I'M BACK + EXCITING ANNOUNCEMENT

I've been away for too long!! 

I have missed talking about makeup and comparing makeup and doing my makeup and looking at makeup.  My life has been so busy and makeup-less for a few months.  I can't stay away any longer!  

I'm back and I have MANY ideas ready to roll!! 

I am currently compiling my yearly favorites of 2015!!!  So, be on the look out for that.  


And, some more exciting news!!  This is the year that I start my YOUTUBE CHANNEL ---
I have been wanting to start one for so long and I am finally setting aside some time to do so!  If you have anything you want to see, please let me know!  I am beyond excited to start this journey!  



Hopefully, you enjoy what I am creating and putting out there as much as I enjoy creating!!  

 
 

Colourpop Review Series: Supershock Eyeshadow

Recently, I purchased a few of the Colourpop Supershock Eyeshadows.  And, at first, I didn't know what to think about them.  They are so unique and I have truly never experienced a shadow quite like these. After playing with them a bit, I've concluded that I'm in love.

The texture of these shadows is so fluffy and spongy.  They feel wet almost and are so completely velvety. I really can't explain it any other way.  Out of the 100's of shadows I've come across in my life, never have I experienced any with the texture of a Colourpop shadow.  

The pigment of these shadows is a little bit different as well.  The more glittery shadows tend to be a bit more sheer.  They need a little building up and I would definitely recommend wetting your brush when you apply these or using a glitter glue or I found that using my finger does a great job at really packing on the pigment.  However, they are gorgeous no matter how you apply them.  The more metallic shadows have no problem pigmentation wise.  One swatch will give you a super colorful application.  Wet your brush with these or use over a primer and these will be even more mindblowingly stunning.  

The staying power of these shadows seem to be really great as well.  These shadows have no problem with lasting throughout the day and I didn't notice any creasing or wearing off of any sort.

As for blendability, it's low on the scale (The few that I have are, anyways. I haven't tried them all, though  At least, not yet!)  But, in this case that is not a bad thing.  While I may not have a shadow that I can use in the crease as a transition color, I definitely have shadows that I can pack on my lid to be the star of the show.  To me, that's what these shadows are.  They are the main attraction.  

All in all, these are really beautiful shadows.  They are affordable.  And, they are unique.  I can't wait to get my hands on more of them and I would recommend them to anyone looking for a shadow that really packs a punch.  

You can purchase these shadows at www.ColourPop.com for $5 each.

Morphe Palette Giveaway!!

Win the Morphe 35T palette, Colourpop Nillionaire Supershock Shadow and deluxe sample of the Lorac Porefection Face Primer and trail size Behind the Scenes Eye Primer

All you have to do to enter is follow this link and answer the question... https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1SmQIYTIUmz3Hhwkqg-cxmbltKfWzUXlhKKaaagnGulI/viewform?usp=send_form


Earn extra entries by doing either or both of the following:
Follow my instagram: allieallieoxynfree

OR 
 
Subscribe to my blog via the box down below
 
Make sure to leave a comment below letting me know if you've earned your extra entries. 

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! 


Update: Winner has been chosen and contacted!! Thanks for your entries!  <3

Eyeshadow Primer And Why You Should Use It

If you have problems with your eyeshadow not staying on throughout the day or if your shadow starts getting oily and separates or maybe the pigment just isn't the same on your face as it it in the pan, then you definitely need to pick up a shadow primer.  

I never put on shadow without putting on a good primer because I want it to have a base to stick to.  I want my eyeshadow to have as much pigment as possible and I want my eye makeup to last all day and night or until I decide myself to take it off.  And, using a primer will ensure that I get my moneys worth when it comes to my shadow.  



To the left is a great example of how a primer works.  I have swatched 3 shadows 2 times: once with primer and once without.  The swatch with a primer is to the left and the swatch without is to the right.  You can see that primer really makes the shadow pop.  It comes off brighter and will end up lasting a lot longer through the day.  


 A good shadow primer can solve almost ANY makeup related problem you struggle with.  My 2 favorites are Stay Don't Stray by Benefit and Urban Decay Eden Primer Potion.  Another favorite of mine that works really well AND happens to be budget friendly is NYX's Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk and this one is good for making shadows REALLY come to life.

 All in all, don't skip on using a good base for your eyeshadow.  It's a really important step and you'll be glad you did it.

Morphe Brushes = BEST. SHADOWS. EVER.

I am a sucker for eyeshadow.  No two are the same.  Really... they aren't.  There are 4 c's when it comes to shadow.  Color, (c)Pigment, (c)Finish, (c)Blendablity...  and Morphe Brushes is the Harry Winston of the shadow world.  

Morphe Shadows are creamy, smooth, blendable, PIGMENTED and best of all they are AFFORDABLE!  

Morphe single shadows are sold for only $2 each!  They also have many palettes available  from $19.99 to $22.99.  

 

Above is the Jaclyn Hill Favorites Palette, which is unfortunately sold out.  However, each shadow is still available as a single.

Below are swatches of the JHFP with flash and no primer.  

 To the left is the 35T palette which is UNREAL.  It is so beautiful and every color is so full of life.  This palette is a MUST HAVE!

