Just a little ELF haul/review

Happy, happy Saturday!!


Good afternoon my lovelies!!

I was out at target the other day buying pictures for my beauty room and somehow became lost and ended up in the makeup?!! How did that happen? Anywho, I thought I would share some ELF items I picked up, some which I love more than others.

 The Products

In the picture from let to right are the following: clarifying pressed powder in light beige, studio blush in pink passion, studio lip exfoliator, studio eyebrow kit, stick blush in pink lemonade, studio contouring blush and bronzer in St. Lucia, shimmering facial whip. Bottom row (tools) left to right: studio mascara and shadow shield, studio eyeshadow "C" brush (not pictured), studio contour brush, studio fan brush, and studio small stipple brush.

I will start by telling you the product/s I didn't care for: dum dum dummm- the clarifying pressed powder. I found it to be quite chalky. It was matte which was good but when I applied it I felt it didn't blend well into my skin, kinda just sat on top with a heavy feel. I had to use this very sparingly because it was pigmented (lightly) and had a cake-y look. My middle of the road feels were the fan brush and the "C" brush. I didn't not like them I just felt they were like any other brush. Though the fan brush bristles were thin, I would have liked to see a sturdier splay. The contour brush did the job to pack on the color but I had to  use my Sonia Kashuk brush to blend out the colors. What did I love? My most favorite pick had to be the lip exfoliator! This little thing is FAN-TAB-U-LOUS!!!! I use it every single day. It is a sweet, brown sugary type scrub in the shape of lipstick and you just swirl it over you lips and can just watch the skin slough off. You then just wipe off the lips and are left with baby smooth lips that are ready for product!! The blushes were good but my favorite was the cheapest of the bunch. The stick blush in pink lemonade. I have been using this and it packs on great color and it's multi functional. I used it on my cheeks, lips, and eyes! The bronzer was a nice shade for me--a little powdery but I liked it all the same. The shimmering facial whip was another amazing product, it is also a dupe for Benefit's High Beam. A little went a very long way so use sparingly or you will look like a disco ball! The mascara/shadow shield works great too, prior to this buy I would use business cards and in a pinch have used box tops! The eyebrow kit was okay for me, I didn't like the wax part of it but the powder worked nicely and fit my shade well.

The Swatches

From left to right: Studio blush in pink passion, contouring blush and bronzer in St. Lucia (swatch 2&3), stick blush in pink lemonade, and shimmering facial whip. The blush in pink passion was matte, the contouring duo had a satin sheen/lightly shimmer finish, blush stick was pearlescent and the shimmering facial whip tells you in the name-Shimmer, shimmer and even more shimmer!

The Look

I started by priming my face with Too Faced primed and poreless and dotting my favorite foundation at the moment Revlon's colorstay whipped in Buff all over my face using a Real Techniques buffing brush to blend it in. I used Nyx concealer under my eyes setting it with the Elf clarifying pressed powder. On my eyes I started out with my UD primer potion over my entire lid and under my lower lash line. I then used the stick blush pink lemonade as a base and platted it solely on the lid. Then using the blush part of St. Lucia I patted that over the stick blush. Using the bronzer portion of St. Lucia I stamped it into my outer V and blended it up through the crease. I also used the blush of St. Lucia slightly above the bronzer as a gradient and blended it all out. I then took the bronzer with a push liner brush and pulled it under my lower lash line and smudged it out. I lined my lids with Nyx slide-on glide on pencil in brown perfection and used it in my waterline as well. Applied mascara and lashes. To finish the look out I used the St. Lucia bronzer in the hollow of my cheeks and the blush stick on the outer side of my cheeks blending it in with my fingers, topping it with the St. Lucia powder blush to set it. I then used the highlight very sparingly squeezing some out on my finger and dotting it onto the top of my cheek bones and blended it out. Be careful here or you will look as bright as a 70's disco ball!! I pre-moisturized my lips with balm and applied the blush stick to my lips by patting it on and blending with my finger. It left a nice pink stain to them. I filled in my brows and set them in place with my Maybelline Great Lash clear mascara. Using a fluffy soft powder brush I lightly-and I mean lightly dusted the clarifying pressed powder in my T-zone. And voila! The look is complete!

