Lorac Ultimate Unzipped Holiday Collection

Hey! So the other day I was on Instagram and I noticed Lorac is leasing an Unzipped collection for $80. The collection includes their Unzipped palettes, and the Unzipped blush & lipstick duo at Ulta only. 

I have always been a fan of their Unzipped collection and I'm sure most of you have heard of their palettes. I figured some people were wondering if they are any good and that's why I'm here talking about them today. 

I didn't go out and purchase the set but I do own every product in the set. I scored the gold palette and blush palette back in the spring when they initially released. I can't remember exactly, but I'm pretty sure I paid $42 for the Unzipped Gold and $25 for the blush and lipstick duo. So for all three products together my total cost was $109 plus tax. With the holiday set you save $29, plus less tax is paid. That's an amazing deal! 

But how is the quality? 

Unzipped Original 

Unzipped Gold 

The shadows in the Unzipped palettes are a different formula than the Pro palettes. They're not as soft and buttery but they are still nice. I do notice some stiffness with each matte shadow but they still perform like a good shadow. For the shimmer shadows, some can be dusty but that can be fixed if they are dampened. They are all indeed pigmented though. One shadow from the Unzipped Gold is the most pigmented shadow I have ever came across (swatches below). They do last all day with primer and yes, I do love the primer that comes with the set. It works well with any eyeshadow or liner I use. 

The quality of the blush and lipstick duo is superb. The blushes are really smooth and absent of chalkiness. They really do feel like high end blushes. They blend in easily and don't look patchy once applied. The shimmery shades do not emphasize pores once blended in.  The shades are are pretty but I don't find the matte shades to be unique in color. There may already be duplicates in your collection but I do feel like the formula with these might be better. The darker shimmery (unapologetic) shade is the most unique shade, in my opinion, in the palette. It's nice for a warm, just got back from the beach, look. The lighter shimmer blush (unimaginable) has a lot of pigment but may appear as a highlight or blush topper for deeper skin tones. I also noticed more of a chunky texture with this blush but it's not noticeable unless you swatch it with your finger, you may never notice if you don't swatch your makeup. 

Underrated, Unashamed, Unapologetic, Unimaginable and Girl Next Door (lipstick)  

The lipstick that comes with the blush palette isn't my favorite. The color crosses that line where it's so light it looks chalky and it's just not flattering. I like the formula of the other Alter Ego lipsticks I own but I could live without this one. It is a good deal , though. The lipstick alone costs $16 so you're basically buying the palette for $9! 

It all boils down to if you're after good deals on permanent items or lusting after a limited edition holiday palette... I think this set is a great deal if you're interested in the individual items but you can get them any time you want to. The only problem is you'll have to fork over more money. I think if you're a makeup collector, go for a different holiday set. However, if you're just looking for a good value, go for this set. It just depends on the buyer but I can say everything in this collection is worth every hard earned penny! 

---

Do you own any of the Unzipped palettes?

Are you going to purchase this set?

What's your favorite holiday palette this year?

Let us know in the comments below!

Weekly Tip, Beauty News & Weekly Favorite | How To Turn Any Brush Into A Contour Brush

For some reason I'm not in a blogging mood today. I think it's just because I was gone (got back early😅) and I want to catch up on my shows on Hulu. But... I'm going to write up this post anyway and share a tip that I have been so excited to share with you all. I'm not much into contouring but when I do, I use this tip and it works every time! 

Weekly Tip

 

Don't have a brush that is good for contouring? Worry no more! Now you can use an angled blush brush, powder brush, or whatever you have sitting in your vanity. All you need is a brush guard (I got mine with an e.l.f cosmetics brush). Just slide it up your brush and hold it in place while you apply a contour shade under your cheekbones. Once your contour is placed, take the guard off (optional) and buff it upwards into your cheekbones for a flawless finish. This tip is also great if your contour brush is currently in line for a cleanup! 

Beauty News

There's no way you're not a fan of Jaclyn Hill and if you are, then your probably already know about this release. I just wanted to let everyone know the Champagne Glow palette by Becca is going up on Sephora's website this coming week! The release online is 10/27 and available in stores on 10/30 (select stores). The price is $34 and includes three highlighters: Pearl, Champagne Pop(Jaclyns shade) and Blushed Copper. 

