Hit or Miss: YSL Fusion Ink Foundation

So I’ve been gone forever. I know I know. I just moved and finally got everything finished so I thought I’d write a bolg post and start trying to post regruarily again. I wanted to share my feelings on the YSL Fusion Ink Foundation. I know this isn’t a new product anymore but I haven’t heard a lot about it.

YSL Fusion Ink Foundation

‘Ink’ foundations seem to be all the rage right now. The idea is that they provide meduim to full coverage and feel like skin so they aren’t heavy at all. I think this one was the first one I heard about and tried and it was life changing. I mean it, my life has changed. This foundation is so smooth and light weight. Normally I would shy away from this kind of foundation but I was curious. I like to apply it with my SIgma Beauty 3DHD Kabuki Brush because I find that it is useful to apply it with one side of the brush and blend with the other. It covers surprisingly well. I can even use it as a concealer on top of the foundation. It smells lovely too. I think it works well for oily skin, I’m not sure it would work for people with SUPER dry skin as it might cling to dry patches but I have the opposite problem so I can’t speak to that.

Another thing I love is that t is really cool toned which I love. It doesn’t pull red or yellow or orange. I have redness in my skin and it is hard to find a foundation that really neutralizes those areas but this one does (I’m shade Cool Almond). If you have the same issues, I would highly suggest getting matched, then getting a sample. I would say that you definitely need a brush to apply this foundation, preferrably a kabuki or rounded one. Like I said before, my favorite is the 3DHD Kabuki but that’s my opinion.

I would absoutely say that this foundation is a hit. It has a steep price tag but I’ve had it since October and it isn’t close to being gone yet so it definitely lasts a long time.

–Sam

Bite Beauty Cinnamon Lip Oil Review

I know I have been gone for a while, life has been crazy with my job, personal life, etc. but I have a new post today! I bought this Bite Beauty Cinnamon Lip Oil back in December because I had heard that it was a nice lip plumper/gloss, plus I love cinnamon flavor.

Bite Beauty Cinnamon Lip Oil

While the product is red in the tube, it doesn’t really have a color when applied. It has a really sweet cinnamon taste that I don’t particularly enjoy but it isn’t offensive. I like that the doe foot applicator is bent at the end for easy application. It is also very plumping. It isn’t painful but does tingle and burn a bit but dissipates after a while. I like that Bite Beauty is a more natural brand to that uses food-grade ingredients so feel better about what I’m putting on my mouth and basically into my mouth too because I eat half of it off of my lips. For $22 though, I’m not sure it’s worth it. I like it more than any other lip plumping product I’ve tried. I use it more like a gloss anyway so it is nice. The only reason I would say that it isn’t worth the price is because $22 is a lot to pay for basically a lip gloss. I will keep it but it will use it all up to get my money’s worth.

–Sam

Top Berry Lip Colors

Berry lips are always a huge fall/winter trend so I thought I’d share my favorite berry shades with you all today. These products range from drugstore to high-end and sheer stains to intense colors.

Berry Lip Colors for Fall/Winter

• YSL Glossy Stain in #5: I’ve had this forever, it is a glossy stain that smells great, and isn’t sticky. I like that once the glossy part wears off, you’re still left with a nice berry hue.
• OCC Lip Tar in Lydia: This is more of a purple-plum but is still on trend. This has serious staying power and has a minty taste.
• Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick in Venom: I love this formula, it stays on my lips and is super opaque. It is a little on the dry side but as long as I exfoliate my lips first, it’s okay.
• NARS Audacious Lipstick in Janet: This is more of a pinky-plum but I like the formulation so much. It almost feels like a mousse in that it is super lightweight. I like that it stains my lips so when it does wear off, my lips are still stained a darker hue.
• Too Faced Melted Lipstick in Melted Berry: I like to apply this with a lip brush because it is a bit more precise than the applicator but it is super pigmented and long-lasting. It can be a bit drying too but again, just moisturize your lips first before applying and you’re good to go!
• Revlon ColorBurst Matte Balm in Sultry: I like that this is a twist up pencil and a bit more on the nude side. It isn’t drying at all and has a lovely minty taste.
• MAC Lipstick in Capricious: This is a more nude plum too, it is more sheer too so even if you’re nervous to rock a plum lip (don’t be, lips are the best place to experiment with color), you can with this shade.

