Tarte Archives - The Beauty Look Book

Tarte Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump Shimmer Glass

January 3, 2024

Tarte launched a shimmery version of their viral Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump – Shimmer Glass ($24) and as a huge fan of the formula and shimmery lips I ordered nearly all the shades to try. There are 12 shades total available at Tarte Cosmetics and 8 are available at Sephora. (I picked up all the colors except for the purple one.)

After testing the colors I will say the shimmer is quite intense but there is no texture/gritty feel. They’re very smooth just like the other Maracuja Juicy Lips. Feedback from many of you based on my Lip Swatches here are very mixed. Some of you are LIVING for these 90s shimmer vibes. Some of you absolutely hate it.

I liked some of the shades – mainly the warmer ones or bolder colors. The cooler tones ended up looking significantly more frosty on my lips (almost blue) but I suspect that is mainly because my lip tone is on the deeper side. Colors I tried:

Pearl Shimmer Glass is a white frosty pearl, this one is the most contrasted with my natural lip for an icy white finish.
Soft Pink Shimmer Glass is a beautiful pale champagne pink with some violet/blue flashes, this one pulled very cool toned on my lips.
Peach Shimmer Glass is one of my favorites, it’s a soft pale peach champagne, similar to Soft Pink, but warmer so this one was more flattering on my lips.
Sunflower Shimmer Glass is a yellow shimmer, just like a sunflower, I feel like the stock promo photos with this shade are misleading and don’t match up among all the photos. Most of the stock photos show a very pale yellow shimmer, in real life it’s a true sunny looking yellow.
Coral Shimmer Glass is a beautiful bright coral shade, but this one pulls very frosty. I think I would love it in a non-shimmer version.
Pink Shimmer Glass is a cool baby pink, also very blue on my skin tone, not flattering, but it’s so pretty in the tube.
Rose Shimmer Glass is a beautiful soft pink rose.
Rosy Copper Shimmer Glass was one of the shades in their holiday sets, this is a very pretty coppery shade.
Rosy Mauve Shimmer Glass is a cool-toned mauve, it’s cool but not too cool, I really like this color.
Berry Shimmer Glass is a stunning plum red. Reminds me of MAC Sophisto with a bit more shimmer.
Ruby Shimmer Glass is another pretty one, it’s a soft red shimmer, not too deep, not too warm, just right.

I have all of them swatched on the lips in this Reel. I photographed my favorites along with one I didn’t love (the Pink one) to show how cool-toned it is.

Sweater is from Sezane, Nail Color is OPI Gemini and I, Anchor Chain Necklace Mejuri.

Lip swatches of all shades in action:

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Overall I’ve found a few I really like and have been keeping in my purse the last few weeks. I don’t think they’ll be for everyone – the shimmer is a bit intense, but for some of the shades the shimmer is only intense if you’re in direct sunlight or studio lights.

Top 3 favorites are: Rosy Copper, Peach and Berry. I’m undecided on this level of shimmer/frost. I didn’t like them in the most recent Dior Addict Lip Maximizers or the Chantecaille Holiday lip. I think it depends on the color and how the tones pull on your complexion.

Available now at Tarte and Sephora.

Have you tried these yet? What did you think? More beauty newness coming soon including the new Makeup by Mario SuperSatin Lipsticks, Chanel Beauty newness (just launched online here, here and here) and a tinted lip balm roundup too!

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Beauty Favorites

Everyday Makeup Favorites from Tarte

April 13, 2022

I’ve been playing with more and more from Tarte over the past year and I’ve discovered quite a few favorites! Tarte always has great options that are easy to wear and long-wearing. Here is what I’ve tested and loved so far!

Concealers + Foundation

Shape Tape Concealer is a great opaque concealer that is easy to blend and stays put. Their newer Shape Tape Ultra Creamy is better for me. It’s creamier like the NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer, but the Tarte is thicker and has more coverage. I alternate between shades 35N or 36S for both formulas.

I’ve tried a few foundations from Tarte in the past but never found one I truly loved until recently. The latest one I’ve tried is the Face Tape Foundation in 36S which is a nice one if you like full coverage and long lasting power. Since it’s opaque you do need an almost exact match. I liked it but didn’t love it until I tried it with the Base Tape Hydrating Primer. It’s great for smoothing, priming and hydrating without feeling too heavy. I’ve been using a few mini samples and just ordered the full size.

