REVIEW | NAKED 2 BASICS

A few weeks ago I got my hands on the new Naked 2 Basics palette from Sephora.

I have all of the previous Naked palettes, so I was excited for the newest addition to the series. The Naked Basics wasn't my favorite (although I do love Faint for filling in brows, and Venus as an eyebrow bone highlight) I like this palette a lot more.

BEAUTY 101

In my last post, I was sitting in the Radisson next to SeaTac airport preparing for Benefit Beauty school.

The hotel that I stayed at was also the place of training, so that morning I just had to get ready to go and then head downstairs. All I knew was that breakfast was at 9:30 and training started at 10, so I got up around 8 and took my sweet time. I didn't know if I was supposed to wear all black, if I was supposed to wear makeup and have my hair done (coworkers had told me we'd be doing each other's makeup) so I chose to wear a black polka dot dress and pink cardigan. I did some minimal makeup and curled my hair and headed downstairs with absolutely no idea what I was doing.

I'm one of those people that is always early, so I sat down in the lobby at around 9:10 and played on my phone for a little bit. Eventually, I saw some other girls who were wearing all black and also looked lost and we kind of gathered together and started awkwardly small-talking about "oh, so how long have you worked at Benefit?" etc.

At this point, we'd been up for more than an hour (some people had to drive in that morning) and we were hungry so we gravitated toward the food in a room nearby. We saw a sign on the wall and some nametags that had pictures of Benefit products on them, so we decided that's where we were supposed to be and grabbed some breakfast and some coffee.

Eventually we were led into the training room, which is where the photos above were taken. There were three tables, each with six chairs, and at each chair there was a cute little notebook, pen and some other sheets along with lots of makeup and skincare in the center of the table. After some icebreakers, we all learned about Benefit and talked about our objectives for the day and got started.

I won't go into specifics, but we did a lot of activities where we learned makeup techniques (mixology and brow mapping) and at the end of the day we got some gratis (free goodies!) I got a bag that had a lot of good stuff and the one shade of eyshadow that I don't like (blue. bleh!) but I'm still totally stoked that I got the stuff I did.

Overall, Beauty 101 was an awesome opportunity and I'm thankful that I get to have fun with work. I love that I work with other makeup geeks and a lot of the people who come in are also makeup geeks so I get to gawk out. Benefit is a great company, and I'm happy to work for it.

xo
Allie

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URBAN DECAY PERVERSION/SUBVERSION REVIEW

As I've said before, I'm a mascara addict.

So when I got a sample of the Urban Decay Perversion mascara in my Ipsy bag, I pulled a Tina Belcher and had a crap attack. (Not really.)

I used it twice before I bought the full-size product. Not just because I liked it, but because I could tell it was going to be awesome. I hopped on to Sephora and bought the Perversion/Subversion set and the new Naked 2 Basics palette.

The packaging itself is nice and sleek, consisting of a dark silver tube (for the Perversion) and a small, white tube for Subversion. It's nothing special, but it's not ugly either.

What makes me love this mascara is the outcome. I've mentioned before that I love big, dramatic lashes and I feel like this mascara does just that. Even when you don't use the Subversion primer before the actual mascara itself, the mascara still gives a voluminous and long-lash look.

Even after a day's wear, this stuff didn't flake or budge. I've noticed that when mascaras last all day like that, they tend to be hard to remove (*cough* they're real *cough*) but this was easily removed with a makeup wipe and a few scrubs.

My only complaint really is that the mascara is super wet and takes a while to dry. The first few times I used it, I had a few small smudges. It takes a little getting used to; I've learned not to really maneuver my head around a little.

I didn't mind spending the $22 on the product because I looove how it makes my lashes look. If you're not as obsessed with mascaras as I am, I would just stick to something like Maybelline Falsies because it gives a similar look for less price.

In this photo, I'm also wearing the new Naked 2 Basics palette; maybe I'll do a review of that next. Let me know if you'd like to see one!

Have you tried Perversion/Subversion? How did you like it?

xoxo

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AUGUST FAVORITES

Hello, September!

August is officially over and I can stop feeling guilty about loving the overcast and rain. I'm so excited for the pumpkins, the fashion, the dark lipstick and the seasonal drinks at Starbucks. And my birthday, I guess. (Next month!!)

However, August was still a great month. A lot of it was spent working and hanging out at Coralie's house whenever I'd have a rogue two days off in a row.