Here are some swatches so you can see what they look like. If you have darker skin, I would suggest using a lip concealer so the color is as vibrant as possible.

Bottom to top: YSL Glossy Stain #4, OCC Lip Tar in Lydia, Urban Decay Venom, NARS Audacious, Too Faced Melted Berry, Revlon Sultry, MAC Capricious

Step out of your comfort zone a try a plum lip because now is the perfect time! I love experimenting with bright lips and a nude eye because I feel like it’s a really classic look.

–Sam

Must-Have Makeup Brushes

I know that navigating the world of makeup brushes can be really daunting so I wanted to give you a little guide of my most-used brushes. These won’t cover all of your bases but these are my absolute favorites and I have many of them so if one is dirty, there is another one ready to get the job done.

Must have makeup brushes: Sigma Copper 3DHD, Sigma Copper F35, Real Techniques Expert Crease Brush, Sigma E35, MAC 217, Sigma E06

• Sigma Copper 3DHD: This is the foundation brush to end all foundation brushes. The odd shape is weird at first but is great for painting on foundation, then blending it in. The ridge at the top fits in the creases of your nose, around your mouth, and allows you to edge around your brows and under your eyes. Bonus: it now comes in copper!
• Sigma Copper F35: This is my favorite brush for setting under eye concealer but I’ve also used it for contouring the cheeks and forehead, as well as applying blush. It is a multi-purpose life-saver.
• Real Techniques Expert Crease Brush: If you have issues with under eye concealer, this brush will change your life. It is part of a set and all the brushes are great but this one is my favorite. It blends effortlessly and is small enough for even the smallest of eyes.
• Sigma E35: I have six of these, I kit you not. It is the best all-over blending brush I have ever used. It deposits color but also blends it out transition shades like a dream.
• MAC 217: This was the first makeup brush I ever bought when I was 15 and look how good it looks! As far as crease-difining brushes, the MAC 217 is legendary. It can be used in a precise manner, or one that is still precise, but blends colors too. I also have several of these, I like to always have a clean one to just do an overall blend before I leave for the day. I never knew how seamless and clean makeup could look until I got a 217.
• Sigma E06: If you have trouble with gel liner, this brush is for you. The tiny angle is small enough to create a thin line but when turned on its side, you can create a dramatic winged liner look too.

These are my essentials. I couldn’t do my makeup without them. These would make great additions to any brush collection, even if you have a ton of brushes. These would all be great gifts for someone who is just starting out too.

–Sam

MAC Blot Powder Review

Even in the winter months, I have issues with oily skin around my nose and forehead and chin. I find that it gets bad around lunch time so that’s the ideal time to pat powder my nose if you will. I have used several types of powder but the MAC Blot Powder is the first one I have tried that actually soaks up oil and doesn’t look cakey.

MAC Blot Powder

I have found that this powder looks so natural and actually mattifies my face, much more than other powders I have tried. It comes with a little puff but I don’t like to use it if I can help it. Those puffs often become a breeding ground for bacteria. I carry a Sigma F20 in my bag  because it has a shorter handle than a traditional powder brush but allows me to sweep the powder over my nose and forehead. I would suggest going a bit darker than you think you need with this powder. I use the medium dark shade because the other two were way too light and looked powdery on my skin. I would highly recommend this to anyone that has oily skin. It really wears well and doesn’t crease or sit on top of the skin and look powdery. I will always have a compact of this in my purse.

–Sam

NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil: Hit or Miss?

