Hi there, my darlings! Alrighty, my darlings! 3 more days...and I'm off to Toronto! YAY! But, while I settle in to a whole new city and a whole new life (hopefully, I'm going to be a little bit MIA. Just for a couple of weeks...and then I'll be back! So, I thought before I get going, why not stick to the theme and share a whole lot of newness with you all? This is a giant post of a whole lot of new Mally Beauty products I have tested recently--some I loved, some...not so much! Read on to find out which products fell in which categories!

FACE:

Evercolor Poreless Face Defender ($40)

Mally's iconic Evercolor Poreless Face Defender keeps shine under control and helps keep makeup looking fresh all day. This utterly sheer, super lightweight formula instantly diffuses the look of pores and fine lines for a soft focus effect, that is undetectable on the skin. Skin looks and feels soft, smooth and naturally flawless!

HOW TO USE: Tap, tap, tap; then pat, pat, pat for a smooth, shine-free, soft-focus finish! Tap the sponge onto the product. Never swipe or rub. Pat this innovative, sheer formula gently all over your face. Never swipe or rub. Use the rounded corners of the sponge to get into all those hard to reach places, such as side of nose and inner corners of your eyes.


I have to admit that I'm fairly new to the wonder of a good primer. I've never really used primers until very recently but I can honestly say that it has changed my makeup life. A good primer provides the perfect base for all over face products, be it perfect foundation coverage, pressed powder that doesn't end up patchy or chalky, or a highlighter that doesn't settle or accentuate those pesky pores.

This one is a particularly good primer in that it is lightweight, sheer and a little goes on a long way, leaving the skin smooth and ready for your favorite products. It took me a bit of time to perfect my patting technique, since my instinct was to blend like I do with a beauty blender, but once I got the hang of it, the results were well worth it!

Flawless Finish Transforming Effect Foundation ($38)

When it comes to delivering skin perfection, Mally has the magic touch! The dense foundation “cake” liquifies upon contact with your choice of applicator then melts onto skin, transforming to a thin, full-coverage layer. The compact features a fine mesh cover over the foundation to release the ideal amount for the most natural look. Apply using a foundation brush for an airbrushed finish, or use the compact sponge for on-the-go touchups. Flawless Finish is just what you need for a perfois skin day!

I absolutely love "cushion" foundations, finding them lightweight and the medium coverage quite appealing! The formula of this one allows for full coverage and a very easy blending for a lovely, natural-looking finish. Alas, the shade Tan was just not the perfect match for me, being a little too orange-y.

Complexion Perfection Soft Focus Foundation ($38)

The search for flawless skin is over. This lightweight, oil-free liquid foundation delivers full coverage for a seriously smooth, natural-looking complexion. Skin looks even, balanced and flawlessly fierce! This hydrating formula provides an immediate skin-soothing and smoothing effect, for naturally flawless skin!
and

H3 Concealer ($27)

Need an instant refresher for eyes? Mally's got you covered with her H3 Concealer! The creamy, long-wearing formula gives skin the look of radiance, blurring the appearance of imperfections and softening the look of fine lines. This silky concealer glides smoothly and easily over the fragile under-eye area, providing excellent coverage that lasts. Just blend and go. Simply gorgois!

A lightweight foundation that actually worked with my skin tone? Yes! The Complexion Perfection foundation in Tan is that magical formula that blends incredibly well, providing great coverage without the feeling of wearing a ton of makeup on your face. This just may end up replacing my go-to BB cream for warmer days!

I wasn't as lucky with the concealer shade as it was a bit TOO warm for me, I did like both the formula and the coverage so I look forward to trying another shade that works better to alleviate these perpetual, sleep-deprived dark circles.

LEFT TO RIGHT: Flawless Finish Founation in Tan, Complexion Perfection Foundation in Tan and H3 Concealer in Tan

Shimmer Shape & Glow ($40)

Want Mally’s secret for getting that superstar glow? This trio of perfect powders is all you need to create sculpting shadows, illuminating highlights and a warm glow for radiant skin.

First, the shimmer powder lifts and illuminates the cheekbones, giving you the bone structure that you have always dreamed of. Second, the shaping powder softly contours making you look like you lost five pounds. Lastly, the glow powder gives you a soft, warm hue to give you that lit-from-within glow.

While the middle contour shade was a little too light for proper contouring on my skin tone, I do like the highlighter shade for a more subtle, natural-looking highlight and absolutely love the warm, peachy blush shade!

Double-Ended Face Brush ($35)

With Mally's Double-Ended Face Brush you can easily achieve that all-over glow. Featuring a large powder brush on one end, for effortless application of your favorite foundation or powder, plus a smaller fluffy brush to accentuate areas of the face where you want to add an extra hint of radiance or shimmer.

Yes, this IS a bit on the pricier side for a single brush but keep in mind that this does the work for two brushes in one. And the both ends are unbelievably soft! I love how it feels while applying blush or pressed powder and just enough product is picked up for easy blending.

EYES:

Open Up! Eyeshadow Quad (Set of 2) ($28 for each quad)

Open up and say, “Ohh!” These pro-curated shades complement all eye colors while creating a wide-eyed effect you’ll love. Mix and match the matte and shimmer shades for optimal depth and dimension. The velvety, talc-free powder, infused with nourishing Coconut Butter, wears all day for fierce, flattering stay-true color.

Shade options:

• Everyday Nudes
• Everyday Deep Neutrals

The Everyday Nudes quad is perfect for daytime wear or for travel, especially if you're going out of town for work. Perfectly portable and light, you have all the shades you need for a soft, professional eye look.

The Everyday Deep Neutrals quad was my personal favorite of the two. I like the deeper, richer colors for a bolder, more noticeable smokey eye.

Evercolor Shadow Stick Extra Velvet ($25 each)

Evercolor Shadow Stick Extra – the queen of multi-tasking and looking fierce all day long - now comes in a NEW velvet matte finish. These eye-flattering matte shades blend beautifully with no dragging or tugging and are perfect for subtle contouring and enhancing. You have 45 seconds of playtime until your eyeshadow is smudge-proof, transfer-proof, crease-proof, and of course, will last and last! Go for a sheer wash of color, or layer for more intensity. These versatile shadows also work well with Shadow Stick Extra shimmer shades.

Available in 10 shades, I tried 3:

• Bliss
• Peacock 
• Slate

Super creamy and super pigmented, I love these handy little eyeshadow sticks, both to blend as a traditional eyeshadow or to add to the waterline for a bold pop of color. I mean, just look at how amazing Peacock looks!

CLOCKWISE: Evercolor Shadow Stick Extra Velvet in Bliss, Peacock and Slate

Evercolor Gel Waterproof Liner ($19 each)

Creamy, intense color for all-day fierce lining and defining! Mally’s Evercolor Gel Waterproof Liners instantly flatter and accentuate eyes – no smearing, tugging or fading. The long-wearing formula glides on for perfectly lined, gorgois eyes.

Available in 10 shades, I tried 3:

• Gold Glimmer
• Graphite
• Sterling
• Walnut

Definitely creamy and most definitely pigmented, my mother is a huge fan of these liners! She loves the roll-up packaging and the formula that works even in the heat of this tropical climate. I got a couple of extras in Gold Glimmer and Sterling so those I managed to sneak away for myself!

FROM TOP TO BOTTOM: Evercolor Gel Waterproof Liners in Gold Glimmer, Graphite, Sterling and Walnut

Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Eyeliner Singles ($18 each)

Evercolor Starlight Waterproof Eyeliners are Mally’s best kept secret for high-performance and beautiful eyeliner looks that will take your eyes to the next level! These perfect pencils glide on easily, set up beautifully, and last all day. This award winning formula is transfer-proof, crease-proof, and best of all, waterproof! Eyeliners can be used to add definition or drama to the eyes and can even be worn as an eyeshadow. These babies are extremely versatile!
Available in a whopping 25 shades, I tried :

• Pink Champagne
• Caribbean Sea

While I love both shades and found them both very creamy and easy to apply, these were marred for me by the need to sharpen them. I cannot tell you how much I dislike having to locate a sharpener, keep it handy and sharpen an eyeliner pencil--you just never get the point you want!

More is More Mascara ($20)

More is More Mascara's rich, creamy formula coats each lash on the very first stroke, for perfect definition.

For a truly lush, "false lashes" effect, Mally designed a special brush to grip lashes and smooth the mascara out to the very tips for exceptional length and definition. Hello, drama mama!

The tip of the brush has additional bristles that provide the finishing touch for lashes that look larger than life!

It's all about that wand for me with this mascara! I love comb wands like this where you can sweep on tons of length, lift and volume. Definitely would purchase again and again, especially at this price point! Color me very impressed!

