My Effortless Back to School Makeup Neccessities

Hello friends! Today is my first day of my last year in college (FINALLY!) and as such, I decided it was only appropriate to share with you the products that will be essential to me looking human and not a zombie. As this is my last year, the classes will be harder than before and plus I will be writing my senior thesis this year (and then there is something called grad school applications) so I probably won't be caking my face too much with makeup. The products I am going to talk you through today are products that I would wear on a day where I need to quickly get ready and look somewhat presentable to the public. 

Taylor Swift Inspired Makeup Look (from Blank Space)

Hey guys! Hope you are having a wonderful day! Today I will be sharing with you my Taylor Swift Inspired Makeup Look (focusing mainly on her look in the Blank Space music video). I've been wanting to create a look based off the music video ever since it first came out, but I didn't get a chance to do so until this week (so I hope I wasn't too late on the bandwagon!). Anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed the look and let me know what you guys think. Please also let me know if you have any requests for any looks and I will be happy to do them!

December 2014 Empties

Hey guys! So today I will be sharing with you my December 2014 Empties! I used up a lot of products in December, so be sure to check out the video and find out my thoughts are on these products! Who knows, maybe you'll find something new to try or something to avoid! :)

Review: Sephora Daily Makeup Brush Cleaner and Makeup Brush Shampoo

Hey guys! So today I am going to do a review on a product that is not sexy at all in the makeup and beauty world. As essential as cleaning brushes are, for many of us (or maybe it is just me) brush cleaning is the most hated tasks that I do about once every other week. Because I wasn't sure whether or not I would like the product, I opted to by the smaller version of both makeup brush cleaners (even though I ended up paying more than if I got the bigger size). After over two months of using these two products, I am ready to give you a review!

Claim: Sephora Brand Daily Brush Cleaner is an anti-bacterial daily brush cleaner designed to quickly remove light traces of makeup between applications. Just spray this purifying formula onto a tissue or directly onto brush bristles, then lightly swipe your powder, blush, eye, and lip brushes across tissue for a fabulous dose of freshness. No rinsing needed!

Price: $7 (for 2 oz), $15 (for 6.75 oz)

Size: 2 oz and 6.85 oz 

Now lets start with the Sephora Daily Makeup Brush Cleaner. This is designed to use in between makeup applications and doesn't need washing. The product is dispensed in a spray nozzle. In my experience of using this product, I find that one to two sprays is enough to clean most eye brushes and three to four sprays for most face brushes provided that you don't have several days worth of makeup sitting on the brushes. After I spray the brush cleaner on my brushes, I rub the brushes on either a paper towel or a rag for max of thirty seconds. During that time, I will say the brushes are about 95% clean (especially if it is powder products that was lingering on the brushes)! If there were liquid products, the brush would be about 80% clean. The brush air dries within three minutes, and then they are ready to use again!

I find that there is no foul scent that lingers on the brushes after I clean them (a huge plus, I hate it when my brushes are smelly). Overall, I really like this product! I primarily use it to clean my eyeshadow brushes on a daily basis, so I can have the best eyeshadow application! I can stand using dirty face brushes, but not eyeshadow brushes (cause it makes my eye makeup look really muddy). I would recommend this to you if you are looking for a quick method to clean your eyeshadow brushes! Will definitely be purchasing a full size of this when I finish it up!

Claim: An anti-bacterial brush shampoo designed to deep clean your brushes once a week. 

Price: $7 (for 2 oz), $15 (for 6.75 oz)

Size: 2 oz and 6.85 oz 

Next, we have the Sephora Makeup Brush Shampoo. Looking at Sephora's website, this has been renamed to the Purifying Brush Shampoo (not 100% sure it is the same product...but it probably is!). This product has a gel-like consistency and is dispensed in a pump. For eye brushes, one pump of the product is suffice to cleaning out all the makeup out of it. For face brushes, it will take between two to four pumps to clean the brushes thoroughly. To clean, I first run the brush under warm water. Then, I dispense the shampoo onto the palm of my hands and using swirling motions I rub the brush onto my hands. Then, when I feel like I have enough product onto the brush I rub it in water to rinse out the shampoo. When using this shampoo, I find that my brushes will dry completely overnight and not be wet at all the next day (huge bonus considering how I only use the same couple of brushes!)