There were some products that I absolutely loooooved in August and I'd like to get in the hang of writing a monthly favorites post. Here are my August favorites!

Ology Moisturizing & Revitalizing Shampoo

This stuff smells amazing, is paraben and sulfate-free and was also cheap at Walgreens. I've been trying to switch to more natural products for my hair (specifically sulfate free) and was happy to find this brand and product. It's a little strange because it doesn't get sudsy or foamy like regular shampoo, but still leaves my hair feeling awesome and clean (and smelling like pear and cucumber!)

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Inked in Pink

Cream eyeshadows can either be worn on their own, or with eyeshadow over it. I've noticed that this is a great color to wear with the rosier colors of the Naked 3 palette or a perfect color for a neutral, every day look. This color and consistency are great!

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

I've read dozens of reviews of Milani blushes, all of them saying how awesome they were. I've never been too into blushes until recently, but I absolutely love this blush. It's got a perfect glowy coral color that lasts all day and doesn't go on too cakey.

Essence Sun Club Matt Bronzer

I did a review on this stuff on my blog a few weeks ago, and my love for this bronzer is still going strong.

Boots Expert Sensitive Gentle Eye Makeup Removal LotionFor years, my favorite method of taking off my eye makeup has always been baby oil, but it leaves a weird film and if it gets into my eyes I can't see for about an hour! This was another purchase that I made on a whim at Target, and I'm really glad I did. This takes off even the waterproof-est of mascaras and blackest eyeliners (I'm looking at you, Benefit They're Real Push-Up Liner) in only a few seconds. Just make sure to wipe off the excess with a wipe or wash it off when you wash your face, as it is mineral-oil based!

Not Your Mother's Clean Freak Dry Shampoo

Dry shampoo is one of those products that I am super picky about. Until recently, I have only ever loved my tired and true Batiste, but stumbled upon this at Target and decided to give it a go. Normally, I don't buy something if I haven't at least read some reviews, but I'm glad I bought this on a whim! It costs half the price of Batiste, comes with more product and works just as well. I'd say it gives more volume than Batiste, too, so this gets an A+ in my book.

Other

C2C

If you're looking for some upbeat electronic-y music, C2C is perfect. I can't stop listening to Down the Road and Who Are You.

Neybers

This app has provided me endless entertainment. You are given a plain room and then free reign to decorate it however you'd like. Best of all, it's free. Download it for iPad here. 

What have been your favorites recently? Anything you suggest?

xoxo

BENEBROWS

For a 'beauty blogger' and someone who works for a cosmetics company, I have terrible eyebrows.

Er, had.

Some of my friends and family may know that about a month ago I was hired at Benefit Cosmetics within Macy's, which I have been loving. I love that I get to gawk about makeup with other people who are just as fanatical as me, and I also get to help people buy some of their first makeup ever. It's not just young women either — I've helped some older women pick out some first-ever makeup!

Anywho, eyebrows are a crucial part of Benefit Cosmetics. Many Benefit locations have a Brow Bar, which is essentially a little place where you can get your brows (and lips and cheeks and chin) waxed. Our location happens to have one.

Back to the start of this post. For too long, my brows have been awful. I've not had them waxed in more than a year. I've tried at-home waxing but it just doesn't last as long. I kind of just gave up when it came to my brows; I wouldn't fill them in, tweeze them or anything else... I just let them grow.

See those bad boys? Ugh. I'm thankful to have blonde hair because otherwise I would have two giant caterpillars on my face, and the light hair helped soften the blow.

Benefit loves to preach about great brows and talk about how important they are to part of your makeup routine. I agree, they are, but I guess I didn't practice what I preached. Women would come ask me to help them with their brows and I felt like someone that couldn't be trusted. Yes, I'm aware that I'm totally looking into this and it's probably just me.

Since the day I started, one of my lovely coworkers — Sarah —has been dying to fix my brows. There have been a few times when we've talked about it, but I've just never really had the money until this paycheck.

Today, I finally had Sarah do my brows and oh. my. god. My face looks totally different.

Not only did I have my brows waxed and shaped, but tinted, too. Now, they're looking a little darker than they were when I left work but they'll fade soon enough.

I was facetiming my best friend, Nathan, this afternoon and one of the first things he said was "oh my god, you actually have eyebrows." Even he noticed the difference.

