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07052016 || Matte Smokey Eye

Hola ya’ll, today was my day off from work so I decided to play with some new makeup and brushes today. I recently made a few orders on Morphe Brushes, and picked up some of the elite collection brushes since they went on sale and are now discontinued *cries*. Today I tested out some of my new babies and I’m in love. I’m so sad Morphe discontinued this brush line cause every brush in this line is hella soft, but I am excited to see what they come out with to replace it. I had no idea what type of look I was going for today, or even what palette to use. All I knew is that I wanted to use a different palette aside from my Tartelette in Bloom or Morphe ones, so I used an oldie but goodie, the Lorac Pro palette. 

For my face, I used Makeup Forever’s Step 1 Equalizer Mattifying Primer as a base, then went in with my Maybelline Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation in 220. I recently picked up the Makeup Forever Primer in a random trip to Sephora, and so far I have really been loving it. My skin gets really oily during the summer, and when I use this primer with the Maybelline Matte + Poreless foundation, my t-zone stays matte all day. I used the Morphe E31 flat top brush to buff in my foundation, and it was great. I normally use a beauty blender to stipple my foundation, but I wanted to try out a foundation brush since I never used one before. This brush is nice and dense so it distributes product on my face evenly, but also fluffy enough to blend out my foundation seamlessly. For concealer, I tried out the LA Girl HD Pro Concealer in porcelain for the first time, and used the Morphe E8 to buff it in. I like how lightweight this concealer is, and it gave me decent coverage under my eyes. I’m not a fan of the applicator though, cause I found myself squeezing out too much product at a time, but that’s just something I have to live with. I used the the highlighting shade in the Wet n Wild MegaGLo Contouring Palette in dulce de leche to set my concealer, and used the Maybelline Matte + Poreless pressed powder in 220 to set the rest of my face. I used to Morphe E2 face brush to set my face, which is a large, fluffy powder brush that is perfect to set my entire face due to its size. 

I contoured my face using the contour shade in the Wet n Wild MegaGLo Contouring Palette in dulce de leche using the Wet n Wild contour brush. On a side not, if you haven’t tried out Wet n Wild’s cruelty free brushes, you’ve been missing out. These brushes are so soft and HELLA affordable. These brushes range from $0.99 to $3.99 and can be found at your local Walgreens. Ya’ll need to go out and get every brush in this collection cause they’re that good. For blush, I used Tarte’s Amazonian Clay 12-hour Blush in dazzled, and used the same Wet n Wild contour brush to apply it. For highlight, I used Prosecco Pop from the BECCA x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette. Lastly, I used the contour shade in the Memebox x Makeupbyevon #HDReady Contour Palette in vanilla latte to lightly contour my nose.

For eyebrows, I used Colourpop’s Brow Colour in black n brown, and use the Morphe E11 to fill them in. The brow colour is essentially like the ABH dipbrow pomade, except it’s way more affordable. I primed my eyes using Urban Decay’s Original Primer Potion, and set it using the highlighting powder from the Wet n Wild contour palette. For eyeshadow, I used mauve from the Lorac Pro palette as my transition shade. I then used taupe to deepen up my crease, and used a combination of sable and espresso to deepen my outer v. I then went back into my crease with mauve and taupe to blend out any harsh lines. Lastly, I packed on cream onto my lid. 

And for lips, I used Kat Von D’s Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita, another oldie but goodie.

Again, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my eyes prior to starting this look, but I am happy with this end result. I haven’t done a smokey eye in a while nor touched this palette since last summer, and now I wanna try and pick up this palette more often again. 

I hope you guys liked my makeup and brush breakdown. I do plan on dedicating a post to my favorite morphe brushes in the future, so stay tuned to that. If you also have any recommendations on other posts you want to see from me, don’t be afraid to reach out! Peace ya’ll. 

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06212016 || Simple, Everyday, Matte and Neutral MOTD

Hey ya’ll, I’m back with a simple everyday look using some new products. Since it’s summer now, I have been a fan of using lightweight products, glowy products, and products that contain SPF. I recently picked up two new foundations from the drug store, which are the Maybelline Fit Me Dewy + Smooth foundation, and the Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream. Maybelline’s Matte + Poreless foundation is my favorite drugstore foundation, so I wanted to try the Dewy + Smooth version for the summer since it contains SPF 18. 

