Review: Milani Amore Metallic Lipsticks

Milani Amore Metallic Liquid Lipsticks

I FINALLY GOT MY HANDS ON THESE DAMN LIQUID LIPS. I've been hunting and searching everywhere for these since I first saw them 2 months ago. I have a friend who works at a local drugstore and he messaged me when they got them in stock. He picked 'em up for me and I've been in love ever since. Let me give you the low-down.

There's 8 tubes of this glorious stuff - I managed to get my hands on 7 of 'em. (I couldn't get my hands on color 01 Beige, last one in the store was open) It retails for $7.99 at my local CVS (although on Milani's website it says $8.99 ) and you get 0.17oz in a tube. Milani claims that they're pigmented, long wearing, and dry matte. 

This stuff honestly reminds me of Milani's Amore Matte liquid lippies. Milani killed it with that formula - and they definitely killed it again. Their claims weren't wrong either - this lippie lasted through a yoghurt breakfast, a sandwich lunch, and pasta dinner without having to reapply. Almost all of the colors are one swipe pigmentation - a couple of the colors are a little streaky but nothing too terrible. I really love all of the colors it's kind of ridiculous.

The 8 colors they come in are: 01 Beige (not pictured), 02 Matterialistic, 03 Matte About You, 04 Cinematic Kiss, 05 Dramatic Kiss, 06 Mattely in Love, 07 Automatic Touch, 08 Raving Matte. My favorites and most worn are definitely 06 and 04. I'll be delving into 07 & 08 this fall with a sprinkling of 02. 05 is streaky AF - but nothing a couple coats won't fix.

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April 2016 Favorites

April Obsessions

So I've been out of the game for quite a bit - so I figured what a better way to hop back in the game than by writing an April Obsessions? Either way, these are items I've been moving for probably more than April, but they are def my go-to items.

Cute Notebook from Target

Isn't this notebook the cutest? I picked it up from the Dollar section at Target - it was $3. I wanted to pick up a notebook to help me learn Japanese and I figured why not pick up a cute one! It's the perfect size to pop into my purse and to take with me. When I'm watching things in Japanese and I want to look a word/phrase up later I jot it down in this little notebook!

Hard Candy Velvet Mousse Matte Lip Color

This is an absolute fav of mine - I picked it up while I was at Walmart with my Grandma. I got the color Cherry Blossom which is a nice everyday pink color. The packaging in the store is adorable - they come in gorgeous tins and the product is inside. The packaging of the lippie itself is super slim and it's got a standard flat applicator. It's $6 for 0.23 oz.

SinfulColors Nail Polish in Supernova

Target endcaps are a love of mine. This nail polish was on clearance - I swear I think I paid less than a dollar for it. It's a super pretty neutral gold metallic that's perfect for spring summer. I wear it on my toesies a lot and it's going to be even prettier when I get a little bit of a tan!

My New Hair!

I got my hair done a little bit ago - and I've been in love with it since I got it done. It's a gorgeous combo of purple, blue, green, and pink! I got it done by Christine and if you are ever in the area and want to get some gorgeous mermaid hair - look her up!

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Top 10 Under $10

Top 10 Under $10

Let's start with Lips!
1. Milani Color Statement Lipstick (Pretty Natural) - $5.99
2. NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream (Copenhagen) - $5.99
3. Maybelline Color Sensational Creamy Matte Lip Color (Touch Of Spice) - $7.99

The above are definitely my go-to lippies when I'm looking to run out of the house. I've recently also been reaching for the Milani Amore matte lip cream. NYX has the widest selection of colors and it has some serious staying power.

 Moving on to the face...
4. Ulta Illuminating Powder - $10.00
5. Milani Rose Powder Blush (Coral Cove) - $7.99
6. e.l.f. BB Cream - $6.00
7. Maybelline Baby Skin Instant Pore Eraser - $6.99

I love using the Illuminating powder to set my undereye - it's really brightening and it helps disguise my dark circles. I'm also on my second tube of e.l.f. BB Cream in Light Beige. The Maybelline Baby Skin helps make any and all foundations/BB creams go on smoothly.

And onto the eyes...
8. L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black Mascara - $5.99
9. Palladio Liquid Eyeliner in Black Shimmer - $5.99
10. Maybelline Color Tattoo Metal in Inked in Pink - $6.99

This mascara is probably the blackest mascara I've ever used. It has a tendency to smudge, but that still doesn't stop me from loving it. Palladio liquid liner has been a mainstay for me for like 5 years now, I seriously think this is my 3rd one at least. Other liners come and go in-between, but I always find myself going back to this one. Maybelline color tattoos - need I say more? It now comes in even easier stick form and I have it in multiple colors but tend to lean towards the pink color for neutral everyday wear.

