RAVE: Smashbox Studio Skin 15 hour Foundation

For the past couple of days I have been trying out the New Studio Skin 15 hour foundation from Smashbox. It retails for about $42, which is kind of pricey in my honest opinion, but it's some pretty awesome stuff! Now, I bought it in shade 4.1, which is one of the darker shades, but it's a little too dark, so I am going to exchange it for 3.4 tomorrow.

It's med-full coverage, and covers/ builds soooooooo flawlessly. It DOES NOT leave you looking cakey at all. And I can completely omit concealer with this stuff. Another plus is the fact that even with it's coverage, it feels really light on. I can't attest to the 15 hour wearing power, since I never wear my foundation that long, BUT I can say that after a nearly 12 hour day, I was a bit oily yet  it was still going strong. I would definitely recommend this foundation to anyone who desires a long lasting, lighter feeling, full coverage foundation.

Has anyone been able to try this out yet? What are your thoughts?

-Miss Brina

RANDOM TIP: Turn ANY lipstick into a Matte

Love the look of a matte lip but HATE the dry, cracking feeling that comes along with it? Opt for a nice moisturizing lippie instead and pat some silica powder over that bad boy! Not only will your lips have that gorgeous matte look you desire, but they won't suffer the consequences to get it! Not to mention you also save a few bucks by using lipsticks you may already have with a 2 in 1 look. Have you tried silica powder?

Want to see the results? Head on over to Anatomy of Beauty to see the AMAZING effects of silica powder!

Want to get some silica powder? Head on over here or here.

Update: NYX Matte Lippies

Hey you guys! I know it's EXTRA late, but I've finally posted the swatches for the NYX Matte Lipsticks. You can find the updated post here.


Have a happy thursday!

E.L.F. Cosmetics Haul/ Review

I was recently given the opportunity to review a few products from E.L.F, and overall, I am greatly pleased with the quality of products that they churn out so cheaply! After watching numerous youtube videos over the last few months, there were a few standout products that I jumped at the chance to try, so let’s just  get right into the review.

(Photo courtesy of eyeslipsface)

It’s no secret that I am on the search for the PERFECT foundation. I’m almost embarrassed to admit to how many products I’ve purchased, used for maybe a month or so, then given  (or sometimes tossed) away due to ill matches or unfavorable performance. That being said (and for $6 a pop), you KNOW I had to give their Flawless Finish Foundation a chance. Now I will say that when this item arrived, I was a little put off by the fact it had leaked in transit, and had this been a more pricier foundation I’d have returned it immediately, but I sucked it up and grabbed my foundation brush, ready to get to swatching!

  

(Poor leaky foundation)

I’ve heard so many people complain about the size of the foundation (.80 oz), but honestly, for the price it’s great. And truly, as someone who has had to dump many foundations after they’ve thickened and oxidized too dark after a few months, I find this smaller bottle more appealing and convenient…. Not to mention it cuts down on product waste considerably.  After a little deliberation, I opted for the shade Almond, and while it is not the perfect match for me, it is a great foundation. The coverage you get with this stuff us UNBELIEVABLE! Honestly, I have a few brown marks on my cheeks from popping the occasional pimple, and I didn’t even need to use any concealer (THAT’S how amazing this foundation was for me)!!! I just wish the color selection was a bit broader and more specifically, I wish this foundation was a bit more yellow, then I’d surely move it into the daily rotation.

(Photo courtesy of eyeslipsface)

I also picked up a few lip products from the Mineral line that E.L.F has, and I was least impressed with the Mineral Lipstick. I grabbed the shade Rosy Tan, and man… that bad boy is pretty darn sheer! It took some serious building to get the payoff I THOUGHT it would deliver out the tube. It wasn’t sticky, it wasn’t overly waxy, but unless they found a way to make it more opaque I won’t be picking up any more of these. **SIDE NOTE: I hopped on the 60% sale E.L.F had a few weeks ago and got 4 more of the mineral lippies a few days before this arrived. The pigmentation was a bit better, but my earlier verdict still stands…. NOT FOR ME.

(Photo courtesy of eyeslipsface)

But the mineral line has been redeemed!!! I am in absolute LOVE with the Mineral Lipgloss! I needed a clear gloss, so I figured, WHY NOT! First, it’s so NOT sticky, it’s NOT thick…  it is a gloss lovers dream product! It glides on so smoothly, and I don’t even feel it on my lips when I’m wearing it. I’ll be grabbing a few more backups, as well as trying a few more colors from this line. If I can only recommend one product as a MUST HAVE… this is it!!!!!

(Photo courtesy of eyeslipsface)

Now, on to the eyes! I got the Professional Studio Pro Endless Eyes Palette after hearing so many great things about it. Even my sister raved about it after she got one for Christmas, but sadly, I wasn’t too blown away.  Let me start off by saying I wanted to LOVE this! It has such a beautiful mix of colors all in one (large) 100-shadow palette, but it was really too hit or miss for me. I found quite a few of the shades to be very sheer, and it was hard to pick up any product from some as well as they were very hard pressed. But people RAVE about this; who knows, maybe I got a dud! Also, one color was damaged upon receipt (see photos) 

but I held on to this palette for review after deciding it wasn’t worth sending back over one crumbled shade I wouldn’t have used much in the first place. I think that if you’re on a budget, or prefer your shadows more watercolor-esque, this palette is going to tickle your fancy. But as with ALL of the products from E.L.F it’s worth picking up just for the price alone ($10).

