just have fun, smile, and keep putting on lipstick.

Sometimes a makeup product knocks your socks off. Other times, it lets you down. This is one of the risks you take when you try something new....or fall in love with a product you can't test in store. And this is exactly what happened to me. In my local drugstore, there was a display of new Rimmel lip products. Being a fan of Rimmel products in general (the 3-in-1 bronzer is one of my must-haves!) I was more than a little excited. Especially when I saw what was on that display. The Provocalips 16 Hour Kiss Proof Lip Colour. I am always on the hunt for lip products wit longevity. There is nothing I hate more than rocking a gorgeous shade only to find it gone by the time you hit the powder room.

So, my expectations were high. I wanted this to live up to the claims. I wanted it to be another must-have item in my makeup collection. The claims were as follows: kiss proof, transfer proof, trouble proof, moisturized lips all day long, easy to remove. Well, one of those claims were accurate: easy to remove! This lip product was a total flop. Sigh.....

On one end it has the lip colour itself and on the other, the colour sealing top coat. I picked up the darkest shade, Heart Breaker. I immediately fell in love with the colour. As you can see from the picture above, it is super sultry and gorgeous. I could not resist! When I applied the colour (Step one) I was wowed. How rich! How beautiful! How luxurious! The colour itself was everything I was looking for. I waited, applied the top coat, and got ready to start my day.

This is where the trouble started. A half hour later, I took a drink of water. There went half of the colour. Then I gave my fiance a kiss on cheek. And there went the rest of it. I was left with a bit of splotchy looking lipstick and nothing more. That gorgeous colour? Gone. Those 16 hour claims? A total joke. Not deterred, I decided to give this another try. Maybe I didn't put enough of the top coat on. Or I didn't wait long enough for the colour to dry! Surely this product couldn't be that bad, right? On tries two, three, and four, the results were the same. The colour did not last - and actually lasted for less than any other lip product I own.

Below is a picture of me post-glass of water. As you can see, the colour is pretty but it is already starting to fade. Trust me, it only got worse from that point on. I wish I had been smart enough to snap an "after" photo!

Overall, this was a major miss for me. Yes, the colour was gorgeous....but it just didn't have the staying power. If you have claims for "16 hours" of wear then it needs to be able to last. The concept is similar to the Cover Girl 24-hour lip products. The main difference? The Cover Girl ones work! Definitely disappointed in this product. I can't see myself trying it again and I certainly wouldn't pick up another shade.

Let me know if you have tried the Provocalips 16 Hour Kiss Proof Lip Colour from Rimmel. What was your experience like?

xo Shannon

you were given this life because you are strong enough to live it.

If there is one person I admire, it is Jillian Michaels. Her no-nonsense, this is going to suck, attitude is refreshing. Especially when you have tried workout video after workout video where the trainer smiles non-stop. So not realistic. The reality for me is that I hate working out. I do not enjoy feeling the burn, sweating it out, or raising my heart rate. Despite this, health and fitness is something that intrigues me. I love the idea of living a healthier life, setting (and achieving) goals, and becoming a stronger version of yourself. A few years back, I went to see Jillian speak on her motivational tour. It was an amazing night that inspired me and pushed me to work harder. 

Since then, I have made major changes. Like drinking more water, snacking less, trying new foods, and working out on a regular basis. But I wanted to kick things up a notch. With the spring and summer months looming, I felt compelled to set new goals. Working out four to five times a week was one thing....but I wanted more. My goals for the summer? Go running as much as possible. Participate in a 5K. Wear a crop top. How realistic these goals are is yet to be seen. But I wanted to make sure I was able to make those goals a reality. 

That is why I picked up the Jillian Michaels Body Revolution DVD set about a month and a half ago. I wanted the stability of having a routine in place and I loved the idea that the workouts were constantly changing. Basically, the program is made up of 15 DVDs. (It also comes with a food journal, cook book, and online access to her website.) There are three phases and each one comes with four strength DVDs and one cardio DVD. As of right now I am halfway through phase 2....and it is brutal. Half the time my body is shaking so hard during the workout that I think I won't be able to finish it. But then I do. And I feel more proud than I can describe. 

I wanted to save this post until I had actually finished the program but I couldn't wait. As you can imagine, working out six days a week has made exercise a big part of my daily life. Unfortunately, I don't have a huge support system. My fiance is great and encourages me to send him workout selfies and tell him how things are going. But my family has no idea I've even begun doing this. Or that I work out at all. They generally think these sorts of things are silly. (Not working out necessarily but exercise DVDs and celebrity trainers.) I guess that makes it harder in a lot of ways....but I am pushing through. I am motivating myself to be better and stronger than I have ever been before. And that is what really matters. 

