MAC Pressed Pigment - Enchantment

With MACs Holiday Collection, Heirloom Mix, out I thought it would be fitting to try a makeup look with my favorite pick from the collection. Personally I think one of the best things about this collection was the mini pressed pigments. I picked up this one called Enchantment and quickly was very happy with my decision. It is described as a violet with blue violet sparkles. I will say applying it wasn't the easiest but after working with it (and some trusty Fix+) I got it to do what I was wanting. On MACs website these retail for $21. There are seven other colors to choose from and I'm debating on to get more or not. The collection also has glitters, lipsticks, blushes, lipgloss, eyeliners and nail polish.

For the eye look itself I used a neutral brown in the crease, applied the pigment using Fix+, let it dry, and then blended it with the neutral brown further more. I then used a black liner pen and mascara. For the bottom lid I used the neutral brown again to smoke out the look more.

I think this look is a super quick easy look for Halloween and the holidays! Let me know what you think and if you've gotten anything from this collection! xx

Makeup Geek-Go to for Fall 2014

So if you have been anywhere on the online beauty community chances are you have heard of Makeup Geek. Marlena, who began on YouTube six years ago, is the creator of the brand, and some of the best eyeshadows, blushes, and brushes in the game. They are CREAMY. They are PIGMENTED. They are UNDER TEN DOLLARS. They are life. They shadows and blushes come in either pan form or in compacts. I personally enjoy the pan version just because I like to put mine in Z Palettes, but the compacts work great for traveling. The ones I'm going to show you today are my choices for this fall season, but trust me, check out the website and you will find shades for every season.

From left to right eyeshadows: Burlesque, Preppy, Peaches and Cream, Vanilla Bean, Corrupt.
Blush: Secret Admirer. 

- Burlesque is in my opinion one of the best shades to create the perfect smokey eye for fall. It is a deep berry color that I love throwing all over the lid or in the outer corner. Although it does have a sheen to it, working it into the crease is easy and sheen is barely visible. My blue eye and green eyed girls this color is for you. 

- Preppy is the most amazing khaki color. It is perfect for everything. Crease color. All over the lid. Smoked out in the corner. Everything. I love it because it's different from the typical light brown that is usually used. It has this beautiful yellow and green undertone that makes is beautiful for any eye color. 

- Next we have Peaches and Cream. This color is great for the crease and blending out those stubborn shadows that just don't want to budge. Color wise it's just as the name says, a warm peach. 

- Vanilla is a gorgeous highlight color that is so close to my skin tone, but it also has this beautiful sheen to it. I love using it on my brow bone and inner corner of my eye. 

- Now for Corrupt. Guys can we just talk about the pigmentation! Macs Carbon has NOTHING on this bad boy. Not only is it pigmented but it's also creamy and super easy to blend with. I use this shade if I want to deepen up a look for nighttime or I use it to smudge out and intensify a kohl liner. 

- Lastly we have the blush, Secret Admirer. This is the perfect neutral shade that will go with literally every look. I use this shadow the most in my freelance kit. Just like the shadows it is super pigmented and very easy to blend. 

The shadows retail for $5.99 in the pan or $7.99 in the compacts and the blushes $9.99 in the pan and $12.99 in compacts. All can be found on the Makeup Geek site. 

Let me know what shadows you're loving this season. I'm always on the hunt for more!

xx

Did Someone Say 90's?

As we all probably know, the 90's have taken ahold of the fashion world by the reins and I don't see them going anywhere anytime soon. Besides being one the best times to live in the country economically, the 90's had some of the most iconic makeup and fashion trends this world has seen. From tying a hoodie around your waist, flipping your ball cap backwards, ripping your jeans apart, combat boots, turtlenecks, middle parts, and the infamous Doc Martins, you can see how much of the trends we're seeing now are influenced by that era. Now not only is fashion being drawn from the 90's, but makeup is as well. All you hear about is the 'Kylie Jenner' lip, when in reality, it's the 90's lip. A darker muted pink, brown, mauve, nude matte lip is one of eras finest makeup trends, and I'm going to show you how to achieve it with some of my favorite lipsticks.

Going through my collection and picking the shades for this is extremely difficult because I wanted to pick shades that stayed true to the trend, but also were a little more wearable. The first shade on the left is Touch Of Spice from Maybellines new matte collection. These are some of the BEST lipsticks I have ever worn. They have the matte look but they glide on and are creamy on the lips throughout the whole day. In a way this is the matte look you're used to, but better. Way better. Touch Of Spice is a darker brown pink color and very opaque. Next we have another Maybelline matte lipstick in Daringly Nude. I love this shade because it's the perfect pink nude that is flattering on SO many skin tones. Just as the previous, it is also creamy and opaque. The next two shades are from Mac. First we have Twig which is showing up slightly more pink on camera. It is described as a muted brownish-pink but I personally think it pulls slightly more brown. It has a satin finish so it's not completely matte and definitely has a creamy texture, while still keeping a little sheen. Lastly we have Brave. This is probably one of my all time favorite Mac lipsticks. It goes with just about every makeup and outfit choice and also will work on most skin tones. It is described as a pink beige with white pearl and is also a satin finish.

