Purple Glitter Cut Crease | Prom Makeup Tutorial

Hello there! 

Here's my third and final look for my series of prom makeup tutorials. 

This look is a simple purple cut crease with a touch of glitter.

Here's the completed look.

Ocean View Smokey Eye | Prom Makeup Tutorial

Hello hello!

For the second look for this prom makeup series, I decided to do a dark blue smokey eye which is the total opposite of the neutral look I did last weekend. This look is more suitable for the daring gals out there who can pull off a dark smokey eye without a problem.

Lets get right into it!

The Infinity Dreams Award | First Nomination

I am very honored and thankful to present to you another blog nomination by the very supportive and wonderful DramaBeautyPop! 

She nominated me for three other blog awards this year, the Liebster Award back in January, and the Sisterhood Award and the Creative Blogger Award in February!

I highly recommend for you to go check her out! She is very entertaining and super dedicated with what she does!

The rules...

1. Thank and follow the blog that nominated you. 

2. You must answer the 11 questions given to you by the person who nominated you. 

3. You must list 11 random/fun facts about yourself. 

4. You must nominate 11 other bloggers, ask them 11 questions, and notify them that they have been nominated. 

DramaBeautyPop's Questions and my answers...

1. Which ONE person inspires you the most in life? Why and how do they inspire you? 

One Lovely Blog Award | First Nomination

Hello!

How is everyone doing this Sunday?

I've been trying to make up for my lack of posts towards the beginning of the month.
On top of school, I'm trying to create prom makeup tutorials, trying to do reviews or features of products I've been loving, and trying to keep up with tags.

So I've been, once again, tagged by the lovely Drama Beauty Pop to share more facts about me for the One Lovely Blog Award. If you haven't yet, I highly suggest for you to go check out her lovely blog where she unites three of her passions in one!

Thank you so much Dian for nominating me for this award and for always being very supportive of what I do. I truly appreciate it!! 💕💕




The Rules:

-Share seven facts about yourself
-Nominate up to 15 bloggers




Seven (hopefully interesting enough) facts about me...

Neutral Glam Cut Crease | Prom Makeup Tutorial

Hello there!

Prom is around the corner!
So I'm starting a new series of prom makeup tutorials of looks I'd wear with certain dress colors. I'm a true lover of my neutrals, so I'm starting this series with a neutral look that could be toned up or down to match any dress.

Here's the completed look.

Here's a close up of the final eye makeup look.

Project Pan | First Update | April 2015

Hello there!

Here's a quick update on a few products from my Pan Project, if you haven't seen my first post and you're interested to check it out, click here! :)

I'm only showing a few products on this update as these are the ones I've actually made noticeable progress on.

 Starting with the lippies like last time...

The Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint this is taking me longer than I expected to finish. I've noticed that when its first applied, it feels really nice and jelly like on the lips but over a view hours of wearing it, it could get sticky like most glosses do. Deadline is still end of April.

I finally finished the Bigelow My Favorite Lipbalm which I set the deadline for the end of March!

EOS Lip Balm I actually set the original deadline for this at the end of March but I still use my finger to pick up the product at the bottom...I really don't like wasting product. I'm hoping to be able to finish this by the end of April.

Moving on to some eye products...

I made some progress with the elf Clear Brow and Lash Gel and now I switched to using the other end of the tube. Deadline for this is end of June.

I originally set the deadline for the Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara at the end of March but as I've stated in my review for this mascara, this is my favorite mascara so I was able to finish this trial size without a problem and I've already opened a full sized one! Yay! 

And finally the face products...

elf Mist & Set Spray I've been trying to use this up and I've made some bit of progress as of the end of March. Deadline for this is end of June. 

elf HD Lifting Concealers as I've mentioned, these actually aren't the best concealers but I enjoy using them as a concealer-foundation hybrid and I've been using them quite often in tutorials and for day to day wear for a really natural look. Deadline for this is end of July even if I might have to extend it because they're still over 3/4 full!