Like the Daily Makeup Brush Cleaner, this does not have a scent linger on the brushes (unlike the Sonia Kashuk one which did). For the majority of my brushes, the Sephora Makeup Brush Shampoo does wonderfully, cleans it out completely! However, if you are a fan of dense brushes like the Real Techniques Expert Face Brush, this brush shampoo does not clean it out completely unfortunately (I'd say about 80%). The brush is still useable and works fine, but I would've really liked it if the shampoo could penetrate the brush a bit more. I have tried cleaning the Expert Face Brush a multitude of times (repeating the motions I have stated above up to three times) with this shampoo and I can not get it completely clean! For other brushes though, I can get it 100% clean with only two pumps with this shampoo. While I do like this makeup brush shampoo, I will definitely try out other makeup brush cleaners to see if there are any that works better! I am almost finished with this product with so I can try out a new makeup brush cleaner soon!

How do you guys clean your makeup brushes? Let me know in the comment section below!

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Makeup MAYhem Day 1 - Sephora VIB Haul

Hey guys! So today I will be showcasing the products I got on my Sephora VIB Haul. It's been a long time coming (considering the VIB discount was weeks ago). I apologize for the delay, and as a result of me not blogging actively over the past couple of months I will be participating on Makeup MAYhem. Ever since I started blogging, I have been excited to undergo this event! For those of you who don't know, you post either a video or a blog every other day for the course of May! For me, I have decided to ambitiously undergo a blog and video for each day of may, alternating between Youtube and my blog! Since I first started with blogging, I have decided that Day 1 of Makeup MAYhem will start on my blog! As such, I hope you guys enjoy this post!

I originally walked into Sephora not knowing what to get, and asked for the advice of the ladies working there on what meaningful items to add to my absolutely ridiculous collection. As such, I was talked into buying three Benefit items (Porefessional Primer, Rockateur Blush, and Hoola Bronzer) and I finally decided to cave and buy the Beauty Blender (for Research purposes of course!) So far, I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the products! I honestly did not have a good first impression of the Beauty Blender, but the more I used it the more I understood how to use it. 

Beauty Blender

Benefit Porefessional Primer

Benefit Hoola Bronzer

Benefit Rockateur Blush

Benefit Travel Makeup Bag 

Sephora Makeup Bag 

As a result of my spending, I was able to to get a free Benefit Travel Makeup Bag, along with the free Sephora Makeup Bag they were giving out to VIBs. I probably don't need either or these, but they will be nice to have! The Sephora Makeup Bag is more suited for day to day travel, because its so tiny and you can't fit a full makeup routine into it. The Benefit bag, however, is a bit more suited for long distance traveling. It is a bit bigger space wise and I really like the two compartments where I can divide my liquids and power makeup to prevent damage.

One of my goals during this month is to do a lot of reviews I've been meaning to do. Any suggestions for future blog posts would be great! The next blog post will be a Spring Makeup Look (requested by the ever amazing Vanessa)! Stay tuned for tomorrow's YouTube video! Now that finals are done, my life will be revolving around makeup blogging and having a permanent date with Netflix! Any TV show suggestions will be fabulous as well :) Hope your day is going well, and until next time!

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After Spending Ban Haul!

So as many of you guys may or may not know, my spending ban has ended! Which meant that I bought quite a bit of makeup, fashion...and a nice pair of shoes! In this monthish time frame, I have finally splurged on makeup brushes, and I am so happy that I did (if there is one thing I have learned through my experience in makeup, is to now invest in buying makeup brushes; I'd rather invest in a good quality brush than one that isn't as good).

On a somewhat random note, I also bought the Real Techniques Travel Essentials Makeup Brush set for my sister! She loves the set, and it has also stepped up her makeup routine! I don't typically like the flat foundation brushes that travel sets come up with...but the Real Techniques one is amazing, seriously! If you are on a budget, I highly recommend you to check out the Real Techniques line!

Anyways, check out what products I have purchased in the last month or so!

L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in Fairest Nude
Perhaps one of the most talked about lipstick formulas and most talked about shade in the blogging world and youtube, so it wasn't a surprise that I grabbed it!

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Foundation in W2 Nude Beige
So, you are wondering why on earth an oily skin girl would pick up a foundation meant to "luminous"?! Well, its because I plan one using this as a foundation to mix with a matte foundation (such as my well beloved, CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation - Review) and I also plan on using it in the relatively small winter we have in Florida. My other foundations don't fare at its best with winter season, so I'm hoping this foundation would do well during that time (even though... winter isn't going to come back for a long time and all...can't help but be prepared ahead of time!)

