Dupes Lipstick - Kat Von D, Stila, Bite Beauty

Dupes Lipstick Kat Von D, Stila, Bite Beauty

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What I'm Wearing-

MUFE HD High Definition Primer

Bobbie Brown Long Wear Foundation in 2.5 Warm Sand

MAC Pro longwear concealer in NW20

Tarte 12 Hour Amazonian Clay Blush in Dollface

Too Faced Milk Chocolate Soleil Matte Bronzing Powder

Guerlain Meteorites in 02 Teint Beige

Elf Eyelid Primer

Naked Urban Decay Basics (W.O.S, Naked 2, Faint)

Stila Smudge Crayon in Kitten

Lancome Hypnose Star Show Stopping Volume Mascara in Midnight 01

MAC Eye Kohl in Teddy

Anastasia Brow Powder Duo in Medium

NARS Autumn Leaves

Nails- Paula Dorf Nail polish in Runway, Sephora OPI Merry Me!

Shirt- Delias

Earrings- Nordstrom

Music- On the Bach by Jingle Punks (via YouTube Creation tools)

Additional Information on the Lipsticks:

The KVD Lolita lasts the longest on my lips but it's a tad bit drying.  The Bite Beauty Pepper is great because it's the most natural (ingredients wise), but the packaging of the lip library is cumbersome, I would love an individual tube of this color.  The Stila Vivienne is great (a tad warmer-toned than the other two), but very similar.  If you don't like peppermint in your lipstick, you may want to pass on the Stila (it does have a peppermint smell to it).

Starfish Bowl Set

Two of my very dear friends gave me a set of gorgeous starfish bowls as a birthday/Christmas present this year. I was super impressed with the quality, craftsmanship, and individuality of these bowls.

It was really hard for me to move from CA to TN, and a sweet gift like this allows me to have a piece of the beach with me. These bowls remind me of the ocean/beach in many ways. The exterior color of the bowls conjures the image of a sandy beach. Around the outside of the bowls there are the ridges/grooves (created while on a pottery wheel - using fingers or tools).  I love how the artist shaded the grooves; it reminds me of a bamboo beach hut or grass beach mat. My favorite part of these are the interior lip of the bowl; it looks like white water from a wave! I love how the artist created a foam-like look and texture with the white paint. The different shades of blue inside each bowl reminds me of the the water (different hues of blue/green of the ocean). Plus the starfish are absolutely adorable too!

I think these make great gifts (if you prefer a different style, the artist (Kyle) has many different designs in his store)

https://www.etsy.com/shop/khouser
www.kylehouser.blogspot.com

Also, I have to rave about the customer service.  I had a question about an item and Kyle was so courteous, prompt, and helpful. (I wish all stores had customer service like I received working with this artist)

Chocolate Chip Pumpkin Bread

This is a spin-off of a recipe my Aunt Marcia makes. I've veganized it by changing several ingredients. I love adding lots of chocolate chips and making this a yummy fall/winter treat.

Ingredients-
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup organic spelt flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 1/2 cup organic sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon celtic sea salt
1/2 teaspoon Penzey's Apple Pie Spice (OR 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg)
2/3 cups cold water
1/2 cup Smart Balance Oil
1 can of Organic pumpkin
1/2 cup pear butter OR apple sauce
3 TBSP ground flaxseed
1/2 cup water
1 cup of dairy free chocolate chips (I use Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet chips in the gold bag)

Directions-
Pre-heat oven to 350 F

Stir the following ingredients together:
2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup organic spelt flour
1/4 cup wheat germ
1 1/2 cup organic sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
1 teaspoon celtic sea salt
1/2 teaspoon Penzey's Apple Pie Spice (OR 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon and 1/8 teaspoon ground nutmeg).

In a separate bowl mix the wet ingredients:
2/3 cups cold water
1/2 cup Smart Balance Oil
1 can of Organic pumpkin
1/2 cup pear butter OR apple sauce

In another small bowl:
3 TBSP ground flaxseed
1/2 cup water
(Stir flaxseed with water and let sit for 2-3 minutes, before adding to other wet ingredients)


Combine wet and dry ingredients. Add 1 cup of dairy free chocolate chips (I use Ghirardelli Semi-Sweet chips in the gold bag). Stir well. Pour into lightly oiled loaf pans. I ended up using two pans to make two loaves instead of making one giant loaf :)

Bake in oven for 60 - 65 minutes. Check at 60 minutes with a toothpick.
If you are making muffins bake for 35-40 minutes.

