Tarina Tarantino: Sale at Sephora

I love Tarina Tarantino makeup products. I highly recommend this brand's eyeshadows and blushes.

My pick for the sale is the 'Dollskin Cheek Palette', which is on sale for $27 for a cute palette with 4 different shades of blushes. My favorite is 'Parasol', which is a pretty coral shimmer shade, but here you can try 4 of Tarina Tarantino's blushes.

I wanted this for a long time, but at $45, I didn't quite pull the trigger. Now this brand's on sale, snatch this up!

I'm also eyeing her eyeshadow palettes.

Giveaway!! Benefit Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in 'Silver Spoon'

Hi Everyone!!

I would like to host a quick giveaway. To enter, just comment below! Giveaway ends August 31! You must be a follower.  :)

I received this Creaseless Cream Eyeshadow in 'Silver Spoon' from Benefit as a gift with purchase from a Sephora order.

I can't wear these formulas--they crease on me. But maybe they will work for you! I know a lot of bloggers who love these cream eyeshadows/liners.

This color is a shimmery silver color. If you like to wear silver/grey colors on your eyes, enter my giveaway! I think this would make a very pretty silver smoky eye.

Ingredients:

Cyclopentasiloxane, Isododecane, Mica, Polyethylene, Polymethyl Methacrylate, Disteardimonium Hectorite, Dimethicone, Propylene Carbonate, Silica, Tin Oxide. [+/- : Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491 ; CI 77492 ; CI 77499), Bismuth Oxychloride (CI 77163), Manganese Violet (CI 77742), Ferric Ferrocyanide (CI 77510)].N° 05491/N.

Primer Fail: Review of ELF's Mineral Face Primer

Hi Everyone!

I wanted to post a quick review on a product that I recently purchased (about 1 month ago) and absolutely hated! While this product didn't work for me, it may work for you. Everyone's skin is different, so I just want to point that out, but if you have similar skin to mine, you might want to skip it and try something else!

This primer is only $6, and frequently they have deals where you can buy one get one half off, or free, etc. So you can at least get a good deal on products you want to try. 

This primer's ingredients are: Cyclomethicone, Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Silica, Penoxyethanol, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Propylparaben.

What I think:

Its terrible for oily skin. It feels greasy from the beginning, and while I want my primers to feel smooth and silky, i definitely don't want to add grease-feeling. I have oily-combination skin, and this made my skin feel and look very oily. It did nothing for oil control, and made me want to wash my face. I tried out most of my foundations with this, and while some worked better than others, I can't say that it made any difference except to decrease wear time in some foundations. Eek!

I didn't notice any difference in smoothness, did not make my pores any smaller, etc.

It did not make me break out. It was worth a try, but for now I'm sticking with my Rimmel Fix and Perfect Pro primer for now.

Anyone else have any good suggestions?

Review: Loreal True Match Concealer

Loreal True Match concealer. 5.2 mL, $8.95.

The shade I purchased is Warm Light/Medium. I have not tried the foundation for this line, but only the concealer. I originally purchased this thinking it would be for my undereyes, but it creases too much on me.

This is a very creamy liquid concealer. It comes is a tube with 5.2 mL of product, and a wand applicator. There is a very wide assorted variety of shades available for a drugstore concealer.

The product itself blends well, but creases easily under the eyes. It must be set with powder, but on me it still creases. It would be better as a concealer for face, where it does a good job at concealing my blemishes. This is the rare instance in which it is actually too warm, and too yellow for my skin tone, but blended out under foundation makes it wearable for me.

Usually products are too pink for me. So thank you Loreal for putting out a line that can match almost anyone :).

Also, drugstores frequently have promotions for L'Oreal, so look for those.

NYX Rouge Cream Blush in 'Tickled'

NYX's Rouge Cream Blush in 'Tickled' is a beautiful coral shimmer. It has nice gold shimmer to it, that on the cheeks makes it seem luminous, but not frosty. This is the perfect color for summer.

