Review: Jesse's Girl Highlight and Contour Palette

This post contains PR samples*

Who needs to eat healthy, when you can use makeup to chisel out cheekbones, camouflage a double chin, and strategically brighten and add luminosity to your skin? 

Just kidding! 

You totally still need to eat healthy because it's good for you. But as it relates to makeup, eating healthy is going to reflect in your skin, and the better condition your skin is in, the better your makeup will look.

But hey, we're not all perfect. Sometimes, we going to want to enhance or camouflage our features. If that's the case, you're probably going to need some highlighting and contouring products. 

Listen, the contour craze is nothing new. It's been around for centuries. But when social media let the genie out of the bottle, the makeup technique went totally main stream. And now, none of us want to give up our chiseled cheekbones. 

We've seen many contour kits hit the market. First they were all high end. But now you can find a variety of affordable contouring and highlight options at the drugstore. Among them is the Jesse's Girl Cosmetics Highlight and Contour palette, which retails for $12.99, is cruelty free and comes with eight pans of powder highlight and contouring shades.  You can buy Jesse's Girl Cosmetics products at your local Rite Aid or online from Amazon or directly from the Jesse's Girl website (all orders over $20 ship free -- and I highly recommend the Jesse's Girl waterproof liquid liner if you need items to add to your cart). 

As you can see from the swatches above, these powders offer good color pay off, especially for the price! But are they easy to work with? Do they have nice texture? Will you even use all these colors? I answer all those questions in my video review below. 

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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. Additionally, 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.

Review + Swatches: Bdellium Tools Matte Lipstick | #MatteNation

This post contains affiliate and referral links.*

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! I hope you're enjoying your day and feasting to your hearts content. Don't forget to take a moment to just sit back and take it all in because surely we all have a lot to be thankful about -- even if sometimes we take it for granted.

And I'm pretty stoked that you stopped by today. After all, there are about a million other things you could possibly be doing.

So thanks!

Let me try to make your visit worthwhile by sharing something us beauty lovers just LOVE to talk about: Lipstick.

Specifically, we're discussing the matte variety. Because, beauty trends.

Matte lips are still having their moment. And I'm still dutifully here for it.

By now, there are plenty of matte lipsticks out there for you to choose from. But today we're offering up the spotlight to Bdellium Tools' newest product line, their matte lipsticks.

Loyal readers know I've been a big fan of this brand for years now. They offer a fantastic array of makeup brushes. And over the past year, they've started branching out into makeup. They totally floored us with their lip crayon release (man, were those pigmented and creamy and all-around fantastic). So naturally, I was anxiously awaiting their next product launch.

I have to tell you, they didn't disappoint — brining us seven new lipstick shades that include everyday nudes, bright oranges and reds, and deep vampy shades.

I bought five of the seven available colors (below): Touch of Eden, Kylie, Dorothy, Last Call, and Wait a Minute.

Bdellium Tools matte lipsticks retail for $16 each. The formula is enriched with shea butter and macadamia oil, which means that those matte lips won't be dry or uncomfortable. They're also vegan, paraben free, and fragrance free. 

You can tell that Bdellium put effort into the product development. Like the lip crayons, the lipsticks offer fabulous color pay off. And they're encased in a matte black case with cool yellow lettering that's both laid back and a little hipster. 

But don't let the casual design fool you. The casing is sturdy, with a nice weight to it. And my personal favorite feature? It's magnetized so you don't have to worry about the cap falling off in your bag and your lipstick (or bag) getting ruined. 

Check out the five shades I purchased in my video below so you can start figuring out which ones you'll want for yourself (hint: probably most of them). 

Oh, and since it is Black Friday weekend, you can save 30% on your purchase with code FRIDAY30 (coupon valid starting at 6 p.m. PST 11/24/16-11/28/16). Once Cyber Monday is over, you can still save 10% on your purchase with code GIRLYTHINGS. And, as always, free shipping on purchases $20 or over. 

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*Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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.”

