Today is my birthday (ahh!) and I thought I would share with you the birthday dinner makeup look I wore this weekend.
I kept everything pretty low key and went out to a delishhhh dinner – but ya know – any excuse to glam it up, i’ll take it!
I loveee this look. I think it is simple enough for really any occasion, but the red lips really bring some drama and fun. Follow me on my new Instagram page to get more day to day looks and product details – @little.miss.melis :).
I have been loving a handful of my brushes for summer. There are certain brushes you just know will never let you down so I thought I would share my current holy grails!
Current Holy Grail Face Brushes
Beauty Blender & Solid: I love this little sponge. I know there are a lot of more affordable versions of the beauty blender and I’ve tried a couple, but there is something about the technology of the beauty blender that I find cannot be replicated. The way that it blends out my foundation or concealer makes it look so natural, I love it. I got this solid as a 100 pt sample from Sephora and it is perfect for quick rinses of my brushes. I have heard however though that just a simple bar of soup works just in well!
Mac 125 Split Fibre: This was part of the Mac Wash and Dry collection and I thought the packaging was so cute. I ended up buying the face brush version of this first and thought the split fibre idea was so cool so I bought the contour brush as well. I think this brush is really great for both cream and powder products. I actually find this brush to be the only one I like when applying the MUFE Pro Bronze Fusion.
Real Techniques Stippling Brush: I’ll be honest and say I HATE the packaging of real techniques brushes. I am slightly OCD and like all of the brushes in my little brush cup to look nice and clean and pretty and this brush throws off everything. That being said it is my all time favorite for applying my foundation. I rarely use anything else. I LOVE this brush probably more than any other brush I own. The way that it applies my foundation is so flawless looking, I couldn’t ask for more. I especially like this over some other more typical foundation brushes because I feel that it doesn’t eat any product – whereas some of my denser brushes I feel like half of the product gets lost in the brush.
Sephora – Pro Domed Stippling Brush: I pretty much only use this brush with my cream bronzers, but it does suuuuuch a good job of blending out product it is great! This is easily my favorite way to warm up my face on just a day to day basis. I feel like this brush is really well made and is perfect for cream products.
Sephora – Pro Contour: I use this brush primarily for setting my under eyes. I think it is the perfect size and shape for getting powder in smaller spaces. I do also use it for contour because the tapered edge is great for getting into the hollows of your cheeks. This is prob my most used / versatile brush.
Zoeva – Face Shaper: This brush I use with my Kevyn Aucoin creamy glow duo (which by the way is the best contour product ever!). This brush is also great for cream products – and for contouring in general. It is the perfect size for precise placement
Zoeva – Silk Finish: When I am not using my beauty blender, I use this brush. I think it blends out product beautifully. It is super soft and yet dense enough to really blur out any clumps of product or harsh lines.
Zoeva – Powder: This is another one of my most used brushes ever. I think this brush is fantastic. It is large and great for powdering your entire face. It is extremely soft which is one of the main things I look for in a powder brush, and just does a great job of evenly applying powder. I also use this at the end of my makeup application for any finishing powder or to do one last little bit of blending.
Elf – Ultimate Kabuki: I got this brush online after hearing great things about it online. I think this was such a good purchase! Elf is so affordable and this brush has so many uses. I use it as an all over powder brush and also as a sort of bronze/contour brush as well. When I want a more natural / all over bronze look rather than an actual contour this is my go to. It is super soft and for the price you really can’t beat it!
Scout – sharing his favorite as well
Just for fun – thought I would share Scout’s favorite too as he was so eager to show it off 🙂
Last weekend I went to my first VIB Rouge event! I was super excited for the goody bags and the 4x point perk didn’t hurt either! I took my Mom as my plus 1 and we ended up getting some great stuff so I thought I would share :).
Damage Done
We ended up buying a selection of things – some for myself, some for my mom, and some for my sister. As you can see we had fun!
