I'm going to knock on wood here and say that my computer, as of last night, is finally fixed! I had a broken hinge that was messing with the connections to the monitor, so I couldn't see anything. Long story very short, I brought it to a computer repair shop that had good reviews in my area and they quoted me at nearly $500 dollars for the repair, and then never called me to bring my computer back in once they found the part. What?!

My dad is an incredibly talented mechanic...but I didn't know he (nor did he) that he could be a computer tech in his spare time. I woke up one morning and the entire machine was completely disassembled on the breakfast bar! After he had a week or so to order a part, I saw him tinkering with it again and by the time I got home from work last night, I had a shiny, clean and FIXED computer charging on the table. My dad is a total ROCKSTAR! I have to be gentle with the hinge and the wireless antenna isn't what it once was (which is a quick fix with a USB) but other than that, it's literally as good as new! What I was being quoted at $500 at, my dad was able to fix in $7...with shipping! I can't even believe it.

In the meantime, I was also able to find the charging issue with my camera, and it looks like I'll only need a cable that I was able to find for $5 on average on Amazon. The first few days of February have been a blessing in terms of technology, so I hope that's a sign for the rest of the year!

Now, onto what you're probably here for to begin with, my January Favorites. Because I didn't post a favorites post for December due to the 2013 roundup, I do have a few items that have been getting a lot of love since then - and some new in's from Christmas and my Birthday. Yay!

Eyes:

I'm going to be straightforward - all of these are new in's. There were lots of new discoveries for me in terms of eye makeup this month.

- Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Stash: Around my birthday in December, I received an e-mail from Urban Decay with a coupon for a free full sized 24/7 Liner in the color of my choice with any full priced purchase as a birthday gift. I chose another set of deluxe sample sized liners which had the shade I wear almost all the time (Zero) and one I've wanted for a long while (Rockstar), so after searching for swatches, Stash really stuck out to me. Its the perfect olive toned gold shade and actually works very well on the waterline!

- Clinique All About Shadow eyeshadow in Black Honey: I actually found this shade at a CCO when I was mall hopping with one of my best friends after she got home from Africa. I saved $5 on a permanently available eyeshadow and its gorgeous to boot. Its a reddish brown that is incredibly wearable, and makes my blue eyes stand out!

- Stila Kitten: One of my best friends bought this for me for Christmas after he and I were swatching it in Ulta. Between the amazing color payoff and the versatility of it, I've been wearing this at least 2-3 times a week. Not to mention, its a good sized pan!

- Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette: When Ulta released their Friends and Family coupon at the beginning of the month I went in without an itinerary...uh oh. I left with this and also got another $8 off thanks to my holiday shopping. I LOVE this palette. I definitely didn't need another neutral palette, but this one is a more colorful play on neutrals that makes it unique. And it smells like chocolate...c'mon.

- Urban Decay Naked 3: Yes, just like everyone else. This palette lives up to the hype, especially if you're looking for more office friendly neutral shades. 

- Revlon PhotoReady 3D Volume Mascara: Every year, my mom leaves a mascara in mine and my sister's stockings - its a bit of a tradition. I'd never tried this one before, but my sister LOVES it so I was excited. I like the volume this one gives without a touch of clumpiness. 

Lips - 

- Revlon Violet Frenzy: I don't know why I haven't worn this all too much until recently. It has the perfect texture for a dark, yet somewhat sheer lipstick as it adheres to the lips well and doesn't wear off quickly. And its purple...you know.

- MAC Blankety: I featured this in my 2013 favorites, but it bears mentioning again. This is a lovely nude that doesn't wash me out.

- MAC Viva Glam 1 Lipglass: I adored the lipstick for this and bought the lipglass on a whim. It wears a lot longer than I anticipated and still has that brick red hue that the lipstick does!

- L'Oreal Colour Riche Extraordinaire in Purple Prelude: The gloss/balm/liquid lipstick hybrids have been all the rage as of late, and I'm super fond of the formula. This shade is a winner as well - its the perfect mix of pink and lilac and I couldn't have made a better shade for myself. I love it!

- H2o Plus Aqualibrium Lip Mender: Another stocking stuffer this year and a total gamechanger! My lips have never felt so incredible until I started using this. I apply this every day on my commute to work and wipe off the excess right before I put on my lipstick (in the parking lot...don't judge me.) and my lips feel wonderful thanks to it! If you wear lipstick on a daily basis, especially mattes, or just have dry lips, you NEED this.

