Step-by-Step Contouring Guide!

Before

After

Hi girls! Today I'm coming to you with a contouring guide! This has been a huge trend lately in the makeup world and it's actually easier than it looks! The point of contouring is to create dimension to your face as well as lift certain areas. I used two amazing products to contour:

Tutorial: Taylor Swift Inspired Red Lips!

Hi girlies! Raise your hand if have been jealous of Taylor Swift's perfect red lips before? *Raises my hand* Well lucky for us it's not that hard to achieve the perfect red lip! Watch my 2.5 minute tutorial and before you know it you'll be strutting the streets just like Taylor!

Tutorial

I used the Kat Von D Lipstick in Stiletto but it's been discontinued. If you want a similar color check out "Countess" in the Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick line at Sephora!

REVIEW: Sephora Collection Full Action Blue Mascara!

Blue mascara whattt. That's right, I put my black mascara aside and looked for something colorful and fun the last time I went to Sephora. I picked up the Sephora Collection Full Action Extreme Effect Mascara in 04 Blue. This mascara is super affordable (only cost $12) and also comes in black, brown, and purple. You should've seen my friend's face when I told her I was getting this mascara. haha Here are my thoughts on the product:

• Really pigmented- This will definitely show up on your eyelashes since it showed up on my black-colored eyelashes!
• Very wearable- I was pleasantly surprised at this. I love the unexpected hint of color it gives to my face w/o being scary or overbearing. 
• Unique- I could see this mascara being a conversation starter b/c it is so uncommon to see someone with colored mascara!
• Great effects- It is lengthening, volumizing, and doesn't clump.
• Washable- This isn't waterproof so you shouldn't have trouble removing it!

I have no complaints on this mascara and highly suggest it! I can't wait to find more ways to sport this blue mascara. I'm definitely going to wear it on July 4th! lol

Shout out to my coworker Ron for letting me use his camera! Hope you enjoyed this post!
-- Emily

My 2 Favorite Summer Cheek Products!

If you're like me then you don't like to wear a lot of makeup in the summer. It's hot, it's humid, and makeup is just going to come off of your face anyways. That's why I like to keep it simple and just use products that will give me a nice glow. I have currently been loving the

Too Faced Beach Bunny Bronzer (powder bronzer)($30) & the 

Stila Convertible Color in "Lillium" (cream blush)($25). 

These stay on all day and look so pretty on the skin! I like applying them with the Tarte Slenderizer Bamboo Contour Brush ($34). This brush is worth every penny. Blends so well and gives you complete control.

12 Sephora Must-Have Sale Items!

Hello everyone! I recently looked at the Sephora Sale section and could feel my jaw hitting the ground. There are so many great deals with prices that would be really difficult to pass up. Here are 12 Sephora must-have sale items in order from lowest to highest price.

Sephora Haul: Eyebrows + Contouring Products!

Hello everyone! I went to a Sephora last Friday and realized that I hadn't been in one for over two months. I was going crazy over all the new products and literally spent over an hour and a half testing out new products and looking at everything. I decided to jump on the eyebrows and contouring trends and can't wait to use these products throughout the summer. Here's what I bought (going clockwise):

7 Products You Need To Know About!

Hello everyone! Has anyone else noticed how many new makeup products there have been lately? Well I've put together a list of products that you should know about next time you go to buy makeup!

1. Elizabeth and James Nirvana Black ($75): This brand is actually created by Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen! People have been nonstop raving about the Nirvana Black and White fragrances! They are often purchased together as well. The notes for Nirvana Black are "an addictive blend of alluring violet, sensual sandalwood, and rich vanilla that strike the perfect balance between masculine and feminine".
2. Elizabeth and James Nirvana White ($75): The notes are a: "captivating blend of delicate peony, chic muguet, and tender musk for a feminine scent with dark sophistication".
3. Urban Decay Naked Flush Palette ($32): This palette is perfect for traveling. You have bronzer, blush, & highlight all in one place. This comes in four different color options & is bound to last you a really long time.
4. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette ($58): This palette will definitely give you that amazing glow that celebrities always seem to have. It is a finishing powder but can also be applied on as a highlighter. It has just the right amount of shimmer and no glitter. I love that they included a warm, cool, and bronzy color in the palette.

