Monday, December 14, 2015

Zoya Ember

Just a quick post but I really wanted to document this amazing nail polish!

Zoya is a brand that I didn't really know about a couple of years ago but now I am hooked. I love their colors and different formulas and their nail polish remover is my absolute favorite. Zoya polishes also seem to last longer than most of my other polishes... I'm especially looking at you, Essie.

So the other week I was in Ulta and found this amazing red that I thought looked perfect for the holiday season.



These are both without flash, the top being with light from our dining room and the bottom being daylight... I accidentally deleted my flash photo and now have a new mani, but it is seriously gorgeous. It's a touch streaky, but I really don't mind. I think I had 3 or 4 coats by the time I took these because when I'm bored I just touch up my manicure, but it's pretty opaque at 2 coats.

I honestly don't think the photos even give this polish justice. Ember is the perfect name because it just looks like it's glowing when you are wearing it...

Check it out if you see it!

Monday, December 7, 2015

November 2015 Empties

Getting back on track a bit with the blog, so I figured I'd post my empties from November!


Alrighty, so I used this [kinda old] sample of Benefit's Big Easy Liquid to Powder Foundation. I had the shade 3 Light/Medium which worked okay with my current complexion. At first, I loved this stuff, although it felt more like a BB cream than a foundation. At the end of the tube though, it just seemed to not mesh with my skin well at all. 
I also used up Too Faced Better Than Sex Mascara and Stila's Huge Extreme Mascara. I LOVE the Better Than Sex Mascara.. it's one of my faves/most repurchased. The Stila mascara was like a not so much dupe for Better Than Sex, but very similar. The formula was more wet and the wand wasn't as great. I should've taken a photo of the wands, but I didn't think to at the time. Also I used up this Touch In Sol Stretchex Mascara. I got it in the Sephora Favorites Superstars set. This mascara sucked. Did nothing for me. Not even with my Dior mascara primer. 
I loved the Stila One Step Correct Primer. It was the one with the swirly colors in the bottle, like green and pinky/lavender to mix all together to try to tone down any redness and dullness of the skin. Again, I really liked it but it took a while to use up because it didn't do anything for oil control. So I would use this more as a moisturizer because it was so lightweight and just felt so nourishing. And I would use it on days I had time to double prime. I think I'll buy it again once I get through some more primers and such. 
Finally, my last bottle of Victoria's Secret Prime & Set Makeup Spray is gone! Ugh, I loved this shit. I found out about it because of Biohazardous Beauty. She loved it so I picked it up and fell in love. AND THEN OF COURSE WHEN VS GOT RID OF THEIR MAKEUP, THEY GOT RID OF THIS GEM. I know it's technically a beauty product too, but IT WAS SO GOOD. It smelled great, felt great, worked well... so when they had all beauty on like, super clearance, I picked up like 5 and they are finally all gone. WAH.


I brought this Nude Perfect Cleanse Oil with me on my road trip from Tucson to Seattle and it was super nice. It didn't remove ALL of my eye makeup, but it helped take off a lot and was really gentle without leaving an oily residue. I would think about picking up a full size if I were out of cleansing oils. And I used up my favorite mask ever, GlamGlow Supermud. I will buy this probably forever. I use it maybe 3 times a month or more if I'm seriouslyyyyy lacking on the skin care.
Last time I went to Lush I asked if they had this crazy moisturizer that I had been seeing on blogs and stuff. She asked if I meant Magical Moringa and I was like BINGO. It looks like a cuticle balm in texture, but you touch it and it melts into an oil looking product, but it blends into your skin AND STAYS MATTE. Now, this isn't a truly magical product for me, as I have found out with my sample, but it's super cool, smells good and I may have to go buy a small tub of it. I still have to figure out what skincare products I can use with this and what doesn't work with it, but I'm willing to try! I found that if it didn't get along with a skincare product, it would ball up on application, but it's still so good and really really awesome on no makeup/minimal product days.
I have been using these Klorane Eye Patches when I need a little help on my under eyes. They feel so cool and hydrating. I have a ton of these from subscription services and stuff... love them.


Anytime I travel, I go to Target and grab a bunch of these Garnier Fructis Sleek & Shine Shampoo & Conditioners. I don't buy these in the full size for everyday use, but when I am too lazy to transfer my usual hair stuff into smaller bottles, which is usually always, I go for these. They have my favorite scent. I usually have to buy 2 conditioners for every 1 shampoo. Hashtag long hair life. This Lush Fairly Traded Honey Shampoo was an unexpected surprise for me. My cousin bought us a GIANT gift box from Lush for our wedding gift and so I am mostly making my way through the products... Sean just loves bath bombs and what not. ANYWAY.... I wasn't sure I wanted to use this because I hate the smell of honey but I just went for it and it was such a great shampoo. As much as I don't like the scent of honey, this does leave your hair perfumed for a day or two which is always nice to smell nice.. And this left my hair SO SOFT. UGH. I also probably need to pick this up next time I'm in Lush. And as always, a John Freida Radiant Red Conditioner. I've probably used a million of these products, and actually I am probably using the last of my stash for good! Major hair changes coming up!!!! It's an okay product but I can never find shit for red hair... hint hint companies.



Another travel product and new favorite was the Olay Fresh Outlast Cooling Bodywash in White Strawberry and Mint. OH MY GOD IT SMELLS SO GOOD. I need to buy the full size like yesterday. I want to drink it. And I used up this Philosophy Vanilla Coconut Shower Gel. I found this at Marshalls or TJ Maxx in their awesome beauty section. I love finding a lot of Philosophy and Body Shop products there... and this smelled SO YUM. I used it mostly for bubble baths, but it was a pretty standard body wash too.. I have a ton of Philosophy body washes.


I bought this Crest White Luxe Toothpaste right before my wedding and was surprised with how well it worked and brightened my teeth. Repurchased! And Up & Up Cotton Rounds. I always buy the 3 packs of these because I use them for EVERYTHING.
Last year, I was obsessed with this scent from Bath & Body Works, so I loved that I found the Foaming Hand Soap in Crisp Morning Air and I have a couple more.. it's so yummy. And I adore anything Peach scented... so as soon as I bought the Golden Peach Sparkle 3 Wick Candle, I burned it and when I burn candles, I practically burn them from after I shower til I go to bed if I stay at home all day.. I go through candles quick, but I don't mind because I have a shit ton of them stocked up.

Whew, that was a long one, but I guess I'm just chatty tonight! Happy Empties!

Saturday, November 28, 2015

Influenster Unilever Dry Spray & Walgreens VoxBox

I was lucky enough to get another VoxBox from Influenster!


I got two Dove Dry Spray antiperspirants, one for me and one for Sean. They claim to keep you dry and smelling fresh for 48 hours. Does it really? No. 

As far as the men's version goes, it smells super good. I love the smell of men's skincare and fragrances.. Does this keep Sean's underarms dry? No. Sean is a little more sweaty so he uses his usual deodorant/antiperspirant, but does use this to top that and add some fragrance without spraying a ton of cologne.. it's especially nice when he needs to quickly get out the door to work. 

I tried using mine as the only product for a few days and it seemed to work at first, but ultimately it does not. I still use my usual deodorant on my pits and I actually use this on the underside of my boobs. 

TMI? Probably, but it works. 

As any chesty girl knows, we get boob sweat. And it sucks balls. So, this dry spray keeps my boobies dry, smelling good and not as itchy. 

The Cool Essentials scent isn't my favorite, but it'll do. The spray does choke me a little after spraying so I'll usually spray and then step out of the bathroom for a minute or two just to let it settle. 

Will I buy this when it runs out? Probably not. 

Again, I received this from Influenster for free to test out. 

Thursday, November 12, 2015

Changes

HOLY shit I haven't blogged in so long.

I keep meaning to. Really, I do.

SO MUCH HAS HAPPENED.

I really want life to slow down.

First off - I am a married woman now. It's so weird to call Sean my husband. It's weird that I am changing my name [actually, only hyphenating =P].
It just doesn't feel different at all.

Also, I am [nervously] going to start a YouTube channel. I am so fucking nervous and scared, but I feel like I can do this. And honestly, it'll be nice to have a way to remember what products I actually used with some makeup looks... because sometimes I love my makeup so much but I forget wtf I used. HA.

I recently went on an adventure with my sister in law and nephew. We road tripped from Tucson [where they are from] to Seattle to get my nephew to the children's hospital to start T-Cell therapy to hopefully beat his leukemia once and for all.

I'll probably make my own separate posts for the wedding, my nephew, and stuff dealing with school later. I just needed to update this space.

Here's a link to my wedding day photographs, taken by the amazing Nikki Tran.
Wedding!

And here is a link to my nephew's CaringBridge page, for anyone interested in this brave little 3 year old.
Jude.

Tuesday, August 25, 2015

I'm still here!

Just wanted to do a quick update that is way too late.

I am still here!

I am planning posts!

I just also have a wedding to plan and am so stressed!

Monday, June 1, 2015

Empties #4 - May 2015

Holy shit how has it been this long since I have posted?!
Also how has it been this long before I've started Orange is the New Black?

Anywho - I'm writing this instead of doing homework, because my mind thinks that this is the better option to do. I'm nearing finals and I am going insane. Between school and wedding planning, stress is getting the best of me.

But let's get back to the point of this post - my empties. I may start doing them by month because the amount of shit I would accumulate over a month seemed enough and I don't know why I was so batshit crazy thinking every couple of months was a good idea.

Let's take a look at my trash! [and ignore the shit quality of this photo and also ignore the fact that I am a photography student and should be ashamed]


Mmkay. So Murad Acne Body Wash.. I used to love this body wash. Now I'm just using up old acne cleansers with body scrubs to get my neck chest and back. I don't think I'd purchase again unless they reformulate it. The St. Ives Face Scrub sucked.

That disgusting plastic baggie up top is from Lush, it's the Lush Pud Bath Bomb. Smelled SO good. The site says the scent is the permanent scent of the Twilight bath bomb. The Dr. Teal's Foaming Bath was pretty freakin great. It bubbled really nicely and the scent was super relaxing. Also the bottle lasted FOREVER.

The little red foil was from my Fortune Cookie Soap Summer Box [which was Peter Pan inspired].. it was The Captain Steam Me Up Scotty. I love these things. They just perfume the bathroom so nicely and the scent is amazing. I ordered a few things in The Captain when this collection went on sale. Also from FCS was The Boy Who Never Grew Up Salt Scrub. The scent was great but the salt wasn't abrasive enough.

I didn't completely use up the EOS Lip Balm in Sweet Mint, but I was just over it. I was almost done but the scent went a little wonky so ya know.. it has to go. I did, however, use up the Urban Decay Powder Foundation in Light Neutral, which was surprisingly not the lightest shade and looked great on me. I loved it and am going to repurchase! Also the Stila Stay All Day Precision Glide Brow Pencil in Auburn. Actually loved it more than the Anastasia Brow Wiz. You can only get it at Ulta; will definitely repurchase. Then there was the L'Oreal Infallible Makeup Setting Spray. Not bad, but not the best.

Last year, I ordered a MemeBox that was all herbal products and the Herb Cleansing Oil Gel was amazing! I might pick it up from the MemeBox site. It did not leave any residue on my skin and it actually took mascara and loads of eyeliner off. Also it did not irritate my eyes. I tried the Sephora Pearl Mask; I don't remember it being amazing but I just really like their sheet masks in general, so I'm always up for trying new ones and grab a couple every so often.

There was a free box at school so I grabbed the Infusium Miracle Therapy Conditioner. It was good but thick as hell and took forever to get out of the bottle. I should've grabbed like 10 of them. Finally, the It's A 10 Leave -In Treatment. I received this in either an ipsy bag or birchbox....box and loved it. As soon as I finished this, I bought the full size. LOVE.


=] Happy trash collecting for June.

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Feeling like David Bowie

For my homework assignment in my Specialization class, we had to use new editing techniques on some self portraits. I'm actually loving the text book for this class, and I may just have to buy the physical copy.

I just slapped some makeup on and went to town on photos. Mainly this was a MAC Blush and Fluidline and Sugarpill's Grand Tiara [I think that's the name] pigment. I'll be adding this and others from my mini selfie session to my Flickr and Facebook page.



