Beauty Round-Up

Cruelty-Free

FOTD

FIRST IMPRESSIONS | Holiday 2014: ☃ Benefit the Sweet Tintations ☃

Holiday 2014, Benefit the Sweet Tintations, benebalm, lollibalm, benetint, lollitint swatches

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

For all you lip junkies out there, Benefit has released a set of 4 lip products that are sure to please everyone! These make the perfect stocking stuffer or holiday lip pairings for staying power and hydration. The tints provide long lasting color while the mango butter-infused balms keep your pout hydrated and full of color. If lip products aren't your cup of tea, the tints can also be used on the cheek for a long-lasting stain.
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FIRST IMPRESSIONS ┊Holiday 2014: ♕ LORAC The Royal Eyeshadow Palette Set ♕

LORAC The Royal Eyeshadow Palette Set, holiday 2014
LORAC the Royal Eyeshadow Palette Set in Silver Silk, Gold Satin, and Plum Velvet
The holidays are right around the corner so if you haven't gotten all your gifts together yet, don't fret--I have two more gift ideas for the beauty-obsessed in your life!The LORAC The Royal Eye Shadow Palette Set contains a trio of quads featuring plums, golds, and silvers. Keep on reading for more info!
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FAVORITES┊ ❆ Winter 2014: Beauty Edition ❆

winter lipstick, reds, nudes, pinks
Winter is coming and so are the holidays! I'm so excited and have been shopping like mad to get all my gifts for everyone. Online shopping is a savior for me because it's much quicker to grab a bunch of things for everyone and the deals are insane! Anyhoo, we're here to talk about beauty so let's jump into my picks for this winter!
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EMPTIES┊October and November 2014 ♥

I've been trying to be diligent and use up products every month to cut down my stash. I didn't post an October Empties but I did use up a few things during that time (15 to be exact). November was a bit slower but 12 items isn't so bad! December might be a bit smaller as I'm running out of products that are almost done but we'll see how it goes. I still have 22 days to sort that out :D
october empties, batiste dry shampoo in fresh, cvs advanced nail polish remover, secret outlast unscented gel deodorant, aveeno daily moisturizer spf 15, simple pleasure shower gel in midnight blossom,  ahava dead sea minerals body lotion
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HAUL + FIRST IMPRESSIONS | Wet n Wild, Maybelline, and Revlon: eyes + lips!

wet n wild coloricon eyeshadow trio,  I'm Getting Sunburned, Silent Treatment, Sweet as Candy, and I'm Walking on Eggshells
From left to right: I'm Getting Sunburned, Silent Treatment, Sweet as Candy, and I'm Walking on Eggshells

This haul was from a couple of weeks ago but I've only gotten around to editing photos and my thoughts now--very sorry for the delay. All of the items are eyeshadows and lipsticks from the drugstore, so if you need a cheap thrill or want to breathe new life into your collection, keep on reading!

I even added in some Lorac Pro/ Pro 2/ Unzipped Palettes dupes to make up for the long wait. ;) As always, are swatches are done with no primer of any sort on clean skin with my clean fingers so the gloriness of the swatches are due to the majesticness of the products themselves! Lipsticks were done with one swipe--two for clean up :D
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GIVEAWAY | 21st Birthday + a Thank You ♥ (CLOSED)

giveaway, wet n wild, maybelline, covergirl, benefit, smashbox, essie, sephora, palladio, ulta, elf

It's been a long while since my last giveaway so I decided to host another one! I turned 21 a couple of days ago and while I don't feel any wiser, it happened to fall on US Thanksgiving. It was so hectic as I had just gotten home the previous day from university, sleep deprived and hungry. I helped my mom cook dinner and visited tons of family that day. It was so busy I even forgot to cut my cake! The cake is still in the fridge, waiting for winter break (which is less than 2 weeks away!) I'm glad I went for ice cream cake as it'll be fine sitting in the freezer (I hope). 

Anyhoo, things have calmed down now that I'm back at university and attending classes again. I love going home but there's always so much to do that the blog gets neglected. To commemorate another year well lived, I decided to giveaway a few of my favorite things as well as some random bits and bobs I've collected over this past year. It's not much but I hope you all will enjoy it! 

**Shameless Plug Alert** 
I just started my very own Instagram account @makeupwithaheart so follow me over there to see mini-reviews of items I don't have time to feature on my blog, eotd, and tidbits into my life!

