Beauty By Kristin Renee

Hello, my loves!

Long time, no talk. It's been a hot second since I've dabbled in the blogging world. I've been focusing mainly on Instagram lately. It's just been one of those phases I guess. But I've found a renewed desire to blog!

To reintroduce myself, I've been working on 12 Days of Favorites (or #12daysoffavorites if you're on the gram)! I decided to end the year with a bang and post my favorite beauty products for the year from now through Christmas Eve!

Without further ado, day 1 of 12 days of favorites!

PRIMER!

For me, a perfectly primed base is a must to get the best makeup application I can. I have oily acne prone skin, so if I didn't prime, my skin would be horrific by the end of the day.

The primer that I've reached for the most over the past year has definitely been the Becca Firstlight Priming Filter you can get this at Ulta or Sephora. I love this because it gives me a glow but it's not too much for my oily skin. I do prefer this over the Backlight Priming Filter. I can't put my finger on exactly why, but it's just better. Maybe it's because purple is my favorite color. It also smells like lemon pez so... ya know... bonus. This is pretty much my standard go to that I would grab in the morning before work. It's just a good solid primer.

Over the summer I was browsing through Ulta and was intrigued by the Stila One Step Correct primer. You can get it here and here. This was something that was on my Sephora loves list for a while but I never got around to purchasing it. I love this because if my skin is slightly red or irritated it will help cancel that out prior to applying any of my other complexion products. It's not a mattifying primer, but I wouldn't say it's a hydrating primer either. It works really well for my oily skin (are you seeing a pattern here.... I apologize to my dry skin ladies out there... if you're super dry I'm not sure if this would be hydrating enough for you, but I see this working for dry to normal skin).

The most recent addition to my primer collection was the Revlon Photoready Pore Reducing Primer. You can get this anywhere Revlon is sold. I purchased my at Ulta, but it is available in most drugstores. I LOVE this stuff! I've tried so many pore filling/smoothing primers in my time and nothing has worked as well as this! I apply this to my nose and just between my eyebrows and let me tell you, my skin looks F.L.A.W.L.E.S.S.

I have quite a few primers in my collection but these three are definitely the ones that I've been gravitating towards the most. What are your favorite primers? Let me know; I love trying new products!

See you tomorrow! Can you guess what Day 2 is.......

Happy October my cyber friends!

I know it's been October for a couple weeks now but it has reached peak Autumn aesthetic here in Upstate New York!

Anyway... welcome back to my little nugget of the internet. Today I bring to you a battle between two micellar waters. In the blue corner, the cult favorite Bioderma Sensibio H2O. In the red corner, the new comer (relatively new to the U.S.) Garnier Micellar Water (option 2). Bioderma has been around for a while and could be considered and more "high end" micellar water. Garnier's micellar water debuted in the states in the fall of 2015. It was available in the UK prior to that (from where I purchased my Garnier). Which one will reign supreme?

To test these products out, I did my makeup as usual and at the end of the day I took the makeup on one half of my face off using Bioderma and the makeup on the other half of my face off using Garnier.

One of the main reasons I enjoy Bioderma is I was able to get a bottle with a pump. It was limited edition and they supposedly only come out with them a couple times per year. While the pump is a plus, it has little to no bearing on the product itself.

This product takes off makeup phenomenally. It got the vase majority of my mascara off - which is mainly what I judge any makeup remover on since it's such a pain to get off. Once my skin dried, it didn't feel as though there was any product on my skin. My BIGGEST annoyance with makeup removers is when they leave your skin oily. Back in the day, a lot of eye makeup removers were very oily on my eyes and then it would mess up my vision when it got in my eye and it would make my eyes water. Moral of the story, it was a hot mess. This product did not make my eyes feel any type of way. It wasn't greasy or oily or stinging or anything. Major points to Bioderma for this. Overall, I LOVE this micellar water. It is a phenomenal product. It is $16.90 for 500 mL (16.7 oz) on BeautyLish, so it isn't super pricey, but it is more expensive than Garnier. It'll cost you about $1.01 per ounce.

