SEPHORA (& more) HAUL!!

Happy Saturday!!

I've been making some pretty exciting purchases lately that I wanted to share with you! First I did some online shopping on Sigma and Makeup Geek. Check out what I got!

I was so excited to dig into these when they came in the mail!

I absolutely LOVE Sigma brushes, so I got a few more that were on my wish list. From left to right I got the E05 Eyeliner (this was a freebie), E55 Eye Shading, E52 Soft Shading, F25 Tapered Face, F10 Powder/Blush, and F88 Flat Angled Kabuki. So far I'm obsessed with the F88 for applying foundation and concealer. I also love the E52 for applying a soft wash of color all over the lid. 

This was my first purchase from Makeup Geek, and I'm so excited to play around with these shadows! So far, I've just used 3 of the colors, and they are all pigmented, creamy, and easy to apply. I got the Large Z Palette for easy storage of all the single eyeshadows. The eyeshadow colors I chose were Beaches and Cream, Peach Smoothie, Creme Brûlée, Mango Tango, Simply Marlena, Unexpected, Prom Night, Wisteria, and Drama Queen. I also got two pigments in Sweet Dreams and Enchanted. These are SOOO pretty! I'm excited to use them on my next night out!

Aaaand then Sephora happened. I went to the mall planning on getting a few things but I swear I get under some sort of trance when I walk through Sephora's doors. But enough excuses. I got some really amazing products that I've been wanting! Here's a picture of everything…

I've been wanting a new high end foundation, so I was looking at a few in the store. I really wanted the Marc Jacobs Gel Foundation, but the store was out of the color I needed. I went with the Benefit Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation in the shade "I'm Pure 4 Sure" Ivory. I also wanted a new pressed powder because my Bare Minerals powder is broken and almost gone. I'm excited to try out the Laura Mercier Mineral Pressed Powder in the shade Tender Rose.

Yay for new lippies!! I feel a little late in the game with this first one, which is Buxom's Full On Lip Cream in White Russian. It's such a beautiful natural pink/nude shade, that will go great over lip sticks or on its own. It has a lip plumping effect, so beware if you don't like tingly lip glosses. The second one is the Urban Decay Naked Ultra Nourishing Lip Gloss in the color Streak. It's a beautiful orange, coral color that will be so perfect for Spring! Orange lips are very on trend for Spring, so this will be my toned down version of the trend.

This is probably what I'm most excited about using. These pictures don't even come close to doing justice to the gorgeousness of these colors. This is Sephora's Color of the Year line "Rush Luster Cheek Sweep". It has two blushes in Bridal Rose (a pink rose with shimmer) and Radiant Orchid. The middle shade is a highlight color called Spanish Villa. I am dying to use this ASAP!!

I had to grab some of the new Clinique Cheek Pop Blushes. I chose Peach Pop and Plum Pop, which will both be so beautiful for Spring and Summer (if it ever comes!!).

Lucky me- I made it to my 500 point perk and got the Fresh Best Seller's kit. It includes the Soy Face Cleanser, Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream, and Seaberry Moisturizing Face Oil. Now I just want to go wash my face :)

I also picked up Purity facial cleansing cloths, Soap & Glory "The Righteous Butter" body moisturizer, and the Glam Glow YouthMud Treatment. I got the mini version because I want to make sure I love it before I spend my life savings on the big one!

Do you guys want to see a Toss it or Try it on any of these products??? Let me know! I hope you all have a wonderful week!

XOXO,

Meredith

Toss It or Try It: Maybelline Dream Fresh BB

Happy Tuesday!

I hope you guys enjoyed reading my first 'Toss it or Try it' post this weekend! You may have seen my Target haul from a weeks ago, and I promised I would review one of the products in that haul. So my second 'Toss it or Try it' is on the Maybelline Dream Fresh BB that I bought in that Haul. 

I was in need of a new BB cream to use on days when I just needed some moisture and light coverage. I also wanted one that wasn't super pricey, so looked around Target. There weren't many BB creams in the drugstore, but I was buying a few other Maybelline products, so I went with this one.

