Makeup Talk // Jane Iredale Makeup Review

Have you ever tried packing for a trip but halfway through packing your makeup you think, "this is way too much-but what if I need it?!" Yes. Yep. Story of my life. Even going away for the weekend (to visit places such as my hometown) I feel like I over pack just about everything. Luckily, an amazing makeup company has kind of solved my [makeup] packing problem! If you have been around this blog for awhile, you'll know I have previously written about Jane Iredale (post here). Now, I am back with a review of more of Jane's products-and spoiler alert-I am in loooove!

I received the Color Sample Kit ("medium" shade), the LipDrink SPF 15 Lip Balm ("buff" shade), and two Just Kissed Lip Plumpers (shades "Sydney" and "Milan").

First, I want to talk about the LipDrink SPF15 Lip Balm. On the Jane Iredale website, it is stated that the product "smoothes and softens, soothes, and has antioxidant benefits". As a lip balm, it definitely surpasses the performance of other balms. It feels soo so soft on your lips-not only does it feel soft, but it really does moisturize your lips at the same time. I chose buff as my shade because on the site, it does look the most neutral and wearable. As a nurse, I feel like I always "need" to carry a lip balm. It is one of those things that is nice to have on hand during a 12 hour shift. The "buff" shade is wearable for work, which I love! These balms are vegan and gluten free, if you are interested in that!

Next, I want to talk about the Just Kissed Lip Plumpers!  This plumper reminds me of a lipstick balm-pretty sheer color with a bit of moisture. The plumping effect comes from ginger, mint, and special peptides. I love that the product contains mint, because once applied, it feels cooling/soothing. When it comes to actually plumping my lips, I cannot say I noticed a huge difference in fullness, but I did notice a slight amount of plumping. Overall,  I feel that the product is great for creating a hint of fullness, moisture, and a sheer wash of color. These plumpers are not vegan, although they are gluten and cruelty free.

Wearing the Just Kissed Lip Plumper in shade "Sydney". Perfect for the summer and spring months!

 Here, I'm wearing the Just Kissed Lip Plumper in shade "Milan". This shade is perfect for everyday wear//I have fallen completely in love with it!

The last product I received is the Color Sample Kit in shade "medium". This kit includes sample/travel sizes of the PurePressed Base in shade "Golden Glow" (see my past review for the PurePressed Base here!), PurePressed Blush in "Whisper", PurePressed Eyeshadow in shades "Cream", "Supernova", and "Suede", Circle\Delete 2 Concealer, PureMoist Lipstick in shade "Lily", and PureGloss Lipgloss in shade "Beach Plum". The kit also contains a Blush Brush and a Duel Ended Eye Brush.

 Just to save this post from being too long, I encourage you to check my review out from a few years ago on the PurePressed Base. I still agree with my previous post, but I love the product even more now! I am obsessed with the gorgeous glow the base gives, and the wear time of the product. Since I use a primer I like, I think it really helps with the staying power of the product. The blush gives a very pretty glow on the cheeks and wears well throughout the day. 

 The gorgeous sheen of the blush in natural lighting!

Wearing all of the products/showing the glow from the blush.

 The  three eyeshadow shades do not have any fallout, wear well, and are more pigmented that the Urban Decay Naked Shadows (in my opinion!) The kit obviously is meant to be used as a one stop shop, which is why the 3 eyeshadows look so great when paired together. Side note: Usually I fill my brows in with some sort of pencil or powder. For the purpose of this post, I sort of filled them in with the eyeshadow "Suede". One weekend while away at my boyfriends' house, I realized I did not bring any brow products. Luckily, I had this kit and used "Suede" to make do. Surprisingly the "Suede" shade is almost perfect as a brow shade, which comes in handy when I am on the go/traveling.All 3 shades are gluten free; 2/3 of the shades are vegan-"Supernova" is not vegan.

Wearing all the eyeshadow shades (light application). Here, you can also see me wearing the lipstick and gloss that comes in the kit. 

When it comes to the Concealer, you will see in the picture that it really brightens my dark under-eye area. I was pleasantly surprised when I used this product, because most cream concealers tend to crease on me, which this did not. For those interested, this product is gluten-free, but not vegan.

A before and after shot of the Circle\Delete 2 Concealer

I honestly did not use the two lip products very often from this kit, just because I was so smitten with the Lip Plumpers I received. However, the times I did use the 2 lip products in the kit, I was happy with their quality. The lipstick was moderately pigmented, while the lipgloss paired perfectly over it. I will say that I felt the gloss was slightly sticky, but not in an overwhelming way that would keep me from using it. Since it is a bit sticky, I find that the gloss tends to last a bit longer than most other glosses, which some may be very happy with. Find a shot of me wearing both products above. Both the lipgloss and lipstick are gluten-free and vegan.

