Dupe Alert: NYX Cottage Cheese and Rimmel ScandalEYES Witness White

 Left to Right: Witness White, Cottage Cheese

Hello Everyone!

Recently I have been finding a lot of dupes in my make up collection. To me, this is kind of surprising because when I bought these products, I did not expect them to be dupes! However, it is nice having products to compare and see which ones I prefer. TOday, I have NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in 608 Cottage Cheese and Rimmel ScandalEYES Eye Shadow Stick in 001 Witness White. I have had Cottage Cheese for a while now (probably 5 or 6 months) but Witness White is a new one for me. I have a few of the Rimmel ScandalEYES Eye Shadow Sticks so I already knew I enjoyed the formula when i got Witness White. You can find both of these at Ulta for $4.49 each.

For the color, I find them pretty much identical! They are both pearly whites. Witness White has a little bit more of a shimmer to it but on the lids, they look exactly the same. I was so surprised I just noticed how alike they are. They do differ in formula however. I find that Witness White goes on a lot smoother, creases much less and lasts longer than Cottage Cheese. Although I love Cottage Cheese, I have myself reaching for Witness White more often. As for packaging, they are both chubby sticks. Cottage Cheese is a little bit chubbier but it really does not make a difference. Overall, they are both lovely products and both are very budget friendly. I have found myself to prefer the Rimmel ScandalEYES but for $4.49,they are both amazing.

Have you tried both? Which one do you prefer?

Lots of Love,
Rena 

FOTD: Rimmel Summer Chic

Hello Everyone!

Just a quick face of the day post today. I've been loving the Rimmel Glam Eyes Trio in 650 Summer Chic (review here). It is so easy to use and gives an amazing look. You can use it for a day look or a night look depending on how smokey you want to make it. I also been looking the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 HR Foundation (review here) . I've been breaking out and this does a really good job covering and it lasts all day!

FOTD: 

Products: 

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 HR Full Coverage Foundation in Light Medium Sand 

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer in 230 Very Fair/ Light 

Bourjois Bronzing Powder

Benefit High Beam

Rimml Stay Matte Powder

The Balm Hot Mama Blush 

Rimmel 650 Summer Chic 

Maybelline Color Tatto in 70 Barely Branded 

Rimmel ScandelEYES in 005 Nude 

Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner 

Benefit Gimme Brow

CoverGirl LashBlast Volume 

NYX Mega Shine Lip Gloss in Nude Pink 

Rimmel Moisture Renew in Nude Delight 

Lots of Love,

Rena 

Spring Blush Picks

T to B: Skinny Dipping, Terra Cotta and Posietint

Hello Everyone!

 I recently did a top lipstick picks for spring (Read Here) so I thought why not stick with the theme and do a top spring blush picks as well. There are three blushes that have really been standing out to me so far this spring. I definitely feel like I will keep using them into the summer as well. They are all totally different but all perfect for this time of year! They are NYX Powder Blush in Terra Cotta, Benefit Posietint and Hard Candy Fox in a Box in Skinny Dipping.

NYX Powder Blush in Terra Cotta: I am a huge fan of NYX Powder Blushes. They are amazing quality and very wallet friend at around 5 dollars at Ulta. Terra Cotta has been my go to blush on days I want really bronze dewy skin. It does a great job of adding a bit of shimmer to your skin without looking sparkly. It is a perfect bronze toned shimmery blush with a hint in coral in it.

Benefit Posietint: I have the mini version of this but honestly I feel like it is going to last me forever because a little bit goes a long way. With the weather warming up, I feel like I am finding myself using more cream and liquid products. This liquid blush is a pretty poppy barbie pink color.  This stuff lasts all day! I can put it on at 10 am and when I come home at 7 pm it still looks amazing. It definitely going to be perfect when it gets really hot outside.

Hard Candy Fox in a Box in Skinny Dipping: This is a two sided blush with one being a really bright coral and the other being a dusty deep rose color. My favorite way to wear this is by mixing the two with a big fluffy brush. The combination color is a perfect rosy coral tone. I like this when I have brown eye shadows and a nude lip on. It is a great way to add a pop of color. You can find this at walmart for 6 dollars so it is a steal!

