MAYkup Challenge: Disney Villains

Hey Loves! 

Okay, so I've decided to try and challenge myself. Since it's the last full week of May, I wanted to do my own fun makeup challenge. And because of the new MAC Maleficent collection and the new Maleficent movie that are coming out I thought I would do a challenge involving Disney Villains!

For this challenge, I am going to try and create a wearable recreation of some of Disney's iconic villains. These looks are not going to be costume-y or cartoon-ish. I am going to make them as wearable and appropriate as possible!
I've chosen a different villain to do every day with a few breaks in between that should take us to the end of May. Hope you enjoy- make sure to check up on the blog every day for new looks! Below will be my schedule along with some references to their looks!

Lady Tremaine Tuesday:

May 20th 

AKA the Evil Stepmother from "Cinderella"

Ursula Thursday:

May  22nd

The Iconic Sea With from "The Little Mermaid"

Maleficent Friday:

May 23rd 

As my favorite Disney villain, it's only appropriate that she be recreated the same day as the new Maleficent movie premier.

 

Madame Medusa Monday:

May 26th

"The Rescuers"

Queen of Hearts Wednesday:

May 28th 

"Alice in Wonderland"

Cruella DeVille Thursday:

May 29th 

"101 Dalmations"

Evil Queen Saturday:

May 31st

"Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs"

How To Save Money on Makeup

How To: Save Money on Makeup

-part1-

Hello Loves!

Today I'm going to share with you some of my best tips for saving money on makeup! If you're a beauty addict like me, then you definitely appreciate any kind of advice in this area. There will be many other editions to this, and these tips can be applied to both drugstore and high end makeup items, so enjoy!

1. Stop the Drugstore Splurge

This may be the most helpful tip I have because it's so commonly overlooked. I am a drugstore diva, but there are a lot of high end products that I would love to own. Personally, it's a little difficult to walk into Sephora, spend $50 on one item and feel okay with that. But once I pretty much sucked the drugstore dry of all their gems, I stopped shopping there as much and held onto my money for one or two high end items that I really wanted. The problem that I had was that I would load my cart with makeup with the justification that each thing was only $5 or $6. But when you get up to the register you realize you've just blown $60 on makeup and a lot of the things are just mediocre. This cycle would repeat itself 1-2 times a week (maybe not $60 every time, but it's definitely happened before) and then I ended up not liking 60% of the things I bought. So STOP the drugstore splurging and save up for an item that you really want- or better yet- put it in your bank account!

2. Save Your Receipts!

fancyyetfrugal.blogspot.com

Again, this may seem simple but it has saved me TONS of money in the long run! I have learned to always keep my receipt until I am sure that I like a product. We have all felt that buyers remorse before- it basically sucks. But the good news is that pretty much every store will accept returns with a receipt and you're able to get your money back. So if you buy something, bring it home and find out it's really not for you? Take it back!

3. Ulta Points

Most beauty stores like Sephora and Ulta have their own reward system. What's great about Ulta is that they carry everyday items like razors, dry shampoo, regular shampoo and conditioner, the list goes on and on. If you start buying all of your everyday hygiene supplies at Ulta instead of your grocery store, you can rack up the points and start to earn free stuff! You'll be amazed by how quickly your points start to grow and every point means more money towards your favorite thing- makeup! 

 

MAC Maleficent Collection: Mini Review

MAC Maleficent Collection 2014:

Mini Review

Hello Loves!

As I'm sure some of you already know, MAC has recently launched their new 'Maleficent' Collection before the new movie hits theaters at the end of this month! I have been counting down for this collection for months now, and I thought I would do a blog post on it because I have such strong feelings about it! 

First let me start off by saying that my Maleficent has been my favorite Disney character (yes, including princesses) since I was a little girl. I love love LOVE her. So when I found out that MAC was releasing a collection just for her, I was beyond excited. 

