Generation Beauty New York Series: Goodie Bags Day 1 & 2

If you're familiar with Generation Beauty you may already know that the goodie-bags provided at the end of each day can be a large part of the motivation to attend for some people. While it is an exciting aspect of the event and I'm happy they provided them for us, I can't help but feel like the bags were a little bit underwhelming.

Many of the items in them were either slightly larger things we had already received from booths that day (I say slightly larger because few things were full sized) and the size of the bags themselves were smaller than I had been lead to believe they would be based on previous reviews I saw from LA . I know this may make me sound greedy but keep in mind these tickets were $95 + personal travel costs of getting there all the way from Virginia.

Regardless, there is some good stuff in these bags that I may have never tried on my own, so I can definitely appreciate the diversity of brands included.

1. Formula X Nail Polish in "Pyrotechnic" (full size)
2. Mally High-Shine Liquid Lipstick Pen in "Delish" (full size)
3. Crown C410 Flat Concealer Brush (full size)
4. Temptu Highlighter in "Champagne Shimmer"
5. Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Argan Oil Hairspray
6. SOHO Retractable Kabuki Brush (full size)
7. Benefit They're Real Mascara
8. NYX High Voltage Lipstick in "Tiara" (full size)
9. Makeup Forever Smoky Extravagant Mascara
10. Skin Inc. Pure Revival Peel
11. Moroccan Oil Hand Cream
12. It Cosmetics No-Tug Waterproof Gel Eyeliner
13. It Cosmetics Tightline
14. Cargo HD CC Cream in "Medium" (full size)
15. Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder

1. Dermalogica Clear Start School Day Skin Essentials- Breakout Clearing All Over Toner and Emergency Spot Fix
2. SKINN Exfoliating Face Wash
3. Derma-e Purifying Daily Detox Scrub (full size)
4. Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black and Nirvana White Perfume
5. NUXE Multi-Purpose Dry Oil Sample
6. Bliss Long Glossed Love Serum Infused Lip Stain in "Ready for S'more" (full size)
7. Klorane Dry Shampoo
8. PurMinerals Lipstick Samples
9. OFRA Liquid Lipstick in "Venice" (full size)
10. Gallany Lip Gloss in "Giggle" (full size)
11. Essence I <3 Extreme Mascara (full size)
12. Eva-nyc Dry Shampoo
13. Belief Aqua Bomb Moisturizer
14. Cover FX Calming Primer
15. Laura Geller Baked Gelato Vivid Swirl Blush in "Papaya"
16. Jouer Pearl Lip Enhancer in "Nude Pearl"
17. treStique Mini Shadow Crayon in "Tibetan Ivory"
18. Juliette Has a Gun Perfume Sample in "Lady Vengeance"

*this post wasn't sponsored and all photos are my own*

How I Took My Hair From Auburn to Lavender: Part 2

Assuming you've read part 1 of my hair story, you already know that I was dealing with some HEAVY duty damage after the process. Over the last few months I've been working to do as much damage control as humanly possible and I can finally say that not only is my hair in significantly better condition, but it's starting to grow and get some length back.

Here are some of the products I've been using to help recover from my stupidity and I some of the ways I've been using them. Obviously what works for me may not work for everybody but I think a lot of what I've been using has really helped produce great results.

1. Batiste Dry Shampoo:
I will never, ever, ever buy another dry shampoo. I've tried other drugstore ones and I've tried expensive ones. Nothing makes my hair feel as clean and manageable as Batiste does. You can also find it even cheaper at TJ Maxx and Marshalls for around $5. Dry shampoo has been an absolute must for me since pastel color is hard to keep and my hair is so dry that I can only wash it 1-2 times a week.

2. Pravana ChromaSilk Vivids Color Protect Shampoo:
I wasn't totally in love with this shampoo as I found I was still getting some color wash-out each time I used it, but I bought it because it's the same brand as the dye I use and doesn't have sulfates. Someone with a license needs to get this for you if you really want it but honestly any shampoo that's color protecting and without sulfates should be just fine.

3. Wella Elements Line:
I got the deep conditioner, the renewing conditioner, and the leave-in conditioner on sale at Ulta for a really good price so I was excited to try this stuff out. I wasn't majorly wowed by the mask or conditioner but it was useful having conditioning products that were extremely lightweight and safe for my color treated hair. I wish it was a little bit more moisturizing, but like I said I needed something light every so often to break up the heavy masks I was doing several times a week. I forgot to include the leave-in conditioner in the picture but I do love that stuff the most out of the line. It's really light and moisturizing and helped the condition of my hair immensely.

4. Brazilian Tech Keratin Leave-In Treatment:
I'll often combine this with the Wella spray or concentrate a lot of it more towards the ends of my hair where the most damage is. I don't know how authentic the keratin in this is but it gave added moisture to my desperate hair and for that reason I like it a lot and would recommend it as an affordable treatment.