The Entire Haul ❤
Here are some of the things I got:
My Haul – Mainly Skincare
I ended up gravitating to the skin care products as my face has been sorta freaking out the past couple months. The BEST thing we found was a build your own sample pack. You could choose any 5 samples within a certain section for $25 and they came with a super cute little bag (as you’ll see in my mom’s section of the haul). The things I personally picked out were the four items in the back left –
Algenist – Anti-Aging Melting Cleanser: I have the full size of this product and LOVE it. I first saw it on KathleenLights Youtube channel and thought it sounded interesting, so naturally I went to buy it. It starts out as a gel formula and then as you put it on your dry face it turns into an oil. When you go to wash it off it turns into almost a milk and washes off literally all your makeup. I was super excited when I saw this sample because first of all it is HUGE and second of all it is perfect to travel with so I don’t have to take my full size.
First Aid Beauty – Skin Rescue Deep Cleanser with Red Clay: I am a big fan of clay cleansers because I think they do a really great job of cleaning out my pores. I saw this and decided it would be a fun one to try and again, I love samples for traveling. I think it is fun to do a couple little mini spa nights while on vacation.
Dr Dennis Gross – Alpha Beta Peel (Original Formula): These were actually not in the 5 for $25 section – I ended up grabbing them while in the checkout line (gets me everytime!!) BUT, the more advance version of these were – which is incredible to me because I think these “samples” retail for around $16! I am still just in shock at the great value we got with all these samples. If you have a local Sephora I highly recommend going to take advantage of this deal! ** I just checked and they have this deal online too! FYI 🙂
Ren – Glycol Lactic Radiance Renewal Mask: I haven’t tried this product yet, but as you can see I am all about the masks right now and really anything that says radiance sounds good to me! I am excited to try it out as it has some really good reviews online!
GlamGlow – SuperMud Clearing Treatment: This was my main purchase of the day and really the only thing I planned on splurging on. It is nott cheap but in my opinion worth every penny. I got a sample of this when I bought the SuperCleanse Daily Clearing Cleanser and while I do love the cleanser this mask is unreal. It is easily the best mask I have ever used. EVER. I have combo to dry skin and the pores around my nose / T – zone can get oily and are bigger than I would like. I used this and when I looked in the mirror afterward I couldn’t see a single pore. It was unlike any mask I’ve ever used. The next day I woke up and my skin was clean, tight and radiant.
First Aid Beauty – Facial Radiance Pads: These were just an extra sample the woman threw in for us as we were paying – but I can’t wait to try them. I am a big fan of makeup wipes / pre moistened pads just because they are so easy to use.
Sephora Masks – Rose Face Mask & Honey Eye Mask: I love these little masks from Sephora – they are super inexpensive and I think they are great for a more frequent treatment. I have used a number of them and find them to be really great on my skin. I love the variety of types that they have.
Kat Von D – Studded Kiss Lipstick in Lovecraft: This was actually one of the point rewards that was available – We ended up getting three (one for everyone!) because of what an incredible shade it is. It is a great mauve shade that can be super versatile. As one of the Sephora workers told us – you can make it lighter/fresher by pairing it with a pink liner or deepen it up with a darker nude / brown liner.
My Mom/ Sister’s Haul
My mom went for the 5 for $25 samples as well and opted for the same Algenist Cleanser, Ren Mask, and Dr Dennis Gross Peel.
In addition she got:
Dr Jart+ – Water-Full Hydrogel Mask: This is a super hydrating face mask. It is supposed to increase the hydration, elasticity and bounce to skin. It also has some anti-aging properties!
Murad – AHA/BHA Exfoliating Cleanser: My Mom opted for two of these because she loves the Murad brand. She was looking for some more good exfoliants and this is great because it has the acid exfoliant in addition to jojoba skin-polishing beads.
Lancome – Grandiose Wide-Angle Mascara: I think this mascara is super cool. Not only is the packaging gorgeous but the wand is super unique (go check it out!). It has a swan neck type bend in it which makes it super easy to apply. It is a clump free, lengthening mascara and is long wearing without being waterproof (so its easy to take off at night).