Similarly to Bioderma, Garnier's Micellar Water does take off makeup well; however, it's not as noticeable that it is taking the makeup off which implies it takes a little more work to remove the makeup. I did notice that there was some mascara residue on my lashes - more so than with the Bioderma. When the Garnier Micellar Water dried down on my skin, it did leave a slightly tacky residue. There was no oil or greasy feeling on my skin though which is a plus. The packaging on this is slightly underwhelming in comparison to the Bioderma. I've noticed with this kind of cap, rather that the pump, I tend to use more product. The site I purchased this on (FeelUnique.com) lists this for $4.62 for 400 mL (13.5 oz), while at Ulta this retails for $8.99 per mL. So depending on where you purchase, you're paying anywhere from $0.34 to $0.67 per ounce.

Overall, both products get the job done. I lean more towards the Bioderma. This is because it takes off my mascara better, leaves absolutely no residue, and has a pump - the pump causes me to use less product and therefore go longer without repurchasing. If you're on a budget, definitely go for the Garnier Micellar Water as it is comparable Bioderma. And hey, you never know, you might just prefer Garnier to Bioderma and completely disagree with me!

As always, if there are any products or topics you'd like to see discussed, let a girl know!

Until next time...

XOXO

- K

Welcome back to this space!

Today I bring to you a review of the NEW Master Palette by Mario from Anastasia Beverly Hills. As of 7pm est time on October 9, 2016, the palette is still available on Ulta.com and Sephora.com. The palette did sell out on the Anastasia Beverly Hills website and they said they WILL NOT be restocking as it is limited edition (which I don't know why because it's more beautiful than the Modern Renaissance palette - but that's just my opinion).

Let me tell you the struggle bus I road to get this palette. I should have just held off because it would have caused less stress. I was so nervous that it would sell out and I wouldn't be able to get this little nugget of perfection.

On September 28th, I got home from work and furiously checked every Anastasia Beverly Hills page and hashtag relating to this palette. I could find ZERO information on the time of the release. Of course, this was strategic by Anastasia Beverly Hill to try and prevent their website from crashing. And even though I knew that since I lived on the east coast and the palette wouldn't go live on their website at midnight on the 29th, I stayed up past midnight. Just past midnight I called it a night and decided to go to bed (with an alarm set for 2:55am - that would be 5 minutes before midnight on the 29th on the west coast).

In the middle of the night, I woke up. I had slept through my alarm and when I checked my clock through sleep heavy eyes, it was a few minutes after 4am. I thought just for giggles I'll scroll through Instagram. Several Instagram accounts I follow had posted that the palette was live - it went live at 4am est and 1am pst. I never shot out of bed so quickly in my life. I grabbed my laptop and tried to get on the website. The page wouldn't load and in my half asleep state it took me a few minutes to figure out that the site had crashed. Any normal person would go to bed and try again the next day. Nope. Not me. I spent the next hour with four tabs open in my internet browser just to purchase this palette. Just after 5am I had secured my palette. I received my confirmation email that day and figured it would ship by the weekend.

Monday October 3rd rolled around and I still had not received a shipping email. I thought this may be because the launch was so huge - a slight delay that most companies would address. Anastasia Beverly Hills was silent. I scrolled through several Master Palette by Mario posts on Instagram and saw several comments that echoed my own thoughts along with several alarming comments. Various customers who had purchased the palette and received a confirmation email had had their orders mysteriously cancelled. Needless to say this worried me. I contacted Anastasia Beverly Hills regarding my delayed shipment (I only just received a reply after my palette finally got delivered). That night, just before midnight, I received a shipping confirmation and all my order cancellation worries were vanquished. My palette was delivered a few days later that same week.

Let me tell you, this palette is even more beautiful in person. I love that this palette has some warm tones and cool tones. This palette is so much more accessible for every day looks - more so than the Modern Renaissance Palette (of course I'm not one for red-ish eye shadows). These shadows wear so beautifully. They blend impeccably. I did my eye shadow in the mid morning and it had not budged or smudged 12 hours later (without an eye shadow primer).

