January 2018 Ipsy Unbagging

I can't preach enough about how much I love Beauty Subscriptions. If boxes like Boxycharm are more than you want to spend on a beauty subscription, Ipsy is a very affordable alternative. For $10/month (billed the 1st of the month), you receive 5 items and a cute Glam Bag. The items aren't always full size, so you do often get deluxe samples. Which I think is nice to at least try the item prior to purchasing it full size. What is also nice is the fact that you can easily rate each product that you receive and Ipsy will personalize your future bags according to your feedback. 

Ipsy's January theme is Conquering 2018, so the bag is perfect for those who have any fitness resolutions. I love this bag and will use it in my gym bag for sure. It also comes with a cute "I will conquer" insert to help keep you motivated.

The first item was Nyx Lip Lingerie in Beauty Mark. I was not a fan of this. I look horrible with dark brown lips, so this color was not flattering. It's streaky, which you'll see in a swatch below. And there was something about the smell that was off-putting. It smells almost chemically. I do hear a lot of people love these though, so maybe a lighter shade will work for me.

The next item is Ciate Fierce Flicks Liquid Eyeliner. It comes with a felt tip, and claims to be "long-wearing, dries quickly, and won't smudge or transfer". The Fierce Flicks liner definitely lives up to those claims. It is not waterproof, though - so water will make it smudge/come-off. I like this eyeliner and it's pretty good, but I probably wouldn't repurchase since I prefer waterproof formulas.

One of my favorite items for January is Dirty Little Secrets eyeshadow in Bikini. This color is a gorgeous copper shade and is super pigmented. If used wet, it is even more stunning. And if you wanna be fancy, you could use this as a highlight. This shade is something I reach for often, so I would definitely repurchase!

 

The next item is Befine Skincare's Exfoliating Cleanser. It's made with brown sugar, almonds, and oats - and it smells like it! This is the most appetizing cleanser I've used in awhile. But if you use this, beware! If your face is not wet before you apply, this exfoliator is really rough. You need water to activate whatever is in it that makes it soapy. I made that mistake the first time I used it and irritated my skin. I love this cleanser but it is really difficult to get out of the tube. I might just cut it open and pour it in a jar. Because of that difficulty, I'm not sure if I'd repurchase, but I do think it's good.

Another of my favorites this month is City Color Cosmetics Contour Palette. This is so buttery and pigmented and blendable! I think City Color nailed it with the color selection, since you get a cool contour shade, a warm bronzer, and a beaming highlight. This shows up on my Tan-Olive skin so that is always awesome. I love this and was happy to receive it, so I'd definitely repurchase.

If you are looking to experiment with more makeup or add to your collection, subscription boxes are the way to go. Every month I find myself trying products that I would never chose for myself, and end up loving nearly everything. And for $10/month, you can't beat that.

Makeup Trends Getting Left Behind In 2017

2017 has taught me SO much about  makeup application and what formulas make a good product. YouTube and Instagram are where I find most of my inspiration. And ever since Instagram became super popular and a huge influence on the beauty industry, each recent year has had obvious trends in makeup. 

So here’s what I’m retiring in 2018:


(Photo: stylecaster.com) 

“Instagram Brows”
I am so bored of seeing the dark, boxy, angled brows that Instagram beauty junkies made famous. Are they fun for photos and dramatic looks? Sure. But they’re too overdone for my taste, and I love something softer. I’ve pretty much left my brow pomades to collect dust, as pomades give that dark sharp look. Pencils and brow powders have been my go-tos for a soft feathery brow. I want a more natural looking brow, so Buh Bye Insta-brows!



(Photo: gragemood.com)

“Full Cake”
If it’s heavy and full coverage, it’s probably being left in 2017. Instagram makeup is again to blame for flawless, artificial looking skin. I want to see some flaws, some freckles. I want my skin to look like skin, not necessarily like I’m wearing makeup. Dewy sheer-to-medium coverage foundations have my name on them. The “no makeup” makeup look is beautiful to me so full cakey foundation has to go. 



(Photo: zimbio.com)

“Super Bright Concealer” 
All over social media, especially YouTube, super bright concealers are the expectation. The reality is, it doesn’t look natural and it doesn’t photograph well. Ask any makeup artist: under-eye concealer should be 1-2, MAYBE 3 shades lighter than your skin tone. I’m seeing concealer applied that’s like 5 shades lighter! It looks cakey and dry, and it looks harsh. That look can stay in 2017. 



