Burberry 'Rosewood' Eyeshadow

 After loving my Burberry Eye Colour in 'Pale Barley' to death (I've already hit pan on it after only a few months!), I wanted to pick up another one of Burberry's Silk Shadows. Enter the color 'Rosewood,' another one of Burberry's eyeshadow collection cult favorites.

 Without a doubt, part of the ultra expensive cost of this single eyeshadow goes toward the gorgeous packaging. In the linen colored box is a plaid covered velvet couch encasing the weighty metal square tin. The tiny compact has the infamous Burberry plaid on the top with 'Burberry' stamped on the side. The sleek container closes magnetically leaving no interruptions on the outside case.

 The shadow housed inside is also stamped with the beautiful Burberry plaid and a nice quality mirror is included. A sponge tip applicator is nested in there as well....mehhhh.

Rosewood is a brown satin shade with dusty rose undertones and gold sheen running through out. It is everything I wanted it to be as far as being simple enough to throw on and go to work with but complex and beautiful enough to create a stunning eye look with just one shade. 

The shadow is buttery soft to the touch and perfectly pigmented. It blends easily and layers well with itself and other shadows. 

Here is the color compared to Pale Barley. You can see the Rosewood has more rose to it but isn't as metallic or shimmery as other well known Rose Gold colors like L'Oreal's Amber Rush or Ardency Inn's Rose Gold shadow. This shadow is simply beautiful, understated, and classy.

Check out my post on Burberry's Pale Barley Eyeshadow!

Burberry Eyeshadows are $29 each for 0.09oz of product. Check them out HERE!

xxSJ

L'Oreal True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation

With Korean beauty trends taking the Western world over by storm, it was about time a cushion foundation made its way to American drugstores. This gorgeous rose gold packaging caught my eye and after reading a couple positive reviews about L'Oreal's new True Match Lumi Cushion Foundation, I wanted to give it a try.  I selected the color N2, which is the lightest color I could find in the line. Buyer beware, this foundation line does not have extensive shades to pick from! 

The pretty reflective compact opens up to reveal a little puff settled into a plastic cover. Lift the cover up to reveal the saturated cushion sponge on the inside. 

Make sure after every use you close the plastic part tight to ensure your foundation doesn't dry out! 

Since the cushion is totally saturated, the foundation appears pretty dark in the container. A very light bounce with a beauty blender (my preferred method of application) or a finger gives you A LOT of product. One bounce is enough for me to cover my whole face, and then another extra bounce will cover problem areas. 

L: no makeup, R: L'Oreal Cushion foundation, one coat

I find this foundation to give medium coverage and does a great job of evening out skin tone while giving a natural, dewy finish. Speaking of dewy, now that NYC is becoming a bit more humid as we get deeper into the Summer, I'm finding I need to blot my skin nearing the end of the day as my t-zone and forehead get rather oily. I definitely think this is a lovely foundation for the drier fall and winter months, however, and will give you a healthy glow. This foundation is pricey for drugstore at $15.99 and only lasts about a month before you're pressing into the cushion hard to get the same foundation payoff. I have flipped the sponge over in mine and resorted to pressing into it in different ways to get all the product out. I suppose that is the drawback of the fun little sponge is that you may be wasting quite a bit of product!

I definitely like this foundation and see myself repurchasing it once I escape the humidity of this NYC summer.  Check it out if you're looking for a beautiful foundation with a gorgeous finish in unique packaging!

Check it out HERE!
xxSJ

Sample Round-Up! YSL, Tarte, Sephora, Clinique, and Dr Brandt!

This week's Sample Round Up was a super fun one! Here's what I got to try out for free:

Yves Saint Laurent Touche Eclat
Full size price: $42 / 0.1oz
Sample value: $21 / .05oz
I got a ton of use out of this card filled with three different shades of YSL's cult classic Touche Eclat. I actually really enjoyed this stuff quite a bit! I don't think I'll ever be splurging on it strictly because of the huge price tag, but I definitely think this made me look more awake after applying it to my undereyes!

