Haven Inspired Digital Art

I'm really sorry about the lack of updates.  I got some bad news recently and have been a bit under the weather.  I do have some things planned though I promise!! Hopefully I'll be posting new makeup swatches before the week is out.

In the meantime here is a picture I just painted in Photoshop!

This is inspired by Kamelot's album Haven.  I tried to incorporate elements from both the album cover and the single.  Overall I am super pleased with this picture.  I think if I try and draw more of often I can keep improving both with my sketching and my Photoshop painting skills.  

Ipsy Glam Bag June 2015

I was only partially looking forward to this month.  Most of the items could have been a huge hit or miss so I was pretty nervous.  Luckily luck was on my side as most of the bag this month is pretty awesome!

This month included a lip stain, an eye brow pencil, a face primer, a body lotion, and an eye shadow stick.  Once again this month is a really nice mix of things, allowing them to all easily be used together in one look.

The bag itself was gross.  The fabric was really strange and felt weird to the touch.  I threw it out.  I seriously can't stand the way it feels...

J. Cat Beauty Liptitude Hydrating Lip Stain in Hikilicous (LLS117)

"Highly pigmented, hydrating, semi-matte lip stain. A delightfully creamy and lightweight stain for any occasion. Silky, smooth and packed with Vitamin E and plants extract, this stain is your go-to glam tool for sexy. Liptitude will last 24/7 and give you some serious ATTITUDE."

4/5

I almost always give colorful lip products at least a 4 when I do these reviews but what can I say, I like my bright lips!

I fell in love with J.Cat when I got one of their lip paints in a past Ipsy bag.  Therefore I was definitely looking forward to this product.  As far as color it is kind of a pinkish coral.  It contrasts just a bit with my skin tone which really makes it pop more than it might on someone with a warm tone, however the coral is muted enough that I think I can definitely pull it off. It is easy to apply and goes on very creamy.  It is hydrating at first but I feel after a few hours it starts to get chalky.  I do not really feel that it is a lip stain in the traditional sense, it goes on very thick and transfers like crazy.  that's definitely my least favorite thing about this lip stain...it gets on my teeth and ANYTHING I put my lips up to.  It lasted all morning and through one meal.  After my second meal there was a slight stain on my lips with more pigmented product around my lips.  Definitely blot this out after applying to help it not be so thick!

This product reminds me of City Color Cosmetics new lipstick except it doesn't smell like paint (thankfully) which for me makes J.Cat's automatically better. I'm not sure if I'd buy another one of these unless they released some more interesting colors.

Where to buy: jcatbeauty.com

Price: $6

IT Cosmetics Brow Power Universal Eyebrow Pencil

"Brow Power matches all hair colors and covers gray perfectly! The oval shaped tip is perfect for both thin and thick brows. The spooley end brush gives a natural polished look! Developed with leading plastic surgeons, IT Cosmetics' proprietary anti-aging technology infuses a blend of brow-conditioning ingredients including Saw Palmetto, Nettle Extract, Green Tea, Biotin, Lecithin, Vitamins A, C, E, Grape Seed and Panthenol. Their exclusive, transforming shade adjusts to every hair color based on how hard you press to give you a beautiful, natural-looking brow."

4/5

This was another one I was worried about.  Universal does not always mean so but at least for my dark brows this pencil works just fine!

This is a pretty interesting concept, a universal eye brow pencil that can match blond to black depending on how hard you press down.  It is double ended, one end is the oval shaped pencil and the other end is a spooley.  I really like that it includes on, as it is a much better spooley than i currently have so even if the pencil runs out I can continue to use this end! In the above picture I included three swatches, each a varying degree of pressing power.  I have trouble only pressing that lightly so it may be difficult for heavy handed blondes to make this pencil work for them. However if you are anywhere from medium brown to dark brown this pencil should match just fine.  It is easy to use however even using the small end of the oval doesn't give as thin lines as I'd like which is why it loses a point.

Overall I like this pencil and I'm glad I can continue using the spooley even after the product is gone. The price is very high however and I have two brow pencils I like just as much for half the price.

