Thursday, May 30, 2013

My Favorites: Foundation Brush, F80 Flat Top Kabuki from Sigma

*This post contains affiliate links. I am not being paid to post this. I paid for this brush with my own money. It was not sent to me for free.*


Today I thought that I would share my next "My Favorite" post with you all! So if you can't already tell by the title of the post I am going to be sharing my favorite make up brush and why it is my favorite! So if you want to know why I really like this brush just keep on reading! ha




I was thinking that it would first be good to tell you how long I have owned this brush. But then I got to thinking and I'm not really sure how long I have had it?! I'm thinking around two and a half to three years! Let me first just tell you that the quality of this Sigma brush is amazing. It is strong and durable which is something that I look for in a brush. Although it is ideal to take good care of your brushes because they are, or at least to me, investments. That is if you treat them right! I however can sometimes, that is sometimes, be rough on my brushes when using them and cleaning them. Sigma brushes don't budge. This is so soft it feels like velvet on your face! It also gives me the most flawless finish with a brush that I have been able to find. Lastly, one of my other favorite things is that it has a thick handle that makes it easy to control.

I have tried brushes from many different companies. I have quite a few MAC brushes and I honestly get so much fall out from them that it is crazy! But I love the numbering/ naming system they have. Sigma has a similar system which I love! If you read my posts and watch my videos you know that I am an all time lover of Chanel. It's my favorite makeup brand. However I own some of their brushes and still seem to reach for my sigma brushes. 

I have the Chanel foundation brush #6 which is $45! That is pretty steep, I did receive it as a gift. The Sigma F80 is $18 and I would trade the Chanel brush any day to get the Sigma brush. It is so much better! I picture my brushes as tools. Like anyone else, I assume, I want to get the must/best product for the best price. I get that with Sigma brushes. It does not shed, it applies foundation and cream products flawlessly, it has a great price, and it is by far my favorite foundation brush!

I can't wait to get my hands on some more Sigma brushes!! I am saving up to buy some of the kits because I think it is a better deal. They are great for starters or even for people with tons of brushes already! 

I have used this brush everyday for about the past two years! I have three "foundation" brushes, the typical looking foundation brush. The Chanel, a Prescriptives (spelling? it is an older brand!) one, and I did have a Clinique one. I personally like the flat top better because it covers more area better and is easy to buff in. Overall it is my favorite foundation brush and has been for quite some time! 

Be sure to follow my blog for upcoming "My Favorite" posts! If you found this helpful be sure to share it with someone!

What is your favorite foundation brush? Let me know in a comment or tweet me @MissMorganLife

Thank you for stopping by!

  

XOXO,
Morgan

Tuesday, May 28, 2013

Skincare and Nails...



Last week I did a little shopping... I was in desperate need of some good skincare so I decided to give these items a try! I also bought a few new nail polishes, that I am already obsessed with. I will probably review these products as I try them more. 


This origins eye cream is SO moisturizing. It's incredible.



I have heard so much about the Caudalie Beauty Elixer, so I had to try it! It smells amazing!


I have also heard that Kate Somerville makes really nice skincare so I decided to try out her oil free moisturizer first. Have you tried anything from this line? I am interested in trying more. What are your thoughts, any recommendations? 


I really like my St. Ives face scrub and I was in need of a new cleanser so I decided to give this one a go. So far I really like it.


I saw these colors at Ulta and just couldn't resist!

Essie, Absolutely Shore & Beyond Cozy. Zoya Bela

This is my first Zoya polish and so far I am really liking it!



What are you loving for your skin and nails right now?!



Thank you for stopping by!

  

XOXO,
Morgan

Thursday, May 23, 2013

Get Ready With Me! (Everyday Makeup & Hair + Rainy Day Fashion)

I decided to film a "Get Ready With Me" video today, I thought that it would be fun to do. The eye look in this tutorial is one similar to the one I wore in my makeup collection and storage video and I received so many compliments on my face in that video! I really enjoyed filming this so if you enjoyed it please let me know and I will do more videos like this!

The Outfit
Top: JCrew
Jeans: 7 For All Mankind
Boots: Burberry


I love these boots!