PRIZES INCLUDE:
elf Bronzer in Truly Bronzed
Benefit High Beam (deluxe size)
***
Wet n Wild Take on the Day Eyeshadow Primer
Wet n Wild Comfort Zone Palette  (swatches available here!)
elf Cream Eyeliner in Coffee
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Ulta Super Shiny Lip Gloss in Natural
Smashbox Lip Enhancing Gloss in Illume (deluxe size)
***
essie Sleek Stick UV Cured Nail Applique in sneek-e
Sephora Nail Patch Art in French Dentelle


 One lucky person will be winning this entire swag bag full of awesome goodies--read on to see how to enter below. ;) Good luck to everyone who enters!

Instructions to Enter:

  1. Use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter. Only entries received using the Rafflecopter widget will be counted. This giveaway is international so everyone is welcome to enter!
  2. I'll give the winner 48 hours to get back to me; if they do not get back to me, I will continue to keep picking winners until someone responds with their email and mailing address. Shipping time will depend on when I have time to take it to the post office and how long the post will take to arrive to its destination. 
  3. You can live anywhere in the world--just make sure your country accepts incoming packages from the United States and doesn't have restrictions on the items mentioned above. If you are under 18, please make sure your parents are aware of your entry into my contest as I do not want to freak them out. I really want this prize to go to someone who will enjoy them so I don't want there to be complications from parents or shipping restrictions getting in the way.
  4. I will have one winner for this prize but I will be hosting future giveaways, so if you don't win this time, look forward to many more upcoming ones!
XOXO,
MWAH ♥

•´`•.¸.» •´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°•´`•.¸.» •´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°•´`•.¸.» •´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°•´`•.¸.» •´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°••´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°•´`•.¸.» •´`•.¸.» ¸¸.•´°• •´`•.¸.» 
Disclosure Statement: All products mentioned were purchased with my own money. I am not sponsored by any of the companies mentioned above and was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own. Links are not affiliate links and are provided for the readers' convenience. I cannot guarantee that the product(s) will work for you. I do not approve or endorse the products or information available on these sites. Proceed at your own risk.

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS + EOTD┊Holiday 2014: ♕ LORAC the Royal Eyeshadow Collection ♕

lorac the royal eyeshadow collection review, swatches

 

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

A set of 4 quads to create various looks fit for a Queen, Countess, Princess, or Duchess! Each color-coordinated quad has a mix of mattes and shimmers. Lorac's the Royal Eyeshadow Collection promises to be long-lasting, highly pigmented, and velvety smooth.

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS ┊Holiday 2014: ☃ Urban Decay Full Frontal Lipstick Stash☃

Holiday 2014: Urban Decay Full Frontal Lipstick Stash, liar, gash, f-bomb. illicit, crush. lady fingers swatches

   ⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

Rolling right in for the holidays, the Urban Decay Full Frontal Lipstick Stash includes 3 limited edition colors as well as 3 all-time favorites housed in an elaborately decorated box. The Revolution Lipsticks are formulated with jojoba oil, avocado oil, cocoa butter, and shea butter to provide a smooth texture, intense pigmentation, easy color dispersion, and superior longevity. To perfect your lip and keep your pout looking beautiful all day and night, a full sized 24/7 Glide-on Lip Pencil in Ozone is the perfect lip liner to match a variety of lip colors!

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS ┊ Holiday 2014: ☃ Hourglass Cosmetics Ambient Lighting Blush Palette ☃

FIRST IMPRESSIONS, Holiday 2014, Hourglass Cosmetics Ambient Lighting Blush Palette

 ⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

Housed in an elegant light gold case, the limited edition Hourglass Cosmetics Ambient Lighting Blush Palette features three shades of Ambient Light Blush, the groundbreaking blush that creates seamless, soft-focus multidimensional color. Exclusive, to this palette is Incandescent Electra. Luminous Flush and Mood Exposure are already a part of the permanent line-up.

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS ┊ Holiday 2014: ☃ Tarte Pin Up Girl Blush Palette ☃

Tarte Pin Up Girl Blush Palette review and swatches

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

This limited, holiday edition blush palette from Tarte features 5 new, exclusive shades. Made to last up to 12 hours, the key ingredient, Amazonian clay, balances skin beautifully to allow for better, longer, and truer wear.
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UNBOXING┊ bareMinerals Beauty & the Beach Sephora Beauty Insider Box

UNBOXING┊ bareMinerals Beauty & the Beach Sephora Beauty Insider Box 500 points

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

I love these little boxes from Sephora as it lets me try out a particular brand's most popular products. Of course, the 500-point "perk" is a bit exorbitant but I try to accrue points during their 4x points sales. Anyhoo, this time, I have the bareMinerals Beauty & the Beach Beauty Insider Box which includes deluxe sized samples of the All-Over Face Color in Pure Radiance, the READY Blush in the Natural High, the READY Bronzer in Skinny Dip, the Lash Domination Volumizing Mascara, and the Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Party Starter
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PRODUCT SMACKDOWN┊ NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil vs NYX Glam Shadow Sticks vs NYX Infinite Shadow Sticks✎

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil review and swatches, milk, cottage cheese, lavender, sparkle nude, sparkle leopard, french fries, iced mocha, yogurt
This post is going to be a long one, so grab your favorite drink and get comfortable! I'm reviewing three different types of eyeshadow pencils from NYX: the original Jumbo Eye Pencil, the Glam Shadow Stick, and finally, the Infinite Shadow Stick. If you've been curious as to how each of these perform and compare to one another along with a few other formulas that I've tried, stick around to find out more.

