top drugstore foundations

If you've read my blog before you know my absolute ride or die foundation is the Arbonne Perfecting Liquid Foundation that I've been using for over a year now. I'm planning on doing a full, in-depth review because I really do use it almost daily and it has tons of advantages..

BUT..

I know that we can't all afford a high-end priced foundation year-round. I also know there are a lot of people who like to alternate foundations as to save the pricier stuff and make it last longer. I'm guilty of this as well. I also just like to switch things up time to time and try new things. And there's no better way to "fill in" your foundation routine than with drugstore products that you can actually afford to repurchase time after time. So I compiled my list of the best drugstore foundations- because lets face it, there are some bad ones out there and its hard to tell what's what.

Lets keep in mind, I have combination skin- oily in my t-zone, which causes foundation to break up in those areas. When I review foundations based on wearability and staying-power, this is my gauge.. how long it lasts on my oily t-zone. Also, I always always always use a setting powder, high end or drug store, they make a HUGE difference. So my reviews are not based on one layer of foundation alone, its always in combination with a setting powder, so if you have oily skin and don't have one, I suggest you invest! 

1. Cover Girl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation
Seriously? How long is that name.. Anyway, this is probably the first foundation I reach for when I'm out of my Arbonne, need a different shade, or just want to switch things up. It is 3-in-1, and claims to be a primer, concealer, and foundation all in one. I definitely still use concealer with it, but it is actually great coverage. The formula can be a bit thick at times, but it has SPF 20 in it which I love. There are tons of shades to choose from. Honestly this would be my #1 drugstore foundation recommendation!

2. Loreal True Match Lumi Cushion
This foundation has a natural glowy dewiness to it, which makes it fabulous for those with dry skin, or if you just really like the glowy illuminated look. I absolutely love the cushion applicator (I honestly didn't think I would.) I just blot my beauty blender directly onto the cushion and apply all over my face. A little bit of this goes a long way. If you have oily skin and like to look completely matte, this wouldn't be the foundation for you. But it has great coverage and makes for a really pretty finish.

3. Loreal True Match
This is obviously the same line as the above foundation, and has all the same perks, except its a more matte formula. It claims to be "super blendable" and I'd have to agree. I think its a great every-day basic foundation. Medium coverage, and there are even more shades to choose from than the CG foundation, which is why it gets its 'true match' name. This foundation is great for oily skin. Its a pretty thin formula so it goes on easily and evenly. My only complaint is that it comes in a bottle without a pump so it can be a bit messy. I usually just shake it up with my finger at the end and dot it on, or have to pour it on the back of my hand. This one also has a SPF of 17 (random)

4. Revlon ColorStay Foundation
Back in the day I was a strict Bare Minerals girl (I know right) and I seriously hadn't used liquid foundations since highschool. When I finally came to my senses and branched out, this was the very first liquid foundation I used. I absolutely love the coverage. The formula is on the thicker side, which does make for good coverage, but can look a bit cakey at times. Its definitely a good full-coverage short-term foundation as it does break up a bit in oily areas. This would be pretty equivalent to the CG foundation, if only it had a pump! (sigh) Seriously though, if you want fuller coverage from the drugstore, try this one.

What is your favorite drugstore foundation? Have you tried anything new lately that I HAVE to try? Let me know!

And stay tuned for a review of my ride or die Arbonne foundation. If you're looking for something with decent coverage, lasting powder, and most important is good for your skin, then definitely check that out. 

xox katie

What if I told you that the above look was done completely using products that can be purchased at any Drugstore? Because they are! I mean, I'm sure you figured that out by the title, but whatever.

This was sort of out of my comfort zone which made me love it even more. I'm not saying I'm too good for drugstore makeup, because I'm not. Actually, the setting powder, eyeliner, and mascara I use daily are all usually purchased at WalMart or Target. But I cannot tell you the last time I even looked at eyeshadow in the drugstore, let alone wore it. And I've been using the same foundation, powder, and highlighter for so long, I forgot that there were other alternatives.. So not only did I challenge myself by finding decent products at a low price, I also challenged myself by using a lot of new products, and it was fun! 

Here's what I used.. 

note: not everything I used is included in the photo above, more products listed below

LIPS

Maybelline Vivid Matte Liquid Lip in Possessed Plum • I have mixed thoughts on this. I have used lots of ColourPop liquid lips ($6) which were the exact formula I was looking for- so you can't use price as an excuse. Although I did love the color and the way this felt on my lips, it is in no way 'matte'. It was actually very glossy and sticky. So beautiful, yes. Matte, no. 

FACE

Foundation: CoverGirl Outlast 3-in-1 Foundation • This had great coverage and there were a lot of color options which is nice. I love this foundation because it really does cover well and has a pretty matte finish. It doesn't seem to last all day like you would expect from a pricier foundation, but you get what you pay for! 

Concealer: Maybelline Fit Me Concealer • I use this concealer on the regular! Definitely comparable to Nars Radiant Creamy Concealer- I highly recommend. Very creamy, VERY pigmented. I use the lightest shade to conceal & highlight. I would say do NOT use this concealer unless you plan to set it with a powder immediately after as it does seem to crease. 

Powder: Neutrogena Shine Control Powder • I use this powder 'drugstore makeup' or not. Its my favorite powder to control oil day-to-day. Its completely translucent and really keeps me matte. 

