Huge Makeup Haul | Spring 2017

Hello, everyone! Who’s ready for a huge makeup haul? I was on a “no-buy” for most of winter, but once spring rolled around, like my fashion, it was time to change up my makeup look. Grab a snack, because I might have gone a bit overboard…but in the best way!

BH Cosmetics Carli Bybel 14 Color Eyeshadow & Highlight Palette: I typically do a lot of research on a palette before I buy it, but I really didn’t with this one. I had heard of it, and seen a few of Carli’s videos on YouTube, but had no plans to buy it. Then I saw it in Ulta and changed my mind quickly. I know she has since released a deluxe version of this palette, which includes a few more shadows and highlights, but if you’re after the original, Ulta is still carrying it. I know it is being discontinued, so once they are out of stock, they’ll be gone. If you love a natural makeup look and a palette that multitasks–this is for you. I can’t stop using it and it’s so affordable, you’d be crazy not to pick it up!

Pixi by Petra x Caroline Hirons Double Cleanse: This has got to be one of my favorite skincare products at the moment. I’ve heard people all over YouTube talking about how great it is, so I ran out to Target to pick it up for myself. This will melt your makeup right off without stinging your eyes, and the cream cleanser leaves your skin feeling so hydrated. I can’t believe I ever took my makeup off without this!

Elizabeth and James Nirvana Bourbon: I’ve had a deep love for Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen from a young age, and their Elizabeth and James line is no exception. I’ve tried all the perfumes they make, and while I love them all, Nirvana Bourbon has won me over. It has a deep, musky sort of smell with a slight feminine edge. It’s simply amazing and I feel great every time I put it on.

Mario Badescu Facial Spray with Aloe, Cucumber, and Green Tea: I have loved this product for quite some time, but I typically use the rose scent. To read my full review, check out My Skincare Essentials post.

Tarte Shape Tape Contour Concealer in Medium and Tan: This has got to be the most popular concealer in the world right now. I don’t know a single beauty guru who isn’t using this. I, of course, had to test it for myself, and holy moly does it deliver! This concealer is extremely full coverage–I’ve even seen people use it as foundation. Ok…I have too…on super lazy days. It does crease slightly on me but not near as much as concealers I’ve used in the past. I can’t do my makeup without this.

L.A. Girl Cosmetics HD Pro Concealer in Orange Corrector: I’ve heard a lot of buzz about this drugstore concealer, and now I truly understand why. If you are looking to color correct dark spots or circles, this is your guy. They have a full color range and other color correctors too if you have different problem areas, but for me, nothing has helped disguise dark spots and scars like this. I apply Tarte Shape Tape right on top after blending it out and the finish is gorgeous. Such a drugstore gem.

Stila Magnificent Metals Glitter & Glow Liquid Eye Shadow in Smoky Storm: I’d been watching Jackie Aina rave about these eye shadows on her channel for weeks before I finally broke down and bought one. While I don’t use glitter in my everyday makeup routine, this is so beautiful if you’re looking for something to glam up your eyes. There are a ton of beautiful shades, and they have serious staying power. I was wary about a liquid eyeshadow but these dry down completely.

Butter London Glazen Eye Gloss in Frosted: Raise your hand if you’re tired of hearing me fangirl over KathleenLight. Everyone? Ok, sorry. But not really. I first saw Kathleen use this eye shadow on her channel and I was obsessed with the look she created. So, of course, I had to pick this gem up. I typically use my finger to apply the gel and pat it over the lid. It’s not a thick, chunky glitter, it’s much more subdued. I think it adds a lot of romance to any eye look, and even though it’s pricey, I would totally repurchase it.

Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Eyeliner in Distortion and Midnight Cowboy: Have you ever hunted for buried treasure? No? Then you must not be looking for these eyeliners. These bad boys are elusive, and almost impossible to get ahold of in store or online–at least in the shades I want. So when I saw that Ulta had every shade in stock, I of course had to snatch a few up. I love these glitter liners so much! They are so fun and can be used so many different ways–as a liner, packed onto the lid as a glitter, or on the inner corner. They are the perfect night-out beauty product.

e.l.f. Baked Highlighter in Moonlight Pearls: I was seeing this highlighter all over YouTube and I figured for the price I had to give it a try. The rumors are true, you really do need to scratch the top layer of the powder off if you want it to really work. It’s a beautiful drugstore highlight, but my biggest problem with it is the that you have to technically damage the product to get it working. This is something that everyone seems to know about it, and yet e.l.f. doesn’t appear to be working to change it. Other than that, if you’re looking for an affordable glow, this is it.

