cosmetics – Page 9 – Forty, Flirty & Fabulous

Beautyblender Essentials for Summer

Hi all! How’s your summer going? Mine is going well. It has cooled down a bit in Kansas City, which is so nice!

I was recently sent some amazing summer beauty products from Beautyblender for my honest review. I love this brand and the original Beautyblender is one of my favorite beauty tools!

RE-DEW Set & Refresh Spray ($30 USD) — This do-it-all mist refreshes makeup, extends versatility to existing formulas and easily adds a boost of hydration whenever needed. This has a very fine mist nozzle, and it doesn’t disturb makeup. I like how it blends my powders into my makeup so I look really natural.

The Original Beautblender ($20 USD) — Get a flawless blend with the award-winning, premier edgeless, reusable, high-definition cosmetic sponge applicator, in classic pink. The exclusive aqua-activated™ material provides an airbrushed application and absorbs minimal product, so your favorite formula lands on your complexion, not your sponge.

Selfie Shield™ Broad Spectrum SPF 38, Dry Oil Primer ($32 USD) — This totally invisible, quick-absorbing dry oil helps both protect and prep skin with no residue or cast–no matter your skin tone. The feel-good formula offers multi-spectrum protection from UVA, UVB and HEV (high energy visible) light to help fend off damage from both the sun and your tech devices. I love how quickly this absorbs in, but it also gives an extra layer of hydration when that helps when I wear a more matte foundation. It’s really nice under the BOUNCE foundation.

BOUNCE Liquid Whip Longwear Foundation ($40 USD) — Available in 40 blends. The shade above is what I’m wearing since I have a bit of a tan (I’m pretty fair normally) is 2.50. My normal shade is 1.50. This is full coverage. It’s not supposed to look heavy on, but I need to make sure I am well hydrated before I use it. I have combination skin. It does look very natural on when I am moisturized and use a light layer. It has a pretty soft matte finish.

Have you tried any of these Beautyblender products? What do you think?

Shop My Stash — August 2019

Hi all! It’s August! It’s time for a new month and a new Shop My Stash! I’m always excited to play with new (again to me) products that I either haven’t used in a while or haven’t used much at all! My goal is to get more use out of the products I have and to see if they are something I want to keep.

Here are the palettes opened:

I chose eyeshadow palettes that are very summery and shimmery! I have a little bit of a tan now and love bronzes, corals and golds! Plus, I think my skin tone is tanned enough for deeper bronzer!

BH Cosmetics Desert Oasis – 19 Color Shadow & Highlighter Palette is so beautiful for summer! I bought it last fall and need to use it more. It’s mostly shimmers, but I like how two of the mattes are larger sized, since those are shade that are used a lot. On the right hand side are highlighters. They also make gorgeous eye shadow shades!

Huda Beauty Coral Obsessions palette. I received this in March from Ipsy Glam Bag Plus and I think I’ve used it once. So, it’s time to give it a go! The shades are gorgeous and I’m excited to try it out.

Both of these are from Benefit, the Galifornia blush and Hoola bronzer. These are both perfect summer products. I’m usually too fair for the bronzer, but I think it will work now that I have a tan. The blush is really summery, too!

Em Cosmetics Infinite Lip Cloud in French Nude. I recently reviewed these. I really like this shade. I don’t wear matte lipsticks that much, so I though I would give this more use.

I’m excited for this August Shop My Stash! I can hardly wait to get going on creating some new looks!

Shop My Stash July 2019 Results and Monthly Empties

Hi All! I’m back with my July Shop My Stash results! I enjoy dipping into my collection and using products I haven’t used in a long time, or just haven’t given much of a chance.

My rule with this is if I don’t like the item after the month, I will move it out of my collection to make some room and let someone else enjoy it! You can check out my first Shop My Stash post for July.

One product is already gone. The Colourpop Super Shock Cheek in Spoon was waaay to glittery for me. I tried it once and gave it away.

On the other hand, I used the heck out of the Buxom Lip Creams! I wore one with a lip liner almost every day! I still have a ways to go to use them up, but I want to use them up by the end of the year. I will be keeping these!

Here’s photos with the palettes open:

The Maybelline Lemonade Craze palette was my most used palette this month. I forgot how good it is! My favorite shade is Strawberry Lemonade because it is so shimmery dry, but very metallic wet! My least favorite is Main Squeeze because it’s so glittery. I wore it once and had glitter fall out all over my face. I guess you can use a glitter glue with it, but I don’t like to bother with it.

