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 Year’s 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 🐷
The Ipsy Glam Bag is around $11 a month and you get 5-6 deluxe sample sized makeup and beauty products.
Elaina Badro Blending Brush
The brush is very soft and doesn’t shed. It’s a nice addicting to my collection of too many eyeshadow bruhes.
Rose + Quartz Hair Mask
This seems like it will be a really good hair mask. It’s vegan, gluten free, and cruelty free. I am excited to give it a try once I finish my current hair mask.
IBY Sunkissed Glow Highlighter “Maldives”
This is a pretty highlighter. I don’t mind that it’s travel sized because highlighters are hard to get through. Maldives is a great color for me and I think I’ll get a lot of use out of it.
Tarte Ultra Creamy Shape Tape Concealer “Light Sand”
This is the item I picked out. I’m very excited to try it. It’s something I have wanted to give a try for a while now, this travel size will be perfect.
Purlisse Ageless Glow Serum BB Cream “light”
I am always up to trying a new BB cream. I have another Bb Cream from Purlisse that I really like, so I have high hopes for ageless glow.
My classes got cancelled today so I decided to do a full face of Honest Beauty! Well, an almost full face.
Everything Primer Matte $22.99
I started with the Honest Beauty Everything Primer in Matte. I use this primer all the time. It’s a lotiony texture and leaves my skin feeling hydrated, but not looking greasy.
The Everything Cream Foundation in Snow $21.99
This is a foundation I have raved about before and still love it. It can be used with out a concealer because it builds up so easily without looking cakey.
Snow is the perfect match for my light skin and I will continue to use and love it.
Get it Together Eyeshadow Palette $22.99
I have used this palette a few times and it isn’t the best I’ve ever used, but it also isn’t the worst.
None of the shades are particularly creamy and the pigmentation is okay. They do look very pretty on the eyes. I used the first three shades and the cream shade to do more of a romantic look today
Dusk Reflection Illuminizing Glow Powder $19.99
Dusk Reflection is the darker shade and I use it as bronzer. I love this stuff. I use it all the time. It sinks into the skin so well and doesn’t look like too much.
Midnight Reflection Illuminizing Glow Powder $19.99
This is the lighter shade. It’s a great highlight! Not over the top, not to shimmery. It just looks like the light is hitting your face perfectly.
Cremé Cheek Blush in Rose Pink $12.99
I use this blush all the time. It sinks nicely into the skin and I love that it makes me look slightly sunburnt even though I never go outside.
It is a beautiful rosey color and works well on my skin tone.
Lip Crayon in Sheer Rose $12.99
I tend to reach for this lip crayon on no makeup days. It’s comfortable and gives your lips and really nice kiss of color!
I really love how this look turned out! I highly recommend checking out everything! Maybe not the eyeshadow palette, but it does create pretty looks.
What’s your favorite Honest Beauty product?
Thank you for reading 🎃
Find me on IG Manda.janette
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BoxyCharm Premium is $35 a month. You receive 5-6 full sized beauty products.
Sunday Riley A+ Retinoid Serum $85
I’m going to be honest. I have no idea what this stuff is supposed to do. I am going to do some research before using it. It is fun to get such an expensive skincare product though.
Dermelect XL Lash Volumizer $49
Lash serums never work for me, but my mom loves them. This will be going to her.
Fenty 150 Portable Contour and Concealer Brush $24
This is going to be great to just toss in my bag. I think I am going to use it to touch up around my nose and under my eyes through out the day.
Milk Long Wear Gel Eyeliner “Biz” $22
I think this is the first time I’ve gotten a liner that isn’t black! It’s a navy blue. I actually really like blue eye looks, so this will come in handy.
Ciaté London The Editor Palette $32
The color story of this palette is really pretty. There are some beautiful jewel tones. I will be doing a separate post on this palette, so keep your eye out for that!
MAC Lipstick “Dubonnet “ $17.99
The dark red shade of this lipstick is beautiful. However, MAC is not cruelty free, so I will be passing this along.
That is it for my Boxy Premium. It isn’t the best one yet, but it isn’t horrible either. My box came to a total of $229.99. Not a bad value!
What was in your BoxyCharm this month? Comment below!
Thank you for reading 💫
Welcome to the next leg of my foundation journey! Today, we are going to talk about The Honest Beauty Everything Cream Foundation $21.99
When I was younger, I solely used the Avon cream foundation compact, and I did enjoy it. So I figured, why not try a more natural version!