Bronzer: Physicians Formula Mineral Wear Airbrushing Pressed Powder • Let me tell you, its really hard to find a matte bronzer (for contouring specifically) at the drug store. Everything is shimmery and golden, which is nice, but not what I was looking for. This is a great matte powder, which also has SPF. I would have preferred it was a darker shade, but it did the job. 

Highlight: Wet n WildMega Glo Illuminating Powder • I loved this so much! And will continue to use it daily. I was so pleasantly surprised. Wet n Wild is probably the cheapest brand you can find in drugstores, and this highlight palette was great! I used the second shade, the lightest pink, and it looks amazing. Its also been hours since I applied it and its still going strong. Super pretty and I like that there are lots of color options. Plus, the little 'stripes' are wide enough to fit a normal highlight brush into! 

TOOLS

Real Techniques Miracle Complexion Sponge • I was the most pleasantly surprised with this more than anything else! I tried this once before (before I had ever even tried the original beautyblender) and was disappointed. But I realized, now that I have more practice, that it really isn't bad at all! I actually loved the flat end, for applying foundation to my forehead and cheeks, and the pointed end for corners. Great for ~$7!

Elf Contour Brush 

Elf Blending Brush

EYES

Shadow: CoverGirl TruNakeds 'Goldens' • I was very pleasantly surprised with this palette! Like I said, I haven't purchased drugstore eyeshadow in a long time, and when it comes to eyeshadow I have high standards. There were actually two matte shades, the lightest shade which I used on my brow bone, and a medium shade, which I used in my crease. I used the rest of the shimmery green shades to shade my lid and darken the inner corner and used the really pretty shimmery lightest color in my inner corner. 

Brows: L'Oreal Brow Stylist Definer • This is an exact dupe for the Anastatsia Brow Wiz. I swear. Go buy it right now. It was so much cheaper and exactly the same. Even the little 'spooly' on the end was exactly like it. I promise, you wont be disappointed! 

Eye Liner: Maybelline Eye Studio Master Precise Liquid Liner• this was the only product I was "meh" about. If you know of a good drugstore liquid liner, please let me know! This was pretty hard to apply and made the look pretty choppy. Thankfully when I applied lashes it covered up the choppiness.

Mascara: CoverGirl The Super Sizer Mascara • This is another product that I use daily. I love this mascara. It really lengthens and separates and does everything you want a mascara to do. I'm wearing falsies in the photo but I did apply a tiny bit of this mascara and some to my bottom lashes as well. 

Lashes: Ardell Demi Wispies

I have to say overall I was very pleasantly surprised. Like I said, I've never been above drugstore makeup in general, but ever since I tried my first Naked palette (and instantly became hooked on the Sephora/Ulta high) I never went back.

But if you're on a budget and still want a flawless face, THERE IS HOPE! I spent around $80 total on foundation, concealer, eyeliner, 2 eyeshadow palettes (only used one in this look), powder, highlighter, bronzer, lashes, sponge, and brushes. Not bad, right?

I hope this is helpful and if there are any products that you think I NEED to try (especially liquid liner!) please comment below and tell me!

xo katie

like. literally. so cute.

Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that Kylie Jenner & Kylie Cosmetics are.. well.. everything. I, personally, love Kylie, I know others hate her. But say what you will, Kylie's doing big things with her lip kits. I own 2 of her matte lip kits, Kourtney K and Mary Jo & love them. I don't own them all so I don't think its fair to do an overall review, but I did manage to get all of the glosses.

I know they sell out super fast, and if you're lucky enough to get your hands on them, consider yourself blessed.. angels are looking down on you. 

First of all, before I even talk about the glosses themselves, I want to give props to Kylie & her customer service team. The first batch of glosses came out on April 1st. Apparently, prior to that Kylie had sent some Youtubers, makeup artists, and bloggers some glosses in advance. After receiving their feedback, Kylie decided that the wand of the glosses was too long and that the brush wasn't fitting in and out of the tube well creating it to feather out like this. Kylie instantly stopped production of her glosses to create a better brush and shorter wand. Unfortunately anyone who ordered their glosses on April 1 received the not-so-great wand. I was one of those people. 

Instead of just sending everyone an email, a runaround on how to get a new product, a website credit, or anything I'd expect (and have experienced in the past) Kylie decided to do it RIGHT. The company re-sent the new and improved product to EVERYONE who ordered on April 1st. No questions asked. A couple weeks later I received an email saying my product had shipped (I did absolutely nothing on my end, they handled it all) and within a few days I got a new lip gloss, and to me, THAT is excellent customer service and the correct way to handle things.

Okay with that, on to the glosses.. :-)

The three gloss colors, from darkest to lightest, are "like", "literally", and "so cute". Cute, right? They are currently sold out, just like every freaking thing on the site, BUT, when she restocks, they can be purchased at KylieCosmetics.com for $15 each. 

They are all nude shades, which I love, and are very on-trend. I feel like I should mention that I'm so not a lip gloss girl. I can't even tell you the last time I wore or purchased a lip gloss. But Kylie made these look so tempting that I had to get them. And although I'm still getting used to the way glosses in general feel, I really do love the look, especially since its something different for me and out of my comfort zone. 

Like: The darkest of the three. Its the most pigmented. 

Literally: The medium shade and my favorite. I think this would go great with any skin tone.

So cute: The lightest and most pink. This one scared me at first, but was actually easier to pull off than I expected. Even if you aren't used to wearing lighter colors, I suggest you try it!