(Photo: becomegorgeous.com)

“Contouring”
Contouring can definitely stay in 2018, my face is round - I need it lol.  But the technique of layering on a dark stripe of powdery cool-toned contour should be buried. Now, cool-toned contours work for more fair or more deep skin tones than mine. But for my Medium-Deep skin, a warm (but not orange) contour is the most flattering and it doesn’t look muddy. I also find that cream contours look wayyy better than powder. I want my face slimmed, but not chiseled - so a warm cream contour will give it to me.



(Photo: ulta.com)

“Whispy Falsies”
Ardell Wispies and Demi Wispies had their moment, but it’s on to better things this next year. And that’s Faux Mink lashes. If you’re a falsies fiend like I am, you KNOW how essential they are to completing a makeup look. I am obsessed with how natural and comfortable Faux Mink lashes are. And because the band is thin (not “invisible” but thin) brands really get to be creative with different lengths and styles while still having the lash look pretty natural. My favorites right now are Ardell 811’s and Flutter Lashes Air Light Collection. 



(Photo: seventeen.com)

“Matte Liquid Lipstick”
2015 & 2016 were the years of the dry-matte liquid lips. Liquid lipsticks were revolutionary back then because they literally stayed on all day and didn’t transfer. But the drawback was we were left with parched cracked lips. Even though formulas have really improved, I was never the biggest fan, I usually stuck to a matte cream lipstick because it’s more comfortable. All around I can tell the beauty community is bored with matte lips, and glosses are making a huge comeback! I’ve always been a gloss girl, and I’m so happy juicy glossy lips are here again. 



(Photo: dailyrecord.co.uk)

“Baking”
The trend is a trick drag queens have been doing forever, but baking the under-eye with powder was a huge mainstream thing in 2016 & 2017. It’s a technique that’s used to prevent concealer (or foundation really) from creasing and helps it last all day. Maybe it’s because my eyes are big and I have the bags to match some days, but baking left my under-eyes very very powdery looking. I still set my concealer with a powder but I do a light sweep, instead of literally caking on powder, and it works just fine. Baking done wrong gives you the “raccoon” look and causes a white-cast in photos. So this technique isn’t joining me in 2018.



(Photo: glamourpage.com)

“Color Correcting”
This is another technique used by makeup artists since forever but got weirdly popular over the past year. If you’re like me and your skin tone is pretty even and your acne is minimal, you don’t need this step. Color correcting is for those with prominent discoloration, acne blemishes or scars, and dark circles or dark spots. If foundation and/or spot concealing hides any skin problems, you don’t need to color correct. If you feel you need it, by all means. But those with clearer skin don’t really benefit from this technique. 



(Photo: popsugar.com)

“Claws”
I hate long nails, always have. So in 2018 you’ll find me with short to medium length nails. Long claws is more of a Twitter trend than anything but it’s one I’m leaving alone. I am very rough on my hands so I just can’t be bothered about losing or chipping a nail. With that, unless I’m wearing (short) acrylics - I’m over nail art. Not much is original anymore so you’ll catch me in solid colors. 



(Still from An Knook video on YouTube)

“Harsh Eyes”
I’ll be the first to say, I’m feeling pretty overwhelmed with all the cut-creases, glitter eyeliner and halo eyes on social media right now. They’re relatively easy to achieve, but these eye trends are allll I’m seeing lately. That’s not to say I won’t be rocking these looks in 2018, but I have a feeling I’ll get sick of looking at them really fast. I’ve been drawn to “reinventing” the smokey eye. With all the warm toned and colorful eyeshadow palettes coming out, it’s fun to see a classic look done in new colors. But for day-to-day you won’t see me wearing an intense Insta-eye, I’ll be wearing something softer and more smoked out. 


A lot is being left in 2017 but trends are always changing so I’m sure everything will eventually be replaced. What makeup looks are you leaving in 2017, and what are you looking forward to seeing in 2108? 

Beautycon Box | Fall 2016

If you aren't familiar with Beautycon, it's a very popular festival within the beauty community. Think Comic Con except with way more cosmetics and instead of superheroes, there are popular beauty vloggers and bloggers. So it was only right that they created a beauty box subscription that comes out seasonally. 

The Fall box was curated by @MakeupShayla (who is one of my biggest inspirations btw) and @mac_daddyy. This gorgeous portrait was drawn by @rongrong_devoe_illustration. I've seen Beautycon boxes from other seasons floating around on Youtube and Instagram, but always debated on purchasing one. Then, of course, since Shayla was one of the curators, I knew I had to pick this one up before it was too late! 

The packaging in the box was impressive. The gold wrapping paper and Beautycon logo sticker is super glam. 

