REVIEW: ColourPop Super Shock Cheek in "Lunch Money"

I'm gonna come right out and say it: I have a new favorite highlighter, as well as a new obsession. I recently purchased the ColourPop highlighter in "Lunch Money," and I can't say enough good things about it. The second I touched this product to swatch it, I knew I was going to want more products from ColourPop to add to my collection.

That being said, let's get down to the nitty gritty of this product!

So this color, "Lunch Money" is described as a" soft light gold with a reflective golden duo chrome finish." While I'm not really sure I see the duo chrome once it's on my skin, I definitely can see it as a soft light gold, although leaning more toward a champagne, since it's not super warm toned.

While I'm not a huge fan of the packaging, I understand why it needs to be packaged this way. The texture of this is basically magical. It's got this creamy texture that is somehow actually a powder. I guess I'd almost call it like a mousse. Honestly, there is no good way to describe it, you seriously just have to touch it. It's cool to the touch, and when you put it on your face it's instant magic. Because of this magical texture, though, it has to be in packaging that can seal tightly, which unfortunately means ColourPop probably won't be coming out with palettes any time soon.

Personally, I prefer to apply this with my finger tips, just because I feel like I get a more intense glow that way (and since my skin is so pale, anything less than intense just won't show up), however, they also recommend either a flat synthetic cheek brush or a duofiber brush, depending on your desired finish. If you have darker skin than me, you can probably go for either of those and be just fine -- it just isn't intense enough for me if I use it that way.

That is one swipe from my fingertips. Just one. You barely have to dip your fingers or brush into the product to get fantastic pigmentation, and this stuff seriously stays put all day! I think my favorite thing about this highlighter is that it isn't glittery or chunky, and it doesn't make you look sweaty or oily. It just gives such a natural pop to the skin. 

I hope that you enjoyed this quick review!

- D. 

REVIEW: L'Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation

I know, I know, it's been forever, I'm the worst blogger ever. My fall semester was absolutely nuts, and because of that, I just couldn't find time to blog! I decided I was going to take a break for a bit so I wouldn't be so swamped with homework and also be worrying about school work and what not, however, I am hoping to be able to get back to it this semester. Forgive me if I'm rusty!

Anyways, for my first few posts of the New Year, I have some reviews to do for you guys! The L'Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation is all over YouTube right now, and I really wanted to give it a try.

I remember when I was younger, my mom had an Asian beauty brand cushion foundation that I loved playing with, so seeing cushion foundations in American drugstores really take me back to my childhood. That being said, cushion foundations originated within Asian beauty brands, and, especially with the recent interest in Asian beauty products, have become more popular in the US. It's kind of like how BB creams took the world by storm a few years back. A widely popular product in Asia made its way west!

Anyways, let's get on to the review. First thing I noticed about this product right off the bat was the packaging. It's this gorgeous rose gold compact that easily draws you into the display. When you get to the display, there are these little stickers that are supposed to help you find your shade. Personally, I didn't find those particularly helpful, but it was nice that they tried. Normally with the L'Oreal True Match Foundation, I wear the shade C2. However, within the True Match Lumi line, the lightest they go to in each of the shade ranges is C3, N2, and W2. For those of you who aren't familiar with the True Match line, each shade range is categorized by your undertone (C for cool, N for neutral, and W for warm). In the Cushion Foundation, I chose to go with N2, because I have kind of a cool-neutral skin tone.

Something super important to note is that the shade range of the True Match Lumi line is definitely not as vast as the shade range in the original True Match line. The original True Match line has 28, Lumi only has 12.

When you open up the foundation, it is just as all cushion foundations are. You open it, the sponge is sitting on top of a little cap, and when you open the cap, you see the foundation-soaked sponge. To apply, you just press the sponge into the cushion, then tap it on your skin!

While we're on the topic of packaging, I feel the need to make note that the sponge gets VERY dirty, very fast. While it is easily washed, it stains pretty badly. So your sponge will never look as immaculate as it does when you first open it.

My first thought when I opened this foundation was that it was pretty orange for a "neutral" toned foundation. But I still wanted to give it a shot. When you first apply this foundation, you'll notice it is very thin and almost watery. However, this foundation really lends itself well to the patting motion that is recommended. It's definitely a sheer-to-medium coverage, but you can build it up to medium pretty quickly. When the foundation is applied, it's definitely very luminous, if not a bit slippery. For me, with my dry-combo skin, this is ideal! At first I wasn't sure how I felt about the finish, but after wearing it throughout the day, I noticed something with this foundation that is always a major struggle for me: it didn't cling to my dry patches. Like at all. And it lasted pretty much all day!

Here's the struggle for me. I'm pale. Pasty even. Not only did this shade look orange in the packaging, but when I brought it down my neck to attempt to blend it out better, it definitely came off just slightly dark enough to show up as orange. To resolve the problem, I went back in with my Beauty Blender and kind of dealt with the situation. The problem here for me is that the shade range just isn't a vast as the shade range of the original True Match line. I'm simply too pale for this foundation (shout out to all my pasty girls out there).

