I Made a Sephora Purchase

There’s a reason I don’t share a lot of hauls here. I personally don’t like adding into the consumerism of the thousands of people that are already sharing their recent purchases. I don’t want you to ever feel pressured to buy something or think that in order to enjoy makeup, you have to buy the newest products. However, I cannot ignore that many of you come to me for opinions on specific brands, products, techniques, etc. Some of this ‘hauling’ just comes with the territory.

Today I wanted to share some items I’ve recently picked up from Sephora. It happened to coincide with the Sephora VIB spring sale, but I’m definitely not here to say ‘YOU HAVE TO BUY SOMETHING BECAUSE OF THE SALE’, because I couldn’t disagree with that more. In fact, my opinion is quite the opposite.

I prefer to purchase the items I know I need (for my kit) or know I want to try, regardless of the sale price. At the end of the day, I think it’s valuable for you to see items I would purchase full price (meaning they are worth their price tag), or only purchase when I can get a discount. So these are the reasons, I’ve decided to implement a couple hauls a year into the blog. You may find some items to add to your wish list, and it could also spark some ideas of content you’d like to see from me.

Now that we’re done with that disclaimer, let’s get into what I recently got in my two Sephora purchases.

Apple Cider Vinegar Acid Peel - The INKEY List

I have been hearing great things about the INKEY list and knew I wanted to pick something up from the line. When I have plenty of products on hand that are skincare basics, like cleansers, toners, moisturizers, etc, I tend to go for treatment options like masks or peels to test out a brand, since you don’t have to use them every day to try them out. I am really excited to give this one a test because I love a good chemical exfoliant. I keep seeing the INKEY list being compared to The Ordinary, so I’m excited to see if I like another affordable skincare option.

Mercury Retrograde Eyeshadow Palette - Huda Beauty

This eyeshadow palette was not on my To Buy list originally, but when I saw that it went on sale for $20 OFF (at the time I’m writing this it’s still available and on sale so check it out if you’re interested), and I knew I had a gift card to use, I decided to get it! Since it’s no shock that I spend more than the average person on beauty products every year, I try to use gift cards for items that I just want because I often buy so many that I simply need for my kit. This is how I stay excited about makeup! I had been wanting to try a larger Huda Beauty palette for awhile and I loved that this one was equal parts neutrals and fun shades for spring. I will be filming a tutorial with it soon for you so be on the lookout!

Mini Glam Eyeshadow Palette - Natasha Denona & Mini Retro Eyeshadow Palette- Natasha Denona

I’m lumping these two together because I feel the same way about both! I have really been wanting to try the Natasha Denona eyeshadow formula because many claim it is the best formula they have EVER tried. If you’ve looked at her prices, her palettes aren’t cheap, so I figured picking two Mini Palettes would be a great way to get introduced to the brand to see if I want to invest in some larger palettes for my kit. I went with these more neutral / cool toned palettes because I tend to buy warm toned palettes and already have so many I enjoy. There really is plenty of room in my personal and kit collections for new cool toned palettes!

Discovery Eyeshadow Palette - Rare Beauty

Rare Beauty is another brand I have been thinking about trying, but it honestly wasn’t until I saw this palette that I had any serious interest in trying anything soon. I was excited to see this color story, and will definitely be creating some looks with this palette once I receive it. Have you tried anything from Rare Beauty yet that you think I should try? I don’t know why but I tend to start with eyeshadow palettes when I test out a brand. Maybe it’s because I don’t feel like I’m ‘opening’ up a new product.

Radiant Creamy Concealer - NARS

After much hesitation, I finally hopped on the NARS creamy concealer train earlier this year. I ended up falling in love with it but I still don’t think I will ever purchase this one at full price. There’s simply too many great concealers at cheaper price points, for me to spend $30 on this one, so it’s likely one you’ll see in Sephora or Ulta sales or GC purchases.

