Sunset Junction: Wet n Wild ColorIcon Blush and Glow Trio

Wet n Wild has three limited edition ColorIcon Blush and Glow Trios ($3.99) out in stores as part of their new Silver Lake collection.  I picked up the lightest of the three called Sunset Junction.

Sunset Junction includes a pink toned highlight, a light pink blush and a light bronzer.  All three colors have a glow to them with the highlight being the most shimmery.
I love the highlight and blush colors a lot.  They are both very pigmented and give my cheeks a beautiful healthy glow.
I do not care for the bronzer in this trio at all.  As you can see from my swatch, it is quite orange which is no good for my fair skin.
All of the powders have a very nice, silky smooth texture.  They apply nicely and blend out very easily.

 

A Closer Look:

My Final Thoughts:

Even though I’m disappointed by the bronzer color, I’m not sad that I bought this.  I think the highlight and blush are beautiful so it’s still well worth the $4 just for those two powders.

Stay Luminous With Covergirl’s New Natural Glow Foundation

Out just in time for Summer is the new Covergirl Outlast Stay Luminous Natural Glow Foundation. It’s only available in a limited range of 7 shades, which is kind of a disappointment.

I’m usually a “classic ivory” in almost all foundations but the Stay Luminous Classic Ivory was super, duper pale.  I went with the second lightest shade, Creamy Natural, which turned out to be just right for me.
The packaging is exactly like the Covergirl Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation.  It comes in a sturdy glass bottle with a handy pump top.
I’ve been applying this one with either a flat top kabuki brush or my damp Beauty Blender sponge.  I don’t find myself preferring one over the other, I like the way it applies with either method.
I’m quite impressed by the coverage this foundation provides.  I get medium to full coverage with one thin layer but it can be built up on trouble areas. It feels light on the skin and doesn’t look heavy or cakey.
For being a luminous foundation, this one doesn’t look overly dewy or shiny.  It just gives your skin a healthy, natural looking glow which I prefer.
Since I have oily skin, I do start with a primer underneath and use a finishing powder on top.  However, my t-zone area starts to look pretty greasy after a few hours of wear.
It doesn’t break down visibly on my skin, which is good.  I just look overly shiny which prompts me to reapply a light dusting of powder mid-day.  On other areas of my face it stays put really nicely and still looks great all day.

 

A Closer Look:

 

My Final Thoughts:

Since I have oily skin I go into trying luminous glow foundations knowing that they probably won’t work for me.  I love the natural finish and coverage of this Covergirl Stay Luminous foundation but I just wish it did a bit more for oil control.
I also notice that it does have a slightly tacky feel to it on the skin, even after a few hours.  Nothing too bothersome but just worth a mention.

Beauty Box 5 Review – May 2015

Beauty Box 5 is a monthly beauty and makeup subscription box. It’s also one of the cheapest beauty subscription boxes – only $8.25 a month with an annual subscription. They tend to feature drugstore brands, and usually the product sizes are deluxe or sample size. 

The Subscription Box: Beauty Box 5

The Cost: $12 a month (or $10 a month with a 3-month subscription; $8.25 a month with annual subscription)

The Products: 4-5 full size and sample size beauty products.

Ships to: US and Canada

Each Beauty Box 5 box comes with an informational card detailing each item in your box for that month.
 


Essenza Luxury Hand Soap in French Lavender – 2 oz Value $1
I actually get excited for hand soap samples in subscription boxes since I like to take them with me anytime I’m staying at a hotel (I prefer liquid hand soap over the standard hotel mini soap bar). And I like lavender too, so this scent works for me.

Coastal Scents Makeup Brush BR-C-s03 – Value $2.50
This is a large eye shadow brush. It’s pretty good quality for the $2.50 retail price too. I always like getting makeup brushes in subscription boxes, so this item is another win.



Bio Swiss Stainless Steel Mini Tweezer – Value $5
I’m very particular when it comes to tweezers, and when I saw these had a retail value of $5, I was thinking they probably wouldn’t be that good – and I was right. I like the idea of including tweezers in a subscription box, but this isn’t a good quality product.

Dermalogica Active Moist – .24 oz Value $5.80
This is a lightweight, oil-free moisturizer. I like how quickly it absorbs into my skin, and it is fragrance free!