Maybe in the summer I could pull this shade off. I mean, it isn't THAT dark on me, so I think with a tan I might be able to wear it. However, I paid $16.99 for this foundation. That's right. $16.99 for a drugstore foundation. Oh, and it only comes with 0.51 fl oz! The standard foundation size is about 1 oz, so you're paying a big chunk of money (for a drugstore foundation), for half the product. You're definitely paying for the packaging here.

Final Thoughts? For mid-range skin tones with dry to dry-combo skin, who wants the ease and portability of a compact liquid foundation? This stuff would probably be great. However, I personally can't forgive the shade range. If you're super fair, or even just a dark-medium skin tone, you're out of luck with this one. I also can't forgive the price. While I have no problem shelling out $45 on a good luxury foundation, I expect to get at least an ounce of product in my foundation. With this, I expect it to run out quickly and have a person running out to the store to buy more.

I'm not entirely sure how I feel about this foundation. I've been using it for about a week, on both bad skin and good skin days. I think my biggest beef with it is the shade range. Honestly, if the shade range was better, I could justify the price tag, due to the ease of application, the kind of coverage that gives you the "I woke up like this" look, and the fact that it doesn't cling to any dry spots.

Hope you enjoyed this review! I'm definitely rusty since it's been a while, but I hope to be back into the swing of things soon!

- D.

REVIEW: Wet n Wild Summer 2015 Collection -- Venice Beach

I was just casually walking through my local Rite Aid as I do, and I spotted the most gorgeous colorful collection of eyeshadows. Of course, it had to be the new Wet n Wild summer collection! It was absolutely gorgeous, and 40% off, so I had to snag two of the three palettes to try them out!

Incredibly colors, right? Normally when I see palettes like this in the drugstore, I assume that they're going to be chalky and sheer. Since they were 40% off though, I decided I could take a chance. I chose the palettes "Hemporary Solutions" and "Boardwalk Boozing," and didn't grab the palette "High Flying Colors," because it just reminded me too much of Mimi from The Drew Carey Show. These palettes are honestly quite reminiscent of the old watercolor palettes that I used to use as a kid. Anyways, let's get into the review!

The first palette, "Hemporary Solutions," has 4 cool toned colors, 3 warm toned colors, plus a true, matte white. When swatched with fingers, these eyeshadows are super soft, and almost crumble at the touch. They are incredibly creamy, despite being a little too soft, and when applied with a brush, creates a super opaque, vivid eyeshadow look. My favorite shade of this palette has to be, without a doubt, the pearlescent aqua blue! In this palette, 6 out of the 8 shadows are matte, which is quite unique for a collection like this.

The formula of the "Boardwalk Boozing" palette is very similar to that of the "Hemporary Solutions" palette, although I noticed that the shimmery shades in this palette are a bit less opaque than the matte ones, which is actually pretty odd for drugstore shadows. The matte pink, red, and yellow shadows in this palette are identical to the ones in "Hemporary Solutions," while the shimmery green one in "Boardwalk Boozing" is actually quite a bit less pigmented than the shimmery green one in "Hemporary Solutions."

Final Thoughts? If you love color as much as I do, these palettes are a must have. Plus, at $4.99 a piece (and you can almost always find them on sale), they're a steal! The pigmentation of these palettes honestly almost rival that of the Urban Decay Electric Palette (which I don't own, but I have played with it quite a few times), which is a crazy claim to make, but they seriously hold their own.

Keep an eye out for my next post, where I put these palettes into action. If you're not convinced that they're amazing, I promise you my next look will sway you!

- D. 

Trash Talk: Project Pan Edition

Personally, I don't find my makeup collection to be at all overwhelming or obsessive. My friends and family tend to disagree. I enjoy collecting makeup, and I tend to be a bit of a hoarder, so I've finally decided that it's time to hit pan on some things before deciding to try new things. That being said, this Trash Talk post is a bit larger than my previous ones, partially because I haven't done one in ages, and partially because I've been making a serious effort to clean out some makeup products prior to purchasing new ones. A couple of products were not photographed, because I simply forgot to hold onto them for the sake of this post, but I'll still be sure to mention my thoughts on them at the end!

Look at me, trying to make my trash look cute.

From left to right:

