MAC Lipstick Fanfare

Fanfare is in the creamsheen line.

Like all MAC lipsticks, it smells like sweet vanilla.

Shade: pretty pink with light hints of peach and nude 

Price: $17

*click on individual picture 
to enlarge for a closer look*

V xoxo.

Makeup Expiration Dates

It's finally spring! My favorite time of the year! 

Which also means it is time for our yearly spring cleaning~

After hoarding makeup for a whole year, it is finally time for me to throw out/ give away the ones that didn't for me and replace all my old and yucky makeup. 

Don't keep your expensive makeup around just for display. Use them because makeup eventually goes bad and it is so sad having to throw away your $80 foundation! Please don't attempt to use your makeup if they have gone bad (looking or smelling funny) because it is so bad for the skin **acne!** and it is not worth it.

Here is list of recommend time that you should keep your makeup around after you have used them. I know, it's hard letting your favorite mascara or blush, but we must do it for our skin! 

**note that organic or natural products usually have a short shelf life because they are mostly preservatives free!**

Foundation

6 months to 1 year

**beneficial for your skin, lessen chances of breakout, and keeps you from buying tons of foundation**

Primer

between 1 to 2 years depending on the product

Concealer

1 year to 18 months

Blush/ Bronzer/ Highlight/ Face Powder

1 year (cream)

2 years (powder) 

Eye shadow

2 years

**guilty of keeping mine too long**

Eye Liner 

6 months (liquid)

1 year (pencil)

**really recommend following these dates for infection free eyes**

Mascara

3 to 5 months

**the more frequently your use the sooner you should change it -- especially for contact lens users and people with sensitive eyes**

Lip Liner

1 year

Lipstick

2 year

**that is the recommended time, but I definitely keep mine for waaay longer (opss) haha**

Lip Gloss

1 year

Brushes

Spot clean every few days or at least once a week when in use

Deep Clean every 2 weeks for frequent users

**cleansing brushes frequently can lessen the chances of break out from bacteria collected in the brush; try to store clean brushes in drawers to avoid collecting dust in the open**

Sponge Applicators

Wash sponge twice a week when in use 

Daily users should try to wash it every other day 

**moist sponge promotes easier growth of bacteria**

Keep in mind that these are all recommended dates, so your makeup could go bad faster or longer than these dates. However, I really encourage everyone to change out their eye liners and mascaras frequently because eye infections are not fun. For those of us that suffer from acne prone skin, washing your makeup applicator (brushes, sponges) is a must. Always remember the good old fashion nose test! If it smells or looks bad, it is time to let it go~

V xox.

Rimmel London Stay Matte Pressed Powder

Hello there my lovelies~

Today will be a quick review for Rimmel London's Stay Matte Pressed Powder!

Alright, so we all know that shiny "t-zone" is a big no no after applying your foundations. That is why a long lasting setting powder is very important. 

This powder is pretty well known on the internet. Many makeup gurus on the internet has claimed that this powder has great long wear and oil control powers. Today, I will review whether or not this powder can actually stand up to its claim.

Retails for $4~6

0.49 oz/ 14g of product per compact

Links will be listed down below for places to purchase this product.

I am in the shade 004 Sandstorm.

Comes in a total of 6 shades

Includes a transparent shade.

As you can tell I have showed

this powder a little too much love haha ^ _ ^

Here is a simple swatch of the powder itself.

The powder is not the greatest in texture compared 

to high end powders. For the price of this powder, the texture is not so shabby at all.

The powder gets a little powdery and chalky (just a little, nothing crazy)

after using it for a long time.

So did this product work wonders for me? I would say yes and no. 

When I first used this powder, the texture of this powder is extremely smooth. However, after using this powder for awhile it became a little chalky and powdery. Of course it wasn't to the point where it was impossible to work with. It wasn't a big issue, I was just a little disappointed that the texture didn't stay the same. But hey! For $4 that's not so bad!  

CONS:
   - Packaging is really loose
   -Chalky after long use
   -Fragrance might be a little strong
   - Did not come with a sponge or a puff
   - No mirror

PROS:
   -Good mattifying power
   -Smooth powder
   -Easy to apply and blend
   -Good staying power
   - Great powder for a great price

SCORE: 4 out of 5

FINAL VERDICT:
For this price the powder is great! Keep in mind that I have oily skin, so whatever does or doesn't work for me does not mean it won't work for you. I do like to use this powder to set my liquid foundations. This powder does keep me matte for about an hour or two, but since I have oily skin blotting my face is definitely a must no matter what. So I believe that you guys should give this powder a try! For around $4~5 bucks it's worth trying it!

LINKS:
All the links below are where you can purchase this powder.
     Walmart
     Where to Buy (Rimmel London Official Website)

Feel free to leave any comments or questions down below!

