CoverGirl Haul!

Hey girls! So I went to CVS a week ago (NEVER let me loose in a CVS. I will want EVERYTHING!) and I got five things. One was a Sally Hansen eyelash curler, another was Revlon Photoready Liquid Foundation, and the other three were all CoverGirl products. Since eyelash curlers are pretty self-explanatory, and I'm going to review PhotoReady soon, I decided to haul the CoverGirl products. Enjoy!

• First is a relatively new product, LashBlast Volume. I have never owned the famed LashBlast, but I love my LashExact, so I decided to buy. The applicator is very thick, with rubber bristles. I only had to apply a few strokes to get excellent length, volume, and fanned-out lashes. New favorite? Definitely. However if you layer this mascara too much it will clump and look fake/spidery, so avoid coating this on.
• Next is WetSlicks lip gloss. I've needed a clear lip gloss for a while - great when you want to add shine to your natural lip color, or gloss over the perfect lipstick. As far as glosses go, this one is pretty standard. Kudos to CoverGirl for the non-stickiness and the yummy scent, though.
• Finally a product I have owned before, CG's eyeshadow trio in 110 shimmering sands. This was my first eyeshadow ever and it ran out a few months ago, so the time was ripe for a new one. Fabulous quality, especially considering it's drugstore, and very pigmented. The colors are perfect for a shimmery neutral eye.

All for now! Look out for a Revlon PhotoReady Foundation review soon, and see more photos of the CoverGirl stuff after the jump!

Love, Val

Rave: Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Glosses

  Hey all! So several months ago, I picked up Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Coral Reef. It was the perfect summer color, and I absolutely fell in love with the formulation (I usually prefer lipsticks to glosses, but this is an exception). Recently I decided to get the color Pink Pop as well, and turns out I love it even more! Read on for some swatches and features of my new favorite glosses.

Coral Reef on top, Pink Pop below

Coral Reef on left, Pink Pop on right

Sheer application of Coral Reef

Sheer application of Pink Pop

   Features:
  -Excellent pigmentation; the swatches above we just one quick swipe from the applicator.
  -Doe foot applicator applies an even coat.
  -Perfect balance between sticky and oily - I love the formula! SPF 15.
  -Great color choices - I haven't tried any of the other ones yet,  though I want to.
  -Buildable color. One swipe across the lip makes for a natural tint (as pictured); apply to both lips and you'll achieve an almost-lipstick effect.
  -Pink Pop and Coral Reef contain no shimmer, and are just glossy enough.
  -Very elegant, sturdy packaging. Reminds me of Estée Lauder packaging.

  All in all, the glosses are definitely a favorite for me. Buy at any drugstore, or on drugstore.com for $7. That's all for today! What's your favorite lip gloss?

   Love, Val

January Favorites

Hey guys! It's time for my (always belated) favorites post!

The month of January was a month of great hair and minimal makeup. I tried to use as little face makeup as possible, paired with bare eyes (save for some mascara) and a bright pink lip. I played around with my new haircut, trying out some blowouts!

Makeup

• GloMinerals Loose Base (in Natural Light) is what I've been using as my foundation and concealer this past month. It gives a nice, natural coverage and never looks cakey. On my face I use it with a large powder brush, and for concealer I use it with a small eyeshadow brush. 

• Bobbi Brown Everything Mascara (in black) was given to me as a sample at Bobbi's Beauty Rules book signing! (I will post about the book & signing soon!) It's a really nice, natural mascara, but it can easily be built up to high lengths and volume.

• Revlon Just Bitten Lip Balm & Stain (in Passion) is a pretty, fuchsia lip stain. I love the pop of color it gives to my look and the balm on the other side is really convenient and moisturizing. I've even used it in a tutorial!

• Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss (in Pink Pop) looks beautiful over the lip stain for a higher-intensity pink. Or, it works just as well on its own!

Hair
I've been wearing my hair straight, shiny, and swingy all month! I like to blow it out in the mornings with some Chi Silk Infusion and my Revlon Blow dryer. I start by getting my hair mostly dry, then I get a round brush, section off my hair, and start more intricate blow dryer work. Would you be interested in a post on this...?

All for now! Thanks SO much for following and commenting. I appreciate it so much.

Love, Val

Back To School Makeup!

     It's that time of year again! Time to decide on your own back-to-school look. Will you reinvent your style? Try all the new trends? Stick with the classics? While you work on your perfect first-day outfit, I've already figured out a makeup look that will flatter anyone on their first day!
    It's a simple look designed to bring out your natural beauty. It features very little on the skin, with naturally pink cheeks, big and lifted eyes, and glossy coral lips. As a bonus, all the makeup is from the drugstore. Let's get started! (You may also check out my video tutorial here.)