• L'Oreal True Match Foundation. I've had this foundation for way too long. I should probably pay more attention to expiration dates on my makeup, but I'm really, really bad about it. This foundation has been my ultimate go-to foundation for years. It's lightweight but buildable, and it has such an extensive shade range that just about anyone can find a shade to match their skin tone!
• Maybelline Volum' Express The Rocket Mascara. When I first purchased this mascara, I hated it. In fact, I ranted about it in a favorites + unfavorites post the first time I used it, and then retracted my statement after the mascara had dried out a bit. It works especially well when layered with other mascaras! This is my second or third tube of this mascara and I will probably repurchase it again soon.
• Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Liner. This is one of my all-time favorite drugstore liquid liners. The formula itself is pretty standard, but the foam applicator is what makes it worth purchasing. I'm not a huge fan of brush applicators for liquid liners, but a lot of the foam tip applicators are either too hard or have too much give. The applicator on this one is the perfect in between!
• Mally Volumizing Mascara. God, this mascara is so good. I've probably had it for too long, and continued using it past its expiration date, but it was too good to waste! Finally, it started to smell weird, so I decided to retire it. I got this mascara for Christmas from my lovely boyfriend, Andrew, and it's volumizing and lengthening without being clumpy, which is everything I long for in a mascara! It's a bit pricier than, say, Maybelline The Rocket, but it's definitely an item that I may just have to splurge on from time to time.
• Maybelline Dream Touch Lumi Concealer. This is a good highlighting concealer. Is it life changing? Nah, not really. Would I purchase again? Yes, if my other go-to concealer wasn't available. I definitely prefer it for subtle highlighting as opposed to concealing, but I won't really miss it now that it's all used up.
• Maybelline Fit Me Concealer. I never realized how many Maybelline products I used up until writing this post! The Fit Me concealer is definitely a much better concealer than the aforementioned, and is supposedly a great dupe for NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. Personally I've never tried the Radiant Creamy Concealer, but this concealer has the perfect amount of coverage without being too cakey or heavy, and I definitely will repurchase! It's perfect for both under the eyes and over blemishes, due to the gel-like consistency. 
• Nivea Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss Lip Butter. This lip butter smells like cupcakes and makes your lips super soft and hydrated. I use it every night and every morning, and I rarely need to apply any kind of lip balm during the day! I've already repurchased a new one, because I seriously can't live without it!
• Maybelline Color Tattoo in "Edgy Emerald." I really enjoyed using this cream eyeshadow as a colored gel liner, as it would stay put and really make the green in my eyes pop! Unfortunately, it dried out before I got to use the whole thing, so it has to go in the trash. It is a beautiful color, but I already have a similar product from NYX in my collection that I'm going to try to finish before repurchasing another one.
• CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation.  This foundation is perfect if you live in the humidity, or if you have to go out on a hot day and you need your makeup to look perfect all day. It doesn't fade or break up on the skin at all! It's a bit heavier coverage, but you can sheer it out with a moisturizer, and it makes you look flawless. It's great on days when you want to look good but don't have time for concealer and powder, because it stays put. When I use this foundation, I only powder my T-zone! I'm definitely planning on repurchasing this foundation for my high-coverage days.

• Dove Refresh+Care Dry Shampoo. I think I've had at least one bottle of these in every single Trash Talk post I've ever done. This is my all-time favorite dry shampoo! The smell is strong, but it sprays out clear and really helps to keep your hair fresh! I actually really like putting this in my hair even when its clean, because it just adds some volume and texture to my otherwise flat hair.
• Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Hypoallergenic Facial Towelettes. These makeup remover wipes smell good, work well, and are hypoallergenic. They're fantastic because they stay moist, and really get all your makeup off using just one wipe! They're also good for the earth, because they are compostable, so if you're trying to be a little greener and kinder to our Mother Earth, these wipes are perfect! I've already repurchased these and I'm so happy I did.
• Lush Cosmetic Warrior Fresh Face Mask. I've gone through so many of these fresh face masks since discovering our local Lush, and it's one of those products I will always go back to. I absolutely love what it does for my skin. It's especially great for that special time of the month, because the ingredients are perfect for helping to combat even the most stubborn hormonal breakouts!
• Beauty Blender Solid Cleanser. For a long time, I was totally against the specialized makeup brush cleansers because I thought they were a waste of money. The Beauty Blender Solid Cleanser changed my mind. It gets your brushes so clean, so fast, and I even find that they dry more quickly when I use it! This is another one of those products that I've already repurchased because I just can't live without it!
• Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder (not pictured). This powder took a dive off my counter and broke before I even got halfway through it. I mean, it was fine, because I didn't love it. I remember using this powder during my high school drama days, which was fine, because between the oil-based foundations and the hot lights, I needed all the mattifying power I could get. However, in my every day life, this powder was just a bit too much for my dry-combination skin. For oily skin, though, I could definitely see this being a holy grail powder because it really gets the job done!
• Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade (not pictured). This brow pomade was perfect for the humid days of the late Southern summer that I had to endure last year (and will be enduring again soon), because it seriously does not budge. However, my pot finally dried out and I'm not sure if I'll be purchasing it again. While it works beautifully, it was a bit of a hassle compared to a brow powder or pencil. It is a beautiful product, though, and if you have the time to really perfect your brows during your morning routine, I would recommend it!

You know, I really didn't realize how much stuff I was getting rid of until typing this post up! It's such a weirdly freeing feeling when you finish up with a product, especially when you know you have tons of similar products that can get the same job done. I still have one more foundation to get through before I'm allowed to purchase any more, but I think that I'm in a good place!

I know I'm definitely about due to post a tutorial or two, but I've been so incredibly busy with my internship. Hopefully I'll be able to get one up soon!

- D. 

Spring Favorites -- Beauty, Fashion, & Random

Spring this year has been quite the busy season. From getting the opportunity to work a beautiful production of Guys and Dolls at my school, to coming home, to now being a design intern working on the world premiere of Robert Lopez's new musical (If you don't know who he is, look him up. This opportunity is pretty freakin' amazing), spring has kept me incredibly busy! I've also been traveling a lot in the spring, since I drove from North Carolina back home to California in just four days. My favorites for this season have been staples to keeping me going, and I suspect I'll continue loving them through the summer as well!

