What It Is:

Rouge Bunny Rouge Decadent Duo in Ramba Cubana

Why This Should Be in Your Bag:

Duo products are always super fun, but also risky. What happens if you buy a duo and don’t like one of the sides? Or if you only WANT one of the sides but have to fork over more money for a duo? Beauty brands take risks when they pair products together and have to ensure that both are of the highest quality AND complement each other. Rouge Bunny Rouge Decadent Duos pair a liquid blush (an “oil-in-water emulsion, to water your cheeks with bare color and to impart an extremely natural and even finish”) and a lipgloss (“a soothing blend of Lotus Flower Extract and yummy Mango Butter and speaks of wild freshness, naturally”).

Rouge Bunny Rouge is a brand based out of Russia (my #1 travel lust!) and is quickly gaining pace in the European market. With a super strong vision, wrapped in fairytales and inspired by everything from magic gardens to royal princesses, Rouge Bunny Rouge is poised to break into the states soon! The prices are a bit “up there,” but the quality of the products is definitely equal to familiar high-end brands. Read More »

What It Is:
Kahina Giving Beauty Toning Mist

Why This Should Be in Your Bag:
Luxe skincare products are always a fun way to switch up your routine. Every time I use one, I feel like I’m pampering myself! And we all know the importance of effective skincare; if you’re skin isn’t in tip-top shape, it will show, regardless of how much makeup you slather on.

Kahina Giving Beauty is a company started by Katharine Phillips L’Heureux. She was inspired by a trip to Morocco, where she discovered the benefits of Argan Oil and the hardworking women who produce it. The skincare line is small, but well thought-out and, even better, Kahina gives back 25% of the profits to the women of Morocco who produce the oils used in the products! I gave their Toning Mist a test run and felt good about myself while doing so.

How To Use It:
From the name, it’s not really clear what the purpose of this Toning Mist is. Thankfully, it comes with some suggestions for use. They suggest to “use morning and evening after cleansing and before applying either Kahina Argan Oil or Kahina Serum to aid in superior absorption. Spritz throughout the day to replenish moisture and refresh.” After a couple test runs, I settled on my routine, which included washing my skin in the evening and then applying this before my moisturizer. Read More »

What It Is:
Too Faced Romantic Eye Palette

Why This Should Be in Your Bag:
Eyeshadow is one of my favorite beauty products. Your eyes are the only place that you can get away with sporting bright teals, purples and greens. (I mean, they don’t make teal blush for a reason.) However, most workplaces don’t look fondly on the new intern whose eyelids are straight outta the ’80s (read: covered in bright blue shadow). To help you ease into the professionalism that  is summer work, I found the perfect palette.

The Too Faced Romantic Eye Palette is the newest in Too Faced’s lineup of foolproof eyeshadow sets. The palette consists of “romantic-inspired shadow shades that will bring out your inner bride, bombshell or classic beauty, all with an ultra-feminine touch”. Even though Too Faced didn’t intend on creating a career-palette, the mix of neutrals and muted colors make it perfect for either purpose!

Read More »

What It Is:
New York Color Smooch Proof 16HR Lip Stain in Persistent Pink

Why This Should Be in Your Bag:
Like most girls I know, my collection of lip products is overflowing. I have more lipsticks, glosses and colors than I can EVER possibly use up. However, one department I’m lacking in is lip stains. I’m not exactly sure why, but I only have a couple and can’t say I reach for them very often. Most disappoint me with their less-than-stellar wear times and boring finishes.

But, I’m always willing to give a product a second chance. New York Color says that their Smooch Proof 16HR Lip Stain gives “a sheer to intense flush of color that sticks around longer than most guys in the City.” The packaging makes the product look like a more baby-pink shade, when in reality, I would deem this a true, natural pink. Read More »

What It Is:
Korres Wild Rose Foundation in WRF1

Why This Should Be in Your Bag:
If you’re a girl who has flawless skin or just doesn’t feel the need to wear foundation, then  you are lucky. And I kinda hate you. I have fairly decent skin but do tend to breakout in the T-zone and experience overall redness. I don’t wear foundation every single day, but I do feel like my skin looks more even when I’m sporting it.

Finding a good foundation is tricky! Firstly, if you have sensitive skin like mine, many foundations may cause breakouts. Second, you need to consider your skin before purchasing a foundation. I have oily skin, so my main concerns are finding a foundation that doesn’t melt away and also controls shine! And third, you know how hard it is to find that perfect color!

Currently, I’m testing out the Korres Wild Rose Foundation with some great results! About the products, Korres says, “Oil-free, fluid foundation easily glides on skin giving a luminous natural finish with buildable long-lasting coverage and sun protection.” Let’s see if it lived up to that wordy promise!