Blush + Bronzer

The Maneater Blush and Glow Cheek Plumps are a huge hit for me! They’re a liquid-gel formula that’s easy to apply and blend. I have three of the neutrals in Buff, Pink and Peachy Pink which are great for everyday. They give the skin a dewy blush without looking or feeling too emollient or dewy.

For bronzers I like the Park Ave Princess Glow Bronzer for a natural glow. It’s a neutral bronze that looks nice without any orange undertones. They also have a Matte Version available in two shades.

Eye Makeup

I’ve played with a few of their eyeshadow palettes and really love the Leave Your Mark Eyeshadow Palette. It has everything for a complete neutral tan-gold-pink eye look. I’ll use the shimmery pale shades as a cheek highlighter as well. Pigment is medium but buildable and colors are easy to blend. This is a great no-fuss kind of palette.

Their mini eyeshadow palettes are also really cute and easy to wear. I love the Tartelette Baby Bloom for a pretty mix of colors. It has a good range with just 6 colors so you can create a number of different looks. It has pretty shimmers and a couple mattes.

The Quick Stick Shadow Liners are fun for a one-and-done kind of product. Just apply the cream shadow end all over the lid and line with the other side. The shadows stay put once they set and the liner is a nice creamy smudgeable kind of pencil. I have Taupe Luster + Black and Rose Gold + Brown. I just ordered the Golden Pink color. I think they’re going to be great for travel too.

Juicy Lip Balms

Last but not least many of you know I’m a huge fan of the Maracuja Juicy Lip Balms. They’re some of the best click-style tinted balms that I’ve tried. My top 3 favorite colors are Grapefruit and Rose. They have pretty good pigment for a tinted balm. Love the hydrating feel, shine and texture.

They recently launched their Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump which has the same moisture, pigment and finish, just with a plumping effect. They feel cool on the lips and I love that the tingle is pretty minimal. I love all the colors I bought. I’m wearing Primrose in this post.

That wraps up my current Tarte favorites. There’s so much I haven’t tried yet and I’m slowly working my way through trying more in their line.

If you have any favorites let me know! I’ve been really curious about the Tartelette Full Bloom Eyeshadow Palette and SEA Power Flex Concealer. Let me know what else I should try if you’re a Tarte expert!

In this post I’m wearing:

Tarte Base Tape Hydrating Primer
Face Tape Foundation 36S
Shape Tape Ultra Creamy 36S
Quick Stick in Rose Gold / Brown
Leave Your Mark Eyeshadow Palette
Maneater Mascara Mini
Maneater Blush and Glow Peachy Pink
Amazonian Clay Waterproof Bronzer
Maracuja Juicy Lip Plump in Primrose
Top from Reformation

Makeup Look in Action in my latest Reel too!

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A post shared by Sabrina | beautylookbook (@beautylookbook)

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Items I hauled are from Tarte, Ulta Beauty and Sephora.

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Lips Sephora

Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Nude Lip + Beauty Insider Birthday Minis

June 21, 2017

I’m a sucker for minis so when I saw the Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Nude Lip Set ($28, limited-edition) it didn’t take me long to buy one. It sold out online but just restocked so if you haven’t seen it yet I hope these swatches will either help you decide to splurge or save $$$. I also got their Beauty Insider Birthday Gift and redeemed my points for a Tarte mini so I thought I’d round them all up in one post here.

The Sephora Favorites sets have a lot of great options to sample products in mini sizes. I have my eye on the Ultimate Travel Bag because it looks like it has a little bit of everything. I bought and reviewed their spring version back in January. The one for summer is just as fun. Quick note first – the current set still comes with the black stuffing, but I swapped it out for some white stuffing I had from a different set simply because it was easier to see the product.

