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*

Formula X Holiday Nail Strips

I found these strips in my local Sephora's clearance section and I'm so happy I did because they're AMAZING! They only had a few of the holiday ones but a ton of different color strips overall (which will obviously vary by Sephora's) and they're all gorgeous! I hate to blog about something that may be limited or hard to find but if you can't find the holiday set I would definitely get any of the strips you can find.

PROS:

These strips claim to last up to 14 days and for once I actually agree! I feel like all of the strips out there in the drugstores like Sally Hansen, etc. all have the same claims and they end up being overly time consuming and last less than a week. The Formula X strips are game changers- seriously, I don't even want to use regular polish anymore. I had these on for just about 12 days and I went bowling, did dishes, and opened packages and I had little to no chipping. The only reason I kept them less than 12 days is I wanted a new color on my nails and at the end of their life-span I started picking at them and could barely get them off! I always get the longest wear out of polishes and strips if I buff my nails with a 4-way block beforehand so I'd definitely recommend this step prior to application. My set is also awesome because it included a full set of two different designs! One is like a candy cane print and the other looks like an ugly sweater with reindeer.

CONS:
If you don't make sure to really secure them at the base above your cuticle, this is where they start to lift up first. I was a little lazy with this and I noticed when I ran my fingers through my hair they would hook under where the strip started to lift up and pull it even more. This is a very minor thing though and is probably preventable with more precise application. The other con is that these can be a little pricey. I believe the full price is around $14 which depending on brand, can be 1-2 full bottles of polish. Luckily I got mine on clearance for $5, but $14 may be too steep for me.

IS IT WORTH IT?
This is hard to say. I love these strips but if I had to pay $14 I don't know that I'd get them very often. The ones I got are really cute and for a special occasion so I could maybe justify full price for that, but for day-to-day it's a judgment call. Overall I'm very happy with these strips and I can't wait to try the ugly sweater ones in my set! (Pics are now below!)

*This post wasn't sponsored and pictures are my own*

Sephora Favorites: Draw the Line

Let me preface this post by saying I LOVE this set! Black eyeliner pencils are something I use every single day in my routine and it can be difficult to find good ones that don't smudge all over my eyes. This kit retails for $30 which may seem steep for a box full of eyeliner, but it's actually an amazing value. This kit also made me try brands of liner that I've always wanted to try but would never shell out the money for. The kit comes with a Stila dark brown liquid liner, Kat Von D tattoo liquid liner, and black pencil liners from Nars, Sephora Collection, and Marc Jacobs.

PROS:
I love that this kit included pencil and liquid liners. I feel like by doing that I have so much variety and they included the top/most talked about brands.
Stila: The tip is really sharp and ideal for winged eyeliner and the formula is pigmented
Kat Von D: I love her entire brand and the packaging and the tattoo liner lives up to the hype. The brush tip comes to a fine point so you can get a thin or thick line.
Urban Decay: This was the only pencil I had tried before so I knew how good they were. By now it seems almost everyone has tried Urban's liners and know that they're pigmented, come in a million shades and are really smooth and long lasting.
Nars: Super pigmented, smooth, and you can smudge it before it sets.
Sephora Collection: This pencil is slightly dryer but I think that's what makes it last longer. It claims to be waterproof which I haven't personally tested, but it holds up really well on my waterline.
Marc Jacobs: This pencil seriously glides like butter and goes on with a slight sheen but is one of the more pigmented blacks in the kit. It did smear more than the others but it twists up and doesn't need to be sharpened, and the packaging is really sleek.

CONS:
Stila: I really wish they included this in black instead of dark brown. I'll wear brown pencil liner on occasion but it's extremely unlikely I'll reach for a brown liquid liner. I feel like the entire point of liquid liner is to make a bold/defined wing, while brown liners are meant to be softer and toned down so brown isn't exactly ideal for me. The formula is also way too shiny.
Kat Von D: I usually don't like brush tip liquid liners but this one has been easier to handle. It's not overly flexible so I feel like I have control but it's still not enough for me to get a clean wing. I really prefer her Ink Liner which has a felt tip and has a less shiny formula than this one.
Urban Decay: I don't have any cons about this! They included a double ended pencil which are both really wearable colors; I'm really happy with it overall.
Nars: This pencil isn't the longest lasting but I do get really decent wear out of it.
Sephora Collection: This is probably the least pigmented of all of the pencils but it's still really good. I haven't tested it being waterproof but it has been the hardest to get off.
Marc Jacobs: I don't really have cons for this liner! After it sets it's not going anywhere and you don't have to hassle sharpening it!

IS IT WORTH IT?
YES! Definitely! This not only is perfect for building your collection and testing different brands but it makes an affordable gift and is a really awesome value. You get plenty of variety and the pencils will last you a long time. It's limited edition for the season so I would get it while you can!

