Review: Ruffian Nail Laquer - Fox Hunt

This nail laquer came in my September Birchbox, and I believe it's exclusive to their store. You can buy it HERE. It's called Fox Hunt, mostly because the color is reminiscent of a cartoony-fox orange. It's like a pumpkin on steroids. When I first saw it I was a little skeptical about the color. And then I put it on.

Let me start by saying this nail lacquer is quality. It goes on smooth and easy, and the pigmentation is phenomenal. For such a dark vibrant color I would assume two coats were the minimum. Not with this stuff. The finish is flawless, and can we take a moment to talk about the color? Out. of. this. world. If you're getting ready for fall, like the rest of us, and want something unique and dynamic then you can't go wrong with this. I've had it on for three days with only one layer of top coat (I would normally do one coat a day, but I was trying to put this polish through it's paces) and there's been no chipping.

Bottom Line: I would absolutely repurchase this again and I've got my eye on the other colors in the Crowdsourced Collection  I would absolutely recommend this to anyone who was looking for something fun, new and quality.

Review: L'Oreal Nail Polish - Safari Chic

I don't own any green nail polishes and none of my polishes are by L'Oreal. I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone and buy one of their green shades. L'Oreal has a variety of incredibly beautiful nail polishes, and I was sincerely hoping the quality of their polishes would be such that I'd want to buy them all. However....

I found this polish to be streaky. It didn't go on creamy and smooth like quality polishes. And while the finish was smooth, without those little bubbles that drive me nuts, this polish chipped the second day.

I do a lot of nail polish maintenance. I add a layer of top coat daily to my polishes to ensure the time and effort I put into my mani-pedis lasts. And even with the effort, this polish just didn't last.

Bottom Line: I won't be buying any more polishes from this line. Which is unfortunate, because like I said, some of their colors are breathtaking.

6 Small Things You Can Do to Get Flawless Skin

I found this article on Birchbox.

"Sometimes it feels like no matter what you try—masks, topical treatments, buzzy new face-scrubbing tools—you just can’t score a blemish-free face. We know how tough it can be to pinpoint exactly what’s causing that nasty flareup, which is why we asked Linda Stephenson, founder of standout skincare brand Mèreadesso, for her best tips on getting a gorgeous complexion.

Not only is Stephenson a longtime veteran of the cosmetics industry, she also holds degrees in chemistry, biology, and botany! She created Mèreadesso to be an extrasimple line packed with good-for-your-skin ingredients—and if anyone knows how to revamp a cluttered skincare routine and focus on the right products, it’s her. Read on to find out Stephenson’s helpful hints for scoring flawless skin:"

Her number one thing is to find a skin-care routine and STICK WITH IT. This is the most profound to me because there are days I wake up and literally ask my face, "What are you doing?" Hormonal acne, rosacea, moisture fluctuations, blackheads, new wrinkles, etc. The possibilities on a daily basis for a crazy complexion are endless. It's enough for me to throw up my hands and give in. I mean, I do it all and I do it right. Wash twice a day. Do all the masks and the serums and the lotions, etc. ad nauseum. So where's my perfect skin? I am constantly reminded to STICK WITH IT. Rome wasn't built in a day, neither was my bad skin and neither will be my perfect skin.

I hope you enjoy the article, and stay beautiful! xoxox

Review: Urban Decay Tinted Moisturizer w/ SPF 20

This moisturizer is ON SALE now at the Urban Decay website. Marked down from $30.00 to just $5.00 I couldn't pass this deal up.

A little bit of information about my skin before I start the review. My skin is insanely sensitive. I have dry/combo/SENSITIVE skin. I have a difficult and expensive time finding face products that don't break me out or make my skin too oily or massively itchy. For this reason, I love products like tinted moisturizers and BB/CC/DD creams because it limits the amount of products I have to put on my face. Because of the sale price for this moisturizer, I went ahead and bought this despite the risk.

As for the review, I'll start by saying this moisturizer is a little bit yellow for my skin, which has a bluer undertone to it. It's okay for summer time, but now that we're moving into fall and my tan is fading - I'll have to stop using this moisturizer. As for the cream itself, I love this formula. It doesn't make my face itchy. It doesn't feel heavy like I'm wearing oils on my face. But it's strong enough to keep my skin moisturized all day. Trust me, my cheeks tend to get dry and flakey by midday with lesser quality moisturizers. This stuff hasn't broken me out at all. The coverage is sheer to medium, which is to be expected for a tinted moisturizer. And I love the SPF 20, it's enough protection that I don't have to layer on a separate SPF. Less products on my face? Awesome.

Grade: A
Cost: $5.00 on SALE
Bottom Line: I would absolutely purchase this again. Next spring. ;)

The Best of the Best, Recommendations from My Favorite Youtube Beauty Gurus

I follow a lot of Youtube Beauty Gurus, and whenever I'm shopping for a new beauty product I try to remember which products some of my favorite Youtubers have recommended or warned against. The problem? I have zero memory capacity. So I'm putting together this list of recommendations from some of my favorite gurus. I'll keep it updated when something new has been reviewed. I'll also keep a list updated of products that have been reviewed negatively that I want to remember to avoid. As with every beauty product, what's worked for one person may not be ideal for another. So use this list in the way it's intended - as a guide for brand discovery. As for high end vs. drug store …this list will include both. I'll use hashtags to indicate which guru recommended which products. 

-PRIMER-
Guerlain Météorites Perles' Light Diffusing Primer (Les Ors) #KristinGehm

-BB CREAM-
Guerlain Lingerie De Peau BB Cream (Light) #KristinGehm

-FOUNDATION- 

 Love:

Marc Jacobs Genius Gel Foundation #GlamLifeGuru
Chanel VitaLumiere Aqua #GlamLifeGuru #FleurdeForce
MAC Face and Body Foundation #LisaEldridge #MaryGreenwell
Chanel Pro and VitaLumiere #LisaEldridge
Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Ultra Definition Liquid Makeup #SamanthaSchuerman
Dermablend Professional Smooth Indulgence Foundation #MelissaRaymond 
Bobbie Brown Skin Foundation #KristinGehm
 

Hate:

Smashbox Liquid Halo HD Foundation #SamanthaSchuerman
Marc Jacobs Genius Gel Foundation #ShadesofKassie

-CONCEALER-

Kevyn Aucoin Sensual Skin Enhancer #GlamLifeGuru #FleurdeForce

MAC Prolongwear Concealer #AlisonLovesJB #SamanthaSchuerman #MelissaRaymond
Make Up For Ever Full Cover Concealer #MeghanRosette
Secret Camouflage by Laura Mercier #LisaEldridge
Clinique Airbrush Concealer #LisaEldridge
Maybelline Fit Me Concealer (for illuminating) #GlamLifeGuru  
Giorgio Armani Maestro Concealer #2 #KristinGehm

-SETTING POWDER-

Dermablend Professional Setting Powder #GlamLifeGuru
Cover FX Translucent Setting Powder #SamanthaSchuerman
NARS Translucent Crystal Light Reflectant Setting Powder #MelissaRaymond 
Setting Powder w/ Coverage (if foundation doesn't do the job) - Laura Mercier Mineral Powder in Natural Beige & Setting Powder w/o Coverage - Chanel Translucent Powder (Clair 20) #KristinGehm
Giorgio Armani Microfill Loose Powder #FleurdeForce

For Under Eyes:
MAC Prep and Prime  #SamanthaSchuerman

-BRONZER-

By Terry Hydrauloronic Bronzer #GlamLifeGuru
MAC Mineralized Skin Finish Natural  #SamanthaSchuerman
NARS Laguna #MelissaRaymond  #FleurdeForce 
Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer #KristinGehm

-BLUSH-

Nars Cream Blush #GlamLifeGuru
Chanel Joues Contraste #LisaEldridge
Chanel Les Tissages de Chanel - Blush Duo Tweed Effect #LisaEldridge
LORAC Baked Matte Satin Blush  #SamanthaSchuerman
Illamaska Katie #MelissaRaymond 
Tom Ford Blush (Frantic Pink)#KristinGehm
Rouge Bunny Rouge Starina  #KristinGehm
Dior Healthy Glow Blush #FleurdeForce

-HIGHLIGHTER/LUMINIZER-

Tarte Amazonian Clay Shimmering Powder #GlamLifeGuru
Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector #LisaEldridge #MelissaRaymond
The Balm Mary Lou-Manizer  #SamanthaSchuerman

Physicians Formula Shimmer Strips ~ Riviera Strip #GlamLifeGuru
Dior Amber Diamonds #KristinGehm
Laura Mercier Rose Illuminator  #KristinGehm
Dior Amber Diamonds Highlighter #FleurdeForce

-EYESHADOW-

Chanel Illusion Ombre Shadow/Creams #GlamLifeGuru

Lorac Pro Palette #Everyone & Their Mothers  #SamanthaSchuerman
Naked by Urban Decay #Everyone & Their Mothers
Dior Eyeshadows #LisaEldridge
MAC Paint Pots #LisaEldridge
Dior 5-Piece Rosey Tan Palette #MelissaRaymond
Burberry Eyeshadow #KristinGehm
Rouge Bunny Rouge Eyeshadow  #KristinGehm
Marc Jacobs The Lolita Palette #FleurdeForce

-EYELINER-

Marc Jacobs Gel Eyeliner #GlamLifeGuru
Maybelline Stiletto Liquid Eyeliner #MeghanRosette
Bobbie Brown Longwear Gel Eyeliner #LisaEldridge
Urban Decay 24-7 Glide On Eye Pencil #SamanthaSchuerman
Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Eyeliner #MelissaRaymond
Physician's Formula Eye Booster #MelissaRaymond
Tarte Skinny Smolder Eyes #KristinGehm  

Jane Cosmetics Waterproof Eyeliner #GlamLifeGuru
Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Eyeliner #GlamLifeGuru #FleurdeForce
NARS Larger Than Life Eyeliner #FleurdeForce

-MASCARA-

YSL Baby Doll Mascara #GlamLifeGuru
Max Factor False Lash Effect #LisaEldridge
Jordana's Best Lash Extreme  #SamanthaSchuerman
Maybelline One-by-One Volume Express #MakeupByAlli
Maybelline Rocket #MelissaRaymond
Benefit's They're Real #MelissaRaymond 
Tarte Lights Camera Lashes #KristinGehm
YSL Effect Faux Cils Mascara #FleurdeForce 
Maybelline Falsies #TanyaBurr

-LIPS-

YSL Rouge Volupte Shine Lipstick #GlamLifeGuru #MelissaRaymond
Urban Decay Revolution  #SamanthaSchuerman
Chanel Rouge Coco Lipstick #KristinGehm
Hourglass Whisper Lipstick  #KristinGehm
Chanel Rouge Allure in Exaltee #FleurdeForce

-LIP LINER-

Makeup Forever Aqua Lips #GlamLifeGuru
No7 Perfect Lips Pencil - 20 Nude #LisaEldridge
Urban Decay Glide On Lip Pencil  #SamanthaSchuerman #MelissaRaymond
Lise Watier Lip Liner (Nude) #KristinGehm  

-LIPGLoSS-

Lancome Gel Gloss in Love #GlamLifeGuru
Lip Fusion Colour Shine Lip Plumper #LisaEldridge
Clarins Instant Light Natural Lip Perfector  #SamanthaSchuerman

Dior Lip Maximizer Colligen Lipgloss #MelissaRaymond
Mega Shine NYX #KristinGehm
Ellis Faas Creamy Lips in 104 #FleurdeForce

-EYEBROW-

Anastasia Eyebrow Powder Duo #GlamLifeGuru #MelissaRaymond
Anastasia Brow Wiz #MelissaRaymond
Anastasia Perfect Brow Pencil #MelissaRaymond
Anastasia Eyebrow Gel #MelissaRaymond
Elf Brow Kit #Shaaanxo
Suqqu Brow Powder #LisaEldridge
Suqqu Brow Felt Tip Pen #LisaEldridge
Suqqu Brow Pencil #LisaEldridge
MAC Lingering Eyebrow Pencil  #SamanthaSchuerman

-FACE SERUM-

Caudalie Beauty Elixir #GlamLifeGuru

 -FACE MASK-
Mint Julep Face Mask by Queen Helene #GlamLifeGuru
GlamGlow Face Mask #GlamLifeGuru

  -FACE CLEANSER/CLEANSING WATER-
L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3-in-1 Purifying Micellar Solution #GlamLifeGuru
Bioderma Crealine/Sebium Micellar Water #Lisa Eldridge

-NAILPOLISH-

Illamasqua Nail Varnish #GlamLifeGuru
ORLY  #SamanthaSchuerman #MelissaRaymond
Julie Jeeves #MelissaRaymond
Pop Nail #MelissaRaymond
Dior Blue Label #KristinGehm
Dior Top Coat #FleurdeForce

-SHAMPOO-
Organix Renewing Moroccan Argan Oil Shampoo #GlamLifeGuru
Organix Hydrating Tea Tree Mint Shampoo #GlamLifeGuru

-CONDITIONER-

-DEEP HAIR CONDITIONER-

L'oreal Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm #GlamLifeGuru

-HAIR MASK-
L'oreal Power Moisture Moisutre Rush Mask #GlamLifeGuru
Organix Moroccan Argan Oil Penetrating Oil #MeghanRosette

-HAIR STYLING PRODUCT-
Love:
Aussie Aussome Volume Gel #GlamLifeGuru
L'oreal Elnett Satin Hairspray #GlamLifeGuru
Hate:
Finesse Self-Adjusting Maximum Hold Hairspray #GlamLifeGuru

-LEAVE-IN CONDITIONER-
Love:
Hate:
Tresemme Split-End Remedy Conditioning Treatment #GlamLifeGuru

-DRY SHAMPOO-
Batiste Dry Shampoo #GlamLifeGuru

-HEAT PROTECTANT-
Tresemme Heat Tamer #GlamLifeGuru

-BEAUTY TOOLS-
Beauty Blender #Everyone & Their Mother
Kevin Aucoin Eyelash Curlers #LisaEldridge
Shu Eumura Eyelash Curlers #LisaEldridge #Mary Greenwell
Nume Reverse Wand  #SamanthaSchuerman
JeNu Active Youth Skincare System  #SamanthaSchuerman
Sigma's Premium Professional Kit #MelissaRaymond 
Hakuhodo Makeup Brushes #FleurdeForce

-BODY LOTION-
Nivea Soft Moisturizing Creme #MeghanRosette

-BODY SCRUBS-
St. Ives Green Tea Scrub #MeghanRosette

-BATH SOAKS-
Lush Bubble Bar in Comforter #KristinGehm

Links to Contributing Guru's:
#AlisonLovesJB

#GlamLifeGuru
#FleurdeForce
#KristinGehm
#MakeupByAlli
#MeghanRosette 
#MelissaRaymond 

#SamanthaSchuerman
#Shaaanxo 

#ShadesofKassie
#TanyaBurr

Scotch Tape Eye Shadow/Eyeliner Trick

Image credit goes to Painted-Ladies.com

I've been doing a lot of winged eye and smokey-eyed looks lately as I play with eye shadow and eyeliner to learn various techniques. You can buy these little white stick-on eyeshadow guards that keep your line crisp. They act like a stencil while you're applying so your cat-eye and shadow stay matched and sharp. They also catch fall-out from cheaper eye shadows. You  could buy those little white stickies, or you could save your money and do what I do...use scotch tape.

Look at the picture above and see how it's done. You run scotch tape from the corner of your eye up to the corner of your eyebrow. Personally I have a wrinkle at the corner of my eyes that slants downward. So I put my scotch tape a little above this wrinkle. It removes the problem of dealing with shadow getting stuck in the wrinkle from the equation.

Once you're finished applying your makeup gently remove the tape and blend the harsh line softly so your shadow looks natural and not severe (unless that's the look you're going for). I have yet to loose any lashes or hair to the tape, it's gentle enough.

This is just one more way to save money but look beautiful.

Thank you for reading and stay beautiful!
xoxox

Pantone Fall Fashion Color Palette

Pantone has posted their predictions for this fall's color palette. What do you think? Which is your favorite?

I'm in love with Carafe and Mykonos Blue. ;)

Stay beautiful and thanks for reading!
xoxox