Urban Decay Primer Potions - Original and Sin (PIC Heavy!)

My UDPP original has been my go to eyeshadow base since I started makeup so I thought I'd try one of the others!

Urban Decay Primer Potions in Sin and Original

The Specs:

* .34 US oz

* Bought at Sephora and Nordstrom Rack

* There is new packaging!

* Potions are only $9 at the Rack or $18 at Sephora

* Comes in 4 shades: Original, Sin, Eden and Greed

* Comes in a super cute Jeanie Bottle tube

*This much product will last you a very long time! I've had my original for over a year now... not even close to done!

UDPP Original:

*Flesh toned in the tube but blends perfectly clear on the lid!

*My favorite of the two - holds shadow better and bending is super easy!

UDPP SIN:

*Champagne color with silver shimmer

*Love this for a simple eye look of just mascara and this 

Swatches:

Love these! Easy to use and make my eyeshadow last as long as I need!

Good value if you can find them for $9!

Even though eventually I will have to depot these I'm not worried because makeup projects are always fun :)

Comparison to the ELF $1 primer coming soon!

Rachel's Mini Halloween Face Painting Guide

ITS ALMOST HALLOWEEN!

Often around these kind of child-oriented holidays, someone is having a party for their kid or my church has an event and I am more often than not asked to face paint!

Last weekend, my church had a Trick-or-Trunk where everyone came and there were concessions, moon jumps, FACE PAINTING and games. There were also around 25 cars with trunks decorated and full of candy and you could go around and get candy from each trunk!

So, the day came and went and I did my job (i don't ask to get paid since this is more of a hobby for me) and I thought it would be something nice to put here!

If you plan to do some cheek art this season and you'd like some ideas, you've come to the right place!

Keep reading for a look at my little guide!

Colors you'll need:

Fall Colors like yellow and orange you can't go without. All your primary colors but you can skip blue. I don't know how that metallic pink got in there.

You can get a kit from Michael's if this is going to be a one time thing for you but DON'T GET THE STICKS! Those face painting pens that click up are very waxy and barely show up on darker complexions. No acrylic paints even if it says non-toxic!

Paints I use:

They aren't cheap but if you think you'll be doing this a lot you may want to invest in some good paints. Sillyfarm.com is your best bet for online shopping. I like all the Wolfe FX paints except for the orange  and the purple.


Brushes I use the most:

I think I have upwards of 20 brushes but these 3 never let me down! If I only could take 3 brushes these would be the ones! You don't have to get brushed by brand, just by type.

The flat brush makes great circles, pumpkin shapes, good for filling in designed ect. The small liner brush is good for outlining, small dots and small swirls and the larger detail brush is perfect for swirls and leaves and faces.

My cheek art designs of choice for this year:

Satisfy girls and boys and save time by making them choose from a sheet with designs you know you can do and do quickly. This was my original. I painted on paper, cut them out and glued them  in an order on the sheet. This is the original, however I made a copy for the actual event.

Spider web, Bat and a Moon, Simple Pumpkin, Skull (i did them without blood on small children), Witches pot, Smiling Pumpkin, Evil Pumpkin, Candy Corn and Cat in the Moon.

I really hope this helps you in your face painting adventures this year! I hope to do individual tutorials for each design on here for you guys :D

Rachel

PS: Followers make my day <3

Cheek art for School Spirit!

Have you ever tried to show some SCHOOL SPIRIT with face paint?? Try it! Whether it be for your sons, daughters or even your own team, it really adds some fun to the event!

I painted this on my mom for my last PowderPuff Football game:

I painted an S for our school and a few maple leaves (since we are the maples) and I wrote go seniors since I was on the senior team.

She got to show her support AND she got quite a few compliments!

What do you think?

<3 Rachel

Ps: Followers make my day!

E.L.F. Studio Tinted Moisturizer

What do I think about this Tinted Moisturizer?

Can you tell its really been around? :D This is my 2nd tube! I even used this product during my year stay in Thailand because it beat the heat! 

