theBalm Instain Blushes Review

Happy Tuesday everyone!!!

Recently I posted a video sharing with you all of my top favorite blushes for spring and summer. I realized that I hadn't posted swatches of theBalm instain blushes that I purchased a while back so I'm reviewing them today. I feature the two instain blushes I own in that video so if you haven't watched (click here) to see them and others that are perfect for spring and summer. Also, subscribe while you're there...it's Free :)

Let's talk blushes.....

The packaging is just adorable! I has a cute french vintage vibe to the exterior. It's thin and sleek with a magnetic closure and doesn't take up much space in makeup drawers or makeup bags. It also has a small mirror that's good for touch ups. These instain blushes come in 6 different colors ranging from rosy mauves to brighter pinks and peach tones.

theBalm Instain Blush $22 each

Although, the price may seem a bit steep $22 each, these blushes will last awhile  forever. The smallest amount goes a really long way and I would suggest using a soft fluffy blush brush for applying. They do really stain so add a little at a time. I prefer powder blush stains instead of actual liquid stains because powders blend and apply easier for me. 

**Tip: if you want to try these out for a cheaper price, download the HauteLook app on your smartphone or regularly check out theBalm's website for flash (one day) sales.

Here are swatches of the two I own:

Houndstooth & Toile

"Houndstooth"

A matte rosy mauve

"Toile"

A matte strawberry pink

 These blushes are really pigmented and are long wearing as the company claims. I find these blushes are perfect for oily skin because they hold up so well. I am very pleased with these blushes and I would recommend them to anyone. If you want to see more from theBalm (click here) to shop the website.

Have you tried these yet? If so, which colors do you own/like?

::Stay Connected with Me via Twitter & Instagram:: @GlamourbyLexi

Thank you for stopping by,
xoxo
~Lexi

Avon Extra Lasting Eyeshadow Pencil Review

Hello everyone!

I hope your week is going well and it's almost the weekend, yahoo!! I have been wanting to share with you my thoughts on Avon's cream eyeshadow sticks for quite a while and today is the chosen day. I've had these bad boys for a couple of months and I'm in love with them. I currently own 8 of them and as I write this post I'm kicking myself for not buying all 10 colors!

At first I was a bit hesitant to try out a cream product for my upper eyelid area since I'm really oily. I typically don't buy anything in cream form for my upper eye area because they never seem to last long enough and my oily skin tends to break down the product super fast. Well, not anymore!! I have found the solution to this problem :)

The Avon website describes these shadow sticks as transfer-resistant, waterproof, rub and fade proof. That's a whole lot of claims to be making for a product and guess what?..... it's true! I love it when products actually do what they claim to do. Don't you?

These shadow pencils come in 10 different shades ranging from neutral colors like taupe and bronze to a few smokey colors like navy and brown to a couple fun colors like purple and teal.  I think they have a great range of colors that look beautiful on their own or underneath a coordinating powder eyeshadow. Avon sells each eyeshadow pencil for $8.50 on their website or through an independent Avon representative. The packaging is a very simple and sleek twist up pencil that doesn't require sharpening which I find perfect for on the go and for traveling.

Sapphire: A gorgeous deep navy
Aquamarine: A beautiful teal that makes me say omg!
Violet: a perfect purple (summer time essential)
Smoky plum: A deep plum

Crystal taupe: A metallic taupe
Amethyst: A purply taupe that's perfect year round
Topaz shimmer: A gorgeous metallic coppery bronze
Rich cocoa: A satiny rich dark brown

As you can see from the photos above, these are amazingly pigmented, creamy and gorgeous. These are truly hidden gems that I don't hear much of from the YouTube beauty community. I hope you found this quick review helpful. If you have been searching for cream eyeshadows that lasts, has great pigmentation and are affordable...then look no further :) 

Overall, I'm so happy with these and I can't wait to continue using them for future makeup tutorials. My only negative is that there aren't many matte shades to choose from, they all seem to have a shimmery/metallic finish.  If you haven't visited my YouTube beauty channel (click here) to see makeup tutorials, product reviews, monthly beauty must haves and the occasional follow me around/a day in my life vlogs! I upload 2x a week :) Also, Subscribe to me, it's Free!! 

::Stay connected with Me via Twitter & Instagram::  @GlamourbyLexi

Thank you for stopping by,

xoxo

~Lexi 

Urban Decay Naked 3 Palette (Swatches & Review)

Hi everyone!

So I know you probably have heard and seen the goodness that is the Naked 3 palette. It's no surprise that I took the plunge and ordered this baby a few months ago. Honestly, at first I wasn't too sure if I was going to enjoy wearing the rosy tones with my brown eyes. But! I do have to say that I love these colors and they pair nicely with brown eyes. So of course, because I love this so much, I had to share my thoughts with you. 

