June Beauty Favorites

Hey Dolls!
June has come to an end and it's now July! Which means its time for June Favorites. So, without further a do lets get into my June Favorites.

• My first favorite is of course my Kat Von D Lock-it Tattoo Foundation. I have raved about this foundation on my blog for a week or so. So I will attempt to not rave too much more about it. Though I briefly want to say why it's my new holy grail foundation... This is an oily girl's best friend. It is SUPER full coverage product. Which makes it perfect for people with hyperpigmentation. This foundation is everything. It lasts all day and it doesn't make me grease looking. If you are interested in this product and have not read my current foundation review/tutorial then I recommend that you do.
• My next favorite is Crème of Nature w/ Argan Oil Perfect Edges. This product is great for cleaning up the unruly edges of my hair. (As well as the back of my hair) I have curly hair that is transitioning out of a relaxer so, naturally my edges have been out of control. This edge gel is the only thing that keeps my edges, baby hairs, and back of hair laid down. It does not flake nor does it appear too heavy. It is lightweight and great for people with unruly edges.
• Wet n Wild Megalast Salon Nail Color in I Need a Refresh-Mint is my next favorite. This nail polish is my go to spring and summer nail polish. It is not mint in the least bit. It is actually a beautiful robin's egg blue. It is extremely long lasting and it only takes one to two coats to achieve an opaque color. Plus it retails for $2-$3 dollars at the drugstore.
• The Health and Beauty Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay is the best facial mask hands down! It is extremely deep pore cleansing. It shrinks my pores, clears my pores, and reduces the amount of oil my skin produces. I use this about 2-3 times a week. Since using it I have noticed a HUGE difference in the size of my pores and the texture of my skin. I highly suggest this for people with oily, acne prone skin or people who are aging  and are looking for a more youthful, healthy glow.
• This next favorite may surprise you all. It is the L'Oreal Magic Lumi Primer. If you are familiar with this primer you would know that it is a pearly, illuminating primer. (It can also double as a liquid highlight) I'm sure you are curious as to why an oily girl such as myself would enjoy this product. Well, sometimes my foundation routine can make me appear a lit too matte for my liking so, I use this primer to add a bit of a glow to my skin. It adds a beautiful natural glow to my skin. Its lightweight and easy to use. It does not make me oily and it does not make me look like a disco ball. I suggest this primer for dry people, people with aging skin, or people who are oily but still love a little glow.
• This upcoming favorite is another nail polish. Its Maybelline Color Show in Onyx Rush. Which is a black, glossy shade, with slight sparkle. (The sparkles are only noticeable in the bottle.) Black is my favorite color to wear on my nails year round and the Onyx Rush nail polish from Maybelline is by far my favorite black. It is long wearing, it keeps its glossiness, and it is opaque. (It takes me two coats to get a super black look.) It retails for about $3.00. I recommend this formula to all my makeup junkies!
• OMG! My next favorite is a beautiful drugstore dupe for the oh so popular Kylie Jenner inspired lip. It is the NYX Soft Matte Lip Cream in Abu Dhabi. It is a beautiful, matte (duh...), mauve nude lip color. It is super opaque in one coat, it dries matte (but it is not drying), and it is extremely long lasting. It is the prefect Kylie Jenner lip color. It retails for $5.99 at Target, Ulta, and other NYX carriers. I use this on a daily basis to quickly add a beautiful nude color to my lips. This color is perfect for Women of Color because it is not that a ghostly nude. I highly recommend you all go pick this up. Along with any of the other NYX soft matte lip creams. (They have an outstanding formula!)
• I love to smell like flowery, fruity scents most of the time so my love for this next favorite is a bit of a change for me. It is the Beyoncé Heat Perfume. This scent is spicy, warm, and sexy. Its perfect for a date night! It love how this scent can be spicy, warm, and sexy but light as well. It is not over powering. Beyoncé did an amazing job with this scent. (As well as all of her others... I am OBESSED with her perfume line!) I totally recommend this to you Dolls!
• This next favorite is another scent. It is the Coconut Lime Breeze Body Mist from Bath and Body Works. I adore this scent because, it is a light, airy scent. The lime scent comes through strong and the coconut makes a subtle appearance in the background. Its a great everyday scent perfect for those who enjoy light, tropical scents.
• Model in a Bottle of course had to make an appearance on this favorites post! It prolongs the wear of my makeup like no other setting spray I have tried. I recommend it to all who are looking for a good, long lasting, mattifying setting spray. If interested I do have a review on this product.
• If you have been following me since my first couple of post you will now that I love the Maybelline Fit Me powder in 360 (mocha) for contouring/bronzing. I now have something EVEN more inexpensive and amazing than that. (Though I do still love that product.) It is the ELF Contouring Blush and Bronzing powder in Turks and Caicos. As a women of color I know how hard it can be to find a good contouring color. Especially an inexpensive one. So, I went on a search and I found this ELF contour kit. It is a dupe for Nars blush and bronzer duos. (ELF has three colors opinions) The bronzer in this product is long lasting, it does not get muddy on my skin. Though it seems sparkly the sparkles do not show up on the skin. The blush in the duo is great for everyday use because it is beige-y, golden, peach shade with a bit of sparkles. The sparkles are not too much. This retails for $3.00 this color is only available on the ELF website.
• The Real Techniques Makeup Sponge is literally the best beauty sponge around. The unique shape to this sponge makes it easy to flawlessly get into an area on the face. Plus, it blends my makeup out like a dream. I highly recommend this to all you Dolls.
• My final favorite is the Maybelline Rocket Volume Express mascara. I love this stuff! Its has a large brush with bristles that are similar to Benefits They're Real mascara. This brush makes it easy to coat my top lashes. My lashes separate like a dream and the volume is comparable to that of the Maybelline Falsies mascara. I love it. I hope you all go out and try it.

