Tag Archives: makeup

Too Faced Lip Injection Swatch In Filler Up

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Too Faced Lip Injection Swatch In Filler Up

Hi!!! I am very unadventurous when it comes to makeup. Once I find a brand and shade that I like, I tend to stick with it for the long haul. This past month, I used up my go to lipstick by Bite Beauty in the most lovely mauve shade called Chai. It was no biggie because I needed new mascara from Sephora so I planned on restocking my lipstick too. It turned out to be a HUGE biggie because I learned online that the Chai shade has been discontinued. Just my luck. I spent some time browsing Sephora online for a comparable lipstick but didn’t want to take the plunge in case I didn’t like it. So, I went to shop in store and after a lot of trial and error, ended up with a gorgeous shade by Too Faced called Filler Up. Check it out:

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I very rarely shop for new makeup and opt to spend my extra cash on new clothes and shoes. I like to consider myself to be an excellent shopper, but I met my match at Sephora. Who knew something as simple as picking out a new lipstick would be so difficult? NOT ME lol. Shopping brings me inner peace – makeup shopping is a whole different ballgame. Every lipstick looked like it could be good and, then again, every lipstick looked like it might not work. This was so totally overwhelming considering the expansive lippie selection at Sephora!

After swatching, reswatching, and swatching again throughout the store, I was at a complete loss. Then, the tides turned in a major way when I took a closer look at the Lip Injection collection by Too Faced. There was no perfect match to my fallen friend by Bite Beauty, but it was closer than anything I had seen. I ended up choosing a shade called Filler Up which is described as a “muted mauve pink”. Although I still preferred the true mauve of Chai, I knew that Filler Up was the closest I could get and I’m happy with it. I have used matte Too Faced lip products before and love their saturated pigments. However, I find matte products to be a bit too drying now so this cream lippie is just right. Is it my new favorite shade? Who’s to say? But I’ll give it a try. 🙂

Did I have fun during my Sephora shopping trip? Not at all lol so I am so glad I found something “close enough” to my OG lippie so I don’t have to do it again anytime soon! 😀

What is your least favorite thing to shop for? What is your go to lipstick? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

 

Sephora Birthday Haul

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Sephora Birthday Haul

Hello!! I have been in dire need of my beloved Better Than Sex mascara by Too Faced for several months now. However, I refused to buy it until recently so that I could cash in my Sephora birthday gift. You all know I live for my freebies! Normally, I shop Sephora online because they run some great promotions like a freebie after spending X amount of money. This time around, though, I went in store because I needed some new lipstick too. Unfortunately, my go to lippie is no longer made so I spent some time browsing the store and swatching different shades as I went. We’ll check out a swatch from my new Too Faced lipstick tomorrow. But, for now, take a look at my birthday haul:

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The Haul:

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Too Faced Lip Injection in Filler Up

Youth To The People skin care set with a Superfood Cleanser, Superberry Dream Mask, and Superfood Moisturizer

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it time and time again: The Better Than Sex mascara is, hands down, the best I have ever used. During my time without my favorite mascara, I tried out a few different brands and nothing even came close in comparison. Needless to say, I am very happy to have a new tube and back up one again! I missed my big, bold, look at me lashes so much and consider each twenty-six dollar tube to be worth every penny. I especially find this to be true now after using cheaper brands that did nothing for me. And, hey, sometimes you have to splurge for the good stuff!

During my Sephora shopping trip, I started at the Too Faced department and ended there too during my lipstick search. Although I am not a big makeup girl, I figured it would be pretty easy to find a lippie in a similar shade to the one I used up. WRONG. There were SO. Many. Options. to choose from and it was overwhelming lol. It felt like I totally forgot the color I was even looking for and everything I swatched wasn’t quite right. I was about to give up when I realized I didn’t pay too much attention to the Too Faced Lip Injection collection. This was much more like it and I cannot wait for all of you to see Filler Up. It’s sooo pretty. 🙂

The last order of business was checking out and selecting my free birthday gift. There are several options online for what you can pick out for your prezzie – skin care, hair care, fragrance, or makeup. In the store I went to, however, the choices were limited. But, as luck would have it, the Youth To The People skin care set that I wanted was up for grabs. It’s no secret that I am skin care obsessed so it is always fun to test out higher end products. I am particularly excited about the Air-Whip moisturizer, which promises to be nice and light and perfect for the summertime!

