December Ipsy Bag

Overall I'm impressed with this month's Ipsy bag.  I actually loveeeeedddddd the bag, but a lot of people on the website were complaining about how it wasn't festive.  Well I think it's festive and sleek and gorgeous.  It's shiny, black, with a diamond print and lined with red fabric.  I think this bag is great because if you carry a higher end bag, you wouldn't be embarssed pulling this one out for whatever reason.  Love it.  

I also love the products--the cologne and perfume sample were very large vials--you can def get some use out of this.  I find it odd that the sample had a men's cologne too, but maybe that's just because I don't have a man. LOLOLOL. I think I got my money's worth this month, and my favorite item would probably be the Bombshell multiple stick--I posted a swatch of it and the lipstick below.  Sooooo pretty ladies! 

December's Ipsy bag:

*Signature by English Laundry perfume and cologne sample

*Bombshell Multiple Stick in Flustered

*Nicka K nail polish in a red shade (no  name on the bottle anywhere--weird)

*POP eyeshadow trio

*NYX Round Lipstick in Baby Pink

September Ipsy Bag

Hi guys! So this month's Ipsy bag arrived right on time! Last month was a nightmare lol, but I still liked all my products.  Anywho, this month's Ipsy package arrived in a blue and navy makeup bag.  Super cute and sleek.  This bag is a good size to keep in your purse for makeup (if you only carry a little during the day) but even better for personables lol. 

This month's Ipsy bag, for me, came with 5 items.  This month's full sized item was the Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter, which retails for $18.  I'm super excited I got this one too, because I had been wanting to try the Anastasia or Benefit brow highlighter, and since I have one, I don't have to spend the funds now.  Plus, this Chella highlighter has really good reviews, and I'm sure it will add that much needed pop to my eyes.  

This month's products:

• Chella Ivory Lace Highlighter Pencil, full sized, retail value of $18
• NYX single eyeshadow, ES103 Hollywood, retail value of $4.50
• Starlooks Obsidian Kohl Eye Pencil,I think this is full sized too, retail value of $12
• Cailyn Cosmetics Tinted Lip Balm, Ipsy sample size, retail value (for full size) $19
• Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Volumizing Mascara, sample size, retail value (for full size) $19.99

Check out the pics below!!!

Left to right: Eyeliner pencil, highlighter pencil, NYX shadow, lip balm.

Swatches, flash.

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.

NYX Butter Glosses in Creme Brulee and Maple Blondie

Part of my haul from Tuesday's post were these two NYX butter glosses (from Ulta).  These are quickly becoming my preferred lip gloss.  First, have I ever raved about how much I love NYX? If I haven't, let me take a moment to do so.  If I have, forgive me.  Anywho, I LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE NYX.  I think it's a great brand, and many of its products can compete with higher end brands.  Additionally, it is made with the average girl and even the makeup artist in mind, so it blends affordability and quality in one.  Some of my go to makeup items are NYX products, like the eyeshadow base and jumbo eye pencils.  Adore them!!! 

The butter glosses are great worn alone or on top of lipstick.  They are creamy and have good color, without drying the lip or being sticky.  No one likes sticky lip gloss.  They retail for $4.99, and Ulta always has them buy one get one 50% off at least once every six weeks or so.  They're a great value and they're super awesome in my book.  Check out the pic of the Creme Brulee and Maple Blondie below!

How to Make Your Eyeshadow "POP"!

No matter what brand or quality eyeshadow you use, you always get ome that are either too sheer, don't wear long, or are just dull and blend into the other colors on your eye. Or you get the ones that are super pretty, but just don't show up well.  And we all know that caking on more eyeshadow just to get it to show only winds up making a mess...on your eye and your face. 

The best things that I've found if you have those shadows is to use an eyeshadow is to use an eyeshadow base (which is NOT the same as an eyelid primer) or to apply the shadow wet.  Actually, you can use a base or apply eyeshadow wet all the time if you choose...for me, some days I prefer the muted colors lol.  No need to always be bright.  Anywho, for an eyeshadow base you can actually use other eyeshadows, like pale colored cream shadows, but the most popular bases are eye shadow sticks (like NYX) or paint pots (like MAC).  These help your color stay longer and appear more vibrant.  Everyone has a preference, and you have to try them out to find which you like.  The only problem is that sometimes this causes an increased likelihood of eyeshadows creasing, but that can often be reversed by being sure to use an eyelid primer and even application of your eyeshadow base. 