That's all folks!

June is over ALREADY! I cannot believe we have already completed six month of 2014. It's unbelievable how fast time flies! I'm sure we can all agree that time waits for no one. I'm glad I have been able to spend these past few months with you Dolls! Thank you for stopping by. Please remember to 1+ my page, share my page, and check my page every week for updates. Thanks again. I hope you Dolls have a great week!
-The Makeup Junkie

LINKS:

1. Kat Von D Foundation: http://www.sephora.com/lock-it-tattoo-foundation-P311138?skuId=1398858
2. Indian Healing Clay: http://www.vitacost.com/aztec-secret-indian-healing-clay-1-lb-1?csrc=PPCADW-Indian+Healing+Clay&mtp=sPjLVTXLO-dc|pcrid|31802012291|mt|e&gclid=CjgKEAjwz7mdBRDS46_ipNqqsEQSJAC4rrGks8jSiH5qDW1LbHZXm8yuuQwwXOCQ0RQhJTR0A8mOgfD_BwE
3. Real Techinques Makeup Sponge: http://www.ulta.com/ulta/browse/productDetail.jsp?productId=xlsImpprod5960824
4. Maybelline The Rocket Volume Express:http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Eye-Makeup/Mascara/volum-express-the-rocket-washable-mascara.aspx
5. Maybelline Color Show Nail Color: http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Nail-Makeup/Nail-Color/Color-Show-Nail-Lacquer.aspx
6. Model in a Bottle: http://modelinabottle.com/shop/original-setting-spray/
7. http://www.lorealparisusa.com/en/Products/Makeup/Face/Primer/Magic-Lumi-Primer-Magic-Lumi-Light-Infusing-Primer.aspx
8. NYX soft matte lip cream: http://www.nyxcosmetics.com/p-17-soft-matte-lip-cream.aspx
9. Beyoncé Heat: http://www.beyonceparfums.com/heat
10. Cream of Nature Edge Gel: http://cremeofnature.com/nature/argan_oil_perfect_edges.html
11. Coconut Lim Breeze: http://www.bathandbodyworks.com/product/index.jsp?productId=12437659
12. Wet N Wild Megalast Nail Color: http://www.wnwbeauty.com/product.php?cid=18&pid=18&subid=18
13. ELF blush and bronzer duo: http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/face/bronzers/contouring_blush_and_bronzing_powder

DISCLAIMER: All products mentioned where purchased by me. All opinions given where my own.

