DECEMBER 2015 FAVORITES

I can’t believe 2015 is over! It’s been a crazy year!

Instead of mourning another year passed, let’s look forward to all the good – all the new makeup that launches in January 2016!

In the meantime though, I’d like to share with you guys all the things I’ve been loving this month. Let’s get started!

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MORPHE M501 PRO POINTED BLENDER – $7.99 / morphebrushes.com

  I can see why this brush is a favorite among so many – I now get what all the hype is about! It’s become my absolute favorite brush for highlighting!  I have some fan brushes and even a SOHO Pro Crease Brush that is quite fluffy that I used to use for highlighting, and I haven’t touched them since I got this. Morphe brushes are incredible quality and super budget friendly, whether you’re just getting into makeup or you’re a professional! There is of course, and M500 which is a bit bigger, and an M502 which is a bit smaller, but this middle man of a brush just seems to be the perfect size to tackle all of your highlighting needs!

L’OREAL DOUBLE EXTEND BEAUTY TUBES MASCARA – $8.97 / amazon.com

I noticed the other day that I have a pretty sizable patch of broken lashes in the center of my right eye. Don’t ask me how, but they’re there. So I broke out my trusty L’Oreal Double Extend Beauty Tubes Mascara – the primer side helps to add length before the mascara side seals it in, creating the illusion of thicker, longer lashes that last all day! Seriously, all day – getting this stuff off can be tricky (and damaging if you’re not careful!) but I use coconut oil, which breaks down the product and nourishes my lashes at the same time.

MILANI BAKED BLUSH IN ‘LUMINOSO’ – $8.98 / amazon.com

  I have been reaching for this blush probably more than any other lately. It’s got a universally flattering peachy pink tone, with just the right amount of sheen – not glitter, like some of their other shades (*coughs* Corralina) – it’s like applying your blush and highlight all in one step. It makes you look beautifully healthy and radiant, like you’ve been eating your fruits and veggies. I die.

MORPHE 35N – 35 COLOR MATTE EYESHADOW PALETTE – $19.99 / morphebrushes.com

If you guys are looking for great quality, inexpensive eyeshadows, look no further than the Morphe palettes. If you average out this particular palette, you’re actually paying 57 cents per shadow! You can’t get a deal like that at any drugstore! This palette is entirely matte, with a mix of warm, neutral, and cool tones ranging from lighter skin toned colors all the way to browns and blacks, and even a couple pinks, oranges, and purples. If you want to build your own palette, Morphe also sells individual shadow pans for $2.29, which you can put in a Z palette or even the Morphe brand magnetic palette. I’ll be doing a full review with swatches soon!

MORPHE MONTHLY BRUSH CLUB – $19.99 per month / liveglam.com

 While we’re showing some love to Morphe, I’m sure many of you saw my recent post about the Morphe Monthly Brush Club – basically the premise is that like any other monthly subscription box – Morphe picks a variety of brushes that value $30+ in total each month, and automatically ships them directly to your door for just $19.99!! Unfortunately it is currently sold out *sad face* but they are accepting people on a wait list! What I absolutely love about this versus other monthly subscriptions boxes is that you know you’re getting full size, quality products that you can use over and over again, rather than a box full of tiny samples and unheard of deluxe samples that you can only use a few times before having to purchase a full sized product. Personally I’m a brush junkie, and already knowing the quality of these brushes made me stalk the website waiting for this deal to drop like a crazy ex-girlfriend! Totally worth it! If you haven’t seen my ‘unboxing’ of the first month, click on over to the HAULS tab at the top of the page and check it out!

L’OREAL MAGIC LUMI LIGHT INFUSING PRIMER – $10.97 / amazon.com

I don’t know what sort of hissy-fit my skin has been having lately, but my ordinarily oily skin has been super duper dry. Like flaky dry. Dull dry. This primer gives such a beautiful luminosity to the skin – however, if you’re oily you may want to avoid this unless you use it under a more mattifying foundation. I love this in the winter because I do tend to lean more on the dry side this time of year, but I hate my skin looking matte. I like to glow!! A trick I like to use is to mix a pump of this primer and a pump of my foundation on the back of my hand like a little cocktail, and then apply it – it shears out the foundation just enough so that you don’t get cake face, while the primer still helps it adhere to the skin.

REAL TECHNIQUES MIRACLE COMPLEXION SPONGE – $6.99 / ULTA

One of the places I’ve been the most dry, oddly enough, is under my eyes. Which has made blending out concealer with my preferred method of the e.l.f. Studio Flawless Concealer brush impossible. So lately I’ve been reaching for my RT sponge, and it’s been a lifesaver. The dampness adds back just enough hydration, and picks up just enough excess concealer (because I can get a little heavy-handed with concealer, I’ll admit it) to blend it out flawlessly. It’s also a great tool if you’ve been struggling with (or afraid to try) cream contouring and highlighting! This is said to be the best dupe around town for the $20 Original Beauty Blender too – don’t worry, mine is coming in the mail soon because naturally, I have to see what all the hype is about, and I will let you know if its an acceptable dupe! I promise!

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Well, those are MY favorites for this month, but what are some of yours? Leave me a comment below and let me know, I love to hear from you guys!

And as always, please go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito, and go give a like to the Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook!

LOTS OF LOVE!

REVIEW – BUXOM OBJECTS OF OBSESSION 4pc COLLECTION

First off, I hope you all had a wonderful and very merry Christmas! I want to apologize for my absence, I’ve been sick (starting Christmas Eve) and now my son is sick, so finding the time to sit down and write has been challenging. But here I am!

