Tarte Blush Palette | Blogmas Day 14

Every year Tarte comes out with a limited edition blush palette for the holidays. I bought lasts years so of course I ud to purchase the new one. The packaging is always adorable and you get five blush pans for only $44. 

I was happy to see the packaging is a lot less bulky than last year's. It's a beautiful black glitter fabric covering the thin palette packaged in a cardboard box with a geometric pattern of gold, rose gold, gunmetal and black shapes. The Tarte logo is engraved on a little gold plate towards the opening side of the palette. Inside it has a nice full sized mirror with gold surrounding the edges of the palette.

 

The blushes come in a nice range of shades, though I would have really liked to see a nice warm peach. Throw in a peach and it'd have a little bit of everything. Tarte has an amazing formula for their blushes and this palette is no exception. They are super smooth and pigmented. They last all day on the cheeks without fading or going patchy and they aren't the least bit powdery when blended out.

 

Fetching is the first shade in the palette. It is a pretty rose pink with slight peach undertones. It's slightly powdery when swatched, but blends out to a smooth even flush. This is a perfect everyday blush for me. 

Dollface is a Babie doll cool toned pink. It's a little daunting when swatched but blended it it gives the slightest tint of color on the cheeks. It is easy to go overboard with this shade, however and I think it's best suited for fair skin since it has the potential to look chalky on the skin. 

Prim is my favorite in the palette. It's described as a plum nude. It's a nuetral shade with slight plum undertones. It's a little deeper and perfect for the winter.  This one is a little more sheer but easy to build up without it going patchy or looking too powdery. 

Next is Smashing. This is a pretty coral pink so it's pretty universal for many skin tones. It leans a little more pink than coral though. Blended into the skin creates a very natural looking flush which is nice. 

Last in the palette is Beaming. I was super disappointed with this one. It's the only shimmery blush in the palette but it comes off as straight up glitter. It's described as an apricot pink but I had to really dig in the pan for any color payoff at all. On the cheeks you get no color and all glitter. 

Overall I do like this palette, but for the price, i expected a little more. For one fifth of the product to be unusable to me, it's a shame. Like I said, a nice peach or a mauve would have been more desirable instead of a glittery blush. However, the packaging is gorgeous and the other four shades will definitely get use and makes the purchase worthwhile for me. 

xoxo

LivforLashes

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Email: liv_2008@icloud.com

Holiday Candle Must Haves | Blogmas Day 13

A week or so ago, Bath and Body works had one of their fabulous sales on the 3-wick candles and they were only $8.50. I absolutely love them and always stock up when they're on sale. They burn for 25-45 hours and they're so concentrated with the aromatic oils that literally one candle makes the whole house smell yummy, even hours after they've been extinguished. I ended up picking up four of my favorite holiday time scents and I thought I'd share with you guys which ones I picked up!

I'm a sucker for anything spicy and fruity, so Spiced Apple Toddy was immediately picked up before I had even made it through the doorway. It's a mix of "winter fruits, apple brandy & spiced plum to warm your holiday celebrations." This one has such a homey scent to it that reminds me of being back home during Christmas. The packaging looks like a present with gold "ribbon" going down the front and red foiled ornaments on the label. 

Another must have was 'Tis the Season. It's a  "rich, fruity scent of red apples, green pine & golden cider captures the joy of the season." This one is divine. It's such a comforting smell for me and I always buy a similar candle to this each year. It has a cute winter scene with a snowman and a dog, so spot on for display this time of year. 

Next is Champagne Toast. It's described as "an effervescent blend of champagne, juicy nectarine and blackcurrant." It's a light fruity scent with a touch of citrus. It's very fresh smelling, ideal for during the day. This label is similar to Spiced Apple Toddy only with gold detailing. 

Last up was one I knew I wanted when I first saw it online and that's Frosted Cranberry. It's a delicious mix of white cranberry, juicy peach & ripe red raspberries. It's not too overpowering, not too fruity and just light enough to not give me a headache like other fruity smells. This one is downright yummy and so perfect for winter. 

