Low-Key Glam Holiday Look
For a "beauty blogger," I'm not exceptionally skilled at doing my makeup. I would say I'm more of a makeup enthusiast than I am a makeup expert. My look is definitely more fresh and natural than it is polished and glamorous. While I totally admire the look of a full-on glam look on others, I look like and feel like a clown in said look, partially cause I am a potato head.
Today's post inspired by Youtube GRWM videos. Some of these are first impressions (as in I've only used them a couple of times), some of these are products I've been using for months. The look I did is my version of a glam look; although it's still pretty low key. There's no contouring and even though I used three different eyeshadows... the look is simple and monochromatic.
I still haven't mastered the art of the selfie so sorry there's no super detailed shot sharing the look. I did buy a smartphone ring light so hopefully, I can up my selfie game in the new year!
Primer:
Earlier this year I shared a one brand review on Glossier and mentioned how I wasn't crazy about this cream as a moisturizer. But since then I've started using it as a makeup primer and it's pretty nice in the winter. It helps my makeup apply evenly and prevents it from clinging to dry patches and healing acne scars.
Not gonna lie, when this first came out I thought this was a hoax. A blurring stick just sounds like a new marketing trick to pore filling primers. I used this around my nose to help blur my hugeass pores...and it did to some extent. I do like the idea although I have yet to wear it under makeup because it looks like it would pill at the first hint of foundation.
The verdict is still out for this guy.
Base
Most Korean brands don't have base products deep enough for me, so when I saw this pop up on Octoly I couldn't resist trying it out. It's actually a little too dark and orange for me! But because it has a light/ medium coverage I'm able to make it work for me. Plus I mixed it in with the EL DW.
Unfortunately, they only have 3 shades in the range and it is not inclusive by any means.
This has an interesting consistency to it-- almost like a mousse. It won't drip or move around when you first dispense it. It's quite easy to spread out with a brush or fingers, although I'm not crazy about the way it looks with a sponge. I like the way it sort of blurs and smoothes over my pores and scars. Although it can also be a little bit too mattifying so I have to make sure to properly moisturize and prime my skin beforehand. While it does have a siliconey feel, I don't find it to pill when worn over an oil.
I see the hype around this foundation. At first, I thought it would be too heavy and cakey for my dehydrated skin, but over the right base products, it totally works! It is full coverage but doesn't look cakey unless you purposefully cake it on. To sheer out the coverage a bit, I like to mix it with the Erborian BB cream, or rather crème.
The one thing I don't like is that it doesn't come with a pump. What is it with brands charging over $40 for a foundation but then not giving us a pump?! Do better.
I was on and off about purchasing an oval 6 or 7 for a looong time and it seemed like whenever I went to bite the bullet, the brush was sold out. Luckily I received a few of their brushes as a PR gift this month! And the oval 6 has been an instant hit! I'm going to cut myself off here before I start writing a 5 paragraph essay with my first impressions on this brush. Instead, I'll save that for a post on fancy brushes that I'm writing next month 😉 For now I'll say it's very much worth the splurge if you have the budget for it.
If you're interested in trying the brand but the price is holding you back, I would recommend checking out their brush craft line. The oval 6 from that line is less than half the price! Plus the brand kindly offered me a discount code to share, it's not an affiliate code so I won't make any $$ if you choose to use it. If you enter code "SHARMTOASTER" now through the 31st, you'll get 20% off your entire order.
Face
I have one of the Lilah B duos in a blush shade and loved it so I was excited to try out the highlighter they released for the holidays...it was a letdown.
Clearly, I like natural makeup which means I like a natural highlight, but this is more natural than natural. It's essentially nonexistent. It's a shame cause it looks really stunning in the pan! But when I apply it to my skin it does nothing, no matter how much I apply. It almost has a matte finish to it? It also dries down quicker than the blush which makes it trickier to apply. Overall not a fan. I would 100% recommend their blushes though!
Their hydrating mineral veil is my favorite loose powder of all time. I may have to try the Laura Mercier one a little bit more... but I have a feeling I will still love the Bare Minerals more.
It's finely milled, doesn't give me a white cast, doesn't cause flashback, and best of all-- doesn't completely mattify and dry out my face. I like powdering my face because it helps keep my makeup in place but it's a moot point when it ends up drying my skin out and emphasizing my acne scars and dry spots.
If you have oily skin, this is probably not the powder for you since it's very lightweight and not super mattifying. But if you also have dehydrated or dry skin, I would definitely recommend it!