Here's a quick glimpse of everything that comes in the collection:

Photo By: www.thecitizensoffasion.com

Left to Right: Prep & Prime Highlighter- "Bright Forecast", Nail Lacquer- "Uninvited", "Flaming Rose", "Nocturnelle", 30 Lash, 36 Lash, Sculpting Powder- "Sculpt", Beauty Powder- "Natural", Eye Shadow x4- "Goldmine", "Ground Brown", "Concrete", "Carbon", Amplified Lipstick- "True Love's Kiss", Pro Longwear Lipglass "Anthurium", Pro Longwear Lip Pencil "Kiss Me Quick", Penultimate Eyeliner "Rapidblack", Maleficent Eyebrows- "Fling"

Okay, so I have a love-hate relationship with this collection. On one hand, I totally understand the direction that they were trying to go- this collection is meant to mimic the Maleficent played by Angelina Jolie rather than the traditional purple eyeshadow-wearing villain we all remember.  That's why there is such a lack of color; no blush, all neutral eyeshadows and only one color for lipstick. The sculpting powder, red lip products and eyebrow pencil reflect Maleficent's harsh cheekbones, bright red lips and iconic arched eyebrows.

However when looking at the collection as a whole, I'm very underwhelmed. I would have loved to see a blush in this line somewhere and maybe to have seen a little bit more variety in color. I have a few thoughts on some specific items in this collection:

MAC Shades: Ground Brown, Carbon, Goldmine, Concrete

Eyeshadow x4: Now, I love my neutrals just as much as the next gal, but the eyeshadow x4 quad seems very dark to me. I swatched the colors in my MAC store and found that it would be very difficult to create a complete look with this quad unless I were going for a smokey eye. There is essentially one color shade (Goldmine) and then 3 very dark shades: dark brown (Ground Brown), dark grey (Concrete) and black (Carbon). I wish there was a lighter transition shade such as Soft Brown or Wedge, and I wish Goldmine was replaced with either a purple or a green. To me, that would have held more true to Maleficent and rounded out the quad. That being said, these shadows are still great shades, and if you're looking for some darker shades to add to your collection, these would be beautiful. I haven't bought this quad yet, but I may before the collection disappears. What can I say..look at that packaging! 

 Maleficent Beauty Powder- Natural: To me, this is just another powder. I've heard some reviews of people that own it and they haven't been particularly impressed. Personally, I think powder is powder. Especially translucent powder- there are great ones at the drugstore, so I would never spend $30 on a product like this. The packaging is beautiful, but this would have to be a no-go in my book. 

 

Maleficent Amplified Lipstick- True Love's Kiss

Amplified Lipstick- True Love's Kiss: Now for the lippies! I have to admit- I love that they offered 3 different lip products to achieve the "perfect" red lip. Lip liner is basically a must when it comes to red lips and it's nice that they offered that, the lipstick and the gloss- it has something for everyone.

I only bought the lipstick. In fact, this was the only thing out of the entire collection that I did buy, and I am so glad that I did! I've never owned a MAC lipstick before (I know..my collection is very small, but steadily growing!) and I'm so glad that this was my first one!

True Love's Kiss is a true red with some blue undertones that is just absolutely breathtaking. Because it's an amplified finish, it has an incredible amount of pigmentation and opacity without being drying on the lips. This is moisturizing and creamy and opaque all in one. Even for my skin tone (ghost white), this red is beautiful. I am seriously considering getting a backup while I can so that I never have to be without this! If there is one thing in this collection that is a must-have item, it's this lipstick. Absolute perfection.

So there you have it, everyone! I hope this wasn't a bummer review. Maybe it's because I love Maleficent so much that I had such high expectations for this collection that I became  very underwhelmed by the whole thing. I don't believe that anything in this line is a "bad" product- in fact, everything in this collection is killer! But at the same time, for Disney's most iconic villain, it's a little bland. I would have loved some color- greens and purples would have been wonderful to see here (especially in the eyshadow) and I also really would have appreciated a blush! However I am beyond thrilled with the Amplified Lipstick and adore the packaging of this collection as well. I hope this review helped you get an insight of these products- the link to the whole collection will be down below- happy shopping! 

MAC Maleficent Collection Here!

