Quick Review: Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow

Hey everybody! For quite a while I have been wanting an eyeshadow that is very close to my skin color but with lots of sparkle and shine. I wanted something that wouldn't necessarily add color to my lid, but would catch the light and make it look shimmery and kind of wet, in a sense. Urban Decay Moondust Eyeshadow has provided me with exactly what I have been wishing for. This eyeshadow line offers seven shades with very finely milled sparkle. They can be used wet or dry. The shade I love is Space Cowboy, which is basically a flesh colored base with lots of sparkle in it. I bought it for $20 at my local Sephora, which is pretty steep. But I love it a lot, and I would buy it again.

You're probably looking at this and thinking, okay, this is going to be fallout central. But, seriously guys, I did not have any fallout when I applied this wet over Urban Decay Primer Potion. Not one little bit. I was amazed. Not sure what would happen if I applied it dry. But I probably wouldn't even attempt to apply it without my beloved UDPP. Also, be sure when you apply this to pat, not swipe, it on.

Top: Dry Swatch, Bottom: Wet Swatch

Left: Dry Swatch, Right: Wet Swatch

I tried really hard to capture the gorgeousness that is this eyeshadow, but I don't know that the camera really does it justice. Take my word for it- it's lovely.


Much love, as always.

Gianna

Curly Hair Update: Week Six

Hey everybody!

It's been a long time since I've done a curly hair update. I was on vacation and my hair routine was a little off, so now I'm back and in the groove of things again.

Honestly, in the past few weeks, I haven't noticed a whole lot of difference in my hair. It is definitely softer than before I started the Curly Girl Method. I am finding new ways to style my hair that I am really liking. Rather than rake gel through my hair, I simply coat my hair with gel so that my curls are not separated by my fingers. I like plopping, and I leave my hair plopped as long as I can. I find that this makes my curls more defined and voluminous as they dry. I also scrunch the gel into my hair after I do an initial coat of gel, which helps my hair form curls from root to tip, rather than just half way down the length of my hair.


I am noticing that my hair is feeling like it really needs a cleansing every day. I cowash, but the gel I use seems to leave behind a stickyness that I don't like. I also think that my scalp is somewhat oily. It makes sense- I have oily skin in general. When it comes to co-washing, I think the trick is to really scrub. Get down deep and use your fingers to really work the product in. When you rinse it out, do the same thing. Use your fingers to lift up the dirt and conditioner so that you're left with clean hair. Cowashing takes work. Sometimes I am not willing to put in that extra work to get my hair clean. It's a bit of a hassle. However, I am learning slowly but surely. I am going to have to do some experimentation with cowashes and gels to find a combination that really works for me. Because as of now, I'm not really loving how my hair feels at the end of the day.

Overall, I think my hair has completely adjusted to the new system. I didn't really have any major issues during the transition. I like how my hair looks now, and I like the new techniques I have found for styling my hair. My hair is softer, for sure.

Here is what my hair looked like before CG:

And here it is today, six weeks later:

So yeah, definitely more definition.

That's all for now.

Much love!

Gianna

First Impression/Review: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation

Hey everybody!

Lately I've been getting the itch to try out some new foundations. I've been stuck on my Shiseido Sun Protection Liquid Foundation for about a year now, so I think it's time to branch out a little bit. Part of my foundation itch is due to a recent change in my skin- I've been noticing a lot more dryness. Before now, I would definitely classify myself as having oily/combo skin. But as of late, I've been sort of normal/dry. At first I thought it was a problem, but then I realized I should just take advantage of the change and try something I was hesitant about before! I'm not sure how long my newly dry skin will last, but I'm not worried about it. Anyway, I took a trip to Sephora hoping to find something light, slightly glowy, and medium coverage. NARS Sheer Glow seems to fit these three stipulations, so I went with it. I got myself a sample in the color Ceylan, and went along my merry way.

I tested out my sample today, and boy was I surprised with what I found out. Let's get to it.


NARS Sheer Glow Foundation retails for a whopping $44.00. Yeah, it's a lot. It comes in a really classy glass bottle with the notorious velvety-black cap. It looks nice, but the black material gets so darn dirty. I know from experience with my other NARS products. There is one huge downside- it doesn't come with a pump. Honestly, I think this is just so unacceptable. You can buy a pump separately at Nordstrom, but seriously? For $44.00 I expect a freaking pump.

The foundation comes in 20 shades according to the NARS website, although on the Sephora website I am only counting 16. Like I said, I chose the shade Ceylan, which is a really nice match for my summer color (NC 30 or so).

