Review: Tarte Tres Chic Park Ave Princess Contour Palette

I'm not sure if this is limited edition or if Tarte is going to make this part of their permanent collection. I've been seeing this on sale at both Ulta and Sephora... which hints to limited edition, yet I've seen this in stock pretty regularly. I would say if you're interested in this and if the price is right, go for it! Now is the time!

ipsy Glam Bag - December 2014

Last ipsy bag of the year and it's not bad. I haven't really got around to trying everything but initial impressions are good. The bag roughly values $50 in product. The Renewing Eye Cream isn't even on the market yet. Each item looks very promising and I already own the mascara and lip balm, which both preform well. 

Elf Holiday Haul!

Oh nelly, I went a little cray cray. Elf has a 50% off sale a couple weeks back... I finally got all the  goodies that I had been eying, also while stocking up on some favorites. One of the products I got unfortunately got damaged in the shipping process. I contacted Elf and they are replacing and shipping me a new one for free! Such wonderful customer service. Thanks Elf!

Haul/Review: EM Comestics

Cyber Monday EM Cosmetics had a 50% off sale. This is what finally temped me to try out EM Cosmetics. Michelle Phan created the makeup line and as intriguing as it was there were many reasons that stopped me from placing an order. Since it being an online store it requires you to read many reviews and taking that leap of faith.

Tarte: Chic to Cheek Deluxe Amazonian Clay Blush Set

I want to apolginze up front. I started this blog entry weeks back before finals. Coming back to this I've found that it seems this set is sold... You may be able to come across this at a Ulta store or it's possible Tarte.com will restock. Again, I'm sorry. I hate posting about items that you can't even get anymore. Bugs me when bloggers or vloggers do that! Since I did start this I do want to still finish posting it. I hope you'll understand. It's just so disappointing how this happens. Makeup companies will release their holiday sets/products as early September and then come time for holiday shopping its impossible to find or you have to pay hiked up prices on amazon/ebay. 

Review & Swatches: Too Faced - Melted Kisses

Too Faced - Melted Kisses $25
I just haven't really jumped on this liquid lipstick train yet. When I saw that Too Faced made this really adorable holiday set I decided to give it a try. I got my set from Sephora. I often see it go in and out of stock on the Sephora and Ulta website. I've often seen this in stock at my local Sephora. None of these shades are limited edition. They are all in the permanent line, so I linked to that above.

Review: NARS Almeria Blush

NARS Almerĺa Blush $30
This is one of those products I had no intention of purchasing until I swatched it in the store. And ahhhh my gawd, I fell in lurve. NARS describes this as "tan rose". It comes off as a browny-red with subtle shimmer. The packaging is effectively the same as every other NARS blush. The cover is accented with a special holiday design that resembles... spider webs or lace? Take your pick!

Review/Haul: Sonia Kashuk - Velvety Matte Lip Crayons & More

I saw a YouTuber review these and I knew I had to have them in my life! I never knew these Velvety Matte Lip Crayons existed. I really want to go back to Target and pick up all the shades! As you will see below, things got a little outta control. 6 lip products in one shopping trip? Yup, that just happened.

ipsy Glam Bag - November 2014

I'm going to be flat out honest. I hated my glam bag products. The only thing I liked was the actually bag itself. There were so many good products given out this month but I didn't get one thing I liked. What I really don't understand is how the website allows you to customize your profile and select your style, what products you do/don't want, etc. So you can hopefully get products that match those results. Well, I think it's a joke. It's just there to make you feel like you have some control in the process. This subscription service has probably become so large that it's not possible to individually trailer each bag to each ipsy subscriber. I understand that. But if that's the case, don't have a style quiz that's obviously there for nothing. *end rant*

Let's get to the bag, shall we?

Review/Swatches: SEPHORA COLLECTION - Bronzed and Blushing Face Palette

Another goodie I snatched up during the Sephora VIB sale. This product was somewhat hidden in the store. It was in the aisle of doom with all the mini products (they get me every time). I've haven't really tried many products from the Sephora Collection.

Review/Swatches: Fresh - Sugar Cravings Kissing Trio

Fresh - Sugar Cravings Kissing Trio ($28)
A couple years ago Sephora had given out the Fresh Sugar Lip Treatment as a VIB birthday perk. Since then, I was hooked. I used up the clear lip treatment and I just never got around to repurchasing it. This was my chance to repurchase a great product and also try out some other colors at a great value. There were so many good holiday sets out there by Fresh, it was hard to choose!

Review/Swatches: Bite Beauty - Best Bite Remix

Bite Beauty - Best Bite Remix ($25)
I picked up this baby at Sephora's VIB 20% of sale. Unfortunately, after the sale it's been out of stock since. Hopefully, this restocks soon because it's a wonderful holiday set. Even though this set is sold out, the full sized lip pencils are still readily available on Sephora's website.

