Makeup

The Estée Edit by Estée Lauder Cocobalms: A Sleek Treat for Packaging Geeks and Coconut Freaks

June 14th, 2016 by Karen 32 Comments

estee cocobalm — The $22 Estée Edit Cocobalms

Obvs, the packaging.

Like, what are these? From the front they kinda look like jewelry to me, like you could wear one as an earring or a statement necklace (a statement pendant?), and from the side, they look like, I dunno…Saturn? Or perhaps a doughnut with a jelly center.

Mmm, doughnuts…

OK, so these aren’t jewelry, doughnuts or Saturn. They’re actually lip balms! They’re the new $22 The Estée Edit Cocobalms, and The Estée Edit is a relatively new makeup line from Estée Lauder that splashed on the scene at Sephora a few months ago.

It’s like the younger, hipper, more casual branch of Estée Lauder because, you know, Estée Lauder has a bit of a rep among many makeup lovers for being more stately, mature and refined.

The Estée Edit is their shout-out to risk takers and rule breakers, like the girl who goes to brunch wearing a flower crown, a flowing Free People tee, tassled shorts and gladiator shoes.

The Estée Edit recently released these new coconut-infused Cocobalms ($22 each) — lip balms infused with coconut oil — and there are one, two, three, four, five of them (extra points if you read that sequence like The Count from Seasame Street).

They vary in intensity, with the sheerest ones being mostly just pure shine with very little pigment.

I’ve been using three of ’em — Coco Peach, Coco Blush and Coco Berry — and texture-wise, finish-wise and performance-wise, they’re all pretty much the same.

The formula feels thick, slightly sticky and hangs around for a few hours, so before I give Connor a snuggle and a kiss while wearing one, I have to remind myself to wipe it off, and I also have to remember to use some elbow grease when I do it, because these take some effort to remove. They really cling to the lips.

Oh, and yes, they do have a coconut scent, but it’s very faint. I can barely smell it, but it’s there. I don’t really detect a flavor, though.

About the packaging, did I mention how they work? You lift the silver top, then squeeze the colorful center part, and gloss comes out of a tiny applicator. Seems pretty innovative, but they aren’t the easiest glosses to use when I’m on the move.

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I’m OBSESSED With These Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Luminous Blushes

June 14th, 2016 by Adia Goss 38 Comments

becca luminous blush — I need help picking a favorite!

OK, so I’ve been eyeing these $34 Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Luminous Blushes for the longest time. There are six of them now, and I actually fell in love with the shade called Blushed Copper back when it was sold as a “blush topper,” also known as a super intense highlighter, last summer. I bought it when it was limited edition and promptly fell in love. It was super pigmented, super shimmery and just…super smooth and blendable. Very super. So when I heard that Becca was expanding the “Luminous Blush” collection this year, I cheered!

These six shades do not disappoint, and when I think of this year’s spring makeup launches, for me, this one’s top three. It’s the formula. It’s incredible!

I tend to stick with the same group of basic blushes for my workday wear, but I think as far as shimmery blushes go, these really stand out for their unique formula. I know that MAC has some frosted blushes…but these Becca Luminous Blushes blow them out of the water.

They’re insanely pigmented and smooth, and the color payoff is brilliant. You barely need to tap your brush on one of them to get this level of pigment, and because they are so pigmented, you don’t need to put a lot of product on your face. It’s not like you have to cake these blushes onto your face or do a ton of layering to get true-to-pan color.

And the sheen? SO beautiful, and so, so perfect for this time of the year.

Well, who are we kidding? These work any time of year, but I do like to go crazier with glow and shimmer in the warmer months.

I could go on and on about these blushes!

But I won’t. I’ll just give you the details…

There are six shades, so if you’re into shimmering or luminous blushes, you should be able to find one that works for you. I have a hard time picking a favorite, so maybe you guys can help!

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How Cute Are These Lancome Juicy Shakers?

June 10th, 2016 by Adia Goss 22 Comments

I’ve been seeing lip treatment oils talked about on different beauty blogs a lot lately, and I’ve been curious about them…but for whatever reason, I just hadn’t gotten around to giving them a try.

Until now.

I wanted to try these Lancome Juicy Shakers ($21) for a couple of reasons. First, they’re super, SUPER cute.

They’re seriously some of the cutest lip products I’ve ever seen.

Second, the bi-phase formula (the oil and pigment settle, so you shake these up to mix them together before using them).

After you give these a quick shake, there’s an adorable little cushion applicator that you use to apply the color.

So…I really, really think these are cute. So damned cute! And they’re just perfect for the summertime, because you can get that super glossy look on your lips, but because they also contain the oil, they’re actually moisturizing.