Styli-Style Blush Highlighter Stick – Value $6
This blush has good pigment and the shade works well for my skin tone. Here is a swatch (just one swipe for this color):


Verdict: This box has a value of about $20. That’s in the range of what I expect from Beauty Box 5. In general I’m pleased with most of the items in this box, but I wish the tweezers were better quality.

Join & Use Ebates

 

 http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=6hjM90vi8ioi4whIRhIv%2FQ%3D%3D&eeid=28187

 

Using Ebates, you can save money on your purchases made online, and receive those savings in cash.
It really does work. I have received many cheques from them myself and continue to receive them every few months. Ebates is a great way to earn cash back from stores that you were planning to make purchases at anyway.

What is Ebates?

Founded in 1998, Ebates is an online cash back shopping site. What this means is that every time you make an online purchase from any store in the Ebates directory, you receive cash back. It’s as simple as that!
Earnings are anywhere from 1% – all the way up to 10% (in Canada). When you make a purchase from a store on the Ebates website, you will earn a certain percentage back in cash. This cash is saved up until you have at least $5.01 in your account, and then you get paid.

How do I join Ebates?

You can easily join Ebates by visiting the Ebates website.
Simply fill out the very short form with your email and password and you are logged in. Click on your name in the top right-hand corner of the page and you can edit your address and payment information.
You will receive $5 for FREE, just for signing up (though, you do need to make a purchase of $25 or more in order for that bonus to be activated).
Pick a store that you’d like to shop at and follow the link through your Ebates account. When your purchase is complete, you will receive cash back for that purchase.

How and when am I paid?

You can choose to receive payments either by cheque or through your Paypal account. The choice is yours.
Ebates sends a payment to you every 3 months, as long as you have earned at least $5.01 in cash back (not including any bonuses, like the $5 you receive when you first sign up). If you have not yet earned the minimum amount, your balance will be carried forward to the next payment date.

Do I receive any bonuses for referring friends & family?

Yes! Ebates will pay you $5 for every single person that signs up to Ebates through your link. Just like you, though, they must make a purchase of $25 or more before you receive your $5 referral bonus.
The more friends you refer, the better the rewards:

• Refer 3 friends, get an extra $30
• Refer 10 friends, get an extra $100
• Refer 25 friends, get an extra $250
• Refer 50 friends, get an extra $500 or the new iPad

Here are some of the best cash back percentages on Ebates for Canadians:

• up to 5% from Chapters/Indigo
• 2% from The Source
• 6.5% from Robeez
• 5% from The Body Shop
• 4% from Addition Elle & Penningtons
• 2.5% from The Bay
• Up to 2% from Walmart

Ebates has other great Canadian stores available to purchase from as well, including: Babies/Toys R Us, Old Navy, Sears, Victoria’s Secret and The Gap!

I know that 2, 4, and even 5% may not sound like much, but believe me, it really doesn’t take long to add up. I have earned over $70 this month without any referrals – just my own purchases!
If you do a lot of online shopping, I highly encourage you to sign up for Ebates. If you’re already going to be shopping online, you might as well earn some cash for doing so!

Tutorial Video Pop of Color

Pop of Color
Amp up your neutrals with a bold pop of color! Watch Melissa D's 4-minute transformation from ordinary to naturally beautiful with the It Cosmetics goodie bag given to her for being a Preen.Me VIP: http://www.preen.me/look/892349001
Posted by Beauty Addicts on Monday, February 23, 2015

A video posted by Makeup Tutorials (@makeupvideoss) on Apr 27, 2015 at 5:07pm PDT

The Pale Girl’s Guide to Highlighting and Contouring

Happy Beauty Top Tens!!! Today I bring you the pale girl’s guide to highlighting and contouring. Real Talk Time – unless you’re a makeup artist, I’m not sold on everyone needing a contour palette. I’m just not. But, I bought a ton of palettes to share with you for this post, as well as my top ten highlighting and contouring picks for what to reach for if you’re pale like me. When you’re pale, you usually want neutral to cool-toned contouring options, nothing too warm or orange.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit in Light to Medium – $40  .66 oz product (.11 each)
The colors in this kit are Vanilla, Banana, Sand, Java, Fawn, & Havana
If you have pale skin, I would recommend skipping this. It’s better for light to medium skintones. If you still want Anastasia products, I recommend checking out her single refill pans on her website.




