Review: Koko Lashes in Goddess

Hello Loves!

Yes, I am still reviewing Koko Lashes back from when I ordered on Black Friday. I'm slow, I know but that just means I'm really meticulous with this. Just wanna make sure you are getting a good review. Today, I am reviewing what I would say is one of the more popular styles, if not the most popular, Goddess. This is the famous House of Lashes Iconic dupe and it is pretty much dead on dupe for those wondering. 

Let's see how these lashes perform....

After the jump.

Indie Spotlight: Femme Fatale Cosmetics Eyeshadow Swatches and Looks

Hello Loves!

I am very excited to be trying a new brand, Femme Fatale Cosmetics! I have heard many things about Femme Fatale and one of them being that they make amazing duochrome eyeshadows. They are an Australian brand of cosmetics and sell makeup but are more well known for their nail polish. I have always wanted to try them because of the talk about them. However, I have never committed to buying mainly because shipping from Australia intimidates me a little bit. I now have a little experience from them so I won't be as scared to order in the future.

These eyeshadows were sent as a press sample for swatching and possible review consideration. All opinions are my own and I was not paid to say anything in this post.

SHIPPING

I received notification of the items shipping out on Jan 28th. I live on the east coast of the US and received the items on February 11th. The items took 10 business days to ship, which is the normal time of shipping from Australia to the US according to Google.

PACKAGING

All of the items came in a bubble mailer and were packaged in a neon green drawstring bag. I also got a lollipop, which may or may not have been gone by the time I was done taking product photos. All the mini and full size jars came in shrink wrap and then had a seal on the inside preventing products from leaking aka what I like to call the "sifter sticker". Just an FYI but two of the 4 larger sizes I received had the sifter sticker partially removed but the shrink wrap remained undamaged so no product leaked from the jar.

Neon bag! SO BRIGHT.

Sample baggies, 3 minis, and 1 full size

The shrink wrap

Better picture of the shrink wrap

The sifter sticker!

More photos, swatches, and two looks after the jump!

Indie Spotlight: Performance Colors Lipstick Swatches

Hello Loves!

I thought recently how there are many fabulous brands that don't really get a lot of spotlight. We all know about the big brands that Sephora and Ulta carries but what about the small guys? That's where we come to indie makeup companies.

Indie makeup companies are often operated by a small number of people and I have started to dabble into it a couple of years ago. I have been hooked every since I purchased and loved what I got from Shiro Cosmetics. Since then, I have purchased from many other companies and now, I want to show off what I got to the world. Today, I will be swatching some lipsticks that my IMAM exchange partner got me from Performance Colors.

As of the time of the post, the shop is closed. Sad face :(

Swatches after the jump!

Tutorial: Berry Valentines Day Look featuring Hello Waffle and Dawn Eyes

Hello Loves!

Ermergerd. I got two indie makeup orders on the same day! It was pretty exciting to arrive to two packages once getting home, and it was actually a little overwhelming (I may have bought a lot...). I got a lot of stuff from the Hello Waffle Cosmetics anniversary sale and then got the entire sample set of Dawn Eyes Cosmetics Spearl Matte Collection. I have heard much about Hello Waffle and glad to do this tutorial today with many of their eyeshadows! I also used one of the Dawn Eyes matte eyeshadows and really enjoyed using it; I got a recommendation to try these matte shadows from a user on reddit named daisyismydog and really glad to have finally pulled the trigger!

Ok, short story about me being scared of trying Hello Waffle. I have heard lots and lots about them but never tried them because they had so many shimmery shadows. The camera I had before my Canon would make a lot of my shimmery shadows look like garbage when photographed. I would always lean away with anything from shimmer because it just did not look good. Well, my fear was overcame by my new camera because it really captures makeup well and shimmery shades actually look pretty good. No, they do look good. And then they had the anniversary sale... and life digresses.

Anyways, here is the final look!

Tutorial after the jump!

Tutorial: New England Patriots Inspired Look for Superbowl XLIX

Hello Loves!

This is the second of the Superbowl looks that I created! I also created a Seattle Seahawks look since they are the Patriots opponent in this years Superbowl. So...

