Sephora VIB Sale Wishlist

My sister once told me that I'm cheap because I like saving up my money for sales. Makeup is expensive okay? Especially the kind I like to splurge on. So every year, I usually try and save up for Sephora's VIB sales. This year is no different. While most of the items I'll be picking up will be repurchases, some are going to be first timers - and hopefully - no last minute impulse buys. But where's the fun in that? Anyway, I'd just like to show what I'll be picking up, as well as some "maybe's." Let me know what you think and what you'll be picking up at the sale! 

Shiseido Perfect Rouge Tourmaline Review

May I present to you, the beginning of my lipstick addiction. Looking back, I realize this is probably one of the best lipstick purchases I've ever made. Can you tell by how much I've used it? This is probably the first lipstick I'm going to finish. This is Shisiedo's Perfect Rouge in Tourmaline or PK307. The PK stands for pink.

Starting Off: Foundation for Beginners

Hello Everyone!

This is week three of #TheSoProject- an idea thought of by the lovely Steph @ StephsInsideVoice. This is a collaboration between participating beauty bloggers to show those "starting off" in the beauty world an introduction. Every week, for nine weeks, we'll be posting a new topic. This weeks topic is all about Foundation.

BH Cosmetics Blush Duo in Daisy*

Bh Cosmetics recently launched a whole new line of blushes based on flowers (and you know just how much I love flowers.) They asked me to choose one and write a review on it. (I'd like to note that while this is a sponsored review, all thoughts and writings are my own.) Anyway, on to the blush! There are five different flowers to choose from: Tulip, Lilac, Rose, Iris and Daisy. I chose BH Cosmetics Floral Blush Duo in Daisy. For the full review and photos, read more. 

August Round Up!

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Starting Off: Concealer 101

Hi everyone! 

I'd like to present to you the second week of The So Project. If you don't know what it is, it's a project to introduce beginners to the world of beauty. This week, we will all be talking about our knowledge of Concealer. Last weeks topic was Skincare, if you'd like to see that, too.

Five Back-to-School Tips: Beauty Edition

Whether you're stepping foot in a dormitory for the first time or going back to high school, I'm sure one thing's for certain - less time for makeup. That's right - get ready for that late night cramming, studying with your date, and/or late night college parties! Here, I'll show you how to look good without spending too much time in the mirror, so you'll have more time for, well, studying (and having fun).

#TheSoProject: Skincare Tips for Dry Skin

You're probably wondering what #TheSoProject is. Let me introduce you! It's a new idea developed by Steph over at Stephsinsidevoice.blogspot.com to help introduce beginners to the world of beauty. Over the course of nine weeks, participating beauty bloggers will talk about their niche in the following topics: skincare, concealer, foundation, blusher, bronzer, lipstick, etc. This week the topic is Skincare. I've decided to talk about the topic that I know best- and that's Skincare for Dry Skin! This post will cover everything you need to know about dry skin and how to take care of it!

In Other News ...

Source: Roostblog.com & TheChalkBoardMag.com

Next week is fashion week and that means a ton of events in NYC. I'm really excited for this one in particular: A Night For Green Beauty. They will be showcasing some of my favorite organic and environment friendly brands. I'm really excited to see some of my favorites like Ilia while trying out others as well. I also want to see their new lip pencils, especially Karma Chameleon. Plus, not to mention, there will be a ton of other high end organic beauty stuff there. I can imagine it's like going to a Spirit Beauty Lounge store. 

Edward Bess Lipstick in Endless Dream

Around my birthday this year, I decided to treat myself to a lipstick. Lipsticks are usually the one makeup item that I cave into. Prior to this, I never really heard much about Edward Bess, but after seeing their wearable color choices and seeing their good reviews on MUA, I decided to give this one a shot. This is my review on Endless Dream. 

