Cumulative HAUL :)

While I haven't been blogging lately, I have still been buying! Here's some pics and swatches of what I've picked up recently...

Read on for more pics and swatches!!!

Blog SALE Preview...

So, I've been doing a little... summer?... cleaning and finally went through my makeup. There are so many great products that I just don't use, and it's a shame! I'll be having a blog sale in a few days and just wanted to give you all a little preview!

Blog sale

Blog sale, CHANEL Poudre Universelle Libre

It will be U.S. and Paypal only. (sorry!) You can also expect some extra goodies along with any purchase =)

Xx-

Bethany

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!

'HAUL: Dior Addict EXTREME Lipsticks and NARS'...

I'm pretty much obsessed with my Dior Addict lippies, so when I saw the new EXTREME lipsticks on Sephora.com I immediately searched the internet for swatches =) Unfortunately back when I ordered there weren't too many swatches to come by, so I just picked two and went for it! Here's what I picked up...

Dior Addict EXTREME Lipsticks

Keep reading for colors, swatches, and some NARS! (a bit picture heavy)

'NEW! Edward Bess & LORAC'...

In case you have been hiding under a rock and haven't heard, Sephora is now selling Edward Bess. I hadn't heard much about the brand until a few weeks ago when I did some research on the brand. Needless to say I was intrigued by this new brand and had to try something!

And so, my very small Sephora order...

Edward Bess Illuminator, LORAC blush, Laura Mercier foundation primer

Read on for swatches and my mini review!

Sephora: Friends & Family HAUL!

So it's been a while (to say the least) since my last post. I only have the typical excuse, work and school has been keeping me busy! But here I finally am to show you some goodies that I picked up during the Sephora Friends & Family sale a few weeks back. Enjoy!!!

Keep reading for pictures, swatches, and my thoughts!!

I just can't get enough! Sephora goodies =)

Though I may not have been blogging the last couple weeks, I have STILL been shopping (of course!).

Sephora Goodies

Believe it or not, this order was inspired by Christina Aguilera's amazing cheek highlight in the movie Burlesque... (This isn't a great picture of it, but if you have seen the movie you know what I mean!)

Christina Aguilera in "Burlesque"

Keep reading to find out more!!

'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!

'NOTD: Inspired!!'...

All right, so I found a picture online a few months ago and fell in love! I believe this look was done with a Chanel polish, but I used a mix of some polishes I have in my stash =)

Here's the inspiration for my current NOTD...

Read on for my interpretation and the polishes I used!

'Chicago Sephora Goodies!'

While I was in Chicago the past week, I couldn't help but make a quick stop in Sephora and pick up a few things... =)

Sephora Haul

I legitimately needed another bottle of my St. Tropez self tan! Ahhh to be tan again ;)

Ok, on to Dior...

Dior Shine Lipstick #465 "Singuliere"

Dior Shine Lipstick #465 "Singuliere"

I love this lippie!! It's just a nice sheer (buildable) pink. That's it!

Sephora by OPI "Safari luxe" mini nail poish set

I have yet to try out any of these shades, but you will be the first to know when I do!! They are all a bit deeper in color than the picture is showing, the first is more khaki looking etc.


Have you found anything good in Sephora lately?!

Xx-

Bethany

'Sephora PERK: Too Faced'

I very rarely use my points at Sephora. But this time when I went through the checkout I actually spied something I thought was totally worth it!! It is the Too Faced "eye love" Palette.

Too Faced "eye love" Palette... This palette contains 2 shades from each of the eye palettes Too Faced as come out with recently. I haven't purchased any of those palettes, so this was perfect!!



Too Faced "eye love" Palette

The shades are:


Neutral Eye - Heaven & Push-Up
Smoky Eye - Silver Spoon & Smolder
Naked Eye - Satin Sheets & Like A Virgin
Romantic Eye - Honeymoon & Ever After

Too Faced "eye love" Palette swatches

The shimmery eye shadows with the more satin finish I was quite impressed with. However, the matte shades fell short. Way short in my opinion. Though they felt like a very finely milled pressed powder, the pigmentation was pretty terrible.. I seriously had to swatch the sh*t out of the cream color and the black. 

What do you think of Too Faced eye shadows?? Do you own any of the "Eye" palettes?

Xx-

Bethany

'MUFE Haul & MAC Impassioned DUPE!!'

