Glossier Generation G Matte Lipsticks

I feel like 99% of the time Glossier is reading my mind and coming out with products that I’ve been yearning for or that the beauty industry is missing. During the week, I’m a VERY simple gal. I’m talking 5 minute makeup routine or less depending on if my little guy is demanding my time. I don’t have time to blend, blend, blend. I don’t have time to set my concealer. I don’t have time to contour. I need to enhance what I have going on and look an enhanced version of myself.

I love my liquid lipsticks, don’t get me wrong…but sometimes I just want a light wash of color – you know, that “I just ate a popsicle in the summer” stain. Thank you Glossier, for making this possible with these amazing Generation G matte lipsticks. I truly feel that I need one in every color – currently there are 6 different shades. These retail for $18 each.

Here are my babies: jam (bottom left) crush (top right). Jam is a deep berry magenta and crush is a hot raspberry pink. You can apply one layer and have an extremely sheer barely-there look or you can apply multiple layers for a medium coverage.

Picking out products is always difficult because I’m tan and never know how things will look on me. Luckily, Glossier acknowledges the wide range of skin tones out there and shows the lipsticks on multiple models. I knew I’d love jam because deep berry tones are always my go-to, but crush had me nervous. It’s interesting because crush is actually my favorite of the two! It’s the perfect daily flush of pink.

Here they are on my skin with two passes each – very build-able. Crush is on the left and jam is on the right. If you haven’t snagged these up yet then you’re seriously missing out. These are definitely new favorites of mine! 

Have you tried these from Glossier or any of their other products? What lipsticks are you loving right now?

Feel free to keep with me on: Instagram:IAMBEAUTYBEEXO Facebook:IAMBEAUTYBEEXO

XOXO, Bee

Kylie Lip Kits – Are They Worth It?

I have been eyeing the Kylie Lip Kits since they first came out – I mean, who hasn’t been? I wanted to wait to see more reviews on them, because everything I was reading at first was so mixed. I also wanted to wait and see more looks done with them on folks that have a similar skin tone as me! The struggle is real when you’re tan, people. Mostly, I couldn’t bring myself to purchase them knowing I had to pay $9 just for shipping. So once her site was updated to where shipping would be free for a purchase over a certain dollar amount, I knew it just had to try them – and I’m so glad I did!

These are two I picked out. Mary Jo K (on the left) and Spice (on the right). Spice is a new shade while Mary Jo is one of the OG shades. Each kit comes with a matte liquid lipstick + matching lip liner for $29.

Here are the two swatched. Both are extremely pigmented. Mary Jo K is a true blue red, while Spice is deepened raspberry-plum. Both are gorgeous and would look great on all skin tones.

I’m rockin’ Mary Jo K here. This shade was totally out of my comfort zone but I’m extremely pleased with how it looks and wears throughout the day.

Both of the shades smell amazing – like cupcakes almost. Both of them are kiss-proof and drink-proof, however I will say they’re definitely not food-proof. After eating I did need to reapply due to my lips looking splotchy and some of the lipstick got onto my chin area. Not a huge deal, but it’s something to be aware of before wearing these out for dinner. Because of this I rate these kits 4 out of 5 stars. Honestly, I do need to give the lip liners their own special mention because they’re some of the best I’ve ever used, they’re so creamy!

Have you tried any of the Kylie Cosmetics lip products? If so, what are your thoughts? I’m really excited to try some more.

Feel free to keep up with me on Instagram: IAMBEAUTYBEEXO + Facebook: IAMBEAUTYBEEXO 

XOXO, Bee

Battle of the Baby Wipes

Two of the leading forces in the baby industry are Pampers (owned by Procter & Gamble)and Huggies (owned by Kimberly-Clarke). The most popular wipes that I hear about parents using on their kids are Pampers Sensitive and the Huggies Natural Care. When I had my baby shower my sister-in-law suggested we go with all Huggies. She has twin girls with extremely sensitive skin and she tried practically every wipe and diaper in the industry. Having twins, you can imagine just how many that would be! So on my registry, I asked for all Huggies everything.