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Dupe: Too Faced Melted Berry VS Milani Matte Lip Creme Gorgeous

Too Faced VS Milani - DUPE?!

First things first - the formulas on these two are VERY different. But the color is practically spot on to each other! 

I fell in LOVE with the color of the Too Faced Melted Berry liquid lipstick like forever ago and I could NEVER EVER seem to find a color dupe for it. So when I finally had a giftcard I ran in and picked it up so super fast! Fast forward to now, and I was in Walmart at like 11pm on a Tuesday (judge me not) and was browsing the beauty section when I came across this Milani Amore Matte lip creme and was just instantly drawn to this color. It ran across my mind really quick that this looks A LOT like my favorite lippie, so I picked it up (it was only $9!) and decided to give it a whirl!

Top Lip: Milani
Bottom Lip: Too Faced

Color-wise they are so damn similar it really is hard to tell a difference when you have them on. The Milani one has a regular straight applicator while the TooFaced applicator  was a 'precision tip applicator'. It's definitely not the 'precision' tip I thought it was gonna be. I honestly prefer the milani applicator to the Too Faced one - gives me more control and it doesn't just bleed all over my lips like the Too Faced one does. They both have a tendency to be a little streaky, but you're going to need multiple coats to get the full opacity anyway.

Another major difference is the staying power of these lippies. The Too Faced one is amazing, lasting like 6-7 hours on me with only one touch up after lunch. The Milani lippie lasted nearly all damn day though, and blew the Too Faced out of the park. I applied it at 10am and wore it until about 8pm, it lasted 3 meals, a few bottles of water, and really only needed to be touched up after dinner. I also swatched it on my arm and I COULD NOT get it off unless I SCRUBBED it. I had to go to town on my arm with hand sanitizer at work so I didn't look like a crazy with pink swatches on my arm.

Overall - I love them both. Too Faced made me fall in love with this color and a liquid lip formula. But I think I love the Milani one a little bit more. Its lasting power and price tag are major pluses for me. Too Faced has a better color range than the Milani ones, but for the $21 price tag unless I'm in LOOVE with it, I think I'll pass.

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Unboxing: Too Faced, Urban Decay, Little Miss Paperie

Unboxing: Too Faced, Urban Decay, Little Miss Paperie

Too Faced Chocolate Bon Bons Palette

Ugh, I wanted this soooo badly and my roommate got it for me for Christmas! This one isn't a true unboxing because I loved it so much I've already stuck a brush in them. I mean, how could you not love this palette? Its got the perfect mix of shimmery and matte shadows with a couple pops of color that make this the perfect palette for both neutral day/work appropriate looks, and a fun colorful nighttime look.

OZ Naturals 2.5% Retinol Serum Review*

OZ Naturals 2.5% Retinol Serum Review

Being 25, I'm one of those women who think that prevention is the best intervention. So when I was in the market for a serum this opportunity presented itself at a very opportune time! Today I'm going to be doing a short and sweet review on the OZ Naturals 2.5% Retinol Serum.

The serum itself is an orangey color and comes with a pump that makes it super easy to dispense the product. Its a little watery, but its perfect to wear under a moisturizer. You must wear an SPF with it! So I tend to wear it with a BB cream with SPF or I wear it at night under my moisturizer.

I used this product for about 2 weeks - I didn't have to worry about any fine lines to fill in, but I did notice a difference in how my skin was looking! It looks and feels more rejuvenated and the baggies that I had forming under my eyes are practically gone. I also have like super sensitive skin (Benefit Porefessional literally burned my skin), but I haven't had any kind of reaction to this serum. Overall I really liked this serum and would give it a solid report card. Its actually available for purchase on Amazon for $25. They've got other products for sale on OZNaturals.com which I definitely will be having a browse through!

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* This post is sponsored by OZ Naturals. Powered by BrandBacker.

#FOTD: Everyday Fall Fierceness

#FOTD: Everyday Fall Fierceness

using ALL drugstore products

Okay so obviously I'm in love with this look and it makes me feel fierce as hell. I have been dying to get my hands on NYX Matte Lip Cream in Copenhagen for FOREVER. Every time I went to Ulta they never had it in stock. So this last time when I went, they had two, I bought two. No guilt.

