Review: Anastasia Beverly Hills Stick Foundation

This post contains affiliate and referral links.*

Hey again! I hope you all had an awesome October! I can't believe we're already almost done with 2016.

But, some of my favorite holidays are around the corner. I can't wait to stuff my face with food on Thanksgiving. Mom makes pumpkin flan and I'm all about eating an entire one by myself. I know that's a little extra, but she only makes it once a year. I need ALL of it. I also need to get my butt in gear and learn to make it myself. But eating it is so much more fun.


Are you guys excited for the fall/winter holidays? Any special meals you're looking forward to?

Anyway, I've totally gone off topic. Today I'm here to tell you about the Anastasia Beverly Hills stick foundation. They released this early this fall and I was positively excited.

I've been a fan of stick foundations for a minute, even though I haven't talked much about them (I know, shame on me). I love how easy they are to use and how portable they are. But the one's I'd been using set me back nearly $50.

So, when I saw that the ABH foundation stick was going to retail for $25, I had to try it. I was even more shocked when I discovered that the cheaper price tag still delivered the same amount of product (0.32 oz or 9 g) as my my expensive foundations. SCORE!!

ABH Foundation stick in Warm Ivory and Contour stick in Fawn, Bdellium Tools 950 Oval Brush, NYX Contour brush

Alright, so before we dive in to the review, there are a few things you should know about the ABH foundation stick:

• It's meant for normal to oily skin, but works best for those of you with combination/oily skin
• It available in a whopping 28 shades
• It's meant to be buildable from light to full coverage
• Available at ULTA, Sephora, and some department stores

Check out the photo of me wearing it below. I like how it looks like skin, but still offers coverage. 

Ok, now that you know what it's supposed to do and what the final product looks like, let's chat about how it works overall. I have a few tips to share in the video below!

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "referral links" or “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item or sign up for a service, I will receive an affiliate commission or referral rewards. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

ULTA Beauty Haul | July 2016

It's been a minute and a half since I uploaded a beauty haul for you guys -- and I know that you like them.

So we're staring off this week by distracting you with a little bit of my weekend shopping shenanigans. Let's ignore Monday with a little weekend nostalgia. Shall we?

This shopping trip was brought to you by the 20% off entire purchase coupon from ULTA. If you haven't joined their rewards program, I'm not sure what you're waiting for. It's a damn good one. Earn points, cash those points in for money off your purchase, get reward member coupons. And if you make it to platinum status, you'll earn points faster, and get access to platinum member special sales, discounts and coupons.

I basically only shop at ULTA when I have a 20% coupon these days, unless I'm out of something and need to get it right now or if it's a non prestige item and I can use a regular ULTA coupon that comes in their weekly flyer. If you use my referral link to join the ULTA Rewards program, you'll earn a $10 off coupon (and then when you join you get your own referral link too!)

Ok, now let's take a peek and see what's in that shopping bag! Oh by the way, what was the last beauty purchase you made? Comment below and tell me!

Benefit Precisely My Brow (03) | Benefit High Brow (Linen Pink) | Benefit They're Real Mascara (mini) | Benefit Fake Up concealer | Benefit Posie Tint |  Benefit Porefessional (mini) | Japonesque Kumodori Highlight & Contour brush | Yes to Coconuts Ultra Hydrating Melting Cleanser | Nip + Fab Dragon's Blood Fix Plumping Serum | NYX Micro Brow (Brunette) | 

It Cosmetics Brush Bath | Makeup Revolution Rose Gold Lipstick (Chauffer) |Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick (Crush) | Soap & Glory Sexy Motherpucker XL Extreme Lip Plump Gloss 

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Mink Wink Lashes 25% discount code: GirlyE (expires 9/30/16)

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are "referral links" or “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item or sign up for a service/program, I will receive an affiliate commission or referral points/rewards. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Products I've Used Up | Makeup | #Empties

I'm back! Please forgive my unpredictable posting "schedule" -- life's just getting in my way. And it's not even exciting life stuff. It's the mundane stuff that's not even interesting to post about on social media. Nobody wants to watch a Snap about me sitting behind a desk working all day. YAWN. (I nodded off typing that sentence)

So, let's just leave it at this: I've been adulting.

But one exciting thing did happen last week. We got a new couch, finally. Our old one had been through five moves (read beat up). Suffered countless spills. Had a hole that always swallowed the remote. And the cats got sick on it a few too many times (all thoroughly cleaned, but still, I knew the incidents happened). Plus, I was tired of looking at it and ready for a different aesthetic.

I finally got it. My living room is now brighter, cozier and more open and inviting. I'm currently typing from the cuddler corner of the couch (an extra large corner seating area) as giddy as a school kid meeting their favorite boy band member. It's which quickly become my cozy little pillow and throw blanket covered nook.

And that is what qualifies as exciting in my world lately. Yup. That's full fledged adulting. And just in case you think I've reached some adult life low, it's been worse. I've also gotten stupid excited about a new vacuum. Basically, couch excitement is a step up.

Ok. While I was adulting, I decided it was time to clean out some junk. Literally. It was high time I shared a video about all the products I've used up, so I can finally toss out the packaging.

So without further ado. Check out my video below to see all the products I've used up and whether I thought they're good enough to repurchase.

