Makeup Talk // Review of Cowgirl Dirt Makeup

Hey beauties! Today I am bringing you a review of Cowgirl Dirt Makeup, a natural and organic brand based out of Texas. According to their website, the brand stands for "the best of Western Tradition". If you check out their website, you'll learn a bit more about the brand and see the fun western-inspired makeup names. When it comes to reviewing the products, I always test them out for 2-3 weeks at least before giving my opinion-I hope this review can be found helpful for anyone curious about a great natural and organic brand!

 Wearing most of the products I was sent! The blush, bronzer, 3 eyeshadows, highlighting concealer, and foundation. 

From L to R: Under Eye Highlight Concealer, Eye Firming Cream, Mineral Powder Foundation in shade "Grullo 4", Wild West Blush in the shade "Rawhide", Mineral Powder Foundation in shade "Grullo 5", and the Dusty Bronzer in shade "Arena". 

Top picture: natural lighting. Bottom picture: with flash. From L to R: Under Eye Highlight Concealer, Mineral Powder Foundation in shade "Grullo 4" and then "Grullo 5", Dusty Bronzer in shade "Arena" and the Wild West Blush in shade "Rawhide" heavily swatched and then lightly swatched. 

The first product I used was the Eye Firming Cream, which is said to firm and tone the under eye area. I do not think I have had enough time nor sample to really confirm the benefits, but so far I do know that it leaves my eye area feeling soft and moisturized.

Next, I used the Under Eye Highlight Concealer. This is a peachy toned cream concealer that helps to brighten the under eye area. For a girl like me (with hereditary dark circles, products like these are a must.

As you can see, the right under eye is a ton brighter than the left after using this product. I believe I tapped on a bit of the product, let it set for about 30 seconds, and then tapped on a bit more to get more of a brightening effect. If you are someone with only minor dark circles, I think this product could be a huge help to your beauty routine! Since mine drive me so nuts, I add a bit of concealer on top of this to really get the coverage I want.

After priming my face with my usual moisturizer and primer, I applied the Mineral Powder Foundation in shade "Grullo 5" to half my face. I find that this powder foundation gives a sheer to medium coverage (buildable) and leaves a natural finish. This foundation wears amazingingly (not a word but oh well). I have worn it to work-sweating and running around-and it still holds up. The same goes for the Pressed Powder Foundation, which wears just as well, with more of a medium to semi-full coverage (buildable). Something I love about both these foundations are their ability to photograph well. Not only do they look great in person, but they also look awesome with flash photography, which is hard to come by when you have mineral makeup products.If you look at the picture below, you can see how airbrushed the makeup looks-I didn't edit my skin at all. The shade "Grullo 4" is a tad too light for the summer months for me, but it would probably be a go-to for the winter! As for my skin type, I have combination-oily skin and I was impressed with how the foundations did not cause any extra oil, and it was helpful in keeping excess oil from breaking through.

As you can see, the pressed foundation gives a bit more coverage. I think the pressed foundation is a tad bit darker than the loose foundation (even though they are the same shades), but maybe that has to do with the coverage they offer. 

Matte/Semi-Matte Eyeshadows in shades "Mud", "Arena Sand" and "Rodeo Rose".

 Swatches of the same shades with flash photography (top) and natural lighting (bottom). 

 A light application of all 3 shades.

 The last items I used/received are the Matte (and semi-matte) Eyeshadows. The colors are pretty and definitely pigmented, and were easy to blend. I didn't have any issues with fallout or the product smudging throughout the day, but I also tend to use concealer as a base on my eyelids, which acts as a primer. 

  Another shot with all the products! This is a picture with natural lighting-you can see how smooth the foundation still looks. It is almost like a "your skin but better" finish!

Well, if you made it through this super detailed post, thank you! I always try to be as detailed as possible, in the the hopes that my opinions could be helpful for someone trying to decide if they should try a product or not. I honestly have nothing bad to say about any of the products; I have spoken up before about products I was not happy with, but that is not the case here! All in all, I would 100% recommend and back up in product that I have spoke about on this post. I actually am interested in a few more of Cowgirl Dirt's products (such as the cream foundation, organic facial serum, and lipsticks) because I was so impressed with the products I already have. I could definitely see myself buying Cowgirl Dirt products and using them for a majority of my makeup needs-they are amazing! Give them a try if you are on the fence, I dont think you will regret it!

Thank you for reading!

XO, Kelsey

 

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**These products were sent to me free of charge. As always, nothing has influenced my opinion other than the products performance itself.