What are you favorite spring blushes?

Lots of Love,
Rena

Make Up Look: Modern 60's

Hello Everyone!
 Today I am going to share a make up look I did a few weeks ago. I was browsing through Pinterest when I came by a modern twiggy look. This inspired me to do my own take on the 1960's make up look. I hope you enjoy!

The Look: 

The Products: 

I just realized this whole look is drugstore brands! You can find all these products at Ulta Beauty (besides Jordana which you can get at Walgreens!). 

Essence Eyeshadow in 03 Starlight ($2.49)

L'oreal Lineur Intense in Carbon Black ($8.99)

Rimmel Soft Kohl Eyeliner in 061 Jet Black ($3.99)

NYX Glam Liner Aqua Luxe in Glam Lagoon  ($5.49)

Jordana 12 HR Made to Last Eyeshadow Pencil in 06 Aqua Last (Walgreens, $3.99)

CoverGirl LashBlast Volume (forgot to include in picture, $8.99)

I applied Starlight by Essence all over my lid up to the brow. Then in my crease I followed the natural curve of my lid with NYX Glam liner. Using the L'oreal Lineur Intense, I created a dramatic wing. Next, I lined my water and tight line with Rimmel's Soft Kohl eyeliner in Jet Black. On my lower lash line, I used Jordana Eyeshadow Pencil in Aqua Last for an extra pop of color. I finished it all of with a few layers of the CoverGirl LashBlast Mascara. 

Lots of Love, 

Rena 

Spring Lipstick Picks

Hello Everyone! 

Happy Spring! I am so happy it is finally spring, I honestly can not wait to step outside and not feel cold. Being in a spring mood, I decided I would share some lipsticks I look forward to using this spring. I love wearing brighter colors in the spring. A simple natural eye with a bright lips just looks amazing.  I hope you enjoy.  

 Bottom to Top:  Impassioned, Nude Diaphane, Kate Moss 109,  One Size Fits Pearl,Vibrant Mandarin

MAC Amplified Lipstick in Impassioned: Hello Barbie pink! This lipstick is a beautiful blue toned hot pink that just glides onto the lips. Amplified is my favorite finish from MAC because it is glossy but not overly shiny. This color is honestly the perfect hot pink that is still wearable. I got this at Nordstorm for 16 dollars.


NYX Matte Lipstick in Nude Diaphane: This lipstick is 100 percent matte but it goes on really smoothly and lasts really well ( about 5 hours if not eating and drinking). This color is a pinky nude. I prefer this to my other favorite nude, Rimmel Nude Delight, during the spring because I feel like the pinky undertone makes it so spring perfect. I got this CVS ( yes! CVS now has NYX yay) for around 5 dollars.

Rimmel Kate Moss Matte in 109: Another matte lipstick, this one also lasts a really well around 5 hours and this color is just gorgeous. It is a matte orangy coral and it is quite muted so it is not one of those " in your face" kind of oranges. This is great for a pop of color that is not overwhelming. One thing though, it is a bit drying so make sure to have a good balm underneath it! I got this at Walmart for a little over four dollars!

Maybelline Color Whisper in 55 One Size Fits Pearl: I am really sad that this does not show up in picture as well as it does in person. This is a very glossy, easy to wear baby pink. I love this for lazy days that I don't feel like checking on my lipstick all day. This goes on easy and adds a subtle hint of color. I picked this up at Walgreens for around 8 dollars.

Maybelline Lipstick in 885 Vibrant Mandarin: Last but not least is the brightest of the bunch. Vibrant Mandarin is actually what is sounds like a bright orange color. It glides on really easily and has a shiny finish. This is the lipstick for the days you want your lipsticks noticed. It is a very attention drawing orange color. This goes great with a basic neutral colored outfit. I got this at Walgreens for around 8 dollars.

What colors do you looks forward to wearing?

