makeup Archives - Starfocal

Gorgeous Eyes with NYC New York Color- Review

August 23, 2013 By Amberlee 7 Comments

I always get compliments on my eyes. It is one area of my face that I am proud to flaunt! So when I get the opportunity to review things to make my eyes look even better I jump on it! I was lucky enough to receive some great eye products from NYC New York Color to review for you guys.

I received some great products to let you know that you can create some great looks on a budget without losing quality! I received samples of NYC New York Color’s Show Time Glitter Pencils, Individualeyes Custom Compacts and Big Bold Curl Mascara.

I love eyeliner! I swear eye liner is one of my favorite make up products. However, it is also one of the products I am very picky about. I was very excited to receive the Show Time Glitter Pencils as I love anything that sparkles. I was impressed with how smooth this eye liner was and with how many sparkles it produced, but I was a little disappointed with the color quality. I prefer really dark bold colors and while these colors were pretty, they were not very bold.

Even though they were not as bold as I would like they were still pretty and would work great for someone looking for a more subtle look. They also lasted a lot longer than I thought they would which was a nice surprise.

Next up is the Individualeyes Custom Compacts. I was very excited to be able to try these as I have been wanting one for months! Each compact comes with 4 eye shadows, a primer, and a illuminator.

Here are some swatches of the two compacts I received. The top row is with the included primer and the bottom row is without.

Smokey Browns

Smokey Greens

The shadows themselves are pretty pigmented at first, but do blend very well. The primer (as you can see above) does help hold the shadow which is great. I think my favorite part about these compacts is the illuminator. I love the way eyes look when they have a white based color on the inner corner and I love that one is included in this compact. I found that this compact had little to no creasing and the shadows themselves were of good quality.

I would have to say that my favorite of all these products would have to be the Big Bold Curl Mascara! I used to have what I would have considered perfect lashes. They used to be long, dark, and curled perfectly without any help. When I had my first daughter I lost all of my eye lashes. After some hard work and some of the products found on this site, my eye lashes have some what grown back. They are not as full and long as they used to be, but something is better than nothing. Since they have grown back I have a really hard time trying to get my lashes to curl.

This mascara does a wonderful job of curling my lashes without using any scary instruments or adding so many layers that it clumps. The brush itself is a little intimidating but I loved the results I got from it. This is definitely my new favorite mascara and I’m sure I will be buying more soon!

Of course as soon as I open the box with my new goodies, guess who comes running to help try them out? Yes, little H came to the rescue to prove to us that she really is a little princess.

Cute little princess aside, here is the look I created on myself:

I thoroughly enjoyed these products, especially the Big Bold Curl Mascara! You can find these and other NYC New York Color products on their website here.

**Disclaimer** I was in no way paid, or obligated to give a positive review, or a review at all for this company. If you would like to read my full disclaimer for reviews you can find it here .

Filed Under: beauty, makeup, women

Get a flawless face with Laura Mercier: Review

August 14, 2013 By Amberlee 9 Comments

Since I started blogging, I have fallen in love with some wonderful makeup brands. One of those brands happens to be Laura Mercier. Everything I have tried from them has been of superior quality and I can always count on them for a beautiful look. Recently they sent me some products to review for you and I am proud to say that they do not disappoint!

I received the new addition to their primer line called Protect, as well as their Creme Smooth Foundation to try out.

Here is what Laura Mercier has to say about these two products:

Foundation Primer- Protect Broad Spectrum spf 30/pa+++

Prime the skin for makeup application, creating a smooth surface between skincare and makeup so skin texture looks smooth and makeup lasts and lasts. With the added benefits of UVB/UVA protection, this product creates the perfect canvas for makeup application.

Lightweight, oil-free creamy gel creates perfect canvas for makeup application
Primes and protects flawlessly; prepares face for Foundation, Tinted Moisturizer and makeup application
Provides UVB/UVA SPF 30 protection; helps prevent signs of premature aging, due to sun exposure
PA+++ provides high level protection against UVA rays
Features “Colour True Complex” to keep makeup looking fresh and colour-true all day
Conditions with Vitamins A & E
Perfect for all skin types, even sensitive

Creme Smooth Foundation- Warm Ivory

A modern, lightweight foundation that floats over skin without visibly settling into fine lines. The hydrating formula includes a multipeptide complex infused with Dermaxyl and advanced optical diffusers that help to visibly smooth out lines and wrinkles.

