Mother's Day Haul (Gifts)

I'm in love with all of my gifts and excited to give them all a try.

First one I want to mention is the Benefits Cheekathon

A $145 value! For $58 at Ulta Beauty
Includes:

• Full size Hoola Matte Bronzer (0.28 oz)
• Full size Dandelion Baby-Pink Brightening Blush (0.25 oz)
• Full size Rockateur Rose Gold Blush (0.17 oz)
• Full size Dallas Dusty Rose Face Powder (0.32 oz)
• Full size Coralista Coral-Pink Blush (0.28 oz)
• Soft, natural-bristle brush

The only one I own and LOVE already is the Hoola bronzer! I can't wait to play with this

Then I got two perfumes. I own a lot of perfumes so I wanted to get the spray pens to carry with me on the go.
The first one I got is the Marc Jacobs Daisy Eau So Fresh  0.33 oz $25

This smells SO amazing, it's "Spring/Summer in a bottle" I love how cute and girly the glass bottle is. This was the first thing I opened and drenched myself in. HA HA

Fragrance Notes:

• Natural Raspberry
• Grapefruit
• Pear
•  Violet 
• Wild Rose 
• Apple Blossom 
• Musks 
• Cedarwood 
• Plum

*Experience Daisy Eau So Fresh with this travel-friendly spray pen for the girl on the go. Daisy Eau So Fresh is the whimsical interpretation of the original Daisy fragrance. It's light, woody base infuses a subtle but sharp glimmer of musk for an unexpected twist of radiance.

Next one I was dying to get is the YSL Black Opium Eau de Parfum 0.33 oz $25

I have been wanting to buy this for some time, it smells like a mixture of vanilla and flowers to me. I have the hardest time explaining scents which is why I am adding the notes. You just have to smell this next time you are where fragrances are sold.

Fragrance Notes:

• Top - Vanilla bean
• Mid - White flowers
• Base - Black coffee

*Highly addictive. Seductively intoxicating. Like a shot of adrenaline, the rich coffee bean notes jolt the senses with a high dose of energy, becoming softer and more feminine with the white flowers of jasmine sambac. The sweet sensuality of vanilla beans wraps the fragrance into a gourmand, voluptuous signature.

This beauty here with the cute wallet that attaches was a gift with purchase for getting the two fragrances. I will enjoy this so much this Spring/Summer.

Now let's get into the drug store products. 

I had to get my husband to repurchase the tried and true Rimmel Stay Matte Transparent Pressed powder.

If you haven't tried it give a a whirl. Best value ever $5

Next few products are all new to them so I will be reviewing them shortly when I have had a chance to try and enjoy them

We have the Cover Girl Super Sizer Mascara in Very Black

 I have heard great thing about this mascara I will keep you guys posted. $7.49

Next is the Makeup Revolution Vivid Baked Highlighter in Radiant Lights

I love highlighters I am so excited to try this one out! $6

Next is the Essence Make me Brow!

For brow fleekness I thought I would give this a chance. This was the most inexpensive product yet and I am way excited to try it. $2.99

Last makeup item is the NYX Lip Lingerie in LIPLI 07 Satin Ribbon

I can't wait to see if I like this. I love most NYX lip products so I have high hopes for this. I will of course keep you posted. I am going to purchase more if I like them. $6.99

Lastly here is my gorgeous orchids for Mother's Day! I am beyond in love with them!

There you have it guys, my Mother's Day haul! The greatest gift I have though is my son! He is my everything. Hope you all had an amazing Mother's Day, happy belated Mother's Day and see you soon with another post.

XOXO,

Makeup Forever Step 1 Skin Equalizer- Mattifying Primer Review

Hey Guys I have another product review for you guys today.

I ended up picking this up from Sephora to try out. I have combo to oily skin so I wanted to give it a try mainly for my T-zone.