Overall they're very pigmented. It doesn't take much product at all which is great because you don't have that goopy, heavy feel. The formula is surprisingly creamy, somewhat sticky (because, I mean, it is a lip gloss) but definitely not uncomfortably sticky, and glides on really well. Oh and they smell really yummy, kind of like a cookie scented candle. And, the brush issue was completely corrected (and I have a great point of reference since I have the original gloss and my brush was messed up). 

I love that she released these because matte lips are so in right now and its so fun to switch it up. When I was wearing them I was surprised at how well I loved the look and how it pulled my makeup together so well. I feel sort of guilty because I want you all to go try these glosses right now, but they're sold out! So be on the lookout for the restock, and snatch them up as soon as you can!

Have a great day guys!

xo katie

summer "no makeup" makeup look

I'm a big fan of not wearing makeup. I'm also a big fan of looking perfect and flawless without any makeup, but unfortunately, I gave up on that dream along with being able to eat Ben & Jerry's every night & remaining a size 6. 

But I do think I've kind of mastered the whole "no makeup" makeup look, where you wear just enough to get by, while tricking everyone into think you're all-natural and fresh-faced. I've seen a lot of "no makeup" looks before that really frustrated me because they were still using 10+ products, and in my opinion, if you're going to do that much, you might as well just go full-face!

So my "no makeup" makeup look requires 5 products. (not including your 3 tools, a beauty blender any sort of fluffy ended eye shadow brush, and a powder brush, which is only necessary if you have oily skin)

First I apply this Garnier BB Cream (1) in little dots all over my face. I use my damp beauty blender to apply it all over. I love this BB cream because its lightweight and has decent coverage- remember, we don't want a full-coverage foundation, we just want to even everything out a bit and give our skin a bit of a natural glow- and it has SPF 20 which is great for a no-makeup beach or summertime look. 

Next, I apply my Garnier Skin Renew Anti-Dark Circle Roller (2) under my eyes. I use the same beauty blender to blend it out and into the rest of your face. This is my favorite, tried & true concealer that I use almost daily. Its actually more than a concealer- it has caffeine and some other magic that reduces puffiness under your eyes, AND has color to it so it conceals and evens out any redness. 

The next step is totally optional and not necessary. I use a fluffy blending brush and take a matte medium brown eyeshadow to my crease and outer corner. I included the Urban Decay Naked Basics (3) palette because it has a great neutral-shade matte.. but you can use any matte brown you want. I also love the medium shade in the Kat Von D Shade and Light palette. The goal in this step is to create more depth to your crease, which makes your eyes pop a bit more. 

Next I follow up with this Lorac Pro + Fiber Mascara (4). This is the best, most natural mascara. It isn't super dramatic or life-changing, but its great for making your lashes look dark and lengthened without having clumpy mascara. I actual have a couple layers on in the photo, only because I was touching up after a long day. But just one coat of this mascara makes your lashes look much longer and darker and thicker without making them clumpy, spidery, goopy, etc. Its a very natural looking mascara. I love this for days where I don't wear any makeup at all except for mascara because it doesn't look like I'm even wearing any. 

The last step is also optional and only necessary if you have oily skin. I use a fluffy powder brush and apply my Neutrogena Shine Control Powder (5) on my t-zone. This just keeps the oil at bay and helps keep my BB cream from breaking up throughout the day. This powder is great for making your face look matte and its translucent so you can't even tell you're wearing a powder. 

I love this look and these products for summertime, especially since the BB cream has SPF. Its great for going to the beach or pool or just doing something low-key where not a lot of makeup is necessary. As you can see in the photo above, my face isn't flawless by any means, but that's the fun part, because I'm just enhancing my face just a little, without feeling naked :-)

I hope you guys enjoyed this look and please tell me what your favorite "no makeup" makeup looks like! hope you're enjoying your spring so far

xo, katie

beauty blender giveaway

I recently gave in and started using a beauty blender to apply my foundation. It has quickly become one of my favorite makeup tools. A while ago I tried a knock-off beauty blender 'dupe' and hated it. I decided sponge applicators just weren't for me and gave up.

But do you ever just get in a makeup rut? You do the same things every day but some days you just don't like the end result and decide you want something new. My makeup brushes (as amazing as they are) just weren't doing it for me. My makeup never looked smooth or seamless or well blended.. and I knew it had to be my tools. Sooo, I gave in and bought the original beautyblender. After using it for the first time I was hooked.

The trick is that it has to be damp. (I'm sure most of you know this and this is old news!) Just run the beauty blender under your faucet for a few seconds, give it a few squeezes to wring it out, then voila! I like to dot my foundation all over my face with my fingers, then use the damp beauty blender to blend it all out. It looks seamless and blended and flawless every time, plus it picks up any excess foundation so it never looks cakey or heavy.

I'M TELLING YOU THIS BECAUSE.. I'M GIVING ONE AWAY! (duh)

I decided to have a little fun with this one :-)

Its an Instagram giveaway, so you must have an account to participate.

Here's how to be entered: 

1. Follow @makupyourmind on Instagram
2. Like the giveaway photo
3. COMMENT below the photo on Instagram, TAG THREE FRIENDS, and answer this question:
What is your middle name? 


** NOTE: there is no 'e' in makup on my Instagram name!!!
*** the answer must be commented on the Instagram photo, not on this blog post.

The giveaway is open until Friday, April 15, 2016.

Good luck!
xo, katie

products to achieve my every day face

I've had a few people lately ask me which products I use every day and I realized that I haven't actually ever listed them out before. I have tons of favorites- things I love and use on occasion, products I use to achieve a certain look, etc.. but then there are the products and tools that I use [almost] every time I do my makeup. My tried and true, ride or die products that, unless I find something better, I use every single day.. if I'm going to lunch with a friend or shopping, dinner, etc.

