NARS Virtual Domination Cheek Palette Review

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The Mac Haul That Inspired My Patentpolish Lip Pencil Purchase

So this right here is the haul that inspired by previous post/purchasing of the Mac Patentpolish Lip Pencils.  Check out the video to see everything I got!  I posted below a list as well, but I feel like the Mac website does a horrible job of actually representing how the colors look so the video will give you a better idea.  Enjoy!!

xo

Kelly



  Flicker Pressed Pigment
  Pink Frontier
  Bloom On
  Soba
  Aquadisiac
  Plumage
  Lovecloud
  Full of Joy
  Peony Petal
  Azalea in the Afternoon
  Perfect Topping
  Dreaming Dahlia
  Be Nice
  Boldly Bare
  Shock Value

My New Obsession

Hey!

I recently got turned onto the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders.  They're a bit of a splurge at $45, but totally worth it if you're a makeup junkie like I am!  There's 5 different colors that you can use for specific highlighting or for an all-over glow.  I'm obsessed with mine and always get the most compliments on my skin when I finish my look by swiping one of the powders over my face.

Now, Hourglass has come out with a line of Ambient Lighting Blushes and to say I'm obsessed is an understatement!  There's 6 different colors and they're all equally amazing.  They combine a beautiful blush color with one of the ambient lighting powders to create this amazing, beautiful finish.  I'm not even lying when I say I have never had a blush that makes my cheeks look quite as radiant and flushed.  

I think blush is one of those products that you can use an inexpensive shade or an expensive shade and get comparable quality.  This blush, however is just another level.  It's not only great shades, but incorporating the ambient lighting gives this amazing glow to your skin that you don't get with any blushes currently out there.

You can get all of the colors here at http://www.sephora.com/ambient-lighting-blush-P384963?icid2=Hourglass_TrendingNow_Carousel_P384963_image.  I am personally LOVING the Luminous Flush which is a pretty, cool, pink color combined with the luminous lighting and the Dim Infusion which is a gorgeous coral color.  I think whichever color you go with you won't be disappointed, they're all gorgeous!

Have you guys tried these?  Let me know what you think!

xo

Kelly

Must Have Makeup Brushes

In my younger days I would swipe the little brush/sponge thingy that comes with your drugstore eye shadow and that was the extent of my routine.  In the years since I've learned that, almost more important than the actual makeup, are the tools you use.  Naturally, the second I read that I ran to my nearest Mac store and purchased every brush they've ever made.  While I don't recommend you doing this, as it is neither necessary, nor cost efficient, I will say that there are some staple brushes every girl should own.  

Of course, I'm a big fan of the Mac brushes which are just really well made and work amazingly, there are less expensive alternatives out there.  Sephora offers brushes but the prices are very similar to Mac so it comes down to personal preference.  I've found with my Sephora brushes they're really hit or miss; they're either amazing or I hate them.  Personally, I'd go for the Mac ones just because I've never met a brush I don't like there.

Another great, and less expensive alternative, are the Sigma brushes http://www.sigmabeauty.com/Default.asp. Those are still decent quality, yet far more affordable than many of the other's I've come across.  Also, Sonia Kashuk at Target makes amazing brushes too http://www.target.com/sb/sonia-kashuk-brand-shop/-/N-5q0g7Z55pcl#?lnk=Other_SONIA_1006_HEADEROPENCONTAINTER|HEADEROPENCONTAINTER|T:ShopByBrand Template1|C:&intc=1315558|null.  

Eyeshadow Brushes

1.) Eyeshadow Brush- Mac 239

This brush is really the only brush you need for a simple, every-day eye shadow.  It's compact with semi-stiff bristles and it packs the color on really nicely.  It's great for the lids and to highlight the brow bone.  I think I own like 12 of these, they're really phenomenal and definitely worth the investment.

2.) Crease Brush- Mac 217

You will be hard pressed to watch a tutorial or have your makeup done without seeing one of these babies.  This is the end-all-be-all brush for creases.  It's stiff enough to pick up color so you can apply it to your crease and the outer corner of your lid, but it also is fluffy enough to blend out the color.  It picks up more color than you'd think so it's best to layer as needed.  I use this brush every day.

3.) Angled Eyeliner Brush- Mac 266

This is one brush I would say you can find comparable alternatives to at any of the places I mentioned above and still get the same finished product.  This brush is best for gel liners, or it can be used to apply a powder line, although I have another brush I prefer for this.  It also works really nicely for filling in your brows.

-or-

Pencil Brush- Mac 219

This is the brush you should get over the angled one if you don't use a gel liner.  This is better for smudging powder colors along the lash line.  It's also great for adding a darker color in the crease and the outer corner as it gives you more precision than the 217.

Foundation Brush-

4.) I have 3 options here depending on the type of foundation you're using.

Powder Foundation-

a.) The first is the bareMinerals Precision Face Brush.  This is perfect for pressed powders.  It gives a very full coverage, more airbrushed look.  I don't recommend it if you have oily skin, and I personally hate using it in the summer when I'm hot and gross and don't want a heavy face of makeup.  It's great though for winter, or people with dryer skin who like to have a little more full coverage.


b.) The second option is the Mac 150 Powder Brush.  This brush is great for applying loose powder and gives more of a natural, no-foundation look.  I usually rock this in the summer or if I just want a more casual look without going foundation-less.  It's also great for setting powders or anything else you want to apply all over.