Where to buy: Ulta, Itcosmetics.com

Price: $24 (~$12)

Smashbox Cosmetics Photo Finish Foundation Primer

"Create a perfect canvas for foundation application with this silky, lightweight blend of vitamins A & E, grape seed extract and green tea. Worn alone or under foundation, this best-selling, oil-free primer helps to reduce the appearance of fine lines and pores for flawless skin with a velvety-smooth finish."

5/5

It does what it should, no complaints.

This primer reminds me of the Mary Kay one I am currently using.  It's gel like and a little goes a long way, especially with this. It is oil free but does feel oily while applying.  I don't really notice a change in the appearance of my face such as pores or more even skin tone but it definitely makes me foundation stick and last for a long time! The first day I wore this I was sweating like crazy because the air conditioning in the lab wasn't turned on and when I went home my foundation was still flawless!  This definitely beats the Mary Kay primer as far as performance but the price is so insane I'll still be sticking with what I have. I think I'll save this sample for use on special occasions.

Where to buy: Ulta, Sephora, smashbox.com

Price: $36 ($9)

LAVANILA LABORATORIES The Healthy Body Butter in Pure Vanilla

"If you’re looking for instant hydration, this is it. This velvety smooth, all-natural body butter absorbs instantly for deeply hydrated, luxuriously soft skin. 100% pure Shea & Cocoa Butters blend with powerful antioxidants and essential oils for long-lasting hydration. Completely non-greasy, prepare for the ultimate indulgence.

About the scent: A grown up expression of vanilla. Its sensual blend of fresh Madagascar vanilla and tonka bean will leave your skin softly scented."

5/5

No complaints here, nice formula, lovely scent.

The last few body butters I got from Ipsy have smelled disgusting so I was so happy to see this one was simply vanilla. I love vanilla, it s my favorite scent so I was really hoping they couldn't mess it up.  This is a really nice body butter, it goes on smooth and makes my skin feel nice.  The scent is great as well! The vanilla is truly lovely, not sweet like a lot of vanilla lotions.  It turns me into a walking aromatic experience. 

I am a bit too in love with Fortune Cookie soap to purchase anything else from this brand however.

Where to buy: lavanila.com, Sephora

Price: $19 ($2.40)

tre'StiQue Mini Shadow Crayon

"This amazing 12 hour eye shadow has customizable color that you can build from a subtle wash to intense vibrancy. It’s also super blendable with a crease free, smooth finish."

2/5

Its just meh.

First of all thank you so much to my mom for switching her pencil with mine.  I got brown. Ugh, why.  I have never worn a dark brown eye shadow in my life.  She was nice enough to trade the brown for this yellow shimmery color.  It was also available in a rose highlight...why oh why did Ipsy not give me that one....or even the green would have been cool....ugh.  Anyway.  The cap on this thing is the shape of a pencil.  My mom pulls it out of her bag and starts freaking out saying they sent it without a cap.....nope. You take off the crayon top and it reveals a stick shadow. It is easy to apply as a highlighter but I feel like I have to really try to get a nice even coat everywhere that I need it. This isn't anything really special and I suppose I'll use it on occasion as it is easy to apply to the inner corner.

Ipsy hasn't sent out an exciting eye shadow color in a really long time...I think we are definitely due.

Where to buy: trestique.com

Price: $26 (~$13)

Overall I'd give this bag a 4/5 as I liked everything except for the stupid boring eye shadow pencil. The total cost of this bag totaled about $42.40, this is an estimate as not all full sized products listed the product amount for conversion so I had to guess.

Also I just used 500 of my points for an orchid Buxom eye shadow! Yay!

Want an Ipsy bag for only $10 a month?

  

Fortune Cookie Soap Straight On Till Morning Summer Haul

The long awaited moment (at least for me) has finally arrived! I have received all of my Fortune Cookie Soap summer products and have tried them all out for your reading pleasure! For organizations sake I will be sorting these by scent, let's go!

I had listed in my Soap Box review what all I had ordered and boy am I pleased! I have no regrets and will be enjoying each and every one of these products! Also orders now come with stickers!! So cute!

Let's start with my favorite scent from the summer soap box, The Captain.  It is described as "Dewy magnolias and wild berries drenched with fresh cream". 