WHO WILL WIN? 

Well, I guess we won't find out until Feb 1st but I am rooting for the Seahawks. As a Steeler fan, I have a huge hate for the Patriots. I mean, I really hate the Patriots. I thinks its a Steeler thing because I remember they defeated us in a one specific playoff game or honestly, many of the more recent playoff games against them... That's when my relationship with the Patriots started and it didn't start off well. The Seahawks deserve the Superbowl win anyways because Steelers kicked their butt in Superbowl XL and they don't have many Superbowl wins. Let's share the Superbowl win love here!

Anyways here is the final look:

Tutorial after the jump!

Tutorial: Seattle Seahawks Inspired Look for Superbowl XLIX

Hello Loves!

About a year ago, I created looks for each team, the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos, participating in Superbowl XLVIII. This year, I am doing the same thing but I am also doing tutorials for each look as well! The Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots are participating in this years Superbowl so a look and tutorial will be up for those teams.

This is the second year in a row that the Seahawks have been to the Superbowl so I had to do something a little different from what I did in the previous year. Seahawks, do me a favor and don't be in the Superbowl next year; it'll make my job a bit easier. I was wishing that this year I would be doing a Steelers look instead of the Patriots or Seahawks, because I am a huge Steelers fan and want them to be in the Superbowl. The AFC Wild Card game against the Ravens was sooooooo disappointing but in the end, the Ravens kicked our ass. There is always next year Steelers, I have faith in you!

This tutorial will be the one for the Seattle Seahawks look and it is reminiscent of a halo smokey eye. I attempted to use a bunch of indie eyeshadows that I often don't reach and I am so happy with how this came out!
Also, if any photos come out blurry, forgive me. I am still trying to figure out my new camera, and apparently, my camera LOVES to auto focus on the brush in the pictures. Welp, now I know.

If you are a Patriots fan and want to see and recreate that look, you can click this sentence to get there.

Here is the final look:

Pictorial after the jump!

Video Tutorial: My Detailed Foundation and Concealer Routine

Hello Loves!

I never really discuss how or what I use for my foundation and concealer so today is the day you guys find out how I do that. IN VIDEO FORM! Yep, this is my first video I have done in 3-4 months and I got a better camera and lighting, so it will be a higher quality video.

If you have anymore requests for looks or tutorials, leave a comment. If you feel like it, subscribe to my channel to see notifications for future videos I post. They just spontaneously appear!

Until next time,

Have a beautiful day!

-Elle

Review: Lena Lashes in Claudia

Hello Loves!

Guys, my worst nightmare has come true. No, not an actual nightmare...
I mentioned in my first Lena Lashes review post something that has occurred to me before with mink lashes... let's just say it may have happened again.

I would describe the following video as an exaggerated but accurate way of how I felt after removing my lashes:

Ok, that aside, let's get onto the full detailed review!

Oh one last mention, I got a new camera (Canon Rebel T5i). Every picture will now be HHHHHHHD. That's pretty high def for ya.

Review: Koko Lashes in Bella

Hello Loves!

More Koko Lashes! I placed an order on Black Friday and have been very slowly trying on the lashes I purchased. They came out with 3 new styles a couple of months ago, which are Bella, Misha, and Goddess. I have already worn Goddess (House of Lashes Iconic dupe) twice and LOVE them. That review will be up eventually. Today, I will be reviewing Bella or as I like to call it, Foxy's little sister.

Ok, onto the review!

Tutorial: Defined, Smokey Everyday Burgundy Look using the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette

Hello Loves!

Today, I am going to be a tutorial of a more natural look. Shocker, eh? I am all about dramatic makeup so doing a look like this doesn't happen often for me. I did this look first for a job fair I had at my university and posted it to Reddit. SO many people wanted a tutorial and I have finally delivered. I had a presentation for one of my classes and found it to be a perfect opportunity to redo this look. I really don't like redoing looks because I get bored easily doing the same look, but I gotta tone down the makeup for classes. This should be mentioned (well, it is in the title) but I only used eyeshadows from the Too Faced Chocolate Bar Palette so whip that out if you have it :)

Anyways... 

Here is the final look:

Tutorial after the jump!