  So while I plan to do a whole ‘What I Got For Christmas’ post in the coming days, one of the things I’m particularly excited about is this – the Buxom Objects of Obsession 4pc Collection for Eyes & Lips. This is a Sephora Beauty Insider item, after you’ve earned 500 points. I got this as a stocking stuffer.

And I love it!

What it is, is a mini mascara, eye liner, lip polish, and lip cream. They’re your standard deluxe sample sized minis, and while I’ve never tried anything from the Buxom brand, so far I must say I’m impressed! I’ll be detailing each product for you, with it’s individual claim and my own thoughts.

So let’s get started!

BUXOM VANITY LASH MASCARA in SHOW-OFF BLACK w/ BIG&BUSHY BRUSH

 

 You guys should know by now, I’m forever on the quest for the perfect mascara. So of course, I was excited to try this one. It claims to be a volumizing formula that contains biotin and B5 to help strengthen lashes while adding loads of volume.

The packaging is super cute! Aside from being tiny, it comes in a shiny gold tube with the Buxom logo and a zebra print on the top. Upon opening, the wand is purple (pretty!) and the brush itself is super fat and densely packed with traditional bristles.

The formula is neither too wet nor too dry, which I appreciate. I’m that girl that purposely tries to dry out her mascara for the perfect consistency – yeah, I know.

So when I applied it, I was incredibly impressed! I had beautifully separated, long, full, super volumized lashes! Basically everything I’ve ever wanted from a mascara! The only downside was that it never really seemed to dry fully, because when I touched my lashes about an hour later, I got some smudges on my finger. Maybe because I was sick and had watery eyes, or maybe it doesn’t dry all the way. I want to try it with a top coat before I totally ‘poo-poo’ it, ya know? I have high hopes. I do.

BUXOM HOLD THE LINE WATERPROOF EYELINER in I’LL BE WAITING

 

 I’m usually not one for pencil style liners. On my eyes, I find them difficult to use. But who am I to not at the very least swatch it? It claims to be a “high-performance waterproof pencil that glides on like a gel and lasts up to 14 hours”.

The packaging itself is your standard, pencil liner (the kind that requires sharpening) with the Buxom logo in silver on the side. Pretty basic, no frills.

The formula is incredibly smooth. I didn’t actually wear it on my eyes (sick, didn’t have the patience for liner, honestly) but I did swatch it on the back of my hand. It glides on just like it says, like a gel. Once I do actually wear it on my eyes, I highly doubt there will be any tugging as with many other pencil liners I’ve tried (and subsequently hated). I left the swatch on all day, and with multiple hand washings and more, it stayed put with VERY minimal fading! Impressive! I may have to rethink my position on pencil liners! Just this once, though…. 😉

BUXOM FULL ON LIP CREAM in KIR ROYALE

 

 Ok, this was something that was right up my alley! I’m always game to try a new lip product! Especially when it claims to be a “tingling, glassy-smooth, shimmer free gloss with a plumping effect”.

The tube itself is cute – it’s a frosted glass tube with a shiny, silver top. And of course, the Buxom logo is stamped on the front in a shiny silver finish.

The formula is super thick. Like goopy thick. But I like that in a gloss. A sticky, thick formula ensures that it will hang around for awhile, and I hate to have to reapply a gloss after an hour or less. I can get a solid 3-4 hours of wear from this before needing to reapply. And it’s definitely tingly – I can imagine these being great formulas for summertime, because they feel very cool and refreshing on the lips. They would feel amazing when it’s hot outside!

I didn’t really notice much plumping, but I also wasn’t really looking for that. The color was what I was really paying attention to. The shade ‘Kir Royale’ is a red/berry shade, a little more on the cool side with definite purple undertones. I expected it to be fully opaque, but was pleasantly surprised at its medium coverage. I don’t usually love a full coverage gloss, I prefer to reserve that for something along the lines of a liquid lipstick. This sheers out enough that you can definitely see the color, but it’s not so overpowering – basically, this is great for a punch of color on the lips, even when you’re not wearing any makeup!

BUXOM FULL-ON LIP POLISH in SOPHIA

 

 This in particular appealed to me because of its shade – a pinky nude shade that looks totally wearable with or without makeup on! This claims as follows – “sheer, shimmering gloss tingles and shines for a pout-plumping effect”.

The packaging is identical in size and shape to the above mentioned product, however this tube is not a frosted glass finish – it’s your basic clear glass tube. Again with the silver top and the Buxom logo printed on the side.

The forumla is identical to the lip cream in that it’s thick and goopy and long wearing. The difference here besides the fact that this is far more sheer, is the shimmer. This contains just enough shimmer to bring an added gleam to the lips, but without looking like chunky, cheap glitter, or feeling rough and gritty (my biggest pet peeve with a shimmering or glittery gloss!). This too has that same cooling effect, and I’ll probably hold onto this shade for summertime (if it makes it to then!).

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So overall, would I purchase any of these in their full sizes? Well, absolutely the lip products, and probably over and over again! They really are lovely, and I could see them quickly becoming staples in my collection, despite their roughly $20 price point.

The mascara is a close runner up, depending on how it performs with maybe a top coat. I hate to have to add an extra step, but I really do love the way my lashes look after using this, so if I can find a way to seal it in without destroying the overall effect, then this too, is a winner!

The eyeliner? I don’t know. The formula is great, and I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a long wearing pencil liner that goes on smoothly with no tugging. Personally, I’m not a pencil liner kind of girl. Maybe I’ll try smudging it on my lower lash line for a smoky eye….if it proves to work well for that, then maybe I could see myself purchasing the full size.

I would definitely highly recommend these products to anyone, even though they’re from the high end category, I’ve told you before that when I find something really worth it, I’ll splurge. It’s not often, and I’m certainly in no position to run and drop $300 at Sephora on a casual Wednesday afternoon, but from time to time, especially when I get gift cards, I’ll tend to grab a higher end item that has had my eye for awhile.

