Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter Pressed in Opal - Review and Swatches

Hello beauties!

If you didn't know, I am a total sucker for highlighters! As I was watching Rositaapplebum's July favorites video, she mentioned this product. I can never have enough highlighters in my collection, so I logged onto Sephora.com and purchased one for myself.

I have been using this for about 2 weeks, and I haven't been able to put it down! It gives me such a pretty glow without looking like an overdone disco ball - it is not glittery or chunky at all, as it is very finely milled. Opal is a frosted gold champagne color. A word of advice: you can't be heavy handed! Very little goes a long way. This product can be swept all over the face, or you can use it on your cheekbones and brow bones (which is what I do). It lasts all day on me without looking patchy at the end of the day.

I recommend this product to anyone that wants that beautiful glow from within look! This product retails for $38 USD. 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Amrezy Palette - Review and Swatches!

If you don't know who Amra Olevic, a.k.a. @amrezy is on Instagram, you should really take some time to check her out. She is one of the most popular MUAs on Instagram - she recently hit the 1 million followers mark! I have been following her since I first made my account about 2 years ago, and it was awesome to see her steadily gain momentum on social media. Amra is not only gorgeous, but she is really talented!

I personally love Anastasia Beverly Hills products, and when I found out she teamed up with Anastasia and created an eyeshadow palette I immediately stopped what I was doing at work (no, seriously), and ordered myself a palette.

The palette consists of 10 colors - all warm shades that will flatter beauties of all skin tones. There are two colors on the top row that are a little "out of the norm" but still work with all the colors to give you that pop of color. All very pigmented, not chalky at all. I love the range of colors that were chosen for this- you can do a soft day look or change it up to evening glam, since it is a prefect mix of matte and shimmer. Versatility is a big plus! The palette also comes with a double ended brush.

A closer look at the brush

Left to right: Legend, Glisten, Topaz, Iridescent Purple, Emerald

Left to Right: Vanilla, Caramel, Morocco, Deep Plum, LBD

All in all, I do recommend this palette to everyone! It can be found at your nearest Ulta in store or online, as well as on Anastasia's website, and retails for $29 USD.

I've Been Nominated for the Liebster Award!

Hello beauties!

I have been nominated for the Liebster Award by Courtney from brokebutnotbasic.com and Alicia over at aliciadeyes.blogspot.co.uk - thank you ladies SO much!

Since I am fairly new to the blogging world, I wondered what a Liebster award was. I was honestly surprised I was chosen! After reading around, I found that this gives bloggers the opportunity to get to know one another - which I think is awesome! There are certain rules to follow (which actually vary):

- You must link back to the blogger(s) that nominated you

- You must answer 11 questions given to you by the blogger that nominated you

- You must nominate 5-11 bloggers and give them 11 questions of your choice (they must have less than 200 followers)

- You can't nominate the blogger who nominated you

- Let the bloggers you chose know that they are nominated! Provide a link to your post so they can see the rules, questions etc.

Since rules vary, Courtney only asked questions, and Alicia had questions and asked to state 11 random facts about yourself. So I am doing both! 

1. What is your favorite thing about blogging?

I like the fact that I can share my thoughts and opinions with everyone! Also I love to communicate with others from all over the world and give each other advice and tips.

2. Who is your favorite blogger?
That would have to be Christine from temptalia.com 

3. What do you miss the most about being a kid?
Not having a care in the world (other than school). Oh, and Saturday morning cartoons!

4. What is your go to makeup product?
At the moment it's the Bobbi Brown peach corrector

5. Who is your fashion icon?
I actually love the Kardashian sisters' fashion sense! Rihanna wears things that only she can pull off, and I love that.

6. Do you have any tattoos/piercings?
I don't have any other piercing other than on my ears, but I do have several tattoos. I have stars on my right foot, sparrows on my left shoulder, and the word Spero on my left wrist which means hope in latin.

7. What made you want to start blogging?
I am in love with anything beauty related. I buy makeup and other products quite often and I figured why not start a blog to share my love with everyone else on a broader level? 

8. Where is your favorite place to eat?
I can't choose one, but I love Red Lobster and Chipotle!

9. If you could live anywhere in the world; where would it be?
I love New York, but I recently went to Rome and I really loved it over there!

10. What is your favorite makeup brand?
I honestly can't pin point just one brand that I love! Each brand has a product(s) that stand out.

11. Who is your favorite YouTuber?
Again, I can't just choose one. I love Nicole Guerriero's personality, Desi Perkins and Chrisspy. I also watch Rositaapplebum alot.

