Review: Pūrlisse Radiant Glow Illuminating BB Cream

It isn’t incredibly often that I find myself raving about a beauty product, but once in a while, I come across some amazing brands and products that deserve to be talked about and shared! In today’s blog post, I will be reviewing the Radiant Glow Illuminating BB Cream from the brand Pūrlisse (pronounced: pure-lease). Before diving into the actual review of the product, I wanted to start by telling you a little bit about the brand and its founder.

Pūrlisse (Beauty Through Asian Wisdom) is all about celebrating being different. The brand aspires to promote healthy skin while helping every customer find their confidence. This brand is unique in that they combine science and Asian botanicals to create formulas that are truly effective and beneficial. What I absolutely love about this brand is that it is not just about the makeup; it is about having healthy skin. I also admire their mission to bring confidence to every person who uses their products. The brand sells both makeup and skincare, so you can find all of your new go-to’s from Pūrlisse! All products are free of GMO ingredients, mineral oil, paraben preservatives, propylene-glycol, petrochemicals, phthalates, triclosan, sulfates, and animal testing, and this is not always easy to find. The brand is also incredibly supportive of the “Look Good Feel Better” Foundation, which helps to support women who are struggling with cancer.

The Founder of Pūrlisse is Jennifer Yen, and she created the brand to celebrate her heritage and to appreciate just how beautiful it is. As a young Chinese-American girl living in Alabama, she struggled to feel comfortable in her own skin. She found it difficult to appreciate her culture and the beauty of being different. As time went on, she learned to embrace her heritage once again, and this is when she discovered part of her purpose: “To help give women a reason to believe in their own beauty” – Jennifer Yen.

Jennifer is a former actress, and she has experience wearing heavy makeup under harsh, bright lights. Of course, this is not the best thing for the skin, so she rediscovered her grandmother’s Asian beauty secrets, and this ultimately led to Pūrlisse. I found this story to be very inspirational, and I think many can relate to Jennifer’s situation growing up. Sometimes, we have to reach a certain point in life to truly feel confident in who we are and where we come from. It is amazing that what she failed to see and appreciate as a child is what launched her career in the beauty industry. I am very close with my family and I am so proud of who we are, so it means so much to see someone bring their heritage into their career, and to make it such an important part as well.

Now let’s get into the review!

I first discovered this product through Ipsy, which is a beauty subscription service that I frequently use. One month, I received a sample size of the Radiant Glow Illuminating BB Cream from Pūrlisse. I wasn’t sure what to expect; normally I struggle to find a foundation/bb cream that I like.

I was absolutely blown away when I first used this product! This bb cream is super light weight, which I love. Over time, I’ve started to really dislike the feeling of heavy/thick foundation on my face throughout the day. I really wanted to find a great base product that is perfect for everyday, and I definitely found it in this bb cream! When I apply this product, I like to use a beauty blender and gently dab it into my skin. The end result is stunning! My skin is literally glowing, and I love that it looks so natural as well. I almost feel as if I am not wearing anything on my face with this bb cream, which is so impressive! The bb cream does not have a scent, which I think it great because sometimes this can turn people away from using certain products. I am no skincare expert, but I think scented skincare/makeup can cause irritations for some people as well. I try to avoid scented products if I can, so if you’re like me, this bb cream won’t be an issue!

Although this bb cream is not exactly full coverage, it is perfect for everyday glam and that is perfect for me! It works best for those with normal-dry skin and even sensitive skin. You can also build this up quite a bit if you prefer more of a medium coverage. It also has SPF 30 in it, which is really great for the skin, whether you’ll be indoors or outdoors, and it is oil-free! The formula contains: Goji Berry, Hawthorn Berry, and Jasmine. It even contains light reflecting pigments which will help to moisturize and brighten the skin; leaving the skin to look naturally radiant! With daily use, you will even start to notice improvements with your skin texture, which is something that I struggle with. I’ve struggled with acne since my early teens, and although I’ve somewhat got it under control, spots still tend to come up. When I use this bb cream, I never feel as if it makes my skin worse or that it irritates any spots. If anything, I think that it does a pretty good job at covering small spots and redness. The benefits of the product include: improves skin complexion, softens and evens the skin tone, hydrates the skin, reduces fine lines, wrinkles, dark spots, and dullness, and prevents UVA/UVB damage.

It is recommended that you apply one of the Pūrlisse moisturizers before using this bb cream. This will allow your skin to absorb all of the beneficial ingredients. Then go in with the Silk Glow BB Base Primer; this will give the skin a soft and smooth finish. Now it is finally time to apply your Radiant Glow Illuminating BB Cream! While the first two steps aren’t necessary, it will most likely give you the best results. I always like to apply moisturizer and a primer before any kind of foundation or bb cream, and I can definitely see the benefit of doing so!

The only downfall for this product that I can see is that the shade range is very limited. I am not sure why this is, and it is quite unfortunate. I love this product and want to recommend it to everyone, but anyone with a darker skin tone wouldn’t be able to try it for themselves. I wear the shade “Light Medium” in winter and spring and I wear the shade “Medium” in summer and fall. If you have a darker skin tone, there are a few products from Pūrlisse that you can still try, such as their new Ageless Glow Serum BB Cream, which seems to be extremely popular, or the Perfect Glow BB Cream. The shade range is much more broad with these products for some reason. Another important thing to mention is that as the day goes on, my skin does not look as perfect as it did when first applying the product. While this is true for many foundations and bb creams, it is something that you may want to keep in mind. As I’ve said, my skin is a bit textured, so I just notice that the texture is more noticeable after wearing this for a few hours, but maybe this won’t be a problem for you. Remember: all skin is different, and the only way you’ll know how this product affects you is to try it for yourself.

If you are interested in purchasing the Radiant Glow Illuminating BB Cream, I will link it here. If you want to purchase any other product from Pūrlisse, I will link their website here. Since these products are higher quality, the prices will reflect this. For example, a typical drugstore foundation or bb cream could cost anywhere between $5-$10, whereas the Radiant Glow Illuminating BB Cream is $37 (at the time of writing this post). While it is quite a bit of money, I do believe that it is worth it. I don’t wear makeup every day, but when I do, I always reach for this product and I never regret it! Plus, it seems to last a while too, so you won’t need to buy it too frequently unless you wear makeup every day. I would recommend signing up to their newsletter on their website. You will then receive emails from the brand, and you’ll also be notified of any sales going on! The full size of this bb cream is 1.4 fl. oz. / 40 mL. The travel size is 0.24 fl. oz. / 7 mL. If after reading this review, you are still undecided on whether or not you want to purchase this item, you may want to try the travel size first (linked here). Plus, they’re just good to have for trips and getaways. (At the time of writing, the travel size is $10).

There is also a Rewards Program that you can join. Once you sign up, you can earn points to redeem products. For example, you can redeem points by simply creating an account, purchasing items, following Pūrlisse on social media platforms, etc. You can even refer a friend for money off a purchase. You can give your friends $10 off a purchase of $35+, and you’ll get $10 for each successful referral. You can find this under the “Rewards” tab.

If you are unsure if this product is for you or not, the Pūrlisse website can be very helpful. You may want to take advantage of their tools, such as the “Skincare Quiz” option and the “Build My Routine” option. These can help you figure out what products will be best for your skin. When using Pūrlisse products, particularly the makeup, you really won’t have to worry about it negatively affecting your skin. This is not only a relief to know, but it will bring you confidence when buying, applying, and wearing the product!

