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Re-Haul (From February 2018) Sephora & Ulta

~ SeriouslyStyled ~ Leave a comment

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Hey ya’ll! I know, I know. I’m not dead. I’ve been rather on my instagram which is @seriouslystyled_ I’ve been doing @makeup_whisperer’s (David’s) 31 days of glitter challenge and having SO MUCH FUN creating looks and posting them for everyone to see. It’s the most I’ve played with my makeup in a long time and really have been getting to know my products. My cat also likes to follow me into our spare bedroom during this time and I quite enjoy that! Lol.

 

So a re-haul is where I reflect on things I bought previously and consider how much I actually used/enjoyed them. February is my birthday month and this time last year I went to Sephora & Ulta with my neighbor and we both went a little ham.

 

Products purchased: 

 

Nars natural radiant foundation (got matched for this with the computer completion thing).

I used this a lot when I first got it but put it in a bag and haven’t used it in the last few months. I loved how it looked so now it’s on my radar to get back out. This was an okay purchase.

Fenty Beauty Gloss Bomb in Fenty Glow 

I use this just about overtime I use lipgloss. I keep it in my work backpack and love how it smells and feels on my lips. This was an excellent purchase.

BadGal Bang Mascara mini

When I first got this I thought it was only going to be good for my bottom lashes. However, once it was open for a bit it has been AMAZING. I’m still using it. I freaking love it. I should probably replace it but it’s still working great. This was an excellent purchase.

Nyx vivid brights liner in Sapphire

This is stunning. It seriously is such a pretty blue. However, I’ve only used it twice so probably not my wisest purchase.

Becca First Light Priming Filter 

This is my favorite primer of all time. I’ve used over 50% and my first choice always for a primer. It gives my skin a healthy glow. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this. This was an excellent purchase.

Makeup Forever microfinishing pressed powder (banana shade):

This gives a nice finish. I just haven’t been reaching for it, much like the NARS foundation I need to dig it back out and start using it again. This was an okay purchase.

Free samples/bday gifts: 

Glamglow supermud/moisturizer duo: 

I’ve used 1/2 the moisturizer and most of the supreme. I have previously gotten samples and/or purchased both and would again. This is why I chose this over the Bite birthday gift.

Fenty Beauty matte lipstick (bright pink color; forget the name): 

This color is super similar to Mac’s Candy Yum Yum (one of my all time favorites) I’ve worn it to work a few times and super love it. It’s not an everyday color but super fun and makes my teeth look super white. It also has nice staying powder, pretty solid for a sample.

Nars Orgasm blush mini: 

I already had a mini Orgasm and blushes take EONS to use up. I haven’t opened this. Not the best sample to receive. However, the blush itself is a nice product.

Ulta lip mask and lip oil: 

TBH I was disappointed to get this. The lip mask was alright but I fell in love with the lip oil. It smells amazing and feels great and looks great on the lips. I use this all the time and would purchase a full size.

 

I am officially done with work for 2018 and have the rest of the year off. I will be traveling home for the holidays to see family in the morning and I’m quite excited. I can’t wait to have a good time with friends and see what the new year holds! Make sure to check out my instagram @seriouslystyled_

 

XO

 

-A

My five minute face.

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Seriously, I timed myself. I love makeup and all things beauty but for the longest time I haven’t been wearing anything to work because I get up at 4:45 AM everyday because despite having an office job, I work manufacturing  hours just by the nature of what I do. That’s fine and to be expected and I’ve always been a morning person butI haven’t ever taken my time to do my makeup in the morning because I always say I don’t have time.

However, I recently had a second what would have been emergency surgery had we not caught it when we did and the thing that brought me joy other than my lovely husband, family, friends and videos of my cat were pretty little makeup products and all I could do while I was in there was watch YouTube or listen to Bachelor podcasts. The joy I found in learning about new makeup and playing with makeup I don’t get if I don’t use my products.

So after getting home and getting back to work, I timed myself to do a five minute face and here is what I do in exactly five minutes:

 

-Squirt Urban Decay Naked BB Cream into hands and spread over face
-Use Maybeline Better Skin Powder puff all over face
-Use concealer under eyes, on lids and any acne. I have a L’Oreal Lumi in the picture but actually prefer to use the Benefit hydrating stick concealer because I can use it quicker and has more coverage.
-I then put on my Nivea kiss of color lip balm
-I dust Benefit Hoola bronzer all over my face and in the creases of my lids.
-I pat the Pur eye polish on my lids.
-I quickly use the ABH brow definer and put a line below and above my brows then quickly brush it out.
-I apply liquid liner and mascara (I have Physicians Formula pictured; I find that this fades and prefer Kat Von D Tattoo liner and I don’t really have a mascara preference but this Essence lash princess is pretty damn good and cheap). Sometimes I’ll put a crayon liner in my waterline instead of a liquid on the top or both if I’m feeling feisty.
-I swipe on the Rimmell Provocalips lipstick (this does’t smudge or transfer and is fantastic)
-I then dust on a little bit of Tarte’s Paaarty blush and if there’s time a little of the Makeup Forever Star Lit Powder for highlight (this stuff is gorgeous). If I don’t have time for the Makeup Forever, I just use the Nudestix stick highlighter really quickly on my nose and cheekbones.

