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

Kat Von D Mi Vida Loca Lip Set | Blogmas Day 1

Happy Tuesday beauties! I hope you all had an amazing Thanksgiving last week! My husband returned from another deployment this past week so I've been busy getting back into a normal routine, but I'm back and ready to blog! This year I want to participate in Blogmas and I'm going to try to post something new everyday. Between reviews, #MOTD posts, nail posts and some little randoms thrown in there I'm hoping I'll be able to keep up. so bare with me ;)

Starting off blogmas, I'm going straight into a review and swatch of one of my most anticipated holiday limited edition sets, the Kat Von D Mi Vida Loca lip set. KVD came out with a similar set last year that I really enjoyed but this year I was drooling over it once I first started seeing sneak peaks. The set comes with eight Studded Kiss lipsticks (just like last year's) for $42, only this one has seven minis and one limited edition full sized lipstick. One full sized lipstick is $21 so the price is definitely a great deal, making it to be about $3 per mini. 

The box is a plain black box with pictures of each lipstick included. The letter detailing is  pretty foiled lettering ranging from pink to purple to green, very colorful and fun. The back of the box has the usual product description but what I like is that each shade is pictured with a description of the shade making it easier when deciding on whether to purchase or not. It drives me crazy when lip products don't have a good description of shades and if I can't see a proper swatch, especially with online orders. 

Inside the lipsticks are securely cased in a plastic form, and improvement from last year's packaging where the lipsticks were loose in the box.

 The packaging of the actual lipsticks is outright adorable. They are literally mini studded kiss lipsticks and I'm glad the KVD didn't skimp on the packaging like other brands tend to do on sets like these. You get a pretty decent amount of product even though the lipstick bullets are tiny, but really, these should last a while before you run out. The shades names with corresponding colors are on the bottoms of the tubes which is always super helpful. 

The lipstick feels pretty sturdy during application, compared to last year's set which literally had the entire bullet of lipstick breaking from the plastic tube when I applied it. I'm also so so happy to see that the caps stay on a little better than last year's set. The colors range from a wearable nude and a berry shade to a few wild colors which I actually really like. 

The first shade is Halo which is described as a high-octane Orange. It's a super bright orange with a hint of iridescence to it. It's not something I'd wear on the day to day, but it's definitely fun.

 

The next shade is NaYeon. It's described as a "heavy metal hit of gunmetal shimmer" and that's totally accurate. It's a dark almost black based packed full of glitter. It's a little grainy as expected and definitely not something I'd ever really wear, but it looks so cool that I just love it. 

I'm a sucker for purples, so Coven is one of my favorites. This is a matte lavender shade. I already own the full sized of this so I knew what to expect with it. On its own its a little too pale, but I like to mix it with reds and browns for a custom shade.

Next up is Sexer. Sexer is described as an "all night anthem of iridescent hot pink." It's definitely bright and has an almost frosty sheen. This was my least favorite but it's still a pretty color, definitely for darker skin tones I'd say.  

The deepest shade in the set is Wolvesmouth. This one is a pretty metallic Berry. I like that's its metallic without looking too frosty or shiny. It's a perfect winter shade for the holidays.

 

Bachelorette is a favorite amongst many so i was  happy to see it in this set. It's a red with pink/fuschia undertones which is fun and flirty without being as severe as a true red. 

The only nude in the bunch, Noble, is described as a "melody of matte petal pink nude." It's more salmon than pink and definitely a very light nude. I tend to wear it with a darker lip liner to give it depth or it can look a little like "concealer lips" lipstick.

The star of the show in the set is definitely the limited edition shade Gold Blooded. This is a full sized lipstick exclusive to this set and I know I had to get my hands on it. First off the packaging is awesome since its a white studded bullet. It looks sleep and polished and when i opened it to see that bright red, I just sighed. It's a gorgeous orange based red shade but what makes it special is its shot through with gold glitter. The glitter is slightly gritty, but not overly so, so it isn't too irritating on the lips. I absolutely adore it. If it were available to purchase outside of this set, I would definitely pick up a back up. 