Cinema Secrets Brush Cleaner Quick Dry Formula | Sephora Microsmooth Foundation | It Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC Powder | L'Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion foundation | It Cosmetics CC Veil Fluid Foundation | Sephora Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation | L'Oreal Telescopic Carbon Black mascara | Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes mascara | Bobbi Brown Smokey Eye mascara | Starlooks Luxe Longwear Eyeliner Pen | Stila Stay All Day Liquid Eyeliner | Lorac Front of the Line Pro liquid eyeliner pen | Urban Decay 24/7 Liquid Eyeliner | Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz | NYX Micro Brow | Maybelline Define-a-Brow | Maybelline Age Rewind concealer | Make Up For Ever HD Concealer | First Aid Beauty Eye Duty Triple Remedy | Skindinavia Primer Mist | Model in a Bottle Sensitive Skin Setting Spray  

What was the last makeup product you used up? Is it something I need to try? Comment below!

Like what you saw? Subscribe for more videos!

Join the ULTA Rewards program, earn a $10 coupon.

Use ebates to earn cash back when you shop. 

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links” or "referral links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item or join a program, I will receive an affiliate commission or referral rewards. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will add value to my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

GRWM: My New Year's Day Makeup

This post contains press samples and items I purchased myself

Ok, I'm declaring right now that I'm going to make a bigger effort when it comes to doing my makeup on camera. I tend to focus mostly on reviews because I know that there are a lot of people out there doing tutorials. But the thing is, I have all this makeup, I work at home (I live in my yoga pants), and I want a reason to use the stuff I purchase. I'm not a collector. I buy my makeup because I want to play with it.

Plus, I've learned a few great tips along the way while I've been running this blog and my Youtube channel (I can't thank The Makeup Show enough for a lot of the things I've learned). Many of the useful tips I've tried to share in posts, but sometimes, it just clicks when you see someone doing it, rather than just being told. And sometimes, I forget about a useful tip because I use it so often it's become second nature to me -- I forget it might be new to someone else. 

I like the idea of doing Get Ready With Me (GRWM) videos because it let's you just see what I do on a regular basis and how I do it. I feel like it takes the pressure off of coming up with a whole new fresh and innovative look. And let's be honest, it's getting harder and harder to do that these days. I'm not a professional makeup artist. I'm a makeup enthusiast. I want an approach to doing makeup videos that's more personal. Kind of like when you get ready with your friends before going somewhere. It's less formal, but you still learn things here and there along the way. 

That being said, here's my first GRWM video of 2015. 

Note: I filmed this video on January 1, before the whole Revlon lawsuit story was released. I use a Revlon product in this video, but have decided that I will not be using or reviewing Revlon products on this blog or on my channel going forward. I find the allegations very offensive. I am even more disappointed with how the company has chosen to react and respond to this incident. I will revisit my decision over time, depending on how this all plays out. You may or may not agree with me, but I simply don't feel right endorsing the brand at this time. 

Video Music: "Saturday" and "The Bottom" by Josh Woodward (Creative Commons Attribution License)

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

The Cara Cosmetics items featured in this video are press samples. The rest of the products I purchased myself. This is not a sponsored video. For more information regarding the difference between a press sample and a sponsored video please visit my disclosures page. 

Holiday Gift Guide 2013: Beauty Gifts $30 or less

1. Real Techniques Cosmetics Brush Set ($30) / 2. Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral LE Matte/Neutral Palette ($30) / 3. Stila Color Me Glossy Lip Glaze ($28) / 4. Anastasia Beverly Hills Covet Waterproof Liner set ($28) / 5. Stila Tools of the Trade brush set ($28) / 6. MAC Stroke of Midnight Viva Glam 1 set ($30) /  7. Benefit Cosmetics Luve It Up! Color Kit ($25) / 8. Julep Hand Model kit ($25) / 9.  ALTERNA Caviar Experience Kit  ($29)/ 10. Living Proof beauty product ($29)

Makeup and beauty tools:

It's quite possible to purchase quality makeup and brushes for affordable prices, especially during the holidays with all the great gift sets. Best of all, you don't always have to hit up a specialty store to find them. Case in point, the Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral Limited Edition matte and shimmer palette is available at Target and offers fantastic pigmentation and easy blending. Speaking of blending, you can also find a Real Techniques brush set while you're there. 

If your giftee prefers high-end brand (how particular of him/her) don't fret. Stila has a great lip glaze set that includes nine glosses and a brush set both just under $30. There's also Anatasia Beverly Hills waterproof liner set and Benefit's cute LuveiIt Up kit, which includes three neutral shadows, a mini creaseless cream shadow, and Dandelion lip gloss. For the bold diva on your list, check out MAC's Viva Glam 1 holiday set that includes the original lipstick and gloss inspired by RuPaul. Bonus, every cent you pay for the set goes to HIV/AIDS research, so it's a do-good, look-good gift. 

Hands and nails:

If you've got a nail obsessed giftee on your list, instead go for a little something different than  nail polish and try this Model Hands set by Julep. Help your nail fashionista take care of her hands and tips so all the fun colors and designs she wears will look even better on her soft smooth and nourished hands. 

Hair

If you're gifting a gal (or guy) with luscious locks, consider helping her (or him) discover some awesome new hair products. Alterna's Caviar kit is a great anti-aging hair travel set that will help keep locks nourished, shiny, and full -- all signs of a youthful mane. And if Jennifer Aniston is his/her hair icon (and honestly, isn't she everyone's?) give them one of the various Living Proof hair care travel kits to address a variety of hair needs. My personal favorite is the  No Frizz Smoothing and Frizz Fighting line. Fantastic humidity fighting products that are light weight, smell great, and leave your hair looking ah-ma-zing.