Cruelty Free Beginner's Guide - Highend

Hi all! So for today I thought I would share my cruelty free highend beginners guide! Whether you are a teen and just starting out with makeup or are older and just starting out with (or getting back into) makeup I hope my suggestions will help you through the crazy world of Sephora and Ulta! (an * denotes a category that I personally did not use for some time when I started wearing makeup)

*Primer (face and eye) 
Starting off with a face primer I really like this for dry skin Urban Decay Brightening and Tightening Complexion Primer Potion ($31) and I have heard good things about the Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Primer ($36) for oily skin. The Urban Decay primer feels and looks like a thicker conditioner and does not seem to have a smell. The Becca Ever-Matte primer is very thick and has a fresh scent. It is not a typical silicone primer, it is more of a thick, tacky gel but quickly dries down to a smooth (and very slightly tacky), but not slick, almost powdery finish. This primer really adheres your makeup to your face and provides good longevity in terms of wear time.
For eye primer I have really been liking the Too Faced Shadow Insurance ($20)! It is a translucent, very basic but good, primer, I haven't tried any yet that have color in them, so I will let you know once I try one I like! 

*Foundation
Foundation is a little bit trickier to recommend, because I typically only buy foundations that will work for my skin type, which is dry - drier than the Sahara Desert. But I have 2, kinda 3 options for you.
First, if you know you only want a full coverage foundation - and you don't have sensitive skin I recommend the Urban Decay All Nighter ($40), I received a sample of this and while it was very full coverage and looked gorgeous on the skin, my sensitive skin hated it and my whole face started to itch.
If you do have sensitive and dry skin I really have liked the Laura Geller Baked Liquid Radiance Foundation ($38), it covers without making you look flat or matte or cakey! Also, bonus, it has color correcting pigments - whatever that means
Second, if you want both a full coverage foundation but also a tinted moisturizer, I recommend getting a full coverage foundation like the All Nighter or the Laura Geller one and for a tinted moisturizer just mix a small amount of foundation with your favorite moisturizer!
Third, if you know you only want the very light minimal coverage of a tinted moisturizer I recommend the BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream ($29)! This stuff has a light almost mousse-y texture and has SPF 30, which I always like it when everything I put on my face, especially in the summer, has an SPF in it. Now this wont cover hardly anything, but it does even out the complexion in a way that makes it hard to tell if you are wearing any base makeup.

Concealer
My favorite concealer is the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eyes concealer ($24). The smallest baby pea sized amount will easily cover both under eyes with some to spare. This concealer has a thick consistency, but I have had no issues blending it out with a beauty blender. The Bye Bye Under Eyes, like all under eye concealers, should be set with a powder to avoid creasing.
For general face concealing I really like the BareMinerals Correcting Concealer with SPF 20 ($21). It comes in a pot and has a very thin consistency, but it packs a pretty good punch, in terms of coverage. The concealer blends out easily with a brush, beauty blender, or even a finger.

Powder
I have two options for you, the Too Faced Cocoa Powder Foundation ($34) and the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores loose powder ($24) (although they make a pressed version which is also good!). I really like the Too Faced Cocoa Powder foundation in the summer when I am more oily, I think it gives a beautiful finish too the skin. Unfortunately like all powder foundations, if you use too much it can get a little cakey and powdery looking. This can also be lightly used as a setting powder too. Now if you just want a setting powder, I really recommend the It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores loose powder, it makes my skin feel so smooth and sets any creams really nicely. This is a translucent powder but if you want a loose powder with color I recommend the Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition loose finishing powder ($34) (holy super long name Batman!). I have a review of it here.

*Blush
One of my favorite multitasking blushes is the Japonesque Velvet Touch blushes in the shade 03 ($22). This shade is a beautiful peachy pink with a golden sheen. It reminds me of Nars Orgasm ($30) but lighter and without the chunky gold glitter. The reason I called this blush a multitasker is because there is a golden sheen, you would not necessarily need to use a highlighter. This can save you both time and money. However, if you want a matte blush I really like the Tarte Amazonian Clay blush ($28) in Prim, it is a neutral mauvey nude shade that goes with just about any makeup look.

*Bronzer
Bronzer is something I didn't use until way after I started the makeup game and even now I'm still not someone who uses it all the time. For this category I would recommend one of the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzers ($30) (there is Milk Chocolate for fair-light skin tones, the regular Chocolate Soleil for light-medium-tan skin tones, and dark chocolate for tan-deep skin tones). These are buttery smooth bronzers with good blend-ability and longevity. Plus they are matte, which are way easier to work with when you are first starting out (and if you want you could use them to contour).

