I Tried 3 Products From the Selena La Reina Collection – By Marisa Chiorello

Hey beautiful souls!

Recently, MAC introduced The Selena La Reina collection to honour 25 years of Selena Quintanilla’s legacy in music and Mexican culture. Thanks to Selena’s sister, Suzette this incredible collection is available online. While many shades of lipstick, lip gloss, and the eye shadow palette sold out within minutes, I was able to snag a few goodies! Let me just say, I am in love!

First, I purchased the “lipglass” in the shades of “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom,” and “Hey Dad Pizza!” I was a little apprehensive when it came to these shades. “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” is a bubblegum pink with a shimmer of silver. I was uncertain if this shade would compliment my skin tone. But, I thought I’d give it a try. “Bidi Bidi Bom Bom” surprisingly complimented my tan skin tone with yellow undertones very well! The pink shade isn’t overpowering, like a Barbie pink; instead it’s subtle. I like the shimmer this gloss has, too!

The “lipglass” “Hey Dad Pizza!” is a brown, almost golden shade. At first, I believed this shade would look too much like my skin tone (I try to stay away from nudes and browns for that reason), but again I was pleasantly surprised! My lips were so shiny and golden; this may be my go-to shade! It’s the perfect shade for the summertime.

I have to say, I loved the packaging each “lipglass” came in! It’s holographic, with a pop of colour, and Selena’s signature. It’s such special packaging that I’m going to be keeping it forever, lol!

The last product I was able to purchase was the highlighter in the shade, “La Leyenda.” The pigment of this highlighter is outstanding, to say the least! It’s a glowing rose gold, which compliments any skin tone! This highlighter is also really easy to blend. If you want your cheekbones and nose to glow beautifully, this is your highlighter. It’s actually my new favourite highlighter.

Also, Selena’s iconic gem-incrusted bustier inspired the packaging of this highlighter. It’s super cute!

Unfortunately, almost every product is currently sold out. But, I’ll certainly be buying more if it’s restocked!

Let me know which one is your favourite!

 

Until next time,

Marisa

I Tried 3 Setting Sprays To Get Rid of Shine – By Marisa Chiorello

When I was younger and first started using makeup, my staples included: Foundation, pressed powder, blush, and black eyeliner (the darkest I could find, actually). Over the years, my staples changed somewhat, as I began experimenting with different trends. Recently, I’ve noticed that my face tends to appear shiny very quickly. This shine mainly occurs in my T zone. I’m more of a matte type of girl, so I researched some products that could help me solve my shine problem. So, now, I’ve added setting spray to my makeup staples. I’ve tried three separate setting sprays; bye, bye shine!

NYX Professional Makeup Setting Spray, $6.89.

I’m definitely a sucker for drugstore makeup, because you can’t beat the price and it’s still high quality. At first, I was a bit apprehensive while purchasing the NYX setting spray. The bottle is pretty small, and I was worried it wouldn’t last me more than a few weeks. However, I was pleasantly surprised. This setting spray lasted 3 months! You’re definitely getting more than you’d expect.

Overall this setting spray was nice, lightweight, and it didn’t have an unpleasant odor. It promised a matte finish, which is exactly what I was looking for. However, it didn’t last all day. Within a handful of hours, I noticed that my face was shiny again. I’d touch up with pressed powder and spray some more on my face.

I do love the fact that this setting spray is cruelty-free, and vegan. Will I purchase this setting spray again? Yes, I find that it works well!

 E.l. f. Cosmetics Matte Magic Mist & Set Spray, $5.00-$7.00.

                

I really love e.l.f.’s plumping lip gloss, so I decided to go with this brand for my second setting spray. This setting spray comes in two sizes, small, and large. The prices are still very reasonable regardless of which size you choose. I went with the large bottle, since the NYX setting spray was small. Much like NYX, e.l.f.’s setting spray is cruelty-free. It also didn’t have an unpleasant odor.

This setting spray definitely took the shine out of my T zone. It also lasted longer than NYX, but I still found myself having to reapply. It moisturized my face when I used it, because it contains aloe, green tea, cucumber, and vitamins A, C, and E.  So, not only did it keep me shine-free, it was also really good for my skin! I would definitely purchase this one again!