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

Gerard Cosmetics Lipsticks

 











I resisted the Gerard Cosmetics hype for a while for a few reasons, one of them being the expense. I know that a lot of my favorite beauty Youtuber’s sponsored a lot of the products and swore by them, but I just couldn’t justify paying $19.00 a lipstick +shipping, especially when I can’t test them before ordering. Of course now that we’re in holiday season, the deals change almost every day and I usually get suckered in by all of them! In this case, I wanted to support one of my all-time favorite Youtuber’s, Jaclyn Hill, so I got both of her Lipsticks, 1995 and Buttercup. I’ve been testing them out and wearing them off and on for over a month now and my feelings seem have definitely changed since my first impression. 

PROS:

The packaging is amazing. I don’t have any other lipstick tubes that are shiny gold like these, which makes them easy to spot and adds something unique to my collection. I also really like the formula of Buttercup; it glides on and is pigmented enough to only need one swipe and it has a decent amount of shine without looking overly glossy. Buttercup is a really nice pinky-nude that I can put on effortlessly and can see myself getting a lot of use out of.

CONS:

I wanted to love these lipsticks so badly, but there are some important factors to both of them that really disappointed me. Starting with 1995, the color was not at all what I imagined I would be getting based off of the photos I had seen on Instagram. Everyone had hyped this up as the perfect 90’s lipstick for the “Kylie Jenner” look, but I honestly don’t know who can get that look from this lipstick, it is very, VERY dark- way darker than the 90’s lip trend is supposed to be and every time I wear it I feel like it makes me look like an old lady. The only way I’ve gotten the 90’s lip from this lipstick is by tapping it on my lips and there are other options out there that I’d prefer and are more affordable. I also don’t know if maybe mine was defected but it had a gritty texture and didn’t swatch as smoothly as Buttercup did and it felt heavy/slightly drying on my lips. Speaking of Buttercup, I enjoyed this lipstick for the most part but I’ve noticed it emphasizes my lip lines- I definitely wouldn’t wear these without exfoliating first. They also oxidize throughout the day (seriously, within an hour). I put Buttercup on in the morning before class and when I came back an hour later it looked hot pink and had worn off quite a bit.

IS IT WORTH IT?
Debatable. If you’re able to catch one of the good deals they’ve had recently or use a coupon code they may be worth a try. Other colors could be better- I’ve only tried these two but I wasn’t very impressed. The packaging adds something cute and different to anyone’s collection, but as for the cost, there are so many amazing options out there for the same price or less. 

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

Lorac Mega Pro Palette

I was so excited when I first saw this palette on Lorac’s Instagram! I’m OBSESSED with their first pro palette but I wasn’t entirely convinced by the second one. When I saw the teasers for this palette I knew I wouldn’t be able to resist adding it to my collection. It’s full of so many different neutrals and it follows Lorac’s typical design of half matte and half shimmery shadows, so you really get a ton of variety. They included some amazing standout pops of color that make this look like the ideal palette for fall, but really you can make it work all year round.

PROS:

I love this palette because I think Lorac did an amazing job planning it from start to finish. The array of shades will work beautifully on all skin tones, the packaging is thin and sleek which makes it effortless to travel with, the pops of color allow you to create so many different looks beyond a simple neutral look, and it’s really a perfect palette to have in your collection whether you’re a beginner or a (mega) pro.
As for the price point, I originally thought $64 was too much, but I really do feel it’s been worth it. Lorac claims it’s a $200 value and it’s still cheaper than buying both of the Pro palettes- I almost wish I never bought the original pro palette because you get so many of the same/similar shades in the Mega Pro. Also, all of the mattes are super pigmented and seem to feel smoother than most of the ones in my original Lorac Pro Palette.
CONS:

This palette is GORGEOUS but they made it limited edition! If you weren’t lucky enough to have jumped on buying this the day it was released than you could be playing the waiting game for a very long time. I really think they should just make it permanent; it’s too good to discontinue.
When I first got my palette I jokingly called it 50 Shades of Brown. If you’re like me, this isn’t a bad thing; I wear brown shadow almost every day and I like a tamer, neutral eye. Although they included a few brighter colors, this palette isn’t for someone who’s looking for bright, standout, dramatic looks. You can get toned down versions of looks like that with this, but in general it is designed to be a more neutral palette.
FOREWARNING: there is a tendency for fallout with some of the shimmery shades, which was also an issue in the previous Pro Palettes. I would definitely make sure you tap your brush before applying and if you’re using any of the darker shades, I would highly suggest waiting to do your foundation and concealer until after you’ve finished your eyes.
I experienced the most fallout with:

• Sienna
• Merlot
• Indigo (this color has glitter in it so you may get shadow and glitter fallout)
• Dusty Rose

IS IT WORTH IT?

YES! I would say if Lorac releases more because of the demand DEFINITELY do not hesitate to get it. The quality and pigment of the shadows in this palette is amazing and they really included everything you could need to complete an eye look in one palette. In a pinch, you could honestly use some of the neutral shadows for light face powder, there are plenty of colors for brows, the pinks could be dabbed on the lips or cheeks for a soft hint of color, and there are two blacks and deep brown for liner. Add all of that to the fact that’s it’s a lightweight and thin palette and you can’t go wrong traveling with it. Despite the fallout concerns, it all brushes away fairly easily with a fluffy brush and isn’t enough to keep me from highly recommending this palette.

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