7 Must-Have ELF Beauty Products

ELF was one of the very first drugstore brands I became obsessed with when I first started getting involved in beauty and makeup.  It's high quality and affordable products are only getting better with the launch of every new collection.  Their range of products have grown from simple brushes and lip glosses to full palettes and an entire skin care line.  Below are just several favorites that have truly made an impression of my makeup routine.

ELF Powder Blush Palettes

This blush palette comes into Light and Dark, each one containing four gorgeous and highly pigmented blush shades.  The Dark palette shades are perfect for contouring and sculpting, while the Light palette shades are perfect for everyday and just a touch of color on the cheeks.  Each quad has both matte and shimmer shades that are creamy in texture and very blendable.  These are always the blush palettes I reach for most because of their versatility and quality color payoff.



ELF Illuminating Palette

ELF's Illuminating Palette is perfect for the person still new to the highlight and strobing part of the beauty game.  Each shade of highlight will give you a subtle glow, as opposed to a heavy sheen, making it perfect for those who want a nice shine but not dewy looking skin.  These are easy to apply and very blendable for creating much more natural looks.  A perfect compliment to a "no makeup" makeup look, this palette's shades are not overly pigmented or shimmery.



ELF Cream Eyeliners

The ELF black eyeliner has been my go-to cream eyeliner for quite some time now.  Using an angled liner brush, the soft and creamy texture of this eyeliner will create perfectly smudge-proof and defined cat eyes.  The creamier the eyeliner, the easier it is to apply, and this one by ELF does not disappoint in terms of quality and consistency.  This eyeliner comes in the shades Black, Coffee, Copper, Midnight, Plum Purple, Punk Purple, and Teal Tease.  I recently used the Teal Tease shade as part of our 2015 80's-themes Holiday card.



 ELF High Definition Under Eye Setting Powder

ELF's under eye setting powder has been a saving grace for my under eye makeup.  No matter how well I set my concealer I always have an issue with creasing and cracking.  Until I found this bad boy.  I apply this with a setting brush immediately after applying concealer directly beneath my lower lash line, where I tend to get the most noticeable creasing, and then proceed to highlight the rest of the concealed area with a different setting power.  This lightweight and velvety soft powder helps to correct and conceal my dark circles and lines without giving me "ghost face."



ELF Clay Eyeshadow Palettes

I was dying to try out ELF's new clay eyeshadow palettes when I first saw it announced on Instagram, and my initial excitement only increased when I actually got to try the palettes.  The clay eyeshadow palettes come in four different sets: Necessary Nude, Saturday Sunsets, Seaside Sweetie, and Smoked to Perfection.  Each palette contains a beautiful array of five colors, from nudes, cool tones, warm tones, and smoky shades.  The texture is silky and soft, not chalky and dry, and are perfectly pigmented where they can be worn lightly and built up for more intensity.



ELF 11 Piece Brush Collection

ELF's collection of makeup brushes are some of the best you will find in the drugstore.  While I am not a fan of their white brushes, I have been in love with their black brushes and the flawless way they apply makeup.  Purchasing the entire brush collection is a great starter set for any beauty beginner, but even after you move on to higher-end brushes you will still find yourself reaching for these.  These high quality brushes are also attainable at a very reasonable price point, excellent for daily use, and will last for years.



ELF Hydrating Under Eye Primer

Even if I am applying a full face of high-end makeup, one of the first things I always do is prime my under eyes with ELF's hydrating primer.  It is a salmon color to aid in masking dark under eye circles, fills in fine lines, and diminishes the appearance of puffiness and wrinkles by hydrating the skin.  Just a small pump of the serum is enough to cover beneath both eyes and prime them for smooth, flawless makeup coverage.

ELF is a great brand that puts out high quality products at affordable prices.  It is perfect for both the novice who is just starting to become interested in makeup, to the full fledged obsessed.

I Want To Know...

What are your most loved ELF products?

 

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December Loves and Favorites

December was a crazy month!  Between all of the many events and activities surrounding the holidays the new year seems to have come up fast.  Despite this I never seem to lack in time finding and hoarding buying my favorite makeup, beauty and style products.