Fast forward to my son just turning four months – photo for cuteness! 🙂

My son seems to have really sensitive skin. For instance, we can not use Luvs diapers on him for whatever reason, because he’ll get a diaper rash within 24 hours. When he was born, our hospital carried Pampers Swaddlers diapers and  Pampers Sensitive baby wipes. That was my first time ever trying either of them. He seemed to do amazingly well with those in the hospital. Once we came home, we finished the Swaddlers and moved on the Huggies Little Snugglers diapers and Natural Care wipes since that is what I registered for. Within his first week home he already had a diaper rash. I just thought it was normal since he was sitting his in his poo sometimes, so we tried to change his diaper after he finished right away. We’re talkin’ around twelve diapers a day people. Can you hear the dollar signs cha-chinging?

We used Resinol on him and his rash diminished and we kept with our normal routine. A week later he had another rash, so it was Resinol to the rescue! Finally, I ran out of my Huggies Natural Care bag of wipes and decided to try my Pampers Sensitive that a friend purchased for me at my baby shower. She’s a die-hard Pampers fan! Once I switched to the Pampers wipes Eli had no rash issues at all. Here are some comparison photos so you can see the texture of the two wipes.

Huggies Natural Care: provides a gentle touch of aloe + vitamin E, alcohol-free, hypoallergenic, formula and fragrance free.

Pampers Sensitive: clinically proven mild, dermatologist-tested, hypoallergenic, and perfume-free.

 

Convenience: Both wipes come in soft packs, tubs, and refill packs for the tubs. I prefer the Pampers refills for the tub, because the wipes are broken up into smaller packs so the wipes stay moist. All you do is remove the top sticker and place the individual pack into the tub – voila! The Huggies refills come in a large bag and when you want to refill your tub you constantly have to open and reseal the bag to grab however many wipes you want out by hand. I will admit though, that the Huggies wipes come out of the tubs flawlessly and do not drag out additional wipes. I have always had an issue with Pampers pulling out multiple wipes during a diaper change.

Texture: You can see a big difference in the texture of the wipes. I’m a big texture person and am extremely picky when it comes makeup removing wipes and more. The Huggies wipes seem “scratchy” to me, but my sister-in-law would describe them as more having more of a grip for messes. I personally found the Huggies to always be dry with the first chunk of wipes then the bottom of the package would be overly-moist. Pampers wins the texture war for me, but it really is personal preference. I just feel the Huggies wipes are too rough for my baby’s skin.

Scent: The Huggies wipes have no smell to me which is a big bonus since I’m very sensitive to fragrances. The Pampers wipes have a light scent, but it’s nothing over-powering (especially if I can handle it). I’ve read reviews where folks think they smell like alcohol, but I tend to disagree. In my opinion, no scent is better than a light scent so Huggies does win the scent battle.

Price: A box of refill wipes for the Pampers plastic tub retails for $11.99 and comes with 448 wipes. This averages out to 2 cents per wipe. A refill box for the Huggies plastic tub retails for $9.99 for 368 wipes, which averages out to 2 cents per wipe. They really are comparable in price. There are varying box options for both brands, but those are examples of the box size that I would more than likely purchase at my Target store.

Cleaning: Both of the wipes do a fantastic job of cleaning up messy babies. Since the Huggies wipes are “stiffer” they are easier to fold and reuse during a diaper change. The Pampers wipes are thicker than the Huggies and a softer in texture, but they can still be folded for multiple uses. The Huggies wipes leave nothing behind on my baby once I’m done cleaning, while the Pampers does leave a wet “film” on my baby afterward but it does dry in a matter of seconds. I find this film to be moisturizing for his tooshie. I also find that the Pampers wipes easily remove small poo particles, while the Huggies just roll the particles around on the skin.