May Ipsy: Fresh Picks

May Ipsy: Fresh Picks

Hello Loves,

Here's a glance at this month's Ipsy bag!

This month's theme is "Fresh Picks". The bag is cream-colored with green leaves and is made of a burlap-feeling material. 

 

This month I recieved 5 items. All links to these items will be listed down below in their descriptions!

The first product I recieved is this eva-nyc therapy session hair mask. Personally, I'm not the biggest fan of getting hair products in my box, but I use a hair mask 2-3 time a week, so this is definitely an exception! This hair mask has Keravis Protein and Argan Oil- it claims to deeply condition, repair and strengthens all hair types. It has a nice smell to it- its kind of sugary and a little sweet. This trial size retails for $12, and a full-size retails for $40. I'm curious to see how this compares to my beloved Macadamia Deep Repair Mask. If it's a contender, I may be saving myself a little bit of money (and who doesn't love that?).

The next item is Hang Ten Sunscreen- 50 SPF. This was really the only item in my bag that disappointed me. To me, sunscreen is sunscreen. There's really nothing special about it! I can't complain, because it'll definitely be put to use this Summer..but nothing I would have wanted to get in my "beauty" bag. Full-size of this product retails for $12.99.

The next item I have is the Avene Thermal Spring Water. This could be used as a makeup setting spray or as a facial mist. Some people may not think this is the most exciting thing in the world, but I used it this morning and I really liked it! It was very hydrating, it didn't feel sticky on my face and it had a light, pleasant scent. The full-size of this product retails for $18.00.

The 4th item I have is a Pacifica Eyeshadow Duo in Duo #1: Celestial & Opal. This duo is pretty; very basic for a day to day look, but it doesn't have much pigmentation. The swatches you see on the bottom are heavy and there isn't a ton of color payoff. I think there's much better drugstore shadow out there for your money, but hey- it's pretty nonetheless!

Lastly, the item that I was most excited for! I have been wanting to try the iconic 'Too Faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer' for years! Though this is only a sample size, I can't wait to try it out! The full-size of this product retails for $30.00. It smells like chocolate, which everyone knows, but it is seriously delicious. I would have paid $10 for this sample alone, so to have it in my Ipsy bag is amazing! 

So there was my May Ipsy bag! Check it out at ipsy.com and start surprising yourself with goodies every month! :)

Orange Lips

Spring Fling: Bright Orange

Hey Loves!

Bright orange is one of this Spring's hottest trends. Orange cheeks, orange eyes, and especially orange lips! I personally love love love this trend. It's gives you a chance to do something out of the box and step out of your comfort zone.  One of the things I love about this trend is that bright, bold lips can make you look completely pulled together even if you barely have any makeup on. We all know that some days it's harder than others to get ourselves out the door. Bright lips are always the focal point of the face which often detracts from other areas. So if you're running late or having a hard time getting into your makeup groove, bold lip colors can make everything else that you didn't do that day less noticeable. But- just like colored eyeshadow, bright, bold lips can be intimidating- especially orange. It can be hard to find a shade that you're comfortable wearing, but I think I've found the perfect one. If you've read any of my previous blog posts, you probably already know how obsessed I am with this!

 This is the Maybelline Colorsensational "Vivids" Lipstick in the color "Vibrant Mandarin." Ohhh my goodness. This is the perfect- I mean perfect orange lip for Spring and Summer- especially if wearing bright orange scares you! This color is neither red nor orange. It is a perfect combination of the two which I think is amazing. It makes it a little bit more wearable for everyday rather than just a neon orange lip, but it takes the worry out of having to find your perfect shade of red. Reds can be very tricky because you have to match your skins undertone to the undertone in the lipstick to find a shade that truly flatters you. 

Anyway, I love all Maybelline lipsticks. Their formula is super creamy and the Vivids collection is unbelievably pigmented. This color doesn't require a gloss or a liner- it is breathtaking on it's own and I am just...obsessed. 

 If you want to keep up with this year's trends but are afraid of a crazy melon-color, you should definitely give this a try. The undertones and shades in this color are flattering to so many different people. I mean look at me- I'm pale as a ghost and it's still complimentary, and we all know how beautiful bright colors look on darker skin. 

