3/15/16

March 2016 Beauty Purchases: Sephora, Ulta, ColourPop, Makeup Geek,Target, Too Faced

Hey guys!  Today I thought I would share with you my latest beauty purchases.  I picked all of these up over the past few weeks and have really been enjoying some of them.  When you pile everything together it turns into quite the haul, lol.  We will start with a couple of items I ordered from Ulta.


Laura Geller Baked Gelato Swirl Illuminator in Gilded Honey, $26
This highlight from Laura Geller has been so hyped up on social media, but for some reason I was just reluctant to try it.  My favorite highlights to use are either whitish ones or pinky ones, and 9 times out of 10 that's what I reach for.  But, it's nice to have really good quality ones of every shade range on hand.  Sooooooo, I decided to go ahead and pick this bad boy up, as I thought I would probably get a lot of use out of it in the warmer months.  It's just a really beautiful gold highlight that really gives a gorgeous pop on the cheekbones.  One of those products that really is worth the hype.



Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge, $6.99
I have never purchased a knock-off Beauty Blender.  EVER, until now.  I am a big fan of the Beauty Blender and I think they're just one of those things worth investing in the real thing.  That being said, I have heard really nice things about this sponge and wanted to give it a try.  I currently have 2 brand new Beauty Blenders in rotation, so I really don't need this just yet.  But, I love having Beauty Blenders for different things (I know, a little much).  I like to have one for cream highlights, one for foundation, that sort of thing, so I'm sure I could find a use for this.  I haven't tried it yet but I am going to pretty soon.  I will let you know how it compares!


{Ulta samples}


The next item I will talk about is the 3 Concept Eyes Concealer.  This is a Korean product and I first heard about it on one of Michelle Phan's videos.  Korean makeup and skincare is some of the best, so I took a chance and ordered a tube of this on Amazon.  It is excellent!  I am super picky about any under-eye concealers because I have a real problem with creasing.  I don't have 20 year old skin anymore, I have 37 year old skin and I have to be really careful with what I use.  This is super thin and almost watery, but yet it really brightens under the eyes.  Creasing is minimal and I couldn't be happier with this product.  I did provide a link in the description (or just click here), but the price is kind of high right now.  I am pretty sure I got mine for around $25, but since Michelle's video I have seen the price increase (probably due to an increase in demand).  Mine is in the shade 001 which seems to be the shade in most demand, but I did see the next shade up in 002 on there for around $25. Just make sure you purchase from a legit seller, I got mine directly from Style Nanda.


(Your tube should arrive sealed)


Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer, $18
I had actually never tried this primer until recently, when I finally got around to using one of the many sample packets I had of it from various Sephora orders.  Where I have oily skin I usually stick to primers that specifically state they are mattifying, so I had always been hesitant to try this.  I actually really ended up liking it, from what I could tell by the packet anyways.  So, I went straight online and grabbed a bottle.  My first instinct was to nab the jumbo bottle that retails for $72, but I held back and got the smallest bottle.  I have SO many primers and I use them for like a minute and then I'm on to something else.  I am going to use this little guy first, and if it's something that I really think is worth it and really makes a difference then I will invest in the larger bottle.  So far SO good.  This primer seems to help with my oiliness and helps my makeup last longer, and it seems to make my skin a lot smoother in texture.


I grabbed a 100pt. perk of the Clinique Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion.  It had been YEARSSSSS since I had used this so I wanted to give it a try again.  Definitely not a moisturizer I could use under makeup and this makes me super greasy after a couple of hours.  But, for days just here at home it'll be just fine.


{Sephora samples}


The next products I'll mention are from the brand ColourPop.  ColourPop is a strictly online, very affordable brand.  I picked up one of their Lippie Stix (which is basically just a lipstick), one of their Ultra Satin Lips (a new lipstick formula in the line, a new take on a liquid lipstick that doesn't dry down completely matte), and lastly I picked up one of their highlighters.


The super soft, buttery, creamy highlights are one of ColourPop's most popular products.  I really do like these.  They're super affordable (8 bucks a piece), highly pigmented, and SO gorgeous.  This particular shade is a dupe for the Anastasia Starlight Illuminator and for Becca's Shimmering Skin Perfector in Moonstone.  Absolutely beautiful!


