First E.L.F. Order + Mini Reviews

Finally, I took the opportunity to order from E.L.F. during the holidays because they had their take $5 off deal with no minimum. In fact, they still have it now! All you have to do is enter the code HAPPY at check out. I don't know how long the deal will go for, but it basically takes care of most of the shipping cost; I ended up only have to pay about a little under $2 for shipping.

I really needed a bigger brush because all my powder brushes are rather small. I wanted something that could sweep powder all over my face without caking on too much product, which I tend to do with the E.L.F powder brush. It's a great brush don't get me wrong, I just want to find a lighter powder applicator. So I went ahead and ordered a face kabuki brush from them. I ordered two to give one to my mom. I also went ahead and ordered the small stippling brush because it seemed so interesting and I wanted to try it out.

At my local target store, they did sell the kabuki brush, however I wasn't aware of that so I ordered from the website. They didn't have the small stippling brush so I'm glad I picked it up. If you don't want to pay shipping, check at your local drugstores and they might already have certain products in stores. They definitely have more of a wider selections in stores than they did before.

Shipping took about a week and a half, and the package arrived safely and without any problems. My total plus shipping for the three things was around $16.

Here is the mini review of these products!

E.L.F. Kabuki Face Brush

$6

Best Uses: applying setting powder, blending out blush or bronzers. 

Pros:

Price

Soft Bristles/Doesn't scratch skin

Portable

Apply pretty evenly

Cons:

The handle is poor quality

Doesn't pick up product as nicely as I would like it to

I've seen a couple of reviews for this brush and they seem to be saying how this is "really soft" and such, but it doesn't really help with what I wanted to know, which was the size and its application. I would say that the quality of this brush is probably around what the price is. It is really soft and feels nice, but the handle is really crappy and there are a couple of hairs that are not in place as the others. The size of this I would say is pretty good. The top of the bristles has a diameter of about 2 inches, which I would consider to be on the larger size. The application is nice, I wouldn't say it has the best ability to pick up the product as easily as I would like it too,but over all it is okay. 

Over all I would say it's a good brush for the price. I will keep using this for powder until I find a better brush. 

6.5/10

E.L.F Small Stipple Brush

$3

Best Uses: Applying cream products such as cream blushers or highlighters. Powder highlighters. 

Pros:
Feels sturdy
Nice feeling bristles
Price
Applies nicely and evenly

Cons: 
Nothing really

Now this brush I really like. It doesn't have too much uses for its size, but it is really effective for what it is supposed to do. It is really small, I would say about the size of my thumb, but a little rounder. It applies highlighter really well and cream products. I would say it is probably too small for foundation and such, but I can definitely see this working with liquid highlighters and cream blushes. Even powder highlighters work well for I have tried this with that. For the price, I think the quality of this is exceptional. It feels sturdy and has a certain amount of weight to it. Overall it is pretty good.

9/10

Since I will be on a "makeup" fast for the next couple of months (New years resolution to save money), I will be sticking to these brushes for now. Even though I love E.L.F products, I don't think I will be ordering from them anytime soon because there are many other products I want to try out that are either higher-end or other drugstore brands.

Thanks for checking this out and hope it was somewhat helpful!

HAPPY TUESDAY!

-Grace

New Year Resolutions + FOTD

I know that this is long overdue, but it's definitely not too late! I am so excited for the new year and I've made a few new year resolutions. In the past, I have never really thought too much on specific things that I wanted to accomplish. Instead I just wanted to become a better person in general. But this year, I have specifics! I hope I will be able to put these resolutions into reality!

1. Lose Weight

I know that this is the most popular new years resolution of the general public, but it is specifically mine this year. I didn't say "get fit" or "become healthier", etc, but I am assuming that what I consider "losing weight" includes all of that. Now, I don't think that I am really "fat" and I am not overweight, but I am simply not happy with how I look. And If you don't like something about yourself and you can't accept it, just change it! You are you and you can do whatever you feel like you should do. Of course I'm going to do this by eating better, exercising more, and eliminating everything that I used to chow down just because I have too much college feels. I don't know how much weight I want to lose exactly, but I'll know it when I feel "right". 

