Tag Archives: beauty

Estee Lauder Pure Color Lipstick Swatch In Fig

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Estee Lauder Pure Color Lipstick Swatch In Fig

Hello! We have been swatching many a shade from a makeup hand me down haul from my sister and so far I have been less than impressed. Yes, the lipsticks have been good. But, the colors have just done nothing for me. That slight disappointment got completely turned around when I gave an Estee Lauder lipstick in Fig a try, though! Take a look and let’s discuss:

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When it comes to darker colored lipsticks, I tend to shy away and immediately reach for a tube of my signature red. And that’s definitely how the last two lippie swatches on lifewithlilred left me feeling! Thankfully, one of these hand me downs was a knockout because this rosewood hue is simply charming.

From deep purple and brown undertones in previous posts, those shades were not the best for the Lil Red color palette. My skin tone responds best to true red or deep pink undertones, which is why this lipstick in Fig works so well for me. The burnt pink hue with the slightest touch of red blended in makes for a shade that doesn’t turn me into a washed out pale princess with blackberry stained lips.

Not only will this shade be lovely during the grey months of early spring and late fall but the application and quality of this lipstick is a ten. I liked how smoothly it applied without being too glossy while the color was rich but not too deep to be overpowering. I can see myself rocking this shade, for sure, and it is universal enough that it would look stunning on every skin tone.

How do you alter your makeup throughout the seasons? Who do you get your hand me downs from? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

January 2020 Finishes

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January 2020 Finishes

Hello everyone and welcome to the first Finishes post of 2020! Can you believe that we’re already one month into the new year? Crazy! January has been a very busy month for me and I, for one, am looking forward to things slowing down after the hustle and bustle of the holiday season. Thanks to many TJMaxx gift cards for Christmas, I completely restocked my skin care hoard. But, thanks to many agonizingly long days in January, I did not get to pamper myself as much as I would like – resulting in a minimal amount of empties. Check it out:

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Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

B&BW Shower Gel: I absolutely LOVE the shower gel from Bath & Body Works. They always smell delicious, they lather well, and a little of it goes a long way. It took me over one month to finish one bottle and you can’t beat that. The Fresh Sparkling Snow scent was so crisp and invigorating that it felt like you were breathing in a gust of winter air every time you popped the lid. This scent is a perfect example of a holiday fragrance that isn’t overpowering and I wish I had more of it!

SkinLab Serum: At twenty-five years old, I figure that it is high time to start a skin care regimen that emphasizes lifting and firming. So, the Lift & Firm Treatment Serum by SkinLab was an obvious choice! I use this serum along with the moisturizer and eye cream from the same line and I have definitely noticed a difference in the tightness of my skin during the past month.

My only qualm with this product is the fact that it runs thicker than the serums that I am used to using. Normally, it takes me over a month to finish one bottle of serum and this SkinLab one was finished in about three weeks. I am not thrilled about that because I like getting the most bang for my buck. However, I have two more bottles to get through and am going to try and ration them better this time around.

SkinLab Eye Cream: The Hydrate & Replenish Eye Cream by SkinLab rocks! I love hydra gel formulas and this cream was perfect for the sensitive skin around your eyes. Despite being in a tiny jar, it took me at least three months to finish it up. It sat so well under makeup and it really did leave the exposed skin around my peepers feeling completely nourished. I would use this eye cream again in a heartbeat.

Although I didn’t have many empties in January, all of them were ones that I was pleased with and would recommend. Now, here’s to a less busy February so I can work in a bit more pampering!

