A Makeup Kit Necessity: Blending Brush

The blending brush for eyeshadow is one of the most diverse and significant brushes. It is the only necessary tool for eyeshadow application in my humble opinion. The possibilities are endless! Whether you applying a soft sheen onto your eyelid or blending out harsh lines with a dark eyeshadow, the blending brush can work magic. Each makeup brand has their own version, but the MAC 217 is my favorite. The hairs are soft but dense enough to be able to use multiple ways. The actual brush is sleek and easy to store, as well as decently priced! I constantly wash mine and keep it in good condition as well. If you don't own a blending brush and are a frequent user of eyeshadow, you must buy one now! Good luck!

Rebecca

Naughty Indulgences

Item: french macarons

Location: lette macarons [beverly hills]

Price: about $2 per macarons

I picked up a few of these sweets on a pleasant day after a cake tasting at Hansen's. Not only did my mouth thank myself after every single bite, but my constant craving for more has failed to cease. The flavors are generic but lette macarons perfects the taste for each macaron! I urge you to have a sweet or two in moderation the next time you crave a "pick me up" snack. Enjoy

Rebecca

Newest Purchase... Dior Crème de Rose Smoothing Plumping Lip Balm

Hey, been a while since I've posted! Anyways, with my being a little rusty on this, don't mind my deteriorated blogger writing style. I've always been one to try a plethora of new lip balms, without consistently sticking to one. I feel as if lip products take up the most space in my makeup collection but get the least use. I want to share with you my newest purchase that has surprisingly avoided the old lip product shelf. The Dior Creme de Rose Smoothing Lip Balm is absolutely luxurious! It has a scrumptious rose scent that doesn't make you sick to your stomach! Usually floral products other than perfume or house spray fail to impress me. BUT, Dior has succeeded in making a smooth, firming, and pleasant lip balm that I would recommend to you all. The packaging is unique and clean, which I love. It's definitely not worth twenty-sex good ones, but if you are willing to splurge I would go for it. This lip balm isn't going to show up on your lips though. It's strictly treatment-like, and the improved texture makes up for the lack of glossiness in this product. Anyways, I recommend this, try it out and tell me below!

Rebecca

AMAZING NAIL COMBINATION!!! (feat. Nicole By OPI Kardashian Collection and Essie)

 My Favorite Nail Combination

Hey everyone! I am currently LOVING my nails lately, so I wanted to share! When choosing, I wanted to paint my nails a spring nude color to blend with the changing seasons. I chose Essie's "Sand Tropez" which is a cool toned nude that is perfect with any outfit. It is a basic essential to have if you are interested in collecting nail polish as I do! In order to spice things up because nude nail polish alone can look bland, I added Nicole By OPI's "The Next CEO" onto my ring finger. Added a glitter polish in the same color family can add a sweet spice that is very subtle! I think it looks absolutely stunning on any nails and I would recommend this combination to anyone. I hope you try this out! You can find both of these nail polishes at any drugstore! Thank you so much for reading, please follow! :)

CREME BLUSH VS. TRADITIONAL POWDER BLUSH {Pros/Cons, My Opinion}

Hey everyone! Lately, I've been really into wearing blush. It adds a gorgeous flush to your skin! You can get completely different looks depending on the texture and type of blush, making it such a fun tool for makeup looks. There are many forms: liquid, stain, cream, gel, and powder! My favorite are cream and powder, and this post will list pros and cons of each! Also listed below are my favorites. I also have an older post listing my favorite blushes. And a tutorial on how to apply blush for different effects! Keep reading! :)

Creme Blush

Uses: Creme blush is the PERFECT solution to pasty and dull skin. If it is a good formula, it is designed to illuminate your skin and provide a dewy finish! I love wearing creme blush during the whole year, but it goes especially well with warmer seasons! My skin looks a lot healthier when I use creme blush! It can also be used as a highlight. 

Pros: Healthier finish, dewy, longer wear (on my skin), multi-use (lips and cheeks)

Cons: bad quality: will not blend well, not too many drugstore options, bacteria buildup is easier

Favorites! 

