Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup

Sonia Kashuk Satin Luxe Lip Colour in Fig and Shine Luxe Lip Colour in Sheer Delicate Nude, New for Spring 2016

May 11th, 2016 by Adia Goss 20 Comments

new sonia kashuk lipstick — New lipstick shades from Sonia Kashuk and another gorgeous Sonia K makeup bag!

Sonia Kashuk’s Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Colour and Satin Luxe Lip Colour lipsticks are sooo good!

I’d never tried Sonia Kashuk lipsticks before, and now I’m kicking myself for waiting so long. They’re super pigmented and beyond comfortable (which is actually a hard combo to come by, and from a drugstore brand, no less). After trying these shades, both of which are new for spring, now I want the rest of the range!

The first new shade here is called Sheer Delicate Nude, and it’s part of the Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Colour collection. It’s soft, creamy and has a really pretty gloss to it, and even though it’s semi-sheer, it has a heavier finish, almost like a lip balm, so it’s also highly hydrating.

The texture reminds me a lot of the Palladio lip balms that I mentioned in my post about my makeup bag essentials.

It’s just a really pretty nude. Plus, it’s incredibly comfortable. When I wear it I feel like I’m pampering my lips.

Sometimes with lipsticks I have to layer a lip balm under them (like the Murad lip treatment I reviewed a while ago) to add extra moisture, and I don’t mind doing that, but it is an extra step… With the Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Colours, though, they’re so moisturizing that I can happily wear them alone, which is really impressive. I’m always down for anything that will save me a little time in the morning.

Sheer Delicate Nude and the other eight Shine Luxe Sheer Lip Colours are available now at Target for $11 each.

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With the Benefit Cheekathon Blush & Bronzer Palette, Your Cheeks Will Cross the Fabulous Line

May 11th, 2016 by Jen Clark 11 Comments

Benefit Cheekathon Blush and Bronzer Palette — The CUTEST packaging!

Benefit, Benefit, Benefit…oh, how I love you! You really nailed it with the Cheekathon Blush & Bronzer Palette.

What do you think of first when you think of Benefit? Do you think of their boxed powders? They’re so iconic to the brand, and for good reason. Every single one of them is uh-may-zing! And now, rather than having to go out and buy them all individually, you can get five of Benefit’s best blushes and bronzers at once with the $58 Cheekathon palette.

Normally in kits like this the actual pans are usually smaller than usual, but listen to this: all of these powders are FULL SIZED!

What?!

That is so impressive to me. You don’t see palettes like that every day, and normally a single full-sized blush or bronzer would run you $29, so for the price of two of them you’re getting five!

The blushes you get with Cheekathon are Rockateur (a shimmery rose gold), Dallas (a dirty rose), Coralista (a shimmery bright coral), and Dandelion (a bright baby pink). And, of course, it wouldn’t be a Benefit release without Hoola bronzer (a perfect matte). You get such a variety of colors and finishes with this palette that you could probably get away with never using another blush in your life.

You also get a little brush with the palette, which is actually pretty nice for contouring using Hoola.

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Are You a Makeup Collector?

May 11th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 42 Comments

KIKO Gossamer Emotion Creamy Lipstick 130 Black — I got the KIKO Gossamer Emotion Creamy Lipstick in 130 Black simply because I wanted to have a black lipstick in my collection

The other day, Marcella shared with me and the rest of the MBB-gang a Buzzfeed article on a rainbow highlighter, asking if we’d ever wear it.

Since I don’t even use traditional one-color highlighters that much, I said that I probably wouldn’t wear it, but it would be something cool to have.

Which got me thinking…

Am I a makeup collector?

Well, to a certain extent I undoubtedly am.

I mean, I’m not the type of collector that would get a product and never use it to preserve the design embossed on the pan. To me makeup is something to touch, test, and play with. So I guess that if I really got that rainbow highlighter, I would somehow use it, at least a few times.

But I definitely am a collector in the sense that sometimes (ahem… most of the time) I buy makeup products simply because I want to have them in my collection. Which doesn’t mean that I won’t use them. It just means that I don’t need them.

At this point I could go off on a major tangent and tell you that when it comes to makeup nothing is really needed. I mean, it’s not like makeup is one of the basic human survival needs, right? But when I say that I need something in relation to makeup what I actually mean is that I’ve finished a product, like mascara or foundation, and need to replace it.

Yeah, that’s what I classify as a need.

So, going back to what I was saying before, I often buy new makeup products even if I don’t need to replace anything, which I guess makes me a collector.

I’m pretty good at keeping my foundation, mascara, concealer, and highlighter stash very streamlined, but I definitely have more than I need in all the other product categories, with lipsticks being my most purchased items.

Makeup Collection — I didn’t actually need any of these products, but I got them because I liked the packaging, or because my collection was lacking a specific shade, or because I wanted to have at least one thing from a certain brand

Please, excuse the rambly post, but I don’t get many chances to chat about these types of things in the real world. Well, I mean, sometimes I do tell my partner (AKA Mr. Page) about my makeup musings, but 10 seconds into my monologue, he starts staring into nothingness, and I can clearly picture a cymbal-banging monkey inside his head à la Homer Simpson.

So please, bear with me and tell me… Are you a makeup collector? Or do you only buy things you really need? And what’s your most purchased type of product? 🙂

Carolina Braina

Hey, ladies (and gents), it’s Carolina here, reporting live from Bologna, Italy, to bring you the latest and greatest in beauty from the good ol’ continent! For an extra dose of that timeless Italian glam with a touch of humor and self-irony (because, you know, laughter is the best makeup), come say hi at carolinapage.eu and Instagram.

Elie Saab Rose Couture Le Parfum and Ralph Lauren Tender Romance: Two New Fragrances 100% Approved by Me and My Scent-sitive Boyfriend

May 10th, 2016 by Marcella Yakalis 10 Comments

Elie Saab Rose Couture Le Parfum ($93) and Ralph Lauren Tender Romance Eau De Parfume ($96) — Elie Saab Rose Couture Le Parfum ($108, 3-oz. bottle) and Ralph Lauren Tender Romance Eau De Parfume ($96, 3.4-oz. bottle)

There’s a lot to consider when sniffing out a new fragrance or scented product to love, like…how it makes me feel, what memories it calls to mind, how well it works (if it’s something other than a perfume), how much it costs, etc. — but I also take into account the people around me — mainly, my boyfriend. He’s highly sensitive to scents! And also allergic to avocado…so anything made with avocado oils or butters (which rules out a LOT of things from Lush, for instance) is a no-no in our household.

Both of these two new fragrances that I’ve been wearing lately — Elie Saab Rose Couture Le Parfum and Ralph Lauren Tender Romance — are not only 100% recommended by me, but they’re also 100% approved by my scent-sitive (ha!) boyfriend.

First, there’s Rose Coutour, and we all know how much I love rose scents. 🙂 As I’ve said it time and time again.

I have a hard time describing individual rose scents nowadays because of how popular they are at the moment. This one’s top notes are blended with peony, and they circle down to a rose nectar base and a finish with just a dash of vanilla and jasmine.

That I would I fall in love with this fragrance was a no-brainer, but it’s all of the little details that really bring it home, like the beautiful bottle.

“The perfumer Francis Kurkdjian has harvested this Rose Couture from the heart of ELIE SAAB Le Parfum, whose radiant Orange Blossom is brightened by rose petal honey. Magnified and showcased in the new eau de toilette, the rose asserts itself more majestically.

“In the soaring top notes, it blends with fresh Peony into a whirlwind of silken petals. The delectable dew melts into an exquisite Rose Nectar, enhanced with fruity facets and softened with a dash of Vanilla. This addictive accord is carried by a breath of Jasmine as sheer as silk chiffon…

“A sumptuous woody base bolsters the airy composition, just as a tight-woven fabric adds structure to a flowing sheath. The voluptuous satin of Sandalwood. And the dark velvet of Patchouli which, by contrast, exalts the freshness of these radiant floral materials…”

— ELIE SAAB

Like a rare, precious jewel, the multifaceted bottle also adds to the overall effect when I put this on.

ralph lauren, elie saab, fragrance, perfume, — Floral and romantic, two of my favorite elements…

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It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Essentials Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette: Mastering the Matte Eye With It Cosmetics

May 10th, 2016 by Anna Oh 5 Comments

If you find matte eyeshadows to be a tricky thing, you are not alone. The blending is more crucial, and the texture is less forgiving. And it really separates the pros from the amateurs. But despite any level of makeup skill, a solid matte eyeshadow formula can do wonders.

I’ve been using a new palette by It Cosmetics called the Naturally Pretty Essentials Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette ($28), and it has an easy, soft formula that may agree with you.

itcosmetics-4 — A pretty pink palette. The top of the outer packaging has a pillowed cushion feel.

itcosmetics-5 — It Cosmetics Naturally Pretty Essentials Matte Luxe Transforming Eyeshadow Palette

itcosmetics-face — Wearing the collection along with Too Faced Le Matte Lipstick in Hey Gurrl with a clear gloss on top

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Clearly, This Is My Child

May 10th, 2016 by Karen 29 Comments

When you put a hot pink sequined feather showgirl-style headdress on your baby and she smiles with delight? — that’s when you realize that, OH YEAH! This is definitely my kid. For. Sure.

(I had exactly the exact same reaction the first time I put this headband on, by the way. The apple did not fall far from the tree.)

Seriously, I’ve been waiting all my life to take that picture at the top. Like, my sole purpose on this earth was to take a snapshot of this baby wearing a hot pink headdress.

Oh, and here’s another shot of the outfit, sans the bold accessory. The onesie and pants are by Circo, both from Tar-ghay.

Mint green and gray = a classic pairing. Plus, you can’t go wrong with leggings with a zig-zag pattern!

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen

5 of My Spring Beauty Essentials

May 10th, 2016 by Carolina Braina 17 Comments

I always say that summer is without a doubt my favorite season.

But then spring comes around, and I’m not so sure anymore… I mean, I love the endless possibilities that come with long summer days, but the feeling of rebirth that spring brings is pretty hard to beat.

It’s so invigorating.

I love it when the freezing wintery air shifts into that warm spring breeze. You know, just taking a walk and soaking in the sun puts me in a better mood. The smell of freshly cut grass and new flowers is mildly intoxicating… In spring, I feel like I’m on a constant high.

I think that what makes me like spring so much is that it’s a big moment of change. As human beings, it’s usually the moments when (good) changes happen that give us that utter sense of joy. Later on, most of us tend to get used to what we have and lose that feeling of ecstatic excitement.

Besides the changes in the scenery and weather, spring also brings along changes in my beauty routine. There are a few products I always rediscover at this time of the year, and today I’m sharing them with you.

The Fake Tan: Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanning ($38)

Aside from the occasional dusting of bronzer here and there, most of the time in winter I tend to embrace my corpse-like complexion, but once the sun comes out of the clouds and the leaves grow back on the trees, I’m all about that healthy, sunkissed look. Since my face and neck are usually a shade lighter than the rest of my body, in the spring and summer I like to use a self tanner to make sure everything matches.

The best one I’ve tried so far is the Clarins Liquid Bronze Self Tanning lotion, a lightweight lotion that gives me a nice glow in two or three applications. The effect is pretty gradual and not too dramatic, so I think it’s well suited for fair/light complexions.

The Sunscreen: La Roche-Posay Anthelios Dry Touch Gel-Cream SPF 30 ($19.99)

Being an oily-skinned gal, I can’t just grab any random SPF and slather it on my face… Some of them tend to feel pretty heavy and greasy, you know? But luckily, these days, there are quite a few options for us shiny girls in the sunscreen department! My current favorite is La Roche-Posay Anthelios Dry Touch Gel-Cream SPF 30, because besides looking perfectly matte upon application, it doesn’t make me oilier over time.

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Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield SPF 30 Is a Primer Triple Threat

May 10th, 2016 by Marcella Yakalis 11 Comments

Believe it or not, despite being a lifelong member of the Super Pale Club, I only recently realized how important it is to use cosmetics and moisturizers and other products with SPF in them. It wasn’t until an awful sunburn a few years ago that I even really started wearing sunscreen at the beach. (I know, so bad!)

What can I say? Bad teenage habits…

Now, though, I’m serious about it — serious about sunscreen and moisturizer with SPF.

But I’d never really thought about primers with SPF, not until I tried Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield Broad Spectrum SPF 30 ($65).

murad, spf, primer, — Murad Invisiblur Perfecting Shield SPF 30

This little potion/primer couples makeup priming powers with potent sun protection.

“Flawless and fabulous in just one step. This invisible skin perfecting shield blends together advanced treatment, primer, and SPF technologies to immediately blur and protect while combating the signs of aging.”

—murad.com

I’d used other Murad products before, but only briefly. Not long ago, before consulting a dermatologist for my acne, while I was trying everything under the sun in the hopes that I’d find something that would help, I’d tried the Murad Acne Starter Kit, and some of the things in the kit helped, a little, but I think I just needed something stronger.

Before giving Invisiblur Perfecting Shield a try, I wondered if it would be as good as or better than e.l.f. Poreless Face Primer, my current favorite primer, and, well, it is. As a primer under makeup, Invisiblur Perfecting Shield works like magic.

I apply it after my regular moisturizer, which also contains SPF, and for the record, when I do it, there’s no clumping, which happens sometimes when I mix products that contain SPF.

murad, primer, SPF — The smooth, clear gel makes application a breeze

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