Sephora Give Me Some Lip-Sampler

I picked this up during my Sephora haul a couple of weeks back.  I meant to go into details about it then, but I temporarily misplaced it lol! Found it last night.  Anywho, this value packed lip set is a Sephora special, retails for $25.  The set contains a full sized Tarte Lipsurgence Lip Lustre in Glitzy (retails for $24 alone) and sample sizes of Nars Turkish Delight lip gloss, Buxom Dolly lip gloss, Laura Mercier Bare Pink lipgloss, Sugar Rose fresh lip treatment, and Bite's lip pencil in Rhubarb.  Overall, I think this is a great value.  I mean, you don't always need full sized lip gloss.  How long would it take you to get through your entire lip collection? Probably forever.  Anywho, it's great for people who aren't really into lipstick or lip gloss, but want to try something new.  The range of pinks are flattering for most people, and can be paired together or worn alone for sheerer color. Pick this up if you get a chance! Check out the pics below!

Laura Mercier-Bare Pink     Buxom-Dolly

Bite-Rhubarb      Nars-Turkish Delight

Sugar-Rose    Tarte-Glitzy

Mini-Sephora Haul (Last Week)

***I wrote this post last week or maybe the week before sometime.  Forgot to finish by attaching pics, but here it is...better late than never!***

 Sorry things have been so hectic I haven't posted in a while.  Not that I've been busy, but I've found a couple of new series on HBOgo and they've consumed all of my time lol.  Now that I've finished one series, I have more time :).  So here's a post of my Sephora haul from last week.  I was not shopping for anything, but lo-and-behold an email from Sephora pops up in my inbox and it has this cool looking lip collection for $25.  I decided to check it out, and since of course shipping isn't free until you spend $50 (the agony) I picked up a Make-Up Forever Aqua Shadow Essentials Set.  This retails for $23 and based on MUFE's pricing, it looks like a good value.  Also, this is my first ever MUFE purchase, and I know this is a well loved brand by many folks out there. The aqua shadow pencils retail for $20 I believe, and this comes with two full-sized pencils and a mini aqua eyes liner pencil.  You can't mix and match shades, but there are three options to choose from: Neutral (pearly taupe and pearly beige), Smoky (taupe grey and pinky beige), and Pop of Color (blue and taupe colors). I also picked up Urban Decay's eyeliner in Gunmetal (on sale for $6 at Sephora-old formula).  Check out the pics below! (*PS-this purchase pushed me up to VIB level!)

Sephora's Give Me Lip collection features a full-sized Tarte LipSurgence, and sample sizes of other products.  Specifically,

 *Laura Mercier Lip Glacé in Bare Pink
* Buxom® Full-On™ Lip Polish in Dolly
*NARS Lip Gloss in Turkish Delight
* Fresh Sugar Rosé Tinted Lip Treatment
* Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil in Rhubarb
*Tarte LipSurgence™ Lip Luster in Glitzy(full sized)

DIY Lip Scrub

I know a few posts back I reviewed Fresh's Sugar Lip Polish, which is a great lip scrub, and super convenient.  It's convenient because you don't have to make it, it lasts forever, and it gets the job done.  Tonight I made my own lip scrub, so I decided to share it with you guys.  While I like Fresh's I do find that when I use my own lip scrub its wayyyyy more moisturizing.  Some pics are below, but the recipe is pretty simple.  I've always played with mine here and there, and you can def substitute ingredients or use less or more to your liking. 

Tonight I used: 

1 tbsp honey

2 tbsp white granulated sugar

1/2 tsp oil to start with--add more if needed (combined olive oil and jojoba oil)

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and store.  That's it. So simple! Once done, just rub some of the scrub into your lips for a minute or so, then remove with a warm damp towel (cloth or paper). Like I've said, there are so many different ways you could make this lip scrub your own! I usually love to use almond oil, its so super yummy and great smelling, but I couldn't find it so I used a combination of olive and jojoba.  The reason why I put 1-2 tsp oil is that you have to start off with 1-2 tsp and then add more as you go.  I always find that I prefer a dryer scrub, like no residual oil just hanging out in my jar.  I mixed all the ingredients in a bowl, then transferred to this super cool small 1 ounce jar.  The jars were in a package of 2, for $1.  I found them in WalMart's travel section...they make great storage containers for these scrubs or homemade lip balms. The recipe is enough to fill two containers, so give one to a friend! And what does this recipe cost to make? Could it even be more than $1? Lol! Awesome...and be sure to follow up with Vaseline when you're done.  Or some lip balm to moisturize after, and you're all set with gorgeous lips.