Deborah Lippmann – Cuticle Oil: I just used this last night as I was prepping my nails for a little at home manicure. This oil is great! It has the most amazing coconut smell that is so yummy. The thing I love most about it is that it drys quickly and yet is super hydrating.
Smashbox – Camera Ready BB Cream: This was my sister’s purchase and she has been loving this BB Cream. It is a repurchase for her so that goes to show that it is a great product. I have used hers a couple of times and the amount of coverage is great. I would say it is a medium coverage that feels really light and gentle on the skin. It also has SPF 35 so is great for summertime!
VIB Rouge Goody Bag
Sorry this post is so long! But I just wanted to lastly and certainly not least-ly show you the goody bag we got! It came with the following products:
BareMinerals – Moxie Lipgloss
Boscia – Detoxifying Black Cleanser
Benefit – Porefessional
L’Occitane – Hand Cream
Formula X – Nail Polish
Chloe – Perfume
Korres – Wild Rose & Vitamin C Advanced Brightening Sleeping Facial
All in all we def. got our moneys worth when looking at the Rouge goody bag and the amazing 5 for $25 offer. I highly recommend checking it out in store or online – make sure you use Ebates if you’re shopping online to get cash back and an even better deal!
Sephora Haul – Becca, Too Faced, Stila including the Becca & Jaclyn Hill colab – Champagne Pop!
I did a little damage at Sephora when I found out that Champagne Pop was coming! I had to have it and went online as soon as it was available. While I was online, I also decided to grab a couple other things that had been on my wishlist.
I have been wanting the Too Faced Chocolate Soleil bronzer for a long time now but couldn’t make the commitment. I have heard great things about the little black book of bronzers and thought it would be a nice way to add a variety of products to my collection without spending an arm and a leg on all of them!
Too Faced – Little Black Book of Bronzers
In addition to the bronzers, I bought a couple new blush products. With it being summertime now, I have been loving peachy coral blushes and really wanted to try out the new stila watercolor blushes. I got the shade Water Lily. I also wanted to try out one of the Becca beach tints – I think this is perfect for summer as it can be used on the lips and cheeks for a quick splash of color. Great for a “no makeup” makeup day! I also bought a couple of the sephora eye masks (as seen in the original photo). I bought the Ginseng – Toning and Revitalizing, the Lingzhi – Anti Aging and Smoothing, and the Rose – Ultra Moisturizing and Brightening ones. I have been trying to take better care of my skin lately and figured why not try these!
Becca Beach Tint in Grapefruit, Stila Aqua Glow Watercolor Blush in the Water Lily, and free deluxe sample of the D&G Light Blue perfume
Last and most definitely not least, I got the Becca shimmering skin perfector colab with Jaclyn Hill – Champagne Pop. It is incredible. I own Opal as well and was on the fence about getting moonstone as I thought it was just a hint to light for me. As soon as I saw Champagne Pop I knew it would be the perfect shade and matched the dream shade I had in my mind. I would have prob bought it regardless just because I love Jaclyn Hill – but I can easily say this is my new favorite highlight. Note – if you are on the fence about this product it is limited edition so keep that in mind <3.
Champagne Pop! Becca shimmering skin perfector colab with Jaclyn Hill!
I created the look below using Champagne Pop, the little black book of bronzers and the Stila watercolor blush in Water Lily. This look is a very toned down/minimalist application of the products as I tried them out before going to work. I will try and upload a #highlightonfleek version this weekend to my instagram!
Update – after trying out this blush I am SO IMPRESSED. I was a little scared at first because it’s literally a liquid but the way it applies so evenly and smoothly with a sheer wash of color is sooooo pretty. Debating buying another one!
So I totally forgot to take a pic of this look before leaving the house – Sorry for the iphone Car Selfie!
