Benefit Cheekathon Review

Benefit Cheekathon Review

Benefit Cheekathon Palette
Price: $58.00
You can buy this at: Sephora, Ulta, Benefit

I recently purchased the Benefit Cheekathon palette from Sephora and I absolutely love it! If you are considering buying one or two of the Benefit blushes or bronzers, or you are just a makeup junkie like I am, you need this palette. I already owned the Rockateur blush in the individual container, but I wanted to purchase the Cheekathon palette anyway because I have considered buying the Hoola bronzer and Coralista blush for quite some time now, but never took the plunge. After the Cheekathon palette came out, I realized this was the perfect opportunity to try out all of the blushes and bronzers that Benefit is known for but only for the cost of two individuals blushes.

The Cheekathon palette comes with three blushes, one bronzer, and a face powder along with a small flat topped brush. The products that are inside of the palette are as follows from left to right and top to bottom: Dandelion, Hoola, Rockateur, Dallas, and Coralista. I have tried every color in the palette and all are super pigmented and easy to blend on the skin. Everything in the Cheekathon palette is full size products so it is truly a bang for your buck. I have more fair skin so all of the colors show up nicely on my skin tone, however, I think that Dandelion might be a light on medium to dark skin tones.

I would definitely recommend this palette to anyone who is interested in buying a Benefit blush or bronzer. It really is a great deal for the price verse the amount of product that you get!

                     In order from left to right: Dandelion, Hoola, Rockateur, Dallas, Coralista

All Photos by Becky Schutten.

Beauty Haul

Recent Beauty Haul

One of the most peaceful experiences for me to do when I'm feeling down, bored, or uninspired is to go makeup or beauty shopping. There is just something about walking up and down the isles swatching makeup or smelling perfumes and hair products that makes me feel uplifted and inspired again. I was feeling a little uninspired recently so my sister and I decided to take a day and go to a bunch of beauty store to see what was new.

So, I have picked up some new products from a couple stores and I wanted to share my great finds with you! Some of the products are repurchases and others are brand new to me. I will let you know which products are new and repurchased in the descriptions below. The following products were purchased at the drugstore, beauty supply stores, and high-end beauty stores.

Note: If you would like swatches or reviews on any of the products below, please leave a comment and I will be happy to do that.

Simple Micellar Makeup Remover Wipes (New)
Cost: $4.49
Where you can find it: Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, Costco, Target

 

Dove Sensitive Skin Body Wash (New)

Cost: $5.49

Where you can find it: Walgreens, Walmart, CVS, Target

 

 

Secret Clinical Strength Deodorant in Stress Response (Repurchase)

Cost: $7.99

Where you can find it: Walgreens, Walmart, Target, CVS, Jewel

 

 



Batitse Dark and Deep Dry Shampoo (Repurchase)

Cost: $.7.99

Where you can find it: Ulta, Target, Walgreens

 

 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel (Repurchase)

Cost: $22.00

Where you can find it: Ulta, Sephora, Macys, Nordstrom



 

 

 

Pureology Hydrate Hydra Whip Hair Mask (New)

Cost: $50.00

Where you can find it: Ulta, select beauty supply stores

 



 

Bath and Body Works Hands Soap (Repurchase)

Scents: Golden Pineapple Luau, Turquoise Waters, Tiki Mango Mai Tai, Black Cherry Merlot, Hawaiian Pink Hibiscus

Cost: $6.50

Where you can find it: Bath and Body Works

 



 

The Body Shop Sorbets in Mango and Strawberry (New)

Cost: $15.00

Where you can find it: The Body Shop 

 

 

Bath and Body Works Body Lotions (Repurchase)

Scents: Waikiki Beach Coconut, Limoncello, Pink Chiffon, Tahiti Island Dream, Tiki Mango Mai Tai

Cost: $12.50

Where you can find it: Bath and Body Works

 

 

Wet Brush Detangle (Repurchase)

Cost: $11.99

Where you can find it: Ulta, select beauty supply stores

 

 

Origins Drink Up Intensive Face Mask

Cost: $17.00

Where you can find it: Sephora, Macys, Nordstrom

 



 

Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita

Cost: $20.00

Where you can find it: Sephora

 

 

 

Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Gleam

Cost: $40.00

Where can you find it: Sephora, Macys, Nordstrom, Ulta

 



 

All Photos by Becky Schutten

Favorite Nude Lipsticks

Favorite Nude Lipsticks

If I had to choose only one lipstick color to wear for the rest of my life, it would definitely be nude!When I look through my extensive lipstick collection, it is clear that I have a nude lipstick obession. I have double the amount of nude lipsticks than any other lipstick color in my collection. Nude lipsticks are my favorite because they can go perfectly with any makeup look. A smoky eye to a neutral eye, a nude lip will go with anything.