Brow Beauty Brow Fix in Taupe (Currently unavailable)

• What is it: Brow Beauty Brow Fix is a perfect, brow product that shapes, controls, and lightly tints without stiffness, harsh lines, or flaky powders.
• Why is it different: Brow Beauty Brow Fix is the one step tool that tames, shapes, and colors brows to frame the face beautifully. This unique formula combines soft, natural waxes and powders to give a natural-looking color, while shaping and smoothing brows for a polished,
• beautiful frame for the face. Not flaky like powders or harsh like some pencils, Brow Fix is the touch-up tool that smoothes brows, imparts a soft natural tone, and looks naturally beautiful -- so naturally beautiful that one shade works for all hair colors.
• How do I use it: Just stroke the lead easily in short upward motions to shape and tame the brow.

Honestly, this one just didn't work for me. I found the point too stubby and the shade Taupe wayyyy too light and unnatural on me. Sadly, this would be a pass for me.

So there you have it, my darlings! Mally Beauty products are available through their website HERE.


To discover other great products, you can follow Mally Beauty through the outlets below :

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Have you tried anything Mally Beauty before? Any personal favorites? Tell me in the comments section below!

***Products were sent to me for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.***

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Hi there, my darlings! 7 days, just 7 days left until the big move and I literally more things to do than hours in the day. Talk about pressure! But I've realized that I get the most done when I'm under pressure--a good old time crunch brings forth all the productivity that my procrastination usually trumps. Anyways...the results of one such spurt of productivity lies before you today with swatches of Zoya Nail Polish and Treatment's Kisses collection!


The Kisses collection consists of 3 squishy, pretty jelly polishes.  Across the board, I found the formula of these jellies to be a pleasure to work with--yes, they are sheer but you can layer them for full opacity or go wild with your choice of nail art.  Unless specifically mentioned, all the swatches below show just 4 thin coats of each polish by itself on the index and pinkie fingers and 3 coats plus 1 thin coat of the beautiful, flakie, shifty topper, Leia on the middle and ring fingers. I added 1 coat of topcoat on the middle and pinkie fingers, for the sake of comparison. Such perfect shades for Spring!


Libby is described as "a buildable, milky lavender jelly". Delicate and pretty, this is such a pretty Spring shade! Leia just makes it even more magical!

Princess is described as "a buildable, milky pink jelly". I absolutely love this shade of pink--so happy and fun! Leia just adds another dimension to this pretty pink!

Vickie is described as "a buildable, milky gray jelly".This is such an interesting shade--neutral but so flattering! I love that just one coat of Leia takes it from interesting to absolutely intriguing!

So there you have it, my darlings! The Zoya Kisses collection is available now on Zoya's website HERE for the price of $10 for a full-size, 0.5 oz bottle. Also available as a cute trio sampler or a quad with Leia.

Don't forget to follow Zoya through the social media outlets below :

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Do you like jelly polishes? How do you like to wear them--layered or as a base for nail art/toppers? I would love to hear from you in the comments section below!

***Products were sent to me for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.***

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Hi there, my darlings! Budget week continues this week with my favorite, new picks from a brand that I feel is VERY under-rated and deserving of much more attention, not only for the sheer quality of makeup it produces but also for it's super affordable price points. Take a peek at what I'm loving  from Rimmel lately!

INSTA FLAWLESS Skin Tint in Medium/Dark ($6.49)

Get up & Glow! A perfecting, radiant skin tint that can be worn alone for a radiant glow or under makeup to extend the wear.

• Primes & Perfects
• Natural Looking Glow
• 24HR Moisturization
• SPF 15

Super lightweight and super blendable, I was really surprised with just how closely this matched my skin tone. Especially since a broad-category face product almost NEVER works for me. More often than not, I prefer to put on a BB cream and pressed powder rather than a full face of foundation so I'm pleased as punch to add a new favorite to my arsenal!

INSTA FLAWLESS Fix & Matte Setting Powder ($6.49)

Apply with powder brush over foundation or bare skin. Micro-fine translucent powder with matte finish.

• Controls Shine
• Sets Foundation
• Smooth & Lightweight formula

If you have oily skin, like yours truly, a setting powder makes the difference between that mid-afternoon shine and perfect, all-day makeup. You can use this affordable little compact to set your oilier T-zone or even to"bake" your makeup, particularly underneath the eyes to brighten them up even further. Use as much or as little as you need--it's quite light and won't weigh you down!

MAGNIF'EYES Eyeshadow Palette in Grung Glamour ($7.99)

Contour your eyes with just one kit! This palette contains 12 different shades to customize your look from bare nude to ultra sultry.

This high shimmer, ultra smooth, blendable formula delivers endless eye looks whatever the occasion and eye shape.