The brush that started it all. The end.
(But srsly I will talk about it more in the aforementioned future fancy brushes post.)
Another staple for me. I love Fix+! It helps even out any cakiness I get from accidentally applying too much powder or foundation. It also helps refresh my makeup if things start to get dry a few hours later.
I do not get the hype around this mist at all. First off, it stinks. Literally. It smells bad to me. Second, the mist isn't even that fine. Third, the price/ oz is horrible. It also doesn't make my skin all that dewy? I'll have to continue using it because it is crazy expensive but I don't think my opinion will be changing.
Eyes
I feel like I will never escape this primer. Not that it's bad, it's actually really good. It prevents my eyeshadows from creasing and a little goes a long way. But I've just been using it for so long that I'm bored. The tube literally lasts the longest time, I don't think I've ever even finished one before it's gone bad. In the future, I will stick to purchasing travel sizes.
I'm not sure why this is listed as a shimmer finish eyeshadow on the Sephora site cause this is pretty, freakin' matte on my eyes. Pros: I love the color and I love how easy it is to blend out. Cons: It literally creases within minutes if I don't wear it over an eyeshadow primer. Overall I like it for an easy, one color look, like the one I'm wearing in this post.
Modern renaissance, mormon reconassiance, whatever you want to call it needs no introduction whatsoever. It was basically the palette for 2016 and the hype didn't really die down in 2017. And for good reason. This palette is seriously gorgeous, easy to use, and easy to wear. I don't wear eyeshadow very option but when I do, this is one of the two palettes I reach for the most (the other is the Lorac Megapro 3.) It blends easily plus the colors are bold and pigmented. I used Buon Fresco in the crease to darken things up just a teensy bit.
SO SOFT. SO SO SOFT. This is so soft it almost feels like nothing. I die. Like I said, this will be included in my fancy brushes review next month.
Fingers crossed that I get a review post up on these eyeshadows because they are STUNNING. They're easy to blend and the glitter topper really makes them *wow*
The only let down is that they crease like crazy when worn without an eyeshadow primer. For this look, I wore Lottie which is a pretty purple mauvey kinda color.
I'm no Glossier shill but I will shill all day for boy brow. It is worth all the hype it gets. It adds serious volume to my brows in the most natural way possible. It also keeps my brows pushed up all day long and doesn't flake onto my face or make my brows super crunchy. 10/10 product.
My relationship with this mascara is extremely rocky. At first, I wasn't a fan, but then I was a fan, but now I'm not a fan again. First off, I like the way this looks on my lashes. It makes my lashes look long but not clumpy. But it doesn't keep them curled! It dried out a bit and then it started to keep them curled. But then it dried out too much and now it doesn't keep them curled anymore and has started to go clumpy. I'm going to continue using this but it's not something I would repurchase.
Lips
I've been loving lip tints lately and this has been one of my favorites. I wore it a little bit sheer in this look but you can definitely build it up. The color also lasts reasonably well and through meals. Yet another post I have planned for next month: reviewing lip tints I've been trying lately.
Fa La La La La
And that's the end of this post! This will probably be the look I wear on Christmas and Christmas Eve and whatever day I end up visiting Rockefeller Center because yes, I am basic like that.
I'll probably share one more post before Christmas but if not, I wish you a Merry Christmas!!
Today's post inspired by Youtube GRWM videos. Some of these are first impressions (as in I've only used them a couple of times), some of these are products I've been using for months. The look I did is my version of a glam look; although it's still pretty low key. There's no contouring and even though I used three different eyeshadows... the look is simple and monochromatic.
I still haven't mastered the art of the selfie so sorry there's no super detailed shot sharing the look. I did buy a smartphone ring light so hopefully, I can up my selfie game in the new year!
Primer:
Glossier Priming Moisturizer Rich
$35.00 available via GlossierEarlier this year I shared a one brand review on Glossier and mentioned how I wasn't crazy about this cream as a moisturizer. But since then I've started using it as a makeup primer and it's pretty nice in the winter. It helps my makeup apply evenly and prevents it from clinging to dry patches and healing acne scars.
Milk Makeup Blur Stick
$14.00- $36.00 available via SephoraNot gonna lie, when this first came out I thought this was a hoax. A blurring stick just sounds like a new marketing trick to pore filling primers. I used this around my nose to help blur my hugeass pores...and it did to some extent. I do like the idea although I have yet to wear it under makeup because it looks like it would pill at the first hint of foundation.
The verdict is still out for this guy.
