The Ace Edit - Summer 2018

By: @acevallee

Welcome to the first ever ACE EDIT! Filled with my current obsessions, my top shelf, health and mental guide and goals. A digital seasonal/monthly journey to achieve an outer and inner glow.

Summer is the season when I embrace my most natural state. I put down the blow dryer and opt for a fro or ballerina bun. I’m usually bare faced unless I’m going out on some random evening. I like to go for walks along the river and stop at bench to gather my thoughts and write out my feelings, iced matcha in hand, just taking in the season... and uncomfortable heat. 

TAN TIP: Put some Colourpop Loose Highlighter into your bottle of Suntan Oil, You will glow like a mermaid while getting bronzed.

SUMMER SKIN

Lately I just really care about protecting my skin and having it naturally glow. Have you seen Ashley Graham’s skin lately? She has been my inspiration. Clean, gleaming, healthy skin. I like to use a simple daily routine using all Glossier. Starting with Milky Jelly Cleanser, then I exfoliate  with Solution  to balance and even out my skin’s texture as well as preventing and clearing any blemishes. I step in with Priming Moisturizer RICH because I’m a dry ass bish. I finish it off with Invisible Shield. I know, it’s not waterproof but this shit doesn’t break me out which 99.9% of sunscreens do! Plus If you are using any products like Solution that contain AHA, BHA and PHA IT IS CRUCIAL THAT YOU USE SUNSCREEN.

SCRUBBA DUB DUB

I’m really obsessed with exfoliating my body and scrubbing off the layers of sunscreen and sweat from a long hot day. I love Lush’s Ocean Salt, I also scrub my face with it a couple of times a week to give that clean brightening effect. Lush’s RUB RUB RUB works great too and smells so damn divine. I tend to concentrate on the areas where my keratosis pilaris is apparent af. I do love coffee scrubs from FRANK BODY for those areas affected with KP as well, I just don’t love the way it dirties my tub. but they do WONDERS at exfoliating and healing. 

SCENTSATIONAL

Lately my scent has actually been Glossier’s Body Hero Oil Wash . I live for the neroli scent in that product, therefore making me indulge in Tom Ford’s Neroli Portofino. The scent transports me from sticky, steamy NYC, to Somewhere in Northern Italy. 

MAKEUP MANUAL

Makeup has been kept very light this season. For work I’m barefaced. For the evening, if I get pulled out of my cozy bed for a glass of rosé at Sel Rose, I’d opt for NARS Tinted Moisturizer, and Concealer, FENTY Matte Match Stix to try and lightly contour to slenderize my face a bit, Marc Jacobs Bronzer, NYX Brow Pencil, Glossier Boy Brow, Glossier Dusk Cloud Paint. MAC Stripdown lip pencil paired with any of my many shimmery, clear glosses. I usually end with a wing and/or mascara but if I’m feeling it, I’d throw on some shadow and demi wispies. Of course I add some glow, Colourpop Loose Highlighters are a fave at the moment for a pretty subtle iridescence, I love the way the sun reflects off of it. 

Did you know that choosing a calming color on your nails can help with anxiety when you glance down at your nail? I find this to be accurate. My favorite color is Periwinkle, which as you know is a super calming shade of blue therefore Floss Gloss’s “95% Angel” is my go-to, signature polish. 

MANE TAME

I don’t straighten my hair unless I’m going to the salon for a trim and  undercut upkeep. It’s WAY too hot and my edges will curl up in .3 seconds. I simply wash the stress flakes away, bless you ORIBE SERENE SCALP Shampoo and Conditioner for keeping my scalp free of Frosted Flakes. I like to go in with a OUAI Trifecta of Rose Hair & Body Oil, Leave-in Conditioner and a few sprays of "Sun of a Beach" to naturally lighten up my strands to look Sunkissed, I also love to use Kristin Ess Weightless Air Dry Creme. I honestly have no patience for my hair in the summertime, so I keep it as minimal as possible. 

VITAL BEAUTY

I am someone who deals with anxiety and depression. I have my moments and with all that is happening in this country, it's not helping. I try my best to aid myself when the lows hit. I find that I must separate myself in order to RECHARGE and FOCUS on MYSELF. Sometimes we care about people so much and want to be there for them that to the point that we exhaust ourselves, sacrificing our inner peace and happiness in the process. It is absolutely vital for me to be pull myself away and take a break. I must do this because if I don’t it makes me resent people and I don’t have it in me to carry around that type of baggage. It does get lonely, especially if you’re like me and don’t have anyone to confide in and/or fear of being a burden to others. You’re on your own and you figure out ways to aid yourself during this time alone. I like to write my thoughts down and sometimes tear up the paper so I can just release all of that bullshit in my head, Keeping shit internalized is a NO for me. Small things help me out so much. Moments like  the way the sun creeps through my window and hits my sheets in the morning, make me feel good about taking on the day.

MY SELF CARE TIPS

JOURNALING - Write those thoughts down! Release that negativity lingering in your mind, causing you to overthink.

BULLET JOURNALING - I find that organization and planning calms my anxiety. 

SUMMER READING LIST - Getting lost in a fictional story distracts you from your own, like a tiny escape from reality. 

