Too Faced's Born This Way Foundation Review

As ya'll know my holy grail foundation is Estee Lauder Double Wear.  But since I stopped using silicone primers and use my Clarisonic dupe every day, my skin doesn't always require a full coverage heavy duty foundation.

Welcome, Born This Way Foundation by Too Faced.

This foundation has been described as, "your skin but better foundation" and it's largely because of the ingredients!

I have also been trying new ways of application to withstand my oily tzone throughout the day. Surprisingly enough, using those cheapo triangle makeup sponges in a dabbing motion on my face each day has been working out really well!!  I think the change in the weather here in Chicago is helping too, but it has withstood the hot, humid days as well.  Am I the only one who is trying this method?

Overall I find this foundation to be light to medium, buildable, but not cakey, coverage.  It lasts all day long and brightens my face.  It does not oxidize and it also only takes a little bit to get the job done.

I am using nude which is actually light with pink undertones.  Warm nude pulled too yellow on me, so with my neutral undertones, this is actually the perfect shade!

Here I am in natural lighting, with no filter! Pretty spot on coloring if I do say so myself!

Have you used this foundation yet? What are your thoughts?  Was color selection hard for you?

Let us know in the comments below!

Have a great day!! xo

January 2015 Product Favorites

Welcome to the future!! 2015 has arrived :) Truth be told, I was expecting my beauty boxes this month to be filled with fabby new trendy items or new twists on old classics but nothing really blew me away.....BoxyCharm was my number one box this month.  Read the unboxing HERE.

SO let's talk about my favorites this month.

First up is Urban Decay's DeSlick Setting Spray.  Since I started using MAC's Studio Sculpt, read about it HERE, I haven't been as dehydrated looking in my face.  Translation-a bit oily!! I was looking for something that would not only set my makeup but help reduce unwanted shine.  Ya know, there are some times where you just don't want a powdery, finish on your face.  Urban Decay has a few setting sprays but this one was what I chose and I am very pleased with my choice.  It sprays on like a dream, a nice even misting application.  My face is set all day until I decide it's time to come sliding off ;) My advice when spraying a finishing spray on your face is to sit still for about 10 seconds or until you feel that it is dry. Don't make any facial expressions and let it do it's thing :)

Next up is Too Faced's Melted Liquified Lipstick in Fig.  I got a sample of this a long time ago in a light pinky color. I wasn't a fan.  And it all came down to the color.  I never gave the product a chance.  Recently Too Faced came out with a ton of new shades for this line.

When I saw this picture, I lost my mind and knew I had to collect pretty much all of them :) But I started with Fig.

The color truly doesn't translate as well as I had hoped in this picture.  It is a gorgeous muted purpley shade that even the most conventional people can wear.  It is so pretty.  As for the product itself, the first use is a bit messy.  It comes out a bit watery, but it dries to a matte finish.  Use a good lip exfoliator prior to wearing any lippies, especially in the winter. I recommend elf's lip exfoliator for a no hassle one or DIY with some sugar (white or brown) and some oil (olive or coconut).  I will be sharing my recipe for my own lip balms coming up on the blog :)

And here are the newest shades released for this Spring!  Melon has my name all over it!

Courtesy of BeautyPointofView

Next up is Sigma's E40 Tapered Blending Brush.  I know it is a $16 eye brush.  BUT if you have a discount (which you will at the end of this post!) it is worth it. If you have hooded eyes, it is also WORTH it! This brush is great!! It fits into the hooded crease of my eye perfectly where as other brushes don't.  If I can find a cheaper alternative I will but for now it is a great score.  Plus these brushes are known to last forever.  It blends like a dream and picks up the perfect amount of product. Also, the product comes right off the brush.  Meaning, I don't have to wipe each color off after I have used it.

And lastly, my product favorite for the month of January is Smashbox's Contour Kit.  I prefer a cream contour but I like this because it is all in one kit and the contour color is an actual contour color. And the bronzer is a bronzer color. I started out contouring using bronzer as my contour but realized what a difference it makes when you use two colors.  The contour color is a nice cool color that creates the shadows I want and the bronzer offers a nice healthy, warm glow.  The highlight doesn't really provide enough color to highlight my skin so I use the powder to set my concealer.  Since it is a tad yellow it works perfectly!  This kit comes with instructions on the mirror and are perfect for beginners.  FYI-I had tried the IT Cosmetics contour kit last year and returned it. There was zero pigmentation and nothing showed up on my skin.

And there ya have it!  Have you used any of these products? What are your thoughts?  Fall in love with any products yourself this month?  Let me know in the comments below!!

Use MISSYOU10 on your order at Sigma for 10% off your order!

Also, don't forget I am having a giveaway!!  There are only 5 days left to enter!

Click HERE to enter and good luck!!