Base
Base Erborian BB Crème in Caramel (PR Gift)
$39.00 available via SephoraMost Korean brands don't have base products deep enough for me, so when I saw this pop up on Octoly I couldn't resist trying it out. It's actually a little too dark and orange for me! But because it has a light/ medium coverage I'm able to make it work for me. Plus I mixed it in with the EL DW.
Unfortunately, they only have 3 shades in the range and it is not inclusive by any means.
This has an interesting consistency to it-- almost like a mousse. It won't drip or move around when you first dispense it. It's quite easy to spread out with a brush or fingers, although I'm not crazy about the way it looks with a sponge. I like the way it sort of blurs and smoothes over my pores and scars. Although it can also be a little bit too mattifying so I have to make sure to properly moisturize and prime my skin beforehand. While it does have a siliconey feel, I don't find it to pill when worn over an oil.
Estee Lauder Double Wear in 4N1 Shell Beige
$40.00 available via Sephora, Ulta, Nordstrom, & Macy'sI see the hype around this foundation. At first, I thought it would be too heavy and cakey for my dehydrated skin, but over the right base products, it totally works! It is full coverage but doesn't look cakey unless you purposefully cake it on. To sheer out the coverage a bit, I like to mix it with the Erborian BB cream, or rather crème.
The one thing I don't like is that it doesn't come with a pump. What is it with brands charging over $40 for a foundation but then not giving us a pump?! Do better.
Artis Oval 6 Brush (PR Gift)
$57.00 available via Artis (20% code below), Space. NK, Net-A-Porter, Anthropologie, & NordstromI was on and off about purchasing an oval 6 or 7 for a looong time and it seemed like whenever I went to bite the bullet, the brush was sold out. Luckily I received a few of their brushes as a PR gift this month! And the oval 6 has been an instant hit! I'm going to cut myself off here before I start writing a 5 paragraph essay with my first impressions on this brush. Instead, I'll save that for a post on fancy brushes that I'm writing next month 😉 For now I'll say it's very much worth the splurge if you have the budget for it.
If you're interested in trying the brand but the price is holding you back, I would recommend checking out their brush craft line. The oval 6 from that line is less than half the price! Plus the brand kindly offered me a discount code to share, it's not an affiliate code so I won't make any $$ if you choose to use it. If you enter code "SHARMTOASTER" now through the 31st, you'll get 20% off your entire order.
Face
Burberry Cheek & Lip Bloom in Poppy
While I've been curious about this formula for a while, I was hesitant to bite the bullet because it does not have the best ratings. But I finally bit the bullet when I spotted them at the Bare Minerals outlet store at Woodbury.
These have quite a unique formula. Unlike most cheek-to-lip products, these don't have a cream formula. Instead, they're almost bouncy to the touch and have a siliconey feel to them. The pigmentation is nice and they're super easy to blend out. I like that I can sheer it out but also build it up. My two major concerns are: does it last well throughout the day and will the jar dry out quickly. Whenever I see the testers at my local Sephora, they're always dried out 😬
I'll be taking more in-depth on this in a later post reviewing all the cheek-to-lip products I've been using lately.
Lilah B Divine Duo in b.dazzling (PR gift from Dermstore)
$46.00 available via Dermstore, Sephora, Net-A-Porter, Neiman Marcus, & Barney'sI have one of the Lilah B duos in a blush shade and loved it so I was excited to try out the highlighter they released for the holidays...it was a letdown.
Clearly, I like natural makeup which means I like a natural highlight, but this is more natural than natural. It's essentially nonexistent. It's a shame cause it looks really stunning in the pan! But when I apply it to my skin it does nothing, no matter how much I apply. It almost has a matte finish to it? It also dries down quicker than the blush which makes it trickier to apply. Overall not a fan. I would 100% recommend their blushes though!
Bare Minerals Hydrating Mineral Veil
While Bare Minerals has some truly awful products, they also have some kickass products. And sometimes I wonder why we don't talk about them more on the blogosphere!Their hydrating mineral veil is my favorite loose powder of all time. I may have to try the Laura Mercier one a little bit more... but I have a feeling I will still love the Bare Minerals more.
It's finely milled, doesn't give me a white cast, doesn't cause flashback, and best of all-- doesn't completely mattify and dry out my face. I like powdering my face because it helps keep my makeup in place but it's a moot point when it ends up drying my skin out and emphasizing my acne scars and dry spots.
