TOP 5 BEAUTY PRODUCTS UNDER $5

 So a couple weeks ago I brought you guys my top 10 beauty products under $10. Well I thought it would be fun to challenge myself a little and see if I could narrow it down to FIVE products, all under $5!

Under $10 is a piece of cake – most drugstore products hit under the $10 mark. But it’s really difficult to find great quality products for under $5.

I used to think that if it cost less than $5 it was probably garbage – a waste of money – and I bet some of you thought the same thing, right? Well today I’ll show you MY top 5 picks for under $5 each!

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 WET N’ WILD COLOR ICON BRONZER – RESERVE YOUR CABANA ($3.99)

If you’ve been around here for awhile, you’ll recognize this product. You’ll also remember how I was hesitant to even bother with it for a long time. In the pan it looks like a regular pressed powder. It’s not even really a ‘bronzer’ – it’s a gorgeous naturally glowy highlight. And for $3.99 you get a lot of product! This pan is huge! Use a fan brush and apply this to the tops of your cheekbones to finish off your makeup look and give yourself that ‘lit from within’ glow!

 

 NYX COSMETICS SLIM LIP PENCIL ($3.49)

These are incredible. They’re pigmented, long wearing, smooth, and oh, did I mention that many of them are dupes for MAC lip pencils? Why spend $16 per pencil if there’s a $4 dupe?? I see no good reason to!

 

 ESSENCE LONGLASTING LIPSTICK – BARELY THERE ($2.99)

This is a gorgeous YLBB (your lips but better) shade! I have a few of these, but this is by far my favorite color – it’s so natural looking that it can be worn with barely any makeup, or a full face with a bomb smokey eye. I get pretty decent wear time out of these, probably about 4-5 hours before I have to reapply. I came across this on Pinterest and knew I wanted it because it was just SUCH a gorgeous shade! $2.99 is a steal, and you can grab a whole bunch of different colors for the price of the average lipstick!

 

 REAL TECHNIQUES LASH AND BROW GROOMER ($3.24)

I don’t know what I was doing all these years without a metal lash comb. I had the plastic ones but I feel like those did nothing. So recently I picked up a metal one. I’m sold. No matter how clumpy your mascara gets, a metal lash comb will power right through it and give you that fluttery separation you want. Just 2 tips for use, though;

• Use extreme caution if you don’t have a super steady hand – you will poke yourself in the eyeball, and it hurts. I know. I did it. This morning. Ouch.
• Care for this the same way you do your mascara – keep it clean and don’t share it without cleaning it, otherwise you risk transferring bacteria to your eye area leading to infections and styes. And no wants that.

 SALON PERFECT PERFECTLY GLAMOROUS LASHES – DEMI WISPIES ($2.97)

Maybe you feel like no matter how much mascara you apply, you’re just not getting the look you want. Maybe you’re someone who just loves lashes. Maybe you’re someone who HOARDS lashes (guilty!) but doesn’t want to spend $20 on a single pair?

Lashes can really take your look to the next level – there are natural, dramatic, colored, costume, individuals – so many lashes, so little time! One of my absolute favorites are these – they’re lightweight, super easy to apply, and while they’re marketed as ‘glamorous’, they still look very natural. Of course it looks like you’re wearing lashes – but it looks like you’re wearing high quality, EXPENSIVE lashes – no one needs to know they were under $3 but you and the cashier!

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That honestly was harder than I thought it would be! But I’m 110% confident in these products – I own them, I love them. I use them on a regular basis. What are some of your favorites? Leave me a comment below!

And please go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito, and go like the Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook! There will be a giveaway coming around Christmas and you won’t want to miss out!

LOTS OF LOVE!

 

HOLIDAY BEAUTY GIFT GUIDE 2015

 The holiday season is officially upon us!

Inspired by my own personal wishlist, you’ll find something for everyone!

Since the holidays fly by so quickly, I won’t ramble – let’s get started!

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GIFTS UNDER $25

ULTA TIME TO SHINE 71 PIECE COLLECTION ($14.99)

 

 You guys…you guys….you get SO much with this set! This BEYOND rivals those junky holiday makeup sets they put on top of all the shelves in the drugstores! This is currently on sale for $14.99, and it looks like it regularly retails for $24.99 (which is still a great deal!) so snap it up quick! I don’t know if this is a Black Friday price (when I’m writing this) or for the month of December, so if you have someone on your list who’s maybe just getting into makeup, or you want a nice limited edition set to add to your personal collection, run and grab this!

BEAUTY GEMS ULTIMATE EYE KIT ($14.99)

 

 Another ULTA find – seriously, $15 for this?? And it’s currently ‘buy one get one 50% off’!! You get 154 highly pigmented shadows in a MASSIVE range of colors and both matte and shimmer finishes. Any eye look your heart desires is based right here, in this palette! Actually, I’ll be running out to get my own! Be right back…..*kickin’ up dust*

NYX COSMETICS HIGHLIGHT & CONTOUR PRO PALETTE ($24.99)

 

 Whether you’re new to highlighting and contouring or a novice, this palette is pretty amazing. With 4 highlight shades and 4 contour shades, there’s something for everyone here. And the best part is that you can buy refills for it on nyxcosmetics.com, so if you tend to favor some over others, you don’t need to buy a whole new palette when you run out! Or if you find some shades just don’t suit you, pop ’em out and replace them with shades that do! This is a great palette to add to your personal collection or your professional freelance kit! Or to gift, of course – if you can part with it!

