Beauty Bakerie Metallic Lip Whip in The Grape Life, Rosè Posè, and Berried – Swatches, Review and Photos On A Woman of Color

img_6013-ccc So I picked up 3 metallic liquid lipsticks from the Beauty Bakerie over the holiday because I really wanted to try their formula for these smudge proof liquid lips that I kept hearing about. I ordered:

  • The Grape Life ($20; 5mL) - a deep metallic purple that's a true grape shade
  • Rosè Posè ($20; 5mL) - a light metallic rose/pink with an intense shine
  • Berried ($20; 5mL) - a deep cranberry/wine with light glitter reflects

From left to right we have:Rosè PosèBerried and The Grape Life img_6033-copyAbove photo taken with flash & in LED lighting

Photo taken without flash & in LED lightingimg_6037-copy

They are beautiful colors that seriously live up to the smudge proof claim. I had a very hard time removing these from my arm and lips with my usual makeup oil remover and micellar water. I had to grab the regular baby oil to help get it off. Beauty Bakerie does off a lip whip remover ($14) that is designed to easily remove their liquid lipsticks but I opted to use what I had at home.

As for formula, it's honestly not one of my favorites. When it comes to not moving or smearing, this company takes the cake by far for smudge proof. However, I didn't necessarily like the color payoff. In the video below you can see the color payoff that I got with one coat applied. I didn't really get a true color payoff or a color that I was satisfied with until I added two coats which normally isn't a problem for me but after about an hour of wear, I really started to feel the liquid lipstick on my lips and it starting to crack and hurt - and that's because I added on the additional coats.

[embed]https://youtu.be/-ysv21ziKlE[/embed]

Overall: I'd purchase from them again because I want to try out other formulas from them besides the metallic line. Also, I have adjusted the comfort of the formula by just adding in a few drops of bio oil or maracuja oil into the formula so having to layer them is not a deal breaker for me.

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-Purchased-

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Exclusie: An Interview with the Ladies From the Intertwine Collection

In the midst of the glamour of all of the beauty and makeup, I always tell myself - your look is never going to be complete until you have your own sense of style that shines through your outfit. For example... image3image1

Her makeup is beyond perfection! But the outfit...her sense of style is what's really pulling everything together. So I wanted to help you channel your inner beauty and tie in your style by introducing you to the Intertwine Collection. The Intertwine Collection is an exclusive online boutique, owned and operated, by twin sisters Shanda and Shawniece that provides stunning statement pieces, accessories and garments for all women of all shapes and all sizes. We were able to catch up with the boutique owners and learn more about their brand, the vision behind their work and get some style and business tips.

Candy Coated Closets: First, thank you ladies for making the time to chat with me and my readers about Intertwine Collection! How did you ladies come up with the idea for Intertwine Collection? What does the name mean?

Intertwine Collection: Intertwine Collection was created by the thought of the birthing process of twin fetus interlocking to become to separate eggs, which the basis behind our company name, Intertwine. Intertwine is defined as interlocking or twine together.

Candy Coated Closets:  How did you get your start?

Intertwine Collection: We started off reconstructing women vintage clothing. Then we started styling for a Disney show called ‘Ant Farm’. We later decided to venture off and start Intertwine Collection.”

Candy Coated Closets:  What makes your boutique stand out from the others?

Intertwine Collection: What sets us apart from other boutique is we are not only giving day-to-day garments but also heavy beading, tassels, and lace which allow wow-factor of surprise to customers to know we put time into a quality pieces. The Intertwine collection is a mix of various dresses, jumpsuits, shirts, pants, jeans, jackets and more.

Candy Coated Closets:  Where do you get your inspiration from?

Intertwine Collection: We are inspired by different variation of styles and designs. Bold colors and patterns is what allows us to utilize the next trend.

Candy Coated Closets: If you both had to pick one item from your boutique that represents your overall style, what would it be?

Intertwine Collection: "If I could pick one item, I would have to choose the ‘Glamour Embellish Dress’ the heavy beading is everything” stated Shawniece. Shanda said “I would have to say my favorite item currently Forbidden Vine Playsuit. It’s a show-stopper garment.

Candy Coated Closets: With your success on social media and the introduction of the Karla Collection (a collection for women of all body types) what challenges do you see your boutique tackling in the future? What’s next?