How cute are the minis?! (On the nails is Essie Spin the Bottle)

Inside the Give Me Some Nude Lip Set you get 6 lip products, all are minis except for the Urban Decay lip which is full-sized:

Tarte Lingerie Lippie Matte Tint in Revealed is a mocha brown shade. I love the formula, pigment, texture and finish – I just found the color too dark for my personal preference. It’s a smooth finish chubby stick with a semi velvety finish. It says matte but it’s not flat looking and feels super lush on the lips. I will definitely try to check out other shades in this formula.
Anastasia Beverly Hills Lip Gloss in Kristen is one of my favorite opaque glosses, I already own it in the full size. It’s a neutral pinky brown color and perfect for any occasion. I love the rich opaque pigment and high shine. The color is just perfect.
Marc Jacobs Beauty Enamored Hi Shine Lip Lacquer in Sugar Sugar is a light nude champagne color. For me this one is best when worn over another lipstick or liner. Alone it has a sharper contrast to my natural lip tone making it look like I have a dark rim around the lips when I wear this because my lip shows through. The glosses in line have a lush cushiony feel without the tacky sticky finish.
Too Faced Lip Injection Glossy in Spice Girl is probably the most painful lip product I’ve ever tried. Tingles scare me because I’ve tried a few in the past where my lips literally flare up from an allergic reaction. This one started to sting within 10 seconds in such a sharp burning manner. I couldn’t wear it long enough to test because it hurt so much. I had it on probably 5 minutes just swatching and photographing it. The color and finish is really pretty but I just couldn’t tolerate the tingle.
NARS Velvet Lip Glide in Bound is another one I own in the full size. I definitely should have read the labels on the box to see if I already owned most of these, but the minis got me. This one is a perfect soft mauve color. It has the word “velvet” in it but on me these still have a slight sheen to them.
Urban Decay Vice Waterproof Long Lasting Liquid Lipstick is a full size metallic rose color. I’ve tried this one before and it was a total fail for me. The color dried on the lips in a way that make them look dried out and shriveled. In the past when I tested this one it dried out my lips so bad they peeled for several days after. They do last a long time as in they don’t budge all day long so if you don’t have sensitive lips this formula might be worth a try. Based on my one experience with this color though I’m passing on all the rest.

Next are some Beauty Insider Perks. This year you have a couple options for the Beauty Insider Birthday Perk. You can pick between skincare from Caudalie and makeup from Tarte. I opted for the Tarte options but in reality I should have gone with the skincare as they would have been perfect to travel with. The Tarte set comes with the Amazonian Clay 12 Hour Blush in Paaarty (1.5 g/0.05 oz) and a Creamy Matte Lip Paint in Birthday Suit (1 ml/0.034 fl oz). Both are really pretty neutrals, the blush is a matte pink brown and the lip paint is a creamy nude pink that doesn’t wash me out. I also picked up a mini Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint in Rose (1 ml/0.034 fl oz) as a 100 point perk. I actually already own this one in the full size but couldn’t resist the mini. It’s a warm rose peachy color on me. I’m not the biggest fan of matte lips or matte liquid lipsticks but the colors from Tarte are pretty good and I can add a bit of balm or gloss on top.

In summary I like Tarte Birthday Suit enough to consider buying the full size. It’s a good neutral nude color that works for my skin tone and doesn’t wash me out. For the Give Me Some Nude Lips set turns out I like the colors I already own the best (NARS Bound, Marc Jacobs Sugar Sugar and Anastasia Kristen). The others were nice to try and even though I didn’t like the colors or formula so much at $28 it was worth it for me to try. That being said $28 could still have gone towards a full size gloss or lipstick that I really wanted – but I never use the lip testers in store on my lips because of all the germs so sometimes it’s hard to guess what a color will look like. I’ll swatch lip products on my hand and then hold it up to my face to see if I can kinda tell what it will look like, but I’m one who cringes when I see others using store testers on their lips.

Bottom line not a total win, but not a total fail either. You can find the Sephora Favorites Give Me Some Nude Lip set at Sephora. It’s limited-edition and they’ve launched a few variations over the past few seasons.

Have you picked up any Sephora Favorites sets lately? If so which sets did you try and what did you think?