I switch up my products sometimes when I want to spice it up or have extra time but I know these things work and work well for me. I skip the steps I find less important when  I just can’t seem to crank out my full face.

And that’s it. I’d prefer six to seven minutes for this just to feel like I’m not rushing but I have proven that this is totally doable and pretty for a work day if you need a quick face!

 

Here’s a picture of my sweet husband watching the makeup he bought for me while I was in the hospital:

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He’s the greatest and I love him dearly.

That’s all for now.
XO

 

-A

Special Occasion Makeup; A Spring Wedding Guest Look!

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For me this seems to be the year of exactly four hundred thousand weddings. Okay, four as a guest and one as an artist (that I know of so far) but that’s a lot! The first of the year was my cousin’s wedding in April. She got married on a Saturday in a stunning Catholic Church. Here is the look I created for that occasion. I’m honestly in love with it and plan on doing variations of this look for the rest of the spring/summer weddings. Although, I’m a bridesmaid in the next wedding on the books so I will probably tweak more to theme.

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Here are the products I used:

Glamglow moisturizer in Nude Glow

Lancome Teinte Idole foundation in light bisque

Maybeline Age Rewind concealer in Brightener

Benefit Erase Paste in shade 2

Lorac I love brunch palette (Jelly donut, sorbet and pancakes).

Lancome Art Liner

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Definer in Soft Brown

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush from the 2016 holiday palette (the tan/peachy shade).

Laura Gellar Gilded Honey Highlight

Covergirl Supersizer mascara layered with YSL The Shock mascara

Rimmel Provacalips in Wish Upon A Berry

Maybeline Master Fix Setting Spray

Here’s a pic of my outfit and my oh, so handsome date. Doesn’t he look thrilled? Lol.

This look lasted all day through a long drive, ceremony, dinner, rain, etc. Unfortunately, we had to leave before dancing but I have confidence it would’ve lasted fairly well, as well as any full face can when you’re moving your body.

Anyway, it was a beautiful day and a very fun day as well! Can’t wait for the next wedding (ahh and bachelorette party in Chicago ) coming up here very soon!! Eek! My best friend is getting married; I’m so excited!!

XO

-A

MBA Graduation Day Makeup!

~ SeriouslyStyled ~ 3 Comments

 

As many of you may know I received my MBA in Supply Chain Management last Friday! Exciting (scary), isn’t it? So I wanted to share with you the look I came up with for the day. I was also practicing the look that was requested of the bride I worked on the following day, so I was experimenting with neutral shadows; which is actually different for me. I tend to go for whacky colors or plums/pinks if I’m doing a more natural/neutral look.

For the look pictured I used:

I prepped my skin with Algenist moisturizer.

Lancome Teinte Idole Foundation in Light Bisque.

Hourglass Holiday 2016 ambient lighting palette blush in surreal glow and highlighter in surreal light. This made me fall in love with this blush and with hourglass powders all over again; I’m obsessed!

For my eyes I used the Too Faced Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar and the original Lorac Pro palette (which is always my favorite for bridal gigs).

I used the Estee Lauder brow pencil I picked up from TJ Maxx a few posts back.

For mascara I layered Too Faced Better Than Sex and Neutrogena healthy volume.

For liner I used the Physicians Formula pen liner that everyone swears is a dupe for Kat Von D’s Trooper (Spoiler Alert; it’s not!)

For concealer I used Benefit Erase Paste and Maybeline Age Rewinder in the brightener shade.

For my lips I used the Rimmel Provocalips in Wish Upon A Berry. (I am obsessed with these; I swear they work just as well as the Lipsense trend everyone is crazy for now).

I finally set the look with Maybeline setting spray.

I spent the day with my mom grabbing lunch, getting to pick out a new couch (was my graduation present) and hanging out with my mom and fiancé. Then, finally, walking across the stage to grab my…diploma holder. Lol. Since my diploma is being mailed. But, hey, I can now add fancy credentials to my name and say I made it!!

 

This photo shows my makeup at the end of the day; which still looked pretty damn good! If you’re wondering my mortar board says, “MBA, when your B.S. can’t take U further.” Yes I am very proud of it. Lol. I tried to hang it on my desk at work but sadly the rhinestones just started peeling off.

