Honestly, what is all the hype about Mac eyeshadow?

Yes, I did just ask that question. 

I just got several Mac eyeshadows from my grandma who didn't want them. Obviously she wasn't impressed and is sticking to her Guerlain eyeshadow. 

I've played around with them and swatched them. They're just not that pigmented. They fade even with a good primer. They're just not spectacular. I was expecting something that measures up to the hype Mac eyeshadows get around the beauty community. I didn't get that.

My Sleek eyeshadows, on the other hand, are much more impressive - for a fraction of the price. 

Most of what I use these days are my Sleek palettes. I paid around $10 for each palette plus $10 international shipping. So for $50 I got 48 extremely soft, pigmented eyeshadows that blend like a dream and look gorgeous all day. 

I also enjoy my Lorac and WetnWild eyeshadows much more than my Mac ones. 

For $15, I could get one Mac shadow that just doesn't measure up to the quality of my Sleek eyeshadows. 

This is why I've never spent my own money on Mac. 

I would, however, spend more than that on Dior eyeshadow, because based on my own experience, Dior eyeshadows are the be-all-end-all. 

So PLEASE, can someone please tell me what it is about Mac eyeshadows that makes them so "wonderful"?? I just don't get it!

Goodies from Bubbe!

Hey guys!

You know how whenever you go to your grandparents' house, they always want to give you stuff?

I was up north over my winter break visiting family and got a bunch of stuff! My bubbe (grandma) always buys a ton of expensive makeup and never ends up using it all. I mean, this woman will not buy makeup unless it is from the department store or Macy's. She spends a lot of money and then she'll decide she doesn't like something or doesn't know how to use it.

One day I had spent the night at her house and she was showing me all the makeup she uses. She always compliments me on my makeup, especially the way I do my eye makeup.

So then she pulls out a whole shoebox of Mac and Lancome makeup. She says to me in her charming little French accent, "I don't know how to use this. Jessie, you are the expert."

I guess this is like a "haul" post, except I didn't buy any of this.

Estée Lauder Matte Perfecting Primer: makes my skin feel really silky but I don't know if it prolongs wear

Estée Lauder Double Wear Light Stay-in-Place foundation: a decent foundation

Estée Lauder Double Wear Stay-in-Place Flawless Wear concealer: I really love this concealer! Great full coverage

Mac Eyeshadows: (L-R) Beautiful Iris, Brûlé, Haux, Mythology, Naked Lunch, Scene, Shale, Carefree (Pro Longwear eyeshadow)

Lancôme Color Design Eye Brightening All-in-One 5 Shadow & Liner Palette in Mauve Chérie

L'Oréal eyeshadow quad in Summer Dusk (these shadows are GREAT for my brown eyes!)

Brushes (L-R): Sephora Professionnel 45 mineral powder brush, Bobbi Brown blush brush, Sephora Professionnel 40 powder brush, Chanel 10 brush (angled blush brush that I've been using to contour)

Have you guys used any of these products? Love them? Hate them?

Back to class FOTD

Hey guys!

Today marks the beginning of the spring semester for me. I got done with classes today at 1:10 pm so that was nice. I also broke out my brand new snow boots. The campus is still covered in snow and was quite chilly for me. The weather is definitely an adjustment for me, coming from the South.

This is the view of all the snow from my dorm room. It has melted minimally.

I was going to make this an OOTD post, too so I could show off my new snow boots but unfortunately I couldn't get any good pictures :(

This morning I wanted something quick, fairly simple, but really pretty so I could make a good impression on the first day.

Here's what I came up with:

Mind you, these pictures were taken after at least 4 hours of wear and lots of walking all over campus. 

Here's what I used:

-Neutrogena Shine Control primer & foundation

-Palladio Rice Powder in Natural

-NYX bronzer in When Leopard Gets a Tan (contour)

-NYX blush in Pinched

-ELF eyeshadow primer in Golden

-Sleek Storm palette (shimmery pink shade in crease, dark bronze in outer third of the lid and along the outer half of the lower lash line, lightest golden champagne color in the inner portion of the lid and as a highlight under the brow)

-NYX JEP in French Fries along the upper and lower waterline

-ELF liquid liner

-L'Oreal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara

-LORAC Liquid Lipstick in Trendsetter

What do you guys like to wear on special days like this where you want to impress without looking too overdone?

So I hope you liked that! For those of you starting classes again, I wish you the best of luck! Stay warm my beauties! 

I've got some more posts lining up for later this week! 

XOXO, Jessie

Talk about 2012, 2013 and my blog

Hey guys!

