November Favorites

The end of the year is quickly approaching, but lets take a moment and look at all the products I have been loving this month. There is only a small amount of product because I haven't been trying anything new.

Josie Maran Argan Black Oil Mascara

I got this sample sized mascara in the Sephora Favorites Lash Stash (here). I am absolutely in love with this mascara and I can not await to buy the full size version. This mascara makes my lashes super long and it holds the curl perfectly. I love that this mascara is made with argan oil because it helps nourish my lashes and it makes them very soft. This mascara is also said to help strength your lashes.





Tarte BB Primer in light

I pulled this sample out of sample bin (here). This is a make up primer but it also can be built up and worn alone like a BB cream. This primer also has the benefits of a BB cream. I love this product as a primer more than as a BB cream. I found this primer helped my make up apply smoother and because it has a pigment, it add some coverage. I think this primer will be great in the warmer months under BB creams because it does add some much need coverage.

Boscia Make Up Breakup Cool Cleansing Oil

This is a deep cleansing oil which dissolves make up and impurities. This product is extremely gently on my skin and it doesn't leave my skin feeling oily. I bought the travel size version of this product because I didn't know how my skin would react to it. My skin absolutely loves this product and since using this product my skin looks healthier. I will be buying the full size of this product asap.





The Body Shop's Peach Body Butter

I love these body butters. This product always makes my skin feel hydrated and refreshed. It doesn't leave an oily residue on my skin and the scents are just amazing. I have been pairing this body butter with the peach scented shower gel, which creates the most perfect peach scent. A tiny bit of this product goes a long way.



That is all the product I have been loving this month. What have you been loving this month? Share your products with me in the comments below.

Stay beautiful
Sarah

A Few Recent Purchases

I didn't share my 20 per cent of VIB Rouge Sale Haul because it was all products I need and have talked about before. Instead, I decided I would share with you a few recent items I have purchased.

Dior Crème de Rose Lip Balm

Every YouTube raves about this product. I did pick this product up during the VIB Rouge event. This is a smoothing plumping lip balm. I don't know how it plumps your lips but it does smooth and hydrate the lips. I find this lip balm hydrated for at least two hours. I like applying this lip balm before I start applying my make up because it preps my lips for a lip product. After using this product a few times, I have to say I don't enjoy the strong rose scent because it does linger on the lips.

Swatch of 655 Daringly Nude

Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipstick in 655 Daringly Nude

I finally found these lipsticks in my local drugstore. This product is a matte lipstick but it has a creamy non drying formula. I wanted to pick this product up in more colors but unfortunately my drugstore was either sold out or the lipsticks were all used. The color payoff of this product is amazing. This lipstick also smells like vanilla.



Rimmel Apocalips Lip Gloss in 100 Phenomenon and 101 Celestial

Swatch of 101 Celestial

These lip glosses were on sale at my local drugstore and I picked them up because I haven't tried them yet. Phenomenon is a peachy nude and Celestial is a light pink. The color payoff of these lip glosses are amazing and they glide on smoothly. I really like the applicator on these glosses. These glosses have a sweet scent to them.





Swatch of 100 Phenomenon

What are a few recent items you purchased? Let me know in the comments below.

Stay beautiful
Sarah

Wishlist Wednesday - Tarte

I find Tarte is one of the brands that has a lot of great products because of this it is really hard to decided what to try. Here is five items from Tarte that I want to try

Amazonian Clay Airbrush Foundation

I have heard north but good things about this product. This is a powder foundation that provides medium coverage and it is supposed to last for 12 hours. This powder is also feels light weight on the skin. I have heard that this product can be built up making it perfect for everyone. I also like that this powder can be used as a setting powder as well. This product works the best if it is used with the Kabuki brush.

Amazonian Butter Lipstick in Golden Pink

This lipstick is a beautiful light pink with warm undertones. These butter lipsticks adds a rich color and shine to the lips. The Amazonian Butter Lipsticks have a very creamy texture. These lipsticks are formulated with different butter to deliver moisture to the lips to help soothe dry, cracked and mature lips.