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RE-DISCOVERY┊ Milani Shadow Eyez 12 Hr Wear Eyeshadow Pencil

Milani Shadow Eyez Jumbo Pencils review and swatches champagne toast, sand dunes, golden bronze, almond cream

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

The Milani Shadow Eyez 12 Hour Wear Eyeshadow Pencil is a water-resistant and creaseproof eyeshadow encased in a pencil form. It can be used as a shadow, liner, or highlighter. The range includes 12 shades from neutrals to brights. The pencils comes in a variety of finishes: matte, shimmer, and metallic.
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UNBOXING ┊ Tarte Shades of Clay October 2014 Edition

UNBOXING, Tarte Shades of Clay October 2014, cc primer, cc eye primer, bronzer blush in rose bronze, colored clay eyeliner in midnight plum, colored clay foundation, lipsurgence lip gloss in blushing bride, lights, camera, lashes 4 in 1 mascara review

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤
This is the third and final installment of the Tarte Shades of Clay from QVC. I'm sad that I won't be receiving any more of these but they have introduced an exciting new product in this installment: the Colored Clay CC Eye Primer! Each set contains 7 products to create a nice and rosy look:

  • Amazonian Colored Clay Liquid Foundation
  • Colored Clay CC Primer
  • Amazonian Colored Clay Bronzer Blush in Rose Bronze
  • Colored Clay CC Eye Primer
  • Colored Clay Eyeliner in Midnight Plum
  • Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara
  • Lipsurgence Lip Gloss in Blushing Bride


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FOTD ┊"Be Bold": Smokey Plum Makeup for Fall


TUTORIAL ┊"Be Bold": Smokey Plum Makeup for Fall, lorac pro palette, lorac pro palette 2, hourglass ambient light powder palette, tarte park ave princess bronzer, tarte blush

I posted this eye look a while ago on my Instagram a while back. I loved how it came out so I just decided to write up a very short tutorial for those who wanted to achieve a similar result! 
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PRODUCT SMACKDOWN┊ MUFE Aqua Cream vs Tarte emphasEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow vs Maybelline Color Tattoo

PRODUCT SMACKDOWN┊ MUFE Aqua Cream vs Tarte emphasEYES Amazonian clay waterproof cream eyeshadow vs Maybelline Color Tattoo review and comparison
The last time I wrote a Product Smackdown was months ago and so I brought another one here today :) I've been sitting on this one for a while and am so ready to talk about these now. I'm discussing the Make Up For Ever Aqua Cream, Tarte emphasEYES Amazonian Clay Waterproof Cream Eyeshadow, and the Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal Eyeshadow in this post. If you're a fan of cream eyeshadows, you won't want to miss this one!

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REVIEW┊Tarte Waterproof Shadow Sticks + emphasEYES Clay Shadow Stick


tarte emphasEYES Clay Stick in Champagne, Waterproof Shadow Stick in Champagne Pearl, Copper, Smoky Topaz Review and swatches
I haven't written a review in a while so I decided to start with something I've been obsessed with: the Tarte Waterproof Shadow Sticks! I'm all about a simple and easy routine for the mornings. These help me look put together without much effort. 

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

Formulated with Amazonian clay, vitamin E and mineral pigments to soften lids without tugging or pulling, these rich shadows can be layered to create a look for every occasion. The Tarte Waterproof Shadow Sticks and emphasEYES Clay Shadow Stick are long-wearing, natural, and high definition.
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UNBOXING ┊Ipsy Glam Bag: October 2014

IPSY October 2014 Glam Bag

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤
Ipsy is a monthly subscription service that contains 4-5 deluxe and full sized products for $10 USD each month. October's theme is Beauty Candy, which fits right in with Halloween right around the corner. Side note: what are you going to be for Halloween?? I'm not sure what I'm going to be but I'm looking for some easy DIYs :D This month's bag includes the Epice International Purifying Exfoliant, Fig & rouge Hand Cream, Cirque Colors Nail Lacquer, Noyah Lipstick, and Skone Cosmetics TATTOOED Waterproof Eyeliner.

