June Empties | #38

Ai yi yi - I'm sure my apologizing over late posts is getting old, but dang my posting schedule is all over the place. I hope this empties post, chock full of mini reviews and purchase recommendations, helps make it up to you! Look for more posts coming soon. :)

• Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray (would repurchase) - Setting sprays are one of those completely optional makeup items that you can choose to or choose not to use. I, however, find it to be an irreplaceable part of my makeup routine, and this is one of my absolute favorite sprays. It helps with longevity, and it takes away any powdery finish my skin may have and helps my skin look more natural. LOVE it and will continue to repurchase this. 

• Neutrogena Oil-Free Eye Makeup Remover (would repurchase) - This stuff works like a charm to get even the trickiest waterproof eye makeup off. I'd normally opt for the off-brand Target eye makeup remover because it works just as well, but this was on sale.

• Reviva Labs Antioxidants Skin Smoothing Advanced Day Cream (would repurchase) - This is actually my husband's product, and he really likes it. This day cream is unfragranced, which is essential for him, doesn't feel greasy or break him out, and it has loads of good-for-you ingredients that keep skin healthy. 

• Maybelline Super Stay 10 Stain Gloss in Pink Plush (would repurchase) - I didn't use this stain up all the way, but it's OLD and time to say goodbye. I'm not even sure they make this formulation anymore?? Either way, I did like this, and I liked the color. It was an everyday shade and had good lasting power. 

• Covergirl Hydrofuge Waterproof Mascara (would not repurchase) - I didn't use this much because I didn't like it. It made my eyelashes clumpy and it flaked really bad on me. 

• Maybelline Dream Lumi Concealer (would repurchase) - I've lost count of how many tubes of this I've gone through. I absolutely love it for underneath my eyes. It helps conceal my "I've hardly slept" look most days. 

• Benefit Gimme Brow (would repurchase) - I love this stuff for an easy way to give my eyebrows some definition. It has little fibers in it that also help brows look more full. Back in the day, this used to be one of the only things like it on the market, but now there are more affordable options you can pick up, but this will still remain a tried-and-true product for me. 

• Clinique Bottom Lash Mascara (would repurchase) - I got so sick of mascara transferring below my lashes or flaking all over my face, and once I tried this I was hooked. I will forever keep purchasing this! It has a tiny wand making it easy to coat your bottom lashes. 

• Ole Henriksen Oil-Free Pore Refining cloths (would not repurchase) - These weren't anything special. They weren't damp enough for me, and maybe that's because it was just a travel size, but I wouldn't waste my money to confirm that theory. 

• Clinique Take the Day Off Wipes (would not repurchase) - These were some of the worst face wipes I've ever tried. They smelled like pure chemicals and I had to scrape at my face to get any makeup off. They'll burn your eyes if you try to take off your face makeup (which I don't think it would fully do). No no no, never again. 

• Swisspers Cotton Applicators (would repurchase) - There's no way I'd apply makeup with these, but they were good for cleaning up any makeup mess-ups.

• Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous foundation (would repurchase) - I liked this foundation. It reminded me of a less intense Stay Flawless, and in less shades. Unfortunately, the lightest shade was a tad too dark for my skin, so I primarily used this when I'd self-tanned. I'd still pick this up again though, as it was good for a medium-coverage, natural look for cheap.

• Coastal Scents Concealer in No.2 (would repurchase) - I love this potted concealer. It's super full coverage, so while it won't be ideal for under your eyes, it's great for spot-concealing. I've already purchased another on their website, and it costs just $1.95!

• Covergirl & Olay Simply Ageless Eye concealer (would repurchase) - This is a discontinued product and I have no idea why! It was an awesome concealer, formulated with Olay to moisturize the undereyes while concealing. I'd grab it if ever I saw it again!

• Clinique Superbalanced Silk Makeup (would not repurchase) - I wanted to like this so bad, but it would break up on my face and immediately make me look cakey within just a matter of hours. It settled in to my fine lines, and the color was too dark for my fair skin. 

• Sensodyne Pronamel Toothpaste (would not purchase) - This isn't anything special, but if I saw it for a good deal, I'd buy it, I suppose. It didn't make my teeth feel any less sensitive, and it really didn't make my mouth feel fresh. But I used it up when our full size toothpaste had SLS in it, which gives me canker sores, and this stuff is formulated without it.
• MAC Prep + Prime Skin Base (would not purchase) - I did not like this primer one bit. I actually think it was breaking my skin out. It didn't make my face look smoother, it didn't extend the wear time of my makeup... to be honest, I'm not sure what it did. 

• MAC Cleanse Off Oil (would purchase) - This wasn't my favorite cleansing oil that I've ever tried, but it did the trick to get my makeup off. I'd consider a full size in the future.

• Tokyomilk Tainted Love perfume (would purchase) - This smelled SO so good. It has notes of vanilla, sandalwood and orchid. I'd definitely consider buying a full size of this in the future. Sometimes I've found Tokyomilk at TJ Maxx so I'll be keeping my eyes peeled.

