Reviews

Bite Beauty The Lip Pencil- Review

I was so excited to receive this VoxBox from Influenster. I love lip liners just as much as I love lipsticks. These are available to purchase at Sephora for $18. They have 22 shades available. I received 020 Beige Nude and 044 Rich Mahogany. I have also been wanting to try the Amuse Bouche lipsticks. The lipsticks I received are Whiskey and Honeycomb.

Whiskey, 044, 020, Honeycomb

I love Bite Beauty and what they stand for. I knew these products weren’t going to disappoint. My favorite items from the brand so far are the Agave Lip Mask (I have original and champagne) and the Matte Creme Lip Crayons.

The packaging is super basic. Requires a sharpener. No biggie.

Some of my favorite lip pencils are MAC Cosmetics and the NARS Velvet Lip Liners. Both of these brands are matte, so they have a thicker formula, and they’re a little tougher to apply. These from Bite Beauty are different. I gotta admit I am super impressed with these. They are super soft and creamy. However, because of the creamy formula, it causes them not to last as long as the ones I mentioned. You’ll get a full 4 hours of wear using it alone without eating or drinking much. You will definitely have to reapply after a full meal. The best thing about these is that they are easy to apply and they are great to wear alone. They apply very evenly. In the picture below, I am only wearing Rich Mahogany. As you can see the color is very opaque. I’d say the finish is a semi matte. It feels very comfortable on the lips.

In the following picture I am wearing both the lip pencil in Beige Nude and Honeycomb lipstick. The lipsticks are just as impressive. Very opaque and creamy. I have been on a nude lipstick kick lately- this combo is being added to the favorites. I also like to wear the Beige Nude liner with a simple gloss on top.

Thanks to Influenster for sending me this box try! I definitely want to purchase some. I have my eyes on Mauve Brown.

Thanks for reading!

XO, Diana

LipSense Review

Most of you have probably heard of LipSense. And if you’re like me, you’ve probably been curious to try, but didn’t want to spend the money on it. I did receive this product to review, but this is my 100 percent HONEST review.

If you know me, you know lipsticks are my jam. Sometimes I feel like liquid lipsticks have ruined regular lipsticks for me. I have super high standards for lipsticks and let me just tell you now that these didn’t disappoint.

Oops Remover not included

Packaging

I received the starter kit. It comes with the color of your choice, the moisturizing gloss (top coat), and the oops remover. The packaging is pretty basic, they all have your basic doe foot applicator. I chose the color Purple Reign. It’s such a beautiful bright violet. Perfect for Spring coming up.

There are over 70 different colors to choose from. You can also mix colors to create new ones. There is also a matte top coat available. These are cruelty free, vegan, and gluten free. All products are made in the USA with natural ingredients.

Application

It has very detailed steps on how to apply. See below:

As you can see, the instructions are very detailed. The doe foot applicator it contains actually made it very simple to apply. I first lined my lips with the tip of the applicator and then filled the rest in. It does feel very awkward keeping your mouth open the whole time. I ended up doing about 3-4 layers of the color because I wanted a very opaque color. So the first time I applied my lips were cracked. It burned like a B****! It feels like you are putting straight up alcohol on your lips. The burning sensation went away after I put on the top coat. It didn’t burn the second time I tried it. I dislike how long the application process takes. It takes me 5-10 minutes every time. But I guess it’s ok since you don’t have to worry about your lipstick for the rest of the day.

Longevity

When you first apply, it’s super glossy. I prefer matte lipsticks so this is a bit different for me. I didn’t find myself having to reapply the gloss throughout the day because my lips felt moisturized. My lips were still somewhat shiny after seven hours of wear. As far as the color goes, it was just as opaque as it was when I first applied it. I do love that these don’t transfer… LIKE AT ALL.

