Battle of the Lolitas

It's possibly the best selling liquid lipstick at Sephora and the most infamous one with a story, Kat Von D's Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita. Almost everyone and their mothers either have this shade of lipstick in their makeup collection or it is on their most wanted list. Not only is this shade & formula the most desired, but there is a whole story behind it:

When the original Lolita came out a couple of years ago, it was all the rage (no surprise). Everyone had subscribed to Sephora's "email me when in stock" to quickly get their hands on when it came back in stock. When it finally did, people were surprised. The color was entirely different and reformulated. It was a lot browner than the beloved warm, rosy original Lolita. It was a love or hate relationship with the new Lolita. When the third time came around, they got the color back.

Since Lolita is a cult-favorite, it was no surprise for Kat Von D to release a sister shade called Lolita II. Lolita II officially made its debut when Kat Von D Beauty came out with a Lolita Lip Duo at Sephora. Lolita II is a warm, terracotta nude that would suit any skin tone. The formula and longevity of the Everlasting Liquid Lipstick remains bulletproof & not too drying. The Lip Duo contains a 0.1 fluid oz of the 2nd formulation of Lolita (chestnut rose) & the new Lolita II. This limited edition, holiday package costs $19.50 and is currently only available at Sephora stores in limited quantity. See swatches below:

 

If the three reformulations & release of Lolita II wasn't confusing enough, Kat Von D recently announced she will be releasing a shade called OG Lolita.

If you're ever on the market for a great dupe of the chestnut rose Lolita since it's always sold out, you have to check out NYX Cosmetics Liquid Suede Creme Lipstick in Soft Spoken. Soft Spoken is almost the same exact color as Lolita but has a slightly different formula. It's definitely equally as creamy as Lolita but has a lighter formula that give the lips almost a "suede" soft feel. So the decision is up to you, would you like to save or splurge!

Stay tuned for images on our Instagram: simply.tria

XO,

RLS

Pick a Polish!

As we head deeper into the fall and winter months we like to switch up our nail polish a bit. Fall calls for more neutral, warm, and dark colors as opposed to the bright colors we love to wear during Summer. Here are some of our Essie polish picks we think can be worn year round!

From left to right:
 Angel Food
Minimalistic
Fiji
Sand Tropez
Miss Fancy Pants
Wicked

Make sure you check out our Instagram for your weekly beauty & lifestyle dose!

XO, 
RLS

MUFE HD Foundation vs Ultra HD Foundation

The Make Up For Ever HD Foundation was the first foundation to introduce makeup in High Definition form. It revolutionized the power of makeup for film & TV industry use. It was a holy grail foundation for years to come. Just a few months ago, Make Up For Ever reformulated and replaced the beloved original HD Foundation. The new & improved foundation is now called the Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation, but what's the difference? Is it better than the original? Find out more by reading below where we compare the different properties of each foundation.

Let's start off with the original HD Foundation. It was an oil-free foundation that evened the skin with it's medium buildable coverage while remaining invisible, even under the most magnifying HD lens. If you have problematic skin, this foundation would not be able cover your imperfections entirely (so we suggest spot concealing any troubled areas after application). The High Definition property lived up to it's name. This foundation photographed beautifully with absolutely no flashback. The color range was another reason why everyone loved this foundation. With nearly 25 different colors & tones, you were sure to find your right match.

Now onto the new Make Up For Ever “Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation.” There have been mixed reviews on this foundation ever since it was released just a few months ago. It seems as if most people either love or hate the foundation but we're kind of stuck in the middle! Most people were obsessed with the previous formulation of the foundation and don't love the new formulation as much. In our opinion, even though the new formula is different than the previous one, it's still a good, solid foundation. The new formula goes on quite sheer but can be packed on to provide full coverage. One thing we've noticed is that it doesn't cover blemishes (similar to the previous formula) and when you add more foundation to get additional coverage it can get pretty heavy/thick on the skin. Similar to the previous formula, there are several shades to choose from which is great because you can get a color that's almost a perfect match for your skin. Overall, we think this is a great foundation for everyday use and we would recommend it to those who have dry to combination skin. Girls with oily skin will most probably find that the foundation melts off and doesn't last all day, even if it's set with powder.