• Gucci Flora perfume (would not purchase) - This has notes of citrus, sandalwood and rose, and while it smelled nice, it's nothing I absolutely need in my collection. 

• Batiste Dry Shampoo in Wild (would repurchase) - Batiste is my favorite dry shampoo, and Wild is my favorite scent. It soaks up oil on my scalp and makes me look like I wash my hair more than I do. 

• Matrix Total Results So Long Damage shampoo + conditioner (would repurchase) - I've done a full review of these here, so I won't go on for long, but I really enjoyed these. They make my hair feel so soft. 

• Beautyblender (would repurchase) - The beautyblender has replaced all other makeup applicators in my collection. I never touch my foundation brushes or other makeup sponges anymore because this thing is the best. It's pricier than others, but it's also the best I've ever tried. It doesn't soak up my foundation, it doesn't remove makeup once it's applied, and it creates a smooth, natural finish to my face. I'm obsessed. Pro tip: these go on sale on Costco.com and in stores for $10 off now and then!

• Farmacy Eye Dew total eye cream (would not purchase) - I'm glad I tried this before buying it, because as much as I love the Farmacy brand, I didn't love this eye cream. I need far more hydration on my undereye area than this provided. If you don't need anything intense, chances are you'll like this. 

• Ayres Hand Cream (would purchase) - I adored this sample! The lotion smells so nice, sort of a light patchouli scent that isn't overbearing in the slightest. It can be purchased at Target, but it's kind of expensive. I'd consider buying it when I use up some of my other hand creams. 

• Babyganics Face, Hand & Baby Wipes (would repurchase) - I don't use these as baby wipes, for that they are total trash. But I use them to wipe down my makeup desk, and wipe swatches off my hands and for that they are amazing. 

• Jason Healthy Mouth Mouthwash (would repurchase) - I really liked this mouthwash. The bottle doesn't look huge, but it's concentrated so you pour a half cap of wash and add in a half of water and swish away. It left my mouth feeling so clean without any bad ingredients!

• Burts Bees Fresh Cut Grass candle (would repurchase) - I liked this candle, but it seemed to burn rather quickly for a soy candle. Regardless, it smelled nice and fresh and had decent scent throw in my small bathroom. 

• B&BW Paris Lavender Macaron candle (would not repurchase) - This smelled great in the jar, with notes of floral blossoms and sweet cookie, but it didn't give much, if any, scent throw in my house. At least the jar was pretty to look at while it burned.

And that's a wrap! What did you use up this past month? Let me know! 

Setting Sprays | Why, how and where to purchase!

Setting sprays - some people love them, some people think they're gimmicky and unnecessary. I happen to be part of the first camp. My makeup routine doesn't feel complete without a quick spritz and I swear by the powers of a fine mist of magic potion. 

So... how? Well, there are a couple ways. Some people like to spritz their face prior to applying makeup, but my tried and true way is saving a setting spray for the very last step. Once I've applied foundation, done my eye makeup, blush, and topped it all off with a powder, I bring out the setting spray and go to town. If a setting spray is any good, the mist is fine enough that it won't leave big drops of water on your face to screw up your makeup. I prefer misting at the end because it helps take the edge off a powdered face, creating a more natural finish for makeup. 

Up until recently, high-end brands used to be the only ones creating and carrying setting sprays. They were virtually non-existent in the drugstore. In the last couple years, setting sprays have gotten more affordable and brands like L'Oreal, Wet n Wild, and Hard Candy all have their own sprays that you can find at Target, Walmart, and Walgreens, just to name a few stores. And don't be fooled, drugstore setting sprays aren't any less effective than higher-end versions. 

Above are just a few of the sprays I have on hand. The Evian setting spray is most basic, it's just a purified water spray - great for hydration and refreshing the skin, and no chemicals to be seen. Find a full review of this product here. 

Two of my absolute favorites are MAC Fix+ and Urban Decay All Nighter Spray. I like Mac Fix+ with foundations and powders that leave me looking really matte and unnatural. It adds a bit of moisture and dew back to my face, and helps everything look more natural. It sprays out in a fine mist and I go to town spritzing this all over.

I like the All Nighter spray from Urban Decay when I want some added lasting power, or on foundations that are already a bit dewy and leave me with a sheen. It's not a miracle worker for longevity, but it does help keep my makeup looking better for longer.

I think experimentation is key. Thanks to the drugstore, it's affordable to try out a few different setting sprays and see what formulas you like and what you don't. They're a nice step that's not necessary, but surely something you'll come to love and incorporate in to your routine once you find one that works for you. 

Mini MAC haul + swatches

Did any of you cash in on the Black Friday/Cyber Monday deal that MAC was having? They actually offered 25% off a purchase which is unheard of from MAC. I'm hoping they're realizing pretty much every comparable beauty brand offers sales so they're jumping on board, too. I didn't get a lot, but I did get a repurchase of the Fix+ setting spray (not pictured), and then I got a few eye shadows that I wanted to share with you.

