Thursday 30 June 2016

The Benefit Brow Collection Has Everything You Need to Tame Your Brows!

I could not wait to review these new Benefit brow collection products! I’ve been teased and tortured by all the sneak peaks on social media, and y’all don’t even know the level of restraint it took for me to snap these pictures before tearing apart the packaging. 🙂

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Basically, everything you’d ever need to do your brows!

Benefit recently released these new-and-improved brow products, and I’m pretty sure there’s something here for everyone.

First up, there’s the Goof-Proof Brow Pencil.

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Talk about a great specimen of a brow pencil!

I wanted to try the $24 Goof-Proof Brow Pencil first because it’s what I would typically use for my brows — a brow pencil. I like the ease of just doing a few swipes with a pencil and then blending it out with a spoolie. 

The level of pigment surprised me! I mean, you definitely want to use a light hand when filling in your brows with Goof-Proof because this smooth, creamy pencil is no joke.

It’s flat and rectangular, unlike most brow pencils, and it took me a couple of tries to get used to the shape. But I like it. You can use the wider end to quickly fill in your brows or the thin edge to get more precise. 

I still haven’t *quite* mastered it yet, but I love the pigmentation and the sturdy brush at the other end.

Although this is one of the softer brow pencils I’ve ever used, I haven’t had any issues with it fading throughout the day.

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Comparison of Benefit Goof-Proof Brow Pencil and the Colourpop Brow Pencil

I tested these Benefit brow products over the course of a week or so, and here’s a quick snap of me trying Goof-Proof:

benefit brow

Wearing Benefit Goof-Proof Brow Pencil and 3-D Browtones (love the natural look)

Next up is $24 3-D Browtones. I pretty much always wear some sort of brow gel because my brows are bushy as hell, and I need something to tame these bad boys! So, while brow gel isn’t new to me, I was really intrigued by 3-D Browtones, which is described as a subtle highlighting gel for brows.

benefit brow

Benefit 3-D Browtones is such a unique product

I LOVE the idea of this. It’s like a brow highlighter to add a very subtle tint to your brows and soften them a bit. 

After I fill in my brows with a brow pencil, my brows are DARK, so I love the look I can get once I add this brow gel. I think if you have dark, thick brows, you’ll really like using this to soften your look a little.

I’ve tried lighter brow gels in the past (MAC’s brow gel in “Boy/Girl” was a favorite), but the 3-D Browtones give a much more natural look because the gel is pretty thin — and I mean that in a good way.

And now, say hello to $24 Ka Brow! (the surprise hit of the collection).

benefit brow

Can’t get over how much I like Ka-Brow!

I typically prefer brow pencils to brow creams, but Ka-Brow! is just REALLY good. Like, shockingly good. 

It seems like the typical brow pomade, but it’s not. It’s actually a cream-gel that has an almost powdery finish, so it dramatically helps my brows stay in place after using it.

Oh, and did I mention that it’s waterproof and meant to last for 24 hours? I didn’t test that claim, but I can say that I’ve worn Ka-Brow! through a full workday and a barre workout, and my brows were still in place.

Plus, the tiny brush that comes in the handle (genius, btw!) makes it so easy to apply this sparingly. I never thought I’d find a brow pomade that would work with my thick brows, but this one does. I love how chiseled (but still natural) my brows look after using it.

benefit brow

Major kudos to Benefit for the packaging of this collection; no need for outside tools to use any of the products!

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Benefit Ka-Brow! comes with everything you need for perfect brows

Last up, we have the $32 Brow Zings.

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Benefit Brow Zings comes with everything you need for sculpted brows, including tweezers

benefit brow

This tiny kit still has everything you need to do your brows

benefit brows

These brushes are larger than they appear and unfold to one dual-sided brush!

Benefit’s Brow Zings come with a mini-tweezers, a dual-sided brow brush, brow wax and brow powder (which are covered by a clear plastic sheet that’s labeled). I gotta admit that I’m pretty unfamiliar with brow wax/powder duos, so the little illustration on the back of the box is super helpful. 

I use the angled brush (the little brushes above are actually one folded in half, so they’re much easier to maneuver than you might guess) to trace around my brows with the wax. Then I use the flat brush to fill in my brows with the powder.  

