September/October Loves (Blogtober)

I hadn’t had a chance to do monthly favorites and due to being a mom, an ootd is not going up today. Sorry cupcakes! I promise this won’t be a regular occurrence. Anyhoo, I comprised a visual list of things that I am loving in September into this month. I bought yet another pair of feather heel sandals (from Missguided), a statement necklace and some makeup and beauty products I’m loving for this fall. I’ve made some redecorating efforts and am in love with gold spray paint lol. I will be shopping my closet this month (saving efforts) and I will be sharing things I have gone back to using. I have a series coming called “OOTD Shopping My Closet” where some of my loved pieces will be debuted to you guys to make up fabulous outfits. Stay tuned for Wednesday for another ootd. In the meantime, check out the pics below! Ciao cupcakes! 💋

 

Beauty Mondays: 90's Makeup (Fall 2015)

Warning: Long Post and plenty of pictures.

Is it obvious yet that I am ready for fall? Lol. Well, I just love the vampy fall colors in makeup and clothing that go with the season. I hate that winter follows, so that’s the only part I don’t like about Autumn. I was actually wearing makeup in the 90’s so I know first hand what he makeup looked like. There were browns, muted oranges, brick and burnt reds, dark lip liners, thick natural non-uniformed brows, and natural blush colors. I made some recent purchases that I would like to share as well as some oldies that I already had in my arsenal that go with the fall 90’s theme.

First up is nail polish. Essie’s new Leggy Collection has two colors that I swooned over at first sight. “With the Band” is a burnt but cool toned, sort of brick red that looks great against any skin tone and color in my opinion. It is the epitome of the 90’s. The other color by Essie I love is “In the Lobby”. This color is dark, vampy and bold. It boasts the look of a red based plum that reminds me of nail colors worn all the time two decades ago. The formula goes on really smooth and pigmented which I appreciate because even if you’re not professional, you can get that spa treatment look on your nails. Check out the pics below!

With The Band
With The Band
In the Lobby
In the Lobby

Still talking nail polishes, I have three polishes by Julep, two lacquers by Floss Gloss and one more by Revlon that fit right into my faves for the upcoming season. The Julep colors are: Sharna, Lindsay and Coco. All three are lovely and some of my fave colors. Sharna shines as a shabby golden bronze. The Floss Gloss colors are: “Gangsta Boo” (red) and “Blood Suede & Tears” (reddish burnt brown). These colors go on rather thin and can appear streaky if you are not great at polishing nails. Just sayin. The colors are absolutely 90’s and gorg!! THE perfect red! Lastly, Revlon has a color “Velvet Rope” that screams old school. I don’t know why but this color reminds me of Halle Berry circa 1994. These polishes are some some of my oldies but goodies. Check out all the pic below!

Sharna
Sharna
Lindsay
Lindsay
Coco
(left) Gangsta Boo & Blood, Suede and Tears
(left) Gangsta Boo & Blood, Suede and Tears
Velvet Rope
Velvet Rope

Next is makeup! My favorite part! I have some lipsticks, a blush, a bronzing highlighter and a lip cream that I am showcasing. I absolutely can’t wait til Autumn so I can start rocking these beauties. Before I get into color, I actually grabbed MAC’s Fix + spray as I LOVE it so much! I’ve tried other sprays low and higher end and I always go back to my Fix +. It blends my makeup so well and will be another staple this upcoming season. The blush I’m loving for the upcoming season is MAC’s Ambering Rose. The bronzing highlighter in Glistening Sun  (by Maybelline Dream Mousse) has a similar effect. It offers a natural highlight without the intensity and extreme glitters of other highlighters. It totally reminds of a glorious sunset in the container and the glow of one when applied to the face. It’s warm orangey tone and small flacks of shimmer brighter the face naturally as it adds a sheen. The lip cream is obviously by Nyx and the color is London. I think that it is the perfect nude for fall. It’s warm and has a pink and peach undertone that won’t wash out the skin. For lipsticks, I chose all MAC lipsticks (not on purpose) but they all remind me of colors I wore in the 90s. All except two colors are limited edition but you can find dupes for the limited edition colors. Check out the pics below and let me know what beauty products you are planning to use this fall!

 

 

Ambering Rose
Ambering Rose

 

Glistening Sun
Glistening Sun
London

 

Fresh Moroccan
Fresh Moroccan
Smoked Purple
Smoked Purple
Deepest Wish
Deepest Wish
Talk that Talk
Talk that Talk
Fixed On Drama
Fixed On Drama

 

Review: Influenster "I Do" Vox Box

(Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary for testing and review but my very honest and detailed opinions are expressed).

