Happy weekend! Every now and then when I run out of things, I grab something new for fun, or because I can’t find what I wanted. This instance was a bit of both! While I was looking for the e.l.f. foundation I usually use, I came across e.l.f.’s Beautifully Bare Foundation Serum, which looked pretty cool. Based on the packaging, I figured it was just a mineral-based foundation that was also SPF 25. I had never used a serum before!

This was definitely different than what I thought it was. I don’t know exactly how to explain it, to be honest. It’s thinner and runnier than a BB or CC cream, which was a surprise! I guess you could compare it to a tinted moisturizer or something, but don’t take my word on that because I’ve never used one of those either (I have a lot to explore hehe). I tried using my Milk Dab and Blend Applicator and it literally slid right off, which disappointed me a bit because I freakin’ love using that thing. I’ve found that the best way to apply this serum is to just use your fingers.

Even though this formula is super thin, this serum actually does a great job of acting as a foundation. It blends really well, and keeps my face looking natural and glowy. I can’t use it on my lips because it absorbs really quickly, but in general the coverage is great.

Unfortunately, I can’t really tell if the mineral/serum part is kicking in. My face has been a bit dry because of the harsh northeastern winter, and I’ve been breaking out a bit near my temples. It could be the serum, the fact that I’m applying it with my fingers, or something completely different.

Overall though, I recommend using this serum if that’s the sort of thing you’re looking for. Take a look through the reviews on the product’s page, which I linked above. Some people love it, and some people hate it! I say give it a try. I’d definitely use this for a lowkey event or a ten-minute makeup look, but maybe not every day. If you’re interested in going cruelty-free, check out PETA’s Searchable Database and Cruelty-Free Kitty’s alphabetized list of cruelty-free brands. If you have any cruelty-free recommendations, please comment them below!

makeup monday: cocoa contour palette

March 19, 2018Cruelty-Free, Beauty, Beauty ReviewKristenComment

Contouring always scared me. I was so intimidated when I first saw Kim Kardashian and beauty tutorialistas beating their faces to perfection. This semester, my beauty guru friend started contouring me with Too Faced's Cocoa Contour Palette, and I kind of fell in love. I asked for it for Christmas, and my wonderful parents blessed me with the gift of a chiseled face. Like I said, contouring really scared me until I realized that it was basically like coloring your face! This particular palette comes with a little brochure thing with three basic contouring looks - Instant Cheekbones, Skinny Sculpt, and Celebrity Contour. I started with the first, Instant Cheekbones, which is pretty basic. I also love highlighting my defined cheekbones (thanks Mom!!!) It just works really well with my face and the rest of the makeup I wear. I've tried the others on occasion, and they were great too.

I also really love how simple this palette is! I always expect contour palettes to be weird and big and complicated. This one only has four shades, Light Cocoa, Medium Cocoa, Dark Cocoa, and Pop of Light, so I wasn't super overwhelmed when I first opened it. And it even comes with a lil angled kabuki blending brush that's insanely soft!

As most people know, the Cocoa Contour Palette smells like chocolate! you all know how much I love things that smell good. Like the Origins primer I just reviewed, the yummy scent is such a great addition to my morning beauty routine.

Overall. I 100,000% recommend this palette to anyone, but especially to people who have never contoured before or people who are just starting out! If you’re interested in going cruelty-free, check out PETA’s Searchable Database and Cruelty-Free Kitty’s alphabetized list of cruelty-free brands. If you have any cruelty-free recommendations, please comment them below!

milk makeup dab and blend applicator

March 12, 2018Cruelty-Free, Beauty, Beauty ReviewKristenComment

A little while ago, I reviewed e.l.f.'s brush cleaner, and was incredibly disgusted when I saw how dirty my brushes were, and how this brush cleaner didn't do anything! Since then, I've been looking for new brush cleaners and better brushes, but also different ways to apply foundation. There are so many options for me to try, and I'm so excited to share this one with you all!

When I first saw people using silicone and gel applicators for makeup, I was so confused! I had never seen or heard of it before, and I didn't really know why it was a thing. I did some research and found out that the silicone (or gel) applicator, unlike a sponge, won't absorb whatever product is on it, so you can save a lot of foundation. Because of this, silicone applicators also do a phenomenal job at blending.

At this point, I was very intrigued, so I grabbed one of my Sephora gift cards and made the pilgrimage to my closest store to grab Milk Makeup's Dab and Blend Applicator. I had seen cheaper variations at CVS, but honestly, rubbing anything other than a sponge on my face was kind of freaking me out, so I wanted the real deal. Also Milk is a cruelty-free, generally awesome brand that I've been meaning to try forever, so why not splurge on a pretty applicator with sparkles in it?

Basically, this thing blew my mind. I'm pissed someone didn't think of this sooner! We're honestly not hyping this up enough. Guys, the amount of foundation I saved using this was insane. I picked up a relatively small amount, and it carried my foundation way across my face. I was astounded. Of course, using less foundation is great because you save money, but this also helped me avoid the cake-y, unblended look that I really hate. This applicator really makes the difference.

And, it's blending capabilities are seriously prime. Once again, this applicator doesn't absorb anything. All the action occurs on your face! I usually just wipe the excess foundation off the applicator with a tissue and run it under warm water to clean it. I haven't ever been grossed out while using this!