Makeup Talk // Mineral Fusion Concealer Duo Review

Hey lovelies! Today I have another beauty review for you-this time, featuring just one product, from Mineral Fusion Mineral Makeup! A few weeks ago I was browsing Health Foods Unlimited (they have everything-food, beauty and skincare, household items, etc) and found the beauty section (shocker, I know). I decided to purchase the Mineral Fusion Concealer Duo in the shade "warm". Since trying to clean up my skincare and beauty products, I have yet to find a concealer that even comes close to covering my dark under eye circles. In the past, I have written about how I cover my circles, but the products are in no way non-toxic or natural. You can find that post here.

This concealer duo comes with one light and one dark shade. I sometimes use the lighter shade for a brightening effect, and then layer the darker shade over it. Or I mix the two and apply at the same time.

Natural lighting.

  With flash.

•  Shade selection: There are 4 shades of duos to choose from; cool, neutral, warm, and deep. I have the shade "warm" and find the lighter shade in the duo to be too light/bright for wearing alone. As stated before, I do not wear it alone, so this is not an issue for me. According to the website, you are supposed to use the duo to create your perfect, custom shade. I would give the selection of shades a 8/10. I feel most people could customize the shade to work for them!
• Coverage: This is a medium to high/full coverage concealer. Most days, I just use this alone. Some days, I do use another concealer on top of it (liquid, and unfortunately made with toxic ingredients-I can't find a replacement for it!) Even though this is great coverage, I like using the other concealer to "set it" so to speak. It's probably not necessary! 9/10 coverage wise!
• Application: This goes on sooo smoothly. It does get a bit melted if it gets too warm, but when at room temperature, it is perfect. It feels just like any other cream product. 10/10 on application!
• Wear time: This wears amazingly! Lately I have worked so much; always sweating, working long hours, and rubbing at my sensitive eyes. I give the wear time a 9/10. It looks good when I put it on, and when I get home it still looks awesome after 6+ hours.
• Overall product: 9/10. Great for someone with dark under eye circles and perfect for covering up blemishes. Not sure I will find another natural concealer I love more than this! However, I would love your suggestions if you have any!

See the difference?!

I hope you find this post helpful! Check out Mineral Fusion's Website to look into more of their products here! If you want to learn more about them, go here!

Thank you for reading,

XO, Kelsey

*This product was purchased by me with my own dolla dolla bills ya'll. Mineral Fusion did not encourage me to post anything regarding this product, nor do they know this blog even exists (probably, but it would be cool if they did!) All opinions are 100% mine and honest! 

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Makeup Talk: My Favorite Concealer Combo For Concealing Dark Circles

Oh hey! Today I want to tell you all about my little concealer concoction that works wonders for my under eye circles. I promise, mine are so stinkin' dark. I have a friend that has said, "wow, you look so different before you conceal them"...It's something that has bugged me for years, but they are really common in my family. I have tried so many different concealers, yet this combo is one of the only things that seems to work for me. I don't want this post to be too terribly long, instead, more of a quick tip post! So, moving on to the products!

Maybelline  Instant Age Rewind Eraser Darkspot Treatment Corrector (longest name ever) in the shade "cream" and Maybelline Superstay 24 Hour Concealer in the shade "light".

Swatches of the two concealers. 

First off, I am just throwing a random question out there-is anyone having issues with Blogger seemingly altering the photos you upload? When I view this collage as I am writing this, the whole thing looks airbrushed and soft focused, which happened in the last post too. When I open this picture up from my desktop, you can see it is really high quality resolution and can see each and every pore on my face, meaning it by no means looks airbrushed. So odd, Blogger!

Anyways, 

1) the first picture is no concealer-on camera, they don't look horrible, but in real life guys...I look like I lost a fight. 

2) The second picture is how I apply the two concealers; first, I swipe the Age Rewind Concealer under my whole under eye area. Next, I put 2-3 dots of the Superstay concealer right on top of the other concealer, on about the inner third of my under eye. I then blend the two of them by gently patting (not tugging) the under eye with either my ring finger or this brush. Using the Superstay allows a little extra wear time for the concealers, and it also offers more coverage than the Age Rewind. I don't typically use these concealers on their own unless I am in a big hurry!

3) Outcome of the two-yay!

What is your tip for covering under eye circles?

Thanks for reading!