I know it has been entirely way too long since I've posted on here. I still log in everyday to read posts but I was just having difficulties in finding the time to devote to posting. Pictures take the longest time!

Well, 2012 is in the past now. I do want to recommit myself to this blog, because it has provided me with a really wonderful outlet for a hobby of mine, as well as let me take part in the amazing beauty blogger community.

So, here I will be sappy and cliché about 2012:

Let's see... I graduated high school, turned 18, started college, mourned the death of my dear grandfather, recommitted myself to my spiritual journey through Judaism, let go of my long distance love, made a ton of new friends, learned about myself, and HEY I GOT STRAIGHT A'S MY FIRST SEMESTER OF COLLEGE!

I would say it was a successful year and most definitely a year I will never forget. A significant portion of 2012 was this blog. So thank you for helping me to build my blog and make it all worth it.

Honestly, I have always thought of ideas for posts, etc. but never made them happen. I have so many hauls that I haven't shared with you. I do have a really great haul that I'm looking forward to sharing with you within the next week!

So I apologize for being neglectful and I hope that 2013 can bring great things to this blog.

In the meantime, stay beautiful my loves and thank you again for your support throughout 2012!

XOXO, Jessie

P.S. You can never miss a thing if you follow me on Twitter or Instagram ;) @jessiefrancaise

REVIEW: Neutrogena Shine Control line

Hey guys!

Today I have a collective review on the Neutrogena Shine Control line for you. I did not receive these for review, however I won them from a contest on Beauty Undercover.

I've been using them for quite a while now and I'm surprised that I haven't heard/read more about this line since it would seem as though a line of products claiming to control shine would have more hype, but after using them, I understand why...

The "secret ingredient" of this line is what Neutrogena calls a rice protein complex, which I guess is what is supposed to be controlling the shine.

It comes in a 1 ounce (30 mL - standard size) black squeezy bottle.

The primer's claims:

• controls shine all day with or without makeup
• extends the wear of makeup
• matte finish
• won't over dry skin or clog pores

The consistency is kind of creamy - it reminds me of the MUFE HD primer which I love so much. It has tiny gritty particles in it that go away as you smooth it into the skin. There is a slight scent that is probably from the rice protein, but nothing too overpowering.

Honestly, it just doesn't control my shine/oil as much as I expected it to. I have tried it with other foundations and it just didn't work as well as my Monistat chafing gel, which I didn't actually think worked until I compared it to this.

It did not extend the wear of my makeup to the point where I noticed anything. It didn't control shine. 

It does have a matte finish and won't dry out your skin or clog pores.

I don't know how much this primer costs since I didn't actually buy it, but I think it's on the pricier end of drugstore primers. And I don't think it's worth it to get it, unless you really want to try.

The foundation comes in a bottle similar to Revlon Colorstay - glass bottle with no pump. 1 ounce or 30 mL

The foundation's claims:

• 8 hour shine control; won't over dry skin
• Lightweight, breathable formula; natural look

This foundation is awful. It has a thick formula that is very hard to get out of the bottle. I have to keep the bottle stored upside down so that I can get product out of the bottle when I want to use it. It also has the gritty texture that blends out. It does have a natural finish with very light coverage, but I also feel like the coverage is splotchy. It just doesn't look all that great on my skin.

There is no way that this foundation can control shine for 8 hours. It lasts a few hours on my skin before my skin starts looking gross. I feel like the primer and powder will extend the life of this foundation, but I wouldn't even want to try wearing this without those two along with it.

I'm just not a fan of this foundation and I don't think it's really worth your money. Revlon Colorstay doesn't claim to control shine, yet it does a much better job than this Neutrogena foundation.

The setting powder comes in a circular compact with a mirror and puff. I don't use the powder puff to use this product. You get 0.37 ounces or 10.4 grams of product.

The powder's claims:

• Instantly eliminates shine for a fresh look that lasts all day
• Layers invisibly over makeup
• Matte finish

This powder is probably the gem of the Shine Control line. I actually just hit pan on it today.

It will eliminate the shine. I have used it to both set my foundation and touch up my foundation throughout the day and it will get rid of shine. 

It is a translucent powder, so it does layer invisibly. I haven't noticed it looking cakey at all.  It also does have a matte finish.

I wouldn't say that this powder will extend the wear of my foundation when I use it as a setting powder. I have other powders that don't claim to be setting powders or shine control powders and they do a better job than this one. But I do think it's a pretty decent powder if you're looking for a translucent powder to set your makeup with and to use as a touch-up. 

Depending on how much you want to spend, I would say go for this product. 