Conclusion

When I first started this look all I could think was what am I doing- will this work? It took a while to get the look the way I liked on my eyes. You need to build and blend over and over and over again. The colors work well together-heck they are a blush/bronzer duo they also had a nice color payoff. You just have to watch out when you put a pink color like that onto your eyes it can backfire and you can look either sick or like you have an eye infection. YUCK!! Overall I really liked the way it came out, it was a nice daytime/work look. The colors were not dark enough for a night look but if you grab a nice chocolate brown and pop it in the V it could work nicely. The color turnout on the lips was nice but MAN it was drying!! But I expected it would be. I chose to use the products multi-purposely so you could get a look in a money pinch or if you don't have many products on hand but still wanted to look put together. Best thing about this line is they are so inexpensive!! The studio line is $3 and the highlight and blush stick were just $1!!! Can't beat that! If you are not familiar with ELF check out their website at www.eyeslipsface.com. You can find some really great products at rock bottom prices!

What I picked up for my beauty room

I adore this picture! It was $19.99 at Target. It fits me soo well, hearts are my favorite shape and purple is my favorite color. So to find a picture with both together just screams BUY ME!!! I hope this was helpful! Keep an eye out for my Smashbox Heat Wave palette review/look and my June favorites!
Until next time!!

<3
Jess

Urban Decay Haul/Review from Hautelook

Happy Thursday!!!

Good evening my lovelies!!

Two days ago my Urban Decay haul came in from Hautelook and I thought I would share with you what I got and give you my review with a "my look" pic. I purchased the following palettes: Mariposa, Ammo, and Deluxe Shadowbox. I also picked up two glide on cheek tints in score and quickie, and the De slick oil controlling setting spray and All nighter long lasting setting spray (trial size).

If you are not familiar with Hautelook you should be, you can check out the website here.. www.hautelook.com. Hautelook is a site that sells everything from handbags to clothing, hair products to cosmetics and I believe even homegoods but I rarely venture out from the beauty section so don't take my word on that!! They constantly have amazing deals and when I say amazing what I actually mean is AH-MAZ-ING! Discounts can be up to 75-80% off on certain items!! There can be long shipping waits but hey if you can get a blush that retails at $24. for $6 you wait! Also the sales are for limited times (usually a week I believe) but if you sign up you will be kept up to speed with what is in the horizon and what sales are ending soon. This sale is obviously over but you can still find good deals out there. Urban Decay (www.urbandecay.com) has Quickie (blush tint) for $6 which normally retails for $24 under the sale tab, they also have the Ammo palette for $12 (retails for $38) and the Deluxe Shadowbox palette for $10 (retails for $38). Amazon (www.amazon.com) has the Mariposa palette for $27.45, Ammo for $21.25 and the Deluxe Shadowbox for $17.45.

The Swatches

first up the Mariposa palette. The swatches are in order as they are in the palette. For those that are familiar with UD I won't need to explain the color payoff. For those that do not know....OMGosh!!!! UD is known for their super silky, smooth, easily blendable eyeshadows that pack an amazing punch with color payoff. All of my swatches were done without the use of a primer so a little goes a LONG way with these palettes.

Top left to right are: Rockstar, Gunmetal, Skimp, Infamous*, Wreckage*. Second row: Haight, Money, Mushroom, Spotlight*, and Limelight*. Those starred are new colors to Urban Decay. As you can see in this palette all the colors have a shimmer to them, eventhough Skimp looks matte in the picture don't let it deceive you, it's not.

Next up: Ammo palette-I really thought the design of this packaging was so cool!

Top left to right: Smog, Mildew, Oil Slick, Last Call, Chopper. Second row: Maui Wowie, Shattered, Polyester Bride, Grifter, and Sin. This palette was designed so that the colors are paired top to bottom to be matched two at a time, great for those new to makeup! Some colors in this palette are duplicates as well (naked palettes for example). The colors in this palette are shimmery but some have glitter (oil slick, grifter, polyester bride, maui wowie, and chopper).

The Deluxe Shadowbox palette

Top left to right: Fishnet, Honey, Ransom. Second row: Graffiti, Zero, Peace. Third row: Shag, Scratch, and Underground. This palette has 9 of the bestselling shadows in it. I love the fun colors in it! The colors have a metallic/satin finish to them. Lovely-just lovely.

The Blushes

Left to right: Quickie and Score. I liked these a lot but they just didn't give me the "wow" factor in pigmentation that I was expecting from looking at them in the packaging. They start out sheer for just a kiss of color or can be built up for more intensity. In the swatch I had to do a couple of swipes over each to get the intensity shown, though quickie required less swipes to achieve the color payoff as score did.

The Look

I used the Meriposa palette and Quickie cheek tint for my look. Here is a list of products I used for my full face look: foundation-Revlon Colorstay Whipped in Buff,  face primer- Too Faced Primed and Poreless, concealer- Nyx Above and Beyond full coverage, cheeks/contour- Physician's Formula Happy booster in Natural and Wet-n-Wild  Bronzer in Bikini Contest, lips- Elf lip exfoliator, lip liner- Rimmel exaggerate liner in Innocent, lipstick-Essence in Creamy Nude, and gloss-Revlon lipgloss in Foiled, mascara-top lashes Revlon Lash Potion, bottom lashes-Maybelline Lash Discovery (waterproof). 

