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Monthly Archives: July 2016
HOW TO SAVE BIG ON HIGH-END MAKEUP
While I’m all about affordable beauty (obvi!), there’s nothing that quite gives me the feels like luxurious, high end makeup products.
But alas, I’m a stay at home mom. I was born with expensive taste and a limited availability of funds – dammit.
For awhile, I had take to eBay to satisfy my high-end desires, but well, there are more and more people than ever selling counterfeit beauty products, containing God-knows-what kind of ingredients, and I will not put those on my skin. But I’ve found another way, guys.
Keep on reading if you want to know how I get high end products at discount prices, along with what I’ve purchased and what I’ve paid!
It’s no secret that I’m a Pinterest-lover from way back. I mean, 20K plus pins speaks volumes about me, I think. But I digress.
On a Pin-binge late one night, amid a case of insomnia and a bag of Cheetos (#sorrynotsorry), I kept seeing advertisement-style pins referencing something called Poshmark. So I clicked.
And my life changed forever.
Poshmark is an app that’s available on both Android and Apple platforms (phones, tablets) that allows you to search for almost anything you can think of; shoes, bags, clothes, makeup, skin care, accessories, you name it, it’s probably on there. But you don’t just have to buy, you can sell your own stuff on there, too!
The way it works, is you sign up and create an account. You make a profile, and you can build your ‘closet’, where if you’re interested in selling items, you list them there. I haven’t sold anything just yet, so I’m not entirely sure of the process, but I can research that better and address it later on.
Let the search begin! Type in anything you’re looking for; large tote bag, sunglasses, concealer, swimsuits, scarves, lipstick, anything! From there, you can ‘like’ a listing, which saves it so you can go back later, you can communicate with the seller and ask questions about the item, you can make an offer (which the seller can either accept, decline, or counteroffer) and you can make a purchase. There is a standard $5.95 shipping fee paid by the buyer, so bear that in mind as you’re making an offer or purchase.
Some things are brand new and unused, some things are lightly used, some heavily, and some only swatched. These things should be mentioned in the listing, however if they aren’t, you can simply leave a comment and the seller will respond and happily answer any questions you may have.
Sometimes people try to sell counterfeit items on here as well, whether they know it or not, but if you know what to look for and do your homework, you should be alright. And if you’re unsure, just ask!
Now onto what I’ve purchased!
Notice the prices; many of them were offers that I made and the seller accepted – sometimes they’re very flexible! If you see the two cancelled orders, the MAC Face and Body Foundation was counterfeit (though the seller wasn’t aware, and has since removed the listing), and the Urban Decay Naked Skin Color Corrector was just taking far too long to ship (they have up to seven days from the date of purchase to ship the item). But I think these are incredible deals! I’ve yet to be disappointed in a purchase!
Poshmark has a guarantee that if the item is not as described or arrives damaged, or even not at all, you get your money back – so you can shop with confidence!
Have you guys heard of Poshmark? Have you used it to buy or sell? Leave me a comment with your thoughts!
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IS IT A DUPE? | MAC PRO LONGWEAR CONCEALER vs. MAYBELLINE MASTER CONCEAL
I feel like it’s be a hot minute since I’ve done a dupe post! But boy, oh boy, do I have a great one for you today!
So today, I feel like we’ve got the “mac”-daddy (a little pun intended) of all dupes. We’re duping the cult classic, makeup artist favorite; MAC Pro Longwear Concealer!
With everyone and their mother raving about this concealer, I had to try it for myself – so off to Macy’s I went, looking for the MAC counter.
I was color matched in store (though I think he gave me the wrong undertones) to NW15 and NW20 (back in the winter) and sent home with samples. I’m still working through them, jussayin’.
While I was testing it out over the course of a few days, I noticed that it was super similar to something I already had in my collection – the Maybelline Face Studio Master Conceal!
Could it be? Could the cult fave have a drugstore cousin? Keep reading to find out!