5. Hairfinity:
It's hard for me to tell how large of an impact Hairfinity made, but when I began taking it I definitely noticed less and less hair falling out which was a huge accomplishment for me. As for it aiding in actual hair growth...I really don't know. I bought a one month supply and 2 weeks in would forget to take it certain days or would take it inconsistently. I can definitely tell you need to take it CONSISTENTLY for at least 2-3 months to see any real change.

6. Wen Conditioning Cleanser:
I'm sure many people are familiar with Chaz Dean's constant infomercials promoting Wen products, but I have to say this stuff is a god send. It is way too heavy to replace shampoo or use every single day and frankly, way too expensive to use that often, but every couple of days I would use this on the bottom half of my hair and it made it unbelievably soft, moisturized, and overall feeling and looking much better. If you're willing to shell out the money, this is probably the best deep conditioner you can invest in.


*this post wasn't sponsored and all photos are my own

ColourPop Highlighters

Even though I ordered these the first day they were released, I've been trying to get more reviews up for products other than ColourPop...my obsession took over there for a bit. In my last few ColourPop reviews I'd had some trouble with feeling like some colors were appearing different in person vs. how they look online. This time around I really wanted to make sure I picked highlighters I would use since I can be so picky about them, so I took the time to really look at the swatches thoroughly, which luckily worked out in my favor!

I tend to lean towards pink-toned highlighters just because I like how they look on me better than gold ones, so I was thrilled to see that a majority of the collection is pink.

Smokin' Whistles
This one surprised me the most. It's the closest to a gold tone highlight of the ones that I ordered, but is technically a pinky champagne. I'm obsessed with how flattering this shade is on my skin!

Monster
Although I still like it, Monster is my least favorite of my bunch. It's described as a light-pink opalescent but I definitely feel like the opal brings in some cool gold tones. I may not be wearing this on my cheeks that much but it works great as an eyeshadow!

Hippo
Hippo is the most unique highlighter of the bunch and now of my entire collection! I'm obsessed with it's lavender tone that is somehow still beautiful and flattering. I'd highly recommend it even though a purple highlight might seem scary!

I love these highlighters just like I love all ColourPop products! The only thing I can think that may be both a pro and a con is that a little goes a long way so it would probably take a lifetime to finish one of these, therefore stalking up on a million colors may go a little bit to waste. I think they apply best with fingertips but sometimes I blend it out with my E.L.F. small stipple brush.

*this post wasn't sponsored and all photos are my own*

Current Foundation Routine

So for those of you that actually read this blog, you may have noticed I've never reviewed a face product before. The reason being that I have very difficult skin; it's oily and acne prone and changes almost every single day. As a result, my foundation routine kind of tends to change as my skin does and I test out new products all the time. However, I've been working hard to get my skin to calm down and stick to a few products for weeks at a time so I can get a true well-rounded opinion of them. Foundations can be really complicated; first opinions aren't always lasting opinions, and so many factors can change up how they wear and how long they wear. I've been using this routine for a couple of weeks and I'm happy to finally share my thoughts!

 

*Sigh.* Here's my skin without makeup. I'm extremely pale right now, I've had dark circle since I was in elementary school, and I've been fighting hyperpigmentation for years now. Luckily, I don't really have any active breakouts right now, and here's the routine that's been working well for me!

1. Sunday Riley Effortless Breathable Tinted Primer: Light
First and foremost, Sunday Riley is an up and coming brand and EVERYTHING they make is expensive. The quality is definitely amazing but it sucks loving this brand. The primer is $48, and had I not received it as a gift I probably would have never tried it. Of course, now that I've been using it and I love it, I'm going to have to suffer the cost of repurchasing it again.
It comes in three shades: light, medium, and deep. What I love about it is I don't feel worried using it. All of the silicone primers out there always give me anxiety that they could be clogging my pores and breaking me out, but the ones that aren't silicone based never feel like they're working. This one is right in the middle; it feels like a serum but smooths and mattifies the skin like a silicone primer. I don't think the tint adds very much to my skin or really evens out the tone very much, but I definitely feel like it makes any foundation go on better and last longer.

2. Loreal Infallible Pro-Matte Foundation: 102 Shell Beige
This foundation was hard to buy because it's pricey for the drugstore; it runs for about $12-$14 depending on where you get it. It's extremely hard to tell what your shade is based on the packaging, but I lucked out and Shell Beige happens to be a really good match for me. I also get really good coverage and can build it up in certain spots if I need to. It's a demi-matte finish, but for my skin, that doesn't last all day. It depends on the weather and what I'm doing for the day, but some days I 'm oily after 4 hours and some days it looks good all day. It's kind of a toss up that's been hard to track, so I usually keep powder with me to touch-up my t-zone. For the drugstore, it's one of the best coverages I've gotten in a foundation, I just wish it wasn't so expensive! One other note, I think it smells like straight up PAINT! I've seen a couple of reviews on it and I feel like no one ever mentions the smell but it seriously potent. I don't notice it after I've applied it, but from time to time it does bother me.

