Happy November!

Micha Knitted Sweater

Counting Sheep Sweater

Flamenco Lipstick

Citrine Eyeshadow

Siren Eyeshadow

Get a Free Target Beauty Bag!

Hello lovelies,

If any of you follow me on Twitter, you know that I've had a rather nasty cold for the last few days, and haven't had much energy to blog. However, I couldn't let this little nugget of info slip away! Hopefully you're familiar with Target's beauty bags-- a small makeup bag filled with samples, coupons, and a full-sized product or two, and completely free! --, because they have their Fall bag up for grabs on the website! Here's the link:

http://samples.target.com/

Scroll down to the beauty category and click on Fall Beauty Bag. All you have to do is fill out your information and answer a few survey questions, and then the bag will be on its way. It usually takes 8-10 weeks to arrive, so be patient! Sometimes I forget that I ordered one, so it's a nice surprise that shows up in the mail.

Make sure you act fast! These babies go QUICK!

xo,

Kieran

e.l.f High Definition Powder Review (Picture heavy!)

Hello lovelies!

So, my love-affair with e.l.f continues.

I've had my eye on this product for a while, and finally decided to just buy it already while out shopping at my local Target store. I have a hard time avoiding the e.l.f display whenever I'm there, so this purchase was inevitable  Behold, the e.l.f High Definition Powder--

It is a bit pricier than the average e.l.f product, costing about $6 instead of the usual $1-3, but I still think it's a decent price for the amount and quality of product that you get. Each jar contains 8g of powder, and is available in three shades: Translucent, Shimmer, and Corrective Yellow. I purchased the original Translucent shade, and I think it's the only shade out of the three currently sold in Target stores. You can purchase Shimmer and Corrective Yellow on eyeslipsface.com.

A closer look:

The container itself is a matte black plastic jar with rounded corners, with the e.l.f logo and product name printed in simple white text on the lid. While the type of plastic is easily smudged by fingers, the jar feels sturdy and well-made. The lid is a basic twist-off device, and each jar comes with a plastic sifter inside to keep the product in place. It also comes with a powder puff, which I do actually like- It's soft and decently-sized. The only worry I have is that it seems like the puff will become dirty after a while, and there is no easy way to clean it, so I'll probably end up switching to a face brush. 

So what about the actual powder? Does it work? 

Yes! It had been a while since I last used a loose finishing powder, as most of my powders before this one had been pressed in compacts, so I felt a little bit skeptical about how the High Definition Powder would perform, but after using it exclusively for the last two weeks, I can happily say that it blew my expectations out of the water!

 I used it after I applied foundation, but before any blush/bronzer. Since the powder is translucent, it blended wonderfully onto my skin whether I used the included powder puff or my own brush, and I didn't see any white discoloration on my skin. I would say that anyone with a very dark skin tone might have a bit more trouble blending it out fully, but my own skin is very light, so I can't give a yes-or-no answer for sure.

The packaging claims that the powder creates a "soft focus" effect on the skin, and I think I have to agree with that. It's strange, but the powder does kind of  "soften" the look of my skin, and it is a surprisingly flattering look that I think would do wonders for anybody. The powder doesn't build up in my pores or any lines around my mouth or eyes, and it extends the wear of my foundation by at least two hours or more, depending on the weather. I put it to the test by wearing it over my foundation when I went to volunteer at a local animal shelter, and at the end of the day, my makeup was still intact after several hours of direct-sunlight-sweat and plenty of dog kisses.

My only gripe is that I wish there was more product in the jar, since it feels like it's not as filled as it could be, but overall I am very satisfied with this purchase and will most likely be purchasing another jar when this one runs out. Way to go, e.l.f!

xo,

Kieran


Disclaimer: Any products mentioned in this post were purchased with my own money, and I am receiving no compensation from e.l.f. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own. Lace Escapades is not affiliated with e.l.f. 

Operation: Stash Trash - An Introduction

Hello lovelies!