You can find e.l.f’s setting spray on their website or at your local drugstore.

Morphe Setting Spray, $16.00.

This is BY FAR my favorite setting spray! I am so in love! Actually, obsessed! Although it is a bit pricy, compared to the other setting sprays, it is SO worth it! I didn’t have to reapply any makeup or setting spray after using Morphe. My face stayed perfectly shine free! Also, the bottle is pretty large, and since I only need to use it once a day, I expect this spray will last me a long time.

Do you want to get rid of that shine? Let me know which setting spray you choose?

Until next time,

Marisa  

5 Lipstick Shades That Are Perfect for Winter – By Marisa Chiorello

Although the winter months can be extremely, and annoyingly cold, that doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice beauty and self-expression. I have to confess; sometimes my fashion sense dwindles a bit during wintertime. It’s freezing and I enjoy wrapping myself up in large sweaters and leggings. In fact, lately I’ve noticed that my favourite dresses have been hanging in my closet for so long without being worn (maybe I should get back to fashion, haha). However, my makeup, and this form of self-expression never dwindle. During this time, I like to experiment with different shade of lipstick. There are actually shades that are perfect for winter! And here are some of them!

Tip: look for purple, plum, berry, red, and pink tones.

 

CoverGirl Exhibitionist Lipstick Metallic in Rendezvous, $8.79

This lipstick is one of my favourite shades! It’s a berry shade with a cool, metallic tone in it! I think it’s unique compared to the other lipstick shades I have. It adds dimension to my lips while drawing attention to them.

This lipstick is the perfect shade for winter. It also pairs well with different winter apparel. I wear it when I want a pop of colour to contrast my black sweaters or turtlenecks.

I love the smooth application of this lipstick and it lasts pretty long before you have to reapply. Most importantly, this shade is perfect for those who have golden undertones.

You can find this brand and shade at your local drugstore!

 

L’Oréal Paris Colour Riche Ultra Matte Lipstick in Berry Extreme, $7.18

While I’m all for a nice gloss, I do love the look of matte lipstick. This L’Oréal Paris lipstick is another berry shade you can rock during winter. It’s super bold; be prepared to stand out! The pigment of this shade is excellent, and I love how matte and super lightweight it is. I also love that it’s moisturizing and creamy. It smells amazing and the application is easy! If you’re one who struggles with applying matte lipstick, though, you can always purchase a lip liner to line your lips first.

This lipstick shade barely smudges or comes off during drinking and eating.

 

TPSY Absoliptly in Red Clay, $21.00

Although this lipstick is the shade red clay, it is more of a merlot colour because of my skin tone. Unlike the bold berry colours, this shade is more sophisticated; think date night and parties because you’ll surely impress with this lipstick. This lipstick can be considered quite pricy compared to drugstore lipsticks, but the purchase is definitely worth it.

I love how this lipstick is creamy similar to the L’Oréal shade, and it’s much easier to apply out of all the other brands and shades. This lipstick will not only add a pretty colour to your lips, but it will moisturize them and make your lips shine and glow.

Nars Audacious Satin Lipstick in Fanny, $34.00

This lipstick is more of a pinkish berry colour.  I think it compliments my skin tone well, and this may be a shade that works with any skin tone.  I was able to apply this lipstick in one go. I didn’t need to apply it with more than one stroke. Not only was I pleased with the colour, but also my lips immediately felt smoother. This is a great winter shade, and adds moisture to the driest of lips during wintertime.  If you’re looking for a lipstick that lasts over six hours, this one is for you!

If you think it’s a little pricy, this Nars lipstick is available on Amazon!

 

Mac Matte Lipstick in Chili, $24.00

If you’re a fan of red lipstick, you’ll definitely be a fan of this one! Red is certainly a perfect shade for wintertime.  This matte lipstick works well with olive and medium skin tones.  I love how it’s long lasting, it makes my teeth look whiter, and it’s highly pigmented!

What shade will you try this wintertime?