2. Be a Better Student 

I am a little disappointed about my first semester of college academically. I feel that even though I tried really hard, I didn't try hard enough. This new semester I will utilize every single second that I've got and not waste a single moment. I will try to use my time wisely so I will have free time in addition to school work. I want to be more involved in activities and I want to branch out to make more friends. I will try to be less socially awkward and anti-social, which I think is a factor that has dragged me back a bit in my first semester. Just be yourself and more, is what I want to be. 

3. Be a Saver

Starting from the end of my winter break (which is Jan. 27), I will not be purchasing anything that I do not need. This include any physical CDs, makeup, clothes, and anything else that I often spend money on just because I really want to. I will only purchase necessities when I run out of them and also food that I will eat. Can I do it? OF COURSE! (I hope so XD)

4. Blog More

Hopefully, if I follow my second resolution accordingly, I should have time to blog! As a makeup and fashion addict, I want to still do something that I like to do, and I think blogging is good for my college soul. I will blog more not only about fashion and makeup, but about my life in general. I shall try my hardest to at least blog once a week. I will take more pictures and document more of my college life. 

5. Get a Love Life

Now, this is not really a resolution and more like, a desire. For all 18 years of my life, I have never really had a love life. Now that I am getting older and more into the mature years of my youth, I am more serious about my future. I am not someone that "fools around" with others at parties and things like that, not because I think that's bad or wrong, I'm just a shy person that can't really take control of things like that. I think it was probably my own fault that I did not get to experience having much of a love life, and I want to change that. 

What are your new year resolutions? 

Have any advice for my resolutions? Please share!! 

FOTD: Everyday Minimal 

Face:
Revlon Colorstay Foundation in Warm Golden
Chanel Poudre Universelle Compacte Pressed Powder
Mac Sheertone Blush in Breath of Plum

Eyes:
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Yogurt
MAC Eye Shadow in All that Glitters
MAC Eye Shadow in Cork
Milani Liquid Eye Eyeliner Pencil
Maybelline Mega Plush Mascara

Lips:
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Adore

Happy Monday!

2012 in Beauty

Wow, I can't believe it is already the beginning of 2013! I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday a good start to the new year! Time just flies, but I am so glad to be making this post about my beauty favorites of 2012. In beauty and makeup terms, 2012 was a great year for me. I was able to try out so many products and my makeup collection definitely grew a lot! I learned so much about new application techniques and about makeup itself as well. Here I will share with you my favorite discoveries of 2012 and why I am in love with each and every one. I will also share with you some of my most used products that have received a lot of love from me in the past year. Most of these products are drugstore products. Without further rambling, here are the products!

Best Discoveries: 

Face: 

Revlon ColorStay for Combination/Oily Skin in 310 Warm Golden

I finally tried this product as a result of it being one of the most loved drugstore foundations of the YouTube community. I did not know what to expect because the last foundation I have tried was the Revlon PhotoReady, which I hated. I am not a foundation user; I generally just stick to my beloved BB Creams. But after trying this one out, I am definitely joining the band-wagon. This foundation is great. I would say it has medium coverage but build-able to full. It does not cake up, applies really smoothly and evenly with a damp sponge or a brush, and it lasts all day. It makes my skin look flawless without making it look unnatural. I love this foundation and I am so glad I picked it up this year. I also can't wait to try out the ColorStay Whipped Creme Makup, for I heard some great things about that too!

Maybelline Dream Touch Lumi Highlighting Concealer

I did not use this product as much as I should have, but I definitely think it is great. This is a concealer in a click-pen form and it has a range of shades to choose from. The shade I ended up getting was the illuminating shade with no color, but I really love using it as a highlighter. It as nice coverage with a thin consistency. It does not have loads of shimmer so the finish is very natural. I will definitely try out the a skin shade of this concealer in the new year once I run out of my Garnier under eye roller. 