This color is smooth, creamy, and stays on my lips for a long time. It doesn't bleed outside of my lip line like other bright lipsticks, and as I said it's a one-stop-shop. No liner or gloss needed, just another thing that makes this trend simple and time-efficient. 

This next picture basically describes how I feel about this lip color- love! Rock this trend comfortably and confidently with this amazing color. Try it. Own it. Love it. <3

I Heart Drugstore Makeup Tag!

I Heart Drugstore Makeup Tag

Hey everyone! Today I'm going to show you some of my favorite drugstore makeup with the I Heart Drugstore Makeup Tag, so let's get into it! 

1. What is your favorite drugstore makeup brand?

This question was actually pretty easy. I'd definitely say that Maybelline is my favorite brand overall because they have so many products that I love for pretty much every makeup category. Maybelline has amazing lipsticks, shadows, liners and mascaras. It's a really well-rounded brand that has some of my everyday holy grail products.

2. What Are Your Favorite Face, Cheek & Lip Products?

Face Products:

 Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in1 Foundation- This is my absolute favorite foundation in the entire world! It stays on all day and covers with a smooth flawless finish. I cannot say enough good things about this foundation- perfection!

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer & Rimmel Match Perfection Highlight/Concealer- I love these 2 drugstore concealers. The Fit Me concealer is great for under the eyes; a nice, natural way for me to brighten up my face. The Rimmel Match Perfection is a great drugstore highlighter. I use this all the time for my forehead, bridge of my nose and chin.

Sonia Kashuk "All Covered Up" Concealer: This is amazing for sticking to any raised surfaces or texture you may have on your skin! It's great for acne and redness and stays on all day long. Great drugstore concealer! 

Cheek Products: 

 Milani Luminoso: No one can talk about amazing drugstore blushes without talking about Milani Luminoso. It is the perfect peachy-pink shade with a gorgeous sheen. Absolute perfection.

Wet N Wild- Pearlescent Pink: This is a gorgeous everyday pink shade. It has hints of peach to it but looks beautiful on the skin. For $2.99? Come on..you can't get better than that.

Mabybelline Master Hi Light Blush- Nude: This product is seriously a great topper to any blush! This adds a beautiful sheen with just a slight tint of color so that it doesn't compete with the blush that you already have on. I think this is a really unique drugstore product- there isn't much out there like it and it's beautifully made.

Lip Products:

Maybelline "Vivids" Lipstick- Vibrant Mandarin: Gorgeous, bright, perfect mix of red and orange. This shade is beautiful and creamy and my perfect "go to" bright lip!

NYX Megashine Lipgloss: Oh what to say. These glosses are beautiful and creamy and feel amazing on the lips. One of my favorite lip glosses ever ever ever. 

Kardashian Khroma Beauty Joystick- Sea Coral: I love these joysticks so much because they are so soft! I had a hard time justifying spending $9 on a drugstore lip product, but the second these lip crayons hit your lips they absolutely melt into perfection. The finish is amazing and they feel incredibly hydrating. I'm officially obsessed. 

Maybelline "Buffs" Lipstick- Sin-A-Mon: This lipstick is my perfect everyday nude shade. I know this is slightly darker than most people like, but I really don't like my lips to disappear when I wear a nude shade and this just makes them look deep and beautiful. 

NYX Butter Gloss- Tiramisu: Favorite gloss of life. Yep. They are aptly named because they literally feel like butter on your lips. Tiramisu is a gorgeous nude-pink that tops any gloss perfectly. This is perfection in a bottle. Gorgeous, buttery perfection.

Left to Right: Milani "Luminoso", Wet N Wild "Pearlescent Pink", NYX Butter Gloss "Tiramisu", Kardashian Joystick "Sea Coral", Maybelline "Vibrant Mandarin"

3. Least Favorite Product?

Well..this was easy. I don't have a picture of it because I threw it out a couple of days after I bought it I disliked it so much. Even though I've heard people rave about this product, the Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Liner was one of my least favorite products EVER. It was difficult to work with, it dried up before I could finish one eye, it dried with a glossy finish. Just....ugh. I disliked everything- EVERYTHING about it. No thanks! 