Until next time,

Marisa

Hourglass Ambient Lightening Palette Ghost Edit

I was SO pumped when they released this new palette since I’ve always want to try their Ambient Lighting Powders but couldn’t ever justify the costs for the full size! So when I saw this palette I knew I needed to have it. It comes with 6 different shades, the top row is powders that you can apply all over the face as a setting powder (with one mild highlighter) and the bottom is bronzers and blushes.

Top row from left to right : Ambient Lighting Powders in Dim Light, Diffused Light, Strobe Light

Bottom row from left to right: Eternal Bronze Light, Iridescent Rose, Sublime Flush.

I literally LOVE this palette, my favourite part of it is definitely the bronzer. It is such a pretty contour shade (meaning it’s not too orange and more on the brown side) and it doesn’t leave any harsh lines no matter what brush I decide to use. I will definitely pick up a full size of this bronzer if I ever run out of it.

The blushes are really soft and pretty too, they have a bit of shimmer in it without it being glittery (because we all know huge chunks of glitter on your face on a daily basis isn’t cute). I’ve been mixing them together for a rosie-pink blush.

The setting powders are nice but I wouldn’t solely use just this to set my liquid foundation. I still like to bake my face with a wet sponge and loose powder all over first because my skin gets super oily throughout the day, but then if I feel like I want an extra boost of radiance I will go in with either dim light or diffused light all over the face for a subtle extra glow. These won’t make you look shiny or greasy, it really brings a lit from within look.

The highlighter is good for days when you want something really subtle. But if anyone knows me subtle and natural really isn’t my vibe. I need to apply like 10 layers of it for it to be even worth it and even then it is still on the subtle side. Some days I really like that look but most days if I’m wearing makeup I’ll still reach for one of my Anastasia Beverly Hills Highlighter Palettes because you can literally see that shit from space. I think an Alien might be in love with me because of it and I’m cool with it 😛

This palette is still available on Sephora and I would encourage anyone who is interested to pick it up ASAP! I’ve waited too long for limited addition palettes in the past and I’ve missed out… Sad days lol.

I’ll insert a picture of some swatches of the shades in this palette from the Hourglass official website.

 

 

That’s all I have for now!

xoxo,

Sarah

Too Faced Peach Perfect Collection

A little while ago I noticed that whenever I wore makeup all day (for 8+ hours) I would breakout, and this never used to happen to me so I thought it may have been the product I was using. I was using the Nars All Day Luminous Weightless Foundation, and while I LOVE the way the finish looks, I can only seem to wear it for short events or shoots or I end up breaking out just because it’s such a full coverage foundation. I googled the best non comedogenic foundations for oily skin and this Too Faced line came up in numerous recommendations, so I thought I would give it a go.

I picked up the primer, foundation, and translucent powder. The whole collections smells just like peach candy and even tastes like it too? I know you’re not supposed to eat makeup LOL but sometimes you breathe in the powder and it’s like wait…this kind of tastes good!

The Primed and Peachy ‘Cooling Matte Skin Perfecting Primer’ is a thicker pink gel/cream and I feel like it has a similar consistency to the Benefit Pore-fessional but just a little more hydrating and it has a cooling effect that the Benefit one does not. I really like this primer, I think it fills in my pores well and it helps to wake me up in the mornings because of the cooling effect it has on the skin.

Next I got the Peach Perfect ‘Comfort Matte Foundation’ in light beige. I really like this foundation for everyday because it has a medium coverage and therefore doesn’t feel like you’re wearing a mask of makeup every day and it lets your skin breathe. Because of this, it doesn’t cover up everything so if you have a really big pimple or dark mark it won’t cover it up completely, but for an everyday look I think that’s okay. I can wear this foundation all day it doesn’t seem to break me out. I think this is because it is a mattifying foundation so my skin doesn’t produce as much oil throughout the day, and therefore it makes it less likely that my pores will clog. Below is a picture of swatches of all the shades of this foundation that I found on Pinterest. You can see what light beige looks like in comparison to the others.