November Favorites 2013

Check out some of the products I've been loving this past month :)

Eyeshadow Tutorial Wet N Wild Trio in 'I got Good Jeans'.

Here's a step-by-step tutorial using the Wet N Wild Color Icon Trio in 'I got Good Jeans'. In my opinion, it's totally worth the $2.99 USD.

Sephora Formula X Nail Polish in Dramatic

Sephora recently came out with a new nail polish formula called Formula X. I had tried a mini polish in the color perfection and decided to purchase a full-sized product in the color dramatic (dark lilac purple).  I wanted to see how the two compared in quality and to see how I like the polish in general.

Formula X has a 4 step system (clean, base coat, polish, top coat). I'd heard some good reviews on the 4 step manicure kit, but I wanted to test the individual polish before investing in the system.  

The top of this product reminds me of Butter London or Marc Jacobs nail polish (you pop the plastic top off to reveal the applicator). I also like the brush; it isn't too wide so it gives me more control to get into the smaller areas on the sides of my nails.

I wore this nail color with a base coat under it (Orly Bonder), two applications of the Formula X in Dramatic, and a top coat (Seche Vite). 

My Thoughts:

I loved how shiny the polish turned out and the color is just gorgeous! Sadly, I wasn't impressed with the lasting power. I wore it for one day before it started to chip on my right hand, soon after my left hand started chipping as well.  I'm going to try it again with a different base and top coat to test it out again. 

Would I purchase Formula X again? I have other nail polish that I use and don't need a top coat at all (no chips for 3+ days), and it costs 1/3 of the price of the Formula X.  As of right now, I wouldn't purchase another full-sized Formula X. While the color selection is impressive, this polish doesn't seem to want to stay on my nails!

I had the same issue with the Formula X mini in Perfection. The color was beautiful but it chipped so quickly even with a base and top coat.

I know some people really like the new Formula X nail polish. Please let me know what you think and what your experience has been in the comment section. Thanks!

Giveaway!! Korres, Sephora, KVD

Here is the link to YouTube if you are interested in entering my giveaway :)

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cKeFe2qkzy0

Thank you so much for all of your support and being apart of my life and interests. Happy Almost Thanksgiving!

Ipsy Glam Bag November 2013

I hope you enjoy this 4 minute video on what I received in my Ipsy Glam Bag this month! I'm pretty excited to try the Michelle Phan product.

What is Ipsy?  It's a mail subscription service where you get 4-6 beauty products delivered to you in an adorable bag each month, for just $10. If you're interested, check it out here:

http://www.ipsy.com/?refer=u-hgpww9alk1ape8

Simple Sandwich for Lunch

Just wanted to share a simple recipe I made today for lunch.

Ingredients-
1 slice of Ezekiel Sprouted Whole Grain Bread
1/2 tablespoon of Veganaise
Penzey's Spice in Arizona Dreaming
1/3 of an avocado sliced
1 leaf of organic red leaf lettuce
2 slices of WildWood Organic Sprout Tofu (baked Teriyaki)

Directions-
Toast bread and slice diagonally. Spread the Veganaise on one side of the bread and lightly sprinkle the Arizona Dreaming on top of the Veganaise. Load on the tofu, avocado slices and lettuce.

October Favorites

Here are a few items I've been using and loving a lot this past month. Most of them are makeup, but some are skincare, food and even movies! Enjoy!

Have you tried any of these products? What are your thoughts? 

Please let me know what your favorites have been this October.

My First Get Ready With Me Video

What I'm Wearing:

100% Pure Luminous Primer

Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hr Full Coverage Foundation in Light Sand

ProVive Beauty Blender Dupe Makeup Sponge

Garnier Anti-Dark Circle Rollerball in Sheer Tint

Maybelline Dream Lumi Touche in Radiant

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Concealer in Y1

Real Techniques Pointed Foundation Brush

Revlon ColorStay Pressed Powder in Translucent

NYC Smooth Skin Bronzing Face Powder in Sunny (Sephora Airbrush powder brush)

Tarte 12 Hr Amazonian Clay Blush in Honored (Elf Small Stipple Brush)