Final thoughts? I love this set. Although there a few shades I know I'll probably never wear, this set is fun and definitely a good edition to my collection. I'm obsessed with Gold Blooded so that alone makes the set worth it in my eyes. What do you think? Let me know in the comments and thank you so much for reading!

xoxo

LivforLashes

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Email: liv_2008@icloud.com

Lorac Mega Pro Palette 2 | Review + Swatch

When Lorac released the Mega Pro palette last year it sold out within days and I missed out on it. So when I saw that even after a few weeks of the Mega Pro Palette 2 being available at Ulta, with many more in stock, I knew that I wanted to give it a shot this year. For $59 you're getting 32 eyeshadow shades, which is a bargain since the original Pro palette and Pro 2 palette have only 16 shades for $42. Plus the pans are the same size as the original pro palettes. 

The packaging goes with this year's Lorac Holiday color scheme with the palette being a cobalt blue with silver letter detailing. It's made with that same rubbery slick material on the outside as other Lorac palettes, so a little harder to keep it from getting dirty in your stash. It has a nice full sized mirror inside which is also a welcome addition to eyeshadow palettes. 

The formula of the eyeshadows are amazing, like Lorac is known to have. They are buttery smooth and blend out effortlessly. I'd recommend just barely dipping your brush in the pan though, as they can get a bit powdery since they're so soft. But again, they are super blendable and really  good eyeshadows for a beginner to work with. 

There is a pretty even mix of warm and cool shades, thought the whole palette is pretty neutral with only a few pops of color thrown in. But what I do like is that the whole top two rows of shadows are matte and the bottom two are frost/shimmer shades. Lorac did a great job with color selection too. There's some good matte highlight shades (Bisque, Porcelain, Custard), matte transition shades (Tawny, Burlap, Melon), deeper crease shades (Saddle, Cabernet) and a black, though it is a little ashy and not a deep black like I'd like. For shimmers there's a nice blend of frosty lid/highlight shades (Sugar, Moonligjt, Chiffon), bright pops of color (Blue Quartz) and some gorgeous metallics that would look bomb when applied wet (Gold Leaf, Penny, Gunmetal).

First Row: Porcelain, Custard, Tawny, Burlap, Melon, Tangerine, Saddle, Forest

Second Row: Bisque, Lavender, Purple, Sorbet, Goji, Cabernet, Ash, Black

Third Row: Sugar, Chiffon, Prosecco, Soft Plum, Cinnamon, Sandstone, Gunmetal, Blue Quartz

Fourth Row: Moonlight, Seashell, Peony, Dk. Sienna, Penny, Olivine, Gold Leaf, Black Ivy

Overall I really like the idea of this palette. It's a neutral lover's dream, though I would have liked a bit more color selection as far as some more bright colors thrown in. It's definitely a versatile palette though and I think it'd be a great addition to any makeup lover's collection. This baby is limited edition so once it's gone, it's gone. I know last year's palette immediately went up on Amazon and eBay for two or three times the price, so if you're interested in the Lorac Mega Pro 2, I'd run out and get it while you have a chance. It is $59 and exclusive to Ulta available in stores and online. 

xoxo

LivforLashes 

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Email: liv_2008@icloud.com

Lorac Love, Lust & Lace Pro Matte Lip Color Set | Holiday 2015

I'm back with a review and swatch of another holiday makeup item. Keeping with the lip product theme, I decided to pick up the Lorac Love, Lust and Lace Pro Matte Lip Color Set. What they are is matte lip crayons, so a lipstick in a twist up crayon form. I already have a few of these from Lorac so I was pretty excited to see the set comes with three full size crayons for only $24, which is a steal since individually these run $16 a piece. 

The holiday packaging this year is a pretty deep blue with a silver lace pattern. I definitely like it better than last year's Lorac packaging with the royalty theme they had going on. The box says it comes with a best selling shade, Pink Taupe, and two new exclusive to this set shades, French Rose and Mulberry. I already have Pink Taupe and it's been a favorite of mine for a while now. 