I'm just going to list and link. The fact that I use them every day should tell you enough about them, but if you want to know my thoughts or have any questions, leave a comment!

oh! & the best part? you can get 35% off my favorite foundation (listed below) just for mentioning this post -- keep reading to find out how ♡


tools
Foundation/Concealer: Beauty Blender  • Real Techniques Buffing Brush, part of the Core Collection • It Cosmetics Brushes for Ulta Airbrush Blurring Foundation Brush #101
Eyes: It Cosmetics Brushes for Ulta Airbrush Blending Crease Brush #105 • Eco Tools Eye Enhancing Duo Set • Real Techniques Shading Brush • Urban Decay Dual Ended Brushes that come with Naked palettes
Contour/Highlight: Kat Von D Shade + Light Contour Brush
Blush: Real Techniques Blush Brush

face
Foundation: Arbonne Perfecting Liquid Foundation in Honey Beige (applied with beauty blender)
Powder: Neutrogena Shine Control Powder
Concealer: Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Roller • NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer
Bronzer: 'Bronze' shade in the Lorac Pro to Go Eye/Cheek Palette
Contour: Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit (please note, this is NOT the cream palette, I hate the cream contour palette!)
Highlight: Becca Cosmetics Jaclyn Hill in 'Champagne Pop'

eyes
Eye Shadow: Kat Von D Shade + Light Eye Contour Palette (absolute FAVORITE) • Urban Decay Naked Basics Palette • Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette • Lorac Pro Palette • Lorac Pro 2
Eye Liner: Cover Girl Perfect Point Plus • Lorac Pro Liquid Liner
Mascara: Cover Girl The Super Sizer Mascara • Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Mascara • L'Oreal Voluminous Superstar Mascara (a new favorite & so far I love it!)

Okay, and now for the good part.

I ♡ my Arbonne Perfecting Liquid Foundation. Obviously, as this post states, I use it every single day. It feels lightweight on the skin, not cakey or heavy at all, but has surprisingly great coverage and totally buildable. It has SPF 15, it is certified vegan, and has no harsh chemicals, scents, or mineral oils.

& you can get 35% by emailing kristindaniels7@gmail.com & mentioning this post. 

aaaaand everyone who purchases the foundation is also entered to win a free primer! :-) so just email the address above mentioning makeup your mind and place your order! I hope you all take advantage of the discount because you will love the foundation and love the discount even more!

have a great week, guys
xo katie

Your Best Winter Skin

I'm currently feeling extremely nostalgic for summer. For tons of reasons, but specifically my summer skin!! For the longest time I'd cringe when I get out of the shower. I'm dry and itchy and its not cute. I've been longing for tan, hydrated, smooth skin. But I think I've finally got this winter skin thing down, and I thought I'd share the products I've been loving.

1. A HUMIDIFIER!

This may seem a little silly but its probably the most important. In the winter my skin is dry, my eyes are dry, my throat.. e.v.e.r.y.t.h.i.n.g. And its all caused by the dry air. So putting moisture back in the air helps tremendously. The one I use is made by Vicks (like the vapor rub) but any humidifier will do. And if you don't have the money to invest, boil a pot of water with a bit of salt (or epsom salt) and hold your head over the steam for a while. You'll notice a huge difference.

2. An exfoliating scrub

I use this one from Arbonne. Not only does it exfoliate but it has super hydrating oils in it that leave your skin feeling super smooth. I use it to shave and its amazing. Read more about it here. 

3. A good razor

In the past I've used disposable razors and yes they are convenient because they are much cheaper than buying blade refills, you can buy them in bulk, and you can just toss them when they get old. But I have never used a cheap razor without having that intense itchy, dry, razor burn feeling after. I eventually invested in a good razor, Gillette Venus Embrace, and it really changed the way I shave. The two strips above and below the blades are super moisturizing and its like applying a layer of lotion after you shave. Once you try a good razor with good blades that hydrates your skin at the same time, you'll never use a disposable again. 

4. A body butter 

Scents are more important to me than anything so which body butter you choose is up to you. I just prefer something that doesn't leave me feeling greasy, but, instead soaks into my skin and leaves long-lasting hydrating. Try Bliss Body Butter in Lemon + Sage or Philosophy Amazing Grace Whipped Body Creme for a fresher scent. 

5. Lip Exfoliator 

Don't forget your lips! It took me forever to hunt this bad boy (e.l.f. lip exfoliator) down because apparently they're pretty popular. When I finally snagged one at Target, I fell in love, and now I buy one whenever I see it because I use it a lot! Its shaped like a lipstick which makes for super easy application. It has real sugar in it which makes it taste super sweet (which is a huge bonus) and sloths off all the yucky dead skin while leaving your lips smooth and soft. Go buy one, right now.

Do you have any go-to products for the winter that you can't live without? Tell me!

xo, katie

Best of Beauty - 2015

Its been a while since I've blogged and I was thinking it'd be good to sort of "catch up" on what I've
been using lately.. when I realized an entire year has gone by, lots of products came and went, and its a good time to share with you what I used and loved in 2015.