I achieved this look by starting with my urban decay primer potion over my entire lid to the brow bone and under my lower lash line. I started the look using Wreckage over my entire lid while pulling it up slightly into the crease near the outer V. I then took Skimp as a transition color to my brow, I also used it as a duct and brow highlight. Next up was Rockstar, I placed it in my outer V blending it up subtly through the crease. Infamous was placed just above Rockstar and was blended through to make a nice gradient look and through the crease. To finish the look off I used Limelight in the center of my lid to make it pop and pulled Rockstar down below my lower lashes and smudged it out. Rockstar was also used with a pushliner brush for my eyeliner. In my waterline was Rimmel's Scandaleyes in Nude.

 Conclusion?

Overall I was very pleased with the outcome of this look. I loved how purplish it came out (purple is my favorite color) and how nicely it blended with the goldish tones to create a fun summery look. I love, love, loved this palette!

 As for the other two palettes I will be posting a "my look" soon until then keep an eye out for my upcoming ELF haul/review. Thank you soooo much for spending this time with me. I hope it was helpful!! Until next time!!

<3
Jess

Hate broken makeup?

Fun day Sunday!

Good evening my lovlies!

I just got home from vacation, the kids and I went to Gulf Shores, AL for the week! It was AWESOME!! The weather was great but the 12+ hour drive back sucked. I had to drive it all by myself. :(
I picked up some bronzer this afternoon and in my eagerness to get it out of the bag it slipped right out of my hand and went crashing to the floor. UGH!!

Have you ever brought home your brand new, never been opened makeup just to drop it on the floor and find it smashed to pieces?? So I thought this would be the best time to share a tip to fix your makeup quick! This is what I did.

 First you need some alcohol (no, not the enjoyable kind) I used 91% Isopropyl

Breathe, calm down and try not to curse too much! Pour just a slight bit of the alcohol onto the broken pieces. A little goes a long way, it will absorb and make a paste. Now use a spoon or knife to smooth it out.

Once it is smoothed out walk away from the makeup! It needs time to dry. When it is nice and dry use a powder brush to dust off any leftover loose powder

And that's it! Easy peasy! It won't be the prettiest but hey now you can still use it. The product will still be the same formula and whatnot, the alcohol didn't change anything so enjoy it!

Thanks for you time and I hope this was helpful! Until next time

<3

Jess

The art of water marbling

Happy hump day my lovelies!

If you love the look of water marbling but have no idea how to do it your in the right place! Pull a chair up and relax. First thing you need to do is ask yourself what colors do you want? I recommend using 3 or 4 colors max any beyond that and I feel could blend and look muddy.
The supplies:

1. A clear nail polish for a base coat and a top coat ( I used Sally Hansen Xtreme wear in Invisible)
2. A white polish to put over the clear. It really helps the colors pop! I used S.H. Xtreme wear in White On.
3. Your colored polish. I used Sally Hansen Xtreme wear for 3/4 colors: Blue Me Away, Mellow Yellow, and Coral Reef. For my 4th color I used Maybelline Color Show in Sweet Clementine.
4. Any bowl or cup to fill with ROOM TEMPERATURE water. I cannot emphasize this enough, it MUST be room temp. If the water is too hot the polish will spread quickly but will dry very quickly and you will not be able to free hand a design, the polish will just twist up onto your tool. If the water is too cold it will not spread nicely into the water or not at all.
5. Toothpicks or any thin pointed tool. I have tried sewing needles and have found they are too thin and do not pull designs well.
6. A paper towel to place the bowl of water on and your used toothpicks.
7. Scotch tape, break off x3 small pieces to go along the sides and the cuticle area of your fingers. This step helps with clean up.
8. Q-tips/cotton buds and nail polish remover to clean up any polish that has transferred to your fingers that the taping did not catch. That is everything you need! Now how do you do it? Keep reading!
How to water marble
First tape your fingers.

Some people only tape one at a time but I find it easiest if they are already taped so your not struggling to tape fingers with freshly marbled nails. Next polish all nails with the clear polish, let this dry before moving on. Once your base coat is finished apply a thin layer of white, allow that to dry and apply another layer. You should now have a nice opaque white color on all nails.

Next chose the order you want your colors in and unscrew all of the caps. You need to be able to work quickly when dropping the polish onto the water. Choose your first color and allow only one drop of polish onto the water and place it back into the bottle, remembering not to screw it back on. The color should spread nicely out into a ring ( some colors become quite transparent in this step, that is normal do not add another drop of polish). Now just continue this process until you have several rings ( the polish should resemble a target).

