L'Oreal Paris Color Vibrancy Shampoo /Conditioner

I got a sample of this in the mail for L'Oreal from a freebie website on facebook (sue me, I love these sites; because I love trying out samples to be able to review!). I love the colors of the bottle, because black and pink has always been a person favorite combination of mine; so I was automatically drawn to the product because of that reason. It's priced at around $4-5, depending on where you go; so that's another great attribute about it.

Then I tried it today, and I must say that I'm quite surprised. I've never been a L'Oreal believer, because it usually makes my hair a bit oily. This shampoo and conditioner made my hair SO unbelievably soft. I'm able to just run my fingers through my wet hair, whereas there are usually knots in it even after I normally use conditioner. My hair color is brighter than normal, and the color looks fantastic. This is definitely a buy! Especially since I have a coupon from L'Oreal :)

Let's talk BB Creams!

Beauty Balms (BB Creams) are a hot trend right now in the makeup world. Everyone wants one! But there are so many out there, how do you choose which one to get? I've sampled five different BB Creams - high end and drug store brands, and I'm here to give you my take on them all.

Urban Decay NAKED Skin Beauty Balm - This one was my favorite one. I got it as a sample from Ulta; and I wasn't expecting to like it, since it only comes in one color. It's priced at $34 for a full-size bottle, and $14 for a travel size bottle. Even the sample size has lasted me a while though, because you don't need to use a lot.. as with most UD products. It has a light texture, and it stays on all day with or without a face primer.

Revlon Photoready BB Cream - This is the closest to Urban Decay's that I've found so far. So naturally I love it, especially as a drugstore brand. It's priced at $10.99 for the bottle at Walgreens, and once again this bottle has lasted me a really long time. I love using it on days when I need a quick fix without using foundation or going "all out." I don't have to use a primer, but I will just to make sure it stays on throughout the night if I'm going out. It hardly needs touchups, and the color matches so well!

Maybelline Dream Fresh BB Cream - This was definitely my least favorite. It was oily, which didn't work well with my skin; and it looked orangey when I put it on. It didn't stay on long at ALL, even if I used a primer. I had to make frequent touchups during the day if I wanted my makeup to stay looking as good as when I first put it on. I definitely won't be buying it again.

Garnier BB Cream - I got this sample in the mail from Garnier themselves off of a sample website. This one is another cheaper one, priced $11.97 at Walmart. It was pretty good! I used the light /medium color for normal to dry skin. It was light on the skin, and the color matched really well. It didn't stay on quite as well as the UD or the Revlon one; however, it wasn't too terrible.

Tarte BB Cream - The last one I tested was Tarte's BB Cream, priced at $34 at Ulta. I got this one as a sample from Ulta also. I used the light color, and it was darker than some of the others. It was a little more oily than the others, so I wasn't a fan of it on my skin; and I didn't need a lot at ALL. It also came off a little easy throughout the day, even with a primer.

This project was kind of fun, I'll admit. I like testing new stuff, even if it's samples. Next time I'll be ready to review a couple of foundation primers!

Cream eyeshadow fun!

I love using my cream eyeshadows. Maybelline's Color Tattoo cream eyeshadows have become a must have in my makeup collection. I use them all the time! I think I have an entire drawer full.. whoops ;) I love how well they stay on, and they don't crease - which is a major plus when looking for a cream eyeshadow.

So I put a new look together, trying out the new "Tenacious Teal" that I bought a couple of a weeks ago.

First, I used my Urban Decay eyeshadow primer. I use it even without cream eyeshadows, but primers give them less chance of creasing.

Next, I used Maybelline's Color Tattoo "Gold Rush" on my entire lid. I usually do two coats just to make sure it's bright enough, but sometimes it doesn't even need it.

Then, I use a flat brush to apply Maybelline's Color Tattoo "Tenacious Teal" as a top liner! And for the bottom liner, I just used a white pencil liner.

Apply mascara, and you're set :) so pretty and bright!!

Car ride eyeshadow!

Since I'm going on a trip, I also decided to give y'all a small tutorial of what my toned down /car-ride look is going to be.

Inner corner: Naked Basics Venus
Under brow: Naked Basics W.O.S
All over lid: Naked Palette Sidecar
Crease /outside corner: Naked Palette Buck
Liner: Ulta kohl pencil liner (in deep brown)
Mascara: 3 step mascara.. UD's Supercurl Curling mascara on the top, Smashbox Hypercurl on the tips, and Ulta Amped Lashes mascara on the bottom

Finish off with an eyelash curler, and you're done! It's that simple, and it's still pretty. One of my favorite "go to" looks for sure :)

Hope everyone has a fantastic weekend!

My "must haves" when going on a trip!

Here we are.. going on yet another trip, and the hardest part is trying to figure out what to take out of the makeup collection. The usual questions always run through my head: Where are we going? What will I need? Will I be going out? Will I be wearing certain outfits? How much room do I have in my makeup bag? Why can't I just take everything? WHY IS THIS SO HARD?

So I narrowed it down to a list of the things I take with me most often and find myself using the most. Plus, I always add in a few extra eyeshadows and eyeliners.. since we all know a girl needs options!

We'll start with the face:
Ulta face moisturizer - I got this a while ago as a sample, and I've loved it every since. It's perfect to use when my face is just a little dry, especially in the summer. I never need too much, or else my skin gets a little oily; but I love putting it on after I clean my face before bed or in the mornings before I put on any makeup - especially if I'm sunburnt!
Smashbox primers - I have two of them that I got as samples. One, the green one, is for color correction. It gets rid of redness, which happens on certain spots on my face sometimes. And the other, the clear, is just the regular oil free foundation primer. Both are amazing! I use the green on my red spots, and I use the clear all over the rest of my face.
Rimmel Clean Finish liquid foundation - Now, I'm not usually a liquid foundation person because I think it can get really cakey really fast; however, I'm in love with this foundation. I apply it with a foundation brush, and it's so light and feels like you've barely put anything on.
Rimmel Stay Matte powder - Favorite. Powder. Ever. If you're ever looking for something to get rid of shine, THIS is the powder you need to be looking at!
Revlon BB Cream - This is my favorite drug store BB cream. It's so close to Urban Decay's BB cream, which is the best one I've tried yet. I love using it on days that I don't feel like using full foundation, because it's so quick and easy. It's also great for summer time, because it's so light!
Maybelline Super Stay 24hr concealer - I have this concealer in three different shades.. that's how much I love it. I use it on blemishes always. I never even need that much of it. Sometimes I'll cheat and use it after I've already put on my powder, which you aren't really supposed to do.. but what the hey, right? Sometimes I'm in a rush and get myself out of order haha.
Maybelline Dream Lumi under eye concealer - As a college student, I'm so prone to the dark "stress" circles.. it's not even funny. But I love using this, because it's so light colored and light feeling that it just lightens your entire face up with just a little bit.
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer - I don't even go anywhere without it.. ever. It's my favorite eyeshadow primer I've ever used. I have samples of other kinds, but I just can't bring myself to use any of the others until I get done with my big bottle - that's lasted me forEVER, I might add!
Urban Decay All-Nighter face spray - I use this at the very end, right after I'm done with my makeup. It's become my savior, especially being from the South and living in the hot and humid weather. My face doesn't melt off in the summer! How awesome is that?! I never leave home without it.
Makeup remover towelettes (2nd picture) - I'm not too picky on which kinds of makeup remover towelettes I get, as long as they don't have alcohol in them. My skin isn't prone to breaking out a lot, so I don't have to be picky. But I love using these for everything.. whether it's taking my makeup off at night, refreshing my face in the mornings, cleaning mascara off of my eyelash curler, etc.

Palettes.. because yes, I take more than one palette:
Naked palette - Whenever I'm not sure what looks I'm going to want on my trip, I always make sure to take my Naked palette; because I know I'll use it at least once.
Naked Basics palette - I use this every. single. day. And I wish I was lying. Whether it's just for the inner corners of the eyes, under the brow, and the crease.. or all over, I find myself using it every day.
Naked Flushed palette - With it being summer time, I'm using this more and more. I started off only using a little of the highlighter and the blush, but now I use the bronzer (since I'm more tan) and the highlighter with a touch of blush. And it looks fantastic for day or night!
Sonia Kashuk palette - I mainly use this palette to help darken my eyebrows a little bit. I use angled brushes with the brown eyeshadows.
Lorac Mint palette - We all saw how much I love my Mint palette the other day.. so of course I'm taking it! It's so perfect for day or night when I feel like being a little brighter than normal.

Lips:
Lorac Lips with Benefits Gloss (in Christian) - This coral /pink lip gloss is so fun for summer. I was so scared to wear it the first time I put it on, but now I love it especially for night looks! So I try not to leave home without it.
MAC #7 Lipstick - Possibly my favorite lipstick ever. I use it on a daily basis when I'm not using a gloss.
Smashbox Lipgloss (in Illume) - When I'm not using the other two, I'm usually using this.. which is almost every normal day. I'm in love with this gloss. It's perfect for daytime, chillin' looks. And it's adorable!