According to Sephora and Pantone Universe the colors of the year for 2016 are Rose Quartz, a powder pink, and Serenity, a pale sky blue.  2016 is already shaping up to be a very colorful year and I expect a lot of these light pastel and watercolor shades to be showcased all over social media within the next 12 months.

You might be wondering how in the hell an everyday look could possible involve a powder pink or sky blue lipstick color.  Shades like these have usually been reserved for makeup artists creating beauty looks for runway shows.  However, you would be surprised with the looks you can pull off, including some amazing ombre effects.  Tutorials, tips and more beauty advice to come!

Now, on to my December loves and favorites!

Tartelette Amazonian Clay Matte Eyeshadow Palette

I feel a little late to the game on this one, but oh well!  I had been eyeing the Tartelette Palette by Tarte Cosmetics for a very, very long time.  It was only until Tarte released the sister palette, Tartelette In Bloom Clay Eyeshadow Palette, that I knew I had to get my hands on my original favorite.  I love matte shadows above all others, and this palette definitely gives me that fix.  It includes 12 eyeshadows with a range of warm nudes to deep browns and blacks.  All are liner, crease and lid shadow shades that make it easy to contour and highlight one of your face's best assets.  I cannot wait to try the In Bloom palette, which features a mix of matte and luster shadows.

Kat Von D Everlasting Lipsticks

All of December I was obsessed with mixing two shades of Kat Von D's Everlasting Liquid Lipsticks: Bow 'N Arrow and Noble.  Bow 'N Arrow is a fawn nude and Noble is a petal pink nude.  While I love both of these shades separately, they are amazing together.  I used them as my go-to lip color all throughout the holiday season, and even in a couple makeup tutorials.  These lipsticks in general are long wearing, glide on smoothly, and remain a beautiful, soft matte on the lips.  I always feel comfortable wearing them to a dinner where I know I will be eating and drinking, because at the end of the night it will still be there.

Natracare 100% Cotton Organic Tampons

 After reading a few articles on the fact that most tampons not only contain chlorine bleach, but that companies are not required to tell you what they put in tampons, I knew I had to make a change.  It worries me that I have been using tampons for so many years without a second thought as to what I was actually putting inside my body.  So I went to my local grocery store and found Natracare, which had the only box of 100% cotton organic tampons throughout an entire aisle of feminine hygiene products.  Sad, right?  Women deserve to know more about what they use on their bodies every month.

Sonic Cleansing Brush*

I'll admit, I was fairly skeptical when I received this product.  I thought there was little chance of it comparing to Clarasonic or doing much to help my face.  But I loved it.  First, I love the size because it is travel friendly.  When I travel I NEED for my face to feel clean and I don't like to change up my face washing routine.  Second, it makes my face feel extra clean, as if it gets deep into pores that regular washing with my hands does not.  For my nightly skincare routine I take off my makeup and then use the Fresh Soy Face Cleanser with my Sonic Cleansing Brush to wash my face.  I then continue moisturizing as normal.  My face feels fresh and clean, exactly what I love!

Let Me Know!

What were some of your favorite beauty, makeup and/or style favorites from last month?
 What do you think is going to be on trend for 2016?

 

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8 Beauty and Style Holiday Favorites

These 8 beauty and style holiday favorites are the perfect essentials for parties, events, dinners, and gift exchanges!  Every one of these items will bring a gleaming sparkle or sense of sophistication to your holiday festivities.

Urban Decay Gwen Stefani Eyeshadow Palette

This beautiful palette is made up of a mix of 15 matte and jewel tones, each one designed by Gwen Stefani herself and guaranteed to spice up any holiday makeup look.  The texture and pigmentation is stunning and so long lasting you will not have to worry about creasing or fallout during your holiday blitz of food and gifts.  My absolutely favorite shades has to be Pop, a pale coral with iridescent sparkle, which I will be applying to my lid this Christmas Eve as part of a shimmery pink and mauve cut crease.

Huda Beauty Classic Fall Lashes

   Huda Beauty lashes are stunning.  They are lightweight, reusable, vegan, and cruelty-free, and come in a variety of styles guaranteed to fit and makeup look or occasion.  My favorites are Giselle, Samantha and Sasha, which are all low-to-medium volume and more natural than dramatic.  I will be wearing Giselle this holiday season to create a natural look that is subtle while still remaining beautiful.  I have been a Huda Beauty fan for a long time, and these lashes remain a staple in my makeup routine!

