Guest Post

5 Awesomely Affordable Makeup Brushes for the Face

June 10th, 2016 by Anna Oh 15 Comments

I love having LOTS of brushes at my disposal, so for me, affordable makeup brushes are the way to go! But all makeup brushes are not created — or priced — equally.

For face makeup brushes, here are a few that have earned my gold star sticker of approval.

5 affordable face brushes — Some of the affordable — and still awesome — makeup brushes in my collection

1. Sonia Kashuk Star Struck Large Powder Brush (Disc.)

The Sonia Kashuk Star Struck Large Powder Brush is one of the softest natural hair brushes I own. In fact, none of my higher-end brushes can apply bronzer as well as this one.

I like this full rounded brush because I can really work powder into my skin with it. Unfortunately, the set I got it with has been discontinued…and I also didn’t love any of the other brushes in the set. Still, I would re-buy the set just for this one brush.

2. Sonia Kashuk No. 29 Domed Blusher Brush ($17.99)

Another Sonia Kashuk brush, except that this one IS still available (it’s permanent). My nickname for the No. 29 brush is “the bunny butt” brush because it’s so round and soft! It’s the perfect medium size to fit into the cheek contour or right on top of the cheek as well.

This one is a little bit pricier than my other brush recommendations, but I think the plastic handles hold up very well over time.

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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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Products I Have Completely Used Up! Will I Repurchase Them?

June 9th, 2016 by Jen Clark 12 Comments

Do you get that intense feeling of satisfaction when you use the last drop of something you’ve been working on for months? It makes me feel like an actual responsible adult who got her money’s worth! If I completely use up a product, it’s usually a testament to how much I love using it…usually.

Rather than chucking my empties into the garbage, I channeled my inner hoarder and kept my trash in a box to take pictures of and show you all. Totally normal!

1. Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes ($5.99 at Ulta)

Simple Cleansing Towlettes — Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes ($5.99 for 25 wipes, available at Ulta)

I’ve gone through an absurd number of these wipes — like, literally more than 20 packs of 25 wipes! I really should collect the empty wrappers to see how many I actually use…

These are my all-time favorite go-to makeup removers. I’ve tried countless different wipes and even micellar water on cotton pads. Some of them are nice, but I always, always, always come back to these.

The actual cloth wipes are so nice and soft and don’t irritate my skin, and the cleanser they’re soaked in is super gentle and doesn’t burn my eyes, but it still does the job and gets off all of my makeup.

Will I repurchase them? Yes, I already have, and I’m quickly burning through my last pack!

2. Pixi Glow Tonic Exfoliating Toner ($15 for 3.4 oz.)

Ugh, I hate how fast I go through these toners! I get the smaller, cheaper 3.4-oz. bottle because I feel like I’m being oh, so thrifty, but I fly through them in about three weeks (I use it twice a day).

I really should get the bigger bottle, huh.

I fell in love with this toner a few months ago and have been religiously using it ever since. I like that it’s exfoliating and helps get rid of some of the bumpy, uneven texture I tend to get on my skin. It really does leave my skin super soft and glowing.

I’ve talked about why I think toners are so important in my Pixi Skincare Routine post, but you really should use one. Really.

Will I repurchase? Yes! As soon as I make it back to Target, which is about an hour away from where I live!

I know. Feel sorry for me. 🙁

3. Yes To Tomatoes Acne Clearing Facial Toner ($9.99 for 8.5 oz.)

Yes To Tomatoes Toner — Yes To Tomatoes Acne Clearing Facial Toner ($9.99 for 8.5 oz.)

You know how when you use something and you’re trying to decide what you think about it, but you really don’t know? That’s how I feel about Yes To Tomatoes Acne Clearing Facial Toner…

I picked it up when my skin was acting up and used it off and on for about six months until I finished it.

I really don’t know what to say about this one!

Obviously, it didn’t “wow!” me, but I didn’t hate it either. It did the job and got my skin super clean, but I can’t really remember if it helped me with breakouts or not. My guess is that if I don’t remember, it probably didn’t.

I wouldn’t completely write this one off, though, if you’re looking for something with salicylic acid and witch hazel to keep your pores nice and tight. I do really like the ingredients in this.

Will I repurchase it? Probably not…mostly because I wasn’t wow’d by it.