What are your favorite B&BW candles? It's so hard to choose just a few! Thanks for reading and have an amazing day!

xoxo

LivforLashes

Follow me on Twitter! @LivforLashes

Find me on Instagram @livforlashes

Email: liv_2008@icloud.com

Holiday Gift Ideas For Him | Blogmas Day 12

A few days ago I posted a gift guide more geared towards the ladies, and today I have a few gift ideas for the men in your life. For me it’s always harder to shop for a man, but I managed to find some really awesome things for this list. Enjoy and maybe you’ll get some good ideas for the guys on your shopping list.

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Nothing is better than a good smelling man and Gucci GuiltyPour Homme is an amazing cologne. It has a yummy blend of citrus, patchouli, and sandalwood and it creates a scent that’s all at once fresh and clean, while being woodsy and bold.

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Although a bit more pricy, a Daniel Wellington watch is an amazing gift to give. They’re timeless (no pun intended) watches and super elegant, but still low key enough for everyday wear. Plus you can choose between a classic leather band or a more modern fabric color-block band.

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Who says that bath and shower goodies are just for girls? Surprise him with this Jack Black 'The JackPack' gift set. The set comes with a face moisturizer, a shave cream, a hand healing lotion and a soap bar.

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Cuddle up to your guy under this cozy fleece blanket representing his favorite team. If he’s into sports, he’ll love anything with his team on it, so why not get something functional like a throw? Perfect for napping on the couch, or taking to games during the cold weather.

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I love gifting something cozy for the winter month’s so these Ralph Lauren pajamas are a great idea. They’re lightweight but still warm so he won’t have to worry about overheating or being too cold. Gift them with a warm pair of slippers as an extra.

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Nothing feels better than a nice relaxing massage. Men love massages too so a gift certificate for a hour of relaxation would be a welcome surprise for anyone on your list. Treat yourself too and make it a couple’s massage for the two of you.

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If the man on your list is a music or fitness buff (or both!), try gifting him a pair of the Beats by Dr. Dre Powerbeats wireless ear buds. They’re sleek and tangle free and perfect for tossing in the gym bag or for going on a run without the hassle of wires.

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A good leather wallet makes a perfect gift. There are tons of options out there but my personal fav is this gorgeous leather wallet  from Bosca. Its slim and elegant and sure to be a hit.

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Well I know its not much as far as ideas, but hey, my forte is beauty, but I hope you found this post helpful or maybe it at least got the wheels turning about what to gift a special man in your life. Thank you for reading!

xoxo

LivforLashes

Follow me on Twitter! @LivforLashes

Find me on Instagram @livforlashes

Email: liv_2008@icould.com

Homemade Holiday Face Masks | Blogmas Day 11

My skin tends to go a little haywire in the winter months, so masks have become an essential part of my skincare routine. Face masks have an array of advantages, from brightening dull skin, exfoliating, soothing irritated skin amongst other benefits, and nothing is better than a mask made from fresh ingredients found right in your kitchen. Today I have 4 tried and true homemade face masks for you to try out this winter! And the best part is each one literally takes minutes to make.

1. Pumpkin Oatmeal Mask

2 tbsp. raw pumpkin

1 tbsp. rolled oats

1 tbsp. honey

Pumpkin is amazing for your skin. It contains vitamins A and D which can help to soften, soothe and brighten skin. Add in the astringent properties of honey and the exfoliating potential of the oatmeal and you have a good mask to help irritated dull skin when mixed together.

2. Ginger and Honey Mask

2 tbsp. Ginger Juice (throw ginger root and water in blender, strain)

1 tbsp. Honey

Ginger is awesome to treat acne scars because of the natural anti-inflammatory elements it contains. Mixed with the honey, and you have an excellent mask for acne clearing. Simply apply the mask, wait 20 minutes and gently wash off. *Fresh Ginger can also be used to dab on acne spots as a spot remover.

3. Cocoa Coffee Mask

1 tbsp. unsweetened cocoa

1 tbsp. ground coffee beans

1 1/2 tbsp. almond oil (or any carrier oil)

Coffee is known to reduce inflammation and redness and as an exfoliator, it gently removes dead skin and gives life to a dull complexion. Cocoa is a good source of antioxidants and it also contains sulfur, which is great for fighting acne. Simply mix together to make a paste, apply to face an after about 20 minutes gently wash off of your face.