Smashbox Photoset pressed Powder I've been making noticeable progress since mid February and I've been marking my progress on the pan with a pin. I'll try to have my deadline for this be at the end of July even if I will surely have to extend it.

Close up of the Smashbox Photo Set Pressed Powder in Dark.
I marked the pan with a pin around the second week of February so this is my progress 8 weeks later.

I'll have another update on here at the end of every month, but I may be showing updates on my Instagram as well (@wndr14lnds).

Stay tuned for more reviews and tutorials!

- Mary

Soft Pastel Eyes | Makeup Tutorial

Helloooo!

I meant to post this before Easter Sunday but the Internet wasn't working so this post is soo late! Ugh. Anyway, this soft pastel eye look reminds me so much of the traditional cute pastel Easter eggs, but if you don't celebrate Easter, this look will be great for any spring or summer day.

Here's the final look.

With a buffing brush, I started by taking a cream colored shadow and buffed this all over my lid and up ti the brow bone to set the primer. Doing this not only sets the primer and gives us a nice, even base to work with, but it also makes blending easier.

Using a fluffy blending brush, I took a taupe shadow and blended this all over the crease and blended this up and out to the brow bone and outer V areas.

With a flat shader brush, I took a matte light pink shade and patted this all over the mobile lid.
Then with a clean blending brush, I blended all the shades smoothly together.

With a duo fiber blending brush, I took a pink champagne highlighter and highlighted my brow bone and inner corners.

Then with a small detailed brush, I took a medium toned brown and used this to define my lower lash line.

Using a pastel blue pencil eyeliner, I lined my eyes and winged it out at the end. I then brought that medium toned brown shade and lined the bottom of the wing. This will further define the wings to make them stand out.

I finished the eye look with some mascara on the top and bottom lashes.

To complete this look I used: elf Mineral Face Primer, L'Oreal True Match Concealer in W4-5, elf HD Lifting Concealers in Light and Fair, elf eye primer in sheer nude, Rimmel Stay Matte Setting Powder in Transparent, Smashbox Photo Set Pressed Powder in Dark, Benefit Hoola Bronzer, Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Natural beauty, elf Baked Blush in Pinktastic, elf Cream Eyeliner in Black, Lorac PRO Palette, Sephora Outrageous Volume Mascara, Jordana Pencil Eyeliner in Baby Blue, elf clear mascara and brow gel, NYX Hot Red Lip Liner, Kat Von D Foiled Love Lipstick in Adora.

I hope you liked this little tutorial as much as I do.
Stay tuned for more tutorials and reviews!

-Mary

Project Pan | March 2015

Hello there!

Here's another reason on why I went on a No-Buy March... I wanted to finish up some older products in my collection before they expire on me! So to speed up the process, I decided to participate on the project pan which I don't know the complete rules to but since I'm doing this for myself, I decided to set my own rules.

Some of these products I plan on just trying to finish up at no designated deadline while other products I'm trying to finish up in a couple weeks or so.

The following pictures were actually taken at the beginning of March so I've definitely made some progress since. I'll be doing a couple updates on my process on IG and on here.

Starting with the lip products...

The Bigelow Mentha Lip Tint that I've had for years just needs to go, but I can't get myself to just throw it out because its such a good product and its not even expired! This product has actually been repackaged into a clear squeezy tube in case any of you want to pick it up! Deadline is end of April.

The Bigelow My Favorite Lipbalm is to be completely honest, not "my favorite lipbalm" I prefer using this as a deep lip moisturizer at night or as a clear gloss over matte lippies. And I actually have gone through about 1/4 of this since I've taken a picture of this so deadline for this is end of March.

EOS Lip Balm I actually use this lip balm before any lip product I decide to wear at any given day and is actually flat to the point where I have to use my fingers to apply it so deadline for this is end of March.

Milani Lipgloss I actually threw this in my purse so I could use it more often but I lost it!

Moving on to eye products...
elf Clear Brow and Lash Gel I mainly use this on my brows and I'm actually not a big fan of this clear brow gel so I just want to get rid of it ASAP but I won't be giving myself a dead line for this just because I can rarely ever get myself to use it.