What E.L.F Says: 

This lightweight and hydrating formula is breathable and provides anti-aging sun protection with UVA/UVB SPF 20. Achieve even skin tone and naturally radiant skin with this moisturizing sheer tint of color. The smooth formula enhances your complexion with the nourishing key ingredients Aloe, Cucumber and Vitamins A, C & E.

If your not ready or just don't want to shell out big bucks for a tinted moisturizer I highly recommend you check this out. It used to be that if I wanted to find a tinted moisturizer for my skin color, it meant big bucks. These days, however, a lot of drugstore brands have been coming out with all these BB cream/Tinted Moisturizer type products in more colors than just one or two! Can't complain about that!

Also if you like to drop the foundation for the summertime or just are a no-foundation kinda girl like me, you might find a lot you like in a product like this. 

Packaging: Sleek black, mimicking the other studio products. I think squeezy tubes for Tinted moisturizers are great. I do occasionally clean the part where the product comes out because it can get gunky. The see through window at the front is not a sticker, you are actually seeing inside the bottle!
Smaller than your average 1oz foundation (your getting .88oz).

Color: As I'll show you in the swatches, Almond, the shade I use, is more on the yellow side. If you are an NC 44/NC 45 in MAC, you could nicely get away with this color. I am a NC45 in MAC and this matches me almost perfectly. In the winter, I find myself switching to the shade Sand.

Product: The finish on this is matte. In no way oily. It smooths into my skin so nicely and leaves a very natural finish. The feel once blended into my skin is smooth and dry. I almost never set this with powder because the matte nature of it gives me the option to and I love the natural finish. Sheer coverage.

Pros:
*7 colors to choose from, Almond is the 3rd darkest shade so if your darker you still have 2 shades to choose from!
*Dries a natural matte
*Wears all day
*Tube Packaging
*Skin benefiting ingredients (Aloe, Cucumber, A, E,)
*SPF 20
*Sheer coverage
*Smooth finish
*$3 (what a deal!)
*Travels well: Has been all around the world with me!

Can be purchased online or at Target

Cons:
* Smells like sunscreen
*You don't get a full 1 fl oz

 Swatches:

How I wear this tinted moisturizer:

To wear this I skip primer so that It can blend into my skin easy. I put the product on the back of my hand and warm it up with my fingers. I use my fingers to apply, then pat my face to press it into my skin. I usually use a matte bronzer around the edges of my face and lightly contour so that it fades the color into my hairline and neck.

If I need this to last through more than school, or I need it to last through a special event, I spray it with the elf Mist and Set and once that dries I apply the NYC translucent powder.

Would I repurchase? OVER AND OVER!

Dear E.L.F people:  I am really proud of your color selection, thanks for taking notice of the darker skinned women in this world and not leaving us out and having affordable products for everyone to be able to try :)

<3 Rachel

Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser

I don't know about you but foaming cleansers have always been my favorite and when I saw this I was instantly sucked in by its foaming powers :P 

Unfortunately, it didn't really do what it was supposed to do...clean my face!

^ One Pump of the Foaming Cleanser

The Aveeno Clear Complexion Foaming Cleanser is supposed to be an oil free, soap free, bla bla bla, foaming cleanser. I was hoping that it would remove makeup too but I was wrong for even expecting it to clean my face.

After a few days of using this I noticed the overall quality of my skin going down :(  I would clean my face with this and dry my face with a hand towel and there would be makeup on the towel (and just so you know I remove most of my makeup with a makeup removing cloth before even going to the sink). My skin felt dry, not clean, dry.
        
Oh, and did I mention that this is the most drying cleanser I have ever tried in my life?

Pros:
Price ~$7
Contains Salicylic Acid for blemish treatment
Oil Free
Soap Free
FOAMS! (i love foam)

Cons:
Didn't clean my face
Sucked all the moisture out of my face
Strong Fragrance (surprised me when i opened the bottle and my skin is sensitive to fragrance)
My skin didn't feel smooth after cleansing, it literally just felt dry

Purchased at: Target
Would I repurchase? Umm, hell no.