My Current Favorite Drugstore Beauty Items

Hey Dolls!
The drugstore makeup/ skincare section gives me life. Naturally, when I go to the drugstore I spend forever looking through all the sales and new collections. So, as a result, I have cumulated quite a bit of drugstore brand makeup/ skin care items. Today's blog post is going to be on my favorite items. Hopefully this post will help you Dolls find new goodies to try out at the drugstore. Let's get start!

I will start of with skin care and hygiene.

1. Biore Pore Cleansing strips- My GOSH!!!!! These are my holy grail cleansing strips. These strips remove all the blackheads, whiteheads, and all other impurities from my nose. I have noticed that when I use these my nose doesn't get nearly as oily as it does when I haven't used them. I use them about twice a week.
2. Biore Deep Pore Charcoal Cleanser- This cleanser is extremely deep cleansing. Has a wonderful minty feel and leaves my skin feeling squeaky clean. I have noticed a reduction in pore size. I highly recommend this for people with large pores and people with pores that seem to always be clogged.
3. Health & Beauty Aztec Secret Indian Healing Clay- This clay mask is perfect for deep cleaning of pores. It shrinks pores, tightens skin, and helps keep oils at bay. I have also noticed a reduction in my acne. I use this mask twice a week in conjunction with my Biore Pore Cleansing Strips.

Now to the fun stuff...MAKEUP...

1. Covergirl Queen Collection All day Flawless 3 in 1 in Q835 Mocha- This foundation is the same as the regular 3 in 1 foundation except this line is for people with deeper skin tones. It has amazing color range, great coverage, and it has decent lasting power. It is a great drugstore foundation for people with oily skin. It does not cake up and blends perfectly onto the skin.
2. Maybelline Fit Me Powder in 360 Mocha- Though this is meant to be a face powder I use it as a bronzer/ contour powder. I love how smooth and matte this powder is. I also enjoy the color; it has a true warm tone and is brown not red like a lot of bronzing powders can be. It's a great drugstore bronzer for people with deep skin tones.
3. Carmex- I love Carmex more than any other lip balm. It is super inexpensive, has SPF, helps with cold sores and cracked lips, its moisturizing, and it is long lasting.
4. ELF eye refresh- This product helps wake up my tired under eye area in the mornings. I generally place it in my fridge to add a cooling effect. Its a great drugstore under eye refresher. I totally recommend it to people with under eye circles or dry under eyes.  
5. L.A. Girl Pro Conceal HD concealer in Fawn- This concealer is an amazing drugstore alternative to the Clinique All About Eyes Concealer. It's pigmented, inexpensive, and has amazing lasting power. It comes in a huge array of colors and its only $2 at my local beauty supply. I recommend it for people who like full coverage concealers.
6. Wet n Wild Coloricon blusher in Mellow Wine - This blush is only $2 but, it only preforms like a high end blush. This color is perfect for everyday because it is a matte, pink, highly pigmented, and long lasting. It works well on fair,medium, and deep skin tones.
7. Real Techniques makeup sponge-  This sponge is an amazing dupe for the beauty blender. In my opinion it is much better than the original beauty blender. The shape of the sponge helps get under the eyes and into hard to reach areas such as corners of the mouth or contouring around the nose or something of that nature.

So that was my favorite drugstore beauty items. Or course as time goes on will do another updated version of this post. But, for now these are the drugstore products I recommend and enjoy. Thank you for stopping by and reading my blog. I hope you return. I also hope you all enjoyed this post! Please remember to share. And I believe that is all. So have a great week!
-The Makeup Junkie

Review: Model in a Bottle

Hell Dolls!

Summer is here! So that means it's time for tanned legs, beach parties, shorts, and sweaty makeup! YAY for melting makeup!... NOT!

I know that summer turns most people's skin into oily, greasy, messes. So, naturally we go on the hunt for waterproof, oil control, etc. etc. products. And me being a makeup enthusiast I took this hunt seriously. After all the searching I do believe I have found an amazing foundation, powder, and setting spray. In my post titled Foundation Review and Current Foundation Routine I will tell you about the foundation. But, I didn't really speak on the setting spray. So, without further a do I will review my new holy grail setting spray!

