How to Get Glam A La Kylie Jenner

Kylie Jenner’s glam is anything but simple— it’s estimated that she uses 18 products to achieve her everyday makeup look. So yesterday— after inhaling endless amounts of stuffing, mashed potatoes and a little bit of pecan pie— my cousin Helayne (my beautiful makeup model) and I decided to do a little experiment. We wanted to see if I (a regular person) could recreate one of Kylie Jenner’s signature glam looks: cool-toned taupe-y pink lips, natural eyes with a touch of shimmer on the lid and of course a super dramatic lash. I’m not a professional makeup artist or a YouTube beauty guru so needless to say I was skeptical about completing the task to-a-T. To prepare myself to recreate Kylizzle’s glam look I scrolled through her Instagram page, watched a couple a lot of makeup tutorials on her app and scoured through my makeup collection to gather the best and some of the same products that she uses. After setting up all of the tools and making sure we had the perfect lighting I set out to complete my mission. See below to read about how it all went down.

 

1. To create that super flawless canvas that Kylie always has I mixed Makeup Forever Ultra HD Liquid Foundation in Y117 and Y120. After mixing the shades on the back of my hand I went in with a damp Beauty Blender and pressed the foundation into her skin. I really blended it out to make sure she didn’t look cake-y.

2. After finishing the foundation application, I started on the eyes. I noticed that one of Kylie’s makeup artists, Hrush Acheyman, uses tape to create a super clean cat eye effect on the eyes. I’ve actually been doing this for years and love it. I placed the tape on the outer portion of her eye and tucked it below her lower lash line then started on the shadow. I placed a cream colored shadow from the Bobbi Brown Nectar & Nudes eye shadow palette all over the lid then went in with two matte brown shadows in the crease. Kylie always has a very defined matte crease so it’s important to layer the shades to create a seamless effect. My tip for this is to blend, blend and blend some more.

3. After the crease was complete, I went in with a black shadow from the same Bobbi Brown palette and using an angled brush created a slight wing. I actually LOVED the look that this gives. It defines the lashes without looking intense like it would if you used a liquid or gel liner.

4. Next, I took two Colourpop shadows in the shades Koosh and Crimper. I focused Koosh, a silvery champagne shade all over the lid and kept Crimper, a golden color, more towards the inner corners of the eyes for a slight gradient effect.

5. After the eyes were mostly done, I went back in with NARS Radiant Creamy concealer in the shade Vanilla. Kylie always has a super bright under eye so I made sure to include it in this glam look. I placed the concealer in a V-shape under the eyes, down the bridge of the nose, between the brows and a little on the chin. Then blended with the same beauty blender I used earlier and set with Chanel translucent powder.

6. For Kylie’s chiseled cheekbones, I took Charlotte Tilbury’s Film Star Bronze & Glow in the shade light/medium around the face focusing it in the hollows of her cheeks. To really emphasize the contour, I took Mac’s Bone Beige Sculpting powder on the same brush and placed it only on the backs of the cheeks. After the contour was done, I took the highlighter shade in the Charlotte Tilbury palette and swept it on the tops of the cheeks, down the bridge of the nose and a little on the chin.

7. To finish off the eyes, I took the same two matte brown shades I used earlier on a pencil brush and applied them to the lower lash line, swiped on one coat of L’Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara and popped on some Ardell 120 lashes.
8. To fill-in and define her brows I took an angled brush with a light brown eye shadow. After filling in her brows I took a spoolie and brushed her brow hairs upwards to blend the product in.
9. Before applying Kylie’s taupe-y pink lip, I doused Helayne’s face in MAC Fixed Plus to ensure the powders melded into her skin
10. To create Kylie’s signature lip color, I mixed two Colourpop Lippie Stix’s in Tootsi (a greige-y purple color) and Oh Snap (a light mauve pink). I focused Tootsi on the outer portion of the lips and applied Oh Snap in the center feathering it out.

 

The final look:

 

 

It took about an hour to recreate Kylie’s glam. I’m really happy with the results and while I obviously won’t be doing this on myself everyday I think it’s such a pretty makeup look for night time or a special occasion.

