beauty editor

Lover's Gaze: New Mascara Launch from Pat McGrath Labs

Danyelle Valentin // @bufferingbetty

Seduction Elevated

Since it’s very first product debut, Pat McGrath Labs has craftily released makeup worthy of a display in an art museum. Her six-pan eye shadow palettes shaped like envelopes can be spotted instantly on a crowded shelf. Her lipstick-packaging and formulas- will stand the test of time. It is why whenever there is a new release from the beauty laboratory, makeup artists and enthusiast are in a frenzy. Well, babes, she’s done it again.

The Big Claim: Directly from Ms. McGrath herself. (via ig, of course)

Prepare to LASH HAUTE with #FetishEYES Mascara. This instantly iconic formulation unleashes the ultimate in pro performance artistry, saturating each individual lash in the most intense black pigment while dramatically lifting and lengthening for unprecedented fullness and maximum volume. Straight from the lab, this all-in-one mascara seamlessly builds from coquettishly feathered to editorially-inspired, for a full-on lash fantasy that becomes more extreme with every swipe. ⚡️⚡️⚡️ The NEW RUNWAY-TESTED, MOTHER-APPROVED FetishEYES Mascara drops 2.14.19 - EXCLUSIVELY at PATMcGRATH.COM. (source)

LiftLength ✔ Max Volume✔

Honestly, what else do you need from a mascara.

FetishEyes Mascara will be available on Feb. 14th for $28 on patmcgrath.com + sephora.com!
Shop here

That’s right, Valentine’s Day! Tell bae to skip the flowers + shit, and just hand your their card so you can order what you really want.

Finally, can we just take a moment to bask in the creative mind of Pat McGrath!

Her aesthetic will have you reaching back in time to revel in her time capsule of beauty knowledge.

Her imagery is like an erotic fever dream. Haunting and beautiful.

It’s classic hollywood meets fetish femmedom. Latex, leather, and passion.

One hell of an eye f**k

4 Beauty Sprays Dry Skin Sufferers Need

@bufferingbetty

Moisturize me!

There are two outrageously terrible symptoms of untreated dry skin. The first is how your skin feels. Your skin can feel so tight that you fear any facial expression you make could force your skin to crack wide open. If it ever reaches the itchy stage, your mind can focus on nothing else until you get that heavy duty moisturizer on your skin. The second symptom is how your skin can look. It's worse because it adds insult to injury. Not only are you physically uncomfortable but now you're self-conscious of all the little flaky patches on your face.

Sometimes, your skin can look as if the outer most layer is
about to shed right off your face like a snake's skin.

For us makeup wearers, untreated dry skin is a nightmare. Your makeup can't look good if your skin ain't right. 

Here are four sprays that make dry skin look and feel JUICY!

For Skin Care:

The time between when you cleanse your skin and apply a moisturizer is very fragile for dry skin survivors. If your skin is still too wet, the moisturizer will slip off your face but you won't even know it. That is until 10 minutes later when you sneeze and you could swear the skin on your forehead must've broken off. I've literally touched my forehead to see if I was bleeding because it hurt so badly. If you wait even a little bit too long to apply moisturizer, well you already know. Itchy. Cracky. Terribleness. 

Tatcha Luminous Dewy Skin Mist 

The Luminous Dewy Skin Mist by Tatcha was an instant hit for me. When the serum spray sunk into my skin, I was amazed by how supple my skin felt. I've bought it a few times and I'll buy it again. Tatcha claims you can use this on top of make up but I don't like to use it that way. Dewy becomes greasy really fast. Take the less is more approach with this spray. 

Related:
Tatcha: The Luxury Skin Care Line Social Media Gurus Go Crazy For: Is It Worth The Hype?

My skin was juicy like a peach!

The mist is fine as hell and so am I. 

Makeup Prep:

If your skin is crusty + dusty, your makeup is dusty + crusty. It's all about that skin prep. The best primer I have used is the Too Faced Hangover Rx Replenishing Face Primer. OMG is it good. When Too Faced came out with the spray version of the creamy primer, I could not wait to get my chubby little hands on it. 

Too Faced Hangover 3-in-1 Replenishing Primer & Setting Spray

I don't know if my bottle was just a dud but the nozzel is pura trash. TBH, I didn't even realize it leaked until I filmed this gif. The mist is FAR from fine. It spits in your face. So spray it in the air and let it fall on your face. However, truth be told, the spray works as well as the original primer. What makes this formula so bomb is the ability it has to keep your skin feeling like it has been freshly moisturized without feeling like you have moisturizer on your face. It's a liquid Houdini! 

