the expert face brush

There's something really nice about finding your absolute-gotta-have-it-favorite-go-to brush. While we have others that can do a similar job, there's comfort in knowing you have found "the one." When it comes to foundation application, I've been on the hunt for a brush that gives perfect, even coverage without breaking the bank. There's just so many different types of foundation brushes. It really just depends on your preference and needs. I have four Sigma foundation brushes. All of which I love, but none are "the one." I've had this brush all along. I was just using it for other things like contouring, setting powder, and sometimes blush. Basically everything except foundation. I tried it out only because all my other brushes were dirty and I figured I should switch it up.

The application was amazing. It's the perfect size, very soft (probably the softest brush I've ever used), gives a great finish to the skin, and best of all-- it's inexpensive. The tapered bristles allow foundation to be applied from all angles rather than just one. And as long as you wash it regularly, it's like good as new each time. 

Like I mentioned before, you can really do anything with this brush. Except maybe apply eye shadow. :) I just highly recommend using it for foundation.

You can find Real Techniques brushes at Ulta or online for $8.99. 

What's your favorite/go-to foundation brush? 

xo, Mallory

april favorites

It seems like a lot of what I've been reaching for lately has been the color pink, and I didn't even realize it until I took these photos. Not sure the reason for this, but I do love pink, so I guess it's okay. Here's what I've been loving lately...

Tarte Amazonian Clay Blush in Amused: This has been on my wish list for quite a while. When Sephora sent an email with a VIB coupon, I figured it was the perfect time to finally purchase a couple of wish list items. I originally went with the intention to purchase the shade Dollface, but after swatching it, I realized I wanted a more intense and rich pink shade. This is a highly-pigmented, matte bright pink. Apply with a light hand and its a perfect flush on the cheeks for Spring. 

Rimmel ScandalEyes Kohl Eyeliner in Nude: I've never owned a nude shade of eyeliner, but always a little interested. Black is my go-to. These are brand new and already have great reviews. I figured a $6 nude eyeliner couldn't hurt. I like applying it just in the inner corner of my waterline. I then finish the waterline with my usual black liner. It helps keep that black junk from forming in the inner corner and also brightens it up bit, which is a plus. 

NARS Turkish Delight: This was my other Sephora purchase. This is my first NARS lip product and it's well worth the splurge if you like light pink glosses. You can wear it alone or over a lipstick to lighten it up. Going to be my go-to shade for Spring/Summer nights. 

L'oreal Shocking Extensions mascara: I couldn't help but include this as a favorite again, just to let you know that I'm still loving it. Check out that post if you're interested. 

Covergirl Outlast 3-in-1 Foundation: This is probably the most surprising favorite for me. I've loved my Revlon ColorStay whipped foundation ever since it's come out, but for some crazy reason,  I can't control my urge to try something when I hear great things, especially foundation. Covergirl is not my go-to brand for makeup, so I really didn't expect to like this. But I do. This shade is too light for me, so I'll have to go pick up a darker one when my Summer tan kicks in, but as for the formula and quality of the foundation, it's amazing. Let me know if you're interested in a full review! 

China Glaze polish in Shocking Pink: If you love hot neon pink and do not own this color, I recommend picking it up. Not only is the color spot on, but it lasts longer than the average on my nails. I'll be painting my nails and toes with this a lot more come Summer. 

Maybelline Baby Lips in Pink Wink: Just when I didn't think I could love the baby lips line even more, Maybelline came out with new shades. This one is beautiful! It's the your-lips-but-better chapstick that you can't help but want to apply all day long. I still love the one in Quenched, but it's colorless. This one is perfect for when you need moisture and color quickly (read: without a mirror). This will be going straight in my beach bag! 

Have you tried any of these products?  What are you loving lately? Let me know! :)

Mallory

spring cleaning your makeup drawers

It's definitely Spring here in Louisiana and I'm excited. I didn't think I would do much spring cleaning this year because I figured I cleaned out my place pretty regularly, but it's amazing what can multiply in just a few months. While constantly trying to keep my vanity area clean and organized, I went on a major "spring cleaning spree" recently, so I thought I'd share how you can decide what products to keep and what products to toss if you do the same.

Cream-based products include things like liquid foundation, cream blush, and cream eye shadows. Toss those after a maximum of 8 months.

Liquid eye products include mascara and liquid eyeliner. Of all my makeup, I am most diligent about throwing out mascara regularly. That little tube is a haven for bacteria growth. As someone who wears contacts, I have enough eye issues to worry about, and contracting pink eye or something like that is not on my to-do list.

Powder products such as blush, bronzer, and highlighters can last up to about 18 months. This is probably the one I don't follow like I should. Mainly because of blush. I just have too many and could not part with them until they're completely used up.

Lip sticks and lip glosses should be able to last you a couple of years. I just use my best judgement when going through the lippies. If it's a thick, goopy and sticky consistency, then it gets tossed in the trash.

Pencil products like lip liner, eyeliner, and shadow sticks can last up to 3 years if sharpened regularly. I don't use a ton of pencil products, mainly just eyeliners, so if I'm not using and sharpening it regularly, I have no problem tossing.

Nail polish can last a few years, it just depends on the brand, formula, and consistency. If you're a nail polish hoarder like myself, you probably keep longer than is recommended. I do keep an eye on them though. I throw away top coats once they get too thick and unmanageable. But color polishes, umm... keeping maybe forever. 

Other things I suggest you clean and sanitize is your eyelash curler, tweezers and brush holders. 
I like to wipe each down with Clorox wipes. Takes just a minute. Maybe two.

One thing to keep in mind when going through your makeup is the packaging. For example, if it's a pump foundation, rather than a jar, that foundation is more sanitary and is okay to use for probably a year. If you're constantly dipping your finger or a dirty brush into a jar, it obviously will increase chances of bacteria growth.