Information straight from the Honest Beauty Site:
“Our Everything Foundation Cream really is everything a girl could ask for in a foundation (and ask we did). It’s creamy demi-matte formula means the only shine you’re seeing is the lit-from-within, winning personality kind and its flexible medium-to-full coverage goes on smooth every time. Infused with jojoba oil that acts a whole lot like your skin already, it doesn’t just offer buildable coverage and a seamless finish but also helps keep your skin’s natural moisture barrier in balance”
Ingredients:
“Jojoba Oil: rich in fatty acids and chemically similar to human sebum, helps to balance skin’s moisture barrier
Caprylic/Capric Triglyceride, Mica, Castor Isostearate Beeswax Succinate, Dicaprylyl Carbonate, Isopropyl Palmitate, Hydrogenated Castor Oil, Simmondsia Chinensis (Jojoba) Seed Oil, Silica, Lauroyl Lysine, Glyceryl Behenate, Copernicia Cerifera (Carnauba) Wax, Citrus Limon (Lemon) Peel Oil, Tocopherol, Lavandula Angustifolia (Lavender) Oil, Glycerin, Water (Aqua), Helianthus Annuus (Sunflower) Seed Oil, Chamomilla Recutita (Matricaria) Flower Extract, Calendula Officinalis Flower Extract, Potassium Sorbate, Sodium Benzoate, Limonene, Linalool, Citral, Iron Oxides (CI 77491, CI 77492, CI 77499). May Contain: Titanium Dioxide (CI 77891).”
I know for some people silica and mica, possibly, aren’t preferred Ingredients, for hard core green beauty enthusiasts, but for me, I am not too concerned about them.
I am in the lightest shade, Snow, and I have to say, this is the best shade for my skin tone. It’s fair with warm undertones. My perfect summer shade.
Application process:
I started by priming with the Honest Beauty Everything Matte Primer $21.99 which is a primer I already love. It really helps to create a matte base, which I think really increases the longevity of this Demi matte foundation.
Here is the foundation after initial application. Definitely a medium- buildable to full cover age foundation. I have the shade Snow.
One swipe
Next is displaying to coverage with a second layer.
Definitely buildable!
Application process
I layed this foundation down with a flat foundation brush from Luxie in my T-Zone and anywhere I needed more coverage and blended from there with a beauty blender. I used two layers and was very happy with the coverage.
Here we are 6 hours later. I have to say, I am happy with the wear! There is the typical T-Zone wear, but nothing got cakey and my blemishes stayed covered very well. I did originally set it with a loose translucent powder, but did not touch it up through out the day.
For a $21.99 price tag, I am very impressed with this foundation. This has been the best foundation I have tried in ages! It last well, and and doesn’t make the skin look TOO dewy, even after 6 hours!
As of right now, I will 200% repurchase this foundation once I go through it. It’s great for light wear in the summer, and a more heavy coverage for when we don’t have to worry about makeup melting off your face.
I highly recommend trying this one out for yourself. It’s cruelty free, versatile, and wears very well!
What is your current favorite foundation? Comment below!
Thank you for reading 😌
I have been on a roll with empties the past few months! Keep reading to see my thoughts on some of the items I finished this month.
Skin and Hair Care
Acure Resurfacing Overnight Glycolic Treatment 10mL
This was a sample size I some how came to own. It is a vegan and clean formula. I have tried a few night masks now, and this one has been my favorite! RP? Yes!!!
Sunday Riley CEO Glow Face Oil $40
Serums are hard to finish, I feel accomplished! I really enjoyed this serum, and saw a great improvement in my skin over all while using it. RP? Probably, I have a few to try out before then though.
Acure Pore Clarifying Red Clay Mask
I really enjoyed this mask. I really did help to clean out my pores, and improved their size over all. RP? Yes, once I get few some of the masks in my stash.
Evolvh Ultimate Styling Lotion 59mL $16
I used this on damp hair and it was fantastic. It made my hair less frizzy and my natural waves very pretty. The smell is light and over all enjoyable. RP? Yes! But, I have a few more similar items to use first.
Bioclarity Hydrate Skin Smoothie $14.95
I received this item in PR. I enjoyed this as a day time moisturizer, but it takes to long to sink into the skin, causing my face to have a bit of a greasy feel. RP? No, I do my morning skincare then makeup. So, this just didn’t work for me.
Pacifica Rose Water Makeup Wipes $5
I did enjoy these for makeup removal. They feel soothing and did a good job as a first cleanse. RP? No, I actually found some from Pacifica I prefer.
Dr. huang Beauty Lab Tea Tree Soothing Sheet Mask $3
This mask did its job. My face felt soothed! RP? Maybe, I currently have a literal Alex drawer full of sheet masks to go through.
Makeup
Jouer Powder Highlight “Citrine” $24
This highlight was beautiful. I have never even make a dent in a highlighter before, so that should say something RP? No actually, I have a ton of highlighters and I really don’t need more.
The Grow Gal The Instatint Tinted Brow Gel w/Microfibers $22
I had these both going at the same time, and ended up panning them both this month. It works well! I had the shade 02. RP? No, I like the Milk makeup one better.