The Captain Perfume Oil

 

As soon as I experienced this scent I knew I needed it in a perfume.  While the smell is still lovely the wear time is very very short.  Probably less than two hours unfortunately.  I'm also not a fan of these new spray bottles.  I preferred the old normal jar method and would have liked to see a roller bar option.  I feel like I accidentally waste so much product when I spray it on and miss some of my skin. :(

The Captain Aloe Me

This is something that I'm trying for the first time. I already have a Mist Me and really like it for my hair.  This aloe version uses the same formula except with added aloe for summer! I bought this to ease sunburn pain as I'm super pale and burn in the shade.....sigh.  Anyway I can't say how well it alleviates sun burns but when spraying it on my skin it provides a very soothing cool feeling resulting in soft moisturized skin. The scent unfortunately does not linger for very long.

This label got a bit messed up because of leakage from the deodorant.  Also I'm not sure why this is blue as the shampoo and steamers both are red.

The Captain Veggie Protein Deodorant

Next is the deodorant!  I definitely wanted to get one of these and since I wasn't a fan of the Wendy Bird scent I was so glad they also made it in The Captain.  I have mixed feelings about this product so I'm going to review it in a pro and con type fashion.

Pros: This smells amazing as I already knew it would.  It also goes on and the smell lingers for a LONG time.  At least 5 hours later I was still smelling it.  even though it isn't advertised as an antiperspirant I definitely sweat less when wearing this.  Also the ingredients are very natural and make me feel good about what I'm putting onto my skin. 

"This aluminum-free formula contains grapefruit seed extract, which provides natural, anti-bacterial and anti-fungal properties. With summer just around the corner, now's the perfect time to put our new veggie protein deodorant to the test! "Veggie protein deodorant?" Heck yeah!  Featuring a natural protein base that neutralizes odor causing enzymes to simple salt. How cool is that?! 

While it's not an anti-perspirant, and it may need to be applied more than once per day, it's an awesome alternative to commercial options. "

Cons: When I received this it was absolutely a mess. It had melted all over my package, destroying its own label and messing with the ink on my Aloe Me.  I was a bit bummed about this as it was a summer release so you'd think the formula would be able to withstand high temperatures.  It hasn't even gone over 85 degrees recently.  The top layer is now a slight slush as you can see in the picture.  I held it in front of my air conditioner and it seemed to start to harden back up a bit. I currently have it in my fridge, hoping it was completely re-solidify and I can apply it from the tube and not with my fingers. Also it is just a boring off white color.  Since the Wendy Bird sample in teh soap box was blue I expected this to be colored as well.

Next up I'll do The Kiss which is the scent that reminds me of Pez candy!

"Exotic watermelon, juicy pineapple and coconut water, bursting with fresh citrus juices"

The Kiss Shampoo and Conditioner Bar

Out of all the products I was getting I was most excited for this one! I have never tried a shampoo or conditioner in bar form and I feel it would work so well with my short hair.  In order to try both at once I opted for the shampoo and conditioner bar mix!

In one word I would describe this as...LOVE.  I rub the shampoo part in my hair and I get a lovely sudsy experience.  After rinsing I rub the conditioning half on my hair and let it sit while I finish my shower, then rinse.  Afterwards my hair is so silky soft and tangle free.  I will definitely be ordering shampoo and conditioning bars in the future! :D

The Kiss Wax Tart

This is also my first time trying out their wax tarts.  I was a bit bummed to see that this one was not colored like all the others...I'm not sure why it isn't.  The Kiss lip balm in the soap box was a pale pink so I expected this to be as well. So far the smell itself doesn't seem to fill the room quite liked I'd hoped but I can still smell it when sitting  near to my candle warmer. I cut off a bit of the corner to place in my warmer and i've gotten quite a few hours of burn out of it already so I'm sure these wax tarts will last me quite a while.

Next up is Lost Boys, my second favorite scent from the summer soap box!

