Monday, October 6, 2014

Girlactik Le Creme Lipstick Collection Review (Swatches + Coupon Code)!


Hey beauties I told you I would be back for a review of the full Girlactik lipstick collection & here we are. I am so excited to announce that the team at Girlactik was kind enough to offer my readers a coupon code for FREE SHIPPING!!!! Shipping is usually $5.95 so you can put that money towards another fabulous item...yayy!!! This is for US orders only and during checkout you must mention that you got the code from me so either type in my name ("Greta") OR "FTLOMB" (fortheloveofmakeupbaby) --> Mention this in the "How did you hear about us" section. I will mention the coupon code along with a direct link to their website at the end of this blog post. Also, don't forget to check out my previous blog post on the Girlactik Lip Paints...I have swatches and mention everything you need to know about these amazing babies!

Before we get into the swatches I just want to mention a few things about the lipsticks:

  1. They are have a creamy texture --> feels like butter which is amazing for the Winter months coming up
  2. They are extremely pigmented --> one swipe is more than enough to get amazing color pay off
  3. They are hydrating 
  4. They don't bleed
  5. You get what you pay for --> the quality of these products are unbeatable & they are worth every penny! 
Okay now onto the fun stuff...

I absolutely adore the packaging on the lipsticks, they are a reflective mirror type design with the Girlactik logo...simple yet elegant! I like that the packaging is not cheap & this is really important because sometimes you have caps that don't close properly, or they become loose over time and fall off while in in your purse or makeup bag and make a huge mess...I have this problem with MAC lipstick caps, so annoying! 

From top to bottom:
Beautiful
Beauty
Naked
Pretty
Couture 
Rouge







This is "Naked" paired with a Girlactik lip gloss in "Just Nude" which is seriously an amazing gloss, amazing color, and something that you can wear on its own or over any lipstick for some extra shine!







DONE!

YES, I know the colors are to die for gorgeous! 

Below is the direct link to their website. Make sure to do all the things I mentioned above & if you have an issues with the code or if you have questions on any other products of theirs please do not hesitate to email me with questions I am more than willing to assist you with any questions or concerns! 

Coupon Code: Ilovegirlactik 
Note: This code is valid until November 7, 2014


HAPPY SHOPPING BEAUTIES! 

As always I hope you guys enjoyed this blog post. I love to hear feedback so comment below or email me with questions or comments!
Talk to you guys soon! 

Email: fortheloveof_makeup@yahoo.com
Instagram: fortheloveofmakeupbaby  http://instagram.com/fortheloveofmakeupbaby

-Love Greta! Mwah!

Friday, August 22, 2014

Girlactik Matte Lip Paint Review!

Hi beauties!!!! Yes, I'm alive. I'm not even going to get into my lack of posts, shame on me, I know! The good news is I'm very alive and active on Instagram :) Recently I made it to 20,000 followers which is mind-boggling because that number continues to increase (by the thousands) every week and I am so humbled and thankful for all my supporters!

Now, onto the star product of this post...Girlactik Matte Lip Paints!

I wasn't very familiar with the company when they sent me a few products to test out but boy am I glad I am now because I am OBSESSED. First things first yes, these products were sent to me and YES, I will give you my honest opinion.
Just a little side note, I get sent many products and I DO NOT do blog post reviews for many of those sent products. Only the ones I feel deserve the recognition and the ones I back up 100%. 

Moving on, these lip paints are pretty much a long wearing matte lipstick in a liquid formula. They go on creamy and dry mate within one minute. I can usually get away without reapplying this for hours, literally hours. However, when I eat I seem to eat the lipstick as well but that happens with every lip product (even stains). This brand is also cruelty free which is always a plus!!!
There isn't much color selection (only 4 products) but that is not a problem for me. I love that all 4 lip paints compliment every skin tone, this is a plus for any makeup brand who can generalize their products to a variety of people. One thing to keep in mind as you scroll through the swatches below is that I have fair/light skin and how it looks on my lips and compared to my skin tone might look different with someone who is darker than me DUH! You would be surprised how many people comment on my lipstick swatches saying "Hey, it doesn't look like that on my lips." The good news is all women know what looks best on them so it won't be difficult for you to recognize which of these 4 shades will compliment your skin tone most.

Ok now lets move onto Pros & Cons:

Pros:
  • Pigmented
  • Light-weight 
  • Creamy 
  • Long staying power
  • Does NOT smear
  • Packaging is simple & convinient 
  • Applicator is convenient 
  • You DO NOT need an additional lipliner
Cons: 
  • If you do not exfoliate or have exfoliated lips this will flake on you...as will everything else you apply on your lips. So, exfoliate your lips ladies!!!
  • Little color selection 
  • Must re-apply after eating
As you can see the pros outweigh the cons!!!!

Now onto the important stuff...the product itself :)




This applicator is SOOOOOO convenient as I mentioned before. I usually hate the applicators that most lip paints or lip glosses come with but this one is a winner!

When you first apply it's glossy...

After a few seconds it becomes matte!

"Starlet"

"Iconic"

"Demure"

"Allure"

All of the pictures above were taken in natural light & all of the pictures are original!

Tips on the perfect lip application:
1. Make sure your lips are exfoliated. 
I would suggest the lip scrub from Lush or just make your own at home all you need is sugar and olive oil. Gently rub it in circular motions onto your lips and wash away.
2. Apply a thin layer of the lip paint & wait a few seconds for that layer to dry. 
3. Apply a second coat for maximum opaqueness and color richness. 
I can get away with one coat because the product is so pigmented but I like to do 2 so the color looks richer. 
4. Wait for your lips to completely dry and you are ready to take on the day. 

You can purchase these products either in store or online. The brand is in select high end makeup stores and also select Rite Aids that ave been remodeled to be luxury stores with a prestige makeup area. Visit them at http://girlactik.com or follow them on any of their social media accounts that are located at the upper right hand side of their website. 
Happy Shopping beauties!

P.S. stay tuned for another detailed review of the Girlactik Le Creme Lipstick Collection + swatches ;)

As always I hope you enjoyed this blog post & talk to you guys soon! XOXO

Email: fortheloveof_makeup@yahoo.com
Instagram: @fortheloveofmakeupbaby

-Love Greta! Mwah!






Friday, June 6, 2014

"Closet Swap" Transitioning Into Summer (Makeup & Fashion)!

Hey beauties!! A company called Raise contacted me about doing a blog post on fashion and makeup tips for transitioning into summer. I though it was a brilliant and fun idea so I went straight to work deciding on which outfits and products to include. When I think of summer I think lightweight and little effort so that's what this post will resemble. All of the pictures I post are not mine (got them off the internet for better quality) but these are all products I own in my closet and vanity! I will also provide links to the products I can find online!

Fashion:
When I think of Summer I remember the scorching California sun and the cool Malibu waves.
I think of a picnic in the park.
I think of bike riding in Venice Beach.
I think of pool parties and barbecues.
I think of a bright two-piece bikini under some high-top shorts and a loose tank.
I think of bright colors and fun patterns.
I think of light clothing and even lighter shoes.
I think of big hats and wedges by the Vegas pools.
.....need I go on?
The following outfits resemble all of the above in one way or another...

Romper by Rachel Roy:
This has to be my favorite romper in my closet because I can dress it up or dress it down. 
During the day I pair this with gold flats and a cross-body bag. 
At night I throw on some black ankle-strap heels and a leather jacket and I'm good to go!
Rompers are a must have around summer time  and most importantly they are lightweight...especially this one!

Shorts by Forever 21:
I love these Pink Metallic BouclĂ© Shorts, I also have the matching jacket (which unfortunately I cannot find a picture of on the web).  I love the color and the material is so chic! These are perfect for a fancy lunch or dinner date.