3. AliExpress Flat Top Kabuki Brush
AliExpress is such an awesome website. They have the cheapest prices I've seen on so many products and so far I haven't noticed anything I've ordered being crappy quality. I bought this brush set a few months back and it's been amazing. BH Cosmetics came out with an identical set but it's significantly more expensive. If you don't mind waiting a few weeks to get it in the mail, I'd definitely without question recommend this brush set. The flat top is my favorite way to apply the Loreal foundation because I find that my Beauty Blender just makes it a little too dewy and a little less coverage.

4. MAC Pro Longwear Concealer: NC15
I'm probably one of the last people to jump on the hype of this concealer, but so far it's totally worth it. I think I grabbed a shade that's really light for me but I've been able to make it work. A little bit goes a VERY long way which is why I don't love the packaging-one full pump is almost wasteful. I get full coverage and brightness under my eyes and then I use the remainder on my lids because it covers redness, veins, and acts as an eyeshadow primer! I was really skeptical when I heard people used this as an eyeshadow base, but to my surprise I've yet to experience any creasing and I use it as a primer every single day.

5. Beauty Blender
I love the Beauty Blender. I don't know what else to say, I know everyone is skeptical about taking the plunge because it is a $20 sponge, but it'll change your life so just do it. It's amazing for so many things but I love it for undereye concealer especially because it prevents a lot of creasing and the product sinking into lines.

6. Bare Minerals READY Foundation
I usually hate BareMinerals but this powder foundation is pretty great. It some of the best coverage I've seen from a powder in a long time, so when I want a little more coverage (which almost always) I add this and it gives me a perfect finish. It's not an all-day mattifying powder, but it still looks great every time I touch up without ever looking cakey. The only thing I'd advise to check on is the color; mine looks extremely dark in the pan but it applies almost my exact skin-tone, so test it out on your face before you buy it.

*This post wasn't sponsored and all photos are my own*

ColourPop Spring Collection

As tempting as it was, I resisted most of ColourPop's spring collection. They've been hooking me in with so many new things lately, I'm trying to be more conservative and only buy colors I know I'll get legitimate use out of. That being said, the spring collection is almost entirely brighter pastels and as beautiful as they are, my instincts tell me I won't be wearing bright yellow or baby blue on my eyes anytime soon. While every color wasn't for me, I did still get three eye-shadows, a Lippie Stix, and my first ColourPop lip pencil. I LOVE them all!!! Shocker, right?

Bites: This is one of the first white shadows I've had that is completely pigmented without being chalky! It's a matte finish so it's perfect as a base for any look- especially worn to brighten up other colors. It's also an amazing highlight since you can sheer it out and wear it boldly or softly. Bites will forever be a staple in my makeup collection!

Cowboy: Purple is one of my favorite colors and one of the only ones I feel look flattering on my eyes, so naturally, this pastel purchase was justified. Again, this is a matte finish with amazing pigmentation. It's a gorgeous powder-pastel lavender and puts so many high-end brands to complete shame- I don't know how ColourPop sells shadows for $5 but they're consistently as good if not better than most high-end brands, especially when it comes to difficult formulations like matte pastels!

Downtown: This is a cool-tone brown lovers DREAM! Cooler browns I feel are hard to find these days, especially since most of them are now found in contour palettes instead of eye-shadow palettes. This is one of the easiest to blend shadows (that doesn't lose a ton of pigment in the process,) that I think I've ever tried from ColourPop! If it isn't obvious, I'm falling deeper and deeper in love with their matte shadows- they've completely nailed the formula and I can't imagine buying mattes from anywhere else. They just need to release some more shades already!

Top to bottom: Westie, Bites, Cowboy, Downtown. Fern not featured.

Westie Lip Pencil: I'm no stranger to ColourPop Lippie Stix; the pencils, however, are a little foreign to me. I've neglected their pencils for no intentional reason, but when I saw Westie in the new collection I loved it and it seemed perfect to use alone, or as a liner with any number of other lipsticks. However, this is where one of my only problems with ColourPop returns; as I mentioned in my ColourPop Blush post, some of their pictures can be somewhat misleading. I've even struggled with my own photographs trying to convey exactly what the true colors look like, but I'm definitely starting to rack up a small collection of ColourPop products I probably wouldn't have purchased had I been able to swatch them beforehand.

Don't get me wrong, Westie is still a beautiful color! It's just not what I pictured. Online it's described as a "soft dusty baby pink," but I feel it's not as much a soft baby pink as it is a dusty rose. The pencil is just deeper than the pictures make it look, which just makes it less universal than I thought it would be. Not the end of the world, just a heads up to those of you considering it. Oh and side note- this is a plastic pencil aka your sharpeners nightmare. Why the hell do company's do this? I had a Maybelline brow pencil a year ago that literally broke all my blades when I tried to sharpen it. ColourPop's doesn't do nearly as much damage but I'm still blown they did it this way.