The eye shadow look I chose was one that I saw on a video a YouTuber I follow had posted. Jamie Paige posted her September Favorites video last week and when I saw the eye look she did with the Master Palette by Mario, I just knew I had to recreate it.

To create this look I followed Jamie's video (go check it out if you prefer watching an eye shadow tutorial). First I used the shade ISABEL as a transition color in my crease and upper crease with a fluffy blending brush. Then I took VIOLETTA into my crease with a more precise blending brush to deepen the crease. I then took BROOKLYN all over my lid with a flat shade-er brush. Then I sprayed MAC's Fix Plus on a clean flat shade-er brush to intensify 5TH AVE and placed it in the center of my lid and blended out the edges with my finger. Next, I took HOLLYWOOD and placed it on my inner corner and brow bone. Finally, I took BROOKLYN on a definer brush on my lower lash line and smudged it out with a bit of ISABEL on a pencil brush.

I know this sounds like a lot of steps but it is actually super quick and everything blends so easily that anyone could do it (I'm living proof of that sentiment). I cannot wait to try out more looks with this palette, especially for fall! If there are any other products you'd like me to try out, leave a comment below! Until next time...

XOXO

- K

Long time, no talk.

I'm sorry I have been MIA on here for a few months. Summer was crazy with work and everything, so I had to put some personal projects to the side. But with the start of the new month (and my all time favorite season), I thought I'd get back to doing the things I love.

So welcome to my review of the NEW Lorac Mega PRO 3 Palette!

Oh god, this palette. I am a sucker for packaging. So this palette with the rose gold lettering is beyond aesthetically pleasing. When I opened the box and saw the outside, I knew the array of shadows inside would be just as glorious - and let me tell you, I was right.

I love the neutral shades in the palette with a few deeper shades and the occasional pop of color such as pomegranate. With fall being my favorite season, the names of the shadows made me want to buy the palette even more (I told you, I'm a sucker for packaging). I mean come on: Brown Sugar, Cider, Bark, Walnut, Pecan, Hickory, Sequoia? YAS.

I had never purchased any products by Lorac before so I wasn't really sure what to expect. I've heard nothing but good things about their shadows so I figured this limited edition palette was the perfect first purchase. I am a platinum member at Ulta so I was able to grab this before it officially went on sale.

When I first reached for this palette, I was immediately attracted to the plum tones - which happens to make for the perfect fall eye look.

For this look, I started out by taking some of the shade TAN throughout my crease and a bit higher as a transition shade. Then I deepened the crease by adding VIOLET GRAY. I then placed ROSE QUARTZ all over my lid. The look felt a bit incomplete so I deepened my outer v with EGGPLANT. I also took EGGPLANT on the outer half of my lash line and used PECAN on the inner half. Add SNOW to the inner corner of your eye to brighten it, top it off with mascara and you are done!

I added a berry toned lip to tie the look together and I felt thoroughly prepared for Autumn in a comfy sweater!

I have to say I am in love with Lorac's Mega PRO 3 Palette. The colors are perfect for Autumn and the quality is amazing. The shadows blend incredibly well and I appreciate the layout of the palette as well; the top two rows are mattes and the bottom two rows are shimmers. If this is a color palette that is right up you alley, snag it before it's gone. If not, check out any of the other Lorac palettes - you can't go wrong with their formulation.

If there are any products or looks you'd like me to try out, just let me know!

Until next time...

XOXO

- K

Welcome back to my little corner of the interweb!

I'm really bad with introductions - small talk-ish conversations are just horrible. So, without further ado, lets get into the new release from Becca Cosmetics and Jaclyn Hill!

I've been watching Jaclyn Hill's videos for a while now, and champagne pop is one of my all time favorite highlighters (remind to write a post on all of my favorites). So when she was hinting at something being in the works, I was dying to find out what. Around the beginning of May, Jaclyn showed us the most beautiful face palette ever - enter the Champagne Collection Face Palette (which is sadly limited edition). It was revealed that this palette would be released on May 26, 2016. It's still not May 26th and I don't know how I would have waited that long.