BeachPlease Lip + Cheek Cream Blush in Rush Hour - Tower 28

Lastly, I knew I had to get my hands on one of these Lip and Cheek Cream Blushes because everyone is talking about them, and I LOVE a good cream face product for spring and summer. I love my peaches this time of year. If I like the formula, I could easily see myself picking up a shade or two for use in my every day collection.

Did you pick anything up in the Sephora sale? Comment below and let me know if you are excited to test out anything new to you, or if there are any tried and true favorites you restocked!

I hope you enjoyed seeing what I picked up and I’ll see you in my next post soon,

Andrea

Disclosure: Some of the above links are Affiliate links meaning that I make a commission off the purchase of the product through my link. This does not affect the price of the product on your end. I would never recommend a product that I didn't love and all opinions are my own. I am thankful for you choosing to purchase through my links, as it helps me create more content for Andrea Fontana Beauty

First Impressions Video (Ulta/Sephora Haul Proucts)

Last Monday I shared the products I picked up from the Ulta and Sephora spring sales and thought it'd be fun if I filmed a video trying the products I picked up for myself (not my kit). I really loved the look that came out of it! You'll have to watch below to see which products I loved!

I was honestly a little shocked that I picked so many products that I LOVED! I will say though this probably comes from years of experience swatching products and testing things. I can pretty much tell by a formula or shade if I'm going to like it. Sometimes I'm still surprised though and some things might not work out as well as I expect. 

Comment below which palette you want me to do 10 looks with!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Products Mentioned:
Weleda Skin Food *** https://amzn.to/2I4tSXS
IT Cosmetics CC Cream in Light
Maybelline Master Liquid Strobe Cream in Light/Iridescent
MAC Cosmetics Pro Longwear Concealer
Laura Mercier Universal Setting Powder
Fenty Beauty Matchstix in Amber
Benefit Hoola Bronzer Sephora Collection Blush in Too Hot!
Milk Makeup Holographic Stick in Mars
MAC Pro Longwear Paint Pot in Soft Ochre
Glossier Boy Brow in Black *** (10% off your first order) http://bff.glossier.com/hWksm 
Fenty Beauty Mini Matchstix in Sinamon
Morphe 9B Bronzed Babe Palette
Loreal Voluminous Lash Paradies Mascara
NARS Powermatte Lip Pigment in Walk This Way

What Did I Buy at the Sephora & Ulta Spring Sales?

Am I the only one who hoards an Ulta or Sephora gift card waiting for the 20% off or VIB sale email to come through so I can finally spend it? Haha hopefully some of you beauty addicts understand the happiness of having both! I luckily had an Ulta GC this weekend when it was time for the sale and headed to both stores with two of my also beauty obsessed friends which resulted in this haul. I asked on Instagram if you wanted to see this post and got a 100% response of YESSS so here we are! I will be filming a first impression on a lot of these and posting that this week so look for that if you're curious about my thoughts on these!

First up was Ulta. I often take the opportunity to stock up on some things for my kit when I have discounts, so you'll see some of the purchases below are for that. If it's for my kit I'll denote that in case you want to know!

In the back row (from L to R) you'll see I bought the Morphe 9B Palette, the Morphe 35O Palette (kit) , two shades of Tarte Shape Tape Concealer (kit), Morphe M530 Contour Brush (kit), TooFaced Hangover RX Primer (kit), The Maybelline by Face Studio Master Strobe Liquid in Light, NARS Power Matte Pigment in Walk This Way, the Morphe M459 Flat Contour Brush, a multipack of Ardell Demi Wispies (kit), and a multipack of Ardell 110's (kit). 

Close up of the 35O Palette!

Close up of the 9B Palette!

At Sephora I got the Fenty Beauty Lil Match Stix Duo, Fenty Beauty Match Stix Matte Skinstick in Amber, Milk Holographic Stick in Mars, and the Sephora Collection Colorful Blush in Too Hot! No. 7. 

Did you guys shop the sales? If you did, what did you get? If you want specific reviews on some of these products let me know! I'll be sure to Instagram story the exact products I'll be using in the First Impressions video, so be sure to follow me over there @andreafontanabeauty. 