After this trip to Sephora, I came to the conclusion that I don’t know anything about makeup lol. I was definitely jonesing to go to TJMaxx afterwards to get reacquainted with simpler things like shoes and clothes! Either way, I’m happy to have gotten what I needed and next time I need new makeup, I am bringing my sister along for help. 😀

What is your favorite makeup brand? How often do you get new makeup? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Mini Madness

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Mini Madness

Hello! During the work week, I typically have an hour and a half or so of time in between shifts to run errands on Tuesday. I take full advantage of this because then I don’t have to pencil in time during the weekend to make it happen. If I have nothing that needs done, I’ll post up in a Panera or Starbucks and grab a drink and set up my laptop there. This past Tuesday, I had a few little odds and ends to take care of including a quick stop in Bath & Body Works and TJMaxx for some mini goodies. Check it out:

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I have been running dangerously low on my Better Than Sex mascara. However, I simply refuse to buy more from Sephora until my birthday month in June so I can get my free birthday prezzie with the purchase. During my last TJs shopping trip, I purchased some Ellen Tracey mascara to tide me over. Unfortunately, it was the most crap lousy product I have ever used in my life. I needed to go to TJs anyways to make a return so I just bought a mini MAC tube of mascara to get me through until June. I was disappointed they didn’t have some Better Than Sex mascara in store because they sometimes do, but beggars can’t be choosers. -_-

After my astoundingly quick time in TJMaxx, I went to Bath & Body Works next to cash in a free travel size product coupon. Normally when I get a freebie coupon, I like to try new to me scents. This time around, I reverted back to a fragrance I got in my January freebie haul: Calypso Clementine. This scent is exactly what you think it is and it’s delightful. I am extremely partial to citrus and just had to get Calypso Clementine in a fragrance spray too. I have a feeling I am going to be wearing it all summer. It is bright, zesty, and screams sunshine! Highly recommend. 😀

Good things come in small packages and that was definitely the case with this Mini Madness. Now, here’s to hoping I won’t need any more mascara until June! #fingerscrossed

What is your favorite brand of mascara? What is your favorite summertime scent? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Glossier Cloud Paint Swatches In Storm & Dawn

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Glossier Cloud Paint Swatches In Storm & Dawn

Hello everyone!! Yesterday, we took a look at the first two swatches from the Glossier Cloud Paint sample pack I received during my Sephora Birthday Haul. And, today, we will be wrapping things up by checking out the remaining two in Storm and Dawn. Although I’m not overly impressed with any of the colors from the Cloud Paint samples, I will say that I definitely liked Storm and Dawn much better than Eve and Spark! Now, let’s get to it:

Storm:

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Dawn:

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Out of all of the colors we have swatched, I think I like Storm the best. Would I buy it? No, but it was the only one I didn’t completely dislike! Storm is described as a “warm rose” on Sephora’s website and if it matched that description more on my skin, I would have been there for it. However, this shade had a lot of purple undertones to it and that is what showed through more on me. I love the idea of Storm and it’s really pretty, but it is something that I would never wear myself.

Like Spark, Dawn was bright and poppy with the description of “sunny coral”. Like Storm, this was an almost but not quite color for me. Dawn showed as really orange on my skin and not only do I feel like it would wash me out, but it would also clash against my hair colors. In yesterday’s post, I mentioned that the colors I swatched would look better on a darker complexion and I feel the same about the ones today. The Cloud Paint is so pigmented and that’s awesome, but it would just be too much on me.

Although Storm and Dawn did nothing for me, it is worth mentioning again the ease of use of the Glossier Cloud Paint. I can see why it was reviewed so well on Sephora because the colors are gorgeous and it’s fun to apply! I am sure a tube of the Cloud Paint would last forever because a tiny dab went such a long way. It is not for me, but I am loving them for someone else!