Face:

- Revlon Photoready Cream Blush in Charmed: Revlon's cheek products are on the more expensive side of the drugstore, so I haven't hauled any of the other blushes and highlighters that are new for 2014, but I had a coupon and really like this formula, so this one happened! I like that its a mid toned berry, as it makes it a day to day blush but perfect for winter!

- The Body Shop Honey Bronze Bronzing Powder in Light Matte: Its very strange for me, but I've been purchasing a lot of bronzers lately. 9/10 I wear them just as I would a blush as I prefer a cooler toned contour. This shade is very light for a bronzer, but the perfect shade just to give me a bit of sun. And, most importantly, not the tiniest bit orange!

- Darling Girl Ramblin' Rose Spectral Shift: This shade is a dusty bone shade that has a very pretty and unique rosy red shift. I have nothing like it in my collection and it makes an awesome blush!

Fragrance:

- Vera Wang Lovestruck: This was a Christmas gift from my parents, and I don't know what I like more - the fragrance itself or the bottle! I've been very into florals lately and that's exactly what this is (along with the other two that I'll talk about in a moment!). This is a blend of Guava, Tuberose and Musk and smells like a floral with a bite. There's a unique quality about it that I can't put my finger on but it makes it so special!

- Michael Kors Gold Rose Edition: Another Christmas gift from my parents - I made out like a bandit this year! Another floral, this one features Tuberose (are we sensing a pattern here?), Gardenia and Pink Pepper. This one will last forever on the skin as well! And the bottle matches my watch. You know, the little things in life that make you smile..

- Michael by Michael Kors Rollerball and Gloss: This fits into two categories, as I love the pinky nude gloss with this as well! This was a Christmas Gift from my sister and is MK's signature fragrance. The notes in this one are Freesia, a very not shocking Tuberose and Vetiver. It feels so glamorous to wear!

Tools:

- Michael Kors Makeup bag: I'm loving me some MK lately! This was a birthday gift to me from my sister and it's been in my handbag ever since! Its the perfect size to hold my essentials, but not so huge that it takes over my bag.

- Sonia Kashuk Domed Powder Brush: This brush and the one following were part of the Lavish Luxe Brush Set that was released around Christmastime. I'm glad I picked this set up as there wasn't a brush I didn't like but there were a couple that definitely stood out to me. This brush is big enough to set my whole face without taking forever, but still rounded enough at the top for a less precise application of bronzer or blush. 

- Sonia Kashuk Pointed Blending Brush: I have not had a brush blend like this one does. Every time I use it to blend out the crease shade of my eyeshadow I'm impressed once again!

Thankfully, now that I'm part of the tech world once again I can finally get some content up on a regular basis again! I have quite a few photos taken already for upcoming posts so stick with me later this week. Thanks for your patience during my computer-pocolypse, guys!

My Favorite Products of 2013!

So right before the New Year - as if there wasn't a singlemost worse time for it to happen - my computer broke. Like broke, broke; snapped hinge, exposed wires, won't turn on, no mishandling and definitely not old enough to be that kind of wear and tear. Long story short, right before the spring semester is set to begin and when I have SO much content to post here...I'm stuck with a very expensive paperweight that will definitely get a good bit more expensive if it doesn't want to stay a paperweight, if you know what I mean. I spent a majority of that night in hysterics and now I'm just equal parts sad and angry.

The good thing is, that my sister has been kind enough to share her computer with me so I can get work/blogging done until mine is able to be fixed (and please send me good thoughts and prayers that it actually can be fixed) so I'm not a total and complete loss...though I've never tried to upload blog content from my phone, doing homework from a smartphone is definitely a pain in the rear end.

Basically, this fiasco is definitely indicative of my 2013 as a whole. It can only get better, right?

Now that I've whined and whined about my life - onto what you are obviously here for; these are the products that were total game changers for me in 2013!

 Eyes -

I'm fairly certain that the LORAC Pro palette is on everyone's favorites list this year, but for good reason. This palette got a lot of love from me this year (as you can very well see - so messy!) because it is of wonderful quality and is incredibly versatile! I reviewed this here.

 - Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze - I've used this to death since I picked it up earlier this year. I can wear it by itself or under literally anything and I'm almost all the way through it! I reviewed this here.