How To Use It:
Because this foundation is extremely fluid, I switch between using my fingers (after being cleaned VERY well) and a foundation brush. I find my fingers to leave a more natural finish. This foundation spreads out very evenly because it’s so watery, but beware, it does dry quick! Make sure you blend into your jawline and hairline really well, and really quickly. Read More »

What It Is:
Too Faced Aqua Bunny Bronzer

Why This Should Be in Your Bag:

I think bronzer is one makeup item every girl needs. When used properly, it instantly brightens your complexion, makes you look awake, and gives you a healthy glow. Unfortunately, bronzer is one of those products that many people over-do and end up looking like an Oompa Loompa. Another downside to bronzer is that it’s a summer product that quickly melts off. In the hot months, your makeup is susceptible to run and streak, even if you shop high-end.

And on that cue, in comes Too Faced Aqua Bunny, a cream-to-powder WATERPROOF bronzer (or, as they put it, “splash-proof”) that promises a lightweight, sheer bronze that adapts to all skintones, Too Faced has potentially created a holy grail product for both girls who love the water and those with oil slicks for faces (like me!). Read More »

Every few months when I start to run out of my high-end make up, I tend to re-evaluate why I’m spending so much money on products.  I save up a lot in order to purchase the likes of Make Up For Ever, NARS, MAC, and Urban Decay.  But I also think about what I could be spending that money on, and I look into more affordable options.  While I absolutely love my high-end brands, I also love drug store brands. Like, the kind of love I usually reserve for peanut butter and chocolate. I have a huge variety of the stuff and I’m a strong advocate for affordable make up.

That’s why I get really excited when brands like Maybelline try to imitate those big makeup brands.  You’ve probably seen those TV ads for their new FIT ME collection of foundations and powders.  They’re a little annoying, but the product is good.  Really good!  I was very impressed with how similar the quality was to my high-end products. Plus, it has SPF 18 in the foundation!

My only real qualm was that I couldn’t test the shade in the store.  They have a wide spectrum of 18 shades said to fit all skintones, but it’s still a necessity for me to test a shade in the store before I buy it.  Also, I recommend using a primer (here’s how it’s done!) with the foundation to help it last.  If you’re looking for something that feels like a high-end brand but is extremely affordable, then check this collection out! But first, get my full rundown here: Read More »

Spring Break is right around the corner!! Can you tell I’m really excited? Come on, I know I’m not the only one.

But while it may seem like you can be as carefree as you want, truth is you need to take care of yourself, especially your skin!  We all love us some Snooki, but no one wants to come back from SBXI looking like that.  I’m not trying to lecture you or be your momma, but you must wear sunscreen!  Every day! Not just while you’re lounging on the beach drinking margaritas or bikini skiing.  Really, a killer tan is not worth the harm you can do to your skin. Read More »

So if you haven’t heard by now, I am in the latest issue of Cosmopolitan Magazine on page 36!  I did an advertorial for Olay on three of their skincare products, and I’m going to be doing a more in depth review right here on CC Beauty Live!  I don’t usually have a ton of success with drug store brand skin care lines, but Olay has definitely made me a believer.  I loved the products they sent me, and I hope you do too!

Olay sent me their Pore Minimizing Cleanser & Scrub’s 2-in-1 Foaming Formula, the Daily Facials Deep Cleansing Dual-Textured Cloths, and the Shine Control Lathering Cleanser.  All of the products are gentle enough to use every day, although you can use their Lathering Cleanser as more of a mask every few days.  I even ran out of the cleansing cloths because I used them so often!

I really enjoyed this stuff (almost as I enjoyed seeing my face in my favorite magazine!), so watch this vid to find out why! Read More »

What It Is:
LUSH Mange Too Massage Bar

Why This Should Be in Your Bag:
Body moisturizer should be an essential ingredient in your makeup bag and your life! Not only does it make your body soft and touchable (and who doesn’t want that?), but it also keeps you from practically itching your skin off in cold and/or dry weather. That’s right; dryness = itching, itching = flaking, and flaking is just bad news bears.

I only embraced body moisturizer in the past few years, but now I can’t live without it. Most of my friends buy cheap brands just because they smell nice, but trust me, when you’re buying for the moisturizing power of a lotion or butter, and you should be, you have to be a bit more picky.

LUSH is a great, fun brand. (We at CollegeCandy are obsessed with it!) Not only do they churn out quality products, but they also strive to be as “green” as possible and don’t use animal testing. I have a few friends who are LUSH fanatics, so I decided to give the Mange Too Massage Bar a test run and see what all the fuss was about! Read More »