Benefit Cosmetics They're Real! Mascara Review

I was interested to try this mascara. I had heard from many youtube beauty gurus in the past that department store mascara was just as good, if not better than high end mascara. One even said that she thought the high end companies spent to much time making great foundations and eyeshadow products that they didn't put enough effort into mascara. I don't know if this is a coincidence or not, but after that video posted, all of the popular makeup companies started coming out with new mascara. That very same makeup guru started raving about mascaras from several makeup companies. "Eyes to kill", "They're Real!"...etc. I did not actively seek out to try this mascara, it just sorta happened. My last Sephora purchase was $10 away from qualifying for free shipping. I thought there was no way I could find something for $10, but after searching, I found the Benefit Cosmetics, They're Real! Mascara Mini for $10. I thought, why not? If it isn't any good, I didn't pay $23 for the full size.

The first time I tried the mascara, I was very surprised. The wand frightened me lol. It's made of rubber and very spikey. I put on two coats, let it dry a little, then combed through with a lash comb. Let me tell you, the results were awesome! I had many comments on my lashes.

*picture obtained from www.sephora.com

This picture is from the first time I ever applied this mascara!
















The next few pictures are of just mascara, no eye liner or shadow.

This mascara lengthens, separates, curls...it does everything that I look for in a mascara! I will be repurchasing the full size next time! :)

Benefit Cosmetics "Hello Flawless!" Oxygen Wow Brightening Makeup Foundation

Wow that was a mouth full. I got a deluxe sample size in the shade "I'm pure 4 sure" Ivory. I was really surprised by this foundation. The consistency is watery, it smells perfumey (not bad though). But it gives a really good coverage! It does brighten. Gives a glowy/dewy finish. My skin tends to be oily so my face came off shiny in spots. The full sized runs for around $34 at Sephora. I liked it so much that I had myself talked in to purchasing it until I realized that I could get another foundation, that I have been dying to try for about a year, for the same price. I think this foundation would be perfect for the summer months, it's very lightweight and has a glow to it. I think it screams summer. Another thing I like to do, because it is a brightening foundation, is to use it as an under eye concealer. Paired with the Benefit Eye Bright, the results are amazing!

Tarte 5-Piece LipSurgence Collection!

Hey all! Sorry it's been so long since I blogged last. Been pretty busy in my household and I just really haven't been very motivated to blog. But no worries, I'm back! :)

So my birthday was earlier this month, and what better present to get a girl who loves makeup than to take her to Sephora?

I knew that I wanted a Matte Lipstick. I've been wanting one for a while. So I found Tarte's LipSurgence Matte Lip Tint and I purchased the color Hope. It is described as a warm rose color but honestly looks more plum or berry on me.

This lip tint sells for about $24 at Sephora. I really like it :)

When I got home, I had an awaiting email from Sephora with new products launching and one was the Tarte 5-Piece LipSurgence Collector's Set. It was listed for $34. If I would have known that I could pretty much get 5 for the price of 1 I would have done it!
So my hubby, being the sweet guy he is, told me to order it. And I did!

This set includes a mixture of 5 different LipSurgence types, tints and colors. There are 2 Lip Lusters in the colors Escape and Sweet. There are 2 Lip Tints in the colors Enchanted and Elite. And 1 Matte Lip Tint in Exposed.
And now for the pictures!




                                                                                       *Image obtained from www.sephora.com






                                                             Lip Luster Escape:

 

This color goes on smoothly, it is a sheer shimmery light pink shade.

 

 

 

Lip Luster Sweet

 

This color is also shimmery but not as much as the other. It is a shade or so darker as well. A very pretty rose color.

 

 

Lip Tint Enchanted

 

This is a glossy berry color.

Lip Tint Elite

This is a glossy pink almost coral color. Very pretty

Matte Lip Tint Exposed

 

To be honest, I was a little afraid of this one. The tube makes it look like it is more brown than it actually is. I try to stay away from brown toned lip colors because I am a tea drinker and my teeth aren't perfectly white. And lipstick with brown hues tend to bring out yellow stained teeth. Aside from that, this one is my favorite out of the bunch! It looks more mauve than brown. Looks nice with my pale skin, and its matte!

Overall, I am really happy with this purchase. I think the colors are diverse enough for many different looks. I hope you all find this helpful and enjoy my pics. If you have any comments or questions or suggestions please feel free to post below!

Thanks for stopping by!
BrandyMichele

 

 

 



I'm back!

I know...horrible...terrible blogger! I am so sorry. Lots of changes going on and I'll be updating you all soon!

Naked Palette: Golden Goddess

Hey everyone! I finally got up the courage to do a tutorial on YouTube!
Check it out!

Here is a list of products used:
Hard Candy Sheer Envy Primer
Maybelline 24 hr Super Stay Foundation in Sand Beige
Urban Decay Primer Potion
NYX Jumbo Pencil in Milk
Urban Decay Naked Palette colors in Half Baked, Smog, Dark Horse, Naked, & Virgin
Urban Decay 24/7 Liners in Zero and Eldorado
Rimmel Lash Accelerator mascara in Extreme Black
NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder
Mark Good Glowing blush in After Glo
Maybelline ColorSensational lipstick in Peachy Scene
MAC PlushGlass lipgloss in Wildly Lush

My favorite makeup brushes!

http://www.sigmabeauty.com/?Click=803

Hope you try it out!

Celebrity Inspired: Carrie Underwood Makeup Look (light)

First off, let me say, I know that I do not look anything like Carrie Underwood. I'm just trying to recreate her makeup :)

While searching for pictures of her I noticed her makeup is usually the same. She either has on light eye shadow or dark eye shadow. This look is based on her makeup with light eye shadow. Seems that she wears light lids with the main focus on her lashes and eyeliner.

Here is a picture of her with her light eye makeup:

And here is my recreation:

How I did it:

After applying a primer find a matte shadow that matches your skin tone. Apply that all over the lid. Then find a matte shadow one to two shades darker than your skin tone and apply that in the crease. Take a matte white shade for your brow highlight. Take a soft kohl black eyeliner and line your upper and lower waterline -not recommended if you have sensitive eyes (also known as tight lining) Take a black cream or gel liner and line your upper lash line then take whats left on the brush and line your lower lash line. It doesn't have to be perfect, smudge it out. Curl your lashes and apply your favorite lengthening mascara. Define your brows.

Products I used:

Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette

Rimmel London Kohl Liner in Black

Coastal Scents Gel Liner in True Black

Great Lash Big

Maybelline Define a Brow in Medium

Hope you guys find this helpful and try this look out :)

On a side note, my daughter and I got to meet Carrie Underwood in 2008 when she performed at NSU, the college in our hometown (She also attended and graduated there)

And yes, she looks flawless in person too

Makeup Tips for Glasses Wearers

Day to day I normally wear contacts. But some days, when my allergies are acting up it is nearly impossible to wear them so I'm stuck wearing my glasses. Don't get me wrong, sometimes I like wearing my glasses, but they're old and the prescription isn't exact anymore. (guess its time to get some new ones then lol)

I have noticed that my usual day to day makeup doesn't really show up when I put on my glasses. It looks like I have no makeup on my eyes at all. So I have came up with some tips so your eyes don't get lost behind those frames and lenses.

First, try to stay away from shimmery shades. The lenses are already reflecting every little light in the room, you don't want your eye lids to do the same. So stick with matte, neutral shades.

Add some drama. Not over the top, but make sure your shadow is a little darker than you would normally wear it and that your eyeliner is thicker. I know you'll be thinking, "This is too much" but trust me, once you put your glasses on, it'll tone down.

Define your brows. Give your eyes more definition

Here is my look for when I wear glasses:

Without glasses to show my makeup

And with glasses:                                                                                                                                    

Products I used:

Coastal Scents 88 Warm Palette: Skin toned shadow all over the lid, dark grey toned brown in the crease, outer "v" and line the lower lash line. A light pink toned brow highlight.



Coastal Scents Gel Liner in Truffle



Benefit Eye Bright around the inner tear duct



CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume



Maybelline Define A Brow



Rimmel London Fix & Perfect Primer



Rimmel London Stay Matte Foundation



Mark Blush in After Glo



CoverGirl LipSlicks in Demure









All my makeup was applied with my Sigma Makeup Brushes.









I hope you find these tips helpful! Any questions or comments leave them below. Thanks for visiting :)