MORPHE 9B THE BLUSHED BLUSH PALETTE ($19.99)

 

 I own and love this palette, and I know you or someone on your list will too! You get 9 highly pigmented (and I mean highly pigmented-use a light hand!) shades, some matte, some shimmer, and they’re complimentary on all skin tones! I know, that bottom right, bright red shade looks a little intimidating – ‘when am I gonna use THAT?’ you might be wondering – I did too. But it’s gorgeous when applied sparingly! These blushes stay put all day long! A crazy good value!

BH COSMETICS 10 PIECE SCULPT AND BLEND BRUSH SET ($12.50)

 

 Ten brushes for $12.50 – can you beat it? Can you? NO! I love, love, love BH Cosmetics, they have great quality items for rock-bottom prices. You get 5 duo-fiber face brushes and 5 duo-fiber eye brushes, which will create an endless variety of looks! These rival the quality of high end brushes, sure to delight any makeup lover in your life!

BH COSMETICS 28 COLOR ULTIMATE LIPS LIPSTICK PALETTE ($12.00)

 

 A professional quality lipstick palette for a drugstore price? Heck yeah! You can choose from 28 individual colors, or custom blend them for a one of a kind look! Sadly, as I’m writing this, the item is out of stock, but it’s expected to be available again 12/13/15, so if you want to get your hands on this, keep it on your beauty radar! You don’t want to miss out!

MORPHE BROW8 – BROW PALETTE ($14.99)

 

 I don’t know about you, but brows are probably the most important part of my look – whether I have a full face of makeup or I’m going for a minimal look, I HAVE to do my brows! And one of my favorite ways to achieve a natural brow look is with powders. Considering I change my hair color with the seasons (or sometimes even more frequently!) I like to have options – I NEED to have options! This palette is fantastic for custom blending your brow color, with 6 brow shades, and even a concealer and a brow wax to them under control and perfectly defined!

GIFTS UNDER $50

e.l.f. 11 PIECE BRUSH COLLECTION ($30)

 

 e.l.f.’s line of Studio brushes are incredible – I own many and use them daily. If you (or someone you know) is looking for good quality brushes, look no further! These brushes sold individually range in price from $3 to $6, so to get 11 of them for $30 is a deal! e.l.f. brushes are super soft, they stand up to regular use very well, they don’t shed, and they perform beautifully! Some of my faves are the Flawless Concealer brush, the Small Stippling Brush, the the flat top Powder Brush. There’s really no going wrong with these!

BECCA X JACLYN HILL SHIMMERING SKIN PERFECTOR PRESSED in CHAMPAGNE POP ($38)

 

 This one is from my own personal wish list! If you’re looking for THE perfect gift for the makeup lover in your life, this is the one. If she loves makeup, she knows who Jaclyn Hill is and she knows and lusts after Champagne Pop! This is a beautiful, buttery highlight shade that is unlike any other (I haven’t seen a near-dupe yet, and believe me I’ve tried!) and it’s got the most gorgeous peachy golden sheen that is universally flattering. Trust me, she’ll love it. And so would I *hint hint* 😉

KAT VON D SHADE + LIGHT CONTOUR PALETTE ($46)

 

 This is probably one of the most sought after contour palettes I’ve seen. Personally, I don’t love that it’s not refillable. But that would be my only gripe about it – it’s flattery, pigmented, easy to work with. I mean, let’s face it, not only is KVD an amazing tattoo artist, but the chick knows makeup! This is probably on the wish list of every makeup lover out there!

TOO FACED THE CHOCOLATE BAR EYE PALETTE ($49)

 

 An absolutely gorgeous neutral eye palette that every girl needs in her collection! This has a mix of shimmer and matte shades, in mostly neutral tones (with the exception of a super pretty pop of pink and purple) and hello! It smells like chocolate! It comes encased in a chocolate-bar inspired tin, and well, it’s just adorable! It’s formulated with real cocoa powder, which has been known to increase memory and brain power. Makeup backed by science? YASSS!

SEPHORA COLLECTION BEAUTIFUL CRUSH BLOCKBUSTER PALETTE ($35)

 

 Whoa – just whoa. This palette has just about everything you could need for endless looks! It comes with 72 eyeshadows, 18 cream eyeliners, 32 lip glosses and six blushes – that’s a whopping 128 different items/shades! It’s like the Candy Land game board for the makeup lover in your life!

BENEFIT PARTY POPPERS 12 DAYS OF GORGEOUS SET ($45)

 

 Remember when you were a kid and you waited each night for you parents to let you pop a little chocolate from the Advent Calendar, counting down to Christmas? This is like the glam inspired grown up version! When you open the box/book, it plays an original Benefit holiday song, and behind each little door are mini Benefit favorites! You get (all mini sizes) – The POREfessional Face Primer, Badgal Lash Mascara, Lolli-Tint Lip and Cheek Stain in Candy-Orchid, Ooh La Lift Under-eye Brightener, They’re Real! Mascara, High Beam Highlighter, Total Moisture Facial Cream, Ultra Plush Lip Gloss in Hoola, Sugarbomb, Watt’s Up Highlighter, They’re Real! Remover Eye Makeup Remover, and Rockateur Blush. It’s a one of a kind set sure to delight!