 

What do you think of the final look? Do you think we achieved Kylie’s glam? Let me know in the comments below!

xox,

amanda brooke

Smell-Good Sunday: A Peak Inside my Fragrance Wardrobe

Source: Smell-Good Sunday: A Peak Inside my Fragrance Wardrobe

Smell-Good Sunday: A Peak Inside my Fragrance Wardrobe

My love affair with fragrance all began when my mother came home with a glistening bottle of Annick Goutal Petite Cherie Eau de Parfum—a present from my great aunt Ethel. The second my nose came in contact with the fruity floral aroma I was met with an overwhelming feeling of delight. Your fragrance choice is not only the finishing touch before you head out the door or an identifying factor when you walk into a room, but it also evokes a feeling of nostalgia. RALPH by Polo Ralph Lauren reminds me of my middle school days while Viktor & Rolf Flowerbomb brings me back to my high school graduation and of course Chanel Chance Eau Tendre fills me with the happy nerves that I felt on the first day of my internship at Women’s Wear Daily. While I do have my staple scents every few months I get a whiff of a new perfume that makes its way into my fragrance wardrobe. Here’s a peak at some of my old and new favorite scents from my perfume collection.

Chanel Chance Eau Tendre: My current every day scent that I often mix with other perfumes for a fabulous fragrance cocktail (expect a post on this soon). The perfume embodies the ultimate fruity floral fragrance with notes of grapefruit, jasmine and musk.

                                                    Photo Credit: Chanel.com

 Chloé Roses De Chloé: To be honest I haven’t been a fan of many Chloé fragrances. I generally find them to be a bit too heavy. This all changed when I received a sample of Roses de Chloé with a Sephora.com order almost two years ago. As the name suggests the fragrance boasts notes of fresh-cut roses along with bergamot, white musk and amber creating a delicate floral aroma. Bottom line: this is not your grandmother’s rose perfume, but a more modern take on a classic.

                                               Photo Credit: Sephora.com

NEST Indigo: This is a newer addition to my scent stash and unlike  anything else I own. The warm inviting scent contains Moroccan Tea, Kashmir Wood and black cardamom topped with fig and bergamot. It has a sweet quality to it, but isn’t sickly. The only downside is that the scent doesn’t linger on the skin for too long. I recommend spritzing on your wrists and behind your ears before a date or a night out.

                                    Photo Credit: NestFragrances.com

Jo Malone Peony & Blush Suede Cologne: Jo Malone makes some of my all time favorite scents: from Pomegranate Noir to Red Currant & Cream (limited edition, sadly) to Wood Sage & Sea Salt. My top choice from the line is the ultra-feminine floral Peony & Blush Suede. The cologne is made up of a mix of peonies, red apple and rose. I love wearing this during the spring and summertime as it doesn’t turn sour when met with humidity.

                              Photo Credit: Nordstrom.com

CAUDALÍE Thé des Vignes Eau de Toilette: This under-the-radar fragrance from Caudalie—the brand is known for its use of ingredients from the founder’s vineyard in Bordeaux, France— is one of the most complex scents in my collection. Upon first whiff you’re met with a light fresh fragrance, but once it dries down the notes of ginger, orange blossom and jasmine become more prominent. Another day-to-night option I suggest that everyone check out.

                            Photo Credit: Lookfantastic.com

Let me know the contents of your perfume collection in comments below.

xox,

amanda brooke

Why You Should Go Greige

Four or five years ago when I really started getting into makeup I was a bit of an experimenter. I was all for slapping on a mint green eye shadow, rocking a Barbie pink lip and even donning a fluorescent yellow manicure. Now that I’m a twenty-something and not to forget through much trial and error, I’ve discovered what shades work best with my skin tone and overall aesthetic. However, lately I’ve been stuck in a neutral (not natural) makeup rut. Occasionally I’ll add a pretty pop of purple to my lips or line my lower lashes with a cobalt blue hue but more often than not I seemingly sweep the same matte cream color all over my lids following it up with a swipe of a Kylie Jenner mauve-y pink shade on the lips—I was over it. So I set out to find a new hue to incorporate into my makeup routine. That meant watching countless YouTube beauty vloggers rave about another champagne eye shadow and scouring the beauty news section on Allure.com only to find an endless amount of no makeup makeup stories (I’m guilty of writing one myself). After what felt like a never-ending quest I discovered a new neutral to take me out of my makeup rut: greige.

The greige makeup trend combines the perfect amount of both grey tones and beige tones giving an edgier yet still neutral appearance. What I love about this shade is the versatility; It looks different on everyone depending on your undertone (warm, neutral or cool) and shade of your skin. Greige colors pull more warm and appear darker on lighter skin tones, but lean more cool with a purple undertone on deeper complexions.  If you’re interested in trying the trend see below for my five must-have greige products to shakeup your everyday routine.

