Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

So Lovely

March 23rd, 2016 by Karen 57 Comments

I think this might be the first pic (or one of the very first pics) here of Connor Claire with her eyes open, because homegirl sleeps A LOT (it’s what babies do).

She has her daddy’s lashes and lips, and she has my eyes and nose. 🙂

I love watching her facial expressions when she’s awake and alert like this. When she’s hungry, she does this one thing I call pirate baby, where she contorts her mouth to the side and closes one eye, like, “Yaaargh!”

Also, check out her arms! They’re filling out and getting chubbier. So are her little legs and cheeks.

I already can’t deal with her getting bigger. ? Yesterday I went to Starbucks to grab a latte and a slice of banana bread (mmm…banana bread), and while I was there I saw a gang of moms with babies in strollers, and all of the babies (that I’m guessing were between one and two years old) looked HUGE.

That’s when it hit me — this tea cup-sized tiny phase is temporary. Connor’s going to keep getting bigger and bigger.

I dunno… I get a little teary when I think about it. Then again, everything makes me teary these days, haha. The postpartum hormone train, toot-toot! It’s a crazy-@ss ride.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

A Face of the Day With the New LORAC Spring 2016 Releases

March 23rd, 2016 by Jessica Revitte 10 Comments

LORAC Color Source Blush and Alter Ego Lipstick, LORAC Soft to Smokey Eye Collection — LORAC spring 2016

What is it about spring that makes me want to bust out different products and start experimenting?

Could it be that spring cleaning is in full swing; the windows are finally wide open to let in a sweet smelling breeze; it stays light out well into the evening and (at least where I live) after a long white, dull winter, the whole world seems to be colorful again?

It’s finally sunny on a regular basis where I’m from! — a land I will lovingly refer to as “the arctic tundra.” (We’re not that far north. I’m just being dramatic.) Of course, for me, this means that I need to start bringing out my BRIGHTEST clothing, like my yellow cardigan and purple silk blouse. You name it — if it’s bright, I’m gonna wear it to celebrate the season.

For that reason, I like to keep my spring makeup a bit more understated, and LORAC has a wealth of new spring 2016 products to help.

LORAC released some truly fabulous blushes and lipsticks, two of which I’m wearing above. The Color Source Buildable Blushes ($22 each) are pigmented little pops of color in a beautiful array of hues from neutral to electric purple.

They’re 100% matte and smooth as butter, given their lack of shimmer. My worst nightmare in a matte blush is a product that deposits color on the cheeks but then blends poorly due to a stiff texture, and I’m happy to report that LORAC Color Source Buildable Blush blends like a dream! The pigmentation is intense, and these blushes blend incredibly well, allowing for layering to varying degrees of intensity.

I paired the bright pops of color on my cheeks with a nude lip, the new LORAC Alter Ego Lipstick in Exhibitionist ($17, exclusive to Kohl’s). When I think of a classic lipstick formula, these Alter Ego Lipsticks have it. Thick but smooth and easy to apply, they’re highly pigmented and, although not marketed as long-lasting, stick around on my lips for several hours.

LORAC Color Source Blush and Alter Ego Lipstick — LORAC Color Source Blush in Chroma and Technicolor and Alter Ego Lipstick in Exhibitionist (Kohl’s Exclusive)

[Continue reading…]

Cheeky New Products From Chosungah 22: So Tiny Lip & Cheek, C&T Blend Fresh Mix Liquid Foundation and Bounce Up Pact Powder Foundation

March 23rd, 2016 by Anna Oh 14 Comments

Chosunga 22 — Wearing Chosungah 22 c&t Fresh Blend Foundation and SO TINY in Orange on cheeks and lip (mixed with MAC Pure Fiction gloss)

Hi, everyone! It’s time for another K-beauty break with a new brand available at Sephora. Chosungah 22, a beauty line by Korean makeup artist Sungah Cho, is based on the principal that makeup is a platform for play and self-expression. The packaging is usually brightly colored with lots of polka dots and plenty of bold graphics.

