Fairly New Product Review

Anime piggy buns after a semi-full face has been applied.

I always love the opportunity to try out new things, so when I found a lipstick from a brand that I had been wanting to try on major clearance, I thought a tutorial type post was in order. Today I used 3 items that were new to me, and one that I have only used a couple of times as I hadn't been terribly over pleased with the initial results.

The culprits.

I always start with a clean face. Especially before I clean it more. I used a face mask today that I hadn't used before, a Freeman brand "Sparkling Pear Pore Cleansing Mask".  

This is the type of mask that dries on your skin, which gives that special scary quality while you walk around for a while waiting for it to set. It felt good going on and after I rinsed it off, my face felt smooth and tight and very clear. I could definitely see the difference in my pores.

Then I used my NYC BB powder with a makeup sponge. I have used this product before but I was always disappointed with how much I cold see my pores with it. It doesn't fill in as well as a cream or liquid does. Since I had seen such a difference from the mask (I highly suggest using masks if you don't, it's good for you!) I figured I would give this product another try.

I was happy with my results this time!

Next I went to my e.l.f. golden bronzer. I always start with the darker shades and make a "3" shape on both sides of my face, then I use the lighter shades, the nude and the goldtone and blend them together over my cheeks, forehead, nose and chin. It gives a subtle glow, unlike heavy contouring, which I still haven't tried yet. I find that for my skintone, the golden bronzer also adds a little bit of more natural color that goes over the foundation or what have you.

I used my tried and true Hard Candy Fox in a Box blush. I always use the light pink and the highlighter blended together on my blush brush over the apples of my cheeks. I try to not go overboard, just enough to give a pop of color and a healthy glow. Tip: smile when you apply blush, it makes it look more natural and halts pink slashes across your cheeks.

Speaking of a healthy glow, I love my Sephora Luminous Glow powder. I don't technically know where I am supposed to use this, but I apply with my fingertips under my eyes and all over my lids. The color is subtle enough on me that it just gives a fabulous fairy-like barely-glitter finish. I love, love this product.

As I've said in a previous post, if I'm wearing lipstick, I'm wearing lip liner. I like my Rimmel liner in nude, it goes well underneath reds, pinks, berrys or anything else, but the pencil application is a semi-pain in the rump. I always apply just inside the natural line of my lips and do not exaggerate my natural lip shape. I have larger lips, so I feel no need to pull a Kylie Jenner.

This is my new lipstick! It is Flower, by Drew Barrymore in Flamingo Flower. It is a standard lip solid lipstick that was a bit tough to get going on very first use, but after a moment I was happy. Moderate application across both my lips and I skipped the blotting step as the color was not overwhelming.

This product is vaguely matte, which I prefer over a high-gloss shine. It is creamy and velvety with a fabulous even color coverage. I was very happy with this color in particular, I love the shade and I think it will become a regular in my color rotation. 

Last but not least, I used my new Maybelline Falsies mascara in Black drama. I always use Maybelline mascara ad I have used this type in the past but I felt it was definitely worth revisiting. Does it actually look like fake lashes? Nah. But does it look great, extend the lash length, go on evenly and stay put all day? Yep. I definitely prefer it over the kind that I had been using previously. 

Final results. 

Very happy with my new items and always love a good excuse to put on a full face on my off days!

If You Like It Then You Should Have Put A Blazer On It

I am all about the blazers. Not the team, you silly, get your head outta the NBA and focus! If you have not been introduced to a blazer yet, please run to your nearest clothing retailer and purchase one immediately. Blazers are, to me, a thing akin to magic. They transform any outfit as no other outerwear can with such surpassing grace and versatility.

I chose to model two of my blazers which look similar but hold a different quality. One being a faded black cotton blend, casual, near distressed, lovely. The other a true black, poly blend, very fitted and much more a dressy addition than the other...also lovely.

We are all familiar with the standard blazer outfit: faux suit, very profesh.

I, however, wanted to really show how you can wear a blazer with dern near anything and look absolutely excellent while at it. Adding a blazer to my outfits never fails to make me feel more put together, which in turn boosts my confidence. It's an additional plus that they do wonders for the silhouette.

1. Make a baby-doll dress a grown-up-doll dress.

 Helps transition strappy items into multi-seasonal wear. 

2. Instantly add some ka-dazzle to anything you put on.

 3. I personally love this outfit and will definitely be using this combination as soon as the seasons change.

 4. Turn that clearance bodycon dress hanging in the back of your closet into something remotely acceptable as day-wear.

 5. Wear that odd, too-big top under and feel comfy and chic.

 Okay, maybe not so chic.

6. I love this look. I think it's so much cleaner and complete with the blazer.

 This combo will definitely be added to my library.

7. Plus up "this old thing".

 8. Make an honest woman out of your former ho skirt.

 9.Because when you're cool AF.

 10. Winter is coming...but fall is coming first!

Blazers are an awesome way to add layers without bulking up. Tell me you can't see yourself sipping a pumpkin pie latte in this.

11. Make even the most casual outfit "extra".

 12. Plus up any of your basic girl summer fashion and extend the wearability of almost any of your favorite outfits.

A Nail Hack You Can't Go Another Day Without

If you ever paint your nails, ever at all, you need to know this tip. I tried it yesterday, even amidst a sea of disbelief, and you know what? It honestly worked. Want a fabulous salon-like pedicure without waiting for 6 days for your nails to dry completely? Go into your kitchen and get greasy.

The first attempt, using olive oil cooking spray.

My bestie told me about a hack that she had seen on the Dr. Oz show to make your nails do a usper dry like they do at the salon, but without the fairly expensive finishing spray to dry your paint. Cooking spray, specifically the kind containing olive oil. I removed all of my old polish with 100% acetone (don't bother with that non-acetone stuff, get the hard s***), clipped and filed down the edges of my nails (and for those of you that don't file, I highly suggest it. Use a medium grain file and file the same direction over all of your nails before painting, you get a nice, even edge, it only takes a minute or two and it's seriously worth the extra effort). I did two coats of colored polish, a coat of glitter and two coats of basic top coat, waiting about 1-2 minutes between coats, let it sit for 2 minutes or so and sprayed my feet with cooking spray. It felt wrong, greasy, and slimy. I waited 2 or 3 minutes for the oil to sink in to my skin and rinsed my feet off in the sink with warm water. The rest of the oil I massaged into my toes for softness sake. To my surprise, after washing off the oil, I found that my nails were smooth and dry, if not neccessarily hard as a rock. I could, however, put my shoes on without fretting about marring my pedicure.

I tried it again at a different time, looking for continuity in my Mythbuster's heart, and found that it does work with other types of cooking sprays, but I would say that the olive oil spray specifically works very well. The second time, I used a canola oil spray. While it worked, I would say that my nails did not feel as hard and dry as they did with the olive oil spray.

Cleaned, filed, painted with polish and two coats of clear polish.

Slightly slimy, yet highly moisturized piggies.

Immediately dry and patriotic pedicure.