Dupe! Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette

On my trip to Charleston a few weeks ago, I stopped into Ulta and got my hands on the Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette. I have been dying to get it for awhile now and since I had the opportunity too, I took it. 

I was so excited about it that as soon as I got home I went to my Mom's and showed it to her. She loves it too, but unfortunately the closest Ulta is around 100 miles away from us. So it's not just something she can run out and grab. Also the price is steep for this palette. This palette was $57 with tax if I remember correctly and its lovely! I could not be happier with it. 

That set me off on my quest to find her a palette that was a dupe for the Naked 3. Something just as lovely and affordable. That is when I discovered this beauty:

Coastal Scents Revealed 2 palette

This palette has 20 shades compared to UD N3 palette, which has 12 shades. Some of these are dupes for the N3. 

Swatches:

As you can see some of the colors vary slightly and a few are not as pigmented as UD's N3, but for the price you can't beat it. Also, you get an extra 8 shadows in the Coastal Scents palette. This palette is avalible on their web site HERE for $19.95. It is currently on sale for 50% off. So if you have been dying to have the Naked 3 palette and the price was just to much, then this is for you. 

5 Fantastic MAC Lipstick Dupes!

Hello everyone! Today I have some fantastic dupes for you. Why pay for MAC if you can get the same great color from Wet N Wild? I'm not going to say much in this post because I feel the proof is in the pictures. I got all of the pricing from MAC's web page and CVS Pharmacy's web page for the Wet N Wild colors. I have their link in their names above. :) Enjoy!


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The Best Blush Dupes!

I don't know about you guys, but when it comes to buying blush, I put it on the back burner. I love blush and use it daily. However, if I am going to shell out some major cash on a beauty product, blush is pretty much the last thing on my list. You only need it to add a dab of color to a very small portion of your face. So to me its not something I would ever spend a lot of money on. With that in mind, I have compiled this list of the best blush dupes. I am all about the high-end look with a frugal cost.

1. NARS Deep Throat: Pictured above, has to be one of the best selling and highly sought after blushes in recent history. It is a powder formula used to lift complexions. Its peachy pink with gold tones and costs $30. 

DUPE: E.l.f's Tickled Pink: Also pictured above is the best dupe for NAR's Deep Throat. It is a tad bit pinker and has less shimmer. Its also a powder formula but is more Matte. Which I think makes it look more natural and it cost $3. 

2. NARS Exibit A:  This is a highly pigmented matte blush. This color will definitely POP. This is a very popular shade this year. It is $30. 

DUPE: NYX HD Blush in Crimson: This bush is a great dupe for NARS Exhibit A in color and pigmentation. It is $6.50. 

3. Benifit Coralista:  Is a peachy coral with flecks of gold. It has a silky feel to it. Its very flattering on most skin tones. Its $28.

DUPE: Rimmel Pink Sorbet: It is matte and has a pinky/fuchsia color to it. It is very blendable and is a perfect dupe. Its $11.84.

4. Chanel Malice: This is a beautiful baked blush, in a peach color with a  golden shimmery marbled surface. It can also be used as a highlighter. It is $45. 

DUPE: E.l.f Candid Coral: E.l.f is one of my favorite companies to look for dupes and once again they have one for us. This blush is slightly less pigmented then the Chanel version but it can easily be built up. It also has some gold shimmer but it is less then its matching partner, which makes it mostly matte. For me that's a win! Its $3. 

I hope this posts helps you find a new amazing shade, while also saving you some cash. :)

SALE: Galaxy Chic Eyeshadow Palette by BH Cosmetics

Hello everyone! I was browsing beauty products online today and came across this sale item on the BH Cosmetics web site. I think this palette is super cute and I love the colors so I thought I would share. 

This palette is space themed, which I find adorable. It contains 18 highly pigmented baked eye shadows. I love how each eye shadow looks like a planet or part of our solar system. I also love the colors in this palette, the orange, blues, and purples are to die for. The only down side to these is that they are all simmer and none are matte. If you pair them with some other matte shades, I think they will work well. 