Kat Von D Shade & Light Contour Kit – $46 – .72 oz product (.08 highlighters, .16 contours)
The colors in this kit are Lucid (pinkish nude), Lyric (yellow beige), Levitation (soft peach), Sombre (true taupe), Shadowplay (soft brown), & Subconscious (deep brown). If you have pale skin like me, you might like this better than the Anastasia palette.




Nyx 3C Conceal Correct Contour Cream Palette Light- $11.99 – .30 oz
This is an affordable cream palette with a nice mix of shades. It’s too dark / warm for pale skin to contour but you might like mixing the colors for corrective concealing.




Ofra Cream Contour Palette – $79.00 60 grams (roughly 2.11 oz)(vegan)
This is a huge cream palette that would be great for light to medium skintones.




Kevyn Aucoin The Contour Book The Art of Sculpting + Defining – $59 – .36 oz
While this is on the pricey side, it’s a book that works for pale skin. If you’re going to pick it up, I recommend doing so during the Sephora VIB sale going on right now.
Nyx Taupe is an affordable drugstore contour product to check out. See it here in my 9 Contouring Products for Pale Skin.



Life’s Entropy Particle Contour Sticks – $8 / $5 (vegan)
Shown above are the shades Proton and Alpha. These are a cream product and they work very well on pale skin. They need to be set with powder.
em Cosmetics Chiaroscuro Stick in Fair – $24
While I’m not fond of the highlighter shade, I love the contour shade. It does need to be set with powder.
Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Crème Colour Concentrate in John Doe – $23 (.3 oz) (vegan)
This is another great cream product and I love that it’s huge. Seriously, OCC is such a great value for the price. It does require that you set it with powder.



Pumpkin & Poppy Oak Bark Contour Powder – $8.75 20 gram jar (vegan)
This was my first indie contour powder. This is a semi-sheer taupe that is cool and easy to blend.
Notoriously Morbid Necromancy Powder – $8.50 for 20 gram jar (vegan)
I just recently bought this and I love it. It’s a cool-toned taupe that’s perfect for pale skin. It’s SUPER pigmented, so just a little goes a long way.
NARS Olympia Contour Palette – $42 .29 oz.
NARS calls this a rose shade, but it’s really more of a peachy brown.



NARS Albatross – $30 .16 oz
This is a classic, coveted highlighter shade that a lot of my friends adore. It’s a white golden highlighter.
Tarte Champagne
This is no longer sold individually, but it’s in almost every single palette that tarte puts out. It’s a golden highlighter with peachy tones.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powder in Ethereal Light – $45 .35 oz
This is pretty, but it’s way too subtle for my taste. It’s a cool opalescent white highlighter.



It Cosmetics Hello Light Creme Illuminator – $24 .23 oz
Very pretty, but too subtle for me.
BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pearl – $41 1.7 oz
A gorgeous white highlighter, but too subtle for my taste.
Notoriously Morbid Osteomancy – $8.50 20 gram jar (vegan)
An ethereal white highlighter with hints of silver and blue. This is PERFECTION on my skin! I love it!
Too Faced Candlelight Glow Duo – $30 .35 oz
This is an ethereal white gold pink that somehow brightens, illuminates and warms the complexion. I love it and it’s been my all time favorite highlighter for years.


And now that I’ve inundated you with products, let me share my top 10 picks.

My Top Ten Picks
1. Kevyn Aucoin The Contour Book The Art of Sculpting + Defining 2. Kat Von D Shade & Light Contour Kit
3. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Crème Colour Concentrate in John Doe
4. Life’s Entropy Particle Contour Sticks
5. Graftobian Ultra Lights Palette – for a skintone shade cream highlighter. See my review.
6. Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Skin Conceal – for a skintone shade. See my review.
7. BECCA Shimmering Skin Perfector Pearl (subtle)
8. Pumpkin & Poppy Oak Bark Contour Powder
9. Notoriously Morbid Osteomancy
10. Too Faced Candlelight Glow Duo

Free Laneige Waterbank Moisture Cream and BB Cushion Samples

Free Laneige Waterbank Moisture Cream and BB Cushion Samples

If you've been wanting to try either of these Laneige products, hurry on over to Target and see if your zip code qualifies for these free samples:

Only select areas qualify for this sample offer, so you must enter your zip code HERE to see if you qualify. Also, this offer has been up for about 24 hours now, I believe, so HURRY because Target samples sell out pretty quickly (I literally just checked and it was still available as of the time of this post!). Once you qualify, you'll be prompted to answer a few short survey questions about Laneiege, and then you'll enter your shipping info. You should receive your samples within the next 3-5 weeks, per the Target site. Good luck and I hope you get one!