And finally to complete the collection, I picked up the Peach Perfect Powder. This powder is super fine so it doesn’t sink into fine lines and wrinkles or look super powdery. I use this to bake my under eyes as well as all over the face. It keeps me looking matte and it is photo-friendly meaning you won’t get that white cast on your face in pictures whenever you take flash photography.

I love Too Faced (good quality and cute packaging, what’s not to like?) and I’m definitely going to pick up more products from them in the future. I’m thinking in the Summer I might pick up the Peach Perfect mattifying setting spray too to help combat my oil even more and add to the collection.

That’s all I have for now!

xoxo,

Sarah

 

I Tried Affordable Products Celebrities Swear By – By Marisa Chiorello

Hey beautiful souls!

It’s no secret that I’m obsessed with trying different brands and types of makeup. For me, personally, makeup is just one of the many ways I express myself. So, I definitely do not wear makeup for other people, only for myself. If you’ve read my previous posts, you know that my makeup consists of liquid foundation, concealer, loose powder, bronzer, blush, mascara, highlighter, and a pop of colour on the lips. Recently, I ran out of some of my makeup staples, but I decided to do something different. Instead of purchasing my usual brands, I purchased some drugstore makeup and products that celebrities swear by. Yes, some celebrities are just like us! I couldn’t wait to try these affordable goodies.

L’Oréal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara ($9)

The first product I purchased was L’Oréal Voluminous Waterproof Mascara. The celebrity who swears by this drugstore mascara is Vanessa Hudgens. I thought it was fitting to begin with this actress and singer because many people say I look like her. According to Vanessa, “you can really layer [this mascara] on for tons of volume and length.” She was right about this! I used three coats of this mascara and loved how long and thick my lashes looked. They almost looked like fake lashes! I also love how affordable this mascara is and the fact that it’s waterproof. Thanks to Vanessa, I’ll be using this mascara everyday and purchasing more once I run out.

L’Oréal Paris Enchanted Paradise Blush, $13

I stayed with L’Oréal for my blush. The celebrity who uses this blush is Camila Cabello. I chose Camila because we have similar skin tones so I knew this product would look great on my skin. It sure did! I loved this blush because it’s easy to apply and really complimented my skin tone.  It wasn’t too pink, or too bright so I didn’t look like a clown, haha. Not to mention, it smells delicious!

 

Covergirl Katy Kat Matte Lipstick, $9

Recently, I’ve been using plumping gloss, butter gloss, and Kylie Cosmetics gloss in Cinnamon. However, I miss my lipstick, so I decided to pick one up. I went with Covergirl’s matte lipstick. The celebrity who uses this lipstick is Lorde. I’m not sure what shade Lorde uses, but I opted for Pink Paws. This lipstick is so worth it, especially for the price. It glides on smoothly and easily. I love the colour, the fact that it’s long lasting, and it’s comfortable. It doesn’t dry out your lips or become clumpy after wearing it for hours. The pop of colour was magical, too.

 

Burt’s Bees Facial Cleansing Towelettes, $5

The next product I purchased was makeup-removing wipes. Ariana Grande swears by these wipes and uses them everyday as part of her facial cleansing routine. I was very pleased with these makeup-removing wipes. They took off all of my makeup without making my face feel dry. Also, my face didn’t burn which is what normally happens with makeup-removing wipes. These wipes even smelled delicious.

 

Eco Style Gel Olive Oil, $3

 

I’ve recently been using Marc Anthony Strictly Curls Defining Lotion, but I noticed that this lotion does not fight against my curl’s frizz that well. Actress and activist, Yara Shahidi loves this gel. She said it’s “the most efficient,” gel and what helps her get her amazing curls. Not only is this gel super affordable, but also it’s lightweight and doesn’t make my curls hard and stiff. Instead, it fights frizz, hydrates my hair, and makes my curls soft. I have my best hair days with this gel!

 

Pacifica Super Green Detox Kale & Charcoal Detox Facial Mask, $4

Self-care is super important, and that includes taking care of your skin. When I think about skin care, I don’t think of just washing and moisturizing my face, I think of facemasks, too! I picked up a kale and charcoal detox facial mask. The celebrity who loves this mask is actress and singer, Lea Michele. After trying this mask, my face felt lighter, smooth, and moisturized. I love how affordable this mask is. It’s also cruelty-free and uses a lot of ingredients that are good for your skin, such as Vitamin C and Green tea.