Physician's Formula Argan Wear Ultra-Nourishing Argan Oil. I came across this stuff in a Walmart, and was shocked by the price. Normally, argan oil is pretty pricey, but this 1 oz bottle from Physician's Formula is only $15! It works just as well as the expensive Josie Maran oil, and leaves my skin feeling hydrated. After working underground in an air conditioned theater for three weeks, then driving for 12 hours a day coming back to California, this stuff has saved my skin!

Kiehl's Creamy Eye Treatment with Avocado. The water here in San Diego is much harder than the water in North Carolina, and it makes my skin feel crusty and dry. Cute, right? For a few weeks after arriving back home, I couldn't help but scratch and rub at my eyes because of the dry desert air and the hard water drying out my skin. So I finally caved and purchased this eye cream, which I've heard rave reviews about for months, and I don't think I could ever go back to anything else! The best thing about it is that it isn't overly creamy. Usually, eye creams are too much for my skin and give me milia, but I haven't had that problem with this yet!

Maybelline The Falsies Flared Mascara. This mascara makes my lashes look thick and long, and the shape of the wand gives my lashes the perfect winged out lash look! I love the look of thick, fluttery lashes, and this mascara achieves just that. Because I usually wake up at 7 AM and don't get home till around 6 PM, I need my mascara to really hold a curl and stay put without flaking or smudging. The waterproof formula of this mascara does exactly that!

Tresemme Thermal Creations Heat Tamer Leave-In Spray. I blow dry my hair almost every single time I wash it because I get the best results that way. Blow drying my hair prevents it from appearing greasy or stuck to my scalp, and it gives me a nice lift of volume! I recently got a trim, and after trimming my hair, I decided I needed to get a good heat protectant so I wouldn't have to be fighting off dead ends anymore -- especially since I'm trying to grow my hair out. This heat protectant spray has worked beautifully at keeping my frizzy split ends from returning and I use it every single time before using any kind of heat on my hair! Plus, I really love the way it smells.

US Acrylic Lipstick Organizer. I'll admit it. I have a lipstick problem. However, this lipstick organizer keeps my lipstick problem under control. I recently ran out of space for my lipstick in my makeup storage (I know...first world problems), and I had an Amazon gift card, so I decided it was time to purchase one of these nifty lipstick holders! Now, my most loved lipstick formulas stay put on top of my makeup storage, while the others fit much more easily inside!

Faux Gem T-Strap Sandal. I purchased these sandals at Forever21 to wear to my school's end-of-the-year celebration, and I am obsessed with them. I wear them all the time now! The t-strap design is elegant and the faux gems add just a little bling to amp them up. These sandals are perfect for a warm night out or just for a casual lunch date, and they're a fantastic alternative to the traditional flip-flop sandal.

Refurbished MacBook Pro. So part of the reason I had to stop blogging for a while was because my old HP laptop died on me. I had predicted it would die out for a while, and finally, it did. That's when I started looking at new computers, and asking friends for advice. All of my art school friends told me to just invest in a MacBook Pro, and that I wouldn't regret it. However, I didn't really have any desire to dish out $1500 on a new laptop that didn't even have a disk drive. When I found the certified refurbished store on the Apple website, I knew I had found a perfect compromise! I saved $600 purchased a refurbished laptop, it has everything I need, and works like new. I also got this super cute Tiffany blue case-and-keyboard-cover set on Amazon for super cheap!

Cuckoo Song by Frances Hardinge. I can't even begin to explain this book to you. It's so incredibly good! If you love dark fantasy, this is such a phenomenal read. I reminds me a lot of A Wrinkle in Time, which is one of my favorite books of all time, and when I first purchased this book I couldn't put it down! Because I've been so busy I haven't had a chance to finish it, but I seriously can't wait to have some free time and find out how it ends.

I hope you all are having an amazing start to your summer!

- D.

My Go To Products for Water Resistant Makeup

With summer just around the corner, it's time for bonfires and beach days! If you're anything like me, your days are packed full of activities, where you're out on the beach in the afternoon, and going out somewhere at night. Personally, I don't have time to worry about my makeup, so I want my makeup to last all day without fail, so that I can go out looking put together after a wet day. These are my fool proof products for budge proof makeup!

