Ipsy Review – January 2017

Pacifica – Blushious Blush – Besides lippies, blushes are my favorite item to find in my bag! I got the color Wildrose and while it isn’t a shade I would normally go for, I do like it, for winter especially. There is a really pretty sheen that makes this blush super unique.

Purlisse – Blue Lotus Mud Mask – Nothing beats a good mud mask. I plan to save this sample for traveling, when my skin typically needs a little bit more love. The size makes it really travel friendly and I have loved this brand in the past so look forward to trying it out.

It Cosmetics – Bye Bye Undereye Concealer – This concealer is supposed to illuminate your under eyes and double as an anti-aging product. I can totally see what they were going for, but for me personally it didn’t quite work out. I found that it actually brought more attention to my under eyes in a non-flattering way. I’ll stick with the regular Bye Bye Undereye concealer because the coverage is still amazing.

Temptu – Matte Primer – I have been enjoying this primer quite a bit! It’s great for everyday priming around the perimeter of my face, though I do go in with a separate pore-filling primer to take care of my stubborn t-zone area. The only thing I don’t really care for with this product is the smell, which is chemically.

theBalm – Matte Bronzer – Talk about an item I was excited to see! This is a cult favorite and I got the shade Bahama Mama. It is on the cooler tone side and pretty dark for my skin currently, but I think it will work well for me in the summer months… ohhhh summer 🙂 .

 

This month was a definite hit for me!!! Recently I have only been excited for one or two items in my bag, but January was good to me. I see myself using all of the items except the concealer, which I plan to pass along to a friend. Click here to sign up for Ipsy, it’s something I look forward to each and every month, XOXO.

Ipsy Review – November 2016

Time for my monthly unbagging! If you are unfamiliar with Ipsy, it is a ten dollar a month beauty subscription service. You get five deluxe or full size samples sent to you in a unique beauty bag. (Join by clicking here if you are interested.) Here is what I got this month…

Out of my mix of items I will probably get the most use out of angled eye brush because, let’s face it, no woman can have enough make up brushes! However why in the world any company makes brushes with white bristles is a mystery to me. I’ve already tried the Formula X nail polish and, while I LOVE this brand, the color isn’t much my style. I may use the Ofra Banana Powder but prefer a more full coverage powder. I like this product but would recommend it to my less acne-prone friends out there. For me, it just doesn’t provide the coverage I like. I was excited to try theBalm Mad Lash mascara but the packaging is super strange and after reading reviews I know I’m not the only person who thinks so! Instead of twisting the wand up you have to pull it out and it got pretty messy for me. Lastly I just don’t see myself using the NUXE facial serum and will probably pass it along to someone else.

I hate to be negative, but honestly I’m not overly thrilled with my bag this month. I find that the months tend to wax and wane… some months are just better than others and this month just wasn’t my favorite, XOXO.

Ipsy Review – October 2016

Ummmm Ipsy were you literally reading my mind this month?! I’m so excited for this bag of goodies!!! I have seriously been wanting to some of these products forever and a day. And this super appropriately themed Halloween bag?!?! STOP!!!

If I had to pick, I think I would say I’m most excited for theBalm Cosmetics blush in Cabana Boy. I am in love with Frat Boy and can’t wait to try this one because of the warm tone and shimmer quality. I’m almost equally as excited for the MeMeMe Blush Brush because the bristles look like they will give a really natural appearance for the blush application. The blush brush I currently use has very tightly packed bristles, which I think gives a harsher look, and these look looser. Next up I’m super stoked for Sally’s Box Aqua Moist Gel Cream. I’ve heard that gel moisturizers help control acne more than others, so really look forward to seeing if that will hold true for me. While I am excited for the Ciate London Fierce Flicks Eyeliner, I do have several black eyeliners that need to be used up so I’m not as excited for this product but will get use out of it. Can a girl really have too many black liners?! And lastly is the Cosmoholic Liquid Lipstick in Mysterious Mocha, which looks like a shade I may pass along to my (trendier than me) niece.