Thursday, April 23, 2015

Influenster Bella VoxBox

Last August, I signed up on Influenster because I was really interested in getting products in the mail to review. I've missed a couple of boxes, but just recently received my first one! I was pretty excited when I got the email telling me I'd be getting one. 

So this box is called the Bella VoxBox.


Don't mind the plate in the background, but here she is. 

First is a promo code for Club W for some wine. We'll probably use it. hahaha Also a chance to get a $25 gift card for eBay. Lastly a coupon for EcoTools.

The EcoTools brush I received is a Mattifying Face Brush and funnily enough, I already have one! I'm not sure if it really helps to mattify my face when I use powder, but I like using this brush with my highlighters and finishing face powders. 

There was a travel size tube of Not Your Mother's Deja Vu 'Do Style Extender. I have yet to use it but I do not like the smell at all. To me, it's very perfumed... not at all like the Apple and Berry scents it claims to have. 

I remember when I took the survey to qualify for this box, there was a few 'swatches' of self tan color options to choose from. Sadly, the first 2 palest shades were already claimed, so I just went with Medium and ended up getting 2 small tubes of Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs. The product looks pretty scary when dispensed, but I can make this work by mixing it with a lotion or my Urban Decay BB Cream for body. I definitely will be getting good use out of this because it's wedding season! The swatch on my hand is blended out as far as I could get it, but trust me - my legs are ghostly white, so it works. haha

Rimmel Lipstick on Left, Sally Hansen Airbrush Legs in Medium on Right
The next two things I got were from Rimmel London. One was a Lasting Finish Lipstick by Kate Moss in ......the number 14? I could be blind but I cannot find a name. However, upon first look, this is a very Kylie Jenner/90's color... very in right now. It's actually really beautiful. The lipstick doesn't smell the best but it's not bad and it doesn't linger. I'm really surprised and I love it! Also I got Scandaleyes Mascara by Kate Moss in Eye Rock Jet Black. The wand of these mascaras always looks like a spine to me. I wore it today and it's not a bad mascara; I thought I would hate the wand, but I think I can get used to it. 



My makeup today - Rimmel mascara and lipstick.
I was happy to see a little treat in the box as well! I love chocolate and I love dried fruit, so it was nice to get a bag of Dove Fruit, blueberries dipped in chocolate. They're so good!!!!! I'm supposed to save some for Sean, but his luck may run out because my bag is almost gone. 



Overall I was real impressed with this box and can't wait to see what the next one has in store! 


I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015

March 2015 Favorites

HOLY GUACAMOLE more than a month since my last post! eek.

Anywayyyyssssss.... I just figured I'd update with the stuff I've been loving this month.


So up top there is the Urban Decay Naked Skin Ultra Definition Powder Foundation [phew!] in Fair Neutral. Obviously in love with this powder by the size of my pan showing through.. I didn't like the sponge that came with this though. Adds such great coverage and when I use my damp beauty blender to apply this, I don't get as oily throughout the day. 

Below that is the Lather AHA Hand Creme with Evening Primrose that I received in a Fab Fit Fun box this past winter. Still loving it, taking forever to go through, doesn't leave my hands too oily and smells amazing. 

On the right is the L'Oreal Infallible Pro Matte Foundation. I am in the shade 101 Classic Ivory. I usually hate drugstore foundations but I am obsessed with this one and have used it almost every day. I like it best applied with a beauty blender. I still set my face with a powder when I use this but it looks gorgeous and covers really nicely. 

The new MAC palettes are amazing. I have this one, Burgundy x 9 and the Purple x 9, but really... the burgundy version is the best. Ever. For me, it's always hard to figure out which eyeshadows to buy when I step into MAC, so it's nice to get a 9 pan palette with such variety and some familiar [but not owned] shades. Hands down my favorite is the middle one on the bottom, which is Star Violet... makes my blue eyes just pop. I do own Embark, which is the very middle one, but that's alright because I like it. These pans are small, like dime sized, but the size of the whole palette is handy and the price isn't too bad for 9 eyeshadows that I own a million similar shades of. [But this is amazing and you should go buy one of these]