Maybelline BrowDrama just like the elf brow gel, I'm not a fan of this brow gel. Ever since I trimmed the brush to make it straight I find that I use it more often so deadline for this is end of June just because it will take me a while to use it all up.

NYX Eyeshadow Base in White I never use this on the eyes because it creases very badly on me so I just use this for face makeup/paint. I rarely do face makeup so deadline is end of June.

LORAC Behind the Scenes Eye Primer I actually like this eyeshadow primer but I just want to try to use it more often so it doesn't dry up on me. Deadline is end of June.

Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara as I've previously stated in my review for this mascara, this is my favorite mascara and I actually have a full size back up for this so I'm trying to finish this so my back up won't expire on me! Tip: don't get a backup unless you know you go through a product very quickly! Deadline is end of March. 

NYX Eyeliner in Gray this is one of my very first makeup products ever. I've had this eyeliner for over three years and I just want to use it I'll up. Deadline for this is end of June.

elf Eye Primer this is actually almost gone so I just want to use up every bit of it before I open my back up. Love this primer! Deadline is end of May.

Sorry for the blurry shot! I didn't realize it until I made this post...

Moving on to face products...
elf Mist & Set I really like this product except the actual spray applicator! Deadline for this is end of June. 

elf HD Lifting Concealers these a  these actually aren't the best concealers but I enjoy using these as a concealer-foundation hybrid and just setting them with powder on days I want a really natural look. Deadline for this is end of July.

Smashbox Photoset pressed Powder I've actually already hit pan on this and made quite noticeable progress since I took a picture of this (I know I wish I took a picture of the actual product so I could keep track of my progress). I know I go through this pretty quickly compared to my other bronzers so I'll try to have my deadline for this be at the end of July.

I wish I took a picture of the actual products so you can see my progress. I'll remember to do so on my update!!

'Til then, Mary ~

Products Worth the Investment | Artistry Automatic Eyebrow Pencil Review

This week's Products Worth the Investment review is on the Artistry Automatic Eyebrow Pencil which has been sent to me by the company to review.
Just to make it clear, this is my first time working with a company to review products for them, meaning I purchased all the products that I've previously reviewed/featured with my own money and even if this product and the mascara on my previous post has been sent to me to review, the following is my own honest opinions on the product.

Alright now that I made that clear, lets get on with the review!

Close up of the product. I got the shade Soft Black.

This brow pencil comes in three neutral shades in Taupe, Brown, and Soft Black and retails for $13.55 for the actual refill (0.15g/0.005oz) and $15.05 for the refill holder (has a brow brush on the opposite end) at aogoods.com.

My bare brows.

My brows filled in with just the pencil and blended with a bare brow brush (no brow gel to set).

I tend to do a more natural brow look and I find that this pencil allows me to easily do so as it provides a beautiful soft-focused look on the brows.

Pros:

-Beginner/user friendly

-Looks very natural

-No sharpening needed

Cons:

-Doesn't provide any hold to the brows, requires an additional step of setting with a brow gel

-Lightly pigmented (could also be a pro because it gives a very natural look to the brows)

-Pricey...definitely a debate on whether its worth the investment or not

Over the three weeks of testing this brow pencil, I found that this works best for giving natural looking fuller brows. With this brow pencil, you really can't go wrong, its very user friendly and quick to apply. The only downside is that you have to buy the refill and the refill holder separately which are both pretty pricey alone and will total to $28.30! Overall, I think the Artistry Automatic Brow Pencil is not worth the investment. There are tons of other brow products out in the market that are far more affordable and will give better, if not equal, results.


Any brow product recommendation? Leave them in the comments below!


-Mary

Products Worth the Investment | Artistry Signature Eyes Volume Mascara Review

This week's Products Worth the Investment review is on the Artistry Signature Eyes Volume Mascara which has been sent to me by the company to review.
Just to make it clear, this is my first time working with a company to review products for them, meaning I purchased all the products that I've previously reviewed/featured with my own money and even if this product has been sent to me to review, the following is my own honest opinions on the product.

