HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE: The Best Makeup Value Sets (High-End)

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Hey guys! I wanted to share with you the first of a series of Holiday Gift Idea posts. I decided to do this one early because some of these value sets and holiday sets will go out of stock soon! These are 7 great value sets and palettes that are perfect for gifts (or a splurge for yourself). These can mostly be found at Sephora or Ulta (Lorac is exclusive to Ulta and some of the other value sets are exclusive to Sephora). 

Unfortunately, they're on the high-end side of the scale, so they're a bit more expensive, but I'll be doing another holiday gift guide with more affordable value sets. That being said, you can really find some value from these - especially if you're looking to find the perfect gift!

Makeup Value Sets: Gift Ideas


1. Too Faced 'Le Grand Chateau' $49 (A $215 Value) - I love this because it comes with three mini palettes. There are 18 shadows total with two bronzers and a blush, plus a mini 'Better Than Sex' Mascara. I love this because the three mini palettes are great for just you or to give out individually or as a set! I love this for a gift. I got one of the holiday palettes from Too Faced last year and have used it religiously. 
2. NARS X Steven Klein 'One Shocking Moment' Cheek Palette  $69 (A $165 Value) - I love this as a gift because it combines some of the best NARS products in an awesome palette. First off, you get a Laguna bronzer (which I love) and then 4 blushes and 2 contouring shades. This is such a good deal and it's an awesome collaboration.
3. Becca X Jaclyn Hill 'Champagne Glow' Palette $34 - I love this palette because I love Becca highlighters and I really love the Jaclyn Hill collaboration of 'Champagne Pop' which is such a beautiful shimmery soft white gold. This combines that lovely highlight with two more pressed shades.
4. Tarte 'Light of the Party' Collector's Makeup Case $59 (A $394 Value) - Okay, I've been talking about this for awhile now and it's because it's amazing. It comes with 30 eyeshadows (24 of which are new) and a blush, bronzer, and highlight - plus a mini 'Better Than Sex' mascara. This is a palette that's worth $394 dollars and I think it's a steal at $59! This is such a great gift idea or something to splurge on for yourself.
5. Lorac Mega Pro Palette 2 $59 - This blog is no stranger to love for the Lorac Pro Palettes because they're such great quality and I continue to go back to using those shadows over and over again
6. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Edit $80 (A $132 Value) - I put this on the list because it's something I desperately want. Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders are expensive, but so beautiful. A palette with 6 different shades is the dream.
7. Marc Jacobs 'The Sofia: Five Piece Lip Creme Collection' $45 - I love this set of lipsticks because not only are Marc Jacobs lipsticks amazing, but this is a great deal for five of them. You can even separate the 5 and give them out as gifts!

What are your favorite Holiday value sets? 

xo Emily

Sunday Style: Winter Outerwear Picks

Sunday, November 15, 2015

Winter Outerwear Picks


1. Zara Wool Coat - $189
2. Urban Outfitters Quilted Bomber Jacket (This is a men's coat, but I love it) - $89
3. Topshop Faux Fur Patchwork Coat - $160
4. Uniqlo Cashmere Robe Coat - ON SALE $100
5. Topshop Slim Pocket Coat - $110
6. Topshop Wool Blend Faux Fur Hybrid Coat - $170


What are your picks for Winter outerwear?

xo Emily

Autumn Glam

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

Hey guys! I have a Autumn Makeup look for you today - something I like to fittingly call 'Autumn Glam'. I call it that because it's a bit more elevated than my everyday look, I added some drama and flash, but it also has those beautiful Autumnal shades to make it seasonal!


To get this look:
1. I decided to go all out with makeup today so I started with one of my favorite moisturizing primers, the Clinique Universal Superprimer
2. I used a Real Techniques Sponge to apply my L'Oreal True Match Magic Lumi Foundation all over my face.
3. To conceal, I used NARS Radiant Creamy Concealer under my eyes and on blemishes.
4. Next I set my t-zone with the Rimmel Stay Matte powder.
5. Time to add color back to the face! I bronzed my cheekbones, temples, nose, and chin with Tarte's 'Social Butterfly' and then used their 'Amazed' blush on the apples of my cheek. For a highlight, I used 'Pink Champagne'. All of these face products came from Tarte's Holidaze Light of the Party palette.


6. Next up are eyebrows - which I shaped and filled in with my all time favorite, the Anastasia Brow Wiz Pencil.
7. For my eyes, I'm again using the Tarte Holidaze palette to create an Autumnal look. To start, I blended 'Yule Be Surprised' (a deep brown) and 'Mulberry and Bright' (a deep burgundy) into the crease, adding color and dimension. Next up, I patted the most gorgeous Autumn shade, 'Fireside Chat' all over my lid. It's a sparkly burgundy/brown shadow and look lovely when blended out with a matte brown or matte deep burgundy.
8. Instead of harsh liquid liner, which still would have added more glam, I decided to use 'Mulberry and Bright' to define my upper and lower lash lid. I also added a bit of 'Fireside Chat' to my lower lash line to bring the look together. 


9. Next, I coated my lashes with the Tarte 'Lights Camera Lashes' mascara - one of my favorites. It's lengthening and volumizing, making your lashes look magnificent.
10. To add extra glam, I popped on some Ardell fake lashes - the 'Demi Wisipies'. They look natural, but add lots of volume and glamour.
11. To finish the look, I used an Obsessive Compulsive Lip Tar 'Queen' for the finishing touch of glam. 


I absolutley love how this turned out. It's beautiful and luxurious and a perfect way to bring the colors of the season into your makeup!

xo Emily