I find that this creates the softest look of all of the products here because the brow powder is a true brown, and my hair is black. The brushes and the products make it so easy to create a very natural-looking brow. That being said, I recommend this more for thinner brows, because if you have thick eyebrows, it just isn’t necessary to fill them in with powder…unless, of course, that’s your thing.

benefit brow

Wearing Benefit Brow Zing

Here are swatches of everything:

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Swatches of the Benefit brow collection (top to bottom): 3-D Browtones in 4, Ka-Brow! in 5, Brow Zings in 5 and Goof Proof Brow Pencil in 5

Overall, I’m very impressed with the Benefit brow collection, and there are actually several more products available on the Benefit website! I have the dark brown shade in all of the products shown here, but most of the products come in six shades, so there’s a jet black option and several lighter shades as well. I’ll be reaching for Goof-Proof Brow Pencil, 3-D Browtones and Ka-Brow! (in that order) the most.

What do you use to tame your brows?


Adia Goss


Adia is a lawyer by day and a beauty blogger by night. She believes that makeup should be fun and simple, but she also likes multi-step skincare routines (she’s complicated!). Adia loves the sight of a brand new highlighter, and she’s constantly looking for the perfect concealer. Follow her beauty adventures at Adia Adores (formerly beautyluxelife) and on Instagram.

The post, “The Benefit Brow Collection Has Everything You Need to Tame Your Brows!,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

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This One-Trick Pony Broke Away From Browns Today and Swapped Them for Mauve #FOTD

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I have a horrible habit of only wearing browny/goldy/bronzey eyeshadow.

I’m kind of a one-trick pony when it comes to that.

But it’s good to break out of your routine every now and then, so I decided to try using some mauve and taupe shades, and I loved it!

Obviously, I’ve used mauve and taupe before, but I just forgot how pretty they can look! I was super happy with how this look turned out, so I thought I would document it and share the products I used.

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NARS Sheer Glow Foundation has crawled its way back into my heart. I always do this — I rediscover things and wonder why on earth I ever stopped using them! Sheer Glow gives such a flawless look to the skin without looking like heavy makeup.

Nars Sheer Glow in Monte Blanc

NARS Sheer Glow in Monte Blanc

Under my eyes, I used Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer, of course, because it’s the only concealer I ever use these days. It’s literally the best concealer I’ve ever used.

I’m pretty sure I’ve blabbed about it a lot before, so I’ll keep it short today. It’s lightweight, lovely and covers everything I need it to without going cakey. I use it to conceal under my eyes and to highlight my cheekbones, nose, chin and center of my forehead.

Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Light Neutral

Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Light Neutral

Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Light Neutral

Urban Decay Naked Skin Concealer in Light Neutral

Because I am so ghostly white at the moment, bronzer is a definite necessity to keep me from looking dead these days. There’s a lot of bronzers that I love to use, but Benefit Hoola has to be one of my favorites. I love that its matte and pigmented and adds natural-looking color to the skin. I dust it all over the high points of my face with a big fluffy brush to mimic a tan, and I also contour a little with it as well.

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

All of you listen up! — there is no reason that you should not own Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso. It’s uh-may-zing. The color is perfect, and so is the glowy finish. It goes on smoothly and looks like a dream.

When my mom asked for a blush recommendation, this is the one I got for her. I think it looks fresh and perfect on everyone! For this look I dusted it on the apples of my cheeks and back towards my temples to brighten everything up a bit.

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

I’ve been going a little highlighter crazy lately because I’m one of those people who loves to look like she’s bathed in highlighter. My favorite products for doing that have been anything from Becca. Today I used Becca’s Champagne Pop. It’s a gorgeous champagne color (obviously) with golden undertones. I used a fan brush to dust it all over the tops of my cheekbones and pretty much the rest of my face as well.

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop

Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop

Look at that glooooowww!!!

Like I mentioned at the start, today’s eyes were all about mauves and taupes for me, so I decided to go with my well-loved Lorac Pro Palette.

Using a blending brush, I buffed the shade called Mauve all over my lid and up into my crease, and I went in with several layers to make sure everything was blended and opaque.

