Monday, December 31, 2018

My Top 18 of 2018 - Where To Buy

If you are wondering where to purchase the items seen in my Top 18 Makeup Products from 2018 post, you are in luck.  To make shopping easy for everyone, I've included where you can purchase below.*

I do not get any commissions or payments if you shop through these sites, I'm just posting to be helpful*.

  1. Jeffree Star Cosmetics Thirsty Palette - beautylish.com 
  2. Coloured Raine Beauty Rust Palette - Riley Rose 
  3. Marc Jacobs Eye-Conic Scandalust Palette - sephora.com 
  4. Jeffree Star Cosmetics Blood Sugar - beautylish.com 
  5. Jeffree Star Cosmetics The Alien Eyeshadow Palette  - beautylish.com 
  6. Lottie London Angled Bronzer Brush - Riley Rose 
  7. Wet n Wild Brush Set - Walgreens 
  8. Aveda Inner Light Foundation Brush - Aveda.com
  9. Aveda Inner Light Dual Phase Mineral Foundation - Aveda.com 
  10. IT Cosmetics Color Correcting Full Coverage Cream - Sephora.com 
  11. E.L.F. Cosmetics Beauty Sponge (Total Face Sponge) - Target
  12. Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define - ulta.com
  13. Hourglass Cosmetics Veil Retouching Fluid - beautylish.com 
  14. Fenty Beauty Match Stix (Linen, Amber, Starstruck) - Sephora.com 
  15. Beauty Bakerie Flour Setting Powder - beautybakerie.com 
  16. Physicians Formula Butter Highlighter - physiciansformula.com 
  17. Buxom Plumpline Lip Liner in Confidential - sephora.com 
  18. Jeffree Star Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick - beautylish.com 

I hope you find this post helpful. I wish you a very happy New Year's Eve. Thank you for reading. Make sure you are subscribed for even more product reviews, tutorials, and beauty posts in 2019!

❤๐Ÿ’‹

~Makeup Matters 

Wednesday, December 26, 2018

Top 18 Beauty Products of 2018


I am bringing back my year end favorites, and this year was harder than most! There were a ton of really high quality items that I discovered this year. Not all of the goodies on my list were launched in 2018, but every single one left a lasting impression on me. 

Here are my top 18 beauty products of the year:

It was a good year for palettes.  Finally brands incorporated more colorful mattes and rust tones that complement my blue eyes.

  • Jeffree Star Cosmetics Thirsty Palette - This was the palette of the summer.  Upon launch, it sold out quickly and it is no surprise that it did. From smooth mattes to shiny metallic pigments, this palette is for those who want something more exciting from their eyeshadow. 
  • Coloured Raine Beauty Rust Palette - My first trip to Riley Rose resulted in me purchasing this 6-pan palette.  A must-have for fall, this palette enhances blue eyes like no other. 

  • Marc Jacobs Eye-Conic Scandalust Palette - If you like a bit of luxury in your makeup collection,  this 7-pan sleek palette is for you. With mattes, shimmers, neutrals and bold colors, this palette will satisfy those who like a variety of finishes to choose from. 

  • Jeffree Star Cosmetics Blood Sugar - I almost passed on this palette.  What a mistake that would have been! The quality of these shadows is truly spectacular, and the case is among the most creative I've ever seen. It holds 18 pans and while it may look intimidating at first, there are enough neutrals to round out the palette perfectly. 

  • Jeffree Star Cosmetics The Alien Eyeshadow Palette  - Maybe I should just name this post the top Jeffree Star Cosmetics beauty products.  Honestly, this brand is killing it. While other companies crank out the same boring products year after year, JSC managed to create products as innovative as they are interesting.  The quality of the shadows in this palette are out of this world!

Now, let's move on to my favorite topic; brushes!

  • Lottie London Angled Bronzer Brush - This was such a great introduction to this brand. Another buy from Riley Rose, I never guessed this brush would become a favorite. There is something about the large brush head, soft bristles and fun color that make this a go-to tool for me.

