Beauty Buy Spotlight: Tarte Pin Up Girl Blush Palette

They've done it again. Tarte released a new blush palette for the holiday season and I HAD TO HAVE IT. Last year, I actually bought the Off The Cuff palette and in a moment of insanity returned it. I spent the rest of the year trying to find it on eBay for a decent price and I couldn't. That's why when I heard they were coming out with a new edition, Pin Up Girl, I needed to be among the first to go buy it.

Last year's palette included 4 blushes and a bronzer, but this year we get five blushes. I can't complain because they are all beautiful. From left to right, the colors are Breathless (pinky beige), Embraced (plummy rose), Whimsy (light pink), Bashful (rosy peach), Irreplaceable (mauve rose).

This palette retails for $42, which is an AMAZING deal considering each of the Amazonian Clay blushes retail for $26. The blushes are not quite full size (a full size is 0.2 oz and each of these are .15 oz), but it's pretty close. The Sephora website lists the value of this palette at $110. Basically, you end up paying about $8 per blush, which is less than most drugstore blushes these days (plus, it includes to really pretty hair pins (picture below). 

Now, I'm not gonna lie, compared to last year's pretty cuff, two hair pins aren't that impressive and I must say they didn't really add any extra incentive for me to go buy the palette. They're pretty and I'll use them, but nothing to go crazy about.

The packaging is another thing I really dislike. It's bulky and generally ugly. In fact, I'll probably remove that gold and purple strap pretty soon. I wasn't crazy about last year's packaging either. However, this one is very sturdy, which means your precious blushes are safe. Overall, it's not the kind of packaging that makes me love the product even more (c'mon, we all know a good packaging can make all the difference). This is not it.

Now, I haven't tried these on my face because I couldn't wait five days to post this, but they swatch amazingly, are very pigmented and smooth. I am familiar with the Amazonian Clay formula, so it's a given they will be long-wearing. By far my favorite thing in this palette is the variety of colors in it. I feel like I could throw out every other blush in my collection and still have a blush for nearly every look just using this palette. 

This is a really great palette for a really good value. I am SO happy I have this in my life. This would make an amazing gift for any makeup lover. I can tell you these will run out fast. My Sephora had received them, but they didn't have it on display so I encourage you to check on the website for availability (or order it online) and get it before they start flying off the shelves. If you wait until the last minute, you won't get one. 

My Christmas Wish List

For the past couple of years, I haven't been very excited about any products, so I usually just ask for money and then go buy clothing and other boring stuff. However, this year there are a couple of things I've been specifically eyeing. The only things here I absolutely gotta have are the first two; the rest are just additional things I would like to buy, but it all depends on how much my family members decide to give me. Pretty much in order of importance, here's my wishlist:

1. Clarisonic Mia 2 Detox Kit ($150)

I mentioned in my last post that my Clarisonic stopped working and I seriously can't live without this thing. I wasn't planning on asking for this, but when mine died, I knew I had to replace it. This kit up here is meant to detox the pores, which is exactly what my focus is when using the Clarisonic or any other skincare product. Clean, unclogged pores make your skin look healthy and prevents breakouts. I'm gonna wait and see if I find any deals online during Black Friday or Cyber Monday, but if I don't I'm still gonna have to invest in this device.

2. Jackery Mini External Backup Battery for iPhone ($19.95)

Don't you just love when you're iPhone runs out of battery in the middle of the day? Of course you don't... I use my phone all the time so my battery never lasts all-day. Having a backup charger that I can just use on the go is definitely a must-have for technology-dependent people like me. It doesn't have to be this brand or this style, but I am determined to buy one of these devices during the holidays.

3. iPad mini ($299)

I already own the iPad 2 and it is the most important electronic device in my life (over my iPhone and laptop). However, it is quite big and heavy for me to carry around every day, with every handbag. I am hoping to sell my current iPad for around $200 so that I can then get this one. We'll see...