Did any of you guys get these? Have you tried the full sized products? What are your thoughts? Leave me a comment and let me know!

And please, if you aren’t already, take a moment to go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito, and give a like to the Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook (the links are all in the sidebar!), your support means so much!

LOTS OF LOVE!!

ONE-BRAND FAVES: REVLON

It’s been awhile since I’ve done a post focusing on one specific brand! Today we’ll be talking about Revlon, which is probably one of my favorite drugstore makeup lines!

Now I did do one of these before, a one-brand favorites post about L’Oreal Paris (click here to read that post), and that particular one included products for just about every area of the face. This one, however, will not be that way, because well, I’m not necessarily fond on Revlon’s mascara or brow products, etc. But if you want to see what I do love from them, keep on reading!

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REVLON PHOTOREADY PERFECTING PRIMER

I can honestly say that this is probably my number one most reached for Revlon product. I did a full review on this primer (which you can read here) but basically this stuff fills in any pores and fine lines, it feels more lotion-y than silicone-y (silicone primers irritate me) and it doesn’t break me out! It keeps me matte all day long, which is unheard of for my skin, and it keeps my makeup in place all day long. I have a lot of drugstore primers, and honestly I don’t really love them. But this one is my go-to!

REVLON COLORSTAY WHIPPED CREME MAKEUP

I’ve got a full review on this stuff too (click here) – I don’t know what it is about this foundation, but the longer I wear it, the better it looks! Most foundations break up on me by the end of the day, at least in the most common places – the sides of the nose, the smile lines, the chin and the center of my forehead – this stays put, and looks more and more natural as the day goes on! It’s got more of a satin matte finish, which I like, and while it seems like it would feel heavy judging by the consistency, it’s actually quite lightweight, which I love; nothing is worse than makeup that feels like a mask – it’s just so uncomfortable. Pick some up and try it for yourself – you won’t be sorry!

REVLON COLORSTAY MAKEUP FOR COMBO/OILY SKIN

You guessed it, there’s another post about it already (click here) – and this is actually a great dupe for a much more expensive liquid makeup – but you’ll have to go read the post to find out which one! This is one that, unlike the formula above, is quite mattifying, and something that I rely on for like a summer wedding or something like that – where I know I want good medium to full coverage, but something lightweight that keeps me totally matte. We all have that one trusty, tried and true standby makeup that we can always rely on, and this one is mine, hands down! If you’re not oily but still want great long-wearing coverage, they do make this in a formula for normal to dry skin as well, so they’ve got everyone covered (ha ha!).

REVLON PHOTOREADY SKINLIGHTS FACE ILLUMINATOR

 

 I think these are a highly underrated product! They’re liquid highlighters, and they come in four shades – Bare Lights, Pink Lights, Peach Lights, and Bronze Lights – to suit every skin tone. These are a-m-a-z-i-n-g not just on the face (great for strobing!)  but on the body as well, using a little on the collarbone, chest, shoulders, even down your shins in the summer for a gorgeous glow! I feel like they just don’t get the love they deserve! I haven’t seen them in stores in awhile though, so I’m wondering if they’ve been discontinued. You can click the link above which is a link to Amazon and I’ve found them for you, if you want to try them for yourself – and you should!!

REVLON HIGHLIGHTING PALETTE

 

 I love these. They’re also great dupes for the Bobbi Brown Shimmer Bricks *wink wink* and they come in three shades; a pink, a peach, and a bronze. There are five individual shades within each palette that can be used as singles, which is great for adding a gorgeous glowy highlight or some sheen on the lids or brow bone, or you can swirl them all together for an all over gleam! This is another of their items that I just can’t understand why hardly anyone talks about them, they’re wonderful!

REVLON PHOTOREADY CREAM BLUSHES

This is an item that I do believe is being discontinued, as I’ve been seeing them with the orange clearance tags at my local Walgreens, so now is the time to go snap them up! I’ve done a full review on these too, surprise surprise (click here) and I absolutely love them! I feel like they just look more natural and wear far longer than any of my powder blushes! I like to apply these with a stippling brush underneath my foundation for the most natural effect. If you want to try them and have trouble finding them locally, you can click on the link above and order them there!

REVLON SUPER LUSTROUS LIPSTICK

 

 I think I can honestly say that as far as drugstore lipstick goes, this is the best of the best. Seven decades – that’s 70 years! – and 82 shades to choose from in 4 different finishes! The Revlon lipstick game is strong! With everything from nudes to reds to my personal favorite shade, Black Cherry, if I could only ever again recommend one brand of lipstick, this would be the one! They’re comfortable, they have amazing color payoff, they wear very well, they’re just all around incredible! And they won the “Allure Magazine Reader’s Choice Award” in both 2014 and 2015!! Guys, million of people can’t be wrong, can they?!

REVLON COLORBURST LIP BUTTER

 

 I’ve lost count on how many of these I own. I feel like every trip to the drugstore yields at least 2 of them to make sure I always have them on hand! They’re a gorgeous, hydrating gel formula, with great color payoff, and a great shade selection! Some of my favorites are Pink Truffle, which is like, the perfect MLBB (my lips but better) shade, Peach Parfait, a shimmery, summery peach, and Fig Jam, which looks intimidatingly brown but sheers out over the lips for the perfect deepened version of your natural lip color – Fig Jam is also a great dupe for Clinique’s Almost Lipstick in Black Honey! Some shades have been discontinued already and some are on the list to be next so get them while you can!!

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What do you guys think of Revlon cosmetics? What different ones have you tried? Leave me a comment and let me know! Additionally, if there’s a specific brand you’d like me to focus on for a future post like this, leave me a comment on that as well!