  • Wet n Wild Brush Set - My cousin tipped me off to this set which was on sale at Walgreens. The quality is impressive, especially when you consider the super low sale price. It is no surprise these sold out fast!

  • Aveda Inner Light Foundation Brush - This was another impulse buy. I was at my local Aveda salon and picked up this brush. If you wear mineral foundation, you will love the dense, angled bristles on this oversized foundation brush. It blends on powder products like a dream.
  • Aveda Inner Light Dual Phase Mineral Foundation  - I just reordered this product because it is something I use daily. The kind folks at Aveda sent me my first pan of this earlier in the year and now I am hooked. Even on days that I wear liquid foundation, I top it with this mineral foundation because it adds such amazing coverage. On days where my skin is looking less than stellar, this powder helps me feel more confident. Plus it can be used wet or dry. 

  • IT Cosmetics Color Correcting Full Coverage Cream - This is an amazing CC cream. Like everything this brand makes, this product is great for those concerned about their skin. It is super hydrating and the perfect one and done beauty product. 

  • E.L.F. Cosmetics Beauty Sponge - Move over Beauty Blender, there is a new pink sponge in town. This one has a nice flat edge to spread product on with and cost a fraction of what you will pay for that other little pink sponge. 

  • Makeup Revolution Conceal & Define - This is another gem my cousin got me into. A true dupe for Tarte's Shape Tape Concealer, this tube retails for under $10 and is available in a large variety of colors. It can be used to conceal, highlight or contour. 

  • Hourglass Cosmetics Veil Retouching Fluid - This is probably the most misunderstood product of the year. I know some people could not figure out if this was a concealer or a foundation. It is neither.  A totally new product,  this is a light coverage hydrating fluid meant for mid-day makeup touch-ups. I never leave home without a tube of this in my bag. 

  • Fenty Beauty Match Stix (Linen, Amber, Starstruck) - Makeup artists everywhere are raving about these little sticks. They come in a variety of colors, and can be used anywhere on the face. I love them because unlike most cream products, these never seem to dry out.

  • Beauty Bakerie Flour Setting Powder - A new brand to my collection, Beauty Bakerie has taken the beauty community by storm. High quality products housed in some of the cutest packaging on the market....What more can you ask for?

  • Physicians Formula Butter Highlighter - This drugstore gem comes in a variety of colors. I consider this to be one of my "grownup" highlighting products because it doesn't emphasize my fine lines. 

Finally, I am ending my list with my favorite lip products.  The two on this list are truly standouts and I highly recommend them. 

  • Buxom Plumpline Lip Liner in Confidential - This is a chubby pencil with a capped lip brush on the other end. The formula is matte, but very comfortable to wear. Plus it makes your lips look fuller!

  • Jeffree Star Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick - I own so many of these. The formula is like no other on the market. These are eye safe, so can be used as lipstick or liquid eyeliner. They provide one swipe full coverage that is long lasting, but never drying. The color pictured above is called Allegedly, and it is my favorite from the brand.

I hope you enjoyed this post. I will be working on my usual follow up post complete with links and where you can shop all of my 2018 favorites. I intentionally did not include brands that I have an affiliate link with for this post. 


*This post may contain some products sent for consideration. However, this is not a sponsored post. I do not get paid to write reviews. I do not accept money or products in exchange for posts. 



Tuesday, December 18, 2018

Special Event / Party / Holiday Look - Tutorial 2018

If you are anything like me, you will probably find yourself attending a number of holiday parties and events this month. Even if you are not someone who enjoys this time of year, you may have to attend an office holiday party or two. Obligation or jubilation, this is a good time to fine tune your holiday makeup look. 

A few years back, this was my go-to makeup for special events: 

http://www.makeupmatters.blog/2014/03/special-eventpartyholiday-look-tutorial.html?m=1

My taste has certainly changed, and my 2018 look is not only easy to achieve, but there is a good chance that you already have these eyeshadows in your collection! 