As much as I hate to admit it, I have a lot of trouble throwing away makeup. That's not to say that I'm going to use that four-year-old, dried-up eyeliner in the bottom of my makeup bag, but for some reason I look at it and think, "I'm not throwing that out. Not yet." Or I'll hit pan on something and then feel like I have to stop using it before I use it all up. It makes no sense, I know, but that's just the way my brain has worked in these situations.

So, as you can probably guess, this cosmetic-hoarding of such has led to a rather messy and cluttered makeup bag and counter. I've decided it's time for a serious spring(fall) cleaning, so I've started Operation: Stash Trash. The goal is to go through my entire beauty stash(makeup, skincare, haircare) and trash anything that is old, outdated, empty, broken, or not used anymore. I will also be attempting to use up the last bits of products I've been sitting on for a while. Hopefully by the end of this project, I'll have a space that is much more organized and be able to tell what I need to replenish and what I have enough of without any old items getting in the way.

The goal is to bring Operation: Stash Trash to you in 1-3 parts, and I would love it if some of you would participate with me. They say it's easier to lose weight when you have friends to do it with, and I'm sure the same thing applies to clearing out our beloved stashes! So take the pledge to join the operation, and let me know in the comments, or even shoot me an email.

Let's do this!

xo,

Kieran

October Wishlist

Hello lovelies!

With Halloween fast approaching and November practically breathing down my neck, I figured it's about time that I posted my monthly wishlist! It's been a little while since I did one of these, but the time is here once again! Without any further nonsense, here is my October wishlist!

(click to enlarge)

1.  Rebecca Minkoff Dameon Boots ($325, rebeccaminkoff.com)

I love brown boots in the fall, and I actually kind of dig these funky booties from Rebecca Minkoff. Of course, these babies would be a total splurge at a whopping $325, so sadly they will have to remain on my wishlist and not in my closet.

2. OPI Cuckoo For This Color Nail Polish 

Looove this deep shimmer green color for any season, and I think it would look fabulous paired with a dark red or orange dress. Unfortunately, it appears to be either sold-out or discontinued, because I can't locate it anywhere online. Boo. :(

3. Merona Double-Breasted Classic Peacoat ($50, target.com)

I fell in love with this peacoat the moment I saw it on the Target website. The length is great and I'm a huge fan of double-breasted coats. This one also comes in so many colors! The dark orange color is Lava Orange, but I would totally buy it in Waterfront Blue and Wild Cherry!

4. Buckle Strap Riding Boots ($30, gojane.com)

Honestly, I would wear riding boots in the middle of summer if it weren't for the 100+ heat we get over here. Now that it's cooling down, I'm starting to crave these lovely boots. What's nice about riding boots is they never seem to go out of style. Every year I see plenty of women rocking these gorgeous pieces of footwear.

5. Be-weave Me Dress ($45, modcloth.com)

Oh, ModCloth, how I love you. This dress is so fun yet sophisticated  I love the woven-texture on the bodice, and the flirty neckline. This shape dress is flattering on most body types, and who couldn't love that cream-and-cherries color?

What's on your October wishlist? Let me know!

xo,

Kieran

NYX Xtreme Lip Cream Review

Hello lovelies!

A while ago I won a little Facebook giveaway from NYX, and included in the prize was a tube of their Xtreme Lip Cream, and I've been happily using it ever since I first got it in the mail.

The color I received is Buttery Nude, and while I'll admit the name is a bit funky, the actual color is very nice. This shade is apparently really difficult to accurately photograph since the above photo looks like the cream is pink, when in reality it's actually a terracotta/salmony shade that pulls a bit orange once applied. The consistency is exactly what you'd expect it to be-- very creamy with a medium-thick consistency. The applicator is a standard doe-foot applicator, and it picks up quite a bit of product. Almost too much, so I usually dab a little bit of it back into the bottle before I apply it. 

Under sunlight

Under artificial light

 The bottom swatch is pretty accurate in color, only Buttery Nude is a tinge more orange. The coverage of this Lip Cream is very full, so you only need one coat to achieve opacity. While there is no glitter or shimmer in the product, it does have a slightly "wet" look for a while after being applied. However, it's not a gloss. I would say it feels like a liquid lipstick. It stays a bit tacky once applied, but not overwhelmingly sticky. The scent is also nice-- it smells like unbaked cinnamon rolls, but doesn't have much of a taste. The color seems to last for about 3-4 hours before needing a touch-up, which I don't think is too bad.

