HALLOWEEN INSPO | Rational Ravenclaw

The graphics are from Emily Corene on deviantart and tashab07 from deviantart

 Welcome back to the second installment of my Halloween Inspo! Today, I'm creating a Ravenclaw-inspired look. Incorporating lots of blue and bronze, I was going for a sweet librarian look. The photos are all very confusing because I actually started doing this look and then had to run off to dinner with the family. I took it all off because I wasn't about to go to a casual dinner with like blue eyeshadow--too much to explain to my grandparents, haha. 

The next day, I tried my best to recreate the look but failed miserably and the overcast weather didn't help my chances. So I really liked the eyeshadow I did from the previous day so I just skipped several steps and showed you the final eye look. That's taking the easy way out but as Halloween is less than 3 days away--eep! I didn't have time to redo things AND still do Gryffindor and Slytherin (definitely don't want to leave them out!) so I hope you'll forgive me. 

Anyhoo, let's get on with the show!

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JUMP INTO FALL | 5 Summer to Fall Nail Polishes

It's starting to feel like fall here in California! The past few days have been cloudy and a bit warm but a lot cooler than before. I don't like making drastic changes to my appearance to herald the changing seasons  but nail polish is a simple and not permanent way to signal the change. Here are 5 summer to fall--or fall to summer if you're in the Southern Hemisphere--options for you!

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HALLOWEEN INSPO | Helpful Hufflepuff

For the graphics in the header photo, I used Mikey Booch's Hufflepuff Banner Wallpaper and Emily Corene's HD Hufflepuff Traits Wallpaper

With 5 days left to Halloween, I decided to kick off this new series! Halloween usually calls for scary costumes and horror movies but that's never been my scene. As a Potterhead, I will rewatch the Harry Potter movies and hand out candy instead. If you're looking for a terrifying makeup tutorial, you've come to the wrong blog. However, if you were looking for an understated and simple Halloween look that you can wear to the office, you've come to the right spot! I'm starting with Hufflepuff because it's my favorite house, not that I'm biased or anything...

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UNBOXING | Tarte "Be Your Own Tartetist" 7-Piece Essentials Kit for June 2015

 This actually came in June but as my summer was quite hectic, I couldn't get this out on time. I don't know if the items will be released individually but I had the photos sitting in my folders so I hope y'all don't mind. Anyhoo, the Tarte "Be Your Own Tarteist" 7-Piece Essentials Set for June 2015 fit right in for the summer with the warm-toned shadows and the bronzing serum so let's get on with the review!

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS | Innisfree Summer 2015 Limited Edition Liquid Glow Shadow

As I'm sure most of y'all know by now, I'm a huge fan of liquid eyeshadows. I love how most don't require a lot of prep to look good. Shimmery shadows are my favorite kind but most powder versions irritate my sensitive eyes. Cream and liquid shadows are a nice alternative for sensitive shimmer eyeshadow fans like me! Anyhoo, Innisfree released 5 shades of the Liquid Glow Shadow in their Summer 2015 Collection. I have #01 Sandy Beach and #04 Green Sea here to review today. Let's see how well they perform!

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS | BECCA Radiant Glow Collection

With yet another heat wave hitting SoCal this week, a radiant glow seems fitting. For those of you just entering Spring, this'll be the perfect kit! The BECCA Radiant Glow Collection contains 4 items to help bring that glow to your face. The kit contains a mini Under Eye Brightening Corrector, a Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Moonstone, a Shimmering Skin Perfector in Opal, and a Beach Tint Lip Shimmer Souffle in Raspberry/Opal. Let's get on with the review!

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REVIEW | BareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream

I haven't reviewed a new base product on here in a hot minute. The hunt for a lightweight product led me to the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Tinted Hydrating Gel Cream. While I love my full coverage foundations as much as the next person, I haven't the time to apply a full face of makeup like I used to. I wanted something lightweight with just enough coverage, contains adequate SPF while being moisturizing at the same time. I've heard such good things about the bareMinerals Complexion Rescue Cream (what I'll be calling it from now on since the full name is such a mouthful) so I decided to give it a spin. 

