Tag: Makeup

Ipsy

Why I cancelled my Ipsy subscription

Stephanie Román

Hi guys! Hope you’re having a great day. Don’t forget to follow me on all social media:

Today, I’m going to tell you why there won’t be any more Ipsy posts. Ipsy Glam Bag is now a $12/monthly subscription that includes 5 deluxe samples inside a makeup bag. They also added the Glam Bag Plus ($25/monthly, 5 full-size products) and the Glam Bag Ultimate ($50/monthly, 12 products).

i was an Ipsy subscriber for a year and maybe a month or two more. At first, I liked getting 5 samples every month for $10. Each Glam Bag had different products every time, I was getting things I would never get by paying full price. I can’t justify spending money on expensive things.

Then, it started the repeat of products or just products that weren’t following the beauty quiz (aka profile). Sample tubes weren’t even half-full. Basically, the standards had dropped and my bag was arriving late (end-of-the-month late) every time.

I started skipping months, when I would come back and pay my $10, it was late again with few products that were actually good. Then they informed they were going to be raising the price. That was the last drop, I wasn’t going to spend $12/monthly on 5 samples that will continue to arrive late and not be true to profile.

So now you know why I stopped doing posts about Ipsy. It wasn’t worth it, for me, ti be writing them so late in the month and continue spending money on samples I didn’t like/work for me.

That’s everything for today, let me (in the comment section) know about other subscription that are worth it.

Makeup

Current Makeup Favorites-January 2020

Stephanie Román

Hi guys! Hope the holidays treated you well. I’m not going to tell excuses of why I was gone. I just needed some time to think and to find the motivation to continue writing. Now that I’m back, let’s talk about some makeup and don’t forget to follow me on all social media.

Let’s start this 2020 with my current makeup favorites (as the title says). These are products that I discovered or rediscovered in 2019. For most of the makeup categories, I have two or more products. The foundations I’ve been using lately are L’oreal Infallible Fresh Wear and Covergirl TruBlend Matte Made. The L’oreal foundation has a more “natural” finish, but the Covergirl is more matte. Both work quite nice with my oily skin and Puerto Rico’s tropical weather.

Rediscovered my love for Maybelline Fit Me concealer, for days where I don’t want too much makeup as it’s a lightweight formula. But when I need to cover my dark circles, I use the TruBlend Undercover concealer from Covergirl. It’s a somewhat thicker formula and you only need a tiny amount. To set my face, I’ve gone back to my trusty Stay Matte powder from Rimmel. I put all my bronzers in a drawer for the late half of 2019, because I discovered the Milani Silky Matte bronzer. The last face category is highlight and for this I have a few, three to be exact. An IBY BEAUTY Radiant Glow highlighter sample in 24k magic (received in a Ipsy bag), the megaglo highlighting bar from Wet ‘n Wild in 684 Earth, and Covergirl TruBlend Super Stunner Hyper-Glow in Pearl Crush.

For my brows, I’ve been using the Ultrafine Brow Pencil from Covergirl. Basically, every eyeshadow palette I’ve used in the past months are from Colourpop. My mascara combo is formed by Maybelline Snapscara and Covergirl Exhibitionist, they make my lashes look amazing. Don’t get me wrong, each mascara works wonders individually but since the Snapscara has dried a but, I find its better when used with another mascara. Still loving the lip liners from Jordana, they’re so soft and pigmented. Fallen in love with two lip products from NYX, the Butter Gloss which I’m starting to think that has been discontinued because I can’t seem to find it anywhere. The other one is the Lingerie Push-Up long-lasting lipstick, which is a pigmented matte formula. Lastly for lips, the L’oreal Rouge Signature liquid lipstick has a lightweight-matte formula with incredible pigmentation.

