Sephora Play! November 2015

I’ve been really excited about a new beauty discovery that I’d love to share – the Sephora Play! box! They sent me an early invitation a few weeks ago, and I’ve really enjoyed it. In fact, I’ve canceled my Birchbox for the time being, and I’ve been skipping a lot of my recent Julep boxes as well. (Partly because I’ve had product overload, but I love trying new things, and this has really stepped in!)

If you’re not familiar with Play!, the box has several deluxe samples that are offered at Sephora. Because I do so much shopping there, it’s great to be able to try out products before I buy.

This month’s focus was Sephora Exclusives.

The box also includes this great booklet that gives background information on the products and how to use them. It also has a card that you can bring into your local Sephora for more information on the products and an extra 50 BI points.

Here’s what came in this month:

Stella by Stella McCartney perfume: This is a nice enough perfume, but I have tons of perfume samples I’m still trying to work through. It will be a long time until I buy a full size!

Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12-Hour Waterproof Eye Pencil in My Boyfriend’s Jeans: This pencil isn’t overly creamy, but it has crazy staying power! It barely came off in the shower on my swatch hand. I also love the electric color. I love adding a pop of color on my waterline, so this will be a really fun addition to my collection.

Bite High Pigment Lip Pencil in Rhubarb: If you’ve stuck with me, you probably know I’m obsessed with Bite products. They feel great on the lips, are so creamy and beautiful and have the best colors. This is one of my favorite Bite formulas, too. I got this shade in their holiday set last year (I actually wore it this weekend!), so I’ll probably be passing it along, but it’s a great product!

Buxom Full-On Lip Cream in Dolly: I had a sample of this the Full-On Lip Cream that I love, but this may be better. The color is the same, a perfect wearable pink, but the formula doesn’t have the minty tingle the other did. I think this formula is much more comfortable with the same longwearing quality.

Josie Maran Argan Oil: I got this in a Birchbox ages ago, and love it. I love it on my hair, especially now that it’s getting so dry outside. It’s magic for split ends or dry hair!

Makeup Forever Step 1 Skin Equalizer: I’m a sucker for a primer, and I’m so excited to try this one! I really enjoy the mattifying/pore-filling formula, and this one should be another good choice. From my experience, these primers are really comfortable and actually lengthen the life of your makeup!

And the swatches:

Have you tried a Play! box yet? You can find more information on the program and the awesome products in this month’s box here.

January 2015 Favorites

January 2015 Favorites (apologies for the poor quality)

Welcome back, friends! Sorry I’ve been on a bit of a hiatus. I haven’t felt super inspired to blog, but I’ve planned out several posts for the future and hope to be back more regularly in 2015. And hopefully back with more creative posts…

But before we get too far ahead of ourselves, let’s take a look at what I’ve been loving in January.

Makeup Forever Mat Velvet + – I have mixed feelings on using this on its own (mostly because I think it’s a bit too pale for me), but I’ve been mixing this foundation with both my CoverGirl Outlast and Estee Lauder Doublewear, and it is gorgeous! It mixes really nicely with both of them and prolongs the wear/matte look of the foundation. This is a new technique for me, but I’ve really been loving this.

Beauty Blender – Why this went away, I’ll never know. Especially when I’ve been mixing a thicker foundation like the Mat Velvet + in with foundations, this helps give my foundation a more natural look to the finish. It makes my skin look flawless, blends concealer really well, and is such a great tool!

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Powder – I hauled this several months ago and never made up my mind about it. It turns out, I was just applying it wrong! I was trying to layer too many powders/use the powder puff that comes with this powder. Instead, when it’s used as an all-over setting powder with a fluffy brush, it is really nice! It really does blur pores and makes skin look more flawless. Too much can look too powdery and fake, but just the right amount makes the skin look a.

Lorac Pro Palette – I talk about this palette a lot, I know. However, the matte brown look has showed itself again this month, and I was reminded just how pretty it is. I need to play with some of the non-neutral colors and get out of my comfort zone more, but for work meetings where I need to look really professional but still glam, I’ve been obsessed with this palette. Everyone talks about it for a reason!

