How to tell if a blush shade has a warm, cool, or neutral undertone

We read a lot about makeup undertones online, but it can be really tricky figuring out our own undertones and the undertones of our products. I personally find blush to be tricky because blush sneaks up to the THIS IS TOO MUCH line so quickly.

Thing 1: Find your own undertone

My bare skin, photographed in natural light with no edits at all

Wearing foundation, plus neck comparison (I do not blend foundation down my neck)

NEWBEAUTY Amazon promo code for prime day - my picks

Hi guys! Today only (7/15/2015) Amazon is offering a promo code for select luxury beauty makeup,  brushes, skincare, and other beauty items for Prime Day. Prime members can use the code NEWBEAUTY once for 35% off. You can click here to see the items available for this promotion (not an affiliate link, just a deal junkie).

There are quite a few things available and you can only use the code once, so I wanted to share my picks:

1. Real Techniques Starter Set - $6.72

The Real Techniques Starter Set (not an affiliate link) includes the base shadow brush, deluxe crease brush, accent brush, fine liner brush, brow brush, and case. Amazon has it for $10.34 regular price, which comes out to $6.72 with the promo code. Considering Ulta has it for $17.99, it is a pretty great deal.

2. Real Techniques Travel Essentials Set - $7.27

The Real Techniques Travel Essentials Set (not an affiliate link) includes the essential foundation brush, multi task brush, domed shadow brush, and a case. Amazon has it for $11.19 regular price, which comes out to $7.27 with the 35% off promo code. Ulta also sells this set for $17.99.

Don't buy the Urban Decay Naked Smoky palette on Ebay

Just don't, guys. Whenever Urban Decay comes out with a new Naked palette (like this year's Naked Smoky), I have a giggle at all of the internet knockoffs. Then I remember that there are plenty of well meaning people out there spending their hard earned money on overpriced pre orders and dangerous counterfeits, and it makes me want to write this post.

Authentic Urban Decay Naked Smoky palette picture - don't get fooled by a counterfeit!

Urban Decay Naked Smoky is coming out on the Urban Decay website on July 8, 2015, online at Ulta on July 12, and in stores July 16. Other authorized retailers like Sephora and department stores will likely have similar timelines to Ulta. The palette is $54, contains 12 .05oz shades, and is in the permanent line.

Why you shouldn't buy Urban Decay Naked Smoky on Ebay: 

1. Expensive pre orders are a waste of money. Over retail price pre orders are flooding Ebay right now, with prices up to double retail. Many of these don't ship for a month or more! If you live in the US, save your money and wait another week or two to purchase from an authorized retailer that will get you your palette faster. Plus, you know it will be real.

How to save money buying makeup on Amazon

I admit, I'm pretty proud of myself for this killer deal I got on Amazon - I got the Cover Girl Clump Crusher Extensions mascara for free! Amazon has stepped up their makeup & beauty selling game lately, with adding a luxury beauty section, a Korean beauty section, and offering more coupons. I can't resist browsing for makeup deals on Amazon as an add on to what is already in my cart.

So, here is how I got this mascara for so cheap:

1. Shop around on prices. Cover Girl mascaras are $7.99 at my Ulta. Amazon had the Cover Girl Clump Crusher Extensions in Very Black for $4.89 - already a huge savings! Plus, free shipping as an add on item (you have to buy $25 of stuff).
2. Check for coupons. Amazon offers makeup coupons! (not an affiliate link, just really effing excited about coupons) FYI, I have Amazon Prime and some coupons are only available to Prime members. They change pretty regularly, but as I am writing this, you can get: $3.00 off a Cover Girl mascara, $3.00 off a Cover Girl Outlast foundation, $1.00 off or 25% off select Tom's of Maine lip products, $3.00 off a Olay ProX or Regenerist product, 15% off select Burt's Bees products, and more. 
3. Clip coupons. Below each coupon, you can click "clip coupon" and it automatically takes the amount off at checkout. 
4. Stack any other rewards. I have my Discover card saved on my Amazon account, so I can use my Discover card cash back bonus to check out on Amazon. I like to use my 1% cashback bonus money for online shopping because it feels like a reward. I used cash back bonus on the remaining $1.89 and the mascara was effectively free!

Lorac Haul: Peach Blush, Star Quality, Serenity, & Pewter Eyeshadow swatches

I wanted to share my Lorac haul from the VIP sale page - I got their blush in Peach and single eyeshadows in Star Quality, Serenity, and Pewter. Lorac offers free shipping on orders of any size which makes it so easy to sneak sale items into your shopping cart. I was so excited about my order that I took pictures quickly right out of the box! Pardon my dirty windowsill :)