Guest Post

The Benefit Brow Collection Has Everything You Need to Tame Your Brows!

June 30th, 2016 by Adia Goss 16 Comments

I could not wait to review these new Benefit brow collection products! I’ve been teased and tortured by all the sneak peaks on social media, and y’all don’t even know the level of restraint it took for me to snap these pictures before tearing apart the packaging. 🙂

Benefit recently released these new-and-improved brow products, and I’m pretty sure there’s something here for everyone.

First up, there’s the Goof-Proof Brow Pencil.

I wanted to try the $24 Goof-Proof Brow Pencil first because it’s what I would typically use for my brows — a brow pencil. I like the ease of just doing a few swipes with a pencil and then blending it out with a spoolie.

The level of pigment surprised me! I mean, you definitely want to use a light hand when filling in your brows with Goof-Proof because this smooth, creamy pencil is no joke.

It’s flat and rectangular, unlike most brow pencils, and it took me a couple of tries to get used to the shape. But I like it. You can use the wider end to quickly fill in your brows or the thin edge to get more precise.

I still haven’t *quite* mastered it yet, but I love the pigmentation and the sturdy brush at the other end.

Although this is one of the softer brow pencils I’ve ever used, I haven’t had any issues with it fading throughout the day.

I tested these Benefit brow products over the course of a week or so, and here’s a quick snap of me trying Goof-Proof:

Next up is $24 3-D Browtones. I pretty much always wear some sort of brow gel because my brows are bushy as hell, and I need something to tame these bad boys! So, while brow gel isn’t new to me, I was really intrigued by 3-D Browtones, which is described as a subtle highlighting gel for brows.

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This One-Trick Pony Broke Away From Browns Today and Swapped Them for Mauve #FOTD

June 30th, 2016 by Jen Clark 8 Comments

I have a horrible habit of only wearing browny/goldy/bronzey eyeshadow.

I’m kind of a one-trick pony when it comes to that.

But it’s good to break out of your routine every now and then, so I decided to try using some mauve and taupe shades, and I loved it!

Obviously, I’ve used mauve and taupe before, but I just forgot how pretty they can look! I was super happy with how this look turned out, so I thought I would document it and share the products I used.

NARS Sheer Glow Foundation has crawled its way back into my heart. I always do this — I rediscover things and wonder why on earth I ever stopped using them! Sheer Glow gives such a flawless look to the skin without looking like heavy makeup.

Nars Sheer Glow in Monte Blanc — NARS Sheer Glow in Monte Blanc

Under my eyes, I used Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer, of course, because it’s the only concealer I ever use these days. It’s literally the best concealer I’ve ever used.

I’m pretty sure I’ve blabbed about it a lot before, so I’ll keep it short today. It’s lightweight, lovely and covers everything I need it to without going cakey. I use it to conceal under my eyes and to highlight my cheekbones, nose, chin and center of my forehead.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Light Neutral

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7 of My Favorite Affordable European Makeup Products

June 29th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 24 Comments

Best Affordable European Makeup — Some of my favorite (affordable) European makeup

Europe definitely has a lot to offer the international traveler. I mean, so many different countries and cultures concentrated in a relatively small area…

But visiting a dozen countries in a month can get extremely expensive, so what’s a beauty lover to do? Pass on the makeup shopping??

Of course not!

On the good ol’ continent, you can find lots of top quality products that cost less than a latte.

Here are my top recommendations!

1. Catrice Defining Blush in 040 Think Pink (€3.99)

If someone made me try the Catrice Defining Blush in 040 Think Pink after having depotted it, I’d for sure think it was a high-end blush.

I swear, I’d bet my entire makeup collection on it! It’s that good.

Creamy and not in the least bit powdery, nicely pigmented but easy to blend, and long-lasting, too.

Oh, and here’s the best part: it’s only €3.99!

2. Catrice Camouflage Cream in 010 Ivory & 020 Light Beige (€3.49)

If you’re blessed with oily skin and occasional hormonal spots like this mama, then you’ll know that liquid concealers just don’t last.

To cover up those angry red zits and the marks they usually leave behind, I think it’s much better to use a dry-texture concealer.

In my opinion, the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage ($35) is the best in this category, but Catrice’s Camouflage Cream comes in a close second, and it’s just a fraction of the price.

Should you ever spot a Catrice stand during your European adventures, make sure you put your paws on this fantastic concealer.

3. Essence Long-Lasting Eye Pencils in 01 Black Fever & 02 Hot Chocolate ($2.49/€1.99)

Ok, I know that you can get Essence at Ulta these days, but wouldn’t it be cooler to pick up something from this affordable German brand after admiring the majestic Cologne Cathedral or visiting the breathtaking Neuschwanstein Castle?

My first recommendation would be the Long-Lasting Eye Pencils in 01 Black Fever and 02 Hot Chocolate, because I mean, who doesn’t need black or brown eyeliner?

These glide on super easily and last amazingly well both on the waterlines and lashlines.

4. Essence Sun Club Matte Bronzing Powder in 01 Natural – Blondes/Lighter Skin ($4.99/€4.99)

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Bringing Back the ’90s With MAC Tendertalk Lip Balm

June 29th, 2016 by Adia Goss 11 Comments

mac tender talk balms — You just might need a MAC Tendertalk Balm

These MAC Tendertalk Lip Balms 100% sent me on a trip down memory lane. 🙂 They’re meant to react to your natural pH level to give you a perfect lip tint. Now all I need is a mood ring and I’m set!

Please tell me I’m not the only one totally reminiscing about those Hypercolor T-shirts that changed color with your body heat!! Lightweight but super hydrating, the Tendertalks are available now in five sheer shades at Nordstrom for $20 each.