I'll be happy to answer them!

See you next time~

V xoxo.

Wet and Wild Color Icon Eye Shadow Trio (Walking on Eggshells)

Today's review will be on Wet and Wild's Color Icon Eye Shadow Trio in Walking on Eggshells (308B). For those who are not familiar with the brand, Wet and Wild is a U.S drugstore brand commonly known for their inexpensive high quality products. If you are familiar with the brand, then you might know how amazing some of their shadows are! And of course, Walking on Eggshells is just as amazing as the rest of the high quality shadows by Wet and Wild~

Retails for $2.99~$5.99

0.12 oz/ 3.5 g

(Depending on where you get it at. 

Links will be listed down 

below if you can't get them in store!)

Back 

Instructions on the shadows 

and list of ingredients. 

Instruction for the shadows.

List of ingredients.

These trio palettes come with 2 applicators

A small brush and a single sided sponge tip

(quality of the applicators are not the best)

The color range for this trio is very neutral.

3 neutral shades for everyday wear!

Brow bone color:

Creamy yellow

Crease color:

Basic brown 

( Lighter than picture, previous crease picture 

above is much closer to the true color )

Eyelid Color:

Rose pink

( Lighter than picture, previous eyelid pictures

are much closer to the true color)

Swatches

In natural lighting

More swatches!

(Different lighting)

This shadow trio is quite impressive! The colors are pigmented, very silky and soft, and extremely easy to blend and use! For $2.99, these shadow qualities are unbeatable for the price! They are pretty comparable high end products! (Of course color and texture wise, high end products probably have better ingredients; but HEY at this price, it's not so shabby) 

These shadows, however, do have tiny shimmers blended into the shadows. The shimmers are not extremely noticeable unless you pay close attention to them. The 3 shades all have a stain finish to them. The textures of these shadows are oh-so-soft! They are creamy and wonderful to work with! 

The brow bone, crease, and eyelid shadows all have the same creamy consistency, not chalky at all. However, depending on how you apply these shadows, there might be a little bit of fall outs. Just tap off the excess powders and you're good to go!  

CONS:

   - Might be hard to get for others outside of U.S

   - Applicators are okay

   - No mirror 

   - Packaging is okay 

PROS:

  - Great quality shadows for a low price

   - Very beautiful neutral colors

   - Soft, silky, and easy to blend (can be applied with fingers and still look gorgeous!)

SCORE:  4.5 out of 5

FINAL VERDICT: 

The shadows are awesome! The only let down is the packaging. There is no mirror and the plastic isn't the best. I wish the packaging and the applicators were better. But for $2.99 what more can I ask for? Other than that, I am very happy about this product! One more thing before I forget! Because these shadows are so soft and creamy, they can break very easily! So don't drop them.

COUPON/ SALES: 

Attention all U.S shoppers that are interested in this product! 

Drugstores like Walgreen, CVS, Rite-Aid often have BOGO Free (Buy one get one free) or 40% off on this brand! So wait for a sale to get even more discounts on them~

LINKS: 

All the links below are where you can purchase this shadow and other Wet and Wild products if you can't get them in store!

   Wet and Wild Site

   Nonpareilboutique

   Beautyjoint

I hope you enjoyed the review! 

Until next time~

V  xoxo.

DIY Eye Makeup Remover

The key ingredient in this DIY is OIL! Not just any kind of oil! Extra virgin olive oil! Why olive oil you may ask? Oil can "dissolve" makeup by breaking down the pigments in eye makeups. 

Since olive oil resembles the natural type of oil on our skin, it won't clog our pores. Further more, olive oil can keep your skin soft and nourish your eyelashes while chemicals in store bought eye makeup removers can dry out our skins. For those of you who have sensitive skin should consider giving this a try!

Now you will need:

*You could exchange the water to aloe vera water to further hydrate your skin*

Steps:

1. Take the small bottle and fill up as much olive oil as you wish ( I generally put in half, but if you don't like the greasy feeling of the olive oil then you can add less oil and more water)

2. Add water (I recommend filtered water) to fill the rest of the bottle (TIP: don't fill up the bottle all the way because you need room to shake it) 

 3. Now you are all complete! SHAKE SHAKE SHAKE! Shake the bottle quickly and pore a generous amount on a cotton pad and BAM! DONE! 

This is the perfect makeup remover to make if you're out of your favorite eye makeup remover or you just want to try something new. You can also us this as a all over face makeup remover too! This is easy,simple, and cheap to make! So what are you waiting for? 

Have a wonderful day!
V  (:

Physicians Formula's Organic Wear Loose Powder

Recently I purchased this loose powder from the Physicians Formula's organic wear line. So far this powder has worked great for me and I really enjoy using it :) I love using this powder to set my liquid foundation because it mattifies my face and gives an airbrush finished. The best part is that this powder is ORGANIC, which means that it 100% chemical free.