MAC eyeshadows are actually pretty cheap if you buy refills - they're only $6 each! Get yourself a Z Palette and you've got a cheap way to house your MAC shadows. I've slowly built up a small collection (look under the MAC tag on my blog for more swatches) and I really like using their eyeshadows. They're soft and pigmented and top notch quality.

The three new-to-me colors that I picked up are All That Glitters, Satin Taupe and Antiqued, shown below from L to R.

All three of these colors are gorgeous, a little shimmery and perfect for every day. Have you tried them?

May Empties | #26

I'm not kidding you when I say these last few months have been the speediest of my entire life, I think! I can hardly believe that May is over and we're now on our way in to June. Slooooow down, time! The month was fast, but I still managed to use up a good chunk of stuff. Let's take a peek through it  and I'll let you know what's worth your time to try.

• Yes to Coconut Ultra Hydrating Creme Cleanser (would repurchase) - This is a nice, gentle cleanser. It didn't irritate my skin and it kept it soft and smooth. Full review here. 

• Michael Todd Kaolin Clay Detoxifying Facial Mask (would not repurchase) - I've had this for a while now, and it's not gone, but I honestly hate using it because it smells so awful. I have plenty of charcoal masks that work better and don't smell disgusting, so I'll stick to those instead. I typically love everything in the Michael Todd brand family, but this just didn't do it for me. 

• ROC Daily Resurfacing Disks (would not repurchase) - These were just OK. They were super-fragranced, so if you're like me and don't enjoy products with synthetic fragrance up the wazoo, stay away. It cleaned my face fine, but I didn't notice any line reduction in my skin or any fabulous results. 

• Covergirl Full Lash Bloom Mascara (would repurchase) - I loved this mascara so much it made it in to a recent favorites post. It makes my lashes look full without being clumpy or unnatural. I already have backups of this in my stash. 

• Covergirl Clump Crusher water resistant mascara (would repurchase) - Do note, the packaging on this says "water resistant" - it is NOT waterproof. It's a good option, but not what I'd reach for if I need some serious water protection. 

• Benefit Stay Don't Stray Primer (would not repurchase) - This primer is just OK. Most days it couldn't withstand my oily eyelids and I'd be creasy-looking come 5 PM. I used it up, I won't buy it again.

• Benefit Ooh La Lift Under Eye Brightener (would repurchase) - I really like this little brightener. I think it helps my concealer go on better. It's not a miracle product, but I enjoyed using it. 

• Tarte Clean Slate Poreless Primer (would not repurchase) - I wasn't a huge fan of this face primer. It didn't make my skin look flawless like other primers I've tried, and I can't really say it kept my makeup on longer or better. 

• Tree Hut Shea Moisturizing Lotion in Passion Fruit & Guava (would repurchase) - I snagged this on clearance a while back and I really liked it! It had a very subtle fragrance that wouldn't overpower any perfume I wanted to wear. It moisturizes without feeling greasy and the price is quite cheap considering the big bottle size! 

• Soap & Glory Rich & Foamous Body Wash (would repurchase) - Oh my gosh, I LOVED this body wash. It had a creamy consistency and a delicious warm almond scent. This would be a perfect wintertime body wash. I was sad to use it up! 

• Origins Ginger Body Wash & Body Scrub (would repurchase) - I love love love the smell of Origins' Ginger line, and while I enjoyed the body wash, the scrub was just not scrubby enough for me. I'll get the body wash again, but I won't get the scrub again. 

• Yes to Cucumbers Facial Towelettes (would repurchase) - I don't know, I feel like I had these for too long so they were drier and weren't as rave-worthy as I remember them being. I'd still buy them again because I used to love them. I must've just got a bad batch. 

• HASK Purifying Deep Conditioner (would repurchase) - This was nice, smelled great, and made my hair soft. Full review here. 

• Up & Up Cosmetic Wedges (would repurchase) - I love using these wedges to put on my foundation. I always buy latex free because I despise that scent. 

• Swisspers Cotton Rounds (would repurchase) - There's always a pack of these in my monthly empties. I love them, and use them for everything from removing nail polish to applying toner on my face. My Costco carries  them in a mega pack which is the best deal around. 

• Matrix Miracle Extender (would repurchase) - This was a pretty good dry shampoo. It's not cheap, but it did the trick. I can't say I'd spend $16 on it (they sent me this bottle) when I like my $6 bottle of Batiste, but if I found it for cheap, I'd pick it up again. 

• MAC Fix+ (would repurchase) - I love this facial water to set my makeup and give me a little sheen. It helps my makeup look less powdery and more natural and dewy. I already have another bottle ready to go. 