Makeup Revolution Vivid Baked Highlighter in Golden Lights: I always walk past this UK drugstore brand whenever I’m in Ulta, but I’d never really taken the time to have a look. I decided on a highlighter 1) because I have an addiction, and 2) because I love a baked highlight. This did not disappoint. The color is absolutely beautiful and you can really build it up for a blinding glow. I would highly recommend this!

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte Lipstick in Trophy Wife: This was my first Huda Beauty purchase and I’m so pleased with the product! First of all, the color is absolutely stunning, and the formula is so comfortable. I love that I can count on it to stay on my lips all day without drying them out. While it is a little on the pricey side, I would definitely purchase this again!

bareMinerals Gen Nude  Matte Liquid Lipcolor in Icon: I have wanted to try the Gen Nudes collection for ages! I’m a long time lover of bareMinerals and I was so excited to find out they created a liquid lipstick line. I got mine during the Ulta sale this year, so the colors were pretty picked through. Icon would not have been my first color choice, but I wanted to try the formula. I do love how lightweight it is, but I found that I had to reapply it multiple times. Maybe it’s because the color is fairly light on me, I’m not sure. I would consider trying a deeper shade, but sadly, these aren’t my favorite liquid lip.

ColourPop Ultra Glossy Lip in Aquarius, Finders Keepers, and Weho: I really love the formula of ColourPop’s lip glosses. It’s so hard to find a good gloss, especially one that isn’t sticky or gloppy. While I do own some of their sheer glosses, I prefer to use the cream formula. The color pay off is beautiful and I love to top my liquid lipsticks with them. Go get you some!

ColourPop Ultra Blotted Lip in Doozy and Zuma: I really appreciate that ColourPop turned the blotted lip formula into a liquid, but I can’t say I love it as much as the original. While I do love that it dries down matte, I think it has greater potential to get streaky. I do love the colors they have though, and I think I’ll embrace the “popsicle lip” once summer is in full swing.

ColourPop Blotted Lip in Drip and Candyfloss: These lipsticks have quickly become my most used lip products. I honestly wasn’t expecting much when I ordered them, but if ColourPop comes out with a new formula, I have to at least give it a try. These are so moisturizing on the lips! They aren’t transfer-proof, but for me that’s not a huge issue. The thing I love most about them is how buildable they are. You can go for the “blotted” look and apply a sheer layer or build it to full opacity. These are honestly my favorite ColourPop product ever. I said it! No going back now.

Kylie Cosmetics Matte Liquid Lipstick in Khlo$: As I’ve said before, I’m a big fan of the Kardashians, so obviously I had to include some Kylie products. Especially when she collaborated with my favorite sister, Khloe. I really love the shade Khlo$ because it’s a nude that works on multiple skin tones–and that’s something I struggle with a lot. I would say that on my skin tone, it works best to use a liner, but I could get away with not using one if necessary. I really love Kylie’s matte formula. It does get a bit dry towards the end of the day, but not nearly as much as other products I’ve used.

Kylie Cosmetics Gloss in Candy K and Damn Gina: This was my first time trying Kylie’s glosses. I know there have been issues in the past with the applicator brush fraying, but it looks like she has fixed the problem. My brushes were all great, and the product is AMAZING. The glosses are not sticky at all and go on very opaque. I would say they are a cream formula rather than sheer, and they feel so good on the lips. I seriously can’t get enough.

 

What makeup products are you loving this spring? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo,

❤ Taylor ❤

March Ipsy Bag | 2017

Hello, everybody! It is officially SPRING!!!! I’m so ready to wear bright colors and most of all, bright lipstick. Well, what better way to start off spring than with an Ispy bag review? I was pleasantly surprised with my bag this month! I even got a few things I’ve been dying to try. Read on to see what I thought about this month’s products!

OUAI Treatment Masque: I have been wanting to try OUAI products since they were first released. Jen Atkin is such a talented hairstylist (not to mention she styles the Kardashians’ hair) and I just knew her products were going to be quality. And for the price..they better be! I’ve used this hair mask three times now and I have definitely noticed that my hair has been softer and less frizzy looking. The smell of the product is strong–a bit like perfume–so if you’re sensitive to scent, I’m not sure this is for you. But I would 100% recommend this for all hair types. Go treat yourself!

NEOGEN Lab Coconut Milk Mild Cleanser: I’m always a bit unsure when it comes to using new cleansers. I’m super picky about my skincare, but I really do love anything with coconut oil or milk in it. I’ve used this cleanser for about a week and it honestly leaves my skin so soft! I will say that when I first begin to massage it into my skin it does tingle/burn for a second. I have no idea why, but it hasn’t irritated my skin at all. I think this is a great everyday cleanser!