Let's Get Started!

  • Using a Coastal Scents BR-C-S06 brush, I dipped into some of the reddish brown colors in my Urban Decay Naked Heat palette. Taking a mixture of He Devil & Dirty Talk, I swept the color onto my eyelid taking it slightly into the crease. 
  • Next, I picked up a smaller tapered brush and applied a mix of En Fuego and Ashes to the outer corner of my lid. Once there was hardly any left on the brush, I brushed the color into my crease. 

  • For my lower lash line, I used a Sigma Flat Definer E15 brush to press the same blend of colors just beneath the lashes. 
  • Switching to my Urban Decay Naked Petite Heat palette, I grabbed Inhale on a Cozzette P355 brush pressing it on to the inner corner of my eye, and just beneath my brow for a highlight. If you want to stick with one palette for this look, you can use Ounce from the Naked Heat palette instead. These colors are extremely similar, but Inhale has a slightly more brightening effect on my skintone. 
  • For liner, I used Jeffree Star Cosmetics Lip Liner in Dominatrix (chocolate brown) gently tracing along my upper lash line. Although this is technically a lip liner, the formula is eye safe. 

  • Sticking with the Petite Heat palette,  I picked up the color Strike on an Antonym  #13 angled brush and traced over Dominatrix. Layering the powder eyeshadow over the cream pencil will provide extra staying power so you can have fun all night without your makeup moving. If you don't have this palette, Ashes from Naked Heat will work just fine in place of Strike. The colors are very similar, with Strike leaning more toward an orange brown, vs the darker plummy brown of Ashes
  • I could have stopped here, but since this is an evening look, I blended just a touch of Scorched from the Naked Heat Palette along the lower lash line with a pencil brush. I blended it just below the mixture of En Fuego and Ashes that I applied earlier.  
  • I left the waterline bare so that the focus is on the eyeshadow. 
  • I applied a few coats of mascara and drew through my brows with just a little brow pencil. 

I applied my usual primer,  base and powder for my face makeup. Special events are generally not a good time to experiment with new foundation.  Wear whatever you feel comfortable and confident in. Just make sure that there is not too high of an SPF or you may see some flashback come photo time. 

I used a mixture of blush and bronzer along my cheekbones to add warmth to the face. 

For lips, I applied my brand new Chai lipstick from Bite Beauty. To make my lips look just a bit fuller, I used a Milani lip liner in Most Natural to slightly over draw the lip line. 


Here is the final look:

As you can see, someone snuck in the background as I was taking pictures! 

This look is much less dramatic than previous holiday makeup looks that I have created.  As I am getting older,  I try to play up my features rather than going for all out glam. The orange tones in these eyeshadow palettes really bring out the blue in my eyes. Orange and blue are complementary colors, so this look is perfect for those with light eyes. There is a reddish hue to these palettes as well, which will add emphasis to green eyes too. Those with brown eyes are quite lucky, as pretty much every color eyeshadow works! 

What is your favorite holiday makeup look? 


*All products in this post were purchased by me.  This is not a sponsored post. I do not get paid to write reviews.  I never accept products in exchange for a review. 

Monday, December 17, 2018

It's all the little things...

Sometimes it is the little things in life that make all of the difference.  This rings true when it comes to makeup application as well! I have compiled a list of some of the little things that I find make makeup application just a bit easier.

*This post contains affiliate links. All products in this post were purchased by me. 

  • WAYNE GOSS Brush 23 Spoolie Brush $12 on beautylish.com 
This upscale brush can be used for brows or mascara application. 