URBAN DECAY ELECTRIC PRESSED PIGMENT PALETTE ($49)

 

 For the bold makeup lover in your life, this palette comes with 10 highly pigmented matte and shimmery shades, in fun colors from silver to hot pink and everything in between! C’mon, you didn’t think I would create a gift guide and not work in some Urban Decay in there somewhere right? I was saving the best for last! Whether you (or someone on your list!) loves a little splash of color or a full on bright, neon, electric eye, this palette is a winner! They’re blendable, long wearing, and smooth like butt-ah! LOVE!

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Ok guys, I hope this helped you along your holiday shopping journey! I know I have a hard time shopping for people, and it’s even been said that I’M hard to shop for (surely they know where ULTA is!) but I thought putting this together would make things a little easier! The holidays are stressful enough!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving, a safe and fruitful Black Friday, and don’t forget to go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito, and go like the Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook!

LOTS OF LOVE & HOLIDAY CHEER!

REVIEW – HARD CANDY GLAMOFLAUGE CONCEALER

 Every now and then we all have some major complexion faux-pas that needs special attention. And by special attention, I mean heavy duty coverage. Recently I found myself in such a situation.

Let me start back at the beginning – in 2014, I was asked to be a bridesmaid in my younger sister’s wedding. This meant I would be walking down the aisle, expected to look my very best, while being heavily photographed. Yikes.

For a few weeks before, despite my best attempts to get my skin in tip-top condition, my skin was going absolutely bonkers. Breakouts, and I mean B-A-D breakouts, those cystic ones. I took to Pinterest and YouTube looking for a good, affordable concealer that would keep them undercover for the entire night. I needed it to last through the ceremony, pictures, dinner, the reception, etc. And I found out the morning of her wedding that I was pregnant! Which totally explained the horrible skin! BUT that didn’t solve my immediate problem.

After some research, I came across this – the Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer. Naturally I watched several YouTube reviews, looked it up on MakeUpAlley.com, and I was sold.

 

 Here’s what the product claims –

“This Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer blends beautifully with your natural skin tone. Hide circles, blemishes, tattoos and more with the unique outline pencil. Take this Hard Candy Heavy Duty Concealer With Concealer Pencil with you to make touch-ups during the day. Get the coverage you need with Hard Candy Glamoflauge Heavy Duty Concealer.”

Honestly, the little pencil it came with I never even tried. I don’t know that I would use it for touchups, but it seems like it would good for sharpening up the eyebrows or outlining your lips for a crisp, clean edge. But you’re getting a decent amount of product, plus that little pencil, all for just $6! And considering how many times I’ve seen this listed as a dupe for the Kat Von D Lock-It Concealer ($25/Sephora), I was interested to say the least! The shade selection is a bit limited, but they’re very neutral in tone so I promise you, you’ll find your match!

PACKAGING

 

 The product itself comes in a squeeze tube with a matte black twist on cap. Which is good for me because I’m not worried about breaking the packaging. I want to conceal my face, not the entire inside of my makeup bag. The pencil reminds me more of a lip or eye pencil, the kind that you have to sharpen.

FORMULA

 

 It’s definitely a thick formula – it’s meant for heavy coverage of blemishes, dark circles, and even tattoos. A little bit goes a long way with this product, which of course means that it will last you quite some time. One thing I have noticed is that it does tend to separate – if I haven’t used it for a while, when I reach for it and dispense it on to the back of my hand, a clear, oily substance will come out before any actual concealer. So when I grab it, I usually manipulate the tube a little, squeezing it between my fingers to try to mix the product up before I use it.

APPLICATION & WEAR

Because this is such a thick concealer, less is definitely more. Actually, you really don’t even need that much to get the job done. I usually squeeze a small amount on the back of my hand, no more than the size of a pin head, and apply it with a small, stiff brush, like the Real Techniques Shading Brush ($7/ULTA). Work in thin layers, and allow each layer to set before the next. Hiding blemishes will only require a little bit. To cover tattoos, you’ll probably need two, maybe three layers at the most. And I wouldn’t recommend this for use on the under eye area – it’s really thick and will crease easily.

As for wear time, I can get a full day out of this with a primer. I haven’t actually tried it WITHOUT a primer, because I personally feel like if it can crease so easily, it will probably settle into pores and fine lines just as easily. But even with a primer, it stays put until I wash it off. If I have any complaint at all, it would be that this concealer WILL cling to dry patches as the day goes on. Currently I have a blemish that in the process of healing, and while it covered it well, I’ve noticed that as I’m getting that dry layer of skin on top of the actual blemish, you can see where the concealer is clinging to that dryness.

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Overall, if you’re looking for a great, heavy duty, budget friendly concealer, this is your best bet! With the exception of clinging to dry areas as mentioned above, which can easily be remedied by exfoliating and moisturizing beforehand. The price is right, the product itself will last you basically forever (I bought mine early last year and still have almost a full tube left!) and it covers virtually anything! You really can’t go wrong here!

