lipstick

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

April 2018 Boxycharm (and March 2018 Boxycharm reviews).

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I have been very impatiently awaiting the arrival of my April Boxycharm. I knew there were five Colourpop palette variations (3 of which I was interested in) and the option between a MAC lipstick or Tarte liquid highlighter. I knew there was also the option between an Adesse liquid lipstick and a set of brushes.

My box arrived today and I could not be more excited about what I received.

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1.) I got the Tarte Tartiest Pro Glow Liquid Highlighter in the color Stunner. In the super pretty LE packaging with the colorful turquoise and pink and blue cap. Even though I love MAC products, I was hoping for this version because I’ve almost bought this product several times and have been wanting to try it. This retails for $29.00

2.) I got the Colourpop My Little Pony Eyeshadow Palette. I am super pumped for this, as it has a good mix of pretty colorful shades and neutral shades. This was one of the three I was hoping for (the other two being Golden State of Mind and Semi-Precious). This retails for $16.00.

3.) I got the Dr. Brandt Pores No More Vacuum Cleaner mask. I really liked the scrub from them we got last October, so I have high hopes for this as well. This retails for $47.00.

4.) I got The Browgal Instatint Tinted Brow Gel in the Color Brown Hair 02. I am interested in trying this, as it seems like a good shade match for my brows. This retails for $22.00.

5.) Finally, I got Adesse Hi-Definition Liquid Lipstick. Not sure of the shade, as I don’t see a name but it’s a pretty neutral mauve color. This retails for $24.00

 

This brings the overall value of my box to $138. Not too shabby for $21 a month!

 

I will now also report on my thoughts in what I got in my March 2018 Boxycharm.

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In March I got:

1.) Boxycharm X Pur Baecation Palette which was a collaboration with Boxycharm and Pur. This retails for $36.00 and you can purchase it at Ulta. These are not the most pigmented shadows in the world and are a bit powdery but all things considered I still quite enjoy it and will continue to use it. I probably wouldn’t purchase this if I didn’t get it in my Boxycharm though.

2.) South Mane Eye Gel packs which I believe retail for $10.00 for three. These were super fun to do with my husband. I think these worked all right, nothing crazy different. I don’t know that I would go out of my way to seek these out but if I saw them again or on sale I may pick them up to use again.

3.) I received the 3-piece brush set from The Vintage Cosmetics Company. These are pretty cute. I enjoy 2/3 brushes so far. The small, dense shadow brush I thought I’d love the most I find really aggressive with my shadows and tends to push a little harder than any other shadow brush does. I really like the small size and density so I’m going to continue to try to use it and see if it’s just a learning curve. The other two brushes are super nice and I quite enjoy them. This retails for $21.50 (not sure of exact change but I know it was around that price).

4.) I got the Pretty Vulgar blush in Hush Blush. I’m actually one of the weirdos who wanted that bright pink color so bad but I actually really like this. It’s a nice rose/teracotta on the cheeks and it’s very similar to my favorite blush ever, which is an Hourglass blush from the 2016 holiday palette. This retails for $26.00 and the packaging is so dang cute. It also has a good amount of wear time. The packaging does feel a bit cheap but I don’t find that a huge deal when the product is really nice. I would consider purchasing other colors.

5.) Finally, I got the Double Decker mascara from Butter London which retails for $21.00. I’ll be honest the first few times I tried this I wasn’t terribly impressed/didn’t really like it. However, after using it for a bit I really enjoy the look it gives my lashes and it doesn’t flake! You do have to take a little time to build it on your lashes, so I wouldn’t recommend it if you always get ready in a hurry but overall it’s a lovely mascara after you get past the first few applications. I would consider repurchasing this.

That makes the total for this box $114.50, still pretty good for $21.00 a month!

That’s all for now.

 

XO

-A

Life Update; Again.

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Let’s just say, things have been crazy! I once again found myself in the middle of a bunch of interviews for a new job, one that I wanted but did not apply for (can I tell you how cool it is to be recruited?). Anyway, after a long interview process I know find myself in the southern part of the state, working in another state for a really, really awesome company. I am so excited to have my dream job! I am temporarily residing with my grand little until my fiancé finishes school, then heads down this way. I’ve been here a little over a week and I LOVE LOVE LOVE this city. It seriously is so incredible and has everything. The only thing that I’m (somewhat) unhappy with is my long commute to work but life is about balance, right?

 

Anyway, as the picture above shows a MAC lipstick. I was able to make it to an Ulta on national lipstick day. I was 45/50 in line and I was able to snag a freebie. The color I got is a matte bright pink called, “Breathing Fire.” It’s gorgeous and I adore it. I’ll try to insert a picture of it on my lips following this paragraph.

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Ughhh. If only I would have blended my nose contour. Ah well, you live and you learn. I’ve got some new products that I’ve been loving on so a favorites (and hate its) post should be coming your way soon, as well as my promised review of the Tarte Clay Play palette. I’m also thinking I want to get a cut and color soon, my hair is at that stage where if it’s getting longer it’s taking it’s sweet ‘ol time and it’s so thick it just frizzes at the bottom. (Thick hair struggles, I know, I know I hate me too).

 

For right now work is crazy busy and traveling will start super soon. I miss my fiance, family, kitty and doggo like crazy but at times I’m too busy to notice. I’ve been enjoying eating tons of the delicious foods that are down here and visiting all the cool places to shop. I seriously am never at a loss for what to do, I even went to a concert with minimal planning last night and it was incredible! Once of the nicest outdoor venues I’ve been to! It was so fun to hang out with my roommate and jam out.

 

That’s all for now!

 

XO

-A

July 2017 Sephora Play Box 

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Photo above without flash.

Hello all, I wanted to share with you the contents and thoughts on the products I received in my July 2017 Sephora Play. My June box was rather awful, it had products for blow drying (which I never do) and curly hair (that I don’t have) and I only enjoyed 2 of the products, it was the worst one I’ve received so it wasn’t worth mentioning.

Photo above shows use of the lipstick and the mascara.

This month, however, I’m far more impressed! I got a leave in conditioner from Brigeo that smells like orange juice, a caudile anti wrinkle serum (seems nice, too early to tell how it works), a tarte lipstick that is a lovely pinky-brown nude, a Bobbi brown mascara (which is nice and volumizing), the fresh rose face mask which is hydrating and I love and a fragrance from clean which is nice enough that I’ll wear but not something I would purchase, especially at the cost of perfumes! 

Photo above with flash. 

I’d definitely say my $10 went to better use this month! Right now this is my only subscription but I’ve been quite pleased overall that I just signed up for boxycharm (and much to my annoyance got waitlisted). So hopefully when I get off the waitlist I’ll have some cool products to try out! 

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

Fiancé buys my makeup

~ SeriouslyStyled ~ 3 Comments

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A few weeks ago I was watching YouTube and I found some videos of watching YouTuber’s boyfriends buying their makeup. It seemed so fun and maybe a way to try things I wouldn’t have picked up otherwise. Whilst I don’t have the budget to let my fiancé go ape wild at Sephora, so I opted for CVS and this is what he came up with.

Maybeline Master Prime Blurring Primer

L’Oreal Magic Lumi Foundation

Maybline Spider Effect Mascara

Maybeline Master conceal concealer

Physicians Formula Murumuru butter blush in Plum Rose

NYX Noir eyeliner

Rimmell Lipstick in Listen Up (Because he knows I love bright lipsticks)

Milani Brights Eyeshadow Palette

I ended up paying about $115 for everything my fiancé picked out. I went home and created this look:

 

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I didn’t have the best lighting at the time, so bare with me. At fist application I was over the moon for the mascara, blush and contour palette and that lip color!

Upon further use I am obsessed with the primer and concealer he picked out, quickly becoming some of my favorites. They eyeshadow palette is nice but not my choice for everyday makeup and I tend to reach for my Kat Von D tattoo liner over this NYX liner, though it is nice it’s harder to control.

Also, the foundation he picked is my new holy grail, as a dry skinned girl it just applies beautifully! It was honestly such a fun experience for a different kind of date night (we went to a pizza buffet then to the drugstore then he edited photos while I put on this face and let him tell me his final thoughts). I love that he supports my hobbies and it was something we could do together. So, if you’re thinking about it, it’s totally a fun challenge to work with all new products and you could even find new holy grails!

Hopefully in the future I can save a chunk for us to do this again at Sephora!

 

XO

Amanda

TJ Maxx Haul

~ SeriouslyStyled ~ 3 Comments

This past week I had the pleasure of doing some shopping with my mom at our local TJ Max and found some pretty cool beauty steals!

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Smashbox LA lights blush and highlight palette $24.99

Too Faced Melted Metal lipstick in Metallic Bunny $5.99

Origins GinZing cream eyeshadow in Blue-tiful Burst $11.99

Estee Lauder Double Wear eyebrow pencil duo $16.99

Alba Bontanica fast fix for a pijmple $3.99

Pearl essence Dry Shampoo in Lavendar Fields $6.99 (this smells incredible)

Bobbi Brown Smokey in Seconds kit $34.99 (Includes liner, shadow stick, makeup remover and mascara)

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Close up of the blush/highlight palette

Total Spent: $105.93 Honestly a pretty good haul for the total, I’ll update in a week or so with reviews of these products!

Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Palette Review

~ SeriouslyStyled ~ 4 Comments

 

Oh my gosh isn’t this thing gorgeous?! Not only is this pretty to look at but it’s also definitely been tons of fun to play with! Mixing new shades has been both fun and oh so wrong (I’ve gotten some really ugly green lipsticks. Lol!). This baby is $48 on the Anastasia Beverly Hills website, which offers free shipping on orders over $25.

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However, I will say the mixing plate and spatula are a pain in the rear to clean, it isn’t just a swipe and be done type of product. The actual lipsticks in the palette are both creamy and have a beautiful matte finish. They’re also incredibly long lasting! I don’t really mind carrying a lipstick palette along with me, as my purse is a black hole but I never seem to want to bring this one because it’s lacking one seriously important thing if I’m using a product this large on the go; a mirror.

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All in all the actual product is beautiful and applies nicely and is also incredibly long lasting. These are traditional cream lipsticks, so they do transfer and don’t have the longevity of a liquid lipstick, as to be expected. However, this is something I would only recommend to a lipstick junkie or obsessed  makeup collector like myself. It isn’t very convenient (although it may be if you travel frequently) and there is no way to store the unique shades you mix up from the palette unless you go purchase small pill containers. So if you do want it, the product quality is well worth it but do realize it does have it’s drawbacks.

 

XO

-A