10 Makeup Products I Can't Live Without - Sister-in-Law edition!

I went to San Diego this weekend, and got to hang out with one of my favorite people in the entire world, my sister-in-law, Jenna.

Jenna is as obsessed with makeup as I am, if not more so. She actually is a makeup artist, and did the makeup for my wedding (as well as her own, and many others). 

I asked Jenna if she would mind sharing some of her favorite products with me, so I could make a blog, and fortunately she didn't think I was nuts, and wanted to do it! I always love the way Jenna does her makeup, so this was also eye opening for me! I just find what other people use to be so fascinating! 

Take it away, Jenna!

10 Makeup Products I couldn’t live without, in order of application. This is basically my daily routine. Obviously I’m a MAC whore.

1. MAC Prep + Prime Skin http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/160/967/Products/Face/Primer/Prep-Prime-Skin/index.tmpl

  

I use this pretty much every day (unless I accidentally skip this step, which I ALWAYS regret it when I do!). I apply with my hands like a lotion. It’s a little sparkly, which always makes me happy while applying (because sparkles are the key to happiness in case you didn’t know) and it’s covered up after foundation so it’s not like my face is all Twilight-y.

2.     MAC Pro Longwear Foundation http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/158/10180/Products/Face/Foundation/Pro-Longwear-Foundation/index.tmpl

I go back and forth between this foundation and another from MAC. Overall, this one is my favorite. I like the built-in pump, I like the coverage, just overall, I like this one.

3. MAC Studio Fix Powder + Foundation http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/159/251/Products/Face/Powder/Studio-Fix-Powder-Plus-Foundation/index.tmpl

I couldn’t live without this powder. It provides top notch coverage for my very splotchy face. I’ve tried other powders, but nothing beats the coverage of this powder.

4.     MAC Powder Blush in Margin http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/156/329/Products/Face/Cheek/Powder-Blush/index.tmpl

 

I have lots of blushes from MAC, but Margin is my all-time favorite and matches most all makeup looks.

5.     MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft and Gentle http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/159/782/Products/Face/Powder/Mineralize-Skinfinish/index.tmpl

 

I use this as a highlighter around my eyes, down my nose and on the top of my lips. I also use contouring powder every once in awhile, but if I had to pick between having a highlighter or a contour powder, I’d pick the highlighter any day!

6.     MAC Eye Brows in Lingering http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/149/263/Products/Eyes/Brow/Eye-Brows/index.tmpl

My favorite brow pencil. The only negative thing I can say about this pencil is you reach the end without warning and sometimes you don’t have a chance to get to MAC for a couple days. AHHH my eyebrows looks TERRIBLE during that time. I have a Cover Girl eyebrow pencil as my backup pencil, it just sucks so much in comparison!

7.     Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette http://www.urbandecay.com/urban-decay/eye-makeup/naked2-palette/282.html

A non-MAC item! I love Urban Decay shadows. They are great and pigmented. I have both the Naked and Naked 2 palettes (among others that I love just as much). I choose the Naked 2 palette over the original Naked Palette for its packaging. The colors are equally as great, but I love that this one closes tight. I also like the matte black shadow over the sparkly shadow in the original Naked Palette for eyeliner.

My everyday look with the Naked 2 Palette is: Browbone and Tear Duct - Bootycall; Lid - Chopper, Verve, or Suspect; Outer Corner - Snakebite; and Outer V (if I want to go darker for the day) - Blackout

8.     MAC Penultimate Liner http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/151/4253/Products/Eyes/Liner/Penultimate-Eye-Liner/index.tmpl

Love this eyeliner. It’s so easy to be precise with it. I love doing a cat eye so it’s perfect!

9.     Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara http://www.smashbox.com/product/6030/18515/Eyes/Mascara/FULL-EXPOSURE-MASCARA/index.tmpl

Favorite Mascara. I just love the giant wand and the formula is great too.

10. MAC Lustre Lipstick in High Tea http://www.maccosmetics.com/product/shaded/168/310/Products/Lips/Lipstick/Lipstick/index.tmpl 

All time favorite lipstick. It’s pretty much nude with a little sheen. It’s perfect because even when it starts to wear off it’s so close to my normal lip color that you can’t tell, like with darker lipsticks. I just heart it so much!