Removing the product was fairly easy. I layered the Oops remover on my lips and then used a makeup wipe to remove the rest. The second time around I used a cleansing oil and a makeup wipe as well. The cleansing oil worked just a good, if not, better. Coconut oil, witch hazel, or olive oil would work just as great. You could save yourself $10 and just purchase the color and gloss.

Overall, I think this is a great product. I do think the price tag is a little high especially since the first purchase you make will be at least $45. But to be honest, there isn’t any other product out there that does what LipSense does. You will not find another product that stays glossy and doesn’t transfer for hours. This is a great product for brides, prom, or any other special occasion. I will definitely be purchasing a nude color.

So, do I recommend this? Absolutely. I’m actually very happy I had the opportunity to try. Now I feel like I wish I would’ve tried these a long time ago.

A huge thank you to Martha for allowing me to try this product. If you are interest in Lipsense, please check out her page HERE. There are several pictures of swatches available on her page.

Thank you so much for reading.

XO, Diana

Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Invisible Cover Stick Foundation Review

Welcome back, my loves! Today I will be reviewing the Make Up For Ever Ultra Hd Stick Foundation. I’m going to make this short and sweet because I LOVE this foundation. I received this product in my very first VoxBox from Influenster and I’m sooooooooooo glad I did! You can purchase this guy at Sephora for $43 and with 15 shades available, you are bound to find your shade.

Packaging:

The packaging is very simple. The lid snaps on and off easily and it has a little tab to keep the foundation fresh. All you have to do is twist up and apply! It’s great for traveling. You don’t have to worry about your foundation leaking.

Pros:

I have struggled to find the perfect full coverage foundation for a while. A lot of foundations claim to be full coverage but they’re not. This is not the case. This foundation can totally be built to FULL COVERAGE. Usually the more coverage foundations have the more matte or cakey they are. I love this because it leaves a very natural dewy flawless finish. It does not get cakey at all. My skin is extremely dry at the moment from the weather transitioning to Fall. This does not cling on to my dry patches as much as others do, so for me that sealed the deal. I’d say this is more of a winter foundation rather than a summer. It’s also great for any special occasion where photos will be taken.

Don’t be afraid of the full coverage. This can also be used as a light everyday foundation.

Cons:

I think the price of $43 is a little hefty, especially since you only get 0.44oz. The average size of a foundation is around 1oz. The biggest negative about this foundation is that it really sinks into your pores. Like bad…. And I don’t really even have big pores! To fix this problem I use a primer. The MUFE Smoothing Primer does the trick. I would not recommend this to very oily skin. You could probably get away with it if you have combo to oily, but you would definitely have to set it with powder.

How I apply:

For a lighter coverage, I apply a couple swipes on my cheeks, one on forehead and chin, and sometimes I’ll add a little bit more around my nose. Then, I’ll add a few sprays of Fix Plus to a buffing brush. The blending process is fairly easy after that. Setting powder isn’t necessary for me when I do this.

Lighter coverage

I like to use my beauty blender for a full coverage look. I prefer to apply the foundation in layers. Apply, blend, apply, blend, etc.. etc.. I lightly apply my Kat Von D loose setting powder (review here) all over my face after I set my concealer.

full coverage

There’s not much of a difference in both photos. That shows you just how good this foundation photographs!

A huge thank you to Make Up For Ever for allowing me to try this amazing product! I hope you enjoyed!

XO, Diana

Kat Von D Lock-It Setting Powder vs Laura Mercier Translucent Loose Setting Powder

I’m back with another review. Today I’m comparing the new Kat Von D Setting Powder to the super popular Laura Mercier Translucent Setting Powder. Both of these products are translucent once they are blended into the skin, so they are perfect for all skin shades.

FullSizeRender

I’ve had the KVD powder for a little over month now. This powder is described as, “A weightless translucent loose powder, formulated with Micro-Blurring Technology™, to set and perfect for a flawless, locked-in finish.” The product is very much what the description says.