For an example of how the shadows appear different and last longer, I've got some swatches below.  The colors and names of the eyeshadows aren't super important.  I just chose a few different colors as an example.  The colors I used came from Urban Decay (the limited edition 15th anniversary palette--the first four shades) and Wet N Wild's Color Icon Palette 333-I've Got Good Jeans (the last two blue shadows).

The last picture shows my arm after I rubbed it with a warm soapy towel.  As you can tell, the eyeshadows that were applied wet or with a base remained, but for the most part the shadows applied alone rubbed right off.  Notably, the shadows applied with the base lasted longer.  For my base I used NYX's eyeshadow base in White (it's available at Ulta for $6.99).  

I patted the base on my arm and then applied the eyeshadow on top.  For wet eyeshadow, I dipped my brush gently and lightly into water.  There are all types of techniques on wet application, and everyone has their own preference.  I know a lot of people like to spray the brush with water in a spray bottle.  

Check out the pics below! 

Utensils/Products:

NYX Cosmetics 20% off Sale

Sorry I'm late! But I just saw this on my Instagram feed...NYX is havinga 4th of July sale today!! 20% off all products., only online at http://www.nyxcosmetics.com.  At checkout use the code SPARKLE for your discount.  If you guys know, I love NYX!!! It is a super affordable but still good quality make up product.  They make a wide range of products, with some of my favorites being their lip sticks, glosses, and eye and lip pencils.  Check it out if you get a chance...it is affordable and with the extra discount, treat yourself.  HAPPY 4TH OF JULY FOLKS!!!! 

MAC and ULTA Haul

Picked up a couple things this week, nothing much.  Got my MAC order in the mail yesterday and today I picked up a couple of things from Ulta.  Below is a list of what I picked out, and there are pics further down.   The MAC blush I picked up to use for contouring.  I'm not really great at contouring, especially with liquid.  I've read that Blunt is a favorite in the contouring world because its a matte brown, with no shimmer.  Perfect for a good contour.  Now since my skin is tan, it isn't going to be as "sharp" of a contour, but i'm only looking for something slight anyway, and I think Blunt will be perfect.  Also, I'm trying to get back into liquid eyeliner, and I haven't had a fluidline in ages! Fluidline is great because its formula is forgiving and a bit easier to apply than regular liquid eyeliner.  Blacktrack is very black, and as soon as I use it in a look I will post an updated picture.  I did not want to swatch it today.  

NYX and Almay was on sale at Ulta, so that's why I picked up a couple of things (none of which I really needed lol).  I also picked up another "Chic Red" lipstick for my cousin, and my daughter picked out a  NYX 507 lipstick (for her cat--which is a purse). LOL!  

MAC:
*Powder Blush in Blunt (a warm matte brown)
*Fluidline in Blacktrack (ultra smooth black gel eyeliner)

ULTA:
*Almay Liquid Lip Balm 800-Rosy Lipped
*Almay Liquid Lip Balm 400-Lilac Love
*NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Cobalt
*NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Purple Velvet
*NYX Studio Liquid Liner in Extreme Black
*NYX Studio Liquid Liner in Extreme Purple

**Disclaimer: Excuse my squiggly lines on the eyeliner pic.  I was swatching with my left hand and clearly I'm not good at being lefthanded lol.**

Ulta Mini-Haul

I stopped at Ulta yesterday because I had a coupon that expired soon and I needed makeup remover wipes. I picked up a couple other things while I was in there. They had a decent clearance on some Maybelline products so those lip stains I got were only $2.29. NYX was also buy one get one 50 percent off so I picked up an illuminater and matte bronzer that I can't wait to try. I'm not good at highlighting and contouring so hopefully these powders will make it easier for me!  I also got a travel kabuki brush for powder and blush application and NYX's Jumbo Eye Liner pencil in Milk. 

These Maybelline colors were only $2 after my coupon.  I swatched them on my wrist.  The colors were okay, the Fresh Fuschia was definitely prettier than the Plum...which had a lot of brown undertones.  These definitely live up to their title of "Super Stay"...after I washed them off they left behind a nice, dark stain.