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 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

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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

#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 Favorites | Base: Foundations, Powders, Concealers | Blogmas Day 7

It's that time of year again! 2015 is almost over and 2016 will be here before we know it. Christmas is so close!! Last year, everyone seemed to enjoy my yearly favorite so I'm going to take a few posts to celebrate my 2015 favorites, breaking them up into separate categories. So many awesome products have been released this year that I've come to love, as well as a few old favorites and I can't wait to share them with you. 

First with base products. A flawless base makes the perfect canvas for your makeup, and these products have been my ride or dies this past year.

Primers

Too Faced HangoveRx

This stuff is a godsend for my skin when it's dry or irritated. It's a lotion consistency and just melts into my skin making it supple and super hydrated. It creates a perfect base for my foundation and really makes my makeup last throughout the day without fading or getting patchy. 

Maybelline Master Prime Blur and Smooth

This is basically the same as the Too Faced primer only more budget friendly. Again, it leaves my skin smooth and hydrated and the lasting power of my makeup is decent throughout the day. 

Smashbox Primer Water

This was a game changer for me. It's a spray that leaves my skin a bit tacky helping my foundation really stay in place. It's so refreshing and lightweight and so worth the money. 

Foundations

NARS Sheer glow

With my face really clearing up this year I was really enjoying more sheer dewy foundations and this one was a must. It has medium buildable coverage with a healthy luminous glow without being too shiny. 

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation

This one is hands down one of my top 5 foundations ever. It's so lightweight yet delivers awesome coverage. It has a satin finish so it doesn't leave me looking dry or oily, just that perfect dewy look. 

Covergirl Ready Set Gorgeous

I've mentioned this foundation in a few posts and its still one of my everyday favorites. It's a lightweight foundation that builds to a full coverage without looking cakey or too "made up." I love how it sets on my skin without using powder, making it even more lightweight.

Concealers

Sephora Bright Future Gel Serum Concealer

I've only been using this for a month or so now but I am HOOKED. It's said to be a dupe for the NARS creamy concealer, but I actually like this better. its full coverage without being too thick and it blends out seamlessly without creasing under my eyes.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Concealer

this baby paired with the UD foundation is a match made in heaven. under the eyes it gives a bright glow without looking too cakey or over highlighted. for a lightweight concealer the coverage is amazing as well.

NYX HD Concealer

This was in my 2014 favorites and its been a staple this year as well. I am still blown away by the coverage, the consistency, no creasing, just everything about this concealer is amazing.

Powders

L'oreal Infallible Matte powder

this is just a basic pressed powder but for some reason I've really been loving it. its very light and doesn't add any coverage and just like it states, it keeps any shine at bay.

ELF HD Undereye Setting Powder

Another repeat favorite, this baby will always be a staple in my daily makeup routine. a little of this stuff left to "bake" my concealer and my under eyes remain crease-free all day.

BareMinerals Well Rested Concealer

although this is a concealer, I typically use a tiny bit to set my cream concealers and it works like a charm. it also gives off a nice highlighted under eye without looking heavy or cakey.

Setting Sprays

Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray

This stuff does exactly what the name suggests. A few spritzes of this and your makeup is good to go literally all day. It's one of the few setting sprays that doesn't make my skin feel tight and dry and it was my go-to this summer when I didn't want my makeup melting off of my face.

Smashbox Primer Water

I know this says primer, but this is also great for a setting spray. It's very lightweight and just gives that extra assurance that my makeup won't budge throughout the day.

MAC Prep and Prime Fix+

Even though this isn't advertised as a setting spray, it's been a favorite of mine for years. It's just so refreshing and I love how a few sprays of this really rejuvenates my makeup, or settles the powders. its also bomb for really making your highlight pop.

That's a wrap for this post! It's so crazy to think that we are almost done with 2015, but I can't wait to see what the new year brings. stay tuned for my next 2015 favorites post, all about  highlighters, bronzers and contour powders!

Thanks so much for reading and have an amazing day!

xoxo

LivforLashes

Follow me on Twitter! @LivforLashes

Find me on Instagram @livforlashes

Email: liv_2008@icloud.com

Mini Anastasia Beverly Hills Holiday Haul | Blogmas Day 5

The Macy's closest to me is always a little late when getting new products in their Macy's Impulse stands, so when I saw that they FINALLY had some Anastasia Beverly Hills products available, I quickly snatched up a few things.






First is this holiday lip gloss set. I wanted to purchase some of the glosses when they were first released but just kind of forgot about it so when I first heard about this set I got pretty excited. For only $40 you get eight different glosses, a steal since individually they run around $16. The set comes with a few shades I had my eye on months ago so that's awesome. You get Gilded, Dainty, Sunset Strip, Metallic Rose, Weekend Barbie, Date Night, Socialite, and Black Cherry. Three of the eight are plain while the others have shimmers and they're all so pretty.










Next I grabbed the Cream Contour Kit in Fair. I've been debating buying this and after swatching I decided to give it a go. The shades are a lot cooler than the Light kit and this one feels a little creamier than the other ones so hopefully it works out all right. I'll update you all on it later.








Finally I bought two of the Illuminators. I really wanted a so Hollywood but they were sold out, so instead I bought Riviera and Starlight. Riviera is a gorgeous bronze-champagne packed with shimmer. This one I think will look best layered with blush or on the eyes. Starlight is a super pale gold with opalescent pink shimmers. This baby is perfect for my fair skin and I can't wait to give it a try.













Have you picked up anyone these product? What are your thoughts? Let me know in the comments and have a great day!






xoxo


LivforLashes






Follow me on Twitter! @LivforLashes






Find me on Instagram @livforlashes






Email: liv_2008@icloud.com