Lots of Love,
Rena 

Review: NYX Powder Blushes

Hello Everyone!  I hope you are all having a great week. It is already Wednesday so the weekend is near! Anyways, I have really been loving blushes this winter. I think they give a very nice finish to the pale snowy winter look ( if that makes any sense). I have especially been loving my NYX Powder Blushes. They are great quality and wallet friendly. I have three of these in the colors: Mocha, Terra Cotta, Desert Rose. Lets talk about how beautiful all three of these colors are. Terra Cotta is a gorgeous bronze shimmer color that looks amazing with taupe eyes. I am especially looking forward to wearing it during the fall. Mocha is a beautiful almost matte rose blush. It leaves a lovely natural look. Desert Rose is that perfect "I was just outside in the cold" blush. It gives a really nice rosy tone.  

L to R: Mocha, Terra Cotta, Desert Rose

L to R: Mocha, Terra Cotta, Desert Rose

They have amazing lasting power. I put some on with a blush brush in the morning and even after going to class, lunch, class again and work, it still looks amazing. They really last at least 7 hours. They are also very pigmented. A little bit goes a very long way. I honestly just gently tap my brush into it and it is more than enough color. The packaging is not bad either. I mean it is not as pretty as the Benefit blushes or as sleek as the NARS blushes but they are small, cute and clearly show the color. Also I like how the top is see through. It is so much easier to find the color I am looking for.  Overall, If you have not checked out these blushes yet, you have to! They retail for around 5 dollars at Ulta. If you already own some, let me know your favorite colors! I really want to expand my NYX Blush collection.  Lots of Love,   Rena 

Make Up Look: Cara Delevingne

Hello Everyone!

Today I have a snow day from university (woot!) so instead of catching up on some readings, I've decided to play with some make up. Cara Delevingne is absolutely beautiful and I have really enjoyed stalking  browsing her make up looks. I really love this look and I think it is going to be such a nice look for the spring. Let me know what you think!

Products used: 

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 HR Foundation 

Rimmel Wake Me Up Concealer

NARS Orgasm Bronzer 

NYX Terra Cotta Blush

Benefit Girl Meets Pearl

NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder

Stila In The Light Palette 

Stila Emerald Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner 

Stila Stingray Smudge Stick Waterproof Eyeliner 

Maybelline EyeStudio Gel Liner

Covergirl LashBlast 

Maybelline  885 Vibrant Mandarin Lipstick 

Maybelline Color Whisper Orange Attitude 

Lots of Love,
Rena 

Top Thirteen of 2013: Face, Eyes and Lips

Hello Everyone!  I can not believe that 2013 is already over! It honestly flew by so fast. Here are my top thirteen  face, eyes and lips products of 2013. I can't wait to see everything that 2014 has to bring. I hope you enjoy!
1) Rimmel Stay Matte Powder: This my everyday "go to" press powder. It does a great job controlling shine and helping my foundation and concealer stay on all day. It is also really affordable. I got mine at CVS for around five dollars and one container of this has lasted me for about six months now!Overall, you get great quality for such a low price.

2) Bourjois Chocolate Bronzer:  I got this from my international swap and oh boy how I wish this was available in the states. Lets start of with the smell: IT SMELLS LIKE CHOCOLATE. Every girls wish right here. I also really enjoy using this contouring. It isn't only glittery or sparkling so it is perfect for contouring. It also opens up like a book which I think is pretty cool. Bourjois really needs to come over to the states because they have so many great products that I wish I could try!
3) NARS Laguna: It is a very natural bronze color. It has some nice shimmer to it but it isn't overwhelmingly shimmer. The formula of Laguna is probably my favorite thing about it. It goes on so smoothly and easily. It blends really is and never leaves your face looking muddy or heavy. It gives you a healthy glow that isn't shiny. I use it all over my face or to contour my cheekbones! 

4) Rimmel Moisture Renew in Nude Delight: This lipsticks has been in multiple monthly favorites as well as my top three lipsticks of the moment post. Basically this is a perfect everyday nude color. It is easy to wear, long lasting( around 5 hours without retouches if I am not eating or drinking) and very affordable. I picked it up for around five dollars at CVS. It is beautiful nude color with a little bit of shine. I love pairing it with my NYX Mega Shine Gloss in Pink Nude. 

