Nothing to Disclose
Do you know what happens when your six year old is sick and coughs in your face for two weeks? The answer is of course yucky sickness. I went to the Doctor today and I have a Double Ear Infection and a pretty bad Upper Respiratory Infection. I am on antibiotics, a steroid and a prescription strength antihistamine, but thankfully most of the work for the last post of this brand overview was already done!
Hello friends! Today I want to share with you some of the goodies I bought during E.L.F.’s Black Friday sale!
If you aren’t familiar with e.l.f. they are a super affordable, cruelty free drugstore brand. You can find them in Target, Walmart, Walgreens and CVS stores, but quite a few of their products are only available on their website. Even though their regular prices are super affordable, they have quite a few great sales through out the year!
Let’s get started with the haul!
I grabbed a few of their brushes (brushes are vegan friendly):
Blending Brush ($6) This brush isn’t available on their website right now, which usually means they have sold out. I will admit, I had no idea how short this brush would be when I decided to buy it. I’m guessing it’s good for blending out bronzer or contour, I will have to play with it to figure out the best use for me!
Contouring Brush ($6) Per the website: This brush is specifically designed for advanced makeup application to help achieve professional looks. The densely packed hair and structured shape achieves flawless dimension along the cheekbones, forehead, and jawline for targeted contouring. I haven’t used this brush yet, because I haven’t had time to play with the (spoilers!) contour palette I also bought from e.l.f., but I’m excited to start playing with both!
Small Tapered Brush ($6) This brush is also no longer showing up on e.l.f.’s website. I have been using this brush quite a bit as it is the perfect size for setting under eye concealer, highlighting your cheekbones and even highlighting the inner corner of your eyes. This is a great multi-use brush and if it comes back in stock on the website, I will probably grab another one!
Blending Brush ($3) I actually saw Emily from EmilyNoel83 rave about how much she loved this eye blending brush, but it was never in stock after her video went up until the Black Friday sale, when I snatched it up. I haven’t had the chance to use it yet, but you can pretty much guarantee that anything Emily recommends is going to be great!
Hydrating Under Eye Primer ($3) I’m not 100% sold that this is anything other than a decent and affordable under eye moisturizer. It feels really nice on the skin, but I don’t feel it creates any kind of barrier to prevent my concealer from getting into the lines under my eyes. I’m going to keep using it but I probably won’t repurchase.
Kiss It Goodbye Lip Color Remover ($3) I will be repurchasing this! I have used this several times to remove and reapply ColourPop Ultra Matte Liquid Lipsticks while I was out running errands to see if it was travel friendly and it is! Yes, you could use coconut oil or olive oil at home to remove lip products, but what if you mess up applying your lipstick in the car or need to go out after work and want to change to a more evening appropriate lip color? I’m going to keep this and some cotton pads in my makeup bag because it’s small and it works!!
Illuminating Palette ($6) I have read several times that this is a dupe for the Hourglass Ambient Light Palette, I can’t speak to that because I do not own that palette. I can tell you that if you are wanting a full on super highlighted strobey face, this may not be for you. All the highlight shades in this palette are very subtle, which I personally love. This palette does kick up some powder but not so much that it makes using the palette annoying. If you are into subtle highlights or just wanting to try out several shades of highlighting powder to find out which tone suits you best, without making a huge investment, you should 100% check out this palette!
Contour Palette ($6) I haven’t had a chance to play with this palette yet because with the holidays and how busy we’ve been, I’ve been mostly sticking to my tried and true makeup products. My only complaint so far is that e.l.f. only has this one palette with no other shade options, so this probably won’t work for everyone.
Blushing Rose Blush ($3) Finally, I grabbed one of the Studio Blushes in Blushing Rose. e.l.f. makes great blushes and I highly recommend trying them out if you are on a budget (even if you’re not on a budget still check them out!). Blushing Rose has a bit of shimmer that you can see in the pan, but it doesn’t show up as glitter on the face.
Well, that wraps up this haul (with a few mini reviews) and as I use some of these products more extensively, I may post some more in depth reviews.