Fern Lippie Stix: Here's another misleading color-bummer, although I think this one is 60% my fault. At first I thought this color was a tad bit warmer with more magenta in it. When I look at it online now, I don't see it as much that way anymore- especially not in the swatch photos. While I do still feel like Fern looks slightly different in the product photo vs. the swatch photo, it says blatantly in the description (which I overlooked) that it's a cool-toned violet. Basically the lesson here people is read the product description and look at all the photos before purchasing- they may still vary but at least you'll lessen the chances of being disappointed! Because Fern wound up being almost too pigmented (yes, this can exist sometimes!) and straight up Barney purple, I find I can make it work when I tap it on and apply it SUPER sparingly. This method actually gives me more of that magenta tone I was initially hoping for and it leaves a stain behind as well!

Just for added perspective, I've compared Fern to Grind, a Lippie Stix featured in my first ColourPop haul. They're very close in shade but it's like Fern is just turned down in tone by comparison, and Grind is its fluorescent sister. I also included a better swatch of Westie.

Left to right: Grind, Fern, Westie.

*this post was not sponsored and all photos are my own*

New ColourPop Super Shock Cheek Blushes!

If you follow me on Instagram (@blushedandblended), it's no secret that I have a love affair with ColourPop. When I found out they were releasing blushes, I became a full-time stalker of their website. I not only monitored the exact time they planned on releasing them, but I set an alarm to wake up and be one of the first people to order them. Again, if you follow me on Instagram, you may also be aware that to my dismay, this was no simple task. The website crashed repeatedly and it took more than 6 hours to get my order placed. Despite my frustration, I've cooled off and ColourPop still and always will have my love (and my money). This post is long overdue so let's get on with it!

PROS:
True to ColourPop's reputation, these are so affordable! Yes, they are $3 more than the eyeshadows, boo hoo hoo, but $8 is still less than drugstore prices these days so I'll take what I can get. They're also amazingly pigmented so a little goes a long way; therefore the overall value and price-point couldn't be better. They also released a literal sh*tton of colors- 20 total and with an amazing range of tone, color, and finish. Prenup unfortunately photographed almost greyish and super glittery for some reason but I promise this color was the most true to description/picture on the website; I use this color the most because it's a little more neutral and muted for everyday wear. Thumper is just one step up from that and is an awesome classic and girly pink. Mochi is going to be perfect for spring and summer; it's bright and flattering and I can't wait to start using it more!

CONS:
It's hard to tell exactly what causes this, but I think because I have an oilier skin type these seem to wear off through the day. I usually get about 4-5 hours where the blush still looks nice, but beyond that they always seem to fade almost completely off by the end of the day. Luckily, I haven't necessarily noticed any oxidizing of the color itself as they wear. The only other con is that the pictures don't seem true to color on the website. Thumper looks like a soft-peachy pink on the site, but in actuality it's not like that at all; it's more of a muted soft Barbie pink. Mochi also looks different than the site but it's hard for me to explain exactly how. The best way I can think to put it is that I think it looks like it has a little bit more coral in it and is overall more fluorescent than the "blue-based bright pink" description/picutre.

IS IT WORTH IT?:
YAS! Hello, these are $8. Everything ColourPop makes is worth it. I should seriously be working for them I promote them all the time so positively- which btw if any ColourPop reps read this I'm a PR major lookin fo a job hollaaaaaa. Lol but seriously, these are beautiful. The color range is on point and although I usually avoid cream blushes for my skin type, these set to a demi-matte finish and don't cause me to look shinier. I find that these apply the best with my elf small stipple brush and they blend out amazingly well without leaving patches or uneven color on my face! Love, love, love these and I can't wait to get more!

*this post wasn't sponsored and all photos are my own*

GlamGlow SuperCleanse Daily Clearing Cleanser

This cleanser and I had a very complicated relationship; if there's anything I've learned from using it, it's that you can't expect what you're probably expecting. By that I mean that everything you'd think is going to happen with this cleanser (from typical common sense) may not be the case. Let me break down what I mean:

Point #1: This cleanser is the sister product to the GlamGlow Clearing Mud Treatment-a popular mask that's notorious for removing blackheads and reducing breakouts instantly. One of my first thoughts was that this cleanser would be just as amazing, but as it's for everyday use maybe the results would be long-term. This wasn't true by any means and it definitely won't replace the mud mask. It kept breakouts relatively at bay but I didn't notice my blackheads diminishing much, even with continued use.

Point #2: It's a mud-to-foam cleanser...so naturally you'd assume it's a mud-to-foam cleanser...
I'm a little disappointed about how difficult it is to make this product work. They suggest applying it to your dry face and then wetting your hands to work up the foam cleanser. This method barely lathers the cleanser at all; I'd suggest dotting your face with the cleanser and then adding water to the residue left on your hands to create a really thick foam, and from there work it into the product dotted on your face. It's also extremely hard to use a Clarisonic with this. Unless you can get that thick foam formed with the directions I gave, a Clarisonic will just wipe the product right off. If you do want to use your Clarisonic, just make sure not to apply it directly to the brush head; work the foam up first.