To fill these bad boys in, I'll probably be using what I normally use when I fill in my brows; an e.l.f. angled brush and the color Naked 2 from my Naked Basics palette. It has the perfect color for my ashy-blonde hair without making them look too unnatural.

If you have a chance, I'd recommend seeing a Benefit Brow Bar because they truly know what they're doing. They also cover up your redness before you leave so that you don't look like you just got waxed as you continue your shopping!

The lovely Sarah and myself! Thanks again, Sarah! PS you're famous on the internet now. ;)

Do you have any suggested brow products? What's your current brow routine?

xo

REVIEW: ESSENCE SUN CLUB MATT BRONZING POWDER FOR BLONDES

As a blonde with fair skin, bronzer has always intimidated me.

It wasn't until the past few months that I started wearing bronzer and I've never been truly satisfied with them. Every bronzer I would buy was okay, and the next one slightly okay-er. They are either too orange, too shimmery or too dark for me. I was beginning to lose hope that I would find a bronzer that would work well with my skin when I was scouring the makeup aisles of Fred Meyer and something jumped out at me.

That thing happened to be the Essence Sun Club Matt Bronzing Powder.

What attracted me to it originally was the price ($4.99!) and the packaging — right on the face, it says "for blondes." I happen to be blonde, so I was like, whaaa?

I picked it up, looked at it and decided I was going to give it a try. Normally I only buy beauty products that I have heard about or read about and I've heard very little about Essence bronzers. I've used their nail polishes in the past but have never heard much about their other products.

The bronzer itself is light and has an ashy undertone, perfect for adding some contouring and a little bit of color. It's well pigmented, so you really don't need to use that much. I love the large packaging because it makes me feel like I got a lot of product for the measly $5 I spent on this bronzer.

Overall, I'd totally recommend this bronzer to anyone with pasty fair skin. This adds a little bit of color without being overwhelming and it's super easy to apply.

Could I look any moodier? God. I promise, I'm in a good mood and love this bronzer despite the mean face.

Have you tried any Essence bronzers? What did you think?

I'm also wearing:

Benefit The Porefessional

Maybelline Fit Me Foundation in 115

Maybelline Fit Me Concealer in Light (under eyes)

M.A.C. Studio Moisture Cover Concealer in N15 (on blemishes)

M.A.C. Mineralize Skinfinish in Light

Urban Decay Primer Potion

Urban Decay Naked 2 Palette

Benefit They're Real! Push Up Liner

Essence Get Big Lashes!

Benefit They're Real! Mascara 

Milani Baked Blush in Luminoso

Earrings: Forever 21

Shirt: Nordstrom

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BACK TO SCHOOL MAKEUP ESSENTIALS

All this cloudy, rainy weather has me thinking about how soon school will be starting. Part of me is excited to get back to the routine, but part of me wishes it could be summer forever. (Not the heat, though. I could live without that.)

Since I'm in the back-to-school spirit, I figured I would make a list of some of my favorite makeup items that are inexpensive and good for school days. Most of the items are under $10 (actually, all but one are!) and most of them can be found at drugstores.

I looked through my makeup bags and found the most inexpensive and longest-lasting products I owned. A lot of them are actually Maybelline products — I promise this post isn't sponsored by Maybelline! I guess I just tend to really like their products, especially for the prices.

WANT-IT WEDNESDAY :: AUGUST 6, 2014

Hello and happy Wednesday! I've done a few "want-it" posts in the past, but it's been a while and I have a lot of things I'm currently pining over so I figured I would make it into a blog post, because why not? 

Apparently I think it's a good idea to make a list of things I want, which just causes me to want them more. I don't understand how my head works some times.

I've got a lot of beauty products and a few little random things on my list. Woo!

BEAUTY

Rimmel London Wake Me Up Foundation and Concealer

I've heard so many bloggers talk about this stuff and how great it is, but I can never find it in stores! And by that, I mean Target. My local Target doesn't have it, so therefore it is impossible to find Maybe I can head to Walgreens or Ulta when I'm in Seattle sometime and pick up some of this.

Pixi Flawless Beauty Primer

I got a sample of this in my Ipsy glambag a few months ago and I fell in love with it! It's an excellent primer and looks awesome with my Mac matchmaster foundation. It's not too oily, either, like many primers can be. When my sample is gone I might have to go pick up a full-size bottle of this.

Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Scrub

Since it's summer and shaved legs and blah blah blah, I've been using a scrub before shaving and it helps make my legs a lot smoother. However, the scrub I've currently got is running out and I love the Soap & Glory Sugar Crush scent, soooo basically I need this right meow. 