I am definitely keeping this palette because you can make so many different looks with it!

This is the Alamar Cosmetics Reina Del Caribe Vol.1 Eyeshadow Palette.

I got this last summer. I haven’t used it a lot before this. I used it a few times this months and I like it. The top four shades seem very summery and the bottom four are very fall-ish. The shades I used the most are Coco-taxi and La Costa. When I did use this I paired it with the Lemonade Craze palette.

Since I didn’t reach for it a lot, I don’t know if I will keep it. I might try using it in the fall and see if I use it more.

On to my July Empties:

I think this is the most empties I’ve had for one month! I’m pretty proud that I have used all of these up!

My favorite products here that I will repurchase when needed are the Mamonde rose toner, the Beauty Bakerie powder, the MAC fix+, the Urban Decay All Nighter spray and the L’Oreal Unlimited Length and Lift Mascara. They are all amazing products!

I won’t repurchase the Andalou face wipes or the Colourpop mascara. Neither of these products impressed me. The wipes didn’t really remove all of my makeup and the Colourpop mascara was so thick and goopy. And it made such a mess when I removed it.

The other products were all very good and I may repurchase if I run out of skincare. I have a lot now I am using and testing out, so I shouldn’t have to purchase new skincare for the rest of the year! LOL! I’m getting more in for review, too.

This was a really successful month for my Shop my Stash and for empties. I really used most of the products a bunch and I had a lot of empties.

Do you do a Shop my Stash? How’s it going?

July 2019 Beauty Favorites

Hi all! It’s almost August, which means it’s time for my July favorites!

Below are my beauty faves for July. As usual, If I have reviewed them before, I will include the link, if not, I will link to where you can purchase:

Like last month, I don’t have a lot of color cosmetic favorites. I’ve been really into trying out new skincare.

In my last month’s faves, four of the products were from my June BoxyLuxe. It was such an amazing box! None of these products are from my July subscription boxes. I did like some of my Ipsy Glam Bag Plus this month and couple of Boxycharm products. I am still testing them out, so maybe we’ll see them in my next month’s favorites.

These have been my favorite skincare this month. Two are from Skin&Co Roma. I reviewed them here. The Whipped Cleansing Cream is amazing! My skin instantly looks smoother after washing. I’ve never had a cleanser improve the appearance of my skin before. I also love the serum. It’s creamy and sinks right into the skin. It also instantly hydrates and I love it!

You can purchase Skin&Co Roma items here, and by using my code LORENA20, you’ll get 20% off your purchase! It is an affiliate code, so I will get something if you do buy!

I also reviewed the DHC Urumai Cream this month. It’s a beautiful hydrating cream that I love to use at night. It hydrates all night and when I wake up my skin is soft and glowing.

I purchased some The Ordinary skincare from Ulta a few weeks ago. This is my first time trying products from this brand and I am enjoying them! I’m especially loving the Hyaluronic Acid 2% + B5. At first I thought it might be breaking me out, but it wasn’t. It’s very hydrating, but a little sticky, so I apply it after toner and layer on other serums (like the Skin&Co Roma one above) so I don’t have sticky skin when I go to bed. It really helps in hydrating and plumping up my skin.

These products are a bit more makeup-y. I purchased the MAC Prep + Prime Fix+ in Creamy Coconut during the Ulta 21 Days of beauty spring sale this year. I love purchasing staples like sprays. primers and powders during the sale. This was half off! I started using it when I ran out of my regular Fix+. It works the same, it just has a soft coconut scent.

I got the NYX Pore Filler primer last year. I just used up my Cover FX pore filling primer so I’m giving this a go. It works pretty well to fill in my pores. I use a more hydrating primer, then this one in my t-zone.

My favorite recent purchase is the PÜR 4-In-1 Love Your Selfie Longwear Foundation & Concealer. I haven’t reviewed this yet, but I might do a review soon. Would you like to see that? I can say that this foundation works so well for me. It is full coverage, but melts into the skin and looks so natural on. The shade I have is LP4. It’s a little light for me now, because I have a bit of a tan, but will work will for fall and winter.

My Buxom Lip Creams are in my Shop My Stash for July. This is the shade Hot Toddy. I have been wearing them a lot, especially this shade. They are so shiny and just a little bit tingley.

Last but not least is a fun new palette. My friend Angie gave me a gift card to Ulta for my birthday, and I picked this up! It’s the Tarte Unleashed Eyeshadow Palette. I love the shades in these — the names are so fun! And it smells amazing!

Have you tried any of these? What products have you been loving in July?

