September IPSY review (with swatches/product photos)

Have I told y'all how much I LOVE IPSY?? Ugh, let me count the ways :) 10$ per month, 5 awesome (usually) beauty products for me to try from high end brands...yes please! I'm a broke college student and I can afford it so y'all should really check it out.

To see my thoughts on Ipsy please click here and scroll 3/4 of the way down to see what I think of ipsy in greater detail.

TO THE REVIEW!!!

September's ipsy swag

September's ipsy bag was 4 cute little kittens out of 5 (because there is always five products) Don't judge me, I like kittens.

I received two lip products, one eye shadow, a liquid liner pen, and mascara

J Cat Fantabulous Lipstick FL 107 Honeycrisp
Retails for $2.49 and the entire product line can be viewed here

When I first saw this lipstick I immediately said awww hell no, and I was right. It's supposed to be a nude, but when I wear this I look completely washed out because its close to my actual skin color. I am not sure who this color would flatter, and the reason why this month's bag did not get a 5/5 is because of this product. I do, however, LOVE the texture and SMELL of the lipstick. It's easy to apply and smells like candycorn dipped in marshmallows, which appeases me on a multitude of levels lol After browsing their website, I noticed that they are incredible affordable, and there are several colors worth checking out. I plan on placing an order as I type this so I can give the brand another chance. For the price, ease of application and smell alone.

See what I'm talking about? Where's my lips? lol

Nyx Single Eye shadow in Rock

Retails for $4.50 and can be purchased here

                                                                                

 I am really loving Nyx products right now (after spending a small fortune) at Ulta :) I am never disappointed with their products. This eye shadow is a basic black with subtle hints of glitter. It would be great to use for a smokey eye. The shadow is highly pigmented, and goes on velvety smooth with little fall out (which can be appreciated).

Swatch taken with one swipe of product

Jessie's Girl Waterproof Liquid Liner

Retails for $6.99 and can be purchased here

I cannot even tell you how much I love this liner. I have been looking for this quality of product for a very long time and I cannot believe that this liner is $6.99, it seems like they are basically giving it away. I have always had trouble with liquid liner, and I always thought it was me, but it's not, it was the type of liner I was using. The brush makes all the difference in the world, and this brush is firm, and thin which helps me make more even strokes. You can apply your line super thin or thick with ease which I love. I also love that you don't have to stop to dip for more product, all you do is shake it and then use it like a pen. It doesn't skip, and the product comes out with ease. It's GREAT! Go get some!

      Check out that tip ;)

Make it Thick like I did, or as thin as a millimeter!!!

  

Elizabeth Mott It's So Big Mascara

Retails for $19.99 and can be purchased here

This mascara is pretty awesome. I am not a big mascara person (it's not what I horde), but I do like it and it does live up to the name. My pictures suck, but I did see where it lengthened my lashes and made them appear longer. This claims to be a volumizing mascara, but I think its just because it coats the lashes well, which makes you look like you have more lashes than normal. Elizabeth Mott is cruelty free, which I love, and as far as I can tell from their website, the company is in the beginning stages. They only sell two products; this and lash cards (which suck). I'm not sure if I will buy this product strictly because mascara is not something I invest in, but if it was on sale, I'd buy it in a heart beat.

                                                                 Close up of the brush wand

CAILYN Tinted Lip Balm in Big Apple

Retails for $19.00 and can be purchased here

I love this so much!! I had never heard of the brand Cailyn before, but I am definitely a fan (ty ipsy!!). This lip balm is the business!!! The packaging includes the lip balm (duh), and a little lip brush for easy application. The handle part of the balm is the brush. It's so amazing, seriously. The staying power is phenomenal and rivals my best lipsticks, the pigmentation is fab, and the application is flawless. Whoever invented this is a genius, no joke! It's definitely on the high-end side for me at 19$, BUT I am a lipstick hoarder so I can see myself spending my money on these. Something else that should be said is that this will literally last me forever. You need very little, and can change the shade depending on how much you use! One swipe will leave ur lips looking flushed, and if you do two swipes you have yourself a perfect apple red mouth :) LOOOVEEEE IT SO SO SO SO MUCH!