And finally, the beautiful tube of awesomeness at the bottom. This is the Giorgio Armani Eye Tint in 08 Flannel. THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL. These feel so light when applied, and a bit watery that I was super worried they would crease on me in an instant. The color is insane and so complex. It's like pink and gold and purple and taupe and just awesome. It's pearly and not very bold so you could wear this alone on a simple day but I've been loving this as a base for my eye looks. Usually I use a matte skin toned cream shadow but any eyeshadow looks amazing over this and in the event that your makeup fades over the day, the shimmery hint of color will still be there to pull you through. I do have 3 other colors that I need to play with, but it's just hard to stop using this amazing little gem! I'm pretty sure I'll be picking up even a couple more colors because at least one that I wanted was out of stock on Sephora - but not anymore! ;] 



Tuesday, February 17, 2015

It's only Tuesday?!

Is it bad that I'm exhausted, both emotionally and physically, from this week and it's ONLY TUESDAY?!

I'm not sure why, and I know I'm not the only one, but this week so far has seemed so odd and draining. I've been feeling sad since Sunday, and it sucks. Going to class Monday didn't help at all, either.

It just sucks when you feel like you don't do enough and grading is rough. When assignments feel near impossible to include all criteria and it feels like it's all a set up to make you fail. I also cannot think of anything to do for my Physics final project.

However, good thing I am halfway through. If I have made it this far, I can make it to the end of the quarter [I hope].

Anyway, rant over. Time to buck up and truck through the week.

I'm thinking a bubble bath is in my NEAR future.

Saturday, February 7, 2015

A Strange Day

Today I have done something I haven't done in a long time.

Edit and UPLOAD photos.

I was looking at my flickr page and realized that in 1 whole year, I had only uploaded 7 photos. That is atrocious but really --- when I say I have been uninspired, I really mean it.

The closer I get to graduating, the less inspired I feel. Which sucks.

However, I knew going to Arizona in January would help, because I really love the landscape and the plants that are down there. I would have taken more photos, but our trip took an unexpected turn and we spent the majority of our time helping babysit Sean's nephew, which is totally fine. That's what family is for - to help out at anytime for any reason.

So - here are a few photos I uploaded to my Facebook page as well as my flickr page.
[if you have Facebook and are interested, my page is called Mara Kevyn Photography and my flickr username is marakevyn... feel free to follow!]









[[oh and pretty please - don't steal my photos]]

Friday, January 30, 2015

Fab Fit Fun Winter 2014 Box

So, I added another quarterly subscription box to my life. OOPS!

I FINALLY got my Fab Fit Fun box last week, and I was super excited to open it. I already knew what was in it because of a few YouTube unboxing videos, but it sounded nice so I signed up.


According to the insert inside of the box, this whole box is valued at $383.59.

I am super sorry about how unorganized the photos are, but I just took a photo for every few things I pulled out of the box.

Alright - so flat things first:




I LOVE Zumba. Granted, it's been a good long while since I've actually gone to Zumba class... eek, but I do love it. I was pumped to see a work out DVD in this box, so I can do it at home. I still have yet to try it, but I am hoping to do it after I wake up a few days this week, as our music/art/guest room is currently cleared out and a perfect dancing space. Also nice to get a $25 gift card to get some Zumba gear with free shipping. [$55 value]

Next, 3 months free to Salted [$29.97], which the card says is like Netflix for cooking. I'm excited to sign up and try out some new recipes. And then there is a $30 card [but the insert says it's retailed at $18.. am I missing something here??] to Fashion Project, where you can buy pre owned clothing and accessories while part of your purchase goes to charity. I'm interested in where this will go, hopefully I can find something good! =]



This cute necklace is from Half United, which is a company that is working to fight world hunger. Half of the proceeds from everything purchased helps buy food for hungry children. I haven't been wearing a ton of jewelry lately, but I love necklaces like this. Although I do wish I would have gotten silver, but that's alright. [$34 value]. I am familiar with almond butter, so it's nice to get this Justin's Almond Butter in here. I haven't used it yet, but I think it will be nice to bring to school with me to put on top of a bagel or something I buy at a coffee shop. [$0.63 value]

This pot of Lather AHA Hand Creme with Evening Primrose is rather nice [$30 value]. At first I wasn't sure of the scent as it is obviously a little floral, but it is a bit herbal and gives it a spa like smell. It's nice and thick and this pot will last me forever! I hadn't even noticed this little bottle of Passport to Beauty Tibetan Goji Berry Intense Anti-Aging Eye Serum with Retinol [$88 value... holy shit]. I haven't tried it yet, because I still have 3 [don't judge] eye serum/cream/things opened up already. Judging by the price, this shit better make my eyes look like a million bucks. haha!