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Luminous Foundation (would not repurchase) - This got a really wonky smell before it was even finished, a tell-tale sign that it's time to let this go. I was not a fan of this foundation as much as I wanted to love it. It made me look way too oily and it didn't last all day on my face the way my beloved Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation does. 

• Desert Essence Blemish Touch Stick (would repurchase) - I picked this up when I found out I was pregnant to help combat hormonal acne without harsh chemicals. It wasn't a miracle but it did help. 

• Nuxe Reve de Miel lip balm (would not repurchase) - I wrote about this in a post about overhyped products. I didn't love this, it felt like it just sat on top of my lips without doing anything. For the price and the less than stellar results, I wouldn't buy this again. 

• Weleda Sea Buckthorn Replenishing Body Lotion (would repurchase) - This little sample smelled great and moisturized my hands nicely. It's free of nasty ingredients and works well. I just bought a full size of this the other day, I liked it that much. 

• Tom's Propolis & Myrrh Toothpaste in Peppermint (would not repurchase) - This wasn't my favorite, it wasn't the worst. It's definitely a very natural tasting toothpaste, so if you're looking for that fake, overly minty taste, you won't find it here. It didn't make my mouth feel fresh enough, so I probably wouldn't pick it up again. 

• Shir-Organics Pure Avocado Moisturizer & Pure Coconut Oatmeal Cleanser (would repurchase) - I don't want to give too much away, but look for a full post on these products soon! 

• Lush Love and Light hand cream (would repurchase) - This was a nice hand cream! It's a little on the greasy side, but I loved it in the dry winter months. To me, it smelled like herbal fruit loops, which I found pleasant. 

• Maybelline Fit Me powder (would not repurchase) - This was just an OK powder. It's nothing special and there are definitely powders I like far better than this. 

• Chapstick in Pumpkin Pie (would not repurchase) - I was not a big fan of the scent of this. I used it up because I'm like that, but I prefer other lip balms and definitely like to keep it a bit more natural than Chapstick.

• bareMinerals Marvelous lipstick in Moxie (would repurchase) - This little sample got super soft and broke off, and I am not fussing around with applying it anymore. It's got a gorgeous mauve color  that I loved wearing, perfect for everyday, but it's not worth toying with. 

• Earth Mama Angel Baby Organic Third Trimester Tea (would repurchase) - This stuff is delicious. It tastes like a peppermint tea but it's got other great stuff for mamas in their third trimesters like red raspberry leaf, which helps to tone the uterus and get it ready for birth. I've been drinking this very regularly and I'm hoping it'll help my labor. 

Have you tried any of these products? Let me know your thoughts! 

MAC Haul!

It's been a while since I've placed a MAC order but I'm getting dangerously low on Fix+ and I don't ever want to be without it! And once I started perusing the website, I couldn't help but notice their single eyeshadow refills are now only $6 (they used to be $10!) and then I had myself a nice little haul! Here's what I picked up...

If you haven't used Fix+ ($22 for 3.4 oz), you need to. It's a game changer (and made my best of 2015 list). It's infused with green tea, chamomile and cucumber to soothe the skin. It seems pretty basic, just a nice refreshing spray, but it makes all the difference in my makeup. Once I've applied all of my makeup, this is the last step. I mist my face with Fix+ and it makes my makeup look more natural and it helps set everything and keep it locked on. If you prefer zero dewy-ness to your skin, this isn't for you, but I think a little bit of sheen makes skin look healthier and younger. A bottle like this lasts me many months, so I find it to be well worth the price.

L to R: Haux, Malt, Quarry

Yes, you read right above, MAC refill eyeshadow pans are just $6 each now. I keep mine in a Z palette and it works wonderfully! I picked up three shadows, from left to right, I got Haux, Malt and Quarry. 

Haux is described as a "soft muted rosy brown". Malt is said to be a "soft pinkish-beige", and Quarry is described as a "soft muted plum brown". These colors are all matte and work great for every day eyeshadow. They're great to blend with other shadows or to define the crease. All of these are great eyeshadows to pick up if you're new to the MAC world and need some basic colors that you'll get a ton of use out of.


What are your favorite MAC shadow shades? Let me know for my next order! 

On Wednesdays we wear pink.... | #glossierpink

Who can resist a Mean Girls quote?! Certainly not me... love that movie. As one of Pantone's colors of the year is Rose Quartz, a baby pink. And if you haven't heard of Glossier before, you should also check out some of their great beauty products all about enhancing our natural beauty.

This look is simple and perfect for every day wear. If you don't have a certain product that I used, don't worry - look through your own makeup stash and find something close. You'll look glamorous no matter what product you use!

