February 2014 Favorites

Hi Ladies!
Since I have been on a no buy this February, I have had the opportunity to really get to enjoy and play around with the stuff that I got for Christmas. I also got to try out products that I purchased in January and become reacquainted with some old favorites.

Here are my favorites for February:

Get the Look for Less

Hi Ladies!

Here is my current edition of Get the Look for Less!

Look 1: Zooey Deschanel in Striped Belted Dress

Review: Too Faced Natural at Night

Hi Ladies! 

I feel like all I have been doing is reviews lately but I just have so many great products to talk about! Below is the Too Faced Natural at Night Palette. I have wanted this for a while and got it for Christmas. The packing of this is very similar to some of their other palettes such as the Natural Eye and the Smokey Eye. This too has 3 "look" cards that tell you which colors to use to create a look.

Review: Ipsy Glam Bag Feb 2014

HI Ladies!
I FINALLY got my Feb Glam Bag! I feel like I am always the last person to get mine. Below is  my review of this month's bag. If you have never heard of Ipsy and want to learn more, you can read about this service and see what I got in previous months on my Subscription Reviews page.

I was so excited when I took a peek in my Glam Room this month (on Ipsy's site you can log in and see the items that they are sending you). I didn't know what colors I was getting so it was exciting seeing what they sent me! Last month's bag was a bit of a dud. Ipsy definitely made up for it this month. I have been subscribed to this service for 3 months and this has been my favorite bag so far!

Face Five Challenge

Hi Ladies!

Shalunya from Shalunya and Boyet, Betti from Makeup' Asylum, and I decided to do a fun and creative collaboration called Face Five Challenge. We also asked Ashley from Ashley Maria and Keisha from Chrysalis Gals to join us in this collaboration. Please take the time to visit all of these ladies' blogs. They are truly amazing women and know their stuff when it comes to beauty! Shalunya is the queen of couponing and bargains and Betti has some killer reviews. Ashley has done some incredibly beautiful looks with products that she has reviewed. Keisha has tons of great makeup tips and DIY beauty projects up on her blog.

So, here is the challenge: Create a full face look with only 5 items! 

Here are the rules:
1. Use Five and only Five products to create a complete makeup look.
2. Each different product counts as 1 product. Multipurpose products count as 1 product, such as Benetint, Bombshell the One Stick, Nars Multipurpose Stick. 
3. No palettes are allowed. No trios, quads or multi-shade palettes.
4. Tag Five others to complete the Face Five Challenge
5. Have Fun! 

Hair Tutorial: Braided Half Updo

Hi Ladies!
Here is a cool hair tutorial by Lilith Moon. I would consider this a little easier than the Greek Goddess Updo. For more tutorials check out her you tube page http://www.youtube.com/user/lilithedarkmoon?feature=watch .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6fqWv7NKBU&feature=youtu.be

What do you think of this hairstyle? Too funky or just the right amount of punk?

-Tanya xoxo

My M.A.C. Lipstick Collection

Hi Ladies!
I recently did a fun little Instagram challenge with some other beauty bloggers called MyLipstagram.. Basically, we counted how many products we had in each lip product category and posted our totals with pictures of our collections. Please feel free to join in on this challenge and make sure to tag us!

Here is the picture that I posted:

Stitch Fix: Fix #5

Hi Ladies!
It has felt like forever since I got my last fix. I was SO EXCITED when I got this sweet package in the mail. For those of you unfamiliar with Stitch Fix, it is a personal styling service for women. You can sign up monthly or whenever you choose. Clothing and accessories are sent to you based on your personal style, preferences, etc. You can read more about Stitch Fix and my previous fixes HERE.  You can also go to my Subscription Reviews tab and all of my previous fixes are listed on there.

On to my fix! I got my last fix on Halloween. When scheduling my fix, I asked for winter appropriate items such as sweaters, long sleeves, etc. I also asked for the same stylist Jenni B.. I had interacted with her frequently before my last fix and felt she had a pretty good idea of my style and needs. Lastly, I asked her to try her best to stay in my price range per item (under $50.00) as long as it doesn't compromise the quality of what she sends me.

Here is what I got:

Price $28.00

Haul: CVS, Oh My Lash, and Nyx Cosmetics

Hi Ladies!

Check out my haul video below!



Here are better swatches of the products discussed in the video.