Clinique Even Better Foundation in 05 Neutral
Full size price: $27 / 1oz
Sample value: $10.80 / 0.4oz
I'm lucky I have a pretty decently neutral skin tone so this foundation sample wasn't a complete waste on me. I do think it was a bit too dark for my taste but I did actually enjoy this foundation quite a bit. I felt it gave sheer to medium coverage and I love that it has SPF 15 in it. This foundation wore well for a full day of work on me and I might be interested in color matching to my true shade and purchasing this foundation in the future. I think Clinique prices their foundations well and are a bit less expensive than other high end brands.

Left: my Left undereye concealed with YSL Touche Eclat in No1, Center: both undereyes concealed with YSL Touche Eclat No1, Right: Clinique Even Better Foundation applied to entire face

Sephora Instant Moisturizer
Full size price: $23 / 1.69oz
Sample value: $2.30 / 0.169oz
I really like this moisturizer! It is a bit thicker than my usual Aveeno moisturizer and I think it does an amazing job at smoothing out my face. My skin loves this stuff and I didn't notice any irritation while using it. I would definitely sample this product further.

Tarte LipSurgence in 'Exposed'
Full size price: $17 / 0.27oz
Sample value: $3.15 / 0.05oz
I do not like lip gloss very much anymore and this gloss is no exception. This gloss is ultra sticky and never loses that stickiness with wear. I had to take this off almost immediately because when I went outside on a bit of a blustery face, my hair was getting stuck to my lips and then pulling this product every which direction across my face! The color is a nice neutral dusty pink, but the formula isn't worth it to me.

Dr Brandt Pores No More Pore Refiner Primer
Full size price: $45 / 1oz
Sample value: $11.25 / 0.25oz
I really liked this primer and felt it did a great job at smoothing out my pores and fine lines (whatever fine lines a 24 year old has, that is). I also LOVE that the sample is so huge! I surely will get about a month's worth out of this tube of product as I only use enough to go on and around my nose and between my eyebrows which are my real problem areas as far as large pores and old acne scars I want to smooth out. This primer is a nude color and has some slip to it, but nothing like Benefit's Porefessional or the Smashbox Photo primer. I will definitely continue using this sample!

Total value of this week's samples: $48.50

Wowzers! That's a lot of moolah worth of makeup this week and 4 out of the 5 products I enjoyed using quite a bit.  Check out what samples you might have lying around your makeup stash! You might just find something you like!

xxSJ

MAC Eyeshadows: Brule, Malt, Haux....and new MAC Rewards Program!

It's been a minute since I've placed an order with MAC or even browsed their website. I was drawn to their web page after receiving an email from the brand telling me to claim my 'Anniversary gift.' Say whaaaaaaat????  Turns out I joined MAC's new reward program a year ago and its totally legit. At the most basic, bottom tier level, you get a free eyeshadow once a year (your choice of colors in store and online you get a choice from their top selling shadows, a $16 value). While browsing the website, I discovered that MAC offers free shipping to the US with ANY order, no minimum, AND all eyeshadow refill pans are now only $6. I'm guessing this was either done to be more competitive with brands like Makeupgeek ($7 pans) or because MAC is doing a reformulation and is pushing out old stock. We shall see if the new price tag sticks! 

For my free eyeshadow, I chose the satin cult favorite, Brule. It came in a little 'Adore You Reward You' cardboard sleeve. Well done, MAC! I also got pans of the colors, 'Malt' and 'Haux' to pop into my z-palette. I highly recommend pans as they are less cumbersome when you can open a palette full of 12-20 colors and do your whole eye look from there rather than be digging through and opening multiple containers for one look. I do love getting more special colors that I know I'll want to travel with in pot form so I can take my z-palette with my basics as well as my pots of special colors. 

