Best Beauty Purchases 2016

Morning! Some of my favorite posts to read at this time of the year is people’s favorite posts, best of, or recaps. I just love looking back and seeing all the good and positive from one year and heading into the new year with hope and happiness. Another favorite post of mine to share and to read from other’s are their favorite beauty products! When I initially went to write this post, I didn’t think I had too much to share, but then when I reviewed my Instagram and published posts- I had a lot! I was pretty successful in the beauty product department for 2016 and didn’t really have any stinkers, but today I’m sharing just my absolute favorites of the year with you!

Product Review: Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Blush Palette

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Blush Palette // Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette

Another palette win with Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Blush Palette! This is my first blush palette and I am seeing stars! It’s nothing short of beautiful and has something for every day. If you missed my UD Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette review, I mentioned that I was in the market for a new eyeshadow palette and a makeup artist suggested I check out the Gwen Stefani collaboration. She also mentioned, that the blush palette was amazing and I needed to have it too. So as I wandered over to check it out, she couldn’t have been more right! I wasn’t in the market for a blush palette, but thought the colors in the Gwen Stefani palette were gorgeous! I immediately fell in love with Easy (a deep rose with gold shimmer, middle top row), it’s a beautiful shade and I loved the flush look it would give. I didn’t think I needed the palette, but I couldn’t stop thinking about it at the same time.

That night, Matt and I had dinner reservations by the mall and had some time before so I ran into Macy’s to check it out again. I loved the palette, but again, Easy was so pretty and really stood out to me so I asked if it was exclusive to the palette or if it was a permanent shade that was renamed for the collaboration and it was an exclusive color. Their makeup girl was so sweet and she was just raving about how great it was and that she had to apply some on me so I could see for myself. She did and I was sold!

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Blush Palette

All of the colors are new to Urban Decay and are exclusive to the Gwen Stefani palette. In total there are six 0.09 oz shades- four blushes: Cherry (light pink satin), Easy (deep rose with gold shimmer), Angel (champagne-nude shimmer), and Hush (medium pink with gold shimmer), a bronzer Lo-Fi (soft bronze matte), and a highlighter in OC (soft pink with peach shift). The colors are very pigmented and you need to dust off the brush before application. They blend really beautifully and layer very well together.

Typically, I use Easy as my blush with a bit of Hush layered on top and Angel as a highlighter. Angel is a perfect highlighter and looks lovely down the bridge of your nose. For me, OC is much better as a blush than as I highlighter and looks beautiful with Angel layered as a highlighter on top. Cherry looks much more pale pink in the pot than in real life and gives a very subtle, natural pink hue to the cheek. All of the colors have shimmer, except the bronzer, so if you’re not into shimmery blush, this is not the palette for you. I personally love shimmer for blush, but it’s not a must-have for me. I’ll usually layer a shimmery highlighter over my blush anyways so it’s not a deciding factor for my blush choices. The only color I don’t really care for is the bronzer- it has too much of an undertone for me to use it as a bronzer and is better as a blush for my skintone.

My final thoughts on the blush palette is that the value is definitely there for the set, I use five of the six shades regularly and if you’re into blush or are looking for a nice range of blushes and highlighters, I would definitely recommend the palette. It doesn’t offer a wide variety of shades or finishes, so if you’re looking for something more versatile I would skip this. I’m very happy with my purchase and I think it complements the Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette beautifully, but you don’t need to purchase both to be satisfied. I love the entire collaboration so far, they sent me some samples of the lipsticks so don't be surprised if you see a review for that coming up too!

Fall Beauty Inspirations

MAC Rebel // MAC Pure Zen

MAC Richly Revered // MAC Softly Lit

MAC Beauty Marked // MAC All That Glitters

MAC Purple Times Nine // MAC Amber Times Nine

MAC Stubborn // MAC Stay By Me

Every season calls for a shift in your makeup, a small change that can make a big impact. In the summer, I tend to wear less makeup and need a little more in the cooler months. One of my favorite colors to incorporate into my beauty routine each fall is a rich plum or wine. It's a beautiful color that's great for day or night and can be so easy to wear. A bold lip, some color in the crease of your eyelid, a darker blush, etc.

Neutral is always good to wear all day, any day, year round. Even with neutrals, I love trying new shades as the seasons change; rich golds, hints of pink, or soft camels. Nothing groundbreaking, but something new to wear. In today's post, I've included items that are all on my wish list (except All That Glitters, that's my Holy Grail eye shadow) and plan to check out this season. I've been wanting some new lip sticks and blushes this year I think I'm gonna save the palettes for my Christmas list!

Do you change your makeup with the seasons? What are you looking to try this season?

