Too Faced Melted Kisses Set

What it is: 4 deluxe sample size tubes (0.16oz) of Too Faced Cosmetics famous liquified Melted Lipstick. They are supposed to have the staying power of a lip stain while having the look and feel of a liquid lipstick. I picked mine up from TooFaced.com for $25 and it comes with 4 great colors. 

Melted Berry- A True Berry Color, 
Melted Fuchsia- A Bright Hot Pink, 
Melted Peony- A Light Soft Pink, 
Melted Nude- A True Nude 

I think this is the perfect way to try the Melted Lipsticks! I personally hadn't tried any of the Too Faced Melted Lipsticks until I picked up this set. The $21 price tag was a little steep for 1 color plus nobody had heard of a melted lipstick before this! This "melted" lipstick was a whole new concept when these were released. A melted lipstick, what does that even truly mean!? This is what the Too Faced website says, " Using exclusive technology to keep cauldrons of molten lipsticks liquid and creamy, Melted Liquified Long Wear Lipstick comfortably coats lips in bursts of intense, high-impact, super rich, saturated color that lasts for hours." Now we have all heard of liquid lipsticks, which I was never a huge fan, they would always dry on my lips and feel like I had paint on my lips. The staying power was so so if you could deal with the drying effect they always had on lips. I don't like feeling my makeup on my face, it should feel like my face is bare no matter how many layers I'm wearing! These Too Faced Melted Lipsticks truly are a liquified lipstick! They glide on without any problem while staying comfortable and cushiony and not sacrificing any of the pigmentation or shine! It really is the best of both worlds! You get the staying power of an amazing lipstick/ lip stain while getting the high shine and comfortability of a gloss! I do find these to be very comfortable on the lips and they staying power is there. You will have to touch up a little after eating and drinking especially if you like that just applied high gloss shine. Ive worn these throughout the day with just a little lip liner to enhance my pout and really enjoyed the way they felt on the lip. They will transfer when you kiss someone or drink something but then again most lipsticks do so I don't mind that.

Now let's talk about packaging... These lipsticks because of their liquid form come in a squeeze tube with a precision tip applicator. I will say I do like the tip of this lipstick, especially with the formula I feel like it helps you get a more even application while helping you stay within the line of the lips. I will say though that the design of the squeeze tube worries me when you get towards the end of the product. I haven't reached this point yet but I can see it being a pain in the butt to get that last bit out before you finally toss it. I personally really like this product and if you can pick them up during a sale or with a coupon code the price tag isn't as shocking. I plan on picking up some full size shades in the near future, I just have to decide which colors I can't live without!

Have you tried any of the Melted Lipsticks? Do you love them or hate them? What are your can't live without shades?? Let me know on Instagram: LovingLifeMakeup or chat with me in Twitter: LovingLifeMUA

Bare Minerals Bare Skin Brightening Serum Foundation

So I might be a little bit of a foundation junkie! I'm always looking for the perfect foundation plus I love to try out high end vs. drugstore makeup. So now that is summer and I'm a little tanner my Double Wear foundation was getting too light so I was on the hunt for a new one. I wanted something that would be light weight but still give amazing coverage and that had a wide enough color range to match my undertones. Then I started seeing the Bare Minerals commercials and I knew I had to have it. The problem was I didn't want to spend that much money on a foundation and a brush and then hate the product so I waited. Then Bare Minerals had their 20% Family and Friends sale and I started looking up reviews on the product and doing my research. Everything I heard was great for the most part so I decided to go for it! Now this foundation is $29 and then the Skin Perfecting Brush that you use along with it is $28 so if you get both your going to spend $57 without tax for the set. That being said it is a 1oz bottle so standard size but it is a serum foundation which means you won't need as much so the bottle will last longer. They say to shake it really well and then start with 2 drops for light coverage, 2 more for medium and then 2 more for heavy. I like to use 6 drops total, so like 2 for each cheek/chin so that's 4 and then 2 more for my forehead. Even though 6 drops is considered Heavy coverage it doesn't feel heavy on the skin at all!! The website says this foundation is a skin loving formula with No Silicone, Oil, Parabens, or Fragrance plus its Hypoallergenic and Non- comedogenic (won't clog your pores). It has a coconut-derived base with jojoba coated mineral pigments and lilac plant stem cells. Plus it has Vitamin C to reveal a bright more even- toned skin with a no makeup effect. It also has a none chemical broad spectrum SPF 20 in it! It is obviously full of amazing ingredients to help give your skin that youthful dewy finish but not all those icky chemicals we don't want on our face!

