Tag: #hudabeauty

Shop My Stash — November 2019

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Hi all!  It’s  time for my November Shop My Stash! I’m looking forward to the holidays.

I’m always excited to play with new (again to me) color cosmetics 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.

This month I have chosen products that I have barely used, if at all.  I really don’t know if I like them. I’ve decided that I really need to go through my collection.  I’m going to declutter in January, but I need to figure out if I want to keep some products or pass them on.

Here are the palettes open:

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So pretty! I’m excited to really test these products out!

IMG-1849IMG-1850This is the Tarte Clay Play Eye & Cheek Palette Vol. II.  I received this in my September BoxyLuxe.   It looks like there’s a couple of versions of this palette.  Mine has eye shadows and contour, the one on the tarte website has the exact same shade names, but the bottom row is a bronzer, blush and highlight. 

I think this will be perfect for matte eyeshadow looks and I’m looking forward to trying out the contours. It also smells like cocoa.  Yum!

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It Cosmetics Superhero Eye Transforming Anti-Aging Super Palette– I love IT Cosmetics, but I haven’t really played with their eye shadows a lot.  These are so pretty.  The shades are nice for everyday wear.

I was only going to have one eye shadow palettes in my Shop My Stash this month, because I have purchased a few new palettes, and I know I’m going to want to use those when I get them.  But, since the tarte one is all mattes, I thought I should use one with shimmers and color.

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Huda Beauty 3D Highlighter Palette in Pink Sand — I received it in my July Ipsy Glam Bag Plus. I keep forgetting about it.  So, I thought I would really give it some use and see how I like it.

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And finally, I have a couple of lip products.  The top on is the Becca Champagne Cocktail Lipgloss.  I received this in a Becca set I purchased on QVC in February. It’s a really pretty berry shade, which will be perfect for this time of year.

I purchased the Profusion lip liner in a kit with a matte liquid lipstick and shimmery gloss.  I didn’t care for those, but I did keep the lip liner because I love the shade.  It’s called Imagine. It’s a nice pinky nude.

Here are swatches:

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Sorry this is blurry.  I do really like these shades, and I’m looking forward to using them!

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I am going to be using these as much as possible this month.  I’ll let you know how it goes at the end of the month.

Do you do a Shop Your Stash?

Shop My Stash October 2019 Results and Monthly Empties

Hi All!  I’m back with my October 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 October.

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Unfortunately, I was sick for the last two weeks or so, so I didn’t wear makeup all month,

My most used products were the eyeshadow palettes and the essence highlighter. I used each palette a few times, the same with the highlighter.

The essence highlighter is so gorgeous! It can be worn sheer for a soft glow or built up to really shine!

I already let go of the Laura Geller blush.  It was too dark for my skin tone, and it’s too old. And I have to say that I’m not really a fan of the Colourpop lipsticks, especially the Blur formula.  It is pretty drying on my lips and the Creme formula isn’t much better.

Here’s photos with the eye shadow palettes open:

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I really do love this Natasha Denona palette.  I created a pretty pumpkin spice look with the orange and yellow shades a few times and also really love the red and purple shades.  I am definitely keeping this beauty!

IMG-1845  I love this Huda Beauty Smoky Obsessions palette, too! I create really pretty everyday looks with the brown mattes and the lighter shimmers.  And the black and silver made a fun Halloween smoky eye!  I love the quality of these shades and will be keeping it!

I think this is the first month this year that I’m getting rid of more than one item! I guess that’s good because my collection has really grown this year!

Now on to my empties:

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As usual, my empties are mostly skincare, but  I do have two makeup items.  I’ve had my Tarte Shape Tape for over a year, and it’s finally empty. I might purchase it again in the future.  It’s a nice concealer, but I have a few I’m using now and probably won’t need to purchase a new concealer well into next year!  The Flower Beauty Seal the Deal matte spray is okay, but smells like perfume, so I won’t purchase it again.

I used up two cleansers. Skin & Co Whipped Cleansing Cream and Dr. Brandt Yogurt Cleanser.  The Skin & Co cleanser is amazing at removing makeup and it so hydrating.  I would purchase it again.  The Dr. Brandt one was okay.  I got it in a BoxyCharm.  It’s expensive so I wouldn’t purchase again.

For the rest of the skin care, The Skin & Co Truffle Toner is amazing — so cleansing and hydrating.  I would purchase again (and if you want to purchase from https://skinandcoroma.com/ and use code LORENA20, you’ll get 20% off your order!).

