Blogger Christmas Beauty Brawl: NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil

Well everyone today is the final day of the Beauty Brawl! I have enjoyed being a part of it but I am ready to take a short break from blogging so I can spend time with my family. Don't worry I have some new things to review so make sure you follow my Facebook page so you know when I publish them. For the final day of the Beauty Brawl we are talking about lip color. I chose NARS Velvet Matte Lip Pencil in the color Cruella.

I really like the packaging. The bottom shows what the color is and it's pretty true to the color. It goes on easily and evenly. If you prefer a matte lip this will be perfect for you. The color is a scarlet red and it's really pretty I will probably be rocking it on Christmas day. It is $26 and I think the smaller one I have will last me a while so it is a pretty good value for the price. You can find it at Sephora and Nars.

I really hope you enjoyed the beauty brawl. Make sure you follow our hashtag #bxbeautybrawl. Check out Susannah's pick here. Hopefully we will be able to have another Blogger Brawl sometime soon. Make sure you watch for my next review. 

What was your favorite product we talked about during the Beauty Brawl?

Blogger Christmas Beauty Brawl: Milani Cosmetics Baked Blush

I tried fighting it but I have a cold three days before Christmas. *BOO* I'm praying it doesn't get too bad so I can enjoy this time with my family. I'm also going slightly crazy trying to finish all my gifts! So today is day nine of the Beauty Brawl and it is blush day. I chose Milani Cosmetics Baked Blush.

It's a drugstore brand but the packaging looks really nice. The texture is very smooth and the glitter is VERY fine. The color I have is Luminoso. You can build up the color to get the desired look and it gives you a really pretty glow. There are a lot of gorgeous colors to choose from. 

I really like this blush. You really don't need a lot to get a pretty glow. I definitely want to try the bronzer next. This blush is $8.49. I bought mine at CVS. I know there are other places that sell it but I haven't seen any others where I live. 

Follow our hashtag #bxbeautybrawl on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you want to check out Susannah's choice you can read her blog. 

Blogger Christmas Beauty Brawl: Urban Decay Perversion Mascara

Is it really day eight already? There are only two days left and FOUR days until CHRISTMAS!!!!!! We have started making all our Christmas cookies, finished our shopping, I am trying to finish the home-made gifts. If anyone has a yummy frosting recipe for sugar cookies please share! Today for the Beauty Brawl we are talking about mascara and I chose Urban Decay's Perversion Mascara.

Ever since I heard about this mascara I have wanted to try it so I was really excited that it was my Ulta birthday gift. I really like the packaging I think it is sleek and sexy (is it weird to think of mascara that way?). It smells like every other mascara out there. The application is very easy I don't even need to curl my lashes. 

This mascara does an amazing job of making my lashes longer and fuller. It definitely adds some drama to my makeup. It contains proteins and amino acids that help stimulate lash growth. I definitely recommend this product.

You can get a travel size for $10 or the full size for $22. It is available at Ulta, Sephora, and Urban Decay.

Don't forget to follow our hashtag #bxbeautybrawl on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Want to see what Susannah chose? Check out her blog!

What is your favorite mascara?

Blogger Christmas Beauty Brawl: NYX Cosmetics Micro Brow Pencil

Welcome to day seven of the beauty brawl! I am sad there are only three days left. I hope everyone has been enjoying the brawl. Today is all about brows and I chose NYX Cosmetics Micro Brow Pencil

I always wanted to try Anastasia Brow Wiz but I never could bring myself to buy it since it's $21 so when I heard NYX had a brow pencil that was a perfect dupe for it I knew I had to try it. I went to Ulta and one of the ladies working there helped me pick out the right color for me. We decided on Ash Brown and it looks very natural. 

The packaging is very nice. One side is the pencil the other side is a spoolie which works very well. You just need to make short light strokes and the product goes on smoothly. The product stays in place all day and does a very nice job of filling in my brows without looking fake. I will definitely keep purchasing this product.

There are eight colors to choose from and it is $10. You can find it at Ulta and NYX Cosmetics.