Would I purchase this product on my own? Probably. I like the formula and the performance of the Lip Creme, and I'd love to try it in other shades. Thumbs up, NYX.

xo,

Kieran

Disclaimer: I received a NYX Xtreme Lip Cream as a random-drawing prize from a giveaway the company held. I am not being compensated for this review. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. Lace Escapades is not affiliated with NYX Cosmetics.

Covergirl Clean Sensitive Skin Foundation Review

Hello lovelies!

I realized a few days ago that I have been using the same foundation for a while now but haven't posted a review yet, so this post is a review of the Covergirl Clean Sensitive Skin foundation. I've got through several bottles of this, yet I still have mixed feelings on the actual product. Strange, I know, but it's hard for me to either love or hate foundation without trying it for a long period of time since my skin changes so often. Let's get into it!

The Clean line from Covergirl comes in three varieties: Normal, sensitive, and oil control. I chose the sensitive skin formula since that's exactly what I have. I do suffer from eczema, and unfortunately I have several patches of it on my face, most noticeably around my eyes and jawline. That's where the skin is most sensitive, and more than once I've purchased a foundation that irritated the skin or made it turn bright red. So far I've had no severe irritation while using the Clean foundation, so thumbs up in that aspect.

One bottle holds 1 oz. of product, and will run you roughly $5-6 at stores like Walgreens or Target, and around  $6-7 at specialty stores like Ulta.

It is a liquid foundation, though the texture is a bit thicker than most liquids. Not thick enough, however, to really count as a cream makeup. It feels light when applied, which is refreshing and feels much better than wearing a heavy, thick foundation all day. It's also very easy to blend it into my skin, and I think would count as a medium-coverage foundation. I usually prefer full-coverage, but the texture of the Clean makeup is thick enough to cover any unevenness in my skin and hides the redness fairly well. 

I've worn this foundation to many different types of events: from volunteering at a dog shelter in the summer, to attending casual family parties that last for several hours, and the Clean makeup holds up pretty well. It does sweat off in places after a while, but that's to be expected here in the Arizona heat. I think a bit of powder would definitely be enough to keep this makeup in place in cooler weather.

Cover Clean foundation is not my favorite foundation that I have used so far(that honor goes to Benefit's Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation), but out of the various drugstore foundations I've had, this one definitely takes a top-spot.

xo,

Kieran

Disclaimer: Any products mentioned in this post were purchased with my own money, and I am receiving no compensation from Covergirl. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own. Lace Escapades is not affiliated with Covergirl. 

5 Helpful Baby Oil Uses

Hello lovelies!

I'm sure we all have that one product on our bathroom counters or perched on top of our vanities that almost seems like it doesn't belong. Generally these holy-grail products weren't  originally designed to be beauty products, but we've taken them for our own anyway.

For me, that product is baby oil.

Surprising to some, not so surprising to others who know exactly what I'm talking about.

Baby oil is designed to be used on your baby's skin when they are fresh out of the bathtub, but many people have taken it upon themselves to find other uses for it that are just as helpful to the "older" generation. I've been using baby oil for a while now and I've been pleased to bits with it. I wanted to create a little list of five ways you can use baby oil to your advantage in the word of beauty and skincare, so let's dive in.

1. Do like the babies do:

You can use baby oil in the same way you'd use it on a baby! Apply a generous amount to wet skin when you step out of the shower, focusing on any rough parts of your body like elbows, knees, and feet. Just be careful when using this method-- make sure you aren't on a surface that the oil could drip onto and make slippery(or keep a towel under your feet during application!).

2. Remove your makeup:

Since baby oil is formulated to be gentle,  it's safe to use around your eyes. Pour a little bit onto a clean cotton ball or pad, and gently wipe away your eye makeup. It does a great job of effectively removing your makeup without irritating the sensitive skin around your eyes. Wipe off any excess oil with a fresh cotton ball.

