Paula Olmedo

Today I was researching toners to find the best one for me as I have recently found out that witch hazel is NOT good for the face. I also saw a famous youtuber's video on skincare (Chloe Morello: VIDEO HERE  )  and she said when she went to see her dermatologist she told her all this time thinking that her skin was oily it was dehydrated therefore producing more oil than needed!  I already knew that if the skin is dehydrated it produces more oil but i t just reminded me that MAYBE just maybe sometimes when I use my witch hazel toner my skin was dehydrated because it causes irritation.  My skin was not in hives but it's way of showing that it's getting irritated was probably being dry then producing a lot of oil. When I wake up I usually look like a complete grease ball now that I know better, it shouldn't be that way. Of course I just thought that was normal when you sleep.  Toner that seem to interest me is the  Derma E  Soothing Toner with Anti-Aging Pycnogenol  wh

First of all let me show you the Artis oval 6 brush comes in two styles for $48 each images are from the Artis website itself. Claim:  "The Artis® Elite Oval 6, is great for applying product to the entire eye lid; or foundation to the face, or contouring the cheekbone area. The patented Oval 6 applies blush beautifully to the apple of the cheek and blends it so that the application looks natural and healthy. Artis brushes are made exclusively with CosmeFibre, a revolutionary engineered fibre made for applying cosmetic and makeup products." Now, let me show you the dupe that costs $1.98 from Aliexpress this is the seller I got it from after reading the reviews. It took about 3 weeks to get to me but for $1.98 FLAT without tax and free shipping that's not even something to complain about. http://www.aliexpress.com/item/Oval-Makeup-Tool-Cosmetic-Foundation-Cream-Powder-Blush-Makeup-Brush/32411121027.html The handle is obviously n

Milani Supreme Kohl Kajal $5.99 I have tried numerous eyeliners to use as a tightline even gel liners but it's either they take a while to set that it smudges to my lower lash line or they smear later on on the outer corner of my eye. After this sets in seconds it sets it reminds me of the Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner but sometimes that still even smudges on me or gets on my contacts this doesn't do that.

Kat Von D Contour Brush $36.00-Sephora image from makeupandbeauty.com Beauty Concepts Contour Brush $4.99-Marshalls     As you can see they are not the exact same thing but the feel, bristles and purpose are very similar.  They are both synthetic and cruelty free the angled side are very alike they are both not dense whatsoever and soft to the touch.  The dome side on the other hand is flat compared to the sharper version on the Kat Von D. I use the dome side for setting my undereye concealer and the angled for my contour and then to blend it out as well.  The dome side can also be used for blush if you prefer. So take a look at your Marshalls now they have so many other things like skincare and other beauty products for less. 

Product Info: 1.7 fl. oz Natural Product Paraben-free Crutely-free Price: $14.99 at Ulta REVIEW: First the price is a bit expensive for a drug store product but I think it is worth it especially if you buy from ulta and use the $3.50 off coupon! After two months of using this product I have really fallen in love with it. At first the smell threw me off but had gotten used to it. It has a strong red tea smell if you have smelled chai tea that's what it reminds me of.  I do see my skin clear up from the time I've used it because of its balancing properties I'm guessing and it feels a little thick but when applied my skin soaks it up right away.  It doesn't make me oilier since I do have oily-to combination skin nor does it accentuate dry spots like beside my nose. I still do use a witch hazel toner to help with my skin as well and have a vegetarian diet.  But at times when I don't eat right my skin tends to get oilier and this prevents it from being

