Anna Oh

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara: Now Waterproof!

May 20th, 2016 by Anna Oh 19 Comments

Remember when Too Faced made a mascara that was “better than sex?” Well, this one is even better than that one because it’s waterproof!

Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof Mascara ($23) works magic in every department now — volume, length, and (now) curl.

Feeling upgraded in every way, it’s packaged in a heavy metal tube with a water-fleck texture like the one I fell in love with from the MAC Alluring Aquatic Collection (2014).

Waterproof mascara isn’t for everyone, though. For some, it means blinking away black flakes, dry crunchy lashes, and even losing a few eyelashes trying to take it off, but I think this is one of the better waterproof mascaras I’ve used, and it’s worth a try if you’re looking for a new one. This one’s now my favorite mascara for special occasions.

Better lashes, here I come!

too faced better than sex waterproof — Closeup of the “Better Than Sex” wand…

So, the wand on this mascara is ridiculously huge, and my first few tries with it were super messy. I’m not sure if the wand has to be THIS big, because sometimes the product can collect into clumps on the brush.

But since I love the way it makes my lashes look, I can overlook a few messy applications. The jet-black formula really sticks to my lashes, but instead of weighing them down like the original Better Than Sex Mascara does, this one holds them in place.

Multiple layers are also possible because of the slow-drying formula.

Now, even though your waterproof lashes look amazing, what do you do with them at the end of the day?

Removing waterproof mascara

You grab Too Faced Mascara Melt Off ($17), which you swipe right onto your lashes, and the oil-infused formula conditions and literally “melts off” waterproof mascaras.

The main reason I don’t wear waterproof mascara more often is because cleanup is so difficult, and even though I always use a separate waterproof eye remover, this mascara still doesn’t budge easily.

But Mascara Melt Off works great and takes less effort. I just let it sit on my lashes for a full minute before wiping off the oil and the rest of my eye makeup with a warm makeup wipe (I warm the makeup wipe by running it under hot water).

These products were made for each other, and Mascara Melt Off really works.

See you in the next!

Anna

Anna Oh

Anna is an illustrator and designer from Atlanta, GA. Her work focuses on fashion, beauty, and awesome women. A former tomboy, Anna now happily embraces all things pink, glittery, and floral scented. You can see her illustration work at www.helloannaoh.com and on Instagram.

First Impressions of the (Fab) Tarte Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner and Lash Paint Mascara

May 19th, 2016 by Anna Oh 27 Comments

I’ve worn eyeliner nearly every day of my life since I started wearing makeup, and I consider myself an experienced liner lady (like, if eyeliners were cats, that’s me!). When I find a great product, I usually don’t stray from it, and I’ve been faithful to my current favorites until now.

Will the new Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner ($24) and Lash Paint Mascara ($23) from Tarte dethone my tried and trues?

Let’s find out!

By the way, in this look I’m also wearing Shiseido Synchro Skin Foundation, Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer, Makeup Geek Eyeshadows, L’Oreal Brow Stylist Definer, Tarteist Clay Blush Palette, and Ofra Cosmetics Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick in “Miami Fever” (by KathleenLights). And yes, I am forcing myself to use a different lipstick every day and have fallen in love with this color, again.

Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner

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Maintaining Clear Skin With Help From Caudalie Paris Vinosource Moisturizer

May 18th, 2016 by Anna Oh 7 Comments

Kiko Artist Collection — Exfoliants have done THE most for my skin

I don’t talk about skin care enough, considering how much time and money I actually invest into it. And I actually get lots of compliments on my skin too! But before I found a regimen that worked, I had a very bad case of cystic acne that would flare up over and over again, like clockwork. The same areas would break out, heal, then break out again.

My current nighttime routine helps keep my skin happy, and now my skin is pretty much blemish-free…except for at this very moment, of course, because the Universe is a funny place. But generally these days I only need to focus on healing the damaged skin (can still look red and raw), exfoliating, and moisturizing.

clinique, estee lauder — My current skincare line-up (L-R) Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion, Clinique Charcoal Mask, Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair, Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Eye Serum

Skin Prep: The Cleanse

The most important part of my nighttime routine involves removing every stitch of makeup before I go to bed. I won’t go too into detail, but I double cleanse, either using a makeup wipe + cleanser or cleansing water + cleansing oil, and I also always remove my eye makeup separately with a bi-phase product. Sunscreen and waterproof eyeliner remove easier with separate, targeted products, but your skin care products won’t do a thing for you if there’s still makeup sitting on your skin throughout the night.

Layer, Layer, Layer

These next few products are the exfoliants and serums I layer under the moisturizer…

Exfoliants have done THE most for my skin. Instead of using a physical scrub, I obsess over my Clinique Mild Clarifying Lotion ($14). It’s super gentle but also super effective, and it somehow keeps my skin clear with just a thin layer. If I feel like my skin needs a little boost, I’ll use the Clinique Pore Refining Solutions Clay Mask ($25).

I’m partial to the Estee Lauder Advanced Night Repair Serum ($92) and Advanced Night Repair Eye Serums ($65), which I’ve seen my mom use, and I always come back to them. I’ve always lived in an “Estee” house, and I have no complaints so far!