For this look I decided to go with the Covergirl Clean Matte BB Cream in 530 light/medium. Before applying the bb cream, I used Tarte’s Tarteguard 30 Sunscreen Lotion and Makeup Forever’s Step 1 Equalizer Mattifying Primer to prime my skin. Then I took a pea size of the BB cream and stippled it into my skin using a beauty blender. This BB cream is creamy enough to blend into your skin using your fingers too, but I prefer applying any foundation with a beauty blender to ensure a smooth and even application. This is the third time I used this BB cream, and so far I really like it. It has a light to medium coverage, which doesn't bother me for everyday use. It was able to hide my redness, but was not able to cover up my acne scars, and feels like I have nothing on my face. Usually with matte foundations, you can feel tightness of cracking in your face, but I do not experience that with this BB cream. This is also the first BB cream I have used that actually does what it intends, and keeps my face matte all day long. I wore this BB cream this weekend at work for 9 hour shifts, and when I looked at my face when I got home, the only oil I saw on my face was on my nose. Usually my forehead gets pretty oily when I wear foundation, but it was still matte at the end of the day. The color matching in this foundation is perfect too, it matches me perfectly so it looks like I’m not even wearing makeup. So far I give this BB cream a 4/5 rating; I’m liking what I’m seeing. 

I also tried out a new concealer today, since my friend has been raving about it to me for a while. I tried out Maybelline’s Master Conceal in light, and so far I have no complaints. My go-to concealer is Maybelline’s Fit Me concealer in sand and ivory, but I noticed that throughout the day the concealer stays dewy and looks shiny on my skin, and is especially noticeable when I wear a matte foundation. The master conceal set matte and stayed matte on me all day. The only downside I have with this concealer is the packaging. I wish it came in a package that has a doe-foot applicator, just like the fit me concealer. 

For the rest of my face, I set all the areas I concealed with the yellow powder from the Morphe 9C highlight/contour palette, and used the Maybelline Matte + Poreless pressed powder in 220 natural beige to set the rest of my face. I like setting my face with a foundation powder opposed to a translucent powder in order to avoid flash back in photos, since some translucent powders can still give you a white cast. For bronzer, I used Benefit’s matte bronzer in Hoola, which has been my go-to bronzer for the summer. The color of this bronzer is perfect for summer and it blends out smoothly. Lastly, I used the Champagne Pop and Prosecco Pop highlighters from the BECCA x Jaclyn Hill Champagne Collection Face Palette. I have been using this palette non-stop ever since I got it. I honestly do not how I have been living without having Champagne Pop in my life. The glow it gives you is something else. It’s even better when you mix in Prosecco Pop too. Jaclyn outdid herself with this palette. 

For my eyebrows, I used my go-to Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade in chocolate. 

For my eyes, I used my go-to Tartelette in Bloom palette. I mixed jetsetter and sweetheart to use as my transition shade, defined my outer v with rebel, applied flower child all over the lid, and used charmer to highlight my brow bone. And I used Stila’s Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eyeliner in jet black, which has been my Holy Grail eyeliner for 5 years and counting. 

Lastly, on my lips I used MAC’s lip pencil in Whirl, and Kat Von D’s Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Bow n Arrow. 

I hope you enjoyed my mini reviews on some new products I tested out. Sorry for the repetitive use of the Tartelette in Bloom palette tho. I honestly just pull out that palette whenever I’m feeling lazy or don’t know what look to go for, cause this palette never fails me. I will try and post some new looks using different products soon though. If you have any ideas on what looks I should try out, please let me know! 

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06212016 || Morphe Brushes Haul

Wassup ya’ll, sorry I’ve been so MIA from posting. My makeup routine has been the same these past couple of months, so I didn’t wanna be a bore and post makeup looks using the same products. With that being said, since it is summer I have been trying out new products and will try and update this blog more often moving forward.

Speaking of new products, I wanted to share with ya’ll my most recent makeup purchase from Morphe. These babies arrived today, and I’m beyond ecstatic to play with them. I bought the 35OM palette, which is basically the matte version of Morphe’s beloved 35O. This palette finally went back in stock, so I impulse bought it before it sold out again. I also picked up some blending brushes and a new eyebrow brush since Morphe’s elite collection is 40% off right now. I will update ya’ll with a review on the palette and a look using it soon.

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01142016 || Sutro Baths OOTD

Here’s the outfit I wore today as well. I had not idea it was supposed to rain today, and I already made prior plans to hang out with my friend, @herlikings, and go exploring. Luckily, I dressed properly for the wet and gloomy weather, and even got some good photos in the process.