Candy Wrapped, Play With Me, Pretty Me Up, Side Dish and Teddy Pink adjust and intensify ever-so slightly after being applied to give you a very natural flush, but to me the best thing about them is how incredibly moisturizing and shiny they are without feeling heavy or sticky at all. They also work great as bases under liquid lipsticks because they provide lots of slip but don’t affect the wear time or the look of matte liquid lipsticks.

mac tender talk balm — Available in five sheer shades

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My Office Approved FOTD for Fearless Job Hunting!

June 28th, 2016 by Marcella Yakalis 11 Comments

Finished results! — My fearless job hunting face of the day

Hey, everyone! I know I haven’t mentioned it often, but at this current time, I don’t have a full-time job. As such, I apply to a LOT of jobs, and I try to go on as many interviews as I can, when I’m lucky enough to get one.

It turns out I was, in fact, lucky enough this week! It was yesterday, and I spent a lot of time last weekend planning what I would wear, how I would handle the interview, and my favorite part: my makeup.

I wanted to show you guys the neutral look I wore and the products I used to achieve it.

group 1 — From top left to right: Clinique Stay Matte Oil Free Makeup ($32), Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield SPF 30 ($65), Milani Blush in luminoso ($8.49), E.L.F. Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Peals($4), European Wax Center’s Brow Powder Duo ($22), Too Faced Natural Eyes Palette ($36), NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray ($8), E.L.F. Eyeshadow Primer ($2), Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Light($6.99) and Sephora Full Action Mascara ($12)

The interview was for an office coordinator position at the same school I attended for my graduate studies. I’ve worked in a few offices, and those are the kinds of positions I’ve been looking into lately for full-time work.

When I interview, I like to wear things that make me feel comfortable, because, well…I’m normally a nervous wreck when it comes to interviews. I still haven’t mastered them. Sometimes I shake worse than when I’m at the dentist’s office, and that’s a LOT of shaking.

So for this look I started with freshly cleansed and moisturized skin.

Then I applied a good layer of Murad Invisiblur Primer (I reviewed it here). It gives me a good starting point for Clinique Oil Free Stay Matte Makeup.

foundation — Clinique Oil Free Stay Matte Makeup in Linen

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Conquering My Fear of the Buxom Full-On Lip Creams

June 27th, 2016 by Adia Goss 10 Comments

Full Disclosure: I’ve been afraid to try the Buxom Full-On Lip Cream for ages.

I heard them described as “plumping” and “tingling” and was like, “Oooh, girl. No.” Like, I was seriously nervous about trying these glosses! But because I take my job as a beauty blogger very seriously, I finally took the plunge.

There are 15 shades in all, $20 each (available now at Ulta), and I have five of them here — Peach Daiquiri, Pink Champagne, Grape Groove, Sangria and Berry Bramble.

First up is Peach Daiquiri, which is very sheer with just a hint of a peachy undertone. On my bare lips, it’s not particularly groundbreaking, BUT I do think it would look nice over a nude lipstick to give it a little life.

Pink Champagne is another very light gloss that would probably work better over a lipstick than on its own, at least for me.

Both Peach Daiquiri and Pink Champagne are kind of high maintenance, though, in that lines form and the color clumps a little when I press my lips together.

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A Refreshing Watercolor Nail Tutorial to Quench Your Thirst for Color

June 24th, 2016 by Jen Clark 10 Comments

I’m a little giddy today because we’re headed on a little vacation this weekend! We’re headed down south to warmer weather (not that it’s been cold here in Logan, Utah), or should I say, “sweltering weather,” where it’s supposed to be right up around 100 degrees while we’re there. That’s alright with me, though, because I plan to live in the pool.

Since I’m pregnant, there’s been no working out or eating healthy to do (one of my favorite perks), so all I had to do to get ready was just slap on a layer of my favorite fake tan, and grace my usually bare nails with a fresh, summery manicure.

While browsing Pinterest for some inspiration, I fell in love with watercolor nails. You can literally use any colors you want, and it’s so easy! The only special tool you need is a sandwich bag, and I’m pretty sure everyone has those on hand. (See what I did there? Eh?)

Let me show you how quick and easy this is!

1. Start with white nails

Start off with white nails (I’m using China Glaze White On White), and I painted mine the night before to make sure they were completely dry.

From experience, I’ve figured out that if the nails are still a little wet, it’ll cause problems with the rest of the process.

Start off with a white base — Start with a white base

2. Apply your colorful blobs

Working one nail at a time, put a fairly generous blob of each color you want to use on the nail. I put the blobs in different areas so that the nails don’t all turn out looking similar.

I wanted mine to resemble pools of water, so I used two blues — Zoya Blu and Sally Hansen Blue Rose (discontinued) — and a turquoise called Essie Turquoise and Caicos.

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An All-Matte FOTD With the Buxom Suede Seduction Eyeshadow Palette

June 24th, 2016 by Adia Goss 13 Comments

Yes, you read that right — all matte! — which is a big jump for me because, as you guys probably know about me by now, I live for the GLOW. I like my eyeshadows sparkly, my blush shimmery and my lips glossy.

But I felt like challenging myself today with a look using all matte products, and the Buxom Suede Seduction Eyeshadow Palette, which is available now at Ulta for $40, has five neutral matte shades.

I really how it turned out! I’m surprised! I think it’s a classic makeup look. I certainly won’t be abandoning my hoard of glowy things, but I can incorporate more matte finishes into my makeup routine. I think this makeup would be very appropriate for a job interview or for some kind of professional pictures. I remember a while back that Marcella emailed Karen and all of us interns asking for advice on makeup for a job interview, and if I’d known about this Buxom palette then, I definitely would have recommended it!

The shadows are very soft and easy to blend. Plus, the colors aren’t too warm or cool, so they’re super versatile.

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