Here are some swatches:

Lets talk price. Currently this palette is available on BH Cosmetics web site HERE, for $14.95 USD. 

It is normally $22.95 and is on sale for 35% off. I plan on ordering this palette in the next few days. Since I saw the sale I thought you guys might like to look into it also. If you purchase it or own it let me know what you think. 

How to Find the Perfect Lip Color!

We have all been there. Strolling through the makeup section looking at all the fabulous shades of lip stick, but not knowing if it will look great on you. Well today I am going to tell you a few steps to help you find your perfect shades easily. 

1. First you need to discover your skins undertone. It is either yellow or pink.  

The easiest way to do this is to look at the veins in your wrist. If they are blue then you have a cool (pink) skin tone, if they are green then you have a warm (yellow) skin tone. 

2. Now that you have identified your tone you will be able to find lipstick shades that will work the best for you. 

3. When in doubt, always pick a shade that complements your skin tone. 

• Olive Skin Tone: You can't really go wrong. Pick your color based on what you are wearing. Nude, Reds, Pink, and Orange will all look good on you.  

• Fair Skin Tone: Avoid light and yellow shades as they appear washed out. You can pull off Reds and many deep colors.

• Dark Skin Tone: You will look wonderful in Plums, Reds, and Berry shades. Avoid lighter shades as darker shades look more natural. 

Now you are prepared for the next time you go to pick out a new lip shade. 

New: Rimmel Keep Calm and Lip Balm -Now available in the U.S.A.

Hello everyone! I have a great announcement for you. Rimmel's Keep Calm and Lip Balm are finally available in the US. These where previously only available in the UK until this week. 

There are 6 color choices: 

1. Keep Calm and Shop: Clear Blush

2. Keep Calm and Rock: Rose Blush

3. Keep Calm and Kiss: Pink Blush

4. Keep Calm and Play: Berry Blush

5. Keep Calm and Party: Violet Blush

The last is exclusive only to the US. It is Keep Calm and Love: Crystal Clear Blush

Now that I have showed you all the color options, lets talk price and location. These beauties are only $2.50 each and are available at all Walmart locations nation wide. Lastly before I leave you guys, here is a color swatch. 

If you pick these up, let me know how you like them. :)

How to Cover your Blemish Correctly

Nothing is more annoying then finding a nice big blemish on your face in the morning. I swear sometimes its like they pop up like magic. You go to bed and your face is flawless, then the next morning, a pimple ninja came, like a thief in the night, to give you a beautiful gift. Grrr. 

Usually this happens the day you have something big going on or right when mother nature decides to give you your monthly visit. Here is how you show mother nature you can deal. 

1. Use a primer. This will give your makeup something to hold onto when trying  to cover an oily blemish. 

2. Try to cover your blemish with foundation. Apply as you normally would. If you can still see the redness from your blemish move on to the next step.

3. Apply concealer. Do not use your finger for this step. Your finger will heat up the concealer and make it too soft to apply correctly. Use a concealer brush to help you get into all of the little nook and cranny's. 

4. Cover with a translucent mattifying powder. This will set everything in place while providing additional oil control.   

That's it. Now you are good to go for the day. 

DIY Blackhead Removing Strip! *Super Easy*

Hey guys, today I have another super easy tutorial for you. This is another Pinterest find. When I stumbled across it I knew I needed to share it with you. I often struggle with black heads on my nose. It can be a very difficult place to clear of them, with all its grooves and such. 

Here is a easy and cheap way to make your own black head removal strips. 

1. Egg white
2. Paper towel cut into small strip
3. bowl to mix it in. 

1. Separate your egg white and place it in a bowl. 

2. Dip your homemade strip into the egg white. 

3. Remove the excess egg white from the strip. 

4. Apply to your nose and wait 10-15 minutes to dry. 

5. Pull off slowly starting on the side. 

That's it. Now your nose should be free of many black heads. 