Intertwine Collection: Intertwine Collection’s next move would be branding and expanding plus sizes for woman and also adding footwear.

Candy Coated Closets: What advice would you give other Black Owned Entrepreneurs that are looking to reach your level of success?

Intertwine Collection: Our best advice we can offer someone moving in the fashion industry would be to do your research, find your nitch, engage with audience, stay creative, and do your part in putting in the foot work. Without foot work there is no way that your company can reach a successful level. And this is to show you that success does not come over night. Work smart so it could save you a lot of headaches.

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How to Ombre Lip Tutorial - Vampy Liquid Lipsticks from Coloured Raine and Jouer Cosmetics Skinny Dip Glitter Topper

Hey guys! So I get a lot of questions about how I do my ombre lips that you see me wearing in photos so I decided to start filming a series on how to do it. This is a sort of tutorial on how I got these vampy glitter lips. Oh, and here's a tip - if you ever get a lipstick (see as a gift or in a bundle pack) that looks way to light on you - think about pairing it with an ombre lip - just pop it right in the center of your lips to brighten up the darker perimeter.

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[embed]https://youtu.be/vX8YoSWX81g[/embed]

Lipsticks used:

Coloured Raine Tootsie ($17) Coloured Raine 24Seven ($17) Coloured Raine Soul ($17) Jouer Cosmetics Skinny Dip Topper $16)

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-Affiliate Links-

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Kami Cosmetics Liquid Matte Smooch Swatches & Photos - Wanted & Blue

If you remember - or if you're a new reader here Kami Cosmetics is a luxury beauty brand that has been designed for the sophisticated and chic woman in every skin tone. The best thing about this brand is it is owned by woman of color with the kindest heart. You can find out more about the brand in my first review here. I was recently sent some more of their products to test out and I couldn't be happier to share some photos of the liquid matte smooch line.

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This liquid lipstick formula is one of the best that I have tried. It's very pigmented for how light-weight it is on the lips. You really only need one swatch to get a true color payoff (see below) but if you want to apply two coats to build it up, touch up wear after a long day or even do an ombre lip then these are the liquid lipsticks you want to try.

Here, I wanted you guys to see what Wanted and Blue looked like on my lips. Let me know which other colors you want lip swatches of.

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Available: Online at Kami Cosmetics for $18 each.

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-Press Sample-

Coloured Raine 24Seven Liquid Lipstick – Swatches, Photos, Video & Review

Coloured Raine 24Seven Liquid Lipstick ($17) is a matte deep rose pink liquid lipstick with beige undertones. img_4505-copy-gain

Coloured Raine is a black owned beauty business that creates products that are cruelty, paraben, gluten free and vegan. These lip paints are very pigmented and only need one swipe across the lips to show - please note that these are not the ones that you want to try and layer - don't do it to your lips. As always, make sure that you exfoliate and add some moisture to your lips before applying.

Here is a video of me applying it so you can get a better idea of the color.

[embed]https://youtu.be/X804oH-wPsE[/embed]

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Rihanna’s Lipstick Color at the 2016 MTV VMAs – Cherry Blossom and Raine Fever by Coloured Raine Cosmetics

By now, you’ve figured out every single outfit that Rihanna wore to the 2016 MTV Video Music Awards but while the world was consumed with her pale pink sporty ensemble from Hood By Air and her gold grommet belted gown from Alexandre Vauthier, I was obsessing over what lipstick shades she was wearing and how I could find them? Luckily, I didn't need to look far...

Image from www.mtv.co.uk

Rihanna opened the show with her hair slicked back in a pony tail and wearing head-to-toe pale pink with hints of red in her sporty, corseted outfit.  Her deep red lipstick is what pulled everything together for me and according to the team over at Coloured Raine Cosmetics, she is wearing Cherry Blossom, a deep blue based red matte liquid lipstick that only costs $17.

Image from www.mtv.com

Rihanna's final look was the gold grommet belted gown from Alexandre Vauthier - a elegant gown to close the show and accept her Michael Jackson Video Vanguard Award. She chose to pair the gold hue and dramatic styling with the dark purple lipstick Raine Fever from Coloured Raine - again, available for $17.