- Milani Shadow Eyez in Champagne Toast - I have rather oily eyelids, so using a shadow base along with a primer is usually standard for me. Milani's formula is bulletproof and this shade is perfect - a slightly rosy champagne. I've already purchased a backup... I have a review of this shade here.

- MAC Satin Taupe - There is a lot of hype around this shade, and for good reason. It has an excellent texture and pairs well with almost anything.

- MAC Copperplate - Most of you probably expected this, as it was probably one of my most used crease shades of 2013. MAC's Matte ^2 texture is incredible! I've reviewed this one here.

- MAC Phloof! - This shadow has been my favorite inner corner and highlighting lid shade of the year. It has so much more dimension than you would expect by just looking at it in the pan!

- MAC Shale - Shale is one of those multi-dimensional shades that, like Satin Taupe, pair well with almost everything. I've reviewed this one here.

- Urban Decay Laced - I was ecstatic when I found out this was going to be a permanent shade. Laced works well as a base, lid shade, whatever you need it to be. I love it. I reviewed this one here.

- Urban Decay Sin - I used this literally to death in my Naked Palette, so I definitely needed a new one. Sin is nearly part of my everyday makeup bag.

Brows:

- Revlon Brow Fantasy in Brunette - I'm not too keen on the pencil side of this; the texture is not up my alley. But since I've been using this brow gel my brows have thanked me. I'm too cheap to try Anastasia's brow gel just yet, and since this is the only tinted brow gel on the drugstore market, I'll have to make due with a pencil that I don't necessarily like. Oh well.

- Maybelline Master Shape Brow Pencil in Soft Brown - This is my holy grail brow product. I go through about three or four a year...'Nuff said. I've reviewed this here.

Lips:

- MAC Cremesheen Glass in Deelight - Are we going to just act surprised here? This is probably my most used lip product of all time. It simply goes with everything. I've reviewed this here.

- MAC Lavender Whip - I'm not going to lie; when the Baking Beauties collection was released, I basically stalked my local MAC Stores/Counters to make sure I got this. Great call, too. This shade is incredibly flattering on my very fair skin. I reviewed this here.

- MAC Diva - Diva has definitely been my go-to red lipcolor this year...and not to mention, my sister's as well. She liked this one so much that I had to refuse to let her steal mine anymore and forced her to buy her own! My review for this lipstick still stands as my most popular post on this blog. 

- MAC Viva Glam II - I've finally found the nude shades that flatter me, and this is one of them. The other day, I had an adorable older Brazilian woman in my store who had to know what lipstick I was wearing. Needless to say, I sent her to MAC to get this one. From what I could gather in my broken Portuguese, she thought it looked lovely on my "very white skin". That made me smile! I've reviewed this here.

- MAC Blankety - Again with the nude shades, huh? Its been a year for nude lips for me, apparently. This is also one of my favorites, thanks to the strong pink tones to this.

- L'Oreal Fairest Nude - I understand the hype now. This is on of my favorites and a great drugstore option! I've reviewed this here

- OCC NSFW - This is a newer addition to my collection, but OCC Lip Tars really do live up to what everyone says! I wore this on Halloween as part of my Ursula costume and it lasted all night!

Cheeks:  

- NARS Sin - I don' know why it took me so long to get this shade. Its just as pretty to wear as it is to look at! I've reviewed this here. 

- Illamasqua Katie - The fact that I haven't hit pan on this yet is probably a miracle. Whenever I don't know what to wear, this is it. It literally goes with everything.

- NARS Albatross - I get so many compliments on this shade when I wear it. Between the pigmentation and the longevity of it, this has to be one of my favorite illuminators. 

- MAC Full of Joy - I missed out on this in the spring of 2013, so I basically stalked my local CCO's until I found this one. It's a lavender blush...that's all that matters.

Face: 

- MAC Studio Fix Powder Foundation in NC15 - This may be cheating just a bit, but since I purchased this in November it has been a total game changer in my makeup routine. Its quick and has great coverage and layers very well. Given how often I use this, it will soon be a repurchase.

Skin:

- Boscia Pore Purifying Black Strips - These changed everything for me. No more Biore for me; these perform so much better that I use them only half as often!

Brushes: 

- Sonia Kashuk Blush Brush - The dome and density of this brush make it definitely my most used blush brush of this year. I purchased this as part of a set and it was definitely a very pleasant surprise!

