Hey! I'm Kaley, and I'm a freshman biology major (but may be considering changing that to chemistry... I don't know yet!). I don't have nearly as much higher-end makeup as Laura because I've always been the huge proponent of drugstore makeup... I'm getting into it now though, and I'm having fun playing around with the UD Naked palette at the moment. I have terrible skin that I'm working on bettering, so please forgive me, this is why I will mainly be focusing on eyeshadow looks and lips.
This was my look of the day for the day after Christmas (my first one since getting the Naked palette!) and I really love the dramatic black effect.
Products used:
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion (Sephora, $20)
Almay Intense I-color Satin-I Trio for Blues (Walmart, $6)
Urban Decay Naked Palette (Sephora, $50)
E.l.f. Essential Liquid Eyeliner in Black (Target, $1)
Almay One Coat Nourishing Lengthening Mascara in Black (Walmart, $7)
L'Oreal Paris Infallible Lip Gloss in Blush (Walmart, $9)
What I did in 10 easy steps:
1) First, I primed my eyes with the primer potion.
2) Then, I used a fluffy brush to apply Buck to my crease, then applied Naked just
above and blended that out.
3) I applied a piece of scotch tape to the outer edges of my eyes.
4) I used a flat brush to apply Creep to the outside of my eye, blending out the harsh
line.
5) Using the flat brush again, I patted Gunmetal onto the center of my lid.
6) Next, I applied Virgin using a flat brush just under my brow bone and Half-Baked
near the tear duct.
7) Then I used a flat brush and applied a mix of Gunmetal and Creep to my lower lash
line.
8) I applied a bit more Creep to darken the look and blended that out, then removed
the tape.
9) I lined my top eyelid thinly, with a slight wing to match the tape line, then applied
mascara to the top and bottom lashes.
10) I filled in my eyebrows lightly using the darkest shade of the Almay palette.
That's it! Nothing too difficult about this one, and I really like it a lot. I'll certainly be using this a bunch when I don't have time to go for a new look! That's all I've got for now, I'll be posting a slightly modified version of this look with more of a cranberry tone very soon, so be on the lookout for that! Ta ta for now :)
I've got a bit of a review for you today on a lipstick that I purchased from Ulta a few weeks ago for $5.99, and I must tell you... I've been loving it!! It's NYX's Matte Lipstick in Strawberry Daiquiri.
Let's talk about the color...
I tend to stick with neutral makeup most of the time, since I think that it's appropriate for most people and more universally flattering. Strawberry Daiquiri is a beautiful deep, mellow Rosie color that's just gorgeous. The pigmentation/color payoff is absolutely wonderful! You just can't ask for more from a drugstore lipstick. Lots of people starting out in makeup are afraid to try it or don't view lipstick as an important part of their makeup routine, but you'd be surprised just how much a little lipstick can do to change your look!
Let's talk about the finish....
Obviously as part of the name, the finish of this lipstick is matte. I think sometimes people shy away from matte finishes thinking that they will be dull or drying, but this isn't the case. It does tend to fill into the crease of your lips a bit as it drys, but I haven't had any problems with it appearing cracked or dry. When you're applying the lipstick, it glides on very smoothly and the feel is quite nice. However, I would recommend, especially if you have dry lips, to apply chap stick before you apply any lipstick, and this lipstick is no exception. The finish is matte, but it's pretty natural appearing. Personally, I prefer a matte finish to a sheer one. (If you'd like a more shiny finish, just add a lip gloss!)
Let's talk about the staying power...
Honestly, I was quite impressed with the longevity of this lipstick. It reminds me somewhat of a stain because once the actual lipstick wears away, some color remains, although don't expect it to survive meals... This lipstick does not dry out your lips (at least it doesn't for, and I can't live without my Burt's Bees my lips are so dry!), and I'd say it leaves a very nice moisturizing feeling on your lips.
Here's what the lipstick looks like when it's first applied...