I love doing hit or miss posts because it gives me the chance to let you guys know if you can skip a product of if you should go out ASAP and add it to your stash. Today’s review features the NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Never Say Never, a cool toned bright pink lip pencil.

NARS Matte Velvet Lip Pencil in Never Say Never

As far as lip pencils go, this one is pretty standard. It applies well, doesn’t cling to dry spots on the lips, doesn’t dry out the lips, and doesn’t bleed. As far as staying power goes, the original color lasts about 2-3 hours but it does stain my lips so I get residual color for a few hours after which I definitely do appreciate since it doesn’t bleed outside of my lips. Sometimes I even apply a small amount and blend it out with my finger so it is more sheer. Another big plus is that the cap stays on in my purse! It is a small victory but I have so many lip pencils that don’t stay on so I don’t use them because I don’t want lipstick all over my bag. I wish it was a twist up and didn’t need a sharpener but oh well, you can’t have it all. The biggest negative is the price. It is a high-end product so naturally it would cost more. At $25, I would say it is worth it though because of the wear time (with the staining). There are a ton of colors so if pink isn’t your scene, there are reds and neutral shades too.

–Sam

Makeup Geek Shadow and Pigment Review

If you pay attention at all to YouTube or beauty blogs, you have heard of Makeup Geek. It is a makeup line started by Marlena and has a line of gel liners, blushes, eye shadows, pigments, and brushes. I wanted to see what all the buzz was about so I placed an order about two months ago for a few shadows and a few pigments.

Makeup Geek Pigments in Enchanted, Afterglow, and Insomnia. Shadows in Prom Night, Moondust, Shimma Shimma, Drama Queen, Homecoming, Unexpected, and Créme Brulee

I got seven shadows and three pigments and this entire order was less than $65.00 including shipping (which was fast!). That’s insane. The shadows are so pigmented and amazing. At $5.99 a pan, they really give higher priced shadows a run for their money. There really isn’t anything negative about them other than the fact that the pan’s magnets don’t stick to a MAC Palette so I had to stick other magnets on that back unless I want to get a Zpalette.

(L to R) Makeup Geek Pigments in Insomnia, Afterglow, and Enchanted. Shadows in Prom Night, Shimma Shimma, Drama Queen, and Homecoming.

The pigments are phenomenal too. They are so incredibly pigmented and finely milled. Literally one swipe is more than enough for one eye. My only issue is that the jars don’t come with sifters (you can buy them separately) so whenever I open the jar, I waste a ton of product. I know I can buy them online and put them in myself but at $6.99 a jar, I would gladly pay 50 cents more and have them throw them in the box before they’re shipped. That is my only suggestion though, otherwise these babies are perfection.

As you can see in the swatches, these are such a good value.

Well done Makeup Geek Team!

–Sam

Easy ways to add sparkle to the holidays

Glitter can be intimidating for some so I wanted to show you some easy ways to add glitter to your holiday makeup routine! I have gathered a few products that I think are pretty fool-proof:

Easy ways to add glitter to your holiday makeup routine

• The easiest way to add glitter to your look is with a glittery eye liner. It won’t be as obvious but it is nearly impossible to mess up. My favorite is the Always Sharp 3D Liner in 3D Sparks from Smashbox. This liner sharpens itself using a hidden sharpener in the cap. It is literally impossible to mess up!
• Loose glitter can be used in so many ways. You can pack it on top of a sticky base (I like the Too Faced Glitter Glue) or mix it with a tiny bit of water to create a liner or dust it on your arms and legs or mix it with a clear nail polish. The possibilities are endless. My favorite is Gold from MAC because it is finely milled and super sparkly.
• Glittery liquid liner is actually really forgiving, I like to apply this gold one called Midnight Cowboy from Urban Decay over a gel liner or under my lower lash line. These come in some amazing colors and don’t flake all over the place like some do but they remove easily! I’ve heard NYX makes a good one too but I haven’t tried it yet.
• Last are two pigments from Sigma Beauty. These are from the brand new Ethereal Radiance collection. The purple pigment on top is Super Natural from the By The Light of the Moon set and the lighter purple pigment on the bottom is Felicity from the Ice Castles in the Sky set. While the pigments aren’t glitter, they still give a shiny, sparkly effect and aren’t so commanding on the face. I like to sweep Felicity on the Sigma F41 Fan Brush onto the tops of my cheekbones for a special highlight