Have a beautiful week,

Andrea

Dre Does Makeup to Enhance your Tan

On Wednesday I shared my facial self tanning routine that involved two wonderful products from Tarte Cosmetics (click here if you missed it), and I promised I would share the products I've been using to enhance my tan to look very glowy and natural.

 When I have a fake tan on my face, I find that I need to do a few key things with my makeup to make sure it doesn't come off as fake. I try to keep things as simple as possible because adding a lot of  bronzing and tanning will eventually be impossible to pull off as natural looking.

Above are the key products that I have been using in a simple bronzed makeup routine. It's focused mostly on my skin since the tan is what I'm enhancing, with nothing much on the eyes.

The first thing I do is apply my foundation. I love MAC Face & Body because it is a light coverage that is waterproof and natural looking. I want my tan to shine through so I think it's important to find a foundation that compliments my skin tone rather than covering it up. I use a brush to buff this into my skin really well.

Next, I use my Urban Decay Naked Skin Weightless Concealer to cover any blemishes or areas that need a little more coverage. I love how light this concealer feels on the skin and how natural it looks. I really agree that it is weightless and complete coverage.

After concealing, I work on bronzing. I found this Sephora Collection MicroSmooth Baked Bronzer Duo in 01 Honey Heat in my collection that I remembered that I used to love and decided to put it to work. I love how one half is really shimmery and the other is more of a matte finish. I think it's important to use different tones and shades of bronzers when trying to use makeup to enhance your tan because they create dimension. The more dimension, the more natural your look will be. I use a large powder brush to mix the two shades in a 'E3' pattern. This simply means that if you trace from your left temple, down to the hollows of your cheeks, to your jawline, it creates the shape of an E. If you do the same on the right side it creates a number 3. Google this method if you need a little more explanation. It's really easy! I find this method is the quickest and easiest way to add a beautiful bronzed glow to the skin in the areas where you would naturally tan. I then take a smaller fluffy brush and use the darker, less shimmery side to contour my cheeks a little bit.

Next, I apply Benefit's Dallas blush because it is a very natural warm brown tone. It looks less like blush and more like a natural flush on the skin and it complements a tan really nicely. After blush, I move on to highlighter. I've been loving the Becca Shimmering Skin Perfecter in Rose Gold because it is such a rosy highlight shade. It looks beautiful applied to the high points of the face.

Lastly, I apply my brows and mascara. For these I use my favorites both by Benefit; Gimme Brow (a tinted brow gel that voluminizes and keeps my brows in place) and They're Real (my holy grail mascara). As with all of my makeup looks, I always spray a setting spray to hold the looks in place for the rest of the day. For this one I used Urban Decay's All Nighter.

There you have it! My quick, easy, and natural makeup look to emphasize a beautiful fake (or real) tan! As usual, if you have any questions please let me know!

Have a beautiful weekend,

Dre

Dre Does September Favorites

My favorite post of the month is here! I don't have that many favorites because I've been very much stuck in a routine lately as far as makeup and skin care goes. I just purchased some new things though so look for some new things come October Favorites time! 

1. tarte Pure Maracuja Oil: This oil is a repeat favorite because it is seriously amazing. I feel like not that many people know much about it but it's a holy grail item for my skincare routine. I use it at night as my moisturizer and I wake up every morning with baby soft skin. It has tons of vitamin C in it so it does wonders at brightening and evening out my skin tone. You can use it all over your body to moisturize but I am so obsessed that I will only use it on my face so it lasts longer. Haha 

2. Maybelline Color Sensational Matte Lipsticks: I have been obsessed with these since I bought them a few weeks ago. They really are as wonderful as everyone has been saying. I have 5 shades but I've been wearing Daringly Nude and Divine Wine the most. Click here for my review on these that I shared last week!

3. Ole Henriksen Aloe Vera Deep Cleanser: I have yet to find my perfect cleanser. While I did like The Body Shop's Tea Tree Oil Cleanser for Oily Skin, I just wasn't in love so when I took a trip to Sephora a few weeks ago I spotted this guy and I'm obsessed. It gives me such a good deep clean and I really think it does a great job at soothing and cleansing my skin. I feel like my breakouts are slowing down and becoming fewer and this has to be a part of it. 

