bailey bee

beauty, home and lifestyle blog

MAC POWDER KISS LIPSTICKS IN ‘SCATTERED PETALS’ + ‘STYLE SHOCKED!’

Hey there! Happy Friday.

I recently picked up two of the new”ish” MAC Powder Kiss lipsticks in the shades ‘Scattered Petals’ and ‘Style Shocked!’. Although I had found myself going back and forth on Ulta’s website and Temptalia‘s swatches on her site for a few weeks, I really don’t know what initially stemmed my interest in these lippies.

I concur; here ya go. A review of the MAC Powder Kiss lipsticks with swatches

MAC Powder Kiss lipsticks in 'Scattered Petals' and 'Style Shocked!'

Seeing this formula in the bullet is so interesting because the lipsticks themselves give off a powdery appearance, as the names would suggest. They’re matte looking– almost as if they’ve been sprayed with a butter spray. They’re definitely different looking than your usual MAC lipsticks.

MAC Powder Kiss lipsticks in 'Scattered Petals' and 'Style Shocked!' applied as on-arm swatches

I was fully introduced to the powdery formula of these lipsticks upon swatching. Although that may sound like a negative attribute, it really is not. These lipsticks apply sheer and matte but are comfortable and give a very effortless feel. You could absolutely swipe this on without looking in a mirror and have a perfect application every time.

As I prefer a less sheer application, I was pleased to find that these do layer up very nicely and build to opaque coverage while still giving a chic “blotted” look to the lips.

As for the shades themselves, ‘Style Shocked!’ is my winner of the two. This comes as no surprise to me because that is the exact shade I’ve been itching to buy for Spring/Summer and it’s hard to go wrong with a nice, warm red! As for ‘Scattered Petals’, I enjoy it a teeny bit. It’s much warmer than I had expected it to be and it’s kinda giving me Makeup Geek ‘Foxtrot’ vibes (which was one of the worst lip products I have ever tried). If I lived closer to an Ulta I would probably return it but since I don’t, I’m going to try to actually wear it a bit sheerer than I would normally and embrace the warm tone.

MAC Powder Kiss lipsticks in 'Scattered Petals' and 'Style Shocked!' applied on the lips against bare lips

I definitely want to try some more shades from this collection but the fact that they are online only at Ulta keeps getting in my way! Sigh. I guess I’ll have to actually go to a MAC and forgo my precious Ulta points. *sarcasm*

Any of you have other shades from this range? I’d love to hear which you like on your own complexion! and if anyone is similar in tone to me, I need recommendations. I haven’t found many on-lip swatches from people with my skin tone.

If you would like to shop these lippies, check them out below:

CHARLOTTE TILBURY FLAWLESS FILTER WORN TWO WAYS

Hello there! I am back again with another Charlotte Tilbury review and man, has this one been in the works for awhile.

By ‘works’ I guess I mean it’s just been sitting in my head for awhile. That is because this product, Charlotte Tilbury’s Flawless Filter (for a superstar youth glow) has been so difficult for me to get my hands on. That being said, I have it. It is mine. and I really, really enjoy using it.

When I first determined that I wanted to buy this product, I wasn’t even sure what it did. It wasn’t until I physically put it on my face for the first time when I finally learned. It’s advertised as a product that filters away imperfections and that can be used as a subtle highlight or all-over glow. Those claims made me think of either a 1. liquid highlighter and/or a 2. tinted base product. I can now claim that this is a luminosity product that you can, indeed, use in spots or everywhere on the face. I purchased the lightest shade in the range, 1-Fair but I feel that the shade is very forgiving and if you choose the “wrong” one for you, you won’t be able to tell. Thankfully that is the case because there are only seven shades and the darkest ain’t very dark.

Below you will see me use this product in two ways. First, I used it as a focused highlight on the high points of my face. This is my preferred method of use and you get an outrageously healthy, natural glow this way.

Second, I applied it all over the face. This was the method I had planned on using before I purchased the product but I have to say that you walk a thin line between “dewy” and “sweaty” looking. This Flawless Filter is just so healthy looking that you truly can come across looking like you just left the gym. That being said, if that’s the look you are going for them you’ll love this application method.

For being a product that I didn’t understand and for being priced at $44, I am genuinely very pleased. A little goes a long way so in my mind, the price is justified. There are no other liquid illuminators on the market that come across in the way that this does. It gives the face such a beautiful glow and I can see myself using this entiiiiiire (decently sized 1oz!) bottle.

If you’re interested in trying out the Charlotte Tilbury Flawless Filter for yourself, feel free to shop this post below:

HOW TO STAY ORGANIZED WHILE PACKING A SUITCASE

Standing with my marble Heys suitcase all prepped and ready to travel after organizing with Calpak packing cubes.

Hello everybody!