Perfect for normal to dry skin
Offers buildable coverage with a radiant, smooth finish
Available in 12 shades across a range of skin tones
Non-comedogenic
1.0 oz./30g

What I think:

Primer- Protect

Since this would be my first time playing with a foundation primer I was unsure of what to expect. The only thing I have ever used that was close to this would either be an eyelid primer or a bb cream. At first I was a little worried because as you can see, the formula is a little thin. I just didn’t think it would smooth out the surface of my skin as well as it the package says.

After using it a few times I was quite impressed with how well it works. I love that this primer is spf 30! I am probably the worst when it comes to putting on sunscreen or really anything to protect my skin from the sun. However, I will admit that when buying makeup one of the first things that I look for is something that will protect my face from the sun. Now I just need to work on protecting the rest of my body and I will be set!

Creme Smooth Foundation- Warm Ivory

I was very excited to review this foundation! I love Laura Mercier Foundations and this one is definitely my new favorite! It is super smooth, and covers wonderfully. I have combination skin so I need something that is pretty moisturizing while not being too heavy. While this foundation seems thick at first it thins out really well while still giving me the coverage I need. I also love that this foundation is not orange. I seem to have a problem finding products that are in my shade but that do not turn my skin funky colors, so I was very happy with this foundation!

Here is what my face looks like without these two products:

Here’s what they look like with them:

I love the way these two products come together. The primer makes my skin really smooth and helps with the application of the foundation. Because of the primer I was able to stretch the foundation that much further and I could not believe how little I was using. Without the primer I would need at least twice as much foundation! Not only that but the primer helps keep your makeup intact throughout the day and makes it just that much more manageable! I hate spending hours in front of the mirror just to apply makeup and then have it wear off in a matter of minutes. So I am VERY happy with these products and will be using foundation primer from now on!

I highly recommend these products to any girl looking for a flawless face without needing to use tons of products! You can find these and other great products from Laura Mercier on their website here.

**Disclaimer** I was in no way paid, or obligated to give a positive review, or a review at all for this company. If you would like to read my full disclaimer for reviews you can find it here .

Filed Under: beauty, makeup, women

Gorgeous Easy Eyes With New York Color! Review, Swatches, and Looks

July 23, 2013 By Amberlee 8 Comments

While I love my makeup brushes, I always hate having so many different brushes for the different types of makeup I have. Which is why some of my favorites of my collection have built in brushes. However, I can never find a good pigmented eye shadow with an applicator built in.

NYC New York Color makes Sparkle Eye Dust in a container similar to a tube of lip gloss. At first I thought that being in this type of container would make this eye shadow hard to apply, but to my surprise it has made application so much easier! I was even able to apply this shadow on my toddler (she is a girly girl!) without any problems! She always is the first to try out the new products in Mommy’s boxes, most of the time she’s the first to the door when we get new ones!

Little H sporting Amethyst Dazzle

At the price tag of $2.99 at most retailers I was not expecting this shadow to be very pigmented or really very pretty at all. There has only been one other cheap company that I have fallen in love with, but their product quality can be hit or miss. I was very surprised to see how pretty and colorful these shadows are! The only issue I have found is that they do have a lot of fall-out but if you are careful and you tap the end over the bottle before application you will be fine.

I decided to put this eye shadow to the test and wear it at my daughters 3rd Birthday. I was very happy with how well this shadow stayed on, it even lasted as long as my $45 eye shadow! Here is the look I went with for this shadow:

What’s even more surprising is that these pictures were taken after I had gotten home from the party! I could not believe how vibrant the color was after such a long hot day! I really enjoyed this shadow, and for the price I think you will too!

You can find NYC New York Color’s Sparkle Eye Dust on their website here, or at a retailer near you!

**Disclaimer** I was in no way paid, or obligated to give a positive review, or a review at all for this company. If you would like to read my full disclaimer for reviews you can find it here .