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Lips Sephora

Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint in Bestie | Sephora Exclusive

December 20, 2016

For the holiday season I’ve partnered with Sephora to feature one of their exclusives the Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint in Bestie ($20 for 0.20 oz/6 ml) with my real life bestie Laura. She’s been a long-time friend and I literally do not know what I would do without her. We met during our college days in San Diego and were roommates one summer during a study abroad trip to Oxford. We became fast friends and even with all the changes in our lives, careers, relationships and moving, we’ve kept in touch for over a decade. No matter how busy we get, every year before Christmas we have a tradition of getting together for a girl’s day including a fun present exchange, lunch, shopping and girl talk. This past weekend the first stop for our girl’s day out was Alfred’s Tea Shop in Los Angeles. It’s the perfect place to hang with a bestie and I thought it fitting we showcase the Tarteist Quick Dry Lip Paint in Bestie there as well.

This particular color has special limited-edition packaging and is part of the Sephora Holiday Kiss Collection. The formula is quick-drying, full coverage, transfer proof liquid lipstick and stays put for an impressive amount of time which I find fitting for the color name. Friendships that stand the test of time are something I find hard to come by the older I get so I really value those who stick by you no matter what life throws your way.

For those not familiar with this product, the Tarteist Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint is one of the latest lip launches from Tarte. It comes in 20 other shades but Bestie is the only one with special-edition packaging on the twist-off cap. It comes with a slightly beveled sponge tip applicator and is easy to apply with precision around the edges. Bestie is described as a “deep nude shade” and since the color “nude” pulls different on everyone depending on lip tone and complexion, I found it interesting to see that on me it pulls the tiniest bit mauve depending on the light while on my friend Laura it pulls more true to the tube which is a deep nude with a hint of warmth. I have more medium olive yellow tones while Laura is a bit lighter than me with more pinkish tones (she wears Armani Designer Lift in 4.5 while I’m usually a match to Luminous Silk in 6).

For formula reference, the Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint dries to a matte finish, has full coverage and is super opaque. You only need a tiny bit to cover the entire lip and once it sets it does not budge or transfer for hours. There’s no detectable scent with this formula. For a quick comparison the other lip formulas from Tarte:

Tarteist Creamy Matte Lip Paints have a more whipped velvety feel and on the lips it feels like it never really sets as it does not dry down in texture. The coverage is the same in the sense it covers the lip entirely and offers full rich color. For those who love the original, no need to worry, Tarte says they’ll keep the original “living on.”
Tarteist Glossy Lip Paints offer full coverage with high gloss shine. All three formulas offer rich color with full coverage.

Bottom line is the new formula = long lasting. Also if you found that the original line was limited for medium shades in the neutral territory, the new formula has a lot more options for those of use who are nude lip obsessed. For both me and Laura it lasted on the lips from early morning to late afternoon (even lasted through lunch, a few macarons and drinks). Also unlike many other liquid lipsticks – the Tarteist Quick Dry Matte formula did not dry out my lips and by the next day my lips were not peeling like they do with most others.

Both of us wearing Tarteist Quick Dry Lip Paint in Bestie:

Below you can see a swatch and a close up of the sponge tip applicator. It has a slight bevel in the center to mold to the curves of your lip, tip has the perfect shape that allows you to get the color right along the outer lines for precise application.

Bottom line is I highly recommend the formula of the Quick Dry Matte Lip Paint. I’ll be checking out the other colors when they launch in stores at Sephora – although I may order a couple more sight unseen as the color Bestie is one of the most perfect nudes I’ve ever tried. Do note that the one shown in this post is a Sephora Exclusive and also limited-edition. I think the bright pink and orange packaging on the cap is fun and festive. I hope you enjoyed this post! Have you tried this formula yet? What’s your favorite liquid lipstick of the moment? If you have any fun holiday traditions you share with your bestie let me know in the comments!

Photos by Jessica Alexander Photography.

Many thanks to Sephora for partnering to sponsor this post and thanks to all my readers who support the brands that help support this blog which allows me to do what I love.

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What's In My Bag

What’s In My Bag

May 12, 2016

I’m spilling what’s inside my bag this week – as usual I have a couple small cosmetic bags or pouches to help keep makeup separated and somewhat organized from the rest of what I carry with me. Most of the purses I have tend to be open totes without dividers or pockets. I finally splurged on a Neverfull MM which has some pockets inside and comes with a flat zip pouch, but for the most part it’s one of those open totes. Shown above is the Tory Burch York Cosmetic Case (also cute in red) and the Truffle Small Clarity Clutch (also available in mini and large). iPhone Case is one of the Gray Malin Lisbon prints.

