How To Stay Matte All Day (On A Budget)

Hey everyone! I hope you’re all having a great weekend. I’ve been meaning to post some more outfit photos here on the blog lately, but between traveling back and forth to college and being sick, it’s been difficult to find time! Hopefully I can find time to shoot more of them soon. In the meantime, I apologize for the myriad of beauty posts! It’s really fun to write about products though, so I suppose I’m not too sorry haha.

So many of us, even those like me with dry skin, struggle with keeping our makeup matte all day. The problem I have is that I want my skin to look bright and healthy, without being shiny looking. Here are my three favorite drugstore products to keep your face fresh for hours, without breaking the bank!

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A good primer is a must whether you’re looking for a dewy or matte finish. This one is my current favorite! It’s from Maybelline’s Master Prime range, which also features great color-correcting options. This one blurs and smooths your pores, and does a great job of keeping your foundation in place. The best part is, it’s just $9.99!

A cult favorite, this Rimmel Stay Matte Powder is something I’ve raved about before! It’s probably my most repurchased product EVER! The packaging is a little annoying because the lid comes off easily, but it’s really amazing for reducing shine. Plus it comes in super pale colors, which is helpful for me haha. It instantly absorbs any oil that is on your face, and it’s only $4.99 from Ulta!

Last but not least, the NYX Matte Finish Setting Spray. I recently discovered this, and it’s been a must have ever since! A few sprays of this will keep your makeup in place for hours, and it doesn’t feel sticky or tacky on the skin. They also make a dewy version if that’s more your style too! It’s just $7.99.

So there you have it! My tips for keeping your skin totally matte all day, and you can get all of these for only $23! I just love finding great drugstore makeup.

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What do you think? Have you tried any of these products before? Do you prefer matte or dewy, and how do you get your skin to stay that way? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

Love Kiki

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All opinions are my own;  this is not a sponsored post. 

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy What’s In My Makeup Bag or Tarte vs. Tarte: Mascara Showdown

Spring Wishlist ft. Warby Parker

As someone who doesn’t wear glasses, I’ve seen Warby Parker around the blogosphere but never really bothered to check them out more. When they got in touch with me to help spread the word about their spring collection, I thought right away nope! I don’t wear glasses, so why would I suggest them to my readers?

But then I saw the collection! They almost make me wish I did wear glasses, because they are just so pretty! There’s so many styles, and they’re all so lovely and whimsical. So, here’s some things from around the web that are on my wishlist for spring, including some pretty frames! What are you lusting after for spring?

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First up- this adorable swimsuit from Modcloth! I need a new suit pretty badly, mine is two years old. Plus, this one is super cute!!

I know everyone’s obsessed with the Gwen Stefani x Urban Decay collection, and I’m no different! I gotta get my hands on this blush palette, the colors look gorgeous.

If I did wear eyeglasses, it would be super hard for me to choose between these peach Finch glasses and the red Maraschino frames! So cute.

I’m also a huge fan of rompers, and with spring (hopefully) not far away, I need this pretty cutout Forever21 one to add to my collection I think! Those bell sleeves are perfection.

Last but not least, this makeup bag from Breakups to Makeup is just the cutest! And so true too haha, I usually take way too long to choose a lip color in the morning.

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There are what I’m loving lately! Hopefully I’ll be able to treat myself to one or two of them 😉 If you’d like to check out the rest of the Warby Parker collection besides the ones I included, you can click here! What’s on your wishlist for spring? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

Love Kiki

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All opinions are my own; Warby Parker contacted me, but this is not a sponsored post. All photos belong to the sources linked.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy Travel Bucket List 2016 or FOTD: Sample Edition

January Favorites

As January comes to a close, I was looking around to see what I’d like to share with you this month. Surprisingly it’s all makeup products! Usually I have a bit of a mix for you, but I guess this month is an oddball. Read on to see which products I’ve been loving!

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First up is my personal alternative to foundation: the Physician’s Formula Organic Wear Tinted Moisturizer. (Quite the mouthful!) I’ve definitely been reaching more and more for organic formulas lately, I just feel they’re so much better for you! This product provides lightweight coverage and evens out my skintone without me wearing a full face of makeup. Get it here!

Eyebrows are the most important part of the face to me, and I never leave the house without mine done. I always used pencil, but I discovered this sculpting brow mascara and haven’t looked back. It really holds my eyebrows in place all day, and the color it adds is great! The one complaint I have is that it can be a bit difficult to remove without makeup remover. Find it here.

Also, the Tarte Gifted Mascara!! I raved about this in my review the other day. Let’s just say that I’m in love! Pick it up here.