What is your favorite makeup to apply? How long does it take you to complete your makeup routine? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Glossier Cloud Paint Swatches In Eve & Spark

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Glossier Cloud Paint Swatches In Eve & Spark

Hello!! During my Sephora Birthday Haul, I wasn’t overly impressed with the free sample selection for my purchase. As per ushe, I opt for skin care as my two free samples of choice and loved the Alpyn Beauty moisturizer I received. The remaining options were makeup, hair care, and fragrance which I usually shy away from as I’m pretty unadventurous in that regard. For swatches’ sake, I went with a sample pack of four Cloud Paint blushes by Glossier. Today, we are going to take a closer look at Eve and Spark. Tune in tomorrow for a peek at Storm and Dawn! Now, let’s get to it:

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Eve:

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Spark:

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When swatching Eve, I put what I thought was a tiny dab on my finger and blended away onto my hand like the instructions said. However, our definitions of a tiny dab were way different! I blended and blended and blended some more and it still applied quite dark. The rich plum color was gorgeous, though, and I resolved to use an even smaller amount when I swatched Spark. Even with the minuscule amount I used, it still showed up really visible in a bold, pure red.

While all of the colors from this sample pack are very pretty, Eve and Spark were too much against my complexion. I suspect the same will be true for Storm and Dawn as well. These blushes would look stunning against a darker skin tone, but it is a definite no from me in terms of ever buying a full size. I will say that the Cloud Paint applied so easily and was soft to the touch. Once it was on, I couldn’t even tell that it was there and that is a high point for these blushes for sure.

I am always curious about what other people think about products that I am sampling and the Glossier Cloud Paint got really good reviews on Sephora for the most part. The resounding comments were in terms of ease of use and the high pigmentation of each shade. Although the colors in my sample pack did nothing for me, I am very curious about Puff, which is a frosty light pink. I might have to treat myself to a full size of that next time I shop Sephora!

Keep it locked tomorrow for the swatches of Storm and Dawn as well as a date night OOTD coming soon!! ❤

What is your favorite blush? Do you prefer a powder or cream blush? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Sephora Birthday Haul

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Sephora Birthday Haul

Hello!!! Before my birthday month wrapped up, I had to make sure that I did a little online shopping with Sephora to cash in my free birthday gift. If you are a Beauty Insider, you are treated to your pick from three or so travel size beauty bundles and I look forward to it every year! It was the perfect time for me to place an order because I was running dangerously low on one of my favorite hair care products – the Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm by IGK. Two bottles of the hair balm were the only things that I paid for and the rest of this haul was completely free! Check it out:

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^^^ All of these products are from cruelty free brands!

The Haul:

2 bottles of IGK Mistress Hydrating Hair Balm: $29/bottle

Farmacy Birthday Gift: FREE

Goop Glow Vita-C Eye Cream: FREE with $25 purchase

Alpyn Beauty Melt Moisturizer Sample: FREE with purchase

Glossier Cloud Paint Sample: FREE with purchase

Every time I have an amazing Sephora Haul, I always have to mention the merits of making the purchase online. There is typically free shipping for orders over fifty dollars, you get to pick two free samples with every order, and there is a HUGE selection of free product with purchases over twenty-five dollars. You get so much more bang for your buck and I feel satisfied with the money I spent rather than robbed. Hey, you can never go wrong with free!

For my Sephora birthday gift, I chose the skin care set by Farmacy. Every year, the freebie bundle selection usually follows the same formula, just with different brands. There is one for hair care, makeup, fragrance, and skin care, respectively. As I am pretty inflexible with my makeup and hair care, I pick the skin care sets nine times out of ten. Even if I were more adventurous when it comes to makeup, I would still make the same choice because I can never have enough skin care. 😀

Farmacy is a brand that I have heard of, but never tried and I am looking forward to it! This birthday set includes the Honey Potion Plus Hydrating Mask, a moisturizer, and a cleansing balm. I haven’t used a face mask in months so I am most excited to try the Honey Potion Plus. The cleansing balm is one that I could take or leave, but who knows? Maybe I’ll end up loving it! And, of course, testing new moisturizers is always fun. 🙂

For the remainder of my haul, I got a Goop Glow eye cream as my freebie for spending more than twenty-five dollars. Like Farmacy, this is a brand that I am familiar with but haven’t tried anything by. The brand definitely has a name that I wouldn’t soon forget! A moisturizer and blush were my free samples and I have already used the Alpyn Beauty one – it was lovely and would be especially nice for those with a dryer complexion.