Products used:

elf BB cream in Buff

Maybelline Super Stay 24 Concealer in Medium Beige

Covergirl Tru Blend powder in Translucent Light 2

Ulta Illuminating powder in Yellow Diamond

Milani Powder Blush in Coral Cove

NYC Bronzing Powder in 720A Sunny

elf Smudge Pot in Cruisin Chic

Physicians Formula Eye Booster pen in Ultra Black

L'Oreal Voluminous Mascara in Carbon Black

NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk

elf Eyebrow Kit in Medium

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Copenhagen

Tools Used:

elf Blush Brush

elf Flat powder brush

Real Techniques Sponge

I completed this entire look in 20 mins, while sitting at my desk. The difference that 20 mins can make on your day though, is worth it.

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MAC Whirl Lip Pencil and Lipstick

MAC Whirl Lip Pencil and Lipstick

MAC Whirl has been around the block a couple times, well, more than a couple times. But for me this is my first MAC purchase because I've just heard so many good things about it and I just had to try it for myself.

First things first, the color is gorgeous. It's the perfect pinkish-brown color for me, and I can definitely see it being a staple this season. Whirl is one of those shades that looks different on everyone and I definitely overdid it the first time I used the lip pencil. THe next time though I used a lighter hand and filled it with its matching lipstick. I ended up topping this off with a gloss I had on hand (some neutral NYX one) and I absolutely loved how it came out. I'm going to have to try an ombre effect with this lipstick because it is BOMB. Which is expected.

Are you a longtime lover of Whirl?

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What's In My Makeup Bag

Whats In My Makeup Bag

Today I had originally planned a super quick and easy get ready with me for work, but I recently was changing my makeup bag and I realized how much crap I carry with me almost everyday. So I decided to do this instead.

Lets start at the base. For my face I've got an elf BB cream in beige, an elf powder in light, and a Milani blush in Coral Cove. I've talked about these essentials multiple times around here on the blog so why wouldn't they be in my everyday makeup bag?! The brushes I use to apply these things to my face are the elf flat powder brush and the elf blush brush. Both are faves of mine and I almost always have these brushes in my makeup bag.

The BB cream is perfect for the weather here in South FL as it is almost always disgustingly hot and I know you don't have to powder a BB cream, but I usually powder the T zone of my face so I don't look quite so greasy.

Next on my list is products just for the eyes! I didn't quite realize how much eye stuff I carried around but then again it wasn't until I went to take pictures when I realized I needed to empty this bag.

How To: Everyday School Makeup

How To: Everyday School Makeup

The first week of school is over, we can all stop trying to impress everyone now. Let's get down to the nitty gritty and the basics of what your everyday makeup is going to look like while you run to classes.

Personally, I wore minimal makeup to school after the first week because doing a full face of makeup takes too long - and I like to sleep. So here are the staples I used everyday to get ready for school.

Quick & Simple: Glasses Makeup

Quick & Simple: Glasses Makeup

Hey everyone! Today I'm going to be going over a few tips and tricks I've got so that you can glam it up even if you've gotta wear glasses! I've worn glasses for over 15 years - so the only kind of makeup I did for a very long time was the kind where I had to put my glasses on over it.

Please note: I'm not wearing foundation in these photos. I literally just have powder on my nose to help keep the redness down and too help with the oiliness. This summer I've been raving over BB creams and they work really well with my glasses. Any foundation I put on always rubs off in the nose area - especially in the summer.

Sucker For Packaging Tag

Sucker for Packaging Tag

Last week my blogging bestie made a new tag all about Makeup Packaging! And even though she didn't directly tag me in her post, I got this message about 10 mins after for posted it.

Which I'm pretty sure means that she wants me to do the tag. So I am!

 Have you bought anything just for the packaging?

Absolutely! I looove how Tarte, Urban Decay, and Too Faced package their products.

What limited edition item do you own that has the prettiest packaging?

Tragically, I don't own any limited edition items. (I think) I tried like hell to pick up the Tarte Rainforest After Dark palette from last fall and EVERY TIME I went to Ulta, they didn't have it. I still feel some type of way about it.

What permanent item do you own that has the prettiest packaging?

I love the simplicity of the Urban Decay Naked Palette I own. But I have to say I love how Too Faced packages my Melted Liquid Lipsticks.

Pretty or practical?

I'm a practical and drugstore kinda gal. So while pretty is nice I'm all down for practicality. 

 Name the most practically packaged item you own.

Damn, it would have to be my elf BB cream. Its in a tube, has a pump, and the pump can be twisted off and removed if you want. Its simple and easy and I totally love it.

 Can packaging be pretty and practical?

Definitely! The UD naked Palette I own is sleek, with a bunch of shades that I actually use and while its mirror isn't large - it definitely gets the job done.

Name your all-time favourite packaging!
I loooooved the look of the Tarte Rainforest After Dark palette (can you tell I'm still hung up on it?)