Tarte Eyeliner Review and Swatches

Several years back, my friends and I were going to the beach and one of them asked me if I had any truly waterproof eyeliners. I pulled this one out and let her use it to the beach. It was a fun time and towards the end of the night, she was surprised it was still on her. To this day, if I ever need any waterproof eyeliner, I stick to this one.

Love and Toast Lip Balm in Prickly Pear Review

Once in a while, you see something that catches your eye and just screams for you to get a hold of it. One day, I was passing through Whole Foods and encountered this little gem. I put it in my cart and simply could not say no. And by the time I did my finalizing while waiting at the register, I still could not put this adorable tiny thing down. Here's my review of Love & Toast Lip Balm!

TBS Hemp Lip Balm Review

The search for the perfect lip balm has ended. It's a bittersweet feeling because you know you technically don't have an excuse to "trying out" other lip balms. But at the same time, it's wonderful that your dry lips can finally reply on something. This here, is my Holy Grail of lip balms: TBS Hemp Lip Treatment.

Bobbi Brown Calypso Creamy Matte Lipstick Review & Swatch + LOTN

Recently, Bobbi Brown introduced these creamy matte lipsticks. I've finally been able to snag one and it's been quite a journey with this lipstick. At first, I thought it was too bold for my simple every day / night looks. I've never really worn quite a bright fuchsia pink before. So this one was my way of kicking the door of my comfort zone and trying something new. I have to say, I'm quite pleased.

May Wish List

1.) Nars Lip Pencil in Lodhi - There's something so gorgeous about the way this one swatches that I almost took it home during the Sephora F&F sale. But it had to stay. I promised myself no more lip products unless I really really really wanted them.

2.) Ilia Lip Pencil in Karma Chameleon - I've seen some swatches floating on the blogosphere about this one. It's like Shell Shock's counterpart but more opaque. I think the opacity is what Shell Shock was lacking and so this one is probably what I'm looking for. Plus I don't really have a pinkish coral opaque lip product ... yet.

Nars Dolce Vita Review and Swatches

Every once awhile, you get a lip color that just seems to match no matter what you're wearing. It's that subtle, not too pink, not too bright, not too dark lip color. Dolce Vita Velvet Lip Pencil by Nars does that for me.

100% Pure Fruit Pigmented Lip Butters

... So one day I was browsing the makeup aisle, once again, and I couldn't help but pick this up. I have a real addiction to trying out lip balms and this one was no different. I especially love tinted lip balms. There's just something so alluring and promising about them that I just have to try it. In this article, I'm reviewing 100% Pure's Fruit Pigmented Lip Butter.  I was drawn to it's title "Fruit Pigmented" and thought, surely this has to be a marketing ploy. But then I sifted through the ingredients list and found that there were no artificial colors in this lip balm. And for that, I really just had to try it. 

Lorac Pro Palette Review

Lorac's PRO Palette $42.00 USD

Last year, Lorac introduced the PRO palette. It contains 8 matte shadows, located on the top row, and 8 sparkle/shimmer shadows. According to Sephora, it is:

A professional palette featuring 16 ultra-pigmented eye shadows infused with soothing botanicals and a mini Behind The Scenes Eye Primer for stay-true color that lasts.

I've had this for about 3 months now and it's definitely one of my favorite palettes. The formula is oh-my-goodness so buttery. I never knew eyeshadow could be so buttery soft and smooth. This makes it so easy to blend. It's also pretty long lasting. I've worn this to dinners, parties, clubs, and this stuff stays through all night. Here's a summary of the pro's and con's. 

Haul: The Big Investment

Haul:

Mac Brushes in 239, 217, 219

Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Calypso

Urban Decay Brow Box in Brown Sugar

LOTD: Hello Friday

Products Used:

Eyebrows:

Anastasia Brow Kit

Eyes:

Dior Eyeshadow Palette in Pink

Lorac Pro Eyeliner

Lorac Mascara 

Cheeks:

Nars Bronzer in Laguna

Laura Gellar Blush

Lips:

TBS Hemp Lip Balm

YSL Rouge in Rose Dahlia