Helloooo Hydration

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The Tarteist Glossy Lip Paints by Tarte: Nine Shades From Sweet to Sexy

May 12th, 2016 by Anna Oh 17 Comments

There’s a lot to love about these Tarte Tarteist Glossy Lip Paints ($20), and the best way I can describe them is “trend-in-a-good-way.” The nine shades are hydrating, vegan-friendly, and so pigmented that they’re really just upgraded lipglosses. Every shade rocks. The color palette inspired me to create one of my most colorful illustrations yet!

beauty illustration tarte anna oh tarteist glossy lip paint — A beauty illustration inspired by the Tarteist Glossy Lip Paints

As a range, they’re neutral…with an edge. Among the shades are plenty of rosy nudes, plus a few really, really fun shades. I love how Tarte totally went there with the one called Poison. It’s a black plum that stains my lips a deep purple.

The deep shades look incredible on the lips and also work when patted down to a stain, which helps them last much longer (and there’s also less to worry about when they’re applied that way, for anyone wondering).

Here are pics and thoughts on the colors.

Tarte Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint: swatches

tarteist glossy lip paint hella — Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint in Hella

Hella, a “white nude,” is the only color that’s a little too pale for me. It will settle into my fine lines if I don’t layer it, so I recommend using this one with a nude lip liner.

tarteist glossy lip paint obvi — Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint in Obvi

Obvi, a “warm nude,” is the only Lip Paint with shimmer. It’s a nice flattering color that isn’t too bright or pink.

tarteist glossy lip paint goals — Tarteist Glossy Lip Paint in Goals

Goals! Love that name. This one is a “rosy nude,” and I think it brightens up the face more than the others.

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It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Essentials Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette: Mastering the Matte Eye With It Cosmetics

May 10th, 2016 by Anna Oh 5 Comments

If you find matte eyeshadows to be a tricky thing, you are not alone. The blending is more crucial, and the texture is less forgiving. And it really separates the pros from the amateurs. But despite any level of makeup skill, a solid matte eyeshadow formula can do wonders.

I’ve been using a new palette by It Cosmetics called the Naturally Pretty Essentials Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette ($28), and it has an easy, soft formula that may agree with you.

itcosmetics-4 — A pretty pink palette. The top of the outer packaging has a pillowed cushion feel.

itcosmetics-5 — It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Essentials Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette

itcosmetics-face — Wearing the collection along with Too Faced Le Matte Lipstick in Hey Gurrl with a clear gloss on top

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How I Rock Pink Eyeshadow (A Collaboration With Jen and Adia)

May 6th, 2016 by Anna Oh 17 Comments

fotd-pink-makeup2 — Wearing Ardency Inn Rose Gold Eyeshadow, Becca Rose Gold Pressed Eyeshadow, and MAC Finally Free Lipstick

A friend and I recently had a photography date in a charming neighborhood, snacking on amazing salted caramel “cake” donuts (they are as good as they sound). It was a picture perfect weekend, so I decided to take advantage of the amazing weather to wear pink.

This week Jen, Adia and I are showcasing our favorite way to rock pink eyeshadow, and I call this look “Rose Gold Eyeshadow for a Day of Donuts and Photoshoots.”

Here are a few of my favorite pink-toned pieces…

fotd — FOTD Makeup Menu: Nars Concealer, MAC Mascara, Kat Von D Tattoo Liner, MAC Finally Free Lipstick, and Becca Rose Gold

ardency inn rose gold — Ardency Inn “Rose Gold” — the singles pop out from the magnet!

naked 3 palette — Urban Decay Naked 3. I used this palette to blend

What I used:

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer ($29): I have the shade called Honey, and I’m joining the bandwagon… It’s an awesome concealer. I use it to target my problem areas, and I can skip the foundation step on good days.
MAC Charged Black Mineralize Multi-Effect Lash ($22): From the MAC Future Collection, this mascara is lightweight and lengthening. No crazy volume here. but I have been using this for weeks.
Kat Von D Tattoo Liner ($19): There are 2 types of people in this world — those who love the Tattoo Liner, and those who prefer the Ink Liner. I always come back to the Tattoo because I love the flexible soft brush pen.
MAC x Caitlyn Jenner Finally Free Lipstick ($17): This is with me in my minimal makeup bag, and I can’t recommend this color enough. SO pretty and perfect. I didn’t re-apply after the donuts, though, so it’s not present in the outdoor images.
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed ($38): As the only Shimmering Skin Perfector I own, this deserves a special place on my vanity. Rose Gold is a highlighting blush or a blush-topper for the lighter skinned girls.
Ardency Inn Modster Manuka Honey Enriched Pigments ($21): The star of my look, Rose Gold is the creamiest, most nuanced rose-taupe eyeshadow I’ve seen. A perfect pick for anyone interested in getting into pinks.
Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette ($54): I use the darker shades in this palette constantly for many of my looks. They blend perfectly, and I love the matte colors in particular. I used some of the darker shades to quickly shade in my eyebrows too.