If you'd like to purchase the new MUFE Ultra HD Invisible Cover Foundation click here!

XO, 
RLS

Morphe Brushes Overload

You can have the most top notch quality eye shadow or foundation, but what makes it even more impeccable is the brush you are using it with. This is where one of our favorite makeup brush line comes into play: Morphe Brushes. Morphe had its big break just last year thanks to all of the YouTube and Instagram beauty gurus. They are known for having great quality brushes for amazing prices. Here are our top Morphe Brushes picks for the face and eyes:

Foundation Brush: M439 

Thanks to the beloved Jaclyn Hill, the Morphe M439 quickly became a must-have for all makeup lovers. The M439 is the perfect foundation buffer brush. The bristle density and size allows quick application leaving no streaks.

Price: $13.99

Contour Brush: M460

Applying cream and powder contour to your features must be precise and even. This is why we love the M460. The flat top allows even application and to get that sharp contour. It is also great at diffusing your cream/powder contour. 

Price: On Sale for $13.99

Highlight Brush: M438

The M438 is possibly the most versatile brush from our collection. This tapered brush can be used to set your concealer, highlight the top of the cheekbones, or carve out the hollows of your cheeks. The soft bristles perfectly blends any powder. 

Price: $9.99

Shadow Brush: B77

If you're a glitter girl like us, then you would know packing on glitter can be challenging. The B77 has the perfect shape and density to pack shadow on your lid for a beautiful and controlled application. 

Price: $2.99

Flat Liner Brush: B75

Smoking out the lower lash line completes any smokey eye look. The B75 will help you get right on the lash line to apply any shadow or eye liner. You can also use it as a flat liner to apply top liner and smoke it out.

Price: $2.99

Crease Brush: M441

Everyone loves the MAC Cosmetics 217 blending brush, but the Morphe M441 does the same job for fraction of the price. This pro firm blending crease brush is also made with quality goat hair for amazing product pick up and blend. 

Price: On Sale for $5.99

Blending Brush: M200

Round and fluffy, the M200 is our favorite way to buff out shadows in the crease. It is super soft and tapered enough to get right in the crease to buff away any hard eye shadow edges. 

Price: On Sale for $4.99 

Morphe Brushes is not only known for their brushes. They also sell their very own makeup products such as blush, eye shadow, and concealer palettes which are known to be of great quality and reasonably priced. They have the perfect products for professional makeup-artists looking to expand their makeup kits. What are your favorite products from Morphe Brushes? Let us know on our

Stay updated with our Instagram page: @simply.tria

XO,

RLS

Facial Mists You Need to Know About

If you have a long day ahead & need your makeup to last, a setting spray is a must. Here are two different setting sprays that serve different purposes to make your makeup look flawless all night long:

The Urban Decay setting sprays are a cult-favorite to makeup lovers and YouTube beauty gurus. Urban Decay has four different kind of makeup mists, but the All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray has made a permanent stay in our beauty collection. This setting spray is a weightless setting spray that keeps makeup looking just-applied for up to 16 hours. The All Nighter Setting Spray was developed in partnership with SKINDINÄVIA, a company known for their power-holding makeup finishing sprays. It is suitable for all skin types and actually lowers the temperature of your makeup to guarantee it stays intact all night.

Tips for use:

-Spray after your makeup is completely done to lock it all in.

-Use it to dampen your Beauty Blender when blending out your liquid foundation and/or concealer. The ingredients in the setting spray will prolong your foundation/concealer wear.

-Use it to make your highlight and/or eye shadow pop! Spray your brush with a few spritz to bring any powder to life.

