MAC Candy Yum Yum and Maybelline Fuchsia Flash Dupe

MAC's Quite Cute collection that came out in Spring 2011 released this amazing neon, hot pink lipstick called Candy Yum Yum. I remember it being the talk of the beauty community and it was then I knew I just had to get my hands on it. Just recently they made this lipstick a permanent shade at MAC which makes me happy because I don't have to go above and beyond in case I ever run out or lose it. Even if they didn't make this lipstick permanent, I have found a really good dupe of the lipstick! Maybelline's Fuchsia Flash lipstick that came out in the Vivids collection is a great and an inexpensive alternative to MAC's Candy Yum Yum. You can't beat $7 for a lipstick compared to one that is $15!

Although the lipsticks are very similar and can very much well be a dupe of each other, they are also somewhat different. Candy Yum Yum is a matte finish, therefore it has a much drier formula, while Fuchsia Flash has a shinier finish and glides on a lot easier. Also, Candy Yum Yum is more blue-toned so it has a cooler undertone compared to Fuchsia Flash which is more pink-toned and has a warmer undertone.

Beauty Blender Dupe

LeCosmetique blending sponges are a perfect dupe for the Beauty Blender. They're not only more affordable but it blends foundation like a dream! For only $5.95 USD, this sponge will become your new best friend! Since I've started using this blending sponge (I would say about mid 2012), I haven't been reaching out to my normal foundation brushes *ahem* Sigma F80 *ahem*. Also, unlike Sonia Kashuk's blending sponge, which I know we've all probably tried before, LeCosmetique blending sponges expand when they are wet. They are soft and bouncy and make applying foundation so effortless. Right off the bat I noticed how even my foundation was. Since it doesn't absorb my foundation, I find myself using less foundation on my face.

This also works amazing for concealer. It conceals areas without lifting the product from your face. On the other hand, it is less pointy at the top than the Beauty Blender, but nonetheless the product itself is just too amazing. I should also add that I use this blending sponge to set my foundation with loose powder. It works amazing for that too, believe it or not! Sometimes adding powder can make you look cakey but using this blending sponge wet and dipping it into your setting powder creates a really flawless and poreless finish for my face.

The longevity of these blending sponges are pretty great too. I don't understand someone who throws away a blending sponge after using it one time. I've used this so many times and washed it countless times and it has still maintained its shape and quality. There is no tearing in the sponge whatsoever. I say as long as you take care of it and wash it regularly, I don't see why you can't use this over and over again.  Blending sponges are a necessity for every makeup kit out there especially the ones from LeCosmetique. You honestly won't know just how much a difference it makes until you try it for yourself.

DISCLAIMER: THE PRODUCTS REVIEWED ON THIS BLOG ARE BASED ON THE OPINIONS AND EXPERIENCES OF THE AUTHOR. THIS PRODUCT WAS PURCHASED BY THE AUTHOR AND IN NO WAY WAS THIS REVIEW INFLUENCED BY THE COMPANY OF THE PRODUCT.

NYX Powder Blush Swatches + Nars Orgasm Dupe

On NC30 skin tone.

Top Row: Red, Terra Cotta, Mocha
Bottom Row: Mauve, Pinched

Mocha, Terra Cotta, Red, Mauve, Pinched

Mocha: Deep rosey pink

Terra Cotta: Warm peachy bronze with shimmer

Red: Matte red

Mauve: Light petal pink
Pinched: Medium pink with shimmer

I've also heard others say that Pinched was a dupe for NARS Orgasm blush. Very similar don't you think?

Sigma Brushes Review + Photos

You can find reviews for Sigma Brushes almost anywhere! Whether it's on YouTube or on someones blog, you can pretty much guarantee you'll find enough sufficient information about all of their brushes. I thought I would provide my own review for my readers about these brushes since they are highly talked about in the beauty blogging community.

Sigma Brushes are a brand of brushes that are of great quality at affordable prices that won't break the bank. Since receiving these brushes, I washed and used each one of them and I have to say that these brushes do work and perform well with great expectations. Many people believe these brushes are comparable to MAC brushes, and I couldn't agree more. The quality from the bristles to the handle are professionally made individually with great care.

I received the Sigma Essential Brush Kit (face + eyes) which included the brush roll. This kit contains 12 brushes (5 face brushes, 7 eye brushes) that sells for $99 including the brush roll or $79 without (someone correct me if I'm wrong). At this price, with such great quality, these brushes are well worth every penny.