Power Pigment in Fearless

This lip tint is a pink coral color. These lip tints are infused with vitamins and Shea butter to give lips a boost of moisture. These lip tints also have a bold color payoff. Tarte formulated these lip tints after the newly designed cheek stains. The lip tints are designed to make skin more vibrant and bright.

Gifted Mascara

This mascara is all the rage right now on YouTube. This is a volumizing mascara infused with Amazonian clay. This mascara also has reparative properties. With every swipe of this mascara, it hydrate and  replenishes dry and brittle lashes preventing lash fallout. This mascara also strengthens lashes. The clay in the mascara keeps it in place for a long wearing flake free mascara.

Kiss & Belle Set

I wrote about this holiday set here. This is a eight piece set containing the LipSurgence lip tints and lip glosses. All the colors in the set are limited edition. Each lip tint and gloss deliver moisture to the lips. These lip tints also provide great color payoff.

That is everything I want to try from Tarte. What do you want to try?

Stay Beautiful
Sarah

Covergirl Foundation Review

I recently purchased the Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 foundation because I have heard so many raving reviews about it.

I am in the shade 910 Classic Ivory.

This foundation claims to have the lasting power of a primer, the coverage of a concealer and the bendability of a foundation all in one. This foundation does contain an SPF of 20 making it not good for flash photography. The foundation also claims to make the skin look shine free.












The color match is very good for me. I also love that this foundation has a pump. I will say this foundation does make the skin shine free. This foundation also is very easy to blend. I also love that this foundation feels light on the skin. I do agree with the claim saying it is long lasting. This foundation lasts me all day.

However, I find that although this foundation claims it covers like a concealer, I find myself wanting more coverage, so I apply extra concealer. I also don't like how 'liquidy' it is. I fixed this problem by shaking it before applying it.

 I have applied this product with both a damp beauty blender and my Real Techniques Buffing brush and I have to say I like to apply it more with my buffing brush because I feel like it gives me  more coverage than my beauty blender does.

The only other major down fall with this product is I find it sticks to any dry patches I have on my face, making my skin look even more dry. If I don't have any dry patches, this foundation looks flawless.






Overall, I am on the fence with this product. I like the way it feels on my skin, I like it's long last power and its easy bendability. However, I am not impressed at all with the fact that it sticks to any dry patches. I will however repurchase this product to wear on days were my skin isn't dry and on days were I just want simple make up because I like it for that.




What do you think about this product? Would you purchase/repurchase it? Let me know in the comments.

Stay beautiful
Sarah

MOTD - Presentations

With many final presentations coming up, which is bringing an end to this semester, I decided to share the products I use and some tips on my presentation day makeup.


Tip 1: ALWAYS use products/ make up application you know work for you. I never ever try anything new on presentation days.

Tip 2: Keep it simple. You want everyone to be focused on what you have to say, not on how dramatic your liner is.

Tip 3: Choose colors that make you feel confident. Don't wear a bold lip if you aren't comfortable in it.



The products;

To keep my make up lasting all day, I always use a primer. Right now, I am using the Maybelline Pore Eraser.

Following tip 1, I used the Make Up For Ever HD foundation. I applied this with a damp beauty blender. I did use two layers of foundation to add some extra coverage.

I applied the Maybelline Instant Age Rewind concealer under my eyes to conceal my dark circles. I also used the Rimmel Wake Me Up concealer to hide anything that wasn't covered by the foundation.

I set all my make up with the Amazing Cosmetics Pressed Powder using my Real Techniques Multi-task brush. I then sprayed the Urban Decay All-Nighter setting spray, this insured my make up did not budge.






To make sure my eye shadows don't crease, I used the Smashbox Photo Finish Lid Primer. I then applied the three lightest shade in the Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette.







After eye shadow, I used a combo of the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner and the Maybelline Stiletto liner to create a small winged liner. I used the two liners because I love the easiness of the Tattoo Liner, however I find it smudges on me so using the Stiletto liner (which is waterproof) just locks everything in.

Time to curl my lashes and apply mascara. I have been loving the Clinique lash primer ( I wrote about it here). I then coat my lashes in whatever mascara I am using, right now it is the Josie Maran Black Oil Mascara.