And please go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito, and go like the Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook!

LOTS OF LOVE!!

TOP 10 MAKEUP MISTAKES YOU MIGHT BE MAKING

We’ve all been there – we’ve all had a bad makeup moment or two (or three, or four, or a whole semester in high school) that we’ve looked back on and said “what was I thinking?!”. It happens.

The reality of it is though, that many makeup mistakes are totally preventable, if you know what it is that you’re doing wrong. And I hate to use the word “wrong” here, because really there is little wrong when it comes to makeup. Makeup is all about experimenting and having fun and playing with color and texture and finishes.

But today I wanted to share with you some tips and tricks both from my personal makeup faux-pas, and some that at I’ve seen scattered across the internet, that seem to be both the most common, and the easiest to fix!

So let’s get started!

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NOT WASHING YOUR TOOLS

Photo Credit : Google Images

“But my face is clean when I apply my makeup!” That may be so. But what about AFTER you apply your makeup? That product sits on your brushes and in your sponges and harbors bacteria like crazy! So then, the next time you go to apply your foundation or concealer especially, you’re putting that bacteria back onto your skin – the same bacteria that causes – EEEK! – breakouts! I like to spot clean my foundation and concealer brushes after every use, and give them a deep clean once a week – you can read about how I clean my brushes here. P.S. – keeping them clean also helps to keep them in prime condition, making them last super long!

GETTING LIPSTICK ALL OVER YOUR TEETH

Photo Credit : Google Images

This is probably the most common, and most easily avoided mistake we’ve all made. You’re rockin’ that gorgeous red lip like nobody’s business. And then you smile, and unbeknownst to you, there’s lipstick all over your pearly whites. Simple fix! Take your index finger, put it in your mouth, close your lips around it, and pull it out. Any lip color that could have been on your teeth, is now on your finger! Voila!

LINING YOUR WATERLINE WITH BLACK EYELINER

Photo Credit : Pinterest                                           Now don’t get me wrong, this can work for some people, but really only when you’re going for a smokey eye. Using black eyeliner on your waterline (that space between your eyeball and your lower lashes) can actually make your eyes look smaller, and eventually it will run and smudge under your bottom lashes. Not cute. Instead, use that black liner to tight line your upper lash line and smudge a little on the outer third of your bottom lash line, and grab a nude liner for the lower waterline. Doing this opens your eyes up and makes them look bigger and wide awake! My favorite nude pencil for this is the Rimmel Scandaleyes Waterproof Kohl Kajal Pencil in Nude.

NOT BLENDING YOUR FOUNDATION

 

Photo Credit : Google Images

 I remember back in middle school and high school, when all the girls were wearing foundation that was clearly too dark for them (hell, I even see women doing it now in their 20’s, 30’s, and beyond!) – and stopping at the jawline. That leaves a super harsh line of demarcation. Instead, if you know that your foundation tends to oxidize, or you self tan your body but use foundation to darken up your face, be sure that you’re properly blending that foundation by taking it down your neck a little, and back onto the ears to make sure everything is seamless! No one will be able to tell that you’re Casper under there, they’ll just think you glow like that all the time!

USING LIP LINER ALL WRONG (OR NOT USING IT AT ALL!)

 

Photo Credit : Google Images

 Lip liner is a wonderful thing. But just like any other makeup item, you can’t just slap it on and move along. Gone are the days of using a dark lip liner and light lipstick (thank God!). Lip liner is used to ensure that your lip color doesn’t feather and bleed. It also works to lengthen the life of your lip color, by giving it something to grab on to. Line your lips, and then feather that color inward before applying your lipstick – that way as the day goes on and your shade fades, it doesn’t leave you with the dreaded “ring around the lips” look that we all know and despise.

RING-AROUND-THE-EYES CONCEALER

 

Photo
 Credit : Pinterest

 No. Just no. I still to this day see so many people swipe concealer in a half circle shape under their eyes before blending it out. It may look ok inside, in low light, for a little while. But if you’re going out amongst the general population, or being photographed for whatever reason, this is simply not going to work. Instead, apply your concealer in an upside down triangle shape under the eye – swipe from inner corner to outer corner, down the side of the nose, and diagonally up toward the brow – then blend it with a brush or a damp sponge. This will give the face a more youthful, lifted appearance, and photograph like a dream!

NOT SETTING YOUR FOUNDATION

 

Photo
 Credit : Google Images

 I don’t mean at the end of your makeup, when we generally think to go in with a big fluffy brush and a layer of powder. I’m talking about that step between your foundation/concealer routine, and your blush/bronze/contour. After you’ve applied your foundation, it’s natural to jump right into the next step – grabbing the bronzer, blush, what have you, especially if you’re in a rush. But next time you do your makeup, stop and feel your foundation – still a little tacky, right? So by putting your blush or bronzer on top of that, it will create patchiness that, well, isn’t cute on anyone. Instead, after your foundation, apply a light layer of loose, translucent powder with a fluffy brush. Then go ahead with the rest of the face products. You’ll find that they apply much smoother and blend much better!

MATCHING YOUR FOUNDATION TO YOUR HAND/CHEEK

 

Photo Credit : Pinterest

 While we’re on the topic of foundation – and I’ve been guilty of this one – I still see so many women matching their foundation to the back of their hand, or more recently, their cheek. STOP! Always, always, always, match your foundation to your neck! Our hands and cheeks are more exposed to sunlight and other factors that can inhibit proper shade selection – the neck is actually your true color! I know, it probably seems way too light, right? But in fact, it’s much easier to darken up a too-light foundation with bronzer and powder than it is to lighten one that’s too dark.

