Essence: Eyeshadow Brush + Smokey Eyes Brush

I ordered these Essence eye brushes on a whim from Ulta, not knowing what to expect. I have never tried any items from Essence before so, I was excited to give these two brushes a try. Besides the fact that these brushes are so inexpensive, the purple brush hairs are so fun and refreshing! They definitely add some fun factor to my makeup brush collection. 

Left to Right: Eyeshadow Brush, Smokey Eyes Brush

Eyeshadow Brush ($1.49): This flat shader eyeshadow brush is perfect for applying color all over the lid area. It does a great job at picking up product and placing the eyeshadow just where I want it. The hairs on the brush are soft for the most part but, I have definitely used softer brushes than this one. 

Smokey Eyes Brush ($1.49): I like to use this brush to apply shadow to the crease and the outer corners of my eye. The hairs on this one are super soft, and the smaller domed brush head makes for a precise and effortless blending experience.

After cleansing, the brushes dry in a matter of hours and once they do, the bristles have still retained their softness and shape. I haven't experience any hairs shedding, either. Also, if you are wondering, the purple color on the hairs have not bled or faded. 

Overall, I think these brushes are a nice little bargain find. They do the job, and the purple brush hair color is really fun. Both brushes feel really sturdy too so, I am sure that these will be durable for a long time. I can't wait to try other Essence products. I think I am going to haul some of the polishes, next.

Have any of you tried Essence makeup brushes? What are your favorite Essence products?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased these products for my personal use.

MAC: Hey, Sailor! Haul

I am always looking forward to MAC's summer collections. The neutrals, bronzes and brights, now that's my kind of collection. And we certainly can't forget about the super fun packaging that these summer products bring. Speaking of packaging, how cool is the navy blue and white, nautical striped one in this collection? Love! Hey, Sailor! arrives in North American MAC stores and counters tomorrow but, when I saw that MAC had put up the collection early on their website last week, I couldn't help but instantly order a few items.

My goodies arrived yesterday and I couldn't be anymore thrilled with the products I received. They all are truly something special. Take a look!

Fleet Fast Powder Blush ($21.00): Fleet Fast is a rosy pink/coral color, that contains fine golden shimmers. I absolutely love this blush. It has a smooth texture that easily blends onto the skin, and the color is nicely pigmented as well. This blush is one that is easily buildable. Apply a light layer to create a soft flush, or add multiple layers to build up the intensity. No matter what you do, this blush never looks overdone. It's simply, gorgeous. 

Salute! Amplified Creme Lipstick ($15.50): Salute! contains a strong peach tone, that I am sure will attract all the nude lipstick lovers out there. I really like how creamy the texture of this lipstick is, making application a pleasant experience. That's why amplified lipstick formulas are my favorite. They contain a smooth texture, while packing a whole lot of punch in the pigment department, with an added shine to boot. This lipstick being no exception. I got full-on opaque color, in one swipe. I must say, this lip color washes me out, just a bit. For this reason, I think I am going to reserve this lipstick for nighttime use. It's too strong for day. But maybe blotting it on instead of swiping it on, might help tone down the intensity? Lovely color nonetheless and I am glad it's part of my collection. I can't wait to pair Salute! with a smokey eye. How pretty would that look? 

Orange Tempera Lipglass ($15.50): Although I loved the other two items that I received, this is the one that I am the most excited about. Orange Tempera is the perfect, nude lip gloss that I have always been searching for! As soon as I first applied it, I instantly fell in love with its flattering soft peach/pink tone. The texture was another thing that really impressed me. I have a few MAC lipglasses and I have to say, this one applied the best out of all of the ones I do own. It went on smooth, was nicely opaque, and it didn't enhance any dryness. Also, I feel like this gloss wasn't as sticky as the others. It feels really comfortable on the lips. I am seriously going to get one or two more backups of this gloss. I can't bear the thought of being without it-especially since it's limited edition!

