April Favorites

Hello Gems and Jewels! As a lover of all things makeup and beauty, sometimes I fall in and out of love with products depending upon how my skin is feeling.  So I have decided to do a monthly favorites post that will include beauty products that I have worn and loved during the month.  Inevitably, some will be old products that haven't gotten much use and some will be newly discovered products but I will be sure to report back to you.  I even think that I will include some of my favorite perfumes because they seem to change like the wind with all the variations come to surface!!! Anyway here are my April favorites, I hope you enjoy!

1. Makeup Forever Face and Body Foundation--I have used it as a primer for the MUFE HD foundation and alone and I love it! It is water-based and has a light weight natural finish. It is good for normal skin types and those with larger pores.  I applied with a Beauty Blender sponge and am so in love with it for the moment! It can also be used for the body as well.
2. Makeup Forever Pro Finish Multi-Use Powder Foundation--This foundation is amazing! It can be used wet or dry.  When used dry, you get a full coverage matte finish and when used wet, you get a satin sheer finish! I have been waiting for a product like this from MUFE since Lorac released theirs.  Gems and Jewels this is the one you will want to keep in your purse..it's awesome.
3. MAC Candy Yum Yum Lipstick--Yeah, I'm pretty much obsessed with this pink lip for spring.  It is a bright pink that looks intimidating but can be toned down with the right lip liner and gloss.  I used a magenta liner and the Pink Noveau lip gloss and again I love it!! Although Emerald is the color of the year pinks and reds still rule the lips!!
4. MAC Strut Eyebrow Pencil--I have been using this eyebrow pencil very often since I dyed my hair red.  It's very creamy and works well because it adds a little more reddish brown to my brows.  I also added some Embark eyeshadow to fill in my brows further.  I love this combination.
5. Red Cherry Eyelashes--I have been loving these lashes lately.  They are 100% human hair and come in many style variations for top and bottom.  They are easy to apply and put the perfect finishing touch on your look.  I have used #82 lashes several time this month and love them.  
6. Chloe Eau de Parfum--This is my favorite fragrance right now, I'm actually panicking because I may run out soon.  It is a yummy, fresh, sweet, floral that smells great on me.  The notes that are in the fragrance are as follows:  Pink Peony, Freesia, Lychee, Magnolia Flower, Lily of the Valley, Rose, Cedarwood, Amber, Honey

These are just a few so let me know what you have been loving or hating this month! Giveaways starting in May to my readers and subscribers!

Review: Covergirl Outlast 3-in1 Foundation/Queen Collection

Hello Gems and Jewels!!! I am finally getting around to reviewing the Covergirl 3-in-1 foundation along with the Covergirl Queen Collection 3-in-1 foundation.  There are several reasons why it has taken me so long to review this foundation; one reason being that while applying this foundation, I noticed that the color I had was too light and then I selected a color from the Queen Collection and that was too dark.  Therefore, I decided that I would mix the two foundation to attempt to create a match for me.  Finally, after applying it and then removing it, I awakened to a rash on the one side of my face where I applied it.  With that being said, I think it is still a very good foundation and I have seen it look flawless on many! This foundation is priced at just under 10 dollars so it is very affordable.

The Covergirl 3-in-1 foundation is a long wear primer, concealer and foundation all in one.  Now I have to admit that this concept is amazing and it goes onto your skin very smoothly.  Covergirl 3-in-1 is a medium to full coverage foundation that dries to a semi-matte finish which will be very good for those that have oily skin.  Although there is a built in concealer, it does not offer enough coverage to be used alone as a concealer.  I wore this foundation for several hours without powder and noticed a very normal amount of oil in my t-zone area but I think this was due to the moisturizer that I used.  It does indeed have very good staying power and I definitely think this is due to the primer that's built into the foundation.

Pros:
*The foundation comes with a pump that lock so it is very good for traveling
*The product consistency is great and it blends very well
*The staying power is phenomenal
*SPF is included and is doesn't flashback white in photos

Cons:
*There are only 15 shades available to choose from (i think this will increase)
*It does seem to oxidize on the skin
*It is not completely shine free if you use a moisturizer with it
*It has been known to cause breakouts

The bottom line is that this is a good foundation for those on the go and those that want to avoid all the steps that go with applying foundation.  I do recommend that you buy at least one or even two shades lighter because it does oxidize on your skin to a darker hue (orangey on me).  Buying several shades will also come in handy during the summer months.  Again, for me personally this is not enough coverage and building it up could prove to be tricky.  I would actually recommend this for those with mature skin who are looking for a good drugstore foundation.

Outlast Stay Fabulous 3-in-1 Foundation

Covergirl 3-in-1 Foundation (860 and Q815)

Party LOTD

Hello Gems and Jewels! long time no blog right.  Well Spring has sprung and so have these allergies and so has many outings an parties but guess who's back? I have several reviews and hauls coming but here are some pictures of my looks from this past party-filled weekend! Happy Birthday Alicia, the ace!

Face:
Makeup Forever Face and Body Foundation (12)
Makeup Forever HD Foundation (173)
Makeup Forever Primer
Makeup Forever Concealer
Makeup Forever ProFinish Powder (174)
Lips:
MAC Magenta lip liner
MAC Candy Yum Yum lipstick
MAC Pink Nouveau lipgloss

Eyes:
Base, Maybelline Color Tattoo Cream Eyeshadow (painted purple)
All MAC Shadows: Stars N Rockets
Shock-A-Holic
Parfait Amour
Embark (crease and eyebrow)
Patina (transition)
Nylon (highlight)
Strut Eyebrow Pencil
Red Cherry Lashes (#82)
Rapidblack Penultimate Eye Liner

NYX Lipstick Haul/Swatches

Hello Gems and Jewels!! Most of us know Ebay for buying and selling items but Ebay also has great deals on beauty products including discontinued perfume.  I happened to be browsing and came across a lot (bulk) of NYX lipstick that was a great deal.  For those of you who don't know, NYX lip products are very creamy and actually very pigmented especially for the price you pay.  I am excited to try them all out but here are some swatches of the colors that I picked up.  Enjoy and check them out when you have a chance!

Eggplant, Peach Bellini, Cream

Silk, Chaos, Doll

Left to Right
Haute Melon, Fortune Cookie, Chic Red

Pandora, NYX, Fig