Tarte vs. Make-up Forever: Finishing Powders

Hey ya’ll!  

   

It’s been a little while since I’ve posted on my blog, and I apologize about that.  Between the craziness of school and everything else, I just wasn’t able to get my blog done very quickly.

My topic for blog today is FINISHING POWDERS.  Right now there are 2 very popular ones, and I’m sure a lot of you are familiar with them.  I will be comparing Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder to Make-up Forever’s High Definition Microfinish Powder.  I personally have very oily skin, so I put these two powders to the test, and I know I am now ready to share my experience with you.  I will post links to each product on Sephora.com so you can conveniently read up more about each product!

First up… Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Finishing Powder: This powder is white in color, and feels very smooth on the skin.  It has multiple uses and can be used on any skin color as it does not show any color once applied, it only has a mattifying effect.  At first I would use this powder to set my make-up as I have very oily skin, and when I went into Sephora, the representative suggested it to me.  This powder can also be used as a primer to fill in fine lines and smooth out skin.  I did try several times to use it as a primer under my eyes where I have fine lines, but I found that this powder because of the clay was too drying for that area.  As it is, I already use a heavy cream under my eyes day and night.  (Be looking for my skin care routine, VERY soon.)  If you do have dry skin, this powder will probably not be the best fit for you as it contains clay and talc which cause drying of the skin; its purpose is to draw all oil out and reflect a very matte finish.

CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL INFO ON TARTE AMAZONIAN CLAY POWDER

I would give Tarte’s Amazonian Clay Finishing an overall grade of A- ONLY because it was not a great fit for my under eyes which is a huge concern to me.

Battling Tarte’s ACFP, is Make-up Forever’s High Definition Microfinish Powder.  THIS STUFF IS AMAZING.  Ok, I’m done.  JUST KIDDING!!!  This powder is made up of very fine silica beads.  Just as the Tarte Powder, it can be used as a primer to fill in fine lines and is also great to set makeup without any additional coverage of colored powder.  What I like most about this powder, is unlike the Amazonian Clay by Tarte, it is not drying at all yet still provides that great matte finish. So this by far is a great fit for my needs!  MUFE’s HD Microfinish powder contains no clay or talc so this choice would be best fit for you ladies with dry skin.  It is also way softer on the skin compared to the Tarte ACFP An extremely cool function this powder has is to set lipstick.  Once you apply your lipstick, lightly brush this powder over lips for a super long lasting effect!  *I also tried this trick with the Tarte finishing powder and it caused my lips to crease the powder up and it left strings of the powder on my lips.  NOT CUTE.  Hahaha

CLICK HERE FOR ADDITIONAL MAKEUP FOREVER HD POWDER INFO

I would give Make-up Forever’s High Definition Microfinish Powder an A+ because I simply cannot see my daily make-up routine complete without this product!

If you have tried either or both of these products, please comment and share any thoughts, opinions, or cool tricks you might have!

-B

FEBRUARY FAVES

 

Hey guys! 

Becca here with my FEBRUARY favorites! I know everyone says “I can’t believe it’s over…” but with 29 days it really did fly by!  I wanted to let you all know that I am currently working on getting a better quality camera, so I apologize about the quality of swatches… but for the time being this one works just fine!  I will include links to certain products if they are available! Leave comments on what you loved this past month; I’d love to check it out!

 SO LET’S GET STARTED!!!

* Garnier Skin Renew B.B Cream- about $13.00

There is a lot of hype with B.B Creams, I haven’t tried any other brand, but with an affordable price, you surely won’t be disappointed with this one.  Working much like a tinted moistureizer, this cream will even out skin tone and protect against sun damage with SPF 15 without heavy coverage. PERFECT FOR YOUR “NATURAL” DAYS!  The swatch in the picture isn’t doing the cream justice (hence why I want a better quality camera).  I have been using this cream the entire month of February and I can’t seem to find a single thing I don’t like about it.  This product is easiest applied with fingertips because of its sheer consistency.  For you ladies with darker skin, Garnier also offers this product in a Medium/Dark shade. 

