The Natural Pink Blushes in my Current Rotation!

Aside from foundation, blush is my most favored item of makeup. Blush instantly adds liveliness to the face, while sculpting the cheeks. I love all shades of blush, from peach, orange, pink and red. In the summer time, you can bet I'm sporting bronzer and warm-toned red and coral blushes, but in the winter, I usually wear colors that are much more natural.

For the past couple of months I've for the most part skipped out on self tanning and bronzer, and gone the natural-pink route for my cheeks. I've found myself picking up the same shades over and over again (thus calling it a rotation).

CONTINUE READING FOR MY PICKS + ADDITIONAL PHOTOS & SWATCHES!

MAC BLUSHBABY

Described on the MAC website as a beige-pink (sheertone), Blushbaby is a sheer, natural warm pink that mimics the rosy hue your cheeks naturally turn. It works on a wide variety of skintones, thus becoming one of MAC's most popular blushes. It's one of my no-brainer blushes that goes well with any eye makeup and lip color.

MAC CUBIC

Desdcribed on the MAC website as a soft, muted pink (satin), Cubic is a super-sheer natural pink that leans slightly warm-neutral. This blush could be Blushbaby's younger sister, as they are very similar. I find that Cubic is much less intense (not to say Blushbaby is intense, but it does pack a little more color). If you want a no-blush blush, or a shade that will go with everything, including a smokey eye or just a soft, sophisticated blush, you may want to give Cubic a try.

MAC MAGICALLY COOL LIQUID POWDER IN HONEY ROSE

Described as a sheer, rosy-beige with multi-dimensional shimmer on the MAC website, Honey Rose is just that. I like to think of Honey Rose more of a highlight than a blush, but it does add a little color to the cheeks. On my natural days when I want my complexion to look extra healthy and glowy, I stipple some Honey Rose on my apples. It adds a nice glow, and a very natural wash of warm, pink that's definitely there, but very soft and almost undetectable.

PHYSICIAN'S FORMULA HAPPY BOOSTER IN NATURAL

Natural is the pinkest blush out of the bunch, but because of it's warm tone, it looks very natural on my cheeks - as opposed to a bright, barbie or cotton candy pink. I love, love, love this blush and wear it on most days where I want a blush that is natural, but still packs a little extra punch. My favorite drugstore blush, for sure.

CHANEL JOUES CONTRASTE IN ROSE BRONZE

Rose Bronze is a gorgeous neutral-pink with a hint of warmth and pink shimmer. Applied heavily the color is much more of a vibrant rosy pink, but when worn lightly, it looks extremely natural. This is another favorite.. I don't believe it could look bad on anyone.

NARS MADLY
Described as a warm, soft-focus seashell pink on the NARS website, Madly is a bronzed, warm pink. It's one of those blushes where you don't need an additional bronzer, and instantly sculpts the face when applied along the cheeks. I love wearing this blush on days where I want a little bronzer and a hint of natural blush - Madly infuses the two together.

What blushes are in your current rotation?

Jewelmint Easy Rider Necklace Review!

Jewelmint Easy Rider Necklace

My December Jewelmint item arrived in the mail today. I had my heart set on getting the Vanguard Necklace, but it literally sold out before my eyes. So, I went with my next choice, which is (somewhat-kinda-not really) similar; the Easy Rider Necklace.

The Easy Rider Necklace features a 36" gold curb chain with gold tubing and silver faux barbed wire castings. This is another item that has an edgy feel, yet feminine because it is so long and dainty. I find it looks best when paired with lightweight tops, such as a flowy chiffon or silk blouse or with a blazer. It also goes very well with a gold statement ring (such as the Everfrost ring) or watch. It can be worn at the full length, or it can be doubled with one chain laying directly around the neck, and the other one laying right above the chest. For my personal preference, I like it at it's full length, as doubling it can feel uncomfortable on the neck.

The necklace itself is extremely light-weight and delicate. A little lighter than I anticipated it being. Also, because it has a shiny finish, the tubes are prone to getting fingerprints if you handle it a lot. A quick wipe with a jewelry cloth or towel will take away any prints.

Overall, I'm very happy with it and I'm sure I will wear it often as I love mixing silver and gold. I still plan on getting the Vanguard Necklace though, I hope they re-stock it soon! :)

Did you get anything this month?

Jewelmint Vanguard Necklace (Credit)

For reference, this is the vanguard necklace I keep referring to, which is currently sold out.

Check out Jewelmint HERE.

Loving my ROSS Jewelry Stand!

Cute, isn't it? I got this little jewelry stand at Ross for $5.99. I really like mannequin jewelry stands, but most of them aren't very sturdy; especially when heavy necklaces are placed on the hooks. Because this stand has a large base, it's very sturdy and won't knock down every time you try taking a necklace off. I like the fact that it can hold necklaces, rings, bracelets and earrings. I'll be using it to hold my "GO-TO" items.

It seems that they are opening Ross stores everywhere. I've heard of Ross from other bloggers, but never had any locations near me. My first time in the store, was a couple of days ago. They have some pretty good deals!

You may have spotted my Jewelmint Easy Rider Necklace on the left.. ;) I received it in the mail today. I'll have a review for it shortly!

Hope you're having an awesome Thursday! One more day and TGIF!

Jewelmint Silver Swan Bracelet Review + 70% OFF your Jewelmint Purchase!

Jewelmint Silver Swan Bracelet

I boarded the Jewelmint bandwagon back in September, and although I'm not obsessed, I have found a piece here and there that I liked. I've posted about Jewelmint a couple of times before (Ever Frost Ring and Here To Eternity Set) showing you my monthly selection. I skipped October, but for the month of November I chose The Silver Swan Bracelet.

I was interested in The Golden Goose Bracelet for a while, which is the same exact bracelet in gold, but I ended up passing on it in the long run. But, when I saw that they launched a silver edition, I figured I could get much more use out of it since I've been wearing mostly silver as of lately.

The Golden Goose Bracelet, 2nd from the left. (Photo Credit)

I love fashion jewelry with a bit of an edge, and to add to my spike addiction, these so-called "diamond shaped castings" look a lot like spikes. There are seven castings in total, with one of them being covering in shiny crystals. I think the one casting with the crystals is what really makes this piece unique, inviting and it also adds a touch of femininity to an edgy piece of jewelry.

The silver isn't your average silver, so it may be something you love or hate. It's actually a pale, frosted silver overlay - almost like a white silver. I'm not sure which silver I prefer, but I do like how it stands out when paired with other silver jewelry.

It looks great when worn alone, and it's also a good layering piece. You can toss in a bunch of different metals - charcoal, silver, gold, rose gold, etc. You don't necessarily have to match them up.

Left: Worn Alone, Right: Layered

I usually wear it alone, or with a silver and white watch, but I've also layered it with a thick, silver curb chain bracelet and a pearl bracelet. The curb chain is masculine/edgy and the pearl bracelet is girly and feminine.

The quality seems fine, It's definitely not comparable to Forever 21 for those wondering. It's pretty lightweight, but it does have a little weight to it. I've read a past review/complaint with the Golden Goose Bracelet, where the frosted overlay was actually scratching off. I'm not sure if they fixed the problem with future batches, but I hope it doesn't happen with this bracelet. *I will update this post in the future if I run into any issues with it.

My December piece is on it's way, so I will be posting about that soon! I picked the "Easy Rider Necklace" for those interested. ;)

NEW MEMBERS

GET 70% YOUR FIRST PURCHASE!

COUPON CODE: BELLS70
That's actually the best I've seen yet. I used a code for 50% off my first purchase. 70% makes any piece $8.99, with free shipping, which is awesome!

EXISTING MEMBERS

10% OFF YOUR NEXT PURCHASE
COUPON CODE: WLEROS10

I couldn't find any good codes for existing customers that are actually valid. If you have any codes you'd like to share, post them in the comments, so I can add them to the list!

Visit Jewelmint by clicking HERE.

Real Techniques Blush Brush + A Fav Lip Combo!

Real Techniques Blush Brush

PRODUCT DETAILS:
Ultra-plush, synthetic taklon bristles are hand-cut and 100% cruelty-free
Self-standing for easy storage
Extended aluminum handle is light and easy to use

If you're a fan of the Pixiwoo sisters on YouTube, Sam and Nic, you're probably already familiar with Sam's line of makeup brushes, Real Techniques.