In conclusion, both wipes are great buys for the price. I think that it all comes down to your preferences as a parent, if your baby has sensitive skin, or maybe which wipes you can get coupons and deals on easier. After trying Huggies wipes out three different times (just to be sure) each time my baby ends up with a rash within a day. So for our family it’s Pampers all the way! Good thing I was able to exchange the wipes I received at my baby shower. 🙂

Have you tried either of these brands and have a preference for your baby? I would love to know the experiences you have had with them. Or maybe you use a different brand that you love. 

If you’re going to be a first time mom, my suggestion to you is to buy a few different varieties of wipes rather than stocking up on one brand. You’ll never know what will work for you and your baby. 🙂

Feel free to keep up with me + Elijah  on Instagram: IAMBEAUTYBEEXO

XOXO, Bee

Modern Renaissance Palette • Do You Need It?

I’m sure you have all heard about the very first permanent palette from Anastasia Beverly Hills. Modern Renaissance was exclusively created by Norvina, which she poured her heart and soul into. She wanted to make something timeless, beautiful, and perfect for every day wear. That’s the way that it looks to me and that’s the way it feels when I wear it too. I know what you’re thinking – do you really need another eyeshadow palette!?

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Here’s a look inside my palette that was fresh out of the box from ULTA. My first impression was to hyperventilate (of course) and then I realized that it was too beautiful wear. I didn’t even do swatches right away because all I could do was stare at it! The MR palette is made up of 14 shades: 11 mattes + 3 satin metallics. It retails for $42 and can be purchased online at anastasiabeverlyhills.com, ULTA.com, or Sephora.com.

If any of you have purchased some of the ABH single shadows then I can confirm that the formula is just as good as those. Let’s get on with the swatches!

A description of each shade from Ulta’s website (* indicates a favorite):

• Tempera (velvety beige w/ an ultra-matte finish)
• Golden Ochre (earthy yellow w/ an ultra-matte finish)
• Vermeer (iridescent shell w/ a metallic finish)
• *Buon Fresco (antique lavender w/ an ultra- matte finish)
• Antique Bronze (metallic sable w/ a satin finish)
• Love Letter (raspberry w/ an ultra-matte finish)
• Cyprus Umber (dark coffee w/ an ultra-matte finish)
• Raw Sienna (neutral amber w/ an ultra-matte finish)
• Burnt Orange (deep orange w/ an ultra-matte finish)
• *Primavera (shimmery gold dust w/ an ultra-matte finish)
• *Red Ochre (sienna w/ an ultra-matte finish)
• Venetian Red (crimson w/ an ultra-matte finish)
• *Warm Taupe (earthy gray w/ an ultra-matte finish)
• Realgar (brick w/ an ultra-matte finish)

I kept telling myself before this palette came out that I didn’t need anymore palettes. My main goal was to work on building my customized z-palette that would feature all of my favorites shades from various companies. The more that I looked at this palette online, the more that it spoke to me. I also thought this was a great way to small some of ABH’s shades so that I can purchase the individuals later on.

Before I purchased this palette my go-to favorite has always been my Lorac PRO. The shades are so pigmented and buttery, but they do produce a lot of fallout. It’s safe to say that this palette has truly become my favorite in my collection. The colors are so versatile they work well on every single skin tone and every eye color. I think this is a purchase that many would not regret. 

Have you purchased the Modern Renaissance palette – if so, what are your thoughts? What are some of your favorite single shades from Anastasia Beverly Hills? If you do not have this palette, please list below your favorite(s)!

Thanks for reading!

Follow me on Instagram: IAMBEAUTYBEEXO

XOXO, Bee

Mama Bee

It’s been a while since I’ve posted on my blog. Making the time to write has been on my mind but it hasn’t been a priority. A LOT has happened over the last several months. Pregnancy was rough from week 6 until labor, delivery, and postpartum. Now I’m feeling fine and life is great! My husband and I welcomed our sweet baby boy, Elijah Daniel, into the world on March 9th. Eli was born on his due date – he’s punctual, I know. I’m currently trying to get a hang of this whole motherhood gig before I return back to work.