So lets get to the nitty gritty! First the foundation, because it doesn't have all those icky fillers and such you have to make sure to shake it up really well before you use it. The bottle has this nifty little dropper so that your able to put it in the little bowl in the middle of the brush. I love this bottle, and the dropper makes it super easy to get out and control how much you get out. The foundation blends out seamlessly and I feel like it helps the rest of my makeup go on more smoothly. It does leave my skin looking bright and it has a nice dewy finish without looking oily or shiny, and it lasts all day without wearing off in places like I've had other foundations do. Ive used it with and without a primer and it looks great both ways, so on days when I'm in a rush and need to skip a few makeup steps this is great!! I do have to say though if you have oily skin and don't use a mattifying primer under it this might not be for you because of that dewy finish. They are available in 20 different shades and Bare Minerals has a shade finder online that's pretty awesome. It asks you a few questions about your skin tone and your undertones to helps you find the right shade, plus it has tips to help you figure out your right undertone! My personal color is Bare Honey #15 which is very Golden so in the bottle it looks too yellow for me but when blended out it matches my tan skin perfectly! ( I don't tan my face so its lighter then the rest of my body)

Now shall we talk about the brush?! Let me start by saying I love this brush and I am glad I bought it with the foundation, its super soft and the little bowl in it where you put the drops of foundation is cool, I feel like it helps distribute the foundation throughout the brush so that it blends seamlessly. The bristles aren't too long that it drags the foundation and leaves it looking streaky but they aren't so short that they are poking you in the face and its uncomfortable. Plus they are fine so I don't feel like the foundations is just getting soaked up into the brush and cleaning it is a breeze! That being said, if you are on a budget like most of the world and you want to try this foundation it is not absolutely necessary for your to buy the foundation and the brush. If your really wanting to splurge on a great foundation but the fact that you also have to buy this equally expensive brush is stopping you don't let it. You could put this foundation on with pretty much any buffing or stippling brush, or even a sponge! So I would just go for it!! Over all an amazing product and it's actually gotten me more interested in the rest of their products! Have you guys tried anything from Bare Minerals that you love?! Let me know and keep in contact with me on Instagram @LovingLIfeMakeup and on Twitter @LovingLifeMUA Thank guys!

Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation

Estée Lauder Double Wear Foundation

I have to start by saying this is the first high end foundation I've ever tried. I went to Dillard's because they were having a huge clearance sale and i needed some pants for work. While I was paying for my knew colored skinny jeans the girl at the register told me that Estée Lauder was having a gift with purchase deal going on, who's going to say no to free makeup! So I went down to check it out and started talking to the girl at the counter. 

Now lately at work I have been noticing places where my makeup was wearing off from sweat and what not, and  I've heard of Double Wear a few times on YouTube before. The lovely lady cleaned off my face and color matched me. This was great because it's always hard finding the right color with the right undertones, they always end up too pink! Plus they have such a huge color range (31 shades) so there really is something for everyone! After she found my color we continued to talk while she did my make up showing me other products she loved, I really had a great time talking to her! My color ended up being 3N1 Ivory Beige 10 and it costs about $37 for 1oz, so it is on the pricey side but I have to say it's a medium to full coverage so you don't need as much! Just a dollop on the back of your hand and you can do your whole face! The fact that it's called Double Wear rings true this stuff stays on till you take it off. I've slept in it and only had a few patchy places when I washed my face in the morning. At work it stands up without fading or getting cakey! It always looks natural and won't cling to any dry spots but still holds up on the oily parts of my face.