Price:

I purchased the Kat Von D powder at Sephora for $30. The LM powder is a little more expensive for $38. However, you do get a little more product in the LM, 1.0oz. The KVD contains 0.67oz.

Packaging:

Kat Von D’s packaging NEVER fails. She always has the coolest designs on her packaging. Overall the packaging is pretty similar. They both have a screw on lid. Sometimes the KVD lid can be a little tricky to screw on. I think it’s because the jar is made out of pretty durable acrylic. Both products are easy to spill on lid to dip your brush or sponge.

Texture:

Laura Mercier

Kat Von D

They are both pretty finely milled but I think the KVD may be even a little bit more finely milled. The LM looks like it’s a tad bit more yellow. If you look closely in the KVD you can see tiny shimmery particles. When swatched it looks like it has more of a silky finish. The LM looks a bit chalky when swatched and compared to the KVD.

Left LM, Right KVD

Application:

I usually only set my under eye area with powder. I prefer to use my beauty blender when doing so. If I apply on other areas of my face then I use a fluffy brush and gently dust on face. In the picture below, I am wearing KVD on the left and LM on the right. As you can see they have a very similar finish. They both also blend into the skin very well. I have not experienced a white cast in flash photography with either of these products. Also, neither one of these oxidize or alter the color of your foundation.

The biggest difference in these is that the LM clings on to dry areas. Since I have dry skin, I have definitely experienced this before. For that reason I cannot use the LM in the winter. KVD on the other hand doesn’t really do that. The picture below is close up and unedited. You can clearly see the right side looks a bit more dry/crusty than the left side.

Left KVD, Right LM

Overall:

I personally prefer the KVD because I have dry skin. If you already own LM then you don’t need to purchase the KVD unless you have super dry skin. If you don’t own either, I think I’d still go with KVD because of the texture and satin finish. The LM is definitely more matte so if thats what you like then go with that one.

I love camo… can you tell?

The KVD is also great for everyday use. I used the Erborian BB creme in the picture above. I also used the new KVD concealer. That review will be up next.

Thanks for reading!

XO, Diana

Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops- Review

Hello, my loves! I’m back with another review. I’m sure you’ve all seen or heard about the new Cover FX Custom Enhancer Drops. I’ve had mine for about a month now. They have been out of stock at Sephora for a while, but they are finally back in stock!

These retail for $42. The price is a bit hefty for 0.5oz. They are available in 6 different shades. I believe they have four highlight shades and two bronze shades. I have the shade Sunlight. I would say this shade is like a metallic medium gold. These things are SO crazy pigmented. All you need is 1 drop.

There are several ways to use this. My personal favorite is mixing 1 drop to my foundation for dewy look. I also like using it as a highlight. One of the best things about this is being able to use it on top of powder. It does not get cakey at all. You could also mix it with your moisturizer on a no makeup day to add a little glow to your skin. You can see in the pic below once it’s sheered out, it gives a nice subtle glow. I used only one pump for the swatch.

Let’s talk about the application… I feel like it was a little difficult to apply at first. It dries super fast so you have little time to apply. The good thing is that once it’s dry, it’s not going anywhere. Even on the hottest day. I’ve tried applying it with my finger and using a small stipple brush (by E.L.F). I think I prefer using the brush. I apply a drop on the back of my hand and then blend my brush in circular motions. I then apply it on my cheekbones and other areas I want to highlight. I do these steps as fast as I can to make sure it blends well. If I want a stronger highlight, then I use my finger to dab more on those specific areas.

In the picture, I mixed one drop with my Erborian BB Creme. For my undereyes, I used the new Kat Von D concealer and loose powder (review coming soon). I used the drops for my highlight as well. I did not apply a highlighting powder on top.

Overall, this is a beautiful product. It’s very versatile and there isn’t any other product on the market out there. The only thing I dislike about this product is the price tag. Other than that, I would absolutely recommend to everyone. So, if you are a lover of highlights and if you loving glowing like JLO 24/7, then go pick one of these up ASAP.