Once you have the desired amount of rings grab your tool of choice/ toothpick and begin designing. Place the toothpick into the polish and drag it.

Once you found a design you like place your nail onto it and push your nail beneath the water. Keep your nail in the water and blow the unused polish to dry it then place the toothpick into the water and twirl it to pick up all unused polish.

Only remove your nail from the water when all unused polish has been removed or it will transfer onto your nail and finger and look a HOT mess! Simply carefully remove the tape and repeat with all fingers. Use nail polish remover and Q-tip to wipe away any polish left on your fingers. Apply a clear top coat. I also like to spray DeMert nail enamel dryer to my top coat to finish it all. Now go flaunt your totally unique nails!!

I hope this was helpful. Have fun!! Until next time!
<3
Jess

Get to know me: The Beauty Blogger Tag!!!

Happy Saturday everyone!!

This morning I was reading through some of Emily Eddington's blogs on Beauty Broadcast, here is her link, go check her out! http://www.beautybroadcast.net She is one of my favorite beauty guru's on YouTube. While reading through some of her blogs I found this tag and thought WOW that would be a great, fun way for all of you to get to know me. It is quite long but there are some really great questions in it. Here we go!

 1.     Is your hair naturally curly or straight?
 At the moment my hair is wavy/curly. More so wavy than curly, I will get the tight ringlet curls around the nape of my neck and surrounding hairline (especially when it's wet). Growing up it was always very long and stick straight but as I have grown older it has become more wavy.

2.   Do you dye it yourself or go to a Salon?
My hair is 100% color free as of now. I have in the past colored my own hair when I was young and didn't really care if it came out brassy or with green undertones!! I haven't had "natural" hair in so long I decided that I wanted to grow/cut all the dye out and start over. I couldn't believe how dark my hair naturally was!! When I do feel I need to change it up I go to a Salon.

3.  Do you wear the same style everyday, or do you change it?
I tend to wear the same style everyday for work, up in a ponytail or I use small clips to pull back the sides of my hair. I work in therapy and cannot stand for my hair to fall into my face, also in my line of work there are multiple times a day when I need to get extremely close to my patient, they may need help transferring or standing so it doesn't make sense to have this glamorous hair style that will most likely get messed up.

 4.  Do you do your own mani/pedi or go to a Salon?
I have never been to a salon to get either a mani or pedi. Crazy I know but I just find it easier and cheaper to just do it at home!

5.  How often do you change your polish?
I change it quite often when I wear a colored polish, usually every week. I feel sometimes I can get up to two weeks before changing with clear polish. I have not tried the gel manicures sets that are out there, I hear you can get up to 2+ weeks out of it so  I plan on trying it out soon!

6.  Do you polish your toes in the winter or just the summer?
I rarely paint my toes in the winter. The only time I do is if I have to attend an event that requires my toes to peek out in heels.

7.  How long does it take to put on your makeup?
That can greatly vary for me. Usually I like to take my time and that can take up to 35-40 min. It can take longer if I am trying a new technique and really want play with the look. I do not like to be rushed but I am able to do a very simple look in about 10 min from start to finish if I have to!

8.  What do you do first face or eyes?
I always do my face first. I usually start with the foundation then I go to the eyes without finishing the face, I like to let the foundation work its way in. Then after the eyes are finished I complete my face with powder, blush, highlight/contour then I go to the lips. Odd way to do things but that is just the way I have always done it!!
   
9.  Do you collect makeup or just buy what you need when you need it?
I am most definitely a collector.  Makeup is a passion of mine that makes me extremely happy, I enjoy sitting down to my vanity and coming up with new looks using many colors. I wouldn't be able to let my creativity fly with a few neutral colors. I also want to begin free lance work in my free time and I need to have a large collection to meet the need/want of any future client.

10.  How often do you wear false eyelashes?
I love false lashes however I only wear them when I am going out or when I need to be dolled up. I usually wear the demi wispies or the corner lashes just to give my natural ones a little something at the ends. I have small eyes so I don't usually go very dramatic because they take over my entire eye up to my brow! I love the look of them though.

11.  Do you do a full face of makeup everyday?
No, I either put my foundation on with some subtle liner and mascara or go makeup free for work. On weekends or whenever I feel like playing around with my makeup I do a full face.