Do you have any favorite e.l.f. products I should try?
Thanks for reading!!
Hello friends!
Today I want to share with you some of the goodies I received and/or bought around my birthday last month!
The first products I want to share are the birthday rewards I received from Sephora and Ulta.
From Sephora I received the Nars Lip Duo in Rikugien and Cruella
From Ulta I received the Bare Minerals Moxie Lipgloss in Birthday Babe
My mom surprised me with a trip to Ulta and she bought me the Bare Minerals Bare Skin Concealer and the It Cosmetics CC Radiance Blush in Sugar Plum.
Finally, on to the goodies I snagged for myself!
Lipstick Queen’s Medieval, is supposed to be the red that everyone can wear, because it is so sheer. It’s actually really pretty on, but for some reason I don’t have a picture of me wearing it, boo bad blogger!!
I also finally grabbed the Tartelette palette! This palette is amazing and I think I used it non stop for about two weeks even though I was only going to school drop off and pick up 🙂
The last thing I have to share is the only item I purchased from Sephora, and that is the Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask. I have to be honest with you guys, this product totally lives up to the hype. If you have dry, chapped lips this stuff will sort you out asap!!
Well, that wraps up my birthday haul! I will be reviewing some of these items more in depth, so stay tuned!
Thanks for reading!
Hi friends! I have wanted to try some items from BECCA for awhile but wasn’t sure where to start, so I was very excited to see this kit at Ulta! Sadly, the kit is no longer available for purchase but each item in the kit is available to buy in BECCA’s permanent line. Let’s jump in to the pictures and swatches!
BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Rose Gold sample size, full size is 38.00. I have been using this as a highlight for my bronzer when I don’t wear blush and I use it to add a shimmer to my eyelids when I don’t feel like messing with eyeshadow. You absolutely need to use a light hand if you have a lighter skin tone. I make sure to use a fan brush when applying because it is super easy to go overboard!
BECCA Beach Tint Shimmer Souffle in Watermelon/Moonstone Full size 27.00 Watermelon/Moonstone is described as a coral red infused with pale gold. It is water resistant and oil free and is a mixture of beach tint and shimmering skin perfector. This is easy to build up, if you want a sheer wash of color use a brush, but if you want a slightly bolder look, use your fingers. I have done both and love it both ways!
BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Opal sample size, full size 41.00 Opal is described as a golden opal pearl. This is the item that I have used the least in this kit. It is very pretty, but I’m not loving it yet.
BECCA Beach Tint in Guava Full size 25.00 Guava is described as a bright coral pink. Beach Tints are a water resistant stain for your cheeks and lips. You only need a teeny tiny amount and it is easily sheered out to look like a natural flush to your cheeks and lips. This is my favorite item in this kit and I will be purchasing other shades to try. I love this product so much that I went to Ulta and bought an extra Guava Beach Tint to add to my upcoming giveaway! This is really good stuff!
I am really pleased with this kit, I believe it sold for 35.00 which is a great deal considering there were two full size items and two very generous sample items. I will absolutely pick up any future Best of BECCA kits that come out and I would encourage you to grab any future kits when you see them!
Have you tried any items from BECCA? What is your favorite?
Thanks for reading!
Hello friends! Today I am bringing you a review of some goodies I bought quite awhile ago from Ulta. One of the few good things about having a computer that doesn’t work, is that I have been using a bunch of different things during the down time and can give thorough reviews on these products!
First up is the Ulta Dual Action Cleansing System 25.00 I have always wanted to try one of the Clarisonics but didn’t want to spend the big bucks. There are several drugstore versions out there but they weren’t cruelty free brands, so when I saw that Ulta had a cruelty free version I snapped it up. I have to say, I thought I had a good cleansing system in place, but I was SHOCKED at how much makeup was apparently left on my face after my normal facial cleaning. I obviously can’t compare this to a Clarisonic, but if you are looking to get some of the benefits at a fraction of the price, check out the Ulta version!
