Re-Haul (From February 2018) Sephora & Ulta

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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

Special Occasion Makeup; A Spring Wedding Guest Look!

 

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

Top 16 Beauty Picks of 2016

1.) Lorac Pro Eyeshadow (Eyeshadow). $44
Smoother than a baby’s bottom. 

I could gush about this eyeshadow formula for ages! These do kick up quite a bit of powder, but the way they blend like butter is well worth a little kick-up. I love the Lorac Pro original the most, as I find it the most versatile for every day. If you’ve been debating picking this palette up for a while, go ahead and take the plunge!

2.) Regis Hydrating Balm (Hair Mask). $15
A real tall drink of water. 

I don’t even have words for how incredible this makes my hair look. I have really thick, dry hair. It gets knotted and dry and damaged looking rather quickly from heat styling or hair coloring. I had been having serious split ends and a huge problem with my ahir looking dry and straw like. This was recommended to me by a stylist at a Regis salon and oh my gosh does it work. The stylist told me I could use it as a daily conditioner or as a mask I leave on for about 15 minutes at a time. I choose to use it a few times a week as a mask and the day after I use this (since I shower in the evening) my hair always, without a doubt, looks healthy, hydrated and just plain phenomenal!

3.) Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub (Body Scrub). $16
Seriously smooth skin. 

Not only does this smell lovely but it has the perfect size scrub exfoliants and is just the right balance of abrasive and gentle. The only thing I would change is I would put it in a squeeze tube, rather than a tub. A tub is hard to get in and out of while showering.

4.) Juliette Has A Gun-Not A Perfume (Fragrance). $28 for travel size
Simply scent-sational.

I got this fragrance as a deluxe sample in I believe a Birchbox earlier this year. I have never gotten so many compliments when wearing a fragrance before, I always feel so lovely and flattered when I spray this on. It is made of only one element Ambroxan/Cetalox. Supposedly this means the fragrance smells different on everyone, on me it is light and fresh with a slight musk and I love it!

Read more about Ambroxan/Cetalox 

5.) Glamglow Super Mud (Face Mask) $69
Clear as day. 

I know this stuff has quite the hefty price tag ( but you can find it for less than $69 if you do a little digging) but trust me when I tell you it’s worth it! I’ve used this both as a face mask and as a spot treatment.

6.) Maybeline Age Rewind Concealer-Brightener Version (Concealer) $8.99
The bright of your eye. 

Wow! This concealer has made all the difference for me. I have huge blue-black dark circles under my eyes (because I’m a vampire, duh) and this beautiful pink-toned concealer color corrects and makes me look awake and alive! This stuff is budget friendly and incredible.

7.) Estee Lauder Double Wear (Foundation) $39.50
Poreless perfection. 

This is a beautiful coverage that never looks heavy or ages the skin. I have rather dry skin myself and this foundation makes my face look airbrushed.

8.) Conair Infiniti hair straightener (Hair Tool) $33.99
From groove to smooth. 

I got this as a gift from my fiancé at the beginning of the year and wow is this incredible! It gets really hot and straightens every little bit of hair. My hair has never been straighter or smoother. I’ve had many high-end straighteners (Chi’s) that didn’t last nearly as long or perform nearly as well as this!

9.) Goody Tanglefix (Hair brush) $5.98
No more knots. 

I don’t know what to say other than I love this! It takes all the knots right out of my hair with ease. I find this best to use on my wet hair (blasphemous, I know) an it leaves my hair tangle free the next day when I go to style it! An excellent little brush that lives up to it’s name.

10.) Makeup Monsters Liquid Lipsticks (liquid lipstick) $15
Scary long-lasting. 

Eat, drink, laugh, this liquid lipstick is not going anywhere. Not only is the liquid lipstick long-lasting and opaque. It’s also reasonably priced and has the cutest packaging! You can grab two of these for the cost of many high end liquid lipsticks!

11.) Kat Von D Tattoo liner (Eyeliner) $19
Ink that stays. 

This liner is all in the name! It really doesn’t budge and has full opacity at first swipe. It stays all day without smudging, living up to it’s “tattoo liner” name.

12.) Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders (Highlighter) $46
Stunning sheen. 

I swear these powders can do no wrong. My sweet fiancé bought me the palette trio of these powders for our anniversary and holy cannoli are they gorgeous! They add just the right amount of luminosity to your face without being glittery or shiny. If you’re like me and have texture on your skin, these powders are for you!

13.) Maybeline Lasting Draw (Colored Eyeliner) $7.99
Courageous color. 

Most of the time I like simple black liner, usually with a wing but when I want to change things up these colored liners are so much fun! They stay beautifully on your waterline and are creamy enough to glide on with ease. The perfect liners to transform a look!

14.) Biore Deep Pore Charcol Cleanser (Skincare) $5.99
A real cool clean. 

This cleanser has a cooling effect on your face that really leaves it feeling clean and refreshed. Even when I was changing diets and medications that usually effect my skin this cleanser kept everything clear and beautiful. You can’t beat it for the price!

15.) Maybeline Better Skin Pressed Powder (Powder) $8.99
Fearlessly flawless. 

Wow! I can’t even believe this is a drugstore powder. It’s very finely milled and glides onto the skin with ease, leaving such a beautiful finish. It’s also not heavy and does not leave the skin looking cakey. Definitely invest in this powder if you’re in the market for one.

16.) Covergirl Supersizer Mascara $6.99
Supersize your lashes. 

Even if you already have long, voluminous lashes like I have been blessed with, this mascara will enchant your lashes. This mascara is magical. I was skeptical because I’m usually a fan of a larger brush and this one is really slim but it really just performs so beautifully.