Here's what it looks like after some time... (no additional lipstick or chap stick was applied during this test)
Let’s talk about the cons…
I can honestly say there isn’t anything about this lipstick that I don’t love. (Well… I wish I could apply my Burt’s Bee’s without taking it off, but every lipstick does that!) The consistency is creamy and the pigmentation is amazing, but I’ve heard that not all the colors are exactly the same. According to many beauty tubers, the consistency of each color isn’t the same. Here’s a link to a swatch video from itsjudytime. She gives some great information as to the consistency of the different colors: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kgxCxwzoIIw
Final thoughts…
I adore this lipstick! The color is absolutely gorgeous, and I probably love it even more than Smashbox Lipstick in Primrose (at the time I thought it was my holy grail natural lipstick!). Considering the price, I’d say it’s great lipstick to add to your collection! Let me know if you have any questions or have a request: lkhbeauty@gmail.com
This is my first blog post, so forgive me if it's a little rough! My name is Laura, and I'm a freshman computer science major (makeup and computers....strange, I know!) and while my collection is relatively small compared to a lot of beauty bloggers, it's growing quickly!! No matter how much I have, I just never seem to get enough of it... (which is how I like it ;) shhhh.....) I decided to start this blog to turn my love of makeup into something that others can enjoy as well because no matter how many people tell me that I'm crazy for having so many beauty products, I know I'm not alone in my addiction. To all the other beauty fanatics out there, this one is for you!
This is just an overview of the products that I currently keep in my makeup bag. I use most of these products everyday, or a least some variation of them. However I own quite a few more products than are shown here.
First things first, concealers! From left to right: Elf Under Eye Concelealer & Highlighter (Target, $3), Sonia Kashuk Concealer Palette in Hidden Agenda - 07 (Target, $10.49), Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer (Walmart, $6), Mac Studio Sculpt Concealer in NC15 (Mac, $15).
Primers are definitely super important for me, especially since I have naturally red skin. From left to right: L'Oreal Studio Secrets Anti-Redness Primer (Target, $10.99), Smashbox Photo Finish Color Correcting (Sephora, $38), Benefit's Porefessional (Sephora, $30), Urban Decay Primer Potion (Sephora, $20).
I've owned quite a few more foundations than just these two, but these are the two I use the most. Actually the smashbox foundation pictured below actually contains Revlon's Colorstay Foundation. I ran out of the smashbox, and so I cleaned the bottle out and poured in my Revlon Colorstay Foundation, since the original container doesn't have a pump. From left to right: Rimmel Lasting Finish Foundation in 102 Warm Ivory (Walmart, $6.49), Smashbox Studio Skin Foundation in 2.1(Sephora, $42).
My absolute favorite way of collecting eyeshadow because you get to try so many new eyeshadows that you might not normally pick up (and at a better price!). Not picture here since I return the product, I also used to own Urban Decay's Smoked Palette. From left to right top to bottom: Naked 2 (Sephora, $50), Naked (Sephora, $50), Lorac Pro (Ulta, $42), UD Vice Palette (Sephora, $59), Smashbox Master Class 11 (Sephora, $59).
Probably the product I purchase the most, eyeliners. I've owned quite a few more than the ones pictured below, but these are the ones I keep in my bag. From left to right: UD 24/7 Eyeliner in Zero (Sephora, $19), Revlon Colorstay Liquid Eye Pen (Walmart, $6.99), L'Oreal Lineur Intense in Carbon Black (Walmart, $7.49), Maybelline Line Stiletto (Walmart, $5.97), Wet n Wild (Walmart, $0.97), Rimmel Soft Kohl in 071 Pure White (Walmart, $2.99), Wet n Wild Mega Eyes Defining Marker (Walmart, $3.99), Almay Eyeliner (Walmart, $5.98), Elf Liquid Liner (Target, $1), Sephora Jumbo Liner in 17 Black (Sephora, $14), UD 24/7 Glide On Shadow Pencil (Sephora, $20), Hard Candy Concealer in Light Pale (Walmart, $6) - comes with Glamoflauge Concealer, I included it with eyeliners and pencils because I most frequently use it as a nude eyeliner on the waterline.
In my opinion, arguably the most overlooked part of a makeup routine, mascaras! Up until recently I'd only owned drugstore mascaras, but I've been loving my new high end mascaras. From left to right: Tarte Lash Primer (trial size), Tarte Gifted Amazonian Clay Mascara (Sephora, $19), Maybelline One by One (Walmart, $5.94), Maybelline Pulse Perfection (Discontinued), Benefit BADgal Waterproof (Sephora, $18), Buxom (Sephora, $22).
If there is anything you see listed here, or not, that you would like me to review or give my thoughts on, feel free to comment below or send me an email at lkhbeauty@gmail.com.