Overall, I think this product truly stands out and is so worth buying! I also think it’s important to support a brand that has an inspirational message to share with the world. You really can’t go wrong when buying from Pūrlisse, and I couldn’t recommend their Radiant Glow Illuminating BB Cream more! I am looking forward to trying out more from the brand, and when I do, I’ll be sharing my thoughts right here on Compass to Confidence (.com). Thanks so much for reading! Until next time!

Encanto Review

Disney has done it yet again. Their 60^th animated feature has been an absolute hit amongst Disney fans around the world (myself included)! I recently saw this fantastic film and immediately knew that I wanted to write about it. I watched it once for enjoyment and because it was new and then a second time to take notes for this post. I am so excited to share my review on this film with you all. Let’s get into it.

Encanto is a story that follows a multigenerational Colombian family. A family that, on the outside seems perfect, but inside the Madrigal home lies brokenness that is in need of mending (but we’ll get to that later on). The Madrigal family was once blessed with a miracle, and each member of the family is given a gift once they reach a certain age. For example, Luisa is super strong, Dolores can hear from miles away, and little Antonio can understand and speak to animals. Then we have Mirabel, who, as a young girl was so curious and hopeful when her gift ceremony came along. The night ended in confusion and disappointment when her own magical door disappeared as she stood before it. This is ultimately where the story begins.

The cast of this film did such a phenomenal job, and many of them are new to the acting world, which makes this even more impressive! I was familiar with Diane Guerrero and Wilmer Valderrama, however I had never heard of any of the other actors. This film had been in the making for quite some time, and due to COVID-19, the cast did their voice-overs from home, and were coached over zoom! It just shows that despite challenging times, the actors were all optimistic and made the most out of the situation. The film was released on November 24, 2021 in the US, and has seemed to have mostly positive reviews.

This film was very different compared to other animated Disney films. For example, rather than focusing solely on one main character, we were introduced to many different characters and we were able to understand some of them almost as much as Mirabel. I believe that side characters are just as important, and they can even make or break a film. Well, these characters definitely made the film! They all played their roles so well, and their voices fit perfectly with their characters. I like that each character was seen as an important part of the family, especially toward the end of the film. Something else that stood out to me is that this story seems to have a much deeper meaning compared to older and even some recent Disney films. There were meanings and messages that I don’t believe Disney has ever covered before, and this is important because it makes it more relatable and honest.

My favorite part about this film is that is focuses on family. Certain parts of the storyline really resonated with me, and I am sure that many people can find those things to be relatable, even within their own families. I am someone who is very close with my family, and to watch this with them was very fun and enjoyable. This film truly is for everyone, no matter your age. It is a story for everyone to enjoy and learn from. I also love that it focuses on such a vibrant and beautiful culture that deserves to be represented.

Representation in Disney films seemed to be non-existent for a long time. I appreciate and admire Disney for finally telling stories of other wonderful cultures. This is so important in our world today because people want to see people that look like them. Young children need to see and admire people on screen that they can relate to in some way, whether it be their lifestyle, their traditions, or their skin color. It is also important because the world we live in is incredibly diverse, and we all don’t look the same. Although I have never been to Colombia myself, I find the culture and country beautiful, and I think that this film can open new doors for their audience. We can all learn and appreciate those who are different from us. Since the theme of the film is family, I believe that it can be relatable for most people. I am looking forward to Disney working on more projects and stories that represent different people from different countries and cultures.

Disney songs are songs that stick with you for the rest of your life. We all grew up knowing every word to at least one Disney song. In Encanto, we are introduced to 8 original songs written by the talented Lin-Manuel Miranda and produced by Mike Elizondo. Lin-Manuel Miranda and the team actually visited Colombia, where the setting of the film is based, and they studied the music there. This truly shows us just how much they wanted the music to be accurate to the culture. It also shows how dedicated they were to the story and film. Some of my favorite songs from the film include: We Don’t Talk About Bruno, Surface Pressure, Dos Oruguitas, and Colombia, Mi Encanto. The songs in this film are incredibly catchy, fun, and authentic. They will 100% get stuck in your head, but you’ll never get sick of them! Whether you know a lot about music or not, everyone can appreciate the beautiful songs that were created for this film.

Now let’s dive into the characters and plot a bit…

There are a few characters that really stood out to me, and I wanted to write in depth for them. First, Abuela. Early on in the film, we get to learn about her past and how she got to where she is today. Her story is very real, because many people have had to leave their homes and start a new life elsewhere. It is a heartbreaking story, knowing that she lost her husband, was left with three babies, and had to start over completely. Luckily, their miracle found them quite quickly, and the burning candle stayed bright and strong for the Madrigal family. The miracle allowed them to have a home again, and soon after that comes the town of Encanto. Abuela had clearly experienced a lot of trauma in her lifetime, and we see that come out in many ways throughout the film. She lived on edge; terrified that their miracle would somehow be taken away from them. She relied so much on the miracle and her family’s gifts that she eventually lost sight of what’s most important.

Since Mirabel did not receive a gift, it was easy for her grandmother to focus on other family members and even put them on a pedestal. Although Mirabel seemed to be strong and ok with the fact that she did not receive a gift, we quickly come to find that she is still confused and upset many years later. Though she is proud of her family, she dreams of having a gift of her own. She believes that she truly can move mountains, if only she was given the chance. After constantly getting rejected and blamed by her grandmother, she finally stands up for herself and confronts her Abuela. Toward the climax of the film, she tells her grandmother, “I will never be good enough for you”. She even goes on to say that her Abuela is the one who ruined the family, not her. Although she could have worded this a lot better, I think it was something that she needed to say, and her grandmother needed to hear. For too many years, Abuela was living in fear, and she forgot to show as much love and appreciation to Mirabel as the other family members, which wasn’t right. She comes to recognize her mistakes and makes amends with Mirabel, and this was such a beautiful and heart-warming scene. The tears were definitely starting to fall at that point.

We don’t talk about Bruno… but, we HAVE to talk about Bruno! Throughout the entire film, we get a very small glimpse into the life of Bruno, or at least what others thought of him. At first his character was very mysterious, leaving the audience to wonder what happened to Bruno. The issue is, how is anyone supposed to learn from the situation if they aren’t allowed to talk about it? The Madrigal family, particularly Abuela clearly felt a lot of pain from the situation, and she felt it was best to keep it quiet. In reality, they may have been able to make amends sooner had more people known about what truly happened. In some ways, Bruno was very similar to Mirabel. Although he did have a gift (seeing the future), they were both sort of the misfits in the family. They felt a bit misunderstood and at times, left out. Everyone seemed to blame Bruno when his visions were negative or confusing, when he was ultimately just having visions of the future and trying to warn everyone. They made him out to be a not-so-great person, so it was more understandable when he decided to walk away from the family. We come to find that all along, Bruno was living within the walls of the family home! If you were shocked about this, you must not have heard Dolores sing: “I could always hear him sort of muttering and mumbling” and when the family all found out that Bruno was there, she then confesses that she knew it all along. I guess when you can hear everything, there are no secrets! I absolutely loved how Mirabel went to find Bruno and that in many ways, they both helped each other. I also loved that Bruno actually left because he was trying to protect Mirabel. This shows us that although he was frustrated with the family and what they thought of him, he still cared and loved them. The reunion at the end was exactly what I was hoping for, and I love that there weren’t many words exchanged between Bruno and his family, but of course, he did sing his apologies!