Make sure you check out A Greater Gorgeous to see what Susannah chose. Follow our hashtag #bxbeautybrawl on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Tomorrow we will be talking about mascara!

Is there a brow product you can't live without? Let me know I would love to try it. 

Blogger Christmas Beauty Brawl: Too Faced Chocolate Bar

Hey everyone! Sorry about the delay. I spent the day with my family and we went to see Star Wars: The Force Awakens. All I'm going to say is WOW. So it is day six of the beauty brawl and today is all about eye palettes. I chose the Too Faced Chocolate Bar palette. 
 

I absolutely love the packaging. It looks like a super yummy chocolate bar (smells like one too). There are two things I would like to mention. The first is it has a magnetic closer. I prefer the way the Naked palettes close. The second is the piece that has the mirror on it isn't sticking too well to the palette anymore. I have had it for a year and my mom knocked it out of my hands so I'm sure that had something to do with it. 

The colors go on so well and blend nicely. Marzipan and Creme Brulee are my favorite colors. Strawberry Bon Bon and Candied Violet are the least pigmented colors but I have gotten nice looks with them. 

I love this palette. I can go as natural or as bold as I want.

It is $49 for 16 shadows and a how to with three makeup looks and it's available at Ulta, Sephora, and Too Faced. 

Check out what everyone else is talking about by searching our hashtag #bxbeautybrawl on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Check out A Greater Gorgeous to see what Susannah chose. Only four days left!

Let me know which palette you would like me to review next.

Blogger Christmas Beauty Brawl: Foundation

Hello ladies! I can't believe it is day five already. We are a week away from Christmas and I am still having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit. I honestly think it's because there isn't any snow on the ground yet. I'm used to blizzards and 20 below (not that I want that). Back to the brawl we are talking about foundation. I chose bareMinerals Original Foundation.

What it does

With just five pure ingredients, bareMinerals SPF 15 Foundation delivers flawless coverage and the creamy minerals are clinically proven to improve the appearance of skin over time. It looks like a powder, feels like a cream, and buffs on like silk, giving skin a natural luminosity while feeling as if you are not wearing any makeup at all.

Packaging:  The packaging does its job but it's very simple. I like that you can twist it shut. It's just not my favorite. Tarte's packaging is so much nicer. 

Smell:  It has a faint smell. It's not unpleasant but I can smell it every once in a while when I am wearing it.

Texture/Finish: It has a very creamy/ powder feel.

Application: You have to tap a little bit of product into the lid then swirl the brush then tap excess product off. Then you need to apply a thin layer and repeat. Honestly it's too much work. I would much rather pour some liquid foundation on the back of my hand and use a brush. That's what's easier for me.

Effectiveness: Does this product work? Yes. If you have time to buff it into your skin it looks nice. I took it on my birthday trip because I knew it would be super hot so I wanted something light and it was very nice. It also was good at covering the very unattractive sunburn I got without irritating my skin too much.

Value For Money: You get .28 oz for $28 so the price isn't too bad compared to other brands.

Availability:You can find it at Sephora or Ulta.

Check out Susannah's blog to see her choice. Follow our hashtag #bxbeautybrawl on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. 

What foundation should I try next?


 

Blogger Christmas Beauty Brawl: Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Face Primer

Hello day four! How are you liking the brawl so far ladies? I can't believe tomorrow we will be halfway through the Blogger Brawl! Today we are talking about one of my favorite things primers! Primer helps keep makeup in its place and looking good. I chose Benefit Cosmetics The POREfessional Face Primer. 

 What it does:

 Quickly minimize the appearance of pores and fine lines and help makeup stay put with this priming phenomenon. The silky and lightweight formula can be worn under makeup to create a smoother-than-smooth canvas or used throughout the day to mattify shine and touch up problem areas. It’s so translucent, no one will know you’re wearing anything!

Packaging: I have always loved the way Benefit packages their products and the POREfessional primer doesn't disappoint! I think the packaging is adorable and you can't miss it. 

Smell: It has a VERY faint smell. I was only able to smell something once I had it right up against my nose.

