Hello and I miss you all!
With work, life, and school my life has been extremely busy.
However, I have missed blogging and Instagraming so much! So I made it my New Yearโs resolution to restart and revamp my blog and Instagram.
What kind of content would you like to see? Throw all your ideas in the comments!
Be on the look out for new posts from me.
Thank you ๐ท
I have had a few of these quads just sitting around. I havenโt really been playing with makeup, but this morning I was watching Tati videos and got inspired. So I thought, โ letโs do an inexpensive fall look.โ
This quad retails for only $3!!! Here ! Letโs get into swatches and the super quick and easy look.
My first comment is I wish the matte shades had one that was a bit more orange toned, but the mattes are still super pretty.
The mattes donโt swatch the best, but they do work very well. The metallics on the other hand swatch like a dream and work just as well.
I used a fluffy blending brush and used the lightest matte and went all through the crease. I used a more tapered blending brush and used the darker matte on the outer corner. On the outer portion of my lid I used the darker metallic and then the lighter one on the rest of my lid.
I am in love with the look that came out of this quad! Simple easy, so cheap and perfect for fall. Now I want every single one of the bite sized quads and no one will stop me from getting them. I feel an ELF hall coming on!!
Which bite sized quad is your favorite?
Thank you so much for reading ๐
Find me on IG Manda.janette
Find me on Snapchat manda_janette
*We all know J Star is a controversial character. We are focusing on the makeup for this post, not his antics. *
I caved a purchased a few of Jeffree’s palettes. I had been eyeing them for some time, and finally decided to just do it. But, were they all even worth purchasing? Though out different posts we are going to explore the different palettes, I thought it best to start off with his least expensive option. The Mini-Breaker Palette.
This 9 pan palette retails for $28. There are 5 mattes, one matte with some glitter in it, and 3 metallic shades.
Double Scoop: A light matte orange
Orange Crush: A matte orange with some glitter in it.
Foreplay: A matte mauvey pink
Oral: A metallic purple with a blue shift
Purple Punch: A matte blue based purple
Slice: A metallic orangey gold.
Bubble Gum: A matte Bubble Gum pink
Bite Me: A metallic true purple
Hot Fudge: A more brown based gray, matte.
Over all thoughts?
I think it is cool that Jeffree has a less expensive, less bulky option in his eyeshadow palette collection.
The mattes are very buttery and easy to blend. When applied with your fingers, the metallics really pack a punch.
You can do a variety of looks with just the nine shadows offered. I can even do more posts on this palette showing off some of the other looks that this palette inspires me to do.
I do think this palette is worth the $28, and I am happy to have it. Granted, I could get similar looks with other palettes in my collection. But, the quality of these shadows are so nice that I will be picking this one up over those.
If you have been thinking about picking up this palette, I say take the leap and do it!
What is your favorite Jeffree Star palette? Comment below!
Thank you for reading ๐
Find me on IG @_notan_alien
It has been ages since I have shared my current favorite makeup products.
Now seemed to be as good a time as ever!
Omitting two products, all of the products are in the drugstore price range, and all are cruelty free!
Hard Candy Sheer Envy Blur Primer $8 Here
Not only do I use this primer to improve the look of my pores, but I love using this primer all over my face.
It minimizes the look of my pores in my problem areas, but always helps to create a blank canvas on the rest of my face.
Kokie Be Bright Illuminating Concealer “Light” $8 Here.
I believe that I received this product in a past Ipsy bag, and I am glad I did!
The shade allows me to cover spots, and the illuminating properties also make it great for the under eye area, with out creasing!
Too Faced Peach Perfect Foundation “Snow” $36 Here
To be completely candid, I HATED this foundation at first. But, with recent medical and medicine changes, my skin has gotten more oily than it ever has been.
Now, I am in love. It lasts through out my work day and actually seems to control oil as it claims.
Well worth the $36 price tag!
I ๐ค Revolution “Rose Gold Glow” $7 Here
I was attracted to this product at first due to the packaging. It is a pink and rose gold chocolate bar! But it really is the product that gets me.
Inside the compact you have a nice mirror, the packaging is sturdy. For $7 these highlights are fantastic! They won’t blind you from space, but they are more than subtle.
On the face, both shades work with my light complexion.
I ๐ค Revolution “Bronze and Glow” $7 Here
Have I mentioned I am obsessed with bronzer lately? Because I really am.