Next up, I want to talk about Luisa, AKA the strong one. I really found Luisa’s character to be interesting and entertaining. There are also many layers to her that start to unfold throughout the film. At first, we see her as the strong sister, physically and emotionally. She’s always helping the people of Encanto as well as her family. What we end up realizing is that she actually feels a lot of pressure in her life. When Mirabel finally gets Luisa alone to ask about what is happening to the miracle, Luisa finally breaks (out into song). If you pay close attention to the lyrics, you’ll hear a cry for help. Luisa is actually terrified of letting her family and Encanto down, and she feels like she constantly has the weight of the world on her shoulders. A few lines from her song that really stood out to me include, “I’m pretty sure I’m worthless if I can’t be of service”, “I hide my nerves, and it worsens, I worry something is gonna hurt us”, and “Give it to your sister, it doesn’t hurt and see if she could handle every family burden”. Sometimes, we can look at certain people and admire them so much for their strength, not realizing that they may be struggling. Strong people, whether the strength is physical, emotional, or both, need a break too. They feel just as much negative emotion as anyone else, and that is what Luisa teaches us.

Mirabel was such a great main character. What I love most about her is that she is relatable, brave, likable, and that she loves her family more than anything. She was fun and entertaining to watch, and I think that she was incredibly strong. Throughout the film, I began to piece together why she did not receive a gift, and what her gift may have actually been. I had a feeling that the house was ultimately her gift. When everyone came together to build the house back together at the end, I got emotional as they handed Mirabel the doorknob that they made for her. In that moment, it was clear to me that I was right, and that the house was her gift. I think it was a moment of realization for the family, and it was so nice to see Mirabel get the love and appreciation that she always deserved.

I briefly wanted to talk about Antonio, because I really loved this character. Although his part was quite small, I think he was just as important as the other characters. We are introduced to Antonio very early on, and we can sense his nervousness and fear about his upcoming gift ceremony. I just adored the relationship between Mirabel and Antonio. It was clear that she really cared about and believed in him. Since Mirabel’s ceremony was the last one before Antonio’s, it was easy for us to understand why he was a bit scared. Not only was Antonio nervous, but I think the entire family and the town of Encanto were nervous too. No one knew what to expect, and they were fearful that Antonio wouldn’t receive a gift like Mirabel (not that this would really be all that terrible). It was so sweet of Mirabel to walk Antonio up the staircase to his door. Everyone is relieved when his door lights up and his gift is revealed; Antonio can speak to and understand animals! Childlike amazement and curiosity cross Mirabel’s face when she sees this happening before her. The family had a new and exciting gift.

The story of Encanto is so inspiring, special, and charming, and I absolutely loved every second of it! There are so many lessons that were placed throughout the film, and anyone at any age can benefit from watching. More than anything, it shows how pain and trauma can be passed on, and if you don’t confront these things at some point, it can put the same pain onto those you love. The family needed to break and have things fall apart so they could come back together stronger than before. Of course, the most positive and uplifting message in the film is that family is everything, and I couldn’t agree with this more! I think my fiancé said it best: “If you wait long enough, you can get the whole house, not just one room.” Essentially, patience is key. If you are patient and you remain grateful, you will always be rewarded in the end. Never give up, hold onto hope, and stay strong in your beliefs.

Thank you so much for reading! I would love to know what you thought of this film, so please leave a comment below so we can connect and talk about it. Until next time!

2021 Year in Review + Thank You

I’ve always recognized the importance of reflection. When I stop and think back to all that happened in 2021, I feel grateful. I’ve learned a lot, stepped out of my comfort zone, grown as a person, and matured very quickly. Of course, this year and my life is not perfect, however I think it is important to focus on the good and to live a positive life. Today, I wanted to share my 2021 highlights! Some wonderful things have happened in my life this year; some you may know about, and others you may not. Please keep in mind that while I am only sharing the good, that doesn’t mean that every day was perfect.

• Went hiking once a month for twelve months

If you have been following my blog since my first “Year in Review” from 2019, you would know that earlier that year, my uncle and I decided that we wanted to hike at least once a month for the entire year. Since then, we have succeeded in doing exactly that. This year, I was away from home for a while, so I was doing my hiking elsewhere (I’ll get to that soon…). Other than the time I was away, we went back to some of our favorite hiking spots in our area. Our hikes aren’t always incredibly intense, but we really enjoy getting some fresh air. I especially love our hikes in spring and fall because I think the weather is just perfect; not too hot and not too cold. A couple other family members have also joined us on a hike or two this year! I am looking forward to continuing this tradition in 2022!

• Celebrated my five year fitness anniversary

Fitness has looked very different to me this year. Since we are still living in a pandemic and things seem to be very up and down, I decided not to go back to the gym this year. I really do miss the environment and feeling of working out in a gym. I find it to be much more motivating, and I think I work my hardest when in the gym. Although I am fully vaccinated and had my booster for COVID, I felt it was best to continue working out at home. I have been doing weight training, yoga, and some HIIT. As the year has gone on, I’ve found it difficult to do certain workouts. While I was away from home, I really did not do any weightlifting. I am trying to find a way to continue doing the workouts I love while traveling, but it is challenging. Despite this, I have been working out more often now that I am home again, and I truly do love the way it makes me feel! When I complete a workout, I feel strong, confident, and empowered. So, in the New Year, I will continue weight lifting, doing my daily yoga, and throwing some HIIT in there as well! Yoga is pretty much a part of my daily routine, and I’ve recognized some incredible benefits. It helps that it can be done anywhere and everywhere, so there are no excuses! I am hoping that 2022 will be the year when I can finally get back in the gym and feel on track again.

• Graduated from Queens University of Charlotte

I really can’t believe how fast my four years of college went by! I remember first stepping onto campus for a tour, and also for my first day. It was a lot of hard work, and I remember feeling stressed and overwhelmed as each new semester started. It got easier every year. In many ways, I really enjoyed my time at Queens. I really grew as a person, and I was able to do things that I don’t believe I would’ve had the opportunity to do had I chosen a different school. I met some great people, learned so much about my chosen career path, grew as a writer, and I traveled abroad. Most of all, Queens has given me the confidence and preparation to step out into the real world. I graduated in May with honors, and this is an achievement I will always be proud of. Also, I am SO thankful to be done with school!

• Traveled out West

My family has had plans to travel somewhere very special since 2020, but of course, that trip had to be canceled. It was canceled yet again this year, however we were still able to do some traveling around the country! It felt so nice to go on a vacation again! In June, we traveled out west to a few places we had never been to before. I won’t go into detail since I wrote an entire blog post about the trip (linked here), but I will say that it was incredible! I really enjoyed seeing Badlands, Mount Rushmore, Yellowstone, and the Grand Tetons! Yellowstone has always been on my bucket list, and I was so excited that I was finally able to go and experience this magical place in person. I had never seen anything quite like it! If you have the opportunity to go, I highly recommend it. You will enjoy every moment, and there is SO much to see and do there. Also, Grand Teton National Park is the most beautiful place I have ever seen! I am not sure if I had ever even heard of it before, but it is now one of my favorite places. Being there felt like I was surrounded by one giant painting. It was surreal. It is also right next to Yellowstone, so if you are going in that direction, you can’t miss it! This trip allowed my family and me to travel to a few different states such as South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming. It is a goal of mine to travel to all 50 states, and I am almost there!

