Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush | Review

Spring had sprung, and I wanted something new. Specifically, something new for my cheeks. The hunt for a new blush began on a chilly spring day. I tirelessly searched through blushes, checking out recommendations from YouTube beauty gurus, Sephora reviews, and both high-end and drugstore brands. After much deliberation, many bookmarked web pages, and a few restless nights of sleep (I take my makeup purchases seriously), I decided on the one: Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush in the shade Blushing Bride.

One of the things I like best about this blush is the packaging. I ordered the blush online, and when I opened the Sephora package, I thought for a moment that I had stepped back in time, because the packaging reminds me of Polly Pocket. The pink, the gold lettering, the small compact-- it felt like 1994 all over again. Another important aspect of the packaging is the mirror on the inside. Usually, I don't use mirrors included in makeup compacts. I rarely apply makeup on the go, so the mirrors aren't a necessity for me. With this compact, I find myself using the mirror because of its superior quality. It is gorgeous and offers a pristine reflection to the user.

Back to the star of the show:  the product. Tarte claims that this blush is "infused with Amazonian clay harvested from the banks of the Amazon River and baked by the sun." This claim is graphically depicted in the blush itself. Visually, this blush is stunning, both inside and outside the package. The product wears just as beautifully on the cheeks, and truly lasts the full, advertised 12 hours. A little bit of blush goes a long way. I would recommend putting less product on your brush than usual, and building the color up as desired with a small amount on your brush each time. Blending this blush is a dream, and harsh lines are a rarity, unless too much product is applied. A light hand is the best bet.

I have been using this blush daily for three months now, and I have barely made a dent in it. For $26, it is an excellent value and well worth the investment. Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-Hour Blush is available in 15 different shades. Let me know if you have tried any other shades and what you thought of them!

Belle Epoque | Book Review

Belle Epoque by Elizabeth Ross is a 2014 Morris Award finalist. The Morris Award honors books written by debut authors in young adult literature. The Morris Award nominees and winners are some of the first books I add to my summer reading list, because I like the thrill of reading work from authors new to the YA scene. Elizabeth Ross did not disappoint.

Set in the late 1880s, Belle Epoque follows 16-year-old Maude from a small town in northwest Brittany to Paris, France. After a string of unsuccessful jobs and failed attempts to support herself, Maude begrudgingly becomes a repoussoir (foil) to an aristocrat named Isabelle Dubern. Isabelle is in her debutante season with the goal of becoming engaged, and Maude is hired by the Duberns as an ugly friend to make Isabelle look more beautiful.

Maude and Isabelle become friends, and we are swept away into a world of privilege and connections, which is contrasted with Maude's own world of Paris explorations and her group of bohemian friends. These two worlds cannot exist separately forever, and they inevitably collide. As the two worlds become more tangled, you might find yourself reading this book way past your bedtime.

Perhaps the most refreshing part of this book is Belle Epoque itself.  Belle epoque translates to "beautiful age" and is significant because of the story's setting and its theme. In the late 1880s, France was still recovering from drastic changes in terms of social classes. France would unveil its new social order on the stage of the World's Fair, with the newly constructed Eiffel Tower as its centerpiece. In the same way, Maude learns that her own belle epoque is now, regardless of personal appearance or social class.

Belle Epoque is the most innovative book I've read this summer. I am looking forward to reading more books by Elizabeth Ross.

Mascara Madness

Somehow, I have managed to acquire three mascaras since the beginning of 2014. Miraculously, all three mascaras have remained in my daily makeup bag. This is a point of interest, because I have three different makeup storage bags-- a daily use bag, and two for less used but still loved products.

Three mascaras in my daily makeup bag may seem excessive. Surprisingly, I found myself reaching for each one often enough that it made sense to keep them all together. They're all that good.

Here's the rundown:

1. Lancome Definicils Mascara in Black
My description:  Basic, everyday mascara.
Lancome's description:  "Natural but noticeable lashes."
Price:  $27.50, the most expensive in my roundup.
Best suited for:  Daily wear for work, errands, casual events.
One coat:  Gotta run, already running late, clump-free lashes with definition and length.
Two coats:  Guaranteed compliments, zero clumps, eyelashes reaching eyebrows.

This is my go-to mascara. I have been purchasing it consistently since 2004. That's a decade of commitment, making my opinion of this mascara tried and true.

The wand itself is thin and easy to maneuver across the lashes. I appreciate the square-shaped end of the wand, as this allows me to achieve a precise and consistent application with each use.

With a classic Christmas tree shape, this mascara is perfect for anyone:  makeup beginners, makeup devotees, and occasional makeup users alike.  The formula rarely clumps. It applies with ease and yields excellent results.  This mascara will always hold a special place in my makeup bag (and my heart).