 What's the most boring packaging something you own has?
Its definitely gotta be some of my elf products - although most of them are black, they aren't always sleek. Some of them are even just outright oversized and poorly made. I'll continue to use them though because the product itself is pretty good for the price.

What do you look for in packaging?
Def something sleek and chic. I don't like products with bulky packaging.

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Quick Checklist: Beach Weekend Getaway

Quick Checklist: What you Need for a Weekend Getaway at the Beach

Once again I am getting away for a long weekend and heading to the beach. I've packed for this a couple times recently so I'll give you a quick lowdown on what I've packed to help you guys!

Most important thing to remember: SUNSCREEN

Clothes:

• Undies (no seriously, don't forget them)
• 1 bra (+ the one you're wearing, you can wear a bra more than once)
• Bathing suit/bikini/water clothes
• Pajamas (I cannot tell you how many times I have forgotten pajamas)
• Clothes
• I recommend at least 1 pair of shorts and 2 t shirts, but I chose to bring playsuits and jumpers with me this weekend. (from Fri-Mon)
• Cute sandals
• Beach Flip-flops/sandals

Makeup/Toiletries:

• BB Cream
• Blush
• Powder
• Eyeliner
• Brow gel
• Chapstick
• Moisturizing lipstick(s) (what, a girl can have more than 1)
• 2 Brushes & 1 Beauty Blender
• I chose the elf flat topped blush brush (I use it for powder) and the elf blush brush
• Daily brush cleaning spray
• Deodorant
• Perfume

These are just a few essentials (+ some extras) that I'm taking away with me this weekend! What are you doing over this long Holiday weekend? && if it's not a holiday weekend, what are you doing this weekend?

Also: Be sure to watch me on Twitter for pics of my weekend! Have a SAFE and FUN weekend everyone! :)

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No Makeup Challenge

No Makeup Challenge

So for my 100th post I decided I was going to challenge myself a little bit - and I decided to do the no makeup challenge! I didn't wear makeup for an entire 6 days (I went out yesterday with friends on a double date, so yes I wore makeup).

I took pictures almost everyday while I was completing this challenge. (okay so I forgot some days, my bad!) But I thought I'd let you guys know how it went, how I felt, and if any comments were made.

First things first: Walking into this I completely expected my office manger to say something about me not wearing makeup all week. She did - and I'll tell you more about it below.

To the left is the first day - and let me tell you, it was weird. I usually go to work with no makeup on, but that day I went the WHOLE day without makeup on. I didn't even have any moisturizer on - it was just me and my bare skin. It was a tad bit uncomfortable because I felt like everyone could see my lack of eyebrows and lashes but pressed forward - hoping that as the second day approached it wouldn't be too bad.

The second day came and went with very little comment from anyone - except my office manager. Who wondered "Why no makeup? Not even lipstick? You look so tired without it." Which I've heard before so I actually expected.

How To: Dress for Graduation

How To: Dress for Graduation

I'm just gonna drop a couple tips & tricks that I used for graduation and pass them on. Graduation is an exciting time for everyone - no matter what you're graduating from! I recently (May 1st) just received my bachelors degree in computer engineering and wanted to share a few tips and tricks for how I picked out my dress for graduation. Remember: there will be a TON of pictures taken - so I opted to go for timeless rather than trendy!

1. Pick a conservative, but fun and young dress!

You're not an old lady! Pick a dress that is age appropriate and is a proper length. You want a dress that is young and looks cute with your friends, but also looks appropriate when you take photos with your professors and family. I personally chose a sleeveless dress because I graduated in the spring, but if graduating in the fall just watch that your sleeves don't peek out of your gown! Also - if you've got some large ladies like I do - find a dress that accentuates them but doesn't put them all out there on display! Nothing worse than feeling like your boob may fall out at any minute or having that one lecherous professor staring at them in photos.

Also - consider the color of your gown when graduating and choose your dress accordingly! My gown was navy for graduation so it pretty much let me run the gambit on what color I wanted to wear. I opted for a black and white a-line print dress with cross back paired with a cute yellow belt and black shoes. PS: A dress with pockets is a major plus!

My dress the day I got it!

I picked this cute dress by ELLE at Kohls!

Also: (and this is a personal opinion) Do not wear a maxi or high-low dress! It peeks out from under your gown and just looks weird. You can't see the top half of the dress so all people see is the bottom of the dress and they have no idea whats going on and it just looks like a flowy weird gown extension!