1. Stila Convertible Color ($25)

2. Nars The Multiple ($39)

3. Tarte Cheek Stain ($30)

4.Guerlain Terracott Blush Sun Shimmer Highlighter ($41)

Powder Blush

Uses: Powder blush is a traditional product for sculpting your face and adding dimension and color. It can be used more as a contour, highlight, and just plain blush! I love neutral blushes for everyday use. I also set creme blush with powder sometimes! 

Pros: Tons of uses, massive amount of selection, gorgeous matte or shimmer finish. 

Cons: Can appear chalky on dry skin, can appear uneven, sometimes too much shimmer.

Favorites

1. MAC Powder Blush ($16)

2. Nars Blush ($28)

3. Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick ($39)

4. ELF Blush (They have one for $1 and one thats $3! Both are great)

Thanks for reading guys! Hope you found this helpful! Overall, I wear creme blush more because I prefer the "healthy skin" look. 

REVIEW: Revlon Color Burst Lip Butter in "Lollipop" {Pictures, Review, Swatches!}

Hey guys! After hearing wonderful things about this lip product, I decided to give it a try. Revlon has launched a new lip butter that promotes beautiful color with a moisturizing lip treatment. It has a glossy shine to it, making the use of a lip gloss unnecessary. I chose "Lollipop", a candy pink with light glitter and a lot of sheen! I am quite impressed with it. Keep reading for pictures, demonstrations, and a more in-depth review. Thanks!

Revlon's Color Burst Lip Butter in "Lollipop"

Net Weight: 0.11 OZ

Company: Revlon

Where to buy: Ulta, CVS, Target

Link: Ulta

Price: $7-9

Formula: The formula for this lip butter is SUPERB! This lip butter is designed to give color to your lips while adding moisture and shine. The color and pigmentation for this specific lip butter is amazing. There are multiple ways to wear this lipstick, as shown in the pictures above. I am able to create a light stain or build it up to a heavy lipstick. There is a ton of shine, so it looks like I am wearing a gloss as well. The color is a beautiful bright candy pink! I am extremely impressed with this formula, and hope the lighter colors are just as amazing. 

Packaging: I am not crazy about the colored outer packaging. It looks a little "kiddish" and cheap. I am a fan of the reinforced cap to prevent messes as well as the silver tube. No serious complaints!

Longevity: The longevity is great on this lip butter. I only suspect this because of the richness and darkness of this particular shade. Because it is so moisturizing, I would imagine that the lighter colors have less wear time. 

I really like this lip butter so far! I cannot wait to wear it more often and purchase more shades. Overall I would most definitely recommend this product to anyone, especially if they have complaints about their lipsticks being drying.

My favorite way to wear this lipstick! Warm up this pink lipstick by adding a coral gloss over. It creates a unique color that looks gorgeous on! I used Revlon's ColorBurst Lip Gloss in "Papaya". 

Thank you so much for reading this post! I really hope this review was helpful. If you enjoyed it please follow and stay tuned for more :)

STOP KONY 2012

Hey everyone. An important issue that should have been dealt with years ago is right now coming into the public. Joseph Kony, a dangerous warlord, needs to be stopped. Watch this video and all will be explained! Take thirty minutes out of your day from online shop and pointless beauty tips. This is what matters! Spread and share this video!!!!!! Thank you. 

Essential Drugstore Steals!

Did some damage the other day, bought my essentials and some goodies! That means more reviews to come! I am really excited with the products I bought, can't wait to tell you guys! 

You can buy all of these products on Sephora's and CVS's website.

1. St. Ives Naturally Soothing Lotion

2. Nails Inc. Magnetic Nail Polish

3. L'Oreal Paris Voluminous Million Lashes Mascara

4. Revlon Lip Butter in "Lollipop"

5. NARS Multiple in "South Beach"

6. Maybelline Line Stiletto Liquid Eyeliner in "Blackest Black"

7. Nicole By OPI Nail Polish in "The Next CEO"

8. Nicole by OPI Kardashian Kolor "Paparazzi Don't Preach"

9. Cotton Squares and Q-tips (great for removing makeup/nail polish or cleaning up messy eyeliner)

10. Dove Deodorant Nectarine & White Ginger

11. Neutrogena Oil Free Eye Makeup Remover

12. Sephora Birthday Gift (FREE) Two mini fresh lip treatments! GO PICK IT UP. 

I am so excited to review these products! Thank you for reading. If you have any insight on any of these products, feel free to let me know in the comments below! Please follow :)

Skincare Switch: From CHANEL to CLINIQUE!

Hey everyone! Recently, I finished my old Chanel skincare products. I owned the cleanser for normal skin and the illuminating moisturizer. They were great for simple cleansing and light moisturizing. I didn't realize until switching to Clinique; that my skin remained the same if not more irritated with the Chanel skincare. Chanel skincare is loaded with perfumes, which can cause a reaction from sensitive skin. I love the scent free formula that Clinique uses. I've noticed my skin has tremendously cleared up! I did enjoy the texture of my skin when using Chanel though. It has a more luxurious and creamy texture that is hard to beat. Overall, I'm sticking with Clinique! The price is unbeatable, the source is reputable, and the product is great. I really enjoy the moisturizer's ease of use and how quickly my skin soaks the product up. The facial cleanser has a lovely texture but does not foam as much as the Chanel wash. I don't think I will be going back to Chanel skincare for a while!

Thank you so much for reading! If you enjoyed this post, please follow! Whats your favorite skincare products? Tell me in the comments!

Quick Remedies To Brighten Up Your Complexion!

With the long weekend passing, multiple parties, long work hours, and the harsh prominence of reality, your face and complexion can take a toll. Breakouts, dark circles, and a general dullness to the face has been one of my issues. These are my super simple remedies that can all make a big difference on how my skin radiates during the day!

1. Work Out!

I don't know the science behind this technique, but taking a quick jog around my neighborhood or participating in a sport does wonders for my acne! My pores disappear, my skin glows, and all my acne goes away when I work out on a daily basis. It's like magic! Sweating cleans out all the toxins in your body, therefore allowing your skin to breathe and look healthier. 

2. Eat Healthy

Junk and processed food really does affect your skin. What you put in is what you get out! All of the oil buildup in greasy foods parallels the oil buildup in your skin. By balancing fruits and vegetables, it will allow your body to attain a regular cycle of digestion which will improve the quality of your skin. 

3. Mud Masks!

This is one of my favorite techniques for brightening my complexion if I am feeling lazy! Slathering on a mud mask soaks up oils in my pores as well as tightens my skin, making an overall improvement that's noticeable! Brightening cleansers are amazing as well. 

4. Sleep

This is the most obvious remedy. Try to catch up on your sleep on the weekends! Taking one day to completely sloth in bed will make a huge improvement for your behavior for the week. 

Thank you so much for reading! If you thought this was helpful, please follow! Love you all!

Favorite Celebrities Grammy's Makeup {2012}

Hey everyone! On Sunday, the Grammy's took place in Los Angeles. I was so excited to see all of the glamourous makeup and fashion that the women would be wearing! Out of all the looks, these were my favorite.

Adele

Adele's "Old Hollywood" makeup was stunning! I loved the thick lashes and bold red lip! She kept her crease defined with a simple taupe eyeshadow which looked stunning, and a simple bronzed and dewy face which perfectly balanced everything. Gorgeous! 

 Kelly Osbourne 

I'm totally digging the lavender lips and hair! The muted colors are unique, and she totally rocks it. A simple  silver eyes with thick lashes gave a modern twist to her makeup. 

 Taraji Henson

Taraji's use of lavender in her eye makeup was executed beautifully as well. The romantic purple on the inside of her lid brightened up her eye. I also love the bronze crease to keep it "goddess like!" Nude lips kept everything simple. 

 Cyndi Lauper

Although I'm not crazy about the makeup look on her, I think it worked well on it's own! She, boldly, was one of the only celebrities to rock spider lashes too. The classic charcoal smokey eye looked great. I also love how she has white eyeliner on her lower waterline instead of making everything black like most smokey eye looks! I don't know about the coral lip, but the eyes were stunning and the main focus.

I hope you guys enjoyed this post! If you liked it, please follow! :)

Obsession: Voluspa Candles

My awkward candle story...

