Weekly Playlist 8/26

CLICK TO LISTEN :) ENJOY

1. Right Time Right Place- Olly Murs 

2.) R.I.P- Rita Ora ft. Tinie Tempeh

3.) Why Even Try- Theophilus London ft. Sara Quin

4.) Troublemaker- Olly Murs ft. Flo Rida

5.) A Drop in The Ocean- Ron Pope

6.) Animals- Maroon 5

7.) Best Mistake- Ariana Grande ft. Big Sean

8.) Beekeeper's Daughter- The All American Rejects 

Review: URBAN DECAY PERVERSION MASCARA + BONUS (NEW)

PACKAGING: 

The Subversion eyelash primer comes in a white tube. This is the sample size but the original size has the exact same packaging.

The Perversion mascara comes in a chubby sleek gray tube. It is a bit on the heavier side when compared to other mascara packaging but not so heavy that you couldn't easily travel with it.

Perversion Mascara

Subversion Primer

Both wands are long however the Perversion mascara has a much chubby wand. 

FORMULATION:

Subversion Primer:

I have never been a huge fan of mascara primers. I always find them useless but because these products came out together it only made sense to try them together. I must say I was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this. It applied pretty easily and dried very fast leaving no gray tint when the mascara was applied on top of it. This is my number one problem with mascara primers. Mascara primers not only help your mascara last they also volumize and lengthen your lashes. However as much I as enjoyed this product, I personally won't repurchase this just because the mascara works pretty great on its own. However if you do have troublesome lashes definitely give this a try!

Perversion Mascara:

I didn't expect too much from this mascara because I personally never have had a good experience with Urban Decay's mascaras. But boy was I surprised! This has become one of my top 10 favorite mascaras. It is both super lengthening and volumizing and that is a lot coming from me since I have tiny Asian lashes. The wear time is also pretty great. With the primer this mascara does not budge and stay on pretty much until you want it off. I even wore this in extreme heat and had no smudging problems. However even without the primer this stuff lasts pretty great on its own. The formulation is not too wet or too dry.

Where to Purchase:

Available at Urban Decay Online

Sephora (both online and in-stores)

Ulta (both online and in-stores)

Can be purchased individually as well as this set.

Set= $22.00 (Full size Perversion mascara + deluxe sample of Subversion primer)

Individually both can be purchased for $22  

Review: Tarte Amazonian Clay Full Coverage Foundation

PACKAGING:

Comes in their signature purple box

The foundation comes in a purple squeeze tube with a bamboo cap (super easy to get the foundation out!)

FORMULATION:

-Comes in 16 shades

-Medium to Full Coverage

-Light weight/ Super blendable

-Satin/matte finish

-SPF 15 (Titanium Dioxide-not good for flash photography)

-VERY LONG LASTING (I have worn this ALL DAY in EXTREME HEAT & HUMIDITY and it still looked great afterwards)

The foundation also...

-helps reduce dryness/flakiness

-improves skin clarity, firmness, texture, and elasticity (great for all skin types and older skin) 

The best way I have found for application is by using a stiff dome brush or any brush that has a good dense top. Since the foundation is a bit on the thicker side using something like a duo fiber stippling brush can leave streaks and take longer to blend into the skin. A beauty blender sponge also works great with this foundation!

WHERE TO PURCHASE:

Retails for $38.00 for 1.7 fl oz.

Tarte Cosmetics

Ulta (In-store & Online)

Sephora (In-store & Online)

Beauty Blogger Tag

Why did you start blogging and how long have you been blogging for?

I been blogging on and off for years sometimes for myself as an outlet and sometimes for companies who want a review of their products. However recently with everything going on in my life, I find blogging has become my therapist. It helps me relax and not worry so much.

Whose blog did you fall in love with first?

This is a really hard one and honestly I couldn't just choose one so here are my top favorite bloggers of all time

Kandee Johnson (I follow both her personal as well as beauty blog)

Link to her personal blog

Link to her beauty blog

Laura Farrant from Buy Now Blog Later

Christine Mielke from Temptalia

What was the first blogosphere hyped about product you bought and was it worth the hype?

The first blogosphere hyped about product I bought was the Urban Decay Naked 1 palette. It was DEFINITELY worth the hype. It has all the neutral colors that a girl will ever need!

What are your favorite five things about blogging and being a beauty blogger?

1.) I get to talk about makeup as much as I want 2.) I have an excuse to play with makeup whenever and wherever I want 3.) I get to connect with people all around the world 4.) Lets out my creative side 5.) Help others

What have you learnt from being a beauty blogger?

Beauty is skin deep and doesn't come from the products but rather within yourself. The products out there only enhance your natural beauty.