So, that is where I am now. About halfway through the program. I will be sure to do a full update (with actual progress, stats, overall experience stuff) once I have made it through the Body Revolution! Until then, I wanted to share a few motivational Jillian quotes. Just in case you are starting a fitness journey of your own - or need a little push on a Sunday afternoon. 

How do you stay motivated? Do you have a fitness routine?

xo Shannon

creating a rocker ponytail with halo hair

Hair is something I have been thinking a lot about lately. At the moment, my hair has reached that strange half-grown out phase. That leaves me two options: get it cut shorter and cleaned up or keep letting it grow. With my wedding coming up this summer, I am opting for the latter. While I wait? I have been looking into hair extensions. I really wanted a way to add some length - at least until I my hair grows out again! Thankfully, I was able to try Halo Hair Extensions. 

This was a totally new experience for me. In the past, I have tried clip-in extensions for a night out...but nothing more than that. Halo Hair Extensions were very different. In a good way! I tend to struggle getting clip-in pieces to stay put. That was what I loved about the design of these. They have an innovative concept that gets rid of clips, tape, glue, and all the rest. The design itself has an adjustable clear band (aka the "miracle wire") and the hair is attached. It slips onto your head and you simply pull the top layer of your hair through. The idea instantly wowed me. Which is why I used it to create a rocker inspired ponytail for an evening look!

Take a look at how it turned out....and then I will walk you through the process.

As you can see from the picture above, I really wanted to do something dramatic, edgy, and fun. That is why I paired this hairstyle with dark smokey eye makeup and a sultry red lip. Love! Now for the hair itself....I started by separating my hair into two sections: a top section and bottom section. I clipped the top section out of the way and then tied the bottom layer into a ponytail. Next up, it was time to use my Halo Hair Extensions. 

I put it on top of that bottom ponytail then unclipped the top layer down. From there, I scooped up my hair and put it into a high ponytail. Then it was time for the finishing touches. I used the pointy end of the comb to create a bit of volume on top. Then I teased the length to give it a messy, rocker inspired look. I finished it all off with a bit of hairspray and was ready to go! Overall, I absolutely loved the way this hairstyle turned out. It was so much fun to create - and it was really easy. I found the hair extensions to be easy to use and so so soft. I was definitely impressed.

Here are a few more picture of my rocker ponytail. Let me know what you think of it:

Doing something different with my hair? Fun. Having options while my hair grows out? Even better. I was so happy with the way my hair looked. It was an instant boost of confidence. I had a lot of fun getting creative and trying something new. Only time will tell what look I will try out next.....

To find out more about Halo Hair Extensions, be sure to check out their website: http://www.halohairextensions.com/

Have you tried Halo Hair Extensions before? What type of extensions do you use?

xo Shannon

don't wait for the perfect moment. make the moment perfect.

Some weeks are busier than others. The slower weeks are a blissful time to reduce my stress levels. The busier weeks? Those are long and draining. Last week was one of those crazy busy, too much going on, endless to-do list kind of weeks. It was exhausting. Parts of it were good....great even....and other parts just left me totally exhausted. In between a mountain of work, there were also a number of personal get togethers and events. Like celebrating St. Patrick's Day with a friend, going to see Frozen On Ice with my mom, apartment viewings with my fiance (and getting the apartment we wanted! Yay!), and heading to a friends party.

Yes, this past week has been pretty hectic. Since I am the type of person who likes schedules, planning, and routine, it is always a little tricky when a bunch of things disrupt that. Despite all of the stress and everything else....there were a lot of highlights. So, I thought I would share a few pictures from the week. Take a look!

St. Patrick's Day Celebrations included: a few drinks, a movie, and a chance to catch up and socialize. Oh, and plenty of green! 

Frozen On Ice included: an afternoon of shopping with my mom, lots of cotton candy, and the best snowman ever....Olaf! 

A friends party included: lots of lashes, glitter eyeshadow, big hair, and of course, some good company.

Last week was definitely more jam-packed than usual. In some ways that was a good thing. I had a lot of fun letting loose, being social, and making memories. On the other hand? I definitely hope this week will be a lot more low key.....

What has your week been like so far? How are you keeping busy?

xo Shannon

put on some lipstick and live a little.