- Real Techniques Buffing Brush - I alternate between this brush and the next one i plan to mention in my daily foundation routine. There has been no splaying or loss of density in this brush and it works just as great as the day I purchased it. The size is great to get to smaller parts of my face, as well, such as under the eyes and around my brows.

- Sonia Kashuk Buffing Brush  - This brush is part of my daily foundation routine as well. The size of it makes it quick and easy to work with and it is a very sturdy, dense brush.

- Sonia Kashuk Eyeshadow Brush - I mainly use this brush on the lid, but it works well to blend out cream shadows in a pinch as well. This was part of the same set as the first brush I mentioned.

Nails: 

- Essie Shine of the Times - What I thought was a plain gold topcoat is actually one of the  most unique shades n my collection. What you choose to pair this with really transforms it.

- Essie Mochacino - I wore this on my toes several times this year. I love the understated shimmer to the shade; it makes it very different from the rest of the neutral polishes in my collection.

- Essie In the Cab-ana - If I received copious amounts of compliments on my nail polish, I was probably wearing this shade. Blues are usually not my game, but I ADORE this shade.

- L'Oreal Tea and Crumpets - I definitely purchased this shade for the name, but it is probably on eof the easiest nude shades to apply that I've ever used. One coat is all you need and it applies evenly and opaque.

2013 - when it comes to makeup - was definitely a year for nude lips, neutral eyes and glowy cheeks for me. This year, I definitely find myself already looking forward to bold lips (a la Radiant Orchid, maybe) and dramatic winged liner. Whatever comes, I'm excited for the new collections I'm seeing all over the place and can't wait to start reviewing! 

September Favorites!

I've been so great and timely with my favorites posts for the last several months, so the fact that I'm a couple days late this month is pretty indicative of the month of September as a whole. I blinked somewhere around the 7th and it was already October. I'm honestly excited. I'm breaking out all the fall makeup and jewelry and candles - everything but clothes because its still in the high 80s/low 90s here, and probably will be until the end of this month. I'm ready for pumpkin scented everything and sweaters and dark lips. Emphasis on the sweaters - C'mon Florida! Lets try to have some cooler weather this year...

I've compiled some of the things I've been loving this month, and a majority of them are newfound favorites!

Eyes - 

Oy...

- Maybelline The Rocket Volum Mascara - I liked this a lot more than I anticipated, given the short bristled brush. It really does provide great volume.

- NYX Jumbo Eyeshadow Pencil in Milk - I don't know why I included this in eyes, because I HATE this as an eyeshadow base. It creases in record time on me, no matter how I use it. I should have included this in with cheek products, as I've been wearing this as a highlight on my cheekbones, blending it into my foundation. Yes, I'm that pale.

- NYX Smokey Palette - The whole palette itself isn't a complete hit for me, but I LOVE the right side of it. I wore the taupe as a crease/transition color and the blue as a lid color (as well as a little MAC Satin Taupe for a little help...) and it was probably one of my favorite looks this month. The white is incredibly pigmented as well. The left side is still workable, but it didn't blow me away.

- Darling Girl Nerpette - I'm really feeling colors like this lately, and DG has notoriously great shadows so it was a win in my book.

- Darling Girl Teenage Dream - I really liked this as a middle of the lid shade to bring some definition. I don't have anything quite like it either. Its not too pink, nor too lavender. Very unique.

- Wet N Wild Soldiers in Charms - This performs on par with Wet N Wild's permanent line, and its one of those "neutral but not neutral" trios. Love it.

- Rimmel Scandaleyes in Deep Blue - This is just dark enough to be an almost black shade. I wore it in the waterline with the look I did with the NYX Smokey palette and it was anything but tacky.

- Urban Decay Zodiac - I can't describe how pretty this is. And how happy I was about the fact that there was much less fallout with this than I was anticipating.

Lips -

- MAC Viva Glam Gaga - I actually, after doing a WHOLE lot of research and searching, bought this on Ebay this month. I'm glad I did, because I was kicking myself for not picking it up when it was readily available. 

- Maybelline Flash of Pink - Definitely the most wearable shade from the Maybelline Fall Fashion Week Collection, so I've definitely been getting a lot of wear out of it. I've reviewed this here.

- Maybelline Iced Chocolate - I'm really liking this gloss formula, can you tell? Its a really great nude on my skin.