"Golden apricot muddled with fresh, white peaches"

Lost Boys Hydrate Me

I was so excited to try the Hydrate Me.  It works by applying it while still in the shower under running water, massaging it in the skin, and then letting yourself air dry.  I have very dry skin and after a bath or a shower I can sometimes be so dry it hurts.  Well this product has solved my problems forever!! I just roll it on my arms and legs at the end of my shower, rub it in, then get out and let my limbs air dry.  I feel so incredible soft and filled with moisture after.  Its like being covered in smooth silky butter.  Normally I have to apply moisturizer to my hands 1-2 times a day but I went over 2 days without having to reapply moisturizer after using this!  This is a definite absolute staple in my shower now!

Lost Boys Perfume Oil

I also grabbed Lost Boys in a perfume because the peach and apricot combo is just lovely.  This lasts a bit longer than The Captain at about 3 hours.  Still not amazing but for whatever reason Fortune Cookie Soap perfumes generally don't last very long. 

The final scent I bought products in was Second Star To The Right.  I between this and Lost Boys as my second perfume and I kind of wish I would have just splurged and gotten three perfumes because this is scent is also so heavenly. 

"Crushed berries and mint leaves with a splash of sparkling pomelo, served over iced sugarcane"

Second Star To The Right Wax Tart

I got this scent as a wax tart as well because I can definitely see burning this at night and just relaxing.  The smell is so calming.

This also doesn't have a crazy scent distance but I burn it next to my couch and that's good enough for me.  Once again a tiny little corner is lasting me hours.  These are definitely worth the $2!

Second Star To The Right Linen Spray

And after I'm done burning the tart I can spray my pillow with the Linen Spray and drift off to an aromatic sleep!

Using this makes me regret even more no getting this scent as a perfume.  It is so heavenly.  I spray this on my pillow and it creates an aromatic nighttime experience.  I fell asleep and woke up a few hours later, I'm not 100% on the time that passed because I was dead tired but I could still faintly smell it.  I will definitely be getting more of these.

I am very happy with this order and already can't wait until Fall!

Also they are doing a create your own perfume event soon as well as releasing a Naked collection, which are their same products except scentless so that you can mix your own scent creations from the custom perfumes.  I'm already trying to come up with a few.  So far I have Green Tea, Blueberry, and Honey as well as Rose, Lavender, and Vanilla. I'm so excited! I also have a special one in mind for my boyfriend but I can't share it here as he reads by blog ;)

I'm hoping my mixtures come out smelling as amazing as some of the scents Fortune Cookie Soap produces.

Jamberry July Hostess Exclusives 2015

My mom hosted a party and earned so much she got 3 months worth of hostess exclusives!  Because she is the greatest mom ever she gave me half of her July sheet! I love it so much! I'm so sad it will be gone....:(

This wrap is dark blue, coral, mint, and white arranged into a cool alternating rectangle kind of pattern.  Its soft while still being intense and subtle while being eye catching.  I am really loving the flashy pattern mixed with these soft coordinating colors.

Also this is probably my best application yet! I finally have an air conditioner in my apartment so I was able to thoroughly heat and cool my wraps this time! :D

I am liking the August exclusives even more than July though so I may be hosting a party in August.  If anyone is interesting in helping me out and ordering through my party I would be so so so happy! :3

Where to buy: Jamberry Consultant

Price: $15 per sheet.

Urban Decay Revolution High-Color Lipgloss in Bittersweet

Sephora was giving out these mini Urban Decay lip glosses in Bittersweet when you entered a specific coupon code upon checkout.  I absolutely loved NYX's intense butter glosses so I had to try out Urban Decay's new competitive release! The tube itself is very nice looking for a sample size.  It is just as decorated as the full sized tubes.  There also seems to be a decent amount of product inside so I would assume this will last me quite some time. 

I had talked a bit about Urban Decay's new glosses in my last Ipsy glam bag post so I'll just do a quick run through.   They apply easily and pigmented.  They last for a long time as far as glosses go (3-4 hours for me) and keep my lips moisturized.  the only downside...if you do not like sticky glosses you will not like these. This color in particular is hard ot get even, I didn't have that problem with the lighter Failbait but I have to use a decent amount of this to build up to a solid more opaque color. Overall I like these glosses but I probably would not buy any more as they are not offering any truly unique colors.

