Shakeup Your Makeup

The newest sensation in liquid foundation has been the Beauty Blender sponge applicator. Sonia Kashuk (at Target) created her own version, and the store close to my house FINALLY got back in stock so I was able to pick one up when I was there this past weekend.

The Sonia Kashuk blender sponge is a deep purple and looks like an Easter egg! It is made of a dense, but very squishy and flexible sponge that has a narrow tip at the top for application into smaller areas (under eyes, around nose, corners of eyes) and the broader end that can be used to apply to a broader areas, like the cheeks, forehead, etc.

I tried it for the first time today and was amazed at how little foundation I had to use in order to get excellent and flawless coverage - definitely a lot better than using my fingertips which apparently was just smearing it all over my face! Although I am a mineral makeup fanatic, I do have Laura Geller's Phenomenal Foundation and I found this made a world of difference in it's application compared to how I had in the past.

For around $9-10, this is definitely worth the try! Pick one up next time you are at Target, or take a look online here.

I finally stumbled upon the Revlon "Pure Confection" highlighting powder that everyone has been comparing to MAC Mineralize Skin Finishes at my local Walmart, so I picked one up to try. The one I got had a majority of ivory frost, with some pink and blue woven through.



I was worried that the Revlon "Brighten" I purchased last week would be very similar, but the colors are very different. The "brighten" is much cooler and pinker. The "Pure Confection" is truly a highlighter, and could be used as an eyeshadow as well!


I swatched the two below, and unfortunately it is difficult to see a difference because of how much shimmer there is in both of them. The "Brighten" is more pink, though.

I've been a little MIA recently because I have the dreaded cold that is running rampant through our office - yuck! Unfortunately it hit about Thursday and I'm still feeling the repercussions of it! Regardless, I figured some makeup would make me feel better, so I thought I'd post about the Jane Aquaceuticals I bought myself before Easter.

I found four colors left - black, bronze, taupe and wine - at my local Walgreens, so I bought them all up. They are pretty fat pencils, but the color payoff is great! There is a bit of a cooling sensation when applied, and they remind me of the old Maybelline eye pencils that had the same effect, only the Jane Aquaceuticals actually lasted and had better pigmentation.


The swatches are below - as you can see a few of the colors have a little bit of minuscule glitter to them, but it didn't irritate my eyes like some glittery eyeliners do. I love the color of the Deep Pearl, because I find it's hard to come across a good taupe eyeliner that doesn't pull and drag along your lashline when applied.


If you happen to come across these are your local Walgreens while they are being clearanced, I'd say for the $2, they are definitely worth it!

The Balm "Balm Beach" palette is absolutely gorgeous! I can't wait to wear this when I get back from Floriday here in about a month - what perfect colors to wear with a nice tan! There are three colors that can be worn as eyeshadows and bronzers, as well as a gorgeous lipgloss in this palette. The top color is a matte bronze, the middle is a beautiful coral/peach with golden shimmer and the bottom is a peachy bronze shimmer. These are absolutely gorgeous!

Secondly is the Revlon Colorstay Mineral Finishing Powder in "Brighten". This is a drugstore version of the MAC Mineral Skin Finish blushes and highlights, although it doesn't necessarily carry the drugstore price. At around $14.00, I would definitely wait for a coupon or BOGO to come along, although the product is beautiful. A gorgeous shimmery pink, this works great as a highlight or eyeshadow.

Below is The Balm palette on, along with the Revlon as a highlighter - gorgeous! I just can't wait until I have a tan! :)

Face:

Everyday Minerals Intensive Foundation "Fairly Summer"

The Balm Palette "Hot Mama" - blush

Revlon Colorstay Mineralize Finishing Powder "Brighten"

Eyes:

The Balm Palette shimmery bronze - lid

Ulta Eyeshadow "Olive" - crease/outer corner

Ulta Eyeshadow "Lustre" - highlight

Milani Color Brilliance Eyeliner Pencil "Green" - lower lashline

Max Factor 2000 Calorie Mascara