IG Roundup

I haven't done an IG round up in forever and I get that it's kind of an "easy" post, but I wanted to share some stuff I've posted to IG, but haven't had a chance to talk more or review on the blog yet. So although you've seen all of these pics on IG already if you follow me there, here they are again but with some more info about it.

Ohmygoodness. The nesting period of this pregnancy has hit! I didn’t really experience the same urgency/need to do stuff for Ellie's nursery. I wanted to get it done, but the passion and urgency I feel for it is completely different now for Little Baby 2. I had a day off this past week and took full advantage of shopping til I dropped. I went to Kirkland’s and picked up some items for our living room/bedroom, then I went to Home Goods where I bought everything. The picture above doesn’t even show what I put into the cart on my way to check out, or what I had to store inside the laundry bag, or the items I had to carry in my arm to the front. Then, on top of that I went to Target and bought a few more house décor items. What the heck!?

We’ve slowed down on the decorating of our house because I wanted to wait for inspiration or new furniture (I really want a China Buffet and new dining table), but I’m sick of looking at our blank walls and decided it needed some freshening up. I bought mirrors, candlesticks, accent pieces, and I’m not nearly done, but I’m excited to bring our home together more. I’m not sure of everything I picked up will work for the space I intended it for, but I’ve learned my lesson about Home Goods and Kirklands- if you see it buy it immediately and return later if you change your mind. Things go so quickly there and it’s better to trust your gut about pieces. There are a few pieces I have in mind from Kirklands still that I may go back for (generic stuff they always have different items of like wall sconces, not a specific piece) if I decide to move some pieces we have around or the pieces I bought don’t work out.

These jammies are the best I’ve ever had! Did you sing that to the song tune? I totally did as I typed it. They are so extremely soft and comfortable. Matt and Ellie gave them to me for Mother’s Day and I’ve pretty much lived in them since. They’ll be great to wear while breastfeeding and I plan to take them to the hospital with me for after delivery. I bought my regular size, but I might buy a second pair a size up because I don’t want to stretch them out. Or maybe just another pair because they are the best pajamas and I need several sets.

I bought these clips from Jane from Etsy shop TinkerCrafts and we love them! I like to put bows and such in Ellie’s hair now that it’s long enough to put up. She wore headbands forever and then we had a short period of time where she didn’t want to wear headbands, but her hair wasn’t long enough for a clip alone or to put up yet. She loves to pick out matching bows or clips for her hair each morning and these are easy and simple to use. The clips are covered in a fabric so shimmery it looks like glitter, but since it’s not, there’s no fallout. She’s even worn her hair down a few times with these clips keeping her bangs out of her face, which I thought she would never wear her hair like that! She’s really active and likes her hair no fuss and out of her face, if I use a clip/bow that’s distracting or heavy for her she’ll rip that sucker right out.

My little sister is getting married this fall and the bridesmaids and I are throwing her a shower at my house later this summer. The invitations were just sent out and I absolutely love them! One of her bridesmaids who recently moved to the east coast isn’t able to come to the shower, but took charge of the invites (a huge help!) and she chose the most stunning invites I have ever seen. They’re from Etsy shop Ruby Ridge Studios and she showed me a preview of them and they were gorgeous, but in person they are simply beautiful. It’s the perfect invite for the feel of the shower and my sister’s style for her wedding- feminine, floral, and whimsical.

Sterling Forever was sweet enough to send me some items- the Raindrops Opaque Statement Necklace and their Double Pearl Stud . These were delivered over the weekend and they're so pretty. I'm really excited to wear them and have already started picking out a few outfits for each.

My blush addiction is getting carried away. I've been longing for another one to add to my collection and have been blogging about getting Dame as a dupe for my beloved and now discontinued Pink Swoon. When I went into to check out the blushes, Dame was pretty, but just wasn't doing it for me. I talked to one of the consultants and I picked out one of their newer Pro Longwear Blush called I'm A Lover. It's a beautiful pink with a blue base and has great pigment. I wore it for the first time Sunday and although it's has a great pigment, it's not too strong and is easy to build. It gives a great flush and is really quite pretty. I'll try and get a a pic of me wearing it.

Matt gave me these Nikes for my birthday and I absolutely love them. It feels like walking on air and I really wish I could wear them to work. I love wearing them for errands, but still use my old ugly ones for gardening because I don't want to get these grass or dirt stained.

Hope you're having a fantastic start to the short work week! I hope it goes by quickly for everyone!

Recent Beauty Faves

Recently I've been trolling through my make up bag(s), and found some goodies I haven't used for a while. I've put them back into rotation and I can't believe they were ever forgotten about. Two of these items are newer so they were not forgotten, but I haven't put them down since I bought them so I'd thought I'd include them in my favorites.