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HAUL┊ Sephora VIB Rouge Sale

So I know I'm supposed to be on a no-buying ban but the Sephora VIB Rouge Sale was just too tempting for me to pass up. I did control myself, picking up only 3 things for myself (the other two items are for my mom). The 4x bonus points was a good deal :D

I griped a lot when I hit VIB Rouge and this is a continuation of a previous post where I talked about the gifts I received for hitting VIB Rouge. Anyhoo, enough blabbing--let's get into the haul!

dior addict fluid stick 689 vertigo sephora vib rouge sale haul
Sooooo many bloggers talked about this little lippie so I had to try out one. With 16 colors available, I had a hard time picking. I eventually left with Dior Addict Fluid Stick in 689 Vertigo. This is my first luxury brand lip product and I'm excited to report that this is a major hit with me! It goes on glossy but dries down to a comfortable semi-matte stain. Eating and drinking does not disturb this color too much. It wears down evenly so there isn't awkward lip ring action going on here. Scent-wise, it isn't unpleasant nor is it overpowering. The vibrant pink is bright but not neon, so it's perfect for summertime. I forgot about it for a while but I will definitely be pulling it out more often now! The only thing standing between me and more of these babies is the price. At $35USD each, these Fluid Sticks are quite a pretty penny. Still, my eyes can't stop looking at 893 Trompe L'Oeil, a raspberry plum shade.
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FOTD┊I'm "Fall"-ing for You: Autumn Bridal Makeup with Lover.ly!

Autumn Bridal Makeup TUTORIAL┊I'm "Fall"-ing for You: Autumn Bridal Makeup w/ Lover.ly!
 I'm a bit too young to be thinking about this but in an effort to provide diverse content on my blog, I present to you all an autumnal bridal makeup tutorial, "I'm 'FALL''-ing for You"!. Since we're beginning fall here in the Northern Hemisphere, I wanted to incorporate a lot of gold and copper to mimic the colors leave turn in fall. It's a bit metallic and shimmery but a matte look wasn't something I would personally want on my big day. Anyhoo, let's hop onto the tutorial!
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EMPTIES┊August & September 2014 ♡

I didn't post an August empties so I decided to combine two months' worth of empty products. There's a lot of items to go through so I'll cut to the chase now! I mis-numbered the items so I actually have 16 products, not 17 but just ignore that little flub ^_^

empties, review, pssst! Dry shampoo, tory burch fragrance, versace yellow diamond perfume
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DE-STASHING PROJECT┊ ☮ September 2014 ☮

Haven't done one of these since May, but I have since let go of a couple more items, all unopened. My cousin's birthday was this month and since I know she's interested in makeup but doesn't know where to start, I decided to give her some of my back ups since I have way too much to even need back ups. Without further ado, these are the six items that have gone on to happier places:

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TIPS┊ My New Skincare Routine for Normal to Combination Skin

With all the skincare posts I've been doing this month, I thought a great way to round up everything is to introduce my skincare routine to y'all so you can see how it all comes together! Now, these are just the bare basics that I use on a (near) daily basis. I forgot to include my facial masks and spot treatments but those change depending on my mood so...that's my excuse for forgetting to photograph them X.X

Anyway, I divided it up into my morning and nighttime routine because there are some changes. I did include a special trio of products that I use when I need to but it'll make more sense when I describe my routine. Just to start off, I have normal to combination skin tone. My skin isn't particularly sensitive--I have only reacted badly to one product in my entire life so yeah, quite resilient. Disclaimer: These are the products that have worked well for me. I cannot promise that you will achieve the same results. Proceed at your own caution.

skincare routine for normal to combination skin
Starting with the morning stuff, I cleanse my face with whatever cleanser I have on hand. I was using the Paula's Choice Pore Normalizing Cleanser for a while but have now switched to the Body Shop Tea Tree Skin Clearing Facial Wash (not pictured). I've only been using it for a week so I can't really speak for its efficacy but so far, nothing bad to report. I will list the stuff I plaster all over my face in the order I uhh...plaster:

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REVIEW┊ h2o+ Deep Sleep Recovery Cream

REVIEW┊ h2o+ Deep Sleep Recovery Cream oily skin

I got this little sample from an Ulta gift with purchase a while back. I'm not actually looking for any firming action or anything miraculous other than for moisturizing benefits without the breakouts. Does this do a good job? Read on to find out!

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

The H2O+ Deep Sleep Recovery Cream* helps to reveal renewed and firmer-looking skin overnight using amino acids and kudzu root extract. Formulated with marine collagen to support skin's resiliency and elasticity for a visible firming effect. Anti-aging nori, himanthalia and spirulina smooth and revitalize skin with nutrient-rich moisture.