Filed Under: beauty, makeup, women

Glamour Look by Mary Kay: Review and Looks

July 23, 2013 By Amberlee 3 Comments

I have reviewed boxes for you guys from Influenster before and recently I received a new box that I am very excited to share with you! I received the Glamour Look by Mary Kay VoxBox. This is what was inside:

This box came with so many great things! I was so excited to be able to try them out and share them with you!

Lash Primer

I loved this lash primer, but I mainly loved the brush. I have never seen anything like it! I loved that it separated my lashes and unlike mascara it doesn’t clump during the process. It goes on clear and dries an opaque white. I have never used a primer before, so I was extra excited to try this product! I was very impressed and will be using this primer from now on!

Lash Love Lengthening Mascara

Of course I had to use the Lash Love Lengthening Mascara and the brush is pretty cool on this one too. I love the curve as it helps curl my lashes without the extra curler. I hate having a bunch of unnecessary makeup tools when one product can do multiple tasks. This mascara went on clump free (I’m sure with help from the primer) and stayed on all night! The first time I used it was for my husbands birthday trip in Reno, NV and I was out until about 6am and when I came back to the room it was still in tact. Normally after that long my lashes begin to look a little funny, but with this mascara they looked like I had just applied it.

Cream Eye Color in Violet Storm

I was very excited to use the Cream Eye Color. For one it is purple (my go-to eye color) and two it looking like it would be super simple to apple (which it was). I can’t really say that I was disappointed with this product, but it is definitely not my favorite of the bunch. While it went on smooth, I had a hard time trying to blend it with any other product. As it is only one color I wanted to add more but every attempt was worse than the one before it. I did love the color, and will use it again. Another issue that I had is that it creased really easily. Hopefully I can find a way to keep it from creasing because it is one of my favorite colors of my collection, I just wish it was my favorite product.

True Dimensions Lipstick in Pink Cherie

I don’t normally wear lipstick, but I do enjoy having a pretty color for when I do want to change things up a bit. I fell in love with this color the moment I saw it! It blends perfectly with my skin tone and goes on incredibly smooth. The container was a little confusing at first, although now that I am used to it I really like it. Since having this lipstick I have worn it almost everyday. Like I said before, I don’t wear lipstick very often so that is saying something about this product!

Cream Eye Color/Concealer Brush

Lastly I received this makeup brush. I LOVE it! I only have a couple of brushes in my collection but I only keep the ones worth while. Because of this brush, I have thrown out my old concealer brush. This on is firm, yet extremely soft. It is now one of my new favorite brushes!

Here is the look I created using these products:

I loved these products and I can’t wait to try more Mary Kay products! So far they all seem great!

You can find Mary Kay and their wonderful products on their website here.

**Disclaimer: I received these products complimentary from Influenster for testing purposes.**

Filed Under: beauty, influenster, makeup, women

Lily Bug Pretend Makeup Review and Giveaway

January 14, 2013 By Amberlee 2 Comments

I cannot tell you how many times I have been trying to put on my makeup only to realize that my daughter took off with some of it and is in the other room applying it to her own face. While this is extremely cute it is also extremely messy. I have been on the lookout for makeup kits for my toddler that are both safe for her, and mess free. On this search I found Lily Bug Pretend Makeup, and just in time for Valentines Day!

I received their 6 piece Necessities set to review, or well my girls got to review this one!

I could tell immediately that my girls were going to love their pretend makeup! When I first saw them I thought they were like a shadow that just didn’t leave any marks, but as I looked closer I realized that it was actually similar to a fabric. I love that it looks just like my makeup but doesn’t make a mess. Most makeup sets still contain some dyes that may not leave marks on skin, but are hard to clean off of the carpet. Or they may be a light color, but are in powder form and can get everywhere! So I was very happy that I won’t be dealing with either of these problems with this set.

My girls really loved playing with this set. Now I have something to give them while I do my own makeup and I wont have to worry about them making a mess with my makeup or their own. It keeps them occupied and keeps mommy happy. Another thing that is great about Lily Bug makeup is that it is 100% Non-Toxic and Lead Free.

Make sure to check out all the wonderful products Lily Bug Pretend Makeup has to offer!

Want to win a set for your princess? Make sure to enter our giveaway below!

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**Disclaimer** I was in no way paid, or obligated to give a positive review, or a review at all for this company. If you would like to read my full disclaimer for reviews you can find it here .