I then apply a fairly neutral lip color. Right now, I am obsessed with Tarte LipSurgence Lip Tint in the color moody.









That is my presentation look. How do you do your make up for presentation/public speaking engagements? If there is anything you would like me to review, please tell me in the comments.

Stay beautiful
Sarah

November Ipsy Unboxing

I recently received my November  Ipsy bag. For those who do not know, Ipsy is a monthly beauty subscription service that is completely customized to you. Each month, they send you a themed cosmetic bag filled with  four to five make up items, tools, shampoo, conditioner etc. It is ten dollars American (For Canadians add 4.95 for shipping). Here is what I got in my November Ipsy bag.

This month's theme is Girl Meets Glitter



Swatch of Submissive

Be a Bombshell Eye Base in Submissive

This product reminds me a lot of the Maybelline Color Tattoos (especially Bad to the Bronze), except this one is not as pigmented and it is slightly more glittery. This product is very creamy and did blend nicely when I swatched it. I believe this is a full size product. I really enjoy the color of this product but it is similar to Bad to the Bronze by Maybelline, which I already have, so this item is being passed along to my mom.

Comparison swatch of (left) Bad to the Bronze and (right) Submissive

You can see that Bad to the Bronze is a more pigmented and has a more warm tone to it.

Swatch of Pink Pearl

Temptu Highlighter in Pink Pearl

I have never heard of this brand before. This highlight is beautiful. It has a gorgeous pink sheen to it which is my favorite color for highlights especially in the colder months. I love that this product can be very sheer or built up for a more dramatic highlight. I am very impressed with this product.

Swatch of Red Potion

JCat Wonder Lip Paint in Red Potion

I have heard of this brand but I have never tried anything from it. This is a beautiful reddish berry color for fall. I believe this is a full size product. This product is similar to the OCC Lip Tars. This product has a glossy finish to it and it does stain the lips. Over all I am glad I received this product.







Marc Anthony Oil of Morocco Hair Spray

I have heard of this brand and I have tried some items for it as well. This is the only product I am a little bummed out about receiving simple because I don't use hair spray. The packaging claims that this product provides extra hold and it is fast drying. I am passing this product along.

Swatch of Ultra Orchid

Starlooks Gem Pencil in Ultra Orchid

I have heard of this brand as well but I have never tired anything. This eyeliner pencil is super creamy and has great pigmentation. I really enjoy the purple color and the little fleck of glitter just adds to it. I think this pencil will be perfect for around the holidays. This is a full size product.  When I swatched this product, I did notice it smudged a bit but I haven't tested it on my eyes yet. Overall, I am happy with it.


That is everything that came in my Ipsy bag. Overall, I am rating this bag a four and a half stars out of five because I am excited about the eyeliner, the lip paint and the highlighter. I really like the eye base but it is too close of a color match to Bad to the Bronze, but I know if I kept it, I would love it. The hairspray is the only thing I'm not liking simply because I don't use hairspray, but I know my mom will enjoy it. Are you a subscriber to Ipsy? What did you get in your November bag?

If you would like to sign up for Ipsy, please use my link: http://www.ipsy.com/r/1ik8u?sid=ipsypoints&cid=general

Stay Beautiful
Sarah

*NOTE: The Ipsy link is an affiliated link. It gets me points that I can redeem for an extra product. Thank you*

Sephora Holiday Kits Part 3

I love talking about holiday kits. I think they make great gifts, stocking stuffers or a great gift for yourself.

Tarte Kiss & Belle LipSurgence Lip set

This is a eight piece set containing Tarte's award winning LipSurgences  lip tints and Lip glosses, all are new limited edition shades. This set costs 41 dollars Canadian.

The set includes;

Deluxe LipSurgence lip tints in
- Dreamy (cool raspberry)
- Alluring (mauve)
- Innocent (warm nude)
- Dainty (pink)

Deluxe LipSurgence matte lip tints in
- Eternal (pinky nude)
- Fancy (plum berry)

And Deluxe LipSurgence lip glosses in
- Kiss (light pink)
- Belle (raspberry)

I personally love the LipSurgences, so I believe this set is perfect for anyone who loves these products or wants to try them.