Vasanti Kajal Waterline Eyeliner “Black” $19
I did not like this in my waterline. It actually had a problem with smudging. RP? Nope.
I used up a lot this month, not including what I reviewed. I used up $281.81 worth of product! Not too shabby at all!
What is something you used up this month? Comment below!
Thank you for reading 🐰
The basic ipsy glam bag retails for $12 a month. You get 5 sample or full sized beauty products.
To start with. We have another cute bag! It’s well made and has the same cute airplane decal on the zipper. This is definitely a bag I’ll be using.
Ariul Fresh Herb Hand Cream
I’m not big on hand creams, though I have been using them more lately with the constant hand washing and sanitizing. The scent is really fresh and a bit floral. It’s smells beautiful and sinks in very well.
Skin Regimen Cleansing Cream
Next we have a nice little sample of a face wash. This cleansing cream is meant to have anti pollution properties, which is fantastic.
Naked Cosmetics Loose pigment “Naturally Nude”
I really enjoy the naked cosmetics pigments. They are all beautiful and pack a punch. I can’t wait to put this one to good use.
The Balm Will Powder Blush “Perseverance”
This blush is full of glitter, so I may end up just using it as a shadow, but we will see. The packaging says this is a clean beauty products with recyclable packaging. Which is fantastic!
Thrive Causemetics Lip Liner “Ghizlan”
The shade is a beautiful plum mauve. I really enjoy Thrive. So, I was very excited to see this in my bag.
For $12 I’m very happy with everything I got. I have sense resubscribing cancelled this version of the Glam bag, just because I am trying out different subscriptions now.
What was in your Ipsy bag? Comment below!
Thank you for reading ☀️
I was digging through my collection the other day and found this random Ulta gift with purchase palette.
I figured, hey! Let’s give it a go and see what it’s like!
It is a very cool toned palette. It has three matte and three shimmer shades. As well as a rosy pink blush with some shimmer, and a duo chrome pink highlighter.
As you can see, the swatches aren’t impressive. Besides the blush. I am enjoying that.
Hopefully you can tell in the picture, but the shimmers basically are non-existent in a swatch.
Over all thoughts
The mattes from this palette did their job well enough. But, the shimmers are non-existent.
The highlighter also, did absolutely nothing.
However, I kind of love this blush! It showed up well, and gave my skin a healthy flushed look.
This is not a palette that will stay in my collection. Honestly, I am probably going to depot the blush and trash the rest. I don’t even thing any of my sisters will want this disaster.
Do you have this GWP palette in your collection? What are your thoughts? Comment below!
Thank you for reading 🐍
Find me on IG @_notan_alien
SC @manda_janette
Back to our regularly scheduled programming.
Today, I am going to Un-box my Ipsy Ultimate for June 2020 and give y’all my thoughts.
Ipsy ultimate is $50 a month. You get a larger makeup bag, 8 full sized products, and 4 deluxe sample sized products.
My Add Ons
This month I was a day late for add ons, so a lot of the cool stuff was gone. But I did get a few things I wanted!
Hanalie Full Face Sheet Masks pineapple, pear, lychee, and papaya
These masks came in a set of two, I bought both. They address a variety of skin concerns, and I’m sure I’m going to love them.
Luxie 640 Pro Precision Tapered
I already have one of these and love it for highlight. These was either $4 or $6 add on and I just couldn’t pass it up.
First Aid Beauty Pores be Gone Matte Primer
This is something else I have already tried and loved. This was a $4 add on. Just couldn’t pass it up!
Murad Essential-C Day Moisture Broad Spectrum SPF 30
A perfect day cream for the summer, can’t be mad about that!
Biorace Pore Tightening Pearl Clay Mask
The other day I noticed how bad the pores around my nose are looking. I am definitely going to use this mask to spot mask the area around my nose and cheeks.
Sunday Riley UFO Ultra Clarifying Acne Treatment Facial Oil
I have never tired an acne treatment in an oil form, I’m excited to give it a go. I hope it works. Lord knows I need it.
H2O+ Hydration Oasis Nourishing Gel Cream
And we have another face cream. I am probably going to pass this little one on to a friend. I have one that really likes gel creams and always asks if I have any I want to pass on.
Dr.Brandt Pores no More Luminizer Primer
I have one of these primers currently in my rotation and it’s almost empty, but I love it! This was the item I picked for my box this month.
Yensa Super 8 Lip Oil “Pink Shine”
I enjoy lip oils. They feel soooo nice. I’m excited to try a new one out. I just hope the color doesn’t show up much on the lips.
This is a hair mask I have already tried and love. It works very well and smells great. I am happy to have another sample of it. I get about two uses out of this sample size.
Pixi Fresh Face Blush “Beach Rose”
The formula of this blush is really buttery and nice. It’s a rosy brown, which is a color I have been leaning to a lot lately for blush. So this is perfect!