2.  Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara in Jet Black. 

My description:  When basic just won't cut it.

Smashbox's description:  "Volumizing and lengthening."

Price:  $19.50, the median-priced mascara in my roundup.

Best suited for:  Some time on your hands, a desire to have standout lashes, and somewhere to go.

One coat:  Lash definition, possible clumping maintenance required, eyelashes reach eyebrows.

Two coats:  Total lash definition, definite clumping maintenance required, zero flaking, lashes will look fanned out and flashy.

I reach for this mascara when I have a little extra time on my hands and if I choose to emphasize my eyes in my overall makeup look for the day.  This is not to say that I wouldn't pair this mascara with a bold lip-- if I use a single coat of it, I can have the best of both worlds, emphasized eyes and a bold lip.

As you can see, the wand of this mascara is huge. This is why I allow myself some extra time when I use it. A bigger wand means a higher chance of making mistakes, like mascara clumps or getting the formula on your skin instead of on your lashes. 

Overall, I am impressed with this mascara. I love the results I get from it, and I like that even though this is a mascara I use for a statement eye, I can still use it for everyday wear by reducing the amount I apply. There is something to be said for its versatility. However, this mascara will definitely require clumping maintenance, as the wand is roughly the size of a toothbrush. Also, the formula tends to gather at the base of the wand. I frequently wipe off the base of the wand to avoid clumping, but this wastes product. It's a sacrifice I'm willing to make, but it's also a deterrent in terms of the likelihood that I will repurchase this mascara.

3.  Benefit They're Real! Mascara in Jet-Black

My description:  Fake lashes from an actual mascara. Heavenly, beautiful, statement lashes.

Benefit's description:  "Jet-black mascara that lengthens, curls, volumizes, lifts, and separates lashes for a spectacular 'out-to-here' look."

Price:  0.14 ounces, $10, the cheapest in my roundup; 0.3 ounces, $23, second most expensive.

Best suited for:  Formal events, statement eyes, impressing everyone with your majestic lashes.

One coat:  Long, full lashes that truly look like false eyelashes, black as the darkest night sky.

Two coats:  You're going to be asking yourself if your lashes are real. Clumping maintenance may be required at first, but not as you get used to the formulation of the mascara and the uniqueness of the wand.

When I use They're Real, I know it's a special day. If I want my eyes to be the primary focus of my makeup look, this is the mascara I use. It is absolutely stunning. I could write pages of praises for this mascara. It is the mascara I use the least often, but it is my favorite of the three. I purchase it in the smaller size, and two tubes of it will last me the entire year.

The wand is unique because the bristles are spaced out more than other mascaras and made of plastic instead of synthetic fibers. The top of the wand has bristles as well, which is wonderful for reaching the inner and bottom lashes.

They're Real should be in every woman's makeup bag. The small sized tube is comparable to the pricing of drugstore brands, but the high-end formulation is superior to any mascara I have ever used. One coat of this mascara is all you need to give the appearance of false eyelashes. Amazingly, one coat of They're Real will rarely clump if you are taking your time when applying it. Two coats will likely clump, and I have had some disasters when attempting two coats. One coat is plenty for dramatic, statement, perfect eyelashes.

Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Gloss | Review

Summer is in full swing! With the rise in temperatures, the need arises for a long-lasting lip color for the many festivities and occasions that summer brings. In the springtime, I noticed that lip glosses were making their way back to my favorite beauty brands' shelves. I resisted the urge to buy one for a long time, because I associated lip gloss with middle school dances and general awkwardness. When I finally caved and bought a new lip gloss, I discovered that my awkward lip gloss wearing days were gone.

In other words, this isn't your seventh grade lip gloss. Lip gloss has grown up! Allow me to present my summer beauty staple, Smashbox Be Legendary Lip Gloss in Disco Rose:

The packaging is chunky but sleek. The color itself is pigmented and unusual. Although it is described as a rich rose shade, it's not the red rose of Valentine's Day that this lip gloss has captured; rather, the deep pink roses found in the lush summer gardens cared for by passionate pruners.

Unlike the lip glosses of my adolescence, this lip gloss is smooth and wears much like a balm. I often forget that I am wearing it once I have applied it, and as I carry on with daily activities, the gloss carries on along with me. I usually get at least five hours of wear out of one application. Once the gloss wears off, a nice color remains on my lips until I wash it off or reapply.

This gloss wears beautifully on its own, but it also complements lip stains nicely in that it prevents dryness when combined with a stain. That is to say, another benefit of this lip gloss is that it is incredibly moisturizing. This is my favorite unexpected twist and added benefit to my summer staple.

Reasonably priced at $20, a bargain for high-end lip products, Smashbox Be Legendary lip gloss is well worth the investment for pretty, worry-free summer lips.