The products listed below are products I used consistently this year and loved. If you don't see a category, that's because I guess I'm still trying to find "the one" ;) -- click links to purchase or learn more

Skincare

- Arbonne Deep Pore Acne Cleanser

- Arbonne Gentle Daily Moisturizer

- Clarisonic Mia 2

- Biore Charcoal Pore Minimizer

Face

- Arbonne Perfecting Liquid Foundation 

- Real Techniques Buffing Brush (sold in set)

- It Cosmetics (for Ulta) Airbrush Blurring Foundation Brush

- Gariner Skin Renew Anti Dark Circle Roller

- Neutrogena Shine Control Powder

- Anastasia Beverly Hills Contour Kit (note: just the regular pressed powder, not cream!)

- Becca x Jaclyn Hill Highlighter in Champagne Pop

Eyes

- Naked Basics palette (an oldy but goody!)

- Lorac Pro Palette

- Lorac Pro Palette 2 

- Maybelline Volum' Express Colossal Mascara

- Lorac Front of the Line Pro Liquid Liner

- Younique Moodtruck 3D Fiber Lashes -- (review here)

I'd love to elaborate on each and every one, but that tends to get wordy, but if you have any questions at all or want my wordy, elaborate opinion, please don't be afraid to ask I'll do a separate post dedicated to that product!

have a great year, guys. here's to hopefully some more posts in the future and some fun new ideas
xox, katie

Beauty on a Budget: Affordable Favorites 2015

before I get started, I wanted to state the obvious that I revamped things a bit. I hope you guys like the new look! but because its a completely new template and layout it has messed up some of the posts from the past.. things may not line up correctly so bare with me! thanks, management :-)

beauty on a budget 

Here are some of my favorite products that can be purchased in drugstores, WalMart, Target, Ulta, etc. These aren't just products that I scrounged up to make an 'affordable makeup' post, these are products I use and love on a daily basis. 

eyes

• L'Oreal La Nude Palette 1 

• CoverGirl The Super Super Size Mascara 

• Wet n Wild Color Icon Palette (in Comfort Zone

• L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow Eye Shadow (in Iced Latte)

• Maybelline Lash Sensational Mascara

face

• L'Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Foundation

•  Maybelline Instant Age Rewind Dark Circle Eraser

• CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation

• Rimmel Stay Matte Powder Powder

• Physicians Formula Airbrush Pressed Powder

lips

• E.l.f. Lip Exfoliator (loooove this for soft lips!)

• NYX Soft Matte Lip Creams

• Revlon Color Stay Kissable Balm Stain

brushes

• Eco Tools Eye Enhancing Duo Set (Eyeshadow Brushes)

• Sonia Kashuk Core Collection Synthetic Buffing Brush

• E.l.f. Blending Brush (only $1!)

• Real Techniques Core Collection 

• Real Techniques Starter Kit

**The two above are sets and if you're new to my blog then you've missed all 3,439,843 

I've raved about them. Real Techniques brushes are very affordable, excellent 

quality, and you need them... now! 

I included links to each product, but SHOP AROUND! The L'Oreal palette above, I paid $14 for. At Target its a dollar or two more, and at Ulta its $19.99!! I would definitely say WalMart and Target are the cheapest, and the priciest would be CVS & Ulta. 

I hope this was helpful! Let me know your inexpensive favorites!

xox Katie

Naked Smoky Palette Review

Like I posted on Instagram yesterday.. I have to confess that I've had this palette since it came out (in July) and I have yet to do a review or even tell you guys about it! I'm honestly pretty indifferent about the palette. I definitely wouldn't say its my favorite, but I use a few of the shades daily, so I definitely wouldn't say I hate it.

I realized that you guys were probably curious about it.. so I thought I'd post swatches with a description of each shade, as well as some pros and cons so you can make up your own mind (heh, get it?) on whether its a palette you'll use or not :)

Here's the breakdown though- in case you can't make it through the whole post: it isn't an everyday palette, its a smoky eye palette (duh). That means that you're spending $54 on a palette you'll mainly use for going "out", hot dates, or formal events.. and lets be honest, I don't do those things very often. If smoky eyes are something you have perfected and love doing, this palette is for you. If you like cool-toned shadows- this palette is for you. Okay, read on.

I'll get started! Here are the swatches..

Shimmers:

• HIGH: a super shimmery (but not sparkly- don't get it twisted!) iridescent with a pinky/beigy undertone

• DIRTYSWEET: a shimmery gold, almost a rose gold. very creamy.

• RADAR: as you can see, this one didn't want to show up on my arm, its very similar to my skintone. its a medium brown with gold sparkle.

• ARMOR: a somewhat taupe-y color with a bit of a purple/steely grey undertone. definitely the most sparkly shade in the palette and a bit more flaky than the rest

Satins:

• SLANTED: looks very blue in the actual palette but on my skin looks more of a dark silver. it has a bit of sparkle but definitely more of a satin than the shades to its left.

• DAGGER: this also looks very blue in the palette, but I would call it a dark charcoal. very nice texture

• BLACK MARKET: okay this shade bugs me because its supposed to be black (hence the name) but I definitely don't consider it black. it looks very blue in the palette, AND on my eyes, although on my arm it just looks dark gray or black. hmm.

• SMOLDER: smolder is a really pretty purple although in the swatch it doesn't look it. I think I may have had a bit of black market left on my finger which messed up the swatch. its actually a very vivid eggplant-like color with a really pretty sheen.

Mattes:

• PASSWORD: a matte, dark grey with a slight purple undertone.

• WHISKEY: this is another one I don't feel swatched as well as it looks. I think my tan arm must be throwing it off. its definitely a warm-toned chocolate brown.

