Maybelline Color Sensational Lipsticks | Matte Metallics

Metallic is all the rage in the makeup world lately. Whether it be eyeshadow, eyeliner, highlighter or lipstick, it seems like there's a metallic product of some sort in every makeup line. 

In that vein, new to the drugstore lipstick scene is the Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Metallics line. There are 10 shades that are not for the faint of heart - if you're looking to add a dash of bold metallic color to your makeup routine, look no further.

Influenster graciously sent me two shades to try - Smoked Silver and Molten Bronze. Both shades are exactly what you'd expect (see images below). They're comfortable on the lips, but they're not the most natural every day colors. If your every day style is business casual, like mine, chances are you'll feel a little odd sporting these at work. And to be honest, these aren't colors I'd wear outside of work either.

There are some more wearable, every day shades in the line, such as Copper Rose and Hot Lava, which online resembles MAC's Viva Glam Rihanna lipstick that I'm obsessed with and was limited edition. If you have a darker skin tone than me, Molten Bronze may look absolutely stunning on you! Pale girls, I hate to say it, but this probably isn't for you.

Molten Bronze

Smoked Silver

The lipsticks are very pigmented, easy to build up the intensity, and they have a subtle metallic finish. I'd imagine some of the everyday shades would actually be really gorgeous and comfortable to wear on the lips, as I did like the feel of them. They're not as drying as some matte lipsticks tend to be.

Look for this line at your local drugstore or at Ulta for around $7.49 each. 

What are your thoughts on the metallic trend? Is it hot or not? Let me know in the comments below.

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!

Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Foundation

Everyone and their mom seems to be talking about the new (to the US) Maybelline SuperStay Better Skin Foundation. I feel like I've seen it everywhere! When I got an email telling me I was getting the Maybelline VoxBox from Influenster, I was pumped because I had nearly bought this just a day or two before!

P.S. If you haven't signed up for Influenster yet, you totally should! You take surveys and they send you occasional "VoxBoxes" of goodies in exchange for a review. You don't have to be a blogger - it's open to anyone and it's totally free! Click here to sign up.

This foundation promises to be long wearing, and to improve your skin in 3 weeks with the help of Acytl-C, a form of Vitamin C. It's supposed to reduce uneven skin tone, dullness, and spots to reveal brighter, stress-free skin. 

On the left is my bare face, and on the right I'm wearing the Maybelline Better Skin Foundation. As you can see, this foundation has medium coverage, and it's buildable. Some spots do still show through, so it looks really natural on the skin. It covers up the redness in my skin, and hides some freckles, all while looking quite natural.

I can't say it's improved my skin, but I also have to admit I didn't wear it every day for 3 weeks straight. Unfortunately, I just don't like it enough to. I definitely don't find it to be long wearing; It starts to break down on me, sinking in to my pores and fine lines. It ends up looking pretty awful on my skin, and it doesn't control oil (my skin isn't even THAT oily!) so I end up looking shiny, and it becomes wipe-off-able (is that a word? ;D) which I absolutely abhor in a foundation. If you want a finish similar to Revlon ColorStay or my beloved Covergirl Outlast StayFabulous foundation, this is not the formula for you. I think if you only plan to wear foundation for a couple hours (a night out on the town, perhaps?) this would hold up, but don't bother pulling it out when you have an 8 hour day ahead of you.

I really wanted to like this foundation, but I just can't recommend it because it doesn't last on my skin. I'm really interested to hear from those of you who have tried it - let me know your experience in the comments!

Empties #12

While I haven't been so great about not buying things (I really need to put myself on a a strict "no buy") I HAVE been excellent about finishing what I have. Let's dig in...

• Essie Smoothies hand & body lotion in Pomegranate & Mango (would repurchase) - This was a nice light lotion that I used as a hand lotion. It didn't leave my hands feeling greasy, but it also wasn't mega-hydrating. This is definitely a good choice for the warmer months when my skin doesn't tend to be so dry.