Review: The Balm Meet Matte Hughes Liquid Lipstick

This post contains affiliate and referral links.*

Oh. Hey. I'm back.

Clearly, I fell asleep at the helm when it came to updating this blog.

Been posting on Youtube with regularity and totally forgetting to share the content here -- since some of you prefer to get your updates through this blog.

My bad guys. I don't even have a good excuse.

So, today, I'll be filling you in all everything you might have missed these past few weeks.

Prepare for a deluge of posts.

Several weeks ago, long-time viewer Brittany P. left a comment on a video trying to find my review of The Balm's Meet Matt(e) Hughes liquid lipstick ($17, 0.25 fl. oz.). She remembered that I'd received the lipstick in one of my Ipsy bags.

Turns out, I hadn't done a review on it yet -- which explains why she couldn't find it.

I remembered using it and liking it. But gosh that was a while ago and I obviously needed to provide more detail than that. So I ransacked my lipstick stash to take that baby out for a test run again -- all in the name of answering her question.

Moral of the story: If you want a review of a certain product, it never hurts to ask!

Sometimes when I don't hear from you guys, I think it means you're not interested. Clearly, that's not always the case.

So without further ado. Let's talk about this lipstick!

I have the Meet Matt(e) Hughes liquid lippie in the shade Committed and it's lovely. If you're a fan of rosy brown shades a la Kylie Jenner (think Kat von D Lolita and Lolita 2), then you'll like Committed since its in the same color family. Check out the swatches below.

The Meet Matt(e) Hughes lipstick line comes in 12 different shades, and you can pick them up at Khohl's or directly from The Balm's site.

I like being able to see colors in person whenever possible, so I'm more likely to buy in store unless I already know I'm gonna love a specific shade.

Check out my video review to find out whether these lipsticks are worth your hard earned money. And don't forget to join the #GirlESquad -- subscribe for more videos!

Use ebates for added savings and cash back when you shop! (and a $10 gift card when you sign up)

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 points. 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.”

Review + Swatches: OFRA x MannyMua Liquid Lipsticks

* This post contains products I purchased myself and press samples *

Hello hello guys! I have something a little fun to share with you today. If you've been paying attention to the internet beauty buzz, then you know OFRA Cosmetics did their most recent liquid lipstick collab with MannyMua. That little collab spawned three new lipstick shades -- all of the neutral, everyday, wearable variety.

The lipsticks dropped April 22 and you guys went HAM! All the lippies sold out the same day. In response to demand, OFRA produced a second run of the shades and made them available again last week. And like clockwork, those sold out as well.

Can I blame you guys? Nope. Manny did an excellent job working on three colors that would appeal to the masses. You can wear these to the office, grocery store, and even on a fun night out. It only makes sense everyone was clamoring for them. I'm hopeful that like previous successful OFRA collabs, these will get restocked soon, and become available permanently. Don't forget, the Kathleen Light's shades all sold out multiple times and to this day you can still order Miami Fever and Havana Nights. So if you haven't grabbed any of Manny's shades, and you want them, don't give up hope yet.


Your girl was part of the internet hubub -- snagging all three shades (Aries, Charmed, and Hypno) on their first release date. And I'm here today to share them with you.

You can expect the same awesome formula we've come to love from OFRA's liquid lipsticks, which is to say: a velvety smooth (almost mousey) consistency that's highly pigmented, moisturizing and comfortable to wear. Check out my original reviews and mentions here and here for a more detailed review.

Manny's three shades retail for $19.90 each (same as the permanent line) or you can purchase all three in a bundle for $49.70. Plus, there are quite a few coupon codes out there that will nab you anywhere from 20-40% off.  A quick Google search will save you some cash, so don't forget to do that.

Aries is a soft peachy nude that's great for any occassion (I like to mix mine wth OFRA Mocha to make it a little deeper)
Charmed is a dusty brownish rose/mauve shade -- and my favorite of the three
Hypno is the vampiest of the bunch, a raspberry wine like shade -- great if you want to be a little bold, but not too crazy.