CONTOURING WITH BRONZER

It may seem natural to reach for a bronzer to contour with, right? The fact of the matter is, bronzers are meant to bring warmth back to the skin – contouring is meant to create shadows and conceal or slim features of the face. Have you ever seen a warm shadow? No. For contouring, not only do you want something matte, but you want a product that’s more neutral/cool/gray toned. My favorite product for contouring is the NYX HD Blush in Taupe – a totally matte, cool toned brown that creates the most subtle daytime contour, but can be deepened up for nighttime, without looking too heavy or muddy.

WEARING WATERPROOF MASCARA EVERY DAY

Photo Credit : ULTA

Waterproof mascara is one of my summer staple items. SUMMER. Because it typically contains harsher ingredients, those same ones that make it budge proof, it can be much harsher on the lashes. It’s more drying, making your lashes more brittle. It’s harder to remove, even with the best makeup remover around (I personally use coconut oil to remove ANY kind of mascara). All of those things can lead to breakage, and believe me, no one wants a huge gap of broken lashes in the center of their eye (I’m a current sufferer). Instead, save the waterproof stuff for summers, or events where you might get a little teary eyed, and reach for the regular formula for every day. One of my favorite, non-waterproof mascaras that stays put is the Maybelline Volum Express Pumped Up! Colossal Volume Mascara – it really stays put!

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Don’t get me wrong – I’m sure there are hundreds more beauty faux-pas out there that I could name, but these are probably the most common that I’ve seen. Like I said, makeup is all about fun. No one needs it, we just enjoy it, right?!

I’d like to hear some of your beauty mistakes (we’re all guilty of at least one!) or some that you’ve seen that maybe I didn’t list! Leave me a comment below and let me know!

And please go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito, and go like the Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook!

LOTS OF LOVE!

IS IT A DUPE? GERARD COSMETICS LIP GLOSS IN ROSE HILL vs. ULTA MINERAL LIP GLOSS IN ROSE GARNET

Ready for another lippie dupe? I know I am! Today I bring you the battle of the lip glosses!

I love watching Jaclyn Hill videos on YouTube. She’s funny, real, quirky, informative, and super talented. She’s truly an inspiration.

One half of this ‘is it a dupe?’ features her very first creation with Gerard Cosmetics, a highly pigmented gloss in the shade ‘Rose Hill’. I don’t want to spoil the rest of the post, so we’ll just jump right in and see if I’ve been able to dupe it or not!

Let’s get started!

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GERARD COSMETICS COLOR YOUR SMILE LIGHTED LIP GLOSS in ROSE HILL ($24)

As I said above, this was the first creation of MUA and YouTuber Jaclyn Hill, and I must say she did an amazing job!

Gerard Cosmetics says:

Take time and smell the Rose Hill. Vibrant, sophisticated and endlessly feminine..this is an essential for any lip gloss addict.

This is an absolutely beautiful lip gloss! First off, however, let’s start with the packaging. It comes in a clear, square shaped tube with a gold top, and a tiny little mirror glued to the side. When you open it up, it’s got a doe foot applicator, and something even cooler – lights inside the cap! It’s meant to make it easier to apply in low light, in conjunction with the mirror on the side of the tube.

The formula itself is highly pigmented, very opaque, and quite sticky, and it has absolutely no shimmer or glitter. It can be applied like the average lip gloss, straight from the applicator all over the lips, for a high gloss look. Personally, I like to use it as more of a stain, dabbing some on the center of my bottom lip, and blending it outward in tapping motions with my finger, pressing it into my lips.

It’s a beautiful, universally flattering bright rosy shade, not too pink and not too red – perfect for every day wear. I absolutely love this gloss, but at $24 it can be a lot to shell out for a lip gloss – however, if you hurry, Gerard Cosmetics has these glosses on sale for 60% off! I believe it’s only for the month of December (2015) though, which makes them $9.60 each! So run!

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ULTA MINERAL LIP GLOSS in ROSE GARNNET ($8)

I was in an ULTA with my step-daughter Kayla one afternoon, and we happened across the ULTA Mineral Lip Glosses. This particular shade caught my eye, because it was bright and cheery and just beautiful. So I swatched it, and ultimately threw 2 of them in my shopping bag.

ULTA says about their glosses:

Get glittering shine while protecting your lips using Ulta’s nourishing Mineral Lip Gloss. Emollient blend of lip conditioners add moisture to lips while creating a shimmery finish.

The tube is your standard cylindrical lip gloss tube, clear so you can see the color of the product inside, with a brushed brass colored top. It has the typical doe foot applicator, and contains 0.14oz of product.

The formula is much thinner than the GC formula, and pretty slippery, and on the medium pigmentation side, with a touch of shimmer. Because it’s thinner, obviously it doesn’t wear nearly as long – I find myself having to touch up after just an hour or so – but at an $8 price point, that didn’t bother me. I love to wear this alone, or even layered over a lipstick for an added pop!

The color itself is pretty close, leaning a touch more on the red side, but when they’re swatched side by side, as you can see, it’s barely detectable. Like I said, it’s got a touch of golden shimmer, which isn’t terribly noticeable either. It’s very flattering on every skin tone, which is one of the things that drew me to it.

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 So, is it a dupe?

It’s a pretty close call, but I have to go with…..it is NOT a dupe.

The formulas are totally different, one has shimmer, and the colors are close but not an exact match. But the ULTA gloss is a great alternative if you’re looking to experiment with a color like that but aren’t sure you want to put out that much money, plus shipping.

If I had to pick a favorite of the two, that would be another tough one – but I’d choose the Gerard Cosmetics. Honestly, while it is on the pricey side, if you use it sparingly (almost as a stain, like I suggested) it will last you a good long while. And I won’t lie, the little mirror and the lights in the cap appeal to the luxury lover in me!