• C.O. Bigelow Lotio Mentholus (would repurchase) - I loved this hand lotion. It's also very light, and has a soft menthol scent. I love the bottle, too!

• Suave Smoothing lotion with cocoa butter & shea (would repurchase) - Another great lotion option! It is lightly scented so it won't interfere with any perfume you're wearing. It moisturizes without being greasy. I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this.

• Alba Botanical Hawaiian Sunscreen in revitalizing green tea (would repurchase) - This sunscreen is very thick and greasy. It's a bit tough to smooth around on the skin. I wouldn't use this as a daily SPF, but it's good if your plan is to bum around on the beach all day. Plus, it's free of nasty chemicals.

• Soap & Glory Hand Food in Fruitigo (would repurchase) - I loooooved this hand lotion! The scent is addicting but not overwhelming. It moisturizes my hands so well. I could easily abandon all other lotions and use this every day from here on out!

• Lush Snow Fairy shower gel (would not repurchase) - I think I'm one of the only people who does not enjoy the cult Snow Fairy scent. It's not the kind of sweet that I enjoy, it a sickening smell. I bought it online without ever smelling it, and I won't be doing that again!

• The Body Shop Almond body butter (would repurchase) - Holy cow, I used a lot of lotion these last couple months. Anyway, I love love loved this body butter. It smells sweet and hydrates intensely. It reminded me of my beloved Creme Anglaise (right next to it), and I'll definitely buy this again.

• Lush Creme Anglaise hand and body lotion (would repurchase) - This is hands down my favorite lotion of all time. And unfortunately, Lush discontinued this last year. It is a tragedy. I hope it makes a comeback for a limited release, because I will stock up even though this costs an arm and a leg.

• Aveeno Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub (would repurchase) - This was a very gentle exfoliator, not harsh at all. If you have sensitive skin, this would be a good option for you. Jake also enjoyed using this. It is fragranced, but not overly so. 
• amie Morning Clear Purifying Facial Wash (would not repurchase) - This was an odd face wash. It felt more like I was slathering lotion all over my face than soap. It just didn't do anything for me. 

• Maybelline Clean Express Makeup Remover (would repurchase) - This gets my eye makeup off well. There's not much more to say about it. 

• L'Oreal Voluminous Extra-Volume Collagen waterproof mascara (would not repurchase) - I took a chance on this, and I didn't like it at all. It was clumpy and gritty and was hard to work with. 

• Aquafina Hydrating Lip Oil (would repurchase) - Full review here. 

• fresh Soy Face Cleanser (would repurchase) - I really enjoyed using this face cleanser, and this deluxe sample lasted me ages. I loved how gentle this was. It never broke me out and did a great job of cleansing my skin. 

• Calvin Klein Ck One Color Mascara (Would repurchase) - This was last year's birthday gift from Ulta, and it was awesome. It didn't make my lashes clumpy, but it provided volume and length. If it wasn't a bit spendy, I'd totally buy it again. 

• Rimmel Stay Matte Foundation (would not repurchase) - Full review here. 

• Andalou Naturals 1000 Roses Absolute Serum (would repurchase) - This serum was heavenly! It smelled softly of roses which is already a huge win in my book. It's meant to soothe and nourish sensitive skin, and I did find it calming.

• B&BW Antibac in Apple Wreath (would repurchase) - I use these before applying my makeup so I don't spread germs on my skin. I like the B&BW ones because they have so many different scents.

• Benefit Total Moisture Facial Cream (would not repurchase) - This moisturizer felt like it just sat on top of my skin. It didn't do a good job of hydrating dry patches. It's a pricey moisturizer and it's definitely not worth it to me.

• DrJ Organics Pure Organic Eye-Lifting Creme (would repurchase) - Full review here.

• Indie Lee Brightening Cleanser (would not repurchase) - I didn't care for the scent of this cleanser and I don't feel like it did much for me. 

• Herbal Essences Body Wash in Body Burst (would repurchase) - This smelled really good, just like all Herbal Essences products do. I liked it!