Have you changed anything since being a beauty blogger?

Yes, I am definitely more precise when it comes to application and don't just slab it on anymore.

What advice would you give to a beauty blogger just starting out?

Relax and enjoy! Being a beauty blogger is probably one of the funniest jobs ever however it does come with its downs. There will be many haters out there that will judge you and berate you. Never let them get to you they are not worth it one bit.

Name your top five brands!

Top 5 Makeup Brands

1.) Tarte

2.) Maybelline

3.) Nars

4.) NYX

5.) Benefit

Top 5 Skin Care Brands

1.) Peter Thomas Roth

2.) Neutrogena

3.) Clinique

4.) Clean and Clear

5.) Murad

Recommend your top five favorite beauty products!

Makeup Recommendations

1.) Maybelline Color Tattos (These are a great dupe to MAC paint pots but so much cheaper and they also work better!)

2.) Chanel Vitalumiere Foundation (Super lightweight with just enough coverage. One of the best foundations ever!!!)

3.) Jordana Eyebrow Pencils (So affordable and works just as well as any high end eyebrow pencil)

4.) YSL Baby Doll Mascara (Gives even the thinnest and tiny lashes so much length and volume. Plus it smells like flowers!)

5.) Maybelline Dream Matte Powder (Awesome setting powder that gets rid of shine and helps set your makeup)

Skincare Recommendations

1.) Murad Hydrodyamnic Moisturizer (Super moisturizing and great for all skin types)

2.) Clean and Clear Toners (These come in many different types to accommodate different skin types and works so well in cleaning and toning your skin.)

3.) Clinique Acne Clearing Gel (Great acne treatment that can be used under makeup)

4.) Neutrogena Makeup Remover Wipes (Simple and easy to take off your makeup or just use as a refresher)

5.) Clinique All About Eyes Eye Cream (Depuffs and gets rid of dark under eye circles) 

Summer of Food (Last one)

Chocolate Dipped Tangerines & Peanut Butter Banana Sandwiches 

Hey guys! Welcome to another and sadly the last recipe for the Summer of Food series. Summer is heading to a close and it's back to school for most of you so I wanted to give you guys a little sendoff. These treats are delicious and so easy to make and very kid friendly. So here's to the end of another summer and the beginning of fall. No worries I will be back with more recipes with my holiday recipe series coming October 2014 so stay tuned! XOXOXO

For the chocolate dipped tangerines (credit goes to my litter sister who found the "recipe" on Pinterest) you will need...

-Your favorite chocolate (white, dark, milk whatever you prefer), we used this easy to melt chocolate by Baker's

- Tangerines (or oranges if you can't find tangerines)

-Baking sheet lined with wax paper

-Optional SALT

How to make:

Melt your chocolate

Now you can go about this in a few different ways. My little sister and I purchased this Baker's microwaveable chocolate and just followed the directions. It was super easy and there are tons of brands out there that has this sort of thing.

If you bought chocolate chips or a chocolate bar first chop the chocolate up. If you have a double boiler which is probably the best way use that if not get a medium sauce pot and boil water half way and the put another heat proof bowl over it (make sure the bowl doesn't touch the water) and you got yourself a makeshift double boiler. Make sure to keep stirring when melting the chocolate so it doesn't burn.

You can also melt your chips or bar in the microwave at 30 second intervals stirring in between each for about a minute or until your chocolate is nicely melted and NO CHUNKS!!!

Next peel your tangerines or cut up your orange slices and dip them in the chocolate. We dipped ours half way to avoid a mess but you can dip them in all the way. After dipping we laid them on a tray and sprinkled some salt on it to bring out the chocolate flavor even more and to add a bit of an extra zing however you can totally skip this part.

After you are done dipping put your tray in the freezer for about 5-10 mins. The chocolate should be completely harden and the tangerines cold but NOT FROZEN!!! Take them out and enjoy!!!

For the Banana Peanut Butter Sandwiches you will need...

-Melted chocolate (we use the same chocolate from the previous recipe)

-Bananas

-Peanut Butter

-Baking sheet lined with wax paper

How to Make:

Peel and cut your bananas into small circles and make little sandwiches with peanut butter. After you assemble your sandwiches dip them in chocolate and lay on tray to freeze. These need to freeze a couple hours (overnight is the best).

These are super delicious like little ice cream bites plus they are healthy especially if you dip them in dark chocolate.

Mario Badescu Facial Spray w/aloe, herbs & rosewater

PACKAGING:

Comes in a clear spray bottle w/ either 4 oz., 2 oz. or 8 oz. of product

FORMULATION:

This is one of my all time favorite skin products EVER. It is also a much have for the summer. This facial spray is made from all natural ingredients like aloe, rosewater and herbs. You can use it as a toner after you cleanse your face or use it to set your makeup. It is also great to put in your purse and spray throughout the day to refresh yourself. (NOT TESTED ON ANIMALS) And of course it is super affordable for a higher end skincare company.

