Stila Sun Bronzing Powder |
This compact is available in two different shades. I bought "Shade 1 - sheer golden matte bronze", which is the lighter of the two. I'm not crazy about glittery bronzers so I was pleased with the matte finish. I loved how natural the shade looked on my skin, and the product lasts all day. I use the ELF studio blush brush for application.
Price: $28
Overall: This product is worth every penny!
Overall: This product is worth every penny!
Click to buy...
Smashbox Master Class Palette |
I bought this palette on Sephora.com a few weeks ago. It comes with 28 Photo Op eyeshadows, four brow powders, eight cream eyeliners, two blushes, three soft lights, and four lip glosses.
Eyeshadows:
This palette has a nice combination of matte and shimmery shadows. I love the featured neutral shades in particular. I'm not a huge fan of the more colorful colors - they're a bit too bold for everyday wear in my opinion. My favorite hues are the following: "Flirt" (shimmery nude), "Cinnamon Toast", "Chestnut", & "Roast" (shimmery browns), and "Opal" (shimmery pearl; great highlighter).
Eyeliners:
Smashbox has great cream eyeliners - they don't smudge at all, and they last all day. I usually stick to basic black liner, but I've been experimenting with other colors since I have options now. I really like using "Gilt" (gold) to line my lower lids.
Blushes:
I'm not a huge fan of the featured blushes. "Warm Apricot" is ok, but "Posy Pink" seriously makes me look like a clown. I prefer subtle blushes like this Nars Blush in Orgasm.
Soft Lights:
All three shades are absolutely gorgeous. "Lens" is a shimmery peach, "Prism" is a shimmery light pink, and "Shimmer" is a shimmery (redundant much? =P) nude. I use all of these colors as highlighting powders/blushes.
TIP: Shimmer can visually enlarge your pores so make sure you apply in moderation. Also, if you decide to use both highlighting powder and blush/bronzer, make sure one is matte. Too much shimmer can make you look like a disco ball. Trust me, I speak from experience.
TIP: Shimmer can visually enlarge your pores so make sure you apply in moderation. Also, if you decide to use both highlighting powder and blush/bronzer, make sure one is matte. Too much shimmer can make you look like a disco ball. Trust me, I speak from experience.
Lip Glosses:
The included glosses are pretty cute - the only color I don't particularly care for is "Mulberry".
Price: $59 (a $250 value) on Sephora.com + Free Shipping
Overall: This purchase was a bit of a splurge, but you're really getting a lot of bang for your buck. This palette is PERFECT for travel. All you need to do is throw in a few make-up brushes and you're good to go. I was looking for a new eyeshadow palette when I bought this value set. I was going to order Urban Decay's Naked Palette, but I thought this would be a better deal. I'm really pleased with my decision, and I definitely recommend checking this out!
Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Mascara |
I've always been loyal to Christian Dior's Diorshow mascara ($25), but in order to save some cash, I decided to try some drugstore alternatives. I bought this mascara on ulta.com a few weeks ago.
TIP: Save your designer mascara wands. The wands are what "distinguish" the designer from the drugstore =P Use them to apply "plain" drugstore brand mascaras.
Price: $6.99
Overall: All in all, I like this product. I can't say it's the greatest mascara I've ever used, but it gets the job done! It does a good job lengthening and volumizing, but it does have a tendency to clump a bit, but then again, what mascara doesn't. I use a toothpick to remove the clumps.
Overall: All in all, I like this product. I can't say it's the greatest mascara I've ever used, but it gets the job done! It does a good job lengthening and volumizing, but it does have a tendency to clump a bit, but then again, what mascara doesn't. I use a toothpick to remove the clumps.
Click here to buy. Ulta.com is having a promotion right now - buy 1 get 1 50% off.
NYX Super Skinny Marker |
I'm totally obsessed with this eyeliner. I usually SUCK at applying liquid liner, so I was hesitant to try it out at first, but Ulta was having a promotion - 40% off all NYX products - so I couldn't resist.
I apply this over my cream/gel eyeliner to give a crisper, cleaner line. I'm so happy I discovered this product - it's so easy to use! I will definitely be re-purchasing this for years to come.
Price: $8.99
Click here to buy...
What are some of your favorite products this month?
I am a huge fan of Dior Show mascara too! For drugstore ones, L'Oreal Voluminous and Illegal Lengths are my favorites. Try them if you haven't yet. :)
ReplyDeleteFor Bronzer, I started using lesser-known Lancome mineral (http://www.lancome-usa.com/makeup-blush-bronzers/makeup-blush-bronzers,default,sc.html?start=6&sz=6) which has a beautiful glow. (I got it so I can get the gift bag that was pretty awesome) :D
I'll definitely make sure to check out the L'Oreal mascaras! I've never heard of the Lancome mineral bronzer - I'll have to try it out asap! Thanks for sharing =D
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