BeautyWithBrittanyXo: 2014

Friday, November 7, 2014

Sephora VIB Sale

Sephora VIB Sale Haul 2014

Shop ebates and earn money for shopping online! http://www.ebates.com/rf.do?referrerid=LEpwcR3ajst%2FulQj47IdsA%3D%3D&eeid=26471

It's not often us beauty addicts get that great sale on our favorite beauty items right now until Nov. 10th Sephora is offering 20% for their Rouge members with the code GIFTROUGE. This is a great time to order your beauty necessities or heck treat yourself to a luxury gift! I did a little bit of both this year ;)

What I picked up during the sale!

Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash

Soap & Glory Hand Food™ Hand Cream

Rosebud Perfume Co.Rosebud Salve

Bite Beauty Best Bite Remix

Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette

I also ordered online the Tarte Pigment of Imagination Deluxe Cheek Set

One necessity of mine is the Origins Checks and Balances Frothy Face Wash. My skin in normally dry/combo, it tends to get more dry in the colder months. The Origins Checks and Balances keeps my skin balances while also helping to combat my breakouts. In hopes of finding something less expensive I've recently tried the Neutrogena® Naturals Purifying Cream Cleanser. Unfortunately, it did not work for my skin. It did not remove excess makeup and caused breakouts. I'm back to my true love, Origins Checks and Balances.

Second must have is Soap & Glory Hand Food™ Hand Cream. It is a little on the pricey side but the scent is really great and in the cold months it's a life saver for my dry hands!

Another necessity purchased during the sale was Rosebud Perfume Co.Rosebud Salve. This is literally my BFF! It's wonderful for moisturizing lips and can also be used to keep your cuticles looking healthy and hydrated! Personally, I recommend the tin over the tube, better value for money.

On to the fun stuff ;) the wants! Recently I've experiences the pure luxury of Bite Beauty lip products. This Bite Beauty Best Bite Remix set is perfect. It is $25 and comes with "- 4 x 0.05 oz Limited-edition high pigment pencil in Sablé (nude), Pomegranate (rose berry), Rhubard (plum rose), Winterberry (festive Raspberry red)."

Bite Beauty lip products feel nourishing on the lips and are extremely pigmented. These four shades offer a great range of shades. This would be a perfect gift this holiday season for a friend, sister, mother, or lets be honest yourself! Another idea is to buy a couple different holiday sets and put a couple stockings together for friends.

Red is a great shade year round but it's even better around the holiday time! This set offers a gorgeous rich red that's easy to apply and packs a great punch! I love that there are two shades that would be great for everyday and two that are a little more daring.

Let me know your favorite shade in the comments! :) if you have never tried Bite Beauty this is a great way to start but you've been warned they are amazing and you will want more ;)

My big splurge item of this trip was the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Blush Palette. Last year I purchased the Ambient Lighting Palette and I'm still so in love I knew if I didn't get this I'd regret it! I'm extremely excited to play with the shades more and let you know what I think!

This palette retails for $58 and offers "-3 x 0.11 oz Cheek shades in Luminous Flush (champagne rose), Incandescent Electra (cool peach), Mood Exposure (soft plum)"

I am extremely excited about everything I picked up during this sale. Have you picked anything up? :)

Thursday, October 23, 2014

Fall Party Treats

Fabulous Fall Party Treats

Pumpkin pie is always a great choice for a fall party or (lets be honest) while you are sitting at home binge watching Pretty Little Liars. Today I wanted to share with you some fun, unique fall treats you could try yourself or bring with you to a fall gathering, Halloween party, Thanksgiving, or just any get together. The first tasty treat is a delicious sweet potato, marshmallow (or fluff for those non-gelatin eaters such as myself), graham cracker dipping dish! Second is an adorable apple pie baked inside of a granny smith apple. Last but not least is for my coffee lovers :) this creamer would be a great sweet treat to add into after dinner coffee or bring some Baileys Irish Cream to provide a beverage for those of age to enjoy.

Sweet Potato Marshmallow Dip with Graham Crackers

You will need: four large sweet potatoes, vegetable oil, brown sugar, butter, marshmallows, and an oven.

Start with about four clean sweet potatoes (depending on how much you'd like to make). 4 sweet potatoes will make enough for about 6 people.

Be sure to fork about 4-5 holes into each sweet potato. Now it's time to oil up. Rub a bit of vegetable oil on each of the sweet potatoes. DO NOT wrap the potatoes in tin foil!

Simply place those sweet potatoes in a oven, or "hot box" as Alton Brown would say, that's been preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Yes, right on the rack. Place a baking sheet with foil under the potatoes, there will be dripping.

Let those sweet babies bake for about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Let them cool for a moment so you don't burn your fingers off, but don't wait too long because they are easier to mash when warm. Once cool enough peel the skin off, mash the potatoes. You could also use a food blender or something like a Nutribullet to blend, it may be a bit easier/quicker.

Time for the fun part! Sprinkle over some brown sugar, top with a bit of butter, and layer on the mini marshmallows! Personally, I do not eat gelatin so we used fluff but you could also pick up some gelatin free marshmallows at Whole Foods or a specialty shop!