*Highlighter
Again this is I didn't start off with but I do really like Becca highlighters ($38), they have a nice range of super smooth powders that can work for every skin tone. I personally like Moonstone and Champagne Pop. The two downsides of these are 1. they can shatter pretty easily and 2. they tend to emphasize pores and texture on the cheek bones. So for those of you with texture on your cheeks I recommend the Laura Geller Baked Highlight in French Vanilla. It is a beautiful beige vanilla shade with a nice sheen and no glitters. It is on the more natural end of the highlighter spectrum though, so be aware.

*Eyeshadow
While I didn't use this for some time, this is something I would recommend using first before you start using eyeliner, but that is just what I have come to realize looking back. My favorite eyeshadow palette is the Tartelette In Bloom Palette ($46)! It has a nice variety of matte shades and three shimmery eyeshadows in the perfect shades. The shadows are lined up in four rows each containing four shades that would look good together. This palette is nearly foolproof, it has large shadows and I would consider it a pretty good deal at $46. However, that price can be brought down if you buy it during the VIB sale at Sephora, or through Dermstore.com they have a lot of really good sales throughout the year.

Eyeliner
The absolute best black eyeliner is the Highliner Gel Crayon from Marc Jacobs in Blacquer ($25), it goes on so smoothly and so pigmented. It also has a really good wear time. For a brown eyeliner I like Laura Geller i-care waterproof eyeliner in Caffe Mocha ($20), it smudges really well and creates a perfect, natural smokey eye. It lasts well throughout the day, and even though it is waterproof I haven't had any trouble getting it off!

*Eyebrows 
I really like the It Cosmetics Brow Power, I reviewed it here.

Mascara
The Tarte Lights Camera Lashes ($21) is one of my favorites and good for those with sensitive eyes, like myself. It creates beautiful fluttery lashes with some volume. It is a really good mascara. However, be careful of the waterproof one! That one is super hard to get off!

*Lipliner
Lip liners are a very personal thing, the formulation and whether it feathers or not people tend to be really picky about. I have two that I personally really like and they are the Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Lip Pencil in Ozone ($18), which is a clear lip liner that will stop feathering without changing the color of the lipstick, and the Marc Jacobs Poutliner Longwear Lip Pencil in Primrose ($24), it is a beautiful everyday deep neutral pink. Both do a great job at lining the lips and keeping things from feathering or traveling outside of the lip line!

*Lipstick
For a sheer nude I recommend the Too Faced La Creme Lipstick in Naked beach ($22) or the Nars lipstick in Dolce Vita ($28) for a more sheer rosey nude. Neither will last long but they will be hydrating on the lips and be a super easy, no mirror touch up kind of lipstick. Which I think are perfect for everyday wear.
Now for high pigment and matte lipsticks I recommend Bite Beauty. All of there lipsticks are food grade and beautiful. I haven't hated a single formula I've tried. Their lipsticks wear well on the lips and fade off beautifully. I like the Amuse Bouche ($26) ones and the Matte Creme Lip Crayons ($24) as well. None of the lipsticks I've recommended claim to be long wearing so you likely will need to reapply, but the Bite Beauty Matte Creme Lip Crayons last for about 4-5 hours on the lips with snacking and drinking water.

Let me know if you see any of your  favorites or what you are going to pick up!

 *go.magik.ly links are affiliate links, where I could make a small commission, click them or not, it's your choice*

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Makeup Bag Friday 1

Hi all! Today I thought I would give you all a closer look into the products that I currently have in my makeup bin. I keep all of the items for the week that I want to try out or get more use out of in a little clear bin that I got from Target years ago for $1. Each week I try to switch out the products and constantly rotate through my stash to make sure that I like everything and that everything is getting used! In this post I will show you what I have been using for this week!

 February 26th - March 3rd

Urban Decay B6 Vitamin Infused Complexion Prep Spray
This is not my favorite product, it makes my face feel kind of sticky, which is really weird. The B6 spray claims to reduce redness (which I need), minimize pores (again I need), and absorb oil (which I don't need). I think this spray is just a little bit to harsh for my skin, which is a bummer because I really wanted to love it. However, I will continue to use it up until it is gone.

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Water
I am currently trying to use up this foundation, and it still has so much, so this will probably be in a lot of makeup bag posts, sorry... This is a nice BB, however, it is not cruelty free and it pulls a little orange. I typically mix this with the Covergirl primer I am also trying to use up because if I don't it looks like an orange mask, also probably should have mentioned I have the shade fair/light. I like the formula of this foundation, because I don't like a lot of coverage, but I wouldn't repurchase it even if it was cruelty free.

Covergirl Outlast all-day primer
Now this, if it was cruelty free, I would repurchase. It has a lotion-y consistency and, while it may not help with longevity, it mixes with foundations beautifully and helps smooth out my skin. It is not technically a pore filler and does not have any silicone in it. This primer does not dry out my skin, make it feel tight, or break me out. I really like this, so if you are not cruelty free I would recommend this primer.

Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer - Custard
This shade is way too dark for me to use it under my eyes. I foolishly bought the shade that like all of the "beauty gurus" used, which I know I shouldn't have because I am so fair, but I did.... Honestly color aside, this product does not wow me. I think it is over-hyped, now I'm not saying it is a bad concealer, but I don't think it is worth the $30 price tag. However, I am probably using it wrong and the right shade would help but, I don't know, $30 is a lot for .22 oz.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Loose Finishing Powder
This is the powder I am currently trying to use up, and honestly, it is not the best for dry skinned gals. Granted, most powders are not the best for dry skinned gals... Anyway, it does a nice job of setting the face without looking powdery. This is also a good option if you want one of those HD/ silica type powders without the possibility of a flash back because this is tinted! Unfortunately it does emphasize dry patches.

Laura Geller Baked Highlighter - French Vanilla
This is a creamy vanilla highlighter shade without any discernible glitters. It offers a nice natural lit from within glow. In fact this highlighter could be used as a light setting powder. I really do like this, I think this product would work well if you had a lot of texture on your cheeks or pores, without emphasizing them. The link I provided takes you to one with a split pan of French Vanilla and Portifino for $43, but check Hautelook. On Hautelook you can usually find the single pans for around $12.

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush - Paaarty
This is the birthday gift from Sephora, so it is free (!!). This is a peachy mauve shade which looks very natural on the cheeks. I have really been enjoying these, I also enjoy the Amazonian clay blushes in general.

BareMinerals Bareskin Sheer Sun Serum Bronzer - Bare Glow
I like to use this to bronze up foundations and sometimes I put it in my primer and use it just as that (the primer and bronzer serum). I don't think I would purchase it (I have a sample), it's nice but not mind blowing. I like the concept but it is a little orange.

It Cosmetics Brow Power - Universal Taupe
This used to be my favorite brow pencil, I've even used most of it up, but the more I use it and the more I've tried other brow products I've realized that I don't like how stiff and warm this is. It is still a really great brow product, it is just not my favorite anymore.

It Cosmetics Tightline Full Lash Mascara 
This is a nice lash primer, I like that it is black and not white, makes it easier to cover haha. I like the super small wand especially for my lower lashes, however, I believe that NYX makes a super similar mascara for a much lower price.

Colourpop Blotted Lip - Lexi and Deja Vu
I love these, I reviewed these here.

Tarte Tarteist Lip Paint - Birthday Suit
Again this is the Sephora birthday gift this year. This is a beautiful mauve brown shade. It definitely dries down darker than it looks in the tube, but I have really been enjoying it! It is not drying and is very comfortable, I reviewed these here!

 *go.magik.ly links are affiliate links, where I could make a small commission, click them or not, it's your choice*

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Birthday Haul!

Hey all! My birthday was just a few days ago, so I thought I would share with you what I gave myself for my birthday! I forgot to include the Sephora Birthday gift, but if you want to know more about it you can read about them on my first makeup bag Friday post! 

Too Faced Sweet Peach Palette 

The biggest item I splurged on, which I had been planning to do so since I found out they were going to be restocked was the Too Faced Sweet Peach palette, so far I really like it! However, I'm not a big fan of the scent, its a little too strong and sweet for my liking, but it fades away after you apply the shadows. 

Essence Pure Nude Highlighter

This was the only impulse buy, everything else I had been planning. The Essence Pure Nude highlight has been getting so much attention recently and I saw it at Ulta so I was like why not? So far I am really liking it!

 Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

I actually had this blush a few years ago but I decluttered it for some reason? This had come back on my radar a few months ago, but then when I saw Jamie Paige's dupe video and how it was a dupe for the Too Faced Papa Don't Peach blush I was sold, because again, I don't like the scent of the peach collection. Really looking forward to wearing this blush this spring and summer! 

Wet 'N' Wild Ombre Blush in In a Purple Haze 

I have been wanting to pick up at least one (but really all) of the Ombre blushes when they first released, but I kept putting it off because I had too many blushes, but I finally had decluttered a bunch I never wore and I was like score I can pick one up! These are very sheer blushes, which is okay with me, I prefer sheer blushes. It doesn't look purple on the cheeks but it looks more pinky/lilacy on the cheeks and I really am enjoying it! 

Let me know if you would like to see a review on any of these products! 

*go.magik.ly links are affiliate links, where I could make a small commission, click them or not, it's your choice*

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Alexis Ren X Colourpop Review

Hi all! I was so excited about this launch! The message and theme behind this collaboration was "no makeup" makeup, and if you have read anything I have written, you will know I am all about that life! Also this was the first time Colourpop released a powder face product, which is super exciting. However, I have yet to try their new powder eyeshadows. The Alexis Ren collection features the Topaz palette, an ultra matte lip in Little Weapon (not pictured as I did not purchase it), an ultra satin lip in Bare Necessities, and three new blotted lip lipsticks in Deja Vu, Lexi, and Exotic (also not pictured).

(L to R) Golden Moment, She's Here to Stay, Bare Necessities, Deja Vu, Lexi

Topaz Palette
The Topaz palette ($15) is quite clearly the shining jewel of this collection, for good reason. The bronzer, Golden Moment, is on the orange side of the bronzer spectrum. As you can see from the swatch it is a little powdery, but the powder formula is so creamy it almost feels like a super shock bronzer from Colourpop. It can look a little patchy, on me anyway, if I don't use a light hand or if I don't put any setting powder down before it.Golden Moment is extremely pigmented, so if you are fair like me use a super light hand other wise it will look super orange. I really do like the bronzer and I am super excited to use it this summer when I am a slightly less ghostly shade! 
The highlighter, She's Here to Stay, is, as you can see a little dark for me. This powder also has a creamy texture, but it doesn't kick up as much powder as the bronzer shade. As I mentioned it is a little dark for me right now, but I have no problem mixing it with a lighter highlight to make it work for me because it is such a beautiful highlight. I have no issues blending it either so thats a bonus!
 - Overall, I really do like this palette, however it would better suite someone with a darker, or even more tan, skin tone than me. That is not saying though that my equally fair friends cannot make it work, they just have to be careful!

*****Update: The bronzer shatters super easily, so be super careful with it. I kinda recommend it a little less, because it shattered while sitting in a drawer, it wasn't even dropped or moved around roughly.****** 
***** Update again: Colourpop's customer service was really good and they are replacing it! So woo hoo!****

Ultra Satin Lip - Bare Necessities 
Bare Necessities is described as a peachy pink nude on Colourpop's website. However, on me it looks a little neon, which is a little weird but if I use a darker lip liner it looks more wearable and natural. The formula is nice and appears to be the same as the permanent Ultra Satin Lips, so I won't go on forever, but if you want to know what I think I reviewed the USL's here!
- Overall, I wouldn't repurchase it, simply because the color was not what I expected, nor necessarily wanted.

Blotted Lip Lippie Stix - Deja Vu and Lexi
Deja Vu is described as a pink nude. It does pull a little mauve, which I personally like. This is such a natural and wearable color! It lasts around 3 hours without eating and only drinking, so it has a pretty average wear time for a lipstick, however since it is such a natural color you can hardly tell when it wears off and you don't have to worry about it smearing all over your face which is like my second biggest fear.
Lexi is a cool toned red, that falls on the deeper end of the red lip spectrum. This is my favorite red lip stick out of all of the red lip sticks I have ever owned. It looks so natural, yet still packs a punch, and again like Deja Vu, even when you are eating you don't have to worry about it smearing off of your face because it wears off so nicely!
-Overall I would repurchase these and only these for the rest of my life. Lol.

Have you tried anything from the Alexis Ren X Colourpop collab? What do you think about it? Let me know below!


 

 

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5 Things about me!

Hi all! I am so excited for the weekend! I thought today I would share 5 things about me that you probably don't know! As you have probably noticed, I don't share much personal information on here, simply because I am rather shy in real life and sometimes that translates online as well!

1. I know how to run a sound board haha

2. I have a bachelors of science and art in psychology and a minor in sociology.

3. I have Crohn's disease and sero negative arthritis (primarily in my left foot).

4. I want to be a social worker and that is what I am planning to get my masters in.

5. I will read anything and everything.

Hope you all enjoyed! let me know below 5 things about you, I would love to get to know you all! :)

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Makeup Wishlist

 

Hi all! Today I wanted to share with you some of the "no makeup" makeup products I have been lusting after recently! In case you were wondering I am transitioning all of my makeup to cruelty free and I am on the hunt for a good drugstore tinted moisturizer or bb/cc cream, so if you have any favorites please let me know!! 