Have you guys tried this concealer? What are your thought? Leave me a comment below!

And don’t forget to go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito, and go like the Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook!

LOTS OF LOVE!

MY FAVORITE BRUSHES PT 2 – EYES

 

  So I told you in my previous ‘MY FAVORITE BRUSHES’ post, that it was in-depth that I would have to break it down and make a PT 2.

Well that’s why I’m here today!

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – I was never big on eye makeup, beyond like, mascara. I have very, very sensitive eyes, and in addition to that, I could just never seem to get my shadows to look like those drop-dead gorgeous Pinterest pics. Well it turns out, that was my own fault because the whole time I was trying, and subsequently failing miserably, I was using all the wrong tools – yes, I was that girl that tried to use those god-awful sponge tip applicators that comes with drugstore eyeshadows – don’t judge.

And then I grew up, and started realizing that there are many, many different brushes that, just like those you would use for different areas of your face, perform different functions when it comes to applying your eyeshadow. And I was hooked!

So below, I’ve listed for you (in no particular order), my favorite eye brushes that know that I know they exist, I can’t live without! So let’s get started!

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SOHO Pro Crease Brush / $11 at Amazon.com

 

 I actually picked this up at my local Ocean State Job Lot – if you have one near you, definitely check it out! So many discounted and even discontinued cosmetics! Any who, this brush is super soft and fluffy, and it’s great for blending out your transition color, as well as any harsh lines in your shadow. I have like, 3 or 4 of them. I even like to use this for precision highlighting, and contouring my nose – and any tool that I can multitask with is a phenomenal tool!

e.l.f. Eyeshadow ”C” Brush / $3 at elf cosmetics.com

 

 This brush is the perfect size to fit into the crease of the eye, but because it’s to densely packed, it also works well wet or dry to pack on your lid color. A must have! Check your local CVS, e.l.f. has started popping up there, as well as Target, and save yourself the shipping!

Morphe M200 Deluxe Crease Brush / $5 at morphebrushes.com

 

 Another great blending brush – I firmly believe that one can never have too many blending brushes! This one is a little denser than the SOHO brush, but still super duper soft and amazing at blending out your shadow! I like to use this closer to the crease because it’s a little smaller, and it smokes out my crease beautifully!

Morphe M432 Flat Definer Brush / $4 at morphebrushes.com

 

 Every girl needs a good flat definer brush. I like to use this to pack color onto my lower lash line before blending it out – the tightly packed, soft synthetic bristles really get the color between your  bottom lashes like nothing I’ve ever used! I even have a second one specifically for using concealer to carve out and clean up my brows – so it’s another great multitasker!

e.l.f. Concealer Brush / $3 at elfcosmetics.com

 

 That’s right, a concealer brush. Because this one is so flat and dense, I like using this one slightly dampened to pack on shadows and pigments – this is one of my favorite brushes to apply specifically the L’Oreal Infallible 24HR Eye Shadows – you know, those pressed pigment shadows that are almost impossible to apply with anything but your finger, but your finger is usually too big to get a neat and clean application? Use this. Use it damp. Use it well…

Morphe M160 1/8 Angle Liner Brush / $3 at morphebrushes.com

 

 I’ve told you guys before, one of the major things I struggled with when it came to my eyes was my winged liner. This brush makes it so easy! It’s small, precise, and creates the perfect sharp wing and crisp, clean edge for that ‘cut-a-bitch’ winged liner! It comes in a few different sizes, but I like how small this one is because I feel like I have more control over the placement of my liner.

Morphe M221 Metal Eyelash Definer / $4 at morphebrushes.com

 

 I seriously don’t know what I was doing without this tool all these years! Clumpy mascara is a thing of the past with this tool! I personally like my lashes long, separated, and defined, and I get that effect with this – I’ll never NOT own one again! I’ve had those plastic ones with the bristles on the other side for your brows, and those were garbage compared to this! But please, please be careful with this – you can and probably will poke yourself in the eye – I did. And it hurt.

Crown C431 Precision Pencil Brush / $4 at crownbrush.us

 

 Everyone needs a good pencil brush – it’s a must for smoking out the lower lash line for that super sexy smolder. I have another one that I picked up at TJ Maxx, and I believe it’s by the brand Creme (that name has worn off the handle) but you know I like to have backups – and this is said to be a great dupe for the MAC 219 – and I’m a sucker for a dupe! I haven’t tested it, because well, I can’t justify paying the amount MAC wants for just a single brush, but maybe one day….

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Aren’t you glad I broke that whole brush series into 2 parts? We could have been here for DAYS! Have you guys tried any of these? What are some of your favorite brushes? Leave me a comment and let me know!

And don’t forget to go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito, and go like the Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook!

LOTS OF LOVE!

ASK ME QUESTIONS!

Guys, I think it would be fun to do a Q&A (question and answer) style post, so if you guys have any questions, anything about me or my experience or my profession or ANYTHING, post them in the comments, I’ll round them up, and answer them in a post! I think it would be fun!

Leave your comments below!!

XOXO – Donna

MY FAVORITE BRUSHES PT 1 – FACE

 I have a lot of makeup brushes. Like, A LOT.