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BEAUTY REVIEW | September 2015 ♥

1. GOT2B ROCKIN' IT DRY SHAMPOO -- Like Goldilocks and her porridge, I'm always on the search for my "just right" dry shampoo. I need it to soak up oil well without a heavy scent or a sticky build up. Added volume is nice but not necessary (more on that at the end of the month). This dry shampoo is just so-so on every aspect. It soaks up oil well initially but 2-3 hours later, I find myself needing another spritz. This is good for second day hair. I usually wash my hair at night but by midday the next day (not even a full 24 hours), I'll notice the oil seeping through again. By the night and the following morning, I'll have crazy oily hair that this doesn't do much to control. The scent reminds of me Nestle Lemon Iced Tea and while it isn't unpleasant, I prefer my products to be unscented. The positives are that the spray is even and I don't have a white residue in my dark hair. I also haven't had a problem with the nozzle getting blocked or falling off. But the most important aspects aren't fulfilled so I won't be purchasing this again. BUY

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HAUL | Fall ULTA Goodies

Most people go shopping for a new fall wardrobe once autumn sets in, but me? I go for brand new makeup! ULTA was holding a 21 Days of Beauty so I waited to pick up some items I've been wanting for a while. Yay for restraint! Now, let's get on with them items, yes?

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JUMP INTO FALL | Berry Lips

I'm starting a Fall Series: Jump Into Fall. I'll be posting about my favorite fall beauty bits. It's been a little over a week into autumn over here and it's starting to cool down. I thought it pertinent to post about my favorite shade of lipstick for fall: BERRY! I have tons of shades in this color but I decided to share seven of my favorites, three high-end and four drugstore options. Let's get onto it!

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REVIEW | Innisfree Summer 2015 Limited Edition Auto Pencil Liners

Summer is officially over in the Northern Hemisphere but with temperatures in the 90's, it doesn't feel like it. This review is overdue but as the products are still available online at several retailers, I thought it would be okay to still post it. Innisfree is one of my favorite brands due to their idyllic, bucolic branding. I picked up two cushions, three liners, and two shadows. In addition, there were also nail polishes and skincare items but I have enough of those to last several lifetimes. Anyhoo, let's get on with the review!

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BEAUTY REVIEW | August 2015 ♡

This month has flown by so I didn't test as many products as I wanted to. There are repeat loves but there are a couple new products that I'm extremely excited to talk about! Without further ado, let's get on with the post. :D

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HAUL | Korean Summer Haul

Summer is almost over here in the Northern Hemisphere but California still hasn't gotten that memo. Here in SoCal, temperatures went up to 102 °F/39 °C! After I misplaced my ultimate fave eyebrow pencil from Etude House and two failed attempts to find a suitable replacement, I went back to testerkorea and naturally, picked up just more than an eyebrow pencil. I even forgot to grab my Etude House one... T_T

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GIVEAWAY | Makeupwithaheart Turns 2! (CLOSED)

This post is long overdue but let's pretend it's three weeks ago, shall we? Or better yet, let's go back to August 11, 2013...

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FOTD | "Gilded Onyx": using the Lorac Pro Metals Palette

Photos via screengrab from Demi Lovato's music video "Cool for the Summer" (2015) 

Hey everyone! I'm a bit embarrassed that this post is barely coming now since I promised it 2 weeks ago but personal issues and not having my laptop for the past week hindered my plans greatly. Anyhoo, it's here now, just in time for the weekend! 

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REVIEW | LORAC Pro Metals Palette *Limited Edition*

As I'm sure you all are aware by now, I'm a sucker when it comes to Lorac eyeshadows. I haven't come across a formula I like more so when I see a new release, I'm on it like bees and honey. I wasn't going to get this palette at first but seeing the swatches, I couldn't resist! So let's get into the review :D

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BEAUTY REVIEW | June & July 2015 ♥

Hello everyone! I'm a bit behind on my blogging schedule so you're getting a triple feature today--yay! I know you can't get enough of me, ha ha. Joking aside, I know we're well into August now but since I have no wishes to combine three months into one post, you'll get one now and another at the end of the month! If you're unfamiliar with my Beauty Reviews, I basically talk about most of the products I've been using in the past month--the good, the bad, and the ugly. Some are new discoveries, some are old so yeah, it's one big ol' review since I don't always have a lot to say about certain products (shocker, I know). So with that intro, let's get on with the show!

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EMPTIES | June & July 2015 ♥

First off, I'd like to apologize for the blurry photos. I was in a rush to get these pictures because I had a family commitment to attend. When I got back, my mom had already tossed my trash. T_T Why does mom have to be so diligent??? Anyhoo, I'm sure you'll still want to know about the products so I'll just get on with it...

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PRODUCT SMACKDOWN | L'Oreal's Caring Coral vs BareMinerals' Party Starter

 Corals are one of my favorite summertime colors. Orangey corals like the bareMinerals Marvelous Moxie Lipgloss in Party Starter is my go-to summer lip color for cracked lips days. I'm not a fan of lipglosses but they do have their benefits. For a consistently dry-lipped girl like me, they work much better than matte formulas but I cannot stand the stickiness. I have long hair and being in a windy climate makes lipgloss much more trouble than it's worth. That's why I'm so excited that I found a similar color at a drugstore price--the L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm in Caring Coral! P.S. Product Smackdowns aren't exactly about finding dupes; it's more about finding products that serve a similar purpose and in this case, about finding my perfect orangey coral, moisturizing product. :) Let's move onto the comparison!

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REVIEW | L'Oreal Colour Riche Balm

Dry and peeling lips are my summer's bane. The lack of moisture in the air and the fact that I don't drink enough water cause them alligator lips but that's where tinted balms come to the rescue! I always have a couple in my bag for rushed days and the ones I have been reaching for a ton are the L'Oreal Colour Riche Balms. I have three colors, Rose Elixir, Plush Plum and Heavenly Berry. Let's get into the review, shall we?

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HAUL | Lorac Pro Metal Eyeshadow Palette & NYX Essentials

Hi everyone! It's been such a long time since I last posted that I'm a little off my game. Starting off with a haul post seemed like a good idea to get the ball rolling. ULTA had their annual summer sale and so I jumped on that faster than ants at a picnic! I didn't grab too much since I have tons of things to go through but I of course couldn't pass up on limited edition LORAC and 40% off NYX. So, to cut this long-winded intro off, lets' jump into the items!

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REVIEW | Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil

Putting on makeup is one of life's many pleasures. I find the process very relaxing and empowering. Taking it off, however, is a whole 'nother story. I'm an all-in kind of gal so a full face of makeup is my preferred look. I'm always wearing waterproof eye makeup or long lasting lip products so a gentle cleanser won't cut it. That's when I cal in the big guns: cleansing oils. Ever since discovering them, that's all I use, save for the occasional makeup wipes when I'm lazy. I received a sample of the Josie Maran Argan Cleansing Oil in a Clarisonic collab . It promises to prevent skin dehydration, inflammation, hyperpigmentation, and excess sebum production. 

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PRODUCT SMACKDOWN | LORAC Pro Palette "Lt. Bronze" vs Milani Bella Eyes in Sand

LORAC Pro Palette vs Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadow

Hey y'all! If you haven't read my previous post on the Lorac Pro Palette, the TL;DR version is that the one color that would prompt me to buy another LORAC Pro Palette just so I wouldn't be without it: Lt. Bronze. There's just something about the color; it's like a shimmery version of my skintone that  brightens and costs my discolored lids without looking stark against my light-medium skin tone. I've made a huge dent in this shadow and not wanting to go without, I've been proactively searching for dupes. Unfortunately, not many people have found anything similar, a testament to the uniqueness of this shade. Despairing slightly, I stumbled upon the Milani Bella Eyes Gel Powder Eyeshadows at CVS while looking for something to soothe my makeup soul. Are the two formulas comparable? Let's find out! 