Face Products:

Chanel Les Beiges Healthy Glow Sheer Powder in 20 which I just used up and repurchased, several of you asked if I tried the new Chanel Les Beiges Foundation and if I planned to review. I tried it at the counter and found it extremely thick and very pink. I could not find a good color match and even the sales rep said she did not recommend it.
Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush in Mood Exposure (reviewed here) is one of the prettiest neutral mauve pinks for the cheeks, I find myself reaching for it frequently these days.
The more I use Becca Champagne Pop (swatches here) the more I love it. If you follow them on Instagram @beccacosmetics you have probably seen a sneak peek of one of their upcoming launches and I cannot wait!
MustaeV Easy Go Brushes are among my favorite for on-the-go travel size, the Powder Brush is soft and fluffy and works for powder, bronzer and blush.

Skin care and hand care:

Tatcha Indigo Hand Cream (travel size) is a go-to for calming and hydrating, the full size one is actually compact enough to carry around with me, but the small one is best for those who prefer to carry smaller bags, the entire Indigo line is really good for sensitive skin and helps calm down irritation or flare ups, they have a four piece set called the Soothing Indigo Mini Set which I highly recommend if you want to try the line in smaller sizes
The Lotus Leaf and Camellia Mist from Peach and Lily was sent as a sample for me to try, it’s hydrating and refreshing with a soft citrus scent – the mist pump dispenses a fine mist which calms the skin. I’ve been playing with it for a few weeks now and am obsessed.
Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist (travel size) is the best-designed travel sized mist – it’s been a go-to staple for a long long time, the packaging is really the best I’ve ever seen. If you haven’t tried this you need to!
Le Labo Santal is one of my latest discoveries (actually from a few months ago), it’s not really a spring scent to me since it has sandalwood, amber and musk, but I still love it. At this time I’m still working my way through a few of the mini vials – I don’t know that I love it enough to buy the full size, but I suspect it’s because I’m feeling the spring to summer vibes.
Molton Brown Hand Cream in Pink Pepperpod is probably my favorite scented hand cream of all time, I just can’t get enough of the scent – I’m seriously considering buying the perfume version. If you love Molton Brown hand creams, they just launched the Dewy Lily of the Valley Star Anise which is the ultimate floral lily spring scent (review on this one soon).

Lips:

I’m always on lip overload when it comes to what I carry in my bag, right now I have:

Tom Ford Moisturecore Lip Color in Mustique (reviewed here) is such a pretty baby pink that is on the light side but doesn’t wash out the complexion.
Glossier Cherry Balm Dotcom is one of three new flavored lip balms from the line, I ordered immediately and have been obsessed with all of them – if you click this link here you can save 20% off your first purchase.
Edward Bess Deep Shine Lip Gloss in Lover’s Desire is a pretty peachy pink with a rich shine, I love all the glosses I’ve tried from his line, they add the prettiest healthy gloss to the lips. I like using them on top of lipstick. If you like a cool-nude, Nude Satin is amazing.
Edward Bess Defining Lip Liner in Natural (swatched here) is my holy grail go with everything neutral, if I were forced to live with one lipliner color the rest of my life this would be it, although his newest shade Barely is pretty awesome too.
Tarte Tarteist Lip Paint in Goals is a pretty full pigment glossy warm pink (review soon).
Tom Ford Lips and Boys in Eddie (on the lips here) is a a pretty shimmering cool beige neutral that’s easy to throw on for a neutral wash of shimmer.

Lip swatches with Anastasia Vintage as a comparison:

Eyes:

I have two items for the eyes in my bag, the By Terry Mascara is one of my favorites these days because it thickens and lengthens without smudging. Also in my bag is the Edward Bess Illuminating Eye Base in Dune. These come with a twist click packaging and brush applicator at the end. The one I have shown is a brand new one but I keep multiples so I don’t run out. It evens out the lids and preps the eyes for powder shadow. It’s my holy grail and comes in three colors. Swatched below next to Laura Mercier Caviar Eye Stick in Rose Gold which I use a lot as an eye base and also next to NARS Concealers in Custard and Ginger as a baseline (full concealer roundup from last fall here). The Edward Bess Eye Bases have a more pink undertone which is exactly what I want on my lids. Yellow concealers match my skin for concealing but on the lids the pink helps neutralize red a bit and evens out without making the face look sallow.