On May 17th, the Champagne Collection launch party was all over the internet. So many social beauty gurus were flying to NYC for this coveted event. This day began as any other; I went to work, I came home, I started catching up on a show I was watching. I had decided to pick up my phone and check Instagram. Oh what a great decision that was (not for my wallet though). Becca Cosmetics has posted an image of the palette announcing that if you went on the Sephora mobile app and searched #champagneglow, you would get access to a limited supply of these palettes. Needless to say I lost my sh*t - I have zero chill. Of course I had to order one. But alas, It was not that easy.

I had searched every possible variation of #champagneglow I could think of and still nothing. Based on the comments on Becca's Instagram picture, it seemed as though this was an issue for Android users (yet another reason I loathe Android and cannot wait to switch back to an iPhone). So I looked to twitter to see if I could find out anything else - while simultaneously downloading the Sephora app on my iPad (Spoiler: that app didn't work either). When I got to Becca's twitter, all of the replies to people who were having the same issue as me were told to try calling Sephora's customer service line. I bet you can guess where this story goes next.

Yup, I called Sephora. When I got to a representative to order the palette, I was greeted with attitude. I was told I had to search the code word (I had already done that). I was then told to put that code word into the promo section of checkout (that didn't work either). Finally the representative took my order over the phone (her attitude had dissipated by this point as well - which resulted in me not contacting Sephora about the matter). And so it was ordered! I was ecstatic! I didn't bat an eye at the price tag of $52 because I knew this was limited edition and it has been on my wishlist for a hot second. It arrived in the mail three days later and it was the best way to end my work week.

The Champagne Collection Face Palette includes Champagne Pop (0.19 oz), Prosecco Pop (0.19 oz), Rosé Spritz (0.10 oz), Amaretto (0.12 oz), and Pamplemousse (0.12 oz).

I have to say, out of the blushes, I am most excited for Rosé Spritz. I usually go for matte blushers, but I do love a good rose gold. It reminds me of Orgasm blush by Nars and Rose Gold blusher by Sleek Makeup (Disclaimer: I am not saying these are dupes). The pigmentation on both highlights and the three blushers is insanely good.

The packaging comes with the usual plastic insert - which has to be the cutest one I've ever seen. But fear not, you can toss it - the names are also on the back of the packaging so you never have to worry about forgetting.

I am incredibly impressed with this palette. It will definitely be my go to for my makeup looks for the foreseeable future. If you weren't able to get your hands on this during the surprise limited launch, it's online on May 26th and in stores June 16th. You can also check out the rest of the new releases for the Champagne Collection here. I cannot wait to glow through the summer months (and let's be honest - all year round).

Are you planning on purchasing one of the new products? Which one are you most excited for?

XOXO
- K

Hello lovelies! Welcome back to my little corner of the internet.

This weekend I ventured back to my college town to visit my friend and go to the Albany Tulip Festival.

When you go to university in Albany, there are several events that are staples for college students to go to, one of them being this festival.

The Albany Tulip Festival is by far my favorite event the city of Albany puts on every year. There's live music, food, drinks, shopping, and hanging out with friends. I mean, what more could you ask for on a gorgeous spring day? Granted, it's not the same as when I actually was in college and my friends weren't spread across the continental United States, but I still love going every year.

By now some of you may be asking "What exactly is Tulip Fest?" and "What does food and music have to do with tulips?" Well I'm glad you asked. Every year, hundreds of thousands of tulips (I'm not joking; there's over 140,000 tulips) bloom in Washington Park in Albany, NY. The Albany website states it's an event "celebrating Albany's rich, Dutch heritage". It's a completely free event and is open to the public (obviously products from vendors cost money). It's usually Mother's Day weekend every year. Keep your eye out for the dates of next year's event!

What's one of your favorite hometown (or college town) events?

XOXO

- K

P.S. Now sit back and enjoy some tulips!

Hello all, and welcome to my April favorites!