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REVIEW┊ Holika Holika Skin & Good Cera Super Cream

REVIEW Holika Holika Skin & Good Cera Super Cream, night cream, dry skin

Even though it doesn't feel like it here in sunny California (it's currently 76℉/ 24.44℃), autumn is coming in a couple of days and so I'm starting to pull out my heavy hitting creams, like this one from Holika Holika. The Holika Holika Skin & Good Cera Super Cream came in a Meme Box and I've been using it for the past couple of weeks. 

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

This ultra-hydrating cream not only hydrates the skin but also enhances the water-holding capacity of the skin, thanks to the powerful hydrating ingredient, ceramide.
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REVIEW┊ Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA+++

REVIEW┊ Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA+++

Though we are nearing the end of summer here in the Northern Hemisphere, SPF should be on everyone's mind (and face + body!) The Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen Broad Spectrum SPF 50 PA+++ has been the one that got me through this summer with NO sunburns and NO clogged pores. If the fact that more than 90% of the signs of aging are caused by the sun doesn't scare you, how about skin cancer being the most common cancer in the US? That's pretty frightening for my US readers... X.x

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

The Supergoop! Everyday Sunscreen provides broad spectrum (UVA+ UVB ray protection) for face and body in an oil-free, non-comedogenic lotion. This moisturizing, lightweight, and fast absorbing formula is ideal for daytime. It's also cruelty-free--yay! 
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UNBOXING┊IPSY Glam Bag September 2014♥

I'm not going to go on and on about what this is because most beauty-obsessed people would already know by now (¬‿¬) BUT the tl;dr version is that it's a $10USD monthly subscription service that includes 4-5 full-sized or deluxe sized products ranging from hair, skin, beauty, and makeup all encased in a cute little pouch. Now that we've got the formalities out of the way, let's hop into the products for this month's Glam Bag!

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

I've been on the waitlist for forever and finally got my bag this month. The theme this month is Street Style. Inside, I received 5 products in my bag: Avon Big & Daring Mascara, Be a Bombshell Smooth Criminal Powder, Cailyn Art Touch Tinted Lip Gloss,   Mitchell & Peach Luxury Hand Cream, and a Pacifica 7 Free Nail Polish.

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REVIEW┊The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Moisture Lotion SPF 15

Hey everyone!  I've switched out my daily moisturizer and so I've been looking for one that helps me control my oil. The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Moisture Lotion SPF 15 for Combination/Oily Skin is designed as an all-in-one oil-balance, moisturization, and UVA/UVB protection, perfect for rushed mornings.

REVIEW┊The Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Moisture Lotion SPF 15
Ignore the top...I cut off the top so I could scrape out the rest of the product. xD
There was a good week and a half's left in there!

⇥ AT A GLANCE ⇤

As you all know, I have normal to combination skin. My t-zone gets pretty oily but my cheeks and forehead remain normal. What I'm looking for is a lightweight moisturizer that doesn't give me an oily appearance. Sun protection is a must and if it's unscented, that's a huge bonus. So does this Body Shop Seaweed Mattifying Moisture Lotion deliver?

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REVIEW┊Benefit It's Potent! Brightening Eye Cream

REVIEW Benefit It's Potent! Brightening Eye Cream

Have a gander at this new eye cream from Benefit Cosmetics! This brightening eye cream works hard to get rid of dark circles and smooth fine lines for a brighter and younger look.

⇥AT A GLANCE⇤


Formulated with cocoa extract, sodium hyaluronate, and loquat extract to help fade dark circles, restore moisture, and fight free radical damage. 
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REVIEW┊Holika Holika Bulgarian Rose Eye Cream


[Review] Holika Holika Bulgarian Rose Eye Cream
Continuing on with the skincare theme, I'll be talking about the Holika Holika Bulgarian Rose Eye Cream!If you're looking for a new one to try, read on to see if this one will be perfect for you :)
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BEAUTY HACK┊ DIY Foundation or Color Correct a too Pink Foundation!

correcting foundation undertone DIY
Ignore the gash in the Skin Food bottle...was trying to get product out since I couldn't squeeze any more product out of it >.<

Tired of buying bottle after bottle of foundation that gives a mask-like appearance? Interested in making your own? Read on to find out how!
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REVIEW┊ Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil

[Review] Tarte Maracuja Oil dry skin remedies

So did that convince you to buy this product? Anyone? Well, I'm here to tell you that this product has helped my skin look more radiant and hydrated without the grease face that most of us dread!
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REVIEW┊ Paula's Choice Clear Regular Strength Kit

Review Paula's Choice Clear Regular Strength Kit skincare acne
I've been hinting at the new changes to my skincare routine in a couple of previous posts and here are the new additions! I'm just going to say it now: these products work without over-drying my skin. The Paula's Choice CLEAR line in Regular Strength really works and I stand behind these products 100%!