Get Ready With Me: Sorority Alumni Ceremony

GRWM: Sorority Makeup

I love my sisters! I really feel like I should start off this post by saying that. Through everything good/bad/ugly we are a group of women who persevere and excel. That being said - I'm kind of sad to graduate. I'm no longer an active sister of Alpha Omega Epsilon - I'm an alum now! This past Sunday was the alum ceremony - and while I won't go into detail I have to say I seriously appreciate all the sisters that I have and the friendships I've made.

But now onto the best part: the makeup!

There was absolutely no way I was going to the event Sunday night without a full face of makeup on!

Quick & Easy: Simple Spring Makeup

Quick & Easy: Simple Spring Makeup

My face does not always look like how it does on the days I post a #FOTD or #OOTD. My face likes to make demons, my skin gets a little red, and a lot of the time I'm wearing my glasses. My everyday routine usually includes grabbing the makeup I want to wear from my bathroom and tossing it into my makeup bag, so I can hopefully put it on at my desk at work.

Since it's Spring and the weather is hopefully warming up where you're at, I'm going to show you my Spring every day #FOTD. Messy office desk, crappy lighting, and all.

Spring 2015 WalMart BeautyBox

Spring Walmart BeautyBox

The first day of spring was last week - and the official change in season means that all the dark shades of winter get replaced with the light and colorful shades of spring! It also means that its time for a new Walmart BeautyBox!

 I was pretty excited when I opened this box because I was really happy with almost all the items that were in the last one. I also usually end up using the coupons that come in the boxes, and there were a few items I wanted to try out but was holding out on because I didn't want to pay full price.

February Favorites and Empties

February Favorites and Empties

I'm finally feeling back to normal! Well, sort've. I've still got a nasty cough and am exhausted around 2pm everyday - but I'm gonna power through! I missed an entire week of work and spent more time laying in bed and feeling terrible than I have in a very long time.

February is a short month - but I've got a couple favorites, an empty, and a new product to tell you about!

Favorites:
I've been having a very nude february and I've been obsessing over nude and neutral colors on both my eyes and lips. 

My first Beauty favorite has to be another Jordana Twist & Shine Moisturizing Balm Stain in 05 Honey Love. I've raved about these lip stains before and I still own them in 3 other shades. They are easy to pop into my makeup bag or my purse and are perfect for chapped lips.

I've also been loving the Milani lipstick in shade 43 Pretty neutral paired with their Color Statement Lipliner in shade 03 Nude. Its a really pretty color and I've been wearing it to work a lot and its an easy color to match with anything. The formulation is creamy and pigmented and I think is going to be a good neutral staple for spring.

Since I've been sick for what feels like half of the month of February so simplicity in my makeup was definitely something I was going for. This NYX shadow stick in Flushed is so simple but so very pretty. I just pop it directly onto my eyelids and finish the look off with some eyeliner and that's been the look I've been working with for most of this month.

I bought a new blush at the end of January after hearing rave reviews about it. It is seriously one of the most pigmented $1 blushes I have ever bought. I absolutely love it. Its the perfect pinky shade and I only have to use a little bit. I made the mistake of putting wayyyy too much on my brush the first time and ended up looking like a marionette doll.

OOTD: Casual Work Dress

OOTD: Casual Work Dress

Lets cut right to the chase, some people don't always have seriously formal business offices. My office is probably the most casual of them all - we can show up in jeans and a t-shirt. (Perks of being an online based business) But my lovely office manager always seems to make comments to me (and only me) about how I dress in the workplace. I think she likes to believe that shes looking out for me, but commenting on my weight or how large my breasts look is very inappropriate. But no one says anything to her about her constant track suit/capri style.

Either way, I've had to develop a seriously conservative wardrobe with her prying eyes around. Considering even a v-neck tee shows "just a little too much". Busty girl problems, am I right? This OOTD is office manager approved for the shoe choice, no cleavage, and dress length. Its seriously /boring/ but can jazzed up with just a few cute accessories.

Work OOTD by xwenchqueen

Yeah, its another Polyvore. I wanted to snap a picture of todays outfit (which is ridiculously similar except for the amazingly cute cat bag) but by the time I had gotten home from work the sun had set and the lighting in my house is terrible. Either way, the dress I had on was a comfortable but appropriate 3/4 roll-up sleeve t-shirt dress with a string tie in the center to give it some shape. I wore Black flats with a large black bow on them, and accessorized with a chunky necklace from Target, some simple sunglasses and a cute hair bow to go with my messy topknot. I kept the makeup super simple with just a small wing for my eyeliner and a nude color Milani lipstick.

This outfit and many more like it have started becoming my go-to for work. What are your go-to outfits for school or work? Does your job/school have a strict dress code? Let me know in the comments!

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