Have you guys tried either of these products? What are your thoughts? Leave me a comment below and let me know! I love to hear from you!

And please go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito, and head on over to Facebook and give a like to the Affordable Gorgeous page, too! Your support means so much to me!

LOTS OF LOVE!

10 CHRISTMAS BEAUTY QUESTIONS TAG

So I mentioned in yesterday’s post that I wished I could find a beauty related Christmas tag to do – well here it is! After a little searching, I stumbled upon one posted by Styled with Joy (read hers here) and I’m super excited to share it with my readers!

Let’s get started!!

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1. Have you been naughty or nice this year with your skincare routine?

Definitely nice – skin care is so incredibly important! It not only helps you look great without makeup, but it helps any makeup you apply lay even better!!

2. What’s the go-to beauty, makeup, or skincare  product you would gift to your family and friends?

I got my sister the Urban Decay Naked Smokey Palette that she’s been dying for (hopefully she doesn’t read this before she actually opens it!) but if I could afford it, I would get everyone a monthly subscription box of their choice – who doesn’t love to get makeup and skin care in the mail on a regular basis?! It’s like Christmas all year long!

3. Do you mind gifting high-end products or rather drug store products to others?

Ordinarily I’d say high-end, but not everyone can afford to go out and repurchase a favorite product once it’s gone (often times myself included) so probably drugstore – it’s more readily available to everyone!

4. What are the beauty products you’re hoping to get to see under your Christmas tree this year?

If I had to choose an actual product it would be the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfector in Champagne Pop, or Morphe eyeshadow palettes – those are items I’ve been lusting after for a long, long time!

5. What is the beauty product that you’re dreading to receive for Christmas this year?

Body wash/lotion gift sets – I’m pretty sensitive to a lot of different fragrances, and they tend to irritate my skin. I never use them, and eventually end up re-gifting them (horrible, I know!)

6. Are you participating in Blogmas this year? If so, what is the post you are most proud of?

I’m not participating in Blogmas, but maybe next year.

7. Do you remember the first beauty product you received as a Christmas gift? What was it and did you enjoy it?

It was probably like a nail polish set or Lip Smackers set – and I’m sure at the time I was ga-ga over it!

8. What mini size product would you recommend as a great stocking stuffer?

Mini lip sets are great stocking stuffers, and so are travel sized makeup items like mascaras, highlights, etc.

9. Would you rather your friends and family ask you gifts you wanted to receive or have them surprise you?

That’s tricky – I’m hard to shop for! Personally I prefer gift cards, since I’m always testing and reviewing new products, I can go and get things as they come out or catch my eye.

10. What is your favorite way to show Christmas spirit through your look or outfit?

Every year (except this year) I wear a Santa hat when we go cut down our Christmas tree – I couldn’t find it this year. But mine has leopard print on it – it’s very “me”!

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As usual, I tag all of you to do this post too! Tag me in it so I can read your answers, or simply leave them in a comment down below!

And please take a moment to go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito, and go like the Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook! The links are right along the sidebar on your screen, all you have to do is click! Your support means so much to me!

LOTS OF LOVE & A VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

I LOVE CHRISTMAS TAG! 2015

I thought it would be fun to do a tag post for Christmas, instead of my usual beauty related posts. Though I wish I could find (or create!) a great Christmas tag that’s makeup related, I still love tags. I found this one from Afro Mermaid and thought it would be fun to do!

So let’s get started!

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1. What is your favorite Christmas Color?

I don’t know that I have one specific favorite – can I choose a color combo? Because it would be white and silver – but that shimmery, glittery white. So pretty!

2. What is your favorite Christmas movie?

It’s not Christmas until I’ve binge-watched the 25 Days of Christmas on ABC Family – but as for favorites, I have two – National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation, and Elf.

3. What is your favorite Christmas song?

12 Pains of Christmas – obviously a parody, but it’s my absolute all time favorite – it’s hilarious and real and 100% what Christmas is really like around here!

4. The most anticipated Christmas Tradition?

Christmas Eve at my moms – I always thought it was cool that we got to open our gifts on Christmas Eve and all my friends had to wait ’til Christmas morning!

5. Is your tree fake or real?

Real – always real. I just can’t stand a fake tree.

6. PJs of Fancy Dress for Christmas Eve?

Pj’s – more specifically anything that stretches…a lot….oh the food…..

7. When do you open your presents – on the Christmas Eve or the Christmas Morning? 

Christmas Eve

8. Do you believe in Santa? 

No 😦 But it’s fun to play along for my son and my nephews – and it helps to keep them from misbehaving (momentarily)

9. What is your Christmas wish?

For my son to stay a baby forever!

10. Have you ever build a Gingerbread House?

Yes – my step daughter and I have built one every year – except this year, she broke her leg ice skating and just isn’t up to it – plus she’s 13 and may very well be over it already!

11. What is your Dream Christmas Destination? 

To stay home! Christmas Eve is usually at home, but this year we’re going to my sister’s house (an hour and a half drive away) and then we spend Christmas day running around to various houses on my husband’s side of the family – it would be nice to have a big house to accommodate everyone so I didn’t have to go out!

12. Do you like giving or receiving gifts better? 

Giving – I put a lot of thought and planning into my gift-giving, and when I get to watch my family open their gifts and actually LIKE them, well, it’s awesome.

13. Can you name all of the Santa’s Reindeers? 

No. Rudolph guides the sleigh. And the other ones were mean to him. So no.

14. What is your favorite Christmas meal or treat?

I don’t think I have a favorite. I’m a foodie, so I’m pretty content with anything that’s made!