Nyx Butter Lipstick in Pop,
Butter Gloss in Angel Food Cake, Devils Food Cake and Red Velvet

Revlon ColorBurst Lacquer in Coy and Lip Butter in Wild Watermelon

Wet N Wild Color Icon Palette in Petal Pusher

Resolute Beauty Blogger Feb 2014

Hi Ladies!  Beauty Bloggers Shalunya from Shalunya and Boyet and El from Glossy Glam Blog teamed up to create The Resolute Beauty Blogger. They wanted to do this to not only stay on track with their Beauty Blog Resolutions for 2014 but also to give other beauty bloggers the chance to join in on the action. 

This month's question is: "What tools do you use to track and to stay focused on your goals?"

I don't really have tools that I use to track and stay focused on my goals. Blogging in general and interacting with other bloggers is what has helped me stay on track with my blogging goals. Believe it or not, the friends I have made through blogging have also helped me stay on track with some of my personal goals. I do write down ideas for new posts on sticky notes. I also write down lists of finished posts and posts in progress.

Makeup Tutorial: A Few of My Favorite Things Green Smokey Eye

Hi Ladies! 

Below is a tutorial on how to create the below eye look using Too Faced's A Few of My Favorite Things holiday 2013 palette.

For the shadows I used:

Evergreen-lids  (I sprayed my brush with fix plus before applying this to help keep the color dark and in place.
Chocolate Milk-transition color above crease (With a larger blending brush,  apply this color to the crease. I used my Mirabella Blending Brush).
Woolen Mittens-crease (Using a smaller more precise blending brush, blend into the crease. I used EcoTools Petite Eye Shading Brush.) 
Crisp Apple Strudel-crease (Use a small to medium sized blending brush or angled brush to apply over Woolen Mittens. I chose to use EcoTools Angled Crease Brush.)
Cream Colored Ponies-brow bone (To highlight the brow bone, I use this shadow with the e.l.f. contour brush.
Honey Honey & Snowflakes-inner corner of eyes (Highlight the inner rims of your eyes with these colors. I used EcoTools Smudge Brush.)
Dark Chocolate/Crisp Apple Strudel-lower lash line (Next using a small liner brush line your lower lash line. I chose to use the EcoTools Highlighting Brush).

Lastly, gently sweep a bigger shadow brush across your lid lightly blending where the colors meet. I used the EcoTools Large Eyeshadow Brush.

Remember, practice makes perfect!

Other products used:
Eyeshadow Base-M.A.C. Paint Pot in Painterly
Cheeks-Be a Bombshell One Stick in Sunset and Nyx Blush in Terra Cotta
Liner-Nyx The Curve Liner and Nyx The Super Fat Eye Marker 
Brows-M.A.C. eyebrow pencil in Lingering and Anastasia Clear brow gel
Lashes-Rimmel ScandalEyes Flex
Face-Bare Minerals Loose Powder Foundation in Medium Beige followed by the Original Mineral Veil. Contoured with Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer.
Highlight-Physician's Formula Mineral Glow Pearls in Beige Pearl
Concealer-Nyx HD Photogenic Concealer in Yellow and Beige and Nyx Dark Circle Concealer in Light
Lips-Bite Beauty High Pigment Lip Pencil in Midera and Nyx Butter Gloss in Apple Strudel
All over face-M.A.C. Fix + Makeup Setting Spray

Do you have this palette? What are your favorite colors to use from it? Do you have any winning looks that you have created with this palette? Post your comments below!

Review: Nyx Eye Shadow Palettes and The Curve Eyeliner

Hi Ladies!

Today I am going to review 4 Nyx Palettes and two Nyx Eyeliners.

First up, Nyx's The Curve Liner

I was really intrigued by the shape of this liner. I thought it was cool but thought it would be a little funky to hold. I was surprised when it was pretty comfortable and easy to use.On the box it says that the shape of the liner helps you create a more even straight line. I have used 4 different felt tip/liquid liners recently including this one and I like this the best. My main black liner is the Kat Von D Tattoo Liner. I was using it for about 2 years but when my second liner had the bristles start to stick out and mess up my line, I decided to try another brand. I didn't love the e.l.f. Studio Precision Liquid Eyeliner. Although I loved the price, I didn't like how thin and flimsy the tip was and thought that the liner itself was a little watery. I did however like the e.l.f. Essential Waterproof Eyeliner Pen. It was a felt tip and easier to use. The problem with that liner was that the felt tip wore down quickly and the color wasn't as rich and black since the tip wore down. It was also harder to use to wing the corners since the tip was thicker.