Hat - Nike black Ultralite Tour Perforated golf hat

Scarf - H&M cream knit infinity scarf 

Outerwear - Levi’s black bomber jacket

Top - F21 olive longline v-neck  

Pants - F21 light acid wash cropped skinny jeans

Shoes - Timberland wheat nubuck Youth 6-inch Premium Waterproof

              Boots

Bag - The North Face black Women’s Recon backpack

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01142016 || Morphe 35K MOTD

Hey ya’ll, I just wanted to share with you an easy look I created using the Morphe Brushes 35K palette. Obviously, I am more drawn to warm shades in the palette which is why this became more of an everyday look. All the shades I used are found in the top two rows of the 35K palette. This was my first time using the palette, and I am pleasantly surprised with the pigmentation and blendability of these shadows. I was able to build up the pigmentation and blend shades out easily, which is a must when it comes to shadows. I went for an all matte look today, which is not what I’m used to since I usually always pack a shimmer or metallic shade on my lid. This palette is super versatile and all the colors complement each other well. First impressions wise, I give this palette 9/10. This is the first palette I have purchased and owned from Morphe, and I can already tell I will be buying more of their shadows in the near future. 

In terms of another first impression, I also used Morphe’s 9C contour palette today as well. I was a little iffy upon purchasing the palette, but my curiosity and obsession with makeup caused me to buy it anyway. I do not regret buying the palette, since the shades in it are pretty versatile and blendable. The main thing that won me over prior to purchasing it was how buttery each shade was when I swatched them in store. I also love how they included a neutral highlight shade in the palette. I tried it out and the highlight really glows in the sunlight, without giving you that extremely wet look all day long. In terms of the contouring colors, I still don’t know what exact shades would be ideal with me, meaning I just need to play around with the palette more. So far this palette gets an 8/10, and will be including it in my daily makeup routine in order to get the hang of using it.

I also wore Colourpop’s Ultra Matte Lip in Teeny Tiny for the first time today, and I am in love with the color. Personally, I am not a huge fan of the new formulation of the ultra matte lips because I do not like it when products on my lips feel tacky, but I will compromise for this lippie since the color is so nice. Teeny Tiny is described as a “deep greyed out plum” on Colourpop’s website, and on my skin tone it looks more brown with a subtle hint of plum. You can see the plumminess in this photo more due to natural lighting though. 

Other then that, the rest of the products used on my face are the same everyday products I listed in my previous post. The only exception would be that today I chose to wear Anastasia’s Dip Brow Pomade in medium brown, and her Brow Wiz in medium brown as well, rather than chocolate. I recently learned that chocolate is too warm for my skin tone and hair color, and medium brown makes my eyebrows look more natural. 

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01102016 || Morphe Brushes Haul

While in SoCal, I took a trip to Burbank and went to makeup heaven, aka the Morphe Brushes store, before leaving to head back home to San Francisco. Morphe Brushes only has one physical store, so I made sure I left with a good amount of products. The items pictured above are stuff I bought for myself, and I also bought other things for friends who asked me. I bought products I could play around and experiment with, rather than products and colors I am already comfortable with. Prior to going to Morphe, I already knew I wanted to buy the coveted 35O palette, but after thinking about it I decided to opt out and get 35K instead. I love warm colors and already have other palettes consisting of warm tones found in 35O, so I wanted 35K since it consists of warm and cool tones. I have not swatched any colors from the palette yet, but I can already tell that it’s going to be a great palette to use for everyday looks and all out nighttime glam. In terms of the brushes I purchased, I mainly bought brushes I could use for blending and detailing for cut crease looks. 

 I will list all the products I purchased below, and include the link to each individual product so you can check them out on the Morphe Brushes website.  

- 35K Palette

- 9C Palette

- MB29 Angle Liner/Spoolie

- MB24 Pointed Contour

- B80 Pointed Crease 

- M438 Pointed Contour 

- E28 Round Blender

- M507 Pointed Mini Blender

- G11 Angle Liner

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01092016 || Anaheim Packing House OOTD

Hey ya’ll, sorry I’ve been slacking on posting. I’ve just been busy with school and work and haven’t had as much free time to post content, but I’m back and ready to to post more in 2016. 

From January 7-10 I went on a trip to Southern California, and wanted to share with you one of the outfits I wore while down there.  Majority of my wardrobe for the trip consisted of the colors black, white, grey, denim, and olive, so it looked like I was outfit repeating throughout the trip even though I wasn’t. Lately I have just been wearing a lot of staple pieces since you can never go wrong with black and basics. 