I hope you enjoyed peeking into my bag! Also hope the swatches helped in case you’re new to any of the color items I featured. What’s in your bag this week? Do you have any favorites you are carrying with you right now?

Press samples featured include the MustaeV Easy Go Brush, Tom Ford Mustique, Edward Bess Natural, Edward Bess Lover’s Desire, Lotus Face Mist, Tatcha Indigo Hand Cream, Truffle Clarity Clutch.

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On My Radar

On My Radar / New in Beauty

December 23, 2015

Is it too early for spring beauty yet? For those looking forward, there is a lot on the horizon for spring that focuses on fresh and glowing beauty. I’ve already spotted sneak peeks of new foundation releases from Chanel, Laura Mercier, YSL, Armani, NARS to name a few – all to be launching soon. For now, here’s a roundup of new beauty launches on my radar that you can purchase right now if you need instant gratification. I placed a large order a couple days ago for some Dior spring items and also picked up a few pieces from Chanel spring. I’ll be testing them in the next week and have swatches as soon as I can.

Chanel Collection L.A. Sunrise for spring 2016 has started to trickle in stores and is now live on Chanel.com, Nordstrom and Saks Fifth Avenue. It has a brighter feel than what I normally go for, but I love that everything is lively and colorful. What I picked up (reviews + swatches soon):

Sunkiss Ribbon Blush ($70) – the must-have in the collection
Stylo Yeux Waterproof ($33) in Purple Choc
Le Vernis ($28) in Sunrise Trip
Rouge Coco Shines ($37) in Mighty, Shipshape and Energy

Charlotte Tilbury Magic just launched the Magic Skin Trilogy with two new additions to her Magic Line. I’m a huge fan of her Magic Cream ($100) and couldn’t be more thrilled to see it available now in the Magic Night Cream ($145) and Magic Eye Rescue Cream ($60). I’ve been testing both of the new items for 3 days now, will have a report back after a few more days but I can say now that the Magic Night Cream is phenomenal – I wake up with glowing skin. (Also available in a Magic Skin Trilogy Set for $285.)
YSL Spring Look just launched with a collection of pastels. I have my eye on the Glossy Stains ($36) in Tangerine Boho and Rose Folk along with the La Laque Couture Nail Polish ($27) in Love Pink.
Bobbi Brown Extra Lip Tint ($33) launched a few weeks ago. I went to two counters to see if they had it in stock and both had sold out so I ordered it online. I’m excited to see how it compares to the ones from Clarins and Dior.
Dior has a couple spring launches, one is a Lip Glow collection which features the Addict Lip Glow Color Reviver Lip Balm ($33) in Lilac. As a fan of the pink and coral, I’m really excited to see how this one wears.
Dior Glowing Gardens for Spring has light and airy colors with powders ebossed with gorgeous floral designs. The Diorskin Nude Air Illuminating Powders ($58) in Glowing Pink and Glowing Nude look so pretty. There are two Eyeshadow Palettes in Blue Garden and Rose Garden ($63 each) but as one who rarely wears aqua or green eyeshadow, I will need to test before splurging.
Tarte just launched their Chiseling Charmers Deluxe Contour Set ($24, online only). This looks promising.
Glamglow’s latest is a peel-off mask called Gravitymud Firming Treatment ($69). I need this like yesterday.
Henri Bendel Champagne Candle ($30), need I say more? My local store was sold out but had one burning in-store. It smells amazingly fresh.

My wishlist is already a mile long. I will need to do some sorting, thinking and prioritizing before splurging. What’s on your radar for the upcoming spring beauty season?