This product is $37 30ml OR $17 for 15ml

Details:

STEP1 is the range of skin equalizers developed to refine, smooth and even out. Our exclusive Equalizer Complex delivers 3 key actions:

- APPLICATION : makeup goes on seamlessly

- RESULT : optimized color & finish

- WEAR: longer staying power

MATTIFYING PRIMER is the answer to unwanted shine, fighting against excess oil to ensure a matte makeup result. Formulated with our specific Sebustop Vegetal Complex, this first step equalizer instantly reduces pore size and controls shine for a flawless makeup all day long.


My experience with this Primer:

OK guys so this primer is no joke, when it says it's mattifying it's mattifying like big time.
Now I just use it on my extreme problem areas I ended up picking this up from Sephora to try out. I have combo to oily skin so I wanted to give it a try mainly for my T-zone. The product comes out a clearish creamy color and had no scent, which I really appreciate.

This product immediately removes any type of shine to your skin. It is easy to blend and lasts a very long time. Makeup really does apply seamlessly over this product. I am very impressed with it. Honestly my only negative remark about this is if you have mature skin I'd avoid it. I notice that I can't wear it on my forehead where I have most of my wrinkles because it doesn't fill them in like pore filling type primers. It makes those forehead wrinkles very noticeable. I have strictly started applying it to my nose, and the areas surrounding my nose for that very reason.  Those with extremely oily skin can really benefit from this primer. I will continue to use it to prolong my makeup and avoid looking overly oily.

Side note: I have extremely sensitive skin and this did not clog my pores or break me out!

I do recommend this but only if you are oily!

Thanks for stopping by today.

Monthly Favorites December 2015

Hey loves, it's that time again the end of the month which means it's Monthly Favorites time!

I want to start off with my new beautiful cover that my friend Enisa got me. I love everything about this cover. The colors, the quotes the entire bit.

She knows me so well! I love this cover so much! A great choice going into the new year! Thanks again girlfriend.

Next up is the gorgeous Anastasia Beverly Hills Self-Made Palette

This was another gift (I know I have the sweetest friends ever!) this was from my friend Becci. I did a full post on this palette. Check that out here.

Now let's talk about the Kat Von D liquid lipstick in Outlaw

I also did a post on this beauty. Check it out here.

I wore this beauty to my husbands Company Christmas party. Here is a picture of me and my sister of that night. This was such a gorgeous red and it lasted ALL night.

Next is the Morphe 350 Palette

This is a warm lovers dream come true. This palette is basically 100% me! I love everything about this little guy. It was sold out and they brought it back. I am honestly not sure if it is still available but if it is and if you love warm shades it does not disappoint. Not one bit.

Next is the Nars Velvet Matte lip pencil in Cruella

Can you tell that red lips were the theme of this month? LOL. I actually got this as a birthday perk at Sephora. I love this pencil so much. It's rich in color and super creamy and comfortable to wear. A beautiful red for sure.


Last but not least Lorac cheek palette

I absolutely love this palette. This offers so many beautiful blush options. Yet another product I did a full post on. Click here to check it out.

That covers all of my favorites for this month. Thank you so much for stopping by.
Let me know what your favorites were, I'd love to check them out.

This will be my only post for this week. I hope you all have a fabulous New Years Eve and New Years!

Much Love,

Anastasia Beverly Hills Self-Made Palette Review and Swatches

Hey loves! So today I get to share with you the beautiful ABH Self-Made Palette. I got this gorgeous palette from my friend Becci. I was beyond excited to get this! 

This retails for $35 and comes with fourteen shades 0.025 oz of product per shadow (0.35oz total)

Details-

This limited edition, fashion-forward eye shadow kit is the ultimate makeup artist's palette. Fourteen shades - ranging from a neutral taupe to obsidian black - deliver intense color, so you can create an endless array of custom looks.

