Beauties in Bloom

I'm going to assume if you're reading this blog that you all know about Samantha Chapman's Real Techniques makeup brushes by now! Since they came out, the brushes have pretty much taken the makeup/beauty community by storm. They are budget friendly and excellent quality and I use at least one or two real techniques brushes every time I sit down to do my makeup. I was very excited when I heard that a new limited edition set of brushes came out--of course I had to find them! The set is, as you can see, all duofiber--these types of brushes are typically used to give a lighter application of products. In this case though, they're not completely since both bristles are synthetic. It comes with a face brush, contour brush, and eye brush. I think the limited edition design is nice and simple, just like the rest of the Real Techniques line. All three brushes are extremely soft. Face brush: not densely packed at all so it's not great for packing on product. It is ...

Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder has been one of my favorite face products for such a longggg time. It's probably been over three years.  It is a product that I use literally every single day. The texture is wonderfully silky, fine milled, and smooth. It feels very natural on the skin. Although it says translucent I do believe it might be a little too light for darker skin tones; the color of "translucent" is a light yellow toned cream. For light to medium skin tones it is brightening and won't leave a white cast. It controls shine on my t-zone without looking cakey and it sets my makeup beautifully for the day, making sure my oily skin does not peak through. It has a semi-matte finish which is perfect if you like your makeup to look glowy. To apply I take a nice, big fluffy brush, dip it in the cap and then concentrate most of the powder on my nose, chin, and forehead-- then do a light dusting on my cheeks. This sets my makeup but does not over...

Hey guys! Today I wanted to do a quick review on a product I was pretty disappointed in. I am one of those people who does a lot of research before making any type of purchase. It's pretty much an obsession--I spend a ton of time looking up reviews, videos, swatches, and always get samples when I can (especially if it's a high end product). It might be over the top but on the whole I almost always end up with products I don't regret buying. This one slipped through the cracks! My disappointing product for today is the Nivea Lip Butter in Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss. The Nivea lip butters have been very hyped by bloggers and vloggers alike since they came out two or three months ago. What first intrigued me was the fact that they are called lip butters. With that title I would assume they are super moisturizing. Also, the tins look so irresistibly cute and the flavors sound delicious. Plus, they are easy to find at the drugstore and cheap! The best thing about the li...

Today I wanted to show you another Bobbi Brown Gel Eyeliner that I have been a fan of for a few months now. I previously talked about how much I love the Black Ink color HERE . I think Bobbi Brown's gel eyeliners are such a fantastic product--I wish I could collect them all! Forest Shimmer Ink is a sooty dark olivey green with subtle gold shimmer. It is such a stunning color! I personally love wearing it with green, brown, gold, and cream eyeshadows or just on it's own. It's very versatile for a green eyeliner because the brown/olive undertones helps make it more neutral and wearable. Pigmentation is excellent--it's completely opaque and the shimmer stays on to give a lovely effect on the eyes. Texture is creamy and smooth so it applies very easily with all types of eyeliner brushes. I personally have extremely good wear time with Bobbi Brown gel eyeliners both on the lid and on the waterline. They last all day on me until I remove it at night. Another pl...

Lately this has become one of my go to looks. In the last few years green has become one of my favorite colors--which is shocking because I was always a purple girl growing up! As you may know from reading my blog, I'm usually a scaredy cat with very bright color--pairing colors with neutrals is always my favorite thing to do. Today I used a khaki color on the lid with a neutral brown in the crease--the perfect way to wear colors if you want something more subtle. This time I added a touch of Inglot 333 to the outer-v to give it even more of a green tinge! Hope you like it! Laura Mercier caviar stick Khaki on lid, Urban Decay Naked in crease, Inglot 333 in outer-v. Also a touch of Laura Mercier caviar stick in Sugar Frost right on the tearduct! Kept the rest of my makeup dewy and natural...and of course, messy hair! :) Products: Face: Laura Mercier Foundation Primer YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat B30 Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Laura Mercier Translucent ...

Estee Lauder has certainly been making a comeback in the makeup world ever since makeup artist Tom Pecheux became the creative genius behind Estee Lauder's pure color lines. They have come out with a number of exciting products--more pigmented eyeshadows, new lipsticks, colored mascaras, etc. Last year, Estee Lauder's blush line was completely revamped into the Pure Color Blush line we know now. Their blushes are definitely giving blush frontrunners like Nars, Mac, & Illamasqua a run for their money! I've been using the shade "Lover's Blush" a lot recently. They're housed in a large gold compact and contain a mini brush for touchups. I personally don't like when companies include mini brushes--I usually find the quality to be quite useless and it just takes up space in the compact. I've just kept mine in there unused. The blush size is quite generous, you get .25oz. For the exact same price of $28, you only get .16oz in a Nars blush. Somet...