Liquid Foundation- Mac 188 Duo Fiber Brush

This brush is perfect for applying liquid foundation.  The fiber bristles pick up just enough foundation to give you an airbrushed look without being too heavy or thick.  I also like using this to blend out my under eye concealer or to add a highlight on my cheek bones.

Creme or Mousse Foundation- 

This sponge is awesome.  It's perfect for picking up the right amount of foundation and the pointed tip is great for applying in harder to reach places like under your eyes or around the nose.  You can also use this to apply your under-eye concealer if you want a fuller coverage there.

Blush-

5.) Mac 168 Angled Contour Brush

This is the perfect brush for applying blush.  It's angled so it allows you to apply the blush just on your cheekbones and the apples of your cheek.  However, this is one of the brushes I think you can find a less expensive alternative for.

6.) Bronzer/Contouring Brush- Mac 109 Small Contour Brush

This brush is great for contouring your cheekbones and slimming your face.  I was using a different brush up until recently and switching to this brush changed my life.  It's seriously amazing.

So those are my top 3 shadow and top 3 face brushes you should invest in.  You don't necessarily need all so think about what you're trying to accomplish and get the ones you most need first.  I would say contour and crease brush to start. You might be skeptical but you'll notice a huuuuge difference the first time you use them, and then you'll be hooked, like me and end up buying every brush ever available.  So maybe don't use them... 

My Can't-Live-Without Products

So I've definitely run the gamut of trying different makeup products.  I've tried everything from inexpensive drugstore products to way too expensive designer labels.  However, I've found that some products are worth the splurge, so these are my-splurge products.  I'll definitely include less expensive alternatives whenever possible, but these are some products that I could not live without.  Here are my ride-or-die products....

Face-

This is a toss-up for me.  For years I've used bareMinerals powder foundation.  I absolutely love it.  It's light-weight, it stays well and it provides amazing coverage without making my skin feel oily or greasy.  I've been lucky enough that I don't have too much in terms of needing to cover, so this product definitely isn't for you if you're looking for heavier coverage.  It's affordable too at only $27 a container and it lasts MONTHS.  If you were only going to splurge on one "higher end" product, this is it hands-down.



http://www.bareescentuals.com/bareMinerals-SPF-15-Foundation/USMasterSPF15Found,default,pd.html

Recently I've discovered Nars liquid and cream foundations.  These are expensive but I've found the coverage is amazing and the product lasts all day/night so it's definitely worth the investment.  The cream product I love but it's not for every skin type so that's where the liquid foundation comes into play. This  is the first liquid foundation that I've found the color is perfect for my skin, so I will definitely keep purchasing this one until they stop making it!  I think the coverage is great and it last for hours.  I only wish it came with a pump...

 http://www.sephora.com/sheer-glow-foundation-P247355?skuId=1202167



Bronzer-

This is another hands-down bareMinerals win for me.  A few years ago for Christmas my mom got me their starter kit (which is amazing if you've never tried this product) and it came with the Power Foundation, the Warmth Bronzer and the Mineral Veil.  While I can do without the mineral veil I've never looked back as far as the bronzer goes.  I'll admit the warmth is probably not the recommended shade for my skin tone but I think it works perfectly to give me a shadow contour.  I use it under my cheekbones, along my jawline and along my temples to help slim and shape my face.  The matte finish creates a great shadow and it last all day.
http://www.sephora.com/bareminerals-all-over-face-color-P61005?skuId=1164771


Eye Shadow-

The Mac Paint Pots are amazing.  I like the Soft Ochre for an every day base but the Bare Study is my absolute favorite product.  It's this beautiful shimmery nude-beige base that intensifies colors and makes your eye shadow last for days.  I don't even use primer when I wear Paint Pots because I've never had a problem with my eye shadow wearing off when I use them.

http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/154/1573/Products/Eyes/Shadow/Pro-Longwear-Paint-Pot/index.tmpl

Eye Liner-

Mac Fluidline in Blacktrack is my go-to every day liner.  You have to be able to use a brush to apply it but once you figure that out (see the above video!) you'll be obsessed.  It does not move.  I've tried a lot of smudge-proof, water-proof, budge-proof liners and none of them stack up to this.  It comes in a few different colors so you can experiment with different colors if you're not into black liners.  I've found this product will get old before it runs out so it's definitely worth the investment.


http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/151/898/Products/Eyes/Liner/Fluidline/index.tmpl


Hair-

I promise I will not post a lot about hair.  I don't think I'm particularly good at styling mine, nor do I spend much time researching it.  However,, Bed Head After Party is my go-to for straight hair. My hair is a weird consistency, it's wavy and very thin and yet it refuses to stay straight.  I've found when I use this product my hair will stay straighter for way longer and have a bit more shine to it.  While I promise to not post much until I learn more this is definitely worth the investment for beginners like me who just want their hair to stay straight for the night!

 http://www.bedhead.com/en/#/products/styling/smooth-frizz-control/after-party


You'll notice I didn't include any lipsticks or blushes above.  I like to play around with those products and while I do have my go-to's I don't have have any that I couldn't live without.  Do you have any products that you can't live without?

xo

Kelly

Hey Ya'll!

So recently I've become somewhat obsessed with all things beauty related.  Makeup, tutorials, videos, blogs products, you name it.  I've spent way too much money and time reading about and trying new products and techniques so I thought I'd give back by sharing with you what I've learned!  I'll try to post new stuff every week and I'd love if you'd share your own thoughts and questions!  So thanks for stopping by and hopefully I'll be able to share some tricks with ya!

xo Kelly