Ciaté London Dewy Stick Highlighting Balm “Glow”
I have had one of these before from boxy charm, and I hate it. It broke me out really badly. I am going to pass this along to one of my sisters.
Wander Beauty Frame your Face Precise Brow Gel “Clear”
I wish I would have gotten this in a tint so that it could be a one and done brow product. But, whatever, I can always use a clear brow gel- I fly through them.
Tarte Tarteist Double Take Eyeliner “Black”
I have been wanting to try this liner out of curiosity, but I can never justify purchasing eyeliner, because I get so much in sub-boxes. I am happy I get to try this one out!
The Balm Auto Balm Pic Perfect
At first glance and swatch, I am not too excited about this palette. It just isn’t one I think I will use. I am going to test it on my eyes before I make a decision. However; I’m pretty sure this is another product I am going to pass on to one of my sisters.
LaRuce Brush Set
I couldn’t find this specific set online to link. The set name isn’t on the packaging and ipsys included card is useless. I wish I could have found it through! The brushes are very soft and seem very sturdy and well made.
The set includes a flat foundation, angled contoured, small kabuki, tapered blending, and shadow brushes.
That is it for my Ipsy this month! It isn’t my favorite box of all time, but I definitely will use all but like two of the products, which isn’t bad for a subscription box to be honest.
What was in your Ipsy this month? Comment or link below!
Thank you for reading 🪐
Find me on IG @_notan_alien
SC @manda_janette
From Mid- May til Mid- June I made a pretty big dent in my collection! I thought I would share some of my thoughts with you on the products that were this months highlights!
Earth Therapeutics Elixir of Dreams Pillow Mist $11.99
The packaging of this product has changed in the time it took to use up.
I love pillow sprays, I use them most nights. I really like the scent of this one. The price isn’t too bad either!
RP? Once I finish up my current one, I will be repurchasing Elixir of Dreams!
Botanics Hot Cloth Cleansing Balm $10.99
I love cleansing balms, and I have been trying to find an affordable dupe for the Farmacy Green Clean.
This balm is 97% organic, nicely priced, and readily available at Walgreens. It does work very well and has a nice light scent.
RP? No, you don’t get very much, so I went through this very fast. When you have to repurchase so much it defeats paying less. The Farmacy one comes with so much! I suppose my search continues.
Yes To Cotton Micellar Cleansing Water $7.43
I enjoy micellar waters and I’m not picky when it comes to them. I really enjoy the Yes To brand. They always seem to be on sale at Walgreens and Ulta, which is super nice!
RP? Probably! It cleanses well and actually seemed to soothe my skin.
Found Active Exfoliating Cleanser Stick with Coconut
The brand Found is sold at Walmart, however I couldn’t find this product actually for sale on their site. This product was sent to me in PR.
RP? No, I just do not like cleansing sticks, they seem really unhygienic to me.
Derma E Radiance Toner 1FLoz mini
I really enjoy the brand Derma E. They have some amazing products. This toner works very well and I did see an improvement in my skin while I was using it.
RP? Yes! But, the full-size.
Pure Heals Propolis Softening Toner 1 FLOz mini
I got this toner in an Ipsy bag. It was a nice toner, but I didn’t see much of a difference in my skin while I was using it.
RP? No, I prefer the Derma E one.
Illamasqua Hydra Veil Primer Mini $12.54 (£10)
This is another product I got in Ipsy. I do enjoy how my makeup wears over it. However, the scent is a little too strong for me.
RP? No, I have a full-size and once I use that up I think I’m done with this primer. I worry that what causes the scent is going to break me out.
Smashbox Photo Finish Smooth and Blur Primer Mini $15
I have had this since the holiday collection came out last year, maybe even the year before, and I finally got around to using it! I had had this primer previously so it’s nothing new. It works very well.
RP? Probably, but only during a sale.
This mini took me longer than I thought it would to get through. I love fix plus, I just really wish MAC was Cruelty Free.
RP? No, I have a million comparable sprays, none of which are $16 for a small size.
The infamous Tarte Shape Tape. I think a lot of people’s opinions on this product have been changing, but I for one, still love it.
RP? Yes, after I finish up a few of my current concealers, including a Shape Tape in another shade.
Ofra Cosmetics Laguna Beach Mini
If my memory serves me correct, I received this liquid lip in an Ipsy bag ages ago.
The shade is beautiful and I love the formula.
RP? Not yet. I have a few other identical shades. But, if I ever use those up, I think this is the one I would purchase again.
Over all, the past month I used up $194.67 worth of products. That is including the products I did not give an individual review of.
Not to shabby! I am happy to have made a nice little dent in my collection, but there is still a long way to go!
What is a product you used up this month? Have you tried any of these products? Comment below!
Thank you for reading 💚
Find me on IG @_notan_alien
SC @manda_janette
Beauty & Tidbits 