This is my first time trying NYX's cream blushes. I have a few MAC and random assorted other brands. I love cream blush, and have been wanting to try these out for awhile.

Tickled reminded me a bit of NARS orgasm, except more peachy than pink, and this delivers more color payoff than orgasm does on my medium skin. It is so creamy and easy to blend. I apply this with my fingers.

Lasting power without anything else on my face is 3-4 hours, after that and it begins to fade. If applied over foundation and with a powder to set it on top, it lasts all day. I am overall very happy with the quality of this blush.

It is also only $5-6, depending on where you shop.

Review: Coastal Classic Creations Lip Product: Idas Rose Lipstick

This is a lovely color in real life. It is described on Coastal Classic Creations's website as a Raspberry Rose color, and that describes it very well. On the lips it is very sheer, and very glossy. Love the color!

However, it is quite the hard product. You have to warm it up with your fingers before applying. I do like that it lasts quite awhile on your lips, and is very glossy.

I also dislike the smell very much. The main ingredients are sunflower seed oil and palm kernel stearin. It smells like sunflower seeds, and very strongly. I'm not sure if mine went bad, or it they all smell like that.

Other ingredients: Candelila Wax and Red iron oxide.

I bought this in a mini travel size set to sample a few different products from Coastal Classic Creations, and I love the blush and eyeshadow that I also purchased.

CoverGirl Simply Ageless Eye Concealer and Corrector

Hi Everyone! It has been a long time! I'm here to do a quick review on a new product to me. It has been on the market for awhile, but I have just picked up 2 shades in the past month to try out. I have pretty dark undereye circles, for reference. I also hate when concealers get cakey and crease under my eyes.

I don't really know what possessed me to try these concealers. I got the shade shown above 230, which is a yellow corrector, and the shade 210 Light/medium. They are so thick! Very thick cream concealers, and very high coverage. I tend to like liquid concealers, so these aren't really my thing.

A little bit goes a long way. I can't wear both at the same time, even very sparingly, it looks cakey and fake. I can get away with just the light/medium shade, if blended out carefully, not too much. It does look good. But I still prefer a liquid concealer for easier blendability without patting my delicate undereyes as much.

One tub of this will last forever, or at least until it dries out.

My favorite concealer is still the Maybelline Dark Circles Eraser. Now that it's summer time, I use the shade medium. It is very good, and honestly hard to mess up, so perfect for the mornings.

Beauty Army--Monthly Beauty Samples Box

Hi Everyone,

I wanted to share with you what I got in my Beauty Army box, its like Birchbox, Glossybox, or any of the other beauty samples subscription services out there, really. It's $12 a month, or 12 months for $132. I've been really wanting to try out one of these suscription services, because I love packages in the mail and samples, and I think it's really a fun idea. I know you can go out and just pick up samples, but this way I get to sample products and companies I have never heard of, or don't have around here.

The main difference is that Beauty Army lets you choose your samples. You also fill out a Beauty Profile about your preferences, so perhaps that way their company can figure out what types of samples their customers are most interested in.

Here is my box!

I received:

Sun Fx Tan Extender 2.2 fl oz
Babor Cleansing Oils 10 mL each of Hy-Ol, and a Phytoactive Base Oil
Weleda Iris Facial Hydrating Lotion 0.17 oz
Shea Terra Organics Moroccan Argan Oil Sample, amount unlisted. Probably about 5-7mL
Lift Lab Lift and Firm Eye Cream, amount unlisted. Its the little white container above.
Cell Ceuticals Photo Defense Daily Skin Protector SPF 55+  .33 oz

What I think:

So far, I love the idea! It was fun to open up all my samples. I picked a lot of oils and moisturizers this month, because I am looking for a new facial moisturizer and new eye cream, and I am very interested in using oils to moisturize and cleanse.

I also like little sample containers to re-use when I go traveling, so that's nice as well. I will re-use these containers.

The box itself is very cute, and I will re-use that as well for storing makeup.


