No-buy July Challenge: 3 Looks

Howdy all,

I have been on a no-buy this month. I'm doing it for several reasons: I want to wait and buy makeup in the fall/winter season when all the limited edition palettes come out, plus I want to use up some of what I have since I've been neglecting parts of my collection.

I decided to challenge myself to use palettes that have been neglected and I started with Too Faced A Few of My Favorite Things. This was a limited edition palette from this recent holiday season. It is a gorgeous palette but I have not been reaching for it lately.

The palette: 

The Looks: 

Shadows used: 

Cream Colored Ponies all over as a base and as a brow bone highlight

Taffy all over the lid 

Ooh la Orchid on the outer corner and crease 

Soirée to deepen up the outer corner 

Shadows used: 

Cream Colored Ponies all over as a base and as a brow bone highlight

Chocolate Milk on the crease and blended up 

Soirée in the outer V 

Coquet all over the lid (wet)

Whiskers on Kittens in the inner corner (wet) 

Shadows used: 

Tinsel all over lid 

Chocolate Milk in the crease and blended up 

Dark Chocolate in the outer corner

Cream Colored Ponies as a brow bone highlight 

The Review: 

I love this palette. You might have noticed but I love Cream Colored Ponies, it is a wonderful matte cream color. Coquet is a mix of pink and gold that comes off golden but the pink is there if you pay attention. Chocolate Milk should be in every palette, seriously it is great for blending shadows and on the crease. Other great shadows are: Honey Honey, Bouche de Noel and Crisp Apple Strudel. I did not swatch everything for you because this palette was swatched by everyone when it came out. 

The palette as a whole is very complete with the inclusion of  Chocolate Soleil, Sun Bunny (both bronzers), and Raindrops on Roses and Melt into Spring (both blushes). I took this palette with me when I was visiting family for the holidays and I had lots of fun with it. I think I stopped using it because it felt like it was a holiday palette but it is actually a great year round palette. Now I know that I can do good summer looks with it. 

I will be using it 3 more days and then I will move on to another neglected palette for 5 days. Not sure which one yet but I might go with the Lorac Pro (original). 

Parting thoughts: 

-Do you have this palette? What looks have you been doing with it? If you have not been using it maybe I can inspire you to use it. If you do, please share pictures with me on instagram :) 

-Is anyone else on a no-buy or low-buy? 

-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 :) 

July Olia box

Howdy all,

I just received my second Olia Box and wanted to share what I got with you all. Olia box is a monthly jewelry  subscription box. You do have a few option $25/a  month  for 2-3 pieces, #35 for 3-4 pieces and $45 for 4-5 pieces.

I have been purchasing the $35 box and have have also had to work with the Olia customer service. I had a few issues with my account, not necessarily their fault, one issue was really just technical. Either way, I've emailed customer service each time and they have gotten back to me in the same day and have resolved all my issues. I want to make sure you all know how great the customer service is because sometimes problems do arise.

My box: 

It always comes with a cute card and instructions on how to take care of your jewelry :) 

1. I received a cool gold bracelet. I like it because it is a bit thinker and I am really getting into bracelets. 

2. I also received a necklace with a gold chain and colorful rocks. This is my favorite piece! I immediately put it on and it actually matched well with my gray tank top. 

3. I also got earrings that match the necklace. I will wear these but I have to admit they remind me of something my mom would have work in the 80s...

Overall, I am extremely happy with my box this month and even though I am putting myself on a budget I think I will do another month of Olia box :) I just really like the pieces I have received. They are not things I would normally buy but they have been great additions to my collection and that is exactly what I was looking for in a jewelry subscription. 

If you are on the market for a jewelry subscription, you should take a look at Olia and let me know if you have any questions. 

If it interests you, I do have a referral link for 15% off : 

http://oliabox.refr.cc/LHWZ5PF

**Everyone gets the link, I am not affiliated with Olia box and did pay for the boxes myself. If you use the link I get 25%off. However, this is not something I am looking for, so use the link if you would like to if not great! 

Parting thoughts: 

- No buy July is still going for me. I did walk into an Ulta yesterday but I did not buy any makeup! I am quote proud for not giving in to temptation. Anyone else on a no buy? 

-I just got my July Ipsy bag so I will post it's contents soon. Spoiler alert: I am quite happy with it :) 

- Stress-free is the way to be!!!  It's not easy but I sure am trying. 

Country and Rock N Roll! Too Faced looks

Howdy all,

I've been playing with my new Too Faced palettes and want to share a couple of looks :)

The looks: 

The Country Nashville Nudes Eye Shadow Collection

I used: 

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Original

NYX Milk as a base

Paper Roses on my lid 

Dolly on my crease 

Rhinestone on the outer V 

Nashville on the lower lashline 

Cowboy Take Me Away as a browbone highlight 

Rock N Roll Rock Candy Eye Shadow Collection 

I used: 

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion Original

NYX Milk as a base

Rap all over the lid 

Ska on the crease

Punk on my outer V 

Rockability as a browbone highlight 

Also went with a wing: not a great one but I'll keep trying 

Thoughts: 

I am really enjoying both palettes. The Rock N Roll is taking my out of my comfort zone and makes me nervous when I go to use it :) The colors in the Country color are beautiful, I would definitely say to use a base to help them pop. 