If I had to choose a favorite eyeshadow color to use, my favorite would most definitely be a shimmery bronzey brown. Call me boring when there are so many vibrant colors to choose from, but I can't help it! I absolutely love a shimmery chocolate smokey eye more than anything else. I think brown is flattering on all eye colors and it can be made subtle enough for daytime or dramatic for evening. I just hit pan on two bronze colors in my eyeshadow collection so I thought I'd do some comparison swatches for you before I finish them up! Inglot 409 on the left, Nars Kalahari on the top, Urban Decay Smog in the middle and Mac Tempting (with the huge bit of pan showing!) on the right! Comparison swatches! L-R Inglot 409, Urban Decay Smog, Mac Tempting, Nars Kalahari From Left to right: Inglot 409 pearl: This bronze has a bit more red warmth to it, especially compared to Urban Decay Smog and is a bit darker--though I do think it's similar on the lid. Both 409 and...

So lately I have been pretty obsessed with Laura Mercier products even more than usual, especially... Caviar Sticks! They are such a creamy and easy to apply product and best of all, they last all day on my lids! I do still wear primer so eyeshadow really doesn't budge, but without it the caviar sticks still last well for a few hours. I also have a very watery right eye that has caused many nightmares when applying eye makeup. I constantly have to retouch the inner corner of my eye (even when I wear primer) because the eyeshadow doesn't last in that one spot when my eye acts up. The Caviar Sticks miraculously stay put in that area! I love them! Todays' look was done with a newly released Laura Mercier Caviar Stick called Rosegold! Laura Mercier Caviar stick in Rosegold all over lid, Mac Star Violet in outer-v, Mac Wedge in crease Products: Face: Laura Mercier Foundation Primer YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat B30 Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Bobbi Brow...

Guys, I finally hit pan on a bronzer I've had for a few years now! I've been using Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzer for a long time now!! See the tiny bit of metal pan in the middle!? Since I took this picture it's even bigger! :) Firstly, I have to say this is the best smelling makeup product I own. It smells delicious, just like chocolate! I think it contains actual cocoa powder too. The scent is initially strong but the smell doesn't linger on the skin (therefore you can wear perfume and it won't interfere and you won't smell like a chocolate bar all day).  Chocolate Soleil is such a fantastic bronzer. It's matte and is not so warm toned that it turns orange on the skin--making it very easy to bronze up your skin in a natural way. Because there's no sparkle or shimmer it's easy to use as a contour or all over the face. For my skin tone I think the color is great, though I would definitely recommend more pale skin tones try their ...

Hey everyone! So I've been accumulating a bunch of empty products lately that I thought I'd share with you. These are all products that I've finished in the past few months, probably since January. A bunch of these products are favorites of mine that I have most likely mentioned on my blog before, so I'll be brief. I also had a couple products that I was happy to get rid of--I'll let you know why! Lots of Skincare Empties! Cerave PM Moisturizer: This has been my favorite face moisturizer for about 8 or 9 months now. I started using Cerave PM because my combo/oily skin felt very dehydrated (even in the warmer months). I've tried a handful of expensive moisturizers from Sephora and this one is definitely my favorite and it's affordable at the drugstore. This moisturizer really keeps my skin hydrated throughout the day without making me look greasy. I use it every day and night. I've gone through 3 of these already and will continue to buy it! ...

Hey everyone! This is a heads up to all of my followers who use Google Reader! I just found out that Google Reader is going to be shut down in a few months. As far as I can tell the internet is in an uproar over it! Thankfully there's many different sites you can use to keep track of your blogs, so I thought I'd let you know now so you can switch over before you lose the blogs you follow. When I first started my blog I used Google Reader but decided to switch to Bloglovin' after playing with their interface. I personally find it very easy to use and it allows me to organize the blogs I follow in a simple, neat way. I also love the Bloglovin' iPhone app! Bloglovin' also has an import option so it'll be easy for those of you who use Google Reader to transfer your blogs! I've also heard that Hello Cotton is another popular site used to keep track of blogs. I'm sure there are other sites you can use but these are just two popular ones! Feel free to use...

Ever since Real Techniques brushes came out they have taken the cosmetic world by storm. Real Techniques has managed to make great quality makeup brushes available at super affordable prices. They're also 100% cruelty free! I have a couple of her brushes and I love them all. The Expert Face Brush just may be my favorite of the bunch--it has become my go-to for applying foundation! I've tried all types of foundation brushes--flat ones, stippling brushes, fluffy ones, etc. This one is the best. It is a sort of paddle shape but instead of being flat like a typical foundation brush, it's rounded and thick--making it perfect for buffing in foundation too. The bristles are incredibly soft, but because of the density it is also very firm. It blends my tinted moisturizers and liquid foundations like a dream and leaves my skin with an airbrushed finish. I usually dot my foundation all over my skin with my fingers and then I use the expert face brush to blend. It's just fanta...