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

LORAC PRO Palette eyeshadows -- Lt Bronze, Taupe, Garnet, Cream

(Elf Professional Shadow Brush, Sephora Professional Done Shadow Brush, Sephora Airbrush Crease, Sephora Professional Gel Liner Brush)

Mineral Fusion eye pencil Touch -- brown

Cover Girl Lash Blast Volume Waterproof Mascara

Maybelline Define-A-Brow in Light Blonde

Benefit Watts Up

Bite Lipstick in Cin Cin

Nails- Paula Dorf Bright Nights

Tank Top- Gap

Follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/kristenkchannel

Music- YouTube Audio Library 

Magic Marker - Silent Partner   

The Engagement - Silent Partner

Benjabelle Brush Tree - Makeup Brush Drying Rack

Quinoa Tabouli Salad

EarthFare makes a delicious quinoa tabouli salad! My good friend Gina and I went there for the lunch the other day and she liked it so much she made some for dinner, which inspired me to make some for dinner too!

Fresh tomatoes, delicious parsley, tart lemon- Ka POW!  Sooo good.

Ingredients-

2 - 2.5 cups cooked organic quinoa

3 TBSP organic olive oil

1 TBSP white truffle oil (or substitute Organic olive oil)

1/2 cup fresh lemon juice

1 cup fresh organic parsley, chopped

2 TBSP sweet yellow onion, finely chopped (I don't like a lot of onion, I think it can hijack the flavor)

2 medium sized, ripe, organic tomatoes, diced

celtic sea salt to taste

1/8 teaspoon garlic powder

Pinch of fresh ground black pepper

Combine all ingredients. Let it sit in the refrigerator for 8+ hours so the flavors can meld.  Serve at room temperature.

I had to chop up even more parsley because I didn't prepare enough initially.

September Favorites (Skincare and Makeup)

Check out my favorite products for the month of September.  These are products that I've found myself reaching for a lot this September (and products I've really enjoyed).

What I'm Wearing:

Sephora Anti-Shine Foundation Primer

MAC Mineralize Moisture Foundation NC20

Obsessive Compulsive Cosmetics Concealer Y1

NYC Smooth Skin Pressed Powder in translucent

Wet N Wild Color Icon Blush in Pearlescent Pink

It Cosmetics Bye Bye Under eye in Neutral Medium

Too Faced Shadow Insurance

LORAC Pro Palette - Lt Bronze, Taupe & Cream

L'Oreal Infallible 24 Hr Eyeshadow in Eternal Sunshine

Anastasia Brow Wiz in Ash Blonde

Tarte Lights Camera Lashes Mascara in Black

Bite Beauty High Pigment Pencil in Rhubarbhttp://seaglassstash.blogspot.com/201...

Nails- Essie's Spinning Again

Shirt- Roxy

Makeup Giveaway & Mini Walgreens Haul

Please go to my youtube channel to participate in the Giveaway. http://youtu.be/tNfbNkr6AVk

Giveaway Rules:
 1. If you're under the age of 18, please get your parents permission before entering (because if you win, I'll need your address)

2. LIKE this video

3. You must SUBSCRIBE to my channel, if you aren't already, subscribe! :) (must be subscribed at time of giveaway ending as well)

4. COMMENT your favorite fall makeup item, please be specific! Do NOT write "Enter Me". Only comment once please.

 **NOTE** You must complete all of the steps above or your entry won't be valid :(

*Optional - For an EXTRA ENTRY- Follow me on Twitter  https://twitter.com/kristenkchannel
and Tweet me the following " I'm entering thekristenkchannel MAKEUP GIVEAWAY http://youtu.be/tNfbNkr6AVk  @kristenkchannel "

1 one winner will be randomly chosen.
This is an INTERNATIONAL GIVEAWAY
I WILL NOT ASK YOU TO FILL OUT A FORM TO CLAIM YOUR PRIZE.

STARTS: Thursday, September 26th
ENDS: Tuesday, October 22nd 11:59pm EST.

Winner will be announced on YouTube Wednesday, Oct 23 or Thursday, Oct 24th I will also announce the winner on Twitter.

If you're the winner, you'll be asked to message me with your full name & mailing address, so I can send out your prize! If winner does NOT respond within 48 hours (2 days) of the announcement, a new winner will be chosen.

(There will be more giveaways. Please don't be sad if you don't win this time!)

 The winner will be chosen completely randomly.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

 All items are brand new and unused. I did open the box to the Tarte bronzer to take the pictures so that you could see what it looks like. 

Bite Beauty Best Of Bite Set

I wanted to do a first impressions/swatches of the Best of Bite Set by Bite Beauty. I'm so excited to share these swatches with you because I really like Bite lipsticks and this is my first time trying their lipstick pencils.  I've had the Quince High Pigment Matte Pencil on my Sephora "heart" list for a while and would always swatch it when I was in Sephora.  When this set came out (4 high pigment matte pencil minis) I knew I wanted to purchase it.

I've only had the products for a few hours so this isn't a review but a first impressions with swatches.

I really like that Bite makes their High Pigment Matte Pencils without parabens, sulfates, synthetic fragrances, synthetic dyes, petrochemicals, phthalates, GMOs, or triclosan.

Even though I've only had these for a few hours I can honestly say they're very pigmented. The darker colors are so bright/vibrant. Love it!

The Best of Bite Set comes in an adorable case and with a nice mirror. It's similar to the case of Bite Beauty's Bite Size Discovery Set (5 mini lipsticks).

Below Picture (From Left To Right)- Madeira, Quince, Rhubarb, Cranberry

Below Picture (From Left To Right)- Madeira, Quince, Rhubarb, Cranberry

*I purchased these items/ not sponsored.

Under Eye Concealers- Best & Not So Great

Would love to hear some of your favorite concealers for the under eye area!

The Tarte of Giving 2013 Holiday Blush Set / Leave Her Blushing Set of 3 Deluxe Amazonian Clay Blushes

My Tarte order arrived today and I was so excited to swatch and share pictures of The Tarte of Giving 2013 Holiday Blush Set!  On the Tarte website, the name is Leave Her Blushing Set of 3 Deluxe Amazonian Clay Blushes and Blush Brush. The three mini blushes are super cute and the brush that came with them is very soft.

I also love that the products are formulated without-
parabens, mineral oil, triclosan, sodium lauryl sulfate, synthetic fragrance

Honored- A nude rose shade
Imagined- Candy Pink Shade (pretty bright)
Treasured - Melon Shade

All three are matte and have no sparkle.  The cost was $34 (Although I used a 20% off coupon) so I ended up paying around $27 for this set.  I love the other Tarte Amazonian Clay 12 Hr Blushes I own (they last a long time on my skin and the colors are gorgeous!) so I think I'll really enjoy these as well.


Top To Bottom - Honored, Imagined, Treasured

Top To Bottom - Honored, Imagined, Treasured

Left to Right- Honored, Imagined, Treasured

Left to Right- Treasured, Imagined, Honored

Left to Right- Treasured, Imagined, Honored (Swatched a little heavier)

Left to Right- Treasured, Imagined, Honored  (In different Lighting)

Left to Right- Natural Beauty, Blushing Bride,Treasured, Imagined, Honored

I purchased this set and was not paid to write this review. 

Lipsticks - MAC Saint Germain vs. Maybelline Colorsensational Pink Pop

I've read that the Maybelline Colorsensational lipstick in Pink Pop is a dupe for MAC Saint Germain.  I decided to show a side-by-side comparison of these two lipsticks so that you can see the differences and similarities. I hope you enjoy! I've added my final thoughts at the end.

MAC Saint Germain

Maybelline Colorsensational Pink Pop

 Comparison swatches: (Left to Right- Saint Germain, Pink Pop)

Final Thoughts-
Saint Germain is more opaque and has a shinier finish to it. It's lighter/brighter than Pink Pop. It tends to dry my lips out more than the Maybelline Colorsensational Lipstick.

Pink Pop leans more towards a fuchsia color and is slightly darker than Saint Germain. It seems to be less "milky" looking.  Pink Pop doesn't last as long but it also doesn't irritate or dry out my lips.

Saint Germain and Pink Pop are light, blue-toned pinks; I personally think both are gorgeous!  I enjoy these lipsticks a lot (especially when my skin looks sun-kissed but also year-round).

I would't call Pink Pop an exact dupe for Saint Germain. They're similar but certainly not twins :)


*All pictures were taken without the use of a flash and colors were not altered/filtered.