• Started my career working in marketing

I remember so many people saying that once you graduate from college, it can be really difficult to find a job in the field you want. I was fully prepared to work in retail or in a similar job before actually working in the field I studied four years for. Earlier in the year, I applied to a few jobs, but they were not for me. Then, I happened to get an email in June that I was invited to an interview. The timing couldn’t have been any more perfect. I felt really confident about it, and I got the job! It is a remote job for a marketing company, and I am surrounded by skincare! I really enjoy what I do. My job involves: moderating our social media, creating content (photos, reels, tiktoks, captions etc.), and communicating with some of our partner skincare brands. I was also just given a new title with more responsibilities. I am now a Marketing Communications Specialist! I am looking forward to seeing where my career takes me in the New Year.

• Celebrated one year with Tom

On July 22, Tom and I celebrated one year of our relationship! Sadly, we were apart at that time, so our celebrations occurred over a video call. We made the best of it though, and very soon after that, we were finally together in person. I couldn’t believe that a year had gone by, but we were and are so thrilled and excited for many, many more years together!

• Traveled to England to see Tom (twice)

For the past couple years, I’ve made it a goal for myself to get out of my comfort zone more often. When making this goal, I wasn’t sure what I would end up doing down the line, but looking back, I am proud of my courage. For a start, I traveled with my university to France, which was a dream come true. And this year, I traveled completely on my own for the first time to go and see the love of my life. What I thought would be a terrifying and intimidating experience turned out to be amazing. Not everything went right (for example, my luggage was lost for a bit and my flight was changed), but I somehow got through it all and ended up in London to meet Tom in person for the first time after waiting for a little over a year! Since then, I traveled back to England once more. I had never spent so much time away from home or my own country. In 2022, I plan on doing some more traveling, and it is still a big goal of mine to do the things that scare me, because it is always worth it in the end.

• Celebrated two years of “Compass to Confidence”

I truly can’t believe that I have been blogging for two years now! I still love it as much as I did in the beginning, even though I have not been doing it as often. My life has been a bit busy lately, but I will always enjoy and love having this space to share whatever is on my heart. I am grateful to be able to share my passions, give tips, and inspire others to become confident through my words. It is my mission to guide my followers to confidence, and I will not give up on it. My blog has even allowed me to gain more confidence in myself, and I couldn’t be prouder of how far I and my blog have come. I am looking forward to the content I will make in 2022, and I hope you will continue to follow along on the journey!

• Got engaged

Last but not least, the biggest highlight of all: Tom and I got engaged! After speaking about engagement and marriage for a while, Tom proposed to me on November 24^th soon after we arrived in the US. I always imagined what that moment would be like in my life, and it couldn’t have been any more perfect. From the very beginning, even before we started dating, I never had a doubt in my mind. I knew that he was the one for me very early on. I have never felt anything quite like Tom’s love before, and it was and always will be so special and precious to me. I am grateful to have found my forever person. Now… who is going to help me plan the wedding?!

This year has taught me so much, and overall, it has been wonderful and very enjoyable. I am looking forward to accomplishing more of my goals in 2022, and I can’t wait to bring you along with me. I will be sharing more about fashion, beauty, fitness, travel, entertainment, and more about my personal life! I also wanted to say thank you to those of you who have read my blog posts this year. Whether you have been following along from the beginning, or you are new to Compass to Confidence, thank you. Writing and inspiring others has always been my biggest goal in life, and every time I upload a blog post, I feel like I am reaching that goal. I am forever grateful. Be on the lookout for a blog post in the New Year, and I wish you all the best in 2022! Until next time…

Cinderella 2021 Review

Everyone knows the classic story of Cinderella. We are all aware of the memorable elements that create the beloved story such as: perfectly-fitting glass slippers, a chiming clock at midnight, a wicked stepmother, and of course, a magical and gracious fairy godmother. You may be wondering why yet another adaptation of Cinderella just had to be made, or why anyone would still be talking about a movie that first came out in 1950. Well, the 2021 remake puts a modern twist on a classic story. This movie will take you through relevant and current issues all while incorporating some of the most important themes of the original story. Today I wanted to review this new movie for you all, and in the end I will share if I believe it is worth watching! Let’s dive in!

This movie was written and directed by Kay Cannon who is known for her writing and producing of the popular series Pitch Perfect (2012-2017). The first movie she directed was a comedy called Blockers (2018), and since then it was announced that she would be working on a new and exciting project, taking on the story of Cinderella (now on Amazon Prime Video). In the film, there are many familiar faces. I think the casting for this movie was interesting in parts, but I was very happy with it overall! You may recognize Camila Cabello, Idina Menzel, James Corden, Billy Porter, and even Pierce Brosnan!

Camila Cabello was cast as the lead role, and I thought this was an interesting and fabulous choice. I have always loved Camila as well as her solo music, so I was intrigued to see her take on acting. What I love about her part in this film is that she was able to bring her bubbly and fun personality to the well-known character of Cinderella. She did this while also staying true to the original character’s grace, gentleness, and kindness. The struggle of living with her evil stepmother and stepsisters continues on in this film, and we see Cinderella (or Ella) doing her best to stay strong in an unsupportive and grim environment. This time, however, she has goals and dreams for herself. Apparently, being stuck in a basement with a variety of fabrics (and furry mice friends) has its perks because it birthed her dream of becoming a dress designer. Throughout the entire movie, Ella is striving for her goals and will stop at nothing to reach them. Even when she has a bright opportunity standing in front of her, she ends up choosing a different path; doing what no princess has done before. There are very clear nods to women empowerment in the movie, which I think is an important touch and something that a modern audience would want to see. Camila brought humor, light, and strength to the character, and I was very pleased with her performance!

Another talented actress that I wanted to discuss is Idina Menzel. I think she plays wicked extremely well, to say the least! Just from watching her play Cinderella’s evil stepmother, you could tell that she put her all into the role, as she always does. She is mean-spirited, brutal, and just plain cruel. This is very similar to the original stepmother, however there is an unexpected twist in this movie that I found very interesting. Although Idina’s character treats Cinderella poorly, there is a shift toward the end of the movie. We as an audience are able to see a softer side to her, as well as a deeper dive into her past. This is quite different to see, but it really adds depth to her character.

In many movies, creators will often choose not to create in-depth storylines for side characters. While I can understand this choice at times, I don’t always love it. In this film, the creators did a fantastic job of bringing importance and meaning to the side characters’ lives. A couple examples would be learning more about the character of the stepmother, or even Prince Robert and the royal family. At first, we were able to glimpse in to the royal family, however as the movie goes on, we start to understand their family dynamic as well as the goals that the family members all have. I really enjoyed seeing what happened behind those royal doors. Although the average person cannot relate to a royal life, the issues the family face show that they are human and they also struggle with making big decisions, following tradition/orders, and even relationship problems. I really liked Pierce Brosnan as King Rowan. This was an unexpected casting choice to me, but nevertheless, I found his character to be entertaining. After pushing Prince Robert to step into maturity and take on his future role as king, he eventually allows for there to be a positive change.