Julep Shari – I’ve been really into soft neutrals for nails this month, and this one is so pretty and unique! The website describes it as “sweet pea creme,” but it pulls a little pink, mauve or grey depending on how you look at it. The formula of this polish is super long-lasting on me, too.

L’Oreal Amber Rush pigment – I love this product, as I’ve talked about a lot in the past, but this month, I’ve really rediscovered it. I like it paired with a simple cool-toned brown shadow – easy, pretty look!

Bare Minerals Mineral Veil – I haven’t used this since I stopped using the BareMinerals foundation system, and never really gave it a second thought. I got a sample somewhere along the way, and it is a really nice setting powder! It gives my foundation a “finished” look for the whole day, especially in my oilier zones.

Benefit Dandelion – It’s been years since I pulled out this boxed blush, but it is so pretty! Once upon a time, I used it as an all over brightening powder because it’s a super light pink…but that was not wise. When you layer it on the cheeks, it’s a really nice, soft pink blush that looks great with anything. It also smells amazing, so it’s back in the rotation 🙂

DevaCurl Ultra Defining Gel – I had a sample of this and had to buy the full size even before I had finished the sample. When I’m wearing my hair really long, as I am now, I’ve found I need to pursue different hair products for my curls. This one keeps my curls defined and frizz-free throughout the length of my hair and keeps the texture intact for several days. I am all about second and third day hair, so this has been a love.

Bite Lipstick in Cava – This formula is so gorgeous! I don’t wear lipstick a lot during the winter because my lips are already so dry. However, with this lipstick formula, it’s really easy! I do find that I have to reapply throughout the day more than with others, but the pigmentation is great and it feels so comfortable on the lips. And it’s really pretty! The reddish tone pumps up my look without being too much.

So there we have it! Sorry for the long break between posts, but I have several scheduled, so hopefully we’ll be back on track soon. Let me know what you’ve been loving in January!

2014 Favorites – Cheek and Lips

Welcome to Part 3 of my 2014 Favorites, featuring Lips and Cheeks! To check out Part 1 (Skin and Hair Care, plus reasoning behind my favorites) or Part 2 (Face Products and Tools), visit these links!

LIPS

For this section, I picked just one color in my favorite formulas of this year. Clearly, I love neutrals, but I do have others in bolder colors. I just don’t wear them as often, so they don’t make the list 😉

Revlon Balm Stain in Honey: I love this formula, and (like I say here), this is a perfect everyday color. It leaves my lips moisturized, and it’s super comfortable.

Bite Lipstick in Zin: This falls a bit outside of the neutral spectrum and was in my Fall Lip Picks. I love the formula and pigmentation of these lipsticks. They are so comfortable, but they are not as longwearing as one would think. Still, between the gorgeous formula and the packaging, this is a definite winner.

Milani Color Statement Lipstick in Nude Creme: Can we talk about how wonderful this formula is? They smell like watermelon and are super comfortable. Again, not quite as longwearing as I’d like, but this is great. Included in August favorites here.

L’Oreal Colour Riche Extraordinaire Lip Color in Nude Ballet: I’ve mentioned this lip color here, and it’s kept up the amazing quality. It’s super comfortable, but the lasting power is not great. Still, I really love this for an everyday office lip color!

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Anna: While these haven’t been in a true favorites post yet, holy cow, these lipsticks are amazing. You can see swatches from my initial post here. They last forever on the lips, are super comfortable and have the most beautiful pigmentation. I also have this lipstick in Raquel, which I love. If only they weren’t so expensive!

Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipstick in Touch of Spice: This was in a favorites post here, and it has remained one of my favorites. This formula is so comfortable and gorgeous, and I love the color! Matte lipsticks have been a fun train to get on this year, and this has definitely been my favorite.

CHEEKS

Tarte Blush in Blushing Bride: Potentially my favorite blush of the year. Seriously. Like I say here, this plumy rose color is gorg. This formula lasts forever, and I just can’t get over how much I love this. It looks good with everything and looks so great with everything!