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REVIEW | LORAC Pro Palette

Lorac Pro Palette

You're probably wondering why I'm writing this post. Bought it way back in 2014 in this haul and if you've spent any amount of time here, you'll have figured out that this palette is my all time favorite eyeshadow palette, bar none. It is the only palette that pains me to leave at home when im right on space and will recommend this to everyone and their mother when asking my opinion when it comes to a palette that can truly do it all. When I realized that I've never dedicated an actual post to it, I immediately sought out to remedy that slight. Hopefully, you'll find my 2 cents helpful in convincing you that this is the only palette that I've come close to hitting pan on. This one is a long post so get a snack and some tea to get comfortable!

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BEAUTY REVIEW | May 2015 ♡

This month was minimal makeup month so I don't have too many beauty favorites. I have a mish-mash of items that I'm going to share with y'all after the jump ;)

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EMPTIES | May 2015 ♡

It's that time of the month where I show you all the products that have made it to Beauty Graveyard! It's a smaller bunch than I normally have but makeup and beauty have been the last things on my mind lately with all the hectic personal stuff. Anyhoo, let's get on with the post. :)

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REVIEW | Cover FX Custom Cover Drops

Cover FX Custom Cover Drops

If you're anything like me, you've got a couple foundations sitting there, unused and unloved because the color was off. I've tried a few methods to salvage my foundations and you can check out one method in my DIY Foundation post. But if you want to be a little fancy, the Cover FX Custom Cover Drops can do that and more!

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REVIEW | Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 Palette

Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 Palette

Never in a thousand years did I think I would ever buy an entirely matte palette, let alone a neutral one. Don't get me wrong--mattes are an essential part to every eye look of mine but it's always the shimmery or glittery shades that catch my eye. I tend to use the mattes included in the palettes already but after bouncing from palette to palette, I thought it was time to settle down and find a workhorse matte palette that covers all the bases--and I think I've found it in the Urban Decay Naked Basics 2 Palette.

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REVIEW | Simple Cleansing Wipes

Makeup wipes aren't the best when it comes to makeup removal as the rubbing motions could lead to premature wrinkles. However, if you're in a pinch or just can't muster enough shizz to care about wrinkles, these babies have got your back. The Simple Cleansing Wipes come in a pack of 25 wipes and are tough on makeup yet gentle on skin. Let's see if it lives up to that claim, shall we?

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REVIEW | Simple Micellar Water

Simple Cleansing Micellar Water 

The Simple Cleansing Micellar Water is the first micellar water I've ever used so I don't have any references. I was intrigued because I'm lazy when it comes to makeup removal. It's a necessary evil that I have to contend with every night but this piqued my interest because of the simple (hehe), no-wash, one step process. 

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HEART TO HEART | Life Update

Hi everyone. It's been over a week since I posted anything but I wanted to check in with y'all. So many things have happened recently that blogging has been the last thing I want to do.

School has ended and I've been attending my friends' graduations. It's quite fun and exciting watching all of our hard work rewarded. I'm not graduating until the end of the year so the fear of the real world hasn't settled in yet.

I've been busy this past week with moving out and settling back in. Just unpacked my last box and now sorting out the contents of the past two years of my life, haha. Should've done that earlier but my parents came up earlier than I expected so I just shoved everything into boxes. I've set aside clothes to donate and such but my goal is to downsize even further; one person does not need 20 tshirts and 10 pairs of shoes. I've realized that material possessions will weigh me down. I'd rather spend less on material things and save for experiences instead. Living a simple and streamlined life is now my goal.

Aside from end of the school year business, my grandmother's recently been admitted to the hospital. She was on the mend but suddenly her health deteriorated. She's stable now but I've just been spending the days with her to make sure she's alright.  I really recommend y'all to check in with your loved ones every  once in a while. Oftentimes, we become so busy with our lives that we forget about the people who took care of us.