XO, Kelsey

Makeup Talk: 100% Pure Makeup Review

Hello lovies! Today I want to talk about the brand 100% Pure. This brand is one that I have been looking into closely lately-if you have been following this blog for awhile, you would know that over the summer I went mineral-makeup crazy. I am always looking for ways to change up my skincare and makeup, and realistically, I would like to make it more natural based, as I feel it is best for my own skin type. Straight from the website-100% Pure is "truly 100% Pure-no synthetic chemicals, chemical preservatives, artificial fragrances, artificial colors, harsh detergents or any other unhealthy toxins!" I was lucky enough to receive a few samples, and after more than a month of trying them out, I think I am ready to honestly review them. I should preface this by saying I went into trying these products thinking they wouldn't perform well because they were all natural, vegan, free of preservatives, etc., something I wasn't 100% familiar with...so seeing how they worked was pretty interesting to me.

I received the Coffee Bean Eye Cream, Fruit Pigmented 100% Natural Juicy Lip Gloss in "pink peach", and the Fruit Pigmented Blush in "cherry". At this point, I will start by saying I can't pick a favorite between the three-you'll see why!

 Wearing all three products! No idea why this picture looks so soft focused-I think I may have had it on the portrait setting when I took the picture! Ooops.

First, I want to talk about the Coffee Bean Eye Cream.
Description:
 Clinically proven to de-puff and brighten dark circles.
Clinically proven to lessen lines and wrinkles.
Caffeine rich eye cream makes you look more refreshed and awake.

Pros:

-The texture is so smooth-almost like it is whipped.

-The tube has a pump attached (love this!)

-It smells amazing.

-It is absorbed easily into the eye area, and leaves the under eye really smooth...if you have ever used the Philosophy Miracle Worker, you know how awesome the eye area feels after it is absorbed...you get a very similar outcome with this which is amazing in my book!
-It makes a great base for concealer.
-I have noticed my under eye is  brighter after using this...immediately after applying and in the long run (with no makeup on!)

Cons:
-Sometimes the pump doesn't work correctly. I looked this up somewhere on the website and it does say that if you unscrew the pump, it can alter how well it works....which I unfortunately did. So, lesson learned! 

Price: $21 for 1 fl oz.

Fruit Pigmented 100% Natural Juicy Lip Gloss in"Pink Peach"
Description: 
100% natural, 100% vegetarian, gluten free.

Colored with fruit and vegetable pigments instead of minerals or synthetic dyes.

Made in a base of vitamin e to moisturize and soften lips.

Pros: 
-Really moisturizing on the lips.
-Not sticky.
-If you just so happen to lick your lips, it's pretty tasty!
-The color is build-able, so if you want to wear it alone, it will be a really pretty shade, but it looks gorgeous layered on top of lipstick!
-There is no chunks or pieces of glitter in the gloss.

Cons:
-Some may think the sheer color is a con (although I like to layer!)
-It isn't extremely long-wearing (probably 2 hours if you are eating and drinking).

Price: $15 for 0.24 fl oz.

Fruit Pigmented Blush in "Cherry"
Description:
This fruit pigmented blush to make you sparkle and shine!
This blush is colored with the antioxidant and vitamin rich fruit pigments instead of minerals or synthetic dyes.

Pros:
-Long wearing; I could put this on early in the morning and you can still see it very well into the night.
-Extremely pigmented! When I first got it, I thought it would have to be layered a ton for any color to show up....SO WRONG! You just get a little on your blush brush and use a light hand to apply; I would say this is just as pigmented as MAC blushes or any other high-end brand. 
-The finish looks gorgeous, like you're glowing from within (with no sparkles or glitter of course!)
-The packaging is adorable! I can't get over the design of what it is packaged in.

Cons: 
-If you are particular about fingerprints, the packaging really can attract them.

Price:   $28 for 9 grams (0.32 oz)

Overall, this brand has been nothing but great so far! I am really interested in expanding my makeup collection to include more natural and vegan products, so I will definitely be looking into this brand more! They even have foundations, tinted moisturizers, body washes, hair products, etc. which is awesome for someone who really has interest in products geared to be more natural and chemical free!

Do you buy any vegan, natural, or gluten free makeup products? If so, what are your favorite brands? 

Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey  

*All 100% Pure Products reviewed were sent to me for free in consideration for review. Any opinions stated are all my own and are in NO way influenced by the brand. You can always count on an honest review! 
**Linking up with more pieces of me and on the daily express. All other link-up buttons can be found on the "link-ups" page!

