Get Tropical with BA Star!

Hey everyone! I'm so excited to show off this awesome new eyeshadow I just got!  It's the Tropical Shadow Pallet from BA Star Pro-Makeup!

The BA Star makeup is typically used for dance, cheerleading and stage, which it is perfect for.  The shadows have high pigmentation, giving you bright, vibrant colors without the work of layering!  However, anyone can use them if you're looking for a bold look.

Depending on what you do for a living, this makeup could definitely come in handy.  Back when I worked at Pirate's Voyage, I used to do my eyeshadow with tons of bright colors and lots of glitter.  Just because I could.  I mean, who wouldn't? Anyway, I really wish I'd had this pallet then, because it would have been perfect!

Fortunately, I am still convinced that I'm a mermaid, so why not do my makeup like one?!  Now mind you, I didn't wear this look to work, but I might for a luau party or tone it down a bit for a day on a tropical island. Definitely a summer thing, but it came out so pretty!

But first, I did some swatches for you!  The pallet comes with 5 colors, all with glitter.  There is Lime Green, Blue, Purple, Hot Pink, and Silver.  Here they are swatched side by side.

Also, with the pallet, I received the BA Star Glue Base, which is an eyeshadow primer/glitter base.  I have used several eyeshadow primers in the past, and this one worked pretty well in comparison.  I tried it out with a simple rub test.  The first photo is the same color without the primer on the left and with it on the right. I noticed the color was brighter and shiner with the primer.

Then I just rubbed them both with my finger to test the staying power!  As you can see, there was a big difference.  I don't doubt that this shadow will stick all day or through a pretty intense dance routine if that's what you're doing.

So no makeup review is complete without a look!  Like I said, I decided to do a mermaid look in the spirit of the tropical pallet.  I wanted to use all of the colors, but there is a lot of potential for them on their own! The silver would be awesome for a smokey eye!

This look was pretty simple.  First, I put on the BA Star Glue to prime my eyes.  Then I used the silver on my entire eye as my base color.  Next I put the green on the center of my lid, then put the blue on the outer edge and blended it into the green.  Then, I used the purple in my crease.  Now for the blending.  I put some more blue to blend the purple and blue in the outer corners.  Last, I lined my bottom lashes with the pink, and put a little bit of silver on the inner corner of my eyes as a highlight!!

Besides the shadow, I used Urban Decay Ink for Eyes liquid liner, Benefit They're Real mascara, and e.l.f. gold glitter liner.

I was pretty happy with how it came out!  The colors looked glittery and vibrant and they blended particularly well!  I will definitely use this pallet whether I'm just playing around, doing some stage makeup, or anything that requires some punchy color!!

BA Star has some wonderful products from shadow pallets, glitter, tools and more!  And we both want you to try it!! Check out the website and enter the code 50TROPIC for 50% off your purchase!! You're welcome!! ;)  If you do buy something, I want to know what you think and how you used it!  Link me to your review or comment and tell me all about it!

XO, Briana

This post is sponsored by Brand Backer!!

SPA NIGHT with Montagne Jeunesse Clay Spas & Sally Hansen Triple Shine Polish!

Hello again!! Back with my first set of reviews for my #InfluentserVoxBox !!  As you no doubt guessed from the title, this post is a review on the Montagne Jeunesse Clay Spa and the Sally Hansen Triple Shine Nail Polish that I received!

The MJ Red Earth Clay Spa

In my Violet Vox Box, I received the MJ Red Earth Clay Spa.  It's a mix of Mediterranean clay, pomegranate, and cinnamon! This is the first time I've ever used one of these spa masks and I have to say it was a very positive experience!  I've seen these around different stores for years, like almost as long as I can remember, and I'd only ever thought about buying one.  Personally, I don't tend to do masks in general so that's the only reason I didn't buy it.  But it did stand out to me enough to make me want to buy it.  Apparently, Influentser beat me to it.  

The masks are pretty easy to use.  The only thing that was a pain was positioning it.  That kind of threw me off, but in the end it didn't really matter.  So here is the easy step-by-step!

Step 1: Wash your face.  I recommend a gentle cleanser just to wash away any excess oils.  Also if you're wearing makeup, make sure you get that off first!