If you're new to setting sprays or in need of a new one, the All Nighter Setting Spray by Urban Decay does come in a travel size for only $14 (which actually lasts forever). Give it a whim and you'll thank us later. You can find the Urban Decay All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray at your local Sephora and Ulta.

Now on to the oh so classic setting spray that everyone seems to have in their makeup kit, MAC's Prep + Prime Fix+! To finish off a makeup look, spray a few pumps of Fix+ all over your face and see/feel the amazing difference. Aside from making you feel refreshed, it also has plenty of vitamins and minerals in it which naturally help your skin look and feel better. The primary ingredient in Fix+ that makes your makeup stay in place is Glycerin; which attracts moisture and locks it into your skin. Fix+ hydrates the skin and seamlessly fuses everything together to create a beautifully blended canvas. After initially spraying it on your face, you might look almost too wet/dewy (which we still love) but after a minute or two it all dries out to perfection. Unlike the All Nighter Long-Lasting Makeup Setting Spray, MAC's Fix+ isn't intended to be used as a setting spray. Rather, it's supposed to hydrate the skin and blend all of the makeup on your face together and into the skin. Lastly, anyone with any skin type can use Fix+ without it making them oily.

Tips for use:

-Hold it a few inches away from your face and spray evenly.

-Spray a few spitz onto a makeup brush to enhance the color of an eyeshadow or highlighter.

Stay tuned for next weeks must haves.

XO, 

RLS

Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil Review

If there is one thing to invest your money in when it comes to your beauty purchases, it’s your skincare routine. No matter how much coverage your foundation has or how much your primer fills in your pores, makeup applies seamlessly on a clear canvas.  Thanks to Claire Marshall on YouTube, we have discovered a new skincare product that has made it on the top shelf: The Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Night Oil.

Before we talk about the results, here is an overview of what the product is, what it promises to do for your skin, and the suggested usage:

What it is:
A next-generation retinoid oil to reduce pore size, improve appearance of damaged skin, and help fight wrinkles.

What it is formulated to do:
With an advance retinol complex, Luna helps reduce the appearance of lines and wrinkles while simultaneously correcting damage caused by the sun, time, and pollution. Use this oil before bed to notice firmer, clearer skin by morning. Trans-retinol ester fights the look of fine lines, wrinkles, and loss of skin elasticity while an essential oil complex calms and soothes skin. Cold pressed avocado, chia, and Concord grape seed oils sink into skin for quick absorption of actives while boosting radiance.

What else you need to know:
This product is made with organic, cold pressed oils. Advanced trans-retinoic acid ester is mixed with potent botanicals for the ultimate transformational, sleeping night oil. This item is formulated for ALL skin types including, dry, oily, and combination. It does have a blue tint, but the color fades away as soon as you massage the product into your skin.

Suggested Usage:
Apply to at night to clean, dry face.

What stood out the most was that the product promised that you would see overnight results. That seems a bit promising, but it delivered. In the morning, I noticed my skin was much more plumped and moisturized. It was not until I applied my CC cream, with no pore-filling primer, where I noticed how much better my pores & overall skin complexion looked.  I received a sample of Luna and only after one week of use, I now own the full bottle. This sleeping oil has a steep price of $105, but it only takes 3-4 drops to cover your entire face and neck, which will basically guarantee a long usage. You may experience mild peeling since this product does contain retinol, but a good exfoliating session with your Clarisonic will do the trick. It’s essential to moisturize your face, including you oily skin girls and boys, and the Luna Sleeping Oil does it all in one bottle.

You can purchase the Sunday Riley Luna Sleeping Oil at Sephora. 

XO,

RLS

(We know that not everyone will react or have the same results as we have with this product. So please take precautions if you are allergic to any of the substances mentioned.)