Liners, mascaras, etc:
Maybelline brow gel
Ulta Amped Lashes Mascara
Smashbox Hyperlash Mascara
Urban Decay Supercurl Curling Mascara (all for the 3-step lashes)
Ulta purple liquid liner
Kohl pencil liners (in deep brown, white, and plum)
Smashbox Limitless crayon eyeliner (in Onyx)
Urban Decay pencil sharpener
Eyelash Curler

Influenster Spring VoxBox!

I got my Spring VoxBox from Influenster a little while ago, and I had time to finally test everything out.. so I decided to finally sit down and blog about how I liked everything!

Broadway ImPRESS Press-On Manicure:
The packaging was adorable! It came in a little bottle-like package. I had to twist off the top, and then the body opened up to reveal the nails. The color I had was "Joyride," which was a perfect berry shade; and they looked amazing! They were really easy and took hardly any time to put on. I'm sure my mom's wishing she had these in the 90s that time she superglued her eye shut when she was putting on her fake nails, ha! Unfortunately, they only lasted me about three days.. just because I'm hard on my nails as it is - bathing the dog, doing dishes, going to the gym, etc. They're worth the re-buy at only $4-6 though!

Secret Outlast Completely Clean Deodorant:
I was a little nervous to try this stuff, because I'm NOT usually a gel deodorant person. I've always been a powder deodorant person, and I'm reluctant to change when it comes to deodorant. However, I was pleasantly surprised with this deodorant. While I expected it to be sticky and to walk around doing the Funky Chicken waiting on my arms to dry, I was excited that it was really nice and instantly drying. There were no spots on my shirt, which we all know sometimes happens with a powder deodorant. Definitely a re-buy!

NYC Applelicious Glossy Lip Balm:
I got the color "Big Apple Red." I expected it to be extremely red, because of the packaging and the color of the gloss itself. Surprisingly, it was more of a pink! I loved it. I was pleasantly surprised, to say the least. I can't wait to wear it out. It's not sticky in the slightest. It doesn't leave your lips feeling awkward and gross after it wears off, and it lasts for hours!

Tastykake's Kandy Bar Kake:
The flavor I got in my box was peanut butter - made with real Reese's peanut butter. It was heaven in a girl's mouth, let me tell you. A soft chocolate shell outside, and a soft chocolate cake on the inside with a peanut butter filling. Once again, it was beautiful. There's nothing more to say about it, haha.

OSIS Dust It Texture:
I'm not sure how to describe this, or how I feel about it completely.. it's very different. It's a powder made to texturize your hair. It reminds me of a more expensive baby powder, to be honest. I didn't know what to do with it when I first got it, haha. So I poured some on my head and rubbed it through with my fingers through to my ends. And I'm not a fan of how it makes my hair feel. It gets rid of the softness of my hair, and it does give it more texture; however, I just personally didn't like the way it makes my hair feel.

I want to say a personal thank you to Influenster for sending me my first VoxBox, and I can't wait to get more! I love trying new products, as well as writing these reviews on them!

Product Review: Lorac Mint Palette

Available at Ulta /Sephora for $36.

The Lorac Mint Palette is definitely one of my favorite things for this summer! I've been in love with it every since I bought it about a month ago. It comes in an adorable blue palette with 6 eyeshadows and a coral blush, which looks fantastic on tan and lighter skin! My favorite look to do is the light blue lid with the dark purple on the outer corner (see the tutorial!).

I really love Lorac eyeshadows in general, because they're very long-lasting.. in my opinion; and this palette is no exception.

All in all, this is definitely a summer "must have!"

Summer Eyeshadow Look

Eyeshadow tutorial for today!

Excuse the lighting.. I didn’t take the pictures when I should have.

I used my Lorac Mint palette (Ulta /Sephora $36).

Corner of the eye: white with sparkle
All over the lid: light blue
Outside corner: dark purple
Crease: neutral
Under the brow: Naked Basics W.O.S
Top eyeliner: Ulta’s purple liquid liner
Bottom liner: Ulta’s kohl white liner
Mascara: Urban Decay’s Supercurl Curling on top, Smashbox Hyperlash mascara on the top ends, and Ulta’s Amped lashes mascara on the bottom