* Essence Colour & Shine Eyeshadow in 08 “Joyride to Jupiter”- $2.99

If you’re a frequent visitor of Ulta, then you are probably familiar with the SUPER affordable brand *Essence*.  This is one of their baked eye shadows.  I’ve purchased other colors, but I find this shimmery grey shadow allows you to make a quick, easy, gorgeous smokey eye, or it can be used as an all over the lid wash of color!  Grey is so versatile and compliments many outfits.  This shadow can be used wet or dry, just as all other baked shadows.  With the low price and color pay off, go out and get you some of these… NOW!!!  :) 

CLICK HERE FOR ESSENCE COLOUR SHADOW

* ULTA Extreme Wear Whipped Eyeshadow in “Tiramisu Cream”- $8.00

If you’re like me, you always gravitate towards the kiosk displaying ULTA’s brand of products! The affordability and the price are excellent as well as the color choices and who can forget the fabulous deals they provide like Buy 2 get 2 Free, or when I purchased this shadow, they were running a special where if you buy $17.50 in ULTA brand cosmetics or beauty tools they would give you a makeup bag filled with all sorts of makeup goodies! This shadow is a shimmery taupe color,(again, a little difficult to tell from the picture, so please bare with me).  The lasting power is amazing… I wouldn’t necessarily say there is a dupe for this product, mainly because I have never seen a shadow of the same consistency, especially one that comes in a pot!  I mostly use this color as an all over wash for my lids on days I am in a hurry.  I have played with different ways to apply the shadow… A brush was not very functional because the shadow is too much of a liquid formula.  ULTA offers their Whipped shadows in a variety of other colors! I purchased mine in San Antonio and when I made a trip to my new ULTA here in Dallas, I didn’t see that they had put them out yet, so be on the lookout!

FOR MORE INFO ON ULTA WHIPPED SHADOW CLICK HERE

* Vaseline Lip Therapy “Original”- about $2.00

I will be honest and tell you that I bought this for no reason other than it was TOO dang cute!  Who wouldn’t want this adorable, “keep-in-your-pocket” lip balm.  There is absolutely no scent to it, it is however a very thick consistency, yet it applies to the lips like butter! It REALLY has me confused, but what I am NOT confused about it HOW MUCH I LOVE this product!  You can purchase this product at places like Walmart and Target. 

* NYX Stick Blush- $5.99

I saved my ABSOLUTE favorite product for last.  I have been using these stick blushes the ENTIRE month of February.  I purchased 4 of them while ULTA was having a Buy 1 get 1 50% off on NYX.  These blushes are a rich, creamy consistency.  Some of the colors have shimmer and some are completely matte.  I love these blushes because they give my cheeks a nice supple, flushed look.  As you can (maybe lol) tell from the swatches, colors like 03 HIBISCUS and 07 WATER LILLY are a matte cream, and the other colors, 04 TULIP and 06 ORCHID have a shimmer to them.  I personally like NYX’s stick blush better than any other cream blush I have ever tried, and I LOVE cream blushes!  They best apply with a brush, but can also work just as well applied with your fingertips and blending! THAT is key!  I will continue to use these and love them, and I can see myself going out and purchasing more! :)

YOU CAN FIND MORE INFO ON NYX STICK BLUSH HERE

Thanks for taking the time to read about my favorites! Leave comments below of what you think of these products if you’ve tried any!

-B

ULTA, TARGET & TJ MAXX HAUL

 

Hey ya’ll!

Becca here… Jessica is with me for our first haul! We went to do a little therapeutic shopping today at ulta, target, & TJ Maxx! …what girl doesn’t love ulta AND target??? I know WE DO!!!