Thanks, Jenna!

As you can tell, Jenna loves MAC. She bought me my very first MAC item, a studio fix powder, that I used on my wedding day, as well as pretty much every day for a setting powder, or a touch-up powder. We actually went to the MAC in Downtown San Diego while I was there visiting, but we only bought for my mother-in-law. I think I always get nervous in MAC, though I will say our MAC artist was very helpful, and my mother-in-law is extremely happy with our color choices for her!

I guess now I'll have to do a 10 Makeup Products I can't live without! Be on the lookout for that soon!

Wishlist Wednesday: Tarte Gorgeous Getaways Portable Palette Set

Once again, a palette is on my wishlist! But I can't help it- it's just so beautiful!


(photo from Ulta.com)

From Ulta.com: Give the gift of color and convenience this season with Tarte's limited-edition Gorgeous Getaways portable palettes & collector's compact set. Overflowing with 16 expertly-coordinated eye shadows, 4 brand new blushes and 3 maracuja lipglosses, this one-of-kind modular box set also includes a chic portable palette compact for endless looks on the go!

The limited-edition set features:

• 16 full size Amazonian Clay Eye Shadows inspired by magical destinations around the world
• 4 full size Amazonian 12-Hour Clay Blushes in new, limited-edition shades
• 3 full size Maracuja Lipglosses in new, limited-edition shades
• Portable collector's compact to take the interchangeable palettes on-the-go

To take your palettes with you in the collector's compact, simply lift the ribbon, remove the palette, and place it inside the compact.
A $433 value!

The palette costs $48.00. Which is an amazing value, considering one blush is $26.00. So for the cost of less than 2 blushes, you can get 4 blushes, plus 16 eye shadows and 3 lipglosses. Plus, how cute is that portable palette?! That would be PERFECT for my makeup bag!

I played with this a little the other day at Ulta, and I loved the pigmentation of everything. It also seemed like the shadows would be easy to blend, and a flattering color for my skintone. A couple of the blushes I feel might be a little dark for me, but I could always try a light touch!

You can purchase this palette exclusively at Ulta.

Book Review: Roomies by Sara Zarr and Tara Altebrando

(I received this book to review from NetGalley.)

Description from Good Reads
It's time to meet your new roomie.

When East Coast native Elizabeth receives her freshman-year roommate assignment, she shoots off an e-mail to coordinate the basics: television, microwave, mini-fridge. That first note to San Franciscan Lauren sparks a series of e-mails that alters the landscape of each girl's summer -- and raises questions about how two girls who are so different will ever share a dorm room.

As the countdown to college begins, life at home becomes increasingly complex. With family relationships and childhood friendships strained by change, it suddenly seems that the only people Elizabeth and Lauren can rely on are the complicated new boys in their lives . . . and each other. Even though they've never met.

National Book Award finalist Sara Zarr and acclaimed author Tara Altebrando join forces for a novel about growing up, leaving home, and getting that one fateful e-mail that assigns your college roommate.


My Review
Based on the description of the book, I figured it would be something I would like, but I didn't expect to absolutely fall in love with it!

The book switches back and forth between Elizabeth (or EB), and Lauren's perspectives. I really love books that switch perspectives so you can get to know more than one character and get inside of their head.
EB is an only child of a single mother. Lauren is the oldest of five brother's and sister's, and her parents are still married. They seem to be the same economic class, though EB might have an edge up. EB is from the East Coast, and Lauren lives in San Francisco, not that far from where they are going to college in Berkeley.

Of both the girls, I think Lauren's story overall is my favorite. I love her relationship with the boy she begins dating, I love her family life (even though it seems hectic)... she just seemed a lot easier-going than EB.
Not that EB was a badly written character- far from it! Both characters felt completely fleshed out, like they were real girls and we were just getting to peak inside of their e-mail accounts. And both girls relationships, both personal and familial, made me understand who they were and who you could see them becoming.