Check out my video below to see hand and lip swatches or just scroll down for photo swatches (your choice).

OFRA liquid lipstick |  OFRA lipgloss stick | OCC Anti-Feathered Lip Liner 

Like what you saw? Subscribe for more videos!

So, are these shades you want to add to your collection? Were you able to get any of the lipsticks during the first two releases? Which one is your favorite? 

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received one or more of the products (OFRA lip gloss stick and Miami Fever liquid lipstick) or services mentioned above for free in the hope that I would mention it on my blog. Additionally, some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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.”

Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Color | Review + Swatches

The liquid lipstick trend is showing zero signs of slowing down. And I can totally get behind that. We've seen plenty of high end liquid lippies hit the market, but in the past year or so, affordable drugstore options have started to pop up like a vengeance.

The latest drugstore brand to join the party? Maybelline, whose Color Sensational lipstick line has been all the rage every season with each new color launch. Well guys, they added liquid lipsticks to the Color Sensational line for their Spring 2016 release, which hit stores earlier this month.

The Maybelline Color Sensational Vivid Matte Liquid Lip Color line retails for $7.99 each and has 10 shades ranging from soft easy nudes to bright, wild, and vampy shades.

Check out my video to see all 10 shades and find out how they perform.

Like what you saw? Subscribe for more videos!
Join the ULTA Rewards program and earn a $10 off coupon.

Disclosure of Material Connection: Some of the links in the post above are “affiliate links.” This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission. 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.”

Swatches | NYX Liquid Suede Cream Lipsticks | *New*

Now that the eagerly anticipated NYX Liquid Suede Cream lipsticks are out on the market, I had to run off an get them.

Special thanks to my friend Jen, who alerted me to their release so I could sit on the edge of my seat until they were available.

These babies sold out fast on the NYX site, but luckily, they're also available at ULTA. My local ULTA hasn't gotten them in stock yet, so I ordered mine online. The best part about getting them from ULTA is that they're eligible for coupons (I used a 20% off full purchase coupon) and you can earn rewards points that later turn into cash back (stack additional savings with ebates too).

These retail for $6.99 and come in 12 different shades. At that price point (and with my extra savings), I had to get them all -- for research purposes, of course.

The 12 shades from left to right are: Stone Fox, Life's a Beach, Cherry Skies, Soft Spoken, Orange County, Sway, Sandstorm, Pink Lust, Tea & Cookies, Amethyst, Kitten Heels and Vintage. 

These are all highly pigmented, apply smoothly, and dry down matte. Check out my video to see all the swatches on my lips to get an idea of how they look. Then order your favorite shades. You're definitely going to want these. 

Review + Swatches: Dirty Little Secret Cosmetics Lipsticks

I'm kind of excited to share today's post for several reasons: 

1. We're talking lipstick and I love lipstick. 
2. The products are from an indie brand and priced affordably
3. It's high time I shared some swatches of items I bought at IMATS

The opportunity to discover new (or new-to-me) brands and products is one of the best things attending makeup trade shows. (So are the savings opportunities) And IMATs definitely delivered. One of the new brands I discovered (though I'm not claiming to be Christopher Columbus here) was a little indie company called Dirty Little Secrets Cosmetics whose main area of focus (at least right now) is lipstick.

The owner, Emanuela deFalco, decided to launch her own lipstick line hoping to bring customers quality products in an array of colors that would satisfy the daring (think rainbow lips) and demure (think easy-to-wear shades) without totally breaking the bank. The result was Dirty Little Secret, which currently offers 20 different lipstick shades that pack a pigmentation punch and smell yummy. They retail for $10, which I consider to be on the higher end of the drugstore price point -- but certainly more affordable than your typical prestige brand. 

I picked up three shades from the collection: Hopeless, Poison, and Guilty Pleasure. 

After playing around with them, I've gotta say, they're rather good. I've put a noticeable dent in Hopeless and Guilty Pleasure and received a compliment or two while wearing Poison. 