Fall is upon us! Well should be anyways, it is still steaming here in Texas. So my makeup has to be long lasting, sweat proof, smudge proof and lightweight. The hardest combination to achieve since I have to really be picky when it comes to products and I also use cruelty free cosmetics only. Here is the break down. Be ready for details on details! Base: **Mario Badescu Rosewater spray beforehand and let dry and rose salve on lips, yes I like that rose smell** Sumary: glowy yet contoured face not highlighted under the yes but shimmer highlight on cheekbones and nose, neutral rosy cheeks 1. Becca Ultimate Coverage Complexion Creme in Nude applied with dense foundation brush 2. LA Girl Pro Concealer under eyes,lids and spots in Medium Beige blended with beauty blender (I don't like the whole highlight under the eyes look so I just a tad lighter to brighten my face a bit) 3. Wet N Wild Coverall Pressed powder in Medium/tan to set eye concealer  (using a dr

FRONT OF BOX AND CONTENTS PRICE RANGE: $5-7 BOUGHT MINE AT WALMART Comes with 10 strips with 2 sides equals 20 strips, that's what it means. BACK VIEW OF BOX This post may end up being a little TMI but here it goes.  Let's start with how awesome it was to find out that my favorite hair remover was cruelty free?! I know it is not actually makeup related but to me beauty can also be hygiene wise. I am actually very lazy when it comes to shaving, waxing and all those jazz that comes with being a woman and I still have yet to find a cruelty free razor that isn't irritating.  I will tweeze my eyebrows to maintain their shape and use these occasionally other from the big tub that you can use as well but you have to heat that up and/or use separate waxing strips(there are different kinds the gel and Brazilian) which I only do when I really do have the time.   Another pro that I find while using these is that it isn't wasteful as some might think.  Afte

Shade: Nude Shade in MAC; NC30/35 Shade in Bare Minerals: golden medium skin tone: yellow based medium UPDATE: I use it half a pump most 3 times a week for a year now and I have half a bottle left. If you use it a lot then it'll last a year. TO SEARCH FOR SPECIFIC BRANDS IF THEY DO OR DON'T TEST ON ANIMALS, AND DON'T WANT TO GO THROUGH THE LIST CLICK BELOW: http://features.peta.org/cruelty-free-company-search/cruelty_free_companies_company.aspx? Product Description: A full-coverage yet breathable foundation formulated with high concentrations of pigment and water.  Ideal for any skin type, this formula contains a balance of 21 percent pure pigment and 22 percent water, which work in synergy to completely conceal imperfections, redness, hyperpigmentation, and uneven texture in a weightless cream. Review: I am currently changing my makeup to cruelty free brands and refuse to support brands that still to this day test on animals. Luckily my bes

(image from Pages & Pefume ) I have always been an animal lover since I was a kid, and did not know that animal testing even existed until I was in middle school.  For some reason it's like people just seem to find loopholes into making excuses for their actions when it comes to making money and I know it is sometimes necessary because they would rather have medicines and such tested on animals than humans but to just know such things exist for the better is really difficult. So as a makeup junkie it really does help to know that some companies would rather not test on animals.  If other cosmetic companies can do it why can't all of them?  It is simply because of expansion, the Chinese market won't let companies sell unless they do test on animals so to be in a larger market of course most make the decision to test. I am aware that some of my makeup isn't cruelty free and I am willing to make a change simply because I want to support the companies that pr

This makeup was inspired by a picture I found on pinterest which was a peach pink based makeup look with some sparkle on the lid.  I basically wanted a more wearable less smokey version of this look ( click here for inspo pic ). The look revolves around the rose gold color on my lids and berry lips.  I've had this L'oreal eyeshadow pigment for a while and just haven't had the chance to use it I've paired it with a light brown on the crease but I think the pinkish  peach brings out the pigments undertones in a not too dramatic way.  I wanted a soft valentine's look that wasn't too pink or too smokey more on the romantic side if you will. Below is the picture and product info details on what I've used along with some description and pictures of colors so you can see what colors it will be alike since not everyone owns the same makeup palettes, eye shadows and etc. I hope you find this helpful and have a wonderful Valentine's Day :) T