It is a new week and I am READY for it! Lately, I have been thinking about where I want to travel to next a LOT. Moving to a new place is so exciting because your radius of easy, breezy weekend trips completely changes. What was once a grouping of cities that I had been to and exhausted plenty of times in my life is now a fresh, new slew of destinations. Ashville, Wilmington, Charlotte and Savannah are now all just a short drive away. If you recommend one of those cities over another, let me know in the comments below!

Today’s post is on how to pack a suitcase while staying organized. I have been utilizing Calpak’s packing cubes for the past couple of years and I truly can’t remember life before them.

suitcase all prepped and ready to travel after organizing with Calpak packing cubes.

I got mine in the ‘milk marble’ print to match my marble suitcase by Heys (Calpak has some, too) but there are soo many other cute designs to choose from. The packing cubes come in a 5-piece set comprised of:

  • one large cube that fits the length and width of a carry-on
  • one medium cube that fits the width and half the length of a carry-on
  • two small packing cubes
  • one water-resistant pouch

Each of the cubes has a label that you can customize and there are zippered backs for even more storage. When packing, I typically always use one cube for a pair of shoes that are a bit dirty so they don’t ruin my clean clothes. I also usually leave one cube empty when packing so I can use it as the “dirty clothes” cube on my way back home.

Have you ever needed to grab something out of your suitcase once you’ve gotten to the airport? or before boarding? or after you’ve landed but before you head to your hotel? Having all of your belongings organized into these packing cubes makes opening up your luggage in front of everybody much less risky– no chance of underwear falling out here!

suitcase all prepped and ready to travel after organizing with Calpak packing cubes.

It’s fun to coordinate your packing cubes with your luggage and Calpak is good about having matching sets of everything. My next purchase will be a larger suitcase for when I need to be checking luggage and you guessed it– another set (or two!) of packing cubes. I just need to decide which design I will be getting next. Sound off in the comments which I should do: black marble to stay consistent? Trendy terrazzo? Or leopard? Leopard is pretty on-brand for me. Let’s discuss and then buy down the road haha

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KRISTIN ESS x TARGET “THE ONE” SIGNATURE SHAMPOO + CONDITIONER

Hey there! Hope all is well.

Over the past month, I have been trying out a new shampoo/conditioning combination. My hair seemed to be begging for a change-up after using my fave combo for over three years.

When I walked through the hair care aisle at Target, my millennial instinct kicked in– I saw these perfectly blush-toned, squeezy tube products featuring a name I’ve been familiar with for a long time: Kristin Ess!

Yes, that’s right. Lauren Conrad’s longtime hairstylist has released a hair care and style line at Target. The packaging is minimal and the hype is REAL.

 

At $10 a pop, they are not the cheapest option out there but if you prioritize your hair care like me, they’re not too bad a deal. I want to be sure that the money I’m spending on my hair color isn’t wasted with cheap products that I apply 2-3 times a week.

Initially, I was turned off by the strong floral scent that was more apparent with the conditioner. I’m sensitive to scents and don’t use anything with a heavy scent and this was indeed heavy. By the second wash, though, I was over it. I don’t even smell these on my head anymore!

There are a couple of options of washing products in this line but I went for the Signature line because it’s slightly clarifying and I wanted assistance clearing away any gunk in my hair. My hair feels bouncy and lifted whenever I use this stuff.

If you want to try it out before taking the plunge on the full sizes, there are travel-sized bottles you can pick up for a couple of bucks.

Next on my list is a styling product from Kristin’s line. Guys. There are SO MANY products in this line. From purple and dry shampoos to pomades, salt sprays, scalp products, leave-in conditioners, serums, mousses and glosses. There are also combs, blow dryers and other heat styling tools. Seriously. SO MANY products. I started off well with this shampoo and conditioner and I’m excited to try things out from all stretches of the line.

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OUTFIT OF THE DAY FEAT. SOUTH MOON UNDER + ANTHROPOLGIE

Bailey in front of a mural in Raleigh wearing Anthropologie as well as Free People and Blank NYC from South Moon Under

Hey guys!

Today I wanted to share some shots of an outfit I put together mostly from my OG fave, South Moon Under. My necklace, bralette and shorts are all from there but the tunic is from Anthropologie from last Spring.

If you’re interested, scroll down to see some more shots and to see more fashion shots, check out my fashion tag!

Bailey in front of a mural in Raleigh wearing Anthropologie as well as Free People and Blank NYC from South Moon Under
Close-up of Bailey in front of a mural in Raleigh wearing Anthropologie as well as Free People and Blank NYC from South Moon Under
Clothing from Anthropologie as well as Free People and Blank NYC from South Moon Under
Clothing from Anthropologie as well as Free People and Blank NYC from South Moon Under

I hope you all have a wonderful rest of your week!

Feel free to shop this post below: