Clinique Chubby Stick Swatches

I was shopping around Sephora the other day, playing around and swatching some things, and I really enjoyed these different Clinique Chubby Stick products! I haven't used any of these, so I can't necessarily recommend them based on how they apply/wear, but I can give you guys a couple thoughts based on how they swatched!

 

Listed starting from the top (ignore that unrelated swatch on the left haha!):
Chubby Stick Baby Tint Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in the shade Flowering Freesia: This is definitely more of a balm than a lipstick, so it swatched very lightly - I was hoping for something a little more vibrant!
Chubby Stick Shadow Tint For Eyes in the shade Two Ton Teal
Chubby Stick Shadow Tint For Eyes in the shade Grandest Gold
Chubby Stick Moisturizing Lip Colour Balm in the shade Pudgy Peony: This one was much more pigmented, and a beautiful shade!

Chubby Stick Shadow Tint For Eyes in the shade Plush Periwinkle

Chubby Stick Shadow Tint For Eyes in the shade Oversized Orchid

All four of the eye shadow tints swatched really nicely and were exceptionally pigmented - I had these on my hand for several hours as I shopped around the mall, and they lasted the whole time! I can't say that that means that they'll last just as long on the eyes, but they do have promise!

I was snapping these pics of my hand as I waited in line at Sears - the cashiers probably thought I was losing it haha!

XOXO,

Ally

Look of the Day: Glittery Smokey Eye with Fall Colors!

Since I didn't have work today, I wanted to do something a little more exciting with my makeup - I still think this is a very wearble look, but the glitter and bright pink/burgundy colors make it more interesting than a regular neutral eye! Since there were some pink shades in the eye, I actually applied only bronzer and highlighter to my face, skipping the blush, so that the pink tones wouldn't conflict. A peachy or wine shade would look lovely with these eyes, though!

This look was actually not too difficult to achieve, and you can use a variety of products to get a similar look! I started out with some shimmery white cream shadow in the middle of my lid, to intensify and lighten the burgundy color I was going to be using later. Then I took some brown shades and smoked out my crease area, starting with a light matte shade and working up to darker colors. I concentrated some of the dark brown in my inner and outer corner, as well. The shimmery white shadow actually looked really nice in the center of the eye by itself, but to make this look more fall-inspired I used L'Oreal's Glistening Garnet Infallible shadow on top of it, and topped that off with a neon pink glitter liner from NYX. Finally, I smoked out the bottom lashline with some black on the outside, and brown on the inside. I finished things off with black liquid liner, mascara, and super nude lipgloss.

XOXO,
Ally

e.l.f. Pink Passion Studio Blush Swatches

Is there really anything better than a $3 blush? This bright pink shade from e.l.f.'s studio line may look like a crazy neon shade in the pan, but it actually starts out quite pale, so you can build up the shade to whatever intensity you like.

This product was actually pretty hard to photograph because it's so bright, but with a little color adjusting I got it to look pretty accurate on screen!

This swatch is actually several layers of color to show you guys how you can build up the intensity - you can definitely get a subtle look with this blush if you just apply a tiny amount! Totally versatile!

XOXO,

Ally

Sleek i-Divine Oh So Special Palette Swatches

Sleek Makeup has some really fun and affordable palettes available at UK drugstores - and for the US fans, products can be shipped internationally from sleekmakeup.com. Today I swatched the Oh So Special palette, which is a mix of pinks, warm browns, and a few cooler toned shades as well.

I swatched all these shades without a primer to see how well they showed up on their own - the lightest shades were the least pigmented on their own, but would definitely make amazing highlight colors! The shimmery shades swatched extremely well and had a gorgeous frosty look, and the black shade was super intense!

(Click the pictures to enlarge them!!)

And yes, the shade Glitz was broken in my palette, but I'm almost positive that's because it was traveling in my luggage all the way from England to the US, not because of any product mishandling!

I love this palette because it's such a fun twist on typical natural palettes - the colors are pretty neutral, but shades like Ribbon and Glitz really add a more colorful touch, without being overwhelming. The only downside to this palette is that the shade names are written on a plastic insert, so if you throw that out, you'll have a hard time figuring out which shade is which!

XOXO,
Ally

L'Oreal Glistening Garnet Infallible Eyeshadow Swatches!

L'Oreal's Infallible Eyeshadows are one of my favorite eye products out there - they've got an amazing frosty shimmer to them, and give the eye so much dimension, even if they're the only shadow you're wearing. Glistening Garnet is a deep burgundy red color, with a hint of a purple undertone.

Like other similar pressed-pigment type shadows, this eyeshadow comes with a little plastic stopped on top of the actual shadow, to keep it from drying out.

This shadow has the most amazingly smooth texture, and the color payoff is fantastic! I swatched it without a primer, and the color is super vivid and pigmented with just one swipe. These are already very long-wearing on their own, but with a primer, you'll get even more wear! And this is definitely a product I'd recommend if you want to bring a little more fall color into your makeup this September!

I can't wait to try out even more shadows from this line!

XOXO,

Ally

Wishlist of the month: September!

Fall is finally here, which means new fall collections, and, if we're lucky, lots of fall sales! Here are a couple products that I can't wait to get my hands on!

OCC's Unknown Pleasures Lip Tar Collection: Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics has created an amazing formula with their lip tars, and stunning deep purple shade called Pagan is to die for!

Too Faced Sweethearts Blush: I fell in love with this blush as soon as it came out over a year ago, and I still haven't gotten my hands on it! There are three shades to choose from, and I have to be honest--it's hard to choose!

Urban Decay Naked 2 Basics: This one's a no-brainer! I love nudes, especially taupe shades--and I actually don't own the Naked 2 palette, so this mini version is the perfect thing for me?

What's on your radar this fall - old favorites, new releases, or a little of both?

XOXO,
Ally

Back-to-School Drugstore Eyeshadow!

Check out my top picks for back to school eyeshadow singles and palettes - all from super affordable drugstore brands!

Palettes:

Physicials Formula Shimmer Strips Palette, Nude: Not only are these shades all super shimmery and neutral, but they're not too pigmented - normally I wouldn't consider that a plus, but if you want just a touch of a nude color across your lids, a less pigmented palette might be perfect for you! Also, how cute is that packaging??
Jesse's Girl 9 Pan Eye Shadow Palette, Tickled Pink: This is actually one of my favorite palettes to work with, especially in fall - as you can tell, my case is rather well-loved! The lighter pink shades are totally school appropriate while still bringing a bit of fun color, and the darker purples and burgundies are perfect if you want something more dramatic or to take a look from day to night!

Singles/Duos:

e.l.f. Essentials Duos: This particular duo doesn't have a name on it (I believe it came in a set), but the colors are light enough to wear to school - and since you get two shadows, you can switch up your look each day!
L'Oreal Infallible 25 HR Eye Shadow, Iced Latte: This shadow is probably my absolute favorite in this post - the formula is amazingly smooth, it lasts all day (perfect for school!), and the light cream color is also super shimmery, meaning you get a really nude color but a ton of shimmer to catch the eye! I recommend all the shadows in this post, but if you're only going to pick up one, this would definitely be it!

Wishing everyone a happy school year - and I hope your makeup looks fabulous all year!

XOXO,
Ally