- L'Oreal Laquerized - I'm blown away by how great this is. Bold color and a great formula. I've reviewed this here. 

- Coconut and Papaya Lip Balm by Pier 1 - I got a pack of four of these on clearance not too long ago. They're actually incredibly moisturizing!

Cheeks - 

- Clinique Mocha Pink - I've been really feeling neutral blushes lately, and this is the one I've been reaching for out of the bunch. Its a touch browner than MAC The Perfect Cheek and Tarte Exposed. I've reviewed this here.

- NYX Taupe Blush - Finally, right? I understand the hype now.

Face - 

- CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation - I actually really like this. It has a thin consistency but still has great coverage and applies really, really well. It doesn't cause my skin to get more oily than usual either, which is always the struggle.

Brushes - 

- Target Up and Up Eyeshadow Brush -  The crease brush by Target is actually incredible, so I decided to try this. Lo and behold, this one is great too. I'm totally okay with that.

- Ulta Crease Brush - I purchased this as part of a set in the springtime - thus the mint green brush - but this brush has the perfect density to blend out harsh lines or place bold crease colors.

- Real Techniques Base Shadow Brush - While I love this brush for eyeshadow, I've been loving it even more to buff in my concealer. Its like the brand's buffing brush for my undereyes!

Fragrance - 

- Victoria's Secret Enchanted Nights - This fragrance is going to be one of my favorites for fall. Its sultry and sexy and it makes me feel pretty - its a mix of coconut flower and sandalwood. You had me at the sandalwood.

- Victoria's Secret Bombshell Forever - I like that this fragrance is fruity without being too overly fruity. Its like a grown up fruity - this one is a mix of boysenberry, lavender flower and pampelwood.

Skin - 

- Freeman Facial Anti-Stress Mask Dead Sea Minerals - If it says anti stress on it, I'll buy it. I needed that this week. This made my skin look and feel clean and radiant - and its bright blue!

Better late than never, right? I've got an extra day this month. That's my excuse, and I'm sticking to it! Thanks for your patience, guys! Have a lovely October!

My Picks for Fall - Lipstick!

I debated as to when I would post this one; on one hand I wanted it to be the big hurrah of the series because lipstick is my favorite thing in the universe, but on the other hand I wanted to make sure that I got this posted in good time for the majority of fall - so this happened. I had to, I have no restraint.

And as a bonus, the weather is feeling kind of fall-y this week. I mean, its still awful hot, but the humidity isn't quite as crazy as it has been of late and we're not getting those afternoon Florida thunderstorms quite as much as we do in the depths of summer. Although, it may just be my wishful thinking.

I intentionally broke up this post into two categories because I hoard dark lipsticks and I have some phenomenal ones that have been discontinued or limited edition, so the first group are readily available and the second group are "honorable mentions" that you need if you find them discounted or in a blog sale or a CCO or something of the like.

Enough with my ramblings, here's some lipstick!

Okay, yeah. I'm obsessed.

The top row, from left to right is; 

- Revlon Colorburst Lip Butter in Berry Smoothie - This was my intro to "dark lips". Its a great way to deepen your natural lipcolor for fall, but without being dramatic.

- Clinique Almost Lipstick in Black Honey - As with the prior, it isn't a statement lip, but it darkens things up just a bit. I've reviewed this here.

- ELF Matte Lipstick in Tea Rose - I love mauves and this is a darker, cool mauve. If I'm wearing  lighter, paler mauves in the summer, then I'm moving onto something like this in the fall and winter.

- L'Oreal Colour Riche La Laque in Laquer-ized - I just reviewed this yesterday. Its bright, but the color saturation and cool tone to it is perfect on my skin for fall.

- Smash Cosmetics Lipstick in Pale Mauve - This is a touch more purple than ELF Tea Rose and that's right up my alley!

- Rimmel Moisture Renew Lipstick in Vintage Pink - I probably purchased this one for the name, but its a cooler toned berry shade that I really like against my skin.

- CoverGirl Lip Perfection Lipstick in Divine - This is a less purple and intense version of MAC Heroine. The way it interacts with the natural color of the lips is very nice.

- MAC Up The Amp - If you are new to purple toned lipsticks, but really like the look of them, try this. It wears very comfortably and is quite wearable. I've reviewed this here.

- NYX Round Lipstick in Lala - This shade is a quite dark take on mauve and it, in turn is a really unique shade.