I have tried more than one or two lip products in  my life. The exact number? I can't even imagine. Lately I have been on a total lip colour frenzy. There is something about the arrival of spring (it's coming.....I know it is coming.....!) that is making me absolutely and completely obsessed with lipstick. New shades, new textures, new products. I can't get enough of them. During my recent drugstore haul, I decided to pick up the Cover Girl Outlast All Day Lip Colour in the shade Coral. Out of all the drugstore brands, Cover Girl is not one I have a lot from. But I decided to give this product a chance. And I am so glad that I did.

What drew me in was the all day claim. I am always looking for lip products that last. I am not the kind of girl to re-apply my lipstick throughout the day. I am more of a set it and forget it type. There is nothing I hate more than worrying that my face isn't holding up! Which is why this particular lip product was so intriguing. It came with a highly pigmented gloss and a balm to go over top. Basically, you apply the lip colour, let it sit for a full minute, and then apply the lip balm over top. Here is a closer look at the two lip products....

What surprised me the most about this lip product? That lip colour! The coral was highly pigmented, had this gorgeous sheen, and went on so smoothly. It was actually hard for me to believe that this was so affordable. I was just blown away by the rich colour and ease of use. In terms of colour and application? Absolutely wonderful. In terms of longevity? I loved it just as much. While it did not last for the "up to 24 hours" it claimed on the box, it did last. The colour stayed on my lips for about six hours without budging. That is more than enough to keep me happy! I was so so impressed with the quality. (So much so that I ended up picking up another shade from this line later on.)

Are you ready to take a look at this lip colour in action? This is the look I came up with to showcase that gorgeous coral shade.....

Great pigmentation, a beautiful colour, smooth texture, long lasting, and easy to wear. What more could a makeup lover ask for? I was pleasantly surprised by the Cover Girl Outlast All Day Lip Colour. While it didn't last for 24 hours....it was gorgeous and had great longevity for a lip product. I absolutely love the way I feel wearing it.

What do you think of this shade? Have you tried any of the colours from this line?

xo Shannon

a brush is just a brush until you use it to create something.

I don't often buy things for display. Especially when it comes to makeup and beauty products. Nine times out of ten, I pick things that are functional. Things that I can incorporate into my every day routine. But every now and again, I come across something so beautiful that I simply cannot bear to use it! While this isn't something I do often, I completely and totally fell in love with a brush from Flower Beauty.

What was it about this brush? For starters, the foundation brush had ultra thick bristles. Unlike most of the other foundation brushes I have had over the years, there was so much thickness that I could just imagine the product spreading seamlessly across the skin. (Not that I am planning to use it in the near future....but still!) The bristles were white and faded into a darker colour. It looked elegant, beautiful, and the texture was nice and soft.

As for the rest of the brush, I love that it stands up. All on its own. Unlike the rest of my brushes that get stored in cups and containers, this one requires nothing but a flat surface. It features a wide base on the bottom and a thick handle. That makes it so easy to stand up and show off on your vanity. The black and gold combination looks elegant, sophisticated, and effortlessly beautiful. I absolutely love the way it looks - from top to bottom!

It is rare that I fall in love with a makeup brush the way I have. There is something about the quality, appearance, and overall usefulness that is totally out of this world. I think Flower Beauty has an awful lot of stand out items in their collection. This brush is definitely one of them.

Have you tried any of the Flower Beauty makeup brushes?

xo Shannon

be in it for the long haul.

There is one thing I have been trying to do less of....and that is buying makeup. I find this tremendously difficult because makeup is my biggest passion. I love trying new products, playing with colours, getting creative, and expanding my skills. Despite trying to cut back, I gave myself a drugstore splurge day a little while back. Were there new things I wanted to try? Things I had been curious about? Grab em!

As you can see from the picture above, I ended up grabbing a bunch of new things. That included the Joe Fresh Radiant Face Serum, Cover Girl Age Defying Pressed Powder, Elf Pout & Pucker Lip Set, the Milani Brow and Eye Highlight, the L'Oreal Eva Longoria Lipstick, Wet n' Wild Lipstick, the Cover Girl Outlast lip product, and the Maybelline Fit Me Stick Foundation (re-purchase).

Since I ended up buying a number of new products, I thought that I would make this post a haul and mini-review. Just some quick highlights on a few of the products. There will be full reviews for the Cover Girl Outlast and the Elf Pout & Pucker Lip Set in the weeks to come. Ready to get started? This is a closer look at my drugstore makeup haul.