• Leanni Eco 3-in-1 Revolution Light (would repurchase) - I really liked this toner, moisturizer and serum in one! It hydrated and balanced my skin. Once I work my way through my other moisturizers I have in stock, I'd definitely buy this. 

• Coach Poppy Perfume (would not repurchase) - This smelled nice, but it's nothing unique. I don't need it in my stash.

• Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Top Coat (would repurchase) - I have used this top coat for ages. It dries fast and will leave your nails shiny, but it has a tendency to bubble and it chips quickly. I've gone back to using Seche Vite for now.

• Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss (would repurchase) - This smelled heavenly. I smeared this on my lips at night before bed, and it did a pretty good job of hydrating. It doesn't penetrate very deeply, but it's not bad for a cheap lip butter. 

• Wet n Wild Mega Eyes Cream Eyeliner (would repurchase) - I really liked this product, and it made my top 14 of 2014, but it dried up on me. I will get it again because it's so cheap and it's mega-black. 

• Clear Clinic Laboratories Vanished Clear Spot Treatment (would repurchase) - I liked this little sample for zapping spots. It was a good morning treatment for use underneath makeup. It wasn't a miracle product, but I do think it helped speed the healing process along. 

• C.O. Bigelow Mentha Lip Shine in Ultra (would repurchase) - I absolutely love this lip product. It's tingly and cooling on the lips and I can feel it moisturizing and healing when I use it. It has a minty smell and it supposed to help freshen breath, too. I'll definitely get this again. 

• B&BW Wallflowers in Winter (would not repurchase) - As much as I hate using these because they're chock full of bad chemicals, I always seem to have one going in my house because they smell so dang good. Winter isn't my favorite scent and it's not very strong, it's kind of a fruity winter scent, so I won't buy it again. 

• Jason Powersmile toothpaste in Vanilla Peppermint (would repurchase) - I love Jason toothpastes because they're more natural and SLS and flouride-free. I really loved the vanilla peppermint flavor.

• Aveeno Nourish & Strengthen Shampoo & Conditioner (would repurchase) - I got one use out of these. It was nice, nothing overly special, but I'd try out the full size in the future. 

• Liquid Volumizing Shampoo & Conditioner (would repurchase) - I liked these more than I expected to. My hair felt so soft and silky after using these. I have no clue where to purchase them, but if I saw them around, I'd pick them up.

• Elite Therapeutics Elite Shampoo & Conditioner (would repurchase) - Another good shampoo & conditioner. My hair felt soft and conditioned after using these. I wouldn't go out of my way to find them, but if they're reasonably priced, I'd buy them.

• Yves Rocher Quelques Notes d'Amour perfume (would repurchase) - This little sample smelled SO good. This is the one and only Yves Rocher perfume I've tried, and if they're all this good, I need to smell more! This is musky and slightly rosy - the best of both worlds!

• Lush Honey I Washed the Kids Soap (would repurchase) - I really enjoyed this soap. It has a soft honey scent and is moisturizing. I love that it had a honeycomb imprint on it. I'd definitely buy this again. 

• Lush Butterball Bath Bomb (would repurchase) - The Butterball bath bomb is one of my favorites from lush. It smells like vanilla and makes the bath extra moisturizing. I have another of these in my closet, but it won't be my last. I'll always repurchase this. 

• Yankee Candle Winterland candle (would repurchase) - Aside from the fact this candle burned like crap (see all those ridges?!), it smelled nice like sweet peppermint and I enjoyed it.

• Target Toasted Almond soy candle (would repurchase) - This smelled really good, just like you'd imagine toasted almonds to smell. I loved the chic maroon glass packaging. All around good candle.

• B&BW Cranberry Pear Bellini candle (would not repurchase) - I don't really care for this scent. It's not bad, but just not anything I need.

• Old Factory Candle in Roasted Chestnut (would repurchase) - I loved the smell of this. A full review can be found here. 

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

Empties #11

My bag of empties is spilling over and you know what that means - it's time to dig through my trash! Why do I do these posts? Because if I've used something up, you can bet I have a solid opinion on the product and it's the easiest way to do a whole bunch of reviews quickly! Ready? Here we go...