And the bottom row, from left to right, is; 

- MAC Rebel - Does this surprise anyone? No? Duh.

- NARS Afghan Red - I really love this shade because its a red, but its not super intense and it makes it really easy to wear. I've reviewed this here.

- NYX Round Lipstick in Snow White - Another lipstick that I purchased for the name, but I LOVE that this shade is a cool toned red that somehow has a touch of brown to it, so it sets itself apart from the rest of my collection.

- MAC Diva - This is my favorite dark red, and I hesitated putting this in the Fall picks because I'll probably wear this a lot this winter, but whatever - you'll probably see it then too. I've reviewed this here.

- Rimmel Lasting Finish by Kate Moss Lipstick in 04 - This shade is holding me off until I can get my hands on NARS Train Bleu. Its a blackened purple with some brown in it and I love it so incredibly much.

And onto the honorable mentions..I had to...

From left to right these are;

- MAC Mattene in Nocturnal Instincts - I wore the heck out of this last winter, and spring, and...well you get the point. Its a mauve shade thats kind of a paler mauve, but has a touch of warmth to it that makes it more wearable and if they ever repromote it, I'll probably buy like three..

- Revlon Violet Frenzy - I'm not sure if this is discontinued completely, but it's no longer listed on the website. I'd sweep it up if I were you. Its a semi sheer take on a dark, purple toned berry and I love it.

- MAC Heroine - Again, is anyone surprised. This needs to be part of the permanent range. If you've been living under a rock, Heroine is a darkened matte violet shade. I've reviewed this here.

- MAC Strong Woman - Definitely an under-appreciated shade from the MAC camp. This is slightly redder than Heroine, and for that reason, a bit more wearable across the board.

- MAC Boyfriend Stealer - I'm glad I picked this shade up. This collection was a springtime-ish collection, so I'm glad to finally get to have it in my normal rotation. I've reviewed this here.

- Maybelline Midnight Plum - This is still available in most drugstores, if  yours hasn't already sold out. Go NOW! Its a super dark plummy purple and I can't wait to rock it.

Can we tell this is my favorite color family? Maybe. Stay tuned for the rest of this series, coming soon!

Review - L'Oreal Limited Edition Color Riche La Laque in Lacquer-ized

One of the best feelings in the world is when you wear something - makeup, clothing, hairstyle, whatever - that makes you feel incredible. When I purchased this shade I was a bit intimidated by it; I've been doing a nude lip more than anything as of late, but when I tried this shade on for the first time, I fell in love!

I'm fairly certain that this line, as well as the Le Matte Line are limited edition - and hard to track down, but if they're all like this one, they're SO worth thee search!

Both the La Laques and Le Mattes are housed in a twist up pencil without a sharpener. The tip does tend to get dull, but because of the circumference of the product itself, that really doesn't cause much of a problem. There isn't as much product in these as an average lipstick, however.

Lets start off with the color, shall we? Its just...ugh...literally the perfect super blue based hot lilac pink and I just can't even deal with how much I love the shade. I wore it out tonight and I got more compliments than I knew what to do with.

The texture of this product is different than anything I've really tried before, and it actually really impresses me. It applies very opaque and glossy from the get go - and pretty much stays that way. The thing about it that I find strange, however, is that it isn't all too ridiculously thick or sticky. Yes, it has a slight bit of tackiness to it, but its not much worse than the average high pigment lipgloss; just with a much better wear time. 

In terms of wear, the color- nor the glossiness for that matter - didn't really fade until at least the five hour mark, but the fading was actually quite minor. It did transfer when I ate dinner, but when left alone, it isn't going anywhere. I'm quite pleased!

I really thought that I would have dupes to this color in my collection, but I was actually pretty surprised that nothing was close enough to dupe it! L'Oreal Lacquer-ized is on the left, while MAC Daddy's Little Girl is next, and MAC Outrageously Fun is on the right. Daddy's Little Girl is a bit darker and not quite as cool toned, while Outrageously Fun is the closest, but lighter and sheerer. 

Overall:

Pros - 

- Longwearing.

- Maintains glossy finish.

- Opaque 

- No/minimal fragrance.

Cons- 

- Small amount of product for the price.

I'm not going to lie, I'm really impressed with this product! I love the longevity, finish, color, everything. If I have the ability to actually find it, I really want to try Never Laque-ing - which is a rosy nude shade. Hopefully I'll be able to review on of the Le Mattes early next week!

10/10 Completely Recommend! 

May Favorites!

I've been keeping a running tab all month of the things I've been loving, just to make sure that I didn't forget anything in the moment! This month has definitely been a transition for me; I started a new job late last month, so May was filled with a lot of learning and adjusting. Makeup wise, A lot of super colorful products crossed my desk - specifically eyeshadows - so its been a product-testing-pallooza here! While many of these products I've decided to feature this week are new gems, there are some old faves that I rediscovered as well. Take a look!

Eyes:

The two shades across the top are;

- Urban Decay Laced - A matte taupey-pinky-beigey shade that I've used with nearly every single look I've put together this month. Literally a fantastic eyeshadow. Reviewed here.

- Darling Girl Ladyhawke - Probably the prettiest duo-chrome shade I've ever tried. I just can't stop playing with it and it applies like a dream. Reviewed here.

 And the two pencils are; 

- Milani Naturally Chic Shadow Eyez 12 Hour Wear Eyeshadow in Almond Cream - Milani finally delved into mattes with their Limited Edition Shadow Eyez for this summer and I couldn't be happier. This makes a wonderful base for almost anything. Reviewed here.

- NARS Larger Than Life Long Wear Eyeliner in Barrow Street - So different than any liner that I've pretty much ever owned and has a flawless formula. Reviewed here.

Lips:

From left to right these are;

- L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipcolor in Fairest Nude - Probably the perfect My Lips But Better shade for me. Are you surprised? Because I am. Reviewed here. 

- L'Oreal Colour Riche LeGloss in Short Shorts - Wearable take on lavender lips and felt great to wear. Reviewed here. 

- Milani 3D Glitzy Glamour Gloss in Fashion Diva - Its violet with a ton of glitter. Need I say more?

- Victoria's Secret Beauty Rush Sunset Kiss Lipgloss in Coconut Escape - A bronze gloss that doesn't make me look odd and it smells like heaven.

- Milani Crystal Gloss in Summer Baby - Said to be a dupe for MAC Nymphette, this is the perfect golden pink for summer. Reviewed here.

- The Body Ship Lip Butter in Shea - I'm dangerously low on my other day to day lip balm (the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment that we all got from Sephora for our birthdays. Great but super pricey!), so I decided to give this a try. So far I'm loving both the consistency and the fragrance!

Face:

Left to right, we have;

- Darling Girl Soft Focus Blush in Yes, Virginia! - Is anyone surprised? Not really. I am head over heels for this blush. Reviewed here. 

- MAC Blush in Pink Cult - My only CCO find this month (shocker - but probably because I was on a budget!) Its probably one of the most wearable pinks against my skin that I've run into. Sadly, it has been discontinued.

Nails:

On the left then to the right we have;

- China Glaze Awakening - I ran into this shade at Sally Beauty Supply and I couldn't pass it up. Its incredibly unique and I had nothing in my collection that was even close to it. Applies like a dream.

- Essie Turquoise and Caicos - I see why this shade has such a cult following. I had no problems with application and enjoyed the waves of compliments this shade brought me.

Fragrance;

I'm super excited about these two;

- Lucky Brand Lucky You EDT - You see that little pink bottle on the left? I had a very unsuccessful and emotional trip to Marshalls (I was trying to buy pants...enough said) and I spotted this out of the corner of my eye. Day = made. This was one of my two signature fragrances in high school (the other being Burberry Brit, which I'm still hoarding) and I couldn't pass it up, especially since both the EDT and Lotion were only $15 together! Lucky You is a mix of Water Hyacinth, Star Jasmine and Sandalwood and it still smells as great as the day little 14 year old me opened it as a gift from my parents on Christmas Morning. LOVE.

- Bath and Body Works Beautiful Day - I'm trying not to bust out into a U2 song here, and its taking a whole lot of restraint. I purchased the deluxe sample size when the brand was teasing this fragrance before it was released, but I didn't expect to fall in love - mostly because I'm not too fond of fragrances with apple notes against my skin. Turns out, I actually love this. Beautiful Day is a mix of sun kissed apple, wild daisies and white peach that just makes me happy when I smell it. 