Here are a few things I think you'll benefit from knowing about all three lipsticks I tried and then we'll go into each shade individually:

• The formula is creamy, glides onto lips and feels moisturizing
• They smell like bubble gum -- although they don't really taste like anything (the smell makes you lick your lips to check)
• The three shades I purchased have a glossy finish (but they varied in opaqueness) 
• Longevity is pretty much what you would expect with your typical glossy lipstick (these do not make any claims about being long wearing)

Guilty Pleasure

Guilty Pleasure is a violet-hued pink that would've been a perfect orchid inspired shade when orchid was Pantone's color of the year. It has medium coverage that can be built up to medium-full. 

It looks more violet in the tube,  but ends up more pinkish lavender on the lips, making is a super wearable shade. I reach for it much more often than I anticipated. The tube has actually started to take the distinctive curvature of my lips. 

Hopeless

Hopeless is a peach-toned sheer nude that's super easy to wear and perfect for every day. You can build it up from sheer to light-medium coverage and it has a nice glossy finish. 

Not surprisingly this shade is pretty fool-proof so it's been on heavy rotation. We're nearly past the lip-curved indentation phase and inching closer and closer to flattened tip. 

Poison

Poison is a bright barbie-like fuchsia and if you know me, you know I love a bright fuchsia. So I was drawn to this shade like a magnet. The site describes this a a full coverage shade and while it offers fabulous color pigmentation, it feels more like medium-full coverage to me. As you can see from the photo below, the color pay off is great but it doesn't look fully opaque to me. Still, the color is pretty and definitely noticeable. 

Haul: IMATS NYC 2015

Ladies and gentlemen, I survived my first IMATs -- and in the process had a blast visiting New York with my sister. We attended on Sunday, so it was the day after all the big YouTubers went and got kicked out. I have no idea how it compares to Saturday's apparent mayhem, but it seems the event was nice and calm for the first few hours we were there. It wasn't until a little later in the afternoon that the crowds started to get a little thicker and it started to feel like other trade shows I've attended in the past (e.g., The Makeup Show, Premiere Orlando).

Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying it was better or worse without the YouTubers there. I wasn't there to witness the crowds that would surround them. I don't know what the YouTubers did or didn't do to merit getting booted. I only know what I heard. If the rumors are true, and judging by the venue and event layout, I can see how too many people crowing around to take photos with their favorite "gurus" could have resulted in the vloggers getting the boot. All I'm saying is that I can understand how it would become a safety concern.

Anyway, that's all I've got to say on that subject because I wasn't attending with the goal to partake in any YouTube meet and greets (although I probably would've said hi discreetly had I seen any of them -- I am friendly after all). I understand that some people attend hoping to see their favorite internet beauty personalities and can see how it would be disappointing that they're not there. My main focus, though, was to shop and chat with brand reps to learn about products and what not. So for me the trip was a total success.

With that said, I promised an IMATS haul and that's exactly what you'll get! So check out my video below to see everything I got (and even some swatches).

And here's a list of all the products:

• Cinema Secrets Makeup Brush Cleanser (Quick Dry formula)
• Alcone Company Non-Latex makeup sponges
• Skindinavia Makeup Finishing Spray
• Skindinavia Oil Control Primer Spray
• Skindinavia Original Primer Spray
• Bdellium Tools Tapered Contour Brush (944)
• Bdellium Tools 10-piece Studio Mineral brush set with makeup roll which includes the following brushes:
• #964 AP Blusher
• #957 Precision Cheek
• #955 Finishing
• #945 Contour
• #942 Slanted Contour
• #781 Crease
• #776 Blending
• #769 Angled Contour
• #765 Small Angle Shader
• #755 Smudge
• Beauty Blender Body Blender
• Serenity + Scott: Gatsby (lipstick) + Copper Auburn (brow gel)
• Dirty Little Secret lipsticks: Poison, Guilty Pleasure, Hopeless
• Lip Bar liquid lipstick: Candy Land and Dirty Red
• Cozette Brushes: S145, D255, S165, S175, S185
• Stilazzi shadows and blushes:
• MS04
• MS08
• MB10
• MB16
• MB18
• MB19
• MS43
• MS44
• MS45
• PS26
• Ever Glaze polishes: Lil' Bow-tique, Don't Grape About it, Floral-escent, Paint My Piggies Pink, Orchid, Top Coat
• IBD polish in Tickled Pink
• Chacott Cleansing Water (travel size)

Alright, I showed you mine, now tell me about your haul. Did you go to IMATS and what was your favorite purchase?

