Tag: beautyreview

Black Friday · Whats in My cart?

What’s in my Cart? – Black Friday

Maritza2 Comments

I love Black Friday!

I love going to the mall and the thrill of the sale. However, not going to lie, most of my shopping will be done online this year.

It’s just so easy! Especially, if you are shopping for makeup because you don’t really have to try anything on. Yeah, swatching before you buy is good, but most of what I want are only from online stores anyways, so I will skip Sephora and Ulta this year in person and do it all from the comfort of my home.

I’m still going to the mall, just hitting Bath and Bodyworks for some candles and Victoria’s Secret for some bras. You know, the Black Friday basics.

So what will I be buying? First off, one item is technically not on sale (that I am aware of), but I’m a big fan of the brand and I always get their Disney collabs.

Take a guess?

If you said Besame, then you know me very well. I will be picking up their new Mickey Mouse lipstick and mirror set which debuts on Black Friday. I am sure it’s going to be expensive as crap, but I’m a sucker. We all know that!

I heard through the grapevine that Colourpop is having a Cyber MONDAY 30% off everything sale, so I have been patiently waiting to get my hands on the Good Sport palette and now seems like a great time do it as it should be reduced to $11.20, which is freaking fantastic. Might throw in some lux lipsticks to hit that $30 free shipping as well.

Now, this is a little secret between you and me, but another favorite indie brand of mine, Antonym Cosmetics, is having a 35% off sale, but it’s only for insiders, so if you want to score a nice deal on their products, make sure to sign up now on their website. You all know that their Baked Blush in Peach is my go to blush for any day of the year, but I’ve been coveting their Baked Highlighting Blush in Lily for a while now, but $42 is a bit steep for me, so grabbing it at $27.30 is pretty darn sweet!

Now, that’s all I’m getting, however, I will say that Sephora and Ulta has some pretty nice sales, that under normal circumstances, I would be partaking of, but seeing as I’m on a budget this year, I will be skipping. However, passing along my recommendations to you fine folks. Let’s call these Honorable Mentions or Maybe Next Year Items.

Sephora:

  • Pat McGrath MatteTrance Lipstick Mini: $15
  • Nest Black Tulip Set $12
  • Origins Glow On $12

Ulta

  • Dermalogica Glow Duo $12
  • Living Proof Perfect Hair Day Dry Shampoo $11.50
  • Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator $13
  • Becca Glow On Trio $15

So what will you all be picking up this weekend? Sound off in the comments below.

Happy shopping, my friends!

Maritza

BH Cosmetics

Galaxy Chic – BH Cosmetics

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Galaxy Chic is one of those palettes that you first buy for the novelty. Let’s face it, the whole concept is a gimmick, down to the packaging. Each deliciously swirled color is baked into small circular pans that shimmer like far away stars. The name is catchy and cute and my first thought was that this would make a great Instagram pic.


I cannot believe how shallow that sounds. I mean, I literally admitted I bought something for the amount of likes it would get me on Instagram. I think I need to get some help or the very least a lot of perspective.

Anyhow….

The surprising thing is that when I actually began to play around with the colors and started creating eye looks, I realized how versatile and rich this palette actually is. Unlike the recent releases of red toned palettes flooding the market this summer, this has it all. Warm reds, yellows, oranges and browns that can compliment your Urban Decay Heat or Colour Pop’s Yes Please palette, as well as cool blues, greens and purples that allow you to create those unique individual look.


The only downside is that they are all shimmers, which does not make this palette a stand alone, in my opinion. I typically incorporate some matte shades in order to create the depth I like in my eyelooks. The colors also apply better with when dabbed with the finger, than with a blush, but that is not a problem for me as I usually apply my shimmers in that manner.

Did I mention that this palette is $15.99? If the colors and packaging aren’t convincing, then the price is. I spent more on lip balm and it’s not even half as entertaining as looking at this palette.

Let me know in the comments below any other palettes that I should try out from BH Cosmetics. I currently own the Solar Flare palette, which is another highly recommended one, and want some more recommendations.

Have a great Sunday!

Maritza

Lipstick Battle

Lipstick Battle – Lip Gloss Edition

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About a week ago, I stopped by Sephora and saw the new Becca Liquid Crystal Glow Gloss. I swear the display was haloed because it was calling to me. I glided over to the case and swatched this golden peachy perfection called Champagne Dream x Bellini and even under the fluorescent Sephora lights was mesmerized by their glittery goodness. I was sold!

I managed to snag the last one in that color (a sign that it was destined to be mine) and went to the register and happily shelled out my hard-earned $22. I even got some samples from the nice Sephora lady. This was the perfect day.

You would think the story ends there, but, my friends, you are wrong. Little did I know that a Lipstick Battle was brewing, because not even two days later, I received my order of  BH Cosmetics goodies, which contained a possible Contender for the title of Lip Gloss Champion 2017.

Lipstick Battle pic 1

Entering the ring at an impressively light $5.99 is the Nude Rose Lip Gloss in Marilyn. A gorgeous rose toned lip gloss with flecks of gold that shimmer in the sunlight like a phoenix rising from the ashes.

Ohh…the Battle is on!!!

Both lip glosses work well as a topper or alone as a gloss and they both smell divine. Becca smells like vanilla cupcakes and BH like an orange creamsicle. Becca does have a little more staying power on the lips, but BH is almost a 1/4 of the cost.

Lipstick Battle pic 2

It’s almost a tie and I’m beginning to sweat here trying to make a decision. It seems that after each round neither has a real advantage over the other. However, after much deliberation, the winner, by the tiniest of margins, is Becca. Overall, the shimmer payoff is just slightly better than BH.

But there are no losers in this battle, my friends. Both lip glosses are winners and both deserve a spot in the top shelf of your vanities this summer.

Who will be battling it out next time in the ring? Stay tuned and find out!

Maritza

 

 

 

 

 

Lush Love

Lush Love

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I love Lush. You walk into their store and everyone is so friendly and willing to let you sample anything. Their bath bombs are piled in in baskets or stacked like mini scented pyramids ready and ripe for the picking. The soaps are in display ready to be cut to your specifications and across the wall we have jars and tubs of creams, lotions and bath products ready to sample and select. It’s like the farmers market of my beauty dreams.

Lush Love.jpg

I always go in for a bath bomb or two, but leave with a bag full of goodies. Admittedly, not stuff that I particularly needed, but will always end up using.
In this trip, I picked up:

Shampoo Bar in Honey I Washed My Hair. I bought this for Logan as he tends to overuse the bottled shampoo. The bar is supposed to last up to 80 washes, if you don’t leave it in standing water, which I think sounds about right for his short hair.

Massage Bar in Soft Coeur. I have no intention of sharing this lovely. It’s a solid massage bar with essential and moisturizing oils that you warm up with your hands and then rub it wherever you need it. It’s not heavy and the product sinks in quite nicely. This bar smells like white chocolate and I must literally stop myself from licking it off myself.

Soap Bar in Honey I Washed the Kids. I think most of my purchases revolved around this scent, but it’s just so damn nice. The young lady helping me carved it from the block in the display down to the size I wanted. I said it was for the guest bathroom, but who am I kidding? This sucker is for ME!!!

Bath Bombs x 2. This is what I initially came for. My kids are addicted to those Instagram videos that show bath bombs dissolving, so I always pick one up for them. I got a nice blue one that I believe is called Ocean Mist (don’t quote me on that) and it smells like sea salt and ocean spray mixed with a nice clean laundry detergent. I don’t think I’m doing the scent justice, but trust me when I tell you, it’s nice. I also picked up the Yoga Bomb for myself. This is my most favorite bath bombs of all time. It’s citrusy with a nice sandalwood undertone. It’s the perfect bomb to wind down in the tub with. The young lady helping me at Lush said that she believes they might discontinue this bomb, so if you are a fan, run to grab one before they go away for good.

Do you have any Lush recommendations? If so, leave them in the comments below. I will make sure to check them out.

Have a wonderful Wednesday, my Friends!

Maritza

nars

NARS. Don’t Call it a Comeback..Yet

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Back in the day, when Nars’ iconic blush Orgasm hit the market it caused quite a stir. Not only did the name itself prove to be risqué, but the color was supposed to resemble the peachy-pink glow that is obtained only by reaching that particular state of completion.

I was so naïve in thinking that everyone thought I was a total Samantha from Sex in the City whenever I wore it, when in reality, I was more like a female version of Sheldon from the Big Bang Theory.

Since then, I really haven’t really been taken aback by any Nars products. The market is so over saturated with beauty products and cosmetic companies, that you really have to create something spectacular, or get on the right Beauty Influencer’s radar, to capture the public’s attention again.

Well, Nars has risen like a Phoenix from the ashes back into the beauty world. They released an entire collection around their little baby, Orgasm, to reawaken the interest of their past customers and also lure the newbies in with suggestive videos such as this one on their website.

Leading up to their Orgasm release, they also released a line of highly Instagramed NARSissist eye and cheek palettes with the tag line #areyouaNARSissist.

Narsisst palette.jpg

Last month, they also debuted a series of liquid blushes that promised to give you a flushed, natural look that can be easily built up as needed. The formula swatches are highly pigmented, but when applied with a beauty sponge or brush,  deliver the perfect glow. If I can describe it, without making you all go “Is she drinking?”, I would say it provides a subtle touch of color with just the right amount of BAM!

 

As I write this blog, NARS has also gotten themselves into quite a marketing quandary. This past week, they announced that they will now be selling their products in China. What’s the big deal you ask? Well, local laws in China mandate that cosmetic companies test their products on animals before being sold in their market. NARS, a previously Cruelty Free brand, decided to backtrack on their animal testing stance in order to get a piece of that China pie. This move has brought on major criticism from other Cruelty Free brands, such as Kat Von D Cosmetics, and prompted an immediate boycott of their products from many of their customers.

NARS responded to all the backlash with an Instagram post stating (paraphrasing here) that they love animals, but love money just a little bit more.

Only time will tell if this move will have an impact on NARS. Their Orgasm Collection remains, for the most part, sold out and they are about to drop a set of Liquid Matte Lipsticks in a few days, so we will see the public response to that in our Instagram feeds and YouTube channels soon. However, if there is one thing we all know, controversy is not always bad to the bottom line.

What are your thoughts on this move by NARS? Will you still be buying their products. Let me know what you think in the comments below.

Happy Hump Day, my friends!

Maritza

Beauty Favorites

June Hot Picks

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Did anyone blink and suddenly it was July? I know that this is something that we all say, but I am really getting concerned about how quickly time is flying. It’s time to stop and smell the roses, people!!
With that being said, it’s also time to showcase June’s Hot Picks. These products were the ones that made me say “Damn, Girl! You look good” when I checked myself out in the mirror last month.

June Faves

Hot Damn Pick # 1
Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil. I will start off by saying this product is EXPENSIVE!!! I don’t know about you, but shelling out hundreds of dollars all willy-nilly on skin care isn’t in my monthly budget. I’ve got kids to feed! But this stuff is good. I mean really good. It’s a retinol oil blended with crap loads of botanicals and essential oils. It’s does smell somewhat grassy and it’s blue straight out of the bottle, however, it sinks in clear. The morning after I first used it, my skin was glowing and I haven’t stopped using since then. A little goes a long way, so I recommend buying the 0.5 fl oz., which will cost about $55 at Sephora and you should get a good 3-4 months use out of it.

Muy Caliente Pick #2
Cover Girl Vitalist Healthy Elixir Foundation. This product was all over Instagram and YouTube in June. Some loved it, others hated it and the beauty world was divided. It was Civil War. I was in the love category. The formula is creamy and, although it says that it’s full coverage, I don’t particularly believe that claim as my freckles peek through. Not a problem because what I love about this foundation is that it looks like skin. It’s glowy, long lasting and a perfect base for your make up. It comes in a variety of shades and runs you about $10 or less at the drugstore.

It’s Getting Hot in Here Pick #3
Benefit’s Galifornia Blush. I’ve never been a fan of Benefits blushes. I know for the past few years, they have come out with their cheek palettes and they were very hyped, but I always found their blushes to be quite dusty and either too shimmery, too pale or too matte. In walks in this Beachy Babe of a blush. It’s a gorgeous golden peachy pink that flatters multiple skin tones. It’s perfect for summer as it gives you that “I just came back from the beach” look. It does have a slight shimmer, but it doesn’t look like you accidently picked up the highlighter instead of blush. Did I mention it smells like coconuts? Benefit also has a travel size version, which is just so darn cute and perfect to throw in your beach bag or tote.

Smoking Hot Pick #4
Hard Candy Velvet Mousse Matte Lip Color. Back in the 90’s, I lived and breathed for Hard Candy and it’s like going back in time every time I peruse their display in Walmart. I ended up purchasing one of these lippie beauties this month and was completely blown away. First off, it smells like cupcakes. The formula is gorgeous. It’s went on even and the pigmentation was excellent. It’s long lasting, but surprisingly comfortable and they cost $6! I vowed to throw one in the cart anytime I was in Walmart because these are a great buy. I don’t know why I don’t see more people talk about them.

Jal -a -peno Business Hot Pick #5
Boscia Charcoal Makeup Melter Cleansing Oil Balm. I got a sample of this in one of my Sephora orders and kind of ignored it for a while. I was generally pleased with my nighttime routine and figured why change things. Of course, as is always the case, you run out of one of your regulars and shop the sample pile you have thrown in a drawer for a quick replacement to do the job at that moment. Boscia is one of my favorite skin care lines as their Sake Brightening Hydrogel Mask is one of my favorites, so I figured they would not let me down. Let me tell you, the people at Boscia must have made some deal with the devil, because this stuff wipes every speck of makeup from your face. I don’t know how they do it, but all I can say is that my face is not only clean, but it doesn’t feel tight, which sometimes with products that have that kind of cleaning power, have a tendency of doing. I know they also came out with a Charcoal Jelly Ball Cleanser, but I like the product in a pot simply for storage and traveling reasons.

I know there were a lot of new beauty releases in June and I am excited to see what you all think should be added to the list above. Share and leave your comments below.

Have a wonderful Sunday, my friends.

Maritza

Beauty Review

What’s All the Buzz About?

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I have become a huge lip balm junkie lately.

As usual, it all started with Sofia. She suffers from really chapped lips, so I would buy her lip balms so she can throw in her backpack. Well, one balm was usually never enough, as they would get lost or she needed another one to put in her purse or sleepover bag. So, I would always end up throwing an EOS or Baby Lips in the shopping cart whenever I went to CVS as we were going through these quite quickly.

Next thing you know, I was  beginning to throw a few in there for me. I don’t know whether I need to drink more water, talk less or if it has just become some sort of oral fixation, but I find myself applying lip balm now 3-4 times a day. At work, I’ll be sitting on a conference call and find myself just rubbing balm on my lips like a zombie.

Not that that is a bad thing. My lips are smooth as butter now and in the recent craze of matte liquid lipsticks, it’s actually a welcome relief to apply an ever soothing balm to you cracked, chapped lips. But this is where the story get’s a little weird.

I recently went to Ulta and was intrigued by a lip balm from Doctor Lip Bang’s Lip Freak. OK, the name. Is that not hilarious? You know I had to buy something from a company called Doctor Lip Bang. My inner, immature, 15 year old immediately thought if this lip balm should actually be used while doing other things with your mouth. You know what I mean…wink, wink.

Lip Freak

It claims to be the strongest buzzing lip balm in the whole world and the buzzing is actually transfer proof, so when you smooch your cutie, they could feel this powerful buzz as well. It also claims to be 100% natural, can be used for boys and girls (why is that even a thing these days) and also comes with a caution that it’s not for crybabies.

Damn…my husband is out.

I apply it and it’s a quite powerful cinna-mint smell and taste. I wait for about a good minute, but no buzzing yet. Everyone has a gimmick, I tell you. I feel like I got suckered into buying just a regular, overpriced cinnamon chapstick, when all of a sudden, I feel it. It starts like a hum on your lips. As if you slightly pressed them to your electric toothbrush on a low setting. Then it begins building and the hum turns into a slow buzz, like a mild pins and needle feel when your foot falls asleep and your trying to shake it up, but not unpleasant at all.

Once again, my inner, immature 15 year old kicks in and I start wondering if my lips are about to orgasm.

It is the oddest feeling. The weirder thing is that I wasn’t sure I liked it, but, once again, during one of my many hour long, boring conference calls at work, I find myself mindlessly applying it and enjoying it. Not sure if it’s a replacement for my EOS, but it’s certainly entertaining.

Anyone else have a lip balm recommendation? If so, leave them in the comments below.

Till next time, my friends!

Maritza

 

 

 

Beauty Empties

June Beauty Empties

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I find that very rarely do I ever scrape the bottom of a beauty product. With so many new items coming out daily, it seems that you are always reaching for the next one and never really using the stuff you already have on hand. What a waste, right?

I’m guilty of it, but from time to time, I do find myself reaching for something and realize, in shock, that I have hit bottom.

Let us now take a moment of silence and appreciate the short, yet glamorous, lives of these beauty favorites. You are gone, but never forgotten.

Queue Sarah McLachlan’s “In the Arms of an Angel”.

June Product Empties

Beauty Protector Protect and Detangle. This was a Birchbox find and a definite re-buy. I don’t really know if it’s any better than any other detangler I have owned, but it smells so damn good. It’s like you coated your hair in cotton candy. My daughter, Sofia, also loves it and the minute is ran out, she put the bottle on my desk and was like “Buy now.”

Smashbox Photo Finish Foundation Primer in Light. Smashbox has some of the best primers and I have been using this particular primer for about 2 years now. I have gone through about 3 bottles of this stuff and will definitely repurchase. My foundation looks great on top of it and it minimizes pores and shine. What more can you ask?

Hey Honey Trick and Treat Series Concealer. Another Birchbox find and will most definitely repurchase. It’s not as thick as my other concealer, Tarte’s Shape Tape, but it does a wonderful job in concealing darkness and covering fine lines. I like to use this concealer on my more natural days because it looks so real, like you were born with great under eyes and get 8 hours of sleep and drink 72 glasses of water of day.

Boscia Charcoal Makeup Melter. I actually already repurchased the full size of this product. I received it as a sample from Sephora in one of my purchases and, I kid you not, this balm is the real deal. I only use this and then my Micellar water to pick up any tiny bits left behind and I am done. You massage it on your dry face, including your eyes, and then wash off with warm water. The proof is in the bathroom sink when you see all the makeup swirling down the drain. No need to fuss with another cleanser or product.

Morrocan Oil Treatment. I really cried when I ran out of this product. More because I tipped it over and it spilled all over my counter, but also because it’s so damn good. I have frizzy, wavy, medium length hair. It takes me a good hour to tame this monster, so I want to make sure that it damn well lasts. This product is the cherry on top of my blow out. It smells fabulous. Adds loads of shine. Tames the flyaways and leaves my hair sleek. As a bonus I rub the excess into my cuticles. Not sure if that does anything, but it leaves them nice and glossy.

Oribe Dry Texturizing Spray. This is probably the only product I will not be repurchasing. Not because I didn’t like it. It work great. Whenever I want to create beachy waves, this is my go to product. It’s smells divine and, unlike some other texturizer, it doesn’t have that gritty feel to it when you run your hands through your hair. The only problem is that it’s SO DAMN EXPENSIVE!!! Everytime I get a Birchbox, I pray that an Oribe sample is in there because that is the only way I can get my hands on these puppies without breaking the bank.

What products made it into your empties bin this month? Share below in the comments and let me know what I should buy or skip.

Have a wonderful Sunday, my friends!

Maritza

 

Beauty · Morning Routine.

AM Routine

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I am not a morning person.

It’s funny because the other day I was listening to The 5 Second Rule by Mel Robbins on Audible and she had a whole entire chapter dedicated to how you need to wake up early each day because that is when your brain is the most productive.

Well, no disrespect to Ms. Robbins, because I really loved that book, but no amounts of coffee or exercise can ever make me a more productive person in the morning. I’m not even hungry in the morning. I’m barely alive and it’s really all about simplicity those first few minutes after I wake up.

That’s why my morning routine is so basic. Whenever I see all these Instagram bloggers post their morning routine, I am like “Do you wake up at 3am to exfoliate?” Seriously, I wake up at 7am and only have 45 minutes to shower, put make up on, get dressed, feed the kids and get out the door so that I can have them in school by 8am and myself at work by 8:30am. And before you even suggest having me get up earlier to have more time, please save your breath. Not going to happen.

AM Routine

So what do I do to keep my skin looking presentable?

Not much really and I don’t mean that in a “Because my skin is naturally fabulous” kind of way, but more like, this is as good as it gets.

First off, I gently use a cotton pad to wipe off any moisturizer I put on before bed with Micellar Water. Sometimes, I look horrified at the cotton swab after I see how much of my mascara I did not wash off and the proceed to count the additional wrinkles under my eye this must have caused.

Then it’s all about the sunscreen. I use the Neutrogena Age Shield Face Oil- Free with SPF 110 and let that sink in for a while. I find that using actual sunscreen, instead of relying on the one that may already be in your moisturizer is a little thicker, so you need to give it a few minutes to settle in.

A 110 SPF , you say??? Do you live on the Sun?

No, but I’m getting up there in years and it’s taken me this long to figure out that all the tanning (sunburns) I got in my youth contribute to my perceived aging, so might as well use what they got to offer. SPF 110 is just fine for me, thank you very much!

Lastly, I put on the moisturizer. I really like the Clinique Pep-Start Hydroblur. I know it got some mixed review, but I like it. It has a primer sort of feel to it and one of the main complaints I read on Sephora was that it seems to pill under your makeup, but that has never happened to me. I have combination skin and I find that as long as I pat it on my T-Zone area and gently rub it in everywhere else, it gives me the effect I am looking for, which is a softened around the edges kind of look.

All this only really takes me about 5 minutes or so, which is perfect because, the majority of my get ready routine is dedicated to putting on my makeup and doing something presentable with my hair.

I hope you enjoyed this little slice of my morning routine and feel free to share yours in the comments below. I love hearing about new products and if you can tell me how to shave this down from 5 to 3 minutes, you will officially be my new best friend.

Till next time, my friends.

Maritza