The Balm/Hautelook Haul and Mini-Review

About a month ago, Hautelook had a sale for The Balm, and since those deals don't come by that often, I went ahead and snatched some items that had been on my list!

I picked up Betty-Lou Manizer, a gorgeous bronzer/highlighter/shadow, Hot Mama, a rose gold shadow/blush, and two Time Balm cream foundations: Light for a base, and Dark for contouring.

Review and Swatches: Rimmel Apocalips/Show Off Lip Lacquers

 

A little over a month ago, I heard all my favorite UK YouTubers rave about the new Rimmel Apocalips lip lacquers.  As Rimmel London products obviously get to the UK first, I scoured the internet and figured out that I didn't have to wait for their US arrival because Asos sold them! 

FOTD: Baby Pink Lips, Cheeks, and Lashes!

Products

Face: Kat Von D Lock-It Tattoo Foundation in Light 44, which is light with a beige undertone * 

I applied this with a damp Beauty Blender to not look overly made up

Cheeks: The Balm Down Boy, a baby pink blush *

Eyes: MAC Soft Brown and Texture (the lighter warm browns in the quad)

Mascara: Lancôme Hypnôse Star Mascara in 01 Noir Midnight *

Lips: Rimmel Lasting Finish Kate Moss Matte lipstick in 101 and Rimmel Stay Glossy Lipgloss in  Non-Stop Glamour (I think, the name came off with the plastic packaging, grr)

First Impression Review: Physicians Formula Eye Booster 2-in-1 Lash Boosting Eyeliner + Serum

I've been wanting a new felt-tip eyeliner for awhile now, and I finally found a great one!

My New Orange-Red Lipstick Love: MAC's So Chaud

A couple of years ago, when the orange-red J.Crew lip was the thing, I decided to hunt down what color the makeup artists were using on the models. There's something so timeless, yet current about a matte orange-red. Plus, it's not too vampy so it's great for daytime. From my research online, it looked like the colors were a mix of NARS Heat Wave Semi Matte lipstick and NARS Red Square Matte Velvet lip pencil.

Well, I went out and bought Red Square and immediately fell.in.love. It's matte yet not too drying, in pencil form so a breeze to apply, and so daytime appropriate. NARS describes it as a "bright orange red." Looking through my collection, it looked like my cheapie Wet n Wild Megalast lipstick in 970 Purty Persimmon was pretty similar. If you look really closely, Purty Persimmon leans just a little more orange. 

Heat Wave had been next on my shopping list, but when I started looking more closely at the ingredients for NARS lipsticks, I noticed that they contained parabens. Ugh! I realized after knowing that, I especially couldn't justify spending $26 on a lipstick. Which means I probably won't repurchase Red Square when I run out. This thought was devastating me. I was legit upset.

Try This, Not That: Makeup Wipes

I've recently tried out two new makeup wipes and I wanted to share my thoughts. Time for a... Makeup Wipe Smackdown!

First Look: Tarte's Aqualillies Waterproof Eye & Cheek Palette

I'd been eyeing Tarte's Summer 2013 limited-edition Aqualillies Waterproof Eye & Cheek Palette for awhile now and was seriously thinking of picking it up before it was gone. 

Saturday morning, my friends wanted to pop into Sephora after our brunch, so I knew that I could not resist any longer.

Sephora + Me = Damage

My friend Megan needed a blush and bronzer so I convinced her to pick this up as well (enabler much??) As soon as I got home, I slapped some of this stuff on my face and I'm in LOVE!

Check it out...