MAC PRO LONGWEAR CONCEALER ($21 / maccosmetics.com)
While my samples are in a little plastic pot with a screw-off lid (hello, unsanitary!) the full size, which contains 0.30 fl oz of product comes in a glass tube with a pump – while a pump is typically the more desirable in terms of packaging for hygienic reasons, I’ve heard that it can tend to spew out too much product, making it wasteful. And who the hell wants to waste high end makeup?! Not me!
This concealer comes in 16 shades – NC is used to describe skin with warmer undertones, and NW is used to describe skin with cooler undertones, and the number is your ‘level’, if you will. For reference, I’m an NC15 in the winter, and right now (mid-July) I’m about an NC25/30. The associate matched me under fluorescent lights in a Macy’s, and got my undertone wrong (I’m fair with yellow undertones), but it’s alright – fluorescent lights are hardly forgiving.
In terms of formula, this concealer claims to be medium to full coverage, matte, water and transfer resistant coverage for up to 15 hours. Whoa. It’s also made with a built in technology for priming your eyes (one of my fave ways to use it!), but it can be just a little on the heavy, drying side, which is ok for someone with combination or oily skin, but someone with normal to dry skin may find it too drying, as it sets matte rather quickly, and can tend to cling to dryness if you don’t exfoliate and moisturize prior to use.
MAYBELLINE FACE STUDIO MASTER CONCEAL ($8.99 / drugstores)
The packaging of these concealers couldn’t be more different – while the MAC one comes in a glass vial with a pump, this one comes in a plastic squeeze tube with a twist off cap, which in all honesty, I prefer. There is far less wasted product, because you can control the amount that comes out. And since you’re essentially using less, the 0.4 fl oz will last you quite some time!
This one only comes in five shades, however they are neutral in tone, and I’ve never had any trouble finding my match – I use ‘Fair’ in the winter, ‘Light’ in the spring and fall, and ‘Light/Medium’ in the summer. They adapt to skin tones incredibly well, which is quite impressive for drugstore concealer, and more specifically Maybelline, which tends to run cooler/pinker in undertone.
The formula of this concealer is incredibly similar to MAC, claiming to be a full coverage, high-resistence concealer with an undetectable finish. I absolutely believe that this is everything it claims to be. The only difference would be that this one takes a bit longer to set, unless you powder it right away, which can make it appear a bit dewy after you’ve blended it out. Personally, I set every concealer with a powder, whether it’s recommended or not, just out of habit – #oilygirlproblems. The upside to this one is that I have no trouble with it clinging to any dry areas on my face, with my problem spot being the creases on either side of my nose.
So, is it a dupe?
I absolutely recommend trying the Maybelline concealer if you’re in the market for something full coverage and similar to the cult classic from MAC, but just can’t see yourself “makin’ it rain” for a high end concealer. They’re both great products, and MAC is definitely worth the buy, but if you’re being budget-conscious, then the Maybelline is a perfectly acceptable dupe!
Have you guys tried any of these concealers? Which one is your fave? Leave me a comment and let me know!
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REVIEW | URBAN DECAY VICE 4 PALETTE
I’ve mentioned in previous posts that I’ve really been wanting to step outside of my neutrals-laden comfort zone. Which I have to admit I’ve done. But nothing quite forces you outside of the box quite like a bright, shimmery palette. Enter, the Urban Decay Vice 4 Limited EditionEyeshadow Palette.
I actually have to thank my sister, Heather, for this one. She picked one up on a trip to NYC when she poked her head into a Sephora and found this little baby on sale for $39, down from it’s original price of $60. And naturally, when she brought it home, I had to get my fingers in there for some swatches (which I’m sure aggravated her to no end). Afterwards, I decided mama needed one of her own.
Here’s a product description from Urban Decay :
We channeled all the darkly gorgeous, dimensional hues of an oil slick (inspired by our vintage shade name Oil Slick) into a palette filled with rich, deep jewel tones. Vice4 features a stunning array of colors and a wide range of finishes, from buttery-smooth mattes and shimmering metallics to shades laced with micro-glitter. Every shade features our Pigment Infusion System™, a proprietary blend of ingredients for rich, velvety, blendable color that lasts (and sparkle that doesn’t fall).
So let’s get started!