15. Are you a pro-present wrapper or you fail miserably? 

Failure – it looks like a blind T-Rex wrapped my gifts! Whatever, they’re wrapped, and it’s all gonna get shredded anyway, right?!

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That’s it, guys! I tag all of you to do this as well! Leave me your comments, or tag me in your own so I can read your favorite things about Christmas!

And please take a moment to go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito, and like the Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook! All the links are on the sidebar of this page, all you have to do is click! Your support means so much!

 I hope everyone has a very very Merry Christmas!!

LOTS OF LOVE!!

DRUGSTORE FAVORITES : EYELINERS

I feel like eyeliner is something I rarely talk about. Considering it’s one of the makeup items that most people wouldn’t dream of skipping, I thought today I would sit down and talk about some of my favorites!

I’ve mentioned in previous posts that eyeliner is one of the things I struggled with for a very long time. Finding the right formula, the right method/tools for application, the perfect trick for no-fail, sharp, even winged liner. After awhile I realized that I was avoiding it because I struggled with all those things.

So after probably about $100 spent on eyeliner alone, I’ve narrowed it down to 3 products that I can count on for the perfect look every time, and I want to share them with you! Because I’m sure somewhere out there, someone is just as frustrated as I used to be!

So let’s get into it!

L’OREAL PARIS THE SUPER SLIM BY INFALLIBLE EYELINER ($7.99)

  There are so many things I love about this liner. It’s so easy to use, it has a super fine point 0.4mm felt tip applicator which is great for a slim line and a decent wing, it dries fast and matte, and it doesn’t budge. It also doesn’t skip, drag, or tug on the eye like some others. I recommend this to everyone who asks for a good liquid liner that’s easy to use!

MAYBELLINE EYE STUDIO LASTING DRAMA GEL LINER ($7.94)

  I have this in the shade ‘Blackest Black’, and it truly is the blackest black gel liner I’ve ever seen in my life. Hands down. It’s smudge proof and waterproof for up to 24 hours, and I can attest to that claim because silly me chose to wear this on my oily eye lids on one of the hottest and most humid days of the year (to an outdoor wedding) and by the end of the night, it was pretty much the only makeup left on my face! It comes with a little brush in the package, but I threw it out. It did nothing for me. I prefer to use this with my Morphe M160 1/8 Angle Liner Brush ($2.99) to get a cut-a-bitch wing and the sharpest, smoothest line possible. They’re like, a match made in makeup heaven.

RIMMEL LONDON SCANDALEYES WATERPROOF KOHL KAJAL EYELINER ($4.99)

  Waterproof kohl eyeliners are great for lining your water line for that smokey look, but this one in particular I like for the lower lash line, because of how easily it blends out. I personally never line my water line unless its with the Nude shade from this line (which makes the eyes look bigger) but to really draw attention to my eyes I like to run this on the outer third of my eye, and then blend it out with a medium, taupey brown shadow and a pencil brush. This claims to be an “ultra-smooth & creamy formula that glides on easily; waterproof, smudge-proof, sweat-proof, heat-proof, humidity-proof and scandal- proof” liner – all good things in my book!

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I hope you guys enjoyed this post, and maybe found a few new products you’d like to try out for yourself! Have you used any of these? Let me know in the comments below!

And if you aren’t already, please go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito, and go like the Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook! Your support means so much!

LOTS OF LOVE!

 

MULTI-MASKING

 Hey guys! Today I have a skin care based post for you! We’ll be talking about multi-masking.

That’s right. Multi-MASKING. The practice of using different masks on different parts of your face.

This is a great technique for those of us who are maybe oily in the T-zone but dry on the cheeks, for example. Which is the method I’m going to show you today, because, well, that’s how my skin is lately!

Let me start by saying that you don’t need super expensive GlamGlow masks for this! I’m actually going to be using a few of my favorite Freeman masks that can be found at ULTA for about $4 each!

*This is NOT a sponsored post. I own several Freeman masks that I love, they were all purchased with my own money, and all opinions and recommendations are my own*

Let’s get started!

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 After removing all my makeup, I like to first go in with a little bit of the Freeman Charcoal & Black Sugar Facial Polishing Mask and just rub it all over like any other exfoliating face scrub. I feel like no skin care really works if you don’t remove all the dead skin first. I just scrub it around and then wash it off.

 Next, I take a flat foundation brush (mine is a no-name brand, but any brush will do) – and I put some of the Freeman Pear Pore Clean Mask all over my nose, and the center of my chin right under my bottom lip. Those are the areas where I tend to see the most clogged pores and blackheads, and this mask just helps to draw it all right out.

 Then, I wipe that brush off really well, and apply the Freeman Mint & Lemon Facial Clay Mask to the center of my forehead, along the sides of my nose, and on either side of the pear mask on my chin. This one is great at soaking up excess oil, and those are the places I tend to get the oiliest.

 Ok, wipe your brush off again (!) and go over the cheeks, jawline, and the sides of the forehead with the Freeman Avocado & Oatmeal Facial Clay Mask, which helps to purge the pores in those areas as well, but I find it to be more moisturizing, which is what my skin needs in those areas. Those tend to be my dry areas.

And that’s it! Now that we look all crazy, just let the masks dry and wash them off!

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This is great for anyone that has combination skin, or even someone who travels a lot – recycled air on a plane, traveling to different climates – there are so many factors that can make your normally well behaved skin ready to throw down like a toddler who missed nap time! This is great to do before you travel too, just to kind of prep your skin for the journey!

I hope you guys enjoyed this post and maybe even picked up a tip or two! Have you ever tried multi-masking? Do you have any favorite products? Leave me a comment and let me know!

