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Marc the Moment? Marc Jacobs Beauty The Starlet Style Eye-Con No. 7 Plush Eye Shadow Palette Review

I've decided to do a quick 3 minute review video on this palette to accompany those who would rather watch than read so enjoy below or keep reading below for more information and swatches!

If you haven't heard yet famed fashion designer Marc Jacobs is releasing a beauty collection  on August 9, 2013. The collection will include everything you need for a complete look, foundations, eye shadows, concealer, mascaras and more. A week ago Sephora released a small amount of items from the collection exclusively to Beauty Insiders to purchase in advance. Lots of my beauty bloggger friends were apprehensive about buying this collection but I figured why not let me try it out...see my review of the collection below.

 Marc Jacobs Beauty The Starlet Style Eye-Con No. 7 Plush Eye Shadow Palette

My first gripe about this quad is the price. $59 for seven shadows is a little steep even for me and I don't mind paying a premium for things that I like. The price range of most products in the line falls somewhere in between Dior and NARS. But I figured you know, Marc Jacobs clothing and accessories come at a premium price so of course his beauty line would as well.

 Marc Jacobs Beauty The Starlet Style Eye-Con No. 7 Plush Eye Shadow Palette

Marc Jacobs Beauty The Starlet Style Eye-Con No. 7 Plush Eye Shadow Palette

We then get into the packaging....which on first glance is pretty awesome. The cute little bag the palette comes in and the sleek pill shape of the palette are pretty awesome. Marc Jacobs is in raised lettering on the front of the case which is nice. The shiny plastic shows every fingerprint though it that's something you're concerned over. It opens by pushing the button on the front that releases the top which concerns me because it seems like if this button were to be damaged then my palette wouldn't close all the way. The mirror covers the entire inside of the top of the case and is rounded as well.

 Marc Jacobs Beauty The Starlet Style Eye-Con No. 7 Plush Eye Shadow Palette

 Marc Jacobs Beauty The Starlet Style Eye-Con No. 7 Plush Eye Shadow Palette

The bottom of the shadows show all the shadow colors, the palette names, and the weights. One thing noticeably missing is the names of the shadows. The current details from the collection being released does not include individual eye shadows so it looks like until those are added if you run out you will need to buy another seven shadow palette or the trios that they sell.

 Marc Jacobs Beauty The Starlet Style Eye-Con No. 7 Plush Eye Shadow Palette

The one thing I have to say I honestly hate about this palette....it comes with a sponge tip applicator. If you watch my YouTube videos you know I hate these things. This one especially because there is no where for it to fit inside the palette so your only hope is to keep it in that carrying case the shadows come with. I feel like they could have done a tiny bit better with this aspect by providing a tiny shader brush that actually fits inside the compact.

 Marc Jacobs Beauty The Starlet Style Eye-Con No. 7 Plush Eye Shadow Palette

Overall the shadows are very pigmented, ultra creamy, and gorgeous. This is the one saving grace of the palette..everything else is just kind of meh. The shadow colors are all pretty dupable so I would say you could go ahead and skip this palette unless you're a die hard Marc Jacobs fan.

 Marc Jacobs Beauty The Starlet Style Eye-Con No. 7 Plush Eye Shadow Palette

Will you be getting anything from this collection when it launches August 9th in Sephora and in select Marc Jacobs boutiques?

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IT Cosmetics Your Most Beautiful You Anti-Aging Collection Review

Another great brand that I've discovered on QVC is IT (Innovative Technology) Cosmetics. The owner Jamie Kern seems so sweet on TV and you guys know I love supporting sweet owners on this channel! Haha. I picked up their recent TSV which was the Your Most Beautiful You Anti-Aging Collection which included in following:

IT Cosmetics Your Most Beautiful You Collection

Dual Heavenly Luxe Airbrush Foundation & Concealer Brush and Luxe Pointed Airbrush Complexion Brush

Dual Heavenly Luxe Airbrush Foundation & Concealer Brush Luxe Pointed Airbrush Complexion Brush

I've heard lots of great things about IT Cosmetics brushes and I was pleasantly surprised by these two. They are so dense and chic and they do not shed which is my first test of quality in a brush. The first (top) brush is dual ended for foundation and concealer (especially the Bye Bye Under Eye!) and the tapered brush (bottom) is useful for applying highlighter. They both apply product evenly and leave an airbrush finish.

Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer

IT Cosmetics Bye Bye Under Eye Concealer

This is the star product of the IT Cosmetics brand and this set includes a super size! I was skeptical about using this product because it only comes in four shades (my one complaint of IT Cosmetics...give brown girls some more love!) but I got the shade Deep and it is my perfect skin tone match. This concealer is everything....this is one of the only concealers I can wear alone without powder and consider my face complete it blends so well. I have a bunch of hyper-pigmentation spots and it completely hides them; even with my other concealers they still would shine through a bit. I have some darker beauty marks (moles) and they are completely covered which has never happened before. With all this coverage the concealer is surprisingly not heavy on my face at all.

Hello Light Creme Luminizer

IT Cosmetics Hello Light Creme Luminizer

I was a little iffy about this product as it seems so much lighter than my skin but I was pleasantly surprised. It really is light reflecting once blended out and it is just gorgeous. I've found a couple of uses for this so far, under brow highlight, eye shadow base, cheek highlight, the possibilities are endless.

 Your Brows But Better Brow Pencil

IT Cosmetics Your Brows But Better

This is where we start to see the innovative side of the company. This brow pencil is in a universal shade of taupe and you're kind of like what?! My eyebrows are dark brown! But when applied it matches my brow color perfectly. It also has a very skinny tip so it's easy to be very precise when doing your brows. 

Vitality Lip Blush in Je Ne C'est Quoi 

IT Cosmetics Vitality Lip Blush in Je Ne C'est Quoi

This is also innovative and cool! It looks baby pink in the tube but as it is applied and heats up on your lips it turns into a dark neutral pink which is perfect for day time. It was hard to swatch because of the color change but the gloss is not sticky or tacky at all; it's very comfortable to wear. 

You can pick this set up from QVC for $65.96. Have you tried anything from IT Cosmetics before? Let me know what you think below!

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Too Faced Pretty Rebel Palette Review

Remember how I said I wanted to start experimenting with color? Yes it is time to leave the nudes behind for a while and explore my inner "rebel" and out comes the Too Faced Pretty Rebel Palette!

Too Faced Pretty Rebel Palette

 "Unleash your inner rebel and break the beauty rules! Femininity mixed with edgy street-style is modern and sexy". The bondage packaging is so cute and funky at the same time. It also comes with a small little booklet with three looks you can achieve with these eye shadows which is a perfect start if you're like me and not used to wearing colors on your eyes. I think these are my first Too Faced shadows as shocking as that may be. I first saw this palette on the homepage of Sephora and I knew it had to be mine after seeing three shadows....can you guess which ones?

Too Faced Pretty Rebel Palette

I absolutely had to have this after seeing Totally Fetch (Mean Girls!), Badass, and Girly. I thought to myself self...if you're going to start wearing colors then you NEED this. I admit Girly has been my favorite so far in the week I've had this palette especially paired with MAC's Brown Script in the crease; amazing! The shades on the left hand side are also amazing for daytime and my favorite over there has been Ringleader. I use it on top of the Maybelline Color Tattoo in Inked in Pink for a subtle work look.

Too Faced Pretty Rebel Palette

 The swatches from the tamer side of the palette. Appropriate for use for day or night! You can create subtle ladylike looks with these colors or jazz them up with the colors below:

Too Faced Pretty Rebel Palette

Look at Girly. It's like a funky Greenish brown with a subtle hint of blue in it. Love. All of these shadows are extremely pigmented so there's no need to pack and pack on the color to get the desired effect. Instigator is a gold even the Egyptians would be proud of. Totally Fetch is less intimidating swatched and on the eye than on the pan and is a nice pop of color on brown eyes. Badass is like the queen of sparkly dark blue shadows, it gives me the shivers just looking at it. Miss Sparkles is appropriately named; look at how my camera picked up the glitter! And Jailbird is so much silvery goodness. It looks like a cream shadow with how pigmented the color is in this one.

Take your look to the next level with this palette! I'll be wearing these on my Instagram as well as in some upcoming YouTube videos. In the meantime....run don't walk to go get this! Get it from Sephora here. What are some of your must have pops of color for Fall?

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The Beauty Blogazons Weekly Roundup Vol. 5

Mama Fashionista: Find out what Quinn finally chose for her May pick in the "MAC Matters" series!

Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: The PurseN Amour Travel Case & VIP Travel Tote make traveling so convenient and organized for all of your makeup and skincare needs!

Carinae L'etoile's polish stash: Strengthening my nails via gels -- all so I can wear more nail polish!

Adore A Polish: Kristina reviews the new, and innovative, Avon Mega Effects Mascara.

My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog: Laura includes the City Color Cosmetics BB Cream in her Summer Complexion Series.

TheFabZilla: Sick for days. Dull face. When all else fails, TheFabZilla wings it emerald green.

Fun Fierce Fabulous Beauty Over 50!: Enjoy these nude swatches from the Mac Nude and Metallic Collection!