Mac 109 Small Contour Brush
One of the main struggles lately is finding a brush that can deposit enough color, without it being an excessive amount. This brush was recommended to me by a Mac makeup artist to use as a blush brush. I've used this brush a couple of times for that and its working well so far! Haven't used it for contour yet though, but I am looking forward to do so.

Mac 217 Blending Brush
Holy cow is this an amazing brush! I can not begin to fathom not having this in my collection now that I own it. I initially thought that my makeup application prior to this brush was decent...but now I know I was wrong. My makeup application has definitely stepped up its games since I've obtained this brush, and now I want to pick up so many more of these (even though its priced at $25...so maybe I'll go stumble around and try the "dupes" before deciding to pick up more of these...)

Mac 228 Mini Shader Brush
I wanted a brush that could place eyeshadow underneath my small eyes without making me look like a raccoon. Most smudge brushes are too big for me (like the Mac 215 Medium Shading Brush, which I initially bought and then returned for this one). I haven't used this brush yet, but I have high hopes for this brush!

Milani Blush in Luminoso
I still cannot believe that I have not picked up a Milani blush until now! It seems to me that my blush collection won't be complete without at least one blush from them! This blush is absolutely divine, it applies on my cheeks in a flattering light orange color and makes my cheeks glow! One thing I haven't gotten around to expect was that this blush has a bit of fallout when you press on it with your makeup brush a bit too hard!

Milani Eyeshadow Primer
I still love my Wet n Wild Eyeshadow Primer (Review) but I was in need of an extra eyeshadow primer so that I could have one primer in my travel makeup bag (which tends to have everything in it) and one at home. So far I like it, we'll see how this goes the longer I use it!

Physician's Formula Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Blush in Rose
I haven't bought anything from Physician's Formula for a long time, so when I got a coupon from CVS I couldn't resist and picked up this blush. First off, LOVE the packaging--the hearts are so adorable. The blush is a light pink and quite buildable. Definitely something nice to add to my collection!

Sephora Makeup Brush Cleaner
Currently using this to spot clean my makeup brushes, and I am loving it! I have the smaller size right now, but I am definitely going to be buying the full sized version when I finish this one up!

Sephora Makeup Brush Shampoo
This is what I'm currently using to deep clean my brushes. It's a gel like formula that I'm not use to, but one that cleans brushes decently well. Still unsure with what I think about it, but will keep you posted!

What's worse about this spending haul is that I just got the Sephora and Ulta coupons in the mail this week...which may mean more spending D: Not sure how my wallet can handle it...

What have you guys purchased lately? Let me know in the comment section below!

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November and December Empties!

Hello everyone! Today I am showcasing the products I've used up for November and December. Not as much products as last time around, but it is still a sizeable portion. For 2014, I will be doing my Empties related video/post every 3 months, so you can expect to see these 4 times a year. The main reason for that is beauty products do take awhile to use up, and sometimes two months I won't use up a lot of products to show my viewers! As such, I will be doing the videos in that manner. I hope you guys enjoy the video!

Products Mentioned:
Almay Makeup Remover
Bath and Body Works Island Margarita Hand Sanitizer
Clarins Toning Lotion with Iris for Combination/Oily Skin
Complete Multi-Purpose Contact Solution
Lancome Hypnose Drama
Mac Lipstick in Brave
Maybelline Baby Lips in Peach Kiss
Olay Reginerist Anti-Aging Cleansing Cloths
Preferred Nail Polish Remover
Sephora Eyeshadow Primer (discontinued)
Stila Lip Glaze in Grape Fruit and Kaleidoscope
Studio 35 Beauty Nourishing Nail Polish Remover
St. Ives' Apricot Scrub for Sensitive Skin
Tree Hut Body Scrub in Tropical Mango

What products have you guys used up? Let me know in the comment section below!

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Holiday Makeup Look #2! Featuring Gold Eyes and Bold Red Lips!

Hey guys! Today I will be doing a classic gold eyes and bold red lip that is perfect for this Holiday season! I'm totally in love with how warm the eye makeup is. While I did use a lot of eyeshadows for today's look, I don't think it would be difficult to replicate it one bit!

Face:
BareMinerals Well Rested
Bobbi Brown Corrector in Porcelain Peach
Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation in Medium Beige - Review
Maybelline Baby Skin Pore Eraser
Nars Guy Bourdin One Night Stand Cheek Palette (Devottee, Laguna, and Gouloe) - Review

Eyes:
Benefit They're Real! Mascara
Inglot Eyeshadows in AMC Shine 07 and Matte 353 - Review
Jordana Easy Brow in Taupe
Jordana FabuLiner in Black
Mac Eyeshadows in Amber Lights, Cranberry, and Saddle
Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal Waterproof Eyeliner in Black
Sephora Eyeshadow Primer (discontinued)

Lips:
Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Smitten

Eye Makeup Application:

1) Primed my eyes using Sephora Eyeshadow Primer. 