Texture/Finish: They aren't kidding when they say it is silky and lightweight it feels so nice when I apply it to my skin. It looks like it is tinted but it blends right into the skin and you can't tell it's on.

Application: You just need to apply a thin layer to clean moisturized skin. Apply to the Tzone first then work your way out then wait a few seconds and you are ready for foundation! You can even apply it over your makeup for touch ups just pat it on and blend out.

Effectiveness: Getting my foundation to stay put has always been tricky for me. I was very excited when I got a sample because my NYX primer just wasn't working as well as I hoped it would. The first time I used it I was very happy with the results! My makeup on my Tzone stayed put all day. When I don't use it the makeup on my nose is completely gone in a couple of hours.

Value For Money: My sample is .10 oz. and I have maybe half of it left. You don't need to use very much just enough for a thin layer. There are three different sizes and the smallest is $10 for .25 oz. You won't regret this primer!

Availability: You can get this product at Sephora or Ulta. 

*This image is from the Sephora website*

Don't forget to follow our hashtag #bxbeautybrawl on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook! Beth also reviewed POREfessional so be sure to hear her thoughts on this product! 

Is there a primer you think is better? Let me know!

Blogger Christmas Beauty Brawl: EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balm - Summer Fruit

Welcome to day three of the Bloggers Christmas Beauty Brawl! I am really having fun with this. Not only am I writing more and working on my blogging skills but I get to do this with an awesome group of ladies! Today we are talking about lips balms and I can't wait to see what the other ladies chose. I decided on the EOS Smooth Sphere Lip Balm in Summer Fruit.

eos lip balm in Summer Fruit is 95% organic, 100% natural, and paraben and petrolatum free. Packed with antioxidant-rich vitamin E, soothing shea butter and jojoba oil, eos keeps your lips moist, soft and sensationally smooth.

Packaging: The packaging is a tricky one for me. I do like it but it is way too bulky for me. Sometimes I can't have a purse with me or I need to downsize so this obviously doesn't fit in my pockets. Another thing I don't care for is the product in the bottom I won't be able to get easily. I prefer the tubes that twist the product up. 

Smell: It has a very nice fruity smell to it. When I use it now I feel like I am somewhere tropical. I always thought it was mango but I guess it's strawberry, blueberry, and peach. 

Texture/Finish: It has a very smooth texture.

Application: Goes on well especially if you've kept it in a warmer place.

Effectiveness: It does make my lips soft but I can't say it's my favorite. It's not as moisturizing as I would like it to be. A friend started a business called Back Kitchen Soaps and she makes soap, lotion and REALLY nice chapstick that I don't have to constantly apply throughout the day. Her products smell so good!

Value For Money: It is .25 oz. for $2.96. It's the price of a typical lip balm/chapstick but I think something like Baby Lips is better.

Availability: You can find this at Walmart, Target, Ulta. 

Don't forget our hashtag is #bxbeautybrawl. You can follow us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook. Let me know what your favorite lip balm is.

What's your favorite Christmas tradition? I'm having trouble getting into the Christmas spirit this year so I need ideas! 

Bloggers Christmas Beauty Brawl: Mario Badescu Hydro Moisturizer With Vitamin C

I hope you all enjoyed day one of the Blogger Brawl! I enjoyed reading about the masks the other ladies chose and if I can find them I will definitely be trying them out! The great thing about the brawl is if you need last minute Christmas gift/stocking stuffer ideas you will have a lot of great options! 

Day two we are reviewing Moisturizers. I love moisturizer because it keeps the skin looking beautiful and soft. I chose Mario Badescu's Hydro Moisturizer With Vitamin C. 

It is a 

 Lightweight, antioxidant moisturizer suitable for normal, combination skin. Vitamin C formula restores clarity and health to tired, dehydrated skin. Non-greasy.

Packaging: The packaging is very simple. With Mario Badescu you are paying for the product. Some pricey brands it seems like you are only paying for the name and the fancy packaging. Not that Mario Badescu is an expensive brand, I think it's reasonably priced. 
 
