First OOTD!

Yeah, I'm actually going to show you guys an outfit of the day. WHOA. I just really like this shirt and wanted to show you guys! Summer's ending soon (school starts tomorrow), and this top isn't really suited for winter, so I wanted to post this before summer ends.

Top: Forever 21
Undershirt: Forever 21
Jeans: Lucky Brand

FOTD with Ombre Lips!

I've always wanted to try the ombre lips trend, so I did it! It didn't really turn out how I imagined, but I'm still pleased with the result; it's very subtle, although the lip itself is quite dramatic. I paired it with a really neutral eye.

Eyes
Maybelline Browntones Eyeshadow Duo (right shade allover lid)
Inglot AMC Shine 27 (inner 1/3 of lid and inner corner)
YBF Automatic Brow Pencil in Universal Taupe
Fairydrops Scandal Queen Mascara

Face
MUFE Full Cover Concealer in 7
Pur Minerals 4-in-1 Foundation in Blush Medium
theBalm Hot Mama Blush
Benefit Hoola
theBalm Sexy Mama Powder

Lips
Maybelline Red Revival (on outer lipline)
MAC Viva Glam Nicki (inner lips)

I have to say, I am in LOVE with my new camera. Cue awkward mirror selfie...

Anyway, what do you guys think of the ombre lips trend?  Would you ever wear it out of the house?

NOTD and my attempt at a gradient nail!

It's the last week or so of summer for me, my school starts on the 28th! So, I decided to use the nail polish I received in my Glam bag as it's the first neon nail polish I own, and I decided to also try a gradient nail as an accent, since I love the effect and  I've seen them on many other blogs (I followed The Nailasaurus' tutorial, which was fantastic). I was going to do a ring finger accent, but long story short I didn't.
I used Circus by Andreas' Choice nail polish in Ringmaster for all of my nails except my middle nail. For the gradient, I used Zoya Pandora as the base and Sally Hansen Xtreme wear in Pacific Blue for the tip color. Enjoy!

Emerald Stone My Heart: Review and Swatch of Azade Eyeshadow in Emerald Stone

This is going to be a bit of a mean post for anyone who lives in the US. This is an eyeshadow I picked up while in Greece about a year ago, and I'm not sure how someone in the US would go about procuring this shade. So I apologize in advance, but I just love this eyeshadow so much I wanted to tell those who would have access to it about it. This eyeshadow is from a brand called Azade. It's not the brand they have called Maquilllage, it's the brand Azade. I have no idea why this is so. Anyway, this particular shade is called Emerald Stone, and it's beautiful.

I find the packaging on this to be a bit cheapy, but that's fine since it keeps costs down - I think this was around 5€. Plastic, but it doesn't seem like it would break easily. The lid snaps shut. This eyeshadow is a bright turquoise that has an almost-duochrome effect of green and blue. It reminds me of the ocean. It's shimmery, but not glittery. It's pretty well pigmented. Here's swatches:

One layer

Two layers

The formula of this eyeshadow is super smooth, and it applies really easily. It won't crease under eyeshadow primer, but it will without in a couple hours (although I have unusually oily lids, even with UDPP I sometimes get creasing). And the fading on this eyeshadow throughout the day, even without primer, is seriously nonexistent. It's still just as vibrant and fun at the end of the day as it was at the beginning.

Overall, I love this eyeshadow! I only use it on my lower lashline normally since it's quite bright, and I want to conserve it as I have no way of repurchasing when this runs out. The formula and color are just fabulous. I really am sorry for raving about this eyeshadow and having no way for you to purchase it. >.< But I just had to share my love for this eyeshadow!

Rating: 5/5

I am still in Peru, I deeply apologize for the lack of posts in the past month (I was at debate camp for most of July and part of August, then I went straight to Peru after camp ended). This is the first time I have accessed a computer since August 3, my last post was written from my phone. Anyway, once I'm home, I have tons of posts to write and trip pictures to share with you!