Top to bottom: Brule, Malt, Haux

Brule is a satin shade and is a creamy, bisque color. It is a tanner, yellower, cream shade that I love for packing all over my lid as my base. 'Malt' is a color I got hoping to dupe my current favorite shade in the UD Naked Smokey palette, Combust (more on that below!). Malt is a neutral pink shade that shifts a bit purple orange. 'Haux' is a medium purple brown. 

Above is 'Haux' swatched next to Lorac's Unconditional from the Unzipped Palette and UD Nooner from the Naked 3 palette. It is definitely a more unique color and I've been loving putting this color in my outer V to deepen a neutral eye look. 

Here is 'Malt' next to UD Combust from the Naked Smokey palette, UD Limit from the Naked 3 palette, and Stila Understanding from the Eyes are the Window palette in Mind. Malt is a bit warmer than Combust and a bit less gray, but I think the colors are pretty close. As you can see, Malt is far less pinker than UD's Limit which I think makes it a more versatile transition color.

Here is an eye look I've been doing with just these 3 colors from MAC! I lay Brule down all over my lid and hit my browbone hard for that highlighted effect. Then I buff Malt into my crease and add Haux in the outer V for some extra depth. I tightline my lashes with some brown eyeliner and add some mascara and voila! That's it for a simple, professional look that took all of about 2 minutes. I've also loved adding rose golds, taupes, and pinks to the lid for some extra pizzazz, but just these 3 colors are definitely enough for a complete eye look.

Check out MAC to get a great deal on cult eyeshadow faves! Again, pans are only $6 each right now with free shipping, no minimum!

xxSJ

Steph Reads: 11/22/63 by Stephen King

11/22/63 is the story of a modern day time-traveler attempting to prevent the assassination of John F. Kennedy.  This was my first Stephen King novel and I can say with confidence that it won't be my last. King put an immense amount of research into this novel and it was certainly not for nothing--the details in the world building, the backstories of the characters, and the realistic touches included in every scene kept me completely glued to and immersed in the story with every page.

The story follows Jake Epping, a high school English teacher who gets roped into a conspiratorial plan by the owner of the local diner where a 'rabbit hole' to the past is located. The rules of the rabbit hole are as follows:
-it always brings you to September 9, 1958 at 11:58am
-upon returning through the hole, no matter how long you have stayed in the past, only 2 minutes will have elapsed
-you can change the past but every return to the past 'resets' the timeline
-the past does NOT want to be changed
The novel follows Jake as he navigates the 50s and 60s, waiting for the fated day on November 22nd 1963, when he will attempt to change the course of history as we know it.

Through the course of the story, we get to see Jake test the theories of timelines and time travel and make many mistakes along the way which is perhaps my favorite part of the novel.  I love world building (which there most certainly is a ton of in order for King to paint a realistic portrayal of 1958) as well as testing the rules of something not otherwise established.  Time travel is certainly not a novel subject in pop culture, but I don't feel like it has previously been done as well as King does it in this book by creating definitive rules and repercussions of such a hypothetical, ambiguous idea.  This book is definitely a long one, though I feel like it was necessary in order to develop an investment in the character's life in the past. What above love, relationships--the new life established in the years waiting for the assassination attempt?  The novel took its time to explore niches in the culture of the 50s and 60s as well as teach Jake some unforgiving lessons delivered by a timeline that doesn't want to be altered.  The book is lengthy leading up to 1963, though it doesn't feel like it drags as it is full of events that are both dreamy and nightmare worthy.  Suddenly its like someone presses the fast forward button leading up to the assassination date and everything happens all at once climaxing in an ultimately bitter sweet ending that left me teary-eyed.