According to the box, this is

 "100% Free of Harsh Chemicals. 100% Free of Synthetic Preservatives. 100% Free of Parabens. 100% Free of GMO's. 100% Free of Synthetic Colors. 100% Free of Synthetic Fragrances. 100% Cruelty Free." 

Amazing right? OH YES! Here is the review: *Keep in mind that everything in this post are my personal opinions*

Retails for $13.95 on the Physicians Formula's website (link down below)

0.77 Oz./ 22g of products 

Includes a mini kabuki brush and a mirror

View from above 

Back 

Product includes a mini mirror 

*workable mirror but its too small for me*

Bottom

Mine is in the shade "Translucent Light Organics"

  

Inside *lids off*

Comes with a mini kabuki brush

*Terrible brush, smells super bad, and insane fall outs*

I prefer to use my Elf Complexion Brush with this product

Sifter lid top 

*took off the kabuki brush*

Really like the idea of the sifter lid in the jar!

Keeps the powder from getting everywhere. 

*Mess-free!*

Took off the sifter lid to show you guys the inside

Product is filled all the way up 

NO misleading packaging *YES!*

CONS: 
    - The kabuki brush is terrible
    - Mirror is way too small to use
    - Powder has a bad scent to it (scent goes away once you apply it)

PROS:  
   - AWESOME formula
   - Comes in 6 shades
   - Sifter lid *mess-free*
    - ORGANIC
    - Mattifies your face

SCORING: This product is a 5 out of 5 stars for me :)

FINAL VERDICT:
This product is overall awesome! I LOVE IT! It keeps my face matte for hours and it gives a natural grow to the face. $13.95 for an organic loose powder? Pretty good considering that is it organic! Would I recommend this? Yes I would. I would mostly recommend this for normal to combination skin. Even though the product does have a smell to it, it fades away very quickly. I have been grabbing this product whenever I need to set my foundation!

SAVE: Wait for a sale before grabbing any products from this line because they are always on sale somewhere at Walgreen, CVS, Rite-Aid, or Ulta (Beauty junkies in the U.S. are in LUCK!)

Links: Physicians Formula Organic Wear Loose Powder

Please comment and subscribe!

Leave questions if you have any, I'll be happy to answer them :)

               V <3

NYX Makeup Artist Kit

So a few months back I won a giveaway from one of my favorite YouTube beauty guru, K.L. You guys might know her better as her channel name, Secretlifeofabionerd (I will link her channel at the end of this post). She was having a mass giveaway and I was lucky enough to be one of the giveaway winners :) Keep in mind that everything in this post are my personal opinions.

This retail for $30.00 on the NYX website (link at the end)

The packaging of it is pretty nice 

Dimension: 7.25"W x 7.25"H x 1.5"D

(Pretty good size for a two layer palette) 

Layer one of the palette 

36 Colors

The eye shadow colors are divided 50/50 with earthy & warm colors and bright & pop colors. Only one of the eye shadow in this entire palette is matte matte, a few looks matte when apply on your lids. The 36 eye shadow colors in this  palette is pretty amazing, but the quality of these shadows are not the greatest. Almost all of the shadows in this palette has insane fall outs! 

For someone like me that has sensitive eyes, this is not a palette for me. I would say 1/3 of the shadows apply nicely, but the rest are either too sheer or too chalky. Overall, the shadows are okay, but the fall outs are just way too much.

Here are some swatches of the shadows:

2nd layer when you slide open the first 

(my palette broke during the shipping process)

From left to right:
5 lip colors, 4 blushes, 2 bronzers, 1 contour/highlight 

*I threw away the applicators*

Compared to the eye shadows, the blushes, bronzers, and lippies was MUCH better! I love the blushes in this palette, all of the blushes are super pretty, pigmented, and easy to blend. My favorite one is the light pink, it gives a soft innocent glow when you apply it to the apples of your cheek. Since the palette included 2 shades of bronzers it was really easy to work with. The mini lip pans are awesome they are super pigmented and moisturizing.

SCORE: 3.5 out of 5 stars

FINAL VERDICT: Overall, the palette has a great variety of colors and it is basically all in one kind of a deal. All you need is a foundation, eyeliner, and mascara and you're all set! Even though the palette have great variations in color and usage, the eye shadows are not the greatest. Would I recommend this palette? Not really, for $30.00 It is not worth the money to purchase this palette when there are plenty more better products out there. Even though this product was kind of a miss for me, I really do enjoy the blushes, bronzers, and the lippies a lot!

Links:  K.L's Channel: Secretlifeofabionerd
             NYX Palette: Makeup Artist Kit

Please comment if you have any questions!

V :)