I briefly wanted to mention a couple side characters that I enjoyed watching. First off, I really loved Doc Brown as the town crier. His rapping was really fun to watch and listen to, and it was yet again, something that I have not seen in a movie like this before. Although his part was small, he definitely made a lasting impression! Secondly, I thought it was so great that the casting directors chose Billy Porter to play the Fairy Godmother (or should I say Fabulous Godmother). I think this was a bold but smart choice for the film. Not only is he full of life and outgoing, but he adds something new and unique to the role. Plus, he is a queer man of color, and I think this was a step in the right direction for film.

When we talk about diversity, we often think of color, however in a truly diverse project, you will get people of different races, ethnicities, sizes, shapes, genders, and sexualities. In my opinion, if an actor is amazing at what they do and they can play the role well, they deserve to be part of the project. If we look at the character of Cinderella, for example, she originally has white skin, blonde hair, and is more on the petite side. Camila Cabello does not look like this, however she was chosen to play Cinderella. The same goes for Billy Porter. The original Fairy Godmother was an older woman with white skin. I like that the casting directors knew what they wanted, and that they chose to go in a different direction; one that was more accurate to how real people look and live in our modern world.

For some reason, I did not even think that this would be a musical. I have no idea why, but I was somewhat surprised when the characters were singing throughout the movie (I did not watch the trailer beforehand). Putting together a cast of talented actors who are also musical could probably be quite difficult, but I’m sure the creators had certain people in mind for the roles. Camila is obviously a successful pop artist, Idina has a ton of experience on a Broadway stage as well as acting in movies and on TV (plus her voice is outstanding), James Corden has been in quite a few musicals over the years, and Billy Porter is another Broadway star with an impressive resume. Overall, the actors’ singing voices are exactly what you’d want in a musical! I thought that the songs they chose to cover were interesting. I was surprised by some of them, but they also worked well with the plot. They are also very famous songs that almost everyone would know! Not all songs were covers though; the song “Million to One” was written by Scott Harris and Camila Cabello. This is a song that the audience will hear at a few different points in the movie. I actually really loved the song! I did not recognize it right away, so I had a feeling it was an original that was written for the movie. I think it perfectly describes Ella’s desire and goals to become a dress designer. The dancing is great as well, and it is clear that a lot of time and effort went into practicing. I would imagine that stepping onto the set of a musical would be quite intimidating, however they look extremely fun too!

In movies like this, I always love to see the costumes and makeup. Since Ella wanted to be a dress designer, the stylists had to show that in this film, and I would say they succeeded! I fell in love with the dresses that Cinderella created and wore, but my absolute favorite was definitely the dress she wore to the ball. I like that they chose to go with pink rather than the famous blue dress from the original movie. Truthfully, every characters’ wardrobe really stood out to me. It is exactly what you would imagine royalty or people of importance would wear. Plus it was just really fun and extravagant! If I could have been an extra on set at the Royal Ball, I would have had the time of my life in a big poofy dress!

Although this movie was really great, I wouldn’t say it was perfect. I think this is a fun, feel-good movie to put on when you need something to lift your mood and spirit, but I don’t see myself watching it frequently. There were a few scenes that maybe went on a bit longer than needed, and a couple cringe-worthy moments, but nothing that would make you turn off the movie. While there were some surprises, there were also a few very predictable moments. I guess that will happen in a remake of a popular story though, so I can’t really complain.  I like that it is a movie that anyone at any age can enjoy, because let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good fairytale (or musical, for that matter)?!  If I had to rate the new adaptation of Cinderella, I would give it 3.5 stars out of 5. This movie did not seem to get the best ratings so far, and I am not exactly sure why. I think once one person states their dislike for something, others simply like to join in rather than forming their own opinion. That is why I wanted to write this blog post; to be able to share a different point of view.

I hope you’ve enjoyed reading today’s blog post! Thank you, and have an enchanting viewing experience!

My Ipsy Glam Bag: september 2021

Hey everyone! It’s been a couple months since I last reviewed or discussed by ipsy glam bags, so I thought I would get back to it! Fall is now here and it is always exciting to receive new beauty right on my doorstep. Lately, I have not been completely in love with my glam bags; the products just haven’t been the best for me and they aren’t exactly what I need, however this month was different!

First of all, I just adore this month’s bag! It is so perfect for fall due to the yellow and black plaid pattern and the brown flap. It immediately reminded me of Cher from Clueless, and then I looked on the Ipsy app and that is exactly what inspired the bag for September! The colors are perfect for fall and it is definitely 90s-inspired. I believe that they were going for a back-to-school vibe as well, and it is very fitting. I would rate my overall bag a 4/5 stars! I was very happy with a few of the products!

Inside the bag:

• Purlisse Beauty – Radiant Glow Illuminating BB Cream SPF 30 in Medium

I really like BB Creams, however I never really used them and I’m not sure why! I guess I just always had my favorite/go-to foundation that I reached for daily. Nevertheless, I was looking forward to testing this out because a lot of the time, I like wearing minimal makeup, and BB/CC creams are perfect for achieving that look! They are great for days when you are in a hurry, wanting a natural makeup look, or when it is too hot outside. This product is meant to give you dewy, natural-looking coverage all while protecting from those harmful UV rays (with SPF 30) as well as pollution. It is supposed to leave you looking soft and luminous. It is also made with skin-friendly antioxidants (goji berry for brightening and jasmine for moisturizing). I wasn’t expecting to completely fall in love with this product, but that is exactly what happened! I just love how soft this BB cream is, and applying it feels so effortless and easy. Luckily, the color that I was sent matches me perfectly too! This looks so soft and beautiful on the skin, and it feels so light; almost as if you are not wearing anything! I highly recommend checking out this product! I know I’ll be buying the full size soon! I may even do a review on this sometime in the near future! I rated this 5/5 stars!

• Sophia + Mabelle – Wet Blush in Bubbly

I was really intrigued by this product because I had never tried a wet blush before, and to be honest, I didn’t exactly know what that meant, or how it being wet could benefit my beauty routine. This blush is meant to make you look naturally flushed. The wet texture will melt into the skin to create a soft, colorful glow. I really love the rose color, and I think it is the perfect shade to go with many different makeup looks (especially natural/neutral looks). I ended up loving this blush! It looks very natural on the skin, and it is easy to build up the color to your liking. If you prefer a more natural look, you won’t have to apply a ton. A simple swipe on the high points of your cheeks and you will look radiant! The color is pigmented, however I did have to keep dipping my brush back in to really see it on my skin. I rated this 4/5 stars.

• Tarte Sugar Rush – Lash Smoothie Volumizing Hemp Mascara

This product is unique to anything I’ve ever owned because it is a two-in-one product! Not only is it a mascara, but it is also a lash treatment. It is meant to give you instant volume and length, and it even helps to deep-condition your lashes (with a blend of avocado, baobab, and plant oils). The shorter bristles on the wand will help to separate and define the lashes and the longer bristles will bring on the volume and curl. I really wanted to love this mascara, however it just isn’t a favorite. It is very nice for natural makeup, however it did not do the best job of lengthening my lashes. It gave them some volume, but overall it is not the product for me. I love the look of long, voluminous lashes because mine are not naturally like this, and I do not prefer to wear fake lashes. I rated this 2/5 stars.