Point #3: A pump may dispenser may seem logical, but this is the WORST PACKAGING EVER!!! The pump from day ONE was terrible at dispensing product and it just continued to go downhill from there. It was a constant hassle trying to get product out of the bottle; I ended up having to unscrew the cap and pound it into my hand, which in the long run was probably extremely wasteful.

So, is this product worth it? You'd probably think not based on the points I've just made, but I wouldn't go that far This cleanser was good once I got passed the packaging and foaming flaws. I wouldn't say it's holy grail status, as I have extremely difficult acne-prone skin and it wasn't a miracle worker. However; I liked that I could use this every day without experiencing any dryness. It also has licorice root in it which is a common ingredient used for lightening hyper-pigmentation; I really appreciated them including it, but be warned-it does cause a light licorice scent. Speaking of which, another big disclaimer- THIS CLEANSER WILL TURN YOUR ENTIRE BATHROOM GREY! My sink, counter top, Clarisonic, mirror, and wall are all grey from the charcoal color of the cleanser. Unless you wipe your mess up immediately after every use, it makes your bathroom looking pretty dingey :/

Overall, I noticed the cleanser's effects on the days I stopped using it; more dirt appeared in my pores and my texture seemed to get a little bumpier. I haven't decided if I'd buy this again- it took a really long time to decide how I felt about it...literally from first use to end of the bottle. It's probably best for being with dealing with light/medium-occasional breakouts; I can't imagine this would work well for serious acne. I say if you can expense it, it may be worth at least one shot, just take precautions, give it some time to work, and learn from my mistakes!

*this post wasn't sponsored and all photos are my own*

MAC Cinderella Collection

 

It's been years since I've been hooked in by MAC's uncanny ability to get my money simply by putting their products in cute packaging, but alas, they've gotten me again. When I first started getting into makeup, I thought MAC was the OG makeup brand and the best place to start; they do make great products but they are widely known for getting suckers like myself with their limited edition collections. Of course, these products are usually sold out almost as soon as they go one sale but I really did my research this time around to make sure that I'd only buy items that I'd legitimately use, so I only got two. The packaging is designed with the classic Cinderella blue, a pink pearlized duo-chrome, and gold lettering and borders.

STROKE OF MIDNIGHT EYE SHADOW PALETTE:

I've been on a pretty strict palette diet lately, meaning I have a bookshelf overflowing with palettes (and no books) that is a huge result of "limited edition" and "pretty packaging" marketing, and because I own far more than I'll ever need, I've been really good about no longer buying eyeshadow palettes...until now.

I NEEDED this palette...seriously, I did (lol). I love this palette because it's all standard MAC eye shadows that I've heard people rave over (most often by my idol, Kandee Johnson) for years, except for "Stroke of Midnight". As a result of my "diet" I resisted buying these in the past, but of course now that they're all conveniently in one little (beautifully packaged) palette, I coudn't NOT buy it! Let me tell you, I'm so happy I did because the colors are BEAUTIFUL. There's not only a variety of mattes and shimmers, but they included perfect blending colors and for some people, eyebrow colors! Literally the ideal palette for travel because of the compact size and the variety giving you the option for day and night looks. The palette features:

• Vapour (Velvet finish, peachy pink with flecks of mirco-glitter)
• Phloof (Frost finish, off-white shimmer-almost a super pale champagne)
• Omega (Matte finish, muted beige-taupe)
• Quarry (Matte finish, soft muted plum-brown)
• Satin Taupe (Frost finish, taupe with silver shimmer)
• Stroke of Midnight (Velvet finish, black-plum with sparkle pearl)

In my experience, MAC shadows last a decently long time and the individual shadows are $11 or $14 so I'm completely okay with the $44 price tag, as I feel it's right for the value. If you can get your hands on it, this would be my #1 recommendation, not only for this collection, but for all of MAC Cosmetics.

CINDERELLA LIPSTICK IN "ROYAL BALL"

I have to admit, I've NEVER purchased or owned a MAC lipstick. I know, I'm covered in shame. I've tried the lipglasses in the past- I'm embarrassed to say I still have a little bit of my Viva Glam Gaga from when it originally launched, and I wasn't really a fan of the formula so I didn't pursue trying more lip products.

Two lipsticks came out in this collection and one looked perfect to me; Royal Ball was described as a "fleshy pink" with a lustre finish. I typically aim for nude lips if I wear anything at all, but so far I'm not thrilled about this lipstick, especially not like I was about the palette. It's not bad, but I've used better ones, and it was $17.50 which kind of pushes it for me (they're usually about $16). It doesn't have a crazy amount of pigmentation or long-wearing power to be worth that much money for me. It also is really close to bordering on a frost finish, which is a huge NO in my book. Frosted lipsticks scream 90's in the worst way and that's exactly where they should stay. Overall, it's pretty and I like it, I just don't love it.

The Cinderella collection hits stores on March 5 and almost everything is sold out online. If you have the time and money, GO GET THE EYESHADOW PALETTE!

*this post wasn't sponsored and all photos are my own*

Too Faced Melted Lipsticks- New Shades!