Too Faced La Belle Carousel set

This is a carousel designed set featuring eye shadows, bush and bronze and mascara. This set costs 59 dollars Canadian.

The Set includes;

Eye shadows;
- Angel Hair (muted copper shimmer)
- Frost (intense white glitter)
- Tin Soldier (silver shimmer)
- Christmas Tree (forest green glitter)
- Santa’s Boots (matte black)
- Tufted Suede (taupe)
- Haute Chocolate (chocolate shimmer)
- Yule Log (black sparkle)
- Nut Cracker (pale pink ivory)
- Nude Beach (glittery pale peach)
- Boxes and Bows (icy peach pink)
- Sugar Plum Fairy (deep purple glitter

Blush;
- Who's Your Poppy (warm peach/gold shimmer)
- Luminous Peach (coral)

Bronzer;
- Chocolate Soleil (matte chocolate) > This is a popular bronzer by Too Faced
- Sun Bunny (white shimmer)

The set also includes a travel sized Better Than Sex Mascara.

I believe this set is good for people who love Too Faced products. Not only do you get to try some classic Too Faced products but you also get 12 eye shadows which are travel friendly.

Stila Putting on the Glitz set

This set contains eight of the most loved Lip Glazes combined with a rose gold leaf head band. All of this is packed into a gold box. This set costs 54 dollars Canadian.

Lip Glazes;
- Glamour
- Glory
- Glisten
- Glitter
- Glint
- Glimmer
- Glow
- Gleam

I think this is an amazing set to try or collect the Stila Lip Glazes. The colors range from pink to nude to berry to fun colors like a bright purple.

This ends the Sephora Holiday Kits Part 3. What holiday kits or makeup is on your Christmas list?

Stay beautiful
Sarah

Sample Bin Ruffle

I used up my last samples (here), I will be giving a mini review on them and I found new ones to try!

Review

Boscia Tsubaki Cleansing Oil- Gel

I had two sample packets of this product and to be completely honest I didn't like using it. I found this product didn't make my skin feel clean at all.

Make Up Forever HD Primer

I got two uses out of this sample and I really enjoyed it. This left my skin feeling really smooth and it acted as a great base to apply my make up too.

Nars Sheer Glow Foundation in Ceylon

I barely had any product in this sample because it had mostly dried up. I did have enough for one use and I did enjoy the way it made my skin look 'glowy'. This foundation is a sheer foundation but I was able to build it up in some areas that needed more coverage.

Urban Decay Naked Skin in Shade 2

I did get two uses out of this sample. I really enjoyed the weightless feeling of this foundation. I found this had better coverage than the Sheer Glow but I wished it left my skin looking more dewy.

The New

Philosophy Cleanser

This is a 3 in 1 cleanser for the face and eyes. This cleanser can soothe dry and sensitive skin. This product dissolves impurities, dirt and makeup. I am very excited to try this sample because I am always trying to find products that work well on my dry and sensitive skin.







Urban Decay Primer Potion

This product provides a smooth base for eye shadows while concealing redness on the eyelid. This product also makes colors look more vibrant. Since I personally don't wear a ton of eye shadow on a daily basis, I like to apply eye shadow primers under my liner to make it last longer.

Tarte BB Primer in light

This is a tinted skin treatment that can be worn alone or under makeup. This product claims to have 12 hour wear, minimizes pores, brighten skins and has Buildable coverage. This product is oil free and has a SPF of 30. This primer also has many skin benefits and anti aging properties. Trying different and new primers is my favorite.






Glam glow Youth Mud

I have this product in the travel size but I got this sample in one of my Sephora bags and have decided I need to use it before it dries up. This is a mud mask that is also an exfoliator. I wrote about this mask here.


Do you have a sample bin that need to be ruffled through? Share some of the samples you want to try with me in the comments.

Stay beautiful
Sarah

Empties + Mini Reviews

I have a small amount of empties to share with everyone today. I am very happy to say that almost all of these products are one that I haven't talked about before.