Sneak Peek: NEW Nyx Blended Hair Makeup Brushes (Coming this June)

Just in case you don't follow Nyx on Instagram (if you're on Instagram you totally should, since they often post great sneak peeks of new collections and other fun pics), check this out:

Coming June 2015: NEW Nyx Blended Hair Brushes

From Nyx's Instagram page:

Sorry, you'll have to excuse us while we #breaktheinternet for a second. Because we are friends, we wanted you to see our new blended hair NYX brushes first. They'll be out June 2015. 

These are not to be confused with the existing Nyx makeup brushes (with the white handles). This is an entirely new collection!


Hopefully they'll be available at Ulta (and CVS, Target, etc.) this summer!

New Wet N Wild Silk Finish Lipsticks - Improved Formula & New Shades: Swatches & Review

Wet N Wild recently released a new improved formula of their 99 cent Silk Finish lipsticks with brand new shades. I'm always been a fan of inexpensive lipsticks (and makeup in general), and I feel like Wet N Wild has some of the best-performing inexpensive makeup out there. I found these at CVS and they were 99 cents each. I first bought 5 shades, and then I decided to go back and buy 5 more. When I got the second round, they were buy 2, get 1 free! (I also grabbed some of the newly improved Color Icon Kohl eyeliners.)

The packaging on these is definitely cheap. The lipsticks shake in the containers, and if you're not holding the tube a certain way when applying them, they'll spin back down in their tubes. And they'll also spin up if you don't click them all the way down before putting the lids back on. But like I've always said, if something is going to be short-changed for a cheaper price tag, my pick would be packaging over the product inside!  

These all seem to swatch pretty nicely. There are some frosts, some creams, and even some duochrome shades in the bunch.  

Left to right: Fuchsia with Blue Pearl, Will You Be With Me?, Dark Pink Frost, Dark Wine, Cherry Frost

Left to right: Fuchsia with Blue Pearl, Will You Be With Me?, Dark Pink Frost, Dark Wine, Cherry Frost

Left to right: Fuchsia with Blue Pearl, Will You Be With Me?, Dark Pink Frost, Dark Wine, Cherry Frost

Left to right: Breeze, Pink Ice, Ready to Swoon, 15 Minutes Aflame, What's Up Doc?

Left to right: Breeze, Pink Ice, Ready to Swoon, 15 Minutes Aflame, What's Up Doc?

Left to right: Breeze, Pink Ice, Ready to Swoon, 15 Minutes Aflame, What's Up Doc?

I'd say for 99 cents, these are pretty nice lipsticks. They last a fair amount of time on the lips. I do really enjoy some of the shades, and with such an expensive price tag, they're a great way of adding some fun or different colors into your lipstick collection!

Skincare 101: Best Acne Products

 

Let’s chat about acne, shall we? For lack of a better term, it seriously sucks! Am I right? I feel like as women we are probably way more self conscious about this then most men. Searching for the best acne products can become increasingly time consuming. Especially if you have to go through many products before finding what works best for your skin. I wanted to share with y’all a great place to start. These are some of my favorites to battle acne! If you’re new to skincare, be sure to check out Skincare for Beginners for some other product picks and tricks! You can also check out our tips to Clear Up Acne!

FORMULA 10.0.6 OVERNIGHT SUCCESS SPOT TREATMENT //  $5.99 – These are the perfect little spot treaters! Infused with Grape Seed and Tea Tree, these fast-acting cleansing patches work their magic while you sleep, so you can wake to a flawless complexion.

