Matt Matt Matt Lipstick Essence Cosmetics

21 days of Beauty and a $100 gift card to Ulta from Bae :* for my birthday and I stopped into Ulta this week (already three times and it's just Wednesday) 

First I wanted to pick up some Buxom Lip Cremes since there were only $10 dollars today instead of the regular price $22. The color selection was mostly sold out of the cremes I wanted but I did manage to pick up one color and I will swatch it in a different post.

I wanted to create this one because I saw these awesome looking lipsticks the other day and was wishing they had a nude/normal shade range....
Vibrant Shock Lipsticks: https://essencemakeup.com/products/vibrant-shock-lipsticks

Well I found that normal shade range today and picked up a few shades!! They were only $3.99 and it was buy one get one 50% in store at Ulta so I couldn't pass it up.
These are called  Matt Matt Matt Lipstick: http://www.ulta.com/matt-matt-matt-lipstick?productId=xlsImpprod15131005

It's a lot easier to tell the shades on the Essence website than the Ulta website. The plus side is there are testers in store at Ulta that you can swatch. https://essencemakeup.com/products/matt-matt-matt-lipstick

I swatched these on my hand before buying and then as soon as I got home. Currently wearing 02 (not pictured above) and I love the formula. There is a smell to them, but to me it smells like some sort of candy. These are pigmented/opaque and the packaging is pretty decent for $3.99.

I'll be posting later with both hand and lip swatches so be on the lookout :D

Mascara is a girls best friend and I have two products to review.

L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Voluminous Mascara & L'Oreal Voluminous Primer

So I was pretty skeptical about using a primer and a non-waterproof mascara. I am a 100% waterproof mascara kind of girl just because it is fool proof, non-smudging, and lasts through whatever life hands you (including crazy Texas weather patterns). 

After spending a couple of weeks trying these two products out together and using the primer with other mascaras (such as L'Oreal Miss Manga Rock and L'Oreal Miss Manga) I've come to a decision....I LOVE THESE!

Carbon Black Voluminous Mascara
-For a non-waterproof mascara this formula holds up really well meaning no flakes on the cheeks and no transfers to the lid
-It is a really wet formula so be careful during application
-Makes the lashes super dark
-Overall 10/10

Voluminous Primer
-It's a white primer
-Build-able (I like only doing 2 coats so there is little chances of clumping)
-Makes the lashes noticeably longer
-It's also nice that it works with different mascaras and not just the Voluminous line


Below is a picture with the products:
Left Side: Just the Carbon Black Voluminous Mascara
Right Side (the one with the pointer): Both the Voluminous Primer & Carbon Black Voluminous Mascara

Let me know what your thoughts are on these products!!!

Tarte Double Duty Beauty Lip Sculptor Lipstick & Lipgloss

My Boyfriend took me to Ulta for my birthday and actually spent 5 hours with me in the store trying to find all the things I wanted to buy #truelove

I picked out a new product from Tarte the Lip Sculptor Lipstick & Lipgloss. I picked up the shade Sass. For a moment I was actually displeased with my shade selection. Going home and swatching the gloss it was nude (what I wanted), but swatching the lipstick on my lips....it showed more pink (didn't want). After giving it a go multiple times I realized I actually like this shade. The trick is to blot blot blot the lipstick with tissue after you apply it and then apply the gloss or leave it without gloss.

http://www.ulta.com/full-on-lip-cream?productId=xlsImpprod13631033

The website describes this color as "mauve"

This is the lipstick swatched on its own. This color is more pink than the gloss, yet they complement each other well.

This is the gloss swatched on its own.

Both the Lipstick and the Gloss are super hydrating and feel really nice and luxurious on my lips. This product was $20 and I'd say it was worth it, but I won't be buying the whole collection if you know what I mean. If you want to try it, just pick one shade and then go from there $20 adds up quickly.

Covergirl Star Wars The Force Awakens

BAM just when you think makeup couldn't get anymore exciting Covergirl launched a collection for Star Wars The Force Awakens 

I picked up 2 mascaras and three lipsticks. The most used product for me is the #70 lipstick...on the light side of the force. Metallics are huge this year and this shade fits right in. This is a metallic nude shade with loads of sparkle. This shade is SUPER pale, so for my skin tone I need to wear a nude lipliner underneath or I pair it with the shade Mink by Revlon.


Here is the product swatched on my lips with no liner or base lipstick underneath.


Here is the product swatched on my hand. This is where you can see how pale this lipstick shade is in comparison to a brown lip liner in Tawny by Jordana.