Last but not least, this face lotion that I received in my January Ipsy bag. It’s another organic product that I’m really liking lately! It’s incredibly moisturizing, with both argan and olive oils. You can find it here if you like! It’s been so awesome that I want to check out more from the brand, and I will probably repurchase when this sample runs out.

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This month’s favorites were short but sweet! Have you tried any of these products? What have you been enjoying this month? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

Love Kiki

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All opinions are my own; this is not a sponsored post.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy What’s In My Makeup Bag? or Obstacle Workout App Review

Tarte vs. Tarte- Mascara Showdown

Hey guys!

Today I have a double review for you; comparing two different Tarte mascaras. I received both of these as Christmas gifts, and while I was super excited to receive Tarte products since they’re one of my favorite brands, there was a clear winner here. One of these mascaras worked great for me, and the other just didn’t cut it. Scroll down to see which one is the winner!

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First we have Tarte’s Lights, Camera, Lashes 4 In 1 mascara. It retails for $23 and features a double ended applicator, with fibers on one end and mascara on the other. Find it here.

What Tarte Says: “A revolutionary, double-ended eye routine for fuller lashes in 3 simple steps.” You’re supposed to put on a coat of mascara, apply the fibers, and then add a second coat of mascara.

What I Thought: As much as I like the concept of this mascara, it reality I just can’t get behind it. The mascara end is nice and does a good job, but the fibers are not my favorite! They make your lashes weirdly fuzzy and spidery, and I had the issue of them falling off and getting in my eyes. However I do really like the brush on the mascara only end.

Next up is the Tarte Gifted Mascara, which retails for $21, is vegan, and is made with Amazonian clay. Find it here.

What Tarte Says: “An Amazonian clay smart mascara that instinctively treats your unique lash concerns- working overtime to keep lashes hydrated, intact, healthier, and stronger, while delivering the appearance of voluminous lashes.”

What I Thought: I actually agree with almost everything here! I can’t say whether it’s smart, but the brush makes my lashes extremely thick, and even curls them a little! It doesn’t make them especially lengthy, but then again it doesn’t claim to! This mascara has found its place in my everyday makeup bag. And how pretty is the bamboo packaging too!

We clearly have a winner here! The Gifted mascara beats the Lights, Camera, Lashes, hands down. I just couldn’t get over the weird fibers! I’ll probably use the mascara end without them though.

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What do you think? Have you tried any of these products? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

Love Kiki

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All opinions are my own; this is not a sponsored post.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy Maroon + Black OOTD or Christmas Skincare Haul

What’s In My January Ipsy Bag?

I can’t stop loving Ipsy! They’re such a great source to introduce you to new makeup brands you may not of heard of before, as they often use little-known companies. This month, I got mostly makeup from brands I hadn’t heard of, except for one big one that I’m excited about! Read on to see what I got!

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This month’s bag’s theme was All Eyes On You, which I thought was cute! It featured all products you can use on or around your eyes. First up, Tucker Ashley Advanced Peptide Eye Complex (what a mouthful!) and Promise Organic Face Lotion. Honestly I had never heard of either of these products before! I really like the look of both of them. The face lotion says it contains argan oil and olive oil, and is recyclable as well!

Next, this eyeshadow trio from City Color, and the only one from a brand I’d heard of, theBalm’s Mr Write (Now) eyeliner in Jac! The eyeshadow is highly pigmented and I love the colors. The eyeliner may not be in as wearable a color, but I love theBalm and can’t wait to test it out!

This mascara is from a brand I’d never heard of, but has the CUTEST website ever! Everything has such adorable names and packaging-even the brand name, Jelly Pong Pong, is cute! This is the Fairy Lashes Curl Mascara, and I’ve only briefly tested it, but I really love the brush shape and pretty tube!

Last but not least! When you’re an Ipsy subscriber, you have the opportunity to earn points by reviewing the products you receive. When you tally up a certain number of points, you can redeem them for free products! I redeemed some for this highlighting trio from Model Co. While I haven’t had much practice using cream contours, I can’t wait to play around with this!

Overall, I’m really happy with the products I received this month! Not counting the bonus highligthing trio, the value of this bag is $89.88! That’s pretty great, considering that this bag cost me $10 haha. If you’d like to check out Ipsy, click here.

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What do you think? Have you tried any of these brands before? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

Love Kiki

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All opinions are my own; this is not a sponsored post.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy Hopeless Romantic or Better Than Sex Mascara Review

What’s In My Makeup Bag?

First of all, please excuse the awful iPhoneography! I forgot my camera at home, and then light was just not cooperating to get a good iPhone shot of these. I hate shadows and glares! But enough of my struggles haha.