Let's start with the skin! I have been looking at skincare products a lot lately. This is probably because I am getting married in four months....and I really want my skin to look perfect. I decided to give the Joe Fresh Radiant Face Serum a try. Largely because of the claims. Brighten, hydrate, and tone? Sounds good to me! I have been using this twice a day for the last few weeks and so far I don't notice any difference. But I am not giving up yet. I know that certain skin care products take a while before you start to notice the results. So, I am going to continue and cross my fingers.

The next part of my haul was the Cover Girl Age-Defying Pressed Powder. I know a lot of people prefer high end powders but personally I have never seen the advantage. I have really dry skin on my face and find that pressed powders tend to do more harm than good. Which is why I typically choose a drugstore powder and use it just on my nose and my under eye area. I wanted to try something different so I opted for this one. So far so good! It has surprisingly good coverage and a very silky texture. Plus, the packaging is really pretty. Bonus!

I also picked up the Milani Brow & Eye Highlighter. This is one that I have been eyeing for a while thanks to the rave reviews over on Beauty Broadcast. On one end is a soft taupe to fill in your brows and on the other is a lighter shade for underneath the brows. The consistency is creamy and easy to use - so I love that. Unfortunately, that taupe shade is way too light for my dark brows...but the highlight is perfection! It gives me the sculpted brows I am after. 

This lipstick comes from Wet n' Wild. In general I am a big fan of this brand. Their eyeshadows are the absolute best to come out of the drugstore. Hands down. Some of their other products are more hit and miss, but there was something about this shade. That soft pretty pink just called to me! It delivered on the colour. It looks absolutely beautiful. The formula itself is a bit dry sadly. I plan to layer it with a lip balm to counteract that dryness. Simple fix for a gorgeous shade.

Now to finish off this drugstore haul post! One of the other items I picked up was a lipstick from L'Oreal. They had a line of lip colours inspired by certain celebrities. The one I chose was Eva Longoria. The shade Eva's Nude was a deep nude colour that is super sexy and easy to wear. The reason I picked this? I love Eva and I loved the packaging as well. It is sleek and sultry and has a print of her signature on it. So pretty!

Overall, this drugstore haul was a major success. It was so much fun to splurge and pick up a few new things. Just as fun? Trying everything out. Nothing could be more thrilling.

What do you think of these products? Have you tried any?

Editing Note: Since Milani chose to contribute to a campaign that involved the harassment and bullying of a domestic violence survivor, I no longer support the brand and do not recommend their products. Spend your money wisely and look elsewhere. 

xo Shannon

may your blessings outnumber the shamrocks that grow.

There are few things I love as much as holidays. Not just the big ones....but all of them. There is something special about taking time to have fun, let loose, and spend time with people you love. And hey, if you get to dress up and get creative at the same time? That is a total bonus! It is no wonder I am so excited about St. Patrick's Day this year. (Even if it does fall on a Tuesday.) It gives me an excuse to put on my green t-shirt, put together a green-inspired makeup look, and be social. What could be better than that?

Over the past few years, St. Patrick's Day in particular has taken on a special meaning to me. It is the day that my fiance and I officially met. Every year since then, we have always tried to do something to celebrate. Last year he even bought me a festive t-shirt and a pair of green sunglasses. It made the celebrations even better! Unfortunately, this year he is working on St. Patrick's Day. Despite this, I know it will still be an amazing celebration. My friend and I are planning to get dressed up, head out for a few drinks, and check out a movie. I am ridiculously excited for all of the fun that the evening has to offer. And all of the green, too!

Since St. Patrick's Day is tomorrow, I thought it was only fitting that I put together a little inspiration post. This will be full of pictures and quotes that are making me ridiculously excited for all of the festivities. Take a look and get ready to get inspired yourself....

St. Patrick's Day is an enchanted time - a day to begin 

transforming winter's dreams into summer's magic.  - Adrienne Cook

For each petal on the shamrock

This brings a wish your way -

Good health, good luck, and happiness

For today and every day.

May the Irish hills caress you.

May her lakes and rivers bless you.

May the luck of the Irish enfold you.

May the blessings of Saint Patrick behold you.

Never iron a four-leaf clover, because you don't want to press your luck.

I love holidays. And I especially love St. Patrick's Day. Not only does it have a sentimental meaning to me but it is a great way to kick-start the beginning of spring and have a little fun. How will the evening go? I will be sure to keep you posted.

How are you planning to celebrate St. Patrick's Day this year?

xo Shannon

anyone can say they care but not everyone can prove it.