Those are the current products I’m using, let’s hope for a year full of more amazing products. Any recommendations? Let me know in the comment section 😉

Clothing, Haul, Makeup

Haul (Clothes & Makeup)-Walmart, JCPenney, Old Navy

Stephanie Román

Hi guys! Today I’m going to share with you everything I’ve bought the past days. It includes makeup and clothing items, not that I needed more of either. On my first trip to Walmart, I got the Wet ‘n Wild photofocus pressed powder (natural beige) and another coloricon eyeshadow palette in Cosmic Collision. The Hard Candy Sheer Envy Mattifying Primer and the Glamoflauge full coverage foundation (warm beige), Emily Noel (YouTube) talked about the foundation. I got a lighter shade of my long-time favorite L’oreal Infallible Pro-Matte foundation (103 neutral buff). Two Rimmel Magnif’eyes eyeshadow palettes in the editions Spice and Electric Violet. Lastly, I grab the equate beauty Classic Blender sponge with Vitamin E.

On my next trip to Walmart, all Covergirl products were 50% off (only in Puerto Rico). So I took advantage and stock up on favorite products. My go-to foundation for work is the TruBlend Matte Made in L30 golden ivory. Then I got the Clean Matte pressed powder (525 buff beige) and the Flourish by Lash Blast mascara in black brown (I’m kicking myself for not checking the color). Then I got some products for my mother, the Clean invisible concealer (115 fair) and The Super Sizer Fibers mascara (800 very black).

That’s all the makeup for this haul, as I’m writing this I made a Colourpop order (someone take away my card).

Now, let’s talk about all the unnecessary clothes I bought. First I went to JCPenney, but let me say that everything was from the clearance section, so it wasn’t that bad (that’s what I keep telling myself everytime I see the receipt). Anyway, the four items I bought are the following:

As for Old Navy, nothing was on clearance but they weren’t full price either. Here’s what I got:

Well, that’s everything for today. Now I’m supposed to stop buying stuff and actually use what I have. So, I expect to have lots of reviews here and on my YouTube channel (spanish).

Let’s keep connected!

Makeup, Review

Review-NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop Foundation

Stephanie Román

Hi guys! Today I have a review+wear test for you on NYX Can’t Stop Won’t Stop foundation. Got this foundation a few weeks back at Walgreens for $15. It comes in 45 shades and it’s “lighweight, waterproof and pigmented”. Hence why the “full coverage” and it also “controls shine and mattifies”. Now, let me tell you if it performed as it’s supposed to.

Didn’t used a primer, just applied the L’oreal Hydra Genius Moisturizer (for oily skin) and Colourpop All Star Setting Spray. Used a Real Techniques sponge to apply the foundation (shade Medium Buff). For concealer I used L’oreal Infallible Pro-Glow (02 Creamy Natural) and to set, Maybelline Master Fix Loose Setting powder (Translucent).

At 9am my foundation was applied, concealed and set. As you can see in the photo above, the foundation looked matte with a medium-almost full coverage, and it didn’t feel heavy.

Now, I don’t have any more pictures because it couldn’t be appreciated how the foundation wore. I had this foundation on for 13 hours and did four check-ins.

So, at 1pm the foundation had rubbed off from my nose where my glasses rest (normal for all foundations). It also emphasizes the dryness around my nostrils but overall, it looked good. By 5pm it had started to break up on my chin and forehead. Though it started to get shiny, in general it looked okay. But by 7pm it was looking a bit cakey and it had also broken up on my cheeks. And by 10pm, my makeup was a hot mess: all broken up, cakey and quite shiny (even though I’ve been more shiny before).

In general, I liked the foundation and I’m going to be trying it with different primers and setting sprays. Will keep you updated on that.

What long-wearing foundation do you recommend? Leave it in the comments below.

Let’s stay in touch!

Instagram/Twitter/YouTube

Makeup

Will I purchase?

Stephanie Román

Hi guys! Welcome back. Today I want to talk to you about some new makeup releases and whether I would like to buy them or not. I love watching videos of this kind because it helps me with making decisions. My favorite people on YouTube, that do videos like this, are: Kelsey Alfred, Andréa Matillano and KrystalKBeauty.

I’ll start with the things I’ve decided I don’t need in my life. The very first thing I know I don’t need is Urban Decay’s Naked Reloaded palette. I’ve seen mixed thoughts on this release but many people love the palette. I just find it looks similar to my Pérsona Identity palette with those earthy-shades.

