Lancome Gift With Purchase!

Earlier in the week, I told I briefly mentioned Lancome's free gift with purchase they have right now. It is a free, 7 piece gift with a purchase of $35 or more. I have pictures of the gift today to show you.

Lancome's gifts are all about choices. The first choice you have is a blue or red bag. The blue bag has a girl riding a bike on it and it says "Paris je'taime!" on it. Not the cutest bag they've had, but at this point I have so many cosmetic bags that it doesn't matter too much to me anyway. I do think that the bag is a great size and can fit a lot of stuff in it. The other color option is the red bag that also says "Paris je'taime!" on it. There are bouquets of pink and red roses patterned all over the bag too.

Tuesday Tips: Tape Trick For Powder Eyeshadows, Blushes, and Face Powders

Have you ever had an eyeshadow that has gradually developed a bumpy, hard surface? It makes is difficult to apply the eyeshadow after a while when the surface isn't soft and smooth. Brushes have a harder time grabbing the powder and the powders might go on clumpy.

This can happen to most powder makeup like shadows, blushes, and face powders for a few different reasons I'm sure. I believe the main contributing factor to this happening is that the oil from our eyelids and face get trapped on the brushes we use. When we are going back and forth, putting our brush in the powder and on our face over and over again, the oil starts to build up on the powder and create that hard layer.

There is a simple quick fix that can take the layer of hard, oily powder off - tape. Take a piece of tape and place it over the powder. Rub it into the powder (not too hard) to get that layer stuck to the tape. Remove the tape and most, if not all of the bumpy surface should be gone. 

I did this with my Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palette because the highlighter shade had developed a bumpy surface.

As you can see below, the tape took off most of the rough surface.

I hope this tip helps some of you out! Have an awesome day! :)

Look of the Day: Betrayal

The Vice 2 Palette is my most recent obsession. I cannot stop using it! My absolute favorite color in this palette is Betrayal. Partly just because it is purple and I love purple and also because of the uniqueness of the shade. It is a bright purple duo-chrome with a blue shift. I think this color sums up who I am.

For this look I wanted to kind of make Betrayal the center of attention. I also wanted to use my other new obsession, the Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Wild Orchid. These products and the rest of the products I used to create this look are at the end of this post.

June Favorites

June is over! Wow! Where did the first half of this year go?!

Anyway, I have quite a few products I have been using the past month.

These are the products I reached for the most in June:

Clinique Rinse-Off Foaming Cleanser - This cleanser is really good at removing makeup. It is one of those cleansers where you know all your makeup is off after you finish using it, which is just what someone with acne-prone skin like mine wants. I use a different cleanser after this one to actually wash my face because this one is just for removing makeup and other products like sunscreen. The tube in the picture is a sample-size that I got in one of Clinique's gifts, but I would definitely purchase this product in the future. The price is $19.50 and the bottle will last a while because you don't need to use very much with each use.

Revlon Lip Butter in Peach Parfait - This is a peachy-pink color with gold shimmer. It has a very textured, kind of gritty feel to it because of the large pieces of shimmer in it. I have read some reviews where people have voiced their disappointment with it. I, on the other hand, don't really mind it. The color is really pretty on the lips and still feels moisturizing like the rest of the lip butters. These sell for $7.49 at Ulta and are usually around $1-$2 cheaper at Target or Walmart.

These purple-y shades in the Urban Decay Vice Palette - I have been obsessed with these colors this month! I love purple and these are just some really unique shades of purple. Unfortunately, I don't think this palette is available anywhere anymore, but hopefully UD will come out with individual shadows of these shades.

 Provocateur is a super shimmery, light purple with a hint of pink. It looks very eye-catching on the lid.

 Rapture is a dark lilac shade that I love to use on my outer lid and in the crease sometimes. The picture totally makes it look gray/brown, but I promise it's not.

Vice is an awesome metallic purple that I use the most in the crease. It can look slightly gray when I put it on sometimes. This could just be due to the bad lighting situation I have in my house. It looks awesome in the sunlight!

EcoTools Foundation Brush - This is a really nice foundation brush that is pretty soft and applies foundation evenly without leaving streak marks. If you need a foundation brush but don't want to spend $20+ on it, I would recommend this one. It is $7.49 at Ulta, but I think I bought it at Walmart for around $5.99.

China Glaze Nail Polish in Blue Iguana - Ahhhh! These pictures do not to this color justice! This is the best blue I have ever seen! Okay, I might be exaggerating, but it's a really great blue. It's shimmery and basically pure awesomeness. I got this nail polish on clearance at Ulta some time earlier this year, so this might be another product that is not available to buy. It's worth searching for though.

OPI Nail Polish in Be a Dahlia Won't You - These pictures also do not do this color justice. This shade is a bright, deeper pink with glitter (not the gritty kind though). I love the color on my toes, hence the foot picture. OPI polishes are generally $8-9 at Ulta or salons.

Paul Mitchell Strength Shampoo and Conditioner - Having my hair dyed is taking a huge toll on my hair. I love the purple, but my hair is basically fried. This shampoo and conditioner leaves my hair feeling soft and shiny. When I use these products, my hair doesn't feel as stringy and brittle. These were a gift, but I think they are around $12-$15 for each bottle. They can also be purchased in bigger bottles.

