My top 5 summer beauty must haves

With a month and a half last of summer, Its never too late to grab summer beauty essentials, All of these products are great for the summer because they either mattify, are waterproof, or aren't too heavy that you feel like a clown.

1. If you aren't into wearing lip glosses or lipsticks in the summer for whatever reason, then these lip balms are for you. It is so many colors that you can have a new look every day of the week. They are moisturizing protecting and smell so good. They are pigmented for them to be lip balms and some even have SPF.

2. Let me tell you all that I LIVE FOR THIS PRODUCT! when I first received it, I thought it was too dark which turned me off but the key to this product is that it lightens as it starts to sit and blends amazing when using certain brushes or a beauty blender. This product is mattifying AND Hydrates the skin, it provides an amazing coverage, has SPF AND is recommended for people with acne (works just as good if you don't have acne). The gel formula works with any skin type and it is reasonably priced.( sold at Sephora)

3. Brows are ALWAYS in and don't let your eyebrows melt off with powders or pencils. I recommend the Anastasia dip brow because it is a pomade( easy to apply) and waterproof.

4.If you like to wear eye make-up in the summer, but worry about it creasing...have no fear, Smashbox 24 hour Eye primer is here to save the day

5. I have been loving Dior mascaras and just about all of them are waterproof which works perfectly in the summer

My top 5 summer beauty must haves by raven-erica-alston featuring anastasia cosmetics

Cover FX paraben free  skin care / Christian Dior volumizing mascara / Anastasia cosmetic, $43 / Fresh moisturizing lipstick / Smashbox makeup primer

Upcoming MAC releases May-Sept

   Get your pockets ready ladies, these next few months MAC will be giving us thst work... That make-up work. With two collections (Maleficent) and (Alluring Aqua) releasing weeks apart this month, we have three collections releasing in June (MAC x Lorde) (MAC Pedro Lourenco) and ( MAC x Osbournes) and slight releases in July and August but today MAC tweeted about their big Fall collection featuring The Simpsons for their 25th anniversary ( MAC x Marge) realeasing in September .

Smashbox Santigold Summer Collection

So the other day, I walked into my job (Sephora) and my co-worker walked up to me mentioning the new Smashbox collection we just got in. Not being the biggest fan of smashbox( though I am loving my exposure pallet)  I payed it( brushed it off) until she showed me the lipstick ring. From there I ran to Smashbox and stared in awe at how beautiful this collection is. After swatching everything on my hand(, I just knew I had to get multiple things from this collection. I love the gold lip gloss as "topping" to a pretty lipstick. It is similar to YSL's gold carrot lip gloss and I also adore the double sided liners. What really surprised me at how good it was, were the two eye shadow pallets OH EM GEE the both were so pigmented, so nice, and a perfect blend of mattes and shimmers, I will be purchasing both. I like the idea of the lipstick ring but I'm not sure if I am ready to pay $40 for it. I do wish Smashbox came out with a blush I feel like I would like to see more blushes from them but aside from that, I give this collection an A.

Lime Crime Swatches

While at IMATS I was so pressed to go to Lime Crime, I finally got a few of the items I wanted- four lipsticks and their citrus liner

L-R: Chinchilla,Cosmopop,Dlilac,Mint to be

Citruses liner

Chinchilla at the top, Dlilac and viva glam nicki 2( as a comparison, VG Nicki 2 is lighter)

Limecrime.com

I will be getting more products soon

IMATS NY Haul+ pictures

This past weekend I went to IMATS NY for the second year in a row. I had so much fun this weekend and really enjoyed IMATS on Sunday. Saturday we arrived in NY and did some shopping around the city, grabbed a bite to eat in Time Square then Sunday we went to IMATS went to the movies, are at BBQs and went home.

Two tops I bought from the Victoria Secret on 34th street.

Doe, the creator of Lime Crime

Keyshia Kaoir, the creator of Kaoir Cosmetics

My sisters and I waiting to get into IMATS

Nars flagship store - they currently have a bleeker street collection 

Subway

Product Review: MAC Modern Mandarin

Not too long ago MAC released their tres cheek collection consisting of 4 or 5 new blushes. I saw Modern Mandarin and knew immediately that I had to have it. I zoomed to the MAC store, tried it on and fell in love. At first glance, you don't notice the sparkles but once you apply it gives a beautiful glowy finish( it is a Satin textured blush). It's a little lighter than I expected but I still love it. 

OOTD- cold,Spring day

It was so cold in Baltimore today I could not and still cannot believe the weather we have been receiving in the DMV( DC,MD,Va) area. It's Spring time but it's been snowing and super chilly. Today, I decided to dress both Spring and cold weather attire by pairing my neon coral sweater from Forever 21 with my black Skater Skirt from Forever 21. I accessorized with a necklace from Francesca's and my tights are from GAP. I wore my black, Steve Madden boots and carried my black Tory Burch Ella Tote( not pictured).

Hope you enjoyed 😘

Ig:cosmomars