BINGE ON A SHOW - There's nothing wrong with binging on entertainment once in a while. May I recommend GLOW? 

MAKE A SOOTHING SUMMER PLAYLIST - Believe it or not, Music has healing powers!

GO FOR A POWER WALK - A physical way to release those lingering thoughts on overdrive. 

AT HOME SPA - Pair a face mask with that journaling, reading or bingeworthy show. 

CALM APP - I recommend this to everyone. I have used mine everyday for the past few years. The sound of rain brings me peace.

LIGHT A CANDLE - I find this to be such a soothing luxury. My favorite candle is ASH from BOY SMELLS. 

*Professional Help - Sometimes you reach a point where being there for yourself just isn’t enough and THAT IS OKAY. There is nothing wrong with seeking help from a professional. I’ve done it a few times and I feel so much better afterwards. 

Take care of yourself. Until Next time...

Glossy Skin, Glossy Lips, Glossy Life

With this $6 Concealer, You can look airbrushed, NO FILTER NEEDED!

By: @acevallee

Concealer and foundation are the toughest buys for me. I’m so picky, and even THAT is an understantement. I’ve also always been one to splurge on concealer with the exception of LA Girl Pro Conceal HD Concealer, which is a phenomenal gem. When Colourpop Cosmetics announced that they were releasing Concealers a while back I had to get in on it because so far, I'm in love with a majority of their entire line. 

When they first released their NO FILTER CONCEALERS I picked up a few and I've been using them since and I absolutely love the product. Issa Hit out of the ballpark. I'm obsessed with the soft wide tipped brush on the wand. It swipes on so perfectly and comfortably without skipping or poking me. A little goes a very long way, I’m talking LONG DISTANCE! The coverage is INSANE. You you suffer from Dark Circles either hereditary, or caused by insomnia or life's bullshit... you can use this little fella and look picture perfect. You can still control the coverage if you want or need a bit less, by using as little product as possible and sheering it out to a medium coverage with a bit of facial moisturizer. 

Created using soft blurring pigments, Colourpop's No Filter Concealer will make you look like a well rested ethereal enchantress!

The formula is super creamy and a bit thick yet still featherweight without caking up (HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE? Colourpop please spill these secrets). It is also brightening AF! I love that it leaves this blurring, soft focus effect that although it sits as a matte finish, you are still left airbrushed and glowing. 

My super sensitive skin reacted well to this concealer and although I have mega dry skin, as long as I moisturize really well it will not be a problem for me. 

I picked up 3 shades because purchasing online can be a bit tricky, I went with 3 shades from the Medium skin tone range, 30-Medium, 35-Medium Tan and 40-Golden all though all 3 work well, i found that my perfect match is 35-Medium Tan, which I watched on my hand in this photo.

You can also bump up a few shades for contouring or drop down a few shades lighter for highlighting if that's something you're interested in. For less that 20 bucks you can get 3 shades for a full face of conceal, highlight and contour with high end quality. 

Colourpop staff has stated that more shades are in the works and they currently have 5 shades each for Fair tones, Medium tones and Dark tones. 

This concealer is the perfect purse size and contains a decent amount of product (about 0.14oz) considering you don't even need much for full coverage. The minimal packaging is clean and perfect. 

The recently just restocked and I got myself a few for backup and if you want to try, head over to colourpop.com and grab a few, at $6 a pop you can’t go wrong.

Positively Glowing: A Highlighter & Priming Duo that provides Good Vibes, an aura of Love and a Glowing Beam.

By Amanda V.

When cult favorite online beauty brand (as well as a major favorite of mine)  Colourpop Cosmetics announced that they were releasing a crystal infused collection I just knew that I had to get in on this. 

ROSE QUARTZ : This stone of the heart will attract love, keep love and help mend a broken heart. 

That's what you read when you first open the box of the Rose Quartz crystal priming spray and crystal liquid highlighter. I already feel surrounded by infinite mini pink heart emojis while unboxing these bottles gems!!

This liquid highlighter isn't completely overpowering, it is very sheer and the intensity of it's beam can be built. It mixed so well with my NARS Pure Radiant Tinted Moisturizer and My Glossier Perfecting Skin Tint. When Spot highlighting, I use a Small duo fibre brush (which I love for all of my liquid highlighters) and press into my skin and then use either my fingers or a Beauty Blender to make it appear more seamless. The light (especially natural sunlight) catches the reflects of the crushed crystals in this highlighter so beautiful, making you look like an ethereal goddess. The highlighter worked well with my sensitive, Dry combo skin and had no negative reaction to it as with all of my Colourpop products which is why I love the brand so much, other than their cute, witty names for shades and inexpensive price tag. 

As The Hoodwitch says, "Rose Quartz nurtures and aids in the use of positive affirmations. Self-Love & Self Trust". 

