A Sparkle and a Smile

Thursday, May 28, 2015

Spring Shower Favorites

Hello Beautiful Ones!

Today was rainy and dreary, but not even the clouds can make me forget that spring is here! There are a lot of great shower products at the drugstore and I went on a bit of a spree at Target the other day (that happens every time... oops!). So let's just get into it!


eos Ultra Moisturizing Shave Cream in Jasmine Lavender

And you thought eos only made lip balm?! I've used this one before but only in the pomegranate raspberry scent. Jasmine lavender was new for me and I really like it, the scent is pretty subtle but relaxing. This shave cream is the only one I will spend money on... it just works. eos boasts that it's so moisturizing that you can use it wet or dry. Naturally I had to try it dry, and it does work but your razor is going to get gunky pretty fast so I guess it depends how desperate you are (giggle). And the best part? You can get it for $3.49!

Gillette Venus Swirl Razor

I've seen this one pop up a lot recently on the blogs and I had a coupon (see all my target trips pay off!) so I thought I'd give it a shot. I'm really glad I did! This razor has a little ball that connects the head of the razor with the handle to allow the razor to move with the curves of your legs more easily. I love the movement, the moisture strip and the comfy handle. Win! I got the refillable one which is a little on the pricier side: $12.59.

Nivea In-Shower Smoothing Body Lotion

I've had this one on my shopping list for a while now, but I just finally got around to picking one up. The idea is so interesting to me: you put this lotion on while you are still in the shower! You are supposed to apply it after your regular body wash and then rinse it off. I picked up the smoothing version for dry skin but it also comes in hydrating and nourishing varieties. My conclusion? I liked it... I think. I'm going to have to use this several more times to decide for sure. I did feel like my skin was left feeling pretty moisturized, but I also felt really weird about not applying moisturizer after getting out of the shower. I guess habits are just hard to break? I don't know, but the concept and end product here are both pretty great! This is a good bargain at $5.99.

Jergens Color Primer In-Shower Scrub

If you read this blog at all then you know that I'm pretty much in love with any and all of Jergens' sunless tanning products, so I was pretty pumped to try this one. The idea behind this scrub is that it will exfoliate your skin and prepare it for your sunless tanner so that it will apply more evenly. Let's just ignore the color primer thing for a minute... this is a great scrub! It works well without being too abrasive and smells really nice. I'm not sure that this prepped my skin for my sunless tanner any more than any other scrub would've, but I still liked it.  You can snag it for $8.99.

Well there you have it... now we can all get clean and smooth for spring! Let me know if you've tried any of these.

XO- Brittney 

Read More
Pin ThisShare on TumblrShare on Google Plus

Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Primer Power

Hello Beautiful Ones!

Is there anything more frustrating than applying your makeup perfectly only to have in melt or cake off in a few hours? Ok so there are definitely worse things, but it's still annoying. I am a firm believer in makeup primers, so today we're talking about the three that I absolutely can't live without.


Clinique Superprimer - Color Corrects Redness

I've definitely gushed about this one before (actually I think I've talked about all of these before, so this post should probably just be titled: stuff Brittney can't shut up about), but I'm still in love with it after using it for years. That's worth something right? The purpose of this primer is to cancel out redness so that you don't need to use so much foundation or concealer. I used to think of primers as an extra step, but it you choose the correct ones they can actually make application easier and faster. The primer is yellow, but blends in well and I am obsessed with the light creamy texture. I've always been plagued with acne so I can use this as sort of a spot treatment under my foundation, or over my whole face if I'm feeling particularly red that day. You can get this one for $27, which I know is steep but lasts a long time (I promise!). My only (slight) complaint is that I sometimes feel like this can dry out my skin a little. Enter the next primer on the list:

Too Faced Hangover Primer

As you can see in the picture, my tube is about empty and I need to repurchase. This primer is perfect for days when your skin is just not having it (skin can get hungover too ok?!). It's super hydrating without being sticky, and it is extremely light. The texture could easily be compared to a light moisturizer. A lot of times I will layer this over my clinique primer so that the makeup has almost a barrier of moisture to sit on. Along with acne, I have also always struggled with dry skin. This one helped me survive the winter! Again, the price here is not cheap: $32. However a little goes a long way so you can easily stretch it for a long time. Plus, it has a little pump under the cap that makes application easy.

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion

Ok, so this one is an eyeshadow primer but it still counts! This is just a classic for me. If I'm going to take the time to do a perfect smoky eye then I am not having it slide off my lids until I remove it myself. The primer potion will help you achieve that. Apparently urban decay has just released this product with new packaging and applicator. That might make it easier compared to the squeeze tube they have now, but who knows. You can also get it in other formulas like anti-aging or with a shadow base, but I have always prefered the original. The texture is creamy, but not heavy and blends well. If you buy the travel size (like I have) it's $12 or $20 for the regular size. 

Let me know if there are any primers you can't live without!

XO- Brittney
Read More
Pin ThisShare on TumblrShare on Google Plus

Wednesday, May 13, 2015

Mid-May Beauty Favorites

Hello Beautiful Ones!

It's been actually forever since I've done a monthly favorites post. So I might as well just throw the universe completely out of whack with a mid-monthly favorites post. Why not right?! Most of the products in this post are all things I've had for awhile, but I've found myself reaching for them often recently. I guess you could say these have been my spring staples!


