Swatch and Review: Lipstick Queen Velvet Rope in Black Tie

Lovely velvet packaging for the Velvet Rope lipsticks

Today I'll be reviewing the ever so luxurious (and pricey) Lipstick Queen Velvet Rope lipstick in the shade Black Tie ($50).

Logo detail on the lipstick

I have several lipsticks from Lipstick Queen, and the Velvet Rope collection is the most expensive. However, the price tag is completely understandable once you experience the quality of these lipsticks.

Swatch and Review: Colourpop Part IV - Super Shock Cheeks in Between the Sheets and Butterfly Beach

Finally, my last Colourpop review (for now, at least). While my previous reviews were about Colourpop's lipsticks, I added a couple of cheek products to test out as well.

I got a blush in Between the Sheets which Colourpop describes as "a mid-tone pink-beige in a matte finish." 

Swatch and Review: Colourpop Part III - Lippie Stix in Lumiere and Brink

This is part three of my Colourpop review series in which I'll review two of the Lippie Stix in Brink and Lumiere. I only ordered two Lippie Stix because I wasn't interested in as many of the shades. 

Click here for my review on More Better, Bad Habit, and Stingraye. And click here for Tulle, Bumble, and Lumiere 2.

In natural lighting

From left to right: More Better, Bad Habit, Stingraye, Tulle, Bumble, Lumiere 2, Lumiere, Brink.

Swatch and Review: Colourpop Part II - Ultra Matte Lips in Tulle, Bumble, and Lumiere 2

This is a continuation of my Colourpop review. In my last post, I swatched and reviewed More Better, Bad Habit, And Stingraye. Click here to read about it.

More Better, Bad Habit, Stingraye, Tulle, Bumble, Lumiere 2, Lumiere, Brink

In natural  lighting

Today, I'll be review the last three Ultra Matte Lip colors in Tulle, Bumble, and Lumiere 2.

Swatch and Review: Colourpop Part I - Ultra Matte Lips in More Better, Bad Habit, and Stingraye

Oh boy, I've got a bunch of stuff to review this week. I've heard a lot of great things about Colourpop Cosmetics, and I decided to take the plunge and order myself some of their most popular products.

 I got two of their Lippie Stix in Lumiere and Brink, as well as six shades of Ultra Matte Lips. The first three Ultra Matte Lip shades I'll be reviewing today are More Better, Bad Habit, and Stingraye.

Swatch and Review: Buxom True Nude Lip Foundation in Bare

I should probably stop going to Sephora when I don't have something in particular that I need, because I'll ultimately end up buying something that I didn't plan to. Like this.

I was just browsing through Sephora (bad idea) and decided to swatch some lip colors (even worse idea) and I stumbled across Buxom's True Nude Lip Foundation in Bare ($20). Which is ridiculous because I don't own a single thing from Buxom. This brand is a browse-over brand for me, probably because none of their products are ever hyped or promoted where I live, at least not in the way NARS, Becca or Anastasia are, which is a real shame because this lipstick is incredible.

Swatch and Review: NARS Audacious Lipstick in Leslie

NARS Audacious Lipsticks ($32) have some of the highest ratings ever for lip products, and with good reason. They're super pigmented, ultra creamy, and long-lasting.

The formula is absolutely amazing and NARS offers a vast selection of colors. I chose Leslie, because psst, it's my name. I actually didn't go to Sephora with the intention of picking this up, but when I saw the name and swatched it, it was fate.

Review: Fresh Lotus Youth Preserve Face Cream and Radiance Lotion

I'd like to thank modern medicine and genetics for my skin.

Modern medicine, because after going on birth control, my skin has remained mostly flawless with only a spot every couple of months. Thanks to that, I only ever use light coverage foundation because there's not much that needs to be covered up.

Genetics, because my mother is like eternal youth personified, and she has (fortunately/unfortunately) passed that onto me. She's in her 50s, but probably looks like she's in her late 30s. And I am perpetually being asked if I need a travel escort at airports. Restaurants have stopped offering me kids' menus a few years ago.

My mom and I are big fans of Fresh. There's just something about their products that is so simple and universal. 

Swatch and Review: Makeup Geek Eyeshadows in Bitten, Burlesque, Grandstand, Starry Eyed, In the Spotlight,

I've heard a lot of great things about Makeup Geek eyeshadows so I decided to buy some colors that I was interested in. I got two in their regular finish and three foiled eyeshadows. At $6 and $10 a piece, these are reasonably priced and are great quality.

Makeup Geek eyeshadows are sold as singles and can be put into a Z palette. They are also the same size as MAC shadows.

Clockwise from top: Bitten, Starry Eyed, Grandstand, Burlesque, In the Spotlight in indoor lighting.