Have a great day!! xo

November 2014 Product Favs

Time for my monthly favs based on all the products I received this month.  In fact, this month I picked 6 items.  This is a great month and I am super excited about these products!!

My new go to products

First, let's talk about Unwash!!  I actually won two bottles of this in a contest!

• Unwash is a cleansing conditioner.  These are all the rage right now and I was obsessed with Macademia's Flawless Cleansing Conditioner once I tried it.  I even got my cousin Kelly hooked on it. :) These products put the multi in multi tasker.  Unwash is more than a shampoo and conditioner in one. It locks in hairs natural moisture and color. NO SULFATES OR PARABENS! This felt incredible in the shower but the real magic happened after.  My hair was so smooth after drying and felt healthier. I really can't even describe how much I like it.  I like it even more than the Macademia! Plus being able to only use one product in the shower instead of 3 is great.  Even my second day hair is less greasy then it normally is. These look like they are only available in salons currently so click HERE to find your nearest one.  That makes me a tad bit sad that I can't buy online but they have a couple other products to check out, too.  It looks like they also offer daily samples if you get to their website early enough.  You have to try this product! :)

• Next is Josie Maran's 100 % Pure Argan Oil. Argan Oil used to just be for our hair and now we are using it for everything.  I am an oil girl! I love all of my oils but this is my new favorite and much more affordable than Caudalie :)  It is full of Vitamin E and essential oils and I truly can say I noticed a difference in my skin the first time I used it.  I put it on at night and in the morning under my makeup. It does wonders for my skin, keeps me glowing, keeps me moisturized all day and with winters in Chicago, I need all the help I can get! My trick is to apply when my skin is still a little damp to really get it to soak in. Another product you have to try! 

• Okay next is First Aid Beauty Ultra Repair Cream and Ultra Repair Concentrate.  And yes, I got samples at Sephora to try before I bought and it is amazing.  Another Chicago winter staple for dry skin.  I have supa dupa oily skin in the summer and I'm an alligator in the winter. No happy medium. The cream is thick, thick, thick. But you wouldn't know if it you were blindfolded and had someone rub it on your face :) It sinks right into your skin. NO greasy feel! It has made my skin clearer too! I think it is due to the eucalyptus, shea and oatmeal :) The concentrate is actually supposed to be stronger but is like a serum almost. I use that one in the morning under my makeup.  

Left is cream and right is concentrate

• Next up is Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer.  My wonderful friend Heather gave this to me.  It truly does smell like chocolate and is the perfect brown color for bronzing and contouring. This is actually the medium/deep shade and it is not too dark on me at all.  It does not look muddy on my face and blends so nicely.  Perfect since my face is starting to look like a piece of paper it is getting so white!  It is also completely matte, no shimmer.

Full size picture

• Now this product came in my Birchbox and I indicated how much I loved it from my first impression.  Now after using it almost daily I want you to know how much more I love it. Modelco Party Proof Lipstick in Nearly Nude.  This is a smooth, velvety lipstick and truly is the perfect nude.  Now, staying power isn't that great unless you really prime your lips, but I don't mind reaching for it throughout the work day to add some color and hydration.  It always leaves a smooth finish on my lips and doesn't feel waxy. Did I mention I love the color??  

• And last up is Fekkai Blowout Refresher Dry Shampoo.  We all know I am a devoted lover of Klorane Oat Milk Dry Shampoo but this one is different.  My wonderful friend Mary sent this to me to try.  I can't explain it but when I use this one, it makes my second day hair stayed curled ALL DAY LONG. I am talking about until bed time.  So I always shower and wash my bangs only with second day hair and then I spray this in my roots and flip my head over and work it through from my roots to my ends with my fingers.  It keeps my hair just as voluminous as it was the day I blow dried it and refreshes my hair.  It has a light scent to it which is nice.

And there ya have it, my favorite products for the month of November.  Let me tell you, it is very hard to narrow products down so when I do these lists I mean business!! Get samples at your local Sephora when you can! :)

Have you tried or are currently using any of these?

What are your thoughts??

Let us know in the comments below!!

Have a great day!! xo

Mini Birthday Giveaway

Happy Friday Ya'll!!

Yesterday was my birthday so I wanted to have a mini giveaway to give something to you since I will be celebrating all weekend long (starting with Sephora right after work)!!  Monday is also a holiday and when I was younger I remember always having it off at school.....ah, I wish I still had it off but being an adult sucks.

Some High End Goodies

Your prize will include:

• Too Faced Candlelight eye shadow primer
• Lorac POREfection mattifying face primer
• Jane Iredale Mascara
• Laura Geller Color Drenched Lip Gloss 

This is all stuff that you can wear together for a "no makeup" makeup look :)

All you have to do is enter below! This is open to US residents only and starts NOW and the winner will be announced Friday 10/16/14.

Please remember all entries are verified :)

Good Luck to everyone and Happy Friday!  