Sandals by Michael Kors:
These are the Gold Blythe Leather Slingback Sandals which I am obsessed with! They are gorgeous on the feet and the gold color is perfect for everyday wear. I wear this with my Rachel Roy romper pictured above and a matching cross-body bag (pictured below).

Crossbody by Michael Kors:
This is the Gold jet set leather crossbody that is the same leather as my sandals above, I always wear the two together! I love this bag because its lightweight, it has card-holders inside, and you have room to put necessities in. My only suggestion is to take care of it because the leather does tend to change color when it gets dirty. 

Floppy hat by Laundry by Shelli Segal:
This is the "Chloe" floppy hat that I love when I'm by the water because it covers my face from the sun and I like that it's flexible. 
I just love floppy hats, they are so classy and sexy at the same time, something that never goes out of style! 
For more everyday-wear I love to wear fedoras. 


Makeup:
YES, now onto my favorite portion of every season...makeupppppppp! :)
My makeup on a daily basis is really simple so not much changes during the summer except I don't wear much makeup because it's way to hot. Although, when I do I like to have lightweight, heat-proof and glowy products!


Here I have two of my "glowy" bronzers that I love to wear around summer time. 
The first is the Too Faced "Sun Bunny" bronzer which is gives you a natural glow. I like to mix the two colors together and bronze up my face. I do not contour with this color because it does have shimmer in it so I simply warm up my face and add some color to my cheeks.

The second product is a Mac Mineralize Skinfinish in "Gold Deposit" which is extremely pigmented and since I have very fair skin I cannot apply this product on it's own because I'll just have orange shiny cheeks...not cute. I like to use this over a matte bronzer and only on the hallows of my cheeks slightly dragging the color towards the apple of my cheeks, but not fully. I also love the color "Soft & Gentle" form this same line as a highlighter. 

Ok ladies, please trust me when I say you need this in your life because YOU NEED THIS IN YOUR LIFE!!!!!!!!!! For all my beauties who love a gorgeous highlight do yourself a favor and purchase this product you will not regret it. It is such a beautiful shimmer color I always get compliments when I wear this. I like to use a fan brush (or the brush it comes with) and place this on the high points of my cheeks (as you do with any highlighter). Now, I know this product isn't for everyone because it is very shimmery and very pigmented but for those of you who like these qualities, buy this...it's worth every penny!! Oh and I use it as an inner corner highlight too!

Summer is all about lightweight coverage so a BB cream or tinted moisturizer is perfect...they are both pretty much the same thing except a BB has a few added benefits (depending on the brand). This Dior BB is perfect for everyday wear the only thing I don't like is the small color selection, it only has 4 shades GRR! I have shade 2 only because shade 1 was way to pink and since I have pink undertones I need a more yellow color to cancel that out. I mix this with my Dior Nude foundation and I get the perfect amount of coverage. The coverage of the BB alone is light to buildable and it doesn't cake up. It also gives you a dewy finish!

This Mario Badescu facial spray is my life! I swear by this stuff, it keeps my dry skin moisturized throughout the day and refreshes my makeup when it's slowly becoming dull. I also love to use this prior to applying primer or foundation because it preps my skin for flawless application. I have gone through bottles of this and I take it with me everywhere I go! This is a must have for every season and summer in particular, just to keep your skin refreshed.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I decided to end the blog here because I could go on for hours more about my favorite summer products however, I like to keep things short & sweet :)
I would like to thank Raise for contacting me about this blog post and I suggest you guys check them out, they are a new marketplace where you can buy discounted gift cards to your favorite brands, and sell your unused gift cards for cash!  From Nordstrom to DSW, they have gift cards to meet all your fashion needs. The concept is so unique and cool!

As always I hope you guys enjoyed this blog post & talk to you soon!

Email: fortheloveof_makeup@yahoo.com
Instagram: fortheloveofmakeupbaby

-Love Greta! Mwah!






Monday, May 26, 2014

Brow Routine (Anastasia Beverly Hills & Benefit)!