4. Estee Lauder Double Wear foundation ($37)

I seriously do not need any more foundations but I can't stop wanting more.. I've heard so many people say great things about this product that I have finally allowed myself to want it. This is full-coverage, matte and super long-wearing, which are all the qualities I look for in a foundation. The price just kills me, but if I ask for it as a gift instead of buying it I'm gonna feel better about owning it. Grandma, now you know what to get me!

5. Anastasia Brow Wiz in Ebony ($21)

My eye brows are already quite full and shaped, but I always define my arch a bit more with some gray eye shadow. Because my eye brows are so dark brown, every eyebrow product I've tried at the drugstore looks very unnatural and way too warm-toned. I know Anastasia is the best brand for eyebrow products and I know I'm gonna love the easiness of this product compared to what I do right now. Again, the price seems to be a bit high, but it's an investment on a high quality product. This isn't a must-have for me, but I would love to finally own it.

6. Benjabelle Sunflower Brush Tree ($39.95)

I don't own the most expensive brushes in the market, but I take very good care of my Real Techniques brushes. However, I always have a hard time after I clean them because it's quite hard to dry them in a way that will prevent water from coming down the handle (this can loosen the glue and make the bristles start falling). What I do now is tape them to the edge of a shelf upside down until they dry. This is not only inconvenient, but also time-consuming. Having this brush tree will make it super easy for me to dry my brushes without damaging them. 

7. Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector ($36)

I have very oily skin so anything that can help me stay matte for longer is something I must have. I got a sample of this primer from Sephora and really fell in love with it. It keeps me matte all day, without making me look flat. I am a fan of looking radiant, but when you have oily skin the line between having a healthy glow and looking like a grease-ball can be crossed within minutes. This controls my oiliness and makes my skin look really flawless and perfected. I am hesitant to buy it because of its price, but I might have to cave in.

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Tell me what you're hoping to get this holiday season and if you've tried any of the things I listed here. I'm very nosy when it comes to people's wishlists. Am I the only one? haha

Gabriela xx

September Favorites ♡

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September is almost over (which is crazy!) so I decided to share my first ever favorites! 

♡ MAKEUP

Urban Decay's Naked palette: this stuff is just amazing for every season and every occasion. I wear this every single day to uni. My go-to colors this month were Sidecar, Buck and Hustle.

Physicians Formula Matte Collection Quad Eyeshadow (in Canyon Classics): What I've been loving this quad for is to fill in my eyebrows. My eyebrows are dark brown (bordering on black) so that bottom gray shade is the PERFECT shade for me to fill in my eyebrows. I just avoid the inner part of my eyebrows to get the most natural look.

Real Techniques brushes: These are super soft and high quality. Slowly purchasing the complete line...

Wet n Wild coloricon blush (in Mellow Wine): I own all four of these blushes, but Mellow Wine has always been my favorite. Really pigmented and not too shimmery.

Sonia Kashuk Undetectable Creme Bronzer (in Rich Bronze): Perfect for contouring. I take a small stipple brush and apply it under my cheekbones and around my temples... It's easy to go overboard with this so a little goes a long way with this if you want a seamless/natural look.

FRESH Sugar Lip Treatment SPF 15 (in Rosé): I love this for uni! A very light wash of color that enhances your look. It doesn't matter if I'm wearing a full face of makeup or just  some mascara, this is a must for me!

Maybelline Lasting Drama by Eye Studio Gel Eyeliner (in Blackest Black): This lasts ALL day, it's really creamy and easy to apply. Screw felt tip eye liners. This is the way to go. 

Covergirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation (in Golden Tan): New favorite foundation. It is so long lasting and perfect for oily skin. 