I tried these lipsticks over a year ago when they first came out and I wasn't wowed by them; I still don't understand the hype! They're incredibly pigmented and smooth but my list of cons greatly outweigh the pros, making this an easy $21 to keep in my pocket. However, they did just expand the collection by adding in eight new colors which I was excited about because of how pastel and unflattering the original shades were.The new shades are as follows:

• Melted Sugar (nude)
• Melted Chihuahua (nude-mauve)
• Melted Frosting (powder pink)
• Melted Melon (pinky coral)
• Melted Jelly Donut (magenta-pink)
• Melted Strawberry (red-orange)
• Melted Velvet (vampy-red)
• Melted Villain (black-purple)

PROS:
Pigmentation; there's no lie that these are unbelievably opaque and have great color payoff. With the release of the eight new shades there's an excellent variety of colors to choose from. At $21 a tube they run about average for lipsticks found in Sephora, but with the little amount you need these can definitely last you for years and make it worth the value.

CONS:
Gloop glop glop. These formulas are kind of ridiculous to work with. They are so gloppy that it's almost impossible to get a perfect application (if you couldn't tell by my lip swatches lol). The squeeze tube and felt-tip applicator may get the product on your lips but it's impossible to get an even and full application. I had to use a lip brush to reach my lip line without getting it all over my face and even though I didn't use a lip-liner, I'd highly suggest one.

I'm also still having some of my original issues with the colors; they lean on the pastel side and because they're so full color, I feel like I'm walking around with straight up paint on my lips and it doesn't look good. The best example is definitely shown with the Melted Frosting lip swatch photo. The formula also is that it sticks to dry patches or cracks in your lips. I'd definitely exfoliate beforehand.

I did get a decent amount of wear-time out of these but it takes effort. What I mean by that is I was always aware of the product on my lips. It spreads and transfers so easily, I couldn't help but be careful of touching my face and watching what I eat or drink. Even with my caution, it stuck to my teeth on several occasions as well.

IS IT WORTH IT?:
For me, I'd say overall no. I did however really like Melted Sugar, Melted Jelly Donut, Melted Velvet. Even though only two colors appealed to me, I loved that the colors looked nice without having to tone them with other products. I will say though there are so many better options for the same price or less, so unless you find specific shades you can't live without, I 'd pass.

*This post wasn't sponsored and all photos are my own*

NEW Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

I'm so STOKED to talk about this mascara. Luckily because of my work I was able to try this out several weeks before the launch date. I had an amazing first impression that I've maintained since my first use!

To give you all some background, I am NOT a high-end mascara girl; in fact, I've told clients over the past two years not to spend money on mascara and to invest money elsewhere. I haven't found one perfect drugstore mascara but I get amazing results from layering them, and I'd rather buy two mascaras for under $10 than buy one "okay" $30 mascara.

PROS:
The packaging is pretty cute and classic Benefit. I'm not crazy about the entire tube design, but the wand top is adorably designed to look like an old-school hair roller. The formula is so awesome- it's lightweight but I still get awesome length and volume from one coat without it feeling spikey or flaking. If you run your fingers over your lashes once they're dry, they still feel fluffy and soft! I'm still so stunned that I liked a high-end mascara, but the results were just too amazing and it is SO much better than the They're Real mascara!

CONS:
Okay, yes, I did just say I like the packaging. The design is cute but the material however, is not. The pink wand top is rubber, which may not seem like a problem, but rubberized packaging picks up dirt and makeup from wherever you take it so easily and quickly makes it look dingy and gross (COUGH, COUGH NARS). Also, ugh, that price tag. $24 for a mascara is so painful for me and I cringe at it still, but it's just so damn good :(

IS IT WORTH IT?:
If you can afford it, YES! As I mentioned, I hate that I love this mascara but it's such an amazing all around mascara and it has really cut my makeup routine time down because I know longer spend 5 minutes caking on layers and layers of mascara. If you really can't justify the price tag enough to buy it, keep an eye out for Sephora's Friends & Family sales when you can get 20% off! This mascara launches in Sephora stores February 27th.


*All photos are my own and this post was not sponsored*

John Frieda Colour Refreshing Gloss- Cool Red

If you're a fake redhead like myself, it's no secret that red hair is one of the most difficult hair colors to upkeep. The red dye pigments are bigger than most colors which makes it not only harder to blend but harder to keep it adhered to your hair cuticles. For the past 2 summers I've bleached my hair; the first summer I was blonde and this past summer I was blonde again before going lavender. Unfortunately, this has caused the most damage I've EVER had that still isn't completely fixed, even months later. One of the biggest problems I've had is the bottom half of my hair; all of the bleaching and processing has shredded my hair cuticles (even after haircuts) to the point where they will not reseal. This is my biggest issue when it comes to keeping my hair red.

Almost a week after re-dying my hair, the bottom will fade so badly that if I put my hair on top of my head in a bun, I can see a side by side comparison of the auburn roots and the light brown ends. As a result of the damage of my own making, I've been trying to be extra careful when it comes to taking care of my hair over the last few months, especially since I plan to go lavender again this spring...don't judge me.