Sephora Haul: VIB Rouge Holiday Soiree

It's that time of year again. Sephora's VIB 20% off sale. And lemme tell ya, I went to town. As soon as I got my VIB Rouge invitation in the mail I RSVP right away. The RSVP was for a special event for VIB Rouge's and you were able to bring a friend and share your 20%. This post will be somewhat short because I can't swatch/review/show off every product in one post. That would just be overwhelming for me and you. So I'll be doing sperate reviews/post for the products I feel needs some additional attention. ;) 

Review & Swatches: Revlon Ultra HD Lipstick

I picked these up at ULTA for $7.99 each. I did however, have a coupon. Their original price was $9.99. I usually don't make many impulse purchases like this but I decided to take the risk...

ipsy Glam Bag - October 2014

October came and went pretty fast that I almost forgot to do my ipsy glam bag review! I'm not too into this ipsy bag but I do actually enjoy the physical bag it came it. The highlight of the products for me, were the makeup wipes. In this post, I'm gonna try something new. I'm going to start adding up the costs of the samples to see how much bang for my buck I received for each ipsy glam bag. The glam bags are $10/month, but sometimes I only like 1 or 2 products. This will help myself and my readers to see if the glam bag subscription is wroth it! Let's dig in, shall we?

Review/Swatches - Tarte Pin Up Girl Blush Palette

What can I say, I'm a blush addict. It's a problem and I know it, but I keep feeding the beast. Well, actually, my lovely boyfriend fed the beast. He surprised me one afternoon with a Sephora bag on my desk that contained this beauty. I was completely ecstatic and surprised because when it comes to makeup it's a whole other world to him. For him to take note of something I really wanted and surprise me... my heart melted. ANYWAYS, I'm getting emotional. Let's talk about this palette shall we?

Review: IT Brushes for Ulta

Ahhhh my goooosh. These brushes are amazing. They are super soft, so easy to work with, and all around great quality. I picked up 5 brushes and I'm impressed with each brush. There are 3 collections from this newly launch line exclusive to Ulta; the Essentials (Airbrush), Inspired (Live Beauty Fully), and Blurring (Velvet Luxe) Collections. Most of mine are from the Airbrush Collection and I treated myself to one Velvet Luxe, which is like there high-end prestige brush.

Ulta.com Haul/Mini Review

I don't really shop online when it comes to makeup because I'm such a visual/touch/try out type of shopper. Most of these items are influenced by many reviews and YouTubers I've watched. Another reason why I ordered online is because Ulta sent me a special one day promo where I got triple points on my purchase but it was only online. And by golly, the marketers got me. Good job!

First Impression: Sonia Kashuk Limited Edition 15 piece Brush Set

Sonia Kashuk Limited Edition Brush Set - ($39.99)
I was soooo excited to find this in my local Target. I seriously wanted to buy two sets, but I couldn't justify that, haha! This set was set a great deal at 39.99 for 15 brushes. That's like 2.60 for each brush! Waaaat. There were a couple unique brushes that I've never seen in a drugstore/local retailer which was the main reason I bought this. The brushes are soooo soft! I have a few Sonia Kashuk brushes and have always been impressed.  I'm very excited to give these all a try.

ipsy Glam Bag - September 2014

Back to School: Mini Sephora Haul

College has started and I just can't believe how quickly the summer has flown by. I really just can't even. I feel like I need another vacation already. To be honest I didn't even really have a "vacation". I took 3 courses and worked all summer. My summer didn't really even count! >:( So, I decided to treat myself with some back to school shopping. Of course, I eventually found myself in a Sephora!

*Side note: I can never leave a Sephora without at least spending $100 or more. It's just a fact of life.

Lush Goodies!

Oh Lush, how I wish you were closer to me. But I'm kinda glad you're not because then I would spend way too much money... This Lush trip was much needed. There were several Lush staple items that I was out of, that I needed back in my life. I went out, got them, and couldn't be happier! What was super nice about this Lush trip is my wonderful boyfriend treated me to all of the Lush goodies I picked out. What a sweetheart! <3

Tarte Haul!

Tarte had an amazing sale with free shipping a couple weeks ago and I couldn't help myself! Most of the items I got are new to the Tarte line.

ipsy Glam Bag - August 2014

Follow me on instagram @devonstinson

• Absolute - Lip Balm (Green Apple)
• Dr. Brandt - Pores No More Pore Refiner
• Urban Decay - Perversion Mascara
• Coastal Scents - Forever Blush Sample Duo (Fresh [Left] and Elegant [Right])
• Lord & Berry - Silk Kajal Kohl Eye Pencil

Not too excited about my ipsy bag this time around. The product I'm most excited to try is the Pores No More Pore Refiner.

Sorry this is such a short post! :(

Thanks for looking! 