Have you tried this cleanser? Does it work for you? Let me know! What is your favorite cleanser?

<3 Rachel

Nail Polish Haul!!

Walmart, Dollar store and Nordstrom Rack Haul

KleanColor (?) - Picked this up from a Dollar store, had no color label :( A dark, metallic, black blue.

KleanColor (Melon) - Neon Coral

Sinful Colors (Love Nails) - Metallic Turquoise

Pure Ice (Home Run) - Minty Pastel Green

Pure Ice (Feisty) - Pastel Hot Purple/Pink

OPI (Every Month is Oktoberfest) - Black Purple with Red Metallic

L.A. Girl Dotting Tool Set:

Thats it! I got some other makeup items too but they were for a birthday gift for a friend so i didn't include them. You will soon see a NOTD of Pure Ice Home Run, one of my favs of this haul!

<3 Rachel 

My First Blog Award!

Thanks so much to Renee and Erika from All Glitzed Up who was super awesome and nominated me for a Liebster Award!  The Liebster Award is given to new bloggers with less than 200 followers. I never had thought about a blog award until this. Thanks!

These are the Rules:

1. The recipient must post 11 fun facts about themselves 
2. The recipient must also answer 11 questions created by the award giver.
3. The recipient must give the award to 11 new bloggers with less than 200 followers and post 11 questions for them to answer
4. These 11 bloggers must be told they have been given the award
5. They will in turn pass the award on to 11 new bloggers of their choice (no tagging back the award giver) 

Woo hoo! Ok, here we go, 11 facts about me:

1. I have lived in 3 different countries
2. I am trilangual. I speak English, Spanish and Thai
3. I am a Michigander!
4. I am currently in my senior year in Highschool - Loving it!
5. I like to dress casual but my wardrobe since living in Thailand has turned slightly vintage
6. I am Christian
7. I wear glasses on a regular basis
8. I hate the cold :( And i live in Michigan
9. I'm not too fond of snow either
10. I lived in Mexico for 3 years and Thailand as an exchange student for 1 year
11. I am involved in Powder Puff, Tennis and Diversity Club in my school and I am in most of our schools bands including: Marching Band, Symphony Orchestra, Pit Orchestra and Jazz Band. I play the trumpet :)

Now for Renee and Erika's questions!

1. What fashion trend are you currently loving? Toms shoes!
2. Why do you wear makeup? Because I think its fun and artistic and it helps me express myself.
3. What eyeshadow look/combo is your favorite? Brown winged cream eyeliner and black mascara with my lower lashline rimmed with white.
4. What is your least favorite cosmetics brand and why? Umm...Id say Neutrogena because they have never even made an effort to make makeup for any person of color AND none of their skin care has ever done anything for my skin.
5. What was your most recent splurge? Not been splurging lately, do college apps count? those are expencive!
6. What was your most recent bargain? Um, $1 for L.A. Colors cosmetics at my BSS Store :)
7. What fashion trend do you like but are afraid to try? I don't do bold lips.
8. How often do you shop? On the weekends
9. What makeup do you never use? Highlighter even though i think i love it and Foundation. I never use foundation.
10. What makeup can't you live without? Concealer
11. What makeup can't you live without? Lip gloss

The bloggers I am awarding:

1. http://www.makingsofdreek.com/

2. http://rosebeautyify.blogspot.com/

3. http://afroellemag.blogspot.com/

4. http://thatsnay.blogspot.com/

5. http://mikichigo.blogspot.com/

6. http://luvlifebeauty.wordpress.com

7. http://theurbansweetheart.blogspot.com

8. http://www.blaquepearl.com

9. http://imaginarymi.blogspot.com/

10. http://laurasummerbeauty.blogspot.com

11. http://michelaismyname.blogspot.com

Well, I think thats it! I will be notifying the bloggers I have awarded! :)

<3 Rachel

Review: Ruby Kisses Jellicious Mouth Watering Gloss!