 

That’s all for now!

 

XO

-A

 

365 Days of Samples-2

~ SeriouslyStyled ~ 1 Comment

Update #1 

Here are the samples I drew last time and my thoughts on them:

1.) The Professional Matte Rescue Foundation Primer-Benefit $28 for full size

I’ll be honest, I haven’t used this yet. I have extremely dry skin and live in northern Ohio, so I’ve been avoiding making myself look too matte and therefore dry and cakey, looks like this guy is rolling over to my next set of samples.

2.) Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream Perfume $80 for full size

It’s a nice, light fragrance. It, however, does not last very long on me unlike the original Daisy. It disappears far to quickly and isn’t anything special. WNR.

3.) Origins Night-A-Mins  renewal cream $43 for 1.7 oz.

This smells really nice and is nice and hydrating. WCR.

4.) Belif Aquabomb moisturizer $38 for 1.68 oz.

I started using this a bit and it is extremely hydrating and lovely. It has a light fragrance and does good things for my dry skin. I’ve made a large dent in this but I’ve still got a bit left so this rolls over to the next set of samples. WR.

5.) Nexxus hair treatment $15.79 for 4.8 oz.

This actually made my hair really soft and nice feeling. I used it as a conditioner and was honestly really impressed with how far this small sample went. I already have my holy grail conditioner/treatment but if I ever couldn’t find it or needed something else I’d look for this. WR.

6.) Whish body butter (lavender scented)$18 for 5 oz.

I can not stand the smell of this stuff. However, it does moisturize my skin. However, I like to smell like something…that I can tolerate the scent of. I’m glad to be rid of it. WNR.

7.) Philosphy Take a Deep Breath oxygenating gel $40 for 2 oz.

This is okay, it smells nice and works fine. However, it’s nothing special. WNR.

8.) Tatcha moisture rich silk cream $150 for 1.86 oz.

Oh. My. Gosh. This stuff is luxurious and incredible but when I looked up the price tag I was honestly horrified. $150?! That’s crazy! I did find a travel size on Amazon for $33, I would consider purchasing this to see how far I could stretch it while it was still beneficial for my skin. This stuff made my skin so soft, supple and moisturized. I even hoarded and got the most I could out of this sample because I love the way it made my skin feel. WCR.

9.) Shea Moisture facial wash/scrub and mask(s). (It’s a 3 pack). All 3 + extras for $19.

Ugh. I think this stuff was okay as far as cleansing my skin went but the mask made my face itch like crazy and boy does this stuff stink, in the worst way. I couldn’t get through the additional two face products and will be passing them along to the friend because I can’t stand the scent and doesn’t do well for my skin. WNR.

10.) Josie Maran Argan Daily Moisturizer $32 for 2 oz.

Before I opened this I thought it was the organ oil, however this is a moisturizer. It is very sticky and has a texture like Elmer’s glue which I find off-putting. It does, however, moisturize my skin and make my skin feel nice. I’m not sure I can get over the texture though. WNR.

Stay tuned this week for my next set of samples drawn from my box.

8 samples finished so far! Not too shabby. 

WCR- Would consider repurchasing
WNR-Would not repurchase
WR-Would repurchase

365 Days of Samples-1

~ SeriouslyStyled ~ Leave a comment

Last year I discovered Elle S. aka shadowsmoked on youtube and I was immediately hooked on her Project 365 Days of Samples, where she would use and review the samples in her sample box. As a beauty junkie, over time I too have accumulated a lot of samples that I have barely touched. I am now going to take on the year, as Elle did, and work through my sample box. Once I have used the products I will tell you what worked for me, what didn’t and what I can’t wait to purchase.

I drew ten samples out of my box to start with so here are the products I am beginning this project with:dscf1343

1.) The Professional Matte Rescue Foundation Primer-Benefit

2.) Marc Jacobs Daisy Dream Perfume

I started using this a bit. It’s a nice, light fragrance. It, however, does not last very long on me unlike the original Daisy.

3.) Origins Night-A-Mins  renewal cream

4.) Belif Aquabomb moisturizer

I started using this a bit and it is extremely hydrating and lovely. It has a light fragrance and so far does good things for my skin.

5.) Nexxus hair treatment

6.) Wish body butter (lavender scented)

I also began to use this. I can not stand the smell of this stuff. However, it does moisturize my skin.

7.) Philosphy Take a Deep Breath oxygenating gel

8.) Tatcha moisture rich silk cream

9.) Shea Moisture facial wash/scrub and mask(s). (It’s a 3 pack).

10.) Josie Maran Argan Oil

 

Until next time!

-XO-

A