MAC Blush in Melba: I love this matte peach blush so much! It looks great with so many things, and I love how buildable the formula is. You can see swatches here. It lasts all day and the finish is really pretty. I’m on the MAC blush train, so I’ll probably be picking up more in 2015…

TheBalm InStain Blush in Pinstripe: I’ve talked about this blush here, and it is still amazing. Like all of these Instain blushes, you need to use a light hand, but this blush is so pretty, regardless how dark it is for fair skin. It’s a risk worth taking!

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso: This is a gorgeous shimmery peach blush, like NARS Sin, but slightly more peach and…dare I say… more pigmented and longer wearing? This has been a go-to blush for when I’m in a show, and for simple, everyday looks. It was in my May Favorites and has been a regular part of the rotation since.

Tarte Blush in Exposed: I knew I said I wouldn’t put two of the same blush formula in the same post, but I’m so obsessed with both of these blushes, that I had to to include them both. I love the natural “nude” look of this blush. I included it in my June favorites and have used it regularly ever since.

What were your favorite Lip and Cheek favorites this year?

Fall Lip Picks!

So we’ve made it slightly into Fall, and I’ve made a list of some of my favorite lip products for fall! I love fall makeup, so this was really fun. I had to stop myself somewhere, so I just picked 7…logical? Without further adieu, here are my Top Fall Lip Picks!

1 – TheBalm Stainiac
2 – Revlon Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie
3 – Bite Beauty Lipstick in Zin
4 – MAC Lipstick in Odyssey
5 – Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Rapture
6 – Revlon Lacquer Balm in Whimsical
7 – Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Crush

TheBalm Stainiac

I really like this lip stain! It reminds me of the Benefit Benetint. The color coverage is sheer, but it gives a nice tint that lasts all day. You can put a balm on top if your lips are dry, too. It is a little inconsistent in texture, so you have to be careful how you apply it, but is a great everyday pick.

Revlon Lip Butter – Berry Smoothie

I love the formula of Revlon Lip Butters, and this is my favorite for fall. It’s a light berry-toned pink with a sheer wash of sparkle. I love the formula because it’s very moisturizing, and I love this shade in particular because it’s a beautiful, feminine, moisturizing look for fall. It goes with most looks and is great for everyday.

Bite Beauty – Zin

The Sephora website describes this color as a “muted berry,” which I think is the perfect shade description. The color is perfect for fall, and if you’ve never tried a Bite lipstick, the formula is gorgeous. It’s very moisturizing, pigmented and relatively longwearing. I haven’t worn it with a liner, so that may prolong the wear time, but is an incredibly comfortable lipstick.

MAC – Odyssey

I really like MAC lipsticks, and this mauvey, berry color is no exception. First of all, the formula is wonderful – pigmented, longwearing, smells like vanilla. It is the tiniest bit drying, but a great lipstick formula. This color has the slightest bit of a frosty sheen, but I think it looks really pretty.

Urban Decay – Rapture

Ah, the Urban Decay Revolution lipsticks – one of my absolute favorite formulas! It’s pigmented, comfortable, long wearing – not quite as moisturizing as the Bite lipstick, but a bit thicker and more pigmented. These last several hours, but you do have to reapply after eating. This is the perfect mauvey pink nude – a fall twist on my favorite pink nude. This is a staple fall lip product for me.

Revlon Lacquer Balm – Whimsical

I have mixed feelings on the Revlon Lacquer Balms, but this is a really nice color. It’s just on the border for being a statement lip and a nice lip color for me. I wore it to work on Monday and only had to reapply once, right before I left to go to the rest of my evening activities. It’s a brighter berry with a tiny bit of sparkle, which doesn’t really show up. The finish is slightly glossy and very comfortable. A surprise but a great pick!

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain – Crush

The Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains are another one of my favorite lip product formulas. I love that it stains my lips without drying them out, so this beautiful color lasts all day. It’s one of my favorite colors for fall – a beautiful cranberry. It deepens as you layer it and is such a pretty bold lip color. I look forward to wearing this every fall.

So those are my picks! I do foresee picking up some more lip picks over the fall and winter, but here’s where we start! Are any of these products on your list? What are your fall lip favorites?