12.  Do you wear makeup when your home alone or with family?
If I am just chilling out home alone then no unless I am filming or posting new looks on the blog. If I am out and about with family/friends then yes I want to look presentable and it just makes me feel good as it does every girl. :)

13.  Will you leave the house without makeup on?
Yes I do all the time!

14.  How many high end products do you have?
I have some high end but not nearly as much as I do drugstore. I love drugstore products just as much as the high end and can even find some drugstore products that are similar if not better than some high end for a fraction of the price. Score!

15.  Do you plan your OOTD every night or when you're getting ready?
I wear scrubs 4/5 days a week for work so there is no planning needed. I am usually a tee and jeans type girl but will pre-plan an outfit if I am going out on the town or somewhere special.

16.  How often do you change your handbag?
I do not have many handbags so I tend to stick with my neutral crossbody for everyday wear. I will change it up for special occasions.
   
17.  What time do you wake up and go to sleep?
When my boys have school I wake up around 6am. I am more of a night owl so I go to sleep late, usually around midnight/1am. In the summer I will wake up for work around 8 am and go to sleep around 1am. I know I should be getting more sleep but I have a hard time winding down sometimes and when I  get into something related to makeup which is A LOT, I lose track of time. Haha

18.  How often or when do you workout?
For the last 2+ years I have been zumba-ing x2 wk (tues and thurs). I absolutely adore zumba and find it a very fun way to work out without feeling like working out but lately I have been spending more time outside rather in the gym. I have also recently began running, I am not a runner so we will see how long it lasts!

19.  Left or right handed?
Right but when I was in 5th grade I really wanted to be left handed like my sister so I only used my left hand. I am now ambidextrous but use my dominant hand most.

20.  How tall are you?
5'3

21.  Do you speak any foreign languages?
I can speak some spanish, I took it in high school and have friends who are fluent that speak to me and try to sharpen my skills but I am far from fluent.

 22.  How many pets do you have?
Two, an english bulldog named Min-Min and a cat named bonham.

23.  How often are you on Blogger?
Everyday, I am new to the blogging community so I like to read others posts and get tips and tricks of my own. I  will be posting frequently and adding video tutorials so continue to check back!!

 24.  Do you read comments posted on blogs?
I try to, it is always nice to see what others think and what feedback they can give. You never stop learning!

 25.  Do you keep a list of products to try as you see other posts?
If there are multiple items I would like to try I will write it down in a notebook that I keep for things to try/review. I have the worst memory it seems a times so it is vital that I write it down!!

26.  How did you come up with your blog name?
That's easy! It is my name. When I started my blog and YouTube channel I wanted a name that was easy and people could remember. So,  I put in variations of my name and this one was available, which is perfect because I prefer people to call me Jess vs. Jessica. 

 27.  What kind of camera do you use for your photographs?
I use a Sony DSC-H50 or my phone. My Sony has been around for quite a few years now so it may be time to upgrade.

28.  How often do you clean your house?
I pick up when needed but for a overall deep clean once a week. I have a teenage son and a pre-teen son that help out with daily cleaning so it's not too bad. It teaches the boys responsibility and I get help with the chores. :)

29.  What is your favorite color?
Purple, it has always been my favorite since childhood and never changed. I prefer certain shades of purple though. My favorite shade is the lavendar/lilac but all the purple shades are gorgeous!

30.  Do you swear?
I really try not to but it does slip out from time to time.

31. What are you doing with the rest of your day?
Today my youngest son, Corbin, is having his best friend stay the night so we will be going to the local skating rink for some fun in about an hour, as for Caleb, my oldest, he went to his best friends house for a sleep over. After the rink I will be doing laundry and preparing for our upcoming vacation to Gulf Shores, AL in a week! YAY for the beach!!!!

Oh my! That was a loooooong tag! Now I tag all of you. Have a wonderful day/evening/night what ever your in, until next time!!

<3 Jess

                            

 

Welcome!!

Hi everyone!! Thank you so much for visiting my blog! 

I would like to introduce myself, Hi! I am Jess! I am new to the blogging community but I am extremely excited to get this started and to share information/reviews on products and get to know all of you! I have been obsessed with makeup since I swiped my first teal blue shadow across my lid in the late 80's. What are my expectations with this blog? To give the most honest reviews, spread my knowledge of applying makeup and learning tips/tricks of my own from you, having fun and making new friends. It's just makeup--have fun with it, let your inner artist out to paint your face and yes rock that blue shadow if your feeling it!

Some get to know tidbits about me...

-I have two wonderful boys
-favorite color is purple
-Penguins are my favorite animal
-I have a english bulldog named Min-Min and a cat named Bonham (you may be seeing them in future posts!)

This first blog was mainly intended for an introduction but I will be posting in the very near future so keep an eye out!

Thank you so much again for taking the time to read this!!

Jess