Parting thoughts: 

-What looks have you all been trying with these palettes? 

-Is anyone else doing no-buy July? How is it going? I am still going strong, the urges are there but I am still on the wagon!

Too Faced Country and Rock N Roll Haul!

Howdy all, 

I've been on a mini vacation this week and when I got back I had an box from Ulta waiting for me. This is actually the last order I will be receiving in a while as I've decided to go on a no-buy. Not a low-buy not a no-buy until the nest hyped product comes out, no this will be a no-buy for all of July and until October. Yes, October! 

But right now I have some new pretties I get to play with! These two palettes are Ulta exclusives that are available online and will be in stores this month. The retail for $36 

Country Nashville Nudes Eye Shadow Collection

Rock N Roll Rock Candy Eye Shadow Collection

The goods: 

The Swatches: 

The Country palette is on the left and Rock N Roll on the left.

The names are not aligned but they are in order :)

First Impressions: 

I am very happy with both palettes. The Country palette is perfect for summer and I actually don't have a smoky palette in my collection so I am am very happy to have the Rock N Roll. The packaging is beautiful, especially on the Rock N Roll palette. There are not a lot of matt shades on either one of these, so if you prefer matte shadows, I would steer away from these. There are glitter bomb shades in both but I actually did not have a huge problem with those. I have been using a primer and then NYX milk, and I think that really helps. 

If you are interested in more on these palettes, I will be posting looks and more thoughts on different shades tomorrow :)  

Let em know if you are thinking about getting either one of these palettes. I am also happy to answer questions :) 

I hope everyone is having a great 4th of July weekend!

xoxo, 

~Cynthia 

Weekly favorites!

Howdy all,

Just wanted to share a few favorites that I've been using all week. I think it's beed a good makeup week for me. Probably because I got some new goodies and I've been having fun playing with them but Ii've also had a lot of fun coming up with cute summer looks.

The goods: 

1. It Cosmetics CC+ Radiance Palette

2. Too faced à la mode eyes palette: jardin has been my go to lid color :) 

3. Tarte BB tinted undereye corrector in Medium to Tan

4. Tarte Amazonian Clay liquid foundation in Tan 

5. It Cosmetics Celebration Foundation in Tan 

6. It Cosmetics brush: I don't know the name but it;s the large face brush 

7. NYX Pore Filler primer   

- The Tarte undereye corrector has been the MVP this week. I have not been sleeping well but this guys has helped me look like I have! I've been using it with different concealers and highlighters and it has not let me down. 

- The Tarte foundation has been great since my skin has been really oily skin but I would not recommend it for dry skin. 

- The It Cosmetics Celebration Foundation is by far the best powder foundation I have ever tried! 

What products have you been loving this wee? Any MVPs? I would love to hear what other people have been wearing :) 

xoxo, 

~Cynthia 

It Cosmetics It's all about you! First Impressions

Howdy all,

QVC recently had a great QVC TSV. It includes 5 items for $65.99 + $7.22 Shipping and Handling. If you are still interested, it is still available! qvc.com

I love this QVC kits because you always get a lot for a really great price. If you bought the items in this kit QVC says it would cost $169 and that's probably about right.

In this kit: 

1. Bye Bye Under Eye Full Coverage Waterproof Concealer

2. CC+ Radiance Palette: comes with a color correcting setting powder, blush and bronzing powder

3. Celebration Foundation: Available in Fair, Light, Medium, Tan and Rich My color is Tan

4. Brow Power Universal Pencil: My HG eyebrow pencil 

5. Dual-ended complexion brush

First Impressions: 

1. The concealer is a full coverage concealer, it is a bit thick but the good thing is that a little goes a long way. This is great for those of us with considerable under eye issues. I have lines under my eye so it will crease but as soon as I blend it out it stays in place all day. 

2. This is the brand new item and I have to say that I am really loving it. I used the bronzer to contour as well as the blush yesterday and wow, the colors are perfect for my skin. I'd been having trouble finding the perfect bronzer for me to contour with and this guys is perfection. For those of you with lighter skin: it is quite pigmented so use a light had :) The blush color is a really pretty pink and did last most of the evening on me but my cheeks love to eat blush so I need to test it out some more. I just used the color correcting powder to set the concealer and so far so good I will report back :)

3. I am new to the celebration foundation so I will be testing it out all week but so far it has given me e really nice coverage. A lot of people really rave about it so I'm exited to play with it. 

4. As I stated above, it's my Holy Grail brow pencil. It's just perfect for both natural looks as well as more defined brows. If you have not tried it, I would strongly urge you to try it! Ulta has a travel size for $12 that will last you a long time. 

5. I have one other It cosmetic brush and these are seriously the best. The are soft and easy to use and I am beyond excited to have another. 

All in all I am super happy to have this kit in my life and to get to try more of It cosmetics! What are your favorite It cosmetics products? I would love to hear what you all think and whether you got the kit or if you passed on it. Also, let me know if you have any questions I would be happy to answer them!

The look: 

This is what I did today using as many of the products as possible. I did use the Tarte Amazonian Clay liquid foundation in tan. A combination of Makeup Geek and Inglot shadows and a No.7 pencil liner in black to lime my eyes. Otherwise everything is from the kit :)