Haul: Colour Pop Cosmetics Super Shock Shadows + Lippie Stix

If you've been watching Youtube beauty videos lately, then you've no doubt heard of a new brand out there called Colour Pop. The brand's taken the bloggosphere/vloggosphere by strom -- and with good reason. The quality and pricing of their products are jaw dropping. Their Super Shock eyeshadows and Lippie Stix have beauty bloggers/vloggers weak at the knees, which means I had to go ahead and order some of their products to check them out for myself.

Right now, the brand makes eyeshadows and lipsticks -- all priced at $5 (!!!). And soon they'll be releasing a blush line. They haven't announced the price of the blushes, but they have said they won't be priced at $5 as they are a larger product. Regardless, I'm already salivating at the possibility.

I went ahead and ordered seven products (five shadows and two lipsticks). If you're doing the math, that's a whopping $35 (steal!). And since I signed up for their newsletter, I got a $5 off coupon, which brought my total down to $30.

I'm pretty sure I've spent more than that on fewer products at the drugstore. Just sayin'.


Anyway, here's a picture of the five eyeshadows I purchased.

I haven't given these a thorough testing, so I'm not ready for a full review. But from what I've experienced so far, I can say that these are impressive. They offer great color pay off and lasting power. I've worn them with and without primer and was pretty impressed with both -- although primer gave it much better lasting power (of course).  More to come once I test these out for longer.

In the meantime, here are some color descriptions and swatches for you:

• So Quiche: Olive with gold, pink, and violet duo chrome shimmer (metallic finish)
• Amaze: rose gold (metallic finish)
• 3: bronze with silver and multicolored glitter (metallic finish)
• Desert: warm saddle brown with taupe (satin finish)
• Hanky Panky: soft cool-tone taupe (matte finish)

I also purchased two of their Lippie Stix:

• BFF is a peachy nude with a glossy finish
• Frida is a warm mid-tone pink nude with a satin finish

Colour Pop Lippie Stix in BFF (left) and Frida (right)

These are quite creamy and also offer great color pay off. See the swatches for yourself.

Colour Pop Lippie Stix Frida (left), BFF (right) 

Even though Hanky Panky is described as a cool toned taupe,  it reminded me of  MAC Soft Brown and Stila Eden shadows. In the pot, they all look very close. But on closer inspection, it's not an exact dupe -- just in the same color family.

Soft Brown is definitely darker and warmer.  Eden is rosier. Check out the side-by-side swatch below.

Is it just me? They're kind of similar, right?

Don't forget to check out my video for a little hauling fun! When you're all done with that, visit Eugenia's haul and Phyrra's haul so you can binge on some Colour Pop purchases.

Manicure Monday: Bobbing for Baubles

Hello everyone! I hope you had a relaxing weekend. We had a cold front tease on Friday, only to be back in our Florida garb by Saturday. I swear, winter here is so indecisive. Case in point, it's Florida cold again today. Hot, cold, hot, cold. It's so confusing.

Oh well. World's smallest violin. I get it.

I got my nails done this weekend and decided I needed a pretty dark polish that was both cool and could be a little serious. To achieve that, I chose Essie's Bobbing for Baubles. How amazingly beautiful is this sapphire cream? It's not even my polish, I borrowed it from my sister. I think I need to get it for myself. Immediately.

I've been admiring this polish for a long time, but this is the first time I've actually worn it and I can't believe I hadn't taken the plunge. It's stunning.