And please go follow me on Twitter and Instagram @dlynnesposito, and go like the Affordable Gorgeous page on Facebook!

LOTS OF LOVE!

 

 

REVIEW – VICCO TURMERIC SKIN CREAM WITH SANDALWOOD OIL

 Ok guys, so this is a review outside of my norm. But I just have to tell you about this product!! It’s the Vicco Turmeric Skin Cream with Sandalwood Oil, and it’s pretty incredible.

A couple weeks ago I was scrolling through Facebook, when a Refinery29 article popped up on my newsfeed. It said something to the effect of being the ‘cure all for skin woes’ – naturally I was intrigued, so I clicked.

Before I get too in depth, I’ll give you a little background on my skin, in case you weren’t familiar – I’m oily in the summer, dry/combo in the winter. I have large pores, hyper pigmentation, dry patches, acne scarring,  a lot of texture (think those deep scars that just look horrible no matter how much primer I use) and I break out pretty easily. I also still suffer from the occasional cystic breakout (I have one on my cheek as I write this). It’s taken me quite a number of years to work out a skin care routine that doesn’t send my skin into full-blown ‘toddler meltdown’ tantrum mode. So I’m usually very reluctant to try anything new when it comes to my skin care, at least not without a great deal of research.

This cream is from India, and it claims the following:

Turmeric is a wonderful versatile root that has been in every Indian household for centuries. Its amazing properties range from flavoring curries, to sterilizing wounds, to grooming women.

Vicco Turmeric Skin Cream is a harmonious combination of medically invaluable Turmeric with cooling and fragrant Sandalwood oil.

This Ayurvedic cream vanishes into your skin, rejuvenates and revitalizes your skin from within, leaving it soft, supple and young looking.

Being pure and natural, with all the wonderful attributes of turmeric and sandalwood oil, Vicco Turmeric Cream gives the skin a radiance that mere cosmetics can’t hold a light to. It also protects the skin from ultraviolet Rays of the sun and maintains the original color of pigments of your skin.

The cream is beneficial in the prevention and cure of acne, pimples, boils, blemishes and other common disorders of skin.

Due to proven medicinal properties of its active ingredients, the Government has permitted manufacturing of Vicco products under Ayurvedic Drug License.

I’m someone that thoroughly researches products before I buy them – especially if it’s going to go on my face. I googled it, of course, and read so many great reviews. I even asked a friend, who grew up in India, and she told me that her whole family uses it, and that its wonderful and super beneficial to the skin. That was all I needed; I ran home and placed my order. I found mine on Amazon for about $8 with free shipping.

PACKAGING

 

 It comes in a squeeze tube, almost like toothpaste, with a yellow twist-off cap. You get 70g of product, and considering you only need to use about a chickpea sized amount, I can see this lasting me for quite some time.

FORMULATION

 

 It’s a pale yellow colored cream, but it’s very light, with some slip to it. It contains turmeric (obviously) which is proven to be an effective treatment for acne, blackheads, dark spots, and hyper pigmentation. It also treats eczema and psoriasis (helpful, since I have eczema), helps treat wrinkles, and improves the elasticity of the skin. Additionally, turmeric is helpful in regulating the production of sebum (the oil your skin produces that you spend half your day fighting to make less noticeable). Sandalwood oil is a natural astringent, and helps with inflammation, redness, and dryness of the skin.

APPLICATION & WEAR

When I squeezed some out on to my fingers, I grossly overestimated how much I would need – and getting it back into the tube just wasn’t an option! Luckily, because it’s good for eczema as well, I was able to just rub the rest into my hands. After a few minutes I noticed a cool, tingly feeling – nothing overwhelming or uncomfortable; it was almost pleasant in a way. It dried down to a matte finish, not really dewy or oily looking like I expected from a cream that wasn’t my usual gel moisturizer. As I continued to wear it, the tingle diminished, and my skin felt super hydrated without looking or feeling greasy.

There is most definitely a scent with this product – and it’s quite strong. The sandalwood oil is very obviously present in this cream, so if you’re sensitive to fragrance you’ll probably want to steer clear. They do make one without sandalwood oil, but well, for me it’s ‘go big or go home’! It’s very incense like – normally I hate the smell of most incense, but this really doesn’t bother me, and after a few minutes you no longer notice it.

One thing I’m noting with this product (which I L-O-V-E!) is that my pores actually look smaller! I have pretty large pores on either side of my nose, and right around the center of my forehead (between the brows) and they looked noticeably smaller right away! And with continued use they’re almost like, vanishing! I also had a minor breakout when I started using this cream, as well as a small cystic blemish on my cheek, and it’s been significantly reduced with just 3 days use! But I haven’t seen any additional breakouts, which is something I always expect when using a new product, be it skin care or makeup.

I had read that some people were noticing a sort of yellow cast left behind on their skin, but I haven’t seen anything like that on my super fair (NC15 for reference) skin.

I even applied makeup over this cream, and while I noticed that my foundation still clung to the dry patches on the creases of either side of my nose, everywhere else it looked great – I used my Revlon ColorStay Whipped Creme makeup, but any foundation should do the trick. I will say that under makeup I noticed a slight tinge of yellow but nothing serious. From a social distance, you can’t even tell.

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Overall, I’d say I’m already quite impressed with this product, and I can’t wait to see what happens in the coming weeks. Initially I had planned to wait at least a month before writing a review, but since I started seeing some results almost instantly, I just couldn’t keep this to myself!

You can get your own Vicco Turmeric Skin Cream by clicking the link. It’s $9.25, and quite frankly I didn’t expect it to be as wonderful as everyone  made it out to be – BUT IT IS!

Have you guys ever tried it? Leave me a comment with your thoughts!

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

LOTS OF LOVE!