I highly recommend this product if you have a problem with your makeup not lasting throughout your day or looking unnatural because you can't find the right shade, getting color matched helped! I will definitely be buying more of this and probably before this bottle runs out, I'm thinking the next shade darker because summer is coming up and I will be outside a lot so I'm going to develop more of a tan. I think if your able it is definitely worth the splurge, you want to start with the best base possible. It will help the rest of your makeup last longer and look better no matter if it's a $1 blush or a $27 bronzer. I've applied this using a brush, my hands, and a Beauty Blender and it looks great everyday. Most of the time I use a primer under mine but it's not mandatory, the staying power is there no matter what! You guys know I love my drugstore makeup but I have to say I think this one is a keeper. Have you tried Double Wear? What do you think about it, let me know!

Rimmel Scandaleyes Retro Glam V. Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara

So as you can tell from the title and the pictures we have a Mascara Show Down! This time they both happen to be from the same company and same line just different formulas. So which do you buy when 2 products are similar? Well, I bought both and I've been testing them out for you guys to help you make a better decision. So lets get right into by starting with what the company says about each product and the pricing.

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Retro Glam Mascara- About $6 at most drugstores
"It’s Retro Mania! Bold, Wide-eyed false lash look!

Bold, wide-eyed false lash look. Hour-glass brush shaped to the lash line to plump lashes, fanning them up and out for bold, wide-eyed volume. Coats lashes individually for a big, false lash look in one simple stroke. No clumps!"

- I do have to say I love this brush! I'm not a fan of the rubber short bristle brushes like on the Covergirl Lash Blast mascaras because I feel like they don't comb through my lashes all the way, more so just pushes them around. The Retro Glam Brush is definitely in my top 5 favorite mascara brushes! The hour glass shape helps me get those pesky short lashes in the inner corner and then because the brush gets big again at the end helps me separate and get those lashes at the very end that always clump together. The formula was good it didn't get clumpy nor was it "wet" like some mascaras can be when you first open them. Overall I do have to say I do like this mascara, I don't know about the "false lash look in one swipe" claim but I did like the way it made my lashes look after 2 coats.

Rimmel London Scandaleyes Lycra Flex Mascara- Also about $6 at drugstores

"A big volume mascara that won't leave your lashes stiff or brittle, so you can build drama from day to night!

Lycra Technology formula makes lashes look full and voluptuous while remaining soft. MaxDensity brush covers whole lash line with one effortless coat to reveal and plump every lash."

- This brush is easily one of the Biggest natural fiber brush I've seen on a mascara! I love a big brush! the bigger the better but I can see how some people might have trouble getting used to this brush if they are used to the smaller rubber bristle wand. This is a Lycra Flex formula so with that said I did experience clumping so I would actually follow my 2 coats with a run through of the Maybelline Great Lash Big to help separate my lashes. It did give me those big lashes that I love though so that second step is worth it!  I used to use their old Lycra mascara in high school and I loved that which is why I picked this one up. The formula of this mascara lengthens and provides volume with just 2 coats, but like I said it will clump!



Final Thoughts...
    I do like both of these mascaras and I like to keep more then one kind on rotation. With that being said I like the brush on the Retro Glam mascara better just because of that hourglass shape I can get to every little lash without a problem! I knew from the first time I used it that I love the brush, the bristles are long enough to comb through my lashes but because the end is more so rounded instead of pointed like most brushes it helps with the separation of the lashes at the end of the application. The formula of the Retro Glam I wasn't blown away with at first like I was with the Lycra Flex formula. After a few uses the Retro Glam grew on me it just wasn't that Bam lashes in your face! look that you get from the Lycra Flex. I do like them both and I could see myself buying them both again. The Retro Glam for work/daytime and the Lycra for more of  night/going out look. If I could though I would take the brush from Retro Glam and the formula of the Lycra Flex minus the clumps and have my dream mascara! 

           on my right eye < Retro Glam... on my left eye > Lycra Flex

Five Favorites (Plus 3 More!) Red Lips!

Hey guys this is the second post of my Five Favorites series and as you can see by the title its more then 5! I just couldn't help myself I Love Lipstick and a Red Lip never goes out of style! These are 8 that I've tried, some high end some drugstore but I love them all the same! So in no particular order let's get started!