Now that I've gotten this off my chest, I hope y'all will understand the lack of posts. I'll post whatever I have prepared but new posts will be a bit scarce. Anyhoo, I hope y'all enjoy the long weekend! I can't wait to get some bbq in this week.

XOXO,

MWAH 

P.S. I typed this on my phone so formatting may a bit off >. <

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FOTD | Affordable Drugstore Makeup

Hello everyone! I'm back with another FOTD and this time, I wanted the focus to be on affordable makeup. I get a little carried away and buy tons of high end products but there are also excellent products from the drugstore. All the products in this look are from the drugstore so you'll get a beautiful look that will also make your wallet happy as a clam!

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REVIEW | The Body Shop Seaweed Starter Kit

Photo courtesy of the Body Shop

I first got this set a year and a half ago. My skin was going mental and I decided to take a chance on a "natural" brand, whatever that means. Fresh, ocean-y scents are my favorite so the Body Shop Seaweed Starter Kit seemed like a good place to start. 

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FIRST IMPRESSIONS┊NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer

Summer is on it's way and while I love my liquid foundations, hot and dry So Cal weather has me sweating like a sinner in church. I've never given tinted moisturizers the time of day because I prefer medium coverage all day, every day. Since I've gone down the rabbit hole that is NARS, I decided to give the Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer a go!

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FOTD | Spring Beauty

Spring is my second favorite season because I love rainy days. My friends think I'm crazy but I love the cozy feeling of being indoors, curled up with a huge blanket and sipping on some warm tea or chocolate, listening to the pitter pattering of raindrops on my window. Since there's a lot of rain, the humidity makes makeup feel heavier than usual and can make mascara run. I have two looks that I've been wearing a whole ton this season. I'll walk you through the products for each look below!

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EMPTIES | April 2015 ♥

It's that time of the month where I share what items I finished up. April was particularly slow for me but I went through 15 items! A lot of them are even full sized #proud. We'll start with makeup since this is a makeup blog after all ;) May is probably going to be a slower month since I'm currently focused on finals and such but we'll see.

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BEAUTY REVIEW | April 2015♥

I'm thinking of starting a new series. Instead of doing monthly favorites, I've decided to change it to Beauty Review. I love sharing products I loved using during the month that I didn't get a chance to do a full review on but I've also come across products that didn't work for me. In the spirit of full disclosure, I'll be including those dud products as well as product updates! Without further ado, let's head into my April loves!

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UNBOXING | Ariel Memebox

The last of the Princess-themed Memeboxes I purchased, Ariel holds a special place in my heart. She's actually my favorite princess It's ironic really because being in water makes me nervous. Even watching videos about the ocean or ones where the camera goes underwater makes my heart beat faster. The Disney movie doesn't bother me and I love the songs; I can probably sing them all off the top of my heart! Anyhoo, the Ariel Memebox is focused on skincare which I hate buying but love trying, haha. All six items are full size-win!

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FOTD | Makeup in a Stick (Form)

I've been loving to do FOTD posts as it lets me experiment and play with more of my makeup stash. I revisited several items that I've reviewed previously as well as introduced some new items that I will review soon! I can't claim credit for coming up with the idea. I actually watched a video by LaMuqe on Youtube where she demonstrates her look using makeup in a stick form. Watch it for another take on this fun challenge. :D

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REVIEW | Boots Stay Perfect Smoothing Eye Shadow

This past few months saw me diving back into my drugstore products. Walgreens was having a buy one get one half off so I picked up several Boots No7 products. My mom loves the toner from this brand and since there wasn't too much information available, I took the plunge all for you! The Boots No.7 Stay Perfect Smoothing Eyeshadow looks veeeery similar to the Armani Eye Tint (review) that I've already talked about so let's see if it's a comparable alternative.

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PRODUCT SMACKDOWN | Armani Eye Tints vs Rimmel London ScandalEYES Eyeshadow Paint

In my quest to simplify my makeup routine, I stumbled upon the Armani Eye Tints. I've never bought a luxury product for myself before so this was quite exciting. There were so many pretty colors but I decided to grow out of my comfort zone and pick a darker color. Shadow isn't a color I'd normally pick up but the silvery metallic purple called to my inner purple lover. As I kept using it, I was reminded of the Rimmel Scandal Eyes Eyeshadow Paints. Will they be similar or should you pick the higher end version? Read on to find out!