Warning: Long Post…

If you take a peek around my blog, you will see that I am apart of the Influenster network. I had another blog years ago, (before blogs were popular) and I reviewed some things from Influenster. Being that I will be in a wedding next month, I was sent the “I Do” Vox Box for review. I received this box before last weekend but I wanted some time to test the products out so I can be 100% truthful. Not everyone has “money to blow” (in my Lil Wayne voice). That being said, I’ve tried almost all of the products in this box and I must say that I love everything in this box that I’ve tried. This box is great for anyone in an upcoming wedding including any bride-to-be. Check out what I think about the products below the pictures. I absolutely love trying these boxes and sharing my point of view. Tell me if you’ve tried any similar products and if you like them or trashed them!

Sahale Snacks Company makes these cashews, packaged in individual snack sizes. That makes these perfect for on the go snacking, especially if you are aspiring to live a healthy lifestyle. They have seven flavors of these snacks. I received the Pomegranate & Vanilla Cashews to test. I have to say that I was surprised at how good these were. They are guilt free and taste so unique to other flavored nuts on the market. I gave some to my hubby to try and he loved them too!! If you are a busy bride (or a part of the bridal party) or just a healthy eater and are looking for a treat, this is worth a try. I will definitely be purchasing some on my own. The flavor is light without overwhelming the cashews. I ate the whole snack pack lol. I give this product two thumbs up!

At first sight, I thought I was supposed to add this to water. Reading is fundamental lol. More on this product below…

This pain relief “powder” is made by UrgentRx. It has the consistency of finely ground sugar but a tad more powdery. Not too much powder that can cause you to choke. The packaging is very flat and fits in the palm of your hand perfectly for discreet use. You don’t need water, just pour it into your mouth. Because of the already ready-to-dissolve formula, it works a bit faster than traditional asprin. I used it for muscle pain. I recommend this for those times of the month when cramps show up. There is caffeine in this pain reliever, another ingredient commonly used in popular pain medication for women (during that time of the month). I would recommend this however, I would use caution if you have childen in the household. I won’t say this tastes great but it has a lemon lime flavor that is sweet which is what children will be drawn to. By the way, you can taste the medicine. I still give this two thumbs up!

I have horrible issues with dry skin on my hands and hang nails (peeling skin around the nail) so I was all too happy to try the next product. Here my skin looks hydrated. By the way, I have a serious tan this year that I love. Anyway, read below the next picture for more information.

This stuff is amazing!! This is one of my favorite products in the box. I have hang nails and they hurt…badly. This cream not only moisturized my skin but my hang nails were relieved of pain as a result. Even after one hand washing, my hands remained moisturized. It lives up to its claims of relieving chapped skin. A little goes a long way. The cost is $3.99 for 2 ounces and although that may not seem like enough product, you can use this and not have to buy another for about three months (educated guess). The texture is creamy but it has the slight consistency of a typical mattifying gel. This definitely gets two thumbs up!

This foundation is by a brand of foundation that I’ve never tried, Covergirl. It is the Covergirl Outlast Stay Luminous Foundation. It claims to provide luminosity and to be moisturizing to the skin. The color is what I would use in the winter months and since I have a serious tan, this color was a bit too light. I am a NC50 (MAC Cosmetics foundation reference) in the summer. The pictures for some reason show my skin a lot darker so I apologize if my complexion doesn’t look consistent with NC50. I don’t want to confuse anyone who might use these pictures as a reference for foundation color. I tested the product on my arm instead of my face. I do agree that this foundation is moisturizing. The consistency is just right for a medium coverage foundation, not too thick but not runny. The pump allows for very controlled usage and “locks” to prevent mishaps. The foundation goes on smoothly but takes a little work to blend into the skin. I used my fingers. I suggest using a Beauty Blender for use of this foundation for better application. The coverage is light to medium. As far as luminous, I see very small flecks of highlight but I will have to apply this foundation in the winter when my tan has faded to see if I notice luminosity of my skin. This foundation lasted on my arm for about 5 hours on my arm. I would venture to say you could get at least 6 hours of wear out of this foundation. I used no primer or setting powder. The finish is satin. At $11.30 a bottle, it may seem pricey but check your large value chain superstore for a cheaper price. It’s worth a shot. I’m undecided on this product. I will update this post in a few months.

The consistency is not too thick but not thin.