All in all, I don't see this trend going anywhere anytime soon. I believe that this has reinvented the 'nude' lip. Instead of those more beige toned lipsticks, which doesn't always work for every skin tone, these pinker nudes are flattering all around. I would personally like to the thank the 90's for showing this trend (and many others) to the world. Now if we could just get back male middle parts. Shawn Hunter was the dreamiest!

I am always on the look out for new lipsticks, especially in this color. Let me know if you would like to see more swatches and also let me know what your favorite colors for this upcoming fall season are!
xx

Follow my blog with Bloglovin

September 2014 Favorites

So I'm honestly not sure where September went but nonetheless the beautiful almighty October has arrived and saying I'm excited would be an understatement. As every month passes I'm always trying new things as well as going back to some old loves. So keep reading to check out what I've been loving for September!

As things for my face goes I moved into living a more not so much dewy but radiant complexion. I've tried so many products and with my oily skinny I always end up looking like I've been dipped in a tub of grease and set to lay out on a warm sunny day. Bottom line it just never works out for me UNTIL I started using the Mac Prep + Prime in Natural Radiance. Since I have pink undertones this one works the best for me. It gives the most beautiful glow from within so I highly recommend it. For foundation I'm still loving my Make Up For Ever Mat Velvet + foundation. Again it works best with my oily skin and still allows the primer underneath to show through. To set that I've started using the Chanel Double Perfection Lumière which works really well at keeping me shine free throughout the day and gives a really natural finish. For bronzer I'm using the trusty Chocolate Soleil by Two Faced. It's the perfect matte bronzer that isn't too warm and makes an awesome shade for contouring.

As some of you may know I just recently cut 6 1/2 inches off my hair and it was THE best decision of my life. Styling has been so much easier for me since the haircut and since using the Kevin Murphy Anti Gravity Spray and Moroccan Oil Finishing Spray. The Moroccan Oil Spray gives a nice medium hold that I really enjoy and it just keeps my hair looking fluffy and nice. The Anti Gravity Spray was literally sent down by angels because it gives you the perfect amount of volume without being crunchy. Both have nice scents as well. For my face I've using the Body Shop Tea Tree lotion because my skin decided it was going to break out this month. So far I am really enjoying it and it has kept my breakouts at bay. For under the eyes on those sleepless nights the Mac Fast Response Eye Cream is what I use in the morning. It contains caffeine which helps depuff the under eye and reduce the look of dark circles. 

I plan on showing y'all my favorite lipsticks and eyeshadows for the month but I'm going to save it for my next post so stay tuned for tomorrow! 

xx

Jo Malone - Peony & Blush Suede

Established in 1994 by perfumer Jo Malone in the United Kingdom, this is probably one of the most luxurious perfumes/companies around. In the past I've heard my friend who used to work at Nordstrom talk about these perfumes all the time but I never got around to smelling them. What's great about this brand is how you can literally mix all the scents together to create hundreds of different scents in order to find the one the suits you best. When I finally stopped by the counter about two weeks ago, my mom and I spent almost as much time there as we did money. Not only were we taken in by the perfumes and lotions but also the customer service. The woman who was working there helped us until we found which scent we loved the most and also gave us complimentary hand massages. I finally settled on Peony & Blush Suede. It's interesting because lately I have been really into floral lotions and candles unlike the more vanilla warm scents I'm used to. It is described as 'The essence of charm.  Peonies in voluptuous bloom, exquisitely fragile.  Flirtatious with the juicy bite of red apple and the opulence of jasmine, rose and gillyflower.  Mingling with the sensuality of soft, blush suede.  Luxurious and seductive.' This is 100% my go to scent for spring. She has 19 other perfumes all which can be combined to create other scents. In addition to her perfumes she also has colognes, body wash, oils, lotions, candles and more. The 30ml bottle retails for $60.00. 

MAC & Sephora Haul!

It's that time of the year again! The Sephora VIB 15% off sale is here and of course I had to take advantage of it, which means I usually place and order and then a day later I place another one LOL. My first package came in today and these are the goodies I got. I always forget what I buy so when I open the box I get all excited all over again. This is just a quick run through of what I purchased, more in-depth reviews will follow!

From Left To Right

REN Satin Perfection BB Cream Sunscreen

I really wanted something for the summer that would give me some coverage but also was a sunscreen. During the summer I don't really like to wear much makeup so hopefully this is a winner. I've heard a lot about REN so I can't wait to try this.

Bite Beauty Agave Lip Mask

I purchased this because one of my favorite YouTube beauty guru's Jaclyn Hill has been raving about it so obviously I had to buy it. Who wouldn't want a luxurious mask for your lips anyways? It's supposed to help with cracked dry lips which I've always struggled with.

Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

Another product that is regularly raved about online. It's described as having a 'luminous formula' and medium coverage. I have the color in Medium Ivory. 

OCC Cosmetic Lip Tars

I've been wanting to try these lip tars FOR SO LONG! When I saw this deal that came with three bright summer colors I had to do it. I swatched them for you above. 

Weekend Update

It's so hard going to school and keeping up with this blog. I wish I had the days during the week to take pictures and swatch and do reviews for you guys when the lighting is good! After a long week of school all I want to do on the weekends is relax :/ Only two more months and this blog will be one of my top priorities, aside from getting a job. 

This weekend flew by as usual and I really didn't get much done except some shopping, did a friends makeup and hair for her prom, and catched up with some friends. I will eventually do a haul of all the things I purchased but I'm still waiting for some things to come in the mail. I'm really excited to show you all some of the great pieces I got from the Topshop department in Nordstrom. I've never actually spent time and looked around there and oh my god have I been missing out. Topshop is just the perfect combination of minimal, girly, edgy, and conservative that I really appreciate in a clothing line and also how I like to categorize my 'style'. Here are two outfit of the days from Friday night and today. Again thank you all for you support, enjoy!

Top

Top: Target

Blazer: Urban Outfitters

Jeans: Paige Denim

Heels: Sem Edelman 

Watch: Michael Kors

Bottom

Top: American Eagle

Jeans: Paige Denim

Shoes: Express

Watch: Michael Kors

Todays Picks

Today was an absolutely miserable day. It probably was raining and storming 80% of the day :| And because of this getting up and going was not the easiest thing to do this morning. Thankfully I got up with just enough time to throw an outfit and lunch together (sadly my hair and makeup didn't fair so well). Todays picks were a white blazer I got from Target and faux leather pants from H&M. The blazer was supposed to be an extra small but it's huge so I'll need to get it tailored but other than that I love the monochromatic feel it has especially paired with a chunky statement necklace. For lunch I chose a simple spinach and romaine salad with zucchini, yellow bell pepper and tomatoes with a light balsamic dressing. 

Top: Forever 21

Blazer: Target

Faux Leather Pants: H&M

Loafers: Urban Outfitters

Necklace: Forever 21

Watch: Michael Kors 

NYX Razzle Butter Lipstick

So yesterday I decided to step into my old work, Ulta Cosmetics, the other day and was
honestly just wondering around when I found myself over by NYX and I saw these Butter Lipsticks. I have heard so much hype about these things so I decided to pick one up. 
I don't really own a bright purple/fuchsia lipstick (shocking) so I chose Razzle. It kind of reminds me of the pantone color of the year Radiant Orchid. Honestly guys, I can 100% understand the hype behind these lipsticks. They are the perfect combination of creamy but not too glossy and have amazing pigmentation. They come in 21 other colors ranging from nudes to reds to baby pinks. I wore mine for around 7 hours today and only had to touch up twice. I already went out and got myself five more :) I paired mine today with Mac's Lip Pencil in Magenta. You can find these lipsticks at Ulta Cosmetics or select Targets. They retail at $6.00. 

Transitioning Into Raw Veganism/Foodism

December 2013 is when I decided I no longer wanted to hate my body. During the span of over two years or so I was eating whatever I wanted, whenever I wanted, and basically doing what every other senior in high school was doing. Unfortunately my metabolism slowly started slowing down and I somewhere along the way ended up gaining 20 or so pounds. Everyday I lived in fear of getting dressed up or putting a swimsuit on and missed out on a lot of things due to my insecurities. Well 4 months ago I decided to finally get my ass in gear and do something about it. It started with cutting out all junk food and really watching my portion sizes. Then I started implementing working out regularly and cutting out almost all carbs in my diet. During this whole process I've really come to terms with the whole 'You are what you eat' saying. I want my body to get the most out of all the foods I eat, so I started researching. I've looked up vegetarianism, veganism, raw foodism, etc. and raw foodism is the lifestyle that really has caught my eye. Advocates for the lifestyle argue that raw foods have natural enzymes that are critical in building proteins and rebuilding the body and that heat destroys these enzymes and leave behind toxins in the body. It has also been said that consuming large amounts of raw vegetables have reduced the risk of breast cancer. I plan on doing some more research and purchasing some books and I'll be sure to post about my findings. It's been about a month since I've cut out most meat and quit cooking my vegetables and I can tell I have a lot more energy and my skin has cleared a significant amount. My nails and my hair have also grown more quickly. 

Here are some blogs and websites regarding veganism and raw foodism if you're interested:

The Rawsom Vegan Life

Starting A Raw Food Diet

Raw Food Recipes

Xx

I'm Back!

Wow. It has been a crazy couple of months since I've last posted!

I'm excited to get back into the groove of posting about things 

that I truly love and inspire me, & then in return to hopefully

inspire you! I can't wait to grow with this blog and 

I hope you all will follow me along the journey :)

Xx kellvess