Related:
From Hang Over To Hydrated: This Primer Is Top Knotch
Too Faced Product Review

So the real tea is that Too Faced calls this a 3-in-1 product.
Nah. It's just a 1-in-1.

I only use this product as a primer because both formulations leave your skin feeling so sticky. You feel hydrated and look radiant but if you touch your face, there is an undeniable tackiness.  Using this as a setting spray is a hell no. Unless you want to feel like you're a piece of double sided tape all day. It also doesn't help with fine lines or pores but I'll take both over crusty looking skin any day. But probably because I don't have a ton of either. 

OOO, also the scent soothes all of your woes. 

Makeup Set:

Foundation, concealer, powder, highlight, blush, bronzer -layer after layer, babes with dry skin know how we can look after all that powder. I'm not putting in all this effort to look like I have been rolling in the sand. My makeup skill level is intermediate, so I also need a setting spray that brings it all together for me with just a touch of glow.

Related:
Find Your Makeup Skill Level

Milani Make It Last Setting Spray

In the past 6 months, I have bought this product 3 times. While you're reading this, I'm probably on my way to buy another one. It's affordable, it smells good, I look great. Milani is a brand you shouldn't sleep on. This setting spray is an amazing product.

What I like about this setting spray, is that it does not
alter the finish of my makeup.

I picked a foundation for a reason. I chose a powder for a reason. I like how it looks. I just need a little extra help not a totally different look. I like a 'natural glow' over a dewy-sweaty look. I had always used the Make Up For Ever Mist + Fix but I hated how sweaty I looked. This Milani spray gives me the same longevity of the MUFE spray without the 'she's just wet' look. What is tragic about this setting spray is the amount of alcohol in it. I haven't noticed any changes in my skin since using this product but I am always cautious with my dry skin. Take care of your skin especially after wearing makeup. 

Move over, big hair! My radiant goddess dreams achieved. 

On The Go:

Dry skin doesn't care who you are, where you're at, or what you are doing. It chooses when you can look juicy and when you will look stale. The best thing you can do is be prepared. You need moisture with you at all times! This is not a drill. All the time. 

Tony Moly Pocket Bunny Mist

 
 

The contents of my purse include these essential items. Not pictured: 8 lip products in shades of fuchsia berries and my long yellow wallet stuffed with old receipts and about $6 worth of assorted coins. 

Tony Moly has the most adorably packaged products. The Pocket Bunny Moist Mist is no different. This little guy has saved my skin on numerous occasions. It is the only reason I was able to turn on the heat in my car without fear this past winter. Heating and air cooling systems alike make my skin feel like a piece of toast that has been left out overnight. I drive a lot. I love that I can just pop this spray out of my bag, give myself a little spritz and feel so comfortable.

It doesn't disrupt my makeup.

Everyone that rides with me, in the winter months particularly, has had me spray them in the face with my little bunny. Yes! They did like it!

No ashy hands over here!

Tell me how you tackle your dry skin!! What spray should I try next?

#blackexcellence IRL At The In Her Shoes Black Women-Owned Holiday Bazaar

@bufferingbetty

The Black Girl Magic Event Of The Season

This past Saturday, Dec. 2nd, I had the pleasure of attending the In Her Shoes Black Women-Owned Holiday Bazaar in New York City. I got to meet dozens of black, female, entrepreneurs, bloggers, and people ready to support one another. They each came from a different background. Each woman had her own unique, "Why I started this business" story. All of them empowered one another. 

Renae Bluitt was the mastermind behind this event that showcased the power of black female entrepreneurs.  She is the founder and creator of the In Her Shoes Blog and Crush Media. She writes,

“I’ve always been intrigued by other women’s stories: their “a-ha” moments, successes, struggles, and most importantly, what inspires them to fight the good fight when times get tough” (source).

This passion for story sharing inspired her to create her documentary film She Did That. The film tells the stories of 5 black female businesswomen that are shattering their industries. She Did That centers on Luvvie Ajayi: best selling author of I’m Judging You, Lisa Price: the creator of the brand, Carol’s Daughter, Melissa Butler: the creator of The Lip Bar, Tonya Rapley: the creator of My Fab Finance, and finally on Renae Bluitt's In Her Shoes Blog story.

Renae is really out here fighting for women! She is an entrepreneur who is not just focused on her own success. Renae Bluitt is creating pathways that allow the grossly neglected population of black women to be seen, to be heard, and supported as business women!

Read more about how, in her own words, in Renae’s blog post, Walmart Supports “She Did That.” & Ramps Up Supplier Inclusion Initiatives (a must read!).  