• IBY Beauty Carry On Eyeshadow Duo in Auberge and Bon Voyage

This eyeshadow duo could not be any more perfect for fall! I am obsessed with the beautiful and pigmented shades. These shadows were made with rosehip oil and vitamin E (for skin-protecting properties). I really love the combination of shimmer and matte shades, but I love the fact that with this duo, you don’t have to choose! The matte mauve color is stunning for this season, and the shimmer shade will give you a bit of a glow (which I always appreciate)! As I started applying these shades to my eyes, I noticed that they were a bit difficult to blend out. I used the lighter shimmer shade on my lid, and the darker mauve shade in my crease. It took quite a bit of effort to create a blended and smokey look, which I did not care for. The colors looked beautiful together, but I just wish they were easier to blend and softer to apply. I rated this 3/5 stars.

• BRTC Vitamin B5 Velvet & Vitamin A Velvet Mask Duo

I am not the biggest fan of sheet masks (if I am going to use a mask, I prefer wash-off ones), however I thought I would give it a try anyway. I was a bit surprised to see two masks, but I like that they both have different benefits for the skin. For example, the vitamin B5 mask is great if your goal is to calm redness or sensitivity. The vitamin A mask is best for moisturizing and soothing the skin. Having both of these is very nice because it gives me the option depending on what my skin needs. When I was taking these out of the packaging, they felt very slimy, which I did not really like. I had it on for a while (you are supposed to leave this on for 10-20 min.), and when I took it off, my skin was truly glowing! I really loved the look of this, however it did not feel so great. After patting the remaining liquid into my skin, my face just felt sticky. I am not sure where I stand with these masks, however for now I would rate them 3/5 stars.

Thank you all so much for reading! I hope you enjoyed, and if you are an ipsy member too, I would love to know what you received for the month of September! What would you rate your bag?

If you would like to become an ipsy member, click here!

I also just wanted to share that tomorrow I will be heading back to England again to visit my boyfriend Tom! I will do my best to continue blogging while I am away, but it may be once a week! I am excited to share more blog posts with you all soon.

My June Ipsy Glam Bag

Hey everyone! I am very excited to get back to blogging after my two weeks away! I came back from my vacation on June 22^nd, posted about the entire trip on my blog, and now I’m ready to come back with some fresh content for you all. Since it is the final day of June, I thought I would get this blog up today, and that is my June ipsy glam bag! I will be going over each product I received and sharing my honest thoughts and opinions on them as well.

This month, the glam bags are inspired by sunshine and rainbows! Ipsy wanted their members to feel positivity all around, and to feel encouraged to be themselves. They hoped to achieve this with new beauty and the playful design of the bags! I personally am not a big fan of the bags this month. I prefer bags that have more feminine and chic designs, and this one feels a bit young to me. Other than that, I really like the color and the multicolored zipper is really fun!

Inside the glam bag:

• Dermatologists Choice Skincare – pH Balanced Cleanser

I am always looking for new cleansers to try! I use a cleanser in the morning, at night, and when I remove my makeup. I was really glad that this product did not have a scent and that it simply felt like a true moisturizer. The texture was smooth (though a tiny bit sticky). This product claims to remove dirt and excess oil, while still being gentle on the skin. It is meant to cleanse the pores and exfoliate the skin (though there are no rough pieces or ingredients that you can see or feel in the cleanser).  This product is cruelty free and is made with all natural ingredients. Overall, I really like this cleanser! It removed my makeup really well, and made my skin feel clean after using it. I will continue incorporating this cleanser into my daily routine, and I think that it is absolutely worth a try! I rated this cleanser 4/5 stars. I would need to use it a bit more to really test it out over time.

• F.A.R.A.H – Lilac Z-Tweeze Dual-Ended Tweezers

I really did not want or need a new pair of tweezers, however I thought it could be great that this one is dual-ended. Sadly, this did not work out for me. I have some tweezers that I already own and love, so I struggle when using new ones. I tried both ends, but it was not easy to pluck any of the hairs. I’m not sure why; maybe I just need to get used to this tweezer, however it seems somewhat pointless when I have a perfectly fine pair already. I rated this 2/5 stars (but I will try to use it again).

• Glamglow – SUPERMUD INSTANT CLEARING TREATMENT MASK

This is a best-selling mask from this brand, and I was glad to see that it was in my bag. This mask is great for anyone with normal, combination, or acne-prone skin, so many people can feel and see the benefits from this product! The ingredients in the mask include charcoal (meant to absorb any dirt and build-up), exfoliating acids (to get rid of dead skin cells), and eucalyptus leaf extract (meant to balance oil on the skin). When I began applying this mask, I immediately noticed the strong scent. It smelled very similar to black licorice, which I am not a fan of. I think I could get past the scent, but I don’t prefer it. After applying a thin layer to the skin, you leave it on until it is fully dry. Then you will simply remove it with warm water. I really like that it is a wash-off mask rather than a peel-off. I don’t feel like I have used this enough to really have a say on if it is worth it or not, however I will be using it again. From what I did, I do think this may be a great product! I will hold off on rating it for now.

• Tanaïs – Lip Oil in Mahina Moon

I have only tried one other lip oil before, but I have to say, I’ve really fallen in love with them! I always apply chapstick before putting on any lipstick, gloss, or oil (but with this product, it is not necessary). It is infused with coconut oil and pomegranate seed oil, and this helps to plump and hydrate the lips. I liked that this is clear, but that it had gold shimmer in it. The only complaint I have is that at times, the shimmer can be just a bit too much. Maybe there is a time and a place for this, but if you don’t go overboard, it can look really beautiful with a clean and natural makeup look! Or, if you’re wanting to go glam, you can always apply a little extra! I like that this lip oil made my lips feel soft and hydrated. I rated this product 4/5 stars.

• YC Collection – Liquid Blush in Papaya (my pick)

This is the product I chose to receive this month, and I am so glad I did! I had never tried a liquid blush previously, but I think I’ve just found my new obsession!  I fell head over heels for this liquid blush! I think that the coral/orange color is gorgeous for summer, and I like the application brush; it looks like a lip gloss. When I first applied this product, I put three dots right along my cheekbones. I immediately thought to myself that I definitely overdid it! The color is extremely pigmented, so I was nervous to blend it out. It took a very little bit of work, but I was able to blend it out with a beauty blender, and it ended up looking so stunning! I would say that a little goes a long way with this, so you don’t have to use too much. This is my new favorite beauty find, and I am so excited to use it more often over the summer. I highly recommend checking this out! I rated this liquid blush 5/5 stars.

Thank you so much for reading today’s blog post! I really appreciate your time and support! If you are an ipsy member, leave a comment and let me know what you received for the month of June!

If you would like to become an ipsy member, click here!

Review: Sugar Cosmetics Matte As Hell Crayon Lipstick

Hey beauty lovers! It’s been a little while since I did a full review on one specific product/brand, so today I will be discussing something I have fallen in love with recently! I am a member of ipsy, which is a beauty subscription service, so I am frequently receiving and trying new beauty products. The items I am sharing in today’s post were sent to me in my ipsy glam bags, and they are considered deluxe sample sizes.

About the Brand:

SUGAR Cosmetics is a brand that stands for and believes in empowerment. They sell beauty and skincare products, and they are 100% cruelty free and not tested on animals. Their products have safe ingredients and they are dermatologically tested. They support beauty in many different forms. According to SUGAR Cosmetics, “Our aim is to celebrate every aspect of you, no matter what your style is.”