4. Ole Henrikson Nurture Me Moisturizer ($40)

Ole Henrickson Nurture Me — Ole Henrikson Nurture Me ($40)

I wish I remember the name of the guy who helped me that fateful day in Sephora when I was encouraged to give this moisturizer a try because he changed my life!

OK, that’s a little much, but I love this moisturizer so much. I went in looking for something, anything, to help calm the redness that I was experiencing on my skin and came out with this.

First off, I have to tell you how good it smells, because if something smells amazing, that makes me love it 100 times more. It legit smells like the most delicious orange Creamcicles… My mouth waters every time I use it.

Of course, the smell isn’t why I use it, though. Not only does it soothe my skin and relieve the redness, but it makes my skin feel so smooth and comfortable. There are no massive, angry breakouts, no redness, no rough texture. My skin is happy!

Will I repurchase? Absolutely! As soon as all the bills are paid and everyone has what they need, I WILL buy my magic orange Creamsicle again.

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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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This Summer Skin Routine Will Get You Glowing, Sexy, and Glam

June 8th, 2016 by Anna Oh 12 Comments

It’s been hot here in Georgia lately…like SO hot that I’m running to my car now, yet despite the heat and sun, my legs refuse to tan, no matter how many skirts and dresses I wear. I think my legs might be invincible, guys, LOL!

To combat my blindingly white legs, I’ve been using a bronzing oil, Too Faced Royal Oil Coconut Oil Body Bronzer, and I think it may be a go-to this summer.

But that’s not the first step in my summer skin routine.

It all starts with the bath…

I finally get it… Baths are great. In my new home, I finally have a separate bathtub to relax and lounge in, and the new Shea Moisture “African Water Mint and Ginger” products inspire me to make time for them.

I start with a capful of African Water Mint & Ginger Detox Bubble Bath & Body Wash ($9.99) in the bath. It’s not SUPER soapy — which I like — so there’s no need to jump into the shower to rinse off.

But hands down, my favorite product of the set is the African Water Mint & Ginger Detox Hand & Body Scrub ($9.99). I love the feeling of the sugar breaking down as I rub it into my skin. I feel squeaky clean AND moisturized at the same time because of the oils and shea butter in the formula.

shea moisture detox & refresh african water mint scrub — An up-close of the sugar scrub

Before I hop out of the bath, I’ll quickly finish up with the African Water Mint & Ginger Detox & Refresh Hair & Scalp Gentle Shampoo ($10.99) and African Water Mint & Ginger Detox & Refresh Hair & Scalp Conditioner ($10.99).

The conditioner doesn’t wow me (it’s very thick and lotion-y), but the shampoo makes my scalp feel brand new. I use it once or twice a week to combat the hot, humid hair situation (you know — life in the South).

Adding glow and bronze

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The Perfectly Imperfect Smudged Liner, AKA the Ultimate Bada$$ Look

June 8th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 27 Comments

Smudged Liner Look How To — Messy hair and smudged black liner is what I like to call “The Ultimate Bada$$ Look”, LOL!

If you knew me in real life, you’d know that I smile a lot and, most of the time, have a pretty friendly face.

Like, for instance, I’m one of those people who always get asked for directions in the street. I even got asked for directions in Copenhagen, even though I don’t exactly look like your typical Danish girl, right?

But if you knew me really well, then you’d also know that I’m not always that easy to approach… I mean, if I don’t want to be approached, I know how to make sure no one does it.

Like, at my old job, I was friends (or at least friendly) with most of my colleagues, but there were a couple of fake, toxic people I really couldn’t stand.

Whenever I wanted to be 100% sure they wouldn’t bother me, I’d make my “I’ll-take-no-sh*t” face, and they wouldn’t even dare come near me.

Basically, I’d never take my eyes off the computer screen, and just look like I was very, VERY pissed off. I swear it always worked.

A L W A Y S.

In case the “I’ll-take-no-sh*t” face sounds like something you may want to try, let me suggest the perfect makeup to go with it…

Well, it’s the smudged liner look! Strictly in black.

Listen to me — if you ever need a little help with your “don’t-you-dare-come-near-me” face, put your black kohl to good use, and you’ll instantly feel more bada$$, I promise! 😉

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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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