Boscia Multi-Masking Medley

This is a kit that contains four foil packets of four different peel off masks y Boscia. I only really enjoy the Luminizing Black Mask as it left my skin feeling the most refreshed and clean. I gave the Green Tea Oil-Controlling Mask to a friend because I don't have oily skin and she does. My skin had a terrible reaction to both the Bright White Mask and, funny enough, the Cool Blue Calming Mask. Overall, I will be purchasing a full size bottle of the black mask because I liked the way it made my skin feel and I didn't react to it.



Yes To.. Cucumber wipes

I wrote about these wipes in my drugstore haul (here) and then again in my disappointing products (here). Although, I had some skin issues with these wipes, I did use them all up. After the many breakouts, I decided to use this product to clean up swatches. This product does remove make up very well but because it broke me out, I won't be repurchasing it.

First Aid Beauty Facial Radiance Pads

I bought a FAB beauty kit and this product was in it. These pads exfoliate, tone and brighten. I really enjoyed using these pads on a daily basis but they were exceptionally great fro travel because I didn't have to worry about toner leaking. Overall, I will be purchasing a full size of this product but I will only be using them for traveling because I have a toner that I enjoy using on a every day basis more.





Fresh's Brown Sugar Shower Gel Sample

I only got one use out of this product because it was a tiny sample. This shower gel smelt like lemons or citrus in general to me and I really enjoyed it. This shower gel did lather up nicely and it made my skin feel very clean. My skin also didn't feel tight after using this product. I am not sure if I will purchase the full size of this product, as I have a ton of shower gel to work through.

Philosophy Amazing Grace Shower Gel Sample

I only got one use out of this product because it was a tiny sample. This shower gel lathered up very well. However, I did not like the scent of this at all, it was too floral and too perfumey for my liking. This shower gel also made my skin feel tight. I will not be purchasing a full size of this product.







Sephora Outrageous Curl Mascara Sample

I got this mascara in the Lash stash kit by Sephora (I wrote about it here) This mascara claims to give 'dramatic volume and curve'... It gave volume but it didn't hold a curl at all. I also didn't enjoy the brush on this mascara as it was very small and the mascara clumped around the already tiny bristles. I will not be purchasing a full size of this mascara.

Benefit's That Gal Brightening Face Primer Sample

I really love this primer. I usually buy the full size of this product but I haven't repurchased it because I have been working through my huge sample bin that is full of primers. This product does brighten the skin leaving it looking beautiful. I also find this primer is a great base for my makeup to sit on. I will be purchasing a full size of this product once I get through all my samples.




Avon Big and Daring Mascara

I got this product in my ipsy bag (here). I really enjoyed this mascara. It added a ton of volume and it held a curl pretty well. I liked the jumbo curved brush as well. I honestly have no complaints about this mascara but to me it was just average. I may purchase this item or I may not, I liked this mascara but it didn't wow me which is the reason I am on the fence about it.

That is all my empties. What products have you used up?

Stay beautiful
Sarah

Bite Lip Pencil Review

I recently purchased Bite Beauty Best Bite Remix. This is a holiday kit created by Bite Beauty, it contains four lip pencils and  costs 29 dollars Canadian.

I personally love Bite as a brand. I love the fact that their products are 99 per cent food grade and that their products are gluten free. I also love that they are a Canadian company as well. I have not bought a Bite product that I haven't liked.






I really like how these pencils come in a beautiful tin that keeps them protected. The tissue paper on the inside is a perfect touch. I also love the mirror the tin has on the inside of the lid.

Swatches

Swatch of Pomegranate

Pomegranate is a bright rose-red pencil













Swatch of Sable

Sable is a beautiful nude pencil. This shade is new to this set.

Swatch of Rhubarb

Rhubarb is a purple red pencil

Swatch of Winterberry

Winterberry is raspberry colored pencil. This shade is also new to this set.









These lip pencils are very pigmented, creamy and glide on to the lips. I think all of these colors are perfect for anyone. I love how travel friendly these pencils are. Overall, I am very happy with this product and I might go buy another one (for myself yes.)

Stay beautiful
Sarah