Shades:

• Pink Champagne (rose gold with a titanium finish)
• Metallic Plum (dark plum with a metallic finish)
• Self-Made (deep bronze with a satin finish)
• Witchy (khaki gray with a sparkle finish)
• Blush (light beige with a duo chrome pink finish)
• Blossom (lilac pink with a metallic finish)
• Buttery (buildable beige with an ultra-matte finish)
• Deep Purple (amethyst purple with a titanium finish)
• Treasure (ultra-light Champagne with a metallic finish)
• Hot & Cold (rum brown with a metallic finish)
• Sherbet (ultra-light peach with a velvet finish)
• Isla (sea foam green with a duo chrome gold finish)
• Spirit Rock (galaxy black with a sparkle finish)
• Hot Chocolate (rich, cocoa brown with an ultra-matte finish)

Here are my arm swatches on my olive skin tone. (no primers were used for these swatches)

This is my first ABH palette and these are very pigmented and creamy shades. I am obsessed with this palette and so grateful to my friend that was so sweet in picking this up for me! My favorite shades are Pink Champagne, Sherbert and Hot Chocolate. 

This is a great Holiday gift for sure! Another perk is the double ended brush it comes with. The brush is actually of great quality and it works wonders to apply and blend out the shadows. 

Get it while you can since her palettes have a habit of selling out pretty quickly.

If I am not mistaken this palette is already sold out at Sephora but I did see it was available at Ulta.

Here is a very simple yet beautiful look I did with this palette.

Here is what the box looks like

The beautiful packaging.

Price: The price is very reasonable especially for a high end foundation. I've paid a lot more for other foundations.

Packaging: I love love love that it comes with a pump and has a beautiful frosted bottle, the packaging is truly sleek and beautiful.

Longevity: I always wear a primer with all of my foundations and this one will last me all day. About 6 hours before my natural oils start coming through. I will usually either blot or powder up and that will do the trick for even more hours. Please keep in mind that I have combination to oily skin.

Quality: The quality is superb! I have tried A LOT of foundations and this one is so beautiful I love everything about it! Great for youthful, mature or anything in between. This is a gem!

Overall Rating: In case it isn't already obvious I give this an A++ overall rating. I HIGHLY recommend you get a sample or just take my word for it and give it a try.

- See more at: http://unlockyourbest.blogspot.com/#sthash.XwdLRhkF.dpuf Let's rate this:

Let's rate it:

Price: VERY reasonable for a high end makeup palette.

Packaging: It's a sturdy cardboard package with a magnetic closure a nice size mirror and I love that she included a double ended brush. Very nice.

Longevity: I always use a primer and they last all day with no fall out or smearing. These shadows are a dream to wear.

Quality: Amazing, very pigmented and creamy.

Overall Rating: A++ Get your hands on it ASAP!

Thank you so much for stopping by guys, it truly makes me so happy to blog for you guys. Thanks again Becci for my beautiful palette.

Much Love,

Price: The price is very reasonable especially for a high end foundation. I've paid a lot more for other foundations.

Packaging: I love love love that it comes with a pump and has a beautiful frosted bottle, the packaging is truly sleek and beautiful.

Longevity: I always wear a primer with all of my foundations and this one will last me all day. About 6 hours before my natural oils start coming through. I will usually either blot or powder up and that will do the trick for even more hours. Please keep in mind that I have combination to oily skin.

Quality: The quality is superb! I have tried A LOT of foundations and this one is so beautiful I love everything about it! Great for youthful, mature or anything in between. This is a gem!

Overall Rating: In case it isn't already obvious I give this an A++ overall rating. I HIGHLY recommend you get a sample or just take my word for it and give it a try.

- See more at: http://unlockyourbest.blogspot.com/#sthash.XwdLRhkF.dpuf

Too Faced Born This Way Foundation Review

Hey guys I am so excited to share my thoughts on this amazing product with you guys!
I got this for my birthday just last month and haven't worn any other foundation since discovering it!