Next we have the Ulta Lip & Cheek Color Stick in Mauves 10.00 This is one of Ulta’s newer products. This product is super easy to apply and blend. I have used it on my lips and cheeks and enjoyed it. I did not find it to be super moisturizing on my lips, but it didn’t dry me out. This is a great product to have if you are running late and need to get out the door in a hurry! I do want to emphasize that this is not a stain, so if you buy one, please don’t expect it to have super hard core staying power.
On to the eye products!
I picked up two of the new Ulta Eye Crayons. The first one I grabbed is called Bronzed and the reason I grabbed it is that Ulta has another eye product (Ulta Color Coat Cream Eyesahdow) with the same name and I wanted to compare them. You can see in the swatches below that they are not the same color, so it annoys me they gave the same name to two different products! The other eye crayon I grabbed is called Cocoa Puff. Ulta describes Cocoa Puff as a taupe brown metallic shimmer and Bronzed as a warm bronze shimmer. They are easy to apply and blend out, but even using Too Faced Shadow Insurance or It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye as a base, they tend to fade after a few hours. Because of their tendency to fade I have generally been using these for convenience and ease of application in the mornings when we are trying to get to preschool drop off. I would not use them if I needed them to last all day.
Color Coat Cream Eyeshadow in Bronzed
For some reason my picture of Cocoa Puff wouldn’t load 😦
Here are the swatches:
The weather here in Florida has been gray and rainy, so there hasn’t been much natural light to get great photos. Is it spring yet???
Eye Crayon in Bronzed and Lip and Cheek Stick in Mauves
Eye Crayon in Bronzed
Eye Crayon in Cocoa Puff and Lip & Cheek Stick in Mauves
Eye Crayon in Cocoa Puff
On a totally random note, I decided to play with some filters on my phone and here are the results:
I’m not sure whose beautiful glowing skin that is, but it’s not mine! I don’t think my skin has looked like that since I was five years old and probably not even then. Good grief, it’s enough of a difference to give me self confidence issues if I was constantly trying to make myself look like that in real life!
Have you guys tried any of these Ulta products? Do you have any favorite cruelty free drugstore products that are quick and easy to use?
Thanks for reading!
Hello lovely people!
Today, I am bringing you a haul from Geek Chic Cosmetics! If you have a favorite book or tv show fandom, Geek Chic probably has a collection for you!
Before I get started on the haul, I just wanted to update you on what has been going on in my life! Since the new year I have been revamping what I eat and my exercise routine and I can’t wait to share all the details with you guys in the future!
On to the pretty makeup!
If you follow me on Instagram you may have already seen these swatches, if you don’t please go check it out because I post things over there that don’t end up on the blog (my profile is @onelostmama).
The sample sizes I ordered are:
Ambassador from the Big Damn Heroes Collection (Vegan) I had to grab something from the Firefly Collection! Ambassador is described as: a rich, reflective plummy-maroon filled with golden sparkle.
We Are Coming from the Timey Wimey Collection (Vegan) The 456 are actually villains from Torchwood who commit an unspeakable evil (IANTO!!!) but I decided to give this shadow a try anyway. We are Coming is described as: Rich, velvety milk chocolate gleaming with shifting golden copper highlight, studded with a moderate scattering of ruby and sapphire glitter.
Mischief Managed from the Witchcraft and Wizardry Collection (Vegan) I have used this sample the most of these three and will be purchasing a full size when it runs out. This has become my wash latest quick wash of color shade. It is super sparkly! Mischief Managed is described as: Parchment tan with shifting hues of reddish purple and golden shimmer.
Up next are the full size eyeshadows!
House Elf from the Witchcraft and Wizardry Collection (Vegan) So pretty! I can’t wait to try it out! House Elf is described as A plush satin copper with shimmery red undertones.
The rest of the shadows in this haul are from the Ever In Your Favor Collection!
Nuts & Volts (Vegan) I have been playing around with this color lately and love the way it contrasts with my blue eyes! Nuts & Volts is described as A shockingly vibrant copper that can add the perfect amount of spark as a crease color, or be taken all the way as an electrifying lid color.