La La Lavender

                        

   It’s finally the weekend! …But sometimes it can be difficult to let go of all of the stress and tension that you’ve been dealing with during the past week. One natural product that can help to ease all of that tension is lavender. This simple, yet gorgeous flower can be used in so many different ways; it’s pretty awesome. It’s mainly used to calm the mind, skin, and stomach. So here are some ways to incorporate lavender into your lives!

 Lavender Scent 

Smelling lavender, or using a lavender scented oil is known to reduce heart rate and blood pressure! So if you have trouble sleeping, it’s worth giving this technique a try. Before going to bed rub some lavender oil on parts of your body (such as the temples), or keep some dried lavender in a vase on your nightstand.

Some beauty products that already have lavender in them are MAC's Lavender Fix +  and the LUSH Angels on Bare Skin

         

Design

Lavender just seems to be the perfect topping to make anything aesthetically pleasing! Use some lavender as a garnish for an iced drink.

Strawberry Pink Lemonade recipe from Simplyrecipes.com

 Lavender Tea

Place a few fresh or dried lavender buds into hot water and enjoy some calming tea.

Becominglanina.com

So grab some lavender and take a break!

XO, 
RLS

Highlight on Fleek

      Jaclyn Hill has had us going crazy for the past few months as we waited

     for the release of her new highlighter "Champagne Pop"! Jaclyn collaborated with
         Becca cosmetics and created a new color for their "Shimmering Skin Perfector" line.                 

         Becca has become very (and we mean very) popular for their highlighters in the 

      past few years. "Moonstone" and "Opal" should definitely sound familiar to you if 

        you're a highlighter fanatic like us. "Champagne Pop" has the same formula 

       as the rest of their skin perfectors and is very smooth, creamy, and has tiny specks

   of shimmer that give the skin an effortless glow. If you're looking for a go to Summer            

      highlighter we would definitely recommend "Champagne Pop." It gives off a            

        golden/peachy highlight that goes perfect with a Summer bronzy look.
        Jaclyn was aiming to create a universal highlighter that would look flattering/amazing
   on all skin tones and it truly seems like she did! 

We didn't expect anything but amazingness from the oh so fabulous Jaclyn Hill.

If you'd like to purchase "Champagne Pop" you can click on the link below

 Becca Cosmetics "Champagne Pop"

(Aside from only being sold at Sephora, it's also limited edition so move fast!!)

#Highlightonfleek

Below is a picture of "Champagne Pop" under natural sunlight.

Instagram: @simply.tria

XOXO, RLS

You've Got Me Blushin'

                            Morphe Brushes has been all the buzz for about a year now.
                          From what we know, it's a fairly new brand but has become very,
                         very popular in the past few months. This is mainly because of the
                           amount of Youtube gurus, especially Instagram gurus using their
                            products. So we decided to give them a try! Aside from being
                          extremely popular they're priced quite low too. Their individual
                        eyeshadows are just $2.99 which is really cheap for a good quality
                                                               eyeshadow.
       

          We've tried out a few of their products but today we're going to just talk about the "9B BLUSHED BLUSH PALETTE" which retails for $19.99. So as usual Jaclyn Hill raved about this product and we had to buy it. It's pretty awesome because you're paying just $20 for 9 blushes when you would be paying around $22 for ONE blush at MAC. Although I don't think i'll be using that bright red color in the bottom right corner, I really love the rest of the colors. They range from brown, peach, shimmery peach, to pink colors. The blushes go on matte and so far I like the consistency of them. They're very pigmented and have a nice consistency that's not too chalky or creamy. But I would recommend picking up small amounts of product at a time because I've noticed that it is a bit hard to blend once the product is on your face (which is common with many blushes). So we definitely recommend this palette to anyone that wants a nice variety of quality blushes for a really good price.



Here's a picture from the Morphe brushes website so you can see the true colors. The palette can be purchased here "9B Palette".

