one. I REALLY love this clothing piece. Although it makes going to the restroom a larger hassle than necessary... I love the way this piece showcases my collar bones and my petite shoulders. Super cute! 

--- Nails Inc. Gel Effect Porechester Sq. 

Yet another thing on my never ending "want to buy" list was this polish. A beautiful neutral color that is a "greige" ( grey/beige) with a hint of purple. After application this nail polish has lasted longer than any other nail polish I applied by myself and that is a testament because it seems no matter what I do whenever I paint my nails the same day I manage to warp them or chip them WITHOUT FAIL. So this polish is definitely exceeding my standards. 

--- NEST Fragrance Midnight Fleur Mini Set 

Want the big bottle of this perfume because the scent is just amazing but was too chicken to spend that much so I got this little mini set. The hand cream is very nice and just as good smelling as the perfume. I wish the scent of the perfume lasted longer on my skin though! It seems to fade away with time which is sad but I will still enjoy using it and smelling it... a lot! 

   --- Hand Lettering Ledger by Mary Kate McDevitt 

A bit of a random thing to haul but it was recent purchase that I am really in love with. I saw this after a college trip to the Portland Art Museum in the gift shop. Even though I live so close to Portland and have gone to the museum often I have never really realized the cool stuff they offer at the giftshop! This book caught my eye because I want to get into more illustrative works and such and really wanted to learn some hand lettering techniques because its so cool and really beautiful! I hope that maybe I can incorporate some of my designs into the blog at some point! Wouldn't that be cool! 

'

I apologize again for getting so behind! I guess all and all it harms me in the end. Its a constant kick in the butt to stay on top of everything! I hope I can kick myself into gear. I hardly can get a handle on Twitter either. It's all a big learning lesson right! Just gotta enjoy the journey because that is how you get somewhere. 

- A