One Swipe with the brush = a pretty pink

Two Swipes = Perfect Apple Red

That's all she wrote folks. September was a pretty great month (remember the kitties?!), and I will be enjoying these products for many months to come. After calculating everything I got 40$ worth of product for 10$- a pretty good deal if I do say so myself!!! Every month is different and has a new theme, and it gives me something to look forward too each month, which I think that we all deserve.

If you are interested in joining ipsy, you can put yourself on the waiting list (THAT'S HOW POPULAR IT IS!!) by CLICKING HERE

Do you have Ipsy? What did you think of September's bag?!? Let me know in the comments below

Check me out on Facebook here

Dark Heart Designs Look For Today (actually, yesterday! oops :P )

For the eyes:

1. Start by applying a good primer. I used the e/s primer by Dark Heart (not out yet!)

2. Using an e/s brush apply Beautiful Nightmare to the entire lid using a patting motion (these shadows work best when dabbed not swept)

3. Next, Apply Hope on the outer crease using a fluffy blending brush

4. Apply Bone Daddy (or any hi-lighter) to your brow bone area

5. Line Eyes using your favorite liner (wing out if you want!)

6. Using Nyx Jumbo Pencil in Milk (or any white liner) lightly line your lower lash line, and then go over it with Bone Daddy

7. Apply your favorite mascara

Face:

1. Apply your favorite foundation

2. Conceal if necessary

3. Apply your favorite bronzer to the hollows of your cheeks, around your hairline, and jawline.

4. Apply DHD blush in Summertime Sadness to apples of your cheeks.

5. Hi-light with your favorite hi-lighter (I used DHD Seeing Stars)

Lips:

1. Line your lips with a pink lip liner

2. Apply Sophia Lipstick (or a light pink)

3. Apply Marilyn Lipstick (or a deep red)

4. Using a black matte shadow (I used DHD e/s Audrey), take an angled brush and lightly dab the shadow on the corners of your mouth. Rub your lips together a few times to create a gorgeous ombre effect. 

DONE!

All Shadows can be purchased on Dark Heart Designs website by clicking here

Hope you guys enjoy!!

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Em by Michelle Phan Party Life Palette Sample Review (with Swatches)

I love Michelle Phan (along with millions of other people), so when she finally (FINALLY!) launched her makeup line EM by Michelle Phan, I was immediately intrigued. I have followed along with Michelle since she lived in Sarasota, FL back in 2007. (she lived about 2 blocks from me! *GASP*) Anywho, I think she is incredibly talented, sweet, and drop dead gorgeous, I mean come on have you seen her?!? I didn't want to invest in a life palette just yet because they are 75$, and because it is a new makeup company. I usually don't buy a new anything unless its from a brand I trust and have had a pleasant experience with in the past. A lot of people are complaining because her "life palette's" are so expensive. Well, you have to realize that you are getting 24 eyeshadows, 4 blushes, and 8 lip shades, so the price per item is only $2.08. Still, the initial price shock is hard for people to understand, which I totally get. I am a college student with no guaranteed income (another word for I don't have a job!) so, 75$ is a lot of money for me, especially if I don't know if the product is going to be worth it.

Last week, Michelle was doing an offer to try a sample size life palette of your choosing for 10$ shipping included. I decided that it would be my best opportunity to try it out, because a lot of the times I feel like reviews are biased, or paid for by the larger blogs (you won't get none of that here hunny!).

The shipping was super fast, which I love, because lets get real who wants to wait for your new stuff? Not me!

The Palette came in this cute little pamphlet

When you opened the pamphlet, this is what you saw

This sample contained 3 eyeshadows and one lipstick. The eyeshadows are the three on the bottom, and the lip is in the far right corner.

 SWATCHES

No primer from Left to Right: Medium semi-matte pink, Dark Purpley black with pink and silver glitter, Gunmetal silver with silver glitter, Purple lipgloss with multi flake glitter

With Primer (same colors as above)

Lip Gloss swatch

Used all three eyeshadows for this look with UD primer

Full face look using all products from the sample palette

IMPRESSION

The shadows all felt velvety when swatching them with my fingers, but the color payoff was not good at all, and I had expected a lot more. I only swiped my finger once through each color, and as you can see in the first swatch photo, the colors barely showed up. With primer, the eyeshadows did perform better, but at this price point, and the fact that its considered a luxury brand- the eyeshadows didn't hold up when compared to cheaper alternatives like Stila, Nyx, and even fellow luxury brand Urban Decay. 

During application I had to dig in quite a bit to get any color to show up, and although 2 of these shadows are dark, they actually apply quite softly (not sure if its because I didn't dig into them, or because they really do not have any pigmentation). I am wearing this look during the day, which is odd because this is the "Party life" palette. I expected a lot more vibrancy and POW, and quite frankly, more GLITTER. 

The lip gloss however is really nice. In the palette it is purple with multi colored glitter but it actually applies pretty sheer with just a hint of glitter. I've been wearing it for a few hours now and my lips still feel moisturized and look nice, so that is a plus.

Overall, I have watched and read about 100 different reviews on the life palettes, and it seems that I am the only one who doesn't see much of the hype behind it, which I find odd. 

I am really disappointed in this specific palette, and I cannot fathom spending 75$ for it, when I compare the color payoff to those really cheap Walmart makeup sets that come out around Christmas time and retail for $14.99 (OUCH!!!). The color payoff just isn't there, and the fact that these shadows come in small pans just makes me angry. As said above, I love Michelle, and I totally support her videos and her journey. She is my makeup idol, so this is like a double blow for me. To even write that I was really disappointed by this product really upsets me.

I am going to do some more research, but I don't see myself spending the money for this or any of the other palettes anytime soon. I will however, look into their lip products and palettes because as said before I am quite pleased with the lip gloss sample I received.

FINAL VERDICT: SAVE YOUR $$$$$$

Urban Decay Vice 2 Palette (Swatches & Initial Impression)

I am obsessed with Urban Decay products. I have been buying/collecting makeup for only a few years now but I own almost every product that Urban Decay has come out with. When I heard that the Vice 2 Palette would be coming out for 2013's Holiday season, I immediately jumped for joy. I had missed last years palette, so I knew I just HAD to get this.

The Retail price for the Vice 2 is $59.00 and includes 20 shadows/mirror & Shadow/Crease brush. The price is hefty, but if you break it down, you are getting each shadow for $2.95 (a STEAL).

PACKAGING: The packaging is absolutely gorgeous (like any other UD product). It is made of a hard plastic material, and features a really pretty mixture of purples. The UD logo is made out of  rhinestones, which gives it another special touch. ( I also read on their website, that each palette's design is different, which makes each one feel custom)

20 shadows & a Shadow/Crease brush make up the bottom half of the pallet, and the top half is a mirror

SWATCHES: One swipe from each color, NO Primer was used, and the photos were taken with an iPhone 4 in natural light