Let's talk packaging: Of course Urban Decay had to package this palette just like the Naked 2 palette. The exterior is a metal tin type of packaging that snaps shut. I've heard from fellow youtubers that this packaging isn't so user/travel friendly. I happen to disagree on that. I think the metal aspects allows for easy travel in a suitcase. I feel the exterior protects the gems on the inside perfectly. And as with all things, there will be so natural wear and tear but really, if you properly care for it than it'll last.

product packaging

Lovely gems!

The first half: softer and lighter shades of pink. Some
with champagne tones and others with golden tone.

The second half: darker and richer shades of tans, taupes
and grays/black with touches of plum undertones.

Strange: a pale ivory with hints of pink
(perfect for inner corner/brow highlight)
Dust: a light champagne pink with soft silver flecks
Burnout: deeper champagne pink (darker than Dust)
Limit: a matte soft pinky mauve
Buzz: a metallic rosy pink
Trick: a metallic pinky gold

From this group the only shade I found to be a bit disappointing is Dust. It has soft silver flecks which I'm ok with but the pigmentation is not really there. It looks pigmented in the photo above and in the palette but it doesn't transfer to the eyelids easily. Plus, there's too much fall out.

Nooner: a matte purple-y taupe
Liar: a metallic pinky/plumy taupe
Factory: a metallic plum shade with hints of pink
Mugshot: a metallic taupe
Darkside: a shimmery deep gray with plum undertones
Blackheart: a deep matte black with golden pink shimmers

From this group, I don't have dud shade. They're all simply beautiful with rich pigment.

Bonus: with purchase of palette you'll receive samples
of all four eyeshadow primers that Urban Decay
makes. I'm a big fan of UD's primers :)

 Finally, here's a look I created a few weeks ago. I really enjoy using this palette and I find myself reaching for it often. Overall, I am pleased with the colors, pigmentation and sizes of the eyeshadows. I have been a huge Urban Decay fan for many years and I'm usually impressed with the quality of their products. It's rare for me to feel truly disappointed in what I buy from them. Urban Decay is one of my top favorite/most used brands.

My one complaint is the Dust eyeshadow. Not good on pigmentation and I'd prefer a little less silvery flecks. But over the last several years of using UD, I've noticed them trying to improve their chunky eyeshadows. I hope eventually, they'll nail it!

Colors used: Dust, Buzz, Nooner, Limit, Strange,
and Factory.

I hope this quick review was helpful for you. If you have any additional questions or comments, please leave them below. I'd love to hear from you. As always, stop on by my YouTube channel for more on this palette along with all beauty related videos. Please Subscribe to my channel, it's FREE :)

Stay connected with Me via Twitter & Instagram: @GlamourbyLexi

Thank you for stopping by and showing support. It means the world to me :) :)

xoxo

~Lexi

Makeup Geek Eyeshadows Review & Swatches

Hey everyone!

How's your thursday evening going so far? Are you ready for the weekend?? I am so therefore, I'm posting this review today. As I have mentioned in a previous video or two, I've been getting into Makeup Geek eyeshadows lately. I've used many of them to create different looks and so far I'm pleased with the quality, pigmentation, color range, price and size. I am sure by now you've heard of Marlena the CEO from Makeup Geek. She has a Youtube beauty channel called Makeupgeektv and over the last few years she's come out with her own makeup line. How cool, right?

So below is a lengthy review of all most of her eyeshadows. **disclaimer: I paid for every single eyeshadow and no I'm not sponsored. I am missing a few eyeshadows that are out of stock currently.

Little tid bits before we start..... her eyeshadow pans are $5.99 each or eyeshadows in a compact each are $7.99. If you go the route I did with pans, you might want to invest in a couple magnetic palettes called Z palettes to store them in. Shop all Makeup Geek products by clicking here!

I've categorized the eyeshadow by color group to make it easier :) Some swatch photos are split for easy viewing too!

Let the swatch fest begin!

Mermaid- shimmery golden bluish green
Pool side- bright teal with gold flecks
Ocean breeze- shimmery deep navy with faint green
Nautica- shimmery deep navy
Peacock- matte teal blue
Neptune- matte bright cobalt blue

Shimmer mint- shimmery mint green
Pixie dust- metallic yellow green
Poison ivy- deep olive green with gold flecks
Sea mist- teal with golden sparkle
Appletini- shimmery yellowish green
Envy- deep shimmery forest green

                                     

Preppy-matte brown with mustardy undertone
Cocoa bear- matte reddish brown
Brown sugar- shimmery golden brown
Mocha- matte dark brown
Bada bing- dark brown with golden flecks

Purely naked- shimmery tan
Creme brulee- matte light tan
Frappe- medium tan with satin finish
Latte- matte medium brown
Prententious- metallic broze
Hipster- shimmery sandy tan

Mercury- metallic silver
Graphite- charcoal gray with sliver flecks
Stealth- matte gray
Galaxy- deep metallic charcoal
Corrupt- intense matte black with soft sparkle
 (blackest black ever!)