Allure Beauty Box July 2019

Hi all! I just received my July Allure Beauty Box. The Allure Beauty Box is $15 a month. And you receive deluxe and some full size products. Not bad!

Here’s the July box:

Huda Beauty Liquid Matte in AlluringFULL SIZE
Ouai Texturizing Hair Spray
Huda Beauty Samantha Lashes FULL SIZE
Kayali Vanilla Fragrance
TONYMOLY Intense Care Snail Hydrogel Mask
Too Faced Hangover Primer

I think this is a pretty good box. I really enjoy the Huda Beauty I’ve tried before. I don’t wear red lipstick or false eyelashes, so I gave those to my daughter. The Kayali fragrance is really nice, though. That’s a Huda brand as well.

I am excited about the Too Faced primer. I haven’t tried it before. I’m looking forward to using the TONYMOLY mask. It should be really hydrating.

This is the second month in a row that I’ve received a hair texture spray. I’m not sure what I’ll do with it, probably give it away.

This is such an affordable box and it always introduces me to new brands, which I like! This month, I only got a couple of items I’ll use. I’m hoping next month will have more products I’ll love.

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Do you get Allure Beauty Box? Did you get the same products this month?

IT Cosmetics’ and QVC TSV IT’s Your Skin But Better! Game-Changing Complexion Duo + Brush

Hi all! It’s time for a new IT Cosmetics and QVC Today’s special value! I LOVE IT Cosmetics and always get excited for the amazing deals they have.

This is good for today only, July 26th. Here’s what’s included:

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This is the IT Cosmetics’ IT’s Your Skin But Better! Game-Changing Complexion Duo + Brush ($49.98 plus shipping, $126 value) — This exclusive collection features a duo of #1 best-selling, award-winning beauty miracle—and a perfectly paired brush!

CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ is your one step for color-correcting full coverage and anti-aging SPF 50+ UVA/UVB physical sunscreen, plus it applies effortlessly with your included Heavenly Luxe Bye Bye Foundation Brush No. 22. Clinically tested to increase skin hydration and improve the appearance of skin texture, your breakthrough color-correcting cream instantly camouflages imperfections and won’t crease or crack!

Here’s more info on each product:

Your Skin But Better CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ — This multitasking beauty miracle is your one step for color-correcting full coverage, skincare and anti-aging SPF 50+ broad-spectrum sunscreen. It’s formulated with hydrolyzed collagen, peptides and hyaluronic acid, plus it’s suitable for all skin types—and helps give you better-looking skin!

Heavenly Luxe Bye Bye Foundation Brush No. 22 — Featuring a unique triangle-shaped brush head with Heavenly Luxe hairs, this innovative brush reaches every corner of your face—and is so easy to use, it does the work for you to help deliver an even application! Pairs perfectly with your included CC+ Cream with SPF 50+ and all your favorite color-infused skincare products.

What I think — I love this CC+ Cream! Since it’s a hybrid of makeup, skincare and protection, I can apply this in the morning after I wash my face and go! It looks flawless but it is also so good for the skin! And it has a really great SPF!

The brush pairs perfectly with the CC+ Cream. IT brushes are so high quality. The flat top triangular brushes work so well precisely applying foundation.

This is such a great deal! One CC+ Cream retails for $39, so to get two and a brush for under $50 is amazing!

Are you going to purchase Today’s Special Value? Do you like IT Cosmetics?

Ipsy Glam Bag Plus Review — July 2019

Hey all! It’s time for my July Ipsy Glam Bag Plus review! This is a $25 subscription box that will always include 5 full-sized items. And the items included are mostly luxe or higher end items. This is such a great value for the high quality items included.

I enjoy this subscription. Last month was my least favorite month, but I did receive a serum I love. You can see that review here. I was trying to decide if I would keep this subscription or BoxyCharm/BoxyLuxe. Read until the end if you want to see what I decided!

Here’s what I received for July:

Touch in Sol Pretty Filter Waterfall Glow Cream — $34 USD
Huda Beauty 3D Highlighter Palette in Pink Sand — $45 USD
PIXI BY PETRA Glow Mist — $15 USD
Naked Cosmetics 4 Piece Loose Pigment Set — $40 USD (approximate value)
IT Cosmetics Superhero Mascara Elastic Stretch Volumizing Mascara ($24 USD)

The total is $158. Pretty good for paying $25!

I didn’t take close-up photos of all of the products this month, so I’ll give my thoughts on those three. I am excited about the Pixi Glow Mist and Touch in Sol cream. I’ve been enjoying trying new skincare lately. I haven’t tried either of these before.