So it's easy to say here are the shades, go ahead and buy them so you can be one step closer to living your life like the Bad Girl herself but will the colors look the same on you? Are they comfortable? Are they worth the money? Luckily, I already had both of these shades in my lipstick collection and I can attest to the fact they are long-wearing, comfortable and true to color (especially on women of color).

IMG_8715IMG_9446 copy Here I am wearing Raine Fever (left) and Cherry Blossom (right).

You can read a more in-depth review with more photos of these shades in my previous Coloured Raine Cosmetics feature here. And make sure you check out the Coloured Raine team celebrating the lipstick shade features on their Instagram below.

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BJrHldgAGGC/[/embed]

[embed]https://www.instagram.com/p/BJrbstogmXk/[/embed]

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AJ Crimson Beauty Review: Creme Foundation in 4/6.5 + 4.5/7, Nude Lipsticks and Loose Finishing Powder Review and Swatches

AJ Crimson has created an amazing line of foundations for colors of all skin tones. When we visited his last event - Beyond Beauty, Building Your Beauty Business – a Multicultural Beauty Event - AJ spoke about the creation of his beauty brand and how it was borne out of necessity. "I felt like there was an absolute need to bring product to women that actually worked and didn't oxide or change. I wanted to create a product inclusive of women of all ethnicities, a product all women could find ownership in and believe in. So often, makeup has been designed with a one size fits all mentality, and with black women and women of color, my cosmetic line contains shades for women of every ethnic background and skin tone." - AJ Crimson There really isn't much more that I can say that AJ didn't so let's dive into some swatches and review shall we?IMG_1211 ccc

I ordered two of dual skin creme foundations in the warm 4/6.5 compact and the deep 4.5/7 compact along with 3 nude lipsticks and a loose finishing powder.IMG_1229 ccc

First, let's look at the dual skin creme foundation compacts. Here is the warm 4/6.5 compact. 4 & 6.5 ccc                                                                    Photo taken with LED lights and flash

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Here is the deep 4.5/7 compact.

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IMG_1414 ccc(Photo taken outside in natural lighting)

Here are all 4 shades swatched next to one another for a better comparison. This gives you a better idea of which ones have more of a yellow, golden or red undertone.

IMG_1422 ccc(Photo taken with LED lights and flash) IMG_1434 ccc(Photo taken outside in natural lighting)

And as usual, here is a live video of the foundations in different lighting (inside and natural sunlight to help you).

[embed]https://youtu.be/CMEoJch-YFY[/embed]

Next, is the loose finishing powder in neutral matte. You can use this to set your foundation and absorb shine.IMG_1243 ccc IMG_1443 ccc IMG_1448 ccc(Photo taken with LED lights and flash. I blended it out as we move further right in the photo so you can see how it it applies once you pick it up and how it blends out.)

And now for the unfiltered test (oh the things I do for you guys). Here is a super upclose (unfiltered and unedited) photo of me testing out the warm 4/6.5 compact and loose finishing powder. I only set my underneath my eyes with the neutral loose finishing powder and didn't set my face because I wanted to see how the creme foundation performed on its own. I love the full coverage that you get with this foundation and contour shade, especially because I didn't put on any concealer and I have extremely dark circles that were covered with just the "4" foundation shade. The only thing that I would change in the future is to make sure to use a mattifying primer and mattifying setting spray because I felt "too shiny" in this photo - however, it was very hot the night I reviewed this foundation and my studio lights are insanely hot - so I am going to test it out and post a few updates once I do that.

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Lastly, I picked out 3 lipsticks that were designed to be the perfect matte (creamy) nude for any skin tone. From left to right, we have #Nude, #PerfectSelfie and #NoFilter. IMG_1230 ccc                                                          (Photo taken with LED lights and flash)

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I must say...it is refreshing to wear some creamy matte lipsticks that aren't liquid lipstick! My favorite of the three nude shades is definitely #NoFilter.

Whew! This post was definitely photo heavy but I really wanted to feature these foundation shades to help some of you that are having a hard time finding the right match for your skin tone and undertone. If you are or looking to try something new in your routine, definitely head to AJ Crimson Beauty.