I can’t tell you all how much TIME I spent during my pregnancy researching laundry detergent, baby soap, baby shampoo, diapers, wipes, etc. As a first time mom I wanted to make sure I was providing the best products for my baby when he arrived. I literally stressed out about this and looking back I find it slightly embarrassing. I’ve learned that sometimes it’s not our choice about what will work for our baby, but we need to listen to life’s queues and go with the flow. I want to expand my blog from just featuring beauty to include family and lifestyle as well.

Until my next post, I’ll just leave a newborn picture of Eli. {insert heart-eyes emoji}

XOXO, Bee

Special Announcement!

  
Hello WordPress loves! I wanted to take a moment to announce that my husband and I are expecting our very first bundle of joy in March! This little blessing is exactly the reason as to why I’ve been MIA the last few months. Unfortunately, I was not blessed by the pregnancy gods to having a smooth and easy pregnancy. I’ve been suffering with extreme all-day nausea, vomiting, exhaustion amongst many other symptoms, which include losing 16 lbs! In no way am I complaining or saying this baby won’t be worth it, but it has been very difficult to go to work and come home, let alone have a social life – so for that, I apologize!

I am feeling a lot better now and will be back on my blogging game very soon. I’ve got some exciting collabs in the works and new products to write about.

Hope everyone is having a wonderful week! And you can always catch up with my on Instagram at IAMBEAUTYBEEXO.

XOXO, Bee

TULA • review

I’m so excited to finally give my thoughts on some TULA skincare items that I have. I own the purifying facial cleanser, exfoliating mask, and the illuminating face serum. I wanted to use the line a good amount of time before posting and seeing how my skin would react. A brief overview about TULA is that the brand name stands for balance. Balance is something that my skin needs to get together because my oils tend to be out of control! This line’s claim to fame is that all of their products incorporate probiotic skincare technology. All TULA products contain: probiotics, nutripeptides, vitamins A E + C, anti-oxidants, and omega 3 + 6 fatty acids.

What is is probiotic skincare technology? It helps against undesired, external bacteria and protects the skin against negative environmental influences. The actives stimulate production of vital defense cells making the skin more stress resistant to harmful influences.

Purifying Facial Cleanser: comes in a creamy gel-like form. I would say the consistency is similar to the Purity Made Simple, however, it is a bit thicker.  I love this cleanser because it foams a lot and that’s something that my oily skin needs. This product states that it is suitable for all skin types, which I do believe to be true. It thoroughly cleanses the skin without stripping it of any necessary oils. The smell of this cleanser threw me off a little at first. I can’t put my finger on the scent, but think of the spa mixed with a fresh spring waterfall. It’s not bad, but I did have to get used to it. I am able to remove all of my facial makeup with this cleanser, cake face and all – I haven’t tried removing my eye makeup because I’m scared that due to the smell it might burn. Overall, I do think this is a great clarifying cleanser for all skin types and I do recommend it if you’re wanting to try something new!

Exfoliating Treatment Mask: this has become a staple in my weekly skincare routine and is seriously a game changer! I did talk a little bit about this mask and the Illuminating Face Serum in my Rainy Day Mini Pamper Session post. This little baby provides both a chemical and physical exfoliation of my skin. It’s a clay mask, which again, is perfect for my oily skin. The jar says to use 2-3 times a week for 5 minutes each time. I’m a rule breaker, and I probably leave mine on a good 15-20 minutes and I haven’t had any harmful side effects. I do notice a difference in my oily production during the week if I implement this mask into my routine.