Which products did you finish up this month? What is your skin care regimen like? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

NYX Butter Lipstick Swatch In Lifeguard

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NYX Butter Lipstick Swatch In Lifeguard

Howdy! Today we are going to be swatching a lipstick shade called “Lifeguard” from my personal favorite brand, NYX. This lippie is from their “Butter” collection and I’ve gotta tell you – it really was as smooth as buttah in its application! This lipstick is another hand me down from my sister and, similar to yesterday’s post, I don’t hate it but don’t love it either. Take a look at some pics and let’s discuss:

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Despite being a lover of all things dark and disturbing, dark lipstick is just something I can’t get down with. I have my signature shade of Pure Red by NYX, I like nude lips, and I enjoy some shades of light pink. All of these colors compliment my hair, complexion, and personal makeup style without going overboard.

Believe you me, I am interested in trying different shades but I also know myself well enough to know which colors work and which don’t. And, through extensive trial and error, I have found that dark lipstick looks like BUTT on me. It’s just too overwhelming against so much brightness around my face from my hair, pale skin, and five nose piercings. The look always ends up too vampy or out of place and I crawl back to my go to shades with my tail between my legs.

Am I mad about this? No. All colors can’t look good on everyone! But, do I wish that I could pull off a darker lip? YES. I actually really like the shade being swatched today! The rich scarlet color is so pretty and glam and it would be the perfect shade to spice up a date night with.

And, we can’t forget how easily this lipstick applied as well as removed once I was through. It definitely lives up to its namesake of the “Butter” collection because it glided on and off like a dream and it felt SO smooth and creamy. This is especially nice in the winter time when chapped lips are upon us and a matte lipstick can feel so heavy on already dry skin.

Like yesterday’s lippie, I loved the idea of it – just not the color. But that’s okay! I got to try something new FO FREE and I know that if I find a shade that I like in the Butter collection that I would purchase it in a heartbeat!

How do you keep your lips hydrated during the winter? What is your favorite dark shade of lipstick? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Ciate London Glitter Flip Liquid Lipstick Swatch In Infamous

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Ciate London Glitter Flip Liquid Lipstick Swatch In Infamous

Hello everyone! Am I a huge makeup girl? Yes and no. Don’t get me wrong, I love my go to shades and I enjoy wearing makeup. However, I am not the most adventurous when it comes to purchasing new colors or products for myself. My sister, Kristen, is the total opposite. She loves experimenting with different hues and always seems to be able to find a use from most of the goods that she receives in her monthly subscription box.

But, all of them can’t be winners, which is where her blogger little sister comes in. Kristen is kind enough to bestow her hand me downs onto me for swatching purposes on lifewithlilred. And, sometimes, I even end up with a new lippie or eyeshadow that I love but would never have purchased for myself otherwise. It’s a great working relationship!

Today, we are going to be looking at Ciate London’s Glitter Flip Liquid Lipstick in a shade called “Infamous”:

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When you’re a blogger, you have to make things work. For example, my apartment is probably the worst place possible to photograph makeup. The lighting absolutely SUCKS at chez moi, which is not the best for taking pics of swatches because the color never ends up accurate in photos beneath the yellow lighting. So, I had to improvise.

While originally snapping a pic of the swatch on my wooden kitchen table, I noticed that it was reflecting the overhead light making for a blurry picture. Especially considering that this lipstick has glitter in it. I began trying to take a picture in multiple different locations but the color just wasn’t being captured how I wanted.

That’s when I had the brain blast to photograph the swatch while placing my hand over my boyfriend’s black faux leather jacket. The inky hue absorbed the light instead of bouncing off the lipstick heart and it finally showed up in pictures how I was actually seeing it.

I thought this was a fun little tip to share because, as bloggers, the lighting in our pictures is what makes them. And, when your only option is poor lighting, it’s crucial to come up with hacks that work – including one that I made up off the top of my head!

Now, let’s actually talk about Infamous by Ciate London. Do I love this color? Not necessarily. The deep berry is just too harsh against my pale skin. I also have really pink undertones and, along with my red hair, it’s all a bit much. But, that’s not to say that this color wouldn’t look good on other people and there’s a lot that I did like about this lippie.

If you notice the last picture, the swatch looks faded. I actually just took that pic after washing my hands and that was the remnants. It also stayed on my hand all throughout the night and I can still see some of the color after my morning shower. Talk about long lasting!

