July 2015 Favorites

I have loved way too many things this past month, so let's jump right into it!

Earth Science Clarifying Herbal Astringent - Now I know what you're thinking ; no more Magic Potion? An astringent?? Now don't get me wrong, I love and always will love my Magic Potion, but that stuff stinks girl. And I can deal with it, but it was not as fun when it leaked while I traveled...I still wanted something natural and gentle, but that's also designed to help fight breakouts. I was randomly browsing through Whole Foods and found this toner. The word Astringent makes me want to crawl out of my skin, but I was intrigued when right under I read hyaluronic acid (which hydrates and locks in moisture). Confusing right? I looked at the ingredients (witch hazel, sage, rosemary, horsetail, cucumber, sea kelp, peppermint, sulfur, camphor, zinc and hyaluronic acid) and decided to give it a try. Oh it does also have some ACV somewhere down the line. Most importantly, it doesn't contain any alcohol. It's gentle, smells fairly decent, natural, affordable, seems to agree/help with my skin. I'd say I'm quite content with this.

Product Review | Rimmel Wonder'Lash Lift Me Up Mascara

Holy toledo! I don't usually review single mascaras, but this release didn't coincide with anything else for me, and I needed to tell you about it because I have NEVER been this impressed by a Rimmel mascara. Ever.

I actually quite liked the Argan Oil Wonder'Lash one, I mean it was a decent mascara for a more natural look and really lengthening. But I didn't LOVE it, you know? 

But the new Wonder'Lash Lift Me Up Mascara I picked up because it piqued my interest. A formula with vitamins & cucumber (like that matters, then again I love gimmicky stuff) for eye-awakening volume & lift. I was "like yeah, alright, I'll try this but it'll probably suck..."

Man was I wrong! I was put off at first by the smell, as it's straight up cucumber, which I usually associate with makeup removers or lotions? But I got used to it, and then kinda liked it. I mean usually mascara smells pretty funky, so I guess that's nice? It's meant to be "energizing". I don't how much the cucumber and vitamins do for your lashes, it must be good for them, but it's too soon to say if it'll make my lashes healthier or anything.

Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette | Review, Swatches & Comparison

It's finally here! The long awaited Urban Decay Naked Smoky Palette. This post is going to be pretty heavy so I'll get straight to the point. Whether you already have the previous Naked Palettes and trying to figure out if this is one is worth getting or if you own none and are trying to figure out which one is best for you, I should have you covered!

ColourPop Mondays in Malibu | Swatches and Makeup Look

So this isn't really a review, because you already know how I feel about the ColourPop eye shadows (and the brand in general) but! I do wanted to showcase this fun little "palette" and share my go to look I've doing lately using it...And I'll try not to harrass you too much with this brand after this, or at least until I get my hands on their Ultra Matte Liquid Lipsticks (they are still sold out). On to business! 

Mondays in Malibu is part of their summer collection. You get 6 shadows for $30 (again, never a deal to buy them in these collections just a fun way to get colors that can create great looks together).

New Maybelline Color Blur Lip Pencils | Review and Swatches

Yes I know, more lippies and again from Maybelline? But you know me, if it's new and shiny, I gotta have it. Enter the Maybelline Color Blur Lip Pencils.

Having just gotten new shades of the Creamy Matte Lipsticks, it was very hard to justify more matte lip colors from a same brand. But, oh look it's skinny, and twist up and it has a smudger! Yes, I fell right into the trap (well in my defense, I willingly jumped in).

These come in 10 shades, they are still a bit hard to find (I believe they are just now starting to slowly get released). 

But again, it's a creamy matte lip color. The smudger is designed to "blur" the lipstick if you wanted to soften things up or create sorta that ombré lip I suppose?

Product Review | Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector

I had been eyeing the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfectors for a while, continuously hearing rave reviews about them, but I just never caved in. When I found out the famous YouTuber Jaclyn Hill had collaborated with Becca to create her own shade, I was intrigued. Again, I'm not a fan girl and wouldn't really throw myself on a product just because I liked the person who's name is on it, but it does grab my attention you know? 

At first, I feared it would be too bronzy and dark on me, and therefore not really a highlighter. But this is supposedly designed to work on all skin tones...I saw swatches that didn't really help me determine anything besides the fact that it was indeed stunning. But, since it was limited edition I was like eh, let's just try it and if you don't like it exchange it for Opal (a golden opal pearl) or something!

Well, may I present to you Becca x Jaclyn Hill Shimmering Skin Perfector Champagne Pop

Overview | NEW! Maybelline Creamy Matte Lipsticks

If you read my original post (HERE), then you know I absolutely adore these lipsticks and was only disappointed with the fact there weren't MORE shades available. So I called up my friends at Maybelline, and I was like "Listen, we need more!" and they were like "Oh Val, you're so right, here are 10 more shades per your request".  Sooo you're welcome! 

Yeaaaah, Mondays are a bit rough, I apologize. The truth is, I read it on Nouveau Cheap and shared the news with you on Facebook.

So far, I've paced myself and collected only 4 of these. Though, to be honest, the pink shades are not calling out to me, so I most likely won't get more...

The most coveted hue for me was the Vibrant Violet as I have a new thing for purple lips (I know! Go figure!). I was curious about the new nude shades as well (which are very brown toned) so I got me the Clay Crush and Nude Nuance. Finally, I needed a classic, and went for Rich Ruby which is somewhere between Siren in Scarlet and Divine Wine, and precisely what I needed.

June 2015 Favorites

Since I've been travelling a ton this past month, I've been keeping things pretty simple. So here are my short and sweet June faves!

Shiseido Facial Cotton - Now I know what you're thinking, $10 for freakin' cotton pads? Well, A) You get A LOT (I think 165) and B)Trust me, they're like nothing you've ever tried before. I don't know how, they're just so gentle and soft and help your products work better. Definitely worth the splurge! Though it's not even a splurge? Aren't drugstore packs like $4-5 for 80 pads? That's $0.05 per unit, and the Shiseido are $0.058 per unit. So...Yeah, big woop!