1. Maybelline ColorSensational The Elixir Lip Color in #020 Signature Scarlet
     You can find this at pretty much any place that sells Maybelline products or online at Ulta.com. It will cost you around $8-$9 depend where you purchase it. I actually have 5 of these and plan on doing a blog post on them so look out for that! The formula of these lip colors is just so creamy and amazing and the color pay off of this red is Outstanding! Its glossy, its bold, its bright! Whats not to love! Just look at it! I've seen this color on fair skin and dark skin and it always looks stellar!

2. Cailyn Cosmetics Tinted Lip Balm in Big Apple
     I received mine in my monthly Ipsy bag a few months ago but it is available for purchase on the Cailyn Cosmetics website for $19. Though the label says that this is a tinted lip balm the color pay off is like a lipstick and the staying power is Amazing! It also has this handy built in brush in the handle which is why the packaging looks kind of funny, some people would probably say this makes the product too bulky but I like always having the lip brush attached especially because the actual product is in a little pot and I don't like sticking my fingers in my products. This is a Matte Product so it can be a little drying on some people but with the proper preparation its nothing uncomfortable. Ive worn this product to football games and out with friends and haven't had any problem with the staying power. This is actually my go to for times when i don't want to mess with touch ups.

3. NYX Butter Gloss in Cherry Pie
      I picked mine up at Ulta for $4.99 but I've seen them at my local Target for the same price.
I did a blog post in the past about how much I Love NYX Butter Glosses and I picked up this one after that post knowing i'd already love it! I could go on for days about how much I love the Butter Glosses and how excited I am for the Butter Lipsticks! This product and the Maybelline Color Elixirs remind me a lot of each other. Shiny, creamy, Red! I love them both, though I do have to say the Butter Glosses are a little lighter on the lip so if your just getting into Red Lips then give this one a shot!

4. Lime Cime's Velvetine in Red Velvet
      I purchased mine at LimeCrime.com for $20. This is a liquid lipstick that drys into a matte formula thats pretty awesome at staying put! I tested it and it does what it says! I picked this one up with a few other products one of which i will be talk about in this post! You paint this lovely product on your lips with a doe foot applicator but be careful where you put it because once it dries it plans on sticking around for awhile! (which is why i bought it and the other 2 colors hehe!) When first applied this product looks shiny but after a few seconds it starts to dry into this lovely matte rich red color that doesn't feel dry or tight on the lips like some super stay products can!

5. Urban Decay's Revolution Lipstick in the color 69
 I actually have 2 deluxe samples of this lipstick, one I got from Urban Decay when I ordered my Vice 2 Pallette and the other from an Ipsy Glam Bag. You can find it at Urban Decay.com or anywhere else Urban Decay products are sold for $22. Although I am totally in love with this color, formula and brand I can't say if I would buy a full size for $22, that's a little out of my spending bracket for 1 lipstick. Which is why I'm so happy that I ended up with 2 deluxe samples of the same color! Everytime I wear it I get compliments and I love how rich and creamy the color and formula is! I wish I could have all of them! Another winner from Urban Decay but did you expect anything different!

6. Victoria's Secret Glossy Tint Lip Sheen in Knock Out Red
       I bought this during one of their semi annual sales but you can find it at their store or online at Victoria's Secret.com for $9. I love this glossy lip tint jumbo crayon for when I want to wear a Red Lip during the day or in a more casual look. It has just enough color pay off to keep me happy but not so much that its over powering. The staying power isn't amazing when your eating or drinking but its a glossy tint lip sheen so what do you expect. This is another good one if your just getting into Red Lips and don't want anything too bold.

7. MAC Cosmetics Matte Lipstick in Ruby Woo
     This classic favorite was bought from my local MAC store but you can also find it online at MAC.com for $15. Many people/bloggers/vloggers have raved about this lipstick for as long as its been around! To me this is a must have in every collection if you love Red Lips! It is a matte formula and will show dry cracked lips so make sure to take care of your lips and exfoliate before you wear this lipstick! also if your wearing it out to eat make sure to put a red liner underneath. This color looks great on most skin tones because it is a good classic true red! Its said to have a slight blue undertone which helps to make your teeth look whiter but ill leave that decision up to you.