Oh, and I have some REALLY exciting news. It was my birthday on July 30, and I got an SLR (the Canon Rebel T3). I was like fkjlsdfjklsdfjs. I can't even express my excitement...what this means for you guys is improved picture quality and shots that are more true to color. I love taking pictures, and it'll be amazing to finally do it with a decent camera (I usually use a point-and-shoot). I'm just sooooo excited and I hope you are all having great Tuesdays!

Sorry All!

I am so so so sorry for the lack of posts recently. I was at debate camp for 3 weeks, which was soooooo busy, and I'm now in Peru and rarely
have WiFi, much less a computer to post from. I am so sorry for being so inactive and I love every one of you for not unfollowing me and sticking by me! Sorry again, I'll hit you with a flurry of posts once I get back home! Meanwhile, here's a picture of the sunrise over the Amazon for you to enjoy.

Wet N Wild Fauna Set

I was visiting my aunt and uncle in Seattle, and they have a drugstore there called Bartell's. We went to visit it, and they had a really exciting clearance section. I picked up the OPI dupe of Chanel Peridot (called Just Spotted The Lizard) as well. I used it and forgot to photograph it, so it chipped before I got to take any pictures. but I'll try to have a post on that up eventually. Anyway, I got this set for $3.50! Not bad for a blush, eyeshadow, and lip gloss! I'll review the products one by one.

First, the lip gloss:

When I first tried to use some, it came out all gross, where the pigment and the gloss were separated somehow.

So I went and shook it, and then it was pretty much fine after. Still, it gives me the impression that the set was kind of old. Here's a real swatch:

It's a really pretty mauve-rose color! However, it has really subtle silver shimmer in it somehow, and it causes me to look washed out when I wear it. It stays for about 2 hours, but it's super super super sticky. I honestly can't put up with sticky lip gloss, since my hair gets stuck on it. I'm going to give this to my sister or someone who might get more use out of it.

Then there's the blush.

I actually have a Wet N Wild blush by the name of Pearlescent Pink. However, the colors seem to be completely different. I'll do a swatch comparison for you guys sometime. Anyway, this is a pink with a tiny hint of peach and gold glitter that's not extremely chunky but isn't super subtle either. It's well pigmented, and very buildable for either a dramatic or natural flush. The narrow strip packaging is kind of annoying to fit a brush into, as you have to go sideways, and it opens vertically. It's fairly easy to pick up color, and it applies smoothly to the cheeks. It lasts about 4-5 hours on me. Not stellar, but not abysmal either. The blush is a solid item in this collection.

Lastly, my favorite item, the eyeshadow palette!

The palette has the typical Wet N Wild 3 pan packaging. Plastic and not particularly interesting or easy on the eyes. They also included the two useless brushes they usually do, both of which are going in the trash. However, the eyeshadows are a different matter. The top two shades, the white champagne color and the blueish teal (both shimmery), are perfect. They are both fairly soft but super, super pigmented. They apply beautifully. Unfortunately, the color I was most looking forward to, the purple with silver glitter, is just not pigmented.

Swatched without primer

As you can see, the purple's pigmentation is totally subpar compared to the other two colors. This was such a letdown for me, since I'm constantly on the hunt for a good purple that's not red based (red based purples make me look tired). I hoped I had finally found it in the Wet N Wild Fauna set, but I was wrong. It would be perfect, if only the pigmentation was better. This is how it looks when there's 4 layers:

Swatched without primer

They last all day without creasing over primer (I use UDPP).

Overall, this is a solid makeup set, especially for the amazing price. My only lament is the lack of pigmentation is the purple. I love the blush, and the teal and white champagne eyeshadows are gorgeous. The lip gloss is sticky and meh on my skintone, but someone who likes sticky lipglosses might enjoy it. I definitely don't regret purchasing this set, and I'd recommend it to anyone considering purchasing it; it's won't make much of a dent in your wallet, and you get good value for your money.