2) Placed Inglot AMC Shine 07 on the first half of my eyelids

3) Placed Mac Eyeshadow in Amber Lights in the center of my lids

4) Placed Mac Eyeshadow in Saddle on the outer third of my lids

5) Added Mac Eyeshadow in Cranberry lightly on the outer third of my lid to warm up the color even more!

6) Highlighted my browbone using Inglot Matte 353

7) Lined my upper lash line using Jordana FabuLiner in Black.

8) Used Rimmel Scandaleyes Kohl Kajal Waterproof Eyeliner in Black on my tightline and waterline

9) Applied Benefit's They're Real! Mascara on my lashes.

Hope you guys enjoyed this makeup look! Let me know if you have any looks you want me to create in the comment section below! I hope that you guys are having a wonderful time with your family during this holiday season. Have a wonderful day!

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Face of the Day: A Fall Gold and Cranberry Look 10/26/13

Hey guys! So today I will be doing a fall makeup look that I have been completely obsessed with! Likely completely obsessed with! I only pull out cranberry eyeshadows in the fall and winter, and if that. But lately, this is the makeup look that I keep recycling over and over! Scroll down to see what products I used to create this look!

Face Products:

Benefit Benetint

Bobbi Brown Corrector in Porcelin Peach

Elf Studio Blush in Pink Passion

Elf Studio HD Powder

Elf Essential Shimmer Facial Whip in Lilac Petal

Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation

NYC Bronzer in Sunny

Wet n Wild Bronzer in Reserve Your Cabana

Eye Products:

Elf Studio Eyebrow Kit

Elf Studio Eyeshadow in Burnt Plum

Jordana Best Lash Extreme Mascara

Maybelline 24Hr Color Tatto in Bold Gold

Urban Decay Naked Palette (Half Baked, Blackout)

Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Zero

Lips:

Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait

How To:
1) I applied my Lancome Teint Miracle Foundation in XXXX all over my face
2) I then used Bobbi Brown Corrector in Porcelin Peach to cover up the majority of my dark circles.
3) Primed my eyes using the Sephora Eyeshadow Primer. Then applied Maybelline 24HR Color Tattoo in Bold Gold as a Base for my eyeshadows.
4) I applied Urban Decay Half Baked Eyeshadow (from my Naked 2 Palette) to the first half of my eyelid. Then, I applied Elf Studio Baked Eyeshadow in Burnt Plum to the outer half of my eyelid and into my crease.
5) I lined my eyes using the Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Zero and set the eyeliner using Urban Decay Blackout Eyeshadow (from my Naked 2 Palette).
6) I then applied my Jordana Best Lash Extreme Mascara to my eyelashes
7) I used Elf Shimmering Facial Whip in Lilac Petal on my cheekbones and used Wet n Wild Color Icon Bronzer in Reserve Your Cabana to set it.
8) I then used Benefit's Benetint Cheek Stain on my cheeks and then applied Elf Studio Blush in Pink Passion ontop of the stain
9) I then used NYC Bronzer in Sunny to contour my face (used primarily underneath my cheekbones and on my temples)
10) I then applied Elf Studio HD Powder in Transparent to set my makeup
11) Lastly, I applied Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait on my lips

What do you guys think of this look? Do you tend to change up your makeup for the fall? Let me know in the comment section below!

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Back to School: Makeup Touch Up Bag

Happy Monday everyone! I'm pretty much recovered from my surgery...YAY. Today I will be sharing with you guys what a normal person would be carrying if in their Makeup Touch Up Bag. I, of course, am not a normal person and I carry everything and anything with me to school where I do my makeup. For those of you wondering why that is the case, its simply because parking is awful on campus and I want to get a decent parking spot. For those of you interested in seeing what I would probably carry around in my makeup bag on a day to day basis, my 4th of July Travel Makeup Bag is the most accurate thus far. I also did a youtube video explaining in detail why I picked the products I picked, but if you guys can't stand my voice or don't want to listen to a 7 minute video, the products are listed down below! Apologies for the amount of pauses and uhhhs here, Pauline apparently can't stop using those. It will get better once I'm use to making videos and public speaking again. PROMISE. Bear with me for a couple of videos!