And, who doesn’t love a little glitter?! When it comes to makeup, I love the pixie sparkle as much as the next one. But, I don’t like when it goes overboard and you end up looking like you had a craft aisle mishap. Infamous has the perfect light dusting of glitter which gives you a subtle amount of sparkle without blinding everyone you smile at.

I don’t think that I would wear this shade BUT I am not turned off to the brand and wouldn’t mind trying it in a hue that is more flattering for me. I’m still glad I got to share it with all of you, though, as well as a little blogging photography hack!

Which lipstick shades look best on you? How about a shade that you avoid? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Bath & Body Works Haul

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Bath & Body Works Haul

Hi! When winter rolls around in Ohio, I like to take my clients to the mall to walk some laps. It’s important to continue exercise and self care even in freezing temperatures! While making our rounds when I was with a client, I noticed that Bath & Body Works was having a winter clearance sale and I knew I just had to get my hands on some goodies before everything was picked over. So, later that night, I ventured to the mall to score some super discounted treats. Check it out:

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Okay, let me start off by saying, I know that I purchased A TON of stuff. Sixteen products to be exact. BUT, I paid fifty dollars in total for all of the haul that you see above and you just can’t beat that. I only go grocery shopping once every two to two and a half months and EVERY. TIME. I end up buying body washes and lotion to replenish my dwindling supply. This haul eliminated that for at least a year while giving me scents that I love from a brand that I enjoy.

When I first moved into my apartment, I bought a ton of the foaming hand soap from Bath & Body Works and it is my absolute favorite. They smell amazing and leave my hands feeling clean without being dried out. I was so happy to have purchased some delicious summery scents for half off including my A1 of the Peach Bellini. It is almost as tasty as an actual Margarita… the Margarita Time hand soap be damned!

And, of course, I had to get all things apple for my body wash as it is my go to for shower time or perfume. The Champagne Apple & Honey along with the Winter Candy Apple is a sweet tart treat that will definitely help invigorate me during my morning shower! Is six bottles between the two excessive? Yes. But, hello emergency add on gifts if I ever need. 😀

I am SO pleased with my haul from Bath & Body Works and am already chomping at the bit to finish up the bath and body products I’m using now so I can break out the good stuff. Nothing is better than buying essentials that you actually need and are going to use for a song!

Which store has the best seasonal sales? What is your favorite Bath & Body Works fragrance? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

New Champagne Pink & Deep Purple Glitter Nails

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New Champagne Pink & Deep Purple Glitter Nails

Hi! For Christmas, my boyfriend’s parents and aunt were all kind enough to give me gift cards to my stomping grounds of Elysian Nails. It was so sweet and not paying for my new set of nails was even sweeter! My old set was definitely ready to come off and I say good riddance, because these new acrylics have me feeling like a million bucks. Take a look at some pictures and let’s discuss. Although, you will surely be able to tell which pictures my boyfriend took and which were taken by me!

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Before anyone asks, yes, the palms of my hands are tattooed! I recently did a tap out tattoo session and got thirteen new ones in a matter of nine hours, my palms included. I am absolutely obsessed with them and needed some sassy new nails to go with my sky high “just inked” confidence. We all know by now that Lil Red is a lover of all things pretty and looking down at my palm tattoos and fresh new nails never ceases to put a smile on my face.

I was in the mood for some fun colors when I got my nails done and wasn’t quite sure what to pick. I examined hot pinks and pondered over an electric blue but wasn’t feeling any of them. Despite it being in mid January, we have had a very mild winter here in Akron, Ohio. But, it is winter none of the less, so I decided to go for something darker.

Deep berry shades are a popular choice during the winter months and I have never done a dark purple before so I thought I would give it a try. I love the inky midnight hue offset by the girly pop of metallic pink. Each of the colors I chose have glitter in them but just a slight dusting, which offers a little fairy magic every time they hit the light.