Let me list all the positives: gluten free, kosher, tons of fiber and protein. All reasons why I would definitely purchase this nutrition bar. It honestly tastes too good to be true. It reminds me of a rice crispy treat without the marshmallow (instead some other yummy substance) but covered in chocolate. This was my dessert. Great for those gluten intolerant/with Celiac Disease and those on the go! These are sold at Target. Two thumbs up!

Covergirl Outlast Lipstick in “Phantom Pink”

This lipstick is very moisturizing, almost like a balm. It goes on a little bit patcy but provides bold color. I would have to pair this color with a brown lip liner for personalization. My only gripe: this lipstick seems to slide off the lips. I would say it works for the wedding and pictures but after eating and drinking you’ll definitely be re-applying, maybe two or three times. Since it’s not a matte formula, this is to be expected. The smell will be all so appetizing to hubby-to-be. This lipstick smells like Starburst candy! One and a half thumbs up!

Nanoblur face moisturizer is the only product that I have not tried. I will be updating this post by Friday with my opinion.

Review: Influenster "I Do" Vox Box

(Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary for testing and review but my very honest and detailed opinions are expressed).

Warning: Long Post…

If you take a peek around my blog, you will see that I am apart of the Influenster network. I had another blog years ago, (before blogs were popular) and I reviewed some things from Influenster. Being that I will be in a wedding next month, I was sent the “I Do” Vox Box for review. I received this box before last weekend but I wanted some time to test the products out so I can be 100% truthful. Not everyone has “money to blow” (in my Lil Wayne voice). That being said, I’ve tried almost all of the products in this box and I must say that I love everything in this box that I’ve tried. This box is great for anyone in an upcoming wedding including any bride-to-be. Check out what I think about the products below the pictures. I absolutely love trying these boxes and sharing my point of view. Tell me if you’ve tried any similar products and if you like them or trashed them!

Sahale Snacks Company makes these cashews, packaged in individual snack sizes. That makes these perfect for on the go snacking, especially if you are aspiring to live a healthy lifestyle. They have seven flavors of these snacks. I received the Pomegranate & Vanilla Cashews to test. I have to say that I was surprised at how good these were. They are guilt free and taste so unique to other flavored nuts on the market. I gave some to my hubby to try and he loved them too!! If you are a busy bride (or a part of the bridal party) or just a healthy eater and are looking for a treat, this is worth a try. I will definitely be purchasing some on my own. The flavor is light without overwhelming the cashews. I ate the whole snack pack lol. I give this product two thumbs up!

At first sight, I thought I was supposed to add this to water. Reading is fundamental lol. More on this product below…

This pain relief “powder” is made by UrgentRx. It has the consistency of finely ground sugar but a tad more powdery. Not too much powder that can cause you to choke. The packaging is very flat and fits in the palm of your hand perfectly for discreet use. You don’t need water, just pour it into your mouth. Because of the already ready-to-dissolve formula, it works a bit faster than traditional asprin. I used it for muscle pain. I recommend this for those times of the month when cramps show up. There is caffeine in this pain reliever, another ingredient commonly used in popular pain medication for women (during that time of the month). I would recommend this however, I would use caution if you have childen in the household. I won’t say this tastes great but it has a lemon lime flavor that is sweet which is what children will be drawn to. By the way, you can taste the medicine. I still give this two thumbs up!

I have horrible issues with dry skin on my hands and hang nails (peeling skin around the nail) so I was all too happy to try the next product. Here my skin looks hydrated. By the way, I have a serious tan this year that I love. Anyway, read below the next picture for more information.

This stuff is amazing!! This is one of my favorite products in the box. I have hang nails and they hurt…badly. This cream not only moisturized my skin but my hang nails were relieved of pain as a result. Even after one hand washing, my hands remained moisturized. It lives up to its claims of relieving chapped skin. A little goes a long way. The cost is $3.99 for 2 ounces and although that may not seem like enough product, you can use this and not have to buy another for about three months (educated guess). The texture is creamy but it has the slight consistency of a typical mattifying gel. This definitely gets two thumbs up!