Have a great day!!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Fall 2014 Trends-Top 10

Welcome to September 2014.

It is hard to believe that pumpkin flavored foods and falling leaves and sweaters are right around the corner. What's exciting is with the changing of seasons comes the changing colors and textures of makeup and that is how new products get introduced to us.  Straight off the runways.  Some of the stuff they introduce on the runway is so extreme and only for the runways so today we will just go over the things us normal folk can actually pull off.  I'm actually pretty excited this year :)  Don't get me wrong, I am going to miss the pink and coral shiny lips and bright, shimmery shadows and messy beach waves, but change is good!  It's a new season which is a time to reinvent yourself and even update your look.  I usually stay bright blonde in the summer and then add the lowlights in the fall but this year I am going to also switch up my makeup.

1. Double liner-Using your basic black,  add a pop of surprise color and line above with a colored liner.  I like to use blues and greens.  I am in search of the perfect copper and gold liner, too.  The products that I use are Benefit's They're Real Push Up Gel Liner, Sumita's Color Contrast Liner in Raina and Mally's Beauty Star light Liner in Caribbean Sea.

2. Cat eyes-Again, a plug for Benefit's They're Real Push Up Gel Liner, cat eyes are still a hit.  Achieve the perfect one, daily, with this liner.  I've already contacted Benefit asking when other colors will be available as I want them all.  They have said "Never say never" so we'll take that as they are coming soon. Right?

3. Matte and Shimmer shadows and Precious Metals-Two is better than one, in this case.  Golds and silver metallics and MIX THEM UP!! Not just colors but again textures, from creams to powders. This fall mix the best of both worlds to create a unique look.  Too Faced carries palettes that are perfect for this job! Check out my review of one of them HERE and the latest one to use for this trend is their Rock and Roll palette. I also recommend Bare Minerals 5 in 1 Cream Shadows.

4. Smoky Kitty- This takes both the cat eye and the smoky eye and puts them together.  Use a bold lash with this look to finish it off.  I recommend Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara or Urban Decay Perversion.  Also, don't just think of basic black with a smoky eye this fall, greens, browns, blacks and greys are fun, too!

5. Aubergine and Nude Nails-I am just being fancy now, aubergine is like an eggplant/purple/darkish brown color and is gorgeous.  Both of these colors seem to be a staple in fall nail inventory and easily transition into all the seasons. Some great choices are Material Girl-Essie,Carry On-Essie, Sandy Beach-Essie and Sand Tropez-Essie.

6. Dark Florals and Dark Floral Nail Art-Just the opposite of summer.  Dark polish (see above) with floral prints on top (DIY or think Jamberry).  This also is going to be seen in clothes, too.

7. Braids-Braids have been back for awhile but even more this fall.  Fishtail (tutorial to come soon), waterfall, french or just simple.  Think buns and messy side braids.

8. Flushed/Defined Cheeks-I know this sounds confusing, but I mean either contoured or flushed apples. Contouring post will be upcoming soon also (waiting for some comparison products) but you can currently use any angled brush and some matte bronzer and follow your cheekbone from your ear to hollow of your cheek.  Blend, blend, blend!! Nothing is worse than makeup mask. Flushed is like that just pinched cheek look on the apples of your cheeks but you don't have to pinch your cheeks :)

9. Side Swept Curls and Deep Parts (Center or Side)-Think 60's here.  Isn't it funny how each year some tried and true style from beauties past comes back around? Second day hair works best for parts and just use some dry shampoo to freshen the roots.  I use Klorane Oat Milk Dry Shampoo for some texture. For your curls, use bobby pins in the back of your hair after piling the curls on one shoulder.  They look great on any hair length. Use a 1 in. barrel.

10. Berry Stained Lips-A berry stain is universally flattering and has a staying power like no other.  I currently use Benetint but a perfect berry option would be Too Faced's Melted in Berry or Stila's Lip Stain in Pomegranate.  If you want to get really creative, you can actually mash fresh berries and add a touch of olive oil and make your own stain!

Don't get me wrong, these are not all of the upcoming trends but like I said, as much of a risk taker that I am, I just can't bring myself to wear some of them! If I lived in Paris or London, I might be swayed :)

Case in point........

Are you excited for fall?

Any trends you can't wait to try?

Let me know in the comments below!!

Happy September!!

Too Faced Eye Love Palette Review

You know those "rules" about eye shadow? The ones that tell you which colors and shades to wear to enhance your natural eye color? Well, I have never been one to follow the rules so I am not about to start now.  I wear whatever colors I want, whether they are for brown, green or blue eyes!!  So that means, I wear blues and purples, golds and roses and even silvers and browns.  And the more shimmer the better! :)

Recently, I got my hands on the Too Faced Eye Love kit.  This is a palette that has 8 shadows and two from each of their four best selling ones.  The colors are amazing and they last all day and I have oily skin so that is a huge plus for me! The colors are highly pigmented and any color combo works in my opinion.