This isn’t a combination that I was too confident with but I am so happy with the end result. Although we have had temperatures of up to seventy degrees this winter (Crazy!), I am not quite ready to break out a bikini and tropical colored nails any time soon. But, the eye catching shimmer of my new nails will keep me in a sunny disposition until the warmer seasons officially hit!

What color of nail polish do you have on? Which colors do you prefer on your nails during the winter? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

The Balm Cosmetics Nude Beach Swatch In Bootylicious

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The Balm Cosmetics Nude Beach Swatch In Bootylicious

Hello! I recently acquired a new eyeshadow from my sister by The Balm Cosmetics in a shade called “Bootylicious”. So, needless to say, I was intrigued – and I’m sure all of you are too! As ridiculous sounding as it is, Bootylicious is a shade that is right up my alley. I never go too crazy with my eye makeup. In fact, I’m perfectly content with my love for colors in the bronze, brown, and copper family, which is why Bootylicious is perfect for me. And, a little glitter never hurt anyone, either! Check it out:

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^^^ The top heart is the eyeshadow wet and the bottom is applied dry. The first photo has the flash off and the second is with the flash on.

Because I am not the most adventurous when it comes to eye makeup, I rarely buy it when I’m out and about. I have my handful of shades that I’m comfortable with and I stick to them. So, it is always such a treat to get a new hand me down from my sister because I definitely would not have bought it for myself.

Despite never going eyeshadow crazy at Sephora, the warm cinnamon shade that is Bootylicious is actually one that I might have purchased. I love the cute as can be packaging, the hint of sparkle, and the inviting hue. It’s a fair bit darker than any of my copper tones that I normally wear, making it perfect for the winter weather. But, it is not so dark that it isn’t appropriate for spring and summer too.

This eyeshadow applied so easily and it stayed locked in place all day, which is always a relief because there is nothing worse than little dots of eyeshadow falling on your cheeks! My sister hit the nail on the head with this hue for me and I’m surprised she didn’t want it for herself. But, hey, I’ll gladly take it! 😀

What is your makeup style? What is your favorite eyeshadow shade to sport? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

HUGE TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

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HUGE TJMaxx Skin Care Haul

Howdy! Thanks to SO many generous people in my life who know of my undying love for TJMaxx, I was able to go on a post holiday spending spree with my gift cards. I went into the store with a clear vision of what I would like to spend my money on and that was stocking up on all of my skin care needs for the next few months and then some treats for myself with the remainder.

I hate to toot my own horn, but I only ended up spending eight dollars over my gift card amount and I was very pleased with my mental math and the haul below! Check it out:

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The Haul:

As you can see, I am a huge fan of SkinLab products and have been using them pretty exclusively for the past half a year or so. At twenty-five, I feel like it is now time to start looking into skin care that lifts and firms and the SkinLab regimen I purchased does just that. I have been using the lift and firm products for over a month now and I already see a noticeable difference in the tightness of my skin. I’m really happy that I was able to nab more of the goods to keep this beauty routine going and hopefully they will be still be at TJMaxx when I need more!

I also took it upon myself to grab some more heat serum for my hair because, might as well. I have been using the Rusk serum for the past year now and have had no complaints. It leaves my hair silky without getting greasy and it protects my locks from the 450 degree heat of my straightener so it is an obvious must. Plus, it smells awesome!

And, finally, the micellar water and the pore minimisers. The Evoluderm micellar water is easily the best one I’ve ever used and I was so excited that TJMaxx had it again. The bottle I purchased came with a free travel size, too, which made the find even sweeter. I was also thrilled to have purchased the pore minimisers by TBS because I was obsessed with that product when I worked there. It leaves your skin so perfectly matte while shrinking pesky open pores that can cause blemishes. A little of the good stuff goes a long way so I suspect I’ll have these two bottles for a while. 😀

I am beyond appreciative to my loved ones for hooking me up with a post holiday shopping spree and had so much fun sharing the experience with my mom. ❤ Tune in tomorrow for more of my gift card haul!