L'Oreal Vive Pro Glossy Volume Conditioner - This was just OK. I really love the moisturizing version of this conditioner (in the yellow bottle) but this version didn't wow me. I didn't care for the smell either. Would I repurchase? No. 

Dove Dry Shampoo - This is a really good dry shampoo. It soaks up oil and allows me to skip a wash or two. I'm not crazy about the scent, but I can ignore it because it works so well. It's also cheap, which adds to my love for the product. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Nexxus Therappe Ultimate Moisture Shampoo - This shampoo is expensive. Granted, I found it on clearance when I bought it. But with that said, I wouldn't pay full price for it because I don't think it did anything miraculous to my hair. It compares to any drugstore shampoo I've used. If I saw it on sale again, I'd probably repurchase it, but I wouldn't spend full price. Would I repurchase? No.

B&BW Pumpkin Latte & Marshmallow Shower Gel - I purchased this last fall, and oh my GOSH it smelled so good. The scent was seriously amazing. Despite being formulated with shea, it's quite drying so you'll need to use a lotion after your shower if you have drys skin. I really hope this scent is re-released next fall because I will stock up! Would I repurchase? Yes.

Argania Spinosa Organic Argan Oil Special Treatment Masque - I found this hair mask at TJ Maxx about a year ago and HAD to have it because the scent is unreal. It's easily the best smelling hair mask ever and it will make your hair soft and silky. It's made my favorites before for good reason! I loved every minute of this, and sadly I can't find it anywhere to repurchase! I hope I find it again at TJ Maxx because it's great! Would I repurchase? Yes.

Serge Normant Meta Revive Dry Conditioner - I keep seeing this stuff hyped in magazines, and honestly I'm not sure why. I used up this little sample size just for the heck of it, and I didn't feel like it did anything for my hair but make it smell good. I didn't notice my hair looking shinier or cleaner. It was just a novelty. Would I repurchase? No.

Yes to Cucumbers Calming Night Cream - This was nice. It's a light moisturizer that didn't irritate my skin or break it out. I think this is a good option in the warmer months when you don't need intense hydration. Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW Cashmere Glow Body Lotion - I kept this little bottle of lotion on my night stand to use before bed because I'm not a fan of the smell (so I didn't want to use it in the daytime). I don't know why I bought this because I can't imagine I ever DID like the scent. The hydration level was just OK - I started adding argan oil or shea butter in with it since I like a heavier lotion at night. If you like the scent and don't like greasy lotions, this is for you! Would I repurchase? No.

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous Foundation - Yep, another one of these. Full review here. Would I repurchase? Obviously.

Kiehl's Abyssine Lotion - Unfortunately, this has been discontinued. I mixed this with another moisturizer in the morning for sun and wrinkle protection. It was fine, but I'm not mourning that it's discontinued.

Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil - I really  really liked this. It broke down my makeup well, even waterproof mascara! It has a nice citrus scent and this little bottle lasted me forever and a day. I think I'll be purchasing a full size in the future! Would I repurchase? Yes.

Urban Decay De-Slick Setting Spray - I really like the Urban Decay setting sprays.  They do an excellent job of keeping my makeup lasting for hours. De-slick was nice, but I guess I never really noticed if it actually controlled oil on my face. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Landeva Organics Rose Nourishing Toner - I did a full review of this toner sample here. It was nice! Would I repurchase? Yes.

OPI Avojuices in Winter Huckleberry and Vanilla Snowflake - Both of these scents were nice! Winter Huckleberry is subtle, but Vanilla Snowflake is VERY sweet and smells a bit artificial. These provide quick relief from dry hands but they don't penetrate deeply enough so by the next hand wash you'll have dry skin once again. I like them anyway, especially to have in my purse. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Benefit Bad Gal Lash Mascara - I really enjoyed using this! It did transfer a bit under my bottom lashes which I hated, but it made my top lashes look full and voluminous. Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW Antibac in Brown Sugar & Carrots - This smells exactly like it sounds. It was a nice fall scent. I like to use antibacterial gel before doing my makeup so I'm not transferring anything yucky on my face or in my eyes. I typically use the B&BW versions because they have so many fun scents. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Almay Oil-Free Makeup Removing Towelettes - I wasn't a big fan of these. They irritated my eyes which immediately turned me off. They were wet and got my makeup off, but I won't bother with them again. Would I repurchase? No.

