Quick MUFE HAUL and Review!!

This haul is long LONG overdue! I have been using the foundation and primer for a month already (talk about being a terrible blogger!) but now I can give you a good review on how I like them :) Here we go...

MAKE UP FOR EVER Mat Velvet + Mattifying Foundation in #35 "Vanilla"... I really liked this foundation when I first started using it. It goes on smoothly, covers all of my pigmentation problems, and leaves a nice natural finish. However, the longevity of wear is not the best. It's not one of those foundations that just starts wearing off either, it actually separates on my face! The hotter I am during the day (and when I sweat), the faster this happens. Depending on what I'm doing the foundation will last around 8 hours on my normal/combo skin before it starts turning a bit wonky. Though this is clearly not my ideal foundation I will continue using it until it's gone, either mixed with something else or for short periods of time.

left to right: MUFE Mat Velvet + in #35 "Vanilla", Full Cover Concealer in #3 "Light Beige", Diamond Shadow in #303 "Diamond Pink", Aqua Cream in #4 "Snow"

MUFE Full Cover Concealer in #3 "Light Beige"... Love this concealer. L. O. V. E. Seriously. I have some pretty hardcore dark circles, and this not only covers them but stays on all day! I have shade #3 Light Beige, and it's pretty darn light. I'm thinking I need to get the next shade darker for the summer.. I'd say NW20 and up definitely need a darker shade than this one! However, if you are into that "Kardashian" look then this may be the shade for you! ;) Anyway, this is an amazing concealer. It's waterproof and will definitely be what I wear this month for my wedding!!

MUFE Diamond Shadow in #303 "Diamond Pink"... I have been wanting a pink inner-eye highlight and this is most definitely it. You can see in the swatch that it has a beautiful sheen and sparkle, but doesn't have any fallout.

MUFE Aqua Cream in #4 "Snow"... I'm a huge fan of MUFE Aqua Creams. They stay on alllllll day until you take it off with makeup remover. I usually have a problem with my inner highlight wearing off, but with this as a base I don't have to worry about that!


So what have you guys been loving lately? It's been forever since I have read posts!!

Xx-

Bethany

Current Favorite - Lippies!

On to the next favorite post, lippies!! I picked out my current favorites and most used... and they are all pinks :) Don't judge me! haha

Laura Mercier Creme Lipstick in "Evening Pink", Lancome Lipstick in "Rose Candy", YSL Glossy Stain in #15 "Rose Vinyl", MAC Amplified Lipstick in "Chatterbox", Dior Addict Lipstick in 465 "Singuliere", CHANEL Glossimer in #161 "Bagatelle"

Read on for swatches and mini reviews!

Current Favorite - FOUNDATIONS...

Lately I haven't been blogging much... I've just gotten a bit bored of it all. So to mix things up a bit I have decided to do some "Current Favorite" posts on different categories of cosmetics. I purchase quite a bit of makeup and hardly ever talk about them after I've shown them in my hauls, so now these posts will be a chance for me to show you guys what I have really  been liking from my purchases! Hope you enjoy =)

So I have been trying out quite a few new foundations the past few months in preparation for my upcoming wedding, and I thought I'd share a quick overview on my thoughts of them, as well as swatches! I've selected 4 that are my current favorites at the moment...

left to right: Illamasqua Skin Base Foundation, YSL Teint Resist Foundation, MAC Studio Fix Fluid Foundation, VICHY Dermablend Corrective Foundation.

MY SKIN: My skin is normal/combination, leaning towards the dry side lately. I have pigmentation problems, as well as the occasional breakout. Usually I like full coverage foundations, but when my skin is "good" I will use medium coverage buildable foundations.


Read more for my mini-reviews and swatches!

NORDSTROM Haul! NEW Dior, YSL, Laura Mercier...

So I did a bit of a Nordstrom haul last week after I saw the new Dior bronzers that came out with their summer collection =)
On to the goods!

Picture heavy!