Review: Lena Lashes in Naomi

Hello Loves!

Back with another Lena Lashes review. Today, I will be wearing and testing out the Naomi style and I am pretty excited to try these. I had a similar style by another company and wore them on my 3rd anniversary with my boyfriend, so this pair of lashes reminds me of the anniversary dinner. The dinner was fabulous but we ate WAY too much (a bottle of wine, 2 appetizers, entrees, and beer as a "dessert"). I pretty much had a gigantic food baby. Ok, story aside...

I got sent four pairs of lashes from Lena Lashes and have decided to review them. I want to say all opinions on these reviews are my own and nobody else's. Now that we have that out of the way...

ONTO THE REVIEW!

Review: Lena Lashes in Ellarie

Hello Loves!

Guess who's back with another lash review! I am very excited to try out some mink lashes, again. I haven't worn minks in a while because I had a bad experience with two pairs I have bought previously. The adhesive keeping the mink hairs on the band was defective and cause the lashes to easy shed its hairs. One of the lashes I had basically disintegrated after its first use. Let's hope this time I have a good experience with the lashes I got.

I got sent four pairs of lashes from Lena Lashes and have decided to review them. I want to say all opinions on these reviews are my own and nobody else's. Now that we have that out of the way...

A little background since I haven't previously reviewed any products from this company. Lena Lashes is a lash company selling lashes of different types of hair (mink, fox, human, etc.) and it is owned and operated by Marlene Aymone. It is indicated on her website that the human hair lashes are cruelty free but doesn't specify if the mink/fox hairs are. According to her IG, it is a cruelty free company. If you are unsure about this, shoot her an email. It never hurts to ask.

SHIPPING/CUSTOMER SERVICE

These lashes are a press sample and were sent out to me so I have no experience on either of these issues. If you want to input your experience on this company, email me about it! 

Ok, onto the review!

Tutorial: My Anniversary Look (Smokey Eye and Winged Liner Combo)

Hello Loves!

I am very excited to be posting this! I went to my Instagram to ask my followers to vote on their favorite of four trial looks that I would be doing for my anniversary. This one was the most liked, so I went ahead and did it. As a little bonus for my lovely followers participating, I wanted to make a tutorial for the look! After doing my trial looks, I actually loved this look the most and am really glad others thought the same :)

Here's the final look:

From the anniversary dinner <3

Tutorial after the jump!

Tutorial: How to Use Color - Neutral and Mint Cut Crease

Hello Loves!

This is the second tutorial that I have done for my IMAM (Indiemakeupandmore) exchange partner and this tutorial is to help introduce her to color! One of the best ways to use color is to pair it with a neutral. The looks are a bit more toned down whenever you use a neutral with a color. I know this look may be a tad dramatic (I am ALL about the drama) but the beauty of makeup is that you can modify it to your liking. The world is your pickle (Laura Vitale got that stuck in my head...)! I would recommend adding black winged liner to this to complete it a bit more. I was trying to get something done before I lost sunlight to take photos, which still happened. That is the worst thing about winter, the fact that you wake up when it is still dark and it is dark soooooo early. Also, the cold. The winters are harsh were I live. Anyways...

Here is the final look!

Tutorial after the jump!

Tutorial: Simple Duochrome Smokey Eye

Hello Loves,

Today I got a tutorial for you! I haven't done one in a long time cause I've been so busy with class! I did manage to get some time to do tutorials. I actually made this and the next tutorial for my IMAM exchange partner to introduce her to rainbow of colors and duochrome. Colors can be intimidating and it takes time to get used to using them. I used to be strictly a neutrals girl but now, I LOVE color! :)

Today, I am doing a simple smokey eye using ONE eyeshadow. Yes, one eyeshadow was used for this whole entire eye look, but if desired, you can add a transition color and a highlight to the inner corner and browbone. The trick is when and when not to use your brush wet because it changes the intensity of the duochrome shimmer. If you want something quick, simple, yet still sultry, this is for you. I recommend using any darker duochrome colors you want but the eye product I used is Diggy, Diggy Hole by Shiro Cosmetics.

Here is the final look:

Tutorial after the jump!