Sunday, May 15, 2016

Makeup of the Day

Dinner/Date Makeup

Last night I went out with some family to celebrate my man's 28th birthday, and this is the makeup look that I created for dinner at a local Mexican restaurant. Below are the makeup products that I used to create this look:

Prime: None

Foundation: L'Oreal True Match in W2 Light Ivory

Concealer: MAC Pro Longwear Concealer in NW20 and Sephora Bright Future Concealer in 03

Setting Powder: Laura Mercier Secret Brightening Powder

Bronzer: Benefit Hoola Bronzer

Contour: Inglot HD Sculpting Powder in 505

Blush: Nars Orgasm

Highlighter: Anastasia Beverly Hills Glow Kit in Gleam (Crushed Pearl)

Eye Shadows: Too Faced Natural Matte in Nude/Cashmere Bunny (crease/under eye) and Risqué (lash line/under eye), and Make Up Forever Artist Shadow Palette 9 in D-562 (eyelid) and I-514 (brow highlight and inner corner highlight)

Eye Liner: Maybelline Eye Studio Gel Liner in Blackest Black

Mascara: L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black and Rimmel Lash Accelerator Extreme Black

False Lashes: None

Brows: Anastasia Beverly Hills Clear Brow Gel and Brow Definer in Medium Brown

Lip Liner: MAC Lip Pencil in Whirl

Lipstick: Too Faced Melted Matte in Queen B

Setting Spray: Sephora Beauty Amplifier Set and Refresh Spray


All Photos by Becky Schutten

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

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.

Saturday, May 7, 2016

L'Oreal Collection Exclusive Review

L'Oreal's Eva Longoria Lipstick and Nail Polish

L'Oreal's exclusive collection with a handful of famous celebrities helps give everyone a look into what these ladies favorite colors are when it comes to lipsticks and nail polish. A few of these women include Eva Longoria, Juliana Moore, and Jennifer Lopez. This exclusive collection comes with a signature lipstick and nail polish that was picked to represent each of the women that they are named after. The lipstick and the nail polish come separately for purchase, but they are made to compliment each other beautifully.

After looking at all of the colors from the collection, I decided to go with the lipstick and nail polish that was designed for Eva Longoria. I felt that both of these products suited my taste the best of all the choices that were available. I have previously purchased the Jennifer Lopez lipstick in the nude collection, and I love the formula and scent of the lipstick. Also, I have bought many of the L'Oreal nail polishes and I have always loved the formula and lasting power.

Eva's Pink Lipstick
Price: $8.99
Where you can find it: Walgreens, Walmart, Target, Ulta, etc.

This current exclusive collection that was released by L'Oreal is a group of pinker toned lipsticks and nail polishes. I'm not a huge fan of a super pink lip on my skin tone on a day to day basis, but the Eva Longoria pink lipstick is a beautiful balance between a statement pink and a pink that you can wear on a daily basis. The lipstick itself is called Eva's Pink. It is a gorgeous medium-deep rose toned pink. The formula is opaque and creamy, so it is very easy to apply on the lips. Also, the longevity of these L'Oreal lipsticks is great! They last for a couple of hours without crusting on the lips or bleeding outside of your lip line. Eva's Pink is a neutral enough pink that you can pair pretty much any lip liner with it and it would blend easily. I would suggest using something like Dervish from MAC Cosmetics. I think that Dervish is he perfect color to define the lips without taking away from the lipsticks stunning color.

Eva's Pink Nail Polish
Price: $7.99
Where you can find it: Walgreens, Walmart, Target, Ulta, etc.

The nail polish that goes along with the lipstick is also called Eva's Pink. The nail polish color is a beautifully muted rosy color. This color can be worn with any look because it is more on the neutral side of the pink and rose tones. This nail polish formula is super opaque and gives a great color payoff with one stroke. I like to use two coats of nail polish to make sure that there is no streaking, but you could absolutely get away with one coat and be fine. I usually don't even use a top coat to make sure that the nail polish lasts because I think that the formula is good enough that it doesn't need it. I would say that this formula of nail polish lasts about a week to two weeks without chipping depending on the color.