My new holy grail setting spray is (drum roll please!!!).... The Model in a Bottle Original formula Matte Finish Makeup Setting Spray. I am sure people who have been in the beauty community for a while are familiar with this product. I too have heard a lot about this product over the years but, did not try it until recently. And I can say I was definitely missing out!

Model in a Bottle

This spray retails for about $18.00. I have seen it on Amazon for cheaper. I personally purchased mine from Amazon for $12.15 no shipping or tax included. It is not sold in stores. The bottle holds about 1 fluid ounce of product. The bottle is sleek and not bulky. The product itself is clear and has a light fragrance to it. (It imply smells fresh and light. Nothing overbearing.) The nozzle sprays out in a fine mist. Directions say to hold 10-12 inches away from the skin. I only went away like 9 inches or so. I will lock your makeup in all day. The setting spray is smudge resistant. In conjunction with my new favorite foundation I do not get oily once so ever. My makeup last 10 or so hours with this product. It is not sticky nor does it feel heavy on the skin. It is super refreshing when it is applied to my skin in the morning. I do not need to use this to refresh the skin later. This product keeps my makeup looking like it was just applied all day long. My bronzer, blush, eyeshadow, eyeliner, highlight, powder, and under eye concealer doesn't fade throughtout the day.

I totally recommend this product for people who have oily skin, or have issues with their makeup fading, or have a long day ahead of them and do not want to have to touch up their makeup. This formula would be too matte for people with dry skin. If you have dry skin and you use this formula I would only use it to set dewy products. This way it won't make your skin appear dry.

I hope this review helped you all that are in need of a new setting spray. It has literally saved my life. NO MORE OIL SLICK DAYS FOR ME!!!!! If you have any other questions on the product please comment below. I hope this was helpful for you. If you are new to my blog I want to thank you for stopping by. Go ahead and read any other posts that seem interesting you. Please remember to 1+ the post as well as share it with friends and family. I hope you Dolls have an amazing week!
-The Makeup Junkie

DISCLAIMER: I purchased this product with my own money. I have not been asked to review this product. Also,all thoughts given during this post are my own.

Foundation Review and Current Foundation Routine

Hey Dolls!

As you all know I am an oily girl who is OBESSED with makeup. So naturally I am always experimenting with different products to keep my oils at bay. For years I have searched for products that can keep my skin matte or at least not as oily as a bottle of canola oil. And after all the searching I think I can now say that this is the best routine I have had thus far.

The star of the show (the foundation) is the Kat Von D Lock- it tattoo foundation. It has a great color range. There are about 14 colors in the collection. (my shade is Deep 74) It is available at Sephora and is $34.00.

The Lock-it foundation is made of 21% pigment. This makes it full coverage. The foundation in this routine works wonders to hide my scarring, hyperpigmentation, laugh lines, and etc. This foundation would work for people with serious scarring, lots of red, cystic acne, and large areas of hyperpigmentation. I would not recommend this product to people who do not have scarring, acne, or hyperpigmentation. It could make the skin look cakey and overdone.

The foundation sets extremely matte which, makes it perfect for people like me who have grease slicks for faces. It claims to last 24 hours. I cannot say it lasts that long because I would NEVER wear foundation for 24 hours. But, I can say that it lasts 10 hours. (which is my usual wear time.)
Also, this product allows for minimal touch-ups. Which makes it great for days when you are busy at work or school and cannot check your face every hour.

So, in short it has been the greatest foundation I have found. It is definitely worth all $34.00. I highly recommend for people with super oily, acne prone skin.

The Kat Von D Lock-it Tattoo Foundation Bottle

Now I want to tell you Dolls about my foundation routine. This routine is full coverage, long lasting, and mattifying. So, without further a do lets get into it!

Lets begin with skin preparation...

• After I allow my skin care to sink in for about 15 minutes I will apply Benefit Porefessional primer all over my skin.
• I will then apply my ELF eye primer all over my eye area (my lid, crease, brow bone, brow, and under eye.)
• To keep my lips soft and to prepare then for future lip color I apply Carmex to my lips.
• I give my primer a good 5 minutes to settle on my skin before applying my foundation. So I will usually start with my eyebrows and eye makeup.

Now to foundation and other cream/liquid products...