• COMBUST: a really creamy peachy-pinkish color great for blending/transitioning

• THIRTEEN: strangely enough, my favorite shade. its a very opaque (as you can see) white/ivory shade that really pops. its great for the inner corner or brow bone, especially since its matte.

Pros..
- The same excellent quality you can expect from all Urban Decay products, the shadows are nice, pigmented and last a long time.

- I really like the packaging. its very sturdy with a nice, big mirror. it also has a hinge which means the top stays open so you can use the mirror without having to hold it up (if that makes sense)

- There are some really pretty shades. I use thirteen almost every day to brighten the inner corner and along my brow bone. Combust is also really nice for blending because its not too pink to blend in, but its also not your typical matte brown blending shade. High is also really pretty for highlighting and is very pigmented. Password is great for the crease if you're going for a smoky eye (and this is a smoky palette, soo..) it would, however, be too dark for an everyday look.

- There are four matte shades, more than I think in any other Naked palette. I'm a huge fan of mattes so this is a really great bonus

- The brush is nice, as usual. It has a small, tapered end good for smoking out your lower lash line, and a really nice blending brush which has more of a pointed (not as round/dome shaped as the others) which is great for getting a color right into the crease.

Cons..
- It is almost an entirely cool-toned palette.. and I guess depending on who you're talking to, this could be a good thing. For me though, I don't do cool tones on my eyes often, at least not for an entire look. When you think of smoky eyes though, you do think of cool-toned grays and silvers so I know that's what they were doing. It just isn't my favorite look.

- The shades are all pretty dark (except the obvious white/ivory/beige shades). This seems a little silly to complain about- it is a smoky palette which means dark, smoky shadows; however, most people don't wear looks like that daily, so it isn't a palette you'll get everyday use out of. I just think when spending $54 on a palette, I want to use the crap out of it.

What do you guys think? See why I'm a bit torn? Let me know you're opinions!
xox Katie

Tyra "Oops" Liquid Liner

"Never ask a girl with winged eyeliner why she's late" 

But really ;)

HOWEVER.. I have recently found a liquid liner that makes it so much easier. I would even consider this to be a great liquid liner for beginners, because its so easy to use. 

Tyra (yes, as in Tyra Banks) has a beauty line and its new to me. I had never heard of it until Kate introduced me. Today is the first time I tried the Oops Liner and I'm hooked! The beauty of it? It has a correcting tip on the opposite end that erases any mistakes or makes your wings more precise! How amazing is that? 

Even without the "oops" end, I loved it because it was extremely easy to use. Whenever I try a new liquid liner it can get a little iffy because I'm getting used to the tip, the size/shape of the liner, etc. But I almost got it right the very first time! And when I did mess up? You guessed it, I just used the oops end to fix it :) 

As you can see, I swatched the liner in a thin line, a thicker line, and another thin line, and then used the erasing end to draw a liner through the swatches, as well as completely 'erase' the last line. Although I did have to wipe the excess off with my fingers, you can see how well it erased the liner, which would be amazing for mistakes, uneven lines, etc! 

Note: it is very important to wipe off the eraser end on the back of your hand after ever use. It wipes off the black so that its clean for the next time. This part is really important! 

Here's what else you need to know:

• if the tips get dull or dry, you can actually pull it out and flip it around, and reinsert for a sharper tip! ......I mean, right? ♥ 

• it should be stored with the liner part down 

• it is long-wearing and water-resistant. I swatched it earlier today and my hands got wet (unintentionally) and it stayed put! 

It retails for $24 which is right around the same price point or cheaper than any of the other high-end liquid liners I've been using.. and considering you can freakin' flip the tip around for a sharper point, I definitely think its worth it! 

You can order it here, and check out the full Tyra beauty line here.

• • • •

Seriously, if you're iffy about trying out liquid liner, or you think you're not 'skilled' enough to do winged liner/a cat eye, TRY THIS LIQUID LINER. It does take practice and no one gets it right on the first try (I even struggle sometimes and I do it weekly!) but this Tyra Oops Liner makes it so much easier and a whole lot less scary since you can just fix your mistake! 

xox Katie

StitchFix Round 2

Sooo.. I got my second Stitchfix. I wasn't sure if you guys wanted to hear about it, but it seems as if people are curious about my second box, so I decided to snap some quick pictures.

First of all, if you're wondering what StitchFix is read this post. 

When I originally started this post I was a bit frustrated and about to cancel my subscription alltogether.. but after I calmed down (I may be a bit dramatic) I decided to give it a couple more months to see if I can manipulate my stylist show my stylist(s) what I'm into- and for the record, I'm not into cargo shorts. :-)

And I'm willing to admit that maybe I'm not cut out for StitchFix... I'm picky, boring, and I know what I like. So maybe that doesn't work well with having my own stylist from afar. I think the biggest issue is that my style doesn't mesh with StitchFix's style. Yes, I said StitchFix's style. More on that later. First, let me just show you what I got.

Filagree Ribbon Tank, $48

Iriss Twill Short, $58

(sorry for the awkward wedgie butt shot! just trying to show the pockets lol)

Corinna Striped Dolman Top, $48

Tami Floral Dress, $68

Huron Mixed Material Reversible Tote, $54

I think I may come across as impossible to please, and I promise, I'm not. 