And the other things ColourPop is really known for are their lip products.  Liquid lipsticks were ALL the rage in 2015, and I can see why.  With super matte-drying liquid lipsticks you basically paint them on and they stay for hours and hours and you don't have to fuss with them any.  The only problem for me is, I simply cannot stand something that drying on my lips.  It feels so uncomfortable to me.  I was so happy when I seen ColourPop had released a new formula liquid lipstick, the Ultra Satin Lip.  This is a version of a liquid lipstick that I absolutely love.  You get a super opaque lip that is almost matte, but when you rub your lips together there is a slight give to the product.  What you're left with is a really pretty lipstick that stays on really nicely, but it is still comfortable to wear.  I got mine in the shade Magic Wand, which is just a really pretty nude.  Since receiving the product and seeing that I do in fact like the formula, I will probably be buying more of these.  The Lippie Stix I picked up is one of their glossy formulas, which are my favorite.  Some Lippie Stix have no scent whatsoever, and then some of them have the BEST smell in a lip product that I have ever took a whiff of.  Better than MAC, better than anything.  The most delicious scent ever in the history of a lip product, seriously.  This one, in the shade Beyond, has that scent.  I literally cannot get enough of it.  ColourPop has numerous formulas of Lippie Stix - matte, creme, satin, glossy, sheer, etc., so there's definitely something for everyone.  ColourPop cosmetics are so popular because they are so affordable, yet so incredibly good.


When I placed this order they had a special on their site where you could receive a free Lippie Stix.

It's a really pretty vibrant matte fuscia shade.  I think this will be so pretty in the spring and summer!


I ordered this palette on 2/28 when it launched on the Too Faced website.  I have been a fan of the Peanut Butter shadow ever since the Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar released, so this was a total no brainer.  I did a review on it and you can see that here.

This palette is perfect for you if you're like me and you love warm eyeshadows.  
LOVE <3


I was so happy when MUG released their contour powders, as I am much more a fan of having one single product to use rather than a whole contour palette.  So many shades, there's literally one for everybody.  Affordable, great quality, love.


I love me some green eyeshadows, as they are super flattering on brown eyes.  This one in Dirty Martini is just a great matte olive green.  Beautiful for blending out in the crease.


I absolutely love the super metallic foiled eyeshadows from Makeup Geek, and this particular shade in Jester is my favorite that I own.  It's a beautiful bright mossy green with gold undertones.  Pack this on the lid and then blend out the crease with Dirty Martini = GORGEOUS.


I picked up another one of these bad boys to throw in my purse.  Excellent eyeliner for your waterline.  The tip is so tiny you can really get in between your lashes so easily.  Love.


I picked this up strictly based on a review I seen on YouTube by Emilynoel83, and I really do like this.  I am an oily gal, so I welcome any kind of mattifying products with open arms.  Especially when it's cheap and affordable at the drugstore!  I just dab a little of this on my t-zone to set my makeup or to blot throughout the day.


Another product purchased because of YouTube.  This is supposedly a shampoo that Kim Kardashian uses, so I figured I'd kick it old school and grab me a bottle.  This does feel nice, not too harsh and abrasive.  I don't know if this shampoo is sulfate free, but it feels like a sulfate free shampoo as it does not lather up real soapy.  That's fine with me, shampoos that do tend to be a little bit more drying.  I do like this, but I still like my L'Oreal Total Repair Extreme more.


Where I have long hair with dry ends, I never just use a shampoo+conditioner.  I always add in a separate conditioner, so I grabbed the one by Finesse to use with the previous product.  I really do like this, it makes my hair really soft and I would purchase it again.  (Even though I still like the L'Oreal Total Repair Extreme better).


I actually really enjoy Pantene shampoos and conditioners, and I hadn't tried this particular one.  I've got it lined up to go next in my rotation.  Can't wait to try it!




This is not the hair color I typically buy, but this caught my attention.  I don't color my whole head, I just buy whatever color looks like my natural color and put it mainly around my face at the roots.  If I see any other gray/white I dab it on there as well.  Looking forward to trying this!


Cutex Advanced Revival No Spill Pump, $8.97
My favorite nail polish remover!  Love the pump top.  So handy.

Thanks for stopping by today!  Have a great week!

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