Each product can be subjective. Use your best judgement. Sometimes I get scared to toss makeup because I feel I might "miss it." I've learned that I rarely miss anything because once it's out of site, it's out of mind. If I really need it, I just re-purchase it. Simple as that.

xo, 

Mallory

Ulta Sale Starts Today!

The Ulta Beauty Steals sale is back... starting today! These are one-day-only deals for 21 days in March offered in-store and online, however, items do sell out quickly. If you plan to shop in-store, get there early because once the items are gone, they're gone. Most sales will start at midnight online. If you haven't seen the full sale ad yet, click here to see each daily deal. 

Here are my top picks from the sale that I will either be picking up or I already own and recommend to you!... 

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Mascara

This is one of my favorite high-end mascaras that's completely worth the $19, but I much prefer to only spend $10. You're getting a high-end product for a drugstore price. This mascara does everything you'd need it to do: volumize, lengthen, and separate your lashes beautifully. I highly recommend it! 

Butter London Nail Lacquers

I always seem to forget about the butter london polish day. This time, I'm determined to remember and pick up the two colors I've had on my wishlist for a while and check out the new Spring colors. 

Urban Decay Primer Potion in Greed

We all know I love this primer. I own it in the color Eden. The Greed shade is similar to Eden, except it has shimmer in it. You can't go wrong with primer potion! 

Tarte Pure Maracuja Oil
I had never heard of maracuja oil until I bought a Tarte kit from QVC a year ago and this was in it. I figured having oily skin meant I would not be using this product. But, I'm glad I did some research and learned this would be great for my skin, no matter how oily it is! I like using this as a replacement some nights to my moisturizer. Just dab a little bit on my face and you wake up with super soft, moisturized skin. You can use it anywhere on your body, but I only recommend using it at night so it can really soak in all the benefits while you sleep. 

What do you plan to get from the Ulta sale? Let me know! 
xo, Mal

new maybelline lip products

If you visit CVS or Target as often as I do, you may have noticed all kinds of new displays. 

I am loving pretty much all of what Maybelline has been coming out with. Today I'm talking about the new Color Sensational Vivid Lipsticks and Color Whispers. 

First up, the lipsticks. What drew me to these were the intense colors. There are no nude shades in this line; It's all about the pinks, plums, reds and corals. I much prefer pink lipstick, so I picked up Pink Pop and Hot Plum. Pink Pop is more of my go-to color, and Hot Plum is a fun/risky choice for me. I'm really loving both colors. 

The swatches above are with just one or two swipes. That's some serious pigmentation!

These don't claim to be a long-wearing lip color, but they wear just fine throughout the day. You'll have to re-apply every couple hours to keep the color intensity, but that's pretty standard. These glide on so smoothly, and that's probably because they contain honey nectar. I'm really impressed! 

There's 10 shades in this line, so if you see some colors you like, I highly recommend picking some up! 

And now the Color Whispers. 

These claim to be "truly translucent gel color, with no heavy waxes or oils, for just a kiss of shine." 

There are 20 shades in this line, so it was hard to choose just a couple. 

Here are swatches of the two shades I picked up. I don't recommend any of the nude shades (unless you just want it for the hydration) because these are very sheer, but then again that's the point. I of course purchased a pink shade, and the coral looks like a nice color for the summer time. These are very hydrating, add just a wash of color, and they lasted longer on my lips than I expected. 

Since these are quite sheer, these will show up differently on everyone, it just depends on your natural lip color. I'm really liking these too-- might have to go back and pick up more colors!

Which colors are you loving? 

xo, Mal

inked in pink

I might have hit up the drugstores recently (oh wait, that's every day) and purchased some of the new releases. I'm like a kid in a candy store when I hear that Maybelline released new colors in the color tattoo line. I'm seriously obsessed with these cream shadows. See obsession here. 

This new shade, inked in pink, is part of five new shadows in their "color tattoo metals" collection. I only picked this one up, despite how gorgeous the other colors are too. I just felt like this is the only color I could see myself using on a more regular basis. And since I already own the barely beige shade, I didn't feel like I needed to own the new cream/beige shade. 

The color is a mauve-y light pink and has a very frosty finish. It definitely lives up to the "metallic" name. I really like how it works with my skin tone, which is what I was a little worried about. I don't reach for frosty pink colors for my eyes very often, but the mauve undertones help to keep it a neutral shade. 

So far I've been applying Inked in Pink on my lids with a flat shader brush, and then applying light matte neutral shades (Naked and Buck from the Naked Palette) to the crease for a nice neutral look for everyday.  I would also recommend using this as a base color if you are doing any kind of dramatic eye look with pink shades. It can help any pink shadow perform true to color. 

I will say that this has the "creamiest" consistency of all the color tattoos I own. So if you have oily lids like me, it can't hurt to apply a primer underneath just to ensure that extra longevity. 

Have you tried any of the new Maybelline Color Tattoo Metals shades? 

I have a few more posts about new drugstore makeup I've been trying. 

Check back here for those!

xo, Mal

gift ideas... for the ladies

Birchbox Subscription $30-$110

Striped Scarf $8

LC Beauty Book $15 

Bow Earrings $8

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette $50

Coach Poppy Rollerball Perfume $22

State Pendant Necklace $42

Essie Nail Polish Holiday Set  $17
Buxom Lip Gloss Set $29

All of these items included are things that I own and love, or would just love to own! 

Use these suggested items literally, or just as a guide for when you're making your holiday shopping list [either for yourself or for others]. 

I'm working on a few more stocking stuffer + gift idea posts, so stay tuned for those! 

What's on your Christmas wish list? 

Have you started your shopping yet?