I’ve always liked seeing these types of posts! As a busy college student, I have most of my makeup at home. This is what I carry around with me everyday, for touchups and for when I’m running late and have to do my makeup in the car again haha. Sometimes I’m running so late I don’t actually do my makeup until after my first couple classes…oops! Here are the products I use almost every day.

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The Face: Cala Travel Bamboo Brushes and Physician’s Formula Organic Wear Tinted Moisturizer, Rimmel Stay Matte Powder, Maybelline Dream Bouncy Blush, and Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer

One product that I love because it does double duty is this tinted moisturizer! It contains SPF 15, and is completely organic, even the bottle. It provides light coverage and evens out my skin tone. Definitely on of my favorites!

This pressed powder from Rimmel is probably my most repurchased item, and as you can see I need another one soon haha! I reviewed the blush and the bronzer previously here and here, if you’d like to check out what I thought of them! (Spoiler: They’re pretty great.)

The Eyes: Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze, Milani Gel Powder in Bella Caffe, and Tarte Gifted Mascara

I’m in love with this mascara, it’s my new top on of all time! Expect a review soon 😉 I can’t get enough of Tarte products lately it seems!

The Lips, Etc.: Milani Matte Beauty, Pacifica Power of Love, NYX Matte Finish Spray

A theme in this post would have to be the word matte! I have a bit of an obsession with mattifying products lately. This setting spray is seriously amazing! I’ll be posting a full review soon, but let’s just say that I will most definitely be repurchasing it, possibly forever haha. I also always have a couple nude lipsticks in my bag for touchups!

So there you have it! What are your must haves for your everyday makeup bag? Any tips on making iPhones work with you haha? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

Love Kiki

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All opinions are my own; this is not a sponsored post.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy Better Than Sex Mascara Review or FOTD: Sample Edition

NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream

I was thinking as I was taking these photos that maybe I should save this review for Valentine’s Day, since everything is so pink and red! But I’m way too excited about these matte lip creams to save them for later! I’d been seeing these all over the place, so I just had to pick them up and see if they lived up to the reviews. Read on to see!

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These are advertised as “velvety smooth shades that set to a matte finish…surprisingly durable, lightweight, and creamy.” They come in cute little compact tubes with doe-foot applicators, which I love with any kind of stain or other liquid lippie. They come in an extremely wide range of shades, with 12 new colors just added! I love that all the colors are named after cities, with I think is so cute.

I picked up the shades Monte Carlo and San Paulo, a deep, true red, and a pretty medium pink. Both are easy to apply, and the consistency is nice and smooth. Once applied, they dry evenly into a nice matte finish that lasts me at least 5 or 6 hours through eating and drinking before reapplying. I’m super impressed with the durability of these! For a $6 drugstore product, the pigmentation and lasting power are really impressive. (You can see me wearing Monte Carlo here!)

I would recommend that you exfoliate and make sure your lips are soft and moisturized before applying this, because as with any matte product it can settle if you have a lot of ridges or cracks in your lips before applying. They also have a light scent, which I enjoy, but may bother people who prefer unscented lip products.

Overall, I’m super impressed with these products, and I think they definitely live up to the hype! Would I repurchase? Absolutely, and I already have my eye on a ton more from the collection! You can get them here, or anywhere that carries NYX products for $6 each. I give these 4.5 out of 5 stars!

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 What do you think? Have you tried these before? Any favorite lip stains? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

Love Kiki

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All opinions are my own; this is not a sponsored post.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy Christmas Skincare Haul or 3 Lipsticks for $3

Better Than Sex Mascara Review

Hey guys! I’ve disappeared for a few days, sorry about that! It’s been pretty crazy so far in 2016, and I’ve just gotten settled at school again. I picked up a ton of new makeup and products over the holidays, so I have lots of reviews coming up soon!

This mascara is a cult favorite that I’ve been wanting to test out for quite a while. I grabbed the sample size at Sephora just to see why everyone seems to love this product so much. I gave it a test drive! Scroll down to see what I thought.

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First off, the packaging is totally gorgeous. The pretty metallic pink tube is just adorable! It has some pretty high claims for a mascara. Better than sex? I’m not sure about that haha!

It claims to have a revolutionary “bombshell” brush shape. To be honest, I was not in love with the brush. It makes it very difficult to apply the mascara to your bottom lashes without getting it on your skin. It applies well to the top, though.

The formula is pretty good! It lasted all day with no flaking or smearing, and when I was applying it there were no clumps and it went on very smoothly. It made my lashes extremely thick and defined, which was really nice, but at the same time it didn’t seem to do way too much in the way of lengthening them. I’m wearing it on both eyes in the below picture-sorry for the poor iPhone quality!