Face: For a smooth base, I started off by applying Tarte's Clean Slate Poreless primer on areas that have more visible pores than others (namely my nose, inner cheeks and between my eyebrows and just a tad above). I then used my beloved Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation, obviously, applied with a damp beautyblender (a pink one, fittingly!). I dabbed on some Maybelline Fit Me concealer under my eyes to hide my dark circles (do you even know how many times this pregnant lady gets up to pee in the night?! ugh...) To set everything, I used the Maybelline Fit Me powder all over. On my cheeks, I used NYC Smooth Skin bronzer to contour under my cheekbones and a bit on my temples, and then popped on some BH Cosmetics Lilac blush (the perfect pink blush!) and used the included highlighter on top of my cheekbones for added radiance. It's actually a realllly nice highlighter! The BH Cosmetics blush/highlight duos are super cheap, totally check them out if you're in the market for a great new blush.

Eyes: The eyes are where the fun starts! I primed them with the Benefit Stay Don't Stray primer. I created another sticky base by using the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Oyster thinly over my lids. This is a pretty shimmering pink/purple that works great for a base. For the entire eye look, I used the Naked 3 palette, full of gorgeous pink shades. I defined my crease with the shade Limit (a warm matte brown), and then used Buzz all over my lid (a shimmery rose pink). To tone down the mega pink and add a bit of sparkle, I combined Dust and Trick and tapped that in the middle of my lid. I lined my eyes with the Covergirl Intensify Me! eyeliner pen, and finished it off with Covergirl Full Lash Bloom mascara, a recent fave. No look is complete without some eyebrows, mine are a combo of the Jordana Fabubrow in Taupe (I think!), Tarte Amazonian Clay Volumizing Brow Powder in Medium Brown, and Maybelline Clear Mascara for setting gel. 

Lips: I kept the lips simple, but you could totally play it up more if you want! I used NYX Butter Lip Balm in Parfait which is a great pop of pink that doesn't look like you're trying too hard. Great for class or work. 


What are your go-to pink products? I'd love to know - I'm a bit of a pinkaholic, myself! Also, if you create any look similar to this, be sure to send me your photos!

Glambot | Haul + Swatches

I just recently came across the coolest website for makeup junkies ever. That website is Glambot.com and the other week I made my first, of which I'm sure there will be MANY more, order. Glambot, in their own words, is "the online destination for the largest collection of rare, limited edition and discontinued items from highly sought after and coveted makeup brands."

So basically, people sell their makeup that they don't want anymore, all of which are name brand, non-drugstore items, and you can buy their stuff for a fraction of the cost. I know what you're thinking... "YUCK - used makeup!? From someone I don't know?! No thank you!" But, Glambot sanitizes each and every product so you don't have to worry about stranger germs. They also ensure that each product is authentic, so you can rest assured that you aren't getting anything fake (which is a real problem, if you haven't heard). They also tell you how much product is used -- some products are brand new! Seriously, girls... I'm in LOVE with this site. 

Here's what I picked up in my first order...

• bareMinerals blush in So Fab - This blush is no longer something you can purchase on the bare escentuals site, but typically their blushes retail for $20. I paid just $7.56!! It was marked as being 80% full (but it looks like there's hardly anything used-- Glambot only notes levels of 100%, 80%, 50% and 30%, so it's not entirely accurate with how full it is). The color is so natural on my skin and gives me that "just in from the cold" flush. 

• Josie Maran Argan Infinity Lip & Cheek Creamy Oil in Boundless Berry - You can still get this at Sephora for $18 a tube, but I paid just $6.80 and it's 80% full! I think there's more than 80% of the product left, too. This is a gorgeous berry stain. I think it's far too oily to use on my cheeks, but it'll make a great lip tint. 

• MAC eyeshadow in Girlie - This pink eyeshadow is still available to buy on the MAC website for $16. I paid just $6.66, and it didn't even have a dent in it. I love pink eyeshadows in my crease, and I've heard this works beautifully as a blush, too!

• Urban Decay Midnight Rodeo eyeshadow - This eyeshadow is available on the Urban Decay website for $18, and I paid just $6.80 and it hardly looks touched! I've had my eye on this color for a long time, it's a beautiful shimmery brown, and I'm pumped to have gotten it so cheap!

• Benefit Hervana blush - I love Benefit blushes, and Hervana is one of the only ones I didn't have. It's available at Sephora for $28, but I paid only $10.96! I could tell this one had been used a tiny bit, but it's definitely 95% full still! This is a beautiful light pink, good for lighter complexions. 

• bareMinerals eye color in Nude Beach - This eyeshadow is still available on the bare escentuals website for $14, I paid just $2.77!!!!! Again, it's hardly used. This is a gorgeous shimmery light nude color that adds a pop to the eyes. I love this color!

L to R: bareMinerals So Fab blush, bareMinerals Nude Beach eyeshadow, MAC Girlie, Urban Decay Midnight Rodeo, Benefit Hervana, Josie Maran Boundless Berry tint

Now tell me - are you rushing off to Glambot to place your order?! I bet you are!

*This post contains affiliate links.

MAC Viva Glam Miley

Say hello to the newest Viva Glam release from MAC - Viva Glam Miley! Yes, Miley Cyrus has signed on to be 2015's Viva Glam representative. Love or hate her, it's a cause that's easy to get behind and the lipstick is to die for.

If you don't know already know, all the proceeds raised from the sales of MAC's Viva Glam products go directly towards helping men, women and families affected by or living with the HIV/AIDS virus. You can feel good about splurging at MAC on Viva Glam products because every penny goes to a good cause!

I do love me some Miley, and when I saw the shade months ago in a teaser for this line, I knew I'd be buying it the day it came out. And buy it I did. I think the packaging is adorable - it's adorned with Miley's signature on the inside, and I love the touch of pink on the lid and inside.

It was hard to capture what this lipstick really looks like on the lips. In the image above, it looks like it leans more magenta, but in all reality, it looks more like the lipstick pictures above. It is the perfect barbie pink. This is an Amplified Creme formula - known to have opaque coverage while still being slightly hydrating. It really is opaque, and needs just a once or twice-over on the lips before it looks perfect. I haven't worn this much yet, but I've heard it gets around 4-6 hours of wear and stains the lips nicely. 


Will you purchase Viva Glam Miley? What's your favorite MAC lipstick? Let me know!

Top 14 Products of 2014 | Year in Review

Happy New Year, lovelies!! It's time we say au revoir to 2014 and HELLO to 2015! While I'm not one for making resolutions or getting too starry-eyed about the new year, I do like the thought of a fresh start and all the possibilities that a new year holds. 

Long story short.... in 2014 I traveled around the country to Las Vegas and Orlando, I saw good friends and family members get married, my husband and I celebrated our 2nd year of marriage and one year in our home, and we got a brand new puppy that has really become our spoiled little baby. It was a fabulous year! I hope you all had a great one, too!

The end of a year marks a great time to look back at all the fabulous products that were staples in my beauty routine. I've picked out 14 of the things that I reached for more than all the others in 2014.

When my skin needed a detox, I couldn't help but reach for the Barefaced Mud Mask. It has a really nice herbal scent and makes my skin feel soft and clean. I think this is a nice option for those of you who like the GlamGlow mask but don't want to shell out the ridiculous amount of money for it. It's not an exact dupe, but it's close! Read my full review on the Barefaced Mud Mask here. 

After washing my hair, I typically need a little something to help combat frizz, and this year that product was Josie Maran's Argan Oil Hair Serum. This magical product tames frizz, makes my hair super soft, and never weighs it down. Plus, this little sample bottle has lasted me a long time. 

I always get asked how to make eye shadow last all day without creasing. The answer? A good primer. And nothing works like MAC paint pots. I have the shade Soft Ochre which is a yellow-toned nude. I can get 10+ hours of wear out of my eyeshadow without creasing. This has trumped last year's favorite - theBalm's Put a Lid on It.

Two eyeliners rocked my world in 2014. I still very much love the Wet n Wild Liquid Liner, but these two were pleasant additions to my top 5 favorite eyeliners mental list. The first is Essence's Liquid Eyeliner. I picked this up on a complete whim and I absolutely love it. It has great pigmentation and it's really easy to draw a perfect line with. The second is Wet n Wild's Mega Eyes Creme Eyeliner in black. As you'd expect from the name, this eyeliner is really creamy and super easy to work with. It has good color payoff and lasts all day. It's not quite the same consistency as a gel liner, as it will smudge, but it doesn't claim to be waterproof or smudge-proof.

If you read this blog often, you surely aren't surprised that the Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous foundation made this year's list. I wear this pretty much every day and I rave about it to everyone I know (and constantly on this blog, too). This is a full coverage foundation that never looks cakey, and is super long-wearing. I fell in love with it when I had bad acne as it reduced the amount of concealer I needed, and even now, with a clear face, this foundation ranks as queen in my book. See a full review on this foundation here. 

2014 was the year of Jo Malone for me. I searched and searched in the beginning of the year for a Jo Malone scent I loved, and after months of sniffing, I ended up purchasing two scents towards the end of the year. Jo Malone's Pomegranate Noir is a scent I could not resist purchasing and I have been wearing it nonstop throughout the winter months. It's a really sexy fragrance that's fruity yet musky and could be classified as unisex. I now know why everyone raves about this perfume. Go smell it if you haven't!

I feel bad even including this as was discontinued this year (fingers crossed for a comeback!), but Lush's Creme Anglaise hand and body lotion really was a highlight of the year. My husband calls it "that stuff that makes you smell like baby powder", but in all actuality it's a super luxurious body lotion with notes of vanilla, saffron (I read somewhere once that it takes around 150-170 handpicked saffron flowers to make just one gram of this lotion), almond and cocoa butter. I have never used a lotion quite like this - it makes my skin softer than any lotion I have ever used, and it's exceptionally amazing for just-shaved legs. If Lush ever re-releases this, you can bet I'll be stocking up - and you should, too!

For a girl who likes to go a few days between hair washes, Batiste dry shampoo is my savior! I've tried many many many different kinds of dry shampo, but I always come back around to Batiste. I especially love the Wild scent, which I can smell in my hair for most of the day after I spray it in my roots. It smells like a luxurious perfume and I absolutely love it. If you want to go 2-3 days between hair washes and are prone to oily hair, pick up a bottle of Batiste and your hair will look clean and oil-free! It's a wondrous thing. 

Another perfume that rocked my world in 2014 was Elizabeth & James Nirvana Black. This perfume is a Sephora exclusive and was created by Mary Kate & Ashley Olsen. This smells amazing - it's dark and sexy with notes of violet, sandalwood and vanilla ... definitely a night time scent that's warm and alluring. The packaging also definitely deserves recognition as it's so unique and modern! 

Praise be to the amazing lipstick that is MAC's Viva Glam Rihanna. This was limited edition, too - sorry, don't hate me! I lusted after this after seeing it on a million blogs and my amazing bestie got it for me for my birthday! It's the perfect blue-toned red that has the slightest hint of shimmer, but isn't overwhelming. Take it from a girl who doesn't like shimmer on her lips, this is just right. It's extremely long wearing and it looks AMAZING on us pale girls. I never want this lipstick to end!

An oldie but a goodie, Benefit's Coralista blush is still absolutely amazing to me, and I reached for it over and over in 2014. See swatches of it here. This is a beautiful, shimmery coral blush that adds just the right amount of flush. It's perfect to grab if you're sporting dramatic eyeshadow and just need to look alive but not overdone. This will forever be a favorite of mine.

A completely underrated blush that I get compliments on nearly every time I wear it is the Covergirl Trublend Minerals blush in Shimmering Sands. This is more of a pinky-gold highlighter but I brush it all over my cheeks and then pop a brighter pink on the apples of my cheeks and BAM. It's the most beautiful flush to the face ever. Guaranteed. I have this fear Covergirl is going to discontinue this product, so I really should grab a back up of this when I get a chance. See it in action here and GO TRY IT! 

I did not expect at all that I would fall in love with NYC's Smooth Skin Pressed Powder. I had an old compact of this sitting in my stash, so I pulled it out to use and completely fell in love. I've now gone through 2 or 3 this year and I will definitely keep on buying it. This is a finely-milled powder that does an excellent job of setting foundation without making you look like a ghost, or cakey, or too dry, or all the bad things that can happen when you use a bad powder. The best part? This costs less than $5! Wooo! See it on my face here.




*BIG SIGH*.... wow! That's a wrap on my top 14 products of 2014! I'd love to know what YOU loved this year - let me know in the comments! Happy New Year!!!!

Styled Wedding Photoshoot | What's On My Face

Photo by Amy Nguyen Photos

A few weeks ago I alluded to doing a styled photoshoot for Amy Nguyen photos - a talented local photographer who took a chance on me and asked if my husband Jake and I wouldn't mind sitting for some photos so she could try out some new poses and pictures. I jumped at the chance because I love her work and Jake and I didn't have any recent professional photos together - and well, let's just say I am in freaking love with what she did. 

Seriously, if you're in southern Minnesota and in need of beautiful photos, Amy is your girl. She is bursting full of talent and I'm convinced she's not capable of taking a bad picture. Go call her right now!!!

Photo by Amy Nguyen Photos

I hadn't ever done my own makeup for a professional photoshoot before, so I was excited to get the chance... and when I saw the photos, I was shocked to find out it didn't look like a 12 year old using makeup for the first time did it. And because that's rather exciting, I thought I'd share what I used to achieve the look. Let me tell you - it's easy peasy. 

• Primer: I started off by using a SPF-free moisturizer (this DDF moisturizer from a past Birchbox -- not pictured) so that no white-cast appeared on my face when photographed. Then to prime my face and erase the sign of visible pores, I used Benefit's Porefessional. I applied this to the areas of my face that have the most unsightly pores, mostly in my T-zone. 

• Foundation & Powder: Using a damp beauty blender, I then applied my holy grail Covergirl 3-in-1 foundation (full review here) all over my face using dabbing motions. The damp beauty blender provides a very natural full-coverage with a dewy glow. To set the foundation, I used my NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Face Powder in Translucent, which is very finely-milled and provides a soft coverage without adding color or looking cakey. It's also super cheap (under $5!) which is awesome if you're on a budget.

• Eyes: I first began by priming my eyes with the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Nude Pink (full review here). It not only makes a good base that holds the shadow all day, but it erases any discoloration or veins that show through in my eye area. I defined my crease using NYX's True Taupe eyeshadow, and then used one of my favorite eyeshdows -Avon's Frothy Mocha, a cream eyeshadow, all over my lid. I created a cat-eye eyeliner look using the Milani Eye-Tech Extreme eyeliner pen in Blackest Black. I used a coat of Tarte's Lights Camera Lashes mascara, and then applied false lashes, and applied one more coat to bind my lashes to the falsies. (Because what's a photoshoot without falsies - am I right?!)

