Top Five Beauty Favorites | July 2016

This post includes products I purchased myself,  press samples, affiliate and referral links.* 

I can't believe July is over and that fall is just around the corner. I'm not ready. I live in Florida and have been so busy at work I've basically squandered my summer and barely made it out to the beach this year. Unacceptable. 

But what I've neglected in beach time, I've made up for in product testing. So today I'm bringing you my favorite beauty products from the month of July. 

As you know we really like to narrow down the list to the most extra special items: My beauty top five. 

So let's not waste any more time and get right into it. Check out the products I've been loving (and why) in my video below. But first, comment and tell me some of your recent favorites so I can go test out new products and spread the word!

Macademia Professional Weightless Moisture Line (Shampoo | Conditioner | Leave-in ) | Eva NYC Speed it Up Blow Dry Spray* | Benefit Precisely, My Brow Pencil (Shade 03) | Benefit High Brow (Linen Pink) | Make Up For Ever Brush #108*  

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products or services mentioned above (press samples are marked with an *) for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Also 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 sign up for the program, I will receive an affiliate commission or referral rewards. 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.”

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!

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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.”

More Beauty Stocking Stuffer Suggestions

The holiday hustle and bustle isn't quite done yet, but you only have a few days left to polish off that shopping list. Buying beauty gifts can be so daunting, but there are quite a few cute little gifts you can add to someone's stocking. Here are just a few ideas to take the load off whatever's left of your shopping duties. These are sure to elicit a few "Ooohs" and "Ahs" and earn you a place on the awesome gift giver list.

Urban Decay Revolution lipstick ($22 each) / MAKE UP FOR EVER Extravagant Glamour Set  ($38) / L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand & Lips Set ($20) / The Body Shop Shower Moisture Gift Set ($7) / Tarte Limited Edition Lash Set ($19) / Stila Portrait of a Perfect Eye Palette ($16) / Holiday BeautyBlender ($20) / Philosophy Purity Made Simple™ Ornament ($10) / Stila Portrait of a Perfect Cheek Palette ($16) / Atelier Cologne perfume miniature duo ($18) + Nordstrom Atomizer ($5)

Urban Decay Revolution Lipstick: Soft, buttery, long-wearing all packaged neatly in a gunmetal chrome tube. It's hard to go wrong with this lipstick line. The hardest part is choosing a color, mostly because they have so many great ones to choose from. Only you know the person you're shopping for, but some nice neutral work-for-everyone shades include Naked (nude with a little pink) and Fiend (rose). If your giftee is bold check out Anarchy, F-bomb, or Jilted. It will be hard to pick just one (read: not buy them all). You may even need one (or 5) for your stocking. 

L'Occitane Shea Butter Hand & Lips Set: Soft hands and lips will make a great gift this holiday season, especially since so many people are experiencing ridiculously cold weather. I'm partial to the L'Occitane line because it feels so luxurious (and sounds fancy because it's French). My favorite is the rose scented line, but this set comes in a variety of scents, so choose whichever you think is best. 

Tarte lash set:  Everyone wants enviable lashes, right? How fun to reach into your stocking and pull out this little gilded set. All it needs is a little pouch so you can carry them with you anywhere. 

Beauty Blender: Does this gift need any explanation? The Beauty Blender has enjoyed quite a bit of fame for a reason. I doubt any beauty lover (even if they already have one) will turn this away. A flawless makeup finish is always appreciated. 

Purity ornament: Listen up. This will make my holiday gift list every year for as long as Philosophy will put it out on the market. I love this face wash. It cleanses and tones and is gentle on your skin. I didn't believe the hype until I used it myself. My skin was noticeably softer, even before I started pairing it with my Clarisonic. The travel-size version is a great way to introduce your friends to this gem and it lasts a long time. 

Stila cheek and eye palettes: I love that Stila released these little sets this holiday season. You'll get to choose different ones for eyes, and while I love all the colors they offer, I keep gravitating toward that cheek set. Both or either will make a great gift because the quality is outstanding. Bonus: Adorable packaging. 