Review:

I did not own or try very many lip crayons previously, however these have become favorites of mine for so many reasons. Let’s dive into the review!

Before trying these lip crayons, I had only ever tried one other product from this brand. I own three different shades of the Matte as Hell Lip Crayons: Scarlett O’Hara, Stephanie Plum, and Honey Rider. After exploring this product on the SUGAR Cosmetics website, I realized that each shade is named after a fictional character. I really like it when beauty brands stick to a theme when naming certain products (ex: colors in an eyeshadow palette or a new line of lipglosses). For those of you who have a favorite fictional character, you can purchase a shade named after them! These lip crayons are available in 36 shades, which I think is amazing. It gives customers a chance to explore what colors they like, and there truly is something for everyone!

I was very impressed by the color pay-off with these lip crayons! Just a couple swipes and you will see gorgeous pigmentation and a full coverage look for your lips! Each shade is vibrant and beautiful.

 I absolutely love the bright matte red of the shade Scarlett O’Hara; it is versatile and can be worn for a day in the office, a night out with friends, or even for a simple and relaxed day when you need a boost of confidence. It is the perfect red; not too deep and dark, but not super bright either. Stephanie Plum is a great shade for a bold and striking makeup look. It is a gorgeous dark purple, and it is perfect for those days when you want to make a statement with your lips! This color would look very nice for fall and winter. Honey Rider is a pretty peachy shade that is perfect for spring and summer! The color is chic and bold, and it looks stunning with a simple eye look! Out of these three shades, I think that Scarlett O’Hara is my favorite! You can never go wrong with a red lip, and this is the one that I will always reach for when I want to achieve that classic look.

Sometimes, when people see that a lip product is labeled as “matte”, they may equate that to being drying. Well, I can safely say that all of these crayons are definitely matte, however they feel hydrating on the lips. They are creamy and due to the fact that they are lip crayons, they are much easier to use when filling in your lips, leaving no mistakes behind. I always recommend applying some chapstick before using any lip color. Even though this is not a necessary step, I still like to include it every time I do my makeup (and even more so when using a matte lip product).

SUGAR Cosmetics claims that these crayons are meant to be long-lasting, so you won’t need to constantly reapply! I do think that a few touch ups throughout the day will be needed because this will transfer a bit, however it won’t be a hassle. Also, it is likely to leave a slight stain behind, however it is very easy to remove with a makeup wipe, or you can grab your go-to shade out of your purse and easily reapply!

Overall, I would absolutely recommend the SUGAR Cosmetics Crayon Lipsticks. They live up their name, and they are the perfect matte lip colors! These crayons are super easy to wear, they are available in a variety of gorgeous colors, and you can throw them in your bag and reapply at any time with ease! If you are interested in purchasing this product, check out the SUGAR Cosmetics website where they sell for $20.99. (At the moment, many of the shades are sold out, however they are sold on Amazon as well. Most shades are available here.)

Thank you so much for reading! I hope that you enjoyed today’s blog post! Let me know if you have tried or are planning on trying the Matte as Hell Crayon Lipsticks from SUGAR. Be sure to check out my Instagram @sacchere14 to see a video I created showing swatches of each shade mentioned above, as well as how they look on my skin tone.

My May Ipsy Glam Bag

This month, Ipsy wanted their members to be inspired by Mother Nature and May flowers! I think that this month’s bag is simple yet very pretty, and it goes so well with the theme! I love the pink, and the custom peony design is perfect for spring. I rated my overall glam bag 3/5 stars. There are a couple products that I loved and others that simply did not work for me.

• Hanalei Company – Kona Peptide Eye Cream

When it comes to trying new eye creams, I am never extremely thrilled. I was looking forward to testing this one out, however it is difficult for me to review eye creams due to the fact that seeing results can take some time. I don’t think I have been using it long enough to say that it works or it doesn’t. This eye cream has many beneficial ingredients such as peptides (reducing fine lines), caffeine (reducing puffiness), oat extract (soothes and smooths), hyaluronic acid (boosts moisture), as well as Hawaiian super-botanicals used to restore delicate skin. This product has a thick consistency, which is different from other eye creams I have tried previously. I found it just a tad bit difficult to blend in gently. I normally like using eye creams that are lighter and more hydrating, however I still plan on using this regularly to see if it ends up working well! I will hold off on rating this product for now!

• PYT Beauty – Upcycle Eyeshadow Palette / Warm Lit Nude Mini in Sand Dune, Slow Burn, Bonfire, and Golden Hour  (my choice)

This is the product that I chose to receive for my May glam bag! I love trying out new eyeshadows, and I ended up really liking this quad. I frequently go for more neutral eye makeup, and the colors in this quad are exactly what I like to wear! There are two mattes and two shimmers. The shades go so well together; I created an entire eye look using each color in the quad, and they blended so beautifully together. You can create many different looks using just this product! The shades are very pigmented, and each one is infused with vitamin E to keep the skin on the eyes hydrated. There may be some fallout when applying, but definitely not an extreme amount at all. I rated this eyeshadow quad 4/5 stars.

• Skin&Co Roma – Citrus Amaro Hand Cream

I did not exactly need another hand cream, so I wasn’t all that pleased when receiving this, however I wanted to try it out.  This product is made with shea butter and sweet almond oil and it has a citrus scent. I normally really enjoy fruity scents, however I do not really care for this one; it didn’t smell like citrus to me. I love how soft hand creams make my hands, however I will not be reaching for this one all that often. Besides the scent, I think it is a decent hand cream and worth trying out for yourself. I rated this product 3/5 stars.

• Undone Beauty – Unfoundation Mattetint in Cream Light

I rarely receive foundations in my glam bags so I was excited to test this one out! I did not change my skin tone in my beauty quiz after winter since my skin hasn’t really changed, however this foundation was sadly way too light for me. I have since updated my beauty quiz, however I understand that Ipsy may not always get it 100% right when it comes to products like this. This foundation can be great for those with oil skin because it gives you a matte finish. It is infused with tea tree oil and it is a lightweight formula which is perfect for summer. I wish this product worked out for me, however due to the shade, I don’t see myself wearing it, even in the winter. I do not believe that I can properly rate this product.

• NARS Cosmetics – Lipstick in Tolede

I am the biggest fan of lipsticks, and I have recently tried another lip product from Nars, so I was really eager to try this one out! When I first opened it up, I thought that the color might be a bit darker than what I typically like to go for, however I ended up really loving it (never judge a lipstick by the bullet)! It may seem like a dark pink but it is actually a beautiful rosy pink color, which is stunning for this time of year! It is satiny, creamy, and easy to apply. My lips felt hydrated and smooth while wearing this lipstick due to the moringa and passion fruit seed oils. The color is stunning and very flattering! This is the perfect lipstick to throw in your bag and you can reach for it any day! I may have found a new favorite to add to the collection! I rated this product 5/5 stars.

Thank you all so much for reading today’s post! What was in your May glam bag? I would love to know!

If you would like to become an Ipsy member, click here!