Warning crazy tired no makeup pictures fast approaching ;)

Let me start out by suggesting that you get matched for your shade of color . That is what I did at Sephora. The dilemma is that this foundation comes in a beautifully frosted bottle so just eyeing your color maybe a little tricky. Let the pro's figure it out for you. My shade is in Light Beige.

This foundation retails for $39 US dollars and comes with the usual 1 oz amount of product.
You can purchase this at your favorite beauty counter or directly from the Too Faced website.

Before we get to the actual review of this product let me show you a scary before pic.

This pic was taken pretty early in the morning with NO makeup on, just my moisturizer and foundation primer. (smashbox photo finish pore minimizing primer)
As you can see I have many imperfections and breakouts at the moment, what a perfect time to demonstrate the coverage.

I use a damped beauty blender to apply my foundation. I feel it gives me the most natural finish.

I personally only use one pump of product all over my face.

Here I have my faced with only foundation, no powder no concealer. It did an amazing job covering up all my red spots and acne. My skin has an overall more even tone.  I love this foundation!
It isn't cakey at all and you can layer it up if you want more coverage, I don't personally like to use more than a pump, but you do you boo...

Here I am with a full face of makeup & my little bottled treasure. (the magic of makeup right?!)
I can honestly tell you that this full coverage foundation feels super lightweight not at all heavy. It has a smooth beautiful finish. You can still see my freckles but covered all of my nasty blemishes. It lasts all day and looks flawless, I believe it's because the foundation contains Hyaluronic Acid and Coconut water.

*Born This Way is an oil-free foundation that masterfully diffuses the line between makeup and skin. For coverage so undetectable, you can’t see the makeup and you can’t see imperfections—all that’s left is naturally radiant skin that looks like you were Born This Way.

OK guys let's do the official rating of this foundation.

Price: The price is very reasonable especially for a high end foundation. I've paid a lot more for other foundations.

Packaging: I love love love that it comes with a pump and has a beautiful frosted bottle, the packaging is truly sleek and beautiful.

Longevity: I always wear a primer with all of my foundations and this one will last me all day. About 6 hours before my natural oils start coming through. I will usually either blot or powder up and that will do the trick for even more hours. Please keep in mind that I have combination to oily skin.

Quality: The quality is superb! I have tried A LOT of foundations and this one is so beautiful I love everything about it! Great for youthful, mature or anything in between. This is a gem!

Overall Rating: In case it isn't already obvious I give this an A++ overall rating. I HIGHLY recommend you get a sample or just take my word for it and give it a try.

OK loves, thank you SO much for stopping by today as usual let me know if there is something you would like for me to review next or if you have any questions.

Much Love,

Kat Von D Lip Vixon Duo

Hey guys here is another b-day gift I got for myself, I've been really wanting to try the the Kat Von D liquid lipsticks for the longest time.

A limited-edition mini lip duo featuring Kat Von D’s bestselling Everlasting Liquid Lipstick and Studded Kiss Lipstick in two alluring shades that are perfectly portable and trying on a new shade. Treat lips to this limited-edition lipstick set, with two bold shades. Outlaw, a matte brick red liquid lipstick, and Noble, a matte, petal pink nude, offer high-pigment, long-wear color for ultra-lasting, velvet-touch comfort. It also has a seductive hint of sweet crème brulee scent, inspired by her love of sweets, and it comes with Outlaw, her favorite red lip shade.

This duo is $18 on Sephora.com

Completely worth it, especially because you get to try out two of her lip products before investing in the full size ones. 

Here are some Lip Swatches for you.

This beautiful duo is so fun. I love both shades on me. 

Let me start off by saying that the Liquid Lipstick shade is a very pigmented bold bright red. The formula is smooth and dries SUPER matte. It can be a little over drying. I recommend using a lip balm underneath.  This lip product does last a VERY long time. 

The Studded Lipstick in Noble is pretty pink on my lips but still nude. It's extremely creamy and highly pigmented. This is actually a comfortable matte shade to wear and not overly drying. 