4. What is the Best Makeup Bargain? 

Okay, this may seem like a bizarre answer, but I think the L'Oreal Infallible Pressed Pigments are not only amazing, but an incredible deal! These usually run around $7 and because it's a pressed pigment, it will literally last you forever. My favorite is the color "Amber Rush" because it is just breathtaking!

5. What is Your Favorite Underdog Product? (Something That Often Gets Overlooked)

I absolutely adore the Covergirl Eyelights mascara. I have used it for years and it never fails- every time I wear it someone compliments me on my eyes. These mascaras are specially formulated to enhance your eye color so naturally, I buy the one for brown eyes. I have been using this mascara for years and I absolutely LOVE it. It may be my favorite mascara of all time..no matter which one I love, I always come back to this. If you've never tried this out, you should! It's amazing.

6. Drugstore Product That Isn't Worth the Hype?

Okay...don't hate me! I don't necessarily think that this is a "bad" product. However, for my skin type, it just doesn't work for me! I was so excited about trying the L'Oreal True Match foundation a few months ago. When it says "true match", they really mean true match! I have NEVER had a foundation that has matched my skin so perfectly. The formula is thin but covers well, it's smooth and blends well. I loved the way it looked on my skin! But...it doesn't stay on! I have sensitive, oily skin and this just slips right off my face after 3-4 hours. For me, that just isn't enough wear time. It starts to break down after about 2 hours and by the 4 hour mark- forget it. It's very sad because there are so many things I love about it. But...I just don't think it's worth the hype if it can't stay on!

So there you go! These are my favorite drugstore makeup items! If you've never heard of or tried any of these things you should really give them a shot. Let me know what you're loving down below! :)

New Limited Edition Wet N Wild Fergie Eyeshadow Palettes

New: Limited Edition Wet N' Wild Fergie Centerstage Eyeshadow Quints

Hello Loves,

I was at Walgreens the other day and ai saw these new limited edition eyeshadows from Wet N Wild and got so excited!! I have a deep rooted love for Wet N Wild shadows, much like every drugstore beauty queen. I love the Fergie palette in 'Desert Festival' and knew I had to snatch these babies up when I saw them! 

There are 3 limitied edition palettes that just came out and so far I have only been able to find them at Walgreens. I bought 2 out of the 3 available because I loved the colors that were offered in these palettes and the 3rd one was a very nighttime smokey palette that I didn't see myself getting much use out of. These limited edition palettes are a part of their metallic collection, so most of the shades are very shiny and bold.

The first palette is called "No Filter" and is very neutral. It was a no-brainer when I saw it that I needed it in my life. This is by far the most universal out of the three and what I'm sure the majority of people will gravitate towards. There are 3 shimmer shades and 2 matte shades in this palette- they feel a little more chalky than their permanent eyeshadows but they still have great pigmentation and blend beautifully. 

NO FILTER: 

This is a gorgeous palette. Period. Even if you own every neutral eyeshadow in the world, for $3.99 you can't go wrong with this. It offers some really great metallic neutrals and makes a great traveling palette or even something small to toss in your bag everyday. I definitely say to go pick this one up while you can!

The second palette I got is "Mixing Metals" and is absolutely beautiful as well. When I first saw it I wasn't quite sure because the colors looked very similar to what you'd find in the WNW 'Comfort Zone' palette. But again, it was $3.99! So I picked it up. And I'm so glad that I did because the colors aren't even close to the same ones as the Comfort Zone shadows. They do share a similar color range but the shadows themselves are completely different. This palette has gorgeous shimmery green shades that are absolutely stunning- especially if you're a brown-eyed girl. 

MIXING METALS:

All 5 shadows in this palette are shimmery so you may have to bring in a matte brown from somewhere else to get a good transition/blending shade, but I do think that the pigmentatiom and vibrancy of these colors is amazing! 

I never know how long Limited Edition items are out so all I can say is get your hands on 'em while you can!