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Since Google is giving the boot to those non blogger platforms, I decided to join bloglovin even though I am using the Blogger platform. Just another easier way for me to keep up with my fav bloggers who aren't on google. =)

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February MyGlam Bag

It's that time again for this month's MyGlam bag. Supposedly the theme was for Valentines day but I don't think anything about this months bag indicates that besides the bag itself which is cute.  Let's have a closer look at what's inside shall we?

 X Out Shine Control by proactive .75fl. oz. This is probably the most interesting thing as I have an oily T-zone but this is marketed to teens and I'm damn near 30 years old! I couldn't find any info on their website since they don't sell this product by itself. There are 2 options for a 30 or 60-day supply and I would assume this is part of the 30-day supply which is 19.95 for both items and I guess would make this itself worth about $10.

NYX Roll On Shimmer .052 oz.
I can appreciate that this is a full size product which retails on NYX's website for $4.50 but it just looks so juvenile. According to NYX's website, you can wear this on eyes, face and body. I most definitely won't be using this on my face or body since its blue. I can probably use it on my eyes to add a lil sparkle since when it's blended out, the color isn't as vibrant.

  Premier Dead Sea Moisture Complex and Instant stretching & revitalizing mask samples
I've never heard of this brand before but by looking at their website, they are too expensive IMO. I don't really care for skin care samples because you need to test them out for at least a couple of weeks to see if it helps you or not. Unless your skin instantly gets a bad reaction then that's when you know it's not right for you. Both of these samples are only good for one use.

 Freeman Goji Berry Facial Mask travel size satchet .5 fl. oz. There's more then enough for one use but as I said before, I don't really care for ski care samples if it won't last for more then a few uses. It's still nice though as you can purchase a full size tube for about $3.99 depending on where you buy it. This sample is retailed at $1.99 on freemanbeauty.com

Last up we have a $100 "gift certificate" for Nume.  The reason I put quotation marks is I don't consider it a gift certificate since its only valid towards their styling tools or hair extensions. What makes a gift certificate a gift certificate  is if you can use it towards anything on their website. No exclusions what so ever. This is not a gift card at all. On the back of the card, there are instructions on how to redeem it with a certificate ID that is printed on the back. One of the instructions says to enter your certificate ID in the COUPON CODE box. It's just merely a $100 off coupon since you still have to payout of pocket to get something. It's a nice gesture but I don't like that MyGlam tried to pass this off as a gift certificate because it's not. Nume products are almost always on sale. I usually find deals on plumdistrict or other sites for vouchers.
 

 There were 2 pieces of Ghirardelli chocolate which was a nice touch but I just hope they don't start to put food in it like I've seen in some birchboxes.

 I know they had a lot of shipping and billing issues last month and that's a given with a new company just starting up but it seems as if the bag just takes longer to get here. MyGlam headquarters is here in the bay area and I'm less then an hour away. I know they were saying that everyone should have their bags by valentines day or what not but that wasn't the case for a lot of people. They also said that they were going to ship to those furthest away first so that we would all recieve our bags around the same time but again, that didn't happen.

 Overall, this months bag wasn't too exciting considering December and January's bag had awesome stuff. I know I can't expect too much since this is a sampling subscription service after all and it's still worth the $10 a month but I think MyGlam really needs to re-evaluate the beauty quiz and their website in general because it isn't as personal as they say it would be. Hopefully next month will be better.

Adele Grammy performance inspired makeup

Hey lovelies! Did any of you catch the Grammy awards on Sunday? I thought Adele rocked the stage. I'm a big fan of Adele as she is nothing short of pure talent and she is gorgeous!

 Ive been seeing all these tutorials pop up for Adele's red caret makeup but the makeup she wore during her performance for Rolling In The Deep stood out to me more. Probably because I'm used to smokey eyes and a softer lip. From what I interpreted, it looked like she was wearing a peachy/pink color on her lips. For her eyes it looked like she wore a cream color on lid, soft black on the outer corner and a taupe-ish/brown shadow for her crease. She also had some serious contouring below her cheek bones and from the looks of the pictures and videos, it seemed like she wasn't wearing any blush.

 I used the Naked 2 Palette for this look. I know it won't look exactly the same since I don't have a defined crease but here's my take on it. Hope you enjoy!

