TheBalm Mary-Lou Manizer Highlighter

TheBalm MARY-LOU MANIZER

If you ask what my holy grail highlighting powder is, I'm most certainly going to tell you all about TheBalm's Mary-Lou Manizer Hightlighter.

What is it?

TheBalm Mary-Lou Manizer (0.3 oz) is "..a seemingly innocent honey-hued luminizer that catches everybody's eye. This highlighter, shadow and shimmer diffuses light so your skin looks softer and younger while adding a subtle glow." Thebalm.com

Whether you are in search of a highlighter that offers a subtle or intense glow, this is the one for you. Dust on lightly by using a soft blush brush; for a more intense application pack more product onto an accent brush.

Swatches left to right: without flash / with flash

The champagne-colored sheen in this highlighter allows for a versatile use that some other highlighting powders don't have. I use it on the apples of my cheeks, the inner corner of my eye and brow bone, as well as on my cupid's bow. You can also use it on your eyelid as a shimmery shadow or as an all-over finishing powder for a shimmery look. I'm not big on having my entire face shine but for those that do, be sure to use a light hand when applying it all over the face.

It is not extremely noticeable at first glance when applied but the way the light (whether it's artificial or sunlight) picks up and diffuses the shimmer in the highlight is just gorgeous. Depending on which direction the light hits your face is when you can fully notice its beautiful sheen.

Although this is a powder, it has a creamy texture which means a little bit goes a long way with this highlighter. It may be a bit pricey for some, retailing at $24 for the compact but Hautelook has frequent sales for TheBalm Cosmetics where they sell the powder at a cheaper price. That's where I ordered mine along with other TheBalm products. I've had it for almost a year now and after using it on a daily basis I have yet to hit pan on it. If you aren't already signed up to Hautelook.com, be sure to check it out.

Hautelook is a members-only site that has flash sales of well-known brands, generally lasting for a few days. It is completely free to sign up and there are no commitments or membership fees. This is not a monthly subscription site like others we've been seeing floating around. To become a member through my referral link, simply click HERE!

Price: $24
Availability:Nordstrom.com / thebalm.com / Hautelook.com / Seen at TJ Maxx

Below are a few pics I took with my camera phone. You can see how beautiful this highlighter glows on the skin especially on the cheekbones. I will always continue to reach for this highlighting powder. Thus far, no other highlighter has been able to replace it.

To see more looks and to be informed of future product reviews, follow me on Instagram - @shugaandspice1

NYX Springtime Blushes

NYX POWDER BLUSHES

Spring is officially here!! The warmer weather here in New York City - not so much! Big WOMP. But no chilly weather is going to stop me from transitioning into spring trends. Just because I can't throw on some high waisted shorts like my lucky Californians, it doesn't mean I can't celebrate spring in other ways. Thus, out come my spring time beauty products.

Description: NYX PRESSED POWDER BLUSHES deliver sheer, silky color that glide on, blend beautifully and create a natural glow. The formula is richly-pigmented and lasts for hours.

Available in (24) shades: mocha (PB01), dusty rose (PB02), angel (PB03), silky rose (PB04), pinky (PB05), peach (PB06), natural (PB07), cinnamon (PB08), sand (PB10), taupe (PB11), terra cotta (PB12), mauve (PB13), spice (PB14), desert rose (PB17), cocoa (PB18), copper (PB21), pecan (PB22), espresso (PB23), red (PB24), pinched (PB25), rose garden (PB26), summer peach (PB27), bourgeois pig (PB28), amber (PB29)

NYX Cinnamon & Bourgeois Pig Blushes

Of all the colors available there may be some that are not as pigmented as others but if pigment is what you are looking for then Cinnamon and Bourgeois Pig are right for you. Quintessential spring colors; Cinnamon- a matte bright orange and Bourgeois Pig, a dusty pink with slight blue undertones; pack a whole lot of colorful goodness that can be carried into the summer. 

PACKAGING
Each blush contains .18 oz (5.2g) of product that is housed in a sleek black plastic container that allows you to see the color of the blush through a clear window. Some may consider the packaging a downfall because it doesn't house a mirror but I can do without it as it would just add to the bulkiness.

APPLICATION
As mentioned before, these blushes pack quite a punch of color. You can tell by the swatches below that a little goes a long way when it comes to application. A light touch with a blush brush is enough to give your cheeks a nice flush of color.

I like to use a real techniques blush brush or one by crown brush to apply these powder blushes since they are dense enough to pick up enough product but apply lightly as well as evenly. Just make sure to tap off any excess before applying to your cheeks for a light even application.

LASTING POWER
I wish I could say that these blushes last until the very end of the night but they don't. You can get a good 5-6 hours of wear with these blushes before they begin to fade a bit. But for the price ($5 each) and for the pigmentation, they are well worth giving a shot.

NYX Cinnamon Blush

NYX Bourgeois Pig Blush

Swatches left to right: Cinnamon - Bourgeois Pig

Price & Availability: $5.00 @ Ulta / NYX.com

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE NYX BLUSH?

Real Techniques Core Collection Brushes Review

REAL TECHNIQUES CORE COLLECTION BRUSHES

If you haven't heard of the Real Techniques brushes you've been living under a rock. Created by the very talented Samantha Chapman from Pixiwoo on youtube, her collection of makeup brushes have become a hot commodity within the beauty community. At an affordable price accompanied with great quality, why wouldn't these brushes be so popular?!