From left to right:

• Bare Minerals Hydrating Mineral Veil. This powder has become my new favorite powder in the last month or so. While I wouldn't necessarily call it hydrating, it leaves you with glowy skin as opposed to dull, dry skin. Since my skin is naturally a bit dry, some setting powders can make me look super cakey, and I've noticed that this powder does the exact opposite! Even with the mattifying products that I use underneath, it keeps my skin looking healthy while keeping my face products in place!
• Maybelline The Falsies Flared Waterproof Mascara. This mascara is without a doubt my new favorite drugstore mascara! It stays on through pretty much anything, and for best results, use an oil-based makeup remover so you don't pull out any of your lashes. It gives you full, fluttery lashes without clumping, and it stays put even when wet!
• Wet n Wild H2O Proof Liquid Eyeliner. This eyeliner has been a favorite for as long as I can remember. I think I've worn this eyeliner since I was 14, and whenever I need something waterproof, I always go back to it! This stuff does NOT budge in water. I have been swimming for hours while wearing this eyeliner and still gotten compliments about how good my eyeliner looked a few hours later with zero touchups. You definitely need an oil-based makeup remover (or extra virgin olive oil works well too!), because this stuff is stubborn!
• CoverGirl Outlast 3-in-1 Foundation. This foundation is a medium-to-high coverage foundation with a built-in primer, and stays on all day! When combined with a separate primer and the right setting powder, this foundation is not waterproof, but it holds its own against the water. To add more bang for your buck, this foundation has an SPF of 20, and is a buildable formula for personalized coverage!
• Maybelline Eye Studio Color Tattoo. This specific shade that I've featured in "Inked in Pink" which is park of the Color Tattoo Metals collection, and is the perfect pinky champagne color for every day! These cream eyeshadows seriously don't budge or crease, making them perfect for days when you may be sweating or getting wet! For even more longevity, set the cream shadow with a powder shadow. 
• Rimmel Stay Matte Primer. To start off the water resistant foundation trifecta, use this super affordable matte primer! It will not only keep oil at bay, but it will act as an adhesive, keeping your foundation in place all day, even in the highest humidity (trust me, I wore this in a Southern summer where it's 100% humidity 99% of the time). 
• Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel. I don't think this product is advertised as being water resistant, but it should be. It won't protect your brows from being mauled by huge waves over and over again, but if you're in a situation where you might get wet (for example, when Andrew and I went kayaking last week, or a water balloon fight, or spontaneous skinny dipping), it'll help keep your brows in place. And, even if you do get soaked, your brows will be more protected than without it.
• Sephora Colorful Waterproof Eyeliner. This is another great liquid liner for a wet situation. While it's definitely not as waterproof as the Wet n Wild liner, it does stay in place and requires some work to get off. Which, when your face is getting splashed, is definitely a good thing! The best part about this eyeliner is that it comes in quite a few fun colors, so that you can keep up with the colored liner trend while keeping your liner in place all day!

I hope this is helpful! These are all products I've found work year after year, and I swear by them. One time I even wore a full face of makeup to a pool party, and after spending all day in the water, my makeup still looked good -- all thanks to these products!

- D. 

Sephora Birthday 2015

If you've been following me for a while, you know that my birthday is coming up in about a week! This year I decided to do a post on the Sephora Beauty Insider Birthday Gift, which seems to only get better and better every year. A few years ago, we received a highlighter and mascara from Benefit, which I loved, then last year we got some products from Make Up For Ever, and this year, it's two deluxe sample sizes of NARS lip pencils!

When I saw what this year's birthday gift was, I was incredibly excited. If you aren't a Beauty Insider yet, you can sign up on Sephora's website. Be sure to input your birthday so that you can receive the free gift every year! Anyways, for those of you who haven't received your birthday gift from Sephora this year, this is what you can look forward to.

In this year's Beauty Insider gift, you'll receive two NARS Lip Pencils, one in the Velvet Matte finish, and one in the Satin finish.

The top shade is the Matte Lip Pencil in "Cruella," which is one of NARS' best selling lip pencils, and one that I have been coveting for as long as I can remember. I'm so happy to finally have a hold of one! This shade is a slightly cool-toned true red -- the kind that looks so classic on every skin tone. The finish of this is matte but not too drying, and it glides on smoothly and opaquely. 

The bottom shade is the Satin Lip Pencil in "Rikugien." I'm not super thrilled with this one, mostly because I don't love the texture. This specific lip pencil seems to almost smear during the application because it is such a moisturizing formula. It's fine for this rosy pink color, giving a shiny "your lips but better" appearance, but I can't imagine the formula working too well with brighter, more vivid colors. However, the shade "Rikugien" is very pretty and perfect for natural days. If your lips are less pigmented than mine, it may show more of a difference on your lips and give you a healthy, pink flush to your lips.

All in all, I am still very excited about this little duo from NARS! With the full sized NARS Lip Pencils costing $26 for 0.086 oz of product, and this duo giving you 0.06 oz of product per pencil, you get more than half the product for free. 

Final Thoughts? Sephora just seems to be getting better and better birthday gifts for their Beauty Insiders, and this year, between the quality of the pencils and the amount of product you get for absolutely no money (you seriously don't even have to spend any money to become a Beauty Insider), you'd be silly not to take advantage of this free gift! 

- D. 

Winter Favorites

Happy spring! After doing monthly favorites for the last year, I decided that seasonal favorites would be a lot easier for me and a lot more interesting for you guys, especially since I'm in school and don't find myself wearing makeup all that often! This winter has been kind of hectic for me, because it's the first time I've ever had to deal with such cold weather and snow for an extended period of time. Last year, I went to Chicago, but that was only for a few days. I've been here in North Carolina all winter! My skin has been parched, my hair has been frizzy, and I can never seem to put enough layers on. Most of my favorites this month have been focused on combating all that!