Step 2:  Put on the mask.  When I took it out of the package I was surprised.  I initially thought it would be like a cream that I had to squeeze out, but then I realized it was actually a "mask."  So once you get it out, just position the holes in alignment with your face as best as you can.  Like I said, I had a little trouble but it still worked.  Make sure you smooth it down to get maximum coverage!

Be prepared to look ridiculous. Did I do it right??

Step 3: Relax!  Leave the mask on for about 10-15 minutes and just chill out! Listen to music, read a book, stare at the wall, whatever floats your boat!  I recommend not doing anything that will make you laugh.  I had this happen while I was wearing mine and it kept peeling up and tearing on the open areas.  So stay serious.  Very serious.  

Step 4: Massage.  First remove the mask, then just rub the remainder of the mask goodness into your face.  Do this until your satisfied and then rinse your face with cold water, and pat dry.

And that's it! You're done!  I really enjoyed my time with my spa mask.  It felt really good on my face and smelled amazing!  And as I'm writing this it's been about an hour since I did it and my skin still feels smooth and taught.  Like I had some botox done. (haha)   I 100% recommend this product and I will definitely be trying the other spas that Montagne Jeunesse has to offer!!  

Keep up with Montagne Jeunesse!!

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Sally Hansen Triple Shine Nail Polish

Also in my Vox Box, I got the "Pixie Slicks" Sally Hansen Triple Shine Nail Polish!  It's an adorably girly bubblegum pink color and I'm in love.  I decided to paint my toe nails using the polish, and it looks so nice!!

The polish has bright color and great shine!  I also decided to top it off with my China Glaze "Pizzazz" glitter polish!  I call it my Pink Candy Pedi! I even made an Instavideo of how I did it!  

As you can see, the polish is wonderful! I will probably go and buy myself some of their other colors! You can never have enough nail polish!!

Stay tuned for the rest of my Vox Box goodies!! :)

XO, Briana

Paint Your Face On!

Seeing as that I consider my blog to be not only a fashion blog but also a beauty blog, I figured I should probably do a beauty post!! So here is the first and most important post every beauty blogger has: My Personal Favorites.

I've put together my top three for each eyes, lips, and face:

1) Maybelline Line Stiletto

I have been using this eyeliner for about 3 years now and I have become a very loyal customer.  This liquid eyeliner has a pointy brush that makes it easy to accomplish thick or thin lines.  I find it very easy to use, especially for someone like me who has a shaky hand.  If I can master the perfect cat eye, than you can too! Line Stiletto comes in several different colors, including my everyday "Brownish Black" and my badass going out/occasions only "Blackest Black."

2) Stila "In the Light" Nudes Eye Shadow Palette

This Stila eye shadow palette has easily and quickly become my favorite.  Being a blue-eyed baby, neutrals and browns are my best friend.  This palette is chock-full of them and offers a variety of combinations, allowing many different looks.  It even comes with "cheater cards" as I like to call them, with ideas on how to wear the shadows.  The "kitten" color is a perfect brow bone highlighter (pun intended) and "bare" is a great base shadow.  The colors give a perfect combo of matte and glittery that I absolutely love. And the steeley "night sky" and dark "ebony" make a killer smokey eye for a night out!  For an extra bonus, it even comes with the Stila smudge stick waterproof eyeliner in "damsel." I'm not huge on pencil liners, but this one is fantastic.  I like to use it for the smokey eye look since it smudges really well. (Guess why it's called a smudge stick haha.) The color is a dark brown and will accent any color eye nicely.  I'd definitely recommend the entire palette to any girl looking for a great neutral set!

3) Maybelline Volum' Express Falsies Big Eyes Mascara

Every time Maybelline comes out with a new mascara I buy it.  I have a collection of about 6 different ones that I've tried and liked.  Then this one came along and knocked them all out of the water.  The big selling point for this mascara is the double sided brush.  I personally use mascara on my top and bottom lashes and I always found it to be a pain to use such a big brush for such little lashes.  So now I have the Big Eyes small brush for lower lashes and I'm addicted.  It's the perfect size to grab those small lashes, define them, and not poke yourself in the eye in the process.  As for the top lash brush, it does exactly what you want your go-to mascara brush to do.  And the mascara itself stays all day, yet it's also easy to get off your skin if you make a mistake or blink too early. (Which I am all too guilty of) I'd also recommend Maybelline's Cat Eyes Mascara if you tend to focus on your top lashes only.  The rounded brush works wonders!