  • MYKITCO My 'on Point' Sharpener $6 on beautylish.com 
This is the  best sharpener on the market. It is an absolute must have for professional makeup artists. 
  • Tweezerman Rose Gold Classic Curler $14.99 on Amazon.com 
This affordable curler has an ergonomic design with cushy pads to keep lashes protected. 
  • Hotop 100 Pack Makeup Brush Protector Makeup Brushes Pen Guard Expandable Mesh Cover $6.95 on Amazon.com 
These brush guards are reusable, easy to use, and one size fits most brushes! At only $6.95 for a pack of 100, this truly is a great buy.
  • Crown ProCROWN PRO - PROFESSIONAL STAINLESS METAL SPATULA $5.00* 
http://bit.ly/2LgIJhy (affiliate link)*
Use this handy tool for scraping & mixing product on the palette of your choice. 

  • Synthetic Blue Squirrel Tapered Brush – Large $65.00 on kelleyquan.com 
This is Kelley Quan's Vegan Beauty Brush™ #22
It is soft & luxurious.  This brush is hand crafted in the USA and nothing helps makeup application more than using the right tools. 

All of these tools are staples in my kit, and I notice that they truly help. If you are a makeup artist, or simply a makeup lover, these tools can change your makeup game!

*This post contains affiliate links. I do receive a small commission if you chose to shop through this link. This helps support the site. All products mentioned in this post were purchased by me. I do not get paid to write reviews, nor do I accept products in exchange for a review. 


Thursday, December 6, 2018

Alien Invasion Part 2


As promised,  I decided to create a bolder look using the Jeffree Star Cosmetics Alien Eyeshadow Palette.  With all of the beautiful greens in this palette, creating a green look seemed like an obvious choice. 

Here is how I got the look:

I kind of worked backwards in terms of how many people apply eye makeup. I began by prepping the lid with Titan. I applied this matte cream colored shadow allover from lash line to just below the brow using a Coastal Scents BR-B-S03 brush.

Next, I darkened the upper lash line with Space Cowboy, applying it as eyeliner with an elf small angled brush.

Next, I applied Ghost OG very lightly in the crease with a Princeton Neptune #6 art brush.  I blended it out with a Bdellium Tools 776 brush. I repeated this until I created the desired depth. 

Moon Rock is one of my favorite colors in this palette. It is a metallic green-gold. Using my Furless Cosmetics PRO1L lip brush, I picked up some of the pigment, then sprayed the brush with facial spray. This helps intensify the metallic effect, and is a common technique called foiling. 

I used a lip brush so that I could easily reach the inner corner of my eyelid.

I smudged Flying Saucer along my lower lash line, as well as on the outer corner of my lid using an Eco Tools Smudge brush. I used a Furless Cosmetics PRO2E brush to blend everything out.

Next, I grabbed another one of my art brushes, a Princeton Oval Mop brush and used it to lightly blend Abduction through my upper crease. 

I couldn't resist using the color Alien. It is such a beautiful shimmery lime green. I smudged it along my lower lash line using a Furless PPE2.

Interstellar is a light antique gold, and another personal favorite.  I applied just a touch on the very inner portion of my lid using a Furless Cosmetics PRO1L brush.

On a Wet n Wild blending brush,  I brushed on a light coat of Pluto just under the brow, as well as on the inner corner of my eye to brighten things up. 

I could have stopped here, but I had to use UFO. It is a stunning metallic gold. I took just a touch along the inner portion of my lower lash line using an Eco Tools angled brush. 

Outside of the palette,  here are other products I used to complete the look:

  • NYX jumbo pencil in Lime on my waterline 
  • Celebrity Skin Velour Liquid Lipstick (JSC)
  • Snow Globe Supreme Frost (JSC)
  • Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Radiant Magenta
  • It Cosmetics CC cream
  • Wet n wild concealer
  • Covergirl mascara on top lashes
  • Wet n wild megaslim skinny mascara on bottom lashes 
Here is the final look:

What do you think? I am in love with this palette and find all of the shades easy to work with. 

Do you have the Alien Eyeshadow Palette?