Check out the pics below1 

Ulta Haul

Picked up a couple of items from Ulta today. Check out the pics below!  Orly nail polish is on sale for $4.99 and there were a ton of adorable colors! I wonder if Orly has "revamped" their polish line because I know the older bottles all have the signature silver top with the white base around the handle.  These have the black handles and they have some sort of grip on them.  Really nice.  Ulta has NYX buy one get one 50% off.  I recommend that if you ever plan on buying a few NYX items (which you should because they're great), to hold off for the buy one get one 50% off sale.  They have it regularly at Ulta. The Stila lip gloss trios are on sale for $7.99 and were strategically placed by the register lol!! They eyeshadow base and milk pencil are for a friend, I have my own stash lol!

Nail Polish L to R: Gumdrop, Artificial Sweetener and Cotton Candy

Stila Lip Trio: Blue (Chic Cobalt Collection-orchard/hibiscus/kitten)/Green (Elegant Emerald Collection-pout/kaleidoscope/apricot)

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencils in Milk and Cottage Cheese, Butter Gloss in Strawberry Parfait and Merengue, Gel Eyeliner in Teal.

Too Faced Fall 2013 Collection

Hey Guys! So here's my first Fall 2013 post.  Too Faced will release, for their fall collection, a new eyeshadow palette, Pretty Rebel, Lip Injection Color Bombs, and Glitter Glaze.  I know for a fact that the eyeshadow palette is limited edition, but I'm not 100% certain whether the lip bombs and the glitter glaze are limited edition as well.  I will look into that and update.  These are available online now at Sephora. 

Pretty Rebel Eyeshadow Palette-Limited Edition-$46

Pretty Rebel is a ten shadow palette, and I won't get into details about it BECAUSE I ACTUALLY JUST GOT IT IN THE MAIL TODAY AND WILL DO AN ENTIRE REVIEW!  Lol...sorry for the caps!  

Lip Injection Color Bombs-$21

Too Faced's Lip Injection Color Bombs are lip pencils that claim to be super moisturizing plump lip tints.  They come in 6 shades: Never Enough Nude, Coral Pop, Plump It Up Pink, Eastwood Red, Bigger Berry and Candy Burst.  These have vitamins A, C, E and mango butter.  I'm sure these will live up to the promise of providing moisture. Pigment? I'd have to check them out first. 

Too Faced Glitter Glaze Transforming Shadow Topcoat-$21

Now these look super interesting to me! I haven't seen anything like it.  These shadow topcoats are available in 2 shades, Goldie Rocks and Silver Spark.  These can be worn alone for nice shimmer, or you can put them on top of your eyeshadow for a"metallic" look. I'm not normally a fan of super sparkle, but I might pick one of these up just to see how it transforms eyeshadow.

It also seems that they are promoting the Better Than S** Mascara with this collection too.

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick

So, Urban Decay is releasing a fall line, and they've decided to re-release lipsticks again.  These lipsticks come in 22 shades and claim to be uber-pigmented.  If you know my love of Urban Decay products, I'm super excited for these.  I'm sure they will be pigmented and super gorg! Just like Urban Decay's eyeshadows and eyeliners. They will be available at Urban Decay (.com) and at Urban Decay retailers, but two shades, Protest and Strip will be exclusive to Urban Decay (.com).  These lipsticks will retail at $22, which for me is on the higher end of the lipstick spectrum, more than MAC but less than Nars.  I can't wait to go into a Sephora store to swatch them in person!  I really am going to hate myself, because after looking at all the swatches on Temptalia, I honestly liked them all generally, and there were like 15 that made me say "I've gotta get that one!" LOL!

Also, the lip liners have been "revamped and reformulated", and those are also being relaunched in the fall collection in sixteen shades.  I'm crying for my wallet already.  Seriously, Urban Decay, if you're interested in me giving a review on these products, email me!! LOLOL.  I. Want. It. All.

 Head over to Temptalia for more info, plus swatches!!