Revlon Nearly Naked Pressed Powder in Light

This powder is hands down the best drugstore pressed powder I have ever tried, and I have tried a lot of drugstore powders: the Rimmel Stay Matte, the Maybelline Dream Matte, the Neutrogena Healthy Skin, the Cover Girl True Blend, etc. I don't have anything great or bad to say about these powders, the Revlon Nearly Naked, however is so different! It is so smooth and silky and it blends like a dream. It is finely milled so it doesn't feel too powdery once applied onto the skin. The only downside to this product is that it has a poor shade selection. I am in the shade "Light", which is the second lightest shade, and I don't consider myself to have fair skin. 

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hr Blush in Exposed

I definitely went a little crazy for blushes this year. This one is my favorite new discovery. Jen Frmheadtotoe on Youtube talked about this blush a lot and I finally gave in and spent the money because I was just so curious. I absolutely love this blush. The color is perfect for any look. It's so pigmented and smooth and it lasts all day. The packaging is cool as well, it actually sits on a magnet inside the case so you can easily take out the pan itself and pop it in a palette. I want to try out the other colors in this line, but the only downside is the price! $25 is a lot for a blush!



Eyes:

(Photo Credit)

Wet n' Wild Eye Shadow Trio in Silent Treatment 

Wet n' Wild eye shadows in general were such hits this year. They really reformulated their products and this products is non other than one of the amazing results. This trio became an essential for me in the later months of the year. I used this trio almost every time I did my eye makeup. The shadows are soft, pigmented, and very blend-able. The bottom shade is a taupe with a slightly purple undertone. The middle is a very dark brown, almost black shade, and the top is a light pink shade. The middle shade is almost matte with a bit of shimmer specks which don't show up much on the skin. For around $3.00 a trio, you really cannot go wrong with Wet n' Wild!

Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Shadows

These are the reason I stopped using eye shadow primer this year. Since I ran out of my Too-Faced shadow insurance, these have become my bases for every look. I have them in two shades: Bad to the Bronze and Tough as Taupe. These are so pigmented and so long lasting. Tough as Taupe is matte, so it is great for a darker, more dramatic look. Bad to the Bronze is a great everyday neutral that makes any eye shadow look great. The only downside to these, I would say, would be that they are not as soft and creamy; they are a bit the dry side. But a little goes a long way for these shadows! 

Mac Eye Shadow in All That Glitters

I actually just started using this shade this month, but I absolutely love it. This shade is a shimmery light pink-champagne-y color that is almost, I would describe a light rose gold. I apply this to the inner corners of my eyes and it instantly brightens without it being too overboard. I also like to apply this to the middle of my lids to really add dimension to my eyes and brighten them up. I have always been looking for a shade like this and I am glad I finally found it. 

Lips:

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Butters

I cannot say enough good things about the Revlon Lip Butters. I have the shades Pink Truffle, which a nice everyday neutral nude-pink, and Lollipop which is a bright plumy pink. These are creamy, moisturizing, smooth, and on top of all that, crazily pigmented. They are not very long lasting as a consequence to their creaminess and moisture, but I love them nonetheless.  

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stains

These are quite possibly my favorite lip product ever. These are way more pigmented than I had expected and they are very long lasting. I have the bright orange shade called Rendezvous and the deep red with a brown undertone and also some gold shimmer called Adore. I love them because they are super easy to apply, they are moisturizing while at the same time I would say they have a very crayon like consistency, which means they are dryer than typical lip sticks, and the lip butters for sure. I love them a LOT and I want every shade! 

Most Used Products:

Face:

Hanskin Smart Total BB Cream in #2

I picked up a full size of this product when I was in Korea this summer with Julia (:]). I have been using this every since the summer of 2011 and I absolutely love it. It has a light consistency but amazing coverage. Very blend-able and lasts all day, even through my work outs. The only downside is that it is quite dewy, so I have to set it with a powder, which is fine with me. 