*The cosmetics in this post were all purchased by me. Some of the brushes may have been sent by the company for consideration.  This is not a sponsored post. I do not get paid to write reviews, or accept products in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own. 

Tuesday, November 27, 2018

Top 10 Products For Ages 35+


In a few weeks I am turning 38 years old. At this point in my life, I have a good sense of what beauty products really work for me. I have compiled a list of my top 10 products that I hope my readers close to my age and older will benefit from. 

  1. Primer: Invest in a good face primer. Good, does not have to mean expensive.  Try Wet n Wild photofocus Face Primer. This lightweight formula is easy to use. Simply apply to clean skin before applying your foundation. 
  2. Liquid Highlighter: If you haven't tried Charlotte Tilbury London Wonder Glow yet, then you are really missing out. I love mixing in a tiny bit of this luminous liquid with my foundation for a soft focus look. It is a great product to liven up dull skin. 
  3. Coverage with SPF: Oddly I was a little late to the game on this one. IT Cosmetics Your Skin But Better CC+ Color Correcting Cream provides great coverage and includes an anti-aging, hydrating serum. With SPF 50+ UVA/UVB you can even out your skin and protect it from the sun at the same time. 
  4. A two-on-one lip/cheek color: I can't really think of one product that IT Cosmetics makes that I don't love. Their Vitality Flush Color Stain Stick in Je Ne Sais Quoi is perfect for busy people. Simply tap some of this on your cheekbones, and a little on your lips for a pink hue that looks good on everyone. 
  5. Micro-Powder: The older I get, the less powder I use. Yet, I am constantly going through compacts of Charlotte Tilbury London Airbrush Flawless Finish Skin Perfecting Micro-Powder. This pressed powder really is different from others on the market. It is very finely milled and never emphasizes the lines under my eyes. Plus, the golden compact is super elegant. 
  6. Brow Color: As I have gotten older, my brows have gotten thinner. While I have been known to use a variety of brow products,  Milani Stay Put Brow Color in Medium Brown is a great drugstore find. Simply dip your favorite angled brush into this pomade and fill in any sparse areas. 
  7. Soft Face Brushes: Anything that tugs and pulls at the skin is not acceptable.  IT Cosmetics has some of the softest brushes out there. They are especially perfect for those with sensitive skin. 
  8. A Good Eyeshadow Blending Brush: I am sure it is no secret that I am in love with the bdellium tools #776 Pink Bambu brush. I think it is one of the most underrated brushes out there. A good quality blending brush can really make a difference in your makeup look. 
  9. Waterproof Mascara: A question I always get, especially from women my age and older, is how to prevent mascara smudges on your lower lash line. Try Wet n Wild megaslim Skinny Mascara. Not only is it waterproof,  but the super thin brush head makes it easy to coat those bottom lashes. 
  10. A Facial Spray: I have tried many facial sprays over the years. There are actually quite a few good ones on the market. Aveda makes a great one, as does Mario Badescu. You will want to purchase one formulated for your skin type or find one suitable for all skin types. Once you have added this step to your routine,  you will never look back! Lightly spray over your face and neck to set your makeup, or simply refresh your skin. 

That wraps up my top ten products for us "mature" individuals.  Did any of your favorites make the list? Let me know in the comments below!


*This post may contain some products sent for consideration by the company. This is not a sponsored post. I do not get paid to write reviews or accept products in exchange for a review.  All opinions are my own. 




Friday, November 23, 2018

The Best Eyeshadow Palette of All Time


I admit, I am a bit late to the game. I didn't buy the Blood Sugar palette from Jeffree Star Cosmetics when it first launched. I saw a palette full of red shadows and just did not think I would get a lot of use out of so much red. 

After reading tons of positive reviews on this palette, I started to think maybe I was missing something. At the very least, the packaging looked like something I should own as a collector's item. 