Swisspers Cotton Rounds - I don't normally include these, but I've been experimenting with different options so I thought I'd throw 'em in. I got a huge pack of these at Costco since I like to use these to remove my eye makeup. These are nice. They have a textured side and a normal side, and I prefer to use the softer, normal side. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Lush Rose Jam Bubbleroon - Unnghh, I LOVE Rose Jam. It smells simply amazing... a mix of rose, vanilla and lemon. I split this bubbleroon in two and it made both of my baths moisturizing, bubbly and heavenly scented! Would I repurchase? Yes.

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touch Highlighting Concealer - I loooove this concealer. It works wonders for concealing dark circles. It's reasonably priced but performs like a high end option. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette in Light - I've had this for ages, so long that they've actually changed the packaging. It's black now, if you want to look for it next time you're in Target. If you need some heavy duty concealer that's light and not cakey, this is the one. I only used the lightest color (which is still a bit too dark for me) but I absolutely love it. I only used this to conceal spots.... it'd be a bit too much for the undereyes methinks. I think the concealer is better in the quad than the ones you can buy individually... the formulation is different. Anyone else notice this? Would I repurchase? Yes.

NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Powder in Translucent - This is an amazing face powder. It costs under $5, but I think you could fool someone that it cost much much more. It's lightly milled and never makes me look cakey. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Givenchy Dahlia Noir perfume - Yuck yuck yuck yuck. I spritzed this on my wrist and regretted it instantly. This smells like an old lady. I would never in a million years buy this. Would I repurchase? No.

BCBGMAXAZRIA bon genre perfume - This perfume, on the other hand, smells absolutely amazing. It's fruity with a bit of spice. If I saw this on sale, I'd totally buy it. Crossing my fingers it shows up at TJ Maxx. Would I repurchase? Yes.

fresh Rose Face Mask - Well you know I loved the scent of this. And to make things even better, it has rose petal pieces in the actual mask. I think this is a really great product. It makes my skin feel balanced and soft. If it wasn't expensive and I didn't have a million face masks, I'd buy it. Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW 'Tis the Season & Marshmallow Fireside candles - Can you read that it says Snowday 2013 on these two? I bought them last year.... and they sat around because I don't like to burn things out of season. (#candlehoarder) Of the two, Marshmallow Fireside was my favorite because I love "fireside" scents and I love "marshmallow" so duh. 'Tis the Season really does have a Christmasy scent, but it's not really my favorite. Would I repurchase? Yes.

B&BW Black Tie candle - This candle smells like a man's cologne. They bring this scent back around New Year's and it's really nice. I'm not in love with it, but if I got gifted it, I'd burn it. Would I repurchase? Maybe.

B&BW Holly Jolly Christmas candle - I absolutely loved this candle. It honestly smells like Christmas bottled up in candle form. It's sort of a pine-y fruity scent. My husband and I both really liked this one. I hope it gets brought back next year! Would I repurchase? Yes.



What did you use up this month? Have you tried any of these products? Let me know!

Empties #10

Dig through my trash with me! Here's what I used up recently.

• Michael Todd Blue Green Algae Antibacterial Toner - I really loved this stuff. It smells like it was made by Aveda (which I love) and made my face feel really clean without stripping the skin. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Simple Foaming Cleanser - This took me literally forever to go through... I'm talking like 6 months or more? It was a very very basic cleanser, but I think I realized when using this that I just don't love foam cleansers. It was fine, but I got bored by it quickly. Would I repurchase? Maybe.

