Product Review | Too Faced x NikkieTutorials The Power of Makeup Collection

Oh my sweet baby Jesus. This collaboration is everything I dreamed it would be. Do I hate the tacky animal print packaging? Yes (sorry not sorry). I'm sure it translates both parties' taste and personality but honestly, I don't care for the juvenile vibe it gives off. That being said, high school Val would have been all over that shit.

What grown ass Val really cares about, is what's inside the Too Faced The Power of Makeup By NIKKIETUTORIALS, and it is pure awesomeness. This collection includes; a palette with 9 eyeshadows, 2 blushes, 1 bronzer, 1 highlighter AND a deluxe sample of the Better Than Sex mascara (in purple, yaaaass), Shadow Insurance Primer, Sketch Marker Liquid Art Eyeliner and Glamour Dust Glitter Pigment. This is going to be very straight forward. I'm a huge fan of Too Faced, and they delivered the quality once again. So now lets give your eyes a feast and you can come to your own conclusion ;) 

(more below, "click for more"!)

Brand Overview | New Simple Skincare Products

You may already know, but back in July, I was lucky enough to be part of a special sneak peak event for Simple Skincare. 

So, disclaimer, yes the products in this article were given to me for free, but I was only invited cause I'm a big fan to begin with. I regularly spend my own money on this brand, and I've loved them for YEARS. So there. All opinions are my own. 

This PR event was to introduce 3 new products. You might have seen them pop up at your local drugstores. I've been testing them out since then, but wanted to wait until I could form a complete opinion, and until they were easily accessible for you guys!

These products are all about makeup removal, and treating your skin after wearing a full face all day, hence the hashtag #MakeUp4Makeup.

Product Review | Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick + Vanishing Foundation Brush

Alright, so I received these products curtesy of Influenster. I've worked with them A LOT, and am finally ready to give my verdict. 

I was sent the Hourglass Vanish Seamless Foundation Stick in Vanilla and the Vanishing Foundation Brush to test out. As soon as I yanked them out of the box, I was so excited and tried them out immediately. My skin was not prepped, I put on WAY too much, and long story short, it was a disaster.

I tried yet again the following day, being wary of the amount used and prepping my skin appropriately. A little goes a looong way. I liked how easy it was to blend, as it's super creamy, but you have to work fast and you can't really build this foundation. If you go back over certain areas it will look cakey and gross, but even with a thin layer, I was not a huge fan of the finish. It definitely doesn't vanish...It's very apparent and sorta powdery, but it does offers great coverage, especially considering how little product you should use. 

July 2016 Favorites

Welp...Better late than never right? Here's a few things I've been DYING to talk about, most them being things I've been loving for quite a while now, but had yet to mention!

Stila Convertible Color in Peony - This is a cream blush that just livens up the face. Not thick or greasy, great color payoff and lasting power plus it looks great on pretty much everyone! I discovered it thanks to celebrity makeup artist Gita Bass (met her at a PR event for Simple Skincare, which I will tell you all about soon!), who absolutely swears by this stuff!