A bit of background on my skin--grab your drink of choice and get comfortable because it's a long one. I've always taken good care of my skin. Starting when I was 11, I was washing my face and applying sunscreen daily. I almost made it through high school with relatively clear skin. Starting my senior year, I just broke out around my chin and cheeks. Since prom was coming up, I was in a panic to get clear skin. Asking my sister for some advice, she recommended St. Ives, which I used up until my 1st year of university. The harsh apricot scrub really messed up my skin, causing breakouts and blemishes in areas I never broke out on before. I immediately repurposed the scrub into a foot scrub, which it did eerily well. I used up the cleanser and tried something else. After two years of trying out a ton of brands products in an attempt to clear my skin, it was dry in places, oily in others, irritated, and red. The blemishes I was dealing with are the ones that are stuck underneath the skin for a very long time, usually weeks or months. When they do decide to surface, they are almost always inflamed, red, tender to the touch, filled with pus and very large. At that stage, they take a week or more to go away, leaving my skin with a dark hyperpigmentation mark to remember it by. At my wits end, I decided to give Paula's Choice a chance due to the glowing review of Wayne Goss. That was March of this year and I have not strayed from these items one bit! 

Another incentive to buy: Paula's Choice products are 15% off until October 7, 2014 at 11:59PM ET!! Free shipping when you spend $50+.
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TIPS┊ ✈ What's in my Bag?: Travel Makeup Edition ✈

So this might be a little late as the summer is winding down, but I've been doing a lot of travelling these past couple of weeks. I have a problem with overpacking (gotta have my options!) and these are just some of the tips I have that helped me cut down on the number of products and bags I bring with me. I was heading to BeautyCon LA (I'll have a separate post on that!) so I packed a lot more than I usually do but...you get the gist of it. The items I packed aren't taking into consideration airline regulations, which vary by country/airline, so this is more if you're going to be checking in your luggage or travelling by methods other than air.
Tips What's in my Bag Travel Makeup Edition
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GIVEAWAY | Celebrating MWAH's ONE YEAR Anniversary!! (CLOSED)

Giveaway Celebrating MWAH's ONE YEAR Anniversary!!
Today is a very special day for me. If you hadn't already noticed, August 12, 2014 marks the first anniversary of my blogging adventures! I'm so excited and proud of myself for having reached this milestone as I tend to pick up new hobbies and drop them in the span of a couple of weeks. I have been very happy sitting down and just blogging about something I really love and enjoying doing: MAKEUP!

In celebration of this momentous milestone and getting one lucky reader ready for back-to-school (or work, whatever floats your boat xD), I'm going to be hosting a giveaway! The items are pictured down below for your convenience.

[Giveaway] Celebrating MWAH's ONE YEAR Anniversary!!
There may be a few items that look familiar, namely the Covergirl Clump Crusher Mascara, the Maybelline Baby Lips Pink'd Collection Baby Lips, and the Palladio Rice Papers. I have done reviews on all three items so please check them out if you have the time! The other items are just things I collected over the past couple of months to get ready for this giveaway. The makeup bag isn't pictured here because the one I wanted to include wasn't big enough to hold all the prizes comfortably.

The Prizes Include:

Sephora Pocket Eye Palette
Covergirl Clump Crusher Water Resistant Mascara in Very Black
Tarte Colored Clay Amazonian Liner in Black (LE)
Urban Decay Primer Potion Samples (2)
Too Faced Shadow Insurance Sample
e.l.f. Blush in Candid Coral
Palladio Rice Paper Oil-Absorbing Blotting Tissues in Natural
Benefit High Beam Deluxe Sample
Tarte Lipsurgence Lip Gloss in True Love (LE)
Maybelline Baby Lips in Made for Magenta (LE)
Sephora Nail Patch Art in A03 rrrrrrr...
essie Sleek Stick Nail Applique in Steel the Show


 One lucky person will be winning this entire swag bag full of awesome goodies--read on to see how to enter below. ;) Good luck to everyone who enters!