Some people won't like this type of story- if you have trouble following multiple storylines, for example, this book is definitely not for you. It doesn't skip around- you will know when you're reading Lauren, and you will know when you are reading EB. They are two completely separate characters- I think having the two authors also helps with this because the author isn't trying to write from two different perspectives while trying to resolve conflict, so it feels more real. If that makes sense. But if you have difficulties with more than one story line, I would skip this.


The "final" conflict between the two girls was a little hurried, but mostly I was okay with it overall. There was a couple of weeks between the start and conclusion, and that seemed like a good amount of time- a real amount of time for resolution. It, again, felt very real to me. The whole book basically just felt like a diary between two girls getting ready to go to college.

I would recommend this book to anyone that enjoys a fun story, a light read, or someone that is at this stage in their life. I think I would have loved this even more if I had been in high school when I read it, and not 28, looking back on my high school experiences. And that's saying something, because I loved this book so much, that I already want to re-read it!


This book is available to pre-order now on Amazon for Kindle and in Hardcover, and is set to release on December 24th.


FTC: I received this book to review from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
This post does contain amazon.com affiliate links. All proceeds from purchases will be put back into this blog to purchase products to review.

Book Review: Sia by Josh Grayson

(I received this book to review from NetGalley.)

Description from Good Reads
When seventeen-year-old Sia wakes up on a park bench, she has no idea who or where she is. Yet after a week of being homeless, she’s reunited with her family. At school, she’s powerful and popular. At home, she’s wealthy beyond her dreams. But she quickly realizes her perfect life is a lie. Her family is falling apart and her friends are snobby, cruel and plastic. Worse yet, she discovers she was the cruelest one. Mortified by her past, she embarks on a journey of redemption and falls for Kyle, the “geek” she once tormented. Yet all the time she wonders if, when her memories return, she’ll become the bully she was before…and if she’ll lose Kyle.


My Review
This book hooked me instantly. I loved the way it started out- Sia, a high school senior, doesn't know who she is. She was probably jogging (based on her attire being work out clothes), and she just doesn't have any clue.
She lives homeless for a week. This seems a little implausible, because we find out later her parents are extremely wealthy, and surely they would have been looking for her? But I suspended my disbelief. It continued to hook me after she went home, and you find out she's this super wealthy girl, daughter of a Hollywood producer, super popular... she has it all.

But she cannot remember anything. She has developed fugue amnesia, and doesn't remember anyone or her life previous. She quickly finds out that yes, she was popular, but people were scared of her and that she wasn't a very nice person.
But the Sia we get to know is a super nice, respectful girl.


When I started to get un-hooked was about the same time we find out Sia's mother is an alcoholic, and she gets her to go to rehab with basically one sentence. And when we find out her parent's are basically going to be bankrupt... but her mom threw over $200.00 at her for lunch.
Little things like this in a book completely take me out of it.

I can let little things go. But so many things just made me say "but ... how?!"
And when she finally gets her memory back, it's only with a few pages to go, and there's really nothing that happens- she remains her new sweet self, has the new boy of her dreams who she would never have looked twice at before, and everyone is super forgiving of her, and her old self, and seems to think this Sia is the new Sia. And I'm not saying she wouldn't be, but I feel like if she was really that awful of a person before, there's a lot more that she would go through emotionally once she gets her memory back- not just a flood and then BAM! She's over it!


I did like the character of Carol, the homeless woman that takes Sia under her wing after she is assaulted by a pimp (this also bothered me- she knew better than to get in the car, but did it anyway? WHAT?!). I would read a book about Carol a thousand times before I think I would read this again.


I gave this book three stars on Good Reads. I did enjoy some parts of it- like when Sia helped Kyle (the boy she never looked at twice before) get donations for earthquake relief.
But overall, there's a lot about it that I just wasn't super impressed with.



This book will be published on November 20th, 2013.


FTC: I received this book to review from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

What's in my makeup bag? (As of October 16th, 2013)

This is a special edition of WIMMB, because it's actually my Travel edition!
I am getting ready to see my sister-in-law, brother-in-law, and nephew in San Diego. We plan to go to the library down there (IT'S THREE STORIES!) and do some makeup shopping, among some other things we have planned that will be posted on this blog!