The Rose Quartz Crystal Priming Spray has been quite the refresher after skincare, before makeup application. I use it the way I used to use my Mac Fix+ as a Priming mist. This Spray is Hydrating and perfect for those with dry skin. Along with crushed rose quartz crystals, this spray also has major beauty benefits like apple extracts to bump up that hydration, grapefruit extract to provide antioxidants and vitamins and it also contains an Olive Oil derived moisturizer for a dewy gleam as your base pre makeup application. To be honest when I read the words "OLIVE OIL",  I was a bit skeptical because I thought "Oh my God, what if it clogs my pores? or possibly break me out?' but thankfully it did neither. My skin felt moisturized, soft, cool and refreshed. I found the subtle grapefruit scent to be revitalizing. Along with the aquamarine crystal setting spray, My makeup application seemed to last throughout a full work day like it normally does, then again I don't really wear too much. With that being said, I don't know how long it will last with a FULL FACE as in foundation, cream contour and highlight, bronzer, powder, etc. I haven't tried it with a full face yet. I'm hopeful it would work. 

The Crystal Collection was said to be Limited Edition (as with a majority of their products) but I have a good feeling they will be re-releasing these gems, and for $6 for the Priming Spray and $9 for the liquid highlighter, it is SO worth a try!!! Search the product on Colourpop.com, click on the product and add your email address to be notified when they come back out. 

Colourpop Cosmetics Pressed Powder Shadows

By: Amanda V.

Colourpop Cosmetics, who are known for their super affordable creamy shadows, highlighters and liquid lippies finally released pressed powder eyeshadows earlier this year. Being the fangirl that I am for this brand, I picked up a few and they did not disappoint. At just 5 bucks a pop, these eyeshadow pans are a pretty good steal to add to your collection. Some of the shimmers and metallics can double as a highlight. They blend really well without skipping which is what i loved the most. Of course they have a bit of fallout, just about every eyeshadow does but thats nothing a a quick swipe of a wipe can't fix. 

Unedited, Single finger swatches! do you see this beam?! Colourpop's Metallic and shimmer shadows are out of this world. From Top to Bottom: Let Me Explain, Take It Slow, Liar Liar, You Know The Drill, High Strung, Come and Get It, Milli. 

I was actually surprised to see that the matte shadows not only showed up with a single finger swatch but also blended well with a brush. I've had many past experiences with inexpensive mattes, they tend to go on like chalk and not blend at all. These blended like a creamy dream. I've worn these for a full day and with the right eye primer, they last quite a long time. 

These neutral Mattes ARE A DREAM!!! From Top to Bottom: Wake Up Call, Bel Air, Wait For It, Get Out, Backseat, Goody Two Shoes (I highly recommend this sultry metallic gunmetal shade to everyone, it reflects beautifully and is perfect for a summer smokey eye!) 

As far as these pressed eye shadows go, they are an 11/10. Luxe quality at the perfect price. Colourpop.com is currently having a promo, 3 eye shadows for $10 and FREE DOMESTIC SHIPPING IN THE US!!! If you're someone like me, who prefers not to spend too much on shadows because its what I use the least on myself,  this is a perfect go to. This is also great for teens and the MUA beginners who are looking to bulid their kit. I only knocked out half of a star because i feel that the processing prior to shipping takes FOREVER!!! (I'm annoyingly impatient, but then again since shipping is free I shouldn't be complaining.) 

Colourpop Super Shock Cheek Highlighter in “Flexitarian”

By: Amanda V.

Once again I come to you with yet another product for Glowing Goddess skin. The brand Colourpop is one of the greatest things to happen to the beauty industry. Innovative formula, affordable price tag with premium pigmentation. They recently came out with 4 new Super Shock Cheek Highlighters. They are all absolutely STUNNING!!! I posted the swatches on my Instagram and they’re just so 

Aesthetically pleasing that all I can do is stare. It's like a glistening Christmas tree. 

(Swatches from My Instagram post. From left to Right: Do Not Disturb, Flexitarian, Candyman & Might Be.)

The shade that stuck out for me was “Flexiatrian”. This cool toned, silvery champagne shade is seriously like diamonds for your skin. The BEAM IS REAL!!! It’s not for the faint-hearted. This incredible pearlized finish highlighter glides on so smoothly like a dream. the formulation of these particular products are unique and extremely delicate like silk. I dropped one of them and the product popped out but I pressed it back in gently thank god. I prefer to apply this product with my fingers and dab it on lightly. I pack it on to the intensity that I prefer. Sometimes I’ll grab a slightly damp beauty blender just so that the finish is more flawless. This gives me that lit from within glow. This highlight will last ALL DAY, especially when set with a spray like Mac Fix+ or Urban Decay's All Nighter. 

photo with Flash 

No flash

The Colourpop Highlighters all retail for about $8 flat for 0.15oz of product on the Colourpop website, tax free and the shipping is free when you spend $30. This item is a complete steal. This product has not affected my skin in anyway, it's pretty gentle in my honest opinion. The only complaint I have about this product is that they don’t last too long. my highlighters from last summer song seem as pigmented and as silky. I suggest you use it up constantly so you don’t end up having to toss it. That is the single reason why I knocked off a star. Easy to use and inexpensive, it's perfect for young girls who are just starting out with makeup. Grab yourself a few, I highly recommend. 

NOTE: CLOSE THE JARS AS TIGHT AS YOU CAN. If not, the unique silky formula will dry out.