The Socialite's Closet: Learn how to get healthy nails even when you wear polish every day.

Icy Nails: OPI Magazine Cover Mouse from the Couture de Minnie Collection for Summer 2013 is heaven.

MakeUpMom123: aEngland Polish - Sleeping Beauty Collection.

Beauty by Miss L: Physicians Formula Eye Definer Felt-Tip Eye Marker is new Miss L´s favorite eye liner.

Betzy's Makeup And Beauty Blog: I just started to post about fashion and I would love to have your feedback. This is my latest fashion post!

The Convenient Beauty: Durable AND stunning eyeliners in Cocoa and Go for a ride by Sephora Collection.

The Passenger Element: Urban Decay Moondust Eye Shadow in Moonspoon (swatch).

Glamorable!: Anastasia is unboxing her One Radiant monthly beauty subscription box. Click here to see what's inside!

Daydreaming Beauty: A review and swatches of Rimmel Show off Lip Lacquers.

Midnight Manicures: Have you heard about the Vue Set products yet? Jamie reviews the latest in cosmetic storage.

Geniabeme: Alcone at Home is a great way to customize your makeup!

ColorMeSoCrazy: HYD for Men Review- Make Your Man SMOOTH.

BellBelleBella: Checks out the Mally Beauty Easy on the Eyes Wardrobe 6pc Collection: In the Buff 2.

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MAC Nudes & Metallics: Brazenly and Crimson Tryst Eye Shadows

MAC has released another of their 500 collections throughout the year. This time? Nudes and Metallics! This collection contains nude eye shadows, lipsticks, and blush as well as metallic eye shadows, lipsticks, and a blush. Together these combined would look stunning; a metallic eye with a nude lip, a metallic lip with a nude eye; the possibilities are endless. You guys know I love my nudes but I decided to skip these for a little color this time!

MAC Nudes & Metallic Eye Shadows Crimson Tryst & Brazenly

I picked up Crimson Tryst and Brazenly after seeing swatches on another blog. I always have intentions of  skipping these collections until I see the swatches....and then I NEED them. These are Veluxe Pearl shadows so they have all the metallic, pearly, highly pigmented goodness that's typical of this shadow finish from MAC.

Crimson Tryst

MAC Crimson Tryst Eye Shadow

MAC Crimson Tryst Eye Shadow

My favorite colors for years and years has been a nice wine color. For some reason this color has always screamed fall and crisp air to me and I just love it. If you're lucky enough to live in a place where the trees change colors this also reminds me of that. This color is between crimson and purple and exactly what I would think of if purple and crimson had a baby. Get it? Crimson Tryst? No? Ok.

MAC Crimson Tryst Eye Shadow

Brazenly

MAC Brazenly Eye Shadow

MAC Brazenly Eye Shadow

I am officially obsessed with purple for fall. I must have all purple everything so I had to get this purple eye shadow. I can just see the smokey eyes in my future. Look at me getting into color y'all! I thought these would be a nice ease into color for me and I love love love both of these shadows.

MAC Brazenly Eye Shadow

The Nudes & Metallics collection is Limited Edition so hurry on over to MAC (these are only available online) and get these if you love them. What are some of your favorite fall eye shadows?

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Mally Beauty Easy on the Eyes Wardrobe 6pc Collection: In the Buff 2 Review

Brace yourselves ladies and gentlemen because I am about to review one of the best neutral eye shadows palettes I own. When I saw this was the QVC Today's Special Value a few weeks ago I knew I just had to have it and I LOVE IT. The Mally Beauty Easy on the Eyes Wardrobe 6pc Collection: In the Buff 2 includes the In the Buff 2 eye shadow palette, a Volumizing Mascara, three Starlight Waterproof Liners, and a Perfect Prep Under Eye Brightener.

Mally Beauty Easy on the Eyes Wardrobe 6pc Collection: In the Buff 2

The set comes with a 50+ page booklet of looks that can be achieved using these products which is great for beginners. I love that all of Mally's sets come with these things! There are also looks included for the I Love Color Palette which was the other option to purchase if you're feeling more daring. Y'all know I love my neutrals!!

Mally Beauty Easy on the Eyes Wardrobe 6pc Collection: In the Buff 2

How cute is the packaging?!....and wait for it...

Mally Beauty In the Buff 2 Palette

Mally Beauty In the Buff 2 Palette

Green snakeskin. print. If this isn't the cutest eye shadow palette I own then I don't know cute. My only minor complaint about this palette is that the names of the shadows are on the back so you have to flip and count to determine which shadow you're using especially if you're following one of her tutorials in the book.

