New in For Spring 2018: Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Perfector

*PR Sample/Affiliate links used

Spring is officially here, and I am SO ready to start switching up my makeup routine. I always prefer to take things in a lighter, brighter direction as the weather warms up - from glowy blushes, to fresh-faced bases, to glossy lips. So of course, this new launch came to me at the perfect time! Thanks to Influenster I had the opportunity to test out the Make Up For Ever Ultra HD Perfector in exchange for an honest review. This lightweight perfecting base is designed to blur the look of imperfections on the skin while still being fairly sheer, natural, and easy to apply. After having a few weeks to put it to the test I'm finally ready to report back and share my thoughts with you!

Trending Now: Glittering, Metallic Eyes

Trying to mentally prepare myself for fall is never an easy task. Don't get me wrong. I'm all about everything pumpkin spice, plaid shirts, and being able to dig my beloved boots out of hiding. But the change of seasons is always bittersweet. Winters here in New England are brutal, and fall sometimes feels like a pretty little distraction from the impending dark and cold. But, before I get myself too depressed thinking about Connecticut mid-February, let's put the focus back on what we've got to look forward to in the coming weeks.

Fall makeup might just be my all-time favorite of the entire year. Vampy reds, lush berries, rich chocolate tones...it's basically the season for extra sultry glam. While blindingly bright highlighters were all the rage this summer, the sparkle factor appears to have transferred to the eyes for fall. Whether you're just adding a bit of shimmer to the lid, or incorporating serious metallic shine into a full-on smokey eye, there are tons of options popping up at every price point to unleash your inner MUA.

As someone who's always had a soft spot for glitter, I'm welcoming this trend with open arms. The combination of a warm, inviting fall color palette with intense sparkling shine is especially gorgeous, and has me totally inspired to create some killer eye looks. If you're as into this trend as I am, here are some product recommendations to get you started!

Sephora End of Summer Sale 2016

It's that time of year again, people! Sephora is cleaning house for the summer and there are TONS of amazing deals to be had. A lot of these products are being discontinued or repackaged, meaning that you can score some amazing products from brands you love at a huge discount. Much like summer, the opportunity to snag these products is sure to be short lived, so make sure that you don't miss out while you have the chance!

Sephora Sale on Sale

The hustle and bustle of Christmas may be over, but the season of sales has only just begun. If you were lucky enough to score a Sephora gift card, or maybe just want to treat yourself to a little beauty goodie regardless, now is the time to consider cashing in. For a limited time you can get an additional 20% off everything on the Sephora sale page using the code EXTRA20. There are tons of great things to be found, from palettes, to holiday kits, to little essentials. Some of these goodies are sure to get snagged up quickly, so I would jump on purchasing whatever calls to you. To get your started, here are some of my top picks!

Save or Splurge? Budget Beauty vs. Hyped High End Makeup

Truth. If I've had a stressful day, perusing the aisles of Sephora or ULTA will generally always make me feel better. Most of the time I just browse, swatch, and oggle all of the pretty things around me, and only on rare occasion to I let myself splurge and make a purchase. I'm not going to lie, I love me some high end makeup, but if I took everything I wanted home with me I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be able to afford to eat. In the end I've realized it's all about balance. Sometimes spending those extra $10 or $20 (...or $50) is totally worth it for a knock-your-socks-off-one-of-a-kind-amazing product that performs like no other. But other times you can find an equally great alternative (maybe with slightly less pretty packaging) at the drugstore for a fraction of the cost.

Hence, the topic of today's post.

My recent experimentation with some newer drugstore launches has led me to a few promising finds that I wanted to put to the test against some of my favorite (and currently hyped) high end makeup products. I've got three pairs to compare: the Benefit Roller Lash with the Maybelline Lash Sensational, the Benefit Gimme Brow and the L'Oreal Brow Stylist Plumper, and the Make Up For Ever Lip Line Perfector with the Rimmel Moisture Renew Universal Transparent Liner. How do these budget beauty products measure up? I'm dishing out all the details.