Illuminating Face Serum: is my favorite product of the bunch! It really is hard, because it’s very close between this and the mask. I just feel that this serum has truly given me the most results so far. Due to my skin being oily and acne-prone I have suffered from breakouts throughout my teenage years and early 20’s. Being 24 now, I still get occasional breakouts – I swear they will never stop, thank you Mother Nature. I have some dark spots related to post-acne scaring on my face. Over the years they have been able to fade slowly on their own, but this serum has drastically sped up the process! I have noticed a huge difference in my skin over the last month and a half. I use one pump day and night, right after the shower or cleansing my face and it fully hydrates my skin within 60 seconds. This serum is universal depending on your skin type. It can be used before a moisturizer, as a moisturizer, and even as a primer. I can honestly say it has replaced my moisturizer completely 6 days out of the week, because the hydration that I get from this is just as great as what my Philosophy Take a Deep Breath was giving me. I love, love, love this product and if you can try any of these mentioned I highly suggest this one.

If you’re not wanting to splurge on the full sizes of these products on QVC, then you could pick up the Discovery Kit. The kit will not contain the mask, but it will have smaller sizes of the serum, cleanser, eye cream, and the hydrating day/night cream. I have yet to try the face and eye cream, but I’m dying to get my hands on them!*

Have you tried anything from the TULA line? If so, what are your thoughts? What are your favorite skincare products?

Follow me on Instagram: IAMBEAUTYBEEXO

XOXO, Bee

Sweat Proof • Summer Makeup

When I have an event to go to outdoors in the summer the last thing that I want to worry about is my makeup sliding around my greasy face. I don’t have time for that and neither do you. I know that in this situation I need to break out the products that aren’t going to fail me.

Eyes: Priming the eyelids is key to making sure that the shadows won’t budge. My favorite primer is by Lorac that comes complimentary with my Lorac PRO and Unzipped Gold palettes. Featured for this post is the 35W palette by Morphe Brushes. I love this palette because it’s so versatile and inexpensive – and has a nice mix of shimmer, matte, and satin shades! For liner, the Maybelline Master Precise has been my go-to for quite some time. I love that it’s in pen form with a felt tip, it’s a fool-proof way to create a simple line or a dramatic cat eye. To finish off my eyes, I’ll use my holy grail mascara which is the L’oreal Voluminous Carbon Black. This mascara is buildable, separates the lashes, and has extreme volume.Base: Priming my face is key to making sure that my makeup will not budge. My favorite high-end primer is the Hourglass Mineral Veil. This primer leaves my skin so smooth and silky, it fills in all my pores and gives an airbrushed finish to the skin. For foundation, I’m going to bust out my Sephora Perfection Mist Airbrush Foundation. If you haven’t heard about this little gem then you’re missing out. This has been referred to as a dupe for the Dior Airflash Spray Foundation which retails at a whopping $62. I love this foundation, because it lasts all day and gives my skin a nice satin to matte finish on it’s own. The can says:

Quick and easy professional airbrush results at home! Instablend pigment technology helps color blend seamlessly, creating a smooth, even and flawless matte satin finish. *Oil-free, 10 hour wear, waterproof, non-comedogenic, france-free, dermatologically tested, no parabens, and no mineral oil.

Once this spray foundation has set, I’ll dust a light power over top for extra oil control. I will continue with my bronzer and blush as normal and set my face with the Urban Decay De–Slick.

Lips: To be sure that my lipstick will stay, I first like to line my lips. Lately, I’ve been obsessing over the Essence Cosmetics liners, because they’re so inexpensive and pigmented! You can purchase these babies at Ulta for around $1.50 and they’re worth every penny. I do have a full review on these liners with swatches that you can read here. For lipstick, I will definitely reach for my favorite nude by Milani Cosmetics from their Moisture Matte collection in the shade Matte Naked. For my darker skin, this color is the perfect “my lips but better” shade. I’ve done a more in depth review on a few shades in the collection + swatches that can be read here. A gloss at this point is optional.

Have you tried any of the products listed? If so, what are your thoughts? What are some of your go-to products to create a long lasting makeup look?

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XOXO, Bee

Drugstore • Simple + Quick

   

 Happy Saturday! I hope everyone has a great weekend planned and the weather is beautiful wherever you are. The weather here is gorgeous and we have NO plans today, which are the best plans to have. We might head to a local art festival today, but we will see! 