4. Sweet Potato Ginger Mask

3 tbsp. mashed sweet potato (cooked)

2 tsp. grated fresh ginger

1 tbsp. honey

1 tbsp. milk/almond milk/ soy milk

Before you toss those sweet potatoes in your casserole, save a little for this mask! Sweet potatoes are known for their anti-inflammatory and anti-aging properties and mixed with the honey and ginger it becomes a mask that'll leave your skin seriously smooth and brighter. Just blend all ingredients until smooth, apply to face for about 30 minutes and gently scrub off.

I hope you find these facial mask ideas helpful! Let me know if you try any and what your thoughts are!

xoxo

LivforLashes

**images from Google**

Follow me on Twitter! @LivforLashes

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Email: liv_2008@icloud.com

Anastasia Beverly Hills Self Made Palette | Blogmas Day 10

Anastasia Beverly Hills has come out with quite a few palettes the last year and a half and I've been continuously impressed. Each one has been better than the previous one in my opinion and the newer Self Made palette is no exception. I recently picked this up and it's been a new favorite of mine for about two weeks now. 

The packaging on this one is super elegant. It's a black textured case made of a leathery plastic. The brand logo is engraved on a silver metal plate right in the middle. It's thin and compact and feels quite heavy for a small palette, not the least bit cheap. And this one has a usable mirror, unlike older ABH palettes like the Amrezy and Tamana palettes which have cardboard mirrors that kind of warp the image. 

The nice thing about this palette is it comes with 14 shades as opposed to the usual 12 in ABH palettes. It's mostly shimmer and metallics, but two mattes are included, Buttery, a pale cream, and Hot a Chocolate, an earthy deep red-brown. I like that Pink Champagne is included since it was a favorite in the Shadow Couture palette. There's two bright pops of color also. Deep Purple is a pretty violet with an iridescent sheen and Isla is a gorgeous shimmery sea foam green. 

There are a few neutral metallic shades such as Treasure, Hot & Cold and Self Made. I would have preferred a totally matte black but Spirit Rock is still a nice shade despite the glitters throughout. I would have liked some lighter matte transition shades but this palette has none, but I don't mind digging for another shadow elsewhere to accommodate that. 

The formula of the shadows themselves is typical of ABH. They are smooth and buttery and really easy to blend out. The shimmers aren't too grainy or patchy and there's very little to no fall out. I was worried about Hot Chocolate being patchy but it's surprisingly smooth as well. Buttery is a tad chalky but for a very light matte shade that's pretty typical. The brush that is included is nice as well. It's actually usable with a fluffy blending brush on one side and a dense smudger brush on the other. 

Overall I'm quite pleased with this palette. The colors are beautiful and you can create a myriad of looks with just this one palette which is always nice. And for the price, $35 its one of the more affordable palettes on the market right now. 

What are you thoughts on the Anastasia Beverly Hills Self Made palette. Is it a hit or miss for you? Let me know in the comments be sure to check out my other Blogmas posts and follow me on Instagram for more pics and mini reviews. Have a fabulous day everyone!

xoxo

LivforLashes

Follow me on Twitter! @LivforLashes

Find me on Instagram @livforlashes

Email: liv_2008@icloud.com

#MOTD Vampy Lips & Dramatic Lashes | Blogmas Day 9

Happy hump day everyone! It's been a while since I've done a #MOTD post so I thought I'd share one with you all today. I'm going to a work holiday party tonight so I wanted to go more dramatic than my usual day to day makeup. I wanted to center the look around Kat Von D Wolvesmouth Studded Kidd Lipstick from the Mi Vida Loca lip set. I also had these gorgeous full lashes from forever21 that I wanted to use. This is the look I came up with:

Products used:

-NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

- Sephora Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer

-Anastasia Beverly Hills Cream Contour Kit

-L'oreal Infallible Pro Matte Powder

-Laura Geller Rosewater Gelato Swirl Baked Blush

-ABH Self Made Palette

-Stila Stay All Day Liquid Liner

-Benefit Roller Lash Mascara

-Forever21 Lashes

-Kat Von D Wolvemouth Studded Kiss Lipstick mini

I really liked how it came out. It's a little vampy but still toned down enough for my work function. Plus I'm really loving these lashes so I'll definitely stock up on more. 