This pic below was posted on their Instagram page:

Some of my favorite nude (and brown) lipsticks...for all skin tones!!

Check out the pics below.  From left to right: (keep in mind I have tan skin, NC 42-44)

1.  MAC Ruffian Naked (matte)-Limited Edition, but I picked mine up at a CCO
2.  MAC Altered Beige (lustre)-Limited Edition, part of the Temperature Rising collection
3. MAC Viva Glam Gaga 2 (amplified)-Limited Edition, but again, picked mine up at a CCO
4. MAC Myth (satin)
5. MAC Pure Zen (cremesheen)-Limited Edition, picked up from a CCO
6. MAC Peachstock (satin)-Pro only color, but available to all on MAC's website (under pro)
7. The Balm's Mai Billsbepaid
8. MAC Mocha (satin)-Limited Edition
9. Wet N Wild 902C-Bare it All

I forgot to include Viva Glam II (Satin) in the original pictures, but I've got a separate picture of it below.

No Flash

Flash

MAC All About Orange--SWATCHES (FINALLY)!!

Check out the pictures below...I know I bought these a week or two ago, but I never got around to swatching them for you guys (IE I haven't opened them up until this point lol).  This is a really beautiful collection with beautiful colors..check out my earlier post for the details on the All About Orange collection.  Unfortunately, most of the items are likely sold out by now, but here are swatches just for you to reference.  Keep in mind that these lipsticks, due to their finishes and light pigmentation, are likely to look different on people with different pigmented lips and different colors.  I'm a medium deep skin tone (deep tan) so these lippies probably don't show up the same as they would with someone who has light or light to medium skin.  Anywho, see below.  I promise that everyday this week I will try and wear one of these all day, so you can see a full face of makeup/lipstick instead of just the small swatch.  It might help provide a better insight into the color of these.  

The lipstick collection consisted of 7 lipsticks, 3 cremesheen glosses, 3 blush and 4 nail polish.  I never really purchase the nail polish, and out of this collection I bought 5 lipsticks, 1 cremesheen and 1 blush.  The two lipsticks I didn't buy were Neon Orange (it's part of the permanent pro collection, I can always get it later down the line when it's back in stock...and its super bright, brighter than Sounds of Noise from the Haley Williams collection) and Tangerine Dream (weird yellowy orange color, I did not like the way it looked on me, it was sort of grainy/sparkly and just not really appealing to me).  The only blush I got was Royal Sunset, a pretty blush with pinky undertones.  Immortal Sunset was a bit too light for me, and Honey Jasmine was pretty, but on me it looked "dirty" if that makes sense.  I picked up 1 of the cremesheen glosses, but I'm returning it lol so I didn't post it.  I forgot (when buying) that I'm not a fan of the cremesheen glosses...they're $20 and you get less product than the $15 lipglass, with a worse finish (in my opinion).  I like the lipsticks, but my faves are probably Sushi Kiss and Tart & Trendy (ironically, the ones that showed the most).

The 5 lipsticks I bought are (LEFT TO RIGHT):  Sweet & Sour (cremesheen), Razzle-Dazzler (lustre), Flamingo (lustre), Sushi Kiss (satin), Tart & Trendy (lustre).

MAC's Temperature Rising Mini-Haul

Today I received the lipstick and lipglass I ordered from MAC that were part of the Temperature Rising collection.  I also ordered another lipstick and blush from Nordstrom (that were sold out at MAC) that should be delivered Friday and I will update this post.  

I received the Altered Beige lipstick (a Lustre finish) and the Liquid Passion lipglass.  They are nudeish neutral colors, very pretty and soft.  Lustre finish lipsticks aren't my favorite...for me they don't apply the best.  They look "wet" sometimes, so the good thing is that you don't need a lipgloss if you're one of those people who always likes a shiny/shimmery lip. Sometime the lustre finish lipsticks settle in the lines of my lips, which makes application look uneven.  Either way, the color is pretty and sheer, I'm sure it would flatter many skin tones.  I actually think I'll discuss my skin tone in a separate post.

Below are a couple of pics, I will update once I get the other lipstick and blush! 

Lipglass: liquid passion.  Lipstick: altered beige.

Lipglass on the left , lipstick on the right.

 

On the top is the lipstick with the lipglass on top, the middle is the lipstick, and the bottom is the lipglass.