Here's my issue: search the #stitchfix hashtag on Instagram, look at the photos on Pinterest. All the clothes look the same! The same style. Sort of preppy, flowy tops, geometric prints with unique detail like ribbon straps or an open back. In my opinion, Stitchfix doesn't exactly personalize a wardrobe just for you. I think they have a warehouse of lookalike clothing for moms and they pick and choose 4 or 5 items without really giving it much consideration. Oops. 

I'll let you decide.. these are the things I specifically told my stylist(s) from the beginning and made very clear in every comment

- I don't wear a lot of color

- I hate prints

- I don't like flowy tops because I'm busty and they make me look pregnant

- I prefer edgier clothing 

- I prefer black and grey

- I did not want a lot of accessories

also, here's a screen shot of my 'style' board on pinterest, which she is supposedly going off of. does it look anything like my last 2 fixes?So.. in short:

• the pink top isn't me, in any way, shape, or form and it was actually very unflattering and flowy, which I specifically said I didn't want

• the shorts were awful. very comfy, but nothing that I would ever wear. you can't see well in the picture but they had big bulky cargo pockets and were very high waisted, but not in a cute way, in an... old lady way (sorry)

• the dolman sleeve top is very cute and I'm keeping it, but I'll have to save it for fall obviously since its 3/4 sleeve and very thick.

• the dress was way too big and nothing I would ever wear

• the tote was actually pretty cute, but felt cheap for $50 and I don't usually use big bags anyway

So.. am I being entirely too picky? I KNOW that these clothes aren't ugly or unfashionable. I just think since I'm technically paying a stylist to learn my style.. they'd try a little harder than to send the exact things I said I prefer not to receive, right?? right?? Or am I being a brat? If I am, you're allowed to tell me. 

All that said.. I'm giving it 2 more boxes. I'm going to give lots of detailed responses about the clothing I received, and update my style profile so that there is NO QUESTION ABOUT IT- I DON'T WANT PRINTS OR COLORS :-) shew! 

I seriously NEEEED to hear your thoughts. Am I being crazy?? Tell me!

Katie xox

Ssoooo.. I decided to partner with my friend Allison and give you the chance to win a FREE Mac lipstick just by treating yourself to a super cute Stella & Dot necklace.

How cute is the bar necklace I'm wearing in this picture? Its engraved with my wedding anniversary, so its super special. And YOU can engrave anything up to 10 characters.. A name, birthday, anniversary, initials, a heart.. its really up to you. P.S. it comes in gold or silver.

AAAAND.. the first person to order this necklace by contacting Allison (allisonlhart@yahoo.com) WINS a free Mac lippie.. from me! :-) I will either let you choose which color, or if you want, I'll surprise you with one of my favorites. All you have to do is hurry and order that necklace.. the first person to contact her and order, wins. 

And for the other slowpolks (I kid.. kind of) you'll still be entered to win lots of Stella & Dot goodies- your name will be entered in a drawing to win a "mystery hostess" reward where you earn all the free $$ and half off items of being a hostess, without actually hosting a party! 

If you order please comment on my Instagram Post (@makupyourmind) or below to tell me what you decided to engrave on your necklace. It isn't neccessary to win.. I'm just nosy ;-) 

Okay go!

Katie xox

My First StitchFix!

So I signed up for Stitch Fix a few weeks ago after hearing some good and bad things about it. I decided I needed to see for myself. I got my first Fix a few days ago and, although this isn't exactly makeup related, I know a lot of people were curious so I thought I'd share :-)

When singing up you get to answer lots of questions about your body, body type, what you're comfortable showing off, what you'd like to hide, and then elaborate a bit more on what your style is. I made it clear that I'm more edgy/casual and less preppy/dressy/frilly. I stick to basic, solid colors (aka, I always wear black, gray, white, brown, and maybe green). I was also able to attach a link to my style Pinterest board so she could get a feel for what I'm into.

So.. without elaborating too much, I'll just show what I got.

Pixley Vyner Fringe Top - $64

Pixley Seanna Split Back Knit Tank - $44

Market & Spruce Corby Knit Tee - $38

Kut From The Kloth Distressed Boyfriend Jean - $78 (picture on right)

** the jeans in the first 2 pictures are my own jeans from Express, not my Stitch Fix jeans. 

Marlyn Schiff Atalaya Double Layer Triangle Necklace - $38

Here's how it goes..

• you sign up here

• then fill out your profile. its very specific on what you like, don't like, what you don't mind showing off, what you'd like to hide, how you like things to fit, etc. 

• they set you up with a designer (mine's name is Meredith) and schedule your fix

• you wait :-)

• when your fix arrives, you look at it, try it on, then have 3 days to make a decision. once you decide, you login to your account, "checkout", which means you tell them what you're keeping and what you're returning, there are some optional questions on fit, style, etc so your designer can get to know you better, then you return what you don't want in a prepaid package and send it back! you only pay for what you keep :-)

• there is a $20 'stylist fee'. this means, if you decide to return all of it, you still have to pay $20; however, if you keep anything the $20 goes toward the item(s) as a credit. If you decide to keep all 5 items, you receive 25% off your purchase.

The Verdict:

I only kept the necklace (lol) ONLY because I didn't 100% love any of it, so I didn't want to spend the money on things I wasn't in love with; however, I'm optimistic and can't wait until next month (just got an email that its scheduled for August 3)

My Thoughts

- I didn't hate any of it. I seriously considered keeping all of it, but like I said, I didn't love it.

- None of the items were things I would pick out or try on in a store, for various reasons. These are items I would assume wouldn't look good on my body (I pride myself on the fact that I'm a really good judge of what will look good on me..); however, I was actually pleasantly surprised, and it taught me to be more open minded.