I loved this duo so much that I bought a full size of the everlasting liquid lipstick in Vampira. I will do an actual review soon.

Ok guys That is it for my post today. Thank you so much for stopping by.

Stay amazing!

Tarte Empower Flower Amazonian Clay Collector's Palette Review

Hello my lovelies, hope you are all having a fantastic week. I got a few goodies for my birthday this year and this lovely palette was one of the many things I got spoiled with. I have to admit that Tarte has never really caught my eye, a brand that I never felt I had to have, BOY was I wrong!

This beauty is a Sephora exclusive limited edition eye and cheek palette. This palette retails for $42 but I got mine on sale for $36. I am not sure how long the sale will last but if you want your own click here to be sent to the Sephora website.

This palette contains:
- 8 x 0.024 oz Eye shadow in Compassionate (cream shadow), Vivacious (rose gold shadow), Pretty (bronze shadow), Powerful (dark brown shadow), Energetic (taupe shadow), Eco-chic (light plum shadow), Charitable (soft pink shadow), Glamorous (dark plum shadow)
- 2 x 0.15 oz Blush in Trustworthy (nude mauve), Empowering (rose nude)
- 0.15 oz Bronzer in Park ave princess™ (shimmering)

I am honestly a little surprised that I loved this palette so much. I am usually obsessed with warm tones verses cool tones. This palette is definitely more cool toned then warm. They do offer a few warm shades and they all work so beautifully together. The eye shadows are very pigmented and smooth as butter. They aren't at all chalky and have no fallout.
As for the Blushes I didn't expect much from the Charitable color the very light shade and let me tell you it is the prettiest shade ever! Especially for my complexion. It gives that subtle (but pigmented) gorgeous color, it's very natural looking. The other blush is very pigmented and a little goes a very long way. As for the bronzer, where has that been my entire life? I'm in LOVE! I have not put this palette down since getting it. I have used it every single time I've done my makeup lately.

Here are just a few looks I created with this palette.

Let's rate this palette:

Price: The price point is excellent given that you get to try out 6 colors and each contain 0.03 oz, so you get 0.18 oz of product total. The full size retails for $24 and contains 0.10 oz

Packaging: The packaging is cute, practical and sleek.

Longevity: It truly can last all day. As mentioned above keep away from greasy foods and you will be A-OK.

Quality: The quality is amazing on these liquid lipsticks, I have zero complaints. They go on so creamy and smooth and aren't overly drying this is a superb product.

Overall Rating: In case it isn't already obvious I give this an A+ overall rating.

- See more at: http://unlockyourbest.blogspot.com/2015/11/stila-eternally-yours-liquid-lipstick.html#sthash.bGxGvRWP.dpuf

Price: The price point is excellent given that you get to try out 6 colors and each contain 0.03 oz, so you get 0.18 oz of product total. The full size retails for $24 and contains 0.10 oz

Packaging: The packaging is cute, practical and sleek.

Longevity: It truly can last all day. As mentioned above keep away from greasy foods and you will be A-OK.

Quality: The quality is amazing on these liquid lipsticks, I have zero complaints. They go on so creamy and smooth and aren't overly drying this is a superb product.

Overall Rating: In case it isn't already obvious I give this an A+ overall rating.

- See more at: http://unlockyourbest.blogspot.com/2015/11/stila-eternally-yours-liquid-lipstick.html#sthash.bGxGvRWP.dpuf

Price: Very reasonable for a high end makeup product and a product that offers you 8 eye shadows, 2 blushes and one bronzer which makes it perfect for travel.
Packaging: It is very girly and slim. I love that it offers a big mirror and that it isn't at all bulky.
Longevity: These eye shadows, blushes and bronzer will last all day long without the need to reapply.
Quality: Perfection! My friends tried to tell me for months to give them a chance and I am honestly not sure what took me so stinkin' long to give it a go. I LOVE TARTE!
Overall Rating: A++ I am so in love with this palette, I highly recommend that you get your hands on it!