5) NYX Mega Shine Gloss in Pink Nude: This has been my " go to" everyday lip gloss mainly because I love how it looks over Rimmel's Nude Delight.  I also adore the smell of these glosses. They remind me so much of Capri Sun in Fruit Punch. However, the smell doesn't linger around which is great because no one wants to smell fruit punch while working or drinking coffee. Overall, the NYX Mega Shine Glosses are lovely but Pink Nude is my favorite color. This is very affordable I got it from Ulta at around four dollars.

6) Rimmel Wake Me Up in Classic Beige: It took me forever to find this concealer! Walmart was always sold out and Target and Cvs just didn't carry it which made no sense to me. Anyways, I read so many great reviews about it and it lived up to the expectations. I love it for the bags underneath my eyes. I think it does a great job brightening up that area. I have it in Classic Beige. It has been my "go to" concealer this year. I am on my third tube already!
7) Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow Liquid Foundation by Benefit: This has been my favorite foundation this year. I actually just bought it in my winter shade. It is a medium coverage that lasts all day and does not look cakey. It actually leaves a really nice healthy glow to the face. Plus it has SPF in it which makes it perfect for the hotter months. Honestly, it is very lovely and worth a try. 
8) NYX Powder Blush in Mocha: Mocha is a beautiful rusty rose color. It contains no glitter but it's not completely matte. I find that it gives your cheeks a healthy glow. It is so easy to wear and I really think it would look amazing on any skin tone. It feels very luxurious but have an amazing price tag. I got this little gem at Ulta for around 5 dollars. 
9) Maybelline 24 Hr Color Tattoos by Eye Studio: These eyeshadows are my favorite cream based eye shadows. I own four colors: 35 Tough as Taupe, 50 Edgy Emerald, 30 Pomegranate Punk and Bad to the Bronze. They are really easy to apply by brush or finger ( I prefer to use my fingers) and they blend very nicely. These shadows leave a nice smooth finish that doesn't crease. They are also really nice bases for powder shadows if you want to get a lot of pigment out of the powder shadows. A lot of people compare them to MAC paint pots and since I never owned a paint pot, I can't compare but these are really lovely. 
10) They're Real! Mascara by Benefit: This is my holy grail mascara. It does what I use to use three mascaras to do. It gives amazing length, holds a curl and gives great volume. I love the sleek metallic gray packaging as well. Whenever I wear it, I get so many compliments about how amazing my lashes look.  11) Woodwinked by MAC: This color is a beautiful warm gold color with a bit of shimmer in it. It is probably my favorite MAC color that I own. It looks great in the crease or all over the lid and I love pairing it with Naked Lunch. It is perfect for everyday wear or for a bit of shimmer at night. Honestly, I think this is a shadow every girl should own. It would look amazing on any skin tone. 
12) Smudge Stick Waterproof Eye Liner by Stila: These are my favorite eyeliners for my lower lash line. They come in such amazing colors and they really last forever! I own seven of them and I can honestly say I wear all the colors. They are so water resistant. I have showered with them on and they are still there after! 13) Sleek I Divine Palette in Storm: The packaging is very nice and not cheap feeling at all. It is an all black case with a huge mirror inside. This palette comes with three matte shades (a nude, a medium brown and a black) and nine shimmery shades ( a highlight color, a light brown, a dark brown, a light blue, a dark green, a navy blue, a gold, a rose pink and a dark rose brown color). The colors are amazing for everything from an everyday look to a smokey eye to a pop of color. It is extremely versatile.  They are extremely pigmented and very easily blendable.  The shimmery colors are a bit more pigmented than the matte ones but the matte ones are still very nice. I really wish Sleek was sold in the states!
I hope you've all had an amazing 2013 and I wish all of your a happy 2014! 
Lots of love,

Red on Red

Alice Olivia party dress / Crew sweater / H M corduroy trousers, $25 / DEPT leather skirt, $105 / Valentino red pointy toe pumps / Givenchy leather handbag / Topshop lipstick / NYX lipstick, $12 / Butter London nail polish / NARS Cosmetics nail polish

Hello everyone!