BH Cosmetics “Hangin’ in Hawaii” Eyeshadow Palette Review + Makeup Tutorial

Hey everyone! I am very excited for today’s blog post because I am doing a review of one of my favorite beauty products! Last year, I discovered the travel series collection by BH Cosmetics, and I fell in love! I first bought the “Love in London” palette, and I did a review and tutorial with this last year so click here to check that out! Since then, I have been dreaming of purchasing the other palettes in this collection. Within this collection, there are a variety of eyeshadow and highlight palettes relating to different travel destinations! Some of the names of these pallets are: “Glowing in Greece”, “Illuminating in Ireland”, and “Blushing in Bali”. I’m hoping to purchase the “Beautiful in Barcelona” palette next!

For today’s review and tutorial, I will be sharing the “Hangin’ in Hawaii” eyeshadow palette. I really wanted this one in particular because I absolutely love the colors! There is a perfect mixture of shimmer shades and matte shades, and a variety of browns, golds, pinks, and oranges. I also feel that these colors look really great on brown eyes which I have. Since I adore the “Love in London” palette, I knew that this one wouldn’t disappoint, but I still wanted to take the time to review it for those of you looking to buy it! 

Review:

I am such a big fan of the travel series collection and this palette is definitely a favorite of mine! There is such a wide variety of shades and you can create so many different makeup looks with this one palette! If you are like me and you tend to go for more neutral makeup looks, then I would definitely recommend purchasing this palette out of all the others in the collection; I believe that you will get more use out of this one. I really like that there are so many shades of brown and gold because these are the colors I go for most often, but then you have the fun pops of color within the palette as well (in case you decide to go bold). There are 16 stunning shades! A few of my favorites are: Pineapple, Sandy, Lei, Mahalo, and Honolulu. I love that the names all relate to Hawaii (each palette names the colors after certain things within that destination, which I think is so fun)! 

All of the shades in this palette are extremely pigmented and so beautiful on the eyes! I was very impressed with the color payoff, even with the shimmer shades (because often times these are much less pigmented). It is good to keep in mind that the shimmer shades are very sparkly. While I happen to love this look, I am aware that not everyone does. Luckily, there are plenty of matte shades to try! None of the colors are very chalky or difficult to apply. When applying the shadows, you really don’t need to pack it on; a little goes a long way! You can always add more because these shadows are very buildable. Many reviews I have read said that there can be a lot of fallout with these shadows, but I really didn’t notice that. Either way, I always recommend doing your eye makeup before your face makeup (that way if you make a mistake or you do have some fallout, you won’t be ruining your fresh face makeup). One important characteristic of eyeshadows for me is blendability. I enjoy creating makeup looks using multiple shades, and I never like my eye makeup to look harsh. The shadows are very easy to blend out, so you’ll never have to worry about harsh lines or difficulty with blending! If you grab a fluffy crease brush you should be good to go! 

Overall I highly recommend purchasing this palette! It is perfect for an everyday natural look or a look for a night out, and it screams summer to me! Also, this product is extremely affordable, and the fact that you’re getting 16 different shades in this one palette is amazing! You can purchase this palette here!

Makeup tutorial:

Lately, I haven’t been doing any crazy makeup. I used to go full glam almost every time I did my makeup but for a little over a year now, I’ve really loved the look of natural, glowy makeup. Well, today I decided to do something a bit different and get out of my comfort zone. I normally do not wear very much color on my eyes, but I wanted to have some fun with this look! 

•  To start, I gently applied an eye primer all over my lids. This will not only help to keep the shadows on all day, but it will also make the colors pop. I always use my ring ringer and tap rather than rub (keep in mind the skin around the eyes is very sensitive, so you should never be rough with it). 
• Then I took my “Hangin’ in Hawaii” palette by BH Cosmetics, and used my first shade, “Waikiki”. I used a shadow brush and decided to apply this shade all over my lids. It looks like a subtle gold shade in the palette, but on the eyes it is more of a bright, almost yellow gold.
• Next, I took the shade “Lei” which is a gorgeous coral/orange color, and with a fluffy crease brush, I applied this into my crease, bringing it up a bit closer to my brow bone for a smokey effect. I noticed that this color was overpowering the gold, so I decided to add more of the color “Lei” to my inner and outer lids. I took “Waikiki” and only applied it right at the center of my lids for a pop of shimmer. This made the transition of colors look a lot less harsh, but you could still see each color I was using.
• I wanted to add another pop of color, so I chose to go with the shade “Paradise”, which is a gorgeous bright pink. I took a smaller and more defined crease brush and applied this right into my crease. I chose to keep this color in my crease rather than blending it up to my brow bone like I did with the previous shade. Then I blended all of the colors together to create a smooth and smokey look.
• I then took a liner brush and applied that same bright pink shade on the outer corner of my lower lash line, as well as a shade “Luau” on the inner part of my lower lash line.
• The last step for eyeshadow was to apply a highlight shade to my brow bones and inner corners of my eyes. I decided to go with the shade “Hula” because it is a light shimmer shade, perfect for this exact step.
• After, I curled my lashes and went in with my favorite mascara at the moment, and that is the L’Oréal Telescopic mascara. I always go for black because I love how it adds some drama to my eyes. This mascara does a great job of lengthening and separating my lashes! Then I took my Long-Lasting Eye Pencil by Essence in “Black Fever”, and used this to line my waterline and tightline, bringing even more drama to the eyes. 
• Once I completed my eye makeup I moved on to my face. I used my Bobbi Brown Vitamin Enriched Face Base and gently massaged this into my skin. Then I took my favorite foundation which is the Maybelline Fit Me, and I used a beauty blender to dab this into my skin. I always like to use extra foundation under my eyes since I don’t always use concealer.  I used my Banana Setting Powder by Bellapierre Cosmetics to set my foundation.
• Next I took my bronzer by the brand Estate in the shade “Coco” and using an angled contour brush, I applied a little bit of this right along my cheekbones and hairline, up to my forehead to give my face a bit more definition and color.
• To brighten up my complexion I used a blush by Lottie London in the shade “Serene”. I love this blush because it isn’t too bright or bold but it adds a beautiful natural glow to my face. Is the perfect light pink shade for this time of year. After, I used a highlighter by Kaleido Cosmetics in the shade “Goddess”, and applied it right above my cheekbones to give me the glow that I am always after! 
• Then I applied the “It’s the (Lip) Balm” by the brand Clearly Balanced Days. I always like to apply chapstick before applying any other lip product because it helps other products go on smoothly and it keeps my lips hydrated underneath. I decided to go with my current favorite lipgloss by NYX cosmetics in the shade “Bit of Honey”. This is such a perfect nude gloss, and it can go so well with any makeup look! Since the eye makeup is so busy, I decided to keep the rest of my makeup (face and lips) a bit more natural.
• The last step was to simply brush my eyebrows (but if you like to apply brow gel or fill them in, you definitely can).

When I sat down to do my makeup, I wasn’t exactly sure where I was going with it. I had a plan but I wasn’t sure that it would turn out great. In the end, I was very pleased with the look that I created, and I fell in love with the fun and bright eye makeup! I’ve missed playing around with makeup and trying out new looks, so I really wanted to share this one with you today because it’s a bit different for me! It took me a while to get used to seeing bright orange shades on my eyes, but I think it looked pretty with my eye color!

I hope you enjoyed reading today’s post and that it gave you some beauty inspo! Be sure to check out the “Hangin’ in Hawaii” palette by BH cosmetics (the brand has made some changes to the packaging)! Or, you can take a look at the other items in the travel series collection! Thank you so much for reading!