And now for pictures of me with the products... This is the first time I'm posting my naked face on this blog!!

To the left is my completely naked face and to the right is me with the primer on. Nothing really noticeably different.

To the left is my skin with the foundation on and to the right is with powder on top (of the primer and foundation). 

I don't think you can really tell the coverage from the photos, but I would say it is a sheer to medium coverage. The powder, although translucent, does manage to make the foundation look like it covers a little better. I'm wearing the foundation in Classic Ivory 10. 

OVERALL, I think if you want to try this line, go ahead, but I don't think it's the best. The powder was the best I tried from the line and it still was pretty mediocre. 

Have you tried any of these products? What's your opinion? 

Fall jewel-toned eyes with Sleek Bad Girl

Hey guys!

So if you've been keeping up with the latest makeup trends for this season, you would know jewel-toned eyes are very in for the fall! This includes emeralds, amethysts, etc.

Here's the look I created! These pictures were taken right when the sun was beginning to go down, so it was hard to get good lighting. Sorry about that!

Products Used:
Neutrogena Shine Control primer
Neutrogena Shine Control foundation in Classic Ivory
Neutrogena Shine Control translucent setting powder
ELF eyeshadow primer in Pearl
Sleek Bad Girl palette (Intoxicated all over the lid, Envy along the lower lash line and in the outer corner, Gullible under the eyebrow, Innocence in the inner corner/tear duct)
WetnWild Color Icon black eyeliner (waterline)
ELF liquid eyeliner
Lorac Multiplex 3D Lashes mascara
NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder
NYX bronzer in When Leopard Gets a Tan
NYX blush in Pinched
Mary Kay lipliner pencil in Primrose
Ulta lip plumper


I hope you guys enjoyed this! If you try out the jewel-toned trend, I would love to see the looks you create!

Also, thank you again to my newest followers, as well as those of you who have been following me for the long haul. Your support means so much to me!

It's a red lipstick and fur kind of day

Hey guys!

I thought I would do a quick post for you guys today on a quick look that I threw together for going to class.

The Maybelline Color Tattoos are so simple to slap on my lids with a little eyeliner and mascara to go to class. I like adding some red lipstick to go with that and make the look even more polished if I want to look extra cute.

So I put this together: (These pictures were taken five hours after I actually put on my makeup)

Products Used:

Neutrogena Shine Control primer

Neutrogena Shine Control foundation in Ivory

Neutrogena Shine Control translucent setting powder

ELF Mineral eye primer

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bold Gold (all over the lid)

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Tough as Taupe (in the crease)

Maybelline Color Tattoo in Bad to the Bronze (along the lower lash line)

ELF liquid liner 

WetnWild Coloricon black eyeliner pencil (along the waterline)

L'Oréal Voluminous Carbon Black mascara

NYX Eyebrow Cake Powder

NYX Bronzer in When Leopard Gets a Tan

Clinique blusher in Sunset Glow

NYX Round Lipstick in Pure Red

And last but not least... my OOTD:

Black leggings are my new staple. They were against the dress code at my high school and now in college they're all I wear!

The black leggings I'm wearing are ones I got at Forever 21.

I'm also wearing:

Pewter colored lace cami from American Eagle Outfitters

Boyfriend button down from H&M

Rabbit fur scarf my bubbe bought me in Paris

Nine West American Vintage Collection shearling boots

ALSO, I would just like to say a big thank you to my newest followers! I'm only one follower away from 100! 

I hope you all enjoy what you see/read! Feel free to give me feedback, etc. Let me know if you like these LOTD posts. I do have some reviews coming up soon as well!

Join me on Twitter and Instagram @jessiefrancaise!

Super late SLEEK HAUL!

Hey guys!

So for my birthday, I had decided to get myself a few goodies from Sleek since they do have pretty reasonable international shipping and since I've seen these products (especially the palettes) used in endless blogs and Youtube videos. In total, I only spent about $50 which isn't horrible. That's including $10 international shipping, I'm pretty sure.

I decided my strategy with this palettes, instead of getting overwhelmed by all the gorgeous colors, would be to use one palette at a time, figuring out all the looks I could create with one before I moved on to the next one. 

Before I get to the palettes, I got the ever-so-famous blush in Rose Gold:

This blush is just so gorgeous. I know it is a dupe for Orgasm. Although I don't own Orgasm, I've seen swatches and it is pretty close. Not exact, but I don't need the real deal. 

I think this was only $6?

Oh So Special:

This was the first palette I decided to use, since I thought it would be my least favorite. I was poorly mistaken! So far, Oh So Special is my absolute favorite. I'm in love. 