♡ SKINCARE

Clarisonic Mia 2 with Acne Brush Head: This was definitely an investment, but it was worth it. I used the sensitive brush for a couple of months before switching to the acne one and I find that it is softer and my skin likes it a lot more.
St. Ives Blemish Control Apricot Scrub: This stuff is so cheap yet AMAZING! Feels really nice on my skin, but you can definitely feel the scrubbing. Since I got this, I've been getting a lot less breakouts. (It's oil-free, 2% salicylic acid and 100% natural exfoliants)
Proactiv Solution Refining Mask: This has been my go-to mask this month. Whenever I feel like my skin is acting up I just feel like it needs a deep pore cleansing, I use this. This came as a sample with my first (and only) Proactiv kit and now it's almost gone :( I would definitely repurchase it if I find a good deal.
up & up Maximum Strength Acne Medication (store brand for the Clean & Clear Pesa-Gel 10): I have tried SO many spot treatments and I've finally found one that works. A must-have!
L'Oreal Paris Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution: I showed this in my haul and since then, I've been using this every single day. Love this stuff! There might be an upcoming review soon :)

♡ HAIR & BODY

Caress Sheer Twilight Body Wash: This stuff smells like a dream. Every time I use this I just feel so luxurious and the smell is so delicate. I've lost count of how many times I've repurchased this.

L'Oreal Total Repair 5 Damage-Erasing Balm: This deep conditioner is SO good and inexpensive. It seriously brought back to life my hair. Pick it up if you have a change; you won't regret it!

Herbal Essences Totally Twisted Curl Boosting Mousse: this is the one product I can't live without. Like, holy grail status! My hair is just not the same if I don't use this. I stopped using it during the summer because I had another mousse laying around and as soon as I went back to this one I noticed a HUGE difference.

♡ RANDOM

Fiber One Protein Bars (in Caramel Nut): I've been obsessed with these. When I don't have time to eat full on meal or I'm on the go, I grab one of these. I also like to use them as a snack in between meals. They taste so good! And these actually have a great amount of fiber (5g), unlike most protein bars.
My iPhone 5: Yes, I know the new one just came out but I got my first iPhone on August and I've been loving it this month. It feels good to have a new phone you love...
Gratitude journal: This is the most random favorite ever, but I've been really enjoying using my gratitude journal more. I just take 5 minutes at the end of each day to write 3 things I am grateful for. It can be something good that happened that day or just small things like having enough food. Especially when having bad days, forcing yourself to think about the good things makes you feel instantly better.

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So that's it! Hope you enjoyed my (long) list of favorites. Be sure to follow this blog to read all the upcoming reviews I have planned.
Question of the day: What was your favorite product of the month?

Gabriela xx

The Autumn Tag

 I saw this tag on Adalia's Closet and decided to answer it myself because, why not? After all it's not like I have a bunch of homework waiting to be done... Oh wait maybe I do. Anyway...here it goes!

1. Favorite thing about it?
Definitely the temperatures. I live in the desert to it's usually REALLY hot, but once autumn kicks in the temperatures drop a bit. On that same note, it also allows me to layer a bit more, wear scarves and nice sweaters. 

2. Favorite drink?
Hot chocolate, definitely. 

3. Favorite scent/candle?
I am probably one of the only people in the world who hate fall/spicy/holiday scents. I stick to fresh and floral scents.

4. Best lipstick?
Lipstick isn't really my thing but I really like the Revlon Lip Butter in Red Velvet and the Jordana Twist & Shine Balm Stain in Cranberry Crush. 

5. Go-to moisturizer?

Last year I used the Neutrogena Oil-Free moisture for combination skin during the day and for my nighttime moisturizer I used Clinique's Dramatically Different Moisturizing Lotion. However, this year I will be using the L'Oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector day/night cream, which I've never tried before.

6. Go-to colors for the eyes?

I like golds and deeper neutrals. My favorites are probably Urban Decay's Half Baked, Smog and Hustle. I also have a L'Oreal HiP duo in "Saucy" and I always use it during these months.

7. Favorite music or band/singer to listen to?

Muse, Fall Out Boy, The Script, Imagine Dragons and whatever's popular on the radio

8. Favorite outfit to wear (i.e. boots and scarf combo)? 

Simple top, a cute pleather jacket, dark skinny jean and combat boots. If I feel like it needs some spice, I'll throw a fun scarf.