If you have oily skin, this is probably not the powder for you since it's very lightweight and not super mattifying. But if you also have dehydrated or dry skin, I would definitely recommend it!
Wayne Goss Air Brush
$35.00 available via BeautylishThe brush that started it all. The end.
(But srsly I will talk about it more in the aforementioned future fancy brushes post.)
Mac Prep+Prime Fix+
$25.00 available via Ulta, Macy's, & NordstromAnother staple for me. I love Fix+! It helps even out any cakiness I get from accidentally applying too much powder or foundation. It also helps refresh my makeup if things start to get dry a few hours later.
Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist
$48.00 available via SephoraI do not get the hype around this mist at all. First off, it stinks. Literally. It smells bad to me. Second, the mist isn't even that fine. Third, the price/ oz is horrible. It also doesn't make my skin all that dewy? I'll have to continue using it because it is crazy expensive but I don't think my opinion will be changing.
Eyes
Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer
$12.00- $22.00 available via Nordstrom, Sephora, & UltaI feel like I will never escape this primer. Not that it's bad, it's actually really good. It prevents my eyeshadows from creasing and a little goes a long way. But I've just been using it for so long that I'm bored. The tube literally lasts the longest time, I don't think I've ever even finished one before it's gone bad. In the future, I will stick to purchasing travel sizes.
Givenchy Ombre Couture Cream Eyeshadow in Rose Dentelle (PR gift)
$26.00 available via Sephora, Neiman Marcus, Barney's, & SaksI'm not sure why this is listed as a shimmer finish eyeshadow on the Sephora site cause this is pretty, freakin' matte on my eyes. Pros: I love the color and I love how easy it is to blend out. Cons: It literally creases within minutes if I don't wear it over an eyeshadow primer. Overall I like it for an easy, one color look, like the one I'm wearing in this post.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Modern Renaissance Eyeshadow Palette
Modern renaissance, mormon reconassiance, whatever you want to call it needs no introduction whatsoever. It was basically the palette for 2016 and the hype didn't really die down in 2017. And for good reason. This palette is seriously gorgeous, easy to use, and easy to wear. I don't wear eyeshadow very option but when I do, this is one of the two palettes I reach for the most (the other is the Lorac Megapro 3.) It blends easily plus the colors are bold and pigmented. I used Buon Fresco in the crease to darken things up just a teensy bit.
Wayne Goss Brush 04
$28.00 available via BeautylishSO SOFT. SO SO SOFT. This is so soft it almost feels like nothing. I die. Like I said, this will be included in my fancy brushes review next month.
Touch in Sol Metallist Liquid Foil & Glitter Eye Shadow Duo in Lottie (PR Gift)
Part of their holiday set available for $40.00 via Sephora or individually for $25.00Fingers crossed that I get a review post up on these eyeshadows because they are STUNNING. They're easy to blend and the glitter topper really makes them *wow*
The only let down is that they crease like crazy when worn without an eyeshadow primer. For this look, I wore Lottie which is a pretty purple mauvey kinda color.
Glossier Boy Brow in Black
$16.00 available via GlossierI'm no Glossier shill but I will shill all day for boy brow. It is worth all the hype it gets. It adds serious volume to my brows in the most natural way possible. It also keeps my brows pushed up all day long and doesn't flake onto my face or make my brows super crunchy. 10/10 product.
L'oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof Mascara
$9.99 available via Ulta & TargetMy relationship with this mascara is extremely rocky. At first, I wasn't a fan, but then I was a fan, but now I'm not a fan again. First off, I like the way this looks on my lashes. It makes my lashes look long but not clumpy. But it doesn't keep them curled! It dried out a bit and then it started to keep them curled. But then it dried out too much and now it doesn't keep them curled anymore and has started to go clumpy. I'm going to continue using this but it's not something I would repurchase.
Lips
Dior Addict Lip Tattoo in Berry
$30.00 available via Sephora, Bloomingdale's, Macy's, & NordstromI've been loving lip tints lately and this has been one of my favorites. I wore it a little bit sheer in this look but you can definitely build it up. The color also lasts reasonably well and through meals. Yet another post I have planned for next month: reviewing lip tints I've been trying lately.
Fa La La La La
And that's the end of this post! This will probably be the look I wear on Christmas and Christmas Eve and whatever day I end up visiting Rockefeller Center because yes, I am basic like that.
I'll probably share one more post before Christmas but if not, I wish you a Merry Christmas!!
If you'd like to keep up with my posts, follow along on bloglovin' | instagram | pinterest | twitter | google +