Here are some swatches (in warm light) of the products so you can get a sense of what they look like:

From top to bottom: Urban Decay Midnight Cowboy Liner, Smashbox 3D Sparks Liner, MAC Gold Glitter, Sigma Beauty Super Natural and Felicity

I hope you all step out of your makeup comfort zones this holiday season, it is the perfect time to experiment with glitter and darker lips. Add some of these products to your routine!

–Sam

OCC Lip Tar: Worth it?

I know I am super late to hop on the OCC Lip Tar bandwagon but I wanted to let you all know if I thought they were worth checking out. Story time: about 5 years ago, I heard about OCC (Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics) Lip Tars on YouTube from QueenofBlending and was so intrigued by this wonderful product. I ordered a few (back when they were about 6 dollars cheaper) and was disappointed. I had a hard time picking colors so I picked colors that ended up looking horrible on me and I never used them so they sat in my drawer and eventually made it to the garbage. Ever since then I’ve wanted to try them again but did not want to order online because that didn’t go so well the first time. They finally carry them in my local Sephora so I went in and swatched almost all of them and decided on this gorgeous one!

OCC Lip Tar in Lydia

I got the color Lydia and it comes in a tube with a brush (I use my Sigma L05 because I can put it in my purse and not get Lip Tar everywhere). The fist thing you should know about Lip Tars is that you HAVE to use a brush. If you try to apply it straight from the tube (which you can’t really since the tip is pointy) you’re going to end up with a goopy mess. I like the Sigma L05 better than the one that came with the product because it comes with a case of sorts so it doesn’t end up all over your purse and it is thinner so I get a more precise line. This color is stunning though. It is described as a ‘Darkroom Plum” and I would say that it is definitely a cool toned plummy-purple. As you can see in the picture, it needs to be shaken up but it works fine. This color really doesn’t move. I like to exfoliate my lips first so it applies smoothly. It lasts through breakfast, lunch, and drinking water. Even if I dab a chapstick over the top halfway through the day, it still stays on! I would love darker colors or even a red to add to my collection. A little goes such a long way though that I don’t think I’ll ever run out of this. Like ever. I would say that OCC Lip Tars are so incredibly worth it if you can swatch them and try them on in person. I’m always hesitant to buy lip products online if I don’t know how the color will look on me.

Get yourself to a Sephora or OCC store (if you’re lucky!) and try these babies! They have some awesome ones in their holiday collection right now too!

–Sam

My Favorite False Lashes

False Lashes are so hot right now. Everyone loves them and it seems like every YouTube Guru uses them in every tutorial. I am always on the hunt for the perfect pair because I have long lashes and they’re on the thicker side already. So why do I want falsies? Sometimes I want fuller lashes when I’m amping up a look at night or when I have thicker liner on my top lash line.

Eyelure Lengthening lashes #808

Most lashes have a band that is too thick or the lashes are too long or shaped funny or just unnatural looking. I stumbled upon these Eylure lashes in #80 that are perfect! They are really lightweight and have a flexible, clear band that is pretty thin. They are also not too long, but definitely give mine some oomph. I think if you have shorter lashes these would still look pretty natural because they’re not super thick. Also, they have a natural shape, no points or scary bunches. I wore these for a work event and I got so many compliments but no one could believe they were fake! They were so easy to apply (I use the dark Duo glue) and they stayed on all day. I was so impressed that I actually considered wearing them during the day sometimes. Crazy. Anyway, I am so happy I’ve finally found a pair of lashes that I really like. Bonus: they’re really inexpensive so I don’t feel guilty throwing them away after a few uses!

–Sam