• I pump about 1.5 to 2 pumps of Kat Von D Lock-it Tattoo Foundation in Deep 74 onto to a clean surface. (I usually use a little paper plate) I then dot the foundation onto my face.
• Using my damp Real Techniques beauty sponge I blend the foundation into my skin.
• Once my foundation is evenly applied and blended I will then use my Clinique All About Eyes Concealer in 08 Deep Honey to brighten under my eye, down the bridge of my nose, my forehead, my chin, my cupid's bow, and under the hallow of my cheek (this helps emphasize my contour .).
• I blend out the concealer under my eyes with my ELF Pointed Foundation Brush and I blend out the rest with the beauty sponge.
• If I am in the mood for a bold contour I will apply Ruby Kisses 3D face creator in level 16 with a basic flat foundation brush to my nose, hallows of cheeks, around my chin, on my forehead, and under my lip. (This step is optional. It is not something I do on an everyday basis. I usually leave this for nights out, special occasions, or flawless face routines.)  
• I allow that to set for a good 5- 10 minutes. In this time I usually put on my clothes or do my hair.

Now it's time to place on powders, highlighters, and setting sprays...

• After my creams have set I put Clinique blended face powder in 05 transparency 5 on a large powder brush. I use this to set my oily areas and then blend the rest of the product on the brush onto the non-highlighted portions of my face.
• I then use my ELF mineral eye brightener in Buff to set my lighter concealer. I generally pat this on with my ELF Flawless concealer brush. 
• My bronzer/ contour powder of choice varies between the Maybelline Fit Me powder in 360 mocha and the Elf Contouring Blush and Bronzer powder in Turks and Caicos. I apply those to areas that I like to contour with my small tapered brush from ELF.
• My blush changes daily and on most summer days I go without it. However, if I do apply blush it is usually applied with my ELF small stipple brush.
• To highlight I use ELF's radiance enhancer pen in sunrise. I blend that out with my beauty sponge. Then I apply a powder highlight to further highlight and set the highlighter from before. The powder highlighter that I use generally changes day to day. Also, I try to stay away from highlighting in the summer. It would just make me look like a can of Crisco. And isn't nobody got time fo' that!
• To set all of my makeup I will use the Model in a Bottle Makeup Setting Spray in Original Matte Finish 

And that's it!
Thank you for reading this extremely long post. I hope it helped. As always I hope you  Dolls enjoy this post. All links to products mentioned will be below the disclaimer. Please remember to share my blog with your friends and family. I hope you all have a wonderful week!
-The Makeup Junkie

DISCLAIMER:

1. I usually don't apply makeup every single day nor to I use a super full coverage look every time that I do apply makeup.
2. All products used were purchased by me.
3. All thoughts/opinions are my own.
4. I am not affiliated with any of the people or companies mentioned.

LINKS:

• Model in a Bottle- http://modelinabottle.com/shop/original-setting-spray/
• Kat Von D Lock-it Tattoo Foundation- http://www.sephora.com/lock-it-tattoo-foundation-P311138?skuId=1398858
• Benefit Porefessional Primer- http://www.benefitcosmetics.com/product/view/the-Porefessional
• Clinique All About Eyes Concealer- http://www.clinique.com/product/1596/5161/Makeup/Concealers/All-About-Eyes-Concealer
• Clinique Blended face powder- http://www.clinique.com/product/1594/6271/Makeup/Bronzers/Blended-Face-Powder-and-Brush
• ELF Contouring Blush and Bronzing Powder- http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/face/bronzers/contouring_blush_and_bronzing_powder
• ELF Radiance Enhancer-  http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/face/shimmer/radiance_enhancer
• ELF mineral eye brightener- http://www.eyeslipsface.com/minerals/eyes/eyeshadow/eye_brightener
• ELF eye lid primer- http://www.eyeslipsface.com/elf/eyes/concealers_and_primers/eyelid_primer
• Ruby Kisses 3D face creator- http://www.rubykissescosmetics.com/
• Maybelline Fit Me Powder- http://www.maybelline.com/Products/Face-Makeup/Powder/fit-me-pressed-powder.aspx

Cream Eyeliner: Inexpensive dupes for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow

Hey Dolls! Welcome back to the blog!