Watching the sneak peek of She Did That was exhilarating.  The preview included part of the story of the creator of Carol’s Daughter, Lisa Price. It resonated with me. She shared about her experience of struggling in her undergraduate career. Price talked about her battle with depression; needing help but not having the courage to ask. From a vulnerable stage of her life, she found the strength to rise and eventually build a company whose products are easy to find.

The full documentary is set to release in 2018 and based on the short glimpse I saw, it is something that all goal setters must watch and study! These 5 driven women are an inspiration!

After the documentary preview and panel discussion, the Holiday Bazaar was open for business. Here are just a few of the things I found. 

First, we have our very own Pepper B. doing demonstrations of how you can blend your skincare with your makeup for the ultimate healthy glow. She teamed up with Bloomsbury Square, a vegan skincare company, to give shoppers skin to envy. 
 

Bloomsbury Square was founded by Niambi. “I delight in making products that let nature do what it does best: nurture the body and mind” (source). Using their Featherlight Cucumber SkinNectar with Clary Sage + Geranium, Pepper blended the lightweight oil with a loose pigment to give me the melted peachy highlight of my dreams. I was already wearing makeup and thought that applying an oil could disrupt my “I ain’t woke up like dis, I worked for dis” makeup. Girl. When she finished blending my highlight, I was ready to do some serious exploring at the In Her Shoes Black Women Owned Holiday Bazaar. And off I went!

"Vegan, pure, affordable products inspired by indigenous herbalism and healing." Bloomsbury sq

Find more of Bloomsbury Square here!

Very early in the day, I found myself being pulled in by the force of a sheet mask. A black lace sheet mask to be exact! Eve Milan is a skincare company founded by an esthetician who has 10 years of experience to draw from (source). Eden Gilliam designed these sheet masks to be hydrating without the use of oils. Most sheet masks make you look pretty creepy. Eve Milan’s The Lacial Masque will make you look mysterious. 

"A 5-free skincare line designed to restore confidence back into your skin and give it a healthy glow without the use of harsh chemicals." Eve Milan NY

Find more of Eve Milan NY here!

Next, I headed to our friends over at The Lip Bar. This company is the brainchild of Melissa Butler, one of the 5 featured entrepreneurs in the She Did That film. While there, I met a blogger who loves this company as much as I do. She asked me why I liked The Lip Bar so much. I pointed to this poster and said, “That image right there.” Loyal meetpepperb.com readers must remember back when I reviewed their signature shade, Bawse Lady. I basically fangirled. The imagery used by The Lip Bar is untethered.

On a wall covered in beauty campaigns, The Lip Bar’s vision is striking and magnetic. I was thrilled to see that their table was swarming all day with shoppers ready to drop coin on their lipsticks!

Read Pepper’s interview of Melissa Butler here.

Read my review of the liquid matte lipstick in Bawse Lady here. And Amanda’s review of liquid matte lipstick in Man Eater here

“I am passionate about creating an inclusive narrative on what beauty is and reminding women that we don't have to settle for anything.” Melissa Butler

Find more from The Lip Bar here!

There was another friend of meetpepperb.com who was a vendor at the In Her Shoes Black Women Owned Holiday Bazaar. LIT Brooklyn is a homemade candle company founded by Denequa Williams. These soy candles are a favorite of our website. The scents Joy and Home were quickly added to my mental wishlist. Citrus scents give me life!

Read Pepper’s Interveiw of Denequa Williams here.
 

“Made from our homes to be enjoyed in yours.” - Denequa Williams

More from LIT Brooklyn here!
 

Jasmine Lawrence sought to remedy her damaged hair dating back to when she was 11 years old! (source). She’s a healthy hair guru prodigy! Lawrence created Eden Bodyworks. They had one of the most extensive lines of product to be featured at the Holiday Bazaar. They even had a range of products for kids. 

Eden Bodyworks distributed a bag of samples featuring a new product line scented with Almond + Marshmallow. Included in the bag was their Split End Repair Masque, Hydration Serum, and Therapy Leave-In Conditioner. I don’t know how Eden Bodyworks took two very sweet scents, almond and MARSHMALLOW, and somehow crafted something that doesn’t suffocate your nose. When I opened the products, I was very hesitant to give it a sniff test. I feared the worst. But I was very wrong. It smells amazing! Because I just have sample sizes, I am very hesitant to give our readers a review. I don’t think I can give an in-depth review the way I like to. However, if you are interested in hearing a ‘first impressions’ type of review, leave a comment saying so!

“EDEN BodyWorks™ provides natural products that integrate wellness and beauty inspired by nature to restore and maintain the hair and body’s original design.” Eden Bodyworks
 

More on Eden Bodyworks here!
 