9. Autumn treat?

I'll definitely be buying a new fall handbag. I want a large satchel in a tan or caramel color. I'm probably not going to splurge, but it is on my wishlist.

10. Favorite place to be?

I mean this isn't really special to autumn. I just like being at home :)

I'm tagging anyone who hasn't done this and wants to do it! This was fun to answer (:

Gabriela xx

Review: Neutrogena Naturals Night Cream and Acne Spot Treatment

Hello again, everyone!

For the past 5 months I've been trying out two of the products from the Neutrogena Naturals line and I'm going to review them for you today.

The first thing I tried was the Neutrogena Naturals Multi-Vitamin Night Cream. I have oily skin, but before using this cream my face was really dehydrated and even had some dry patches. I decided to pick this up because the price didn't seem to bad compared to other drugstore options (it was around $13 at Walmart). In addition, I liked the claims it made and the fact that it is mostly a natural product made this even more attractive. Anyway...after the first time I used this I already saw visible results. My dry patches disappeared in less than a week and my skin felt so soft! I've seen a lot of people complain about the odor of this product, but personally I love it. It absorbs really quickly into the skin, but it's thick enough to feel the moisture. 

Bottom line is that I really love this and I am kind of sad that I only have a few more uses out of it. I won't be repurchasing this right now because I bought the L'Oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector day/night cream to shake things up and try something new, but I know what this is a product I can count on in the future. I recommend this product to anyone, especially if you have young skin and you really just want to keep it looking healthy and moisturized. 

The Acne Spot Treatment, however, is another story. With only 1% of salicylic acid, this product was not effective at all. I would use this to treat active breakouts and to prevent some for coming out but it wouldn't really do either one. It left a white residue once it dried out and left my skin feeling rough where I applied it. You would think that the fact that it is drying is good (after all that's what we want it to do to our spots) but it did nothing to them! I'm all in for natural products, but they have to be effective. This one is definitely a skip in my opinion!

P.S. I bought the store brand of the Clean & Clear Persa-Gel 10 Acne Medication and it works like a dream! It has 10% Benzoyl Peroxide so it's pretty strong (but effective). Good alternative if salicylic acid isn't working for you. 

Hope this was somewhat helpful to all of you. If you have experiences with these products or have any recommendations on what I should try next, leave them in the comments!

Gabriela xx

Collective Haul: Makeup, Skincare and More!

So I've been a bit naughty these past couple of weeks and this happened.... During multiple trips to CVS, Target, Walgreens, eBay.com and JustFab.com I have been getting some stuff I wanted to try and I hope you enjoy me showing it to you.

Starting on the left, I picked up some up & up Exfoliating Cotton Rounds because everyone and their mother on YouTube has been mentioning these and saying that once they tried them, they never went back to normal cotton rounds. I tried them today for the first time and I they feel really good on the skin and definitely help me take off my make up faster. I also picked up an e.l.f. Studio Small Angled Brush, a Conair Volume & Styling comb*, Conair bunmaker, and a Maybelline Eye Studio eye liner in Blackest Black.

I found some really awesome deals on the Revlon Lip Butters at Target. They are usually around the $7 price tag but I was able to get a pack of two Lip Butters for $6.28. I picked up two of those, one in Creme Burlee and the other one in Berry Smoothie. These are super wearable colors perfect for every day. In addition, I got three of the Wet n Wild megalast nail polishes at CVS and they were only $1, which is half of what they usually go for! I picked up the shades (in order): Through the Grapevine, Tropicalia and Undercover.

Now, one of the things I was most excited to try were these Jordana Twist & Shine Moisturizing Balm Stains. They claim to do everything I want in a lip product and I was not disappointed. I'm definitely going to pick some more shades as soon as I can! Another thing I can't wait to try and review for all of you are these L'Oreal Youth Code Texture Perfector serum and day/night cream. They are pretty expensive for a drugstore product but after some YouTube peer pressure (*coughs* Nicole Guerriero *coughs*) I finally was persuaded to give them a try. 