This foundation is by a brand of foundation that I’ve never tried, Covergirl. It is the Covergirl Outlast Stay Luminous Foundation. It claims to provide luminosity and to be moisturizing to the skin. The color is what I would use in the winter months and since I have a serious tan, this color was a bit too light. I am a NC50 (MAC Cosmetics foundation reference) in the summer. The pictures for some reason show my skin a lot darker so I apologize if my complexion doesn’t look consistent with NC50. I don’t want to confuse anyone who might use these pictures as a reference for foundation color. I tested the product on my arm instead of my face. I do agree that this foundation is moisturizing. The consistency is just right for a medium coverage foundation, not too thick but not runny. The pump allows for very controlled usage and “locks” to prevent mishaps. The foundation goes on smoothly but takes a little work to blend into the skin. I used my fingers. I suggest using a Beauty Blender for use of this foundation for better application. The coverage is light to medium. As far as luminous, I see very small flecks of highlight but I will have to apply this foundation in the winter when my tan has faded to see if I notice luminosity of my skin. This foundation lasted on my arm for about 5 hours on my arm. I would venture to say you could get at least 6 hours of wear out of this foundation. I used no primer or setting powder. The finish is satin. At $11.30 a bottle, it may seem pricey but check your large value chain superstore for a cheaper price. It’s worth a shot. I’m undecided on this product. I will update this post in a few months.

The consistency is not too thick but not thin.

Let me list all the positives: gluten free, kosher, tons of fiber and protein. All reasons why I would definitely purchase this nutrition bar. It honestly tastes too good to be true. It reminds me of a rice crispy treat without the marshmallow (instead some other yummy substance) but covered in chocolate. This was my dessert. Great for those gluten intolerant/with Celiac Disease and those on the go! These are sold at Target. Two thumbs up!

Covergirl Outlast Lipstick in “Phantom Pink”

This lipstick is very moisturizing, almost like a balm. It goes on a little bit patcy but provides bold color. I would have to pair this color with a brown lip liner for personalization. My only gripe: this lipstick seems to slide off the lips. I would say it works for the wedding and pictures but after eating and drinking you’ll definitely be re-applying, maybe two or three times. Since it’s not a matte formula, this is to be expected. The smell will be all so appetizing to hubby-to-be. This lipstick smells like Starburst candy! One and a half thumbs up!

Nanoblur face moisturizer is the only product that I have not tried. I will be updating this post by Friday with my opinion.

ColourPop Lippie Stix (BG Review)

For so long, the best lippies were purchased from MAC Cosmetics, NARS, Revlon, Fashion Fair and the list goes on. As of recent, more cosmetic companies have popped up and introduced the world to new flavors sort to speak. I am a lippies junkie so when I hear of a new product that can decorate my lips, I’m excited to try it. My recent fancy is by ColourPop. They have an array of products ranging from shadows/pigments, blush/bronzers and lipsticks. I ran (figuratively) straight to the lipstick section. I purchased four colors and you can see the lip swatches below. The colors applied fairly evenly and were easy to take off. They also smear pretty easily. After about an hour, I had to reapply because I had been eating and drinking. For five bucks, I’m honestly not complaining. Drug store lipstick cost more. Would I purchase again? Absolutely! Side note, the shipping may require some patience IMO. I purchased these on May 9th and received them May 20th. I was hoping they would use USPS Priority Shipping with the 5 bucks that I paid but I digress. Tell me what you think. Have you tried these? I will be waiting on the liquid lipsticks that were released on Thursday..that I also couldn’t get my hands on!

IMG_1599IMG_1584IMG_1605IMG_1565

Blogging In Detroit: The Lip Bar Event

If you are from Detroit you know there were a ton of popping events going on this weekend. One of the best happens to be The Lip Bar launching at none of other than Thrift On The Ave (located on Cass Ave). I am too excited that I was able to attend. The event was AWESOME!! If you don’t know about The Lip Bar, let me give you a brief overview. The Lip Bar was created by a woman by the name of Melissa. She comes from a background of the corporate world where cosmetic creativity is stifled…among other things. Anyhoo, she thought that women should be able to create lipsticks they love without compromising color, quality or individuality. This company has been featured on the hit show Shark Tank. The Lip Bar travels by a mobile truck to accommodate clientele. To learn more about The Lip Bar, check them out on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram…all under the name @thelipbar (except for Facebook which will exclude the @). You can also get the ultimate experience at the company’s website: www.thelipbar.com. So now that you have been introduced to the company by a friend (me lol), let me describe my experience.

Thrift On The Ave was an absolutely a gorgeous place to not only shop but also to host this event. As guests, we enjoyed champagne, as well as the fine opportunity to get The Lip Bar experience through information and demonstrations. Lastly, we all got to network with other ambitious and driven, fabulous women. YouTube guru Chanda was there looking stunning and is just as beautiful on the inside. Side note: Thrift On The Ave definitely gave me an invitation to go back and shop because their clothes were calling my name honey!! Lol. I digress. Check out my pics below and definitely follow me on Instagram so you can see more candid pics and let me know what you think below. Be sure to check out The Lip Bar online as well as Thrift On The Ave the next time you are in Detroit!