I am so happy with my Birthday Haul from Sephora and can’t wait to use all of the new to me products. Keep it locked for a new Face Mask Festivities and swatches from the Glossier blush coming soon!

Which store offers the best promotions? Do you like to shop Sephora in store or online? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Make Your Makeup Last All Day With These Tips

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Make Your Makeup Last All Day With These Tips

Makeup can be a great way to express yourself and boost your confidence, but nothing is more frustrating than having all your hard work go to waste when your makeup inevitably fades halfway through the day. Whether it’s eyeshadow smudging, lipstick bleeding, or foundation caking up in patches, you’re left with a look that is far from fresh and effortlessly perfect. Whether you’re working out, running errands, or going out with friends, you want to look your best no matter what the day throws at you. Here are a few tips to help make sure your makeup looks amazing all day long:

Use primer and setting spray:

You must start with a good base before applying any makeup. Start by using a primer before applying foundation or other base products. This will help create a smooth canvas and keep everything in place throughout the day. Once your makeup is applied, use a setting spray to lock it in place for hours on end. You can also use a setting powder to help keep your makeup looking flawless. It will absorb any oils that might cause your makeup to slide off and help prevent creasing. Additionally, it will help set any cream or liquid products so your look stays put.

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Choose waterproof products:

Opt for waterproof versions of your favorite products instead of non-waterproof options. For example, an Anastasia brow pomade will last longer than a regular brow pencil. It also comes in handy when you’re out in the rain or sweating at a workout class. Plus, there are various colors and finishes to choose from, so you can still get a natural-looking finish. Similarly, waterproof mascara won’t smudge or run if you get caught in the rain or tear up during a romantic movie. Waterproof eyeliner won’t budge even if you sweat in the summer heat. And for those with oily skin, a matte liquid lipstick is more likely to last longer than one with a glossy finish.

Blot your skin throughout the day:

If you tend to get oily skin during the day, then blotting papers can be your best friend! Whenever you feel like your skin is becoming too shiny, simply dab some oil-absorbing sheets onto your T-zone to remove excess oil and keep things looking matte and fresh all day long. If your makeup is fading, try using a beauty sponge or brush to lightly pat and blend it back into place. This will help bring back the vibrancy of your look without having to start from scratch again.

Reapply powder during the day:

To keep things looking matte during the day, consider carrying around some pressed powder with you so that you can reapply it as needed. Remember not to overdo it, though – just one small dusting should do the trick. You should also use a translucent powder to set any cream or liquid products. This will help keep them in place and prevent them from sliding off your face, even during the hottest summer days.

Invest in a long-wearing lip color:

Invest in a few high-quality long-wear lipstick shades that will remain intact no matter what life throws at them. You can also use a lip liner to create a barrier between your lips and the lipstick, which will help keep it in place longer. And if you want to achieve an even longer-lasting effect, try topping your lipstick with a touch of setting powder for added staying power.

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Avoid touching your face:

One of the biggest mistakes when it comes to makeup is touching your face throughout the day. Not only will this cause oils and bacteria to transfer onto your skin, but it can also make your makeup smudge and fade away faster than usual. Try to resist the temptation and make subtle adjustments by using a beauty sponge or brush if needed.

Long-lasting makeup doesn’t have to be complicated – just follow these simple tips and tricks and watch as they transform your everyday routine!

3 Top Pre-Wedding Beauty Tips

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3 Top Pre-Wedding Beauty Tips

A beauty regimen before a wedding will help you look your best on your big day. You’ll want to look back on this day fondly, so it’s only natural that you want everything to be perfect. While there are plenty of beauty preparations you’ll want to do so you’re picture-perfect for the wedding, you need to realize that there will be some things you’ll need to do far in advance. So, what are these? Keep reading on to learn all about them:

Go easy on the skincare:

It’s odd to say, as most brides will improve their skin care regimen and may even get a facial from the local spa. While it’s great and even aspiring to have that perfect skin for the wedding, you’ll have to be cautious. Getting a skin care regimen in place for your big day is crucial to looking your best. The last thing you want is a breakout or dry skin. Make sure to avoid new skincare products in the month before the wedding.

Considering a tan?