Let me know which celebrity staple you want to try!

Until next time,

Marisa

Three Cruelty- Free Products I Use Every Day – By Marisa Chiorello

Hey beautiful souls!

My everyday makeup routine is pretty simple. I use liquid foundation, loose powder, bronzer, blush, mascara, and lip-gloss. Not only is my makeup routine pretty simple, but also, all the products I use are cruelty-free. Cruelty-free products are super important, and if you’ve thought about switching over, you totally should! I use cruelty-free products because I do not agree with animal testing. I hate the thought of animals being tortured or killed in order to create a product. This makes me sad! I also use cruelty-free products because they’re good for the planet! Cruelty-free means all good things! Here are three cruelty-free products I use every day. Hopefully you’ll want to try them, too.

Sephora Collection 10 HR Wear Perfection Foundation, $20.00.  I use Sephora’s brand for my liquid foundation in the shade of 25 Medium Beige (N). This shade is for light-medium skin with neutral undertones. I went to Sephora a few years ago and was matched by an employee. Now, this is the only liquid foundation I use! This foundation is the best because it really provides me with full coverage, and is very lightweight on my skin. It doesn’t clog my pores, and when I’m breaking out it covers my acne very well. Most importantly, this product isn’t tested on animals!

Urban Decay Naked Flushed Palette, $34.00.  I use Urban Decay’s Naked Flushed palette for my bronzer and blush. Sometimes I’ll use the highlighter, but I typically have a different palette for that. I love the Flushed palette because the bronzer matches my skin tone perfectly. It also blends really well! The blush is a deep mauve colour so it’s light and refreshing. It gives me a bit of color and shimmer on my cheeks without being too overpowering. When I use the bronzer and blush together I achieve a glowing look. But, what I really, really love about this palette is the fact that it is 100% cruelty-free!

NYX Professional Makeup Butter Gloss, $5.00. I got this butter gloss in a pack with three different shades, Tres Leches, Feelin’ Jelly, and Swirlwind. I love these butter glosses so much and will switch them up depending on the color scheme of my outfits. They’re easy to apply and go on pretty smoothly. They also make my lips feel very soft, and give me a beautiful pop of color. They smell delicious, too! But, the best part of this lip-gloss is they’re all cruelty-free!

Until next time,

Marisa

I Tried Arbonne Speak Volumes Mascara – By Marisa Chiorello

Hey beautiful souls!

Dedicated readers already know this, but I pride myself in being a bargain shopper.  I love drugstore makeup; I can find similar versions to the latest celebrity-clothing trend at shops such as H&M, American Eagle Outfitters, and Kohl’s; and I teach fashion and beauty lovers that you do not need to spend all of your money on clothing, makeup, and face treatments. However, there are times when I like to splurge on certain items, typically shoes and makeup. Recently, I decided to try Arbonne Speak Volumes Mascara, $30.00.

Arbonne is known for their “green journey.” They’re a company that doesn’t put anything harmful into their beauty products, skin products, and health products. All of their products are pure, safe, vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free. Arbonne’s products show amazing results, too!  This intrigued me, so I decided to purchase a product.

Arbonne has individuals who assist in selling products; they’re called Independent Consultants. I happened to have a friend named Melissa who sells Arbonne. So, she helped me with all my purchasing needs! I decided to purchase the Speaks Volumes Mascara because I’m obsessed with mascara. When I do my makeup, I like my eyes and lips to stand out. Since I have sensitive eyes, I cannot use eyeliner, so mascara is the next best thing!

This mascara pleasantly surprised me. My eyelashes can be pretty sparse, but the Speaks Volumes Mascara really added thickness, volume, and length to my lashes. At first, I just added one layer of the mascara for a natural look. However, when you add more than one layer, you really get a dramatic, defined, bold look! I loved it! My lashes never looked better! Just look at some results below:

I also love how this mascara is infused with vitamins, it’s vegan, gluten-free, and cruelty-free. So, you’re putting natural, safe, and pure products on your lashes. You’re helping them! This mascara is definitely worth the money, and I’ll definitely be purchasing more!