This month I've been going out more and being more social (because I am massively anti-social). It was also the Sephora VIB sale and I've just seemed to purchase more products this month.

Nivea Men Post Shave Balm - I've had this for a few months now but I've really been using it this month. I love this product as it practically glues my makeup to my face (not literally though). My makeup throughout the day doesn't move or get patchy, and for $5 you can't ask for more. (Side note: it also has a man scent - which is quite nice when you're single AF hahaha)

Too Faced Sweethearts Bronzer in Sweet Tea - I have never really been one for bronzer. I'm all about contour but bronzers tend to scare me. I'm always afraid I will look like an oompa loompa. I figured this shade was light enough that it would warm up my ghastly skin tone without turning me orange - and I was right! I have been reaching for this product more than any of my contour specific products. There is some shimmer in it but when I apply it I don't notice it at all.

Tarte Lights, Camera, Lashes Inner Rim Liner in Nude - I saw this product used in a youtube video so I thought I would try it out. I've never been one for black liner on my water line. It makes my eyes look pretty small. Although I have used black liner a couple times for nights out. This was right up my alley. I found that white liner was too start with my eye looks. This brightens and opens up my eyes without it looking as noticeable as a white liner.

Tarte Double Duty Beauty The Lip Sculptor Double Ended Lipstick & Gloss in Basic - I have a love hate relationship with this product, and you can probably guess why. If you guessed that I only liked one of the ends of this product, you guessed right! I love the lipstick. It is very hydrating and the color is my perfect nude. My only gripe with the lipstick is that it doesn't last a long time. I'm not one to reapply during the day so the good part about it wearing off is that it doesn't wear off patchy. I'll just notice it's gone at some point after looking in the mirror. I do not like the gloss however. I'm not one for gloss. I don't think glossy lip products look good on me. If I put it on over the lipstick (because I did try), it takes off the lipstick and then just looks patchy. Maybe I don't know how to wear gloss but it just doesn't work for me.

Japonesque Color Velvet Touch Blush in Shade 2 - When I first saw this product, I had my doubts. But this blush was recommended in one of MannyMUA's videos, so I told myself to try it. And let me tell you, I am so glad I did. I've only ever used pink toned blushes, which is why I was hesitant with this one. I wasn't even sure if this would show up on my skin. But once I applied it - OH MY GOD. It is the blush I reach for all the time. I have barely touched any of my other blushes since I've purchased it. It gives the perfect flush to the cheeks and you don't have to worry about looking like a clown because it's such a nude toned color.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish in Soft & Gentle - Now this is probably no surprise to anyone and in fact you're probably saying "ummm tell us something we don't know." I know I'm late to the band wagon but I just started venturing into MAC products. I am in love with this highlight quite frankly. Although I am practically in love with every highlight (it may be my obsession). This is my everyday highlight. I don't have to worry about going overboard. But at the same time, I can build this up for a killer highlight on a night out. Perfection, just perfection.

MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural in Medium - I saw Jaclyn Hill using MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural, so I bought MAC Mineralize Skinfinish Natural. I'm usually one that sticks to transluscent powders but I thought I would trust in the beauty knowledge of a makeup artist and give it a shot. And now I don't use anything else. I was afraid it would make my skin look cake-y because it has color to it, but it doesn't. It makes my skin look flawless. (PS - 10 pts to gryffindor if you caught the mean girls reference)

MAC Eye Shadow in Nylon - Yet another Jaclyn Hill recommendation. Jaclyn knows what she's talking about. This is the best inner corner highlight and brow bone highlight. None of the other shadows or even actual highlights I have compare. The end.

So there you have it - the products I've been loving through the month of April! What have you been loving over the past month?

XOXO

- K

Welcome to 12 Days of Favorites! Day 1: Primer

Bioderma Sensibio H2O vs Garnier Micellar Water

Anastasia Beverly Hills' Master Palette By Mario

Lorac Mega PRO 3 Palette

BECCA X Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette

Adventure Time: To The Tulips!

April Favorites!

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