 

 

See? I wasn’t kidding.

I generally keep them organized in their respective categories – foundation/concealer brushes, powder products (blush, bronzer, powder, contour/highlight, etc) brushes, and eye brushes. But I have a separate container for brushes that I use on a daily basis.

If I went into detail with every brush that I own and it’s purpose, we could be here for days. Literally. But I DO want to tell you about my faves, why I love them, and where to find them! Let’s get started!

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REAL TECHNIQUES MIRACLE COMPLEXION SPONGE ($7/ULTA)

 

 I know, it’s not a brush, it’s a sponge. But this is something that, since I discovered it, I haven’t been able to go a single day without using it. I know the Beauty Blender is supposed to be the ‘best makeup sponge around’ and it ‘can’t be imitated or duplicated’, but I actually like this better. It’s soft and squishy without being TOO soft, and it blends my concealer and foundation flawlessly. What I like most about this is that in addition to the traditional point at the top, which is great for getting that inner corner of the eye, it has a FLAT side that really gets up underneath the lower lashes and blends in the concealer. It’s also great for that area on either side of the nose, really helping to get in there and pick up any excess concealer (if you tend to be a bit heavy-handed like me!), eliminating any possibility of cake face!

REAL TECHNIQUES DELUXE CREASE BRUSH – ($18/ULTA)

 

 No, the brush itself isn’t $18 – but it’s only available (as far as I’m aware) as part of the ‘Starter Set’ which include 4 other brushes. Five brushes for $18 isn’t a bad deal at all! I like this brush for applying my NYX Dark Circle Concealer ($6) because it really helps to keep it pinpointed exactly where I want it. I don’t love the RT eye brushes for actual eyeshadow application, but they’re great for use on other parts of your face!

REAL TECHNIQUES SHADING BRUSH ($7/ULTA)

 

 This is probably the best spot-concealing brush I’ve ever used. I really helps to apply just the right amount of color corrector and concealer to blemishes! It’s small, densely packed, and it’s synthetic bristles don’t soak up your product, stealing it away from you. It blends concealer beautifully without depositing so much that you feel the need to blend it out into an unnecessarily large area just conceal one or two tiny red spots!

E.L.F. STUDIO FLAWLESS CONCEALER BRUSH ($3/elfcosmetics.com)

 

 You thought this was gonna be all about Real Techniques, didn’t you? NOPE! I picked this up in CVS one day (it’s also available at Target, too!) and after I tried it the next morning, I ran back and bought 2 more to have as backups! I like to use this to blend concealer under the eyes and down into the V shape to highlight the center of my face, and for larger areas that I just need to conceal redness, like the sides of my nose, or maybe my chin. I get such a flawless, airbrushed finish from this brush that I find I need LESS product to achieve my look!

MORPHE M439 DELUXE BUFFER ($14/morphebrushes.com)

 

 I actually got this for about $10 on HauteLook (go download their app, they have great deals!) and because it was a favorite of some of MY favorite YouTubers! Because it’s a densely packed kabuki brush, it will give you a medium to full coverage finish with your foundation. I have only one other go-to foundation brush (don’t worry, that’s next!) that gives me even REMOTELY close to the same flawless finish this brush does! Keep an eye on their website, they run sales often, so you may be able to snag this even cheaper!

REAL TECHNIQUES EXPERT FACE BRUSH ($9/ULTA)

 

 Before my M439 came in, this was my go to foundation brush. I still use it pretty regularly, because I find it to be just a high in quality as it’s Morphe counterpart. It’s full, soft, synthetic (no wasted product, again) and just a pleasure to use! If you’re looking for a good, inexpensive foundation brush and just can’t swing the M439 (shipping can be a tad pricey) this is a perfectly wonderful option!

E.L.F. STUDIO CONTOURING BRUSH ($6/elfcosmetics.com)

 

 Whether you’re new to contouring, or you’ve been at it for awhile, this is a great brush. Contouring was tricky for me, until I got my hands on this. It works with powder or cream contouring, it’s dense but super soft, and I’ve had it since it first launched and it’s yet to shed a single hair on me! I’ve seen this as a great dupe for the NARS ITA brush (though I haven’t tried it) which is crazy expensive for a brush! Try it! You won’t be sorry!

REAL TECHNIQUES STIPPLING BRUSH ($10/ULTA)

 

 This is such a versatile brush, it’s unreal. I use this for so many things – sheer coverage foundation, cream blush or bronzer, blending my contour, blush and highlight together – it really is a fantastic brush! If the price is a little steep for you (which I totally understand!) e.l.f. makes some great ones too for just $3!

REAL TECHNIQUES SETTING BRUSH ($8/ULTA)

 

 In an effort to go in order of application, I can’t believe I skipped over this! I love this for setting the under eye area, because it’s so small and fluffy and it’s slight point really helps to get up close and set everything! This is also great for applying your highlight to more pinpointed areas, if you’re oily like me and have to be careful where you put it!

REAL TECHNIQUES BLUSH BRUSH ($9/ULTA)

 

 I actually have two of these – one for blush, of course, and one for bronzer. It’s a very fluffy brush, and it’s great for either product. It’s even great for a natural, daytime appropriate contour, since it’s not as chiseled as a traditional contour brush, or applying your setting powder all over to finish your look – this one does just about everything!