Mally Beauty In the Buff 2 Palette

What I love most about this eye shadow palette is that your Shadow base is included; it's not in a package that comes outside the palette. It also comes with your blending and shader dual ended brush. This was the best when I was traveling this weekend as it was two less things to worry about packing.

Mally Beauty In the Buff 2 Palette

The best thing about this neutral palette unlike others is that the shades are not over the top glittery. The shimmery shades are so soft, subtle, and pretty. They all have great application, staying power (even without the primer!) and are so complimentary to your skin tone. I have been wearing this nonstop for the past two weeks and my blog review backup has been suffering!

Mally Beauty In the Buff 2 Palette

Mally Beauty In the Buff 2 Palette

Mally Beauty In the Buff 2 Palette

Are you as excited as I am looking at these swatches?

Mally Beauty Perfect Prep Under Eye Brightener

This is similar to the YSL Touche Eclat if you're familiar with under eye luminizers. This works pretty well for me but since the shade is so light it takes a lot of blending to make it work. I know this comes in a deeper shade but a choice of color for this product was not available for this set. 

Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara

You guys already know from this previous Mally Beauty post that this is my current favorite mascara! Makes your lashes look so thick and amazing.

Mally Beauty Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Liners

 I also mentioned these amazing eye liners in my previous post as well but this time we have three different shades! This includes Midnight which is your standard black liner. Black Velvet that I have from Mally Beauty is a shimmery black shade. The purple shade is Dusky Plum and is amazing pop of color under the eye. The last shade is Dark Chocolate and is a great alternative to the same old black liner on days when you wear less makeup or are rocking a fierce brown smokey eye.

Mally Beauty Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Liners

If I remember correctly these palettes are exclusive to QVC until 2014. Love the set? Get it from QVC here. What do you think of this set? Have you tried Mally Beauty yet? If not what are you waiting for?!

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Dog Days of Summer: Hot Weather Favorites

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Dog Days of Summer: Hot Weather Favorites

Hi everyone! I hope your weekend was amazing and that you are making it through this fine Monday morning. Today's post is going to be short and sweet; current hot weather favorites! I have some pretty big work projects to finish this week so I most likely won't be posting again until Wednesday or Thursday.

It's been so unbearably hot around here lately that I thought I would share a few of my favorites to keep your face flawless while beating the heat!

Rimmel London Show Off Lip Lacquers: I am absolutely obsessed with these. They are marketed as a hybrid between a lip gloss and a lipstick but not quite either or. I like the idea of a lip lacquer in summer because they are not as drying as lipsticks can be. They come in amazing colors and the must have shades in my opinion are Comet and Aurora. If you've been keeping up with my YouTube videos I've been wearing these a lot!

Rimmel London Lash Accelerator Endless - I was kind of on the fence about this product until I started to cocktail it with my current favorite Mally Beauty volumizing mascara and BAM! Lashes for days. Be careful with this if you're a contact lens wearer as this is a fiber mascara.

Marc Jacobs Daisy: I am probably the latest person in the world to fall in love with this scent but it is so delicate and beautiful and not overpowering for the summer months. I tend to have a very sensitive olfactory system and a lot of perfumes give me headaches and sinus pressure so I don't typically buy perfumes but this one is a keeper!

CoverGirl Queen Collection Bronzer in Ebony: This is my current holy grail bronzer. It is so helpful when you get a little too much sun one day and your foundation is too light; a quick sweep of color over your face and you're back to your perfect match!

Kat Von D Tattoo Liner: I haven't been wearing daily eyeliner in years and this product has brought back the return of my obsession. The line is so precise and the color stays put which is so important with rising temperatures

NARS Blush in Liberté - My very first NARS blush and I am in love. This color has a very slight shimmer to it which is perfect for summer as super shimmery blushes can tend to make my oily skin look even shinier. A little really goes a long way with this product which is great because this blush is a little on the pricey side.

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The Beauty Blogazons Weekly Roundup Vol. 4

Mama Fashionista: Attention Curly Girls {and Mamas of Curly Kids}! Quinn shares why Camille Rose Naturals NEEDS to be in your beauty cabinet!

Makeup Demon: Retro improvization photoshoot - style, makeup, accessories!

Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: If you are a serum fanatic, then Mario Badescu Vitamin C Serum will thrill you!

MakeUpMom123: Austrailian Beauties - Alanna Renee Harry Potter Inspired Polish!

Adore A Polish: Kristina compares two nail polishes in a quest to locate a dupe for NARS Orgasm.

My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog: Laura gushes over the IT Cosmetics Vitality Lip Flush Butter Glosses. They are her newest addiction.

The Socialite's Closet: Review and swatches of Clarins Colour Quartet 10 Celestial for Eyes from The Socialite's Closet.

Glamorable!: Check out what's in this month's Orange Glad gourmet sweets box and enter for a chance to win your own!

TheFabZilla: Ever tried a violet mascara? TheFabZilla shares her experience with organic and cruelty-free brand Real Purity.

ColorMeSoCrazy: Minions and Mini-Manis Multi-blogger/Indie Maker Giveaway!

Harajuku Girl FL Beauty: Have you been Lakur'd yet?

Beauty by Miss L: Miss L reviewed Royal & Langnickel SILK Synthetic Hair 12 pc Brush Set.

The Passenger Element: Too Faced Exotic Color Intense shadow - Petals to the Metal.

Icy Nails: Icy Nails: Incoco Real Nail Polish Appliques in On the Edge. Fun and fabulous.

Daydreaming Beauty: daydreaming beauty reviews Sarabecca Natural Perfume.

BellBelleBella: BellBelleBella shares her tips for getting salon quality pedicures at home.

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DIY Pedicures with Avon Foot Works

If you know me you know that I have not set foot in a nail salon in a long time. Why? Because I've become pretty darn good at doing my nails and manicures myself, not to mention some of the sanitary concerns that arise with some salons. This spring and summer I've ventured into doing my own pedicures as well with the help of some of my favorite Avon products. I bought these a few months ago and I'm finally getting around to writing a review on them. I'll walk you through how I do this below!

Avon Footworks

Before you begin you want to make sure all polish is off your toes so that at the end of the pedicure you'll be able to paint them your favorite color!

Avon Foot Works Restorative Milky Foot Soak

1. Give your Feet some love with Avon Foot Works Restorative Milky Foot Soak

This is my favorite part by far. I get a large bowl, (if you have a foot spa you can definitely use that) set it in my tub, and fill it with as warm as you can stand it water. You want the water hot enough so while it cools down it is still comfortable and not cold as your feet soak. I sit on the edge of the tub and let my feet rest in the bowl; use a towel under your bum for some padding! I don't really measure this part out; but the suggested dosage is half a tablespoon per gallon of water. 

Avon Foot Works Pumice Cream

2. Scrub the day away with Foot Works Pumice Cream

After soaking for around 15 minutes get your favorite pumice stone or loofah or exfoliating tool and apply a quarter sized amount of this Pumice Cream to it. Begin scrubbing the bottom of your foot. This will help loosen up and remove dead skin and calluses that have built up over the weeks. This part always makes me laugh uncontrollably so it's good that I now do it in the privacy of my own home haha! After I finish with the Pumice Cream I take this time to remove cuticles and shape my toenails to prep them for polish.

3. Prepare your toes for polish!

Once your feet are completely dry slather your favorite thick moisturizing lotion all over your feet and marvel at how smooth they are! I then like to swipe Zoya's Remove+ all over my nail beds as a primer step to remove any oils and ensure my polish lasts for weeks. Then you're free to use any base coat, apply your nail color, and then top coat and your feet are ready to be shown off!

Avon Foot Works Dual Action Pedi-Peel

4. Maintain your baby soft feet with Foot Works Dual Action Pedi-Peel I typically do a full on pedi every 3 weeks but in between I use these Pedi-Peels to get rid of any pesky dry skin that may arise. These are medicated cotton pads that gently exfoliate skin as they dry. Check out the Avon Foot Works Collection here. Everything is so affordable! So that's how I maintain my pedicures! I hope this was helpful and if you have any tricks please feel free to leave them below!

[bellbellebella]

Essie Resort 2013 Collection Review and Swatches

While wandering aimlessly through Ulta which I usually do on a weekly basis I came across this cute little quad:

Essie Resort Collection 2013

The Essie Resort Collection for 2013 in mini form! I love buying the mini versions of polishes because I rarely finish an entire bottle of polish. I'm used to the OPI for Sephora minis that don't tell you the color on the bottle ( so you have to keep them in the boxes ugh!) but these were a nice surprise because the names are on these bottles. Hooray!

 (Top L-R)Essie In The Cab-ana, Essie Under Where, (Bottom L-R) Essie First Timer, Essie Come Here

In the Cabana - this was my first foray into light blue nail polish and I absolutely loved it. This color is perfect for spring and summer; it's just so cheerful and happy. This one wore the longest without chipping out of all four (using my Revlon Quick Dry Topcoat),

Under Where - I got the most compliments from strangers on this color. I think lavender is such a feminine and dainty shade; I'm surprised it took me this long to try it out!

First Timer - this color was a bit of a miss for me. I think this is my only green nail polish which is disappointing. It's a cool minty green in the bottle but when used with my topcoat it turned into a darker yellow green that I was not the biggest fan of.

Come Here - If you haven't noticed by now I love my pinks and corals and reds. I'm quite predictable in that regard so of course I loved Come Here. I also tried this color with a new topcoat I purchased called Out The Door and it stayed chip free on my nails for 5 days. It would have lasted longer but I needed to change my nail color. So far I'm impressed, but I'll test it out for my Zoya polishes and give it a full review.

Did you pick up anything from this collection? If so, what?

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Maybelline Color Tattoo Pure Pigments in Breaking Bronze Review & Swatches

New collections are continuing on BellBelleBella! I bring you another new addition to Maybelline; one of the new Color Tattoo Pure Pigments in Breaking Bronze. Which kind of reminds me of Breaking Dawn...any Twihards out there? :)

Maybelline Color Tattoo Pure Pigments in Breaking Bronze

I love the idea of pigments and how intense the color payoff can be. However. One thing I detest is how messy loose eye shadows and pigments can be on your vanity or counter top. There were a few years in high school that my mother and I were on an all mineral makeup craze and it was just everywhere. All in my drawers, all over the counter, all on the floor..nightmare. So I took a long break away from loose anything except face powder and this collection is slowly bringing me back into the fold.

Maybelline Color Tattoo Pure Pigments in Breaking Bronze

If you're not familiar pigments are typically more color intense than eye shadows. Breaking Bronze is everything I want a bronze eye color to be. It perfectly compliments my skin tone, there's not that much fall out, and it stays where you put it. I love that this color is bronze and it actually is bronze; it's not borderline copper or too orangey. It's also amazing for use everyday. You can also create a different look depending on if you use this dry or wet on the eye.

Maybelline Color Tattoo Pure Pigments in Breaking Bronze Top: Dry, Bottom: Wet

I only picked up this one because I am still weary of loose products because I can be a little clumsy. Check out the shades here and tell me in the comments below which ones you'll be picking up!

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Maybelline Fit Me! Stick Foundation in 340 Cappuccino Review

The Fall 2013 collections are beginning to arrive in stores! The Maybelline Fall 2013 collection contains the foundations below, Color Tattoo Pigments, Big Eyes Mascara, eyeliners, and nail polishes (check my instagram for swatches of those!).

So I've never actually tried a foundation in stick form. The ones I've seen in the past have been from higher end brands and I was hesitant to spend all that money on a foundation and not like it so enter Maybelline Fit Me! Shine Free Stick Foundation in #340 Cappuccino. At just under $10 I had to try this of course. The foundation claims to contain an anti-shine core (the white in the center). Also of note, these are not secured in any way and a lot of them at Wal-Mart where I got this from were swatched; if the core is not completely beige then someone has been testing it. 

Maybelline Fit Me Stick Foundation in 340 Cappuccino

Maybelline Fit Me Stick Foundation in 340 Cappuccino

For a frame of reference my most often used summer foundation colors are as follows: NARS Sheer Glow Foundation in Macao, Revlon Colorstay Foundation in #400 Caramel. I found that #340 Cappuccino was slightly too light for my summer skin tone but that was nothing a tiny amount of bronzer all over my face couldn't fix. I knew when I was buying this in the store that the color above was too dark and the color below was too light. Here's a tip for shopping for drugstore foundations when testers are not available: either take your current foundation in your purse with you and shade compare or if you have a perfect match in another drugstore brand grab it off the shelf and compare it to the shade you want to buy.

Maybelline Fit Me Stick Foundation in 340 Cappuccino

This foundation has one of the most matte finishes I've come across which is a Godsend for me because my face is in oil overdrive in the summer. It glides on very easily but I'll be honest - the stick form concerns me as I have acne prone skin but so far I haven't noticed any adverse effects. 

While the foundation did apply completely matte it did not stay that way all day without touch up from my Mally Beauty Face Defender. I don't hold any product accountable for not holding up to the Shine Free claim because my skin is like exceptionally oily so don't let that deter you :). Here's a picture of me waring the foundation on my Test Saturday from a week ago (I'm also wearing one of Maybelline's new Color Show Polka Dot polishes!).

I love how matte this is and it gives me a few more hours without blotting than other foundations. Perfect for summer! Will you pick this up? Also what other fun new collections have you spotted in stores?

[bellbellebella]

The Beauty Blogazons Weekly Roundup Vol. 3

TheFabZilla: TheFabZilla shares her experience with doctor-formulated Ageless Derma Stem Cell & Peptide Anti-Wrinkle Cream. Plus win a full-size bottle.