Unexpected things happen. Like the time my mouth started hurting. A lot. One minute everything was fine and the next I was experiencing severe sharp pains. It was so bad that I couldn't sleep at night, I had difficulty getting through work, and my focus was totally off. I called my dentist and ended up going in for an emergency root canal. Joy! Needless to say, the last couple of weeks have been interesting. Part one and two of said root canal have caused me an awful lot of pain and suffering. Not to mention a massive medical bill.

Thankfully, my fiance has been absolutely wonderful. When the pain started, he made me this super sweet survival kit. It was full of things to help me get through the dental visit. It included practical items like Tylenol and an ice pack, fun things like Archie comics and a magazine with Khloe Kardashian on the cover, and cute things like a lip shaped pillow and a Katy Perry perfume. I felt so spoiled - but super grateful. His thoughtfulness made it all seem a little bit better.

Since I am currently recovering from part two of the root canal....I thought that I would show you all the survival kit!

Tooth pain? Not so great. Knowing my fiance is always there to make things better? Priceless. Lately I have been focused on removing negative people and negative emotions from my life. His gesture re-affirmed why I need to continue this. Caring and loving people? They matter. Everyone else is a waste of precious time and energy.

Who takes care of you when you aren't feeling well? What do you think of this survival kit?

xo Shannon

black and blue.

Makeup is a big part of my life. I love putting together looks that are fun, flirty, and wearable. But every now and again? I like to do something totally extreme....just because. Makeup is such a unique form of expression. That is why I find it so exhilarating to play around, get creative, and see what I can come up with. Lately, it has been lipstick. I have been on the hunt for colours that were totally different from anything I had. Forget pink, red, purple, and nudes. I was desperate to get my hands on black and blue.

After a trip to Sephora, I managed to do just that. I picked up (the very last) Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Slayer and the OCC Lip Tar in Pool Boy. The first was a rich black shade and the second, a bold and bright blue. Both were bold, dramatic, and totally different. And that is what made them so exciting to play around with. So, what do they look like in action? And how did I feel about the products? Here is my black and blue inspired makeup......

My first purchase was the Kat Von D Studded Kiss Lipstick in Slayer. I have a couple of other shades from this line and I love them. In terms of colour variety and pigmentation they are fantastic. However, I do find them a bit drying on the lips. Slayer was the same. A bit drying? Yes. Gorgeous? Yes. Black lipstick is totally over the top for me. But I was inspired after seeing Khloe Kardashian rock it in a glam-chic kind of way. Surprisingly, I actually loved the way it looked! Instead of being too edgy, I found it to be totally glamorous. Even my fiance (who was very hesitant when I mentioned black lipstick) thought it looked good! That is always a good sign.

I absolutely fell in love with this black lipstick. Take a look and let me know what you think!

Next up? The OCC Lip Tar in Pool Boy. I have heard rave reviews about the lip tars for ages - and was super excited to try one of them out. The colour I chose was super bright and dramatic. What can I say? I was looking for something totally different. It is not exactly suitable for a dinner date or a trip to the mall. But it was still tons of fun! I cannot wait to pick up a few more shades and mix them together. In terms of the quality, these lived up to the hype. Super pigmented, easy to apply, and very, very, very long lasting. What could be better?

Pool Boy may not be the most wearable on its own...but I am looking forward to having fun with it! Take a look at it in action.

So, these were my recent lip product experiments. Black and blue edition! It was a lot of fun to step out of my comfort zone and embrace more dramatic looks. Will I be wearing these out and about? Who knows! I am definitely committed to embracing the black lipstick. I love it so so much. As for the bright blue? I am looking for shades to mix it with and other ways to wear it. Stepping out of my makeup comfort zone was a ton of fun....and I can't wait to do it again.

What do you think of these shades?

xo Shannon

YouTube: NYC Expert Last Lip Color Haul and Review!

It finally happened. My first proper video is up on the creation of beauty is art. YouTube channel. You might remember a post I made a few weeks back about my decision to start filming videos. It was a long time coming. Even still, it seems surreal that an actual video is up on my channel. You know, other than an introduction one! I am slowly getting more comfortable being in front of the camera but I think it will take time until I am able to totally relax and let go. Despite my nerves, I actually had a lot of fun filming this. It felt good to just sit and talk makeup. That isn't something I get to do very often....blog aside!