Vivawoman.net

Kat Von D Lock It Tattoo Foundation and Concealer Review

Hey everyone. I am so excited to share this review with you all. As I mentioned on Facebook, my family and I went out of town over the weekend. We took a trip to Charleston WV and spent the weekend there. Some of you may already know, but I am a country girl and order many of my beauty products online as I cannot find them at my local stores. 

When we went to the mall I was able to stop in Sephora. This was my first time actually in one. It was super exiting for this country girl.Now my town is moving on up, and with in the next year or so we will have a Sephora much closer and I am hoping to frequent it often. Now enough of my babbling.

I have been struggling to find a foundation that works well on my combination skin. While looking at many reviews and videos over the last month, I had my heart set on trying Kat Von D's Lock It Tattoo Foundation. So when I went in to Sephora I browsed until I found it. I know I am usually very frugal, but I just decided since I was there I would go ahead and get it. Then I decided I'll just grab the concealer too. I have also heard rave reviews about it.


A little information on each:

Lock It Tattoo Foundation:

$34.00 Sephora.com

"Kat created this foundation to provide exceptional coverage, without compromising a smooth, striking finish. Formulated with 21 percent pigment, this powerful formula was developed to match a broad range of skintones with bold coverage—the proprietary pigments can even effectively cover tattoos. The combination of raw materials and the best siliconic elastomers and siliconic esters provide 24-hour wear with transfer resistance. Natural polymers absorb oil for a matte, soft finish and the added emollients provide a velvety texture for perfectly smooth, hydrated skin." - Sephora


Why I love it:

1. Its is full coverage. I mean your not going to see a thing peaking through this foundation. I have a lot of redness on my face. Mostly patches on my cheeks and forehead, but I also have a few acne scars. You cannot see any of it through this foundation. 

2. Its Matte. I wore it all day and never had to do a single touch up. SERIOUSLY, not one. I had no shine all day. Yay!

3. Its 24 hour wear. I don't ever wear my foundation for a full 24 hours but I wore this for 16 hours and I still looked amazing at the end of the night. I was really surprised each time I looked in the mirror because of how good it still looked. 

4. It matches my skin 100%. While I was in Sephora, I swatched it on my neck and I could not even see a boarder. I asked the sales girl there if she could see it and she said no, that it blended in perfectly. I was beyond excited. I can never find an exact shade match. By the way, my shade is the lightest, 42.  There are 18 shades available. Most are pictured below.  

5. I love the packaging. This foundation bottle is gorgeous and it has a pump. This makes it so easy to apply with out a mess. 

Tips for use:

Now you are always going to find someone who says that a product is horrible and it does not do its job. There is no way around this. When I was at Sephora the sales girl explained to me that every person who has ever brought this foundation back to her for a refund was not wearing a primer. It is key to keeping this product in place. 

This foundation is thick, its the thickest I have ever used and that is the reason you need a primer. So it will not slip and appear uneven. Even though this is thick it does not sit heavy on the face. I find it very comfortable.  

I tried this foundation with both a flat head foundation brush and a blending sponge. I feel I get better results with the brush, and I would recommend using it. When applying smooth it into the skins surface in a circular motion. 

Lock It Tattoo Concealer:

$25 Sephora.com 

"Kat Von D Lock It Concealer is a creamy, blendable secret weapon that provides the ultimate, customizable coverage, in four simple steps: prep, conceal, perfect, and set (see details for each step below). The four-step process hides tattoos, dark circles, and blemishes alike!" - Sephora

Why I love it:

1. It covers my dark circles wonderfully. I was using Maybelline's age rewind dark circle corrector. It works pretty well, but I could not apply it over my foundation, because the sponge applicator would rub off my foundation underneath. I find my concealer always looks best when applied over my foundation. This is why I bought this concealer.