Thanks for reading!

XO, Diana

Too Faced Melted Matte Liquified Lipstick Review- Queen B

I’m back with another liquid lipstick review. This time around I’m reviewing the newish Too Faced liquid lipsticks. I was lucky enough to pick up Queen B in store at Sephora. I think this is one of their most popular shades and I can totally see why because it’s beautiful! I’m currently obsessed with nudes and mauves so of course I had to get this one.

You can purchase these at the price of $21. This shade is always out of stock everywhere, but it’s currently in stock at Ulta.com. I LOVE this packaging. It’s very different from the typical liquid lipstick packaging.

Queen B is described as a “matte soft mauve.” This has a slight warm undertone. It has the perfect amount of pink and mauve. The closest colors I have to this are Dose of Colors Stone ($18+ shipping) and Kat Von D Lovecraft ($21). You can check out the comparison below.

Queen B, Stone, Lovecraft

I like this formula because it is light and comfortable. It’s less drying than KVD. I’d say it lasted on me for about a good 6 hours. I found this really easy to apply. The applicator is very similar to the Kat Von D liquid lipsticks. I also didn’t noticing any transferring.

Based off of this lipstick only I can say I really like these lipsticks. I would definitely recommend trying at least one. I’m curious as to how the brighter and darker shades wear. I have my eyes on Mrs. Roper and Naughty by Nature. I will update you guys once I try those shades.

XO, Diana

Becca X Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette

A few days ago I happened to be scrolling through Instagram at the perfect time. Sephora had a pre-sale for the Becca X Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette. I believe it was up for about an hour before it sold out. The palette along with the rest of the collection will be available online 5/26 at 9am PST and in stores on 6/16.

Packaging– Beautiful, very elegant. It reminds me of YSL because of the gold. It’s also very sturdy. It’s about the size of my hand. I think the size is perfect, especially the mirror inside. It is a little bit thicker than I’d like, but I still love it.

The palette comes with two highlights in Champagne Pop and Proseco Pop (.19oz), a luminous blush in Rose Spritz (.10oz), and two mineral blushes in Amaretto and Pamplemousse (.12oz). When comparing these to the full size, you get about half of the amount. The cost of this palette is $52. On the website it has the value at $136, but if you are only getting half of the amount the value should be around $70.

Highlights

Champagne Pop is the only permanent shade included. I purchased this highlight when it was first released. Champagne Pop is considered a “soft white gold with a peachy pink undertone.” I’d really recommend this palette if you don’t already own this highlight.

Proseco Pop is a medium warm gold. On the website it states this highlight was inspired by “liquid gold.” I would definitely agree. This shade is beautiful! I love gold highlights. I think this palette is worth purchasing just for this highlight. You can see in the picture below its very gold. The other highlights have more of a bronzey tone.

Left to Right: Proseco, Laura Geller Gilded Honey, MUFE Pro-Sculpting Duo 2, MAC Oh Darling

Blushes

Rose Spritz is a beautiful peachy pink with pale gold shimmer. I’ve been wanting to try out the luminous blushes since they first came out, so I was really excited one was included in this palette. This blush gives such a beautiful glow. It also blends beautifully with the highlights.

Amaretto is a mineral blush described as a “toasted almond.” I think this could be used as a bronzer if you have lighter skin. I would use this as an everyday blush on its own with no bronzer.

Pamplemousse is a super bright coral pink. This shade is perfect for a nice pop of color on the cheeks. I love their mineral blushes. They are very pigmented. Matte blushes can sometimes be blotchy but not these. Nope!

L to R: Champagne Pop, Proseco Pop, Rose Spritz, Amaretto, Pamplemousse

I love this palette because all of the shades are so pigmented. To be honest, I expected nothing less from Becca. All of their products are amazing and this palette is no different. I have been a lover of their highlights and blushes for a while now. I think $52 for five Becca products is worth it.