Products used: 

Face 

MUFE HD foundation 127

 MUFE HD setting powder

Hard Candy Glamoflauge light mixed with Revlon Age Defying Moisturizing concealer in medium

theBalm Bahama Mama bronzer to contour the cheek bones  

Eyes 

All shadows by Urban Decay
UDPP
MAC Painterly Paint Pot

Foxy (lid/brow bone highlight) 

Bootycall (inner corner) 

Blackout (outer corner/crease/lower lashline) 

Tease (crease transition) 

Busted (lower lashline) 

Essence Midnight in Paris gel eyeliner

 UD 24/7 in zero smudged on lower lash line 

L'oreal false fiber Mascara 

Miss Adoro lashes #76  

Brows 

MUFE Brow corrector #3  

Lips 

NYX Natural lip liner 

Wet 'n' Wild Mega Last Just Peachy 903C  l/s 

Revlon Colorburst Soft Nude l/s on top to lighten it a bit 

NYX Smokey look  lipgloss

Valentine's Day look 4

Hey everyone! Here's my final look for Valentine's day. Not everyone has a significant other to spend Vday with so I went with something more colorful and bold with the eyes. I wouldn't wear this on a date since most guys I know aren't into all this colorful makeup but its definitely fun to wear on a night out with your girlfriends.

Unfortunately, my camera battery died so I wasn't able to get much pictures but you get the idea. BTW, excuse the 2nd day hair. I know it's a mess!

 Products used:

Face

Face Sonia Kashuk Radiant tinted moisturizer in Beige 

Eve Pearl Salmon concealer duo Light/Medium 

MAC Studio Fix Powder NC35 

theBalm Cabana Boy blush 

Eyes 

UDPP Eden 

MAC Beautiful Iris (lid and lower lash line) 

MAC Shadowy Lady (outer corner) 

MAC Beauty Marked (outer corner/in between beautiful iris and shadowy lady, lower lash line) 

MAC Fig. 1 (crease transition) 

MAC Vapour (inner corner) 

MAC Vanilla (brow bone highlight) 

Physicians Formula Ultra Black 2-in-1 lash boosting eyeliner  

MAC Fascinating Eye kohl (water line) 

Creme lashes #15
L'oreal False Fiber Mascara

Brows 

MUFE Brow Corrector #3 

Lips 

Rimmel Airy Fairy l/s 

I hope you all have a wonderful and safe Valentines Day!

Guest Post: Beautiful Dreams, Beautiful Dresses by Jackie Clark

I was contacted by Jackie Clark, who is the Outreach Coordinator for the Mesothelioma Cancer Alliance . She asked if she could do a guest post on my blog regarding cancer and beauty whether it was fashion or makeup. As soon as I found out the topic, I didn't hesitate at all.

Being diagnosed with any kind of diesease, deadly or debilitating can take a toll on your confidence and just make you want to give up on taking the time to make yourself look your best. I don't have cancer but I know what it feels like to not even bother to dress myself up ever since I was diagnosed with Peripheral Neuropathy.  I was depressed and I'd always ask myself, why bother wearing those cute heels, or that pretty dress? I'm in my wheelchair when I go out so who cares?

I started to kick those negative thoughts to the curb and actually put more thought and time into what I'd wear to doing my makeup. It sure is a confidence and mood booster! Never underestimate the power of beauty!  Now onto Jackie's post.

Beautiful Dreams, Beautiful Dresses
By: Jackie Clark


Fashion is something that we impose on the world. Whether you are the type of woman who loves the latest styles from Cosmopolitan and Glamour or you are someone who simply loves a down to earth, loose and breezy style, you are going to discover that it is a reflection of who you are. Think about the fact that when you get up in the morning, you can wear anything that you want. You can put on clothes that make you look fierce or sensual, and this type of power can take you throughout the rest of the day with your head held high.

You are making a choice when you put on your clothes, and it is time for you to think about what you are choosing each morning. When you simply slide into sweatpants and a tank-top day after day, you are doing yourself a disservice. It is one thing if you genuinely love tank-tops and sweatpants, but the truth of the matter is too often, you are doing it because you feel despondent or simply too worried about the other things in your life to put in more effort. 


Think about this small choice, and tomorrow morning give it some more thought. Stand in front of your closet and select things that you know look great on you. It doesn’t matter if you are not going out that day; instead, consider how you will feel when you slip into something that you know looks fantastic on you. Putting on the clothes that you love or purchasing beautiful clothes tells you that you are worth the effort and that you are an important part of your own life. 