Other Products Used:
Face:
Too Faced – Hangover RX Primer
Bobbi Brown – Skin Foundation (color Warm Sand)
Maybelline – Fit me Concealor in Light
Chanel – Tan de Soleil
Hourglass – Ambient Lighting Powder in Mood light
Eyes:
Too Faced Semi Sweet Palette – Colors: Bon Bon and Butter Pecan on the lid with Peanut Butter and Truffled in the crease
Loreal Telescopic Mascara
Brows:
Anastasia Beverly Hills – Brow Wiz (omg, I ran out of this today – so sad – need to go buy another one!! and maybe a backup while im at it :p )
Details of this look (as depicted – listed below from Top to Bottom, Left to Right):
Hourglass- Ambient Blush: Mood Exposure:
I love this blush! It’s such a unique color that adds a beautiful flush perfect for any occasion. Looking at it in the pan it looks purple – but once applied to your cheeks it adds just the right amount of pink to make your skin look naturally healthy. I know Hourglass products are rather pricey but the way that they lay so naturally and make your skin look airbrushed makes them worth every penny.
This product has totally changed up my routine this summer. I was skeptical about buying this – especially as it is not cheap! I decided one day to take the plunge and haven’t looked back. My personal favorite way to use this product is to mix it with my primer. I find applying a pump of product before my foundation gives my skin such a natural looking glow it is perfect for summer.
Chanel – Soleil Tan de Chanel – Bronzing Makeup Base:
I don’t know how I did my makeup before purchasing this product. It is truly amazing and worth every penny. Not only does it look great on a vanity (I mean, look at that packaging), but also it adds such a beautiful touch of radiance to the skin. I was a little worried this shade would be too bronze / orangey on my skin – but the formula allows the color to be as sheer or built up as desired. My favorite way to apply this is with a large stipple brush applied to the areas I would normally contour. I think adding this on top of a tinted moisturizer with a touch of mascara and a lip gloss makes for the perfect “no makeup makeup” look.
Make Up For Ever – Artist Palette Volume 2 – Artistic:
I bought this palette mainly because I didn’t own any Make Up For Ever eyeshadows and I really wanted to try them. I thought this would be a nice addition to my collection as it has a couple more “unusual” shades. I’ll be honest and say that at first I was not impressed by this palette. I found that the shadows swatched really well and felt super buttery but just didn’t look great on my eyes. I tried applying them with different brushes and even adding fix + to my brushes before application and nothing seemed to make them look as good as they do in the pan. THEN – one day I was in a hurry and slapped them on with my finger and everything changed. They looked amazing. I have been obsessed. I literally have worn these shadows every day for the past month.
Hourglass – Ambient Lighting Powder – Mood Light:
I use this powder once I am done applying my makeup as a finishing powder. I LOVE the way it makes my skin look and I think this particular shade is perfect as a finishing powder. I know technically they are all “finishing powders” rather than highlights, but I find my luminous light powder to be much better suited as a highlight. If you are looking to get airbrushed naturally beautiful skin, this is the powder for you!
Make Up For Ever – Pro Bronze Fusion – Natural Matte Sand:
I very recently bought this bronzer and to be honest, I am really unimpressed. I do want to give it a couple more tries but I find that it reallllly lacks pigmentation. I like setting my Soleil Tan de Chanel with a bronzing powder and thought this would be great as I had heard amazing things. I don’t know, for the price tag I was expecting more. I may end up returning it to Sephora, but do want to try out a couple different brushes and application techniques first in case I am just missing something.
Mac – Fix + – Limited Edition Lavender Scent:
I really like Fix + and I know it is a staple in a lot of collections. I primarily use it as a way to amp up shadows or blushes by spritzing my brushes with it before applying. When I saw they came out with limited edition scents I knew I wanted to try one and this lavender scent is incredible. I actually now started using it as a setting spray as well because of how relaxing and just happy the scent is. If you can get your hands on one of the (I think 5) scents they just came out with you should!
Ugh, they really need a new name for this product, although if I had to name it myself it makes perfect sense. This concealer really is a completely weightless yet full coverage concealer. On days where I am particularly tired or in need of a more dramatic under eye brightening I use this product and every time I am impressed. I do set the concealer to prevent it from creasing but I find that it lasts all day and looks natural on your skin while providing great coverage for dark circles. I tend to go a shade lighter than my foundation to really brighten up and highlight the undereye area.