Make Up For Ever Extravagant Glamour set:  This is a phenomenal deal. Three full sized products at a reasonable price (valued at $63). If you have a bold glamour puss on your list, this will have her jaw on the floor. A full-sized bright red lipstick, smokey lash mascara, and waterproof black liner? Yes. Please. If I had a mic, I'd drop it. 

Atelier Cologne perfume mini duo set: I got this for myself recently. The full-size equivalent of each of these mini's is more than $100. I had to see why. They smell amazing and linger on your skin for a whiiiile. This set comes with the vanilla and blood orange perfumes. Yes, the mini's are tiny, but they have the same amount of product as most roller ball perfumes. Pair this with an atomizer ($5 at Nordstrom) and they'll make perfect purse or travel companions. 

Make Up For Ever Artist Palette from The Makeup Show Orlando

When I posted my last The Makeup Show haul, I mentioned that I'd purchased a Make Up For Ever (MUFE) palette that was exclusive to the event. It's a gorgeous combination of colors hand selected by The Makeup Show Orlando's featured makeup artists (including James Vincent and Orlando Santiago).

The palette is pretty much perfect because it includes neutral matte and shimmery shades for eyes and cheeks that will work with a variety of skin tones. I dare say I like it more than my Urban Decay Naked palettes because I have eyes and cheeks in one place and a better ratio of matte to satin/shimmer in one palette.

(Note: I prefer having more matte shades than shimmery shades in palettes and that's my only real qualm with UD's Naked palettes. I feel each one is missing at least one or two extra mattes so they can be stand alone palettes. Otherwise, I love the quality and array of colors available in the Nakeds, and I use them often. Don't go getting your panties in a bunch.)

While purchasing the complete set was exclusive to The Makeup Show, that doesn't mean you can't create the same palette for yourself. All you need to do is purchase the 10 individual eyeshadows and blushes and stick them in an empty palette (you can choose the MUFE palette or go for a Z palette or anything similar). Since I purchased this at the show, the empty MUFE palette was included in the price. If I were going to create this palette on my own, I'd likely just go with a Z palette and I'll tell you why in a minute.

Make Up For Ever palette exterior casing

This is what the palette looks like form the outside. It's a sleek, sturdy, plastic black casing made of the same material as Nars palettes. I love that the material is has that rubbery, non-slip feel, but I hate that it will quickly and easily show dirt and finger prints (as you can see in my photo, which I took before I even touched any of the shadows).

Does anyone out there know a good way to keep these kinds of palettes clean? You'll make my day if you tell me.

Since mine is for personal use, I don't mind as much that the case is all black. But if I were lugging around multiple palettes, I'd prefer having a clear top so I could easily see what's inside (reason #1 for using a different case).

Another thing to keep in mind about my MUFE empty palette, is that once you put the pans in it they're not easy to get out without destroying them. They're in there for the long haul. That's because the pans aren't being held in place by a magnet, so it's a tight fit to keep them in place. You better be committed to where you place your shadows (reason #2 for using a different case). I wish I'd known that, because I kind of want to reorganize them, but now I can't. (Unless someone knows how to do this without breaking my shadows and is kind enough to tell me. Anybody?! Please?!)

Here are the pretty shades inside and a list of the colors included:

Make Up For Ever Artists palette

Make Up For Ever Artists palette from The Makeup Show Orlando
Top row (left to right): #76, #126, #127, #35, #139
Bottom row (left to right): #15, #54, #74, #161, #307

Swatches and color descriptions:

#139 (Deep matte brown), #35 (matte vanilla shade similar to MAC brûlée), #127 (medium brown satin), #126 (champagne satin), #76 (matte taupe -great contour color)

#307 (Diamond shadow- black with silver glitter), #161 (matte rust color also nice blush for darker skin), #74 (rosy pink blush) #54 (gold satin), #15 (baby pink blush)

I'd like to send out a special thanks to the Make Up For Ever store in NYC for kindly allowing me to exchange the duplicate shadow I received at the show for the shade I was missing. The quickly mailed me shade #35 and I'm sending back my extra #126.  Usually, whatever you purchase at a trade show is final sale. I'm very appreciative that they did the exchange. 

What do you guys think of the palette? Will you duplicate the palette? Or do you only want a handful of the shades? Which colors are your favorites?