Now, I am one of the biggest suckers when it comes to awesome packaging…but I’m happy to report that these products aren’t all fluff!

Here are some neat things the brand has to offer…

beauty illustration anna oh chosungah so tiny — Illustration of the Chosungah 22 So Tiny Lip & Cheek

These cute little bottles are the So Tiny Lip & Cheek Face Colors ($14 each at Sephora), and they are, indeed, tiny! They’re long-lasting lip and cheek colors that dry down without any tacky residue. The matte, dry texture means that you’ll probably want to mix them with a balm or gloss to make them easier to use on your lips.

chosungah 22 so tiny lip & cheek swatches — Swatches of the Chosungah 22 So Tiny Lip & Cheek (L-R) Peach, Orange, Pink, Purple, Dark Red

[Continue reading…]

The Ultimate Italian Makeup Look May Not Be What You Expect

March 23rd, 2016 by Carolina Braina 34 Comments

“Italians are always well-dressed.”

Who hasn’t heard that one at least once in their life?

It’s one of many stereotypes about Italians and, just like any stereotype, it’s not entirely true…but it does have a kernel of truth to it.

In my experience, people here are generally very concerned with the way they look, and they’ll usually put a lot of thought into what they wear.

There’s also a general sense of decorum that people are expected to observe. For instance, you’ll never see college students go to class in sweats and flip-flops. Here, dressing appropriately and looking nice are real social conventions.

So, what is makeup’s role in a country where most people always try to dress well and look good?

Well, Italians don’t normally use as much makeup as you might expect. A typical Italian look, which I’ve recreated for you today, will usually feature very few products.

Care to know which ones? 🙂

Foundation (often a shade too dark)

Italian Makeup Look — The foundation I’m wearing today is Diego Dalla Palma 2 W. W. Mattifying Foundation in 43 Warm Beige

That’s for two main reasons. The first one is that many people think the purpose of foundation is to make them look tanned, while the second one is that it’s pretty hard for those here with lighter skin tones to find the right color match.

The lightest shade of foundations from Italian brands will usually be my skin tone or darker and, although I’m pretty pale, I’m definitely not the palest. Even international brands will often have a more limited shade range here than abroad.

Bronzer

Most Italians don’t contour very much, but they definitely like to bronze. A LOT.
[Continue reading…]

Get the Too Faced The Sweeter Side of Sexy 4-Piece Collection for $49 This Wednesday, an HSN Daily Special! #TOOFACEDXHSN

March 22nd, 2016 by Jen Clark 16 Comments

HSN is doing something crazy!

They’re selling this amazing Too Faced The Sweeter Side Of Sexy Makeup Collection for $49 this Wednesday (as of this moment, that’s tomorrow). Take advantage of this, people. It’s a great deal (HSN’s regular price is $59).

Not only do you get what looks like a giant chocolate bar…but it’s filled with some of the best Too Faced products. You get four full-sized items for $49 (AND free shipping), including the coveted Semi Sweet Chocolate Bar Palette (regularly $49 all by itself), a Better Than Sex Mascara ($23), a Shadow Insurance Eyeshadow Primer ($20), and the Love Flush Long Lasting Blush in Justify My Love ($26). That’s a $118 value for $49! #TOOFACEDXHSN

“Too Faced The Sweeter Side of Sexy 4-piece Collection with 1-Year Allure Magazine Who doesn’t love chocolate in all its forms? Take your indulgence a step further with this kit that showcases a cocoa-infused collection of eyeshadows. Decadently rich pigments give you endless color possibilities, and a long-wearing shadow primer helps lock it all down. Finish your look with a bold, beautiful blush and a swipe of luxe, smudge-proof mascara. It might not be edible, but this complete collection is just as scrumptious as the real deal. (No drooling, please).”

— hsn.com

What you get

0.56 oz. Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar Eyeshadow Palette

0.21 oz. Love Flush 16-Hour Blush – Justify My Love (bright pink with fine gold sparkle)

0.35 oz. Shadow Insurance Eyeshadow Primer

0.27 fl. oz. Better Than Sex Mascara – Black

1-year Allure magazine subscription –> a nice extra

Not even kidding — all four of these products have been staples in my makeup collection, so ya know…I’m pretty much an expert on how well they all work.