Arm Candy
Bracelet: Kate Spade
Watch: Michael Kors
Ring: David Yurman

Products Used in this video:

Face:
T.N. Dickinson’s Witch Hazel
Origins VitaZing
Origins GinZing
eos lipbalm
Benefit the POREfessional
L’oreal True Match Lumi Foundation: W1-2
Beauty Blender
Maybelline Instant Age Rewind: Fair Clair
L’oreal True Match Crayon Concealer: n 1-2-3
Rimmel Stay Matte Pressed Powder: 004 Sandstorm
Urban Decay Primer Potion Original
Benefit Brow Zings: light
Chanel Illusion D’Ombre in 382 Emerveille
Too Faced Natural Eye Palette: Silk Teddy, Push-Up, Honey Pot and Heaven
MAC Powerpoin Eye Pencil in Stubborn Brown
Maybelline the Rocket Volum’ Express 
Chanel Bronzer (2012 summer collection)
Bobbi Brown Shimmer Brick in Lilac Rose
Chanel Illuminating Powder (Poudre Signee de Chanel)
Chanel Glossimer #87

Hair:
Kenra Blow-dry Spray
Indie Hair Spray
Indie Hair Gel
 (view my post about this brand here:)
Argan Oil hair sample
(Sexy Hair? I think!)

I hope that you enjoyed this and/or found it helpful! I have quite a stock pile of post coming up! Be sure to be on the look out! 

Thank you for stopping by!


  

XOXO,
Morgan

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

My Favorite: All Time go-to Cleanser, Cetaphil



Happy Hump Day! I hope you are all having a good week so far. I am so glad that the sun has finally came out where I live. I has been so cloudy and rainy, and that is just down right depressing. Today I am going to be talking about my second “My Favorite” products and we are going to be discussing skincare. 

So let’s get to talking...

My obsession with the cleanser started back when I first started getting bad acne. I went to see a dermatologist and they told me to try using the Cetaphil Daily Facial Cleanser. So I did. I never really thought too much about it, I was just like O.K. they want me to use it, so I will. That’s what I did. Finally after my like tenth bottle, I realized that I must actually like it. There are many things about this cleanser that I like, but my overall favorite thing is it’s simplicity.




I use the cleanser for normal to oily skin. I would say that my skin is probably less oily than it used to be, because I take acne medicine now, but I still have my fair share of grease. Ewww. It’s not fun to have pools of oil sitting on your face, it just makes you feel oily. But honestly, I think this cleanser can work for everyone. I believe they have a version for normal to dry skin, which is probably awesome too! 

The bottle claims that it “Removes excess oil without drying” which I agree with. It is able to clean your skin and remove dirt without causing irritation or drying. I am kind of odd, maybe not, when it comes to a facial cleanser. It must be because I have always had really oily skin, but when I wash my face I want it to feel CLEAN. I like it to feel tingly, sparkly, clean. This was the first cleanser that I found that didn’t feel like it stripped my skin of essential oils, but still gave em the satisfaction of sparkly clean. It doesn’t have a strong scent, although the little bit it has I don’t care for. It is a clear gel/soap that cleans my skin perfectly.

When I first saw a dermatologist they gave me this creme that made my skin burn and peel, it was awful. When I would wash my face, it had become so sensitive I couldn’t even use a wash cloth to rinse of the cleanser. It hurt so bad I would cry and cry. But it’s crazy because the cleanser didn’t burn at all.

I have owned many bottles of this cleanser and will continue to buy it. I love how gentle it is but that it is still effective. You only need a little bit and it will last forever, plus it’s cheap! I have friends who claim that only Cetaphil lotions and cremes will solve their dry skin.

I apologize for rambling so much, but I felt that I was important to share all of my experience with this cleanser with you to give a full review.




Overall this cleanser IS:
Gentle 
Effective for removing oil
Inexpensive
Non-comedogenic
Non-irritating
Dermatologist reccomended
My all time go-to cleanser!

I hope that you were able to stick through this long post! I also hope that you found this helpful. If so, please be sure to share it with someone! Thank you all for stopping by!

Be sure to check out my first post in this series here on my favorite mascara.

XOXO,
Morgan

Sunday, May 19, 2013

My Favorites: Mascara, Le Volume de Chanel




I finally decided to go ahead and do a "My Favorites" series of blogposts. In this mini series of post, I am going to try some of my stand out, long time use products. I am going to try to range them from beauty, hair, skincare, and maybe even fashion. If you have any requests of a specific type item that you would like to know my all time favorite please let me know in a comment, I would love to do that! Although over time many of my "favorite" products change, I will try to stick to things that are all time holy grail items and/or things I have been using recently, for a good while that is. I will be sure ot distinguish the difference and try to tell you how long I have been using each product! 