Smell: It smells like every other moisturizer to me. It's nothing strong so it shouldn't bother anyone.

Texture/Finish: As much as I like my Clinique moisturizer I don't always care for how thick it is. So I really like how lightweight this one is. 
 
Application: You don't need to much I would say slightly bigger than a pea.

Effectiveness: My skin feels nicely hydrated after putting it on without feeling to greasy.

Value For Money: The full size bottle is 2 oz. and it is $18 at Ulta.I bought mine in this kit. So far I have loved everything I have tried from Mario Badescu.

Availability: You can find this product at Ulta and Mario Badescus website. 

I hope you enjoyed day two of the Beauty Brawl. Tomorrow I will be reviewing a primer. Check out Zoe's blog Mad About Makeup to see what her pick is. Our hashtag is #bxbeautybrawl so you can follow on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Now I am going to go listen to some Christmas music and try to finish the handmade gifts I thought would be a good idea to make two weeks before Christmas! Wish me luck!

What's your favorite moisturizer? 

Bloggers Christmas Beauty Brawl: Freeman Charcoal & Black Sugar Mud Mask

Hello ladies and welcome to day one of the Blogger Christmas Beauty Brawl! I am late getting this posted because today was such a beautiful day I couldn't just stay inside all day. Where I live it's usually below freezing with a ton of snow on the ground so it's been very hard to get in the "Christmas spirit" Honestly I can't believe Christmas is 11 days away! 

Now about the Beauty Brawl. Ten days, ten products. Four other bloggers and I have each chosen different products we want to review. Each day is a different category, I listed them below so if there is a particular day you are interested in you'll know when it is. I am really excited to share all the products I picked and I can't wait to see what the other ladies chose! 

Day 1 Mask .................................................................December 14th    

Day 2 Moisturizer ...................................................................December 15th
Day 3 Lip balm ...................................................................December 16th
Day 4 Primer ...................................................................December 17th
Day 5 Foundation ...................................................................December 18th
Day 6 Eye palette ..................................................................December 19th
Day 7 Brow product ...................................................................December 20th
Day 8 Mascara .........................................................................December 21st
Day 9 Blush ..........................................................................December 22nd
Day 10 Lip color .....................................................................December 23rd

Today we are reviewing a mask or treatment I chose the Freemen Charcoal & Black Sugar Mud Mask. 

This velvety, jet-black mud mask works like magic to moisturize, remineralize, and make skin sensationally soft! Skin-loving minerals collected from the Dead Sea have a natural nourishing effect that boosts smoothness and overall skin health. Activated Charcoal locks onto oils & toxins, then gently lifts them away without over-drying or disturbing skin. Black Sugar helps skin hold on to hydration, which helps smooth out roughness and fine lines. Perfect for normal to combination skin.

I love to try anything beauty related that has charcoal in it. Charcoal is amazing for soaking up the extra oil without drying out skin. I also love masks because I can just put it on, grab a book, and relax. 

Packaging: For under $5 the packaging is great. It isn't flimsy and it's very easy to push the product out.

Smell: To me this product doesn't really smell. I don't think I have ever noticed. Which is a good thing! The fruity smelling stuff is nice but sometimes I don't want to smell anything.

Texture/Finish: Just like the description says this product has a velvety/muddy texture.

Application: The application is very easy. I put warm water on my face then apply a thin layer on my skin.

Effectiveness: It is very effective considering how much it costs. I use it religiously when I have my hormonal breakouts and my skin clears up in a week. I also broke out from using a different product once and the whole Freeman brand helped.

Value For Money: This product is under $5 and worth every penny. It works very well with my skin especially when I have hormonal breakouts. If you buy them at Ulta you can even find them buy one get one!

Availability: I buy mine at Ulta, but I have seen the Freeman brand at Walmart. You can also buy samples to test the product before buying.

I hope you enjoyed day one! You can check out Zoe's blog for her pick. Our hashtag is #bxbeautybrawl so you can search it on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook to see everyones posts.

Tell me what you think of Charcoal skincare or masks! I would love to know your favorites.