My 11 random facts: 

- I am a huge fan of The Lord of the Rings/ The Hobbit books and movies!
- I wanted to be a cartoon animator growing up.
- I work for the airline industry (British Airways to be exact)
- I have flat feet.
- I have lived in New York all of my life (and in the same apartment too!).
- I want to become fluent in Portuguese, Italian, French, and eventually in Arabic.
- One of my favorite singers ever is Sade.
- My favorite ice cream flavor is Coffee by Haagen Dazs.
- I absolutely loved the Spice Girls and NSYNC growing up, and I literally had my walls covered from floor to ceiling with their posters!
- Italian cuisine is my favorite!
- London, Iceland, Spain, France and Greece are on top of my list for places I really want to visit.

Here are my questions for you:

1. What is you biggest challenge when it comes to blogging?
2. What else do you do besides blogging?
3. Do you travel often? If so where have you gone? If not name places you would love to visit!
4. What is your favorite season and why?
5. What shows do you like to watch?
6. All time favorite movie?
7. Do you speak any other languages? Any you would like to learn?
8. What do you find attractive in others?
9. What is your pet peeve?
10. What is a beauty product you can't live without?

The bloggers I am nominating are:

Shannika - thegeekofbeauty.blogspot.com.au

Dulcie - dulcieavenue.wordpress.com
Jasmine - jazzrosina.blogspot.co.uk
Rachel - thebeautebook.blogspot.co.uk
Bethany- bethanyturnbull.blogspot.com
Amber - amberstrendythoughts.blogspot.com

Vibussha - beautyroomxox.blogspot.com

I am looking forward to your responses! Thanks again Courtney and Alicia for the nomination! 

Drugstore and Sephora Haul

Yes, yet another (small) haul!

I had to run back to Sephora since I ran out of my eyebrow pencil, and didn't leave with just one thing (but didn't do so bad!) and I also picked up some things at the drugstore section of Bed Bath and Beyond. Just thought I'd share what I purchased with you all :)

I currently use the Freeman Avocado and Oatmeal Clay Mask at least once a week and I really do like how it makes my skin look and feel after use. I noticed that there was a sale going on for the Freeman masks and I grabbed 2!

I really love Real Techniques brushes - absolutely no complaints whatsoever. I decided to pick up one of their blush brushes, since the Sephora one I have has been shedding a lot lately. 

Can you believe I have actually never tried any BB creams?! I have heard good things about the Maybelline Dream Pure Fresh BB 8 In One Skin Cleaning Perfecter. Since I passed the Maybelline section, I picked one up in the shade medium.

First time I saw these lipsticks on display, I got real excited since I love nude shades. Unfortunately I wasn't able to purchase it - because they were all opened, and people have swatched the lipsticks! I HATE that! Fortunately Bed Bath and Beyond carried it, and they were untouched. It's the L'Oreal Collection Privee Colour Riche and I picked them up in the shades Julianne's Nude and Jennifer's Nude. 

Left: Jennifer's Nude Right: Julianne's Nude 

I have a backless top that I haven't been able to wear due to its thin material, and of course, unable to wear a bra. I found this Hollywood Breast Lift Tape - which I'm hoping it gives me some sort of lift and not make me look like I have no bra on. I also got reusable gel silicone nipple covers, because I don't want to show the world that my headlights are on. 

Now, for my small Sephora haul. 

I had to go back to Sephora to get more of the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz. I ran out of the Medium Ash, and since I'm back to being a brunette, this time around I got it in the shade Dark Brown. 

I also got more of the NARS tinted moisturizer in the shade Annapurna, and a bottle of Urban Decay All Nighter Setting Spray. 

The only thing in the picture that was not purchased at Sephora was the Inglot gel liner in #77 - that was bought in Macy's. 

I should be set for the time being... but knowing me, I won't be able to resist, and i'll pick something else up! 

ByAlegory Acrylic Lipstick Organizer

I brought an Alex 5 drawer system from Ikea a few months ago and have yet to buy bins to store everything properly. The acrylic makeup storage on my vanity was overflowing with lip products, and my lipstick drawer in the Alex system was starting to look like a hot mess!

I recently came across these makeup organizers by a company called ByAlegory. They offer lipstick, lipgloss, and compact organizers make out of heavy duty acrylic - and it is available in a few colors as well. I decided to purchase the pink 24 lipstick organizer, since I wanted a pop of color to stand out against my white drawer.