Tarte Tarteist Lip Paint in Vibin: I have wanted to try Tarte’s liquid lipsticks for awhile now. I was so excited to see this in my bag, and I love the color. It’s very vampy and slightly autumnal, but that won’t stop me from wearing it year-round. I applied one coat to my lips and it went on with ease. I wore it for an entire day and it didn’t wear off– even when I ate. These, like most liquid lipsticks, are a bit drying on the lips, but not enough to bother me. I really recommend these, they are worth picking up!

Doucee Freematic Eye Shadow in Marisa: I wasn’t super blown away with this eyeshadow when I first saw it. I have quite a few similar shades in my collection. I did however, appreciate that the shadow comes with a magnetic back so you can pop it right into a magnetized palette. I personally found that this shadow had better pay off when I wet my brush first, but you could definitely use it as is for more of a daytime look. Warning, there is a lot of glitter in the shadow, and it creates a good amount of fall out when you’re packing it on. If you visit the website, you can see that they only sell eyeshadow quads, so if you want this particular shade, you’ll have to purchase three others with it. Overall, for me, this was a pass.

Skone Cosmetics Blending Brush: I really don’t need more blending brushes, but I do really love receiving them in my beauty subscriptions. You can never have too many, and it’s nice to always have a clean brush. I’ve never heard of this brand before, but I was very impressed with the quality of the brush. It’s extremely soft and did a great job of applying shadow evenly and diffusing it out. Seriously, go check this brand out–more people should be talking about it!

What did you get in your Ipsy bag this month? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo,

 

February Boxycharm | 2017

Hello, everybody! Today I’m talking about everything I got in my Boxycharm this month. Boxycharm was particularly generous this month–like, really generous– and I couldn’t be happier with what I got. Read on for more details about my February box!

Makeup Geek Eyeshadow Pan in Crème Brulee & Bitten: I have wanted to get my hands on these very popular eyeshadows ever since I first heard KathleenLights talk about them. They are so pigmented and so easy to blend. And even better–they are affordable. There are so many colors to choose from on their website. Both of the shadows I received have a matte finish, but I would love to try out their shimmer shades as well. I couldn’t recommend these more!

Z Palette: I have always wanted a Z Palette, and let me tell you, I was very excited to see that Boxycharm teamed up with the company for this month’s box. Unfortunately, after the boxes were sent out this month, there was a bit of a controversy with Z Palette. Since then Boxycharm and Makeup Geek have released statements saying they do not stand by Z Palette, and neither do I. All I will say is that customer service is so important to me, and I choose not to support any brand that mistreats its customers.

Omnia by Royal & Langnickel Detail and Shader Brushes: I’ve talked about this brand before on my blog, and you know how I love it! I couldn’t believe Boxycharm added two brushes to the box this month. I really like the shader brush for packing shadow on my lids and the detail brush is perfect for the lower lash line and smudging out eyeliner. Plus, who can resist the metallic handles? Love.

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Exfoliator: I have seen this scrub reviewed so many times on YouTube, but I didn’t think I would ever get to try it myself. I will start by saying that this is a very expensive scrub. Is it worth it? Yes. It is amazing. My skin feels baby soft whenever I use this and it has such a lovely lemon scent. I do think there are scrubs out there that are just as great and that don’t cost $80 though. But for now…I’ll just be over here exfoliating my face until this tube runs out.

Juice Beauty Organic Reflecting Gloss in Fig: I have received samples from this company in the past, but never from their makeup line. I really enjoy their face wash, and was expecting to really love this lipgloss. I wore this out on Valentine’s Day, and I’m pretty sure I took it of before I even went into the restaurant. The color is beautiful, and it has a great shine, but I could not get past the smell and the texture. I don’t like a sticky lipgloss, but I do prefer a crème finish, and this felt like water on the lips–not to mention the gritty texture the glitter gave it. I know some people who would really enjoy the lipgloss’s citrusy scent, but I’m very sensitive to smell and it was all I could smell..and taste. I won’t be repurchasing.

What did you get in your Boxycharm this month? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo,

❤ Taylor ❤

February Ipsy Bag | 2017

Hello, everybody! Today I’m talking about everything I got in my Ipsy bag this month. These are honestly my favorite posts to do because, who doesn’t love getting to experiment with new makeup? There really is something for everyone inside. Read on for more details!