A quick side note, I went to Macys yesterday to get samples of Estee Lauder Double Wear Light, and had such a rude experience with the sales person. I look young, and was casually dressed, and when I go to Macys like that, I usually can count on that reaction. How snooty! I am a paying customer, and purchase a lot of makeup each year. I told her I was deciding between the Intensity 2.0 and 3.0, and she told me in a rude way to only choose 1 shade to sample, whereas with other sales associate they would always give me 2 shades to take home and try on. I also got no assistance with her to try on the new EL blushes I had my eye on. Anyways, to add to my annoyance, when I got home the 2.0 shade was too light. Grrrrrr.

Review: My Thoughts on Laura Mercier Silk Creme Foundation

Have you tried this foundation? 

What Laura Mercier Says:

"Laura Mercier Silk Crème Foundation is a rich and luminous foundation offering full coverage while hydrating and protecting the skin. The long-wearing foundation evens out skin tones and increases skin luminosity and clarity for a radiant glow. Its rich, creamy texture glides over the skin effortlessly giving you ample playtime for perfect application and blendability. Perfect for rosacea and hard to cover pigmentation. Oil-free and ideal for all skin types."

Ingredients (Cashew Beige): Cyclopentasiloxane, Water (Aqua), Phenyl Trimethicone, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, PEG-12 Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Butylene Glycol, Silica Dimethicone Silylate, Isononyl Isononanoate Polysilicone-11, Dimethicone Glycerin, Sodium Chloride, Glyceryl Polymethacrylate, Phenoxyethanol, Trihydroxystearin, Diisopropyl Dimer Dilinoleate, Ethylhexyl Hydroxstearate, C30-45 Alkyl Cetearyl Dimethicone Crosspolymer, Sorbitan Sesquioleate, Propylparaben, Methylparaben, Ethylparaben, Butylparaben, Isobutylparaben, Retinyl Palmitate, Tocopheryl Acetate, Ascorbyl Palmitate, Silk Powder (Serica), Saccharomyces/Xylinum Black Tea Ferment, Propylene Glycol, Hydroxyethylcellulose, Camellia Sinensis Leaf Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891), Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499), Mica (CI 77019).

What I think:

This foundation is definitely a full coverage foundation. It has a beautiful finish at first, but on my skin type it is not long-wearing. It evens out skin tone, and minimizes my pores very well. It is a gel/thick creme consistency. You only need the smallest amount for your whole face. This justifies the $42 price tag, in terms of cost per wear. 

My skin is combination/oily and my T-zone definitely gets pretty oily only 4 hours later. I need to touch up and powder. The foundation will fade on my T zone and chin the fastest. 

The biggest drawback is it doesn't set well on me. Besides having my oil break through only 4 hours after application (which means this is not going to be good for work for me), it also transfers onto anything I touch all day. Meaning: clothes, anyone I hug!, tissue, ANYTHING. I have tried all different setting powders, and methods of application. I think it's just the way the foundation is on my skin. 

I wish it would set better, since I love the way it looks on my skin. I use the shade 'Cashew Beige'. It transfers too much for everyday, but this will definitely be part of my special occasion makeup, since did I also mention it looks amazing in pictures?

February Favorites

Korres Blush in #15 'Natural'.

This is the perfect shade of blush/bronzer to warm up my face. I usually wear is as a bronzer under my cheekbones, and lightly dusted on my temples. Its the perfect shade for my current paler winter skin tone. I top with my Lorac Soul blush on cheeks for my every day look. Its a peachy brown, more brown than in the picture, but a warm brown, so it can be used for blush or bronzer on me. It reminded me of my all time favorite Dallas blush by Benefit, but perhaps with a touch more shimmer.

Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer in 'Bisque'

I have been wearing this every day, I have needed a little bit more coverage, and my skin is a little drier with winter, so powder foundations are not working for me. I used the oil-free formula, and I use the primer as well. I have a deluxe sample size of the primer that I have been using. I like that this moisturizer has SPF in it.