On that note... Let's JUMP on into the first item!

I decided that I rave and rave about this product all of the time, you're probably tired of hearing about it,  so it would be best to do it first and "get it out of the way"? Anyways, the one and only Le Volume de Chanel has been a recent but on going mascara favorite of mine since I believe about October or November of 2012. I first received this product as a sample from a lady at my Chanel counter. She informed me that it would not be available for a while, but that I should try it! THANK YOU to her! I instantly fell in love. I can not tell you how many tubes of this I have used and repurchased. I have used up so many. I am the type of person who usually doesn't repurchase too many things, I like to experiment with new products each time. But, with this, I have only bought one other mascara in this time frame and I really don't use it all that often. I am terrified that Chanel will stop selling this and then I will be lost ( ok, maybe a little exaggeration).  Still this product is fabulous!

You're probably wondering, " Is she ever going to tell us why she likes it"?! lol

There are many things that I love about this mascara and only a few things that I don't like. I really love the formula and the brush for this mascara. The formula is very volumizing and lengthening. I feel that it really gives me the effect of false lashes, which I love. I also really like the packaging. I like how sophisticated and classy Chanel packaging is. I am a huge fan of black, I just think it's so classy! In my opinion the formula of this mascara get's better after a little time. I really don't like it for the first few uses, it is too wet for me.

One of my favorite things about this mascara, other than the formula obviously, is the brush.




This is my absolute favorite mascara of the moment and has been for the past 6 months or more. I have never tried the Giorgio Armani Eyes To Kill Mascara, which I have heard is similar and/or has been a long time favorite of many people. I am interested in trying it, it may be my next purchase. If you have tried both of these I would love to know which one you like better?


Don't you just love that logo?!


I have the black #10 shade.

Check out these posts to see up close pictures of me wearing this mascara. But, I usually wear it in most all of my videos, because I wear it about everyday! 


The Mascara retails for $30.00, view more info here.

Thank you for stopping by! I hope that you found this helpful. If so, be sure to share it! Also, if you like this style post please let me know so I can continue to do more of these. & if you have any requests of reviews or anything just ask in a comment!

XOXO,
Morgan

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Giveaway Details...



Thank you all so much for subscribing to my channel and being apart of this experience for me! I am so thankful to all of you! I just recently hit 1,00 subscribers and I want to say "Thank you <3" by doing a giveaway. The items show above & below will be the giveaway. I just wanted to share some pictures on here to show you a little better. 

The Giveaway will end Sunday night May 19, 2013
and the winner will be announced Monday morning 20, 2013.

The Rules:
1. Be Subscribed to my youtube channel.
2. Like my video.
Leave a comment telling me why you want to win or what your favorite summer beauty product is.

Bonus Entries: 
1. Follow me on Instagram @MORGANREEED.
2. Follow me on Twitter @MissMorganLife.
3. Follow my blog.


Aqualillies for Tarte Palette


Maybelline the Falsies Volume Express Mascara (Waterproof)


Revlon Nail Polish in #290 Optimistic  


Thank you all again so much! 

XOXO,
Morgan


Wednesday, May 8, 2013

My Latest Hair Obsession...


Recently I had the opportunity to try out these Indie Hair products and I am so excited to share with you my thoughts and opinions on these. The fragrance of these products is amazing and so is the quality. Now, if you watch my youtube channel or follow my blog you probably know that I am not great with describing scents. But, I’m going to give it my best shot just because I love the scents of these products! The packaging of the products is so fun and edgy. It really inspires me to have fun with my hair and try something different!


#superfirm

My favorite product out of this roundup is the Hair Spray. The hold of the spray is so... un like no other. It is strong holding without being too stiff. I usually like a strong hold hair spray so that I can brush through my hair after the final spray. This spray does not require extra “working through.” When you spray it, it holds without getting “crunchy.” The smell of this products is very fresh, it reminds me a bit of Sprite? Which is odd, but very clean. This is a great hair spray with added bonus of being pink! Love.


