Back To School Look

So remember the Sephora Glitz & Glam set I got in the other day?  Well, I know I mentioned that I was excited to use it for a date or a night out with the girls, but I just couldn't wait and decided to try out some products for yesterday's makeup before going to class.  Blargh, it's the first week of winter quarter at my university.  I know there's nothing glitzy or glamorous about class at 8am, but as it turns out, this set is versatile enough to achieve a natural, daytime look for school, work, etc.

I really don't have a whole lot of time to get ready on school mornings, which are 4 days out of the week. This look requires about 10-15 minutes, which works well with my schedule.

For my eyes, I used Buxom Stay-There Eyeshadow in Pug and Ultraflesh Gold Standard Mascara from the set:

I don't use cream eyeshadows, but I'm sooooooooo in LOVE with this one right now.  Pug is a shimmery, "smoky pewter" shade that glides on as smooth as silk, is nicely pigmented and very build-able.  It's also whisper-light.  I couldn't feel it on my lids at all, unlike some other heavy, greasy-feeling cream shadows.  I was able to quickly and efficiently create a very nice gradient from my lash line to my brow bone.  Talk about easy smoky eye!  I can't imagine it being simpler.  I didn't need a primer and what's really amazing is that, 12 hours later, there was little to no creasing whatsoever.  I want to get Buxom Stay-There Eyeshadow in EVERY color now!  Somebody stop me!

Oh, and I really like the Ultraflesh Gold Standard mascara also.  The formula is light, non-clumping, and really holds a curl.  My sister commented that my eyelashes looked really long, so I guess it works!  The only problem is that I didn't see a full-sized tube available for sale on the Sephora site.  Maybe that's a good thing, I'd go broke otherwise.

As for the rest of my face, I used Benefit High Beam to highlight my cheekbones, Bare Escentuals All Over Color in Glee as a blush, and Stila Lip Glaze in Vanilla.

I've used High Beam before, it's a decent, all-purpose cosmetic highlighter.  You can use it to highlight your brow arch, the bridge of your nose, your cheekbones, etc.  Glee gives your cheeks a warm, earthy-rose flush and I imagine it's flattering on most skin tones.  Vanilla is a very shimmery, sheer champagne color that, when worn alone, gives your lips a glossy, luminous glow.

So that's my first look from the set.  I can't wait to experiment some more with it to create additional looks, including something on the dramatic end of the spectrum.  Stay tuned! :)

Hugs,

Cat

Sephora Favorites Glitz & Glam

Hee hee!  Guess what I got in the mail today?  The Sephora Favorites Glitz & Glam Set!  I almost forgot that I even ordered it.  Funny story: my younger sister really wanted to get the Sephora Hello Kitty palette, but didn't want to pay the full cost of shipping, so she made me add something to her basket in order to qualify free shipping.  It was a difficult decision, but I had to help a sister out, you know what I mean?

This set consists of golden and champagne-hued products, chock-full of shimmer and glitter, hence the Glitz & Glam moniker.  Here is what's included:

1. Benefit High Beam
2. Buxom Stay-There Eyeshadow in Pug
3. Bare Escentuals All Over Color in Glee
4. Sephora Eyeshadow in Starry Sky
5. Sephora OPI Nail Colour in Charge It!
6. Tarte Celebutante Dry Oil Shimmer
7. Josie Maran Argan Oil Illuminizer
8. Tarina Tarantino Sparklicity Gloss in Paiette
9. Ultraflesh Gold Standard Mascara in Black
10. Stila Lip Glaze in Vanilla

Of the ten products, three are full-sized while the rest are generously half-sized.  All for the sale price of $29!  That's less than $3 per product, how could I say no?  I can't wait to share some fun looks with you all!  Wouldn't some of these be perfect for a glamorous date night or an evening out with the ladies?

Here are a few more photos via Instagram:

On a completely different note, I want to apologize to you all for not having any recent looks or tutorials. :(  School started for me again this Monday and I've been so swamped between work, classes, and jewelry orders that it's been really hard to squeeze in some quality blog time.  I'll try my best to make things flow as efficiently as possible, but it's going to be pretty busy for me starting from now until summer.  But don't worry, I'm not going to give up Style By Cat!

Hugs,
Cat