Showing posts with label makeup. Show all posts
Showing posts with label makeup. Show all posts

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Five Products I Love + Three That Didn't Work Out

When I started my blog five years ago (has it seriously been FIVE years?), I focused a lot on reviewing beauty products. My blog was new, and I was so excited to share products that I had been using for years and new ones I had discovered along the way.

I don't try as many new products as I used to, but every once in awhile I find products worthy of sharing---and today I'm also sharing a few products that didn't work out for me.
I ran out of my usual Suave dry shampoo right before my trip to San Francisco, so while there, Jen recommended I try the Big Sexy Hair dry shampoo. I picked some up at CVS and I really like it a lot. It goes on clear and has a nice scent. It also makes hair feel more textured and volumized. It's pricier than Suave, but I don't mind splurging once in awhile. 
I made a video about this awhile ago, but I have chronic urticaria (hives), diagnosed by my dermatologist, and they are primarily induced by changing temperatures. I often break out in hives in very cold or hot weather. I typically use cheap razors, but I noticed that my skin would break out in hives immediately after I shaved and would be very irritated. I finally started to use the Schick Intuition razor in the pomegranate scent. It gives such a close shave but it's so gentle. I get less nicks and my skin is less reactive when I use this razor, which is great, because when I break out in hives they itch and I sometimes ruin my skin scratching my legs. Totally worth the extra cost.
I shared this NouriShine lipgloss in my recent Mary Kay/Project Runway post (there's still time to enter that giveaway here!) The color is called "au natural" and I wear it nearly every day. It's neutral and looks great layered over any lip color as well as on its own. 
When I reached into my makeup bag on the plane ride to SF to find some chapstick, I realized that I forgot to pack my MAC StudioFix powder foundation. I figured I'd stop at a drugstore and pick something up to use for the next few days, but there was a Body Shop at the airport so I ended up picking up their "all in one face base." I don't love it as much as my StudioFix, but it was nice on my skin and was easy to apply. I will say it doesn't last as long as MAC's version, but we were out and about in the sun all day so it's hard to tell if that had an effect.
Last on my love list, I'm sharing the Hot Iron Holster, which has become an permanent fixture in my bathroom. I was contacted by the company and was sent one for review and I'm only sharing it because I truly love it. I get a lot of emails from companies asking me to review products, and to be honest, I'm not interested in 90% of them. If I can't incorporate the product into my daily routine or see myself genuinely using it and wanting to share it with my readers, it's not worth it for me, even if it's free. I don't like clutter, so accepting things just because they're free isn't my style. I want this to be a place where you can come for honest reviews. If I don't like a product I am sent, I would send it back or simply not blog about it. That hasn't happened more than once because I typically really look into products before I accept them to make sure they're a good fit. Just wanted to clear that up!

The Hot Iron Holster is basically a silicone holster that attaches to your bathroom counter on its own. To remove, you just peel it off and can re-apply it anywhere. I love it because it keeps my hot tools off of my counter and stores them off to the side so that they're easy to access but not in the way when they're not in use. I just keep my curling iron plugged in and inside the holster and when I'm ready, I turn it on and wait for it to heat up.
Before I had the holster, I used to unplug my curling iron and store it on top of the 3-drawer unit tucked under our sink. I know this sounds lazy, but it was annoying to reach down and get it and plug it in. I much prefer having it in the holster. I can imagine this would be an amazing tool for hairstylists too. You don't have to worry about your hot tools ruining it and it keeps them all easily-accessible in one place.
 Now onto the products I didn't love...
One of my co-workers told me about this Aveda product--- i's a damage remedy hair repair product. Her hair literally looks like gorgeous mermaid hair so I thought I couldn't go wrong. It was just "meh" for me. I didn't feel like my hair was smoother or more repaired and the texture of it was weird. I'm actually contemplating calling Aveda because it almost seemed as though my product had "broken down" somewhat or was on its way to expiry, which is odd, since I bought it at an actual Aveda store.
Though I'm absolutely obsessed with my Ojon shampoo, this oil was just so-so for me. I am using it as a smoothing serum on second or third day hair and it's a little too heavy for what I need it for so I went back to my Frederick Fekkai Glossing Creme. Overall it was just a little too oily for me. I will likely use this as an overnight treatment now to infuse moisture into my hair since I know it's so rich�so it may end up being a "like" after all, but not for the purpose I bought it for.
Sigh. I may be the only person on earth who doesn't love Urban Decay's Perversion mascara. I wanted to love it so badly, but since it's not waterproof and the formula is very "wet," it pretty much makes my lashes go completely limp and straight. I have lashes that don't hold curl well, so I have to use a hairdryer on my eyelash curler to even keep the curl in. Waterproof mascaras are more dry and they help keep the curl in my lashes. This was too heavy/wet of a formula for me, but I know plenty who love it, so don't be discouraged to try it if you have lashes that hold a curl well and typically use regular mascara with no issues.