Alright now that I made that clear, lets get on with the review!

This mascara retails for $26 at aogoods.com...before the price tag scares you away, I'd recommend you to stay and read on the see the results.

Here's a close up of the brush.

My curled lashes without any product.

My curled lashes with one coat on the top and bottom lashes.

My curled lashes with two coats on the top lashes and a light coat on the bottom lashes.

With the Artistry Signature Eyes Volume Mascara I feel like I could get the results of two or three layers of other mascaras with just one coat of this one. I definitely see a slight bit of length and tons of volume with one coat of this mascara and going for a second coat would just be unnecessary for day to day wear. At just one coat, I feel like my lashes are already big and volumized to my liking and by the second layer it starts to clump and feel heavy.

Pros:
-Effortlessly allows volume and length with just one coat
-Slightly waterproof, it can last through tears and the rain
-Holds a curl all day
-Doesn't flake throughout the day

Cons:
-Has a slight plastic-like smell
-A huge pain in the butt to remove
-Can give clumpy and spidery lashes


Over the three weeks of religiously using this mascara, I found that this would be a great mascara to use on those days you want super big voluminous lashes. I think you could definitely pull off a second or even a third coat as long as you comb you lashes in between layers. Even if I really like this mascara, I would probably not repurchase it because its just too much of a hassle to take off. Even if it gives me really good results, I debated with myself every morning on whether big lashes was worth the extra eight minutes of taking it off at night and for the price of $26, it slightly steers me away.



Have any mascara recommendations? Leave them below!

-Mary

Products Worth the Investment | LA Colors 16 Color Eyeshadow Palette | Review and Swatches

Hello there!!

Today's Products Worth the Investment review is on the LA Colors 16 Color Eyeshadow palettes.

If you've been following me here or on Instagram, you probably know that I've had these palettes for a while now and it took me soo long to finally review these because I wanted to make sure that I've used each palette well enough to make a clear and honest review.

Here are the three palettes from top to bottom: Haute, Smokin', and Sweet.

The first thing I noticed when swatching the shadows is that even if they feel very smooth, creamy, and buttery, they are very powdery and have tons of fall out! You've been warned!

Haute

Swatches of Haute without primer underneath.
I'm a little disappointed with this palette as I wish they didn't have two very similar cool toned pink shades and I find that the orange and light green shades are less pigmented than the rest. I think that golden olive shadow from the top row is also very random and doesn't fit the theme of this palette. With all that madness going on with the top row, I am obsessed with the bottom row, especially with the four shades to the right!

Smokin'

Swatches of Smokin' without primer underneath.
I have no complaints about this palette only that I wish the black was a little darker rather than being a charcoal shade. Aside from that, I completely adore this palette!

Sweet

Swatches of Sweet without primer underneath.
You all know I love my neutrals! This palette offers a decent amount of  neutral shades that gravitate towards the warm side. With the handful of shades available, I still think it is not enough, it lacks transition and definer shades. The black shadow in this palette is a bluish black so it isn't the same black shade as from the Smokin' palette.

The white shadow from all three palettes are exactly the same shadows which is really disappointing!
Also, I wish the palette offered a wider range of finishes. All shadows have a pearlized or shimmer finish which is again, pretty disappointing because that makes these palettes not suitable for being "stand-alone" palettes.

Although I would always recommend using a good primer, all shadows show up quite impressively without primer underneath (No where close to the UD Electric palette or Lorac Pro palette). For onlt a couple dollars, these shadows are very pigmented on the eyes, especially the lighter highlighter shades, I find that even if I lightly tap my brush into the shadow and tap off the excess, I still have lots of pigment left on my brush to work with and give my inner corners and brow bones a good highlight.