Get the Look for Less

Hi Ladies, 

Here is my latest edition of "Get the Look for Less".

Look 1: Ariana Grande Fuzzy Sweater and Quilted Purse.

Fuzzy Striped Sweater $24.80 at Forever21

Moda Luxe Clutch with Removable Strap - Black $24.99 at Target

Quilted Stud Cross Body Bag $18.99 at Charlotte Russe

Look 2: Kiernan Shipka Floral Skater Skirt

Floral Print Skater Skirt $18.99 at Charlotte Russe

Garden Goddess Pleated Skirt $17.80 at Forever21

Look 3: Jessica Alba Sheer Plaid Shirt with Blazer

 Two By Vince Camuto Sheer Plaid Blouse $29.49 at Lord and Taylor

Sleek Open Front Blazer $27.80 at Forever21

Chained Brim Floppy Hat $16.99 at Charlotte Russe

Look 4: Gwen Stefani Kiomono Jacket

Adventurer Kimono $24.80 at Forever21

Xhiliration Junior's Kimono Jacket $19.99 at Target

Look 5: Reese Witherspoon in Wool Blazer

Mossimo Women's Blazer $27.98 at Target

Look 6: Blake Lively Black Embellished Top

Sequin Embellished Crop Tee $59.90 at Express

Mixed Stone and Mesh Necklace $29.90 at Express

Street Chick Layered Choker $12.80 at Forever21

Luxe Faux Pearl and Rhinestone Necklace $10.80 at Forever21

Box and Curb Chain Choker $12.80 at Forever21

*All of these celebrity images were taken from E! Online. 

What is your favorite look from above? Post your comments below!

Beauty Love Affair Tag

Hi Ladies,

Welcome to the Beauty Love Affair tag. We know you're not the kind to kiss and tell; but we want to know. We want the juiciest stories about your current love. Tell us about your worst heartbreaks. Give us the juicy details of your steamiest affair. We want to know if it was love it first sight. Tell us who turned out to be a total jerk. Confide in us about your sweetest temptation. Don't worry, this isn't about the men; it's all about your Beauty Love Affair.

The Beauty Love Affair tag was created by Saffron Lallem of Saffy Style, Ashley Maria of Ashley Maria, Love, Life, Beauty and Shalunya of Shalunya & Boyet. We would love to read your answers so please feel free to tag us on Google + or leave a comment on our blogs.

The Rules:

1 Answer each question with the name of a beauty product and, if you'd like, explain why.

2. Give out more Valentines (tag other bloggers).

3. If you are tagged more than once please feel free to answer the questions again using a different type of product. If you answered the first time with skincare, then answer again with an eye, lip, face, nails, or hair product.  

First Love

Oh.. You remember what it was like to fall in love for the first time. Such bliss and excitement! Who was your first love?

Lip Smackers/Bonne Bell Swirl Lip Gloss

I first fell in love with this in 6th-7th grade (around Jr. High). I don't know if the brand was Lip Smacker or Bonne Bell. I probably had both but they were these lip glosses that had two colors swirled together. They were so shiny and gloss and smelled like vanilla and cupcakes. I had so many of these!

Puppy Love

Before you knew your real love, there were those childhood crushes that sometimes blossomed into a cute puppy love. Who was yours?

Almay Hazel Eye Palette

Back in high school I only had a few eye shadow palettes. The one that sticks out the most is this Almay palette for hazel eyes. I loved this palette and used it often.

Love Triangle

Such a predicament. This one is so sweet and demure, but this one is so bold and sexy. Tell us about being torn between two lovers. Who were the players in your love triangle?

Physicians Formula Glow Pearls in Beige Pearl

 Wet N Wild Rose Champagne Glow

I really love both these highlighters. I can't decide which one I like more! I go back and forth between the two. The Glow Pearls (bold and sexy) gives more of a pearly look while the Fergie highlighter (sweet and demure) has a rose tone to it.  I won't give either up!

Current Love

Dating? Engaged? Married? Who is your main squeeze? Tell us about the one you can't live without or can't seem to let go of. Who is your current love?