I'm sure we've all heard of Anastasia Beverly Hills' newest product for brows right? If you haven't, it's called Dipbrow and it is a gel, waterproof, smudge proof potted brow product. Basically, it's in gel eyeliner form. It comes in various shades ranging from blonde to black-ish. Of course the redheads have a color as well. This product retails for $18.00 and it can be purchased online or in Sephora and Ulta.


A container of Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade

The Dipbrow is a very popular product; so popular in fact, that my color has been sold out for months! I never seem to be able to get my hands on the shade chocolate. So, I search for other brow products simliar and I discovered something much better, ELF's cream eyeliner in coffee.

Swatch of ELF's cream eyeliner in "Coffee"

The ELF cream eyeliner comes in various colors most are sparkly and not suitable for the eyebrows but, the color coffee is a subtle medium brown perfect for people with brunette, reddish brown hair, or dirty blonde hair. I don't recommend redheads with majority red toned hair use it nor should blondes. The cream liner is waterproof and easy to work with. It retails for $3.00 and is sold online or in store. Walmart, Target, Walgreens, and various Dollar Stores sell ELF.

A difference between the two is, the smudging power. The ELF liner does smudge (if roughly wiped) but, like the Dipbrow it is completely waterproof and sweat proof.

The quantity provided for both is great. The Dipbrow and ELF will last quite a while. With both the Dipbrow and the cream liner less is more. Both products do have amazing lasting power but, for the most part the ELF and the dipbrow are similar.


Update: I finally got my hands on Dipbrow; I will say it is an amazing product but, with all things considered the ELF works perfectly. In fact, aside from the Dipbrow the ELF cream eyeliner is my favorite brow product by far. I do enjoy both products but, due to price I would choose the ELF over the Dipbrow any day.

Another Updated: I have been using the Wet n Wild Fergie Creme Liner in Cocoa Riche for the past few weeks and it is even better than the ELF cream liner. The pigmentation is the same but, the Wet n Wild product is a bit creamier. It also is a slight bit warmer of a brown than the ELF verison. However, I like both but, I would choose the Wet n Wild dupe or the ELF at this point due to the warmer color. It seems to suit my skin and hair tone better. The Wet n Wild retails for $ 4.99 at Walgreens.

And Another Updated: As of May 2015 I am in LOVE with the NYX Tame and Frame Brow Pomade. I use the color espresso. It is pigmented and works amazingly. The lasting power is simliar to the Wet n Wild and the ELF. The thing I like most about this is the variety of colors this has. The range is great almost every hair color and skin tone will find a shade for them. This retails for $ 5.99 at Ulta.

P.S the NYX Micro Eyebrow pencil is a phenomenal dupe for the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz pencil. Try it! I promise you will love it! This retails for $ 9.99 at Ulta.

Now that the review is complete, I want to share my tip for getting the best results when using a gel eyebrow product. For best results:

• apply with a clean angled brush

• outline the eyebrow first

• start to fill in the brow at the tail

• use less product the closer to the beginning of the brow you get

• use a spoolie to soften harsh lines

• for a very clean, sharp looking brow use a concealer a 1/2 to 1 whole shade lighter than your skin complextion. Use a brush or your finger to blend out the concealer around the brow. 

I hope you all enjoyed that post! If you have any questions, comments, or requests please refer to the 'follow me tab'. There yoi will find all of the soical media platforms I am on. That tab also includes my email. If you enjoyed this post and the blog please share it on your social media. Also, 1+ this post and the blog. When you 1+ the post and the blog it makes it easier for people to find it. Thank you for stopping by the makeup junkie. Your support means everything. I hope you all have a terrific week!
-The Make-up Junkie

DISCLAIMER: I am not an affiliate of either company. I bought all products mentioned on my own. This post is purely my opinion. I was not paid to make this blog post.



This is a photo of me. In this picture I have filled in my eyebrows with the ELF cream eyeliner in "Coffee".

LINKS:

ELF: http://www.eyeslipsface.com/studio/eyes/eyeliner/cream_eyeliner

DIPBROW: http://www.anastasia.net/ABH-Dipbrow-Pomade.html