Overall I’m super excited for the bag this month!!! I do find that Ipsy bags tend to wax and wane for me… some months are kind of meh and others are amazing like this one. I hope you enjoyed  this pre-unbagging and as always you can click here to sign up to get Ipsy for yourself, XOXO!

Ipsy June 2016 – Preview

I’m seriously looking forward to every single item I’m getting this month! I’m most excited for the blush. It  will be fun to try out a new-to-me brand and expand my collection.

There is honestly nothing in this mix that I am least excited for, however the eye shadow and eye pencil come in different shades this month and if I get the red shadow or brown pencil I won’t be entirely happy with those. (I posted photos of the purple shadow and black pencil to send out good vibes :).)

The masks will come in handy as well as the brush… those are two items that I will totally put to great use!!! Looks like a good month to me, XOXO.

May Favorites

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation

If you are looking for an affordable and full-coverage drugstore foundation, then look no further! This baby goes on smooth and lasts the majority of the day. The shade range is wide and I love that it has a pump for easy, sanitary use. It has been my go to ever since I picked it up this month.

Fratboy by The Balm

I bought my very first high end blush! And it was worth every penny. I had received a (tiny) sample of this in my first ever Birchbox and found that because the pan was so little, the product wasn’t going on my brush evenly…hence why I picked up the full size. This shade is super natural and would look good on a variety of skin tones. Plus the texture is heavenly!

Food Network Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Any other terrible chefs out there?! I lucked out marrying a man who is knows what he’s doing in the kitchen because I never really know what’s going on in there! This dutch oven is fool proof. My favorite meals to make are shredded chicken for tacos and a seared pork loin. I love how easy it can go from stove to oven and does an amazing job locking in flavors.

Skagen Freja Rose Gold Watch

This was an anniversary gift from my husband and it has been on my wrist nonstop this month because I love it so much. Now that I am out of grad school and have a professional job, I have been working to update my wardrobe. This is such a nice addition to my collection. It’s very lightweight with a classic design and the hue is true rose gold.

Real Housewives of New York

What can I say? Don’t judge me. It’s my number one guilty pleasure. I don’t do drama in my life anymore but sure do love watching these women deal with theirs, XOXO!

Addicted to Blush

Thanks to Amy from New Key Beauty for nominating me to showcase some of my standout blushes in the “Addicted to Blush” tag! I used to think only one blush looked good on me but after playing around, I’ve come to love experimenting with new blushes. Recently I have been working on expanding my blush collection so I am excited to share what I have found.

1. What color blush suits you the most? – Soft medium pinky nude shades.
2. Pressed, cream, or loose? – I prefer pressed or loose. I don’t use cream because I have oily skin and powders just tend to work better on my face.
3. Favorite shimmery blush? – “Desert Rose” by Bella Pierre Cosmetics
4. Favorite bright blush? – “Tango” by Hikari
5. Favorite matte blush? – “Mellow Wine” by Wet n Wild
6. Favorite drugstore blush? – “Peach Rose” by L.A. Colors
7. Favorite highend blush? – “Fratboy” by TheBalm
8. Best blush packaging? – “Pink Grapefruit” by Laura Gellar
9. Number one holy grail blush? – “Bold Berry” by Mary Kay… I have been using this since I was in high school and always go back to it!
10. What is on your blush wish list? –  “Luminoso” by Milani, “Blushing Bride” by Tarte, “Cabana Boy” by TheBalm, “Flower Child” by Becca, “Love Hangover” by Too Faced, “Rose Rush” by Physician’s Formula, “Flushed” by Neutrogena, “Breathless” by Buxom… I could go on.

 

Let me know if you love any of these same blushes or if you’d like to carry on the “Addicted to Blush” tag! And as always, thanks for reading… XOXO.