 

Nordstrom Mini Haul (with FREE samples!)

Last week when I was doing some Mother's Day shopping I stopped at the MAC counter and was informed that the following weekend (today) they were having an event.  With the event they were giving away gift bags/boxes with free samples with a purchase.  For MAC I don't think there was a minimum purchase amount, so I just got 2 lipsticks and a lipglass I had been eyeing.  I prepaid and all I had to do was pick it up today.  Glad I did because it was a zoo.  Makeup chairs everywhere in the beauty department, so many people. Ugh.  I like to shop in peace and quiet, when I can have an associate's undivided attention.  

So the box the samples came in is pretty cool, a super sturdy matte black box.  I'm actually glad I got this over a bag because for my trip to Cali, I could put my travel makeup in the box and not be super worried that it will be damaged at the airport.  It is really really tough. I listed the samples below, and I got a few Gucci Guilty because they know it's my current fave and I'm not ready to shell out a ton of money on perfume when I don't wear it too often.  

The items I picked up were MAC lipstick in Viva Glam II (satin finish-a light brownish purplish color) and Creme Cup (a cremesheen finish--a soft, light pink) and a lipglass in Viva Glam V.  There are sample pics below.

Free samples from my gift box:

• Thierry Mugler Alien eau de parfum
• Gucci Guilty eau de toilette
• Diptyque Eau Rose eau de toilette
• MAC Mineralize Volcanic Ash Exfoliator (super excited to try this--heard good things)
• MAC Zoom Fast Black Lash Mascara
• MAC Tan and Rose Pigment

Russian Red vs. Ruby Woo vs. Riri Woo

So i've tried all three lipsticks back to back and here are my thoughts.  Russian Red is still my absolute favorite.  I know it does not flatter all skin types as well as Riri Woo or Ruby Woo, but it looks great on me and is truly a deep, blood red.  Although Russian Red is also a matte lipstick, is still has a slight sheen when it dries.  I like Riri Woo better than Ruby Woo because it is slightly darker and applies with more ease than Ruby Woo, which tends to pull across the lip (because it is a drying matte lipstick). Also, Riri Woo applies more evenly than Ruby Woo, so after one swipe you have opague pigmentation. Riri Woo also seems less drying than Ruby Woo, but has the same staying power!  However, if you already have Ruby Woo, you may just pass on Riri Woo because they are very very close.  Not exactly the same, but very similar.

If you plan on wearing any of these reds, a lip scrub is in order! I used my Fresh Sugar Lip Scrub prior to trying on these lippies and followed up with a little Vaseline to moisturize. 

Color swatches (Don't judge me if my lips are colored outside the line.  I used the camera on my iPhone as a mirror lol):

Left to Right: Russian Red, Ruby Woo, RiRi Woo

Finally, here's a pic of me last week wearing Russian Red (didn't feel the need to reswatch, my lips are not having it tonight). 

My RiRi Woo Arrived Today

Today in the mail I received my signature MAC black box which contained my limited edition RiRi Woo lipstick.  For those of you who don't know what RiRi Woo is, see this previous post.  There are some pics below, and as soon as I get home and put baby girl to bed, I will post some lip swatches and compare it to Russian Red, my all time favorite MAC red lippie (which I prefer over Ruby Woo, personally). 

Review: Fresh Sugar Lip Polish

There's nothing more important than a lip scrub, especially if you're wearing matte lipstick. Otherwise, every dry lip flake will shine through and ruin the appearance of your lipstick. I've seen and used different homemade lip scrubs which are super easy to make-I just worry about storing them for a long time (perishable, maybe?). So essentially every time I want a lip scrub I have to make up a new batch. There's minimal price and work involved, especially with ingredients like sugar, honey, and oil. I just wished there was a way to make a batch and store it for months. Fast forward to April and I decided to try out the Fresh Sugar lip polish. It had pretty decent reviews. So after using it I found it to be just as effective as the DIY lip scrubs. Texture wise it was a bit more grainy than my homemade scrubs (which is good considering you want to scrub). After using you have to follow up with moisturizer, as it can be drying. Instructions are straightforward, wipe on lips, rub in and wipe off with a warm, damp towel.

Not sure if this is a holy grail must have product, especially with the $22.50 price tag, but it's super convenient and gets the job done.