Review: Tartlette Palette

I purchased this palette on a whim, thinking it might looked nice but not knowing much about it.  When it arrived I was very disappointed.  The colors were all matte and to be honest they looked a bit drab.  I decided to try a few looks out and give it a shot before returning it though.  I am so glad I did!  This palette is amazing! 

The colors weren't drab, they were just subtle, but in a really good way.  They're super versatile, there's browns, whites, purples, blacks, pretty much every staple you could need.  I find myself reaching for this palette for at least one color every day.  As someone who reaches for my Mac shadows daily, that's saying a lot!  

I would recommend this palette to everyone.  It's great if you're not a big fan of eye shadow or don't wear a lot of it as the colors are so subtle.  It's also phenomenal if you're an addict like me and are always looking for the next best palette.  There are so many amazing colors you can mix with other shimmery shades or by itself.  Also, the pigmentation is phenomenal so it doesn't take a lot of color to get a great look.

Check out my video below doing one of my looks from the new palette:

                                   


xo

Kelly




Purchase Here

Empties

I purchase so many products that I either love in the store or swear I'm going to use only to use once or twice and then hate myself for it.  There's nothing worse than seeing a makeup product sit on your counter knowing you're never really going to use it.  That's why I love watching YouTube Empties videos because you can really get a sense of what products other beauty bloggers not only swear by, but also use enough to empty out.  So, I decided to make a video detailing my empty products and explaining why they're so amazing.  Hope you guys like it!

xo 

Kelly

Products Shown:

Klorane Dry Shampoo Spray

Bed Head by TIGI After Party

It's a 10 Miracle Leave-in Product

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer in Mineral

Nars Creme Foundation in Medium 4 Barcelona

Mac Prep + Prime Highlighter in Radiant Rose

Smashbox Baked Stardust Highlighter

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

Mac Vapour Eye Shadow

Mac Naked Lunch Eye Shadow

Mac Jest Eye Shadow

Mac Soft Ochre Paint Pot

Mac Bare Study Paint Pot

Mac Fluidline in Blacktrack

Bare Minerals Buxom Mascara

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Nars Orgasm Blush

Nars Super Orgasm Blush

Nars Albatross Highlighter

Bite Pepper Lipstick

Sephora Precious Pink Lip Gloss

Turquoise Eye Shadow

So you know those shades that you see every time you go into a store but you never know when you'd actually wear it?  Well there's this gorgeous turquoise shade, Aquadisiac, that I see every time I go into Mac and am obsessed with but I 'm always like when am I actually going to wear this?  Well I finally decided to take the plunge and purchase it and I have never been more happy!

I used the turquoise on my lids and then some lighter mixed with a darker blue colors for the crease so as to not be too in-your-face and I think it came off really nicely!  What do you think?

xo

Kelly

Products Used:

Mac Fling Eyebrow Crayon

Mac Soft Ochre Paint Pot

Mac Kid Eye Shadow

 Mac Acquadisiac Eye Shadow

Mac Plumage Eye Shadow

Mac Mylar Eye Shadow

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner

Tweerman Fast Lash

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Benefit Big Easy Liquid Foundation

Mac Prep + Prime Highlighter in Radiant Rose

Urban Decay Deslick Powder

Nars Laguna Bronzer

Hourglass Ethereal Glow Blush

TooFaced Candlelight Glow Highlighter

Mac Boldly Bare Lip Liner 

Mac Close Contact Lipstick

Simple Makeup for the Office/Work

I know a lot of people who don't like wearing a lot of makeup to work, who don't have time or who just work in professions where too much makeup is unprofessional.  That being said there are ways you can wear makeup without looking like you're wearing makeup.  I tried to make a video that not only would be office appropriate, but that would be a quick, fast look that you could apply quickly in the morning before work.  Check it out and let me know what you think!

xo

Kelly

Products Used:

Mac Fling Eyebrow Crayon

Mac Soft Ochre Paint Pot

Mac Kid Eye Shadow

Mac Arena Eye Shadow

Mac Era Eye Shadow

Mac Mylar Eye Shadow

Mac Teddy Eye Liner

Estee Lauder Sumptuous Extreme Mascara

Bobby Brown CC Cream

Mac Warm Soul Blush

Nars Buenos Aries Velvet Gloss Lip Pencil

Pop of Color: Green Eyes

I love bright colors to play around with on the weekends or for photoshoots.  They're just so much fun and there's so much you can do with it!  My go-to is usually purple, which I've done in a few tutorials so far.  So this time I thought I would try green!  I have to give credit to the amazing girl at Mac who helped me pick out some of these colors, but I'm so glad I did!  I'm loving the brightness of the look and how fun it is!  Check out the video and tell me what you think!