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FOTD | Shadow of a Glimmer

Luxury and designer beauty products are  scary, scary worlds to jump into. The items are beautifully packaged and performance is impressive, luring in unsuspecting wallets.  I've been pretty good at avoiding the counters (other than purchasing gifts for others, then I spare no luxury!) because I'm not ready to make that leap yet xD That having been said, the new Armani Eye Tints really drew me in and they got a great review on Temptalia. I feel naked without eyeshadow on because it evens out my lids. Hence, this seemed like a good choice for my first luxury purchase--and I am not disappointed!

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REVIEW | Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvet

Hello everyone! It's Hump Day which is actually my favorite day of the week. Something about being in the middle makes me feel comforted, haha. Anyhoo, I'm super excited to be discussing one of my new lippie favorites: the Bourjois Rouge Edition Velvets! They've been out since last year over in the UK but I just got my hands on them after an order was lost--can this be considered delayed gratification...no?

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UNBOXING | Cinderella Memebox 👠

While Cinderella wasn't one of my favorite Disney princesses to watch when I was younger, her themed Memebox is one of my favorites! Her box contains 7 full-sized products to make sure your face and hair is flawless for dancing the night away at the ball!

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HAUL + REVIEW | British Beauty Invasion! featuring Boots, Rimmel, and Bourjois 🇬🇧

I've been following several British beauty bloggers for a while now and envied their access to brands I couldn't get here in the US. I know the US has several products that aren't available in other countries but as they say, "The grass is always greener on the other side." Fast forward a couple of years and brands like Rimmel, Bourjois and Boots can be found at my local drugstore or online so I picked up a few items that I've been wanting to try. Since this is a haul, I won't go into too much detail but I do have reviews already posted for some items and more reviews and swatches on the way!

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REVIEW | Boots Stay Perfect Shade & Define

When it comes to makeup, I like things to be as easy and clean as possible. I dislike washing my brushes because it takes too long for the mto dry before I can use them again but I love playing with eyeshadows T_T. That's where these babies come in! The Boots N7 Stay Perfect Shade and Define Crayons are soft, creamy and long wearing. They glide on my lids easily for an all over wash of color or a precise line to enhance my lashline.

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UNBOXING | Tinkerbell Memebox ✨

I go through many phases and I got this in one of my Memebox phases. I was obsessed with Disney princesses as a child and while Tinkerbell isn't really a princess, she made Peter Pan much more enjoyable for me to watch. My dad actually gave me a light-up feather pen with a Tinkerbell adornment on top that I cherish to this day :D I'm sure you all want to know more about the products than more of my Tinkerbell anecdotes so let's cut to the chase!

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REVIEW | Rimmel London ScandalEYES Eye Shadow Stick

Quick and easy is the name of the game when it comes to the Rimmel London ScandalEyes Eyeshadow Sticks. Rimmel consistently has great products and these are no different. I picked up two shades, Trespassing Taupe and Bluffing for starters. 

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REVIEW | L'Oreal Infallible Eye Crayon

Getting off my liquid lipstick train and hopping onto the eyeshadow pencil express, I've been collecting and trying a bunch of them lately. I've done reviews and comparisons on the ones from Milani, NYX, and Tarte but my collection has grown again. Tati from glamlifeguru actually alerted me to the L'Oreal Infallible Eye Shadow Crayons and she did not steer me wrong. I picked up two shades that I would get the most use out of, Enduring Rose and Forever Taupe. 

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EMPTIES | March 2015 ♡

It's a bit late but a good Spring cleaning was in order. I used up 14 products, which is a great accomplishment! Some products I'm sad to see go, others...not so much. There's quite a disappointing one but you'll have to keep reading to find out! Starting off with makeup since this is a makeup blog after all ;)

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