Filed Under: beauty, kids, makeup, princess, toys

Mally Beauty Review

December 30, 2012 By Amberlee Leave a Comment

One of the things I love to review most is makeup. I used to think that pretty much all makeup was the same until I started blogging and was introduced to the makeup world. I still don’t think I will ever spend $100 on a foundation, but I have learned that really cheap makeup can be really cheap. Paying a little bit more for makeup generally gives you a much better product that not only looks much better, but lasts a lot longer too! Sure some are the exception to this rule but most aren’t. So I am always happy to share with you guys the makeup that I find that may not be the cheapest out there, but is inexpensive and totally worth it! I believe Mally Beauty products are one of those brands that is totally worth it!

I was able to receive their City Chick Smokey Eye Kit in “Plum Chelsea,” Age Rebel Shadow Stick Duo in “Smokey Quarts/Emerald,” and their Ginormous Mascara. I was so happy that all the colors blend together perfectly so I could create tons of new looks from just a couple products.

My absolute favorite of the bunch was the Smokey Eye Kit. Of course it was in purple, which makes me love it that much more! The kit comes with three different shades of eye shadow, eyeliner, and it even comes with a built in primer! I love that it comes with its own primer so that I don’t have to carry an extra thing along with it. Especially lately I have been very picky about my eye makeup. For me my favorites in my collection are very pigmented, have at least some shimmer or sparkle, and must last longer than 5 minutes. Anything that does not stay put either gets thrown out or given to someone else. I am proud to report that this shadow has all three!

From their stock photo you can’t really see how great the shadows are. It doesn’t show them sparkle, I know you guys want to see the sparkles so I took some closer pictures with my own camera to share with you.

I also took some swatches for you guys to see!

I was really surprised with how soft the shadows were, and how easy they were to apply. I also love how shimmery the shadows are. The eyeliner went on really smooth, and is easily used for a more sultry look as it is not the darkest over the shadow (you can see more of what I am talking about at the end of the review when I show you the look I created). The liner stick itself is very thin so it makes it easy to apply thin lines.

My second favorite product would have to be the Shadow Sticks.

Mally Age Rebel Waterproof Shadow Stick Duo

Like the shadows they are very shimmery.

I was really worried that they would look funky or apply chalky like a white shadow stick I have from another company but they glided onto my skin and looked great too!

At first I thought that I would hate the Emerald. Not because of the product, but because I am not a fan of green. I actually really love this green, and I love to use the both of them with other colors and products. They are great for blending and they look great! What I love most about them is that they not only stay on for a long time (mine stayed on overnight when I forgot to take my makeup off) but they do not crease or leave funny lines. I love to use these when I want to wear makeup but don’t have time to do a lot.

Last but not least is the Ginormous Mascara.

I absolutely LOVE the brush for this mascara. It works wonders for my lashes!

I love how it separates each lash, and that it doesn’t leave clumps behind. My only issue with this mascara is that it’s not waterproof. My eyes tend to water a lot so by the end of the day my mascara is ruined. Even so, it does last longer than most non-waterproof mascaras and I still love to wear it because it still makes my lashes look amazing! Hopefully they will make a waterproof version later on!

I love these products, and I love how versatile they are. I can wear the colors with just about anything for any occasion. Not only that but the colors do not fade which is a real plus! I will definitely be ordering more Mally Beauty products, especially more shadow sticks! They are truly amazing!

Here is the look I made using my new Mally Beauty products!

You can find Mally Beauty on their website here, or you can check them out on QVC.

Have you used Mally Beauty products before? Let us know your favorite in the comments below!

**Disclaimer** I was in no way paid, or obligated to give a positive review, or a review at all for this company. If you would like to read my full disclaimer for reviews you can find it here .

Filed Under: beauty, favorite, makeup

e.l.f. Studio Endless Eyes Pro Eyeshadow Palette Review, Swatches, and Looks!

November 19, 2012 By Amberlee 9 Comments

I have recently discovered e.l.f. or eyes lips face, and have fallen in love. e.l.f. is a very inexpensive brand that actually has some really great products. On my latest shopping adventure I found their e.l.f. Studio Endless Eyes Pro Eyeshadow Palette 100 Piece Marble Eyeshadow.