Real Techniques Makeup Brushes can be found at ULTA stores (in-store and online) throughout the USA. There are also a few online retailers that cater to International users. (click here for a location list)

What really stands out about the brushes are the unique designs. They have a professional look and most of the brushes have a tapered tip, for a perfectly airbrushed finish. The fibers are also incredibly soft, and the brush seems very sturdy. I've had mine for three months now, and the brush doesn't show any signs of wear and tear. The best part of all, the brushes are very affordable. The blush brush retails for $8.99, and ULTA always has $3.50 off $10 coupons, which is always a plus.



CONTINUE READING FOR A SHORT REVIEW AND ADDITIONAL PHOTOS!


The reason I chose purchasing the blush brush over any of the other brushes, was that I didn't own any other brush like it. It has a really unique tapered egg shape, which deposits just the right amount of product on the cheeks and the fluffiness and softness of the brush diffuses the color, so there are no harsh edges.

All of the RT Brushes are synthetic, and although I prefer natural bristle brushes for powder blush, I really like this brush for blush and bronzer. It works specifically well for bronzer, as it gives such a natural finish. I'd assume it would work well with creme blushes, as the bristles don't shed.

If you're in the market for a new blush brush, I'd definitely recommend checking this brush out. I'm really interested in trying out the stippling brush next!

To view all of the Real Techniques Brushes, click here.

And, here are a couple photos with my little munchkin. Isn't he so goofy? He loves sitting on his bum. Any dog I've ever known would leap out of my arm in one second, but Rocky just goes along with whatever. haha!

And just for fun.. 

I'm loving this lip combo at the moment. It's MAC Morange mixed with Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Lip Tar in Cha Cha. It looks a lot like MAC Vegas Volt, but slightly more orange. 

Hope you all are having a good weekend! 

I'm feeling a little down because it will be my Dad's birthday this Monday. I think my Mom, Brother and I will go out to dinner, and maybe still have a cake. Like others told me, it doesn't have to be a sad thing, it will be a celebration of his life and being happy and thankful for having him for as long as we did. I am remaining strong, but it is pretty depressing, especially during the holidays.

Swatches: L.A. Colors Private Eye 24 Color Eyeshadow Palette.

L.A. Colors Private Eye 24 Color Eyeshadow Palette

If you haven't heard of L.A. Colors, it's a very affordable line of cosmetics through Beauty 21, Inc; who are also the makers of L.A. Girl and Arissa Studios. L.A. Colors is a really fun line, targeting more of the younger fashionistas, with loads of bright colors at a very low price - many of them being a dollar or two. It's also a cruelty-free company, for you all of you Vegans out there. I've spotted L.A. Colors at several of my local dollar and discount stores. For a list of retail locations, click here.

The Private Eye 24 Color Eyeshadow Palettes is one of L.A. Colors newest additions.

They are available in two different color palettes: Stake Out and Witness. I'm not positive if the finishes of the shadows differ from the two palettes, but I know the colors are very similar.

I own Stake Out, which contains 24 colorful shadows, both warm and cool, all with a shimmery or frosty finish.

READ MORE FOR THE SWATCHES!

I haven't worn any of these shadows, which is why this isn't a review, so I can only give my thoughts based on swatching the shadows.

This is definitely not a palette for those who are afraid of color, as this palette has every color of the rainbow. All of the shades swatched pretty well, some better than others. The worst shade (in terms of pigmentation) being the light lavender shade, the second shade from the top left corner. I figured all of the shades would be very sheer, so I was impressed. Like I mentioned, I haven't actually tested the shadows on my eyes, so I don't know what the wear time is like. An eyeshadow primer would be highly recommended.

Stake Out

The only downside with these shadows is they are very soft, so they create tons of crumbles when you wipe your applicator in the shadows. This can easily create a mess if you aren't careful. Also, with shadows that typically create a lot of dust, it's necessary to tap any excess shadow off your brush before applying it to your eyelids, or else you will have eyeshadow fall out under your eyes.

CRUMB NATION!? FALL-OUT CITY!?

Not bad for the price, though. ($5 on Cherryculture) It can be a great stocking stuffer, especially for younger girls or those new to makeup and want to experiment with color.

Disclaimer: This post contains a press sample that was sent to me for consideration. The opinions expressed in this post are all my own, from my personal experience with using this product.

Misikko HANA Professional 1.5" Flat Iron Review!