I was really thrilled with my choices last go 'round. So much so, that I'm keeping almost everything I've already picked out! It has just been working so well for me, and I'm having fun experimenting with the different combinations I can get using the different things I picked. But there are a couple more things that are a must for me in terms of travel that I will be throwing in with the bunch.

First, though, the things I'm loosing- the Bare Minerals Eye shadows, and the Maybelline Color Tattoos, except the one in Bad to the Bronzed, which I am keeping. I haven't been using them much and want to make room for the stuff I am adding!


Of course, I have to bring my Lorac Pro Palette. It's my must have palette for travel!
If I could only fit one palette into my bag (like if I was flying, instead of driving), I would only be bringing this.


(I have a full review on this palette you can find here, and I also have a pinspiration post for it here.)


I am also going to be bringing my Coastal Scents palette, mainly for the bottom row- the blushes.





I need to just invest in the blush palette. I really love the quality and pigmentation of these blushes- they blend well and they last a long time.


And that's that!

It's Not Just For Babies: Uses For Baby Powder

There are so many uses for baby powder, other than on a baby's bottom, and quite a few of them are "beauty" related. Here are some methods I've found online, or heard about from friends, that I have tried.


1. In Your Hair As a "Dry Shampoo"
This is my favorite method. You can either sprinkle some on your hands and rub it into your roots, or put it directly on your hair (just be careful not to use too much!). This also makes the hair more voluminous.
I have extremely oily hair (usually if I take a shower in the morning, I already have oils by the evening, so if I'm going somewhere, I just use a little baby powder and it absorbs everything. If you have darker hair, I would suggest using a light touch and add as needed.

2. Fuller lashes
Using a dry mascara spooly, coat the wand in baby powder and coat over your lashes. Then apply mascara. Repeat as necessary. It really does make a difference! (Just be careful not to put too much so you don't get it in your eyes!)

3. Remove Grease Stains from Clothes
I first read about this trick here. I used this on one of my favorite shirts that I had a Taco Bell grease stain on. I dabbed some baby powder, let it absorb, and continued. It completely removed the stain!

4. Sweat Absorption
Okay, let's share something real- I sweat. And it's not always pretty, and sometimes my deodorant doesn't do what it's suppose to be doing. So I put some baby powder under my arms and between my boobs, and it really helps absorb the sweat smell. You can also put some baby powder in your shoes as well to absorb that nasty feet smell.

5. Chaffing
Another real thing- put some baby powder in places that would get chaffy (cleavage if you have really big boobs, or between your thighs), and it helps things slide on easier. It also makes putting tighter pants on easier, too!

6. Untangle those necklace chains
Put some baby powder on a necklace that is tangled up- the powder makes it easier to untangle!


There are so many more great uses for baby powder, but these are my favorites! Hopefully these help you, too!

Geek Chic Witchcraft and Wizardry Collection Unboxing and Swatches

This is the newest Geek Chic collection, based on Harry Potter! When I started seeing the previews of this collection on the Geek Chic Facebook page, I was ridiculously excited, and knew no matter how much it cost, I had to own this! I'm not like the biggest Harry Potter fan in the world (I don't know every single little thing about it), but I do really enjoy both the movies and the books.

This collection includes 6 shades inspired by Harry Potter, and I think they did such a great job putting it together! The quality is amazing, and the colors are so vibrant! I am not at all disappointed with my decision to get this collection!

I was lucky enough to get the limited edition tin case with the collection, which they unfortunately don't sell anymore (but there are rumors it might come back for Black Friday!), but the collection by itself is so worth it, especially if you are a fan! (I feel like I keep repeating myself on their collections, but it's true- if you are a fan, you love everything you can get your hands on related to your fandom!)

I love this tin! The label is so colorful and cute, and it's definitely exciting to see in my makeup box!

On the back of the tin, it lists all the shades that are inside.



They even put them in there in the order they show on the back, which is super helpful when you're looking for a specific shade!

Here's a closer look.


When I opened the tin, I squealed. These labels are so stinking cute!