What do you think? Thanks for reading and have a great night everyone!

xoxo

LivforLashes 

Follow me on Twitter! @LivforLashes

Find me on Instagram @livforlashes

Email: liv_2008@icloud.com

2015 Holiday Gift Guide | Blogmas Day 8

Welcome to my 2015 holiday gift guide! I had tons of fun looking for some of the coolest stuff to include, while keeping an affordable budget in mind. Below you'll find a little something for everyone on you list with convenient links to help you browse!

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For the Beauty Lover 

Tarte Tartelette in Bloom

This sequel palette is a sure hit for any makeup lover. It's gorgeous with all new shades and Tarte has some of the best eyeshadows out there. 

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Gucci Bamboo

This sensual scent is bound to make that perfume junkie in your list swoon. Sweet lily and musky sandalwood blend together for a strong yet feminine scent. 

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YSL Rouge Pur Couture Collection

This mini lipstick set is so glamorous and a must have for any makeup collector. The shades range from a fiery red to a deep violet. 

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BECCA Afterglow Palette

This palette includes five best selling shades of the brand's Skin Perfectors and Blushes and any makeup lover would be thrilled to have this beauty. 

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Sephora Glitter Happy Brush Set

Six professional brushes makeup up this set which includes a statement stand. The Rose gold handles are to die for and would add a beautiful accent to any vanity. 

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Studded X: Mini Studded Kiss Lipstick and Nail Polish Duo

This little guy makes a perfect stocking stuffer for the beauty lover in your life. The matching polish and lipstick comes in 5 shades to choose from. 

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For the Home Decor Lover

These beautiful flameless candles would add an elegant homey touch to any home. Plus the cinnamon sticks would make the house smell amazing. 

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This gorgeous photo frame is perfect for showcasing memories in the home. The mosaic mirrored frame is modern and classy and would make an amazing mantle piece. 

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These adorable framed paper flower wall accents are so cute. They're simple yet classy and would fit many decor styles. 

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You can't go wrong with a candle from Bath and Body Works. And this time of year there are so many delicious scents to choose from you're bound to find one that your loved one will enjoy. 

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Personalized gifts are the best and thee super cute monogrammed votive candle holders are adorable. You can get just the initials of the person receiving them or spell out a sweet message for them with the holders. 

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For the Foodie

This mini fondue set is simply adorable. It's a perfect couples gift or for a friend with a smaller living/entertaining space. 

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A cute cocktail shaker like this copper one would be a welcome addition to any home bar. It's elegant and simple and if you know anyone that like a good drink, this is a stylish way to make one. 

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The coffee junkie in your life will love you when they unwrap this 6-cup espresso maker. It's simple stove too design ensures no technical assembly and ease of use.

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For the chef on your list, this vintage recipe holder is the perfect tool for them while cooking in the kitchen. As a bonus throw in a cookbook filled with yummy recipes for them to try out!

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Know someone who loves to bake? This cute cookie press makes baking treats super easy! Maybe they can bake you a batch as a thank you :)

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For the Health Nut

This juicer is the perfect gift for going into the new year. Your loved one can make delicious fresh juices to help them with their nutrition needs on their health journey. 

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This smart water bottle has a built in censor to monitor water intake and it sends alert to your phone to remind you when to drink more. Perfect for that gym junkie on your list. 

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Help your friend or family meet their fitness goals with this sleek Polar Loop activity tracker. It tracks calories burned, steps and much more. 

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This acupressure mat will help your loved one relax and unwind after a hard workout. It can be used to treat stress, fatigue, soreness, and pain in the joints, muscles, feet, neck, and back. 

I hope you found this gift guide helpful or at least it gave you some ideas for those last minute gifts you may need to buy. Thank you for reading and happy shopping!

xoxo

LivforLashes

Follow me on Twitter! @LviforLashes

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Email: liv_2008@icloud.com