NARS claims this foundation gives a "glowing, satin finish" with sheer, buildable coverage. It also is supposed to be best for normal to dry skin.


On to my own experience...

This is my skin without makeup on. This picture was actually taken after I took the foundation off because I forgot to take one this morning. But it's all the same. I want you to see what kind of coverage the foundation offers.

Okay so, as you can see, I have a few issues that I want to cover, but nothing major. Some redness, a few blemishes, you know the drill.

This is me with my finished makeup using NARS Sheer Glow. Just letting you guys know- I did set my makeup today with NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder. It didn't add any coverage at all. I just wanted to set it because I was going to a family member's graduation and it was important that my makeup held up.

So, I don't know about you, but the first thing I notice is the not-so-glowy finish. Don't be deceived by the name "glow." I think this foundation offers a really beautiful, satin finish (as NARS says it does) that is super natural and flattering. I think my skin looks perfected, but not cakey. The first thing I thought when I applied it was "matte, but not flat." I think that's a great way to describe this foundation. There is a natural glow, but nothing like the full on dewey-ness I got from Make Up For Ever HD or anything like that. Also, this foundation did not sit in my pores very badly. By the end of the day, it had sunken into them a little bit, but nothing major. It's a huge plus in my book.

I had to build up to this level of coverage with two layers of foundation. But it still felt very light on the skin. I think NARS is right- it has a light, buildable coverage.
As far as consistency, the foundation is thin and somewhat runny, but not like straight up water. It's nice. It's easy to blend (I applied it with my beauty blender) and it doesn't dry too fast.


As far as how it wore throughout the day, I don't have too many issues. I never had to blot, not even once. It seems to really keep it's finish- I didn't get too oily or anything like that. It sunk in to my smile line a little bit, but every foundation does that to me. That's what you get for smiling so much!

I noticed a small amount of fading on my chin, but that is another thing that always happens to me. I think with a little setting spray it wouldn't have been an issue. I didn't notice an issue with transferring. I hate foundations that transfer, so I was happy about that.

I know this is strange to remark on, but it was pretty easy to remove too. For a foundation that lasts pretty decently on the skin without a primer or setting spray, I was able to wash it off easily. I don't like it when I feel like I can't get my foundation off my face without using a makeup wipe.


The bottom line.

Who would I recommend it to?
I would recommend this foundation to someone with dry, normal, or even combo skin. It probably wouldn't be good with someone super oily. I would also recommend this to someone looking for something with light-medium coverage who wants something light and natural on the skin,. If you want super dewey or super matte, this probably isn't for you.


Am I going to purchase the full size?
Honestly... yes, I think I might. This is just beautiful stuff. The color match is great, and I think it will be great in the winter when I am less tan. I like the finish and the way it holds up on my skin. So, yes, I might be purchasing this stuff really soon.


That's all for now. Hope this was helpful!

So much love!


Gianna

Urban Decay Primer Potion vs. Too Faced Shadow Insurance

Hey everybody. I recently picked up my first Too Faced Palette, and with it came a sample of Too Faced Shadow Insurance. As you can probably tell from some of my previous posts, I am a die hard Urban Decay Primer Potion fan. However, I thought I might get them head-to-head and see which one performs better than the other. I applied UDPP to one eye and TFSI to the other to get the bottom of it. What I found was pretty awesome. Let's get to it...


Urban Decay Primer Potion is $20, and comes in a number of different shades/finishes and formulas. There is the original (which is what I use), Greed (gold shimmer), Sin (champagne shimmer), and Eden (nude matte). The newest edition to the line in an anti-aging formula, which claims to offer the same anti-crease benefits as the original as it lessens the appearance of wrinkles and fine lines. The anti-aging formula is slightly more pricey at $24.

Too Faced Shadow Insurance is also $20. It comes in one shade/finish/formula.

When I applied them to my eyes, I found that both had basically the same exact consistency and color. They were equal in texture and sticky-ness.I topped the primers with Urban Decay Shadows, not to give UDPP an advantage, but because that's what I wear mostly on a daily basis. When first applied, my eyeshadow looked the same over top of both primers. UDPP did not make the eyeshadows look better than TFSI.
I wore them for ten solid hours as I ran errands, went shopping, and spent the evening at home. When I went to take my makeup off, both my eyes looked exactly the same. No creasing, no fading, no anything. I was pleasantly surprised.