Mockingjay (Vegan) This is a beautiful gold! Mockingjay is described as A metallic antique gold
Girl on Fire (Vegan) I have been loving this shade! So pretty! Girl on Fire is described as A pale pink with a red glow that blossoms into something much more vibrant, and darker, when swatched.
Victory Tour (Vegan) Victory Tour is described as A unique color-flipping shadow that morphs from a gorgeous semi-metallic golden peach to a semi-pearl mauve-y, dusty, pinky purple.
That is the end of this haul of Geek Chic Eyeshadows! Just as an FYI, Geek Chic will be coming out with a Sailor Moon Collection on February 1st! I was never into Sailor Moon, but I can’t wait to see the new pretties! If you too can’t wait, you can go to Geek Chic’s facebook page for preview pictures!
Is there a fandom you love represented in Geek Chic’s Collections?
Thanks for reading!
It’s time for another Kiss My Sass Haul! I am obviously obsessed with KMS and I don’t see that changing anytime soon, because this is an awesome vegan/cruelty free brand with great product and prices.
The two eyeshadows I ordered are Study Date and Boardwalk:
Study Date (Vegan) is described as: purple with purple, turquoise & orange shimmer (mostly purple & turquoise) it is part of the College Life V2 Collection
Boardwalk (Vegan) is described as: taupe with violet sparkles (this is a link to the sample not full size pictured below)
I also ordered samples of a lip tint and lipstick:
Boudoir Lip Tint (Vegan) is described as: berry with a hint of a golden glow this is a super pretty sheer color. It is sold out right now, but I will be buying the full size once it is available.
Glamping Lip Stick (Vegan) is described as: dusty rose. This is part of the Liars Keep Secrets Collection based off of the tv show Pretty Little Liars. Super pretty and I clearly need to expand my eyeshadow and perfume obsession to KMS lip products!
Every order from KMS comes with two free samples. I received Snow Bunny Cream Highlighter and Winter Romance eyeshadow.
Snow Bunny: (Vegan) is described as: a golden beige with hints of orange, copper & gold shimmer
Winter Romance: (Vegan) is described as: smokey base with shimmer and sparkle in shades of blue, purple and red
That is it for this Kiss My Sass Haul, I will probably be bringing you more KMS Hauls soon as I plan on trying the lip products.
Have you tried Kiss My Sass yet? If yes, what is your favorite item? If not, what are you waiting for?
Thanks for reading!
Hello my friends!
On Black Friday, Coastal Scents had a 50% off of everything sale, so I grabbed some of their Hot Pots (single eyeshadows) and one of their eyeshadow brushes. Coastal Scents is a cruelty free company that is very affordable! The individual Hot Pots are only 1.95/each at full price, so I was excited to get an even better deal!
Classic Blender Crease Brush (Synthetic) For the price (2.49) you can’t beat this brush. It blends out shadows very easily.
On to the eyeshadows!
Each Hot Pot comes in an individual packet with the name printed on the back of the eyeshadow for easy identification.
The eyeshadows that I purchased are:
Chamois Nude: Expose your eyes to this favored matte, neutral hue
Light Taupe: A deep, exotic taupe hue with a matte finish
Midnight Rodeo: A dusty brown hue with a smooth, matte finish
Rich Walnut: A lavish, deep brown hue with a shimmer finish.
Root Beer: A rich brown hue with a smooth, satin finish.
Amaretto: A luxurious reddish-brown hue with a shimmer finish.
The shadows I have played with the most are Light Taupe (great crease/blending color) and Root Beer (great for one color eye looks on lazy days). Once I have gotten more friendly with these shadows I will post a full review and pics!
I was also sent a sample quad of Coastal Scents Revealed 2 Palette (this is their version of Naked 3):
The colors are very pretty, but when I tried using them on my eyes I had a ton of glittery fallout, which was a bummer! Even though the Revealed 2 Palettes are way cheaper than any of the UD Naked Palettes, I won’t be ordering due to the glitter issues I experienced. Random glitter specs magnified by my glasses is not a look I personally am hoping to achieve 🙂
Have you tried anything from Coastal Scents? Do you own either of the Revealed Palettes? If you had a better experience with them let me know!