Mac Eyebrow Crayon in 'Spiked'

This is so easy and fast in the mornings to do my eyebrows, and looks very natural if I do small strokes. I am liking this much better than powder eyeshadow, that I used before, or Benefit Brow-Zings, which currently doesn't match me. I use the color 'Spiked', which is the second to darkest color I believe. It is a very dark brown.

HoneyBee Gardens Powder Colors Mineral Color in 'Sedona'

This is such a pretty color. I recently purchased a few samples shades of mineral eyeshadows, a blush, and bronzer from HoneyBee gardens. I have been loving the shade "Sedona' this week. Its such a pretty bronzey-coppery sparkle shade. Its a much more orange/copper color than I have worn before, but I love trying new shades and going out of my comfort zone.

And I'm so glad I did! This is one of my favorite eyeshadow colors, and I love the gold sparkles in it. You can see a swatch in the 'Browns' row, IRL it is more orange than pictured. I wear it with Too Faced Shadow Insurance underneath.

Mini Blog Sale: Makeup Items (Update)

Please email me at mybeadifullife@gmail.com if you are interested in any of the following items. Thank you!

Sorry these are not my images, these are just google images so you can see the product. If you are interested in photos of an item, I will get those to you soon. Just send me your email and the item you are interested in. 

All items include shipping, if you buy more than 1 item, I'll take $1 off for each additional item. I use paypal only, sorry. Please email me for my paypal email address.

If you live outside the US, I will ship to you too, but shipping will be more. Let me know where you live and I will calculate how much it will be to ship there. Thank you for stopping by!

Unused items:

Estee Lauder Signature Powder Blush in 'Plum Nuance' Brand New in Box $15

(google image below) The blush changes in color from a coral peach to a plum. 

Swatched only:

Estee Lauder Double Wear ShadowCreme in 'Precious Jade'. $ 12     SOLD

   Swatched only. Green, with gold shimmer. A beautiful color. Would look especially good on people with green or hazel eyes. 

Estee Lauder ShadowCreme in 'Midnight Kohl'. $12  SOLD

Swatched 1x. Its a shimmery midnight black. Very dark black. 

Used:

Nars Blush in 'Exhibit A' $20. 

Used 2x. Image from google images. 

Mac Eyeshadow in 'Carbon'. $7 SOLD

Only used 2-3 times. Some glitter is in the pot from my other eyeshadows, I didn't remove it, so I wouldn't waste product. 

new makeup purchases

hi everyone! been so busy with starting my new job, but i have been reading all your blogs!

i just wanted to do a quick post about some new makeup items that i purchased this month that i am loving.

Tarte Park Avenue Princess Matte Waterproof Bronzer, $29

described on tarte.com as a light yellow/golden bronze. this is perfect for my paler winter skin. i actually got this on accident as I was in a rush, and going for the regular bronzer, which has shimmer.

but i'm actually liking this matte version even better than the regular, shimmery one. its also waterproof, which i think is great because it has been raining a lot lately, i don't really have to worry about it too much. i even went to the gym and it still looked great after.

2. Cargo Blush in "Laguna", $26

I really love this blush. its a bright orange color, but it is actually very sheer, so soft and smooth and just melts into your skin. it lasts a long time, but really blends very well with your skin.

I like how this color gives me natural color and really wakes up my skin.

3. Clinique High Impact Mascara in Very Black

I got this as a gift with purchase, and as usual with Clinique Mascaras, I love it! It definitely does what it says. So pretty, my lashes are huge with this on.

Mac Favorites Giveaway by Heart Kristel's Beauty Blog

Click here to enter!


Good luck!

hot pink lips!

think what you want about kim kardashian, this girl sure knows how to wear makeup!! this is so pretty.

I'm getting more into lipstick lately, and am loving a few shades the most :)

hot pink is my favorite lipstick color to wear! i just think its so fun and pretty. this is the best product shot i can find for my hot pink lipstick. it by josie maran and called 'bambolina'. its a lot brighter in real life than this shot shows.

it shows a bit like kim's shade. not quite as punchy, but close.