The Semi Sweet Chocolate bar palette was given to me for Christmas 2014, and I have used little else since then. The shade selection is everything! You can create so many different looks, and you have everything that you need. There’s no need to go digging into another palette for a matte transition shade or an uber pigmented matte black because they’re already in here. The shadows blend like a dream and have amazing color payoff, to boot.

Not to mention, it smells like hot chocolate. 🙂 Every time you open the palette, it’s like opening a container of hot chocolate on a cold night, as the powder slowly spirals upward towards your nostrils, and you get a whiff of that cocoa-y goodness (the powders even have real cocoa powder in them).

[Continue reading…]

Boots No 7 Stay Perfect Shade and Define Eyeshadow Sticks | Review & Swatches

March 22nd, 2016 by Adia Goss 17 Comments

Cream eyeshadow sticks are among my favorite makeup products of all. I love how easy they are to use, and I’m always on the market for a new good shadow stick.

I did a roundup of my Top 5 Eyeshadow Sticks last year, and now I wonder if these Boots No 7 Stay Perfect Shade and Define eyeshadow sticks will make the cut.

The four shades here — Glistening Ray, Pink Pearl, Cool Mink and Velvet Truffle — are all smooth, creamy and extremely long-wearing.

After swatching them on my arm, I went to a cycling class, then showered, and the colors were still intact!

With the exception of Velvet Truffle, they’re all very sparkly, which I love.

Here are some swatches:

boots no 7 stay perfect shade and define — L to R: Glistening Ray, Pink Pearl, Cool Mink and Velvet Truffle

[Continue reading…]

Eyelash Jackpot!

March 22nd, 2016 by Karen 42 Comments

When Connor Claire was still in my tum, I hoped and prayed that she’d come into this world safe, sound and healthy…and with her daddy’s lashes, LOL!

I know, so silly. But El Hub’s lashes are one of the reasons I fell in love with him (they’re so long, lush and curly!), and I really, really wanted Connor to inherit them. And dagnabbit, she actually did!

See the cute curl and lovely length? Yeah, she definitely did *not* get my lashes, which are short, straight and completely uninteresting.

So…JACKPOT!!! 🙂

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

The Best in Beauty From the Boot, Vol. 2: Neve Cosmetics

March 22nd, 2016 by Carolina Braina 17 Comments

Neve Cosmetics Elegantissimi Eyeshadow Palette Italian Makeup — My mug shot with the Neve Cosmetics Elegantissimi Palette. I was arrested for possession of too much makeup!

Neve Cosmetics, eh?

Neve is the Italian word for snow, and while any other day I’d start by telling you all about the beautiful reason behind this name, today I can’t associate anything positive to any form of water falling from the sky.

This is because it’s been raining for two awful weeks, and my meteoropathic self can’t take it anymore.

If you follow my blog, then you’ll know that it all started with me evoking an ancient curse and triggering the wrath of the gods, so I shouldn’t really complain, since this horrible weather is all my fault (*goes to cry in the corner*).

Instead of moaning, I should focus on the flowers in my metaphorical garden, just as Karen taught me. 🙂

Neve Cosmetics Blush Garden Tuesday Rose cream blush — Neve Cosmetics Tuesday Rose from the Blush Garden

Neve Cosmetics definitely adds many flowers to my garden, including this adorable rose blush and the inspiring philosophy behind the brand… They think that, just like snowflakes, all people are different and beautiful in their own unique way, and I personally share the same view. I believe that makeup should enhance your natural beauty, rather than mask it.

The Turin-based company also adds flowers to the lives of many by supporting nonprofits that help humans and animals alike, and all of their products are cruelty-free and free of silicones, parabens and petroleum products.

Neve Cosmetics Italian Makeup — Neve Cosmetics products are all made in Italy with high quality ingredients

[Continue reading…]