I don’t have very many blushes so it justified my purchase a little bit more. I do have a lot of highlights, but lets be real, is there really such a thing as too many highlights? Never! I’d def recommend this palette based on the quality and the shades. I think the shades are suitable for all skin types. This palette would have been even better if it included a bronzer (or if Amaretto was a bit darker). But I still think it’s a great palette to travel with. Mine came just in time for my trip to Mexico!

I used Amaretto and Rose Spritz as my blush and Proseco as highlight

I hope this gave you an idea of what to expect from this palette. I don’t think it’s an absolute must have, but it is a nice palette to have in your collection, especially if you are a makeup artist. Let me know if you plan on purchasing!

XO, Diana

Jeffree Star Velour Liquid Lipstick Review

As you all know liquid lipsticks are my friggin jam. I’m excited to share these with you. I own two shades: Unicorn Blood and Masochist.

First, can we talk about the packaging??? LOVE! I think these liquid lipsticks have the best packaging. I mean, who doesn’t love pink and rose gold? The container itself is excellent quality, very sturdy. The price is average, similar to others at $18.

Now we can talk about the formula. I love these because they super pigmented and opaque, and matte of course. They also aren’t as drying as other liquid lipsticks, you can still feel the moisture on your lips.They last for hourrrrsss, even after eating greasy wings. They also do not feather so a lip liner is not needed.

Now on to what I don’t like… They are a little sticky. I have the habit of closing my lips together, and it really bothers me when my lips stick together. They also transfer a little bit at first. I’d suggest blotting your lips until the transferring stops. Masochist definitely has a thicker formula than Unicorn Blood. That one is pretty watery.

Lets go back to the packaging for a bit. It has the normal doe foot applicator. However, the applicator on these lipsticks are bigger than normal. So this causes the wand to pick up a lot of product. They are also fuzzier (if that makes any sense). It makes it difficult to get that precision. Both of the lipsticks I own have the fuzziness, especially at the very tip. I have to use a lip brush to get a perfect application. First, I use a lip brush to line my lips. Then, I use the applicator to finish applying. I tend to go back with a lip brush to blend it all out. You can see in the picture below where I compare it to another lipstick.

Left: Kat Von D, Right: Jefree Star

Masochist:

This color is what let me to make a purchase to begin with (not the name, I hate the name). It’s a beautiful medium bright pink. Like a raspberry shade. I love colors like this. They are my favorite kind of pinks to wear.

Unicorn Blood:

I purchased these lipsticks last Fall so of course I had to buy a vampy shade. This one is a deep reddish brown. It’s a pretty shade to have if you don’t have anything like it! I don’t normally go for brown shades.

Overall, I’d rate these an 8 out of 10. These lipsticks would be perfect if they were easier to apply and less sticky. I definitely recommend using a lip brush to apply. I’m sure all of the other colors are just as beautiful and opaque. If you are a beginner at apply lipsticks, these may be a challenge for you. Using a lip brush can be a bit challenging as well, but it’s easier than what you get in these. I’m dying to purchase Androgyny and Gemini.

Thanks for reading!

XO, Diana

Estée Lauder Perfectionist Youth-Infusing Brightening Serum + Concealer Review

Hello my loves! I purchased this concealer about a month back and I have been using it everyday. I purchased mine at Sephora for $34. This item has a stick concealer on one end and a brightening serum on the other end. The concealer has a very creamy consistency and the serum is pinky shimmery color.

Left-Concealer stick, Right-Serum

I have it in the shade 2W Light-Medium (Warm). I had originally purchased 3W, it was my perfect shade, but I wanted a lighter shade for a more brightening effect so I exchanged it. They have 8 shades ranging from cool, warm, and neutral. I’ve never been able to use a stick concealer because of my dry skin, but the concealer is so creamy, it’s works. It’s also very lightweight. My go-to concealers have always been NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer and Urban Decay Naked Concealer. Those are also very light weight and creamy.