If you’re familiar with the ulta rewards program, you know that the “quarterly” rewards points were recently mailed out in their brochure. If you’re not familiar with ulta, it’s a reward point program.  The way it works is during each time period (usually about 3 months) however much money you spend at ulta, they will keep track and reward you 1 point for each $50 you spend during that quarter.  Well….. since I frequent ulta, I had a rewards level of 13.  Here is a haul of the items I got for FREE!

CLICK HERE FOR A LINK TO THE ULTA REWARDS POINTS PROGRAM AND WHAT YOU CAN REDEEM THEM FOR!

*PURE DKNY* PERFUME: IT HAS A VERY CLEAN SMELL, THIS IS THE 1.0 FL OZ AND RETAILS FOR $45 AT ULTA.  A LEVEL 6 WILL ALLOW YOU A FREE PERFUME $40 AND UNDER.  IF YOU WANT ANOTHER PERFUME THAT IS MORE THAN $40, YOU ONLY HAVE TO PAY THE DIFFERENCE.  I BASICALLY GOT THIS PERFUME FOR $5. :)

ULTA BRAND NAIL POLISHES:  (LEFT) *GODDESSS*- IT IS A SHIMMERY, PEARLIZED BEIGE-PINK; IT IS VERY SHEAR, BUT WITH A FEW COATS YOU CAN GET THE OPACITY YOU’RE LOOKING FOR! (RIGHT) *TUTU CUTE*- IT IS A MATTE CREAM PURPLE, ABSOLUTELY NO SHIMMER.   EACH OF THESE NAIL POLISHES ARE 1 POINT EACH, AND IF YOU LOVE NAIL POLISH LIKE WE DO, THEN IT’S A GREAT DEAL!

ULTA BRAND EYE SHADOWS: (LEFT) *TAKEN*- A BAKED EYESHADOW DUO, THE LEFT SIDE OF THE DUO IS MARBLEIZED NEUTRAL BEIGE AND ON THE RIGHT YOU WILL FIND A SOMEWHAT SHIMMERY GREY.  NEITHER COLORS HAVE VERY GOOD COLOR PAYOFF, SO THESE SHADOWS ARE BEST APPLIED USING THE FOILING METHOD WITH A MIXING MEDIUM OR WATER!  (RIGHT) *SEASHELL*- A SHIMMERY, VELVET BABY PINK.  THIS PINK IS APART OF THE NEUTRAL FAMILY.  THIS EYESHADOW IS APART OF THEIR REGULAR LINE AND HAS PRETTY GREAT PAYOFF. I ORIGINALLY BOUGHT IT FOR A SINGLE WASH OF COLOR ON MY LID FOR LAZY DAYS, BUT IT’S A BIT LIGHTER THAN MY LIKING, BUT DEFINITELY NOT TOO LIGHT FOR ME TO USE! IT’S A BEAUTIFUL COLOR AND I’M LOOKING FORWARD TO PLAYING AROUND WITH IT! YOU CAN REDEEM 2 POINTS FOR EACH EYESHADOW.

I LEFT ULTA ONLY SPENDING $5.41… I’M NOT TOO SURE I’VE EVER DONE THAT!  …SO WITH A SMILE WE TOOTLED ON DOWN TO TARGET, ANOTHER ONE OF OUR FAVORITE PLACES!

*HELLO KITTY SHOWER CAP*: I HAD BEEN MEANING TO GET A SHOWER CAP, BECAUSE LIKE MANY OF YOU, SOMETIMES I DON’T WASH MY HAIR EVERY DAY… I HAVE BEEN FORGETTING TO PURCHASE A SHOWER CAP FOR THE LONGEST TIME.  YOU KNOW, A SHOWER CAP ISN’T EXACTLY THE KINDA THING YOU REMEMBER TO BUY.  ANYWAYS, JESSICA AND I WERE LOOKING AT THE HELLO KITTY ITEMS THEY CARRY AT TARGET, AND SHE WAS LIKE, “LOOK, IT’S THE CUTEST SHOWER CAP!” AND I REALIZED, “MAN I NEED ONE OF THOSE…” I TRIED IT ON WHEN I GOT HOME, AND I DON’T KNOW IF I JUST NEEDED TO STRETCH IT OUT (SAYS JESSICA) BUT IT SEEMED SO TIGHT. I REALLY HOPE IT IS EFFECTIVE WHEN I SHOWER BECAUSE IT WAS $3.99!