Product Description From eyeslipsface.com

“Become your own makeup artist with our amazing Professional Eyeshadow Palette from the luxurious Studio line of cosmetics. In this complete Makeup Artist Eyeshadow Set, you’ll find everything to go from dark & smoky eyes to fresh & bright, to totally funky looks, thanks to the 100 eyeshadow colors in every set.

Create the look that reflects your personal style from our 100-Piece Palette, formulated & tested by our professional team of makeup artists. Discover instantly beautiful, healthy-looking eyes for the makeup lover in you!

Our convenient, Professional Eye Makeup Palette comes packaged in a sleek design perfect for home, travel or on-the-go beauty touch-ups. And everyone loves the price. The complete 100 Studio Eyeshadow Palette is offered, for a limited time, at only $10 – half off the regular prize and a fraction of its value of over $100!”

I wanted to expand my eyeshadow collection and this was the perfect piece to add. At only $10 I just couldn’t pass it up. All the colors are truly beautiful.

I really love that there is such a variety in both colors and shadow types. This palette not only has matte and shimmery shades but also includes a couple marbled shades as well. While some shadows are more pigmented than others, I wouldn’t necessarily say that’s a bad thing. I love that I can use this palette for any occasion. I can use the lighter, not so pigmented colors when I’m out during the day. Or I can use the darker shades while I’m out at night. It is so much fun to just play around with the colors, and for $10 you really get your monies worth of product.

Above are some of my favorites from the palette. To get the colors to really pop I used the primer included in the e.l.f. Studio Eye Primer and Liner Sealer ($3). I love this primer because it is a natural color and it really works great!

I love that the front of the case is clear so that I can see the colors while it is closed, it also has a built in mirror and includes two double ended eyeshadow applicators. While I would rather use brushes than the included applicators, it is nice to know that they are there to use when I need them. I tend to have a hard time opening the case, which is actually good for me because it means that my two year old also can’t get into it. I think that if the top was removable or if you could fold it all the way back it would make it easier to hold. I have dropped this palette many times since I purchased it and I am proud to say that nothing has broken and all the shadows are in tact.

I highly recommend this product! My only suggestion would be to also pick up primer as the shadows aren’t as bright on their own. If you are looking for an inexpensive give to give this year this would be great for anyone. So will I buy it again? Obviously I won’t need another one anytime soon, but because of this palette I will definitely be buying some of their smaller palettes to carry around with me. If anything happens to this one I will definitely be buying another.

So what have I been doing with my palette? Check out some of the looks I created below, and stay tuned for more!

You can find this palette, and many other great e.l.f. products on their website here, or at your local Target.

**Disclaimer** I bought these products with my own money. I was in no way paid, or obligated to give a positive review, or a review at all for this company. If you would like to read my full disclaimer for reviews you can find it here.

Filed Under: beauty, makeup, women

Beauty Box 5 Review

October 18, 2012 By Amberlee Leave a Comment

I recently received a sample from Beauty Box 5′s subscription service. If you don’t already know, a sample subscription service will send you samples of different products every month for a small fee. Most of the time you end up getting more than your monies worth of products. It’s a very great idea, and with so many options you are bound to find at least on that you like.

This month Beauty Box 5′s box had the following samples:

Easy Peeling – New Face Effect

Blinc Mascara

Pur-lisse makeup remover

Becca Eye Tint

Everyday Minerals – mineral blush

I loved the Easy Peeling wipes. They were scratchy but they really helped my skin, and they felt much better than a traditional skin peel. I did not like the Blinc Mascara, I’m not sure whether it was because of the small tube or if it was just the product, but I really didn’t like it. The Pur-lisse makeup remover was really nice. It helped remove my makeup, and left my skin feeling very clean and very soft. The Becca Eye Tint was very interesting, but worked very well and stayed on for hours. Last but not least, the Everyday Minerals Blush was very nice, but I don’t normally wear any kind of blush.

I love that Beauty Box 5 comes with a variety of products instead of everything being the same. Some boxes will just send you a box full of eye shadows and call it a day. With Beauty Box you always know that what your getting will be an adventure, and you will probably find something that you will continue to purchase after your samples are gone. You can find Beauty Box 5 on their website here.