A couple weeks ago or so I saw a video of Graveyardgirl/Bunny from Youtube and she was testing to see if the color switch worked. For those who aren't familiar with what a color switch is, it is basically a tin can and inside is a spongelike material that you can wipe your makeup brush into so it will be clean enough to use on different colors letting you use less brushes.   It did work but to me the concept seemed too simple and I was sure there is a dupe out there somewhere so I did my research and found a couple which are the microfiber cloth and the hair donut both can be purchased at the dollar store. The hair donut fits in a container like the tin can used for the color switch so does the cloth if stuffed/folded in the tin. To me, it didn't matter as long as it did it's job and the cloth was the better option since you can see where you wiped it off on and can use alcohol with it to sanitize the brushes after a day of use to be able to spot clean it before th

IMAC's new shade Cyber World is almost like their lipstick shade Cyber in a lip liner form the color is described as "intense blackish purple." It was recently released in the "Pencilled In" Collection along with other purple toned lip liners such as Heroine and Nightingale which look very nice as well and may be my next purchase. For now let us focus on Cyber World because I have been on a hunt for an eggplant like shade lip liner which is hard to come by apparently. Left: Wet N Wild 919B Vamp It Up Right: MAC Cyber World Lip Pencil I was obsessed with my Vamp It Up lipstick for while after seeing a picture of Rihanna  (click here for inspo pic of her) with dark matte purple lips.  Sometimes it would pull too dark and did not last long on my lips.  Even though it is classified as a matte lip color it does not appear to be full matte which makes not as drying but also does not last as long as a matte would.  I figured a lip liner would solve

This is the 2.0 oz tube for $12 at Sephora It also comes in a jar of 6.0 oz for $30  First and for most, I am in love with this moisturizer! My skin type is oily combination leaning more towards oily but combination because some parts of my face is slightly dry due to acne and just around my nose and mouth is sometimes dry.   What drew me into this product is how it does not contain harsh chemicals, parabens or colorants as stated on the front of the tube.  I wanted something similar to Cetaphil but with more benefits it was just so basic to me I wanted to try a bit more moisturizing formula. When I came across this moisturizer I simply heard it was good for drier skin no fragrance and was a very good base for makeup and what girl can refuse that? Even though I had oily to combo skin, the colder weather made my skin a little dull and not applying so much of the product would not make my skin oilier because a little FYI, even though your skin is oily does not mean you can de

These nude lip products are so far my favorite from the drugstore! I haven't been convinced just yet to make a switch since they do last a while and their lasting power on my lips have never been a problem. I am considering to try MAC and Make Up Forever lip liners for their staying power but have not quite succumbed just yet. Do you have favorites? Please comment and share down below! Left-Right: Jordana Rock N' Rose $2-3 Jordana Tawny $2-3  Rimmel 063 Eastened Snob $4-6  The Jordana ones were more dry in formula while the Rimmel was a little more creamier to apply. On the pictures above you can actually see what I'm talking about when it comes to the Jordana ones being more dry it accentuates the lines that I have while the Rimmel does the same but the texture looks more velvety but still on the matte side.  Either way lips should always be exfoliated and moisturized before applying other lip products for a smoother application. Both of their staying pow

FIRST POST! This eye makeup is my go-to lately for the cold-ish gloomy-ish days that I still want to look presentable and put together like I took my time to get ready and I have my hair in a donut bun. **I use the same contour shade on my face blush and highlight that I use on my eyes to minimize since I wear this look often** PRODUCTS: Maybelline Color Tattoo (base) -- 25 bad to the bronze Jordana Blush (as transition shade & cheek color) -- 13 stardust *local beauty supply store not sallys **any light apricot brown but more apricot will look the same** Maybelline Fit Me Pressed Powder (crease & also my contour) -- 330 toffee **also looks so much like a dupe for MAC Pro Eyeshadow "Interrupted"** **I got this shade on sale since they usually have the darker colors on sale and its a smooth powder so watch out for those** Sephora Colorful Eyeshadow (outer half of lid) -- 50 cashmere coat MAC Eyeshadow (outer corner and lower lash) -- scene **maybe