 Swatches of all products from the kit (excluding the lip products). From left to right: "Suede", "Supernova" and "Cream" Eyeshadows. Circle\Delete 2 Concealer, PurePressed Blush in "Whisper" and the PurePressed Base in "Golden Glow". 

 From left to right: Just Kissed Lip Plumpers in "Milan" and "Sydney", PureMoist Lipstick in "Lily" and PureGloss Gloss in "Beach Plum". 

For anyone looking to try out a few of Jane Iredales products and shades, this kit is perfect. It is also great for those who travel, because it makes packing SO much easier. I took this with me to California when I went last month, along with a liquid foundation, mascara, and eyeliner, and I was all set. I can not say enough good things about this kit and the products I am reviewing today. I highly recommend trying out Jane Iredales products (especially if you have ever been curious!) I don't think you will be disappointed! 

A few products that are either new or I absolutly want to try next from Jane Iredale:

1. Smooth Affair for oily skin primer

2.  Liquid Minerals Foundation

3. PlayOn Lip Crayon

Have you tried Jane Iredale products before? Let me know below!

Thanks for reading!

XO, 

Kelsey

Connect with me: twitter here // instagram here// pinterest here // 

*All products in this post were provided free of charge. All opinions shared are strictly based on the month long review process I used.

Makeup Talk: Tips For Getting The Most Out Of Your Beauty Products

If you are a beauty lover, you know how much it can bum you out when you run out of your favorite product, or the feeling you get when you "hit pan". Today, I wanted to share a few tips with you for extending the life of your products, getting the most out of what you have, and when you should throw out makeup! I also want to share two of my favorite tips from Lara, from the HSN blog! You can find her post here.

1) Broken pressed powder product? Add a couple drops of rubbing alcohol, press the pieces back together, and wait for it to completely dry. In no time you'll have it back to its [almost] new condition.

2) Don't like your conditioner? You don't have to toss it! Use it as a shaving cream-it should moisturize while giving you a smooth base for shaving!

3) Dig! If you are running low on one of your lipsticks and can no longer use it directly on your lips, use a q-tip to dig a little out and then apply to your lips! Even better? Use it as a 2-in-1 product to get the most for your money; take a little and dab it on your cheekbones as a cream blush! The result will be a really natural glow!

4. A tip from Lara:

-I think this is key in making the most out of your products! I myself have bought the same shade of lipgloss or eyeshadow, even though I know I already have something similar. Instead of letting it go to waste in the future, really think about what you are buying before you get it.If you know that it can be duplicated (or almost duplicated) by something in your collection already, hold off! Reward yourself with that new item when the similar one is gone!

5. Does your eyeliner break off too easily? If it is too soft and falling off (or losing its shape!), you may find yourself constantly sharpening it, which consequently means you are using it up faster than you need to. Store your pencil liners in a ziplock baggy in your fridge-the cool temperatures will help it keep the shape! You could also just pop it in the freezer for a bit before applying it!

6. If you find yourself going through facial cleansing wipes too fast, cut them in half! You'll be surprised that half a wipe actually can take a fair amount of makeup off! Fold it up and use different sides; that way, you are getting the most out of the wipe!
7. A tip from Lara:

-Please keep this tip in mind! What good will your brushes be if they become frayed, caked up, or germ infested? Lara makes a great point when she says that you are also extending the life of your products doing this! Case in point-your favorite pressed powder gets a slightly darker "film" over it, and it seems like no matter how many times you try, you just can't pick up very much product from that area. That "film" is likely face oils that have been deposited by your makeup brush (or sponge!)

8. Don't pump! When you pump your mascara wand up and down in the tube, it puts more air into the tube-drying out the product and leaving more room for bacteria to grow inside.

9. Running low on your favorite liquid foundation? Mix a liquid concealer that is the same shade as your skintone in with your favorite moisturizer. The extra pigment from your concealer can mimic the coverage your foundation could give you. Apply it as you would your foundation and save the last of your real foundation for a special occasion!

10. When to throw it out:
-Mascara: After 2-3 months, especially when you notice it is becoming clumpy or has a weird smell.
-Liquid foundation & concealer: After 6-12 months; when you notice the color is becoming lighter and separation has occured in the product.
-Lipstick: After 2 years; when it becomes noticeably dry.
-Lipgloss: After 1 year; when it becomes extra sticky.
-Nailpolish: After 1-2 years; when separation occurs that doesn't blend after shaking, or when it becomes extra "goopy".
 -Powder, eyeshadow, blush: After 2 years; when it becomes extra dry or flaky.