Row 1 from Left to Right: Smokeout, Lovesick, Shellshock, Coax, X-Rated

Smokout- Dark taupe mixed with black with a satin finish

Lovesick- Black matte with an iridescent micro glitter

Shellshock-Very bright metallic silver

Coax- Medium pink with golden iridescent micro glitter

X-Rated- Baby pink with a satin finish

Row 2 from Left to Right: Prank, Madness, Strike, Stash, Poison

Prank- Deep Navy matte with turquoise pearlized glitter

Madness- Bright metallic blue shimmer with blue micro glitter

Strike- Gold shimmer with silver micro glitter

Stash- Olive green shimmer with micro sparkle

Poison- Charcoal with micro sparkle and a satin finish

Row 3 from Left to Right: Radar, Damaged, Voodoo, Betrayal, Derailed

Radar- Metallic brown shimmer

Damaged- Metallic emerald shimmer

Voodoo- Metallic purple shimmer with purple micro glitter

Betrayal- Bright purple satin with blue shift

Derailed- Medium metallic shimmer brown

Row 4 from Left to Right: Dope, Toxic, Habit, Ambush, Rewind

Dope- Warm champagne colored satin

Toxic- Metallic coppery pinky shimmer

Habit- Nude matte

Ambush- Metallic brown satin

Rewind- Medium brown matte

FIRST IMPRESSION

When I first opened it, I giggled like a school girl because the colors are so vibrant. I love color, and sparkle so this is a perfect palette for me to own. I don't see it being a great choice for people who do not like shimmer eye shadows because out of the 20 shadows there are only 5 that are matte. While swatching the colors I will say that they are insanely pigmented! Urban Decay has a patented pigment infusion system that gives all of their shadows a velvety texture, which is apparent while swatching them. They all feel so silky and soft, even the ones that are chock full of glitter. The pigmentation system also promotes staying power and blendability, which is something that you have to have with darker colors, or colors with glitter to them. If you can't blend the shadows, the application is going to be awful. 

I also love UD because all of their products are cruelty free, so I can feel good knowing that none of their products are tested on animals.

I haven't worn any of these shadows on my eyes yet because I really haven't even worn makeup for a few days ( I am coming down with some sort of flu). But I will for sure be posting a full review, along with eye swatches within a month or so. I want to really experience the shadows on my eyes before I make any judgments on the colors. 

MY FAVORITES FROM THE SWATCH

Shellshock- This silver is INSANE!! It's so glittery and gorgeous, and a little goes a long way.

X-Rated- This is a gorgeous baby pink with a slight sparkle so it's perfect for daytime.

Strike- I'm a sucker for golds, they really make blue eyes pop

Voodoo- Besides the rad name I love this purple, and I don't have a color like it (which I love)

Betrayal- This is probably my favorite from the entire pallet (and I havent even put it on my eyes!) The color shifts between purple and blue and the finish is like velvet. So pretty!

Would I buy this again? In a heart beat!

Recommended for: People who like glitter and bold colors. There is a very limited selection of neutral or matte colors, so if you are more of a nude/matte girl, pick up one or both of the naked pallets.

GO GET IT!

Day to Night Look :)

I have a tendency to wear dramatic, colorful makeup. This will be no exception, except I have toned it down for the day portion of this makeup look. It's summer which means it's the perfect time to wear bright colors, and incorporate them into your everyday look. I wouldn't wear this to work (unless you can), but I would definitely wear this to a summer event like a barbecue, picnic, or beach day.

This look is super simple, and the color can be swapped out for any color you prefer, I just happen to really love green!!

To achieve this look apply your favorite sunscreen infused moisturizer and top it off with your favorite BB cream. For the eyes simply apply the eye shadow to your lids in an almond shape, and sweep it on your lower lash line to really make your eyes pop. Apply generous coats of waterproof mascara (a summer essential) and finish it off with a gorgeous coral or pink shade ( I used the Pop Beauty Pouty Lip Crayon in Coral Crush which I reviewed in a previous blog post).

*Link to purchase this eye shadow will be at the end of this blog post*

NIGHT LOOK

Time to glam things up a bit!!! Start off by priming your face, and applying your favorite foundation. Next step is the eyes :) Take a matte black shadow (I used In The Dark by Dark Heart Designs) and using a windshield wiper motion apply from inner to outer crease. Using a blending brush, blend upwards to soften any harsh lines. Take a highlighting shade (I used Bone Daddy by Dark Heart Designs) and pat it on your brow bone. At this point if you need to add a little bit more of your original color (for me that was Nymph) to your lower lash line as well as your lids. Apply more mascara as needed. For the lips, sex it up a bit by applying a dark plum or deep wine shade. 

There you have it!! Two completely different looks using a handful of products. I would say the first look took me about 10 minutes max to apply, and the night look took about 15 just because it takes me at least five just to do my lips lol

I am thinking of doing a day to night pictorial or YouTube tutorial for this look because its fab.

All Dark Heart Products can be found by clicking here

Shadows used: Nymph, In The Dark, & Bone Daddy

DEADPOOL Transformation

Has anyone noticed that I am a complete nerd? I love Marvel comics, and DC sometimes lol but for the most part I am obsessed with the Marvel universe. Recently, I bought a really awful, cheap black eyeliner, I got bored and this happened...