An entire palette of 12 quality eyeshadows for under 8 bucks? Sounds too good to be true, huh? Well, with this beauty from Rimmel, it's totally true. I love the combination of both light, everyday sort of shades in combination with the darker, vampier shades in this palette--perfect for that transition from work day neutrals to after-work glam! Just slip this in your bag and you're good to go!

I found just about all the shades, including the shimmers, to be quite pigmented, easily blendable and with minimal fallout. I'm particularly enamored with the shimmery blues, grays and purple in this palette. Pick your faves below!

So there you have it, my darlings! Rimmel products are available at fine retailers and mass merchandisers nationwide, such as Target, Rite Aid and CVS, across the US. To find a retailer near you, please visit Rimmel's website HERE.

To discover other great products, you can follow Rimmel through the outlets below :

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What have you tried lately from Rimmel? Any new faves? Tell me in the comments section below!

***Products were sent to me for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.***

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Hi there, my darlings! So my second big international move in less than a year and change is right around the corner...I mean, 2 more weeks and off I go! As I get started in a whole, new country, obviously I got my mind on my money and my money...well, you know the rest. A solid budget and financial planning is going to be very important for me for the next couple of months so I decided why not let that aspect reflect on my blog too? So, I dedicate this week on the blog to budget beauty at its finest. Starting off with nailing the color correction trend with a little help from the super affordable beauty brand, Hard Candy.


What is Color Correction?

As I understand it, it's basically using certain colors to conceal different flaws and blemishes on your skin. For example, an individual with a tan or olive skin tone would find it easier to hide dark circles and brighten the under-eye area when using a warm color like orange or even red rather than with a straightforward concealer which is a couple of shades lighter than the skin tone. The results are more more natural as the color correctors balance the undertones of those blemishes. A more skin-like finish, if you will.


What did I try from Hard Candy?

Shown in order of the swatches in the picture below:

• SHEER ENVY COCONUT WATER PRIMER STICK: A water-base primer stick that instantly cool skin for flawless makeup application. This cool primer hydrates and soothes the skin, while leaving you looking pore-perfected! *(Sheer an translucent so no swatch pics)

• COLOR CORRECT RADIANT PRIMER:  A primer is the 1st step to neutralizing skin concerns!These primers are formulated with hydrating ingredients that blend easily into the skin and provides a neutral base.Apply after cleansing and moisturizing. Rub into skin until absorbed. When dry, continue with your makeup routine!

- Pink: neutralize dullness and sallowness (Fair to Light skin tones)

• COLOR CORRECT EXPERT CREME WAND: A créme color corrector that targets skin imperfections!
  This lightweight formula is easy to apply and easily blends into skin.
  Flexible brush tip applicator is soft to touch and fits into the contours of your skin... don't forget the nose area!

- Orange: neutralize dark circles and spots (Medium to Dark skin tones)

• SHEER ENVY COLOR CORRECT CUSHION WONDER: comes with a built-in blending sponge and instantly provides weightless color correction of any skin coloration concern. These color correctors eliminate the need for any additional tools with their built-in blending capability. Target and correct your major skin concern in one simple step by balancing out your skin's unique coloration concerns. Available in four shades, these innovative cushions are designed to meet main skin coloration concerns.

- Green: cancels redness and blemish marks

My thoughts?

I'm a big fan of 2 out of the 4 products shown here--the Coconut Water primer and the Expert Creme. The primer is super lightweight and you can barely feel it on the skin while still doing a great job at smoothing the skin before applying foundation/base. The brush of Expert Creme Wand allows you to add just the amount you need and blends in very well with my skin tone, instantly brightening my under-eye area after concealer and foundation.

Now, the second primer is completely wasted on me as it does nothing for my skin tone. The pink does NOT work with my East Indian complexion, leaving me ashy.

The Cushion Wonder, I need to play around with a little more. A little goes a long way and the applicator tends to really gush out product. Use a light hand. My blemishes are mainly acne scars and I find orange works better for me than green. If you're more prone to redness, this one would work for you.

The takeaway here is that, if you would like to experiment with color correction, you can't really do better than Hard Candy's solid quality and affordability. The range of color correction products allow you to try a few to find the perfect shades and products for YOUR skin's individual issues.So, you can try the latest trend, help your skin look better AND save some serious moolah!

So there you have it, my darlings! Hard Candy products are available only at your local Walmart across the US. To find a retailer near you, please visit Hard Candy's website HERE.


To discover other great products, you can follow Hard Candy through the outlets below :

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Have you tried anything Hand Candy before? Have you tried color correcting? Tell me in the comments section below!

