I was presently surprised by elf (eyes lips face) cosmetics. It was in Target that I first encountered this brand. The products seemed appealing because of the strikingly low cost. A lipgloss for $3.00? An eyeliner for $1.00? I picked up one of the products and peered at the packaging. It was sleek, black & simple. I decided to purchase several items, including:

Minty lip gloss in Nashville (5/5)

This gloss is long-lasting and incredibly minty! It is great on its own or over a nude lipstick. A nude lip works best with a bold look elsewhere on the face. For example, pair smokey eyes with nude lips and nude cheeks for a sultry, sexy look.

Blush in Tickled Pink (4/5)

This blush reminds me of MAC’s mineralized blush in Love Thing. Use Tickled Pink to create a matte look on your cheeks. Matte blushes are versatile because you can pair them with shimmery or matte eyes and lips. Additionally, the compact comes with a mirror which makes application on the go simple & carefree.

Contouring Blush & Bronzing Powder in Blushed/Bronzed (5/5)

This compact is excellent for traveling. The colors are both matte and will flatter many skin types & hues. The e.l.f. bronzer is similar to my favorite bronzer, which is Physician’s Formula SPF 20 Solar Power Bronzer ($12).

Two Waterproof Eyeliner Pens – Coffee & Black (3/5)

The felt tip on these eyeliner pens makes it simple to create a winged or double-winged eye look. There is a downfall to these products, however, once applied, the product tends to travel. Skip using it on your waterline and you can easily avoid the problem!

I spent less than $15 and received all of these e.l.f. products. That is impressive! To put it in perspective, I could buy one MAC lip glass or five e.l.f. products! I will be purchasing different e.l.f. products and also repurchasing some of the products I own (especially the minty lip gloss in Nashville – it is the perfect nude lip color). Visit http://www.eyeslipsface.com/. (Fyi: There is a promotion going on right now on the website – make a $25 purchase and receive a free mineral starter kit! Enter this code: EGEDCQ for the promotion. It is going on until May 15th!)

-Katie x0

(1/5)

This mascara is definitely not a favorite. In fact, I am forcing myself to use up the remainder of the product.

A list can most easily display the qualities that I do not like about this makeup: the applicator – is difficult to hold and the tip does not apply the mascara well, the product is dry and clumpy, it has a strange and unpleasant smell, and at almost $10/piece, the price is not fabulous!

Skip it & opt for something else!

-Katie x0

One of the most frustrating things about purchasing perfume is the realization that it does not last as long as you would like once you get home and get it on your skin.

Fragrance comes in several different forms. Some of these forms, which are listed according to their concentration from greatest to least, include: perfume, eau de parfum, and eau de toilette. Solid perfumes and fragrance mists are also available.

Perfume and eau de parfum are the purest and as a result, most expensive fragrance products. These forms of fragrance will often last longer on your skin.

Get your scent to stick by:

1. Selecting the purest form of fragrance available in the scent you like (most fragrances are easily accessible in eau de toilette form, however, if perfume or eau de parfum is available, invest & save it for special occasions)

2. Apply a small amount of Aquaphor or petroleum jelly (like Vaseline) to your pulse points (do not overdo it with this step! A tiny dab will work!)

3. Now, spray or dab your fragrance on your pulse points. Your pulse points can be found on your wrists, inside your elbows, behind your ears, behind your knees, at the base of your throat, and don’t forget to put a bit around your ankles.

Other tips:

Stick a travel size or small bottle of fragrance in your bag & bring it wherever you go.

Select a moisturizer that has the same scent as your fragrance of choice.

Keep your perfume out of the sun, and away from extremely hot or cold temperatures.

Pass on fragrances that don’t work on you – because of your body chemistry, a perfume might not work on you but might smell amazing on someone else. If you don’t like it, pass it on! Fragrances are most potent for about two years after they are created. So instead of wasting it or allowing it to expire, give it away.

Test a scent if it is possible before you buy it. I recently considered purchasing YSL Parisienne because I loved the way it smelled at the counter and in Glamour (there was a sample – I actually smell these things :)!) However, when I went to Macy’s to purchase it, and after one spritz on my wrist and about 5 minutes of wearing it as I walked around the store, I realized it was not what I thought it would be. I was not upset at that point, I was actually relieved that I had not purchased it at sephora.com or something because it really did smell quite unappealing!

x0 Katie

This lip balm smells so good! I love everything about it:

*USDA organic – always a plus ;)

*the scent – delicious but light

*the lip balm itself – incredibly moisturizing

*the packaging – easy to use and cute

I would definitely repurchase! I have tried several eos products in the past but this is a new favorite!

x0 Katie