I feel like a lot of glosses, even though they’re shiny, are actually not moisturizing at all. But these are nice because they’re moisturizing AND glossy yet aren’t thick or sticky.

As you might guess, because of the oil, they do have a somewhat oily feel, but they’re not greasy or anything like that. They feel rather unlike other lip products I’ve tried.

The two colors I have here are Apri-Cute (a peach/apricot) and pinky Berry Tale.

On my lips, Apri-Cute is pretty sheer; you don’t see a ton of pigment, but there’s a time and a place for that. And Berry Tale is a really glossy, pretty pink lip color.

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My Current Favorite Liquid Lipsticks

June 9th, 2016 by Adia Goss 26 Comments

I’ve definitely tried my fair share of liquid lipsticks (most recently, the NARS Lip Covers), and I love the look of matte liquid lipsticks in general. It’s interesting to me how each brand handles them a little differently.

I first got into them when Colourpop exploded onto the scene with their “Ultra Matte” liquid lipsticks last summer (here are some of my favorites from Colourpop, by the way), but I’ve slowly but surely moved to some more forgiving formulas from other brands.

Here’s a quick roundup of my current faves…

Buxom Wildly Whipped Lightweight Liquid Lipstick in Centerfold ($21)

I just love it when a product lives up to its name! Buxom Wildly Whipped Lightweight Liquid Lipstick in Centerfold feels super comfortable and lightweight, and the applicator makes it a breeze to neatly apply. The formula doesn’t dry down to 100% matte, but it still stays put through moderate eating and snacking.

The best part, though, is that my lips don’t feel dry at all after wearing this one all day long. If you’re looking for a long-lasting formula that feels good on your lips, definitely check it out. You can find it at Sephora for $21.

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita II ($20)

The original Kat Von D Lolita was wildly popular and sold out right away, but when KVD made more, the color was different, which led to Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita II.

I bought a set last fall that had mini sizes of the original Lolita, as well as Lolita II, and I prefer the sequel because the warm terra-cotta tones make it so easy to wear.

The formula dries all the way down to 100% matte, and it’s more resistant to transferring than Buxom Centerfold. But it’s still pretty comfortable on the lips (available now at Sephora for $20).

matte liquid lipsticks — Wearing Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita II

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The Absolute Best-of-the-Best Eyeliners

June 9th, 2016 by Jen Clark 11 Comments

Makeup forever xl aqua eyeliner stila liquid eyeliner the balm schwing — My top three, best-of-the-best eyeliners!

Eyeliner has to be my most loved makeup product…or one of them, at least. I have been OBSESSED with winged liner for a really, really long time now, and I’ve tried soooo many eyeliners over the years in the quest to get the perfect wing. Let’s be honest…so many of them just plain suck, but these three are amazing.

The reason I love winged liner, and just eyeliner in general, is because you can use it to really accentuate your eyes. My eyes are a little on the small side, so I try to make them pop as much as possible! I even did a tutorial on winged eyeliner in four easy steps over on my blog.

Eyeliner is one of those things that’s either really good, or really, really bad. There isn’t usually much of an in between. Normally when I buy new makeup, if it isn’t super great, I can usually make it work until I finish it up, but not with eyeliner. To have your liner look good, the liner has to actually be good.

I guess that makes me kind of an eyeliner snob! I only use the best of the best, and one of these three is always in my makeup bag.

1. Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner ($22)

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eye Liner in Black ($22)

I keep purchasing Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner over and over again because it never fails me! It has a thin felt tip and a fine point, so you can easily get a nice sharp wing with it without trying too hard. By kind of laying it on its side, you can drag it and quickly line along your lash line as well. With the opaque black formula, you never have to add a second coat, either, which is so nice! I’ve also noticed that if you keep the cap snapped on really tight, it lasts for months. I hate it when an eyeliner dries out after just a couple of weeks, but you should never have that problem with this one.

Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eye Liner felt tip

best eyeliner — Push lightly to get a super thin line, or apply more pressure to get a thicker line

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My Favorite Products for Winding Down After a Long Day

June 7th, 2016 by Nicole Fraser-Herron 12 Comments

Hi, I’m Nicole, and I’m a workaholic.

I spend most of my days running my raw cat food shop in Oakland called RAWR and most of my nights designing product packaging, photographing shows, or photographing/writing here. I have a deep passion for everything on my plate and hold a high standard for work that goes out into the world with my name on it. While realistic perfection within my work is important to me, running on 3-4 hours of sleep night after night is not sustainable.

So I’ve been making a lot of adjustments.