Thanks for reading!
Here is my third and final Indie Makeup Haul (for now…I plan to order more pretties from all these companies!)
So, the reason I set out on this Indie Makeup Journey is all because of April aka Puri over at Blushing Biddies. She put up a Geek Chic Haul and I immediately wanted ALL THE THINGS! You can check out her Geek Chic Posts here and here. Also, if you are not subscribed to her blog, you need to correct that travesty immediately because she is awesome!
So now on to the goodies!
The Trickster 5.99 From the Superneutrals Collection, Vegan The Trickster is a dewy golden tan with golden fire and subtle shimmer. I have been a fan of Supernatural right from the start and now in the tenth season I still love it, so of course my first full size purchase had to be one of these shadows. This is a great everyday, I don’t have time for anything fancy shade!
Ain’t Nothing Like Me Sample Size from The Awesome Mix Collection, Vegan A rich velvet/metallic golden brown. I still haven’t seen Guardians of the Galaxy, which makes me sad, because I love the Marvel Universe, but I wanted to try one of the shadows from The Awesome Mix to show my Marvel fan girl love, and this shade is just beautiful and bronzy and I love it!
Stay in the House, Carl Sample Size from the This Isn’t A Democracy Collection, Vegan. A luscious chocolate brown with copper and golden highlights. My hubby watches The Walking Dead and loves it, but I haven’t had the time to get into the show yet, however I really loved this shade when I saw it on the website and I’m so glad I grabbed this sample!
The Pie Maker 3.49 Solid Scent Perfume from the Pie Hole Collection, Vegan. Caramel Apple Pie, on funnel cake with Mexican fried ice cream on top. I’m in the process of adding to my cruelty free perfume collection and the description from the website is 100% correct. Smells YUMMY!
Right now Geek Chic is closed until Black Friday, but I have big plans because I have been lusting after the sneak peeks of their brand new Hunger Games Collection (!!!) that will be released on Black Friday. I also plan to grab some of The Timey Wimey (Doctor Who), Big Damn Heroes (Firefly), Witchcraft & Wizardry (Harry Potter) and more from the Superneutrals (Supernatural) Collections. This brand makes me feel like I have found my people! 🙂
Have you tried anything from Geek Chic?
Thanks for reading!
Hello friends!
Welcome to my second haul from an Indie Makeup Company! I heard about Notoriously Morbid over on Phyrra’s blog! While browsing the website I saw the Beauty Blogger Package where you get 1 full size product and 5 samples for 5.00. Of course I had to jump on that deal and I have been eagerly waiting for the order to arrive. Once it arrived, I started playing and swatching the shadows and they are awesome!
On to the pictures!
These were all swatched without primer.
Wayward Son Full Size 5.50 An airy pale blue with a light green shift Vegan
Samples (1.25/ea)
Purrfect Thief: A dark gray base with a navy to purple shift. Not Vegan
Evil Eye: A salmony pink with popping yellow shift and shimmer. Not Vegan
Black Cat Crossing: A darker take on cat eye green with cool purple and warm amber sparkles. Vegan
It’s Not Raining In Here: A sweet lilac with a sunkissed, golden shift. Vegan
Walkin on Sunshine: A dymanic heliotrope purple with a strong aqua shift. Vegan
Walks in the Moonlight: A dark gray purple with shifts of green and a small glimpse of pink every now and then. Not Vegan
There was also some candy in my package, but Liam got to those before I could take pictures! I’m really impressed with the quality of these shadows and will be ordering more in the future! I am currently stalking The Winchester Gospels, The Doctor, Slay Me & The Villains Collections.
Have you tried any products from Notoriously Morbid?
Do you have a favorite Indie Brand I should check out?
Thanks for reading!
One Lost Mama 