I picked up the only shade from the Wet n Wild coloricon blushers that I did not have, Berry Shimmer, the Physicians Formula Matte Collection Quad in Canyon Classics and the Sonia Kashuk cream bronzer in Rick Bronze. On top of that, I found the L'Oreal Skin Perfection 3 in 1 Purifying Micellar Solution on eBay. These are only sold in the U.K. for at less than £4 he moment but I really wanted to try using a micellar water to take off my makeup so I decided to order two of them online, even if it is a bit more expensive. So far I am really liking it, but I will have to keep you all posted on it.

Now to some of the random things I got... I needed some boots for the fall and winter time. It doesn't get too cold here in Arizona, but it is still necessary to wear cozy shoes. After shopping around, I was not pleased with the styles (or the prices) of the boots I was finding so I decided to look online. Thankfully, I was able to find this pair of faux-leather lace-up boots in JustFab.com for just 19.99 (because of some deal they had going on)! They are super comfy and will definitely be a staple in my Fall wardrobe.

Lastly, I picked up the latest book from my favorite author, Between the Lines. I haven't had time to read it but I am really looking forward to it. I own most of Jodi Picoult's books and she never lets me down with her narratives.

So that's it for this post! If you have special interest for me to review any of these items, let me know in the comments. 

Gabriela xx

REVIEW: Loreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream

Sorry I haven't updated the blog for the past couple of weeks. I'm back now with a lot of new products to try and review for you all. 

I was looking for a lighter coverage foundation a couple of months ago and came across the concept of a BB cream. I started looking into some reviews on YouTube and some blogs hoping to find the best BB cream for oily/combination skin types. This one was one of the most raved about, especially for my skin type, so I decided to give it a try. I paid less than $8 for two of them on eBay (which is an amazing deal compared to the $11 one of them usually retails for).

I dont want to make this review too long so let's get straight to the point: I really like this BB cream, but during these warmer months is not really holding on as well. As shown in the picture below, this comes out in a white creamy form and as you blend it it starts turning to a skin color. The coverage is very light, but it is enough to even out my skin tone and make it look like your skin but better. The finish is more of a demi-matte and once it has dried, it feels like a very silky powder on your face.

It lasts all day and it is pretty decent at oil control if you set it with a good powder. My problem with this BB cream at the moment is that when applying this, you should be in a comfortable temperature because the second you start sweating before the BB cream has set, it will break down.

Bottom line is that I do recommend this BB cream for people with normal to oily skin. It has a very natural looking finish and it smooths out your skin tone. It works great as a primer, but also just by itself. It is a must that you use a concealer if you suffer from undereye circles, sun spots or have any blemishes because this will not fully cover those. This is not very water/sweat resistant so it might not be the best product to use during the hot summer months, but other than that, it does what it claims.

Have you tried this BB cream? Do you have any recommendations for lighter, easy to apply foundations or BB creams for the summer time? Let me know in the comments!

Rating: 7.5/10

REVIEW: Rimmel Scandaleyes eyeliner

I don't know about you guys, but finding good eyeliners at the drugstore can be one of the most excruciating tasks. Thankfully, online reviews provide great input to narrow down the options. I usually go for the cheapest pencil eyeliners and most of them end up disappointing me. I decided to spend a couple more bucks and get the Rimmel Scandaleyes in the Black and Nude shade (I got mine at CVS for 4.99 each).

Some of Rimmel's claims are that this eyeliner

• is long lasting
• will give you shocking color intensity
• the formula is ultra smooth & creamy
• will glide on easily
• is waterproof, smudge-proof, sweat-proof, humidity-proof

And I would have to agree with these claims. I am currently on vacation in Puerto Rico, which has a very tropical/humid climate, and this eyeliner did not disappoint. 

Like any product, there is room for improvement. This eyeliner has to be sharpened, and it is not an easy task the first time you do it. There is some sort of coating you will have to sharpen first, before you actually start making the point finer, but after that first time it stops being a problem (I do wish it was a twist-up eyeliner). Also, it is very hard to remove this eyeliner from your waterline at the end of the night, which is annoying because it is not ideal to rub your waterline too much. In addition (and perhaps my biggest problem with this eyeliner), this product does not work on the upper lash line as well as it does on your bottom waterline. It gives you a fatter, sloppier line, which is great if you want to smudge it out, but it's not the one for polished looks or winged out looks.