Makeup Talk: Mac Sheertone Blush in "Breezy" Review

MAC [powder] blushes are amazing. I am just going to say it-put it out there now and let you know that I adore them! Granted, I haven't used a blush from each  type of finish they have (frost, matte, satin, sheertone, and sheertone shimmer) but I have tried my fair share. I also have not tried their cream blushes, but that's a different story. I wanted to do a fairly quick review on a specific blush I have been using nonstop for the past 4.5+ months; as soon as fall hit I gave myself the green light to add it into my makeup routine!

 The shade I want to talk about is "Breezy", which like the title of this post says, is a sheertone finish. Since it is berry toned I feel it will best suit my skin in the fall and winter months, which explains why it has only been absent from my cheeks only a handful of times!

Application: As it is a sheertone blush, you can lightly layer it to get the look you want-but don't let the word sheer fool you...it is pretty pigmented! It goes on smoothly to my skin, and with the light hand I use, gives a really pretty wash of color to my cheeks! The finish on my skin is like a healthy glow, even with my combination/oily skin, I find it to be very flattering.

Top is more of a heavy swatch; bottom is very lightly swatched.

Wear time: I find this to be extremely long-wearing. If I apply it in the morning, it still looks nice by the end of the day. I don't notice it to get splotchy when it does begin to wear off, which would probably be around 10+ hours.

Wearing "Breezy"; applied lightly! Also don't judge me for the Christmas tree behind me, hah. This was taken back in December! 

Pros:

-Long wearing

-Pigmented

-Easily layered

-One compact will last you a LONG time (no joke!)
-Has never broke me out

Cons:

-The price ($21.00 USD). I really find that it is worth that price however. I have had another blush by MAC for 3+ years, and I haven't even hit pan because they are so pigmented (and I rotate my blush use!) It might expire before I can finish it. The struggle.

-You may become obsessed with this shade and then any of your other blushes you thought you liked will be left behind, not used, and they will have a pity party full of jealousy until you start using them again. True story. 

You can buy this blush HERE. 

What is your favorite blush at the moment?

Thanks for reading!

XO, Kelsey  

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Makeup Talk: Benefit "They're Real!" Mascara

Every once in awhile I come across a product that just needs to be raved about...so all you mascara lovers out there, this one is for you! Recently, I picked up the travel size version of Benefits "They're Real!" Mascara while at Sephora so I didn't have to pack a full size mascara for a trip. I didn't think the mascara would do anything crazy, wow me, or make me forget about all my other poor mascaras...but I was completely wrong. This my friends, is my newest makeup love!

 Wearing one coat of the mascara.

On Sephora's Website, the product has claims to be: "A jet-black mascara that lengthens, curls, volumizes, lifts, and separates lashes for a spectacular "out-to-here" look."

 The bristle design.

Other claims: " The specially designed brush features staggered bristles that grab close to the root, boosting length and volume beyond belief. The custom-domed tip uses precision bristles to lift, define, and curl even your tiniest lashes. With a glossy, jet-black, long-wearing formula, you’ll flaunt luxurious, silky lashes that won’t smudge, clump, or dry out."

Before I go on about how amazing this mascara is, I should probably show you my natural lashes so you can see the difference the product makes!

 Decent length and curl on their own buuuuut a girl can want better lashes, right?

I like the look of dark, lengthened lashes...so on most days, you will see me wearing some sort of mascara. With that being said, I am not fussy about it. I am a one coat and I am done type of girl-no layering, no separating with a lash comb...nope. So when a product delivers on it's claims, I am happy! 

My thoughts: With one coat of "They're Real" Mascara, I always feel like my lashes look longer, fuller, and separated. The wear time is literally all day. No flaking and no smudging. The bristles on the wand are pretty unique; at the very tip there is more of a dome shape, which lets you easily apply mascara to shorter lashes or the inner corner where I always smudge mascara. There honestly isn't much to say about this besides the fact that 1) The claims are true. 2) You should pick it up if you're willing to shell out the cash. 3) Since it is long wearing, it is harder to get off. Water won't work alone-you'll need some face wash or a makeup remover wipe. 4) Some people may only want to use this for special occasions or nights out since it can really give you a dramatic look to your eyes!

This mascara retails for $23 when you get the full size and $10 when you get the travel size. You can find it easily on Benefits Website, but I bought mine at Sephora.  If you like to emphasize your eyes, I say go for this product! Totally worth it!

What is your favorite mascara?

Thanks for reading!

XO, Kelsey

P.S-As much as this sounds like I am being sponsored by someone, this is just my makeup junkie rave about a good product. My opinions are my own, I bought this myself, and no one is paying me to talk about this product!

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