DEADPOOL!!!!

I love Deadpool, and if y'all don't know they call him the 'Merc with the mouth' because he never shuts up, is uber sarcastic, and has a tendency of getting into trouble. I feel like I can relate to Deadpool, and there is a lady deadpool so it all made sense.

To re-create this look this is what I did:
First, I covered myself in some awful way too light, greasy foundation. I thought if I did that the makeup would come off easier, or slide off. It actually did help, so I would recommend others to try it. The foundation I used was Maybeline Fit Me uber cheap-yuckyness lol I then drew the mask/eye area with a black eyeliner (also uber cheap) and then filled it in with Dark Heart Designs Monster Gel Eyeliner. After that I took a foundation brush and piled on Love + by Sugarpill and topped it off with Vampire Heart from Dark Heart Designs. I left a little eye area uncovered because Deadpools mask has white eye slits. I used Sugarpills Tako. I then put on my Rimmel by Kate Wine colored lipstick and my look was complete!!

I think I've found my calling, and that is masks. I did a Ms. Marvel mask a couple of months ago and it turned out amazing, and so did this. I am never totally confident in my makeup ability because I feel like I have a lot to learn, but I can honestly say I am proud of this. Masks are so fun to do, and I plan on doing a lot more in the future. I cannot draw at all, but I think with practice I can improve my skills. Plus, it's super cool to be a superhero lol.

Whose your favorite Marvel or DC character?? and more importantly WHY? I'd love for you to tell me!!!

Make sure you like my Facebook Page @: 24KaratDime
And follow me on Instagram :) @: 24KaratDime

Check out some other pics of this look, and thank you for looking at my face!! :)

I love this pic, because it reminded me so much of the pic on the Right...Lady Deadpool, surrounded by knives haha

Review: POP Beauty Pouty Pop Crayon & My thoughts on Ipsy

Today, I received my monthly Ipsy bag (which I love!!) and so far this is my favorite item from my Ipsy glam bag for July. A full breakdown of Ipsy, and how it works can be found at the end of this blog post :)

I am very particular about lip products, and it takes a lot to impress me. So far, I am very impressed by this cute little lip crayon. The product went on like butter, my lips feel very moisturized, it's not tacky, and the product has a slight mint taste and smell, which I like. The color I received in my Ipsy bag is called Coral Crush. When I first saw it, I immediately said HELL NO, strictly because orangey, coraly anything looks dreadful with my skin tone, so I reluctantly put it on. On my lips it transforms into a soft pink, and is absolutely gorgeous. I can see where this will be my go-to pink color for a while, and I feel that it's perfect for really any occasion. It's not too bright so can be worn for work, to the beach, to a movie, whatever.

If you would like to purchase this lipstick, currently it is only available as a set. I can tell you though the pricing is incredibly affordable. You get 6 different, gorgeous colors for $25.00 making them a little over 4.00$ each. Also for the month of July they are available for 20% off using code: POPluvsIPSY  All POP Beauty products can be found by clicking here

Enjoy!!

Lip Swatch of 'Coral Crush'

As you can see this color is more pink than coral (thank heavens for me lol)

Skin swatch of 'Coral Crush'

The packaging is so cute!

Full Face wearing only this lipstick  

*** If you don't know what Ipsy is, let me break it down for you. Ipsy is a company founded by YouTube beauty legend Michelle Phan. For 10$ per month you get 5-6 sample sized items from the top beauty brands. We're talking Urban Decay, Stila, Big Sexy Hair, Mirabella and more. You take a beauty quiz, and your bag is curated based on your preferences. It's an incredible value, and well worth the 10$ price tag, simply because all the items in the bag are worth at least 50-60$ if bought at a retail store. I love it because I get to try all kinds of products without committing to full price, and if I happen to love something (which I always do!), I am able to buy full size products for at least 20% off. It is my monthly treat to myself, and as a broke college student, I definitely appreciate its affordability.***

If you would like to give it a whirl, here's the link to sign up!!! :) Join Ipsy Here