Sephora Favourites Makeup Must-Haves 2013

                      
 
 A few weeks ago when I was in Buffalo, I happened to be inside a J.C Penney and of course I went straight to the Sephora. Without even taking two steps inside I came across this makeup must-haves kit and knew that I had to have it.

This kit includes:

Smashbox Camera Ready BB Cream in Light 1.0 oz ($39 USD)

Urban Decay Eyeshadow Duo in Sin/Mushroom ($18 USD)

NARS Blush Bronzer Duo in Orgasm/Laguna 0.17 oz ($24 USD)

Benefit They're Real Mascara 0.3 oz ($23 USD)

OCC Lip Tar in Strumpet + lip brush 0.33 oz ($18 USD)

Sephora Collection Liquid Eyeliner in Black ($12 USD)

I have now used all of the products and can officially give a real review on it.  I will start by saying that this is an AMAZING value. The Smashbox BB Cream alone would cost more than the entire kit. (PLUS, you get a super cute gold and cream makeup bag which is pretty large and a nice quality.) 

Let's start with the BB cream; I have never found a BB cream that I have been totally satisfied with. This Smashbox BB cream was by far the best I have ever tried. I will admit that all of the BB products I have tried in the past came from the drugstore... but I guess this just goes to show that sometimes you get what you pay for (or in this case not really haha.) Unlike most of the other BB creams I've tried, this one did not oxidize and turn an awful shade of orange once on my skin. The consistency was nice and it was easily blended and provided pretty good coverage. 

The Urban Decay eyeshadow duo (Sin/Mushroom) was great because these are both super popular shades and this will be great to toss in my purse for on-the-go looks. You're probably already aware that Urban Decay eyeshadows are great quality so there's not much more to say here.

The ever so popular NARS Orgasm/Laguna Duo (except in travel size!). This is a great time to try these products if you haven't already! They really do live up to their hype and this mini duo is so adorable. Both of these shades are extremely universal and will suit most if not all skin-tones. 

I have been using the miniature size of the Benefit They're Real Mascara ever since I received it in my Sephora birthday gift back in August. I loved this mascara since the first time I ever tried it (P.S I now layer it with my L'Oreal Voluminous mascara and it's great.) I would say that the full size version of this is the main reason I purchased this "Must-Haves" kit. The unique brush makes separating lashes simple and is great for bottom lashes. 

The next product is the OCC Lip Tar in the shade Strumpet. I was also very excited about this as I only own one other lip tar and I absolutely adore this product. The color is so pigmented and you use such little amount of product at one time that a tube of this stuff could last you a lifetime. 

Last but not least is the Sephora Collection Liquid Liner, and though I was least excited about this product I ended up being really happy with it. It is one of the blackest liquid liners I've used and got me back into using liquid liners again (vs. felt tip). 

Overall, I am SO happy that I bought this for myself. The value is incredible and the products are all great and did not disappoint. If you get a chance to buy this for yourself or someone else this holiday season I can't recommend it enough.

Until next time, 

xo Stephanie

L'Oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector Review

 

 I picked up this product a little over a two months ago after I had seen it recommended by Youtuber Nicole Guerriero . She had spoke very highly of the product and suggest everyone to go out and buy it. Boy, am I glad I listened to her. 

Now, I've never had bad skin, so to speak, but it is far from perfect. I have been using this product nightly and it has made a noticeable difference in my skin. I've never had such great results from a skincare product before in the past. Not only is my skin incredibly smooth and soft but my foundation has never been easier to apply. 

This product appealed to me from the start, firstly because of its pretty packaging (the metalic pink is so eye-catching and I love that this product is dispensed with a pump) and secondly because of it's pleasant smell. Now I am a full fledged fan of this product because of the results I'm seeing. I am usually one to keep trying new products and not re-buy the same product unless I absolutely loved it, and I can tell that I will be re-purchasing this product for a long time to come.

I give the product 5/5 stars and would HIGHLY recommend it to anyone and everyone. 

Have you tried the L'Oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector? Do you love it just as much as I do?

xo, Stephanie

E.L.F Shimmer Gloss Holiday Set Review

                        

                         

Today I picked up the E.L.F shimmer gloss holiday set. At three dollars, I didn't have very high expectations, but I thought I would give it a shot. The set includes three lip glosses in the shades, Joyful, Festive & Merry. 

I must say I was pleasantly surprised by this product. Although, the packaging does feel kind of cheap when you are un-twisting it, the product itself is quite nice. The glosses are creamy, sweet scented, and not sticky at all! They are called shimmer glosses but I must say that the shimmer doesn't really show up on the lips, which I don't mind at all, to be honest. Overall I am impressed with this and glad I made this purchase (especially considering the great price). I would say these are definitely worth the buy if you see them around!

xo, Stephanie

Top 5 Winter Nail Polishes

When I think of winter nail polish I think of mostly dark, rich colors.. I went through my nail polish stash and picked out a selection of my 5 favorite winter colors. The colors I chose are:

1. OPI - William Tell Me About OPI
2. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure - Thinking of Blue
3. Sally Hansen Complete Salon Manicure - Greige Gardens
4. OPI - French Quarter For Your Thoughts
5. China Glaze - Ravishing Dahling

William Tell Me About OPI, is a beautiful vampy, almost black purple. This polish covers well in two coats and is quite long wearing.

Sally Hansen's "Thinking of Blue, is a VERY shiny navy blue. I saw a lot of people talking about navy colors for this season so I had to get my hands on one! 

  The name "Greige Gardens" is very misleading as this color is not beige at all. It is however a lovely lavender-grey shade. I have a feeling this color will be on trend for fall and winter for many years to come.

OPI's A French Quarter For Your Thoughts is a very neutral straight up grey. At first I wasn't sure that this color would be very flattering but I must say I am very impressed. Definitely a new favorite this 

 

 

And last but certainly not least, China Glazes "Ravishing Dahling" which ( first of all can we just take a moment to appreciate how cute that name is) is my definition of the perfect deep red. A slightly obvious choice of color for the winter, but a great one none the less.

What are YOUR favorite winter polishes?

So I guess I'm starting a blog..

I've been interested in starting a beauty related blog for quite some time now, and I have finally mustered up the courage (and motivation) to actually do it!

Here I will review products and share things that I am loving (and also hating) in the beauty world. Hopefully I will be able to keep up with this and share my thoughts with you! 

I'll be posting again soon, 

xo- Stephanie