Red is one of my all time favorite colors, I even had a red prom dress in high school. I think it is such a statement color and it instantly gives you a boost of confidence. Holiday time is one of my all time favorite times to rock red from my New Years dress to a red lip at Christmas dinner. It is such a festive color that is sure to get noticed. I am definitely going to pick up some red pieces before the holiday time.

What is your favorite color to wear during the holiday time? 

Lots of Love,

FOTD: Natural Look

Hi Guys! 

I thought today I would do a quick face of the day for you. I wanted to try out some of the new products I recently got and just do a nice everyday make up look. I wore this make up out to run errands and to go to a work party at an indoor amusement park. I am definitely going to be doing reviews on a few on the new goodies that I got so stay tuned! 

On My Face:

Hello Flawless Oxygen WOW Foundation by Benefit in Toasted Beige

Boiing Concealer by Benenfit in Number 03

Baked Bronzer Duo by Sephora in Honey Heat

Watt's Up Highlighter by Benefit 

Sheertone Blush by MAC in Pinch Me

Spiked Eyebrow Pencil by MAC

Clear Brow Gel by Anastasia Beverly Hills

MAC shadows in Naked Lunch (all over lid), Woodwinked (in the crease) and Club (on the lower lash line) 

Overcurl Mascara by Dior in Black

Rimmel Lipstick in Nude Delight 

Mega Shine Lip Gloss by NYX in Nude Pink 

Have you tried any of these products?

Lots of Love,

Tax Free Weekend Haul

MAC Eyeshadow in Club

MAC Quad Palette

Naked Lunch, Woodwinked, Coppering

MAC Brow Pencil in Spiked

MAC Sheertone Blush in Pinch Me

Top to Bottom: Club, Spiked, Pinch Me

Diorshow Iconic Overcurl

Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel

Hi Guys! So this past weekend, I was in Boston visiting some family and it just so happened to be Massachusetts' Tax Free Weekend. To be honest, I didn't even know such a thing existed but hey, I sure was happy to find out. I decided to take advantage of this situation and buy some things I've had my eye on and some things I just needed. I stopped at the MAC store since there isn't one near me in Jersey and I took a stop at Sephora. I ended up throwing it all in the MAC bag just because it was easier to travel home with it. I hope you enjoy this little haul! 
First, the things I got at MAC. I got another MAC eyeshadow in Club which is such an interesting color. It is hard to describe because depending on how the sun hits it, it looks different. I would have to stay its a grayish emerald color. I, then, decided it was time to get a palette since my MAC eyeshadow collection is slowly growing. I own three and bought Club so I thought a nice Quad would be perfect! I think I wanted to start small and maybe get a 15 shadow one online later one but for now, this one is perfect size for me. Next, I got an eyebrow pencil in Spiked because I ran out of my old one. The sales lady did my eyebrows with it in the store and oh my gosh they look so good! Lastly, I got my first MAC blush! I know crazy what beauty blogger doesn't own a MAC blush. I have also been loyal to NYX blushes but after I tried NARS Orgasm, I thought it was time to expand my blush world. I got Pinch Me which is a lovely warm tone rose color. I don't think the pan does it justice because it looks so pretty on! 
Then, I took a trip into Sephora. I got got two things there but they are definitely going to get a lot of love from me. First I got the Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel to go with my new eyebrow pencil. I have curly hair and when my brows grow they tend to get out of control so I thought I'd give this a try in trying to keep them in place. I will definitely do a review on this! Next, I got the new Diorshow Iconic Overcurl. This is suppose to be time saving because you don't need to curl your lashes before using it. Besides Benefit, Dior is my second favorite mascara brand. I tried this on in the store and it looks amazing. I will do a Face of the Day with this mascara really soon. 
I hope you guys liked my little haul! What have you bought lately?  Lots of Love,