The StriVectin Neck Cream is lovely and so is the Mamonde eye cream!

October was quite a month.  Since I was sick for over half of the month, I’m glad it’s over and I’m looking forward to November.  Bring it on!

Ipsy Glam Bag Ultimate Review — October 2019

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Hey all!  It’s time for my October Ipsy Glam Bag Ultimate review! Here’s some info on the new subscription:

  • Glam Bag Ultimate is a new subscription with 8 full-sized & 4 deluxe samples, personalized for you, for $50/month. You’ll get to choose one of your full-size products with the new choice feature!
  • There will be a makeup bag, every month.
  • You can now add up to 5 Add-Ons for your bag. Previously you were limited to 3.

This subscription is $50 a month.

I have pretty much enjoyed Ipsy Glam Bag Plus, so I wanted to get this new subscription a try.

Here’s what I received for September:

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Here’s close up looks at the products:

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I chose the Green Clean this month.  I haven’t used it before, but I am looking forward to trying it out.

The Biorace serum looks interesting.  I can always use hydration.  I will be trying this out when I’m out of my current hydrating serums.

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The Cela creme contains “A potent blend of Canadian botanicals—blueberry, elderberry, evening primrose, juniper berry, rosemary, and lavender—team up to deeply hydrate your skin.”  I will be keeping this and trying it out in the winter, when my skin needs more hydration.  It’s supposed to work well before makeup.

I’m not really interested in the Eggplant mask or Unicorn Glow primer, so I’ll save those to give as holiday gifts.

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The Saem is a Korean skincare brand.  I will probably save these to give as stocking stuffers. I may try one out.  Not too exciting.

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These F.A.R.A.H brushes look nice, but I don’t really need face brushes right now.  I will probably give them away.

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Neither of these are very exciting to me (the theme of the box, LOL.  These will probably be stocking stuffers.

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I haven’t tried anything from Makeup Geek before, so I am going to test this out. It has a pink duochrome flip, so it’s probably not an everyday highlight for me. It might be nice for Halloween or just dressing up.

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This is a pretty blush trio.  I don’t really need it and think this will make a nice gift for someone.

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Besides the Farmacy Green Clean, this is the other product I was excited about.  It’s very pretty and perfect for fall.  I have a few of these Huda Obsessions palettes and really enjoy them! It will go well with my Smoky Obsessions palette that’s in my October Shop My Stash.

So, I was very excited to try the Ipsy Glam Bag Ultimate out, but I’ll only use a few of the 12 products I received.  For $50, I don’t think it was a great deal.  I’m not sure I will continue this subscription.  You would think that for their first box, it would be amazing.

Did you try Ipsy Glam Bag Ultimate this month?  What do you think?  Did you get different products than I did?

Shop My Stash — October 2019

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Hi all!  It’s  time for my October Shop My Stash! I am looking forward to cooler weather and Halloween!

I’m always excited to play with new (again to me) color cosmetics 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.

This month I have chosen products that will scream fall to me!  The eye shadows I chose are dramatic and smokey and are perfect for this time of year.  I think the rest of the products will compliment them well.

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Natasha Denona Sunrise Eyeshadow Palette — I purchased this as a birthday gift for myself in June. I think this will be so pretty for fall (and Halloween)! The shimmers in this are stunning and the mattes are s pigmented!  I haven’t used it a lot, so I’m looking forward to playing with it!

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I purchased this Huda Beauty Smokey Obsessions palette s an add on in my March 2019 Ipsy Glam Bag Plus.  I’ve swatched it, but I haven’t used it yet.  I am going to try it out this month.  It’s so pretty that I think I’ll love it!

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I’ve had both of these products in my collection for a couple of years and haven’t used them for a bit.  They are the Laura Geller Baked Blush and Brighten in Cherry Truffle and the Essence Pure Nude Highlighter.  I am going to test these out to see if I still like them (and if they’re still good and not too old)!

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These are the only two Colourpop bullet lipsticks I own. The left one is Hey Mr. DJ (soft petal pink), a Blur Lux Lipstick and Appy (warm pinky beige), a Creme Lux Lipstick.  I’ve only worn them each a few times and I want to test them out more to see if I like the formula.

I’m excited to gets some use out of these products this month.  Do you do a Shop your Stash? What are you including this month?

 

Shop My Stash — August 2019

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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:

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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!

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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!

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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.

IMG-1238IMG-1239 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!

IMG-1240 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!