1. Colourpop Cosmetics Tootsi Lippie Stix, $6

Pair this demi-matte greyish beige lipstick with lots of mascara and a bit of bronzer to avoid a corpse-like complexion. This shade looks incredible on medium and deep skintones.

2. Bobbi Brown Greige Eye Palette, $70

Like the name suggests this palette is filled with an expertly curated mix of eight matte & metallic taupe, grey and beige shadows. For a quick look take one of the matte shades with a fluffy blending brush into the crease for instant definition then pop one of the shimmery shades onto the lid to add brightness to the center of the eye.

3. Lime Crime Cashmere Velvetine, $20

For a velvety matte lip that mimics the texture of rose petals reach for this cool-toned purple-grey liquid lipstick. Pair with a mauve or neutral pink blush for fresh-faced complexion. P.S. don’t forget to follow my four steps on the right way to wear liquid lipstick.

4. Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe, $7.29

This creamy shadow base acts as a one swipe wonder. Using your finger press the product onto the center of the lid gently blending upwards towards the crease. This provides a nice wash of color to your lids for an easy monochromatic look. Finish off with a thin line of liquid liner and a thick coat of your go-to mascara.

5. Marc Jacobs Enamored Hi-Shine Nail Lacquer in (120) Delphine, $18

Besides the fact that this polish shade is the epitome of the greige trend, the formula is incredible as well. Fully opaque in one coat with a high-shine finish you’ll forget about the somewhat steep price tag.

Have you tried the greige makeup trend? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

xo,

amanda brooke

Celebrate National Cat Day with 6 Kitty-Themed Beauty Products

Anyone who knows me knows I’m a cat lady. I grew up with cats and currently have two little furry friends named Seymour and Misha who constantly make appearances on my Snapchat story and Instagram page. To celebrate this totally fun and 100 percent necessary national holiday I’ve rounded up the cutest cat-inspired beauty products so you can take your cat lady-ness (or man-ness) to the next level.

1. Paul & Joe Cat Lipstick

The Parisian brand Paul & Joe, known for their whimsical aesthetic, launched a cat-themed makeup collection in 2012 with the star product being a cat-shaped lipstick. While I didn’t get the original lipstick that launched almost four years ago I squealed when I spotted an updated version of their pretty kitty-themed lippies on ASOS.com.  I pretty much immediately added one to my cart along with one of their signature lipstick cases (the lipstick and case are sold separately) and pressed submit. The lipsticks come in three wearable shades: Coffee Cherry (a red with a nude cat face in the center), Cafe Parisien (a hot pink with a beige-y nude cat face in the center) and Café Espresso (a peachy nude with a brownish-hued cat face in the center). The two tones create a soft gradient effect on the lips meaning your lips look fuller when using this product. I know it’s tempting not to touch this collectable makeup item but don’t be shy, the formula of the lipsticks is ultra-hydrating. It contains cocoa seed butter, jojoba seed oil and lavender oil to provide maximum moisture while adding a pretty pop of color to your pout.

Photo Credit: ASOS.com

2. Paul & Joe Cat Makeup Collection

If you loved their cat-themed lipsticks, then this makeup set is basically a cat-lovers dream. The collection boasts everything from eye liner to creamy cheek colors packaged in a feminine retro cat-inspired makeup bag. Throw it in your purse for later since this set contains everything you need to get a fresh feline face on-the-go.

                            Photo Credit: ASOS.com

3. Sephora Collection Cat Nap Sleep Mask

Both fun & functional this metallic cat-eye-shaped sleep mask blocks out bright lights so you can get your full eight hours of beauty rest. The soft fabric & super cute design makes this an essential addition to any cat-lovers nighttime attire.

                      Photo Credit: Sephora.com

4. Too Faced Cat Eyes Palette

Purrr-fect for a smoky eye lover this palette contains a mix of nine warm & cool matte, shimmer and glitter shades. Packaged in the brand’s signature tin case with a special leopard print design makes this a must-have addition to any cat-eye and cat-lovers eye shadow stash. What makes this even more cat-lover-friendly are the names of the shadows. My personal favorites are Kitty Glitter, Tiger’s Eye and Meow.

                           Photo Credit: Too Faced.com

5. Winky Lux Pussy Cat Makeup Bag

Newly launched cruelty free & non-toxic color cosmetics brand Winky Lux offers a fun feline-themed makeup pouch. The pouch features the face of a wide-eyed kitty with whiskers and a sweet looking grin. You can buy the pouch alone or get it for FREE when you purchase two of the brand’s glossy boss lip glosses. While, I haven’t tried the brand yet, I am anxiously awaiting the order I placed earlier this week to reach my door step. Keep a (cat)-eye out for a product review.