Isn't it beautiful?!?!? :)

This collection contains:

• Heaven (matte ivory) and Push-Up (light bronze)
• Silver Spoon (silver shimmer) and Smolder (charcoal black)
• Satin Sheets (golden champagne) and Like A Virgin (matte taupe)
• Honeymoon (burnished gold) and Ever After (bronze shimmer)

I don't usually use matte colors but they are all so very pretty, I can't wait to use them.  Plus having matte and shimmers together is so perfect!

Today I created a simple look with Honeymoon and Ever After.

One light swipe on my hand-look at the shimmer!!!

In a previous post, I told you how I like to use CoverGirl Bombshell ShineShadow as a primer, so of course, I grabbed my gold one for this look.

And I am using a small eye shadow brush for the Honeymoon  and an angled crease brush for the Ever After.

After I put the primer on, I put honeymoon on the inner part of my lid and across the top of the crease of my eye.

Look at how pretty the color is!

Then I took Ever After on my crease brush and put it on the outer end of my lid and blended into the crease.

Then I went to my go to eye products!

Benefit's They're Real Push Up Liner for the perfect cat eye......

A nude liner for my lower waterline (anything to help me look more awake).....

And Benefit's High Brow for the inner corner of my eye (and yes, under my brow always!)

And there ya have it!!

These are actually the perfects hues to transition from summer to "gulp" fall........and they even make my eyes POP!  Oh, side note, I can't even tell you the mascara I used since I am currently doing a blind study but normally I would use Benefit's They're Real :)

Have a great day!!

Sample Society Unboxing August 2014

This is my second box from Sample Society.  I fell under their spell with July's box and was very happy to get another wonderful box!  Read about July's unboxing HERE.  My mama also signed up and was just as pleased!! The thing I like most about this monthly beauty subscription is that the products are usually all brands that I have heard of.  Sure, I like learning about new brands but sometimes there is something great about already knowing how good a brand is and then getting an awesome product from them.  Know what I mean?

Here is my first look at the box.

They always include a mini Allure mag that describes each product, it's uses and what they thought after testing it.

First up, one of my favorite polish brands.

Ciate mini pot in Cha Cha Cha. This color is the perfect summer shade, a bright, neon orange which I was so glad to get since Fall is right around the corner and I am still in denial about that.  It did take me 4 coats to achieve the look that I wanted but the bold color made up for it.  It is much brighter on my nails than it is in the bottle. Speaking of fall, I am holding out on using my velvet manicure kits in grey, navy and purple.  They are gorgeous!

Next we have Kate Somerville's Dio Oil Restorative Treatment.

News to me, but Dio Oil is a rare oil from Fiji that promotes healthier looking skin and firms and evens skin tone, among other things.  Now, I am a Caudalie girl so I am interested in trying this to see how it compares.It has a hefty price tag but claims to be one of the best of the oils out there.  It can be used at night or under your makeup (after moisturizer) during the day.  I think I will do half on my face with my regular oil to really see how they compare.

Next up is Jane Iredale Longest Lash Mascara in Black Ice.

 I have mixed feelings about this so far.  When I pulled it out, it didn't look like there was any color on the wand.  And the wand looks like a caterpillar.  It seemed to lengthen my lashes but not really make them bold and dark.  Lemme show you.......

Here is just with this mascara.

And here is with my mascara added on top of it.

So I think adding my own mascara on top made a dramatic difference in my lashes but not by itself.

Next up is Oribe Surfcomber Tousled Texture Mousse.  This size alone is $21.50.

Smells great and the key to adding massive texture to your hair is using it dry.  I am still figuring out the right amount to use. I accidentally used two large sized poufs and it says to use ping pong sized haha But once I scrunched my hair it did give it some nice texture and made my pony tail really full so I'm excited to use it again.

Lastly, Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Melted Peony.

It's much brighter than the tube indicates.  Make sure you exfoliate good before putting it on, too.  It goes on like paint with a spongey tip.  Also, it is matte.  I am a glossy girl so I would have to put something on over it when I wear it but the description says that will ruin the chalky effect, so we will see.  It is a long lasting stain though, it stayed on for hours.  I really really want the color violet, it's so pretty!! Wait until you see my Birchbox unboxing and you'll see why!!

So like I said, I was super happy with this box subscription yet again and 200% happier than I was with Beauty Box 5.  Since Sample Society is through BeautyBar.com(online beauty boutique similar to ULTA), if you use my referral code, you can get 20% off of your first order.  Just click on the banner to the left of the screen or use the code MIAN969688 and click HERE.

What did you think of this month's box?  Have you used Oribe's products before? Have any tips?

Let me know in the comments below!

Have a great day!!