Revlon Lip Butters

I'm not sure if reading other beauty blogs help me make informed decisions about beauty products or just makes me want to purchase more products in general. In this case, I'm really happy I was "convinced" to buy (although it doesn't take much to convince me to pick up makeup in general, especially when it's inexpensive). I've been reading nothing but great things about the Revlon Lip Butters so when I finally found them at Ulta I was pretty excited especially because they were buy one, get one 50% off.

I love the packaging- the pretty frosted colorful caps and the quilted design.  The top of the caps have a clear little "window" as well. Makes finding that shade of lipstick super easy!

Aren't they gorgeous?

Left: Tutti Fruti
Right: Strawberry Shortcake

 Strawberry Shortcake is a gorgeous bubble gum pink and Tutti Fruti is a bright orange. Both colors are pigmented in lip butter terms. I had to layer Tutti Fruti a few times to build the color.  


Like so many other bloggers, I am amazed at these lip butters. I've been wearing Strawberry Shortcake non-stop all week (I'm saving Tutti Fruti for the summer). They are pigmented like a lipstick but feel smooth and moisturizing like a lip butter. Best part is, they are affordable! Prices vary depending on where you buy them, however, I paid $7.50 each at Ulta (although the second was 50% off on promotion).




Have you tried these lip butters? If so, which is your favorite shade? 

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A Nail Polish Lover's Best Friend

What's in my Bag?

MAC Daphne Guinness Blush

It seems as of late, I've become more obsessed with anything ombre. (See my original ombre-themed post here). When I saw the new Daphne Guinness for MAC collection, the two blush ombres immediately caught my attention.

I choose Azalea Blossom because Vintage Grape seemed a little too dark for my NW 20 skintone. I am surprised that both blushes are still in stock online, however, I read that it is actually a repromote (originally appearing in the Spring Colour Forecast) so maybe many picked it up then?

Left to Right: Pink Section, Purple Section, Mixed

Azalea Blossom is a cool-toned (blue-based) pink. When swatching, I noticed the pink tone is actually less cool than the purple section. Both sections of the blushes are large enough to "customize" the blush.  Personally, I like evenly mixing the two together.

Did you pick up anything from the Daphne Guinness collection? I was tempted to pick up two of the lipglosses in Japanese Spring & Narcissus but decided against it and picked up a brush instead. I chose the 168, a large angled contour brush which I used to apply this blush.

Where to Buy: MAC Cosmetics

Cost: $26 for 9g/0.31 oz

Limited Edition

Handmade Love Vol. VI: Jewelry Edition

 Here is another edition of my handmade love posts, where I post lovely handmade items I find on Etsy. These one seems to be themed as I've chosen all jewelry pieces. Aren't they gorgeous?


     Gold Dust Shake Bracelet

$32.20 by helloberry

HelloBerry is a handmade jewelry shop run by three girlfriends, which I think is so much fun! I've been buying a lot of chunky chain jewelry lately and this shop is further fueling my current jewerly obsession. The lace part of these bracelets also come in other fun colors like silver, white, and fog gray. I've been debating between the all gold bracelet above or the black/gold combination.

Iridescent Silver Sparkle Earrings

 

$47 by tinygalaxies

Aren't these earrings gorgeous?! Almost all the jewelry in this shop is made with glitter and if you've been following my blog you know by now that I'm pretty much obsessed with things that sparkle. When I stumbled upon the fabulous earrings above, her shop immediately went into my favorites. If you want to add a bit of glimmer to your life, definitely check out tinygalaxie's shop.

Gold Vermeil Earrings

$28 by juliegarland

In my opinion, whoever said that mixing gold & silver is a no-no was very mistaken. Over the past few years, my jewelry collection has been growing with pieces that mix the two tones which is why I'm loving these gold nugget on silver hoop earrings. 

Do you shop on Etsy? What's your favorite handmade item you've purchased?


❤❤❤ 
P.S. AWESOME ZOYA PROMOTION:


Zoya nail polish has a promotion going on now until 1/9/12 at Zoya.com. Basically you get 2 FREE nail polishes, you just pay for shipping. Enter code ZOYA2012 at checkout. 


If you're curious, here are the 2 shades I choose:
Left: Layla 
Right: Hayden 

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Revlon Lip Butters Swatches/Review
What's in my Bag?