The instructions say to apply the serum first and then the concealer. I usually do my makeup in 10 minutes on a day to day basis so I just use the concealer. I then apply the serum on top of the cheekbones to highlight. This gives my face a very dewy finish and I love it!

Blended out

The concealer blends in so smoothly (with finger or brush) and provides great coverage. It does crease a little bit, but I have yet to find a perfect creaseless concealer so it doesn’t bother me. I have been using the NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder just to set the concealer and it keeps it from creasing a lot. I’d say it lasts about 6 hours.

I LOVE the serum. It is gives a perfect highlight. Since I purchased a warm shade, the serum has a pink tint to it. I think I like the serum more than the concealer side. The serum will stay on all day. I don’t apply anything on top of it either. I love the dewy effect and if I apply a powder on top, it will take that away.

Overall, I give this product an 8 out of 10. I give the serum a 10 out of 10. The concealer side is pretty awesome for being a stick. I give it an 8 because of the creasing, but I do appreciate the creaminess. Like I said before it is not a full coverage concealer. Not like Mac Pro Longwear, so if that’s what your looking for, then look away my friend. But it is perfect for everyday makeup.Face: Too Faced Born This Way Foundation, Estee Lauder Concealer and Serum (on cheekbones), NARS Light Reflecting Loose Setting Powder, Too faced Chocolate Soleil Bronzer

Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Palette Review

I purchased this palette about a month ago so I’ve had enough time to play with it. Contour palettes have become pretty popular since the Anastasia Beverly Hills one came out. Now there are tons of brands to choose from. This palette contains 3 shades for highlighting and 3 shades for contouring. It comes with a mixture of warm and cool tones. I like that there is more product in dark shades. The packaging is a bit thick, but you get a great quality mirror.

Lucid, Lyric, Levitation

Let’s start off with highlight colors. Lucid is a light pink powder, Lyric has a yellow undertone, and Levitation is a soft peach color. I personally could not use any of these to set my concealer because my undereye area is too dry. When I set my concealer I like to use a translucent powder like the NARS Loose Setting Powder. It did work well to highlight my cheekbones, chin, and forehead. These also worked great to highlight my brow-bone and set my eye primer.

Sombre, Shadowplay, Subconscious

Sombre is a true taupe color, which is an ideal FullSizeRender-1 contour color. Shadowplay is a soft warm brown color perfect for bronzing. Lastly, Subconscious is a deep brown. The colors I used the most were Sombre and Shadowplay. Subconscious could be used for a more sculpted look. This color is also perfect for those with deeper skin tones. If you look at the picture on the left you can see a very subtle contour (with Sombre), blended out with Shadowplay.

Also used Sombre and Shadowplay on cheeks

All of the shades are super creamy and VERY easy to blend. I was pretty amazed at how fast and beautifully these blended together. It’s perfect for a beginner because the application is so effortless. These powders also work great as eyeshadows! I have used every single color as an eyeshadow and they all worked great. I used all 3 contour shades to create a soft daytime smokey eye (picture on right). First, I put Shadowplay in crease and Sombre all over eyelid. I then used a black liner on the top and bottom lash line and blended it out with Subconscious. I used a fluffy eyeshadow brush (Sigma E40) to blend it all together.

Overall this palette is great. The shades are a bit powdery, but they blend out like a dream. If I were to be asked which contour palette I preferred, I would easily pick this one. The only negative for me personally are all of the highlight colors because I don’t really need them. Like I said before I don’t really like using yellow or pink powders to set my concealer, but I think these would be great to set a full coverage concealer like the MAC Pro Longwear Concealer. Don’t forget you can use these as eyeshadows too! This palette is truly perfect for anyone! It can be purchased at Sephora for $46.

What’s your favorite product to contour with?

-Diana

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Packaging

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Longevity

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Highlights

Blushes

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Masochist:

Unicorn Blood:

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