Lorac Pro Palette

Lorac Pro Palette

From left to right: Mauve, and

From left to right: Mauve, and Pewter

Next, using the same brush, I put Pewter on the outer half of the lid and into the outer corners, and also buffed it into the lower lashline. That’s all I did, and I think it turned out to be a super pretty eye look! Obviously, I also added winged liner, because it wouldn’t be a normal day if I hadn’t!

Eye look using Lorac Pro Palette

Eye look using Lorac Pro Palette

Since letting my eyelash extensions fall out, I’ve been having some fun playing around with mascara again. My champion mascara has been Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara, which was brought back out. It’s just so great at giving you massive lashes without any clumping.

Because it’s sort of a shock going from eyelash extensions back to your normal lashes, I also put on some individual false lashes, so I didn’t feel quite as sad about it.

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara

I’m glad I tried something new today. It put me back in the mood to play around more with my makeup! So long, makeup rut!

I’m curious, what’s your favorite eyeshadow palette? I have a bunch already, but I’m starting to feel that itch for something new!

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Jen Clark


Hi, beautiful! I’m Jen from Jen Leigh Beauty. Now, rather than just talking to myself about makeup, I write it down in a blog. Besides being madly in love with anything I can smear on my face (and sharing pics on Instagram), I’m more in love with my hunky husband, my sweet 2-year-old, and my fluffy fur baby. Thank goodness they put up with the madness, because I love chatting about my favorite things with people who understand the addiction.

The post, “This One-Trick Pony Broke Away From Browns Today and Swapped Them for Mauve #FOTD,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

from Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/face-of-the-day-fotd/mauve-eye-makeup-look/
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What an Amazing Moment… I Remember It Like It Was Yesterday #sponsored

"So, are the shrimp appetizers ready?"

“Are the shrimp appetizers ready?”

As a participant in the Dove Clinical Protection Amazing Moments campaign, I received compensation in exchange for creating this post. Although the post is sponsored, all opinions are my own. @Dove #DovePartner #SimplyStylist #sponsored

Thank goodness for waterproof mascara, because every single time I watch this video from Dove, I get super emo.

Part of the reason — and I still can’t believe this is real — is that my 10-year wedding anniversary is coming up (first week in July!), and this short film is about a young lady named Louisa and her proposal story with her fiancé Rob.

All of us have amazing moments in our lives, and some of them seem almost impossibly unexpected and unreal. In this short film by Dove, a real woman named Louisa surprises the love of her life with a marriage proposal and puts Dove Clinical Protection Antiperspirant to the test.

When I watch it my insides turn to goo. It also brings back memories of my wedding day…

I know that everyone says this, but for reals! — it seems like it was yesterday. El Hub and I got married on the island of Oahu in Hawaii, which is where his family is from. It was at a resort on the North Shore called Turtle Bay, and I’ll never forget how nervous I was about everything going smoothly because we decided to do the planning ourselves instead of hiring a wedding planner (note to self: it was MUCH harder than I expected).

On the actual day, literally as I was getting my hair and makeup done, I was also on the phone making sure the musician got paid and that the caterers were remembering to put the toppers on the wedding cake — basically handling all of those little last-minute wedding details — and this was going on right up until the instant I put on my shoes and my veil!

I was sweatin’, but it was all worth it. I didn’t have Dove Clinical Protection Antiperspirant that day. I only discovered it later, but in hindsight, I could have used it. Dove Clinical Protection provides undeniable wetness protection and has ¼ moisturizers for softer, smoother skin.

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One of my fondest favorite memories is of us in the bridal suite when I finally put on my dress. My mom, my mother-in-law and my two best friends from childhood, Cindy and Jen, were also there.

It was a beautiful Hawaii day, and we had all of the windows open in the suite to let the trade winds cool us off. The room overlooked the ocean, and I could hear the waves gently rolling on the shore.

I still recall how the fabric rustled as the dress slipped over my head, and the chatter between my moms, Jen and Cindy as they zipped, buttoned and tied sashes.