Broil on high for about 3-5, keeping a close eye on it in order to get that golden brown effect!

Use graham crackers to dip into this delicious treat! The mix of flavors in this dish are mouthwatering and scream fall! Enjoy this as a dessert of a side to any other great fall meal.

Apple Pie inside a Granny Smith Apple

You will need: four large Granny Smith apples, cinnamon, brown sugar, and pie crust (homemade or store bought).

Start by cutting the top off of all four of your clean granny smith apples. Time for the hard part - removing the inside of the apples! I don't think there is any real scientific method to this, grab a knife, spoon, melon baller, or a jigsaw. It's going to be really difficult! Don't throw away the apple slices, place them in a separate bowl or just sit them aside. These slices are going to be used for the inside of the "apple pie."

Cut up the apple slices a bit so they fit inside the large apple nicely. Combine in a bowl: apple spices, two tablespoons of cinnamon, and four tablespoons or brown sugar. Mix together and then place inside of the apples. Top with pie crust! It may take a little time to get the crust to look the way you'd like but don't give up!

Place enough water in the bottom of the baking dish to just slightly cover the bottom. On to the oven, on 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 30 minutes.

Remove from oven, let cool, and enjoy!

Pumpkin Coffee Creamer/Baileys Irish Cream Pumpkin Coffee

What you will need: Pumpkin Puree, Milk, Cream (of any flavor), Pumpkin Spice (I've made my own), Maple Syrup, coffee, and Baileys if of age.

You can easily make your own pumpkin spice blend if you can't find it in stores.

To make your own pumpkin spice blend:

4 tablespoons ground cinnamon

4 teaspoons ground nutmeg

4 teaspoons ground ginger

3 teaspoons ground allspice

http://allrecipes.com/recipe/pumpkin-pie-spice-i/

On stove top combine

4 tablespoons of pumpkin puree

1 teaspoon of spice blend

2 tablespoons brown sugar

1 tablespoon maple syrup

Let this simmer for a bit and get golden brown before adding liquid ingredients.

2/3 cups of creamer (I did half hazelnut half soy creamer)

2 cups of milk

Enjoy hot or cold, add some whip cream, add cinnamon for a fun touch.

Favorite Fall Lippies

Favorite Fall Lip Products

Oh man me an lippies have such a strong bond! My lip drawer is ridiculous to say the least, it's basically overflowing and I love it ;) every time I find myself wandering the makeup aisles of Target I find myself looking down to a basket with at least 1-2 lippies lurking around! My loves for fall at the moment are Revlon Matte Balm- Standout (http://bit.ly/1eoZAx), Jordana Twist and Shine- Cranberry Crush (http://bit.ly/1fpgPsM), Maybelline Matte Lipstick- Touch of Spice (http://bit.ly/1r2MHbH), Wet n' Wild- Urban Nights, Revlon- Copperglow Berry (http://bit.ly/1x9b1hb), MAC- Rebel (http://bit.ly/1ezmFbM), Maybelline Elixir Gloss- Mauve Mystique (http://bit.ly/1cYRhTu), Origins Drink Up Sugars- Caramel Crush (http://origins.cm/1rqq6GL)!

Revlon Matte Balm in Standout is honestly my favorite red of all time. I've tried high-end and countless drug-store reds. For my fair skin and red hair Revlon Matte Balm in Standout is just the most amazing red. It's matte without being drying and sits beautifully on lips. It's also so easy to apply and can be found at most drug-stores.

Jordana Twist & Shine in Cranberry Crush is a beautiful light shine plum balm. It's great for just throwing in your purse and easy to reapply!

Maybelline released matte lipsticks this year and I'm over the moon about Maybelline Matte in Touch of Spice! It's a great rich mauve rose that applies like a dream and feels amazing on the lips! I really recommend trying these new lippies from Maybelline.

Wet n' Wild limited edition shade in Urban Nights is such a perfect fall shade. Vibrant, vampy, and has a slight plumy hue. They also have some more neutral shades out at the moment :) check them out!
Revlon Copperglow Berry is beautifully unique shade. It's a great plum shade with a gorgeous golden glisten. If you are on the hunt for something a little different and will for sure turn heads I really recommend

checking this shade out!

MAC Rebel is one of MAC's most popular fall shades and is talked about constantly during this time of year. It's a great cross between a red and a dark rich purple. It's much darker in the bullet so don't be afraid to give it a try!

I've been taking about the Maybelline Elixir Gloss in Mauve Mystique for months now and I'm not done yet. Maybelline seriously nailed this gloss formula on the head! Next to NYX butter glosses these are my favorite drugstore glosses. They are not sticky and they feel amazing on the lips. They feel moisturizing and so smooth! Please do me a favor and check these out you don't be sorry!

Thank you Aimee for gifting me Origins Drink Up Sugars- Caramel Crush. The shade is incredible and the formula lovely. It's a little sticky but lasts a long time on the lips and is really moisturizing! It's great paired with a nude or over top a great plum.