• Cheeks: To define my cheek bones and contour my face, I used one of my favorite bronzers - the Milk Chocolate Soleil bronzer by Too Faced. I used this in the hollows of my cheeks, up around my hair line, and along my jaw line.  To give me a glow from within, I used Covergirl TruBlend Minerals blush in Shimmering Sands. This is more of a pink highlighter than a blush on me, so I used it to highlight. I then applied the NYX Blush in Peach starting on the apples of my cheeks and blending up for a bit of color. 

• Lips: I had to pull out one of my favorite MAC lipsticks for this - it's natural, yet still makes a statement. I'm talking about MAC's Creme de la Femme. Over top, I applied the Bonnebell liplite in Strawberry Parfait.

• Brows: The NYX eyeshadow in True Taupe worked double-duty, as I used it on my eyes, and then again to fill in my brows. This color is perfect for sculpting out the brows while still maintaining a natural look. To seal them, I applied the clear Maybelline Great Lash over top. This is such a simple step but it really pulls together the face to have defined brows.

And wa-lah! That's how you create the look. It's super simple but still holds up to the test of a camera! 

Here's a couple bonus pictures just for fun. And Amy, if you're reading - Thank you SO SO much for these awesome photos!

Photo by Amy Nguyen Photos

Photo by Amy Nguyen Photos

The Lip Product Addict Tag

Never have a I taken part in a "tag" on Glazed Over..... until today. Today that allll changes, thanks to the Lip Product Addict Tag, which I oh so relate to. Apparently this tag was started by my all-time favorite YouTuber/blogger, Estee, but I stumbled upon it thanks to one of my favorite bloggers, Britney from Life, Set Sail. (If you haven't checked out her blog, do so right now!!) I wasn't tagged, but she welcomed anyone to join in. Here goes nothin....

1. Favourite Balm/Treatment
It's no secret I can't live without a good lip balm. Nothing is worse than when you realize 

you left the house WITHOUT  a lip balm... it's like your lips know and immediately go dry as a bone
(although this doesn't happen to me often as I always seem to have 5-6 lip products in my purse
at a time). I recently picked up the Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm in Shea Butter & Vitamin E and it has become a fast favorite of mine. It's lightly scented and super hydrating. I can totally 
tell why it won Temptalia's 2014 Reader's Choice award.

2. Best Eye Catching Red

A bold red is one of my favorite looks, although I tend to retire it in the summer and bring it
back out for the winter. For my birthday, my best friend hooked me up with MAC's Viva Glam Rihanna
lipstick and it is one of the best reds I've ever worn. The blue-toned red meshes perfectly with
my pale skin, and the slight shimmer is stunning. 

3. Best Luxury and Best Drugstore

I really don't own many "luxury" lip products.... I am a drugstore shopper by nature. However,
I do own a couple choice items and my favorite is Dior's Creme de Rose, a heavenly rose-scented
lip balm that is so freakin' decadent. 

As for drugstore, see "best gloss" as my favorite drugstore item overlaps with this. 

4. Best MAC Lipstick

Viva Glam Rihanna could easily count as my pick for best MAC lipstick, but for variety's sake
I picked another of my favorites. My MAC lipstick collection isn't extensive, but out of what
I have, I really love MAC's Well Loved, a gorgeous nude. A nude lipstick that looks good with
my skin tone is really hard to come by, but something about this shade is pure magic. I think it
might have been part of a limited edition collection and therefore is no longer available. (sorry!)

5. The Most Disappointing

While the product itself is not overly disappointing, the color is almost nonexistent on my lips,
and so I have to vote for Mally's Lip Magnifier in Tulip. It literally doesn't show up on my lips.
I got this in a Birchbox so I'm not out anything, but I would certainly pick a different color if 
ever I bought one of these in the future. 

6. Liner - Yes or No?

Rarely do I wear lip liner. I have maybe 3 or 4 different shades, but only find them necessary
when applying a really pigmented lipstick and I want more ease in applying within the lines
and longer wear time. Most of the time, I just don't find them necessary or worth the money. 

7. Best Gloss

I really enjoy lots of lip glosses, but the NYX Butter Glosses are hands down the best glosses
I have ever tried. They are creamy, hydrating, colorful and they smell UH-mazing. I have
a wide range of shades and I aspire to own them all because they're that great. 

8. Something Extra

One of my favorite, hidden drugstore gems is Bonnebell's liplite in Strawberry Parfait.
It's been said it's a dupe for NARS' Turkish Delight. It smells amazing, and layered over
nude lipsticks (such as Well Loved mentioned above) it is like the 8th wonder of the nude
lipstick world. You can apply a million layers and it still looks good. The best part?
It costs just $3.50!

I tag Erin, Jeanette, and Kristin as well as anyone else who would like to participate!