Getting ready with the ladies in my life

Getting ready with the ladies in my life

When I had the dress on, fully, I remember turning around to face the ladies, standing there in front of them, and suddenly all of us got very quiet. The only sounds were the waves crashing and the coconut trees rustling in the breeze and the myna birds chirping and all of us sniffling and getting all choked up.

I remember realizing that it didn’t really matter if the caterer remembered to wrap the shrimp in bacon, or if the florist remembered to place flower petals in the aisle. All that mattered was that I was lucky to be sharing that moment with the women in my life.

Ready to walk down the aisle

Ready to walk down the aisle

So many wonderful things happened that day, and it’ll go down in my life story as one of the best days of my life.

Of course I remember the high notes — saying “I do,” the kiss (of course!), dancing at the party with my friends and family — but I also cherish those other amazing moments, too.

One of these days, remind me to tell you the full story of how El Hub proposed. Here’s a teaser: It took place in a small dining room in a faraway land about 8,000 miles from Hawaii. I didn’t even speak the local language.

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen


The post, “What an Amazing Moment… I Remember It Like It Was Yesterday #sponsored,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

from Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/dove-3/dove-amazing-moments-campaign/
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Wednesday 29 June 2016

Mixed Prints and Wiggles

connor mixed prints

Oh, boy, sweets, I think your niece is going to be a handful. This baby… She does not stop wiggling! I tried to take pictures of her in this lovely outfit with mixed prints, and for the life of me I couldn’t get her to sit still.

connor mixed prints 2

Notice how her limbs are always in a different position!

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It’s a good thing, I suppose, and it’s great to see that she’s active and interested and playful (although I may live to regret those words when she’s running around the house like a bouncy kitten).

connor mixed prints 3

El Hub has a theory that she’s going to be a high energy baby, and I’m inclined to agree. This week she discovered her feet, and now when she’s lying on her back she uses them to scoot herself across the floor. She also just figured out how to turn herself over. I found her in her baby gym on her tummy with her head up.

It’s exciting and scary at the same time. Our little angel is officially on the move!

connor mixed prints 1

Oh, and this outfit is yet another example of baby clothes that I wish were available in adult sizes, LOL! I’d wear striped rainbow pants with a polka-dot shirt in a hot second. Wouldn’t you?

Your friendly neighborhood beauty addict,

Karen


The post, “Mixed Prints and Wiggles,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

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7 of My Favorite Affordable European Makeup Products

Best Affordable European Makeup

Some of my favorite (affordable) European makeup

Europe definitely has a lot to offer the international traveler. I mean, so many different countries and cultures concentrated in a relatively small area…

But visiting a dozen countries in a month can get extremely expensive, so what’s a beauty lover to do? Pass on the makeup shopping??

Of course not!

On the good ol’ continent, you can find lots of top quality products that cost less than a latte.

Here are my top recommendations!

Best Affordable European Makeup

These are my favorite affordable European (but non-Italian) makeup products; for recommendations on Italian makeup, check out my series, “Best in Beauty From the Boot”

1. Catrice Defining Blush in 040 Think Pink (€3.99)

Matrice Defining Blush 040 Think Pink

If someone made me try the Catrice Defining Blush in 040 Think Pink after having depotted it, I’d for sure think it was a high-end blush.

I swear, I’d bet my entire makeup collection on it! It’s that good.

Creamy and not in the least bit powdery, nicely pigmented but easy to blend, and long-lasting, too.

Oh, and here’s the best part: it’s only €3.99!

2. Catrice Camouflage Cream in 010 Ivory & 020 Light Beige (€3.49)

Catrice Camouflage Cream

If you’re blessed with oily skin and occasional hormonal spots like this mama, then you’ll know that liquid concealers just don’t last.

To cover up those angry red zits and the marks they usually leave behind, I think it’s much better to use a dry-texture concealer.

In my opinion, the Laura Mercier Secret Camouflage ($35) is the best in this category, but Catrice’s Camouflage Cream comes in a close second, and it’s just a fraction of the price.

Should you ever spot a Catrice stand during your European adventures, make sure you put your paws on this fantastic concealer.