MAKE UP FOR EVER is one of those brands that continually impresses me! I have yet to try out a MUFE product that doesn't exceed my expectations.




MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Lip Liner in 15C

MUFE Aqua Lip Liner in 15C... I have been needing a versatile pink lip liner for ages! A while back I purchased the fuschia version of this waterproof pencil (16C) and was so impressed I decided to try another shade.... let me tell you.... this shade is freakin amazing..... seriously =)  It's sort of a rosy pink, but seems to take on whatever undertone you pair it with. I have tried it with everything from MAC's Impassioned to Shy Girl, and it just works! Not to mention the stuff doesn't budge and lasts on your lips forever.  If you are in the market for a pink lip liner then I totally suggest this one!!!!

MAKE UP FOR EVER Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick in 37

MUFE Rouge Artist Intense Lipstick in 37... When I pulled this lippie out of the package I thought, hmmm, Impassioned much?? haha Swatching them side-by-side they are nearly identical!



left to right: MAC "Impassioned", MUFE 37, MUFE Aqua Lip 15C

In person they look much more similar than in the pic! Both are also much more vibrant (as lots of you probably know from having the Impassioned lippie), though the lip liner is pretty true to color.

Shade aside, there are some small differences between the two. The formula of the MUFE lippie (we will just call it 37) is not quite as creamy as Impassioned, but still feels rather moisturizing. That makes me wonder if 37 would last longer on the lips than Impassioned...? I haven't had a chance to test it out yet, but I'll let you know! One advantage I see of 37 is that it seems to glide over the lines in my lips more than Impassioned. It just looks a bit smoother on the lips.

Unless you have money to burn I'd say stick with Impassioned! However, I will definitely purchase more MUFE lipsticks, providing the colors are unique!!


Have you tried out any MUFE lippies??

Xx-

Bethany

'Small Illamasqua, MUFE, Sephora HAUL'

I placed 2 different orders on Sephora.com recently, and the first one just arrived! I really couldn't be more thrilled with what I purchased =)

First up...


Illamasqua Powder Blusher in "Lover"

 Illamasqua Powder Blusher in "Lover"... I have been lusting over this blusher for months! The color is a very vibrant apricot. As with the other Illamasqua blushers I have tried, Lover is extremely pigmented! (I highly recommend using a duo fibre brush when using this product) Illamasqua just continues to impress me!



left to right: Illamasqua "Lover" blended out, "Lover" swatch

Next up...

MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Liner #14... This is by far the most exciting product I have purchased recently =) I will insert a swatch now because I can't wait for you to see the color!!

How freakin gorgeous is that?!?! #14 is a black with mulitcolor sparkles, as you can see. The Aqua Liners are waterproof and DO NOT budge once they dry. Simply amazing! MUFE also has a pretty massive color range of these liners, but #14 stood out the most to me as being something special and a product that I will no doubt get tons of use out of. 

Photo from Temptalia.com. You can also find great swatches of all shades on her site!!

Lastly...

Sephora by OPI "Traffic-Stopper Copper"

Yep that's right, I broke my nailpolish ban. Oops =) But I made it 1 out of the 2 months!

Sephora by OPI in "Traffic-Stopper Copper"...  I love glitter polishes that have different size sparkles in them. Traffic-Stopper Copper has a clear base with fine and chunky bright copper glitter.

I have seen several people do manicures with glitter polish where the base is one color, then a different color glitter is added on top with it concentrated on the tip of the nail and fading up toward the cuticle. Do you know what I'm talking about?? I'm thinking of trying it out with this polish on top of maybe a light blue.... I'll post a NOTD with it, unless it is a total fail which is completely possible! haha

Have any of you tried the Aqua liners?? I'm in love!!!

Xx-

Bethany

'Make Up For Ever FLASH Palette'

I pretty much spend an insane amount of money on makeup products =) It's a sickness that I am more than happy to have. Even for me, spending $95 on (technically) a single makeup item was tough! But it's probably the smartest purchase I have made in a long time...

MUFE 12 Flash Color Case... This palette contains 12 vibrant, opaque shades. The colors include: metallic gold, coral, turquoise, fuschia, yellow, dark brown, metallic silver, white, red, blue, leaf green, and black. You may have to brush up on your color theory, but you can create almost any color or shade you could think of by mixing a variety of these together. You can use this on the eyes, cheeks, lips, just about anywhere!!