Like... I can't. I just can't.

Unfortunately, when removing the shrink wrap from the containers, the labels peeled. Apparently it was a common issue. But Geek Chic was on it and I received replacement labels in about a week!



You can see the damage to my labels in this picture, but it's really not even that big of a deal. But for them to send me replacements without my asking? That is excellent customer service! (They received information that there were problems, and immediately e-mailed everyone that purchased this tin and offered to send replacements.)


House Elf



Description: A plush satin copper with shimmery red undertones. This shade has such gorgeous red undertones that it really can add some magic to a neutral eye.

(Left is dry, right is wet. Both without a primer.)

All of these pictures were taken at dusk, and I'm convinced that's why this shade looks more muddy than it actually is. This is a seriously beautiful color that would be a really flattering neutral for a darker skin tone. This is also so easy to blend out. I really love this.


Always



Description: Shimmering and shifting silver-green with flashes of red and green shimmer. Perfect for a shifty, smoky eye or to add a bit of shimmer to your lower lashline!

(Left is dry, right is wet, both without a primer.)

This is probably my favorite of the bunch! I took their advice and did a smokey eye with this color (which I'll definitely be showing in a blog post soon!), and I loved the way it looked. The colors shifted and danced so beautifully, and it was super flattering with my skin tone. I also used it wet, and had hardly any fall out. Always a win in my book! Without the shift and shimmer, this reminds me a lot of Gunmetal by Urban Decay.


Mischief Managed


Description: Parchment tan with shifting hues of reddish purple and golden shimmer. This color is perfect for an all-over lid wash of soft color, or to blend out a neutral look.


(Look at all the shimmer!!!)






(Left is dry, right is wet, both without a primer.)

This is probably one of my new favorite neutrals. It does tend to fall out (I really need to get the Too Faced Glitter Insurance to see if it helps!), but I've noticed if I use my finger to press it on, it does stay a little better. For my skin tone, it just adds a little something extra without looking super overdone, but still looking like I put in the effort!


Golden Trio



Description: Cool toned red with raspberry undertones and a hefty pinch snitch golden shimmer. Perfect for sunrise and Autumn looks. Could even be patted over Health Potion geek gloss for a pout packed with golden shimmer!







(Left is dry, right is wet, both without a primer,)

I'm going to be honest- this shade scares the hell out of me! I haven't used it yet, but I do know it stained my arm a little and took some effort to get off. The description seems to indicate it is lip safe, but I doubt I'd ever wear it that way. I'm considering doing something "devilish" for Halloween, though, and this might be the perfect color for that. I don't think I could see myself using this as an all-over lid color, either, but I could see using as an outer corner color with maybe a burnt orange or something.


Headmaster



Description: A gorgeous luminescent purple dripping with aqua and purple sparkle. This color is a true master of all as it shifts when used over a dark base. Looks stunning used with other blues and purples too.




(Left is dry, right is wet, both without a primer.)

I'm dying to use this over a darker purple or black. The swatches don't do the amount of shimmer in this shade justice. If you're a purple lover, you need this shade.


You Know Who



Description: Deathly blackened emerald with otherworldy green shimmer and sparkle. This shade makes for a killer smoky eye when used with Always, and can make a gorgeous eyeliner when used wet!


(I think I'm in love with You Know Who. Uh oh!)


(I mean... I can't...)


(Left is dry, right is wet, both without a primer.)

I'm not sure why the wet swatch turned out that way, but I can assure you used wet, this is one of the most gorgeous dark tone shadows you will ever use. It is just so beautiful. When I saw it, I gasped. (This seems to be common with Geek Chic eyeshadows- I either gasp or squeal!) I really want to use this with Always, as suggested, because I think it would just be so beautiful!


Of all of the shades, if I had to choose, I would say you should get Always and You Know Who, followed closely by every other shade.
I mean, it's less than $30.00. Just get the whole collection, and thank me later.

The full collection is on sale for $28.75, or you can buy each individual shade for $5.99 each.


FTC: I purchased this collection with my own money. I am not affiliated with Geek Chic cosmetics. All thoughts and opinions are my own.