Yellow brick road- shimmery pale yellow gold
Lemon drop- shimmery bright yellow
Gold digger-metallic gold
Bleach blonde-shimmery pale gold
Glamorous- metallic golden copper

Bling- frosted champagne
Vanilla bean- cream with satin finish
Beach & cream- matte beige-y peach
Peach smoothie- matte peach
Cosmopolitan- metallic rose gold
Mango tango- bright peachy pink with golden sheen

                                     

Burlesque- shimmery cranberry
bitten- deep matte maroon red
Sensuous- shimmery plum
Last dance-shimmery deep berry
Drama queen- dark purple with subtle sparkle

Taupe notch-shimmery taupe
Prom night- metallic plum-y taupe
Homecoming- metallic golden plum
Moondust- Metallic antique bronze-y taupe
Unexpected- matte dusty plum
Twilight- shimmery muted plum

White lies- matte white
Ice queen- shimmery white
Simply Marlena- medium pink with satin finish
Wisteria- matte lilac
Cupcake- matte mauve-y pink
Cinderella- shimmery pale pink
Shimma Shimma- metallic champagne-y pink

Finally, the swatching is over! Overall, I am very impressed with the quality and shade ranges from Makeup Geek. Some of these eyeshadows surpass a few of my high end eyeshadows and that says a lot. The price is outstanding for the amount of product and the pigmentation. Of course, with every brand there will be very good colors, some ok colors and then some that need a little more work. I can't complain about the variety offered or quality by Makeup Geek because the price is so affordable. Also, another side note, shipping was pretty fast and affordable too! 

I hope this review along with the swatches was helpful for you. I have done a few tutorials using some of these colors and they'll be more coming soon. If you would like to see these in action then click here to watch. While you're visiting my channel, please show support and subscribe :) It's free and you'll receive my videos straight to your subscriber feed on YouTube. 

Don't forget to stay connected with me via Twitter & Instagram: @GlamourbyLexi

Thank you for stopping by,

xoxo

~Lexi

                               

Macadamia Natural Oil & Mask Review

Hey everyone! 

I've decided to share with you one of my very favorite hair care products that has truly changed the life of my hair. I have heard about the Macadamia hair mask and healing oil for many years and never decided to try it. Finally several weeks ago, when I had highlights done twice within 6 days (do not over process your hair!) I noticed I had a lot of damage and split ends. I started freaking out and headed straight for Ulta. While scoping out all the hair products, I ended up with this brand. 

I had gotten the small healing oil treatment bottle (shown below) from one of my Ipsy monthly subscription bags months ago. I believe this is the travel size bottle and you may be able to find it at Ulta. I went about 3 weeks ago and repurchased this oil treatment in a 1oz. size bottle for $13.50. It's definitely not the cheapest hair oil on the market but it's worth the price tag. It comes in various sizes too. 

This healing oil treatment is so amazing. While I had my damaged prior to cutting it off, I used this oil twice a day, morning and night. I know this may sound like a lot but at that point I was refusing to cut my hair. This oil made my hair feel so soft, nourished and tangle free. Now that I've parted ways with my spilt ends, I use this one or twice a week on damp hair after washing. 

The deep repair mask is another amazing product. I can't believe how this changed my hair for the better. Even before cutting the damage off, this mask made me think- hey I may not have to cut my hair after all. My hair felt extremely soft, nourished and repaired as if there weren't damaged strands. I couldn't feel the rough ends I had from the bleach. It almost convinced me to skip the cut but I know split ends won't go away nor will they ever go back to a healthy strand. It's best to cut the damaged hair before it gets worse. 

I honestly can say this hair mask cannot be compared to any other I've used. In the photo above, you'll see the deep repair mask packet which are available at Ulta for $4!! This product comes in two sizes, 1oz. size packets ($4 each) or 8.5 oz. tub ($33 each). These prices come from Ulta's website but I am sure you can find them cheaper elsewhere online. 

Overall, I am super impressed with these two products. I know they are expensive but I think it's worth it. I didn't expect to fall in love with a hair oil but I did and I am glad I finally tried the Macadamia Natural Oil brand. 

What are your favorite hair oils and masks? Have you tried this brand? If so, what are your thoughts? I'd love to hear from you.

I hope your week is going well and that your weekend is amazing. Stay connected with me through Twitter & Instagram @GlamourbyLexi

Also, check out my YouTube beauty channel for makeup related videos. I upload 2x a week for your enjoyment. Please Subscribe on YouTube, it's Free :) 

Thank you for stopping by,

xoxo

~Lexi