4) Revlon Just Bitten Kissable Balm Stain

I'm not the girl who wears lipstick every day.  In fact, it's rare that anything makes it on my lips at all.  But when I do take the time to get some color on there, this is my go to product.  This "balm stain" is exactly what it proclaims to be: the color and long wear of a stain and the softness of a balm.  It glides on super easily and leaves you with kissable colored lips. No icky gloss feeling, no intimidating lipstick smudge.  Just great color and soft lips.  There are several color options, but my favorite is a pretty red called "Romantic." Muah!

5) Maybelline Baby Lips

I must admit, I am a Baby Lips addict.  I have eight, count 'em, eight different ones and they keep coming out with new ones.  It's a bad habit, but I just adore them.  They come in all different colors, including your basic reds and pinks, nudes like peach and clear, neons, and the newest medicated ones have a pearly shine. The only question I have is what will they come up with next?!  Baby lips is basically tinted lip balm, but the sleekness of it is what got me hooked.  You look like your wearing a lipstick or stain, but it feels like you're wearing Chapstick.  It's the best of both worlds!

6) Maybelline Super Stay 24 Hour 2 Step Lip Color

If you're looking for your perfect lipstick for a glamorous night out, search no further.  It's the Maybelline Super Stay Lip Color. I originally purchased this lipstick to use for a musical I was in.  It required us to be on stage for several hours with little time to touch up makeup.  So I decided to try this, mainly because it was the color I wanted (bright red) and it said 24 hours.  Although it may not have lasted exactly that long, it did last for the time I needed it to. Through sweat, water bottles, and intermission snacks, the only thing I had to do was slick the clear balm side over every once in a while to keep it shiny.  But if you're really in a pinch, the color will still stay on without reapplying the balm, it will just look like a stain.  Either way it looks and stays wonderfully and I would recommend it in any color!

7) CoverGirl Outlast Stay Fabulous 3 in 1 Foundation

This foundation is a miracle worker.  It's not lying when it says 3 in 1.  It claims to be a moisturizer, a primer, and a foundation and it totally is.  I personally need a reasonably heavy foundation because my skin is uneven in color, so I look for something that has good coverage but still feels light on my skin.  This CoverGirl one does the trick.  I hardly even need concealer with this, unless it's a really red spot.  In that case, nothing can really cover that.  But this little buddy saves the day and makes my daily routine that much easier! And it comes in a bunch of different skin tones to match anyone!

8) Physician's Formula Organic Wear Loose Powder

This Physician's Formula powder is my go to loose powder! I use it on a daily basis to keep my face from looking shiny.  To do that, I use a softer, lighter brush than the one it comes with, but this powder has one more trick up its sleeve.  When I'm having a lazy day and don't feel like painting my whole face on, I just throw on a bit of this powder (with included brush) and call it a day!  I buy the translucent powder so I can layer it on any time of the year and it matches. It's also really great for the summer when you want a little coverage on the beach.  I'm one of those girls that never leave the house with some kind of makeup on my face, so when I go to the beach I just use a SPF BB Cream and then some of this powder and I'm ready to go!

9) Physician's Formula Happy Booster Glow and Mood Boosting Bronzer

Every girl needs a great bronzer, so why not buy one that will make you happy too!  This baby can be used dry or wet and it smells amazing.  I put on a little bit of this all over my face and neck to get a pretty summer glow all year round! And it smells like flowers and has sparkles in it; how could it not make you happy?  I also use it to contour a bit on my neck, cheeks, and temples.  It's very natural and dewy and the color is great for most skin tones.  The pigment in it isn't super saturated so even if you're fair skinned, a swipe of this would still look like you went to the Bahamas for the weekend.  Summertime happiness all year round!

These are just a few of my regular beauty routine products.  I use a lot of different things, and one day I plan on doing a tutorial! I've linked all of the products to their page on popular websites for easy viewing and possible impulse purchasing.

What are you're favorite beauty products? What can you not live without? I want to know! I'm always looking for new things to try, especially if they're recommended by my very dear followers!!

XO, Briana