*GOT MILK? CHOCOLATE MAGIC MILK FLAVORING STRAWS*: THESE WERE JUST TOO COOL TO PASS UP! THEY CAME IN DIFFERENT FLAVORS INCLUDING STRAWBERRY AND COOKIES AND CREAM. RIGHT NOW I AM TRYING TO WATCH WHAT I EAT, SO OF COURSE I FLIP THE BAD BOY OVER AND MUCH TO MY SURPRISE THE NUTRITION INFO WAS NOT THAT BAD! WITH ONLY 16 CALORIES, NO FAT, AND ONLY 4G OF CARBS AND SUGAR, I FEEL LIKE THIS IS A GREAT ALTERNATIVE TO CHOCOLATE SYRUP!... WE WILL GIVE IT A TRY AND LET YA’LL KNOW HOW WE LIKE IT!  THESE WERE ONLY $1.99 FOR 6 STRAWS.  MAKE SURE YOU READ THE DIRECTIONS BECAUSE I THOUGHT YOU’D HAVE TO CUT THE STRAW TO RELEASE THE CHOCOLATE, BUT YOU ARE NOT SUPPOSED TO CUT IT.  I’M STILL STUMPED AS TO HOW THAT’S SUPPOSED TO WORK...

 

JESSICA BOUGHT A FEW ITEMS TOO!

*HELLO KITTY JOURNAL*: JESSICA HAS BEEN LOOKING FOR A CUTE JOURNAL LIKE BOOK THAT SHE CAN CARRY IN HER PURSE.  WHAT SHE FOUND MOST ATTRACTIVE ABOUT THIS BOOK IS THE DURABLE FRONT AND BACK COVER.  THIS BOOK WAS $5.99 AT TARGET AND ALTHOUGH A LITTLE PRICEY, IT IS EXACTLY WHAT SHE WAS LOOKING FOR.

*GUESS CORAL CORK WEDGES*: SHE HAS TINY FEET (SIZE 7 ½) I AM SO JEALOUS… I’VE BEEN BLESSED WITH SOME BIGGO SIZE 10 FEET.  WE LOVE WEDGES BECAUSE THEY ARE SO MUCH MORE COMFORTABLE THAN HIGH HEELS, AND PROVIDE MORE COMFORT AND ARE SO VERSATILE… SINCE THIS PURCHASE IS FROM TJ MAXX SHE GOT THESE SUPER CUTE GUESS SHOES- A DEAL FOR $29.99!!!

 

Xxoo- Bex & jess

Hello, there!... For the first time!

Hello all you ladies and guys out there! My name is BECCA. Most call me BEX, some even BEXY, and that’s how I got the name for my channel.  I am here to help you with any questions that you might have about beauty, diet, relationships, and anything else girly and fun.  I have a HUGE passion for makeup, skincare, hair, nails, you name it, I LOVE it!

My intentions for this channel are to show you DIFFERENT ASPECTS of beauty.  Also along this ride, I will be sharing part of my personal life with you.  My life is filled with amazing people and I want you to know them too.  From time to time I will have my best friend, JESSICA along for the ride.  Although we are SO similar and I consider her a sister, we sometimes have very different views on all things beauty. 

I will start uploading videos to YOUTUBE very soon! My very FIRST video will be an introduction so you can get to know me!  Please be looking for that video VERY soon! I want to know what YOU want to see for the FIRST (beauty related) video!  Please leave your suggestions in the COMMENT section!

You can find my YouTube channel and SUBSCRIBE by clicking the link or by going to:

www.YouTube.com/BeautyByBexy

xxoo, -B