Weekly Favorites

Howdy all,

So, I've been super tired this week from my teaching schedule and have not felt like being too fussy with my makeup each morning, and these products have helped. I have had oily skin right now and I need my makeup to last all day. I do take it off at the end of the night and have been taking care of my skin but the last few weeks have really been a test to see which products are the most long wearing.

Favorites: 

Too Faced Romantic Eye Palette: this palette makes is it so I don't even have to think about my eye look and get really pretty looks. I do and Cut the Cake are two of my favorite shades :)

Tarte CC colored clay primer and Amazonian Colored Clay liquid foundation in Tan have been my go to for the past 3 weeks. When I first used this foundation, I really did not like it. It looked a bit heavy and too noticeable but I think I was using the wrong primer and now that my skin is oily, this foundation has been perfect. I apply it over the Tarte primer, which I love because it really does hide discoloration all on its own.

Tarte BB tinted under eye corrector in Medium to tan: I love this corrector so much that I have hit pan on it. I hear the new one is even better and I can't wait to try it but for now this guy has been a huge help as a deal with huge undereye circles.

Nars radiant creamy concealer in Biscuit: I got this baby a while back and have tried a few concealers int he mean time but I find that this concealer does the job with minimal work. I don't use it to highlight just to hide my panda eyes and the color is perfect for that. If I also wanted it to highlight I would probably get a lighter color but Biscuit  matches my skin color, so I find it perfect for a quick conceal as I run out the door.

Pumpkin and Poppy Oil Absorbing Mineral Veil: I use this to set my makeup and I feel like it makes a difference and holds my oil at bay for 8 hours

Mally Beauty Evercolor Poreless Face Defender: Unfortunately my oils eventually become noticeable, even with the mineral veil. That is when the face defender comes to the rescue. Just a light application and the oil is gone and my face is matte. Everyone with oily skin needs to have this guy. It's expensive but you can currently find it in a kit at Ulta for $49 Ulta.com. It is worth it, if you can afford it.

Parting thoughts: 

-What have you all been loving this week?
-Anyone else super tired?

Lots of love,
~ Cynthia

August Olia Box

Howdy all,

I am super late in posting my Olia box especially given how fast it arrived this moth.

The goods: 

I am not a big fan of the earrings but I absolutely loved the detachable bracelets! They are super cute and go well with my style. The necklace is definitely a statement piece and I will have to figure out how to wear it but I am pretty excited to play with it. 

If you are interested in a jewelry subscription box, you should check out Olia box http://oliabox.com/. I've had an excellent experience with it. They do cater the box to your style and you can indicate a preference for gold, silver or rose gold. You also get price options of $25, $35, or $45 and you can cancel anytime. 

Let me know if you end up ordering or if you already have what pieces you've gotten :) 

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 :) 

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!