FInally, we come to Limegreen. This skincare line prides itself on products that are multifunctional. Multi Oil, Multi Wash, Multi Spray, and even a Multi Candle - it’s bomb, too. Aromatherapy that melts into a massage oil so you can calm your nerves and soothe your muscles.

While speaking with one of it’s founders, I learned that this company was born from wanting to help a friend in need. Her friend was diagnosed with cancer. Cancer patients are restricted to what products they can use on their skin based on the treatment they could be receiving. She told me that one day after work, she decided to pop into Whole Foods to see what she can blend together to help her friend.

From there, giving relief to a friend, bloomed into a passion project that flourished into a business.

I took home with me a bottle of Limegreen’s Multi Oil scented with lotus. How great is this packaging! There is prideful showmanship in the way the box opens up like a door revealing what’s behind curtain number 1. While at the event, I tested the oil on my dry-growing out-bleached blonde hair focusing on my ends. Did this oil not make my hair look and feel like silk! I was impressed!

I have since tried it on my face, just once, though. You will get a full review in the future. It’s basically Winter, so my skin concern, along with the fading of my golden summer glow, is dry, flaky skin. Mostly on my forehead. When I applied the oil, I expected to have to add an extra drop to my forehead because it usually needs extra TLC. Not the case! My forehead did not feel tight or itchy and the best part is that my skin did not feel sticky or greasy from the oil! While the oil is marketed as a makeup remover, I don’t really see myself using it that way because the oil is kind of thick. Which is great for hydration, but I don’t love that for cleansing. I will test it out and write about it for a full review.

"Through natural, multi-use products, Limegreen aims to promote a lifestyle that is healthy for the body, sustainable for the environment, and unifying for people of all backgrounds." Limegreen

Find more Limegreen here!

There were so many more brands at the In Her Shoes Black Women Owned Holiday Bazaar. This event was an exhibit of the entrepreneurship of black women. Renae Bluitt shared a statistic that black women-owned businesses “generate $52.6 billion” (source). There was music, wine, artists, and there was even a proposal at the end! Congrats! Make sure you check out In Her Shoe Blog and keep your eyes open for the release of She Did That. Thank you for having us!

Full list of vendors here

It's holiday time! If you want to support more black women owned business, check out Renae's shopping guide.
In Her Shoes Shopping Guide: 75 Black Women-Owned Brands to Know, Love & Support here

Special shout out to my Kiss & Recharge Powerbank Luxe! Kept me charged and connected all day! Link to shop below!

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Dose of Colors Desi X Katy Collection Relaunch: Must Haves (and what you can pass on)

The DesixKaty collection from Dose of Colors relaunches today, Sunday 9/24/17 at 6pm PST!! It launched in mid-August and " sold out in less than a day" (Allure). 

Dose of Colors is an indie brand that is no being sold at Ulta online. The also make my absolute favorite liquid lipstick in the shade Berry Me 2. Every time I think I've found a new fave, I wear Berry Me 2 and I'm hooked all over again. Desi Perkins and Lusterlux (Katy) are each influencer with a large following. They amass  5.5 million followers on Instagram, over 1.1 million followers on Twitter, and 4.3 followers on Youtube. The whole collection features 2 liquid lipsticks, 2 nude creme lipsticks, a gloss, and eyeshadow palette. If you want to know what is a true must-have for this collection, keep reading :)

 

The nude and rose gold packaging is just beautiful. The lipsticks have soft touch outer layer for similar to the feel of a NARS lipstick. Each highlighter and the eyeshadow palette is wrapped in a rose gold shimmer that is shimmers in a way that you can't look away. I'm -a little obsessed.

The GIrls palette is named for their dogs! Each shade is named a nickname for their dog. I have three yorkies, so obviously, I'm a dog person and just love that. The full shimmer palette was made with the idea that most makeup wearers have their go-to matte shades. Some folks did not like that but I really didn't mind. I rather have a palette full of unique shades than yet another -can I say it' dame warm neutrals palette. What I don't love about the formula is that they the shades are made to be used with your finger. I have very small lids so that doesn't always work for me. However, I love the colors. Each shade has so much dimension. They are comparable to a UD Moondust shadow but with more... everything. More pigment in the base shade and tons of sparkles. My favorite shade is Turbosan. Truthfully, I don't think this palette is a must have. I would if I could use it with a brush because I really do love the colors. When I've tried, the colors aren't as potent. Harpoon and Suz are meant to be used wet. When you do, have and asthma pump near by because -stunning. Yeah, just stunning. 