Makeup Demon: Re-use your empty eyeshadow pans...for eyeshadow mixing!

Mama Fashionista: No chance of a tropical getaway for you? No problem! Quinn says let BBW take you to Pure Paradise!

Lola's Secret Beauty Blog: Prestige Cosmetics Total Intensity Eyeliners rival the best luxury liners on the market, and they come in gorgeous jewel tones!!!!

My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog: My Newest Addiction Beauty Blog has a Summer Complexion Series. This week she is talking about the Laura Mercier Undercover Pot.

The Socialite's Closet: Learn the right way to exfoliate your face with The Socialite's Closet.

Confessions of a Sarcastic Mom: Check out Destany's June favorites!

Glamorable!: For this week's Manicure Monday Anastasia tried out the nail caviar trend. The result is gorgeous!

The Passenger Element: YSL Rouge Volupte SSR in Rose Culte - swatch.

Betzy's Makeup A Beauty Blog: I have a new favorites from SheInside, have you heard about it? If not, go check them out.

Icy Nails: Icy Nails has the sweet OPI Chick From Ears to Tail from the Couture de Minnie Collection for Summer.

Fun Fierce Fabulous Beauty Over 50: I took advantage of Zoya's summer polish sale, check out my swatches!

Geniabeme: See some choices for Summer complexion helpers!

Beauty by Miss L: Check out Miss L´s simple summer manicure.

ColorMeSoCrazy: Check out my FUN with Jindie Nails!!

BellBelleBella: Have you heard? Mally Beauty is now at Ulta! Check out Brittney's review of the Bulletproof Essentials Starter Kit.

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Now at Ulta! Mally Beauty Bulletproof Essentials Starter Kit Review

Mally Beauty Bulletproof Essentials Starter Kit

One of my longtime favorite brands has just made the move from QVC and online sales only to now being sold at select Ulta stores and online! If you're not familiar with the brand it is owned by the beautiful and "gorgois" (Mally speak, get with it!) celebrity Makeup artist Mally Roncal who's been doing the biggest names faces (hello Beyonce!) in the industry for years. If you've seen her on QVC before you know that her personality is so bubbly and cute and her knowledge of makeup and keeping your face looking great all day is amazing.

Many of Mally's products claim to be "bulletproof" meaning that once you put them in place they are not moving, smudging, or fading away any time soon. I decided to pick up her Mally Beauty Bulletproof Essentials Starter Kit and put these products to the test here on BellBelleBella!

Mally Beauty High Shine Liquid Lipgloss in Starburst

Mally Beauty High Shine Liquid Lipgloss in Starburst

Mally Beauty High Shine Liquid Lipgloss in Starburst

First up the Mally Beauty High Shine Liquid Lipgloss in Starburst is a mid tone shimmery pink that applies sheerly so it works for most skin tones. This is one of those click (turn the bottom) to dispense product lipglosses but I really like the brush on this; it's not too stiff and not too hard which can make click glosses a pain to work with.

Mally Beauty High Shine Liquid Lipgloss in Starburst

Mally Beauty Evercolor Shadow Stick in Saddle Shimmer

Mally Beauty EverColor Shadow Stick in Saddle Shimmer

This is my first time trying these Shadow Sticks and I LOVE THEM! They are creamy, they don't crease, there's no fallout; it's a win win win situation here! I love that she included Saddle Shimmer in here because it's the perfect shimmery brown for my skin tone that is subtle enough to wear every day even though you know I love my mattes. The one thing with these though - you better get your blending done before they set or else it is not budging.  Have your finger or your blending brush ready once you apply it!

Mally Beauty EverColor Shadow Stick in Saddle Shimmer

Mally Beauty Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Liner in Black Velvet

Mally Beauty Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Liner in Black Velvet

Now I also love me some pencil liner. For the most part it's the type of liner I use since I only do liquid when  I'm wearing lashes. Being waterproof is an essential for me...in my mind it doesn't make sense for an eyeliner not to be waterproof....unless you have magical eyes that never secrete tears. Anyway I love that this one is black but it's got a subtle "starlight" shimmer as well. It stays on your tightline and does not move or smudge throughout the day. Praise!