What it promises to do: 8 skin benefits in one product: blurs imperfections, brightens, evens skin-tone, smoothes, hydrates, enhances, protects with SPF 30, 0% oils and heavy ingredients

My thoughts: So I know this is only a BB cream, and it's not supposed to give you the same coverage as a foundation. BUT…when I pour out a BB cream or tinted moisturizer I don't expect to see separated ingredients and what looks like straight oil. I promise it shook the bottle super good before I used it, but I was definitely disappointed in the consistency! The first time I used it I felt so greasy and there was absolutely no coverage, so I had to wipe it off and start my makeup over. The only way I've been able to use it has been mixing it with a thicker foundation to just make a more light-weight foundation. Thankfully this was an inexpensive product because I was definitely disappointed. :(

Toss it or Try it??: TOSS IT!! I would not recommend this if you're looking for a good BB cream. If you're looking for a recommendation, I like the Smashbox Camera Ready BB cream.

I hope you all have a great week! Let me know what you guys want to hear about next!

XOXO,

Meredith

Toss It or Try It: Clinique Superprimer

Welcome to my first Toss It or Try It!

This is my new series to share my thoughts on products I try. The first product I want to review is Clinique's Superprimer Face Primer-Universal Face Primer. 

The Superprimer line also includes primers for specific discoloration issues like redness, dullness, sallowness, and discoloration. I went with the universal primer because I don't have any major discoloration issues. 

What is promises to do: A color correcting primer that preps the face for makeup application and wear. This lightweight, oil-free primer helps create a smooth, even canvas for foundation. It color corrects for a range of complexion concerns, so makeup glides on evenly and stays true. 

My thoughts: You only need a tiny bit of product to apply all over your face, and it glides on the skin very smoothly. It doesn't feel greasy or heavy on the face, which I love. I also think it creates a nice, smooth base to apply foundation. I don't usually think primers make my makeup last longer, but this one really does! I use the primer before my foundation and Urban Decay's All Nighter makeup setting spray after I apply the rest of my makeup, and I really think it makes a huge difference. I haven't noticed any change in my skin coloration, but like I said before, I don't have any major issues with discoloration. Overall, this is a great primer to improve the wear of your makeup. 

Toss it or Try it??: Drum roll please…..TRY IT!! This product is definitely worth a try :)

Have you tried Clinique's Superprimer? Let me know how you like it, or what your favorite primer is!

XOXO,

Meredith

Birchbox vs. Ipsy March Face Off!

Hi Lovelies!

Ok I can't believe how long it's been since I've posted. I'm crazy busy right now with work and wedding planning! I've been wanting to do a post like this for a few months, and I just got my Birchbox and Ipsy deliveries yesterday, so here we go! It's the Birchbox and Ipsy March delivery face off! 

If you don't know what Birchbox and Ipsy are, they are monthly subscription services that send you samples of beauty products each month. They both cost $10 a month and send about 4-5 products per month. There are definitely pros and cons to both companies. I usually get larger products from Ipsy and more prestigious name brands from Birchbox. Check out the pictures and lists of everything I got this month below!

Birchbox

Jergens BB Body Perfecting Skin Cream, Air Repair Rescue Balm, Grand Central Beauty S.M.A.R.T. Skin Perfecting Serum + Primer, Stila Lip Glaze in 'Cupcake', and Keims Hair Care Peppermint & Macadamia Shampoo

Ipsy

Bare Minerals Marvelous Moxie Lipstick in 'Get Ready', Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer, NYX Love in Rio Eyeshadow Trio, Chella Eyeliner Pen in 'Indigo Blue'

I was really happy with both of by deliveries this month. I was pleasantly surprised with the size of the products in my Birchbox this month because I've noticed in the past that lotions and hair products tend to only last 2 or 3 times, but this month they are much bigger! I'm also really excited to try the Stila Lip Glaze. I think it will be a really pretty, sheer color for spring! This month wasn't my favorite Ipsy delivery, but I'm really excited to try the Bare Minerals lipstick and the NYX eyeshadows.

Overall, my winner for the month is….BIRCHBOX!!

Thanks for reading, and let me know if you want to see more face offs in the future!

XOXO,

Meredith