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I realize this has gotten a little out of control and really, really long! I will be posting a PT 2 and going into detail on my favorite eye brushes in a couple days!

For my every day look I tend to focus more on flawless skin, since I have the occasional stubborn breakout, hyper pigmentation, and old acne scars to cover, so I thought I would detail the face brushes first!

Keep an eye out in the next few days for my favorite eye brushes! (See what I did there? HA!)

And don’t forget to go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito and go like the Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook!

LOTS OF LOVE!

MY FOUNDATION CHART

I don’t know about you, but foundation is one of the beauty items I struggle with the most. So when I found a few that worked for me and didn’t oxidize, well it was a happy day. And when I found this website that let me enter 1 or more shade matches and matched me to different brands across the board with my perfect shade in each, well, it was an even HAPPIER day!! Check out www.findation.com to help you find YOUR perfect match, and for reference in some of my tutorials, I’ve listed below some of MY fave foundations and the shade I wear! Enjoy!

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Revlon ColorStay Whipped Creme Foundation / 150 Buff

L’oreal True Match Super Blendable Liquid Makeup / W2

Revlon Nearly Naked Makeup / Vanilla

L’oreal True Match Lumi / W1-2

Makeup Forever HD Foundation / 117 Marble

MAC Studio Sculpt & Studio Fix Fluid / NC15

MAC Pro Long Wear / NC15

MAC Face and Body Foundation / N2

Revlon PhotoReady Foundation / Vanilla

Bourjois Healthy Mix Serum Foundation / 51 Vanille Clair

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation / 115 Ivory (Concealer in shade ‘Fair’)

CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation / Classic Ivory 810

Urban Decay Naked Skin Foundation / 2.0

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*HERE’S A TIP* If you find that foundation and concealer tend to oxidize on you when you use a shade that appears to be your exact match on application, go 2 shades lighter in a neutral undertone (if you can find one) and once it oxidizes, it will have turned into your exact match! You can always warm up your skin with bronzer, but once your foundation has turned orange on you there’s really no coming back! Hope this helps!!

 

LOTS OF LOVE!

 

SWEATER WEATHER TAG!

 You guys know I can’t resist a tag post! So I came across this one, posted by moscatoandmascara here on WordPress (moscatoandmascara.wordpress.com) and just could help myself!

Growing up in New England, I’ve been both fortunate enough to experience fall and all it’s splendor, and spoiled by it. When I briefly moved to Florida a few years ago, I came back in 3 months (September to be exact) for many reasons, and one being I just couldn’t picture a fall without bright leaves and sweaters, hoodies, boots, or scarves! It’s really one of my favorite seasons!

Let’s get into it!

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1. Favorite Candle Scent?

Hmmm…..probably anything that makes my house smell like a bakery. Apple Pie, Hazelnut Cream, scents like that – I find them at Walmart because they smell great and they’re inexpensive, so I can swap out my candles whenever the mood strikes! Or light multiples to blend scents!

2. Coffee, Tea, or Hot Chocolate?

This is tough – there’s a place in my heart for all three. Plus there’s nothing that says fall like Hot Apple Cider. I need my coffee to function, my tea to sleep, and my hot chocolate as my mid day pick-me-up. I’m sorry, I just can’t choose!

3. Your Best Fall Memory?

Playing in the leaves when we were kids. My mom would rake big piles just for us to jump in. And now I put my son near a pile of leaves and he just sits for what seems like forever, ‘splashing’ like he’s in the pool!

4. Which Makeup Trend Do You Prefer : Dark Lips Or Winged Eyeliner?

Dark Lips

5. Best Fall Fragrance?

I actually don’t really wear perfume – but if I had to single out something in my (tiny) collection, it would probably me my Baby Phat Seductive Goddess – it’s just got a lovely spicy scent to it that really feels like fall.

6. Favorite Thanksgiving Food (or Autumn Food)

Oh man, I had the same problem with the Fall Favorites tag I did! Umm….does the ‘leftovers’ sandwich count? I like to take a nice kaiser roll, and put turkey, stuffing, cranberry sauce, some cheddar cheese, and a little bit of light mayo on it. That would have to be my favorite.

7. What is Autumn Weather Like Where You Live?

‘If you don’t like the weather in New England, wait a minute!’ That basically sums it up. It changes daily, some days are warm, some are cold, some are in between and rainy, some are insanely windy. But it’s definitely sweater weather here in Connecticut! And the leaves…oh the leaves….*le sigh*

8. Most Worn Sweater?

Hoodies. I live in hoodies and yoga pants in the fall and winter. And Uggs. #basicbitch. But I don’t know that I have a favorite one.

9. Must Have Nail Polish This Fall?

ULTA Salon Formula Nail Lacquer in Bittersweet ($6) – it’s a deep, plum, burgundy shade that just screams fall – I have to buy a new one because the one I had came in a ‘gift with purchase’ bag, so it was only a sample size. And I ran through it like nobody’s business!

10. Football Games Or Jumping In Leaf Piles?

Leaf piles – I only get interested in football when the Super Bowl rolls around – and I’m honestly only there for the food!