Source: trendmood on Instagram

This next eyeshadow palette gave me the same vibes as the Urban Decay one, it’s pretty similar to the Pérsona Identity palette. Also, I have a very similar blue shade (from Colourpop). I’m talking about the Colourpop x Zoella Brunch Date eyeshadow palette. Although the rest of the collection looks nice, I’m not holding my breath for it.

Source: trendmood on Instagram

Now, those new Huda Beauty Power Bullet Matte Lipsticks look beautiful and I’m dying to get my hands on them. But the price tag hurt me, I find that $25 is a lot of money for one lipstick and I’m not willing to spend it that way.

Source: trendmood on Instagram

Let’s talk about the ones I would love to buy but this girl doesn’t have that much money. First is the it Cosmetics Confidence in a Foundation that comes in 48 shades (nice!). The reason?? I love their CC cream and Dani from CoffeeBreakwithDani said it was an amazing foundation (that’s more than enough for me).

Source: trendmood on Instagram

I love my matte lip products, even though my lips are crazy dry, but Pérsona Cosmetics new glosses look so pretty. I’m still not sure about this one because it’s $16 for one lipgloss, which is too much for just a gloss.

Source: trendmood on Instagram

Smashbox is releasing a new collection called the Crystalized Collection and let me tell you something. The highlighter OPTI-MYSTIC is STUNNING! I died when I saw the insanely beautiful glow it gives.

Source: trendmood on Instagram

The last product I want to talk about is from the Ciaté x Jessica Rabbit Collection Glow-To creamy powder highlighter. I’m interested in this product because the pictures look incredible and I figured that because I love a highlighter from them, I would also love this one.

Source: trendmood on Instagram

That’s all for today. What products are you interested in?

Let’s keep in touch!

Instagram/Twitter/YouTube

Makeup, Review

Worked or Not?-Colourpop No Filter Foundation Stick

Stephanie Román

Hi guys! Welcome to “Worked or Not?”, this is how I’m calling the reviews from now on. I got sick and tired of just saying review, it started sounding plain to me so I decided to change it up a bit. Enough of that, let’s get to the point of this post: my thoughts on Colourpop’s foundation stick. First, you need to know that this foundation comes in 30 shades and retails for $10. Colourpop’s website says “Create a flawless face in seconds with this weightless, medium-buildable coverage stick foundation. Blends seamlessly for a natural skin-like finish.” Is all that true? I’ll let you know right now.

I bought mine in the shade Light 70 W, which I think is a little too dark for me at this moment but I make it work every now and then. This foundation does have a “medium-buildable coverage” as it’s stated in the website and it’s also a lightweight formula. But I’m not quite down with the seamless blend or the flawless finish. I’ve seen amazing reviews for this product but my experience was total opposite. Starting at application, the formula was dry which made it really difficult to blend. Using a sponge didn’t work, so I went with a brush instead and after a while I could get it to blend. It’s lightweight as I’ve already said but you can tell I’m wearing foundation, it emphasizes every little pore and dry patch on my face (which I don’t have many because I have oily skin). Talking about skin types, it only took like four hours for this foundation to fall apart on my face. It starting breaking up on my T-zone and just kept getting worse from there.

So, as you can see this foundation was definitely a miss for me, it didn’t work in any way. I’ve been trying it for months now with different primers/setting powders/setting sprays, and there’s no good variation in the performance of Colourpop’s No Filter foundation stick.

Have you tried it? Tell me all about it in the comments below.

Let’s keep in touch!

Instagram/Twitter/Youtube

Ipsy, Makeup, Skincare

Ipsy Glam Bag-January 2019

Stephanie Román

Hi guys! Welcome back to another very late Ipsy Glam Bag review, this time for the month of January. Ipsy is a $10 monthly subscription of 5 beauty samples (makeup, hair & skin care) inside a cute makeup bag. January’s bag was a striped white & baby blue fabric with bright pink zipper detailing. Now let me tell you what products I got for this month and what I think of them.

*FYI my February bag arrived yesterday, so go to my YouTube channel to see what I got.*

The first product was the Skin Balancing Mask from Goldfaden MD. It’s a clear, gel-like mask that leaves the face feeling soft. But I’ve only used it once because of the weird scent it has. To me, it stinks quite strongly even though it doesn’t linger after removing it.