HOLY GRAIL: Smashbox Limitless Liquid Liner Pen

Girls.. I have found my favorite holy grail eyeliner. It is the Smashbox Limitless Liquid Liner Pen in Jet Black. I have used this on multiple friends and it lasts just as long on them as it does on me. I let my friend try it before Spring Break and she ended up going out and buying one for herself! It retails for $22 at Sephora. Here are qualities that make this eyeliner amazing:

• Literally never fades, or smudges, or comes off while I'm out & about
• Felt tip eyeliner
• Super opaque black
• Applies smoothly
• Perfect for creating winged looks
• Amazing lasting effect- sometimes I can see my eyelids getting oily but it still having no effect on the eyeliner
• Doesn't dry out for months- I've had mine for over 2 months now

[Lol to impromptu "photoshoots" in my bedroom]

I literally have nothing bad to say about this product. I will keep repurchasing this one because I honestly don't think I can find one better. (If you want a product that is slightly cheaper though, check out my close second place holy grail product review of the Kat Von D Tattoo Eyeliner.)

Let me know if you've tried this eyeliner before and what you thought!

- Emily

Sephora Beauty Insider 2015 Birthday Gift!

Hello everyone! If you aren't a Sephora Beauty Insider yet.. then what have you been doing?? Make sure that you are one especially this year before your birthday! The gift this year is AWESOME. On/ near your birthday you will receive a NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in "Cruella" and a Satin Lip Pencil in "Rikugien" (if you are a VIB member, you get a Larger Than Life Long-Wear Eyeliner which is one of my favorites!).

There are other benefits of being a Beauty Insider as well so make sure to sign up for a card next time you're at Sephora! It's free! Check out the promo video for the birthday gift! March needs to get here quicker!

REVIEW: Sephora's Draw The Line Eyeliner Set!

Hey everyone! Today I wanted to tell you about a set that I just had to have when I saw it in Sephora. It is the Draw The Line eyeliner set and retails for $30. For that price you get seven different, high-end eyeliners which is an awesome deal in my opinion!

This set contains:
- Sephora Collection Contour Eye Pencil 12 HR Wear in Black Lace
- stila Cosmetics Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in Dark Brown
- Kat Von D Deluxe Tattoo liner in Trooper (black)
- Nars Cosmetics Via Veneto Larger Than Life™ Long Wear Eyeliner (black)
- Marc Jacobs Beauty Highliner in Blacquer
- Urban Decay 24/7 Glide-On Double Ended Eye Pencil in Perversion and Rockstar

Products to Remove Glitter Nail Polish!

Hello! So one problem I was having this week was that I could not get my glitter nail polish off. If you're like me, sometimes you avoid putting on glitter nail polish because you know it's a hassle to get off.  I was doing some research and here are the top three products for getting off that stubborn glitter.

Did You Know Sephora Had This?

Hey everyone! I don't know if I'm behind the loop on this or if this just came out but Sephora apparently has a lot of great services that you can use for free! Examples of some of these services are shown below in the screenshots I took from the website. I will definitely be checking these out next time I go to Sephora and you should too!

15 Minute Makeovers-

Color Matching- I did the online version of this and it is very helpful! It provides a lot of different options for foundations in your color.

  
Beauty Classes-

For more information on all of the services Sephora provides, go to: http://www.sephora.com/store-locations-events

-- Emily

REVIEW: Stila Sun Bronzing Powder

The Stila Bronzer is a product that I've had for 5 months now. Before I begin the review, take into account that I have a yellow tone to my face and medium skin color. I bought the product in Shade 2. Here are four overviewing points about this product:

MAC, Forever21, and Sephora Haul!

I would say that it was a very successful trip to the mall today. I mainly was going to look for some new clothes but being the beauty blogger that I am, had to stop in some makeup stores as well. ;)

Products for Minimizing Pores!

Hey everyone! So I recently started noticing that some people have very clear skin but their skin still doesn't look perfectly smooth. I think this is mainly due to big pores. What better way to get rid of them then by using primers and face masks? Here are top rated products that I have put in order from cheapest to most expensive! Prices range from $3.00 to $32.00!