BEST Purchase EVER!!!

I don't know about you, but if I can't see my makeup, I don't use it. This especially applies to my NARS eye shadows. A while back I de-potted them and put them in an empty MAC palette I had.... That didn't work. I STILL couldn't see the shadows and always forgot about them!!! So I finally paid the $20 and bought a Z Palette =)    BEST. PURCHASE. EVER.

After it came in the mail I immediately bought 2 more. Check it!

Z Palette

'Illamasqua Blush Swatches'...

Illamasqua blushers are my all-time favorite! Every single blush I have purchased from Illamasqua is insanely pigmented and lasts for ages on the skin. I have purchased several and thought it'd be nice to show you swatches side-by-side so you can see the comparisons =)

Illamasqua Blushers

*all are matte unless specified
Top row (left to right): Tweak, Chased, Nymph
Bottom row (left to right): Ambition (shimmer), Lover, Lies (cream)

Illamasqua Blush Swatches

I LOVE each and every shade I own! Often, I will even base the rest of my makeup around the color blush I want to use that day :) You only need the smallest amount, so I can see these lasting me forever! A duo-fiber brush works perfectly for applying them lightly.

Illamasqua Blush Swatches

So have you tried Illamasqua blushers?! What shade is your fav?


P.S. I am currently testing out the Skin Base foundation in #07... I'll do swatches and a review once I get a chance to really use it and form a good opinion =)

Xx-

Bethany

'HAUL: CHANEL Spring Stuff!'...

Am I the only person in the world who doesn't own a CHANEL quad? Sometimes it sure feels like it, so I decided to change that ;) I'm working on getting some swatches of the quad, but for now I thought I would show you the other bits I purchased!

CHANEL HAUL

This first product I have been thinking about getting for ages.. it was reading Sandra's blog post on it that made me finally take the plunge and shell out for it!

Let's talk brushes: That Sigma thing...

Yes, Sigma is ALL OVER blogger and youtube, and I for one did not buy into the hype. To be quite honest I think it was all the hype surrounding Sigma that turned me off the brand. I'm perfectly happy with my MAC brushes and I'm perfectly happy with the price of them.

Well, unfortunately MAC does not make a flat top kabuki brush for applying foundation. Wtf? MAC needs to get on that! Way back in the day they made one, which I have (the 180 I think??), but I was in desperate need of another!

So I sucked it up and ordered the darn Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki F80 from Sigma. ;) Of course I picked up a couple other brushes too just to make paying shipping worth it.

bottom to top: Sigma Tapered Blending E35, Eye Liner E05, Small Tapered Blending E45, Flat Top Synthetic Kabuki F80

Keep reading for the break-down, review, and more photos!

'A little Sephora Haulage'...

Moving day is finally here! As I mentioned before, the boyfriend and I are moving states, AGAIN. As a result I will be without internet for a while :( So I leave you now with some Sephora goodies!

I decided it was about time to make a little dent in my Sephora Wish List =) Not to mention I have been out of my HG cuticle cream for quite a while now, so it was needed!

Sephora Haul

Read on for the breakdown!

'OPI Haul!!'

When I visited home a few weeks ago I sort of went crazy with OPI. It isn't available where I live now (or where I'm moving to) so I felt like I needed to stock up! Makes total sense, right? ;) The boyfriend would be completely horrified if he saw this.. good thing he's not into beauty blogs!!

OPI Haul

Read on for close-ups and swatches!

'Urban Decay 15th Anniversary Palette & NAKED Palette Comparisons!'

Of course as soon as I got the Urban Decay 15th Anniversary Palette I wanted to swatch the neutrals next to those in the NAKED palette. So here are my findings...

Urban Decay 15th Anniversary & NAKED Palette COMPARISONS

Urban Decay 15th Anniversary & NAKED Palette COMPARISONS

Read on to see the break-down...

Let's talk brushes: Real Techniques...