A common tip I've seen/read about is color glossing; glosses are supposed to refresh color without damaging your hair like a dye does. Since I keep my hair red and that's already such a difficult color to manage on it's own- never mind my cuticle problem, I was all about trying a gloss out. One of the first search results I found was the John Frieda gloss; I swear I'd walked past this product 1,000 times and never looked at it twice before. Although it retails for about $12 (which is pricey for the drugstore in my opinion) I figured it would be cheaper than going to a salon or trying to find a salon-equivalent product.

I ended up totally hating this stuff- it dried my hair out even WORSE! I definitely would never recommend this to anyone. Not only do you have to use a ton of it which ultimately limits your amount of uses per bottle, but it didn't even leave any color in my hair...just more damage.

The reason why I still wanted to talk about this is because I am open to ALL suggestions! I'm getting so frustrated with the bottom half of my hair that over the course of the next month I'll be amping up my research and trying products until I find a routine that WORKS. I've been looking into cuticle sealers from Sally's Beauty Supply and read some positive reviews about Redken's Shades EQ Hair Color Gloss, so if anyone has a personal testimonial about these or anything else, please let me know! I'll come back and update my blog as I make my discoveries!

*the picture in this post came from google; post was not sponsored and all opinions are my own*

On Trend: Makeup Removing Cleansers and Oils

First and foremost: do not let the word "oil" scare you. It used to make me nervous, but I always cross check ingredients with the non-comedogenic list on acne.org and I haven't experienced any issues! Lets be honest, makeup wipes suck. Yes, there are "good" ones and there are terrible ones, but no matter what I have never heard anyone ever talk about a makeup wipe that has legitimately and effortlessly removed ALL of the makeup off of their face (mascara and all!) I'm over spending money on the makeup wipes, and then liquid eye makeup remover to get the remaining black swan eyes off, and the cotton pads I need to use it with, and then the cleansers to remove all the oily residue. It's too much effort to accomplish one goal- ain't nobody got time for that!!! I've been searching for one product that I can use to easily get the job done, and I've formed some definite opinions on both drugstore and high end products.

Drugstore Cleansers/Oils- Garnier

All of my drugstore selections are from Garnier because I believe they've been producing the most competitive makeup removing cleansers and oils that you can get at the drugstore. As far as I've seen, they were the first drugstore brand to put out a makeup removing oil. Since its release about a year ago, they've expanded their line of products to include a lotion cleanser and a cream cleanser.

Garnier Clean+Nourishing Cleansing Oil

This is the product that scared me the most because it just looks like straight up vegetable oil. BUT, don't be afraid because of the skin myths out there. The first ingredient is mineral oil. This is not a pore clogging oil. Also- this is a cleanser- it goes on and immediately comes off,  so if you're still concerned, know that the oils wont stay on your skin like a moisturizer, they rinse off clean and you should still follow with your regular cleanser after rinsing the makeup off. Another major oil in this is jojoba oil which is AWESOME! Jojoba oil is one of the best things you could possibly use to moisturize your face without clogging pores. Jojoba is also expensive which is probably the biggest contributor to the cost of this product, but it's still s cheaper alternative than the pure oil. 

I use about three pumps and apply it with DRY hands on a DRY face- definitely do not get water involved yet. I spend most of my time rubbing my lashes to work the mascara off and once my face is covered I rinse it off. 

My biggest peeve with this product is how it leaves my eyes. Even after rinsing the oil makes my vision foggy and I sometimes get these weird emulsified strings of black makeup in my eye. I also will admit that I can tend to have some eye makeup leftover under my eyes that doesn't rinse off easily and will cause me to use a towel or a makeup wipe. However, this stuff really does cut through my heavy eye makeup and even when it doesn't remove everything, it softens my chunky mascara and makes it easier to get off. I don't love the price- it's usually around $8 but is sometimes on sale around $6. I just think I need to use too many pumps and sometimes additional products to justify how quickly it runs out. It has a nice scent, leaves little residue, and is awesome compared to what's available at the drugstore, but overall it's not the best thing in existence.

Garnier Clean+Sensitive Skin Makeup Removing Lotion Cleanser

I was really stoked to find this new display at my Target because I never knew they were releasing more products! The lotion cleanser is designed for sensitive skin and is free of fragrance, alcohol, dye, and oil. Unfortunately, this was my least favorite product of the three I tried. It removes face makeup really well; I could see the foundation coming off as soon as I started rubbing the cleanser around my face. However, this product sucks with eye makeup; it barely removes mascara or eyeliner yet it claims it can remove waterproof mascara...yeah right. The term "lotion" also made me surprised by the consistency of the product. It's not like a thick body lotion but more of a thin lotion that feels more like a gel. I think this could be a big reason why the cleanser doesn't remove eye makeup well and I just wouldn't repurchase it again.