Essie Bobbing for Baubles (2 coats), Seche Vite top coat

Nails by Miss Natalia's Beauty

Essie describes this polish as a deep sapphire cream. From my point of view, it looks more like a deep  navy cream with just the slightest hint of grey.

This polish was quite easy to apply, no streaking, super smooth, fantastic pigmentation. I used two coats because that's what I always use, but one coat gave the same color pay off you see in the bottle. 

I also love the cream finish. Most of my navy polishes have a bit of shimmer to them and I thought this was a great change of pace. In fact, I'd be willing to bet this shade would look amazing in a matte finish. I may just need to try that out. 

Are you a fan of Bobbing for Baubles? I can't believe I'm so late to this party. 

Manicure Monday: OPI Lincoln Park After Dark

If you follow me on any kind of social media, then you know I had a pretty rough weekend. My dog died unexpectedly and quite suddenly after being quite healthy and happy all day, with no signs of distress. It was quite the blow. I wasn't prepared.

I've had many dogs in my life and have had to say goodbye to quite a few (old age and sickness as is the natural order of life). All of them were sad. I shed tears for every one. But Newton was special. I'd never bonded with any of my other pets as much as I'd bonded with my Bing (his nick name was Bing-Bing after the sound his collar would make whenever he came running to greet me). His passing hit me hard. I've grieved him like a member of the family. It feels like a part of my heart is missing. I don't expect everyone to understand, but I am devastated.

Alas, he is gone and there is nothing I can do but miss him and remember the joy he brought into my life. But for now, those joyful memories, still bring up pangs of sadness. I just try to keep telling myself that in time, I'll just remember the joy.

In his honor, I got a mournful manicure with one of my favorite (yet somehow previously unswatched) OPI shades, Lincoln Park After Dark.

OPI Lincoln Park After Dark (2 coats), Seche Vite top coat. Swatched on acrylic nails. Nails by Miss Natalia's Beauty

Now, it might not look like it, but Lincoln Park After Dark (LPAD) is actually a deep eggplant purple. But to the naked eye, and in most lighting conditions, it looks black. In the photo, you can tell that the bottle isn't full on black, but on my nails, not so much. It doesn't bother me. I love a good super dark, practically (essentially?) black polish.

My RIP cross design in honor of Newton.

Like most OPI dark lacquers LPAD is immediately opaque. It goes on smoothly, leaves no streaks, and dries down to a gorgeous glossy finish. It's gorgeous, vampy, chic, and fantastic.

On natural nails this lasts me about 3-4 days. I've said it before, I'm rough on my nails. Most manicures don't survive too long. On acrylics, I'm sure it will last much longer. But I'll probably change it out before it looks tired because I like to change things up.

There's not much I can say about the fabulous color that hasn't already been said before. If you love vampy dark shades and you don't have this color, make a plan to go get it. You won't regret it.

Review & Swatch: Inglot Lipstick #140

The longer I blog, the more my love for lipstick grows. When I first started out, I was more of a gloss girl. It was less intimidating and more fool proof. But as I've gotten braver about my beauty choices, I've discovered I'm rather fond of a bold lip.

My growing lipstick collection includes a mix of high-end and drugstore selections. But when I'm choosing a new lipstick to add to the stash, I look for four main things: the color (Do I like it? Does it compliment my skin?), finish (I tend to favor creams, satins, and mattes and avoid anything too frosty), pigmentation (Does it offer good color pay off or is it sheer?), and moisturizing properties (Is it creamy and moisturizing? Am I willing to forgo this for color and performance?).

I recently went through this exact though process when I acquired my first Inglot lipstick in #140 at The Makeup Show.

First of all, look at that amazing color! It's a beautiful red-blue fuchsia cream that I was immediately drawn to. I'm also totally digging the pretty metal black case. It looks so sleek! And while the packaging isn't a deciding factor, it's certainly a nice little aesthetic bonus once I make a purchase. Plus, when you buy a higher end product, you kind of expect something more in the area of presentation.