Candles have always been a weird subject for me. Always wanting to burn candles around my house, my mom would shut me down by saying that they are a "fire hazard." One day I finally got her to crack, so I went on a candle spree. I first started with Bath & Body Works candles, which sadly disappointed me with their generic smell and cheap look. Then I ventured further into the candle world. I never really thought that I would choose high end candles over cheaper candles, but there is a difference! I've noticed that with higher end candles, a more softer and subtle scent fills the room with a pleasant aroma of floral and musk, not a whack of pumpkin spice. My mood changes due to the candle I am burning, so it is important to invest in something that is enjoyable for a long period of time!

Once I discovered Voluspa Luxury Candles and Home Fragrance, I immediately fell in love. Their candles are made from a coconut-soy wax blend, which burns beautifully in all spaces. The packaging upstages every other candle company out there, with beautiful patterns, tinted glass, and colorful tins. The prices are not outrageous, and the quality is phenomenal. Every single scent is crafted with such elegance it is hard not to buy every single candle. I would recommend this for gift-giving and personal pleasure! My favorite scents include Saijo Persimmon, Laguna, Macaron, Crisp Champagne, Vervaine Olive Leaf, Apricot &Aprilia, and Atelier Provence Lavande. Voluspa also has their scents organized into different collections of scent. As long as I burn candles, I will always look to Voluspa for products. 

Just a side note...One thing that I do is save the candle tins for storing clips or little knick knacks in them! They work as beautiful little organizers.

Check out Voluspa's website! 

If you enjoyed this post, please follow for more tutorials, reviews, and interesting topics! Thanks guys!

Tutorial: BIGGER and BRIGHTER Eyes!

Hey guys! In this tutorial, I am giving you some basic tips on how to brighten and liven your eyes! Plenty of people suffer from baggy, droopy and tired eyes. Through this tutorial, your eyes will be given a kick of life! Enjoy.

Tip 1: Use a champagne or white eyeshadow on the center of your eye lid. This will open your eyes up. The light shimmery shade attracts a flattering angle of light that widens any tired eyes! I used the Wet N' Wild Color Icon Eye Palette in "Walking on Eggshells." 

Tip 2: Full and curled eyelashes are a great solvent to tired eyes. If you have straight and short lashes, apply a curling mascara to open the appearance your eyes. Never forget to put mascara on your lower lashes as well! This extends the perimeter of your eye, therefore giving a doe-eyed look. Tarte's Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara is perfect for the job. 

Tip 3: To help give definition to your eyes, applying a smudged gel liner into your upper lashes is an amazing technique. You can manipulate the shape of your eye with thickening in the center and other techniques. Providing definition to your eyes improves the appearance of baggy eyes dramatically. 

Tip 4: White eyeliner on the waterline of the eye extends the whites of the eyes, making them look a million times bigger! I've noticed that it also gives youth to the look of your eyes when used. 

Tip 5: Slightly defined crease. For this tip, you must use a slightly brown matte shade in the crease of your eye. This is just for a tiny bit of definition to help shape your eyes! Never go overboard with this step.

Thank you so much for reading! I hope you found this post helpful. Try it out and tell me! If you liked this, please follow. Have a great weekend!

Tutorial: Nude Attitude {Directions, Pictures}

Hey everyone! In this tutorial, I wanted to create a sultry natural look that all had earth tones. It kind of reminded me of an Safari-ish eye look...Please don't mind my bad descriptions! I used earthy brown colors on my eyelids and then smudged some darker colors onto my lash line. In order to keep the rosy bronze look going, I used a mixture of blush and bronzer on my face as well as a lovely nude color on my lip. The whole look together works beautifully and looks very raw and natural. I love this and I hope you do too! Keep reading for more details.

Products Used:

• Urban Decay Primer Potion
• Revlon Creme Illuminance Eyeshadow in "Not Just Nudes"
• Inglot Eyeshadows
• Sephora Waterproof Kohl Eyeliner
• Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes! Mascara
• Bobbi Brown Lip Color in "Blush"
• MAC's Blush in "Melba"
• NYC Mosaic Bronzer
• Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick 

Directions:

1. Prime your eyelids. This will prevent creasing of your eyeshadows and show better pigmentation on your eyelid.
2. Take the matte medium brown shade or any brown base and apply it to your lid. The one in my Revlon cream shadow quad is amazing for this purpose! 
3. Apply a matte taupe-ish brown all over your lid with a blending brush for a light wash of color. 
4. Now take a matte brown color and lightly blend it into your crease for some more intensity. DO NOT BUILD UP THE COLOR! We are not trying to heavily define the eyes so it looks natural. 
5. On your upper lash line, blend a smudge-able kohl pencil on your lash line. Then, take the brown eyeshadow and blend it even more! It's supposed to make the look a little more sultry, not smokey! 
6. Take a little of the brown cream eyeshadow and put it on your lower lash line. Then apply the matte brown eyeshadow over to set it!
7. Curl and apply mascara! To remain even more natural, feel free to use brown mascara! 
8. Mix your blush and bronzer for a rosy brown color. Slightly contour and blend out onto your cheeks. This will give you a GORGEOUS glowy face.
9. Apply a shimmery highlighter. I used my Bobbi Brown one because it provides the best glow ever to anyone's face! It doesn't exactly look natural, but definitely works with the look. 
10. Apply a rosy nude lipstick that has a subtle sheen. My Bobbi Brown lipstick was perfect for this look! 

Thank you so much for reading. If you enjoyed this tutorial, please follow and comment below! Thanks again :)

Dreamingofbeautyx's New Contributor: Jackie Clark!

Not a better way than to start the NEW YEAR off than with an inspiring article...

Hi everyone! I am so excited to present to all of you a new project I am working on. Recently, Jackie Clark emailed me with a wonderful idea about encouraging exposure towards the public about cancer patient's struggles, mostly concerning ones with mesothelioma. I, of course, couldn't pass up the offer, for this subject is very delicate and important to myself and the whole world. Jackie believes the importance to feel beautiful no matter what the circumstances are influences all aspects of life. Through these next few articles, I hope all of you can learn to appreciate the beauty you possess! Enjoy the article and please give feedback. 

Feeling Beautiful No Matter What

By: Jackie Clark

A cancer diagnosis can be devastating and for women, it is particularly crushing to know that the only cure available to you will more than likely affect your looks. Chemotherapy causes bloating for some, chronic nausea and weight loss for others, and the majority of the harsh chemicals used to treat this disease can cause hair loss. For women diagnosed with a cancer with low survival rates, such as mesothelioma, focusing on a beauty regimen may seem futile. This is far from the truth.

Build Confidence

Fashion is a wonderful way to feel strong and many doctors believe that confidence may go a long way toward defeating cancer. There has been significant research on the power of positive thinking in cancer treatment, and for women, feeling beautiful helps to build confidence and strength. The fact is that all women need to feel beautiful no matter what circumstances they are in, and a focus on fashion, beauty and feeling good about the way you look is one of the first steps toward fighting a disease that can have devastating effects on your body.

Inner Fashionista

One of the best ways to feel beautiful is to get in touch with your inner fashionista. Put on that flirty, bright skirt and cheerful top to go to the grocery store. For days when you are too exhausted to get dressed, put on some satin or silk pajamas that will make you feel luxurious and beautiful. Paint your nails a bright, cheerful color. By simply focusing on fashion during treatment, you will find that your confidence has grown and you will feel much stronger simply because you are taking a proactive stance.

Look Good…Feel Better

Because feeling beautiful, building confidence and feeling stronger are all part of battling cancer, the American Cancer Society offers a program called “Look Good…Feel Better” that teaches female cancer patients beauty tips specifically designed for those undergoing chemotherapy and radiation. The program can be performed in a group setting or one-on-one, and patients can learn to manage skin, nail and hair problems that arise during cancer treatment. The program is free and you can find information at the American Cancer Society website.

Cancer is a devastating diagnosis for both men and women, but the fact that the cure for this disease can cause such serious damage to looks is particularly difficult for women to face. Hair loss, bloating, and loss of color are some of the minor side effects that can occur in cancer treatment. For some, surgeries can leave permanent scars that can cause devastating effects on a woman, and being diagnosed with mesothelioma, with its low survival rate, can cause someone to completely ignore the importance of beauty and fashion. The fact is, confidence and positive thinking have been shown to aid in the treatment of cancer, and feeling beautiful is one of the best ways for a woman to build confidence and feel stronger.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read this. I hope you have achieved a higher understanding for the importance of this topic and choose to apply it to your everyday life through this article. Have a happy holidays!