Swatch & Review: Josie Maran Argan Enlightenment Illuminizer

Clearly, my obsession with highlighters has not ended. I've got at least another three highlighter reviews on the way, lord help me.

I got a sample of Josie Maran's Argan Enlightenment Illuminizer ($26) with a Sephora purchase once and I fell in love. This is the holy grail of highlighters if you want a highlight so strong you glow in the dark.

 I have a love-hate relationship with the packaging. The bottle is gorgeous and I love how you can see how much product there is left, but...

Review: Makeup Forever Metal Palette, Sephora Z palette, Etsy anothersoul palette

I went on a depotting craze. I regret nothing.

Sephora had Make Up For Ever's extra large empty metal palette ($14) on their website, and I thought why not?

Best decision ever.

2016 Valentine's Day Gift Guide

Show some appreciation for the women in your life, whether it's your mother, your grandmother, your sweetheart, or yourself! I've got a list of some favorites in skincare, makeup, and beauty.

Tatcha Ritual Discovery Kit ($59)

I swear by Tatcha. I got my mother this kit for Christmas and it's a great value. It includes trial sizes of Tatcha's cleansing oil, enzyme powder (aka face wash in powder form), serum, and face cream. The great thing about this set is that you can customize it to your skin type. I got my mother the combination skin set, but I would get the sensitive skin set for myself. Add the promo code WELCOMEGIFT for a free trial size of enzyme powder with your first order.

Bésame Cosmetics Lipstick & Matchbook Set in Red Velvet ($23)

I'm a huge fan of Bésame Cosmetics even though it is a bit on the pricier side. Their lipsticks are definitely worth the price though because the quality is amazing. Red Velvet is a classic shade for anyone and would be a great gift for your bestie. Plus the included matchbook is just too cute.

Beautyblender Prep.Pretty.Clean Set ($40)

A nude beautyblender is a perfectionist's best friend. I've got a pink one myself and it bleeds when washing. Not a big deal to me, but a nude beautyblender would be great for making those pesky foundation and concealer stains disappear. At $40, you're paying for two beautyblenders and getting the cleanser for free.

Tarte Tartelette Tease ($21)

Such a cute palette! It's got all the colors you'd need for a perfect eye look with just the right amount of mattes and shimmer eyeshadows. A perfect gift for a girl on the go.

Face Paint: The Story of Makeup by Lisa Eldridge ($21)

Lisa Eldridge is my favorite makeup artist and I'm a huge fan of her YouTube tutorials. I'm also a huge history nerd and this book has got everything I'm interested in: great writing, history, and of course, makeup. This book is a wonderful gift for fans of makeup and those curious about the development of beauty and makeup trends from ancient to modern times.

Sunday Riley Power Couple Duo ($78)
This set is a steal! You get 0.5 oz of each product at half the price. With lactic acid and retinol, this set is great for brightening and preserving youth. Maybe spoil yourself with this set this Valentine's Day.

LUSH Rosie Gift Set ($36)
Instead of a dozen roses, how about a set of rose-scented bath products? It comes with two bubble bars, a shower smoothie, a shower gel, and a body lotion. Pamper a woman in your life with a relaxing spa day.

Tory Burch Gift Set ($110)
What is there to say? Perfume is always a great gift. And when it comes in a set, it's even better.

Kate Spade New York Cedar Street iPhone 6 Leather Wristlet ($110)
I got my best friend this wristlet for Christmas. It's sophisticated and organized. It even has a little mirror for touch ups on the go. Perfect for the style savvy girl.

Kendra Scott Lee Earrings ($65) and Elisa Pendant ($65)
Jewelry is a wonderful way to show your appreciation to someone. This set of rose gold drusy earrings and necklace shines like the brightness women bring to your life. Cheesy? Yep, but still true.

Swatch & Review: Clinique Pop Lip Colour + Primer in Cola Pop

Wow, so it's been ages since I've posted here. No excuses really; I just kind of lost writing inspiration for a while, but that didn't stop me from buying a ton of makeup anyway.

So updates: Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Years happened. I also went to Japan in December and came back with hundreds of dollars worth of makeup and skincare - really, the quality of the makeup there is amazing and for a fraction of the price. I couldn't resist, and neither could my mom and my aunt. I'll make a post on my Japan trip sometime soon. 

Instead, have a swatch and review on one of my favorite lipsticks: Clinique Cola Pop ($18).

Cola Pop comes in a lipstick as well as a blush, which I reviewed in this post.

I have about a bazillion lipsticks in this burgundy-brown-red shade, but I still can't get enough of it. Like any makeup addict, my answer is "they're all different!"

I really love the packaging for this lipstick. Super sleek case and with the base that matches the color of the lipstick. Downside is that it can be difficult pulling off the lid since it's not magnetic (especially if your hands are slick with lotion).