• Maybelline Clean Express Makeup Remover - This is your basic eye makeup remover. It works really great for waterproof mascara and eyeliner and doesn't burn my eyes. Would I repurchase? Yes, I already have.

• blum Naturals Eye Makeup Remover - Can you tell this is still totally full? This is the worst eye makeup remover I've ever tried. I had to scrub the living daylights out of my eyes and it left me looking like a raccoon - not to mention it really burned! Not a fan, can't even bother getting through it. Would I repurchase? No.

• Michael Todd Antioxidant Carrot Multivitamin Serum - This serum is supposed to help reduce wrinkles and redness and improve the overall health of the skin. I didn't notice any drastic changes, but it was nice. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• B&BW Pumpkin Latte & Marshmallow Triple Moisture Body Cream - Remember this? I loved the smell of this lotion and it did a great job at moisturizing my skin and sinking in without feeling greasy. The B&BW Triple Moisture Body Creams have such a great formula. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Nature's Bounty Hair, Skin & Nails Gummies - This is kind of a different empty to include, but I thought I'd throw it in. I really do think biotin helps keep my hair feeling healthy and growing faster and I definitely notice a difference in the strength of my nails. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Korres Body Butter in Basil Lemon - How about this.... remember this? I wasn't the biggest fan of the scent of this lotion, but it did an OK job moisturizing. I hadn't ever tried any body butters from Korres, and honestly, I wasn't in love. I wasn't a fan of the consistency and texture of this lotion - it was hard to rub in and felt like it just sat on top of my skin. Would I repurchase? No. 

• Organic Surge Body Cream in Sweet Blossom - This body cream was awesome! It's very lightly scented, it's lightly moisturizing and I love that it's organic. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• B&BW Wallflowers in Winter Cabin - I'm not sure B&BW makes this scent anymore, do they? I don't like to use wallflowers as they're full of a bunch of chemicals that probably aren't good to breathe in, but I'm determined to use up the ones I have. This smells nice, kind of musky and fresh.

• LUSH Sikkim Girls Body Lotion - I didn't completely get through this before it went sour on me. This is a SUPER fragrant body lotion that's comprised of jasmine, vanilla, darjeeling tea, and cocoa butter. Honestly, I kind of think it smells old lady-ish (I bought it online without ever smelling it) but I also thought it smelled kind of dark and sexy? Idk. Would I repurchase? No.

• Tom's Whole Care Toothpaste in Cinnamon Clove - I don't like using a toothpaste that isn't minty. I never felt like my breath was fresh and my teeth were clean after using it, even if they were. Would I repurchase? No.

• epielle Aloe Vera Cleansing Tissues - I got these at Big Lots and I don't use them on my face, I only use them to wipe up swatches. They're fine and all, but I won't be able to buy them again as my local Big Lots is closing (wahhh!!!!) Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Clarisonic Deep Pore Brush Heads - I don't notice huge differences between the different varieties of Clarisonic brush heads, but these were just fine. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Covergirl LashBlast Clump Crusher Water Resistant Mascara - I really like the Clump Crusher mascaras, both waterproof and regular versions. It does a good job of lengthening, separating and volumizing without clumping one bit. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation - My absolute favorite foundation. There's always one of these in my empties. See a full review here. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Melvita Rose Floral Water - This is a beautifully scented facial mist that is so refreshing on the skin. I love all rose scented things, and this doesn't disappoint. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• LI'TYA Munthari Hand Hydrating Lotion - This is a sample size of a VERY expensive lotion. It's formulated with a plethora of different essential oils, so it smells so so so amazing. Unfortunately, I just don't think it hydrated my hands very well, so I'd never shell the money out for it. Would I repurchase? No.