PRODUCT FEATURES:

• Advanced Tourmaline Ceramic Plates for Accelerated Ion Generation and Maximum Frizz-Free, Conditioning Shine
• Floating 1.5� Plates Auto-Adjust To Glide Over Any Hair Texture
• Wider plates are perfect for longer, thicker or hard to style hair types
• Curved Plate Edges For Versatile Styling - Curl, Flip or Straighten!
• Adjustable Temperature Dial - 5 Settings from 140-450� F for All Hair Types
• Flash Heats in Seconds with Instant Compensation for Heat Loss
• Ergonomic Handle Design with No-Slip Grip
• Smooth Grooves Keep Hair Strands Separate and Snag-Free
• Tangle-Free Salon Quality Cord Swivels 360�; Convenient Hanging Loop
• Energy Efficient at 38 Watts
• Independent On/Off Switch
• Includes Luxe Heat Proof Storage Pouch, Heat Proof Silicone Mat, & Special Edition Tin Case
• Two Year Warranty

(View additional information and customer reviews by clicking here)

I've been using this iron a few days out of the week for the past two months now, and I really like the results it gives me. I've never owned a flat iron with plates larger than one inch (with the exception of mt first flat iron at the age of 13), so I figured because my hair is long and thick, that 1.5" would probably be more beneficial for my hair. I am very happy to say that the 1.5" plates do indeed work so much better on my hair. I can flat iron all of my hair in half of the time it would take me with my previous 1" flat iron.

The plates are very smooth and they glide through my hair quickly and easily. Thankfully, the plates don't grab or pinch any of my hairs and pull/break them like other flat irons I've used.

The iron has an adjustable temperature dial that reaches 450 degrees. My hair is thick, with medium-fine texture (not coarse or super fine) and I typically use it at around 360-380 degrees. For my bangs, and the hair  that frames my face, I turn the heat down to around 240. 

The iron also does a very good job curling my hair, but overall, I prefer using a curling iron, as I find that the curls have better shape and last longer. I do use this iron though for it's convenience, as a curling iron takes much longer time.

Here are a couple photos from one of my previous posts, where I had used the Hana iron to curl my hair.

Here are a couple photos of my hair straightened using the Hana iron.

I also tried the HANA Shine Shield Thermal Protectant, which is a serum that works as a leave-in conditioner as well as a heat protector when using hot styling tools. It contains jojoba oil, which helps moisturize and add shine to the hair.

I find it to be very similar to CHI Silk Infusion. In comparison to Silk Infusion, HANA Shine Shield is less dense, and it doesn't weigh down my hair or make it feel greasy or sticky. It adds a little shine to my hair and helps camouflage split ends. It also has a nice, fresh scent, whereas Chi has a very musky scent.

It's available in two (2 oz) and six (6 oz) ounces, the two ounce being handy for travel.

I'm overall extremely happy with my iron and would recommend it for those with long, thick hair, who would like to cut down the time it takes to flat iron their hair. I've tried several flat irons over the years, and so far, I'm impressed with this one.

My experience with Misikko was one of the best I've had with any company. They are a wonderful, dedicated and professional company, with excellent customer service. They have some really great people behind their name, that's for sure. I highly recommend ordering from them!

PROS:  Doesn't create frizz, glides through the hair easily, doesn't pull or pinch the roots, cuts down my straightening time, can be used to curl or straighten - though for my thick hair, I prefer using it to straighten, swivel cord that doesn't tangle, 2 year warranty, includes lots of extras.
CONS:  The 1.5" plates make it slightly difficult to flat iron my bangs with a slight curl. I find that when using this iron on my bangs, they sometimes come out too straight and end up looking flat.
PACKAGING: No complaints.
OVERALL:  This iron retails for $132.99, with free, same-day shipping. It comes with several extras as well as a 2 year warranty. They also have hassle free returns, with no extra fees. Also, there are always coupon codes available. It's definitely an investment if you usually gravitate toward lower-end brands, but I think it's worth it, as I haven't used any other lower-end flat iron with as good of results.

Here are a few codes I found that should work on your order with Misikko. If you know of any others, please post them in the comments and I'dd add them to the list.

$35 OFF $135+ 
CODE: MISIKKO


$10 OFF $100+
CODES: SMOOTH10 or DUSTPRINCESS

$20 OFF ANY HANA PRO, AIR, ELITE OR TITANIUM BLOW DRYER
CODE: MYSTYLE

I have no affiliation with these coupon codes. Expiration dates not known.


Disclaimer: This post contains a product/s sample that was sent to me for consideration. The opinions expressed in this post are all my own, from my personal experience with using this product.