8. Lime Crime's Opaque Lipstick in Retrofuturist
      Like before I bought this lipstick from LimeCrime.com for $18. I would dare to say this is the Brightest Red of all of them, I had to check to make sure I could call this a true Red Lip. The formula of Lime Crimes lipsticks is amazing! which is why everyone loves them! I own 2 of them right now. Now I know what your saying this is only $4 cheaper then the Urban Decay lipstick so why would you buy this one and not that one?! I actually purchased these during Black Friday 2013 so I did get some off the regular price and it was a Christmas present to myself! These lipsticks go on so smooth and the color looks exactly as it does in the tube with little effort! Love them! Plus they have 18 colors and some of them are out of this world!

So whether or not its a matte, a gloss, or a tint I Love Red Lips! Obviously that is why there are 8 instead of 5 in my Five Favorites! Are there any Red Lip products you love and think I should try?! Let me know!! And please check me out and keep in contact with me on Instagram- LovingLifeMakeup and Twitter- LovingLifeMUA
Thanks guys!

Revlon ColorStay Whipped Foundation

I purchased these products at my local CVS by myself and these are my own opinions. 

$13.99 for .8oz in a sturdy glass jar

First Thought...

I have never tried a whipped foundation or any whipped makeup product in the past so I wasn't quite sure what to expect. I was looking for a full coverage foundation that wouldn't feel too heavy on the skin so I did some research and I decided to try the Revlon ColorStay Whipped Foundation. When I saw that it was $13.99 I was a little surprised because I'm not used to spending more than $10 for my foundation, plus every few months I'm trying a new one, but I decided to give it at shot. My color is #400 Early Tan and I know some people have had a hard time choosing the right color so again I looked online before I went to the store so that I would have a pretty good idea of what I was looking for. I'm an NC 35 in MAC's pressed powder and Soft Honey in Covergirl products. When I first applied this foundation I have to say I was a little scared at first it looked super dark and felt very thick and heavy but as I started to blend the color began to match and as it dried it felt lighter on my skin until I didn't feel it at all. 

Final Thoughts...

I always use a moisturizer and a primer under my foundation so I can't say much on the lasting power without but I'm very pleased with it overall. I don't have a problem with it drying out the skin on my cheeks or around my eyes nor does it cause my t zone to become super oily. I've had this for a couple of months and I still have plenty of product left, I think the whipped part of it helps it blend easily therefore the product lasts longer.  

Would I repurchase?...I would definitely repurchase this product, it has worked perfectly with my changing winter skin. I have never tried to wear this foundation or any foundation for 24 hours, but I know with a primer underneath it has lasted 12+ hours for me.

Botanics Conditioning clay mask

Botanics conditioning clay mask for all skin types. It says "burdock purifies and clarifies while clay draws out impurities with active plant extracts at levels that really work. This rich clay mask exhibits a negative electrical charge to attract deep-rooted impurities from the skin without drying."

First thoughts... 

It says to shake well before using which is fine I shake most things before I use them whether it says to or not. When I squeezed it out of the tube I noticed that it was thinner then clay masks I remember from the past. Not watery just the way it's formulated, which I don't mind because it doesn't slip off the face or through my fingers while I'm applying it. It says to leave on 10-20 minutes like most do and then rinse with warm water. 

About my skin... 

I have normal to oily skin that tends to get really dry during the winter so it being November I wanted to be careful what I put on my face as to not cause further dryness. 

Final thoughts... 

All in all I would have to say that I like this product, the mask dries on your face like any clay mask does but unlike a normal clay mask it was very easy to rinse off I credit this to the thinner formula. I didn't feel like I had to scrub and wipe at my skin to get it off. Once my face was dry it didn't feel dried out and tight or extra greasy which can happen with conditioning or moisturizing products. My pores do look smaller without my face feeling tight and it feels clean but not dry so I like that. I picked this up because I'm already dealing with dry skin problems and I've been looking for a tube clay mask for months. The fact that this said it was a conditioning clay mask had me sold, I had to try it!