How to Rock Sneakers Everyday

One of the biggest trends on the rise in the fashion world is incorporating sneakers to our everyday wear. Celebrities such as Rihanna and Kylie Jenner love rocking a sporty shoe with any ensemble. Famous Instagramers SongofStyle (Aimee Song), Dani Song, Tania Sarin, Camille Charriere, etc. also set trends and style effortless looks. 

Celebs and fashionistas have proven that sneakers can be worn outside of the gym and have incorporated them into casual, street wear. Here are some looks we are lusting over where sneakers are the highlight.

First up we have Instagramer, Tania Sarin. Ms. Sarin is a blogger and personal fashion stylist with a very edgy, sleek style. She loves mixing fabrics and is not afraid to step outside the box. Here, she is rocking her Nike's with drop crotch pants (which she designed herself with V Fashion Group), with a large, camel sweater. Perfect for a quick shopping session or a run to the coffee shop. She sure knows how to look casual, yet chic.

We now have Aimee Song showing us how it's done. Known as SongOfStyle on Instagram, it is no shock that she has over 2 million followers loving her daily fashion posts. Aimee paired what looks like jersey short-shorts, a thick cool-tone sweater, with bulky BenBaller kicks. Add some gold, chunky bangles and your ready to conquer your day in style (SongofStyle that is)!

You can never go wrong with a good, old pair of Chuck Taylors. Creative consultant and blogger Camille Charriere paired her classic Chucks with an Isabel Marant leather skirt and an H&M tan jacket. We love the mix of textures Camille went for on a regular day out in London. The cut in the leather skirt with a pop, yet settle color in the jacket was all around debonair and funky. Who doesn't love a good fashion risk?!

Whether you are edgy like Tania, casually-chic like Aimee, or a fashion risker like Camille, always keep in mind to have fun with fashion! Mix it up, bring out the classics, or add new ones to your shoe closet.

XO,

RLS

Mario Badescu Spring Essentials

We can go on and on about reviewing and rating makeup products, but we decided to do a different review today featuring Mario Badescu Skin Care products. We all know that makeup can transform an individuals face, whether it means enhancing your features with contouring techniques or giving yourself a fuller brow effect with brow pomades, but one thing that creates the perfect canvas is your skin! Beautiful, clear, and glowing-from-within skin is a trend that will never fade. 

Mario Badescu began to work in the skin care industry in 1967. Since then, him and his team have created astounding products that remain to be essentials in both a man and a woman's bathroom cabinets. Mario has had the chance to work with plenty of A-list celebrities including Martha Stewart, Cher, Charlize Theron, Jennifer Aniston, Oprah Winfrey, Owen Wilson, P. Diddy, and Eva Longoria just to name a few! His vision continues to thrive with great products by him and his team. Here are some skin products we have fallen in love with by Mario Badescu. 

1) Special Healing Powder: Sometimes we can't help, but poke on those irritating blemishes! It is until later that we regret ever touching it. Here is where Mario Badescu's Special Healing Powder comes into play. This sulfur based powder absorbs excess oils and significantly reduces redness. It also disinfects blemishes, which is great since infections begun by open wounds can cause the blemish to scar and become even more irritated than it already is. It is suggested to use sparingly since this product does contain sulfur. Perfect spot treatment and great results!

2) Drying Lotion: If you have acne-prone skin, say hello to your new best friend. This drying lotion works wonders overnight! Instead of messing around with unsightly whiteheads and blemishes, dab one drop of the pink sediment onto each problematic area using a cotton swab. Let the solution dry and sleep! Sounds pretty easy and hassle-free right?! By morning, your blemish will be significantly reduced in size and redness.

3) Seaweed Night Cream: At night is when your skin repairs and recovers. Your cells have a major turnover and regeneration during your night sleep. That is why investing and dedicating your night time regimen to a night creme is extremely important. The Seaweed Night Cream is super nourishing and hydrating, yet light on the skin. For anyone who has oily skin and tries to avoid lush cremes, no worries, this night cream is oil-free! It contains collagen, hyaluronic acid, and seaweed extract to provide supple and plump skin. A very versatile product reaching out to all skin types especially dehydrated and mature skin.