Victoria Secret All Over Shimmer in Gold Star 

I can't find it on their site, but I was just in their store over the weekend and still saw it there. For Halloween I wanted really bronzed and shimmery cheeks so I layered this over my bronzer. It's such a soft gold and looks gorgeous layered over anything. I've also layered it over my blush this past week. I use it a lot to highlight my brow bones and over my shadow. When I was in there store I fell in love with this eyeshadow duo in Undiscover, but they were out of stock. I'll have to go back and pick it up. I'll use it on my eyes and cheeks both. Let's be honest, I'm a sucker for anything shimmery, especially gold and shimmery.

MAC Blush in Easy Manner

This is from their Glamour Daze collection that I bought at their preview. It's now available in store and online. It's a gorgeous peachy pink blush with no shimmer that gives a soft flush. I'm really happy with that purchase, my other blushes are either very shimmery or a much brighter pink. It's nice to add something different in the mix. 

MAC Cream Colour Base in Pearl

I've had this puppy for years and have always used it on and off. You can really use it wherever you want on your face. As a shadow base, highlighter, etc. Lately, I've been putting it on a bit heavier on places to highlight- cheekbones, brow bones, bridge of my nose, and then layering my powder over it. Kind of contouring my face a bit by using it first. I'll also use it on top of my makeup sometimes to, it really is very versatile. 

Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo Spray

Remember I told you folks how I only wash my hair 2x a week? Well I also get up at 430am for work (my schedule is changing and I'll get to sleep in another hour!). This dry shampoo is a dream! I don't know how I went on about my life without it. It really gives a lot of body and good texture, not gross filmy texture.

MAC Tinted Lipglass in Florabundance

Even though I've been sporting bold lip lately, a great nude lip is always my favorite look. Nearly all my glosses are soft nudes and pinks. This one was a favorite of mine for a while, but then I kept buying more glosses and it somehow just got skipped over. I came across it and haven't put it down again. It's just enough color to use on it's own, but it's also great over other lipsticks (like MAC Hue). 

Do you ever resurrect old beauty products? What have you been using lately or have found again?

Beauty Routine

MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation in C4

My new NYX Matte Bronzer in Medium

MAC Mineral Blush in Warm Soul (review)

Maybelline Great Lash Mascara Lots of Lashes

Revlon Lipstick in Temptress

MAC Lipstick in  Force of Love (review)

My make-up has been seriously low-key this summer. I mean, I still put on my “face”, but I’ve been using less products than in the winter. I keep my face pretty bare, I use powder, bronzer, blush, mascara, and lipstick. Pretty simple. Some days I don’t even wear mascara, and it feels so great when you can rub your eyes. LOL.

Do you wear less make-up in summer? What have you been wearing?

Product Review: MAC Warm Soul Blush

MAC Mineralize Blush in Warm Soul

The different background and lighting make a huge difference in how the colors looks!

 Warm Soul is simply beautiful peach shade with pink undertones and gold shimmer.

Pros:

-Works for EVERY skin color. Ever color, I know so many people who use this blush and it looks great on all of us (dark skin/hair, to light skin/hair)

-Buildable color

-Gives a sort of bronzed effect

-Not super shimmery when applied, so don't be afraid for you matte blush lovers

-Warms up your face and gives a nice glow
-Easy to blend

Cons:
-Because of the golden glow it gives you, it can be easy to overdose on bronzer and the blush so you need to be sure to keep a light hand and build the color or skip the bronzer all together

Overall, I love this shade and would definitely recommend it to everyone to check out. It looks so natural, it's definitely a color I'll be re-purchasing.

Lately, I've become obsessed with blush. I have so many, but I really do switch which ones I'm using up a lot. Some colors I swear by, MAC Pink Swoon, Warm Soul, Sunbasque, for example and are some of my go-to shades.

What are your favorite blushes?

Vlog: What's In My Makeup Bag?

What's in my make-up bag? Well, enough for any drag queen. I think I'll probably have to slim it down, but I'm not sure what I'd take out at this point. It may not be a shock to some of you, if you remember this post. YIKES. Check it out!

Sorry for the poor lighting, I don't have anywhere to video during the week with natural light.

Wow. Wow. Wow. That's a lot of products! I know right? Well, I don't use these every day, but keep them close because I do use them often. Plus, it all fits in my make-up bag.....

Here's a list of everything, I talked about in the video, the highlighted are linked to a review on the product. If you'd like a review of a product mentioned, let me know!