When I heard Beautylish was restocking the palette, I decided to re-watch Jeffree Star's launch video on Blood Sugar. He pointed out the entire first row was neutrals. As I really looked at the palette, I realized how "wearable" the majority of the palette is. 

After thinking about how much I love the Thirsty palette from the brand, I decided to buy Blood Sugar. I also added the Androgyny palette to my Beautylish cart, because....why not?

The Blood Sugar pans are not as large as the super huge pans in the Androgyny palette. However the 18 pans in Blood Sugar contain 1.5 g of product per pan, still a very good size.

Here is a listing of the shades in the palette as seen on beautylish.com:

*Glucose: Pure white with a matte finish
*Sugarcane: Cool tone brown with a matte finish
*Cake Mix: Light brown with a matte finish
*Ouch: Camel brown with a matte finish
*Donor: Bronze pressed glitter pigment with a foil finish
*Intravenous: Chocolate brown with a matte finish
*Candy Floss (this is what Cotton Candy is called in the UK): Cotton candy pink with a metallic finish
*Tongue Pop: Soft tangerine with a matte finish
*Sweetener: Golden peach with a metallic finish
*Cavity: Hot pink with a matte finish
*0 Positive: Muted gray-brown with a matte finish
*Root Canal: Violet with a matte finish
*Prick: Candy apple with a matte finish
*Cherry Soda: True red with a matte finish
*Fresh Meat: Dark mulberry with a matte finish
*Blood Sugar: Rusty red with a metallic finish
*Extraction: Plum burgundy with a matte finish
*Coma: Eggplant with a matte finish

Here is a closer look:

I have had a lot of fun playing around with this palette. 

Here are some of the color combinations that I have been playing around with:

Above, I used a mixture of the red colors as an accent on the lower lash line and in the outer corner of the eye. I used Cake Mix on the lid and Glucose as a highlight under the brow.

Above, I used Glucose as a base from lash line to under the brow, Prick on the lid  and a mix of Fresh Meat with Extraction in the crease. I used Prick, Cherry Soda and Fresh Meat on the lower lash line. 

For my third look (above) I used Donor & Sweetner because I wanted to play with the metallics in the palette. I took Intravenous along the lower lash line and in the crease. Again, I used Glucose to highlight under the brow. For the lips, I popped on my favorite Jeffree Star Cosmetics Velour Liquid Lipstick in Allegedly. 

When Urban Decay launched their Naked Cherry palette, I couldn't help but think that the color story should have looked a lot more like Blood Sugar

It's funny, but this is one of the first popular eyeshadow palettes that I didn't purchase at launch time. It turned out to be my favorite and dare I say, the best eyeshadow palette of all time! 

As you may know from an earlier post, I am in love with the Alien Eyeshadow Palette from Jeffree Star Cosmetics, but there are some bold colors in that palette that I admit may not work for everyone. The Blood Sugar palette has plenty of neutrals, and berry tones that will work well for most people. The pops of color like Root Canal and Cavity can still be worked in with neutrals making them more user friendly. Cherry Soda and Prick are the only true reds in the palette, and even those can be mixed with Glucose to lighten them. They can also be mixed in with some of the other red shades which lean more copper or berry. 

If you don't have this palette yet, I highly recommend it. The shadows perform perfectly and are the best formula that I have ever used. 

Do you have Blood Sugar? How do you like to wear it?


*All of the products in this post were purchased by me. I do not get paid to write reviews or accept money from any brands.

How to Get Waterproof Lashes That Stand Out


When Covergirl announced that they were going cruelty-free it shook the beauty community. Some of us in the cruelty-free beauty community were skeptical at first. However my fears were soon put to rest when it was confirmed that they do not sell in China, a place that mandates any brand selling there is subject to animal testing. Having not used the brand for years, I was unsure of what products to try first. I decided to defer to my fellow makeup artist friends, and every single one mentioned the Last Blast Volume Waterproof Mascara from the brand. 