What do you all think of this collection? Are you planning on picking up any items? See anything here, you like?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased all of the products mentioned for my personal use.

Lancome Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover

When it comes to eye makeup removers, I usually stick to using the more affordable, drugstore kinds. As long as they do the job without stinging my eyes, that is all that really matters. Unfortunately, I haven't had too much luck in the drugstore eye makeup remover department. The biggest problem that I have with most is that they sting my eyes. That's a no-no for me. I think there are only one or two that I really like. Well, this past Christmas I received a lovely Lancome makeup kit from Jonathan's parents as a gift and, this cult-favorite was included-among other Lancome beauty items in which I will showcase in future posts. If you are interested, be on the lookout for them.

Quick Product Facts:

*Can be used by all skin types

*Strong enough to remove waterproof eye makeup

*Gentle to use for those with sensitive eyes, and contact lens wearers

*Ophthalmologist tested

The Lancome Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover ($27.00) is a product that gets a lot of love from the beauty community, and I see why. This stuff really works! You shake the bottle to mix up the clear liquid content, and then pour some of the product onto a cotton ball or cotton round- I use a cotton ball. It's amazing to see how gently this remover dissolves and wipes away all of my eye makeup. Yes, waterproof eyeliner and mascara included! On days when my eye makeup is on the minimal side, one cotton ball per eye is sufficient to get everything off. And when I have on heavy layers of eyeshadow, eyeliner, and mascara, two cotton balls per eye usually does the trick.

When they say that this eye makeup remover is gentle on the eyes, they mean it. When I use this eye makeup remover, I experience no stinging, irritation, nor the blurry vision that I sometimes get with other eye makeup removers. But I do end up with a bit of a slippery residue on the skin, though. To remove the residue, I take a clean tissue and gently wipe it off. After I have done that, the skin around my eye area feels so much smoother, hydrated, and supple. It's a really nice feeling.

Overall, I really enjoy using this eye makeup remover and I think I am going to purchase a bottle, once I am done with this one. It removes my eye makeup with ease, it softens and hydrates the skin around my eyes, and most importantly, it doesn't irritate my eye area. I must admit though, the price tag puts me off just a bit. Because of the high price, I try and use this product sparingly to make it last a bit longer than usual. But, I think it's OK to indulge every once in awhile. Especially on a product that works like a charm. What do you all think?

Have any of you tried the Lancome Bi-Facil Double Action Eye Makeup Remover? Which are your favorite eye makeup removers?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I received this product as a gift. My opinions are always honest, never influenced and my own.

NARS Nail Polish: Trouville

When I saw NARS's Nail Polish in Trouville ($18.00)-which is part of NARS's Summer 2012 collection, over at Sephora, I just couldn't resist picking it up. Besides being a sucker for creamy pinks, I have always been curious to try NARS nail polishes so, I thought  now seemed like a good time to do so. 

3 Coats applied, no topcoat

Trouville is a gorgeous semi-cool, medium pink cream. I can't get enough of girly colors like this one. I think one can never have enough of them. Although I love the color, I can't say the same about the formula. Now, I don't normally shell out $18.00 for a nail polish. And if I do so, I expect the formula to perform exceptionally well. The formula on this one was a bit tricky and, certain techniques are definitely needed in order to obtain the best application results possible, with this nail color.

The first coat went on streaky, sheer, and patchy. That was expected so, I proceeded to go ahead and apply a second coat. With the second coat, I still spotted a few streaks-not as bad, but if not careful, they will look really apparent. Ultimately, a third and/or fourth coat is a must, seeing as that completely evened everything out and banished the streaks and unevenness. I like that this formula isn't super thick that it bunches up and gets gooey, as a result of the application of numerous coats. I also want to add that using semi-thick coats worked best for me, as opposed to thin ones.

When it came to coverage, I got opaque results with the second and third coats. But, I did experience some visible nail line. It's barely noticeable though, and I am quite content with the coverage level. Drying time wasn't too bad. I would advise to let the polish dry thoroughly in between coats, in order to yield faster drying results.

On a more positive note, I am surprised that this nail color gave me smooth looking results. I was not expecting that so, that was a nice surprise. And, it also dried to a glossy shiny finish. Love that! I have been sporting Trouville on my nails for 3 days now and I have yet to see any chipping, or tip wear-and that's without a top coat!

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Overall, if you love girly pinks and, are willing to work with the formula, then Trouville may be a good fit for you. I am a bit disappointed that I didn't have much luck with this nail color formula-wise, being as it was my first experience with a NARS nail polish. But, I love this color so much that I am willing to overlook my formula troubles with Trouville. At least the end results turned out pretty good, showing that Trouville has enough potential to be one of my staple summer, nail colors.

What do you all think or Trouville? Which NARS nail colors are your favorites?


Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use. 

Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman: Core Collection, and Stippling Brush

I have always been a firm believer that makeup brushes are an essential item for getting the most superb results, when it comes to makeup application. There are a few makeup brushes in my arsenal that are daily staples for me but, I think they may have gotten some competition. These Real Techniques by Samantha Chapman brushes, have undoubtedly exceeded my expectations. Today, I am going to share with you all my thoughts on the Core Collection Set ($17.99), and the Stippling Brush ($9.99).

I have been a longtime fan of Pixiwoo's youtube makeup channel. I think Samantha-along with her sister Nicola, create some of the most stunning makeup tutorials that are always so easy to follow. I appreciate their thorough explanations, and I have learned quite a few tips and tricks from watching them. 

These real techniques brushes are simply brilliant. And, I don't understand why it has taken me until now, to give them a try.

Check it out!

First up, we have the Core Collection brush set. This set includes four face brushes that are all housed in a very handy traveling case. I found all the brushes to be very sturdy and quite useful for many purposes. The taklon bristles feel so soft against my skin, and they help blend product in really well.

Contour Brush: I have tried this brush for blush and contour application, but I much prefer this item for highlighting purposes. It does a great job at that, and it helps me place my highlighter just were I want it.

Pointed Foundation Brush: This brush can be used for applying liquid foundation, but I absolutely love it for the application of concealer on larger areas of the face. It applies and blends in the concealer, like a dream.

Detailer Brush: When I first saw this brush, I gotta admit, I was almost certain that this brush was going to be useless, for me. But man, was I wrong! The smaller size of the brush head makes this brush a trusty candidate for applying concealer on the more precise areas like my broken capillaries, underneath the eyes, and on smaller blemishes and spots.  

Buffing Brush: This brush is wonderful for the application of mineral foundation and setting powders. It blends the powders into my skin, beautifully, resulting in a soft-focused finish. I am constantly reading that many love this brush for applying liquid foundation as well, but I have yet to try it for that purpose. I certainly can't wait to give it a try, though.

Sorry for the look of the brushes. I took this picture after I had used them :( 

As mentioned before, included in the set is a very handy brush case that houses all of the brushes-this is awesome for those who are always traveling and on the go. The material of the case is really soft, and it feels pretty sturdy, as well. There is no doubt in my mind that the case will do a superb job at keeping the brushes safe and out of harm's way, when one is traveling with them. But what I think is really cool about this case is that it doubles as a stand! All you have to do is fold over the case, and tighten the drawstring to hold it in place, so the case stands properly. Such a genius and convenient idea!

I had to save the best for last-the Stippling Brush. Honestly, words can not describe how amazing this taklon bristled, dual fiber brush is. It applies and blends in my liquid foundation effortlessly, and it gives me the most flawless airbrushed finish, every time. I really like the size of the brush head because it not only allows me to easily cover larger areas of my face, but also the smaller ones, as well. The bristles on this brush are super soft and they are comfortably taught and semi firm. Definitely not floppy at all, like other stippling brush bristles can be. 

I love that this stippling brush does not soak up any of the liquid foundation, either. All of the product goes onto my skin, as it should. Another worthy mention is that the bottom of the brush handle has a flat surface, so if it is desired, one could stand the brush upright.

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*I found the cleansing of the brushes to be simple, and they always retain their shape and softness, once they have dried overnight. Also, I have experienced absolutely no shedding, whatsoever! 

Overall, I can't recommend these Real techniques brushes, enough! With these brushes, you are receiving great quality, at an affordable price point. If you are looking to try Real techniques makeup brushes for the first time, I would suggest starting off with the stippling brush. This stippling brush is one of the best I have ever used, for the application of liquid foundation. It's pure love. But, the core collection set is just as amazing. All four of the brushes work wonders for taking care of your base makeup, and you can't forget the case that doubles as a stand. Gotta love that!

Have any of you tried makeup brushes by Real Techniques? Which are your favorites?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased the products mentioned above for my personal use.

Birchbox: May 2012

Hey, dolls! I hope you are all doing well and enjoying this lovely Monday. I got my May Bircbox last week and today, I am going to be sharing with you all what I received in my box for this month. This month's Birchbox contained products that were inspired by the "Gossip Girl" TV series, and I have to say for the most part, I was pretty pleased with my box this month. I found the items to be quite useful, and I was happy to see an old favorite included as well.

Take a look!

Eyeko Fat Eye Stick in Chocolate: I was really excited to see this full sized eye stick in my box. I have always been curious to try Eyeko products so, this product could not have arrived at a better time. This creamy eye pencil promises to provide long lasting color, that gives off a shiny glossy finish. Sounds neat! I have super oily eyelids and I think it will be interesting to see how this product will hold up. You can all be sure that a review on this product is upcoming.

Beauty Blender, Blender Cleanser: I received a Beauty Blender sponge in my February 2012 Birchbox and this mini beauty blender cleanser being in my box this month, seemed fairly natural, I think. This cleanser can be used on both sponges and makeup brushes, and contains a "soy based formula" that not only helps condition, but it removes oil, bacteria, and build up as well. 

Dr. Jart+ Waterfuse BB Cream: This BB cream is your moisturizer, serum, sunscreen, and skin perfecter, all in one. I am actually a bit familiar with Dr. Jart+'s skincare products-check out my review on a few of his facial masks, here. What a coincidence that this mini beauty balm was in my box this month because, I received a full-sized version of this beauty balm a few weeks ago, and I have a review coming up on it. If you are interested, make sure to be on the lookout for it.

BVLGARI Omnia Crystalline: This scent is delicious! When I first spritz it on, I immediately detect the notes of lotus flowers, and the sweet hint of the Nashi pear. Yum! 

Twistband Hair Tie: I received one of these Twistband hair ties in my August 2011 Birchbox and I am really happy that I got another one this month. The one I got last year was in black, and I really like this fun green one that I got this time. I have really thick hair and I find that these hair ties do a lovely job at holding my ponytail or bun styles in place, all day. I also love that the Twistband hair ties don't pull or snag on my hair, which is a huge plus.

Front of notecard

Back of notecard

This month's Extra-Notecards: This notecard along with the pink envelope, was a refreshing inclusion in the box. I definitely wasn't expecting this. I am going to use it and write a love note to the hub, Jonathan. It will be nice to give him a handwritten note that includes words from my heart :) Our six year anniversary is coming up next month so, I shall give it to him then!

What did you all receive in your Birchbox this month? Were you all happy with the items you got?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased a monthly subscription to Birchbox.

Beauty Crave

Hey dolls, I hope you are all doing well! I am sorry for the lack of posts these past few days. I have just started working at a new job, and by the time I get home I am really exhausted. I promise that I will try to better my posting schedule soon. I have so much to share with you all! In the mean time, here is another beauty crave post, in where I share with you all a few recent items that have recently made it onto my never-ending wishlist. 

Let's get started!

1. Tarte Beauty & The Box Amazonian Clay Eye Shadow Quad ($22.00): I really need to get my neutral eyeshadow kick under control because, that is the color scheme I always seem to be sporting. But, this Tarte eyeshadow quad doesn't make it any easier. Just look at those colors! Along with the eyeshadow quad, you are also receiving a mini mascara in this kit, as well. You have your basic necessities for your summer eye makeup, all in this one kit. Super convenient. 

2. Benefit Dallas ($28.00): This rosy bronze color looks perfect for those days when I want to define and add a luminous glow to my cheeks. What a lovely combination that would be! (Hey, look at me, I am rhyming, LOL!)

3. Garnier Skin Renew Miracle Skin Perfector BB Cream ($11.99): This BB cream by Garnier has gnarled quite the buzz in the beauty blogging community, since it was released a few months ago. I think it's really great that there is a BB cream that is not only affordable, but also widely available in drugstores. I am really intrigued with this one. Many rave that this Garnier BB cream evens out the skin like a charm. Sounds like a nice product for summertime use, too. It would be nice to have the light/medium coverage without the heavy feeling, during the warmer months. 

4. Tarina Tarantino Dollskin Cheek Palette ($45.00): If you are a blush lover, I think that this palette is a must-have! These four blush colors are sure to add a gorgeous pop of color to cheeks, no matter what look you are going for. 

5. Sephora by O.P.I. Bohemian Brights Mini Nail Colour Set ($24.00): I was drawn to this nail kit, not only because it contained a couple of fun bright shades, but there are also a few neutrals and a deep shade as well. I think this set contains a nice variety of colors that can easily transition from spring/summer, to the fall/winter.

What beauty products have you all been craving for? Anything on here that is on your wishlist as well?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. 

Products I Have Been Loving Lately: Vol 6

Hey dolls! I hope you are all doing well, and having a fabulous Friday :) Any exciting plans for the weekend? The hub and I are going to the movies to see The Avengers, tonight. I can't wait! I know Jonathan is excited because he absolutely loves those kinds of superhero, action movies. He is a huge comic book collector, and has an insane amount that just keeps growing every week. I should know because I am the one who always helps keep them organized, LOL! 

Anyway, today I am here to share with you all a couple of stand-out beauty products, that were in heavy rotation for the past few weeks.

Face

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation: If you are a frequent reader of my blog, you already know that I absolutely love this foundation. I adore the coverage, and how lightweight it feels, while on my skin. As you can probably notice, I am almost done with this second bottle. A third will be making its way to me, very soon. (review here)

MAC Blush in Modern Mandarin: Ever since I have purchased this blush-which was released in MAC's Tres Cheek collection, I can't seem to put it down. It gives my cheeks such a playful perky, pop of color. (review here)

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft And Gentle: This is probably my HG highlighter. I apply a bit of this on the bridge of my nose, cupid's bow, and on top of cheekbones, as the finishing touch to my face makeup. Soft And Gentle gives me the most flattering, natural looking glow, that never looks overdone. I have had this product for such a long time, I haven't even hit pan, yet! A little always goes a long way. (review here)

Eyes

Inglot Eyeshadows: These colors are perfect for this spring season, when I like to sport a lot of neutrals like golds and bronzes. All of the colors look amazing against my brown eyes. And, they each have a bit of shimmer/frost, which I just love! Eyeshadow colors shown in the palette, from left to right are #395, #404, and #405. (review here)

E.L.F. Studio Cream Eyeliner in Black: This gel eyeliner is super creamy. Application is a breeze, and the color is so rich and pigmented! (review here)

Maybelline Color Tattoo Eyeshadow in Bad To The Bronze: I am so impressed with the Maybelline Color Tattoo eyeshadows. They are the only cream eyeshadows that I have found, to last all day on my oily eyelids. Bad To The Bronze is my favorite! I swipe a bit of the color onto my lids, and done! I get a neutral, done-up eye look, that literally took a few minutes to achieve. (review here)

Lips

L'oreal Colour Riche Balm in Rose Elixir: Even though this lip balm is super sheer, I can't get over how moisturizing it is. It's a real treat for my dry-prone lips. (review here)

MAC Lipstick in Hue: I have quite a few nude lip colors in my collection, but Hue is the one that I always go back to. It's such a flattering, soft-pink nude, that is perfect for everyday. 

Skincare

J.R. Watkins Lavender Hand & Cuticle Salve: I received this little guy in my April Birchbox, and good thing I did because its become quite a handy little gem! This hand and cuticle salve has been traveling with me, everywhere I go. I like to apply it on my cuticles whenever they look dry, and need a little boost of hydration. 

What products have you all been loving, lately?

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased the products mentioned in this post, for my personal use.

E.L.F. Essential Lipstick: Seductive

I have always been curious to try lipsticks from E.L.F.'s essentials line. Well, curiosity got the better of me and I finally gave in, and ordered one. Let's take a closer look at Seductive ($1.00).

Seductive is a lovely rosy pink color, that imparts a shiny, creamy finish. When I first received this lipstick and looked at the color in the tube, I was a little taken aback. Not because the color wasn't pretty, but because I don't usually sport rosy pink lipsticks. You all know that when it comes to pink lip colors, I lean towards the brights and the nude, cool-toned ones. I have tried rosy pink lipsticks in the past but, I just never found them to be flattering on me. Well, when I finally tried on seductive, I was in awe at how gorgeous this looked on. I couldn't believe it. A rosy pink lipstick that I actually like! 

Not only is the color flattering but, its very wearable as well. This is the kind of color that works for day and night. With this lipstick, you can build up the intensity of the color, to your liking. Apply a light layer for an appropriate "my lips but better" color, or go a bit heavier to amp up the color. 

My lips are very prone to dryness and I am happy to report that this lipstick feels super moisturizing while on my lips. The texture is really smooth and it makes application a breeze. I can keep on reapplying this lipstick throughout the day, and it will never dry out my lips or enhance any dryness I may have. But, I did notice that it does tend to settle into my lip lines, though.

Although I really like this lipstick for the most part, there were a few things that I didn't like. For starters, the packaging. I know that this lipstick retails for $1.00 and I don't expect much at that price point but, its just really unattractive to me. Although, I do appreciate that there is a clear window on the tube which allows one to easily see the color they are reaching for. Also, the lipstick does not twist all the way down. I have already nicked the tip of the lipstick with the cap, several times! Next issue, the scent. This lipstick has a generic, fruity smell that I am not a fan of. I am not really picky when it comes to fragrances but this generic fruity one, is where I draw the line. Don't like it at all. The worst part is that it lasts awhile on the lips. The last issue I had with this lipstick had to do with its lasting power. This lipstick can't keep up when I eat, or drink a beverage. When done so, the lip color mostly wipes away, instantly. But, 2 hours max is usually the amount of time this lipstick lasts on me, before the color starts to fade and I have to reapply again.

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Overall, I think that for $1.00, this lipstick is pretty nice, and it doesn't hurt to have a few of these to carry around in your makeup bag. There were a few aspects of the lipstick that I did not like but, it was the smooth/moisturizing formula and wearable color, that sold me. If you are looking for an inexpensive lipstick that is moisturizing and has a smooth texture, I would recommend that you give these E.L.F. lipsticks a try. I will definitely be picking up a few more colors next time I spot these at Target or when I shop on the E.L.F. website. 

What do you all think of E.L.F.'s lipstick in Seductive? Have you tried E.L.F. lipsticks before? 

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the companies mentioned above. I purchased this product for my personal use.