Instructions to Enter:

  1. Use Rafflecopter widgets below to enter. Only entries received using the Rafflecopter widget will be counted. This giveaway is international so everyone is welcome to enter! Entries must be received before 
  2. I'll give the winners 48 hours to get back to me; if they do not get back to me, I will continue to keep picking winners until someone responds with their email and mailing address. Whoever responds to me first gets to pick whether they want Prize 1 or Prize 2. Shipping time will depend on when I have time to take it to the post office and how long the post will take to arrive to its destination. 
  3. You can live anywhere in the world--just make sure your country accepts incoming packages from the United States and doesn't have restrictions on the items mentioned above. If you are under 18, please make sure your parents are aware of your entry into my contest as I do not want to freak them out. I really want this prize to go to someone who will enjoy them so I don't want there to be complications from parents or shipping restrictions getting in the way.
  4. I will have one winner for this prize but I will be hosting future giveaways, so if you don't win this time, look forward to many more upcoming ones!

XOXO,
MWAH ♥
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Disclosure Statement: All products mentioned were purchased with my own money. I am not sponsored by any of the companies mentioned above and was not compensated for this post. All opinions are my own. Links are not affiliate links and are provided for the readers' convenience. I cannot guarantee that the product(s) will work for you. I do not approve or endorse the products or information available on these sites. Proceed at your own risk.
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FAVORITES | June & July 2014 ♥

I didn't have a June favorites since I wasn't trying anything new and still loved the products I had been using. July however, had a lot of new products that I can't live without and I've also rediscovered some old favorites, mostly lippies. Let's head right into these now :D
makeup miser, hourglass ambient lighting palette, bobbi brown art stick bright raspberry, revlon just kissable balm stain sweetheart, revlon colorstay moisture stain, lorac pro 2 palette, innisfree no sebum mineral pact
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REVIEW | Bobbi Brown Art Sticks

Chubby pencils are all the rage right now in the makeup world. With summer upon many of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the need for easy to apply and long lasting lip products is high. That's where the Bobbi Brown Art Sticks come in to make your lips look bright and fresh for many hours to come!
[Review] Bobbi Brown Art Sticks blue raspberry electric pink dusty pink swatches


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EMPTIES| July 2014

On the quest to finish all, or being realistic, most of my beauty products before I move out, I'm looking through my stash and finishing up almost done products and my samples. I've divided it up below into skincare and makeup items so y'all can just scroll to whatever you're most interested in (but I do hope that you read everything!)
[Empties] July 2014 makeupwithaheart, yes to tomatoes moisturizer, lancome hypnose star mascara, neutrogena oil free moisturizer, bath and body shower gel pink chiffon, body shop seaweed mattifying moisture lotion,

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REVIEW | Lorac Pro 2 Palette

Hauled this palette weeks ago (when it first launched on June 15 on Ulta's website) but I'm writing about this now because I really wanted to test out the shades before I give you my review. I still haven't used 2 of the shadows but I just wanted to get it out now before I let more time pass by. If you've been on the fence about this palette, hopefully this review helps you decide!
lorac pro palette 2 review
Being the makeup lover I am, I cannot pick one makeup item to use for the rest of my life. Eyeshadow was my first love since eyeliner was a pain with my hooded lids. My skin was pretty good for a teenager so foundation and concealer were irrelevant. Mascara scared the beejesus out of me and I poked my eye a couple of times using it. Mom didn't allow me to use blush or lipstick so eyeshadow was the only way I could experiment with color. Ohhh, if Mom could see my collectino now...Years later, I've incorporated everything into my makeup routine but I still have a soft spot for eyeshadow. 


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HAUL | Nail Polish and Makeup from Ulta ♥

So this was the last haul I'm doing for a long time. If you're new here (welcome!), I'm on a No-Buy Ban because my makeup and skincare collection has been getting out of control lately. To keep my wallet full and my drawers from overflowing, I'm going to revisit some products that I've forgotten about and shop my stash of products! Long story short, let's get into the haul!
NAIL POLISH AND MAKEUP from ulta


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UNBOXING | Free From Oil & Troubles Memebox

Unboxing Free From Oil & Troubles Memebox

Summer means tanning, beach weather, and ice cream but it also comes with more oiliness and breakouts, at least for me. Luckily, Meme Box came out with the Free From Oil and Troubles Meme Box to help get rid of the pesky pimples so you can have a trouble free Summer!
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UNBOXING | NARS x Sephora 500 Beauty Insider Points Perk

Unboxing NARS x Sephora 500 Beauty Insider Points Perk

So I know I did one of these last month but yeah, I hit VIB Rouge and had 1000 points so I spent the remainder on this kit. The items included are some of NARS most popular products so I'm very excited to give them a try!
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REVIEW | Develop 10 Nail Polish Thinner

Review Develop 10 Nail Polish Thinner

Ever take out an old favorite polish and open it up, only to find the polish thick or dried out? Don't despair, Develop 10 Nail Polish Thinner is here!