I recommend this book for anyone who loves conspiracy theories, world building, and doesn't mind things getting a bit cerebral.  This book was definitely a thrilling ride!

xxSJ

Check out my other Steph Reads posts!
Baby Proof by Emily Giffin
Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
I Didn't Come Here to Make Friends by Courtney Robertson
Golden Son by Pierce Brown
The Hypnotist's Love Story by Lianne Moriarty
The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins
Bossy Pants by Tina Fey
Red Rising by Pierce Brown
The Guardian by Nicholas Sparks
Someday Someday Maybe by Lauren Graham
The Virgin Suicides by Jeffrey Eugenides
Something Borrowed by Emily Giffin
We Were Liars by E. Lockhart
The Husband's Secret by Lianne Moriarty
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
What Alice Forgot by Lianne Moriarty
Uninvited by Sophie Jordan
Splintered by AG Howard
Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Beneath the Glitter by Elle and Blair Fowler

Sample Round-Up! GlamGlow, Fresh, Laura Mercier, Dr Brandt, and Clinique!

Fresh Soy Face Cleanser
Full size: $15 for 1.7oz
Sample value: $1.15 for 0.13oz
This cleanser was pleasant to use and completely removed all of my makeup and felt extremely gentle on the skin. I did not care for the smell which was rather herbal, and I do prefer my FAB cleanser. I would get another sample of this in the future for travel purposes, though.

GlamGlow Thisty Mud Hydrating Mask
Full size: $69 for 1.7oz
Sample value: $9.74 for 0.24oz tube
GlamGlow is such an expensive brand so I feel extra bourgeois when I get to try this stuff out. This yellowish mask is a medium thickness and feels pretty nice on the skin.  I put it on and night and let it sit there for however long I'd like (it gives no indication of time on the tube and says you can wash it off or just leave it) before either falling asleep or wiping my face with a cool towel. I do feel my skin feels hydrated after using this mask, but I must say, nearly $70 for a facial treatment is STEEP so I might try other face masks before splurging on this one.

Laura Mercier Foundation Primer
Full size: $36 for 1.75oz
Sample value: $1.43 for 0.07oz
I loved using this foundation primer. I felt it made my makeup apply smoothly and it hydrated my skin with out leaving an oil slick feeling as other primers do. I thought this was similar to the MUFE primer I loved so much and would definitely want to try this stuff out again or get it in full size.

Dr Brandt Needles No More
Full size: $95 for 1.7oz
Sample value: $4.75 for .085
Fortunately for me, I do not have wrinkles yet on my 24 year old skin. I love products like these to use as a preventative treatment and I put it on the outside corners of my eyes and between my brows. I don't see a visible different after applying, but it feels nice to know I might be doing my skin some good. In the very least I'm giving it some hydration!

Clinique Almost Lipstick in 'Black Honey'
Full size: $17 for 0.07oz
Sample value: $8.50 for half size (no indication of quantity on the tube!)
Look out folks, we've got a cult favorite over here! The Clinique almost lipstick is pretty great because it is a sheer formula that gives you a 'just bitten' wash of color that is easily buildable if you want a deeper pout.  On me, this goes on my lips as a light berry wash and feels really moisturizing. It does not last long, however, only wearing for about 2 hours before needing reapplication.

Total sample value: $25.57

I liked all the samples I tried this week though the real winner was the Laura Mercier Foundation Primer. I loved that stuff!

Try out your free samples! You never know what gems you might find!

xxSJ

NOTD: SinfulColors Shine 'Pragmatic'

Purple is a color I will always be drawn to and I especially like it on my nails! This color by SinfulColors is called 'Pragmatic' and it is a super bright, medium-toned purple that I think is so fitting for Spring time (if only the weather in NYC would be as Spring-y as my mani).  This particular SinfulColors polish is made with 'gel tech' which supposedly makes the polish shinier and longer lasting. I definitely think this formula looks appealing on the nails and I'm pleased with the longevity of this polish--no chips in 3 days!

The average cost of this brand is $5 per bottle and you can find it at Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, and some drugstores. I'm impressed with the quality of the polish especially for the low price!

I have to throw in that I haven't done my nails in WEEKS because of being slammed by school and dry gross fingers, and let me tell you....having pretty nails makes me feel amazing.

Cheers to doing things that make you feel fierce.
xxSJ