Garnier Clean+Smoothing Cream Cleanser

THIS, THIS, THIS!!! SO MUCH YASSSS!!! I have found the holy grail product people! This product is AWESOME because it combines the same moisturizing properties of the Garnier oil, but in a cream form. This is not like the lotion cleanser- it's much thicker, even more like a lotion, and actually does turn into a cleanser. Not only does it remove everything COMPLETELY but I feel like I'm not wasting product like I was with the oil. The oil required me to use several pumps and because it's a liquid I often felt like I was spilling a ton of it from my hands when I was trying to get it on my face. The cream is thick enough to dissolve my mascara but still lets me get away with using about a quarter-sized amount because adding water foams the products up and helps rinse everything completely clean. I'm gonna go ahead and say what I probably shouldn't say- this is an IDEAL product for those nights when you stumble home drunk and are too tired to go through your skin routine (lol). It removes all your makeup, helps cleanse your skin, and leaves it soft and slightly moisturized from the jojoba oil. I wouldn't suggest skipping your routine every night, but when you're feeling lazy, this stuff is awesome. I was really amazed that I didn't have any eye makeup remaining after rinsing and I will probably never buy another remover or wipe because of my love for this product!

High End Oil Removers- PurMinerals and Bliss

I'm prefacing this post by saying don't spend your money on expensive removers. I won't go into as much detail on these products because I'm not endorsing them, especially after expressing my thoughts on the Garnier Cream Cleanser. 

PurMinerals Melt Away Makeup Emulsifier

I tried this product because Ulta was doing a 50% off sale on PurMinerals skin care and I've really enjoyed their products in the past. However, while I was shopping on Amazon I saw the product for the same sale price and I'll take any opportunity I can to avoid shopping at Ulta; always check Amazon, they typically offer lower prices than retailers (the original price is $23). This product is okay but overpriced- it only works a little bit better than the Garnier oil and is 3x the price. It's also overpoweringly scented and gave me the same problems of feeling wasteful as the Garnier product did.

Bliss Fabulous Makeup Melt Gel-to-Oil Cleanser

This stuff is better than the PurMinerals product because it starts as a gel and is easier to apply to my skin but it still doesn't remove as well as the Garnier Cream Cleanser. Don't get me wrong, it's not a terrible product- it does remove a fair amount of makeup but the fact that I still have some remaining eye makeup left under my eyes makes it DEFINITELY not worth the $28 price point. There's no contest against the Garnier Cream Cleanser, so save your money and hit a Walgreens before trying these overpriced time wasters!

*This post was not sponsered; all photos except for the bliss photo and the garnier oil photo are my own*

New NYX Products: Wonder Stick, Correcting and Contour Concealer Palette, and Wicked Lippies!

Tons of brands have been releasing new products because of the change of the season, but NYX always catches my eye because of their generally good quality products and extremely low prices. I know that the Wonder Stick has been out for a while but it took my Ulta months to get it. When I went to pick it up I was immediately drawn in by their new "Wicked Lippies," which are jewel toned lipsticks. Disclaimer: they're not every day wearable lipsticks, but they are a line of crazy metallic colors and I really thought they were beautiful. Now, do I know when I'll actually wear it? No, but I wanted to add something new to my collection. To this day I still haven't heard anyone mention their new "Conceal, Correct, Contour Palette" and since I've now tried a fair share of contour products, I thought I'd go ahead and give it a test run. Each product will be discussed individually below with the link attached in headings :)

NYX Wonder Stick

This was hands down the best product of the bunch. It's that perfect kind of crayon-like shape so it's extremely easy to draw in the exact spaces where you want your contour and your highlight. I do wish they were slightly more pigmented but because they aren't, you can blend it out easily and build up the amount of product as desired. This is definitely and ideal product for beginners who want to start learning the basics of contouring. You could blend it out with your fingers or a sponge, but I preferred my E.L.F. small stipple brush. The price point is a little high in my opinion, not only for the drugstore but for NYX, but if you're okay with $12, they offer four different shades and I feel like the product will not only last a decent time, but it'll be a great self-teaching tool.

NYX 3C Conceal, Correct, Contour Palette

I'm not even going to waste my time going into a lot of detail on this palette. Two words: GLUE. STICK. That's what this feels like! You can even see how thick they are in my swatches! I tried my fingers, brushes, and my beauty blender- nothing blends these sticky concealers out and it will show on your face. They threw the word "contour" in to be on makeup trend, but not much about this palette is good for contouring. They put the basic color correcting concealers in the palette but don't be expect to correct anything on your face as these concealers crease, settle in lines, and are completely un-blendable! $12 could've happily been spent elsewhere; two thumbs WAY down.

NYX Wicked Lippie

On a happier note, this lipstick was pretty good. I'm obsessed with the shade I picked up (Envy) and I think the pigmentation is decent for the price point. It's not as easy to tell on my swatches but it does take several layers to get the full pigmentation of the blue. It has a comfortable glossy finish that is lightweight but can definitely feel a little heavier with the layers. It's not the perfect staining, long-lasting, all-day wear lipstick, but it's a fair quality lipstick if you want to add something fun to your collection!

*This post was not sponsored and all photos are my own