Nivea Vanilla & Macadamia Kiss Lip Butter. After picking up the Kiss of Milk & Honey lip balm for Andrew back while I was on winter break, I decided to give this stuff a chance. Now, I apply it ever single morning and night, and I absolutely love it! In fact, since it's a few dollars cheaper than my all-time favorite Jack Black Lip Balm, I might find myself purchasing this more often. It has kept my lips super hydrated this winter -- well, as hydrated as they can be when I have to walk to school in below freezing weather. I never expected such amazing results from such an inexpensive lip balm, but now I'm hooked! Oh yeah, and it smells amazing.

Macadamia Deep Repair Masque. I talked about this mask back in my Winter Pamper Essentials post, but it's seriously become such a staple in my weekly hair care routine. I use this mask once a week, and that's all I need for some intense hydration! This mask makes my hair feel like I had never colored it in the first place, and that says a LOT, considering how many times I've bleached and dyed and bleached and dyed it. It's also been such a huge help with my current journey of attempting to grow my hair out back to my natural color, since I have a lot less breakage now!

Wet n Wild Color Icon "Comfort Zone" Collection Palette. As you may be able to tell with my use of this palette in two recent tutorials, I really enjoy this palette. My good friend Ciarlene gave it to me back when I was home as a Christmas present, and I can't stop using it! I used it when I went to a post-Christmas Christmas party (for which I took pictures for but never typed up a post about) and I got so many compliments on my eye makeup. For those of you looking for an amazing drugstore neutrals palette -- this is totally the one for you!

Real Techniques Bold Metals 301 Flat Contour Brush. If you read my review on this brush, you'll already know I'm obsessed with it. It feels so luxurious and soft and makes contouring a breeze! If you have the chance and the money, go out to Ulta and buy this brush, I promise you won't regret it. The short, dense bristles make applying and blending out contour shades super easy and quick, and since getting it, I have pretty much looked for every possible excuse to use this brush!

Dr. Brandt Microdermabrasion Skin Exfoliant. I REALLY hesitated about putting this in my winter favorites because it is SO expensive. $78 for the full size of thing. I personally did not buy it, it came in a huge deluxe sample bag that my best friend gave me for Christmas, and the sample I have is about an eighth of what you get if you purchase the full size. However, this microdermabrasion exfoliant is really, really good. It is so finely textured, but it really gets the top layer of your skin off without being overly aggressive, and my skin always feels so incredibly soft after using it! You really don't need very much, so this tiny bottle seems to be lasting me quite well! Do I have $78 to be spending on a full bottle of this exfoliant? Heck no. Would I spend the $78 if my budget allowed me to? Yeah, probably. It's that good.

Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow -- Bella White. For a pale girl like me, I can never quite find the right matte highlight for right under the brows. Turns out, I need a white eyeshadow to do the trick! I've been using this in quite a few of my recent tutorials, and I have been absolutely loving using this shadow as a highlight! When applied with a fluffy brush, it gives just a subtle highlight to the brow bone without being so obvious that I used just a straight up matte white. Then again, I'm crazy pale, and definitely need such a light color to really get the job done.

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer. I know this concealer has gotten a lot of hype in the makeup community recently, being noted as a pretty dead on dupe for the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer. I bought it while on the hunt for a replacement for my Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer (which I no longer need, thanks to Andrew). It's a total gem. It's just the right amount of coverage for the majority of my spots, especially considering I don't wear much makeup on a day-to-day basis, and because it's definitely a creamier concealer, it isn't super drying. My blemishes tend to get kind of dry and flaky, and this concealer does a great job of hiding them without making the texture even worse!

Yes To Cucumbers Soothing Daily Calming Moisturizer. After running out of my long time favorite moisturizer by First Aid Beauty, I finally decided to go back on the hunt for a new moisturizer. I wanted something more affordable, since the one by FAB was $24, so I hit up my local drugstore and found this! It comes in very similar packaging to the moisturizer I loved before, but it is a bit thicker and really hydrates my dry skin! The best part is, it's totally comparable to the FAB moisturizer, for about $10 less!

That's it for this season's favorites! I'm so excited for spring, I'm absolutely dying for it to warm up. Hurry up, spring, I'm waiting for you!

- D.

Milani & Rimmel Haul

The other day, I had a few different coupons for CVS, so of course, I had to step in and take a look -- especially since I had been eyeing the new Milani Color Statement Moisture Matte Lipsticks. I love Milani's traditional Color Statement Lipsticks, so I was super excited for yet another drugstore brand to come out with a matte formula! I also had a couple of things that I actually needed to stock up on too, so I got those while I was at CVS as well, and I thought I would share it!

Starting out with the "boring" stuff, I had to get some face products from Rimmel. Well, really, I only bought one of the items in the picture. My Revlon PhotoReady Translucent Finisher is on its last legs, and I decided to finally try a new powder! I've used the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder on other people when I've done hair and makeup for various musicals, and I've always been happy with how it performed (buh dum tss). I finally decided to give it a try to myself! I've always been a little turned off by the packaging, but I figure, for the price, I might as well give it a try!