F30 Large Powder
"Very Dense with a rounded top. Ideal to apply powder porducts on face and body."
→ Made with natural bristles
→ No shedding when washed
→ Very soft bristles
→ How I use this brush: Setting loose and pressed powders.
→ Overall: 5/5

F50 Duo Fibre
"Specifically designed to generate an "airbrushed" finish when used to apply liquid foundation. It can also be used to apply blush, hihglight shades and loose pigments."
→ Made with synthetic and natural bristles
→ Maximum shedding of all brushes when washed (5+ bristles)
→ How I use this brush: Applying liquid foundation, blush, MAC MSF, and highlighting powders.
→ Overall: 4/5

 F40 Large Angled Contour
"This angled shape makes this brush ideal to apply blush or contour shades."
→ Made with natural bristles
→ Hardly any shedding when washed (1 bristle)
→ Very soft bristles, less dense than MAC 168 brush.
→ How I use this brush: For contouring and highlighting.
→ Overall: 5/5

 F60 Foundation

"Can be used to apply liquid or cream foundation. It is also recommended to apply moisturizers and conceal large areas."
→ Made with synthetic bristles
→ No shedding when washed
→ Very soft bristles
→ How I use this brush: Concealing large areas, applying foundation in tight areas such as the nose and under eye area.
→ Overall: 5/5

E55 Eye Shading

"Soft and dense with a rounded finish. Can be used to apply pressed or loose eye shadows and pigments. Ideal to build intense color on the eyelid."
→ Made with natural bristles
→ No shedding when washed
→ Wider than MAC 239 but has the same use.
→ How I used this brush: Packing on color, applying a single color quickly and easily, applying pigment wet.
→ Overall: 5/5

E70 Medium Angled Shading
"Angled, tapered, flat top. Ideal to apply highlight shades underneath the eyebrow and on the inner corners. Can also be used to a precise application of darker shades on the crease area."
→ Made with natural bristles
→ No shedding when washed
→ How I use this brush: Applying a crease color in one quick easy step.
→ Overall: 5/5

E30 Pencil
"Precise application of color on the crease, outer corner, and upper and lower lash line. Also ideal to smudge out pencil liner."
→ Made with natural bristles
→ No shedding when washed
→ Less dense, more give and more pointy than
MAC 219.
→ How I use this brush: Smudging eye shadow on lower/upper lashline, defining crease.
→ Overall: 5/5

E40 Tapered Blending
"Rounded and tapered top. Specially designed to apply and blend color on the crease."
→ Made with natural bristles
→ No shedding when washed
→ Supposedly MAC 224 dupe but completely different brushes, less dense, longer bristles, more fluffy.
→ How I use this brush: Blending colors together, blending harsh lines.
→ Overall: 4/5

E60 Large Shader
"Flat shape is ideal for application of cream formulas and eye shadow primers. It also works great with loose eye shadows or pigments. Can be used to apply color all over the lid or precisely on the lash line."
→ Made with natural bristles
→ No shedding when washed
→ How I use this brush: Applying primers, packing on eye shadow.
→ Overall: 5/5

F70 Concealer
"The rounded, tapered, flat shape makes this brush ideal to conceal the under eye area. It is also recommended for a precise application in small areas."
→ Made with synthetic bristles
→ No fall out when washed
→ How I use this brush: Concealing under eye area and blemishes.
→ Overall: 5/5

E05 Eyeliner
"An extra-fine tipped synthetic fiber brush that delivers a precise, firm, even stroke to line the eyes."
→ Made with synthetic bristles
→ No shedding when washed
→ How I use this brush: For applying gel/cream liners.
→ Overall: 5/5

E65 Small Angle
"Essential for the application of gel or cream eyeliner on the upper and lower lash line. This brush is also excellent for filling out the eyebrows."→ Made with synthetic bristles
→ No shedding when washed
→ How I use this brush: Filling in eyebrows even though I prefer my MAC 266.
→ Overall: 5/5



DISCLAIMER: In no way is this blog accepting any form of payment for products received by companies. The products reviewed on this blog are based on the opinions and experiences of the author. The products in this review were provided by the company.

MAC Dupes + My Favorite Drugstore Brand for Eyeshadow + A Look

I know Maybelline is famous for their mascara line because they have so much to choose from but I LOVE their eyeshadows! It's my favorite brand of drugstore eyeshadow ever!

I know many women like NYX, Covergirl, Milani, L'Oreal, etc. but I've come to find that a lot of Maybelline eyeshadows can be possible dupes for some MAC eyeshadows, if not better!

After swatching a couple of eyeshadows from Maybelline and MAC, I noticed that a lot of the Maybelline eyeshadows apply much smoother and apply way better pigmentation compared to MAC. I highly recommend Maybelline eyeshadows for those who are on a budget!

Click on images to enlarge

Here's a look I did using the Velvet Crush quad. It's a soft purple smokey quad with hints of silver in grey. The highlight color also has a small hint of pink in it. It's gorgeous!