1) For your base makeup, take time to evaluate what makeup you actually need. As an example, my skin has a few blemished areas and dark undereye circles, but other than that is relatively clear. Thus, I used concealer in those areas and left the rest bare. I even used a little extra on the lids as an eyeshadow primer. Revlon ColorStay Blemish Concealer - Light/Medium

2) Begin by giving your eyes some shine and dewiness with a shimmery cream shadow. elf Shadow/Liner Stick - Basic/Brown

3) Next, define the eyes with a brown liner. Apply accross the upper lashline, gradually getting thicker toward the end, and finish with a "kitten" wing. This will lift the eyes, making them appear large and bright. Apply some halfway through the lower lashline as well. elf Shadow/Liner Stick - Basic/Brown

4) Optionally set the shadows and boost color by applying powder shadows (in colors that match) directly on top of the creams. Revlon ColorStay Quad - Coffee Bean

4) Finish off the eyes with curled lashes and mascara. Revlon Grow Lusicous Mascara - Black

5) Keep the cheeks simple and natural by applying a blush that mimics your own natural flush. To do this, check the color of your cheeks after exercising. elf Studio Blush - Tickled Pink

6) Finish off with a glossy lip. There's a shade of coral for everyone! Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss - Coral Reef

Done!

I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and have a great day!
Love, Val

Megan Fox Inspired Makeup

  Hey girls! I figured it's been too long since my last makeup tutorial, so here's one for you all. It's inspired by a look Megan Fox wore to the Armani Show at Milan Fashion week: hot pink glossy lips with dramatic, black winged eyeliner. It's perfect for nights out, or (if you're daring!) a spiced-up everyday look.

Megan, as always, looks amazing in the makeup!

1.) As usual, start off with foundation. Then, add a light layer of powder to set for a semi-matte finish. Conceal, and define your brows, if you need to (I didn't). Try to keep the foundation looking light, as we don't want to distract from the eyes and lips! (Revlon PhotoReady foundation in Nude, Maybelline Dream Matte powder in Medium Sand)

2) Now, for the winged liner! Use your liner of choice (powder, gel, pencil...); I like liquid for a dramatic line. Create a line across the upper lash line, getting gradually thicker towards the end. Then, finish it off with a thick wing angling towards the brow, and a little liner on the lower lash line. Don't forget to heap on the mascara! (Stila Stay All Day waterproof liquid liner, Stila Major Major lash mascara)

3) Add a light dusting of bronzer, taking it from the temple across the cheekbone. (Benefit Hoola bronzer)

4) Wrap things up with a fuchsia lip! Carefully outline the shape of your lips, fill in, then blend with a finger for even coverage. Coat with clear gloss. (Revlon Just Bitten lip stain in Passion, CoverGirl clear gloss)

5) Done!

  Hope you liked the tutorial! I absolutely love the look... considering wearing it to my next school dance! Have a great weekend and thank you so much for all the support. :)

  Love, Val

Lauren Conrad Inspired Makeup

Enter my giveaway if you haven't already - you have until August 1st!!

Hello lovelies! Today I have a full-face makeup tutorial for you all (my first!).  It's a makeup look inspired by Lauren Conrad. I've never seen the Hills, so I can't say I'm a fan of Lauren Conrad, the person; but I read People and her makeup is always gorgeous! Fresh, natural, and dewy. Without further babble, the tutorial!

1) Start off with a foundation-ready face. Lauren has clear skin, so be sure to use a good concealer, especially under the eyes. Lightly sweep a sheer powder on the t-zone to set and mattify, but avoid the cheek area because we want that to be as dewy as possible! (Sephora tinted moisturizer in bronze, Benefit boi-ing concealer in 02, Dulce cosmetics powder in 02)

2) Lauren has simple eye shadow, so start by concealing your lid with a base or concealer, then use a light shimmery color on the lid and browbone. (MAC painterly paint pot and naked lunch eyeshadow)

3) The most drama in Lauren's makeup is the liner and mascara! Use a liquid liner to draw a thin line across the upper lash line, then make a small wing at the end angling up towards the brow. Then use a coating of mascara for volume. (MAC PenUltimate liquid liner, CoverGirl LashBlast Volume mascara)

4) Apply a soft pink blush. I'm using a cream blush, for more dewiness, and applying with my fingers. Then highlight your cheeks (I go into more depth here!). (Nars Penny Lane cream blush, MAC naked lunch shadow)

5) Lauren always has very natural, glossy lips. So I used a peachy pink lipstick, blotted, and used a clear gloss over! (Revlon ColorBurst lipstick in Peach, CoverGirl lip gloss in clear radiance)

Done!

Hope you liked the tutorial! Leave me any request you can think of, and I'll talk to you soon!

Love, Val

May Faves!

For me, May has been a month of glowy, fresh skin with subtle eyes and coral lips. On to the faves!

FACE
Stila Tinted Moisturizer is an illuminating, glowy start to any makeup look. I love its barely-there coverage; just enough to even out the complexion.
I like to follow up with a tiny dot of Stila Perfecting Concealer, which covers blemishes and redness beautifully.
Atop the cheeks I apply Revlon Colorstay Brighten Finishing Powder for a sheer highlight - right above whatever blush or bronzer I wear that day.
EYES
I adore this $1 e.l.f. "Day 2 Night" Quad; the pigmentation is excellent and the colors are fab. I use the cream shade on my lid with the taupe brown blended through the crease.
LIPS
I like to finish off the look with Revlon Super Lustrous Lip Gloss in Coral Reef for a glossy coral finishing touch!