Next, there was a flat foundation brush from Billion Dollars Brows. This brush is soft and quite nice. As most flat brushes do, it leaves bristle marks on my face. So I’m thinking of using it for mask application instead.

To go with the flat brush, I got the Tarte Amazonian Clay 12-hour Full Coverage Foundation SPF 15 in the shade medium sand. I’m still not sure whether I like it or not. It sits kind of weird on my skin, it has clumped around my nostrils and broke down as the day goes on. Maybe it had something to do with the products under the foundation, haven’t figured that out. So I’m going to say it’s a miss but I’m willing to keep trying it out.

Another month, another blush…This time I got the Alternative Rock Vol. 2 Blush/Shadow from TheBalm Cosmetics in the shade Bare Minium. The colors is kind of pink, as every blush I’ve received from Ipsy lately. But it has a nice sheen, it’s extremely pigmented (a little goes a long way) and it stays on all day long.

The last product is a lipgloss from the brand Fluide in the shade Elsewhere. It’s basically a transparent gloss with a blue hue. It has a nice consistency, it’s not sticky and the durability is like any other gloss.

Well, that’s everything I got in January’s Ipsy Glam Bag and I’m excited for February’s bag (it’s finally here!).

Let’s keep in touch!

Instagram

Twitter

YouTube

Makeup

7 Looks, 1 Eyeshadow Palette-Pérsona Identity Palette

Stephanie Román

Hi guys! Welcome to another post on the serie “7 Looks, 1 Eyeshadow Palette”, where I show you 7 different eye looks using only one palette. For this one, I’m showing you what a came up for the Identity palette from the brand Pérsona. This palette retails for $32 and includes 12 shades (6 mattes and 6 shimmers). It’s quite neutral and that makes it perfect for an everyday use (if you like neutral looks, of course). The formula of the shadows is amazing, real pigmented with butter-like softness. Now let’s get started with the makeup!

Image result for persona identity palette
http://simplysona.com/2016/11/persona-cosmetics/

Here are the looks I created

Charming, Maverick, Bombshell, Sassy, Humble.
Audacious, Maverick, Goddess, Sassy, Humble.
Audacious, Fearless, Bossy, Goal Digger, Humble.
Charming, Maverick, Goal Digger, Sassy.
Maverick, Chic, Seductive, Sassy, Humble.
Chic, Fearless, Sassy, Goal Digger, Humble.
Audacious, Fearless, Chic, Bombshell, Humble.

I tried to use all the colors, so you could see them. Tell me which combinations you like making with this palette.

Don’t forget to like and share, talk later.

Ipsy

Ipsy Glam Bag-December 2018

Stephanie Román

Hi guys! Welcome to a new Ipsy Glam Bag review (better late than never). For those of you who don’t know what Ipsy is. It’s a $10 monthly subscription with 5 sample products (makeup, hair & skin care) inside a cute makeup bag. December’s bag arrived a bit later than usual. The bag is black leather with gold sequin fabric and a black leather tassel. Also, this bag came with 6 products instead of 5! Well, let’s get started!

Using the Sugar brow pencil, Nomad highlighter, and the Ciaté lip product.

The first product is the Ultra Violet Brightening Purple Clay Mask from Generation Clay. Love the purple color, not so much the scent. Bit I’ve used it and it left my face feeling soft and a bit tight. It’s nice and I’ll continue to use it.

Next we have a Scalp & Body Scrub from OUAI Haircare. It has a clean scent and the sugar crystals feel amazing on the skin. It’s not a harsh scrub, so my skin felt really soft after using it.

Also got a F. A. R. A. H tapered blending brush 35E. It’s super fluffy, soft and lightweight. I have 3 uses for it: setting my eye primer, applying my transition/crease color, and overall blending.

Now let’s get into the makeup products. I have the Sugar Arch Arrival Brow Definer in 02 Taupe Tom. The tip is in a triangle shape, the formula is a bit waxy and hard. It doesn’t glide on super easy, you have to work a little to get it on the skin. The spoolie works great, helps to blend the brow product.