Hey everyone! I celebrated my birthday over the weekend and was able to take a few shots of my makeup before I headed out the door. I just went out with my boyfriend, a few friends and some family.It was pretty laid back day and I didn't want to wear any over the top makeup. I did a light gold eye and defined by tightlining. I absolutely love this technique! It makes my lashes look much thicker but still natural! If you haven't heard of it, tightlining is basically a way to line the eye by wiggling in a long wear eyeliner product into the lashlines (not the waterline!) to really thicken the lashes. It really helps to enhance and define the eye without having to line the waterline or do a more obvious line next to your lashes. I still smudged some eyeshadow along my lashlines, but tightlining has become my new favorite technique! I've been using Laura Mercier Cake eyeliner--it's so easy to apply and doesn't budge! Laura Mercier Sandglow Caviar Stick on lid, Urba...

I know I know, yet another  Zoya polish! What can I say, I'm obsessed! Anyway, today's nail polish is the beautiful Zoya Jules! Don't mind the terrible cuticles, I was in a rush! haha! Jules is a shimmering gray tinged champagne taupey color. A somewhat vague description, but it is definitely special. It's neutral enough to be subtle but still unique and shimmery to make it interesting! It was great in two coats though I could have done with a thin third coat. Formula is excellent as usual, not too thick, not too thin. Thoughts on Zoya Jules? As always don't forget about the share the love rewards program (you can read about HERE ) and to check out their facebook page for special deals!

Today I have a battle of the nude eyeliners!! For nearly a year, Nars Rue Bonaparte has been a staple in my makeup bag. Nars Rue Bonaparte is a creamy, nude colored eyeliner pencil. I have loved using a nude color on the waterline. I used to use black on the waterline all the time but dark colors on the waterline can actually make eyes look smaller. I still love using black, especially with smokier eyes but I have found that nude is a wonderful alternative. Nude eyeliner covers up any pink on the waterline that can make you look tired and makes your eyes look much more wide eyed and open. Nars Rue Bonaparte has a wonderfully creamy texture and is the perfect soft matte nude color to make eyes look bright. I already used up one pencil completely and am currently working through a second one--that's how much I love the effect! So when Rimmel came out with their new Scandaleyes waterproof eyeliners, I was ecstatic to hear that they came out with a nude color! After watching THIS ...

Hey guys! For todays FOTD I ended up with a pretty monochromatic look all in the berry color family! Berry blush, lips, and eyes! I started out playing with Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Amethyst, a warm mauve color with gold shimmer--it sort of inspired the rest of the products I used! Laura Mercier Amethyst all over lids, Mac Brown Down in outer-v & crease, Inglot amc shine 30 to highlight browbone Products: Face: Laura Mercier Foundation Primer YSL Le Teint Touche Eclat B30 Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Eye Rollerball Maybelline Dream Matte Powder Too Faced Chocolate Soleil bronzer Nars Sin Blush Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter in Pearl on cheekbones Anastasia Bold & Beautiful Brow Kit Eyes: Nars Smudgeproof Eyeshadow Base Laura Mercier Caviar Stick in Amethyst Mac Brown Down Sephora Collection 12HR wear liquid eyeliner in Glitter Brown Estee Lauder Sumptuous Mascara (HATED this mascara. Luckily ...

Today I thought I'd show you the Anastasia Beverly Hills Spring 2013 offering, the Bold and Beautiful Kit! If you like neutral shades and defined, groomed brows then this would be a great kit to check out. Very nice, simple packaging presented like a two box set--one set is for the brows, the second is for the eyes. I love that the palettes are nice and thin but I do think there is a lot of empty cardboard space. If they made them even smaller it would be even more convenient for travel. The brow set comes with a waxy brown shade on the left and a cool toned ashy taupe brow powder. The pomade holds the brows in really nicely, does not come out too dark and is lightly pigmented so it is buildable--i think if your brows are not too light or too dark it would work nicely. The brow gel works a bit better for holding very unruly brows in place, but if you only need a little bit of hold, the pomade is perfect! I really like the powder too--I thought it might be a little to...

Hi everyone! You may know from my post about YSL Glossy stains ( HERE ) that they are my absolute favorite lip product. I love everything about them--the staying power, the formula, the colors...The only thing I hate is the high price point. At $32 per glossy stain, they don't come cheap. So I was completely ecstatic when it was rumored that the new L'oreal Colour Caresse Shine Stains were a possible dupe for them! I picked up 4 for way less than the price of one glossy stain. I thought I'd share some swatches and my thoughts on them with you! L-R: Endless Red, Coral Tattoo, Pink Resistance, Berry Persistant The gold packaging is really nice--obviously not as luxurious looking as the YSL glossy stains, but I do like the packaging. I really like that you can see the color on the side as well. In the photo below you can see that the applicator is quite similar too. They both have a slightly pointed padded doefoot applicator. The YSL ones is a bit more angular so it does...