I know that when you’re in a hurry and only have between 5-10 minutes to do your makeup, you’re not going to want to use your good high-end makeup to just slap on some look. More than likely, you’ll use your cheaper finds to accomplish a fast face. Here are MY go-to products that I use to accomplish a fast and simple daytime look that gets me out the door when I need to be.

  
 

1. Primer now if you’re an oily girl like me you know you can’t skip this step! My favorite primer from the drugstore is Rimmel Stay Matte. It’s perfect for laying down a matte base and filling in some large pores!

2. BB Cream I have been loving a lightweight makeup look, especially for work. I don’t want to look like I have 100lbs of makeup on, but I’m not exactly blessed enough to roll out of bed and show up either. I have some small post acne scaring that needs a little love. I’ve been using the Garnier BB Cream for Combination/Oily Skin. This is one of the best options for BB creams that I’ve found for oily skin. I know that Garnier has a Skin Perfector for those with dry to normal skin as well. I’m interested in trying the It Cosmetics CC Cream – any thoughts?

3. Conceal my dark undereyes with my holy grail drugstore concealer, the Maybelline Dark Circle Eraser! I have done a full review on my favorite concealers (drugstore and high-end) that can be read here. This was my first concealer I ever purchased and I’m so happy I did.

4. Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Powder to set my BB cream once it’s dry. I’ve done a full review on this powder plus the liquid foundation that you can read here if you’d like a more in-depth review. I will say in my original post I wasn’t too impressed with this powder, but I do think my opinion has changed a bit! It’s really growing on me, but I’m still not 100% sure if I would repurchase it.

5. Blush up my cheeks by sweeping on the extremely pigmented Milani Baked Blush in the shade Bella Rosa. These little blushes are such a great buy, and I haven’t even made a dent in mine yet because I need such little product. This pink shade gives me the perfect flushed look!

6. Mascara of course I reach for my Loreal Voluminous in Carbon Black. The formula is so perfect and buildable if necessary and the brush is so full of bristles. If you’re in the market for a new mascara and have never tried this one, definitely give it a go!

7. Brow Game I did purchase a new product that I kept hearing great things about! I picked up the Loreal Brow Stylist Plumper in medium to dark. I love the little brush that this comes with, it’s perfect for getting in between sparse hairs and very natural looking. 

There you have it! My simple and quick drugstore makeup look. Have you tried any of these products? If so, what are your thoughts? What are some of your favorite drugstore items?

Follow me on Instagram: IAMBEAUTYBEEXO 

XOXO, Bee

Rainy Day Mini Pamper Session

  Today is such a dreary day it makes me want to sit inside in cozy clothes and watch Netflix all day. Both of those will definitely be happening, but my plan for the rest of the evening will be to give myself a little pamper session!

Pampering Tools:

Tula Exfoliating Treatment Mask: this mask is my absolute favorite face mask that I’ve ever used! I can not say enough amazing things about it. I do plan to do a full review in a few weeks, but so far my face is loving this! This mask is clay based – perfect for my oily skin beauties – but at the same time it’s hydrating as well, so it’s great for all skin types! When I’ve finished with this mask my face is extremely soft and smooth and it just feels like it can breathe again!

L’oreal Nail Color: in the shade 114 Rainy, could there be a more perfect name for this occasion? I love the L’oreal polishes and to me they’re like little dupes for Essie! I know everyone is going bright for spring, but with this weather and my rebelliousness I’m gonna go dark. 

Tula Illuminating Face Serum: now I know what you’re thinking. “She has oily skin why would she use that illuminating serum!?” You guys. This stuff rocks! Full review will be coming soon, but this serum deeply hydrates my skin and sinks within minutes. It isn’t greasy at all, otherwise you know I wouldn’t be using it. It’s a magical bottle of goodness. It’s the perfect finish to the Tula Mask and leaves my hydrated all day + night.

 Have you tried any of the products mentioned? What are your favorite products to pamper yourself at home with?

Thanks for reading!

Follow me on Instagram: IAMBEAUTYBEEXO 

XOXO, Bee