Drugstore FAVES!!!!!

     So I recently went through my make-up collection to see what i would consider my favorite drugstore brand items.  I always tell my clients and followers its not the name of the product but the quality. There are so many different Drugstore brands and quite a few are very very well formulated to give you the best look.
     Im not really the biggest mascara fan I mean I use it when i have to or on my clients but to just have to have it that has never been the case for me personally. Until.... Now! I have found the best  mascara I find myself wearing it everyday its Voluminous Million Lashes by Loreal. This product is great! 

     Lets start with the Pros I love the sleek Gold packaging reminds me of something higher end ummm lets say Dior lol.  it makes my lashes look longer and fuller and it washes off easy which for me is a A+++ Now the Cons the only one i have for this product is one I have found common with loreal mascaras is the strong smell.  This product is only $7 at Walmart and of course your local drug stores by have them on sale from time to time!  
     Next my fave shadows/palettes. I love the Wet N Wild palettes they are beyond pigmented the quality of this brand has gotten so much better than what they use to be and they are only $4.99 when they are not on sale you can find this brand at your local CVS Walgreen's or Rite Aid.  my fave that i use is the Vanity palette in #249 this is a neutral color scheme one side 3 matte shadows the other side 3 shimmers. Great for an everyday neutral look. I like the packaging its simple but on the back they give you instructions on how to apply which is great for beginners. this line has an array of colors in duo, trio, and in palettes of 6 or 8. Great finds especially when they are on sale. 

     Lastly Fave face products one is a blush a really pretty Pink with gold reflects not too much shine when used sparingly its only $3 dollars you can purchase from Target or ELF.com this is from their studio line in fuchsia fusion very pretty. the packaging puts me in the mindset of Nars blushes sleek and and black. simple and sophisticated I just love the color. idk if you have heard of a brand called Hard Candy but this was my first time seeing it at walmart. i purchased the Fox in a Box bronzer in skinny dipping shade i love this bronzer not chalky at all and one side is a orange-y color the other side is a nude brown with shimmer when swirled together make a perfect bronzer for just about any skin tone.  With the super cute packaging and fun little brush this $6 bronzer is a must for any make up collection!

     Drug store make up when purchasing the right ones can be a great steal! and you can always count on them to be fairly prices and great sales not all make up have to be purchased at a make up counter in the mall when your "ballin on a budget" this is the best way to go trust unless you tell someone they will never know the difference when done right!  

Magnolia Make-Up!

     I recently came across this line of make up through YouTube make-up Guru acomplicatedmelody. she had a review video raving the quality of their pigments. of course they were sent to her for a review but I have followed her channel for quite sometime and trust that her review was an honest one.
     So lets get started I was happy to see right when i saw this review i say maybe a week or two later the pigments went on sale 50% off. Which made them  $5 each so I purchased 3 of them thought that would be a safe number just in case I didn't like them lol.  the three colors i chose were as follows Girly Girl (bubble gum pink), Truffle(dark brownish/copper) which is my favorite out of the three, and Felicity(a dark silver gray).
     Pros on this product i love the packaging very sleek and modern. you get a good amount of product jars are 10g.  very pigmented you honestly don't NEED a base but with one you get an even better look.  i don't think $10.00 is bad for this product giving the quality and they have very very fast shipping i ordered my pigments Thursday evening and received my order on Monday after noon. I honestly don't have any Cons on this product I'm very happy with them and will most definitely order more soon. Where can i get these you ask? Magnolia Make-Up  .  They do have packages that u can purchase as well as foundation and lipsticks so check them out im sure you will be as impressed as I!

MAC Blush: Sakura from the Quite Cute Collection

I must say i love this blush and Collection I may be making some more purchases soon.  This is a mineralized blush from MAC it has 2 colors a dark pink more of a magenta and an light pink when the two are together it works wonders! I <3 IT u dont need much because again it is a mineralized blush so it has that sheen to it so u dont want to over do it but a little goes a long way. you should check them out this color was the best one for us chocolate sistas but they do have two other shades that would be gorgeous on lighter skin the lipsticks in this collection are pretty too. candy yum yum was my fav a Hot Pink lip for the spring/summer= win but i already have a hot pink so im holding out... maybe lol<3