PACKAGING
The palette contains 20 beautiful shades in both shimmer and matte finishes, situated in a plastic palette with a gigantic mirror and a dual ended brush. The shade names are printed underneath each pan (thank god, I hate having to flip it over to know what shade I’m using!), and the outer lid has a matte black, plastic underlay, with a raised, plastic overlay of what looks like shattered glass (the best way I can thing to describe it), which is painted with metallic inks in for ‘oil slick’ effect. The palette itself comes inside a zippered makeup bag inside the box. Bonus!
FORMULA
One thing I noticed in swatching is that there seems to be a slight inconsistency in terms of formula. Most of them are very soft and buttery, while others, I felt like I had to really press and swirl my finger to pick up any shadow. The matte shades are a little on the chalky side, but not to the point where I won’t use them. They aren’t bad, just a little powdery.
APPLICATION & SWATCHES
While I haven’t actually worn these shades on the eyes yet, below you’ll find swatches of all the shades.
L-R: Bones, Grip, Beatdown, Dead Beat, Pandemonium
L-R: Framed, Fast-Ball, 1985, Underhand, Harlot
L-R: Discreet, Grasshopper, C-Note, Arctic, Robbery
L-R: Bitter, Flame, Low, Crowbar, Delete
As you can see, they swatch beautifully. On every one, I’ve swirled my finger in the pan 3-4 times, and swiped on my arm once. With no primer. And in terms of lasting power, well, I had to really scrub at my arm between swatches to get the colors off. That says something, for sure. And yes, the photos were taken indoors, with flash, because I can only get anything done at night! Ha!
Honestly, I can’t wait to create a fun look for you guys with this palette!
So, in searching on the Sephora website, as well as Urban Decay’s website, it looks like the palette is sold out. But UD has an email notification list, which leads me to believe they may restock it….? I don’t know. But it can’t hurt to try! Of course, you can always try Amazon, eBay, etc.!
Have you guys tried this palette? Will you be looking for one of your own now? Leave me a comment and let me know!
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REVIEW | KEVYN AUCOIN THE SENSUAL SKIN ENHANCER
Awhile back, I did a post called ‘Disappointing Beauty Products‘, in which this product was included. I didn’t hate it, but for the price, I wasn’t necessarily floored by it, either.
At the time, I was dealing with some major skin issues and acne flare-ups, and everyone and their mother swore that this would cover it like nothing else out there. Well, when applied to my semi-oily skin, it did absolutely nothing for me. And then a few weeks ago, I was surfing Poshmark (which I’ll get into later) and found it for nearly half the retail price.
In my shade.
Eh, what the hell…..
I placed my order.
So let’s back up for a second here. First I want to share what it is, and what it claims, per Sephora;
Cover all your bases with The Sensual Skin Enhancer. This all-in-one, waterproof formula delivers complete coverage when used as a concealer, highlighter, an allover foundation, or to contour your features. Infused with jojoba and honey, it works to hydrate the skin, and it is formulated with minerals that support the skin and is sweat proof and transfer resistant for full coverage and long-lasting wear.
If you want to see my revised, full review, keep on reading!
PACKAGING
Big things come in small packages? Yeah, basically. The whopping 0.63 oz of this multipurpose formula comes and small, burgundy pot with a twist off lid that simply says ‘Kevyn Aucoin’ across the top. The shade information can be found on a sticker on the bottom of the pot.
FORMULA
This stuff is incredibly thick; it’s easy to go overboard, in which case you’ll likely end up hating the finish and cursing your wasted money (much like I did at first). But when applied sparingly and blended rather quickly, it melts into the skin for a ‘your skin but better’ look. It’s very creamy and hydrating (get your powder ready, babes!) thanks to ingredients like honey and jojoba. One of the greatest things is that it comes in 16 shades (I wear SX03 for reference), broken down by tone and undertone, making it fairly easy to find the best match for you.
For a drugstore comparison, this is comparable in formula to the Hard Candy Glamoflague Heavy Duty Concealer.
APPLICATION & WEAR
So here’s what made me dislike it the first time around; I used way too much, didn’t use a primer, didn’t powder, and didn’t set it with a spray. All on acne-ridden, combination/oily skin. Admittedly, not my brightest move, and quite frankly, I should have known better.