**Disclaimer** I was in no way paid, or obligated to give a positive review, or a review at all for this company. If you would like to read my full disclaimer for reviews you can find it here.

Filed Under: beauty, makeup

Lancôme’s Génifique Day on Oct. 19th + Free Sample!!

October 15, 2012 By Amberlee Leave a Comment

What is better than buying your favorite cosmetics? On October 19th not only can you buy your favorite cosmetics, but you can also help St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. If you buy certain products on Lancôme’s Génifique Day $7 will be donated to St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

So what is St. Jude Children’s Hospital? St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital has been changing lives for 50 years. They are the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted to children and have played a major role in changing Survival rates in the U.S. for pediatric cancer from 20 to 80 percent. So this really is a wonderful way to help children everywhere.

Want to help spread the word about this amazing opportunity and have some fun while doing it? You can create your own photo-strip including 3 photos that you can share with your loved ones that has information about Lancôme’s Génifique Day on Lancôme’s Facebook page here. You can also find others celebrating by using #GénifiqueDay on Twitter.

In honor of Génifique Day, Lancôme is giving out 7-day sample trials of the Youth Activating Concentrate. You can get your free sample here.

Thanks for your time guys!

Filed Under: beauty, makeup, women

If you love Star Focal, you’ll love the Starbox!

September 29, 2012 By Amberlee 5 Comments

Last month I introduced you to a company called Starlooks and their wonderful subscription box called the Starbox. Each Starbox comes with 3-4 products from Starlooks that together has a value of at least $35 or more. This month (September) was an extra special treat as it contained 6 products, and even a separate bonus item! I was so happy to receive my box, and I could not wait to try the products inside!

This months box included an eye shadow palette with 5 different colors, shadow primer and some really cute gems that you can use around your eyes. Also just like every other Starbox it contained some crystals to help attract positive energy, and maintain focus!

I tend to use a lot of bright colors when I wear makeup. So when I first saw this palette I was a little disappointed because they all looked pretty much like the same color to me. As I started messing around with them I realized how wrong I was. Although they are all similar and have the same base color they are all very pretty and very unique. While they may not look like much they really made my eyes stand out, which was a refreshing change from the bright colors I normally use. I could tell just by looking at the palette that the Starlooks eyeshadow was going to be creamy and would work really well with my skin.

They also sent their eye primer. When I first looked at the primer I thought that it was almost going to have the same effect as chap stick. It looked like a similar consistency, so I got a little worried. Other primers I have used are normally more of a liquid feel and are similar to the consistency of lotion. I was surprised to find that the primer was actually a lot different than it looks. I was very glad to find that it was very smooth, and absorbed into my skin really well.

Just so that you can see the difference not only in the colors, but to see the difference it makes to use the primer here is some swatches for you.

Without primer

After primer

The primer worked great, and definitely made a huge difference in the eye shadow quality. Most importantly it did not leave my skin greasy or make the eyeshadow clump or have streaks like some primers do.

The last item in the box was a little tube filled with gold and opaque gems. I was really exited to be able to use them with everything else! They are probably my favorite of all the products just because of all the possibilities of designs I could use them for.

Okay, so now that you know what was in the box I’m sure you want to know my opinion and see what I did with it right? Well here we go!

I decided to put to use the liner I received in the last Starbox along with 4 out of the 5 shades in the palette, as well as 3 of the opaque gems. I really loved how all of the products came together, and I loved how simple it looked.

I think its great that I can still have all my colors while still not having my eyes looking too dramatic. I loved how long all of my eye makeup stayed on. I woke up the next morning and it was all still there!

For only $15 a month you really cannot lose with Starbox. The products are worth at least double what you spend and you get to try new things. I know that for me at least you pretty much have to force me into a new style to see how it looks before I will buy anything. If you find something you like in your box you can always buy more of that same item from their store. You can find Starlooks and their amazing Starbox on their website here. Make sure you let them know that Star Focal sent you!

**Disclaimer** I was in no way paid, or obligated to give a positive review, or a review at all for this company. If you would like to read my full disclaimer for reviews you can find it here.

Filed Under: beauty, makeup, women