One of the best ways to care for yourself as you deal with prognosis after prognosis is to dress yourself up. You are reminding yourself that you are something outside of your diagnosis or your treatment and you are also creating beauty from yourself that you can send out into the world.


While looking into fashion isn’t the only way that you can beautiful, it is a thing that you can do with tangible results. Look into it right now and show yourself what you can do!

Valentine's Day Look 3 with the Naked 2 Palette

Hello lovelies! I wasn't sure what to do for the 3rd look for this series so my younger sister asked me to do it using the Naked 2 Palette since I got it for her for Christmas.

 All products used are listed below

Products used:

Face
MUFE HD Foundation (127)
MAC NW25 Studio Finish Concealer under the eyes
Maybelline Dream Matte Powder
MAC RedHead MSF
MAC Accentuate and Sculpt Duo
Eyes
Urban Decay Midnight Cowboy cream Shadow
Bootycall (inner corner)
YDK (lid)
Blackout (outer corner)
Tease (crease /transition)
Foxy (Brow bone highlight)
Miss Adoro lashes 747M
Physicians Formula Ultra Black 2-in-1 lash boosting eyeliner

L'oreal False Fiber Mascara

Brows 

MUFE Brow corrector #3

Lips
NYX Natural lip liner
MAC Pillowtalk l/s
NYX Caffe Latte round l/g

Valentine's Day Look 2: Classic Red

Here's my 2nd option for Valentine's Day. I know red lips and neutral eyes are usually a go to classic look for a lot of ladies, especially for V-day. As for me, I'm not used wearing vibrant colors on my pout, even more so red. That's why I chose to go with Revlon's Colorburst lip butter in Candy Apple since it's a bit more wearable then your standard red lipstick. You can also go with a red gloss if you prefer. I just think it makes me look more youthful then if it was a matte/satin texture IMO.

For the eyes, I wanted to define it just a bit so I kept it subtle. I used all the matte shades in the Wet 'N' Wild Palette and added UD Bootycall to the inner corner. Lashes are a must for me with red lips! Break down to below.

Products used: 

Face 

Revlon Photo Ready foundation (008 Golden Beige)

Revlon Age Defying Moisturizing concealer (medium)

MUFE HD Powder

theBalm Bahama Mama bronzer

MAC RedHead MSF (lightly dusted on cheeks)

Eyes 

UDPP Eden 

Wet 'N' Wild Vanity Palette (all matte shades)

UD Bootycall (inner corner)

MAC Fascinating eye kohl (waterline)

Essence Midnight in Paris gel liner (top lash line)

L'oreal False Fiber Mascara (top & bottom lashes)

Ardell Lashes #118

Brows 

MUFE Brow corrector #3 

MAC NW25 studio finish concealer to clean up the line under my brows 

Lips 

Revlon Candy Apple Colorburst Lip Butter

I have a few more looks coming. If there are any specific colors you'd like me to do, let me know in the comments below. Hope you guys have a great week! I know I will cause my birthday is in a few days! Woo Hoo! =P

Review & Comparison: London Soho New York Beauty Sponge (Possible dupe for the Beauty Blender)

  A couple weeks ago I went to Walgreen's and I spotted a new display by a company called London Soho New York. The display consisted of some makeup brushes and this sponge that looked a lot like the Beauty Blender.  Of course being the beauty junkie I am, I bought it :) I also wanted to see how it compares to the Beauty Blender.

Just like the Beauty Blender, it's pink and has the same egg shape but it has this sort of ring around it which makes it more ergonomic which I feel does help it from slipping out of my hands. It also expands to about double its size when you wet it. You can use it dry if you like but I prefer to use it when it's damp so that it won't soak up a lot of foundation. The sponge is bit more firmer then the Beauty Blender and you have to give a little more pressure when stippling and blending out any foundation but not so much where it feels unpleasant. The tip is more narrow but performs pretty much the same and I get the an airbrushed finish as I do with the Beauty Blender.

Left: London Soho NY Beauty Sponge, Right: Beauty Blender

Overall, I'm very happy with my purchase. So if you've been lemming for the Beauty Blender but don't want to spend so much on a sponge, this a great affordable dupe/alternative.

Where to buy?
Retails for $7.99 at Walgreen's