I have used the IT Superhero mascara many times and really love it! It lengthens and gives lots of volume!

Here’s close-ups of the color cosmetics I received:

I was very excited for this Huda Beauty palette! I haven’t tried Huda’s face products only her eye shadows.

This is so pretty! The highlighters are extremely pigmented. Here’s swatches:

The shades from left to right are Capri which is a cream, then the powders Santorini, Azores and Ibiza. Santorini is the best shade for my normal pale skintone, but with a little tan, the others will work as well! The powders are so creamy and easy to blend. I’m excited to use this more.

These Nake Cosmetics pigments really surprised me, they are gorgeous! They are very shimmery. I have swatches below. They were dry when swatched.

These are stunning! They don’t have names, but the numbers are SN-05, NN-01, SN-04 and SN-02.

When you wet these, they adhere better. Or, you can use a glitter glue. If you do wet them, they are VERY metallic! I like to use pigments every so often. So I will give these a go!

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I am very pleased with this month’s box! Last month was disappointing in that I only liked one product. But I like them all this month!

I’ve decided for now, I’m keeping this subscription and BoxyCharm. I’ve been enjoying some of the products each month from both boxes. I am kind of on product overload, but I am excited to see what products are included this fall and holiday season.

Do you get Ipsy Glam Bag or Glam Bag Plus? What did you get this month?

Revolution x The Emily Edit – The Wants Eyeshadow Palette Review

Hi all! Happy Friday! I am so ready for the weekend!

I decided to do a fun palette review today! This is the Revolution x The Emily Edit – The Wants Eyeshadow Palette. It’s a larger palette with lots of fun colors!

It is in collaboration with Youtuber Emily Noel. She does beauty videos and has an easy-going personality.

I purchased this on sale at Ulta. It is normally $20 USD, which is not bad, but it was on sale for $12! I’ve had my eye on it for a while, so I scooped it up!

The packaging is sturdy plastic. Here’s the inside:

It has 24 shades and a huge mirror! This has a lot of cool and warm toned neutrals with a few pops of color. Here are the shades:

The Cream (white cream, matte finish)
Midwest (light tan, matte finish)
Oh Heavens! (beige cream, satin finish)
Cupcake (peach, satin finish)
Hobby (light brown, matte finish)
Dues Paid (red brick, matte finish)
LoveTons (plum, matte finish)
Laughcry (blood orange, matte finish)
Prayer (sepia brown, matte finish)
Eve Rose (light lilac with a gold shift, satin finish)
Pizzazz (maroon purple, shimmer finish)
Cheer (maroon, matte finish)
Grateful (lime green, shimmer finish)
Belle Violet (lavender, shimmer finish)
Family (deep purple, matte finish)
Heartbeat (chestnut, shimmer finish)
Good Vibes (rich copper, shimmer finish)
Capricorn (mocha brown, satin finish)
Top Story (gold, shimmer finish)
Corduroy (emerald green, matte finish)
Side Hustle (khaki green with a gold shift, shimmer finish)
Pi Phi (plum purple, matte finish)
Apartment (wood brown, matte finish)
Dark & Early (black, matte finish)

Here are close up photos of each side:

I haven’t tried all of the shades, but I have tried some mattes and shimmers.

Swatches!

This photo is a bit blurry but the rest are okay. ( I’ll reswatch it when I can and replace it).

The shades in the first row from left to right are The Cream, Hobby, Prayer, Grateful, Good Vibes, Side Hustle.

Hobby and Prayer are good transition shades and cream is nice all over the lid. I haven’t tried the other shades yet.

Second row from left to right — Midwest, Dues Paid, Eve Rose, Belle Violet, Capricorn and Pi Phi.

Midwest and Dues paid are great crease shades. Eve Rose and Belle Violet are very sheer shimmers. They are more like shadow toppers. They are okay.

Third row left to right — Oh Heavens!, Love Tons, Pizazz, Family, Top Story and Apartment.

I enjoy using Love Tons and Apartment to deepen an eye look. Pizazz and Top Story are gorgeous lid shimmers.

Fourth row left to right — Cupcake, Laughcry, Cheer, Heartbeat, Corduroy and Dark & Early.

Cupcake is another sheer lid shade. It’s really pretty, though. The rest of the shades on this row are nice to create more dramatic looks.