Review | e.l.f. Studio HD Blush

Recently, I visited my best friend in Florida. It was lovely to spend time with her and her family, and an added benefit that she lives in a warmer state. Unaccustomed to warmer temperatures after five months of cold, I wrestled with myself over which items to pack in my makeup bag. One product I decided to take with me was e.l.f.'s HD Blush:

HD makeup was created in response to high-definition cameras, which focus in greater detail. HD makeup is designed to blend in perfectly to the skin, creating a result that looks more natural on camera. e.l.f.'s Studio HD Blush retails for a bargain price of $3, as opposed to luxury brands like Make Up For Ever's HD Blush, which retails for $26. e.l.f.'s HD Blush comes with a pump, which makes it easy to dispense a small amount.

A little bit goes a long way with this product, as it is extremely pigmented. I use the lightest shade, called Headliner. As you can see, one pump dispenses more than enough for both cheeks:

I dispense one small pump onto the back of my hand, then use the stippling technique to apply the product to the apples of my cheeks. After picking up the product on a blush brush, I stipple the brush on the back of my hand to get rid of some excess color, then use the same stippling technique as I apply it on my cheeks. If I'm in a hurry, I'll sometimes use half a pump and apply the product onto my fingers, then directly onto my cheeks.

This is one pump, blended onto the back of my hand. I spread the product out before stippling it onto my brush and my cheeks, and the result is a lighter, less harsh version of this color that lasts all day, regardless of climate. If you're new to HD makeup or cream blush, I would recommend trying this product out before you wash your face at night, so you can get used to the technique needed to apply it.

Yet another impressive product from e.l.f.!

Review | Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Creme

My feet are dry and cracked, partially due to genetics, but mostly because of my preference to be barefoot as much as possible. Combine these factors with a job that keeps me on my feet all day, and the odds are stacked against me. The summer of 2013 was my wake up call to be more attentive to my poor, neglected feet. As I settled in for a pedicure, I apologized to the pedicurist in advance, joking that she had her work cut out for her. She actually gasped when she saw my feet, and after she had restored them to normal foot condition, I promised her I would take better care of them.

Since then, I have been searching for a product that could heal the cracks and blisters on my feet. Body lotion wasn't successful. Pumice stones weren't successful. Even pedicure boards were unsuccessful. My parents had recently decided they disliked one of their foot creams because of its fragrance and consistency, so, in a last ditch effort, I decided to give it a try. The old adage is true:  One person's trash is another person's treasure.

Burt's Bees Coconut Foot Creme is a miracle product. It works miracles, everyone, and this is not an exaggeration. Here is the miracle product:

Miracle foot cream.

According to Burt's Bees, this product is 99.4% natural, which is always a bonus. Ingredients include olive oil, oat flour, coconut oil, oat oil, rosemary leaf oil, and vitamin E. The .6% unnatural ingredient is peppermint fragrance. Being formulated with oil, the product is quite thick:

A little bit goes a long way!

Another shot, taken seconds later, shows that the product is runny, despite its thickness:

Quickly sliding off my finger.

The product directions instruct you to "apply liberally," but I think that less is more, in this instance. Put the cream where you need it, directly on the dry, cracked parts of your feet. Spread the cream into a thin layer so that the entire dry area is covered. The cream soaks in within seconds, but your feet will be oily (remember that ingredients list?); I recommend having socks at the ready so that you can slip them on immediately after application. Leave your socks on for an hour or two, then remove them and prepare to be amazed at your newly rejuvenated feet.

Immediately upon application, you will see an improvement in the condition of your feet. The cream feels like a warm, luxurious oil treatment. Its scent is unique-- think tropical meets mint-- but not unpleasant. The results are unparalleled.

I have seen a marked improvement in my feet after using this product. Between uses of this foot cream, my feet stay soft and smooth for about three to four days. I highly recommend this foot cream to those of you who suffer from dry, cracked feet-- there is finally a solution! Best of all, it's only $9!

DIY | Deep Conditioner

Last Friday, I ventured into uncharted beauty territory: DIY, or "do it yourself," beauty treatments. DIY beauty recipes have always been around, but I stayed away from experimentation for years. I blame my recent foray into DIY beauty on Pinterest.

While poking around on Pinterest, I pinned a recipe for DIY deep conditioner especially for curly hair. I followed the recipe to create a deep conditioning mixture with ingredients found right in my kitchen:  two raw eggs and a cup of mayonnaise. Allegedly, these ingredients add shine and moisture to your hair. Who doesn't want shiny, moisturized hair? And with that thought, I ventured up to my bathtub.