Would I repurchase...

This was $9.39 at target for a 4.2 ounce squeeze tube. All in all I would have to say that I like this product and I could see myself buying it again. 

Maybelline FITME Shine Free Foundation Stick

 Maybelline's new stick foundation is just what I've been looking for! Because it is in a stick for instead of a liquid its much easier to take with you on the go and apply touch ups though they might not be needed. The lightweight gel formula of the foundation makes it incredibly easy to blend and it also has this nifty little "anti-shine" powder core that "instantly dissolves excess oil" and "blends to a natural matte finish". Its everything i dreamed of! I have combo skin that tends to get oily in the T-zone and dry on my cheeks.

Ok so i know this might be rambling but it stated out with a trip to Ulta and I remembered that I've been looking for a good drugstore powder to put in my purse in case I was out and needed to touch up. I picked up the Maybelline FITME presses powder in 315 soft honey, little did i know that for about 6 months this would become my main setting powder(It was only replaced because i bought my first MAC product ever).Push forward 2 months and that have come out with a FITME foundation stick! I was drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

I bought both of mine from Target for $6.99 each. I use color 310Sun Beige for the outsides of my face kind of like a contour and color 240 Pure Beige in the middle of my face and blend the 2 together. I love the creamy texture of the stick its so easy to just put a few stripes on your face and blend them out with your finger or a brush. I've even used this product without a primer underneath and been pleased with the outcome, the key is to blend. You don't want to use this product as some sort of foundation marker, add a few swipes and blend, if you need more just repeat its incredibly blend able. I do set mine with a powder and i have to say i don't feel greasy or look shiny after a few hours outside and i live in the south so that's saying a lot! I've found myself reaching for this over my Covergirl 3 in 1 Stay Fabulous Foundation.

NYX Cosmetics Butter Gloss Review

NYX Cosmetics Butter Gloss (A review and swatches)

I went to Ulta the other day to return some lip gloss that i had bought 2 of and i decided to give the NYX Butter Gloss a try, they were having a buy one get one 50% off on NYX products so why not. I picked up 2 very spring time colors and 2 that i call more of a neutral/nude.

 (Starting from the bottom left and going clock-wise; Cherry Cheese Cake, Apple Strudel,Vanilla Cream Pie, and Tiramisu.)

 

Cherry Cheese Cake 

                The color of this Butter Gloss is a great bright orange/coral color. It might be a little intimidating in the tube because it is such a bright color but because it is a Butter Gloss it comes off much softer and more wearable on the lips. This color and product is a great way to ease yourself into the brighter lip or even the orange lip trend this summer!

Apple Strudel

               This is a beautiful light pink color with just a little bit of peach in it. I love putting this one on top of some of my brighter lipsticks just to make them a little more everyday. This color and the formula of the Butter Glosses helps it mix with any lipstick beautifully without over powering or completely covering and changing the color . Its also a great color to wear on it own!

Tiramisu

              This one ended up being my surprise favorite of the 4 that I've tried so far! Even though I never jumped on the nude lip train I find myself reaching for this color almost everyday. Its not a brown or a pink, its the perfect hybrid of both! Though I think it might look more brown on a lighter skin tone.

Vanilla Cream Pie

             I call this color more of a neutral/nude for my skin tone but it  is a great rosy pink. This is a perfect everyday going to the office color. It stands out enough on the lips to help you look more finished and polished when your running out the door.On the other hand it could easily step up any lipstick.

The Formulation

             The formula of this Butter Gloss is what this lip product addict has been looking for her whole makeup life! They are so thick and creamy without being heavy or sticky, the color pay off is great while still being a bit sheer like a gloss should be. All and all I think these are my favorite lip product I have from NYX. I plan on going back and getting every color they have! If the color doesn't look goof on me then I know my friends will love them just as much as I do!

Where I buy...

I get all of my NYX Cosmetics Products from Ulta, I'm lucky enough to have one right around the corner. The Butter Gloss is $4.99 each but they often have a Buy One Get One 50% off sale on NYX products. I definitely recommend them to anyone!