Allure Beauty Box July 2019

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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:

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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?

 

Ipsy Glam Bag Plus Review — July 2019

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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:

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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:

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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:IMG-1191

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.IMG-1189

These Nake Cosmetics pigments really surprised me, they are gorgeous!  They are very shimmery.  I have swatches below.  They were dry when swatched. IMG-1192

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?

Ipsy Glam Bag Plus Review — March 2019

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Hi all!  I have this month’s Ipsy Glam Bag Plus ($25 USD) to share with you! This is a 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 amazing items included.

Here is what I received in my March box:’

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Purlisse Blue Lotus Balancing Moisturizer ($45 USD)

HUDA BEAUTY Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette in Mauve ($27 USD)

Benefit Dandelion Shy Beam Matte Liquid Highlighter ($26 USD)

Pixi by Petra LashLift 188 Mascara in Beyond Black  ($18 USD)

F.A.R.A.H BRUSHES 5-Piece Eye Perfection Set ($50 USD)

The total value for my box this month is $166.  Pretty good for spending $25!

Here’s a closer look at the items:

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This moisturizer is infused with White Tea, Vitamin E and French Marine Plants to deliver intense hydration, prevent fine lines and wrinkles. It claims to balance the skin while leaving a smooth canvas for makeup application.

I haven’t tried this, but it looks like something I would love.  Good skincare is always fun to receive!  I have a lot of new skincare to try now, so I’m not sure if I will keep this or give it away.

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This is such a pretty palette!  I have this already and reviewed it here.  I am going to include this on my upcoming Instagram giveaway (once I hit 5000 followers, check me out @fortyflirtyfab).

I did add on two other Huda Beauty Obsessions palettes to my box this month, because they were only $12 each! I will show them below.

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This is a matte highlighter and it’s a pale nude pink.  I’m not going to swatch it because I’m going to include it in my giveaway.  I think it looks really pretty–the packaging is gorgeous!  I don’t wear cream highlighters, but I think it’s interesting that it’s matte.

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I received a sample of this for review last summer.  You can see that review here. I really enjoyed it.  It has two brushes, a little one is nestled inside of a larger one.  You can use just the small one or the large one.  It really lengthens and gives great volume.  I’m excited to receive another one.  I will definitely use this!

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These brushes are so pretty!  I love getting new brushes and are excited to use these! I haven’t tried F.A.R.A.H brushes before, but so far, these seem very soft and high quality.

I also added on the Huda Beauty Coral Obsessions and Smoky Obsessions palettes:

IMG_0157IMG_0158IMG_0159IMG_0160 These are so gorgeous and I’m looking forward to using them.  The coral one looks perfect for spring and summer and the metallics in the smoky palette are stunning!  I will be playing with these and will probably review them together.

So, I think my March Ipsy Glam Bag Plus was pretty good.  I will use the mascara and brushes and maybe the moisturizer.  I will be giving away the Huda Mauve Obessions palette and the Benefit Shybeam.  Like I said in my March Boxyluxe review, I am going to give both Ipsy Glam Bag Plus and BoxyCharm/BoxyLuxe until June and decide which one to keep.  I think both is just too much.  This month, my BoxyLuxe won, but Ipsy was nice, too.

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

 

 

My Beauty Favorites of 2017

I’ve been looking back at my favorite and most used beauty products — new discoveries.  I have noticed that all above are makeup and not skincare.  This is curious, since I am a 40-something blogger who loves trying anti-aging products.  I guess I didn’t really find anything amazing in skin care last year. This year I’m going to focus more on finding and using (I get lazy) anti-aging skin care, plus using up the ones I have.  Tomorrow will be the start of my first Project Pan, skin care exclusive!

But today, I am reflecting on the gorgeous makeup above, some I use every day:

Ofra Beverly Hills Highlighter ($40 USD) — I was sent a bunch of amazing Ofra products for review in August (see review here). I love a lot of it, but this is the product that I use most often.  I love that there are 5 shades, I can blend them together or use one or two on their own.  The two largest pans, a soft gold and rose gold are my favorites and I love using them together.  This is the product that really got me interested in highlighters and I use it more because it this one!

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealing Pot ($28 USD) — I received this and the foundation for review (here).  I use both products almost every day.  I love this because it is so creamy.  I use it under my eye, but also all over the face.  It’s great for covering redness.  I’ve recently bought a new concealer with a drier texture for under my eye (so it will stay put), but I will continue to use this to cover rednes.