Hi beauties, today I wanted to talk about my brow routine and the products that I use. 
I do not like perfectly sculpted brows on me but I love it on others, for some reason it looks vulgar and just doesn't match. I have very soft features on my face and so I prefer my brows to be the same. I blogged about the difference between the Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow and the Too Faced Bulletproof Brows ( http://fortheloveofmakeupbaby.blogspot.com/2014/03/weekly-product-reviewtoo-faced.html )and how I preferred the Too Faced one, however, I ended up returning that one as well because it dried out almost immediately after using it a few times and it became crusty and started to flake on my brows (yuck!). I then realized I am better off sticking to my usual products...so lets begin!





I have been using this Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Powder Duo for ever now and it is seriously the best. It is so natural and blends beautifully with my brows. I like to use the lighter shade on the left at the beginning of my brows and the darker shade from the middle to the end of my brows. I use this product to fill in the sparse areas on my brows. A powder is ideal for anyone who has either bald patches, thin brow hairs, or empty/sparse areas on their brows. 

I like to use a natural haired thin angled brush to apply the powder because I feel it gives the most natural results! I have no idea where I purchased this brush from because I have had it for years and the name has rubbed off (I think it says Sublime 2014 lol)...sorry guys but any angled brush will do as long as it isn't synthetic!


This is the Anastasia Beverly Hills Brow Wiz in "Ash Blonde" (the names have since changed and now this color is called "Taupe") and I love these as well. I mainly use this to extend my brows at the ends. I also use it to fill in my brows if I am in a rush, I just use a lighter hand towards the beginning of my brows. The color is definitely buildable with these pencils which is a huge perk. I also love that it comes with a spooly on the opposite end so you can comb through the brows and blend out the color. 


I recently purchased this Benefit Gimme Brow Brow Gel/Tint. It is a fibrous gel that grabs onto brow hairs and it creates brow like hairs. I absolutely love this gel even without any product on my brows, it pretty much fills them in naturally, makes them look thicker, and keeps my brows in place. I use this on a daily basis with or without anything on my brows...I love it both ways! This is definitely a must have brow product...unless you have amazing thick brows lol!

I used to use this clear gel for my brows but it is way to sticky and it dries up on the brow hairs and makes them hard and crusty...not cute! I still use it sometimes but it's not my favorite!

Anyways, hope this helped darlings...talk to you guys soon! 
I will be posting a graduation photoshoot I did a few days ago with how I did my makeup, the props I used, my photographer, the clothing, and much more! It's going to be a fun post :)

XOXO

Email: fortheloveof_makeup@yahoo.com
Instagram: fortheloveofmakeupbaby

-Love Greta! Mwah!

Saturday, May 10, 2014

Weekly Product Review: Dior Capture Totale One Essential



Hi beauties, sorry for the lack of posts I've had a busy few weeks with school & my personal life. If you follow me on Instagrm (@fortheloveofmakeupbaby) then you've probably heard me post about this product that I was excited to try because I had heard such great reviews and the lady at the Dior counter raved about it so much I even got the biggest size.

BIGGEST MISTAKE EVER! This has to be the single worst skin-care product on the face of this Earth. 

Let's start from what it claims to do:
"Capture totale deeply detoxifies, freeing the skin of all toxins and leaving behind a glowing complexion. It regenerates and intensely repairs, smoothing the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles while leaving skin revitalized. It increases the effectiveness of your usual treatment’s active ingredients by up to four times. Skin is replenished with a new infusion of beauty: dark circles and dark spots are reduced, dullness is eliminated, and skin becomes luminous and radiant." (Sephora.com)

It did absolutely none of the above!
You're supposed to apply it every morning and every night, which is what I did for about a week. It took about 2 full pumps to cover my whole face and it dried up fast. The texture was gel-like like most serums and very light.