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REVIEW | e.l.f. Essential 15-Piece Nail Polish Set - Limited Edition + GIVEAWAY! (CLOSED)

Review e.l.f. Essential 15 Piece Nail Polish Set Limited Edition

Sandal weather is here! You know what that means--exposed toe nails. I don't know about everybody but wearing sandals with unpainted toenails looks incomplete and naked. With some nail polish, I feel a little put together, especially with the minimal makeup that the sweltering weather necessitates. If you're anything like me, there's nothing like $2 USD nail polish to get you excited and ready for the summer heat!

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EMPTIES | June 2014: Part 2 (Skincare)

[Empties] June 2014, chapstick, maybelline baby lips in quenched,neutrogena grapefruit scrub, etude house ac clinic cream cleanser, biore cleanser, yes to grapefruit eye cream, garnier fructis vitamin c treatment, clean and clear persa gel, clean and clear acne spot treatment, clinique acne spot gel, etude house ac clinic pink power spot,

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EMPTIES | June 2014: Part 1 (Haircare, Bodycare, and Makeup) ♥

Empties June 2014, yes to grapefruit body creme, hawaiian tropics sunscreen, elf makeup, maybelline one by one mascara, batiste dry shampoo in cherry, floral and paisley, loreal waterproof eye makeup remover, neutrogena makeup wipes, paris amor bath and body works shower gel, head and shoulders shampoo
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DE-STASHING PROJECT┊ ☮ May 2014☮

Real Talk De-Stashing Project
Base photo courtesy of: ChristArt.com
I've been accumulating so much makeup lately that it's insane. My box that used to hold everything is so packed right now and so are my desk drawers and cubby that I have. Inspired by Rae of Scatteredbraintures, I've decided to embark on my own De-Stashing Project. I've decided to get rid of products I don't use anymore, haven't ever touched, or didn't like when I first used it. I've already started by giving away make up to my friends.You'll see that I've been having giveaways to flush more things from my collection that I have repeats of or just didn't like the color of. Of course, the items I give away to you, dear readers, haven't been opened or used. ≧◠◡◠≦

I have such a pack-rat tendency and tend to hoard things, saving them for future use but by the looks of things, I'll have enough makeup for the rest of my life, it seems! It's been really difficult to give away my precious babies but I know they'll get good use and love from someone else. (╥﹏╥)

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FAVORITES | May & June 2014 ♥

I'm so sorry for not posting a May Favorites last month but I was just too busy to apply any makeup, let alone write about them. This post will be combining some this I liked last month and ones I've rediscovered this month!

laura mercier tinted moisturizer, revlon photoready cream blush in flushed, maybelline fit me concealer, laura mercier face polish, tarte maracuja concealer, elf eyebrow kit,  elf small stipple brush, NARS radiant creamy concealer,
Excuse the crappy picture...took this with the sun setting and as I'm not a Photoshop expert, this is the best I can do D:


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REVIEW| BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss

Let me start off by saying that I do not like lip gloss. It's too shiny, makes my hair stick to my lips, requires constant touch ups, and isn't as pigmented  or long lasting as my lipsticks and lip stains. However, I decided to give lip gloss a try because I AM a freaking beauty girl and wanting to broaden my horizon, got them on a whim. True to it's name, the BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipglosses are MARVELOUS ♡.

BareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lip Glosses Review

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REVIEW | Tarte Color Your World With Shades of Clay June 2014 (2nd Installment)

Let me preface by saying Tarte is one of my most favorite brands. The attention to cruelty free and natural ingredients really makes it stand out as an Earth-conscious brand. The Tarte Color Your World with Shades of Clay Collection is part of a 3 piece set from QVC that was available for auto-ship a couple of months ago. As far as I'm aware, the items in this kit, like the foundation, eyeliner, and blush are exclusive to this kit. The primer, finishing powder, lip gloss, and mascara are part of their current line up.

Tarte Color Your World With Shades of Clay June 2014 items


--AT A GLANCE-

The collection is built around the multitasking benefits of Amazonian colored clay. This 7 piece set contains all the products you'll need for a naturally flushed look. To perfect your complexion, the Colored Clay CC Primer and the Amazonian Colored Clay Liquid Foundation are up to the task. Finish off all your hard work with the  Smooth Operator Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder. The Amazonian Color Clay Bronzer Blush in Peach Bronze will add a healthy glow and flush.  Eyes are the windows to the soul and the Amazonian Colored Clay Eyeliner in Espresso and the Lights Camera, Lashes 4 in 1 Mascara will frame those peepers to perfection. Finishing off your look, the Lipsurgence Lip Gloss in Flushed will add a pinky tint to your gorgeous pucker. All of these wonderful finds are encased in a large coral makeup bag.

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