When I think of a nude lipstick, I don't have a limited view on what a nude color is. When some people think of a nude lipstick, they think that it looks like the color of skin. However, I feel that a nude lipstick is any color that ranges from the natural color of lips all the way to flesh toned lipsticks. The advantages to wearing a nude lip is that you can create many different looks with the many colors of nudes that you have. For instance, you can apply just the nude lipstick and blur out the edges to create a soft focused lip look, or you can use a corresponding lip liner to make the nude lip crisp and defined.

I have choosen my top 15 nude lipstick colors that range from light to dark, sheer to opaque, and glossy to matte. I think that in this selection of lipsticks, anyone can find a lipstick that would look great on them. As a reference, I am a NC30/NC35 in MAC foundation right now as I just self-tanned a few days ago.

Too Faced Melted Lipstick in Melted Nude
Price: $21.00
You can buy this at: Ulta, Sephora, and Macy's

Milani Lipstick in Naturally Chic
Price: $5.99
You can buy this at: Milani.com, Mejer, and CVS

MAC Lipstick in Japanese Maple
Price: $17.00
You can buy this at: MAC stores, Macy's, and Nordstrom

Bobbi Brown Lipstick in Baby Pink
Price: $27.00
You can buy this at: bobbibrown.com, Macy's, and Nordstrom

Lime Crime Lipstick in Coquette
Price: $8.00
You can buy this at: limecrime.com

Bite Beauty Lipstick in Caramel
Price: $26.00
You can buy this at: bitebeauty.com and Sephora

NYX Lipstick in Athens
Price: $5.99
You can buy this at: Ulta, Target, and nyxcosmetics.com

Kardashian Beauty En-Joystick in Modern Mauve
Price: $ 8.99
You can buy this at: Ulta and kbeauty.com

YSL Lipstick in #8
Price: $37.00
You can buy this at: Sephora, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue

Urban Decay Lipstick in Naked
Price: $22.00
You can buy this at: Ulta, Sephora, and Macy's

MAC Lipstick in Shy Shine
Price: $17.00
You can buy this at: MAC stores, Macy's, and Nordstrom

Estee Lauder Lipstick in Desirable
Price: $30.00
You can buy this at: Sephora, Macy's, and Nordstrom

Chanel Lipstick in Boy
Price: $37.00
You can buy this at: Macy's, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue

L'Oreal Lipstick in Jennifer's Nude
Price: $5.99
You can buy this at: Walgreens, Walmart, and Target

YSL Lipstick in #9
Price: $37.00
You can buy this at: Sephora, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue

All Photos by Becky Schutten

Eyebrow Pencils: Anastasia vs. NYX

Eyebrow Pencils: Anastasia vs. NYX

Finding the perfect eyebrow pencil can definitely be a challenge, and I have done my research for the best ones at the expense of my bank account. Just because a product has a big price tag doesn't mean it is worth the money when it comes to the quality of the product. In particular, it can be difficut to find a great eyebrow pencil regardless of the price, which makes the hunt for the perfect brow product even harder. Creating a perfect yet natural looking brow has become a huge trend, and an even bigger eyebrow tend in recent years has been Anastasia Beverly Hills. Anastasia Beverly Hills' products have made everyone in the industry really step up their game when it comes to creating amazing quality and selections in the brow department. As much as I love almost all of Anastasia's products, NYX has come out with an amazing line of eyebrow products that are comparable to the infamous Anastasia Beverly Hills eyebrow pencil. These two eyebrow pencils are very similar, but the big question is: Is it worth spending a bit more money for the Anastasia Beverly Hills eyebrow pencil or sparing your bank account and buying the NXY eyebrow pencil?

Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz
(Shade: Medium Brown)
Price: $21.00
You can buy this at: Sephora, Ulta, Macy's, and Nordstrom
http://www.sephora.com/brow-wiz-P202633?skuId=1394717&om_mmc=ppc-MSN&mkwid=ptfOvTgw&pcrid=11604371611&pdv=c&site=us_search&country_switch=us&lang=en

The Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz is a brow pencil in a slender black and rose gold tube. The Brow Wiz comes in nine different shades which include: Taupe, Caramel, Auburn, Medium Brown, Soft Brown, Chocolate, Dark Brown, Ebony, and Granite. I think that this range of colors is a great selection for all hair colors, and they cover all of the undertones. The Brow Wiz is a duo-sided container with one side containing the actual eyebrow pencil and the other side containing a spoolie to brush the eyebrow. This eyebrow pencil is retractable so you can move the product up and down as necessary. The actual eyebrow pencil is thin and comes to a point so you can get a precise application. Since the pencil is so narrow, it allows the user to get a super precise and natural looking brow because you are able to draw hair-like stokes which creates the allusion of having a fuller or more perfect brow. The Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz is a stern material which I personally love because I think that this gives you more control over the product which in turn makes it easier to create your desired shape. I love to set the Brow Wiz with the Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel. This brow gel sets the eyebrows so well without having to use too much product. A little bit truly goes a long way.

NYX Micro Brow Pencil
(Shade: Espresso)
Price: $9.99
You can buy this at: : Ulta, Target, and nyxcosmetics.com
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod12011193&skuId=2284052&CPMID=CSBING&CAWELAID=330000200000255557&catargetid=330000200000463933&CADEVICE=c

The NYX Micro Brow Pencil is a brow pencil that is in a slender black tube with white writing. The Micro Brow Pencil comes in eight different shades which include: Taupe, Blonde, Auburn, Chocolate, Ash Brown, Brunette, Espresso, and Black. I think that NYX came out with a good range of colors for someone who is looking for a brow pencil that is on the cool-toned side, but I think that they do not have as any options for people who are looking for a darker warm-toned brow pencil. The Micro Brow pencil is a duo-sided pencil that contains a pointed brow pencil on one side, and has a spoolie on the other side. The NYX brow pencil gives the same effect as the Brow Wiz, however it is a little bit harder than the Anastasia brow pencil. I know someone people love when their brow pencil is harder, but I think that it is a little harder than I would like it to be. When it comes to the presicion of the NYX Micro Brow Pencil, I think that it gives you a great result and you can obtain any shape you want with easy (you just have to use more pressure to get the color payoff you want.) The Micro Brow Pencil is by far the best eyebrow pencil I have ever found at the drugstore or for a drugstore
price!

When it comes to deciding which eyebrow pencil is worth buying, I think the results really depend on how much you want to spend or what your budget is. I personally like how my brows come out better when I use the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz, but if I was on a money crunch, I would have no problem buying and using the NYX Micro Brow Pencil. These two eyebrow pencils are very similar to each other  and are both super stars in my eyes. However, if I had to choose between the two, I would choose the Anastasia Bevery Hills Brow Wiz because I like the fact that it is slightly more easy to work with.

All Photos By: Becky Schutten

Favorite MAC Blushes

Favorite MAC Cosmetic Blushes

Price: $17.00 - $27.00
You can buy this at: MAC Cosmetics, Macy's, and Nordstrom
www.maccosmetics.com

Having worked at MAC Cosmetics for a few years, I have tried every blush color and formula that they make on every skin type and every skin tone. MAC has a great selection of colors and textures of blushes that can meet anyone and everyone's needs and desires. They have a couple different types of blushes which include: the powder blushes, pro long wear blushes, mineralize blushes, and cream blushes. The powder blushes are the standard MAC blushes that they have the most color selection to choose from. The powder blushes have good staying power on the skin and can be blended easily for a smooth-looking application. The pro long wear blushes are a long wearing formula that is also easy to blend on the skin, but they are a little more dry in texture. There is less options in the pro long wear blushes than the powder blushes. The mineralize blushes are very pigmented and all of these blushes have a shimmer running through them that gives a glow to the skin. This formula has a smaller selection than most of the other formulas that are offered by MAC. Lastly, the cream blushes are creamy and glowing on the skin, and last very well. They are probably the most forgotten about formula when it comes to MAC blushes, but they are extremely beautiful and great to use under a powder blush for a more long-wearing effect. Most of these blushes are available in a pan form besides the mineralize blushes, so you can create your own custom blush palette.