• Jordana Fabuliner Liquid Eye Liner - This eyeliner is ridiculously cheap, lasts a long time, and does the job. The pen isn't as thin as I'd prefer, but I liked using this. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Wet n Wild Mega Liner Liquid Eyeliner - This is one of my all-time favorite eyeliners. I tend to retire this for the winter months as my eyes are more prone to watering and this will leak at the first sign of watery eyes, but I do love it. Super cheap, and it's easily the blackest boldest eyeliner I've ever used. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• SkinMedica TNS Eye Repair - This was a nice eye cream. I didn't have enough to really get a great feel for how well it works, but it was good for the short while I used it. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Dr. Lipp Original Nipple Balm - This is an all-purpose balm you can use on dry spots, lips, nipples (if you wish - it was created for nursing mothers originally, I believe) or whatever you need it for. I find it to be a bit too sticky. Would I repurchase? No.

• Taylor Swift Wonderstruck Perfume - I definitely don't need this in my perfume collection. It is so basic, and not unique in the slightest, but it does smell nice. Would I repurchase? No.

• Marvis Toothpaste in Classic Strong Mint - I love the packaging on this little sample. It made my mouth feel super clean and it tasted yummy. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Old Factory Candle in First Snow - This was really nice and super fresh. It kind of freaks me out that the paper got so hot it kind of burned/singed/whatever? Read more about this candle company here. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• dw Home Candle in Warm Tobacco Pipe - I absolutely adored this candle. Full review here. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• Yankee Candle in Witches Brew - My all-time favorite scent by Yankee Candle. Full review here. Would I repurchase? Yes.

• B&BW Candle in Fresh Balsam - This is last year's packaging... yes.. it's been sitting in storage waiting for Christmas all year long. I didn't think I was big in to pine scents, but I started burning this and now I am OBSESSED with pine! This is so good. Would I repurchase? Yes.

Have you tried any of these products? What have you used up this month? Let me know!

Summer Lovin' - FOTD

It FINALLY feels like summer here in Minnesota - kind of sad, considering it's July 21... but we've just been graced with some 80+ degree weather for the last few days and I am absolutely loving it. All this sunshine and warm weather had me feeling so good that I decided to sport some dressed up eyes just for the heck of it. Here's how you get the look:

On my face, I began by moisturizing. See my current skincare routine for the products I use to do just that. For foundation, I used a cosmetic sponge to apply the Revlon ColorStay foundation; I'm the lightest shade, #110 Ivory. I set it using my go-to Rimmel Stay Matte powder. For a pop of color on my cheeks, I used a blush that's been featured many times on this blog, Physician's Formula Multi-Colored Blush in Blushing Nude. 

I filled in and set my eyebrows using the Wet n Wild eyebrow pencil in Taupe and the Maybelline Great Lash in clear. On my lips I'm wearing a NYX Xtreme Lip Cream in the shade Nude Peach Fuzz, an awesome pigmented cream that is more like a liquid lipstick. Because this look is more dramatic for me than normal, a nude lip color is a nice choice so the attention stays on the eyes.

For my eyes, I started by using the Urban Decay Primer Potion in Sin, a shimmering champagne color. To define the crease, I used my all-time favorite NYX single in True Taupe with a fluffy blending brush. Any matte brown that is just a couple shades darker than your skin tone will do. 

I then pulled out my Sephora Primal Instincts palette seen above to do the real work. Using the lighter shimmery purple shade called Tea Rose (top, right) I filled in the outside of my crease and then pulled it in along my lid. To really define the outside of the crease, I then used the jewel-toned shimmery purple called Plum. I pulled this slightly around the top of the lid for a bit of definition. To brighten up the middle and inner corner of my lid, I used a rosy champagne color (top, left) called Apricot. And wa-lah! That's all for the eyeshadow.

Because my eyes always need a pop of eyeliner to look complete, I used a brown liquid Covergirl liner (unnamed) and went over it with the Sigma eyeshadow base in Strike, a shimmery burgundy brick color. To complete the look I used a couple coats of Eyeko's Black Magic mascara. 


This look is super easy to replicate, and you definitely don't need to use the exact same colors I did to achieve something awfully similar. If you recreate this look, send me a link! I'd love to see!