I love this collection and I think it was neat that Covergirl decided to win one for all the ladies who are Star Wars Fans!! P.S. I like this shade so much I bought a backup :)

ColourPop Ultra Matte Lip Be-Dazzled

Halloween is literally around the corner and that means crazy kickass purple lipstick!!!

I've been experimenting with ColourPop just because their liquid lipsticks seem to be in the best price range (at least for my budget). I managed to snag 6 of them for around $32 with a promotional code of taking off $5. They are no longer running that promotion but check their instagram periodically and they will post codes for $ off or % off.

Overall quick drying formula that is kiss proof within seconds! However, it does make my lips feel super dry and I tried putting vaseline over them and sometimes it works and sometimes I think it changes the chemistry of the formula and breaks down the wear time.

I have worn the certain shade called Be-Dazzled 3 times now…and the last two times were a huge huge EMBARRASSMENT.

First time it was a super easy application and wore down fine no crusty bits on my lips or on my teeth.

Second time…oh dear 

-I decided to wear this shade for going out on the town for a Halloween Bloc party thinking it would last through all the food and drinks…but let's start with application

-The first time I tried to put it on my lips the formula was super streaky to the point where I couldn't build it up so I had to take it right off and start again

-Second time I tried to put it on my lips, it was still streaky but not as much. But I got it how I wanted it so I figured I would be fine…NO

-Went out had some shots and a mixed drink then a beer with some nachos shared between friends

---at this point my phone was dying so I couldn't check my lipstick and I didn't have a mirror---

-Spent 2.5 hours hanging out and playing arcade games/jenga/drinking before making it to the bathroom

-IT WAS HORRIBLE my lips pretty much made me look like the joker. Faded 99.9% into this horrible purple film with crusty bits everywhere and wow was I embarassed because "bae" had come tonight…

Third time…it somehow gets worse?

-application was again streaky but I decided just to build it up and not take it off (probably a big mistake)

-checked not even an HOUR later and opened my mouth to smile

THERE WERE PURPLE CRUSTY FLAKES/DOTS all on my teeth!

Let's just say I'm not pleased.

Is anyone else experiencing problems with this certain shade???!!

Or did I just get a bad batch!

TARGET DEALS 2/10/14

Hey guys so I went to Target today and a TON of things were on clearance. I am sad that I missed the start of when they clearanced a lot of these beauty items because there really wasn't a lot left to pick from.

 Loreal Colour Riche--> Left to Right: 175 Violet Chiffon, 178 Cardinal Plume
Both were $5.58 (each)

 Left: Covergirl Trublend Minerals #435 golden sunrise| mineral bronzer $3.98
Right: Covergirl Lash perfection #215 Brown $2.98

Left: Rimmel match Perfection Blush #002 Light/medium (we will see if this is too light for my skin tone) $3.48
Right: two elf custom eyeshadows, #2512 Diftwood, #2516 Peach
Both were $0.85

Left: Sonia Kashuk Nail Colour (color is TWO CENT) $2.38
Middle: loreal 24hr infallible eyeshadow in #800 bottomless java $4.88
Right: Revlon diamond lust eyeshadow in #105 Plum Galaxy $3.14

Maybelline New York The Elixirs COLORSENSATIONAL 040 Vision in Violet

040 Vision in Violet


AMAZING!!! Super duper pigmented. It is a pretty bold color so it might not be used for an everyday use. I love it. I always pair it with a brown neutral eye look, and usually neutral clothing (white top with jeans and boots).

This is also a great lippie to wear when you have an all black outfit! or just want to look done up but with minimal face/eye makeup.

This color definitely gets you noticed but in a good way :) so in love with purple lipstick! It's one of my top favorite lipstick colors of all time!

Mabelline New York The Elixir COLORSENSATIONAL 080 Captivating Carnation

080 Captivating Carnation

What a pretty pink! It isn't an in your face pink so it is perfect for an everyday look :) and it works on darkly pigemented lips! You will need a mirror to apply this one.

Maybelline New York The Elixirs COLORSENSATIONAL 100 Petal Plush

100 Petal Plush

This is a harder color to pull off on my natural lip color ;/ I can shear out the color so it isn't as "dead" looking. It has pretty pink sparkles (not alot).

Not really satisfited with this color. It was streaky in it's application. I would say to pass on this color and look at some of the darker shades!

I think the easiest way to used this color is to simply just use it as a topcoat to a pink or nude lipstick when I want to go for a more glossy, juicy lip look. I can't really use this on its own because of the streaky application. It can also go on over a lip liner and this tends to be a pretty easy look to pull off.

Maybelline New York The Elixirs COLORSENSATIONAL 065 Caramel Infused

065 Caramel Infused

This is another great nude, it isn't too deep of a brown. It is a brownish nude. This is fantastic formula for every color!