I hope these tips were helpful! What is your makeup saving tip?
Want more of Lara's tips? Find her post here.

Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey 

*This post is based on my own opinions and tips from experience. The tips from Lara were used with permission, as a way to do a shared post. No commission was made from this. This post is solely for the benefit of anyone that wants to read these tips! :)

A Few of My Favorite Things [Currently]

Hold on a second. Christmas is in 12 days guys. Twelve! This year has flown by! Since I have been so busy the past two weeks with the end of the semester and finals, I decided to try and make up for it by sharing some of my favorite things at the moment! I love hearing about what products, songs, and non-material things (and anything else!) that people are liking, so I thought this post would be a fun one!

1. Bath and Body Works "Velvet Sugar" Body Mist: This stuff smells SO good! It is sweet and sugary just like the name implies...and I think it is perfect for the holidays! I have really enjoyed spraying this on me throughout the day if I don't want to wear a heavy perfume.

2. Yes to Tomatoes Clear Skin Lotion: This lotion is one that is supposed to balance your skins moisture levels as well as clear up or prevent acne. I really think it has been doing what it says, and may write a whole post dedicated to it! I have been using it morning and night!

3. Becca Ever Matte Poreless Priming Perfector: You may remember seeing me review this primer recently...and I am still loving it and using it daily! Definitely the best primer I have ever came across! For using it everyday, I am so surprised that I have so much left still!

4. Sibu Beauty All Natural Sea Buckthorn Balancing Facial Cleanser: Well that was a mouthful. I have been using this cleanser lately and have fallen in love with it! Expect to see a full review of this product when I review the lotion I mentioned above! The two of them together are like magic! I also noticed that the website that sells this is having a 40% of sale right now-check it out if you are interested in some natural skincare!

5. Dove Refresh + Care Dry Shampoo: This is a lifesaver. I have tried so many brands of dry shampoo and this is one of two that I have found that works amazing for me. I can't go without this! It does leave a bit of a gray tint to your roots if you have darker hair, but once you run your brush through your hair it is completely gone. Perfect for the days you skip washing your hair!

6. Benefit Gimme Brow Gel: If you fill in your eyebrows, this product is definitely worth looking into! I have pretty dark eyebrows that are full on their own, but I do like to fill in the tails of my brows just to look a bit more put together. It is crazy how filling in your brows just a little bit can add so much more to your look-in a good way! I have mine in the shade "medium/deep".

7. NYX Butter Gloss in the shade "Maple Blondie": This lip gloss is exactly what it sounds like...like butter. I mean imagine the softest gloss ever on your lips. The lasting power is really nice, and the subtle scent just adds to my love for this gloss! I have been pairing this a lot lately with my Mac lipstick in the shade "Spirit".

8. Virtual "Try on" Websites: If you know anything about me, you know I like to change things up a lot; because of this I kind of play around with looks online before I actually go for it. Over the summer, I reaaaaaallly wanted to chop of my hair-and I did. Before I did though, I "tried on" hairstyles and hair colors to be sure I would look okay with the big change. I also like to try before I buy, so it has been really useful to try on virtual glasses before making any big decisions. If you ever get bored...seriously do yourself a fun favor and look up virtual try-on sites...you will have a blast, haha.

9. Maybelline Color Sensational Lipstick in the shade "Blissful Berry": This color is so dang pretty for fall and winter, and I just can't get enough! Like many others, I adore a darker lip color in the colder months, and this one is perfecto! You may have seen me wearing it in this outfit post!

10. Rimmel Scandal Eyes Wateproof Kohl Eyeliner in the shade "Nude": Since buying this about 2 months ago, I haven't went a makeup-wearing day without it! I line my waterline with this and it really brightens up my eyes and makes me look a bit more awake...great for those who didn't get enough sleep the night before!

Swatches, from top to bottom: Rimmel Eyeliner in "Nude", Maybelline Lipstick in "Blissful Berry" and NYY Gloss in "Maple Blondie".

11. The song "Story of My Life" by One Direction: I shouldn't even bring this up because it means it will once again be playing in my head. I am not kidding when I say this is probably day 6 or 7 that my roommates and I CAN'T for the life of us get this song out of our heads. None of us even really listen to One Direction, but somehow this song creeped into our minds and totally took over. You think you are safe from this song, and then someone else plays it in our apartment, and the cycle repeats. Someone should ask me a week from now if the song is out of our heads... if we don't go crazy by then.

What are you loving lately?
Thanks for reading!
XO, Kelsey

My links:

Twitter

Instagram

Pinterest

Bloglovin'