As many of you may know, I have struggled with finding the perfect, waterproof, cruelty-free drugstore mascara for years. There are a ton of great high-end options on the market, but mascara should be tossed after 2-3 months for sanitary reasons. I have either purchased minis of high-end mascaras or found drugstore versions that were solid, but not holy grail status. 

Enter Covergirl Lash Blast Volume Waterproof Mascara. This popular orange tube lives up to the hype. As you can see in the photo above, it adds volume and length to my sparse lashes. As for it being waterproof, it sure is! I had to use a makeup remover specifically for waterproof cosmetics or it would not budge! This product now has a home in my personal and professional kit. I purchased multiple tubes so that I always have a backup handy. The wand has a fat plastic brush head with many short bristles helping to add volume. 

I do use disposable wands professionally, and can confirm the formula itself is what makes this a stand out product. 

I want to congratulate Covergirl on officially joining the cruelty-free beauty community. I hope other large brands follow their lead.

What is your favorite Covergirl product?

*All products in this post were purchased by me. I do not get paid to write reviews.

Wednesday, November 21, 2018

Are You Ready For An Alien Invasion?

Well, it seems like Jeffree Star Cosmetics has done it again. The brand recently released the most exciting holiday palette that I have ever seen, and believe me when I tell you it is our of this world! I am of course referring to the Alien Eyeshadow Palette.

Lately I have been considering this brand to be a modern version of Urban Decay. I used to love the collectible palettes and innovative colors that Urban Decay sold. However, lately when I think about "beauty with an edge," Jeffree Star Cosmetics comes to mind. 

While there are some truly unique, bright colors in the palette, it is equally as easy to put together office appropriate neutral looks. At $52, this palette is well worth the money. Inside there are 18 shades, and a large mirror. The cover folds back under the palette if you are working at a makeup table that already has a mirror. 

Here are three "wearable" looks that I created:

Look #1 - I used Titan, Gravitea, Phone Home and Interstellar

I used Titan as a base all over the lid. Gravitea was swept into my crease as a transition shade. I used Phone Home in the outer corner and deeper crease as well as along the lower lash line. Interstellar was applied to the inner 2/3rds of my eyelid.

Here is a description of the colors from Beautylish.com:

  • Pluto: Icy white with a duochrome finish
  • Titan: Ivory with a matte finish
  • Alien: Neon green with a metallic finish
  • Interstellar: Antiqued light gold with a metallic finish
  • Abduction: Bright chartreuse with a matte finish
  • UFO: Green-gold with a metallic finish
  • Gravitea: Caramel with a matte finish
  • Martian Soil: Cool mustard with a matte finish
  • Flying Saucer: Bright teal with a matte finish
  • Phone Home: Mauve with a matte finish
  • Moon Rock: Forest green with a metallic finish
  • X Files: Cool-toned brown with a matte finish
  • Ghost OG: Deep army green with a matte finish
  • Area 51: Rich purple with a matte finish
  • Space Cowboy: Reddish brown with a metallic finish
  • Probe: Reddish brown with a turquoise shift and a metallic finish
  • Tall Grey: Light blue-grey with a matte finish *Black Hole: Deep black with a matte finish

Look #2 - I built upon the earlier look, adding Moon Rock to the inner 2/3rds of my eyelid. Area 51 was used to darken the outer corner, and brushed along the lower lash line. Pluto was used as an inner corner highlight and just below my brow.

The shadows are very high quality. They are also vegan and cruelty-free. 

Look #3 - Today, I used Ghost OG pressed over Urban Decay's Stash Eye Pencil, keeping it very close to the lash line. I used an Hourglass No 11 Brush to press the shadow on over the liner. After the top lash line was done, I took just whatever product was left on the brush and traced along my lower lash line. This dark, army green works well as a neutral. If you are over 35 years old, like me, matte shades like this will become your best friend. Any of the dark mattes in this palette work great as an alternative to eyeliner, creating a softer look. For extra staying power, layer it over your favorite eye pencil, like I did here.  