Revlon Matte Balm- Standout

http://bit.ly/1eoZAx1

Jordana Twist and Shine- Cranberry Crush

http://bit.ly/1fpgPsM

Maybelline Matte Lipstick- Touch of Spice

http://bit.ly/1r2MHbH

Wet n' Wild- Urban Nights

Revlon- Copperglow Berry

http://bit.ly/1x9b1hb

MAC- Rebel

http://bit.ly/1ezmFbM

Maybelline Elixir Gloss- Mauve Mystique

http://bit.ly/1cYRhTu

Origins Drink Up Sugars- Caramel Crush

http://origins.cm/1rqq6GL

What's your favorite lip product of all time? Is your go to a bright red, a deep vampy plum, or a great nude?

"Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick" - Gwyneth Paltrow

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Top 5 Fall Blushes

Next to lip products blush is something I find myself purchasing most often. While yes, I still do rock the occasional coral in the fall I also love bringing out my mauve, plum, and deeper shades. My top five fall blushes are Tarte- Exposed (http://bit.ly/VDZ4Uv), Inglot Blush- 25 (http://bit.ly/1s3ib22), Wet n' Wild-Heather Silk (http://bit.ly/10iMFHT), Amazing Cosmetics- Cinnamon Spice (http://bit.ly/1yVgLiT), Kevyn Aucoin Blush- Red Berry (http://bit.ly/1x51Pdv)

Bottom to top: Tarte- Exposed, Inglot Blush- 25, Wet n' Wild-Heather Silk, Amazing Cosmetics- Cinnamon Spice, Kevyn Aucoin Blush- Red Berry

Wet n' Wild blushes are so incredible. They are inexpensive, pigmented, and available at most drugstores in the USA. I've been a fan for years now! They only have about 3-4 shades but the ones they do have are outstanding! My love for the fall in Heather Silk which is a great berry shade. The trick with this blush is a little goes a long way!! Use a light hand, you don't wan to look like Bozo!

Tarte Exposed is one of my favorite blushes of all time and for any season! It's gorgeous and lasts all day on the skin. Exposed will work on most skin tones and looks amazing with any eye look, really you could do a crazy smokey eye and it would work or just wear it for an everyday natural look!

Amazing Cosmetics Cinnamon Spice is a crazy unique shade. Not only is this shade perfectly fall as a blush but you could also incorporate it into fall eyeshadow look and it blends like a dream!

Inglot 25 is a the most perfect fall mauve deep rosy shade! I love how pigmented this blush is, similar to the Wet n' Wild blush a little goes a long way. Inglot blushes are paraben free and the brand does not test of animals, which is always a great plus!

Kevyn Aucoin Blush- Red Berry is just the most perfect deep rich plum almost slightly red blush. What makes this blush so great is that it is so easy to blend out! With bright vibrant shades like this one is if it's not easy to blend it can be a disaster. Start with a little and build up the intensity at you'd like!

What's your favorite fall blush?! Have fun and express yourself this fall with a fun blush! Stand out and feel unique!

"To me, beauty and makeup and color is like the finishing touch on everything" - Marc Jacobs

Tuesday, October 21, 2014

Top 5 Fall Nail Polishes

Top 5 Fall Polishes

Who doesn't love a good fall polish. Personally I am a nail polish junkie and honestly cannot get enough. Be sure to leave me a comment of you favorite nail polishes for fall or of all time! While luxury is nice and they are some of my favorites it's the formula, shade, and lasting power that matters to me. My top 5 nail polishes for this fall are Essie Chinchilly, OPI Dim Sum Plum, Butter London Scuppered, Deborah Lippmann Lady Sings the Blues, and NARS Endless Night. The dark vampy colors are always a must for me this time of year but I also do not like to sacrifice color!

Fall is all about getting cozy for me which means big comfy sweater of all colors! All of these polishes look gorgeous with my fall style.

Essie Chinchilly is not only one of my favorite fall shades but one of my favorites of all time in my collection. It's a lovely muted mauve purple/gray. This polish would look gorgeous with a little cream colored cozy sweater, it's so perfect for fall.

This OPI polish was part of OPI's Breast Cancer Awareness collection last year. It is a beautiful plum pink. It is a great color because although it is bright it's not too much for fall. Rock this color with a chunky scarf and a fun fall flannel!

Butter London Scuppered is literally fall leaves on your nails. It's an absolutely radiant shade that is the definition of fall.

Deborah Lippmann Lady Sings the Blues is new to my collection this year and has quickly become my favorite. It's a deep navy blue with silver and lighter blue shimmer. The formula is wonderful and looks amazing with two coats.

NARS Endless Night is the most vampy of the bunch. It's a rich purple almost black shade. I was rocking white polish for most of the spring and summer, deep shades like this are now my addiction. Black Zara leggings, a large gray sweater, boots, and this polish would be the perfect fall pumpkin patch outfit.

Nail polish is a simple way to express yourself so I say have fun with it! Rock a bright pink if you want or paint your nails black! Show your color with little commitment ;) remember it's just polish and will fade away!