As soon as I received it, I quickly put in all of the lipsticks that needed to be organized in it!

On one end I put in some of my non-mac lipsticks to show that it also holds other brands of lipsticks just as well (at least the ones that I own). As you know, mac lipsticks all have the same black packaging (except for limited edition) and you don't know what color it is unless you look at the bottom. I put the lipsticks upside down just to see how it worked out. 

The lipsticks tilt over to the side but still did it's job! This is what it looks like inside of my Alex drawer..

Overall I'm happy with my purchase and will most definitely order some of the other makeup storage they have to offer!

Mini Sephora Haul!

So, I went into Sephora a few days ago, and did a little bit of damage! Nothing major, but I definitely walked away with more than just the one item I intended on purchasing.

This is why I originally came in to Sephora, to pick up the Bobbi Brown corrector in Peach. I have dark under eye circles, but lately I feel like they have been darker than usual, and a regular concealer just wasn't doing it for me.

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Peach

After I grabbed that up, I started wandering around, and ended up at the NARS section. I decided to pick up their Radiant Creamy Concealer in the color Custard. I've heard nothing but good things, so I wanted to try it out for myself. 

NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer in Custard

I remembered that I was running out of my Urban Decay Brightening and Tightening Complexion Primer Potion, and headed over to Hourlgass to pick up their Mineral Veil Primer. I got the travel sized bottle to try out before I committed to the full size one. Also, the full size one is VERY expensive! Again, I've seen rave reviews for this product! 

Hourglass Mineral Veil Primer

I walked over to Too Faced to finally take a look at their Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipsticks. I wanted to pick all of them up, but of course, that wasn't possible. I decided on the shade Melted Nude.

Too Faced Liquified Long Wear Lipstick in Melted Nude

I was also taking a look at their highlighters, and decided to get their Candlelight glow highlighting powder duo. It has two shades, which is Sheer Gold and Gilded Rose. I can never have enough highlighters! 

Too Faced Candlelight Glow

Im so glad I decided to look at the perfume section - I came across a purse sized Gucci Premiere! I have been eyeing this perfume for SO long but I always think twice about it when I have it in my hands, due to the fact that its so expensive. Even better, it isn't in a rollerball form, but in a spray! This perfume smells divine! 

Gucci Premiere

And that concludes this mini haul -Is there anything you would like to see a review on? Let me know below! 

Sigma Spa Brush Cleaning Glove Review

Hello beauties!

So, I don't know why I didn't hear of this glove before I went to IMATS earlier this year. Apparently this glove has been out for a while before then. As I was looking over what I wanted to purchase at the Sigma booth, I saw this brush cleaning glove, and wondered if it was worth it. Since Sigma had 30% off their items, I figured it would be worth a shot. I'm SO glad I took that chance!

Yes, it looks like a rubber oven glove with different textures on it. But you know what? It works.

Gone are the days of me having prune like hands due to deep cleaning my makeup brushes. I used to hate how long it would take as well - making sure the makeup is completely washed off and rinsing them out thoroughly. The spa glove makes life a bit easier! It is also lined on the inside, so your hand isn't actually sticking to the rubber on the inside.

The glove has two sides to it, one side to wash eye brushes..

 And the other side to wash face brushes.

The nubs on each side are different, the side for the face brushes are larger for obvious reasons. A huge plus about this glove is that you are actually using a lot less cleaning solution, as soon as you start moving your brush in a circular motion on the wash section, you automatically see how sudsy it becomes. The nubs do a great job in helping with the removal of whatever makeup is on your brushes, and quickly too.

So what do the different textures do? Here's a little breakdown. First you add the brush cleaner of your choice to the wash section and start swirling it around. You'll see all that buildup come right off!

Next up, its time to rinse. The rinse section is on the top of the glove.

For even more of a deep clean, run your brush through the refine section. In this section, I sometimes notice that there is still some soap that needs to be rinsed off, so I run the brush through the rinse part again. 

To top it off, squeeze your brush through the shape section to remove excess water, all while shaping your brush. 

Now, as far as pricing goes, I do think it is a steep price to pay for it. It is absolutely worth it if you have tons of brushes to deep clean, want them thoroughly clean, and you want to save time cleaning them (I mean, who wouldn't want that?!). I have been using this glove for a few months now and I am completely in love. Pink isn't the only color - Sigma has it in aqua, black, and purple as well (from what I see on the website at the moment, pink isn't available). You can purchase the glove by clicking here.

Do you own one, or thinking about purchasing? What are your thoughts?