3. Moisturize daily:

Since baby oil works best on damp skin, I wanted to find a way to be able to use it in the middle of the day on any patches of dry skin that showed up, without having to take a shower first. The solution? Mix it with your regular body moisturizer/lotion. Pour an amount of lotion on your hand that is just slightly less than what you'd normally use, then add a few drops of baby oil into it and mix it between your hands before applying. The baby oil gives you lots of added moisture that's great for your skin, and also has a really pleasant scent.

4. Get rid of band-aid stick:

While this isn't so much a beauty use, I still consider it to be a skincare use. If you've ever removed a band-aid from your body, you know how annoying it can be to have that leftover adhesive stuck to your skin and hair, collecting dust and turning gray. Baby oil is a fantastic way to remove it without any painful scrubbing. Pour a generous amount of baby oil onto a cotton ball and begin gently wiping it across the adhesive. After a moment, all of the adhesive should be gone, and any little bits that got left behind can be easily pulled off of your skin without any pain.

5. Take care of your cuticles:

After giving yourself a manicure, or even as an everyday use, you can use baby oil to moisturize your cuticles to keep them healthy and prevent splitting. Dab a cotton swab into the baby oil and gently apply it to your cuticles. Give it time to soak in, then repeat the process once more if you feel like your cuticles are still too dry. I've been doing this for a few weeks and my cuticles are in much better shape now!

All in all, baby oil is a great multi-use, affordable product. For only a few bucks, you can get a bottle that will last and last for a long time. Let me know in the comments what beauty uses you have for baby oil! I'd love to hear from you.

xo,

Kieran

Bellapierre Shimmer Powder Review || Jadoo & Deja Vous

Hello lovelies!

Today I have a review of Bellepierre Shimmer Powders, which I finally caved and purchased from a stand in my local mall a little while ago. They were on sale, but I still considered it a splurge. I had been eyeing the vast array of colors for some time, and I couldn't resist for any longer!

Shimmer Powders are essentially loose mineral eyeshadows, and Bellapierre sells them in a variety of colors, ranging from electric blue(Ha Ha) to smokey black(Noir). The shades I purchased are Jadoo, which is a dark brick red with subtle copper undertones, and Deja Vous, which is a fair champagne color with hints of baby pink. As the product name suggests, the colors are shimmery, but blend to a very wearable satin finish. Thankfully, there are no chunks of glitter to be found in either color I bought, and it seemed that most(if not all) of the Shimmer Powders were glitter free when looking at them in person.

After wearing both shades several times for differing periods of time, I can say that overall I feel satisfied with the purchase. Jadoo applies evenly and is very pigmented, so not much product is needed per application. Deja Vous seems a bit streakier to me, and I need to apply a second thin layer to make sure no skin shows through the color. However, it is a lovely shade once applied, and stays on very well. I'd say after about 5-6 hours, the Shimmer Powders do seem to show a bit of wear, but no thick creasing until 7-8 hours, which seems to be standard time for most mineral shadows. 

Jadoo and Deja Vous under artificial light

And under natural sunlight.

I had no trouble at all blending the colors, and they seem to work very nicely together. I've been wearing them together with some chocolate brown shadow and eyeliner as a deep red smokey eye, and it is surprisingly wearable. I don't own many shadows in the red range, but Jadoo is very pleasing, and I think would look gorgeous on most skin tones.

The only complaint I have is the price. You get 2.35g of product for roughly $15, which is what you'd pay for most high-end eyeshadows. I really wish these were more in the $8-10 range, which seems for fitting for the quality. If the Shimmer Powders were cheaper, I would definitely purchase a few more, but I feel like $15 is a bit much for these. However, as I said, I feel overall pretty happy with my purchase, and I will continue to use my Shimmer Powders until they are used up! 

xo,

Kieran

Disclaimer: Any products mentioned in this post were purchased with my own money, and I am receiving no compensation from Bellapierre. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this post are my own. Lace Escapades in not affiliated with Bellapierre Cosmetics.