Generally I wear UDPP to work because I know it will withstand the conditions. I work fast food, so I am often hot and sweaty, running around getting stuff done. It isn't uncommon for shakes to splash in my face as I blend them. I wore TFSI to work yesterday just to see what would happen, and it held up just as well as UDPP.

So, over all, I say they are the exact same. I know that some people have better luck with one over the other, but I found them to be equally effective. The only thing Urban Decay might have over Too Faced is the option to buy different finishes/formulas.

I will probably stick with UDPP next time I'm due to buy another primer, but that is only because it has been my long time favorite. It was probably my first high end product I owned and fell in love with. But props to Too Faced for challenging my obsession with Urban Decay Primer Potion.

What do you guys think? Do you have a favorite of the two?

Much love!

Gianna

All Drugstore Back to School Makeup!

Hey everybody! It's getting to be that time of year again where we're all starting to prepare to go back to school. When I was in high school I wore makeup, but I had no idea what I was doing. I'm sure that I caked on the MAC Studio Fix Fluid and powder like there was no tomorrow. I didn't know what was good and what was bad. This post is meant to give you guys an idea of what drugstore products are worth checking out. I feel like when it comes to makeup for school, we're all looking for something natural, long lasting, and most importantly, budget friendly. I've put together a list of products that I think fit into these three categories perfectly. Let's get started.


For foundation, we have a few options. I personally love Revlon when it comes to face products. Revlon Nearly Naked Foundation is a great option for those who are looking for something light and natural. It doesn't do a whole lot for covering major blemishes, but it just perfects the skin and evens out the complexion with a good medium(ish) coverage. This would be great for ladies with dry to normal skin. However, I am oily and I like it a lot. I set it with a powder (I'll get to that in a minute) and it lasts pretty well. It retails for about $8-$10 at your local drugstore.

Revlon Colorstay Whipped Foundation is another really great choice. This is more appropriate for people with oily skin or people who need a bit more coverage. Though it offers a medium-full coverage, it doesn't make you look overly made up or cakey. It seriously stays put on the skin, so it will hold up during those long school hours. It retails for around $10.

For concealer, I personally like the Maybelline 24 Hour SuperStay Concealer. It has a really convenient doe foot applicator. It stays well and blends easily. This retails for around $7.

To set everything, I like the Rimmel Stay Matte Powder. It comes in multiple colors as well as a translucent shade. It keeps me matte and is good for blotting. It retails for $4-$5.

For eyes, I think it's best to start with a good, long lasting base. The Maybelline Color Tattoo in Inked in Pink is a really pretty, every day kind of shade that holds up well on the eyes. It is priced at $6-$7.

Over top of that, I suggest using the Wet N' Wild eye shadow trio in Walking on Eggshells. This trio is perfect for every day. It's a nice selection of colors that makes you look like you put effort into looking nice without going overboard. Plus, the shadows are ultra soft and pigmented. The trio is about $3 and the shades are labeled with where to place each color on your eye. Can it get any better?

For liner, I suggest going with brown. Your eyes will look defined, but not overly dramatic. Take something like the Rimmel Scandal Eyes Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner in Brown and smudge it out at the lash line. For extra staying power, top it with a brown shadow. The liner runs for around $5.

For mascara, I say go with CoverGirl Lash Blast Volume Mascara. I never have any issues with this smudging, and I think it makes my lashes look really long and pretty. It runs for about $6-$7.

For the cheeks, it's nice to have something that can act as your blush and highlighter in one. Milani Baked Blushes do a good job of providing a little bit of a highlight. The shade Luminoso is really pretty and not over the top at all. I think it would go well with the neutral look we're going for here. The blushes are priced at $6-$7.

For lips, I suggest something neutral. L'oreal Color Riche Lipstick in Fairest Nude is a really nice shade. If you want something slightly more pink, Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Primrose is also nice. The L'oreal one is priced pretty high at $8. Revlon is about $5.

L'Oreal Color Riche Lipstick in Fairest Nude

Revlon Super Lustrous Lipstick in Primrose


And there we have it! These are products from the drugstore that I love. I think they would be great choices for a back to school look that is neutral, flattering, age appropriate, and long lasting. Hope this was helpful!

Much love!

Gianna

Pink Smokey Eye: 21st Birthday Makeup

Hey everybody! As I've mentioned in a few of my previous posts, I just got home from celebrating my 21st in Vegas. Of course, my makeup needed to be totally on point when I was out clubbing. I chose a really cute strapless fuschia/pink dress for my night out.