You can find one look I've done here and another one here. I'm sure you'll be seeing even more looks coming with this palette.

Bad Girl:

As you can probably tell, these colors are more fit for a night out or going to parties, which is what I have primarily used it for. One night, I created a party look with the gorgeous deep greens, and another night I used the charcoal colors with the dark purple and black. 

If you like dark and pretty looks for partying or going out, this is the perfect palette! The colors are ridiculously pigmented!

Au Naturel:

This is the palette I decided I would use after the Oh So Special and I have created some gorgeous looks with this one, but I keep coming back to the Oh So Special. 

Regardless, this has some beautiful neutrals. 

Storm:

I have only used this palette once so far, so I don't have much to say besides that I love the colors and can't wait to use them once I exhaust the other ones in the other palettes.

The colors are pigmented, shimmery, blend so beautifully. 

I think Sleek is one thing that the Brits have over the Americans. For those of you willing to pay $10 for shipping, I think investing in a few of these palettes is an extremely smart thing to do. I don't ever want to look back to the days before I had these. I don't ever want to be without these.

Since there are endless reviews with swatches of these palettes out there, I'm not including swatches or a review. They're perfect, amazing, wonderful palettes. Get them. 10/10.

HOWEVER, if you do want me to post swatches, by all means, tell me!! And looks you would like for me to share? Let me know!

I hope you all are having an amazing and relaxing weekend! Vive le week-end! ;)

August/September Favorites!

Hey guys!

August was another one of those months where the end of the month crept up on me, but I am including those favorites in this post as well.

So, in no particular order...

WetnWild Megalast nail polish in On a Trip

If you follow me on Instagram, then you've probably already seen this picture. The color is gorgeous and the formula is perfection. The best part is that this nail polish is only $1.99. I want them all.

 

Sleek Oh So Special Palette

I got my shipment of Sleek palettes at the end of August (haul post coming, I promise!) and I can honestly say this was the best beauty investment I have ever made. With my Sleek palettes, I couldn't possibly want any more in life. 

This palette, though, in particular has become a staple. I wanted to focus on one palette at a time and figure out new looks but I'm still working on this one. The colors are pigmented, gorgeous, blend easily, and truly enhance my natural beauty. 

I could go on and on... This palette is my one true love.

Sephora Day to Night Wear Eyeliner in Black Flame

I bought this when I just so happened to be at Sephora picking up my birthday gift and saw this for only $2. It is soo amazing! I've never had an eyeliner show up so well on my water line! (I'm too cheap to get an Urban Decay 24/7 eyeliner). You can barely tell there's shimmer in this, so it's just a great smooth & pigmented black eyeliner crayon (it's the twisty kind).

American Apparel nail laquer in Passport Blue

I bought this a couple years ago at an American Apparel in Orlando (although I do have one in my hometown). I haven't used it much, and recently I decided I was in the mood for a darker color. I love this so much! The formula is pretty good. Yes, I know my nails are chipped. I will fix them - I just wanted to show the color.

And yes, the color is almost exactly the color of a US passport! (Even more so in real life - the picture is skewed by the sunlight)

Liplicious Cupcakes lipgloss in Pink Chiffon

This is one of those LE lipglosses you can get around the holidays at Bath & Body Works. I got this probably a year or two ago. I have a huge collection of these glosses and this happened to be one of them. 

This is a gorgeous light pink shade with fine glitter. It smells great and just looks really lovely on. I put this in my little wristlet where I stash my university ID and room key, so it's handy to put on throughout the day. Added bonus: it's moisturizing and leaves my lips feeling like I had on chapstick!

Maybelline Perfect Pastels eyeshadow quad in Velvet Crush

This is a quad I was given my bubbe. She never used it that much, but I've gotten some good use out of it! It looks great with my glasses because it really brings out the gorgeous brown in my eyes (rather than the poop brown haha). The colors are not the most pigmented and there is some fallout, but the colors blend beautifully and just look nice when I'm not in the mood to put too much effort into my makeup for the day.

Clinique Beyond Blusher in Peaches

This is just a gorgeous peachy blush I used a lot throughout August. It gives me a nice, natural glow.

ELF eyeshadow quad in Brownstone

These colors aren't shimmery, however they're not completely matte. I used these a lot throughout August. This palette is perfect for a classic and classy neutral eye, especially only at $1! 

Have you guys used any of these products? Loved them?

What are your favorites from the past two months? Let me know in the comments!

!שבת שלוֹס

(Shabbat shalom)

I hope you all have a wonderful, fun, and safe weekend! :)