The other two things from Rimmel that I got were my favorite Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer. Like I said, I didn't actually purchase these -- Andrew did. When I was back home, every single time I tried to purchase a new one, they were out of stock in my shade! And there's no place nearby here in North Carolina that sells it. So when I received a care package from Andrew the other day, I saw that he had sent me a new one, plus a backup! I had already bought the Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in an attempt to replace my Rimmel concealer, so I'll have to use that up before opening one of these, but I'm so glad I have extras now!

For the most part, I don't tend to purchase single eyeshadows. But I had heard good things about the Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. The colors I purchased are Bella White and Bella Caffe, which are both a Satin-Matte finish. I would definitely say they lean more toward matte, but they are incredibly pigmented! It applies especially well with your fingers. For a matte, drugstore shadow, I'm totally impressed, and I'm definitely going to have to get my hands on more of these, especially since they have so many colors!

I'm so excited about these lipsticks! I literally sat in my room playing with them for an hour or so before I realized I should probably stop procrastinating and just do my homework... Anyways, the new Milani Moisture Matte Lipsticks are phenomenal. They're super creamy and apply like a breeze, but have that lovely matte finish after being on the lips for about 30 seconds. The shades I purchased of the Moisture Matte Lipsticks were "Matte Diva," a super vivid fuchsia color, "Matte Confident," a deeper, blue-toned red (think MAC's "Russian Red," but easier to apply!), and "Matte Orchid," which is similar to "Matte Diva," although a bit more deep and muted.

I also picked up one of their classic Color Statement Lipsticks in "Nude Creme," because my nude lipstick collection is pretty sad (as in, I have like, one or two nudes), and a Color Statement Lipliner in "True Red," because for whatever reason, I completely forgot I had just bought a red lipliner from NYX. Whoops.

What have you purchased lately? Is there anything in the drugstore that you have your eye on?

- D. 

My Winter Pamper Essentials

During the winter, my skin gets so incredibly unhappy. Especially now, going to school in a place that is at least 20 degrees colder at any given time than back home in San Diego, my skin is just very temperamental. Not only does it get dry as the desert, but it also tends to get a little extra congested, making my pores bigger and more noticeable than any other time of year.

Once a week, I like to have a nice pamper day to help combat not only the winter cold's effects on my skin, but to wind down and remind myself that self-care is totally okay! If you are living in a colder environment, or just wanna get some hardcore moisture going on in your life, these products are definitely for you.

From left to right:

• Lush's Self-Preserving Mask of Magnaminty. This stuff is amazing, and even better, it's self-preserving! I bought this mask back in December and it's supposed to last until April, which, if you're familiar with Lush's regular fresh face masks, is a long time! It really helps to clear out any clogged pores, and my skin looks so fresh and radiant after using it. Because of the aduki beans, this mask doubles as an exfoliant. When you wash it off, just rub it around in circles on your skin, and it'll slough off any of that dry, flaky winter skin!
• Macadamia Deep Repair Masque. I tried to resist this hair mask for a long time, because it is pretty pricey. However, in one of my earlier Ulta trips, I grabbed a one-time-use size for $4, and I was completely hooked. My hair was so damaged and knotty because I bleached my hair early in 2013, and now that I use it once a week, my hair has never looked better! My hair is no longer damaged or brittle, and it keeps the dry winter frizz at bay.
• Dr. Teal's Milk and Honey Epsom Salt. Usually when I have my pamper day, I like to take a nice, hot bath, especially with it being 40 degrees at the absolute highest most days. When I'm running my bath, I take a few handfuls of this Epsom salt and mix it into the water until it completely dissolves. Epsom salt is known for helping to relax minor aches and pains, which I definitely need most days, since I spend so much time hunched in front of a sewing machine! And the milk and honey in the mix not only smells amazing, but really hydrates my skin without making me feel oily or greasy when I get out of the bath.
• The Body Shop Brazil Nut Body Butter. When I get out of the bath, I liked to use this body butter all over my body. It is a bit heavy, so I only use it before going to bed, so that I can allow it to fully soak in overnight. However, it smells absolutely incredible, and is super hydrating, as these body butters are known to be! 
• Eucerin Skin Calming Daily Moisturizing Creme. This stuff is a godsend. During the winter especially, my psoriasis likes to completely freak out. It's not a fun time, and it actually really hurts. After I get out of the bath, I like to apply this lotion on any of my spots with psoriasis, as well as on my inner elbows, where I tend to get the occasional patches of eczema. Since I started using this lotion, my troubled skin has been so much happier!

What are your winter pamper essentials?

- D. 

First Impressions: Real Techniques Bold Metals Collection -- Part 2 + Collection Wrap Up

I finally got my hands on all of the Real Techniques Bold Metals brushes! This is Part 2 in my two-part series on these brushes, so if you haven't read Part 1 yet, click here. If you have already read Part 1, then keep on reading.

I'm going to dive right in and get straight to the brushes. If you would like more of an introduction to what these brushes are, how they look, and the features, feel free to read Part 1!