Hat - Nike khaki tech golf hat 

Top - F21 olive short sleeve (not pictured)

Outerwear - Nike grey rally funnel neck pullover

                  - Nike black track and field windbomber jacket

Pants - F21 black pants

Shoes - Nike Air Max 90 (Eton Mess: London City Pack)

Bag - Urban Outfitters honey mini reversible tote bag

In terms of makeup I decided to go for a simple and more natural look, so I used my everyday go-to products.

Face - L’Oreal Magic Skin Beautifier BB Cream in medium

         - Bare Minerals Mineral Veil Finishing Powder in original 

         - Memebox x Makeupbyevon #HDReady Contour Palette in 

            vanilla latte

         - Becca Pressed Shimmering Skin Perfector in opal 

Eyebrows - Anastasia Beverly Hills Dip Brow Pomade in chocolate

                 - Nyx Micro Brow Pencil in chocolate

Eyes - Stila Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in jet black

Lips - Kat Von D Everlasting Liquid Lipstick in Lolita  

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12112015 || Tartelette in Bloom MOTD

This is the daytime look I created with the Tartelette in Bloom palette. To start off, I primed my eyes with Urban Decay’s Eyeshadow Primer Potion, then I buffed the color jetsetter into my crease for my transition shade. Afterwards, I buffed the color rebel into my outer corner and blended sweetheart into the outside of my crease to buff out any harsh lines. Lastly, I spritzed a little bit of Mac’s Fix+ onto my brush and patted funny girl all over my lid, then swiped charmer on my brow bone to highlight. I rushed my makeup a little due to a time crunch, so I just threw this look together on the fly and I was actually pretty impressed with how it turned out. After using this palette, I can already tell it will be the palette I reach for on a regular day when I feel like wearing eyeshadow but still want to look fairly natural.  The colors are perfect all year round and I am excited to use this palette more in the future. 

For the rest of my face, I used L'Oreal’s Magic B.B. Cream in medium and rubbed it in using my fingers. I find that this method works well to create a natural finish and you cannot even feel the product on your skin. I used the Nyx Cosmetics Micro Brow pencil in chocolate  to fill in my brows and set it with Elf’s clear brow gel afterwards. I used the Anastasia Beverly Hills Illuminator in So Hollywood to highlight my check bones, and the contoured using the ash brown shade from Meme Box x Makeup by Evon's #HDReaday Vanilla contour kit. I used Stila’s Stay All Day Waterproof Liquid Eye Liner in jet black, which is my Holy Grail eye liner of all time. For my lips, I put on Burt’s Bees lip balm to prime my lips first then lined and filled in my lips using Mac’s whirl lip liner, then applied Colourpop’s Ultra Matte Lips in beeper. This is a good look for those days where you wanna put on make up but don’t want to be too dramatic. I’m excited to try out an evening smokey eye look next.

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12102015 || Tartelette in Bloom

One of my close friends, @herlikings, gifted me the Tartelette In Bloom palette as an early Christmas present this year. I have been talking about this palette ever since the first swatches of them surfaced a month ago and have been telling her how much I wanted this palette, but I did not expect her to actually surprise me with it. 

This is the first Tartelette palette I own, and I am overall really impressed with it.  The swatches shown above were done immediately after opening the palette, and the pigmentation is just from one swipe of each color. With that being said, these eyeshadows are really buttery and easy to blend. The palette includes twelve warm-toned eyeshadows - nine are matte, and the other three are luster finishes.  This palette is very versatile, since you can use the colors to create looks ranging from natural, fresh-faced looks to a date night smokey eye. 

All the shadows had really good pigmentation, and are easy to blend and build up. The only shadow I had trouble with was firecracker. When I first opened the palette, there was fall out of firecracker on the mirror, and I even experienced some fall out while swatching it as well. Aside from that, the rest of the shadows did not give me problems. Overall, this palette gets a 9/10. 

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Wassup ya’ll, my name is Melanie Chu and welcome to my blog. I am a 20 year old college student from San Francisco, CA. I decided to create a blog that I can use as a platform to share my fashion, and thoughts on beauty products. Collecting makeup and taking photos are a hobby of mine, so it only made sense for me to start a blog to share my interests with other people on the internet. I created this blog for fun, and I will try my best to post weekly.

Feel free to explore my blog and follow me on my social media accounts to stay up to date on my latest posts as well.

IG: @wassupmel

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