Mac Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium

This was my go to setting powder for most of the year. I really like the finish and the color. It is just an overall basic item to have and I really like it. This is actually my second time purchasing it and I am already hitting pan. 

Garnier Roll-On Under-eye Concealer

I really enjoyed this concealer. This is perfect for those of us with dark circles that are not too dark. It has great coverage for such a thin consistency. Its hydrating and feels nice when you apply it. I highly recommend this. 

ELF Studio Blush Contour Duo

This duo is so convenient. It has my go to bronzer and the blush in it is nice as well. It has a huge mirror, so I often use that for my eye makeup. I definitely got a lot of use out of this little $3 product.

ELF Studio Blush in Candid Coral

I used this blush a heck of a lot during the past year. This is the only blush that I  have hit pan on so far. It is such a wearable color that gives me a healthy looking peachy glow. 

Eyes:

Mac Satin Taupe Eye Shadow (right)

This is my go-to shadow. It is a taupe color with a slight plummy undertone. It is very wearable and with this one shadow on my lid, it could look like several. I really really love this eyeshadow, it might just be my favorite of all time. 

Lancome Mochachinno Eye Shadow (left)

Also one of my go-to eye shadows, but this one is matte. It is a versatile color that I sometimes use for my brows as well. It is a matte grayish brown that will go well with I would say medium or lighter skin tones. It might look a bit ashy on darker skin tones.  

Maybelline Master Drama Eyeliner in Midnight Master

I really enjoyed this eyeliner. I have actually used it all up and haven't repurchased it yet because I am trying out something new. This eyeliner is really black; it's creamy and smooth and on top of that it is retractable. I definitely prefer retractable eyeliners over pencil and this one is a great basic eyeliner. 

Tarte Lights Camera Splashes Mascara

This is probably the only high-end mascara that I have tried and actually liked. I have tried Clinique mascaras and Estee Lauder in the past in sample sizes and for some reason, I could not find one that I liked. This one is amazing, it makes my non-existing lashes look luscious and thick; Because it is waterproof, it holds my curl very well. And on top of all that, it has the cutest packaging ever. I have actually already used this up, but I just can't throw it out! 

Lips:

Revlon Colorburst Lipstick in Petal

Very nice neutral peachy shade. It is my "my lips but better and peachier" shade. It is my go to lipstick if I don't want a pop of color. Sadly, I believe this line of lipstick is now discontinued. :(

(not pictured)

Sephora Rouge Cream Lipstick in #21

I think I mentioned this in my favorites last year. I still really enjoy this lipstick. The texture is so creamy and the color is gorgeous. If I want a bit more color than Petal by Revlon, I go for this shade. It is a bit darker than my lips and it gives a nice finish.


I have made a list of products that I wanted to try in 2013. I will keep updating on new hauls and reviews in the upcoming year :-)

Have a great year! and thanks for checking this out!


What were some of your 2012 favorites?

Edgy Taupe Eyes

Hello everyone! Here is a slightly-more-dramatic-than-everyday-makeup-for-me eye look for y'all. I hope you guys enjoy these videos we have been making recently! please leave some love!

Products Mentioned:
Hanskin Smart Total BB Cream in #2
Sonia Kashuk Hidden Agenda Concealer Palette
Sonia Kashuk Bare Minimum Pressed Powder 03
NYX Automatic Eyebrow Pencil in Charcoal
Too Faced Shadow Insurance
Maybelline Color Tattoo 24Hr Eye shadow in Tough as Taupe
Lancome Color Design Eye Shadow in Mochaccino
Clinique Sample Duo in Strawberry Fudge
Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips Eyeliner for Brown Eyes in Black
Tarte Lights Camera Splashes Mascara
NYX Rouge Cream Blush in 02 Natural
Victoria's Secret Lipstick in Celebuntante

The Ups and Downs of 2011

Happy New Year everyone!^^
I hope everyone had a wonderful new years! 2011 was a great year, but now 2012 is here and let's make it even better! I became interested in make-up just this year and I am so excited to share my favorite and least favorite products of the year. This is from my personal experience and solely my own opinion! It shouldn't hinder you from trying out these products! But if you ever wanted a piece of mind, here it is!