Once I read the ingredients it hit me as to why this product failed so miserably. First off, there is alcohol in there and LOTS of it which is detrimental to skin (especially dry skin) because it dries it out even more and that is exactly what happened. I wish I took a picture of how horrible my skin was peeling, as if I had a sun burn…yes that bad! Think of it as having to exfoliate your dead skin every single day, it was that bad. The alcohol also gives the product its airy weightless texture and helps it penetrate easily and deeper into the skin. 

Second, there is a lot of fragrance in it which irritated and inflamed my skin causing minor breakouts here and there. It not only gave me planet-like blemishes it also gave little irritation bumps. 

Overall, I absolutely hated this product and would not recommend it to anyone with dry skin. Oily and acne prone skin might benefit from this because of all the alcohol but sensitive and dry skin ladies STAY AWAY! 

As always I hope you guys enjoyed this review & talk to you soon!
Instagram: fortheloveofmakeupbaby
Email: fortheloveof_makeup@yahoo.com

-Love Greta! Mwah!



Saturday, April 12, 2014

Weekly Product Review: TheBalm Cosmetics (Haul)!

Hi beauties a few weeks ago I finally got my TheBalm package that I ordered from Hautelook. I waited forever for it but it was definitely worth the wait! I ordered a bunch of stuff and I am officially obsessed with this brand!
Lets begin:











These loose eyeshadows are so pigmented and gorgeous!!! I did not use an adhesive under these swatches but I do advise you guys to use one (for example Too Faced Glitter Glue- I have a blog post demonstrating one of these shadows and the difference with the glitter adhesive and without it). 
There is rarely any fallout and it is very lightweight. Love these!!!!










Ok lets talk about these highlighters for a minute!
Honestly, the pigmentation is freaking PHENOMENAL! Be careful so you don't use too much because this can easily happen! I usually pat my brush on the product and tap off the excess…this way you can build the color to your liking!

And what I absolutely love is that it is powdery. The powdery texture helps you smooth it over your skin easily and blend to perfection! 
Oh and I like to use these highlighters as blushes as well, even eyeshadows! Another perk to these products!
Highly recommend these babies!!!!












OMG these blushes & bronzer is everything!
Just like the highlighters they too have a powdery texture thus they are soooooooooo easy to blend out and so smooth when you apply it! But, with this you have to be careful to not apply to much because they are extremely pigmented! I apply them the same way as I do the highlighters. 

And just a tip with the Bahama Mama bronzer: this color is not for everyone it really depends on your skin tone because this product can look ashy on some skin tones! I have pretty white/fair skin and if I apply a minimal amount it looks just right but I cannot contour heavily with this product because it will look ashy and dark! 

Another tip when using all of the products above, including the highlighters & eyeshades, is that all these products wash away easily with water. So they are not meant to be worn if your near/in water, it's raining, or on a hot day (sweat will melt it off)! Why do I mention this? Because, usually after I am done with my face makeup  (foundation, blush, bronzer- the whole shabang!) I like to either spray my face with a facial spray (Mario Badescu Rose Water) or my Urban Decay Makeup Setting Spray and I cannot do that with these products because it will start to look blotchy and sometimes even melt down a little! So avoid any fluids! 



I used this translucent powder a few times and I actually like it! It is an anti-shine powder so it's meant for oily skin but I have very dry skin and it didn't enhance my dry spots or dry out my face it just took away all the shine from my foundation! Again, all the above rules apply to this powder product as well! 

--------
Overall, I absolutely love everything I purchased and I plan on purchasing more! 
First off, the packaging itself is enough for me to purchase the product. It is so girly, vintage, and adorable!
Second, the products have amazing texture, pigmentation, and blend beautifully!
Third, they are affordable!
Fourth, the colors are TO DIE FOR!
Fifth, they are multi purpose
Sixth, stop reading this & click below to purchase your package of goodies :)

I hope you guys enjoyed this review, talk to you soon! 
Instagram: fortheloveofmakeupbaby
Email: fortheloveof_makeup@yahoo.com

-Love Greta! Mwah!