Contour brush, pointed foundation brush, detailer brush, buffing brush

The Core Collection was my very first Real Techniques purchase. It comes with (4) essential brushes and (1) carrying case:

• Detailer Brush: precision cut to effortlessly conceal problem areas; or, use with lipstick for long-lasting shape and definition. I use the detailer brush when I need to apply concealer on smaller sections of my face; to clean up my eyebrow makeup and to keep my bold lip colors from bleeding out.

Detailer Brush



• Pointed Foundation Brush: use with liquid foundation to build custom coverage. I don't reach for this brush as much as the other but when I tend to mix my foundations with it or use it to apply cream highlights on the top apple of my cheeks. It can also be used to apply a highlight to the bridge of your nose and your cupids bow.

Pointed Foundation Brush



• Buffing Brush: ideal for full coverage application of powder or mineral foundation. This is an amazing brush for buffing in your foundation. I only use liquid foundations so this is what I apply them with when I'm not using my beauty blender or Sigma Flat Top Kabuki brush.

Buffing Brush



• Contour Brush: delicately applies highlighter to contour or create sheer, soft-focus finish. This brush is my go-to brush for contouring the hallows of my cheeks. I then go over it with a slanted contour brush and bronzer and continue with bronzing the rest of my face like the temples of my forehead, jawline and neck. 

Contour Brush



• Panaromic Brush Case: 2-in-2 case + stand This stand/case was pretty much useless to me. It got tossed away in a makeup draw the second I removed the brushes from it. It's only worth using as a carrying case when traveling but even then I don't use it. It is way too small for all the brushes I carry. And yes, the brushes do look pretty in it when being used as a stand but it is impractical and inconvenient to me. The brushes get stuck within the bands and when applying makeup, I like to be able to switch back and forth with my brushes without the hassle.

Compared to other makeup brushes these are super lightweight and easy to deep wash since they have these sleek aluminum handles, meaning no worrying about getting water in the ferrule of your brushes here. Best yet, they are very easy to wash as far as getting product out of the hairs. If there is one thing I can't stand is trying to get my Sigma Flat Top Kabuki brush 100% clean. It takes me many so long to get that brush clean and getting the foundation out of the Real Techniques Buffing Brush is a breeze compared to the Sigma brush. Each brush has its name imprinted on the side of the handle. To ensure that it doesn't get rubbed off through wear-and-tear I applied a bit of clear nail polish over the names of them.

Soft dense synthetic bristles

All of the brushes made by Real Techniques have very soft, dense synthetic taklon bristles that have been hand-cut and are 100% cruelty-free. If you are vegan or just choose to not use animal hair products then these brushes are perfect for you. When choosing makeup brushes regardless of the brand I opt for synthetic bristles above all else. Choosing synthetic bristles over other options, like animal hair, comes with its benefits. But, if you prefer to choose otherwise that is fine, it all depends on what the person is looking for in a makeup brush. For me the following benefits aid in my choice..

• synthetic brushes are easier to maintain clean since they don't absorb pigments as much as other brushes-meaning less cleaning time.
• synthetic brushes create a more airbrushed look on the skin-offering a more natural makeup look.
• synthetic brushes are less prone to being damaged by makeup products you use or brush cleansers.
• if you have allergies to certain animal hairs, synthetic brushes are your best friend. I have sensitive skin and am known to having allergies to certain animal hair so al around I just try to stay away from brushes made of animal hairs.

Description of brushes located on back of the box

Beauty lovers will be happy to know that Real Techniques brushes are very affordable. Makeup brushes can get very expensive especially when looking for good quality brushes. At $18 for the set, that's $4.50 a brush. I got my set about a year ago from Ulta and used their usual $3.50/$10 coupon making the set under $15. I've been very happy wit my Real Techniques brushes and have yet to experience any shedding from any of them. Go get yours today!

Price: $18

Availability: RealTechniques / Ulta / Walmart

HAVE YOU TRIED REAL TECHNIQUES BRUSHES? WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE?

Philosophy Amazing Grace Spray Fragrance

philosophy: how you climb up the mountain is just as important as how you get down the mountain. and so it is with life, which for many of us becomes one big gigantic test followed by one big gigantic lesson. in the end, it all comes down to one word. grace. it's how you accept winning and losing, good luck and bad luck, the darkness and the light.

Ever try to explain to someone what the scent of a crisp clean woman smells like? Well, Philosophy's Amazing Grace Spray Fragrance is just that. Amazing Grace is a fragrance I've always had on my want list  but I never picked it up until a few months back when I used my reward certificate from Ulta. I got it for $4 (woot woot)

I love the clean simplistic design of the bottle, it pairs well with the scent of the fragrance.  If you love light floral feminine scents then Amazing Grace is the scent for you. It is a scent that I like to wear on an everyday basis since it's not overpowering. The only downfall is that it doesn't linger throughout the day and that's something that I look for in any fragrance whether it be a strong, sweet or light smell. 

Just because of the lasting power and the price I don't think I would repurchase it. I would probably stick to stocking up on one of my favorite light scents, Lovely by Sarah Jessica Parker.

Availability:Nordstrom
Pricing: $44 60ml/2 fl.oz.

WHICH IS YOUR FAVORITE PHILOSOPHY FRAGRANCE?