11. Skinny Jeans or Leggings?

Leggings all the way. Let’s be real – I haven’t worn jeans since before my son was born!

12. Combat Boots or Uggs?

Uggs – if my feet are cold, the rest of me is cold by default – I love me some warm, fluffy boots.

13. Is Pumpkin Spice Worth The Hype?

At the beginning of the season when I wait all year for it, my answer is yes. But by now, I’ve pumpkin’d myself out and moved on!

14. Favorite Autumn TV Show?

I actually haven’t been watching much TV lately – if my son isn’t watching Disney Junior, my husband has taken over and found some sort of alien-zombie-action-street racing movie. I was all excited for Sleepy Hollow to come back but I never got to sit and watch it! Boo!!

15. What Song Gets You Into The Fall Spirit?

I don’t think I have one….

16. Halloween – Yay or Nay?

Eh…I could take it or leave it. It’s my husbands favorite holiday. It’s cute to see my son dressed up and trick-or-treating, but I never really got that crazy about it.

17. Fall Mornings or Evenings?

Fall mornings – I love the early sun on the leaves when I get up and make my coffee and let the dogs out. It’s slightly chilly and crisp and gorgeous.

18. What Do You Think About Black Friday?

I hate it. I think it’s dangerous (have you guys seen the news?!) and personally, I’d rather stay home in my jammies and shop online – I’m ALL about Cyber Monday!

19. One Fall 2015 Trend You Love?

Anything plaid!

20. Favorite Kind Of Pie?

Honestly I don’t think I have just one favorite! I love pie! I love custard pies, fruit pies, pumpkin and sweet potato pie – except pecan pie – it’s too sweet for me!

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Alright guys, I tag ALL OF YOU! Leave me your answers in the comments below, or create your own and tag me in it so I can read your favorites!

Don’t forget to go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito and go like the Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook!

LOTS OF LOVE!

 

HAUTELOOK HAUL! MORPHE BRUSHES AND PALETTES

Every so often I take a quick browse through my HauteLook app – not the fashion, my dears, I think it’s quite apparent that I go straight for the beauty items!

Well, a couple weeks ago I happened to notice that Morphe was on HauteLook, and having been a lover of all beauty products and tools, not to mention lusting after many of their items for quite some time, I decided what better opportunity than now to take advantage of some of my faves being on sale! These items are not commonly found on HauteLook, but they can be found in stock regularly at morphebrushes.com. They’re amazing quality, and even at full price (and they’re VERY reasonable in their prices!) they are the perfect, professional quality palettes and brushes and so much more for ANY budget!

So here’s what I got!

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MORPHE 9B THE BLUSHED BLUSH PALETTE

 

 This palette come with 9 matte blushes in various shades of pink, peach and rose tones, with one random very bright red at the very bottom of the palette. The pigmentation of these blushes is no joke – you need a very small amount on your brush, and literally one dip of the brush will pick up so much product, you’ll want to be sure to give it a good tap to get off any excess. I’ve seen this palette used all over YouTube, and after seeing just how affordable it was, and currently it IS out of stock on their website, but I’ve noticed that for some time now it’s been listed at a sale price of $19.99. For 9 blushes, that’s quite the deal.

MORPHE 9BZ THAT GLOW BRONZER PALETTE

 

 This is another 9 pan palette, with both matte and shimmery bronzers in warm and cool tones made to suit virtually any skin color. Light, medium, and darker shades will keep you looking gorgeous and glowy all year round. Or if you’re a professional makeup artist, it drastically eliminates the amount of shades you need to pack up and carry job to job, because it’s so versatile. This is currently in stock on the Morphe website and it too is listed on sale for $19.99. If you consider that the average decent drugstore bronzer can average about $10, this is a heck of a bargain! For this and the blush palette I paid $15 each.

MORPHE M439 DELUXE BUFFER BRUSH

 

 This is a rounded, synthetic kabuki brush that is IDEAL for apply foundation. It was a long time favorite of YouTuber and professional MUA Jaclyn Hill, and after watching so many of her videos and how much she raved about it, when I saw that it was on sale (I think I paid around $10) I knew I had to have it. I’ve been using a Real Techniques Expert Face Brush to apply my foundation and I love it, but the M439 feel just a little bit softer and denser than the RT. I’m super excited to try it out!

MORPHE M160-1/8 ANGLE LINER BRUSH

 

 I have a few no-name angled liner brushes, and they’re alright, but I noticed that they’ve been starting to fray and shed. So I thought I would give this one a try. It’s regularly $5.99, but currently listed on their site for $2.99, only .99 cents more than what I paid on HL. They have a few different sizes it appears, this being the 3rd smallest. I had backed off the gel liner for awhile because of my raggedy old brushes, but I can’t wait to give this a try!

MORPHE M200 DELUXE CREASE BRUSH

 

 I love me a good fluffy brush. I’ll be the first to admit that for the longest time I avoided eyeshadows like the PLAGUE because I struggled so badly with blending. But fluffy brushes like this are A-MAZ-ING for blending away any harsh lines in your shadows, making you look like a smokey, sultry, sexy queen! The regular retail price is $9.99, but it’s listed on sale for $4.99 right now.