 To the right is a swatch of 35T with flash and no primer!  There are so many looks that can be created with this beautiful palette. 

All in all, I highly recommend Morphe to anyone looking for high quality shadows whether you are on a budget or not.  The quality can't be beat and the price is wallet friendly.  

You can purchase these shadows, along with many other amazing products, at www.MorpheBrushes.com

My Travel Needs & How To Pack As Light As Possible (How To Trick Yourself Into Thinking That You Are Packing Light) Or My Most Boring Post Ever

Recently, I took a weekend trip out of state for a family reunion.  

When it came time to pack, I knew exactly what to take.  Except, for what I was packing in my makeup bag.  When it comes to my makeup, I always tend to over pack.  I made it my mission to really tone it down and pack light (yeah-freaking-right) for this short trip.

  

So, I started packing things that I knew I would likely use.  Or, things that I use quite regularly, which ended up being A LOT.  I couldn't close my makeup bag, so I dumped it out.   From that pile, I took out things that may have been close dupes for other things (there is really no need for 5 primers and 3 black eyeliners) or things that may have been just unnecessary; false lashes, red lipstick, orange eyeshadow, etc.  Why pack these things when I knew I wasn't going to use them.  

Unfortunately, I still ended up packing WAY too much.  I managed to fit everything in my makeup bag, but 50% of everything I packed, stayed in the bag.  All in all, I took 36 products.  Of those 36 products, I utilized 18.  Keep in mind, I was only gone for 3 days.  

I took 2 mascaras, 1 contour kit,  1 cream bronzer, 1 primer, 3 foundations (only because I had self tanned and wasn't sure what color my skin was going to end up being), 3 lipliners, 10 lipsticks/glosses (okay, this is SERIOUSLY ridiculous!  Nobody needs to pack that many), 3 blushes, 1 highlighter, 3 shadow palettes, 1 setting powder, 1 brow pencil, 1 brow gel, 1 shadow base, 1 concealer, and 3 eyeliners.  

Out of these, the only things I used were the following: 
Mac Costa Riche eyeliner
Too Faced Better Than Sex mascara
Becca Champagne Pop highlighter
Clinique Pink Pop blush
Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation
Mac Fix+
Smashbox Primer Water
Anastasia Brow Wiz
Clear Brow Gel
NYX Jumbo Eye Pencil in Milk (used as my shadow base)
Mac Pro Longwear concealer
Anastasia Contour Kit
Chanel Soleil Tan De Chanel Cream Bronzer
Lorac Pro Palette
Boldly Bare Lipliner
Sephora Matte Cream Lipstick in Petel Luster
Maybelline Sin-a-mon lipstick
Nyx Madeleine Lipgloss.  

I am well aware that this was probably the most boring post ever in the history of the world, but I needed to write it so that I could hold myself accountable for being an absolute ridiculous over packer.   Also, I need something to serve as a reminder for the next time I go on vacation. 

But, it might just be easier to make yourself happy and over-freaking-pack.  

 

July 2015 Favorites

For the month of July, I've been pretty lazy.  I spent half of the month in bed and sick with a monstrous case of "bronchitis" as the doctor liked to call it.  Or, "pretty much pneumonia, basically," as I like to refer to it.  The rest of my time has been spent at work and at the beach.  So, I've been pretty basic this month.  However there are a few things that really pop out to me and that I've been reaching for QUITE A BIT. 

My first favorite is the Estee Lauder Double Wear Foundation.  Holy. Smokes.  This foundation covers everything and lasts all day.  And, as weird and amazing as it sounds, it only looks better as the day goes on.  There have been days when I don't even want to take my makeup off because my skin looks so airbrushed and smooth.  It really is an amazing product and I HIGHLY recommend it to anyone.  However, I would possibly stray away from it if you are on the dry side as it is a pretty matte foundation and may cling to dry patches.  But, still it's worth a trip to your local Estee Lauder counter to try out or get a sample of.  

My next favorite is the Simple Cleansing Micellar Water.  This stuff, actually, just give me a minute, because I can't with this product.... .... ....Ugh, thank you.  This stuff is AMAZING.  I put this stuff on a cotton round and use it to remove my makeup and it takes it off like no other.  It is truly as gentle as water and does not burn your eyes or leave nasty oils on your face.  One thing I hate about makeup remover is the way it makes my skin feel after and this truly cleans every speck of makeup and dirt. 

How this stuff makes me feel...

 And, I won't even say, "How this stuff makes me feel inside," because let's be real, this is how I dance and I DO dance when I love a product this much.

 On a random note, chicken salad is also a favorite this month, because I learned to make it and I did a really good job.  And, chicken salad sandwiches are the best sandwiches and if you don't agree, I will fight you.  (Not really, but don't even try to test my love for chicken salad, or else this guy just might fight you on behalf of me.)







 My last favorite for the month of July is sunscreen.  I got burnt and it wasn't pleasant.  It was a harsh reminder of how much I love and rely on my SPF.  Sunscreen with a high SPF equals a future with less chance of skin cancer and a future with less wrinkles and also a life of being able to move, breathe, wear clothes, lay in bed and shower without flinching because eternal hell didn't find it's way to the surface of your body.  And, I'm down with all of those things.