PHILOSOPHY CLEAR DAYS AHEAD  //  $18 – If you need a fast acting treatment and you need it now this is the product for you! It rapidly clear and soothe the discomfort of bothersome blemishes for clearer skin. The antimicrobial formula immediately begins to eliminate acne-causing bacteria, while salicylic acid penetrates pores to clear most acne blemishes.

KIEHL’S BLUE HERBAL MOISTURIZER  //  $25 – This is a blemish fighting moisturizer that combats acne blemishes. It mattifies your skin, so that’s a huge bonus. It works well and helps acne blemishes from even forming in the first place.

PETER THOMAS ROTH BETA HYDROXY 2% ACNE WASH  //  $35 – Acne washes are most times very drying. Some people though, need to get rid of their acne without drying out their skin and that’s where this wash comes in. A maximum-strength blemish-fighting cleanser that is gentle on the skin. It’s oil and alcohol free. This mild-yet-effective acne wash deep-cleans without over drying. It helps halt the breakout cycle, removing excess oil and bacteria, and penetrating deeply into pores.

DR. DENNIS GROSS CLARIFYING COLLOIDAL SULFUR MASK  //  $42 – I love a good facemask and this one is a treatment as well so I love it even more. An overnight acne medication that treats blackheads and pores while absorbing excess oil. This overnight mask is time absorbent to draw sebum, pollutants, impurities, and bacteria out of skin while you are sleeping. Pores will appear reduced, blackheads will be minimized, and overall clarity will be enhanced. 

CLINIQUE ACNE SOLUTIONS CLEANSING BAR FACE & BODY  //  $15 – This is perfect for use in the shower, you can not only clean your face but your entire body with it. Mild, medicated soap helps clear and prevent acne on face and body. Targets breakouts with encapsulated, acne-fighting salicylic acid. Removes dirt, excess oil. Unclogs pores. Skin looks and feels calmed, smooth and comfortable.

CLEAN & CLEAR ADVANTAGE ACNE CONTROL  //  $7.99 – This is most commonly used as part of the Clean & Clear system as a whole but I like it much more as just a cleanser on it’s own in combination with the rest of my skincare routine.  It penetrates to the pores with acne-fighting Benzoyl Peroxide and keeps fighting breakouts long after you’ve washed your face.

NEUTROGENA OIL FREE ACNE WASH  //  $6.83 – This is one of the few products that fight acne that actually has an appealing scent. I love the pink grapefruit line & i’m also a huge fan of their makeup wipes. The #1 dermatologist recommended acne-fighting cleanser-Neutrogena® Oil-Free Acne Wash now comes with an uplifting blast of pink grapefruit! With maximum strength Salicylic Acid acne medicine boosted by MicroClear® technology, Neutrogena® Oil-Free Acne Wash Pink Grapefruit Facial Wash powerfully treats and helps prevent breakouts—even blackheads. This unique formula contains 100% naturally derived grapefruit extract plus vitamin C. It eliminates oil and dirt, and rinses clean without over-drying.

CLEARASIL SUPERFRUITS REFRESHING SUPERFRUIT SCRUB //  $6.29 – This is another product that I love using in the shower! Clearasil Daily Clear Refreshing Superfruit Scrub is a gentle exfoliating cleanser that helps prevent blemishes.  It contains a blend of raspberry and cranberry extracts, known for their antioxidant properties, and Vitamin B3. This exfoliating scrub is infused with a refreshing fragrance you will enjoy using every day.

BURT’S BEES ACNE SOLUTIONS GEL CLEANSER  //  $10 – I’ve used this one for so many years, it’s something I have always gone back to! clinically proven to help cleanse away acne-causing bacteria, excess oil and impurities without over-drying or irritating skin. Salicylic Acid, derived naturally from Willow Bark Extract, penetrates pores to help reduce acne and prevent future breakouts, in our natural purifying gel cleanser, while Evening Primrose and Beet Root Extracts help calm acne prone skin.


MARIO BADESCU DRYING LOTION  //  $17 – This is the cult favorite of the bunch, people swear by it. It’s another that works overnight as well. The Drying Lotion is a fast acting, effective acne spot treatment. Formulated with salicylic acid, calamine and other quick-drying ingredients, this product will shrink ugly whiteheads virtually overnight while you sleep. While other acne spot treatments can irritate and dry delicate or sensitive skin, this product is safe and effective for all skin types. 