Have you ever taken a step back, looked at your makeup collection, and realized you were in a makeup rut?? Well that's how I am with brushes!! I realized LITERALLY every brush I own is by MAC. I swear I didn't do it on purpose! haha  MAC has quality brushes, is easily accessible to me, and is right at my price point (with my discount!)... So it just happened!

When Samantha Chapman (of Pixiwoo) designed a brush line I knew things were about to change with my brush collection =) Coming from one of the Chapman sisters meant I had high expectations, and I was not disappointed!!

Here are the 2 I have picked up so far...

Real Techniques: Shading brush, Foundation brush

Read on for more photos and my thoughts on them!

'Bellepierre Pigment Swatches: on HauteLook NOW!'

Bellepierre Cosmetics are on sale NOW on HauteLook.com. I bought this set a few months ago and was requested to show some swatches and do a mini review on what I think of them! I hope this helps anyone who is considering trying them out =)

Bellepierre Cosmetics Shimmer Collection 9-stack

Keep reading for my review and swatches!

'Review: Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation SPF 20'...UPDATED

I have been meaning to do this review for ages now! To try and help give you a better idea of what the Vichy Dermablend foundation is like, I will be comparing it to Estee Lauder's Doublewear Foundation a bit. I know lots of you have tried that one out, so hopefully it will be helpful!!

Let me just start out by saying that Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation is my HOLY GRAIL foundation. So yes, this will be a mostly positive review =)

Okay, here we go!

Vichy Dermablend Corrective Foundation SPF 20

'Shades of Red' to LIVE FOR...

There is nothing like a good red lippie! A red lip can change the look of an outfit...... it can change your attitude...... basically... it can change your life =)   ok ok I kid! Here are a few of my reds!


Left to Right:  Revlon "Fire and Ice", wet & wild 519A, MAC "Ruby Woo", MAC "Heartless"
Lip Liners top to bottom:  Prestige "Tomango", Estee Lauder "07 Red"



Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick 720 "Fire & Ice"... This lipstick is a creme formulation and feels sooo good on your lips. I love this lipstick when I was something extra bright! Fire & Ice definitely has an orange undertone.. it just screams fire engine red!!

wet 'n wild in 519A... I don't even remember when I purchased this lipstick.. a long time ago! This lipstick is on the more sheer side, but can be built up quite a lot! It is very blue-based. If you are looking for an inexpensive red that can be sheered out, this is a good one!



Left to Right:  Revlon "Fire & Ice", wet & wild 519A, MAC "Ruby Woo", MAC "Heartless"
Lip Liners top to bottom:  Prestige "Tomango", bottom Estee Lauder "07 Red"



MAC "Ruby Woo"... This is a must have for everyone's makeup collection! Ruby Woo is the perfect true red with a matte finish. However, because it is a matte lipstick it can be rather drying, so make sure to exfoliate and moisturize your lips well before using!

MAC "Heartless"... I saved the best for last!! Unfortunately, "Heartless" was limited edition (it came out with MAC's Venomous Villains collection) so I don't know where you could find it now : (  Buuuut I had to mention it because it's my fav! Heartless is an Amplified lippie so it's super pigmented and creamy. The shade is a bit deeper than Ruby Woo.. more of a blood red I would say. This one will stain your lips a bit, but nothing too crazy. If you ever run across this lippie I suggest you snatch it up!

PRESTIGE Lipliner in  "Tomango"... This is a great shade that can be used with reds, corals or orangey colors. It is rather easy to apply without being super creamy. Prestige is available at many different drugstores (I believe I got this one at Walgreens) and is rather inexpensive. I wouldn't recommend this if you were looking for a liner to last all day through eating and drinking, but if you just need something to sharpen up your lip line it's perfect!

Estee Lauder DoubleWear Stay-in-Place Lip Pencil in "07 Red"... I featured this lip liner in a previous haul and I must say, I have fallen in love! I don't know about you, but when I wear a super bright bold lip I am always a bit paranoid about it wearing off or getting smudged, and me having no idea! Nobody wants to walk around looking like a hot-mess :) This lip liner is seriously amazing. It is by far the longest wearing lip liner I have come across, and well worth the money in my opinion.  A+ !!