4) Facial Spray with Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater: A facial mist is a must all-year round! If you are looking for an instant hydrating pick-me-upper, the Aloe, Herbs, and Rosewater facial spray is the one to check out. It works on dry skin, dull skin, and all kind of skin types! You can also use it as a setting spray for a more dewy effect or on dry hair day and night. This is a great product to have in your purse at all times for any beauty emergency.

We know that not everyone will react or have the same results as we have with these products. So please take precautions if you are allergic to any of the substances mentioned in these products.

We hope you found something new to try and add to your skin care regimen!

Until next time,

XO, RLS

Best of Beauty: Drugstore & High-End Products of 2014

As we welcome the new year, it's great to take a look back at 2014 and see what beauty products made it on our list of most used and loved! We are covering drugstore and high-end splurges for our 2014 ultimate favorites. These are our must-have products:

1) Diorshow Maximizer Lash Plumping Serum:  What it is best used for is before applying your favorite mascara. It lengthens, supplies volume, and conditions your lashes. It doesn't matter what mascara you use, this lash plumping primer will transform your lashes for a fuller and longer effect. This lash serum can also be used on it's own. It contains active ingredients such as soy protein which promotes lash growth and strength in long terms.






2) Dose of Color Matte Lipsticks: Dose of Colors had a very successful year in 2014 launching 3 highlighters and the amazing matte liquid lipsticks.  Dose of Colors has become a permanent favorite in our beauty bags. Their matte lipsticks come in a liquid form and dry to a matte, but not too drying finish. The color that stole our hearts and many other makeup lovers is "Berry Me." You can get a more descriptive look at this product and other Dose of Color products in our previous "Dose of Color Review" post.
A similar drugstore find is the NYX Cosmetics Soft Matte Lip Cream. They have a wide range of colors and have a lasting and hydrating effect as well (did we mention that it's only $6).










3) MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter: This pen-style highlighter works wonders to highlighting the under-eye area. We suggest concealing before using this highlighter since it tends to be sheer on its own. But you can also use it under your concealer if you don't want such a bright highlight. The product comes out quite sheer but can definitely be thicker if more product is used. The MAC Prep + Prime Highlighter comes in four colors, but our favorite is "Light Boost." It is a yellow based color which is perfect for providing a brightening effect. You can use this product in many other places to highlight as well the cupids bow, the highest points of your cheeks, your brow bone, down the bridge of the nose, on the forehead, and on the chin. It can even be used at the inner corner of your eyes! This highlighter gives you a lot of control on where on the face you want to brighten up. It is a very versatile product that delivers major brightness.




4) Giorgio Armani Luminous Silk Foundation: We simply cannot say enough about this foundation! Having a bunch of make up is a great thing, but having a great foundation is a basic necessity that provides a clean slate to work on. This foundation feels silky and leaves a slightly dewey finish. This doesn't mean that an oily person can't use it, rather after applying this foundation they should set the parts of their face that tend to get oily with powder. It also looks amazing when photographed and gives an airbrushed look. Although many people recommend using this during night time we definitely also wear it during the day by using slightly less product. This foundation looks and feels amazing!




5) Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz: A look is not complete without polished brows. One of the best part about Anastasia's Brow Wiz is the spooly brush on the other side of the product. Brushing your brows with a spooly allows you to see where your natural brow lining is and to get a more precise image of wear your brow needs enhancing and filling. The small, retractable tip is perfect for mimicking brow hairs and making a more natural filled brow. Unlike most brow pencils, this brow wiz stays put all day long. Filling in your brows after doing make up might not seem that important, but trust us it makes a huge difference. By lightly filling in your brows and brushing it out with the spooly brush, you get to form the perfect brow shape that looks best on you.




6) Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer: This is not a surprise pick for our favorite primer since we have done a previous review under our "Holiday Beauty Must-Haves." The Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer blurs out any fine line and smooths the skin for a flawless makeup application. The best part of this product is that it is an oil-free product. That prevents the oil from breaking through the skin and moving your foundation around. Absolutely in love! Since this product can tend to be on the pricey side, our top drugstore pick for primer is the NYX Cosmetics Angel Veil Skin Perfecting Primer. This product has a more satin finish compared to the Hourglass Veil Mineral Primer. It also creates a smooth complexion which helps making your makeup stay in tack for any event.



7) Eyeko Brow Gel: If you're looking for a great brow gel, the Eyeko Brow Gel is a must. Unlike most brow gels, the wand's size is very small and not the size of a typical mascara wand which gives maximum control to any user. You can create a bushy or polished look with this product. It comes in a universal color which will assure to match any color brow you may have. It does not flake after many hours of use and truly defines each brow hair to ensure a fuller effect. This brow gel also contains ingredients such as keratin and other blends of vitamins to gradually promote brow growth!

We cannot wait to see what's in store for new products in 2015! We hope to add more makeup staples to our list! 

XO,

RLS

Sigma lovin'

When it comes to make up brushes the options are endless! There are hundreds of brands out there that sell make up brushes that range from high quality and expensive to low quality and cheap. But that's not always the case! Some brands out there provide affordable brushes that are amazing quality. One brand that's been on the rise and is being compared to MAC Cosmetics is Sigma Beauty! Sigma has been around since 2009 so it's fairly new but is definitely building up a good and solid reputation (and Youtube's Jaclyn Hill is one of the main reasons!). Jaclyn is quite an experienced make up artist and always raves about Sigma brushes on her Youtube channel (she's also our favorite of all time). She used to work at MAC but always recommended for her clients to get Sigma brushes instead. So on that note here are two brushes that Jaclyn has recommended and made us OBSESSED with.

The brush on the left is the Sigma F35 which is considered a Tapered Highlighter brush. Sigma recommends using it with a highlighter to brighten up certain parts of the face. But what we use it for is slightly different. We use it to set under eye concealer and other areas of the face that tend to get oily, with setting powder. After I apply my concealer under my eye (with either a beauty blender or my finger tips), I have the F35 dipped in my setting powder and ready to go. This way I ensure that my concealer has no time to crease. The F35 gives a smooth application when used with powders and is so so fluffy! Since it is tapered and pointy it makes it easy to apply powder under the eye without getting it all over the eye in the wrong places. When I first saw Jaclyn using this in her Youtube videos it looked so damn fluffy and it truly is!

The brush on the right is the one and only Sigma F80 which has been literally everywhere on the internet. So what's it used for? It can be used for blending out liquid or cream products on the face, and let me tell you it does that BEAUTIFULLY. The brush is dense and flat and is synthetic. As a result, when you apply any liquid product onto the brush, it doesn't suck up the product. It simply picks up the product and applies it onto the face. It obviously sucks up some product but definitely less than what brushes that are made out of real hair pick up. Brushes that are made out of real hair, such as horse hair tend to pick up much more product which wastes the product. I use the F80 for every liquid foundation that I apply onto my face. I either put the foundation onto the brush or directly onto my face and start to buff out the product. This brush literally provides an air brushed look and I can confidently say has NEVER left and streaks on my face. So what more can I want from a foundation brush!?

Although Sigma has a good reputation there are people out there that say that their brushes are a hoax. They say that Youtuber's that rave about these brushes are probably paid to talk about them and get better quality brushes than what everyone else receives. But that is DEFINITELY not the case for us. We purchased these products with our own money and have absolutely loved them so we're providing an honest review.

You can purchase either brush on the Sigma beauty website since they don't have too many physical locations where they can be purchased:

Purchase Sigma F80 here for $24
Purchase Sigma F35 here for $24

7 Beauty Dupes: Splurge or Save?

Before jumping into this week's blog post, we would like to welcome the new year with open arms and wish all of our readers a Happy New Year!