Four or More

I was recently scrolling through my bloglovin feed when I stumbled upon a blog by Kate Spitz called "Four or More". Now first and foremost, if you don't read Kate's blog, you need to go check it out right now! I absolutely love reading her reviews. Her blog is a treasure trove of beauty goodness! So her post, "Four or More" is all about the products you own four or more of. Why? Because if you own that many it must mean you love them - which I totally agree with! I knew I had some items in my own collection that I certainly had four or more of and I thought I'd share my picks with you today!

Maybelline Color Tattoos - It's no secret these cream eyeshadows hold a special place in my makeup-loving heart. Maybelline Color Tattoos come in a wide variety of shades, they retail under $10 and they're the best thing to happen to drugstore makeup in a LONG time (if I do say so myself). I use the Color Tattoos both alone and as a base for other shadows, as the wear time is crazy good. I couldn't recommend these more!

Britney Spears Perfume - Long have I been a fan of Britney's perfumes. I know so many people love to hate on celebrity fragrances, but these are no joke! The wear time is impressive, and there's a scent for everyone - from sugary sweet to deep and feminine. My current collection holds the classic Curious fragrance, Midnight Fantasy, Circus Fantasy, Hidden Fantasy and Believe. 

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains - Okay, I realize one of these is not the stain version, but really, I just enjoy these lip crayons by Revlon. The formulation is really nice, and the staying power of the stain crayons is just insanity. They're under $10 and the range of shades offers something for everyone. I've loved every one I've tried, and I'm certain my collection will grow to much more than 4 in the future!

Zoya Nailpolish - Zoya is, hands down, my favorite nail polish company. They're 3-free (a.k.a. free of bad stuff!) and they always seem to make shades that I can't resist! I've got far more than 4 of their polishes, and my collection is always growing because they release the best collections ever. You can pick them up in select Ulta stores, or online at zoya.com (which is where I get most of mine). You can tell just from the picture above that the color selection is all across the board. Go get you some!


I'd love to know what you have 4 or more of in your beauty collection! It's always interesting to see what others are loving - keep me posted in the comments below!

FOTD | Brunch

This past Sunday, a friend of mine invited a couple girls over for a brunch at her house. It was a really fun morning full of delicious food and great company. We dined on a pepper and artichoke frittata, apple cinnamon muffins and breakfast cookies. And of course, mimosas. What brunch would be complete without mimosas? 

I wanted a really fresh, simple look for this brunch and I thought I'd share with you what I used to achieve just that. 

• Face: I moisturized with Neutrogena Oil-Free moisturizer (not pictured) and followed up with Clarins Instant Smooth Perfecting Touch primer on areas of my face where my pores are larger than other areas. I then used Revlon's Nearly Naked foundation in shade 110 Ivory and applied it all over the face using my Sigma F80 flat-top kabuki brush. For blush, I used a Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush in Plum Wine, which adds a really natural flush to the cheeks. To set my foundation, and even over-top of my blush, I used the NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Face Powder in Transluscent. This isn't my favorite powder, but it's been in my collection for too long so I'm trying to use it up. 

• Eyes: I primed my eyelids first using Urban Decay's eye primer in Eden (not pictured - I have an icky sample packet I'm using). I then used the matte taupe color in the picture above called Like a Virgin (from the Too Faced Naked Eye Palette) to define my crease. On the rest of my eyelid, I used an Ulta eyeshadow in Seashell. This is the pinky gold color you see catching the light in the images above. For eyeliner, I use my tried and true favorite liquid eyeliner, Wet n Wild's Mega Liner in Black. For mascara, I applied one coat of Ulta Plush Drama mascara in Jet Black, followed by a coat of Pixi's Large Lash Mascara in Best Brown. 

• Eyebrows: To fill in my eyebrows, I used the NYX eyeshadow single in True Taupe. I love using this shadow for my brows because of the natural, full look it gives. To set them, I used Maybelline Great Lash clear gel. 

• Lips: With all the cold, dreary weather we've been having, I was craving a bright bold pink lip. I used a lipstick by Besame Cosmetics in the shade Exotic Pink (remember that lipstick?). Is that packaging amazing or what?!

What is your go-to brunch look?