LORAC Pirates of The Caribbean Mod Lip Cream Duo ($26, on sale for $13) —  I received a bunch of these this year.  Although I announced it on my blog here, I only reviewed the eye shadow palette.  On one end is a creamy lipstick and the other end is a natural looking lip gloss, not too shiny or sticky.  These are gorgeous alone or layered.  The shade in the photo is Risk it All.

LORAC Disney Beauty and The Beast Cheek Palette ($28 USD) — I love this whole collection.  I use the eye shadow and the lip glosses a lot.   This has four gorgeous colors that can be used separately or blended together.  There are also mattes and shimmers for a variety of looks.  So pretty!

Huda Beauty Mauve Obsessions Eyeshadow Palette ($27 USD) —  I purchased this on Black Friday because I had been wanting to try it since it came out.  It’s tiny, but the pan sizes are nice, they take up the whole palette, no unused space.  They shades are so pretty and I can make a few different looks with them.  This is one I can take with my on trips because it’s so portable. You can see my review here.

COVER FX Illuminating Setting Spray ($31 USD) – I received this in my November BoxyCharm.  I have really just started using setting sprays this year and was really excited to try this one.  It has been working so well for me in the cold weather.  My skin has been dry and a bit dull.  This spray gives my skin hydration and nice dewy skin.  It’s not greasy on me at all, but I will probably use a matte spray in hot weather.  Plus, it keeps my makeup fresh all day!    

BENEFIT COSMETICS Roller Lash Curling & Lifting Mascara ($24 USD) — I purchased this during Ulta Beauty’s 21 days of Beauty event this fall.  It is now one of my favorite all time mascaras!  It grabs all of my lashes, lengthens and curls them.  I have tiny lashes, and this makes them look long and lush!  I just had to toss it because it’s been 3 months, and I’m so sad!  But, I’m sure I’ll purchase it again.

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Lines Foundation ($38 USD) — This is a serum foundation.  It’s really light and I’d say a medium coverage.  I am looking for a heavier coverage for the new year, but this has been a nice foundation.  It blends really well and looks so natural.  Plus, I love that it’s good for my skin.

Tomorrow, hopefully, I will post my first ever Project Pan.  It will be for the skincare I want to use up in the next three months.  Wish me luck!

 

Sephora Black Friday Mini Haul

I went to Sephora yesterday to check out the Black Friday sales!  I have to say that I am so lucky to receive lots of beauty products for review, but that means I don’t buy myself a lot of makeup.  So I decided to do a little bit of shopping!

I purchased:

Sephora Collection Colorful Cleanse and Treat, tarte Precious Picks Color Set and an item I’ve had my eye on, Huda Beauty Mauve Obsessions eye shadow palette.

This set was only $10 and it includes the Avocado Face Mask, Lavender Foot Mask and Coconut Micellar Milk.  I chose this set because I was out of micellar cleansing water and I love trying new masks!  I’m kind of really excited about the foot mask, I  didn’t even know Sephora made them!

The tarte Precious Picks set includes Color Splash Lipstick in Surf’s Up (mauve), Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in Ornate (rosy coral) and Lights, Camera, Lashes™ 4-in-1 Mascara. This was only $10!

I love this mascara, that’s why I bought the set, to try it again.  It sort of holds up, but I think my Benefit Roller Lash and IT Cosmetics Superhero work better to lengthen my lashes.

I haven’t tried the lipstick before.  It’s pretty, but a bit dark for me.  When I blotted it though, it turned matte and stayed for hours!  And tarte’s blushes are always amazing and this is a gorgeous shade.  Here are swatches:

The blush is soft on, but can be built up to a pretty flush.  The lipstick is a nice fall color.

I’ve been wanting this since it came out.  I’ve been interested in Huda Beauty’s eye shadow palettes, but I can’t afford the Desert Dusk Eyeshadow Palette which is what I really want.  I thought this would be a nice way to try the brand!

I purchased the Mauve Obessions, and now want the Warm Brown and the Smokey, I like this that much!  My favorites shades are the glitters, because I love a little sparkle!  The mattes are really pretty too and even though it’s such a little palette, it has enough shades for many complete eye looks.  I think for $27, this is a really great deal!  Here are swatches (sorry it’s blurry):

This is just one swipe each swatch.  You can see that the glitters are so gorgeous and can be used any day.  And I do think that this will be one of my go to daytime palettes, especially in the fall and winter.

Did you pick up any great makeup this weekend?