Finding out your favorite high-end brand product has a dupe for a much smaller price tag is one of the best beauty finds and pleasures! Here are 7 dupes we found that can help out any beauty savvy:

Dupe: Maybelline "Born with It"

Splurge: MAC "Angel"

1) Maybelline's Color Sensational Lipstick "Born With It" vs MAC "Angel" 
Maybelline: $7.49
MAC: $16

MAC is known for having a large variety of lipsticks with lasting and pigmented colors! Maybelline is catching up to the brand offering a very similar color to MAC's famous "Angel" lipstick. "Born With It" by Maybelline is a great dupe costing less than half of MAC's retailing price!


2) Wet n Wild MegaLast Lip Color "Sugar Plum Fairy" vs MAC "Rebel"
Wet n Wild: $1.49
MAC: $16

Dupe: Wet n Wild "Sugar Plum Fairy"

Splurge: MAC "Rebel"

A bold, deep plum is perfect for the winter season and we have found a great dupe for MAC's "Rebel." Wet n Wild's "Sugar Plum Fairy" costs only $1.49, but gives a major color payoff similar to "Rebel."

3) Benefit Cosmetics "The POREfessional" vs Maybelline "Baby Skin"
Benefit Cosmetics: $31
Maybelline: $6.99

Dupe: Maybelline "Baby Skin"

Splurge: Benefit Cosmetics "the POREfessional"

Primers are key to making your makeup last all day, but enlarged pores can be an issue to a non-seamless application. The POREfessional by Benefit Cosmetics has become a staple for many makeup lovers, but Maybelline's "Baby Skin" is not so far from instantly erasing large pores!



4) NYX Liquid Crystal Liner: "Silver" vs Urban Decay Heavy Metal Glitter Liner: "Gunmetal"
NYX: $4.49
Urban Decay: $19

Dupe: NYX "Silver"

Splurge: Urban Decay "Gunmetal"

What is a party look without glitter?! Adding a pop of glitter can spice up any holiday or party look! NYX Liquid Crystal Liner in "Silver" is a great dupe for Urban Decay's "Silver Glitter." Both have a similar applicator and offer major glittery goodness!

5) e.l.f. Matte Lip Color: "Nearly Nude" vs Lorac Cosmetics PRO Matte Lip Color: "Nude"
e.l.f.: $3
Lorac Cosmetics: $16

Dupe: e.l.f. "Nearly Nude"

Matte lips were a major trend in 2014 and will sure continue through 2015! Both e.l.f. and Lorac offer great matte lip colors with similar easy-to-use applicators and colors, but one major difference is the price!

Splurge: LORAC PRO "Nude"

6) Essie: "Mink Muffs" vs Chanel "Particuliere" 

Essie: $8.50
Chanel: $27

Dupe: Essie "Mink Muffs" 

Rocking a rouge, taupe mani is ideal for the fall and winter seasons. Essie's "Mink Muffs" nail polish is the doppelgänger of Chanel's "Particuliere!" Who doesn't love a great dupe of a Chanel product?!

Splurge: Chanel "Particuliere"

7) Anastasia Beverly Hills "Brow Powder Duo" vs e.l.f. "Studio Eyebrow Kit"
e.l.f.: $3
Anastasia Beverly Hills: $23

Splurge: Anastasia Beverly Hills "Brow Powder Duo"

Dupe: e.l.f. "Studio Eyebrow Kit"

Anastasia Beverly Hills is known as the "Brow Queen" and has created some amazing products in the makeup industry. Her "Brow Powder Duo" is one of her many brow products which comes with two shades of colors in each package. E.l.f.'s "Studio Eyebrow Kit" not only has a powder, but also a gel color as well as a brush!

Share with us with some of your dupe finds! 

XO,

RLS