Some fun facts...

Aloe:

+acts like a moisturizer

+ treats sunburn

+fights aging

Rosewater:

+great cleanser, acts like an astringent

+has anti-inflammatory properties that can help with redness

+the scent can help calm and soothe your mood 

You can purchase this at Ulta available both online and in-stores or buy direct from the Mario Badescu site. 

Prices

2 oz. $5.00 

(This amount is only available at Ulta)

4 oz. $7.00

8 oz. $12.00 

NEW @ CVS! MUA BB/CC Cream Brush

MUA BB/CC CREAM BRUSH

Recently released at CVS stores nationwide, MUA offers high quality cosmetic brushes for an affordable price. The BB/CC Cream is a round top duo fiber synthetic foundation. This brush is amazing. It applies foundation so smooth and even and gives up an airbrush finish. The brush has just enough density to pick up enough product. The only issues I have with their face brushes especially this one is that the handles are very thick and big so they do add a bit of weight. Also they do have a shedding problem when you first open them and as always clean your brushes before use even new ones (the shedding does go away for this brush after use, I personally haven't had any problems)!

These brushes are found at CVS and price ranges from $10-$30. They aren't the cheapest brushes especially being a drugstore product but compared to say MAC brushes which ranges from $20 and up these brushes are a steal. They have the look and feel of expensive brushes just without the hefty price tags.

BB/CC Cream Brush $18.95

Weekly Playlist 8/18

http://youtu.be/rJYcmq__nDM?list=PLEusLI9-6r2E5607opWycpFhhcgUYZagq

1.) Rehab- Rihanna ft. Justin Timberlake

2.) All Night Longer- Sammy Adams ft. B.o.B

3.) Bang Bang- Jessie J., Ariana Grande & Nicki Minaj

4.) The Illest- Far East Movement ft. Riff Raff

5.) Cherry Bomb- The Runaways

6.) Ain't No Mountain High Enough- Marvin Gaye & Tammi Terrell

7.) Gasoline- Troye Sivan

8.) Back On The Map- Kacey Musgraves

What's NEW @ the Drugstore: Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow

Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow

PACKAGING:

These eyeshadows come individually in plastic gold round containers.

Contains 1.4g of product

FORMULATION:

When I first saw this I was pretty intrigued by just the name alone. A GEL POWDER EYESHADOW?!?! I thought hmmm this must be some new cream like shadow.

However it wasn't until I swatched them I actually begun to understand what a gel powder is. The shadows are very soft and plush to the touch much like a gel. They are not powdery at all and glide on very smoothly with ease. The pigmentation varies among the colors. Some are extremely pigmented while some are not.

This line also comes with a variety of different finishes such has matte, shimmer, metallic, and satin/matte. 

There are 23 colors in the entire collection ranging from neutrals to bright vibrant fun colors to dark and charcoals.

Here are some examples...

Bella Fuchsia (26)- A bright vibrant fuchsia w/a satin-matte finish

Bella Fuchsia (26)

Bella Violet (14)- Shimmery Violet

Bella Violet (14)

Bella Khaki (17)- Shimmery Khaki

Bella Khaki (17) 

From Left to Right: Bella Fuchsia, Bella Violet, Bella Khaki

Bella Taupe (05)- Taupe w/a satin-matte finish

Bella Taupe (05)

Bella Copper (23)- Vibrant Metallic Copper

Bella Copper (23)

Bella Bronze (24)- Metallic Bronze

Bella Bronze (24)

From Left to Right: Bella Taupe, Bella Copper, Bella Bronze

Sold at Milani Cosmetics Online and drugstores/Targets nationwide

Retail $3.99 online $4-$5 in-stores

What's NEW @ the Drugstore

L'OREAL POP BALM

PACKAGING:

Very similar to their original color riche balms that are being discontinued. The only difference is that these have a jelly see through cap.

FORMULATION:

These are pretty much the color riche balms repackaged. The formulation is very similar. They apply very smoothly and are very moisturizing. The wear time is so and so they don't really last too long because they are a balm. I do however find these to be a bit more pigmented. They also come in very fun bright colors compared the original color riche balms.

The availability of the colors depend on each store.

Here are a few of my favorites!

440 Electric Pink- Bright neon pink

420 Bold Blush- Mid tone raspberry pink

518 Tender Mauve- Purply mauve

These are now available at drugstores nationwide. They retail @ $7.99 each.