OK guys thank you so much for stopping by today. I loved this Tarte palette so much that I purchased another limited edition Christmas Palette. I will eventually do a review on that palette as well, but I am going to open it on Xmas not any sooner.

Have a fantastic day!

Much love,

September Monthly Favorites 2015

Why hello there guys, can you believe September is already pretty much over? How crazy is that? Seriously the older I get the faster time seems to go by, it's nuts!
Anywho, I love this month because it's the start of the Fall/Autumn Season, my absolute favorite time of the year!
Here are my monthly favorites for this month:

You might be thinking, not your planner again?! Nope it's the new cover I am LOVING and the month and day tabs. I am so sorry that the picture above is horrible, I couldn't get a good pic this month. 

 Here is a closeup of my cover and the tabs. I bought the the cover and the tabs on Etsy.

Simply click on pictures below and you will be taken directly to the shops I purchased these from.

Now for the tabs, I ordered the silver edition as seen pictured above. I did that so it matched the coils of my planner ☺. (click on picture below to view sellers shop).

Ok next up is the much LOVED and highly used Urban Decay Smoky palette:

This is by far in my opinion the best and must have Naked palette out there. I won't go into too much detail on this on because I did a full post and review, check it out. Click here to see it.

Next up is the Becca Champagne Pop colab with Jaclyn Hill.

This is the best highlight of life, I love this SO much! This is another product that I did a full review on. Click here to view it.

Next up is a brush from Sigma. The small eye liner-E10 brush

For all that know me, you know that I love me some eye liner! This brush is so perfect! I love EVERYTHING about it. You can purchase it on the sigma's website like I did for $14. This has a 5 out of 5 rating because it's amazeballs!

Next up is the MAC blacktrack fluidline gel eyeliner.

I'm not going to say it's the best gel liner I have ever tried BUT I do love it. It doesn't smear, it stays on all day and it's super easy to apply, especially with the brush mentioned above. You can buy this at a MAC store or online like I did. It's $17.50 but it lasts forever!

Next up is another pretty cool brush. This one is a Sephora brand. The Pro Angled Shadow Brush#13

When I am in a hurry and want to throw on some definition in my crease and don't want to stress over the application I reach for this brush. It makes getting in the crease super easy and because it's fluffy it blends my eye shadow out beautifully! This can be purchased at Sephora online or in stores for $20 I actually got it for $11 on sale. Hurry and pick yours up, not sure how long the sale will last.

Next up is a fragrance from Givenchy: Amarige

This is a repurchase for me, this perfume will always be in my collection. I have a wonderful memories associated with this perfume. My aunt who passed away from cancer was the first one to introduce me to this fragrance and to give me my first bottle. It will forever remind me of her. I miss her so much!

Here are the notes about this perfume:

Amarige is the symbol of femininity, radiating and bursting with happiness, a zest for life and generosity. The Amarige woman is radiant and open-minded; her heart-felt joy is evident from her spontaneous, charming smile. Inspired by that very same woman this perfume contains a cheerful, tender and sensual flower bouquet (Gardenia, Mimosa, Precious woods).

It's a lovely scent and I would recommend it to everyone.

Last but certainly not least we have the GORGEOUS Ofra Liquid Lipstick in the shade Miami Fever This is a Colab with the beautiful Kathleen Lights on YouTube.

I  have been wearing this lipstick NON stop, literally! I love EVERYTHING about this liquid lipstick, the color is stunning, it last forever and it's not over drying on the lips!

I love how it looks on my complexion it's perfect guys. It is a limited edition so get yours before they are gone. I purchased mine on the Ofra website. 

Hope you enjoyed my favorites for this month, let me know if you have a post on your monthly favorites and I would love to check them out. 

Have a wonderful week.

Love,