The packaging for this product has all the perks as the “Rose Gold Glow” duo does…
But, with the benefits of a matte bronzer! The shade of this bronzer is perfect for my skin tone, and so is the highlight!
Did I mention that this particular duo also smells faintly like chocolate?
Hard Candy Plumping Serum Volumizing Lip Gloss “Pink Cadillac” $6 Here
The shade itself is a super light pink. It does not show up on my lips, but this is what I want for how I use it! On no makeup or light makeup days, I love this gloss to give my lives a little life and plumpness.
The gloss does make my lips a bit fuller, but it doesn’t make them tingle or burn like I have found other plumping glosses to. The smell is not over powering, and it isn’t as stick has I find other glosses to be!
Black Moon Liquid Lipstick “Warrior” $18 Here
The formula is long lasting and comfortable. It’s so comfortable that it’s easy to forget that you even have lipstick on!
The shade “Warrior” itself is a pretty dusty nude, that leans pink. It looks more mauve in the tube than it applies on me. But, I think the shade that it does come out as is stunning.
Colour Pop Ultra Matte Lip “Sueno De Coco” $7 Here
This liquid lip is part of the Colour Pop and I Luv Sarahii collaboration.
It is the typical Colour Pop Ultra matte formula, which I really enjoy. In fact, I really like all over the Colour Pop liquid formulas!
The shade is a ready nude and I am obsessed with it. This is probably the lip product that I have been wearing the moss recently.
Here are the products all on my face! For my lips I went with “Warrior”. And yes, that is the lighter highlight from the “Rose Gold Glow” popping in my inner corner!
Now I want to know, what are your recent Cruelty Free favorites?
Thank you for reading ๐
Find me on IG @_notan_alien
I have to say. I love Colorpop. Their formulas, packaging- everything!
To be honest, I haven’t watched much of ILuvSarahii, but the collaborations I have seen her put out just speak to me.
I bought the bundle on Colourpops website for $39, it is currently on sale for $31.20!
You can also purchase all of the products separately.
Through My Eyes 16 pan eye palette $23 currently on sale for $18.40
First and foremost, the packaging is really cute, and totally my aesthetic. It is they typical sturdy cardboard packaging.
There are a variety of shades. You can get a ton of looks out of this palette. Neutral, blue looks, red looks. It has everything you need in a palette, in my opinion anyway. I have traveled with it and it was perfect.
Row one:
Row two
Row Three
Row Four
The shades are all pigmented and buttery, true to the Colourpop formula.
I did want to show a comparison to the little ILuvSarahii x Dose of Colors palette. I think that they work great in conjugation. The Colourpop one really looks like a larger version. If you were thinking of getting the Dose of Colors palette, I would recommend skipping it for the Colourpop one. It has more options, works just as well, and is less pricey.
Lip Bundle #3 $16 on sale for $12.80 you can also get them individually for $5.20
This is ILuvSarahii’s third lip bundle with Colourpop. (I may pick up the other two.)
It contains two Ultra Matte Lips and one Ultra glossy lip.
I think Sueรฑo De Coco is my new favorite liquid lip. The CP matte liquid lip formula is great. It is long lasting and inexpensive!
The look
For my lips I used Sueรฑo De Coco and layered Glass Lip over it.
Over all:
I love this collection! I can’t stop using it. If the colors speak to you like they did me, I would pick it up while it is on sale. You will not be disappointed!
What is your favorite ColourPop palette?
Thank you for reading๐ง
Find me on IG @ _notan_alien
With it being the beginning of the new year, I feel that I am hold my Subscriptions to higher standards. I am hoping the quality of them this month will set the standard for their quality for the rest of 2019.
Let’s get into Ipsy and see what kind of year it is going to be.
Ipsy is $10 a month. You receive 5 deluxe sample-full sized beauty products or makeup. It is supposed to be geared to your likes, based on their quiz.
The bag itself
The bag is cute, reminds me of spring. It is not something I will use though, passing it on to a friend. That is no big deal tough.
So Susan Dream Maker Light Shifting Highlighting Cream “POP Star”
I have wanted to play with cream products more, so I was pleased to receive this high light.
1st Impression: Blinding! Blends out best with your fingers or a beauty blender.
Illamasqua Coloring Pencil “Honour”
This is the first Illamasqua product I have ever tried! I am actually really excited about this, which is silly because it is just a brown eye liner.
1st impression: The product is creamy and lasted a long time in my water line. I think this is my new go to liner!
