Pigment Payoff

I have many people ask me what is the point of having pigments in your makeup case. The answer? versatility. Pigments can be used on the eyes, lips, and basically anywhere you want color. However, I mainly stick with the eyes. Whatever floats your boat, go for it!

These two pigments I have chosen to showcase are by MAC and I absolutely love them. The reason I typically shoot for a bottle of pigment is firstly because of the color pay off. It excels, it soars, it conquers all color in the makeup world. There are also many different formulations such as frost, metal, matte and pearl in the MAC pigment collection.

The first is Kitchmas, a frost shade to which is described as a, "shimmering pink/mauve pearl".

The description barely touches base on the payoff and loveliness of this pigment. It is gorgeous placed on the center of the lid or placed on the center of the lips for a pop of shimmer.

The second is Gold, a metal shade to which is described as a, "smooth high shine gold".

 I feel what I love most about this shade is the intensity & undertone. Usually I find gold shades that have more of a cooler & warmer undertone, but this one is more olive to me which I feel would look gorgeous on a different variety of diverse skin tones.

Lastly, I believe a beauty tip that beats the ban when it comes to using pigments is using them wet for an even more intense color payoff. 

Honestly, you can use any mineral water (I use MAC fix+) or plain water to spritz lightly after placing the pigment on the brush your using and build it up to your desired color payoff. Below I photographed the difference between regular formulation and wet.

Hope you learned a little bit about the reasons for pigment hype, love you all balm beauties!

xoxo

Hannah Ruth

The Sin of Skin: Eminence Review

Is it just me that dreams of flawless skin? No? Okay, then yay we're on the same page.

Well, when I turned eighteen I thought those days of Proactiv and topical creams were over. So, of course I had canceled my subscription because homegirl doesn't have all that money to spend. I unthinkingly had no clue to what debt I owed unto that skin care regime. However, life goes on and you stick with the basics & deluxe samples to get you by until you make it big. Well, at least by the time you finally have enough money to buy products that work for acne only to not have acne anymore. Catch my jive?
Well I first heard of eminence from my ma who loves Michelle Money, who owns the line of eminence skin care. First off, love her. Not only does she have a line of skin care, she give advice of all kinds on beauty.  Love it. Hands down, if you have the money (no pun intended), buy it!

Clear Skin Probiotic Cleanser

I cannot go on enough about how much I love this cleanser. It smells lovely, it's amazing, it works. Boom.

Clear Skin Probiotic Moisturizer

This moisturizer is key to maintaining nourished skin & will keep your face feeling fresh.

Clear Skin Willow Bark Booster-Serum

Tip on applying this serum after skin care regime: if you're like me, you're the type to unscrew the bottle with slippery hands only to have super expensive serum spill all over the floor. To which I say, don't make my mistake. Anyways, it works well & smells great. Oh, and just in case you were wondering- yeah, I cried.

Clear Skin Probiotic Masque

There are so many wonderful things I could say about this face masque, however I won't go on & on. It lays well on the face after the skin care regime and washes right off.

Overall, I give this kit an A+ because it literally works over night & I feel content/happy about my life. It also comes with some samples of the masque, and the bag is super cute. It is truly skin salvation for the sins of my skin, however it does a number on your wallet. The kit I present to you has lasted me only a little while, and these products do require you to be consistent in order to keep the results.
On a side note, I'm trying to get better about my skin care. It seems like acne comes at the worst of times & really lowers your confidence. Despite knowing how to cover all that up with makeup that guarantee's a flawless finish, I want to be real & say that I struggle as well. If there's anything I'd like you to take away from this post, it'd be this: we all have our flaws, but it's how we handle them that can make us or break us. Don't let a breakout break you down- when life throws you flaws, remember what a balm-shell you truly are.

Love you tons,

x o x o

Hannah Ruth

All About That Base

Hello balmest of blog readin' lovelies! Today I present to you my latest in my love life:
Eye Shadow Bases.

So here's the line up-

Product #1: Be A Bombshell Cosmetics eye base in Submissive.

First off, I love this brand. I continuously fall in love with their products all the time. However, this base is what took the cake- it's a cooler undertoned brown w/ lots of sparkle. I like it because it does its job (no creases) and then some (it sparkles).

Product #2 & #3: Urban Decay Eyeshadow Primer Potion in Original & Sin.

Backstory time- Urban Decay has been there for me since day one (my first official makeup brand I started off with as a wee little 7th grader), so when it comes to this brand I always know that I can trust that everything they create actually works and is, yes, too legit to quit. Original is a nude tone + doesn't crease. Sin is a pink champagne color + shimmer + you guessed it- doesn't crease. My top eye base of the century. Nothing compares. Boom.

Product #4: Mirabella Beauty Primer for Face and Eyes.

I'll be honest- this gem has been laying around in my makeup drawers new unopened for months. To which I realized, "why haven't I put it to the test?" So I did. The primer was outstanding and totally didn't crease my eyeshadow look. Life made.

So there you have it. A list of eye primers/bases that I encourage you to try. I literally am in love with each of them.

Stay anti-creased mah friends-

xoxo

Hannah Ruth

Dry Shampoo: Real Talk

Hello my lovelies! Today I want to set the record straight on a trend sweeping into the hair industry like no ones business- dry shampoo. If you aren't aware of what its magical hair powers are capable of, let me enlighten you: it can make any oily hair look on point in seconds, spare you from washing your hair everyday, and give you volume when well needed.

I have tested out many dry shampoo's, and so far the Umberto Beverly Hills dry clean dry shampoo (you can find it at target) has won the best out of all.

This is my third can I've purchased and adore it with all my heart. I can always guarantee that my hair will not look greasy all day by using this hair product. My second best is by pssst! the true original instant dry shampoo.

I particularly love the fact that it's travel friendly. Lastly, I love the Klorane Dry Shampoo w/ Oat Milk.

It is gentle on my scalp, and I love the way my hair still feels soft after a few hours.

Overall, I am obsessed with dry shampoo and encourage you to give it a shot as well!

Happy Saturday my balm-beauties!

xoxo

Hannah Ruth