BLISS NO ‘ZIT’ SHERLOCK  //  $18 – This is another that’s part of a full system but I use it in combination with other products. And, the name is super fun! Apply this genius gel for ‘bull’s-eye’ blemish-busting action. It’s made with 2% salicylic acid to help clear clogged pores and absorb excess oil, and it’s the perfect ‘zap it quick’ emergency solution.

How To Apply Your Skincare Products

 

I’m more of a kick it into gear type of gal. What I mean by that is since the new year is a time of change I like to make sure my beauty routine and my skincare routine are up to par. Did you know that you could be applying your skincare all wrong and missing out on some key benefits of the products you’re using? I didn’t either until I went to the dermatologist a few years back and heard straight from her what order we need to apply our products in to get the most bang for our buck. In order for our skincare products to work as desired, we need to give them time to absorb and make sure that the order isn’t messing with the absorption.  And today, I’m sharing just how to make it happen!

I like to start by removing my makeup with the Neutrogena Naturals Purifying Makeup Remover Cleansing Towelettes. They’re super gentle and really get to the bottom of all of your makeup and make it a breeze to remove it.

Super easy, and one towelette will get the job done in one easy step. All traces of makeup are gone in about 45 seconds and you’re ready to move on with the rest of your skincare routine. If you’re like me and you like to double cleanse you could add the Neutrogena Rapid Clear Cleanser after you remove your makeup with the wipe.

I think cleansing as the first step is pretty much a no brainer but the rest of the steps and the order they should be applied in is where it can get a bit tricky. I’ve made us all a super easy cheat sheet to follow.

After you cleanse, the next product you’re going to want to use is a toner. I love the Neutrogena Pore Refining toner for this step, it’s perfect because it’s not a drying toner so you won’t have to worry about looking super dried out. I use a cotton pad to apply and I let it dry and set in for about a minute before moving on.

After toners, the next two steps are going to be your eye cream and spot treatment, in that order. You could try out the Neutrogena Rapid Dark Circle Repair Eye Cream and the Stubborn Acne Spot Treatment. While I let these sink in I usually brush my teeth or do a little happy dance to wake myself up if it’s the morning. Yes, I really do dance around the bathroom.

In this next step, we’re going to apply any serums that we use. Since serums are usually oil based you want to apply them and let them soak in and set before moving on to any creams. Applying an oil or a gel before a cream moisture ensures that it will absorb into your skin. Next up is our moisturizer.

A moisturizer is super important for your routine. It’s whats going to keep our skin feeling soft and smooth and when applying at night, act as a recovery agent and in the daytime give us a moisturized base to apply makeup to so that we don’t end up looking cake-y

I am loving the Neutrogen Visibly Clear Pink Grapefruit oil-free moisturiser. It keeps me super hydrated. Super light weight and oil free so you won’t have to worry about clogging your pores. I apply to my face and neck both day and night in upward and outward circular motions.

It absorbs quickly & when used daily it helps to reduce and prevent spots and impurities. The fragrance is just a  hint of pink grapefruit and it really leaves you feeling refreshed.

If you’re following this beauty routine at night, you would stop here. If you’re doing this in the morning the final step in your skincare routine is going to be SPF, you definitely want to protect the skin on your face when you’re out during the day. I suggest trying the Cool Dry Sport Sunscreen from Neutrogena. It’s one of my favorites!

I picked up my Neutrogena goodies from Target. Do you all have the Cartwheel app? Check it out here for deals on skin care and cosmetics! You can find these and more in your beauty aisles at your local Target!

Have you been applying your skincare all wrong or do you already have your routine nailed down?

Jordana Easy Liner for Lips - New Shades! Review & Swatches!

If you watch my YouTube channel, you know that Jordana's Easy Liner for Lips in Tawny is one of my all time favorite lip liners. It just goes with everything and it's SO affordable (at $1.99!) I also love other colors in the line too. 

And now they've added 2 new shades in the line - Rose Crush and Pink Love.

Top to bottom: Pink Love, Rose Crush

Both are gorgeous shades! I can't wait to wear Pink Love, because it just looks like the perfect peachy pink shade!

Left to right: Rose Crush, Pink Love 

* Product sent for review. All reviews are 100% honest and all opinions are my own.