L'Oreal Infallible Eyeshadow in Amber Rush

I love my Naked 3 palette, specifically a light shimmery pink shadow within it and I'm looking for something to replace it because lawd knows I'll hit pan soon. This looks like a pretty good dupe!

Sigma Travel Kit - Make Me Cool

I have heard sooooo many good things about Sigma brushes. I don't want to shell out a bunch of money on individual brushes, so this kit seems like an okay option (even though it's $86...) for someone like me who just wants a bunch of things all at once. Pls.

The Balm How 'Bout Them Apples? 

Blushes are something I've never used until recently — and I don't know why! I'd love to try this out because they can be used for lips, too. I'm all about products that can be used for more than one purpose.

OTHER

Ban.do 2015 17-Month Agenda

THIS PLANNER. I have seen the iPad case that corresponds with it all over, but then I saw the planner. During the school year, I NEED a planner to get by. My life depends on it. Now that my current planner is seeing the end of its days, I considered buying this one, although I guess I was too late because it's sold out now. Now I need to find another planner that calls to me. Damnit.

Fujifilm Instax Mini 8

A modern-day instant camera. So adorable.

Get It Girl Pillow

This little pillow was found browsing around Pinterest, but I guess I'm not meant to have nice things because it's been sold too. Damnit.

Fotostrap

I've heard wonderful things about this camera strap! It comes in dozens of colors and styles. I would love to have one for my camera (although the strap I have now is pretty cute, too.)

That's it! If you have the dying urge to get me anything on my list, I won't crush your dreams and say no. ;)

What have you been wanting? /Do you know of anywhere I could buy that ban.do planner? PLZ.

xoxo

I HAVE TOO MANY MASCARAS

When I first started wearing makeup, I was too afraid to wear mascara. I thought I would poke myself in the eye and that it would look weird on me because I have nearly white eyelashes and eyebrows. (I did poke myself a few times.)

Eventually, my mom bought me some clear mascara and I started to figure out how to apply mascara without smearing black all over my face. Then I progressed to brown mascara, and eventually black. Now, mascara is the one item I will never, ever leave the house without wearing, and I've got quite the little collection. I thought I would make a list of my mascaras and lists some of my favorites (and not-so-favorites!)

JULY 14 IPSY GLAMBAG REVIEW

Hi friends!

Today, I received my Ipsy. I'd like to get into the habit of blogging about these monthly, so here's this month! (Check out last month here if you're curious. There's a kitten involved.)

Getting my Ipsy Glambag is always one of the highlights of my month. I love getting the email that it has shipped, that my glamroom is open and then of course opening my mailbox to find the coveted pink bubble envelope.

Always my favorite part of the month!! @ipsy #ipsy pic.twitter.com/sYvmmyMxde

— Alexandra Paige (@AllieHolzman) July 17, 2014

^^^ Follow me on Twitter if you haven't. Sometimes I say funny things. I also just learned how to embed a tweet. Woo!

Without further adieu, here's what I received!

CURRENTLY OBSESSED | JULY 2014

Hello lovely readers!

Today I've got a fun post. Well, fun for me, because I'm going to write about things I'm currently obsessed with that I love a lot. Here are some things I'm currently obsessed with!

Urban Decay Naked Palette | Maybelline FIT ME Foundation | Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze | Bumble and bumble. Styling Creme | Soap & Glory Sugar Crush Body Wash

JUNE IPSY GLAMBAG REVIEW & BLOGGING WITH SHERMAN

Hello, all!

This post comes in two parts: one part gawking about makeup, one part gawking about kitten.

Here is part one: The June Ipsy Glambag Review.

I've been an Ipsy Glambag subscriber for a few months now, and I've had a lot of hits and a lot of misses. If you don't know what Ipsy is, it's a service that sends you a bag of 4-5 makeup/beauty/other products every month for $10. My first glambag was worth around $60, and I've been hooked ever since. Last month's May glambag was very... underwhelming to say the least, but Ipsy really redeemed themselves with this month's picks, or at last for me.

First of all, when you get your Ipsy glambag, it arrives in your mailbox in a shiny pink bubble envelope. That bubble envelope is usually the mail highlight of my month (unless I order something else online) because it's so friggin' cute.

I don't have a photo of all my products together. Sorry 'bout it.