$3.00

Queen Helene Mint Julep Masque- 8 oz 

This product claims: "Mint Julep Masque is the original natural home treatment developed by a dermatologist that helps dry up acne pimples, rinse away blackheads and shrink enlarged pores. Even for individuals who are fortunately free of skin problems, Mint Julep Masque is a refreshing facial treatment that helps relaxed tired muscles and ease tension lines on the face and neck."
I personally have this product and love it! It has a tingling and cooling sensation too! I've gotten my friends to try it and we all notice smoother skin!




$3.99

Left: Freeman Beauty Chocolate & Strawberry Facial Clay Mask
Claims that it "diminishes the appearance of large pores as well as nourishing and moisturizing skin.  Perfect for normal to combination skin types."

Right: Freeman Beauty Mint and Lemon Facial Clay Mask
Claims to "helps soothe skin and reduce inflammation caused by breakouts. Helps control oil production and reduce the appearance of large pores."

Current Favorites! + I got a Twitter!!!!

Hey everyone! So first things first, I got a Twitter account! If you want to follow me, my username is EmilyD1234.

I'm sorry I haven't had time to blog recently but here are some of my current obsessions! :) I haven't really worn makeup this last month but I included a variety of things!

Naked 2 Palette from Urban Decay

Nail Design: Golden Drops of Sunshine

This is a fast easy nail look that is perfect for a party or a football game day! I have gotten tons of compliments on my nails since I did them! Trust me, people will be impressed when you tell them you did them yourself! Everyone was asking me how I did mine! :)

Here are the three items I used to achieve this look!

Collective Haul!! Sephora, MAC, Nordstrom Rack, Wet Seal, and Lush

I have done a lot of shopping in the past month so I thought I would share it with you all! :) These items were acquired after two shopping trips as well as an online order.

Benefit "Stay Put" Set: $10!!!!

I had been looking at the Benefit "Stay Put" Set for literally over 5 months! It is only supposed to be an online deal so since I had been dying to get it, I just decided that I was going to order it next month. However, I went to Sephora today and was insanely and ecstatically surprised that they carried this in their store! I had literally gone to 3-4 other Sephora stores over the span of 5 months and thought I might as well ask while I was there, but they all told me they didn't have it. So of course I snatched it today and it only cost $10!!!! What a great deal! I will compare the sizes for you, tell you first impressions, and let you know how much a full sized product cost.

COMPARISON: Bliss Lemon+Sage Body Butter VS. BBW Lemon Vanilla Body Lotion

 VS.

Summer is coming and lemon is a perfect scent for the season! I was given the Bliss Lemon+Sage Body Butter by my dad and I purchased the Lemon Vanilla Body Lotion myself a few months ago. You might be wondering why I'm comparing a body butter with a body lotion but it is because these two products have relatively the same texture. You can purchase the Bliss product from Sephora and the Lemon Vanilla product from Bath & Body Works! Alright, here is the comparison!

Why the Bliss Lemon+Sage Body Butter is better than the BBW Lemon Vanilla Body Lotion:

• It makes skin smoother than the BBW lotion does.
• Easy to use squeeze tube
• Is absorbed by skin faster
• Is targeted and suitable for both men and women. (The Lemon Vanilla Body Lotion is more suitable for women.)

Why the BBW Lemon Vanilla Body Lotion is better than the Bliss Lemon+Sage Body Butter:

• Cheaper! (An 8 oz bottle costs $10.50 whereas a 6.7 oz bottle of the Bliss product costs $28!)
• Leaves more of a glow on skin
• Smells better! Lemon Vanilla is sweet smelling whereas the Bliss body butter smells almost like Eucalyptus.
• Better looking packaging

Personally, I like the Lemon Vanilla Body Lotion more solely because it smells better. lol However, if you are okay with a more herb-y smell then I think the Bliss product is better because it more effective on the skin. Both products do come in smaller sizes that are a bit more affordable. The Lemon Vanilla Body Lotion comes in a 3 fl oz bottle that costs $5; the Bliss Body Butter comes in a 1.7 oz tube for $6 (again the BBW product gives you more for your money.) But in the end, it is up to you to decide which is more suitable for your needs.

I hope you found this post helpful! Let me know if there is anything you would like me to compare next!