More Creamer Please is the nude lipstick my skin tone has been waiting for. It is a brownish peach shade perfect for deeper medium tones and even deeper. There is a lighter nude called 'No Shade.' The formula of this lipstick is creamy and hydrating. This is a must have! Dose of Colors really does know how to do a lipstick. 

Dose of Colors makes an amazing liquid lipstick formula. The color is so rich! It is a mousse like formula with a comfortable finish. I've been wearing their lipsticks for years and never have a problem. The only application note you need to keep in mind is that you need to let the formula dry down or you will move the color around like I did in the swatch of Hot Fire. You can see in the center wear my lips touch that the color looks lifted but that was pure application error. This almost neon red-orange shade, Hot Fire, is a little bit tricky to get an even finish but you can finish it easier with a brush. Savage though -amazing! It is so dark and vampy. Of course, a fall staple. The lipstick wears down to a nice stain. If I had to choose just one, I would painfully take Savage and just miss Hot Fire with great sorrow. I see myself getting much more use out of Savage. Year round, not just when people are fighting over pumpkin spice lattes (which aren't all that anywayz -needed to be said!).

The DesixKaty collection from Dose of Colors launched with two highlighters. A rose gold  shade called Mirame (Me-rrah-meh - please try to pronounce it. No es tan dificil). As well as Fuego which is a champagne gold. I just picked up Fuego. When I applied it to my cheeks, I immediately regretted being cheap and not getting Mirame as well. It is not just your run of the mill highlighter. Your skin looks wet! It doesn't look like a chunk of eyeshadow on your cheek, it looks like it was always meant to be there. The highlight is a must-have product. 

 

My absolute top two picks from this collection were the Savage Liquid Lipstick and the Fuego highlighter. 

 

What did/will you get from the DesiXKaty Collection from Dose of Colors?

Fenty Beauty Just Dropped And Here Is Everything You Need To Know

@bufferingbetty here! I love Rihanna so when I found out she was launching a cosmetic brand -I fangirled! Here is what you need to know about Fenty Beauty!

Fashion icon, Rihanna, just dropped her very own cosmetic line. It is nothing like we have seen recently with other celeb makeup lines that exist only in low quantities on one website. Fenty Beauty launched in 17 countries. On its own website, sephora.com and harveynichols.com (UK), and in stores at Sephora and Harvey Nichols. Go ahead -fangirl!

Fenty Beauty's products price in ranges from $54 for a trio, $34 for a single at max item to $10 for a refill. Honestly, that is way more affordable than I expected. However, it shouldn't be. Rihanna designed this line with inclusion in mind. That begins with skin tones but it must also involves accessibility. If her prices were too high, she would be alienating part of her fan base. She was very hands on with this whole project, she even hand picked the models. 

Launch party dress; photo from here

On her Facebook Live, which covered Fenty Beauty's launch party, when asked what was most important to her about creating her cosmetic line Rihanna said, "I wanted girls to feel included. I wanted all my friends to feel included." She goes on to talk about how her friends all talk about having a hard time finding something that works on their skin and she wanted to make sure that she had something for everyone. That social responsibility that Rihanna felt, a responsibility so many beauty brands negate, is why Fenty Beauty is calling itself "Beauty for all."

Swatch of Fenty Beauty's Gloss Bomb Universal Lip Luminizer from Harveynichols.com

 

Rihanna was asked if she had to pick one item from Fenty Beauty that everyone needed to have, what would she choose. She threw her head back and pressed her hands together, you could tell she didn't want to choose just one! She finally answered: Killa Watt. Her Freestyle Highlighters

Fenty Beauty isn't just liquid lipstick and liners. It is 40 shades of foundation, it a primer, powder and stick highlighters, it is tools, it is travel-friendly. It is was obvisouly designed by someone who knows makeup and is passionate about it. Crafted to bring something to the beauty industry and not just to reap the benefits of its name. 

Stand Out Products From Fenty Beauty

Pro Filt'r Soft Matte Longwear Foundation; $34

Medium buildable coverage for all skin types, formulated with 'climate-adaptive technology that’s resistant to sweat and humidity.' Girl, I needed this is July!

Match Stix Shimmer Skinstick; $25

Made to be fun! Embrace a color you wouldn't typically wear as a highlight. At the Fenty Beauty launch party, Rihanna repeated said, "It's makeup, have fun. Play and don't be serious!" Her products 100% cruelty-free!

Heart went into this line! I can't wait to try some myself. Thank you, Fenty Beauty for remembering the importance of inclusion! It would have been easy to release 10 shades of foundation and call it a day but you went above and beyond! Good luck and I'm excited to see what else you come up with!