However, what made me give it a second chance, is the fact that my skin has been drying out lately (I think it knows it’s about to turn 30), and because this is so hydrating, it was worth giving it another look.
So here is the best way I’ve found to apply it (at least for me);
I prime my skin with the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer Water (another product I didn’t love, but has grown on me), and then spot conceal with the Kevyn Aucoin SSE and a Real Techniques Fine Liner Brush to apply it. I then blend with a Morphe M173 brush, and set it with my It Cosmetics Bye Bye Pores Silk HD Anti-Aging Micro-Powder. If I’m feeling a little too ‘powdery’, I’ll set it all in place with the Smashbox Primer Water or some Urban Decay Chill Makeup Setting Spray.
So far, I’ve only used this as a concealer – quite frankly, putting this all over my face scares me, because it’s so heavy. And I’ve yet to apply it under my eyes because well, it’s thick. And creamy. And will probably crease. But hell, with enough powder to set it, it may work well. And this little pot will last literally forever because you need so little product to cover everything you want.
I’ll admit, I am glad that I gave this product a second chance. It lasts all day long, doesn’t slip around or break down once it’s set, and while I’ve yet to test the validity of the waterproof claim, I can tell you that it’s been rather warm and humid around here lately, and it stayed exactly where I put it. All. Freakin’. Day.
OVERALL RATING : 5/5
Have you guys tried this stuff yet? It’s available on sephora.com (online only, it’s not sold in stores) and it retails for $48. I know, I know. That’s expensive. But given that I’ve figured out how to ride the learning curve like a pro, I’d totally pay full price again and again! Leave me a comment and let me know what you think!
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MORPHE MONTHLY BRUSH CLUB | JULY 2016
Hey guys! It’s that time again!
Time for the unbagging of the Morphe Monthly Brush Club!
If you haven’t read one of these posts before, this is a monthly subscription service, much like an Ipsy or Boxycharm, except instead of getting some sample size cosmetics from brands you may or may not have heard of before, you’re getting at least $30 worth of full size brushes each and every month!
And they’re Morphe brushes, so you know they’re amazing!!
This service is $19.99 a month with free shipping to the US and Canada, and you can sign up yourself at www.liveglam.com – and if you pay a whole year up front, they send you a FREE Morphe 35O Palette – which if you been around on YouTube or the blogosphere or the makeup world in general, you know just how coveted an item that palette is!
So let’s jump in and see what they sent out this month!
MORPHE EE48 (*coming soon*)
EE48
This natural bristle, small tapered powder brush looks to be great for setting under the eyes or even for a super precise contour! I can’t wait to try it out and see how it stacks up to my beloved M438!
MORPHE EE18 (*coming soon*)
EE18
This small, round crease brush looks promising for sure! If you’re someone who prefers smaller brushes for the crease (like me, #hoodedeyeproblems), or even using it to smoke out the lower lash line, you’ll love it!
M310
I have several fan brushes that I’ll be honest, I rarely use. But this is a favorite of Jaclyn Hill recently for applying highlight, so of course, I’ll give this one a go! I really love the M510 for highlighting, which is another natural bristle, goat hair brush, so I can’t wait to try this one too!
MORPHE EE22 (*coming soon*)
EE22
I don’t know about you, but I can never have too many pointed blending brushes! I love how they place the right amount of color and blend it softly and seemlessly every time! We all know if there’s one thing I hate, it’s harsh lines!
M432
This synthetic flat definer brush is already a part of my collection, but I love it so much already I was just getting ready to order another one! I’m glad I waited! This is perfect for packing color really tightly along your bottom lashes, and some people even like to use it for a cut crease, though I haven’t tried that! It’s also amazing for carving out your brows with concealer since it’s so thin and flat!
By the way, guys, I mentioned last month that Morphe is discontinuing their original Elite Collection, and they’ve reduced the price even further! Everything is now 60% off! Head over to morphebrushes.com to grab them before their gone!