Marc Jacobs – New Nudes Sheer Lip Gel – Understudy 114:
I bought this lipstick because I fell in love with the packaging, I certainly am happy I did! This color – Understudy (114) is an amazing everyday natural terracotta pink. It is the perfect pop of color to go with any look and the formula of the lipstick is extremely creamy and nourishing.
It Cosmetics – Your Skin but Better CC Cream:
I use this CC Cream when I know I am going to be in the sun all day. It wears really nicely and it has 50 SPF which is perfect for my fair skin. The CC cream itself goes on similar to a sunscreen in texture and it has amazing coverage. It is packed with anti-aging and hydrating properties so really does the duty of a moisturizer and foundation in one product. Because of its formula I typically set this with a powder as it can be a little wet looking on the skin at first.
Bobbi Brown – Shimmer Brick – Pink Quartz:
I love the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks – I think they are great multi purpose products . I use mine as a highlight and it gives the most perfect glow to my cheek bones. I also use this as an eyeshadow or an inner eye highlight to open up my eyes. I love when products can be multi-use!
Loreal – Telescopic Mascara – Carbon Black:
I just recently bought this mascara after I had heard such good things about it – because ya know, I needed another mascara to go along with the 4 others I have open at the moment….. I was very skeptical because I have been LOVING my Too Faced – Better than Sex Mascara and I really didn’t think this one could top it. While I don’t know that it is better than the Too Faced one, I do think it is equally as good at what it does. This mascara is reallllllly lengthening and the wand is so unique. I find that I am able to literally comb my lashes one by one and apply just the right amount of mascara to get my desired look. The most amazing thing that I found with this mascara however is the INCREDIBLE curl power it has! I have very flat straight lashes and even eyelash curlers cannot keep them curled for more than an hour. This mascara had me looking like I was wearing false lashes all day. It was insane and ultimately what immediately turned this into one of my favorites. This paired with the Better than Sex mascara are the perfect combination of length and volume.
My Make Up of the Day
I hope you guys liked this post – if you have any questions about any of the products mentioned let me know!
I recently purchased the semi-sweet chocolate bar palette mainly because I fell in love with the packaging and smell! Lawd knows I didn’t need anymore eye shadow palettes.
So now the question is, does this palette live up to the hype? I’ll be honest and say that I have no experience with the first chocolate bar palette so I can’t compare the two, but I do think this was a great purchase. I tend to wear neutral shadows everyday – so this palette gets a lot of use.
Too Faced Semi-Sweet Chocolate Bar Palette
For me the standout stars are the second and third rows of the palette. The first row comes out a little chalky although oddly I think this makes the shadows easier to blend. It might just be a difference in formula between the matte and shimmery shadow formulas because I find the shimmery shades extremely buttery. (You can kinda see this in the swatches below)
Swatches from Left to Right: Licorice, Coconut Creme, Nougat, Truffled, Hot Fudge, Cocoa Chili, Pink Sugar, Puddin’
My favorite and most used shades are “Caramel”, “Bon Bon”, and “Butter Pecan.” I love putting Butter Pecan all over the lid and darkening it up with the Bon Bon shade to give my lid a little warmth. I find I can make a lot of unique looks just using this palette which to me makes it worth the money.
Swatches Left to Right: Blueberry Swirl, Peanut Butter, Frosting, Rum Raisin, Mousse, Caramel, Bon Bon, Butter Pecan
Overview:
Pros: The packaging is sturdy and the variety of neutrals colors make it great for travel as I can create a lot of looks. The shimmery shades very buttery and great for throwing all over the lid. The matte shades are really blendable and look great layered. I think the palette is great because of the mixture of matte and shimmery shades.
Cons: A couple of the shades can come off a little chalky. I also think the shadows could be slightly more pigmented. Although, I will say they layer very well so its pretty easy to get the color where you want.
Overall, I think this is a great palette and I would purchase again.
LittleMissMelis 