I think the only critique I have for this tool is that it doesn't work well with BB creams, CC creams, and other thinner formulas (like the foundation serum I'll be reviewing soon hehe), which is kind of annoying, but I don't mind using a brush or my hand every once in a while and using the applicator to blend my contour and everything together.

If you couldn't already tell, I highly highly recommend this applicator! It's one of the best things in the world, and it's seriously life-changing. Everyone should get their hands on one, seriously. A must-have product. If you’re interested in going cruelty-free, check out PETA’s Searchable Database and Cruelty-Free Kitty’s alphabetized list of cruelty-free brands. If you have any cruelty-free recommendations, please comment them below!

origins pore perfecting cooling primer with willowherb

February 22, 2018Cruelty-Free, Beauty, Beauty Review, SponsoredKristenComment

I have a fun product for you all today! Origins sent me some of their new Pore Perfecting Cooling Primer with Willowherb to review. Before you keep reading, I have to warn that Origins gets a little weird on the cruelty-free scale. While they don't test their products on animals in America, they do test where required by law, which means their products sold in China are not cruelty-free. However, their website states that they're partners with the Institute for In Vitro Sciences, which aims to end animal testing everywhere, which I think is pretty cool. I'm a fan!

I actually really love using this primer. My favorite part of it is that it smells like grapefruit! It honestly makes such a difference when I get ready in the morning. I get this fresh burst on my skin, and I feel like I'm glowing!

I'm not gonna lie, I was a little scared when I opened my package and saw the top. The primer has an interesting texture. It's kind of foamy, but fairly dense. Sometimes it's weird because I feel like I'm putting mousse or some haircare product on my face, but like I said before, putting this on in the morning wakes me up and kickstarts my day. It's a cooling primer, and you feel it literally as soon as you put it on.

My skin has also looked great since I started using this primer. I didn't break out or anything, which surprised me because my face can get temperamental sometimes. My pores have looked great, and like I said before, I feel like I'm glowing! It's probably because Origins is a really natural company. All their ingredients are non-toxic and high quality. Their products are formulated without phthalates, parabens, DEA, paraffin, propylene glycol, petrolatum, mineral oil, animal ingredients, and polyethylene beads.

Another great thing about this primer is that it keeps your makeup looking great, which is why I originally started wearing primer in high school. I've been through a couple different primers since then, but this one is definitely up there! Since I've been using it, I've had to leave my makeup on overnight a couple times (I know I know), and it helps my makeup look flawless the next day. I get so many compliments!

Overall, I would definitely recommend this primer! It's a little pricey, but it is high quality. I have lots more makeup reviews coming for you guys, I can't wait!

If you’re interested in going cruelty-free, check out PETA’s Searchable Database and Cruelty-Free Kitty’s alphabetized list of cruelty-free brands. If you have any cruelty-free recommendations, please comment them below!

Let's Get Naked

January 9, 2018Cruelty-FreeKristenComment

This Christmas, I asked for a ton of makeup. I've always been into beauty (obviously) but I definitely got more interested in it this semester. One of my roommates and her sister are crazy good at makeup, and they always try to teach me things when they doll me up before we go out. A couple of my sorority sisters are also super gifted and they've been teaching me things, so I figured I'd ask for a couple high-quality products to start actually getting into it. The Urban Decay NAKED 3 palette was one of them!

Though I had wanted this palette for a long time, I never actually got it because I never really wore eyeshadow. Every time I tried, I would just mess it up and it would look so bad. But this semester, my sorority sisters taught us a makeup class, and I learned a little more about blending and which types of colors to put where on my eye. I started playing around, and now I feel empty without eyeshadow!

NAKED 3 is honestly perfect for me! On a normal day, I wear neutral colors on my eyes like beige and tan, which is exactly why I wanted one of the NAKED palettes. I loved the rose gold tones in NAKED 3, and there's honestly a ridiculous variety. The palette goes from super light shades like Strange, which I usually use under my eyebrows, and Burnout, my go-to, to darker crease shades like Factory and Darkheart. Honestly the names of these are super cute too, like Mugshot, Liar, and Trick! It just makes getting ready in the morning that much more fun.

I also really like that every color has a sparkly complement; it makes it really easy to pair shades together and play around on my lids. They're more shimmery than sparkly, with just enough shine to add a little pop to your look but not so much it looks like you're attending a red carpet at the grocery store, if that makes sense.

And the BRUSH! It's double-sided, with one end for applying and one end for blending, which completely revolutionized my eyeshadow game since I've never had a blending brush! I've never had an issue with my brushes, until recently I realized they get really dirty really quickly, and they're really difficult to clean (what the hell, e.l.f.?!). One of my sisters told me that I'd never realize how crappy my brushes were until I used quality ones, and I completely believe her now that I've used this brush and the one that came with my Cocoa Contour palette. It's so soft!!! I feel like a literal princess when I use this brush.

I'm so so happy I was fortunate enough to get this for Christmas, because it's seriously changed my makeup game forever! And as a bonus, Urban Decay is cruelty-free! If you’re interested in going cruelty-free, check out PETA’s Searchable Database and Cruelty-Free Kitty’s alphabetized list of cruelty-free brands. If you have any cruelty-free recommendations, please comment them below!