Mally Beauty Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Liner in Black Velvet

Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara

Mally Beauty Volumizing Mascara

Now Mascara is something I typically don't spend the most money on since the drugstore brands do such a great job..but this has changed my mind. My lashes look so long and thick amazing and I am obsessed with this stuff at the moment. I'll be doing a week of nothing but mascara posts this month and will be giving a full review of this then. Mally Beauty Evercolor Poreless Face Defender

Mally Beauty Evercolor Poreless Face Defender

This is seriously the best thing since sliced bread. Mally is team "Say no to "Translucent" powders" as am I. It  seriously kills me when the beauty industry calls something "translucent" or "universal shade" (I could dedicate a whole post to this). Honestly for most Women of Color (or tanned skin tones) those powders end up looking ashy on our skin...and beware when you take pictures with flash my dears. Mally's answer to this is to create this Poreless Face Defender which is completely clear.

 It absorbs oil like no other and makes my larger pores on my cheeks disappear. I am currently using this in my purse to touch up throughout the day. You can use this as a primer, or to set your makeup when you're finished in the morning. As you can see the top of the compact has the product and the bottom opens up and contains a mirror and a sponge. My only small complaint with this being clear...once you pat your face with the sponge it will of course stain it and since the product is clear you can see the brown through the compact making it look dirty. 

Are you loving this? Get the Mally Beauty Bulletproof Essentials Starter Kit from Ulta for $49 here.

[bellbellebella]

Exclusively at Wal-Mart: Flower Beauty Lip Service Lip Butter in Sheer Snapdragon

Over the Holiday weekend I paid a visit to my parents house as we had a ton of family around and in town. One thing to do in the suburbs: go to the Wal-Mart of course! Seriously the Wal-Mart by my parents house is the nicest one ever...I'm sure we can all name many scary Wally Worlds haha. Anyway the cosmetics section in this one was AMAZING! They had all the collections I struggle to find here in the city in one place. I'll have to start going there more often!

Flower Beauty Lip Service Lip Butter in Sheer Snapdragon

One of the newest product lines to make it's debut is Flower Beauty owned by Drew Barrymore. Her line is made in the USA and does not test on animals. The website states that they do not spend money on advertising so that they can put more money towards higher quality products and packaging. Sounds good right?! The packaging on everything is absolutely gorgeous and chic which is very impressive for drug store makeup. The one thing I will say is that the prices run ever so slightly more expensive than say Revlon or Maybelline for comparable products.

Flower Beauty Lip Service Lip Butter in Sheer Snapdragon

I was in a hurry so I only picked up one thing from this collection; one of the lip butters (of course!). I have a love love relationship with lip butters and Revlon has had my heart but there's a new love in town! Sheer Snapdragon is the perfect medium pink color on my skintone. I find it interesting that it has 'sheer' in the title because as you see from the picture of me wearing it below it is actually quite pigmented! This color also lasted a good 5 hours on my lip without looking too crazy.

Flower Beauty Lip Service Lip Butter in Sheer Snapdragon

Saturday I was testing out a bunch of new products and chose this a my lip of the day. So in love!!

Flower Beauty can be found exclusively at Wal-Mart stores. Tell me if you've tried anything from the line down below!

[bellbellebella]

Rihanna Hearts MAC: Heaux Lipstick Review and Swatches

Remember I told you guys about the Rihanna Hearts MAC ordering debacle? Well when I tried to order this lipstick it told me it would be back ordered until mid to late July but voila! Here it is and I could not be happier about it!

Rihanna Hearts MAC Heaux Lipstick

The tongue-in-cheek humor of the name (Heaux rhymes with bow....) is not lost on me; in fact it's quite funny. I can't wait to tell people what lipstick this is when I wear it and watch their faces. I get the same reaction when I wear Essie's Under Where? nail polish. Gets folks every time.

Rihanna Hearts MAC Heaux Lipstick

Just like all the lipsticks in the MAC Rihanna collection Heaux has RiRi etched into the tube. This is thankfully MAC's Retro Matte formula which in my experience is less drying than the regular matte lipsticks. With my matte lippies my lips feel like the Sahara. But I do love them though. The formula will still drag on your lips when applied so if you hate that then your best option is to use a lip brush to apply this color.

Rihanna Hearts MAC Heaux Lipstick

Rihanna Hearts MAC Heaux Lipstick

To my eyes this is a pinky red. The wear time with these as with most MAC lipsticks is amazing. I'm going on hour 6 and the color has not faded yet.

What do you think of the name and color of this lipstick?

[bellbellebella]

Happy 4th of July from BellBelleBella!

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Happy 4th of July everyone! I've been busy redesigning my website this week; what do you guys think?! I'll get back to posting next week but in the meantime I've put together a quick favorites list of things in Patriotic colors to tide you over. 

4th of July Faveswith Jeffrey Campbell, Essie, Michael Kors Have fun and be safe this holiday! And before I go...check out this awesome song by Lana del Rey National Anthem on Youtube. Love.