But the luxe quality of this Inglot shade doesn't stop with the pretty packaging. Just check out the color payoff and gorgeous hue. If only the picture could show you how lovely it feels.

Inglot lipstick #140 swatch

Let there be no question as to why I love this lipstick. When I swatched this color at the Inglot booth, I was in love. It's creamy and smooth and feels incredible on your lips, thanks to a formula infused with Vitamin E and kernel oil. Also, the shade is right up my alley. As you probably know, I love a fuchsia lip (here's video proof). And, oh by the way, you get this kind of color pay off pretty much as soon as you swipe it on your pucker.

Later, when I got it home, I realized the reason I was so in love with it is that it's nearly a perfect match for MAC's Girl About Town (basically my favorite lipstick). The only visible difference I can detect (upon really close side-by-side inspection) is that #140 is slightly redder. It's not immediately apparent to the naked eye. But it shows a little more on camera. Dare I say, I think Inglot's version is a bit creamier and more moisturizing? I dare. But let it be said the difference isn't overly significant. (P.S. I'm still on the hunt for a satisfying drugstore dupe, not a close-enough dupe)

My experience with my first Inglot lipstick has been positive. I've found it's comparable to other high end lines it competes with (such as MAC) in terms of pigmentation and performance -- something I already expected after using their shadows. But what I also like, is that you get to save a little money. Since I've already started comparing it to MAC Girl About Town, let's stick to it. Inglot retails for $12 here in the US (I paid $9 at the show), while MAC retails for $15. A $3 savings might not seem that impressive compared to how much you can save at the drugstore, but it's still money in your pocket. And in my book that counts, especially since you're not compromising prestige, look and quality.

As for how it wears throughout the day, it's pretty much as expected for a creamy lipstick. This isn't meant to be long wearing, so you'll definitely need to carry it with you and reapply. Hey, no one said a bold lip wasn't a little high maintenance.

Another little thing you should know: It has a fruity smell. For the sake of comparison, the scent is really similar to that of Milani color statement lipsticks.

Have you tried Inglot lipsticks? Are you a fan? Do you agree with my assessment? If you're new to the brand, are you likely to give these a try?

OCC Lip Tar Swatches: Mein Herr, Yaoi, Rhythm Box, Black Metal Dahlia

A while back, I shared swatches and a rambling review of my first Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics lip tar (check it out here) purchase. Although sometimes tricky to use (you'll need a lip brush and steady hand), I really loved their color pay off and moisturizing quality. The 0.33 fl. oz tubes are packed with fabulous lip loving ingredients like hemp oil and Vitamin E and peppermint oil (to give them an antibacterial quality). They're also paraben free.

Aside from all that goodness, OCC's lip tars are so pigmented and easy to spread, all you need is a tiny drop for an opaque and colorful pout. That means you'll have them for a really long time.

Interestingly enough, when I first purchased them they retailed for $16, but now they'll run you $18. Considering my three original purchases still look brand new (I'm not kidding when I say one drop goes a LONG way), I'm not going to gripe over an extra $2.

If I had to gripe about something, it's that I wish they were easier to apply, so I could easily swipe more on after eating. As it is, it requires a little more work than a tube of lipstick or gloss. But I understand there's a reason behind this, they're easier to mix and create customized color (part of their appeal) in this liquidy form. Clearly, it's not a big enough gripe to keep me from acquiring more. And that's exactly what I did recently.

If you've check out my Makeup Show hauls (here and here) you already knew that. Today,  I'm finally getting around to sharing some swatches. But first, a quick reminder of the three lip tars I purchased:

OCC Lip Tars (left to right): Yaoi, Rhythm Box, Black Metal Dahlia

And a photo of the lip tar I received as part of the blogger preview:

OCC Lip Tar in Mein Herr

Enough reminders, let's check out what these babies look like when you wear them already.