Because I also own NYX's purple gloss, Berry Strudel, I decided to swatch them side to side for you to see.  I had thought Bittersweet was purple but after putting it next to Berry Strudel which is a very true purple it looks way more plummy in comparison. NYX's gloss is much more opaque after only one application and is also much much more affordable.  The only categories UD really wins in with this gloss is the longevity and packaging. With NYX's really great intense butter glosses out there I see no need to spend 3 times as much on UD's version.  Unfortunately the formula is not good enough to justify the price when compared with NYX, even if the packaging is really pretty.

Where to buy: Sephora, urbandecay.com

Price: $22

NYX Butter Lipstick in Hunk

A few months ago I got a butter lipstick in my Ipsy bag but unfortunately it was not the color I wanted.  Therefore as soon as they listed all the possible colors as point prizes I snatched up Hunk for 500 points!

I really like this formula and am so glad to have both Pops and Hunk in my collection.

Hunk is a semi opaque plum that I feel looks lovely with my skin color and makes my makeup instantly look more summery and bright. Because it is not fully opaque this color looks a bit lighter on my skin than on my lips so keep in mind that if you are darker or paler than me it may look a bit different.

These lipsticks are very creamy and moisturizing, and despite that they actually have good staying power! Hunk in particular leaves behind a beautiful stain that lasted about 3 hours on me until I ate.  I definitely think it had the potential to last longer if I hadn't gotten some lunch.  I definitely do not regret spending my Ipsy points on this!

Where to buy: Ulta, Nyxcosmetics.com

Price: $6

Did you notice those earrings I have on? I just so happened to have made them today! I bought some wire wrapping materials recently and these earrings were my absolute first attempt at wire wrapping. I just searched wire wrap earrings on Youtube and altered one of the first results that came up to fit what kind of beads I had.  It was a lot more difficult than I was expecting.  I had thought I had bought good wire at Michael's since it was so darn expensive but it breaks really easily and the slightest touch of my tools makes the orange underneath the silver poke through. :(

Otherwise, despite these earring's shortcomings they actually look pretty cute as long as you don't get super close to inspect their imperfections.

Next I made a wire wrap ring using a seashell my boyfriend gave to me from The Outer Banks. I didn't follow a tutorial for this one, I just winged it.  One of my lipstick tubes was the same size as my ring so I used that as my base and just wrapped and wrapped and eventually came out with something that worked.  

I am having lots of fun with wrapping and will definitely be doing more! :)

Kat Von D Ink Liner in Woolf

Well it's over...my week long of non stop studying is done and my exam is over.  Hopefully I passed.

To celebrate here is a little review for you guys! I'm going to be spending the next few days relaxing with my boyfriend before my lab rotation begins.  Yay!

Today I'm reviewing an eye liner that I got a little bit ago that I have seriously been loving.  Introducing Kat Von D's Ink Liner in Woolf! 

When she posted her new liquid liner swatches on Instagram I knew I had to have Woolf for two reasons.  One I love grey.  It is my brown.  I've been wanting a more muted liquid liner for quite some time. Second I wrote a 10 page paper on Virginia Woolf for AP English back in high school so she holds a special place in my heart. Haha!

In the swatch above I drew three lines, the top is the thickest I could get in one stroke, the middle is a natural line, and the bottom is the thinnest line I could do consistently.

I like this liner because it is absolutely perfect for when I am wearing light clothing and also want to do my makeup a bit lighter.  Sometimes bold black wings just don't work....so for that time I can do bold grey wings! Yay!

Now what I like about this is that it goes on smoothly, its easy to control, and I can get a super tiny point with it. The color is opaque and will go over eye shadow.  Even eye shadows that are a darker color!

What I don't like about it is that it is a bit hard to get a thick line.  The felt tip brush is so thin that coloring in thick bold wings and liner can be a bit annoying and time consuming. 

Overall I really like this liner and would have bought more if some of the other colors appealed to me a little better.  With that price tag I can't afford to be buying them willy nilly.

On my lips is Revlon Balm Stain in Honey,

Just because its a more muted liner color doesn't mean you can't have some fun with it!

Where to buy: Sephora

Price: $19