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Juvia’s Place The Nubian 2 Eyeshadow Palette Review & Swatches

I've recently become obsessed with Juvia’s Place, an independent black owned cosmetics brand, that won me over with their Egyptian themed eyeshadow palettes. For as long as I can remember, I've always been enchanted with the rich culture and history of Ancient Egypt. So it was a no-brainer that I had to try this eyeshadow palette that was designed with the Egyptian Queen Nefertiti in mind. IMG_0898 copy copyThe Nubian 2 palette ($35) is cruelty free and consists of 12 versatile eyeshadows - 8 metallic shades and 4 matte shades. Each pan has a net weight of 3.5 g / 0.12 oz. IMG_0347 cccThe palette is made in the People's Republic of China - don't let that deter you from checking out this palette because it is one of the best palettes in my collection. The ingredients include: Talc, Mineral Oil, Magnesium Stearate, Iron Oxides, Mica, Kaolin, Ethylhexyl Palmitate, Chromium Oxide Greens, Titanium Dioxide, Manganese Violet, FD & C Yellow 5 Al Lake, FD&C Blue 1 Al Lake, Ferric Ferrocyanide, FD&C Red Al Lake. I swatched each shade with two coats to show the true colors with no primer. Each of the photos below were taken with my DSLR camera (no flash) and LED lights. IMG_0393 copy cccIMG_0844 ccc IMG_0874 ccc IMG_0876 ccc

And no review would be complete without a live look at the shadows.

[embed]https://youtu.be/ikYzKWJ3Wig[/embed]

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On my lids, I used Madagascar and Kenya as transition colors and in my crease. I added a bit of Leyla mixed with a hint of Jezebel on my lid. On my lips, I am wearing a liquid lipstick called Silencer from OPV Lashes.

Here is the breakdown of the rest of the products used:

Eyelashes: Unforgettable by Esquido Lashes Brows: Colourpop Cosmetics Bangin’ Brunette Pencil ($5) Lips: OPV Liquid lipstick in Silencer Eye Pencil: Make Up For Ever Aqua XL Eye Pencil Waterproof Eyeliner in Aqua XL D-12 – diamond black ($21) Eyeshadow Primer: Urban Decay Anti-Aging Eye Shadow Primer Potion ($24) Liquid liner: Inglot black gel eyeliner in 77 Foundation: Tom Ford traceless perfecting foundation in Sienna Concealer: IT COSMETICS Bye Bye Under Eye Anti-Aging Concealer in deep ($24) Mascara: Too Faced Better Than Sex Waterproof mascara ($23) Sigma Brushes: E25 – Blending BrushE55 – Eye Shading BrushE35 – Tapered Blending BrushE30 – Pencil BrushE45 – Small Tapered Blending BrushE57 – Firm Shader BrushE15 – Flat Definer Brush

You can order the Juvia's Place Nubian 2 palette here.

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-Affiliate Links-

Juvia's Place The Nubian 2 Eyeshadow Palette Flash Giveaway

Um, can we talk about an impromptu giveaway please? There has been so much going on in the world that it has made my head spin over the past few days. I've already touched on the subject on my Instagram page which you can view here until I formally work up the blog post. But tonight...I want to see something that makes me smile. IMG_0347 copy

So I've decided to gift one of my Instagram followers a brand new Juvia's Place The Nubian 2 Eyeshadow Palette. It's so funny because I just opened this palette an hour ago to work on it for a blog feature and each swatch of the Egyptian themed colors screamed "yes, give me away!"

Here's how to enter:

1. You must follow @candycoatedclosets on Instagram.

2. In the comments on this Instagram photo, tag a friend and tell them something uplifting; something positive. Tell them why you love them!

3. You can enter as many times as you want - just make sure that you comment and tag a new friend with a new message that will make them smile.

That's it! I will have swatches up of the colors on my social channels along with a detailed blog post on the palette but I wanted something to go up tonight so that the week could end on a brighter note.

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Contest runs from Friday, July 8, 2016 and ends Sunday, July 10, 2016 at 11:59pm est. One winner will be randomly chosen from those who commented (not those tagged within the comments) and announced within 24 hours of the contest ending.

No giveaway/spam profiles & profile must be set to public by the end of the contest so we can ensure that you are following @candycoatedclosets. Open to US residents only (sorry my international babes); 18+, to enter. Odds of winning depend on number of entries received.

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