So, what is my video about? I decided to do a haul and review of some lip products I recently added to my makeup collection. They were from the NYC Expert Last Lip Color line. At about $2 per lipstick, it was a makeup bargain I couldn't resist. Are you ready to see the shades I picked out and some swatches? Then be sure to check out my latest YouTube video below:



As you can see from the video, I was all about trying out bolder shades. There is a very good reason for this. With spring and summer on the way, I am ready to embrace look-at-me lips. The brighter, the better! Here is a closer look at the NYC lipsticks I added to my makeup collection.

Left to Right: Red Rapture, Forever Fuchsia, Blue Rose, Velvety Fuchsia, Coralista, Sugar Plum. 

There is something indescribably exciting about trying out new makeup. And honestly? There is something equally exciting about creating videos, expressing myself, and stepping out of my comfort zone. It is early days yet....but so far, I am loving every minute.

If you get the chance, please check out the creation of beauty is art. YouTube channel, like, comment, and subscribe! 

Have you tried any of the NYC Expert Last Lip Color shades?

xo Shannon

reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.

Reading is important. Unfortunately, it seems that a lot of people these days are reading less than they used to. At least from what I have seen, heard, and observed. It makes me sad. When I ask someone what their favourite book is, they don't have an answer. When I ramble on about a literary love, I get blank expressions. These days, so much of what we do is skimming and glancing...shoved into our all too busy schedules. That means less time for leisure, relaxation, and hobbies like reading a good book. Or two. Or three.

Even in my own experience, I know how difficult it can be to fit reading time in. For me? I work multiple jobs. That means almost every moment of my days are planned out and accounted for with very little wiggle room. Once you add in spending time with my fiance, family members, and friends, there is next to no additional time. That makes reading a lot more challenging. But not impossible!

Over the last few months I have been focusing on making time for me. One of the best ways to do that? Reading. There is something so beautiful about reading a good book. You can get lost in a story, discover new characters, and let go. Just a little bit. That alone is priceless. So, what have I been reading? A few of my recent reads are:

Allegiant by Veronica Roth
Four by Veronica Roth
Dorothy Must Die by Danielle Paige
Nothing But The Truth by Vicky Pattison
Screwing The Rules by Laurel House

As you can tell from the selection above...I like to mix things up a bit. After reading an action/adventure type of book like the Divergent Series, I tend to dive into a fluffy but fun biography, go back to something darker, then dabble in a chick lit book that is fun and whimsical. Though, I confess, I often read multiple books at a time. Because you never know what mood you will be in! It is always good to have a few genres at the ready.

Since today is a book post, I want to hear your thoughts. How do you manage to make time for reading? What genres do you like to read most? And what are some of your recent reads? Let me know! And if you haven't picked up a good book in a while, remember: now is the time to do it.

xo Shannon

i blush just by thinking about you.

A little while back, I put a cap on myself. Not necessarily for makeup in general....but for blush. Why did I do it? Quite frankly, I have a fairly substantial collection of blush shades. By now, I must have every version of pink, rose, coral, peach, and brown there is! Then I came across a selection of E.l.f. products. More specifically, the HD Studio Blush. I was instantly intrigued by the formula and that rich colour. With a price tag of just $3, I decided that it couldn't hurt to give it a whirl. Despite my self-imposed blush ban.

Honestly? I love a good blush. There is something about the way gorgeous rosy cheeks look that just makes me happy. To say I am a blush addict would be nothing short of an understatement. Which means that I simply could not resist trying out the E.l.f. HD Studio Blush in Superstar. So, was it worth breaking the ban? Did it live up to my expectations?

Yes, yes, and yes. I was totally blown away by this product. The blush shade itself is rich, warm, and easy to wear. I just loved the way it complimented a ton of different makeup looks. Natural, smokey, and everything in between. It just worked. As for the consistency, it is creamy and blends beautifully onto the skin. The end result was a soft dewy finish. Totally gorgeous!

The product comes out of the pump on top. It was very simple and straightforward to apply. I simply dabbed the product onto the apples of the cheeks and blended it out with my small stippling brush. I absolutely love the ease of application and the stunning colour payoff. The only thing to be mindful of with this product? Less is more. Even a tiny dab is more than enough to give your cheeks plenty of pop! So, it is better to build up the product than go totally overboard.

Ready to take a look at the E.l.f. HD Studio Blush in action? This is the makeup look I created using the product.....

Overall, this blush was a major hit for me. I love the texture, blendability, colour, pigmentation....absolutely everything! The price is super affordable and the quality is top notch. In general, I find that E.l.f. products are a bit of a hit or miss - but this one hit it out of the park. This is one that I would definitely recommend.

Have you tried any of the blush shades from this line?

xo Shannon