It starts with my surroundings. I schedule my phone to go on Do Not Disturb everyday from 9pm-7am, and I generally stop working around 10pm, unless I have no other choice. After that, no screen time is allowed unless its media on the tv with the backlight lowered almost all the way. I switched the bulb out of my lamp to a blue one mainly because I thought it would look neat, but it turned out to be much more useful than a cool look.

I like winding down with media on Netflix, but I don’t like sitting in the dark while watching television, unless I’m in a theater. The contrast between the brightness of the TV and the darkness of the room hurts my eyes. Since switching the bulb to blue, I’ve found that being immersed in blue light totally relaxes me, which makes falling asleep happen 40% faster.

Even when I’m relaxing, I’m all about efficiency.

My go-to makeup remover is the Bye Bye Makeup 3-in-1 Makeup Melting Balm from It Cosmetics. I like it because it gets all of my makeup off quickly, even glitter and waterproof mascara. It’s easy to wash off and leaves my skin feeling hydrated, but not oily. I like to follow up with a gentle cleansing milk like this one from Vichy or this one from Bioderma, just to make sure my skin is happy and clean.

My favorite skincare product to reach for ever is the Aromessence Neroli Hydrating Night Balm from Decléor. Scents relax me more than anything, and this balm really makes me stop and unwind. It sends a signal to my brain that’s like “now entering Low Power Mode”. Just like clockwork, my eyes get all droopy, and I smile a sleepy grin.

Decléor Aromessence Neroil Hydrating Night Balm, 0.5oz for $42 — Decléor Aromessence Neroil Hydrating Night Balm, 0.5oz. for $42

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I Can’t Believe I’ve Never Tried Dior ‘Diorshow Mono’ Eyeshadow

June 7th, 2016 by Adia Goss 14 Comments

dior eyeshadows and mascaras — Kicking myself for not trying these Dior eyeshadows sooner!

As much as I love Dior, I can’t believe I never tried the Diorshow Mono Eyeshadows before now!

I mean, I haven’t been totally living under a rock, because I do have an eyeshadow palette or two, and I LOVE the sparkly Diorshow Fusion Mono Eyeshadows. And I’m also a fan of Dior foundations and brow products, and these nail polishes look amazing, so I really have no excuse for not trying them sooner.

This spring Dior released nine new shades of their $29.50 Diorshow eyeshadow, and here are four of my favorites from the line: Gallery, a soft champagne gold with a satin/shimmer finish; Minimalism, a grayish taupe with a satin finish; Atmosphere, a cool-toned purple with a satin finish; and Power, a rich plum with a satin finish.

Here are two sets of swatches in different lighting:

These eyeshadows look pretty standard in their pans, but get them on your skin in the sun? Wow! They’re more complex than they seem, and there’s a really pretty (but subtle) shimmer running throughout. I think they’re great if you like matte shadows but want ones that won’t look so flat. I’m really surprised by how beautiful these eyeshadows are. If you’ve wondered about them, definitely take a look in a store! I don’t think that pictures online can do them justice.

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How to Choose the Perfect Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Formula to Be a Glowing Goddess This Summer

June 3rd, 2016 by Jen Clark 8 Comments

Becca Opal collection — The Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors come in liquid, cream, and powder form!

My nightly routine consists of getting into some comfy jammies, snuggling my boys in bed and, as soon as they fall asleep, that’s my YouTube time. From the time I discovered YouTube beauty videos in college all those years ago, I can’t sleep until I watch the newest videos from my favorite beauty gurus.

And a lot of the time when they’re talking about highlighters, Becca’s in the conversation! Now after finally using them, I see what all the fuss is about.

Opal is my favorite Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector shade. It’s the perfect champagne, and I think it looks stunning on everyone. They’ve got some other shades as well that are more cool toned, and some that are more golden, so there’s something for every skin tone out there.They also come in three formulas — Liquid (the O.G. Skin Perfector), Poured (which is a cream), and Pressed (which is a powder).

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid in Opal ($41 for 1.7 oz.)

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured in Opal — Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Liquid in Opal

I love how versatile the liquid version is. There are at least three different ways you can use it, like you can use it as a primer and apply it all over your face before your foundation for a really subtle lit-from-within glow.

Probably my favorite way to use it is to mix it in with my foundation. I just put my foundation on the back of my hand and mix in about half a pump, and it makes your foundation gorgeously dewy! Be warned, though — it’s suuuuper glowy, and if you’re already oily, it may be a little too much for your skin.

The last way I like to use it is as my highlighter. After my makeup is all done, I tap just a little bit on the top of my cheekbones and blend it out with my beautyblender.

But I usually only use it that way on lighter makeup days, because I don’t like to put liquids on top of powder. It can kind of chunk up, so I only use it when I haven’t set my makeup with a powder.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector Poured Crème in Opal ($38 for 0.17 oz.)

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