xo 

Kelly

Products Used:

Soft Ochre Paint Pot by Mac

Mac Fix Spray

Golden Olive Loose Pigment

Lucky Green Eye Shadow by Mac

Corduroy Eye Shadow by Mac

Soba Eye Shadow by Mac

Mylar Eye Shadow by Mac

Double Wear Stay in Place Crayon by Estee Lauder 

Blacktrack Fluidline Gel Liner by Mac

Better Than Sex Mascara by Too Faced

Big Easy Foundation by Benefit

Mister Light Highlighter by Givenchy

Bronze Goddess by Estee Lauder

For Your Amusement Blush by Mac

Alabatross Highlighter by Nars

Style Surge Lipstick by Mac

Lots of Laughs Lip Gloss by Mac

242 Mac Brush

219 Mac Brush

217 Mac Brush

239 Mac Brush

med duo fibre brush

Sephora Pro Airbrush 57

Simple Smokey Eye with the Too Faced Boudoir Eyes Palette

I am officially obsessed with my Too Faced Boudoir Eyes Palette.  I did a look not too long ago using it but using lighter colors, this time I wanted to try out a smokey eye.  There are so many different looks that can be done with this palette and it was only $36!!  There are a few different palettes that I think I might pick up.  The colors are great and they really last all day.  Check out my video to see my really simple smokey eye!

xo 

Kelly

Too Faced Palette Colors:

Voulez-Vous

French Tickler

Garter Belt

Lap Dance

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Black

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Mac Prep + Prime BB Cream 

Givenchy Mister Light Highlighter

Bare Minerals Warmth

Mac At Dusk Blush

Mac Perfect Topping Highlighter

Mac In Sync Lip Liner

Dior Addict Lipstick 465 in Bubblegum

Sephora Precious Pink Lip Gloss

Brush:

Mac 239

Mac 217

Mac 224

Mac 219

Sephora Pro Airbrush 57

Mac 109

BITE BEAUTY Deconstructed Rose Lip Gloss Library

I recently purchased a Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lip Crayon and loved it!  The color was super pigmented and it's a great in-between lip liner/lipstick.  You really only need that one product and you're good to go.  If you've watched my videos you've seen most of my lipstick is Mac so I was really excited to find a new lip product that I loved!  

Recently, Bite Beauty came out with this Deconstructed Rose Lip Gloss Library, which consists of 12 glosses, in the most beautiful colors.  They're super pigmented so they stay on really well throughout the course of the day and there is such a wide variety of colors, everything from pale pink, to coral, to red, to purple.  I love all of them!  

If you're a big lip gloss person you know that purchasing them individually can get really expensive.  Lip glosses generally run anywhere from $15-20.  This set was only $49 which I was really excited about because their lip glosses are usually $22.  

I'm loving this set so I definitely recommend it for all fellow lip gloss lovers :)




xo 

Kelly 

How To: Eyebrow Tutorial

Thick eyebrows seem to be all the rage these days but if you're like me and were born with practically non-existent brows it can seem like you don't have many options.  Doing your eyebrows can be overwhelming as there are so many products out there and if you do it wrong you can end up looking like a clown.  However, filling in your eyebrows will change your face and finish a look in ways you can't even imagine.

When I first started getting really into makeup and playing around with different looks I neglected my eyebrows.  I remember being in a Mac store with my mom and her going "you spend so much time doing everything else, you should really do something with your eyebrows!".   At the time I guess it hadn't even occurred to me/I had no idea what a difference it would make.  

Since then I've experimented with a variety of different products to see what gives the best look, and what fills in my brows the best.  They really frame your face and complete your look and now I can't do my makeup without doing them!  

I've made a video showing a few different ways you can do your eyebrows, and my suggestions for what to use if you have thin brows, thick brows, or in between.  Hopefully you guys find it useful!

xo

Kelly

Spring Makeup

Happy Easter everyone!  In the spirit of the holiday I thought I'd do a bright, vibrant spring look!