This is my 1st anniversary for my favorites posts! Read last May's here.
Have an excellent day!
Love, Val

November Faves

Now that November is coming to a close, it's time to sum up my favorite products this month! I stuck to warm tones, mainly neutrals with some shimmer.

Revlon ColorBurst Lip Gloss, Papaya - A fun orange shade with just enough pigment and shimmer.

Laura Mercier Paint, Rose Gold - The perfect metallic shade for fall, and so easy to use!

Elf Duo Eyeshadow/Liner, brown- I like to line the upper lash line with this, with or without the LM eyeshadow. It makes for a warm, soft definition.

Revlon ColorStay Mineral Mousse Foundation - Keeps me matte without powder, and evens out the skin with light natural-looking coverage. A must for oily skin.

All for now! What are your November faves?

Love, Val

What I've Been Loving

Hey girls! This was going to be a November Faves, but now we're a week into December. So here's my "What I've Been Loving" post :)

Face
My new foundation routine (pictured) consists of Stila Perfecting Concealer in 'C' on blemishes and undereyes, then a quick dusting of gloMinerals Loose Base in 'Natural Light.' Effortless, and very natural looking. I like how it feels like I don't have makeup on!

Eyes
I've been wearing plum/mauve tones on my eyes recently (I've been told that it brings out my coloring). First, I lightly sweep gloMinerals eyeshadow in Blackberry up to the crease, then follow up with a coat of Benefit Bad Gal Plum mini mascara.

Lip/Cheek
I am in love with Benefit's BeneTint; it's a beautiful liquid cheek color in a rosy shade, great for a "caught in a snowstorm" flush. I've been wearing it on the cheeks, and then applying just a bit to the lips for a slight stain.
In other lip news, I've slowly worked lip glosses back into my makeup routine! Pictured are Clinique Superbalm Moisturizing gloss in Raspberry, Revlon Super Lustrous in Pink Pop, and Nars Turkish Delight - but I love a lot of glosses.  :)

Hair
I've been doing a super-lazy style a lot recently: quick low bun with my hair parted on the side, but to add some flair I braid two tiny sections beforehand. I think it makes it look a little more deliberate, no?

Random

Nutella Hot Chocolate is delicious! (I learned from the lovely missglamorazzi's video recipe.) Basically, you heat up 1 cup of milk on the stove and whisk in 2 T Nutella spread. Now, you may think this would lead to an overly sweet, cheap tasting hot chocolate, but it doesn't! The result is delicious; somehow it ends up with a very sophisticated nutty taste. Mmm. I have literally been having one a day.

 All for now! What have you been loving?

Love, Val

Mila Kunis Makeup: SAG Awards

Today I have for you a makeup tutorial inspired by the gorgeous Mila Kunis. I'm sure all of you have followed her fashion, hair, and makeup choices from the awards season; she always looks stunning! Here's my take on her smokey yet simple Screen Actor's Guild Awards makeup look.

FACE
For that flawless matte skin, apply a thin layer of medium coverage liquid foundation, full coverage concealer under the eyes and on blemishes, and a light dusting of powder to set. (Neutrogena Healthy Skin Liquid Makeup in "soft beige," Laura Mercier Secret Concealer in "3," MAC MSF Natural in "Medium Plus")

CHEEKS
Mila is wearing a subtle cheek color: a bit of bronzer on the backs of the cheekbones and temples, and a bit of peachy blush on the apples of the cheeks. Remember, the eyes should take the focus here! (e.l.f. Blush & Bronzing Powder)

EYES
1) If necessary, prep the eyes with eyeshadow primer and lightly fill in eyebrows. (MAC Painterly Paint Pot, matte brown from Revlon Coffee Bean quad)

2) Apply a shimmery, medium/dark taupe color to the eyelid. Blend slightly into the crease. (Taupe from e.l.f. "Day 2 Night" quad)

3) Pat a darker, matte brown into the outer corner. Blend upwards for that smoky effect.Take this time to apply more of the lid color to the lower lashline. (Matte brown from Revlon Coffee Bean quad)

4) Take a true black eyeliner pencil and line the upper lashline and waterline, all the way around. (Stila Kajal Liner in Onyx)

5) Finally, curl your lashes and apply lots of black mascara to the upper and lower lashes. No false lashes necessary; let the liner do the talking! (CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume mascara in black)

LIPS
Keep it simple with a kiss of pink color, and a tiny dash of gloss! (e.l.f. Lip Stain in Birthday Suit)

DONE!

I hope you all enjoyed this makeup look!
Love, Val

P.S. SO sorry for being MIA recently! I got caught up in finals, potential summer work, volleyball, etc. I will have a lot more time come summer, aka in one week!