Urban Decay Naked2 Basics Palette

I've been going heavier on the eyeliner and mascara lately, so I've found myself wanting to be a little calmer in the eyeshadow department (I have to have my eyeshadow though). So enter in the Naked2 Basics. This little palette is a collection of matte shadows in various greys and browns. The shades in this one are on the cool side compared to the original Naked Basics. It makes it easy to add just a little color and definition to my eyes so that I can let the liner and mascara do their thing.



Benefit Majorette Booster Blush

I became obsessed with this cream blush last summer when it was first released and then when the weather turned colder it got shoved in a drawer and forgotten. But something about the sunshine and warmer weather has made me dig this one out of the archives. It is a bright fun coral color that I promise is not as intense as it looks in the pan. The color is actually very natural looking on my fair skin. Because it's a cream blush it blends in easily with your finger. Bonus: it has an amazing citrus scent that is a nice pick-me-up in the morning. Oh and the band majorette motif on the packaging is adorable.


Ciaté Double Lines Eyeliner

Recently Ciaté, known for their nail polish, launched a whole line of beauty products. This is the first makeup product I've tried from Ciaté, but I'm already sold. This is a duo eyeliner pencil with a kajal liner on one end and a liquid liner on the other. I love kajal liners because the soft pencil makes it so easy to line your lower lashline, but I've never been able to find one that could last the whole day without eventually making me look like a raccoon. Until now! This is great, it passes the workday test (I can put it on in the morning and it's still in-tact when I get home from work). The liquid side is nice and long lasting too. It's great having the two liners in one handy product. Overall, this is just a home run for me. 


Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

Yet another Benefit product has made this favorites list. Roller Lash was one of those beauty products that sort of blew up the blogosphere before it was even released a few months ago. I couldn't help but try it for myself, and let me tell you it's worth the hype! I'm usually hopping from one mascara to the next, but I've been using this one exclusively since I bought it. The idea is that the lifting formula combined with the unique brush design will naturally curl your lashes eliminating the need for a lash curler (yay!). And in true benefit fashion the adorable packaging is meant to look like a hair roller. I don't see myself giving up this one anytime soon. 


e.l.f. Essentials Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal

I know I've talked about this one before, but it's still just the best. I use this little guy as a highlight. I can blend it in easily to my brow bone, cheek bone, whatever. Light makeup day? Use it on your lids and lips too! And the best part? You can get it for a $1!

Jergen's Natural Glow Daily Moisturizer

Again, I talk about this one all the time. But what can I say? I'm naturally pale skinned and need all the help I can get (we're talking approaching ghost levels here). I need to be able to gradually build up my summer color without looking like an orange. This totally does the trick and is also a great moisturizer. 

There's the beauty products I've been using religiously lately. Maybe I'll start doing monthly favorites posts again. Who knows?! Let me know if you are also loving any of these.

XO- Brittney

Read More
Pin ThisShare on TumblrShare on Google Plus

Saturday, May 2, 2015

Too Faced Sugar Pop Eyeshadow Palette

Hello Beautiful Ones!

Anyone who knows me knows that I can't resist a good sale, so the Sephora VIB 15% sale that happened recently was an opportunity I just couldn't pass up. Lord knows I don't need another eyeshadow palette... but it was on SALE! Today I'm going to be reviewing my totally necessary purchase: the Too Faced Sugar Pop Eyeshadow Palette.


Let me just say that the colors in this palette are certainly not the colors that I would naturally gravitate towards, but there is just something so fun about it. It totally sucked me in. And if a girl is going to have a drawer full of eyeshadow palettes the least she can do is mix it up a little right?! I adore my Too Faced chocolate bar palette, so I figured the quality here would also be good.

We'll start off with the packaging, which is adorable. The little tin palette is decorated in macaroons and has a decently sized mirror compared to the smaller size of the palette making it great for traveling.



The palette is organized into three large shadows on the left and six smaller shadows on the right.


The three shadows on the left are extremely light, and probably best used as highlights or shimmer bases. Rock Candy and Peach Fuzz (the top and bottom shades) are both very sparkly while Strawberry Ice (the center shade) is more of a light shimmer. The six smaller shadows on the right are much more pigmented. I was intrigued with Blue Raspberry right away because it looked so pretty in the pan, and the swatch did not disappoint. Macarron and Sugared Violet are also beautiful, Malted Milk bar is a very wearable brown shimmer, and Blackberry is a creamy matte. The real surprise here? I'm in love with Bubblegum. When I saw it in the pan I was a little worried I would look like a five year old discovering makeup for the first time, but when I blended it into Strawberry Ice it turned out really gorgeous. 

Here are the swatches:


So far the wear on these has been great (as I suspected). I have been wearing them over an eyeshadow primer (I love Urban Decay's Eyeshadow Primer Potion), and I haven't noticed any creasing or rub-off. I can't wait to play with it more. 

This palette is $36, which is on the pricey end considering the size of the palette. However, I feel that it is worth it if you are looking for something fun and different to add to your collection. The quality is definitely great. Plus, you could always wait for the next Sephora sale. :) 

Let me know if you've tried this one! 

XO- Brittney

P.S. You can follow me on Bloglovin' here. If you want :)

Read More
Pin ThisShare on TumblrShare on Google Plus