Do you have a beauty product hoard? What kind of stuff do you stockpile? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Holiday Haul: Sister & Brother In Law Edition

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Holiday Haul: Sister & Brother In Law Edition

Hello everyone! No matter what winter holiday you celebrate, I trust that all of you had a wonderful time celebrating with friends and family. I know I did! Now, I hate to toot my own horn but I am usually the MVP of Christmas in my family. I live for holiday shopping and I love gifting those close to me with something special. Unsurprisingly, my title was bequeathed onto me again this year. However, my sister and brother in law, Kristen and Ramon, did a bang up job themselves! Check it out:

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Kristen and Ramon treated me to a lovely red flannel button down from Express, a handmade beanie from our friend’s Etsy shop, and some Better Than Sex mascara for my beauty hoard. I absolutely love my flannel and I feel so spoiled because I never shop at Express, as it is a bit out of my price range. I am really excited to pair it with my new knitted beanie for a look to keep me comfy and cozy all winter long. Pair with your favorite leggings, rinse, repeat.

And, of course, you can never go wrong with gifting me the Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced. Granted, I have two back up tubes already but now I won’t have to buy any more for a good long while. I am so touched by the thought that went into these gifts by my sister and brother in law and I am looking forward to putting all of it to good use. ❤

Do you like to shop on Etsy? What is your favorite Etsy shop? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

December 2019 Finishes

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December 2019 Finishes

Good morning and we interrupt the normal scheduling of the Holiday Haul to bring you the last monthly finishes post of 2019! December was an excellent month for using up some long term products that I’ve been working on and I love being able to start something new after a two or three month run. So take a look at my empties and let’s get to it:

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Would I Use Again?

Why/Why Not?

Softsoap Body Wash: I never understood why people spend a buttload of money on body washes when there are brands like Softsoap available for three dollars a bottle. I loved the pomegranate and mango scent, the moisturizing beads, and how it lathers so well. This body wash was so invigorating to use during my morning shower and it took me over one month to finish the bottle.

Garnier Micellar Water: We all know that I love my Garnier micellar water and I’ll be using it for forever, I reckon. The big bottle, which costs about twelve dollars, lasts me three months while the smaller one for around seven gets used up in one. Talk about a great value!

Clean & Clear Cleanser: I liked the Clean & Clear Morning Burst cleanser a lot. It always helped wake me up in the morning, it lathered well, and my skin would feel so fresh but not overly dry after using it. It took me at least two months to finish one bottle and I would happily use it again.

Provence Beauty Serum: This serum was a TJMaxx purchase and it lasted me a little over one month. I loved how the serum’s consistency was very liquidy because one dropper full was enough to cover my whole face and neck. Sometimes, you have to use a lot more when the consistency is thicker. The faint scent of orange in the serum was nice and it always seemed to rejuvenate my tired skin in the morning.

SkinLab Moisturizer: I absolutely love the SkinLab moisturizers and have been using them pretty exclusively for the past handful of months. The Detox Cloud moisturizer was a thicker texture but it never felt too heavy and still sat well under makeup. It is the ideal moisturizer to use during the winter months when dry skin can be a problem and it took me one month to finish one jar.

Laneige Sleeping Mask: This mini jar was a sample from Sephora and I was surprised that I was able to get at least six uses on my full face and neck from such a tiny container. I didn’t love this sleeping mask but I didn’t hate it. To me, it didn’t pack enough of a super hydrating punch but if the freebie option for it was available again I would probably go for it.

This was the perfect month of finishes to end the year on because every product was successful in their own ways. This is Lil Red’s last post of 2019 but I’ll catch you all tomorrow in 2020 for more of the latest and greatest!

Which products did you use up this month? How are you ringing in the new year? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah