When Refinery 29 reached out asking if I’d like to participate in the Maybelline #MyLipMagic campaign I had two reactions:
Maybelline - love them!
Wait…lipgloss? You sure?
Now…not to be rude but I’m so not the lipgloss kinda gal anymore *flips hair*. Ever since I discovered the lasting power of lipstick way back when, I’ve become a new woman. Wear lipstick or go home.
Never say never friends because one day you will get stuck at work without your makeup bag and suddenly make plans to grab drinks with friends - and all you’ll have at your desk are lipgloss. What better time to test out new product then 30 minutes before you run out? Thus began what I’m calling #DeskSelfies.
don’t mind the hair, okay! I was attempting to cover it up/ make it presentable.
As one of my drugstore favorites I can count on Maybelline to deliver high performing products without costing an arm and a leg and the Color Elixirs are no different. I honestly wish my webcam wasn’t so 2001 and really picked up on the colors present because they are VIBRANT! What you see is what you get and there’s really no need for lipstick underneath when you have these.
They offer intense color like a lipstick but feel like a lip balm and have the shine of a lipgloss. Not a single color went sheer on me and it’s super easy to build on (although I will say one or two swipes is more than enough). It’s a smooth application and, more importantly, not sticky at all. Expect to see these on more outfit photos (I swear I’m going to get back on those!).
Post sponsored by Refinery29; opinions are all mine!
If I was the type of girl who wore the same exact makeup everyday this blog would cease to exist. That said, when I find something I love I obsess over it to the point where I force anyone within earshot to listen to me wax poetic about it. This time around, I figure I’d just write about it instead 😉
MAKE Soft Focus Foundation in Cool #8 ($32.50): I was first introduced to this foundation after an event a few months back and I knew I HAD to have it! It provides such a flawless coverage without feeling heavy or cakey when applied. It allows my skin to breath and it does a decent job holding up against my oily skin. Coverage is buildable so it’s a foundation I can wear year round, simply adding more in the cooler months when I tend to go for a heavier foundation. It leaves me looking airbrushed which is a win in my book.
NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in Mysterous Red ($25.00): NARS DONE DID IT AGAIN! There’s a sweet spot in my heart for NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencils and it all started with Dragon Girl. I was convinced that Dragon Girl was the Gold Standard when it came to reds and nothing came close (okay maybe with the exception of this). Now Mysterious Red - a beautiful crimson red - has me wondering if I should buy in bulk or pray NARS changes their mind and makes this shade permanent. This glides on lips but it matte without drying lips. The wear is impeccable and it takes me from 8am to about 2pm at which point I’m left with a stain (I typically dab on a bit of gloss or remove completely to reapply since I hate glossy red lips). It is bright and bold while giving you LOTS of color in one swipe.
Rimmel Lash Accelerator Endless ($9.00): My love for Rimmel mascaras is fairly new and I’m not turning back at all! I’ve been using and living by their Lash Accelerator (post here) for weeks but when I saw Lash Accelerator Endless I couldn’t walk away without grabbing it (right?!) The brand claims that it provides with up to 90% longer lashes instantly but I’m not sure I can quantify that. What I WILL say is that my lashes to look longer, don’t clump unless I start adding three coats, and has the illusion of being a bit thicker. The mascara doesn’t flake on me and looks the same at night as it did that morning. Get it. Don’t argue with me, just do as I say and thank me later.
Maybelline Fit Me Shine Free Foundation Stick in 340 ($9.00): Another summer foundation option! I’m not typically a stick foundation kind of gal since I’ve found them to be drying but this goes on like a gel but dries matte. It goes on smoothly and I buff it with a foundation brush to get a flawless look. It also works great as a concealer which I’ve been doing lately, applying it underneath my eyes (over the MAKE foundation).
And that’s my summer face. Quick and easy but still really beautiful.
Disclosure: Some products listed were given as samples.
What better way to ring in a new month by starting a new makeup routine!?! I’ve been stuck in somewhat of a rut and after watching the 2013 BET awards I decided that today was the perfect day to channel my inner diva and put on ALL OF THE MAKEUP!
All makeup listed in order of appearance (left to right). Disclosure: some samples provided for editorial consideration
Makeup bag: the M·A·C Illustrator Bags are always fun, funky, and a nice addition to my beauty arsenal and this year is no different. Two artists teamed up with the brand to transform the traditional M·A·C makeup bags into mini-masterpieces. This one is by illustrator Anja Kroencke (available online on 7/2) whose black and white wavy haired model makes me smile. The other bags are by New York City (NYC represent!) graffiti artist (sick) Indie 184 who tagged the bags with her vibrant graphic street style. These bags are massively sized and dangerous since you can stuff a mini beauty cabinet inside.
Italian Badger Kabuki Brush by Crown Brushes: purchased during a random Hautelook sale, I found this kabuki brush last night after mourning the loss of my MAC 182 buffer brush. I love a solid kabuki brush since my 182 perfectly buffed and applied powder while giving me an airbrushed finish. This brush has really soft hairs that applied powder like a dream BUT it sheds like a mofo.
M·A·C Mineralize Skinfinish in Lust: part of M·A·C’s new Tropical Taboo collection this MSF has become my new favorite highlighter. I’m sometimes afraid of M·A·C’s MSFs because there are times they can look frosted and the last thing I want to do is look ghastly out in these streetz. This is a pretty pale pink with what the brand describes as a cranberry pearl. The lightest hand is needed and when applied on cheekbones brings a beautiful hint of shimmer.
Maybelline FitMe concealer in 30: to brighten underneath my eyes. Read my review of the FitMe range here.