What is your favorite red lippie?!

Xx-

Bethany

'NARS eyeshadows: STORAGE, SWATCHES, REVIEW'

Whenever I go someplace that sells NARS, I always find myself drawn to the eye shadows..especially the duos! Under the bright lights of the makeup counter they just look so sparkly and gorgeous! I often end up swatching the same shadows over and over again at the store, and half the time I realize I already have them at home... So why don't I ever use them?!

When I put on my makeup I find that I usually only use the products that are right out in front of me. If a shadow is in it's own little container and tucked away in a drawer, I tend to forget about it. What a shame!
So (even though I love NARS's packaging) I decided to depot all of my NARS eye shadows and stick them into one of my empty MAC palettes. Problem solved =)

I also take the sticker from the back and tape it up onto the top of the palette. That way I don't forget the names of the duos when I go to repurchase, or recommend them!

I thought I would swatch and do a little review of the duos I currently own as well!

LEFT "Kuala Lumpur", RIGHT "Sugarland"

Kuala Lumpur... The first shadow is described as a "rose gold". Now, I wouldn't describe it as rose gold but a very pretty light pink that shimmers with a champagne gold. The consistency is amazing and reminds me of an Urban Decay shadow, very buttery and soft!...... The second shadow in this duo is described as a "boysenberry infused with gold" which is exactly what it is. However, the consistency of this shade is not nearly as nice as the other. There is much more fallout and it is just not as nice to blend. But still a great color!

Sugarland... The first shadow is a "glimmering apricot" and very pretty at that. However, the consistency on this one also isn't quite the best. Fallout is again an issue. It is best used just patted on the eye with a stiff brush....... The second shadow is SO GORGEOUS :) a " lavender pink with golden sheen" is totally right! Such a pretty color that really cannot be captured with a photo. Go check it out for yourself!



LEFT "Cordura", RIGHT "Rajasthan"

Cordura... The first shadow a "shimmering warm rich brown". It doesn't look super great in the swatch, and requires a bit of blending on the eye but is a very nice and wearable dark warm brown. It also has subtle specks of gold that aren't really picked up in the picture!........ And the second shadow is a "shimmering dark brown" VERY pretty and dramatic. This brown is also on the warm side, and once again the picture isn't doing it justice! It is chuck full of small gold sparkles.  Both of these shadows are beautiful colors and I definitely recommend this duo to anyone looking for an alternative to black eyeshadow!!
Rajasthan... This is my favorite duo. It was limited edition and is no longer available on NARS's website or Sephora's. But it may still be available on other websites, I'm just not sure where! The first shade is a high-sheen antiqued gold-y/bronze/ lt.brown color..good description right?! haha Very buttery and easy to work with. The second color is AMAZING. I would describe it as a peacock color =) It is a very dark blue/teal color with a duochrome that reflects a blue-purple-green. So so pretty in person!

Scorching Sun... No up close pic of this one but it has a "glazed apricot" shade and a "orange sheen" shade. Very pretty oranges if you are looking for some different colors to add into your collection. I like to wear these together for a bold eye or lightly add into a bronze/brown eye to add some depth.

Wicked... In the first pic where you see how I store my NARS eye shadows you can see this duo. I purchased it when Sephora two different NARS duos for $10. This duo has two green shades, and is now discontinued, for good reason! TERRIBLE terrible duo. 'Nuff said.

NARS has some amazing eye shadows. I've found the consistency a bit hit-or-miss, at $33 per duo I would suggest checking them out at the store before you purchase anything. The shades are gorgeous and really cannot be shown to their full splendor in pictures and swatches!!!

Do you ever forget about the makeup that you have?? What are your favorite NARS eye shadows? Share below!!

Xx-

Bethany