This box cost $29 (without shipping, with shipping around $35). I feel it's well worth it. If you add up the individual prices of each item, by buying the box, you're saving money. I loved nearly everything included so to me this was a good buy. Included in the box:

Super fabulous stickers that represent Shayla and Angel (mac_daddy).

The BrowGal Double Ended Highlighter Pencil in Gold/Nude. 

DUO Lash Adhesive.

Flutter Lashes "iSlay" Lashes.

Jouer Essential Lip Enhancer.

Lazer Kitten Sweetheart Lipstick Pin.

Luxie Beauty Large Angled 504 Brush.

Milani Cosmetics Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow.

Mystic Tan Mocha-Kyssed Bronzer Lotion.

OFRA Cosmetics Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick.

Simple Cleansing Facial Wipes.

Sugarfina Sugar Lips Candy.

I'm not sure how much longer this box will be available as Beautycon has been promoting their upcoming Winter 2016 box, so if you want to purchase this, do it fast! I loved getting this box and think it was well worth the money.

Cween Turns 25 | Birthday Haul

As I'm writing this, it's Mid-October. My birthday was back in Mid-September. Which means, YES I certaintly do take celebrating my birthday MONTH seriously. This years haul, compared to last, is almost excusively makeup products. Last year I got clothes and other things because I had an entire weekend to celebrate. This year was low key. My birthday was on a Tuesday, and nothing was going on. That being said, I got a number of freebies and some other items I purchased myself!

I love cinnamon scented everything so these candles were nice. I also like "outdoorsy" scents as well so I was glad to get a candle that smells like trees.

These next items I purchased myself. This fall I am very into purple lips (and eyes). So I picked up Wet N Wild's: MegaEyes Creme Eyeliner in Eggplant, MegaSlicks Lip Gloss in That's My Jam, MegaLast Lip Color in Sugar Plum Fairy, and MegaLast Lip Color in Ravin' Rasin. I also have a thing for peachy lips for day to day so I also got: Glassy Gloss Lip Gel in 3 2 1 Glass-t Off!, and a Silk Finish Lipstick in Sunset Peach.

These  brushes I was gifted by Wet N Wild specifically for my  birthday (thank you WNW!). Included in their Essential Brush set are: an angled liner brush, a crease brush, a contour brush, and a small eyeshadow brush. I absolutely adore these brushes! So cute and girly, plus these were sold out for the longest time, so receiving them as a gift was very appreciated.

The next set of goodies were also all freebies. If you're a rewards member with Ulta you get a free eyeshadow from Urban Decay in Midnight Cowboy. The shade is stun-ning btw. From Sephora you get free deluxe samples from Marc Jacobs if you are a part of their rewards progam too. Included is a mini Le Marc Lip Creme Lipstick in Kiss Kiss Bang Bang, and a mini Beauty Highliner Gel Eye Crayon Eyeliner in Blacquer. 

Sephora had pretty nice samples when I shopped their site. I chose samples of Urban Decay's Primer Potion, and samples of Anastasia Beverly Hills DipBrow pomade. I've always wanted to try both so I was happy about these. 

I needed some new nail polishes, so I shopped Sephora.com. I am obsessed with holographic and duo-crome nails and was pleased Sephora had some affordable options. I picked up: Formula X The Effects in Determined, Ciate London Mini Paint Pot in Deco Delight, and NAILS INC Fibre Optic in Hampstead Court. I also picked up some Kiss nail glue and Gel Fantasy nails from Walgreens. 

Also from Walgreens I was very excited to find they carried Tattoo Junkie Lip Paints. This is another item that is often sold out, and everytime I checked my local Walgreens, they didn't have it in stock. Of course I picked up the shade Whatever, because purple. I also got Wet N Wild's limited edition Coloricon Matte Liquid Lipstick in Don't Be A Plum Plum.

Glitter lips is also a trend I wanted to try, and the formula of both the liquid lip and glitter are top notch. Even better they are affordable.

The final items I purchased for myself were some things from Poshmark and Ebay. From Poshamrk I found this mark Bohista Suedeshadow Eye Quad in Exotic. This has been discontinued for a long time and my old one was damaged, but this is the perfect everyday fall eyeshadow palette. I also found on Ebay, the matching mark Bohista Suedeshine Lip Quad. I also picked up a selfie fan, because it's so necessary. And a selfie light. 

The last gift I got was from my son. He picked out this adorable bracelet, which is actually a lip gloss. This is by far my favorite gift, and I've been wearing it everywhere. 

Happy Birthday to me, and I am kind of sad my birthday month is over lol.