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Uncategorized

Summer Beauty Pick-Me-Ups

August 19, 2015

Ulta Beauty is turning 25 today and to celebrate their birthday they have 25 online beauty deals with free shipping on orders of $25 or more. Ulta Beauty is a regular stop for me for beauty staples, especially for nail care. My go-to products are the CND Stickey Base Coat, Super Shiny Top Coat, Butter London Nail Scrubbers and the Tweezerman Pushy Nail Cleaner. I’ve teamed up with them to share some beauty pick-me-ups from a recent store visit. If you haven’t been to an Ulta Beauty store recently you will be amazed at the selection they have today – the lineup of products has expanded so you will find a wide range of items with a mix of drugstore and mid-end brands all in one store. If you’re in need of something new in beauty but aren’t sure what to look for, Ulta is a nice place to shop at your own leisure and browse without feeling any pressure to buy. I always discover something new.

Up first is the Mario Badescu Skin Care Facial Spray. It has aloe, herbs and rosewater and with a super relaxing lightweight scent. It’s one of the most affordable facial sprays I’ve tried and I think it’s highly under-rated. It hydrates the skin with a superfine mist. I like that it’s truly refreshing without that heavy feel.

Nude clutch by Truffle

For eyes I picked up one of the Naked2 Double Ended 24/7 Glide On Pencils. They come in a variety of colors, I picked one with Pistol and Perversion. For eyeshadow palettes, the Naked Basics2 Palette is a no-fail option. I already own one but bought one as a birthday gift for a friend. I swatched it below next to Naked Basics. Both are staples as far as matte shadows go.

One of my friends swears by Lancome Définicils Mascara and she always has the perfect lush black lashes. I’ve only tried minis before. I’m giving this one in the full size a try. (If you have a favorite Lancome mascara let me know.)

I didn’t realize Ulta Beauty carried Becca Cosmetics, but now I do. I picked up the Shimmering Skin Perfector Pressed in Rose Gold. I debated between the pressed and poured version. The pressed seemed to have more pink undertone so I opted for this one. It has the prettiest warm rosy champagne gold shimmer. The left side is a heavy swatch, right is blended out a little.

For nails, I like to shop for cheaper finds like OPI and Essie. I play around with both a lot but don’t buy many because of the lack of testers. Two staples include Peach Daiquiri and Topless and Barefoot. Both are relatively affordable options although they don’t last longer than 3 days on me, but for the price I think they are worth it. I just need to make sure I reapply top coat 2-3 times throughout the 5-7 day period I have the color on. Although I switch things up frequently to swatch so sometimes it doesn’t really matter.

Peach Daiquiri needed three coats for me.

Topless and Barefoot is the best neutral nude pink. It’s not too nude and not too pink. Two coats works ok, I find a third coat gives this one complete full coverage.

For lips the options are endless. There are so many different finishes, formulas, textures and packaging options. I think I got a bit lost with all the options but I wasn’t in a rush so I was able to take my time to browse. Stila was one of my very first beauty loves back when I was in high school and all the way through college. I’m glad through all the changes that they’ve kept some of the original line. The Lip Glazes are always fun. Apricot is a staple glow. Kitten is a fun frosted champagne beige shimmer.

Urban Decay has some really good new lip products out. I think many have been out for a while but my focus has always been on their shadows and Naked Palettes. The Revolution Lipstick in Naked is a neutral nude pink cream. It has medium to full coverage and has a slightly glossy sheen. There are a number of neutrals to pick from and they have different finishes from matte, sheer and regular. The High-Color Lip Glosses are full-coverage glosses. Almost like a liquid lipstick but still glossy in formula. Kinky is a really pretty light neutral pink beige. I’m completely obsessed with it.

Last but not least I tried something from Tarte. The twist up chubby stick lip products come in a number of different finishes and textures. After swatching up a number of colors all over my hand, I picked out the LipSurgence Lip Tint in Sweet. It’s a soft light pink with shimmer but goes on the lips a more rosy flushed soft pink. It has a soft minty scent and feels cool on the lips. I really like the way it looks and feels – I’m going to have to check out more of the colors soon.

Today on August 19th in celebration of their 25th birthday, they have 25 value sets available online. In addition they are running a sweepstakes through August 29th where 25 lucky Ultamate Rewards Members will win 25,000 points. Details here on ulta.com/25bday.

Do you have any recent discoveries from Ulta Beauty? What are your favorite beauty pick-me-ups?

This post was created in partnership with Ulta Beauty. Many thanks to Ulta Beauty for sponsoring this post. All opinions my own, more information on my disclosures.

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