The combination of looks you can create with this palette is only limited by your imagination. I plan to create some bold looks as well, and combine these shadows with others from the brand to see how they work together. I wanted to share these first, as I suspect many YouTubers will gravitate towards the bright and metallic shades.  

Did you purchase the Alien Eyeshadow Palette? Which colors are your favorite?

*All products in this post were purchased by me at beautylish.com. I do not get paid to write reviews.


Thursday, November 15, 2018

The Best Solution Ever For Highlighter Application


Looking for the perfect brush to apply highlighter? Look no further. The Sephora Collection PRO Highlight #98 Brush is the answer.  The bristles are soft, and the shape and size if the brush head allow for easy one swipe application of your favorite powder highlighter. It picks up and blends product quite well. 

This high-quality brush comes complete with a plastic cap to protect it from dust. Don't just take my word for it. Read all of the glowing reviews on Sephora's site. At $28 each, you may want to consider buying a couple if you are a working pro artist. I think the quality is well worth the price. 

Pictured above is a closer look at the bristles. Like all brushes I feature, this is made out of synthetic bristles so it can be used with liquids and creams. However, I find it works best with powder and gel/powder hybrid formulas. 

The shape of the bristles reminds me of my Arbonne Precision Brush or my Bdellium Tools #964. The size of the brush head is noticeably smaller, which is exactly what makes it such a great tool for highlighter application.

I love the nice long handle, and professional quality of this brush. This was a gift from my cousin, who always knows what current products and tools I will love.


Do you have this brush? What highlighters do you like to use it with?


*I do not get paid to write reviews. I do not do sponsored posts. This post may contain products sent to me for consideration. All opinions are my own. 

Wednesday, November 14, 2018

One Brush Collection That Everyone Should Own

Wet n Wild 10-piece Brush Collection

Sometime in the past two weeks, my cousin sent me a text about this Wet n Wild 10-piece Brush Collection.  This set is sold at Walgreens and retails for $30. From November 4th-10th it was available for only $15 with the use of a Walgreens reward card. 

This set was sold out online, and many stores ran out of inventory super fast. You can imagine my surprise when I saw a full display at the Walgreens right near my house!

My excitement was quickly replaced with confusion when I did not see any sign about the half price sale. I asked an employee if they were on sale, and she told me they were not. I texted my cousin with a picture asking her if I was looking at the correct set. 

She sent me the below picture from their website. While it does say, "Online and in-store prices may vary," I decided to make extra sure that the employee was not mistaken. Armed with a shot of the sale price on my phone and my Walgreens card, I approached the register, brushes in hand. I showed the cashier the online price and asked him to match it. He said as long as I had my Walgreens reward card, I could get the set for $15!


I left the store, brushes in hand, with a super excited skip home. These brushes come in a gift box, so if you want to purchase this set for someone else, no wrapping is required. 

As soon as I got home, I ripped open the box to check out my new purchase.  My cousin was right, these brushes are excellent quality. With soft vegan bristles and ergonomic handles, I still can't believe I only paid $15 for this set. 


After using all of these for several days, I feel confident saying that even the $30 price tag is a complete steal given the quality of these brushes. 

I do consider this to be a full, complete set. You can easily do a full face of makeup without bringing in any other brushes. While the set is no longer offered for $15, I still think everyone should own it. I can't think of another brush set with this many brushes of this quality that retails for only $30. 

Wet n Wild has a different 10-piece set on their site currently. While this set includes a case, it is over $50 for 10 brushes. 

These really are great quality. The value is impressive, and the brush shapes are useful for everyday. 

If you are thinking of buying a set for yourself, or as a gift, I highly recommend this one.

Thank you, to my wonderful cousin for alerting me to this steal!


Do you own this set? Are you planning on purchasing it?


*All products in this post were purchased by me. This is not a sponsored post. I do not get paid to write reviews.