The bottom line? I wouldn’t say this mascara is better than sex haha. The brush isn’t my favorite, but the formula is silky and gorgeous! If you’re looking for a mascara to make your lashes thick and sexy, this is for you! 🙂 I will probably not purchase the full size, simply because there are so many other mascaras that I want to try. But I give this mascara 4/5 stars! Find it here.

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What do you think? Have you tried this, and do you think it’s better than sex? Any mascaras you’re excited to test? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

Love Kiki

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All opinions are my own; this is not a sponsored post.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy FOTD: Sample Edition, or Eyeshadow Steals: $2

Christmas Skincare Haul

I hope everyone’s holidays were amazing, regardless of what you celebrate! Today I want to share some skincare gifts I received this Christmas that I’m super excited to test out!

I had a really hard time taking these photos, since it was super overcast out and I couldn’t get any good natural light. These are the best I could get, after about 75 shots for a 6 picture blog post haha. Oh well! They’re not as clear as I would like, but that’s okay, because I couldn’t wait any longer to share them!

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First up, a giant tub of the St Ives Apricot Scrub, which I know is a cult favorite to many! This is one of my very favorite exfoliators. I previously reviewed the sample size here, and that small amount lasted me a few months, so I’m sure this huge on will last me forever! Grab it here.

My younger sister knew I wanted something to moisturize, so she got me this lovely body butter from Bath and Body Works. It’s warm vanilla sugar scented, and the scent is divine! I can’t wait to use it, I love a delicious scented lotion, and the packaging is adorable! Find it here 🙂

I really wanted a face moisturizer that had a) SPF in it b) wouldn’t clog my pores, and c) would make my skin less dull and dry. This product from Aveeno claims to do all three! If it actually makes my skin positively radiant, I will be super impressed! I know a lot of people love this product,so I hope it works for me too. Find it here. (And grr at that annoying reflective spot! I struggled so hard with these photos!)

Last but not least, an essential oil, which can apparently be used for your face, hair, and body. I’ve never tried one of these before, but I absolutely love the pretty packaging and the cute bottle with its dropper! I have super dry skin, so hopefully this will help me out. Any tips on using oils like these?

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I was super excited to receive these for Christmas, and to share them with you, even though my photos weren’t what I’d like haha. What do you think? Do you use any of these products? Would you like to see reviews of any of these? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

Love Kiki

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All opinions are my own; this is not a sponsored post.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy 10 Beauty Products For Under $10 or What’s In My November Ipsy Bag?

FOTD: Sample Edition

Hey guys! Normally I limit my beauty blogging to product reviews, but today I have something a little different to show you! I’ve been hanging around my house over break playing with makeup that I haven’t gotten to properly test out yet, and I decided to show you guys what I came up with. This is my face of the day, created using only sample sized products! All of these products were sent to me in Ipsy bags, but many of them can be sampled online or from stores like Sephora as well. This look was a fun challenge to create! I didn’t allow myself to use anything besides the products you see here 🙂

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The Face: Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, Pur-Lisse BB Cream, Tarte Amazonian Clay Bronzer.

I’ve already previously reviewed all 3 of these products (here, here, and here respectively) if you’d like to read a little more! I primed my T-zone with the Smashbox primer, then used the BB cream to even out my skin tone. Then I dusted the bronzer on the sides of my nose, at my temples, and a little to contour my cheekbones 🙂

The Eyes: NYX Eyeshadow Palette, Smashbox Full Exposure Mascara, Crown Brush Crease Brush, Absolute New York Nano Eyeliner.

The mascara, brush, and eyeliner all were in my November Ipsy Bag as well! I really love this brush, it’s so soft and fluffy and does a great job! I used the middle shade on my lid and the left shade on my browbone, then blended with the brush. I used the liner on my waterline and finished the eyes off with a swipe of the Smashbox mascara.

The Lips: Mongongo Lip Conditioner, Ofra Lip Liner, Hikari Lip Stain.

This lip stain is my new favorite lip product! It’s such a gorgeous berry shade, I can’t wait to wear it to a holiday party soon! I lined my lips with the pencil and went over them with the stain to finish it off.

I had a lot of fun playing around with these samples to create this look! It’s pretty simple, with a bronze eye and berry lip, with some bronzer dusted here and there. Ignore my messy hair please!

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What do you think? Ever tried to use your samples like this? Are there any products you’re just dying to sample? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for stopping by 🙂

Love Kiki

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All opinions are my own; this is not a sponsored post.

If you enjoyed this post, you may also enjoy Mustard x Navy or Splurge, Spend, or Save: Bronzers