2. It does not crease under my eyes. Woo Hoo. I always struggle with this. I am so happy to find a foundation that does not.

3. Its very easy to spread and a little goes a long way. I only have to use a small dab under each eye.

4. Its light weight and looks natural. It does not look cakey and is smooth in appearance, like normal skin.

- there are 9 shades available I use shade 16.

Tips for use:

1. When I first tried to use this at home, only clear oil was coming out of the tube. I closed it and kneaded the tube to mix all of it back together. I believe it separated from sitting in the store.

2. I apply this with a blending sponge. I feel like I can get better coverage by using it as it can get into the inner corners of my eyes easily. If you like using a brush I think it will work fine too.

Over all I think you can tell I am very happy with my purchase. Even with the price, I am over the moon about these. I will continue to pay for them because they work so well for me. If you are searching for a new foundation or concealer you might love these too. 


Reminder: Don't miss out on our Makeup Giveaway. We have 9 great items for 1 lucky person to win!  Please click on the image below to check out how to enter. Its super easy :) Only a 2 days left before I do the drawing. 

Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes- Mega Savings!

Until now, I do not think I have told you all what my favorite brand of mascara is. Well you may have guessed it... Yep its Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes. 

For those of you who do not know, Tarte is a high end makeup company based in the United States. The was company started in 1999 by Maureen Kelly, in her apartment. It has since grown to be one of the leading makeup companies around. The key for Tarte's success is that all of their products are made from natural ingredients.  If you are curious you can read more about their history HERE.

The wand bristles are very compact. This will give you more volume. 

I am sure you are thinking high end, high price. Well this mascara is normally $20 a tube. I think its worth every dime. It is the ONLY high end item that I consider so essential that I will happily pay the price for it. So to get to the good stuff. 

QVC is offering an amazing deal only for the month of April. You get not 1 but 3 super sized tubes of this mascara for $34.00. The best part about this deal is that you can pay in 2 installments of $17 plus Tax and Shipping. I believe mine was $19 for 2 monthly payments. You cannot beat this deal and it wont be back until next April. 

Now that we have discussed the price, lets talk about why you should give it a try if you haven't already.

1. If you have sensitive eyes, you should give Tarte a try. It is the only mascara that I can wear with out my eyes burning and stinging after a few hours. This mascara is made in Italy and infused with nourishing Olive esters. These esters condition and protect your lashes. 

2. Another reason this mascara is so awesome is that it pulls quadruple duty. It not only conditions your lashes. It also lengthens, adds volume, and curls your lashes. That's right, you don't even have to use a lash curler if you don't want to. 

3. It adds 330% lash volume with just apply 2 coats. 

4. This mascara does not flake or crumble. I love this! Its the only mascara I have used that does not transfer to under my eye. So I never have to worry about it leaving dark circles under my eyes during the day. 

5. This mascara gives you the same look as applying false lashes. I often get asked what brand of lashes I use. 

6. This is a black mascara. Its not like others that tell you its black and when you put it on its a dark palish grey color. Not Tartes, it is as black as black can be. 

So these are my top 6 reasons to give it a try. You can check out QVC's offer HERE. Also feel free to check out this video review from Allana Davison on Youtube. 

Taming Split Ends at Home.

Here is a super quick tutorial on how to tame split ends at home. This is a trick I do for my daughters hair when her ends become severely dried and broken. It really does make a difference and will save you some cash. The last time I took her for a trim it was $15 USD. So after you are done treat yourself to a little something special.

1. Grab a small one inch section of your hair.

2. Twist it tightly.

3. Simply cut off any hair that it sticking up from the twist. Cut it at a slant.

4. Repeat until finished.

This little trick will really make your hair look fresh again. 

Ringfingertanline.com

Reminder: Don't miss out on our Makeup Giveaway. We have 9 great items for 1 lucky person to win!  Please click on the image below to check out how to enter. Its super easy :) Only a 1 week left before I do the drawing.