 

Review & Swatches: e.l.f. Mineral Pressed Mineral Blush

First Impression & Swatches: Urban Decay Naked Flushed (Streak)

First Impression & Swatches: Hourglass Ambient Lighting Palette

ULTA Haul: Featuring Becca Cosmetics

Follow me on instagram @devonstinson

ULTA introduced Becca Cosmetics on their website and since then I've been stalking my local ULTA hoping they would get it in stock. And as you can tell, they did! I literally got these Becca items as the sales associate was putting them on the shelf. I'm pretty sure she thought I was insane, haha! But I'm excited to have them, more of a detailed review soon to come. For now here's what I got at ULTA.

Review: GLAMGLOW Youthmud Tinglexfoliate Treatment

Follow me on instagram @devonstinson

I finally bought in to all the hype and got myself some Glamglow. I've heard so many good things about the Glamglow masks and I was very excited to try it out. Thankfully, Sephora offers a small size of the Glamglow at a price that doesn't break the bank.

There are several types of masks that Glamglow offers. The one I tried is the Tinglexfoliate mask. And it does exactly what the title suggests, it tingles! So if you don't like tingling/burning sensations, I would steer clear of this mask. Personally, I enjoy it. It made me feel like it was already working its magic on my face. It also gave a slight tingle feeling even after I rinsed off the mask.  

Pros:

• I enjoyed the way it made my face feel: before and after the treatment.
• By the next morning it had calmed my stress acne, even though it wasn't a feature advertised on this particular mask.
• I felt it did a wonderful job at exfoliating my skin, like it claimed. My skin felt very smooth.
• The packaging is eye catching and functional.
• I liked the way the mask smelled. Very herbal and earthy; nothing too chemically. 

Cons:

• The price tag
• Limited places to purchase  

All and all I very much enjoyed this product. It definitely something I would buy myself as a treat and use sparely. Next mask I would like the try is the Clearing Treatment mask.


Thanks so much for looking/reading~

Review: Too Faced Brow Envy

Follow me on instagram @devonstinson

ipsy Glam Bag - July 2014

Follow me on instagram @devonstinson

New posts are coming soon! I'm excited to be done with the upstairs remodel and my summer classes. It's been stressful but it feels good to be done!

This month's glam bag wasn't too exciting. I'm not too fond of the nail polish color. I tried the moisturizer and I wasn't impressed. It smelled like sun-screen and it felt like it clogged my pores. :( I hope next month is more appealing.

What came in my glam bag:

• bareMinerals - 5-in-1 BB Advanced Performance Cream Eyeshadow
• Befine Food Skin Care - Daily Moisturizer with SPF 15
• Hang Ten - Dark Tanning Oil SPF 08
• Pixi Beauty - Mini Tinted Brilliance Balm
• wHet - Nail Polish in Facetious

Thanks for looking/reading!

Join me on ipsy and subscribe to the Glam Bag! You get 4-5 beauty products every month delivered to your door, for just $10. Michelle Phan curates the bags! Check it out here.

ipsy Glam Bag - June 2014

Follow me on instagram @devonstinson

Sooooo, remodeling the upstairs is still happening. I'm in the works of figuring a set up for my office/craft room. I'm super excited because it's almost done. My photo studio is still stuck in limbooooo... but it'll be set up soon. Soon...

• Be A Bombshell - Lash Out Mascara
• DERMAdoctor - DD Cream Dermatologically Defining BB Cream with Broad Spectrum SPF 30
• Marc Anthony - Dream Waves Beach Spray
• Nicka K New York - Shimmer Eyeliner
• NYX - Butter Gloss

Thanks for looking/reading!

Join me on ipsy and subscribe to the Glam Bag! You get 4-5 beauty products every month delivered to your door, for just $10. Michelle Phan curates the bags! Check it out here.

ipsy Glam Bag - May 2014

Follow me on instagram @devonstinson

I'm currently in the middle of remodling the guest bedroom. The guest bedroom is usually where I keep my little photo studio. I don't really have any place else in the house to set up my photography station. Soooooo... incoming crappy cell phone pics! Hopefully everything will come together soon. It's just all taking longer than anticipated. This has been a long process. But for now I wanted to at least get my ipsy glam bag post up:

• Hang Ten - Classic Sport SPF50 
• Pacifica - Mineral Eyeshadow Duo #2 (Moonbeam & Unicorn 
• Avène - Thermal Spring Water 
• Balanced Guru - No Frizz Organic Sesame and Lemongrass Balancing Oil 
• Boo-Boo Cover-Up - Boo-Boo Cover-up (Medium Shade)

Thanks for taking a quick peek at this post. Again, sorry for the lack of updates. My blog has been nothing but ipsy bags lately. I am documenting the remodeling process, so that post will be coming... eventually! Trying to get everything set up while balancing work and school is stressful but it'll be wroth it once it's all done!

Hopefully, my next post will be a bit more exciting and not a ipsy glam bag. ;)

Thanks all!~ 

Join me on ipsy and subscribe to the Glam Bag! You get 4-5 beauty products every month delivered to your door, for just $10. Michelle Phan curates the bags! Check it out here.