I would definitely recommend purchasing the L'Oreal Collection Exclusive lipsticks and nail polish if you are drawn to any of the colors. I loved some of the other colors as well, and I am strongly considering running back to the store to buy more. Let me know if you would like to see any of the other colors or reviews on the other lipsticks and nail polish colors.

All photos by  Becky Schutten.

Wednesday, April 27, 2016

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

Saturday, April 16, 2016

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

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

#internationalwomensday

#internationalwomensday

What does International Women's Day mean to you? Standing up for women's rights? Focusing on equality between men and women in the work place and in society? Women embracing their bodies and their sexuality? All of the above?

As hard as it might be to believe, inequality doesn't just stop at race or the color of someone's skin. Women's inequality is still a huge issue in today's society. And as hard as it is to admit, it's not just men that help create and sustain this inequality. Women can be some of our biggest enforcers when it comes to keeping limitations on what it means to be an  "independent" and "free" woman in today's society. This is extremely alarming to me. We, as women, already have more obstacles to face than men when trying to live a life free of judgment and shaming to be putting those limitations on ourselves and each other. We should be supporting one another to succeed and be comfortable in our own skin. Supporting one another to be confident in the skin we were born in and comfortable with making our own choices about what we want our life and legacy to be.

"Live and let live."

This term is hard for a lot of people to understand and implement in their lives. Everyone wants to be accepted for the person that they are and supported in the choices they make as they are trying to become the person they want to be. No one wants to be made to feel like they are inadequate or that they cannot truly be themselves in the fear that people will judge them. We are all human beings and we need to respect other's choices and let them live. LET LIVE.

No one is perfect and no one will ever live up to other people's standards of the perfect person. As women, we have an even greater pressure to be perfect. The perfect hair. The perfect makeup. The perfect face without any makeup. The perfect body. The perfect outfits. To be honest, women tend to make up these "perfect" scenarios of how they should look and act then project them on to other women. As a result, women begin to feel inadequate and feel shameful because they will never live up to these standards that are put on them.

We were all born different. Different shapes. Different sizes. Different colors. Different personalities. Different views. Different goals. And that's perfectly okay! In fact, I think that's pretty damn amazing! I get inspired by women how are different than I am. I look at how they live their lives and the decisions they have made and it inspires me to live my own life as authentically as possible. I might admire the way another woman looks or the confidence she has or how business savvy a woman is, but the best part about that is that those aspects and traits that I admire in so many women are helping me to become the great woman that I hope to be as I navigate through my life.

So, instead of judging another woman because the doesn't have the same values as you, or she is comfortable with her body, or she has opinions and she's willing to voice them, or she isn't what you consider to be the "perfect woman" consider the following:

Would you want your daughter, sister, mother, aunt, cousin, grandmother, friend, niece, or wife to be judged or made to feel badly about who she is? I would be willing to take a risk and say that just about everyone would never wish those feelings upon their loved ones.

So, instead of taking the time to tear someone else down, why not take that energy and use it for something good. Lift someone up today! Give them a compliment. Tell them what you like about them. Focus on the positive. Use your voice to uplift others rather than spreading hate in an already cold and judgemental society.

Bullying others in person or on social media should never be accepted or tolerated, so let's spread the love instead. Women to men. Men to men. Men to women. And women to women!

Happy International Women's Day! Embrace yourself!

Women who inspire me (in no particular order):

                                                                Marilyn Monroe: Movie Star

 
Elizabeth Taylor: Movie Star

 
My Amazing Mom
 
 
Lindsay Matway: Fitness and Life Coach
 
 
My Beautiful Sister
 
 
Anna Saccone-Joly: YouTuber/Beauty Guru
 
 
Kim Kardashian West: Reality Star/Entrepreneur
 
 
Pastor Grace: Woman of God
 
 
Amra Olevic (Amrezy): Beauty Blogger/Guru
 
 
My Wonderful Grandma: Rest in Peace