So, while I personally love snow, I know most of the rest of the U.S. is ready for summer.  So, with that in mind I decided to make a fun, springy color video showing a look that will look great once the warm weather comes.  I used a lot of my new loose pigments from Mac, as well as some really bold colors that I probably wouldn't have used in the past.  I think what I'm learning through all of this is any color can be used as long as you don't go overboard and you use the right colors to compliment it!  So please check out my spring look and let me know what you think!

xo

Kelly

Products Used:

Soft Ochre Paint Pot by Mac

Fix Spray by Mac

Rose Loose Pigment by Mac

Lily White Loose Pigment by Mac

Satin Taupe Eye Shadow by Mac

Mylar Eye Shadow by Mac

Better Than Sex Mascara by Two Faced

Prep & Prime in Radiant Rose by Mac

Hoolah Bronzer by Benefit

Peach Beach Blush by Too Faced

Superb Highlighter by Mac

Lasting Sensation Lip Liner by Mac

Style Surge Lipstick by Mac

Peach Me by Sephora

Brushes:

Mac 242

Mac 217 

Mac 219

Mac 224

Sephora 134 Precision

Mac 109

Day to Night Look

Often times when you work a 9-5 you find yourself going to happy hour after work (or is that just me?).  In those cases you often don't have time to take off and reapply a full face of makeup.  So, there are a few quick things you can do to just kind of update your look from office appropriate to happy hour/date appropriate without looking like you went all out.  Check out the video to see my tips!

xo

Kelly

Products Used:

Soft Ochre Paint Pot by Mac

Era Eye Shadow by Mac

Kid Eye Shadow by Mac

Mylar by Mac

Brow Wiz by Anastasia

Brown Down Eye Shadow by Mac

Sumptuous Extreme Mascara by Estee Lauder

Prep & Prime Beauty Balm Compact by Mac

Hoola Bronzer by Benefit

Ethereal Glow Blush by Hourglass

Morning Rose Lipstick by Mac

Night Products:

Mystery Eye Shadow by Mac

Snob Lipstick by Mac

St Geramin Lipgloss by Mac

Kiss Me Quick Lip Liner by Mac

Ruby Woo Lipstick by Mac

e.l.f Makeup Palette Look

Hey guys!

So I know a lot of the Mac or Sephora makeup I use is unaffordable to a lot of people so I'm workingon adding more drugstore/inexpensive products.  I recently got this e.l.f makeup palette with a ton of eye shadow colors so I thought I'd try out a few different looks.  This was the first look I tried, it's a very basic brown, simple every day look.  I was actually pleasantly surprised at how long the shadow lasted me!  It took a lot of layers to get the pigmentation that I wanted but once I did it lasted me from 9am to 8pm, so not too shabby.  

I recently went to an e.l.f. store with a friend of mine and was beyond impressed with their array of products.  The majority of products in the store were $3, nothing more than $10.  There was a variety of colors and so many different options to choose from.  I know e.l.f is also sold at Target, but with less variety and I'm sure at other stores, as well as online.  It's definitely a great choice if you're looking to start a collection without breaking the bank, if you want to try one bold color or if you just need a quick refill.

So, check out my video to see my look and let me know what you think!!

xo 

Kelly

Products Used:

e.l.f Eye Shadow Palette (the shadows don't have names sadly)

e.l.f Liquid Liner in Brown

Makeup Forever Smokey Extravagant Mascara

e.l.f BB Cream

Maybelline Blush

Maybelline Warm Latte Lipstick

Mac Patentpolish Lip Pencil

One word. Amazing.  That right there is really the end of this post.  I walked into the store the other day to check these out and I am soooo beyond obsessed!  They're super moisturizing (although not good to wear over chapped lips with no chapstick underneath as I very unfortunately found out).  They come in the most beautiful array of colors!  Most are very summery, corals and pinks and then there are a few lighter colors as well.  There's really something for everyone.  They're easy to apply, they can be used alone, over lipstick, with lip liners, together, you name it.  You can manipulate the colors by putting different lip liners underneath so that a coral is not so orange, or a pink is not so bright.

The best part is they're a good in-between from a lipstick and a gloss.  They have the shine of the gloss but they add the color of a lipstick, so if you only want to throw one thing in your bag, or if you're like my sister, and hate the stickiness of glosses these are definitely for you!

They come in 12 colors at $20 each and they go on so easily you don't need to use much product to get a great look, which means they'll last a long time.  They twist up so you don't have to worry about sharpening or any of that nonsense.