3. Essence Long-Lasting Eye Pencils in 01 Black Fever & 02 Hot Chocolate ($2.49/€1.99)

Essence Long-Lasting Eye Pencil 01 Black Fever 02 Hot Chocolate

Ok, I know that you can get Essence at Ulta these days, but wouldn’t it be cooler to pick up something from this affordable German brand after admiring the majestic Cologne Cathedral or visiting the breathtaking Neuschwanstein Castle?

My first recommendation would be the Long-Lasting Eye Pencils in 01 Black Fever and 02 Hot Chocolate, because I mean, who doesn’t need black or brown eyeliner?

These glide on super easily and last amazingly well both on the waterlines and lashlines.

4. Essence Sun Club Matte Bronzing Powder in 01 Natural – Blondes/Lighter Skin ($4.99/€4.99)

Essence Sun Club Matte Bronzing Powder 01 Natural Blondes

Essence Sun Club Matte Bronzing Powder in 01 Natural is one of those bronzers that’s impossible to go overboard with, and that’s my favorite kind.

No patchiness, no Oompa-Loompa-ness. Just a healthy-looking complexion.

Plus, if you like coconut-scented products, you’ll find yourself opening the compact just to give it a sniff more often than you’d like to admit…

5. Essence The Gel Nail Polish Top Coat ($3.99/€3.19)

Essence The Gel Nail Polish Top Coat

I wonder if Cosnova (the German company that makes Essence and Catrice) keeps the exact formula of the Essence The Gel Nail Polish Top Coat in a vault like Coca-Cola does with their secret recipe…

This stuff is magical!

I’m sure there’s a secret ingredient that makes their nail polish shine brighter than a Swarovski store and last longer than finals week.

6. Max Factor Crème Puff Blush in 10 Nude Mauve (£8.99)

Max Factor Crème Puff Blush 10 Nude Mauve

Despite what the name suggests, the Max Factor Crème Puff Blushes are actually powder blushes (although, the non-powdery kind), and are said to be dupes for the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blushes ($38).

My favorite thing about Nude Mauve is that it gives me a nice definition and very subtle luminosity without interfering with the color scheme of the rest of my makeup.

Best Affordable European Makeup Swatches

L-R: Essence Long-Lasting Eye Pencils in 02 Hot Chocolate and 01 Black Fever, Essence Sun Club Matte Bronzing Powder in 01 Natural, Catrice Camouflage Cream in 010 Ivory and 020 Light Beige, Catrice Defining Blush in 040 Think Pink, Max Factor Crème Puff Blush in 10 Nude Mauve

7. Zoeva Cocoa Blend Eyeshadow Palette (€21.80)

Zoeva Cocoa Blend Eyeshadow Palette

Zoeva Cocoa Blend Eyeshadow Palette Look

On my eyes I’m wearing Bitter Start, Substitute For Love, Pure Ganache, and Subtle Blend from the Zoeva Cocoa Blend Eyeshadow Palette

Aaaand… I saved the best for last. This palette is UH-MAZE-BALLS!

Compared to the products I’ve mentioned so far, the Zoeva Cocoa Blend Eyeshadow Palette might almost seem pricey, but €21.80 for 10 top quality eyeshadows is still pretty good in my opinion.

From the buttery texture, to the high pigmentation and blendability, there’s nothing I don’t love about these shadows.

The color selection is perfect for my taste (lots of warm goodness!), and there’s a good balance between shimmers and mattes (6-4).

If you want to have your mind blown by how well the Cocoa Blend shadows swatch, click on this Portkey (#harrypottergeek) to go straight to my blog! 😉

Best Affordable European Makeup

All the makeup I’ve used today is European, and here’s a breakdown of what I’m wearing:

Anyone coming to Europe this summer?


Carolina Braina


Hey, ladies (and gents), it’s Carolina here, reporting live from Bologna, Italy, to bring you the latest and greatest in beauty from the good ol’ continent! For an extra dose of that timeless Italian glam with a touch of humor and self-irony (because, you know, laughter is the best makeup), come say hi at carolinapage.eu and Instagram.

The post, “7 of My Favorite Affordable European Makeup Products,” first appeared on Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup.

from Makeup and Beauty Blog | Makeup Reviews, Swatches and How-To Makeup http://www.makeupandbeautyblog.com/cosmetics/best-affordable-european-makeup-products/
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