Some brides enjoy tanning, whether it’s a spray tan or visiting the local tanning bed. However, if you want to get your glow on before the wedding, you must be careful. Spray tans are a great way to add a natural glow to your skin. They can also help to camouflage any imperfections in your skin. These tans can contour and define your muscles too. Getting a spray tan before your dress fitting when starting a wedding beauty regimen is a great way to ensure you get the shade you want. You can schedule a trial tan a month before the wedding.

Give up teeth-staining drinks:

Who doesn’t love their coffee, teas, red wines, and maybe even munching on berries? While these are all nice indulgences, you shouldn’t consume too much each day as you risk staining your teeth. Whether you’re looking to get white teeth for your wedding or just want to keep them bright, there are several things you can do to keep your teeth white. A dentist can also remove stains from your teeth if necessary. One of the easiest ways to prevent stains from wine is to rinse your mouth with water after you drink.This helps to loosen up the acidity that’s causing the stains.

You can also brush your teeth with whitening toothpaste. This type of toothpaste uses mild abrasives to remove stains from your teeth. However, it can take several months to see results so it’s important to do this far in advance. Another way you can kick up your teeth a notch would be through Invisalign. If your teeth aren’t straight, you can count on this to give you the smile you’ve always wanted for your wedding!

Be your most radiant, picture perfect self on your big day with the tips above!

Featured Image By: Unsplash

Clinique Love Pop Lipstick Swatch

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Clinique Love Pop Lipstick Swatch

Hello!! This past week, we had a day full of visitors at chez parents. My aunt dropped by and she bequeathed some makeup and skin care samples for my sister and I to enjoy. As luck would have it, Kristen and my nieces came over shortly after and I divided up the loot. Skin care for me and makeup for Kristen. Of course, I had to ask her if I could swatch the Clinique Love Pop lipstick before she could take it home lol check it out:

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While I was snapping some pics of this new lippie, my Val Gal came up to me and asked why I was taking pictures of lipstick. Haha! I explained to her that her TT’s job is sometimes showing off products so people can decide if they want to buy it or not. She seemed to get it and was happy to get a story read to her as I finished up. 😀

The Love Pop color is the perfect raspberry hue and it is oh so pretty. However, it is not the shade for me. With really vibrant hair, I have to be careful of the lip color that I choose to avoid looking clown like. As much as it pains me to admit it, I am no longer a red lipstick girl and muted nudes are my new go to’s.

BUT, if my hair situation was different, I would be so rocking this lippie! It is such a lovely shade for fall and will look stunning against autumn blue skies and the changing leaves. The Love Pop color features deep pink undertones with the smallest touch of purple and will be great with a jewel toned top to reflect all of the rich colors that fall is known for.

If you are on the prowl for a raspberry tart pout, then Love Pop is the hue for you. Myself, on the other hand, loves the Bare Pop and just might have to give it a try!

What is your favorite lipstick? Did you buy new makeup if you made a drastic change to your hair? I want to hear from all of you, so leave me a comment and let’s chat! Much love. -Sarah

Namesake Watercolor Project

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Namesake Watercolor Project

Hello! I enjoyed the watercolor painting class that I took so much that I just had to buy some supplies to paint during my free time at home. Although my leisure time is scarce during the week, I have managed to do two projects that I am really proud of. I created a likeness of myself and Johnny and also painted a dedication to my namesake this past week:

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The Lil Red nickname originally stemmed from a coworker when I worked retail thanks to my signature red hair and lipstick. At the cash register, he would ask if Lil Red helped the customer out and they always knew who he was talking about! I have had this project in mind to feature my blog’s tagline and a red lippie tube since the class I took and I love how it turned out. 😀

Because of the constantly changing color of my hair, it has been a while since I was able to wear a pure red lipstick. I miss it terribly but I still think that it is the epitome of chic. A bold red lip screams confidence, even if you aren’t really feeling yourself that day. A quick swipe of red lipstick can completely change a simple jeans and T outfit or enhance a date night look. This never fails to amaze me and is a true testament to the power of makeup.

It sounds silly but I honestly feel like my red lipstick helped shape me into the person that I am today. It gave me a confidence boost when I had none as well as inspiration when I created my blog. During my next tap out tattoo session, I plan on getting a red lipstick tube somewhere on my arm. For now, however, a painting will just have to do. I wonder what I’ll come up with to paint next!

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