The colors I purchased were:

  Teen Dream- This is a beautiful, orange coral shade that's not too bright or in-your-face
  Go For Girle- This is an awesome hot pink color, that's not too neon but definitely gives your lips a pop!
  Patent Pink- This is a really pretty light pink shade with hints of lilac.  It looks great with a soft eye or a more nude look
                                       

                              

If you're as excited about summer colors as I am, or you just need to update your lip collection, these are definitely for you!!!


xo 

kelly

Makeup Mistakes We've All Been Guilty Of (Myself Included!)

It's incredibly easy to make makeup mistakes!  Whether you're a beginner, in bad lighting, or just unsure about the proper techniques to emphasize your look you can definitely negate all of the positive effects of makeup.  I made this below video trying to think of all the mistakes that I know that are fairly common.  There's the usual, too much blush, too much eye shadow etc. and then I tried to include some less commonly known mistakes, like using a shimmery bronzer to contour.  

Even if you don't care about makeup mistakes you should watch this video just to see how hysterical I look by the end of it.  I look like Two-Face from Batman hahaaha.  Enjoy!

xo 

Kelly

My Favorite Products: Tarte Smooth Operator™ Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder

Hey guys!

So this product was introduced to me by my beauty-obsessed friend Angela, and I LOVE it.  It this amazing, light weight, transluscent powder that you apply over your makeup to set it in place.  I use it in the majority of my videos after I've applied a liquid or cream foundation.  It's so lightweight and it transforms your makeup from that tacky feeling you get to almost as if you'd used a powder.  You don't need to use much of this product so it last forever!

The other part (that I in particular love) is it sops up any oil.  Living in NY walking around during the summer is a nightmare, especially if you even pretend to try and wear makeup.  It immediately melts off your face and you're left with oil and sweat and nothing remotely sexy looking.  This is where this beauty comes in.  Throw this in your purse (I prefer the lose powder but there is a pressed powder that I'm planning on getting for the summer) and apply once you've gotten to your air-conditioned location of choice.  It really is amazing.  Any traces of oil or sweat or grease are gone instantaneously.  

I would seriously recommend this makeup for anyone who has serious sweating issues in the summer, oily skin at any time of year or who enjoys liquid/cream foundations.  It is completely worth the investment!

           
http://tinyurl.com/Loose-Powder                        http://tinyurl.com/Tarte-Pressed-Powder


xo

Kelly

Another Look Using My Mac Pressed Pigments- Brown Eyed

Hey!

So I decided to try another look using my new Mac Pressed Pigments.  This one is more of an every day brown eyed look.  I was actually super surprised by how easy it was!  I definitely recommend trying it if you're someone who doesn't like to spend too much time fussing over your eye makeup, as it's so easy!  Check out the video below!

xo

Kelly

Products Used:

Mac Soft Ochre Paint Pot

Mac Teddy Eye Kohl Liner

Mac Deeply Dashing Pressed Pigment

Mac Era Eye Shadow

Mac Shroom Eye Shadow

Tarte Lights, Camera, Flashes Mascara

Mac Highligher in Radiant Rose

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer

Mac Warm Soil Blush

Mac Subculture Lip Liner

Mac Close Contact Lipstick

Mac Delight Lipgloss

Gold/Navy Eye Look

I usually do a smokey eye with purple or black so I decided to experiment with navy.  I think navy eye shadow looks great on people with blue or green eyes especially, so if you have either of those try experimenting with this look.  I found adding a little gold really complimented the blue and adding some depth to the look.  

Check out my video to see the look!

xo

Kelly

Products Used:

Soft Ochre Paint Pot by Mac

Mac Fix Spray

Vanilla Pigment by Mac

Kid by Mac

Mylar by Mac

Pressed Pigment in Smokey by Mac

Moon's Reflection by Mac

Truth by Mac

Retrospeck by Mac

Fluidline in Blacktrack by Mac

Lights, Camera, Flashes Mascara by Tarte

Bronze Goddess by Estee Lauder

Etherial Glow Ambient Lighting Blush by Hourglass

Stardust by Smashbox

In Anticipation Lipliner by Mac

Rose Lily Lipstick by Mac

Pagoda Lipgloss by Mac

All products can be purchased at:

www.maccosmetics.com

www.sephora.com 

How I Whiten My Teeth

I'm a big coffee drinker, and an even bigger red wine drinker, both of which can wreak havoc on your teeth!  As a result I try to whiten my teeth as often as possible.  I've used most of the store-brand products out there, Crest Stips, Colgate, the one where you actually paint it on your teeth.  While most work temporarily I've found that they cause so much sensitivity that I end up usually tossing them, or leaving them on the shelf until they've gone bad.