Favorite Products of 2011/Beauty Resolutions

Happy New Year! Hope everyone had a fabulous NYE weekend. I forgot to take a picture of my eye makeup, however, I used UD's gunmetal (charcoal gray) with MAC's Idol Eyes (silver frost) over the top then added MAC's Pink Freeze (medium pink frost) in the crease. I ended up loving the look and I'm sure I'll recreate it at some point and post a picture.


2011 Beauty Favorites

❤ Urban Decay 15 Anniversary Palette

I was hesitant to add this to my favorites as I know many cannot find this palette any longer. However, it is a favorite so I figured it deserves a spot on the list. I wish Urban Decay would make more palettes like this. This palette has something for everyone as it has a great mix of brights, nudes and 'smokey-eye' shades all of which are new. Only downside to this palette is the packaging. The palette is not very travel-friendly as it's lid lifts off and doesn't have a locking mechanism. If I decide to bring this palette somewhere, I will likely be rubber band-ing this palette shut. Full review/swatches here.

❤ MUFE HD foundation

I haven't written up a full review of this foundation but here's a short overview. I was previously using MAC satin finish foundation in what I now believe was the wrong shade for my skintone. However, that wasn't the only problem with my MAC foundation. Yes, it had decent coverage, however, that came with a price. This foundation feels so incredibly heavy and thick on your face. I finally decided to replace my foundation when I got 20% off during Sephora's F&F sale. This HD foundation is so light in comparison and honestly I think I'm in love with it just for that reason. I apply it with the beauty blender for a flawless look. 

❤ Anastasia Beverly Hills Express Brow kit

Before this kit, I'm ashamed to admit that as a makeup addict, I barely paid attention to my brows. Now I can't go a makeup day without reaching for this brow kit. I love how everything you need is in one little kit: a brow wax, two brow powders, brow stencils and a brush (also includes a highlighter which honestly I've never used). I wish I discovered this kit sooner, because I now realize how groomed brows can really help define the face. Full review/swatches here.

❤ Tarte Amazonian Clay Blushes

I highly recommend these blushes. I have never tried a blush that is so easily blendable and they are amazingly pigmented. I convinced my friend to purchase one of these blushes (she picked up Dollface) and I'm really excited to hear her thoughts on it. Full review/swatches here.

❤ Jack Black Lip Balm

I've been a loyal fan of Burt's Bees chapstick. I can't tell you how many of their chapsticks that I went through (either actually finishing a tube or losing then re-finding) over the years. However, after hearing a few beauty bloggers rave about Jack Black lip balms, I felt the need to try them. All I can say is: move over Burt's Bees! These lipbalms are very moisturizing which I desperately need during the cold, dry winter months and they even contain SPF 25! I have the lavender & vanilla scent and the blackberry & black tea scent. I prefer the fruity scent of the blackberry balm over the lavender scent which overpowers the vanilla.

❤  Benefit They're Real mascara

I usually stick to drugstore mascaras but after all the hype about this mascara, I decided I really wanted needed to try it. It is one of the best mascaras I've tried for length and makes my lashes appear that I'm wearing natural-looking false lashes. Even though I love the results of this mascara, the price ($24) is likely going to stop me from repurchasing once it's dried up. My beloved Loreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes mascara has similar results (but requires two steps: primer/mascara) for less than half the price. Full review here.

Favorite Lipsticks

Left to Right:
MAC Creme Cup
MAC Angel
MAC Creme d'Nude
MUFE Moulin Rouge
Urban Decay Crush 
Sorry about my messy/previously melted Creme d'nude. 


Favorite Nail Polishes

Top Row (Left to Right)
OPI Got a Date to Knight
China Glaze For Audrey
OPI Mad as a Hatter
Zoya in Cynthia
Bottom Row (Left to Right)
OPI Shorts Story
Butter London in HRH
Essie in Sand Tropez

2012 Beauty Resolutions

1. drink more water

2. nail polish spending limit

The first resolution is pretty self-explanatory but I'll explain number two a bit more. My nail polish collection is getting quite large. I hate to confess this but I'm almost at 70 polishes (which is small compared to some collections I've seen here on blogs and youtube). I do paint my nails up to twice a week, however, I realize I can't possibly use up every polish before they eventually become unusable. That is why I've decided to put myself on a nail polish buying limit for 2012. I think I've decided that two polishes is my limit per month. This will hopefully control my impulse nail polish buying habit as I'll have to think about whether I really love that polish enough to use up my monthly polish limit.

What are some of your beauty favorites or resolutions?