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Why the Newest Tarteist Blush Palette Is a Work of Art

May 4th, 2016 by Anna Oh 18 Comments

If you’re not interested in saving money, Tarte’s newest blush palette won’t be for you.

But for the rest of us, it’s an amazing product worthy of our makeup-loving interest. The limited edition Tarteist Blush Palette ($38) has four pretty, feminine blushes in small, smart packaging, and with the words, “The Blush Authority,” confidently emblazoned across the mirror, Tarte already knows it’s everything you’ve (probably) been wishing for.

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Ready for This Jelly? A Quickie Tutorial With the Too Faced Peanut Butter Palette

May 3rd, 2016 by Anna Oh 13 Comments

too faced peanut butter on eyes — Peanut Butter Jelly Time!

The first time I heard about the Too Faced Peanut Butter and Jelly eye shadow palette ($36), I thought it was a joke. Like, a really good “Man, that would be so amazing!”-type joke.

But then I found out that it’s real!

I’ve been testing it out this past week, and there is nothing funny about how good this palette is. For lovers of warm sienna eyeshadows, it’s irresistable.

I kind of love that little peanut butter face with purple lips on the cover… She’s my muse!

At first I thought some of the colors might be too warm (like Nuts About You), but I decided to just go for it. I think the results are flattering and a little more interesting than a run-of-the-mill neutral eye look.

I call this look “Just Like Honey,” and it uses the warmest colors in the palette with lots of blending. Since it’s a monotone look, there’s room to play with the lip colors, but I highly recommend a purple or a bright pink matte lipstick. I’m wearing Too Faced La Matte Color Drenched Matte Lipstick in Pitch Perfect ($22).

Here’s a quick picture tutorial…

too faced peanut butter palette on eyes — Peanut Butter Palette on the lids and Too Faced La Matte Color Drenched Matte Lipstick in Pitch Perfect

And swatches…

too faced peanut butter swatches — Too Faced Peanut Butter and Jelly Eye Shadow Collection swatches

There really are no true duds in this palette. Jammin’ and Spread the Love aren’t quite as strong as the others and feel harder in their pans, but they’re still completely workable and show up nicely on the lids. The rest of the shades all feel buttery and smooth and make this palette an overall winner.

Ingredients:
Does not contain peanuts. Extra Creamy INGREDIENTS : Talc, Mica, Zinc Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sodium Saccharin Water/Aqua/Eau, Benzyl Alcohol, Fragrance/Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sorbic Acid, Theobroma Cacao Fruit Powder, Vanillin. May Contain/Peut Contenir (+/-): Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Manganese Violet (CI77742), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891). Jammin’ INGREDIENTS : Mica, Theobroma Cacao Fruit Powder, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Zinc Stearate, Sodium Saccharin, Water/Aqua/Eau, Benzyl Alcohol, Fragrance/Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sorbic Acid, Vanillin. May Contain/Peut Contenir (+/-): Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77499), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891). Jelly INGREDIENTS: Mica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Talc, Zinc Stearate, Sodium Saccharin, Water/Aqua/Eau, Benzyl Alcohol, Fragrance/Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sorbic Acid, Tin Oxide, Carmine (CI 75470). May Contain/Peut Contenir (+/-): Ultramarines (CI 77007), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891). Nuts About U, Spread the Love INGREDIENTS: Mica, Talc, Zinc Stearate, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Sodium Saccharin, Water/Aqua/Eau, Benzyl Alcohol, Fragrance/Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sorbic Acid, Theobroma Cacao Fruit Powder, Vanillin, Carmine (CI 75470). May Contain/Peut Contenir (+/-): Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Ultramarines (CI 77007), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Manganges Violet (CI 77742), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891). Peanut Brittle INGREDIENTS: Mica, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Talc, Zinc Stearate, Sodium Saccharin, Water/Aqua/Eau, Benzyl Alcohol, Fragrance/Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sorbic Acid, Theobroma Cacao Fruit Powder, Vanillin. May Contain/Peut Contenir (+/-): Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891). Peanut Butter INGREDIENTS: Talc, Mica, Zinc Stearate, Sodium Saccharin, Water/Aqua/Eau, Benzyl Alcohol, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Fragrance/Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, PTFE, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sorbic Acid, Theobroma Cacao Fruit Powder, Vanillin. May Contain/Peut Contenir (+/-): Yellow 5 Lake (CI 19140), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI77499), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891). Peanut Butter Cup INGREDIENTS: Mica, Calcium Sodium Borosilicate, Theobroma Cacao Fruit Powder, Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, PTFE, Zinc Stearate, Sodium Saccharin, Water/Aqua/Eau, Benzyl Alcohol, Fragrance/Parfum, Phenoxyethanol, Sodium Dehydroacetate, Sorbic Acid, Tin Oxide, Vanillin. May Contain/Peut Contenir (+/-): Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).

Hope you enjoyed this look and quickie tutorial! Let me know if you have this palette and have a look to recommend. Unfortunately, as of right now, it looks it’s already sold out on Too Faced, Sephora, and Ulta. But don’t let that stop you from using a comparable palette, like the permanent collection Semi-Sweet.

See you in the next,

Anna

Anna Oh