Kate Spade Lily Avenue Wallet

  Have a holiday party or even to go to, but don't want to lug around your heavy everyday tote?  Kate Spade's Lily Avenue Wallet is the perfect accessory for all the essentials.  I can fit my iPhone, lipstick, ID, and cards easily, with room to spare for a few tampons if the time calls for it.  This wallet comes in the colors Ballet Slipper, Black and Cherry.  Ballet Slipper, a soft pink, is my favorite, and the scalloped snap-flip closure is elegant and sophisticated, while still remaining girly and cute.

NARS Audacious Lipstick in Anita

The reason this is one of my go-to lipsticks for parties or events is because of its great coverage and ability to last.  The texture is rich and feels like satin upon the lips.  My favorite shade, Anita, is a gorgeous petal pink, which gives my lips a subtle tone without being too dramatic.

Deborah Lippmann Glitter Nail Polish in Ruby Red Slippers

When I found this perfect shade of shimmery Christmas red, I had to stop in Sephora for a moment of silence and appreciation.  Honestly, you cannot get more festive than this.  These are long lasting, glittery, and comes in a show-stopping red.  If this is too much glitter for you (but honestly how could there be such a thing?) use this as an accent color on either your ring or index fingers, and paint the rest a bright red.

Kate Spade Small Square Stud Earrings in Rose Gold Glitter

In addition to purses and wallets, Kate Spades makes the most beautiful jewelry that is affordable, sophisticated, elegant, and effortlessly girly.  At only $38 these bazel-set faceted stones feel like a steal.  The glitter is subtle but always catches the light just right.

Kate Spade Metro Scallopped Leather Watch

 I know what you're thinking: Kate Spade, again?  Hell yes, Kate Spade.  This watch gives me life.  It is scalloped (to match the wallet), stylish and comfortable.  The face and color combination is stunning and classicly elegant.

Diorshow Mascara

This is my favorite mascara for wearing beneath a full set of false lashes.  It is voluminous, lengthening, and comes in a very deep jet black.  The brush is thick and lashes turn out lush and full.  This is also my go-to mascara when I want a dark eye look without false lashes.

 

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My 6 Favorite Holiday Inspired Makeup Tutorials

 

With Christmas almost a week away and holiday parties in full gear, it's time to start thinking about your holiday makeup looks!

Here are SIX of my favorite holiday makeup tutorials this year.  They range from bright and glittery to deep and smokey, and are guaranteed to fit anyone for any occasion!

Click the title of each makeup look to be taken to the full tutorial.  Enjoy!

Champagne Gold

Can you tell I am already excited about the holidays?  Plummy lipstick?  Check.  Silver eyes?  Check.  Pearl and gold jewelry?  Double check.  There is nothing I love more than looking festive, but this look can also be easily worn throughout the year.

This tutorial is currently being featured on the homepage of one of my favorite female blogging sites BlogHer, check it out here!

Classic Holiday Vintage Makeup Tutorial

This makeup tutorial uses vintage charm to create a classic, elegant and wearable makeup look.  The simple black cat eye liner and a light eye contour allows the red lip to POP.  I paired this look with a stunning emerald green blouse and round pearl and diamond earrings.  Throw on a pair of dark skinny jeans, grab a pair of nude pumps, and you've got yourself a casual chic holiday look!

Smokey Cranberry Gold

This smokey cranberry gold makeup look will inspire you throughout the holiday season.  This warm tone look has just enough shimmer and just enough smokiness that will make getting ready for a holiday dinner (and the inevitable food coma to follow) something to feel good about.

Black and Gold Glam Smokey Cat Eye

This black and gold smokey cat eye has been one of my favorite Fall looks that I have created.  This look is dark, smokey, and alluring.

Tiffany and Co. Holidays

Next to nothing is more representative of love and the holidays like Tiffany & Co.  Likewise, nothing better represents Tiffany's that it's iconic blue green boxes.  I wanted to create a look that capured that beautful color along with the shimmery Diamond embellishes that the store is so well known for.

Holiday Vintage Glam

For this holiday vintage glam look I can envision myself on a Christmas Eve circa 1945 with my hair tied up in a bun, an apron around my waist, and taking freshly made Italian cookies out of the oven.

 

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