Overall, I think the L.A. COLORS 16 Colors eyeshadow palettes are great palettes to add to your collection if you're just wanting to experiment with a little color and go out of your comfort zone. For the price of $3.99, you're not losing much. And if you already have great, highly pigmented, good quality shadows (not saying that these aren't!), then I think you can definitely skip on these.
I find Smokin to be great to use for adding a pop of color to your smokey eyes, Sweet for everyday neutral eyes, and Haute to add a definite pop of color to your everyday looks. Although these palettes claim to have both matte and shimmer shadows, the finishes range from pearl to shimmer. The Sweet palette offers a decent range of shimmer highlighter shades, shimmer transition shades, shimmer defining shades and even some stand-alone shadows, but no palette, in my opinion, is good enough on its own, you need a matte transition or defining shade unless you're aiming for an all out, bright, shimmery look.

I hope you found this quick review helpful!

Stay tuned for more reviews!

Thank you for reading!

-Mary

No Buy March

Hello hello there!

I've recently decided to challenge myself and go on a no-buy March!

This challenge is mainly targeted towards me not purchasing any makeup or makeup related products because I'm trying to use up some products that have been in my collection for a while. 

I think the second worst thing next to breaking makeup is having them expire on me! So I'm trying to use up my oldies before they go bad. 

Yes! This will definitely be a challenge for me because soo much companies are releasing new products that I am just dying to try!! And there's so much makeup sales/discounts going! Ahhhhh!! It's torture... 😩😭

I really hope this goes as planned! Anyone else joining the challenge? 

- Mary 

Products Worth the Investment | Sephora 12HR Jumbo Liner

Hello hello!!

Happy March! I hope everyone has a great month and year ahead of them!

Today's Products Worth the Investment review is on the Sephora 12 Hour Jumbo Liner pencils which are a collection of 28 multipurpose pencils that could be used as eyeliners or eyeshadows.

These jumbo pencils create a range of different effects and are resistant to water, heat, and humidity. From deep blacks to rich and shimmery shades, each is formulated with exclusive waxes and pigments to assure maximum color intensity that stays put for 12-hours, as it claims on the Sephora website.

There are 28 different colors available:

1. White                      15. Silver Glitter

2. Grey                        16. Grey Glitter
3. Taupe                      17. Beige Glitter
4. Beige                       18. Pink Glitter
5. Brown                     19. Dark Taupe Shimmer
6. Gold                        20. Brown Glitter
7. Khaki                      21. Dark Brown Matte
8. Green                      22. Green Shimmer
9. Turquoise                23. Peacock Blue Shimmer
10. Marine                  24. Electric Blue Matte

11. Violet                    25. Mauve Shimmer

12. Purple                   26. Purple Glitter
13. Glitter                   27. Purple Matte
14. Black                    28. Lilac Shimmer

Claims:

                                         O agree     X disagree

-O Can be used on the inner corner, outer corner, upper and lower lid, waterline and tight line.
-O Can create a dramatic finish or a soft blended out finish.

-O Pencil may be blended with fingers or a brush to spread color all over the eyelid. 

-O Layer two jumbo pencils to create your own custom look. 

-X Can be used as a base for your eyeshadows to make them last all day long. 

For some reason, you cannot use these pencils as an eyeshadow base because it will only create a really harsh, unblended look under your eyeshadows. It works better to lay it over your eyeshadows to create an even more intensified look.

Retail Value: $14 USD

One Swipe. Left to right: White, Purple Glitter, Taupe, Khaki, and Black.

Rubbed swatches.

Wet swatches after rubbing.

Overall, I think the Sephora 12HR Jumbo Liners are worth the investment, especially if you can get them on a discount or bundle. I would say though, that $14 for each pencil sure is a bit pricey, but these are absolutely great products that are super pigmented. With these, a little fefinitely goes a long way! I swipe these over my mobile lid when I just want a quick brightening color or I smudge it out for a nice cream shadow or waterproof liner. I find that these are the only eyeliners that I've tried so far that are actually waterproof and stay on for over 12 hours even on the waterline! As you can see the swatches from after smudging and wetting still stayed in place and are still very vibrant.

Let me know what you think of these Sephora 12HR Jumbo Liners and definitely let me know if you have any comparable products for less!


Thank you for reading!! 

-Mary