What happened next is undocumented footage. As you can imagine, the whole process was messy. I set the bowl with my DIY conditioner in my bathtub and applied it to my hair in small handfuls, hanging my hair over my head so the mixture didn't drip all over me. Surprisingly, my hair absorbed the mixture like a sponge. I was able to apply the mixture with little residue sliding off my hair. Once all the mixture was in my hair, I used a Turbie Towel to wrap my hair on top of my head, then I ran a bath and let the DIY conditioner do its work while I read some magazines.

This is where things got ugly.

I drained the bathtub and ran a shower, taking the Turbie Towel off so I could wash my hair. My hair was stiff as a board, and washing this DIY conditioner out was a long, smelly process that smelled like, you guessed it, raw eggs and mayo. It was nauseating, slimy, and unpleasant. Once all the mixture was washed out, I conditioned my hair with my usual conditioner and dried it, expecting fantastic results after the ordeal I endured.

My hair did look more shiny, but that's about it. It took a full week for my hair to return to its normal state.

After my experience, I stand firm on my DIY beauty avoidance-- unless, of course, you have tried and true beauty recipes to share with me, which I would love to hear about in the comments!

Review | e.l.f. Studio Lip Exfoliator

Trapped in your house this snowy, cold weekend? Do yourself (and your lips) a favor and check out this simple remedy for under $10.

Let's face it:  Dry, chapped lips happen. The good news is, there's a solution for ladies and gentlemen alike.

e.l.f. Studio Lip Exfoliator.

Even typing its name makes me happy. Behold it in all its glory:

e.l.f. Studio Lip Exfoliator ($3)

Bask in its exfoliating powers as you appreciate key ingredients, including avocado oil, jojoba, and shea butter:

Just imagine this on your lips!

One more look, because I had a feeling you'd want a close up:

You're welcome.

The best part about this lip exfoliator is that it takes 60 seconds or less to use. All you do is wet your lips with warm water, then apply the exfoliator in small, swirling motions to your upper and lower lip. Dab off any excess scrub with a tissue, and then apply a heavy duty lip balm to moisturize and condition your lips. I like to use C.O. Bigelow Apothecaries Rose Salve No. 012:

$5.50 and it lasts for years. Good investment for a great product with multiple uses.

You'll notice that your lips are free from chapped, dry skin after this quick process. As a bonus, your lips will tingle for several minutes, which I find to be quite pleasant. I have noticed a drastic difference in the appearance and feel of my lips since incorporating this exfoliator into my routine.

One small caveat in regard to the lip exfoliator is one of its ingredients, aspartame. Aspartame is an artificial sweetener that has been approved and upheld for use by the FDA. As a rule, I avoid artificial sweeteners in my diet because I dislike how I feel after consuming them. When using this exfoliator, I avoid eating or drinking for several hours to minimize the amount of aspartame that I could potentially consume. I know this sounds excessive, but it's a precaution I like to take.

Overall, a worthwhile product that saves my lips in the harsh winter months.

Review | e.l.f. Cosmetics

First beauty review: e.l.f. Cosmetics. If you have spoken with me over the past month, you know that I tried my hardest to work this brand into the conversation-- I think everyone needs to know about this affordable, quality makeup.

Eyes, Lips, Face, abbreviated as e.l.f., is a cruelty-free (meaning they do not test their products on animals) line that primarily uses natural ingredients like fruit extract and oils. They have three makeup lines: Essential, Studio, and Mineral. Products in the Essential line range from $1-$2, while products in the Studio and Mineral products range from $3-$6.

My mom discovered e.l.f. as she participated in her church's Christmas gift drive for needy families, choosing to buy for a teenage girl who wanted makeup for Christmas. The gift drive had a $25 giving limit, and it is difficult to put together a thorough makeup starter kit for $25. After doing her research, she discovered e.l.f. and recruited me, her makeup loving daughter, to go shopping with her to assemble the makeup kit.

As we shopped, I couldn't resist purchasing some items to try the brand out for myself. After testing some of the products, I knew that this girl was going to have a great Christmas-- e.l.f. is comparable to much more expensive luxury brands!

Several weeks later, I ordered some more e.l.f. products online:

About 3 items are missing from this order!

At the time I purchased these items, e.l.f. had an online sale for 50% off all products. e.l.f. features free standard shipping for orders over $35. Since everything was half off, it was difficult for me to reach $35!

As you can see, I stocked up on the e.l.f. Studio Lip Exfoliator:

e.l.f. Studio Lip Exfoliator-- review coming soon! ($3)

Another great product is the e.l.f. Studio Baked Highlighter:

e.l.f. Studio Baked Highlighter ($3)

In my opinion, e.l.f. is a standout drugstore brand that gives luxury brands a run for their money. The products are inexpensive but high quality. More e.l.f. reviews to come!