Product Favorite 

This weeks favorite is a concealer palette made by Bh Cosmetics. I can't go a day without using this product! I always mix the peachy and green shade together to cancel out the hyper pigmentation on my cheeks. The lighter concealers on the top row are really good for concealing dark circles. I personally don't have extremely dark under eyes but I do experience darkness and I use them to take care of it. I'm too pale to use them for  highlighting. I just can't get enough of a contrast but if you're darker than me it would be perfect to use for highlighting when contouring! The formula is creamy but dries down to a powdery finish. If it's set with powder it will last all day under my eyes without creasing. I don't use it for concealing pimples though. All of the concealers are too light, even for my NC20 complexion! Click here to purchase($5, 3 different colors available). 

---

Do you contour? If so, Are you going to use this tip? 

Are you going to purchase the Champagne Glow Palette?

Let us know in the comments below! 

Bridal Makeup and Beauty Tips

Congratulations on your big day! Every woman dreams of appearing perfect on their wedding day but if it was that easy, we would do it everyday.

 I gathered some tips to help you get the closest to perfect as you can. I'm sure you'll be beautiful no matter what, but beauty tips never hurt anyone.

Don't try new products on your wedding day

Sometimes products just don't agree with our skin and it can result in one big red inflamed mess. The worst day to experience that would be on your wedding day! This includes any kind of beauty item that goes on your body, whether it be skincare, makeup or anything else. 

Have your makeup professionally matched

We all want to look perfect on our big day and makeup is a big part of that. It pulls everything together but can also make everything look like a joke. Make sure your foundation matches you skin-tone and undertone. No one goes for a look that resembles a mask or a zombie. Go to a counter with a good reputation and have your makeup professionally matched. 

Try your makeup look beforehand 

This is one of the biggest rules! Always test out your makeup and the look you have in mind beforehand. It's a brides worst nightmare to pick makeup that smudges, transfers or fades. It's also a bad idea to skip the practice phase. On the big day it may seem like you have plenty of time to get ready but you don't! Your makeup needs to be spot on the first time and the best way to accomplish that is by practicing ahead of time.

Don't go too heavy

I know it can be tempting to go all out like a celebrity but brides should look fresh and subtle. Skip the bold colors on your wedding day (unless that's the way you roll). However, don't go too light-handed or it might not show up in photography. Not wearing enough makeup could also make you looked washed out from wearing so much white with little color on the face.

Wear waterproof mascara 

I know it, I hate waterproof mascara too but it's essential for a wedding. You're more than likely going to cry and we don't want black tears do we? 

Don't use a face mask the night before

I know you're wanting your skin to look it's best on your wedding day and a face mask seems like the answer. However, that can be a huge mistake! Some masks work so good that they bring the dirt to the surface of your skin and cause a pimple. Clean out your pores a different day. If you do decide on a mask, opt for a moisturizing one instead of a pore cleansing option. 

Get plenty of rest

You've heard it before, get plenty of rest. Drink a lot of water before you go to bed and be sure to lay down at a decent hour. In the morning your skin will look healthier and radiant. Plus, those hideous under eye bags will be less apparent. 

Pluck/wax your eyebrows the day before not the day of the wedding

Remember to groom your eyebrows a day before the wedding. Irritation can occur and cause the area to inflame and turn red. Booo!

Wear lipstick liner and transfer resistant lipstick

Be sure to wear lip liner to help prevent feathering from your lipstick. And if you want to prevent your new husband from having pink lips then wear a transfer proof lipstick too. Matte shades are good for that, or better yet, a liquid lipstick won't budge or transfer the whole day. Just be familiar with matte lipstick before your wedding day. A lot of people say they are too drying.

Use spray deodorant 

It's different when you get deodorant on your shirt but your wedding dress? There's no time to wash that big white dress like your other clothes. The best choice would be a spray deodorant. With a spray you also won't have the yucky visible deodorant creases everyone will see while you're dancing. 

Don't dye your hair with a different dye the week of the wedding

Do not be courageous and try a different hair dye before the wedding. Sure you could dye your hair back to its regular shade but your hair will look fried on your wedding day. Who wants that? 

Don't use fake Tanner (or spray tan) close to your wedding day 

The man at the end of the isle is marrying you, not an orange. If you get a spray tan be sure to rinse off the fake part of the tanner and do it a few days before the wedding. Follow the same principle for self tanner. It would also be a disaster if the self tanner transferred onto your wedding dress! 

I hope this helped you plan your bridal routine and may you have a long happy marriage!

---

What is the date of your big day?

Have any wedding tips to share?

Comment below and let us know!