(Least Favorites of 2011) 

Read more for more! 

Kiss Me Coral

It has been a little over a year since my lipstick fetish started.

Over time, I collected my fair share of lipstick 

shades from Nude Attitude to Siren Red.

Right around the end of summer, I gave into the 

bright lipstick trend and I've been hooked ever since!

I love that when I'm on the go, I can just swipe on 

the lipstick and boom, I can make a fashion statement.

I'm thinking about doing a tutorial on how to 

have long-lasting lip color, so look out for that :)

These are some of my favorite lipsticks & looks:

Emily from Cupcakes and Cashmere, my favorite blog! 

I think she looks absolutely stunning with bright red/orange lipstick.

(Credit)

The hot pink looks sooo good on Emma Stone!

I just got my first bright pink yesterday. So excited about it!

(Credit)

I lovvvve the dark brows + dark red lipstick look!

Such a statement.

I know the colors all the look the same in the picture, but I promise they aren't! Sorry :(

Left to Right: Revlon Apricot Fantasy, Rimmel Nostalgia, 

Revlon Coralberry, Revlon Kiss Me Coral, Maybelline Fruit Punch

(Can you tell I really like Revlon?)

Happy weekend! 

-Julia

Simple, Realistic School Make-up

Have you ever come across a Youtube make-up tutorial and thought, "It looks pretty, but I will never be able to do it" or "I can't pull that off in school!"? Well i certainly have. Doing makeup is fun and enjoyable for me, but in the morning when I barely have any time to get ready for school, the last thing I would be able to do is create a sultry smoky eye. Here is a very simple eyeliner look that anyone can pull off. It's easy, fast, and appropriate for school.

If you already have wonderful skin, I wouldn't wear any face makeup. If you have acne spots or any blemishes, Use a concealer to cover it up. If you are like me and have special very horrible skin, use a foundation or tinted moisturizer. I don't like foundations personally because they tend to sit on top of the skin and is not good for the skin. I usually use B.B Creams (I will have a more informational post about those later). But whatever works for you. I had on Missha M Perfect Cover BB cream in No.23 and Rimmel Stay Matte powder in translucent on my face.

You will need:

*Of course, You don't need the same brands, just the general idea :-)*

*Optional Step: If you have an eye primer, go ahead and use it. I used TooFaced Shadow insurance here, but its optional because primers can be a bit pricey, but in my opinion they are a good investment because they will make your makeup last all day.*

Use the black eyeliner and line your upper lash line. Make sure the line is noticeable but not substantial. You can use gel, liquid, or pencil liner, which ever one works or you. Make sure to wing out the liner just a bit. 

Then, Take the brown eyeshadow and sweep take over the liner, creating a slightly smokey effect. This will soften the liner and make it look less harsh on the lids. 

Make sure to smudge the shadow on the lower lash line as well. Using shadow instead of eyeliner will make the look less harsh and enlarge the eye. 

Use a pearly shadow or shadow stick and lighten up the inner corners of the eye. This will brighten up that area and make you look more awake. 

Now curl your lashes and apply mascara. Waterproof mascara will not smudge and will hold a curl longer than regular mascara. Now you are ready to go!

Finished!

Now, Cheeks and lips are all up to you. I usually don't wear any lipglosses because they are too sticky for my liking, but I do like liptints and lipsticks, I think they are a great pop of color to any look. For cheeks, it's totally up to you if you want to wear blush or not. It all depends on what you have and how much time there is.

I hope this helped! It's very subtle and appropriate for school. it's fast and super easy, all could be done under 5-10 minutes. Have fun at school and be confident!



-Grace