Maybelline New York The Elixir COLORSENSATIONAL 060 Nude Illusion

060 Nude Illusion
The perfect nude, I thought that it would be too light because my natural lip color is a little dark. However these lipgloss/lipsticks are super opaque!! They are comfortable and very moisturizing. This color you might be able to get away putting it on without a mirror, but some of the other colors you won't get that lucky.

Halloween 2013

So here is the final look I came up with :) Super cute yet fierce purple witch coming at ya! I had a Halloween party/fundraiser to go to so I figured a little black dress (LBD) was more than fitting for the occasion. I have this wonderful re-sale clothing store by my house in TX, that supports battered women and I like to shop there all the time. Not only am I supporting what they stand for but I am also getting great deals on clothing that is in near perfect condition. The dress that I wore for this event is velvet and has shiny diamond like accessories around the collar (front and back). It was the perfect length that fell right above the knee. It was form fitting and yet I felt comfortable the whole night and didn't worry about being uncomfortable after I ate. My witch hat is something my mom has collected over the years (I currently have 9 witch hats….yeah do you see a trend here). My earrings and rings are from a $1 jewelry store here in Oklahoma.

Ok so here I tried to give you the most fierce head shots I took. I honestly just really love how the makeup turned out and the face glitter looks so perfect and mystical and not at all trashy!! and dang look at those purple lips!! Those lips too soooooo much work but were so worth it in the end!

so this is what the dress looks like. Don't mind the messy room..I was too concerned about making this look like perfection to clean.

And after the night was done, I really didn't want to take any of my make-up off or the glitter. Let's face it, if I could wear make-up like this everyday I would!!!

Hope you guys liked my look, I will make a post on what products I used later :D

Thanks! 

Lime Crime Rant

Okay so have you guys ever noticed on youtube how hard it is to find a darker complexioned girl that has done swatches on the Lime Crime lipstick or lip products! It is so hard to find someone that is of medium-->tan skin tone that has done a review. It's important to check if there are reviews out there, especially reviews coming from people with similar skin tones before you make a purchase on any products but especially products that are more pricey. It's hard to watch pale skin toned reviews about Lime Crime and be able to make a proper selection of color that would look good on my lips. I just wish there was more girls that did reviews on the Lime Crime lipstick or even if the company themselves would show their product on different skin tones to help costumers decide.

End Rant. Thanks for hearing me out :)

Milani Lipstick 12 Flamingo Pose

12 Flamingo Pose

Milani Lipstick 15 Hot Pink Rage

15 Hot Pink Rage

This is probably my favorite pink from the collection.
It's kind of a crazy hot pink color but it's more tame cousin. I like to line my lips with a more neutral pink lip liner and then fill it in with this lipstick. I usually blot the lipstick so it isn't super pigmented. Sometimes I like to embrace neon colors but other times…less is more.

Milani Lipstick 03 OrangeGina

03 OrangeGina

Not your average orange lipstick! It has shimmer but it doesn't create that frosty mouth most of us can't stand. I find that this is a more wearable form of wearing orange lipstick and it's easier to pull off with my carmel/tan skin tone. Some orange lipsticks really clash with my skin tone, or just look horrible with most of my makeup looks. However, this orange is workable for me.

Milani Lipstick 17 Plumrose

17 Plumrose

I guess I would call this a dusty mauve/pink lipstick. It's a nice everyday color to throw on the lips. I probably use this color more in the fall/winter months.

Milani Lipstick 25 Naturally Chic

25 Naturally Chic

HANDS DOWN MY FAVORITE NUDE EVER!!!!!!!!
Can I just take a second here to rant about how there are so many lipsticks out there that are basically meant to NEVER be used on tan skin tones!! So many nudes make me look DEAD or sleepy or like I have negative lips >:( it makes me frustrated that companies have so many beautiful reds, pinks, etc etc and yet come out with nudes that wouldn't work for tan people. HELLO not our fault we were born this way.
CAN WE GET AN AMEN
Milani has done it right! Naturally Chic is my go to nude lipstick during the whole year. It even works in the summer when I'm darker, and it works when I'm lighter in the winter.
It's super creamy and easy to apply (with or without at lip liner).
Also since it's a nude when I had a boyfriend he didn't mind getting kisses when I wore this color so CHECK boyfriend approved.

Milani Lipsticks Hand Swatches

 Left to Right: 25 Naturally Chic, 17 Plumrose, 03 OrangeGina, 15 Hot Pink Rage, 12 Flamingo Pose          

Left to Right to bottom: 25 Naturally Chic, 17 Plumrose, 03 OrangeGina, 15 Hot Pink Rage, 12 Flamingo Pose