Beauty Haul: The Makeup Show Part 2

In case you've been stuck under a rock these past few weeks: I went to The Makeup Show in Orlando recently. If you're a regular here, you already know this. While I was there, I did some makeup hauling damage. I shared my beauty haul from the blogger preview event recently, and promised there'd be more to come.

Well, I'm delivering on that promise with a lot of product pictures for your perusing pleasure. This post includes the items that I purchased while at the show. Don't forget to leave a comment and let me know which products you're most interested in seeing swatches and reviews on first.

OCC Lip Tars in (left to right) Yaoi, Rhythm box, and Black Metal Dahlia

Ben Nye luxury banana powder

Crown brushes (top to bottom): Infinity Round Blender brush, Syntho Angle Shader brush, Syntho Chisel Shader brush, Jumbo Shadow brush, Crescent Shadow brush, and Oval Shadow brush

Bdellium brushes (#776, #785, and #953), OFRA brush #21

OFRA Cosmetics lipsticks in (l to r) Fuchsia, 202, and 201

Inglot lipstick #140

Cult Nails in (l to r): Spontaneous, My Kind of Cool Aid, Morning Glory

Ellis Faas Creamy Lipsticks in Deep Fuchsia (L104) and Ellis Red (L101)

Ellis Faas Creamy Eyes eye shadow in lilac taupe (E106)

Make Up For Ever Mist & Fix setting spray, Face & Body foundation (20), HD Elixir, Aqua Smoky Lash, HD Invisible Cover Concealer (325)

Michael Marcus Prime botanical primer in Light

Stila In The Know all matte eye shadow palette

Beauty Blender duo with carrying case and solid cleanser 

I also purchased a Make Up For Ever palette exclusive to the Makeup Show designed by James Vincent and his fellow artist friends that had 10 eyeshadow and blush pans. There was a tiny mistake when I made the purchase, and I didn't receive all 10 shades (I got 9 shades, and a duplicate of one of the shades which equaled 10). I contacted Make Up For Ever and let them know what happened and they graciously offered to send me the missing shade. Since I didn't want to take a picture of the incomplete palette, I'm waiting on the item to arrive. Once that comes in, I'll take a photo and share the colors in the palette so that you can easily recreate it. 

Other items purchased but not pictured (because they they're little beauty tools you can get from anywhere): MUFE duo pencil sharpener, MUFE mixing palette, MUFE powder puff, and an assortment of wispy false lashes. 

And last, but not least. I was given a press kit for the Makeup Bullet. I'm very excited to review this item for you. It's a reusable makeup sponge that fits on your finger! Genius!

Well, there you have it -- that's my haul from The Makeup Show Orlando. If you went, what did you get? Anything in my haul you'd like to see reviewed and swatched first? 

Beauty Haul: The Makeup Show Orlando Part 1

*This post includes press sample products*

So you guys know I recently attended The Makeup Show Orlando. I've posted pre-show announcements. I tweeted. I instagramed. I've even shared a few of the things I learned (don't worry there's more to come on that front). But I haven't shown you yet, and what I'm sure you're waiting to see is what I got while I was there.

Well, the wait it over. This post I'll show you some of the goodies I brought home from the show. But since I went a little crazy (I was at a makeup trade show on payday weekend, what did you expect?), I'm splitting this haul up into a few posts. Product reviews and swatches will follow in posts to come. For now, you get a a sneak peek of all the products I'll be testing and talking about.

Blogger Preview

As a blogger attending the show, the first thing I got to do was attend the blogger preview, where James Vincent, director of artistry for The Makeup Show, showed us some of his favorite items that would be available from the various vendors. He also gave us a goodie bag that included a few of those items in it for us to test out for ourselves. 

Before I share those photos with you, I need so say this: James is a amazing. His personality is magnetic. His passion and enthusiasm for his work is infectious.  And his extensive knowledge is evident when he speaks. During the small amount of time I got to spend listening to him throughout the show, it was clear that he is an incredible educator -- the kind of person that truly captivates his audience when he speaks. 

 Clearly, I'm quite the fan girl.

Now, let's check out the great product recommendations James had for us.