#mixitstrong

My second favorite product is definitely this Gel. I have not ever really been a big fan of hair gel, just because I have straight hair so I never really “scrunched” my hair or needed to use gel. The only time I used gel was before my mom braided my hair when I was little. So the next day I could have wavy hair. I have been playing around with this product and trying it different ways. I have found that it is very universal and can be used many different ways. It does provide strong hold for if you were braiding your hair or need a good strong hold for a certain "do." The way that I have been using this the most, is when I curl my hair. I use my curling wand and and the hair spray to curl my hair. On days that I want a less polished/ more relaxed look I added a pump or two ( a little goes a long way) to my hands, rub together, and work it through my hair. I find that this gives a more bed head, tousled look to my hair. I really love it, especially for summer time. I think that it gives a nice beach wave look. The one thing that I did find surprising is the this gel does not dry to crunchy either, which I love! That way I can use it for the beach wave effect! Now, on to the smell. It seems to have a very summery watermelon type smell, which I enjoy. This product has my favorite scent of all three!


#round2

The last product is the Powder (dry shampoo). This is sort of a new area for me. Although I am a long time user of dry shampoo, I have never used one that is powder or not a spray. I have to say that I am not a fan of the scent of this product. It just does not appeal to me. However the product is nice. I think that this would be best or someone with an extra oily scalp. It soaks up oil very quickly and well. One of my favorite things about this product is how it feels when you apply it to the scalp. It feels very cooling and refreshing. It is very "dry" though. Which is what most people look for in a dry shampoo. Although I'm not crazy about the smell I do like the product and would recommend it.

I have been using these products everyday since I received them. I have formed quite a little "routine" that I wanted to share with you on how I like to use them. First I wanted to give you a little background on my hair. My scalp is oily and I would say my ends are pretty dry (due to the recent ombre).

Day 1: I wash my hair and blow dry or let it air dry. I usually wear my hair straight this day. I spray with hair spray and pin in back or just leave it down.
Day 2: I start off with the dry shampoo powder to soak up the oil and then I continue by curling and spraying with hair spray. 
Day 3: I once again start off with the powder. If I have a good amount of curl left I skip right to the gel. But if not I fix any needed spots with an iron and them move to gel. I work the gel through my hair to create a beach styled hair look!

I really love how I can use these products together to create numerous easy looks! I am so thankful that I was able to try these products and I can't wait to get my hands on their other products! The products are currently sold in Salons only. The Salon Locator will be up soon on their website so you can find a salon close to you! I hope that you found this review helpful and informative. If you have any question's please feel free to leave them in a comment below or tweet me them @MissMorganLife.

You can also check out other Indie Hair Products on their HERE!

Thank you for stopping by!


XOXO,
Morgan

**Disclaimer-  I did receive these products for free. All opinions shared in this post are my own. I am not being paid in any way. I am very thankful for the opportunity to review these products. **

Sunday, May 5, 2013

A Little Benefit Haul!

I have recently become a little obsessive over Benefit Cosmetics! I have always had a few staples from them in my makeup collection, but I have just realized how many of their products that I actually love! About a week ago I was in Ulta and tried on The POREfessional primer and let's just say that it was love at first touch! I was instantly swept off my feet in amazement of how soft this primer made my skin. I have been out of a primer for quite some time now and decided that it was time to go back to using a primer. For the longest time I considered a primer to be a luxury item. But over time of using hem and not using them, I have found that with oily skin primers are a must especially for the warmer months! So I decided to give the benefit primer ago. I also need a new eyelash curler and just happened to run across the Tweezerman for Benefit lash curler while wondering through the benefit area at Ulta. I decided to pick it up.




So far I am really loving the lash curler! It is very good quality and provides a beauty curl. It does not pinch or pull my eye at all.


In this photo I am wearing Essie First Timer polish & I have been obsessed with it lately!


I have been using the POREfessional primer everyday since I bought it. So far it has been good but I have not had enough time to give a full review. If you would like to see a full review one day soon let me know!


Lastly, I received a sam of the Hello Flawless Oxygen Wow foundation with my purchase. I am so excited to try this, although it is too dark for my skin right now. 

Overall I am very excited to try out all of these new products! If you found this helpful be sure to share:) What are your favorite Benefit products this Spring?

Thank you for stopping by!

XOXO,
Morgan