Next I have a Nomad Cosmetics Around-the-World Light Infusion Powder in Ko Phai Ngan Moonlight. Which is a beautiful “holographic illuminator in duo-chrome glow with multi-dimensional, prismatic sapphire pearl finish.” It has a nice purple-blue sheen, soft formula and it blends like a dream.

The last product is a Transforming Glitter Liquid Lipstick from Ciaté London in the shade Infamous. It’s a fun concept but for everyday use, is not my cup of tea. Love the color, the glitter throws me off but I think I can make it work somehow (will let you know if any progress occurs).

Overall, it was a great bag and I liked basically everything. I’m currently waiting for January’s bag (think it’s getting here today or tomorrow).

Anyway, how were your bags in December and January? I love reading your comments, so let’s talk in the comment section.

Makeup

2018 Favorites-Makeup & Non-Makeup

Stephanie Román

Hi guys!  Welcome to the last blog post of the year (“Whaaat?”-minion voice).  It’s been a great year: I started this blog, obtained my Masters degree, and got a job at a retail store.  I don’t do New Year’s resolutions but feel free to share yours in the comment section. Now let’s talk about makeup and non-makeup favorites.

First, I discovered a face moisturizer that hydrates my skin without making me look like a grease ball and that will be Hydra Genius Daily Moisturizer for oily skin from L’oreal.  For taking my makeup off, I use a Micellar Foaming Cleanser for combination to oily skin, from Garnier Skin Active.  It takes all my makeup off, including waterproof mascara, without leaving my face feeling super dry.  As for my hair, I’ve been loving Herbal Essences Curl Defining mousse (strong hold) and discovered the amazingness of Aussie Kids Detangler in Bloomin’ Apple.  Smells good and incredibly helps with my knotty-curly hair.  Lastly for non-makeup products, I absolutely love ULTA Beauty’s Shadow Switching Pan for using the same eyeshadow brush repeatedly with different colors.

Now, I have a lot of favorites products in the makeup section (majority are drugstore/affordable).  Many of them, I’ve talked before so I’ll link the blog post.  For base products, the most I’ve been using are L’oreal Infallible Pro-Matte foundation in 104 Golden Beige (blog post), Covergirl Clean Matte bb cream in 520 Light (blog post), Colourpop’s No Filter Concealer in Light 16, Colourpop’s No Filter sheer pressed powder in Light (blog post), and Maybelline Master Fix loose powder in Translucent.  For bronzer I have two: Bettina Sun Splash Bronzing Powder in Light to Medium, and Physicians Formula Butter Bronzer in Deep Bronzer (blog post).  For blush I have: Maybelline Fit Me in 10 Buff, Lottie London Blush Crush in zac, and Morphe Blush in Spirit.  These two last blushes I got in my Ipsy bag.  Last face product is highlighter, Smashbox X Casey Holmes Spotlight Palette in Gold and Pearl, Wet ‘n Wild Megaglo Highlighting Powder in 319B Blossom Glow (blog post), and Sleek Makeup Highlighting Palette in 032 Solstice (blog post).

For the eyebrows I used mostly the NYC Browser Bush-On Brow Kit in 876 Brunette but because of some Ipsy bags, I found two brow pencils that I like.  The Arch Arrival Brow Definer in 02 Taupe Tom from Sugar, and Skone Brow Wand in Chocolate.  I also have two eyeshadow palettes that I’ve been using like crazy: Pérsona Identity palette and Maybelline Soda Pop palette (blog post).  Love the ULTA Beauty Gel Eye Liners in general, but I have four colors: Black Out, Black Brown, Olive, and Bronze.  The two mascaras I’ve been using throughout the year are L’oreal Voluminous Lash Paradise Waterproof in Blackest Black, and Covergirl Flourish by Lash Blast in Very Black (blog post).  The last products are for the lips: Maybelline Color Sensational lipsticks, Colourpop Lux Lipsticks, and L’oreal Infallible Pro-Matte Lipgloss.

These are all my favorite products for this year 2018. What products were your favorites through the year? Let’s talk in the comment section.