Hola Neon Velvet Liquid Lipstick “DF”
I have never heard of this brand. But, it was nice to receive a full sized liquid lip. I do love trying new to me brands.
1st Impression: The color is really pretty. It last quite a while, then I decided to drink some water. Then it came off patchy. So, don’t expected it to last through drinking or eating. But, what does last through it?
Akar Mini Care Lip Butter
I feel like I have heard of this brand before. Anyway, I have been in the market for a product to repair my winter worn lips.
1st Impression: The lip butter is super creamy. My lips actually felt really nice the rest of the day. I can see myself going through this rather quickly.
Jeju:en Sheet Masks
I will be honest, when I read the names I actually laughed out loud. I’m so mature.
I haven’t tried these masks yet, but I am anxious to see how well they work. Keep yours eyes out for an empties post, they may be in there with a mini review!
Ipsy Add Ons.
I took the opportunity this month to purchase two add ons. I really enjoy this new program!
Luxie Small Contour Brush added on for $3
I have said it a million times. I LOVE Luxie brushes.
1st Impression: I used the Wet n’ Wild contour duo and it blended out seamlessly extremely quickly. Great brush from Luxie as always.
Tarte Double Duty Beaty Make Every Moment Count Cheek Palette added on for $12
What a steal!!
I love Tarte blushes, so I jumped on this as soon as I saw it.
1st Impression: I used the shade “Love”. Must I say more besides Tarte Blush? They have my favorite blush formula. Love this palette, I am so glad I added it to my bag!
Here are all the products that I tried on my face! Please ignore my too bold brows.
Over all?
I am super happy with this bag! I am really looking forward to what Ipsy has to bring for 2019.
What was in your Ipsy bag?
Thank you for reading๐ฆ
Find me on SC: @manda_janette
Find me on IG: _notan_alien
I have been so MIA lately. I have had no motivation. The Holidays are draining and I don’t particularly enjoy them.
But. I do have a review for you! Of a palette that arrived in last months Boxy Charm.
The Ace Beautฤ Grandiose Palette $24.99
I was really excited when I received this palette. It is a brand I have wanted to try and I mean, look at it….
It’s beautiful! So warm and pretty! A nice mix of mattes and metallics. All in shades I want all over my skin.
Row One
Row Two
There are 4 mattes and 4 metallic/shimmer shades. All are very pigmented and buttery.
The Look
Over all thoughts
I really love the formula, but the packaging isn’t the best, one of my pans just fell out.
But that is an easy fix.
If I could buy this in a store I probably wouldn’t mind the price tag. But to be honest, I don’t trust online shopping and knowing one of my pans fell out of a lightly used palette- it makes me worry.
I would love to try more from the brand, but I can get the same look with ColourPop shades- and their small palettes are like $12 and just as nice.
Have you tried Ace Beatuฤ? What pallets should I get from them if I try another?
Thank you for reading!
Find me on IG and SC @manda_janette
On reddit u/mrsmandareedus
I wasn’t going to fall prey to the appeal of this collection, then I saw it in store and here we are.
I picked up two items from the Friendcation collection. The eyeshadow palette $55 and the highlighter in Fuego $28.
I thought about picking up their new liquid velvet lip formula. But why change a good thing? I LOVE their original liquid lip formula. I ended up getting one of the shades on their regular line “Supernatural” $18.
I don’t watch Desi or Katy, no real reason why. But, I do love Dose of Colors, they are a fantastic cruelty free brand with beautiful products.
I do have to say, the packaging for this line is very pretty. It’s gold an elegant and seems very sturdy. It also isn’t bulky, which is great. I hate bulky packaging.
I really enjoy that the lids do have magnetic closet.
The Eyeshadows
There are ten shadows 5 mattes and 5 metallic finishes.
Row one:
Row 2
The Look
The Highlighter “Fuego”
I decided to pick up Fuego because I had heard Jkissa raving about it. She said it doesn’t apply as dark as it looks like it would. I figured from this that it may work on my light skin tone.
At this point I was not too confident.
I do think it applied nicely. It is very smooth and pigmented.
When applied and blended out I do this it looks rather nice and I have been reaching for it frequently!
Over All – The Palette
I think the palette is beautiful. All the mattes are fantastic and i really like Dirty Money and Game Over as far as Metallics go. I do not like the other three metallics much, I just don’t like that chunky glitter texture where the shadows seem almost flaky.