Royal and Langnickel Moda Fan: One thing you should know about me is that I’m a bit of a brush addict. Did I need another fan brush? No. Of course not. But I really love this brand. The brushes are quality, so soft, and they apply my highlighter seamlessly. Seriously, you need this brush in your life!

NYX Cosmetics Butter Lipstick in Lifeguard: I love NYX cosmetics. I had never tried their bullet lipsticks before, but I really enough their liquid lipsticks. I typically go for an all matte look on the lips, and this definitely has a satin finish, but the color is such a beautiful classic red that I can overlook the finish. After I applied the lipstick, I blotted it quite a bit to make it look much more natural and slightly more matte. I would definitely recommend giving these a try. They are super affordable–under $5–and they are very very comfortable on the lips. Go check them out for yourself!

Bellapierre Volume Lash Waterproof Mascara: I’ve been in the market for a new mascara, and I was really hopeful when I found this in my bag. Unfortunately, it didn’t perform the way I was expecting. I was hoping for a formula that really filled out my lashes and took them to the next level. This formula however, is very wet and hardly showed up on my eyelashes. After about five coats, I gave up and reached for my tried and true Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara. If you love a barely there look, give this a try, but for me, sadly, I won’t be repurchasing.

Seraphine Botanicals Luminude: I was so excited to find this in my bag this month! I’ve been wanting to try a liquid highlighter for awhile now and this is a very nice one. I will say if you really love to glow, this might not be for you, and if you are very fair the copper undertone may be a bit dark for you. On my skin tone, however, it gives a very natural, lit-from-within glow. And we all love that!

Befine Skincare Gentle Cleanser: I had never heard of this brand before, but I’m really enjoying this cleanser! It has very little scent–a major plus for me–and I feel like it gets my skin really clean without drying it out. If you have sensitive skin I would really recommend giving this a try!

What did you get in your Ipsy bag this month? Let me know in the comments!

xoxo,

❤ Taylor ❤

Evologie Travel Trio Review

Hello, everybody! Today I will be reviewing Evologie’s three-step skin care system. After posting my skincare essentials, Evologie was generous enough to send me their full skincare range. This post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own. Read on to see how Evologie worked for me!

Evologie claims that their skincare system is proven to hydrate the skin, clear blemishes, and improve the overall look of the skin. It is also supposed to reduce the looks of fine lines and wrinkles, giving the skin a younger look. The brand has a patent-pending complex called YS3, which is meant to give intense hydration and fight blemishes by going deeper into the skin than other products. All of their products are fragrance-free, retinol-free, sulfate-free, paraben-free, and petrolatum-free. The products also don’t contain any benzoyl peroxide or preservatives.

My favorite product in the line is still the Intensive Blemish Serum. I love that it comes with a pump, so you don’t have to worry about it exploding in your bag while traveling. I also LOVE the scent. It claims to be fragrance-free–and the face wash and moisturizer are–but to me the serum has a minty, spa-like scent to it. By no means does the serum shrink my blemishes overnight, but it does take down any redness or irritation that I have. I use it as a spot treatment or all over my face if my breakout is particularly bad. It applies like a very thin gel and dries very quickly without drying my skin out.

I really enjoyed the Stay Clear Cleanser as well. I appreciate that it is fragrance-free and it didn’t dry my skin out or irritate it. I would say it’s comparable to my favorite cleanser from CeraVe. It suds nicely and left my skin feeling extremely clean afterwards. The only thing I would change about this product is the packaging. It’s the only product in the trio that comes in a squeeze tube instead of with a pump, and I have had a little leak out.

The only product in this line that I wasn’t a fan of was the Stay Clear Cream. I am very picky when it comes to moisturizer, so I wasn’t surprised that I didn’t like this one. In fact, in the last 5+ years, I haven’t really found a lotion that I love more than my CeraVe moisturizer. My biggest problem with this lotion was that it dried sticky on my face and I could feel the product sitting there for over an hour after I applied it, leaving a film on my face. I did moisturize my skin, but I just couldn’t get past the sticky feeling.

Overall, I would say that if you’re looking for a simple skincare system, and you have acne-prone skin, it would be worth giving this a try. I don’t think it made a huge difference for me, but everyone’s skin is different! If I had to recommend just one product from the line, it would obviously be the Intensive Blemish Serum. I’ve been using it for months now and still really love it. The entire Travel Trio retails for $32, which I find to be a little expensive, as you only receive sample sizes, but I have been using mine for about two weeks and still have more than half the product left in each bottle.

Have any of you tried Evologie? Let me know about your experience in the comments!

xoxo,

❤ Taylor ❤