Products Featured:

Rimmel Stay Matte Powder in Transparent

EcoTools Retractable Kabuki Brush

Bath and Body Works Hand Sanitizer in Paris Amour

Neutrogena Healthy Defense Liquid Moisturizer SPF 50

CVS Oil Absorbing Sheets

Neutrogena Makeup Remover Towelettes

Bath and Body Works Lotion in Twilight Woods

Sephora Atomizer

Maybelline Baby Lips in Peach Kiss

Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain in Honey

Rimmel Show Off Lip Lacquer in Apocalyptic

I hope you guys have a wonderful day :) I'll probably will be doing Back to School posts throughout this whole week to catch up! School for me starts up next week...haven't picked up my books yet or decided whether or not I want to drop classes yet...  Hectic semester season is going to start, but I have tons of things I have ready to post :D If I could post more than one post a day and get away with it, I would. 

What do you guys carry around for touchups? Let me know in the comment section below!

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Back to School: Tax Free Weekend Haul!

Hello everyone! Today I will be sharing with you what I got during our tax free weekend :) While makeup isn't included during tax free weekend, I did end up buying some beauty products that I needed to stock up on! So without further adieu, here is my haul!

School Supplies:

Index Card Boxes

I can not have enough of these! I abuse index cards so much, so these will be useful!

3 Subject College Ruled Paper

I go through a huge amount of paper, so 3 or 5 subject note books are the best for me! I just go for the generic kind, no need to spend extra money!

Ruled Index Cards

Sad enough, I'm almost positive that I will run out of these index cards by the end of the school year, if not the end of the semester!

Mini Stapler

Definitely a necessity in a pencil case! This cute pattern also makes it even more awesome!

Sharpie Pens

These a huge necessity for me, because I use these to write on really small test tubes in lab!

Pentel Hi-Polymer Erasers

I have a huge tendency to lose erasers, but these are one of the best that I've tried :D They actually erase, unlike some other brands....

Paper Mate Black Pens 

I can never get enough of black pens to hoard. These are pretty decent, they work well and don't bleed through paper!

 G2 Gel Pens

 These are my favorite, all time gel pens! I got the colorful packet so I can emphasize information in my notes! I still need to pick up their regular black and blue pens!

Pencil Case 

I always need something to carry my pencils/pens/everything else in! I just picked up a generic kind :)

Scissors

Regardless of what grade you are in, scissors are useful for a projects and whatnot! I picked these up cause I have a little sister, don't want to poke her with them ;)

Bic Mechanical Pencils

I rarely use pencils nowadays, but these are pretty decent! I keep them around for bubbling exam sheets and for math problems :D

Pentel 0.7 mm Lead and Eraser Kit

By having mechanical pencils, one would also need one of these to refill the lead and for when erasers on those pencils die!

Paper Mate Black and Blue Pens

I just realized how many pens I bought! These are probably my least favorite (probably because there are others that are more comfortable), but they work just fine. 

Sharpie Highlighters

Highlighters are a necessity when you want to emphasize details and for note taking!

Paper Mate Blue Pens 

Another batch of Paper Mate Pens! This time they are blue! A girl has to switch it up once in awhile now right!

5 Rain Gum

Gum, for me, is a necessity to have when I'm studying or during exam times. So I'm starting to stock up on my gum stash!

Makeup:

Almay Oil-Free Makeup Remover Wipes

For when you are in a rush, these makeup remover wipes work miracles :D  

Nars Sample Smudge Proof Eyeshadow Base

Received as a 100 point perk at Sephora when I bought my sister an atomizer!

Neutrogena Oil Free Makeup Remover

I'm always in need of a new makeup remover, and I always go back to this one!

Philosophy Sample Microdelivery Exfoliating Face Wash

Received this as a sample from Sephora, can't wait to try this out!

Real Techniques Blush Brush

Been dying to try the Real Techniques line for some time! I'e already tried this brush and washed it! Got a good impression out of it :D Review shall be up for all these brushes eventually!

Real Techniques Core Collection Kit

Talk about a beautiful collection here. In this kit, you get the Buffing Brush, Contour Brush, Pointed Foundation Brush, and Detailer Brush. Can't wait to try them out!

Real Techniques Expert Face Brush

Everyone raves about this brush for foundation, so I figured I would have to try out. Got a good impression already :D Must buy more when Ulta has a sale and coupons :D

I still have to pick a couple more supplies for school, but this is what I have right now :D What are your back to school essentials? What did you guys purchase recently? :Let me know in the comments below!

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