Nyx Butter Lipstick in Hunk

We are in the dating stage right now. I love the creamy feel of this lipstick and the color is so bold and pretty! I also love that when it wears off, it still leaves some color on my lips. To be less specific, I am LOVING Nyx in general right now. It is such a GREAT brand and so affordable!

Secret Crush

Even though you're committed to your current love, looking around and admiring from afar never hurt anyone... Who are you secretly crushing on?

Lorac Pro Palette

Ok lets face it...my crush isn't really a secret! I have been crushing HARD on this palette! I love my Naked Palettes and Too Faced palettes but you ladies that own this have me wanting this one SO BAD.

Blind Date

Which was The One that was introduced by a friend or mailbox company e.g Ipsy that you love?

Be a Bombshell The One Stick in Sunset

I never used any Be a Bombshell products before The One Stick that I got in my Ipsy bag. I love the color that this leaves on my cheeks. I use this often.

Steamy Affair

Which was The One that you left your steadfast regular for; the sexy, handsome one that caught your eye and had you hooked in a Steamy Affair with?

Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer

Before I got the Too Faced A Few of my Favorite Things holiday palette (with the Chocolate Soleil Bronzer inside), I was using Nars Laguna Bronzer. I quickly realized how awesome the Chocolate Soleil is. It is a bit darker than Laguna (in my opinion) and I like it a lot better. I haven't used Laguna since I got this!

Sweet Temptation

Which was The One that has snagged your attention but you are only tempted by, you don't know yet whether you want a Steamy Affair or not with?

Urban Decay Revolution Lipsticks

Although I LOVE my new Nyx Butter Lipsticks and my MAC lipsticks, I have been really eyeing these guys!

Love At First Sight

You saw it and immediately you loved it.

Bare Minerals Loose Powder Foundation

I was never big on liquid foundations (though I am going to try them out again soon!) but some of the powders I have used made my face cakey. When I bought this starter kit back in 2006 I fell in love immediately and have been using it ever since. I don't need heavy coverage so this powder does the trick. It evens out my skin tone and feels like I am wearing nothing. The power also lasts me such a long time!

Double Date

They came in a box set; two great things for the price of one. 

Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencils

These actually came in a set of 4. I love all of these these so much. One of my favorite Christmas presents. I talk about these also. I love the pigmentation of these and how different each color is.

Friend Zone

You just knew he was amazing; but he's not all that. Who have you relegated to the friend zone? 

Maybelline Baby Skin

Many people rave about this product which made me SO EXCITED to try it. After using it for about a week in a half, I finally came to the conclusion that this product just isn't for me. It didn't do much for my pores and made me oily. 

Worst Breakup

You wanted to love him forever; but you quickly discovered that he was not 'Mr. Right.' In fact he was awful and broke your heart. Who was your worst breakup?

Nars Blush in Orgasm

SO MANY people love this blush and I was so excited to get it! I tried and tried to wear it and it just doesn't do anything for me. I feel like it is too glittery and doesn't have much color pay off (on me). Did I get a defective blush? Lol

Total Loser 

You were giddy when he asked you out. You had high hopes for a long relationship. Instead he was a complete dud. Who was your total loser?

Nyx Love in Florence Palette in Bellini Kiss

These colors looked beautiful but I quickly discovered that they were not. They are very glittery and have very little pigmentation.

Long Lost Love

You were young and he was among your firsts. You grew, you moved on, you two lost touch with each other. Recently you bumped into each other again and you remembered all the reasons you liked him. Who is your long lost love?

MAC Viva Glam V

This was one of the first lip glosses and lipsticks that I purchased from MAC. I still love it but have SO MANY lippies that I don't reach for it that much anymore. Every once in a while I will pull it out and use it.

Major Lust

You haven't yet met. You're just loving him from afar because you feel like he's out of your league. Who is your major lust?

Mark Jacobs Style Eye-Con  Lolita Palette

A few of my beauty blogger friends have done reviews on the palette and it is so gorgeous! The price tag is a little high at $59.00, so I will have to wait on this one.

*Some of these images were taken from Google Images

I am giving Valentine's to the following bloggers, because I am curious about their love life. I tag:

Any beauty blogger that is interested in doing this tag!

I hope you enjoyed reading all the juicy details of my Beauty Love Affair!

-Tanya xoxo