Monday, May 4, 2015

Spring Makeup Shakeup


Hello again friends it's been so long! For this post I'm going to share some thoughts on spring-related makeup with some recently released items, as well as some older stuff. Everything mentioned here is from my gratis, which is basically a beautiful bag of free beauty products I get from companies at work. I receive these goodies to test and familiarize myself with what they do so that I can assist customers with questions and make recommendations AND IT IS GLORIOUS.



Givenchy Le Prisme Powder Blush - Aficionado Peach
First thing's first this blush! It smells so nice and luxurious and it also applies beautifully onto my cheeks. Honestly it just gives life to my cheeks and makes them have a natural glow! Peachy tones are perfect to pair with light makeup in a more natural look or with pops of color on the eyes or lips.


Bite Handcut & Uncut Lipstick - Moka
Bite recent brought out these new hand cut lipsticks that are meant to go on easier without the waxy coating the uncut lipsticks usually have. I received a sample of the hand cut and uncut lipsticks to comapre the two. Let me tell you, the hand cut version applies so much smoother than the uncut version. *Fun fact: Bite lipsticks are gluten free and safe from harmful chemicals, so go ahead and accidentally eat your lippy!


Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palette - Native
One word: WOW!!! I was not expecting to get this palette along with the brush #blessUD. This trio Is AMAZING. It can look scary but it goes on beautifully. The bronzer has a slight shimmer to it but it is hardly noticeable so you can contour if you want (yes I know it's recommend to use a matte shade to contour but you do you) and the highlight is great for giving a slight sheen to your cheekbones but I personally love lightly putting it under my brow bone. Just be careful on the cheekbones because it can translate as too much. The blush looks like it's a scary bright pink in the packaging, but on the cheeks it gives a nice flush. Overall it's a great 3-in-1 product for those just starting out. The brush is so soft and the angled side is great for getting into those cheekbones!

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara
At first, I didn't really care for this mascara, so I decided to let her sit for a while. I finally decided to open her up recently and I fell in love! I just go swoop swoop and I could be done, although I do get mascara happy sometimes.  This mascara is definitely worth all the raving because it gives you lashes for days!!


When Benefit announced their new mascara I was confused and wondered whether it was a primer or a mascara? Then Benefit sent it to us before it was sold with an informative card. They said you can use it on its own or apply Roller Lash first then apply They're Real for even bigger lashes. I tried both methods and I think Roller Lash separates the lashes and it looks nice with a few coats but don't go overboard or else it will clump!!!  However, if you do want to go overboard with the mascara, use They're Real because it doesn't clump as much. Overall, this mascara is just alright. It isn't my favorite but maybe I need to give her a break and she will get better with time. 
What are your thoughts if you have tried this mascara? 


Tarte Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Brushing Powder - Bronze
So I have no idea what this is for to be honest (I kinda think it's an all over face powder). Anyone in the comment section please tell me. With that in mind, I use it as a true contour because it is matte. Sometimes I will also use it to bronze all over. Overall, I love how it looks with my medium, peachy-toned skin as it's not orange in any way and works great! I do have to say I don't reach for it when I'm in a rush because you have to be careful you don't have too much product on your brush since it is a loose powder and things can get cray really fast.


Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer
Hmmmmm people love this primer but I don't really think it works for me. My favorite primer is Benefit's Porefessional. I just feel when I put it this one on it wears off quickly and doesn't hide the large pores around my nose, rather I feel they look more enlarged with it. So as of right now, I'm not a fan, but I'll keep trying it.


Benefit Puff Off!
I was kinda skeptical of this product but wow! It definitely reduces my extremely puffy morning bags. The metal applicator is cooling and feels great in the mornings, expeicially because it really makes a difference.


Too Faced Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Melted Marshmallow
Too Faced recently added some more shades to their Melted collection before they came out with the metal colors. We got to pick a shade and I went with this one because I love me a good ole pink! I've heard a lot about these melted lipsticks and always wanted to try one so once I finally got my hands on her, I applied stratight away! This lipstick did not disappoint as it is REALLY pigmented so a little goes a long way! I personally like to sheer it out a bit because it is a bright baby pink and with my skin tone and hair color, it can look kinda weird. The lippy would stay on all day if I wouldn't bite my lips during the day #badhabitsdiehard with that in mind, it doesn't have a weird scent/taste to it.


I had heard a lot of things about this eyeliner at work so once I got it, I was eager to try it. Before I had been using the Sephora Classic Liner, which is a felt tip. I was surprised by the Tattoo liner because it has a densely packed brush on the end as opposed to the traditional felt. When I used it for the first time, it took me a while to get a hang of it because the eyeliner would go on thin and once I figured it out, I really came to LOVE it. I don't think I can go back to a felt tip now! I love that I can achieve a thin or thick line and it is so pigmented because there is no felt tip taking up product! Definitely give this eyeliner a try although it does take time to get a hang of, but once you figure it out, it's amazing!


Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick - Outlaw
Along with the eyeliner, we also received the liquid lipstick! I was excited for this except for the fact that it's a red and I really don't like red on my lips because a) It makes my teeth look yellow (even when I whiten them!) and b) With my hair, eye color and skin tone, I just feel so eh about it. I still gave it a try in the comfort of my makeup studio (my bathroom) and I have to say the formula was nice and didn't have a weird taste or smell to it so yay! The color was alright because it wasn't a true red, rather more of a brick red. I wish I could say more about it but I really just don't reach for it because of its color. I will probably wear it to work one day and see how people respond but other than that, I will probably put baby in the corner.


NARS Luminous Silk Foundation - Punjab
And the best for last yaaaas! This foundation is wow! Would just like to start off by saying this is my first high-end foundation becauase I normally opt for drugstore foundations from Rimmel or Bourjois. Let's appreciate the fact that there's finally a pump for NARS foundation!! The reason it has a pump is because you only need 2-3 pumps of it due to its high-color pigmentation. You MUST shake it before you pump or you won't get the same results. The NARS rep said that it looks and works the best when applied with your hands - I know why do I have brushes then? So I first applied it with my hands and it did look nice and natural. The second time I used a brush and there were some slight differences so yes, the hand method is better but because I am lazy and always in a rush, it's easier for me to use a brush. The foundation has great coverage and covers my pesky face demons! It looks matte and dewy at the same time and in the right places. My T-zone is matte while my cheek bones look so plump and radiant (with a bit of that Givenchy blush they are perf!) My skin is usually oily but this foundation manages to keep my oil at bay SANS POWDER! This is definitely one of my new favorite foundations.
*fun fact to test out how long this foundation would stay on they put people in a sauna until the foundation finally started to melt off from their sweat (14 hours I believe... I lost my info card).

Okay you're probably on an information overload especially after the NARS review, but I hoped you have enjoyed my spring makeup shakeup. If you have any questions or anything, leave them down below in the comment section! If you want to hear from me more often then go to www.youtube.com/neversmores where I usually post a new video every Monday (except for times like this when Sabrina and I switch) and maybe subscribe to the channel and blog hee hee.
How do I end things here it's been so long...also this is my first post on WordPress so hey WordPress people! You guys are actually the best lots of love!  Well I'll end it here until next time!

 - Xx C

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