Nars eye paints in Snake Eyes

Stila Stay All Day Prime & Anti-Shine Balm

Temptu Pro S/B Concealer Wheel

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Kevyn Aucoin The Creamy Glow blush in Pravella

Ells Faas Mascara

Mehron Intense Pro Pressed Powder Pigments

Crown Brush zebra tweezers, powder puffs, black kohl eyeliner pencil

Kett Fixx Creme Blush for lips and cheeks in Daiquiri

Senna Cosmetics Brow Fix X in Golden Brown

Xtreme Lashes Glide Liner long lasting eye pencil in Black Pearl

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar Stained Gloss in Mein Herr

Cara Cosmetics eye glimmers in Dakota Glimmer

Embryolisse Lait-Creme Concentre

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Graftobian Magic Set Mixing and Lining Liquid

Prana SpaCeuticals Organic Hand Sanitizer

Make Up For Ever 202 Brush

T3 Hair Elastics

Cosmetic spatula from Nigel's Beauty Emporium

Stay tuned for my Makeup Show Haul Part 2 where I'll show some of the products I purchased while at the event.

Don't forget to comment to let me know which products you'd like to see me review and swatch first.

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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.”

Make Up For Ever Debuts New Brush Collection & Offers Fabulous Discounts at The Makeup Show Orlando

As The Makeup Show Orlando approaches (it's this weekend you guys!), I'm getting more and more excited about all the great products that'll be available to everyone at the event. From new products, to tried and true staples, it's unlikely you'll walk out empty handed. Budget wisely guys, if you're a beauty addict like myself, you can easily go overboard and spend your rent/mortgage/grocery money.

Speaking of being overwhelmed with makeup and beauty temptation, Make Up For Ever (MUFE), one of the main event sponsors (and traditionally one of the busiest booths) will be dazzling us with their full product assortment. If you're not impressed, that's 1,600 different items that include their professional-only items and special effects products. Last year, their booth was practically the size of my local Sephora store and the line was unbelievable. Do yourself a favor, peruse their site and make a list. You'll thank me later. Or if you see me there, you can thank me in person (*wink*).

If having their entire collection available at your fingertips weren't enough, you also get to enjoy a 40 percent discount on your purchase, a discount available to everyone who attends the show. That's not a typo.

But wait, there's more. (Try to contain yourselves) MUFE and show educators teamed up to create limited edition kits.  The kits feature each artist's 10 must-have MUFE products, a 10 pan eyeshadow palette filled with their top shade pics -- all available at 50 percent off retail prices. (Are you squee-ing yet?)

Then there's the new product debut. MUFE developed a new range of artisan brushes that's been in the works for five years. The 100 percent fiber brushes are available in 76 styles that have been carefully crafted to have the perfect balance of straight and wavy fibers so they mimic natural hair. Anyone who purchases 10 or more brushes will receive a 50 percent discount.

If you're also looking for a little artistry education, MUFE is sponsoring Sharon Gault's keynote address Mama Knows Best - Making up with Sharon Gault. Lijha Sweart, MUFE media educator and pro, will also offer 45-minute complimentary seminars entitled New Flash Palette Focus; Artistry for Every Day and Artisan Brush Focus: Tools for Techniques. 

After reading all my pre-show posts, is there anything you're dying to get your hands on at the show? I can't wait to have a little arsenal of new products to swatch, review, and share with you all. 

Event info:

What: The Makeup Show Orlando

When: Sept. 28 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. and Sept. 29 9 a.m. - 5 p.m.

Where: The Peabody Orlando, 9801 International Drive

Website: www.themakeupshow.com

About The Makeup Show

The Makeup Show is owned and produced by Metropolitan Event & Production and travels internationally from LA, NYC, Chicago, Europe, and Orlando.  Bringing each destination over 60 beauty brands, and unique convergence of artists and community, where beauty professionals are sure to find an artistic energy that will inspire any beauty buff, from the passionate beginner to the seasoned professional.  Each show offers an unparalleled lineup of education and appearances from top beauty professionals and focuses on career building and networking within the makeup community.The show provides a unique experience for the makeup professional to network directly from the best in the business.

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