(Photo courtesy of eyeslipsface)

But it wasn’t all bad in the shadow department, as I fell into an easy and effortless routine with the Professional Studio Matte Eyeshadow in Chestnut. I got it thinking it would be a great blending shade, and it really is. I think that anyone NC44/45 and beyond should really pick this up and add to their beauty arsenal. I mean, $3 for .05oz of product and a little brush (even if I don't use it) is worth it. And the pigmentation of this shadow is great too. It’s true to color, and would even make a good crease color for fair skinned women looking to rock a more natural look for work. If you’re listening E.L.F…. YOU NEED MORE MATTE SHADOW COLORS! This is one of the BEST items I’ve tried from this company, and I really would love to see the range grow. Mint and  Baked Berry… I’m coming for you next!

(Photo courtesy of google images)

The last item I picked up was one of the Essential Beauty Book Eye Edition sets in Neutral ($5). These 12 coordinating shades were surprisingly pigmented and blended very nicely to achieve a variety of work suitable looks. I LOVE the little liner and mirror that accompanies this. The size of the palette initially threw me for a loop since I figured it would be smaller than what it really is, and the cardboard housing made for a lightweight, yet sturdy product. It would be great to travel with, just be sure to keep it in your carry-on to avoid any smashing or potential breaking disasters. ***SIDE NOTE: This item is no longer listed on their site.

To make a long story short, E.L.F really has this bargain cosmetic game on lockdown! They are currently offering Celebration specials (for their 7th Birthday extraveganza) as well as FREE SHIPPING deals until August 1st, so if you’ve been curious about any of their products, or even if you’re already a tried and true fan then NOW is the time to pickup a few beauty essential from their website! ‘Cause with products starting at $1…. Twenty bucks will go a long way with E.L.F.

EOTD: Sleek Curacao palette

This has replaced my Bohemian palette. I LOVE each and every color, and decided to do a quick look before I stepped out with the little one and her father. 

Products used:

Sleek Curacao Palette- Blue Hawaiian, Green Iguana, Purple Haze & Singapore Sling

WnW Vanity Palette- Shimmery Beige

Dior Show Extase mascara

Very simple look, and the quality of Sleek eyeshadows are remarkable. I recently picked up Scandalous blush, and like Pan Tao.... the pigmentation is OFF THE CHARTS!!! Swatches of Scandalous, as well as the Monaco, Curacao and Oh So Special palettes coming soon.

How's everyone's week going thus far?

-Miss Brina

RAVE: MILANI BAKED BLUSH

I saw these beauties while I was browsing through target today, and I am so glad I picked them up. I was surprised how pigmented they were, just one swipe with my tapered blush brush from Sigma was more than enough product to do both cheeks. I can't find my receipt, but they were about $6 a piece. The packaging is really simple, yet sturdy, and comes with a mirror and mini brush in a compartment under the blush. I've never really cared much about the marbled blushes, bronzers, shadows or beauty powders before this purchase... I just figured it helped with aesthetics, but I literally had a GLOW when I applied Rose D'Oro to my face! The gold veining really did wonders.

Left: Rose D'Oro,  Right: Luminoso

SWATCHES

Left: Rose D'Oro,  Right: Luminoso

I'll pick up a few more shades on my next trip, that's for sure!

UPDATED!!!! Review: NYX Matte Lipstick

By now ya'll can tell I LOVE me a good lippie! High end, YES. Drugstore, YES. Homemade, YES. I live for a great lipstick, so you can understand my excitement when I saw these NEW matte lipsticks from NYX. I mean, the Soft Matte Lip Creams were AMAZING, so these have got to be just as great, right? WRONG! They unimpressed me so much that I've had them for almost a month now, and am just getting around to even writing about them. I know they are a matte lipstick, but the majority of the colors wear VERY dry on your lips. The real and only wow factor (for me) is that you can pretty much count on full color coverage in one swipe. I ordered mine from BeautyJoint, which processed my order on monday and had them on my doorstep by tuesday afternoon!!! Great service, but even their site displayed the colors slightly off from what you truly get. Take a look at the photo below for a more realistic swatch of what you'll be getting when you order (FYI- Butter, Bloody Mary & Audrey are mislabeled on the chart). I'll also be posting swatches of the colors I bought for reference this week.

For example, I ordered Perfect Red, but it came looking more like Pure Red. But it's not a real FAIL for me, as they do have some great colors and the wear time is pretty much all day, even with eating and drinking. With the exception of a couple colors I purchased, like SIERRA, PERFECT RED and STRAWBERRY DAIQUIRI, I'll more than likely be pairing them with a good lipbalm, liner and clear gloss to be able to wear them and not feel like my lips are going to crackle and fall off. 

Has anyone else tried these lipsticks out yet? Did you have the same issue with ULTRA dry lips like I did?

UPDATE: Here are the swatches!