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation in 120

MAC Studio Fix in C4

Sephora Bronzer in Bora Bora

Maybelline Concealer in 10

Maybelline Instant Age Rewind in Brightener

ELF Blush in Blushing Rose (I left this out in error, it was lost behind my laptop he he he)

MAC Blush in Nuance and Pink Swoon

VS Luminous Blush Duo in Pleasure and Surrender

VS Brilliant Shimmer in Star

Maybelline Line Stiletto in Blackest Black and Brownish Black

L'Oreal Extra Volume Collagen Mascara in Black

Maybelline Great Lash in Blackest Black

Ulta Automatic Eye Liner in Black/Brown and Chocolate

L'Oreal Extra Intense Liquid Pencil in Black

Maybelline Define-A-Brow in Dark Blonde

Maybelline Great Lash in Clear

MAC Eyeshadows in Phloof, Soba, Woodwinked, Romp, All That Glitters, Print and Typographic

Maybelline Eyelash Curler (I need a new one, any suggestions?)

There's always a few items that float in and out of my makeup bag, but these are my goodies.Since we're saving for a home, I have had to swap out some higher end products for some more friendly priced ones - Hello Maybelline and ELF. There's a few items that float around my makeup drawer that I use a lot too and are easily available.

How do you store your makeup? Do you have them individually in a drawer? Displayed on a countertop? Or do you keep them in a bag like myself?

I like the bag, because then everything is all together and ready to run with me at any time. That way I'm not afraid of leaving something valuable at home.

What's in your makeup bag? Do we use any of the same products? What's your holy grail items?

Favorite of the Week- VS Blush

Victoria Secret Luminous Mineral Blush Duo in Surrender (not pictured) 

My favorite item (and recent purchase!) is my new blush in Surrender. I already own the blush in Pleasure (check out my review here) and wanted the blush in At Last. I went into the store to pick it up, but At Last isn't as pink in person as it is in store and instead I went for Surrender. It's a very light soft baby pink paired with a bright hot pink. LOVE!

I've been wearing it all week and it's not as easy to go overboard on color as it is with Pleasure. I'm very happy with this shade, it gives a lovely soft pink glow with a hint of shimmer, I'm so happy with this purchase and am glad I bought a second blush from the line. I really like their make-up and plan on buying a few more products.

Have you tried the Victoria Secret make-up line?

Product Review: VS Luminous Mineral Blush Duo

Victoria Secret Luminous Mineral Blush Duo in Pleasure (not pictured)

I bought this blush a while ago, in this Recent Purchase post. I've used it a ton and now I'm ready to review it!

Pros:
- Gorgeous colors, four available
- Shimmer is built in and noticeable
- The duo colors naturally contour and highlight your cheeks
- Blends easy
- Lasts several hours

Cons:
- Easy to put on too much, you have to be very light handed and build to the color you want
- Will last through your work shift, but not into happy hour
- Very shimmery, when paired with shimmer eyeshadow it can be too much


The color is so pretty and I am happy with the purchase, but this hasn't made it to my holy grail of blushes. I love the colors available and had a hard time choosing, I also love the shimmer, one less step to do. I plan on buying the hot pink shade, At Last. It's a beautiful pink shade, but I passed initially because I already have MAC Pink Swoon.

Overall, I give this blush a B. I think I might have been happier with the At Last color, but I do love the shimmer and the overall glow the product gives you.

Have you tried Victoria Secret make-up? What do you use and how did you like it?

Color Me Pretty

I saw this gem in my People Style Watch (one of my fave indulges) and went straight to Sephora's website to take a closer look.Color Play - 5 in 1 It's the from the Sephora collection. Now, although I love me a pretty palette (see here, here and here), I've never been fond of big beauty kits like this one. Although they make a great gift for others and are perfect for people new to make-up, I've never thought the quality was all too great. Disclaimer- I've never had a beauty kit from a big brand either. So, I think I'm going to have to check this one out.


The best part of this kit is that it's made up of five smaller ones that you can pop out and take with you in your bag for touch ups. AWESOME. Who wants to lug around a huge case everywhere? I wasn't able to get pics of the individual pallettes, but here's the description from the website:


Each look has its own unique name and color array:
- Dinner in Paris: Grays and blacks
- Coffee in New York: Browns
- Shopping in Milan: Purples and pinks, green
- Tango in Buenos Aires: Blues and greens
- Clubbing in Tokyo: Baby blues, pinks, and yellows


You can check it out and purchase the item online here and can really see how pretty the colors are.Each palette consists of 10 eyeshadows, 2 lip colors, and 1 blush. Not bad!

Have you tried Sephora brand make-up before? My only experience has been with their face primer-which I really like and have bought repeatedly. Have you tried their holiday pallettes? Have you had any luck?