Have a wonderful week!

FTC Disclosure: all items except for the mary kay lipgloss and hot iron holster were paid for with my own money. These are my honest opinions and I am not being compensated to review any of these items.

Thursday, September 4, 2014

Having Fun With Mary Kay�

This season, Mary Kay is the Official Beauty Sponsor of Project Runway�! I've showcased looks featuring the line before, and today I'm here to share two looks created by Mary Kay Global Makeup Artist, Luis Casco, that will be featured on season 13.

Luis created "the graphic eye" and "emerald smoke," both of which at first sight were totally out of my comfort zone---but that's a good thing for me. It forces me to step out of my little box where neutrals rule and try some bolder looks.  You can check out marykay.com/projectrunway for video tutorials on both looks!


Mary Kay sent me the exact same products Luis used to create the two looks. I followed the video tutorials and I was pleasantly surprised with how much I liked the looks! The electric blue liner was fun for the weekend (and would be lovely for a date night!) Here is my "Graphic Eye" look:


The best part of doing this tutorial was that I have found a new love for two amazing products---Mary Kay� Mineral Eye Color in "Driftwood" and Mary Kay NouriShine Plus� Lip Gloss in "Au Naturel." These two products fit seamlessly into my everyday makeup routine--- the shadow is a beautiful color for the lower lashline (I've been using it daily instead of my usual shadow!) and the gloss is a beautiful neutral for an everyday lip that's perfect for the office. Though I can't promise I'll reach for the blue liner often, these two products are absolutely getting a permanent spot in my makeup drawer.

The second look, "Emerald Smoke," was a total depature for me and I actually ended up quite liking the way it turned out. I felt really polished with this look that's much more dramatic than what I'm used to. A bold lip is definitely a fun look to try. My earrings are from BaubleBar, by the way!
Which look is your favorite of the two? Let me know in the comments below for the chance to win a  $100 VISA Gift Card plus a collection of Mary Kay� products to create one of the looks featured + some beauty essentials. 

For more information you can visit Mary Kay� on Project Runway, Facebook, Youtube, and of course, their website

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This giveaway is open to US Residents age 18 or older. Winners will be selected via random draw, and will be notified by e-mail. The notification email will come directly from BlogHer via the sweeps@blogher email address. You will have 72 hours to respond; otherwise a new winner will be selected.
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Monday, August 25, 2014

H-E-B Fall Beauty Picks

Though it's still over 90 degrees outside most days, it's safe to say that along with cooler temperatures, I'm craving a lot of other things fall brings--- like layering, coats, boots and bolder makeup looks.

I got to test out some of H-E-B's Fall Beauty Picks and I'm sharing with you the look I created. The products I was sent to try are:


After a long, hot and humid summer, hair rehab is a good idea. I applied this spray as the first product after I brushed out my freshly-washed and towel-dried hair. Then, I added my other usual styling products and blew it out as usual. I like that this protects and conditions my hair outside of the shower.
I used these metallic Revlon eye shadows to line my upper and lower lid- the lighter color for the lower lash line and the darker for the upper (the darker is called "Onyx," the lighter shade is "Gunmetal"). I used an angled eye shadow brush. I also added a black liner on my waterline and two coats of CoverGirl LashBlast mascara.
To complete this look, I used Revlon ColorStay Moisture Stain in a deep berry color. I always shy away from darker lips but I absolutely adored this shade. The best part is that if you rub it off, there's a great stain left so you can tone it up or down as you like. The color isn't as dark as it looks in the package---it leaves a beautiful berry stain that's perfect for fall after a summer of corals, nudes and pinks.
I also used L'oreal's Magic Lumi primer underneath my powder on my cheekbones and one line down my nose.  Unfortunately, Harper took the primer and hid it somewhere before I had the chance to take the product photos for this post, so I'm borrowing from this blog. I really hope I find it because it gives a nice glow to the skin.
One of my favorite things to do as fall begins is to start using deeper shades on my nails. OPI's Lincoln Park After Dark is a favorite of mine. I got to test out Sao Paulo Over There which is a pretty brown shade that reminds me of the way the leaves change color in the fall. I think it would complement a lot of skin tones.