Sorry about the phone pic. I couldn't be bothered with whipping out the camera. Anyway, I wanted an eye look to match this freakin' banging dress. I could have gone with a black smokey eye, but I had my heart set on something more pink. After everything was said and done, I ended up with this:

Here is what I used to achieve this look!

Products: Ardell Edgy Lashes number 402, NYX Single Eyeshadow in Rust. Maybelline Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk, Covergirl Lash Blast Volume, Revlon Precision Lash Glue, Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutrals Palette, Urban Decay 24/7 Eyeliner in Zero, Naked Palette, Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion, Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Eyeliner
Step one: Base.
As always, I primed my eyelids with Urban Decay Primer Potion. This stuff makes it so my eyeshadow stays creaseless and right where I put it on my eye until I take it off. On top of that, I put the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Pomegranate Punk all over my lid so that my shadow would really pop on top of it. Using a base like this also helps with staying power.

Step two: Shadow.
I used NYX eyeshadow in the shade Rust. It's just a really pretty crandberry/fuschia/pinkish/red color that is gorgeous. It's comparable to MAC Cranberry. I put this all over my lid. In the crease, I used a matte brown shade from the Sonia Kashuk Eye on Neutral Palette. I believe I used the third shade over in the second row. This acted as a nice trasition shade so that everything blended seamlessly. To darken the outer corner, I used the shade Dark Horse in the Naked Palette. I also placed a matte black shade in the very outer corner to make the look even more dramatic. As a highlight, I used the color Virgin from the Naked Palette in the inner corner and on the brow bone. I used Rust on the lower lashline, and the matte black on the outer part of the lower lashline.

Step three: Liner.
I used the Urban Decay Pencil in Zero to line my upper lash line and upper and lower water lines. I smudged it out on the top lid. I also used a matte black to set the pencil so that it wouldn't budge. I used Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Eyeliner to draw a really thin line on my upper lid. I wanted a thin line up there to camouflage the band from my falsies.

Step four: Lashes.
I curled my lashes and applied Covergirl Lash Blast Mascara to the top and bottom lashes. I really layered it on the bottom because I wanted my lashes to be really dramatic. Once my mascara was done, I popped on some Ardell Edgy lashes number 402. As you can see, they are very spikey and they flare out at the corner. I was going for something edgy and dramatic. I think these lashes were perfect.

This was my final look:

Hope this was informational or of help to you guys!


Much love!!

Gianna

Las Vegas Makeup Haul

Hey everybody. In celebration of my 21st birthday, I headed to Las Vegas and shopped 'til I dropped. Naturally, I spent a good amount of money on makeup. Two trips to Sephora and one trip to MAC later, I've got a few things I want to share with you. We'll start with my trip to MAC.

I didn't actually get too much from MAC. I wanted to get some concealer, but I wasn't interested in going through the hassle of getting color matched. So I stuck with a few products that I've been wanting for some time. I got the MAC Mineralized Skin Finish in Soft and Gentle. It's just a really pretty highlight shade that every makeup junkie seems to own except me (until now!). I have been lusting over this for a while, so I decided I might as well bite the bullet and get it. I got two eye shadows, one in Coppering and one in Sumptuous Olive. Again, these were shades I've been thinking about for a while. I also Back-to-MAC'ed some stuff and got Pink Plaid lipstick. I wanted something for every day. It's nice, I like it a lot so far. It's matte though, which isn't my favorite.

I did a bit more damage at Sephora, for sure.

I got the Becca Ever-Matte Poreless Priming Perfector. I've only tried it once, but I like what I've seen so far. It supposedly hides pores and keeps you matte for 8 hours. Sounds good to me. I also got the NARS Light Reflecting Pressed Setting Powder. I like the idea of this because it supposedly keeps oil at bay while giving your skin a bit of a luminous glow. That sounds exactly like something I would love. I haven't tried it yet, but we'll see. I also purchased the Dior Diorskin Poudre Shimmer in Amber Diamond. This is so luxury. I haven't tried it yet, but I certainly will soon. I got the Too Faced Natural at Night Palette because I fell in love with the colors. It has a very similar color in it to one in the NARS And God Created Woman Palette, but it's a lot cheaper. Last but not least, I got the Sephora Outrageous Prisma Chrome Eye Shadow in the shade Purple. It was seven bucks and I couldn't pass it up.


That's the end of my haul, everybody. I will try to get up individual reviews of the stuff that I bought over time. I want to give myself a good amount of time to test it all out and get a good idea of what I think of it.


Much much love!

Gianna