I have this Organic Valley Organic Balance Milk Protein Shake [$2.99 value] in my kitchen just staring at me. haha, I am really nervous to drink it because of a bad reaction I had last year to a Naked Juice protein shake.. like, throat closing, benadryl popping, adrenaline shot, nebulizer.... it sucked and I'm still not sure what ingredient it was that gave me that reaction.. soooo long story short: I'm not sure if I will try this or not.

I let Sean have the Special K Snack Bar in Salted Pretzel Chocolate, because he saw it and instantly wanted it. These things are so so small that I didn't want to split it but Sean said it tasted good. So there you have it. lol

I have always heard of Juice Beauty but had never tried anything, so I enjoyed getting this Green Apple Peel Sensitive [$39 value]. You really don't need a ton of it, and it did leave my skin feeling nice and soft. And then there's the Daniel Stone COCO Candle in Pomegranate [$42 value]. At first smell, I didn't  like it but I have been burning it lately and it's not so bad... I just can't burn it for hours and hours as it gets really perfumey and can give me a headache. These candles are supposed to be nice and clean burning, so we shall see...



natural light

flash
Lastly are these two yourMinerals Eyeshadow Duo pigments in Lavender Dream and Swedish Winter  [$44 value]. These are really pretty eyeshadows, they're a bit frosty but not bad. I've used Swedish Winter as an inner corner highlight and it's pretty intense. I still need to play with Lavender Dream. 


Whew! So that's it! My fingers are tired and my brain hurts. haha but I actually really like quarterly subscription boxes.. They're a bit more expensive but I enjoy the fact that they aren't monthly, so I have time to actually use what I get before I am bombarded with more stuff.

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

EOTD: Urban Decay Shattered, Vert, Oil Slick

Yesterday, I just felt the urge to play with some oldies for my eye makeup.

I remember being so in awe of the amazing colors the first time I saw an Urban Decay display. In high school, I thought shimmery eyeshadow was the ONLY way to go and my first two UD eyeshadows were Shattered [iridescent blue] and Vert [iridescent green]. I used them almost every day, and lately I have fallen into a rut of just neutral colors to rush in the mornings so I've been trying to play more with color. I think Vert is a discontinued shade now, but it has prompted me to save a few new shadows in my UD online basket... not yet ordered, but probably soon.

My eye look is almost all Urban Decay, but for a base, I used Maybelline's Color Tattoo in Seashore Frost, which is stunning and was super hard for me to track down when it first came out. It's like a blue seashell in a cream eyeshadow with flashes of pinky purpley golden greens.... which makes NO sense but it really is a stunner.



In my crease and for a transition shade, I used Stark from the Naked Basics 2, Shattered all over the lid, Vert in the outer third/crease and lightly used Oil Slick in the outer corner. The liner is Ink for Eyes liquid liner pen from UD. Lashes are Too Faced Better Than Sex.

Natural Light

Flash



Saturday, January 3, 2015

EOTD: Christmas Eve

So for both Christmas Eve and Christmas Day festivities, I was insanely inspired to do glitter liner after seeing so many great youtube tutorials!

Christmas Eve I did green liner, and Christmas Day was red. I was a little disappointed in my red so I didn't take photos of it, but I did take some of my green.

I used Stila's Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in Forest Green first to create the shape of the wing, then I used Lit Cosmetic's Clearly Liquid Glitter Base to add some glue to the outer half of the liner. I dipped the same brush with the glue still on it into Victorian Disco Cosmetics Glitter in WA-ZOOOOO! [which isn't made anymore, I believe, so sorry]

I had a ton of compliments!


Natural light

Flash