The crayons themselves are the same deep blue of the outer packaging with silver lettering details. The same silver lace is printed on the cap. The cap is a nice snap on cap (which is something I always look for) so you don't have to worry about the cap falling off in your makeup bag or purse. 

The crayons are easy to use, you just twist up the product. The tip is also very user friendly. It's chisel tip makes lining and filling in your lips super easy and quick without smudging or feathering. The formula is the signature Lorac matte formula- matte but hydrating. It doesn't accentuate lip lines or dry lips and it doesn't leave your lips even drier after a few hours of wear. These are also spot on with pigmentation. One swipe on the lips and you're good, no patches or uneven color. The scent is also a pleasant sweet vanilla without being too overpowering. 

This set is definitely one of my favorites that I've picked up this year. You get three full sized products in wearable shades, for only $24. And with Lorac, you really can't go wrong when it comes to the lip products. Lorac makes my all time favorite Alter Ego lipsticks so I'm quite happy to be adding these beauties to my collection. 

What's in your holiday beauty Wishlist?

Thanks again for reading and I'll talk to you all soon!

xoxo

LivforLashes

Follow me on Twitter! @LivforLashes

Find me on Instagram @livforlashes

Email: liv_2008@icloud.com

Bite Beauty Best Bite Rewind | Holiday 2015

Happy November everyone! Holiday makeup season is in full swing and while there aren't too many things out this year that I felt I had to have, I did pick up the Bite Beauty Best Bite Rewind set and I couldn't be happier with it. The set comes with four deluxe sized Mini Matte Crème Lip Crayons perfect for gifting. 

The packaging is totally cute. The lip crayons come in a pretty red holiday tin that is then encased in a red cardboard sleeve with gold details. Inside of the tin is a crystal clear mirror that makes application on the go quick and easy. 

As I mentioned, it comes with four different lip crayons, with a nice range of shades. There is a nice pink-beige nude (Cafe), a neutral Dusty Rose (Torte), a deeper blue based red (Coulis) and a pretty raspberry purple (Aubergine). For a little set, the range of colors is really nice with each color being suitable for many other skin tones. I literally love every shade which is not usually the case with sets like these.

The crayons are thinner than an actual lipstick and easy to use with twist up packaging. When you open the tube, the plastic of the tip matches the actual shade of lipstick, which is nice since there is no external indicator of what shade you are getting. The pointed tip of the crayon also makes application a breeze. It's especially easy to use to get a nice crisp line around your lips without fussing with a lip liner. The actual formula is amazing too. One swipe and you get full pigmentation, though I did find Aubergine to be a bit streaky, but that's common with darker shades sometimes. They aren't a true matte formula either, more of a satin, but they are super comfortable to wear and the color last for hours without touch ups. 

These are deluxe sample sizes but the actual size of the product is pretty good for the price. I mean who actually goes through a whole tube of lipstick that often? Did any of you grab the Bite Beauty Best Bite Rewind holiday set? This set was only $25 at Sephora so if you have gotten it yet, pick yours up before they're all gone! Thanks for reading and have a fabulous day everyone. 

xoxo,

LivforLashes 

Follow me on Twitter! @LivforLashes

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Email: liv_2008@icloud.com

What's In My Bag? | Girl's Getaway

Hey everyone! I know I've been a little MIA lately, but honestly, I just needed a break from everything. My husband is coming home from deployment soon so I wanted to get the house ready, and I had some time off of work and the only think I wanted to do was relax and not stress about anything at all. Part of my R&R was a fun weekend a couple of weeks ago when I went out of town for a girls getaway and I thought that since its been a minute since I've done a What's In My Bag post, I'd do one for you today. We went to Palm Springs for a little getaway just to get out of San Diego and relax for a bit without any kids or husbands for a couple of days. It was so much fun and so needed! So without anymore rambling, enjoy!