Ruby Kisses is a new brand that I've been seeing a lot of at my beauty supply stores! I haven't seen many reviews on their products, so I've been trying them out on my own :)

Ruby Kisses Jellicious Mouth Watering Gloss - Cotton Candy

 I do like this gloss as a basic gloss to keep in my car or my backpack, but its not going to do much for the color of your lips which is what I generally like lip glosses to do. Also, I tend to like a stickier consistency because it lasts so much longer. What attracted me to this was the packaging...it was just so appealing!

If they meant candy when they said Mouth Watering... they go it. This stuff is SO sweet.. sweeter than the Liplicous ones even! And it really didn't taste like cotton candy...it was just sweet, but it was very moisturizing for my lips.

Pros:

Nice scent

Super cute packaging

Mango butter and Acai Berry Infused (don't ask me what that means)

Moisturizing

Cons:

Very sweet flavor

Not long lasting

Sheerer than I expected

Swatches:

I do like this gloss but I'm not sure its one that I would repurchase. I like a gloss with some color. In the tube it looked like it would have some but it did not. This is my least favorite of the Ruby Kisses products that I have tried.

Rachel

My Current Skin Care

      I try to keep my skin care as natural as possible as to not get my skin used to harsh products. My skin is sensitive to fragrance. I'll get small bumps around my nose and if I have a reaction to a product then I get red bumps around my mouth and forehead area between my brows. My skin is neither excessively dry or oily and its rare that I get a pimple. 

 I am always getting compliments on the clarity of my skin! I am very thankful for it.

Heres a peek at what I like and what I feel works for my skin!! 

Simple Moisturizing Facial Wash: Recently began using this after a fail with the Aveeno Clear Complexion Foam Cleanser (didn't clean my face, caused breakouts, VERY fragranced) and after using the Boots 7 Which Hazel and Tea Tree Foam cleanser. I loved that Boots cleanser but I can only find it in Thailand :(
This wash cleans my skin without drying it out. I love that its so gentle! The packaging is my only complaint. The product seems to be spilling even when closed? We'll see.

Arabic Store Rose Water: My mom came across this rose water at some Arabic store somewhere and picked it up for me as she knows I use this as a toner! I love it. Its just like any other rose water I've used except the bottle is glass and I kinda like that! Rosewater is very gentle and works great as a toner for my skin, not to mention it smells awesomee :D

Simple Hydrating Moisturizer: I am really liking this moisturizer that I have began using after using Biore's SPF 30 Moisturizer all summer. This one doesn't have SPF but I feel like as winter is coming along I don't need all that SPF. Its a very light moisturizer. Almost gel-like, seems tacky as its drying, but leaves my face super smooth~!!

Original Noxema: When I feel like my skin is struggling after using a product that reacted harshly with my skin, I reach for this. Big, inexpensive, and lasts forever. It cleanses and leaves my skin moisturized, like an oil cleanser :)

St. Ives Fresh Skin Apricot Invigorating Scrub: My favorite for expholating my skin. I like to mix it with the Noxema to reduce the harshness of the scrub and after my skin looks radiant and smooth :)

Epielle Green Tea Cleaning Tissues: Thank the Lord for Big Lots! This is where I buy my makeup removing cloths. They have Aloe, Cucumber and Green Tea in a small (30 count) size and a large (60 count) size. The Green Tea ones are my favorite and yes, I have tried them all :) They remove my makeup well and don't irritate my skin!

Grape Seed Oil: For night time moisture and eye makeup removal this is a favorite! Removes mascara and eyeliner and all that waterproof stuff in an instant!
 I'll put this over the area that I need it, massage it in and use my makeup wipes to remove the oil. Then I'll go wash my face and I'm done!


I make sure to make sure that all my makeup is removed. That might be my biggest skin care secret. Take the time to remove all your makeup - your skin will love you!

Rachel

A preview of my Senior Pictures!!! No foundation ... just clear skin :)