I’m still trying out this palette. The first time I used it, the shadows only lasted two hours. I just put it over concealer. The other times I have worn it, I used an eyeshadow base and set it. That works better and they last a few hours longer. This isn’t a highly pigmented palette. It’s nice, but not one for really dramatic or very long lasting looks.

For $12, it’s a pretty good deal, but I’m glad I didn’t pay $20 for it. You can get Colourpop palettes for the same price or less and they have better pigmentation.

I will continue to play with this palette, and recommend it for those who like more natural looks or want to support Emily Noel.

Do you have this palette? Are you a fan of Emily Noel?

NARS Summer Lights Face Palette Review

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Hi all! Happy Saturday! I hope you are having a great weekend!

I’m back with a face palette review! I gifted myself this gorgeous NARS palette for my birthday last month. It’s the NARS Summer Lights Face Palette ($59 USD) and it’s available online at Ulta.com.

Here’s closeup pics:

Gorgeous! I like the packaging. It is simple and elegant. It’s made from sturdy plastic and it has a nice mirror.

What I don’t like is that the shades aren’t printed on the inside of the palette. They are on the back. The shadow shades from left to right are Rainwater, Hibiscus, Papeete and Hei. The highlighter is Paper Flower and the bronzer is Destination Unknown.

Here are the swatches:

I’ve swatched the four shadows first, then the highlighter and bronzer.

The eye shadows are my favorite shades in the palette. They are nicely pigmented and very easy to blend. I can make a complete eye look with them. I put one of the left two shadows all over my lid. The brown matte shadow is nice in the crease. The darkest shade is perfect to deepen the outer corner, create a smoky eye or use under the eye.

The highlighter doesn’t swatch the best, but it’s really glow on. It can also be used on the eye. The bronzer is light, but it’s nice for a subtle bronze look and also as a transition shade on the eyes. I wouldn’t recommend it for deeper skin tones, though.

I also wanted to share the free gift I received with this and share a tip. If you purchase online from Ulta, the are frequently offering free gifts with purchase. I usually wait until one is available to shop online. The gift this time was a free Beauty Bag with any $30 online purchase:

The bag says Talk Beauty to Me, which is so cute! And it has all these great goodies inside. I bought this in June, but they are often doing cute gifts with purchase if you are thinking of placing an order with Ulta. Also, don’t forget their points program. I’m a Platinum member and there’s always fun deals.

I do really love this palette! I think it’s great for travel and easy summer looks. The quality is great, too! This is my first NARS palette and definitely not my last!

What’s your current summer palette? Do you have any from NARS?

BoxyCharm Subscription Box Review — July 2019

Hey all! I recently received my July BoxyCharm! I always watch for the spoilers so I basically knew what I am getting. But, there were a few different variations this month.

I’ve been subscribed to BoxyCharm for about a year and a half now and really enjoy it. Boxycharm is just $21 a month for 4-5 beauty items, most of them full-sized. It is a nice way to try new makeup and beauty tools.

My version is 4. This month I received:

Koh Gen Do Spa Cleansing Water Cloths — $17

Elemis Superfood Vital Veggie Mask – $35

Butter London Natural Goddess Eyeshadow Palette – $32

Luna by Luna Lip Gloss in Venus — $18

Luxie Brush Trio – $30

Box value — $132

This is a really pretty summer palette! I love the wooden packaging and the nice mirror. The shades are mostly shimmer and there’s a couple of mattes. I didn’t swatch it because I don’t know if I’ll keep it or give it away. I’ve recently purchased a few palettes and don’t really need another one.

I love the packaging and the handles of these brushes! So cool and summery! The brushes are 246 Precision Crease, 250 Large Eye Blending and 510 Foundation.

I enjoy Luxie brushes. I may keep these or give them away.

I am very excited about both of these! I’ve been wanting to try the Koh Gen Do wipes. I’ve tried items from this brand years ago and really enjoyed them. They are all natural and look very fancy!

I love the Elemis products I’ve tried, and I’m excited to try out this mask. Maybe I’ll do it Sunday. I’ve been bad about using masks lately and need to get back into them. This is supposed to nourish, smooth and brighten, for softer, smoother, more radiant skin. Yes please!

I’ve never heard of this brand before Luna by Luna, but I really like this gloss! It’s hydrating and so easy for a bronzey summer look! I have received so many glosses from boxes lately, but I do really like this one.

I think this is a pretty great box! I will definitely use the gloss, Elemis mask and face wipes. I’m still deciding if I will keep or give away the brushes and palette. But everything is so nice!

BoxyCharm is killing it lately! Do you get this box? What was in yours this month?