                Photo Credit: Winky Lux

6. Charlotte Tilbury The Feline Flick Panther Eyeliner Pen

Makeup master Charlotte Tilbury knows how to turn heads with her signature sultry eye looks. It’s no surprise that her year-old makeup line houses one of the BEST liquid liners on the market. This is THE essential product for achieving that fierce feline flick. I personally don’t love winged liner on myself and rarely attempt the time-consuming task, but when I do it I do it with this fabulous product. The felt-tip pen inspired by Japanese calligraphy allows for an effortless application when creating a daring cat-shaped wing. The actual liner is a super (super)  black color & doesn’t turn a weird green or blue tint. Definitely a stand-out liquid liner in a sea of endless options. Next time you’re in the mood to test-out your winged liner skills reach for this and you’ll have that coveted cat-eye with just one flick.

Photo Credit: Charlottetilbury.com

What cat-inspired products are you most interested in getting? Are there any must-haves I didn’t include? Let me know in the comments below.

Happy National Cat Day!

xox,

amanda brooke

Liquid Lipstick Hacks Everyone Needs to Know

Gone are the days of super shiny glossy lips. The latest lip trend offers makeup mavens and newbies an intensely pigmented long-lasting formula with a velvety matte finish. While I love a good matte (shine-free) finish I have many friends who steer clear of liquid lipsticks claiming they’re too drying or that they flake off the center of the lips throughout the day leaving behind a not-so-cute lip liner appearance. After hearing their complaints, I set out to try (almost) every liquid lipstick I could get my greedy paws on—23 to be exact— in the hopes to give you a comprehensive guide on the best liquid lipsticks and how to wear them. See below for my thoughts, tips and tricks to successfully wear liquid lipstick.

1. Prep for Perfection

Liquid lipstick can be a busy girl’s best friend. Most formulations are smudge-proof & budge-proof lasting from your morning coffee to your 6 o’clock cocktail. To prevent the dreaded dry flakey lip take a lip  scrub of your choice—I recommend the Sara Happ & Lush versions—or make your own using equal parts olive oil and sugar. Take a pea-sized amount and gently rub onto the lips in circular motions for about 30 seconds then wipe away with a paper towel. If you’re pressed for time take a clean dry tooth-brush using the same circular motions. Either way you’ll be left with a flake-free pout.

2. HYDRATE. HYDRATE. HYDRATE.

After removing the dead skin cells it’s important to hydrate your lips. You may be thinking doesn’t that defeat the purpose of using a matte liquid lipstick? Actually no. Liquid Lipstick looks best on smooth hydrated lips. To achieve lush looking lips take a lip balm of your choice (I’m loving glossier’s balm dotcom at the moment) after you’ve applied your facial moisturizer. Applying the lip balm at this point in your routine gives the product an ample amount of time to sink in. Right before you apply your lip liner and liquid lipstick dab off the excess moisture with a tissue to reveal the perfect canvas.

3. Line and Fill-In Your Lips

Instead of reaching straight for your liquid lipstick take a lip liner in either the color of your natural lips or the same color of the lipstick you plan to use taking it along your natural lip line then lightly filling in the center. This creates a barrier between your lips and the liquid lipstick. It also acts as base to ensure the product doesn’t feather outside of your lip line.

4. Use the Applicator the Right Way

For a seamless application make use of the doe-foot or paddle-shaped wand that comes with most liquid lipsticks. Starting with your bottom lip run the tip of applicator along the natural lip line then fill in your bottom lip. After the bottom lip is done take the wand to your top lip making an X connecting the top of your upper lip to the center of your upper lip spreading the color outwards to the edges. This technique ensures an even mistake-free application.  No need to reach for a lip brush—unless you want to.

Now that you’re ready to conquer the liquid lipstick trend see below for my top five favorite formulas and shades out of the 23 different brands (see proof below) and formulas I tried.

1. Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita (this is the #1 selling lipstick at Sephora)

2. Anastasia Beverly Hills Liquid Lipstick in Sugar Plum (note: this one contains slight shimmer particles giving the lips a fuller look)

3. Sephora Cream Lip Stain in 03 Strawberry Kissed

4. Stila Stay All Day Liquid Lipstick in Patina

5. Colourpop Cosmetics Ultra Matte Lip in Limbo

Have you tried any liquid lipsticks? If so let me know your favorites in the comments below

xo,

amanda brooke

The Best Budget-Friendly Eyeshadow

Eyeshadow can be tricky sometimes. With the numerous finishes and multitude of textures out there in the beautyspehere even a beauty junkie like myself can get a little overwhelmed. From Tom Ford to Wet & Wild, I thought I tried almost every luxury, mid-range and affordable eyeshadow on the market. Clearly, I had not. After hearing a ton of buzz on Instagram and the YouTube beauty community I decided to place my first Colourpop Cosmetics order. Through this new brand discovery I found an eyeshadow formula that I just can’t seem to put down and therefore need to share this amazing budget-friendly buy with all of you. To put this simply, EVERYONE NEEDS TO TRY COLOURPOP COSMETICS SUPER SHOCK SHADOWS. No, this is not sponsored. Quite frankly they don’t even know I exist.

For five dollars a pop (haha. get it?) you get the most interesting texture, beautifully pigmented and unique colors I’ve ever seen. Since my first order I’ve tried a bunch & can guarantee you’ll love them.

Here are my thoughts and everything you need to know about these five dollar gems:

The Packaging: Each eyeshadow comes in a white plastic pot with a clear screw-off lid. The Colourpop logo is printed on the top of the lid in pretty holographic writing. This makes it super easy for you to see the specific color of the eyeshadow. If you choose to store them facing down, the shade name is on the bottom of the pot along with the finish. I definitely appreciate this and I’m sure a lot of you will too. The packaging is pretty standard, but makes the most sense for the super unique formula. We will get to that later.  I personally think the packaging is practical, simple and cute. Just make sure the lid is screwed on tight after each use. You don’t want any air to peep through and alter the texture of your shadows.

Colourpop Super Shock Shadows: Bottom row (L-R) on the rocks, fringe, gameface. Top row (L-R)  3, birthday girl (limited edition), and LaLa

The Formula: I’ve never tried an eyeshadow formula quite like this one. Colourpop describes the texture as “a long-wearing creme powder,”. So basically,  it’s  a cross between a powder and a cream which equals a truly unusual texture. It feels almost bouncy to the touch. Similar to the Maybelline dream bouncy blushes that came out a couple of years back (LOVEEE THOSE). Depending on the opacity you desire and the finish you choose I’d say these babies work best when applied with your fingers for a more opaque look or a synthetic brush if you’d like a more diffused look on the lids.

The Colors and The Finishes: If it’s one thing that the brand does best it’s creating the most  unique & pigmented shades in a variety of fun finishes. The Super Shock Shadows come in almost 100 different colors ranging from your everyday neutrals to eye-catching metallics to soft pastels. Along with the impressive color selection the brand offers seven different  finishes: satin, matte, metallic, ultra-metallic, pearlized,  a pressed pigment and sheer opal (the latest addition). My personal favorite colors are of  the neutral variety (duhhh). I adore the metallic and pearlized finishes. They’re super creaaaamy and blend beautifully on the lids with minimal effort. I also  find that they work well with eyeshadows in different formulas  from other brands. I really appreciate this perk of the Colourpop eyeshadows because it allows me to use one of the brand’s striking metallic shades all over my lid and then pop one of my favorite matte shadows in the crease for some added depth and definition.  Another plus is that there is almost no creasing after eight hours of wear!  I do always use an eyeshadow primer so I can’t vouch for whether or not they crease on their own. I suggest wearing a primer underneath to be on the safe side.

Colourpop Super Shock Shadows (L-R) on the rocks, fringe, gameface, 3, birthday girl (limited edition), and LaLa

Verdict: You need these.

Are you interested in trying these amazing affordable eyeshadows or some of the brands other stellar products? Head to colourpop.com to check them out for yourself.

If you have tried the brand, have any recommendations for me or are interested in trying them out let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

xox,

amanda brooke

COVERGIRL Outlast Stay Brilliant Nail Gloss

COVERGIRL recently released their spring collection consisting of lipsticks, jumbo gloss blams and of course nail polishes. The COVERGIRL Outlast stay Brilliant Nail Glosses are super glossy (hence the name) and last over a week with minimal tip wear. I used two coats to achieve opaque color, topped it with seche vite and was out the door.

 Since I’ve already reviewed these super pretty nail polishes (review here) I’ll keep it short and sweet. If you’re looking for some new, affordable nail polishes I suggest you head over to your local drugstore and snatch up one the new pastel shades!