OCC Lip Tar Yaoi

Yaoi is part of the metallic lip tar line and can be best described as a shimmery bright fuchsia. And you guys know that I can't resist a fuchsia lipstick or nail polish. It's only natural I'd eventually get my hands on Yaoi.

While Yaoi is part of the metallic line, it's not overly shimmery or frosty, which I like because it makes it more wearable. It has shimmer, but it's not overpowering. 

OCC lip tar in Rhythm Box

Rhythm Box is part of the stained gloss lip tar collection and can be best described as a translucent burgundy. To me, it looks like a berry stain with a little bit of glossy shine. I think this might be my favorite as the sheer and glossy finish makes this color incredibly easy to wear.

OCC lip tar in Mein Herr

I know I love my pigmented colors, but I'm really in love with the stained gloss line. Mein Herr is a pretty sheer nude gloss that's really easy to wear every day. I also love wearing it over a lot of my lipsticks to mute them down and give them some shine.

OCC lip tar Black Metal Dahlia

Black Metal Dahlia, as the name suggests, is part of the metallic line. It can be best described as a deep burgundy with red pearl finish. Unlike Yaoi, Black Metal Dahlia definitely looks metallic. It's a vampy statement color that would look lovely with simple makeup -- making your lips take center stage. Of all the colors shared today, this was the trickiest to work with as blotting can cause some splotchiness and the pearly finish can make it more obvious (that's magnified by super close up camera shots).

While the color is beautiful and I love a bold lip, Black Metal Dahlia is a bit too intense for me, I think it's the simmer. To counteract that (and not leave this pretty color sitting around collecting dust), I apply it by dabbing it on with my finger to give it more of a stain effect.

OCC lip tar Black Metal Dahlia worn as stain

It ends up looking like a deeper version of Rhythm box, with just a tiny hint of shimmer. I'll probably wear it like this most often, and slowly build up the intensity to help me get use to it's boldness.

Are you a fan of OCC lip tars? Which colors are your favorite? Are you a fan of any of the colors I shared today?

OFRA Cosmetics Lipsticks & Swatches

OFRA Cosmetics lipsticks (left to right): Fuchsia, #202 (blue based red), 201 (creamy pink) 

I love OFRA Cosmetics lipsticks. I discovered them last year at the Makeup Show and picked up a few extra ones this year. Their moisturizing formula is enriched with antioxidants and Vitamin E and protects your lips with natural sunscreen. What you end up with is a creamy, pigmented lipstick that looks and feels absolutely phenomenal. Plus, it doesn't hurt that they're only $5 at the show (regularly $13).

Check out the three I purchased below.

Fuchsia

One of the first colors I was drawn to was the pretty deep fuchsia that's perfect for fall. As you can see it's much darker, almost like a deep berry color, than traditional fuchsia lipsticks. In a strange departure from their regular numeric naming convention, this color is actually called Fuchsia. I wonder why they decided to skip the numbering system? 

This color has a satin finish that feels smooth and creamy on your lips. I detected no distinct scent other than the regular smell of lipstick. A word to the wise: It stains your lips. Once you take it off, you'll still have a bit of color left behind (good thing I swatched this one last). 

202

Next, I picked out lipstick #202, a gorgeous power red that's bound to look great on most skin tones. Seeing as it made my teeth look whiter, I'd wager that 202 is a blue-based red. Like fuchsia, 202 is also a satin finish that feels moisturizing, glides on easily, and has no discernible scent. Just be sure to use a lip liner if you're like me and have trouble applying a red lip neatly. I skipped the liner for swatching purposes (so it wouldn't interfere with the color swatch), which explains why it's a tiny bit messy. 

201

The last color I picked out was #201, a perfect creamy pink with a slightly peachy-yellow undertone. I love an easy every day color and 201 fits the bill. Just like fuchsia and 202, this lipstick is a stain finish, feels great on, offers fantastic color pay off, and has no scent.

If you've never tried OFRA cosmetics you should definitely give them a try. They offer a fantastic range of quality products. What do you think of the three colors I chose?

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?