Some of my favorite blushes from MAC can be used on any skin tone or skin type, but for reference I am a NC20 in MAC foundations.

Note: You can always go to a MAC store or counter to swatch these colors on your skin or have a MAC artist try them on you before you purchase.

Margin (Powder Blush): A neutral soft peach with gold shimmer.

Blushbaby (Powder Blush): A soft rosy pink with a beige undertone.

Pinch Me (Powder Blush): A deeper rosy coral.

Peaches (Powder Blush): A true peach.

Springsheen (Powder Blush): A peach with gold shimmer.

Ambering Rose (Powder Blush): A deeper rose with gold shimmer.

Pinch O' Peach (Powder Blush): A satin peachy pink.

Rhubarb (Powder Blush): A deep magenta.

Apple Red (Powder Blush): A true red.

All Photos By: Becky Schutten

Drugstore vs High-End: Real Techniques Complexion Sponge and the Beauty Blender

Drugstore vs High-End: Real Techniques Complexion Sponge and the Beauty Blender

Many people love using a sponge to apply their makeup, and I am one of them! Sponges are a great tool to use for a natural finish. In particular, using a sponge is a great way to make your makeup look less powdery. There are many different types of sponges on the market, but two of the more popular sponges are the Real Techniques Complexion Sponge and the Beauty Blender. These sponges are similar, but they do have their differences. Which is worth buying? The drugstore version? Or the high-end version?

Real Techniques Complexion Sponge
Price: $6.00
You can buy this at: Ulta, Kohl's, Walgreens, and realtechniques.com
http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5960824

The Real Techniques Complexion Sponge is an orange sponge that has a rounded point at one end and a flat edge side on the other end. The sponge can be used wet or dry, but I would recommend using it wet because it gives you a more flawless coverage and appearance. The pointed side of the sponge is great for getting in the creases and edges around the face, as well as blending concealer under the eyes. I like to use the flat egde of the sponge to to apply my foundation and to blend in my contour, blush, and highlighter. When you wet the sponge, it becomes larger and softer which makes it easier to work with and manipulate it to the contours of your face. Also, you can use it dry to apply powder under your eyes to set your concealer or to bake your contour. This is a great sponge and is only around $6 depending on where you buy it.

The Beauty Blender
Price: $20.00
You can buy this at: Sephora, Macy's, and beautyblender.com
http://www.sephora.com/beautyblender-P228913?skuId=1151869&om_mmc=ppc-MSN&mkwid=jmvNOGUB&pcrid=11604382683&pdv=c&site=us_search&country_switch=us&lang=en

Note: Even though this the Beauty Blender is clean, it is permanently stained from foundation.

The Beauty Blender is a hot pink sponge that is completely round on one side and comes to a rounded point on the other end. You can use the Beauty Blender wet or dry, but like the Real Techiques Complexion Sponge I prefer to use it wet because of the finish it gives. I like to use the pointed end of the sponge for concealer under my eyes, as well as covering any blemishes or problem areas. Also, I like to use the rounded end to apply my foundation and to set my makeup with powder. The Beauty Blender comes in many different colors and sizes such as smaller ones that were made to apply concealer and blend makeup in the smaller contours of the face. The Beauty Blender is a great sponge to apply your makeup for a flawless look.

I have used both of these sponges many times and if I had to choose between the two, I would choose the Real Techniques Complexion Sponge. Even though I really do like the Beauty Blender, the Real Techniques Complexion Sponge is a fourth of the price. It does the exact same thing as the Beauty Blender, but works even better. The Real Techniques Complexion Sponge is a bit more dense than the Beauty Blender so I feel like it soaks up less product. Also, I have found that the Real Techniques Complexion Sponge is a lot easier to clean anddoes not stain like the Beauty Blender does.

All in all, I would choose the drugstore option... the Real Techniques Complexion Sponge.

All Photos by Becky Schutten