August ipsy bag and first impressions

Howdy all!

I've been working and totally exhausted lately but getting my ipsy bag this month has completely rekindled my makeup addiction.

My Bag: 

The goods: 

Urban Decay Perversion mascara 

Absolute New York You're the Balm in grape

Dr. Brandt Pores No More primer

Lord & Berry black eyeliner 

Coastal Scents blush sampler 

I did't get a good shot of the bad but I think that it's super cute! I love the orange polka dots. 

The look:

First Impressions: 

I used everything in this month's bag except for the Perversion mascara because I want to review that one individually :) 

-The Dr Brandt primer worked really well with my Kat Von D Lock it liquid foundation and I think it's making me like the foundation (not my favorite but needs to be used). 

-The Coastal Scents blushes are very pigmented so pigmented that I actually went overboard with them and had to go back in with my beauty blender to tone them down. I did use the Makeup Forever dream HD blush (not from ipsy) as a base and it was so not needed. The cream blush also does not need anything on top of it and is beautiful on its own. 

-The Lord & Berry eyeliner was the one disappointment, it doesn't stay on my waterline and faded throughout the day. Net time I will try toping it with a black shadow but that's a bit too high maintenance for me right now. 

-The Absolute New York balm on the other had was the big stand out for me. My lips are super dry all the time and the balm actually made a big difference, it also really spells like grape. I loved the smell and I like to say that my nose doesn't work (allergies usually stuff it up) so I was happy to get a huge whiff of grape :) 

-As you can see from the picture I also used the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette and a Maybelline color tattoo 

Parting Thoughts: 

-What did you all get in your bags this month? 

-I hope everyone had a great weekend :) 

July ipsy bag

Howdy all,

So I received my ipsy bag yesterday! I have been getting my bags quickly, I think that's because I am in Southern California and it looks like they ship out of Compton, CA. I am pretty happy with my bag, there was just one product I have no clue what to do with. The items with mini reviews and a look of the day are below!

My bag: 

1. Pop Beauty sunkissed bronzer in secret sunshine: On my face it looks a lot like the Balm's Bahama Mama but that one is matte and this one has some shimmer though it does not show up on my skin. 

2. Sexy Hair healthy sexy hair soy renewal beach spray: I did use it after a shower yesterday and I did not notice huge results. I do have curly hair so I am not going to get instant "beach hair." I do love all the ingredients though and will continue to use it. 

3. Hang Ten dark tanning oil: I loved the Hang Ten sunscreen we got in a previous bag and I really like the company for being natural and cruelty free but I don't know what this brown woman is supposed to do with a bronzer. I would try it out on my legs except I live in So Cal and they are already tanned... 

4. Bare Minerals 5 in 1 BB advanced performance cream shadow in the shade divine wine: Haven't used it yet because it is a dark brown and I have to figure out a look to use it in. I think I will use it as a base. I did swatch it and then tried to take it off and it does not budge by just rubbing it. I will use it in a look and report back either here or on instagram. 

5. Pixi tinted brilliance balm in Pretty Pink: It's a balm but still has nice pigmentation and looks really nice on my lips and with my tan complexion. Seriously brown/Olive/tanned ladies don't be afraid of colors like this :) 

Look of the day: 

Using the Pop Beauty bronzer the Pixi balm and the Sexy Hair beach spray. 

I really like the look of the bronzer and adore the Pixi lip balm. 

Here you can see my hair better. It's still wet but so far looks the same it always does.

Here's a swatch of the cream shadow.

Parting thoughts: 

-I have a lot of work today, help! ;) 

- I am working on a post debunking myths about what makeup works of olive complexions/women of color. I've been noticing a lot of women hesitate to buy/use certain things because they think it's not for them. Yes products will look different on us than they do on pale skin tones but that does not mean that we cannot rock those products. Nudes on drown/dark skin are totally different than they are on light/medium skin tones and I have lots of thoughts on all of this, so check back for more :)