Clinique Cosmetics PART 2

This is PART 2 of my overview of Clinique cosmetics. In PART 1, I talked about Clinique skincare. If you missed my blog post on it, check it out here.

In PART 2 I will briefly discuss the makeup products I have used from Clinique and what my thoughts are on them. Swatches are included.


Mascara:

• High Impact - This is probably my favorite Clinique mascara. It's main purpose is to add volume to lashes. It coats evenly and covers very well with one coat. I love the way it defines my lashes. This mascara is somewhat similar to Lash Doubling but thickens the lashes more and makes them pop a little better. It retails for $16.

• Lash Doubling - This mascara is supposed to thicken and volumize the lashes, which I think it does. It separates them and helps them stand out but not too much. I like to wear this mascara when I want my eyeshadow to pop more than my lashes. It retails for $16.

• High Lengths -This is my least favorite product I have tried from Clinique. The brush/comb is a strange shape and does not fit well around the lashes. It applies super clumpy and is just a complete mess. I just don't like how it looks on my lashes. It is $16 for anyone that can actually make it work for them.

Lipstick:

•  Long Last Lipstick - I have these lipsticks in shades All Heart, Bamboo Pink, Pink Spice, and Sugared Maple. All heart is a strawberry red. Bamboo Pink is a neutral brownish pink shade that is good for any skin tone. Pink Spice is a deep berry pink. Sugared Maple is almost the darker version of Bamboo Pink with a little more red in it. These all have a slight shimmer to them. They are non-drying but are not as long lasting as I would prefer. They stay on a few hours before wearing off without eating or drinking. They retail for $15.

All Heart, Bamboo Pink, Pink Spice, Sugared Maple

• Different Lipstick -  I have these lipsticks in shades Glazed Berry and A Different Grape. Glazed Berry is a soft pink with a bit of shine. It is a fun pink without being overly bright. A Different Grape is a burgundy violet. This color is deep, but it is still very wearable. I think it is a great lipstick to wear with a subtle smokey eye look. These lipsticks are moisturizing and shiny. They wear for a few hours before having to reapply. They retail for $15.

Glazed Berry, A Different Grape

•  Butter Shine Lipstick - I have the shades Baby Baby and Pink-a-Boo. Baby Baby is nude pink that is gorgeous on all skin types. Pink-a-Boo is a pretty, golden pink. These lipsticks definitely live up to their name. They are super shiny and are also very moisturizing. These wear just about as well as the other Clinique lipsticks. Baby Baby is one of my favorite Lipsticks from Clinique. They retail for $15.

Baby Baby, Pink-a-Boo

• Almost Lipstick - I have this in the shade Black Honey. This color is a deep violet. It looks very dark in the tube but is a sheer shine lipstick. Once again the wear isn't as great as I would like it to be, but it is non-drying like the other lipsticks. It retails for $15.

• Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm - I have the shade Curvy Candy. It is a light pink. These Chubby Sticks are Moisturizing like they claim to be but lack pigmentation. They are good to wear when you are looking for just a little bit of color. I do not own any of the new Intense Chubby Sticks, but I have tried them on at work at would recommend them above all Clinique lip colors. They stay on well and are nicely pigmented. Roomiest Rose is my favorite. Both the regular and Intense Chubby Sticks retail for $16.

Chubby Stick in Curvy Candy, Almost Lipstick in Black Honey

Ligloss:

• Long Last Glosswear - I have these in Air Kiss, Kissyfit, Sunset, and Fireberry. Air Kiss is a golden pink shimmer. Kissyfit is a bright pink with shimmer. Sunset is a golden copper shade that fits the name perfectly. Fireberry is a deep red with gold shimmer. The glosses are beautifully pigmented. They have SPF 15 and wear for quite a while. They retail for $15.

Air Kiss, Kissyfit, Sunset, Fireberry

Eyeshadow:

• Colour Surge Eye Shadow Quad in Plum Seduction - I am obsessed with basically anything purple (clothes, makeup, and my hair), so naturally the one eyeshadow product I own from Clinique has purple in it.The dark plum and the dark taupe color are my favorite shades in this quad. The colors are nicely pigmented and they stay on best with a primer underneath. It retails for $27.

Eyeliner:

• Cream Shaper in Starry Plum - This eyeliner is very creamy. The shade is a deep purple with a very slight shimmer. I love wearing this color with my Plum Seduction eyeshadow quad. It stays on nicely and last for most of the day. It retails for $15.

Plum Seduction Quad, Starry Plum Eyeliner

Blush:

•  Soft-Pressed Powder Blusher - I have these in the shades New Clover, Mocha Pink, and Fig. New Clover is a pink-y violet. Mocha Pink is a nude pink like the name suggests. Fig is a reddish brown shade. These blushes wear for a long time and are not overly pigmented. They retail for $21.

• Fresh Bloom Allover Colour in Peony Blend -This shade may have been changed or updated since I got it. Mine is almost a peach when mixed together. It is very natural-looking and is also great for every day wear. I love the design on the blush as well. It is a great color for spring time. It retails for $29.50.

New Clover, Mocha Pink, Fig, Allover Colour in Peony Blend

Have you tried any of these products or any other Clinique makeup that you love? What brand would you like to see me review/discuss next? Let me know in the comments below!

Thanks for reading and don't forget to subscribe to my blog, my feed, by entering your e-mail on the right-hand side, or through Google+ if you haven't already. I update frequently and have many more things coming soon! :)