LORAC Touch-up-to-go concealer and foundation pen in C12: now I know I’m already wearing foundation and concealer, so what in God’s name could I possibly be needing with this right? Well, I’m a fan of versatility and this two-in-one concealer/foundation pen covers imperfections and gives a natural finish - so forgive me if I like to have it on me just in case. While I don’t use this as an all over foundation, I do like to use it to highlight the bridge of my nose, between the brows and go again underneath the eyes. I have a complex about my dark circles so let a girl live, mmkay.
Elizabeth Arden Pure Finish Mineral Powder Foundation Broad Spectrum Sunscreen SPF 20 in 08: so I use this to set my foundation since it gives a great finish AND has SPF. The lady at the counter made it a point to explain that it was not an all over powder to be worn alone but rather to complement what’s already on your face and provide sun protection. I think it was code for her to say that it may tun me grey if worn alone but I did that for a week straight and there wasn’t a grey face in sight. It’s pretty alone but even more beautiful to set the look.
M·A·C Mineralize Blush in Sweet Samba: another beauty in the Tropical Taboo collection this blush made me jump up and down. I literally bounced up and down in my seat as I did my makeup because I was so friction’ excited. It’s a beautiful, gorgeous, absolutely divine dark pink blush that really stood out against my skin. I didn’t think it’d be so pigmented for a mineralize blush but it goes on! Do not use a heavy hand at all with this guy because you will regret it.
Benefit Stay Flawless 15-Hour Primer: fact: I bought this after reading Dana’s review on HuffPo. I’m guilty of touching my face throughout the day (like, resting my chin on my hands) and my biggest pet peeve is seeing my foundation transfer from my face to whatever document I’m touching. It’s especially gross looking at my white Mac keyboard at the end of the day, hoping my employer doesn’t think I’m a disgusting human being. I haven’t noticed that at all today whilst wearing this primer and for that, I thank yo Benefit! I’ve only owned this for 24 hours so I can’t say whether or not it locks my foundation into place for 15 hours but I will say it definitely holds onto my makeup.
Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW Brightening Makeup: I think this foundation is okay. I bought it mainly because I was really excited that Benefit had a shade dark enough for me. It provides good coverage but it does make me look greasy when worn without primer.
Revlon Cherries in the Snow Lipstick: do I really have to review this? C’mon guys, what is this - amateur hour?
M·A·C Veluxe Pearlfusion Shadow in Smokeluxe: shut up another M·A·C product? Yes. Imagine M·A·C’s pigments and how much you love them. Now imagine them in pressed form. NO MORE SPILLING! You can apply thee wet for a saturated, foiled look or dry for bits of shimmer in the day time. My goal of being a 70s disco queen = fulfilled.
M·A·C Kohl Power Eye Pencil in Orpheus: I know. I know. But M·A·C recently sent me a few samples so I’m doing my duty to test them out. An eye liner with shimmer. Again, you guys, the goal for today was 70s disco queen. I needed to play the part.
Rimmel Lash Accelerator in Black: listen, I because I saw that Nicole Guerriero swears by it in all of her videos and have you seen her lashes? These truly do lengthen lashes but beware of clumps.
When I first saw pictures floating about on the internet about Maybelline’s new Color Sensational Vivids collection, the beauty girl in me started hyperventilating. SO MANY BRIGHTS! Every single color looked jam=packed with pigment and since it’s part of the Color Sensational collection, I anticipated great payoff and lasting power.
I spent the entire month of January searching for them. I must have went to every CVS, Duane Reade, Walgreen’s, and Target in Brooklyn and Manhattan! no dice. They were either sold out (obv) or not available yet (WTF!?!) Finally I caved in asked my friend Julia to throw me a bone.
Great bone, eh? The colors were even better in person and I wish the weather permitted me to take pictures in natural light and no filter. The colors are intense and bold, and nowhere near garish. This won’t last you all day but it’s great for morning, touch up post lunch, and maybe again after work (or classes) if you’re heading out at night. These aren’t for the faint of heart (at all) and darker skin women can rejoice in knowing that every single color works on our skin tone. Every. Single. Color.
It applies smoothly and is creamy but not cakey. I didn’t experience any feathering or bleeding but I’m pretty religious about exfoliating my lips, so that’s never really a major concern for me. The colors are listed below with a brief description.
Fuchsia Flash: a hot pink that is really on the bright end
Electric Orange: a true and shocking orange. Brighter than MAC’s Morange
Shocking Coral: a pretty pinky coral
Vivid Rose: a bit like Fuchsia Flash, but deeper in hue
On Fire Red: a true red
Pink Pop: a pale baby pink. Probably the only color that’s not a neon shade
Hot Plum: vivid purple
Vibrant Mandarin: orangey red
Neon Red: bright, bright red
Brazen Berry: another purple, but deeper than Hot Plum
Being the nosey voyeur that I am, I reached out to a few of my favorite people in the business to share what they’re jam packed days are like – and what better week to kick it off than fashion week! Over the next couple of days, I’ll be harassing my friends and colleagues to give an inside glimpse into what makes shows (hair, beauty, etc.) actually happen. Is it all champagne and glamour? Let’s find out…
Like most of my beauty friends, Julia Murphree seems to have come out of nowhere but all I know if I NEED her in my lifestyle. She’s hysterical, has amazing brows, and her Five Rules to life completed my life. As Director of Social Media and Digital Communications over at Maybelline/ Essie/Garnier, she wears many hats (um, like, Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Pinterest, Instagram, AND Vine).
As makeup sponsor for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, I knew Maybelline’s leading lady would be busy this week - so why not add one more thing on her plate, AMIRIGHT?! Read on to hear her take on NYFW:
PS: please see this cute Vine of the makeup vending machine she mentioned here. You’re welcome.