I love the MUFE Aqua Cream that I purchased a while back, so I added a few more colors to my wishlist... I realized that if I just bought 3 more colors of the singles, that I would have spent more than just shelling out for the palette! 

So far I am loving all of the colors. The consistency is very creamy which makes them super easy to blend and sheer down if desired. Every single color is very highly pigmented and a little will go a long way! 

There are definitely cheaper alternatives out there as far as color palettes go, but I just wanted the MUFE one! It's also really great that MUFE included a sparkly gold and silver to the mix =) Blending them with any of the other colors instantly creates a gorgeous sparkly shimmery formula.

Do you ever mix your cream pigments to make a unique shade/color?? Have you tried this product? Let me know below!

Xx-

Bethany

'Illamasqua and MUFE Hauling'

Once again, more of my Illamasqua obsession as well as a MUFE Aqua Cream. Let's just dive in!!

Illamasqua Cream Blusher in "Lies" ($24 at Sephora)

Cream Blusher in "Lies"... This is a product often used by Tanya Burr in makeup tutorials on her youtube channel, pixi2woo. I have found her recommendations to be quite good, so I wanted to give it a try!
I like the consistency and formulation of this cream blusher. When swatching it, it feels quite slick. In comparison to a MAC creme blush (which feels thicker and more tacky) the Illamasqua cream blusher is very easy to apply to the face and blend out. However, I'm not sure if this has an effect on the lasting-power!
The color of "Lies" when swatched is much lighter than it looks in the pan. It has a very high sheen on the silvery side, so I wouldn't recommend it if you have very oily skin. It acts more as a highlighting blush. I think the color is a bit too pink to use on the cheek bones up to the temple, but it is gorgeous when blended away from the apple of your cheek! With this you really don't need a highlighter.
*I have noticed that "Lies" is no longer available on the Sephora website, so you may have to go directly to the Illamasqua site if you want to purchase it.


left to right: MUFE Aqua Cream in #14, Illamasqua Pure Pigment in "Furore", Illamasqua Cream Blusher in "Lies"



Illamasqua Pure Pigment in "Furore"... This pigment was a bit of an impluse purchase.. I initially thought I was going to get "Ore" pigment, which I've heard great things about, but at the last minute decided to get a lighter more summery shade. On the website this pigment is described as a peach champagne shimmer. Obviously photos of the colors online are never quite accurate, but because of how pink the photo looked I was expecting much more peach in the pigment.

MAKE UP FOR EVER Aqua Cream #14... Wayne Goss does a lot of reviews over MUFE products on his youtube channel gossmakeupartist.. I'm sort of obsessed with his videos!! With summer coming up I thought it was the perfect time to purchase an Aqua Cream and see how it stands up to the heat, literally! I can't wait to use this as a base for my dark shadows, and alone for a wash of color. #14 is a gorgeous dark brown with a very red undertone. LOVE IT!



bottom to top: MUFE Aqua Cream #14, Illamasqua Pure Pigment in "Furore", Illamasqua Cream Blusher in "Lies"


Have you tried any of these products??

Xx-

Bethany

'NOTD' to LIVE FOR...

Another NOTD =) This is the polish I just purchased that was shown in my last post. It is Sephora by OPI in "Almost Famous". To be quite honest I'm not crazy about the color.. maybe if I had a darker skin tone? I don't know.



Sephora by OPI "Almost Famous"

What nail polish have you been wearing? Do you have any current favorites?? Let me know below!



Xx-

Bethany

'Tiny Sephora, YSL, NARS HAUL'

I don't know what I would do if I did not have Sephora in my life. That store is seriously chuck-full of amazing brands and products. AMAZING I tell you!! I picked up 3 things the last time I was there...



NARS eyeshadow duo in "Sugarland" ($33)

YSL Rouge Volupte #1 "Nude Beige" ($34)

YSL #1, Sugarland duo

I absolutely love this YSL lipstick. It feels much like the MAC Sheen Supreme lipsticks, very creamy and glossy. However, I wouldn't describe it as a nude beige, as there is quite a bit of pink in it!
Sugarland is a great duo by NARS. I love how the purple/lavender color has an apricot sheen that matches the other shade in the duo. You can really see the sheen in the picture of the duo!
I haven't tried the nail polish yet. It is Sephora by OPI in "Already Famous" ($9.50). This one will probably be in my next NOTD, you will be able to get a better look at it then!

Do you have any of these products?? What do you think of them?!

Xx-

Bethany