Last year for Christmas my mom actually got me this kit called "Ultra-White".  The whitening effects of the product last far longer than any of the drugstore brands I've tried, and I really only have to use it once or so a week.  The kit is expensive at first.  They send you the necessary products to make a mold of your mouth and you mail it so they can send you back retainer-like pieces specially fitted to your mouth.  They also send you 6 tubes full of the whitening product.  I've found the tubes usually last a few months as you don't need more than a drop or two to get the full effect.   You put the whitening gel in the retainer, leave it on your mouth for up to an hour and then voila! you're done.

Now, this can also be incredibly painful for sensitive teeth like mine, however, I learned the most amazing trick ever!  Before you put the container in, put tons of Vaseline over your gums.  I kid you not, this will stop your gums from burning or any painful sensation that comes from the whitening gel.  It's kind of messy obviously, but if you've experienced the pain of whitening your teeth you'll know it's worth.  So, slather that on, throw in the retainers and then do something for the next 45 mins to an hour while your teeth magically whiten.  

I love this stuff! I think it's a great alternative to the store- brand as it just lasts longer than any of the other products I've tried.  You can purchase it here at their website http://www.ultra-white.com/ and as I mentioned it will last you a while so you won't have to constantly spend money replacing them.



What are your guy's favorite teeth whitening products?  Does anyone have any other tips or tricks for avoiding sensitivity?

xo

Kelly

The Product That Will Save Your Life When You Wake Up Late

Alright, so I know dry shampoos have a lot of amazing uses. They can make your hair easier to style, they can refresh your look, they can add volume and body, they can do all these magical things.  But let's be real. Dry shampoo is so amazing because it can transform your hair from a greasy, disgusting, shouldn't be seen in public, disaster to this amazing, full bodied, did you just come from the salon? look!

When your alarm goes off and you push snooze (like I do daily), and then look at the phone again only to discover 30 mins have passed and you will undoubtedly be late for work.  To make matters worse that morning shower you were planning on is no longer an option.  Rather than roll up to the office rocking a hat you can calmly pull out your bottle of dry shampoo, spray a little over your hair  and walk out the door like you had all the time in the world!  (Please don't forget your deodorant and perfume).  

Now, if your mornings aren't quite as dramatic as this you might be thinking 'I don't need a product like that.  I'm an adult who can wake up when my alarm goes off'.  When they're just wrong.  EVERYONE need a product like this.  Dry shampoo can give your hair volume, and refresh it when you're going on day two or day three of a style.  It's great for if you want to tease your hair to start with that and it's good for giving strands a breather from washing.  Also, if you have super thin hair, the kind you're not supposed to wash every day, but can't go a day without needed a wash, this product will change your life.  

Now I've tried a host of different dry shampoos in the quest to find something that's affordable, but also that works.  

Classic:  Baby Powder


Don't know it 'til you've tried it.  Sprinkling baby powder on your head can refresh your hair and sop up any of the excess oils on your scalp.  It lasts all day as well.

Cons: It/you reek of baby power.  You have to be very careful to brush it all through or your hair turns white.  Probably not great for darker hair colors.  It gets all over your closes.


The Worst: TRESemme Dry Shampoo



I despise the smell of their products.  If this doesn't bother you you probably won't hate this as much.  As for how it works, I find my hair is still greasy, there is no volume and it doesn't look any better.  Fail

The Best Drugstore Brand: Pssssst


This stuff is great.  It's only around $7 a bottle. There is no scent and it works really well.  It doesn't last as long or give quite as nice of a shine as the other better brands but definitely a great buy if you're looking to not spend too much.

The Best High-End Product: Oribe Dry Texturing Spray


This stuff is amazing!  It cleans your hair, gives your hair killer body and texture and makes it look as though you've just stepped out of the salon.  Completely worth the splurge in my book, but at $39 it is pricey.  

SUPERSTAR: Klorane Dry Shampoo



This is the End-All-Be-All of dry shampoos.  It's lightweight, unscented, it doesn't make your hair turn white or leave a gross scent.  It adds volume to your hair and is great for spraying on even clean hair to give some body and lift.  It's only $18 and it's worth. Every.Last.Penny.


What are your favorites?  Have you tried any of the above?

xo

Kelly