So, would I purchase this again? No. Am I glad I have it? Yes! I will still be able to get a ton of great looks, but for $55 I want to love every shade, not just most of them.
Over All- The Highlight
I love it.
I have nothing but good things to say. It is buttery, pigmented, and easy to apply and blend out. It works great as an inner corner and brow bone highlight also.
I am very glad that I picked this up!
What is your favorite Dose of Colors product?
Thank you for reading ๐
Find me on IG and SC @manda_janette
The more I watch main stream brands come out with more releases, the more redundant everything seems. Which has propelled my journey into Cruelty Free Indie Beauty brands.
I have made posts about indie brands in the past, but I am going to be exploring more!
To start we are going to talk about Makeup Slayve. I purchased their new Autumn Equinox palette and their highlighter pan in Snow Queen.
Autumn Equinox $35
The packaging is very cute and compact. Instead of a mirror there is a a quote that reads,
” Take time to watch the leaves turn.”
I quite like that.
The shade names are on the back of the palette.
This palette contains 6 matte and 3 shimmer shades.
The matters are literally the MOST buttery mattes I have ever felt in my life!
The shimmers, unfortunately are pretty basic- nothing to write home about.
Starting from the wrist back
The matte shades are spectacular, I don’t think I have better matter shadows than these.
The shimmers, as I said, are pretty basic.
There is a ton of powder kick up, but that’s because they are not pressed as hard as most shadows.
The Look
I repeated these steps on the lower lash line.
I popped “Ugg Boots” in my inner Corner.
For my High Light I used Snow Queen
It is a really pretty stark white highlight. It is not pressed hard and it really packs a punch!
It is also only $10!
Over all
I am buying more of their shadows, particularly the mattes. I just can’t get over how awesome they are!
I also plan on ordering more of their highlights. I also want to try their blushes.
You can purchase their products Here.
What is your favorite Indie Brand?
Thank you for reading๐
Find me on IG and SC @manda_janette
Do fall allergies just destroy anyone else? All the stuff in the air here in Missouri just ruins me. I apologize for how TERRIBLE i look in these pictures a head of time.
I purchased the Tarte Shape Tape foundation while it was on sale for $23 at Ulta. Which is the only reason I bought it. I love the concealer, but didn’t really have interest in the foundation- until the stupid sale. Always gets me.
It usually retails for $39 at Ulta.
I wasn’t even going to review the foundation. Then I forgot to put primer on the other day and figured why not? So I have tried it with and with out primer and setting it. You have actually already seen it in most of my recent pictures with primer. ( Look at the most recent selfie on my Instagram @manda_janette)
7:19 AM
I like the doe foot applicators on foundation. It isn’t hygienic, but I’m lazy. I like buffing it in with a brush or with a beauty blinder- either way works. As I said I forgot a primer, I did sent my under eyes though. Nothing else.
It is super easy to apply and I find that porcelain is a great match for me. I am pretty fair.
I also want to mention that I have combination, scared up blemish prone skin. This foundation has pretty decent coverage.
11:44 AM
I apologize for the picture quality, I was in my office.
Not much break down besides under my eyes. It’s normal for break down under my eyes. My nose and chin aren’t looking too shabby. Coverage is still good. Impressed so far.
3:13 PM
I apologize for what you just had to see!
As you can see, everything, including my Liquid Cat Suit liquid lip, is broken down.
My nose, eyes and for head have really deteriorated. The sides of my face aren’t looking too good either.
Please ignore my watery eyes and hives, like I said, ALLERGIES.
Thoughts w/o primer and setting:
It held up for a good four or five hours. I was surprised it held up that long. Never again will I got with out primer and setting though. I just don’t like doing that. Yes foundations break down, but the way this one hardcore broke down around 7-8 hours, just not happy with that.
W/ Primer and Setting:
I didn’t want to like this foundation, but I do. A lot.
I have it on in the above pictures and it looks great, and it stayed that way the entire night out.
It is easy to apply, doesn’t feel heavy, and wears very well ( with primer and being set) for a hydrating foundation.
Will I repurchase? If it is on sale yes. Full price, no. I have too many inexpensive foundations that I enjoy just as much.
๐๐๐๐ out of five pumpkins. Lost a pumpkin for the shade range that they threw at the world and the fact that it is nearly $40..but there are drugstore foundations I like just as much.
Have you tried this foundation? What are your thoughts?
Thank you for reading ๐
Find me on IG and SC @manda_janette
Beauty & Tidbits 