Bottom line: I LOVE this eyeliner for my waterline and I will repurchase it. After trying this, I won't go back to my .99 cents pencil eyeliners... 

Rating: 8/10

REVIEW: Olay Fresh Effects Shine, Shine Go Away! Shine Minimizing Cleanser

Hello lovelies!
 I went on a little shopping trip to CVS and ended up buying the Olay Fresh Effects Shine, Shine Go Away! Shine Minimizing Cleanser. I was running out of my Philosophy Purity and for the summer that was not really working (and it's quite expensive). In addition, using my CVS ExtraCare card I got a 20% off my purchase and two additional coupons that applied to the beauty products I ended up buying. The original price was $7.99, but I only paid about five dollars for this thanks to the coupons. 

I was a bit skeptical about this product because I've tried cleansers to reduce oil and shine and they all make my face feel dry and rough. However, this product really surprised me. The texture is like a very thick cream and it has a slightly pearly appearance. It doesn't have any overpowering fragrance, but it smells really fresh.
 As I was applying, it felt really soft and creamy but my hands started to feel a bit dry as I was washing off the product. In terms of my face, it really got rid of all the oil and impurities (much better than Purity), but it didn't feel like it completely stripped off my face like some cleansers do. I've also tried it with the Clarisonic Mia 2 and it works just as well (although I prefer not to use the Clarisonic every morning). 

Now, let's get onto the verdict. The claims Olay makes about this product on their website are the following:

"Add this cleanser to your morning regimen for a fresh and deep clean:

• Removes 2x more dirt, oil and makeup vs. basic cleansing

• Kaolin clay lifts away impurities and helps minimize shine

• Deep cleansing action for a fresher feel" 

And I would have to agree. The difference in easily noticeable. This is a deep cleansing product, it has helped me minimize shine and I didn't have to use a lot of product to get these results. Since I've started using this every morning, I rarely have to retouch my makeup or use blotting sheets throughout the day. 

For my combination skin and the current hot weather this is the perfect item to help me not look like a ball of oil halfway throughout the day. However, I get some dry patches on my cheeks when the weather cools down so I am not sure this is suitable to use all-year round unless you have really oily skin. 

Bottom line: Yes, I would repurchase this product and recommend it to anyone who tends to get shiny or oily mid-day. Just make sure you still tone and use a light moisturizer before applying makeup.

Rating: 9/10

Hello world!

Maybe I should start by introducing myself and let you know who I am. *awkwardly says hi* Well, my name is Gabriela and I just recently turned 20 years old. I am studying at the University of Arizona, but I am originally from Puerto Rico. 

If you met me one year ago, you would've NEVER believed I had a passion for beauty and makeup. I was the most laid back, i-dont-care-about-that-crap person and i literally never allowed myself to embrace what I have and make it work. This past semester was a really rough one. I struggled with balancing work, study and sleep, keeping my motivation/focus and had major self-confidence issues. I will save the story of how exactly getting into makeup and beauty has helped me for later. For now, I just want to state that the main reasons for me being where I am today are Zoe (zoella) and Louise(sprinkleofglitter). But enough about that...

I have been thinking about starting a beauty blog for a long time but I just never had the time or courage to do it. I am constantly trying new products and reviewing them on Amazon and manufacturers’ websites, but I wanted something more. To me, reviewing products and being helpful to other people is really fun so even if no one reads this blog, I will do it because I truly enjoy it. 

You can expect to see anything from hauls, posts about my favorite products of the month, great beauty deals at the drugstore, and more importantly, detailed reviews about the products I have tried. I am still not sure how often I will update this blog. It might be every other day, once a week or twice a month. Let’s see how this goes.

Come join this adventure with me and let’s have fun!