Let me know if you try Arbonne Speaks Volumes Mascara and if it transforms your eyes like it did mine!

Until next time,

Marisa

Makeup Haul!

I’m such a sucker for cute packaging…if it’s pink or has a cute design it’s highly likely that it will end up in my collection. I picked up a cute little eyeshadow palette from Too Faced (even though I barely wear eyeshadow?) and a cheek palette alongside some highlighters. I’m so excited that The Balm cosmetics finally made its way into my Canadian drugstores because I’ve been hearing about it for years and now I finally get to try!

The first thing I got from The Balm is this ‘Grl Pwdr’ Cheek palette! It’s a blush/bronzer palette with a variety of matte and shimmery shades. I love love love the packaging it’s so creative and perfect for gals on the go. I’ve only tried one shade but it was pretty opaque and sat well on the skin.

Next I picked up two highlighters. I got the famous Mary-Lou Manizer that everyone and their mother seems to have and I also picked up the Bonnie-Lou Manizer which is very similar just a slightly darker glow.

Last but not least I got the Too Faced ‘Shake Your Palm Palm’s’ eyeshadow palette. I’ve used this palette a few times and it’s honestly okay, I wish some of the colours were a little more pigmented. It doesn’t really matter though I just bought it because it looks adorable in my collection LOL.

That’s it for now my loves!

xoxo

Sarah

Makeup and Skincare Haul/Reviews

Oops I did it again…I went shopping…

I needed a new moisturizer so I went to Sephora to buy one thing, and naturally I leave with the entire store.

First I’ll start with the moisturizer I went in for.

I finished up my Tarte moisturizer (see review here –  https://livelifeintheflorallane.com/2019/02/21/the-best-moisturizer-for-oily-skin/), so I needed a new one. I did my research and I wanted to find one with a similar consistency to the Tarte one, which led me to the First Aid Beauty Coconut Water Cream. It’s almost like a gel to water consistency, it’s great for oily skin, and smells super yummy and summery!

While I was there I thought I better pick up a new eye cream since I dropped my Neutrogena one in the toilet while drunk…I’ve heard good things about the Ole Henriksen  Banana Bright Eye Cream so I picked that one up.

Then I decided to go crazy.

I was running low on my Maybelline Fit Me Matte Foundation and I needed a new one, one that I’ve never tried before. The Nars All Day Luminous Foundation has been on my radar for a while so I decided to pick it up. I’ve been using it for a little while now and I really do like it! The coverage is beyond full and the colour match is great (I got the colour Punjab), but it’s not the best for oily skin as I notice it starts to break apart around my nose and chin area in the middle of the day. Not the end of the world because I have other long lasting foundations, like the Estee Lauder Double Wear *which is the all time best for oily skin IMO*.

That was SUPPOSED to be it for my haul, and then Benefit Cosmetics got me with their minis. I just walked passed them and was like fuck I gotta have these LOL. I’ve never tried the Galifornia Blush or the Dandelion Twinkle Highlighter and I’ve been wanting to forever! Mini products are a good way to try something without paying full price so I couldn’t pass these up. The Galifornia Blush is a bright coral colour which is perfect for summer, and the Dandelion Twinkle is a light pink powder with reflective specs. It’s not an intense highlighter like the ABH palettes, it’s a lot more subtle and can be used all over the face just like the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders. I would say it’s more similar to those than a typical highlighter.

And then I was already in the shopping mood at that point so I thought why not pick up some more lip products from the drugstore. I love the Revlon Lipsticks so I picked up a few.

From Left to Right:

• #205 Champagne on Ice
• #668 Primrose
• #720 Fire and Ice
• #463 Sassy Mauve

I also picked up a Revlon Lipgloss in the shade #205 Snow Pink

That’s all the damage done for now. I’m sure I’ll be shopping again soon though LOL!

XOXO,

Sarah