Monday, July 7, 2014

Summer Beauty Picks from H-E-B & Product Reviews

The thing I love most about my partnership with H-E-B is that every few months, I get a box of beauty goodies to test out. I used to do a lot of beauty product reviews on my blog and I feel like that has really fallen a little by the wayside. One of the main reasons is because I continue to repurchase products I've been using for years so there's nothing new to share. 

My goal when testing new products is to see how they look, feel and last on my skin---but something else I look for is how the products can be a part of my everyday look. I don't have time in the morning to try different looks or play around with eye shadows and do all kinds of highlighting and contouring. I used to watch a lot of YouTube beauty tutorials and loved the final looks, but 20-30 minutes of work is too much time (for me). It usually takes me about 10-12 minutes to do my makeup in the morning.


So the look you'll see below doesn't look different from my regular makeup in the sense that I tried to achieve my usual look, by using new products in the same way.

The products I got to test are:


I'm going to start with my favorite product, the Milani blush, because if you read any part of this post, I want it to be THIS! I petty much exclusively wear Bobbi Brown's peony blush, unless I'm testing out a new product. None have quite lured me into becoming regulars in my makeup drawer. High end or drugstore brand, some have been good quality and nice, but the colors didn't capture my heart---until now. This blush is staying in my makeup drawer indefinitely and deserves to share some makeup drawer real estate right next to my beloved peony blush. The color is absolutely gorgeous, with a slight sheen and made me feel so pretty. It just added that beautiful touch of rosiness to the cheeks and the color worked perfectly with my skin tone. I have to admit I always go back to peony blush because I feel the others don't do as much for my skin, but this is a game changer, friends. So if you get one product from this list, let it be this one
I took the photos for this post on my iPhone in front of a window because I wanted the colors to show as true to life as possible, in natural sunlight. I like using filters on my Instagram photos, but since I'm reviewing makeup, I don't want the colors to become distorted. I did use Afterlight's "clarify" tool (which sharpens the photo a little) on a couple of them at about 30%.  It's currently my favorite editing app, I would say it's a must-have if you take a lot of photos on your iPhone. Oh and excuse the breakout happening on my chest right now...


Next up, we have L'Oreals Miss Manga mascara. I loved the brush on this one and it's the first non-waterproof mascara in recent memory that didn't make my lashes droop down, which in and of itself is pretty great. The color I tested is the dark brown, which normally I wouldn't purchase, but it was actually really nice and I liked using it on my bottom lashes too. As far as staying power, it lasted all day. It's a solid mascara.
Revlon's Colorburst lip balm pencil in "Sweetheart Valentine" surprised me. It was a really bright pink when applied to the lips and I ended up layering a nude pink toned lipstick over it. It was the perfect combo since the balm acted like a stain. It's 8 p.m. as I type this and my lips still have a beautiful tint of color to them---in fact, now that the tint has faded, it looks perfect! On its own it definitely packs some bright color, but paired with a subtler lipstick, it was perfect for me. I liked how long it lasted because I felt like my makeup looked better all day from not losing the color on my lips like I normally do.
Okay, let's talk eyes. I used the Almay eye shadow pencil (the shimmery nude color) on the inner corners of my eyes to brighten them up. I've been using this trick for years and it's such a small step that has a big impact on making eyes like wide and awake. I don't know that I'd use the other side of the stick (the green color) but the shimmery nude color was lovely.
Lastly, I also received the H-E-B brand "Dead Sea Skin Care" energizing bath salts. I have to be honest and say I haven't used them yet because I don't take baths, but they smell incredible. It's a rich, invigorating scent with a eucalyptus undertone to it. 
I also wanted to share some of my favorite Essie polishes in the blue/purple color family- perfect for summer! 
lilacism  |  bikini so teeny (wearing this now)  |  butler please  |  i'm addicted
Here is Essie's "bikini so teeny" on my nails---note that this photo does have a filter---now you can really see the difference in the colors. The blush looks a lot darker here and less pink than it is in real life.

H-E-B�s Summer Beauty Picks are all about bringing the brightness and vibrancy of summer to your make-up routine. H-E-B has a fantastic beauty section, so they next time you're shopping for groceries, some of your favorite new beauty items could be just a few aisles down the way.

Thank you for reading and if you've tried any of the products I've reviewed, let me know!

FTC: This post is sponsored by H-E-B but all opinions are related to my own experiences after trying the products.