****Products were sent to me for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.****

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Hi there, my darlings! Fri...YAY! After weeks of stress, I've finally had a good week...a really good week! Touchwood. And as I mentioned earlier this week, it's a special, celebratory week for me and I guess I was due for a bit of luck and sunshine. So, why not end the week with a bang?! Today, I'll be sharing with you all another collection from 2017 that totally won my heart AND is a really perfect set of products when you're in a celebratory mood--Model's Own Celestial collection, which you're supposed to find at Ulta, although it's currently unavailable online. Anyways, take a peek and if you fall in love, like I have, check your local store!

CELESTIAL ENCHANTED Eyeshadow Palette ($17.99):

Be the queen of hearts with this Celestial Enchanted eyeshadow palette. From ladylike hues to fairytale blooms, live happily ever after.

(shades in the palette from left to right): 

Purity, Magical, Graceful, Entice, Allure, Charming 

With Love, Doves, Angelic, Divine

From the moment I got this baby, I knew it would become one of my favorites. Now, I usually don't really do light or pastel shades, instead preferring to go bold...with the exception of glittery, shimmery or metallic shades, which is why this one made it on my Favorite Palettes list of 2017 HERE.

Admittedly, glitter can be a pain to work with but I found these shades to be quite easy to apply with very little, if any, fallout. I LOVE the smooth, velvety texture of the shadows themselves and I found that blending them out while layering them on was a breeze. The swatches below show a couple of swipes of each shade on my bare arm--no primer needed! Plus, they show up on my skin tone, and flatteringly so, which is a huge win for me!

Do keep in mind that they are not the most pigmented shades out there but if you're like me and enjoy adding a bit of shimmer and shine to your makeup looks, you'll love this palette. I know I do!

FROM BOTTOM RIGHT TO TOP LEFT: Purity, Magical, Graceful, Entice, Allure, Charming, With Love, Doves, Angelic, Divine

CELESTIAL CHROME LIP TOPPER in Stardust over MATTE LIQUID LIPSTICK in Coral Fresh ($7.99 each):

Create an otherworldy pout with the Celestial Chrome Lip Topper. Applied over your favourite matte lip colour, this longwear formula is loaded with reflective pigment for a multidimensional finish.

Whether on the Saint Antonio strip or the fields of Glastonbury this Celestial Face Glitter Kit has your festival look covered. Create unique designs with ease with the Celestial face stencils.

I've loved every single shade of Matte Liquid Lipstick I have tried from Model's Own and Coral Fresh is no different. It's a bright, happy coral pink that's very flattering even on my tan skin tone and the matte texture is pigmented while not at all overly-drying.

I thought it would be the perfect base for the light iridescence of Stardust. Stardust DOES NOT show up on my skin tone on its own--I mean, you would have to shine a flashlight on it and whatnot. But over Coral Fresh, the iridescence further brightens up the pink tones in Coral Fresh for a result that I was really feeling! Try it over your favorite matte shade--the possibilities are endless.

CELESTIAL LIP GLITTER KIT in Cerise Star and FACE GLITTER KIT in Mars/Pluto ($7.99 and $10.99):

Take your festival glam to another stratosphere with the Celestial Lip Glitter Kit. Worn alone or over your favourite lip colour, this high impact glitter lip look is your festival beauty essential.

Ah, glitter! As much as I love it, glitter on my face?! Yeah, not so much! I do love the glitters included in the Face kit for two reasons--I love the type of glitters included (large and fine combined) and who says I have to be restricted to applying them to my face?! You can check out my spurt of creativity in using them on white henna on my Instagram HERE and I have plans to use them for nail art whenever I can.

The Lip Glitter kit is another matter entirely. I CAN and do intend to work with this. Remember, a little goes a long way and you can just pat a little on your fave matte liquid lipstick before it dries completely. I'm looking forward to trying Cerise Star over a dark, rich purple--how gorgeous would that be?!

The Face Glitter kit also includes these adorable but incredibly difficult to work with stencils. They do not adhere to your skin and you would need some tape or some help to use them. So...um, yeah, not ideal if you live alone or swatch in the wee hours of the night. They ARE cute though!

So there you have it, my darlings! Once they become available again, you can pick up any of these beauties exclusively in stores or on Ulta's website HERE. Shipping within the US is free over $25 at Ulta!


Not in the US? Model's Own ships globally through their UK site HERE. Free shipping over £15 n the UK and starting at just £7.99 worldwide.


You can find Model's Own through the social media outlets below for all the latest about their products:

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Have you picked up anything from this collection? If not, what would you like to try if anything caught your eye? Tell me in the comments section below!

***Products were sent to me for an honest, unbiased review. All opinions are my own.***

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