4. Si by Georgio Armani: This perfume is amazing. When I first smelled it at work I thought it was a tad too old for me, but I slowly became more and more obsessed with it. I spray it almost every time I go to work and I can't get enough. I love the sophisticated warm aroma it gives and I get complimented on it all the time! 

5. Benefit's Hard Angle Brow Brush: This is my go to brow brush to use my Benefit Browzings wax and powder duo. It is the brush we use at work to do our brow mapping and filling in so that is how I discovered it and fell in love. It is the perfect amount of firm bristles for a brow brush because you can get a very precise line without it taking forever. If I could change one thing about it, I would just want there to be a spooly on the end to comb through my brows with, but other than that I'm obsessed and won't ever use another brow brush! You could use it as a liner brush too if you wanted.

6. Sephora Rouge Cream in Passion Red: This is one of my all time favorite lipsticks. It's probably tied with that Rimmel Kate Moss deep red I shared a few weeks ago, but the formula of this lipstick and color are both to DIE for. I am being serious when I say I would wear this shade every day if I could. Here's a picture of me wearing it below. Seriously you need it...all of you. I promise you won't regret this color if you like dark fall tones! 

What were you loving last month? Let me know in a comment below and if you ever try any of my recommendations be sure to let me know what you think!

Have a wonderful October my beautiful friends,

Dre

Dre Does a Brush Guide

This has been the most requested post so here it is! It took some time to really choose which brushes are my favorite since let's be honest...I have way more than I'm going to show below. But I've chosen my top 12 brushes that I think every woman needs. Now some were purchased in sets or years ago, so they might not be available for purchase right now. However, the point is the shape and type of brushes. If a brush as a really unique shape, I've made sure to choose it only if it is still available. I'll leave links to all of the ones that I can at the end of the post, as well as information as to which were purchased in a set. I've also taken the pictures of the face brushes next to a normal sized nail clipper, so you have a guide for the approximate brush sizes. (Sorry if some are a little dirty, but I used them before I took these pictures...haha)

1. Foundation brush: My favorite is the Expert Face Brush by Real Techniques. I love this brush for the unique shape and because of how dense it is. It's really good at applying foundation evenly. A lot of people like flat top buffing brushes because you can get a really good natural looking application, but I find this brush gives me a similar finish. It's also great at getting around your nose and chin because of the rounded shape. 

2. Concealer Setting brush: Now I didn't include a brush for concealer because personally I prefer applying with my fingers. I find the warmth of my finger tips melts the concealer just right to give a more natural look when covering. However one place you can't skip out on is setting your concealer, especially under your eyes. A small fluffy brush will do the trick and as I've talked about before I love the Setting Brush by Real Techniques. It's slightly pointed at the tip, so it gets right under the eyes nicely. It's also fluffy enough to apply just the right amount of product. 

3. Contour Fluffy Brush: Now I know everyone doesn't contour their faces, but I still think a fluffy medium sized brush is important. It's a great multitasking brush. You can of course use it for contouring, but also for applying highlight or even blush in a pinch! I really like this one called the Contour Brush from Real Techniques (are you seeing a trend here yet? But more on that later...). It's the perfect medium size. 

4. Flat top dense medium brush: This brush is great for cream products. The synthetic dense fibers are great for picking up and blending cream products. So once again this brush is great for blushes, bronzers, or highlighters. The size is perfect as well. This one is called the Buffing Brush by Real Techniques but many brands make a similar one.

5. Fluffy blush brush: Everyone needs a brush for blush and I'm obsessed with this one from Sonia Kashuk. It's available at Target and it's a must have. It is super soft and going strong after at least 4 years of use. The thing I like most about it is the density. It's pretty fluffy so it doesn't pick up too much product, so it allows you to build up cheek color to just the right amount. I think the packaging looks a little different now.