MORPHE M330 BLENDING CREASE BRUSH

 

 Another fluffy blending brush, it’s pretty much meant to do the exact same thing as a M200. But I’m rough on my blending brushes, so I like to have a few of them on hand at any given time. I also like to highlight with them, and this one looks like a smaller M501 which is commonly used for things like highlighting. The M330 retails for $11.98 but is currently on sale for $5.99. Quite a steal!

MORPHE M221 METAL EYELASH DEFINER

 

 “Clumpy mascara is not cute” they say on their website. And they’re damn right! Some people really like that chunky, clumpy look, and if you can carry off a look like that then more power to you! Personally I like my natural, long, separated doll like looking lashes. Bottom line, I actually didn’t own one of these, and I needed one. It regularly retails for $7.99 but is currently on sale for $3.99. I believe that this is one tool everyone should have in their collection, whether you’re a professional or not.

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If you guys haven’t tried Morphe products and tools yet you should DEFINITELY check them out! They’re great quality, affordable, professional, and if you’re a cosmetology student or licensed cosmetologist or MUA they offer a Pro discount of up to 20% on all of their products! That’s amazing! You can get more details as well as order products at morphebrushes.com!

Let me know below in the comments what YOU’VE tried from them, or what you want to try! I love to hear from you!

And don’t forget to go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito, and go like the Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook! I’ll be doing a giveaway soon and you won’t want to miss out on it!

LOTS OF LOVE!

 

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REVIEW : REVLON PHOTOREADY CREAM BLUSHES

 It’s no secret by now that I have a profound love of Revlon products. Let’s face it, they put out some pretty great stuff. In fact they’re the only brand that has a primer that keeps me matte and doesn’t break me out (read that review here).

Awhile back I had picked up the Revlon PhotoReady Cream Blushes , but since it was spring/summer and I was an oily monster, I set them aside and almost forgot about them – until now.

I pulled them out the other day as I was starting to declutter, and realized I hadn’t really given them a fair chance. So I began playing around. And let me tell you, I wish I had dug into these sooner!

I have 4 shades, I’m not sure if there are more, as when I searched for links for you guys, I was only able to come up with 2 or 3 at a time from various retailers. I picked mine up at Walmart for about $13, but I’m not sure if they’re still available there. I have found individual links on eBay and Amazon if you guys are interested in picking these up for yourselves. Like I said, these aren’t new – I’m just late to the party! But I realized I never really gave them the attention they deserved. Here we go!

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FORMULA

These have a slightly drier texture, similar to say, the Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Shadows. They are pretty pigmented, so I prefer to apply them with a small stippling brush for the most natural look. From there I find I can build up the intensity to my liking. They look very natural, blend well despite being on the dry side, and photograph incredibly well (hence the ‘PhotoReady’ moniker, of course). I find them to be quite long wearing when applied properly.

TIP * I’ve found through much trial and error, that the best way to apply a cream blush is to first lay down your primer, then take a small duo fiber stippling brush, like the e.l.f. Studio Small Stippling Brush ($3) and swirl it around in the product, and apply lightly to the cheeks. The duo fiber brush allows for just the right amount of pigment to be laid down without being too intense. Think how you apply foundation or BB Cream with a stippling brush because you want a more sheer to light coverage, right? Same concept. After that, I like to apply my foundation OVER the cream blush, blending carefully around the blush, and I find that this allows for the most natural looking flush. Seriously, it’s so seamless, it’s undetectable.

PACKAGING

These little blushes come in a clear plastic pot with a black plastic lid, and contain .44 oz of product. That’s not too bad, considering how pigmented they are and how little you really need to use, they’ll last for quite some time if cared for properly (i.e. cleaning your brushes between uses as to not cross contaminate). It’s a thin, acrylic-y kind of plastic though, so if you were planning to travel with these, I would advise to do so cautiously – they could easily crack in your luggage.

COLORS

As I said above, I’ve found them in 4 colors; Coral Reef, Pinched, Flushed, and Charmed Enchantment. They appear super pigmented in the pots, and they can be if applied with say, your fingers. Like I said, I prefer to blend these out with a stippling brush so they sheer out a little bit.

 

 Coral Reef is a bright, orangey pink shade. Great for spring and summer, and most flattering on someone with natural warmth to their skin tone.

 

 Pinched is a light peach, with just a hint of shimmer (the rest are matte) which I find to accent fair skin tones beautifully.

 

 Flushed is a hot fuchsia pink shade, that can look intimidating but sheers out beautifully. This really gives you that ‘just finished a hike on a beautiful fall day’ glow.

 

 Charmed Enchantment is a rosey shade with the slightest hints of brown undertones. This is my favorite shade, as it seems the most wearable for everyday.

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Overall, I would have to say that these are some of the best cream blushes that I have every used – and I’ve tried A LOT of them. They’re pigmented but blendable, they look natural, and they last just about all day. What I love most about them though, is that as part of the PhotoReady line, they truly photograph beautifully! There’s nothing worse (while being photographed, anyway) than looking washed out and DEAD.

Have you guys tried any of these? Do you have a favorite cream blush that maybe I haven’t found yet? Let me know in the comments below!

And don’t forget to follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito, and go like the new Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook!

LOTS OF LOVE!