- The only thing I hated were the boyfriend jeans. I've never tried them on for a reason. They look awful. It takes a really hot person to pull them off, and I'm not one of them lol

- my items were a bit expensive, however, I blame myself because when filling out the questionnaire, they give you price range options. I opted for the medium range one, instead of marking "the cheaper the better" (because I don't necessarily want cheap clothes) but for the record, there is the option. 

Although I didn't keep a lot this time, I actually loved the overall experience. It was very simple and fun and I think I'm really going to be pleased once my stylist 'gets' me a little more. 

I would strongly recommend it to anyone, and if you're interested, sign up here! 

xo katie

First of all, before I even start this post.. I need to apologize
a) for my hair. this was 3-day hair that I was trying to get away with. it was left over curls and frizziness and ended up on top of my head before the review was done. ignore it please!
b) the lighting. I was using natural lighting and apparently the sun went in and out about 394,839,329 times in the 10 minutes it took me to take pictures. So some pictures are warm and dark and others I look washed out.

Okay, glad I got that off my chest.. now..

I've been wanting to try Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes for a while, but for some reason I was always intimidated. (It doesn't take much) I saw others using it and thought I'd like to try but some uninformed person told me that they "heard" it was like a crazy 5-step process that took 20 minutes to perfect.... and because I believed that, I never gave in! I know, I know. Well flash-forward to now, and I finally decided to give in to the allure. I talked to Leah, a Younique Presenter, and she eased my mind and sent some over.

I finally sat down today (still a tiny bit intimidated, because I'm a weirdo) and tried it. First of all, let me make it clear, it is not a 5-step process, and it didn't much time at all- it takes me longer to do my liquid liner than it did to apply the 3D Fiber Lashes. So wanna know what I thought? Keep reading.

What you need to know:
- It is actually only 3 steps, 2 products. It is buildable and its up to you how many layers you choose to do- so if you want to make it a 10 step process you can, but its not necessary and it still doesn't take very long regardless. 
- The package comes with 2 tubes: a transplanting gel you apply first, and a tube of the fibers, which stick to the gel. The key is to apply the transplanting gel, then apply the fibers while still wet, then apply the transplanting gel again after. (more on this later)
- It retails at $29. If you've bought high-end mascara before, then you already know that you truly do get what you pay for. This will last you a long time, some claim almost a year before they had to buy more, so it definitely is worth the money.
- You need to order through a Younique Presenter. Its never safe to order it through a retail site like Amazon, Ebay, etc because you may not be paying for the real thing. 

How To:
- You may start off with a coat of your own mascara, although that isn't necessary. (I didn't the first time. I have tried a couple times since then and didn't notice a significant difference)
- First you use the transplanting gel just like you would a normal mascara, coating from base to tip of your lashes.
- AS SOON as you apply the transplanting gel, apply the second (smaller) tube of fibers directly onto the gel, while its still wet. Its very important that you do this while its still wet or it wont stick.
- Then finish with another coat of the transplanting gel
- If you want, you can add another layer of fibers, and another layer of gel. Build on it until you get your desired look. You can do one simple coat, or you can create a more dramatic look with extra layers. I applied mine twice.
**It is very important to follow the directions exactly right. When I hear people saying the product didn't work right for them, I've noticed its because they didn't follow the exact directions for application**

as you can see on the top picture, and on my 'naked' eye, I have nearly invisible lashes. the tips are blonde and they're short and stubby

My thoughts: 

I was really, really pleasantly surprised, for many reasons. 

First, despite the fact that its multiple steps, it didn't take long at all and it wasn't complicated or hard. It was very easy. I feel like I have shorter/invisible lashes than the average person, so I feel like others with already-long lashes would have amazing results. My lashes are a disappointment in general but I was very pleased with how they look. 

It looks like I have false lashes on.

I love the look of falsies but no matter how many times I apply them, I still feel unsure and they never look perfect. So this is definitely a great substitute for false lashes, and has the exact same effect. 

My bottom lashes have never looked better.

HOWEVER.. don't judge the above picture for that, because like an idiot, I forgot to apply it for the pictures! After the pictures I realized it, and loved it once I applied it. My lower lashes are really blonde as well, and it made them much longer and fuller. 

Its definitely a glam look.

I read that one woman suggests only using it for special occasions, which may be true if you're not a makeup person; however, I'm not above going to the grocery store with a full-face of makeup and a red lip, so I think the dramatic lashes are great for all occasions if you want your eyes to pop! 

The Cons:

For the most part I love this product. My only complaint would be (and this may be something you could avoid once you get the hang of it) it was a tiny bit messy at times. When I apply mascara I like to open my eyes wide to be sure to get all the way to the tip. When using the first step transplanting gel, the tips of my lashes would hit my brow bone and leave tiny little dots, which then smeared when I tried to get it off. I also read that the fibers can fall down onto your cheeks, and although I didn't have this problem I can see that happening. So I'd suggest maybe holding a tissue under your eye while applying it, and keep a q-tip handy to clean up any mess.. But like I said, once I get the hang of it that might not matter at all. :-)

(one coat of Younique Moodstruck 3D Fiber Lashes on left eye, the right eye is completely 'naked')

So what do you guys think? I love the overall look, as I said. 

If you're interested in this look for yourself, please contact Leah. She will answer all your questions and can have it ordered and sent to you super quick. To order, click here. Or for more information or to view other products, click here.

xo katie