My Summer Lipstick!

Hello Beautiful Ones!

It's a sunny 81 degrees here today (do I start every post with a weather report? Sorry)! I'm all about summer even when it's unbearably hot. I'll take my sunshine any day! I don't typically wear a lot of lipstick on the daily, I'm usually more of a stain or gloss girl. But something about the warm weather makes me want to rock a bold lip, so today I'm going to share with you the lipstick I'm planning on living in this summer: Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Color in Carnation Cabernet (970).

Let's start with the packaging: this is the look maybelline has for nearly all of its lipsticks. It's very streamlined and functional. No complaints!

This sort of pink fuchsia color is one that I find myself gravitating towards quite a bit. The color payoff on this lipstick is great as you can see from the swatch below. That was only one swipe, you could easily layer it on if you want to pack even more of a punch:

Possibly the most important thing to me is longevity. If I'm going to go through the trouble of applying lipstick I would appreciate it if it doesn't rub off five minutes later. I was pleasantly surprised at how well this one stayed on, especially for a drugstore lipstick. I applied it over a nude lip liner and it easily stayed on for an entire afternoon of shopping (it even survived an iced coffee!). It applied easily and smoothly. 

This shade is limited edition for spring, so if you want it you will definitely want to run out and grab one right away. I found it on sale at Target (all hail Target!). Regular price $5.59.

What's your summer lip color this year? Let me know!

XO-Brittney 

Read More

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

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

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

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

Mother's Day 2015 - LUSH Bath Bombs

Hello Beautiful Ones!

I could spend this entire post writing about how amazing my Mom is, but I'll try to keep that to a minimum (no promises though!). If you still haven't pinned down that perfect gift for your own Mom, or that special woman in your life, you might want to try a Lush bath bomb. The Lush mother's day collection features two bath bombs this year: Rose Bombshell and Secret Garden.

Rose Bombshell bath bomb (left) and Secret Garden bath bomb (right).

I'm a sucker for a good bath bomb, so I decided to stick to those instead of the other Mother's Day offerings. The first thing I noticed when these showed up in the mail (sadly there isn't a Lush store in my area), was the major size difference. The Rose Bombshell was on the larger side for a bath bomb while Secret Garden is on the smaller side.

Rose Bombshell Bath Bomb

Even though this is marketed as a bath bomb it is actually a bit of a hybrid. The outer layer is your typical bath bomb while the inside contains rose petals and bath salts. This bomb also contains soy milk powder and rose oil. The scent is a really gorgeous floral smell, but not too overpowering. Obviously the predominate color here is white, so there isn't a lot of color with this one. However there is a little pink in the middle, along with the red rose petals. Admittedly though I only got about 6 rose petals in mine, but it was a nice touch. My pros for this one are great smell and I like large size, the cons are lack of color and more rose petals would have been nice. The price runs for $7.95, which is pretty good for the large size.

Secret Garden Bath Bomb

Like I said at the beginning of this post, the size of this one was much smaller than I expected it to be. Again, this one has a floral scent (but I'm not complaining) and there is also some citrus mixed in there. According to the description on the Lush website this bomb is also supposed to contain flower petals, but mine just had a few tiny ones. If I hadn't been looking for them I might have missed them altogether. With that being said, this bath bomb was great! The smell was very relaxing and it melted very frothy. Plus, the color payoff was really pretty greens and pinks just like the outside of the bomb (expect that at the end you're pretty much left with a murky green). My pros for this one are good scent, pretty colors, and very frothy. My only con is a severe lack of promised flower petals. Also, smaller size means smaller price so it's only $6.95.

If I had to choose between the two I would say that Secret Garden was my favorite, but they were both lovely. Don't forget that Mother's Day is Sunday May 10th in the U.S.! My Mom is one of the kindest women I have ever met. She reminds me everyday to follow my dreams and never give up. I hope you have an amazing woman in your life to celebrate this Mother's day. 

I'm sending love and sparkles to all you amazing Moms out there this mother's day!

XO- Brittney

Read More

Maybelline The Blushed Nudes Palette

Hello Beautiful Ones!

It's about time I did a beauty on a budget post, so why not a drugstore palette?! Maybelline has been rolling out a whole line of eyeshadow palettes in the recent months. This one is a "blushed" variation of their original The Nudes palette.

First of all, let's talk about the packaging. Unlike the Maybelline palettes before it, this one is not black but rather blush colored (how fitting!). There is just something about these palettes that are so clean and appealing to the eye, they make me backtrack everytime I pass one in the makeup aisle at the drugstore.

Now on to the colors, this is obviously a very warm palette and could easily be compared to the shades in Urban Decay's Naked3 palette. There are several shades of pink, grey, and brown. This palette is pretty heavy on the shimmer with a few matte shades as well. Here are the swatches:

Finally, on to what we've all been waiting for: performance. I have to admit, after trying several of the other Maybelline eyeshadow palettes I didn't have very high expectations for this one (sorry!). With the other palettes I noticed a lot of creasing and rub-off after a full day of wear. But I am happy to announce that The Blushed Nudes palette has officially passed the work day test. I can wear these shadows all day with little to no creasing or rub-off (that's over a shadow primer of course!).

The only disappointment I found with this palette is that the colors are not super pigmented. I found myself having to really cake them on to get a decent color payoff. Also, as far as colors go you aren't getting a lot of variety here. But with that being said these are nice colors to have especially during the summer months when you're trying to get your bronze on. Lord knows my pale skin could use a little sunshine boost! And at $9.99 it really is a budget beauty bargain (say that 5 times fast!).

Let me know if you've tried this one!

XO- Brittney

Read More