My review on the lipstick:

I tried on the lipstick Sweet Shiraz and I loved the color so much that I bought it. The formula is between the Retro Matte of Ruby Woo by MAC and a “regular” Matte MAC lipstick.* The color is full on and wears for hours. I wore mine for about six hours and it stayed put regardless of my eating and drinking. The packaging is absolutely gorgeous and unique. The price point is $18.00/lipstick and you get 3.5 grams.* That’s about 0.5 more product than a regular MAC lipstick. All in all, I am very happy with my purchase and will make another in the future.

*MAC mentioned for reference, not comparison*

Lime Crime Haul and Review

Happy weekend lovely people!!

I am so happy that I am able to do this blog post because I have been wanting the products that I will be talking about for a very long time. I am talking about my two lip items from Lime Crime makeup. I have been in LOVE with neutral colors lately. That being said, I bought a lipstick in the color “Coquette” and a Velvetine in the color “Cashmere”. Both of the colors are beyond gorgeous and beyond my expectation. “Coquette” is very creamy and has a pale orangey neutral base with a slight pinkish taupe pop of color. It glides on to the skin and on top of my brown skin is so complimentary! I’m obsessed!!

Cashmere is an absolute favorite of mine now. First off, for those that are not aware what Velvetines are, Lime Crime describes them as “ground-breaking…goes on liquid and dries completely matte. Touch proof, transfer proof, long-wearing and utterly addictive”. I would venture to say that I agree with every word of these two statements. The formula is excellent and the color is magnificent to say the least. I was shocked because I thought “Cashmere” would look too cool on my skin but it actually translates to a wonderfully neutral based color. I am now on the site looking to see what other colors of both Velvetines and lipsticks I want to purchase next. I can’t wait for “Riot” (Velvetine) to be released. Hopefully, it is released around the time “Wicked” is restocked.

My only but big complaint about Lime Crime? The shipping is awful (in my opinion). I ordered on the 8th of January and I just received it on the 23rd of January. That can be a problem if you have an upcoming event and need these products. My advice: order a month in advance. Anyhoo, please share your review and experience with Lime a Crime makeup below, what do you think of the swatches?

. Top: “Coquette”               Bottom: “Cashmere” (not yet dried)

Fall Makeup Shopping & Trends

Autumn happens to be my absolute favorite season and when I see the red, berry and plum lips colors I get excited! One trend that is sexier than ever for the fall are nude lips and nude eyes. I still am quite obsessed with berries, plums and red for lip color. I’ve done some shopping and posted pics below of my haulage. Some old goodies and some new finds of newly released collections are all mixed in. Have you played in makeup lately? Have you made any good beauty purchases? If so, share what you got…I may be inclined to purchase based on your suggestions! Lol.

Review: Lush "The Greeench" Deodorant

So, I’ve been on the hunt for a great deodorant to replace the normal aluminum based deoderant I’ve been using. The oh so popular aluminum based deoderants are really bad for us but they work so well. They’ve been known to cause cancer and other health issues. Somehow, I was lead to Lush Cosmetics and decided to go in to give their powder deodorant a try. It’s called Greeench. I’ve tried it for a solid week and I have to say that I love it! The tea tree oil extract in this powder deoderant kills the bacteria that can cause the awful armpit smell we all hate. I’ve officially converted to the Greeench for my permanent deoderant. If you’d like to try it, head to a Lush in your area and ask for a sample. The sample can last for about a week depending on how much you use.

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Review: Lush "The Greeench" Deodorant

So, I’ve been on the hunt for a great deodorant to replace the normal aluminum based deoderant I’ve been using. The oh so popular aluminum based deoderants are really bad for us but they work so well. They’ve been known to cause cancer and other health issues. Somehow, I was lead to Lush Cosmetics and decided to go in to give their powder deodorant a try. It’s called Greeench. I’ve tried it for a solid week and I have to say that I love it! The tea tree oil extract in this powder deoderant kills the bacteria that can cause the awful armpit smell we all hate. I’ve officially converted to the Greeench for my permanent deoderant. If you’d like to try it, head to a Lush in your area and ask for a sample. The sample can last for about a week depending on how much you use.

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