The brushes I was missing in Part 1 were the 100 Arched Powder, 101 Triangle Foundation, 301 Flat Contour, and 200 Oval Shadow. As you can see above, these are the brushes I will be reviewing today!

I wasn't certain about getting the 100 Arched Powder at first because I already had a powder brush that I enjoyed using. However, it was old and shedding, so I decided to spend the $26 and get this one! I definitely don't regret it. It's incredibly soft and luxurious feeling. It is a somewhat flat brush, almost like a larger, fluffier version of the 300 Tapered Blush. It's pretty standard in terms of what it does, but it feels like a treat putting this brush to my face. My only complaint is that, because of the white bristles, you can't tell how much product you have on your brush when using translucent powder.

The 301 Triangle Foundation REALLY surprised me. In fact, I almost didn't get it, because I normally hate flat foundation brushes, and this basically just seemed to me like a glorified version of the standard flat foundation brush. For the most part, I find that flat foundation brushes leave my skin streaky and cakey-looking. However, after using it I'm pretty impressed, especially after cringing at spending $24 on it. While the bristles are a little long, making the brush a bit flimsy, this brush can blend foundation out beautifully. I like to use the flat side to first "paint" on my foundation, and then use the pyramid-point side to blend it in! Because of the way the brush is shaped, I found that this is definitely the easiest and most foolproof way to use the brush. While it's still not my absolutely favorite for applying a more natural-looking foundation (I'd still reach for the Expert Face Brush over this one), I'd definitely use this on clients when trying to achieve a super flawless look!

If there is one brush I'd say is a must-have in this collection, it's the 301 Flat Contour. It's $26 and worth every penny. Everything about this brush is just so right. First of all, the super short bristles ensure that your contour powder is going EXACTLY where you want it, without the bristles being flimsy and getting powder everywhere. And because the bristles are so incredibly dense, it blends product out like an absolute dream. I wish I knew how to express how much I adore this brush. Seriously. If you can get your hands on it, don't hesitate! It's a similar concept to the NARS Ita Kabuki Brush, but half the price! 

The 200 Oval Shadow is a bit of a struggle for anyone with smaller eyes. It's about twice the size as a MAC 239, and it's kind of easy to get product everywhere when using this brush. It's a little bit flimsy, making it a little bit difficult to apply product with. However, this would be a great "clean up" brush. What I mean by that is, sometimes, when I've gone a little overboard with the shadows and brought them too high up on my brow bone, I like to take either my face powder or an eyeshadow similar to my skin tone and use a brush like this to bring the colors back down to where they should be. Overall, it's an okay brush, but not a must-have by any means, especially at the $16 price point. 

Like the other brushes in this collection, these do not shed at all after being washed! In terms of drying time, it was pretty standard. I washed them in the evening, and in the morning when I was ready to do my makeup, they were all dry.

Final Thoughts: Nothing stands out to me like the 301 Flat Contour. I just can't. It's no wonder this brush was sold out for weeks after the collection was released. Overall, these four brushes are beautiful to look at, are easy to clean, and get the job done!

Collection Wrap Up: Overall, the Real Techniques Bold Metals Collection is absolutely beautiful. These are the kinds of brushes you want on display on your vanity! The quality of the bristles on every single brush is exquisite, as well as the general build of all of them. Now that I've used all of the brushes, let's go back and do a recap and final review!

The 201 Pointed Crease brush is large and dense, and costs $16. I wish it came to more of a precise tip, because it can be difficult to use on smaller eyes, but it blends out product flawlessly. The 300 Tapered Blush brush is quite small, and kind of like a fluffier version of a standard flat foundation brush. It costs $24. I've played with it quite a bit since purchasing it, and I've realized that it is actually the perfect brush for setting my under eye concealer and for highlighting the face! I much prefer using it for more precise applications than blush. The 202 Angled Liner is very small, dense, and pointed, and costs $16. It's a little bit sharp, so if you have sensitive eyes, be wary. However, if can give you a super sharp and precise line! It is also fantastic for filling in the brows. Because it is so small and precise, it successfully applies even powder products in a way that looks like small brow hairs! The 100 Arched Powder is a standard powder brush that costs $26. It's not really anything special, but it is super soft and doesn't shed at all, which makes the final steps of my foundation routine just that much more enjoyable. The 101 Triangle Foundation brush is not quite what you'd expect, and definitely an upgraded version of a standard flat foundation brush, at $24. It creates a full-coverage canvas, which is perfect for anyone who wants to achieve a flawless look. The 301 Flat Contour is the creme de la creme, and worth the $26, hands down. An absolute must-have. It both places and blends contour powders like an absolute dream! Finally, the 200 Oval Shadow brush, is a little bit difficult to use for smaller eyes, but it places products well and feels soft on the lids. It costs $16.

Of course, you can definitely do an entire look using this entire collection. It is definitely a full set of brushes, and can easily help create a professional look and feel to your makeup look! This is a preview of a look I'll be posting soon, with which I exclusively used the Bold Metals brushes to apply the product.

I hope you found this First Impressions post helpful, and I really enjoyed getting to use these brushes! Is there anything out right now that you would like me to review? Let me know in the comments below!

- D.