RMS Beauty - Living Luminizer

Everyone has been talking about this recently, but I had first heard about it a few years back from Emily, who runs the blog Cupcakes and Cashmere. Ever since then it has been in the back of my mind, but I haven't been able to make the $38 splurge yet. It is available at sephora * 

Glossier - Boy Brow in Brown

This is another product I hear people raving about! The boy brow seems to be a unique waxy gel thing for your brows and is fast and easy! Which is everything I want when it comes to my brows! It is $16 at Glossier.com

100% Pure - Fruit Pigmented Ultra Lengthening Mascara in Black Tea 

I haven't heard many people talk about this one but I have such sensitive eyes, I want to see if a super natural mascara would irritate my eyes, and the packaging is gorgeous! This mascara is $25 at 100% Pure's website

Pacifica - Alight Multi Mineral BB Cream 

This is a skin tone adjusting BB cream, which I think sounds super cool. I don't think I have ever heard anyone talk about this product, none the less I have been eyeing for the last two weeks, but I need to work through some of my foundations before I can justify purchasing a new one! It is $16 at Ulta *

Glossier - Perfecting Skin Tint in Light

Oohh this reminds me I also want to try the I believe it is called the stretch concealer from glossier as well! But anyway, this seems like a perfect product for those "no makeup" makeup days, it is a tint so it shouldn't be heavy looking or cakey on the skin! It is $26 at glossier's website

Pacifica - Blushious Coconut & Rose Infuse Cheek Color in Camiella 

Holy long name batman! I have seen/heard some minimalist beauty youtubers talking about how this blush is their go to! So on the list it goes! It is $12 at Ulta *

What have you been lusting after, makeup wise? Let me know! 

(Note: an * next to a link means it is an affiliate link, which means I would get a super small percentage of money, use it or don't)

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Studying and homework tips and tricks

Hi all! Today I thought I would share some tips and tricks I learned from experience and from some of my (numerous) psychology classes I took in college! All of these can be applied to either high school or college!

1. My first tip is to be relatively relaxed when you are studying. It is much harder to focus and absorb what you are reading when you are stressed out and anxious. I know lighting a candle helps me to relax and even listening to calming music (which I will get to next).

2. When you are studying, listen to music without words. Listening to music with words more heavily engages the Wernicke's area of the brain and can confuse you if you are trying to memorize things or write a paper. But you should definitely listen to music, many research studies have found that listening to music while performing cognitive tasks increased recall (aka improves your memory)

The numbers correspond with numbers on a separate piece of paper

3. This one is a bit of a "duh", but none the less I'm going to mention it! If your teacher gives you a study guide (some do, some don't) DO IT!!!

4. The best way to study it to set aside 15 minutes (per subject) each day to review.

5. In conjunction to number 4, make up essay questions (2 or 3) related to what you studied that week, answer them and do that every week, chances are by the time the test rolls around you will have probably touched on nearly everything that could possibly be on the test.

6. Now the most important tip is for every 45-50 minutes you study take a 10-15 minute break. Studying for long periods of time with no break will fatigue your brain and thus your ability to process, memorize, and eventually recall the information you are studying will be significantly hindered.

Haha! I didn't realize I picked the section about memory from biopsychology to photograph!

7. Take detailed notes during lecture! Personally for me I have better recall if I hand write my notes, but that is not always practical. It also helps if you write down questions you have about the material in the margins or if something in the lecture reminds you of something else put that down in the margins as well. The more real life connections you can make the easier the material will be to remember!

I just realized how alarming this could look! Don't worry its just from the Forensic Psychology class I took!

8. Draw diagrams and pictures (relating to the material) in your notes! In the picture of the conscious and unconscious iceberg I drew a duck swimming in water and what was above water was the conscious and what was below the water was the unconscious (I did not include the duck because I am terrible at drawing, which you can tell on the iceberg). I also draw arrows to connect related information.

9. Use a different color pen for important words. I learned that in the study skills class I had to take in 7th grade, that's about all I remember from that class. You could also highlight them, but I liked using different colored pens.

Pro tip: Don't take biopsychology online, its super hard haha

10. Now this last tip is more of a specialized tip, meaning it likely will not work for everyone. Planners do not help me, at all. I would use them for the first month of school and then I would forget about it until the start of the next semester. Even when I would use the planner I would still be overwhelmed with what needed to be done, so at the beginning of each semester I would look at the course schedule on the syllabus and write down what day everything was due. However, when it got close to the end of the semester I would write down everything that was left to be done all on one page in order that everything was due (if that doesn't make sense look at the picture below).

I hope these tips will help you in your studies!

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