Tuesday, February 18, 2020

Makeup Refresh

I've been trying out some new Cosmakery products for the past few weeks and I am so excited to share all about them!








Cosmakery recently changed all their packaging and they are B-E-A-utiful. I love the light pink and rose gold. Also, the lipsticks and powders are magnetic which makes you feel so much more confident throwing them in your purse, knowing that they won't open unintentionally.

I've been using their foundation for years and I swear by it! It is lightweight, but has great coverage. I highly, highly recommend it. I usually have to buy a few shades and mix them based on the time of year and my skin tone at the time. The two colors I wear the most are 'Light/Medium' and 'Medium', however I recently have been wearing the 'Light' shade a lot more, and using it to help highlight. I use their blending brush and have for years. That brings me to one of the new things I have tried out, which are their other brushes. I used to not really understand the hype about "good" brushes and figured all brushes were the same. I got the complete brush set which can be found here. They are such high quality and the brushes are SO soft (not to mention beautiful). They are perfect for anything you could need to apply your makeup. I like to display mine on my vanity and they look so adorable sitting out.

I've also used their translucent powder for awhile and love it for setting your foundation and reapplying throughout the day/night if you get shiny.  Their bronzer can be found here. My favorite blush color is 'Bouquet' and I use it almost every single day. Another similar one I love is the 'Sunset' color. A product that I have to repurchase the most is the highlighter in the color 'Lightbulb' - IT IS THE BEST. I go through it so quickly. I love a good highlighter!

Something I was especially excited to try out were the sculpting sticks which can be found here. As you can see in the pictures I couldn't even wait long enough to take a picture before using them. I LOVE them! They are so easy to use to contour and conceal - a must-have product.









Now onto the lipstick. I really love all five shades of the new color cream lipsticks. They are the only colors you could ever need, to be honest. The color that I have been wearing nonstop is 'Locket'. I ALWAYS have it in my purse, and I feel like it goes with everything I wear. I love the formula. It is smooth, but long-lasting. As I mentioned before, I also love the magnetic closure.
I'm definitely more of a lipstick gal and not normally drawn to glosses because they are usually too sticky. These finishing glosses though, are not sticky at all and they look great over the lipstick or by themselves for less intense color. I've used these more than I've used any other gloss in the past. They are pictured right below the lipsticks above. The colors 'Coppelia' and 'Dahli' are my most worn colors.
Last, but certainly not least, are the Liquid Matte Lipwares. I will admit, I was shocked at how long they last. I normally have to reapply any lipstick or lip stain, but not these! These remind me of the Stila all-day liquid lipstick, but better. They don't dry out your lips as much, and don't crack over time. Great for bold, vibrant color all day or night.

I would be happy to answer any questions you have about any of these products! They are all available online or in-store if you are local. They are located in downtown Plymouth at The Makeup Loft!

Thanks for stopping by!

PS- My favorite robe can be found here.

XO,
Sarah




Wednesday, February 12, 2020

Chocolate Charcuterie


Charcuterie board, but make it chocolate! Sure meats and cheeses are nice, but how about desserts instead!? I rounded up some of my all-time favorite treats and put them all together to make this masterpiece. This is what Zach and I will be munching on this Valentine's Day. 

You can make it your own and add your favorites. Whether they are store-bought or homemade, it is such a fun, easy dessert option this Valentine's Day!

On our board I included chocolate covered strawberries (my personal favorite), white and dark chocolate drizzled popcorn, pretzel kiss bites (instructions below), M&Ms, assorted chocolates, mini strawberry pie love notes (instructions below), sugar cookies, berries, and chocolate cookies with cream cheese buttercream for dipping. 

To make the pretzel chocolate kiss bites, all you have to do it spread out pretzels on a cookie sheet, preheat the oven to 175 degrees, place one chocolate kiss on each pretzel and bake for 5-8 minutes. Once they are done, take them out and place one M&Ms on top while they are still warm. SO easy and SO delicious.

To make the mini strawberry pie love notes all you have to do it use pie crust (I used pre-made) and cut out squares. Add a small amount of your favorite jam/jelly and fold three corners in to the center. I added a heart sprinkle, but you could add whatever you want (or nothing). Use a simple egg wash to brush on top before baking at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Another easy and yummy treat.

Happy (almost) Valentine's Day!

XO,
Sarah


Sunday, February 2, 2020

Chocolate Football Cookies


Happy Super Bowl Sunday! If you're looking for an easy last minute treat to make, here ya go! These chocolate cookies are delicious and adorable.  The frosting is a cream cheese buttercream. You can use this to add to details to the footballs and for dipping the cookies into (there is no such thing as too much frosting on a cookie IMO).
Here is the recipe:


Chocolate Cookies:
1 1/2 cups flour
1/2 cup cocoa powder
1/2 tsp. salt
1 stick (1/2 cup) butter, softened
1 cup sugar
1 egg
1-2 tbsp. milk

Combine dry ingredients. Set aside. Mix butter and sugar on medium speed until light and fluffy. Add egg. Add dry ingredients slowly. Add milk. Wrap dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate (at least an hour). Roll out dough and cut out football shapes with a cookie cutter. Bake at 350 degrees for 9-10 minutes. Allow to cool completely before frosting.

Cream Cheese Frosting:
6 oz. cream cheese, softened
6 tbsp. butter, softened
3 cups powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla

Mix cream cheese and butter until smooth. Add vanilla. Add powdered sugar slowly. Mix until light and fluffy. You can use a piping bag or a plastic baggie to pipe the details on the footballs. Put a small amount in the piping bag and leave the rest in a bowl for dipping.

Enjoy!

XO,
Sarah