The bag I decided to use was this cute Too Faced bag. It came as a gift when I bought my Vegas Nay Star Dust Palette and it's the perfect size for a weekend makeup bag. It's a pink canvas bag with cute kiss marks on it and the shape and size of it was perfect for squeezing into my travel case. 

First up for makeup is primer. I recently bought this NYX Honey Dew Me Up primer and I've been testing it out the last few weeks or so. It's a little tacky after application so it worked really well at keeping my foundation right where I wanted it in the Palm Springs heat. The honey is also a natural analgesic so its supposed to help any skin irritation which is pretty cool.

For foundation I brought my trusty Covergirl Ready Set Flawless foundation. It's a light to medium coverage and it literally lasts all day without fading or getting patchy and it sets quickly. It had a nice dewy finish on me too so I barely needed powder to set it. 

I paired the foundation up with a lightweight concealer, my Urban Decay Naked Skin concealer. It's good for hiding under eye circles and brightening up the face a little. And again, it's so lightweight so it didn't feel too heavy on my face and I didn't have to worry about it melting off. 

To set everything I brought along my Maybelline Fit Me! Matte and Poreless pressed powder. Palm Springs was still pretty hot, even in October, so this powder helped me keep any shine at bay and kept my skin matte throughout the day. 

I knew we would probably go out for one of the evenings we were there so I brought my Buxom customizable palette with me. I picked the shades myself (check out my review here) so I knew it would be perfect for both daytime looks and night looks. It was the perfect little palette to take along. 

For mascara, I wanted a long wearing formula that could withstand the heat so I brought a mini They're Real mascara by Benefit. It isn't a waterproof formula but anyone who has tried it knows how hard it is to wash off so this was my go-to. Plus it separates and lengthens my lashes without getting clumpy and I don't even need falsies when I use it. 

I didn't intend to wear eyeliner, but I brought along my Benefit They're Real Push Up liner in Beyond Brown with me. I ended up using it anyway just to define my lash line a little. It was the perfect liner for the weekend festivities since everyone was laid back and we weren't getting too glammed up. 

Going with the more natural theme, I brought along two blushes, Urban Decay Afterglow 8-Hr blush in Score and Becca Mineralize Blush in Wild Honey. Both are a warm neutral blush and they just give a natural sun kissed flush without being too shimmery or too pink or anything. 

For bronzer and highlight I kept it simple with the Makeup Forever Pro a Sculpting Duo #2. Two products in one saved a little room in my bag and both shades look amazing for that Glowy bronze skin look- perfect for laying by the pool on a warm day. 

There were lots of drinks to be had so I knew I needed a long wearing lip color or two so I decided to bring along a more neutral pink shade with  Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lovesick and a brighter more fun shade with Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in Persimmon. These both lasted for hours on my lips even with drinking cocktails and snacking and I didn't have to touch up either for most of the day. 

I also brought along a deeper lipstick for the night we went out and even though it didn't feel much like fall, I brought one of my favorite fall lipsticks, Maybelline Touch of spice. This is from the original collection of creamy mattes and it's always in my purse anyway so I thought why not? It ended up going beautifully with the pinky neutral eye look I did with the Buxom palette. 

For glosses, I stuck to neutrals and brought ️NARS Turkish Delight (a milky baby pink) and Guyane (a soft seashell pink). NARS has some of my favorite glosses and I really wanted to try out the one they sent me, Guyane. So far I'm loving it! 

For brows, I brought along my NYX Brow Gel. It's such a long wearing formula that I knew it'd be perfect for hot days laying out by the pool without worrying about my eyebrows smearing off haha. This definitely did the trick!

Last up is a few brushes. I tried to stick to just basics so I brought my Beauty Blender, a basic little blush brush, two fluffy blending brushes, and angled brush for brows, and a flat shader brush. I tried to bring as little as possible when it came to brushes and luckily these guys were enough to get me through the weekend. 

Okay that does it for this What's in My Bag post! What are some of your beauty must-haves for traveling? Let me know and don't forget to check out my other social media sites :)

xoxo

LivforLashes

Follow me on Twitter! @LivforLashes

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Email: liv_2008@icloud.com