6. Powder Brush: Now this brush is the least unique but it's still a must-have. In order for your makeup to stay all day or night long, you need to set it with powder. This is simply a large fluffy brush from a Sephora set from at least 5 years ago, but it's obviously great quality and has worked so well setting my powder all of these years that I still haven't needed a new one. 

7. Eye Shader Brush: This is another typical brush shape, but it's another must-have. You need a good  flat shader brush to pack color onto your lids. This is another Sephora one that has lasted me years, but every brand of makeup brushes sells a dupe for this.

8. Fluffy Pointed Shading/Blending brush: So this brush is extremely unique shaped but I had to include it because it is a dream for blending the outer "v" of your lid (aka the outer corner). It's fluffy enough for blending but the pointed tip gives you enough control to make specific shapes. I just love it and use it for almost every eye look that I do, so I'm being serious when I say you must own it! It is called the Base Shadow Brush by Real Techniques.

9. Fluffy blending brush: The key to beautiful and smooth looking eyeshadow is blending. That is no secret. While I own and recommend having multiple blending brushes of different densities and sizes, a simple fluffy brush is the first step. This one is the E35 Tapere Blending brush from Sigma Beauty but many companies make great ones. 

10. Definer Pencil Brush: Whether you want to do a dramatic crease, outer v, smokey eye, or natural eye, a pencil brush will work wonders in applying the darker shades where you want them before you blend them out. They are dense and great for smudging color into the upper and lower lash lines as well. This one is the Smudge Brush from Ulta and is a great size for getting into all of these places. It's a great multi-use brush. It is years old as well though, so it could be hard to find this exact one.

11. Eyeliner brush: A fine pointed eyeliner brush is key because it can do a lot for your lash line. Whether you use it with gel eyeliner, eyeshadow, or to smudge out pencil liners, it gives you precision. So make sure it has a nice density and a good tip. I got this one free with a Sigma Beauty purchase but it is the mini version if their E05 Eyeliner brush. 

12. Angled Brow brush: Lastly, we have a brow brush. I use this one every day to fill in my brows with shadow and I love it. This shape also works nicely if you want to smudge out pencil eyeliner, or set your liner with eyeshadow for a smokier look. This is another shape that you can find easily from a lot of other brands, but I have to say I love the quality of this Real Techniques one.

So those are my favorite brushes! As you can tell I'm obsessed with the Real Techniques brushes because they are amazing quality for the prices. They are extremely soft and durable. I also love my Sigma Beauty brushes, however they are a little more expensive. If you have the money, I say invest in the Sigma ones, but if not the Real Techniques ones are amazing as well. 

Now for where to purchase! 

Brushes 8 and 12 came in a 5 piece eye starter set from Real Techniques for $18 that you can find below online or at Ulta.

http://realtechniques.com/shop-collection/your-eyes-enhanced/starter-set

Brushes 3 and 4 came in a 4 piece core collection set from Real Techniques for $18 that you can find below online or at Ulta.

http://realtechniques.com/shop-collection/your-base-flawless/core-collection

Brushes 6 and 7 came in a 7 piece Deluxe Antibacterial Brush set with a case for $60 from Sephora.

http://www.sephora.com/deluxe-antibacterial-brush-set-P197107

The rest were purchased individually:

Brush 1 is $9 below online or at Ulta.

http://realtechniques.com/shop-collection/your-base-flawless/expert-face-brush

Brush 2 is $8 below online or at Ulta. 

http://realtechniques.com/shop-collection/your-finish-perfected/setting-brush

Brush 5 is $17.18 online or in stores at Target. 

http://www.target.com/p/sonia-kashuk-kashuk-tools-domed-blusher-brush-no-29/-/A-14346298#prodSlot=medium_1_49

Brush 9 is $14 below. 

http://www.sigmabeauty.com/product_p/e35.htm

Brush 10 I couldn't find online anymore but lots of brands including Sigma Beauty make pencil brushes. 

Brush 11 is $12 below.

http://www.sigmabeauty.com/product_p/e05.htm

Hope this gives you a place to start or add to your brush collection! 

Have a beautiful day,

Dre