If you wanna sign up to receive this incredible monthly subscription service, please use my referral link! Just click here : https://liveglam.com/morphe-brushes/
Have you guys signed up for your monthly subscription yet? Leave me a comment and let me know what you think of it!! I love to hear from you!
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JUNE 2016 FAVORITES
Hey guys! It’s monthly favorites time again!
I’ve pulled a few items that I can’t seem to live without this month, and I thought I’d share them with you!
Let’s get started!
MAC COSMETICS EYESHADOW PRO PALETTE REFILL PAN – NYLON ($6/maccosmetics.com)
I’ve been using this nearly every day (that I apply makeup, anyway) to highlight my brow bone and my inner corners (tear ducts), and I just love it. It’s a very frosty, very pale gold shade that just beams off the skin. I love, love, love this for the spring and summer, when I have more of a tan!
SALON PERFECT PERFECTLY GLAMOROUS FALSE LASHES – #614 ($2.98/Walmart)
These are hands down some of my favorite lashes of all time! I love how long and wispy they are, adding just the right amount of volume and drama to both everyday looks, as well as something a little more glam. They have a super easy, thin and flexible band, which I prefer over a thick band, because I don’t always like to wear eyeliner – with these, you can get them super close to the lash line and barely notice them. And they’re so lightweight, it literally feels like nothing on your eyes!
ALMAY COLOR + CARE LIQUID LIP BALM – ROSY LIPPED ($5.99/ULTA)
NYX SLIM LIP PENCIL – PEEK-A-BOO NATURAL ($3.49/ULTA)
This has been my fave pinky/nude lip combo lately. The liner is basically MLBB (my lips but better), but I like to overdraw them just a bit, and then top it off with this semi-glossy liquid lip balm, which again, is basically my lip color with just a little bit of sheen to it. Super pretty, and super easy! Plus, since lip pencils alone can be a little bit drying, the balm gives enough moisture to make it a comfortable, long lasting combo without breaking down the lip pencil, giving you the dreaded ‘butt-hole lips’.
HOURGLASS VEIL MINERAL PRIMER ($52/Sephora)
I just did a whole review on this primer, so I won’t repeat myself – but seriously, if you’re anywhere from normal to oily-skinned, and want something that keeps your makeup in place, keeps you matte, fills in pores, fine lines, little wrinkles, helps to neutralize redness, and more, go check this stuff out! (Clicking the link will bring you to my review, so click away!)
L’OREAL BROW STYLIST PLUMPER BROW GEL MASCARA – MEDIUM TO DARK ($9.99/ULTA)
A few weeks ago, I noticed that my cleanser (which contains Benzoyl Peroxide) had begun bleaching my eyebrows; fabulous. So rather than reaching for my usual pencil or powder, I remembered I had this product stashed in my brow drawer. On minimal or no-makeup days, I just swipe it over my brows and go; it’s a very neutral dark shade that contains little fibers that stick to my brow hairs, thickening them, and covering up the weird yellow shade they’ve become. For a more sculpted brow, I’ve been outlining them with pencil, filling in the bare spots, and then applying this over the top. Perfect brows, every time.
ANASTASIA BEVERLY HILLS CONTOUR REFILL – SAND ($14/anastasiabeverlyhills.com)
Let’s face it, all the hype surrounding the original contour kit centered around the ‘Banana’ shade – it’s famous, and for good reason. But an often underrated shade in the kit, is that slightly shimmery one at the top right; Sand.
Clearly, it’s not secret that when I highlight, I like to beam rays of shine off satellites, but on days where I just want something a little more subtle (yes, I can do subtle, believe it or not!), I reach for this. It’s got just enough sheen to it to make you look healthy and dewy, without settling into the pores and fine lines on my face. If I really want to amp it up, but still not be ‘over the top’, I mist my face with setting spray, and immediately apply this while my skin is still a little damp. Perfect glow, every time.
What are some of your favorites this month? Leave me a comment and let me know!
Come follow me around social media!
Twitter, Pinterest & Instagram : @dlynnesposito
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And feel free to reblog this post and share my social media with your friends! Your support means so much!
LOTS OF LOVE!!
Affordable Gorgeous 