                    (R-L) Blue shade is “Skylight” and Mint Green is “Salt Water Taffy”

Let me know in the comments if your feeling pastels this spring season?

xox,

amanda brooke

All About Orange

As I was perusing the NARS counter at Nordstrom last week-swatching every lip product I could fit on the back of my hand-I noticed a variety of vibrant, eye-catching colors from fuchsias to pink-tinged purples to rich reds. In the midst of this exciting swatch-fest, I laid my eyes on one of the most gorgeous lip colors I had ever seen and it was ORANGE.

We all remember a couple years ago, when pantone dubbed tango tangerine, that pretty coral-orange shade, the color of the year for 2012. At the time, I wasn’t really into the color; I feared it was too intense for me, but now I’m all about an orange lip for a pop of color!

Being a brunette with a lighter skin tone, my mother and grandmother told me to steer-clear of orange. They claim it is meant for blondes or those with a deeper skin tone. I obviously ignored them and went straight for the chubby lip pencil and with a couple swipes my lips were coated with the striking mandarin hue-I was hooked. Orange may be a bit out-there for some, but for those willing to step out of their comfort zone it’s definitely a great option. Just pair your statement lip with a light application of foundation, a touch of bronzer, lots of mascara and you’re good to go. Here are some of my orange lip picks for spring and summer!

NARS Short Circuit Lipstick is a gorgeous red-tinged orange with a warm undertone. Perfect for brunettes looking for an orange lippie that’s not too orange.

NARS Timanfaya Satin Lip Pencil is described as a bright medium red-orange with a satin finish.This is a great pick for those with medium to deep skin tones.

Chanel Calypso (337) Glossimer is the way to go if you are looking for a super glossy lip. Described as a bright medium orange with hint of pink and golden, coral and fuchsia micro shimmer. It shows up a bit more sheer, but nevertheless still gorgeous. A cheaper alternative to the Chanel is Rimmel Stay Glossy 3D Lip Gloss in Lights, Camera, Action.

Maybelline Vibrant Mandarin and Electric Orange Color Sensational Vivids Lipsticks are perfect if the other two lipsticks are out of your price range or you just want to try the trend without breaking the bank. Vibrant Mandarin is a very bold, medium-dark orange with a red undertone and satin finish. Electric Orange is a true neon orange shade with a satin finish. Both of these are amazing options from the drugstore.

Hope you enjoyed! Let me know in the comments below if you plan to try this awesome trend for spring and summer!

xox,

amanda brooke

COVERGIRL TruMAGIC Collection

Spring equals perfect skin and with the new COVERGIRL TruMagic Perfecting Balms you can achieve that with just one swipe. If you are looking for glowy, fresh and perfected skin these new makeup items could be just what you need.

These new balms come in three different finishes: truMAGIC Luminizer, truMAGIC Skin Perfector and TruMAGIC Sun Kisser.This month I was sent the luminizer and perfector.These balms have a unique texture and feel very silky-very luxurious for a drug-store product.

The skin perfector is great for those oily girls out there. The product is silicone-based and claims to smooth pores, reduce shine and can be used throughout the day for on-the-go touch ups. While I haven’t personally tried them, Mally Cosmetics and Stila both have products like this on the market. The COVERGIRL one is the first affordable drugstore version. I really enjoyed using the product on days when I wasn’t wearing much makeup at all. It kept my skin matte for longer and kept my nose shine-free. However, I did not like the appearance when worn with a heavy foundation, especially one that had a satin or matte finish.  It tended to cake-up a bit around the sides of my nose if applied too frequently. I do like this product and would recommend it if you want to try an alternative to a pressed powder.

The luminizer is meant to be used as a cream highlighter along the bridge of the nose, brow bone, cheekbones, chin and cupid’s bow or any other places on your face you like to highlight. I like the idea of this product, but I don’t feel that this specific color works well for my skin tone. I am on the lighter side and this highlighter leans very gold-giving me that no-so-cute disco ball effect. I tend to go for champagne or cool-toned pink highlighters. Also, this had some noticeable glitter in it, which I am not a huge fan of. I do think this product would be a beautiful highlighter for someone with a medium to dark skin tone.

Overall, I enjoyed the skin perfector, but wasn’t a huge fan of the luminizer. I may eventually pick up the sun kisser to see if it’s a cheaper alternative to my beloved Chanel Bronze Universal.

This product is available for $ 9-11 at all mass-market retailers nationwide.

Tried it? Like it? Interested? Let me know in the comments below!

xox,

amanda brooke