- Bath and Body Works PocketBac in Sicilian Lemon - It counts as fragrance, right? I may or may not be sanitizing my hands too much so I have an excuse to smell this one. Its bright and lemony and citrusy without smelling like lemon pledge. Woo!

Hair and Body:

- OLD SCHOOL HERBAL ESSENCES! - I chose the Shine Collection which has chamomile, aloe vera and passion flower extracts. Due to the nostalgia of it, I literally had to partake when I saw these popping up on the shelves in Central Florida. Turns out, I loved it for a reason - My hair looks and feels great and smells wonderful. My mother has also followed suit and purchased some for herself. Love it!

- Caress Scarlet Blossom Body Wash - I saw this a couple months back, but decided to wait for a coupon. This stuff smells luxurious - Patchouli (love) and Red Lychee - and its going fast because I can't stop using it.

Tools:

Top to bottom are:

- Ulta Professional Synthetic Eyeshadow Brush - With all of the cream shadows I've been testing this month, this has been perfect. It applies a perfect base - which is how I usually use cream shadows and is big enough so I can place it all over the lid rather than in increments. I purchased this as part of a set - which is why the bristles are seafoam green, but it is available separately.

- ELF Small Stipple Brush - Definitely a new take on my concealer, which now is less prone to looking crepey and a bit more airbrushed.

- Clinique Foundation Brush - I used to hate this brush, but it now has a place in my stash. Its a bit bigger and much softer than most of my foundation brushes. I use this to stripe foundation across the areas I wish to apply and then stipple the foundation in with a separate brush. Who knew there would come a day where I'd not only use this brush on a regular basis, but feature it in a favorites post??

Phew! There was a lot to love this month! What have you guys been loving during the month of May? 

Disappointing Products - Pt. 1

Despite all of the research I do on items before I make a purchase, I occasionally fall victim to the impulse buy. Sometimes this works out totally in my favor (MAC Pervette was a total impulse buy and just look what happened with that!), but on the other side of the spectrum I've been met with a couple just plain crappy products this way!

I'm breaking this up into a series, not as I am looking to buy super crummy products - but lets face it. It happens.

These five products range from being too mediocre for my liking to the thorn in my side and all that is bad in this world. (Okay, I'm a bit dramatic). Two lip products have met me with serious disappointment along with three eye products. Question is, why do I hoard them?

The first culprit is the Revlon ColorStay Ultimate Suede Lipstick in Silhouette, which I posted a review about here. I don't know if the shoddy formula plagues the whole line or just the lighter colors, but I hated this so much that I refused to buy another one. I remember when these launched and I was super duper excited to haul them; thank God I only bought one! I literally haven't worn this since I tested it. NOPE.

The next is the L'Oreal Colour Riche Lipcolor in Tickled Pink, which I was nearly certain that I had reviewed...guess not. I'm all about baby pink shades; when I started wearing lipstick that was the first shade that I tended to gravitate towards. Being the respectful beauty shopper that I am, I didn't open the tube to look at the bullet of the lipstick; in hindsight, I should have. This is frost city and so dated! I felt like I just walked out of the late 80's with a vengeance. In addition to the color so not being for me, it was quite drying and accentuated any imperfections my lips had when worn. Again, I only wore this once. 

Onto eyes, I got the Stila Prime Pot in Taffy as a Sephora 100 Point Perk, but I rather wish I had saved up my points for something else. I was thinking this would be on par with something like MAC Painterly, but absolutely not. Greasy and crease city! Not pleased, especially since I have oily lids.

The next one brings a tear to my eye. I LOVE Maybelline's Color Tattoos, but Painted Purple was a HUGE letdown. Look at it in the pot; so stunningly rich and purple with almost a duochrome effect to it. Try to apply it and you're in turn getting a sheer, streaky kinda purple mess. I even tried applying this in every single way I could think of, but to no avail. Lets just have a moment of silence for this one..

From the research I've done, I'm fairly certain that the L'Oreal HIP Studio Secrets Professional Crystal Shadow Duo in Romantic was not meant to be sheer, but oh my goodness. Yes, its soft, but basically too soft. It pills up when you try to use it and you literally can't reach any kind of opacity. At least I found this on clearance.

I'm sure there are some that I missed that I'll couple in with the next installment, but my meaning behind this series to to help save you guys some money! Given, some things I hate, you might love, but with these I really wish that someone had told me how crummy they were so I could have saved some money! 

Stay tuned for Pt. 2 in the future!