Affordable Make Up Series: Part 1 E.L.F. Cosmetics

So I have a lot of people ask me daily what make up do i use and if its affordable.  That gave me an idea to introduce 3 of my favorite brands that i use daily that are of good quality and affordable! The first Brand I will be introducing is E.L.F. or Eyes Lips Face. This line was introduced to me last Christmas while in Target. The products I'm most fond of would be from the studio line which is of higher quality than their regular line. Their prices range from $1-$6 depending on what products you purchase. first thing is the eyebrow kit i live by this product! one side is wax the other powder it defines your eyebrows very well and stays on all day! Only $3. Next is the make up mist and set spray also $3 use this product as a make up refresher as well as to set make up like a finishing spray.  Very comparable to MAC Fix +.  The ELF studio line offers a wide variety of eye shadows in single and palettes. i have also tried 2 of their pigments which i will post swatches of in passionate purple and golden goddess. Now have anyone tried the Make up Forever HD Powder!? well if u loved it ull love this it is the exact same quality and works really well only difference ELF offers this great product for only $6 compared to MUF full size for $39.  i use this product alot as well LOVE IT!  I love the primer and eyeliner seal only $3 and works great no creasing with the primer which is a A+++  last but not least the brushes in this line are very affordable only $3 each and they are phenomenal i have used mac brushes and these brushes i would recommend to get if ur looking for that quality with a budget.  All of the brushes are  made of soft synthetic hair taklon fibers. i have not tried the foundation or powders yet blog coming soon on those as well as blush. again the studio line is a higher end of their products but they have an large selection in the regular line as well and i have used products from there with no complaints should really check them out trust me you wont be disappointed! you can find ELF at E.L.F. and at select Target stores.

5 of the brushes from studio line

Products ive purchased and used

pigment swatches/ single shadow swatch in coffee bean

Good Eyeshadow Base

How do you get your colors to POP like that?! 

The best way is to use a good base whether its for a pigment or regular eyeshadow ive come across several techniques and products but my favorite one is the NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk.  This is a creamy eyeshadow pencil in a true white color works well with eyeshadows to give an ultra pigmented color. You can find NYX products on their website NYXcosmetics.com also sold in Ulta.  

NYX Jumbo eye pencil- Milk

 Swatch of red with out milk base- swatch of Milk base

 bottom swatch with milk base-top no base. the red color stands out more with the milk giving a true red color.

 Powder blue shadow bottom no milk base- top swatch with milk base

with the milk base u would still use a primer with your shadow

When is it time to TOSS IT!?

Make Up like food has an expriation date as well.  expired make up can cause growing bacteria that can leave rashes, blemishes, and cause other bacteria on the face and eyes.  its always good to keep track of how long you have had a certian product from the time its opened always good not to share certain products like eye liner and mascara.  one way to keep track is by applying small sticker lables to your make up with the date it was opened and follow this time line...
Expiration dates — beginning from the time you first open these products
Powders and shadows: 2 years
Cream shadows: 12 to 18 months
Foundation: 1 year
Lipstick & lipliner: 1 year
Mascara & eyeliners: 3 months
Makeup brushes: Clean weekly using a mild detergent
Makeup sponges: Replace weekly, or when sponge becomes soiled
Tips for keeping your skin clean and your makeup fresh
— Smell your cosmetics; if they have an unusual odor, they may contain bacteria and should be discarded.

— Always make sure that products are closed tight and stored out of sunlight, as this can destroy the preservatives.

— Don't use any eye products if you currently have an eye infection.

— Never add any liquids to products unless directed by the manufacturer.

— If there are any changes in color and texture, dispose of the product immediately.

— Avoid sampling makeup at department stores when possible. If you do test, never apply directly from the makeup. Instead, use a clean, disposable applicator (i.e., cotton swab, sponge) to apply cosmetics.

There are ways you can keep your make up clean as well always us disposiable mascara wands when sharing and dont double dip same with lip wands. you can clean your lip sticks with alcohol as well if u r sharing.
these are just a few tips to help you keep the best make up collection possible.

Maybelline Fit Me foundation

Product Details

Why You'll Love It

It's makeup that fits you.

• No oils, no waxes, no nonsense
• Natural coverage that leaves skin the way it was meant to be…fresh, breathing, natural  
• Exclusive translucent base and lightweight pigments allow skin's natural highs and lows to show through
• Non-comedogenic, dermatologist-tested

This Product is great coverage is good and not too heavy. However like many of Maybelline's products i have to mix to get my perfect fit. I purchased the 350 and 355 to get the shade i needed. Which are the 2 darkest colors they offer. The fit me line comes with several products including the concealer, brozers , Powder, and Blushes.  I didnt try the concealer yet but that will be my next item (will keep you posted) but the powder i tried their darkest color. NO BUENO  the powder tends to look very ashy on my skin i normally use the Mark. by Avon powder Buff in Mocha or ELF HD powder. I would most def recommend the Fit Me foundation it feels great on my skin and when mixed to the perfect shade it looks great as well. I normally apply with either a stippling brush or a regular foundation brush. If you have tried it let me know what you think if not and your looking for a good inexpensive foundation check it out. i purchased mine from CVS for $8. The sunlight made the first pic look a lot lighter than what they are the 2nd and 3rd pics are more true to color.                         FACEBOOK PAGE