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Review: Sephora Best in Bronze kit

I just wanted to do a quick review of the much-hyped product from Benefit that is High Beam. I got it as a sample in the Sephora Best in Bronze kit with a slew of other fabulous products from LORAC, Korres, Too Faced and Tarte.

While you get a lot of great things in this kit, the high beam has to be one of my least favorite. I had high hopes for it since I received a full size bottle of it for my birthday... Now I'm a little sad that I have even more of this product than I want. High Beam is supposed to be a luminizing highlighter. All it managed to highlight is oiliness. The shimmer is ok at first, but as the day wears on, it mixes in with oil produced by your skin and just creates a mess on your cheeks. My skin is not particularly oily on my cheeks, more of a combination. I have also seen reviewers complain that it settles into fine lines. While I cannot attest to that, I can say that you absolutely need to use a very VERY light hand when applying. If you follow the instructions saying to apply three dots along your cheekbones, you'll end up with an oil slick where there shouldn't be one.

That said, the other products in the kit are fabulous. My favorites have to be the Tarte gel eyeliner and the Korres bronzer, because both are FULL-SIZED! The colors are flattering on almost anyone and are really rich. It doesn't take a lot of product to achieve the desired effect, which I like. I don't want to feel like I will empty the container after 5 uses (especially for the other deluxe samples in the kit).

While the Josie Maran Argan Oil tends to run a little dark, it can be used on the body, so it doesn't make too much of an impact than if it were used on the face. It's luxurious and rich. The smell is a little strange, especially since the bottle mentions citrus oils... It does NOT smell refreshing like citrus. I can attest to that... Other than that, it's a nice moisturizing oil that gives your legs and arms a nice bronze glow.

The Sephora nail polish is pretty standard, but I think the coral color is fabulous. It's the perfect shade for summer and is flattering on anyone, especially with a (faux) tan! I'm very impressed that Sephora actually included a useful nail polish rather than a boring pale pink like they did in a past kit.

The Too Faced leopard blush is so pretty, I almost didn't want to ruin the design in the pan. When I finally did, I was surprised that the color came out more pink than bronze. It's a gorgeous pink with bronze shimmer. I like that they didn't put strictly bronzing items in the kit, but included this pinkish blush. While it's not full-sized, it's a really nice sample that I'm sure would last a few months with daily use.

The Bare Minerals bronzer is extremely dark. For someone with fair skin, you must use an extremely light hand or use it as eyeshadow. It is a little too dark for me to use as a contour shade, but for someone with a darker complexion, this shade is ideal.

I'm a little confused by the Temptu highlighter provided in the kit. It's a gold highlighter which I don't think is a very practical shade for someone with cool tones to their skin. For someone with a warmer base, it is a nice compliment to the High Beam which is more for cool girls.

Finally, I'd like to say that the selection in the kit is pretty good. To get this many big products in a kit at such a fabulous price is amazing for high-end makeup. I think this kit is a nice treat for someone who wants to treat themselves to fancier makeup and try new things without taking the plunge with a full-sized product right off the bat.

E.L.F. Haul

So we all know about E.L.F.  The inexpensive cosmetics line that is amazing quality-wise. Their recently launched Studio line is all about luxury at low cost. I decided to see what all the fuss was about and since they are having their 50% off sale this month, I figured I'd give it a try.

So here is what I got (don't be alarmed, it's a lot):

 This is their eyeliner and shadow stick in basic which is a brown eyeliner with a beige cream shadow at the other end. This is perfect for having one tool in your bag on a trip that will give you a natural eye. Both ends are very creamy and easy to blend. They also last a long time which is ideal for anyone.

Here is my ultimate gamble of the group. This is their mineral face primer. Primers are essential if you live in humid weather and tend to sweat your makeup off (like I do). I usually buy more expensive brands like benefit's That Gal, which I loooove. I have also tried one from Garnier and another from L'Oreal. Let me tell you that out of all the expensive primers I've tried, this one holds up! And for only $6 regular price, it's an amazing deal. If you act fast, you can get it for half off during E.L.F.'s sale. The texture is creamy and smooth. It blends well and doesn't make my skin oily. So I'm definitely thrilled with this one :)

Another item I was excited about was this Eye Primer and Liner Sealer duo. On one side, you have the primer which will allow your eyeshadow to stay on longer. And on the other, you have a liner sealer, which basically means you can dip the brush into any eyeshadow you already own and make it into a liquid eyeliner! This doubles your makeup wardrobe instantly, which is worth trying! I am super pleased with this and I'll definitely be buying again.

Ahhh concealer! What would we do without something that hides a multitude of sins. And the highlighter on the other side is just a bonus goody! It totally wakes up your eye. While it's not the greatest highlighter I've tried, I was definitely impressed by the quality for the price. The slim packaging is also perfect for on the go touchups!

The Eye Transformer. Another item that makes the  most of colors you already have in your collection. These four pastel shades transform any eyeshadow you have to lighten it. This is perfect for those what-were-we-thinking purchases that don't go too well with our usual style. There are pink, green, blue and orangey-yellow shades to lighten and brighten your too-dark-for-day shadows.

Next I have two lipstains. The one on the left is First Date, a gorgeous pinky coral. And next to it is Red Carpet which is a true blue-based red, perfect for fair complexions with pink undertones. I'll admit that I was really excited about these and I was a little disappointed. Granted the colors are gorgeous but I was expecting something more along the lines of a liquid stain and the formula in these is creamy. It doesn't dry so it feels more like a lipstick and a true stain. The gloss on the other end is a regular clear gloss that I don't really like. I tend to enhance my stains with a evenly matched colored gloss to make it stand out. Overall, so-so.

So here are the blushes I got. From the top we have Peachy Keen, Candid Coral, Pinnk Passion and Mellow Mauve. All of these colors are dupes for NARS blushes and are extremely pigmented. Super blendable as well, which means you don't need much product to achieve a good look. I was amazed by the colors. I read a lot of rave review about Candid Coral, and it didn't disappoint. I also heard good things about a color called Fuschia Fusion, but since it had glitter in it, I decided against it. Pink Passion is a similar bright pink without the glitter, for a more natural flush.

Finally I got the Complexion perfection powder that supposedly tones down imperfections like redness and uneven skin tone. I swirl a powder brush over it and buff my face with it. It does an amazing job of hiding the redness near my nose. So I definitely recommend it!


So that was my extremely long haul entry. Hopefully I was able to answer questions about E.L.F.'s Studio line. If you have any questions, just drop a comment below!

Where Are Your Manners?

I have a quick post to make about something that has really been bothering me. Maybe it is slightly related to style. I recently have been branching out in what I wear in an attempt to accept my body and love it for what it can do and not solely for how it looks. We all have something we don't like.

Anyway, I don't understand why certain people (let's face it, MEN) feel the need to stare and objectify you as you're walking down the street in a dress or a skirt. Whenever a girl wears a pair of jeans, you never get a second glance. As soon as there is some leg (whether it's covered with a tight or not) guys lear... It really pisses me of. Then you get ridiculous judgments like these which allow guys to get away with sexually assaulting you because of what you were wearing. A girl can't possibly be raped in skinny jeans because they are so tight that you need TWO people to get them on and off. I for one always need help in putting them on and taking them off. It makes it difficult to go to the bathroom alone and have some privacy. (For anyone who didn't understand that last bit, it was sarcasm.)

If I decide to wear a miniskirt or tight jeans, I am in NO WAY encouraging a man to do anything, be it learing or raping. Just because I want to show some skin (in a tasteful way of course), it doesn't give anyone the right to assume that I'm in the mood to have sex with the first thing that walks by. The sexualization of clothing has been around for ever and I understand that, but unless you're in a setting that is explicitely promoting intimate encounters, we shouldn't be afraid to wear what we want while waiting for the bus on a Sunday morning.

50's Style Modernized

I'm in love with polka dots. Anyone who knows me knows that obsession. It's the one print I can buy over and over and never get tired of it. I think it has to do with my fascination with circles. I don't like squares or lines as much, although I've been getting into stripes. I used to have a fear of them, but now I realize that I just didn't find the right stripe for me.

With my newfound love for stripes, I decided to revisit my old polka obsession. The polka dot is demure yet sexy as hell and there are so many choices in size and color of print that it's impossible not to find something you will like. I love this print for summer because you can really go all out with crazy colors.

This dress from Faith21 is absolutely stunning and extremely summery. It feels so festive and fun that I want to wear it for a party or barbecue. I also love the little yellow cardigan the model is wearing! This makes it even more fun. I'm all for mixing up crazy colors. Just yesterday, I wore an orange jersey top with a purple tank underneath. Let me tell you that the contrast was gorgeous and my friends commented on the combination.

I'm sorry for the quality of this photo but I couldn't find a decent one online. I bought this dress from MXM about 3 years ago, and let me tell you that I've worn it to death. It's so versatile and the muted colors make it easy to dress up or down. I've worn this dress everywhere: work, parties, Christmas dinner! It's a lightweight fabric with a self-tie belt and the length is just above the knee. We big girls shouldn't have to hide our legs! I suggest findind a dress like this that is easy to switch up. Although you probably won't be able to find this one anymore, they have replicas of this style every year in many different brands and shops. The key is finding one you're comfortable in.

What's your favorite print? Let me know in the comments!

Being a Cancer Fashionably

I was inspired by this great article on CollegeFashion about dressing for your astrological sign. While I'm a super-believer, I'll take any excuse to relate to style.

I'm a Cancer, so I'm supposedly romantic and in touch with my emotions (which I am!) and I'm moody and influenced by the moon and its cycles (which I think is pretty cool). So maybe I believe in it more than I like to admit, but I thought I'd come up with some little outfit sets from my Polyvore account.

Before I get to that, I'd like to do a little background on the wonderful sign that is Cancer. After all, we're summer babies, and who doesn't LOVE summer?

CANCER:

1. It's the least clear-cut sign, which means people born under this sign have a range of moods that go from shy and reserved to crazy and outgoing. I must admit that I can go from one extreme to the other in a matter of seconds, so this definitely rings true for me. 
2. Cancers are huge about family and love to spend time at home with them. I love the comforts of my home and I always feel comfortable. I'm not the kind of person who needs to go out and be crazy to have a good time. I have no problem spending a Saturday night at home. It's not the end of the world to want some time for yourself.
3. Intuition is another important trait for Cancerians. We focus on our first impressions and when something seems amiss, it usually is. How many times have I predicted somet hings based on intuition? It's crazy what you can pick up on if you only pay attention to details around you. 

So that's it for the astrology lesson. It's time to get down to fashion business:

I love this outfit because it's made up of pure fantasy pieces that I'll probably never be able to own in my life. I love the little gray oxfords and I'm dying to get a pair of tap shoes like this with the cutout. I think it's such a fabulous idea! I had to add elements of romanticism for the dreamy aspect of Cancers. We like to be close to the earth, which is where the wooden bracelet came from and the purse was just pure style.

Here is my more realistically affordable look (apart from the bucket bag, we all know my obsession with Alexander Wang!). The top and the skirt are from Forever21 and I added a little romance with the patterned floral tights. Combine a little sexiness with the bandage skirt with more demure items like the bow top and you have a fun outfit! I love that the bandage skirt is totally wearable and does hide some sins.

Let me know what you think!

FAITH 21 my looooove!

I've been really into stripes lately and I'm thrilled to see that plus-size shops are jumping on the bandwagon. Too often, I hear rubish stories that big girls shouldn't wear stripes because they'll make you look bigger. Of course, you need to find a flattering width of stripe that you feel comfortable in, but you shouldn't limit your style choices to what some foolish people say. If we don't take risks with our style, only we will suffer! And that's totally unfair! We need to make the best of what God has given us, and dress ourselves to feel good.

So here are some of the striped tops from Faith21 that I'm lusting after:

I think this top is soooo adorable. The stripes aren't too thin or too thick, which doesn't give you a chunky look. And the flower and beading adds visual interest that anyone can appreciate. Pair this with a simple pair of jeans or a colorful skirt and you're all set.

This particular top is super casual and can be mixed up in a variety of ways. I'm thrilled that I added this item to my closet this week, and I can't wait to incorporate it in my wardrobe!! It will definitely be a staple in my summer rotation.

This skirt is something I think it a little different than what I would normally wear. I purchased it also on my stripe-rampage through the store and I'm not 100% sure what to wear with it. I definitely have a challenge on my hands and I'm ready to jump in :)